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The Twelve Days of Zorro **THE TWELVE DAYS OF ZORRO** **by ****Kathy McManus**** and ****KathyG.** **This poem, co-authored by Kathy McManus and myself, is a take on the familiar carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."** **Hi, everyone! In anticipation of the coming Christmas season, KathyG. and I got together and wrote this little song for your (hopefully) enjoyment. This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands. :)** **"The Twelve Days of Zorro," by KathyG. and Kathy McManus, to be sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," which we borrow for our purposes and will put back unharmed. (I know that's debatable.) Any references to Zorro and New World characters are used for non-commercial reasons and will be placed in where they belong after our use.** On the first day of Christmas my friend described to me the history of a hero, Zorro. On the second day of Christmas, my friend described to me two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the third day of Christmas, my friend described to me three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the fourth day of Christmas, my friend described to me four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the fifth day of Christmas, my friend described to me five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the sixth day of Christmas, my friend described to me six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the seventh day of Christmas, my friend described to me seven _dons_ a-dueling, six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the eighth day of Christmas, my friend described to me eight maids a-dusting, seven _dons_ a-dueling, six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the ninth day of Christmas, my friend described to me nine _padres_ kneeling, eight maids a-dusting, seven _dons_ a-dueling, six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the tenth day of Christmas, my friend described to me ten _alcaldes_ smirking, nine _padres_ kneeling, eight maids a-dusting, seven _dons_ a-dueling, six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the eleventh day of Christmas, my friend described to me 11 whips a-cracking, ten _alcaldes_ smirking, nine _padres_ kneeling, eight maids a-dusting, seven _dons_ a-dueling, six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. On the twelfth day of Christmas, my friend described to me 12 _vaqueros_ riding, 11 whips a-cracking, ten _alcaldes_ smirking, nine _padres_ kneeling, eight maids a-dusting, seven _dons_ a-dueling, six Felipes spying, five sa-addles, four ta-averns, three mission bells, two hot _tamales_, and the history of a hero, Zorro. 2 End file.

The Twelve Days of Zorro by KathyG

Zorro

1. Chapter 1 Disclaimer: I don't own Zorro, ZPI does. Author's Note: Diana wanted a drabble with Victoria waking up after getting shot. My plan kinda fell apart...but this is supposed to be fun, not something I agonize over. I hope you like it. zzz "Diego?" Diego jumped, his head lifting from her bedside. "Victoria, you're awake." Diego touched her pale cheek, his jaw clenched against tears. "What's wrong? Are you alright?" Diego laughed. "You almost die, then ask how I am?" "You saved me. I knew you would." Diego kissed her palm, surprised and touched by her words. "Zorro?" Diego shook his head. "Zorro's gone. He won't risk your life again." "No. You must..." "Forget about Zorro." "How can you say that?" "He almost killed you!" Victoria shook her head. "Zorro must ride." "I don't agree." "It's not up to you." "Yes, it is." 2. Stay - Legend Begins Disclaimer: I don't own Zorro, ZPI does. Setting: What if Victoria had been there when Diego heard about Zorro's funeral in Legend Begins? zzz **Stay** "You're not going?" Victoria closed the door behind the doctor, then shook her head as she lifted a tray of soup onto Diego's lap. "You would miss Zorro's funeral?" She handed Diego some tea. "I do not believe he's dead." Diego coughed as he breathed deeply, but he was grateful for the soothing tea. "Shouldn't you be out looking for him?" Victoria sat back on the edge of his bed. "You want me to leave?" Diego reached out to take her hand, nearly spilling the soup. "No." "Then my place is here." Diego smiled and squeezed her hand. "I'm glad." zzz Reader: OMG did Emma just write a story without a reveal? Voice inside Reader's head, breathless with shock: I think she did! I must leave a comment now... 3. Chapter 3 - A Simple Review "Victoria, what is the matter?" Victoria sniffed and wiped her eyes. "Nothing." Diego's hands squeezed her shoulders before he turned her around, lifting her chin. His thumb wiped away her tears. Victoria stepped back, grabbing some pages she thrust at him. "They hate my column." "What?" "The people. They wrote me notes. They hate my column. My paragraphs are too long. I use fancy words, whatever that means." Diego chuckled. "Don't be silly." "Silly!" Diego took a careful step back. "You write for yourself, don't you? Who cares what they think?" Diego stopped laughing when she doused him with lemonade. Zzz Author's Note: This is part a joke people in my Facebook group will hopefully understand and find funny, part depression at getting some bad marks on my writing this week. Apparently fiction has killed my non-fiction writing skills :-( Hope some of you chuckled. End file.

A Simple Drabble by emmarae3579

Zorro

Read between the lines _**You gave me a home when I had none.**_ She drives off to nowhere. I want to come home. Don't let me go. _**Love when I thought it was lost.**_ Her smile makes me shiver; she does not fill my heart. I want to come home. Don't let me go. _**I shall never forget you. **_ Can she erase me so easily from your life? I want to come home. Don't let me go. **Give my regards to Z. ** I was there from the beginning. I should be there until the end. I want to come home. Don't let me go. **Felipe** End file.

Read between the lines by Knotheadsrus

Zorro

Those three words T/A: Those three words by MEG RATED: G AN: Thank Katinka and Sandy for correction and help. AN2: Sandy still has this last version. If there will be more errors I will post it again. --- "I love you, Victoria." How dare he! How dare he say those words... after so many good and bad years! He is my best friend. He is the only one with enough courage to handle my anger. The only one who is ever at my side when I become upset. The only one who has time to hear my complaints, has time to comfort me. The only one for whom my heart seem to trying to escape from my chest. And now? How dare he! He knows that I promised myself to Zorro, the legend of the pueblo, the mystery man, the man I wait for. The only man everyone expects me to wait for. Why didn't he tell me this words immediately after he returned from Spain? The first day I saw him again, my heart began to beat faster. I couldn't take my eyes away from him. He was so exciting...so brave...so handsome. There was this spark of light in his eyes when he threw out this rude soldier from my tavern. I fell completely in love with him. I hoped he would fall in love with me. I saw the interest and admiration when he looked at me. Then he has lost interest in me. What could I do? Then Zorro became the hero of our pueblo. He showed interest in me. How could I resist him? I admire him, I have respect for the things he has done for the pueblo and the people. From all of these people...he fell in love with me. I couldn't resist Zorro's words, his lips and his eyes. When I saw them, I always remember my best friend. I wished that he would look at me with the same passion and love the way Zorro does. I remember seeing that look, once. We were stuck in an old windmill, and it was stormy. I saw him looking at me with that love that I always wanted from him. He was so close! I hoped so much that he would bend over, and kiss me...but he didn't. He looked away. I was so disappointed that I didn't even hear what he said. And now, after so many years, so many empty years without him, he tells me that he loves me! I look at him. Is it true? Is he really in love with me? I see his face change from one of the lover to one of the friend. But his eyes... "Victoria, I'm sorry..." I place my finger on his lips. I know what he wants to say. He wants to apologize for making me uncomfortable, he wants to apologize for his... love. This time however, I don't allow him. I was waiting for him all of these years. I can live without Zorro...but not without him No more, because now, I know... He does love me. I drew his head to mine, and placed my lips upon his. I try to show him what me means to me, how very important he is to me. I want to make up for all of those lost years. "I love you too, Diego." End file.

Those three words by MadaMag

Zorro

The Body Lies **The Body Lies** Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for such nice reviews for The Body Speaks. Some of you asked for another chapter, but I couldn't add anything to a story that wrote itself (after I read a line in a body language book commenting on voice depth). In my short time dabbling at writing I have realized that things that write themselves are always better than what I attempt to do. So instead of another chapter here's a sequel. It unfortunately is a bit forced in places and a _LOT _cliched (consider yourself warned), but cliches are cliches for a reason. Disclaimer: I don't own. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Victoria had to bite at the sides of her mouth to keep the smile at bay as Diego bent down to claim the kiss that would entangle them into each others lives permanently. She couldn't look too eager so she angled her body off to the side and made a not too subtle glance to the back of the church as Diego kissed her gently on the cheek. He touched her with his lips for only a second, as if he was afraid she would bolt, and as if he was afraid her presence there at the front of the church with him was too good to be true. "Why did she marry de la Vega anyway?" was the unspoken question which haunted the church's patrons. Of course no one dared whisper the answers their minds supplied to that question in the presence of Don Alejandro and his family. But that did not stop them from speculating. _No doubt Zorro had gotten her in the family way_. _The tavern could not turn a profit with all the new taxes and that made de la Vega an awfully handsome option._ _Zorro must be horribly scarred and ugly under that mask. _ _She wanted children and a family. _ _Spinsters were fickle like that._ _She wanted a man she could hen peck._ The rumours were endless. Unfortunately what really happened that night when Diego returned to an enlightened Victoria would forever be a secret kept between themselves. Even if they tried to explain it they could never fully describe precisely how that night's circled sequence of cursing to slapping to touching had led them to this moment. Not being privy to certain information, no one had been more flabbergasted that Diego and Victoria were engaged than Alejandro. Despite his persistent enquiries all he ever got out of them was that they both wanted certain things in their lives that they couldn't get if life were to go on as it had been. Alejandro had been horrified when Diego bluntly replied one day that they both wanted children and they were good friends, so it made sense. As if children were merely a business transaction one conducted with one's spouse. And if the court-less engagement wasn't bad enough, the couple didn't even try to fake that there was any love between them. Sure they were having a public wedding, but there was to be no reception, no dancing, no eating. Just a quiet church wedding which would leave everyone to go home and ponder what exactly they had witnessed. And the poor bride and groom would be left to deal with the sad sort of affairs they were creating. The church bells pealed as Diego stiffly took Victoria's arm and led her out of the church. Alejandro groaned to himself that he had never seen two newlyweds look so awkward together. But while Alejandro was bemoaning his son and daughter-in-laws fates Mendoza was smiling happily at the couple. For some reason he knew they would be happy together. For Don Diego had loved Senorita Escalante for a long time, and with his money and her cooking skills the dinner parties they could host! The newly-weds were almost home free and out the church when two shots rang out, shocking them out of their tempered bliss. Diego shared a concerned look his wife while his father's voice could be heard angrily demanding an explanation as to who would dare fire shots on his son's wedding day, and so close to the church. Everyone else in the church merely stood starring at each other and listening for a clue as to what had happened. But that was it. Two shots. And then... "Viva la Mexico!" came a voice, which was two seconds later joined by its owner who came rushing into the church. "Ramone!" yelled Victoria in shock. She had not expected either of her brother's to be able to make her wedding when she had wrote them on such short notice. She certainly had not expected to see Ramone standing before her in his strange military get up. "Little sister, I have brought you the best wedding present I could think of; freedom and the opportunity to raise your children in a pueblo that isn't oppressed by ridiculous demands from the mother country," declared Ramone as he pulled his sister into a fierce hug. A few moments later he reluctantly let her go to shake his new brother-in-law's hand in what was a perfectly vertical meeting of the hands. "What is the meaning of this?" asked Alejandro as everyone looked in awe at the spectacle going on before them. A good majority had come for the entertainment value of watching Zorro interupt the wedding and were glad the wedding hadn't ended without some excitement. _Damn, it's just her brother, and not her unmasked lover hugging the bride and interrupting the wedding._ "It means that your former alcalde's lancers have either sworn to the loyalty of Mexico or been placed in the courtel. It means that Spain no longer rules this country, but the people of Mexico of which you are all now citizens," declared Ramone to a few half-hearted cheers. "Of course if you wish not to be in Mexico, I respectably suggest you find the next boat to Spain." "Does this mean Zorro is no longer a wanted man?" queried Victoria hope shining in her eyes at the prospect of a world where she could raise her children without fearing they too would have to witness the execution of their parents. That truly was the best wedding present she could imagine. _Just when she goes and marries the de la Vega boy. _ _It wasn't consummated, she can still get it annulled. _ _Doesn't she remember she's married now? _ _She's got Diego now, let another woman have Zorro._ "He's not a criminal against Mexico. He'd be exonerated under the new government," explained Ramone. This time the crowd enthusiastically cheered at his words. If the government of Mexico was a friend of Zorro's then it couldn't be that unreasonable. As the cheers died out a loud and bitter laugh cut through the celebratory attitude. It only took the wedding guests a moment to locate the source. The ungodly sound was coming from De Soto who had been sitting in the back of the church waiting for any sign of Zorro. He sat there still, laughing his bitter and vindictive laugh with his hands crossed menacingly across his chest. "Alcalde I don't see what you have to laugh about. You have just lost all your jurisdiction here," pointed out Alejandro. "I wished differently, but deep down I knew that going to this backwater pueblo would do nothing for my career. Therefore I have no desire to waste a single moment fighting with this man for a lousy pueblo that Spain saw fit to sell so quickly. Yes folks, you've been sold of all things. I received a letter a few weeks ago warning me this was likely to happen. Of course I was upset at first. But then imagine my pleasure when I realized the lovely senorita was giving up on her masked love when he was just about to gain his freedom to love her." With that said De Soto stood up, gave one final tweak of his moustache and walked out of the church, never to be seen in Los Angeles again. Meanwhile inside the church everyone's eyes were on Victoria waiting for her to break down. There were already the faintest glimmer of tears reaching the corner of her eyes, and her face was contorted in the strangest manner. "You can get an annulment still," offered Alejandro, and the padre nodded in agreement as everyone watched for Victoria's response. _Yes, please marry Zorro and prove De Soto wrong._ Finally the contorted look on the new Donna's face straightened out and a mirthful laugh spilled from her mouth to everyone's shock. _The poor thing's come unhinged._ "Well, Ramone it's been too long," Diego said not hiding the huge grin on his face as his poor bride tried to collect herself. "Victoria and I would love to host you at the hacienda tomorrow night for supper, but please excuse our lack of hospitality tonight. However I do believe there's a free room at the tavern if you need a place to stay." The grinning young couple smiled at each other for a second before Diego uncharacteristically picked up his bride and bolted for the door. He only looked back for a moment to speak to his best man, a devilish grin spreading over his face. "Felipe, I may be too preoccupied to feed the black stallion tonight, so make sure he gets some fresh air for once." Diego and his bride were well on their way home on Esperanza before anyone in the chapel realized they had just witnessed one of the greatest coupes in history. The End End file.

The Body Lies by Musicat

Zorro

Safe Hello, everyone! Things were flowing nicely with "Refuge," but I've encountered a bit of writer's block with it. However, this little one shot seemed to come out while I've been trying to figure it out. It's an alternate universe where Diego and Victoria are already married, and Luis Ramone is still the alcalde. Not sure how that all blends together, but hopefully you can still go with it! There's not much plot here, and it's semi-angsty, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. * * * When he'd left her, the sun had just started to set. Diego leaned low over Toronado's neck, his body moving with the rhythm of the stallion's strides. His gaze flicked up to the moon and stars now high in the inky black sky above him. He'd first promised to hurry, but she'd made him swear he'd take his time and watch his back, telling him that coming back home to her in one piece was more important than him rushing. She'd put on a brave face, forcing a smile and telling him as he'd donned Zorro's disguise that they would have plenty of time when he came back, and that she knew he would be all right. She'd said the words, but Diego knew better. More correctly, he knew _her _better. She'd been scared for his safety, and for the first time tonight, Diego had been scared for his own safety. He'd usually held little fear with his exploits, had barely allowed the feeling to enter his consciousness before, but now, things were... different. His _life _was different. Victoria was finally his wife, and they were finally beginning to build the life together they'd both wanted for so long. Diego's expression grew suddenly grim at the thought. _She _was why he now held a small sliver of fear tonight, a fear that had slowly grown each time he'd put on Zorro's mask. Her beautiful face, the sound of her voice, the feel of her in his arms vividly filled his senses, and he inhaled deep, the night air seeming to hang heavy with the scent of her. He and Victoria had gained so much in such a short time. A discomforted, vague knot slowly grew in his stomach. And the more they gained together, the more they had to lose. Diego tried to shake away his thoughts as his mind returned to the bandits he'd fought outside Jose Macias' barn. They'd proved to be more difficult to round up than he'd first expected, even after he'd quickly foiled their attempts at trying to burn the barn to the ground. The men had been claiming Jose was late on yet another tax had implemented for those not properly tending to their houses and lands. He shook his head. The Macias farm had been very well looked after, but the alcalde seemed hell bent on collecting his tax if even one single strand of straw was out of place. Diego had managed to finally get all of the men and tie them up outside the barn. The usual patrol of lancers running maneuvers on the north ridge not far from the Macias farmstead had seemed to take their time in reaching the farmstead, even after the sound of gunshots that had so easily caught his own attention. Though he'd longed to leave and return home to Victoria, he had not felt secure enough to leave the _banditos _unattended and risk the safety of Jose and his family. He'd only ended up waiting a short time, but it had afforded him the opportunity to talk briefly with Jose and his wife, and to meet their children. He'd been briefly surprised when he'd found himself tamping down a flicker of envy as they'd tended to each other and their family. He sighed deeply. The Macias' lives were so simple, so complete with their modest home and their four small children, and he couldn't help but wish in some ways that he and Victoria were in their place. Aside from the occasional threats from the alcalde and the _banditos _he sent their way_, _there were no interruptions, no complications that drew Jose away from his family in the middle of the night. Though seeing the happiness of those he helped normally would have given Diego self-assurance in his role as Zorro, today it had only seemed to make him impatient, and had brought a single thought to his mind. His eyes flicked back to the jet black sky, making the impatience return afresh in him, the feeling hitching higher in his chest the closer he drew to the _hacienda_. He needed to get home, to Victoria. _His _Victoria. Toronado crested the final hill towards the _hacienda_, then veered past it towards the cave entrance. Diego glanced towards their bedroom window, his expression brightening slightly at the dim light from a single candle warming the room. She was still awake and waiting for him as she'd promised. His eyes narrowed on a lone, small and slender silhouette stood before the window looking out into the night, and Diego felt a small smile come to his lips. Victoria. His relief at the sight of her suddenly halted at an unmistakable glint of steel poised at her side. His concern flickered to a low flame of fear. Victoria was standing there, waiting for him at the window - and someone had a sword on her. Or had she barricaded herself in their room because someone was in the house, and had gotten his other sword to protect herself? His shoulders tensed as he rounded the final turn into the cave entrance. Whatever the reason for the sword he'd seen beside her, there was only one thought now in Diego's mind. He needed to get inside the house - _now_. He ducked as they entered the cave and reined in Toronado, barely letting the animal come to a stop before quickly swinging himself down from the saddle and swiftly unsheathing his saber as he ran across the room the entry passage. He turned the candelabra, giving a quick cautionary look around the library before stepping out onto the fireplace hearth and making his way down the hall to their room. Diego could see the room's door standing open as he approached, and he paused briefly, making himself take a deep breath as he drew closer to calm his rapid heartbeat. He'd seen no traces of disturbance in the house as of yet, but he was not about to let his guard down until he could see that Victoria was out of danger. He halted at the doorway's threshold, his body tensed as his gaze stopped on Victoria standing alone at the window. His gentleman's sword, the one he'd used on the rare occasions he'd needed a weapon as Diego, hung at her side, her movements not seeming to show any indication that she'd heard him approach. Curious, Diego did a quick scan of the room before turning his gaze back to Victoria. The room and the house were quiet. No one else appeared to be lurking here, or waiting in the shadows to overtake either of them. However, Diego's sword remained drawn as he stepped cautiously through the doorway, his eyes doing another cursory sweep of the room as he moved towards her. Her small shoulders were squared and her stance rigid, as if she were poised and ready to do battle with some unforeseen force. He reached out to touch her shoulder, working to keep his voice low and quiet. "Victoria?" She pivoted backward at his touch, the sword in her hand rising up as she did. Diego's hand darted out, managing to catch her wrist before she could lift it any further, her startled dark eyes flew to his face, and he felt his earlier worry rise anew as they focused on his. The moonlight showed a nearly haunted look gleaming in her eyes, as if the familiar black clad man standing before her were an unknown phantom she had never before seen. She blinked once, then twice as if to bring herself back to reality, the breath that had caught in her throat a moment ago now rushing out of her. "Diego..." Diego glanced quickly around the room again when she used his name, but finding no one, turned back again to her. He glanced down at the sword in her hand, a sudden thought coming to him. He'd never taught her how to fight, how to use such a weapon. He'd never even thought of it, had never thought beyond being there himself to protect her. A thin coil of fear unwound in his gut. What if an actual intruder had come into the house tonight with her alone like this? His father was away at a cattle auction in Santa Paula, leaving only Felipe with her in the house. They could have overtaken the young man, then disarmed Victoria as easily as he had... then done God only knew what to her. His jaw clenched briefly at the thought as he stepped closer to her, his grip tightening reflexively on her wrist. "Are you all right?" She let out another shallow and unsteady breath, seeming to swallow back some unseen, fearful pull tugging at her. She squeezed her eyes shut and answered his question with a quick nod. She stood immobilized, continuing to stare up at him as he released her to sheath his own saber, then took the sword from her own hand, watching numbly as he propped the weapon against the side table at her hip. She swallowed hard before finally speaking again. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to...It's just I..." She shook her head before taking a deep breath. "I know it sounds childish, but..." Threatening tears gleamed in her eyes, and she looked away, biting her lip against them, clutching her arms as if to ward off an unforeseen chill. "I fell asleep in the chair waiting for you, and I had this terrible...this terrible dream... and I couldn't..." She looked up into his eyes again, finally focusing on his concerned gaze. Her hand went to his chest, her eyes briefly following the contact before moving back to his. "I just couldn't go back to sleep until I knew you were home safe." Diego felt a sharp pang of guilt in his chest at her words. Victoria had been tossing and turning beside him nearly every night for the last week, and had seemed more distracted during the day. When he'd questioned her about it, she'd insisted that it had been matters regarding the tavern that were disturbing her sleep. Though he'd known it was more than just business matters keeping her awake, he'd wanted to believe that nothing outside these walls could interfere with their life, with them or with the exquisite beauty they'd created together in their little and treasured corner of the world. He'd wanted to believe that the alcalde and all the injustice Zorro had to fight because of him couldn't harm them, or bring new fears into their life. Diego glanced to the sword he'd taken from her. But his hopes that their marriage would erase her fears and worries, or his own, had not only been wrong, but also had the potential to have dangerous consequences. His gaze traveled down the weapon's blade, the pull to protect her and to teach her to protect herself rising again in him full force. He'd teach Victoria how to use a sword, how to defend herself. His eyes shifted back to her fear filled gaze, and felt a flicker of fear come to life in his chest. But teaching her self defense wouldn't be enough, and he knew it. The only way to protect her and their future family was to rid them of the alcalde and his schemes once and for all. Diego stepped closer to her. Fighting all of these smaller battles as they'd come to light was gaining him little ground towards his goal of getting Luis Ramone thrown out of office for good. His eyes gleamed with determination. He didn't care if it meant going all the way to Spain and demanding to see the king himself. He'd find a way to finally bring peace to this territory - but most of all, to bring peace to the woman he loved more than life itself. He tossed his hat on the table next to the sword and quickly shucked off his gloves, tossing them to the rug at his feet before taking her face in his hands. He gently tipped her chin up to meet his eyes, hating the desperation reflecting back at him from their dark depths. "Victoria, it's all right. Whatever you saw in your dream..." His thumbs caressed lightly over her cheeks, and her gaze leveled on his, the fear seeming to dissipate from her eyes at his touch. "The danger is over for tonight. We're both safe." His eyes, then his fingers trailed over her mouth, his voice a gentle, soothing whisper. "I'm here." The cloud of fear that had filled her gaze rolled away at his words, but in its place was a new desperation, the likes of which he'd never seen before in her. Her fingers clutched the front of his shirt, and he dropped one hand to cover her white knuckled fist against his chest. He moved to speak more words of comfort to her, but his words were lost as Victoria suddenly reached up and pulled his mouth down to hers. Diego's eyebrows rose momentarily in surprise, but he quickly recovered, moving one arm to encircle her waist and pull her to him, his other hand moving back up her neck to cradle her head. Their bodies connected, drawing a long sigh from Victoria as her arms closed tightly around his neck. She fitted her body against his, drawing as close as she could until Diego could feel her heartbeat thudding strong and fast against his. She slipped one hand back to his chest, clutching onto his shirt to pull him even closer, drawing a small sound from low in Diego's throat, his arm tightening low around her waist. Victoria's other hand moved up and over the forgotten material still covering his face, and she suddenly pulled back and tore her mouth from his. "Wait..." Diego reluctantly opened his eyes, staring down at her, his breathing uneven as she reached both hands to the nape of his neck. She tugged at the knot of the mask, her small fingers quickly loosening the knot behind his head before she tossed the swath of material away, barely pausing to watch as it fluttered beside them to the floor. She turned back, the rest of her still as her gaze moved over his face, a sudden peace slowly growing in her eyes. A faint smile touched her lips as she reached up again, carefully smoothing his tousled dark hair back from his forehead. Her fingertips continued to move in a tender, light caress over his temples and cheeks before trailing down to the corners of his mouth, her voice breaking just above a whisper. "There you are..." A sharp tug of overwhelmed love reverberated through his chest at her actions, her words. He leaned in, cradling in her arms and pressing a loving, lingering kiss to her forehead. Victoria leaned against him, seeming to soak in his strength even as he pulled back to meet her eyes again. The small glimmer of fear had returned to her gaze, and Diego felt his breath hitch in his chest with concern. "Victoria..." She reached up, silencing him with her fingertips against his lips before shaking her head. "Please, Diego. Just... let me be in your arms..." She leaned up on her toes, her mouth a breath away from his. "Make love to me... please..." A low, deep seated groan moved up from Diego's throat as her lips touched his again, and he pulled her tight against him, her own arms twining around his neck as he lifted off her feet, then swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. * * * Diego stared at the ceiling, watching the shadows from outside move and collide with one another before turning his attention back to his wife, who was snugly fit against his side, her arms around him and her cheek pressed against his heart. He reached up to sweep her dark curls back from her forehead, his touch drawing her gaze up to his and curving her lips into a contented smile. She moved up his chest, pressing a lingering kiss against his lips. Diego gently pulled back before meeting her eyes again. "Now," he began, tucking a tousled curl behind her ear, letting his hand trail down her neck to her shoulder, "will you tell me what you saw in this dream of yours that frightened you so?" Her smile dimmed slightly at the question, but Diego was not about to be deterred. "Victoria, I sleep in this bed too, remember? I know this dream or some version of it has been disturbing your sleep for at least the past week, if not longer." When she averted her gaze, he moved his hand to cup her cheek and turn her gaze back to his. "Such dreams only hold power if we do not share them and let the fear they create overtake us." His index finger crooked under her chin when her eyes dropped to his chest, his voice was gentle but insistent. "Please, Victoria. Talk to me." Victoria held his gaze for a long moment before her eyes dropped again to his chest, her fingertips tracing idly over a small scar at his shoulder as she finally found her voice. "I see myself asleep, alone... you've had to ride out as Zorro... and some noise awakes me, more like a sense that I'm being watched by someone, or something..." Her fingers stilled over his shoulder, and she paused briefly before continuing with a soft sigh. "I rise out of bed and get your sword, and I'm standing alone at the window, just as you found me, and the night is clear and the moon is full, as it is tonight. I see you go by the window in a streak of black, and I feel safe, but then the feeling of another presence watching me overtakes me again, and I try to lift the sword to search the room, but my arms and legs feel so heavy and tired..." Diego's hand moved up her shoulder as tears tightened her voice. He trailed his knuckles soothingly over her cheek, drawing Victoria's gaze back to his and silently urging her to continue. Her eyes locked onto his, the last part of her dream springing forth from her lips. "And then you're there in front of me, and I'm relieved, but suddenly, something feels very, very wrong again, and when I undo your mask, your face..." She swallowed hard, squeezing her eyes shut against the image. "Your face is covered in blood, and then you just collapse at my feet, and I just, I can't... I can't do anything..." The pain and fear etched in her every feature tore at his heart, and Diego reached up, taking her face in his hands. "Victoria..." When she didn't open her eyes, he tried again. "Victoria, open your eyes and look at me." She finally opened her eyes, sending a single tear running down her cheek, and Diego felt a sharp pang of guilt and understanding in his chest as he gently wiped it away with the pad of his thumb. "So that's why you looked at me as you did when I first came in." Victoria nodded, leaning her cheek against his palm, and he pulled her closer, brushing his lips over her forehead, her cheek, and then her lips, as if to soothe away each place the worry had touched her features. He lifted her face to look into her eyes again. "Hear me now. It's over. The power of that dream, the fears of tonight, and all the nights to come..." He shook his head determinedly. "They're over. They're over, and we're here together, and we're safe." Victoria looked at him, his words bringing a mild confusion to light in her eyes. "What are you saying, Diego?" "I'm saying I'm done, Victoria," He quickly answered. "I'm going to find a way to stop riding out as Zorro so you and I can finally live our life together in peace." A brief flicker of relief passed through her eyes, but was quickly followed by one of worry. "But what about the alcalde? Won't he just increase his efforts if Zorro isn't there to fight him?" He shook his head. "Not if the alcalde isn't there to be fought." The confusion grew in her eyes before he continued. "I'll go the territorial magistrate, the king's emissary... I'll go to Spain and the King himself if I must. I'll tell him of all the alcalde's underhanded, money hungry schemes, and somehow, I'll finally get him ousted once and for all." A sudden light of determination filled Victoria's eyes as she watched his face, and she shook her head. "No. Not _you_, Diego - _we._ You and I, we're a team now, remember? You said so yourself the day of our wedding." Diego looked up at her, watching as the earlier fear slowly disappeared, replaced by the same, familiar fire that had so captivated him many years ago. Her eyebrows rose in challenge. "You know I won't just sit idly by and not help you. _We _will go to talk to these people, to anyone who will listen, and _we _will get him thrown out." She smiled lightly. "Whatever it takes to have you here with me and safe, Diego, it doesn't matter what it takes." A slow smile curved his lips at his wife's returned determination, but a small hesitation filled his eyes. "This won't be a fast process, Victoria, no matter what we do. I'll have to keep riding out as Zorro for now, but if we keep searching, find the evidence we need to prove the alcalde's corruption..." He swept her hair back from her shoulder, his eyes searching hers when they did not waver from his. "But you need to promise me something before we do this." Victoria's gentle smile returned. "Anything." Diego reached up, cradling her face in his hands. "No more secrets or keeping things from me. I want to know when something scares you, angers or frustrates you. I want us to talk about them, and not have anything standing between us." He traced a finger over the curve of her face. "That was the other promise we made the day of our wedding, remember? No more secrets." Victoria's smile grew, and she leaned in to give him a light kiss before answering his question with a single nod. "I promise, Diego. No more secrets." His own smile grew as his hands moved down over her shoulders and back. "Very well then. We'll take the appropriate measures, write the appropriate letters, and then we'll start compiling the appropriate evidence. With Luis Ramone's track record, it hopefully shouldn't take us too long to build a compelling argument to get him out of office." He traced a finger over the line of her jaw, bringing her lips to his for a tender kiss. "So, how do you feel about our little plan?" She pulled back slightly, her eyes moving over his face, her answering smile warming her every feature before she settled back against his side, pressing her cheek against his heart, her smile growing at its steady rhythm against her ear. "Safe, Diego. I feel safe." End file.

Safe by LovelyStardust29

Zorro

A Wonderful Present Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They are borrowed for my story without permission and will be returned as found. Author's Note: After almost three months, I return to post another old fic that used to be on my website. This is my what-if story. I base this story loosely on Episode 52 of Disney Zorro. Definitely AU. And seems to contradict what happened in "A Penny for Your Clue". Oh, well. This story is one of my earliest efforts, so I suppose I still didn't know what I was doing. I've made very minimum changes, because I no longer remember where I was going with it. This Anna Maria-centric story is as new to me as it is to someone who had not read it before. * * * ><p><strong>A Wonderful Present<strong> On the day Zorro would come to get his amnesty, I waited anxiously for the Hour of Angelus to arrive. It had been Ricardo's idea. He went to the governor to ask for the amnesty for Zorro. Leave it to Ricardo to come up with mischief! I did not know what Ricardo hoped to gain by getting an amnesty for Zorro. Maybe he was eliminating rivals for my affection. Perhaps Ricardo thought that by taking the mask off Zorro, he would look so ordinary that I would not want him anymore. I must admit that I never thought about who Zorro might be, at least not before Ricardo suggested the amnesty. I just loved Zorro. I had said that I would love him, no matter who he turned out to be, but now I was not so sure. How would I feel if he really looked different from my expectations? I was sure he was a caballero; his manners were those of one. Would that be enough to love him, to become his wife? Did I really love the man, or had I been enamored with the legend? I had asked Diego to come to the church with me. He refused, saying that he had some business to attend to. Feeling manipulative, I insisted that he spared some time to come. I believed I could face this ordeal better, knowing that I had Diego by my side. I looked up to Diego like the brother I never had. We had had our disagreements when we first met, but those were in the past. He did come through for me when my father was kidnapped. I did not heed his advice and it almost cost the lives of my father and my own. I reluctantly agreed when Ricardo offered to take me to the church. As we neared the church, my heart was beating rapidly. For the first time, I wondered if Zorro would come. Diego had asked that same question when I spoke with him earlier. I had said without thinking that Zorro would absolutely be there. When I told Diego that he did not know Zorro, I thought I saw a flicker of disappointment crossed his handsome face. I wondered what that meant. Did Diego know something I did not? At the appointed time, Zorro came in on his white stallion. He received the amnesty decree from the governor, read it then started to tear off his mask. I heard the crowd gasped. I turned my face away, afraid to look. I feared that without his mask, certain majestic quality around him was lost. He seemed to be above everything before, and this amnesty, this piece of paper, had brought him down to my level. Was I being selfish to drag him down? The next thing I knew, I felt a kiss on my hand. How familiar this gesture was. It was like I just received a kiss on my hand not too long ago. But by whom? Ricardo? I dismissed the thought. Ricardo had a sweet tongue, which I learned to tolerate, but he would not kiss my hand. Diego? He did kiss my hand before he went about his business. "Senorita, will you not look at me?" His gentle voice brought me back to the present. "I am sorry, Senor. I must have a few things on my mind," I replied as politely as I could. He just swept me off my feet and carried me in his strong arms. I was at a lost of the word to protest. He put me on his great white stallion then got up after me. All the while I still did not have a chance to look at his face. I was not sure that I wanted to see his face anymore. This was bliss, to be on a horse alone with Zorro. I knew he would take me to a solitude place, away from the crowd. I never tried to find out who Zorro really was. I believed I could always identify him by his actions, his manners. The thought that he might be a completely different person without the mask never crossed my mind. So I was caught unprepared when I finally looked at his face. His hazel eyes glistened in the dim light of the evening. I knew then. It was him. I did not like the look on my face. My disappointment must have shown through all too clearly. I was hurt. I thought he was a good friend. How could he play with my feelings like this? Suddenly a shadow fell across my face. He had lowered his face and looked steadily into my eyes. Then he just kissed me. Sweets, longing, passionate kiss. I melted into his arms. All my doubts, all my resistances were gone. I loved the man, with or without the mask. Had I been more observant, I would see that as himself, he did not attempt to hide his intense feelings for me. What a fool I had been! He was around me most of the time but I never noticed until now that he always cared for me, always looked out for my best interest. "Senorita, now that you see who I am, I won't hold you against any promise you had made before." He was referring to our possible marriage. "You shame me, Senor!" I cried out indignantly. "How could you ever think that I would go back on my word?" I could see he was taken back. I regretted my outburst, but I had no intention to apologize. He deserved it for daring to doubt my sincerity. He should know me well by now. Ever since he came to Monterey, I had spoken my mind with him on more than a few occasions. "Senorita, I did not mean to offend you," he stated. "This has been a very difficult decision for me to make." I was puzzled. What decision? To give up riding as Zorro, or to ask my hand in marriage? "I do not think I understand what you mean," I said slowly at last. "Did you accept the amnesty because you thought it would please me?" I was startled when he just threw back his head and laughed heartily. "Well, how should I answer your question? I would love to please you, Senorita, but I did not accept the amnesty." His answer threw me off. I did see him accept and read the amnesty. What game did he think he was playing? "Why, Senorita, you must be deeper in thoughts than you admitted at the church not to notice the spectacle I created there," he said teasingly. I did not see any humor in what he said. My cheek flushed with anger. I was about to scream what nonsense he was saying, then checked myself. I still had my pride. I refused to look like a fool by screaming everything on my mind. "If the Senor will care to explain what happened at the church, I would be most obliged," I said evenly, keeping my eyes glued to his face. He returned my gaze. I did not know what to expect, but it sure was not another kiss. This one was brief, but it was still everything that made my world. Then he put me aside, replaced his mask and sighed heavily. "Senorita, how I love you ever since I first set eyes on you! Now it appears that you will never forgive me for what I am about to say. If the choice was wholly my own, I would not hesitate to lay this mask aside and ask you to marry me. But that choice was no longer in my hand. My father reminded me, rightly, that Zorro has become a friend of the people, someone they can depend on. Being Zorro is a responsibility, not a choice anymore. When I started this masquerade against injustice, I thought it would end soon, when the just officials had been appointed to offices. But so far, there had been only corrupted officials. I was caught in my own dilemma. I could not have you and Zorro at the same time." He paused, presumably to collect his thoughts. I was left to ponder on what he just said. Why could I not marry him? I did not care he remained Zorro; I had no plan to make his secret a public knowledge. But I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. Right now he still owed me an explanation to whatever happened, that he received the amnesty but did not actually accept it. "I chose, rather, was forced to remain Zorro," he continued. "I know, in my conscience, that I cannot let a lot of people down. I remembered the hopeful look on your face when we had that little talk at your hacienda, so I thought I would have to go to the church for you. A few hours before the time, I crept into the governor's office and substituted the amnesty decree with the fake one. Looked like the governor never opened the parchment again, otherwise he would notice it was a different one. After I received the parchment and opened it, I removed my mask. But no one saw my real face. I had the white bandage around my face." He paused and showed me the bandage. Despite myself, I had to smile at his ingenuity. "Then I showed the parchment around," he resumed his narrative. "It was blank. The governor's face went pale. I knew I was guilty, but I could not say anything. There was no amnesty, so I was still an outlaw. After that I came to you." I could not believed I missed all of that! It was like I was not even there at all. Still, he let me know his identity, while the others were fooled. I shook my head. He was really unpredictable. "I never thought you would have it in you to pull a practical joke as superbly as you just did!" I exclaimed in mock surprise. "You give me too much credit, Senorita," he said, grinning amiably. I blushed. He looked so adorable with that grin! "I would not dream of competing with our resident expert in pulling a practical joke anytime soon. In fact, I believe right now he is probably taking the heat for all my doings, especially since he started this amnesty thing in the first place." It certainly served Ricardo right. He had no business interfering with Zorro in the first place. He was almost hung by the Commandante for impersonating Zorro. The other time he challenged Zorro to a duel, and was, no doubt, beaten. But Ricardo never learned his lesson. "Oh poor Ricardo!" I pretended to moan. "Senor Zorro, you are so cruel." "Senorita, your words break my heart," he replied mockingly, playing along. I laughed aloud. It certainly felt good. But there was one thing left on my mind. "If I understand correctly, you will not marry me." I stated as calmly as I could. "You never tell me why except that you cannot have both Zorro and me at the same time." He was caught off guard by my sudden change of subject, but quickly regained his composure. "The knowledge of my identity was enough of a risk I am willing to place on you. I cannot ask you to marry me. The life of Zorro is not ordinary. I cannot come home just because I want to see my wife. You will be home alone most of the time. But the most important thing is that you will be a perfect hostage for the bandidos who seek retribution against Zorro." "But I want to marry Diego, not Zorro," I protested stubbornly. "Then you would have to sacrifice your reputation for being married to boring Diego," he said like that was the most important thing. "Diego, you are anything but boring!" I blurted out. Could the man not have more ego? He did not respond. Under the dim light, I could not tell what he thought of my statement. "Please, I want to understand what will happen to us," I pleaded, my hands trembling. He sighed. "It is not that simple, Anna Maria. Everyone knows you are in love with Zorro. If you suddenly forget Zorro and marry Diego, people will talk. They might even have suspicions." "So what? Let them talk. I don't care, as long as you are with me!" I shouted in irritation. Why would anyone else have to deny our chance together? "But I do care," he said passionately. "If people connect Diego with Zorro, you will not be safe. I can never allow any harm to come to you. I conceal my identity, not because I am afraid for myself, but I fear for the safety of all my loved ones, including my father and you." He looked genuinely concerned. I had no doubt that what he said was the truth, but my heart still refused to understand. * * * ><p>The light had gone out off the sky. But I still sat there, absorbed in thoughts.<p> "It is late," Zorro observed. "We should be getting back." "If you think so," I reluctantly agreed. "Will I at least see you again?" "I do not see why not." Grinning, he added, "In fact, you can come to visit me in Los Angeles." I reflected on his reply. At least we could still be friends. And, as selfish as it might sound, there might still be a chance that he would change his mind about not marrying me. I was consoled by the fact that I still had my wonderful memory. That's the one thing no one could take away from me. I silently thanked God for bringing us together. Zorro and I had shared many precious moments since the time we first met. I would cherish forever the time we spent in each other's company. I had no idea what the future would hold for us, but for now, I was wrapped in the arms of the man I loved, savoring the blessed moment we had together. * * * ><p><span>Author's End Note<span>: For the record, I neither like nor dislike Anna Maria. Also, the ending is quite rush. It is not even a real ending in a sense that there is no real resolution. But I will leave it at that. Again, there are too many adverbs. And probably many confusing tense usages. All I can say is I am sorry if those things (and/or other mistakes I'm not aware of) were distracting. I'll try to keep them out of future stories. Thank you for reading my story, in any case. I hope it has been enjoyable, at least a little. End file.

A Wonderful Present by Scroll Keeper

Zorro

The Wind Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, ZPI does. This is another drabble for Emmarae's challenge. * * * **The Wind** If the wind hadn't blown the door open, then he wouldn't have been in a position where he was kneeling close to her, rubbing her arms. He wouldn't be in a position where he could gaze into her expressive brown eyes that showed her innocent trust of him. He wouldn't be in a position where he could give into his longing and kiss those sweet lips of hers, to take what was his. And he would not be in the position of saying his sacred marriage vows in the Mission Chapel. He blamed it all on the wind. End file.

The Wind by CrazyJan57

Zorro

Tornado's Thoughts: The Day Garcia Caught Me _Here's the second Tornado POV one shot, inspired by **IcyWaters** - many thanks, my friend!_ **Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z** The Day Garcia Caught Me It was a hot day. I was watching how my master and his friend were slashing away at the brush to hide crates filled with something boring. At least it didn't smell edible to me. The smell rather made my nostrils itch and I snorted at the thought of it. My companions were quite busy but at my snorting the shorter one, Bernardo he was called, looked up and decided to check the distance. The two were always hiding from the others of their own species if they wore a uniform. This time, Bernardo wouldn't have to go and check the area if he had a fine nose like me. I had smelled the other horses and their riders already. Another reason for my nose to itch. As I snorted again, Bernardo came rushing back to where his friend was. For some reason the smaller man was unable to utter sounds, whereas his companion had no trouble doing so. I loved the voice of my master and I loved the way he played games with me, like hide and seek. He'd tell me to hide and then he'd hide himself. At his whistle, I was supposed to find him. Easy task. My ears were excellent and when I got close enough I could even smell him. He smelled good. He didn't make my nostrils itch. Training my attention back to my master and his friend, I saw the smaller man talking in his usual hand signals. My black clad friend, he was as black as my coat, another reason we worked so well together, if you ask me, well, he went to look for himself what Bernardo had signed to him. Then he came to me. "Lead them away from here, Tornado," he said, patting me on my back. Tornado. That's what he called me. I loved the sound of it. Nodding my head, I went to approach the big soldier. He had climbed off his horse and was obviously looking for something. Probably for whatever it was my master was trying to hide. I was almost on top of the soldier when he noticed me. He made to call out but changed his mind. Picking some half-dried grass off the ground, he offered it to me. "Take the nice grass, horsey," he said, walking up to me. Did he really think I'd want to eat that? No. In my cave, I got tasty apples and aromatic hay as well as crunchy oats. Grass was nice, too, but not if it had almost the same color as the rocks around it. I kept backing up, always in mind not to take the direction in which my master was standing. This game was funny but also boring. The big soldier was persistent and kept coming closer with the smelly grass. It must have disrupted my sense of smell because all of a sudden, I felt a rope closing around my hind hoof and I was trapped. I didn't even smell the other soldier. Ah well, no struggling now. It would only serve to draw out my master. And I was sure he'd come and get me, wherever I'd be. It would be a nice change for once. ***zzz*** Oh, this humiliation. Here I was in the cuartel, having to endure the soldiers painting me with cold, white color. And that ridiculous straw hat they put on me was definitely much better for eating than anything else. The big soldier, Garcia, I think they call him, seemed quite pleased with the handiwork of the other soldier. I wasn't, but nobody bothered to ask me. I looked around the cuartel, seeing if it was possible to get away on my own accord. No dice. The short soldier, Reyes, crossed my line of vision when he stomped off with the offending paint bucket. He didn't look happy. But why should he fare better than myself? Just then, I heard Garcia behind me call out. "Bring me a bucket of water before you go up to your quarters, Corporal!" The soldier didn't move. He only pouted and crossed his arms defiantly, then went to sneak up the stairs anyways. "Bring me a bucket of water!" Snorting softly, I took pity on the big soldier. Using my lips, I pulled the knot free that tied me to the beam. Then I walked over to where I had seen a bucket of water. I picked it up between my teeth and walked over to Garcia, dropping the bucket next to him before I returned to my spot. On the top veranda, I made out Reyes watching the scene with a silly grin on his face. "Gracias," the big soldier called. De nada, I snorted softly. "If my back didn't itch so much I could sit here a hundred years and never move," Garcia sighed out loud. Hmm, his back was itching, was it? That could be remedied. I walked back to the soldier and started shoving at his back using my head. "Oh, that feels good, Corporal." Corporal? Do I have a mustache? I will show him, confusing me with the short soldier. I doubled my shoving efforts slowly. "My, what soft hands you have," Garcia drawled. Oh no, this man was even more confused than I had thought. Soft hands indeed. Running out of patience, I pushed harder and faster at the soldier's back. "Not so hard, Corporal. It was so much nicer when you did it easier..." Garcia trailed off. I had enough. He had called me Corporal once too many. By now, he was starting to realize that something was off. Garcia turned and got a fright, seeing it was me behind him and not that silly corporal. Losing his balance, the big man fell off the chair into the footbath and rolled all around. I had seen enough. Had I been able to, I would have laughed. Since I couldn't, I decided to take pity on him, picking up the hat Garcia had lost in his tumble and dropping it into his hands. "Gracias," Garcia started and then looked sheepishly, realizing he had just thanked a horse. Well, my friend, I'm no ordinary horse. At that moment, I saw my master enter the cuartel. He did look different. Usually he was dressed all in black. Now, however, he was wearing a rusty brown suit. He still smelled the same, though. I snorted slightly but he ignored me. "What are you doing, Sergeant?" I heard my master call out to the big soldier, who was still sitting on the ground. "Don't ask, Don Diego. I thought... then I turned around and... anyway, _he_ started it." Garcia sounded somewhat flustered, pointing at me. My master laughed heartily. "And I believe he finished it, too." With that, he gave the soldier a hand to help him up. I took the moment to approach my friend again, but he merely took a step back and pointed away from him. Alright, another game. Pretend not to know him. Fine, I'll play. "Gracias," the sergeant thanked my master, who now took in my appearance. Oh, how silly I must have looked. "I noticed the peculiar markings on your new horse, Sergeant," my master remarked. "I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it." Did I look that bad? Oh dear. "I don't think he quite likes it, either," Garcia replied. Damn right you are. Now that the paint has dried, it's starting to itch and pull on my coat when I move. Then the big man's voice became somewhat secretive. "This is Zorro's horse," he told my master. Zorro. That's what they call my master. At least when he's in the black outfit. It made me wonder. Did Garcia not know he was talking to Zorro? It didn't look like it. Usually when they call his name they start chasing us. Not this time. "Zorro's horse?" My master sounded astounded. "But... how in the world...?" Oh dear, is everyone confused today? My master knew it was me. Why did he act so... weird? "Never mind how," Garcia replied. I walked off. I had about enough of this charade. I had enough of the paint and the straw hat. Finding a quiet place, I started to doze a bit. ***zzz*** Around evening, I noticed a commotion in the cuartel. Earlier, someone had taken pity on me and washed that paint off. I enjoyed feeling normal again. Now, however, I felt alarmed. They were dragging someone into the jail cells. Someone who didn't move on his own accord. And that someone smelled like my master. I snorted, agitated. He wouldn't be sleeping at this time of day and yet I saw, when they dropped him on the cot in the cell, he didn't move. I didn't like it one bit. The sergeant sat guard in front of the cell. I was happy seeing that life returned to my master not long after. He got up and he was furious. I had never heard him yell at someone the way he did now at Garcia. The soldier must have said something to calm him because my master sounded a bit less furious thereafter. When it got dark, I heard he sergeant, who was still sitting in front of my master's cell, starting to snore. Oh joy. I tried to focus on something else so I could maybe rest a bit when I heard a hissing sound. Lifting my head, I noticed my master signaling to me. I freed myself from the rope again and walked over to the cell. My friend was pointing at something at Garcia's side. The cell keys. Of course. Gently picking the key ring up with my mouth, I dropped them carefully into my master's hands. Watching my friend as he unlocked the cell to withdraw the soldier's saber, I felt the rush of adventure flooding my veins. I knew it wouldn't take long until I could run to my heart's content. I wasn't disappointed. Having fashioned a similar outfit Zorro usually wore, my master woke up the sergeant and got him to open the gate of the cuartel. Then all hell broke loose when he jumped onto my back and I raced towards freedom. Just as I was going through the gates, I felt the familiar weight of my master missing. Unable to stop in time, I was in the plaza as the gates closed again. I could only think of one thing to do. I trotted up to my usual waiting spot at the rear cuartel wall. From inside there came the sounds of clashing swords. There was a lot of shouting and running and shooting and finally my master appeared over the wall. The chase was on. As soon as I felt my master on my back, I raced off into the night, carrying my friend to safety. End file.

Tornado's Thoughts: The Day Garcia Caught Me by miXiZ

Zorro

Saves Nine **... SAVES NINE** Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, Zorro Production Inc does - I just like to play with the characters. Sequel to "A Stitch in Time" This is for KatieZFan, who wanted more :) * * * ><p>"Mama," six-year-old Alfonso said as his mother escorted his younger brother and himself down the hallway to their room, "Can you tell us a story before siesta?"<p> "Say please." Victoria replied automatically. "Please mama." Alfonso said dutifully. "Please mama." Four year Edmund repeated after his older brother. "Oh all right," she replied with a smile, as the three of them entered the large room the boys shared, "But just one story and then you need your rest." she added as she helped them to settle into their beds. "Now, what story would you like?" she asked as she sat down on the edge of Edmund's bed, mindful of her swollen belly, "The one about the pirates or the prince or the poor orphan boy running away to the circus?" Alfonso shook his head, "The one where papa split his trousers." "Yes, yes, that one," Edmund piped up, as he squirmed in bed. "But I've told you that story many times," she said, "Aren't you tired of hearing it?" "Oh no, I love that story. Please mama." Alfonso pleaded as he sat up. "Please mama. It's funny." Edmund added like a little echo, as he too sat up. Victoria shook her head with a small smile, what could she do when both her sons were looking so eager at her. A look that was similar to their father's whenever he wanted something, "Oh all right but just once more and then you must go to sleep. Now lay down and I'll begin." She waited until the boys were lying under the covers once more, "Well, it happened before you were born, when your father, grandfather and uncle Felipe came into the tavern for lunch..." Alfonso and Edmund listened as their mother told them their favourite story of their father and the time he ripped his trousers at the tavern. They giggled and squirmed in delight as she described how their papa had been afraid someone would notice a large split in his clothing, and so he had sat near the exit with his back to the wall, and of how his ears had turned a lovely shade of red. She described how their Uncle Felipe had to rush back to the hacienda to get another pair of trousers and of how their grandfather had stayed to help. As Victoria finished the story, a familiar voice spoke behind them, "And what is the meaning of this story?" She turned her head and saw her husband casually leaning against the doorframe, his face stern but his blue eyes seem to sparkle with amusement. She wondered how long he had been there, listening in. "I know, papa, I know," Alfonso sat up again, "Always make sure your trousers fit." he added proudly. Diego crossed his arms, "And what else?" Not wanting to be outdone by his elder brother, Edmund piped up, "Don't bend over." Victoria struggled to stifle a giggle that threaten to erupt, "Especially in public." she quipped as she joined in with the teasing. However, the boys had no such ability to control their emotions and giggled aloud. Diego threw his wife a look that said 'not you too' before he turned his attention to his overexcited young sons, "That's enough, you two. It's time for your rest, now lay back and settle down." he ordered calmly, his voice brooked no argument. Even at their young age, both Alfonso and Edmund knew better than to go against their father, "Si, papa." they said together and settled back under the covers. Diego helped Victoria to her feet and together they left the boys room, smiling when they heard some giggles coming from inside and he debated on whether he should go back to stop them but decided not too. He knew they would eventually settle down and fall asleep; they were mostly good children, only occasionally getting into mischief; mischief that he himself had gotten into at their age. Not unlike a certain raven hair woman, who also had a habit of getting into trouble, "What on earth made you tell them that story again?" he asked. Victoria grinned, "They asked for it and I just couldn't deny them," she replied, "Besides it's a funny story about you splitting your trousers." she added, as she gave a long sideways glance over his rear end. Diego stared at his wife, "Did you just do what I think you did." he asked incredulously, as he stopped outside their rooms. She giggled, "I was just checking to make sure your trousers were still in one piece." she replied, as she walked passed him and entered their room. He grinned as he followed her inside, "Oh really? And were they?" "Si, they were." she replied, "I must say that your tailor does a very good job with your clothing." she added with a gleam in her eyes. He chuckled, "I will pass on your compliments the next time I see him," he replied, as he placed his arms around her waist, drawing her to him, "I'm never going to live that little incident down, am I? Even though it happened seven or so years ago." he commented. She laughed and shook her head, "No, I don't think so," she replied as she leant into his warm embrace, "Not now that your sons know about it." He snorted, "And whose fault was that. Father and his stories about me as a child. Even now, he still tells the boys some wild stories." he replied as he gently placed his hand on her swollen belly and felt a kick to his hand, "Perhaps this one won't be so eager to know about his father's embarrassing moments." "Oh I don't think SHE will," she replied, "I mean a daughter doesn't want to know those kinds of things about her father. It would be too embarrassing for her." "But if she is anything like her mother, she would torment me mercilessly about it." he teased as he gently rubbed his wife's stomach, "You sound sure it's a girl." She nodded, "She's sitting differently than the boys," she replied, "Hmm, that feels nice, Diego." she added as his other hand began a gentle massage to her lower back. "Why don't you lie down, Victoria," he said, "I'll be able to rub your back much better than standing up like this." "That sounds like a wonderful idea. My back has been aching a little today." she replied as she removed her jacket and her outer skirts before she lowered herself down on their bed and laid down on her side. When she felt the bed dip behind her and her husband began a gentle but firm massage to her back, she couldn't stop herself from one last tease, "Be careful not to split your trousers, Diego." she giggled. * * * ><p>The End<p> Hope you liked this little sequel. :) End file.

Saves Nine by CrazyJan57

Zorro

Victoria's Christmas Surprise **I don't own the rights to Zorro or any of the characters. All rights belong to the creators of Zorro. This story is for entertainment purposes only. I hope you enjoy it. ** **Victoria's Christmas Surprise** Victoria hung the last ornament on her small tree and took a deep breath to relax. It was Christmas Eve, and she was ready for bed. The Christmas party was a lot of fun, but she really hoped to see Zorro before the party came to a close. She figured he stayed away, so the people of Los Angeles could enjoy the party instead of having the fun and dancing interrupted by the Alcalde's crazy way of chasing after him in the middle of the night. She was about to pick up a pile of empty ornament boxes when she heard a bump in the kitchen. Victoria made her way slowly over to the curtain separating the kitchen and dinning room. She peeked into the kitchen and jumped when she felt a gloved hand touch her shoulder lightly. "Sorry to startle you my love." A deep and familiar voice came from the other side of the curtain. Victoria quickly pulled the curtain back and rushed into Zorro's warm and waiting arms. "I am happy to see you. Merry Christmas." She smiled up at him and laughed with pure happiness. "Merry Christmas Victoria. I am sorry about my absence at the Christmas party. I hope you enjoyed yourself." Zorro leant down to kiss her forehead. "I did enjoy myself, but I was hoping to see you." She frowned, but deep down she understood why he didn't show up. "I would have only ruined the fun. De Soto has a nasty habit of chasing after me and setting traps. I thought it would be best to wait until after all the guests returned home and the Alcalde back to his office." He smiled at her, hoping she understood. "I understand, but the most important thing now is that you are here with me, and we can finally spend some time together on this special Holiday." She grinned slyly up at him. "There is no one else I would rather spend Christmas with, than with you." He pulled her closer to him and lightly brushed his lips over her sweet and inviting lips. "I have something very special for you." Zorro pulled a small box from his sash and handed it to Victoria. "You didn't need to get me anything." She smiled at him and looked down at the small box resting in her hand. "I know, but I wanted to give you something special to keep with you as a reminder of my love for you. Please open it Mi Amor." Zorro urged her with a loving smile. Victoria carefully open the small box. Inside was a silver chain with a heart pendent carefully placed on a soft and folded cloth. "It's beautiful, thank you." She felt the delicate chain with her finger tips. A few tears of happiness ran down her cheeks. "Let me help you put it on." Zorro gently took the delicate chain and stepped behind Victoria. She felt a chill of excitement when the heart-shaped pendent touched her warm skin, and the soft kiss her masked love planted on her neck before he stepped back in front of her to gaze the beautiful woman standing before him. "It looks wonderful on you." He touched the pendent, and lightly brushed the back of his finger over her skin. She shivered with excitement and a slight blush touched her cheeks. " I will treasure it always." She reached up on tip toes and kissed him. Zorro responded with a shiver and deepened the passionate kiss. After a few moments, they stepped back from each other, they were on the verge of going farther than just a kiss. "You have always had my heart, but now you can see and feel my love for you when we are apart." He replied with a love filled smile. "And you will always have my heart." Victoria responded quietly. Zorro noticed the change in her tone and became concerned. "Is something bothering you?" He looked into her brown eyes. She looked upset and bothered. "I didn't get you anything. I helped buy the supplies for the orphanage, and donated some toys to help brighten Christmas for those children who have very little to look forward too around the holidays." Her eyes slowly filled with disappointment in herself. "Please don't worry about it, just seeing you is enough to brighten my Christmas. You have done so much for other's, you deserve to be pampered by others." He pulled her close to him, and gently kissed her. He made sure he pulled away before the kiss lead to something more involved. " I love you Victoria." He laughed lightly at her expression of wanting more. " I love you too. Thank you for the beautiful necklace." She shook her head to clear her mind. " You're very welcome." He paused to catch his breath. " I should be going. I hope to see you again soon." Zorro kissed her hand gently and climbed up and out of his usual window. " Merry Christmas Victoria." He called down and disappeared. "Merry Christmas Zorro." Victoria said to herself as she watched him disappear out of sight. End file.

Victoria's Christmas Surprise by jpaez

Zorro

Revealed (Drabble) His face was covered as usual by the black silk mask, but there was something suddenly so familiar in his steady gaze. His eyes were so blue, like sapphires against the black. Those beautiful eyes flashed fire as he turned from her. "I've told you over and over again, Victoria. I won't remove the mask. You know how dangerous it would be. I've tried to explain. I won't put your life in danger, for my own desires." The hint of someone else in the voice, revealed everything. "Diego?" He went white. She knew she was right. End file.

Revealed (Drabble) by Paulsmum2001

Zorro

1. Chapter 1 **Victoria's day** **Introduction:**_ This takes place after the episode Ultimate Justice. On his chase after Zorro alcalde de Soto has crossed some holy burial grounds of the Indians. As a result the Indians sentenced the alcalde to burn over a fire. To prevent a war between the Indians and the Spanish army Zorro offered to walk the path of pain to free the alcalde. The path of pain consisted of three parts: walking a row of Indians beating him with stick, a duel with a long stick and climbing the wall of death i. e. a steep rock._ _Zorro managed all three parts winning the alcalde's freedom, but he was also supposed to marry Washdea, the daughter of the Indian chief Wise Eagle. After he tried in vain to talk himself out of it, he preferred to sneak away._ As soon as Zorro was out of sight from the Indians he slowed down his horse. Now that he was no longer fighting for his life, he started to feel the pain from his wounds. If he didn't want to risk an infection he needed to get them treated as soon as possible. Normally he would simply ride home and have them tended by Felipe, but unfortunately Felipe was accompanying his father to a bull auction in Santa Barbara and wouldn't be back for the next three days. Since he didn't want to reveal his secret, there was only one person he could ask for help: Victoria. Quietly he slipped into the kitchen and leaned against the wall, his exhaustion slowly taking over. "Zorro!" Victoria exclaimed startled when she noticed him. "Is everything alright?" "Actually senorita, I came here to ask you for your help." "What do you need?" Victoria stepped close to him and he drew her to him half leaning on her. "Could I use your back room for tonight? The extra guest room you mainly use as a store room?" Victoria wondered how he knew about that one, but well he was Zorro. "Of course, you can. What do you need it for?" "I need some place to rest for some time and your help with medical treatment. Unfortunately I can't visit Dr. Hernandez without revealing myself." He tried to hide his pain behind a smile. "You are injured! Is it bad?" Victoria worried if his obvious exhaustion was the result of a serious injury. "I'm sorry Zorro. It's all my fault that the afternoon you planned for us got so ruined," Victoria said remorsefully. "Go to the room and lock it. I'm coming to you as soon as I can. Wait for my knocking." He didn't have to wait long for Victoria to knock at the door. "It's me. Can I come in?" Opening the door while standing behind it, he let her in, so that he couldn't be seen from the outside by anyone passing by. As soon as she was inside he locked the door again. Hidden under some sheets and towels she normally stored in this room, Victoria had brought some bandages and other things she needed to treat him. "Where are you hurt?" Victoria inquired. Only then she noticed that his shirt was slashed in the back. "What happened to your back? Remove your shirt and I'll have look at it!" Without protesting Zorro sat down on the bed and did as she asked. Victoria gasped shocked when she got sight of his injuries. "How did you manage that? Tell me what happened this afternoon! And your hands," she exclaimed after he had removed his gloves. "What did you do with your hands?" Lying flat down in the bed on his stomach he let her treat him. While Victoria cleaned his cuts and bruises, Zorro told her about the path of pain conveniently leaving out the part of the Indians daughter not knowing how she would react to that. "You did that for the alcalde?" Victoria asked incredulously. "Why did you do that?" "If there is a war between the Indians and the Spanish, it will result in many deaths on both sides. The Spanish Army will win in the end, but Los Angeles itself is not well defended and in an attack on the pueblo many people would get harmed and mostly the innocent ones. I couldn't let that happen." The alcohol she used to wash the slashes on his back made him hiss in pain and cramp his fingers in the pillow below him. Victoria pressed a bowl into his hands. "Drink this, it will ease the pain." He had already swallowed most of the liquid in one gulp before he recognized the bitter taste. "It is cactus tea, I got this from a friend, Don Diego as a painkiller. But I have never needed it before, so I was not sure about the dosage." From the immediate effect it had on him, she must had put quite a lot into it. "Oh great! Knocked out by my own medicine!' was all he could think before he fell asleep from it. Victoria realized that she had overdosed the medicine and promised herself to be more careful the next time. While Zorro was sleeping from the medicine, she took care of his wounds. Carefully she continued cleaning the cuts with alcohol and bandaged his back. He had been beaten severely and she wondered how he hand been able to climb a rock with these wounds. When she was done with his back, she took a look at his hands. They were swollen and bruised and needed to be treated as well. She had never taken a closer look at his long slim fingers, but she remembered the times when he had cupped her cheek with his hands or caressed her neck while he was kissing her. Victoria came out her dreaming and set her mind back to the task at hand. She cleaned the cuts and wrapped his fingers together under some cloth leaving only his thumbs separate. It was probably the best he was hiding in her tavern tonight. These bruised hands were difficult to explain and couldn't be hidden under a shirt. To wear gloves all the time would definite rise suspicions. Now that she was finished she looked at his sleeping form in the bed. His upper body was naked except for his bandages and the mask covering his face. For a moment her hand reached for the knot that held his mask in place to remove the black cloth. Without pulling at it, she retreated her hand. Zorro came to her because he trusted her and she wouldn't violate it by revealing his identity while he was unconscious. Instead she covered him with a sheet, closing and locking the door behind her. She would look for him again later when she had closed and the tavern was empty. In a quiet moment before dinner time she managed to sneak into the room again to find him still sleeping. Putting his dinner on the table she moved some crates and shelves in front of his bed. It made the room look smaller and hid the bed behind it. Enough for a superficial search of the room. Z Z Z She was serving dinner at the tavern porch when the Indians came into the pueblo stopping at the center of the plaza ignoring the coming and going of the people around them. The group consisted of an aged warrior, the chief of the tribe from the way he was decorated, three warriors and surprisingly a young woman. Mendoza went over to the group and addressed them. "I don't know what you want here in the pueblo, but you had better step aside to make room for the people." One of the warriors stepped forward and looked at him self-confident. "We will not move until we have finished our business here." "What is your business and can't you finish it also at the side of the plaza?" Sergeant Mendoza suggested, not really enthusiastic to take measures against the Indians who had behaved peaceful. "Our business is with Zorro. We know he belongs to this pueblo." "Zorro?" Mendoza let out a surprised smiled. "And what do you want from him?" The warrior pointed at the young woman. "This is Washdea. Zorro will marry her." Victoria had come closer after she heard Zorro's name mentioned. "This can't be!" She burst out. "Tell me how you come to believe that Zorro will marry her!" She would have attacked the woman if Mendoza hadn't restrained her. Alarmed by the noise the alcalde came out from his office, looking at his best again after he had changed clothes. "Mendoza what is going on here?" He looked at the sergeant who still held Victoria back with his arm. "I should have guessed. Whenever there is trouble, Senorita Escalante is surely involved." Then he turned to the Indian who had spoken for his group before. "What do you want here, Angry Eyes? Aren't you satisfied with Zorro's heroic actions? Don't think I'll get back to your camp to face your justice. Your in my territory now. Here my word rules. Go home now." "Our business is not with you alcalde, but with Zorro. He has agreed to accept our rules when he walked the path of pain for you." "The path of pain?" Mendoza asked curiously. "What did Zorro do?" "To save your alcalde from the trial by fire, Zorro agreed to be beaten by sticks, fight with a long stick and climb the wall of death." "Zorro climbed that wall?" Mendoza swallowed. "I wouldn't even look down from above and it would be suicide to attempt climbing it." Then he asked, "Zorro did all that and actually climbed that wall?" The Indian nodded. "Yes, he did." "Well, he is Zorro after all," Mendoza smiled, not hiding his admiration for the man he considered a friend. "If someone would manage it, it would be Zorro." "And what has that to do with Zorro marrying that woman?" Victoria asked icily. "He is already spoken for." Angry Eyes spoke again. "Wise Eagle has promised to marry his daughter to the man who walked the path of pain. Zorro has succeeded and now he has to marry her!" "And if he doesn't?" Victoria challenged him. "Then there will be war!" Angry Eyes declared threateningly. Alarmed the alcalde stepped in. "You can't be serious, Angry Eyes. Your tribe can't win in a war and a single outlaw is not worth the lives of your people." Thinking frantically the alcalde thought of a way out. "You may have heard that Zorro is always vanishes after he has made an appearance, so you must give us time to find him and persuade him that it is for the good of the pueblo to marry Washdea." De Soto turned to Victoria not hiding his glee. "Don't you agree, Senorita Victoria that Zorro has always had what is the best for the pueblo in mind? He will surely make that sacrifice." "You can't be serious, alcalde. You owe him, alcalde. He saved your life and how do you thank him? I never thought you would sink so low." Victoria was furious. Angry Eyes and Wise Eagle had finished their quiet discussion about the alcalde's request for more time. "Alcalde, we will give Zorro three days to present himself. If Zorro isn't here at noon on the third day, our tribe will be at war with you." Angry Eyes declared before he followed Wise Eagle out of the pueblo." "What will you do now, alcalde?" Mendoza asked. "How will you find Zorro and even more make him marry that woman?" "What I will do? Search for him of course, Mendoza. You will start right now with the tavern." De Soto stretched out his arm and pointed at the tavern. "And then you will look at the hands of all men, if they have bruises from the climb. Zorro can't hide that." "You have no right to search my tavern, alcalde. You are disturbing my guest!" Victoria protested. "It's for the security of the pueblo. That gives me all the rights I need. And you should better cooperate or the sergeant might be forced to open the doors with force." The alcalde smirked. "You will pay for any damages, alcalde." Victoria retorted furious, but then she hurried behind the sergeant who just entered her tavern. "I'm sorry senorita, but I have to look in every room," the sergeant apologized. "I have my orders." Grudgingly Victoria led the sergeant and his men to the guest rooms. Starting with her own bedroom, Mendoza looked in every room though he wasn't very thorough with it. Just stepping inside and looking inside was enough. Occasionally he opened a wardrobe and looked inside, of course without finding Zorro. Victoria's heart was beating faster when Mendoza demanded to look into the back room. "What kind of room is this, senorita?" he asked. "This is only a store room, but if you like you can start counting my table cloth and towels." Victoria said aloud, hoping Zorro would be quiet in case he was awake. Annoyed by the order for this fruitless search, Mendoza merely looked into the room and looked at some shelves with towels and table cloth and some crates in the back. "No, Zorro inside," he said to his men who were standing near him. "Now we have to inspect the hands." Mendoza and his men inspected the guests in the tavern for bruises on their hands. But they either hadn't any or didn't look at least like Zorro. Then the soldiers continued their search elsewhere. 2. Chapter 2 **Chapter 2** It was late in the night when Zorro woke up again. After some moments his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out the shapes in the room by dim moonlight that came through the closed shutters. He lighted the small lamp on the nightstand, but kept the light low to raise no suspicions outside why there was light in the storeroom at this hour. To his surprise he found a tray with a meal on the table that served also as a washstand. Victoria must have put it there while he had been sleeping. The rumbling of his empty stomach made him aware how hungry he was after all the exercise and having missed dinner. Fortunately the meal was some stew that he could easily eat with the spoon she had provided. Cutting meat would have been difficult while his hands were wrapped up. For a moment he considered to remove the bandages around his hands to get back the use of his fingers, but it wouldn't be helpful in the healing process. He needed his hands to heal first, because they would easily give him away if the alcalde went looking for a man with bruised hands from his climb up the rock. Still dizzy and sleepy from the cactus tea he went back to bed again, carefully extinguishing the light and locking the door from the inside again to save himself from unexpected visitors. Z Z Z In the morning Zorro woke again by a knocking on the door. He felt warm and feverish, probably some of his wounds got infected. Sometimes that couldn't be avoided even if all precautions were taken to prevent it. Victoria could hardly refrain herself from storming into Zorro's room, but she couldn't risk his discovery even if the tavern was still closed and empty. So she quietly knocked on the door and it was opened soon after. As soon as the door was closed behind she let out her fury. "I think you have forgotten to tell me something about yesterday, Zorro," Victoria snapped at him. "I don't know what you're talking about?" Zorro asked her uncomprehendingly, though he had an inkling what she meant. "I'm talking about you marrying that Indian woman!" Victoria didn't hide her anger at all. "The Indians came to the pueblo yesterday evening demanding you to marry her, since you have won her hand! So what are you going to do about it?" "To do? Well nothing. I don't want to marry that girl." Zorro answered trying to figure out the situation. "The Indians threatened with war, if you don't!" Victoria replied. "Do you want me to marry her?" Zorro asked her uncomprehendingly. "If I want you to marry her? How can you think that," Victoria was enraged. "Of course I don't want you to marry her. You have made your promises to me and I intend you to keep them. So what are you going to do about it?" "Well, hm," Zorro didn't know what to do. "I think I'd just hide and have them leave when they can't find me." When he looked at Victoria, he realized she had something else on her mind. "Or.." Victoria added. "Or what?" Zorro asked. "Or you could marry me right now." Victoria suggested with a smug smile. "If you're already married, they can't make you marry that woman." "Victoria, I don't think this is a good idea," Zorro tried to find the right words while he felt the fever affect his thinking. "What do you mean, it's not a good idea?" Victoria nearly shouted at him, but tried to keep her voice low. "Don't you want to marry me?" "Yes, no, I do want to marry you, but not under these circumstances." Zorro tried to explain. "Yes or No, what is it?" Victoria demanded inquiringly. "I don't think, it will get us out of the situation. I tried to explain it to the Indians yesterday, but he didn't seemed to mind if I had a woman already and have you thought about de Soto?" "What can de Soto do if we're married?" "Do you think he would risk the security of the whole pueblo for the sake of one woman?" Zorro shook his head. "I think he will rather kill you and have me marry that Indian than face an attack of the Indian tribe." Victoria looked at him shocked. "Do you think he would go that far?" "I think he might. He is a ruthless man." Zorro drew her to him. "I want to marry you and not that Indian woman. But I don't want to risk your life. I should better go now." In his arms Victoria felt his unnatural warmth. "You are feverish," she exclaimed. "You need to stay in bed." Zorro swayed a little. "I have been here too long already." "You're no in the condition to go anywhere. You're safe here. No one will find you." Victoria assured him. "Besides you can't go anywhere without your clothes." Victoria smiled smugly. Alarmed Zorro looked around him to find his shirt and his coat gone. In his hand Victoria held his boots she had just snatched. "What have you done with my clothes?" "The shirt was torn. It needed to be mended just as your cape. I fixed it, so you can wear it again on your way home. You'll get it back as soon as you're fit to leave and at the moment you're not." Victoria looked determined and he knew better than to argue with her when he knew that she was mostly right. He didn't feel that well and knew the fever was still rising. "You have me at your mercy. I'll give in, but you know how risky it is to keep me here." He gently touched her cheek. "It's safer than running around in the area half naked and with a fever." She smiled at him. "I'll bring you some breakfast." "Wait," Zorro caught her by the arm, before she could rush out of the door. "Why don't you return me my shirt if I promise I won't leave and I'll join you for breakfast in the kitchen while the tavern is still closed? Or did you already have breakfast?" Victoria shook her head. "All that excitement made me forget it." "We have an agreement then?" Zorro smiled at her. Victoria put down the boots and nodded. "Yes, we have. I'll meet you in the kitchen." She headed for the door, but she couldn't stop herself to glance at his naked upper body while he was busy putting on his boots. Quickly she left the room before he caught her watching him. She went up to her room to get his shirt and cloak that she had mended last night and put it on a chair. Zorro entered the kitchen and covered himself with his shirt while Victoria still had her back to him, preparing breakfast. The tavern was still closed and empty, but she knew it would be very busy soon. "You'll be utterly compromised if someone discovers me here." When he looked at the food she put on the table, he suddenly felt nauseous. "I'm sorry, but I'm not hungry. I can't eat anything." "It's probably the fever, Zorro. But you need to drink," Victoria handed him a glass of water. Zorro took it, but he saw her disappointment when she looked at the tray. "Please sit down and have your breakfast with me," Zorro smiled at her. While Zorro drank some water, Victoria ate some of the breakfast she had intended for both of them. "I love to have breakfast with you in the morning, querida. I wish we could be married soon." With his bandaged hand he cupped her cheek. Victoria noticed the longing in his voice. "So do I, Zorro, so do I," she whispered not knowing if she should cry or be frustrated about their situation. She copied his gesture and put her hand on his partly covered cheek that felt hot to her touch. For some moments they simply looked in each others eyes. Zorro wanted to start some conversation but somehow the fever made it difficult for him to put his thoughts to phrases. Stumbling for words he soon gave it up. "I'm sorry, Victoria, somehow I can't think at the moment. I wish I could find a solution to this mess." "You need to get back to bed now, I'll have a look at you again later." Victoria put her hand on his arm feeling the feverish heat emanating from it. Before she could pull back her hand, Zorro took it and kissed it. "I'm in your debt, querida." Z Z Z During lunch time the Indians and their request that Zorro married Wise Eagles daughter were the main topic. All were speculating what the alcalde would do up if Zorro didn't show up. A few actually expected Zorro to come and marry the woman for the safety of the pueblo. Those talks stopped immediately as soon as Victoria approached their table, but she overheard it anyway. The situation was heightened when the alcalde entered the tavern for lunch. The conversation more or less changed to other topics, since no one wanted to offend the alcalde. After de Soto had finished his lunch, his rose from his table to make an announcement. "You have all heard of the grave situation the pueblo is in at the moment..." Before he could continue, Victoria interrupted him. "And whose fault is that? Yours! If hadn't trespassed the Indian burial grounds, all this wouldn't have happened." Victoria made her opinion clear. "It was Zorro's fault who made me chase him," De Soto retorted. "Ha, just blame it all on Zorro," Victoria challenged him. "Silence now," de Soto stopped her. "Listen to what I have to say! You have all heard of the grave situation the pueblo is in at the moment," de Soto started his speech again, "and that requires extraordinary measures." There was some murmur as speculation started what these extraordinary measures could be. "I have therefore decided to grant Zorro a full pardon if he comes to the pueblo in two days and marries the Indian woman as Wise Eagle requested." "Oh no," Victoria exclaimed. This just couldn't be. The pardon was something she had always dreamed of. It was the day Zorro would finally be free and they would get married. But if he married the Indian woman there would be no future for them together. What could she do? Was it selfish of her to deny Zorro his freedom and the pueblo its safety? 3. Chapter 3 **Chapter 3** When Victoria checked on Zorro again during siesta, she found him asleep and burning with fever. Concerned by his condition she decided to consult Dr. Hernandez knowing it would be risky and could lead to Zorro's discovery, but she trusted the white haired doctor. Quietly slipping into his house while the tavern was closed, she knocked at his door. "Senorita Victoria, come in. What can I do for you?" the doctor greeted her. "I would like you to come over to the tavern, I have a guest who is not feeling well." Victoria replied. "A guest, you say?" The doctor eyed her suspiciously. "What ails him?" "He has high fever, you'd better look at him." "Just a moment, Senorita, I need to get my bag and some medicine." A few minutes later he followed Victoria to the tavern, his suspicions somehow confirmed when Victoria kept to the shadows and even took a slight detour, so they weren't seen by the soldier in front of the alcalde's office. Once in the tavern Victoria led him to the back room, removing some of the crates to give the doctor better access to the bed with Zorro. The doctor said nothing when he saw the man with his mask lying in the bed. Victoria looked at him inquiringly. "You can be sure, senorita, I won't tell anybody. As a doctor I'm sworn to secrecy." Relieved Victoria took a breath, leaving the room to give the doctor the time to examine his patient. "You have done good work, bandaging and cleaning his wounds, I couldn't have done more," the doctor declared, emerging from the room again. "But now some of them got infected and his body is fighting the infection with fever." "How bad is it?" Victoria asked concerned. "He is a strong young man, I'm sure he will overcome it. But it takes some time for him to get well again. He won't go anywhere in the next days," the doctor was well aware of the situation and the demand for Zorro to present himself at the plaza in two days. "Is there something we can do to help him?" Victoria asked worriedly. "I'll give you some willow bark to keep the fever at bay and he should drink a lot." Doctor Hernandez noticed the stress Victoria was under since she had to hide Zorro's presence while tending to the tavern as normal. "It will be fine if you make him drink something from time to time," he tried to take some stress away from her. "I'll come back here after you have closed the tavern. If you could give me a chair to sit in, I'll take the night watch at his bedside." Relief flowed over her face. "You would really do that? It will be very uncomfortable for you in that back room. It isn't really a guest room and full of storage." "It wouldn't be the first time, I spent a night in a chair at a patient's bed. That goes with being a doctor. And," he added, "Zorro has done so much for this pueblo. It's my honor to pay back some of it when it's in my power." Z Z Z While the doctor was keeping vigil at Zorro's bedside, Victoria lay tossing and turning in her bed thinking about the man she loved. Not only was he concerned about his health, but she needed to find a solution their situation that wouldn't require Zorro to marry that woman without risking the safety of the pueblo. The whole day she had been thinking about it and she was growing desperate, finding no sleep. It was well after midnight when she finally had an idea. With a smile on her face she fell asleep. 4. Chapter 4 **Chapter 4** In the morning she approached sergeant Mendoza who was having a lemonade before he was off on patrol in search of Zorro. Making sure the alcalde was nowhere in sight she addressed him. "Mendoza, what do you think about eating in this tavern for free for a week?" Victoria smiled at him. "A week for free?" Mendoza could hardly believe that offer, especially from Senorita Victoria who was a too good business woman to give away her food. "What do you want me to do for that? You know I would do anything for it as long as it doesn't contradict my direct orders from the alcalde. You know I can't stop searching for Zorro if that is what you want." Mendoza looked at her apologetically. "I know that Mendoza," Victoria said understandingly. "I don't want you to stop searching for Zorro, just the opposite. You will talk to many people during your search and all I want from you is to ask them to do something." "That's all? Ask people to do something?" "Yes, that's all!" "And it's not illegal as starting a revolution or something like it?" "No, Mendoza, no revolution. I only want them to come to the plaza the day after tomorrow to help Zorro when the Indians return." "If that's all I'll do it, Senorita Victoria," Mendoza agreed, "but I don't know how they could help Zorro in this matter." "Well, Mendoza, there is one more point to it," Victoria smiled. "What point? You didn't say that before," Mendoza was alarmed feeling cheated by her. "I want the men ..," Victoria started to say, but then the alcalde could be seen at the tavern entrance. Afraid De Soto might overhear her plan, Victoria bent down and whispered the rest in Mendoza's ear. "You can't be serious, Senorita," Mendoza exclaimed aloud. "Of course, I am," Victoria declared. "What are you talking about, Senorita Victoria?" the alcalde suspiciously stepped in. "Don't think your Zorro can get out of this. Either he marries tomorrow, but unfortunately not you," the alcalde smirked, "or he will be responsible for the death of many innocent people losing the support of those he wants to protect." "I wasn't talking about Zorro," Victoria countered self-confident. "I was just reminding the sergeant that he won't get any more food if he isn't able to pay. And I know exactly how much he earns a month." Victoria looked knowingly at Mendoza, who started to sigh. "One week, you said, Senorita?" he asked again. "One week, sergeant!" Victoria confirmed. "And I intend to make tamales today." "Tamales with green sauce and peppers and chilies?" Mendoza rubbed his belly in anticipation. "Can't you think of anything but food, sergeant?" the alcalde interrupted his daydreaming. "This is disgusting. I want you to be ready in front of the cuartel in ten minutes, sergeant or you won't be able to afford a lunch in this tavern for a long time, because I'll cut your pay." Annoyed the alcalde returned to his office. "I'll spread the word, senorita, just as you want," Mendoza rose from his seat and hurried behind the alcalde. Victoria smiled. There was hardly anything the sergeant wouldn't do for her food. Now she needed to talk to the customers in her tavern to inform them of her plan. And also to their wives who would have to do most of the work in preparation for tomorrow. Z Z Z During the day Victoria sneaked several times into the back room to look for Zorro while the tavern was empty. The fever was still high and he slept most of the time, but she managed to make him drink some juice and eat some soup. In the evening the doctor came to relieve her and keep vigil as he had done the night before. He was satisfied with Zorro's progress when he left in the morning. "He was able to talk coherently during the night when he woke up and spoke to me. The fever is nearly gone and I think he will be up and about again in no time." "So soon?" As much as she wanted him to be well again, she couldn't have Zorro appear in the plaza today. It would ruin everything. After a short pause the doctor added, "Zorro asked me what was going on." "Did you tell him about the Indians and the pardon?" Victoria asked him anxiously. "Yes, he expected some move from the alcalde." "And about the plan?" "No, he wasn't awake long enough for me to tell him." The doctor was aware of her plan as everyone else in the pueblo, except the alcalde, and saw her concern. "You're afraid, Zorro might come to the plaza today?" Victoria nodded, biting her lips. "Isn't there something..?" she asked hesitantly not finishing the question. The doctor looked at her thoughtfully for some moments, considering her question, before he started to rummage in his big bag and soon produced a small vial. Carefully he poured a few drops into a glass of water on Zorro's nightstand before he handed it to Victoria. "I normally don't do it, but I think it's the best for the pueblo. Make him drink it and he will sleep until the afternoon." "I hope he will understand it," Victoria replied nervously, showing her bad conscience. 5. Chapter 5 **Chapter 5** Before noon the plaza was busy with the farmer's market. The farmer were displaying their products on their stands and the women were doing their shopping. It could have been a normal day if there hadn't been the tension that was tangible everywhere. De Soto knew that something was going on, but he couldn't figure out what is was. He didn't expect that Escalante woman to give up her love without a fight. It would be very interesting to see how she would react if Zorro was forced to marry the Indian woman. Around noon the alcalde came out of his office in anticipation of the coming events. He was very sure that Zorro would come, the offer of a pardon was something he wouldn't be able to resist, even if it was for the price of marrying. The Indians came through the Northern entrance of the pueblo. The women made space for them, until they reached the center of the plaza that was kept free. The group stopped at the center and Angry Eyes spoke for the tribe again. "The three days are over. We have come for Zorro to honor our rules. Where is he?" De Soto looked around on the plaza that seemed to be half empty in comparison to the bustling in the morning. Also his soldiers were missing. Irritated the alcalde called out. "MENDOZA!" There was a movement from the tavern and the circle of women surrounding the plaza opened to make space for Victoria Escalante and the men who escorted her. Other men were slowly seeping into the crowd from the sides. The circle of women? De Soto noticed suddenly that all of the men were missing from the plaza. What was going on? His question was soon answered when he saw Victoria's company. Behind her were the missing men and they were all dressed in black with a black cloth covering their face, just like Zorro. The man directly behind her with his distinguished beard and slightly round figure was unmistakably Sergeant Mendoza. He had obviously dyed his underwear black, as had some of his men behind him in lack of spare trousers not daring to dye their uniforms. "Senorita Escalante, Sergeant Mendoza, what's the meaning of this masquerade? " He yelled at them angrily when they reach the center. The black dressed man he had identified as Mendoza corrected him, stepping in front of Victoria. "I'm sorry alcalde, but you're wrong. I'm not Mendoza, I'm Zorro!" He took his sword in hand making some parries with it, cutting an invisible Z in the air. That was met with some laughter by the crowd who had also recognized him. "Do you want to mock us?" Angry Eyes asked enraged. "Is that how the people of this pueblo think of us? That man is not Zorro!" Victoria spoke out as she stepped in front of the group of men who surrounded her. "No, we don't want to mock you. We are meeting your request. You wanted Zorro to present himself. Here he is." Victoria pointed at the men behind her. "Each of them will tell you that he is Zorro and ready to marry Washdea." "This is ridiculous, Senorita Victoria," De Soto stepped in. "Your alcalde is right, it is ridiculous." Angry Eyes agreed. "None of these men are Zorro." "And how do you know that? All you know about Zorro is that he is wearing black and covers his face, just like the men behind me. None of you have seen his face." Victoria retorted. "And you, alcalde," she attacked de Soto, "should better think about on which side you are. If you have the safety of the pueblo in mind, you should take my side. The pueblo has presented a Zorro who is willing to marry Washdea, so there is no reason for war." Grudgingly de Soto started to see her point. Even though he didn't like it, she was right. He couldn't risk a war with the Indians and that meant he had to agree with her argumentation, whether he liked it or not. "Unfortunately the senorita is right." De Soto addressed Angry Eyes again. "You can't be serious!" Angry Eyes was outraged. "These men are not Zorro," he repeated again pointing at the group of men. "That one is a sergeant of your army and these ones," he pointed at some peasants who were wearing their normal outfit, now dyed black, with the only addition of a black cloth around their heads, "aren't even wearing boots or a sword." "Then tell me who is Zorro!" Victoria challenged him. "Maybe it is him," she pointed at the man she knew as private Gomez and was quite good looking in black. "Or him." she pointed at another tall slender man. "Pick your Zorro or leave in peace." The Indians realized that it was useless to insist on Zorro marrying White Eagle's daughter when they weren't able to identify Zorro in that crowd of black masked men. After a short discussion among themselves, Angry Eyes spoke out. "You have won, woman," he addressed Victoria. "Zorro can be proud of you. We leave in peace." With no further words the group silently left the pueblo. The crowd started to cheer. "You've done it, Senorita," she was congratulated by many and for the first time she understood how Zorro felt when he was acclaimed by the pueblo after he had saved the day. The good mood was interrupted by the alcalde who called his men to order again, turning his anger of being outsmarted on them. "Mendoza, I want you and your men back in your uniforms in five minutes or you will be dismissed from duty. Have I made myself clear?" "Si, mi alcalde," Mendoza replied a bit meekly. "And take that silly mask from your face immediately! That goes for all of you!" De Soto shouted angrily before he returned to his office. After that the crowd soon dispersed and everyone returned to their normal business while the men took off their masks and changed to other clothing if they had some. Z Z Z With his sword belt slightly clinging and his gloves covering his hands Zorro was completely dressed again and waiting for her when Victoria came looking for him. "You are leaving, Zorro?" she asked disappointed. "Are you feeling better again?" "The fever is gone and I can't stay any longer. I wish I could!" Zorro kissed her tenderly. "Can't you stay at least until dusk? Then it will be safer for you." Victoria tried to convince him. "Thanks to you, it will be quite safe for me this afternoon. With all these men running around in black I won't stand out so much today." Zorro smiled at her. "It was a brilliant idea to appeal to the citizens and make the men dress up as me today." Victoria blushed at his praise. "I had no idea how get out of this, Victoria. The only thing I know is that it is only you I want to marry." Holding her tight he buried his head in her shoulder. "I want us to be together Victoria, to have a normal life with children where I can have breakfast with you every day and not only these stolen moments." "I want that too, Zorro." Victoria whispered into his chest. "If I only knew a way out of this trap," Zorro showed his frustration. "Are you angry, because you missed the chance of being pardoned today?" Victoria asked anxiously. "No, I won't give you up for a pardon. There won't be any Zorro without you. You were really marvelous today from what I saw." He smiled at her. Surprised Victoria looked at him. "You were there? But how? I thought the potion from the doctor..?" "The water tasted differently and I let it rinse by my mouth to make you think I drank it." Determinedly he looked at her. "Victoria, promise me, you'll never try drugging me again to keep me out of the way. I make my own decisions." "I promise, Zorro." Victoria agreed guiltily. "You can trust me. And I didn't look under your mask while you were ill," she answered his unspoken question. Zorro let out a breath of relief. "I knew I could trust you." "I was afraid you'd feel obliged to talk with the Indians today, Zorro. That's why I did it." "I understood that as soon as I saw what was going on. I thought you might need my help, but I realized I would only ruin everything you planned if I made my presence known. I stayed unseen on the tavern roof. I don't like someone impersonating me, but I wouldn't want to have missed that. Mendoza in black underwear telling the alcalde he was Zorro." He chuckled in remembrance. "This was too good. A whole pueblo trying to save me. I'd never have expected that." Zorro smiled again. "Only a woman could come up with such an idea." Taking her hand he placed a kiss on it. "I consider myself very fortunate to have won the heart of the smartest and most beautiful woman of the territory." Happy that Zorro wasn't angry at her, Victoria melted in his arms, returning his kisses. When he finally released her, she saw the love in his eyes and her heart jumped towards him. "I have to go now," he whispered. After a short whistle for Toronado he was gone, leaving Victoria staring at the empty space he had occupied only moments ago. 6. Chapter 6 **Epilogue** About a week later Diego walked into the tavern and headed for Victoria who was at her usual place behind the bar. "Hola, Diego! Where have you been the last week?" Victoria greeted him. "I went to Santa Paula to the bank and then I discovered a new bookshop there. And when they told me they were expecting a new delivery in a few days, I decided to stay rather than riding back to Los Angeles and returning again. Someone might snatch the best books while I was away." Of course he couldn't tell her that he had to stay away until his hands were healed again. They would make even his father suspicious. But the story fit into the image they had of him. "You and your books, Diego," Victoria shook her head. "It seems like I have missed all the fun again." Diego smiled. "Yes, again." Victoria chided him. "We could have used your help too." "Take my apologize, Victoria. Since I haven't been here to help you, let me at least pay you for the meals you granted Mendoza for his help." Diego put some coins on the table. Victoria stared at them. "This is too much, Diego." "Let's assume Mendoza was very hungry last week and you can serve him an extra wine on it." Diego insisted she take the money. It was the only way he could repay her as Diego for what she had done for him and the pueblo. As Zorro he had sneaked into her room last night and put a small wooden box framed by roses on her pillow where she would find it. He had hoped she would like the heart shaped ruby that came with the velvet band. A few minutes later Victoria had entered her room. When she had opened the box, he saw her face light up. As she tried to fasten the band behind her neck, he had stepped out of the shadow. "Let me help you, querida," he had whispered. "Zorro," Victoria had stared at him surprised, but she had been standing still, to let him fasten it. "It's beautiful!" She had looked into the mirror on her dresser and admired it. "You're the only woman who has my heart, Victoria and I can't thank you enough for what you did for me." He still remembered the taste of her sweet lips from the kisses they had shared before he had had to leave again. "Diego, Diego?" Victoria got him out of his reverie. "What were you thinking of? You looked so happy for a moment." "Oh just nothing, just nothing, only of books." Diego replied with a blank face coming back to his senses. Diego looked around in the tavern. There were a lot men wearing black trousers since they had simply dyed their normal ones having none other to spare. "You started quite a fashion here in Los Angeles," Diego smiled at her. "At least for some time until the color is washed out again, depending on the amount of oak bark used in the dyeing process." "You're probably the only man in the pueblo who has no black trousers," she retorted. "But I don't think black suits you." "Are you so sure about it?" Diego challenged her. Finishing the lemonade Victoria had poured him, he grinned before he walked out of the tavern. Victoria looked after his tall lean figure trying to imagine him all in black. The image of her black masked hero came to her mind, but then she shook her head. It just couldn't be. It was only her imagination playing tricks on her mind, wasn't it? THE END End file.

Victoria's day by katie1999

Zorro

1. April 9, 1813 I don't own Zorro. Hopefully, soon, the nice folk who do own Zorro will put it on video and it will be much easier to write fanfic. **April 9, 1813** Don Alejandro, his graying mane shaggy from the wind, raced into the room and grabbed Felipe by the shoulders. "The _Anne Marie_ is in port! Pedro saw her in the harbor this morning. They could be on the way here right now." Felipe's breath caught. "Did he see?" he signed. The old man sobered. "No. It hadn't docked yet. But I'm sure...." Felipe patted his arm. "They are coming home. Everything will be fine." They both found excuses to linger in the front garden. Two hours later, every last flower bed and pot was perfectly weeded and watered and trimmed...and both of them were still earnestly tending the roses when the hired carriage came down the road. The butterflies that had been filling Felipe's stomach turned into bats or seagulls or raging bulls and began to fight with one another. Swallowing hard so he wouldn't disgrace himself by vomiting all over the courtyard, Felipe stood up, brushed off his knees, and went to stand beside Don Alejandro. Even before the carriage wheels stopped turning, the narrow door flew open and Diego leaped out, nearly running the few steps between the carriage and the gate. With a soft groan, Don Alejandro held out his arms, and the two came together fiercely. For a moment they clung to one another, frozen, and then Don Alejandro shoved Diego back and looked him up and down, searching for something. "My son...thank God...." A second figure hopped neatly from the carriage. Dignified and arrogant, Gilberto was every bit the de le Vega heir. Eyes flicking over the courtyard, he strode forward and greeted his father formally...and then all his grandeur collapsed into warmth as he was swept into his father's embrace. "'Berto. My God, I would swear you are taller! Both of you." He dabbed at his eyes. Stepping back, Gilberto's sharp gaze fell on Felipe. "And who is this?" he asked. Don Alejandro stroked his mustache to hide his widening grin. "This? Just a new man I hired. He seems to be working out rather well." Diego was also smothering a smile. "Say, what happened to that boy who was always hanging around? What was his name?" "You're thinking of Felipe," his father reminded blandly. "Yes, that's right. What ever happened to him?" Unable to control himself any longer, Felipe patted his chest and signed, "I'm right here." Gilberto looked at Diego and shook his head. "That can't be right. Your little shadow was much shorter." "I grew! It's me! Don't tease!" "You grew? That much? Is it even possible for someone to grow that much, Father?" Diego craned his neck, as though seeing Felipe from behind would somehow help verify his identity. Don Alejandro was laughing openly now. "_You_ are asking that?" Diego was taller than his father by more than two inches. "Well, then," Diego said thickly. "Come here before you are too big to hold!" He swept Felipe against his shoulder, and suddenly the worry of the last months tore away. This was Diego. He was here. He was well. Everything would be fine. "Felipe?" Diego asked, his breath brushing past Felipe's cheek. He stepped back and nodded. Diego smiled tenderly. "How much?" he asked. Felipe shrugged and looked at Don Alejandro. "Low sounds and very high sounds...no," he shook his head sadly. "He hears the birds sing, if they're close. He can follow a conversation without looking at you, if you don't speak too softly. There hasn't...There hasn't been any change in several months. It isn't likely to improve." Felipe shook his head vigorously. "No," he signed. "Don't worry about me. It doesn't matter. I don't care. Diego, you--" Gilberto interrupted by the expedient of wrapping one long arm around Felipe's shoulders and shifting him three feet to the left. "Father," he said very loudly, "we have just traveled halfway across the world, and I am hungry. I don't suppose you have any food, somewhere in the house? Perhaps a crust of bread?" He laughed. "You know, I didn't even think of it. But if I knew to expect you, I'm sure Maria did as well. Let's go see, shall we?" He ushered the boys toward the door. A gentle rumbling in the ground made Felipe glance up, and a moment later the other three had turned as well. Coming up the road was a military patrol, lead by the alcalde himself. When the line of horsemen had cantered past, Diego laughed hollowly. "Good heavens. What is that?" Alejandro sighed. "_That_ is trouble. But. Let's not discuss it now. I promised you food." z Felipe served at lunch. It wasn't the first time, of course, but this time he was nervous. He wasn't fond of the idea of making a mistake in front of Gilberto, who had always enjoyed--just a little--finding fault. But mostly, he wanted to please Diego, even though the younger twin had never been unkind about the mistakes of others. Diego, for his part, spent the meal asking about old friends and neighbors and trying to convince his family that a trip to town after lunch was in order. "You've been gone four years," Don Alejandro protested. "Another day won't matter." "I've spent the last couple of months relaxing on a boat, Father. A trip to town is hardly taxing." "The carriage," Gilberto said softly. "There is no reason not to go if we take the carriage. If we go after siesta, well, a little rest would be welcome." "I don't need a carriage; I remember how to ride a horse. And I don't need a nap." Gilberto sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I'm in no hurry to see town, actually. In fact, I'm very curious about the state of..." he glanced at his brother, "the barn." Very, very mildly, Diego said, "A carriage will be fine. We'll go after siesta." Don Alejandro glanced from one to the other. "It's decided then." After a moment's hesitation, he turned the conversation to cattle and they stayed on harmless topics until Diego had retired--more or less peacefully--to his room. "'Berto? This trip to town?" Gilberto waved "He'll be fine. Anyway, we can't keep him locked in his room forever, and it's not worth the fight...." "Exactly how ill--" "No. I promised we would not have this conversation behind his back. I promised him." He sighed. "I should change. Excuse me." Felipe didn't go with them to the pueblo. The noise and chaos still made him uncomfortable, and he thought he'd be more useful unpacking Diego's things and making sure his room was in order. When they returned less than three hours later, the argument was loud enough that Felipe could hear it before they even came in the door. He raced to the parlor to find the twins had reached the point in their debate that they weren't taking turns, but talking over each other. Don Alejandro followed several steps behind, looking stunned. Or perhaps horrified. Felipe stepped directly into Diego's path and signed, "What happened?" "What happened," Gilberto announced, reflexively turning Felipe to face him, "is that my idiot baby brother came this close," he held two fingers an inch apart, "to challenging the alcalde to a duel." He turned away, already forgetting Felipe. "Never mind that it was a disastrous idea at all. If anyone were to challenge him, it would be me. What were you thinking?" Diego quirked a smile. "I was thinking that I'm better with a sword than you are." Gilberto's eyes went so flat and hard and bitter that Felipe eased away from him. "Oh, yes. You are much better with a sword than I. You are much better at everything than I. But if this Ramone is good enough to hold you off for three or four minutes, you're a dead man anyway, aren't you?" The silence that followed that was hard and cold and ugly. For long seconds no one even seemed to breathe. Then Gilberto retreated--there was no other word for it--to the other side of the piano and Diego withdrew to sit on the settee under the window. It was their father who finally broke the silence: "Is it that bad?" "Nearly," Gilberto answered. "No," Diego countered. "The one time we tried to fence, I went faint and nearly passed out. But I was hardly in danger of...No." Slowly, looking so very much the old man, Don Alejandro took a seat. He looked from one to the other. "Let's have the rest of it," he said softly. The twins shared an unhappy look. They were clearly disagreeing about something. Felipe had lived with them for three years. He could follow the silent argument well enough to spot the moment Diego won. Gilberto came back and took the chair across from his father. "He is better than he was, even compared to when we left Spain. He seems to have more strength than he did, and the episodes only come...three or four times a week, now. And most of them are not so...not so bad." He turned and looked hard at Felipe, hovering by the door. "A bad episode is a terrible thing to behold. And frightening. But I swear to God, if you panic, either one of you, I will lock you out--" "What my tactful brother means to say is that the burden of my illness is much lighter when we are all pretending not to be afraid of it." Felipe was still not sure just how much fear was warranted. Diego didn't look sick, not exactly....The accounts Gilberto had written during the autumn had made it clear that it was unlikely that Diego would ever fully recover, though; and the symptoms he'd described...there was no way to pretend they weren't serious. Probably Don Alejandro had only one question in mind, and probably it was the same questions as Felipe's. The boys didn't present the issue, though, and Don Alejandro couldn't seem to ask. Instead, he said, "Did the doctors in Madrid say...do they have any idea _why_?" "No," Gilberto said unhappily. "A number of the students got sick._ I_ got sick. And it seemed such a minor illness...a little fever, a sore throat, headache, a rash. One after another we all recovered, and then Diego...a few days later the rash and fever came back and this time....Father, I'm so sorry." "He is hopelessly arrogant," Diego said, leaning down to remove his boots. "Still. He can hardly be at fault for a quirk of biology. Watch, Father, he'll be apologizing for the weather next." Gilberto firmly ignored this. "We don't know why it was so much worse for him, or what damage it did, that he continues to be so ill. There are some medications that seem to help. Actually, he's been tinkering with them and they seem to have improved a little... And I hope...now that he's home...perhaps...." Amazingly, none of them had broached the most important question. They talked around it and around it, but ignoring it didn't make it go away, and the weight of not knowing was unbearable. Felipe walked up to Diego and asked, "Will you die?" His hands only shook a little. Gilberto jumped to his feet, but at a gesture from Diego, turned a way and studied the mantle. Diego gently guided Felipe down to sit beside him. He glanced hesitantly at his father's face and Gilberto's rigid back and said carefully, "Everyone dies, Felipe. That is an absolute law of God and nature. And whenever we die, it is always too soon. Always...." He closed his eyes briefly. "The doctors in Madrid tell me that it's possible I could live as I am for a decade or even two." He forced a small smile. "Which is not so bad. But. Then again, maybe not." Felipe caught a couple of quick breaths, managed somehow to keep his hands steady, and asked, "Not tomorrow?" "Probably not," Diego whispered. "But we don't know what will happen." He was going to cry. Right here in front of everyone he was going to embarrass Diego and burst into tears. He moved to rise, to get away before his resolve crumbled. Diego would have none of it. He caught Felipe in an irresistible grip--and how could he still be so strong, when he was dying?--And pulled Felipe close. "There is no pain, and that is a good sign. And I--I've just come home. I mean to stay. How could I leave you all again? I haven't given up. I'm not gracefully accepting this fate--" Gilberto stalked out of the room. Diego ruffled Felipe's hair and said, "Don't worry about him. He's not upset; he's just going to sedate me." Don Alejandro pulled out a handkerchief and discreetly wiped his eyes. "I'll send for Dr. Hernandez tomorrow... to take a look at you." Diego nodded. He was still holding tightly to Felipe, who hid his face in Diego's jacket and tried to get back under control. Diego was quite calm. _If he can bear this, then I can. If he can face this, then I can face it with him._ Gilberto returned with a glass of cloudy water. This time Diego lost the silent argument. He took the glass and downed the contents before complaining: "It isn't much help. And the consequences of doing this too often...." "I'm not asking you to take it every day, and I'm not giving you a whole dose." Gilberto was the very image of a calm and reasonable man. Since that was more usually Diego's role, it seemed odd. After drinking the water Diego got very quiet. He didn't meet anyone's eyes and seemed disinterested in the conversations around him. He didn't tell any stories, didn't ask any questions, didn't argue with Gilberto about anything. At dinner he hardly ate, and after dinner, when Gilberto played the piano, he drifted off to sleep in a chair. When, only a little later, Gilberto gently guided his brother off to bed, Felipe turned to Don Alejandro. "What was the medicine?" he asked. In the lamplight, Don Alejandro looked very old. "Tincture of opium, very likely." He turned away and walked out into the back courtyard. _tbc_ 2. September 5, 1806 **September 5, 1807** The smells of blood and manure were familiar. The thick, wet taste of the fog was not. And the lingering stink of spent gunpowder--if it weren't for that, this might be the smell of a cattle slaughter. But it wasn't. Gilberto wasn't home. And the bodies on the ground were men, not animals. Senior Alvarez rode first, slowly since they'd left the road and the ground was uneven. Diego came after him, and after that Gilberto. Juan was last, leading his own horse and the pack horse. Gilberto didn't look back. Juan had given his mount to a man they'd found at the edge of the battlefield. His hand was crushed and bloody. Even tightly wrapped, it dripped blood onto Juan's saddle. He was the only one they'd come across who was still alive. The bodies of the revolutionaries had been left on the trampled grass. Even now, a flutter of heavy wings revealed another group of buzzards, startled off their feast by the horses. Senor Alvarez turned aside, but looking down, Gilberto could see that this one had been torn across the gut by a bayonet. Although the birds had been scared away, the flies had not, and they swarmed thickly around body. The smell of blood was _nearly_ familiar. Diego had not vomited yet. Gilberto would be damned if he broke first. Senor Alvarez called back to Juan, checking his orientation. The heavy clouds made it hard to tell just where the sun would be setting. "If we keep on," Juan said, "We'll meet up with the road. It can't be far now." Abruptly, Diego slid from the saddle and shoved his reins into Gilberto's hand. "Don Diego--" Senor Alvarez protested, but Diego was already headed for a line of scrub about ten yards away. Gilberto could have saved him the trouble: Diego only followed rules when he didn't have a_ good_ reason to break them. Juan started to pass the reins he was carrying and retrieve his straying charge, but just then, Diego stopped, his shoulders slumping. Then, slowly, he walked forward again, leaned down, and picked something up. When he turned around, he was carrying a child. Gilberto slid out of the saddle onto shaky legs that didn't hold him. Kneeling on the torn ground, he emptied his stomach. When he forced himself upright, Juan handed him a canteen. The warm water washed the burning out of his throat. Diego was crouched on the ground, trying to get the child to drink from another canteen. Senor Alvarez swung down and crouched beside him. "There's blood," he said heavily. "Not fresh," Diego answered, gently probing the dark mats that caked the hair on the small head. He offered the water again, steadying the canteen. "What's your name, hmm?" he asked gently. The boy scrubbed at his eyes with a grubby hand, took another gulp from the canteen, and turned his face into Diego's shoulder. "The mission, Don Diego," Senor Alvarez urged firmly. "As it is, it may be dark before we get there." "We have to find his parents--" The old man sighed heavily and tugged Diego to his feet. "Pray they aren't here," he said. They met the road only a few minutes later. After that, the little party could set a much faster pace, and they rode west as fast as the wounded man could manage. Senor Alvarez had been right, though. It as full dark by the time they reached the mission. Already it was crowded with wounded survivors and refugee families. The monks could offer a bed to the maimed man, but the de le Vega party was left to camp inside the walls with a couple of dozen villagers who'd fled the fighting. Juan and Senor Alvarez set about organizing their small campsite, and Gilberto was left to see to the horses alone. Diego was occupied with the child, which had refused to let go of him even long enough to dismount. By the time Gilberto had the horses settled in the corral, Diego had cleaned the child enough for Senor Alvarez to examine him for injuries. Gilberto hesitated for a moment and then joined them on the pile of clean straw the monks had given them to sleep on. "What's wrong with him?" he asked. Senor Alvarez shifted, trying to get a better angle from the firelight. "The cut on his head is shallow, but the knot around it is large. His face and neck are bruised and swollen.... Some cold compresses might bring down the swelling a little." He shook his head. "We can ask one of the monks to come look at him, when they have time. I just don't know. It doesn't look like a serious injury, but...." "'Berto, I think there's a little cheese in the bag. Would you--?" He smiled down at the boy. "Perhaps we can get you to eat something, hm?" The child gazed at Diego with uncomprehending blankness. When they showed him the cheese, he took a couple of bites and then shut his mouth and buried his head in Diego's shoulder again. Gilberto felt a sting of irritation: they'd rescued the ungrateful mutt from a battle field, and he didn't like their food? Diego was unfazed. He set the cheese aside and began to talk to the boy. He introduced himself and talked about home in California. He asked questions. He even sang a little song. The boy never once looked up. Juan returned and began supper: soup from dried beef and cornmeal--the usual fare when they had to camp. Gilberto found he was famished, but the child took reluctant, tiny sips, all the while staring at Diego's face and saying nothing. Finally, he fell asleep, his head pillowed on Diego's shoulder. Juan began to collect the tin bowels they'd used for dinner. "Nobody here recognizes him. We could reach Jala by tomorrow afternoon, maybe someone there...." "That will take us away from the coast," Gilberto pointed out. Senor Alvarez shrugged sadly. "What else can we do? We can't just leave him, and we can't take him back to Alta California with us." "If he would tell us where he's from or his name--" Gilberto began. "He's deaf," Diego said, speaking for the first time since the child had fallen asleep. "He can't hear our questions. And if he knows how to talk...his throat is so swollen he can barely swallow, let alone speak." Slowly, he shifted the slack body and laid it beside him on the hay. "We can't leave him with the mission. A deaf orphan, you know what would become of him." Senor Alvarez and Juan looked at one another. The tutor and the ranch hand had not known one another well before they had been sent with the boys to Mexico, but it had been a long and difficult journey. "Legally, he is the Church's responsibility." "Not if he has family," Diego protested. He turned to Gilberto. "We can spare a few days." Please, his eyes said. Side with me. We can bring them around. "Someone must know him." Gilberto could never refuse Diego when he _asked_ for something. Perhaps he knew that, because he very seldom did ask. And he had a point--no one here had the time or interest to give the child proper care. "We can spare a few days. And when we got home--I would be ashamed to tell Father we found a child and did nothing." "It's not safe here," Juan protested. "We aren't children, he is. Father would expect us to do the right thing." There. He had made the case that would buy them a few days. He glanced at Diego and accepted the gratitude written plainly on his brother's face. _tbc_ 3. April 10, 1813 **April 10, 1813** Felipe woke up to Diego glaring down at him. "Shall we discuss why you are on the floor of my sitting room?" Felipe shrugged, rubbed his eyes, and scampered up to fold the blanket he'd brought in with him the night before. "I'm not kidding," Diego said. "This cannot continue." Felipe grinned at him and signed that he couldn't hear what Diego was saying. Could he speak more loudly? Diego gave a startled laugh. "My God! You used to be such a sweet child. You've turned into a monster." Felipe ignored that and asked how he was feeling. "Good. I feel good. I'm home." Diego seemed....himself at breakfast. He told tales about the mischief Gilberto had gotten up to at school, praised Maria's cooking, performed a magic trick making his spoon disappear and come out again from his brother's ear. And after breakfast, when Doctor Hernandez arrived, he led the way to his bedroom, cheerfully joking about the odd quirks of physicians in Madrid. When they turned the corner, Gilberto stood abruptly and announced that he was going to inspect the lower orchard. At his father's surprised look, he added, "I have listened to over a dozen doctors. I am sorry, Father. I can't do it again." For the next hour, Felipe and Don Alejandro played chess. Neither of them played very well. When the doctor emerged, Don Alejandro walked him to out to his horse. Felipe followed, hoping to be unnoticed. "Emmanuel, my old friend." Doctor Hernandez gathered the reins of his horse from the hitching post and ran his hand over the animal's neck. "He's better than Gilberto's letters led us to expect. But the news isn't good, even so. I'm sorry. This sort of condition seldom improves very much, I'm afraid." "Is there anything you can do?" Felipe stepped into the shadow of the gate, his arms wrapped tightly around his middle, holding his breath so he wouldn't miss on word of the Doctor's answer. "No. The medications he is taking are already of more help than I'd have thought. He has been experimenting with composition and dosage, and has had some success. At this point, he is in a better position to prescribe for himself than I am." "He told us...he might live for many years, despite his illness." It was a question, but Doctor Hernandez stared into the distance for a long time before answering it. "I'm sorry, Alejandro. I can't rule it out entirely, but it's not...likely. Diego's heart is very weak. The end, when it comes, will probably be quite sudden. One day, one of his seizures will simply...take him. Or he will go to sleep and not wake up. And it could happen five years from now, yes. Or it could happen next month." "I see. Thank you for hour honesty, Emmanuel. I appreciate your coming out." Don Alejandro waited politely until the doctor was on the road, then turned and walked calmly to the barn. Pedro was there, mending tack. Don Alejandro sent him on an errand. When the man's footsteps had faded, he shut the door, sat down on a bench, and wept silently. Felipe sat down on the clean hay and buried his face in his hands. His own tears burned as they fought their way out. It could happen tomorrow. Diego had recovered enough to travel, survived the long sea voyage home...but he might not wake up tomorrow. After a long time the tears stopped coming. Felipe's eyes and throat stung. He wiped his face on his sleeve and looked up to find Don Alejandro watching him. "Never again," the old man said. "He will not see us crying. He would try to comfort us, and I will not let him spend his strength on that." Felipe shook his head. Never. Diego would never see him cry again. "You have no other duties now. Just Diego. Are you old enough for this responsibility?" His eyes seemed to burn right through Felipe. "I am giving you my son. Whatever is necessary to care for him. Whatever comfort you might be." Felipe gulped. He was too dazed with gratitude to even lift his hands to give thanks for this incredible gift. Don Alejandro dunked his handkerchief in the water trough and wiped his face roughly. "If he needs anything, you will come to me." Felipe nodded. "I am going to...see Don Carlos. Just for a few hours. I need...I need just a little time." Felipe nodded and replied that he would tell the boys. Two hours later found him in the library with Diego, unpacking the crates of books that had come from Madrid. It was a very leisurely activity: every book had to be examined and fussed over and actual work was interrupted by long discussions of how to organize (and then re-organize) the existing collection in order to incorporate the new arrivals. Once they had settled on a system (whereby Diego sat in a chair and set books on the shelves while Felipe did all of the shifting and carrying) conversation moved to other topics, particularly what had happened in the pueblo the previous day. "He is quite mad, Felipe. Father's descriptions did not do him justice. Ramone enjoys the fear he inspires in the peons and soldiers. Terror isn't a tool, it is an end itself. The look in his eyes--" Diego sighed and handed back the book Felipe had just passed him. "That will go over there, third shelf from the bottom--The hunger, the thrill. They say he conducts his own floggings. I can only imagine how much he must enjoy that." "Who would give a man like that power?" Felipe asked. "Family connections. Or bribery. Or Blackmail. God alone knows." Diego laughed humorlessly. "Perhaps they have sent him to our humble backwater to get him out of the way." Felipe sat back on his heels and said, "He is making everyone angry--the peasants, the landowners, the businessmen--" "One businesswoman, certainly," Diego said, with a strange little smile. Felipe rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, she is very beautiful." He stretched out the gesture and batted his eyes. "You've said. But be serious!" He slapped Diego's shin with the back of his hand. "People are getting angry. He's going too far." Diego sobered. "He is. Some of the people in town were talking about rebellion." "Why doesn't he understand?" Diego sighed. "Oh he does understand. He'll push the people until they rebel, and when they do, he'll take great pleasure in crushing the opposition and punishing all his enemies." He cleared his throat. "And if you're trying to scare me to death, 'Berto, you're going to have to try harder than that." Felipe jumped and spun around. Gilberto was standing right behind them, very nearly within arm's reach. Which was impossible, since Diego's chair had been facing the door. "I wasn't trying to scare you. You're about the only one I can't sneak up on." He grinned, showing even, white teeth. "I was after your shadow." "Very nice," Diego drawled. "You'll leave the invalid alone but take advantage of the poor handicapped orphan." "Ouch. You wound me, little brother." He laid a white handkerchief on a side table, produced an orange from his pocket and began to peel it, tidily leaving the scraps of peel on the handkerchief. "You are the biggest pain in the...neck...on two continents." He flipped a segment of fruit into Diego's hand and then passed another to Felipe. "You were right, by the way. Again. You _can_ ride a horse in through the cave." He ate a piece of orange. "You have to duck down, though...." Diego turned to Felipe. "There is a secret passage behind the fireplace. An escape in case of Indian attack--grandfather was a bit...." "Paranoid," Gilberto said, handing Diego another piece of orange. "Father sealed it up, but we found it when we were...ten?" "About that, yes." Gilberto finished the current orange and produced another. "How are you feeling today?" he asked. "I'm quite well," Diego answered. "He was dizzy before," Felipe said. Gilberto's head snapped around. "Was that word 'dizzy?'" he asked. Felipe nodded and added that he'd made Diego sit down. His eyes narrowed. "How long did it last?" Felipe wasn't sure: three, maybe five minutes? "But he's better now. Look--his color is good." Scowling, Gilberto examined his brother (also scowling) for pallor. Suddenly, he grinned and threw an arm around Felipe's shoulders. "Young man, you are my new best friend." Felipe glared up at him suspiciously, but for once Gilberto showed no trace of mockery. He handed Felipe a segment of orange and led him over to the fireplace. "Let me show you. There is a little lever--here, give me your hand--yes. The mechanism creaks a little. It could use some whale oil." Felipe eyed the opening warily. He hadn't heard anything. "So," Diego said. "This is what takes for the two of you to call a truce." "No, I have just discovered you were right all along, that's all. Again. Clearly, the boy is clever and dependable. A veritable paragon." "I'm not a boy," Felipe signed. But he understood what the twins were talking about. He and Gilberto were allies, now. None of the old jealousy mattered, not in the face of Diego's illness. Gilberto held out his hand. "Come, take a walk with us, little brother. Get some--well, not _fresh_ air. To be honest, it's a little musty. But it's cool." There was a surprising amount of space behind the fireplace. A short passage led to a set of stairs and a large room shored up with stone and plastered on three of the walls. A horse was waiting there, looking eerie in the dimly lighted cave. Diego brushed off one of the steps and sat down. "I'd forgotten how pleasant this was," he said. "It's...very easy to breathe down here." "I don't remember. Why did we stop playing here? It must have been before the...Felipe came." "Mother got sick," Diego said heavily. "And then later Senor Alverez arrived and we were too busy doing school work...." Although he knew it was testing their new alliance--perhaps too much--Felipe touched Gilberto's sleeve and asked, "How did she die?" "Ah." He glanced at Diego and shook his head. "Her illness was very different. It all happened very quickly, a couple of months, no more. There was a great deal of pain and she just...faded. She hardly knew us, at the end." He stumbled a little, then collected himself. "It's not the same." "No," Diego agreed sadly. "Not the same. We have that mercy, at least." He and his brother shared a look that Felipe couldn't follow. He wished he hadn't asked. Diego and Felipe returned to the library just before Don Alejandro arrived home. Diego suggested lunch in town--at the tavern, which was no surprise to Felipe--and since he agreed readily to the carriage, his father gave in and indulged him. Gilberto might have objected, if he had been present, but he'd taken his horse around to the barn and by the time he came in through the front door it was already decided. Don Alejandro did make both boys leave their swords behind, so there would be no repeat of the previous day's near-incident. Felipe thought the twins could get into plenty of trouble, armed or not, but he kept this opinion to himself. It was just as well. When the carriage returned later that afternoon, Don Alejandro wasn't on board and both of his sons were in a temper. "Father has been arrested," Gilberto ground out. "You're lying," Felipe responded. Apparently, their truce was over as quickly as it had begun. Gilberto was a terrible tease. "True, I'm afraid," Diego said, Stripping off his cravat and tossing it onto a chair. "He was arrested for assaulting a government official." Felipe goggled helplessly. Diego undid his collar and ran his hands through his hair. "He punched the alcalde because he was arresting Victoria for sedition." He wasn't kidding. He was also quite pale. Felipe thought for a moment and took his hand. "Come look. Come on. It might still be there." Diego protested a little, but Felipe knew how to coax and beg and shortly they were crouched in the secret cave watching a young vixen watch them back. "Oh," Diego said. "That is something, yes." He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a couple of slow, deep breaths. He rolled his shoulders and sighed, then took another look at the vixen. "Hunted as they are for their beautiful pelts, it's amazing any survive." "They're very intelligent," Felipe answered. "Oh, yes. Very cunning," Diego said. He laid a hand on Felipe's shoulder and the weight of it was terribly reassuring. "Are you all right?" "I don't know what to do. My father is imprisoned, at the mercy of a madman. Everything I love is in danger. I am sure--sure--that if something is not done soon, people will start dying...and there is nothing I can do." Felipe nodded. That was not what he'd meant, but this answer was actually more important than the one he'd been looking for. It was a painful truth to face--that sometimes the world was too wounded to fix. He wrapped his arms tightly around Diego's waist. It was the only remedy for grief he knew. When they finally returned to the house they found Gilberto setting leftover tortillas and cold chicken on the table. "I sent Maria to her son's. We're alone in the house. I thought we needed to talk." "It will take three or four days to get our lawyer here. It will take a week to get word to the governor, if we can assume he will do anything to help," Diego answered at once. Gilberto filled a plate and set it in front of his brother. "That wasn't what I wanted to talk about." He said. "We are going to have to fix this ourselves." Diego set his mouth and waited for Gilberto to continue. "The caballeros are on the verge of revolt. They need only a leader. I think they would follow me...and if you were managing 'my' strategy, we could take the fort in a couple of hours." "I'm not mad enough to fight against soldiers." "You'd think of something. Maybe even something clever enough to avoid bloodshed entirely." "And then what? We would be rebels. The government would send troops." Gilberto shrugged and filled a plate of his own. "We would surrender and hand over that bastard Ramone for trial. It is no crime to 'overthrow' a madman." "That is where you are wrong. No, 'Berto. At the very least, our success would embarrass the government. They would have to make an example of the ring leaders. I won't be party to getting you shot." "All right. So much for the direct approach." Absently, Diego took a bite food. "I hesitate to ask what you consider an indirect approach." "Assassination." Diego's mouth full of tortilla went down the wrong way at this. He grabbed his lemonade and used half the glass to wash it down. "Very funny," he said when he could finally speak. But Felipe could see in his eyes that he knew Gilberto wasn't kidding. "Your heart medicine would make a very effective poison." "Poison is notoriously sloppy," Diego answered. "Bad enough if you try and fail, but how will you live with yourself if you catch some innocent in your trap." "Fair enough," Gilberto conceded. "A knife in the back is more precise. Or a sword from the front. I am not choosy." Diego cursed softly and pushed his plate away. Worried, Felipe moved to stand beside him, but Diego waved him off. "No." he said. "Just no." "Tell me you didn't see what I saw today. Tell me you think the pueblo will survive the week. Say it, and I'll believe you." "I will not help you make it worse!" "Then tell me what to do to make it better. You have something in mind. I know you--you always have something in mind. If anyone can figure out how _everyone_ can survive the next week, it is you. So tell me what to do, little brother." "I have nothing," Diego said flatly. "If you don't have a plan, I'll use one of mine." "I can't help you." Gilberto paused, leaning slightly forward to look his brother in the eyes. "Why not, Diego?" Diego looked away. "Because there is no guarantee that everyone will survive. It's--absurdly dangerous. And I can't do it myself and I can't ask you to take the risk, not you--" Gilberto laughed. Both Diego and Felipe jumped at the sound. "If it's your plan, I guarantee--_I_ guarantee--it is not a bad one. I'll take what you consider a risk any day." Diego looked at his hands for a long time. He drained the rest of his lemonade. He rose and paced the room once. Through it all, Gilberto waited patiently. Finally, Diego sat down. "You must attack Ramone through his weaknesses, and you must have a way to do it without giving him a target for reprisal." "Aside from the obvious weakness of needing not to be dead?" Diego smiled thinly. "That would not solve the second problem. The government could hardly overlook an assassination, even of a man who must be an embarrassment." Gilberto conceded the point with a quirk of his lips. "Go on. What weaknesses present themselves?" "He likes control. He likes keeping people helpless. He..." Diego glanced at Felipe and edited whatever he was about to say, "I suspect he likes causing or witnessing pain, although that won't be of use to us today. He is--possibly--even more vain than you are, which means embarrassing him will itself be a form of attack." "You're so funny...." "He seems quite urbane and controlled, but I suspect that is only on the surface. If we can break through that surface....I think it won't be too hard to push him into enough of a rage that his decisions...suffer." "I see it, yes. And it would be easy to provoke him. And after I did that, he would shoot Father, me, and possibly you just for pique." "Not if he has no idea _who_ has defied him, taken away his control, and humiliated him." Gilberto's head snapped back. "Dear God. Diego, that is--" "Very, very dangerous." "Brilliant. Incredible. Magnificent. My God." "Dangerous." "Well...yes. The soldiers." Diego stared into the distance. "I've given some thought to that. Lancers fight fiercely against the enemy they understand, one who fights by the rules they've been taught to expect. Against the unknown, however," he shrugged. "I had a talk with that sergeant today. He gave me some ideas. We must disguise you not just to conceal your identity, but to conceal your nature. They must not know _what _they are fighting." Searching their own wardrobes--and their father's and a trunk of old clothing in one of the guest rooms--the boys produced a complete set of clothing in unrelieved black. After a short disagreement on the best way to conceal Gilberto's face, Diego sacrificed a black satin dress that had been their mother's. Since both of the boys were hopeless with a needle and thread, however, it fell to Felipe to fashion the slick cloth into a mask. By the time they'd finished it was full dark. Diego examined his brother in the lamplight then disappeared into his room. When he returned, he was carrying a sword. "No," Gilberto said. "That is yours." "And as you pointed out yesterday, I will get no use out of it. Fencing is more than my poor heart can manage. Gilberto, hush. There is not a sword to match it in all of California. You will need it." It was a very plain sword. The guard was sleek and smooth, but unadorned. It was large, and it looked...heavy. Somberly, Gilberto unsheathed the weapon he'd been carrying and exchanged them. The quarrel they didn't have over the sword they _did_ have over how they would get Gilberto in and out of town. Diego wanted to sneak him in under the pretext of Diego making a visit to try to negotiate with the alcalde. Gilberto wouldn't hear of it. Diego must be nowhere near the pueblo. Absolutely not. Felipe suggested that he take a hay cart into town. Nobody noticed a servant with a mule cart. Diego was initially against involving Felipe, and Gilberto was initially against leaving Diego alone in the house. He put his point baldly enough that Diego was momentarily distracted from his own objection. Diego was so reasonable. "What do you think is going to happen to me in the house? A dozen of our men are sleeping in the bunkhouse a hundred feet away. Public disorder has not yet reached the point that people are rioting in the streets. You will be gone two hours at most. Do you think I'm going to wander off and get lost?" "You might become ill." "And if I do, being alone will make little difference. Will it?" Gilberto's fists opened and closed in frustration, but he'd lost this one. Diego said calmly, "The sky is clear and the moon is in the first quarter. If you reach town at moonrise, the light should be just enough for you to orient yourself without being clearly seen." Felipe, of course, missed all the action. He drove slowly through the pueblo gates to let to let Gilberto--Zorro, there was no Gilberto de le Vega in town tonight--slip off the cart and went around to wait by the mission. Less than a quarter hour passed before he heard shouting from the Cuartel. Felipe couldn't make out the words, but the tone seemed surprised and scared. Slowly, lazily, Felipe roused the mule and looped past the livery stable and toward the rarely used North Road out of town. He made no motion when Gilberto hopped onto the wagon and burrowed into the hay. He let the mule plod until town was out of sight behind them, then turned onto a narrow track leading east. In the darkness among the trees Felipe didn't dare drive the mule too fast, but the cover did mean that Gilberto could change back into his own clothing and join Felipe on the bench. In an excited whisper, Gilberto recounted how absurdly easy it had been to slip into the jail through a skylight and release the prisoners. Don Alejandro and Senorita Victoria had been held in cells, as befitting their status as important political prisoners, while the peasants who were being held for back taxes had been herded into a pen between the fort's armory and the kitchen. There had only been two men on guard, and one of those had been asleep. The prisoners had been halfway across the plaza before the alcalde himself had happened to step outside and discover the escape. They had fought--briefly. Zorro had ended the fight tidily by using Diego's wondrous sword to cleave the alcalde's blade at the hilt. When they finally turned onto the main road, they were able to go a little faster...and, in any case, they were very close to home. Leaving the cart behind the barn, Felipe unhitched and corralled the mule while Gilberto made sure no sign of their activities had been left in the wagon. They hurried, but even so, as they were entering the house, Gilberto signed that he heard his father and Senorita Victoria coming up the road. Diego was waiting in the library. There was no time to explain anything. Gilberto ran to the fireplace and shoved the bundle of clothing and weapons behind the hidden door, while Felipe signed that Don Alejandro was just behind them. Pausing only to grin at Felipe, Diego stalked over to his brother and snatched several strands of hay out of his disarrayed brown hair. He was shoving the evidence into his pocket when the front door opened. He even managed to look convincingly shocked, when, a moment later he asked what his father and Senorita Victoria were doing here when they had been arrested. Senorita Victoria looked practically giddy, even after the two-mile walk from town. She laughed and did a little dance. "Your father and I escaped from the jail. It was incredible." "You escaped?" Gilberto repeated. Diego sat down heavily. "But how did you. . .?" Felipe had to turn away to hide his smile. He hadn't realized the boys had learned to dissemble so neatly. If he hadn't been there himself when they planned he rescue he would have been fooled by this act. "A man in a mask came in and released us," Don Alejandro paused, his eyes flickering over his sons in turn. Perhaps he did suspect something. Or perhaps he was only concerned. After a moment he continued, "He was dressed in black with a long flowing cape. . ." "And a whip. . ." added Victoria, smiling. "And a sword." Diego and Gilberto shot each other concerned, dubious glances. "A masked man? Really?" Gilberto asked. "It's true," Victoria answered, frowning at them. "How do you think we escaped?" "It seems very odd...." Diego muttered. "What about the Alcalde?" Gilberto asked "The soldiers?" Don Alejandro laughed. "He overpowered them all singlehandedly. Never in my life have I seen the like." Surely, Felipe was the only one who noticed that the twins were not refusing to look directly at one another. Diego said, "That is impressive. Who is he?" "He said his name was. . ." Don Alejandro glanced at Senorita Victoria. Senorita Victoria looked back and hesitated a moment before answering, "El Zorro." Don Alejandro smiled wryly. "Zorro," he agreed. "El Zorro? A fox?" Diego sat back and folded his arms over his chest. Felipe was sure he'd gone too far this time, but no. Their own father and a woman who had known them since they were all children, and they had no idea. "Yes," said Victoria happily. "And like a fox, he disappeared into the night." "The alcalde can't be pleased," Gilberto said. "There is bound to be trouble." Don Alejandro snorted. "Right now, I'm not very concerned with that man's feelings." But Senorita Victoria met Gilberto's eyes and nodded worriedly. "If only...If only we could find this man in black. This Zorro. Well, he could help us fight the Alcalde." Diego, still not looking in Gilberto's direction, said, "I wouldn't count on that. I mean, men who run around in masks breaking into jails are probably not terribly reliable." Senorita Victoria spun on him impatiently: "I wish you could have seen him. Then you'd know what a true hero looks like," she snapped. Felipe thought he was the only one to notice that Diego looked as though he'd been slapped. Expression and color alike slowly drained from his face. Don Alejandro had already moved onto other topics. "There will be a meeting of the caballeros tomorrow. This can't be allowed to continue. In the mean time, we'll stay out of the alcalde's way." He laid a hand on Senorita Victoria's arm. "You will stay here tonight. Felipe, run and fetch Maria. Victoria should be chaperoned. Gilberto, you'll come with us to the meeting tomorrow." Gilberto slipped a sheet of paper from the table beside Diego, crumbled it, and tossed it into the fireplace. "I suppose this ends the argument about what to write the governor to protest your detention." Diego roused himself to mutter, "I was winning." Felipe slipped out then. Since Maria was out of the house till morning, he ran down to the servant's quarters to fetch one of the girls to come watch the senorita. When he returned a few minutes later, the library was empty. He found Diego in his room, slowly prying off his boots. Felipe dropped to the floor and gently batted Diego's hands out of the way. "Are you dizzy?" he asked when he'd set the boots aside. "No, I'm fine. It's been a very long day, but I am all right." He smiled wearily. "Really. Now you must tell me what happened. Tell me everything." Crossing his legs on the floor, Felipe repeated the story he'd gotten from Gilberto. Diego's relief and satisfaction were almost palpable, and Felipe found himself flushing with pride at his own role in the rescue. "What about the cart? Did you have any trouble? Were you noticed?" Felipe shook his head. "No. Nothing. But the cart is too slow. If they had been able to mount a search right away...." He shook his head regretfully. "No," Diego agreed. "To finish this, we will need a better solution. But that is a problem for tomorrow. Right now, there is only one more issue we must discuss. Why is there a bedroll under my armoire?" Felipe raise his chin and pointed at the open space on the floor of Diego's sitting area. "It will be more comfortable than just a blanket," he signed. For just a moment, anger showed in Diego's eyes. Then he cleared it and asked kindly, "How long are you planning to sleep on my floor, my friend?" Slowly, broadly, Felipe answered, "Your father has given me to you. I have no other work. Nothing else matters. Only you." "You'll do better work if you can sleep at night," Diego said gently. "I will not leave you." "I'm not asking you to abandon me in the desert. I'm asking you to go sleep in your bed." "In my room...If you called for me, I would not hear you. It's too far." Diego dropped his head, and for a minute Felipe assumed he was marshalling his arguments or reining in his temper. Then he saw the glitter of a tear as it dropped into Diego's lap. At once Felipe grabbed Diego's arm in contrition. "Don't be upset," he begged. "I'll do anything you want. I'll sleep out in the hall--" Diego caught his hands and stilled them. "I'm not upset. I'm only....You were such a little child when I left," he paused to scrub at his eyes with the back of one hand. "Never mind. Sleep wherever you wish. I think you'll soon grow tired of nursing me...." Felipe stood up and wrapped his arms around Diego's wide shoulders. When he felt the tension ease, he went to the wardrobe to get Diego's night shirt. _tbc_ 4. April 11, 1813 **April 11, 1813** The next day was overcast, and it was past dawn when he woke. Diego was still sleeping soundly. Felipe slipped out and found the others getting ready to head out to Don Pasqual's for the meeting. Gilberto drew Felipe aside and said softly, "He's determined to go out today, did he tell you? I think he will be all right, but _you_ pick the horse and _do not_ leave him." Felipe's eyes widened. "Why? What is he doing?" "We need--no, there isn't time to explain. Just stay with him." And then he was on his way out the door and Felipe had nothing to do but assemble a light meal and bring it to Diego's room. They spent the morning tracking through the back-country east of Diablo Canyon. The concern--as Felipe understood it--regarding Diego and riding was that he might have a dizzy spell and fall off. When he came out, Felipe had already saddled Esperanza, one of the older mares. She was biddable and unlikely to startle. She was also rather tall--a necessity for Diego's long legs, but Felipe gauged the distance to the ground and winced to himself. They were out until late afternoon, and when they returned Diego was leading a huge black stallion behind them. How Diego had managed to capture the magnificent animal was a mystery to Felipe, and he'd watched the entire process. At no time had Diego moved faster than a very slow walk, he'd never once raised his voice, he'd never touched a rope. Diego had always been good with horses, but this, _this_ seemed to be pure sorcery. Felipe had lived most of his life on the ranch and he had never seen anything like it. The animal was wild, unbranded, uncut, seventeen hands high at least...and it had patiently stood there while Diego bridled him. It had nuzzled his hand. When the reached the cave, Diego sent Felipe back around to the barn with the saddle horses and led the animal inside alone. Mindful that he had been instructed not to leave Diego, Felipe raced to return through the hidden door, but Don Alejandro and the others had just arrived home and of course they settled in the library to talk. Gilberto kept trying to catch Felipe's eye, but there was no way to make a report in full sight of everyone. He said only that Diego had gone riding that morning and now he was resting. It was half an hour before Gilberto got everyone else out of the library so he and Felipe could slip through the secret door. Diego was fine. The impossible horse was fine. Gilberto signed Felipe to stay still and out of the way and slowly walked forward to join Diego. More magic happened then. The twins didn't speak to each other at all, and the voice they used with the stallion was both quiet and irresistibly commanding. After a while, Diego stepped back and leaned against the wall with his arms folded. Gilberto continued, turning the horse in the narrow space, walking it forward and backward, soothing it when it balked or tried to pull away. His touch, while smooth and confident, didn't have quite the magic of Diego's. It took him half an hour to bring the stallion under his spell. Grinning for a moment, he glanced at Diego for confirmation, and motioned Felipe over. Slowly. Slowly. Long before he was within arm's reach the stallion shied away. Gilberto signaled a stop, spoke quietly to the horse for several minutes, then brought Felipe forward again. It took several tries before the animal would allow Felipe to lay a hand on its warm neck. Gilberto's smile included Felipe this time. "What shall we call him?" he asked. At once, Felipe signed a cyclone. Gilberto considered that. "Yes, I imagine he does run like the wind." From his place by the stairs, Diego corrected "Toronado." He studied Gilberto and the horse for a moment and nodded. "Enough for now. Father will be looking for us. Felipe, you are not to go near unless one of us is here. At least not yet." "He will need to eat," Felipe rolled his eyes. "You are going to look silly, wandering around with bags of oats." Diego quirked an eyebrow. "Thank you for your gracious offer. Yes, we will need your help. But stay away from him. He isn't ready yet. Not nearly." "How long?" Gilberto asked. "I need a month. If we're lucky...we'll have three days." Felipe wasn't sure what they were talking about. They were speaking quietly--perhaps he'd misheard them. Before he could ask they were on their way into the house proper. As soon as the door shut behind them, Gilberto's restraint vanished. He spun on his brother and swept him into a hug. "My God, Diego! He is magnificent. You are a genius." Diego smiled wearily. "So they told me in Madrid." Gilberto laughed. "And you call me overconfident?" "Never," Diego corrected. "Only arrogant. How ironic; you're going to need that arrogance now. I have to change for dinner." He sniffed himself. "And perhaps a bath would be in order." Supper was formal, and half a dozen guests attended, men talking about the problems in town. The alcalde had had patrols out all day, searching for the outlaw who 'assaulted' the cuartel, but he had had no results. The peasants liberated from the holding area had all gone to ground, and were likely safe...but nothing was to prevent Ramone from rounding up another batch tomorrow or the next day. The situation could not continue. The supper guests stayed until past ten. Diego glanced wistfully at Victoria--still in anxious conversation with his father--and excused himself. "I'm a little tired," he said to Gilberto, but his hand made the sign for a horse. Gilberto's eyes strayed toward the library and he nodded slightly. He would take care of it. When Felipe poked his head into Diego's sitting room a few minutes later he found that he had changed into his night clothes but was sitting in a wing-back chair beside the window. The only light came from a single candle, and a slight breeze revealed that the casement wasn't quite closed. Something wasn't right, but Felipe couldn't place what it was. He asked Diego what was going on. "I'm not feeling very well," Diego answered quietly. "I'm going to sit up for a while. It's all right. You can go on to sleep." Felipe took a step closer. "You should rest," he signed cautiously. "It is late." Diego seemed to consider his response for a long time. "If I try to lie down the symptoms will get...much worse." He took a deep breath. "It will pass. It won't be very long. I'll go to bed later." "I will get Gilberto." Felipe realize that his sign for Diego's brother--he had not specifically thought about it for a very long time--was 'the shorter one.' On bad days he had often meant it as 'the lesser one.' He would have to change it. They were allies now. "There is nothing he can do for me," Diego said reasonably. "And he needs to sleep tonight. We may need Zorro again as soon as tomorrow. I won't send him out exhausted." Felipe swallowed hard and signed, "Your medicine?" "I have already taken all I can safely take." "The sleeping medicine!" Obviously he had not taken that. "Laudanum. If I take it at this stage....it will make me very calm. But it won't slow my heart. And I will forget how to breathe properly. It is dangerous, Felipe." He felt a lump growing in his throat. He swallowed the tears down and asked--with hands that didn't shake and a gaze that didn't waver-- "What can I do? Tell me." "Nothing. It will pass." He paused again. "Give me your hand." Diego's own hand was ice cold, but his fingers were sure as he guided Felipe's finger tips along his wrist. "Just there. Do you feel that?" It was a strange flutter beneath the skin. With his hand held, Felipe could only shrug his question. "Has father taught you any biology at all? That is my pulse. It reflects my heart." He paused for a moment and then captured Felipe's other hand. "Here, this is _your_ pulse.... A bit fast, I think, yes...but it would be; I'm frightening you." This close Felipe realized that Diego wasn't pausing to think, he was pausing to breathe, great slow breaths that seemed to take a great deal of concentration. "And even so, yours is much slower and stronger than mine." Felipe pulled his hands free. "Why?" But of course Diego didn't know. Felipe took the blanket from the bed and tucked it around Diego. He retrieved the straight-backed chair from the desk and set it beside the window and sat down. There really wasn't anything to say, so instead he took one of Diego's icy hands in his own and tried to rub some warmth into it. The episode got worse before it got better. Diego didn't complain. He leaned his head against the chair's fluting and took those deep, desperate breaths. When the moon rose, the little of bit of light that came in the window threw the lines of strain on Diego's face into sharp relief. Felipe gently chafed his cool hands and wished--really wished in a way that he never had before--that he could speak. If he could pray or tell stories or make promises or sing, surely, surely that would help. But Felipe could not give Diego a single word of encouragement. Even that little bit of comfort out of reach. Could he possibly be more useless, just sitting there and watching while Diego was using all of his strength just to get enough air? The little flutter in Diego's wrist grew so faint that for a while Felipe could barely find it. The moonlight had angled past the window by that point, and the candle had burned down. In the darkness, Felipe could only make out the outline of Diego's shoulders as they heaved up and down with each slow gasp. Unable to bear it any more--afraid he would give way to grief or fear, and he had promised himself that Diego would never, ever see that--Felipe lit another candle, offered Diego a little water from the pitcher and cup on the dresser, got another blanket. Although his hands were still ice cold, Diego was sweating, so Felipe took a handkerchief and wiped his face. The seizure, when it passed, left more quickly than it had descended. Diego sat forward a little, catching his breath, and lines on his face eased into exhaustion. Felipe decided exhaustion looked much better than desperation. "I'm all right," Diego whispered, speaking for the first time in over two hours. His voice was so quiet that Felipe was mostly lip reading. "Just give me a moment." In a couple of minutes, though, it was clear he'd fallen asleep. The chair Felipe was in was uncomfortable. He pushed it out of the way, put out the candle, and seated himself on the floor at Diego's feet, letting his head rest against Diego's knees. When Diego roused him it was still dark out, although Felipe thought he could hear birds calling. Diego rose stiffly and used the chamber pot. He squeezed Felipe's shoulder and told him to get some sleep before climbing into bed himself. Felipe closed the window, collected the bedroll from under the wardrobe, shook it out on the floor at the foot of Diego's bed, and went back to sleep. When he woke again it was full light. Diego, he was pleased to see, was sound asleep and snoring. He slept until ten, and then--with the cover of a quiet walk in the kitchen garden--led Felipe down the hidden passage and out through the cave. In the sandy ground at the base of the shallow ravine, Gilberto was walking the horse in slow circles. Diego didn't interrupt. He sat down on a boulder and watched. Every once in a while Gilberto would look over. Diego would nod. Or frown. Or point in a different direction. Mostly, he nodded, looking very pleased. After an hour, he sent Felipe to fetch a saddle and tack. As he saddled Esperanza and led her from the barn, he felt guilty, as though he were--well, not stealing, obviously. But getting away with some similar crime. He was sure one of the vaqueros would challenge him, but only the stable boy was around and he never gave Felipe a second glance. After all, what could be less suspicious than Felipe collecting Diego's horse? He led her around the house, past the kitchen garden and the springhouse and down the narrow track that led to the bottom of the dry ravine where the twins were waiting. Toronado was already acquainted with the elderly and placid mare. He barely flicked his ear when they arrived. He was less happy when Gilberto began to transfer the tack from the mare's back to his. He stamped and snorted and shook. Diego came over and held the stallion's head, murmuring far too quietly for Felipe to hear. Even so, it took half an hour to get him saddled. "We're rushing this," Gilberto said, frowning. Diego patted Toronado's nose. "He's not near to spoiling yet. He doesn't like that saddle, but he'll take it for us." Slowly, he led him in a circle. "We'll get you on him after lunch." He glanced at the sky. "Which will be soon, I'm afraid." "I can manage myself this afternoon, Diego. You've done enough for a while." Diego lowered his eyes and said sweetly, "Yes, it is so strenuous, sitting in the shade watching you walk a horse." Gilberto shrugged. "I'm not going to argue in front of the horse, and you aren't going to argue in front of Father. Do you really think I can't tell when you've had a bad night?" Diego lost that one, despite the lack of actual arguing. Lunch was three squabbling caballeros, the doctor, and the owner of the dry-goods store. Don Alejandro and Victoria spent the meal soothing ruffled feathers and trying to keep the discussion on topic. The alcalde had been quiet for more than a day now, and as anger cooled, the men began to question just how necessary action was and endlessly analyze what action would be best. After a while, Diego began to ask them pointed questions, obviously trying to lead them to a particular conclusion. A couple of times he shot a look at Gilberto, asking for help, but each time Gilberto made a sour face that made it clear--at least to Felipe, who had watched him very carefully for three years--that he thought the effort was wasted. When lunch was over, Diego coolly excused himself and retired to the back courtyard for siesta. When he walked past Gilberto he didn't say anything out loud, but his hands gestured, "Don't break an arm when you get dumped on your rear." Felipe collected the history book he'd been neglecting since the twins came home and followed him outside. Diego was seated in a high-backed cane chair among the rose bushes. His eyes were closed but he was too erect to be asleep so Felipe tapped his shoulder. "Do you need anything?" "No, I'm quite all right" "I want to ask..." "Oh? What is it?" He motioned Felipe to take a seat on the bench across from him. "What were you trying to do during lunch?" Diego shrugged. "Get our neighbors to think about their long term goals for the territory. They are so wrapped up in their immediate problems that they haven't given much thought to the future or how they are going to live in it. Which, I admit, would bother me less right now if any of them showed any signs of being able to cope with the problems of the present." He snorted. "Senor Estevez is thinking only of his business. Don Roberto is angry that the business owners are being consulted at all, and he is personally affronted that the rest of us are willing to listen to the opinions of a woman." That took Felipe by surprise. "How do you know?" Diego's lips turned down in annoyance. "The way he looks at her every time she opens her mouth. She runs the most profitable business in the Pueblo. Her family has been here almost since the mission was established. Her father was a retired naval officer. But she is a woman, so she is beneath his notice. Of course, I am an invalid, so I am also beneath his notice." Oh. Felipe hadn't been paying attention to Don Roberto. Still, that explained a great deal. If Gilberto had noticed any disrespect to Diego, he wouldn't give the man the time of day, let alone cultivate him and bring him around. Felipe said as much. "Gilberto can charm the birds off the trees, when he bothers. And these are our neighbors. We need their goodwill." He stopped and glanced up. Felipe followed his eyes and saw Senorita Victoria just turning the corner. "Hola, Don Diego. No, don't get up. I don't want to disturb you." Diego's smile illuminated his face. "You are hardly a disturbance. Please sit down. Join us." He motioned to the bench next to Felipe. She sat down on the edge of the seat. "We haven't really had a chance to talk since you returned...." She began uncertainly. Diego's smile turned wry. "Civic crisis will do that, I'm afraid." She gave a startled laugh. "Yes, I suppose so. You've come home to a huge drama in our little pueblo." "Drama or not...it's good to be home," he said seriously. "Yes, we...your friends...we've all been quite worried, since we heard...." "I'm a great deal better than I was, but I admit I'm still somewhat inconvenienced," Diego responded. His eyes didn't quite meet Senorita Victoria's. She reached across and laid a hand on his arm. "Let's talk of something more pleasant. Before you left, you promised to tell me all about Madrid. I've been waiting four years...?" Felipe realized that very little, in fact, had been said about Madrid. As Diego began to speak of towering cathedrals and wide, cobbled avenues he could only sit astonished at a world so crowded and walled-in. There were theaters and concerts in Madrid. Diego had met artists and poets. He had seen huge parades, important lectures, and--once--an elephant. Senorita Victoria listened eagerly, her eyes going dreamy at the descriptions of the capital. Diego's eyes were rather dreamy as well, but though he was speaking of far away places, he was looking at the beautiful woman across from him. After a while Senorita Victoria excused herself briefly and Diego sighed as he looked after her. Felipe thought he should say something, but he had no idea what, so he opened his book and began to read about the Second Crusade. By the time Senorita Victoria returned, Diego had fallen asleep in his chair. She paused, biting her lower lip, and then motioned Felipe to step away with her. He asked what she needed. "Felipe, I do not want to ask Don Alejandro...he has so much on his mind. And Don Gilberto and I were never close friends. But perhaps you will tell me," she glanced over Felipe's shoulder, at the chair where Diego was sleeping. "How is he? Really?" Felipe panicked. This wasn't even something he wanted to think about, and it certainly wasn't a conversation he wanted to have, not behind Diego's back, and not with the woman he looked at with such longing. "Why are you asking?" "Why...what? Oh! Why do I want to know?" She frowned and looked over Felipe's shoulder again. "You know how boys are, sometimes, when the reach a certain age. Rough or even cruel. They can be so horrible, and they don't even seem to notice that they are horrible, or care...." Felipe nodded once. Yes, he knew. "He never was. Never to anyone. To peasants, to girls, to Indians, to servants...he was always polite and kind." She blushed slightly. "When I was much younger, I used to, well, I used to think of him. You understand. I was too young to realize it couldn't come to anything." The blush got a little brighter. "But he has been a good friend, and that has not changed just because we've grown up." Oh. She looked at Felipe hard. "His father has been a good friend, too. With my parents...gone he has been very generous with advice and encouragement. Diego's illness has hit him hard. Don Alejandro will be devastated if--" "No!" Felipe signed it so fiercely that she took a step back. He balled his fists, breathed out, and tried again more mildly. "No. He is not dying." His hands fumbled on the lie. He tried yet again. "We don't know. Diego is...ill. We are taking care of him. Maybe it will be all right." Of course she looked confused. That had been completely incoherent. Felipe patted her arm. "Pray for him," he signed. "Don't worry. It will be all right." She nodded gravely. "Thank you." She went back to the house and Felipe went back to his book. This time he couldn't concentrate on history. When Diego woke his father wanted to speak to him. He cast a longing look in the direction of the library and signed tersely behind his back, "Check on them. Keep back," before following Don Alejandro into his office. Gilberto and Toronado weren't in the cave, of course, but at first they didn't seem to be outside, either. Then Felipe felt the hoof beats through his feet and looked up to see them galloping along the sandy bank of the dry creek bed. They bore down on him like a wave crashing on the shore. Felipe stepped backward nervously, but laughing, Gilberto turned the stallion neatly aside and continued past. Gilberto was annoying, but there was no denying his skill. Gilberto was rubbing down Toronado and Felipe was checking the tack when Diego finally entered the cave a couple of hours later. Diego briefly examined both the horse and his brother, tisking mockingly over the dark mud that stained Gilberto's left hip. "What did Father want?" "A number of things....He wanted to know what I was getting at over lunch....he wanted to talk about my health," here he rolled his eyes, "he wanted to talk about the stock bloodlines. Actually, it was a very odd afternoon. I don't think he ever did get to what was really bothering him." Gilberto gave Diego an impatient look. "What is bothering him is he hasn't seen us in four years and now we're here and he is terrified he can't protect us." Diego looked up sharply. "You don't think he'll do something rash." "Not if we can do something rash first." The twins suddenly swung to look toward the passage to the house. As one they rushed to the peephole that looked into the library. Gilberto pressed his ear to the wall and Diego put his eye to the opening. After a moment, Diego leaned back so his brother could have a turn. Felipe could hear heavy footsteps in the house now...and men's voices...and Don Alejandro, outraged. An endless, terrifying minute passed, and then the front door slammed. As one, Diego and Gilberto spun around. Felipe had never seen them in such a rage, not even at each other. Diego reached for the saber that was hanging from a protrusion in the stone wall. Felipe stepped in front of him and pushed him back as hard as he could. "No." "Lancers just arrested them," Gilberto snarled. "They came for Father right here in his own house. I'm going to kill Ramone," Diego tried to move Felipe out of the way. Felipe shoved him back and let go to trace a letter Z in the air. He managed to grab Gilberto, who was already headed for the lever that opened the door, and push him in Diego's direction. The reminder brought Gilberto his senses. He groaned aloud and caught his brother's arm. "Stop. He's right. Stop. You saw how many there were. If we get ourselves arrested we can't help him." He closed his eyes briefly. "Also, Father would kill me." Diego ground his teeth, but he nodded, giving in to the necessity. "All right. Yes. Yes. We have to think." He sank down onto the top step and rested his forehead in his hands. "They'll be waiting for me this time," Gilberto said. "We'll need a diversion." "I'd hoped we'd have a little more time," Diego said softly. "But you didn't really think so, did you? Poisoning the bastard is starting to look more attractive every minute." "If the best we can do is kill people," Diego snapped, "then we are pathetic indeed. Now be quiet and let me think!" Diego thought. Felipe and Gilberto watched him nervously. Slowly, Diego got to his feet. "Stop looking at me like that. I'm fine. I need to see what we've got in the way of supplies. Felipe, you and I are going to stores. 'Berto, you are going to the pueblo to find out exactly what is going on. Keep your temper. See Father if you can. Allow him to talk you into returning home and 'looking after' me." He started up the stairs, nodding for Felipe to follow him. He looked in the storeroom, the shed, the barn, the pantry. He opened boxes, tested the weight of cloth, counted things, bent a bit of wire around the tip of his finger. Felipe had no idea what he was looking for. When he was finished with his brief inventory, Diego sat down on the bench in the back courtyard and stared up at the sky for a long time. After a couple of minutes, Felipe began to worry. He lifted up one of Diego's hands and found the little flutter in his wrist. The tiny movement was slow enough and strong enough that he could feel each beat distinctly, which was surely an improvement on the night before. Still...'better' was not necessarily 'good.' How would he know? Diego gave him a scolding look. "I'm not dizzy, I'm thinking about the weather." It was such an odd thing to say--and so like Diego to say something so unexpected--that Felipe nearly laughed, despite how serious the situation was. "I think it is not going to rain today," he signed with broad precision so that Diego would know it was sarcasm. It hadn't rained in a month. Diego snorted and clouted Felipe gently across the back of his head. "It's the wind I'm thinking of. The idea I have...if the conditions are right, the soldiers won't be able to offer him any coherent opposition. But if the weather doesn't cooperate...it could be disastrous." Felipe had no idea what to say. He waited, looking at the cracks in the flagstones, until Diego made up his mind and set him to gathering materials. When Gilberto came home at dusk, Maria had been sent back to her son's, the dining room table was covered in strange drawings, and Diego and Felipe were building--something--out of thin strips of wood, wire, and hemp cord. Gilberto stormed into the house, his back rigid with barely suppressed rage. He tossed his hat onto a chair and froze at the sight of the drawings. "Mother of God, Diego, De Vinci?" "You saw the models work last spring." "I saw half of them crash." "Not mine," Diego said mildly. "And look at the bright side: you will serve as your own diversion." "Especially if I crash and break my neck," but he said it without heat. His anger faded, only to be replaced by worry as he looked at his brother. "Diego..." "Hmm?" Diego tied off his section and looked up. "What is it?" "Diego...what I'm about to tell you is going to...make you very angry. And we can't afford...I cannot build this damn contraption without you. You need to remember that...as bad as it sounds, we _will_ fix it." "I see," Diego said after a moment. "No, we can't afford an episode just now. I promise to keep my perspective and not do anything rash. You...you say nothing irrevocable has happened?" "No. Nothing." He pulled a chair out and turned it to face Diego. He sat down and composed himself. "There is some good news. Victoria Escalante has been released, charges withdrawn." "That is good news," Diego agreed guardedly. "Ramone has declared Father guilty of treason. He is to be hung at dawn." Diego was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded and said, "You were right to warn me." Gilberto reached for Diego's hand, but he was waved off. "We have work to do," he said, turning back to the table. _~TBC_ 5. December 19, 1812 **December 19, 1812** Alejandro read the letter five times. When he could not bear to read it again, he folded it carefully and laid it on the desk. He should do...something. His boys were halfway around the world; there was nothing he could do. Gilberto--everything had fallen to him, alone. Slowly, numbly, he stood up and wandered through the empty house, looking for Felipe. He found the boy in the kitchen garden with Maria. Last night it had rained a little, and they were pulling weeds out of the softened ground. Alejandro walked between the rows of herbs and called, "Felipe." He had to repeat it three times before the boy heard. "Come inside with me." When he pointed to the settee and motioned him to sit, Felipe looked surprised, but brushed off his pants and sat. "What's wrong?" Uncertain what to say, Alejandro sat down and looked at his feet. "A letter arrived from Gilberto today," he began. When he didn't continue, Felipe, looking puzzled, signed, "A letter from Gilberto?" His sign for Gilberto was 'short,' an old joke; despite being older by twenty minutes, Gilberto had never been as tall as Diego. Alejandro swallowed the lump in his throat and said thickly, "Diego has been very ill." Felipe only looked more confused; he still had trouble following spoken Spanish, even when the speaker was speaking distinctly. Alejandro carefully signed, "Diego is ill." Felipe made no movement at all. Speaking both aloud and with his hands, Alejandro forced himself to continue. "He was bedridden for a month with some kind of fever. Over the last few days there had been...improvement. The doctors think it is likely--" his voice stumbled here. The letter had not said 'likely' it had said 'possible,' but that thought was much too terrible to bear, "that he will survive...but he is still very weak." Felipe jumped forward and grabbed Alejandro's arm. "We'll go," he signed frantically. "We'll help him. A boat." "No. No." Alejandro stilled him, shaking his head. "This was written over two months ago. Whatever has happened--"he stopped and closed his eyes. Diego might well be dead, his brother alone in Madrid and grieving....Gilberto, oh Gilberto. He was intelligent and accomplished and brave and confident and he would be completely lost without Diego. "He may be quite well by now. There is nothing we can do for him...." Felipe stepped back, shaking. His eyes were wet, but even crying, the boy made no sound. "Please," he signed. "Please. Diego." The sign for Diego was 'friend.' Alejandro rubbed his hands over his face. He had no comfort to offer his sons, but surely, for this child Diego had left in his care, _surely_, he could do something. "Gilberto waited to write until there was some sign," he said, longing to believe his own words. "He waited. That he finally sent us word, he must have believed that Diego was recovering. He may already be back in class, attending public debates or--or the opera....even fencing. He may be quite well! A great deal can happen in two months." Felipe dropped his eyes. He had nothing to say and nothing he wanted to hear. Alejandro could scarcely blame him. The child adored Diego. _As do I. Dear God, have mercy on my sons._ He swallowed hard. "We're going to the church. We'll pray for him. For them. That is all we can do now." _ tbc_ 6. April 13, 1813 **April 13, 1813** It was chilly. Felipe shivered a little, but didn't complain. Dawn was close and there was light enough to see that Diego had dark circles under his eyes. Gilberto had insisted he take a rest sometime around midnight, but he hadn't slept. Felipe couldn't have slept, either. A brisk pounding of hooves announced Gilberto's arrival. He reined Toronado to a sharp halt and gaped openly at the monstrous black bird strapped to the back of Felipe's wagon. "Little brother, you are the devil himself. They were wrong in Madrid, you know. You aren't a genius. You're mad as a hatter." Nevertheless, he dismounted lightly and handed Diego Toronado's reins. Diego caught his arm as he started to turn away. "This will work. There is no question. I wouldn't have hesitated at all if I were taking the risk myself." Gilberto looked wryly at the contraption. "I know it." "Felipe knows what to do. As for you--just remember, it's a sail, not a kite. Don't fight the wind." Gilberto paused for a moment, then said gently, "I'll bring him home." He hopped onto the back of the wagon, and Felipe headed out to circle to the west to catch the morning wind off the ocean. Diego mounted Esperanza and led Toronado to the north to arrange Zorro's exit once his work at the pueblo was done. The run down the hill went exactly as Diego had said it would. Even so, it was absolutely terrifying. The wind howled around the wing, which in turn tugged and pulled at its leather restraints. The moment Gilberto cut the strap securing the great wing to the cart and came away with a shudder and an ominous silence--as the glider rose and shaded the sun, Felipe felt stark terror slice through him like a knife. He could not imagine how Gilberto bore it, rising like a dark bird into the sky. He slowed the horses and turned them back south. With his hat low over his face and the horses at a walk, he would look, well, like a peasant with a cart. Nothing noteworthy. He did crane his neck to watch the black bird glide low over the wall of the livery stable. It narrowly missed the church roof before disappearing down into the pueblo. Felipe crossed himself and continued his slow journey. About ten minutes later, as he turned the cart onto the road that would lead home, he looked over his shoulder. He could just make out a dark figure on a dark horse streaking off cross-country headed south-west. He grinned to himself, kept his hat low, and didn't give in to the urge to hurry the horses. He was almost half-way home when Diego caught up with him. He had--somehow--coaxed the placid Esperanza into a canter. Felipe stopped the wagon and waved as they pulled along side. When Diego dismounted he stumbled sharply and would have fallen if he hadn't grabbed the stirrup. For a second, Felipe could only stare: it hardly seemed possible that Diego had lost his footing. Felipe scrambled off the buckboard and went to Diego's side, his surprise already giving way to worry. "I'm fine, I'm fine," Diego said. "A little lightheaded, that's all. I'm fine." Urgently conscious of the fact that, should Diego fall, Felipe was not strong enough to catch him, he placed Diego's hand on his shoulder, led him the few steps to the wagon, and hovered while he climbed carefully into the seat. When Diego was settled, Felipe tied Esperanza to the back of the wagon, hopped back up, and got the horses going again. "I'm all right," Diego repeated. He was holding tightly to the seat, though, and in the morning light he looked pale. Felipe leaned over and patted his back. Just a little longer, just a mile or so, now. Diego could rest soon.... They didn't have to worry about sneaking back into the house, at least. The bunkhouse was empty: everyone who wasn't out with the stock out at Yellowrock had gone into town. Gilberto, his shirt buttoned crookedly, came running out of the house even as Felipe stopped the wagon behind the little carriage house out back. Gilberto looked up at Diego for a long moment, then held out his arms to steady him as he lowered himself awkwardly to the ground. "Come on, Little Brother. Let's get you inside." He kept an arm around Diego's shoulders as they turned toward the house. Felipe glanced resentfully after them as he unhitched the horses...but he couldn't begrudge Gilberto, or, honestly, wish to trade places. If Diego should faint, Felipe was simply too small to catch him. He rubbed the horses down as quickly as was decent and hurried into the quiet house. He found Diego in bed, arguing with Gilberto. Their voices were too low for him to make out most of the words, but it should have been a reassuring sight--he'd spent countless hours watching them squabble. This time, though...they seemed strangely subdued, shadows of their usual selves. Neither gestured or raised his voice. Diego looked weary and fragile and Gilberto looked frustrated and worried. Felipe could only make out a few of the words: "--here already--" Diego was protesting. He was propped up on a couple of pillows. Gilberto sat on the side of the bed, shaking his head slowly. "--pueblo in chaos. It hasn't been that long." "If I was wrong...if I misjudged....Ramone is a madman." "--just fine--any moment now--" "--angry enough to murder for spite....Father--" "Diego--yes, I am sure he is angry enough to kill Father and everyone else who saw him humiliated--" Quietly, Felipe drew closer. Diego's lips were strangely pale. "Then you see--" "But he can't. Not by himself. Without the garrison he is only a petty bureaucrat. _They _are his only true strength." "He might rally them. They have followed him so far. Mendoza--" Gilberto was shaking his head slowly. "A young corporal pissed himself this morning, Diego. When Zorro _looked _at him. They won't defy Zorro today. Or tomorrow. And maybe not for the next month. Ramone doesn't even dare try to rally them right now--" "Because if he tries and fails he will lose whatever authority he has left," Diego sighed as he closed his eyes. "You did it." Gilberto smoothed his brother's hair back. "For now. For now, everyone is safe. And it was your plan that did it, Diego. You have saved us. So now you can rest for a while." The echoes of the quarrel died away, and Felipe sagged a little in relief. Peace, for however long it would last. "Was it magnificent?" Diego whispered after a moment. Gilberto laughed. "It was. Oh, yes, it was everything you said! It was as if God himself had taken me up in his hands....Ha. But, I'll tell you this: never again. I nearly pissed _myself _when the ground rushed up at me. I kept thinking of that fellow Firnas, whom you admire so much. Broke both his legs, I remember. Thank you, no." "Well, he made wings, not a glider," Diego smiled faintly. Gilberto grinned. "Never again." "No, never again....That was almost all of the silk I had...and I'm sure our alcalde will burn this one." He breathed in and sighed deeply. "Never mind. It flew." "It flew beautifully," Gilberto agreed. Diego's eyes drifted shut. "Can you open the window? It's rather close in here...." Frowning, Gilberto opened the casement and then returned to his seat on the edge of Diego's bed. Almost casually, he lifted his brother's hand and slid his fingers along his wrist. "Felipe, hand me that pillow, would you?" He lifted Diego forward and tucked the pillow behind him. "When do you need your medicine next?" Diego allowed himself to be manhandled and shifted without protest. "Ten-thirty. I should stay awake--" "I'll wake you when it's time. Rest for a while." Diego's eyes shot open, and as one the boys turned. A moment later, Felipe heard the front door slam shut and Don Alejandro bellowed, "Gilberto? Diego? Diego!" Gilberto bounced up and raced into the hall. Diego moved to get up, too, but Felipe blocked his way and motioned him to stay still. Diego complied, but his eyes remained, longingly, on the empty doorway. Felipe wondered if Diego could hear the conversation in the hallway. Probably, they were talking about Diego's health.... Felipe squeezed Diego's shoulder. Don Alejandro came in quietly, calmly. He didn't run to the bedside or exclaim over his son. Felipe stepped back, and Don Alejandro smiled politely and took one of Diego's hands. Diego was not so restrained. He pushed himself unsteadily upright and pulled his father closer. Don Alejandro hugged him hard and then pressed him back into the pillows. "I'm so sorry for worrying you, Diego. You weren't to know--" "Don't blame him. It wasn't as if anyone were talking of anything else." Diego took a deep breath. "I'm not ill. Tired, I suppose. I haven't slept...but I defy you to find anyone who could, under the circumstances." Diego needed a breath before he could go on. Then another. "Was it a bluff, then?" "I truly don't know. I still think it might have been...but it seems the alcalde has an enemy. Or else the Pueblo of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angles has a protector. Never mind." He smiled, leaned down conspiratorially "I promise to tell you all about it later. What matters now is that it is over. Hmmm?" His voice lightened, as though he were speaking to a small child. "None of us has had a good night's sleep. Close your eyes. That's right. There is nothing to worry about." He set Diego's hand down and kissed him on the forehead. Diego was already asleep. Don Alejandro sat for a long time, his head drooping wearily, before rising and signing to Felipe, "You'll stay?" Felipe nodded and pointed to the chair beside the bed. He'd stay. Gilberto took his father's arm and led him from the room. Felipe shut the door behind them and sat down beside Diego to wait. ~end End file.

Saving the Fox: Hermanito by Therrae

Zorro

Two Sides of a Coin **Two Sides of a Coin** -- A Disney Zorro Fanfiction -------------------------- Sometimes, he wondered what it meant to be Zorro. Was it riding to save someone unfortunate enough to earn the wrath of the capitan or whoever was in authority? Or was it just plain helping someone who was being taken advantaged of? He did not hate his job, but he did not feel rewarded as much as he used to. Not that he wanted any recognition for what he had accomplished, but lately, he became Zorro almost purely by instinct, not thinking anymore whether he should ride on a particular occasion. Like this time. The bandits raid the house of a fine haciendado. They demanded valuables, which they got. Not having enough, they threw out the owner and his family and took over the hacienda. Zorro was in a blur, so driven at the sight of the helpless family that he slashed at the bandits, one man against at least three or four armed men. They were not killed, fortunately, but they were scarred almost beyond recognition nevertheless. Seeing the bodies, Zorro shook uncontrollably and stumbled on his way, unable to afford a glance at the grateful family. "You look unhappy," a kind voice remarked. He stopped his faithful horse and looked around. Standing in the shadow of a tree was a white-haired woman. The way she almost blended into her surroundings made him believed for a moment that she was some kind of apparition. "What is troubling you?" she asked. He narrowed his eyes. For an elderly lady, she had a very pleasant voice. Was he so tired that he started imagining things? "You need a rest, Senor," she continued in a soothing voice. "Please at least come in. There is something that... I would like you to know. If after listening to me, you still want to leave, I shall not stop you." Numbly, he dismounted and followed her into the hut, which he did not think he had seen before. He was certain now that she was real. In his present state of mind, he could not possibly make up the senora's long speech, or any speech for that matter. ----------------------- "Gracias, Senora," he said after his hostess got him a warm drink. It did work wonder calming his nerves. "De nada," the lady responded, waving. "I don't know if it is the same stuff as what you caballeros always have, but hope you like it." He almost choked on his drink. How in the world...? She leaned forward and steadied the cup that threatened to fall off the edge of the table. "Be careful, Senor. It's rather hot." He started to breathe in relief. Perhaps she did not mean anything by _that_ remark. "It is all right, Senora. I am sorry for being so clumsy." "Don't worry about it. You must be tired, chasing after bandits all the time." She smiled, revealing her almost toothless mouth. He thought that smile would look quite interesting on a younger woman. However, what she said about bandits make him feel rather uneasy. "I do not mean to sound rude, Senora, but what is it that you want to tell me?" "Young men these days, they are so impatient," she teased. "Well, I will tell you, but I have to ask you some questions first." He felt guilty right then. He did not answer her question when she asked it previously. Could he do so now? In the end, his curiosity at what she had to say won out. "I suppose it is only fair." He bowed his head. "What would you like to know?" She regarded him with a piercing stare, and for a moment, he believed she was able to see his very soul. "Well, I want the answer to my earlier question. You looked terrible when I saw you off the highway." Zorro thought about it and had to shake his head. "I have no idea why." The senora got up from her seat and walked over to him. "Maybe I should start with something easier. What had you done just before we met?" He looked up at her, standing there close to him, yet far enough to give him space. She could be trusted, he decided. "I was out chasing bandits, as you say. I did not know what possessed me, but I just kept on attacking them, even when they were already down. I am scared of myself, Senora, or rather, of what I am capable of doing." "Dear boy. I don't want to find out what you are capable of!" she said in a mock serious tone. 'Neither do I,' he thought. "When I first started my "work", things were different back then, at least for me. I could actually find satisfaction in helping other people. Now it is more like a curse. I do not know what I am doing anymore." "Oh." She raised her eyebrows. "Care to elaborate on why you think your work has become a curse?" "I can't shake it off, that's why! There are times I don't know whether to be my real self, or to be the pretended, shallow version of myself that I so thoughtfully came up with!" He regretted his harsh words the moment he saw a frown on her face, and was about to apologize when she posed another question. "Would you still be Zorro if you know in advance what you would get yourself into?" Despite himself, he smiled. That was one question he had an easy answer to. "Yes, I would. I just might be able to deal with it better, knowing how things will turn out before hand." "Like problems with your various admirers, no doubt, who barely give your real self a second glance." He was surprised at an almost bitter tone. Like what she said was personal. But that was not possible, was it? They had just met after all. He did not realize that he had been staring at her until she blinked. "Oh.. I am sorry. You probably don't want anyone to know of your identity." "Do you know...?" She smiled mysteriously. "I would not say that I know who you really are, Senor, but I have my suspicion." "Ah..." was all the flustered Zorro could say. Seemingly deep in thought, the lady walked toward the window. Zorro could not help wondering whether she knew his secret, although it would not bother him too greatly either way. No way would he still last if she were the type of person who would shout his real identity to anyone she came in contact with. The senora was still gazing out the window when she addressed him again. "There is no doubt that you have done a lot of good for this pueblo, Senor," she started slowly. "Unlike some people, I won't pretend to understand whatever your reasons might be for this sacrifice, but I am grateful for it. Now comes a hard part. I have a tendency to speak my mind most of the time... so please forgive me for what I am about to say." She looked down, as though it was a crime to be honest. He flashed a smile for her sake. After all, he disliked seeing a lady in distress. "No problem. I promise to listen, so I will." She turned to face him and returned his smile. "Thank you." He shrugged. "I hope this is worth the suspense you put me through." Her eyes widened. "You don't mean..." "What I 'don't mean,' Senora?" Zorro gave her his most innocent smile, which made her laugh. In fact, he could have sworn that she was giggling if she had been younger. "I feel like I have known you somewhere before, Senora," he went on. "You remind me of a friend." "Well, I _am_ also your friend, yes?" she demanded, putting her hands on her hips. Zorro quivered. Although he didn't quite understand how, he realized that he must have offended her. "I apologize, Senora. I did not mean any disrespect." The senora reached out to touch his arm. "I never said you did," she returned softly. "Don't mind me so much. I am just an old hag with her nose for trouble." He felt so comforted with the gentle way she put her hand on his trembling arm. The world seemed to stop moving. As far as he was concerned at the moment, there existed only the senora and himself. "I _do_ know you, don't I?" His question seemed to surprise her, for she momentarily took her hand off his arm. "That is for you to decide, Senor," she said at last. "I promise to tell you something, and after I do, you may or may not figure out whether you know me." "So please get on with telling it and leave me with one less problem," Zorro blurted out in one long extended breath. He was grateful for his mask because otherwise the blush on his face would have been visible. Her eyes seemed to twinkle in response to his reaction, but she did not comment on it. "All right, here goes. You are thinking that you have to be Zorro all the time and that you can never be yourself for fear of discovery. You are brave, Senor, but, forgive me, you are also foolish. It is not that you are two persons to begin with. You are just, well, you." She wiped her brow and sipped her drink. Zorro began to regret his decision to hear her. What she said hit too much close to home. Only his promise kept him from leaving. "You probably decided, when you began your noble crusade, that no one, not even your family, was to know about your secret life. However, I trust that there is someone whom you let in on the secret. He or she must be the person that is least likely to be suspected of being Zorro's accomplice. Am I correct so far?" He could only nod and wait. She was not going to tell him what he had already known for nothing. The senora took a deep breath. "I am sorry for reminding you of things you know by heart, but it is necessary. That aside, I do not doubt your acting skill, but do you think your family is completely fooled by your charade? Or for that matter, do you really believe that your friends and acquaintances are as ignorant as they seem?" Her questions caught him off-guard. His father had known, but Zorro had always wondered for how long. And as far as his friends were concerned, he was ashamed to admit that he never gave much thought whether they might suspect him, as long as they continued to act like they had no clue. He looked up to find the lady smiling at him, although her eyes looked sad. "Yes, you try to do what is best for everyone, which I must applaud you for, but sometimes some people might not care for your generosity. You are just one person, thus cannot be expected to please everyone. But you do have your good judgement." He blushed again, not because of the compliment, but because she put things into prospective, something he should have done a long time ago. Perhaps she had a point. He had no right to decide for his friends and family whether they should know about his secret. Nodding, the senora held out her hand toward him. "Well, please think about it, Senor Zorro. You do not have to answer me, or anyone else for that matter, but I do hope you find your own answer, and eventually your inner peace. Good luck." She shook his hand, and, before he had a chance to express his gratitude, left the small hut. Zorro stood still for a few moments, then rushed out after her. But she simply disappeared. Undaunted, he mounted his horse and searched for her. After a while, however, he came to the conclusion that the senora must only be a voice of his conscience, despite his earlier conviction that she was real. Long after Zorro was gone, his companion in the hut climbed down from the big tree right above the place he first saw her. "You just don't look hard enough, Senor," she whispered, then removed her disguise, revealing her youthful features. "You are not the only person who can wear a mask." The End ------------------------------------------------------ Disclaimer: Disney owns the characters of Zorro and the senora (when she's not old that is :) I just borrowed them for my little tale. End file.

Two Sides of a Coin by Scroll Keeper

Zorro

Rent Day _Not mine. No claims are made by the author. No money changes hand._ _This is NOT a Saving the Fox story. _ Friday was rent day. Jamie always took the cart out to the de le Vega house. He loathed riding horseback, and now that he no longer _had _to, well, why add more needless suffering to the world? He didn't even own a saddle anymore. Anyway, most weeks he continued on to one of the nearby farms to purchase vegetables or eggs or cheese. It was astonishing, how much food the tavern went through. And it was important to keep up the quality. A new inn had opened in town last year, and they had a very good cook. Not that Jamie was worried. Los Angeles was growing.. There was plenty of business for two inns and the boardinghouse too. And - although he would not boast about it aloud - Jamie was not merely a 'very good' cook. As the cart came around the last corner, Jamie slowed up and guided the horse over to the side. The entire de le Vega family seemed to be at the corral. Shielding his eyes from the sun, Jamie climbed down. Alejandra and Edmund were cantering even circles around the edge while Don Diego, in the center, was giving Alfonzo a riding lesson. The toddler might be too young - he was too excited to sit still. It was a wonder that his jiggling and yelling didn't spook the pony, but the patient animal was standing as still as a statue. Jamie walked around the side to join Dona Victoria leaning against the fence. Her belly was huge, and Jamie blinked in embarrassment and quickly looked away. He and Rosa had three children at home, but two of them were adopted and the first - Rosa was nicely plump. Her belly had hardly been noticeable. Victoria, on the other hand, always looked like a whale when she was expecting. Not that Jamie would ever say anything about that. Or get caught looking. "Good morning, Senor Mendoza," Dona Victoria said cheerfully. Her glance in his direction was very brief. Her attention was on the riding lesson in the corral. "Good morning," he answered. "Is it Alfonso's first time?" She blew out an amused breath. "His third. He is just so completely beside himself..." She smiled fondly. "His first word was 'horse' you know." Jamie nodded. He knew. Most of Don Diego's conversations these days were about children. "I am sure once he calms down..." She watched Don Diego lead the pony slowly forward. Alfonso held tightly to the saddle horn and managed to keep from shrieking. "So, how are things in town? How is Rosa?" "Ah. Rosa. Do you know what she got me for my birthday?" "Your birthday was last month," she pointed out. "It was late." He smiled. "It came by ship. An all metal stove! Oh, you should see it. The sweetest, sleekest...it is amazing!" "Oooh. I would like to see that." "You must come over for dinner after church on Sunday. I will bake a cake - Oh, you would not believe what I can do with that stove!" "I can already guess. I think you have become a better cook than I am." "Never," Jamie said loyally. "I still miss your enchiladas." In the corral, Alfonzo let out a delighted shriek and nearly toppled himself out of the saddle. Don Diego quickly snatched him up and tucked him under one arm. "That is enough," he said. "It certainly is," Dona Victoria agreed, reaching over the fence to take the boy. "It is naptime." She raised her voice. "Edmund! You, too. It is time to go in." "I don't understand," Don Diego complained, passing the squirming package over the fence and into his mother's arms. "He is three. The first two were already reining by now. Oh. Hola, Mendoza." Dona Victoria tisked at him. "They are not all alike, Diego. We did not stamp them out of a mold." She set Alfonso on the ground and patted his head. He ignored her and stared longingly back at the pony. "We'll try again tomorrow." "Don' wanna nap," Alfonso protested. "Riding." "You need a nap," she said, holding him still. "I don't _need_ a nap," Edmund protested as he rode up to the gate. "_You_ have not finished your schoolwork," she answered mildly. "You both know the rules. There is no point in arguing." "Can I at least ride Sparrow back to the house?" "To the barn," Dona Victoria corrected, taking Alfonso's hand and leading him along. "And you will comb her down yourself, this time. No leaving it for the stable boy." With a suspiciously innocent look, Edmund nodded and rode on ahead. "He's a handful," Jamie remarked. "They are all a handful," Diego corrected cheerfully. "You know, for the life of me, I cannot remember if I was _ever_ that creative about finding new ways to get into trouble. Is it just because they outnumber us?" Jamie leaned against the post and watched Alejandra canter around the corral. At one end was a series of low hurdles. She jumped over all three of them neatly. "Your father used to tell stories. Apparently, you were very good at getting into trouble. There was that time, when you were seven, and snuck out to join the spring round up. Or the time you decided the wall in the parlor was too boring and needed some artwork - I think you were three. And then - " "Yes," Don Diego said quickly. "Thank you. I am sure my father would agree that my present trials are well deserved..." He sighed and turned to look back toward the house. Jamie could have kicked himself. Four years Don Alejandro had been gone, and Diego still found mention of his father difficult. To change the subject, Jamie took a little bag out of his pocket. "I have the rent." Diego turned back and smiled. "Ah. You know, you are the most punctual man I know." It was not _such_ a generous compliment, except Diego was looking at him so seriously, with so much warmth and pride. Jamie found his face growing warm. He groped for another change of subject. "Rosa said to invite you to dinner on Sunday." "It will be our pleasure, of course. But surely it is our turn." "We have invited Senor Bednikov and his daughter as well. We are hoping Felipe will come." Don Diego thought for a moment. "Irina," he said. "Rosa is matchmaking again." Jamie tried not to squirm. "Irina is a lovely girl. And very practical." "Unlike Senorita Isabella." "Well...that was a bit of a mistake... Anyway, I'll make a cake in my new oven. You will be amazed, Don Diego." "We wouldn't miss it. Are the children invited?" "Of course. You know how Rita looks up to Alejandra," he glanced past Diego where Alejandra was trotting across the corral. Now, with her father looking away, she glanced around furtively and turned her horse in a wider circle. Jamie had been in the King's service for more than twenty years: he knew the look of someone about to commit a crime. But what could she be up to here in the corral? She wasn't about to mistreat the horse, surely. Diego de le Vega's child cruel to an animal? Never. Her casual arc turned into a gallop. Jamie gasped: she was headed for the adult sized hurdle at full speed. Diego turned to look. He bit off an exclamation. Now was not the moment to startle that horse, because he was already about to leap - already in mid air - a perfect arc, more than a foot above the hurdle. Dear God. They landed without breaking stride or slowing. It was a perfection he had seen many times before, and Jamie whispered, "She's another Zorro!" It was only when Diego made a soft choking noise that he realized he had said it out loud, and it was the wrong thing to say. Jamie flushed miserably. He could not look at Diego. He swallowed hard and turned away. Behind him, Don Diego was leaping the fence, admonishing Alejandra, taking possession of the horse, sending the girl back to the house... Jamie wished the ground would open up and swallow him. Don Diego walked the horse in a broad circle and then returned. He stopped with the head of the horse between them and rubbed his nose. Jamie forced himself to look up. "I will never tell anyone," he whispered. "_What_ is it that you will never tell anyone...about my oldest child?" It was a voice - angry, hard, unrelenting - he had not heard in almost a decade. "That you are Zorro, of course. I mean...I haven't told anyone yet. I'm not going to say anything _now_." Don Diego blinked at that, surprised, and Jamie realized that he had thought Jamie was implying something else _entirely_. That made him blush again, and he said quickly, "Although...I never understood why you kept it a secret after the revolution. I mean, Zorro's crimes were against the Crown, the Mexican government dismissed them." Don Diego sputtered widlly. "How could you possibly think - Where did you get the idea - Zorro! Me?" "Oh. Well." Jamie shifted his feet. He cleared his throat. "You know...nobody was very surprised when Victoria married you after Zorro disappeared. Especially with your father making no secret that he was pressuring you both..." And in hindsight, that seemed very much like another of the Fox's diversions, but he wasn't going to mention that now. "Except for me. I thought she liked you too much to marry_ you_ when she had given her heart to someone else." He shrugged. "But, you know, sometimes when she looks at you - of course, most of the time she is very correct and proper - but sometimes she looks at you the way she looked at _him_." Jamie swallowed nervously. "She used to - look - at Zorro very openly." Diego stared at him. Jamie swallowed hard. "So for years, you've been convinced..." "Oh, maybe not _convinced_, that is such a strong word." A nervous chuckle escaped. "I _thought,_ but I was not convinced. Well, not until two minutes ago." He wanted to laugh. He wanted to beg forgiveness. He wanted to turn into a bird and fly away. "Zorro used to get angry...um...fairly frequently in the old days. Not so much any more. But I know his voice." Don Diego closed his eyes. "I didn't want to spend my life fighting off young men who wanted to test themselves against Zorro's reputation." "Oh," Jamie said in a small voice, "I thought perhaps you were very pessimistic about the new government." Don Diego laughed once, weakly. Then he said, "The children don't know. Victoria. Felipe. My - my father." Another laugh. "And you, apparently..." He took a deep breath. "I suppose - Rosa?" Jamie shook his head. "She is my wife. I would have told her if she'd asked. But why would _I_ know who Zorro was? She never asked..." Don Diego studied him for a moment and then began to slowly unsaddle Alejandra's horse. "I wanted to thank you," Jamie whispered. "So many times. For so much." Diego's hands froze on the cinch. "So have I," he answered. "You could have had me. Twice, toward the end." Toward the end Jamie had been so fed up...but then so had DeSoto. The entire last year after they had come so close to execution, it was only inertia that carried them forward. DeSoto had put away his painting of Machiavelli. He'd gotten drunk once and started talking about how ambition had failed him, duty was impossible, and honor - he didn't have any. It had been terribly sad. Jamie had had a hard time believing in duty, too, given that Spain had abandoned California to the likes of Risendo and even DeSoto himself. But honor? "Zorro had enough honor for all of us," Jamie whispered, wishing he could explain. "You did. You never betrayed us, you never gave up." Don Diego shook his head numbly. Jamie continued. He just had a little bit more to say. "I tell my children stories - all the children who come to play - I tell them stories of Zorro. I don't tell stories about war anymore..." Don Diego slowly lifted the saddle onto a fence rail and turned to face him. For a moment he couldn't seem to speak. Jamie had never seen Don Diego - or Zorro - at a loss for words before. "I...I should apologize for all the mending you had to do," he said at last. Jamie forced himself to laugh. "Yes, you should. I used to have a little callus on my finger from the needle, sewing up all those _Z_s." "I am deeply sorry," Don Diego said, bowing grandly. Mendoza laughed, this time for real. "I won't tell anyone..." "I wasn't worried that you would." He produced his watch and checked the time. "It is later than I thought. You must join us for lunch." He clapped Jamie across he shoulders and steered him back toward the waiting wagon. "You will come for dinner on Sunday?" "Oh, of course we will. I am warning Felipe about Irina, though." _~end _ End file.

Rent Day by Therrae

Zorro

Rain Title: Rain Author: Robin aka icyfire Summary: The people of Los Angeles enjoy the rain at the end of "Water" Disclaimer: If I owned them, I would make money from them. Since I don't, I'm not. Rating: G Diego walked to where his father and Victoria stood on the tavern's porch. They stayed far enough back under the roof so the rain did not touch them, but the satisfaction on their faces made him smile. "I just saw Mendoza. He was grinning as the rain drenched him. The _alcalde,_ however-" "The _alcalde_ is furious because his punishment of Mendoza is over!" Victoria finished for him with a wave of her head. Diego's smile grew broader as he saw her eyes flash. "It isn't fair-to make a man stand out in a full dress uniform in this heat is inhuman!" "This drought definitely brought out the worst in our _alcalde_. Did I hear correctly? He was the reason the fountain stopped flowing?" Diego asked so innocently that no one would believe he knew all of the details. He should; after all, he was the one who had stopped Ramone from taking advantage of the situation. The fountain in the plaza had provided water to the people of Los Angeles over the years when there had been no other water to be found, and its source had remained a mystery until recently. Having never dried up in known history, it suddenly stopped flowing in the middle of this drought, which was admittedly an especially bad one. Even the de la Vega well had dried during it. Nodding, Victoria looked at him, and he saw a sparkle in her eye with which he was becoming familiar. It always appeared when she began talking about her favorite subject, or whenever he appeared. "Yes, Ramone discovered that the source of the fountain flowed through his land, so he blocked it with boulders. Can you believe he was actually selling the fountain's water to the people-oh, excuse me-he was _giving_ it away after charging everyone for using the road to his land. When Zorro found out, he blew up the boulders blocking the stream. That's why we have water in the fountain again. Zorro rescued this _pueblo_ from the _alcalde's_ greed yet again." Diego barely kept himself from laughing when she gave a short, proud nod of her head. "So Mendoza was supposed to guard the dam-" Diego said, as if he really wanted to know all the details. He worried about attracting attention to his absences, but most people seemed to accept and even expect them now. "Yes, and since he didn't stop Zorro, the _alcalde_ ordered him to stand guard duty in the plaza in this heat. As if the _he _could have stopped Zorro," Victoria finished angrily. Diego loved it when Victoria got upset about something, because he enjoyed both listening to and watching her. She was beautiful when she was passionate about a subject, with her eyes flashing and her checks flushed. "Yes, the _alcalde_ was yelling that he was supreme commander and that there would be no relief for Mendoza when the rain began to pour," Diego told them, unable to hide his own amusement. _Don_ Alejandro and Victoria both laughed, and the stiffness left Victoria's shoulders. "Yes, it does look like his orders were countermanded by a higher authority," his father noted, looking upward. Victoria leaned on against a beam and smiled. "I've always loved the rain. I love to hear it pounding on the roof. It almost sounds like music to me." Her voice sounded wistful as she watched a couple of children playing in the rain. "Yes, I always enjoyed the rain, too. When I was a child, I did the same thing those two boys are doing. My mother used to get so angry. I would come in soaked to the bone and my clothes covered in mud," Alejandro said with a voice just as wistful as Victoria's. Diego looked at one and then the other. Then, he gazed out at the rain and grinned. He knew what they wanted to do, and he knew them both well enough to know that, without a push, they would deny themselves the enjoyment. So he gave them the push. "I believe this dance is mine," he said as he bowed properly beside Victoria, who gaped at him, startled by the sudden gallantry as well as the idea of dancing. She was so surprised, she said nothing as he gently embraced her with one hand on her hip and the other grasping her hand. "Diego! What are doing-" The question ended in a shriek as he swung her out into the rain. The downpour drenched them both within seconds. Enjoying her shocked look, he smiled down at her. It was not often as Diego-ever-proper gentleman that he pretended to be-he was given the chance to surprise her. Or anyone else really. "Why, my lady, we're dancing. Can you not hear the music?" He held her a little closer than was proper, but having never had the chance to hold her before, not even as Zorro, he couldn't resist the urge. He was going to enjoy every tiny second of this moment here, dancing with Victoria in the rain. When his mother had died, he realized that life was only moments added together and each one was so precious. "Diego, get back here this minute!" Alejandro called from the porch. Diego laughed inside as he saw the look on his father's face. Good thing there were no flies out today; if there were, Alejandro would be sure to catch some in his mouth. Victoria relaxing in his arms and beginning to follow his every lead told him she was getting over her surprise. When she laughed, he joined in and noticed that several of the people watching smiled at the sound. "This is wonderful! I always wanted to dance in the rain, but I didn't-." Her smile began to falter, but he refused to let her fall back into the seriousness that being an adult required. Not at this moment. "Your wish is my command, my lady." he said playful, unable to tell or show her how serious he was with that statement. The way his heart beat at this moment, he knew that one of these days, he was going to fulfill every one of her wishes. When the mask came off for good, he was going to enjoy pampering this lady. Only long practice prevented Diego from suddenly turning and grasping for a sword that wasn't at his side when another lady shrieked. The smile on Victoria's lips and the laughter in her eyes told him it was nothing serious. He relaxed his grip of Victoria's hand and spun her around so he could see what was going on behind him. He smiled as he watched _Don_ Arturo leading his wife in the rain dance. Mercedes was fusing at him even as she danced. "Arturo, this is _loco_! We are grown adults, and we have-" "Be quiet, dear. Enjoy the music," Diego heard, over the beat of the wind and the rain, the kind man say to his wife. They smiled at one another, and then both began to enjoy the rain. Slowly, the entire plaza started to fill with people. Children raced out, enjoying every moment of playing, as their parents smiled and waved them out into the cool falling water. The parents, wearing bashful grins and laughing self-consciously, soon followed their offspring. The entire _pueblo_ was having an impromptu celebration for the end of the drought. For a little while, adults became children again. "I can't believe I'm out standing in the rain," _Don_ Alejandro grumbled as he walked up to his dancing son. Diego hid his smile, knowing his father well enough to know the old man was enjoying every minute of it. "May I have this dance?" he asked, his voice quivering with joy. Diego smiled at his father and turned Victoria over to him. He immediately missed the feel of her in his arms as the cool breeze blew around him. Instead of asking for another dance with someone else, Diego stood in the rain watching peasants and _caballeros_ alike dancing, their clothes drenched with the water that was renewing their spirit. He watched children running around having fun. He saw Victoria laugh at something his father said to her. Even though he regretted having her out of his arms, he enjoyed the fact Victoria and his father were close. _Don_ Alejandro had become a surrogate father to Victoria after hers had left the _pueblo_ in a desire for revenge that got him killed in a revolt. One of these days, when the mask was off for good, Victoria was going to be able to call _Don_ Alejandro "Father". The plaza was becoming increasingly full of laughing people. For a day, the grueling work could be forgotten. For a day, the pressure of living under a tyrant could be forgotten. For a day, the adults could forget they were not children anymore. Watching them all laugh and love together, Diego laughed. Just enjoying the moment, he let the joy overflow. Today was a good day to be alive. The End Thanks for reading! End file.

Rain by icyfire

Zorro

A Fairytale Reveal **A Fairytale Reveal** Victoria looked at the piece of black cloth in her hands. Now that she had cleaned it and washed out the blood, her own blood, it no longer clumped together so much and she could make out its shape. Zorro had ripped it out from his shirt to bandage her when she had been shot. The wound had healed since, but she still remembered her pain and the horror on Zorro's face when he thought she'd die there in his arms. As a reminder of the events she had kept the piece of Zorro's shirt. It was only a rag now and of no use anymore. But then she thought of a fairy tale Diego had read to her a few evenings ago. It was about a prince who fell in love with a beautiful woman at a ball. He wanted to marry her, but she had left the ball before he could find out her name. All she left behind was a glass shoe. The prince then vowed he'd marry the girl who fit the shoe. Victoria began to smile and a plan began to form in her mind. The next day in the tavern she made her announcement. Holding the folded cloth over her head, she told everyone that she would marry the man who presented her a black shirt that would fit this piece of cloth in the next three days. After the general surprise turned to wild gossip among her customers, Diego came over to the bar to talk to her. "Do you think this is wise, Victoria?" "Why don't you like it, Diego?" Victoria challenged him. "Because I think you will achieve nothing with this. How many men do you think will be willing to come forward if they have to admit they are Zorro at the same time?" "If a man wants to marry me he'll only have to present the matching black shirt!" "It's a bad idea, Victoria. How will you know that the man who shows you his black shirt is the right one?" "I have this piece of cloth to compare the pieces. And if Zorro wants to marry me, he'll claim me. You'll see, Diego!" Diego only shook his head. "Just do what you think you must, Victoria. I'm afraid you'll be very disappointed when nothing comes of it. How many black shirts do you think there are in this pueblo? Except for Zorro nobody wears black shirts." "All the better! It will only make it easier for me to find my Zorro with this piece of shirt, Diego!" Victoria didn't waiver despite Diego's disagreement. Z Z Z Proving Diego wrong, Don Pedro came to the tavern the next day, showing her a black shirt. "Senorita Victoria, please do me the favor and become my wife. I have the black shirt you requested." Under the curious eyes of the gathered guests he unfolded a black shirt on one of the tables. Victoria only needed one look to see that it wasn't the right one. "This is a caballero shirt with ruffles in front and it isn't even missing a piece!" Victoria exclaimed. "Why do you think I'd fall for this, Don Pedro?" Guiltily the man looked at her. "You are a beautiful woman, Senorita Escalante. I'd be honored if you married me." "I'm sorry, Don Pedro. I love Zorro. I want to marry him, and no one else." Don Pedro nodded sadly, folded his shirt and quietly left the tavern. Z Z Z The next day a farmer she had never seen before came forward with a black shirt. He was tall and had broad shoulders. But when she looked at the shirt she was relieved. It was missing a piece of cloth on the wrong side, and the shirt was plain linen, not silk as the one Zorro wore. "Don't you think you should stop this foolish plan?" Diego asked her. "So far it has only brought you two impostors, Victoria." Victoria shook her head. "There is still tomorrow and I'm sure Zorro will come!" On the third day the tavern was crowded like never before, as the whole pueblo was curious if Zorro would make an appearance and claim his love. But instead of Zorro it was Don Fernando who stepped forward to present her his black shirt. Incredulously she looked at him as he unfolded it on one of the tables. It was a black silk shirt with no ruffles and a piece of cloth was missing on the left side about the same size as the one Zorro had used as a bandage. "Well, Senorita Escalante, will you marry me?" Don Fernando asked her. "Here is the shirt as you wanted, now I want you to keep your promise!" "But you can't be Zorro!" she exclaimed. "Zorro is much taller and much younger than you!" Helplessly she looked around. "You never said anything about the man when you made your announcement, Senorita," Don Fernando insisted and Victoria didn't know what to say. "Don Fernando is right about that," Diego agreed with him, stepping forward. "But I think I may be of help." Expectantly the gathered crowd looked at him. "Victoria, would you please give me the cloth from Zorro's shirt?" Victoria handed him the requested item and Diego unfolded it carefully, laying it next to Don Fernando's shirt. Then he pointed out the differences. "The material of the cloth may be similar, but Don Fernando's shirt is of much thinner cloth than the one from Zorro. I don't think it would last a fight without ripping apart." Those close enough felt both parts in their hands and nodded in agreement. "And if you look at the two pieces you'll see that the parts don't match exactly." Diego pointed at the seams. "Don Fernando's shirt looks as if it was cut by scissors while the other one was torn apart." "Thank you, Diego," Victoria beamed at him. "So do you still insist on marrying me?" she addressed Don Fernando. "It was worth a try, Senorita Escalante. Too bad that Don Diego was so clever to see through it." Don Fernando said angrily. "I wonder who has a black shirt that is missing a part." Leaning against the bar Victoria looked at the black cloth in her hand. Who had a black shirt like this? She decided simply to ask. "Victoria? Victoria?" she heard someone call her and it took her a moment to become aware of herself. She looked into Diego's blue eyes as he bent over her. "Does your black shirt have a piece missing, Diego?" "Of course, my black shirt is alright! What are you talking about, Victoria?" Diego asked her puzzled. "Why are you asking that?" Only then she realized that she was sitting on a bench in the kitchen and wasn't standing at the bar. "Why am I here in the kitchen, Diego? A moment ago I was standing at the bar." "No, you weren't, Victoria," Diego corrected her. "I was looking for you and found you fast asleep here in the kitchen. I kept you so late reading fairy tales at the hacienda yesterday. It's no wonder you're tired today." "Yesterday? It was only yesterday you read me the tale of Cinderella?" Victoria asked surprised. "But I thought..." "What did you dream, Victoria, that you wake up asking such strange questions?" Diego was curious. "Wait a minute, Diego!" Victoria eyed him suspiciously, coming to her senses. "I may have been dreaming when you woke me, but I was awake when I asked you about your shirt. You said that your black shirt was fine. So why do you have a black shirt, Diego? Black shirts aren't very fashionable among the caballeros, are they?" Victoria rose from the bench, standing close to Diego. Taking a closer look at him than she had in years, she noticed that his height matched that of Zorro and his eyes were of the same blue. "I think you just slipped with your answer earlier, Diego. I think there's only one reason why you have a black shirt. You are Zorro! Am I right?" Diego didn't know what to say, searching his mind for an answer. Finally he gave in, sighing. "I'm curious to know what you were dreaming earlier." He smiled at her. "You caught me by surprise, Victoria. I am Zorro." He took a step closer to her, then whispered, "What will you do now?" Victoria produced an impish grin. "Zorro and I are breaking up. I'm going to find comfort in the arms of my best friend, Diego." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as she whispered, "I'm going to hold you in my arms, and never let you go." * * * _A/N: Thank you Marla for betaing and correcting my stories. I like your suggestions._ End file.

A Fairytale Reveal by katie1999

Zorro

A Tale of Two Times A Tale of Two Times (I don't own any of the Zorro characters, but I did make up the story line, note this is the old Zorro episodes in the black and white and this is right before the Eagle comes to take over the Hacienda, and this time Don Alejandro is there when it happens..) Somewhere near the pacific coast, on a high security military base a person was creeping into a window. Quite obviously this person had no military clearance and it was most unlikely they belonged there, considering the way they were keeping to the shadows. In fact, it was most likely that the person had no idea what they were getting into, but then that had never stopped Katherine Kuan before. A very well paid and experienced thief was what she was, but what concerned her today was by far the most important heist of her illustrious career. A very well off ex-military politician was paying her handsomely to steal a few papers and an experiment from the base. It was protected by top security measures, but then she was used to evading top security measures. She had already procured the documents, and was now on her way to her hiding place to wait for the next round of guards to pass. As she waited she took a quick glance at the sheets in her hand and nearly laughed out loud. It was apparently directions for operating a time travel device. "This fool actually believes in time travel!" She thought incredulously as she skimmed the pages and put them back into her jacket. "Oh well, it was his money and if he wanted to waste it she would gladly take it off his hands." She then pulled her hood up and her black mask over her face to continue on to the lab. She entered the dark laboratory through a hole she had quickly made in the window and spent the better part of ten minutes deactivating the security measures. She thought it was quite a lot of them for such a waste of time as trying to time travel. As she finished the last security precaution she carefully lifted the bracelet-like item off it's tray and buckled it onto her forearm. It fit very well and looked rather like a steel gauntlet with many buttons, however it weighed much less. She was just turning to go when an alarm began to sound, the lights came on and the door was flung open by an armed guard who quickly took aim. She just had time to remember the pressure-timed alarm when she flung herself behind a desk. The guard began firing at the other side as she quickly drew two shiny silver guns from her tall black boots. She began to return his fire. She new she could never hold out against the whole base, when an idea came to her. She shoved her guns into her boot holsters and prepared to put her plan into motion. "It's worth a shot, lets just hope most everyone on Earth is wrong and time travel is possible after all." She thought as she pushed a series of buttons on the gauntlet. _______________ Don Diego del la Vega was taking an early morning ride with his manservant Benado when a flash of light from behind a rock caught his eye. "What was that?" he asked, turning his horse. His natural curiosity getting the better of him, he quickly dismounted and began climbing up the rocky terrain toward the place where the flash had occurred, Benado quickly followed him. After a few moments they were climbing over it to see a person lying on the ground, out cold. They were dressed all in black, black pants, black boots, a black cloth mask, and a long, buttoned black leather coat. Benado quickly began to make gestures. "You think we should bring him back with us?" Diego interpreted. Benado nodded and gestured again. "Very well, we will put him on your horse, behind you." Diego agreed. Benado picked up the person's feet and Diego the arms and together they lifted their burden onto Benado's horse. They immediately set of for the hacienda. When they arrived they found the house empty but for a few older servants, apparently Don Alejandro had given the rest a day off and gone to spend the day in Los Angeles. For lack of anything better to do with the stranger Diego had a few of the servants move him upstairs to his room. Diego quickly followed them and they left once they had deposited him. "Now what?" Diego asked with a questioning look at Benado. Benado shrugged his shoulders, indicating he had no ideas for the time being. "Well, at least we will see if he is injured, take off his jacket while I fill up this basin. Benado leaned over and unbuttoned the long coat and nearly fell over with shock, he quickly buttoned it back and tapped Diego on the shoulder. "What is it Benado," Diego said turning around, "I told you to take off the coat." Benado shook his head vehemently no. "Well why not, it isn't hard," Diego said as he quickly unbuttoned the coat and pulled it open. The stranger was quite obviously not a man, and underneath the overcoat she had on a very low cut leather bodice that seemed to show more than it covered. Diego very quickly buttoned it back up and covering his surprise at both her sex and lack of proper dress he looked at Benado. "Oh," was all he said to him. He leaned over the girl and pulled back her hood and her black mask. She was startlingly lovely, and sleeping she seemed so innocuous that he found it hard to believe she could be in the difficult predicament as she was obviously in. Diego and Benado just stared at her until the silence was broken by a moan from the young woman. Diego and Benado both took a step back as she sat up, put a hand to her forehead, and opened her big dark eyes. "Who are you?" "Where am I?" she demanded in English. Diego looked at Benado, plainly wondering what an English speaking, Chinese-looking woman was doing in California. He looked back to the angry, confused lady. "I apologize, Senorita, you are in my bedchamber, we found you this morning laying in the desert, " Diego replied, also in English. "Your accent is atrocious," she commented in Spanish this time. He smiled at her candor, "I apologize, Senorita if my speech offends you," he replied in Spanish. She stood up, "Now if you don't mind where am I on the map?" she asked a bit more calmly but still with a suspicious note in her voice. "You are a few miles away from Los Angeles." He said patiently. "Is it always this hot here?" She asked, taking off her coat, at which Diego and Benado immediately turned around. "What's wrong with you?" She asked, puzzled. "Senorita, you may notice you are not properly attired," Deigo said in a slightly scandalized voice. "What's wrong with it?" she asked defensively, looking down at her stylish black leather top, dark pants and high satiny boots. "I mean, it's not like I'm the one wearing the lace collar." she said acidly. "Senorita, it is not proper for me to be in the same room with a half dressed, young woman." Diego insisted. "Well, you forgot unmarried," she said, frowning lightly when they did not turn around. "Geez, what are you people living in, the sixteen hundreds?" she asked sarcastically. Then she seemed to remember something, clapped her hand to her mouth and looked at her wrist. She seemed to be wearing a strange type of bracelet. "Oh no," she mumbled under her breath, "It's just my luck, I'd end up there." she said pulling on her coat. "Look," said Diego, walking up to her, obviously annoyed, "I don't know where you are from, but around here woman do not run around in men's clothes, or with barely anything more on than their undergarments." "This isn't a harem and you will behave properly in my home." She looked up at him with a dangerous look in her eyes and for a moment he was sure she was going to strike him when suddenly a gleam came into her eyes and her entire demeanor changed. "I apologize, I have acted so," she paused, "impolitely." "I don't even know your name." Diego wasn't fooled a minute, he knew the kind of games a woman could play to get what she wanted. The only way you could tell if they were lying was by their eyes, and this woman was most definitely hiding something, but she also clearly needed their help. "My name is Diego de la Vega, this is my servant Benado, what is your name?" "My name is Katherine Kuan, but everyone calls me as Kit." she smiled, knowing he wouldn't use her nickname. "A pleasure to meet you, Katherine," Diego said with a small bow. "Charmed, I'm sure," Kit muttered. "I will obtain some clothes for you, you will put them on, and then we will have a talk about where you are from and what we will do with you." Diego said. An hour later, the newly clothed Katherine was registering a very loud complaint with Diego in the main room about his insistence on her wearing the inhibiting dress. He was patiently ignoring her when a servant approached him. "Excuse me, Don Diego," he interrupted, "Your carriage is ready." At Diego's nod the man left leaving Katherine tapping her foot expectantly. "So we are leaving to talk to your father about me?" Kit asked. "No, I am leaving, this is no place for you," Diego said dismissing her with a wave of his hand. "Excuse me?" Kit asked in a dangerous voice. "The hell it's not!" "I happen to be the subject of this little powwow and I will be in on the decision." she said furiously marching up to him. "You are not coming," Diego said, beginning to get angry. "Try and stop me," she said as she spun on her heel. Diego reached out and grabbed her shoulder and she quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled him to her, using the momentum to flip him over her and onto the carpet.. He quickly got up and walked to her, she stood as tall as she could and waited to see what he would do, surely even a gentleman wouldn't take that kind of an insult without some kind of retribution. But instead he suddenly bowed to her. "My lady your carriage awaits." he said with a perfect English accent, leaving her to stare at him in surprise as he turned and walked out the door. A few hours later they were standing outside the Los Angeles Tavern. Diego gestured for her to enter and said, "I am going to find my father, stay in here until I come back to collect you." He gave her some money. "Try not to get into too much trouble," he added with a grin. She looked up at him with a perfectly straight face and replied, "I'll do my very best."Diego smiled and left as she walked through the door. The tavern was nothing special, one large room, a basement, a store room and a series of bedrooms to be rented by people who were staying in the city. There were quite a few people there, but she managed to find the one empty table and sat down. She had nothing really to do and almost instinctively glanced around for her exits, and possible ways to get back in if she saw any valuables. The door to the tavern would be locked, but she could pick anything, and anyway, she doubted there would be a very sophisticated catch on anything at this point in time. There was also a very simple-looking skylight, and a balcony on the back that could be used to enter a room, and from there the tavern. By the time she had figured out the quickest route in, out, and back to the hacienda she was really getting bored. She began to study the patrons of the 'fine establishment'. Most of them were the usual farmers, stopping to get a drink before returning to their work. A few looked wealthy, wearing the same ruffled coat and embroidered pants as Diego. And there were even a group of soldiers there. It was they who particularly drew her attention, it was always best to become aware of local law enforcement when one entered a new place where there may be profits to be made. She quickly crossed over to their table and smiled her most winsome and vapid smile. "Excuse me, but I was wondering, I'm not sure how to use this kind of money, I'm so used to English currency," she lied through her teeth in as terrible a Spanish accent as possible. "Oh, of course we would be happy to help you, Senorita, what is it you wish to buy?" asked a very large, very strange looking soldier. He almost seemed to be wider than he was tall and looked as though he hadn't shaved in a week, but he had this kind of innocent stupidity that she couldn't help but feel comfortable around him. Usually stupid people were the best kind for her, but this man was so obviously mentally deficient that she felt that taking advantage of it would be an insult to her chosen field of work, it was just too easy. "Oh, I was going to get a bottle of wine, but since you are being so helpful, let me buy for all of you." she smiled at their almost childlike delight in her generosity. "Oh, Gracias Senorita," the fat one said with a grin. The others were quick to second him and pretty soon most of them were busy getting drunk. About fifteen minutes later she had learned all of their names, filing them in the back of her mind for later use, she was listening intently to them describe the infamous outlaw Zorro. She had seen the posters for him, but she had always thought that the story of Zorro was just a fantasy, like the Robin Hood of the Mexican community. It appeared she was wrong. Zorro had been running circles around the local law for quite some time, it seemed. Frankly, in her opinion, more power to him. She sort of considered any thief to be a kindred spirit, but she personally avoided any of the ones with the more violent track records, after all, violence made the law jumpy and a jumpy policeman was bad for business. By the time Diego had returned with Don Alejandro she had about half the Garrison wrapped around her finger. Don Alejandro chose a table while Diego pushed his way to Kit, in the middle of the crowd of spellbound soldiers hanging on her every word. "If I might have a word with you, Katherine?" Diego asked with his jaw clenched a bit. "Diego!" she said with a smile at his discomfort, "whatever is wrong." Knowing she knew perfectly well what was wrong, he ignored the question. "My father wishes to meet you to decide whether or not you are the kind of guest we want staying with us. So you had better make a good impression, I'm sure that flirting with those soldiers hasn't done you any favors. He began to guide her over to the table. "Wait a minute." Kit said, stopping suddenly. "What is it?" Diego asked. Katherine began to rummage around in her small purse until she found a small compact device and several long, cylinder-like objects. "Hold this," she ordered, opening the device and handing it to him. She began to apply some make-up to her face while he held the mirror for her. When he looked at her after she was finished he nearly gasped. "How did you do that?" he asked in surprise. "I am a very skilled make-up artist," she said with a smile. She had somehow managed to make herself look about sixteen. She was a rather small person and with the make-up accentuating her large eyes and the pale skin and pink lips she looked so innocent that the devilish smile she gave him looked wildly out of place. "I doubt your father will turn me away when I look so girlish and obviously in need of male support." She said this last with obvious distaste. "I forgot how you men perceive women, like we are all helpless and need to be protected, well I could probably wipe the floor with you!" With these words she composed her face into an sweet, innocent smile and walked over to talk to Don Alejandro. A few moments later Diego joined them. When Alejandro saw the childlike Katherine he immediately went into father-like mentor mode. Diego had to admit, if he didn't know better he would have fallen for her charms almost as fast as his father. It was just that, she looked so pure and untouched. Come to think of it, he still didn't know where she was from, how was he to know that where she came from this wasn't pure? After all, she did look Chinese, and he had little ideas as to their customs or dress. "So, my dear, what were you doing with those soldiers?" Alejandro asked curiously, "I know you couldn't have known how rough they can be." "I didn't Don Alejandro, and thank you for helping me, I just wanted to hear their stories." "They seem so brave and good." Katherine lowered her voice a bit as she spoke and smiled a small, pretty smile. She had done this many times and older men went totally father figure on her. She got the feeling, however, that Alejandro would have liked her even if she had been herself. She regretted having to deceive him, but one person knowing the truth would be certain to give her away, and she needed time alone if she was to study those papers and get back to her century. Don Alejandro continued speaking to her. "Diego tells me he found you in the desert, I see he had your clothes cleaned for you?" He smiled at her. Meanwhile she glanced at Diego wondering why he had not told his father the entire truth. "Yes, it was very kind of him to help me, I fell off my horse and I must have hit my head, but I remember waking up in the hacienda." Diego, she could tell was buying none of it, but then he was extremely intelligent. She had a feeling she wasn't the only one who was more than she appeared. After a while talking with Don Alejandro she had totally enthralled him, Diego excused himself and went to talk to Benado behind the tavern where he had told him to wait. "Well, she is amazing!" Diego exclaimed quietly. "I honestly think she could charm anyone, did you see how fast she captivated my father, I was even starting to fall, and I knew she was lying." Benado shook his head and began to make gestures. "You think there is more to her story too, eh?" Diego translated. "That flash of light before we found her, her strange clothes, and I saw no tracks, hers or a horse." "She must have go there by some other way, maybe jumping from rock to rock, she couldn't very well have just appeared out of nowhere." Benado gestured some more. "Yes, I agree, you go back to the Hacienda and check those papers in her jacket for any clues, I'll see if I can get away, but if not we'll be following shortly. Diego went back into the tavern to speak to his father. "Father, I must go back to the hacienda, there is something I forgot to take care of," Diego excused himself. "Diego," Kit said, quickly realizing what he was up to, "Why don't I go with you, I'm sure I would just be in your father's way here." "Nonsense, Senorita," Alejandro spoke up, "I would love to have your company." "Oh, Gracias, Don Alejandro, may I have a word with Diego before he leaves?" "Of course, Senorita, I'll wait for you in the shop next door." He stood and left. The minute he was out of earshot she pulled Diego into the store room. "I am warning you Diego, leave my things alone, you have no idea what you are getting into." "I think I can handle it, anyway I'm sure it seems like a large matter to you, but I am very good at helping others with their problems." Diego smiled remembering his defeat of all of the pueblo's as Zorro. "Leave it alone, Diego, it's not your concern." "Anything having to do with Los Angeles or my hacienda is my business," he retorted heatedly. "I would hate to have to dissuade you by other means," Katherine said dangerously. Diego advanced toward "Is that a threat, Senorita?" Diego asked, his face inches from hers. "Take it any way you wish, Senor," Katherine smiled, then left the room leaving Diego to stare after her. Naturally Diego disregarded her warning, it wasn't that he had no respect for her ability to fulfill her threat, it was just his sense of preservation was warning him that this was something he needed to be in on. He reached his hacienda shortly and immediately went to his room to retrieve the woman's papers. They were in English, and so a bit difficult for him to read, but as he went along it got easier. By the time he reached the bottom he had concluded that Katherine had been right about one thing. He had no idea what he was getting into. He quickly went downstairs to find Benado and discuss this surprising turn of events. "Look at this, he said," shoving the papers at Benado. Benado took them and stared at them blankly for a moment before holding up his hands in defeat at his inability to read English. "It says here that the date these papers where written it was March third." Diego snapped. Benado held up his hands as if to say 'so what'. "So what!" Diego exclaimed, "March third, two thousand three, that's so what." Benado gave him a quizzical look. "If what this says is true this woman is from the future and she came back in time from the year two thousand and three." Diego explained. Benado shook his head, dismissing the theory as nonsense and began gesturing to Diego. "Well, who are you to say what is possible so far in the future?" Diego demanded. "Here you want further proof?" he asked. At Benado's nod he began to point out several strange facts of the woman that corroborated the seemingly far-fetched idea. "First, her outfit, no matter where she was from no self respecting female would wear such an outfit in these times, however you never know what happened to fashion in the future." "Second, these papers, the writing on them is precise, it is so even and clear that it is impossible it was written by hand, there must be new way of doing things in the future." "And third, look at the paper itself, it is so thin, white, and straight, I have never seen so fine a quality anywhere." "Not to mention the girls action and resistance to authority, did I tell you she flipped me over in this very room not five hours ago?" "Didn't even break a sweat, they must train women to fight in the twentieth century!" Diego said. Benado sat down, shaking his head and trying to take in the impossible situation. Diego walked up to him, "If you still doubt it, you could always look at her clothes for some clues, but I will tell you what you will find." "On the boots, made in Italy." "On the bodice, Dry Clean Only, Made in Japan." "On her pants, the bottom left cuff is a very small flag with red and white stripes going horizontal and a blue rectangle in the top left corner, inside it is a bunch of stars, at least fifty." "Do you know of any flag that fits this description?" Diego prompted his friend. At the shake of Benado's head Diego continued, "Well perhaps in her time there is one." "Imagine what she must know, she must know of the future of California, what will happen to Spain, what happens to the world in the future; she knows it all." Diego sat back barely able to comprehend what Katherine knew. Then Benado began gesturing again. "What was that?" Diego asked him. "You want me to ask her?" "No, no, Diego insisted, I wouldn't want to hear any bad news and I certainly wouldn't want to mess with History." Diego smiled, I think we should keep this under our hats." In the end, Diego decided to return to town to keep an eye on their wayward time traveler, he left Benado to store away all of their guests things in a locked trunk safe from prying eyes and follow later. He was just reentering Los Angeles when movement caught his eye from an alleyway. His natural curiosity could not be overcome, so he dismounted and walked in that direction. As he reached it he saw the very people he was looking for, it appeared his father and Katherine had wandered into one of the less prosperous areas of town. He really was surprised at his father not realizing how dangerous it was to go walking there. Her father was arguing with four bandits, one, the leader, with a gun and the rest with drawn swords. As his father apparently was not going to had over his money, the leader struck him with the gun. Diego broke into a run as he saw his father fall, he hit the one with the gun from behind, knocking him out beside Don Alejandro, but the another grabbed Katherine from behind and held the sword to her throat. "Not another move, Senor, or I will kill the Senorita, give us your gold." the unshaven man demanded. "Diego, do you intend to do anything about this?" Kit asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "Stay calm, Katherine," Diego told her. "I am perfectly calm, Diego, tell this," she curled her lip, " 'thief' to unhand me before I make him regret being born." "I don't think you realize the danger you are in, Senorita, I will not hesitate to kill you for your gold." the thief said, attempting to sound menacing. "As if you could, you are lucky I haven't killed you already." she retorted. "You are a very foolish young woman." the bandit growled. "For goodness sake, Katherine, be quite," Diego said. "Oh, forget this," Katherine said suddenly. She elbowed her 'captor' in the stomach, turned, punched him in the face, and disarmed him with a strange twist, then using her foot she propelled the sword into the air, caught it, and ran the bandit through in one fast, furious motion. The others stood there for a moment before attacking them. Diego punched the first one, knocking him out smoothly, Katherine kicked him in the head and then punched him twice knocking him to the ground and then stepping on him on her way out. "Oh, that was professional," Diego remarked acerbically to her as they picked up his father. "What would you know about my profession?" she asked him with a superior smile. "You are quite correct," Diego admitted, "All I really know about you is you aren't from this time." "But after what I've seen today you can't be all bad." "How do you know that me helping to rescue your father wasn't just a by product of very my well developed self-preservation instincts?" She asked him frankly. "I just do," he said with a puzzled half smile. Then he changed the subject, "So, why don't you tell me about yourself?" "What do you want to know?" she asked with a smile? "How about what you do, how you got here, and what you plan to do next?" He asked. She smiled up at him as they cleared the ally, "I will answer any question you ask me, after we get your Father some help." As soon as they cleared the ally people came rushing in to see what had happened. They sent the first person who approached to fetch a doctor, giving Katherine ample time to take Don Alejandro's purse and get her and Diego's story straight. Her and Don Alejandro had been attacked, one of them had knocked Don Alejandro out and they had taken the money and left. No one would check it. Soon the doctor had Don Alejandro conscious and sitting up in a room above the tavern. He was pronounced fit to travel and Benado soon arrived to take them all home in the carriage, and frankly Diego couldn't wait to get to bed, what with finding this woman, learning her secret, and his father being attacked it had turned out completely different from the lazy day he had been expecting, however first he had something to attend to. In her room, Kit had removed her stifling dress and put on her twentieth century clothes, she was sick and tired of being uncomfortable and she was certainly going to have good night's rest whether Diego de la Vega liked it or not. Just then she heard a knock on her door. With a sigh she pulled on her hot robe and answered it. To her immense displeasure Diego stood before her, well whatever he said she wasn't putting that dress on for him. "What do you want?" she asked very ungraciously. "My, you are in a charming mood." Diego said in a tired but amused voice. He walked past her and sat down in a chair. "I need to speak to you," he said. "Well, if you must you will have to endure my outfit." she said removing the robe with obvious relief. Diego took one look at her and could feel himself blushing, however he continued valiantly on in spite of himself. However he did have to remind himself to keep his eyes where they belonged several times. "I looked at your papers," he told her straight out. "Somehow I didn't think you were going to respect my privacy," she said in an indifferent tone of voice, "So, do you want to know if I know any of your grandchildren?" she smiled. "Then it's true," Diego said in a dazed voice, "I almost couldn't believe it, it seems so impossible." "How did you manage it?" Kit held up her arm and pushed up her sleeve, "See this thing." she asked him, pointing to the metal gauntlet. At his nod she continued, "Apparently it works with just a few depressions of the button, I'll need to study those documents to really understand it." "If you don't know how to use it how did you get here?" Diego inquired. "I just jabbed a few buttons," she said, "I was cornered and it was my last resort. "Where did you get it?" Diego asked. "Well, my employer asked me to acquire it for him from a military base." she replied. "I thought it was all nonsense, but when they found me there, well, like I said I didn't have many choices left." "Let me get this straight," Diego exclaimed, "You are a thief and you were stealing this technology when you were discovered." "Then, even though you didn't think it would work, you just pushed a few random buttons and hoped?" "Something like that, you know you'd think I would have remembered that last security measure, I mean pressure sensitive posts are the oldest defense in the book." "I must have been really out of it," she added. "I hope I'm not losing my touch." she said worriedly. "Do you mean to tell me," Diego asked, "that I've been aiding and abetting a criminal?" He looked shocked at the idea of her being a professional thief. "Maybe I should turn you over to Sergeant Garcia, he could put you in the stockade." "Please," Kit scoffed at him, "What are you going to say, arrest her, in a few hundred years she is going to steal a piece of military property?" "Besides, I don't think the Sergeant would believe I could do anything wrong, and with a few tears I'd be out of there." She leaned over Diego and smiled, Diego averted his eyes from her as she bent over and blushed again. "You should put on a proper nightgown." He said in an authoritative voice. "You know," she said backing off, "you have a very commanding voice, and under normal circumstances I might even do as you ask, but I happen to know that you are too much of a gentlemen to make me get 'properly dressed'." She smiled at his outraged look over the very idea of having to make a woman get dressed. "I think our conversation is at an end," Diego said stiffly rising. "You are right, you are going to need all your strength to keep up with me tomorrow." "You might have to fight me to get me back in that dress," she added with a smile. Just to rub it in her female superiority she walked over to Diego as her turned to say goodnight and kissed him lightly on the lips. He looked so shocked it was all she could do not to laugh out loud before she got her door shut. Diego walked back to his room pondering how different Katherine was from the woman of his time, outspoken, willful, and able to take care of themselves. (He must admit to wondering if she could beat him in a sword fight.) But he also thought how similar they were, they both wanted respect, devotion, and equality. After conferring with Benado about tomorrow's schedule he fell asleep, but the last thing on his mind before he drifted off was still Katherine Kuan. The next morning when Diego woke up he found his father in bed still and Katherine talking brightly with him about her imaginary life before her 'arrival' in Los Angeles. He stood in the doorway and smiled at her half truths and cleverly manufactured lies, admiring her technique that reminded him so much of the games he played with others when avoiding their questions about Zorro. He was so used to it that it came naturally to him to lie about his whereabouts whenever he had been masquerading as Zorro. He accepted it as a drawback to helping his country, but he still regretted whenever he had to lie to his father. That was when Kit noticed him in the doorway. "Why don't you come in, Diego?" she asked with a too-innocent smile. "I was just telling your father how I was so looking forward to you taking me back to the city, you know I have so little time to just enjoy myself at home." she smiled winsomely. Don Alejandro chuckled, "I am sure Diego would be happy to oblige you, Senorita, he has nothing to do today anyway." "Father, I was going to stay home today and read, I had assumed the Senorita would be tired from yesterday's ordeal," Diego said making a half hearted attempt to get out of taking Katherine anywhere she wanted to go. "Oh, no Don Diego," Kit said with a smile, "I rested so well my lovely rooms I feel completely refreshed." "After all, I wouldn't want to deprive you of a chance to go to Los Angeles on my account." She gave him another smile. Diego gave in, "I would be happy to take you, Senorita, as soon as we have had breakfast." They both left the room after Katherine promised to send Don Alejandro's up immediately. An hour later they had set of, Benado driving the carriage and Diego and Kit in the back. "I want you to know why I am taking you to Los Angeles, Katherine," Diego began. 'You mean it isn't because you find me so absolutely adorable that it is impossible for you to deny me anything in the world that could possibly bring me pleasure?" she asked in a sweet voice. Diego turned his head so she would not see his smile, then quickly recovered and looked at her sternly. "It is because I don't want you out of my sight." "Good," Kit replied simply, "Because I don't want you out of my sight."She smiled, "But for completely different reasons." Diego was stunned, was this twentieth century woman actually flirting with him? He decided it safer not to reply and they were silent for a time. Finally Kit broke it by leaning out the carriage toward Benado and asking him if he could please try to avoid some of the bumps in the rode. "Senorita Katherine, surely you remember Benado can neither speak nor hear," Diego said as she leaned back in. "Diego," Kit said in a do-you-think-I'm-completely-stupid voice, "Don't insult my intelligence, I know he can hear, I can see the comprehension in his eyes." "I am afraid you are mistaken, Senorita." Diego said trying to sound convincing. "Oh, really?" Katherine smiled, "Watch this," she said pulling down the top so that Benado could hear her, "Diego," she said loudly, "Do you think you could ask Benado if he might be interested in meeting me later in the stables?" She continued, "Every time I see him I just get this urge to pull him onto a table and tear his clothes off!" Benado nearly swerved off the road when he heard this last part, but he quickly pulled back onto it and tried to act as if nothing had happened. Katherine leaned over to Benado and kissed him on the cheek lightly, I knew you could hear, she laughed. And then sat back down. "Katherine, that was completely uncalled for," Diego said, trying to sound severe, "But extremely amusing," he said breaking into a smile. Kit smiled at him, surprised, "I thought you would say it was extremely unladylike." "How can I downplay such a remarkable experiment?" Diego asked. "But I will ask that you keep it to yourself, not even my father knows." "Cross my heart and hope to die," she replied solemnly. Diego could only hope this was a strong oath in the time that she came from. They reached Los Angeles shortly after that and began to stroll down the avenues entering shops at random. This was one of the few times Diego had not been bored shopping with a woman, she amused him with clever observations and tantalizing remarks about the future that he refused to inquire about further. He was even starting to enjoy himself when they entered a large clothing store with an open window to the street. they were standing next to it when they heard several rough voices. They listened in almost reflexively when they realized they had overheard a plot to rob the Quartel of the payroll when it came in. They learned what time the robbery was going to occur, but not knowing the day the money was delivered Diego could only wait until later to make a plan. They waited until after the men had dispersed to leave the store and went directly to the tavern. Diego tried to convince Katherine to stay in the shop, but she claimed to be thirsty, he knew this was a job for Zorro, but he didn't want her to know he planned to do anything about the information he had acquired. Unbeknownst to him Katherine was forming a plan of her own, and all she needed was the date when the money was to arrive, and she knew how to get it. As her and Diego entered the tavern he went right to Sergeant Garcia to pump him for information, and she went to a Corporal she had met earlier, a Corporal Rayas, soon she not only had the date she wanted but the where it was to be kept and when it was to be distributed. She had already decided she didn't need the money, but if she wasn't going to steal it then, By God, no one else was either. She couldn't explain why, but she felt oddly protective of the stupid soldiers of the Los Angeles Quartel. Eventually Diego finished his conversation with Sergeant Garcia, he had received the information he needed, the attempt was going to be made in two days. He mentally reminded himself to tell Benado and then collected Katherine and went back to the hacienda. The next day he spent at home with his father, listening to Katherine's sardonic wit and contrived stories of her imaginary life solely made up to amuse his father. He had to admit he appreciated her entertaining his father, without her he would have gone stir crazy with all the resting. Luckily there was only one more day of bed rest prescribed. The day of the robbery dawned beautifully, the sunrise was spectacular and everyone was in a good mood. Diego because he had won several arguments with Katherine the night before, Don Alejandro because it was his last day in bed, and Katherine because she would get a chance to get out of the hacienda without that infernal dress on. They spent the day in the Library, reading in companionable silence, but around nine Diego excused himself saying his eyes were tired and he was going to bed. A few moments later Don Alejandro joined him, eager to wake up the next day and be able to be out of a bed or a chair for a change. Katherine went over to the bookcase and leaned against it with a sigh, nearly falling over when it swung open without warning. Muffling her outburst she looked inside it curiously, and then began to explore. Eventually she reached a door, figuring out the mechanism she opened it to find herself looking into her room. Realizing what an excellent chance this was she quickly changed into her black clothing in a matter of minutes and grabbed her mask and a black cloak from her closet. Then she reentered the pathways and began to descend. Diego entered the secret pathways from his room and began to change into his costume while Benado saddled Tornado. He had finished the pants and had pulled out the shirt when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He turned around just in time to see Katherine step into view dressed in her twentieth century clothes. "What are you doing here?" he asked her with an intense expression on his face. Katherine had never seen Diego look so dangerous as he did now, her respect for him went up several points as she gazed at him seriously. "I was in the library, about to go upstairs and I leaned against the bookcase, it opened and I went in." "I found my room by the pathways and changed my clothes because I didn't want to be recognized when I went to frustrate the plans to rob the Quartel tonight." she answered truthfully. "What do you mean, you, going to the Quartel?" Diego demanded, not even realizing that he was standing in a room, with no shirt on, talking to a young, unmarried woman. "It is too dangerous, you aren't going." "Who's going to stop me?" she asked imperiously. "If necessary I will," Diego said. Normally she wouldn't have believed he'd do it, but he seemed to be a completely different person from the Diego she knew. She would have to fight him if she wanted to leave. "Well then, so be it," she thought to herself, and grabbed a sword from the table and swung at him. Diego must have read her actions in her eyes, because he jumped back and blocked with his sword and the duel was on, she was extremely good, despite her high heeled boots and smaller stature. She parried and thrust better than most men he knew, but she made a small mistake, misbalanced, and Diego disarmed her. She took two steps back and kicked his sword arm causing him to drop his sword, then she knocked it away from him with a low kick that made him jump backward. It was then that the fight really began. She swung at him and he caught her arm, twisting her around. She didn't cry out, but took the pain and used it to put extra force into her elbow jab. Diego released her and backed up a step, she kicked his legs out from under him, but he caught her kick to his stomach and brought her down as well. He tried to pin her arms down, but she hit him in the stomach and he fell to the side, she got on top of him, trying to use her leverage as an advantage. He still getting air back into his lungs from her last punch, but when he could breathe again he used his last bunch of strength to flip he over and then flip himself back on top of her. This time he got a firm grip on her wrists and no matter how much she squirmed she could not get up. "Will you give up this ridiculous notion of going with me now?" he asked her his face inches from hers. "Are you kidding," she asked breathing heavily, "I nearly beat you, and I know I'm a better shot than you." "You should let me come with you and stop wasting time." "I'll think about," Diego promised, and then, on a spur of the moment idea, he leaned down to give her the same kind of quick kiss she had given him. She, however, was having none of it, as he loosened his grip on her wrists she grabbed his hands and pulled him down on top of her. They were both surprised at the spark of electricity that was between them as their lips met and were both a little sorry when it ended. "So," Katherine said a little breathlessly, "Does this mean you are going to let me come?" "I guess it does," Diego said, surprising himself with his lack of embarrassment at kissing Katherine. "You are already dressed for it." "Speaking of dressed," Katherine said, glancing at his bare chest, "Shouldn't you get finished?" "You're are correct," Diego said, getting up and pulling her up after him, "A few minutes with you and you already have me losing my perspective." "That's what I'm here for." Kit smiled at him. Then she went down to surprise Benado. After a few explanations, Benado snuck another dark horse out of the de la Vega stable. Katherine and Diego were soon on their way toward Los Angeles. "It was a good thing we got such an early start, or that duel could have really cost us," Diego said with a smile under his dark mask. "I hope you don't waste so much time next time." he smiled. "It's a good thing you look so handsome with that black outfit," Kit said with a smile, "or I might be tempted to start another one right now, just for that remark." "Anyway," she smiled, "what makes you think I want to do this again?" He smiled at her as they rode into Los Angeles, knowing that she was enjoying it every bit as much as he was. They quickly became all business when they reached the Quartel. There was no moon, and while it made it harder for them to see, it also made it harder for them to be seen. As Diego climbed of his horse onto the Quartel roof Katherine reached into her backpack and pulled out a something, slipping it around her waist and buckling it in place. Then she reached up and swung herself onto the wall. "This is it," Zorro whispered, "no going back now." "Don't worry, I've done this hundreds of times," Kit replied in the same hushed tone he had used. "I'm sure you have, I just wanted to warn you, the guards on this side are usually pretty alert, but when they round that corner we can sneak by." "Lead on, oh great and noble master." Kit said, extending her hands in a servile manner. Zorro ignored her attempt at humor except to smile and they put their plan into action, they were just settling into their hiding place when they saw the first dark figure lowering himself over the wall. They stayed in the shadows until the bandits had knocked out both the guards, then they walked out with their swords drawn. "Good evening, gentlemen," Zorro said in a cordial voice, "we aren't the Quartel payroll, but perhaps we could provide you some entertainment." The bandits immediately ran toward the masked figures and began to attack. Katherine took down two of them quickly, and began to spar with another. Zorro attacked the leader and after a few passes he ran him through. The bandit gave off an earsplitting shriek as he was killed and a light came on in the barracks. While the soldiers came boiling out of their rooms, Kit knocked out the last bandit and climbed up on the wall after Zorro. She jumped onto her horse and rode after him. The soldiers were mainly concerned with the bandits, but one scrambled after them onto the wall and aimed a wild shot in the general direction of the escaping outlaws. Zorro was confident they would get away cleanly as he jumped onto his horse, hearing Kit follow. He rode out toward the open country when a shot rang out. He glanced back at the retreating Quartel and saw Kit grimace and lean back holding the reins with one hand and the other to her right side. He rode up beside her, leaned her against him, and rode back to the hacienda as fast as he could. By the time they reached the room Diego was very worried. Kit seemed grimace every time he so much as moved her. He pulled her off her horse and carried her to the table. laying her out he moved her cloak and looked at her wound. "That's strange," he thought, "there is no blood, but I can clearly see the hole in her belt." Then he noticed the belt itself, it was pretty think and seemed to be different from her other clothing. Kit sat up on the table and made another face. "I don't care how much bullet proof armor you are wearing, being shot still hurts like hell," she exclaimed. She peeled off the belt and rubbed the spot where she had been shot. Diego, meanwhile, was staring at her in disbelief, then relief, that quickly turned to anger. "Well, it was nice of you to tell me you weren't really shot," he said furiously, "I was worrying myself sick about you." Kit looked up in surprise, "Why were you worried about me?" She looked up into his eyes with such an obviously puzzled expression that Diego's anger melted away. "Because you are my friend, and I like you." Diego said with a sigh at her lack of comprehension and a bit sad that she had had so few people to trust in the twentieth century. Then he went to unsaddle Tornado and return the other horse to the stable. Katherine sat their on the table for quite some time thinking about what Diego had said. She honestly did not think he had liked her, I mean, sure he respected her ability to fight and he was always polite to her, he probably even found her attractive, but to consider her a friend? Gradually she began to smile at the thought, and then she realized that she didn't mind it so much, it was kind of nice trusting him, being his friend, it was nice just being around him period. And then she realized something else, and knew immediately that she needed to act on it. Diego had finished changing into his normal clothes and was about to go up to bed and think about tonight. he certainly had a lot to think about. That woman could make him angrier than he had ever been before, but when he had thought she was shot he had been worried out of his mind about her. The more he tried to convince himself it was just normal the more a little voice whispered, "You weren't this scared when anyone else got shot." And then their was that little incident before they left, he had been impressed with her fighting skill, yes, but it was the kiss that really stood out. It was so electric that he could still feel it on his lips. He had never felt that before. But what was it, just the charm of her twentieth century upbringing, or something more? He turned to leave and stopped, she was standing there, just looking at him with a small smile on her face. She had her hair down and her cloak off. By now, he was almost comfortable with her clothes, so he smiled at her. "What can I do for you, Katherine?" Diego asked in a quite voice. "I just needed some help from you, Diego," she said almost shyly. She walked up to him until they were only a few inches apart. "I want to ask you something, but I don't know how." she admitted. It was the first time she had shown anything like weakness to him. "I'm so confused," she said, her lip was trembling, but her eyes were locked on his, searching for something, she wasn't sure what. She had never felt this kind of emotional attachment before and she was so afraid of saying the wrong thing and ruining the moment. Don Diego was having similar trouble, but when he saw her eyes glistening and looking up at him, so vulnerable to whatever he was going to say he just couldn't help himself. He closed leaned in and kissed her. It started out slow, long, passionate, but very quickly lost all semblance of restraint. Diego pulled her as close to him as he could and get her and she certainly wasn't going to object. He began to kiss her neck she had already removed his jacket when he realized what they were doing. He knew if he was to respect himself at all in the morning he couldn't finish this, they weren't married, he had no right to feel this, they had to stop. When Diego kissed her the first thoughts in her mind were how much pleasure she was feeling, how wonderful it all was, purely selfish thoughts. But as the kiss grew deeper and wilder a thought came across her mind. Diego was a gentleman, if they were to do this they would by necessity have to be married, otherwise he could be disgraced. She had no right to do this to him. The very thought of ruining Diego's life just for her own pleasure was like a dose of cold water. She realized he had stopped kissing her and she whispered in his ear what she knew he had already realized. "We can't do this." Diego nodded his head and pulled back a little bit. "I know, we aren't married, it would be wrong." He picked up his jacket, "I apologize." "It wasn't your fault, it was mine." she said taking his head between her hands, "I always fall for guys at exactly the wrong time." she smiled as a few tears ran down her cheeks. He wiped her tears away and smiled at her, "We should get to bed, if we aren't in soon Benado will check on us." "You're right, I'll see you tomorrow." then she went up to her room and cried herself to sleep. They avoided each other for most of the next few days, conversing only at mealtimes. Katherine had ample time to study the time machine on her wrist, but she put it off and instead listened while Don Alejandro read to her. She had become very attached to him in the days she had been staying in his home, and he enjoyed his little audience. A few days after the incident, Alejandro was reading out loud to her as usual when he happened to look up to find that she wasn't paying the slightest attention to him. He pretended not to notice, but eventually had to see what she was so interested in. He looked out the door where she was staring and saw his son, writing in a chair. He looked beyond his son, but saw nothing else of any consequence when it hit him, she was looking at Diego. He certainly recognized that starry look, and he nearly laughed aloud, perhaps he would see Diego married after all. Don Alejandro soon realized that this might be harder than he thought, they seemed to be avoiding each other, yet he caught them looking at one another all the time. He wondered what was keeping them apart, so he decided to give it time, but keep to the hacienda in case they needed a push. The next day Katherine wandered into the library where Don Alejandro was reading and sighed. "Oh, good morning, Senorita Katherine, may I help you?" "No, I am just a little bored, Don Alejandro." she admitted. "Well, perhaps Diego could take you into town?" he suggested. "No!" she exclaimed vehemently, "I mean, no thank you Don Alejandro, I am sure I will find something to do." she said in a calmer tone of voice. "Well, if you make sure Diego is out of earshot I will tell you a few stories about when he was little." "But you must swear to me you will not tell him." Don Alejandro said with a smile. "I promise, Don Alejandro," Katherine said eagerly sitting down. Don Alejandro leaned back and began to talk. He told her all the funny things Diego had said, done, and asked as a child. They laughed for hours and enjoyed themselves immensely. Finally Katherine ventured to ask a question that had been bursting to get out. "Don Alejandro, are you proud of Diego?" she asked seriously. Don Alejandro looked at her and smiled, "There are times when I have wished he was a little more adventuresome, but he is very intelligent and in possession of great strength of character." "Overall, yes, I am proud of him." This seemed to make her happy, so he sat back and began to read again as she quietly left. The next day dawned bright and early on the del la Vega Hacienda, but thought the sun was shining, it was one of the few good things that day. For many months Diego and Don Alejandro had been troubled by reports of a man who was plotting to take over California, he was very powerful and very secretive Californian Administrator. He called himself the Eagle because the only communication he made to his co-conspirators was in a secret code created by cutting an eagle's feather in various patterns. When Don Alejandro heard of the plot against California he signed an agreement with his fellow landowners to protect it, because of Katherine's arrival the Eagle's plot had been pushed into the back of Diego's mind, but it was to be brought back to the front in a matter of minutes. "Don Diego, open your gate, I need to speak to you!" came the loud, intrusive voice of Sergeant Garcia. Diego, Katherine, and Don Alejandro smiled in spite of themselves. Diego waved Benado to the door and Garcia came thundering across the inner wall and in the door with a very apologetic look on his unshaven face. "Can we help you, Sergeant" Diego asked in an amused tone of voice. "I fear I have bad news for you all, Don Diego." "You may not wish to hear this, Senorita Katherine," He added with a frown. "Sergeant, I'm a grown woman, I sure I can contain myself." she smiled. "Don Alejandro, the Sergeant said, attempting to smile, "You are going to have guests, isn't that nice?" said nodding with a large pretend smile. "Guests" Diego said, "I certainly hope they will stay for dinner." "Whom are we to expect. Sergeant? Don Alejandro inquired. "That is just it, Don Alejandro, the Administrado is here, and he wishes to stay with you, for as long as he is in this part of California." Sergeant Garcia tried to smile, "Think, of all the beautiful places to stay he has chosen your hacienda!" "He requires a room and full access to your hacienda." Don Alejandro stood up angrily, "Do you mean to tell me that the Administrado is going to take over my hacienda, whether I like it or not?" "Don Alejandro, please don't take it like that," the dumb sergeant pleaded. Diego also stood, "And what if we refuse" Diego said in a soft but dangerous voice. "Oh, that would not be a good idea, Don Diego, he has a company of soldiers from the Quartel with him." "If necessary he will take it by force." "How long until he arrives," Katherine asked in a calm cool tone of voice. "About an hour," the Sergeant said unhappily. Very well, Sergeant, thank you for informing us, Benado will show you to the door. She made a sign to Benado and he took the Sergeants arm and moved him out the gate, closing the door on him. "What are we going to do, father, we cannot let him have the hacienda, all of the names of the landowners who signed your petition could be found and exploited!" Diego asked. "Wait, who is this Administrado person?" Katherine asked. Diego quickly explained the situation to her while his father decided what to do. "What do you think, Diego, could we hold the Hacienda against all of the soldiers the Administrado will bring? "It might be possible," he said, but we only have a little while. "Senorita Katherine, go to your room, this is no place for a lady." Don Alejandro commanded. To Diego's immense surprise she went without a word, except to take his arm and mutter, "Good luck Zorro," and kiss him on the cheek. Diego smiled, then turned to his father to plan a quick defense. Meanwhile Katherine had reached her room and was smiling at Don Alejandro's assumption of her being afraid of the upcoming battle. She was debating whether to help them, or stay in her room where she knew no one would dare harm her. Her loyalty to the de la Vega family won out in the end, even over that healthy sense of self preservation. With her mind made up she got ready with a very determined look on her face. She put on her black leather bodice and pants, then she braided her hair and put her silver throwing knives into her boots and on her arms for easy access. She strapped on her sword and pulled her guns out of their holsters. Then she took out her make up kit and carefully made up her face until she looked cruelly beautiful and placed in her eyes a pair of full length black contact lenses. She knew she couldn't fight all of the soldiers, even with Diego's and Alejandro's help, so she was relying on her weapon of choice, fear. She was going to scare the hell out of those soldiers! She was just walking out the door when she heard riders approaching outside. She was smiling grimly as she exited her room, hoping the soldiers would have the good sense to run while they still could. Diego heard the riders, he had already informed the servants and bolted the gate. He suddenly heard a voice from behind the gate, "Open this door in the name of the Administrado!" When they gave no answer, the soldiers began to pound on the door. It took them the better part of fifteen minutes to find ladders and climb the walls. They found Diego and Don Alejandro waiting for them with drawn swords, Benado was on the stairs with a pistol. As the first soldier cleared the wall he was shot by Benado and fell back down. Unfortunately they were more afraid of the Administrado than they were of Benado's gun. One man jumped over while Benado was reloading and opened the door, sixteen soldiers rushed through the door. Diego engaged the first one, he fought him with surprising skill to the soldier, who thought him an easy target. He was about to be attacked by another one when a shot rang out. It didn't sound like any gun he had ever heard, and he watched in surprise as the soldier in front of him fell to the ground. The other soldiers had slowed their rush, but when they glanced past Don Diego and Don Alejandro they stopped all together. A woman dressed in black pants and a very low cut bodice had dropped from the balcony. She jumped, landed, and used her momentum to back flip over to the center of the struggle. As she stood she held up two very shiny, very dangerous looking pistols, she looked up, opening her eyes to their widest. If Don Diego hadn't known where she was from and what was possible there, he would have been scared out of his mind. She twirled the guns and placed them in holsters on her thighs. "I suggest you leave," she told them. "Now." She smiled a cruel smile that sent chills down every man there, Don Alejandro was looking at her with such surprise on his face that she felt sorry for him. The soldiers had turned to run when the Administrado entered to boost their moral. "Are you children," he screamed, "to be frightened of a woman?" "Get them!" The soldiers hesitated, one of them began to turn and face Katherine again. Knowing she needed to discourage any attempt to fight her carefully planted fear, she smiled again. And in the blink of an eye a silver handled knife was sticking out of the chest of the soldier who was turning. That was it, the others broke and ran. Only the Administrado was left. "I will be more than happy to finish you off myself, I will duel with all of you, this hacienda will be mine yet, and so will your list, Don Alejandro," he snarled. Katherine curled her lip at him. She walked over to the soldier, pulled out her knife and coolly cleaned it on the man's pant leg. She then replaced it in her boot. She looked at Diego, "Do you want to kill him, or shall I?" she smiled at the Administrado. "I will," Diego said, "a lady should not have blood such as this on her blade." "Charming as ever I see," she said. "Well when you set me such an example," Diego said holding out his hands. "Enough of this pointless banter," draw your sword, de la Vega, and I will happily remove your head." Diego drew his sword and advanced on the Administrado. The duel didn't take long, the Administrado was good, but he had no idea who he was dealing with. Diego had disarmed him in ten strokes and as the sword flew out of his hand Diego held the sword up to his throat. "Now, Senor, you will swear, on you life, to give up this crusade to take over California, if you refuse I will have no choice but to end your miserable existence." Diego said with a smile. He made him repeat him word by word and then he turned his back on him and began to walk away. The Administrado, however, pulled a knife out of his belt and rushed at Diego's retreating back. "Diego!" Alejandro called out. Diego turned, at the exact same time a bullet from Katherine's gun shot the dagger out of his hand. Diego looked at her holding the slightly smoking gun with a slightly surprised expression, then looked back at the Administrado who was clutching his hand. She walked up to the Administrado, who was looking more than a little afraid, and backhanded him. Then she stepped onto him as he lay in the dirt, half conscious, and took a bow. Diego gave her a reproachful smile as he watched her theatrics, "Oh, so that was professional?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. She looked over at him shrugged, "What can I say, you de la Vega men bring out the worst in me." Diego walked up to her, smiled, picked her up, and spun her around, laughing. She smiled back in his arms, "God I haven't had that much fun since I robbed the United States Treasury," she said, looking down at him. "Of course those days are long behind you," Diego said with a look in his father's direction. "More like long in front of me," she murmured, then she also glanced at Don Alejandro, "I think we have some explaining to do, and I need to get this make-up off." she said, taking out the contact lenses. Don Alejandro was sitting on the hacienda steps in shock, in one hour he had not only found out that his son was a champion swordsman, but that the sweet, innocent girl he had taken in was actually some kind of Amazon warrior. "I apologize for deceiving you, father," Diego said, "But if people knew I could use a sword they would begin to suspect me of being Zorro." "It is important that they no one knows who I am." Don Alejandro could understand that, but then he turned to Katherine, "And what is your excuse?" "I knew you wouldn't believe my real story, and that you couldn't possibly accept me as I was, so I changed and made up one so you would take me in." "I needed a place to stay, but that isn't an excuse, it's just a reason." "I do regret deceiving you." she said with a sigh. "If I'm going to tell you the whole story we had better go into the sitting room." When they had all assembled she sat down on Diego's lap, and to Don Alejandro's surprise he didn't seem the least bit embarrassed about their appearance. She told the entire story, including her going out with Diego that night when he was Zorro. The only thing she skipped was what happened after they had gotten home. Alejandro was skeptical, but it was hard to argue with her evidence. Finally they were all talked up. That was when Don Alejandro suggested they sleep on it and discuss it some more in the morning. As Benado and Don Alejandro left the room Kit grabbed Diego's hand and held him back. "I want you to know something." "If I stay in this time, it will be because of you, I want to be with you, but it is up to you to decide if you will have me or not." Diego smiled at her, and then got down on one knee, "Katherine, I love you, and I want nothing more than to marry you, so the question really is, will you have me?" Diego asked her honestly. She looked down at him and pretended to think about it, "Well," she said with a long drawn out sigh, "I suppose, since no one else has asked me yet, but it's such a terrible inconvenience, I ---." Whatever she was going to say was forgotten when Diego stood up, took her in his arms and kissed her." When Don Alejandro got out of bed that night for a drink he walked through the sitting room and saw a lamp burning. Thinking that the servants must have forgotten it he walked around to turn it off and happened to glance at the couch. At the final shock in that day he turned around and went back to bed forgetting about his drink, and trying to forget about the impropriety of his son kissing an unmarried woman on a couch in his home. A few months later a beautiful, Chinese looking woman was just walking into her hacienda in a pair of black pants and a leather bodice. She called out her husbands name and when he answered she followed his voice to their bedroom. "Diego?" Katherine asked him seriously, "Do you like children?" "Of course I do." he said, not really paying attention. "Do you think we should start a family?" she continued. He looked up at her, "I thought you didn't want children yet?" "Yes, well, it appears we aren't going to get a choice anyway." she said with a pretend sigh at the inconvenience of it all. "What!" Diego said with obvious excitement, "You mean we are going to have a baby?" "It certainly seems that way," she said, pleased that he was so happy. "And I think we should celebrate." "Oh, really, what did you have in mind?" he asked smiling at her. "Well," she said kissing him, "I'll think of something." The End End file.

A Tale of Two Times by Your Worshipfulness

Zorro

Five Ways Alejandro Didn't Find Out About Zorro **It didn't happen this way. ** Alejandro had his mouth open to say, "Felipe, would you tell Diego and Victoria that dinner is ready," when he realized that Felipe wasn't standing beside the table but crouching under it. When he rose he was holding a fat chipmunk by the tail. Alejandro winced. "The cat got in again?" Felipe nodded and pointed at Diego's chair. "A present for Diego. Well, at least she killed it this time. You take care of that, and I'll go fetch Diego and our guest." When he got outside, however, Alejandro saw no sign of them in the courtyard. He was turning back into the house when he heard a low voice from the other side of the wall. Diego: "I was wondering if, perhaps, you had given any thought to that matter we discussed yesterday." Victoria laughed. "What matter was that? I was very busy yesterday. Was it important?" Alejandro reversed course and headed for the side gate. Diego's voice--and it must be Diego, though it was scarcely recognizable--brought Alejandro up short just as he stepped out into the outer garden "Victoria, please. Please. I know what I have done is unforgivable. But do not play with me." He had never heard his son beg. He frowned. "Oh, now, really, Diego. Unforgivable? I'll agree with 'barely comprehensible,' and certainly 'upsetting.' But do you really think I'm shallow enough or stupid enough to call this 'unforgivable.' That is melodramatic, even for you." "Melodramatic?" "Which, actually...explains quite a bit, now that I think on it." Her voice was playful. She was teasing, almost...flirting? With Diego? "Obviously not shallow or unintelligent, but...perhaps..._unkind_ enough to taunt me cruelly?" Another laugh. "I might. And I'm tempted....But every time I look at you...every time I think...Oh, Diego." It was only a thickly blossomed rose arbor separating him from the young people now. He couldn't see, but he could hear. The rustle of clothing, the sigh of breath, the longing groan. Alejandro had been young himself, once. At the sound of their soft lovemaking he froze with rage. Victoria--it was unthinkable, it was absurd, but it was happening--Victoria was trifling with Diego. There was no possible purpose, no conceivable reason, and yet Victoria--innocent, honorable Victoria--was seducing his son. And Diego didn't stand a chance. Not Diego, who was polite and charming but rarely paused to look at a pretty face or form. He knew nothing of women at all! He had never courted anyone, didn't 'travel to Monterrey' on business to spend a few days enjoying feminine...companionship. Diego was--had been for years--completely besotted with Victoria, and now she was taking ruthless advantage of it. But why? What could she hope to gain? Surely, anything she desired--anything! Diego would freely give her. And everyone knew that Victoria was in love with Zorro. She never looked at another man. Certainly, any number of men had tried to gain her affections. So why, now, was she seducing poor Diego? How could she betray this decent man who had been her friend for years? Alejandro's rage was washed away by his astonishment. _Everyone knew that Victoria was in love with Zorro. She never looked at another man._ Never. And yet, here she was, in Diego's arms, kissing him. _Please. I know what I have done is unforgivable. But do not play with me._ Zorro. He was Zorro. _My son_. _He is Zorro, and she has just found out. _Dear God. Dear God....he had to get them married! Alejandro clapped his hand over his mouth to keep from crying out. His son was in love. With a woman who would have him. And yes, they were mere minutes from committing a carnal sin, right here, now, in the garden. But-- _My son is Zorro_. How would he ever get them married? Don Alejandro slipped to his knees, laughing silently. **It didn't happen this way**. Bang! Bang! Bang! The pounding at the door was rough and rude. In the middle of the night, it was terrifying. Worse that it was the front door. Some disaster at the ranch would have brought the vaqueros to the side door. The pounding had roused Maria and Miguel, even Felipe--although often in the evening he was up late with Diego. The three servants clustered behind Alejandro like chicks behind a hen. It was Sergeant Mendoza at the door, with four lancers behind him. When the door flew open he stared openly at Alejandro, gaping, silent. "Well? What is it? Surely you wanted something to make such a noise in the middle of the night!" "Don Alejandro...." Mendoza whispered. "Yes? Mother of God, Mendoza, what _is_ it?" "We have captured Zorro. The alcalde laid a clever trap...." He dropped his eyes. "Not so clever. But. There was a weak spot in the roof....I am sorry. We have him." "Well, I can see why you're sorry. You have every reason to be ashamed of yourself, Mendoza--the man has saved your life more than once! But why are you telling me in the middle of the night." "Don Alejandro...we _have_ him. We have unmasked him. We saw him fight--_I_ saw him fight. There is no question that he is Zorro." "What are you--" "Please, Don Alejandro. We know it is Diego." He laughed. He couldn't help it. "Diego? Diego is Zorro? Diego is--" In bed asleep? With all this commotion? In the library reading? Then why didn't he come to the door? The laughter died in his throat to be replaced with a vehement curse. Alejandro spun on his heel and stormed away. "Don Alejandro? Where are you going? I have orders--" "I am going to change clothes, Sergeant. I cannot go to the pueblo in my nightshirt." **It didn't happen this way, either** Except for a couple of lost roof tiles, the stables seemed to have come through the tremor unscathed. The house was sporting a small crack above the back door, but that was the only structural damage Alejandro saw. In the kitchen, Maria bent over a sticky mess of broken glass that must have once been bottles of wine and pots of...jam? No, she wasn't hurt. He walked slowly from room to room, absently retrieving books from the floor and wincing at the occasional broken ornament. There was surprisingly little damage, really, considering how terrifying and dramatic the quake had seemed at the time. The winter after he'd returned from Madrid, Diago had taken leather chords and strapped all the larger pieces of furniture to the walls. At the time it had seemed absurdly fastidious, but Alejandro had to admit that this was an improvement on righting bookcases and bureaus. Or, God forbid, lifting the furniture off of Maria or Felipe or Anna. Or Diago. If anyone were to be injured in an earthquake, it would be Diago. The boy could turn an ankle walking across a flat meadow-- After so many rooms with only minor disorder, finding the crack down the back of the fireplace was a small shock. The cleavage rent the firebox from top to bottom with a gap large enough to insert a finger. Putting down the armful of books he'd gathered, Alejandro crouched on the hearth and reached out-- His relief was quickly followed by amusement. The long, strait crack wasn't structural damage, it was the entrance to the old bolt-hole, an escape tunnel build back in the colony's early days. Alejandro hadn't thought about it in years. A gentle push opened the panel the rest of the way, revealing the dim cavity behind, and he ducked through. This side didn't appear damaged, either. The walls around the opening were clearly old, but not cracked or off center. The catch that normally held the door shut had shifted, but wasn't broken, and the hinge was silent as Alejandro swung the panel back and forth. He straightened up, then, and studied the alcove in the dim light that filtered through the ventilation slits. It seemed both brighter and cleaner then he'd remembered. But then, it had been decades.... He descended slowly down the stairs, examining the foundation as he went. There were no cracks, but in two or three small places the rock and mortar were slightly different, as though repairs had been made. So involved he was in the walls and ceiling that he was standing in the cozy little room before he noticed it. There was an oak desk, with papers neatly piled on one corner; a coat rack, with a hat and clothing hanging; and a couple of chairs. A narrow table crowded with tiny bottles and slim beakers marked the place as Diego's. The boy had filled half his bedroom with soil samples and the winter kitchen with...actually, Alejandro wasn't even sure what kind of experiments were currently running in the winter kitchen. But this place was clearly Diego's. He must have heeded his father's warning about not filling any more of the house with his hobbies. A creative solution, bringing the overflow down here-- A soft stamp and wicker grabbed Alejandro's attention and drew him further into the dim cavern. Behind a low partition was a tidy horse stall. A Horse stall? Diego wasn't just keeping his science experiments down here, he had brought a entire horse in, under the house. It was, Alejandro noticed, a magnificent horse: a stallion, tall, surely sixteen hands at least, and dark. Not one of the de le Vega stock. No, he had only seen horseflesh of this quality a handful of times in his life. Right now, in the pueblo, only Toronado-- The little glass bottles clinked together as he backed into the narrow table. Alejandro flinched away and steadied himself on a chair. There was no mistaking that horse, those legs, that flank: Toronado. Diego had hidden Toronado here, below the house. He was astonished. Toronado here could only mean that Diego was in league with the Fox. Diego--quiet, bookish, clumsy Diego, who was more concerned with his clothing then politics and more concerned with natural philosophy than his clothing. How could he possibly be working with Zorro? Oh, but it made a terrible sense. Zorro knew too much, moved too fast. He was everywhere. He planned for every eventuality. He outmaneuvered the government at every turn. How could one man do so much alone? And so Diego--and how many other young men?--contributed to the illusion. And who would ever suspect Diego, seeming so innocent, so useless...and all the while he was imbedded in this great conspiracy. Toronado was restless, shifting in his stall. Alajandro couldn't tear his eyes away. Diego an accomplice of Zorro. Impossible, but it must be true. The only other explanation was that Diego was Zorro himself, and that was absurd. Diego was hopeless with a sword and even worse on a horse. Smart enough to be the fox, yes, but the rest of it? Never. Alejandro looked around the room again. The bottles were labeled in Diego's elegant hand. On the desk sat a book Diego had been reading. No one else's tastes or habits were in evidence. There were only two chairs, not enough for a hideout that hosted a conspiracy. Still. It couldn't be Diego. Diego didn't even carry a sword. He didn't respect violence. His involvement in politics extended only as far as that newspaper. Alejandro sank into one of the stairs and lowered his head into his hands. The indifference to the daily dramas in the pueblo had been a lie, obviously. How large a lie? Large enough to hide Zorro himself? No. Not Diego. A soft gasp from the entrance brought Alejandro's attention back to the dim, cool room around him. Diego's younger shadow was standing at the foot of the stairs, staring at him, frozen in horror. Alejandro stared back. "You know about this," he said, after a moment. "Of course you know about this. Diego doesn't go to the privy without you three steps behind him...." An exaggeration, but not much of one. "Felipe, what's going on here?" Felipe shuddered and drew a hand across his eyes: he didn't want to talk about it. "But that is the answer, isn't it. Diego can't be Zorro. He would never involve you in something so dangerous. Never." Felipe gave him a hard, inscrutable look and then turned and sank down into steps. His eyes were on the floor between his feet, neatly avoiding continuing the conversation. "I just don't understand. Why didn't he tell me? Did he think I would condemn him? For working with Zorro? I would have helped him!" Felipe looked up and traced the figure "don't understand," in the air between them. In the years Diego had been gone, Alejandro had used that particular sign himself almost daily. I don't understand. "No, by God, I don't understand--" Alejandro closed his teeth sharply. There was absolutely no point in yelling at the boy, even if there were a point in blaming him. But Felipe would follow any plan of Diego's, keep any secret, take any terrible risk...anything Diego asked, no matter how mad, and Alejandro couldn't expect anything else. Felipe was saying something. The only words Alejandro recognized were "protect you." The absurdity of that nearly made him laugh aloud. The idea of Diego protecting anyone was nearly funny. Nearly. Alejandro felt like his heart was in his throat. Felipe stood up and gently took his hand, tugging him in the direction of the steps. Alejandro allowed himself be led. They found Diego in the summer kitchen with Maria, sweeping up the last remains of broken pottery and discussing involved plans for expanding the herb garden. Felipe, coiled with tension, paused in the doorway, one hand locked around Alejandro's wrist. Standing in the sunlight, listening to Diego talk about parsley and comfrey and garlic, the dim cave behind the fireplace seemed almost a dream. Then, suddenly, the last of the mess was cleared away and Diego was speaking reassuringly to Maria and sending her to right the back bedrooms. "Father? Felipe? Is something wrong? The house--" Felipe let go of Alejandro's arm and signed, "He found it." Frowning at Felipe's distress, Diego asked gently, "Found what?" Felipe glanced miserably at Alejandro and answered, "Found you." Diego showed no sign of alarm, just that same gentle, slightly bland concern. Unable to bear it any longer, Alejandro said, "I found the passage behind the fireplace." Diego blinked once, still apparently unconcerned. "Was it damaged in the quake?" "No, but it was opened," he answered shortly. "I've been down to the...stable." At this Diego's shoulders slumped slightly. "I see." Felipe's hands flashed far too fast for Alejandro to follow, but whatever he said surprised Diego. "Father--you think I'm helping Zorro?" "I'm not sure what to think." "No...No, I'm sure it was quite a shock." He winced slightly. "And now may not be the best time to talk about it. We haven't finished inspecting the house for damage. And we should send someone to the pueblo to make sure they came through it as well as we have." He was just so impossibly calm, almost casual about it. As though he weren't a young man whose enormous folly had just come to the attention to his father. As though he had not been caught in the crime of abetting a wanted criminal. As though nothing worth noting was happening at all. Alejandro's stomach twisted again. "No," he whispered. "It cannot be true. You cannot be Zorro." Diego looked both scandalized and amused. He was going to deny it, make some excuse, spin some story. It would be just like every other lie he'd being telling for years. It was too much. "Diego, don't you dare." His amusement and charm evaporating, Diego murmured, "Not here," and gently took his father's arm. Alejandro managed to keep his temper as he was led back through the library and through the hidden door. Once again in the cave, surrounded with the detritus of Diego's hobbies, Alejandro spun on his son. "Why? Merciful God, why, Diego?" "That's what you want to know? _Why_? You know perfectly well 'why,' Father." The man who answered seemed both taller and more serious then the son Alejandro knew. Thought he knew. "Luis Ramone was a tyrant and a sadist. He had two dozen lancers and the full authority of the Spanish Crown behind him, and he had no scruples about bankrupting, torturing, or murdering anyone who got in his way." Alejandro shook his head weakly. "Diego, you don't believe in violence." That got him a brief nod. "No. I believe in justice, representation, and civil society. But I am not so attached to them that I would see you and Victoria martyred to their cause." Alejandro swallowed hard. That had been Zorro's first act, hadn't it? The very same week Diego had returned from Spain, Zorro had broken the two most vocal community leaders out of the fort's little jail. "It was...it was personal." Diego sighed heavily. "It was pure desperation. We had to defend ourselves against him, but anyone who tried--the reprisals were only going to get worse. The men in the plaza were talking about rebellion. Most of the soldiers weren't local boys, they would have fired on the rebels, if it came to that. And the government...." he sighed again. "It was the only option left, for any of us." Alejandro closed his eyes, "Those soldiers regularly fire on Zorro." "A musket is a very effective weapon against a crowd of civilians or an oncoming army..." a soft laugh, "or a grazing deer. Less so against one man on a good mount. The accuracy--" "Are you listening to what you are saying?" Alejandro wasn't sure what he was hearing himself. Wasn't this Diego, who never carried a sword? Who rode only the most docile horses? "You are taking on an entire garrison alone. This can't go on. I can't let this go on--" "Do you think to stop me?" "You can't keep pretending to be Zorro!" That drew a surprised laugh. "I am Zorro. There is no one else." And, oh, that was right, wasn't it? This was his son--this confident man in this well furnished cave--Zorro, the outlaw, the myth, the defender of the downtrodden. The fragile, distracted dilatant that Alejandro had shared his home with for the last five years, that wasn't a real person at all. Alejandro nodded to himself. "Diego is the pretense, of course. How blind I've been. I don't know you...I don't know my son at all." Diego dropped his eyes. "I'm sorry for that," he said softly. "I never intended to deceive you." "An _accident_ then?" Diego opened his mouth to protest, and Alejandro waived him down. "No, don't say anything. Don't say anything. You've been fighting a war all alone and I've been no help to you." The silence that followed that was almost unbearably raw. After a long moment Diego sighed and sat down on the edge of the desk. "Father...." "I'm not even sure how to apologize to you. Or what to apologize for." "For? Father, you've been...beyond patient. The lengths I've gone to distract everyone--I've been an endless trial to you, I know." He smiled slightly, that soft, self-depreciating smile that Diego showed so often. "You have nothing to apologize for." Was it the sustained astonishment that made him feel so tired? Or was it the growing weight of his shame? "While you've been fighting for--for justice and the rights of man, I've been--Diego, I've been...very critical." Diego met his eyes levelly. "You were exactly what I needed you to be. A voice for the caballeros, a leader to keep them from doing anything rash...and at the same time the voice of reason, reminding the Alcalde not to go too far. You've been perfect." "Perfect? How many times have I nearly gotten you killed, goading de Soto into a rage, knowing that I could rely on Zorro if things got out of hand?" Diego nodded seriously. "And couldn't you? For the most part, Zorro has been very effective. I've heard you say so, and I think...I think I've done well." "Done well?" Alejandro gasped. "Done well doesn't begin to describe--Diego, I hate to think where we'd be by now if it weren't for Zorro! You've been--you've been our salvation." For a moment, perhaps a second or two, Diego's eyes softened and a smile nearly surfaced from beneath his serious mien. Then the moment was gone and Diego was nodding reasonably. "Very well, then, Father." "No, Diego, I-I cannot be so reasonable about this. You refuse to allow someone else to be martyred to the cause of justice, but you expect me to just sit here and agree to let you--to let you be-- No. It isn't so simple." "I'm hardly martyring myself. There is some risk, but not an unreasonable amount. Joining the army or bullfighting or sailing to Europe--any number of things would be more dangerous still." "De Soto will hang you if he takes you. And praise God we aren't still under Ramone! That man would have had you whipped and branded first." Diego was still meeting his eyes, still unbearably reasonable, still more confident than Alejandro had ever seen his son. "Yes. De Soto will hang me if he takes me. But he cannot take me, and his soldiers--the ones that actually want to capture me--are convinced that it is impossible. They barely try, and count themselves lucky that I _don't_ enjoy bloodshed." Unable to bear that calm, resolute gaze any longer, Alejandro closed his eyes. His son. Dear God, his son. Every day this strength of purpose had lived beside him in his very household. How could he not have seen it? How could he bear it, if next week or next month, Zorro made a mistake and Diego was lost to him forever? "Father? Are you feeling ill? Felipe, get some water. Quickly. Father--" "No, I'm all right," he muttered. "I'm fine. Really." Felipe pushed a shallow terra cotta cup into Alejandro's hands and guided it to his lips. The water was cool, but slightly musty. He gulped it anyway. "It's a bit much to take in. I'm sorry, Father. I shouldn't have pressed you." A bit much to take in? Alejandro nearly laughed. "You weren't up late last night reading, were you? You were riding around the territory in a mask--" Felipe nudged him to drink again and signed something mysterious to Diego. "Yes, perhaps so. A small dose." "What's he doing?" Alejandro asked. "Getting you cactus tea. A small dose, for the shock. It will leave your wits intact, unlike brandy." Diego did not drink. Even wine, he avoided. Because Zorro needed his wits intact. Dear God. Alejandro closed his eyes again. The world spun around him. "I'm so sorry, Father," Diego whispered. "Please believe me, that I did not enjoy lying to you, disappointing you. If--If I had been caught, you could swear before God that you had no knowledge." He glanced at the boy bent over the worktable, heating water over a small brazier. "If I could have hidden it from Felipe, I would have. Zorro is my own folly. I don't want anyone else--" Felipe set a jar down hard enough to make the table rattle and turned around to glare briefly at Diego. Something passed between them, and the boy turned back to his work. Alejandro took a deep breath and wondered how many shocks he was prepared to absorb today. "Was he so careless because he feels safe here? Or is it always so obvious?" Diego sighed. "I'm sorry. You deserved--" Felipe stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. He apologized, slowly, so that Alejandro could follow. Then, more slowly still, "Don't be angry. I was protecting him. I was useful to him. You understand." The fluid hands conveyed a terror and desperation that Alejandro did understand perfectly. He had done it for Diego. Alejandro breathed in, wishing the world would stop spinning. "And now?" he gasped. "How do I thank you? There is no one else, is there? All this time, Diego has only had you...." The cool, dim cave suddenly seemed stifling and dark. Alejandro gasped, but there hardly seemed to be any air. "Father? Are you all right?" He was fine. It was just a shock. Surely, the world would spin for anyone..... Zorro. Diego. Sharp pain came with every breath and a darkness hovered at the edges of his vision. Alejandro panted, despite the pain, but there simple didn't seem to be any air. Diego was looking very anxious, now. "Felipe," he said sharply. "Quickly. Help me get him down." He didn't need any help, but he couldn't fight their strong hands. He was lifted, settled. And then he was looking up at Diego from a very strange angle. "Father. Try to relax. You will be just fine." Diego. The world flooded with blackness. He could hear his son calling him, but he couldn't remember how to answer. **Nope** There was nothing extraordinary about Zorro interrupting a whipping. True, public whippings were much less common under de Soto then they had been under Ramone. And some were perfectly lawful: theft, public drunkenness, and so forth. Still. Every few months Zorro appeared and demanded an accounting for a sentence that was too harsh or based on too little evidence. De Soto might have remembered that, when he ordered the whippings for Pedro and Jose, but he was in a temper. And once ordering the punishment, he couldn't rescind it without looking weak, so all that was left was to hope Zorro wouldn't decide to appear. Alejandro was sure he would. Zorro had a particular dislike of whippings and he took a special interest in the affairs of Jose Macias. De Soto didn't administer his own punishments, so it was one of the lancers Zorro disarmed and tossed in the dust. Don Alejandro retreated to the porch of the tavern, pulling Felipe with him, to watch the excitement. The crowd cheered--except for a few who had been looking forward to the whipping. De Soto fumed. Zorro tossed a handful of coins in the dirt at his feet: "Surely a payment of fine is adequate punishment for a minor offense." Jose's wife threw a bunch of flowers at Zorro. She must have had high hopes for the rescue, to bring them. Alejandro laughed. Zorro neatly snatched one of the flowers out of the air and tossed it toward the tavern where it landed at Victoria's feet. There was more cheering. De Soto ordered the lancers to fire, but there in the midst of the crowd, they couldn't get a shot. And then Toronado pranced and tossed his head and turned at a gallop toward the gate....and one of the lancers made a lucky shot. Toronado bucked and squealed as he lost his rider, but it was already too late. Zorro flew from the saddle. By the time he hit the ground the plaza had gone silent, so the sound of his neck breaking was clearly audible. Cold with horror, Alejandro leaped forward and seized Victoria. She wailed and pushed against him, but Alejandro turned her bodily away. "No. No, there's nothing you can do--" His arms were full of Victoria when Felipe dashed past him, sprinted across the open ground, and threw himself on Zorro's motionless body. He bent forward, the very image of wretched grief. Alejandro could only stare: like every boy in the pueblo, Felipe idolized Zorro. But...but he was weeping as though it were Diego lying dead on the ground, instead of the pueblo's hero. _No. _ The numbness took him from head to toe. Gasping, he teetered backward. Suddenly, it was Victoria keeping him upright as much as it was him keeping her back from the tragedy. In the stillness of the plaza, Sergeant Mendoza stepped forward, almost tentatively. As he approached the body, Felipe leapt to his feet and shoved him away. He was shouting. Desperate. Incoherent. Heartbroken. Alejandro slid to his knees. _Diego. No._ But his own tears were coming now. _Diego. My boy. _ **Also, nope:** Alejandro was working a pebble out of Dulcinea's hoof when Diego rode up on a huge, black stallion. "Impressive," he said. "Where did you get him?" "I've had him for a while." Diego watched his father's face as he dismounted and unbridled the stallion. "He's a...secret I no longer need to keep." He whistled softly, and the horse bowed, dropping its head between its forelegs. He whistled again, and the horse came up, tossed its mane, and took three neat steps backward. It was the most splendid horse Alejandro had ever seen. It even put Emilio to shame. And, of course, there was only one horse in the territory that was so perfectly trained. Alejandro tried to swallow. His mouth was suddenly so dry that it took two tries to say, "You've had him for a while, then." "Since the week I came back from Madrid." Affectionately, he caressed the velvet nose. "Eight years, now. Dios. He's not a colt anymore. I thought it was time to put him out to stud." He was watching Alejandro out of the corner of his eye. "And, of course...there's no danger...now that the warrants for Zorro's arrest have been withdrawn." Diego gave a small, wry smile. "I can't say that didn't effect my decision." He began to unsaddle the great, black horse. "Nor the fact that Ignacio de Soto boarded a ship in San Pedro last night...." Alejandro muttered. "Should I have rubbed his nose in it? What would that have accomplished?" Toronado nudged at him, pushing at his shoulder. Diego produced a carrot from his pocket. Alejandro took a step closer, mindful of the fact that Toronado's reputation for fierceness was well-earned. It wouldn't do to spook or irritate him. "It would have incensed him....perhaps into something we would all later regret. On the other hand, you might have found it very satisfying. De Soto has made no secret of his low opinion of you." He swallowed. "Of Diego." That drew a chuckle. "Oh, believe me: he had a low opinion of Zorro as well." Alejandro closed his eyes. He had a lump in his throat. "Well, Zorro...he was always a bit of a show-off, wasn't he?" The lump was growing. He tried to swallow it. "But my son, Diego, he...he never demanded any credit for himself, or cared for his own comfort, his own pride...his own safety." The lump was nearly choking him now. "And maybe...too little regard for the needs of...family?" Alejandro shook his head, although it was a moment before he could speak. "You've saved my life. I'm not sure I can count the times, Diego. Oh--dear God. When Zorro was tossed into Perdito Canyon...It was the day he was leading Mendoza away from me--the day you were--" Diego turned to him quickly. He shook his head ruefully. "Oh, no. You can't take the blame for that. Zorro was showing off. Honestly, Father. I alone was to blame." "And you...fell...from your horse." His eyes strayed to the stallion. "Toronado...." "I'm sorry, Father." He spread his hands sadly. Diego had been bedridden for over a week. Although Zorro had, apparently, not. He had staged a spectacular rise from the dead....Still, the doctor had said the concussion had nearly killed him. Alejandro had been confused and impatient at the time. Diego? Falling from a _horse_? When he was such an excellent rider? But he had believed it, just as he had believed-- "How many of the times you were 'sick' were you concealing Zorro's injuries? And how many times were you just concealing Zorro?" "It doesn't matter--" "Palomarez. You were flushed and swaying on your feet. If I hadn't known better I would have thought you were drunk. What did he _do _to you? Diego? Did you lose that much blood?" "Poison," Diego admitted. "But it...wasn't serious." Alejandro let his breath out slowly. "I can think of at least two occasions where Zorro was shot." "Not so badly, really. Father, none of that matters now." "Did you even see the doctor? For any of it?" Alejandro laughed rawly. "How ironic. Now--_now_ when it's safe--I want to lock you in your room. Who would have thought it would fill me with so much fear to find out you weren't a coward?" Diego actually blushed a little at that. "And now what?" Alejandro glanced at Toronado. "Do we dye his markings and find Zorro another horse? Or is all this... simply over?" "Now," Diego said wistfully, "_Now_, I ride into the pueblo and...wait until someone is curious enough to challenge me, I suppose. This afternoon, I think. It will be good to get it over with." He ran a hand down Toronado's shining neck. "By himself, he won't be proof enough for most people." Don Alejandro nodded. If he was going to reveal himself, this seemed a reasonable way to do it. "I think more than one person will want to test you, though. And Sergeant Mendoza....you may have to buy him a full meal or even two before he'll forgive you. Or get over his embarrassment enough to thank you. I think, if you want all that out of the way in time to court Victoria this evening, we should leave now." "You make an excellent point. I'll fetch Felipe. He's been waiting years for this." **How it happened** It would be absurd to chide _Victoria_ for being intemperate when he himself had been arrested for striking the garrison commandant in the jaw. She had kept her temper well enough to avoid public brawling, at least. Still, she was wrong. "We can't win this in an open fight, Victoria. Our farmers aren't soldiers. And there are so many who cannot defend themselves at all--the women and children, the monks, the Indians at the mission. The fact that you are right...doesn't mean that the best course isn't to endure as best we can and seek a peaceful solution." From the other cell, she eyed him sadly. "Do you really and truly think the women and children are safe now? I have counted a dozen people turned out of their houses....two dozen more imprisoned for--for _nothing_. Yes, you're right, we may be killed if we fight back. But we surely will be, if we don't." Alejandro got up and paced restlessly, his arms folded and his shoulders hunched against the chilly air coming in the open window. "Try to think strategically. He cannot continue in this manner: the people are the wealth of the pueblo. If no one is working the land, caring for the cattle, tanning the hides...there will be no taxes to collect, and he can't have that. He's trying to frighten us, but--" "Yes, and he thinks if he can keep us frightened _enough_, we will put up with anything." It was a bit startling: she had never interrupted him before. But over the last few months, the polite, earnest young women he'd watched grow up had become both angry and daring. It was a bit unsettling. "He'll leave us destitute, hungry, our children turned out in the streets, and we'll allow it because he's _frightened_ us! Well, I've seen what happens when you 'endure.' One day you wake up and everything you love is _gone_. He sees you as a threat, Don Alejandro. Shall I wait until after he's run you off or killed you before I fight him?" "Victoria! I'm the last person in the district who needs protecting!" She walked to the bars and peered at him earnestly. "Everyone needs protecting. And if we don't stand up for each other...." She frowned and glanced over her shoulder. "What is it?" "I think I heard something...." Irritated, Alejandro growled, "Oh, what is he up to _now?_ At least let us get some sleep...." Then he heard a muffled thump. It didn't sound like guards. The heavy wooden door swung open and Diego--dressed all in black and wearing a mask--stepped into the little jail. "Good evening," he said politely. Completely shocked, Alejandro could only demand to know who he was supposed to_ be_. He couldn't imagine what mad, impossible plot had led to this. Victoria was more suspicious than shocked. "_What_ are you?" she asked. Diego smiled. "A creature of the night, like a fox." He bowed slightly and presented himself. "The Fox." Alejandro felt his breath catch. It was brilliant. What possible action could the alcalde take against a masked bandit who insisted on releasing prisoners and causing havoc? Dear God, it was magnificent! Ramone would be incensed, and helpless to do anything about it but decry the rise of crime...and since bringing order was his own job....Alejandro nearly laughed aloud. He wished he'd thought of it himself. Victoria was unconvinced. "The Fox," She repeated skeptically. Diego gave her a careless half-smile. "Perhaps you'd like to leave?" Scarcely able to keep from laughing Alejandro asked, "How do we know you don't work for the alcalde? Perhaps he wants to shoot us?" Diego, bless him, didn't see the question as funny at all. Unlocking the cells he promised, "He'll have to shoot me first. If it's freedom you want, follow me." At the time it had only seemed a little odd that Diego made no appearance during the long journey home afoot. It was only when, back at the house, Diego feigned astonishment at seeing them that Alejandro realized the boy actually _believed_ he hadn't been recognized. Well, to be fair, he seemed to have fooled Victoria. But Alejandro had changed Diego's diapers, set him on the back of his first horse, taught him to swim and rope and hold a sword. How could Diego actually believe he'd fooled his own father? He barely managed to keep his face straight while Diego looked sincerely unimpressed and voiced doubts about their masked rescuer. He was very convincing. If it had been anyone but his own son, Alejandro might have doubted his memory then, questioned what he'd seen. The performance was brilliant. The irony? Delicious. He made it to his own room before collapsing into a chair and laughing with helpless delight. End End file.

Five Ways Alejandro Didn't Find Out About Zorro by Therrae

Zorro

Priceless Moments (drabble) **This drabble came to me when I was rocking a little boy I babysit to sleep. I do own any rights to any of the Zorro characters, all rights belong to the writers and creators of Zorro. This drabble is for entertainment purposes only.** **Priceless Moments (Drabble)** Victoria rocked her small son slowly in the same rocking chair his father was rocked to sleep in when he was a small boy. "Someday you will grow big and strong like your Papa, and he will teach you how to sword fight." Victoria whispered into the sleeping child's ear and kissed him lightly on the forehead. The baby snuggled closer to his Mama and gripped her finger tighter. Victoria smiled and laid her head back against the chair. She drifted off to sleep and dreamed of her tall, strong, and proud son all grown up, protecting the innocent people of Los Angeles without a cape and mask. Diego quietly entered the bedroom and watched his beautiful wife and small son rest peacefully. End file.

Priceless Moments (drabble) by jpaez

Zorro

1. Chapter 1 **Revelations** __Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.__ Chapter 1 It was a nightmare. Victoria had never felt so miserable. Why hadn't she listened to Diego? It was all her fault. Victoria sat at the table in the kitchen her knees under her chin and contemplated the events as she had done the nights before. It had started the day when the deputy governor from Monterey had arrived with his soldiers. He had demanded that the alcalde arrested Zorro within the next days. As a reaction the alcalde had threatened to imprison some peasants with the intention to use them as bait for Zorro. When Victoria had wanted to step forward to protest against his actions, Diego had tried to restrain her with a warning look and his upheld arm. She had continued to move forward and Diego had grabbed her by the arm whispering to her that she should not interfere this time. But she had told him that he had no right to tell her what to do and had protested out loud. It had been the first time she had seen him angry at her when he let go of her arm. She should better think of the consequences of her actions before acting, he had said. At least she was doing something at all, she had answered. She knew she had hurt him the moment she mouthed the words. But it had already been too late then. The alcalde was only too happy to imprison her instead of the peasants. He knew she was a much better bait. As expected Zorro had come in the night to free her. The lancers hadn't been a problem. Just when they were racing across the plaza, one of the deputy's soldiers had seen them. Zorro had mounted Toronado and ridden out of the pueblo. But she had seen him falter on Toronado when the soldier had shot at him. He had barely clung to his horse when Toronado had taken him away. The alcalde was gleeful when he declared Zorro either dead or severely injured in his speech later in the tavern. He especially thanked her for being the bait. She hadn't been able to stand it anymore then. She had ridden to the de la Vega hacienda to talk to her friends. She wanted to apologize to Diego. He had been right when he had tried to restrain her and if she had listened, Zorro would have been safe then. She had met Diego in the library surprised to see her. When she had tried to talk with him, he had been very curt to her. He had said he was in no mood of talking, because he had a headache. He had indeed looked very pale when he retreated to his room leaving her standing in the library. Alejandro had tried to comfort her later, but he couldn't take the guilt from her. Zorro's death or injury was her fault and now even Diego was cross with her. The next day Alejandro had told her that Diego had left for the northern estates of the hacienda with Felipe. That had been weeks ago. Even Alejandro had been surprised that the two of them had been gone so long, but with Diego he never knew what to expect. The alcalde had been right about Zorro. He never appeared again while the deputy was in town and no threats to peasants were able to lure him out of his den. He had the lancers search for Zorro's body but they didn't find him. Nobody knew what had happened to him, but probably nothing good. She wished everything would be like before the deputy came. Somehow she didn't know whom she missed more, Zorro or Diego. Never before had she realized how much her friend meant to her. She missed his quiet presence in her tavern and his support he was always willing to give. He was more part of her day to day life than Zorro and she couldn't bear to lose his friendship any more than she could lose Zorro's love. She longed to see Zorro and have him hold her. But what would she do if she had lost them both? She dropped her head on the table and began to cry. 2. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 "Shh, querida, don't cry. Tell me what is wrong." She felt a strong arm around her shoulder and when she looked up, she saw him sitting next to her. "Zorro, I didn't hear you come. I thought I had lost you and that you were dead or injured. Thank God, you are alive." She flung herself into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck. When she touched his left shoulder, she felt him wince with pain. Underneath his soft black silk shirt she felt some bandages at his shoulder. "So it is true, you have been injured. Is it bad?" "It is better now," he said without answering her question. "I have missed you." They had been long apart and their kisses became soon very passionate. She opened his shirt to touch his skin and his strong muscles. When she started to kiss his chest he started to groan. He pulled her blouse out of her skirt and began to touch her breast with one hand while the other was caressing her back. He was lifting her skirt to trace his hand along her naked thigh when they heard loud banging at the tavern door. Guiltily they moved apart. "Senorita Escalante, are you still open?" they heard someone ask. When the men outside did not get an answer, they went away. They looked at each other, the passion gone for the moment. They registered their state of undress and realized what they were about to do. "Victoria, I must go. We cannot go any further. I have only so much control. I don't like these interruptions whenever we are together, but for once we should be grateful." "Zorro, I don't want you to go. The thought that I had lost you was horrible and I want to hold you in my arms." "Victoria, there is nothing more that I want, but we both know that it is not right. I love you too much for that." He began to button up his shirt again while she was rearranging her blouse. He was still very careful with his left shoulder and was suppressing his pain when he was using his left arm. But he didn't comment on her questioning look. After a short but passionate kiss he left through the back door still too weak to swing himself to the balcony as he used to. Worried, but happy to have him back, she looked after him. When she heard no commotion from outside, she finally relaxed a bit. He had left without been seen by the lancers. 3. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 The next day Diego walked into her tavern joined by his father and Felipe. He wore his favorite blue suit she was so familiar with. With his right arm he leaned on the bar and looked at her. "Oh Diego, you're back," she beamed. "Are you here for lunch? What can I bring you? Your favorite carne asada?" Diego was surprised about her heartily welcome. "It is good to be missed," he said smiling happily. "Diego, are you still angry at me?" she asked anxiously, "because I didn't listen to you the other day? You were right and I must apologize to you." "It is forgotten, Victoria. I'm sorry I was so rude to you when you came to talk to me that day, but I had this terrible headache." "Friends again, Diego?" "Always, Victoria." He left the bar to join his family at the table opposite the bar, but was greeted by several friends who were all glad to see him again last not least Sergeant Mendoza. When she was about to serve his meal, someone shoved her from behind and part of the dish spread over the front of his jacket and his white shirt. Immediately she took a cloth and tried to remove it. When she touched his left shoulder, she felt him winch under her touch and then she felt the bandage at the exact same spot she had felt it last night at Zorro's shoulder. He grasped her hand that was touching his tender shoulder. When she looked at him, he didn't turn away, but looked her straight in the eyes. For a moment the world seemed to stand still for the two of them. The look they exchanged said it all. There was surprise and shock on her side, while he didn't deny the love in his eyes. She knew now and he silently awaited her reaction. She was shocked to find her love so suddenly. Her hand started to burn when his soft touch reminded her how she had touched his hot skin at the same spot the night before and the hot passion they had shared. From the way he pinned her hand to his chest and his look at her, she knew he trailed the same thoughts and she started to blush. With a smile he released her hand and rose from the table. "I think we'd better go to the kitchen to get out the stains," he said in a calm voice and went through the curtain. Victoria followed him on his heels. The moment they were alone, he turned around and faced her expectantly. 4. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 "Diego," she didn't know where to start. "I'm so sorry. It is my fault you were injured and if I had listened to you, nothing would have happened. How can you still love me after all I have said to you." "Victoria, I only let you see what I wanted you. Forgive me that I lied to you?" "Always Diego. I love you. I realized it when you were away. It was so terrible when I thought I lost you. I didn't know who I missed more Zorro or you, but now I know, it was only you but in both parts." The next moment he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Then she knew he had been holding back last night. His kiss left her gasp for air and she trembled with his passion. There was no mistake about Diego being Zorro. "We have to get married soon", he said grinning, well aware of the effect he had on her. "But I should return to the main room now, before anyone gets suspicious or we get carried away." He turned around to leave, but she held him back. "Wait, let me try to get out the stains of your clothes a little or the people will really be suspicious what we have been doing here." Patiently he sat down while she took a wet cloth to rub on the stains. It gave her the chance to talk to him. "Have you really been to the northern estates during the last weeks?" "No, I have been hiding in an abandoned farmhouse close to the hacienda. Felipe has been nursing me. It has been very lonesome." He caressed her cheek while she was bending over him and they locked their eyes for a moment. "It must have been very bad, you have been gone such a long time," she said. "I was lucky that it was a clear shot and the wound didn't get infected. But it takes time to heal and Zorro will not ride for some time." "Please be careful, I can't stand to lose you." "It is enough now." Taking the cloth from her hands he stopped her attempts with his clothes and took hold of her hands. He placed kisses on both of them, before he put one hand behind her neck and pulled her head down to kiss her lips. "I love you and I always have." Then he heard Alejandro calling. "Diego, is everything alright? Your lunch is getting cold." "He is right, Diego. You should be going." "This was much better than lunch," he smiled. "Will you come to dinner to the hacienda tonight?" "I will but only if you go now, so I can go on working. Otherwise I will lose all my customers if they don't get served." "Always at your service, senorita," he said in his Zorro like manner. Alejandro was wondering what was going on. From the look Diego and Victoria had exchanged before they vanished into he kitchen something had happened. Why had Victoria suddenly turned red when she had tried to clean his shirt? There had been nothing unusual about it and Diego hadn't said anything to forward that reaction. He couldn't interpret the look he had witnessed. It was as if they had shared a very intimate moment with that look what was quite impossible. There was nothing between Victoria and his son. They were just friends and they hadn't even parted on best terms when Diego had left a few weeks before. And from the greeting they had exchanged earlier they hadn't met in the meantime. So why this look? He was satisfied when Diego informed him later that Victoria was coming for Dinner. That would give him the opportunity to investigate further in this matter. He tried to get some information from Diego on their ride back to the hacienda, but Diego was otherwise occupied with his thoughts and gave only one word answers when asked. 5. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 At dinner they found out that the invitation wasn't such a good idea after all. They could hardly conceal the passion in their looks and Alejandro's questions didn't help either. Alejandro wanted to find out what was going on and Diego tried to deflect his questions while he couldn't keep his eyes from Victoria. Diego and Victoria finally resolved to a silent dinner, keeping to themselves, no longer looking at each other. This puzzled Alejandro even more. First they shared that look on the tavern and now they hardly talked to each other? Did they have a fight or why were they so silent? Diego's answers weren't helpful either. "No, they didn't have a fight. No, he wasn't cross with Victoria." He got even more suspicious, when Diego shifted the conversation to the the bull prices at San Pedro, something that normally bored him to death and even Victoria showed an interest. Since his questions were of no use, he decided to let the matter lie and stick to observing them. Diego felt relieved when his father stopped questioning him and the topic turned to more general themes. But he knew him well enough to know that he wasn't off the hook. He needed to talk with Victoria, but not when his father was present. After dinner they were finally alone in the garden hidden from scrutinizing eyes. As soon as they had reached the secluded spot, Victoria was in his arms and they kissed passionately. Breathless they drew apart, the fire burning inside them. "We're definitely in need of a chaperone," Diego said smiling. "What shall we do?" Victoria asked while she slowly trailed with her hand along his cheek. "I don't think I can handle another dinner like tonight." "Neither can I. Have you seen my father, when I started to talk about bulls?" Victoria laughed. "Yes, Alejandro wasn't convinced of your sudden interest. Why did you chose this topic at all?" "I thought of the most boring topic to cool me down." "Obviously it hasn't worked," Victoria observed, feeling his hot skin under her fingers. "Marry me soon please," he kissed her again. "I just can't wait, just tell me how we can do this without making it obvious who you are." "I will think about it as soon as you have left and I can think straight again. Suggestions are welcome." "I can think of only one thing.." She responded quite passionately to his kisses. "If you go on like this, I'll carry you straight to my room and make love to you until you wish to stay the night." "Who says I won't like it?" she teased him. "You're sure?" he whispered in her ear. "I have never been more sure of anything," she answered passionately. Suddenly he swept her in his arms and carried her to his rooms only wincing at little on the strain it put on his shoulder. Fortunately she didn't weigh much. Silently he locked the door behind them and lowered her on the bed. She didn't let go of him and pulled him down with her. Quickly they stripped their clothes and continued where they had stopped the night before. Soon they lay side by side still entangled with their passion sated. "I'd like you to stay the night," he whispered softly in her ear, "but we will soon be missed." "Maybe Diego can visit me tomorrow at siesta time, nobody will find that suspicious." "I can definitely think of several errands that require my presence tomorrow. One will be a talk to Padre Benitez to arrange out wedding date." They had started to dress again, when they heard Alejandro calling for them in the garden. After a short look in the mirror if they were presentable again, Diego opened his bedroom window and helped her outside, before he followed her outside. They rounded the house and through the library window they climbed in again. Properly seated across each other Diego pretended to read when Alejandro came looking for them. "You are here?" Alejandro was surprised. "I have been looking for you in the garden, but couldn't find you." "It's still very warm outside," Victoria extensively used her fan to emphasize her statement, "and Diego wanted to read something." She sounded bored and Diego suppressed a smile at her acting talent, quickly hiding his face behind his book. "How did you get here? I have been in my study the whole time and I haven't seen you pass by." Diego and Victoria had been gone for quite some time and he hadn't been able to find them. If it had been some other couple, this would not have boded well for their reputation. But his Diego and Victoria? No, quite impossible. They were just friends and knew each other for years. Diego was too proper to act anything different than the true gentlemen Alejandro had raised him. Inwardly Alejandro shook his head, but some doubt remained. All of this was very odd. Victoria interrupted his thoughts with her wish to return home. There it was again! The concealed look Diego and Victoria shared when Diego guided her to the door. No, his imagination must be playing tricks on him. Victoria was in love with Zorro and Diego was like a brother to her. He must be getting old, seeing things that weren't there, Alejandro chided himself. 6. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 The next day Diego visited Victoria during siesta time. Behind closed doors they went up to her room and let their passion run free. After all these years of waiting they couldn't get enough of each other. They knew that they should have waited until they were married, but after the first time there was no more stopping and only the end of siesta made them let go of each other. After siesta Diego quietly slipped out of the tavern and went over to the mission. Padre Benitez knew him quite well and after some talk about ornithology that were an interest of both, he patiently waited for Diego to state his request. The padre scolded him of course for his lack of control but was also sympathetic to their case. He was willing to perform the ceremony on short notice and recommended a date in a week. Diego gladly agreed, now he was one step closer to a future with Victoria. Nonetheless there were enough problems to work out. One of them was his father who had become suspicious of his relation to Victoria. He had to be careful whenever he met Victoria in his presence. The other one was the alcalde who was less suspicious but much more dangerous if he found out. But that wouldn't stop them with going on with his life. They had waited long enough and now that Victoria knew his secret, there was no reason to stay apart. Alejandro was surprised that Diego was spending so much time at the pueblo now. Diego had told him that he had to catch up with his work as the editor of The Guardian but Diego had been absent before and afterwards he didn't make so much fuss about the paper. Victoria didn't come over for dinner any more. The last invitation she declined for being too busy, when she had never declined one before. What was going on? Did she have a fight with Diego or not? The next week Diego and Victoria spent the siestas together which were always too short for their liking. They would have preferred to stay overnight but they would be too easily discovered since the lancers were always having a lookout for Zorro and Diego couldn't roam the roofs at night. 7. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 On the day of their wedding Diego and Victoria made a secret trip to the abandoned Windmill where they once had spent the night on the return trip from Santa Paula. Diego had used the last week to make the windmill more comfortable and surprised Victoria with a bed of roses and a cosy fire. Victoria had prepared the meal consisting of Diego's favorite dishes that she put on the table Diego had organized. "Are you happy, Senora de la Vega?" he asked her. "More than anything else," she replied. "It is not the wedding with the big party you may have wished for." "I don't need a big party, I just want to be with the man I love. That is all I ever dreamed of. There will be more occasions for a party." The two days they stayed at the windmill were all they could afford without being missed in Los Angeles. When Alejandro went to the tavern to have lunch, Victoria was absent from her usual place behind the bar. "You'll have to be content with my cooking today, Don Alejandro," Alina, Victoria's helper informed him. "Victoria went for two days to Santa Barbara on some business, she won't be back before tomorrow evening." Victoria was gone and Diego went to the northern estates at the same time, Alejandro was wondering. Was it a coincidence? What was it with the northern estates that Diego went there again, when he had just returned from the north after spending there so many weeks? After his return from the north Diego was in such a good mood that Alejandro couldn't fail to notice it. "Diego, would you like to share with me why you are so happy today?" "It's nothing special father, it's only a book that arrived with the post today that I have been waiting for. It contains some notes from Rossini's opera "The barber of Seville." If you are interested, I'll show them to you." "You are in a good mood because of some notes?" "Yes, father, what else did you expect?" "I just thought it might have something to do with Victoria. Did you meet her on your trip north?" "How could I? I went to the northern territories and that is not on the way to Santa Barbara." "Oh well, if you say so. Somehow I cannot believe you, but come to me if you have something to tell." Alejandro was unconvinced and somehow annoyed by his son. He was sure that his son hadn't told him everything and that the book was simply an excuse. 8. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Two days later Zorro appeared again in town and his appearance was met with great acclaim. After the rumors of his supposed death the people were relieved to see him again. He quickly knocked over the lancers and locked them in the cuartel before he disarmed the alcalde. At the point of Zorro's sword the alcalde had no choice but to rescind the new taxes immediately. As usual Zorro went over to Victoria to talk to her. "Senorita, you look as beautiful as ever." When he took her hand to kiss it, she retreated her hand and faced him. "Zorro, there is something I have to tell you." Startled he looked at her. "I can no longer wait for you. I'm sorry." Don Alejandro stared at her. "Why now, Victoria?" Zorro asked in a surprised voice. "There is someone else now. I thought you were dead and he was there when you weren't..," she said apologetically. "Who is it?" Zorro asked inquiringly. "Don Diego." There was an audible gasp to hear from Don Alejandro and the people around her turned towards the couple. "There is no way to make you change your mind again, Victoria?" Zorro asked her hopefully. "It is already too late for that." The audience looked shocked at her confession, but Zorro didn't show any emotion. "I understand. Then I can only wish you luck and I hope you'll be happy." With a short salute he turned to his horse and galloped out of the pueblo. "Well, what an interesting turn of events," the alcalde sneered. "Senorita Escalante is finally splitting up with our hero. Did I hear it right, you dropped him for Don Diego? Who would have thought that? Maybe we have seen the last of Zorro, after he lost his love to the studious caballero." "That is none of your business, alcalde. If you excuse me, I have a tavern to attend." Victoria turned round and headed to her tavern trying to ignore the stares of the people. Without looking at anybody she went straight to the kitchen and dropped on the bench. Relieved she exhaled and leaned against the wall her eyes closed. Her break was short lived, because moments later Don Alejandro entered the kitchen. "Victoria, I have to talk to you. I cannot believe what you just said to Zorro. Are you and Diego really...?" He didn't finish his sentence leaving the question hanging in the air. "Don Alejandro, I don't want to talk about it right now. Diego can confirm that it is true what I said today." "Then I shall best talk to my son, but I think you should better come to the hacienda as well. I want to talk to you both and we'd better do it at the hacienda." Shocked and angry at Diego he left for his hacienda to question his suddenly not so proper son. 9. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 "Diego, I have to talk to you." Angrily Alejandro strode into the library where his son was reading. "Father is something wrong?" Diego faced his father innocently, putting his book aside. "Something wrong? That's quite an understatement. I just had to witness a conversation between Victoria and Zorro and it was the most embarrassing talk I ever heard. And half of the pueblo was present when Victoria told Zorro what I never wanted to hear." "What did she say?" Diego asked with a blank face. "She split up with Zorro and she told him that you were the reason. What I want to know from you if this is true? You and Victoria?" He didn't finish the sentence again, the topic was too embarrassing for him. "If you must know, father, it is true. Of course Victoria and I will marry as soon as possible. Will next week be right for you?" "You're talking about this as if this was an invitation for a dinner and not for your wedding. How can you take this so easily? I still can't believe it. Victoria was distressed, because she thought that Zorro was dead and you had nothing better to do than to take advantage of her. Victoria probably broke Zorro's heart today after all these years he has been true to her. How could you do this to them? I thought I had raised you better." "Father, it is not as you think. You don't know everything." "He's right, Don Alejandro," added Victoria. In his rage Alejandro hadn't noticed Victoria enter the library who had followed Alejandro from the pueblo. Without comment Diego opened his arms and Victoria went straight into his embrace ignoring Alejandro's angry look. Seeing them so close only enhanced Alejandro's rage. "I don't want to see the two of you together until you are properly wed." Alejandro growled. "Then there won't be a problem," Diego grinned mischievously turning his attention to the woman in his arms. "I'm sorry I had to put you through this, Victoria. You were marvelous today." "It was my idea and it served our purpose well to get officially married soon." "If only the padre will be so easily persuaded as the alcalde. I'm not looking forward to talk to him again." Alejandro looked at them uncomprehendingly. "What are you talking about? Shouldn't you show at least a little remorse for what you have done? Victoria, I really thought better of you. All those years Zorro courted you and you promised to wait for him and now it seems as if it was nothing to you!" "Father, I think you should really sit down. There are some things I need to tell you." Diego pointed to Alejandro's favorite chair and motioned him to sit while he and Victoria sat down together on the sofa, never letting her go. Alejandro slowly lowered himself to the edge of the seat ready to jump up instantly. "The problem with the padre, father, is that we are already married since last week. You really did raise me well. And Victoria didn't break Zorro's heart today, because I am Zorro." Alejandro opened his mouth to say something, but he was too stunned to utter a word. "The conversation today in the pueblo was just a ruse to make everyone believe that Zorro and I are two different persons when of course we are not." The moment Diego said it, he shed his Diego attitude like an old skin that had become too small for him letting his father see through the invisible mask he had been wearing the last years. Alejandro only continued to stare at his son who had so thoroughly changed in front of his eyes. Only the tight grip on the armrests prevented him from sliding down at the carpet. Now that Diego had stopped acting, there was the man he knew as Zorro sitting in front of him. His whole bearing was much more self confident and commanding than the son he knew. Even his voice had changed and was much lower now. "You are Zorro!" It wasn't a question but a statement that came from Alejandro's lips. "For how long have you known, Victoria?" "Only since she spilled the food over my jacket, the day I returned form the north." Diego answered. Then he began to explain most of the events from the last days except for the private parts. Alejandro saw his former suspicions confirmed guessing some of the details Diego so conveniently left out. Diego had to explain a lot more that night until it was time to retire. He took his wife up in his arms and carried her to his room leaving his bewildered father behind who was still trying to grasp all the news he learned today. End file.

Revelations by katie1999

Zorro

Tornado's Thoughts: Saving The Fox _Inspired by my beta **IcyWaters,** I wrote this one shot from Tornado's POV - it will be one of three Tornado one shots. Enjoy!_ **Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z** Saving the Fox We were chasing along the landscape, on the heels of another rider. His horse was no match for me. Stretching my legs, I made up ground easily, bringing my rider next to the other man. In an instant, I felt lighter as my master leaped off my back, landing behind the other rider on his horse. Slowing my pace a bit I stayed behind, ready for when my master, whose clothes were as black as my coat, would need me again. My master was a good man. He risked his life to help others. They called him El Zorro, the fox. I don't know much about foxes, I'm only a horse. But if those animals are anything like my master, they certainly were clever, sly, agile and always had an escape route ready. Leisurely galloping behind the other horse, I saw Zorro fighting with its rider. He slid off the side of the steed, hanging in mid air next to the horse's body, which was in full flight. The other rider was trying to push Zorro off the horse, using anything to help him accomplish that. Angrily, I snorted. I loved my master and I'd do anything to ensure he wasn't hurt. Seeing him in such a vulnerable position, being assaulted by the other rider, wasn't to my liking. I decided to up my speed to catch up with them again. Just as I got close enough, I saw both riders falling off the other horse, rolling down a ravine at high speed. I dug my hind hooves into the sandy ground and turned around, carefully peering over the edge of the ravine. What I saw was not to my liking. The men had rolled down all the way to the bottom. My master had come to a stop with his head hitting a rock and he wasn't moving. I flared my nostrils in concern and slowly made my way over the edge. The other man had been lucky. He was picking himself up slowly but he seemed unharmed. Realizing his opponent was out for the count, the villain grabbed a large club and set to make his way towards Zorro, who still wasn't moving. I recognised the man's intentions and fury ran through my body. Not caring anymore about the steepness of the hillside, I let out a shrill whinny and burst towards the man who was raising his club. He noticed me, realizing I charged straight at him, and used the club to defend himself from my prowling hooves. Rising onto my hind legs, I used my front ones to drive the man off my master. I snorted and whinnied as loud as I could. On the one hand, I tried to scare the man; on the other hand, I tried to rouse my master. Finally, as I had backed the villain into a corner, from the edge of my vision I noticed the black silhouette stirring. Zorro got to his feet, wobbling a bit and holding his head. He took in the situation and, drawing his sword, he called for me to back down and took charge of the prisoner I made. Once the man was secured onto his own horse, I walked up to my Zorro, nuzzling at his chest. He smiled at me, rubbing his gloved hand gently over my nose. It was his way of thanking me. To me, he seemed like he was in pain, but he tried not to show it. I knew it from the way he looked at me. His pain showed in his eyes. Mounting me slower than usual, I promised him with a snort to look out for him. He felt my concern and patted my neck, trying to reassure me. "Go, boy," he gently urged me and soon we were on our way to bring yet another scoundrel to justice. ***zzz*** We were flying over the grassy rolls of the rough land around us, heading towards home. Zorro had delivered the man to the cuartel, via the wall and the roof, and had returned the stolen payroll to the waiting soldiers. They appreciated their money so much that none even bothered chasing after us. Usually we would lead them on a wild goose chase until it was time to lose them in order to return home. So this time our home coming was rather uneventful. Passing through the vines into the cave, I was looking forward to a drink of water and some hay. Zorro dismounted and saw to it that I was well cared for. Then he came up to me again, laying his arms around my neck, resting his head on my shoulder. "Gracias, mi amigo," he rasped. "I'm sure I would feel a lot worse right now if you hadn't kept the messenger off me. I'm not even sure I'd be alive otherwise." Not changing his position, he lifted his right hand and gripped my mane. "Thanks to you, I only have to deal with a headache and some bruises. I think I need to rest a bit, to reduce the soreness I feel..." Zorro leaned even more into me and I nibbled playfully on his back. Usually he didn't allow this too long but this time he didn't protest. I only noticed something was off when his right hand slid out if my mane the same time his knees gave in and he fell to the ground with a thump. I nudged him with my head, but his eyes stayed closed and he made no sound. I snorted, concerned. So I started to nibble on the crook of his neck, still no reaction. Lifting my head I whinnied, softly first, then louder, hoping to alert his human friend, Bernardo. When there was no sound from the passageway, I started stomping my hooves on the stone floor. Just as I was about to become frantic, I heard footsteps rushing our way and Bernardo appeared in the cave. He looked at me, then at the still form at my hooves and sprang to life. After a few attempts, Bernardo managed to rouse Zorro. He helped his friend stand up and grabbed his arm tightly for support. Smiling at me, he then made to help his groggy friend out of the cave towards his room. I watched the pair disappear, glad to see my master walking on his own two feet. That impact with the boulder must have been quite hard and I was sure Zorro would need a day's rest to recover. And that meant a day's rest for me, too. Happily, I started munching on my hay, but as much as I would enjoy the rest, I knew I would enjoy my next outing with the fox even more. End file.

Tornado's Thoughts: Saving The Fox by miXiZ

Zorro

Unburdening the Soul This story takes place right after the episode "The Discovery". **Unburdening the Soul by Linda Bindner** Alejandro explained perfectly. "When Gilberto was going to shoot you, he said 'I'm not only going to kill Diego, but I'm going to kill...' Then he didn't finish. Do you know what he was going to say, Diego?" He expectantly stared at his son. Diego froze. It appeared the time for confession was upon him, whether he was ready for it or not. He glanced around, looking for any one eavesdropping. The crowded, bustling plaza hardly seemed the place for a disclosure of this magnitude, but he guessed his father already knew the truth, or at least suspected it. How could he witness that sword fight with Emissary Risendo and not wonder about his other son's activities? It may have even prompted his question. Diego took one last glance across the plaza at Felipe and Victoria, still conversing about the sudden announcement of his plans to adopt Felipe and make him a permanent member of the family. The announcement, while a surprise, had been on Diego's mind almost as much as revealing his identity. But he had to tell the truth, while DeSoto was busy with the padre and his own stomach was full of this burning need to explain his actions. The glance gave him the strength to whisper, "Not here. In the alley, perhaps." Diego led his willing father between the tavern and the house next door, and the sudden quiet pounded on his ears. He walked almost to the back end, surrounded on one side by open land and the other by the active town going about its business of living. Living was the point, really, and Diego felt another surge of courage wash over him. In the span of only a breath or a heartbeat, he was suddenly tired of all the deception. And there was only one way to end it. "Father, this may come as a bit of a shock to you," began Diego, aware only of the pounding of his heart against his ribs and his father's increased expectancy. "But things aren't always what they appear." "What do you mean, Son?" asked Alejandro, barely containing his excitement. He leaned forward. The wind blew his silver hair across his shoulders in agitation. Such details became more noticeable the more Diego spoke. "Do you know how I never seem to be around when trouble starts brewing anywhere?" He kept his voice low, almost indiscernable in the breeze that scoured the pueblo. He peeked around back, and when he saw no one obviously listening, he felt oddly satisfied. He was going to finally tell his most hidden secret, and the idea gave him a shiver of anticipation. He was ready. Alejandro nodded. "You're always too busy or sick or out of town. You're never available." It had been his greatest disappointment to ascertain his son's weakness, as he saw it. Diego nodded as well. "There's a good explanation for that," he said. "I'm glad to hear it," Alejandro murmured, truly appearing delighted that his worst concerns were empty. The smile from his father again gave Diego the courage to continue. He took a deep breath, smelling the dust and grass of California, letting it tickle his nose in contented reminders of childhood and of why he was standing there, gloriously alive. He muttered the two words that he'd hidden for so long to keep those he loved safe and alive. "I'm Zorro." Surprise or astonishment didn't seem to be in Alejandro's reaction category. He smiled and nodded, as if he'd expected such an unprecedented acknowledgment from his son. "I'm glad you finally told me," was what he said. Diego stared in surprise. "You knew?" he asked, confounded, amazed yet delighted to have his craziest suspicions confirmed. "I suspected," imparted Alejandro, looking suddenly too wise for his years. "I couldn't watch that fight between you and Gilberto and not wonder why I had never seen such a fierce display of sword play from you. With your left hand, no doubt! You were so good, it was almost as if you were a different person. But I recognized that style. It wasn't hard to figure out who you reminded me of." Diego warily eyed his parent. "Do you understand what kind of danger this information puts you in?" Again Alejandro nodded. "I do, and do you understand that I would do so no matter the danger?" That concession surprised Diego again. "Are you saying that the risks mean nothing to you?" "I'm saying that the risks are minimal if it means finally knowing the real son I have," Alejandro said, while glancing up the alley, away from the land, towards the town and any danger of being overheard. "The risks have never been minimal," protested Diego, his bent right arm beginning to ache from the increased pressure of wind. "They are when compared to my disatisfaction over the past few years," Alejandro argued. "I've said many things in my ignorance, and I ask for your forgiveness if they hurt." Diego looked away from that piercing gaze, suddenly finding the dirt of the alley a fascinating subject of study. "They did hurt," he admitted, feeling the sting of those comments even now. "But know that the bluffing was part of the disguise, and you had to be fooled, even if it cost me my dignity." "And it must have cost that dignity dearly," Alejandro said, one hand raising to help support his son's injured arm, then falling once more by his side. "Again, I can only apologize for my lack of insight. I'm sorry I didn't recognize the truth sooner." Raised brows met that apology. "You weren't meant to. Don't apologize for doing exactly what I wanted you to do." "But I should apologize for the derogatory comments." Alejandro sighed in consternation. "They were given for the son I thought I had. Even though I was proud of you, and I loved you, the comments must have been biting." Now it was Alejandro's turn to examine the dirt. "It's all forgiven," Diego insisted, thinking exalted thoughts of his father; he knew what such an admittance cost his proud parent. A feminine laugh made them look around, and they both caught sight of a blowing skirt as it passed the alleyway, heading towards the tavern porch. The sight made Alejandro start, and he suddenly asked an ardent question, "Does Victoria know?" Diego looked down again, hanging his head, suddenly feeling shame. "No," he whispered. This time Alejandro did look surprised. "You mean you've never told her?" "The risk is as high for her as it is for you. Higher, perhaps," Diego explained, hoping his father would understand. But Alejandro was shaking his head. "You have to tell her. Today." Diego felt his heart turn to ice at the suggestion. "I'm afraid," he admitted, relieved at the reluctant admission of hidden fears, fears he'd carried alone for a long time. "Afraid? Of Victoria?" Alejandro spluttered in indignant awe. Diego could only nod in mute misery. When he could speak, he confessed in a whisper, "I'm afraid she'll be angry. I've kept the secret from her for years. Lied for years." Again Alejandro was shaking his head, making his hair dance in the wind. "I know Victoria Escalante, and she might react with surprise, even astonishment at hearing the news, but never anger." "Maybe I know her better than you do," predicted Diego, intent now on his worries. "It's all in your head!" Alejandro slapped his son on the right arm without thinking, reacting with the enthusiasm he'd had for years. "There's no way she won't grab you up the minute you tell her." As much as the slap hurt, the gesture brought an amount of encouragement with it. But still Diego wanted to be cautious. "I'm not so sure," he forced himself to say. Alejandro looked at the son he'd almost lost, and smiled, happy that Diego was alive. He shook his head again. "I'm in awe," he admitted, his voice low and for Diego's ears only. "Here's my studious son, telling me that he's a legend in secret, having hidden his true skills for years, and admitting that he's frightened of the woman he loves... I'm overwhelmed by the courage this kind of admission must take." And he sounded awed, overwhelmed, ecstatic at Diego's unburdening; to think of the son he had! Diego wasn't nearly so overwhelmed. "This is why I never told you," he said. Alejandro brushed the reasoning aside. "Why? It's easier to believe the bad?" "I've been living with the bad for so long that the good seems nightmarish itself," Diego imparted. Alejandro's face became soft on the heals of that affirmation. "I never knew you were such a worrier," he said, comprehending. "You might be afraid, but you have to tell her." "I know," Diego said in some reluctance, but acknowledging his father's correctness in a quiet voice. Alejandro suddenly clapped his hands together, coming to a fast decision, as was his standard behavior. "There's no time like the present. I won't get those grandchildren I want if we stand here, gabbing all day." With that, and without a look at Diego for permission, he started back up the alley, intent on entering the tavern and being there to lend support. Diego shook his head at the impetuous action, yet realizing his parent couldn't help himself. Feeling drained from the divulgence, even if his father had known the truth, he took another deep breath of California dust and internally braced himself to tell Victoria of his deepest secret, then slowly followed his father up the alley. The tavern was busy, full of smiling patrons and excited talking. Apparently the news of their deliverance from the evil Emissary had already traveled around the pueblo; everyone knew. It was not the scene Diego had always invisioned for his confession, and he wondered if he should put off his plan, waiting for a more conducive atmosphere. "Stop stalling," suggested Alejandro, knowing his son well enough to understand how hard this must be for him. Diego protested, starting to say, "Don't you think..." But his voice was swallowed up by the eruption of laughter from several caballeros gathered around one of the tables. Diego looked first to them, but it wasn't long before old habit made him look for Victoria, conscious of the task ahead of him, but conscious of her presence at the same time. He was always aware of her, he admitted to himself. He could hardly help it. She burned into him with a force not easily reckoned with, not easily pushed aside. He could hardly help feeling her presence in a room, even a busy one like the tavern. His emotions for her made themselves known as fiercely as the Alcalde's inexplicable wrath, or as intensely as the sun's beating warmth. Even now, with his heart pounding like thunder against his ribs, he couldn't help but love her. There she was, behind the bar, prepared to put a stop to the loudness of the caballeros, until she saw Don Alejandro walk up to his friends, trusting him to be a calming influence, to keep them under control for her. Hesitating, she retained her watchful position, but didn't interfere in their conversation. Watching himself, Diego felt his love like it was a physical force, but he refused to get swept away in too much emotion. At his father's insistence, he had a job to do. "Victoria," he said by way of greeting, allowing his true self and all it's encumbering emotions to show for the first time. For all purposes, there was no going back now. She smiled until she comprehended the emotion blazing in his eyes, and she faltered, yet nodded her head in greeting herself. "Diego. Again, I'm sorry to hear of your family's problems." Diego leaned on the green countertop. "Thank you, though it's all right. Or it's going to be." His voice had a determined edge to it. Victoria didn't quite know how to respond to this new Diego. He seemed so much more sure of himself, so confident. She supposed that's what was to be expected from his reputed battle with the man who went from Emissary to brother in the span of a heartbeat. Winning such a battle, especially at sword fighting, must give much confidence. Diego looked at her... Expectantly? Shyly? Helplessly? Victoria couldn't unravel all the emotions she saw in his eyes just then. "Can you do me a favor, please, Victoria?" he asked, his blue eyes now intent. Victoria nodded. "It's the least I can do for old friends on a day like today." He smiled gratefully at her. "I have something important to tell you, and I don't want to be interrupted. I wonder if you can close the tavern early today, and give us the privacy I need?" The request surprised Victoria, and even though it meant missing dinner and the evening revilries, some of her busiest times, she agreed, haunted by the expression she saw in his eyes. Her best friend's family so rarely asked anything of her that she couldn't refuse this unusual request. But what was going on? "Just give me a minute to clear everybody out." While Victoria went around from table to table with news of her closing, Diego took a seat on a bench that faced the door, old habits dying hard. He was simply glad that the Alcalde wasn't present. Diego didn't need his suspicions as well, piled on top of the concerns that naturally stemmed from this disclosure. He had enough to deal with already. It took fifteen minutes for Victoria to clear the tavern while he waited, dread building in his stomach to form a knot of nervousness long before she was done. But everyone seemed to be in a good mood because of the Emissary's death, and she had little trouble with her many patrons, though she interrupted more than one conversation when she herded her happy customers through the door. When they had all left except Diego and herself, she shut the double doors on the sunlight streaming into the plaza, and even locked them against further intrusions. She must have been enflamed with curiosity by then. Satisfied that her tavern was clear of the usual patrons, Victoria slid onto the bench across from him. "I'm all yours now, Diego. What did you want to tell me?" Instead of talking right away, Diego reluctantly joined her on the long bench she was sitting on. He looked at the kitchen curtain still waving, and said, "This must be costing you a lot of money in lost business. We'll repay you, naturally." "It's the least I can do," she said, all the while knowing that he was somehow gathering his courage together, toughening up, so to speak, so that he could say what he wanted to say. But this Diego was so different from the one she knew; she hardly knew how to react. "I'm stalling," he finally said with a tiny smile, his shirt glaring white against the darker backdrop of the tavern and the bloodstain on his sleeve. "That's what my father would say." She had seen Don Alejandro leaving the tavern, a knowing expression on his face. He'd claimed he wanted to look for Felipe anyway, and didn't mind in the least that he was being asked to vacate his favorite spot, but his aspect declared that he knew something else. As she stared at the son, she wondered what Alejandro knew that she didn't. "So then, just spit it out," Victoria suggested. "That's what I always do." Diego played with a water mark on the table, but his smile widened and grew. "I know." Suddenly, he stopped his play and turned to face her. "Victoria, what I'm about to say will probably come as a shock to you, and I don't get any enjoyment for your pains. But you, of all people, should know." This was serious. Nervously, Victoria laughed through her nose. "What is it, Diego?" Looking ashamed, contrite, yet hopeful of the future, Diego hung his head and whispered, "I'm Zorro." The avowal sounded loud in the empty room, despite his whispers. "You're what?" asked a confounded Victoria. Diego sighed, but his eyes never wavered from her face, fiery in his profoundness. He took her hands. "I'm Zorro," he repeated, still whispering. Victoria's eyes went wide. "That's what I thought you said." She never would have guessed this in a million years, even if she didn't understand the new disguise he was wearing that day. She thought his new personality had been because of the Emissary's revelations. She took short gasps of air, incredulous. "Please," Diego went on, "don't be angry that I didn't tell you before now. There were always reasons that held me back. The danger in knowing was... paramount. I didn't want anything to happen to you." "Didn't want anything to happen?" she replied, too shocked to say more, or to feel more. Again came the enigmatic smile. "The moment my brother died, I understood that life is more important than any amount of safety. I almost died myself today, and that made me wonder about you; where would you be? What would become of you? I couldn't keep such a secret any longer from the woman I love more than anything. I wanted you to know, needed you to know, and almost confessed everything in the plaza today." "Is that what that was about?" asked Victoria, her eyes still glazed. "So you don't plan to adopt Felipe?" "Oh, yes, I plan to adopt him, all right. Felipe is very important to me. But you're more important, perhaps the most important. I was frightened in the plaza, but I've had time to think since, and I'm not afraid any longer. It was your right to know." Victoria sat, unmoving on the bench, stunned. Eventually, she remonstrated, "But you're nothing like Zorro." Diego tried to be patient, but it was difficult. In reality he wanted to put his arms around her, comfort her. He needed her to need him. "Of course I'm not. If I'm too similar, the Alcalde might grow suspicious of my activities." Her dazedness was starting to concern him. His brows drew down and his eyes narrowed in apprehension at her unresponsiveness. "Victoria, are you all right? You're not angry, are you?" She responded automatically. "Angry? No, I'm fine. Just fine." She laughed again, but the sound was closer to the hysterics she felt than anything normal. "It's you we should be worried about. Only a nasty scrape could bleed so much." Diego looked at the bloodstain on his sleeve. True, the stain was getting bigger, and spreading by the minute, but... She was worried about his wound, at a time like this? "It's fine, a scrape, like you said. Nothing to be concerned about." "I'll get my medical kit to wrap it," Victoria stated, and moved numbly off the bench. Diego watched her go, and it was as if she was taking the future with her. "Victoria, I..." But she was already gone, a wraith that sent her kitchen curtains waving again. She was back in a moment, denying his concerns that she needed time alone to think. If she planned to react with fury, then he wanted her to cry on his shoulders, not cry to an empty room. He didn't want to leave her to go through such pain by herself anymore. Instead, she arrived almost perfunctorily, carrying her medical kit wrapped up in a towel. More towels for bandages were in her other hand. Again he tried to protest, "It's nothing, Victoria, nothing..." "It's not nothing," she argued, the first spirit she had shown since the conversation began, as she rolled his shirt sleeve up high. She looked numb still, but coherent enough to go about her task with sure hands. But she stopped when she had untied the previous bandage and looked more closely at the wound. "This is a bullet hole," she said rather unnecessarily. Diego played hesitantly with his sleeve. "Yes. I was shot while rescuing Toronado. But it's a light wound," he said, not wanting her to worry on his account. "I can barely feel it." That was a lie, of course; the wound itched and burned like a thousand hot worms were crawling through it, but he would rather bleed than admit that to her. She silently went about the job of cleaning off the old blood and rebinding it. "I won't tell your father if you don't wish me to." "He'd just worry," Diego said, agreeing with her promise to remain silent. Victoria tied the bandage around his arm, making sure that no more blood seeped through the rags, but she hesitated at the last tie, slowing in her self-appointed task until she came to a complete stop, a pensive look on her face. Time stood still. This was it, the moment for acceptance or rejection. The knowledge made Diego's heart slam against his ribs again. He looked at her beautiful face, and couldn't stop himself from whispering, "Victoria, I..." He didn't get any further. Suddenly, Victoria threw herself against his chest, and it no longer mattered to Diego that his wounded right arm ached. "I'm sorry, Diego," Victoria began, her voice small and not sounding like her own. "You did almost the same thing for me not long ago, and I suddenly remembered that night..." He tightened his hold on her. "Sh! I know this must be shocking to you..." She shook her head against his chest. "When I think of all you've done for me, for the pueblo, and then I think of some of the things I've said..." Diego didn't want to hear it. "Don't worry about it," he calmed. "It's all part of our past, now. Just hold me. Make me feel like everything will be all right." He was talking about the aftereffects of his fight with his brother, but she misunderstood. She thought he referred to his admission. "It will be all right, now. I'm sorry I acted so numb before." "You were just surprised. That's perfectly understandable." His hand drifted down her hair again and again in a soothing caress. He shook his head in amazement. "God, I love you, Victoria. I was so scared I would never be able to do this again." "You can do it whenever you like," she invited. "Thank you for finally telling me. That must have been very frightening." "I've never been so scared in all my life," he admitted, closing his eyes and feeling her sweet presence in his arms. "I was so certain you would be angry..." Victoria snorted a laugh. "Angry? How could I be angry?" "Well, you're temper is rather famous," Diego said wryly. He knew what an understatement he was making. "I'm not angry," she insisted once more. "Only the injustice we have to suffer makes me angry, not you. If not for that, I could marry you and wake up to you every day. There would be no need for Zorro." He tightened his grip. "If not for you, there would be no Zorro. You're the reason why I couldn't give him up after all these years. Seeing you, loving you, even a bit at a time, made him well worth any amount of suffering." She laughed into his chest. The sound was normal now, round and healthy after all that numbness. "And now? What do you want to do now?" Diego answered immediately. "Right now, I just want to be held and loved." He dropped a kiss on her hair. "Soon I want to start courting you so that eventually we can be together without raising eyebrows, without any danger. I can use my brother's death as an excuse if anybody gets curious. Life is too short to share you with anybody, even with Zorro." She leaned back then, a contemplative look on her face again. "You sound as if that doesn't cause you any pain, but I know that any death in your family would..." Diego scooted closer to her on the bench. "I know he was my brother, and his death does affect me somewhat, but yours would affect me much more. I shudder to think of the day; my life would be so empty then." And he did shiver, a movement that traveled all the way through him. His love coursed from his toes to the top of his head, then, settling in his chest to make his heart hurt with the feeling of it. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand then, unable to stop himself. "You're so beautiful, Victoria. I love you so much." Approaching tears were in his voice, and he couldn't stop from gathering her in his arms again. Victoria embraced him hard, then lifted her head, desire evident on her face, and he didn't resist the invitation as he leaned down to kiss her, refusing to mask the full amount of his emotions for the first time that he could remember. They parted. Panting, gulping for breath, he leaned his head against her forehead, doing his best to contain his emotions for her, but losing the fight even as he tried. He couldn't stop himself when he kissed her again, his emotions as hot and fiery as his skin, wanting nothing more than to touch his lips to places on her that were indecent and sacred. Victoria felt surprised by his apparently heightened lack of control, but she reveled in it, deepening his kiss before he had the chance, running her hands over his back, his chest, anything she could touch, whether or not clothes were in the way. She ran her fingers through his hair, down his hot cheeks, around his neck, her heart pounding as loudly as his. This was what she had wanted, what she had waited for, and she grabbed it with both fists the second it presented itself. Victoria moaned, a noise that sounded ragged in the silence of the empty tavern. The sound brought Diego reluctantly to his senses, and he wished it hadn't. The sensations that her lips caused in him were pleasant, furious, deep, and their rapid climb made sense laborious. But his honor was equally as strong as his desire. Kissing his ear minutes later, she proclaimed in a whisper, "I don't think I can stand much more secrecy; you better court me quickly. I want to show my feelings for you before the whole town. I want everyone to know that I love you, only you." She kissed him again, passion so clear in her endearment. He held her close, promising that he would never put himself through something like this day again. He felt even more drained from this heartstopping disclosure, from the divulgence of his secret with his father, from the intense battle with Gilberto, from his struggle against the rocks in Diablo Canyon. When he awoke to start the day, he'd never have thought he might go through so much in a twelve hour period, or that he would win so incredibly. But he had his Victoria, and he would never let her go. End file.

Unburdening the Soul by lbindner

Zorro

The Son, And Yet Not Dear Diego, --yes, that will do. Your name alone makes sense in a way that *don* never did and *father*, unfortunately, never will. I won't be coming back for Christmas. I have balls of paper crumpled up in my paper bin with reasons as to why. An exam that needs to be prepared, lonely friends I should spend time with. I won't insult you with trying to pretend that they are the truth. I could study for my exam in Los Angeles, and I know you would not mind if I brought with me some friend who needed it. The truth is, I do not want to go back right now. I need some time to myself, to figure out who I am and what I should do with my life. If you think I said no to the adoption with an easy heart, you are wrong. The hardest part about it was to hurt you so much. Still I know I made the right decision. I cannot be the things you want of me, and to be frank, I do not even really want to. I wince at my own cruelty writing this, but I need you to understand, and you do not seem to listen anymore. It is an ironic twist of fate, since you are the one person who has always been able to understand me before. This is the first time words have ever been needed between us, and part of me resents that. Not you, never you, but the situation that has come between us. That even don Alejandro understands my decision better than you do. You *are* my father, Diego, in every way that matters. You have done more for me than anyone else in the world, but I am not a De La Vega. I never will be. I wish I had been able to claim I would be proud to be a De La Vega, but it is simply not true. I am proud to know the De La Vegas, but your life is not mine. Maybe if I had been born to it as you are -- but then again, even you needed to escape from it. For me, it is wrong in every possible way. I cannot dress up like a nobleman, get myself a new name and new manners and forget what I come from. It would feel like living a lie, and I have been doing that for too long already. I don't regret the past, but I also refuse to regret the future. I need to know who I am. I am a son of the peasants and the soil, as well as the war that followed and the good life you gave me. I know the joys and hardships of those lives, and I will always remember it. I am an orphan with only the name Felipe to call my own, my family name I cannot remember, if I ever had one. My friends and I have been toying with different ideas for names, being a variant I am rather fond of. has been suggested, but that I like less, even though it is true I am a climbing bird in many ways. I am also a cat among the ermines, of which I am proud and amused. I am a mute. It is no less a part of me than any of those other things. Granted, there have been times when I have held my hopes of speaking, but this is the way things are. Maybe it will change some day, maybe not. As the moslems say, Insh'allah. That is another reason why it is so hard to face you. Although I know you want to give me your unconditional support, I see in your face so much hopes and wishes and despair, and I simply cannot agree to those emotions. My life is not second best. You taught me to hold my head high, and to believe in myself. In that belief, there is no room for what if. If I am to have any pride, it has to be complete, and so I am proud of my handicap. At times it may be frustrating with the prejudices and misunderstandings I have to face, but that is not something that lessens *me*. I have been living with this for fourteen years, Diego, how can I see it as something else than an essential part of myself? The first time I heard again, I cried. Not from joy of what I had gained, that came later. I cried from grief of what I had lost. It sounds insane, I know it, and maybe it is not possible to understand for someone who hasn't been there. Our limitations are parts of us, and I had lost one of those parts. That was what made me so unsure, why I didn't want to tell people. If I wasn't myself anymore, how could I know how people would react to this new person? I don't think I would cry if I got my voice back. After all, I am older now and more mature. But if I live the rest of my life mute, I will not feel displeased at my deathbed. Have I been able to make you understand, now that I have used words on you? Sometimes, forgive me for saying this, you can be so thick. I cannot be angry with you. For one thing, I am laughing too hard. Since I started writing, my roommate Javi has entered, along with a girl from town called Consuela. They know better than to disturb me, and so they spend their time sitting on my bed and competing in who can make the ugliest faces. Those two do not act their age. I will be spending Christmas with them, so you can rest easily, knowing that I am in very bad company. Send my love to don Alejandro, Victoria, the baby, and all of our friends back in Los Angeles. I will come see you all, soon I hope. Just not yet. If baby starts walking before I come, you are free to write and scold me, and any longer than that I fully expect you to come over in person and drag me back in my hair. But for now, just give me some time and space, and remember that I love you very much. yours Felipe End file.

The Son, And Yet Not by Katta

Zorro

Please Wait For Me Please Wait For Me Lyric Quill The night tasks are the ones most difficult, to be sure. It does not take much of a man to sit and drink tea whilst his manslaves perform his hard labor for him. But it takes a man with a bit more courage and spirit to take sword in hand and attack his Majesty's castle walls with only his brains and his weapon to aid him. At least, that is what Rosarita said to me. Tornado was almost as weary as I after the latest exploit. He, of course, braved the men who dared oppose him by running through them in his swifter-than-lightning speed. I, on the other hand, have to take my sword and plough through the thick of them. Invigorating, to be sure, but tiring nonetheless. I barely made it home in time to nod goodnight to my father. He gets a bit suspicious, sometimes, at my late night returns to the _hacienda. _But then, of course, he always proceeds to draw his own conclusion. I was out with the sergeant, perhaps. Stargazing, most likely. Silly boy. "Diego, why can't you... be as other men?" And then of course, there is you, Rosarita. Asking me such personal questions on such a beautiful night. Why can't I be as other men? Ridiculous question. They grow too much hair, you see. "I'm certain that since you went to that... the _university..."_ My, my. The way you say it causes it to sound like such a crude word. University, how perfectly wretched. "... you haven't even skinned a knee. In the meantime, other men are dying at the end of lances and daggers to fight for their freedom." Of course I haven't skinned a knee. I've dislocated one. Why, I'm so languid at times it horrifies me. Tonight, I'm shamed to say, I've escaped with a mere dozen sword wounds and a nasty knock on the head. But what can that do? You're still lovely. Both of you. "Why can't you get up and fight, instead of sending those useless letters of yours? They do nothing, you know that. When you were younger, you never would have even thought of writing a letter. You would have taken instant action, to defend the side of the underdog." You're right, my dear _senorita. _It does not sound too intelligent, now, does it? But then, of course, I only went to a _university. _ Here you turn to me earnestly, flashing me a disapproving look, though I am quite certain I have not said anything. "What happened to you, Diego? Why were you more a man at ten years old than you are nearly fifteen years later?" I can't answer that. If only you knew, _senorita, _you would not be so quick to criticize. I think about telling you at times. Honestly. But then again, if I informed you of my secret identity, I would put you at risk. I cannot do that, for your sake, or for mine. "I do not understand." I say, politely. Exasperated sigh. "Oh, Diego! For someone so smart you are as dim as the sergeant, at times!" "Rosarita, I demand to know why you are acting this way." It's hard to appear unruffled sometimes. No doubt you are alarmed by my aberrant display of anger. "Why can't you remember what you used to stand for?!" "Wait..." Slap. ... ... ...My, how charming your retreating back looks. The beautiful sway of your hips is enchanting, as well. Your red shawl, almost as scarlet as the deepening red mark on my cheek. __ Senorita, I have to say that caused greater damage than a thousand rocks being hurled in my direction, hurt more than a dozen bullet wounds in the stomach. Is that truly what this has come to, my dear Rosarita? Can you not see the fire that is still in my eyes? Perhaps my subterfuge is a bit too effective. No. This is what I want. I could care less about the admiration I would receive from you if you knew I, the ever-enervated Diego, was your charming prince. I do not want to see the happiness in your dark eyes when you would see me. And, in turn, I do not mind seeing the disapproval and sadness that flickers across your expression when I appear to you now. Yes, I could honestly say that I would always choose keeping my identity secret rather than inform you. Then why does a single slap sting so much? The philosophers say that the stars hold the answers. But when I look at them, all I see is a large sword in the sky. Yes, I like to say it is mine. On some nights I see Tornado. A magnificent stallion, he is; no finer horse blood found anywhere in California. I've seen him out-race the wind. But on most nights, all the other constellations are blocked from my sight, except for the sword. It's double edged, Rosarita, did you know that? You say I can do nothing compared to other men. Perhaps you are right. For other men have the courage I do not, the strength I do not, the valor, the fiery determination, is that correct? It appears to be what you deduced. But have you searched deeper? I'm begging for you to see me, the true me, but you are just as easily fooled as the rest of them. Zorro gives everything, as you have once told me, and I know that to be correct. My thanks are the fleeting, grateful glances of the young children I save, from the _rancheros _I help. My thanks, more often than not, is the stinging brush of a bullet, a painful swipe of a sword. I do not regret it, for it is what I love. My blood sings when I am defending my people, _senorita! _My heart races with excitement as time and time again I am victorious in battle! And yet... The rejection I receive from the ones I love dearest. Bernardo understands, because, though he is a man deprived of one sense and pretending to be deprived of a second, he rarely misses anything. But even his company is sometimes not enough, _seniorita. _ I would give everything, _anything, _for my people. And I do. The cost is so bitter. "Diego?" I look up. Your form, a silhouette against the stars of the sky, is bent solicitously over mine. You're so beautiful. You make my throat catch, my heart ache. You sit next to me, and I deeply breathe in. You always smell like a fresh garden in spring. When you walk into a room, it's as if a breeze from southern California is wafting through the door. "Diego." Diego would look up. Diego was a gentleman; he would never ignore a lady. I'm weary of playing parts. I am tired, _senorita, _do you understand? A touch on my shoulder. "Diego, I apologize." Silence. "It was wrong to strike you. It was also wrong to... to say those things to you." Sigh. "No need to apologize, Rosarita. What you said was correct. And..." rueful smile, "The mark shall probably fade, in time." Firm shake of the head, though the smile on your lips is evident. "Diego... you are who you are. I should not try to change you. Zorro... well, Zorro fights in a more physical way. But in your own way, you help aid California in the struggle against tyranny." Pause. Chuckle."You know... if I were to see this El Zorro again, I would most likely ask him why he gives up so much to be... to be what he is." Remarkable. I've been meaning to ask him the same thing. "The answer might prove interesting." I meet your gaze, and take in a breath. For the first time, I see you looking past the clever ruse. Searching in a place that I usually hide from everyone, but for some reason, cannot conceal tonight. What do you see, that makes your eyes widen? I say nothing, and yet, you slowly smile, and nod. My gaze flicks down to the ground again. The curtain can't yet be raised, Rosarita. In time, when I am sure of the victory I am striving for, I can reveal myself to you. I yearn to hold you in my arms as I have before, so long ago. I can only fight as Zorro for so long. When I am through, when justice is finally served, I shall come to you. Please, be patient. Please wait for me. A kiss on my cheek. "Goodnight, Diego." I turn to watch as you head back inside. Then I return my gaze to the sky. End file.

Please Wait For Me by Halfpenny

Zorro

The Cotton Swab Christmas Tree * * * **The Cotton Swab Christmas Tree** * * * **Klaus Schilling** * * * .de * * * Rating: Teenagers * * * Disclaimer: I don't own _iCarly Show_ or _Zoey 101_ * * * Disclaimer: I don't own _Mary's Boy Child_ by Boney M. * * * Abstract Family, Friendship, Spiritual, SciFi, Arts - Spencer designs a new decoration for Ridgeway's Christmas party. Stacey Dillsen is coming to help him. Carly is the Santa at a Christmas party. Nevel plans on ruining the event.- Spencer/Stacey, Freddie/Sam, Gibby/Reuben, Carly/Dustin, Nevel/Quinn, Jake/Lola * * * **Dedication** * * * The story is dedicated to _Angelus Silesius_ * * * _Though Christ in Bethlehem_ _A thousand times be born,_ _But not withing thee self,_ _Thy soul shalt be forlorn._ * * * Table of Contents **Preface** : **1. School Christmas Party Ahead** : : **1.1. Santa Carly** : **1.2. Start Spreading The News** : **2. Preparing The Stage** : : **2.1. White Gluemas** : **2.2. Rue It Again** : **2.3. More Guests from California** : **3. Surprises** : : **3.1. The Party** : **3.2. Conclusion** : **A. Appendix** : : **Glossary** : * * * List of Tables **1. Characters** : * * * **Colophon** This story was written in the frame of the challenge _Decorating_ of the LiveJournal community _Groovysmoothie_. * * * **Preface** * * * Table 1. Characters * * * #Carly Shay#iCarly# #Spencer Shay#iCarly# #Samantha Puckett#iCarly# #Fredward Benson#iCarly# #Nevel Papperman#iCarly# #Wesley#iCarly# #Reuben#iCarly#Boy in Carly's age in _iWin a Date_ #Jonah#iCarly#Sam's boyfriend in _iHate Sam's Boyfriend_ #Valerie#iCarly#Freddie's girlfriend in _iWill Date Freddie_ #Gibby#iCarly# #Jake Crandle#iCarly#Carly's boyfriend in _iLike Jake_ #Principal Franklin#iCarly# #Nevel Papperman#iCarly#Mischievous nerd in _iNevel_ _iRue The Day_ #Harry Joyner#iCarly#Experienced artist in _iHeart Arts_ #Quinn Pensky#Zoey 101# #Stacey Dillsen#Zoey 101# #Dustin Brooks#Zoey 101# #Lola Martinez#Zoey 101# #Zoey Brooks#Zoey 101# #James Garrett#Zoey 101# #Malcolm Reese#Zoey 101#Extremely successful Hollywood producer in _Spring Break-Up_ * * * **Chapter 1. School Christmas Party Ahead** * * * Table of Contents **1.1. Santa Carly** : **1.2. Start Spreading The News** : * * * **1.1. Santa Carly** * * * The pupils of Ridgeway were excited because Mr. Franklin had just announced the traditional Christmas party at their school. Their was a committee for the party that was responsible, among many other things, for determining the Santa. "If Sam is the Santa," Freddie growled, "I'll miss the party and stay sick at home." "Aw!" Sam replied sarcastically, "at home where your mom will measure your heat thrice an hour and you get all those bitter teas to drink!" She knew that Marissa Benson would suffogate her poor son whenever he shows the slightest signs of an illness. And Sam enjoyed taunting Freddie mercilessly with this. Freddie was close to vomiting. Sam grinned merrily. "Shut it already!" Carly had to separate her catfighting friends. "I'd like to be the Santa! But there are many other esponsible tasks, such as caring for the illumination of the party hall." Carly looked at Freddie. "I volunteer for emptying the containers with the party snacks!" Sam announced proudly. Freddie and Carly were sure that Sam was optimally qualified for such a responsible task. Jake Crandle came along. "Hi guys! I'll play at the Christmas Party." "Are you also going to sing?" Freddie asked, trembling from dismay. Jake wasn't yet sure. "I need someone to sing," he explained, "For, else, my number will be canceled and replaced with Mrs. Briggs bagpipe solo!" Carly, Freddie, and Sam were close to vomiting. Wesley came along, beatboxing all the way. He was also up to performing for the party. The three stumbled upon Gibby and Reuben. "Hi girls," Gibby told Sam and Carly, "we need someone to help us with the decoration, especially the tree." "Are snacks allowed during the work?" Sam wondered. "Sure!" Gibby replied. "Then it's me!" Sam replied. Reuben looked at his list. "That leaves Carly for the Santa, as Valerie has already turned it down!" Carly cheered and bounced around. Freddie smiled because his worst nightmares would not come true. "Oh, I forgot to say ..." Reuben continued, "Freddie will assist Sam. Jonah can't ... for some reason." Freddie moaned, passed out, and slumped mercilessly to the ground. * * * **1.2. Start Spreading The News** * * * The kids returned to Spencer's loft. A woman of like twenty years had been helping Spencer with some electric wires and so on. "Hi, kids!" Spencer greeted the teenagers, "as you know, my sculptures are often set on fire ..." "Too often!" Carly sighed. "This is Quinn Pensky from Ridgeway technical school. She's a whiz in engineering and will countercheck my sculptures for security." Spencer announced proudly. Carly, Freddie, and Sam looked oddly at each other. They knew that it wouldn't hurt having anyone counterchecking, but that Quinn girl looked very chaotic. Was she anywhere near to trust? "Spencie," Carly replied, "I have just been selected as the Santa for the Ridgeway Highschool Christmas party." Spencer beamed. "Go, girl!" he screamed in joy. "You will be the greatest Santa ever!" "I'll build up the stage decoration!" Sam moaned, "assisted by some hyperdork." Sam looked menacingly at Freddie. Spencer remembered the boring stage decorations when he was still at Ridgeway school. "It can't be a normal stage decoration, it must be something ... supertastic!" Sam agreed. "Maybe you could add some of your sculptures to the stage deco!" "Oh, yeah, I sure will, and very much so!" Spencer beamed. "You remember my Merry-Sneezemas-Tree?" The teenagers did remember. "I've thought of some improvement," he said."I'll add some fantastic decoration made of something revolutionary, such as ..." Spencer had to think a bit. "Cotton swabs? A Christmas Tree made of snow-white cotton swabs,and white glue!" "oh, yeah, noone else would think of that," Carly beamed, "except my adult brother Spencer." Freddie and Sam agreed wholeheartedly. Quinn sighed in dismay while she fixed another loose screw in one of Spencer's artistic robots. "I'm sorry to say that," Quinn interjected, "but the idea to build sculptures from cotton swabs is not very original." Spencer sighed. "Aw Spencie," Carly remarked, "it may not be original to use cotton swabs, but your sculpture will be great and original, whatever." "If you say so, sis," Spencer shrugged. "But who is the genius artist that works with cotton swabs?" Quinn moaned in disgust. "A girl from my boarding school, her name is Stacey. She lisps all the time, that's why we didn't like her." "That's not a nice thing to do!" Carly looked disapprovingly at Quinn. "Making me Sam's slave isn't nice, either!" Freddie growled. Freddie punched Sam's shoulders. It was his first violent reaction for quite some time, although Sam had always treated him in such a way. Carly stopped the bickering frenemies. "May I contact that Stacey?" Spencer asked Quinn."I could use another great artist's opinion about my project! And Harry Joyner is currently in Rome, redecorating the _Sixtine Chapel._" "I can't encourage you to contacther," Quinn replied, "but if you insist ... I'll help you find her." Spencer agreed. "I'll have to think about my role as the Santa," Carly boomed. "I'll give a cute speech, and then I'll distribute the gifts." Sam nodded. "OK, by the way ... if Quinn is around, may she also countercheck the security of the stage mechanics and illumination? I don't trust Freddork." Quinn nodded. "OK, this will work, let's turn the lights down!" she ordered Spencer after having fixed a few wires. Spencer obeyed. When he flipped the switch ... Boom!!! "Oops!" Quinn squealed. * * * **Chapter 2. Preparing The Stage** * * * Table of Contents **2.1. White Gluemas** : **2.2. Rue It Again** : **2.3. More Guests from California** : * * * **2.1. White Gluemas** * * * "Hi, I'm Stacey!" some girl said with a lisp when Spencer had opened the door for her. "I've heard that you need my help!" Spencer nodded. "We're going to decorate the stage for a school's Christmas party, all in cotton swabs!" Stacey bounced around and cheered crazily. "Not to forget the white glue!" Spencer remarked. "Snow white, in order to symbolise the virginity of Mary!" "Which Mary?" Stacey asked. "The Holy Virgin, of course," Spencer replied, it's Christmas, and thus I thought a nativity scene would be appropriate. And it will not be just a simple decoration for a school party, no, it will comapre with the nativity scenes of the great artists in history! Stacey cheered again. "We need to beat some of the greatest artists in the history of arts," Spencer swooned, "such as _Perugino_." Stacey could not quite handle her excitement, and she collapsed, ending up in Spencer's arms. "Oops!" Spencer shrugged. He carried Stacey to the couch in his loft. Carly descended the stairway. "Spencer! can't you get girlfriends that walk on their own feet? Do you have to ..." "That's not a girlfriend of mine," Spencer replied, "it's Stacey Dillsen, you know, the sculpture artist that is going to assist me." "Oops!" Carly looked ashamed. Then she helped Spencer placing Stacey on the couch. She also tried to wake her up. "I have made some great plans for the stage decoration for your Christmas party," Spencer said, "the manger, the Holy Virgin all in white coitton swabs, underlining the virginity, and , of course, a choir of angels." "But Spencie," Carly moaned, "it's just a Christmas party at some school here, not a Roman basilica!" Alas, she knew well that she could never dissuade her favourite brother from accomplishing his lofty plans. "What are all those buckets in our kitchen? Sam thought it's some white vinegrette, but it didn't taste well." Spencer laughed. "White glue, for our sculptures of cotton swabs." Carly was annoyed. "And where are the cotton swabs?" A moment later, she knew that she didn't have to ask. Opening the bathroom, she was buried by a heap of packages of q-tips. * * * **2.2. Rue It Again** * * * Whipped by Sam, Freddie carried the buckets of white glue and the packages of cotton swabs to the stage. He moaned and bitched, but he followed Sam's sadistic orders. "The illumination is OK, so far!" Quinn remarked. The previous accident notwithstanding, everyone trusted her. "This is one of my inventions, the greenscreen," Quinn noticed Freddie moaned. "I've been using the screen for four years ...I know what it is!" Anyways, he was pleased to meet the inventor. Sam interrupted Quinn's and Freddie's tech talk, reminding him of being her slave. Spencer stood on a ladder. According to Stacey, it took a certain amount of seconds to wait for a drop of glue to dry. Spencer had to be very careful when he attached his swabs to the ceiling. Stacey counted the seconds. "...4 Mississippi ... 5 Mississippi ... 6 Mississippi ..." Suddenly, the screen activated itself. A picture appeared, making Carly, Freddie, Sam, and Spencer startle. "Do you rue the day, Carly?" Nevel thundered, "Do you rue it?" Spencer dropped a bucket of glue, unleashing its content on Stacey's head. He jumped down from the ladder in order to help Stacey. "Who's that?" Quinn wondered. Carly told Quinn about Nevel Papperman, the firstborn of Satan. "He really showed you a picture of his brain?" Quinn wondered. "Do you want to see mine?" Quinn exposed her nostrils into Carly's direction. "What do you see? I have an IQ of ..." Carly was disgusted. "Do you rue it?" Nevel asked. "Who's that annoying lady?" Nevel wondered about Quinn. "You think you can put up with me?" Quinn nodded solemnly. "And I have six toes on my right foot! Do you want to see my toenail collection?" "Impressive!" Nevel was astonished. "But I bet you can't smell the brand of Carly'shampoo?" "Shampoo is for losers!" Quinn squealed. She had been disgusted by her room-mates' cosmetic obsessions when she had been new at her boarding school. "But I may taste metals with my tongue!" Nevel was impressed. "Whatever," Nevel added, "your Christmas party will be mere dystopia!" Nevel laughed hysterically before his picture and voice vanished into thin air. Spencer was still occupied with Stacey. "That glue is sticky! I'll get you a shower with warm water, hope it helps ..." "Before I forget it," Quinn announced, "My friend Lola Martinez will come to your Christmas party. She was my room-mate at the boarding school. My other room-mate Zoey can't come, though. But her little brother will come with Lola." "How little is that little brother?" Sam wondered. Freddie replied that he was too young for Sam, in any case. He earned an evil gaze for his snide remark. Quinn told them that Dustin was not much younger than Carly and would probably like to hang out with the three. They smiled happily while Spencer called Carly into the showers. "I forgot taht I'm a man and thus not allowed in the girls' bathrooms! Some girls don't take this lightly." Spencer moaned, showing the wounds that he had just received from Tasha, Shannon, and Tareen. Carly was disgusted because she had to help Stacey, but she followed Spencer's orders. "Lola Martinez? Isn't that the famous actress from Middle School Musical by Malcolm Reese?" Freddie asked Quinn. "Yeah, she's up for Oscar elections, they say." Quinn confirmed Freddie who started swooning. "Forget it!" Sam boomed. "No cute girl will ever like a dorkward." Freddie sighed in dismay. But he figured it would be fun meeting Lola and Dustin, no matter what. * * * **2.3. More Guests from California** * * * Lola and Dustin arrived the next weekend. Quinn introduced Lola and Dustin to Freddie, Carly, and Sam. "We're already on vaction," Dustin explained. They had a shorter summer break, instead. Lola was on a break between two movies. Both Dustin and Lola had been watching the web show from time to time. Especially Dustin was happy when he saw his idols. "Do you want to help us with our Christmas special?" Carly asked Lola and Dustin. Lola and Dustin agreed unison. Lola hoped to become more famous this way. Dustin enjoyed being with nice people of his age, such as Carly. He even liked Sam as long as she was not bickering with Freddie. Part of the Christmas special involved shooting videos during the preparation of the stage for the Christmas party. "What is Spencer doing?"quoteDustin asked Carly who had just introduced them. Carly smiled. "He's making the decoration for the stage, using thousands of cotton swabs and white glue. He's crazy, I tell you." Dustin sighed in agreement. Spencer smiled. His work had progressed fast because Stacey was a great assistant, her permanent bad luck notwithstanding. "It's done! A Christmas tree made of cotton swabs and white glue!" Stacey cheered and hugged Spencer who almost kissed her in turn. "I'm going to puke!" Carly moaned in disgust. Dustin comforted Carly, making her feel all cozy and fuzzy. Shirtless Gibby entered the stage, fixing everything for Jake who was going to practice with his guitar, yet without a singer. Lola stepped up the stage and squealed. "You look like someone I know from my Californian school!" She told Jake. Dustin wrapped his vest around Gibby. "I guess you're talking about my twin brother James," Jake replied in a charming manner while he started to play the guitar. "What a performance!" Lola praised Jake. "Why don't we sing to it?" Jake shrugged. "Those ignorants say that I can't sing. What I do best is play the guitar and kiss." Lola smiled. "I'm best at acting and kissing. But I don't believe that you're such a good kisser. May you prove it?" She played with her lips. Jake grabbed Lola by the waist and pulled her in for a lingering French kiss that took forever. "Aw!" Freddie told Sam. "The perfect shot for our Christmas Special! The Hollywood Star kissing our aspiring Rock star!" Sam tried to look disapprovingly at her slave, but she had to agree. Carly couldn't stomach Jake kissing another girl. She threw up right onto Dustin's trousers. "You look really cute when you're about vomiting!" Dustin remarked, blushing deeply. Nobody had ever made such a compliment for Carly. This made her blushing back. Finally, Principal Franklin declared the stage ready for the party. * * * **Chapter 3. Surprises** * * * Table of Contents **3.1. The Party** : **3.2. Conclusion** : * * * **3.1. The Party** * * * Finally, the party started. Principal Franklin gave a long sermon about the traditions of Ridgeway. Carly's's task as a Santa was essentially the moderation of the party. She announced the various numbers. "Jake and Lola will sing a Christmas song based on a popular Caribic tune. Applause!" Jake Crandle entered the stage, accompanied by new girlfriend Lola Martinez. "I've coupled the accoustic engines to the red synthesiser, and the ..." Quinn explained unto Freddie who nodded approvingly. Neither of them was willing to listen to the unpatched voice of Jake and Lola. With Quinn's new technology, voice patching was possible even for a live audience. Lola and Jake started to sing * * * _Hark now hear the angels sing a king was born today,_ _And man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day._ _Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day._ * * * The audience applauded. Jake and Lola used the short break in order to make out. * * * _Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out,_ _There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted_ _Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace._ * * * When singing these lines, sirenes started to howl. The cotton swabs of the decoration were set ablazing. The audience fell into chaotic panic. Once more, the green screen activated itself. "I told you that you rue the day!" Nevel Papperman screamed."You rue it! It's dystopia, Carly!" Stacey squealed in agony when she deemed her artworks burst into flames. She collapsed in Spencer's strong arms. Spencer carried Stacey safely out of the hall. Dustin, Sam, and Freddie caught the fire extinguisher, they needed to save Carly, who was still on her moderator's seat, from the flaming inferno that was about breaking loose. "The fire isn't real!" Carly remarked. Having examined the situation closely, Quinn nodded. "This is _St. Elmo's fire_! A phenomen of plasm electricity!" Indeed, Spencer's and Stacey's stage decoration was unscathed. Nevel had been fooling them again. Nevel came in through the back entrance. "Have you rued the day?" "Wow!" Quinn stepped up to Nevel. "You've tricked me for a moment into falling for St. Elmo's fire, one of the most simple scientific illusions! Nobody ever got me there. Youmust be a genius." Nevel grinned. "How about a short genius-only conversation, somewhere beyond the backdoor? The unintelligent folk here doesn't need to know ..." Quinn agreed cheerfully. Finally she had found a partner with whom intelligent conversation was possible. "Do you know that many female spiders eat their brood?" Nevel nodded and smiled when he disappeared with Quinn beyond the backstage door, talking about scientific pathologies. Carly grinned when she saw the nerds vanish, but she was sad because she couldn't complete her tasks as a Santa. * * * **3.2. Conclusion** * * * Jake followed Lola straight to Hollywood. Side by side, they would be starring in Malcolm Reese's upcoming movies _Suzannah Louisiana - The Worst of Both Worlds_ and _The Naked Sisters Band_ Dustin had to go home to his sister Zoey for Christmas. He sighed. "I wish I could stay with you over the holidays." Carly was sad. "We'll see us soon again, I hope." Her face went crimson. They gazed at each other with puppy eyes. "Aw, they won't start weeping, will they?" Sam remarked sarcastically. "I guess Dorkward may finally give up on Carly." She grinned. Freddie shrugged. "Who cares? I know a girl that would be much better for me." Sam laughed. "And who would that be? I've never seen any girl that would ..." Freddie didn't allow Sam to continue her words. He pulled her in for a kiss. "You don't have to say anything." But remaining silent wasn't Sam's style. "I've been waiting for this moment for five long years!" Carly left the lovebirds on their own and went to Spencer who had to announce something important. "Carly, I know it will be hard for you, but ... when Stacey is through art school, she will move in with me." Carly didn't mind anymore, as Dustin made her swoon too much to care about Stacey and her cotton swab decoration. * * * **Appendix A. Appendix** * * * Table of Contents **Glossary** : * * * **Glossary** * * * **Angelus Silesius** : : Polish-German mystic and court medic, 1624-1677 **Sixtine Chapel** : : A Roman chapel where the popes are elected, a major work of renaissance arts. **St. Elmo's Fire** : : A low-energy plasma phenomenon that is often mistaken as a serious fire. **Perugino** : : Renaissance artist, properly Pietro Vannucci, 1446-1524. His nativity scene in the _Sixtine Chapel_ is not preserved. * * * End file.

The Cotton Swab Christmas Tree by schillingklaus

Zoey 101, iCarly

Painter Girl ** Painter Girl** * * * **iKiss Spencer** * * * ** Klaus Schilling ** * * * **Rating: **PG-13 **Disclaimer: **iDon't Own any of the shows _iCarly_ and _Zoey 101_. **Disclaimer: **iDon't Own any of the song _Painter Man_ by Boney M.. **Abstract** **Fandoms: **_Zoey 101_, _iCarly_ **Genre: **Melodramatic Short Story, Fluff, Family, Friends, Arts **Summary. **Carly hires Tasha's sister Maria for a gift for Spencer. **Characters and Pairings: **Dustin Brooks/Carly Shay, Maria/Spencer Shay, Samantha Puckett/Fredward Benson, Harper/Lisa Perkins, Grandpa Shay, Mrs. Briggs, Principal Franklin, Tasha, Randy Jackson, Harry Joyner, Marissa Benson **Timeline: **The story takes place post-series _Zoey 101_ and after second season of _iCarly_ **Note: **Maria is a one-time guest role of Nicole G. Anderson in _Zoey 101_ : _Quarantine_, Tasha is a cameo role of same actress in _iNevel_. * * * ** New in Seattle** * * * Sam, Freddie, and Carly walked through the locker halls. They shuddered with disgust when they saw Tasha, the arrogant beast that had dared to call their web show uncool, just because there was no positive remark about it on Nevelocity. Alas, Tasha was accompanied by a girl that looked very similar, they were probably related. She yelled at her. Sam pitied the girl that was dragged around by Tasha. The bell rang, and Carly, Freddie, and Sam were bound for their homeroom classes. * * * Mrs. Briggs, their homeroom teacher, came and looked around. She was very stern when it came to presence. Carly and Freddie still had a perfect prsesence record for this young year, unlike Sam who had already been late for three days straight. It was the forth day of the new year. "OK, it seems that everyone is here, so now I'm going to perform a tune on my bagpipes in order to make you familiar with fine arts. Today's youth is too much spoilt by electronic ear wax ..." She grabbed her instrument. "Why doesn't she just beat us with a sledge hammer!" Sam moaned. None of the students was at ease. Suddenly, the door of the class room opened. Principal Franklin walked in. "Excuse me, mam!" Mrs. Briggs was flabbergasted. "OK!" Mr. Franklin sighed. "I have got to bother you in order to introduce a new student teacher. This is Maria!" It was one of Mr. Franklin's habitual procedures to introduce new teachers in the various homerooom classes. The girl in Tasha's likeness walked in through the door. The students moaned. They were fed up with new teachers. Alas, they were happy because Mr. Franklin had interrupted Mrs. Briggs's terrific performance, making her sulk. "Maria has just graduated from Pacific Coast Academy in California. Now she is a student at nearby Seattle's Arts School aka Harry-Joyner-School. You probably know her younger sister, Tasha, who is a junior in here, right now." Carly grumbled. That explained their similarity ... Mr. Franklin grinned. "Maria is an intern at Ridgeway. She will teach the arts elective." Maria bowed to the students. "Hi!" she smiled in a friendly manner, totally unlike Tasha. Carly suddenly had got an idea ... * * * In the beginning of the lunch break, Carly waited for Maria in the locker hall. "Hi! You're Maria, the new arts girl?" Maria nodded solemnly. "Yeah, you are?" "I'm Carly Shay, a soph." Carly sighed. "Carly Shay?" Maria choked with awe. "As in iCarly?" Carly nodded. She was astounded that Maria knew the webshow, given that she had used to live in California, and her sister Tasha certainly had never told Maria any kind words about _iCarly_. In addition, the web show was more geared towards younger viewers. "Do you know that middle school boys at Pacific Coast Academy would kill each other for a date with you or Sam?" Maria chuckled. "What? No? Really? Can't be ..." flabbergasted Carly stammered helplessly. "For the girls of PCA Middle School, you're the great role model to live up to." Maria shrugged. Carly felt flattered. "Er ... what I wanted to say ... My brother Spencer is soon going to turn 29, which is almost 30 ..." she stammered nervously. "Cool!" Maria smiled. "I'd like to give him a painting of myself ... but ... I'm only mediocre in drawing ... well ... and that stinks because Spencer is a great artist ..." Carly sighed with despair. "I'd pay you for a portrait of mine that would serve as a gift for Spencer ..." Maria nodded. "OK, but I don't take money." "No?" Carly twitched. "Well, look, first, you can do better ... let me show some of my paintings in your web show!" Maria asked. "Second, it's great to see how much you love your brother. I can't say anything remotely alike about me and my sister Tasha ..." "Maria! What are you doing?" Tasha thundered across the hall. "Get your lunch, hurry up, you frozen sloth!" Maria waved at Carly. "See you tomorrow!" Carly waved back and sighed. Apparently, not everyone in the world showed as much love for his or her elder siblings as Carly did. * * * ** Carly dates Maria** * * * Sam tried to sneak into the Shays' apartment. Unfortunately, the door was still locked. She grabbed a curved wire in order to fix that insignificant problem. Alas, Freddie heard her. He left left his apartment and faced Sam. "Hey!" Sam hid the wire and whistled innocently. "Dorkward?" "Carly isn't here, and Spencer is asleep." Freddie remarked. "Oops ..." Sam choked. "Where is Carly?" "She has gone somewhere with Maria." Freddie reported. Sam sighed. "The arts lady?" Freddie nodded solemnly. "That's the third time this week that they are meeting after school!" Sam boomed. Freddie sighed piteously because he felt left out.. "Just for the records ... she's never going to date you!" Sam bellowed. "Who knows?" Freddie remarked in a dry manner. "At least she isn't dating a guy ..." "True ..." Sam shrugged. "But, hey ... what if she isn't really into guys?" "What do you mean?" Freddie felt flabbergasted. "What if Carly is more attracted to girls?" Sam boomed. "Do you want to say that ..." Freddie stammered. "Would that be a problem for you, Fredweird?" Sam grinned sadistically. Freddie banged his head against the wall. Had he really been lusting after a lesbian girl for half a decade? That was impossible. "Awwwww..." Sam squealed hypocritically. "Who is going to be disappointed?" Freddie pouted and was close to strangling Sam. "We've got to tell Spencer!" Sam shrugged. "OK ..." * * * Having unlocked the door to Spencer's loft with a curved needle, Spencer and Sam snuck into the loft where they found Spencer sleeping on the couch. Sam stepped next to the sleeping artist. "Spencer! Wake up! Spencer! Wake up!" she thundered at the top of her lung. Spencer shrieked. "Wake up!" Sam continued. "Shake your booty! Wake up! Shake your booty!" Freddie smiled and clapped rhythmically to Sam's words. Spencer jumped up and bounced arround with horror. "Spencer, we've got to talk to you," Sam bellowed, "about Carly!" Spencer trembled. "What has happened to her?" Sam told Spencer about Carly meeting a girl regularly for a few days. "Sorry, but it seems that your little sister is ..." "Nooooo!" Spencer whimpered with dismay. "Can't be! I haven't noticed that in years!" Sam shrugged. "Nor did I, or Dorkoward," she moaned. Speencer was consternated. "I'm such a bad brother!" He whimpered at the top of his lungs. Mrs. Benson stormed into the loft. "Right, I always knew that!" Freddie and Sam looked at Marissa with disgust. "You knew what? That Carly is gay?" Marissa's eyes bugged out. "What? Freddie, if it's like that, you can't see Carly anymore! I can't allow you to meet a girl with a bad influence on you!" Freddie was close to puking. Why could he never shut up when he needed to! Sam grinned triumphantly. "But I meant that ..." Marissa continued, "... I always knew that Spencer is such a poor excuse of a big brother. I guess your grandfather in Yakima will be greatly interested in hearing about it!" Freddie and Sam sobbed piteously, as they regretted thoroughly having talked to Spencer about it. * * * ** Showdown** * * * A few days later, Old Mr. Shay stormed Spencer's loft. "Artists!" He yelled at Spencer. "You decadent folks! What have you done to Carly?" Spencer was consternated. "What?" "It ain't no sense denying it," Grandpa bellowed, "you artists are a folk of gay drug users ... I should never have trusted you, and your father shouldn't have done so, either! In any case, you can't be any longer in charge with Carly!" "But ... gramps, I still don't know what ..." Spencer shivered helplessly. "If Carly has gone gay, the only possible culprit ..." Grampa concluded, "that's you! It wasn't enough for you to become a gay artist, you also had to spoil and corrupt your little sister!" Spencer choked hard. Since when was he gay? He didn't know of it ... Well, Grandpa Shay had always had got a bunch of prejudices against artists, but he had never gone that far. "Where is Carly?" Grampa bellowed. "I'm going to take her straight to Yakima. No negotiations!" "But grampa, you ..." Spencer begged like a puppy, but in vain. Finally, Carly returned from school. She was accompanied by Maria. Grandpa grabbed Carly, and he insulted maria in any thinkable manner. Maria was totally consternated. Was that old guy totally insane? Worse than Tasha? Carly whimpered and begged, but for no avail. She was dragged to the door. She hoped for Specer's help. Grandpa Shay threatened to call the police unless Carly followed him like a decent girl, or in case Spencer intervened. Spencer started weeping insanely. Grandpa Shay tried to open the door, but it was locked from the outside. "Hey! What's that?" He tried to pull violently at the handle, but for no avail. Then he dragged Carly to the elevator, but it didn't open at all. "What's going on here?" Carly asked why Grandpa was that mad at Spencer and Maria. "He thinks that ..." Spencer stammered helplessly. Grandpa Shay explained the situation. "I'm what?" Carly was consternated when she heard all that crap from her Grandad. Maria was flabbergasted. Carly sighed. "Do you really think that ..." She laughed heartily. Spencer and Grandad looked dumbfounded. "OK, I've been meeting Maria in order to ... well, it was planned as a birthday gift for Spencer, a surprise gift, but you force me to spoil the surprise ..." Maria opened her bag and produced a painting, covered with some linen cloth. Carly unwrapped the thing. "A picture of Carly?" Grandad choked and coughed. Maria nodded. "Carly told me to draw a painting as a gift for her brother ..." Spencer was astounded. "Wow! My sweet little sister!" He huggled and danced with the picture. Grandpa shrugged helplessly. "Sorry for all the fuss!" He sighed with despair. How could he ... Suddenly, the elevator opened, and Freddie bounded in. He held a set of tools in his hand and grinned. At the same time, the door to the staircase went open, apparently this was Sam's work. Grandpa Shay still banged his head against the wall. Then he disappeared silently and returned to Yakima. * * * While Spencer still admired the picture, Maria followed Sam, Carly, and Freddie upstairs. "So, that's where you make _iCarly_?" Carly nodded. "I think we may show three or four pictures in one session." Maria beamed. "OK, so, I told you that some of the middle school boys at PCA ... and they even gave me some gifts for you." "Cool!" Carly received a small sack from Maria and opened it. Sam also received a sack with fan gifts, but this one was smaller than Carly's. Freddie turned more and more jealous when he saw Carly smiling upon opening the fan gifts. "That one is from some Dustin Brooks!" Carly shrugged. "Oh, he's the guy who wanted to see my tongue, zoomed and in slow-motion? He has got a theory about the size of the tongue and the kissing ability of a girl ..." "Quirky ..." Sam remarked. Freddie choked. "May I be your test rabbit?" Carly chuckled. This was so transparent. "No way!" Freddie sighed with despair. * * * Maria met Spencer when she descended into the kitchen. "Hi! So, you're a great artist?" Spencer smiled. "I hope so ..." Then he showed Maria some of his sculptures. "Cool!" Maria's eyes bugged out. "I bet not even Harry Joyner could do that ..." Spencer smiled proudly. "You're going to be a professional artist, too?" Maria shrugged. "I wish, but it's so hard to get a decent job as an artist. And I hate resorting to pornography and other perverse junk." She coughed. Spencer sighed. He warpped his arms around Maria in a desperate attempt to comfort her. "Oops!" "Oh Spencer ..." Maria smiled sweetly. "Are you and your fish still just friends?" Spencer nodded. "Yes, we are!" Maria grinned. The two young artists sat down - next to each other - and they cuddled while talking about modern arts. * * * Carly snuck to her computer and launched an interweb chat session. She contacted Dustin Brooks, the guy who was apparently interested in her tongue. They had now been chatting for several hours. "Carly!" Spencer whispered. "It's way past bed time!" Carly yawned. "Dustin is so sweet!" She swooned ecstatically. Spencer shrugged helplessly. He couldn't object as he had found a new love the same day as Carly ... * * * _iCarly_ has just gone online. Sam introduced Maria as an upscaling painter. Carly also introduced Harper, a friend of the show who was going to sing and play something while Maria presented her pictures. Harper sang a song for Maria. _Went to art school, studied arts,_ _To be an artist, make a start_ _Working hard for my degree_ _People didn't notice me._ _Painter Girl, Painter Girl_ _Who wants to be a painter girl?[[1]]_ * * * Thereupon, Spencer and Maria dated regularly, while Carly chatted a lot with Dustin who made her swoon to no end. Harper started dating Maria's friend Lisa Perkins, a former competitor in Randy Jackson's _America Sings_ - they even founded a small band together. Freddie and Sam felt totally left out. There was only one thing they were left with to do ... "Kiss me, you dork!" Sam commanded Freddie. * * * [[1] ]based on _Painter Man_ by Boney M. which I don't own. End file.

Painter Girl by schillingklaus

Zoey 101, iCarly

iHear The Angels Sing ** iHear The Angels Sing** * * * ** Klaus Schilling ** * * * **Rating: **PG-13 **Disclaimer: **iDon't Own any of the shows or any of the other quoted or alluded artworks, in particular the songs _Long Time Ago In Bethlehem_ by Boney M. and _Travelling Spaceman_ by Chris De Burgh * * * **Abstract** **Fandoms: **_Zoey 101_, _Drake & Josh_, _iCarly_, _Unfabulous_, _True Jackson VP_, _Ned's Declassified SSG_ **Genre: **Melodrama, Fluff, Family, Friends, Spiritual, Mystery **Summary. **Carly and the gang celebrate Christmas at Melanie's Boarding School. **Characters and Pairings: **Carly Shay/Dustin Brooks, Fredward Benson/Samantha Puckett, Spencer Shay/Zoey Brooks, Drake Parker/Lola Martinez, Nevel Papperman/Nevel Parker, Lola Martinez/Drake Parker, Chase Matthews/Addie Singer, Harper/Lisa Perkins and many many many more **Timeline: **The story diverges from canon after second season _iCarly_, first season _True Jackson VP_, and post-season everything else The story has been written for _LiveJournal_-Community _5_4_3_2_, challenge _Celebrations_ using all four picture prompts: a girl lighting something with a match stick, an ornated cup containing snacks, golden shoes in the midst of party litter, two kids hugging solemnly The story has written for _LiveJournal_-Community _Crossovers100_, claim _Pacific Coast Academy_, prompt _Christmas_. The story has written for _LiveJournal_-Community _Crossovers50_, claim _Pacific Coast Academy_, prompt _Christmas_. * * * **Table of Contents** * * * 1. Invitation * * * 1. * * * 1. * * * 1. * * * 2. Welcome In Malibu * * * 2. * * * 2. * * * 2. * * * 2. * * * 3. Where Is My Shoe? * * * 3. * * * 3. * * * 4. Schneider's Bakery * * * 4. * * * 4. * * * 4. * * * 4. * * * 5. Greatest Christmas Eve Of All * * * 5. * * * 5. * * * 5. * * * 5. * * * 5. * * * 6. Merry Christmas * * * 6. * * * 6. * * * 6. * * * 6. * * * 6. The End * * * ** Chapter 1. Invitation** * * * **Time**: * * * Carly's Soph Year, St. Barbara's Day **Place**: * * * The Groovysmoothie **People**: * * * Carly Shay, Spencer Shay, Fredward Benson, Samantha Puckett, T-Bo (background), anonymous kids (background) * * * Spencer had invited his three favourite teenagers to Groovysmoothies. They had ordered their favourite smoothies: One medium each, barring Sam who needed the x-large cup. Spencer grinned. "So you do know why I've invited you ovver here?" "You want to set the whole juice bar on fire?" wagered Carly, grinning sarcastically. "No!" Spencer shook his head vigorously. Sam belched. "There's the difference. Carly is classy, as opposed to ..." Sam stood up, span around, and farted silently into Freddie's face. Freddie choked with disgust. Sam grinned mischievously, and she sat down again. "We're going to spend this Christmas in California," announced Spencer. Carly was flabbergasted. "What?" Spencer smiled. "Melanie's boarding school needs someone to make the Christmas decoration. And guess who has been suggested by Melanie?" Sam's eyes bugged out. Melanie was such a hypocritic chick! Freddie sighed bitterly. "Too bad mom won't let me go. It's oh-so-dangerous, down there in California." "Awwwww! Who is not coming to California?" asked Sam in a taunting and sarcastic manner. She beamed brightly. "No problem!" Carly smiled. "I'm going to talk her into it." Sam pouted. Freddie leant back and sighed with relief. "Thanks. Think about it, Carly: Me and you under the mistletoe ..." Carly choked. "What?" She started regretting immediately to have promised to persuade Mrs. Benson. Sam grunted. "Forget it, Fredweird! Carly doesn't need an incredible dweeb like you!" Freddie almost exploded for anger. Alas, Sam wasn't keen on Freddie coming with them to California. Even more, she wasn't keen on celebrating Christmas together with Melanie Puckett! She thought about a bunch of white lies in order to stay in Seattle without making Carly mad. "And guess who will give a concert for the pupils that have to stay at the boarding school over the holyday week?" Spencer looked enigmatically. "Those freaks who stole your drum set[[1]]? " Carly shrugged. Spencer shook his head. "No, someone much better!" Carly and Freddie moaned. "Carly, it's your favourite cousin!"Spencer whistled innocently. "Drake?" Carly beamed brightly. "Yeah Baby!"Spencer clenched his right fist and hurled it aloft. "Drake Parker?" Freddie didn't know any other musician of note with the same first name.. "Yeah!" confirmed Spencer, drumming his fists on the table. Sam was Drake's greatest fan in the state of Washington. She had got a poster of him in her locker. When she heard Spencer's words, she couldn't hold the smoothie which she had just sucked in by means of a long straw. A smoothie fountain shot forth from Sam's nose. The gross liquid covered Freddie's new top. Freddie was disgusted. Spencer croaked. But he was lucky that he had not been hit my the spout. Carly used a paper napkin in order to help Freeddie clean his top. Alas it wasn't going to make her task of persuading Mrs. Benson any easier. Sam, on the other hand, was desperately looking forward to meeting Drake. "Why didn't you tell me that Drake is your cousin?" Carly sighed. "Because you would have gone crazy." "Hey!"Sam protested vigorously. "I never go crazy! Never!" she bellowed rudely. "No, you don't!" Freddie giggled sarcastically. "Shutup, Freddweeb!" Sam took a stained napkin and stuffed it right between Freddie's teeth. Spencer sighed. But he had to pay the bill for everything. He went to T-Bo and showed him his credit card. * * * **Time**: * * * Day of St. Nicholas **Place**: * * * The loft of the family Shay **People**: * * * Carly Shay, Spencer Shay, Fredward Benson, Samantha Puckett, Marissa Benson * * * "California?" Marissa was consternated. "There are scorpioes, tarantulae, rattle snakes, ..." "Mum!" Freddie moaned with disappointment. He whose so tired from Marissa's recklessly patronising demeanour. "What are you going to do here, over Christmas?" asked Carly. "I'll buy a fake Christmastree with wooly needles, those can't sting Freddie." Marissa scratched her head. "And no candles that could burn Freddie ..." Smoke billowed forth from Freddie's ears. "Then we will sing together grandma's Christmas songs," explained Marissa. "Gross!" remarked Sam. She was happy that she wasn't the one to have to spend Christmas this way. Melanie was boring, but Marissa was way worse. Freddie thought like Sam, but he stayed silent. Carly shuddered excessively, but she remained calm. "OK, Mrs. Benson, why don't you follow us to California?" Marissa was perplexed. "California?" "The weather down is very good for your health," remarked Carly. "The gentle, warm wind from the sea ..." "Really?" Marissa was hard to convince. "And if you take your first-aid suitcase with you, nothing bad may happen, right?" added Spencer. Mrs. Benson sighed. "You're right! But I have to stock the supplies for the suitcase." Carly nodded. "Sure! We go down there on December 20, so there are almost two weeks left." Marissa nodded. "OK, I'll roam the apothecaries right tomorrow morning!" Sam was disappointed. This meant Christmas with Melanie, Freddie, and Mrs. Benson. Could there be anything worse than that? "Will there be Christmas trees set on fire?" asked worried Mrs. Benson. Carly shook her head. "Spencer won't light anything, I will do that for him if it's necessary!" Mrs. Benson sighed with relief. Last year had been terrible. Spencer was such a pyromaniac, trusting him with anything that might be set ablaze was just insane. But Carly was a lot more reliable. "And to be sure," explained Carly, "I've bought new fire extinguishers." Sam coughed. She hated fire extinguishers. Carly, Freddie, and Sam also decided to air an iCarly Christmas Eve Special from the celebrations at Melanie's school. * * * ** Last Sunday before Christmas, Place **: * * * Spencer's van, bound from Seattle to Losa Angelos **People**: * * * Carly Shay, Spencer Shay, Fredward Benson, Samantha Puckett, Marissa Benson * * * Spencer turned the key, starting the motor of his van. "Hand-assembled from selected junk!" He beamed brightly, Mrs. Benson choked. That was one rolling death trap. Spencer added that Socko had sold him the chassis of the van. "Nice from Socko!" Carly moaned. Socko was nowhere to be trusted. The trip to Japan[[2]] in a cargo engine, and the trip back on a rusty fishing boat had been horrible, never again, please! Spencer smiled. "You just need to have the right pals!" Freddie and Sam moaned unison. "At least no possum," croaked Sam. Freddie grunted. "Better ten possi than one Sam!" Sam poked Freddie rudely in the guts, making him groan. "What has the van been used for in its former life?"wondered Carly. "Do you really want to know that, baby?" replied Spencer. Carly choked. "Maybe it's better not to know it ..." She shuddered with disgust. Mrs. Benson complained about her dorsal spine. The vibrations of the chassis penetrated both bone and marrow. "I'm going to sing some good old songs for you," offered Spencer. Some entertainment was due, as it was a rather long trip."Jimmy Crack called, and I don't care. Jimy Crack ..." Mrs. Benson and the kids stuffed their ears and commanded Spencer to shut up. Mrs. Benson gave Freddie an antivomitive. "Mum!" Freddie moaned. _Alas, during this trip, those pills were really useful, more useful than ever before in his life ..._ "Don't scratch my artworks!" bellowed Spencer when the kids were shaken hither and thither, due to Spencer's adventurous driving style. Carly wondered how such a small van could host the whole artworks for the Christmas play. Spencer explained that there were four artists who had been working on it, but, as of that very momet, he had not idea who were the others. They had to collaborate blindly. * * * ** Chapter 2. Welcome In Malibu** * * * **Time**: * * * Last Monday before Christmas **Place**: * * * The Pacific Coast Academy, Parking Site **People**: * * * Carly Shay, Spencer Shay, Fredward Benson, Samantha Puckett, Marissa Benson, Melanie Puckett, anonymous pupils (background) * * * Spencer had been riding his car like a berserk. The gang arrived at the drop site of Melanie's boarding school, the Pacific Coast Academy, hardly alive. Sam was totally pale. She had been puking on Freddie's pants during the trip, and she still was nowhere near at ease, but the glorious prospects of meeting none other than over-live-sized rock idol Drake Jared Parker made her forget about all the troubles and pain on her way from Seattle to Malibu. Marissa's backbone hurt like hell fire. Her orthopedic pillows would have been useful. But they didn't fit into the van. Spencer's feet and legs were all bent and screwed when he finally left his van. Freddie had survived the hell ride fairly well, but the pills had made him dizzy. Carly didn't say anything. She could have said terrible things about Spencer's style, but she loved her brother too much to do it. Sam was totally disappointed when she did not see Drake. Melanie! Why did she have to be the first being to encounter after the torture trip? Melanie smiled. "Have you enjoyed your trip?" "Sure!" Carly moaned sarcastically when she shook Melanie's hand. Melanie noticed that they were not really fine. "where is Drake?" bellowed Sam. Melanie chuckled. "Drake Bell will arrive on Christmas Eve, not earlier." Sam pouted piteously. Freddie grinned. Alas, he had difficulties staying afoot. "Where will we sleep?" asked Carly. Melanie sighed. "OK. Mrs. Benson,would you please come with me?" Marissa shrugged. "This year," Melanie explained, "we will perform a Christmas play. We don't have a baby, but a real infant. And I share a dorm with the mother, and it would be nice having someone like you nearby, just i case." Marissa felt flattered. "An infant!" Carly beamed. "How cute! May I see it?" "Sure," replied Melanie, "but not today. Sam and you, you will share a dorm with your friend Shelby." Carly and Sam glared at each other. They had not even known that Shelby was at the Pacific Coast Academy. It was a pleasant surprise! Freddie's eyes betrayed his horny thoughts that were triggered when Melanie had mentioned the name Shelby. "No boys in the girls' dorms past eight p.m.!" admonished Melanie, "there are strict rules!" Freddie sighed with despair. "Awwww who won't spend a night in the same dorm with Shelby?" sam taunted Freddie mercilessly at any cost. "What about me?" asked Spencer, "and my precious works of art?" Melanie chuckled. "Freddie, Spencer ... you've got to share a room with my ex-boyfriend Dustin. He's the little brother of the mom of the Christmas baby." Freddie shrugged helplessly. "He's a big fan of your show, by the way," explained Melanie, "and so are many other kids here, but not many spend the Christmas vacations at the school, most of them go home for the holiday." Spencer was still worried about his artworks. "I fear there's no place for them left in the dorm," replied Melanie, "you need to store them in the basement." Spencer sighed with despair. Melanie took her mobilephone and called Shelby, telling her to pick up Carly and Sam. She also notified her ex-boyfriend Dustin, commanding him to look after Freddie and Spencer. * * * **Place**: * * * Dorm 101 Brenner Hall **People**: * * * Zoey Brooks, Marissa Benson, Melanie Puckett, Bartholomew Brooks[[3]] * * * Melanie had just let marissa into Dorm 101. Marissa saw a blonde of 19 years, carrying her infant on her arms. She was consternated. The girl was much too young for that. Melanie sighed. "OK, Zoey, this is Marissa Benson. She will stay with us over the holidays." "Go to aunt Melanie!" Zoey rendered her boy child unto Melanie Puckett, ready to shake Marissa's hands. "OK, Mrs. Benson." Mrs. Benson sighed. "Good Evening! His name is Bartholomew." Melanie fondled the boy child. "How come?" Marissa was still consternated. "Long story ..." replied Zoey, moaning with despair. Melanie rendered the child unto her mother. "OK, his father is a tall blond rake named James Garrett. I would never have thought that Zoey would go for him. See, a few years ago, I was the one who was suppose to end up early teenage pregnant because I changed boys more frequently than my underwear." Marissa was flabbergasted. That sounded worse than Sam. "I've been a very bad girl, you know, two criminal parents and stuff, but the State of Washington had that program to give kids like me another chance, sending them to a boarding school in order to save them from bad influence. I used a fake name, Trisha Kirby[[4]] ." choked. "Oh my dear!" "One of my boyfriends of the week," spoke Melanie, "was Zoey's brother, Dustin. Zoey was upset. I had just a bad influence omn him and stuff. Then I ditched Dustin for Zoey's boyfriend Chase Bartholomew Matthews, for no good reasons." Mrs. Benson almost threw up. Was that really the same Melanie as that girly girl that had made Freddie swoon? You wouldn't have believed it aunless you knew that she was Samantha's monocygotic twin sister. Zoey nodded. "Technically spoken, Chase wasn't my boyfriend back then, but he had a crush on me, and he never dared to fess up, until last year when I was in London with my parents. I returned to California for him, but he had got a similar idea and moved to England[[5]]. Then there was James Garrett, the new student. I've helped him to get started at the PCA, whereupon we kissed and started dating. I hate myself for letting that happen." Zoey started weeping. Melanie took over. "OK, I'll tell the rest. One evening, they had a date, it was the first date for two after several failed attempts. Here at a boarding school, it's very hard to date without having your friends hanging out nearby[[6]]They watched a chick flick at the campus cinema and after that, they celebrated their first evening for two. " Melanie pointed at a cardboard cup that must have held pop corn, once upon a time. Mrs. Benson took a look at the cup. It was beautifully ornated. Mrs. Brooks was an artist, like Spencer, just younger and more gifted. Somehow, this was a stern contrast to the bitter consequences that this party-for-two evening must have had. Never let Freddie go again to whatever sort of celebrations without her close supervision! Zoey sobbed. "That being their only evening for two, Zoey and James wanted to make it as unforgettable as possible," explained Melanie, "and unforgettable it became!" She pointed at little Bartholomew. Marissa was conternated. Today's youth was bad, really bad! Zoey sobbed piteously. Melanie petted Zoey's shoulders. "It's OK! Anyways, a few weekslater, there was prom night. Zoey didn't yet know about her pregnancy. She would have gone there with James, but she had remorses because of having cheated on Chase. Hence she broke up with James.[[7]]. Surprisingly, Chase returned in the prom night. Everything seemed fine between them." Melanie sighed. "Two days later, Zoey woke up with morning nausea. Her roomie Quindolyn Pensky diagnosed a pregnancy. It was impossible for the baby to be Chase's as the nausea doesn't kick in that fast, and Chase and Zoey hadn't really had slept together. Alas, Zoey achieved making Chase think that the baby was his[[8]] , until a discussion between Chase and his friends Logan and Michael resulted in the insight that this was impossible. Thereupon, Chase didn't want to see Zoey anymore. He was totally disgusted. And James wasn't around anymore." Zoey started weeping. Melanie comforted her. "Really, I should be in Zoey's place. She's properly a very responsible and uptight girl. Although she hated me when I was new, I've started caring for her and the baby as soon as I knew about it. Without Zoey's criticism and instruictions, I would still be worse than Samantha. I can't ever forget that." Mrs. Benson sighed with despair. Why did that always happen to good girls, not to loose ones like Sam? "The next months had been terrible," explained Melanie, "Zoey was totally depressive and stuff, and she couldn't concentrate on both the baby and school. She flunked graduation badly, and she might even fail this year." Marissa moaned with horror. Then she took care of little Bartholomew as she had done to Freddie when he was of a similar age. For some odd reason, Bartholomew's body clothes looked a lot like Spencer's socks: Multi-coloured and illuminated. Where did Zioey get those things from? Had she made them herself? Marissa didn't dare to ask about it. "Grammie Benson is going to sing you a lullaby," Marissa told the boy child. Zoey sighed with relief. _Marissa was really great at that!_ * * * **Place**: * * * Shelby's Dorm **People**: * * * Shelby Marx, Carly Shay, Samantha Puckett * * * Carly and Sam were awfully tired and lay down on their beds, unable to care for their luggage. Shelby grabbed the suitcases. She had no problems carrying four of them at the same time. "Don't worry, I'm going to get your luggage done!" "Thanks, Shelby!" Carly smiled. "Don't swallow my sandwiches!" croaked Sam in a rude manner. Shelby shrugged. "Won't happen." Sam recovered from her trip. Usually, her first action after such a long road would have vbeen to devour anything edible in sight, but Spencer's reckless driving style had annihilated her appetite. Tomorrow, the school's cafeteria was going to have a new best customer! Carly wondered about the Christmas play. "So the pupils will play it, and that little boy child?" Shelby nodded. "He's very cute. His mother will play St. Mary." "Is she a pupil over here?" Carly wanted to know. Shelby nodded. "She would have graduated this year, but the baby made that impossible." Shelby told Sam and Carly about Zoey's story. Sam shrugged. "Aunt Maggie had three kids before the age of eighteen. So what? And their dad is still in prison." Sgelby sighed. "Zoey was the least girl from whom you would have expected something like that. She was a good friend and room-mate of my cousin Lola." "Lola is the Hollywood starlet?" Carly beamed. Shelby nodded. "We are hard to tell apart for people who don't know. Lola is now in a movie called _Sensational![[9]], she's a perfect actress._" Carly smiled. She knew that Freddie had totally got the hots for Lola Martinez. "Will Lola come for the celebrations?" Shelby nodded. "Better keep that secret from Freddie, you know why!" Carly nodded solemnly. "Spencer shouldn't have mentioned Drake, either." She looked at Sam. Shelby chuckled when she noticed Sam's hungry eyes and her deeply red facial skin. "Even I had once got the hots for him, but he's a weakling, and Freddie is even more of a dweeb!" Carly chuckled. "He sure is!" Sam was still totally seized by fits of ardent lust, imagining her upcoming encounter with Drake Parker, the one and only! Shelby nodded. "They haven't yet decided on the role of St. Joseph, though. Dustin and his friend Scooter[[10]] have tried until the last moment to get Chase, the father of the baby, to come back to Zoey over Christmas, but he has got a new girlfriend, Addie[[11]] Singer. " She sighed with despair. "Even Lola's assistance was in vain." Carly sighed. "Poor Zoey, hell, poor Bartholomew! And that Dustin guy is a great fan uf us?" Shelby nodded. "Since he had seen that thing on TVS, with you and Sam and Zebo the dino[[12]], he is such a total fanboy. He will freak out when he knows that you're here." Carly shrugged. Yet another crazed fan? But OK, she did the show for her fans, so things like that were not unlikely to happen. Carly and Sam fell asleep pretty fast thereafter. * * * **Place**: * * * Dorm of Dustin Brooks **People**: * * * Fredward Benson, Spencer Shay, Dustin Brooks * * * Dustin's eyes bugged out. "Freddie? From _iCarly_?" Freddie nodded solemnly. "Yeah, it's me!" Dustin beamed and bounced around. "So you must be Spencer?" Spencer nodded solemnly. "I'm surprise how well the fans know me! I've been on the show like once in a month, for a few seconds ..." Dustin grinned. "Have you still got your socks?" Spencer grinned when he pulled at the ends of his pants. "Alas, they are getting old, and I run out on supplies." Dustin nodded. "I know why ..." Then he choked. Zoey would probably not want him to betray that she had made those socks. There should be some other means to prepare Spencer for facing the truth about the origin of the design of the socks he kept on wearing. Apparently, Zoey's pregnancy had delayed her design activities, which explained that Spencer was running out of fresh socks. Spencer was still carrying his sculptures, or whatever he had hidden underneath some cotton wrappings. "Oh, your artistic works go into the storage in the basement," announced Dustin. "I will take you there ..." Spencer shrugged. Dustin showed Freddie the closet. "Your luggage goes in there, and Spencer's into the one to the right-hand side." Freddie nodded. "OK, Spencer, I will take care of our luggage, go and follow Dustin!" Spencer nodded and bounded out, following their fan. Freddie had to wonder a lot about that Dustin probably was into either Carly or Sam, but which one? That was one burning question! Freddie took care of Spencer's socks who were getting old and stinky. Mom had stitched Spencer's name into each of them, preventing them from getting lost. Mom could be terrible, oh-so-terrible! Bleh! * * * ** Chapter 3. Where Is My Shoe?** * * * **Time**: * * * Tuesday before Christmas, breakfast time **Place**: * * * The Cafeteria of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Sonya (background)[[13]] , Carly Shay, Samantha Puckett, Shelby Marx, Marissa Benson (later), Melanie Puckett (later), Zoey Brooks (later), Bartholomew Brooks (later), Dustin Brooks (later), Spencer Shay (later), Fredward Benson (later), Nevel Papperman (later), diverse anonymous pupils (background) * * * Sam was more hungry than a pack of dire wolves when she entered the cafeteria, accompanied by Carly and Shelby. Her eyes twinkled when she noticed the food offered in here. "Battered ham for breakfast?" She bypassed the queu which wasn't that long, anyways. Carly chuckled. "Good old Sam!" Shelby nodded solemnly. "Only an apple and some green salad for me, but not too much oil!" Carly chuckled. "My usual sandwich and cappuccino, please!" Shelby chose a place for the three of them. "Melanie may come hereto, too." Carly chuckled. "I'm not sure that Sam wants here here." Shelby shrugged. "OK? Do you want to jog with me, after breakfast?" Carly nodded. "Why not?" Marissa Benson entered the cafeteria, followed by Melanie and Zoey who took turns carrying Bartholomew. "There's Carly!" "Good morning, Mrs. Benson!" Carly smiled. "Aw, is he sweet!" She grinned at the boy child. Bartholomew chuckled at Carly. Sam came back from the queue. She shuddered when she saw Melanie standing near Carly. "Cool! Sonya is the new cook here!" Sam placed her plate, it was chock full, in front of herself. Zoey rendered her infant unto Carly. "Hi! I'm Zoey Brooks, this is bartholomew. You're Carly?" Carly nodded. "Do you watch my web show?" Zoey shook her head. "It's a good show for tweenies and younger teens who have not yet abandoned all hope on life ... but I'm past that." She sighed with excessive mental pain. "Hey! You're smart and nice and beautiful and strong and all stuff!" Carly sighed. "It can't be all that bad!" Zoey moaned. "By the way, one of my shoes is missing. The golden ones that I only wear on days like Christmas. I wanted to polish it, butit's gone. One misery joins the other." "We will sure find the shoe!" Carly shrugged. She hadn't got any clue whatsoever as of where to look for the shoe. "Think of it, who would steal just one shoe? You may hardly walk with it!" Zoey shrugged. "Last time, I wore them at junior prom. When Chase came back, I went to my dorm and donned them for the night. It has become a habit, but it's all in vain. So what? My feet could have grown ever since, and the shoe wouldn't fit anyways." She shrugged helplessly. Carly wondered about the age of the shoes. Zoey explained: "About three years. Back then, I met a girl here, her name was Maria[[14]], she wore a pair of wonderful shoes which she had designed herself. Thereupon, I've followed her example and started designing my own shoes. I've designed quite a bunch of fashionable outfits, you should know: backpacks[[15]], shirts[[16]], and more." "So you must be sort of an artist?" asked Carly. Zoey nodded solemnly. Carly smiled. "My bro Spencer is an artist, too, but a very cranky one." In this moment, Spencer, Freddie, and Dustin made it into the cafeteria. Dustin stepped up to Zoey and kissed her forehead. Then he wanted to cuddle with Bartholomew, as had been his habit. And then he noticed in whose arms the infant had been resting. "Carly?" He blushed a shade of flaming crimson. Carly noticed Dustin's face going more and more red. That must be Dustin. Yeah, he wasn't tall and hot like Gary Wolf[[17]], Ben Hoopsher[[18]], Jake Crendle[[19]], or so many others. But his blushing made him so sweet. No other fan of hers had ever reacted this way upon encountering her for the first time. And he was very smart and kind. She rendered his nephew carefully unto him. "There he is." Dustin nodded. He couldn't talk, as Carly's presence had overwhelmed him completely. In reality, Carly was even much sweeter and more charming than on the screen. Sam chuckled about Dustin. What a freak! Melanie must have had a hell of a poor taste when she was younger, and a much worse taste today as she even considered dancing with Freddie! Spencer chuckled when he saw Bartholomew. He smiled almost like Carly when she was that small, but much more enigmatically. What a charming infant! Spencer had probably been exactly like that, back at that age. Freddie was also allowed to hold Bartholomew for a moment before he was forced to give it back to Zoey. He looked at carly. "Isn't he sweet?" Carly nodded solemnly. "OK, Carly, imagine," told Freddie. "you and me, and our own baby in our arms!" He looked hornily at Carly. Enough was enough! Carly's hand slipped, and she slapped Freddie's cheek. "Forget it, you dweeb!" Dustin was consternated. he had never imagined Carly being like that, but Freddie must have been sounding really obnoxious. Carly was flabbergasted by her own action. Mrs. Benson grabbed Freddie by his wrists, and dragged him into an adjacent room. She was really dismayed. Spencer had never seen anything like this from his little sister. "Carly?" He looked twice in order to assure that it was her. Carly's cousin Megan, the little sister of Drake, looked a lot like Carly, but she was very tricky and cunning. Coming to think of it, she would probably have punished Freddie in some more tricky, humiliating way than directly slapping him. But she had once smeared nevel's face with tapenade, and Freddie was even more obnoxious, hence it did made some sense that Carly had slapped him. Zoey chuckled. "Do you know what I've once done to Logan Reese? I've spit into his mouth! And my best friend, Lola, had bit his earlobe when he was equally perverse and obnoxious." Carly grinned. Freddie and Marissa returned from the next room. Freddie wasn't bleeding or anything like that, but he moaned because his mother insisted in rubbing his cheek with some antiseptic lotion. Fortunately, there wasn't any such thing left. Marissa wondered where to get some germ killer from. "There you are, Mrs. Benson!" boomed some vaguely familiar voice behind Marissa turned around and grabbed the salve that was offered unto her by ... "Nevel?" Nevel Papperman grinned. "Do you rue it, Carly? Do you rue the day? You rue it!" Carly almost threw up. "What has Nevel done to you?" asked Dustin, still very timid in Carly's presence. Carly sighed. "OK, Dustin. Nevel once invited me for an interview for his website, _Nevelocity_,and there he simply kissed me without asking. I've been upset and palmed his face with tapenade." "Cool!" Dustin beamed. "But, usually, Nevel isn't like that. I would like him if he weren't that mean to _iCarly_." Carly ruffled Dustin's hair and smiled. "Good fan! Do you want to come jogging with Shelby and me?" Dustin smiled and nodded. "Do you know that " Freddie exploded for jealousy. Sam chuckled mercilessly when she saw Freddie going emo. * * * **Place**: * * * Campus Yard of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Carly Shay, Dustin Brooks, Shelby Marx, Harper[[20]] * * * Carly, Dustin, and Shelby started jogging at moderate pace. Dustin sighed. "That was rough. You must have been really upset. I don't know you like this." Carly nodded. "I don't want to hurt Freddie, it was just so ... tasteless ..." Shelby sighed. "Same thing happened when Nevel faked your voice, making me think that you insulted my grandma." "That wasn't nice from Nevel. I don't understand it. he's usually really orederly and correct. There must be something hidden," speculated Dustin. Carly shrugged. "Anyways, Nevel annoys me since middle school with his obsession for me. He never breaks up spontaneous hugs, and talking about us making babies was the top of his perversion." She almost threw up. "And that in front odf your sister who would have planned a baby for much later in her life only, or so I understand." Dustin nodded solemnly. "Zoey is very uptight. She's totally the contary of Sam and younger Melanie. I found it cool dating Melanie in order to stand up to Zoey, but at some point, I figured that Zoey's protectivity was well-meant." Carly nodded. "Same with Spencer, although he has always been very messy and permissive, but a few times I didn't recognise him. Of course he wanted the best for me, but I didn't see it in the first place. Griffin, my bad ex-boyfriend, was such a failure." "Oh, what do you mean?" Dustin choked. "Sorry if I'm asking too much. Don't answer if it might hurt you!" Carly shook her head. "It's good to talk to you about it. EWell, I figured that Griffin was a Peewee Herman fetiscist." Dustin coughed. "That pervie?" Carly nodded solemnly. Shelby shrugged. "I could punch Pervie herman hard in the groin!" "I'd pay for watching," suggested Dustin. Carly chuckled. "Go, Shelby!" Along came Harper. "Carly!" Carly was surprised to see Harper. "Are you a student here? You've never told me." Harper nodded solemnly. "On Christmas Eve, I'm going to perform with Drake Parker's band. That will be great!" "Drake is my cousin," admitted Carly. Harper pouted. "Why haven't you told me in Seattle?" Carly shrugged. "California was so far, I didn't know that you would go out of your way for him?" "fair enough!"Harper chuckled. "After performing in your web show, Hollywood producer Malcolm Reese[[21]]" "OK," replied Carly. She was already looking forward to the Christmas performance. * * * **Place**: * * * Office of Dean Rivers **People**: * * * Dean Rivers, Secretary Beverly (background), Spencer Shay, Zoey Brooks, Maria[[22]] Hughes[[23]] , Stacey Dillsen * * * Dean Rivers, the principal of the Pacific Coast Academy, had gathered in his office the artists that have contributed for the decoration of the Christmas celebrations. Spencer had already seen Zoey Brooks in the cafeteria, and now he got to know the other helpers: Maria Hughes and Stacey Dillsen. He shook hands with the girls. Stacey lisped noisily. "My name is Stacey Dillsen. I'm from Swampscott, Massachusetts, but I also love Mississippi. My favourite herb is sassafras." "Thanks!" Spencer sighed. _That avalanche of mutilated hisses was too much._ Maria sighed. "Maria Hughes." Stacie and Maria turned out as girls who had just graduated from the Pacific Coast Academie. Dean Rivers gave sort of a speech, and a very boring one at that. Zoey held a bunch of keys in her hand. "Ms. Brooks," Dean Rivers announced, "you know what the keys are for and will show the way to Mr. Shay." Zoey nodded. "Sure! OK, Spencer, that's your first name?" Spencer nodded solemnly. Zoey smiled. "We are now going to the stage hall in order to prepare it with our artworks for the performance." Maria, Spencer, and Stacey smiled. "Really, we won't be able top do much before tomorrow when Schneider's bakery is going to deliver some stage outfit." Spencer wondered about Schneider's bakery. Zoey explained that Schneider's bakery was one of the main sponsors of the Christmas celebrations. "Basically, they provide the crude stage furniture, we will ornate it. But it's better for us to study the stage today in order to make a plan, kind of." She sighed. "Who takes care of your baby?" wondered Spencer. "Thanks for asking!" Zoey sighed. _Most people took it for granted that Zoey had endless time for everything._ "Melanie Puckett is doing that for me. But I'm going to look every now and then." Spencer nodded solemnly. Zoey smiled. "OK, follow me!" Spencer enjoyed being guided hither and thither by several girl artists. He whistled appreciatively. * * * ** Chapter 4. Schneider's Bakery** * * * **Time**: * * * Last Wednesday Before Christmas, 9 a.m. **Place**: * * * Stage Hall of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Zoey Brooks, Maria Hughes, Spencer Shay, Stacey Dillsen, Eric Blonowitz, three employees from Schneider's Bakery(later) * * * Spencer and the other artists had unwrapped their works of art. Zoey explained that the guys from Schneider's Bakery were expected any moment. "We've got Schneider's Convenience Store near my house in Seattle," explained Spencer. "Isn't that strange? Oh, and there's a hospital named St. Schneider's." Stacey scratcjhed her head and lisped: "My sister susan works at a nurse's station at St. Schneider's Hospital in Mississipi." Spencer's ears hurt. Then he recognised Stacey's contribution to the decoration: It was made exclusively from cotton swabs and white glue. "Wow, that's beautiful! It should have a name!" He scratched his skin. "How about _Beautiful Sculpture made From Cotton Swabs And White Glue_?" Stacey beamed. "That's so sweet!" Maria had apparently made a painting in the same vein as the nativity scenes depicted in the larger churches in countries like Mexico or Brazil. Spencer smiled with awe. Zoey had apparently made the costumes for Spencer's wooden sculptures, but also those fore the actors in the Christmas play. Spencer'sa eyes bugged out. The costumes reminded him of the outfit he had bought from Socko, Penny, and Tyler, such as socks, penny tees, and ties. He choked, but he didn't say anything. "Mr. Shay?" Zoey wondered what was going on with him. Nobody else had been that much flabbergasted upon seeing her works. "Nothing," replied Spencer. It was so hard to talk about it. Was Zoey really the author of those most beautiful and fashionable outfits? Zoey sighed. "OK, tell me if you need something. I probably may get at everything available at this school." Spencer shrugged. "It's OK!" He unwrapoped his sculptures. There was something knocking on the door. Zoey sighed. "OK, Mr. Shay, you may start trying to fit the costumes on your statues," Zoey suggested. "I better open, thses should be the guys from Schneider's Bakery," She walked away. Spencer shrugged. He had a strange feeling when fitting all the costumes that looked totally like the fancy outfit he used to wear in Seattle. "Who is this Schneider anyways?" Maria shrugged. "None of us have ever come to seen him." Spencer scratched his chin. "Nobody ever sees him, but everyone thinks to know him, and his works are omnipresent." Stacey and Maria agreed with Spencer's judgement. Zoey came back from the door, accompanied by some dorky nerd of about twenty years. Spencer shrugged. He didn't look much like a usuful guy. He made Freddie look like a girl eater. Zoey was disappointed, as well. "My name is Eric Blonowitz. I've been sent by Drake Parker in ordeer to check the accoustics and illumination of this room." Spencer choked. Freddie had so wanted to do this, given that he was also shooting the Christmas Special of _iCarly._ Eric unpacked a frew instruments. "I need a telescope." Stacey beamed. "I've gotone in my dorm. I love to gaze at stars at night, especially Saturn," she lisped. Eric nodded. "OK, you mat fetch it. I like gazing at stars, too, especially in the star observatory of Mt. Palomar." Stacey beamed and waved before going to fetch the telescope. Eric started with scrutinising the accoustics of the stage. "Drake is very picky. He wants to be heard everywhere in the audience. Do you already know that I punched Drake Parker accidentally.[[24]] , just a few years ago." Spencer shook his head. Of course it must have been an incident. Drake would never lose a fist fight to such a freak. It was probably too embarassing for Drake to talk about. Alas, it was safer to stay a few steps away from Eric. He continued testing the costumes. It was awkward, but the costumes looked perfect on his sculptures. Stacey returned from her dorm with her telescope. "OK, this telescope is my best friend," she lisped. Eric thanked Stacey and took the telescope. "I've talked to my my friend Craig Ramirez about an martial arts movie, the one with Shelby Marx as a guest star, and then my arm slipped, and ..." Eric did it again. His elbow hit Stacey in the side of her head. Stacey gurgled, reeled, and slumped on the ground. Eric was consternated. "Stacey!" He bowed over the unconscious body of the cotton swab princess. "OK, last year, I've been at a first-aid class." Zoey's cellular phone rang. She picked it up. "Zoey Brooks ... OK, be right there!" She sighed. "The dudes from Schneider's Bakery. Finally!" Everyone sighed with relief. Stacey regained her consciousness "My life is just pain and horror." Eric pulled Stacey into a comforting hug. "I know that feeling. Do you want to come with me tonight and watch the stars? Maybe we'll spot a wishing star!" Stacey smiled sweetly. "Sure! This sounds supertastic!" Eric didn't mind Stacey's lisp. It sounded so sweet and innocent. Zoey went upstairs in order to open for the guys from the bakery. The lads entered, carrying a few requisites that usually served in the bakery as containers for flour, butter, bread loaves, and so on. Zoey directed the guys. "OK, this bread box will serve us as a craddle." Spencer helped the guys with all the wooden and brass boxes. * * * **Place**: * * * 101 Brenner Hall **People**: * * * Marissa Benson, Melanie Puckett, Fredward Benson, Bartholomew Brooks * * * Freddie was disgusted. He was forced by Marissa to change Bartholomew's diapers over and over and over again. The infant glared grimly at Freddie. Melanie watched carefully. "I think Freddie has treid hard enough." Marissa's opinion divereged totally from Melanie's, which she expressed in brash words. "Eeeew!" Freddie moaned with a tortured voice. "Fredward!" Marissa gazed disapprovingly at her son. "You know why you have to do that!" "Yeah, mom!" Freddie gave in. Contradicting Marissa was in vain. His mother had condemned him to helping them gettinmg little Bartholomew done in order to allow him to be able to impress Carly with his skills in parenting and nursery, making her change her mind and accept him as the dad of her future kids. Melanie shook her head. She took little Bartholomew into her arms and whistled some lullaby. "This ain't going anywhere. Dustin is a really great babysitter." The infant fell fast asleep. Freddie exploded with excessive envy. "The devil shall take him!" Marissa was flabbergasted. "Fredward! Those words are not suitable for a little boy like you!" Freddie's anger increased. Little Boy? Hell no! Ma Benson was desperate. Her son was really no good for anything whatsoever. She sighed bitterly because she had to abandone all hope on a decent daughter in law. Why had she been punished with such a poor excuse of a man as her son? * * * **Place**: * * * Lounge of the boys' dormitory hall **People**: * * * Dustin Brooks, Carly Shay, assorted anonymous pupils (background) * * * Carly sighed when she sat next to Dustin. He was smaller, less manly, and only at the beginning odf pubescence, but Dustin was never boring. Unlike Freddie who only talked about technology or some horny stuff, or how much he felt tribulated by Sam, Dustin knew always something new and interesting to talk about. "Hi!" Dustin smiled. "You are already looking forward for your gifts?" "Carly grinned. 'Only if they don't set on fire. Spencer has such a tendency ...'" Dustin and Carly chuckled. Dustin sighed a bit. "Ilove my nephiew, but I also want a gift for Zoey that is just for herself." Carly nodded. "Yeah, Zoey should be glad for a brother like you." "Only if Spencer is glad for a sister like you!" Dustin smiled. "He is," replied Carly. "So, if you don't have anything yet for Zoey, it's probably too late for buying jewelry, or flowers, the shops are chock full, both today and tomorrow." Dustin sighed. "OK, I may help you out ... Last year, I've bought over 50 pairs of sun glasses[[25]] from Mercedes Lens. I've some with me that I've never used. Just add a labelreading something like _in love, Dustin_ or stuff. " She smiled. Dustin grinned. "Cool! You're the best." Carly chuckled. "And you may really saw virgins into half[[26]] ?" Dustin nodded proudly. "Sure!" "You should really do that live on our show!" Carly grinned. "Spencer's eyes will bug out when he sees his two half-sisters." Carly and Dustin laughed heartily. "OK, there won't be any time left to squeeze it into our Christmas special." carly sighed. "But you could saw me tonight, and we may include it into the web show when we're back in Seattle?" Dustin nodded. "Yeah! Sure! But I still have to help Zoey with Bartholomew. She says I'm good at that. I always make him laugh." Carly smiled. "You will be a great daddy. Do you want kids on your own? Some day, that is." "First comes love, then marriage, then babies," Dustin explained, "or so Zoey told me." Dustin sighed deeply. "Should be!" Carly nodded solemnly. "But I don't hold it against Zoey that she didn't stick to her own words. Spencer wouldn't have been a shiny example, either, but I still love him." Dustin smiled. "By the way, Spencer woke up with a golden shoe under his head pillow," reported carly. "Strangely, Zoey is missing precisiely one golden shoe." Dustin smiled innocently. Carly choked. "Are you trying to ... Cinderella and stuff?" Carly's eyes bugged out. Dustin fainted. Carly sighed. "I fully approve of your sis and my bro doing more things together. But is Spencer up to the tasks of a husband and father? He's so messy." Dustin made his head hang in shame. Carly hugged Dustin. "But I do like your train of thoughts! He'd be a good foster dad, though, after all, for kids who are a bit older." She chuckled mischievously. "It's so cool!" "I'd also like Spencer to play St. Joseph , tomorrow night," confessed Dustin. "Otherwise I'd have to do that, and it feels creepy playing your sister's hubby. I rather want to play a shepherd." Carly smiled. "You're totally right. Spencer as St. Joe, why not? But he once played Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, and the stage set on fire. Brrrrr! Mrs. Benson will take care of that, though!" * * * **Place**: * * * out on the campus Yard of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Samantha Puckett, Stacey Dillsen, Spencer Shay, Eric Blonowitz (later), Mrs. Benson (later) * * * The work in the stage hall was over. Spencer started strolling the campus, whistling _Jimmy Crack Corn_ He walked into Sam's direction. He noticed some girl with a strange sort of blindfold. What could that have been? Unpon further inspection, Spencer recognised the girl as Stacey Dillsen. The cups of her own bra covered her face. How could that be? Sam smiled at Spencer and whistled innocently. "Are you at the bottom oof that?" wondered Spencer. Samchuckled mischieveously. "Who else?" Stacey screeamed and yelled because she couldn't see where she was walking into. Along came Eric Blonowitz, looking forward to observing the stars. Sam snuck up to Eric and gave him a wedgie. That was much more fun than with Freddie, and even more than with Gibby! Startled Eric crashed right into Stacey Dillsen. His pair of glasses dropped off his nose. Eric and Stacey screamed equally. They tried to help each other as much as possible. Mrs. benson came along. She shook her head and helped the unfortunate lovebirds. Then she walked on, saying nothing. She had been totally disappointed by Freddie. Spencer reported the golden shoe unto Sam. "I need to find my Cinderella!" "Faery tales are for losers," stated Sam. She shrugged helplessly. * * * ** Chapter 5. Greatest Christmas Eve Of All** * * * **Time**: * * * Christmas Eve, past breakfast time **Place**: * * * Campus Entrance of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Samantha Puckett, Carly Shay, Fredward Benson, Spencer Shay, Harper, Drake Parker, Lisa Perkins, Josh Nichols, Megan Parker (starts hidden) * * * Carly, Freddie, Spencer, and Sam had been waiting with Harper at the entrance of the campus. Now the van of Drake Parker was there. Carly jumped into Drake's arm and huggled him tightly. Sam's eyes bugged out. Inspite of knowing that Drake was Carly's cousin, she was infinitely jealous. She tried hard to pull Carly away from Drake. Spencer introduced Drake and Josh, who was not only step-brother of Drake, but also manager of the band. Drake let Carly to the ground. "Enough for today. We've got some work to do." Spencer nodded. "Let's take the instruments to the stage. Your strange pal Eric has already tested the accoustics and marked the best positions for the instruments." Sam giggled. She loved pulling at Eric's pants. Carly sighed. "Sam, he's yours now." Sam tried to tear Drake to the ground with a powerful snuggle. "Hey! Not that fast, young lady!" Sam grinned. "Anyways," said Drake, "this is my new lead singer Lisa Perkins." Lisa shook hands with the others. Sam snuck up to Josh from behind. He was such a big-headed dork. That cried for a wedgie! Josh twitched and scremed with agaony. Drake and Sam cackled with glee. Lisa had graduated from the Pacific Coast Academy that spring, and she asked for a permission to see the friends she still had, and who were around for Christmas. "Does anyone among you know where Zoey Brooks is?" Carly nodded. "101 Brenner Hall. She's taking care of her infant." Lisa smiled. "OK, thanks. Ad then I have to practise with a certain Harper." Harper jumped up and down. "That's me!" Drake nodded. "OK, I've thought that Harper was going to do guitar backup for Lisa." Josh shrugged. "The rest of the band is coming over here after lunch." Harper was OK with that. Spencer started helping Drake and Josh with the instruments. Suddenly, Megan parker, the little sister of Drake who looked fairly similar to Carly, snuck around the crew. She jumped in front of Freddie. Freddie sighed. He had never seen Carly pushing her nose so close to his. He wrapped his arms around Megan and pecked her on the lips. That was the greatest day in his life. he grinned proudly. "Fooled you," yelled Megan. Freddie was consternated when he saw Carly twice. he pouted and grunted. Carly hugged Megan. "And this is Megan, my favourite cousin." Sam laughed diabolically about Freddie's confusion. Freddie exploded with anger. He walked away in shame. Megan took some antiseptic lotion and rubbed her lips with it. "Egad! Boob germs on my lips." She whispered to Carly. "But his face was worth it. I guess you've won the bet." Carly nodded. She had bet with Megan that Freddie would do that due to being unable to tell them apart. Spencer had not believed it. Now he owed Carly a new G.O. Carly walked away in order to introduce Megan to her new boyfriend, Dustin Brooks. Josh was interested in the library of the school. But he also wanted to have a look at the arts that was exposed in the stage hall. He had heard that there were some wonderful nativity scenes. He just followed Spencer's footsteps. * * * **Place**: * * * 101 Brenner Hall **People**: * * * Zoey Brooks, Harper, Marissa Benson, Bartholomew, Lisa Perkins, Melanie Puckett * * * Zoey, Melanie, and Marissa were taking care of Bartholomew when Harper and Lisa entered. Zoey rendered the infant to Marissa when she saw Lisa. Then she jumped arpund and threw her arms around one of her best friends. "Lisa!" Lisa smiled. "Zoey! Oh, Bartholomew has grown quite a bit." Zoey nodded solemnly. "Marissa will give him to you in a few, because I know that you want to hold him." Lisa sighed. "It would have been too cool to come true when I broke up with Michael because of arguing about marriage and children." Zoey nodded. "Michael and you, you've been all sweet together, but full of obnoxious misunderstandings." Lisa sighed bitterly. "Now I have got Bartholomew, but no daddy for him," moaned Zoey. "Dustin has strange ideas. One of my golden shoes has recently gone astray, and Dustin told me to wear the other shoe like a locket or amulet over the Christmas days, and the prince who found the shoe would reveil himself. Thence my strange amulet." She chuckled. Lisa snickered along. Melanie couldn't keep herself from laughing aloud. "Fortunately, Marissa is such a good auxiliary mom and doesn't mind helping out, unlike Zoey;s dad and mom who are still disgusted." Marissa sighed. "OK, it's time to tell you a secret. Freddie is not my son." Harper and Melanie choked. Marissa rendered Bartholomew unto Lisa. "Listen, I'm really his aunt. When my younger sister turned pregnant, she was just 16 years old, and she was in a way worse condition than Zoey is today. Our parents were totally upset, so I took care of both mother and baby. Hence, as Freddie is just sort of borrowed, I'm exaggeratedly careful with him. She went to Hollywood and stuff." She sighed with agony. Zoey sighed deeply. Harper played a lullaby for Bartholomew. Lisa sang softly along. This worked almost magically. Bartholomew fell asleep in no time. "You're a perfect team," remarked Zoey, looking at Harper and Lisa. Lisa and Harper glared at each other, causing the other to blush deeply. Zoey looked at her watch. "OK, I need to make some adjestments for the decoration of the stage. I hope it doesn't take me too much." Marissa and Melanie promised to keep good care of Bartholomew while Zoey was gone. * * * **Place**: * * * The Stage Hall of the pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Stacey Dillsen, Eric Blonowitz, Maria Hughes, Drake Parker, Spencer Shay, Joshuah Nichols, Zoey Brooks (later) * * * When Drake, Spencer, and Josh arrived, Eric, Stacey, and Maria had already been busy for quite some hour. Eric talked about a wishing star that he and Stacey had observed last night. Drake refused to listen to Eric's stories, given that listening to them used to be more boring than watching fungus grow. Josh saw the paintings. "Wow! That's impressive. Who did the painting?" Maria fessed up. "Do you know that I once wanted to become an artist?" Drake would have loved to stuff Josh's big mouth. Josh sighed. "I've been great at drawing[[27]], well, I still am, but I came to appreciate science even more. Alas, maybe it was an error. " Spencer nodded. "Not giving suiote to your artistic creativity is always a horrible mistake." Josh sighed bitterly. Maria smiled. "If you want to, we may paint something together, after Christmas or so." Josh swooned with delight. "That would be great, downright wonderful!" He twitched and bounced around. Drake arranged his instruments, according to Eric's elaborate sketch. The door opened, and Zoey came walking down the steps. She adjusted the golden shoe which served her as a amulet, as had been suggested by Dustin. Spencer turned around. What was that? A golden shoe? And it appeared to match with the one he had found under his pillow. Dis it really belobg to Zoey? "Hey guys!" Zoey smiled. Drake's eyes buggged out. Five years had gone by since he had last played at this school.[[28]]. Zoey had organised his visit, in exchange for new outfit for the band, as she had done this year. But Zoey was now even much more beautiful. He gazed at Zoey with hungry eyes. Spencer turned jealous, but he didn't want to show it. Anyways, Zoey was much too young for a guy of thirty years, wasn't she. Zoey saw it coming. Drake was about trying to hit on glared disappreciatelively at Drake. "What a jerk," whispered she with a soft voice. "Sorry, I've got to do something in my dorem, be back in five minutes!" Zoey shrugged. "I'm waiting here!" Spencer waved and walked away. Zoey shook hands with Josh. "And you're his manager?" Josh nodded. "Also his step-brother." Josh twitched energically. "Sorry for his demeanour, he can be embarassing like that." Zoey nodded solemnly. Then she inspected the work. "Sounds great!" Maria nodded. "Isn't it amazing how wonderful your costumes fit Spencer's sculptures? And you've never met before." Zoey fainted. Was that destiny? Spencer returned from his excursion. He held a golden shoe in his hand. Also, he had donned his tie and his penny tee. Zoey's eyes bugged out. "My shoe!" Spencer coughed. "I've found it under my pillow." Zoewy also noticed Spencer's outfit. It must have been her design, so how did Spencer get it? Spencer scrutinised both of the shoes closely, reveiling that they were really a pair. Zoey sighed. "Thanks, Mr. Shay. By the way, how did you get your socks, ties, and penny tees?" Spencer sighed. "Some californian girl sold it to me over the interweb. Mindy Greensaw or similar." "Crenshaw?" Josh twitched. "I once had a girlfriend with that name." "Creature!" Drake chuckled sadistically, provocating Josh badly. Zoey sighed. "Oh, her, listen. I've designed fashionable backpacks, five years ago, and then Mindy came along and pirated them. With my frienbd's help, I've ruined her business[[29]], but we;ve made up a few weeks later, and she became my marketing manager for the following weeks, until she returned to San Diego. I forgot that she still had got a few examplaries left, quite a few, that is. Did she rip you off? " Spencer shook his head. "I only had to pay for the transport." Zoey nodded. "Then it's OK." Spencer was sad because Zoey didn't earn much with her wonderful designs. "Thanks agin for the shoe. Zoey chuckled. 'Dustin thought that the one to find the shoe was going to be my fairt tale prince.'" "Oh, Dustin." Spencer banged his head. "He must have hidden the shoe under my pillow." "What a naughty kid!" Zoey chuckled. Spencer sighed. "I don't have much money, not even a regular income, being a freelance artist." Zoey agreed. "Dustin can be a hopeless dreamer." Spencer gazed dreamily deep into Zoey's eyes, but he woke up fast. "Oops, sorry for the gaze ... what I wanted to say, I've been at law school for a few days. I hadn't even been admitted, my grandpa did everything, and I haven't had the guts to tell him that I failed miserable at undergraduate school." Zoey hugged Spencer in comfort. "Truth spoken, I haven't yet told my parents about my Bartholomew. They would hate me. Only Dustin stuck up for me." Spencer sighed deeply. "I am dead sure that Carly is the only member in my family who really accepts me." Zoey nodded. "By the way, would you want to play my St. Joseph at the Christmas play?" Spencer scratched his head. "And my text?" Zoey shrugged. "There isn't any. My friend Lisa will sing the story, we don't have to say anything." Spencer cheered. "That's OK. Yeah!" Zoey smiled. * * * **Place**: * * * Lounge of Maxwell Hall **People**: * * * Carly Shay, Megan Parker, Dustin Brooks, various anonymous pupils, Nevel Papperman (later) * * * Carly and Megan found Dustin right in his lounge. "Hi, Dustin!" Dustin had not been informed in advance about the existence of Carly's similar looking cousin. Alas, his initial astonishment notwithstanding, he had no real difficulties telling the girls apart. Megan congratualetd Dustin. "Good choice! Freddie couldn't even tell us appart." Megan introduced herself to Dustin. "You're Drake's sister?" Dustin's eyes bugged out. "True, but don't talk too much about it." Megan sighed. "It's embarassing, sort of. He's such a boob." Dustin wondered what boobs were. Megan explained that she named all the dumb boys "boobs", especially Drake and Josh. Dustin chuckled. "yeah, Drake is an incredible jerk. My sister would turn hiom down on site. Only Logan Reese is worse." Carly and Megan nodded solemnly. Suddenly, Nevel Papperman showed up. Carly was consternated. _Did he have to mess up with everything, anywhere and at any time?_ "Nevel!" "Do you rue it, Carly?" Nevel's voice was powerful and charismatic, more demandoing than an archangel's. "You rue it! Until dystopia will you rue it!" Megan knew that Nevel had once kissed Carly on her cheek, against their will, which resulted in some sort of a war. What might have happened if she returned the kiss, in place of Carly? Nevel glared enigmatically when he saw Megan approaching.. Megan brushed Nevel's cheeks with her lips. Nevel shrieked, but he was not confused about one thing. "Carly! Do you really think you may deceive me by sending a surrogate my way?" Megan nodded. "Cool! By the way, my name is Megan Parker." So powerfully did the whole tremendous yet enigmatic demeanour of Nevel Papperman affect her. His scary posture and gesture had struck her like a lightning bolt. From whence did he come, and what was he properly talking about? There must have been a deeper secret at the bottom of his mysterious appearance, and Carly was unable to notice that, otherwise she would not have treated him in such a vulgar manner. Megan glared at Nevel in a thoroughly scrutinising manner. She tried to read in his eyes. Nevel was afraid of looking into the face of people, hence his evasive yet determined gaze. Alas, why was Megan still unscathed? That was strange. Megan knew that she was going to be fascinated by Nevel's demeanour forever an done day, even though, at that very point, she could not tell for what cause or avail. She xsat down again. "See us later?" She didn't say it aloud. Nevel was equally fascinated by Megan's cunning determination. _Of course she would be always on his mind. And never was he going to mistake her for Carly, who wasn't worthy of his presence._ He walked calmly away. * * * **Time**: * * * Same day, lunch time **Place**: * * * Cafeteria of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Sonya (background), Kazu (background), Fredward Benson, Marissa Benson, Zoey Brooks, Dustin Brooks, Bartholomew Brooks, Carly Shay, Samantha Puckett, Melanie Puckett, Josh Nichols, Drake Parker, Megan Parker, Shelby Marx, Lola Martinez (later) * * * The gang had gathered for lunch in the cafeteria. Freddie was in a mood more stinky than ever before. Not only had Dustin stolen Carly from him, Carly had also humiliated him and abused him as the subject of a bet. He sat next to Spencer and choked noisily. Sam had piled a whole tower of foodies upon her tablet. She grinned with glee. She smiled at Sonya and her boyfriend Kazu, the owner of the local sushi bar _Sushi Rox_. Kazu helped Sonya in the cafeteria as the sushi bar was closed during the vacations. Spencer was still overwhelmed. _Zoey was a dream of a girl for him, but very young, and Bartholomew needed to be taken care of regularly. Was that task something Spencer was up to accomplishing? He had neglected his goldfish horribly. Nobody doubted that Spencer was going to be a great foster father in a few years when the infant had learned to walk and talk, but for the moment being, it was too scary. Nevertheless, he couldn't deny that he loved the girl that had made all those wonderful outfits for him, even without him knowing._ Shelby looked at her watch. "Lola has called me on my mobile phone. She should be here any minute." Carly smiled. She hoped that Lola was not exactly like Amber Tate[[30]], the only TV show star she had met hitherto. A very annoying star, yuck! Dustin told Carly that Lola could be hyper, but compared with Amber Tate or his class mate Ashley Blake[[31]], Lola was harmless, just a bit crazy. Carly smiled. And there was the one minute about which Shelby had been talking. Lola Martinez, the shining star, walked in through the door. She was still known by many pupils, especially Zoey Brooks who had been her room pal for four long years. Consequently, Lola hurried up to Zoey and threw her arms around her. Shelby squeezed Lola, too. In this moment, Freddie noticed the Hollywood actress. An unhealthy overdose of testosterone shot through Freddie's veins like a rocket through outer space. Freddie's eyes bugged out. Unable to control his compulsive urges, Freddie gazed at the movie starlet with hungry eyes. Mrs. Benson tried to calm Freddie down, but she failed completely. Sam chuckled. "Freddork is looking for yet another turndown. Can't he ever get enough?" Lola noticed incoherently stammering Fredward and his horny posture. "Whois that dweeb?" Her voice sounded annoyed. She took a look at Freddie's lips. "A poor excuse of a kisser!" She laughed heartily about Freddie's insane crush. "Aw, who is a bad kisser?" Sam's voice was taunting to no end, and she cackled with unrestrained glee. Freddie's brain burnt for anger. He blew billowing smoke with the scent of brimstone and pitch through his capital orifices, just like a red and fiery dragon. Then he stood up and walked away. stomping like an elefant. Carly was worried. "If he doesn't calm down, our Christmas special will have to be canceled." She trembled with disappointment. Megan snuck up to Lola. "My brother Drake Parker is a good kisser, the best of Southern California." Lola coughed. "The famous rock star? You're his sister?" Drake was hidden behing Josh and a mini fig tree Megan nodded. "Unfortunately, yes." She took Lola's wrists and lead her to Drake. Lola smiled. Yeah, really, that was Drake! He was rumoured to be a hell of a gifted kisser. hence he was definitely worthy of giving it a try! Megan poked Drake, amking him turn around. "Oh, hi, you must be ... Lola, the shooting starlet of Hollywood?" Lola nodded. "Yeah!" She smiled sweetly, and she cheered ecstatically. "You're a goofd kisser, right?" "The best!" Drake snickered proudly. Lola threw her arms around drake and pulled him in a passionate kiss, the most fiery kiss that anyone had ever come to witness in Southern California. Fortunately, Freddie wasn't around, for he would have died, had he seen the magically perfect fluff between Drake and Lola. * * * **Time**: * * * Christmas Eve, Evening Hours **Place**: * * * Stage Hall **People**: * * * Drake Parker, Drummer Gary[[32]] , Drummer Neil[[33]] , Harper, Lisa Perkins, Zoey Brooks, Spencer Shay, Carly Shay, Dustin Brooks, Bartholomew Brooks, Nevel Papperman (initially dressed as a donkey), Melanie Puckett, Shelby Marx (initially dressed as an ox), Lola Martinez, Megan Parker, Josh Nichols (background), Dean Rivers, Marissa Benson, Eric Blonowitz (background), Stacey Dillsen (background), Maria Hughes (background), Sonya (background), Kazu (background), assorted anonymous pupils and staff members (background), Fredward Benson (later) * * * Drake had gathered his band, and he had brought it into position Harper stared dreamily deep into Lisa's eyes, but he was aware that his task was backing her up with his guitar, and not flirting with her. Carly was worried because Freddie had still not shown up. Marissa sighed. "He locked himself into his dorm, and he hides aunder his puillows, not willing to talk to anyone." Dustin sighed. He didn't want to be the cause of a broke_iCarly_ session, especially not the Christmas special. Carly calmed Dustin down. "It isn't your fault. Freddie needs to learn what he can get, and that's definitely not me, or Shelby, or Lola." She sighed. "And he should have started learning this like four years ago." Dustin shrugged. He got ready to play one of the shepherds. Along came Lola. "A webshow is something like TV, just with a computer, right?" Carly nodded. "And it is seen by many people?" Lola beamed brightly. "May I be your co-motivator?" She started begging like a puppy. Carly sighed. "Usually, that's Sam's task, but maybe a second co-moderator would be OK for this special. Alas, we've lost our tech producer." Sam shrugged. "Not my fault!" Carly glared at Sam. "I guess I better look after him," " suggested Sam." Carly nodded solemnly Sam waved and walked away. She pulled some piece of curved wire from her pockets and started playing with it, whistling innocently. Dean Rivers stepped on the stage, and he started giving a really boring speech, in other words, business as usual. Thereupon, he introduced the band, and he called the pupils on the stage who were involved in the play. Zoey held Bartholomew tightly. Spencer stood next to her. He sighed. If only he hadn't been such a messy guy, the little family could have turned real. Zoey placed little Bartholomew carefully into the bread box from Schneider's bakery that served as a manger. Spencer smiled at the infant, calming him on site. Harper and Lisa were rigged and ready. In this moment, Sam bounded in through the door and stepped down the stairways. Hedlocked Freddie was forced into following her. He moaned and whimpered. Marissa Benson was flabbergasted. "What are you doing to Fredward?" She squealed with dismay. "I didn't tell you to break into his dorm and kidnap him violently," remarked Carly, "did I?" Sam shrugged apathetically. "Who cares, here is the dork!" Then she released Freddie from the headlock. Lola sighed, as she pitied Freddie somewhat. "Hey, I may be your co-moronator for this session, then you may look at me all the time, as long as you want to. Just don't touch me, OK?" _Phew! But the publicity was probably worth the hole compromise._ Freddie moaned and sighed. "OK." Sam and Carly were not sure whether this was going to work out, but they had to try to. "Online in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ..." Carly and Sam initiated the show. Lola smiled. "Hey! I am your co-modificator!" she beamed brightly. carly explained. "This is our Christmas special, live from a boarding school in California. The name is Pacific Coast Academy!" Sam grinned. "And we are showing you the performance of a Christmas play by pupils of this school, amonmg them my sister Melanie." Her voice had turned sarcastic when she mentioned Melanie. "Oh, do you see me?" Lola ginned. "It's a wonderful stage, isn't it? And St. mary will be played by my best friend Zoey Brooks, and little Jesus by her real kid, Bartholomew!" She waved over to Zoey. "And, last but not least," announced Carly, "my cousin Drake and his band will play something for you!" She waved over to Drake. Harper strummed his guitar like nobody's business. He told Carly that they were going to sing a song that was popular in Jamaica when his grandma still lived there. Lisa Perkins started singing.[[34]] * * * A Long Time Ago In Bethlehem[[35]] So The _Holy Bible_ Says[[36]] Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ Was born on Christmas-day * * * Carly stood in awe when she heard Lisa's voice and the vibrations of Harper's strings penetrate the air. She ordered Freddie to zoom in on Spencer, Zoey, and Bartholomew. * * * Hark and hear the angels sing Our king is born today And man will live forever more Because of Christmas day * * * Carly smiled when she noticed that Spencer had been, and still was, performing in a perfect manner. Spencer, Zoey, and Bartholomew looked like one happy young family. _Too bad it was just a play!_ She sighed profoundly. Dustin and Melanie were getting ready for their roles as shepherds. Carly knew that this could hurt Freddie, so she refrained from telling him to zoom in on Dustin, althought she would have loved to see him as close as possible. The audience sang merrily along with Lisa. Freddie was finally exhausted. This day had been too much for him. Sam offered to give him a break, and accomplish the tasks of a tech producer. Freddie choked. "Sam? You?" Sam nodded. "Who knew abiout the Moving Picture Experts Group[[37]] ? Who knew how to sabotage your computer without your knowledge?[[38]]" Freddie coughed. _True! He should have wondered about this earlier in this life._ He sat down in the front row. Maybe Sam needed some sort of backseat pilot. Sam took over in a seemless manner. Fortunately, Lola was already rigged and ready for taking Sam's place. Freddie admired her proficiency which had been hitherto unbeknownst to him. This was Carly's very moment. It was her task to light the Christmas decoration. She took her match box, and she started lighting the gas candles which had been installed by Eric Blonowitz. Lisa continued. * * * For a moment the world was aglow, All the bells rang out There were tears of joy and laughter People shouted Let everyone know There is hope for all To find peace * * * Carly set the stage safely ablaze, as opposed to what Spencer would have done. She also launched the chime of bells. The audience glared with awe. Lisa continued her performance. * * * Oh my Lord, you sent your son to save us Oh my Lord, your very self you gave us * * * For one very last time, Sam zoomed in on Bartholomew, Zoey, and Spencer. Carly sighed with relief. Marissa took little Bartholomew. "I care for him for the rest of the evening. I'll call you if I need you." Zoey nodded solemnly. Spencer nodded as well, as if it had been properly his business. Now it was Drake's turn. His drummers Neil and Gary were going to back him up. Lola walked up to Drake and beamed. Her heart beat at triple speed. "Hey Drake, what aere you going to play for us?" "_Travelling Spaceman[[39]]_ by D. Cheeseburger," announced Drake. "This was my favourite when I was ten years old." He whispered something into Lola's ear. Lola nodded, then she sat down on Drake's lap, and she snuggled up to him and purred with glee. Freddie didn't really mind that much. All of a sudden, Sam was much more interesting. Lola suckled at Drake's cheeks. Drake started singing. * * * A spaceman came travelling with his ship from afar It was light years of time[[40]] since his mission did start And over a village he halted his craft And it hang in the sky like a star. * * * While Drake was still singing, the iillumination of the stage background started flickering and twinkling. The audience started trmbling. * * * And a bright light of silver Shone around his head And he had the face of an angel. The stranger spoke to them He said: Do not fear! * * * Alas, when the lights went down without any apparent reason, Drake started shivering as well. Shelby, sitting in the front row, took off the head from her oxen costume, hoping that she could see better without. "Has anyone seen Nevel? He was the donkey!" Sam shook her head. She struggle with her webcam who didn't work well in the flickering and fading light. Suddenly, the outlines of a tweenie were visible. "Hold this!" the guy, now identifiable as Nevel Papperman, commanded Carly, and he flang the head of his donkey costume onto her lap. Carly shrugged helplessly. Why was Nevel's head about glowing? The audience was excited when it saw Nevel's shimmering halo. Megan stood up and walked towards Nevel. She snuck up to him and threw her arms around him, half for awe, half for affection. This was the Saviour. Nevel glared sternly at the audience. The halo grew stronger and stronger, illuminating the whole stage. Megan sighed. "They don't understand you," whispered she unto Nevel. "But I know who what you are. Let's talk about it in private! They are not yet wothy of you, and you can't force them to understand you." Nevel shrugged. "OK, if you say it, I'm going to believe you." Megan grabbed nevel by the donkey tail and dragged him off the stage. The broad mass calmed down. They were not going to forget it, even if they did not understand zilch. Carly shrugged and reilluminated the stage with her match sticks. Sam turned the broadcast on again.. Lola took the microphone. "Sorry for the interruption. strange things have happened, almost like three years ago when we had visited the tomb of Charles Galloway[[41]], but it's all gone by now. " she sighed with relief. Dean Rivers decided to stop the official program and to switch to some informal celebrations, as many pupils were unable to concentrate any longer. Carly, Lola, and Sam left the webcam on air for some hour, and then they called it a day. What a Christmas Eve! * * * ** Chapter 6. Merry Christmas** * * * **Time**: * * * Christmas Morning, Breadfast Time **Place**: * * * Lounge Brenner Hall **People**: * * * Zoey Brooks, Carly Shay, Marissa Benson, Bartholomew Brooks, a few other pupils (background) * * * Carly fixed a cup of cocoa from a vendor machine. The cafeteria was only open for lunch, but cocoa was cocoa, so what! Zoey held Bartholomew in her arms. Marissa had accompanied her. She held a little package from Santa Claus in her hands. Zoey and Marissa sat down, close to Carly. Carly smiled at the infant. She told Zoey and Marissa about the thoughts that she had got when watching Spencer, Bartholomew, and Zoey at the manger. "Too bad it was just a play!" She sighed deeply. Zoey nodded. "There are so many thinks I like about Spencer, his artistic taste and stuff, but, after all Marissa told me, it's like ... I'd have to take care of a second baby." Carly sighed bitterly. "If Bartholomew was already toddling and talking or potty-clean, it would be worth it," declared Zoey. Marissa shrugged. "I may trye to hammer some responsibility into him, maybe this speeds it up. When my sister was pregnant with Freddie ...", explained marissa, forgetting that Carly wasn't yet aware of that family secret. "What?" Carly was consternated. marissa had to tell Zoey about the details. "And then I took care of Freddie on my own because neither of his parents was able to." Zoey hugged Carly. "Sorry." Carly sighed deeply. _It seemed as even Freddie didn't know about that. What if he got to learn about it?_ Carly tried to distract herself. "Did you already get something from Santa Claus?" Zoey unwrapped the pair of sunglasses. "Dustin is really sweet, isn't he?" Carly whistled innocently. "Of course!" Zoey sighed. "James gave me a locket with a similar inscription before I knew that I was pregnant. He didn't want it back when we broke up. Some day, I will have to show it to Bartholomew." Carly nodded. "Honesty is the best ..." She choked because she had inadvertedly called Marissa a hypocrit. "I will have to tell Freddie, that's true, before he leaves home," swore Marissa. But Carly was curious concerning the gift Marissa had received. Marissa hesitated. "From Dean Rivers." "Wow!" Carly beamed. "You're a fast dater!" Marissa choked. "Hey! We are not dating. How would you come to think we did?" Carly sighed. Marissa opened the gift. "What?" It was some sort of c0ontract. Zoey overread it fast. "He's offering you a job as a Dorm Adviser for the girls!" Carly applauded. Marissa was both flattered and flabbergasted. Carly sighed. This meant that Freddie was going to move to California, and thencethe end of _icarly_. Marissa didn't know what to say or to do. This was really unexpected. Zoey smiled. "OK, we could sure use you over here. And someone here would be very happy if Carly joined in." Carly whistled innocently. * * * **Place**: * * * Lounge of Maxwell Hall **People**: * * * Dustin Brooks, Fredward Benson, Spencer Shay, Samantha Puckett * * * Spencer had fixed some doughnuts and cocoa from the machine for himself, and for Dustin and Freddie. The teenie boys sat in a beanbag couch. Freddie was curious enough to want to know what was Dustin's gift for Carly. "Just a few poems, and I've tried to draw a few flowers, but they look more like trees." He fainted. Freddie sighed. He had never had any great idea for gifts. "Mom gets a new broom, Spencer and Carly get a new nat for their door, ..." Spencer, Freddie, and Dustin chuckled unison. Dustin chuckled. "I think I know what is your favourite gift you received this Christmas." Freddie grinned. "No, you don't." Spencer wrapped hastily the G.O. he owed Carly, as he had lost that bet. Dustin sighed. "It walks on two legs, has got, long, wavy, and dark blond hair, grins diabolically ..." Freddie choked. "What? Sam and I? That's absurd!" Sam entered the lounge and spotted the three loitering guys. "Hi!" Freddie fainted when Sam walked by. "Come on," stammered Dustin. "I've watched you how you looked at Sam when she operated the webcam and the laptop." Freddie coughd and blushed. "No, there was nothing you might have seen." Spencer chuckled. Sam wondered what was going on. Dustin explained that Freddie had gazed at her in a totally admiring manner when she subbed for him. Sam glared at Freddie. "What?" Freddie stomped his feet. Spencer keeled over laughing. Freddie sighed. "It's true. Sam, you're really awesome." He blushed deeper and deeper. "I'm so ashamed for having ignored your class." Sam grabbed Freddie, plastering a stern grimace. "Dorkward! How dare you ..." Spencer looked at the ceiling, unable to bear watching the pending bickering scene between Freddie and Sam. "May I mind you that you stand under a mistle toe?" Freddie and Sam coughed. Sam sighed, and then she pulled Freddie into an affectionate kiss. Freddie moaned and purred with excessive glee. Dustin applauded. But where had the mistle toe come from? * * * **Time**: * * * Christmas Day, Early Afternoon **Place**: * * * Parking Lot of the Campus of the Pacific Coast Academy **People**: * * * Spencer Shay, Marissa Benson, Carly Shay, Fredward Benson, Samantha Puckett, Megan Parker, Drake Parker, Josh Nichols, Lola Martinez, Shelby Marx, Melanie Puckett, Zoey Brooks, Bartholomew Brooks, Dustin Brooks, Nevel Papperman * * * For Carly and her gang, it was now finally time to say good-bye. Spencer entered his van in order to control everything, albeit in his usual messy manner. Mrs. Benson rendered Bartholomew unto Zoey. "OK, Ms. Brooks, I'm going to potty train Spencer." She waved. She had not yet decided on the offer by Dean Rivers. Zoey nodded. "That'd be very nice." Phew. That was so close it was very hard not mentioning the family secret of the Bensons. Carly huggled Dustin. "You may visit us any time in Seattle. Maybe we will come to your school once again, anyways. I love your poems, and the bush or whatever that was." Dustin smiled. "Your song for me was wonderful, too." Melanie shook Sam's hand. "Greet mom, and aunt Maggie, and the prison freaks." Sam smiled. "Will do, Mel!" Zoey gave Bartholomew briefly to Mel so she could hug Spencer. "Keep good care of Carly, and of yourself!" She kissed him gently on the top of his head. Spencer sobbed. This was one of his hardest farewells, ever. Shelby announced: "Oh, you're invited to Drake's and Lola's wedding, next spring break!" Carly grinned. "They don't waste any time!" She grinned when she watched the two fluffy lovebirds making out. Alas, she wondered why Freddie and Sam haven't yet been at each other's throat as they used to be. Josh announced that he was going to marry Maria the same day that Lola and Drake were going to get married. Megan whistled innocently. Carly wondered. "Megan? What have you got to do with this?" "Nevel and I, we've made a mistle toe float above their heads when they met this morning in the lounge, " whispered Megan into Carly's ears. Nevel beamed. "But really, they should have made it there on their own. It was just a matter of time," exclaimed Megan. Carly snickered. "You're one cousin of a bitch!" Spencer sighed. He would have loved to stay there, but he had to return to Seattle for some assignment. Carly, Freddie, Sam, and Marissa boarded the van. Another hard trip was ahead. * * * **Time**: * * * Indefinite Future * * * After having pondered for a few weeks, Marissa accepted the offer from Dean Rivers. She started as a dorm adviser at the Pacific Coast Academy right after the wedding of Lola and Drake. Freddie followed herto the PCA, but Sam had to come with him. He had to ask Spencer to persuade the youth care office to send Sam to Malibu, for the same reason that Grandpa Spencer had convinced them to send Melanie over there. Carly didn't hesitate joining as well, which was made easier because Spencer had found a job in Los Angeles, due to the help of Josh Nichols and Maria Hughes. This, in turn, allowed Zoey to see her St. Joseph more and more often. Mqrissa was busy potty-training Spencer, so he was more and more of a help for Zoey instead of yet another burden. They even started thinking seriously about a wedding. Carly and Dustin celebrated their reunion over a sixpack of pop corn, grinning diabolically. Megan and Nevel switched to teh Los Angeles Philharmonic School, as Megan was a gifted oboe player, whereas Nevel was a fledgling concert pianist[[42]] . But the messianic secret of Nevel Papperman was still a secret. Yet the day would come and the hour would come for plucking the highest apple from the Tree of Knowledge. Not much later, Freddie was getting to hear about Marissa's family secret. But did he even care? hardly, for he only cared about a certain angel with long, wavy, dark-blond hair and an obsession with the Moving Picture Experts Group, who has ever since been always on his mind. * * * ** The End** * * * [[1] ]cf. _iAm Your Biggest Fan_ * * * [[2] ]cf. _iGo To Japan_ * * * [[3] ]original character, an infant that can't yet walk * * * [[4] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Bad Girl_ * * * [[5] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Trading Places_ * * * [[6] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Dinner For Two Many_. * * * [[7] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Chasing Zoey_ * * * [[8] ]inspired by the show _Glee_ which I don't own either * * * [[9] ]parody on the movie _Spectacular!_ which I don't own. * * * [[10] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Favor Chain_ * * * [[11] ]cf. _Drake & Josh_ : _Honor Council_, here identified with Addie Singer from _Unfabulous_ * * * [[12] ]cf. _iCarly Saves TV_ * * * [[13] ]Sam's private cook in _iPromote Techfoots_ * * * [[14] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Quarantine_ * * * [[15] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Backpack_ * * * [[16] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Spring Fling_ * * * [[17] ]cameo in _iStage An Intervention_ * * * [[18] ]cf. _iKiss_ * * * [[19] ]cf. _iLike Jake_ * * * [[20] ]cf. _iCarly Saves TV_ * * * [[21] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Spring Breakup_ became interested in me, and he called me to California. * * * [[22] ]cd. _Zoey 101_ : _Quarantine_ * * * [[23] ]surrname is taken from a role by the same actress in the show _Hannah Montana_ which I don't own. * * * [[24] ]cf. _Drake & Josh_ : _Eric Punches Drake_ * * * [[25] ]cf. _iPromote Techfoots_ * * * [[26] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Favor Chain_ * * * [[27] ]cf. _Drake & Josh_ : _First Crush_ * * * [[28] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Spring Fling_ * * * [[29] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Backpacks_. Allison Scagliotti's guest role in there is identified here with Mindy Crenshaw from _Drake & Josh_ * * * [[30] ]cf. _iCarly Saves TV_ * * * [[31] ]cf. _Drake & Josh_ : _Little Diva_ * * * [[32] ]cf. _Drake & Josh_ : _The Storm_ * * * [[33] ]cf _Drake & Josh_ : _Megan's New Teacher_ * * * [[34] ]traditional Jamaican Christmas hymn popularised by various bands, such as Boney Em, Travelin' Strawberries etc. * * * [[35] ]Hebrew term meaning House of Bread * * * [[36] ]cf. _Gospel according to Matthew_, 2:1 * * * [[37] ]cf. _iStakeout_ * * * [[38] ]cf. _iStage An Intervention_ * * * [[39] ]by Chris De Burgh * * * [[40] ]this is nonsense: light years measure spatial distances, not time * * * [[41] ]cf. _Zoey 101_ : _Curse At PCA_ * * * [[42] ]cf. _iRue The Day_ End file.

iHear The Angels Sing by schillingklaus

Zoey 101, iCarly

iPotion * * * **The Potion** * * * **Rating: **Teenagers **Disclaimer: **I don't own _iCarly Show_ or _Zoey 101_ **Summary: **Fluff, Angst, Family, Friendship, ... Sam suffers from a strange food poisoning. Only an ancient druidic potion may save her. Freddie/Sam, Carly/Dustin, Spencer/Zoey, Jake/Lola, Nevel/Quinn * * * #1#Nacho Fest ##1.1#Happy Birthday, Sam! ##1.2#The Party ##1.3#Morning After #2#Mistletoe Potion ##2.1#Quinn Pensky ##2.2#We Rue It #3#The Remedy ##3.1#Potions ##3.2#Conclusion **Author's Note: **Armor is a region in Northwestern France **1 Nacho Fest** **1.1 Happy Birthday, Sam!** * * * Sun came up from the mountain braes, and it was breaking the high ground when Sam woke up for her eighteenth birthday. As usual, she wasn't home, but slept over on Carly's couch. Spencer came just crawling down the stairs. "Happy Birthday, Sam!" he yawned. "Or was it Hannukah? Easter?" Spencer shrugged helplessly. Sam yawned as well. "Thanks." Spencer brewed Sam's favourite coffee, a javaccino. Carly came downstairs. "Happy birthday, Sam!" She slipped into her pants, donned a jacket, and made her way across the hall in order to ring Freddie's bell. Freddie was barely awake, well. Carly grabbed his elbow and dragged Freddie into her loft, forcing him to greet Sam. "Happy birthday!" Freddie bellowed sarcastically at Sam. Spencer made more of Sam's favourite breakfast. "We've prepared a party for you tonight," Carly told Sam, "with lotsa ham." Sam beamed brightly. Freddie didn't say anything until he announced that he had to take a tick lotion. Carly admonished Freddie to be back in time for the party, secure in the knowledge that Freddie would rather skip it. * * * **1.2 The Party** * * * Carly and her friends sang _She's a jolly good fellow_ to Sam. Even Fred chimed in, albeit in a non-convincing manner. Jake Crandle had strum the lute. Fortunately he had kept his mouth shut while the others sang. Sam was most interested in the buffet. "Get away, this is my party!" Sam yelled at topless Gibby. Carly had invited Gibby as well, but what should she do? Face Sam's wrath? "Sorry Gibby, Sam doesn't seem to want you here." Carly sighed in despair. Gibby wasn't too sad, anyways. Spencer presented his latest sculpture, but nobody was interested. Carly comforted her elder brother. Spencer cried piteously. "You'll be an adult soon, as well, and then I'll be all alone,])" (p [Carly wrapped her arms around Spencer's waist. "I'll always be your little sister. Besides, you're old enough to look for a wife to wash and clean after you!" Spencer sobbed and moaned. "They always run away after two weeks. I guess I take a taco!" Soencer went ot the buffet table, but there was no nacho left. He grumbled inside when he saw Sam stuffing the last nacho with tapenade down her jaw. But what should he have done? For the better or worse, it was Sam'd birthday party. The party went on and on. More and more guests had to leave. Sam burped rudely. Freddie told Carly that he had noticed that Sam had eaten more than two thirds of the sancks they had prepared for the party. Carly sighed, she hadn't noticed it because she had been busy comforting Spencer, but she should have seen it coming. "That's Sam, and I love her for this." * * * **1.3 Morning After** * * * Next morning, Sam woke up and whimpered in agony. Carly went looking after her. "Sam!" "Nothing," Sam calmed Carly, "just a bit of a sore stomach." Carly didn't wonder a lot, as Sam had really swallowed a mountain at the party. She went to the pharmacy chest and took some pils and drops to Sam. "Those will help!" She went back to bed, while Sam tried to get along with her aching guts. Alas, the pains didn't ease. "That serves her right!" Freddie remarked when he came over to look after Carly and Sam. Carly was of a slightly different opinion and slapped Freddie. Spencer decided to call Dr. Lang. Sam had already puked her guts out, but the pains were still there. Finally, Lang arrived in order to examine Sam. "You'll have to cut her open from head to toe, right?" Freddie asked the medic, grinning sadistically. Dr. Lang sighed. "It appears to be a very strange food poisoning which is caused by eating too many nachos in combination with tapenade. There's no remedy beknownst to anyone." Carly shrieked. Freddie bounced around, cheering enthusiastically. "Well, no remedy I'm allowed to talk about!" Dr. Lang continued, her voice low. "Spit it out!" Carly begged. "We may pretend not to have heard a thing!" "She's bound to the oath of Hypocrites!" Freddie chuckled. "Long ago, the druids of the Armorican coast brewed a panacea, a potion that cured all strange diseases." Lang sighed, "The recipe is lost, and it would hardly be legal, but I know someone who is working on its rediscovery. Her name is Quinn Pensky. Her alpaca is my patient." "Whatever," Carly squealed, "we need to contact that Pensky! It's Sam's only chance." The same morning, Carly received a video message from Nevel Papperman, with the usual content: Do you rue it? And, by Jove, she did. * * * **2 Mistletoe Potion** **2.1 Quinn Pensky** * * * Quinn Pensky was living near Seattle and maintained a secret laboratory. She arrived the next day. Carly was surprised because Quinn was not much older than Sam. "Hi, I'm Carly. So you cured your llama with a strange potion?" Quinn was upset. "Alpaca! It's not a llama, but an alpaca. The potion is still in preparation, good enough for lovesick alpacas, but I haven't tried it on food-poisoned humans." Carly shrugged. She didn't care at all about the small differences. Sam's life was much more important than that. The potion was still missing one essential ingredient. "I need mistletoe essence!" Quinn announced. "Mistletoe essence is as close to a cure-all as it may get. But it's incredibly hard to get at, because we need Armorican mistletoes." Carly shrugged helplessly. Then she had an idea, a last straw. "Our web show is seen all over the world, maybe our viewers will help us." Quinn nodded. "We should try it." Then she saw Freddie and hugged him. "Hey, what's going on?" Carly asked the two of them "Quinn is my cousin," Freddie boomed, "didn't you know that?" Carly shrugged. Fredward Benson's mother was too much for her to stomach, she had never dared to care about any other relative Freddie might have had. Freddie had an onbjection. "Who will be your co-moderator? Sam for sure can't!" Carly shrugged. "A webcast without Sam, that will be impossible!" Quinn had an idea. "My friends Zoey and Lola are here for a few days. Lola is an aspiring Hollywood actress and loves being a co-contemplator of a popular show, as she loves to be seen by the masses." Carly smiled. She knew that, in virtue of Sam's situation, she had no reason to do that, but , all the pains notwithstanding, she couldn't help it. An aspiring Hollywood actress by her side! Carly felt like having struck a gold mine! Quinn also mentioned that Zoey's little brother Dustin would accompany the girls. Carly didn't care for these details. The prospects of working with Lola made her swoon in ecstasy. She had seen her acting in the movie Jerk In The Well by her favourite producer Malcolm Reese. She loved all of his movies and would have died for meeting one of his actors or actresses. And now her dream was about becoming true. * * * **2.2 We Rue It** * * * Zoey, Lola, and Dustin arrived at Bushwell plaza. Carly opened the door to herloft, making the visitors come in. "I'm a great fan of your show!" Dustin confessed right away when he shook Carly's hand. Carly blushed. Dustin was really cute and all cuddly. But she didn't have much time for him. "Er ... that's nice, but there's not enough room up in the attic. You'll have to watch it from here with Spencer, you know him?" Dustin nodded. "Sure, he's a lot of fun!" He ran over to Spencer. Ignoring everything else, Carly's mind was set on Lola Martinez. They stepped up the stairs to the attic. Freddie had shown his current equipment to Quinn. Most of the apparati were Quinn's inventions. she was a brilliant problem solver, especially on the technological sector. She had invented her own operational system, Quinndoze QP, which was at the heart of Freddie's equipment. The greenscreen was also a Quinnvention. Quinn snuck out of the room, leaving Freddie behind. "Online in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1" Freddie oppened the webcast. "I'm Carly" the host said, "I know, you expect to see Sam, but she's sick. Therefore we have Lola Martinez! Or, should I say ..." Carly listed Lola's roles in various movies that came straight to her mind. "Hi, I'm Lola!" The star actress smiled. "My hair is styled with ..." she felt being nudged by Carly. The hosts started to explain what had happened to Sam and what she needed. This was the point when Quinn had to return to the studio. It took Quinn over ten minutes explaining what kind of mistletoes she needed. Freddie grumbled. "We had almost 1,000,000 viewers before Quinn started to talk, now we only have like 100,000" He concluded that Quinn's talk had been too scientific for most viewers. Suddenly, the greenscreen activated itself, displaying Carly's worst enemy. "So you rue the day, Carly?" Nevel Papperman grinned sadistically from the screen. "You rue it, yeah? Dustopia, Carly!" Quinn wondered who was that. "Nevel! What the!" Spencer was dismayed. He explained unto Zoey what Nevel had done to Carly. Dustin was particularly upset. "He's so dead!" he screamed in jealousy when he heard about Nevel having kissed Carly. Dustin blushed deeply. When Carly returned from the roof, Dustin asked her: "How shall I kill Nevel? I've seen how to do it using chopsticks." "Reminds me not to go to a sushi bar again with Dustin!" Zoey remarked. "You're a very responsible and protective elder sister, right?" Spencer asked Zoey. She nodded softly. "I try to do my best there ..." "I've been responsible for Carly for ten years,]) Spencer said. "I've left college in order to become a freelance artist. This allowed me to be more flexible, but maybe I've lost a lot of sense for responsibility. Grandpa didn't approve of that step. He would have preferred me to go through law school."" (p [Zoey sighed. "I might have become a good lawyer. I've often talked Dustin out of detention and so on," she moaned. "but my passion has always been and will always bee fashion design." "Fashion design ... how do you like my socks? My pal Socko made them." Zoey's jaw dropped. "Fantastic. Would you like me to make you some corresponding pants, shirts and so on?" "Spencer swooned. So ... it's possible to be a creative artist and a responsible elder sibling at the same time?" Spencer asked. Zoey confirmed him. "And Carly is such a nice girl. This shows that you've cared well for her." "Oh, it does?" Spencer shrugged. "If she's so nice," Dustin asked carefully, "could you maybe accept Carly as a sister-in-law?" Of course there were two possible ways that Carly could have become Zoey's sister-in-law. Zoey wasn't sure what Dustin meant. Spencer was at least ten years older. Not that it would matter sub specie aeligternitatis, but it would be crazy at that moment. She had to admit, though, that she got along with Spencer more than with any man of her age, including her ex-boyfriend Chase Matthews who had disappeared a year ago without warning. Zoey blushed. On the other hand, Dustin might have had a crush on Carly, which was not unlikely as Carly was so sweet, smart, and charming. But Dustin and Carly were much too young for even thinking about ... Zoey passed out from the tension. Quinn looked through her portable laboratory, in search of something to make Zoey regain consciousness. Carly had overheard Dustin's remark and pulled him aside. "How did you mean that? I and Zoe as in-laws?" Dustin blushed. Carly understood. She didn't wonder that many boys who watched her show had a crush on her. But Dustin was so cute and smart, and then there were his puppy eyes ... "So you're at the same school where Quinn used to be, a very elitary private school close to Hollywood?" Dustin nodded. He started talking about his school and his friends to Carly, getting her interested. Quinn took a potion and made Zoey sniff from it. "The same thing that I gave to Otiz." Zoey woke up, but she was dizzy. "Otiz?" Spencer wondered. "Her llama ..." Lola explained. "Alpaca!" Quinn yelled. "Otiz is an alpaca!" Freddie had been watching the replies to the show. They were catastrophic. Viewers adored Lola, but hated Quinn's talk about mistletoes. Noone had cared about Sam's disease. The door bell rang. Spencer opened for Jake Crandle. "Hi, I've heard that Sam was sick. I'm coming in order to play a song for her." Jake bounded in, clamping his guitar. "Just don't sing, or ..." Freddie threatened the blond rake. "Hey, I know someone who looks like you?" Lola remarked. Jake nodded. "I have a twin brother in California, near Hollywood." "James Garrett?" Lola skreeched. "Is that your twin browther?" "Sure!" Jake beamed. Then he played a song for Sam. "So you are famous Lola Martinez?" Lola beamed, "I'm on the brink to a real Hollywood star. I hope to make it this year. Don't you want to join in? We still need gifted guitar players." Jake smiled. "I'd die for this." "No! I want you alive!" Lola beamed before her lips slipped against Jake's. "I am giften in two things: Kissing and playing the guitar." Jake boasted before he kissed Lola back. Lola nodded. "That's great!" Carly shuddered with disgust when she saw Lola making out with Jake. She understood that she should abandon the rake. "Dustin, do you really like me, or is it just some stupid fan crush?" Dustin blushed totally, leaving Carly with no doubt. Still, there was no hope left for Sam. * * * **3 The Remedy** **3.1 Potions** * * * Quinn tried to improve her potion, the lack of mistletoe essence notwithstanding. The stuff was not bad, but not efficient enough to help Sam. "Don't touch those potions!" Quinn ordered Carly and Freddie. "I have to get something from the chemist's shop to mix into the potions." Carly didn't care to touch. She was about playing confess or stress with Dustin and Zoey, anyways. Alas, Freddie was another story. He had been sleeping badly because of a beginning flu. "I'm sneezing worse than Jeremy!" he moaned. "I've sold a picture of Lola's slippers on the internet auction site. For 200 bucks!" Dustin confessed. Zoey looked sternly, but relaxed immediately. "Lola so had it coming!" She flipped the coin. "Oops, I've got to stress." Dustin and Carly wondered what to do. Drinking from Quinn's potion was not an option. "Call our headmaster!" Carly handed Zoey the number of principal Theodore Franklin. Zoey sighed. She pushed the buttons. "Hello Mr. Franklin, may I talk to your daughter Jeannie? ... What? You don't have a daughter named Jeannie? ... But I've seen her last night! ..." Zoey dropped the link and reconnected. "Hi dad! This is Jeannie, your daughter! Don't you rememberme?" Carly and Dustin laughed themselves into oblivion. While the three other kids played Confess or Stress, Freddie snuck in the kitchen. He drank from the potion Quinn had just been working on. Suddenly, he heard steps out in the hall. Probably Quinn was coming back, thus Freddie decided to slip into the room where Sam was resting. "Who sipped from this potion?" Quinn yelled at the top of her lungs. "We've been playing Confess or Stress all the time!" Zoey swore. "Except Fredward!" "Freddie was complaining about a cough and headache!" Carly explained "Oh dear, thsi was not the healing potion!" Quinn shried. "It was ..." "Tell us, please!" Dustin begged. Quinn sighed. "It was the love potion!" Carly, Dustin, and Zoey looked at each other and shrugged. They followed into the room where Sam had been sleeping and watched Freddie. "Sam, sugarbabe!" Freddie whispered tenderly into the sick teenie's direction. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips against hers. Sam was puzzled. "Freddie?" She stood up and wrapped her arms around Freddie and pulled him closer for a yet much longer kiss. Her pains were gone with the wind, and so was Freddie's cold. "Hey, they are no longer sick!" Quinn remarked while Carly, Dustin, and Zoey sighed in awe. Spencer overheard the situation. "So Freddie's affection that was the remedy for Sam's illness. And we've been looking for mistletoes all over the world." The others nodded. "That's downright crazy!" Spencer shrugged. In this moment, Nevel bounded in. "Do you rue it?" "No way!" the others yelled unison. "Nevel Papperman!" Quinn screamed, "So you claim that your brain is bigger than mine? And that your nerves are more sensitive?" "Of course! Prove that they aren't!" Nevel boomed. Quinn pulled Nevel into the next room they tried hard to boast with their brains, but they could not trump each other as they were peers. * * * **3.2 Conclusion** * * * Quinn and Nevel would join forces and create many more useful and funny potions with all sorts of strange effects. Jake and Lola would make it straight into Malcolm Reese's next movie, Camp Pop II. After the movie they would marry and be happie ever after. Dustin and Carly would wait for a few years before making Nevel play the wedding macrh for them on his piano. At their wedding, Spencer and Zoey wouldn't be able to help taking a chance on each other, and they would never have to regret it. Freddie and Sam? If they haven't broken, they are still kissing ... and kissing ... and kissing ... * * * End file.

iPotion by schillingklaus

Zoey 101, iCarly

1. Chapter 1 Summary On the next episode of iCarly, Carly Shay, Sam Puckett, and Freddie Benson are having special guest from PCA boarding school in California. They're inviting Zoey Brooks and her friends: Chase Matthews, Lola Martinez, Quinn Pensky, Michael Barrett, and Logan Reese to be on a full episode of iCarly. Before they go on the air, Carly spends time with Zoey and Chase, Sam spends time with Lola and Logan, Freddie spends time with Quinn, and Michael becomes suspicious about Carly's brother, Spencer Shay. Chapter 1-Special Guests It was the end of the episode of iCarly, so Carly and Sam decided to introduce their guests for the next episode. "Hello, everyone." Said Carly "So, before we leave, how about we introduce to you our guests for our next episode." "They had came all the way from Pacific Coast Academy, a boarding school in California." Said Sam. "Now, give a round of applause for one of our guests, Zoey Brooks." Said Carly. Sam hit the applause button on her remote and Zoey had entered the room. "Thanks, so much, Carly." Said Zoey "It's such a great pleasure to be on your web show." "And let's introduce her friends." Said Sam "There are so many guests, we can't name them all." "But you can see who the guests are on the guest list right below the screen." Said Carly "Please welcome, Zoey's friends." Then Zoey's friends: Chase, Lola, Quinn, Michael, and Logan had entered the room and were excited to be on the show. "So, you we see all of us on the next episode of iCarly." Said Carly. "Yes." Said Sam "And you will see the best!" "Of course, you will." Said Carly. The iCarly episode was then over, but Carly and Sam couldn't wait for the next episode that was going to have Zoey and her friends. Don't go. There's going to be more in the story. Coming soon! You'll find out when a new chapter is added. 2. Chapter 2 Chapter 2-Checking In Carly had then got some iced tea from the fridge, while hanging out with Zoey and Chase. "Carly, I just want to say it's great to having to be on your web show." Said Zoey. "Yeah, I can't believe we're being on your web show viewed by 500,000 people." Said Chase. "Actually, now, it's 950,000 people." Said Carly "It's become even more people. And Chase, tell me, is that really your hair. It can't be that bushy." "Actually, it can be this bushy, and this is my hair." Said Chase. "I'm going to find out." Said Carly. "Enough about the bushy hair." Said Zoey "So, Carly, we're going to be staying at the hotel next door." "Well, that's great to hear." Said Carly "Hey, Zoey, Chase, how about we all get smoothies at the mall." Then Carly, Zoey, and Chase had left the loft. Freddie was still in the studio, where they film the web show. He had to work on some modifications for the web show, Quinn was still there and was curious to find out that he was still there. Meanwhile, Sam had entered the loft. Spencer had noticed that. "Sam, how did you get in here?" Said Spencer. "I just came in, is there a problem with that?" Said Sam. "Yeah, you can't just walk in. That's clearly not the way things are done around here." Said Spencer. Sam had then looked at Spencer that made him scared. "Want some lemonade?" Said Spencer. "Sure." Said Sam. Then Lola went to talk to Sam. "Hello, Sam." Said Lola "So, you're the co-star at iCarly, right." "Yep, Carly's my best bud." Said Sam "Anyway, you want some lemonade?" "Sure." Said Lola. "Spencer, get another cup of lemonade also." Said Sam. "Of course." Said Spencer. Then at the studio, Quinn had started talking to Freddie. "Everyone's gone, and you're still here." Said Quinn "Why is that?" "Oh, I'm the technical producer of iCarly, and it's always my job to keep everything running." Said Freddie. "Say, how about I help you with that?" Said Quinn "I can make a few modifications to the web studio, by trying to make it's efficency increase by 22.22." "Okay." Said Freddie. So, then Quinn and Freddie had started working on the studio modifications. Michael and Logan had knocked on the door in the loft. "It's open." Said Spencer. "Hi, Michael." Said Lola. "You know, I think somethings strange about Carly's brother, Spencer." Said Michael "He always acts so strange." "Well, you'll never know." Said Sam. Logan had came to talk to them. "Hello." Said Logan. But then Lola had walked away because she didn't like Logan being near her. And Michael went to see what Spencer was up to. Sam had left too, not because of Logan, because she went to the studio. Carly had been at the mall with Zoey and Chase. Carly had some iced coffee, Zoey had a cappucino, and Chase had a smoothie. "So, what do you think of the mall?" Said Carly. "It looks really nice here in Seattle." Said Zoey. "Now tell me again, Chase." Said Carly "How is your hair like that?" "For the 7th time, and I've been counting." Said Chase "It's naturally like this." "You might be lying, and I'll find out for myself." Said Carly "Anyway, here's what you can do on the show, we can all do some fun stuff, and you can do 1 thing of your own." "Okay, don't worry, I'm sure we'll do the best we can." Said Zoey. In the iCarly studio, Quinn had carried a briefcase, and used it for the technical stuff. Freddie was curious as to see what was going on. "You know, I should get some more of those technological tools someday." Said Freddie. "Well, why don't you get some then?" Said Quinn. "I can't my mom only gives me 8 a month in allowance." Said Freddie. Quinn had then started to smile, because she thought that was ridiculous, but Quinn didn't laugh because she never does. "Freddie, 8 a month is a cheap skank." Said Quinn "I think your mom is being a little insane and overprotective. And besides, what's her reason?" "She's afraid that if she gives me more, I can pay to take transportation and leave her." Said Freddie. "That's total insanity." Said Quinn. "Not really." Said Freddie. But then Sam had entered the loft with Logan. "You know, Sam, there's this new thing called knocking." Said Freddie. "Well, Mr. Tech Dork, you should just--" Said Sam as she started to pull Freddie's pants down. "Are those teddy bears?" Said Quinn. Freddie had been embarrased in front of Sam and Quinn. Logan was a little shocked to see what happened. "Sam, don't you think you could get in trouble for that?" Said Logan. "Nah, I'm used to it." Said Sam. "You know, you're looking really great." Said Logan. Quinn had saw the whole thing, and thought that Logan was flirting with Sam. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Said Quinn "Logan is flirting with that Sam." "I know, it's gross isn't it." Said Freddie. "I mean, Logan's my boyfriend." Said Quinn "He's going to get so burnt." "Aren't you just getting some stress syndrome?" Said Freddie "I mean they might be just friends." And then Logan and Sam had hugged each other. "Look, they're embracing." Said Quinn. "It's just a friendly hug." Said Freddie. "Yeah, but soon the hugs will become too friendly, and then they start dating, and then I become Logan's ex-girlfriend." Said Quinn. Michael had been with Spencer while he was doing an art project. "Spencer, what are you doing?" Said Michael. "I'm creating miniature sculptures of Carly, Sam, and Freddie. I'm also doing Zoey, Chase, and the rest of your friends." Said Spencer. Michael had then just walked out of the loft being freaked out by Spencer. Carly had returned home with Zoey and Chase. "Wow, Carly, that was a really great trip to the mall." Said Zoey "So, Carly, I'll guess I'll see you tomorrow." "Yes, it was a really great trip to the mall." Said Chase. "Now, Chase, how do you make your hair look like that?" Said Carly. "For the 15th time, and I'm still counting. It naturally looks like this." Said Chase "You don't have to keep asking." "I'm going to find out for myself." Said Carly. "Anyway, Carly, we'll be staying just a few miles across the street, so see you tomorrow?" Said Zoey. Then Carly and Spencer had went to go to bed. Freddie had headed to his loft next door. And Sam decided to stay in Carly's loft sleeping in the studio. 3. Chapter 3 Chapter 3-School Daze Carly had went to go to school on Monday, and had saw Sam get some stuff from her locker, but it got messy. "Sam, you should definitely get your locker organized." Said Carly. "No, I'm fine." Said Sam "And if I could just find my homework." Sam had took out a week old french fries out of her locker, and Carly was scared at what had happened. Carly had then walked away to see Freddie. "Hello, Freddie." Said Carly. "Hello, Carly, that Quinn is a genius, she helped me yesterday and now the studio is more efficent by 15.778." Said Freddie. "Really, the other students think she's weird." Said Carly "You because of her strange inventions." Freddie had then walked away, then Carly had went to her class. "Well, Fredward, it seems that Quinn seems really nice." Said Sam. "Do you think so?" Said Freddie. "No." Said Sam. "You know, Sam, why am I friends with you?" Said Freddie "Oh. Right." Then when Spencer was working on his sculptures, Zoey had entered the room. "Hello, Spencer." Said Zoey "Is Carly here?" "No, she won't be here for another half-hour." Said Spencer "But please stay while you're here." "So, I heard that you like socks." Said Zoey. "Well, I always get the best from my best friend." Said Spencer "Look, you can see right here." "Okay, would like these socks that I designed?" Said Zoey "I like to design some clothing and accessories." "Thanks, Zoey." Said Spencer. When Carly had came home, she saw Zoey hanging out with her brother, Spencer. "Hello, Zoey." Said Carly "I thought maybe we could show your cool designs on the iCarly episode." "Of course, and I saw that your brother really likes socks." Said Zoey. "Right." Said Carly. Quinn had went to visit Freddie, when she knocked on the door, she had saw her mother come. "Hello, you must be Mrs. Benson." Said Quinn "I'm looking for Freddie." "He doesn't come home for another 9 minutes." Said Mrs. Benson "Why are you here to see him?" "Doesn't Freddie live next door to Carly?" Said Quinn. "Yes, but I want to know what you've been doing with Freddie." Said Mrs. Benson. "We've been working on the technical gadgets for the show, and we've improved them." Said Quinn. But then Freddie had came, he was earlier than expected. "Hello, Mom." Said Freddie "Hey, Quinn. So, have you got your tools?" "Tools?" Said Mrs. Benson "What for?" "For the technology, we're improving their status by making them work more efficently, and make better effects for iCarly." Said Quinn "Come on, Freddie, let's head to the iCarly studio." "But remember, you need the proper safety gear." Said Mrs. Benson. Lola had been hanging out with Sam, while they were going to visit Carly. "So, Sam, I want to do some acting, so how is it being the stars of a web show." Said Lola. "Well, you know, you just go on camera, say some lines, and then you go home." Said Sam. "Well, I take acting more seriously, and I want to work with you in it." Said Lola. "I'll think about it, anyway, we're here." Said Sam. Lola and Sam had knocked on Carly's door, and found out that she working on something important. "Hello, Lola, Sam, we need help to come up with ideas for iCarly." Said Carly. Carly, Zoey, Lola, Sam, and Spencer had sat down and had some lemonade. "So, I'm making a whole new sculpture." Said Spencer "It's some miniature sculptures of Zoey, Lola, and Quinn. I had designed them, so I had thought--" "Anyway, so I got everything we can do for the next iCarly." Said Carly "Why don't we have a special instrument performance mixed with a few bonuses that they do at the same time?" "Oh, you should bring Michael then, he's an expert at playing the flute." Said Lola. "Oh, the same for my uncle Greg." Said Sam. "Okay, so why don't we let Michael and Greg play the flute, but not just any music, they can play the flute like playing pop music." Said Zoey. "That sounds like a great idea?" Said Carly. In the studio, Quinn and Freddie were working on the technical equipment, and it was more efficent by 45%. "Alright, now I've powered up everything." Said Quinn "Now, let's try it out." "But first, what's this robot?" Said Freddie. "Oh, I built my own servant." Said Quinn "So it can help me with my experiments." Freddie had turned it on, and it was working great. It had cleaned up the room nicely. But it was a bit defective. Apparently, the robot kept running amuck. It had grabbed Freddie's underpants, and it carried him around. Quinn had quickly turned off the robot. But later, it had broke in pieces. Michael and Logan had entered the loft, and had watched TV with Carly, Zoey, Lola, and Sam. They had been watching something very funny. "So, what are the ideas for the next iCarly?" Said Michael. "What can I do on the show?" Said Logan. "You cannot act like a jerk." Said Lola "And not carry that mirror around." "What's wrong with Logan?" Said Sam. "He takes 100 pictures of himself every week." Said Lola "Trust me, Logan's not a nice person to hang around." "Okay." Said Sam. "Now, we offically have everything planned out perfectly." Said Carly. Carly, Sam, and Freddie had then said goodbye to Zoey and her friends for the night, and were going to see them the next day. It was almost going to be time to be on iCarly. Freddie had went back to his house, and Sam had went back to her house, even though Sam didn't want to. Carly had then said goodnight to Spencer. "Well, Spencer, we should head to sleep?" Said Carly. "You go to sleep, I'm going to finish my sculptures." Said Spencer. Spencer had finished his sculptures, and he went to bed at 12:30 A.M. 4. Chapter 4 Chapter 4-Going On The Air Carly, Sam, and Freddie were setting up the studio for the next episode of iCarly. "You know, Quinn has been the best." Said Freddie "She has powered up my equipment, and now everything is more efficent by 112.274%." "I know, but that's just so uncool in so many ways on how you say that." Said Sam. "The show's going to be performed much better." Said Freddie. "That's cool, but you're uncool in so many ways." Said Sam. "Come on, guys, can you at least get along for this webcast?" Said Carly "Zoey and her friends are here and we don't want to make any disappointment." Then it was time to go on the air. "Okay, on live in 5, 4, 3, 2..." Said Freddie. "Hello there, people around the world." Said Carly "I'm Carly." "And I'm Sam." Said Sam. "And this is iCarly." Said Carly. "Filmed by people in the studio that's in Carly's apartment." Said Sam. "Anyway, we had told you we would have some special guests on this episode of iCarly." Said Carly "So, please give a warm welcome to the PCA students." Then it was time for Zoey to be on the show. "This is our friend, Zoey." Said Carly "She loves to design stuff." "Of course." Said Zoey "You see this key. This is my room key to the dorm room in PCA where I sleep. It's really stylish and cool, and I always remember my key." "Isn't that awesome?" Said Carly. "Totally the best." Said Sam. "Here are the designs, don't they look fabulous or unfabulous?" Said Carly "Well, send your responses." "But hurry, you only have 60 seconds." Said Sam. 60 seconds later. Carly and Sam had checked the polls, and 327,450 viewers said Zoey's designs were fabulous and 14,359 viewers said Zoey's designs were unfabulous. "Alright, then the majority is that Zoey's designs are fabulous." Said Carly. "You know they are." Said Sam as she pressed the applause button on her remote. Then it was time for Lola to be on the show. "So, if you see this girl, you see Lola." Said Carly. "And if you see a mouse in your bathtub, you're just being plain stupid." Said Sam. "Anyway, why not let Lola practice her talent with Sam." Said Carly. So, Lola and Sam did some acting. "Dad, I need some money to buy some clothes at the mall." Said Lola. "No, you're not getting any." Said Sam. "But, Daddy." Said Lola. They were just acting. "Anyway, I think you've seen enough, but let's hear it for Lola." Said Carly. And then Sam had pressed the applause button on her remote. Then it was time for Quinn to be on the show. She had shown her robot, and she turned it on. "So, this is Quinn, the genius with things she calls Quinventions." Said Carly. "They're inventions, only Quinn style." Said Sam. "Okay, look it does some cool things for you." Said Quinn. But like always the robot always has a few problems, it was running crazy. The robot even took Freddie's pants, it was really humiliating. But then Quinn had shut down the robot, Freddie got his pants back. Carly and Sam were laughing the whole time, but they had stopped when Freddie noticed. Then Michael had went on the show, and he brought his flute. "Now, it's time for Michael to play the flute." Said Carly "Only this time, it's going to be playing pop music." "Now, let's put it into action." Said Sam. Michael had then played his flute like playing pop music, it was a sensation. It made people very tuned in to the music, it was very popular. It was really great that the flute was playing pop music. Michael really was playing pop music on his flute. Then Chase had went on the show, and he was only doing one thing. He had done a cool basketball shot, only it was thrown and magnetized by a small magnet, and hit by bucket, then it was rolling through a tube, hitting a wall, hitting a ceiling, and making go in the basket. "And that's Chase super cool basketball playing." Said Carly. "That was one cool basketball playing, now let's hear a round of applause." Said Sam as she hit the applause button on the remote. Logan went on the show, but you didn't want to know what he was doing. What he did had made Carly, Sam, Freddie, Zoey, Chase, Lola, Quinn, and Michael had been freaked out by it. Then later, the iCarly episode had came to an end. "Well, that's the end of iCarly." Said Carly. "Now, before you go how about some--" Said Sam, and then she pressed a button and it was time for random dancing. Carly, Sam, and Freddie had done some dancing with Zoey, Chase, Lola, Quinn, Michael, and Logan as the random music had been playing. It was so much fun for them. Then it was time for Zoey and her friends to go. "Well, Zoey, thanks for a great web show." Said Carly "And Zoey, about Chase, what is up with his bushy hair?" "It's naturally that way, and don't ask again please." Said Zoey. "Of course." Said Carly "Oh, here's our e-mail addresses, e-mail us sometime." "We will, well see you later." Said Zoey "Anyway, goodbye." When Zoey and her friends had went back to PCA, Zoey had decided to e-mail Carly. _Dear Carly,_ _It's me, Zoey. Thanks for letting me and my friends on your web show, iCarly. It was a great time doing some wacky fun stuff on that show. In fact, I'm also a big fan of your web show, but you've obviously already know that. It was nice hanging out with you also. Chase and I had the best time with you, going to the mall, having smoothies, etc. Lola and Logan had told me that they really like your friend Sam. Also, Quinn is glad that she helped Freddie with making the studio more powerful and efficent. I have nothing else to say. So, bye._ _Love Zoey. Bye._ And back in Carly's home, she was glad to have an e-mail from Zoey. So, she decided to e-mail back. _Dear Zoey,_ _Carly here, from iCarly. I was glad to have you come here from PCA and having you and friends come to Seattle to be on an episode of iCarly. Anyway, Sam, Freddie, Spencer, and I were glad to have all of you on the show. E-mail me back, sorry, but I don't have anything else to say. So, see you later._ _Love Carly. Bye._ The End End file.

iCarly Meets Zoey 101 by Stewie Shadow

Zoey 101, iCarly

Hansel Does the Do Derek pouted his lips at Hansel. "What do you think you're doing, Han-stupid?" "Relax, bra, I just thought it was time for a new do." "There is nothing wrong with his _DO_." "She-ya, if you want him to look commercial." "He does _not_ look commercial." "Just give me a sec, Der. Chill. Feel the flow." Hansel worked his hands quickly over Derek, Jr.'s scraggly hair. Finishing, he stepped back to admire his work and present it to the proud father. Derek, momentarily speechless, struck a look at his young son. "Wow, Hansel, you're right. He did look commercial." "She-ya. I know." End file.

Hansel Does the Do by rhyejess

Zoolander

Christmas Proposal Author's note: wow I know its a few days late but computer was acting real funky all week and I finally hijacked it back from my boyfriend so here it is today I know I haven't updated in a while getting used to a new job and new relationship and muse Kinda dissappeared on me for a long while but guess what I'm back and ready to write for yall. Of course we know what story this is about. Read and review. **I don't own anything but jesse herman so you can't sue. ha.** _**Christmas Proposal:**_ The snow was softly falling at the Red River base, the soldiers all in the hanger taking the christmas lights and decorations off of their zoids that two teens had left as their season prank. Said teens were hiding up on top of the roof of the base. "You know your dad is gonna kill us when he finds us." Irvine said pouring hot cocoa from a thermos into a cup and handed it to Jesse. "Yeah he's got to find us first," she said as Irvine set the thermos to the side and she leaned back into his chest where she was warmer. "I'm happy right here right now." She said as he wrapped the blanket around them tighter. "Same here," Irvine stated as he rested his chin on Jesse's shoulder. "How long has it been since we first met?" he asked her as he kissed her cheek. "It seems like we've known each other forever but it's only been seven years." She said turning and meeting his lips. "Yeah it seems like it's been longer than seven years," Irvine said smile gracing his lips, now he was determined to put his plan to action tonight. "You know your the only one for me sweetheart," he said breathing in the sweet scent of her honeysuckle scented shampoo. "I don't know what you would ever done without me." she said smirking when she heard a growl from deep in his chest. "Sorry. Sorry didn't mean to bruise the ego." she said giggling. "I'll show you ego," he said and he began to tickle her. "How's that for ego?" he asked her as she tried to stop laughing. "I'm sorry your ego is the worlds greatest," she said in between laughing and trying to fight off Irvine's hands. "Are you truthful. Should I believe you?" Irvine asked laughing as Jesse finally caught his hands. "Yes I'm truthful I've always been truthful to you," She said looking into his eyes. "Well can you be truthful to me right now and give me a answer to what I'm about to ask you?" Irvine asked her as he pulled the covers off and set the drinks aside standing up and pull Jesse us as well. "Yes I will be truthful," she told him lost in his eyes. "Okay cause I have a really important question for you," he said pulling the ring box out of his pocket without Jesse noticing. He got down on one knee still holding her right hand. "Jessica Louise Herman will you do the honors of spending the rest of your life with me and let me love you forever by agreeing to marry me?" he asked as he watched the reaction on her face. As he opened the box to show her the ring. "Yes you big goof I'll marry you," She said tears coming to her eyes as he slid the ring on her left hand. "You just made me the happiest man alive today Sweetheart," he said standing up and wrapping her in a hug. "Plus I have formal permission to knock O'Connell on his ass if he mess's with you at all." he said. "Yes you do," she said pulling his face down towards her to kiss him. "Just don't kill him I don't think dad can look over and ignore a murder." she said chuckling at his pout. "Okay I won't kill him but I'll make him regret touching you or ticking you off." Irvine said as he pulled her against him praying that this moment wasn't just a dream to him. "One quick question how did dad handle the asking for my hand in marriage?" Jesse asked him having a feeling her father was probably close to fainting when Irvine had asked him. "Better than I did I was a nervious wreck when I asked him," Irvine said chuckling. "Kinda reminded me of when I was 16 and got in trouble I was praying that I wouldn't get one of his your gonna wish you never had come up with that idea glares. Those things would scare anyone." Irvine stated as they suddenly heard the soldiers outside. "Sounds like they finished cleaning up our latest prank on them." he said and Jesse smiled before laughing. "Yeah and we're gonna have to stay on dad's good side for a while if we don't want to get in serious trouble." Jesse said as the snow thickened around them. "Congratulations are in order if what I heard is correct," Rob said stepping out from behind his hiding spot. "Yes sir," Irvine said his arms wrapped around jesse. "Well congratulations you two now hopefully you wont cause anymore trouble around here or is that just wishful thinking." Rob said as he walked over to them. "Probably just wishfully thinking sir," Irvine said and they all broke out into laughter. "Yeah probably so with you two around here, at least it never gets boring," Rob said as he looked at the two young adults his little girl and a boy that he had raised from age twelve. "Come on you two let's go celebrate this news." Rob said as he headed for the end of the roof where the ladder was. He looked back at the two as they shared another kiss before heading his way. He let a smile grace his lips at this. _Another one for the photo album. _He said to himself as he shook his head. **A/N : AHHH another christmas one shot complete I love writing about Jesse and Irvine it's so much fun we'll you know what to do click that little review button down there and tell me what you think. Phoenix07** End file.

Christmas Proposal by Phoenix07

Zoids

1. jealousy "We are ready to commence testing," said Crougar. "All right," said Van. The Blade liger took off into the desert as the testing commenced. 'Now lets see how much you have improved with all the training you have had since the death stinger and the death saurer' thought Crougar as he watched the blade liger on the screen. The blade liger was running when some command wolves and guysacks appeared and started to fire on him. "This shouldn't be any problem," said Van with a smirk on his face as he prepared for the attack.. The blade liger dodged all of the shots from the enemy zoids and put them out of commission with great ease. Right as Van got done with them, a large number of anti-zoid missiles were fired upon him. Van fired his guns and took out as many as he could but some got by and hit him. The dust cleared and the blade liger was standing with its shield up. "That was too close," said Van as he breathed a sigh of relief. 'Now what could be next,' Van wondered as he scanned the area prepared for whatever was to come his way. "MEGALOMAX FIRE," yelled Thomas as the dibison fired of it guns at Van. "What the," said Van who dodged the megalomax. "Not bad Van," said Thomas when he noticed the blade liger disappeared. "Wait a minute. Where did he go?" asked Thomas as he scanned the area. That was when the blade liger had reappeared with its blades at the neck of the dibison. There were more gunshots but this time it came from the lightning saix. "It is my turn now. So you had better watch out," said Irvine with a smirk on his face. "What are they doing there? I didn't know that they were part of the test," said O'Connell who was watching what was going on. "Lets see what will happen though. it could prove to be very interesting," said Crougar as he paid even closer attention to the screen then he was before. "But if they get damaged and we are attacked we won't have any of them to help fight," said O'Connell. "Don't worry. I am sure that they won't do something that would endanger each other. They know that they might be needed later," said Crougar. "I guess," said O'Connell. The lightning saix and the blade liger were facing off and it appeared to be a good fight. They both started to run at full speed to try and get the other. At their fastest, they started to hit each other by running into the others side but that didn't seem too work too well since neither of them was willing to go down too easily. 'I got an idea,' thought Van as a smirk appeared on his face. Van suddenly stopped the blade liger right in it's tracks but the lightning saix kept going and Van fired on him and made contact. The lightning saix went down. "Not bad Van," said Irvine who was trying to get the slightly damaged lightning saix up. "Not bad yourself," said Van as he held in the smile that was coming to his face. "But next time I won't go easy on you," said Irvine in his proud tone. "Oh really? I thought that you were actually trying there," said Van trying to annoy Irvine. "I was just having a little fun, and I wasn't really taking it seriously," said Irvine keeping his cool. "Whatever you say," said Van as he turned the blade liger around and started to go back towards the base. "That was a good fight," said Irvine as they got out of their zoids. "We will fix up the zoids immediately," said a mechanic. "Thanks a lot," said Van as he too hopped out of the blade liger. "Good work lieutenant," said Crougar approaching Van. "Thank you sir," said Van with a salute. "I want you to get cleaned up because there is something I need you to do for me Van," said Crougar. "What is it?" asked Van. "There is a new member of the guardian force coming here. I will need you to escort her here to ensure her safety for the time being," said Crougar. "Why doesn't the person just take their zoid?" asked Thomas joining in on the conversation. "Recently the base she was at was attacked and destroyed. The remaining zoids that survived were transported here but she was injured and needed to stay at a hospital for a while. Now she is coming over but she doesn't have a zoid with her. So I need someone to get her," said Crougar. "Sure thing. I would be glad to help you," said Van. "All these attacks are getting out of control," said Thomas. "I know and we are trying to stop them with every resource we have. We do think that those that are responsible for all of this may be people that are still loyal to Hiltz and Prozen, and are also formers members of the imperial army which is why they have so much skill," said Crougar. "They must be stopped no matter what. So I will go get her for you. The more that we have here, the better it will be for us to protect this base," said Van. "I can't help because I am busy today," said Irvine. "Plus I am not part of the guardian force so it doesn't concern me," continued Irvine as he started to walk away from the area. "Irvine they gave you the lightning saix to replace the command wolf so I think that means that you are," said Moonbay as she walked up to them. "She has a point," said Crougar with a shrug of his shoulders. "I don't care. I am still not part of it," said Irvine with a scowl on his face. "By the way what is her name?" asked Van. "It is lieutenant Rachael," said Crougar. "Ok," said Van as he saluted and left the room. "Hey Van where are you going?" asked Fiona seeing Van walking towards his blade liger. "I need to go pick someone up for Crougar," said Van as he stopped for her to catch up. "Can I go with you?" asked Fiona. "I am sorry but no. There is only enough room in the blade liger for two people and she doesn't have her zoid with her. So I have to bring her here in the blade liger," said Van. "Oh, ok," said Fiona who was a little upset. "I would take you if I could but as you can see I can't at the moment. So I am sorry," said Van. "It's ok. I guess I will just see you later then," said Fiona quietly "yeah, I will see you later Fiona," said Van as he walked towards the blade liger again. "Ok," said Fiona. "Ah. Now isn't that just cute," said Moonbay as she walked up to Fiona shortly after Van had left. "What do you mean?" asked Fiona curious as to what she meant. "You wanting to go with him. I just think it is kind off cute that you were upset when he said that you couldn't go with him. I mean that it is obvious that you really want to be with him," said Moonbay with a smirk. Fiona blushed a light shade of red. She then regained her composure and straightened herself up. "I don't know what you mean by that," said Fiona as she started to walk away. "You can't hide it forever Fiona," said Fiona as her smirk grew even wider. Fiona just ignored her comment. "Is that the place Thomas?" asked Van upon seeing a town out on the horizon. "Hold on let me check," said Thomas. There was a moment of silence before Thomas came back on. "Yeah that is the place that we have been looking for," said Thomas. "Ok. How about I go in and you wait out here in case something was to happen so that at least one of us will be prepared," said Van. "I guess I could do that. Just hurry up though. I want to get back soon," said Thomas. "Don't worry. I will get back as soon as possible. I just need to get in there and get her then I will come out," said Van. "You know the longer you sit there talking the longer we will be forced to stay here," said Thomas. "I guess you're right," said Van after thinking over what Thomas had just said. "Of course I am. Now get going," said Thomas. "Alright already," said Van as he hopped out of the cockpit and started to walk towards the town. As Van was traveling around the town he was nearly giving up hope. "Maybe I should have asked what she looked like or where to find her," said Van to Zeke as he looked around, not knowing which one of the many people that were there were the girl he was looking for or not. "It maybe a small town but it doesn't matter if I don't know what she looks like. Maybe I should asked someone," continued Van looking and the many people walking around. Van walked up to the first person he saw. This was a woman with shoulder length brown hair and blue eyes. "Um excuse me," said Van as he tapped the woman on the shoulder. "Hmm, what is it?" asked the woman as she turned around to look at Van. She looked at Van and was stunned by his looks. 'I heard of love at first sight but this is ridiculous,' she thought as she stared at him. "I was wondering if you might know this person that I am looking for since this is a small town I thought that someone might know," said Van. "I am sorry but I just came here and I don't know anyone here," said the woman in a nice voice. "Then I am sorry for bothering you," said Van as he turned around and started to walk away. "Hey wait maybe I can help you since the person I have been waiting for hasn't showed up," said the woman hoping that this might keep van around. "What is this persons name?" asked the woman. "Um what was it again?" asked Van as he tried hard to think of what it was. However for some reason he was having trouble remembering it. "Well while you are trying to remember. I might as well tell you mine, its Rachael," said the woman. "That was her name Rachael," said Van finally remembering the name. "You wouldn't happen to be with the guardian force by any chance, would you?" asked Rachael. "Yes I am," said Van. "Then I am who you are looking for," said Rachael happily. "Oh well it is nice to meet you then. I'm Van Flyheight," said Van. "You're Van Flyheight the hero?" asked Rachael slightly shocked by this. "Yes," said Van simply. "I never would have thought that such a cutie like you could be him," said Rachael. "Well I am, and we need to get back soon," said Van in an urgent voice. "Ok then. I will let you lead the way," said Rachael with a smile. Thomas mean while was so bored that he was about ready to fall asleep. 'Maybe I should have gone and let him sty here and wait,' thought Thomas as he let out a large yawn. "Hey Thomas are you ready to go?" asked Van as a link was pulled up in the dibison. Thomas immediately jumped up out of his near slumber. "I've been ready for a while, what took you so long?" asked and aggravated Thomas. "I had a bit of trouble finding her since I had absolutely no clue what she looked like. Luckily I asked someone and it happened to be her," said Van as he scratched the back of his head. "Ok, lets just get going," said Thomas as he sat up straight and prepared to get the dibison moving. "Right," said Van as he did the exact same as Thomas. "Van your back," said Fiona happily when she saw them. She immediately ran up to him but stopped when she saw Rachael. "Who is she?" asked Fiona. "She is the person I was sent to pick up. Everyone this is Rachael," said Van as he introduced her. "Hello. It is nice to meet you all," said Rachael. "That's Thomas, Irvine, Moonbay, and Fiona," said Van as he pointed to each one as he said their name. "Nice to meet you all," repeated Rachael. "Hey Van why don't you show me around?" asked Rachael hoping to get a little time with Van. "I guess so. Since you don't really know the place," said Van. "Can I come with you this time?" asked Fiona. "I don't see why not," said Van with a smile. No one noticed but Rachael gave Fiona a dirty look when Fiona asked that question. "First we should head for the control room to tell Crougar that you are here," said Van as he walked in front of Rachael with Fiona at his side. "Fine," said Rachael as she continued to glare at Fiona. Walking into the control room Van was able to quickly spot Crougar amongst the many people that were in there. "Colonel Crougar, lieutenant Rachael is here," said Van with a salute. "Ah good it is nice to see you," said Crougar as she shook the woman's hand. "Same here Colonel," said Rachael with a salute. "I think you are probably a little tired after the long ride here. Van can you please show her to her room?" asked Crougar turning his attention to Van "Yes sir," said Van as him, Fiona and Rachael all left. "This is where you will be staying," said Van after he showed her to her room. "Thank you," said Rachael with a smile. "I will show you around tomorrow but we should gets some sleep for now," said Van and then he walked off. "Then I will see you tomorrow," yelled Rachael to his retreating form. Then she was by herself. "Wow I heard stories but I didn't think he was that cute. however, that Fiona girl could pose a bit of a problem for me and Van," she said to herself. "But it doesn't matter I will get him in the end," she continued as she got a goofy smile on her face. "I can just see it all now," she said as she started to daydream about her and Van together. "All I have to do is make him fall in love with me, then my life will be perfect. All I have to use is my wonderful charm and my great looks and I am sure that he will fall for me quickly," she said to herself. "That will have to wait till tomorrow though, because right now I need to get my beauty sleep," said Rachael as she got into the bed and closed her eyes. "Man it is hot today," complained Van as he used his hand as a fan for his face. "Van will you quit complaining because we have work to do if you couldn't already see," said Thomas annoyed by Van's complaining. "I am done though," said Van as he sat back in his chair. "Then go complain somewhere else," said Irvine. "Yeah, because we really don't feel like listening it all day by having you here," said Thomas. "Alright, fine. I will leave since you don't seem to want me here," said Van as he got up and walked out of the room. "Finally," muttered Thomas. "Now we might actually be able to get our work done," said Irvine. "Hey Van," yelled Rachael as Van was walking around the base. "Hey," said Van as he stopped and aloud her to catch up to him. "I was wondering if you would like to do something with me?" asked Rachael putting on her nicest smile. "I don't see why not," said Van as he walked into his room. Rachael went in after him. "What are you doing?" asked Van seeing her walk in after him. "Looking around," said Rachael as she looked at all the things like Van's fathers knife and all sorts of things. "What is this?" asked Rachael as she noticed a necklace. The necklace was heart shaped with a little diamond in it. "It is something that belonged to my mother, she gave it to me before she died and said she wanted me to give it to the person that I loved someday," said Van. "Is there anyone that you love?" asked Rachael hoping that he would say her but she knew that it was probably too early. "I don't know," said Van with a shrug of his shoulders. "It is very pretty," said Rachael as she admired it more. "Both of my parents are dead, and I only have one thing right now that helps me remember both of them. I have this knife that used to belong to my father and that necklace that belonged to my mother," said Van. "So where is it that you wanted to go?" asked Van. "Anywhere is fine with me," said Rachael. "ok. First off though," said Van as he pushed her out of the room. "What are you doing?" asked Rachael as soon as she was out of the room. "I need to get changed and I can't do it with you in here," said Van as he closed the door. About a minute or two later Van came out of his room out of his sweaty work clothes and in some fresh clean clothes. "Are you ready?" asked Van. "Yeah," said Rachael. It was just before they were about to leave that they were stopped. "Van wait up," yelled Fiona as she ran after the two of them. "What is it Fiona?" asked Van looking at her. "Colonel Crougar needs to see you and he says that it is urgent," said Fiona as she tried to catch her breath. "Ok thanks for telling me Fiona," said Van nicely. "Sorry but this will have to wait till later," said Van as Van turned around and started to walk in the opposite direction. "Ok," said Rachael in a disappointed voice. As Van walked off Rachael spoke to Fiona. "Now listen here," she said. "What is it?" asked Fiona as she turned around from where she was going. "I want you to stay away from Van," said Rachael kind of nastily. "Why?" asked Fiona slightly startled by her outburst. "Because he will be mine and you are in the way," said Rachael in the same tone. "But Van is my friend so I shouldn't have to," said Fiona as she started to walk towards her room. "Just stay away from him," Rachael yelled after her. 2. undercover "What is it that you wanted Colonel?" asked Van with a salute. "We have gotten some information on the location of some of the rebels who have been attacking the bases and I want you and someone of your choice to go and I want you to keep tabs on them to find out what they are up to," said Crougar. "Why don't we just go and arrest them?" asked Van slightly confused. "It is because they are in a town that doesn't allow any type of military actions to take place because they are not of either the Republic, or the Empire. We wish to respect their wishes and are going to avoid any confrontations there," said Crougar. "So who should I take?" asked Van thinking it over. "Try not to make it look too suspicious. Maybe a girl to make it look like you are on a date," suggested Crougar. "I will go with you Van," said Rachael popping up out of nowhere. "Lieutenant you are needed here," said Crougar not even looking at her. "Then who should I take?" asked Van thinking it over again but only Fiona popped up in his head. "Why don't you take Fiona with you?" asked Crougar? "I was just thinking that," said Van. "Well then. You had better get going before they leave or you will lose them," said Crougar. "Yes sir," said Van with a salute as he left the room. "Why couldn't I go?" asked Rachael with a pout. "If they discover Van they might attack this base to keep him from releasing information to us so we need as many pilots as we can get, and with the speed of the blade liger he could get here with enough time to help but your zoid isn't ready at this moment but it should be if they attack. Plus I don't think that Zeke will be happy with you in the cockpit," said Crougar. "Zeke?" asked Rachael. "Yes he is the organoid that Van uses. Van is bound to bring his Zeke with him and he only listens to Van and Fiona, and if something happens to Van you won't be able to get back here since Zeke won't follow your orders," said Crougar. "Ok sir," said a saddened Rachael as she walked off. As she was walking out Fiona was walking in and Rachael whispered, "Don't you dare try anything." "Huh?" asked a confused Fiona. "Fiona I was just about to come looking for you. You and Van are to do something. Van has all the details. So just ask him about it once you see him," said Crougar nicely. "Ok," was all that Fiona said before she left the room. "Hey Van isn't that the place?" asked Fiona asked Fiona as she pointed towards a small town. "I think that it is lets go and check," said Van as he pulled up a map. "Yeah that is the place," said Van as the screen shut off. "We'll leave the blade liger here and go the rest of the way on foot," said Van as he hopped out of the cockpit. Fiona followed shortly behind him. "Zeke. Just stay here and look after the blade liger," said Van . Zeke made a sad growl. "Sorry buddy but you will draw far too much attention," said Van as he walked off with Fiona. "Van do you know who these people are?" asked Fiona as they walked through the sandy desert to the town. "I have seen pictures of them so we shouldn't have too hard of time to find them," said Van as he walked right beside Fiona. "Ok," said Fiona. "My question is how we are going to do this without making it look suspicious," said Van. "I don't know," said Fiona with a shrug. "Crougar had an idea that we could make it look like we are on a date," said Van. Fiona was quiet for a bit when he said this. "Is there something wrong Fiona?" asked Van looking at her quiet form. "It is nothing," said Fiona. It was quiet for a while after that before a question popped into Fiona's head. What she was really thinking about was what Rachael said to her. "Van can I ask you a question?" asked Fiona. "You just did," said Van with a small laugh. "That's not what I mean," said Fiona slightly annoyed by his small joke. "What is it then?" asked Van a bit more seriously. "What do you think of that girl Rachael?" asked Fiona. she then immediately looked at the ground. "I don't know she seems nice, but I really don't know her well enough to judge her," said Van after a short time of thinking about it. "Why?" asked Van curious as to why Fiona had asked that question. "No reason," said Fiona shaking her head. "Well then come on we should get going," said Van as he started to walk faster towards the town. "Wait up," yelled Fiona as she ran after him. "This is a nice place," said Van as he took a good look around the town. "I know. To think that it is neither a part of the Empire or the Republic," said Fiona. "At least it means that they aren't forced to be dragged into any wars that might start up between one of the sides," said Van as he looked at all the peaceful people. "That won't matter though if these people decide to start a war against all of planet Zi," said Fiona sadly. "That is one of the reason that we are here, to make sure that they don't try anything. The other reason is to find out what exactly they are after," said Van. "First thing is first though. we need to find these people before they start anything. The question though is where they could possibly be," said Van as he looked around for any sign of the people they were looking for. "We won't find them by just standing here," said Fiona as the two started to walk through the crowded streets. It didn't really take to long though because Van and Fiona found them in a restaurant eating. "It is a good thing that they are inside of a restaurant this will make it easy because we can make it look like we are merely getting something to eat," said Van. "I am sure you are also happy because you can get something to eat for real," said Fiona giggling a little. "You got me there," said Van laughing a little at her response. "Are we just going to stand here or are we going to go inside? I am hungry as well so we might as well grab a bite to eat," said Fiona as her stomach growled. "Sure thing," said Van as he opened the door for Fiona. "Thank you," said Fiona nicely. "No problem," said Van with a grin. "Hello can I take your order?" asked a waiter to Van and Fiona as they finished looking over the menus? "Yes I will take a steak and if possible could you put a papaya with it?" asked Van. "Yes sir," said the waiter as he took Van's menu. "You and your papayas," said Fiona with a slight giggle. "What will you be having?" the waiter asked Fiona. "I will just have a salad," said Fiona politely as she handed him her menu. "Ok then," said the waiter as he walked off. "Even if we are spying doesn't mean we can't eat," said Van with a smile. "It is hard to hear what they are saying," said Fiona as she strained her eyes to pick up on whatever it was that they were saying. "This is as close as we can get," said Van as he looked at their table, which was a few tables away and with all the talking of the other customers it made it very difficult to pick up on anything that they were saying. "Is there any easier way to hear them?" asked Fiona. "Well I have an idea," said Van as he brightened up a little. "What is it?" asked Fiona getting interested. Van then whispered something in her ear. "Do you get what you have to do Fiona?" asked Van. "I think so," said Fiona in an unsure voice. "Just make sure to make it look like an accident," said Van as he handed Fiona something. Fiona got up from the table to go to the restroom but when she past the table with the other group she pretended to trip and she slid a device onto the bottom of the table. "I am sorry," said Fiona when she got up. They pretty much just ignored her so she got back up and went to the restroom. "So how did it go Fiona?" asked Van when Fiona got back? "I did what you said I just hope that they didn't notice," said Fiona said Fiona nervously. "I don't think that they did because they haven't changed what they have been doing since you left," said Van as he took a quick look at the other tables. Van took out an earpiece and put it in his ear and also gave one to Fiona. "So what do you think of the base we destroyed," said one of them. "I hear that one of the soldiers of that base actually survived," said another and he sounded slightly amused. "Do you think we should go after her?" asked another more seriously. "It won't be easy to go after her because I hear that she is at the base that Van Flyheight is stationed at," said another not amused at all. "Curse him, it is because of him that we are forced to live like this," said one as he slammed his hand onto the table. "You are right John," said a man named Zack. "Why don't we see how great he actually is," said the third man named Peter. "Well if we are we will have to send our entire force there and not just a few of us," said a man named James. "Good idea. It is at a military base so he won't be the only one fighting in it," said Zack. "It is really the entire Guardian Force that we need to watch out for. Not the military," said Peter. "You are right they are the best fighters and if we can get rid of them and then destroy the rest of the military it will be easy pickings for us to take charge," said James with a laugh. "The real threat is that Blade liger how will we be able to take it down when it has taken down even the death saurer?" asked a frightened John "What, are you scared?" asked Peter. "Of course not. I am just saying that that is a power we should look out for," said John. "We will think about that later," said Peter. The group then got up and walked out of the restaurant. "We should follow them," said Van as they quickly finished up the food he ordered. Fiona did the same just as fast. Van left the money for the bill on the table and they ran after the men. They then followed the men to a small park where the men continued to chat about their plans. "Van I am starting to worry that they might spot us," said Fiona voicing her concerns. "Don't worry, and if they do I will protect you," said Van in a protective voice. "Thanks Van," said Fiona happily. "The thing is though, that if they do spot us I am afraid that they might hurt you," said Fiona as her worried came back. "Thanks for your concern but I will be fine,' said Van in a reassuring voice. Van couldn't help but like the concern that Fiona had for him at times. Fiona just stared at Van and Van looked into her eyes. At that time they started to move a little closer to each other. They got closer and closer until their lips were a mere few inched apart. Just as they were about to kiss Van suddenly realized that the guys they were following had disappeared. "No they're gone," said Van as they separated before they were able to kiss. "I am sorry Fiona that really shouldn't have almost happened. We shouldn't have let down our watch," said Van in an apologetic voice. Fiona was very disappointed that they didn't manage to complete the kiss. She merely said, "That is ok, Van." "We had better get back and tell them what we heard," said Van. "Alright," said a sad Fiona. After arriving back at the base Van immediately headed towards the control room where he planned to speak to Crougar. Walking in her immediately found him. "Sir I have some news," said Van with a salute. "What is it?" asked Crougar. "After listening in on their conversation we have learned that they might be planning on attacking this base at some point," said Van "So you are saying that they are actually considering attacking this base?" asked Crougar in disbelief? "Yes we heard them while they were talking and that is what they said," said Van. "Are you sure that you weren't seen?" asked Crougar hoping that he wasn't. "I am pretty sure about that," said Van. "Then we should probably start preparing," said Crougar. "You had better not have tried anything Fiona," said Rachael in a cruel voice. "I can do what I want you are not in charge of me," said Fiona. "You love Van don't you?" asked Rachael in a voice that made Fiona sick to her stomach. "Maybe," said Fiona a bit reluctantly. "What do you think that he wants? A person who can stand up for themselves like me, or someone that always needs to be saved every time that they are in trouble?" asked Rachael in a calm voice. Fiona didn't answer the question. All she did was stare at the ground as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Just as I thought. Now I said this once and I will say this again, I will have Van and you are merely in the way. So you had better stay out of my way. What makes you think that he even likes you anyways?" asked Rachael. "Van is my friend so I know he at least likes me like that," said Fiona trying to stand up for herself. "Whatever. It not like it matters what you think," said Rachael as she walked off. Fiona was alone after that until a voice from behind her said, "Don't listen to her Fiona," said Moonbay. She just so happened to be walking by and overheard the conversation. "Why would she say something like that?" asked Fiona in an angry voice. "She is probably jealous of the amount of time you spend with Van," said Moonbay saying the first thing that came to her mind. "But she is probably right Van would probably want someone who can stand up for himself. It proves it by what happened while we were in the town," said Fiona and she tried to walk off without hearing a reply from Moonbay. Moonbay managed to stop her though. "Hey Fiona did something happen between you and Van?" asked Moonbay staring at her friend with a look that said that she demanded an answer. This made Fiona stop and she answered, "We almost kissed but I don't think he really wanted it though," said Fiona sadly. "Why do you think that?" asked Moonbay nicely. "Van said that he was sorry and that it shouldn't have almost happened because after it almost happened the people we were following got away without us knowing it," said Fiona as she looked at the ground. "But he did almost kiss you, so that should at least mean something?" asked Moonbay sympathetically. "I doubt it, he has that girl Rachael with him and if she is with him he won't have to save her as much as he does for me," said Fiona. "But what if he does want you?" asked Moonbay trying to get Fiona to stop doubting everything. "I doubt Van would ever want someone like me," said Fiona as she walked away in tears in her eyes. Fiona was on the way to her room while trying to hold back some tears. She had managed to be able to stop them for a while but she was on the verge of once again starting to let the tears take action. She was very upset of the events that had happened throughout the entire day. She was so upset that she didn't even notice Van as she walked by in her daze. 'I wonder what is wrong with Fiona,' thought Van seeing the state that she was in. "Hey Fiona is something wrong? You seem very upset," said Van in as nice of a tone as he could. "It is nothing Van," said Fiona as she put on a fake smile. "Are you sure? I can help you know. All you have to do is ask me," said Van. "Yes everything is fine," said Fiona holding the fake smile on her face. "Hey Fiona there is something I need to tell you," said Van working up his bravery. "What is it?" asked Fiona not even looking at him. "You can at least look at me," said Van as he turned her to look him in the face. "There. That is much better," said Van with a smile. He decided to just say it. "I just wanted to tell you that," said Van but he was cut by Rachael. "Hey Van, are you ready to go?" asked Rachael interrupting the little moment. "Yeah, I guess," said Van in an unsure voice. 'Darn it,' was all that Van thought. Rachael came up to them and without Van knowing she was looking at Fiona nastily. "Come on I know this place we can go," said Rachael as she grabbed his arm and pulled him away from Fiona. "Ok," said Van upset that he couldn't say what he wanted to. "I will see you later Fiona," said Van as he left. 'probably wanted to tell me that he was going out with Rachael,' thought Fiona sadly. 3. love revealed The next day came and the weather seemed to be matching the way that Fiona was feeling. That was because it was raining and raining pretty hard. Fiona just didn't give a care though, because she was standing outside in it letting it fall all over herself. Yet she didn't seem to want to even try top get out of it. 'The weather must be going against me as well,' thought Fiona as the rain soaked her hair and made it stick to the front of her face. She might have stayed out there even longer but Moonbay found her standing out in the rain. Without saying even a word she quickly came out and then dragged Fiona back into the base. "Fiona what the heck did you think that you were doing? You could have gotten seriously ill from doing that," said Moonbay very seriously to the completely soaked Fiona. "It doesn't matter. I don't really give a care about that," said Fiona sadly. "What is wrong with you? Have you thought of how the others would react? What about those who care for you?" asked Moonbay in a really bad temper. "Listen, I have an idea that might just make you feel better. I mean a lot better," said Moonbay smiling. "What is that?" asked Fiona quietly. "I think that you should tell Van how you feel it might help you feel better, and you shouldn't let what Rachael said to you get you down. She is just a spoiled brat that thinks that she should get everything that she wants. So she will say some things. You should just ignore them and try to get what you want," said Moonbay with a smile. "What if Van doesn't feel the same? What if he just thinks of me more as a burden to him then anything else?" asked Fiona sadly. "Trust me, he doesn't. Plus there is no way that you will know unless you try. Who knows, maybe things will turn out for the best and you can live a happy life," said Moonbay. "I guess you are right," said Fiona cheering up a little. "Van do you think that I can talk to you?" asked Fiona quietly. "Sure what is it and why are you soaking wet?" asked Van noticing how she was soaked from head to toe. "Were you out in the rain or did you take a shower with your clothes?" asked Van with a smirk at his small joke. "I -I was out in the rain. This has been on my mind a lot lately. I wanted to tell you something very important to me," said Fiona little nervously. "sure thing. I would be glad to listen. So what is it?" asked Van very intently. "I," said Fiona but she suddenly started to feel a little dizzy. 'Maybe Moonbay was right. I guess I shouldn't have been doing what I have been doing,' thought Fiona as she suddenly collapsed to her knees. "Fiona are you alright?" asked Van as he kneeled down before her and she passed out into his arms. "Fiona, Fiona," said Van very worried while he shook her very lightly in an attempt to wake her up. He put a hand on her forehead to see what was wrong. He pulled away very quickly. "Oh no. this isn't good. She is burning up. I have to go get her some help quickly," said Van. Using one arm he put it under her knees and then her put his other arm under her back and the he lifted her up. "Hang on Fiona," said Van as he rushed down the halls towards her room. Rushing into the room very quickly he set Fiona down on the bed very gently before he rushed towards her bathroom. He searched around the bathroom for a little looking for something. "Here it is," said Van as he pulled out a bowl. Quickly filling it with water he grabbed and towel and walked as fast as he could over to Fiona without spilling the water. He set it down on the table next to her bed. Taking the towel he wet it a bit and then placed it on Fiona's head. 'Hopefully that will help the fever a little,' thought Van, 'But what about her wet clothes. I don't think that she would be happy with me if I changed her clothes for her. she might think I was a pervert or something like that," said Van with a bit of a nervous laugh. Luckily for him at that moment he could here the distinct voice as she sang her song while walking down the halls. "Good Moonbay might be better off doing this," said Van as he quickly stood up and headed for the door. Opening it he saw the retreating form of Moonbay going down the hall. "Hey Moonbay," yelled Van. She quickly turned around and saw Van standing in the doorway to Fiona's room. A grin then appeared on her face. "What are you doing in Fiona's room?" asked Moonbay with a smirk. "Nothing like that. I need your help. Fiona has collapsed," said Van seriously. "I told her standing out there was stupid," muttered Moonbay. She quickly followed Van into the room to see Fiona motionless form on the bed. "You appear to have everything under control so what is it?" asked Moonbay turning to Van. Van suddenly blushed a little. "Well you see it would probably be a good idea to," said Van but he couldn't get the rest of it out as he blushed a deeper crimson. "A good idea to what?" asked Moonbay. "Get her out of her clothes," said Van before going redder even more if it was even possible. "You pervert," said Moonbay. "That is not what I mean. Why don't you look," said Van pointing to Fiona. Moonbay then noticed that she was still in her wet clothes. "Ah I see," said Moonbay thinking it funny how flustered Van was. She then pushed him out of the door. "Now you have to stay out here until I am finished," said Moonbay with a wink before she closed the door. Her eyes slowly started to fluttered open but immediately closed due to all the light that was suddenly shown in them. "Wh-What happened?" asked Fiona as she clutched her head because of a headache. "You passed out because you were sick. Are you feeling any better?" asked Van with concern in his eyes. "Yes, thank you. How long have I been sleeping?" asked Fiona as she slowly tried to sit up. Van then sat down at the edge of the bed. "you have been out for about a day," said Van with the concern still in his voice. "Everyone has been worried about you," said Van quietly. Suddenly out of nowhere Van embraced her in a tight hug. This surprised Fiona greatly. "I have been worried about you," said Van quietly. 'Is Van really doing this or am I going to end up waking up soon?' thought Fiona while being slightly confused, yet it didn't stop her from returning the embrace. Much to Fiona's disappointment Van pulled away and he looked at the ground. "Moonbay told me about what you did yesterday. I thought you had more sense than that," said Van quietly. "I am sorry. I realize that it was foolish but there were a lot of things that were going through my head," said Fiona quietly. "Just don't do it again. Please?" asked Van. "Ok," said Fiona looking at the floor. "So how is she doing Van?" asked Thomas as Van walked into the kitchen. He sat down at the table that Thomas was currently sitting at before he even looked at Thomas. "She has woken up and she looks like she is doing better," said Van seriously. "Thank god," said Thomas. "What could have possessed her to do something like that though?" asked Van as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "I don't really know," said Thomas. "It is because she is a loon. That is why," said Rachael as she too walked into the room. "Don't talk about Fiona like that," Van yelled at her. "Sorry," said Rachael not wanting to get on the bad side of Van. "I have to go speak to colonel Crougar," said Van as he stood up and walked out of the room. 'No one will talk about Fiona like that,' thought Van as he walked through the halls. "Colonel is there any sign of the enemy?" asked Van when he walked into the control room and saw Colonel Crougar standing in front of some monitors. "It has been quiet. It is too quiet if you ask me. They have to be up to something. That is the only reason I can think of as to why they haven't been doing anything lately," said Crougar never taking his eyes off of the monitors. "Have any other bases been attacked?" asked Van. "No ever since lieutenant Rachael's base was destroyed it has been quiet," said Crougar. "Ok then. I do wonder though why they aren't attacking us like they said they would in the restaurant," said Van. "Maybe they knew that you were there," said Crougar. "I don't think so. They aren't ones to follow rules so they would have attacked us even if the town wouldn't have permitted it," said Van. "Then there has to be some other reason. We don't know those reasons though," said Crougar. "I guess you are right. I have to go check up on Fiona," said Van with a salute before he left. "Give her my regards will you?" asked Crougar. "Of course I will," said Van walking out of the room. Van later in the day went to check up on Fiona. "How are you doing Fiona?" asked Van. "I am feeling much better, thank you," said Fiona with a smile. "That is good," said Van a little nervously. "Fiona what is it that you wanted to tell me before you passed out?" asked Van remembering that she wanted to talk to him. "Never mind. It wasn't too important," said Fiona. "Are you sure?" asked Van very curious as to what it was. "Yeah it's nothing," said Fiona with a smile. "Ok then. I won't go into it anymore," said Van still a bit nervously. "What's wrong Van?" asked Fiona noticing his nervousness. 'Now or never,' thought Van as he pulled something out of his pocket. "Hey Fiona, I have something for you," said Van as he showed a small gift. "Thank you Van," said Fiona very happy at his kind gesture. "It's nothing," said Van slightly embarrassed. After he left, Fiona opened the package and was amazed with what she saw. "Hey Fiona, do you think that it is wise for you to be walking around?" asked Moonbay. "I will be fine," said Fiona happily. "Why are you so happy, weren't you miserable just yesterday?" asked Moonbay noting her cheerfulness. "It is nothing," said Fiona. "Did something happen?" asked Moonbay suspecting something had happened between her and Van. "It's nothing. I just got a gift from Van, that is all," said Fiona. "Can I see?" asked Moonbay. "I guess so," said Fiona quietly. "Cool," said a very excited Moonbay. "So what did he get you?" asked Moonbay. Fiona pulled out this necklace she had around her neck. "Wow," said Moonbay in total awe at it's beauty. "How could he have possibly afforded something like?" asked Moonbay still in total awe. "I don't know," said Fiona. "I wish I had someone who could get me something like that," said Moonbay. "What about that one guy that you once were close to who was rich?" asked Fiona. "Who, McMahon?" asked Moonbay. "No I don't think so," said Moonbay. "But I must say that if Van gave you something like that it has to mean something," said Moonbay grinning at her friend. "He was probably being nice," said Fiona. "I doubt it," Moonbay said to herself. "Hey Fiona how do you like my present?" asked Van after he saw her walking around. "I love it but where could possibly have gotten the money for something like this? It is absolutely beautiful," said Fiona as she pulled the necklace out. "I already owned it because it belonged to my mother," said Van happily. "Then you really shouldn't be giving this to me," said Fiona as she tried to take it off. Van put his hands on hers in order to stop her. "It was meant to be given up Fiona," said Van kindly. "What do you mean?" asked Fiona. "It was given to me by mother before she died. She told me that I was supposed to give it to someone of my choice, and I chose you," said Van with a smile. "Then thank you very much Van," said Fiona as she wrapped Van up in a tight hug. Van happily returned it. "Hey Fiona I need to talk to you later and I will tell you something else about it," said Van. "Ok," said Fiona as she put the necklace back into her shirt. As Van was walking away, Fiona turned around and ran into Rachael. "What was that about? I thought I told you to leave him alone," said Rachael in her usual nasty tone. "I don't give a care," said Fiona with a smile on her face. "What was that?" asked Rachael through clenched teeth. "It is just as you heard, I don't care what you have to say anymore. I can do what I feel like without you telling me not to. The truth is that I love Van and there is nothing that you could possibly do about it," said Fiona. "Why you," said Rachael angrily as her hands clenched into fists. Fiona just walked off. "Way to go Fiona," said Moonbay who was listening in on the conversation. The two of them then walked away. "Darn it," yelled Rachael once she had stormed into her room. "Well I don't really have to worry because he has shown no signs that he really likes her more than a friend but I wonder what they were talking about," she thought to herself. "If only I had gotten there a little sooner I could have found out," said Rachael to herself again. "She said she loves him, but that just won't matter in the end. Van will be mine," she said with a slight laugh. "She will end up being all alone, because she spent all of her time trying to get something that was just too much for her to even think about trying to have. So she will end up all alone while I am living happily with Van in a cozy little house with many little children," she said as stars came to her eyes. "I can just imagine it. It will be the best when it happens. Besides she just doesn't stand a chance against me. I am so much better then her," said Rachael with a laugh. She then walked to the door and walked out of it to go and look for Van. "Hey Van I was wondering if you would like to do something with me tonight?" asked Rachael trying to be the nicest that she could possibly be. "I am sorry but I am busy tonight," replied Van looking away from his work on the blade liger to look at her. "Why? What are you doing tonight that you wouldn't want to be with me?" asked Rachael with a fake pout. Van was saved from answering this when Fiona called out to him. "Hey Van, can you give me a hand over here?" asked Fiona who was working on the blade liger's leg. "Sorry but we will have to talk some other time," said Van as he walked over to help Fiona. 'Blast it, at this rate it will take forever to get him to fall in love with me,' thought Rachael sending nasty glares at Fiona. 'What could he possibly want to do that doesn't involve me?" she asked herself. Nighttime came and all was quiet. Van came up to Fiona's door and gave it a light knock. "Come in," came Fiona's voice. "Hey there Fiona," said Van with a smile. "Hey Van," said Fiona. "About earlier," said Van reminding her that they had to talk. "Oh yeah. What is it you wanted to tell me Van?" asked Fiona. "Lets go for a walk," said Van holding out a hand for Fiona. "Ok," said Fiona taking his hand happily. They walked towards the door before Van stopped. "What up?" asked Fiona. "On second thought let's just stay here," said Van. "Fine with me. So what was it?" asked Fiona as her curiousness started to get the better of her. "That necklace I gave you was given to my mother by my father and to him by his mother," said Van. "So?" asked Fiona. "It has gone down in my family for generations," said Van. "Why do you keep stopping?" asked Fiona. "Fiona, there is something you need to know," said Van. "What?" asked Fiona not able to take the suspense anymore. "I-I-I love you Fiona," said Van glad that he finally got it out of him since he knew that it was only going to make it harder for him to say later on. Fiona was speechless with what she just heard. "The necklace is given to the males of the family if there is any and they give it to the person that they love," said Van. "If there is only a daughter it is given to them to give to their sons. It is like a tradition in my family," said Van with a smile. Finally Fiona was able to speak. "Van, I-I love you too," said Fiona happily. "I am glad to hear that," said Van as he took his hand and tilted Fiona's head up a little bit before he brought his lips down and caught her in a loving kiss. "Now where is Van," Rachael asked herself. "If I just show up maybe he will just go out with me like I wanted," she said to herself. "There is his room, so maybe he is in there," she said to herself. As she reached the door she heard voices. "I love you Fiona," is what she heard. "I love you too, Van," came a reply. Rachael couldn't believe what she was hearing. "No, this can't be," she said to herself very quietly. She noticed the door was cracked open a bit and she looked inside to see Van and Fiona on his bed kissing. "I can't believe it he loves her and not me. how is that even possible? I am better than her at everything. I am better looking, have a better personality, I can pilot a zoid better. So what is it that made him love her instead of me?" she asked herself. She sadly stepped away from the door and walked away the bangs from her hair covering her eyes so that no one would see the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.. "So that is what he was planning on doing tonight. Blow me off and be with that witch," she said to herself sadly. She walked away as fast as she could not wanting to be there at the moment. "What is up with her," Moonbay asked Herself when she saw her? "I wonder," she said with a smirk on her face as she crept towards Van's room. She quietly looked inside and saw the two of them still kissing. "Way to go Fiona," she said to herself without letting them see her looking in. she did a little victory dance for her friend before settling down a little. 'I knew something like this would happen someday. I am very happy for them. There is no one that deserves this more then they do,' she thought. She closed the door the rest of the way so no one else could look in. "Took them long enough though. For a while I thought that it would never come out of them with all the distraction," she said looking in the direction that Rachael had walked off to. "At least everything turned out good in the end," she said as she too walked away. 4. heated passion If looks could kill Fiona might have been six feet under by now. Those were the thoughts that were going through Fiona's head at what she was seeing. Rachael was sitting a few feet away and was glaring daggers at Fiona. Like if she stared long enough at her, Fiona would just drop dead. 'I can not believe that he picked her,' thought Rachael as her glares at Fiona intensified. 'I mean I am so much better than her in every way. So how is it that he wanted her? Wait a minute. Maybe he didn't want her. Maybe she forced herself upon him and I just saw it and jumped to conclusions. Yes, that has to be it. I was getting worked up over nothing,' Thought Rachael as a small smile worked its to her mouth. 'She thought that she could get away with it but I saw through her little plan. She must really have thought that I was that stupid if I believed what I saw. Well I much smarter than that, and much smarter than her if I was able to see through that little plan. Well I am much smarter than her as it is so it really doesn't matter either way,' thought Rachael. 'My question is how Van could actually fall for such a cheap trick like that? I'll bet that he is waiting for me right now to come and help him get his mind off that horrible event that happened to him yesterday,' thought Rachael dreamily. 'I had better go and see him,' she thought. "Why is she staring at me like that?" asked Fiona after noticing the death glares coming from Rachael. Moonbay nearly laughed when Fiona asked this question. "What?" asked Fiona wondering what was so funny at that moment. "Absolutely nothing. Ok, so maybe there was something that she might have seen," said Moonbay as she continued to laugh at her friend. "Why? What did she see?" asked Fiona not knowing what was going on. This made Moonbay just laugh even harder at her friend. "Oh come on. Don't tell me that you don't remember what happened last night between you and Van," said Moonbay knowing that she was going to have fun taunting her friend about this for a while. "You saw that?" yelled Fiona as a blush crossed her face. "Sure I did, and so did she. Next time you might want to close the door the rest of the way. People won't be looking in if it is closed," said Moonbay. Fiona blushed even more if it was possible. "By the way I love your impression of a tomato," said Moonbay with another laugh at her very red friend. Moonbay looked over and noticed that Rachael had gotten up from where she was sitting and walked out of the room with a smirk on her face. 'There is something seriously wrong with that girl if she was smiling after what she saw last night,' thought Moonbay after Rachael had walked out of the room. "Oh Van," said Rachael as sweetly as she could. Van was currently talking to Irvine and Thomas and when he heard his name he turned around and saw Rachael. "What?" asked Van. Thomas and Irvine then walked off not wanting to see how bad this was going to get for Rachael. "I am bored. Do you want to do something with me?" asked Rachael with a fake pout when she said she was bored. "Um. well," said Van not knowing how to say this. "I. can't," said Van knowing that she wouldn't be happy. "Why not? Don't you want to be around me at all?" asked Rachael with another fake pout. "I am kind of busy," said Van knowing that the excuse would get old fast. "You are always busy. All I want to do is spend a little time with you," said Rachael as she got a little closer to him. "I really do have plans for later on today like the last time you asked," said Van getting slightly nervous. 'Why isn't he accepting my offer? I mean he should be happy that it is a reason to get away from that horrible Fiona,' thought Rachael. "Listen. I have to go. I will see you later," said Van before walking off. Fiona sat in her room in front of a mirror. She was currently running a brush through her hair in an attempt to get some knots out of it. Van and her were going to be going out later in the day so she wanted to look good for it. There was a sudden knock on the door. "Come in," said Fiona thinking that it might be one of her friends. The door opened and in walked someone that she didn't expect, Ashley. "What is it?" asked Fiona noticing that she was just standing in the doorway with a scowl on her face. "What did you do to Van?" asked an angry Rachael. "What are you talking about?" asked a very confused Fiona. "What did you do to him? you had to have done something to him to make him act the way that he has been acting to me. You also had to do something to make him kiss you last night. I wanted to know what you did to him because I know that he wouldn't normally do something like that with someone like you when he can have someone like me," Rachael nearly yelled. "I didn't do anything to him. He just has feeling for me. Is that too hard for you to understand?" asked Fiona upset by the things that she was saying. "You had to have done it," yelled Rachael as she grabbed the collar of Fiona shirt. She then saw something that made her let go of Fiona and the stagger back a few feet. "Wh-where did you get that necklace?" asked Rachael in a very shocked voice. "Van gave it to me," said Fiona as she straightened out her shirt. "No, he couldn't have. You must have stolen it from him. that is the reason that you could have it," said a scared Rachael since she didn't want to admit the truth. "I did not steal it from Van. He gave it to me a few days ago," yelled Fiona very upset by her sudden accusation of stealing it from Van. "No. You had to have. There is no way that he can love someone like you," said a distraught Rachael. "Please get out of my room now," said Fiona. luckily Rachael didn't want to see anyone especially Fiona, and she left the room quickly. "Is something bothering you Fiona?" asked Van when he turned up at Fiona's room to pick her up for their date. "It's nothing," said Fiona. "Are you sure?" asked Van. "Yes. It is just that Rachael came to my room earlier today," said Fiona slightly annoyed by Rachael. Van merely rolled his eyes when he heard Rachael's name. "What did she say?" asked Van. "She claimed that I had to have done something to you to make you like me, and that there was no way that you could like me normally," said a saddened Fiona. "she is right. I don't like you. You know this. That the truth is that I love you," said Van happily. Fiona was really happy to hear this out of Van. "Thank you Van. That really makes me feel a lot better," said Fiona happily. "No problem," said Van as he bent down and gave Fiona a kiss. Fiona quickly got into the kiss and returned it with just as much love as Van was giving her. They broke it reluctantly because of a desperate need for air. Fiona smiled and hugged Van. "You have no idea how long I have dreamed about something like this with you," said Fiona happily. "Then I am sorry for not telling you a lot sooner," said Van with a smirk on his face. "It's ok. At least you did," said Fiona with a smile on her face. "So, are you ready to go?" asked Van wanting to get their date going. "I am always ready," said Fiona happily. "Then why don't we go," said Van taking her hand and leading her out of the door. "It is so beautiful out tonight. Isn't it Fiona?" asked Van as he looked out into the night sky. Fiona looked up and saw how nicely the sky looked with all of its stars under the light of the two moons. "Yes it is," said Fiona as a light breeze caught her and blew her hair all around. The way that she was with her hair blowing in the wind and the way the moon shined down on Fiona, Van noticed how much more beautiful she looked. A smile crossed his face as he thought that they were now together as a couple. It was one of the best thing that ever happened to him. "What is it Van?" asked Fiona when she noticed that Van was staring at her. Van blushed a little knowing that he was caught staring at her. Fiona didn't seem to notice it though. "It's nothing. I was just, well. I was just admiring how lovely you looked right now," said Van knowing that it was better to be truthful with Fiona. This time it was Fiona's turn to blush. "Th-thank you Van," said Fiona as she tried to hide the blush. Van only thought that it was kind of cute. "What's the matter Fiona?" asked Van with a smirk across his face. 'He must be enjoying this,' thought Fiona. "Oh nothing Van," said Fiona in an innocent voice. Van knew she had to be up to something. "Um Fiona. what's going on?" asked Van as she started to advance towards him. he knew that if he didn't stop that he would be pushed into a fountain that was right behind him. yet Fiona never stopped. She just kept advancing. 'So that is her plan,' thought Van. 'If I am going to go down then I will at least take her with me,' thought Van with a smirk. Fiona had cornered him to the side of the fountain and she reached out and gave him a light push. He started to fall back but he smirked and grabbed her arm and pulled them both down into the fountain getting the both of them extremely soaked. Van and Fiona surfaced and Van started to laugh his head off. "I can't believe you pulled me in," said an angry Fiona. "You were the one that pushed me in. all I did was take you with me," said a still laughing Van. He stood up and got out of it. "Are you coming? We should get back before we get sick. You especially since you were just sick," said Van as he extended a hand out to her. Fiona looked at it for a second before taking it and getting out of the fountain. The two started to walk away from the fountain before a hand found its way to Fiona's should and it wasn't Van's. "I wonder how things are going for them," said Moonbay. "I am sure that they are happy. Especially since they are finally able to be together," said Irvine. "I know. They have to be happy. It is the most obvious thing for them since we both know that they love each other more than anything in the world," said Moonbay dreamily. 'I wish I had someone like that,' thought Fiona as she snuck a peek at Irvine. "Hey there cutie," said a man as he held onto Fiona's shoulder as she struggled to get out of his grasp. It only too Van about a second to realize that the man was drunk. "Hey. Why don't me and you go somewhere," said the man. "No," said Fiona as she struggled to get out of his grasp. "Hey let go of her," yelled Van. "Stay out of grown up matters kid," said the man as he easily knocked Van over. "You are coming with me," said the man as he dragged Fiona off. Fiona did the only thing that she could think of and bit the man's arm. The man hollered in pain and let go of Fiona's arm. She immediately ran over to Van and he put an arm around her. "You ok?" asked Van in a worried tone. "Yeah. I am fine," said Fiona as she latched herself around Van. "Hey give her back. I saw her first," said the drunken man. He went for Fiona but Fiona moved her out of the way. The man stopped and then pulled out a dagger. "Give her to me and I won't have to use this," said the man. "Never," said Van. The man charged at Van but due to Van's heavy drenched clothes it made it hard for him to move. The man managed to get Van but he only managed to but Van's arm. The man came around again and punched Van in the forehead. Van now had a gash on his forehead and a cut on his arm. Things were a bit dizzy for Van but he stood up. Van was now on the ground with the man hovering over him. "You had a chance to live but you refused to," said the man as he was about to bring the dagger down before something hit the back of his head. He then fell to the floor unconscious. "Are you ok Van?" asked Fiona as she dropped a big rock that she had in her hands. "Yes. Thank you," said Van as he stood up. "Lets go before we have anymore problems," said Van as he took Fiona's arm and led her away from the area. "Does that feel any better Van?" asked Fiona after she had finished putting a bandage over his cut arm. "Yes. It feels much better," said Van with a smile. "Thank you for helping me," said Fiona. "It is no problem," said Van. "You should go get changed Fiona," said Van remembering that they were still in their wet clothes. Fiona responded by merely sitting down right by him in the couch that Van had in his room. "I want to stay right here for now," said Fiona. "Fine then," said Van as he got up and walked towards his drawers. Quickly going through it he pulled out a large shirt and a pair of shorts. "Then at least put these on. It is better than nothing," said Van holding out the clothes, which Fiona took. She went into the bathroom to change while Van quickly changed into something else out in the room. He sat on the couch and waited for Fiona to come. About a minute later Fiona came out and went to sit down next to Van. "That better?" asked Van. Fiona just nodded her head. Fiona was feeling a bit cold and Van noticed this when she shivered. He quickly went to grab a blanket and came back. "Here put this around you," said Van handing Fiona the blanket. "Thank you," said Fiona as she took it. She quickly put it around herself. Van took a seat and Fiona also put it around him. "You need to keep warm too," said Fiona at Van's questioning face. Van smiled at Fiona's kindness. It was quiet after that until Fiona spoke up a few minutes later. "I was scared Van," said Fiona quietly. "When I am around you shouldn't have to be afraid of drunks like them," said Van kindly. "No, not that. I was scared when he pulled out that dagger. I was afraid that he might seriously hurt you or kill you with it," said Fiona as she rested her head on Van's shoulder. Van was really touched by her concern for him. "Hearing that means a lot for me," said Van with a smile as he took Fiona's hand in his. He brought it up to his face and laid a kiss on it. Fiona buried her head in Van's shoulder. "I don't want to lose you. I don't know what I would do without you," said Fiona. Van put his finger under Fiona's chin and lifted it up so that she looked him right in the eye. He then leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. He pulled away and this time Fiona took a hold of his hand. She held it up to her face. "Kiss me Van," said Fiona as she put his arm around her waist. "Of course," was all Van said before he was brought down into a very heated kiss, a kiss that meant everything to both of them. The next thing Van knew both him and Fiona were laying down on the couch still caught in that heated kiss. 5. death "Alright everybody. We are going to make our attack tomorrow and we need to prepare," said a man named Drake who's was the leader of the group. "What we need to look out for is the blade liger mainly. It is piloted by none other then Van Flyheight as most of you know," said Drake looking over all of the men. There was a murmur going around the room at the mentioning of this. "If you follow my directions then you have nothing to worry about. The best was to take it out is to destroy its shields and then get rid of the blades. There is no doubt that until this is done some of you men aren't going to last long if you go up against it. For the shields we will use our gun snipers and have them destroy the shield generator on it then some of our air forces will take out the blades," said Drake with a smirk going across his face. "Once that is done all you need to do is watch out for his guns, but if we surround him it won't be possible for him to survive an attack," said Drake with his smirk growing bigger with each sentence. "After he is gone we will only have to look out for the other members of the guardian force who have zoids such as a lightning saix, and a dibison. Take out the guardian force first then the rest will most likely fall with ease. So prepare yourselves, this is our day for our revenge," yelled Drake earning him a loud round of applause and shouts. The next morning the peace was shattered by gunshots. "Everyone get to your zoids we are under attack," came a voice from over the intercom. It was so loud that it woke Van up from his sleep that he was enjoying more than anything with Fiona right by him. "Why now?" asked Van with an aggravated sigh as he got up and got changed to prepare for the battle. He looked to see that Fiona was still sleeping. A smile crossed his face just looking at Fiona. Another announcement came on and this time it woke Fiona up as well. "What is going on Van?" asked Fiona rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "They are finally making their move to destroy us. I had better go and stop them," said Van with a weak smile. Fiona was up and in his arms in a few mere seconds. "Van please be careful will you?" asked Fiona not wanting to let go of him afraid that he would suddenly disappear in front of her. "I will Fiona. I will make sure that I stay alive so I can come back to you," said Van as he kissed her. "Please do. I want you to come back to me," said Fiona still not letting go of Van. Van reluctantly let go of Fiona and took a step towards the door. "Like I said. I will make sure I live through this," said Van before walking out of the door. "Please be safe Van. I need you more than anything to remain safe," said Fiona to herself. Fiona quickly left the room as well and ran to her room. After quickly getting changed into some fresh clothes, Fiona ran out of the room again and down the halls to the control room. Van ran into the hanger quickly and ran to the blade liger. He quickly got into the blade liger and took the controls. All of a sudden things seemed to be unfocused for Van as he clutched a headache that was coming up. "Why now," said Van as he rubbed his head to relieve it of all of the pain. "What are you waiting for Van we have to go," said Thomas over a link. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Just give me a second," said Van still rubbing his head where he was hit last night. Things then became clear again and the headache lessened a lot. "Ok lets go," said Van with a determined face. The zoids came up to the entrance to the hanger and were astonished to see the amount of zoids that were there waiting for them. "Look at the number of zoids they got," said Irvine eyeing the numerous zoids. All of them were different types. Both republican and Imperial zoids. "This isn't going to be pretty," said Thomas knowing that there were more then any of them could have possibly thought there would be. "Then lets get to work and take these guys down. So we can get back soon," said Van as he rushed towards the zoids. "Right behind you," said Irvine with a smirk. The lightning saix took off after the blade liger. "Hey! Wait up," said Thomas rushing behind the two very fast zoids. "Figures that I would be left behind," muttered Thomas going at full speed just to get a little closer to the two but they were moving too fast and kept getting farther away. Thomas just shook his head with a frown on his face. "How are things going on the battlefield?" asked Crougar looking at a soldier that was controlling the screens to keep track of what was going on. "The enemies outnumber us at the moment, but they are being taken down little by little at a faster rate then our zoids are," said an officer. "Prepare to send more backup. We need to give them as much support as possible," said Crougar. "Yes sir," said the officer. Fiona then came running into the room. "What took you so long Fiona?" asked Moonbay looking at her friend. "I am sorry. There was something I had to do. Do you know how Van is doing out there?" asked Fiona desperate to know if Van was still alive. "Lieutenant Flyheight is currently engaged in battle with numerous zoid. He doesn't appear to have too much damage at the moment," said the soldier. Fiona let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this. "Something the matter Fiona?" asked Moonbay seeing the worry on Fiona's face. "I just have a bad feeling about this battle. That is all," said Fiona quietly. "Afraid that something is going to happen to Van?" asked Moonbay kindly. "Yes. Although he promised me her would be ok, I still can't help but worry," said Fiona quietly. "I am sure that he will be fine. So don't worry so much," said Moonbay trying to reassure Fiona at least a little bit. "I hope so," said Fiona quietly. Fiona then went back to watching the screen. "Do these guys ever stop coming?" asked Van destroying another zoid that came after him. "Just keep firing," said Irvine running through and knocking down numerous zoids in the process. "Easy for you to say they are mainly targeting me," yelled Van after another attempt to get him. "Then I am glad that I am not you," said Irvine jokingly. "Thanks. That make me feel a whole lot better," said Van sarcastically. "You're welcome," said Irvine although he knew what Van was talking about. Irvine then caught sight of something that startled him. "Hey Van look out there is a gunsniper aiming right at you," yelled Irvine to Van. Van looked up just as it fired its weapon. "Oh no," yelled Van as he tried to move out of the way. However this opened the wound in his arm again and he clutched his arm in pain. This is the distraction that the sniper needed to get another shot in that hit the blade liger and destroyed the shield. The blade liger fell to the ground hard after the loss of the shield. "Hey Van! Are you alright?" asked Irvine wondering why Van wasn't able to dodge the bullet. "I am fine," said Van still holding his arm as he got the blade liger to its feet. "We have to finish these guys off," said Van as he pushed the blade liger forward at full speed. Even without the shield Van was still fighting. 'I have to finish this so that I can get back to Fiona,' thought Van as he destroyed another zoid. Blood was coming down his arm, yet he ignored it and continued to keep going. He was going through one zoid after another while taking a lot of damage. "Look out," yelled Thomas when he noticed a zoid. It dropped a bomb on the blade liger and one of the blades went flying off. "No I lost one of my blades," said Van with worry all over his face. It was then that Zeke was thrown out of the blade liger. "Van you had better head back the blade liger might not be able to take much more, and you won't survive because you don't have Zeke to repair it if possible," said Irvine seeing what had happened. "I wish I could but they keep coming at me," yelled Van trying to get away from the multiple zoids. "I can't help because I have to many enemies on me right now," said Thomas as he threw around a few zoids. "Sorry Van," said Irvine as he shot down another zoid. Van then realized the position that he had gotten himself into. "They've surrounded me,' said Van in a worried tone. A number of zoids had gained up on the liger and formed a large circle around him. "I guess that this is it," said Van scared out of his mind. Van tried to escape but he couldn't due to the large amount of damage that he had taken. He looked to see if there was anyone to help. The zoids surrounded him. "No Van," yelled Irvine. "MEGALOMAX FIRE," yelled Thomas as the dibison let of its attack. The attack came down on all of the zoids surrounding Van. Van took that opportunity to escape. "Thanks Thomas," said Van as he ran towards the base for repairs. "No problem," said Thomas going back to destroying his zoids. About half way back Van suddenly had another dizzy spell. "Why is it doing this to me at all of the wrong times?" Van asked himself as he kept the blade liger going forward. "I have to get over this," said Van holding his head where he was wounded the day before. Trying hard to shake it off, Van managed to get it to go away. "Good said Van as he looked forward. What met him though was the sight of a missile heading right towards him. It was too close to dodge. "Oh no," said Van as the missile made contact with the canopy and exploded. It caused a chain reaction and the rest of the blade liger started to fall apart. An explosion took place and the remains of the blade liger fell over. The explosion of the blade liger caught that attention of Irvine and Thomas. "They looked over and saw what remained of the blade liger lying on the ground. "Oh my god," said Thomas in utter shock. "I can't believe that that happened," said Irvine in the exact same tone. "Van, Van come in," yelled Thomas hoping to get a transmission in return. Nothing came. "Answer us damn it," yelled Irvine also hoping to get something. All that came back to both of them was a lot of static. "It can't be," said Irvine quietly from the shock of it. Fiona just stood in utter terror with what she saw. "No. Van! It can't be. It can't be, Van, Van?" said Fiona in utter shock. "NOOOOOOOOOO," she screamed and collapsed to the floor and started to cry. Moonbay did the best that she could to comfort her but Fiona was going frantic and didn't want her help. "This can't be happening," she screamed. "Fiona please calm down," said Moonbay trying to give her at least a little support. However it failed because she felt like doing the exact same thing. "He promised," said Fiona with tears running down her face. Fiona suddenly got up and ran out of the room. "Fiona, wait," said Moonbay as she ran after her friend. "Sir I don't think that we can take much more," said an enemy warrior. "The commander has been captured unfortunately," said another warrior. "Why did he insist on fighting with us?" asked the warrior. "It is just the way he is," said the other warrior. "We must retreat almost all of our forces have been destroyed," said another officer but his link went blank because his zoid was destroyed. "How could such a brilliant plan have gone so wrong," said an officer sadly. "Signal the troops to pull out," he said quietly. "Yes sir," said another soldier with a bow before leaving. "They are retreating," said Thomas slightly startled. "Lets get back," said Irvine sadly. As soon as they got back the first thing they saw was Fiona screaming out Vans name and how much she was crying. "I loved him so much," screamed Fiona with tears falling from her eyes. "I know you did Fiona," said Moonbay not trying to do anything and to just let Fiona get it out of her system. "Why did this have to happen," screamed Fiona as the tears came down even harder then before. "I don't know Fiona I don't know," said Moonbay quietly. Fiona got to her feat while still crying her eyes out and walked away. "Fiona where are you going?" asked Moonbay as she watched her friend walk away. "I am leaving I can't take any more of this," said Fiona sadly as she broke out in a run right past Thomas and Irvine. "Fiona, wait," said Thomas hoping to stop her. "We should just let her go. She deserves some time alone and she might come back when she is feeling better. Until that time we have to just let her do what she wants and hope that she will come back," said Moonbay with her eyes downcast towards the floor. Zeke had managed to recover enough to get up followed after Fiona was equally as depressed as Fiona was. The two just walked away with Moonbay Thomas and Irvine watching them until they faded from view. 'I hope that Fiona is going to be ok with this,' thought Moonbay sadly wanting nothing more then to start crying like her friend was just a minute ago. 6. years later 5 Years later "Will you hurry up Irvine?" yelled Moonbay from the gustav where both her and Thomas were waiting as patiently as they could for Irvine to finally come.. "Hold your horses Moonbay," Irvine yelled right back to her. "I haven't got all day. we are on a tight schedule you know," said Moonbay. "I'm coming," said Irvine. "We have to get to that town before nightfall," said Moonbay angrily. "I am coming so will you please shut up and have a little patience for once?" asked Irvine just as angrily because of how little patience Moonbay had. "With all the fighting done I would like to have a nice vacation sometime this century," said Moonbay through gritted teeth. "Too bad Fiona isn't with us I haven't seen her for five years ever since Van died. I feel sorry for her losing the one she loved so shortly after they told each other that they loved each other," said Moonbay sadly just thinking about the last time that she had even seen her friend. It was also the last time anyone saw Van since he died. Moonbay remained quiet after that because she didn't want to think about any of it anymore. "I am ready Moonbay," said Irvine as he walked up. "Good," said Moonbay with a smile trying to hide how she was feeling when she thought about Fiona and Van. "Is there something wrong?" asked Irvine seeing a slight bit of sadness through the smile. "It's nothing I was just thinking," said Moonbay losing the smile. "At least we can finally get a break after all these years of fighting and losing friends it is over," said Irvine taking a guess what she was talking about. "I guess," was all that Moonbay decided to say. "I know that you miss Van and Fiona. I do too, but we have to face it that Van is gone and Fiona probably isn't going to come back," said Irvine trying to be at least a little sympathetic towards Moonbay. "I know. It is just that it hurts to think about the two of them," said Moonbay sadly. Irvine didn't say anything after that. Thomas then decided to change the subject. "So where are we going exactly?" asked Thomas looking at Moonbay. "I just wanted to travel for a while like I used to before all this happened," said Moonbay as she quietly as she walked towards the gustav. "Sounds good to me," said Irvine following right behind her and Thomas right behind him.. "I am Moonbay, transporter of the wasteland," sang Moonbay in a happy tone since it had been about a days worth of traveling and it helped her to forget her problems for the time being.. "Moonbay you have been singing that since we left do you think you can at least sing something else?" asked Thomas rubbing his head to try and get rid of the headache that was forming. "Let me think about that, NO," said Moonbay who started singing again. "Great," muttered Irvine as he too felt a headache coming on. "So how much farther is this place?" asked Thomas hoping that it wouldn't be much longer before they reached their first destination before they end up killing Moonbay in order to get her to stop singing. "Without any distraction we can be at our first stop within the next two hours," said Moonbay with a bright smile on her face. "Or we don't get lost," said Irvine with a smirk growing on his face at the annoyed look that was forming on Moonbay's face. "Hey! We are not going to get lost," said Moonbay trying to control her anger before she decided to hurt him for that comment. "Knowing our luck, we are going to get lost," said Irvine smirking yet again at the look Moonbay was giving him. "Don't worry. I have an excellent sense of direction. We are not going to get lost," said Moonbay happily as she drove the gustav over the desert sands. "I can't believe we are lost," said Moonbay in a disheartened voice. "I thought you said we weren't going to get lost," said Irvin in a mocking tone, which made Moonbay fume quite a bit. "Shut up Irvine!" yelled Moonbay right into his ear, which made him shrink back in slight fear. "There is a town nearby, we can go there and find out where we are," said Thomas noticing the view of a small town that appeared on the horizon. Moonbay and Irvine looked and noticed it as well. "Good idea, and this time we won't follow the direction Moonbay gives us," said Irvine with a smirk on his face. "you had better watch it," growled Moonbay in annoyance at how Irvine was acting. "If you don't mind I would at least like to get to this place and get something to eat and maybe a place to sleep," said Thomas hoping to stop an aggressive argument from starting between the two of them. "Fine," said Moonbay grunting a little bit as she turned her sights forward and went in the direction that the town was in. The town appeared to be much smaller then either of them thought it would be, but it still had a fairly good amount of people as they all went their own ways to get their jobs done. Moonbay and the others walked right through the center of everyone looking for a place where they could ask for directions. They saw a elderly man selling some stuff and figured that he would be of some help. "Can I help you?" asked a man as the gang approached him. "Yeah. My friend got us lost and we were hoping that maybe you can help us," asked Thomas pointing towards an annoyed Moonbay. The elderly man chuckled a little bit at this. "If you have a map I will show you," said the man stopping his chuckling and now he had a smile on his face. "This place is small so you won't find it on a map," said the man, "But I can show you where it is," he said. "Thanks," said Irvine with a friendly smile on his face. "You are right here," said the man as he pointed to a small area on the map. "Good that mean that we aren't too far off course," said Moonbay a little happily. "We wouldn't be off course if you hadn't decided to take that stupid detour," said Irvine to Moonbay. "Do you want me to hurt you?" asked Moonbay with a really low growl in her voice. Irvine wasn't listening. It was then that he saw something. "What the," yelled Irvine rubbing his eyes slightly thinking that he might have been seeing things. "What is it?" asked Thomas noticing what Irvine had just said and done. "I could have sworn I just saw Zeke," said Irvine still rubbing his eyes to make sure that it was just an illusion. "Do you think that maybe Fiona is here?" asked Thomas with a little hope in his voice. "I don't know," said Irvine with a shrug of his shoulders. "There is a Fiona in this town, so it is possible," said the man that helped them out. All three of them looked directly at the old man. "Can you tell us where?" asked Moonbay shaking the man. "Sure it is just down there," said the man as he pointed in one direction. "Thank you," said Moonbay as she stopped shaking him and then she ran off in that direction. "No problem. I am always glad to help people," said the man with a smile as he watched the three of them run out of view in the direction that he had pointed them in. 'Please let it be Fiona, please let it be Fiona,' Moonbay begged in her mind hoping that it would be her best friend that was there and not just someone that they didn't know. Irvine and Thomas were also hoping for the exact same thing as Moonbay. To let it be their friend. "These seem like cozy little houses," said Thomas looking around at all of the small houses that they were passing by hoping to see any sign of their friend. "We should have been more specific to the location," said Moonbay with a sigh at looking at the amount of houses that were around this small town. "Hey look it's Zeke," said Irvine as he pointed to the organoid. "Either that or a remarkable look alike," said Thomas rubbing his eyes like Irvine had done the last time that he thought he saw him. "Lets go. Let's go. Let's go," said a cheerful Moonbay as she took off in a sprint in the direction that they saw the organoid go. Irvine and Thomas sighed once they knew that they were going to have to chase after Moonbay again. "For all that it is worth. That had better be Zeke. It will be good to finally see Fiona again," said Thomas running alongside Irvine. "I know what you mean, but not in the same way you do," said Irvine in a sigh because Thomas was happy to see her again and have more of a chance this time. 'He is too much of a dreamer. He never really could face the reality that Fiona was in love with Van,' thought Irvine as they ran and eventually caught up with Moonbay. After a moment or two of looking they saw the Zeke look-alike walk into a house. "There he is," said Irvine as the three walked towards the house. They walked up to the house and knocked on the door. "It's open," came the voice they recognized as Fiona's. "It is her," said Thomas in a really happy voice. "Zeke kind of gave it away," said Moonbay into his ear with a smirk on her face. They walked in and the first thing they noticed was Fiona but she didn't see them since her back was turned at that moment trying to put something in place most likely knocked around by Zeke. "Yes, can I help," said Fiona as she turned around but was surprised to see them. "You," she finished in shock. She gave gasp before saying, "M-Moonbay, Irvine, Thomas" said a shocked Fiona. if there was one thing that she wasn't expecting to happen it was to see them there. "Hey there Fiona," said Moonbay with a smile on her face. "Hey," said Irvine with an identical smile. "Miss Fiona it is so good to see you," said Thomas smiling even brighter then the other two. "Yeah," said Fiona quietly looking down at the floor. "Why haven't you come to see us in the past few years?" asked Moonbay deciding to start up a conversation. "I've been busy, and I just couldn't go back there. it would just bring back bad memories," said Fiona sadly not taking her eyes off the floor. "I understand Fiona," said Moonbay sympathetically. It was quiet for a while until Zeke came into the room as well. "Hey Zeke. How are you doing," said Irvine patting Zeke on the nose one he had walked up to them but Thomas noticed something else thought that no one seemed to even see. 'She said she was busy but she doesn't seem all that busy,' thought Moonbay curiously. Before Moonbay was able to ask Thomas spoke. "Hey Fiona, since when do you baby sit?" asked Thomas with great curiosity in his voice. "What are you talking about Thomas?" asked Moonbay not knowing why he had said what he said. "I am asking Fiona when she started to baby sit," replied Thomas in reply to Moonbay's question. "I am not baby sitting," said Fiona quietly although she knew what he was going on about while he was saying all that he was saying.. "Then what's with the kid?" asked Thomas pointing behind Zeke. It was then that Moonbay and Irvine noticed a kid with shoulder length blonde hair, hiding behind Zeke's leg shyly. "It's ok," said Fiona to the little girl in a very gentle voice. The little girl came out. The girl ran into Fiona's arm and Fiona picked her up. "This is my daughter," said Fiona quietly with a small smile on her face. "WHAT," they all yelled in unison. "I am not even going to ask," said Moonbay as she sat down in a chair. "Who's the father?" asked Thomas making every groan since they all knew the answer. "That what I wasn't going to ask because it is obvious," said Moonbay in a mocking voice. "What do you mean?" asked Thomas curiously. "Think about it will you," said Moonbay rather annoyed. "Think about what?" asked Thomas. 'And he think that he is so smart,' thought Moonbay with a sigh. "By the way the child looks I'd say she is about four years old. Correct?" asked Moonbay looking at Fiona. Fiona just nodded her head. "Unless Fiona went and slept with the first person she met which I bet my life she didn't that could only leave one person," said Moonbay slightly annoyed. "Van," said Irvine finishing her sentence. "Is this true miss Fiona?" asked Thomas in a hurt voice knowing now that that went on between the two of them. "Yes it is," said Fiona sadly. "Think you moved a little fast. Considering you two just confessed your feelings a few days before he died," said Moonbay but she then realized her mistake. Fiona then started to cry. "Mommy, are you ok?" asked the girl as she walked into the room and saw her mother crying. "I am fine sweetie," said Fiona trying to put on a happy small but it came out rather weak. "What's her name?" asked Irvine indicating the little girl. "It's Sakura," said Fiona with a smile as she looked at her daughter. "That's a nice name," said Moonbay. "Mommy I am going to play with Zeke," said Sakura with a begging smile. "Ok," said Fiona nicely as Sakura ran after Zeke. Sakura then rushed out the door with Zeke right behind her. "She is a cute kid. I feel bad for her though because she had to grow up without a father," said Moonbay with sympathy in her voice. "It has been hard these past few years for me," said Fiona sadly just remembering all that she had gone through. "Everyday that I see her she reminds me of Van and it makes it hard for me to move on with my life," said Fiona who was on the verge of tears. "You loved him a lot that is why it is hard," said Moonbay with the sympathy still in her voice. "I know but it also hurts me because she won't grow up with her father," said Fiona still sadly. "She has lived without him so far but sooner or later she will want to know," said Fiona looking out the door where Zeke and Sakura were playing. "It is ok Fiona," said Moonbay who was trying to comfort her. "Go faster Zeke," said a thrilled Sakura who was on Zeke's back while he was running. Zeke growled happily in reply and went a little bit faster but not too fast for Sakura. "Yay this is fun," said Sakura said happily. They then noticed some foods stands ahead and Sakura slid off but Zeke was unable to stop and ended running into them. While the owner of the food stand was yelling at Zeke for doing what he did, Sakura walked off. She walked along for a while until she took a wrong turn and ended up in a dark alley. 'Maybe I should head back,' she thought while being a little scared about being in that place. She was about to turn around when she saw a man collapsed on the ground. She was too kind, young and way too naive that she didn't know better so she went to help him. "Are you ok mister?" asked Sakura in a slightly nervous voice. The man suddenly got up off the ground very quickly and grabbed Sakura's arm. "Hey little girl where's your mommy?" asked the man with a wicked grin. Sakura got scared and tried to run away but the man's grip around her arm prevented her from doing so. "Let go of me," she yelled struggling but the man was too strong and much older. "Tell me does your mommy love you?" asked the man with a wicked grin coming up with a plan. "Yes she does," yelled Sakura. "Then I bet she would do anything for you," said the man with the grin. "Help me," she screamed at the top of her lungs. The man then covered her mouth. "You had better shut up if you know what is good for you," he said in a dangerously low tone in his voice. She started to get really scared. 'Help me someone,' she thought with a tear in her eye. Before she knew it though the man had let go and was lying unconscious on the floor. "What. happened," she asked herself looking at his fallen form. She then noticed the other person. "You had better go," said the man in an emotionless tone. "You sick man hurting defenseless kids," said the man kicking the man while he was down. "I will help you get out safely," said the man turning too look at Sakura. Sakura didn't know why but there was something comforting about him. She was still scared though. H looked down on her with dark eyes. "Don't worry I won't hurt you," said the man nicely with a small smile. He then started to walk out. "What is your name," Sakura asked running after him. "I wish I knew," he said quietly. "This is a nice place you live in Fiona," said Thomas as Fiona showed them around. "This place has had nothing to do with war for so long that I felt that it would be a nice place to live after I left," said Fiona quietly as she walked ahead of them. "What going on up there?" asked Moonbay noticing a little bit of a commotion. She then noticed that a woman was yelling at Zeke. "Wait a minute. Where is Sakura?" asked Fiona a bit frantically. "She can't be far if Zeke is right here," said Moonbay looking around fats trying to find the young girl. Someone familiar caught her eye but she shook it off. 'That is impossible,' Moonbay told herself mentally. Fiona then ran up to Zeke. "Where is she Zeke?" asked Fiona in a desperate tone. Zeke immediately got up and started to look for Sakura. "Mommy," came a yell. Fiona looked to her right and saw her daughter running towards her. "Where were you?" asked Fiona as she hugged her daughter. "I got lost and this man tried to hurt me but this other man helped me," she said while she was crying on her mom's shoulder. "Then I should thank this person for helping you," said Fiona in a voice that told that she was glad to see her daughter was all right. "Where is he?" asked Fiona looking over the place. "He is over." she looked but he wasn't there. "Where is he," she asked herself. "I will thank him some other time then. What were you doing by yourself? You had me worried to death," said Fiona holding her daughter tighter. "Sorry," said Sakura in a sad tone. "Don't do it again, alright?" asked Fiona in a begging voice. Sakura nodded her head. "Motherhood seems to suit you Fiona," said Moonbay seeing how happy she was to be with her daughter. "She is all that I have left of him. I don't want anything to happen to her," said Fiona in a sad tone. "I understand," said Moonbay with a look of sympathy on her face. "Lets go home," said Fiona trying to change the subject. "I wonder what happened," said Moonbay as they walked down the streets towards Fiona home. "She probably snuck away when Zeke crashed into that food stand," said Irvine as if it was common knowledge. "At least she is safe," said Fiona tightening her hold on her daughter. "Who was the man that saved her though?" asked Thomas. "I wish I knew," said Fiona. "We should just be thankful that he was there to help her when he was,' continued Fiona looking at her daughter. "I guess that you are right," said Moonbay with a smile. "Who was that girl and why did I save her," the man asked himself as he paced back and forth through an alleyway. "Then again I can't even remember anything about my past. I wish I could remember, I could then get some answers to my questions," the man said. "Why is it that I can't remember anything. I can't remember my name, age, or any of those things," he said as he put a hand behind his neck to rub it. "Her mother though. when I saw her I don't know why but I just felt like I needed to get out of there. I don't know how but she seems awfully familiar," he said. "It is like I know her from somewhere. I wonder if I have met her before. That has to be it. It is the only reason that I can think of," said the man as he stopped his pacing and sat down. 7. he's alive Later that day Fiona and her daughter went to get some food. "Mommy I am going to play with Zeke but I promise I will stay in his sight," said Sakura. "Ok but please be careful I don't want you getting hurt," said Fiona. "Come on Zeke," said Sakura. Zeke followed after her. It was then that she saw the man that saved her. "Zeke can you please wait right here," she asked nicely. Zeke growled his disapproval. "Don't worry you will see where I will be," said Sakura. Zeke reluctantly agreed and Sakura walked over to the man. "Hi," said Sakura. "Thanks for saving me," she said. "No problem," he said. "What is your name," asked Sakura? "I don't know," he said. "Why are you all by yourself," she asked? "I have no one to go to," he said. "What about your parents," she asked? "I don't know who they are," said the man. "In a way I know how you feel because I don't know who my dad is, but you have it worse because you don't know either of them," said Sakura. "Why are you talking to me like that, aren't you afraid I might hurt you," asked the man. "I don't know why but I feel safe with you," said Sakura. "Really," said the man? "I have an idea why don't I be your friend so that way you won't be by yourself," asked Sakura? "Thanks, I guess," said the man. "You seem pretty wise for someone your age," said the man. "Thank you," said Sakura. "Hey why don't you come meet my mommy, I am sure she would like you," said Sakura. "I don't know," said the man. "Please," she asked. "Ok," said the man reluctantly. Zeke was starting to get a bit impatient and didn't want to wait much longer. "Come one Zeke," he heard Sakura call him. He looked up from his resting place on the ground and looked up to see Sakura walking towards him with another person behind her. It took him a while to register what he was seeing but he rushed over to the man and started to nuzzle him. "Zeke! Stop it," yelled Sakura. Zeke then stopped. "Sorry about him he has never acted this way before," she said. "It's ok," he said. "What is wrong with you Zeke," she whispered to Zeke. Zeke growled never taking his eyes off the man. "Can you wait here," asked Sakura as they approached Fiona? "Ok," said the man. Sakura ran ahead and went to Fiona's side. "Mommy I want you to meet someone," said Sakura innocently. "Who," asked Fiona? "It was the man that saved my life," said Sakura. "Where is he," asked Fiona? "Follow me," said Sakura. Fiona followed after her. "So where is he," asked Fiona? "Close your eyes," said Sakura. "Why," asked Fiona? "Please," asked Sakura? "Fine," said Fiona. Sakura took her hand and lead her to him. "Ok mom open your eyes," said Sakura. Fiona opened her eyes and saw the man. The first thing she did was dropped her bag of food then she spoke. "How can this be," she said before she passed out. "Is she ok," asked the man? "Please help her," said Sakura. "Where is your place I will carry her there but then I will leave," he said. "Tell me have you tracked down the experiment yet," asked a man. "Yes sir we have and it has led us to a small town," said a scientist. "The experiment isn't done and needs to be completed," said the man. "General are you going to send troops to get him," asked the scientist. "Yes, then we can come back after all those losses with forces that are stronger than ever," said the general. Fiona finally woke up and sat up really quickly. "Mommy are you ok," asked Sakura? "How can it be," Fiona asked? "What," asked Sakura? "Sweetie when Zeke saw the man did he start acting weird," asked Fiona? "Yes he did," said Sakura. "I don't believe it," said Fiona with a large smile. "Mommy what's wring," asked Sakura? "Nothing," said Fiona. 'Could it have been Van,' Fiona asked Herself? (Ring, Ring) the phone in Moonbay's room was ringing while Moonbay was sleeping. "We just got back and someone already wants me," said Moonbay. "Hello," Moonbay asked sleepily? "Moonbay you need to get down here quickly," came Fiona's voice. "What's up? You sound excited about something," said Moonbay. "I will tell you when you get down here," said Fiona. And she hung up the phone. "What was that about," Moonbay asked herself? Moonbay waited till the next morning till she started to head back to the village. "Where are you going, Moonbay," asked Irvine? 'Fiona called me last night. She said there was something important she needed to tell me," said Moonbay. "Why didn't she just tell you on the phone," asked Irvine? "I don't know but she sounded really excited about it," said Moonbay. "How excited," asked Irvine? "Really excited, You would think that Van came back," said Moonbay. The both laughed at the thought of this. "Tell me when you get back," said Irvine as he walked off. "Now which way was it," Moonbay asked herself as she was looking at the map. "Lets see this is where I am at," she said as she pointed at a map. "Now where did the man say that village was, oh yeah it was right here," said Moonbay. "So I just go north," said Moonbay, as the gustav kept moving in the direction it was going in. "Now the village should be right over this hill," said Moonbay as the gustav approached the village. What she saw frightened her. "What happened," she said as she saw the burning remains of the village. "Oh no," said Moonbay. She quickly moved the gustav into the village. "Fiona, Fiona where are you," she yelled. "This can't have happened," said Moonbay. "Who could do something like this, destroy an entire town and its inhabitants," said Moonbay with tears in her eyes. "Hey Moonbay what is it that Fiona wanted," asked Irvine when Moonbay got back to the base. "I couldn't talk to her," said Moonbay. "Why," asked Irvine? "The entire town was destroyed," said Moonbay. "WHAT," yelled Irvine? Moonbay couldn't hold it anymore and broke out tears. "Fiona is gone, and so is the rest of the town," said Moonbay. "You had better tell someone they might be able to do something," said Irvine. "We already knew about it," said Crougar. "The rebels sent us a message and told us about it," he said. "But didn't we beat them," asked Moonbay? "We must have merely stalled them," said Crougar. "We recently sent a scout to look over the area for any survivors but the rebels said that they made sure there was none," said Crougar. "How heartless does a person have to be to do that," asked Thomas? "We have to do something," said Moonbay. "We have done everything we could right now," said Crougar. "I still don't believe it Fiona is gone," said Moonbay. "I know what you mean," said Irvine. "What is it that Fiona wanted to tell me, I have been thinking about that a lot too. Since she seemed like she was still miserable when we were there but she called me and she seemed happy," said Moonbay. Just then Thomas ran by. "Where are you going in a hurry," asked Irvine? "There has been an unidentified object heading towards this base. I have been sent to check it out," said Thomas. "Now where did the location say it was? I think they said it was about ten miles out," said Thomas. "I think I see it. It doesn't look big enough to be a zoid so what could it be," asked Thomas? He took a closer look at the object. "Wait a minute that's Fiona, Zeke, and her daughter," said Thomas as the dibison headed towards them. "Miss Fiona," said Thomas. "Is that you Thomas," said Fiona before she passed out. Thomas looked at her and noticed that she had a lot of bruises all over her body. He picked her up and looked at Zeke who was carrying Sakura on his back and she was sleeping. "Lets get them back Zeke," said Thomas. "Hey Thomas did you see what it was," asked Irvine as Thomas came in? Thomas didn't answer. Instead he said, "Someone get a doctor," he yelled. "What's going on," asked Moonbay? Thomas jumped out of the dibison carrying Fiona. "Fiona," yelled Moonbay as she ran up to them. "Where Zeke and Sakura," asked Irvine. At that moment Zeke came running into the base with Sakura still on his back. "They need to get some help, especially Miss Fiona," said Thomas. "Huh? Where am I," asked Sakura. "Good I see you have woken up," said a doctor. "Where am I and where is my mommy," asked Sakura? "You are at a military base right now. Your mom is here too. She is hurt a bit but she will be alright," said the doctor. "Where is she," asked Sakura? "Follow me and I will take you to her," said the doctor. The doctor took her to her Fiona. "Mommy," said Sakura as she ran to her mom. "Hey sweetie," said Fiona. "How are you feeling," asked Fiona? "I am fine," Sakura said. "That is good," said Fiona. "Hey you two," said Moonbay as she walked into the room. "Hey Moonbay," said Fiona. "Hello," said Sakura. "Listen sweetie I need to talk to Moonbay can you please play with Zeke," asked Fiona? "Ok," said Sakura. "If you ask nicely I think Irvine and Thomas might play with you," said Moonbay. "Ok," said Sakura. She then walked out with Zeke who had come in with Moonbay. "Are you ok, Fiona," asked Moonbay. "Listen I saw something that you aren't going to believe," said Fiona. "What is it," asked Moonbay. "I called you and wanted you to come to that town for a reason. I saw something that not even I could believe," said Fiona. "What did you see," asked Moonbay. "You may think I am a little crazy but I saw Van," said Fiona. "But Van is dead," said Moonbay. "That is what I thought. You know that man that saved Sakura," asked Fiona? "Yeah," said Moonbay. "Well she took me to meet him and I saw Van," said Fiona. "How do you know it was him," asked Moonbay? "I thought I might have imagined it at first, but Sakura said that Zeke acted strangely when he saw him," said Fiona. "Zeke thought it was him too so that might mean that he is Van," said Moonbay. "Maybe,' said Fiona. "That would mean that Van is alive but why hasn't he tried to contact any of us," asked Moonbay. "I don't know but maybe Sakura can help," said Fiona. "I have a question," said Fiona. "What is it," asked Moonbay? "What ever happened to Rachael," asked Fiona? "She was transferred to another base about two years ago but I don't mind because I never really liked her," said Moonbay. "Good to know," said Fiona with a slight laugh. 8. control Sakura got bored so she went to see her mom. "Hey Sweetie,' said Fiona. "Can I ask you a question," asked Fiona? "What is it Mommy," asked Sakura? "The man that saved your life did he ever tell you his name," asked Fiona? "No," said Sakura. "Did you ever ask," asked Fiona? "Yes," said Sakura. "What did he say," asked Fiona. "I don't know," said Sakura. "Then can you try to remember," asked Fiona? "I mean he really said I don't know," said Sakura. "He didn't know his own name," asked Fiona? "Yeah," said Sakura. "Thank you sweetie," said Fiona. "So what did she say," asked Moonbay when she came to see Fiona later? "The man doesn't even remember his own name so he might have amnesia," said Fiona. "That would explain a lot," said Moonbay. "I have got to find him," said Fiona. She tried to get up but fell back down. "Be careful you are still injured," said Moonbay. "What happened to the village," asked Moonbay? "These men came saying they were looking for something and that if no one told them where a certain person was they would destroy the place. The next thing I knew this person said they found the person. I am not sure who it was but they still burned the place down and killed a lot of people they tried to kill me but Zeke was protecting Sakura so she was ok but he couldn't protect us both. I got hurt badly before they left and I took Sakura and Zeke and we tried to get here but it became really hard for me," said Fiona. "I can understand that," said Moonbay. "With all your injuries I am surprised you got as far as you did," said Moonbay. "I hope you get better quickly," said Moonbay. "Thanks," said Fiona. "So how are things going," asked a general of the rebels. "This guy is making it hard but we should have the experiment done soon," said the scientist. "He could be the ultimate ally and we are having trouble keeping his mind under control," said the general. "General do you think that it is wise what if he regains his memories. Van Flyheight can be a great ally but he could give us a great amount of trouble if he was our enemy," said the scientist. "That is why this can't fail. I want you to get rid of every memory or emotion he once had so that he will be the ultimate fighter with nothing holding him back," said the general. "I know we saved his life for this but I have a bad feeling about this," said the scientist. "Just do it," said the general. "Yes sir," said the scientist. "But what if he regains his memories," asked the scientist. "We will have to find a way to keep him," said the general. "With the blade liger fully restored we should be able to win this once and for all," said the general. "We had a way but you failed to get it," said Drake. "I am sorry sir but that organoid kept protecting the girl," said the scientist. "We will have to find another way then. For now we should work on the war we have at hand," said Drake. "The experiment should be done tomorrow so you should make plans to attack," said the scientist. "We already have," said the general. "Everyone get to your zoids we are under attack," said Crougar. After everyone got to their zoids the battle commenced. "Sir I have noticed something odd about one of their zoids," said a soldier still at the base. "What is it," asked Crougar. "According to the radar there is a zoid that is one their side but it hasn't even moved once since the battle started," said the soldier. "Can you tell me what type of zoid it is," asked Crougar? "I will try and find out," said the soldier. "Sir I have confirmed the zoid," said the soldier. "What is it," asked Crougar. "It is a blade liger," said the soldier. "That can't be possible," said Crougar. "Good so you have realized who our warrior is," came a voice that appeared on the main screen. "It is true that it is Van Flyheight but he is with us now and doesn't want anything to do with you," said the man. "Drake, I thought we put you in prison. "That is true but I escaped and now I have more a need for vengeance than before," said Drake. With that the screen shut off. "Moonbay have you seen Sakura," asked Fiona? "No I haven't why," asked Moonbay? "I was making sure she was safe but I can't find her," said Fiona with worry in her voice. "I guess I know how you feel with that battle going on outside," said Moonbay. Fiona then had a guess where she was. "You don't think she is," asked Fiona? "Lets hope not," said Moonbay as they raced to find her. "Wow look at all the zoids," said Sakura as she looked on at the scene before her while she was watching from the roof of the base. "I wonder why that zoid isn't playing with all the rest," she asked herself as she spotted the blade liger. Some stray gunshot hit the side of the building and she fell off. "Huh," said Van in the blade liger. He didn't know why but he rushed out onto the field and caught the girl before she hit the ground. "Flyheight what is the point of this you were ordered to stay where you were why did you disobey my orders," asked Drake? "Sorry sir," said Van emotionlessly. Thomas and Irvine who were fighting in the battle took time to notice what happened. "That can't be," said Irvine as he saw Van after he caught Sakura. "Did you see that Thomas," asked Irvine? "I think so," said Thomas. "But how can Van be alive," asked Thomas? They headed over in the directions of Van. "Van is that you," asked Irvine. "Van just looked at them before he made the blade liger charge at them. "What is he doing," yelled Thomas? It was too late for them to get away because the blade ligers blades took down both of their zoids with one charge. "What are you doing Van," yelled Thomas? Van didn't respond but charged out to the battle taking down warrior after warrior. "What's gotten in to him," asked Thomas? "I don't know but he isn't himself," said Irvine. "I want everyone to retreat," said Drake. "But sir we are on the verge of winning," said a soldier. "I have a plan that could help us greatly but we need to retreat for now," said Drake. "Yes sir," said a soldier. Then they all retreated. "Why did Van attack us and how can he still be alive," asked Irvine? "Fiona saw him a few days ago as well but she didn't know he was against us," said Moonbay. "To make things worse for Fiona at the moment they have her daughter," said Thomas. "Fiona is taking it really hard too," said Moonbay. "It is no wonder why. She keeps losing things. First she thought Van died and she took that really hard. The she found out he was alive but is no longer himself and he doesn't even remember her. Now she has had her daughter taken away from her," said Thomas. "I feel bad for her," said Moonbay. 9. Fiona's attempted rescue "Let me go," yelled Sakura. "I don't think a tiny young girl like you has the power to make those demands," said Drake. "Who are you and where's my mom," asked Sakura. "Your mom isn't here. But can I ask a question. Do you know who your father is," asked Drake? "No I don't," said Sakura. "What if I told you he was alive and that you could be with him if you cooperate with us," said Drake. "Who is he," asked Sakura? "You've already met him," said Drake. "How," asked Sakura? "Bring him in," said Drake. They then brought Van in. "Hey you are the man that saved me," said Sakura. "He is actually your father," said Drake. "What," asked a shocked Sakura. "Why didn't my mommy tell me when she saw him," asked Sakura? "Because she wanted to be sure," said Drake. "Why is he like this," asked Sakura? "A mistake done by those people your mother calls her friends did this to him and we merely helped him," said Drake. "So are you still going to help us," asked Drake? "No," yelled Sakura. "Why you," yelled Drake as he tried to slap her but was stopped by Van. "Fine then," said Drake and he left. "Amazing he has no memories and is under my control but he still protects her," said Drake. "That may be something we might not be able to stop," said the scientist. "What are we going to do with the girl," asked the scientist? "Nothing at the moment but we can use her," said Drake. "Yes sir," said the scientist. "Can I ask what you plan to do with her," asked the scientist? "The two people that can more than likely to bring him back to his senses but if we hold them here even if he gets his memory back we can still force him to do what we want," said Drake. "I understand sir," said the scientist. "But first we must get the mother of the girl here," said Drake. "Crougar sir," said Fiona. "Yes what is Fiona," asked Crougar? "Do you know where these people are located," asked Fiona? "We know of the general area but not the exact location," said Crougar. "But you must not try anything stupid. By going there you will be in serious danger," said Crougar. "My daughter and Van are there I want to get both of them back," said Fiona. "Van has betrayed us and an order has been made to capture him," said Crougar. "But he doesn't even remember anything," said Fiona. "What do you mean," asked Crougar? "My daughter met him before but when she asked him his name he couldn't even remember his name," said Fiona. "That may help his case a bit but he still needs to be captured," said Crougar. "But I can't help you," said Crougar. Fiona just left a little upset. "Hey Fiona why are you so upset," asked Moonbay? "I want to get Van and my daughter back but Crougar couldn't even help me," said Fiona. "I think I can help you," said Moonbay. "How," asked Fiona? "If you don't tell anyone, I will give you the location to the place," said Moonbay. "Why would you help if it would be dangerous," asked Fiona? "You and Van are my friends and I like your daughter a lot, that's why," said Moonbay. "Thanks Moonbay," said Fiona. "I would suggest that you leave tonight when everyone is asleep but do it as quietly as you can," said Moonbay. "Thanks again," said Fiona. "No problem," said Moonbay. "Take a pteras because you will have a better view of the area," said Moonbay. "Ok," said Fiona. "Just one thing Fiona," said Moonbay. "What is it," asked Fiona. "Whatever you do stay safe and please don't get caught here or there," said Moonbay. "I won't," said Fiona. "Because you are my best friend and I don't want you to get hurt in any way," said Moonbay. "And one more thing, don't tell anyone that I was the one that helped you," said Moonbay. "Ok," said Fiona. The first part of the plan worked out fine because Fiona was able to get a Pteras and leave the place. Next she followed Moonbay's directions and was able to get to the area but unable to find the base. "Where is the place," Fiona asked herself? "Sir we have detected and enemy zoids a few miles west of here," said a soldier. "Good she has come to look for her daughter just as I thought that she would," said Drake. "What should we do," asked a soldier. "Shoot down the enemy zoid but don't destroy it," said Drake. "Yes sir," said the soldier. "I hope that it is not too late to save my daughter or help Van," said Fiona. "Where could this place be," she asked herself? Just as she finished her thought there was gunshots and the pteras was hit by the bullets. "Nooooooooo," screamed Fiona as the pteras crashed into the ground knocking her unconscious. "Sir we have brought the pilot, we have taken her to a holding cell for now," said a soldier. "Take her out and put her with the girl that was recently brought in," said Drake. "Yes sir," said the soldier. "Mommy," yelled Sakura as Fiona was brought in. "What have you done to her," she yelled. "Chill out kid she will be fine," said a soldier. They walked out and closed the door. "Mommy, please wake up," said Sakura. Fiona then woke up. "Mommy you are ok," said Sakura. "I am so glad to see you," said Fiona as she gave Sakura and hug. "I am ok mommy," said Sakura. "Guess what mommy," said Sakura. "What is it," asked Fiona? "I got to see daddy," said Sakura. "You saw Van," asked Fiona? "Yes," said Sakura. "Mommy I want to get out of here," said Sakura. "I will try and get us out of here as soon as we can," said Fiona. "How touching this reunion is but I have a proposition for you Miss Fiona of the ancient zoidian race," came Drakes voice from the door. "What do you want and why are we here," asked Fiona. "You came here of your own free will, so you shouldn't be asking that question," said Drake. "Let us go," said Fiona with anger in her voice. "First why don't you listen to what I have to say before you run your mouth off like that," said Drake. "What do you want," asked Fiona? "I have a deal for you," said Drake. "And that would be," asked Fiona? "How much do you want to be with your beloved Van again," asked Drake. "Why do you care," asked Fiona? "I have a deal where if you join up with us for the benefit of Zi that you can be with your beloved Van," said Drake. "For the benefit of Zi. You are hurting people and killing them for your own purpose and you call it for the benefit of Zi," yelled Fiona. "To put it that way yes, but you have something we want and we have something you want," said Drake. "What is it you want," asked Fiona? "The location of Zoids Eve," said Drake. "I will never tell you," yelled Fiona. "You had better rethink because if I want I can easily kill Van," said Drake. "Just think about it and I will talk to you later," said Drake. "What do you mean Fiona just left," asked Thomas? "It is just as I said she took a Pteras last night and flew out of here," said Crougar. "Didn't anyone try and stop her," asked Irvine? "She wanted help from me to get her daughter back but I didn't wan to put her in any danger so I didn't tell her. I do wonder how she got the information though," said Crougar. "Aren't you going to do anything," asked Thomas. "We don't know where their base is exactly and she has been taken there," said Crougar. "And how do you know they have taken her there," asked Thomas? "We've found the pteras it had crashed in the desert and no on was inside of it," said Crougar. "I hope Fiona is ok," said Thomas. "Mommy I am scared," said Sakura. "So am I sweetie, but I don't know what to do," said Fiona. "Why not just tell them what they want to know," asked Sakura? "Because if they find that place there is no telling what they will do," said Fiona. "That is why I can't tell them," said Fiona. "But what about daddy," asked Sakura? "That just makes my decision even harder," said Fiona. "I love him a lot but it won't matter if I tell them if they could just use the power of Zoids Eve to destroy the world," said Fiona. "At least it was nice knowing my daddy was alive," said Sakura. "It was nice knowing that he was alive this whole time," said Fiona. "So are you going to tell me what I need to know," asked Drake as he came back later in the day? "I can't tell you," said Fiona. "We can either have the information willingly or we can just extract it from your lifeless body," said Drake. "Kill me for all I care I still won't tell you," said Fiona. "How would you feel if I killed your daughter as well as your love," said Drake. "No don't," yelled Fiona. "Bring Flyheight in here," ordered Drake. Van walked into the room but with no escorts. "I have taken over his mind so I can make him do whatever I want. What do you think I should do, kill Flyheight myself or have him kill his own daughter," said Drake. "You can't," yelled Fiona. "I can and I will if you don't tell me what you know," said Drake. Fiona kept silent. "So be it," said Drake. He pulled out a gun and aimed it at Van. "I think I will kill him first," said Drake. "No you can't," yelled Sakura as she ran at him and tried to hit him. "You are a brave kid but," he said as he hit Sakura. "Ouch, mommy," yelled Sakura. "Shut up," yelled Drake. "On second thought I will kill the kid because she is an annoyance," said Drake. "Please don't," yelled Fiona. "Unless you tell me I won't stop," said Drake. He put his finger on the trigger and prepared to fire. "I will give you one last chance," said Drake. Fiona was unable to reply. "So be it," he said. "Help me," screamed Sakura. (Bang, Bang, Bang) the sound of gunshots was heard. 10. escape "Are you saying that Fiona was caught," yelled Moonbay? "Yes, according to what Crougar told us they found the pteras that Fiona took but Fiona wasn't anywhere near it," said Irvine. "If I knew this would happen I wouldn't have helped her," said Moonbay. "You mean you are the one that helped her to do this," asked Thomas? "Yes because I was hoping that it might her life a bit easier if she got at least her daughter back, but I should have known that something like this was bound to happen if she went through with it. How could I have been so stupid," said Moonbay. "Lets just hope for now that Fiona is ok," said Thomas. Fiona looked on with horror as the three shots were fired. There before her was drake with his gun but he was not the one that fired it but rather the one that received the bullets. "What happened," he asked weakly? He looked where the bullets had come from and saw Van. Van had a very scared and confused look on his face that told Drake that he had somehow regained his memory and his own control. "Wh.What happened," asked a very confused Van? "Van," asked Fiona? "Fiona," said Van. Fiona took her eyes away form Van and looked at her daughter who was curled up into a ball and was crying in fright. "Sweetie are you ok," asked Fiona? "Mommy," yelled Sakura as she got up and ran to Fiona. "I was so scared I would lose you," said Fiona with tears in her eyes. "I have a question," said Sakura. "What is it," asked Fiona? "What happened," asked Sakura? "Your father is what happened," said Fiona. Sakura looked towards Van and smiled. Fiona got up with Sakura in her arms and walked towards Van. She set Sakura down and hugged Van. "Van, I missed you so much," said Fiona. "What happened," asked Van? "It doesn't matter but can we please get out of here," asked Fiona? "Sure," said Van but he did something before heading out, he kissed Fiona. "Lets get out of here," said Van. "Hey there are you ready to go," asked Van? "Yes," said Sakura. "Lets hurry," said Van. Almost immediately after they went on their way to get out of there the alarm to the base went off. "We had better speed up," said Van as he grabbed a hold of Sakura and took Fiona's hand and started to run faster than he had before. Before long they had run into guards. As they were running from them a bullet managed to hit Fiona and she hit the floor hard. "Fiona, Fiona please be ok," said Van. "Van please get out of here I don't care what happens to me just get Sakura out of here," said Fiona. "No I won't leave you," said Van. "Please just do it," said Fiona. "But Fiona we can finally be together again," said Van. "That would have been nice," said Fiona. "But please just do as I say," said Fiona. "Ok, just don't die," said Van very reluctantly. "I won't," said Fiona. "Come on lets go," said Van. "But what about mommy," asked Sakura with tears in her eyes? "She will be fine but I need to get you out of here," said Van. "I won't leave without mommy," said Sakura. "This is what she wanted not me," said Van. "But," said Sakura. "Lets just go," said Van. As soon as he stood up though a bullet pierced his right shoulder. "Daddy," asked Sakura? "I will be fine lets just go," said Van. They ran into the hanger and Van spotted the blade liger. "This way," said Van. Sakura followed him to the blade liger. Van used all the rest of his strength to get them both inside. "Lets go," said Van. 'Fiona please be alive, because I am going to come back for you,' thought Van. He started up the liger and worked his way out but ran into some other zoids. "We must get through them so hang on," said Van. Van extended the blades and sliced through the zoids till he was a safe distance away from the zoids. "I am almost certain that a lot of people won't be happy to see me after all I have done but we must go back to the base," said Van. "Then I will go back to see if I can get Fiona," he said to cheer up Sakura. "We should be a safe distance away for right now, but I can't control with my arm the way it is so you will have to pilot it there," said Van. "But I don't know how to," said Sakura. "I will show you, just follow my instructions," said Van. "Can you do that," asked Van? "Yes I think so," said Sakura. "Good but first you need to get in the pilots seat," said Van. They switched spots and Van started to show her how to pilot the blade liger. "Do you get it," asked Van? "I think so," said Sakura. "Good now you need to go in that direction to get back," said Van as he pointed for her to see. "Just keep the liger going straight and we should get there without any problems," said Van but he passed out after that. 'I can do this,' she kept telling herself. And she went into the direction that Van pointed. "Sir there is a zoid approaching us from the east," said a soldier. "Put it on screen," said Crougar. A screen popped up and they saw the blade liger. "Sir are they coming to attack us," asked a soldier? "No that isn't piloted by Van because by the looks of it the pilot is trying their best just to keep the zoid going straight," said Cougar. "What do you want us to do," asked a soldier. "Open up a line to them so I can talk to whoever it is that is piloting it," said Crougar. "Yes sir," said the soldier. "Who is it that is piloting the blade liger," came a voice over an intercom. Van was asleep in the back so he couldn't respond. "Now what did he say when something like this happens," Sakura asked herself? She pressed a few buttons and a screen popped up showing Crougars face. "Wait a minute you are that girl that Fiona had with her aren't you," asked Crougar. "Please let us in," asked Sakura? "Ok," said Crougar. Sakura then brought the blade liger into the base. "What's going on isn't that the blade liger," asked Moonbay? "I think it is," said Irvine. "Lets go see," said Moonbay. They ran into the hanger and were surprised to see that it was the blade liger and more surprised to see Sakura emerge from the cockpit. "Wasn't he kidnapped," asked Moonbay? "Please someone help me," yelled Sakura. "I don't care lets see what she needs help with," said Irvine. "Hey kid, are you ok," asked Irvine. "Someone please help him," yelled Sakura. "Help who," asked Moonbay as Sakura jumped out of the blade liger. "My dad, he is hurt badly," said Sakura. "Are you talking about Van," asked Irvine? "I think that is what mom called him," said Sakura. "What is wrong with him," asked Irvine? "He was shot," said Sakura. "What about Fiona," asked Moonbay? "She is still at the base we had to leave her behind," said Sakura who then started to cry. "Irvine go get Crougar, I will get Van out of there," said Moonbay. "Right," said Irvine. "What? did you say Van was in the blade liger," asked Crougar? "Yeah but Sakura said that he got shot," said Irvine. "Take me to them," ordered Crougar. "Ok," said Irvine. "Calm down," said Moonbay who was trying to calm down Sakura. "What is going to happen to mommy," asked Sakura? "I don't know," said Moonbay. "Moonbay can you tell me where Van is," asked Crougar who walked up? "I took him to get some help," said Moonbay. "Why," asked Moonbay? "He is still a traitor and needs to be arrested," said Crougar. "Wait before you do anything listen to what she has to say," said Moonbay. "Alright, what happened," Crougar asked Sakura? "It is alright you can tell him," said Moonbay. "Well when I was there this mean man kept talking about Van saying something like his control over him," said Sakura. "Huh," asked Crougar? "I think that she means Van has been under his control forcefully and not under his own will," said Moonbay. "We will check up on that but I really don't know what is going to happen," said Crougar. 11. on the attack "Tell me did you take x-rays of Van Flyheight," Crougar asked the doctor? "Yes we have. I did find something weird about it when I looked at it though," said the doctor. "What is it," asked Crougar? "When I looked at it I noticed something weird was in his brain," said the doctor. "Was it metal," asked Crougar? "I think so," said the doctor. "I am going to need you to take him into surgery and have that removed because as long as it is in his brain we could be in trouble," said Crougar. "We will get started on it immediately," said the doctor. "Where are they taking daddy," asked Sakura as she saw Van being taken away. "What are you doing," asked Moonbay? "I am having him be taken into surgery to have the chip that was controlling him removed," said Crougar. "It is new technology but it will definitely help him prove his innocence," said Crougar. "Will daddy be ok," asked Sakura? "I am sure he will be," said Crougar. "Blast that Van Flyheight I will get him for this," said Drake as he was being helped with the wounds Van gave him. "At least I was able to survive it," he said. "Sir the woman has been taken to a holding cell," said a soldier. "Don't do that get the info. That we need then we will use her as bate to get Van Flyheight. I am sure he will come after her if he cares for her at all," said Drake. "It will be done sir," said a soldier. "So how did things go," asked Moonbay? "It looks like it was a complete success," said Crougar. "That is good to hear," said Moonbay. "Can I see him," asked Sakura? "He needs to rest right now but you can see him later," said Crougar. "Ok," said Sakura. "So that where it was," said Drake. "Yes sir," said a soldier. "Shall we head out there," asked another soldier? "No we will wait here till I say because I want Van to suffer and he will come here where we will show him real pain," said Drake. "Daddy are you ok," asked Sakura when she was able to see him? "I will be," said Van. "I can't wait till I am allowed to get out of this bed so that I can go and get Fiona," said Van. "That will be a while though because you were hurt pretty badly," said Irvine. "Fiona means everything to me so I will do it as soon as I can," said Van. "Just rest for now then when you are ready all of us will help you," said Thomas. "Daddy will mommy be ok," asked Sakura? "She had better be," said Van. "About a week later Van was finally able to go. "Van don't you think you should wait to heal completely first," asked Irvine. "Fiona is in that guys hand and he could be doing anything to her and I am not going to wait any longer to help her," said Van. "Then I will be right behind you to help her," said Thomas. "Thanks but don't get in my way I am going to kill that bastard," said Van. "Sir there is confirmation that they have left the base and are heading in this direction," said a soldier. "Just as I thought they would," said Drake. "Prepare the troops and get that woman, and also get my zoid ready because I want to fight Van personally as revenge for what he did to me," said Drake. "Yes sir," said the soldier. "Use this drug to knock her out so she won't give you any trouble," said Drake. "We have just finished our study of her so we will do as you wish sir," said a soldier. "Good show me the data when I get back," said Drake. "Yes sir," said the soldier. "Van are you sure that this is the right way," asked Thomas? "If I remember right," said Van. "Don't worry I know that it is in this area but it is kind of hard to remember because the last time I was here I was injured and trying to escape with Sakura. Even then she piloted it back to the base," said Van. "Ok I hope you are right," said Thomas. 'With Fiona on the line I had better be,' thought Van. "Hey Van, it looks like you were right," said Irvine. "What do you mean," asked Van? "They sent us a welcome party," said Irvine. "Greetings Van Flyheight are you ready to die," asked Drake. "Where's Fiona? She had better be ok," said Van. "Don't worry she is alive for now," said Drake. "Guess her back," demanded Van. "I will but you have to beat me first but that won't be possible with what I have done," said Drake. "What are you talking, about," asked Van? Drake and his zoid stepped forwards out of the group of zoids. The he has is a genosaurer. "You like it but I am most proud of the things I added on," said Drake. Van looked on the Genosaurer and saw Fiona was tied onto it. "Fiona," yelled Van. "You coward, hiding behind her like that," said Thomas. "You will find that it is you who will be the cowards because I know you won't attack as long as I have her tied on," said Drake. "Now prepare to die," yelled Drake as he prepared the charged particle cannon. "Everyone move," yelled Van. Everyone tried to move as the shot was fired but some of the zoids got caught in it. "So what are you going to do," asked Drake? "What do you think Zeke," asked Van? Suddenly Zeke just ejected from the liger. "Look even your organoid is too chicken to fight," said Drake. The claws of the genosaurer shot out and grabbed the blade liger. It dragged it towards the genosaurer and the genosaurer started to stomp on it. "Just as I thought you are too chicken," said Drake. "Hey Irvine how is Van doing," asked Thomas? "Not too well. I would go and help but I have these guys to take care of," said Irvine. "How can someone be so cowardly as to do that and then call us the cowards," asked Thomas? "How should I know how this guy thinks," asked Irvine? "It just isn't right what he is doing," said Thomas. "I know what you mean. He is just trying to win by any means necessary," said Irvine. "If he did have Fiona the way she is than I would personally go up show him a piece of my mind," said Thomas "Don't get carried away," said Irvine. "First we should deal with what we have on our hands now," said Irvine. "I guess you're right," said Thomas. "I can never forgive you for all you had done," yelled Van. "I don't want your forgiveness. In my opinion you should be begging me for forgiveness after what you did," yelled Drake as he kicked the liger hard. "You deserved it," yelled Van. "Why you," said Drake as he fired his guns and hit the blade liger hard. Just then Van noticed where Zeke went. "Why are you doing this," asked Van. "Neither the empire or the republic deserve to exist after what they did to Hiltz and Prozen," said Drake. "They got what they deserved," said Van. "But tell me what do you think I can do since I have Fiona," asked Drake. "This," said Van with a smile. Van then fired his guns at the genosaurer and destroyed the back mounted guns. "You fool are you going to take a risk of hurting your beloved Fiona," asked Drake? "I don't see Fiona," said Van. "What are you talking about she is right," said Drake but he was stopped when he noticed Fiona wasn't where he tied her. "Where is she," yelled Drake? Then he noticed Zeke running off with Fiona still tied up on his back. "Good job, Zeke," said Van. Van then got the blade liger completely to its feet and charged at Drake and rammed him hard. "Why you," yelled Drake. "Not so cocky now that you don't have Fiona to hide behind are you," asked Van? "I can still beat you with her," said Drake. "Lets see you even try," said Van. Drake started a charged particle beam but Van moved quickly behind him and missed the beam completely. He then extended his blades and charged at Drake slicing off one of the genosaurers claws. "You will pay," yelled Drake. "We'll see," said Van. "Zeke, mobilize," yelled Van. Zeke immediately fused with the blade liger. "What you mean he did all that damage a second ago before he refused with his organoid," asked Drake? "Surprised not as much as you should be," said Van as he made another fast charge at the genosaurer. This time though he complete sliced off the top of the head just above the mouth. "No," yelled Drake as he ejected from the cockpit and ran off but Van was surrounded by enemy zoids wanting revenge before he had a chance to get him. "I will get you," said Van. After everything was over Van immediately jumped out of the blade liger and ran to Fiona. "Fiona are you alright," asked Van? "Is that you Van," asked Fiona weakly? "Yeah it is," said Van. Fiona seemed to get enough strength to give Van a big hug and he picked her up and walked to the blade liger. "Mommy," yelled Sakura as she saw her mom being brought into the base by Van. "Hey sweetie," said Fiona. "Are you ok mommy," asked Sakura? "She will be fine she need some rest," said Van. "Ok," said Sakura. "But when she is all rested up you can see her as much as you want," said Van. "Yay," yelled Sakura. Van then walked Fiona to her room. Van was about to put her in her bed when Fiona spoke. "No Van don't, let me stay like this," said Fiona. "Ok," said Van as he let her sleep in his arms. "That is so cute," said Moonbay. "Yeah," said Irvine. "Do you have to spy on them," asked Thomas? "No, we were really just coming to see if Fiona was ok, but we just saw them doing that," said Irvine. "I want to go in there with them," said Sakura. "Let them be alone for now. They haven't seen each other of a few years. So just let them have a bit of time to themselves," said Moonbay. "Think you can do that," asked Moonbay? "I guess so," said Sakura a little disappointed. "When they wake up you can see them as much as you want," said Moonbay. "Ok," said Sakura who cheered up a little. "Hey moonbay what are you doing," asked Irvine? "Hacking into the enemies systems," said Moonbay. "I didn't know you could do that," said Irvine. "It is a little trick I picked up not too long ago," said Moonbay. "Why," asked Irvine? "To get rid of any information that they may have gotten off of Fiona. Although I know Fiona wouldn't have told them anything I am sure that they still somehow forced it out of her," said Moonbay. "What do you think they were looking for," asked Irvine? "The same thing that everyone else who had been our enemy was looking for and for the same reason," said Moonbay. "Zoids Eve," said Irvine. "That is right and I am going to get rid of the information before they have a chance to use it," said Moonbay. "Ahhh, there it is," said Moonbay. "Now all I have to do is erase it and my work will be done," said Moonbay. "There I am done. No one but those who were there at the time will know where Zoids Eve is," said Moonbay. "Lets just hope that it is not too late," said Irvine. "Yeah lets just hope from now on," said Moonbay. "I have to admit one thing Moonbay," said Irvine. "What," asked Moonbay? "You are quite an amazing woman with all of your talents," said Irvine. "Thanks, but was there any doubt that I wasn't," asked Moonbay. "I guess you're right," said Irvine. "Of course I am that is why I am the best," said Moonbay. "I guess that is what I love about you," said Irvine. "What did you just say," asked Moonbay with a bit of a blush. "Nothing, I didn't say anything," said Irvine who was blushing worse than Moonbay. "I heard you say love," said Moonbay. "I said no such thing," said Irvine. "Yes you sis and shut up," said Moonbay as she grabbed him and kissed him. After they broke the kiss Moonbay was the first to speak. "You know what Irvine," asked Moonbay. "What," asked a shocked Irvine? "I love you too," said Moonbay. "Sir it is good to see that you are ok," said a soldier as Drake walked into the command center. "No thanks to that Van Flyheight, at least we got what we wanted from that ancient zoidian," said Drake. "If you want we will show you the data we collected from the woman," said a soldier. "Do that," said Drake. "As you wish sir," said the soldier. Drake then waited as patiently as he could for them to get it up. "How long is this going to take," asked Drake who was getting a bit impatient. "I don't get it," said the soldier. "What," asked Drake? "All the data we collected has disappeared," said the soldier who was starting to get scared. "What did you say," asked Drake. "We can't find the data," said the soldier. Drake then lost his temper and pulled out a gun and shot the soldier. "This is what will happen if you fail me," said Drake who was pointing to the dead soldier. "All that we have done these past few weeks are for nothing now," said Drake as he yelled at the remaining soldiers. "We won't fail you again," said another soldier. "You had better not," said Drake. 12. Dr D? When morning came Van was the first to wake up. When he saw that Fiona was still asleep he could only smile. Van then gave Fiona a small kiss on the forehead. This caused Fiona to wake up. "Hey Van," said Fiona. "Sorry if I woke you up," said Van. "Don't worry, I liked the way that you did wake me up though," said Fiona. Van then kissed Fiona again but this time on the lips. "It is so good to have you back Van," said Fiona. "It is nice to hear you say that, Fiona," said Van. "Just don't go anywhere again," said Fiona. "I will try," said Van. "Thanks," said Fiona as she then kissed Van. "Come on, I am sure everyone is wondering how you are doing," said Van as he tried to stand up. "Let them wit for now I just want to be with you," said Fiona. "Don't worry I will stay with you for as long as you want," said Van, "But for now lets just go and see the others," said Van. "Ok, fine," said Fiona. "Fiona, it is so good to see that you are ok," said Moonbay. "Thanks Moonbay," said Fiona. "Miss Fiona how are you feeling," asked Thomas? "Fine I guess," said Fiona. Irvine just nodded to Fiona. "Nice to see you too, Irvine," said Fiona. "Mommy," yelled a extremely happy Sakura as she jumped into Fiona's arms. "Hey sweetie," said Fiona. Sakura then started to cry on Fiona's shoulder. "What's wrong," asked Fiona? "I missed you so much," said Sakura. "I missed you a lot too," said Fiona as she gave Sakura a hug. "Yay now I have my whole family," said Sakura in delight. "I guess you do," said Fiona. "Fiona lets go," said Van. "Why," asked Fiona? "I want you to get checked up in case they might have done something to you," said Van. "I guess you are right, after what they did to you," said Fiona. "So is there anything doctor," asked Van with a bit of worry in his voice? "No everything looks great," said the doctor. "What a relief," said Van. "She should be just fine but after what she has been through she should take it easy for the next couple of days," said the doctor. "I will make sure that she does," said Van. Van then left the room. Irvine who was in the room spoke up after they left. "You are hiding something aren't you," asked Irvine? "Yes I am," said the doctor. "What is it," asked Irvine? "While there may be nothing wrong with miss Fiona, I noticed something about Van when I tested him when he was here a week ago," said the doctor. "What," asked Irvine? "I found a very slow moving poison in his body that we don't have any cure for," said the doctor. "You have got to be kidding," yelled Irvine. "I am afraid not," said the doctor. "It must have been a back-up plan incase Van managed to escape from there control," said Irvine. "If they have the poison they might have the cure but it would be suicide to go in there," said the doctor. "Don't you think he should know," asked Irvine? "I guess but he seems happy right now that I don't want to ruin it by telling him this," said the doctor. "He has the right to know," said Irvine. "I will see if I can find a antidote but at the moment that is really all I can do," said the doctor. "Go ahead," said Irvine. The Irvine left the room. 'While you are doing that I am going to try and get the original antidote,' thought Irvine. "Hey Van, have you seen Irvine," asked Moonbay? Van who was playing with Sakura at the time looked up and said, "No, Moonbay," said Van. "Why are you looking for him," asked Van? "I needed to talk to him but he has suddenly disappeared," said Moonbay. "Irvine does what he want so it is no surprise, but he will be back," said Van. "I guess you are right," said Moonbay. "I will tell him you were looking for him if I see him," said Van. "Thanks," said Moonbay. "What was that about daddy," asked Sakura? "It's nothing," said Van. "Where's mommy," asked Sakura? "Sleeping, she is still tired from what she went through," said Van. "Actually I am right here Van," said Fiona. "What are you doing up you should be resting," asked Van? "I couldn't sleep," said Fiona. "Plus you said you would stay with me and you weren't there," said Fiona. "You have a point just don't try to over do it," said Van. "I should say the same thing for you," said Fiona. "I am just playing with Sakura," said Van. "I am just saying because I worry about you Van," said Fiona. She then put a hand on Vans shoulder and he seemed to lose balance. "Are you ok, Van," asked Fiona? "I just got dizzy all of a sudden," said Van. "Are you sure you're ok," asked Fiona? "Yeah," said Van. "Fiona, there is something I need to do. Can you watch Sakura," asked Van? "Sure Van," said Fiona. Van started to walk away but stopped. "Is there something else Van," asked Fiona? Suddenly Van just collapsed. "VAN," yelled Fiona as she ran up to him. "What wrong Van," asked Fiona? "Fiona," said Van before he lost consciousness. "What is going on doctor," asked Fiona who was in tears? "I didn't want to tell you but I noticed a poison in Vans body," said the doctor. "Why didn't you tell him," asked Fiona? "I know I should have but I didn't," said the doctor. "Please help him," asked Fiona? "I will do what I can but I can't find an antidote for it," said the doctor. "If there is anything I could do please tell me," said Fiona. "At the moment there really is nothing I can do," said the doctor. "I had better go from here without the lightning saix or else I will not get very far before I am spotted," said Irvine. "I better have a look around to see what I am up against," said Irvine. "Now, lets see," he continued as he looked into his eye patch. "Looks like they have a number of zoids on patrol but I should more than easily be able to get by," said Irvine. Irvine then moved down the mountain he was on and carefully snuck around the zoids. "Wait a minute where is the base located," he asked himself. "I guess I will have to do a little hitchhiking," said Irvine as he jumped onto one of the zoids legs. "I hope they don't notice me," said Irvine. "Hey Van," said Fiona as she came to see him. At the time Van was in serious pain. Fiona eyes filled up with tears. "Van why is this happening to us," cried Fiona? "When we are finally back together something happens and it just ends up keeping us apart," said Fiona. 'When you first died I felt devastated but I moved on but I could never forget you and I caused me a lot of pain. I don't want to lose you again. This time I want you to stay with me, I love you too much to be able to go on without you again," said Fiona. "Fiona don't worry I will manage to stay alive long enough," said manage to say through all the pain he was going through. "So this is the base," said Irvine when he managed to sneak in. "Now to find someone who can help," said Irvine. "The best place to look is for some kind of scientist," said Irvine. He pulled out a gun to protect himself. "Now I need to find a laboratory," he said. He quietly snuck through the halls and avoided all the guards. "Here we are," said Irvine. Before he went in he listened through the doors to make sure it was clear. When he was sure it was he opened the door and went in. He looked around the room and took a look around and only saw one person. He loaded his gun and walked towards him. "Turn around," said Irvine as he pointed the gun to the mans head. The man turned around. "Dr. D," asked Irvine? "It isn't what you think they are forcing me to work for them but now that you are here you can help me out," said Dr. D in a pleading voice. "Do you know what is wrong with Van," asked Irvine? "The poison you mean," said Dr. D. "Yes, is there an antidote," ask Irvine? "They forced me to create something like that and not have an antidote for it but I came up with one anyways but this place doesn't have the right supplies for me to make it," said Dr. D. "I am taking you with me," said Irvine as he grabbed Dr. D. "Thank you," said Dr. D. "Come on," said Irvine. "How is he doing today doctor," asked Fiona? "It appears to have gotten worse we need an antidote soon or he might not survive but I can't find anything," said the doctor. "Is there anything you can do," asked Fiona? "I've come up with something that will slow it down but it won't stop it," said the doctor. "Can you please give it to him," asked Fiona? "If that is what he wishes I will do it," said the doctor. "What do you think Van," asked Fiona? "Do it," said Van. "As you wish," said the doctor. "This will mean that your suffering will just last longer," said the doctor. "As long as I stay alive long enough for you to find a cure I will be fine," said Van. "Very well. I will get the it right away," said the doctor. "God this is painful," said Van. "Please just stay alive longer Van," said Fiona. "I will stay alive as long as I can," said Van. "Fiona if I do die though I don't want you to mourn for me like you did last time," said Van. "I don't think that is possible because I love you too much that it will probably hurt worse than ever," said Fiona. "But if I do die," said Van. "Don't say you will die," said Fiona. "Because you won't and I will make sure of it," said Fiona. "I am lucky to have someone like you Fiona," said Van. "Thank you van," said Fiona who gave him a little kiss. "Daddy," said Sakura who walked in. "Yes," asked Van? "I want you to stay to so will be able to have my real daddy," said Sakura. "I intend to stay no matter how painful thing get," said Van. "Come on old man you are walking too slowly," said Irvine. "I am being cautious," said Dr. D. "Your being cautious is going to get us caught," said Irvine. "Lets go we are almost out of here," said Irvine. "I can finally get out of here after being held captive here for the past few months," said Dr. D. "Here is the hanger," said Irvine. "That is no good I have never been able to get in there because it is the most well guarded," said Dr. D. "Call the guards," commanded Irvine. "What are you crazy," asked Dr. D.? "Just do it," said Irvine. "Fine but don't say I didn't warn you," said Dr. D. "HEY GUARDS HERE IS AN INTRUDER," yelled Dr. D. into the hanger. Needless to say they came over when they heard. "I am going to get you for this Dr. D.," said Irvine. Next things they knew the guards were on the ground because Irvine had knocked them out. "Don't hurt me it was just to get them to leave the hanger," said Dr. D. "Fine but I have a way to make up for it," said Irvine. "What," asked Dr. D. "I am going to use you as a distraction to get out of here," said Irvine. "What, no way," said Dr. D. "All you have to do is get into a zoid and make as much noise as you can while trying to escape," said Irvine. "What about you," asked Dr. D.? "I will get on the backs of one of the other zoids and when they go after you they will take me with them," said Irvine. "Forget it I won't be used as a pawn," said Dr. D. "Someone help me," yelled Dr. D. as a large number of zoids were chasing after him. 'This is working perfectly now if I can get a little closer to the hill and can get my zoid which I hid on the other side," said Irvine. As soon as they reached it Irvine jumped off the command wolf he was on and ran to the other side of the hill before anyone could notice him. He immediately put it into action and knocked out the zoids following Dr. D. "Took you long enough to help me," said Dr. D. "Be glad I helped you at all," said Irvine. "Lets get back before it is too late," said Irvine. "If my calculations are correct. Since the time it was put in his body, Van won't last unless he gets the antidote tonight. If he gets something to slow the poison down he won't last till tomorrow night" said Dr. D. "Then we had better hurry. How long does it take to make the antidote," asked Irvine? "At least half a day," said Dr. D. "Then we had better hurry," said Irvine. "Ahhhhhh," yelled Van as the poison started to hurt him badly again. "Please Van you have to hang on," said Fiona. "Fiona please don't go," Van managed to say. "I won't leave Van not until you get better," said Fiona who was in tears. "Please don't cry," said Van. "I can't help it. I am going to lose you if they don't find an antidote soon and I don't think I can bare losing you for a second time," said Fiona. "I will live," said Van. "Old man will you hurry up," yelled Irvine who ran into the room. "I am not a young man anymore I can't run distances like that anymore," said Dr. D. "Dr. D.," asked Van? "Yes and I am here to help you," said Dr. D. "He is the only one who knows the antidote to the poison because he made it. "Not by choice mind you," said Dr. D. "Can you help him," asked Fiona? "Yes I should be able to as long as it is not too late," said Dr. D. "Now if you can get me the supplies I need I will get started," said Dr. D. Even after Dr. D came back Fiona still didn't leave Vans side. "Van if you can hold on longer Dr. d. can make you an antidote to help you," said Fiona. Van was asleep at the time so he couldn't respond. "Hey Fiona why don't you get some rest," asked Moonbay? "No," said Fiona. "But you have been by his side almost every second since the poison started to hurt him. You really need some rest," said Moonbay. "I will stay with him till he gets better," said Fiona. Fiona then grabbed Vans hand and held onto it telling Moonbay again that she wasn't going to leave. 13. antidote "Is Fiona finally going to get some rest," asked Irvine? "No, she refuses to leave his side," said Moonbay. "Van has little time left. What is taking Dr. D. so long with that antidote," asked Moonbay? "There was an ingredient he didn't have so he took a zoid and went to get it," said Irvine. "How long ago did he leave," asked Moonbay? "Over an hour ago but he seems to be taking his time since he said he should be back in less than an hour," said Irvine. "So he was gone a few extra minutes," said Moonbay. "Yeah but those few minutes could cause Van a great deal of pain," said Irvine. "I guess you are right," said Moonbay. Then they heard the sounds of a zoid coming in. "It's about time," said Moonbay. They went into the hanger but it isn't who they wanted. "Hello," came a voice they knew had to be Rachael's. "What are you doing here," asked Irvine? "Yeah I thought they transferred you to another base," said Moonbay. "I am here for a vacation. I heard that Van was alive and I had to see him," said Rachael. "Now isn't the best time," said Moonbay. "I am not leaving till I see him though," said Rachael. "Van is in bad shape right now because of a poison put into his body," said Irvine. "Really is he going to be ok," asked Rachael? "We don't know but he will actually die if he doesn't get an antidote soon," said Moonbay. "I have got to see Van," said Rachael as she ran off. She ran as fast as she could that she didn't notice Sakura coming around a corner. "What, oh no," yelled Rachael as she tried to stop. She ended up tripping but she still managed to knock Sakura down. "OWWWWWWW," yelled Sakura. Moonbay and Irvine then walked up. "Are you ok," asked Moonbay? "I'm fine," said Rachael. "I wasn't talking to you I was talking to her," said Moonbay as she pointed to Sakura. "She ran into me and hurt me," said Sakura with tears in her eyes. "Don't worry it will be ok," said Moonbay. "This is no place for a kid like her to be so what is she doing here," asked Rachael? "You can at least say sorry to her," said Moonbay. "Fine, I'm sorry," said Rachael. Sakura was still crying because of a scrap she got on her arm. "If you must know her mother and herself came from a village that was destroyed and they had no other place to go, plus this base knows the mother well," said Moonbay. "I'm sorry, I didn't know," said Rachael. "Can you come with me," Moonbay asked Sakura? "Why," asked Sakura? "I need your help talking some sense into your mother," whispered Moonbay. "What are you talking about," asked Rachael? "You will find out soon," said Moonbay. "Lets go, but first why don't we at least get something to eat, in case she doesn't decide to go with our wishes," whispered Moonbay. "Ok," said Sakura. 'Alright that was a bit weird,' said Rachael as she walked this time to go see Van. "Van, I am here," said Rachael as she walked into the room he was in. "What are you doing here Fiona," asked Rachael who was a bit upset to see her of all people? "I live here," said Fiona. "But didn't you leave," asked Rachael who was getting angry? "I came back," said Fiona. "Why not just leave now to save you heartbreak later," said Rachael. "No," said Fiona. "Listen this time I will win Van heart," said Rachael. "Isn't that what you said last time," asked Fiona? "It was different back then," said Rachael. "How," asked Fiona? "Well you see," said Rachael but she couldn't think of a thing to say. She was getting frustrated how Fiona kept coming up with remarks for everything she said even if Fiona was really upset at the moment. "That's what I thought," said Fiona. 'Wait a minute I have an idea,' thought Rachael who put a grin on her face. "What makes you think that Van even loved you truly last time," asked Rachael? "I just know," said Fiona. "How," asked Rachael? "He told me," said Fiona. "Think you can give me another reason besides that," asked Rachael thinking she got Fiona with that one? "Yes I can," said Fiona. "Well what," asked Rachael? "He gave me this necklace," said Fiona as she held the necklace. "I know of those parts, but give me a reason that will prove it to me," said Rachael whose grin grew a little. "Well," said Fiona. She was stopped though when Moonbay came in. "Hey Fiona," said Moonbay. "Hey," said Fiona. "Do it," whispered Moonbay. "Ok," said Sakura as she walked up and offered Fiona a plate of food. "Thank you," said Fiona. "Are all of you friends with that girl," asked Rachael? "Me, Irvine, and Thomas are, but Fiona has a different type of relationship," said Moonbay with a huge grin on her face. "What do you mean," asked Rachael. "I mean that Fiona is the girls mother," said Moonbay who was getting a bit annoyed with her. "WHAT," yelled Rachael? "You're finally back, old man," said Irvine as Dr. D. came into the hanger. "So it took longer than I thought," said Dr. D. "I had a bit of trouble finding the last ingredient," said Dr. D. "Get to work because Vans life is at stake here if you take any longer," said Irvine. "Alright I will get right to it," said Dr. D. "Calm down," said Moonbay. "Fiona, I can't believe you sleeping with another man after you said you loved Van," said Rachael. "You're clueless," said Moonbay. "What do you mean," asked Rachael? "Get this through your head, it is Van kid," said Moonbay. "You want proof, she is it," said Fiona. 'No, I lost him,' thought Rachael. "So you have a kid I don't care," said Rachael as she regained her composure. "It won't change my agenda," said Rachael as she walked out of the room. Sakura then stuck her tongue out at her. "What's her problem," asked Fiona? "Darn it, and I was so close to getting him," said Rachael. "So they had a kid I will just have to work around it," said Rachael. Rachael then had a thought. "Maybe he doesn't love her anymore. Maybe I will have a chance still," she thought. "It has been three years since they have seen each other so he could have had second thought about her," said Rachael. "Maybe if I confess my feeling to him when he gets better he will fall for me more than he did for her," said Rachael. "Hey it could happen," she said to herself. "Ha, I am finished," yelled Dr. D. Before he had time to admirer his work Moonbay and Irvine grabbed him. "I got done pretty fast considering it is only 12 o'clock," said Dr. D. "Good then you had better give it to Van," said Moonbay. "We had better do it fast," said Irvine. "Because last time I saw him he was I a great deal of pain," said Irvine. "Fine I will but will you let me go," asked Dr. D. "No," said Irvine and Moonbay in unison as they dragged him down the hall. "Here Van drink this," said Fiona when they had gotten Dr. D. there. Though Van was weak at the time he managed to sit up and drink the antidote. "Now what," asked Fiona? "Just let him rest for a while to let the antidote destroy the poison," said Dr. D. "Did you here that Van you are going to be ok," said Fiona but when she looked at him he was fast asleep. "Sleep well, Van," Fiona whispered. 14. Rachael's plan It was the middle of the night before Van woke up. He looked around and saw Fiona sitting in a chair by his bed. "There is no pain, so the antidote must have worked," said Van. "I felt like I was going to die from the pain rather than the poison," said Van. It was then that Van noticed someone looking in through the door. "Who's there," asked Van? "It is me," said Rachael. "What are you doing here," asked Van? "I am here for a vacation," said Rachael. "Why not go somewhere else besides another military base for a vacation," asked Van. "I have my reason," she said. "Listen there is something I want to show you," said Rachael. "What," asked Van? "Come here," said Rachael. "I really don't think I should get out of bed," said Van. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone," said Rachael as she dragged Van out of the bed. She walked down as ways till she got to an empty hallway a ways away from the medical ward. Fiona woke up a little while after Van left. "Huh? Where's Van," asked Fiona? "He should know that he is not suppose to be up," said Fiona. She then got up and walked around the halls looking for Van. "What is it you wanted," asked Van? "I wanted to talk," said Rachael. "That can wait till morning can't it," asked Van as he tried to walk back. "Wait, it is something I have to say right now," said Rachael. It was then that she saw Fiona approaching them. 'This is too good,' thought Rachael. "Well what is it," asked Van? Before he even knew what happened she went up and kissed him. Fiona saw what was happening though and was heartbroken that the man she loved would do something like this to her. 'This can't be happening,' thought Fiona. ' Van would never do something like this to me but I see him right there and he is actually doing it,' thought Fiona. To avoid seeing more, she ran off before she could see what happened next. Van was a little shocked with what was happening that he was unable to do anything. Van then pushed Rachael away. "What are you doing," asked Van? "What does it look like," asked Rachael? "I didn't even want to, so why did you do it," asked Van? "I was hoping it would make you love me," said Rachael. "Well I don't, I love Fiona," said Van. "Her," asked Rachael? "Yeah," said Van. "Why do you want someone like her when you could have someone like me," asked Rachael in a hurt tone? "She is the only one I could possibly love," said Van and he just walked away without hearing what she had to say. "Wait Van," yelled Rachael. Van still didn't listen to her. A few minutes later Van managed to get back to his room. "Where's Fiona," Van asked himself? "I really hope she didn't see that," said Van. "Maybe she just went to her room after I left," said Van as he got into the bed and went to sleep. "Finally I am out of there," said Van as he walked away from the medical place nearly two days after he took the antidote. "That antidote worked quickly I should thank Dr. D for it," Van said to himself. "They sure did a lot of test before I could go," he said to himself. "But I wonder why Fiona didn't come to see me today or yesterday. I wonder, where everyone else was to I got lonely yesterday," he said. "I thought Fiona would have wanted to see how I was feeling," he said. He was too busy with his thoughts that he didn't hear Thomas come up to him. After Thomas had caught up Van still didn't notice until Thomas punched him in the back of the head. "Hey what was that for," asked Van as he picked himself off the ground? "That is for what you did to miss Fiona," said Thomas. "Why is there something wrong with her," asked Van? "You should know exactly what happened," said Thomas. 'Oh no, she did see it,' thought Van. "It isn't what you think," said Van. "Oh really? I thought that you loved miss Fiona but you kissed another woman," said Thomas. "Will you listen to me," asked Van? "Why should I," asked Thomas? "Because you don't know what happened," said Van. "I know exactly what Fiona told me, and that is enough," said Thomas. "If you would listen to me I can tell you what happened," said Van. "Forget it, I don't want to hear it,' said Thomas as he walked away. What happened after that only made things worse for him. Not only was Thomas mad at him, but so was Irvine and Moonbay for the same reason. "Wait listen to me," said Van as Irvine and Moonbay walked away. "Forget it," said Irvine. "We aren't interested in your excuses," said Moonbay. "Why won't anyone listen to me," Van asked himself? Van then yelled to them saying, "If you must know, she kissed me. I didn't even want any part of it," said Van. Irvine and Moonbay stopped when they heard this. "What makes us think we will believe you," asked Moonbay. "I can show you," said Van. "This I have to see," said Irvine. "Excuse me but we need to see the security tapes from last night around midnight," said Van. "We won't be taking them anywhere we just need to see them," Van continued. "I guess you can," said the soldier. Van went through the tapes until he found the one to prove his innocence. "Here watch this," said Van as he played the tape and fast-forwarded it to the part they needed to see. "Does this have any noise," asked Van. "Sure just a second," said the soldier as he typed a few keys and the sound was added to it. "Now watch this," said Van. As the tape played it showed everything. "Hey there's Fiona," said Moonbay as she pointed to the screen. Then they saw the part about the kiss when Van saw Fiona's look in the tape it made his heart hurt worse than the poison ever could make him feel. "Caught in the act," said Irvine. "Just watch," said Van. They watched and saw what happened next how Van pushed Rachael away and told her that he didn't love her and that he only loved Fiona. "Wow Fiona ran away so quickly that she couldn't even find out what actually happened," said Moonbay. "You might want to show this to Fiona, Van," said Irvine. "You are right," said Van as he rushed out of the room. "So he was telling the truth when he said that she kissed him and not the other way around," said Moonbay. "My question is, will Fiona want to watch this to find out the truth," asked Irvine? "We had better hope," said Moonbay. "Fiona are you in there," asked Van? He listened and didn't hear anything not even the sound of crying. "Hey Fiona please listen to me," said Van. Still he didn't hear anything. He decided to just take his chances and go in. What he saw in there shocked him. It was completely empty. Fiona wasn't in there, Sakura wasn't either. "What shocked him most was that there was nothing of theirs in the room. They had left. "No, Fiona," yelled Van as he raced down the hall to the hanger where he found Thomas. "Hey Van. Irvine and Moonbay told me what they saw and I am sorry for what I did," said Thomas. "Thomas did Fiona come through here," asked Van in a hurry? "I just came in here so I don't know," said Thomas. 'Why," asked Thomas? "Her room is empty and all of her stuff is gone," said Van. "You have to be kidding," said Thomas. Van then went and asked one of the engineers that were working there. "Hey you, have any zoid left the base today," asked Van? "Only one," said the man. "How long ago," asked Van? "About an hour or two ago," said the engineer. "No," said Van as he ran to the blade liger. "Where are you going Van we need you here," said Thomas. "I am going to get Fiona back," said Van. "But you can't just leave," said Thomas. "Tell Crougar I am going to take a vacation until I find her," said Van. "Wait Van," yelled Thomas but Zeke fused with the liger and Van ran off. "He is going to be in for it when he gets back," said Thomas. "He just got back and he is already using days off," said Thomas. "I don't believe him," said Thomas. Two months had past since Van left and after failing to bring her back he went back to the base in despair. When he got there though he got punished for just leaving though. After Van got done with the punishment he talked to the others. "So Van did you find Fiona," asked Moonbay. "No. I came close once but I lost her," said Van. "You never know she might come back," said Moonbay. "It wouldn't surprise me if she didn't," said Van. "How about this Van, I will go look for Fiona while you stay here," said Moonbay. "I don't have to stay here because I am not part of the army. I merely like to stay here," said Moonbay. "Thanks Moonbay," said Van. "It will be my pleasure," said Moonbay. "Fiona is my friend and hated to see her the way she was. The last time I saw her like that is when we all thought that you had died," said Moonbay. "If you do find her give her this and tell her I am sorry," said Van as he handed Moonbay a copy of the security tape that he had made to show Fiona. "I will do that Van," said Moonbay. She then got up and left for the hanger and her gustav. Moonbay had traveled for a week to look for Fiona and she had already found her. "Took Van two months and he couldn't find her, and it only took me a week," said Moonbay to herself. "Fiona," yelled Moonbay. Fiona turned around. "I am not going back," said Fiona. "Listen Fiona I talked to Van the day that you left and I learned something that you must know," said Moonbay. "I don't want to know," said Fiona. "Listen I know you will always love Van even after what he did and this will help you get over what he did," said Moonbay. "Please don't talk to me about him," said Fiona. "Listen I could show you what really happened on this tape or I can just tell you. Either way you will know the truth," said Moonbay. "The truth is Fiona that Van never wanted to kiss her. She kissed him when you were looking, she wanted to make sure you were watching," said Moonbay. "What," asked Fiona. "Here watch this and then come back if you want to," said Moonbay. She then walked away leaving Fiona alone with Sakura. 'Could he really not have wanted to,' Fiona thought to herself? She then went back to the hotel they were staying at and watched the tape from the beginning that she needed to see till after it was all over. "I don't believe it. I rushed off without finding out the truth," said Fiona. 'Why was I so stupid to jump to conclusions,' she thought to herself. "Sakura, sweetie pack your thing," said Fiona. "Why mommy," asked Sakura? "Because we are going back," said Fiona. "Does that mean I get to see daddy again," asked Sakura? "Yes it does," said Fiona. 15. forgiveness It was late at night a few days later and Van was having a restless sleep because he kept dreaming about Fiona. "No, Fiona please don't," said Van in his sleep. "Come back," he said again. Van then jumped up wide-awake. "Man, I miss Fiona," said Van. "It is all because Rachael did what she did, now I might never see Fiona again," said Van quietly to himself. He then heard footsteps outside of his room but paid no attention to them. "Fiona, I wish you would come back," whispered Van. He then laid back down and tried to get back to sleep. It was then that he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around thinking that it was Rachael trying to do something again and he was going to tell her to go away. What he saw though was Fiona. "Fiona," asked Van a bit shocked? Fiona didn't say anything; she just laid down next to him and wrapped herself around him. 'I must still be dreaming,' thought Van but there was Fiona right next to him trying to sleep. Van didn't give a care though because he had Fiona back. He just laid down and wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep. As morning came Van woke up and thought that all that had happened to him in the night was just a dream. He was about to get up when he felt an arm still around him. He looked over and saw Fiona right next to him. "It wasn't a dream," said Van. Fiona then woke up right after Van said that. "Hey Van," said Fiona. "Fiona I don't get it," said Van, "Didn't you run away to get away from me after what I did," said Van. "Moonbay found me and told me what she saw on that tape and even showed me it even though I didn't want to see it," said Fiona. "Listen Fiona, I am sorry. I never wanted that to happen. She just did it, and I didn't want it. I was taken by surprise so I wasn't able to do something fast enough," said Van. "Do you love her," asked Fiona just to make sure that he didn't? "No, I don't Fiona. I love you more than anything, and I could never love her," said Van. "That is all I wanted to hear," said Fiona. "Fiona I can understand if you can't forgive me," said Van. "I do because I know that you didn't want her to do that," said Fiona. "It is like I said Fiona I am sorry and I will do anything to make up for it," said Van. "I just want you to keep loving me," said Fiona. "That I can do forever," said Van. "I love you so much that even after you left I went to see if I could find you. I got in a lot of trouble when I came back but Moonbay offered to help me find you," said Van. "She did find me, and that is the reason I am here," said Fiona. Van couldn't help himself and he embraced Fiona in a hug and never wanted to let go. "Don't leave me again," said Van, "I was miserable while you were gone and I know now how you felt when you thought I was dead. I was unable to be near you so I didn't have the will to do much" said Van. "I am here now, so don't feel that way," said Fiona as she returned his embrace. Van then went and kissed Fiona. "Now that you are back there is nothing to make me miserable," said Van. "Thank you van," said Fiona. "Van sure is taking his time getting up," said Thomas as everyone was in the kitchen talking. "Maybe he left again," said Irvine. "I don't think so," said Moonbay. "Why is that," asked Irvine? "Because the one thing he was searching for is back," said Moonbay. "Miss Fiona is back. That is impossible because I would have been told about it by someone," said Thomas. "Yeah how do you know," asked Irvine? Moonbay just pointed to the door where Sakura was walking in to get something to eat. "Sakura," said Thomas. She just looked at him, "Hello," said Sakura. "So miss Fiona is back," said Thomas. He got up and prepared to go and see Fiona but was tripped by Moonbay. "What was that for," yelled Thomas? "Fiona is probably with Van right now, so leave them alone," said Moonbay. "But I want to see Fiona," said Thomas. "Leave my mommy and daddy alone right now," said Sakura. "But. But," said Thomas but he just gave up. "Fine then, I am going to work on beak," said Thomas as he walked out of the door. "Uh, Thomas," said Moonbay. "What," asked Thomas? "The hanger is the other way," said Moonbay. Thomas gave up trying to go see Fiona and headed towards the hanger. "He think I didn't see him go the other way," said Moonbay. "I thought that even he would have let them be alone by now," said Irvine. "He may like Fiona a lot but she loves only Van," said Moonbay. "He should just give up now," said Irvine. Sakura and Moonbay just nodded their heads at the statement. "There is just one thing I don't like about the whole Van and Fiona argument," said Moonbay. "What," asked Irvine? "I don't like how Rachael is now doing everything she can to get close to Van. From doing things like being stationed back at this base, to trying to be around him at any moment that she can even if it is starting to really annoy Van," said Moonbay. "In my opinion, she's a nut case," said Irvine. "Yeah I really don't like her either," said Moonbay. "Speak of the devil," said Moonbay as she saw Rachael walk past the kitchen but not go in it. "I know exactly where she is going," said Irvine. "I have got to see her face when she sees Fiona," said Moonbay. "This ought to be good," said Irvine. Rachael was walking down the halls whistling. "Fiona has been gone for about a month. My luck can't get any better. The best part is that Van came back without her so he gave up on looking for her," said Rachael. "Now I have the best chance for him," she continued. "My life can't get any better unless Van finally admits his feeling for me," she said. She was unaware that Irvine and Moonbay are following her. She then came to Vans door and was about to walk in when she heard a voice say, "Van," said Fiona. "It can't be," said Rachael after she heard Fiona. "She left so why would she be back," Rachael asked herself. She opened the door and what she saw completely terrorized her. It was Van and Fiona doing something she really didn't want to see. She quickly closed the door with the same look on her face as when she saw them, and she ran off. Irvine and Moonbay were still watching her as she ran away. "I didn't think she would have that kind of reaction just by seeing Fiona," said Irvine. "I don't think that is the only thing she saw," said Moonbay slyly. "You don't think," said Irvine. "That is exactly what I think," said Moonbay. "Hey they have done it before, so it isn't like they are new to it," said Moonbay. "I must admit one thing," said Irvine. "What," asked Moonbay? "That face she had was priceless," said Irvine. Moonbay then grabbed Irvine. "What," asked Irvine? "You'll see," said Moonbay. "We aren't going to," said Irvine. "No," said Moonbay. "Ok now I see where you are going at," said Irvine as both of them walked off to Irvine's room where they just made out. "Van, can you promise me that this time you won't leave," asked Fiona as she cuddled up to Van. "I don't plan to go anywhere and if I get into a battle I will be more careful than that one time," said Van. "Do you promise," asked Fiona? "I promise you Fiona," said Van. "Thanks for the reassurance," said Fiona. "Hey Fiona when we were, you know. Did you hear something beside us," asked Van? "Actually, I did," said Fiona. "What do you think it was," asked Van? "I don't know," said Fiona. "You know what," asked Van? "What," asked Fiona? "I don't care because as long as I am with you nothing matters to me," said Van. "Thanks," said Fiona as she kissed him. "We should get going," said Van. "But I like the way things are at this moment," said Fiona. "We can't stay here forever," said Van. "I guess you are right and I should say hi to the others," said Fiona. "Then lets go," said Van. They got dressed and left the room hand in hand. "Hey you two," said Moonbay slyly after they walked in. "Hey Moonbay," said Fiona. Moonbay couldn't help but grin at them. Van and Fiona both noticed this and it made them uneasy. "What," asked Van? "Oh nothing," said Moonbay whose grin just got wider. "Please don't tell me," said Van but he couldn't continue. "Don't worry me and Irvine won't tell anyone," said Moonbay and then she said quietly, "Right now." Van heard this though and had an idea after he saw something. "Hey Moonbay, if you don't tell anyone I won't mention anything about the mark on your neck," said Van. Moonbay then tried to cover her neck but was unsuccessful. "How did that happen," asked Fiona? "I bet it was Irvine," said Van. "What makes you think that," asked Moonbay? "I noticed how you two have been acting around each other recently," said Van. "Is this true," asked Fiona? "Yeah," said Moonbay really quietly. "What was that," asked Van? "Yeah, it is," yelled Moonbay. "Just what I thought," said Van. "I am so happy for you, Moonbay," said Fiona. "Thanks, I guess," said Moonbay. "It was bound to happen sooner or later," said Van. "Just don't tell anyone for right now," said Moonbay. "As long as you don't," said Van. "Irvine and I won't, but I can't talk for Rachael," said Moonbay. "Don't tell me she heard," asked Van. "No it is worse, she saw you two," said Moonbay. "WHAT" yelled Van? "She thought she might have a chance without Fiona here because she thought you were still gone," said Moonbay. "Won't she ever stop," asked Van? "I don't think so, but I think she might have been traumatized by what you two did," said Moonbay, "So that should slow down her pursuit for you," said Moonbay. "I wish she would stop," said Van, "I thought I made it clear that one night that I didn't love her, but I guess she just didn't get the point," said Van. "Calm down, Van," said Fiona. "Ok, I will Fiona," said Van. "So how are things going," asked Drake? "Well after that doctor was taken, we have been put behind a great deal," said a soldier. "Well you had better get back on track because we haven't been able to do anything for a few months because of this little setback," said Drake. "We are working as fast as we can but we are still having a great deal of trouble after the information was lost, a large amount of our troops are gone, and then the doctor was taken so we can't go any faster," said the soldier who only seconds later was lying dead on the ground. "I hate those that can't move fast," said Drake. "Now get to work and move faster than you have been," yelled Drake. After that everyone had been moving as fast as they could. "I am surrounded by idiots," said Drake. 16. Rachael's rage 'Why has she come back, and why has this happened to me. Things were going great and now I have nothing,' these thoughts kept going through Rachael's mind. "It is all that Fiona's fault. She had plagued the mind of Van and he has been fooled by it," said Rachael. "That child of their shouldn't have been hers it should have been mine," said Rachael. "But no matter what I do she is always one step ahead of me," said Rachael. "I hate her," she continued. "It is like she is doing this to annoy me," she said. "I thought that if she saw me doing what I did she would leave and never come back, but she came back like it never happened," said Rachael. "I have lost him completely," she said. "Something must be done," she said. "You don't think that she will do anything crazy," asked Irvine. "She had better not," said Moonbay. "If she does do something it is more than likely going to be that she is going to end up hurting Fiona in any way that she can possibly think of," said Irvine. "We should really keep a close eye on her to make sure that she doesn't do anything," said Moonbay. "But how? She will get suspicious if we are everywhere she goes," said Irvine. "We will just go on normally and if she does do something we should act fast to stop her," said Moonbay. "That sounds like a good plan," said Irvine as he kissed Moonbay. "What do we do if she doesn't try anything," asked Irvine? "We will just act like we never had this conversation," said Moonbay. "Fine," said Irvine. "Hey Moonbay have you seen Van," asked Fiona? "He said he had to do some thing in a village nearby," said Moonbay. "Do you know what it is," asked Fiona? "No, he just said he was going to the village and for me to tell you not to worry," said Moonbay. "I wish he could have taken me with him," said Fiona. "He said it was something he needed to do on his own," said Moonbay. "Oh ok," said Fiona. Fiona then walked around the base for a while. After she had been walking around the base for a while she ran into the last person she wanted to see. "Rachael," said Fiona. "Why did you have to come back," asked Rachael nastily? "I came back for Van. You tried to keep us apart but Moonbay showed me what really happen. Like how you kissed him when he didn't want you to," said Fiona. "I am sure he wanted it, he just doesn't want to admit it," said Rachael. "He told me he didn't want it, and I trust him," said Fiona. "If he did that to me I would never trust him again," said Rachael. "But you were the one doing it so you really don't have a problem with it," said Fiona. "You should get over the fact that he doesn't love you," said Fiona. "It is because of you that he doesn't love me," said Rachael. "Yeah it is because he loves me, not you," said Fiona. "You don't deserve him," said Rachael. "You don't more than me," said Fiona. "I think I do deserve him more than you do," said Rachael. "Too bad you are the only one who thinks so," said Fiona. Rachael was starting to get really angry. So angry in fact that she just felt like hitting Fiona. She tried to put it aside though. "Now listen here everything was going great for me until you came back. Now that you have come back thought everything I worked so hard for, so I could be with Van, is gone," said Rachael. "It isn't my fault that Van fell in love with me and not you," said Fiona. "Yes it is, you must have tricked him in some way," said Rachael. "I did no such thing," said Fiona. "I highly doubt it. Especially for someone like you compared to me," said Rachael. "Just because Van loves me doesn't mean that I tricked him on some way," said Fiona. "He would have loved me if you had just stayed out of the way," said Rachael. "How do you know that," asked Fiona? "Because I am better than you at everything and that is why he should have picked me," said Rachael. "Will you just give it up Van loves me not you, so just leave me alone," said Fiona. Rachael then lost her temper and smacked Fiona. "What was that for," asked Fiona? "For ruining my chances with Van," said Rachael and she just walked off. "Oh and you had better not tell anyone what I just did or you will get it," said Rachael. She then continued to walk away but neither her nor Fiona saw Moonbay watching them. When Moonbay knew that Rachael was gone she came out from where she was and walked over to Fiona. "Hey Fiona, are you going to be ok," asked Moonbay? "I don't know," said Fiona. "You have to talk to Van about this, I know that he just got back so you should speak to him about it," said Moonbay. "I can't," said Fiona. "Listen Fiona, Van might be able to stop what Rachael's doing to you," said Moonbay. "What if he can't, then Rachael will blame me for telling him," said Fiona. "You have to trust that Van will be able to help you," said Moonbay. "I guess you are right," said Fiona. "I want you to tell him though, I will only help when I think that you actually won't be able to," said Moonbay. "I won't tell him what happened though," said Fiona. "You have to," said Moonbay. "Even if Van does something she will just make things worse for me," said Fiona. "But if she can't get near you then she won't be able to do those type of things to you," said Moonbay. "I will tell Van what I can, I don't want her to keep going harder on me," said Fiona. "Whatever you do Fiona I will stand by you but I do think that you should tell Van about everything she has done to you so far," said Moonbay. "I just don't want to get into anymore argument with Rachael," said Fiona. "Just tell Van," said Moonbay. "Hey Fiona, are you ok," asked Van when he saw Fiona? "I am fine," said Fiona. "But your face is all red," said Van. "It's nothing," said Fiona. "I don't think so," said Van. "What happened Fiona," asked Van? "I don't want to talk about it," said Fiona. "By the look of the mark I would say you got hit by something," said Van. Fiona didn't look at him. "Please Fiona, you have to tell me and that way maybe I can help you," said Van. "It was Rachael," said Fiona really quietly. "What did you say," asked Van who wasn't able to hear what she said. Fiona just embraced Van in a hug. "I can tell you Van," said Moonbay. "What do you mean," asked Van? "I overheard what happened so I can tell you," said Moonbay. "Fiona was threatened to keep her mouth shut but I am not so I can tell you," said Moonbay. "Although I wanted her to tell it I guess I will have to," said Moonbay. "What do you mean," asked Van? "Rachael has been threatening her and she also hit her earlier today," said Moonbay. "Is this true Fiona," asked Van. "Yes, it is," said Fiona reluctantly. "Fiona didn't want to tell you because she was threatened to keep her mouth shut and she also didn't want anymore arguments with her," said Moonbay. "When did these arguments start," asked Van? "Years ago, when they first met each other. Rachael is jealous of Fiona and she will do anything to try to get you to love her," said Moonbay. "You should have told me sooner," said Van. "I'm sorry," said Fiona. "It's ok," said Van. He then hugged her again. "Colonel Crougar sir," said Van as he saluted Crougar. "What is it lieutenant," asked Crougar? "I have some problems with lieutenant Rachael," said Van. "What is it," asked Crougar? "I have been told by Fiona that she has been threatening her," said Van. "That is odd," said Crougar. "Why is that," asked Van? "Because the lieutenant told me that it was the other way around," said Crougar. "She did," asked Van? "Yes, but I can't prove that either of them did it at the moment," said Crougar. "There is someone who saw them," said Van. "Who," asked Crougar? "Moonbay saw them and the entire argument they had earlier and she also said that this isn't the first time this type of argument has happened," said Van. "I will speak to Moonbay and if she tells me almost the same thing I will try and do something," said Crougar. "Yes sir," said Van. "I don't believe her," said Van as he was trying to find Fiona and Moonbay. "She does all those things to Fiona and then she puts the blame on Fiona," said Van. "What's up Van," asked Moonbay when Van caught up with them. "You won't believe what I just heard," said Van. "What is it," asked Fiona? "Rachael went and complained, saying that all the things that she did to Fiona, Fiona actually did to her," said Van. "I don't believe her," said Moonbay. "She was trying to get Fiona in trouble," said Van. "Why would she do something like that," asked Fiona? "She wanted to see if she could get rid of you," said Van. "She really doesn't get the picture," said Moonbay. "Moonbay I told Crougar that you witnessed what happened, and he wants to talk to you," said Van. "I will go and talk to him to tell him what happened," said Moonbay. "Thanks that means a lot to me," said Van. "No problem I just want her to stop what she is doing to Fiona," said Moonbay as she walked towards the command center. "Fiona, are you going to be ok," asked Van? "I guess," said Fiona. "Lets go," said Van. "Thanks for helping me Van," said Fiona. "I love you Fiona so of course I would help you," said Van. "It mean a lot to me though," said Fiona. "If you ever need help all you have to do is ask me," said Van. "Thanks," said Fiona. "No problem," said Van. "So how did things go," asked Van when he saw Moonbay again? "He says he needed proof on both parts to prove that it actually happened and the security tape has disappeared," said Moonbay. "I don't believe it," said Van. "She sure has thought this through," said Moonbay. "Oh no," said Van. "What is it," asked Moonbay? "If she is told that we said something she might do something to Fiona," said Van. "After this, I don't think that she would do something that stupid that could get her caught," said Moonbay. "I really don't know how she thinks so I don't know what will happen," said Moonbay. "I don't know what you are going to do so I am going to look after Fiona for now," said Van. "I will help you, I don't trust Rachael at all, so we need to make sure she doesn't try to hurt Fiona," said Moonbay. "Stupid Fiona," said Rachael. "I told her to stay quiet and not tell anyone and then she went and told the one person that shouldn't have gotten involved in our little argument," she continued. "It would have been a lot easier for her if she had kept her mouth shut but nooooooooo, she had to go and tell," she said. "Now Van won't even speak to me," said Rachael. "Why can't I have him, I have done everything for him, but he still wants her," she said. "I no longer care," she said. "Hey Fiona are you in there," asked Van? "Yes I am," said Fiona. Van then walked into the room. "Hey Van," said Fiona. "Hey," said Van. "What wrong," asked Fiona? "Crougar can't do anything without proof that she did it," said Van. "I don't care what she wants as long as you are with me Van, I am not scared of her," said Fiona. "I am glad that you aren't scared, but I will do anything to make sure you are safe," said Van. "I have an idea Fiona, how about for now you just stay in here and I will tend to your needs," said Van. "What about Sakura," asked Fiona? "I will go and get her before she is put in danger too, and I will bring her here to be with you," said Van. "That sounds like a good idea," said Fiona. "I will be back in about five minutes," said Van. "Ok but try and go as fast as you can," said Fiona. "Sure thing," said Van. "Hey Irvine have you seen Sakura," asked Van? "Yeah she is in here, I am playing with her to keep her company" said Irvine who was seated at a table. "Good," said Van. "Moonbay told me if I saw her to not let her out of my sight," said Irvine. "Thanks, but I need to take her now," said Van. "Why," asked Irvine? "I am putting her with her mom so she will be safe," said Van. "You ready to go," asked Van? "I want to play with Irvine for a little longer," said Sakura. "Hey Irvine, if you want to, can she stay with you for a while as long as she doesn't leave your sight," asked Van. "Sure thing I was teaching her how to play some card games," said Irvine. "She's four years old and you are teaching her card games," asked Van? "I meant basic games like go fish, and stuff like that," said Irvine. "Oh ok. I thought you were teaching her poker and games like that, because those are the type of games you like to play," said Van. "So I like them, but I wouldn't teach them to a four year old," said Irvine. "Just don't teach her anything that she shouldn't know," said Van. "Don't worry," said Irvine. "I will ask her later just to make sure that you didn't teach her the wrong things," said Van. "Being a little overprotective are we," asked Irvine? "I guess so," said Van. "Don't worry if I were in your position at the moment I would be too," said Irvine. "But they are merely card games it isn't like it could hurt her," said Irvine. "I guess so," said Van. "Just look after her for a while," said Van. "Shouldn't you be with Fiona," asked Irvine? "That's right," said Van as he ran out of the room. It was when Van was nearly back to the room that he started to have a bad feeling. It was when he got to the room that he knew something was wrong. It was because the door to the room was wide open. "Oh, no," said Van. He quickly ran to the room and right in the middle of the room was Fiona and she was in really bad shape. "Fiona," yelled Van as he ran up next to her. "Fiona, please be ok," said Van. "Van," said Fiona weakly. "Don't worry I will get you some help," said Van. "I didn't think she would work so quickly to do this, especially if Crougar would have kept and eye on her," said Van. "She came here and she looked really mad. I tried to get away from her but she still grabbed me and did this," said Fiona. "Don't talk," said Van. "The thing was I wasn't afraid of what she was going to do to me," said Fiona. "This time there is no doubt that something will have to be done," said Van. Van ran by the kitchen where he still saw Irvine and Sakura. "Irvine find Moonbay and take Sakura with you," said Van. "Don't tell me she attacked Fiona," said Irvine. "She did, and very badly," said Van. "So just get Moonbay and tell Crougar," said Van. "Right," said Irvine. "What is wrong with mommy," asked Sakura. "Don't worry she will be all right," said Irvine so that he could try and comfort Sakura. "Daddy wait," yelled Sakura. "After we get Moonbay we will do one thing and then we will go see them," said Irvine. "So lets go," he continued. "Ok," said Sakura. "Moonbay come on," said Irvine. "What happened," asked Moonbay? "Fiona was attacked and Van wants us to tell Crougar," said Irvine. "Where was Van," asked Moonbay? "He was with me for a few minutes but that was just to get Sakura," said Irvine. "We had better tell Crougar," said Moonbay. "What do you think I just said," asked Irvine? "Crougar," yelled Moonbay. "What is it Moonbay," asked Crougar. "Remember how you said you needed proof to do something," asked Moonbay? "Yes," said Crougar. "Well she just attacked Fiona," yelled Moonbay. "We can't do anything because she just left," said Crougar. "Hit and run," said Irvine. "Where is she going," asked Moonbay. "We don't know," said Crougar. "But she won't be able to return to the guardian force after this," said Crougar. "If she does come back will you be able to do something," asked Moonbay? "Yes we will, but I highly doubt that she will come back," said Crougar. "Do they think I am staying there? I have no more need for the likes of them," said Rachael. "Now I have gotten back at Fiona but if I go back there they are bound to do something but I know the perfect place to go," said Rachael as the pteras she was flying in sped off. "Sir, there is a pteras coming in our direction," said a soldier. "Shot it down," said Drake. "Sir the pteras is trying to communicate with us," said another soldier. "Connect with it," said Drake. "What is it you want," asked Drake. "To join you," said Rachael. "But aren't you part of the guardian force," asked Drake. "I was part of it but I am no longer," said Rachael. "Sir what are we going to do," asked a soldier. "Let her in," said Drake. 17. going home "Hey Fiona how are you doing," asked Van? "It hurts all over," said Fiona. "No surprise," said Van. "Did they get her," asked Fiona? "No she ran off and no one knows where she went," said Van. "She seemed nice when we first met her at least to me but she has become very twisted," said Van. "She just couldn't stand things going the way she doesn't want them to go," said Fiona. "I know, but I didn't think in the beginning that she could be capable of something like this," said Van. "If I did I would have made you be a lot more careful around her," said Van. "I am so sorry for leaving you alone, Fiona," said Van. "It is ok, Van. I know you were only trying to help our daughter, so you couldn't help us both at the same time," said Fiona. "I should have took you with me," said Van. "I don't blame you," said Fiona. "You should," said Van. "Don't blame yourself for something that was bound to happen sooner or later," said Fiona. "I was hoping for much, much later, like never," said Van. Fiona managed to sit up and embrace Van in a hug and then kissed him. "I don't know how but you always make me feel at least a little better," said Van. "I can never hold anything against you," said Fiona. "I know," said Van. "Just please stop complaining about it," said Fiona. "Ok," said Van. Suddenly a voice came on over the loud speaker. "All military personnel please report to the command center," said Crougar. "What could he want," asked Van? "You had better go and find out," said Fiona. "What going on," asked Van? "That guy from the rebels is making a world- wide declaration," said Irvine. "What has he said," asked Van? "Listen," said Irvine. "I hereby make a declaration to the Republic and the Empire. As you already may know my name is Drake. I am hereby issuing a warning to both. Unless you get rid of the guardian force and surrender to us we will start going around and destroying towns at my will," said Drake. "What is he crazy," asked Van? "I want the Republic and the Empire to surrender to me and agree that I will be the authority on all matters in the future because I will become the supreme leader of this planet," said Drake. "We will never follow the orders of the likes of you," said Crougar. "Well I already have one of the precious guardian force that has decided to join my side so it is not impossible," said Drake. The camera then changed to show a picture of Rachael. "I don't believe it she joined their side," said Van. "I will give you two weeks to make up your mind on the subject," said Drake and the camera shut off. "What are we going to do," asked Van? "We will have to stop him. Listen up everyone I want all of you to go to your families and see them because with what is about to go on a lot of you might not come back alive," said Crougar. "You are to be back before the two weeks ends so that we can get prepared for what is to come," said Crougar. "Yes sir," said every soldier in the room. "What happened Van," asked Fiona? "That guy made a warning for the Republic and the Empire to surrender or else he would go around destroying villages," said Van. "There is something you aren't telling me," said Fiona. "Rachael joined their sides," said Van. "Why am I not surprised," said Fiona. "Fiona I am going to go to the wind colony for a while, and I was wondering if you would like to go with me," asked Van? "But shouldn't we be here," asked Fiona? "Crougar wanted everyone to go visiting their families because after this is all over a lot of the people will end up losing their lives," said Van. "Yes then I would love to. Hey this will be a good time for your sister to meet her niece," said Fiona. "Come to think about it, I don't even think Maria knows about Sakura yet," said Van. "Won't she be in for a surprise," said Van. "I know she will," said Fiona with a small laugh. "I love times when we can just sit around and laugh," said Van. "When this is all over we will have plenty of time to laugh," said Fiona. "Yeah we will, because we will survive this," said Van. "One question Van, doesn't Maria think you are still dead," asked Fiona? "I guess that is another surprise for her to deal with," said Van. "So where are you two going," asked Van to Moonbay and Irvine? "I don't know because I really don't have a place to go," said Irvine. "Same here," said Moonbay. "Hey I have an idea," said Van. "What," asked Moonbay? "Fiona and I are going to the wind colony for the time we have off, so why don't you two come along with us. The place may be small but it is quiet and relaxing there," said Van. "I have never been there on my travels before so it might be a nice place to go if we have a break," said Moonbay. "I don't think so, I think that I will just travel around for now," said Irvine. "Actually I think I will go with Irvine," said Moonbay. "Going to try and get some alone time are we," asked Van? "Shut up," said Moonbay. "So we are sorry but we won't be coming with you," said Moonbay. "That's ok, I just thought it would be neat for you to come," said Van. "I guess we will see you in two weeks," said Moonbay. "Yeah, see ya," said Van. "Mommy, who is this person we are going to see," asked Sakura? "We are going to see your fathers sister, so you will get to meet your aunt," said Fiona. "Yay, I get to meet my aunt," said Sakura. "Yeah," said Van. "What is she like," asked Sakura? "She is a very nice person," said Fiona. "When will we be there," asked Sakura? "Soon," said Van. "Excuse me," said a member of the village. "What is it," asked the elder. "We have spotted a zoid approaching us," said the man. "Do you think it were those people who said they were going to attack the villages," asked the elder. "I don't think so," said the priest. "What makes you think that," asked the elder. "There is only one zoid and we are not capable of telling what type it is at this moment," said the priest. Then the blade liger came into complete view of the village. "Huh," asked the priest in a shocked way. "You had better go and get Maria," said the elder to the priest. "I could have sworn that I heard that Van was dead," said the priest. "Yeah, especially after the fuss Maria put up when it happened," said the elder. "I will go and get her," said the elder. "Ah, it is good to be home," said Van as the blade liger came into the village. He then spotted everyone looking at the blade liger. Van opened the cockpit and said, "What? It's not like I am attacking the village." "We thought you were dead," said the elder. "So did everyone else," said Van. Then the elder acted like he never heard news of Vans death. "So how are you doing," asked the elder. "Not good, you heard what was going on I bet," said Van. "Yes we did," said the elder. "VAN," came a yell from a person Van could only assume was his sister. "Hey sis," said Van. "But how is this possible," asked Maria? "No idea," said Van. "When did everyone find out you weren't dead," asked Maria? "A few months ago," said Van. "Hey, where's Fiona," asked Maria? "She is still in the blade liger," said Van. "Well why doesn't she come out," asked Maria? "She will," said Van. The blade ligers' head went down and Fiona came out but Sakura stayed in. "Hello Fiona," said Maria. "Hello," said Fiona. "You look well," said Maria. "Thank you," said Fiona. "What's with the bruise," asked Maria? "It's nothing, just an accident I had," said Fiona. "Ok," said Maria. It was then Maria noticed someone peeking out of the liger. "You babysitting," asked Maria? "Why does everyone ask me that," asked Fiona? "Um, yeah," said Van slyly. "Really I didn't you know you were the type to want that," said Maria. "I am full of surprises," said Van as he put a grin on his face. "It's ok, you can come out," said Van. Very shyly, Sakura came out of the blade liger. "Why hello, what is your name," asked Maria nicely? "Sakura," said Sakura. "That is a nice name," said Maria. 'I wonder who she is I doubt she is Van and Fiona's, because she would have been born around the time that Van was thought to be dead,' thought Maria. "Are Van and Fiona looking after you," asked Maria? "No," said Sakura. "Then why are you with them," asked Maria? Fiona giggled a little. 'Even I thought that Maria would have caught on by now,' thought Van. "They are my parents," said Sakura. "What, you mean you two are her parents," asked Maria as she pointed at Van and Fiona? "I thought you would have thought of that earlier," said Van. "I just didn't think that you two could have been parents right now," said Maria. "I bet you are really surprised," said Van. "Very,' said Maria. "So I have a niece," asked Maria? "Yeah," said Van. "It is very nice to meet you," said Maria. Sakura just stood there very shyly. "You look a lot like your mother," said Maria. "Thank you," said Sakura. "Why don't we go inside," said Maria. They then went inside and talk for the rest of the day. When the next morning came Van managed to wake up early, so early in fact that the sun hadn't yet risen completely. He got ready quietly and without Zeke, Fiona, or Sakura left to go for a walk. About an hour later Fiona woke up and at this time the sun had fully risen and it was a beautiful day. "Where's Van," asked Fiona to Maria? "He went for a walk about an hour ago," said Maria. "Where," asked Fiona? "I don't know I just know that he got up early and walked out the door without anything," said Maria. "I am going to see if I can find him," said Fiona. "Go ahead," said Maria. "Excuse me sir, but do you know where Van went," asked Fiona to one of the people of the village. "Yeah I saw him heading out towards the desert, about in the direction of the ruins out there," said the man. "Thank you," said Fiona. "It was no problem," said the man. "Why would Van go back there, I wonder," Fiona asked herself. "If I want to know then I will have to go talk to him," said Fiona. "Why did he go out there without me," Fiona wondered? Fiona then walked over to the blade liger and got in. She then headed off in the direction of the ruins where she first met Van. Van was at the ruins and was on the very top of them. At the time he was looking at something in his hand and he seemed to be contemplating something. "I wonder if I should do this," Van asked himself? It was then that he saw the blade liger heading in his direction. "Leave it to Fiona to find out where I went," said Van with a smile. The blade liger came up to the ruins and the cockpit opened to show Fiona. With a little help from Van she was able to get up to where he was. "Why did you leave without me," asked Fiona? "I just needed a little time to think," said Van. "Why," asked Fiona? "Something has been going through my mind lately. It started on the day that the whole trouble with Rachael was brought to my attention. I have been going through it in my head and I just can't think of what I am going to do," said Van. "Why not just do what you wanted to do and get it off your chest," said Fiona. "It is a little harder than that for me, for some reason," said Van. "Fiona how much do you love me," asked Van? "With all my heart," said Fiona. "That helps me a lot," said Van. "What do you mean," asked Fiona? "You know I still remember the day I met you, zeke, and the shield liger," said Van. "What is your point," asked Fiona? "This is the place where I first met you, and the place where something else is going to happen to us," said Van. "Huh," asked a very confused Fiona? "Fiona when I have to go back, I am going to leave Sakura here in the protection of my sister, and I want you to stay here too," said Van. "I am going to stay with you. I know that Sakura will be safe here but I want to stay near you when you go out to fight, and even longer after that," said Fiona. "Are you sure, Fiona," asked Van? "Yes, I am going to stay by you forever, that is how much I love you Van," said Fiona. "Thank you, Fiona," said Van. "For what," asked Fiona? "For always being there for me even when I felt like a failure at times due to things that I had done," said Van. "Like I said, I love you and I wouldn't leave your side," said Fiona. "I never thought that when I released you and Zeke that we would end up like this," said Van. "I have something very important I want to ask you," said Van. "What is it," asked Fiona? "Will. will," said Van. "Will, what," asked Fiona? "Fiona will you marry me," asked Van as he showed her a beautiful ring. "Van," said Fiona who was really shocked. Before Van knew what happened Fiona had embraced him in a hug and kissed him. "Yes, Van," said Fiona. "Really," asked Van? "Yes," said Fiona. Van then went and kissed Fiona again. "I am glad to know that you will always be with me," said Van. "Yes," said Fiona. "Why don't we head back now," said Van. "I just want to stay here," said Fiona as she wrapped herself around Vans arm. "If you want," said Van. "All I want is to be around you forever the way we are now," said Fiona. "It is the same with me," said Van with a smile. "Van what do you think is going to happen when all this is over," asked Fiona? "I really don't know it is just something we will have to think of when the time comes," said Van. When Van and Fiona did head back though, it was starting to get late in the day. "We're back," said Van. "It's about time," said Maria. "Sorry we were just enjoying ourselves too much," said Van. "What could you have done all day," asked Maria? "We just spent the day together and the time just seemed to pass so quickly," said Van. "Yeah is there anything wrong with that," asked Fiona? "I guess not. Well you had better get ready because it is about time to eat," said Maria. "Yes, sis," said Van. As they were eating Maria couldn't help but notice how Van and Fiona were acting around each other. "Alright, spill," said Maria. "What do you mean," asked Van? "What aren't you saying right now," asked Maria? She looked at Fiona who was eating some food at the time. She then noticed the ring on Fiona's finger. "I see now," said Maria. "See what," asked Van? "The ring on Fiona's finger. I am guessing that you proposed to her," said Maria. "Yeah, I did," said Van. "Well I am happy for both of you," said Maria. "Thanks," said both Van and Fiona in unison. Sakura just looked on a little confused. The two weeks that they were allowed to stay there went by too quickly for their own liking. "Sakura, sweetie. I am going to leave you here for now," said Fiona. "But why mommy," asked Sakura? "Because it will be safer for you to be here," said Fiona. "But I want to be with you," said Sakura. "We are doing this for your own good," said Fiona. "Can I please come with you," asked Sakura who started to cry? "I am sorry," said Fiona. "Please look after her," said Van to Maria. "Don't worry I won't take me eyes off her," said Maria. "Thanks," said Van. "Don't worry sweetie," said Fiona, "We will be back, and that is a promise," said Fiona. Sakura then just gave her mother a hug. "I will miss you, mommy," said Sakura. "I will miss you too," said Fiona. "Come on Fiona. We have to go," said Van. "Ok," said Fiona. Van and Fiona got in the blade liger but Fiona was reluctant to leave Sakura. "Don't worry Fiona. She will be safe here," said Van. "I know," said Fiona. "We have to get back as fast as we can," said Van. 18. preparations Van and Fiona traveled for a few hours until they managed to get back to the base. "What the," said Van. "Where did all the zoids come from," asked Fiona? "People all around the world are coming to help," said Irvine when he came up behind them. "I guess they didn't want things to go the way that Drake wants, so a lot of people are joining up to help," said Irvine. "I know that we could use the help but these people can lose their lives," said Van. "They have been told that, but they still want to help," said Irvine. "I guess we really can't refuse their help then," said Van. "Guess not," said Irvine. "Hey Irvine, is Moonbay back," asked Fiona? "Yeah, she is around here someplace," said Irvine. "Thanks," said Fiona as she ran off. "Hey there Moonbay," said Fiona. "Hey Fiona, you look better than the last time I saw you," said Moonbay. "Thanks," said Fiona. "So how did your short time off go," asked Moonbay? "Really nicely," said Fiona. "Holy cow," said Moonbay as she spotted the ring on Fiona's finger. "What is it," asked Fiona? "Where did you get that beautiful ring," asked Moonbay. "Van," said Fiona. "You mean he proposed to you," said Moonbay. "Yeah," said Fiona. "So, you are going to get married," said Moonbay. "I know," said Fiona. "Alright everyone we are almost fully prepared for the attack we will make on them so that we can end this," said Crougar. "I appreciate all of you that have offered to help us because it will even out the numbers on both sides a lot," said Crougar. "You should be warned though that these guys are ruthless and you might not come back alive," said Crougar. "So if you want to back out I understand," he said. When he didn't here a response he spoke again, "I want everyone to get a good nights sleep tonight because tomorrow we will start bright and early in the morning," said Crougar. "All right everyone, dismissed," said Crougar. Everyone then cleared out of the area. "Sir do you think that it is wise for you to send out people who haven't had any military training," asked Van? "I don't like it, but we need as many people as we can get. We have trained them a little since some of them came here, but that means that they only had about two weeks or less of training," said Crougar. "I don't like it either," said Van. "Even with them, this base is still outnumbered," said Van. "The president and the emperor are sending their best soldiers right now so we should have a better chance with them," said Crougar. "I don't want to get you worried Van, but," said Crougar. "What," asked Van? "Remember the battle where you nearly lost you life," said Crougar. 'Yes," said Van. "Well I have gotten information on the amount of warriors they have and it equals to about three times as many," said Crougar. "Three times as many," said a shocked Van. "Yes," said Crougar. "We won't be able to stand a chance against that many," said Van. "That is why we are getting as many soldiers as we can, but we can't take them all because the rest of the bases still need to have their own defense, but even with all the extra help I still think that we are outnumbered," said Crougar. "We will find a way," said Van. "I am sure we will," said Crougar. "Just leave it to everyone that is willing to help and all the soldiers," said Van. "I guess you are right," said Crougar. "I am also going to be there and with me and Zeke, even if we die, we will take out as many of them as we possibly can," said Van. "Ok then I will be expecting that, Captain Flyheight," said Crougar. Van was shocked with what he just heard. "Does this mean I am," asked Van? "Yes, I have been given orders to promote you," said Crougar with a smile. "I won't let you down," said Van. "Very well, dismissed," said Crougar. "Yes sir," said Van with a salute. "Congratulations Van, you deserve it," said Fiona. "Thanks," said Van. "Why haven't I gotten promoted yet," asked Thomas jealously? "Because Van is a better pilot than you are," said Irvine. "And you won't be, if you don't stop complaining," said Karl as he walked into the room. "Oh, big bro. I mean, Colonel Shubaltz, sir," said Thomas with a salute. "When did you get in," asked Thomas? "A few minutes ago," said Karl. "You wanted to know why," asked Karl? "Yes," said Thomas. "It is because you still have a long ways to go till we feel that you are ready for something like that," said Karl. "I am ready," said Thomas. "Can you prove it though," asked Karl? Thomas couldn't answer. "Van has showed he was ready many times, even if he didn't know it," said Karl. "Now that is enough lieutenant," said Karl. "Yes sir," said Thomas. "I hope you are all prepared," said Karl. "We are, sir," said Van. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day, so good luck," said Karl. "We will sir," said Van with a salute. Karl then left the room. "Shut down by your own brother," said Irvine. "Shut up, Irvine," said Thomas. "Karl does have a point Thomas," said Moonbay. "What do you mean," asked Thomas? "At times you act more like a child rather than someone in the military," said Moonbay. "HEY," yelled Thomas. "What it is the truth," said Moonbay. "I am a very serious person," said Thomas. "Then why are you complaining like a baby because I made that one remark," asked Moonbay. "Anyone would," said Thomas. "I doubt it," said Moonbay. "Just stop Moonbay," said Thomas calmly. "Give it up Thomas, you can't really win when you are up against Moonbay," said Irvine. "So they actually think that they can win against the army I have produced," said Drake. "I give them points for courage, but I will take them away for stupidity," he continued. "What do you think," Drake asked Rachael? "I agree with you," said Rachael. "How about this," said Drake. "When I do take over this planet you can rule beside me," said Drake. "I am flattered," said Rachael. "Unlike Van, I can see your beauty," said Drake. "He just didn't know what was in front of him because of that Fiona," said Rachael. "You seem to really hate the ancient zoidian," said Drake. "Yeah, I do," said Rachael as she clenched her fists. "Who knows maybe you will get a chance to get her," said Drake. "I sure hope so," said Rachael. "Is everything ready, captain," asked Crougar? "Yes, we are almost fully set up and ready for the attack," said Van. " The other bases have been given the exact coordinates of the base we are attacking so we should have some help there," said Crougar. "That is good news," said Van. "The people seem to be scared," said Van. "It isn't really surprising," said Crougar. "They are going into a battle where they could lose their lives so of course they would be scared," he continued. "I hope that everything will come out alright," said Van. "Lets hope," said Crougar. "We should be about ready to head out," said Van. "It looks like they know we are going to attack so they set up a defense, so you will have to break through their lines," said Crougar. "We must get their leader so this will end," said Van. "That should be the main goal," said Crougar. "I will make sure it will be completed," said Van. "Very well," said Crougar. "Oh and Van," said Crougar. "What," asked Van? "Your father would be proud of how you have turned out," said Crougar. "Thank you sir," said Van as he got into the blade liger. "All right everybody, listen up," said Van. "We should be coming across their defenses soon," said Van. "So you had better be ready for what is to come," said Van. No sooner had Van said that, than missiles started to bombard them. "You ready Zeke," asked Van? Zeke gave a loud growl within the liger. "Good," said Van as he extended the blade and charged right into the enemy zoids. 19. let's finish this "Sir we have confirmed that our zoids have charged into the enemy lines," said a soldier. "Good so how are things going," asked Crougar. "It appears to be even at the moment," said the soldier. 'Please Van, be careful,' thought Fiona. "Send some back up, we need to break through the lines right now," said Crougar. "We don't have any at the moment," said a soldier. "Excuse me sir," said Fiona. "What is it, Fiona," asked Crougar? "I will go out and help if you have any zoids," said Fiona. "I don't think that is a good idea," said Crougar. "Please sir," said Fiona. "I don't think so," said Crougar. "But," said Fiona. "No, Fiona," said Crougar. Fiona then kept silent. "Crougar," came Van's voice through a communication. "What is it," asked Crougar? "Where is the help we are supposed to get from the other bases," asked Van? "They won't be here for a while," said Crougar. "Just try and hold them off for a while more," said Crougar. "Ok sir," said Van. 'Van I wish I could be there with you,' thought Fiona. "Soldier can you bring up a screen showing what is going on, on the battlefield," asked Crougar? "Yes sir," said the soldier as he typed in a few keys and a screen popped up. There was the battlefield and the sides seemed to be a little uneven, with more on the opposing side. She saw Van being chased by about thirty zoids at the time. Fiona remembered that this was exactly what happened a few years ago. 'No I can't let it happen again,' thought Fiona. She then ran out of the room. 'I don't care what Crougar said I am going to help Van," said Fiona as she went into the hanger and saw only one zoid which was a pteras. "This will have to do," said Fiona as she got into the pteras. "Fiona what are you doing," asked Crougar as a screen appeared in the pteras? "I am going to help Van," said Fiona. She then shut off the COM link before he could have another word to say. "I am coming Van," said Fiona as the pteras took to the skies. "Now where does this look familiar," Van asked himself as he was starting to get a little nervous. "I can't die this time," said Van. "Not with both Fiona and Sakura waiting for me to come back," said Van as he charged into the zoids and took down at least half of them before he was hit back to the ground. The zoids moved around him. "Not again," said Van. Just when he thought things were going to be exactly the same as that one battle Fiona showed up and shot down as many zoids as she could. "Fiona," asked Van? "Yes, Van," said Fiona. "What are you doing here," asked Van? "I came here to help you," said Fiona. "Go back," said Van. "I don't want to see you get hurt for me," said Van. "Remember when I said I wanted to be by your side forever, I meant that Van and I will stay with you," said Fiona. "But," said Van. "I am staying," said Fiona. When she finished talking she was fired upon by a zoid. "Good to see you Fiona," came Rachael's voice. "Not you," said Fiona. The pteras Fiona was flying in was then hit by another pteras. "At last I will get my chance to get you," said Rachael. "And Van won't be able to help you because he is too busy with the other zoids," said Rachael. Fiona looked at where Van was and noticed that he was too busy to help her. "You are mine Fiona," said Rachael as she fired at Fiona again. "Why did you betray us," asked Fiona? "Because neither of you could even give a care about how I feel, all Van notices is you," said Rachael. "But that is no reason to become a traitor," said Fiona. "It is if I wanted to get rid of you," said Rachael as she once again rammed into Fiona. "You just can't compete with my skills which will make this all the easier," said Rachael as she once again went in for an attack but Fiona managed to dodge it. "I will kill you for what you did to me," yelled Rachael. Fiona tried to fly off but Rachael just pursued after her. "There is no way to escape from me," said Rachael. Fiona was getting a bit frightened by what was happening to her. Rachael then went at full speed right at Fiona. Fiona screamed and was able to turn the pteras away from the path off Rachael and she went right by Fiona and Fiona fired upon the other pteras. Rachael and the pteras she was in was plummeting towards the ground. "No I can't escape," said Rachael as she tried to bail out of the cockpit but the lever was jammed. "Oh no," said Rachael as the pteras hit the ground and blew up. "Fiona was able to beat her," said Van a bit amazed at what he saw. "Fiona are you alright," asked Van through the COM link. "I think so," said a frightened Fiona. "Hey Van, I see zoids approaching," said Fiona. "Good the reinforcements are here," said Van. Fiona tried to say something else but some bullets hit her and the pteras fell to the ground. "No, Fiona," yelled Van. Fiona got lucky because when the pteras hit the ground it just skidded for a while before it stopped. Van moved the blade liger as fast as he could towards where Fiona had crashed. "Fiona are you ok," asked Van when he opened the cockpit. Fiona was knocked unconscious with a cut on her head. "Van," yelled Thomas. "Thomas can you take Fiona back to the base," asked Van. "Sure, then I will head back here to help," said Thomas. "Thanks," said Van. 'I hope Fiona will be ok' thought Van as he started slicing up some more zoids. "I will have to finish this up soon but these guys keep coming and even with the reinforcements we still aren't gaining any ground," said Van. "Hey Van I have an idea," said Irvine over the COM link. "What is it," asked Van. "It will be dangerous but we might be able to sneak our way in if we find an area with the least amount of zoids," said Irvine. "But id they see our zoids more will come," said Van. "We will leave our zoids in a safe place," said Irvine. "I am willing to try anything," said Van. "Good, just follow me," said Irvine as he started to head in one direction. "Listen up everyone," said Van, "We have a plan and I need you to keep them away," said Van. "Try and weaken the zoids in a small area so it will make it easier to get by," said Van and then he closed the COM link. "Van and Irvine went and hid the lightning saix and the blade liger the best that they could and found a weakened area. "Van, listen we are going to take some hover boards and try to get through there as fast as we can," said Irvine. "This will be suicide," said Van. "It is the only way or we will be fighting like this for some time," said Irvine. 'I guess," said Van. Van and Irvine got on some hover boards and raced as fast as they could through the small opening. They did have some trouble though when some zoids were able to fire on them to try and stop them but after a bit the managed to get into the front of the base. "Van let's hurry," yelled Irvine. "We have to find him," said Van. "Do you know where he usually is, because you were forced to work for him, so I thought you might know," said Irvine. "I can't remember a lot but I think I can find him," said Van. "Then head in that direction," said Irvine. "Wait I am the one of a higher rank so why are you giving orders," asked Van. "Because it is my plan," said Irvine. "Good point," said Van. They entered the base and found that it was nearly empty. "This is good there aren't many people around so we should be able to get around easier without people firing on us as much,' said Irvine. As soon as he said this though people started to fire on them. "Great so they still do have some people," said Irvine as he pulled out his gun. He started to fire upon them and they dropped one after the other. "Lets hurry," yelled Irvine as Van and him went down the halls. "This is the place," said Van. "Are you sure," asked Irvine. "I am pretty sure," said Van. "Ok," said Irvine. Van pulled out his gun and they opened the door and ran in. As soon as they ran in the guns were shot out of their hands by Drake. "I missed," said Drake. "You psycho," said Van. "Now that just hurts my feeling after I saved your life all those years ago," said Drake. "And took control of my mind so I would do anything for you," said Van. "You could have been great Van, all you needed to do was join my side and I would have given you anything. By now you would have been at a much higher rank than just a captain,' said Drake. "I don't care. It wouldn't mean anything if I had to hurt my friends just to get it," said Van. "I will give both of you a choice, you two can either join me for the better of the planet or you can die," said Drake. "I'd rather die," yelled Van. "That can be arranged," said Drake as he fired his gun. The bullet hit Van in the chest and he fell to the ground. "Van," yelled Irvine. Nothing came from Van, but blood was spilling everywhere. "What about you are you going to join me or are you going to die like he just did," asked Drake? "Why are you doing this," asked Irvine? "It has been the dream of the great Prozen and Hiltz and I was planning to finish it whether I had the death saurer or the death stinger, or not," said Drake. "You are a psycho like Van said. So were both Hiltz and Prozen," said Irvine. "How dare you talk about them like that," said Drake. "I will talk about them anyway I want," said Irvine. Van meanwhile was lying on the floor but managed to wake up. He had very little strength after he got shot that he could barely move. It was then that he saw one of the guns on the ground and he picked it up. "There is only one bullet left," said Van. He tried to focus enough to be able to see the target clearly but he was unable to. By this time Drake had noticed that he was still alive though. "You're still alive," yelled Drake he fired on Van again and this time it hit him in the stomach. Still Van tried to take Focus. Drake fired one more bullet at Van and this one hit him in the chest again which made him fire as a reflex and it hit Drake right in the forehead. "I am sorry Fiona," he muttered. Van couldn't take it anymore though and fell to the wounds. "Wh. What happened," asked Van weakly as he finally woke up? "Van," yelled Fiona. "Fiona, is that you," asked Van because he was unable to see clearly? "Yes it is," said Fiona. "Where am I," asked Van very weakly? "You are back at the base," said Fiona. "What happened," asked Van? "You were shot a few times. I was afraid you weren't going to make it," said Fiona who was on the verge of tears. Van didn't ask anymore because he fell back asleep. "Van," said Fiona who was happy that he was just alive. "So how is he doing today," asked Moonbay as she walked through the door to see Fiona. "He finally woke up but fell asleep almost as fast," said Fiona. "At least he will live," said Moonbay, "He was hurt pretty badly and if Irvine hadn't taken him to have gotten some help immediately Van might have died," said Moonbay. "I am surprised he didn't die immediately with all the gunshot wounds he had," said Moonbay. "I hope Van will be ok," said Fiona. "I am sure he will," said Moonbay. "And I will be by his side when he wakes up," said Fiona. It was about another day before Van managed to wake up though. "Fiona," said Van who was actually able to see clearly again but still felt very week. "Van you're awake," said Fiona who was trying her hardest not to hug Van because of his injuries. "How long have I been out," asked Van. "About a week," said Fiona. "What happened in the battle," asked Van? "We won, but we took a lot of damage to the zoids and the pilots," said Fiona. "Did you get the blade liger," asked Van. "Yeah Moonbay picked it up," said Fiona. "How are you," asked Van. "I am fine, I just got a small cut on the forehead," said Fiona. "That is good to hear," said Van. "You are lucky to be alive though," said Fiona as a few tears slid down her cheeks. "It is ok, because I didn't die," said Van. "I know but if you did I don't know what I would have done," said Fiona. "If something did happen to me I don't want you to do anything crazy," said Van. "Van you and Sakura are my world if anything was to happen to either of you, it would just tear me apart," said Fiona. "Don't worry because we are both going to be fine," said Van. "I guess you're right," said Fiona. "Aren't I always," asked Van? "Get some rest Van you are going to need a lot of it," said Fiona. As the days past Van little by little started to get better. "How are you feeling today," asked Fiona as she walked into the room. "I am doing better, thank you," said Van. "When can I leave this place," asked Van. "Why," asked Fiona? "These past few months I have spent so much time in hospitals that I am starting to hate them," said Van. "I will see what I can do,' said Fiona. Fiona walked away and came back a few moments later. "What did they say," asked Van? "You will have to stay here at least one more week before you can go," said Fiona. "Great, another week in this place," said Van. "At least I will be with you through it," said Fiona. 'Those will be the best part of those days," said Van. He then pulled Fiona in and kissed her. "Just don't forget to come on any of those days," said Van. "I will try not to," said Fiona. Fiona kept by her word and came everyday, which helped Van to make the days go by faster. On the final day Fiona came in with Sakura. "Ah, my two favorite women," said Van. "How are you feeling daddy," asked Sakura. "I am feeling pretty good," said Van. "How did you get here," asked Van? "Moonbay brought her here," said Fiona. "Really," said Van. "Yeah, I asked her if she could do it for me," said Fiona. "And I thank her for doing it because it will save me the long trip," said Van. "I guess it will," said Fiona with a laugh. "Am I able to leave now," asked Van? "I guess so," said Fiona. "Because it has been a week," said Fiona. After Van was sure he could leave he did. He was still a little sore and with Fiona's help he managed to do just fine. "Hey Van, it is good to see you alive," said Moonbay. "Yeah," said Van. "Hey Irvine," said Van. "What," asked Irvine? "Thanks for helping me," said Van. "No problem," said Irvine. "Maybe now things can go back to normal," said Van. Things did turn out to become normal. At least for a few good months they were. End file.

Forever by cyberdemon

Zoids

Tears of the Repentant _Watching the news tonight, I couldn't help but be reminded that people are fairly horrible creatures sometimes, but sometimes they can surprise you with unexpected kindness. It made me think about a small part from the Zoids anime that I really liked. A part that deserved being revisited. A part that I couldn't quite work out how to fit Spider-Man into, so it's not going to be as good as it might otherwise have been._ **Tears of the Repentant By KAndrw** I hate you. You murdered my family, then you watched me burn to death. I will never forgive you. He woke screaming, his covers drenched in cold sweat. Just as he had every night for the past two years. It was the dream about the girl again. He had murdered her family, years ago, then he had set fire to the family's house. He hadn't realised that she was inside. It hadn't really mattered. He hadn't given it a second thought. He didn't even know her name, but since the visits started, he had decided to call her Sylden. It was as good a name as any for the ghost of an eight year-old girl who was steadily driving him insane. He had been five years old when his parents were killed by soldiers. They might have been from the Empire, or maybe it was the Republic. Possibly his father was the enemy, or possibly his family just had something the soldiers wanted. He didn't remember those things. What he did remember was the cruel smiles on their faces when they shot his father, and the look of derision they gave his mother as they pulled her away from the corner where she was sheltering him. They laughed as one of them slit her throat. His family was not even human to them. The soldiers climbed back into their zoids and left. He remembered holding his mother's body until it grew cold. He remembered being taken into the orphanage. He had been small. His shoes and clothes were several sizes too small for any of the other children, but they had taken them anyway, leaving him bruised and bloody in payment. Being bullied became expected, from the moment he was woken in the morning by a punch to the face. The random torture and violence continued through the day until well after darkness fell - when the other children finally went to bed, leaving him to cry himself to sleep in his bloody cot, soaked in the spit and urine of the others. The 'holy men' who ran the orphanage turned a blind eye to it all. Perhaps they thought it built character. He would never have asked for their protection anyway. Even he had some understanding of what happened to those they took an interest in. The beatings from his peers were better than that. He first killed another person on the day of his seventh birthday. Two older girls had decided to teach their brother how to break somebody's fingers. His fingers. They had dragged him into a shed, wrestled him to the ground, and were sitting on his chest and shoulders. One of the girls was about to start the demonstration, and had turned away to tell her brother what to watch. Her attention diverted, she did not see him grab for the screwdriver lying discarded on the floor beside him, did not see him twist his grip and drive it into her thigh. Her surprise and pain gave him a chance to get free and stab the other sister in the arm, the blade punching between the girl's radius and ulna, severing a bundle of nerves and making her scream so loudly that she burst blood vessels in her retinas. In an ill-considered moment of bravado and family loyalty, the brother threw himself into the fray, and was killed instantly by the screwdriver plunged though his eye and into his brain. He expected to be beaten by the men who ran the orphanage. Maybe even killed. It was hard to care. He was surprised by the way they looked at him. Afraid. There was something in their eyes. Greed, glee, excitement. That day he was sold like a dog, and his life as an assassin began. For ten years he stole and murdered for the man who bought him. Some of the people he killed probably had it coming. They looked scared as they died, but they didn't look like they felt he was being unfair. But sometimes the people he killed just looked confused as his poison spread through their bodies and burned away their lives. He wondered whether those people had realised what they'd done to make somebody else want them dead. Sometimes he even wondered whether he might have got the wrong person. Not that it really mattered. One day he arrived home to find that the man who owned him was dead. He was free, as if that word really even meant anything. He drifted from job to job, never finding anything that could hold his attention. Then somebody offered him money to commit another murder. It was easier to accept than think about what else to do. After a couple of jobs, he realised he was a mercenary. Sylden's parents owed somebody some money, or somebody owed them some money and didn't want to pay it, or they had demanded money in order to keep something quiet. He was pretty sure that money was an issue in some way. It was so hard to remember the little details. He poisoned their water. Actually, his employer had been a little vague on exactly where they lived, so he had poisoned the whole street's water. Once they weren't able to move any more, he set fire to their house. Was it to destroy some evidence? It probably was the keeping something quiet thing after all. Anyway, the girl was upstairs sleeping. He saw her at the window, screaming, as he padded away from the house in his zoid. It was probably better for her to die then than to have to grow up an orphan. Eventually he slipped up, and a job went bad. His zoid was defeated and the authorities caught up with him. That was two years ago. He had been in jail for two years. It had been the worst two years of his life. He had expected to have to fight for survival. He had expected debasement and violation. He had expected to need to kill. It was worse. They treated him like a human being. The wardens stamped down on violence between prisoners, and daily life became dominated by introspection. He realised that he was a monster. That's when the girl had started haunting him. I hate you. You murdered my family, then you watched me burn to death. I will never forgive you. Every night she came, just as he managed to drift off to sleep. He wasn't sure whether she was a figment of his guilty conscience, or whether she was an actual ghost. Did he believe in ghosts? Did it matter? She was real enough to make his life hell. He gave her a name, and Sylden gave him a reason to wish he were dead. Time and again, he thought about taking his own life, but every time the thought was overwhelmed by Sylden's voice. Coward. Murderer. I hate you. So every night he woke up screaming. And every morning he reminded himself what he was, what he'd done. He didn't even know how many people's lives he had destroyed. It was a lot. This morning the wall exploded. Something was attacking the prison. Something big. Something powerful. The cell doors had automatically opened, and the prisoners were fleeing for their lives. His door was stuck. Figures. He called out for somebody to help him open the door, and to his surprise two of his fellow inmates threw their weight against the door, dragging it open. He realised that he mustn't be the only prisoner who had looked inside himself and not liked what he'd seen. This was a chance to begin again. To be the person he wanted to be. To kill the monster. He burst into the courtyard with two of the men he'd worked with in his previous life, just in time to see the attacker pass. It was a giant scorpion type zoid, and it was destroying everything in its path, shrugging off every attack directed towards it. Malevolence leaked from it, filling him with a poison he'd felt before. Felt his entire life. Anger and indignity. Hatred and spite. The difference was that now he recognised the poison for what it was. He had no use for poison any more. He would not be the monster any longer. And he would not stand aside and let the monster pass by. It was time to fight again. Not for pleasure. Not for survival. Not even for money. But because it was right. Because somebody had to stand against the monster so that children like Sylden would not have to experience terror. He found a zoid. It was a Sabre Tiger. Good. He knew Sabre Tigers. In his former life, he piloted one. It felt good to be back in the cockpit. His former colleagues had also found zoids, and they charged out to meet the monster. They hit the monster with everything they had. It did nothing. As the smoke cleared, he saw the brilliant light of the monster's primary weapon charging up. This was it. He was going to die. Alone. He was going to die alone, just as he had lived alone, almost his entire life. In the final seconds of his life, he heard Sylden's voice. I hate you. You murdered my family, then you watched me burn to death. I will never forgive you. But I am here with you, Stinger. His vision blurred by the first tears cried since childhood, he did not see the Deathstinger kill him. End file.

Tears of the Repentant by KAndrw

Zoids

Digital Love I do not own Zoids. It's like copyright for some dude. I don't own "Digital Love" either. It's property of Daft Punk! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Digital Love Last night I had a dream about you In this dream I'm dancing right beside you And it looked like everyone was having fun the kind of feeling I've waited so long Don't stop come a little closer As we jam the rhythm gets stronger There's nothing wrong with just a little little fun We were dancing all night long The music becomes pulsating as the lights flicker with an array of colors. Everyone feels the power of the rave. Bit stares at Leena. Bit thought, 'So beautiful.' They both have a bright smile. The time is right to put my arms around you You're feeling right You wrap your arms around too DJ Shadow yells, "Let's tone it down a bit here. Take the person closest to you and feel the love." Bit wraps his arms around Leena as they begin to blush. They rock to the harmonious tune. Leena leans in to kiss Bit. But suddenly I feel the shining sun Before I knew it this dream was all gone Bit awakens then sits up. Sigh, "I wish that were true." Ooh I don't know what to do About this dream and you I wish this dream comes true Ooh I don't know what to do About this dream and you We'll make this dream come true Why don't you play the game? Why don't you play the game? "I love you Leena Toros." Bit says under his breath. THE END! End file.

Digital Love by Shadow Death Dark

Zoids

ZOIDS the mysteries of ULTRASAURUS RED We will look into mysteries ULTRASAURUS RED! End file.

ZOIDS the mysteries of ULTRASAURUS RED by deathxdorugoramon

Zoids

Soldiers **Disclaimer:** I don`t own Zoids. Soldiers * * * What is it I read that one time as a kid? I think it was in one of those _really_ old comic books... Something along the lines of "Once, someone asked me why I do what I do... Why I lead and fight rather than just lead or fight. It took me days to think up an answer, but when I did it became blaringly clear to me. I fight because I am a soldier, I lead because I have no other option." And there you have what`s been my motto for the past eight years I`ve spent in the military. My name is Captain Richard O'Connel*, I am a soldier. I fight, I take orders and I lead when nobody else is left to do the job. It`s what I do. I could be Major or General by now, Rob knows I`ve got the skill but I`ve turned down every promotion offer I`ve had since becoming Captain. Heck, I don`t even like being a Captain anymore. It has it`s moments but I liked being plain old Lieutenant O'Connel. Captain is too far up the chain of command for me, I`m a soldier far more than I`ll ever be a leader and I know that. That`s why I refuse to lead. Because I can`t do as good a job as others would. Small groups like I had when I was an Lt., sure, but companies, platoons and divisions? No. I am a soldier. I fight and I take orders but I can and I will lead when nobody else is left to do the job. It`s what I do and it`s what I love. I can`t take being a full command level officer, Rob can have that job but me? I`m a soldier to the bitter end. Soldiers fight, commanders lead. Soldiers die, commanders get medals. Soldiers have stories, commanders have legends. But I`ll take being a soldier any day of the week. It what I`m made for, like Rob was made for commanding. That`s one thing about him few people understand, Rob Hermann didn`t rise to power in the military because the brass wanted it or his mom happened to be in the position of being the president, he came to power because we wanted him there. Us, the soldiers. He may be a rotten bastard sometimes but he`s _our_ rotten bastard, and we`ll take orders from him only before we _ever_ take orders from some stupid idiot who`s never been on the front lines. Rob rose through the ranks from Private to Major, he didn`t get fancy military schooling like half the chain of command, and that`s why we`d all gladly lay our lives down for him. Rob Hermann is a soldier, but he`s also a leader. I am a leader, but I`m also a soldier. That is why I refuse a promotion. Not because I can`t handle it, or because I don`t want it. Both are true but the real reasons are loyalty to Rob and loyalty to the men and women I`ve served most of my career with. We are brothers and sisters in peace. We are comrades in arms. We are soldiers. We fight. It`s what we do. I am Captain Richard O'Connel. I am a soldier. I fight. It`s what I do. * * * **Author`s Note:** Hope you enjoyed, Sick Little Fiend :P * = I`m not sure if O'Connel`s name was ever said in the series but since I haven`t seen anyone use his full name before(or him at all for that matter) I figured that Richard just fit. Hope nobody minds. _Sh33p_ out. End file.

Soldiers by The Sh33p

Zoids

Put the Raven in its Cage This in a simple one-shot. I was thinking of how Raven though about zoids and how Bit could talk to Liger Zero and this was the end result. I don't own zoids or any of it's characters. I wish I had a Geno Breaker though. * * * The Geno Breaker came to a stop in the middle of the desert. Raven sat inside fiddling with the controls. "Why you stopped Shadow, I never told you too" he said, Shadow growled at him. "Do you think I care what would happen to the zoid if I push it, it's just a machine it can be fixed" Raven said. Shadow seperated with the zoid and stood at its feet. Before Raven could say anything the cockpit opened and the zoid leaned forwards throwing Raven out of the cockpit. "What the" Raven said as he turned to look at his Geno Breaker who in turn looked down at him and growled at him. "How is this happening?" "What, you didn't know zoids where alive" a deep voice said seeming to come from the Geno Breaker. Raven looked at the zoid wide eyed. "No, zoids can't talk, there," "Just lifeless machines, that's what you think" the Geno Breaker cut him off. "Every pilot can talk to his own zoid and vice verse" "But," "Don't say anything" the Geno Breaker said angrily. "I've heard enough from you. You abuse zoids, not caring for them at all" "What are you talking about" Raven said dragging himself a few feet away from the zoid. "Your Zabre Fang, you said he caused you humiliation and after hearing that he wanted to regain your approval so he went along with the foolish task of breaking through Van's shield just to please you but in the end you just destroyed him and didn't even feel any grief" "How do you know that happened?" "A zoid makes a mental link with its pilot. We know everything you do. After him you went on to me, when I was still a Genosaurer, I killed the Shield Liger for you but when fighting the Blade Liger you were reckless and lost" "If that was you then how are you here now" "Ambient brought me back, you've met him before but not under good circumstances so let's not go into that. But here I am and you're still the clueless spoiled brat you always were" "Stupid zoid, I'm your pilot you can't talk to me like that!" Raven got up and shouted. The Geno Breaker grabbed him in one of it X Breakers and lifted him off the ground, the grip was enough to keep him from escaping but not too much so that he wouldn't be crushed. Raven struggled to get free. "You are in no position to talk to _me _like that" "Let me go you piece of scrap or I'll," "You'll what?" the Geno Breaker cut him off and asked sarcastically. "Look at you, look at all you humans. Useless" the Geno Breaker hissed. Raven's eyes went wide when he said that, remembering all the times he said that to a zoid. "You have no weapons, you come to our planet and use us for your wars not knowing that if we really wanted we zoids could obliterate you in one day" Raven began to struggle again and the Geno Breaker momentarily tightened its grip causing Raven to scream out in pain. "It's useless, you can't escape. You're at my mercy, the mercy that you never gave to any zoids and the mercy that I just might not return" the Geno Breaker flipped forwards it's head blade and brought it to Raven's chest."Maybe I should just kill you now and save myself the abuse, in fact I think I will. Any last word you monster" Raven looked down having given up his struggle some time ago. All the things his zoid had said was going thought his mind then a he did something he hadn't done in years, he began to cry. First one tear drop, than another and before he knew it there was a steady stream. "I'm sorry. For you, for my Zabre Fang and all the other zoids" The Geno Breaker put its head blade back in its non attack position. "What was that zoid hater?" "I said I'm sorry. The truth is I say I hate zoids but it's only because I'm afraid of them. I'm scared of their power and I mask my fear with hate. I destroy then because I'm afraid of them, just like someone stepping on a bug if they're scared of it" The Geno Breaker slowly brought him to the ground and let him go. "You're not gonna hurt me?" Raven asked. "No, I just wanted to make sure you knew the truth yourself" "You knew all along?" The Geno Breaker nodded. Raven smiled a little as the cockpit opened and the seat lowered. "I promise I won't trat you like the others, I'll take care of you" Raven said. Shadow merged with the zoid and the Geno Breaker flew of once more. End file.

Put the Raven in its Cage by Nukascar101 aka RevRav

Zoids

1. So it Begins Hello. I'm Theo. This is my first fan-fiction of Zoids, So please bare with me. Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. I only own the idea for this fic and any made-up characters I decide to add. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking --------------------------------------- Chapter 1- So it Begins "Area scanned..." The Judge said as his head panned back and forth "Battlefield set up..." This is it! Bit thought in the Ligers cockpit, anxiously awaiting the Judge to cross his arms to signal the begin of the battle "The Blitz Team verses the Fist Team. Ready? FIGHT!" Liger immediately pounced forward towards the awaiting opponent, a single SabreTiger. The SabreTiger attacked by firing the twin mounted rifles mounted on its back. The first shots missed Liger completely as the zoid raced forward. "Heh... Too easy." Bit muttered to himself as he guided Liger in a zigzag run. "I almost feel sorry for him." The SabreTiger backed away as it continued firing, hoping by some shear luck, he would hit the Liger. Unfortunately for him, no luck exists today. Before the SabreTiger could fully turn around to run, Liger was already too close to it. "Alright Liger! STRIKE LASER CLAW!!!" Upon command, Ligers systems began to glow as the fins on the side of Ligers head opened up to draw in energy. Liger's legs glowed brighter and brighter until the energy was fully charged to his claws. Liger pounced. With its glowing claw reared back, the SabreTiger froze in fear as the Liger struck forward. The SabreTigers right rear legs was completely severed from the hip as Ligers claws sliced through it effortlessly. Both zoids roared out. The SabreTiger in pain, and Liger in victory. It was already decided who won this battle before the SabreTiger fell over onto its side. Liger only stood and it's foe crashed to the ground behind it. "Battle over!" The Judge called with his arms outstretched. "Battle over! The winner is... The Blitz Team!" "YEAH!!" Bit shouted inside Ligers cockpit. Liger gave a long roar of victory of it's own. Later that day, as the sun began to set, the Blitz Teams Hover Cargo sat silently while inside, the crew of team Blitz celebrated their victory. Even if it was one-on-one, Bit wouldn't dare celebrate on his own. Besides, even though he was battling, the team was cheering him one. "Well, Bit I'll have to admit, maybe you can fight a battle on your own..." Brad said as he leaned against a wall in the commons room of the Hover Cargo. "Darn right I can!" Bit replied, only to have Brad finish by saying "...Even if it is a fight a baby could win." "What'd you just say?!" Bit yelled. He heard what Brad said, but he never was able to let an insult go on without him having a say in it. "One-on-one battles are a complete waste of time. Unless you're an amateur. Real money comes from fighting multiple opponents. Not from fighting one who couldn't hit the brad side of a barn." "Now calm down everyone." Doc said, "It's true the SabreTiger pilot was a fresh unknown, but we needed whatever money we can get. And besides, it's been awhile since Bit fought a battle on his own." "Yeah, I suppose he'll have to learn to depend on himself rather than on us all the time." Leena chirped. Of coarse, Bit took the insult very personally... as usual. "Take that back Leena!" He growled, his face inches from hers. "Why should I Bit? It is true after all." "You know damn well it's not!" "Ok! Break it up!" Jamie cut it, separating the two apart. Even though Jamie was the smallest of the group, he was still able to keep Bit and Leena from attacking each other's throats. Though the two blew off their steam, they were still frustrated as usual. Later in the hanger, Bit takes a lone walk to the Liger that awaits him in its compartment. Whenever Bit needed some time to himself to think, or if he wanted to get away from the constant teasing he receives, he always found himself here. He didn't mind it. In fact, he found the silence quite nice. Upon hearing footsteps approaching, Liger turned its head slightly to see its pilot walk up to him. "Hey Liger. How ya doing pal?" *I'm adequate, Bit. You seemed troubled.* "Yeah. Every time you and I go into battle, everyone else has to make fun of us. They still think I'm an amateur. It ticks me off actually. And sometimes, it gets unbearable." *Have you told this to them?* Liger inquired. Bit merely shook his head. Though he could understand Ligers language, anyone else would only hear growls and roars. "Not yet Liger. You see, I...I'm..." *Afraid?* "Yeah." *Don't be. If you want to truly be friends with them, then you should trust them. Like I trust you.* "You think I should tell them I'm afraid? They'll only laugh and say something else to make it worse. Every time I try to help the team, they treat me as though I'm only screwing things up." *You and I both know that's not true.* Liger replied, looking down upon it's pilot. "I know, but they don't. What else can I do, Liger?" *I'm not the person you should ask Bit. Why not try Leena? I see you like her.* "Like her?!" Bit countered, sounding as though he was about to vomit at the very idea. "Me?! Like Leena?! No offence Liger, but I think she's a bitch. Every time I open my mouth to say something, she insults me. She's always in competition against my words. Like she's trying to prove she's better than me." *Is she?* "Well no... not at everything. At some things maybe, but not what she claims." *Then maybe you should tell her.* "What's to tell? Both she and I know the truth. She knows I'm better when it comes to zoid battles, and I know she's better when it comes to wasting ammo." *But there's more to it than that.* Bit fell silant as he sat on Ligers front paw. Liger looked down at him as though to study its pilots thoughts. And even if Liger wasn't human, it sometimes thought like one. *Perhaps you should ask yourself, 'why she does what she does?' or maybe 'what is she trying to prove in arguing with me?'* Bit slowly stood up and began to walk away from the hanger. "Thanks for the comfort buddy. I could always count on you to cheer me up." Bit said with a slight smile. He turned back to Liger one last time for the evening. "Good night Liger." *Good night Bit Cloud* Instead of falling asleep, Bit decided to waste some gathered energy by roaming the hallways of the Blitz Team Headquarters. He usually didn't like the silence, but it gave him a chance to think. Why were his teammates usually rude to him? They constantly insult him at every turn, even when he tries to help the team out. Whether it's by winning zoid battles, or finding the zoid parts that their zoids could use. He was a used parts dealer before he joined the Blitz team after all. But at the mere mention of his past profession, Brad would say something like. "Did the parts you find have any form of value, or did you just steal them right from the pilot's noses?" Of coarse Bit was insulted by that remark. Who wouldn't be? Brad saw Bit as a thieving child, doing whatever he could to get what he wanted. Then there was Leena. She may be just as bad, if not worse than Brad. She treated him as though he was an arrogant nobody whose brain was left out in the sun too long. But still, even after all their fighting, after all the endless shouting at each other, Bit developed a spark for her. It would drive Leena to insanity if she discovered he was attracted to her. However, Bit himself could hardly believe the fact that Leena would pop into his head every now and then. Was his attraction to her only for physical pleasures? Or was it something deeper? Either way, Bit decided that until he understood what it meant, he would keep his secret just that... secret. TO BE CONTINUED -------------------------------- So... What did you think? It may be a bit corny at first, but I still want to hear what you all think. Anyway- chapter 2 will be up in about a day or two ^_^ Until Next time Theo~ 2. What's Next? It's me again. If you've read the first chapter, I'm sure you all think I'm sappy for the BitxLeena relationship. Well, I've got a good reason for it. But I'll explain that later. Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. Only the idea of this fic and any made-up characters I add are my own. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking. ------------------------------- Chapter 2- What's next? Bit was sound asleep while the rest of the Blitz Team had already begun the morning. Ah... the pressures of staying up past late night. Bit had a lot on his mind, which kept him restless while he was in bed. He groaned, he stirred and then up rose. Said nothing, but rubbed his eyes. It had been strange, even in dreams to see dead zoids arise. Gotta lay off the spicy foods before bed... He grumbled in his mind as his stomach told him of its indigestion. He had hardly moved from his bed when his door was thrown open and Brad stuck his head in. "Hey Bit, you awake yet? Or did you die last night?" If Bit wasn't so miserable this morning, he would've thrown the closest object he could reach at Brad's head. Brad didn't say anything else but left Bit alone. Grumbling words which even he couldn't understand, he rose from his bed and decided to grab some clothes to wear. "Bit! Get your sorry ass..." Leena said as she busted through Bits door, only to see him standing there with his boxers in his hands. Both Bit and Leena immediatly freaked out at this invasion of privacy. "Leena!" Bit cried, however, Leena was somewhat distracted by something else. She was blushing several shades of red when she witnessed Bits features. "LEENA!!!" Bit screamed again as he tosses a pillow at her. Feeling something hit her head, Leena finally snapped out of her trance and turned to Bit's face. "GET OUT OF HERE!!" Bit ordered and Leena quickly ran out the door just as a small clock was thrown at her. Leena leaned against Bit's door out in the hallway as she tries desperately to catch her breath. What she just witnessed didn't seem to want to leave her mind. All she could do was stare at him and his... ARRGG!!! Leena mentally kicked herself for thinking about that. "You planned that didn't you Bit!?" Leena called through the shut door behind her. "What the Hell are you talking about?!? You barged in on ME!" "How could you trap an innocent little girl like me into such a situation?! You Pervert!" "I'M the pervert?!? I beg to differ Leena! You were the one STARING at me!" "Oh whatever..." Leena replied back as she walked away to attend other business. Jesus Christ Leena! Give me a heart attack why don't ya? Bit groaned, It's going to be another one of those days... The Hover Cargo sped off en route to its next destination. In a field of dessert wastelands, another battle was going to be held. This time it was a team called the Marricks who challenged the Blitz team. Ever since they got into class S and won the championship cup, nearly every team that could afford to loose money to them has challenged them. As the Hover Cargo continued on, Doc and Jamie went over the battle data given to them by the Battle Commission. They supplied them with various info about what team they'll be fighting. As Doc used his toy model zoids to decide how they should plan their strategy, Jamie goes over the different zoids the Marrick team will use. There were three. A DarkHorn, a Lightning Saix , and a Liger. Jamie gasped when he discovered the Marricks have their own Liger unit. Hopefully they won't have the various armor enhancements that Bit has. Speaking of Bit, he and Leena have been avoiding each other the entire trip. While Bit stayed within the confines of the Commons, Leena kept herself in the hanger as she worked on her zoid. All the while she worked on her machine, she kept saying to herself. "That perverted Jerk! I'll bet he's just waiting for me to see him naked again." Of coarse that wasn't at all Bit's plan. He just didn't want to become the target of the trigger-happy little redhead. Especially when she was in the hanger working on her GunSniper. He was still in the commons when Doc and Jamie arrived with readable expressions on their faces. "Well Doc? What's the word?" "Today our battle's against the Marrick Team." "I've heard of them." Brad said, as he came out of nowhere. "People say they are quite ruthless. Even killed a few pilots for fun, especially arrogant amateurs." "If you're trying to scare me Brad, it ain't working." Bit replied back. "And I'm not an amateur!" "Did I address anyone by name?" Brad said innocently. Bits anger was rising to the boiling point. It was clear he was fighting back the urge to leap up and punch his teammate into a bloody pulp. But, as usual, Doc was able to keep them from killing each other. "I want you all to be careful, these guys are heavy costumers." "And they seem to be on a winning streak." Jamie added. "Ever since they got their new zoid parts, they've been almost untouchable." "So what are we going up against exactly?" Brad asked with a rather bored tone. "The information given to us shows that they'll be using three zoids." "Sound's simple enough." "Not exactly Brad." Jamie cut in, making both Brad and Bit look at him. "They've got a DarkHorn, a Lightning Saix..." "Like I said, sounds simple enough." "And a Liger." Instantly Bit jumped. Another Liger? He was surprised when Leon challenged them with a red Blade Liger. And Bit had trouble fighting it with its normal equipment. "Are you up to this one Bit?" "You bet I am Doc! Me and Liger will take out any copycat we find." "Good, the fight starts in two hours. And while you're in such high spirits Bit, you can pass the info down to Leena." Bit fell face-first. "And tell her to prep the GunSniper as well. We'll be needing her firepower." Yeah right, if she doesn't use it on us first. Bit griped as he slowly made his way to meet his death that awaits him in the hanger. "Why do I fell like someone should ask me for a last cigarette and a blind fold?" He asked himself as he neared the hanger. Leena sat in the cockpit of her GunSniper, grinning to herself. She loved the feel of being inside a machine of absolute power and destructive capibilities. She customized her zoid to do just that. Sure the ammo costs alone were high, but that didn't matter to her. As she admired her zoid, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her from below. "Um... Hey Leena!" That voice! Leena's good mood was instantly thrown out the window. Her suspicions were correct as she looked down and saw the blonde zoid pilot looking back up at her. "What do you want now?!" She called back with a voice as cold as ice. She hates me... "Listen. Doc says to get the GunSniper ready. We've got a battle in two hours!" "Against who?" "The Marrick Team!" "Zoids?" "Three! A Lightning Saix, a DarkHorn and a Liger!" "Alright. Tell my dad I'll be ready by then." Phew... That was close... Bit thought in relief as he turned away without a scratch this time. TO BE CONTINUED -------------------------------- Sorry it's not much, but it's all I could think of for now. Be ready for battle next chapter. Until Next Time^_^ Theo~ 3. Twins Meet Hello! It's Theo again! Hope I didn't make you all wait too long for this chapter^_^. Just kidding. Anyway... Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. Only the idea of this fic and any made-up characters I add are my own. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking. --------------------------- Chapter 3- Twins Meet Today, two teams were to meet on the battlefield. The Blitz Team, who have been undefeated since they won the Championship Cup, and the Marrick Team, who have not lost a single match for the past three months. In a dessert field, these two teams will meet and fight. The Judge capsule fell from the high orbit station, and made it's landing in the center of the acquired battlefield. As the capsule was opened, the Judge said "This area within a 10-mile radius is now a restricted battlefield. Only Competitors and authorized personnel have access entree. All others must leave the area at once!" "Are we ready for this Liger?" Bit asked to his Zoid. Enthusiastically, Liger nodded. *I am ready, Bit.* "Good!" 'Cause after we deal with the Lightning Saix, it's onto that Liger! Before Bit mobilized Liger, he had switched the Ligers primary armor and converted it into the blue counterpart, turning Liger into Jager. Jager's ion boosters would make the Zoid compatible to fight off the Lightning Saix that waited with its two partners: The DarkHorn and the black painted Liger. Bit wanted to fight the Liger, but Jamie suggested that Bit take care of the fast Lightning Saix first, seeing as how Jager was the only one able to catch it if the enemy went to it's full speed. Leena, was asked to take care of the DarkHorn. The GunSniper and the DarkHorn were both overly fitted with weaponry, which left Leena the best chance in fighting the DarkHorn off. That left Brad and his Shadow Fox to deal with the enemy Liger. "The Blitz Team verses the Marrick Team. Battle-mode 0982. Ready? FIGHT!" The Judge said crossing his arms. The signal was given and the two teams engaged. The Lightning Saix immediately bolted to the side, trying to flank the other team. Just as Jamie predicted. Following the tactic, Jager took off after it, both of its ion boosters burning white-hot plasma to accelerate the Zoids speed. The Saix sped through the dessert, kicking up dust with its heels as the Jager sped up to catch it's prey. "Alright Liger, let's get this taken care of fast and clean." *I understand.* Liger roared as it followed the Saixs in a large circle just inside the range of the battlefield. The Judge gave a warning to both Bit and the Saix pilot that they were too close to leaving the battlefield and if they should leave the zone, they would be declared to have forfeited. What's the deal with that pilot? Is he giving up already? Bit couldn't calculate his thoughts when suddenly, the Saix spun to a stop, facing the approaching Jager, it's twin rifles ready to fire! A trap! The rifles fired, yet Liger, as an Ultimate X, saw the attack long before the shells left the barrels. The Jager-armored Liger snapped to the side s the shot missed by mere inches. Liger doubled back, making another attempt at the Saix. With it's ion boosters still active, Liger was still at full speed and seemed to be flying! The Saix ran forward, attempting to ram the Liger, unfortunately, that would be its downfall. "Here it comes Liger! STRIKE LASER CLAW!" The legs of Liger began to glow as again, it drew in energy towards its claws. Liger jumped and pounced upon the Lightning Saix. Time froze for an instant as Ligers claws sliced into the entire left side of the Saix, splitting the Zoid in two like a fish being gutted. This duel between the two was decided as the Jager turn right back to rejoin its partners as the Lightning Saix laid on the sand motionless. When the battle began, the DarkHorn let loose a deadly bombardment of bullets from its chain gun. It fired at both the Shadow Fox and the GunSniper. The pilot would've aimed for the Jager as well, but it was out of firing range before his weapon could pivot at it. Yet, with his chain gun firing in a strafe, he still missed his targets. Leena, of coarse, wasn't about to be fired upon and let it go unanswered. She didn't get to become Class S without learning to evade enemy fire. Her GunSniper jumped to the left as another attack strafe began going in the opposite direction. "RRRRGGGG!!!" Leena growled through clenched teeth as her Zoid vibrated under the shock of near-hit attacks. "Nobody gets away with shooting at me like that! WEASEL UNIT TOTAL ASSAULT!!!" As though to answer the DarkHorns silent challenge, Leena let loose with her own hail of fire. Of all her shots, only one missile hit the DarkHorn. Its side trembled under the explosion, but it wasn't enough to freeze the combat system of the Zoid. "WHAT?!? I MISSED!?!" "Leena! What are you doing?!" Jamie asked from the Hover Cargo. "You can't afford sloppy shots like that!" "Did you call me SLOPPY?!? RRRRRGGGG!! I'll show you SLOPPY! WEASEL UNIT TOTAL ASSAULT!!!" Again the GunSniper unleashed its awesome firepower. This time, her attack had results as the DarkHorn was pushed back a good yard or two as the weapons on it's back were shot off. It was almost a comical scene of two western cowboys having a shoot-out, where the hero would shoot the gun from the hand of his rival. But the villain here was a multi-ton dinosaur in metal armor. Although disarmed, the DarkHorn was not finished. Until seconds later... "WEASEL UNIT TOTAL ASSAULT!!!" Leena cried a third time, this time actually using her lock-on cross hairs. All her shots were true and the DarkHorn became nothing but scrap. Though the Marrick Team had lost two of it's fighters, the pilot of the Black Liger (AUTHORS NOTE: Just so you don't get confused, I'll call the enemy Liger, B Liger^_^.) seemed unmoved by the performance. It was as if he didn't even care. He pounced suddenly at the only Zoid that has yet to engage... the Shadow Fox. Brad fired the Shadow Fox's rifle weapon, but similar to Bit's Liger, the B Liger simply twisted away and let the bullet fly harmlessly past. Goddamn it! It act's just like Bits! Brad than activated the Shadow Fox's best feature. Smoke was fanned out of vents around the Zoids body, creating a cover of black smoke, instantly concealing the Fox inside. The B Liger didn't even slow down, it went straight into the smoke cloud and then, it too vanished. "Brad? You alright in there?" Leena asked as her GunSniper approached the edge of the smoke. She got no reply. "Brad?" She began to wonder if somehow Brad's communication was damaged, but as the smoke began to clear, it reveled to her the horrible truth. Brads Shadow Fox was completely severed IN HALF!! "What the fuck...?" The B Liger aimed itself at Leena's GunSniper and pounced out of the vanishing smoke. Leena instantly froze. The B Liger came at her like a demon from the depths of Hell itself with eyes glowing red for blood. Her blood. She gave a scream only shear fright could conjure up as the B Liger rammed into her Zoid. The GunSniper lost its footing and fell to its side as the B Liger stood on top of it, like a predator ready to kill. That is what the pilot wanted. The Marrick were known for seriously harming Zoid pilots and sometimes even killing them, This pilot wanted that reputation to live on. "Get off me you son of a bitch!" Leena shouted as she tried to stand her Zoid up, but the B Liger pinned her down. On her view screen, the face of the B Liger's pilot appeared. He was no older than Bit with black hair with green streaks. He wore a four links of chain as an earring and he gave her a smile that told of wicked ideas. "You will be my first today little lady." He hissed as the B Liger's claws began to glow. The B Ligers claws severed through the weapons on the GunSnipers left side, than the right. Then, the pilot placed his Strike Laser Claw deep into the GunSnipers chest, exposing the heart of the Zoid. "No hesitation." The pilot said, not once taking his eyes off Leena. "A kill is at hand. You must prepare yourself." As the B Ligers claw rose to strike a fatal blow to Leenas cockpit, another voice was heard to both of them. "GET THE HECK OFF OF HER, YOU GODDAMN BASTARD!!!" Bit's Liger rammed into the B liger, forcing it off the GunSniper, and in doing so, got itself caught in an intense battle that put the fight Bit and Leon had long ago to shame. Jager grabbed the B Ligers neck with its teeth and twisted the Zoid to the ground. The B Liger countered by pushing its claws against Jagers jaw and shoved the Zoid away. Both recovered and got to their feet, ready to pounce again. The B Liger shot forward, swiping its claws across the Jagers head, slashing the blue armor off on Jagers upper jaw. The B Liger followed up with the same attack from the other claws, this time, striking the canopy of the cockpit. Bit was thrown against the restraint harness like a rag doll. the steel harness against his chest drove inward, pinning against his lungs. "Erk..." Bit wheezes as he felt a surge of pain shoot through his nerves. Jager jumped and drove down onto the B Ligers back and bite into it like a starving creature. The B liger swung again and struck the Jagers head once again and this time, Bit's head struck the consol of the cockpit. A small trickle of blood ran down the side of his face as his body went limp. *Bit...?* Liger growled, only to get no reply. While Jager was distracted, the B Liger pounced onto Jagers back this time. It's jaws clamped down upon one of the ion boosters as it pinned the Jager to its side. *BIT!* Angered at the B Liger for causing Bit to go unconscious, the Jager activated its ion boosters at their full capacity. White-hot plasma engulfed the head of the B Liger, contracting the cockpit ,burning the unknown pilot inside, and killing the Zoid on it's feet. "Battle over! Battle over! The winner is... The Blitz Team!" "Bit?" Leena called though her communicator. However, all she got was static. "Bit? Jamie, what's going on?" "Brad's ok, but Bit's hurt." "WHAT?!?" "And it looks pretty bad." TO BE CONTINUED ----------------------------- So? what did ya think? I'm sure none of you expected how the battle would result. I know it was bit of a shock, but don't worry, I haven't reached the end of this fic yet. I know what I plan next chapter so keep an eye out for updates soon. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 4. It Was The Worst of Times I'm Back! Did ya miss me? I'm just kidding ^_^. Anyway, I'll bet you all are just itching to know how Bit's doing. Well, let's find out shall we...? Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. I only own the idea of this fic and any made-up characters I add to the story. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking (A/N...) Authors Note. --------------------------------- Chapter 4- It Was The Worst Of Times... The Blitz Team won the toughest battle they have ever fought. But it was a hallow victory. Three zoids waited in the hanger of the Hover Cargo. The Shadow Fox had to be held up by cables and steel beams. It's front half completely removed from its rear half. The GunSniper had lost all of its customized weapons and most of the armor over the zoids heart. The Liger was the least damaged of the three. It only had minor dents, scratches and a few shell burns. The Jager armor, however, would have to be replaced. But there is still one more injury that money can not recover. In a medical bed, in Intensive Care, Bit Cloud laid unconscious. He became so when he fought with his Ligers evil twin, a Black Liger from the Marrick Team. But what really hurt the Blitz Team was the fact that Bit risked his life to save Leena's. A sacrifice no one thought he'd make. To the rest of the crew, Bit and Leena argued like worst enemies, but even in critical times of battle, Bit put himself on the line to save her from death. Beside him, sitting at his bedside, Leena was silent. She had doubts in her mind that maybe she caused Bit's injury, maybe even his death. All the medical tests have shown that Bit was hanging over the edge and if he survived, he would be considered as 'the luckiest damn zoid pilot on the planet'. She would live with regret if she didn't apologize to him. Not just for getting him into this situation, but for all the times she teased and insulted him. She began to understand that though he was sometimes arrogant, he was so only in zoid battles and not to the Team when they were resting and/or relaxing. She also began to realize that not once had he attacked her with an insult, that he was also sometimes kind and in a way... charming. "Bit...?" She whispered. Only silence was her answer. "I hope you can hear me..." Other than her voice, all she heard was the beeping of the computers that measured his condition. "I'm... I'm... I'm sorry..." Tears began to swell in her eyes and though she tried to hold them back, they proved to be stronger than her will. Emotions flooded through her like a train and she finally broke down. Crying, she thrusts her head between her arms on the side of Bit's bed, praying to whatever God will listen to let this man live... Back in the hanger, Brad stands next to Doc and Jamie as they look over the damaged of his severed zoid. Flashbacks of the previous battle ran over and over in his mind. How could the Black Liger attack him when it was completely blinded by the smoke? It doesn't make sense. It was like the smoke wasn't even there for him. Unless he had x-ray vision or infrared, there was NO way he could've seen me. "Well, Jamie? What's the verdict?" Brad asked, getting annoyed with waiting for the little man. "With the money we won, I can get the Shadow Fox back together and get it mobile..." "Good." "But the problem is, we don't have enough to fully repair it. And the combat system is completely shot. I can get it working, but it won't be able to fight for awhile." "DAMN IT!" Brad cursed, striking his fist against the steel floor. "The good news is we can get Leena's GunSniper refitted, and maybe get the replacement parts for Ligers Jager armor, but after that, we'll be broke again." "Is that the best you can do Jamie?" Doc asked as Jamie walked around the components of the Shadow Fox. "Sorry Doc, but that's the best we can do without putting ourselves in debt again. Everything else I could think of would either put us in the poor house, or leave us with two non-functioning zoids. If we repair the Liger and GunSniper, we'll have two functioning zoids to win more money until we can fully repair the Shadow Fox." "What about your Raynos?" Brad asked suddenly. At the very mention of his Raynos, Jamie went white. "NO! I will NOT lend my Raynos out again! Not after what Bit did to it last time! And NO, I will NOT sell it!" "I'm not suggesting you should," Brad insisted "I was only suggesting that until my zoid is ready, that you should take my place in any battles when have." "M-M-M-ME???" Apparently, Jamie was frightened at the idea of him fighting in the next battle. He couldn't remember the last time he fought with his Raynos and now that they're in Class S, the opponents will be much harder to fight for him. But this might be a sacrifice that had to be made. Later that night, darkness crept into the hanger like a predator. None of the zoids would mind, but it was eerie to them though. *I'm sorry for Bit Cloud.* The GunSniper growled to Liger, who was not too far away. (A/N. I've decided that Liger shouldn't be the only zoid able to speak, so I gave voices to all the zoids.) *He was a great pilot.* *I appreciate your pity GunSniper, but Bit will return to me.* *Leena told me she is afraid for him. I believe my pilot likes Bit.* *Leena isn't bad for a human, and neither is Bit. I heard him tell me that he couldn't stop thinking about her once.* *Does that mean Bit Cloud has affections for Leena?* *I do not know. But the way I've seen her lately, she cares for his well being.* *Just like we care for the well being of our friends.* GunSniper turned its head slightly to see the non-functioning Shadow Fox. *I hope they can repair him.* *Jamie said they'll do all they can. They could use whatever prize money we win to get whatever parts they need. So, until Shadow Fox is back on it's feet, I suggest we fight even harder to win. * *Agreed* Agreeing on the idea, both zoids fell silent in the darkness of the hanger. Both of them dreaming of their pilots and how they shall win whatever matches they come against. TO BE CONTINUED ----------------------------------- Sorry if it was kinda short, but I liked how it stopped there. Hopefully I'll get chapter 5 ready for you in a day or two. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 5. From the Brink This Chapter will mostly take place in the sub-conscious of Bit's mind as his body fights for life. This is just to summarize several questions that may have risen from the previous chapters. Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. I only own the idea of this fic and any made-up characters I decide to add to the story. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking (A/N...) Authors Note ---------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5- From the Brink (A/N: Bit's dream sequence) "Why do you fight, Bit Cloud?" The voice asked in the darkness. A powerful voice that could be both ancient and evil "You were happier as a parts dealer. Why do you pilot the Liger Zero?" "Because it was my dream to have a partner." Bit said to the darkness that was all around him. He couldn't recall how he got here or what happened after the Black Liger struck his zoid in the cockpit. Was he dead? Was all this nothingness part of life after death? No, it couldn't be. If he were dead, wouldn't he have been floating above his body, looking down upon it? "Dreams... Will... Instinct... Actions... All reflect one another. There is little difference between them. I will ask again. Why do you pilot a zoid?" "For the final time, it was my dream to be a zoid warrior." Bit said again, getting annoyed with whoever spoke to him. "Why not come out of hiding? If you're going to insult me than why not do it in my face?! Everyone else does." "That may be, Bit, but I'm not like everyone else. You see, though I may only be part of your sub-conscious mind, I can still take it upon myself to know what the truth is. And right now, you say you dreamed of piloting a zoid. But that is a lie. Until you met the Blitz Team, you were a nobody. If you died, no one would remember you. You would've been forgotten. A flicker of the bond fire." "What's with the riddles now?" Out of the darkness, a cloaked figure appeared in Bit's sight, it's hood shadowing the figures face from appearing. "Redeemer and Destroyer. Pawn and Messiah. You may as well be known as one of them." Bit took a step to the solitary figure that stood there, yet even as he took the step, Bit was still feet away from this person. "Speak in english man! I already have a headache." "A simple injury. One that is nothing compared to what you suffer from now. Do you recall the fight you had with the Black Liger?" "I do. What of it?" "Think boy. Did you see the face of the pilot before he died? Did you not recognize him? Or how his Liger fought?" "I knew nothing of that person." "That is correct Bit. You knew NOTHING. And in life itself, you still know NOTHING." Bit swung his fist at the character, however, his fist hit nothing as the person suddenly vanished from sight. "Much has changed you Bit." He said from the darkness again, leaving Bit to search for him. "I'm the same as I've always been!" "Really? Then what of the girl Leena? Do not tell me she has not changed you." "What are you talking about?" "I know you think of her. I know how you see her. You want her. Simply by being with her, she has changed your perspective of her. Remember when you first piloted the Liger into battle against the Tigers Team? Who was the person you protected? Leena. When Harry Champ first challenged you, what were you two fighting over for? Leena. And in your last battle, who did you save? Leena. Do not think me a fool and don't make yourself one as well. If you think well enough, you will discover that I'm right!" "Just who the Hell are you to tell me such things!?" "A simple reflection of yourself, Bit. Simply put, you are looking in a mirror, and I'm the voice from the world beyond the glass." "Stop tap-dancing around the issue and tell me straight! RIGHT NOW!!" Bit got no reply, except for his echo answering back. (A/N End Bit's Dream sequence) Jamie had just finished refitting Leena's GunSniper with the customized weapons she once had. It took him over a day to do it, but he was proud of the result, as was Leena. She watched him with everything he did to her zoid. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, she just gets paranoid when her zoid is being repaired without her there to oversee the process. Besides, she thought it best to do something other than cry by Bit's side all the time. She wasn't cold-hearted, but it's difficult t cry when your eyes are ruby red and sore. Jamie, Doc, even Brad noticed she's been having a tough time cooping with Bit and his injuries. She did feel responsible after all. Meanwhile back in the control room of the Hover Cargo, Doc Tauros was speaking to the image of his son Leon on the viewscreen. "Is everyone doing alright?" Leon asked when Doc Tauros told his son what took place after the battle with the Marrick Team. "Well, Brad's doing okay. His injuries were only a few bruises, nothing serious, and Leena wasn't harmed..." "I meant how is the moral Dad?" "Terrible. Leenas been so withdrawn since the fight. I think she blames herself for what happened." "Bit did just save her life Dad. I would be withdrawn too if he did that for me." "But it seems deeper than that, like she feels it's her fault for Bit being in Critical." "I wouldn't worry. Leena will be back to her normal self in a day or two." "I hope so son. I hope so." The computer beside Bits bed beeped continuously as it measured his vital signs. The screen showed his breathing ratio, his heart rate, body temperature and brain activity. For a split second, his brain had stopped functioning as though he had gone into a coma, only to come back again. His breathing began to grow rigid, as though he tried to force air between his lips. For a brief moment, his fingers twitched and movement was seen. Pain awoken as surges of electricity shot through every nerve of his body, twitching his eyelids until they slowly opened. TO BE CONTINUED -------------------------------- Well? Comments anyone? You didn't think I'd let Bit die did you? He may be coming back to reality, but he's still got a ways to go before he'll pilot Liger again. Stay tuned. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 6. The Great Depression I have nothing new to say today unfortunately. Sorry. =( Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. I only own the idea for this fic and any made-up characters I decide to add. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking (A/N...) Authors Note --------------------------------- Chapter 6- The Great Depression The morning came as usual, and again, the crew awakens, and for the past week, they wake p without the presence of Bit nearby. He still laid in the medical bed with the computers still attached to his body. Last night, he opened his eyes for the first time since the harsh battle, and yet, he still felt exhausted. Moving his head alone tired him out. Here I am again... Same room... same shit... Bit thought as depression of being in this bed wore him down to a level he has never been in years. At the same time, someone else was in such depression; Leena strolled around the base like a mindless zombie. Nothing has been going on for the past week and she was bored. All she could do was wait. The Blitz team still couldn't battle any matches because several parts for the GunSniper had been delayed, and the pilot of the Liger Zero was still in a terrible condition. As for the Shadow Fox, it was pieced together like a puzzle and stood in the hanger, still missing vital components. On occasion, Leena would walk her half-armed Zoid around the base just for something to do. And today, she had just got back from her stroll. "This is getting scary Doc." Jamie told Doctor Tauros when Leena walked right past them without even knowing they were even in existence. "She's been moping like this for awhile." "Well Jamie, all we can do is let her have her time." "For how much longer Doc? It's been a week now." "She'll come around. She did the same thing when her mother past away." "That may be Doc, but it's because of Bit she's like this. And Leena doesn't care for Bit that much..." "I think you're wrong Jamie. I've seen her go to Bit's bedside late at night a few times. Every time she goes in, she's in tears. I think we should let it be." "If you say so Doc..." Jamie agreed, but deep down, he wasn't sure... Leena hardly noticed Jamie or her father as she passed them in the hall. She didn't acknowledge them because she wasn't in the mood to talk to them. And she hasn't seen Brad anywhere today. Perhaps he left to see Naomi? It would be just like him to go run off to his girlfriend. She began to envy those two. Brad went to Naomi, but when will Bit ever come to her? Thoughts continued throughout her mind until the base's doorbell rang. Who'd be here? Leena asked. Perhaps it was the delivery guy come to deliver the rest of her GunSnipers parts? Suddenly, the very thought of something new broke her free from her zombie-like state. Giving a cry of joy for something, she rushed to the main gates to greet the person there. As she opened the door, her good mood was suddenly shattered! "Leena, Darling!" Harry Champ said as he presented to her a bouquet of flowers. "Hello Harry. what do you want?" Leena asked, rather annoyed with his presence. Harry practically shoved the flowers into her and on reflex, she took hold of them. "Leena, my love, I've come to see how you are doing. Jamie told me all about the horrifying experience you had at the hands of the bastard Bit, and I've come to protect you." "At Bit's Hands???" She said, not quite understanding what Harry was saying "Yes, I was told how the Liger attacked you and nearly killed you. Dear, sweet Leena, I shall rid this monster from your sight!" Leena almost felt embarrassed to be seen with this man as he poses for her. "Harry, Bit was the one who SAVED me. Bit isn't the only one with a Liger you know." Harry's eyes doubled as he realized what Leena just told him. Could he actually believe his ears? That poor excuse for a Zoid Pilot actually SAVED his sweet Leena? It couldn't be... "Leena, my dearest, Bit is but a simple grunt. Unfit to even look upon such beauty that you posses. How can what you say be true?" "Are you calling me a liar?! Whether you like it or not Harry, Bit saved my life by risking his own." Then, she suddenly slapped her hand across his face "And how DARE you insult him while he's unable to defend himself?! Because of what happened out there, I may have been responsible for his death! So don't you even DARE speak of him like that again." "But Leena... I..." Harry whined as he caresses the red swelling under his eye. Without another word, Leena threw the bouquet of flowers aside and slammed the door at Harry's face. That egotistical JERK!!! The nerve he has for coming here and claiming I'm his property. I do NOT like him, damn it! I like Bit! She stopped suddenly. Did she just confess herself to her true feelings? Her cheeks flushed red under the heated blood that rushed through her. She realized that since the beginning, she always did feel something for Bit, and until now, she always denied it, but no more. "And how are you feeling today Bit?" The Doc asked as he came into the room and saw Bit staring straight up. "Dunno." Bit said simply. "Well, at least you're no longer in a coma. We've all been worried for you Bit." "No you haven't." Bit said, sounding like he already convinced himself of the thought. "That's not true Bit. Leena's spent most of her time in this room, praying by your side." Bit said nothing, but it was clear that the Doc's words had some impact. "Until we get the results from your last medical examine, I suppose you're going to stay here." "Well, if I'm going to be here for awhile, I guess now's the time to tell you..." Bit started, almost sounding like he was reading his last will and testament. Only to have his tone suddenly change. "Your ceiling is hideous." Bit smirked. Even though he was still too weak to laugh, he made an effort to. The Doc however, looked at the ceiling to confirm Bit's statement. "I suppose it is. But there's nothing I can do about it." "How about some wallpaper? Or maybe a new paint job?" "You sound like you're getting better already." Doc laughed as he left the room, leaving Bit to mentally visualize how the empty space above him would look with a fresh new coat of paint. TO BE CONTINUED ------------------------------ I though it could use a few laughs, I know I did. What'd ya'll think? Well, that's it for now, I'll get chapter 7 ready in a few days. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 7. Fulfillment in Rapture WARNING!!! This chapter contains lemon text. (i.e. Scenes of sexual contents) Please read at your own risk, and do NOT blame me if you find it disturbing. You have been warned. By the way: Does anyone remember the name of the scorpion Zoid? I used to know but I forgot. If any of you know, please tell me in a review. Thank you very much. Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. I only own the idea of this fic and any made-up characters I decide to add. "..." Speech, ... Thought, *...* Zoid speaking, (A/N...) Authors Note ---------------------------- Chapter 7- Fulfillment in Rapture Bit placed his hand on the wall as he slowly made his way down the hall. This was his first time on his feet for many days, yet to him, it felt like a year had past. His legs strained under his own weight as well as whatever pounds the bandages around his chest and head added. The medical tests proved that he suffered from a minor coma, a minor concussion, a skull fracture and several cracked ribs. He was considered lucky that his ribs hadn't punctured his lungs. If they had, it would have been just a matter of time until he could no longer breath, and he would literally suffocate. But instead, he had to deal with the pain of throbbing bruises and the occasional shape pain from inhaling air. Yet, the pain didn't stop him. He was a warrior and he convinced himself that only death could make him stop. His destination was the hanger, where his Zoid would be waiting for him. Of coarse Bit knew he couldn't pilot Liger just yet, which really disappointed him. He'll just have to wait. The hanger was just like it always was, and waiting in it's compartment was Liger, standing there like a mechanical statue, ready to come to life at the slightest chance. "Hey there buddy." Bit said as Liger first noticed him. If it were a puppy or a kitten, it would have leapt at him in sheer joy of seeing him again. *Bit... I've missed you.* "I missed you to buddy. Sorry to keep you waiting." *As long as I can see you again, time doesn't matter to me.* "I'm glad..." Bit winched under another sudden shot of pain from his chest. Liger noticed this and flinched as though ready to catch him if he fell, but Bit stayed on his feet. *You are still injured, Bit.* "Yeah... But I had to check up on you. I thought you were getting lonely." *I appreciate your concern for me Bit. Thank you.* "Sure thing pal. I still can't pilot you just yet. Doc says my injuries will get worse if I do." *I understand* Liger growled, sounding disappointed. "I'll come back again later. Now I've got to see the others." Bit waved good-bye to Liger and slowly went to the exit. However, something stopped him. He looked back and saw the Shadow Fox. Much of it was put back together, however, components in the center torso were still exposed. "A dead Zoid rise..." Bit said almost in a trance as deja-vu struck him. Shaking his head, he leaves the hanger. Leena had just turned the corner to enter the hall that'll take her to the medical center. Instead of finding Bit in the bed, she found him walking just past the door on his way to where she just came from. "BIT!!!" Leena screamed in delight upon seeing him walking on his own. Overjoyed at this, she couldn't contain herself and she ran at him, arms spreaded wide. Bit recognized what she was about to do and shuttered at what that meant... He'll have to prepare himself for more pain. Leena nearly jumped at him as she wraps her arms tightly around his neck and spun around him until she came to rest against him, laughing as she did so. Bit wasn't so happy to feel his neck get twisted in several directions as well as the pain from his chest that shot up when she pressed against him. "Bit, I'm so glad to see you're alright." She said, now staring at his eyes. "You wouldn't believe how painful it was for me." Or for me right now... Bit thought, but smiled through the throbbing ache he felt from her display of action. "I still haven't thanked you for saving my life." "Aw, it was nothing. Don't mention it." "But Bit, it WAS something, and I want the thank you properly." Properly? What does she mean by that? His answer came to him in the form of Leena forcing her mouth onto his own. Bit's heart jumped and his mind exploded as Leena pressed herself against him, putting pressure against his damaged chest. She forced Bit's mouth opened and he felt her slide her tongue to met his and trace the inside of his mouth. Recovering form the shock of Leenas sudden action, he willed himself to answer her call. Her kiss was savage, she was like a beast feeding off the passion she felt for him. After a few minutes she drew back with a smile of contentment across her lips. "Bit Cloud, I want you to met me in my room tonight, and I will see to it that you are properly rewarded for saving me." She press her lower body against his groin to make sure he got the message and walked away with an even sinister smile, leaving Bit to stand there, gawking at what just happened. He wasn't sure if he should be glad, or scared out of his mind Please... Oh God in Holy Heaven... tell me that I'm only dreaming... Please... tell me this is just a dream... Unfortunately, the pain in his chest was far too real for this to be an illusion. Brad stood behind Jamie as he went over the data of the Shadow Fox. Brad was getting impatient of having to wait for a Zoid, and no one blamed him. A Zoid warrior without a Zoid can be a fate worse than death, and Brad was starting to realize it. Both Jamie and Doc reassured Brad countless times that they'll get whatever parts needed the get the Shadow Fox battle ready. "Well, Jamie, how's the budget?" "Not good Brad. We're still short by a couple hundred. If we could win a few easy matches, I could get the Shadow Fox up to half its combat effectiveness. But until a team of two or less challenges us, we're up a creek." "Good news!" Doc said, suddenly appearing from the other room with papers in his hands. "The Battle Commission just gave us our next battle." "It'll only be good if it's a fight we can win, Doc." Jamie said from his chair. Of coarse, the Doc didn't even change in expression. "The team we're against is the Lone Cat team. It says here there's only one member and the Zoid is an Atak Kat." "Finally, something that actually IS good news." Brad said, liking the news. Jamie, however, wasn't impressed. He was actually confused. "But Doc, a single Atak Kat isn't exactly Class S material. How'd this single person get this far?" "I never said he was Class S. He's in Class C." "Class C?!?" Both Brad and Jamie said in unison, not believing their ears. "What's someone so low on the ladder doing challenging us? He must know he'll get his ass kicked in." "He must've heard about our Zoid problems and thought we're desperate." "I hate to break this to you Doc, but we ARE desperate." Jamie cut in. Still Doc didn't weaver from his cheery mood. "Well, an easy battle means easy money. I'll go get Leena ready." Against a single Atak Kat, even Jamie could fight. He almost spoke up and volunteered for the chance to fight, however, this was a critical match and Leena had more experience, therefore she would have the best chance of winning if the Atak Kat turned out to be much stronger than they thought. The battle began in the usual manner of the Judge crossing his arms. Leena's GunSniper, freshly refitted with all it's weapons, erupted with a blast of deadly fire against it's lone opponent. The lone Atak Kat had little chance of surviving under the extreme firepower Leena provided. "Take that!" Leena laughed victoriously as smoke engulfed the single warrior. Yet, despite all the punishment received, the Atak Kat was still on its feet. "How the hell...?" Then her GunSniper was thrown back as the twin blasters on the Atak Kats back fired in rapid bursts. "I've added re-enforced armor to this little Zoid." The voice of the Atak Kat's pilot said. "Just try another assault. I dare you." "You asked for it!" Leena replied as she lined up her cross hairs over the Zoid. Once locked- on, she grinned. "What a score! WEASEL UNIT TOTAL ASSAULT!!!" The GunSniper became a glowing machine of death as all it's firepower was brought to bare, not even the cocky pilot could have enough armor for his Zoid to withstand this attack. And this time, her results proved true as the various parts from the Atak Kat littered the battlefield. "Battle over! Battle over! The Winner is... the Blitz Team!" The Judge announced. Normally Leena would laugh victorious and strut around about how she and her team won, but not this time. It was too easy of a battle to hurt the Atak Kat's pilot's pride anymore than it already is. He already embarrassed himself by going up against a stronger team by himself. The idiot... Why did the Doc accept a match that would hurt the team's reputation. Now people will begin to think that the Blitz Team are cowardly by going after prey that would never have a fighting chance. Later that night, Jamie uses the prize money the order the remaining parts to get the Shadow Fox back into commission. He was the only one currently up while the others have gone off the bed... or so he thought... In Leena's room, Bit had obeyed what Leena had asked of him, he met with her. He knocked once to make sure she was either there or awake. Much to his uneasiness, Leena was there and she was waiting for him. "Bout time." She smirked as she grabs his arm and yanks him inside before locking the room behind him. Bit wasn't quite so comfortable with what Leena had in mind for the evening, and decided now was the best time to tell her that. "Umm... Leena?" "Yes Bit?" She asked, staring into his eyes with a look that shattered his defenses. "I... I... just want to say..." "Yes?" "Are you sure you want to do this?" Leena backed away, glancing to the ground "I must confess something Bit. It wasn't because you saved my life that I feel closer to you, but because you were always there for me. From the beginning, I knew I was going to grow affections for you, but I always tried to hide it. But no more! Let the world know if they want! I don't give a damn!" At that, she suddenly jumped at him, once again forcing her lips to his in another full kiss. Keeping their lips locked, Leena gently guided Bit to the bed waiting behind him and when the back of his knees hit the side of the mattress, he fell with Leena still connected to him. Without a word, Leenas hands glided across his bandaged chest and continued downward until her hands reached the bulge forming in his pants. She broke the kiss and gave him a pleading look in her eyes. "Bit... I love you. I want to prove it. Please let me..." Bit laid beneath her like a helpless babe. He saw her eyes. Those violet, pleading eyes. How could he resist those eyes. This person above him cared for him, and she showed that to him. Could he do the same for her finally? "Yes... but only if you'll allow me to do the same." She smiled at his response and gave in to another deep kiss. Bits arms wrapped around her waist as her hands began to undo his pants. With one swift yank, she removed his pants and boxers to the ground, completely exposing his member. Her soft hand caressed it in such a way that he felt he was going to black out at anytime. Almost greedily, she took it and began to stroke him, enjoying the silk-like feel it had. Using her other hand, she remover the slightly soaked panties from herself. She drew back suddenly with a serious expression on her face. One that Bit found uncomforting. "Leena? Did I hurt you?" She shook her head 'no' "I love you Bit." She repeated as she position herself above his manhood. On instinct, she lowered herself. As it penetrated her, she let a small whimper escape her lips as Bit took her virginity. First, Bit felt a shock flow through him as Leena put him into her. Bolts of energy send wave after wave of please throughout his nerves. Without rational though, Bit thrusted upward, bringing Leena into a more excited state, something she would've thought impossible. She gasped as she was suddenly filled completely by Bit. In rhythmic response, they continued they're love-making to the point it was a new world for them both. And as Bit pulled himself upward, he would bring with him the full tide of sensation. A flood of emotion and feeling swept through her entire being with potential aim. She felt herself come to the very brink of the fascinating crevice of earthly pleasures she had all but walked off of over the past minutes. With a strong gap born of raw sensuality, she was thrown from the very brink. "Oh shit... Bit..." She groaned in ecstasy as she went off with all the intensity of a raging storm. She pulled Bit as far as she could into herself, trying to keep the orgasmic experience from ebbing. Painful, yet pleasurable sensations filled his being with radiance as he too spent himself inside of the woman he loved. His breathing became ragged as he came to a conclusion, only seconds after he felt Leena herself calm. Rapture was reached and both felt complete. "I love you Bit..." "I love you Leena..." They both whispered to each other just before exhaustion claimed them both. TO BE CONTINUED ------------------------------- Well, some of you out there knew it was going to happen didn't you? If not, you weren't paying attention to the clues both of them had given out. Anyway, I still would like to hear what you thought. And don't worry, I've got more chapters in mind. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 8. To See These Dead Men Rise I have changed the summery of my story because Bit is now facing a new obstacle. Seeing dead men and Zoids come to life and challenge him. Spooky eh? Anyway... Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zoids or its characters. I only own the idea for this fic and any made-up characters I decide to add. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid speaking (A/N...) Authors Note ----------------------------- Chapter 8- ...To See These Dead Men Rise. (A/N Begin Bit's Dream sequence.) Bit was alone. The darkness was all around him as it had been once before. His mind told him to expect to see that mysterious cloaked figure again, and he wasn't disappointed when the person slowly approached him from the darkness of the void. Still he kept his face hidden under the unnatural shadow that was cast about him. "What do you want now old man?" Bit asked rather annoyed with having to be summoned to this figure again. Even though it was just a dream, Bit felt unknown energy flow from this figure. "Bit Cloud, I grow tired of your selfishness." "What?! Of all the things I am, selfish is NOT one of them." "Believe what you want Bit. But it is wrong. You were selfish when you stole my kill away." Now, he pointed a finger at Bit, a finger that looked disfigured. It's skin was charred and black, the flesh was burned and scorched. To this, Bit stepped back, finally realizing what the man said. "I stole your kill? What are you talking about man? I don't remember killing anyone." "You did kill Bit. You killed ME!!!" To prove his point the figure threw his hood back, exposing the face beneath. Like the hand, his face was melted in such a disgusting form. Only the right side of his face remained untouched, it was the face of a man not much older than Bit himself. In the remains of his black hair, Bit noticed green streaks, and on his right ear, hung four links of chain as an earring. The left side of his face however, was burnt to the underlying bone. His eye was missing and muscles were no longer there. The left side of his jaw exposed decayed teeth and veins down his neck. He was disgusting. "What the fuck..." "I had that pilot ready to die, but you intervened! I am a holy man Bit! and to kill for God is my sole purpose, but now look at me Bit! Look what you have done to me!" "I remember you! You were the Liger pilot of the Marrick Team. What happened to you?" "You insult me by asking that question! You know damn well what you did to both me and my Zoid!" "No I don't! I swear to God himself I don't know!" "Fine, I'll humor you. After you pushed me off the GunSniper, I counter- attacked you. You and I exchanged blows until I knocked you to your side, while you were distracted, my anger at you got the best of me and blinded my actions. I had my Liger clamp down upon your thrusters. Not once had I consider you using them with my cockpit so close to the exhaustion port." Again he shoved a charred finger at Bit "I will have your head on a pike Bit Cloud, for the humiliation and the cost you've given me!" "Don't speak empty threats, unless you want me to kill you !" "You've killed me once Bit. Behold the result. Now that I'm but an illusion in your mind, I have no more to fear from you. And that means I have nothing to lose, which in turn, makes me far more dangerous." And like a specter, the nameless pilot vanished before Bit's eyes, making him shiver at his last words. (A/N End Dream Sequence.) Bit woke up in a cold sweat. The illusion was frightening. Why did he keep seeing dead things come back to life? Before the battle with the Marrick Team, he saw Zoids that were little more than scrap, rise from the junk piles of their graves and walk again, like the Shadow Fox that waited in the hanger. Now it was the pilot of the Black Liger. Why was he having these nightmares? He looked to his side and found Leena still asleep. The morning light shone down upon her, giving her face an angelic look. Did he really make love to her last night despite all the pain he's suffered? Bit said nothing, but smiled. He was happy being around her, even if he didn't show it at times. And something told him she felt the same way. Silently, Bit left her bed and retrieved his pants that laid on the floor. Not wanting to wake her up, or have someone find him in her room, Bit quickly secured his pants and crept to his room. Hours later, Doc was going over another batch of information the Battle Commission sent him while the rest of the crew ate lunch. He wasn't expecting the name of the Team that challenged them. "Marrick? Didn't we fight them already?" Not sure of his thoughts, Doc returned to the data before him. At first his look was gloom, a re-match was called by the team and they wanted to get revenge, but what made Doc decide was the amount of the prize money for this match should the Blitz Team win. It was twice the amount of how much the Hover Cargo itself would cost. Doc's eyes lit up with gleam at the sum that read in front of him. That much money was enough to, not only fully repair the Shadow Fox, but get them several new Zoids off the market as well. If the amount of prize money was bait, Doc would take it without even considering the consequences. "Hey everybody!" Doc said overjoyed as he joined the others in the kitchen, waving the papers around in his hands. "We got excellent news. The prize money on this next match alone can repair the Shadow Fox, pay off all our debts and still give us enough to live like royalty!" "No kidding?" Leena asked, looking rather interested in the news. Both Brad and Jamie were surprised to hear the news and they looked at Doc with expressions begging him to continue on. Bit on the other hand, wasn't even moved. "It's probably against Harry Champ. He's the only one I know with that kind of money." Bit said unenthusiastically. "Nope, it's a re-match against the Marricks." The coffee in Brads mouth suddenly spewed out, Leena's plate was dropped, Jamie nearly choked on a piece of fish, and Bit became as frozen as a dead statue. "WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!" The four said in complete unison. "I said it's a re-match..." "We heard you the first time Dad." Leena cut in, then turned to the others, looking confused. The other three were just as clueless as she was. "The Marrick Team? Why do they want a re-match. We already beat them once." "And killed their star Zoid pilot." Brad added, looking at Bit. Bit only sat there, spoon in hand completely frozen. If he were breathing, he disguised it perfectly from the others. This brought some concern to Leena. She leaned over to him and put her hand on Bit's "Bit...? You okay?" "Huh?" Bit broke from his trance and began to receive color back into his face. "What Leena?" "Are you feeling well? You look like you've seen a ghost." "Not yet Leena. Not yet..." TO BE CONTINUED ------------------------------- Well? Questions? Comments? It's got quite some suspense to it doesn't it. Well, I would leave you waiting too long. Expect Chapter 9 soon. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 9. A Dead Stalker I have nothing new to say this time. Sorry =( By the way. Does anyone know the name of the scorpion Zoid? I used to, but I can't remember. If you know, Please tell me in a review. Thank you. Disclaimer. I do NOT own Zoids. I only own the idea for this fic and any made-up characters I decide to add. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid Speaking (A/N...) Authors Notes ---------------------------------- Chapter 9- A Dead Stalker Bit stared out the window as the Hover Cargo sped off to its next destination, a small forest area where the next battle will be held. The upcoming battle didn't bother Bit, only the thought of WHOM they're going to battle. The Marrick Team. Once before, the Marrick Team slaughtered two of the Blitz teams Zoids and nearly killed a Zoid Warrior. Leena was the target; but that changed when Bit saved her life, now HE'S the target, that much was certain to him. How can one comprehend the concept of walking into his own death willingly? The wounds on Bit's chest were still a long way off from fully recovering, he may have to go back into the Medical Center if he lived after the battle, just to get his ribs back into their rightful position. He sighed. Will that nameless, mutilated man be there waiting for him? If so, what Zoid will he be using as the tool for Bit's death? Whatever it was, Bit knew he was going to die a horribly fate if he dies today. But at least he won't give the man the satisfaction of an easy kill. Leena stood behind him as he leans on the windowsill, watching the world outside roll by. He was beginning to drift away, even after what the two shared last night. She had done so much to get their relationship where it is, and she suffered too much already. Was he doing this to suffer the blow? No, that wasn't it, it was something else. Something that bothered him. And right now, she intends to find out what. "You alright Bit?" Leena asked suddenly as she wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, pressing herself against his back. He smiled as the gentle touch she had given him, instead of the rough aggression she showed last night. "I'm fine. Just thinking..." "A penny for your thoughts." "Is that all they're worth?" "A nickel maybe?" Bit said nothing but glanced at her, then back to the window. She slid from behind him and now stood beside him, facing the other way as she leaned her back against the glass. "Something's bothering you Bit. And I want to know what. You're starting to distance yourself and I've fought so hard to get a hold on you. Why are you pushing us away?" "I'm not Leena. Trust me. When I said I loved you last night, I meant every word of it. This is something else. It not about you or anyone else but me." "Then tell me. I might be able to help..." "I doubt it." "GODDAMN IT BIT CLOUD!" She shouted, making him turn his head towards at her, he was met with her hand swinging across his face, striking him hard and jerking he head to the side. "Do you honestly think that by keeping to yourself is going to help?!? DO YOU?!? Didn't last night mean ANYTHING to you?!?" Bit caressed the red swelling under his eye. He saw tears swell in her violate eyes. She was hurting. Not so much physical pain, but rather emotional pain. Bit realized how insensitive he had acted towards her, not once considering her feelings. In a manner of apologizing, Bit took Leena into his arms and held her close to himself. The pain in his lungs were only secondary to the pain he felt in Leenas heart. "Forgive me Leena. I'm not going anywhere. I'm just scared, that's all." Leena drew back and looked at his face, trying to read what he meant. "The Marrick team nearly killed you last time Leena. I don't want that to happen again, because I might not make it in time. And I don't want to loose you." "I can't be forced to leave that easily Bit. You of all should know that." "I do, but it's something else as well. The pilot of the Black Liger is back..." "How could he, I saw it myself. The entire cockpit caught on fire, and I didn't see him eject. Unless he's immortal or a ghost, he's gone." The look in Bit's eyes told her that he was certain of what he said. He truly believed that the pilot that nearly killed her was still alive, but whether or not he was immortal or a ghost had yet to be confirmed. And Leena learned to trust him long ago, and she too, believed him. "How...?" Was all Leena asked. Meanwhile, as Jamie prepped his Raynos for battle, Brad stood beneath him, looking up at the young warrior. In all the battles Jamie's been in, this one will be just as difficult, if not worse than the last time they fought the Marricks. "You sure you're up to this Jamie?" "No, but I don't have much choice now do I?" "I suppose not. Don't get creamed out there like I did." "I hope not to." Jamie replied with a shaky voice. He's seen what the Marricks have done to two Zoids, he hopes his Raynos won't end up the same way, but then again, the Raynos was able to fly. Perhaps if he just stayed airborne, he might be the trump card in the whole battle. Just as Brad turned away, Jamie called out again. "Don't worry if we don't win this battle Brad. I'll get your Shadow Fox up and running somehow." Brad only smiled back and walked off. Somehow... Jamie added as he goes over the last of the data in his computer. As the Hover Cargo wailed to a halt, they could see three Zoids waiting for them. Just as before, there was a Lightning Saix, a DarkHorn and a Black Liger. Bit looked at the Zoid with fear. The Zoid nearly killed him, and this re-match was meant for the pilot to finish the job he started. "Well team, let's get out there and WIN! WIN! WIN!" Jesus Doc, try out for a cheerleader class. Bit thought, feeling rather bothered at Doc's enthusiasm. Three Zoids were deployed, an overly armed GunSniper, a Raynos, and a Jager armored Liger. In Ligers Cockpit, Bit felt uncomfortable with the harness over his injury. He even wedged a pillow between himself and the metal straps to help soft the blows he would feel during the battle, but it gave him quite a squeeze. *Are you sure you are well enough for this Bit?* Liger asked. Bit nodded. "Not much choice Liger. That pilot wants ME. And if I don't show up, chances are we'll be disqualified. Besides, Doc seems really interested with that prize money." As the same time, Doc was in his chair, drooling over the paper that told him the amount the prize money will be. "Heh, heh, heh. We're going to be rich. RICH!!" "Cool it Doc." Brad stated as he kept his eyes on the battlefield. The Judge capsule fell again into the center of the battlefield. As it rose from the crater it made, Bit again froze, the way it rose from the ground reminded him of a zombie coming out of it's grave. And it seemed like his thoughts were read when a face appeared on his view screen. The man wore a mask that concealed his entire face. It was painted to resemble the face of the Black Liger he piloted, but underneath it Bit knew who it was. "Hello again, Bit Cloud. Are you ready to die?" "Shut up, I'm not scared of you!" "You're afraid. I can see it." "So what?" "Not feeling so brave now are you? I see you frozen in fear. You can't hide the truth from us spirits Bit." "The only thing I'm afraid of is... YOU'RE GODDAMN UGLY FACE!!" Bit shouted, pointing his finger at the man. "Now shut your preachy mouth before I shove it up your ass! And you better prepare yourself. Cause this time, when I send you to your grave, you're going to STAY there!" "We shall see." "Ready...FIGHT!!!" The Judge announced, crossing his arms again to signify the start of the battle. TO BE CONTINUED --------------------------- What do you think of Bit fighting a dead guy? Can Bit make the dead STAY dead? Or will he be forced to find an undertaker for himself? Tune in Next time for Chapter 10. Coming soon! Sorry, I couldn't resist the chance to sound like a sports caster. Well? Thoughts anyone? I won't keep you waiting long for the next ferocious battle. Stay tuned Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ 10. Gloomy Rage Sorry it's been so long for me to update this story. I've been too busy to get this done all at once. Well, here it goes. By the way. This is the FINAL CHAPTER of 'Bit of Thought' Disclaimer. I do NOT own Zoids or it's characters. I only own the idea of this fic, and any made-up characters I decide to add. "..." Speech ... Thought *...* Zoid Speaking (A/N...) Authors Note. -------------------------------- Chapter 10- Gloomy Rage (A/N, Again, the evil Liger will be called 'B Liger' to avoid confusion) The Zoids charged. Liger Zero Jager and the B Liger faced each other like live long archenemies. Bit piloted the Jager, while the nameless dead man piloted the B Liger. Whatever motivated this risen specter for revenge, it wouldn't let him go. Bit was the target in this battle and nothing could stop the man from killing the pilot of the Blitz Team. Bit snarled as Jagers ion boosters extended and spewed white-hot plasma from its exhaust, making the Zoids speed triple. Both he and his Zoid planed to play 'chicken' with the Black Liger, seeing which one will 'chicken' out of the head-on collision. Knowing Liger Zero most of his career as a Zoid Warrior, his Jager will not turn away. The B Liger was too determined to turn away as well, and the two Ligers clashed head-on, not once considering the damage they'll inflict or receive. With the force only multi-ton machines could, the two Ligers collided and the Jager was thrown aside like a rag doll. "Pathetic!" The nameless pilot of the B Liger spat at Bit. Jager rose only to have the B liger charge its side. Jager rolled along the ground until it's feet were under it. Bit cursed at the harness that pushed against his injured chest. Even with a pillow wedged between himself and the straps, he still felt them dig in. His ribs will have to be relocated after this battle. IF he survived. "Come now Bit Cloud. This is poor showmanship of your abilities. It is insulting how you could kill me the first time." "Kill him the first time...?" Leena asked when she overheard the pilot's voice. "What the fuck are you talking about...?" "Remember me GunSniper?" He then pulled at the links of chain that made his earring, and she cringed. "YOU?!?!?!" "Now behold! My revenge at your lover!" "WHAT?!?!" This time, it was Leenas father, Doctor Tauros to make an outburst. "Leena! What did he mean by that?" "I'll explain later Dad." She cut off communications with the Hover Cargo and turned toward the waiting DarkHorn. The B Liger stood over the Jager as the Zoid regained its feet. The B Liger was gloating over it's opponent. But Bit had a surprise in store. He had fought the B Liger once before, he knew how the pilot thought, but perhaps because he was dead made everything change...? No, It was the same pilot with the same mind. "Catch me if you can, YOU ROTTING CORPSE!!" Even the mask the pilot wore to conceal his zombie face couldn't hide the furious face he now made at Bit's comment. Before he could reply, the Jagers boosters activated again and the Jager was off in the distance. "Fast as fast can be, You'll never catch me!" Bit laughed with a high pitched voice. The B Liger only stood there and made several short growls that made it look like it was laughing. "Go ahead and run." The B Liger waved its head and from the distance, the Lightning Saix suddenly gave chase and was actually catching up to the speeding Jager. "What?" An explosion occurred just in front of Jagers feet and the sudden loss of ground under its feet made the Jager trip and fall. How could that Saix shoot so well? Bit asked as another shot of pain ran up his chest and to his brain. We must've been going over 150 mph The Saix then suddenly stopped and aimed its back mounted cannons towards the fallen Jager. "Say nighty-night." The pilot cursed. Just when the Saix was about to fire, it's side exploded outward, forcing it to fall on its side as well. Bit looked at the Saix, then looked at Jamies Raynos as he made a low fly-by over them. "I'm watching your back Bit. Now take out that Bastard!" Wild Eagle said when his face appeared on Bit's view screen. Bit would have to re-pay the young pilot someday, he promised. "Thanks buddy. Now go help out Leena." Leena was simply standing her ground, blindly firing away at the DarkHorn as the DarkHorn fired right back. It would be a stalemate between these two unless one of them hit the other hard enough. Unfortunately, that has yet happened, "Come on you!" Leena shouted, nearly laughing as her finger continually pulled at the trigger. Missiles left their racks with a high hiss and smoke following them as they swarmed over their target. Chain guns and cannons spewed forth fire and sparks as shells left the barrels. Dust kicked up around the GunSnipers feet as the DarkHorn was lousy at aiming. "Man you can't hit anything!" Leena insulted as she finally started to use her crosshairs. "Maybe you should aim. Like THIS!!! WEASEL UNIT TOTAL ASSAULT!!!" Again, Leena made her GunSniper into an example of total destruction. Others might say 'over-kill', but she would disagree. After the brutal assault of shells and missiles, the DarkHorn again became the victim of Leena's GunSniper. "That'll teach ya!" "Don't get cocky." Jamie said from the air as he made another pass. "We've still got that Liger to worry about." "No sweat. I'll just..." "Didn't Bit make it clear that he wanted to deal with this one by himself?" Jamie asked, reminding her of what Bit said before the battle. At this Leena sighed. Her adrenaline was spiked up and she needed to release it somehow. But not now. I'm all hyped up and there's nothing I can do! She growled in her mind. You better live though this one Bit, because I tend to take my hyper ness out on you. She grinned at the thought of her and Bit alone again. Jager turned to the B Liger as it stood there like an over-confident competitor. Does he truly think he can kill Bit Cloud so easily? Jager charged forward, like a stalking tiger. "I hope you're ready to die a second time, you jackass." "Words, unlike my Strike Laser Claw, have no sting and do little damage Bit Cloud" The B Liger leapt up with its front claws glowing with deadly energy that could only be the Strike Laser Claw. Bit blinked. This was the first time he's seen his own famous attack used AGAINST him. "Watch it Liger." Bit ordered, but being the Ultimate X, Liger had learned to counter attack the Strike Laser Claw. With the help of Leon's Red Blade Liger. The Jager jumped to meet the B Ligers decent, and with it's claw outward, the Jager had punched the B Liger away in mid-air. "Smooth move Liger." *I'm glad you agree.* The B Liger struck the ground hard and rolled until it's side came to a stop at the base of a tree. The B Liger refused to move and it seemed that the command system froze "Are you ready to give up yet?" Bit asked the masked man, who only growled. "Never!" His B Liger jumped to it's feet and charged back "I'LL DRINK YOUR BLOOD BIT CLOUD!!!" He shouted, forcing his B Liger into a full run. The Jager only stood there. Waiting. "Bit! Move out of the way!" Leena's voice said when she realized Bit wasn't going to dodge the B Ligers attack. Bit only smiled "Don't worry about it, I've got it planed out." "You aren't the tactics officer in this team ya'know.!" "I know." Bit laughed as he now timed his attack. Not yet... The B Liger was closing in. Not yet... It's claws began to glow for another Strike Laser Claw. Wait for it... The B Liger jumped with it's claws ready to strike. NOW!! The Jager's boosters come online and shot the Jager under the B Liger as it lands on solid ground. Using excellent maneuverability, the Jager doubled back and ran towards the Marrick Liger with it's own Strike Laser Claw ready! "Do your thing Liger!" Bit cried as the Jagers claws sliced through the B Ligers head, and once again, killing whatever pilot rode in the cockpit. "Battle over! Battle over! The Winner is... The Blitz Team!" The Judge announced. Normally, Bit would cheer at his victory, but instead he only stared at the dead remains of a Liger before him, and what was left of the body the Jager had left when it's Laser Claws burned through him. A fellow warrior in so much rage that it literally brought him back from death. Now may he rest forever. *You are disappointed Bit. Why?* "It's nothing Liger. Let's go home." And they did. END _______________ I know it was a crappy way to end the chapter but I was in a hurry to write this and I may have left some important factors out. But all in all. I think it turned out ok. Until Next Time ^_^ Theo~ End file.

Bit of Thought by Theo236

Zoids

Hello **"Hello"** **Playground school bell rings again. Rain clouds come to play again. Has no one told you she's not breathing? Hello I'm your mind giving you Someone to talk to... Hello** **FLASHBACK** Van and Fiona were walking their son Van Jr., AkA Tyler, to school. "Mommy, Daddy, do I have to go?" Tyler asked, looking at the school. "Yea, 'fraid so buddy," Van said, as he knealt down next to his son. "It'll be okay. What are you afraid of?" Fiona asked. "Nothing, I just don't want Lilli to be alone," Tyler said, in his defence. "Alright, but you still have to go," Van said, slightly pushing Tyler along. "Okay,Okay... I'm going," Tyler said, walking to the doors. "Bye mommy! Bye daddy!" he said, before walking into the school. "Bye Tyler!" Van and Fiona said together. They turned around and began to walk back to their house, when Fiona was suddenly on the ground. "Fiona are you okay?" Van asked, as he picked her off the ground. At that moment the school bell rand. The rain clouds began to let their raindrops fall down. "Fiona... Fiona are you okay?" Van asked, panicing. Van checked if she was breathing. Fiona died in Van's arms without him knowing how. **END FLASHBACK** 'Hello Van. I'm your mind. I'm giving you someone new to talk to.' Van just sat there as he heard the voice in his mind. **If I smile and don't believe Soon I know I'll wake From this dream** "Daddy, are you okay?" Lilli asked Van. He smiled warmly at her. "Yea, I'm fine." Van said, looking at his two children. "What happened to mommy? Why did they put her in the ground today?" Tyler asked, while sitting on the floor. He looked at Van inquisitively. "They put her there so she could go to heaven, because she died," Van said, not believing he actually had to tell them. "She died? Is she ever coming back?" Lilli asked, looking at Van curiously. Van picked her up and set her in his lap. Lilli looked up to his face questioningly. "No, sweetie, she's not coming back," Van said sadly. "She's not... But why?" Lilli asked, beginning to cry, as Tyler did the same. "Don't worry. She's in a better place, watching over us," Van said, soothingly to his children. "Oh.. okay," Lilli and Tyler said in unison. **LATER THAT DAY** Van sat in his bed thinking. 'Maybe soon, I'll wake up from this dream. No...this nightmare,' Van thought as he layed down to go to sleep. **Don't try to fix me, I'm not Broken Hello I'm the lie, living for you. So you can hide. ** **Don't cry** Van sat up in bed to see Moonbay and Irvine in the doorway of his bedroom. "Van... We came to check on you and the kids and..." Moonbay began. "And what?" Van yelled, wanting to know exactly what was happening. "And... Tyler and Lilli are...dead," Irvine said, looking at his feet. "What? No they're not! I just put them to sleep last night!" Van yelled, running to Lilli's room to check on her. What Van saw shocked him. There was Lilli in a pool of blood. With a hole in her little head. He ran to Tyler's room and found him the same way. "No... What happened!" Van asked nobody in particular. "Van, it'll be okay. You can come live with us, if you want," Moonbay said quietly. "I'm not broken you know? So you can stop trying to fix me!" Van yelled as he baegan to cry. "Come on, Moonbay. Let's leave him alone for a while," Irvine said quietly. 'Hello Van. You know I'm the lie living for you. So you can hide as long as you want. Don't cry, Van,' A voice in Van's head said to him. **Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping** **Hello I'm still here** **All that's left of yesterday** "I know I'm not sleeping," Van said to himself. "Although, I wish I was," he said looking down. 'Hello Van. I'm still here. I'll always be here. Too bad for you. I'm all thats left of yesterday,' The voice said sympathetically; and at the same time menacingly. Van grabbed at his hair, finally realizing the truth. Then at that moment, he felt a searing pain in his left side. He fell to the ground, in an eternal sleep. **THE TRUTH** A few days after the Flyheight Family Funeral, a statement was released to the press. "In the span of four days, it is discovered that Van Flyheight committed three murders and then killed himself," the police report said. "On the first day, August 19, 2004, Flyheight allegedly strangled long time friend, wife, and mother to his children. On August 23, 2004, Flyheight committed another heinous crime. He shot his children with his .38 calibre hand gun, in their sleep," the report continued. "On August 24, 2004, the bodies of the children were found by long time friends Moonbay and Irvine Leches. The two never fathomed that their long time friend had killed his own children," it continued. "The two left Flyheight alone for less than an hour. On August 24, 2004, Van Flyheight committed suicide. It is alleged that Flyheight had come to the realization of killing his wife and two children, and decided to take his own life," the report finished. End file.

Hello by Fionasaurus

Zoids

New Years Eve Surprises **Author's Note: Man I love doing these holiday one shots because you find out what new charaters are going to be showing themselves to you in the story.** **Disclaimer: I don't any characters of Zoids just Jason Sisco and Brandy Hunter. So :p Oh and I don't own the song that right belongs to Ana Johnsson and it's called We Are. Enjoy.** "Why are we shopping?" Jack asked leaning on the shopping cart as Brandy was looking on the shelf for something. "Because I'm making something for the New Years eve party tonight a the Blitz team base." she said. "Then why did you drag me along?" he asked as she found what she was looking for and put it in the cart. "Because your getting the alcohol and I mean the strong stuff I'm only allowed to buy beer you can get the whiskey." she said walking down the aisle. "Good reason," he said a shit eating grin on his face as he followed her pushing the cart. **At the Blitz team base: a few hours later:** "Bit came back here with my cookie," Leena yelled chasing after the blonde pilot who had stolen one of her cookies. "I have a feeling I'm going to have a headache before the party even starts," Brad said taking the Christmas lights off that Brandy had put on his zoid as a prank. "Damn Fox how did she keep you still to put these on?" he asked taking another strand off, all he got out of his zoid was a growl bark. He laughed as the Shadow Fox shook his head finally free of the lights on it. "Brad," Naomi called as she walked into the hanger carrying box's. "Could use some help," she said. "Right here babe," he said lowering the lift he was on. "Need a hand?" he asked taking the two biggest boxes from her. "What's in these?" he asked setting them down. "Fireworks." she said sitting the rest down beside the other two boxes. "Jack and Brandy are bringing the alcohol and she said she was making some kind of dip that you like to eat," Naomi said looking over at the lift where there was a pile of Christmas lights. "Finally cleaning up Brandy's prank," she asked him. "Yeah and I'm getting paybacks," he said as the both headed to the lift to finish delighting the Shadow Fox. **Meanwhile at Brandy's base:** "Jack and Jason Sisco out!" Brandy yelled as they kept sneaking into the kitchen to sample the snacks. Brandy turned around a wooden spoon in her hand glaring at the two brothers. "Touch those and you'll have sore knuckles. "She threatened Jason who arched an eyebrow at her. "Damn what crawled up your ass," he said turning around to leave when he was nailed in the back of the head by the spoon. "Oww," he said as Jack laughed at him. She crossed her arms glaring at him. "Your already on my shitl ist from yesterday's prank. Do you want to be moved to the top of it?" she asked with a slight growl. "No ma'am," he said leaving the kitchen. "You know the only reason he's being annoying is because him and Kelly are into it." Jack said dipping a cracker into some kind of dip. "Well we'll fix that tonight. I've got a plan that's bound to fix the troubles between those two," she said a smirk on her face. "Aww shit your playing matchmaker round two," he said looking at her through his bangs. He had discarded his headband and let his hair do what ever it wanted to do, of course Brandy liked it that way now. "Not matchmaker just repair girl," she said bitting into a cracker, that she had dipped into the dip. "So this is the dip your brother likes so much." Jack said dipping another cracker into the dip and ate it. "Yeah Spinach dip," she said sticking another cracker into Jack's mouth when he opened it to say something. **That evening: Blitz team base:** "Bit slow down on that shit," Brad said trying to grab the beer out of Bit's hand. "Don't be such a party pooper Bradley," He slurred as he held onto the bottle. Being called his whole first name he let go of the bottle letting Bit fall on his ass, he glared at the boy and just left him tired of messing with him. "Try to keep him from making a fool of his self and look what happens," he mumbled to his self as he went and sat beside Naomi who handed him a bottle of Jack Daniels. "Hey bro do you still have your guitar." Brandy asked him as she grabbed a handful of chips out of a bowl on the table. "Yeah it's in my room. Why?" he asked his half drunk twin. "Go get it let's do a song bro," she said before finishing off another bottle of Corona. "Okay give me a second I'll be right back," he said getting up and leaving the room to come back carrying a portable amp and a blood red electric guitar. "What song are we doing?" he asked plugging in the guitar. "We Are. You still remember how to play it?" she asked him as he tuned the guitar a little. "Yeah still remember," he said starting the tune. When it got to the part Brandy started to sing. _See the devil on the doorstep now (my oh my) Telling everybody oh just how to live their lives Sliding down the information highway Buying in just like a bunch of fools Time is ticking and we can't go back (my oh my)_ What about the world today What about the place that we call home We've never been so many And we've never been so alone You keep watching from your picket fence You keep talking but it makes no sense You say we're not responsible But we are, we are You wash your hands and come out clean Fail to recognise the enemies within You say we're not responsible But we are, we are, we are, we are One step forward making two steps back (my oh my) Riding piggy on the bad boys back for life Lining up for the grand illusion No answers for no questions asked Lining up for the execution Without knowing why You keep watching from your picket fence You keep talking but it makes no sense You say we're not responsible But we are, we are You wash your hands and come out clean Fail to recognise the enemies within You say we're not responsible But we are, we are, we are, we are It's all about power then By taking control Breaking the will Breathing the soul They suck us dry till there's nothing left My oh my, my oh my What about the world today What about the place that we call home We' ve never been so many And we've never been so alone.... So alone You keep watching from your picket fence You keep talking but it makes no sense You say we're not responsible But we are, we are You wash your hands and come out clean Fail to recognise the enemies within You say we're not responsible But we are, we are, we are, we are It's all about power then (we are) By taking Control (we are) Breaking the will (we are, we are) Breathing the soul (we are) They suck us dry till there's nothing left (we are, we are) My oh my, my oh my We are We are (its all ) We are We are, we are (take control) We are We are It's all about power By taking control. When Brad played the last note Bit's jaw was dropped along with Leon's, Leena's, Jamie's, and Doc's. "Wow that was awesome," Bit said when he was finally able to talk. Jack and Jason came into the room, "Come on the fireworks are setup let's go watch them," Jack said grabbing Brandy and threw her over his shoulder causing her to laugh. They all headed up to the roof to watch the fireworks. They all found their blanket's that they had brought up earlier. Brandy settled herself against Jack's chest as Benjamin and Sebastian started setting off the fireworks. Suddenly they heard a noise and they all got up and walked to the edge of the roof to see that the zoids had come out of the hanger to view the festive bombs. "Hey guys it's nearly midnight," Leon said as he grabbed Chris Tasker and wrapped his arms around her. "10. ..1 HAPPY NEW YEARS," they all cheered and the Whitz Wolf and Shadow Fox each sent a shot up in the air causing everyone to laugh. "Happy New Years baby," Jack said kissing her as there was a hush over the group they all looked over and saw Brad on one knee in front of Naomi a ring box held in his hand. "Naomi Fluegel will you marry me?" he asked her as her hands went to her mouth. "Yes yes yes," she said pulling him to his feet and kissing him long and hard on the lips. Brad slipped the ring on her finger. "Hunter you ruined the surprise," Jack said which got Brandy's attention and she turned back around seeing Jack holding a jewelery box as well. "Will you do the honor of marrying me Brandy Hunter," he asked getting on his knee. "Yes you big goof I'll marry you," she said pulling him to his feet to do the same as Naomi done to Brad. Jack slipped the ring on her finger and they kissed again. _~Finally It took him long enough~ _Whitz Wolf said to Shadow Fox _~Give him credit cousin both the boys did well tonight_~ Shadow Fox told Whitz. _~Will you both shut~ _Leena's Gunsniper hissed. _~The kids did good~ _Jacks Siax said nudging Whitz. _~Yes they did~ _Whitz said slapping out at the Saix. **Author's note: So what did you guys think a surprise huh. Tell me what you thought by reviewing. Have a Happy New Year's Eve and be safe. Phoenix07** End file.

New Years Eve Surprises by Phoenix07

Zoids

bad liger Hi everyone this is my first fanfic so be nice and please review.... I don't own zoids or anything so don't sue or anything...well hope u like it. Ages Bit and Lena: seniors Jamie: sophomore Brad: out of high school Doc: um ...old? Bad liger "Hey guys are you excited about going back to school tomorrow?" asked doc. "So are ya?" snickers brad Jamie, Bit and Lena scowl at them. "Shut up brad, "yelled Lena "just because you don't have to go doesn't mean you can make fun of us. We can still kick your butt." ***************************************************************** "Breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!" yelled Jamie. About 3 seconds later Lena and Bit came tearing into the kitchen. Jamie though 'all those two every think about is either food or zoids' and sighs. "yummmmmm.. Jamie you are such a good cook" "Thanks but hurry up we only have 20 min to get to school and we still have to drive there" "Ok we're done " As they walked though the hanger they all said good-bye to their zoids. They then hoped into the jeep and took off towards the city. On they way, since they did not want to be recognized as the Blitz team people they decided to make up names. Lena became Tina, Bit became Wit, and Jamie became Sammie (A/n their school only uses last names, I know this would never work but just go with it.) When they got to school they parked the car and ran into school. Somehow they all managed to get to class on time When the teachers read the roll call when they came to ..Cloud...Toros ..Hiemeros. . in any class the rest of the class turned to look at either Bit ,Lena or Jamie. They always pretended not to realize what the people were wondering about. ***************************************************************** Back at the base liger was wondering were Bit went. He started to growl and soon doc came in. "roarrrrrr " "What? Liger are you talking to me? Oh wow this is sooo cool" 'growlllllllllll" "No, im sorry but I can't let you out with out a pilot" "GROWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL" "Ok give me a minute to open the door. Don't get violent. goooooooood liger." As soon as the door was open liger ran out and headed towards town. ***************************************************************** By the end of the day all the blitz team members had made friends and no one knew that they were zoid warriors. After the last bell of the day Jamie, Lena and Bit met up to head home. They all introduced their new friends to each other. AS they were leaving Bit asked "hey what's going on over there, in that huge crowd?" everyone shrugged and they all started to head over. As they were pushing their way through they heard "ah"s and "wow"s and "omigod"s. Bit's new friend Zach,who was really tall and could see over the crowd, started to stutter "ooo w-w-w-ow i-i-i-ts a realllllll zoid!" Bit replyed "WHAT? i though zoids were not allowed inside the city because there is not enough room?" "They aren't. Weird, the pilot of this one is not answering to the police and won't show him self." Just then a roar rang out "ROARRRRRRRRRR" Bit yelled "LIGER???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and everyone that heard him turned to look at him but he did not pay attention and started to push through the crowds. When he finally got to the front he just stood their dumbstruck. Their was the liger 0 lounging like it was sun bathing. "LIGER!" Bit shouted at that liger immediately stood up. Bit started to walk over to liger when the police stopped him. "Sorry sir but you can't get any closer. This zoid and his pilot are not cooperating with us and so we don't know what they want or are planning on doing." By now Bit was annoyed "look, officer, im sorry, but right now I have to go AND YELL AT LIGER!" "What?" "Im ligers pilot and he was just worried about me and so he came looking for me. Right partner?" "Growl" " Yup I was right. Now if you don't mind im going to go and explain some things to liger" The confused policeman let Bit pass. "Liger what are you doing here?" "Growl" "I DON"T CARE how worried you get. I HAVE to go to school" Sad sounding "roar" "oooo liger im sorry" "Roar" "sniff" "Really partner. I'm sorry for getting so angry" "Snarl" "WHAT! You have to forgive me!" Liger then went over to the jeep. He then sat down on it and crushed it. All the time not facing Bit. "LIGER HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!!!" "roarhahahahaha" "Liger this is not a laughing matter. You should be ashamed of yourself. " "Roar" "Don't you take that tone with me" "ROAR" " Well I don't care if I DO sound like your mother. You deserve this talk. I have been way too flexible with you. Now go apologize to Lena and Jamie. Ok?" "Roar" "Good" The liger then went over to Lena and Jamie and said something. Since the car was totaled because of him, liger agreed to bring home Bit along with Lena and Jamie. So with that everyone got into the cockpit of liger and liger started to race home. Everyone at school was left staring. ****************************************************************** At dinner that night.... "So how do you guys plan on explaining everything to everybody tomorrow?" asked Brad." I mean I heard liger had a bit of a tantrum today hahahaha" "SHUT UP BRAD!!!!!!' everyone yelled So how did you like it? Please review. I'll accept any review, but helpful reviews are welcomed most. Well I hoped you liked it. bye End file.

bad liger by tipi

Zoids

Partying with Pansies **PLEASE READ BEFORE STORY!!!!!exclamation point!! **Meet Anna and Miranda, two characters in the Zoids world who are pretty much Wolfie and Batty themselves, but with a few minor exaggerations. This is not the first story that we are introduced, but more of a prelude to what you will be probably seeing alot of. Hopefully. Maybe. Parcheesi. ANYWAY, this story was written by, muah, Batty as a Christmas gift for Wolfie. R+R's are totally encouraged. **Warning: This story does contain minute traces of alcohol. Please read responsibly.** * * * A: *sneaks up behind Miranda and throws confetti while blowing a party whistle and dancing around Miranda* M:*continues working by setting boxes on the floor like Anna isnt there* A: *says in a sing song voice* Stop your work, its party time! M: *looks at the ceiling in a contempt manner* I dont feel the need to ask. A: *droops party whistle in mouth* Well, fine, I will then. M:*continues work as previously* A: How would you like to be invited to my party? M: *looks back up in an unphased fashion* Anna, when have I ever accepted one of your party invitations? A: That one time you came to my door dressed as a cop. [[ flashback of Anna opening a door, lights and rave music blaring inside. Miranda is standing in full cop uniform. Anna's face drops and eyes anime tear runs down the side of her head ]] M: That was the only time I have ever, and will ever accept another it doesn't stop you from trying does it? *returns to work* A: *lowers to Miranda's level* What would you do if I told you Karl was going to be there? M: *sounds of breaking glass and stops immediate work as she gets up and stares at Anna* HA! *pokes Anna in the chest* I give you points for even trying that one on me! A: *looks confused but smiles* Why would I even try when Im telling thetruth? M: *narrows eyes and smiles* Even I would be more willing to accept a meager invitation to a party that Karl Schubaltz ever would! A: As a tailor would say, suit yourself. Besides, I already cleared it with head table. *begins walking away with hands in pockets* M: *runs after Anna and stops her* No, you didnt .A: *looks both ways and nods* Yes, I did. M: Anna, I'M *points to chest* part of "head table". A: *slightly pushes Miranda aside by poking finger in chest and smiles* Majority rules, my friend. M: *as Anna begins walking away again, Miranda sighs and looks back at the ceiling. She hurries after Anna* Are you being serious, Anna? This party is mandatory? A: *stops and gets a happy lazy expression* It isn't mandatory, but it would be loads of fun. Besides, I haven't even told you the occasion why I'm throwing a party.. M: *goes white* There...There is an occasion? You actually have a reason? A: *smiles big* Oh yeeeaaa, there's a reason.*begins to walk away* M: *catches Anna by the shoulder with a death grip* What is this occasion? A: *nonchalantly looks back* Will you come? M: *rolls eyes* I have to know what the occasion is first. A:*faces Miranda* Okay, get this *makes hand gestures* The Empire has been having an influx of industrial activity. Seems we are going into another 'industrial revolution' of some sort. A 'boom' in financial aspects and war affairs. Since things seem to be in our favor, we- M:*crosses arms and looks suspicious* How in the world did you find this out? A: I'm getting to that. But anyway, since things are playing out for us, our side of the field is being benefitted. Were getting these new hot off the market zoids. Only those even above us know what kind of potential and capabilities they wield. [[ at the mention of this, Miranda dilated her eyes in interest ]] But good ol' Anna has overheard these zoids might even have the imitation technology inspired by that unadulterated, original power the Globally three helped create. [[ as she finished that, she wrapped her arm around Miranda and squeezed it gently ]] M: *dazed at the immense power she could wield* A: *smiles and pushes up glasses* M: *blinks* Wait, so youre throwing a party because...? A: Oh yea, I forgot! *claps hands* I was walking by the office last week and heard them talking. I just had to eavesdrop. They were talking about this industrial boom and these new Zoids and how the Empire could really make an impact return and recovery. It all sounded wonderful, until they said that since it took so much effort and patience in making these new zoids, that only a select few of our army would receive them. [[ Miranda's heart dropped ]] They wanted to come up with a fair way to distribute the zoids in a fashion were it would be both rewarding and progressive. One half of the room said to battle for them, while the other half said that that wasnt progressive at all. So, that's when I stepped in [[ Miranda's eyes widened ]] and suggested a party. I reasoned it being around Christmas, there would be no need to evenly plot these new zoids, everyone had a fair enough chance to operate and respect them. I think the logic that really got them stirring was that I said they were already the Guylos', why fight over the same food when were all being fed,- M: But how does this justify anythi- A: I'm holding a contest! M: *face palms and grunts* Why didnt you just say that in the first place instead of party? *looks at Anna with a peevish glare feeling mortified* A: Because a party holding a contest is sure to even drag viewers like you around! *playfully nudges Miranda* M: *sighs* So, what kind of contest *waves hands at the mention of the word* is Ms. Convincing having? A: *cups hands together and bites lip* A costume contest! M: *narrows eyes and stares at Anna* A costume contest? A: Mhmm! A contest featuring costumes! But its not for best dressed, its for most originality. Randomness, eccentricity! Whoever wins the vote gets a zoid! M: *looks aside* And how many- A: Five! *opens arms* M: *lifts eyebrows* Five winners for five zoids apiece? They should have just kept the goshdarn things if the number was going to be that minimal! *crosses arms and gets an angry expression* A: So, are we coming? *nudges Miranda continuously while gleaming* M: Yes! Ok! Fine! I'll go! *shoves Anna away gently* It's practically a free zoid anyway if you're giving them out. A: *cups hands again and gleams* Alright, there are a few rules. M: *looks with interest* A: Rule One- Your attire must show some representation of the Empire. Rule two- If you have the same costume as anyone else, you along with the other person will not make it into the finals. So like I saidoriginality counts! The party is not even Christmas themed, so come as whatever you want. A demon, a vampire, a Slim Jim, I dont care! And Rule three and may I add is my favorite and most important rule, Have enough fun to where it makes me ashamed! *hugs Miranda* M: *slightly sets hand on Anna's back and then pries her off* A: *looks at Miranda with a smile and walks off with her* M: Did you come up with these rules? A: Yes, I did, aren't you proud?M: *unenthusiastic voice with a hidden smile* I'm ecstatic. A: Oh yea, Party starts at seven tonight! ~*[[[ Later that evening the following events happened ]]]*~ M: *knocks on the door to the administration lobby* [[ a grinning female dressed in formal Guylos fashion wrapped in bubble wrap answers her knock]] M: I presume this is the party?[[ the bubble wrapped woman bowed and showed Miranda in ]] M: *casually steps in and glances at the lady who let her in* What are you dressed as?[[ the lady shrugs and chuckles, "I'm supposed to be entertainment" she answers ]] M: *chortles* Hey, I hope that lands you in the contest. That's very cute. [[ the woman returns Miranda a comment on her costume. She thanks the lady, dismisses herself with a nod and quickly side steps. Miranda surveyed her surroundings. The room was abnormally large for an administration office.. It may have well been mistaken for a palace. The walls were cream colored and had monumental pillars holding the immense roof. Red and gold carpets that flaunted foreign accents graced the feet of everyone in the room. A marvelous swirling black stair case connected to on either side of railed balcony on the way to the ceiling. Ferns, philodendrons and other office plants snaked from ornamental glistening vases and caught the eye of some exotic looking guests with even more alien stood amidst a conglomerate of guised officials, soldiers and people that appeared to be of higher relevance even through silly masks and capes. She even thought she saw Prozen, with his bangs dyed green and his face painted to look like an insect. She spotted Karl in a near left corner chatting to several other individuals. He swishes a glass of golden liquid and they laugh ]] M: Karl! [[ Karl spins around on heel to attend the address. He excuses his audience and makes his way to Miranda ]] K: *sips his beverage* Hehe, nice costume. *points at Miranda's attire* M: *looks over her own costume* I'm glad you think so. K: *thumps his glass as if to stir it up* Yours is by far the coolest one. I do admit, I like that girl's bubble wrap idea. *he pointed off at the girl* I think you two have a nice chance of winning. M: *crosses arms and begins to wonder about Karl's unnaturally nice attitude* Yea well, not so much for you. You're dressed in your usual uniform with this pink tutu over it. If you didnt have that on, they probably wouldn't have let you in the door. K: *shrugs* Hey, this came up on short notice. I didnt really have time to organize a proper winning ensemble. But who knows, maybe Ill steal the show. *he lets out a small laugh and holds his glass to lips and drinks* M: So, where did you get the tutu on such short notice? *small smiles* K: *gulps and nearly chokes on his golden beverage* Well, its, um- [[ a door on the balcony swings open and all goes silent. A silhouette with a top hat and a cane gradually steps forth into the light. It is Anna in a dark purple over coat, dressed entirely in black underneath, silver chains on her pants and an overlarged black top hat was shadowing her face. In the right light, her makeup could be noticed. She wore pale foundation as obnoxious reds and oranges along with black - some colors of the Empire - adorned her eyes. Glitter was almost everywhere on her. She swings her cane -that has a decent sized silver Guylos dragon sigil as the tip- around as she goes down the stairs, elegantly nodding and smiling to anyone who met her eye. She ceased her movement at the end of the stairs. She tilted her top hat to give everyone a proper observation. ]] A: I am the Mad Chocolatier, the Willy Wonka meets Mad Hatter. The Hostess of this fine gala. I hope you all dressed for occasion *looks around* because there will be five *holds up five fingers* finalists to five new zoids that can be yours. We will all have a democratic resolution to the winners. And before we begin this festive, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas *everyone nodded at this gesture*, and without further adue, *reaches into pockets and pulls out a chocolate bar* I demand that we all *breaks the chocolate bar*have fun. Let the party officially start! *colored lights swing around the room as music plays. Anna bites her candy bar and swivels her hips while balancing on her cane* [[ there is clapping, jubilance, clinking glasses and other noises representing a well developed party ]] K: *lifts eyebrows, spit takes the air and laughs* Some partner you have, Miranda. Some partner indeed. M: *backs away a little out of his golden liquid's range* Yea, Karl. Some partner I have indeed. [[ Miranda's suspicions were confirmed. Karl wasmore than likely a little tipsy. She watches as Anna makes her way through the crowd, dropping random bits of chocolate in people's beverages saying things like, "Here you go", "Chocolate for your tea?" , "Here's you alittle something something" and, Miranda's favorite "Enjoy". Anna finally made it to Miranda's area and looked galvanized ]] A: Miranda! So glad you came! M: *looks aside in what was ironically Karl's direction* I had to.. A: *pokes Miranda with the end of her cane* You didnt HAVE to do anything!M: *sets the cane down* You know this Power Ranger costume can be used for kicking ass too... A: *pokes Miranda again with the cane* Which is exactly why youre coming to the finals with me! M: What? *looks amazed* A: *leans over and wraps an arm around Miranda* See this Miranda? *scans hand around the room* How many other costumes do you see as awesome as ours? M: *follows Anna's hand* I thought the costumes were graded on originality. A: *steps back and leans on cane* Well of course they are. But alot of these people are sticking with the old cliche of costumes. None are really exciting and new. But how many people do you see dress as a collaboration of two of their favorite movies or even a power ranger? Noone studies those things anymore, its all about getting into the scene and letting others shrug off at first impressions. M: *blinks* You just made absolutely no sense. A: *blinks in return while smiling* The point is, our costumes are genuine. We didn't just throw something together. We dressed because we LIKED our costumes, not just to win these zoids. M: *looks around* You know, that would mean something to me if I didnt look at the fact this is a costume party with a contest. We DRESSED to win, because otherwise Karl would not be walking around in a tutu. *she withheld a hand in Karl's direction* A: *gazes in that direction* Wow, I never saw that coming. K: *turns around showing off his refilled glass* Anna! A: *chuckles and looks around uncertainly* Karl...? K: *hugs her* You so have my -hic- vote! A: *widens eyes while wrapping arms around Karl* Yea, well, thank you. K: *withdraws and looks at Miranda* Miranda! When did you get here? M: *dilates eyes like an owl* K: *hugs Miranda and whispers in ear* Imma -hic- vote for you too! -hic- But dont tell anyone![[ while Karl is embracing Miranda, Anna and her stare each other in the eyes and gleam like they were the only ones clothed in a crowd of naked people. They try to hold back laughter.. ]] A: *leans forward on cane* Hey Karl, how would you like to be in the finals? K: *lets go of Miranda and spills some of his glass* Really? A: *shrugs* Yea, your costume has potential. Simple, yet effective. Better than alot of these others Ive seen. K: *swaggers around* Gee, Miranda,-hic- oh, excuse me I mean Anna. That'd be fantastic! Hey look! *points atop the balcony* There's a -hic- thing on the roof! *leans on Miranda* I'll protect you! [[ Miranda and Anna turn facing the way Karl was pointing. Staypuff had just exited the doorway and was looking around for her masters. She scanned high and low, and left to right. Miranda whistled and Anna waved. Staypuff saw her owners and bound for them. Everyone parted ways for the blue organoid and made satisfying nods at her ]] A: Nice costume Staypuff! M: Yes, nice costume, Sapphire. *at the mention of the word, she narrowed her eyes at Anna trying to correct her*[[ Staypuff growled in appreciation. She had Anna's bat winged cape around her neck and two red splats on her neck, suggesting it was a recent bite mark ]] A: Oh I wish I could put you in the finalists, but I cant. *she laid a consolating hand on Staypuff's head and stroked her. They both laughed*[[ Staypuff tilted her head at Karl. Miranda was holding him up. He was transfixed in a stare at something across the room]] M: *snickers* Yes, Karl is dressed as a drunk man. A: I think he originally intended to give the impression of something else. [[ Anna and Miranda both picked up on the hint and laughed. Shortly after their laughter and Karl trying to regain composure as well as dignity the doors Miranda entered burst open. At the very moment, the song changed over head and everyone was listening to 'Venga Boys-Boom Boom Boom Boom'. In the doorway, two contestants stood side by side, one dressed in a red and black sailor scout outfit and the other in a large pink 'My Little Pony' hoodiecostume that had a Guylos dragon sigil on the flank. They walk in the room under a celebratory fashion trance and stand right in the middle of the room to strike a pose. Anna and Miranda are left in awe. Karl has disappeared. The two mystery guests are still bedazzling everyone in the room with their attire. After a few seconds of taking in what just happened, Anna and Miranda realize that the two contestants are male. Almost immediately after their realization, the sailor scout announces to everyone (with a voice that actually surprised quite a few attendants at the discovery of their sex was not as it should have been) as he looks around. "I am Sailor Bitlick. This is my steed- Gibbonsheart! And were here to win! This seemed to excite everyone in the room. ]] A: *squeezes through the tight mess of people* Hello, Sailor Bitlick *she narrows her eyes at who is Major Wayde Bitlick and produces a smile* It seems you two have pleasing costumes in order. M: *nudges in past everyone Anna came through and initially glares at who is Captain Chase Gibbons in a pony suit* SB: Who are you supposed to be? *he sets his hands on his hips as if he is getting into character* A: *seems taken aback* I'm the Mad chocolatier, the hostess of this fine party YOU and your pet are attending. [[ Miranda pushes Anna aside an inch and steps into the center with Bitlick and Gibbons ]] M: *small smiles* Seems you have no competition here, Anna *looks over Sailor Bitlick and then at Gibbonsheart* So, lets not get so sure of ourselves, Sailor Scout, that your going to have a new toy by the end of the day. I think your pony is plenty. [[ the two men in costumes seem to be shocked at this comment from an officer who should show respect as well as be respected. All was quite as the colored lights strobed around the room and the music played as raucous as ever.]] A: *looks from side to side and smiles while unwrapping a chocolate bar* Well, then...may the Party carry on! [[ the crowd seemed to move in closer now to the two effeminate men saying things like 'You've got my vote' and other comments of the sort. Anna paused in middair from biting the chocolate and looked around the room. She blinked and set her candy aside ]] A: I can't believe it. Being outvoted by a couple of pricks. Maybe the final party rule should have been you have to put a costume on your attitude as well... M: *shrugs* Hey, you were the one wanting the party. *takes Anna's chocolate bar, bites it and hands it back to her* End file.

Partying with Pansies by Wolfs-bats-and stories-oh my

Zoids

Karl's Prayer for the Soldiers Karl's Prayer for the Soldiers Luineraugwen: This is my first attempt at this king of fic. The prayer is kind of amusing but the bits in between aren't. I don't care what you think of it or if I flames. Just review when you're done and let me know. I don't know whether Karl sounds a bit out of character in this fic. This has a bit of swearing in it. I don't think the name is very good either. Disclaimer: I don't own Karl Shubaltz, Zoids, any of the characters mentioned from the anime or the so called prayer used in this fic. I found it at my mum's work and decided to copy it. The writer is unknown to me but thanks any way to whoever wrote it. Luineraugwen: Words typed in _* italics *_ are the prayer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _* Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change *_ Karl stood in the middle of a battlefield. The motionless bodies of Zoids and soldiers littered the rocky ground. He had seen many battles end like this, the enemy totally wiped out. He knew he couldn't have changed or prevented what happened because he couldn't destroy the Deathstinger alone. He still blamed himself for what happened but he knew he needed to accept it. This was a war after all and in wars, there are always fatalities. _* The courage to change the things I cannot accept *_ He had in some way changed the things he couldn't accept. He ordered the men to withdraw from battle as many of them were injured from Hiltz's minions; He had save some of the soldiers from both the Imperial and Republican armies from meaningless death. They would live to fight another day. He knew that they would take revenge for the lost lives of their comrades. * _And the wisdom of hide the bodies of those people I had to kill today because they pissed me off _* He would help the soldiers bury the people they had found dead.. There were more than just the soldiers. Hiltz had destroyed a small town when he had fired on the oncoming soldiers. Not that the bastard had cared. Karl asked the innocent souls that would be left to wander Zi for their forgiveness because he had failed to protect them from the Deathstinger. He had failed one of the codes he went by. Always protect the civilians. He didn't bother to ask for forgiveness from Hiltz's minions because 1] they deserved what they got and 2] they had pissed him off and that looped into the first reason. *_ And also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today as they may be connected to the ass that I may have to kiss tomorrow _* If he wanted to live to see the Deathstinger destroyed, he'd have to be careful like any other soldier. Being a soldier himself, he could be called on at any time to assist his fellow comrades. Not that he wouldn't do it at the drop of a hat. But by being a soldier, he could be on the receiving end of either one of the minions' attacks or the Charged Particle Cannon that Hiltz could fire at any time from the Zoid he controlled. *_ Help me to give 100% while in a battle _* He would mush sooner give up his life than to see his entire unit or even worse, both the armies of Zi and the Ultrasaurus destroyed. His was only one life and he would rather see himself dead before he watched a hundred or more young men who had the rest of their lives to look forward to, die from the Charged Particle Cannon. He would give it everything he had before he would witness that massacre come to pass. * _And help me to remember..._* He told himself that he must clear his head of such thoughts and only think of positive things that would happen in the future. Peace for the whole of Zi, prosperity of the planet, kind ruling under the Emperor, and it he was lucky, a family and the chance to retire. Those thoughts will always keep him going. But until then... *_ When I am having a really bad day, and it seems that people are trying to piss me off, that it rakes 42 muscles to frown and only 4 to extend my middle finger and tell them to bite me!_ * He would keep fighting for the future, killing those people who deserve to die and protecting those who deserve to live. His enemies will always perish from this world when they fight against him and those who fight for what is right and true. Until his time is up, those who oppose him will be on the receiving end of his Iron Kong's cannons and fists. * _Amen_ * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luineraugwen: There all done. It was more serious than I thought it would be. Oh well. I just want to tell u all if it sounds like I was being mean to Col Shubaltz, I wasn't it's just the way it was written. 'Cause Karl Lichen Shubaltz is my fave character in the anime. That's why most of my stories are about him. Don't forget to review!! PLEASE. For all the people who have read my other Zoids story with Sorcha in it, I'm sorry to say but the next chapter will take some time to put up as I have to re type it because my computer deleted it. Bye Bye End file.

Karl's Prayer for the Soldiers by Luineraugwen the Dark Elf

Zoids

The Winner Hiltz/Raven yaoi - this one seriously isn't suitable for the kids, folks. If you don't like the idea of Raven and Hiltz screwing, I suggest you leave now. If you _do_, please stick around, and R&R! **--- The Winner ---** Raven's POV So here we are again. One minute I was minding my own business, doing my best to stay out of his way; the next minute his mouth was on mine, his fingers twisting in my hair and sliding under my clothes...and now I'm letting him pull me into his bed yet again. He kisses me fiercely, forcing my mouth open and swallowing my tongue with a hunger I know all too well. His hands tear at my clothes, calloused palms brushing over my skin, teeth closing on my lower lip... This isn't passion, this is frenzy, and if I was anyone else I'd probably be afraid of him. Instead, his vicious lust excites me, sets my brain and my body on fire and makes me forget, for a while, who I am - who we both are. I don't know why I do this - why I let _him_ do this. I don't even _like_ Hiltz, but somehow I lose all my self-possession when he kisses me like that. I hate this feeling, this loss of control; it feels like weakness. But I go back to him time and again because...well, because he's here, and _I'm_ here, and it's just something we do. Reese calls me 'Hiltz's bitch' and sneers in my face, and I just smile, because I know that one day she'll regret that - that and all the other slights and insults she's ever directed my way. I'm not Hiltz's anything; I don't belong to him, or to Prozen, or to anyone. They might think they can control me, dictate to me and use me, but I'll be no one's puppet - and they won't realise that until it's too late. Down on his bed... His lips tickle my throat - one hand snaking up and down my thigh - and then his mouth latches onto my neck, sucking hard, and I can't help but whimper at this feeling. He laughs and sucks even harder. His hands steal down across my naked torso, hot and swift, and then they're slipping my pants down over my hips...my knees...down to my ankles and onto the floor. I'm exposed and helpless, pinned beneath his lean form - and then his tongue dives into my mouth again and I cease to care. He leans back, kneeling between my thighs, and pulls his own clothes off; I'm too dazed with pleasure to help him, and besides, I like to watch him strip. He's a sexy bastard - everything about him radiates a sort of diabolical allure that's near irresistible, and I can't even _pretend_ I don't want him. With a fiendish grin, he darts forward again, attacking my throat with his lips and teeth, his hot skin brushing against mine. Everything's simple and clear-cut when I'm with him. My quickening breath and the surge of blood in my veins reminds me that I'm alive; the touch of his hands on my body assures me I can still feel. There are only two places I feel truly aware, truly lucid - in battle, and in his bed. When I'm fighting and when I'm here, things become clear; mind and body meld together into one pure purpose, driven by lust for blood or simply by lust - and I've learned that there's precious little difference between the two. Long, slim fingers - slick with something - push inside me, stroking and stretching. Oh, he knows what he's doing... I can feel my heart racing, my skin flushed with heat; as his fingers hit _that_ spot it's all I can do not to groan, and I grit my teeth to stop myself making a sound. I hate being so pathetic, letting my control slip away, but what he does to me feels so good I can't help it. His breath in my ear makes me shiver with desire, and all I want right now is more of what he gives me. His fingers pull out, the sensations dying away all too quickly and leaving me gasping for more. I don't have long to wait. His teeth graze over my collarbone, a sound of pure lust coming from his throat; he pulls my legs up around his waist and pushes into me, and it hurts like hell but it's unbelievably good at the same time. He pauses, panting, and then he's moving inside me and I think I'm going to faint with pleasure. I dig my fingers into his shoulders, lifting my hips to meet his and whimpering under my breath as his thrusts electrify my body. Then he stops, and smirks at me...arrogant bastard. This is a game he likes to play - to try and make me beg, like I owe him, like I should be grateful to him for this. Well I won't beg, not in a million... "Hiltz!" I gasp as he moves inside me, just a little, teasing. "Yes?" he asks, his superior smile widening. I clamp my mouth shut, grinding my teeth together. "Did you want to say something, Raven?" he inquires, pulling out just a bit, then slowly, tortuously, easing back in. _Oh fuck, that's good..._ "Well?" _Not a fucking chance!_ Another slight, tormenting movement, driving me wild with need. "Please!" The word slips out before I can stop it and I bite my tongue in annoyance, loathing him. He just gives another smirk, eyes triumphant, and then starts moving again, reinstating the rhythm. Our bodies move together perfectly, uniting in a way our minds never do - never _could_. But that doesn't matter now because the hot, dark tide is rising inside me, and I'm clinging to him as if I'm about to drown, and then that great, searing, black wave surges up and plunges down over me, and I hear myself moaning... When I open my eyes again he's still leering at me, because he's won - not once, but twice. He made me beg, and he made me let go first, whereas _he's_ still pushing into me - deeper and harder now, intent on his own pleasure. I lie back and relax - waiting with a certain detachment for him to finish - while in my head I curse him for making me want him, and I curse myself for losing once again. But I know, deep inside, that it doesn't really matter. This is just a minor defeat in an ongoing struggle; it's in the outside world that our conflict will be resolved once and for all, someday. And when that day comes, _I'll_ be the winner. End file.

The Winner by teethlikedog

Zoids

Imaginary Disclaimer: I do not own Zoids. Imaginary I've always loved paper flowers. I have more than a basket of it in myriad of colors in different hues and varied shades. Amaranth, Slate, Alice Blue, Chartreuse, Mahogany, Alizarin Crimson...Let's just stop there. I know it's not important but they remind me of the times I had with him. All those times that we would reminisce together. You know, those times at night we'd comfort each other when our own nightmares and fears creep into the dark crevices of our minds. The times when we would draw stuff and share it together. He would always draw zoids. He always loved them and believed they can be a sign of peace and salvation in spite it being a logo of pain and death. No matter what. But, let's just skip that part. There were those memories of joy, hope, sadness...desire...even hate. There were moments in this microcosm (which is me) that he would watch me when I sleep. We always were together, even in trials and sufferings. Always. Even the simplest things such as paper flowers remind one of their greatest adventures. And looking back now, I had regretted deeply. I regretted not being able to protect him. Him. Everything that mattered to me most. Ever since... And where I am now? Before his gargantuan grave. Remebered for everything heroic, dedicated, loyal...loving. It's been a long time that I've visited him. And now, everything that happened between us seems utopian. Everything from the Death Saurer to my marriage is now imaginary. And here I sat with my husband. Sharing the same pain. "Hey, Zeke" I said " Fiona Freigheight sounds nice, doesn't it?" Fin Author's Note: Well....that was the worst angst ridden fanfic I've ever wrote... Well...reviews and flames accepted. basun taka og tubig karon! XD End file.

Imaginary by Deathcrest

Zoids

Midnight Run hm... i'm experiencing a bit of a block on my other stories, so we're moving on to a totally new tack. I absolutely LOVE Zoids, and so I've decided to try a few ministories. All my Zoids works will be short stories, max of like two or three chapters, usually one. (don't worry they'll be labelled) SO... if you don't agree with the different pairing options, then don't bother flaming me. I'm a pyro so it'll just make me stare and drool for a while... :3 mbwahahaha... i am very open to suggestions, for pairings or story plots or whatever! :1 If I get some spellings wrong, don't hate me just tell me the right one (once is enough). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~*~Story Title: (none) ~*~Summary: A little bit of fluff; a run out for fun becomes a time of revealing secret desires and healing. ~*~Pairing: Bit/Brad Bit was sitting crosslegged on Liger's muzzle, thinking about nothing in particular, just letting his mind drift. "Hey Bit, whatcha doing?" called a voice, startling him so much that he slipped off and fell right into someone's arms. Brad grinned down at him slightly; his mouth never really moved but Bit could always see it in his eyes. "Scare ya?" he asked, setting him down. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that; one day you might give me a heart attack," Bit replied, pretending to be serious but ruining it by grinning back anyway. "I didn't sneak up on you, you were just so far into La-la land you didn't hear me making all that noise walking up. I was just gonna go take Shadowfox out for a run, thought you might like to come with," he said, shrugging. "Sure, love to," Bit said, grinning. Liger lowered his head, opening the cockpit for Bit to jump in. He did, and Brad hopped onto the muzzle for a lift to Shadowfox's cockpit. Once they were both in, they opened the hangar's door and walked out. Cleared of the Hovercargo, they took off at a lope, headed for some woods nearby. They ran on together in companionable silence, merely enjoying the feel of their Zoids running side by side, the thrill of the ground falling away below as they jumped over logs and bounded around trees. Finally the forest ended, opening abruptly into fields and fields of clover and grass, stretching as far as they could see. The Zoids bent down to let their pilots out. "Ah, I love a good run," Bit sighed happily, putting his hands behind his head and looking up at the stars. "Bet I could beat you in a regular race," Brad said, grinning a challenge at the spiky haired blonde. "A bet, huh? How much?" Bit asked, planning on accepting anyway. Brad just shrugged, still grinning. "That depends on who wins. Winner gets to choose a punishment for the loser," he said. "Sounds good." "Ready?" "Set." "Go!" The duo took off, pretty evenly matched. Brad couldn't help but smile as he glanced over at Bit, who's face was a mix of concentration and his usual carefree grin. His muscular body moved in a steady rhythm, keeping pace with him. He looked away so Bit wouldn't notice him staring. Bit chanced a look at Brad. A slight smile hung around his mouth, and he couldn't help but notice the lean strength of the form next to him. He looked back at his path then asked, "Getting tired yet?" "Not me, you?" came the reply. "Betcha I win," he said, grinning. He nudged Brad with his elbow slightly. "You think so?" Brad taunted, bumping back. "Yeah, I do!" Bit laughed, pushing back. "Well I don't!" Brad said, pulling ahead a little. "Oh yeah?" asked Bit, tackling Brad. The force of their momentum sent them rolling. Brad ended up positioned on top of Bit, pinning his arms down and slightly sitting up. "Cheater," he said softly, smiling anyway. Unconsciously he leaned forward; Bit's mouth looked so... inviting. "So?" Bit asked, smiling back. His lips parted slightly, only about an inch from Brad's. The brunette pilot dipped down slightly, feeling Bit welcoming the sensation of his mouth on the other's. Instincts and emotions kicked in, engulfing the two in a wave of passion. Brad released Bit's hands when he sent his own off; own felt tentatively up inside Bit's shirt, stroking his back while the other went behind his head, cushioning it. Bit's hands made their own way slowly down Brad's back, stopping at the waistline modestly and working back up. Above, the stars shone gently, washing the new couple in soft silvery light. Finally as the moon lay high in the night sky, Bit withdrew his hands. "We should really be getting back," he whispered, his voice raspy as he drew in ragged breaths. Reluctantly Brad stopped as well. "I suppose you're right, it must be nearly midnight by now," he sighed, leaning back to admire the glistening body before him. They had discarded their shirts a while ago, but that was all. Too shy, too new to each other to go any further yet. They pulled their shirts on quietly, boarding their Zoids in silence. Finally as they began the run back to the Hovercargo, Brad appeared on the comlink. "I liked running with you. We should really go again some time," he said, smiling. Bit flushed slightly in response. "I liked it too. It's nice to have someone to run with," he replied. Brad just smiled and closed the link. They understood each other perfectly. It was an unspoken agreement between them not to inform the others on the team just yet. They wanted to wait until both sides were ready to either bear or hear the news. As they docked their Zoids, Bit's Liger gave Brad a lift down again. Once on the ground, the new twosome shared one more quick kiss, then parted ways to their own rooms. Each fell asleep remembering the gentle feel of the other's lips, dreaming hopefully of a bright and beautiful future for them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, whatchu think? Like it or hate it, there'll be more. :3 mbwahaha... feear me... : anyhow... see you peoples later! mrah!! ~*~Celelorien Silvreflowre~*~ End file.

Midnight Run by Celelorien

Zoids

Lost In The Void **Title:** Lost In The Void** Series:** Zoids: Chaotic Century/Guardian Force** Parings/Characters:** Raven, Van** Disclaimer:** Zoids belongs to Takara Tomy, as far as I know.** Rating/Warnings:** K+, I guess?** Dedication:** Any of the Zoids fans out there!** Summary:** _Raven remembers something. Something important._ --------- --------- "His name.",Raven thought, his eyes narrowing in focus. What they were focused on, however, seemed to be nothing, given the fact that the young Zoid pilot was sitting in the middle of the barren desert. Truth be told, he was focusing on something, someone to be exact, that only he could see. He was focusing upon an image that had been far hidden in the back of his minds eye. Raven snorted as he said his next words. "His name is what bothers me. Van. Van Freiheit." Barely a minute after he had spoken, a sandy wind swept forth causing the young man to close his eyes. He frowned as the wind whipped at his hair and clothes. He repeated the name over and over again within his mind, like an echo with no signs of ceasing. Raven screamed in frustration. "Damn him! Damn him all to hell!",he stood and kicked at the sand. He wanted to hit something, someone, _anyone_! Maybe the people who caused his life to be like this. Maybe hunt them all down and that be that. Panting, the young Zoid pilot tried to calm himself and sat back down. The individual to which the name belonged caused Raven to feel emotions he did not understand. Emotions that he had not felt since he was a child._ 'He...he was the one I was going to see.'_,he thought in remembrance, silent tears falling down his cheek, collecting sand as the wind died down and dirtying up his face as they did so. Slowly he stood up, his eyes opening now that the wind had passed. He shook loose the grains of disintegrated rock and wiped away the tears from his now messed face. This was no time for emotions. He had a task at hand and emotions would only interfere. Memories would only interfere. Undoubtedly the name, not to mention that of whom the named belonged to, would haunt him until the day he died. Whether Raven truly minded that or not was not yet certain to him. The only thing that was certain was that no matter what feelings he had, then and now, they would not jeopardize his mission. After all, the mission was all he had left to grasp onto and that was one thing Raven could honestly say he didn't mind. --------- --------- This is an older fic I wrote a while back, updated just a tad. It was my first Zoids fanfic and I still kind of like it. Ah, memories! Thanks for reading. Feel free to review, if you're up to it. End file.

Lost In The Void by RuneYue

Zoids

The Fate of A Soldier Author's note: The summary you saw is a favorite saying of an English professor I had a while back, and it's true. There are so many things that you don't see go on in zoids, or what you see at times is just a small window. Plus, it applies to just about any story. This is just a small one-shot to show another point of view. The time and place are objective, any time during the war within Imperial boundariesis all that's needed. I don't own zoids, I only own Reed Kouts, and Gerald Fisher. Thank you for taking the time out to read this little ficlet, and please review. _Tuesday, Day 14 of Mission 28_ _We're still reeling from that near defeat three days ago, and approximately half of our zoids are still in need of drastic repairs. Earlier, I thought I heard the major say that we lost 30 men to that skirmish, but no one will really know the numbers until word from the infirmary gets back to us, as there were probably others that died after reaching the building. I myself have been fairly busy helping out, and this is the first time I've had the chance to take this time to write out what happened in my journal. _ _Those sly Republicans think they're so much better than the Empire, though they just got lucky. We hadn't counted on them occupying an abandoned Imperial base, as many of our units use it to get their bearings and take shelter if the weather gets bad. In our case, we were going to meet with another group to get re-supplied. As far as I know, no one was aware that there were even Republican troops in the area. There should have been only deserters or bandits hiding out at best, so the major had calculated that if that had been the case, we would have enough ammunition and other supplies to take care of them. However, as I said before, we were attacked by Republican soldiers. The unit I'm in was the first one assaulted, with the others following shortly after that. _ _I've been saying this a lot lately, and that day truly proved it. When you're being recruited for the military, you only get a small part of the story. You hear of the glory that comes with defending the Empire, and the heroic ventures of many men that are probably long dead by now. I've determined they're merely lies that lead you in. Either that, or rare exceptions. There is no glory to be had like this. The military doesn't care about the little guys like me and the boys in my unit. Even the major isn't that well known to the brass. If we're lucky enough to be complete enough when we die to come back in body bags, the brass won't even blink, and instead send out more suckers to die. And that day, many of us did die. Those that didn't learned what true fear was. _ _The Republicans that were in that base were fully supplied, and well trained. Which, to be in our territory like that, they would have to be. It wasn't a fluke that they were out there. Gerald Fisher, a no-name enlisted boy like me was a good buddy of mine. He was a good kid for the most part, but just needed a little more discipline. Heck, he was practically the little brother I never had - nor wanted. But it doesn't matter now. His Molga was torn to pieces by the bombarding he received from those Command Wolves. He foolishly charged ahead more than he should've, still within orders, but more than logic would state. Fisher had told me before that he wanted to make a name for himself, for his family. But now, all that his family is going to get is a letter. We couldn't get his body out of the Molga before it was burned beyond all recognition. I know because once we did defeat that Command Wolf unit, I was sent with the unit medics out to help those we could. _ _You see, I'm technically a pilot, but at the same time I have very good training in those sorts of situations. Before I was abruptly drafted, I was in college, working towards a doctrine. I wanted to do something to save lives, and I was just about to take my last semester when I had to leave. The irony of the situation is that now I'm instead taking lives to preserve mine, and those of my companions. Though, I still get satisfaction from saving the others when they're wounded. Maybe there will be an end to this war, and then I'll be able to finish college and live the way I want to. Oh look, here I again, ranting on and on. Nothing I say will change that we're at war and that this unit has suffered. I'm going again to check on the others. Until next time._ Reed Kouts put his journal up and reclined back in his chair, reflecting more on what had happened. He couldn't change his current situation. The only thing he could was what every other soldier was currently trying to do - which was to live through the this war and otherwise make the best of it. He didn't agree with the war at all, but he did believe in living through it, and this was kill or be killed. Finally, the exhausted soldier stood up and walked out of the room. End file.

The Fate of A Soldier by Raftina Rune

Zoids

1. Making phone calls A/N: What would happen if I invited over ppl from GF to hang out at my house? Two words: Total Chaos. I don't own- , blah blah blah, you know the drill. ~*~* repersents change of time and/or place ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ I'm sitting at my house on a Saturday night being extremely bored. Time to invite ppl over! I pick up the phone and press one of the speed-dail buttons. Other line: RRrraa? Me: ummm... Other line: ZEKE GIVE ME THE PHONE! Hello? Ow! ZEKE! THAT WAS MY FOOT! Me: Is this Van? Van: yeah, whose's this? Me: This is Froz Flame, you don't know me but I'm inviting you to my house to hang out and stuff. Van: Okay whatever I'm bored. Can I bring Zeke? I can't leave him here because he'll destory everything. Me: That's fine, just make sure you park your Blade Liger in my driveway, otherwise the nieghbors will complain. Van: okay, I'll be over soon *click* Me: Now we call the next person. *Presses number two on speed dial* Other line: Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring... Hello? Me: Yeah hi, is this Raven? Raven: depends on who wants to know. Me: I do. Raven: who are you? Me: I'm Froz Flame. Raven: Never heard of you Me, growing angry: I know that! I'm inviting you over to my house for this party thing or whatever you want to call it. Raven: Who else is coming. Me: Well seeing as your the second person I called, I don't know yet. Raven: Who was the first? Me: Van Raven: Is he coming? Me, very annoyed: YES! Van is coming. Raven: Can I fight him. Me, exasperated: That's great whatever! Are you coming? Raven: I guess so. *Click* Me: Time to call two people at once. *Presses 3 & 4 on speed dail* Both lines: Hello? Me: Am I talking to Fiona and Moonbay? Both lines: Yes. Me: Good, I'm inviting you to my house are you coming? Both lines: sure. Me: Well only three more people left to call. Irvine, Thomas, and Ryss. Let's call Irvine! Other line: Hey Me: Irvine? Irvine: Yeah, who is this? Me: It's Froz Flame, but you don't know me. I'm inviting you over to my house, are you going to come? Irvine: Your right I don't know you, but I'm so bored over here, what the hell? I'll come. Me: Super see you soon. Me: Well that was easy, now to call Thomas. *Presses number 6* Other line: Hello? Me: Um, is this Thomas? Other line: no this is his brother. Me: Oh! Karl, is Thomas there? Other line: hold on. Thomas: Hello, this is Thomas. Me: Come to my house for this party thing I'm having. Thomas: but I don't even know y- Me: You're coming? great, see you here *Click* Me: Okay, now Ryss. Other line: You have reached Ryss. Me: Uh, is this a person or the answering machine? Other line: This is Ryss. Me: Okay, well I was wondering in you'd- Ryss: Like to come to your party, sure. Me: Well, bye. *Click* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Sorry that this chapter is really dumb, boring, and short. My whole story will probably be dumb and boring. Well See ya on the battle field! 2. And they come A/N: Well, um here's the next chapter. Do I have to do the disclaimer? I mean you really think I own Zoids? Didn't think so. So here we go! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Well, I called everyone. They all said they'd be here, so now I just have to wait. *frantic knocking and constant ringing of the door bell* Me: Wonder who that is.*gets up and goes to the door* Van:*brusts through the door, Zeke following* I-i-i-itttt's f-f-freeeezzzz-z-zz-ing ooo-o-utss-ss-ide! Me: Of course it's freezing! It's the middle of January in the Midwest, what did you expect? Palm trees? Van: It coul-ld be a bit w-warmer. *Bing-dong* Me: *answers the door* Raven so nice of you to come! Raven: Whatever. Hey Van, there was no room for me to put the Geno Breaker so I obliterated your Blade Liger. Van: YOU DID WHAT? Raven: Jeez, Van. Don't you know what sarcasm is? *Bing-dong, bing-dong* Me: I'll get it. Fiona and Moonbay: Hi! Me: Glad you came. Fiona, how did you get here? Fiona: Moonbay came and got me in her Gustav. Me: That's cool. We have to wait for three more people, well actually, four if you count um, the "friend" whose coming. Raven: "Friend"? Me: *grins wickedly* You'll find out soon enough. Raven: I don't know if I like the sound of that... Van: When are we going to eat? Me: *tosses the two ton phone book at him* Order a pizza or something. Van: *falls over from the wieght of the phone book* Ow... Raven: Your pathic Van. Van: Oh yeah? Here catch!*hurls phone book at Raven* *Raven and Van insult each other and throw the phone book back and forth for about three mintues while I order a pizza from Pizza Hut (first pizza place that popped in my mind).* Me: The pizza should be here in a half an hour. Van: What going to be on it? Me: Green peppers, sausage, mushrooms, black olives... Van: Papayas? Me: Um, no. Van: Darn... *Bing-dong* Voice: Raven??!?? Me, turns to the door: Hey, Gothic Guy, did I say you could answer the door? Raven: No, but I don't really care. Me, gives him the Death Glare of Doom: Hey Thomas, Irvine. Irvine: *Nods his hello* Thomas: Miss Fiona! I didn't know you were going to be here! Me, sweatdrops: Er, yeah now we just have to wait for one more person. Ryss should be here any mintue... *Bing-dong* Me, answers door: like now! Ryss: Hello *blank stare* Me: Yeeaaaahhhhhh, your starting to freak me out. Ryss: ... Me: Alrighty then. What should we do first? We could watch Tv, we have a satellite dish, or play video games, or do whatever. Everybody but me: Lets do whatever! Me: Okay! Just wander around my house. Van: *goes to the kicthen* Ryss, Fiona, and Moonbay: *sit and start to watch tv.* Irvine: *walks around and looks at stuff* Thomas: *starts taking apart my computer* Me: Watch it Thomas, everything has Anti-Destrucion Protection on it. That means, if you try to break something, it'll explode in your face and magical mend itself. *A small boom and a puff of smoke come from my computer, followed by a magic noise* Raven:*quietly walks upstairs unnoticed to all but me* Me:*follow Raven up the stairs* Raven: *enters my room and discovers all the pictures of him that I have collected* This girl's crazy! Me, closes the door with a little click: Yes I know, people have told me that. Raven: *jumps and turns around* Uh... Me: I knew you would come up here! Raven: How? Me: I'm the powerful authoress, I know everything that goes on in my fanfics. Raven: You mean I'm stuck in another fanfic with an author who's crazy for me? Me: Yes, except you've never delt with someone like me before. Never! *Signature Evil Laugh* MAAAAWWWAAAHHHAAAHHAA! I'm going to lock you in my room! Don't try to break anything, it's all got Anti-Destruction Protection on it, including your gaurd! Raven: Gaurd? Me: Anz! Come here! Anz, my friend, female by the way: What is it Froz? Me: Here's Raven, Gaurd him. Anz: Okay! Me, leans in and whispers to Anz: Make sure he doesn't press the button. Anz: Okay! Me, still laughing: I'll come back for you later, Raven. *waves goodbye and locks door* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ A/N: Sorry if this chapter is baka too. (Don'tca just love my self confidence?) 3. Game time A/N: Well here's the next chapter. I would like to say sorry to my friends that make their apperances in this chapter. This is for anything I did do or miht make you do or say in the future. Me: That's a question I have to think about; Do I own zoids? Anz, tell me, do I LOOK like I own zoids? Anz: No, not really. Me: Thank you. Now ON TO THE STORY THINGY! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Downstairs, a few mintues later... Me, look at people wandering around my house: I need to make things more exciting! I know, I'll have people appear at random with the *dramatic music* The Millennium Pen!*holds up gold pen with an eye thing on it* It has the power to bring and thing on paper to life! Now I will use Special Notebook Paper and summon Gi the Italian Mobster. *writes "Gi the Italian Mobster" on Special Notebook Paper**My friend Gi instantly appears* Gi, raspy voice like the godfather: I'll make you an offer you can't refuse. Me: That's funny, I love that. Gi: Hiya, now why I am I here again? Me: For my party! Van: Who's she? Me: It's the Italian Mobster *Me and Gi brust out laughing like hyenas* *Van edges away nervously* Gi, stops suddenly: Hey is that Raven? No, its not *looks dejected and depressed* Irvine: Hey where is Raven any way? He was here a mintue ago... Me:Uh... he had to use the- the bathroom. Yeah that's it! He had to use the bathroom. Ryss: Actually my psychic powers are telling me that Raven is in- Me, covering Ryss's mouth: Shut up Ryss. *Everbody stares at me oddly* Me: Time to play a game. Irvine, with less enthusiasm than a rock: Joy, what kind of game? Me: Scattagories! *The zoid people look like they have obviously never heard of it* Me: It's really fun and really easy, but we need one more person... Gi: What about your cousin, Zara? Me, slaps head with hand: Der! I'm so baka! *writes "Zara" on paper and she appears* Zara: Hi, hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi! *Everyone but her sweatdrops* Me: Zara, calm down. *talking loudly and slowly* WE ARE GOING TO PLAY A GAME. Zara, mocking me: OKAY. Me: Great, I'll break you into groups; Irvine and Moonbay, Ryss and Fiona, Sorry Gi you'll have to go with Thomas. Gi: That's okay! *turn towards Thomas* Hi Thomas, I'm your partner for this game. *runs a sits in the chair next to him* Zara: What about me? Van: And me too! Me: You two are a group Zara, goes ga-ga like a fangirl: It's VAN! *runs around the room saying "Van". Then she hits a wall* Ow... I'm fine! Van:*sweatdrops* Does she have to be my partner? Me, Death Glare of Doom:*in scary evil voice* Yes. Zara: What about u, Froz? Who's your partner? Me: I'm the ref. Now to play this game you'll need paper and pencils *writes this down on the Speacial Notebook Paper(SNP) with The Millennium Pen(The Pen)* *These items appear instanly in front of everyone* Zara: OOOOOO! I want one of those! Me: Sorry, I'm the only one who can have it. Zara: darn... Me: Let's begin! I'll write down the categories on this chalkboard that magically appeared and then I'll pick a letter. You gotta think of a word for each categories starting with that letter. Got it? Zoid ppl: No Me: Good. Here are the categories; Cars, Boy's Names, Books, Movies, Songs, Bands, and Zoids. The letter will be... M! *mintues pass with quite whispering* Zara:WHHHEEEEE! *People look at her like she's mental (which she is)* Zara: What? I can't stand quiet? Me: okay your time is UP! Group 1, give me your answers! *points to Irvine and Moonbay* Moonbay: okay for cars we've got Mustang. Me: Good, anyone else have Mustang? *Zara and Van raise thier hands* Sorry, NO POINTS FOR YOU! Okay, Gi what about you and Thomas? Gi: We have Mazda! Me: That works, you guys get a point *Tally mark appears under the group called GT.* Ryss and Fiona: We put down marijuana! Me: Um that's not a car, that's a drug. R/F: Oh, are drugs good? Me, not really paying attention: Sure that's great. NEXT ANSWER! Van: Zara told me to put Marik- Me: Marik? MAIRK MAIRK *runs around the run screaming like the psycopath that I am* Okay I'm done now, please go on. Van: Marik Ishtar. Me: *Lets out one more scream* Okay you get five points *Tallys appear under group mared Dense* NEXT GROUP Irvine: We have Mike Me: How uncreative, but you still get the point *Tally under IrviMoon* Gi, Thomas? Thomas: We have Mitch Me: works for me *Tally under GT, they now have two.* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Meanwhile, back in my room... Anz: Sooo, your Raven? Raven: Yes. Anz: I like your clothes, black is cool. Raven: Thanks, I think... Anz: Your welcome Raven: What is she going to do to me? Anz: Who? Raven: Froz. Anz: Oh, with her who knows! She's a psycopath within reason. Raven: Gee, that's good to know. *Sees red button on the way* What's this do? Anz: Don't touch that! *Runs to stop him* Raven: It opens something doesn't it? Anz:Yes it opens the F.R.I.T.Z 666 *Frantic, Repository, Ideal Transkepping Zone 666 (in other words a place where I keep people prisoners and demonfy zoids)* Raven: what the hell is F.R.I.T.Z 666? Anz: I'm not allowed to tell you, but if you press that button you won't ever see daylight again. Raven: *presses button* I'll take my chances.*hole in floor opens under him, he falls through* Anz: Uh-oh, Froz isn't going to be happy with this... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Back downstairs... Me: okay the next latter is...*Red lights flash and a voice comes out of no where* Computer Voice: Security breech in F.R.I.T.Z 666! Me: Oh no! Raven must have pressed "The Button". *scribbles on SNP, and disappears* Thomas: Uh... what are we suppose to do now? Gi: I'll be the game ref person! Zara: No I will! Gi: On your life! *The two get into a HUGE cat fight* Irvine: I'll go make some popcorn. Fiona: Shouldn't we try to stop them? Irvine: No, one thing I learned is NEVER get caught up in a cat fight. They can turn deadly you know. Van: Yeah, at this one party Fiona and I were at, she got into one with this other chick who was checking me out... Fiona, puts hand over Van's mouth: Okay Van, you done. Irvnie: Fiona let him, talk. This could be more interesting than I expected... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Neway, back in my room.... Me, in an anrgy mess-with-me-and-die voice: ANZ! YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO BE WATCHING HIM! Anz, tiny little voice: I know, but he pressed it before I could stop him. Me, walking over to "The Button": I'll have to go get him so the Demon DeathSaurer gaurds don't blow him into bloody little chunks of flesh. Anz: Why don't you use The Pen to get him back? Me: The F.R.I.T.Z 666 has AntiWrite-Off on it, nothing writen will affect it. Anz: That sucks. Me: No, it makes the story more interesting. *press The Button and falls through the hole.* Anz: I think I'll go downstairs...*walks out the door.* Me: Alright Raven where are you? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Somewhere else in the F.R.I.T.Z 666 Raven: What the hell is this place? *in the shadows glowing white and red eys watch him* *a giant black and red machine comes into view* Raven: What the fuck is that monster of a machine? Female Voice: It's the ZD, Zoids Demonfier. Raven:*Turns to see a tiger-striped six foot dragon* What the-? Dragon: I'm Jikitouyoreia, the gaurdian of the F.R.I.T.Z 666. Call me Jiki. Raven: The what 666? Jiki: You'll find out soon enough. Demon Sinkers, get him! *Sinkers zoom out from shadows and surround Raven, trapping him in an sheild.* Me: Ah, I didn't think you'd be awake Dragon Minion 01765. What is your name? Jiki: Jikitouyoreia Tarnesirywn IV Me: I'll be sure to creidt your name. Please get me you cheif, Sheryioreasnev Fayreiantisoi XI, Dragon Minion 00028. Jiki: Yes Lady Froz!*runs off* Me: Raven, how nice to see you. I can see you have met some of my demonfied zoids. I also see you met the slaves I have employed here. They're quite useful. Shery: Lady Froz, you wanted to see me? Me: Yes, put Raven in one of the cages, next to Serge, from Chrono Cross. Shery: Yes Lady Froz! *Drags Raven off* Me: While I'm done here, I might as well go check on the captives... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ A/N: Well that's the end to another incredibly pointless and stupid chapter! Read annnnnddd REVIEW! 4. That wasn't suppose to happen A/N: Anz: Um, Froz is currently chasing Marik Ishtar, from Yu-Gi-Oh! around F.R.I.T.Z 666. So I'm here to do the disclaimer and crap. Okay what am I suppose to do again...? Oh yeah; Froz doesn't own- *An overweight guy with glasses and a square head walk by* Anz: !!!!! FERRIS!!!!! MUST KILL *Runs after him* Ferris:*screams bloody murder and runs as fast as he can* EEEEEEEEEEEE Anz:*laughs evily* KILL KILL *chases him off into the darkness* Zara: Hi what's going on? *Someone whispers in her ear* Zara: I have to do the disclaimer? Random Person: Yes Zara: Why? Random Person: So lawyers don't attack Froz with legalities. Zara: Oh, okay. Well I was trying to find Van who disappeared but, I'll do this anyway. *Van tiptoes in front of Zara without realizing it* Zara: VAN! There you are. Van: AAHHHH!*runs faster than a cheeta* Zara: Wait, come back Van! *chases after him* Gi: Well Since everyone is off chasing someone, I guess I'll do the disclaimer: Froz doesn't own zoids, but I'm sure you already knew that. Me: *appears with my hair all askew from running and I'm slightly winded* Back, what's happening? Gi: I just finsihed the disclaimer. We were about to start the story. Me: Good, let's begin! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* It seems disorder has exploded downstairs while I was gone... And the only one to restore sanity is none other than my good friend, Anz! Gi and Zara: *Still cat fighting* Irvine: *watching them while eating popcorn* Van:*getting beaten by Fiona for saying certian, er secrets about them* Ryss: *sitting in a corner staring at a wall* Moonbay:*Got bored and started watching TV again.* Thomas:*Sitting in front of my computer* Anz, really loud listen-to-me voice: STOP!!!!! Everybody else stops. Ryss is still staring at the wall. Anz: Okay, now that some order has been restored, let's eat! The pizza's here! Van makes a mad dash to the kitchen. Anz: Apparently he was hungry... Get's cut off by Zara: Wait Van!*runs to the kitchen* Anz: ...Or maybe he just wanted to get away from Zara. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Upstairs, in my room... Zeke: Rrraaah? *picks something shiny off the floor, hm I wonder what it is?* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* So now on to me and Raven, in F.R.I.T.Z 666 Raven, in a cage made of black metal: Where am I? Voice, next to him: You've become a prisoner of Lady Froz. All of us have. Raven turns to see a guy that sort of looks like Prozen, yet some what very different: Who are you? Guy: I'm Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII. There are people here from video games, tv shows, and books. Raven: Why does she have you? Does she like you? Me, stepping out of the darkness like a living shadow: Hell no! He can cause mass destruction and kill people for me. And his name is also cool. Welcome to the Prison Cells! Raven: These aren't cells, these are cages. Me: Oh well, same difference. Voice from farther down the line: Sephiroth, why don't you just use that fancy sword of yours to break us out? Sephiroth: Because, Cloud, Froz took it, as she did with yours. Cloud, also from Final Fantasy VII: Shut Up! *Sits in the back of his cage, A/N: I love making characters sound like whiny little brats, even if I like them.* Me: You will never escape! MWWWAAAHHHAAA! Raven: If you like me why are you torture me? Me: Because I torture EVERYONE! I belive everyone should be treated equally. Now I'm sure the world has been thrown into pure panic upstairs so I better get back. Dragon Minion 62964, Deaquetoipufa Haalizojaerovec XX, watch them and make sure they don't escape. Deaq, a five foot green starred dragon: Yes Lady Froz! Me:*get's on elevator thingy and goes back up stairs* Better go make sure all hell wasn't released. *Goes down stairs to see people talking and eating at the table while Van tries despertly to get away from my cousin.* Me:*A total look of shock on my face* Anz: Hello Froz! I made everyone be quiet and come and eat, though that freaky girl with the blue hair is still staring at the wall... Me: Since my story is going into it's fourth chapter, I've realized that I don't need all the people I have here... TIme to make some go away. *Searches for The Millenium Pen* Where is The Pen? Voice heard from the living room: Where- where am I? Me:*Stops dead in my tracks* I know that voice, this isn't good...*walks into living room* Hi Bakura, I bet your wondering why your here. Bakura, from Yu-Gi-Oh! if you didn't know: Who are you and yes I'd like to know why I'm here, where ever here is... Me: Well I'm Froz, this is my house, and frankly I don't know why your here. See I think someone stole my Millenium Pen and- Bakura: You have a Millenium item? But I thought there were only seven! Me:*shifty glance* Well, um this one was made just for me... yeah that's it. *trying to change the subject* ANYWAY, As soon as I find The Pen I'll send you back in a jiffy! Meanwhile, just sit here, or go have some pizza in the kitchen with the others. Bakura: I think I'll sit here... Me: Okay, random people might stop and talk to you so just ignore them. Now I have to go find the theif... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Way down deep in F.R.I.T.Z 666, Raven is developing a plan to escape... Raven: I know, my organoid will get me out of this! SHADOW! *The other captives, glare at him. Demon zoids come out of the blackness to see what the noise was* Raven: Oops... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Far away, some where on Zi Shadow uses his RHS(Raven Homing System) to find his master. Then he goes and blasts himself halfway across the galaxy. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Shadow lands right on my front door step. *Ding bong (yes now my door bell goes "ding bong")* Anz: I'll get it. Me, stuffing my face with pizza: Mmph! *gives her thumps up* Anz:*opens door* Ummmm... FROZ THERE IS SOME KIND OF METAL DINOSAUR AT YOUR DOOR! Me: Maaho*swallows* It's Shadow, Raven must have called for him. *Shadow zooms away into my house* Me: Better alert My Minions... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Well, I wonder who took my pen. Next chapter, find out. Also, Thomas hacks on to my computer and starts talking to my friends. Then he discovers Fanfiction.net... Ps- Why are my Minions real names so long, and why are they dragons? One dragons are awsome, two I like typing random combinations of letters that are barely pronounceable. That's it for this wondeful chapter! This ones a little shorter, but WHO CARES??!!!??!? 5. Why are you on my computer? A/N: Welcome to the next chapter. I would like to thnak everyone for the great reviews! More Yu-Gi-Oh! characters will be appearing in this chapter. :P. I disclose this Disclaimer Unto thy: If I owned Zoids, you'd be watching this, not reading this. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Back on the farm, err I mean, main level... Zeke:*Sees pic of Marik on the ground, picks up a dashes The Pen across it* Zara: OOOooo! Look at all the flashy lights! Gi and Anz:*Sweatdrop* *Marik Ishtar from YGO appears in my living room* (A/n: I'm going to have a field day with this!) Marik: Where am I am? Me: *forgetting all about Shadow and Raven* Marik! OMG! It's you! Will you please go out with me? *Anz, Gi, and Zara fall over anime style, they know I'm tottally ga-ga over him* Marik: *Sweatdrops* Ummmm... *His shirt has slipped to one side and you now can see the markings on his back.* Anz, who happens to be standing behind him: Hey...*ignoring my frantic waving and mouthing "shut up"* there's something on your back. Marik:*faces her abruptly and points The Rod at her* Me:*Tackles him to the floor* There will be none of that in MY house! *Marik attemps to throw me off* Zeke, gimme the goddamn Pen! Zeke: Raa, haraha. *translated for your convenience* No, I like it Me: Hand it over or I'll turn you into a tin can! Van: Don't threaten Zeke! Me: I'll threaten whoever I want, but at the moment I have a sadistic psyco pinned underneath me! I would like some help here! Anz: But I thought you liked Marik. Me: I DO! But now is not the time! HELP! Somebody take The Rod, would you? Anz, tugs on the bottom and it falls off to reveal the dagger: Oops Not good. Me: ANZ YOUR BAKA! NOW HE HAS A DAGGER! Marik, rasies dagger in attempt to stab me. Great Lord of Fanfic Authors: I am sorry, but Froz is an authoress of fanfiction, you cannot harm her! Marik:DAMMIT! Me: Ahh, the perks of being an authoress. I need some rope and a chair. *rope appears* Anz: How did that happen? You don't have your pen. Me: Even though I don't have The Pen, authors can make little things appear. Another perk! Now grab a chair from the kitchen! Anz: Okay *brings in chair* Me:*pins Marik to the chair and ties him up* There that should hold you until I get The Pen back. *hears more voices that don't belong* Oh, no! Not those two! Be right back, nobody move! Marik: *Thrashes in the chair, while everybody watches him warily* Me:*comes back, dragging Seto Kaiba and Yugi behind me* Now I want you to sit there!*pushes Seto on to a chair on the left side of the room* Yugi, sit there *puts him on a chiar in the right side of room.* Now, you don't try dueling him*Looking at Seto, pointing to Yugi* You, leave those two alone, don't try taking their Millennium Items *looking at Bakura, pointing to Marik and Yugi* And, you! You sit there and don't kill anyone! *looking at Marik, pointing to everyone* Yugi, you just sit there. Now I have to find a certain organoid and recycle him. *Walks dowstairs* *Sounds of crashing and an organoid roar* Me: Give it here you damn machine! Zeke: RAAA!- NO! Me: You asked for it! *sounds of fire shooting from something* Quil, use your flamethrower!(A/n: Quil is my lv 100 Typlosion, a pkmn, he kicks everybody's ass) Nice and crispy! I'll be taking my pen back now, thank you!*comes back up stairs* Marik: What kind of Millennium Item is that? Me: Um, Ra gave it to me speacial, only I can control it's awesome power! You can see what happened when Zeke use it. Now, I think you make the story interesting, so I'll leave you here for awhile. I gotta make sure Raven didn't try to escape. One more thing, NOBODY GO YAMI!*bounds up the stairs* Anz: What's that "yami" stuff about? Gi: Well those three *pointing to Marik, Bakura, and Yugi* Have these spirit thingys that can contorl their bodies. Yami means dark, so a darker side of them! Anz: I get it! I think... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Deep down in F.R.I.T.Z 666... Raven: Shadow you came! Sephiroth: What the hell is that thing? Raven: It's my organoid, he'll get me out of here! Shadow: Raaa rhaa- sure whatever *Flies at the door and breaks it down* Raven, stepping out of the cage: Good job, let's leave this place before Froz comes back- *Thousands upon thousands of Dragon Minions and Demon Zoids are in front of him.* Me: Do you think it would be that easy to get out of here? Doesn't matter, follow me... Raven: Why? What are you going to do to me? Me: Oh, you'll find out. Raven: That doesn't sound too good... *both of us walk to the elevator, I climb in* Me: Aren't you coming? Raven: You mean were leaving? Me: DER! Better bring Shadow, unless you want me to demonfy him... Raven: NO! Shadow, come! Me: Ahh I love this place. Raven: What are you babbling about? Me: Nothing, shut up and move. *pokes him in the back* Raven: Ow! Alright, I'm moving! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Unto the living room, doom is imposed... Marik, stuggles so much the chair tips over falling with an almighty bang. Anz: Ouch, that had to hurt. Gi: It sounded like it did. Zara: Have a nice fall? Van: I still don't get who these ppl are... Irvinve: Van, I think you need a brain transplant. (A/n: before I go further, I would like to share something with u- I was explaining Yamis to my brother and he said, "So basicly these dark spirits possess them at random times" I thought the way he said it was funny, now back to the story!) Me: I'm back, I brought Raven too! Van: Great, I was having more fun without him. Gi: RAVEN! Me: Whoa, back off he's mine! Gi: okay, but if we play another game, can I be his partner? Me: Sure, I don't see why not. Zara: Another game? Yay! Fun, fun, fun! Marik, who is still laying on the floor in the chair: Is your cousin metal? and COULD SOMEBODY HELP ME??!??? Me, pulls out pen and scribbles something down. Ropes disappear and Marik is free. Yugi: What'd you go and do that for?!!!? Me: No reason. Now, I will make a dj appear so we can dance. Irvine: Why would he want to dance? Me:*Death Glare of Doom* Because I said so. *A dj appears, "All The Small Things" begins to play* The people begin to dance. Me, going over to Marik: Dance with me. Marik: No. Me: Yes. Marik: No. Me: Yes. Marik: No. Me, seeing this isn't getting anywhere: Dance with me or I'll show the world these *holds up embrassing pics of Marik* Marik: Where'd you get those? Me: Not telling. Will you dance with me? Marik: Umm... Me:*holds pics up* Marik: Okay, sure! Me: Yay! Zara: Vannnn! Come dance with me! Van: Keep away from me!*Runs through my house screaming like a little girl* Zara:*goes chasing after him* *"Last Resort" starts playing. Picture Raven head banging* Me: This is a great party, don't you think so Gi? Gi: Yeah, this is awesome. By the way, what's that?*Points to something* Me, glances to what she's pointing at, which happens to be a mini blue Death Saurer dancing: That's Aeglow. He's my own creation. I wonder how he got out, oh well doesn't matter. He can have fun too. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* On the computer in my living room, Thomas seems to have hacked on to it... Thomas: What's this website? Fanficiton.net...*clicks on the link, Fanfic home page opens* What are all these little links here? *clicks on the first on which just so happens to be anime* Hey, here's something about zoids, I wonder what they say about it... *AIM window appears* Katlyz: Hey Froz, wud up? Thomas, typing: Um, this isn't Froz. Katlyz: Well, who is it? Thomas: This is Thomas Katlyz: Thomas? Who they hell is that? I don't remeber Froz telling me anything about you! Thomas: I just meet Froz, I'm over here at her house at this party thing she's having. Katlyz: She's having a party and she didn't invite me? That bitch! I'm going to come newayz! *End AIM chat* Thomas: That wsa weird.*glances at the now loaded computer screen* WHAT THE FUCK? Thomas and Karl? That's nasty! *See's the other ones* Van/Raven, Raven/Ryss, Hiltz/Prozen...VAN/FIONA??!???! NOOOOO!!!!! Me, coming downstairs: What the hell are you yelling about? HEY GET OFF MY COMPUTER IF YOU WANT TO LIVE- Oh, I see you found Fanfic. Well I'll let you go into utter panic as you read. I'm going back to the dance.*leaves* Thomas, goes to my pictures I have saved:*Clicks on folder marked "Anime"* What's all this? Bakura1, Bakura2, Bakura3...Marik1, Marik2, Marik3...*Clicks on subfolder marked "Zoids" Raven1, Raven2, Raven3...Raven79, Raven80, Raven81. Man she really likes Raven. Raven, sneeked away from the dance somehow: What are you looking at? Thomas: I hacked into Froz's computer and this is what I found.*shows him all the pics* Raven:Jeez, shes crazy over me. Thomas: I also found this.*Shows him Fanfic* Raven: What's this? RAVEN/VAN? What kind of sick minded freaks are these people?!??!?(A/n: no offense to anyone who has writen this kinds of fics) Thomas: Take a look at this one*Points to the Raven/Ryss ones* Raven: Why would I like a mental freak like that? *Surprisingly Ryss went upstairs to dance* Thomas: Who knows, their writers nobody gets them. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Robin, to the bat cave! Oops, wrong thing. Back upstairs... *Ding-bong!* Me: Who could that be?*answers door* KATLYZ???!?? Katlyz: I can't believe you didn't invite me. Well guess what, now I'm here and I'm not leaving! Me: Sorry, Katlyz. I don't care, come on in. I should have invited you. Katlyz: Thanks, you should think next time- What's that? Me:Oh, that's Aeglow. Don't mind him. Aeglow: Raa!- Hi Me: Let's go back to the dance now! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Don't you just love pointless Fanfics? I do. Pointless or not, I hope this was funny. Well be on the look out for another chapter, who knows when. The beginning was writien during a day of Randomness-ness. The last part was writen the day after a dance. Next chapter I'll be putting in a song, why cause I feel like it. 6. The result of WAY too many cookies A/N: Welcome to the next chapter of this fic that I've decided to write! Thank u to all the great ppl who reviewed. If u didn't review then you suck! lol time to do the baka disclaimer. Disclaimer: I do not own Zoids or Yu-Gi-Oh! Thank you very much. *glances at laywers* Happy? Now back off! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ At the dance that is taking place in my living room... Speakers: Is it any wonder why I'm scared? If I was a little younger would I care? Feeling like the walls are growing stronger. I don't know if this gate can hold me any longer. You never dreamed you'd have to live your life so guarded, cause they'll find a way to make you feel discarded. I'm not afarid of tomorrow, I'm only scared of myself, feels like my insides are on fire, and I'm looking through the eyes of someone else... (SR-71, Tomorrow) Me: I love this song! Anz: I'm going to go request a song. Me: Really? Which one? Anz: You'll find out soon enough... Katlyz: What's that all about? Me: She's going to request a song. *Cotton Eye Joe blares out of the speakers* Me: Katlyz, Gi let's show em how it's done! (A/N: It's a line dance that's really fun.) *Me, Katlyz, Gi show everyone how do the dance, only the girls join in, guys don't like line dances.* Me: That was fun. I wonder what they'll play next. Speakers: Walking around, I hear the earth seeking relief. I'm trying to find a reason to live, but the mindless clutter my path. Oh these thorns in my side. I know I have something free. I have something so alive. I think they shoot cause they want it. I think they shoot cause they want... I THINK THEY SHOOT CAUSE THEY WANT IT! I feel forces all around me, come on raise your head. Those who hid behind the shadows live with all that's dead.. Look at me! Look at me! At least look at me when you shoot a bullet through my head! Through my head! Though my head! Through my head! (Creed- Bullets) Me: I bet this is the song Anz requested. Anz: Yep, but there hasn't been a good slow song yet! Me: I've got a song, it's a good un'! Katlyz: What is it? Me: Simple and Clean! The original verison, not the remix. Speakers: You're giving me too many things. Lately you're all I need. You smiled at me and said, Don't get me wrong I love you. But does that mean I have to meet your father? When we are older you'll understand, What I meant when I said "No, I don't think life is quite that simple." When you walk away, you don't hear me say please, Oh baby, don't go! Simple and Clean is the way that your making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go. The daily things, that keep us all busy Are confusing me That's when you came to me and said, Wish I could prove I love you. But does that mean I have to walk on water? When you'll older your understand, It's enough when I say so. And maybe some things are that simple! When you walk away, you don't hear me say please, Oh baby, don't go! Simple and Clean is the way that your making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go. Hold me. What ever lies beyond this morning is a little later on. Regardless of warning, the future doesn't scare me at all. Nothing's like before! When you walk away, you don't hear me say please, Oh baby, don't go! Simple and Clean is the way that your making me feel tonight. It's hard to let it go. Hold me. What ever lies beyond this morning is a little later on. Regardless of warning, the future doesn't scare me at all. Nothing's like before! Hold me. What ever lies beyond this morning is a little laten on. Regardless of warning, the future doesn't scare me at all. Nothing's like before! (Simple and Clean, Full Version- Utada Hikaru. A/n: I typed out the entire song cause I felt like it) Gi: Wow that was a really good song! Me, extremely happy: Yeah! Anz: Why are you so happy? Zara: She forced Marik to dance with her. Marik: And that makes you happy??!?? Me: Yes. Marik: Great. Gi: I thought this was a Zoids fanfic. Me: Yeah your right *snaps fingers and all the dance crap disappears* Back to my werid party thingy now. Aeglow: Rarraaa! Rrraah? Yeah that's what I'm talking about! Can bite someone? Me: Sure Aeglow, you also have a fan. Maelgwyn(srry if I spelled ur name wrong) thinks your cool. Aeglow: ROAA! Alright! Me: Hey did anyone see where Thomas and Raven went to? *Glances at Bakura* Bakura, who was paid by Thomas and Raven to keep quiet: Um, I have no idea! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Downstairs at the Computer Where Doom is Written... Raven: Jeez, what is up with all these crazy fanfic authors? Why do they make us do all these things? Thomas: Who knows. Hey look at us, were getting along. Raven: Yeah we are. Hopefully that Bakura guy keeps quiet. We paid him enough. Thomas: We sure did. Me: Oooooh booyss! Raven: AAAAHHHH! She found us! EVERY MAN FOR HIM SELF!*Runs away franticly going in the first room he sees. Me: Not so fast Thomas. Aeglow, bit em' in the leg! But not so he bleeds! We don't need any blood on him, he might be of use to us. Aeglow: Orraarroo Okay! Thomas: How did you find us. Me: Well... ~*~*~*~*~* Flash back!!!!!! Me: Alright Bakura, spit it out, where are they? Bakura: I'm not saying anything! Me: I'll right I'll have to employ Gi's Mobster techniques. Bakura: Wha-? Gi, Italian accent: Don't worry I'll make him an offer he can't refuse. All right, yous gonna tell us where da are, or your going to tell it to my little friend here. *points to the menacing Aeglow* Bakura, looks nervously at Gi, Me, and Aeglow: Okay they paid me not to tell them but, I'm not facing to angry girls and a little metal dinosaur with sharp teeth! They're downstairs! Me: Thank you very much! Aeglow bite him anyway for calling you a "little dinosaur." Aeglow: Rrrr Thank You! End Flashback ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Back to present time where we left off... Me: So that's where we found out where you we! Thomas: We gave him enough to be quiet! Why? Now what kind of toutre do I have to go through? Me, evilly: None, for now... I have to find Raven. *Walking away* RAVEN! COME ON OUT! I'M NOT GOING TO HURT! Well not that bad anyway... Thomas: She's starting to scare me... Zara: I think she scares us all. Katlyz: You said it Zara. Yugi: What are we talking about? Everyone but him:*sweatdrops* Seto: He's so clueless sometimes. Marik: Don't you mean all the time? Me, appearing out of air: *slaps Seto on the shoulder*HEY! No Yugi bashing okay? I like his gothic/punk fashion sense. Seto: Why didn't Marik get hit? Me:*Death Glare of Doom* Because I like him. Anz: Well that's obvious. Me: I'll pretend I didn't hear that and hurt you later Anz. Now where did Raven go?*disappears* Irvine: How does she do that? Ryss: It is a power authors and authoresses possess... Zara: Sweet! That means I can walk through walls if I wanted too! *runs towards wall and hits it with a big crash* Ryss: ...Inside their own stories. Zara, rubbing her head: Owww...now you tell me. Van: Serves you right! Zara: VAN! EEEEE! Van: Man I should have stayed silent! *runs away from Zara* Moonbay: You know me and Fiona haven't had much to say in this entire thing. We're going home. Me, appearing again: Good! Take Ryss too, she's scaring Aeglow. Ryss: Look at the little Death Saurer... Aeglow: Rarararararrraahhhahahroora! Keep her away from me! *All three of the zoid girls disappear* Aeglow: Yay! She's gone! Me: Oh, and Irvine, you have to go to. Irvine: good.*disappears too* Me: Alright that leaves me with the people who I want to be here, except Raven. He's still missing. Gotta find him now, check ya later.*disappears to sumwhere else in the house.* *Van runs across living room with Zara following closely* Zara: I will get you Van! By.. uhh, the sky in the sky I will get you! Seto: That made no sense at all! Froz and all her relatives sure are crazy! Anz: Imagine her kids... Katlyz: Who would be the father? *Everybody glances at Marik* Marik: Please don't go there. Gi, hitting her head against the wall: Bad thoughts, bad thoughts! Seto: That is so distrubing! Anz: Naaaa, I don't even wanna think it, but I can't make the thought leave! Bakura: That is so wrong! Marik: I didn't even say anything! *points to Katlyz* She mentioned it! *pauses* AAAHH bad image!*points The Rod at Katlyz* Curse you! You made me see this god damn image!*runs around holding head* Make it stop! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Ahh this was the result of music, The Godfather, fangirl mode, and WAAAYYY to many peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (yes these do exsist! they are really good!) Check out my Marik Shrine! The link is in my bio, it is still under construction but there is a few parts to it. Also if you want to appear in the fic tell me what you want to do or I can make you do what ever I want! MWWAHAHAHA-ack!*hack cough hack* Stupid cookie crumb! My story has only a few more chapters to go, but it will branch out into two sequels, yes that's right reader, count em' TWO sequels, one in the Yu-Gi-Oh! section and the other in Zoids. R&R folks! 7. Don't drink the punch! It's spiked! A/N: Hi I'm sorry it took long to update. There is some extremeish violence in this chapter. Shim your in it! I'm sorry for what I did to you... Alright Discliamer time! *pokes Marik in the back* Do the disclaimer! Marik: ALRIGHT! Froz doens't own Zoids or Yu-Gi-Oh! Some rich guy sitting in a comfy chair does, and I'm guessing he's not going to sell it anytime soon. Me: Thank you so much Marwik! ^_~ To the story! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Raven is still in hiding, but he will be found by none other than... Shim: Hi everyone! Bakura: Who are you? Shim: OMG! Look it all the cool anime characters! Look at all the bishonens! (A/n: is that the plural of that word? Oh well, who cares? you get the picture) But Raven isn't here... I will find Raven with my RHS! (A/n: look in the fourth chapter to find out what this is) Shim: He is in the... Basement! *goes to fetch Raven* Me, Coming into the room: ARRGGHHH! I can't find him anywhere! Anz: Some person just appeared and used RHS to find him, she should be back soon. Shim:*appears dragging Raven behind her* I FOUND HIM! Me: Oh, it's Shim. Hello Shim, welcome to my house of Random Evil Insanity. Shim: Hi Froz, glad to be here! ^_^ Look at all the hot anime guys! Hey! I thought Marik was here... Marik, runs by holding head: THE HORROR! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! *runs out the otherside of the room* Me: Alright whose the next torture victim who made my Marik go mentally insane? *Group parts leaving Katlyz alone* Me: Oh it was Katlyz, don't worry I won't hurt you. Now I have to go track Marik down so I can calm him down before he goes Yami. Yugi, runs out of room Marik just entered: Ahh! Psyco Yami on the loose! Seto: Too late. Thomas: What's going to happen now? Van: I still don't get what a 'Yami' is but I'm guessing it isn't good... Yami Marik, comes into the room we're all in: HAHAHA! I shall kill you all now! *raises the Millenium Rod* All the Zoid ppl: EEEAAAHHHH! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HIM?!?? Bakura: He's in Yami form now. Van: Yes, but what's that mean? Yami Marik: I'm about to kill everyone and your asking what Yami means? What a moron. Zara, enraged beyond belif: NOBODY INSULTS MY VAN! *kicks him, you know, THERE* Yami Marik, tiny strained voice: O.o Owwwy... Me:*eye twitches* *A big red sign appears out of nowhere flashing "FROZ'S SADISTIC INSANITY HAS BEEN ENGAGED PLEASE CLEAR THE BUILDING IN AN ORDERLY FASHION AND PANIC AND RUN AROUND IN WILD CIRCLES!"* Anz: Good going Zara, now she's going to kill some people. Me, flings self at Zara: DIE! YOU HURT MARIK! DIE! MWWAHAHAHAHAHA! Zara: I'M BEING MURDERED! SOMEBODY HELP-urp! Me, transforms into a silver wolf: ROOAAOOOUUU! Everyone but me and Zara: O.O Raven: That was... unexpected. Van: Did anybody know she could do that? Gi: I think it's just special for this. Raven: Van, shouldn't you try to help your fan girl out? Van: And mess with that thing? *points to the wolf-me* NO way! Now if I had my Blade Liger... Do you think a zoid will fit in here? Thomas: Might, you'd have to try. Raven: If neither of you are going to try anything, then I will. *walks towards the wolf-me and the almost dead Zara* Zara: EEEEE Somebody get my crazy cousin off of me! AHH! She's going for my throat! SHE'S GOING FOR MY THROAT! Wolf-Me:*attemps to rip out Zara's throat* Anz: O.o I have a violent evil friend... Gi: You and me both. Katlyz: Don't foget about me! Seto: Your the one who started this all. Katlyz: Oh yeah. Shim: Hi Seto! You're cute! Seto: -_-; Marik, who was retransformed into himself after getting kicked, THERE: What happened? Van: From what I see, our host turned into a wolf and started attacking her cousin. Marik: Oh. Cool! Senseless violence! Me, changeing back into a human: Marik! Your okay! *flings self at Marik, almost coking him in a hug* Marik: Can't. breathe. girl. choking. me. Shim, popping up all over the room: Hi! Let's play Truth or dare! Me, letting go of Marik: Great Idea! First let's seperate the Yami's from their hikaris. *Pulls out Pen and scribbles on SNP* *With shocked gasps from Yugi, Bakura, and Marik; Yami, Ryou, and Yami Marik appear* Shim: More hotties! *goes and hugs them all* Raven: Did this girl have too much sugar or something? All but Shim: Probably. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* In the kitchen which has been abandoned by all but three... Zeke: rararhhrha Here's the punch that Froz made for the party. Shadow: Rrrhahahhaarr Let's spike it with stuff then give it to people... Aeglow: rrrraaaa Yeah, did you see what the sugar we gave to that girl do? Shadow, searching through drawers, cabinets etc: Rarrararrhha! Look I found some rum, vodka, scotch, beer, and Super Guaranteed-to-get-you-high Sugar! Aeglow: rrararrraaahhuuaa! Sweet, dump it all in! *The zoids pour all the crap that Shadow found into the punch bowl, which miraculously stayed pink* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Me, knowing of the evil plans formed by the zoids: Let's go all get something to drink! Zara, who is still in once peice thanks to the all powerful Great Lord of Fanfic Authors: Yay I'm thristy! Oooo Pink Limonde Punch! *drinks some, get's instantly sugar high drunk!* WHHEHHHEEH VAN! WHHHEEEHHE! IS HOT! WHHHWEEEE! MARRY ME! *continues to bounce off the walls yelling about Van* Raven: I'm not drinking that stuff, I know what alcohol smells like... Me, grabbing the Rod: Drink the punch! Raven, under mind control: Okay! *Takes a swig* Van is soooo sttttuuuppppiiidddd!! *continues to rant about stupid zoid pilots with slurred speech* Me: My plan is working... *whispering to the three zoids* Good job you three... Shim, following any anime guy who passes in front of her: Hi... your hot....Oooo! Me:.... But did you have to give the kind reader/reviewer My Super Sugar? Aeglow: Raarrahaha Well, she walked into the kitchen. We had to do something to erase her memory. Me:*sigh* Well crazy antics will preveil! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Only like one or two chapters to go! Things I find annoying on fanfic: Ppl who make Ocs and you have NO idea who they are. YGO writers who give themselves Yamis (I'm not saying I think it's bad or anything... there are just so many now it's getting annoying.) I'm not giving myself a Yami cause I don't need one! Marik: Yeah she's evil enough as it is! Me: I heard that Marwik! Marik: Will you stop calling me that? Me: Should I call you Marik-chan? Marik: Uh, no. Me: Then don't complain abou the pet name I gave you! Review Please! 8. A strange game of hide and seek A/N: Well here is my last chapter folks! This chapter has bad grammer and spelling because we're all drunken sugar high. Contains a weird game of hide and seek. This one has more to do with obsession over Marik/Malik. Also sorry wolfpup7, I forgot to answer your question: I downloaded "Simple and Clean" from Kazaa. But since your mom doesn't like you download, check out Gamemusic.com, you can buy the OST there. R&R people! Disclaimer: Would the owners of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Zoids please stand up, please stand up, please stand up... *nobody moves* Me: Hmmm. Thought so. Looks like nobody here owns those things! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A few minutes later.... Me, thinking: hehehe. spiked punch! *speaking* Everybody, come have some punch! Gi: I'm not sure I trust that punch... Me: Oh it's safe. *picks up Rod* Everbody drink the damn punch! Everyone, under mind contorl: Okay! *drinks a glass* *Bing-dong* Me: I wonder who that is, everyone is already here...*Opens door* Idiot: Hello! I heard you were having a party, so I came. Me: Okay, come have some puch. Idiot: Only if you do too. Me: Alright *Both take a drink* Me: Uh.... Let's *hic* doo *urp* Sum..ting. Idiot: Why I fell....unny? Me: I iked da punch. Everyone: EHO ID WHA?!? (Trans-You did what?!?) Me: Let's play*hic* hide n' go seek! Uh... who be it? Zara: I'llll erm, do that one thing where you say that one poem and...uh other stuff I can't remember... Me: Wait! We'll hide in pairs! Every uno find sum body to hide width. I'm with Marik! Marik, who was one of the only three who didn't drink the punch: Noooo!!!!! Me: Yay! Okayz everybodie elses turn! Zara: I'm with Van! Van: Oka! Zara: Yeah! Gi: Mez and Raven-chan! Raven: Alrighty. Shim: I'll go with. Um. Seto! Seto, the other one who didn't have any punch: No! Me: You have to Seto! Seto, muttering: Damn authoress. Me: What did you say? Seto: nothing, nothing at all... Me: Ok. Ppl who no have partners... Idiot, Aeglow, Thomas, Bakura, Katlyz, and Yugi. Thats a even amount. Okay, then the it ppl will be partners as well! Idiot: I'll take Bakura. Bakura: Joy, I'm stuck with another stupid mortal. Idiot, whacks him on the head: Shut up! Bakura: Oww.... Aeglow: Raa! I go with Yugi! Yugi: WHEE! *is very sugar high* Me: That means... Katlyz and Thomas! Katlyz: Okay, Me have NOOOO Idea who he is, but I go anyway. Me: O! I almost forgots about da others! Anz, Ryou, Yami Yugi, and Yami Marik need partners! *thinks* I've got it! Since Yami Marik can't stand any bodies he'll bez it, with Anz cause I says so! Yami Marik, the last person who didn't have punch: Can I kill people when I find them? Me: No. Ryou: That means... me n Yami Yugi are partners righ? Me: Yepperz! Lets us hide! *Drags Marik off* Oh yeah, Yami Marik, u gotta count to uh.... 200! *Everybody else goes to hide.* Yami Marik: 1...2...3... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Me and Marik-chan try to find a hiding place... Me: Up here! Marik: Where are we going, Froz? Me: To my room! Marik: Dare I ask why? Me: No. *walks into my room* If anyones is in here, LEAVE! *crikets chrip* Me: Yay! It's empty! Marik: There's no where to hide in here! Me, smiling evilly: Who said anything about hiding? *locks door* Marik:*gulp* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Back where we left Yami Marik counting... Yami Marik: 45...46...47...Oh this is stupid. 200! There, close enough. *walks upstairs, sees my closed door* *from inside door* Marik: Froz, ack- Get off! Me: You have such pretty hair. Marik: You're half drunk and sugar high, you have no idea what your saying! Me: Oh I know exactly what I'm saying, and doing... Marik: Wha-what are you going to- NO! Stay away! Please don- *Back in the hallway* Yami Marik: I'm not sure I want to walk in on this but...*rips door open* Hikari!!??!?! *Me and Marik are kissing* Marik, pushing me away: Uh....Hi Yami! Yami Marik: *still in shock* I'm going to pretend I haven't found you yet. Me: Good enough for me! Marik: No! Don't leave! She's a drunken sugar high fangirl! Help! Yami Marik:*starts to walk out* I think she's enjoying herself, so I'll just leave you two alone.*closes door.* Okay now to find other people. Where's that girl I'm suppose to be working with? Anz: You mean me? Yami Marik: Where'd you come from?!? Anz: I appear at random sometimes. Yami Marik: Alright.... Well I found Froz and Marik, but *ahem* we're going to leave them alone until later. Anz: I don't even want to know. I found two pairs; Seto and Shim, Aeglow and Yugi. Yami Marik: That leaves *counts on fingers* Five other pairs we have to find. Anz: I hear things in the closent. *opens door and Zara and Van fall out* Zara: OW! That urt! Van: Maybe if you didn't lean right up against the door that wouldn't have happened. Zare: Be quiet! Anz: Up-shutskie! Go stand over there with da others I found. *Yami Marik walks out of the living room dragging Bakura and Idiot behind him* Yami Marik: Found these two, be back with two more. *gets Yami Yugi and Ryou* Anz: Well now we just need Raven and Gi. Van: What about Thomas and his partner? Anz: Those too. Shim: Where Froz? Zara: Yeah where iz da bizatch? Anz: ZARA! Don't call her that she might hear you! Zara: I don't care. What's da worstest she coulda do to me? Anz: Kill you. Zara: O.o Anz: Well I'll be right back. *pulls Thomas and Katlyz out from behind the couch* Thomas: I told you they'd find us. Katlyz: How was I suppose to know? Thomas: Shut up! Katlyz: No YOU shut up! Thomas: No way, you shut up! *ten minutes later* Katlyz: You shut up first! Thomas: You shut- Yami Marik: BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP! Anz: Alright, I found Gi and Raven. Yami Marik: You did? When? Anz: While they were telling each other to shut up. Yami Marik: Oh. Zara: Now all we need is Froz n' Marik and wez can be done with this goddamn game. Yami Marik: Alright, I'll go get them. *walks upstairs* *Knock* Yami Marik: We found everyone, come on out. *inside the room* Marik: Froz, we have to go now- no, we have to- Stop! HEY! Me:*cackles evilly* *back outside the door* Yami Marik: Uh, guys, the frikin' game is over! *inside room* Me: HOLD ON DAMMIT! I'm a little busy at the moment! *outside door* Yami Marik: Fine I'll give you five minutes! *five minutes later the door brusts open* Marik: STAY AWAY FROM ME YOU PSYCHO! Me: I'm a psycho? What do you think you are? Marik: We'll your a psycho fangirl and that's scary! Me, smiling: I know Marik: And your proud to be a psycho? Me: Yeppers ^-^ Yami Marik: -_-; Can we go back downstairs now? Me: Sure, why not. Lemme just grab my Pen and- Voice from laundry room: Froz, we're home! Me: Oh SHIT! My parents are home! Everyone must go now! *scribbles on paper* *everyone disappears in a puff of smoke* Mom: How was your evening? Me: Uh.... Prettyz bornin' Dad: What's wrong with your speech. Me: Er... I'm tired... Yeah.... That's it! Mom: Why is half of your liquor cabneit empty. Me: Gee, I have NO idea... Uh, going-to-sleep-now-bye! *runs upstairs* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* A/N: Well that was the last of this fic. I hope you enjoyed my first attempt at a humor/crossover fic. The MIGHT be a sequal of sorts. Might being the key word there. I have three others to complete (or work on at least) If you want more humor from me, and you're into YGO, please go R&R Question Time! Well that's the end of "What To Do If Your Bored On A Saturday Night" which believe it or not, was not completely written on a Saturday Night. Byez, and thanks for reading and reviewing! End file.

What To Do If Your Bored On A Saturday Night by Froz Flame

Zoids

Warriors of Snow Zoids The Warriors of Snow by Silverpaw Disclaimer : Zoids don't belong to me. Just my characters and stuff. Besides if you sue me you would only get 10 cents. I am that poor T__T. "OK Ligar, Strike Laser Claw!" a blonde hair boy said. His Ligar's claws glowed and charged at the last of team Vipers zoid. Ligars attack stroke the zoid and seconds later it fell to the ground. "Battle over, Battle over. The winner is...the Blitz Team!" the judge announced. "Ya! Alright we are undefeatable!" the blonde hair boy cheered. "Congratulations Blitz Team. Till the next battle." the judge said and took off. "You did great today team." a man with dark brown hair said. "Thanks dad." a girl with dark pink hair replied. "Man that was an easy battle." the blonde hair boy said. "Yeah, it seems we can't get a decent battle nowadays." a boy with long brown hair commented. "Hey guys come here. We got a message from the Zoid Battle Control." a voice came over the intercom. In a few minutes everyone was up in the control room. "Blitz Team, a request for a zoid battle with you has been made." the judge said. "Oh by who?" the man with dark hair asked. "By the Artic Team, the battle will take place in the snow cap mountains of Himalan Peak. The prize money will be $30,000." the judge informed them. "Mmmm...$30,000 that's alot of money. What do you say team?" the man asked. "Sure you not?" the blonde said. "Yeah, that's alot of money." the brown hair boy said. "What about you Lena and Jamie?" the man asked the dark pink hair girl and a boy with spiky brown hair. "Sure dad." Lena replied "Fine by me Doc." Jamie answered. "Very well then. Tell the Artic Team we accept their challenge." the man said "Very Well. The battle will be scheduled for Thursday at 1700 hours." the judge said before signing off. "Mmm...The Artic Team. Where have I heard that name before?" the blonded boy asked more to himself than to anyone in particular. "In the Zoid Battle, they are a new team." the man said holding up a magazine with 3 girls. Two girls with their backs to each other and one kneeling infront. The girl on the left wore a low ponytail and a black and silver cap backwards. A pair of dark grey sport shades and was dressed in a white baggy army pants, silver sleevless T-shirt, a black jacket tied around her waist and a pair of white hiking boots. The girl next to her wore her hair in a high ponytail and was also styling a pair of shades but they were a light violet. She was dressed in a white baby T and silverish purple mini skirt and a pair of white snickers and she was holding her white leather jacket over her shoulder. The third girl who was kneeling infront of them also wore her hair in a high ponytail. She was dressed in a white Tank top with a pair of silverish blue leather hipster pants and a pair of white heel boots and styled a pair of dark reflective black shades. "Not bad, but are they any good?" the long brown hair boy asked. "It says here they are the rising stars of Zoid Battles and haven't been beaten yet. The girl on the left in Nika, the girl to the right is Kitsune and the one kneeling is Reina." the man read. "Well they are about to meet their match. We are the undefeated Blitz Team!" the blonde hair boy said "Mmmm...It says here that most of their battles have been won in snowy conditions." Jamie read. "Then you and Ligar Zero will do good for our coming battle Byte." the man said. "Sure thing Doc Tauros." Byte replied "I guess we can also go with Brad and the Command Wolf as well as Jamie with the Rainus. But just incase Lena get the Gun Sniper set for battle." Doc Tauros told his team. AT THE BASE OF THE ARTIC TEAM "Are you sure we are ready for the Blitz Team Nyomi?" a girl wearing a blue bikers jacket asked. "Yeah, you girls have been doing great. But don't get cocky out there. And look out for the Ligar Zero. From experience I have learned that Ligar Zero has 2 other suit ups." a girl with red hair informed the girls, while showing them shoots of previous battles with the Blitz Team. "Well considering the turf, they might go with the white Ligar." a girl with a black and silver cap said. "Yes, but he has a habit of changing during battle into either Jager, the blue Ligar or Snider the orange Ligar. Nika I want you to battle him, your zoid has the combination of all 3 of his and the strenght of a D-Bison." Nyomi informed. "Very well." Nika said "Kit you will be up against the Command Wolf." "Sure thing Nyomi" a girl in a baby T replied. "Rei you will be up against either the Rainus or Gun Sniper. Your zoid as the ability for both ground and air combat." Nyomi said "No problem. Me and Gunner are ready for any challenge." Rei said. "Good now go and get your zoids fitted for battle. Your dismissed." Nyomi instructed then saluted. The girls all saluted and replied simultaneously "Yes Ma'am!" then went off to the hanger. "So Kitsune which zoid you gonna use to go against the Command Wolf?" Nika asked as they walked. "I am going with my style and use the Stealth Fox." Kitsune aka Kit replied "Yeah, that should give you an advantage." Rei said "So your using White Gun instead of Sky Striker?" Kit asked "Yeah White Gun is better equipped." Reina aka Rei replied "Well I am using SilverClaw." Nika said "Oh? I was sure you were gonna use Polaris." Rei said. "Or even White Fangs." Kit said Nika shook her head "No Polaris is strong, but not fast enough to deal with Ligar Zero Jager. White Fangs is fast but lacks the strenght to deal with Ligar Zero Snider. Only SilverClaw can do this job. Which reminds me, I need to pick up a part at the dealer for him. Wanna follow me?" Nika said. "Sure I could use a few 50mm Howitzer for Gunner." Rei said "Yeah and I need a long rangeLaser for Fox." Kit replied So the three warriors got into a van and drove of to the dealers shop in the next town. An hour later Nika and the girls walked into the dealer shop and began to look around. Minutes laster the Blitz Team walked in. "Kit, Rei, you guys got what you needed?" Nika asked Kitsune and Reina walked up to her with the parts and weapons they wanted. "Yeah we did." Rei replied then noticed Nika carrying another box. "What's in the box Nika?" she asked. "Huh?" Nika asked then looked down at the box Rei was pointing at, "Oh, it's parts to upgrade Silver's Semi Automatic." "Oh cool." Not far Lena looked over to the cashier and saw the 3 girls and recognised them from the magazine her father showed them. "Hey isn't that the Artic Team?" The boys looked over in the direction Lena was looking and saw the girls. "Yeah." Byte said as he began to walk towards them. As the girls finished thier purchase Byte came up infront of them. "Excuse me ladies, but by any chance are you the Artic Team?" he asked "Yeah that's us. What's it to ya?" Nika asked "The Blitz team." Byte said then the others finally joined him. "Oh yeah girls, we finally meet the undefeated Champions, The Blitz Team." Nika said "Nice to meet you all." Rei greeted "So what are you amateurs doing here?" Lena asked Kit raised a brow and looked over to Nika and Rei and mouthed 'amateurs?' "Be nice Lena." Byte said "Anyways I am personally glad to meet you girls. It gives me a chance to get acquainted to my opponents." he continued. Nika shrugged her shoulders "Nice to meet you all, but if you can excuse us we have a battled to prepare for." she said and she and her team mates left. "Can you believe them?! They should have respect for us!" Lena exclaimed. "Mmmm...." was all Brad said as he watched them walk out of the store. BACK AT THE ARTIC TEAM'S BASE "Man, Nyomi wasn't kidding about that Lena girl. She looks like a fire cracker." Kit said as they entered the hanger. "Then I am making triple sure that Gunner's armour is ready." Rei said "Mmm... I can tell you girls this, we gonna have a rough battle ahead of us. So just incase lets do something different." Nika said "What?" Kit and Rei asked simultaneously. "Have a 50/50 match." "You mean over by the Desert Caps?" Kit asked, knowing that the Desert Caps is where the Desert meets the snow. Part Desert, Part Snow. Nika grinned with a gleam in her eyes "Exactly. I have a plan ladies and we need to work all night and day on the zoids to pull it off." Rei and Kit walked up to Nika to hear her plan. Not far was Nyomi who smiled "Blitz Team, you have just met your match." THE DAY OF THE BATTLE The Blitz Team's hover cargo arrived at the Desert Caps 20 mins early so they could take a quick look around and figure out a strategy. "Well we should have a chance now since part of the field is desert." Jamie said "I don't like it. Something is up." Brad commented "Don't worry team. Ligar and I have your backs." Byte said confidently. Then the screen blinked and a shadowy figure appeared "Hello Blitz team." the voice said. "Hey who are you? It better not be another Backdraft set up again!" Lena said "No, no. It's just your team against mine." the voice replied. Brad narrowed his eyes and looked the shadowy figure over. "Your voice sounds very familiar." he said. The figure chuckled "It should Brad." Brad eyes widen in recognition "Nyomi." Everyone looked at him then to the screen. The screen light up to reveal indeed it was Nyomi. "Nothing gets past you huh Brad?" "But we heard you couldn't battle anymore." Lena said "I can, I just decided to take a break. After the accident it shook up my nerves a bit. So the doctor says no more battles for awhile." Nyomi explained. "But we are facing the Artic Team. Not your team Nyomi." Doc Tauros said. "Well you see I help put the Artic Team together. I was getting bored just sitting around doing nothing. Then I got a call from my cousin. You meet her and the girls, Nika. She wanted me to know if I was still involve with zoid battles. So when I told her about my perdicament she came up with an idea of sponsoring her and her friends. So hence came about the Artic Team." "Well you have been busy." Brad said Just then the judge capsule appeared. "Well it seems the battle will soon begin. May the best team win." Nyomi said "Thanks we will." Lena grinned. The judge capsule opened and it began to scan the area. "The area in a 30 mile radius is now a zoid battle field. The battle is the Artic Team against the Blitz Team. Battle mode 05623, ready...FIGHT!" Ligar Zero looked around for its opponent and roared. "I agree partner where is our opponent? The rising stars of zoid battle?" Byte asked "Calm down Byte. They are bound to be somewhere around here." Jamie said "I don't like this one bit." Brad commented. Going unnoticed by them in the air was a white looking Gun Sniper with wings carrying a zoid resembling a fox. "Ready Kit?" Rei asked "Let's go!" Kit replied So Rei's zoid released Kit's. As Kit's Stealth Fox was in firing range she activated the stealth mode and began to fire at the Blitz Team. "Hey they are attacking from the air! Jamie get up there." Lena shouted. "I am on it jeez." Jamie said and took off. The Byte and Brad heard a loud noise coming from the snowy forest. "What was that?" Byte asked "I dunno but be on your guard." Brad replied. In the air Jamie was searching the sky for the opponent who fired at them. "Com on little lady. I know your out there." he said Suddenly his radar was going off as he checked it he cursed under his breathe. "How did she sneak up on me already. Aaargh." he said and made the Rainus backflip into the cloud where his radar said the other zoid is. Jamie grinned as he saw the zoid had stopped moving "You're mine." He advanced his Rainus forward. As he emerged from the clouds something hit him hard and sent the Rainus into a dizzy dive. "Jamie has been hit! Jamie pull up!" Doc Tauros said "Grrr... I am trying Doc." Jamie said pulling back on the throttle. Byte and Brad looked up and watched as the Rainus fall. "No Jamie!" Byte exclaimed. The suddenly he and Brad were being fired at. "What the?!" Brad said as he looked towards the small snowy forest where the shots came from. Kit grinned and fired at the zoids again. "Ligar fire back." Byte instructed. Soon Ligar and the Command Wolf were firing into the forest. "Lena see if you can find who is firing at us." Brad said Meanwhile just as the Rainus was about to hit the earth Jamie managed to get in control and pull up at the last minute. "I knew you could do it Rainus." he siad the growled "Who ever did that will pay for crossing the Wild Eage!" "Heat Radar activated, locating enemy zoid." Lena said "I think not." Kit said the flipped a switch. Lena blinked. "Hey something is up. No heat signal." "Mmm...either an anti-heat radar device or she activated the cooling system." Doc Tauros said. "Great, just great. Lena get the Snider unit ready I am coming in." Byte said "Go for it Byte. I will cover for you." Brad said and fired at the forest. Ligar Zero turned and ran for the hover cargo. "Jamie help me here. Dive down and create a dust cloud so I can see who is shooting at me." Brad suggested "Got ya Brad." Jamie replied and began to dive. "Okay Team, they are playing into our hands. Reina go!" Nika said "Gotcha Nika." Rei replied Ligar was closing in on the hover cargo when suddenly he was being fired at. "Yo Lena why you shooting at me?!" Byte shouted "It wasn't me."Lean said "No it was me." Nika replied and suddenly from the side of the white area of the hover cargo began to move. "Drats forgot about her." Byte said and fired at her. "But how did she?" Lena asked looking at her father. "Stealth mode and camaflouge. She used the white painted area of the cargo to hide." he answered Meanwhile as the Rainus was about to create the dust cloud a zoid came out of the clouds and tackles the Rainus. "No Jamie.....Grrr Doc we are in trouble." Brad said as he backed up his zoid. "Ligar Strike Laser Claw!" Byte said Ligar charged at where they saw the third zoid and its claws began to glow. As Ligar leaped to strike a shield appeared and reflected the attack sending Ligar Zero flying and landing behind the Command Wolf. "Byte you ok?" Brad asked "Yeah, nothing broken." Byte replied Then minutes later the Rainus hit the ground next to them. "Jamie are you ok?" Byte asked "Yeah, this team is tough." Jamie said "Are you ready to admit defeat?" Nyomi's voice asked "Never the Blitz Team never give up!" Byte said Then suddenly something slammed down behind them. It was a White Gun zoid, out of the forest stepped another zoid a Stealth Fox and by the hover cargo the zoid stepped forwards to reveal a Silver Claw. "Amazing a White Gun,Stealth Fox and SilverClaw. Those are one of the best and rarest zoids." Doc Tauros said as he looked over the three zoids. Then he called on the judge "Judge requesting Warrior change." "Huh?" the warriors of the Blitz Team said. "Deliberating, deliberating" the judge said as he processed the information "Changing warriors? You can do that?" Lena asked "Yes as long as it is ok with the opponent. And Nyomi said we could but her team couldn't." Doc Tauros said "Permission granted." the judge said "Lena get out there. Jamie come back, the Rainus is no match for the White Gun." Doc Tauros instructed "But Doc Rainus is the only flying zoid we can use against it and have a chance." Jamie said "The Rainus maybe fast but the White Gun is just as fast but it is stronger than a Rainus." Doc Tauros explained Jamie reluctantly retreated back to the hover cargo. And in minutes Lena's Gun Sniper was on the battle field. "Yo Rei, it's theGun Sniper Nyomi was telling us about." Nika said Rei's zoid roared "Easy Gunner, you will have your chance at her." "Ok Artic Team meet your maker!" Lean said and began to fire in all directions. One by one each zoid released a shield. "Hmph, just like Nyomi told us. A supped up zoid and a pilot that wastes amo." Kit said "Why I .....Grrrr" Lena said and was about to charge at her when a large wing blocked her path."Huh?" "You're up against me loud mouth." Rei said smirking "What? They deliberately picked who they will battle with." Jamie said as he watched. "It seems so but anyone of those zoids could take out any of ours." Doc Tauros said. Brad turn his focus on the Stealth Fox "I assume your my opponent?" Kit grinned "Got that right sweet heart" Byte looked around then a loud roar brought back his focus on the zoid infront of him "Nika am I right?" "Got that right Byte Cloud. It's a really pity you know." Nika said "What is?" Byte asked "You're cute." Byte raise a brow and grinned "So interested?" "That's the pity can't date opponents." "Nika Moonlight!" a very annoyed Kit shouted "I am just having some fun Sune." Nika reassured her with a sweatdrop appearing. "Better be." Nika sighed in relief "Oh well Artic Team attack!" And so each zoid matched up against each other. "Ok Ms. Supped up zoid. Lets see what ya got." Rei said "Are you insulting MY GUN SNIPER?!" Lena shouted "Nah, I just feel sorry for it. A Gun Sniper is an excellent Zoid... Its the pilot that put the poor thing to shame." Rei said calmly with a smirk "GGRRR...BURN OUT!!!" Lena commanded and suddenly Rei is under heavy fire. Rei grinded her teeth as she tried to manuever her zoid to avoid most of the attack. "Why I outta..." "Rei calm down, try an dodge her attacks. Don't fire back as yet." Nyomi instructed "But Nyomi..My poor Gunner..." Rei whined "Didn't you checked its armour last night?" "Yeah, it can take alot of beating but that girl is threwing everything she's got... at..me..." Rei said slowly and grinned, "I see what you are getting at Nyomi.." then she brought back her attention to the battle. "Is that all you got Loud Mouth?!" Lena was burning up and just had enough of her "Why that AMATEUR?!" then she began to fire randomly at the Zoid. "Hang in there Gunner. We almost have her." Rei said as she tried to dodge the attacks. "STAND STILL YOU!" Lena shouted and started to fire again. Seconds later she heard a clicking noise. "Huh?" she looked at her control panels and read the stats..."Oh no!" Jamie and Doc Tauros sighed and said simultaneously "She is out of Amo..." Rei grinned "My turn.." "Yikes! Jamie open the hatch I am coming for a reload!" Lena said and turned to run back to the Hover Cargo. "I think not. Lets get Gunner." Rei said and her zoid roared in agreement and took after her. "Mmmm need to get in front. Turbo Jets activated." Rei pushed a button and two jets opened up under the wings of her zoid. In seconds she pasted Lena's zoid and stood between her and the Hover Cargo. "Now Missy, let me show you the damage a White Gun can do... Gunner let her have it Burning Heat!" Rei instructed. The front of her zoid opened to reveal a launch pad with 10 missiles and seconds they were launched at Lena's zoid. "Oh no!" Lena exclaimed and tried desperately to avoid them but the shots were fired accurately. And in minutes her zoid fell and her controls frozed. "NO!" Rei grinned "Oh Yeah!" and her zoid roared. "One down, two more to go." she said Kit laughed softly as she dodged the shots fired by Brad and the Command Wolf. "Catch me if you can." she said as she and the Stealth Fox turned again and raced toward the other end of the battle field. Brad turned and raced after her. "Lena's out, so that leaves me and Byte." Jamie looked at the viewing screen watching as the battle unfolds then realized something "Oh no! They are using a divide and conquer strategy." he said and looked at Doc Tauros. "Mmm it would looks so, but we have battled singly before and won. But I see what you are getting at Jamie. In a situation like this we need to work as a team." Doc Tauros said "Brad, Byte you guys need to work together to defeat the last two." Jamie said. "I would like to Jamie but Nika ain't giving me any place to go." Byte said "Like wise for me. This chic just made me chase her to the other end of the field. I don't think I would be able to make it back there." Brad said then paid attention back to the battle in hand. Kitsune turned the Stealth Fox around and faced him. Brad stopped a few yards in front of her. "So now it's time for us to battle. Well sweetheart, let's see what you've got." Kitsune said as she fired a few rounds at the Command Wolf's feet. "Hah is that all you got." Brad said. The Command Wolf jumped to the side to dodge the shots, but at the same time landed right in the path of a ramming charge from the Stealth Fox. "What the?" Brad said surprised seeing the zoid charge right at him. Minutes before the zoids could collide he manage to dodge and fire at shot at the passing zoid. Kit grind her teeth as the shot hit her "You're gonna pay for that. I worked all week to get Fox's armour looking this good." then she turned the zoid around and went into stealth mode becoming invisible. "Aww crap. I can't see her. Wait this can work since we are in the desert section." he said and opened fire all around him. He watched the clouds of dust trying to make out the Stealth Fox. "Where did she go?" "Nice strategy, but I am all too familiar with that move." Kit said Brad looked up and just manage to dodge as the zoid made itself visible in the dust cloud before it landed on him. "Dang she is not only good, she's fast." The two zoids faced off. Slowly seconds and minutes passed then they charged at each other. Brad fired some shots at her. But all she did was dodge. Her zoid was agile and could easily manuever around the shots. But Brad was a good marks man, a few shots got through. "Ok.. my turn Laser Strike!" Kit instructed. Her zoid roared and two panels appeared at the side of the zoid and began to glow. They passed each other and stopped. Niether turning around. As the dust settled the Command Wolf collapsed to the ground. "Damn I nearly had her." Brad cursed Kit grinned and brushed a lock of hair from her face "Another one bites the dust." "Brad, Brad? Damn it he is out. I guess it's up to me." Byte said as he dodged another shot. "Byte you need to get here and change. Ligar Zero can't handle her." Doc Tauros said "I know that Doc, but she's not making me pass." Byte said "Byte try using your boosters to get here. I doubt her zoid is that fast." Jamie said "Good idea. Lets go Ligar." Byte said to his partner and began to run right at Nika. Nika smirked "Trying to get pass me is futile." then she charged right at him. As the two come closer and closer to colliding Ligar suddenly dodged and continued running. "Hah gotcha!" Byte grinned "I think not." Nika replied and ran after him. "BYTE YOU BETTER MAKE IT OR ELSE!!! I AM NOT LOSING TO A BUNCH OF AMATEURS!" Lena shouted Reina's zoid kicked Lena's "Oh shut up already. You lost, be a good sport about it loud mouth." Reina said "Stop calling me LOUD MOUTH!!" Reina shrugged and sighed "Why did they give me her?" then she watched the battle before her. "Mmm.." and a smile grin came on Reina's face. "Ok Ligar lets go!" Byte said then turned on the boosters and shot off. "Can't catch me!" Nika just simply grinned and took of after him. As she closed in on him she turned on her booster jets and soon was running right along side him. "What were you saying?" then came out infront activated her shield. Before Byte could stop it was too late he collided into the shield and fell back. "Mmm just as I heard, the SilverClaw is almost a duplicate of the Ligar Zero." Doc Tauros said. "What?" Jamie asked stunned. Doc Tauros nodded "I had heard that a zoid was in the making that could rival against Ligar Zero. But just like it, it wouldn't let anyone into its cockpit." then he looked to the screen, "I guess they had finally found its match." he finished. "You're telling me that SilverClaw is another version of Ligar Zero?" Byte spoke up. "Yes, and if my sources are correct it has all the capable abilities of all Ligar's components." Doc Tauros answered. "How am I gonna beat that?" Byte asked "I guess you could try coming back to get the Snider unit. It's your best bet." "Ok but I can't out maneuver her. She is blocking me...AAHH!" Byte shouted as he was under heavy fire. "REI!!" Nika growled. "Oops hehe sorry I must have pressed the launch button by accident." Reina replied laughing nervously. "Well back off this is my battle." Nika said "Oh come on Nika, Ms. Supped up Zoid here was no challenge. I am bored." Reina complained. "Tough, just hang tight." Nika said Kitsune arrived back and settled down next to Reina. "Anything we can help you with?" "No Kit, jeez you guys had your fun, leave me with mine." Nika said and turned her attention back to the Ligar that began to sneak away while they were arguing. "Aww man, now look what you did." Nika whine as she saw Ligar escape into the Hover Cargo. "Don't worry about it Nika. Your zoid can handle anything he throws at you." Nyomi reassured her. "I know, but I wanted to finish this quickly. Now he will have a fighting chance." Nika said. "Nika I have a plan." Kitsune said Nika glared at her friends and sighed "Ok let me hear it." "Phew close one. Ok activating the Ligar Zero Snider unit." Byte said. "Ligar Zero secured on maintanence deck, switching command to Snider unit." Doc Tauros said. Minutes later Ligar Zero Snider was launched and ready for battle. "Ok Nika, I am ready for you!" Byte said Nika smirked "As you wish." The two zoids faced off. Then began to charge at each other. "Lets do it." Byte said as he activated the Buster Slash. "Buster Slash!!" "Lets counter it Silver. Shield Blade!" her shield appeared and soon all the energy was focused into a similar form as the Sniders Buster Slash. "How did she?" Jamie asked astonished. "She managed to retaliber the enery flow of the shield to mimic the Snider's Buster Slash. So she could use to counter it. Not bad." Doc Tauros said impress. The two zoids collided and bounced of each other. They faced off again. "Grr.. I need more running room. Go Ligar!" Byte said and Ligar began to run around Nika. As he ran a shot was fired infront of him. "What the?" Byte looked and saw the Stealth Fox. "Aww crap, they are teaming up against me. No fair!" he exclaimed. "No just making sure you don't run away scared." Kitsune grinned. "I ain't scared!" Byte retaliated and began to run right at Nika's zoid. "I think not." Nika said and ran right at him at high speed. "Woah, she is at 300mph!" Jamie said reading the stats on the zoid. As the two were about to collide, she dodged and ran right past him and at a burst of speed. The sound wave knocked Ligar down. "Oh no, not that manuever again." Byte said "Snider can't handle that. Jamie get Jager ready." Byte said running back to the hover cargo. But Reina stepped into his path and stopped him. "Not this time Byte." Reina said and her zoid reached down pushed the Snider back. The two zoids roared at each other. "Easy Ligar. So that's it. Have your team mates keep me in check?" Byte growled "Hey they are complaining that I play too much. So I need to end this. Reina's stomach in growling so loud I can hear it all the way over here." Nika said "Not so! I am just bored. Lena was too easy. At least Kit got a better opponent." Reina replied back. Nika shrugged "I suggest you move Rei." Reina got the idea and took off. Byte was about to take the opportunity to run back to the Hover Cargo. Nika grinned "No no no..naughty kitty. Stay and play." then she flipped a switch. Two panels appeared at the side of her zoid. And seconds she ran off after him. "Now it ends. Shield Blade Strike!" the blade on the head of her zoid began to glow as they approached Ligar. "Byte look out!" Jamie said. Byte turned and tried to dodge the attack but the speed Nika was travelling was too fast and so she hit her target dead on and passed by letting the sound waves knock the Ligar over once again. As her zoid came to a stop, she looked back with a grin. "Never mess with girl power." "Battle over, Battle over. The winner is ..... The Artic Team!" the judge announced. "NO! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! WE WERE BEATEN BY SOME AMATEURS!!" Lena shouted Nyomi's face appeared on the screen of the Hover Cargo. "Good match Blitz Team." she said. "Same to you Nyomi. You got on hellva team their. I hope we can have a rematch one day." Doc Tauros said. Nymoi smiled and nodded "We will be waiting." and signed off. The Blitz Team gather and watched the the warriors. Each one standing on top of her respected zoid. "They are good. We underestimated them." Brad said "It was a fluke." Lena grumbled. "Nope they are definately good. I hope one day we meet them again. Me and Ligar want a rematch against Nika." Brad nodded in agreement. Loud roars are heard from where the three female warriors stood. Then a loud cheer came from them. Nyomi smiled and was proud of her team. She looked back at the plack behind her on it was a picture of the team and she was in it with her zoid as well. Below it read 'Never under estimate mother nature, never underestimate Girl Power.' The End. (maybe) AN: My newest fic is now complete! I wanna thank my dearest friends Xemindar and Kitsune for helping me with this fanfic. I have a lil moral to this story yaknow. Girl Power... all you girls never doubt your ability. As long as you have faith in yourself you can accomplish anything. Well I might continue this fic I don't know yet. Give me a buzz at Wolf982@hotmail.com and tell me what you thought. I would really appreciate the feed back. Thanx! And God Bless... End file.

Warriors of Snow by Silverpaw

Zoids

Holding On **_HOLDING ON_** _"There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope" _ _(Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)_ * * * Maybe he was just wasn't good enough for her. She was everything that he thought he had ever wanted, this beautiful red-headed angel, but she wasn't his. His lips graced up into a tiny spiteful smile, he had to laugh at himself. He was becoming like Harry again, letting his heart be torn apart by a girl. She was just a girl after all, one of so many. Yet, he felt as though he would never met another girl, or maybe woman, like her. That's what got him. The cool evening breeze blew soundly across his face, refreshing his tired eyes as he leaned against the railing of the deck. They were on their way back from the Royal Cup celebration, all crammed into the small hover cargo like rats. He didn't know why his father had brought the Lighting Team with them, whether it just being for good measure or just out of the kindness of his heart. Something told him that his father really wanted to talk to Jack about his infamous lighting saix more then anything else, probably wanted a model off of him or something. They all congregated in the main living room, just inside from where he stood, laughing and talking merrily, it was a party after all, at least someone should have some fun. He watched as the illumined town slowly faded into the distance, sighing heavily to himself. He had been out there nearly an hour, nobody had even bothered to even talk to him, they were all too busy with their own lives. Kelly and Jack seemed to be enjoying themselves, Kelly perched on his lap, her arm hugging him lovingly. Bit and Leena sat across the other side of the room, competing in some crazy game undoubtedly drunk. He smiled slyly, he always knew that Bit and his little sister shared something in secret, apparently drunk they showed it a bit more. They were good at hiding it, though, he would give them that much. Jamie and his father sat in the middle of the room, cheering Bit and Leena on and laughing, no doubt they had something to do with them playing the game. And then in the back corner of the room sat his angel, sitting so comfortably in another's arms. The jealously filled him with anger, but at the same time he couldn't bring himself to hate Brad. Him and Naomi were so perfect for each other, he knew it, they knew it, hell probably all of Zi knew that he never had a change with the red comet herself but he was sure as hell going to try. And try as he did, she didn't love him. He was just her friend, her teammate. Nothing more. He sighed heavily, lowering his head, and closing his eyes to the world. Light footsteps came from behind him, but he paid no heed to them. It was probably just Jamie or his father telling him to come inside before he caught a cold. "You're not fooling anyone," a gruff voice announced. Leon jerked his head up, "what?" Kris Tasker leaned against the rail next to him, her back leaning against the cold metal and her face facing his. She smiled slightly, "you're in love with Naomi." He leaned his head back down, "no, no, it's not like that," he halfway lied. He wasn't exactly lying, they were just friends, he just implied his feelings different then what they were. "No, your eyes give you away, Leon," she leaned in closely to his face, examining his eyes, "you squint when you lie." He jerked his head back, "what does that have to do with anything," he sighed. She shook her head, "I've seen the way you look at her," she paused looking back into the party, noting Naomi and Brad sitting and smiling in the back of the room. Then she looked to Jack and her sister, "I used to look at someone else the same way. You can't lie to me." He sighed heavily, "I don't give a rats ass about Brad and Naomi seeing each other," he lied harshly. He turned in a glared at them sitting together, Brad kissing Naomi lightly on the head. He was fuming on the inside, but he wasn't about talk to her of all people about it. She smiled, laughing softly, "if you don't have a problem with it, then why are you out here?" She looked straight at him, her brown eyes piercing his own. He looked down at the moving ground again, "so, what's it to you?" She turned around, now leaning forwards on the rail, "I don't know," she laughed silently, "I guess it because me and you aren't all to different." She shook her head and laughed, "but you seem to be okay all alone, so I guess I'll go back in." She pushed herself back off the railing and began to walk away. For some reason, even he didn't know why, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him. "What?" She looked at him confused, he couldn't blame her. He had been so cold to just moments before, now he was practically begging her to stay. "Wait," he paused and looked at her softly, "please, just stay here." She smiled warmly, "I guess you really did love her." He nodded slightly, "what gets me is that I knew I never had a chance in seven hells with her. Her and Brad belong together, and I knew that." He paused and let go of her wrist, turning his back to her, "but I couldn't bring myself not to love her." She nodded, walking up and standing next to him, "Jack Sisco broke my heart last night." She said bluntly, looking out at the full moon that graced the sky. Leon looked at her sympathetically, "you and your sister both loved him, I take it." She nodded, "he promised me, back when we weren't doing so well, that if we ever made it to the royal cup, he would take me to the ball himself." She shook her head, feeling tears start to fill her eyes again, "I must sound so stupid, but that was the night that I fell in love with him. He was so mysterious but so caring too." She looked back inside at the party, "but I guess sometime between after that and last night, he fell head over heels for my sister. Of all people, my sister." Leon put a hand on her shoulder, "I guess I'm not the only pathetic one here, huh?" She smiled and shook her head, "I must sound so stupid." He shook his head, "no, Harry sounds stupid, you, you just fell in love." She smiled and nodded, "I guess we both did, huh?" "Apparently there is a little Harry in all of us," he smiled slightly. She laughed, "I guess so," she sighed and looked at the moon, "I guess where just fools in love." He stood there in silence for awhile, just content to have someone standing next to him that could share his pain. Someone that understood what it was like to love someone so much that you could never hate them. Who knows, maybe Harry had the right idea, to keep chasing after his love no matter what the cost. Leena knew that if she ever decided to fall in love with him, he would always be waiting right there for her. No matter how many bathtubs she threw. The city lights began to fade into a tiny dot on the horizon, as Leon and Kris made their way back into the party. He knew that neither of them weren't going to forget their conversation. The thoughts of two fools stuck loving a one sided love. But neither of them were giving up, not just quite yet. He still knew that Brad loved Naomi, as she loved him, but if she ever decided to go to him, he would be right there waiting. Until then, he just had to hold on. * * * _Okay, so a little background on this fic: I wrote it awhile ago, and just found it recently when I was going through and deleting all my old homework from years ago (kinda sad, huh?). Well, I read through it, and I have been on a standalone spree recently, so I decided to give it a go and post it on the site after a bit of editing. _ _So, here we have it, my very first standalone fic...ever. I would really appericate feed back on it, espically since I really don't write a lot in the ZOIDS genre and I'm sure the characters are probably really screwy. _ End file.

Holding On by Anwa

Zoids

Fight of the Century Fight of the Century (A/N Yeah, yeah. I know. I don't own zoids or any of the characters used in this fic.) One day after the Blitz team won the royal cup, Doc handed out their prize money. Everybody took the money quickly, as if afraid Doc would grab it back, and go buy zoid models. " So Brad, what are you going to do with your money?" said Doc, looking hungrily at Brad's share. " Um, I'm gonna go buy Naomi an expensive engagement ring." said Brad. " Oh, ok. What about you Jaimie?" said Doc enthusiastically. " I'm gonna buy as many strategic guides as I can." said Jaimie. " What about you Bit?" " I don't know." said Bit. " Really?" said Doc with a devilish grin. " Yeah, but you still can't have it." said Bit. ' Damnit' thought Doc, ' he's not as stupid as he looks.' " What about you sweetheart?" said Doc looking at Leena. " Well, first I'm going to buy some more weapons for my Gunsniper. And then I think I'm going to go to the local animal shelter and adopt a dog." said Leena. (A/N Yes, Leena does have a soft spot for animals.) Three Weeks Later... " Well Bit, we're heading out. Do you think you can take care of yourself for the weekend?" said Doc as he was loading the last of the bags into the car. " Yeah Doc, no problem." said Bit. " Alright Sasha(the dog) you be good. Don't bite Bit, unless you think it's abosolutely necessary." said Leena to Sasha. " Don't worry Leena, Sasha will be fine with me. I'll take good care of her." said Bit. " You better, because if you don't. Well you know." said Leena, brushing her forefinger across her neck like a knife. " Yeah I know. Brad, Jaimie, Leena, and Doc, don't worry about a thing. You'll come back and the base will be perfectly fine. See you in three days." said Bit waving goodbye. Once the car had driven completely out of sight, Bit walked to the kitchen. ' Hmmm, I wonder what their is to eat in here.' thought Bit. He found some cookies and decided to eat a couple. It was already 6:00 p.m. Bit decided to throw in the towel early. He went to bed. The next morning, Bit woke up and went down stairs to the kitchen. He poured some dog food in Sasha's food dish, and then went to the counter to see what there was for him to eat. He found some cookies, brownies, chips, and crackers. He took them into the living room and placed them on the table. Then he sat down, turned on the t.v., and dug in. Bit ate and watched t.v. all day. Then he decided that he was tired of watching t.v. and too full to eat anymore, so he went to bed. He had sweet dreams of yummy pastries, doughnuts, and the little doughboy. Sunday(Doomday) The next morning, Bit walked down to the kitchen. ' Man, I can't wait for the team to return.' thought Bit as he was pouring food into Sasha's dish. Then he walked over to the cabinet to find something to eat. When he didn't find anything to eat that you didn't have to cook, he started having a nervous breakdown. " Oh my God! I'm gonna starve. Why didn't I pay attention in Home Economics? I'm such an idiot." cried Bit, his stomach grumbling loudly. " My stomach can't wait for the team's return to eat." ' Pull yourself together Bit. I'm sure there is something in here to eat, that you don't have to cook. Just look around. You'll find something.' thought Bit as he was looking around the room. And then he spotted Sasha. ' Hmm, I wonder how dog would taste? No, don't think that. You eat that dog and Leena is going to kill you. I guess I'm just going to have to settle for the dog food.' Bit started crawling towards Sasha's dog dish hungrily. When he got close, Sasha lunged forward and bit his hand. " Owww!" screamed Bit as he retreated. Bit sat in his room, thinking about a way to get some of Sasha's dog food. ' Maybe of I come at her from behind. No, she'll be expecting that. Stupid dog, why does she have to be so smart. Oh well, I guess I'm just going to have to take the food by force.' thought Bit. ' Maybe if I bite her on the ear like they did in the movie Snow Dogs, she'll back down and let me feast on the Kibbles-n-Bits.' 10 minutes later " Alright Sasha, I'm calling you out." said Bit. Sasha appeared about 6 feet in front of Bit. She stood there and stared at him, while he stared out her. " This kitchen ain't big enough for the two of us," said Bit as he roared at the dog. Sasha snarled and growled in reply. She spread her front paws, ready to pounce if Bit made any sudden moves. " You're going down Mutt!" said Bit as he lunged forward at the dog. Sasha evaded the attack, swiftly turned, and attacked Bit's side. They rolled and rolled all around on the floor. Bit took a bite at Sasha's ear, and she retaliated by biting Bit's nose. Then Sasha bit Bit's ankle, and received a blow to the snout by Bit's leg. They continued to fight, until a loud voice was heard. " What in the world is going on here?" said Leena, standing in the doorway looking more angry then ever. " I can explain," said Bit nervously. " You better start explaining," said Brad as he and the rest of the team walked into the kitchen. " Well you see, I got hungry. And there is nothing left to eat that you don't have to cook. So I decided to eat some of the dog's food until you guys got back. But she bit me, so I decided to attack back." said Bit. " Really? And why didn't you just make things easier on yourself, and cook something." questioned Leena sternly. " Well you see, I...I um...can't cook." said Bit staring at the ground. " As a punishment, you will have no cookies or sweets for one whole week." said Doc. " What about the dog?" said Bit. " She's as much at fault as myself. If she hadn't bit me, we wouldn't have broken out into a fight." " Bit, don't blame my sweet Sasha for your idiotic mess." scorned Leena. " Now come with me so I can clean those dog bite wounds." " But..." started Bit. " No buts... you're in trouble. Go get those wounds cleaned up, and then come back and clean this mess up." said Jaimie. (A/N Geeze, so harsh. Maybe Bit should learn to cook. Oh well. Sorry to end this story so abruptly, but I have other fish to fry. Please review or flame.) End file.

Fight of the Century by S.S. Cloud12

Zoids

1. A New Friend? Hiya peeps little kitsune here with yet another story. 'Looks to see nobody listening ' sweatdrop. Sigh anyways this time it's a Zoid story mwahahahahahahahahahahaha Zoids is cool anyways on with the story Disclaimer: grumble grumble I don't want to do the frickin disclaimer stupid laws. Sigh I don't own Zoids or any characters but my own I own lynx AKA Link I don't own Leagan of Zelda, which will make a bit of a appreance in this story k I own the Link in this story because I created her. I am her god mwahaahahahaha anyways on with the story. This is about a year or so after the royal cup and everything has started over again. And Bit and Leena are 19 and Jamie has just turned 16 and Brad has teamed up with Naomi. KEATON Ding align went the bell at the dinner as the Blitz Team entered. Discussing team tactics. "We need another warrior if we want to win our next battle." Jamie said as he took a seat in the booth next to the window. "Yeah, yeah we heard you the first time Jamie, would you lay off well find a warrior soon ok?" Leena said as she sat down. "Why do you have to worry so much Jamie? It not like we need one this very second." Bit said as he to sat down and waited for the waitress to come ever so he could order. "Yeah but we need one so we can have a chance at the battle. I told you that a thousand times." Jamie said a little irritated at his team mates stupidity. "We interviewed a lot of people but." Bit said. "We would have one by now. But Leena is picky 'bout who it should be.' Bit finished as he glared at Leena. "Hey it's not my fault if they're no what I'm looking for." She said as she raised her hands up and gave Bit a slanted eye glare. "We'll just have to keep our eyes out." Jamie said as he looked out the window propping his head up with his hand. Many people were out shopping. A mother was carrying her child in her arms. Holding the child close. Many people passed by. He didn't take notice to their faces he just watched them go by. Busy with their lives. A girl passed by the window walking toward the door. He took notice to her ears and clothing. She had pointed ears. 'That's odd.' Jamie thought to him self as he continued to watch her. She wore a pair of brown boots and a pair of light blue cargo jeans. Around her left leg she wore two black pieces of cloth. On her other she wore a long chain that reached her knee. She wore a red leather belt. She wore a white shirt with a crescent moon and star on it. The sleeves were short and green. She had long blondish; orange bangs that shaped around her face and went to her chin. A few strands were dyed three different colors. They were green, red, and blue. She had long blondish; orange hair about the middle of her back tied back in a low ponytail with a blue string. She had intense dark green eyes, 'wow she cute.' His eyes wondered down tot her chest. 'She got a nice bust.' Jamie thought as he began to blush and shake his head. 'Dirty thought, dirty thought.' He thought. "Huh? Hey Jamie what's up with you?" Bit asked his companion. "Uh nothing." Jamie said as he looked back out the window. But the girl was gone. The waitress made her way over to the Blitz Team and took their orders. Ding align went the bell as a person entered the diner. "Welcome." The waitress said to the person as they entered. "Um hi, can you show me were the bathroom is? I need to clean up." The girl said as she indicated to her dust covered clothes. "Sure its right over there." The waitress said as she pointed past the blitz team to the girl's room. "Thank you." She said as she made her way to the girl's room. Dust shook off her legs as she walked. "Hey Jamie." Bit said as he nudged Jamie with his elbow. "What is it Bit?" Jamie asked looked away from the window. "Check out the cute chick coming this way." Bit said as the girl walked past them. Jamie looked over at the girl. "Hey it's that girls." Jamie exclaimed. "Huh? What girl." Leena asked. "Uh nothing." Jamie said as he looked back out the window. The girl soon emerged and was now sand free. "That's better." She said to her self as she went over to a table and sat down and looked at a menu. Jamie looked back over and watched her. She ordered and the waitress scurried off to fill it. She soon came back with only a cup of tea. The girl thanked her and took a sip form the cup. She looked over her cup and looked around. She looked over at Jamie. She made eye contact with him and smiled and went back to her cup. She soon finished, paid and left. Jamie watched her leave. "Jamie, hello earth to Jamie. You coming?" Bit asked as he waved a hand infront of his face. "Huh? Yeah I'm ready." He said as he got up. "Ung." Jamie said as he shields his eyes from the bright sun light. He looked around hoping to catch that girl. He noticed her walking away from the town toward the desert. "Hey I'll catch up with you guys later." Jamie said as he took off toward the direction the mysteries girl went. "Ok see ya later Jamie." Leena said as she and Bit walked off toward the part shop. Jamie walked faster he didn't want to loose her. He wanted to see something. If she was a Zoid warrior. They soon came to the edge of town. The girl stopped, and looked over her shoulder. Jamie made his way over to a window shop and looked in. Trying not to be noticed. She faced back forward and continued to walk out into the desert. She seemed to walk right into a blaze of sand and light. "Hey you stupid kids get away from there." She yelled as she raced over to some kids climbing on a moss-covered thing. "You can't tells us what to do lady." One kid said. "Oh but I can tell your mom you're by the desert where the bandits reside." She said leaning forward facing eye to eye with them she had a catlike grin plastered on her face. She knew they would take the threat serious. The kid's eyes went wide as they looked at each other. "A-a- are there really bandits around here?" another asked with a shaky voice. "Yeah I meet some and toasted them with my Zoid." She said as she walked over to the moss covered thing and removed the moss. It revealed a fox Zoid. It's shoulder part were a light blue as were its ears. Its legs and main body were a white. Its claws like feet were an intense gold and its eyes were a dark red. It had a gun mounted on the top of its body. It shifted and raised its body as the girl climbed to its head. "Now if you don't want to get covered in sand I'd advise you to get out of here," she shouted as she held onto the Zoids ear. The kids screamed and ran back to town. "Hehehe stupid kids." She said as she watched them run and finally noticed Jamie standing there. "Are you looking for something inparticular or you just going to stand there?" she asked. "Um well." he trailed off and looked around. 'What a weird guy.' "If you're quite done I got places to go, like home." She said as the cockpit opened. 'Um are you a Zoid warrior?" Jamie asked. "No I'm just a pilot." She answered. "Oh I was looking for a warrior to fight in the battles." Jamie said a little disappointed. "Looking for a warrior to fight in the battles you say. Well that's a different story." She said as she jumped down from the Zoids ear, right in front of Jamie, she had a huge grin on. "Names Link kokkori, nice ta meet'cha." She said as she solutes with two fingers. "Um hi" Jamie said with a sweatdrop. "My names Jamie, and I'm apart of the Blitz Team, I'm here with some of my team mates, their back in town. If you don't mind, you can come back with me and we can see if you're what we're looking for." Jamie said as he smiled. 'Nice smile, he's pretty cute.' Link thought to her self. "Ok that's sound fine but," she said as she started to walk back to town. "If this is a trap to get my Zoid," she said with a catlike grin. "It won't work because my Zoid can act on its own and defend it self so don't even try it." she said as she walked back to town. Jamie gave a sweatdrop and quickly followed. "Where's Jamie? He should be here by now its not like he was doing anything to make him this late." Leena said as she checked her watched again. "Hey you guys. I got some good news." Came a shout from behind them. "What's that? You picked up that cute girl from the restaurant?" Bit asked. "No, well sorta." Jamie said with a sweatdrop as he motioned for the person from behind him to come around. "Um hi?" Link said. "This is Link and she's a Zoid pilot." Jamie said. "She's a Zoid pilot?" Bit asked as his jaw sorta dropped. "You gotta be kidding me? A cute chick like that, a Zoid pilot?" Bit asked a little confused. "Um yeah, and I got skill to beat your ass into the ground." She said a little pissed off, that people always consider her weak because she's a girl, especially bandits. "Wow that's pretty cool. What experience do you have and do you have references?" Leena asked intrigued by the young girl. "I've got tons of experience. I went on an adventure when I was 15 and sorta going back home. I've sotra been gone for a year and I doubt my dad will be happy to see me." Link said with a sweatdrop. As she imagined what would happen when she got home. "Ok, what about reference do you have any prior experience in battle?" Bit asked. His question brought Link back from her daydream nightmare. "Huh? Oh yeah I worked for the military. Well more like forced the first time and paid the second." Link said with a little sweatdrop because she knew they would ask why she was forced the first time. "How come forced the first time?" Jamie asked an intrigued as to what happen to the girl he just meet. "It not my fault my Zoid broke down in the middle of the desert a little ways from a base." Link said turning her back to them and raising her arms up. "So I took some Zoid armor. I was going to give it back. After I got to a town and bought some new ones." Link said turning back with a hand behind her head and a huge grin. "And it was only the one time." She finished. "Well I think you just what we're looking for, welcome to the Blitz Team." Leena said as she stuck out her hand for Link to shake. Link looked at her a little curious as what to do before she took Leena's hand and shook it. "Um I got to talk to my dad first and see if it's ok. 'Cause I'm not 18 yet, I just turned 16 a few weeks ago." She said with a goofy grin. "Oh, that's ok to because we have to ask my dad to. He's the leader of our team." Leena said. "Really what's his name?""Torso. Why?" Bit asked. "I think he's one of my dad old buddies. So I think he'll say yes." Link said pretty happy. "That's cool, so here's my address and my phone number. Call when you find out the awnser."Link said as she made her way back out to the desert. She waved and called back. "See ya around Jamie." "Hey Jamie I think she likes you." Bit said in a mocking tone as he punched Jamie's arm playfully. "Link Kokkori you say." Torso said with a Zoid model in each hand. "Yeah and I think she was flirting with Jamie here." Bit said as he poked Jamie playfully in the arm. "Shut up Bit it wasn't like that." Jamie protested as he tried to plead his case. "Yes it was, hehehehehe." Bit said in a mocking tone. Just as Jamie was about to complain the phone rang. "Sigh who is it now?" Leena asked as Torso answered the phone. A man that looked a lot like Link sat on the other end. "Huh Torso?" the man asked. "Kokkori?"Dr. Torso. "Torso long time no see how you been man?" the man know as Kokkori asked. "Fine fine how 'bout you I haven't heard from you in a while. I thought you would have been killed off by now." Torso said jokingly. "Ha ha very funny Torso but no I'm still here just a Zoid mechanic. Hehe I see that your team has meet my oldest daughter that's good." He said with a little sweat drop. Suddenly a crash was heard in the background and a loud 'OW' was heard and the camera turned to see six girls piled on top of each other. (AN: no not like that you perverts their sisters. -.-; that's worse) "Hey guys could you do me a favor?" came a shout from the bottom of the pile. "What's that?" asked a girl with the same color hair as Link. "GET OFF OF ME!" the person on the bottom shouted as the girls scrambled off. There stood Link. She rubbed her lower back. "Ow that really hurt, damn sisters." She grumbled. Kokkori looked back from his daughter to Dr. Torso. "Hehehehe I really glad she's back. So what's this business she tells me about be a pilot?" he asked with a serious face. "Well it would appear that Jamie was the one who noticed her first, and went after her." Torso said gesturing to the people standing behind him. "And brought her back and had a interview. And it appears that they liked her. All we really need to do is clear it with you and have a test run of her Zoid." Torso said with a coy smile. "Hmm." Kokkori said as he rubbed his chin, "she has been gone awhile." "A year dad a year." Link shouted. "Come on dad I want to be a zoid pilot like mom and you were." Link said as she wrapped her arms around her dad's neck. "Please? come on maybe I'll meet my next boyfriend. Just like you and mom did." Link pleaded with her father. "Alright, alright you can join the Blitz team on a few conditions." Kokkori shouted. "Yes!" Link shouted. "Woo hoo. Wait till I tell Sam, Sakura, Fox, and Lina," Link said as she raced off to her room to phone her friends. (AN: and yes if your wondering that Sam and Sakura are the same ones as in the story Angels in the light, and Fox will appear in a story soon I think and Lina is Lina inverse. I just threw her in for fun.) Kokkori and the Blitz team sweatdroped. "Cough anyways condition number 1, she has to come home every other weekend for about 3-4 days to spend with family. And that's about It." Kokkori said. "And condition two I want to fight one of the pilots." Link shouted. As she mad her way down the wooden stairway. "Oh yeah this is gonna be great me and liger (AN: that spelled right?) will fight you." Bit said clenching his fists. "Un un I ain't gonna fight with you. I wanna fight Leena." Link said, "and then and only then will I join your team." Link said as she came into view of the camera. "Alright I'll fight you," Leena said as she turned around to go to her room. "But be pre warned Link I won't go easy on you just because we need another pilot." Leena said as she walked into her room and the door closed with a 'swoosh'. Link smirked "I wouldn't have it any other way." Link said. "Well then it's settled. How's tomorrow for the match?" Torso asked. "Tomorrow sounds fine with me." Link said, "alright see you tomorrow then, see yeah Jamie." Link said with a wink. And the communication was ended. Jamie blushed. 'What if bits right.' Jamie thought what if she was flirting with me?' "Damn it why do you get all the babes huh Jamie?" Bit asked with fake tears. "Cut it out be we got to get ready for the battle tomorrow. "Jamie said as he got up and left the room. Link sat in her room typing on her computer running battle tactics. 'No matter what." She thought to her self. 'I won't lose.' That's all ow my fingers hurt really bad. I've been playin Dark Cloud all day I finally got past his one part ow anyways. On the next session of THE KEATON the battle has begun and link and the ghost fox have taken the lead how will Leena counter? Does Link every stop flirting and make a move? Or will it be Jamie that makes the move. And is link moving in? Find out next time, in the mean time review please so I know what to change and suggestion on how the battle goes are appreciated. So please review. ( 2. An New Ally And A Little Luvin Hiya everybody I'm the Little Kitsune with another chapter of the Keaton. Thanks for reviewing and just to let you know the other girls; Link's sisters, are just going to show up a few times they aren't really a main part of the story, mostly it revolves around the romance between Jamie and Link. Maybe a little Bit and Leena, but mostly Jamie and Link, anyways in today's chapter its time for the battle between Link and Leena, maybe a few surprise guest and a lot of action and not just the battle. ;) Anyways on with the story. Disclaimer: Goddamn laws, stupid disclaimer I really don't want to do it today, ~ continues to whine till Hiei comes in ~ Hiei: damn onna, fine I'll do it Little Kitsune owns nothing but Link, her zoid, and her family that's all she owns so no sueing on with the damn story. THE KEATON The Blitz team's hover cargo drove through the blowing sand to the location of the battle arranged by Kokkori. It was about ten-km away from their present location and they we're gaining on it. Leena's gun sniper was ready in the cargo hold and getting ready for battle. "Hehehehe yeah this is going to be sweet!" Leena exclaimed as she and Jamie ready her sniper for the battle against Link. Jamie sweatdroped. "Leena try not to destroy Link. We need her on our team." Jamie said to the overly happy Leena. "Yeah, yeah, I just hope she's a good fighter. And that her zoid is good at maneuvering because she going to get a whole lot of bullets blasted at her. Hehehehe." Leena giggled as she griped the joysticks on her gun sniper. The hover cargo parked and the cockpit opened for the gun sniper to go. A cloud of dust came up and shielded the view of the Blitz team. As the dust cleared there stood Link and her zoid. She wore the same pants as before with the black ties and the chain, but her top was different. It was a goldish; yellow, a sleeve-less shirt with a collar, a black strip on the left side on the front a black button on the top, a pair of long yellow gloves covered her slim arms, her fingers poked through the ends, a black strip at the top. Her hair was done in the same manner, a catlike grin was plastered on her face, "'Bout time you guys got here."Link yelled across the field to the Blitz team. The gun sniper jumped out of the cockpit. It metallic feet crunched against the hard ground. Leena's face appeared on a view screen in Links zoid. "Hiya Link how are ya? You ready to lose?" Leena asked." I don't plan on losing." Link said with a cat-like grin. She peered up into the sky and sat down and closed the cockpit. "It's time! are you ready Ghost fox?"Link asked her zoid; who howled in response. The white judge came hurtling down at the earth with incredible speed. It crashed into the with momentum force and cracked under its weight from the crash. The white judge rose up to the crust of the earth, which was crumbling. "Battle ready? Battle mode 0984. Blitz team vs. Ghost fox" The white judge announced. "Ready fig-""Wait!" the white judge was interrupted by a Dark horn and two others came racing toward the battle. (AN: do you know who this is? I bet you do) the cockpit of the Dark horn opened to reveal (AN: gasp who is it? Hiei: you don't know? Man you are stupid. ~ Smacks forehead ~ LK: oh I know but do the readers?) None other than Harry Champ. (AN: if you didn't see that coming you reading the wrong story or you haven't watched it in while like me or you haven't got that far in the series either way, poor you.) Link sweatdroped. "Who the hell is that freak show?" she asked. "Grr that's Harry Champ. My stalker."Leena answered with a mad vein. "Leena my love who are you fighting? No matter, I shall vanquish the villain." Harry said as he sat back down in his cockpit. Link shuddered and raised her guns. "Who the hell are you calling a villain?" she said in a scary mondan voice that would scary anybody. Jamie patched through to Harry. "Don't you dare call Link a villain Harry. You're the one messing up the battle!" "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Jamie calm down, just calm down dude." Bit said as he tried to calm down the relied up teen. Link patched through to the white judge. "Hey judge this guy is messing up our battle can me an' Leena take care of him?" "Hmm deliberating, deliberating, deliberating, I make in favor of the girls you may do as you wish." "Thanks judge." Link winked at him; "stick around it should be interesting." Link patched through to Leena. "You want the first shot or should I?" "You go for it, he did call you a villain after all." Leena smirked, Link smirked back. "Why Leena you are being quite generous, and you're right he did call me a villain." Link had her a cat- like grin on as she raised and aimed her gun at the Dark horn. "So why don't I act like one." She said as she shot her cannon, which made a direct hit on the dark horn. "Oh now I know why some people are evil. It's really fun some times. Hehehe." Link giggled. "I'll get you for this, you and your Fox zoid." Harry said as Benjamin and Sabation, carrying him and Dark horn away into the blowing sand. "Hahahahaha that's was great Link, you got a good shot there, ok now that's out of the way, hey judge can we fight now?" Leena asked the white judge. "Yes ready fight."the judge's arms clanged as they clashed with each other. Leena started off by firing wildly. Link did her best to maneuver around the onslaught of shots but was hit a few times. "Wow somebody's trigger happy today eh?" Link smirked. "But they won't be around for long." She opened the shoulder compartments to reveal a load of missiles. And opened fire on Leena. "Ung, she had missiles hiding in the shoulders. This should be fun," Leena said with an evil smirk. She opened fire on Link and ran toward her. "Ahhhhhh, damn it." Link cursed as she maneuvered her zoid out of the line of fire and hide behind a rock. "Hmm now where did she go? Hmm? Awe this won't be any fun is she hides." Leena said as she moved her zoid between the rocks. Link and Ghost fox hide in-between a few rocks. "Huff, huff, wow she is seriously trigger happy. Hmm there seems to be only one way to stop her. The lazier claw. Hehe, what do you think, should we do it? Ghost fox."the fox zoid howled and shook its body in response. "Hehe time to end this." Link said as she came out of her hiding spot to come face to face with Leena. "Hi there Link. Glad you decided to show up. I see your ready to lose." Leena said as she raised her guns and aimed at the Fox zoid. "Not quite Leena, for you see you're the one going to lose." With that said the Ghost fox ran toward Leena with its claws glowing. "Strike lazier claw!" she screamed as she made contact with Leena's gun sniper. "Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh. What no way a system freeze? Sigh guess I lose. Hehe good match Link. Welcome to the Blitz team! " Leena said as she opened her cock pit. Link smiled as she opened hers, she gave a thumbs up to Leena, "Good match Leena." "Battle over, battle over winner Ghost fox." "Yeah she won she won woo hoo, yeah, hehehehe" the Blitz team celebrated. 'Hehehe she won she really won.' Jamie thought 'wait this is great now I get to know her better, hehehehe,' "hahahahaha. This is so great." Jamie laughed. "Hey, take that box over there Zelda."Link yelled at her younger sister. The girl that was known as Zelda had the same color hair as Link. She wore a pair of dark blue jeans and a flowing top with long sleeves and the ends flowed open. She wore her hair in a low ponytail and had no bangs and she had bright blue eyes. "Yeah, yeah" Zelda said as she picks up the box Link said. A knock came at the door, "who is it?" "It's um Jamie. Cam I come in?" "Yeah sure where almost done here,"the door opened to reveal Jamie. "Hey, you ready Link?" Jamie asked as he looked around the room. It was a hand painted room that looked a meadow with a sunset, on one wall was a large tree; a cherry blossom tree. "Wow this is a pretty room, who painted it?" Jamie asked. "I did." Link answered "you painted this? All by yourself?" Jamie asked a little astonished he didn't take Link as the artsy type at all. "Um yup I do a lot of paintings, just a hobby." Link said as she picked up a box. She bumped Jamie with her hip. "Come on you the others are waited." Link said with a wink. Jamie blushed, and with that she walked out. Zelda came up behind Jamie who was oblivious to her. "I think she likes you." "Aha huh? You think?" "Yup hehehe." Zelda giggled as she picked up another box and walked out. 'Heh so Link might like me huh? Cool.' Jamie leaned against the doorway and pondered this thought. "Talon bring that back you stupid cat!" a girl with dark red hair yelled as she chased a rather large cat. "Gah whoa." Jamie said as he jumped out of the way of the large animal. "Gotcha!" she yelled as she pounces on the large cat, and wrestled the thing away from the large animal. "Hehe stupid lynx." Link came running up after her. "Did ya get'm Malon?" "Yeah I got'm. Now come on you we gotta wish Link good luck." Malon said as she picked up the large lynxes know as Talon. 'She's got a really weird family,' Link turned around and winked at Jamie, "come on you we gotta go."she said as she tugged on Jamie's arm. And dragged him out of her room and down the stairs out of the house to their waiting team mates. "And this is your room Link right next to Jamie's." Doc Torso said as he opened the door to Links room. Jamie came in after them; a little flushed, "K cool. Now," she said as she set down her things, "I'm going to go out side and watch the sun go down. See ya." With that she walked out and out to the desert. "Yeah I think I'll go to." Jamie said as he inched out and walked out to the desert to find no Link at all. "Huh but I saw her come this way." Jamie said to him self as he scraced his head in confusion. "What you don't see, doesn't always mean it isn't there." Link yelled, "it just means your not looking in the right places. Try looking up." Jamie turned around and looked to the roof of the base to see Link swing her legs over the edge. "Hiya Eagle eye." She smirked. "How'd you get up there?" Jamie yelled. Link jumped down and landed next to Jamie. "Very easy my friend, I flew." She grinned. (AN: the way Link fly's is like the way the guys in Dragon Ball Z fly. Got it?) "Hehehehehe good joke Link now how-" but Jamie was cut off mid sentence because he was floating off the ground. He looked over to see Link's had his arm and was flying up ward toward the roof. 'Wow this is so cool I wonder if she'll teach me?' they soon landed, and Jamie collapsed on to the roof. "That's how I got up here. Guess that's what you get for having a fairy as a partner." She grinned and sat down near the edge. The sun was just setting and the sky had turned a golden orange with hints of pink and purple, the stars stared to come out and blink at the two teens on the roof. "It's beautiful." Link said as she watched the magnificent sight in front of her, " yeah it is." Jamie said turning his head toward Link, then down toward her hand that rested next to him. 'Should I go for it?' he thought to him self as he unfolded his hands and shakily came close to hers. Then he steadily placed his hand over hers. Link looked toward him. Jamie blushed and looked down. "I'm sorry but your sister said-"she squeezed his hand to let him know it's was ok. She turned to him and smiled. He blushed and smiled back. They sat there hand in hand watching the sun go down. "I love watching the stars at night." Link said as she fell onto her back, and pulled Jamie's hand to follow her. He looked toward the sky and smiled and fell backwards. He rested his body close to Links. 'She smells like cherry blossoms and the forest.' Jamie thought. Link rested her head on Jamie's chest; he blushed madly. She looked toward him and giggled, she lifted her head and sat up, and continued to giggle. "What's so funny?" Jamie asked as he sat up. "You," she said as she pointed at him and giggled more. "What about me?" he said scooting closer to her. "You blush at almost everything, it's just so cute." Link said as she calmed down a bit. "Yeah well I'll show you who's cute." He said as he crawled over closer to Link until he was face to face with her. He looked into her eyes; like he was asking for permission for what he had in mind. She made no objection in her eyes just confusion. He cupped his hands around Links face and closed the gap between them. 'Ah so his kissed are soft and sweet, a girl could get used to this.' Link thought as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the kiss, it was very soft, Jamie was being gently with her lips. They soon parted and looked into each other's eyes. Link smiled a loving smile. "Now who's cute?" Jamie asked still looking into Link, "hehe, still you" Link said and she moved in and kissed Jamie. They parted after a few minutes. "So what does this mean?" Link asked. "Well it was just a spur of the moment thing and I guess I was wondering if you'd like to be my, um girlfriend? " Jamie asked blushing and looked deep into Links eyes. Link closed her eyes and rubbed her chin. "Hmm I'll think about it and tell you tomorrow how bout that?" Link asked. Jamie chuckled, "I guess that will be alright. Now lets get down the other might worry where we are." Jamie said as he got up and turned toward Link and offered his hand; which she excepted. She placed an arm around Jamie and jumped off the roof and floated down and walked back to the base with Jaime's hand in hers. That's it wow I love that last part 'walking hand in hand away into the sunset.' ~ goes starry eyed and continues to ramble till Hiei yet again walks in ~ Hiei: Woman stop rambling and get me some sweet snow now! LK: quite youkai I'm imagining stuff. Anyways next chapter of KEATON. Will Link say yes? Or will she turn him flat out down, nope. And what happens when they tell the others. Will more secrets be raveled? Some of Links past might. Hiei: MMM Sweet snow. LK: -_-; yeah- so now that you've read please review. Thank now see ya. ~ Glomps Hiei, he in turn drops his bowl of sweet snow ~ Hiei: Gah my sweet snow damn you woman LK: you know you luv me. 3. Beach Time Romance And A Kidnapping Hiya everybody it me the Little Kitsune. Thank you a whole lot for reviewing that's why I'm doing this. Yup, yup, yup. I'm going to try to update sooner sorry for the wait I have to take the stupid WASL test at school and crap like that but I promise to try to update during summer, right now I just got a lot of crap on my plate. Yeah, yeah I know don't complain but CURSE YOU SCHOOL, CURSE YOU Shakes fists at sky School: HAHAHAHAHAHA. LK: Ack didn't see that coming. Anyways on today issue some new battles and new romances, yes I know there isn't really a plot yet but there will be soon I hope. anyways on with the story. Disclaimer: Jamie: Do it. LK: I ain't doing it. Jamie: Do it LK you have to it's the law. LK: Noo continues to whine Make Hiei do it. I do wanna. Hiei wanders in Hiei: That's it woman go to your room and don't come out till I say so! LK: Chibi eyes WAAA your mean. Runs off to room crying. Jamie: She's right that was kind of mean. Hiei: Quite you. Anyways Little Kitsune does not own us just her original characters so don't sue or steal. I'm done, can I go? Jamie: Yeah sure, I got to get back to the story. I'm in it anyways. Runs off Hiei: Whatever takes out a bowl of sweet snow Hehehe sweet snow. MMM! KEATON Jamie had woken up kind of early that morning. The morning mist had not yet risen from the sand that covered the ground. He sat down in a soft chair waiting for the others to get up. But mostly Link. He was anxious to hear her answer. 'I really hope she says yes' he though to him self. He reposition him self after a few minutes. "Arg I can't take this waiting I'm just going to go into Links room and ask her." He said to him self as if to make him self believe it. He got off of the chair and marched to Links room, shaking a little as he entered her room. The door swooshed as he entered he looked around, looking for his fairy teammate. The shelves were covered with picture frames of people from the sister to her parents to friends. Jamie walked quietly over to shelves and looked over the pictures, he stopped on one picture inpaticular of a woman that looked like Link and what appeared to be a little Link. The little kid in the picture looked like Link now except shorter and was carrying a doll that was almost as tall as her. The girl wore her hair the same as Link, she wore a dark green kimono. 'Wow Link was cute as a kid.' Jamie thought a he took the picture off the self. He studied the other person in the picture. She was tall and slender. Her bangs were short and only reached her eyes. She had the same blondish; orange hair, Link and her dad had but she had ice blue eyes. She wore a pleasant smile on her face and she wore a white kimono with a few flowers at the bottom of it. The two of them stood in front of a large cherry blossom tree. 'Wait a minute.' Jamie though as he looked closer at the picture, 'that's the same cherry blossom tree I saw in Link's room.' A light yawn caught Jamie's attention toward the bed where a sleeping figure moved. The sheets few off of the bed, and Link sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. She wore a yellow silk string top; that was falling off. She stretched her legs, which were covered by a pair of black spandex shorts. On the end of her slender legs was a pair of baggy socks. Her long hair fell over her slender shoulders. She peered around her room, her eyes coming to rest on Jamie. "Yawn morning Jamie." Link said as she stretched. "Um hi Link I was just um just." Jamie said as he fumbled with the picture frame and tried to find the right words. Link looked at him with confusion and got out of bed and walked over to him and looked up into his eyes, she tilted her head. "You were just what, exactly?" Link asked. "Uh n-nothing. Nothing at all come on lets go eat breakfast." "Yea." Link said as she jumped into the air and floated around for a little bit as she celebrated for breakfast. "Can we have waffles and bacon?" Link asked as she got close to Jamie's face. "Um." He looked into her forest green eyes. "Heh, sure Link what ever you want." "Yeah waffles, waffles, waffles!" Link exclaimed as she marched around Jamie and then out the door to the kitchen. Jamie stood a little shock. 'Hehehe she sure is perky in the morning ain't she? Jamie though to him self. "Sigh what have I gotten my self into?" He asked the room around him. "I don't know what?" a voice from the door way asked. "Ack Bit how long have you been there?" Jamie asked rather annoyed. "A little while she really must like you. Hehehe." Bit chuckled. "Arg shut up Bit," Jamie shouted as he stormed out. "Waffles, waffles." Link shouted as she marched back in and around the boy. Bit groaned, "How can you be so full of energy in the morning?"he asked the parading girl. Link stopped for a moment and looked Bit straight in the eyes. "Um no clue." She said and resumed her march back toward the kitchen and Jamie who was preparing waffles and bacon. Link sat at the table and munched happily on a waffle. Jamie soon emerged from the kitchen. He set his plate next to Links and sat down and ate his bacon. Bit soon joined the two youths. He stared at the eating Link; who put another load of waffles on her plate. "You sure got a appetite eh Link?" Link smiled in response and nodded her head yes. 'Great I fell for the girl with the cast iron stomach.' Jamie sighed to him self. Link giggled as she ate. 'But she's cute and fun to be around. Maybe this won't be so bad.' Jamie thought to himself as he ate. The door swooshed as Leena entered the eating area. "Yawn g'morning guys. Yawn hey Link dad said we got a battle today against the Flugole team. (AN: that's Naomi's team, not sure how its spelled so I took a guess.) Link looked up from her waffle. "Ya don't say. Am I going into battle?" "That's what he was talking about." Leena shrugged. "Well whatever." Link said as she went back to her waffles. The door swooshed as Doc Torso entered the dining hall. "Hey team you ready for the battle today?" "Huh? What battle you never told us about a battle today! We didn't even have time to plan a strategy!" Jamie exclaimed. Link looked over at the spazing boy. She smiled and patted the boy on the back. "Don't worry about it eagle eye, we can handle it can we Bit?" Link said as she looked toward the blonde hared boy. "Yeah we can take them." Bit said as he jumped up and took off toward the hanger. Link and the rest of the team sweatdroped. "Heh and he calls me energetic in the morning." The Blitz teams hover cargo rolled down the path toward the meeting place against Naomi's team. "So it's me and Link against Brad and Naomi?" Bit asked Doc Torso. He nodded in response. "Yeah I was thinking that Link could go after Naomi and you go after Brad in the Yager. (That's the blue armor for the Liger, with the super speed.) The two teens nodded and when down to the hanger to get ready for the battle. Jamie stood next to the Ghost fox and looked it over. 'Where'd Link get this Zoid? I've never seen one like it except for Brad's' Jamie mused to him self as he wandered around the fox Zoid. Bit and Link wandered into the hanger. Bit walked over to his Liger and opened the cockpit and jumped in. Link continued to walk to her Zoid and walked up behind Jamie as he continued to muse to him self. She watched the young teen in amusement. 'He's such a weird guy.' Link thought to her self. 'He's so entranced by Zoids, but then again who isn't' "Hehehe what's ya doin eagle eye?" Jamie jumped and turned toward the smiling Link. "Hmm?" Link asked as she got close to him. "Um just wondering something." "Like what? Hmm?" "Like where'd you got this Zoid it looks pretty rare." Jamie said as he admired the fox Zoid. He could have sworn that it puffed it chest out. Link looked toward her Zoid with a far off look in her eyes; like she was off in a memory. "It was my mom's." Link said as she looked away. "Uh Link I'm..." Jamie said as he tried to comfort his teammate. Link wiped her eye and turned back to Jamie with a smile and tears shining in her eyes. "Its ok." Jamie looked toward Bit, he was talking to Liger. Jamie took a step toward the weeping fairy. "Link, what happened to her? To your mother I mean." "She was killed in battle, the strap holding her in broke and she got hit and it snapped and her head smashed through the glass and she fell on the battle field. She was rushed toward the hospital, but it was to late she suffered massive head damage and she died later that night." Link shook badly as she talked. Jamie walked over and held her as she cried. "Link," He said as he held her tight. "I'm so sorry that happened." "It's ok. I'm just glad that I can pilot her Zoid. She was in this Zoid when she meet dad. And she said she fell in love with him from their first battle. I always wished that would happen to me." "I think it did." Jamie said softly as he pushed her against the Zoid's leg. "What?" was all Link could get out be for Jamie caught her lips. He kissed her softly; then nibbled her bottom lip, asking for entrance into her mouth. She stood there; a little shocked about the whole thing. Finally it all sank in. she opened her mouth and allowed him entrance, she griped his shirt tightly as their tongue's entranced each other. "Woo hoo way to go Jamie." Jamie and Link pulled apart fast, and looked toward the grinning Bit and starry-eyed Leena. Link wobbled and fell backwards. "Whoa, ack. Ow" Link said as she tripped over her Zoid's leg. (AN: Now that takes talent to trip over your own Zoid's leg. Hiei: You should know you trip over air. LK: Quite you! Hmm? 'eyes bowl of ice cream in his hands' Hiei: What are planning? LK: Nothing. 'Whistles innocently') "Ack Link you ok?" Jamie asked as he helped his teammate. "Yeah I'm fine." She said as she looked into his eyes then turned away; her cheeks blushed pink. Bit grinned and looked over at Leena and placed an arm around her. She looked up at him and smiled and moved closer to him. "Hmm hehehehe" Link giggled as she looked at the two teens. She leaned close to Jamie; who intern put his arm around the girl. "Come on Link we got a battle to win." Bit said as he clenched his free hand. "Yeah!" Link said as she jumped a little and raised her arm in triumph. I'm lazy and don't feel like writing the battle, a-choo. Aug I'm sick, I blame you Yasha T "Yeah we won we did it" Link said as she ran toward the hover cargo as the door opened to let the two pilots in. As soon as she got in the hanger she jumped out and raced over to Jamie and jumped him; making them both topple over. They both laughed at their clumsiness. Bit jumped down from the Liger and smiled at the two teens as Leena walked over and grabbed his arm. "There a cute couple huh?" Bit asked Leena. "Yup and so are we." She said as she kissed him on the cheek; making it turn a light pink. "Good job team. Lets have a celebration how about we go to the beach?" "Yeah!" was the response of the Blitz team. "Yeah beach, beach, beach!" the happy teens celebrated as they ran off to get their things. "I wanna sun bath." Leena said as she spread her towel out on the sand. "I wanna swim." Bit said as he charged toward the water. Link walked down toward the water and watched the waves go in and out. She wore a black bikini. The top tied in the front of her chest. Her hair was still in the usual ponytail. She stretched her arms above her head and rocked on her heels as she caste her hands down. Jamie walked down the path with a pack on his back. "Ug why do I gotta carry the stuff?" he whined as he set the things down. He looked toward his fairy partner. He looked her over, a deep blush rose on his cheeks. 'She looks really good in black.' He though to him self as he walked over to her. He noticed something on her back though. It was a deep gash, claw like mark's; three of them down the middle of her back, "Ahhh ow!" Bit yelled as a waved crashed into him and washed him ashore. "Bwahahahahahaha have a nice surf Bit?" Link said as she held her sides and continued to laugh, Jamie chuckled and placed an arm around Link's waist and held her close. She tugged at his arm, she lean close to his ear. "Come on lets go for a walk." She whispered in his ear, and slipped out of his grasp. He looked over at Bit and Leena as Leena helped Bit up and he wrapped his arms around her and leaned down toward her. 'I can see where this is going.' Jamie though to him self as he took after Link. "Where's the Doc?" Link asked as they walked along the shoreline. "He's hiding out in the hover cargo, 'cause he can swim." Jamie said as he grabbed her hand. She smiled and continued to walk. The walked and talked for a little while, just enjoying each other's company. "Hey Link," Jamie asked as they started to walk back. "What's up eagle eye?" "Well um do you consider us boyfriend and girlfriend?" he asked with a tinge of pink in his cheeks, "yup!" Link said as she swung the their hands back and forth. She released his grasp from hers and walked over to a piece of driftwood and broke off a piece. She marched back toward the shoreline with a confused Jamie right behind. She scribbled something in the sand; obscure form his vision till she was finished. It said LJ in a heart with a arrow throw it. Link looked up from her work and smiled. She looked back at the direction they where going and turned back to Jamie, smiled and then took off running. "Hey!" Jamie yelled at the retreating figure. And took off after her. They soon stopped to see Bit asleep on a blanket with Leena nicely nestled in his arms." Aw how cute." Link said in a silly voice. She giggled and looked toward the sea. "I wanna go surfing." She said and picked up a board and left before Jamie could respond. "Awe this is just like homes beach, except with out all the monsters." Link said to her self as she paddled out in the water and laid sown on her board. "Hey cutie how bout you and me go for a swim?" Link looked nest to her board to see a boy sitting on a black surfboard. He was a tall trim and muscular. He had short green hair that was kind of spiked but sort down because of the water. He had chestnut brown eyes that lingered on Links top half. "Um no that's ok."Link said as she turned her body away from his penetrating eyes, "why not you all alone and I'm all alone how about we keep each other company?" he asked as he shifted his board toward hers. "No because one I don't know you and two I'm here with my team which I should be getting back to." She said as she lend down and stared to paddle toward shore. 'Oh crap why did I where the revealing one?' Link though. Then her thought's recollected and remembered. 'Duh I wore it to impress Jamie, bad way of doing it though.' She though as she looked toward the boy leering at her. "Well my names Jacob. Now why don't you tell me your name and we can go for a swim. Hmm?" he said as he paddled closer to her. "Link and no I'm kinda hungry and my boyfriend is waiting." And with that she paddled on wards and way from the perverted boy. He was not satisfied with the answer and followed her to shore. "Hey Link you want a burger?" Bit asked as his fairy teammate, "that'd be great." Link said as she walked over to her teammates. "What about your friend?" Bit said and jestered to the boy on the shore. "Huh?" Link said as she sat next to Jamie and looked toward the shore. "Oh crap why doesn't he get the message?" Link mumbled to her self, but Jamie heard. He leaned close to Links pointed ear. "Everything ok sweetheart?" he whispered. "No," she whispered back. "This guy was leering at my chest and asked if I wanted to go for a swim, when I declined he still persisted. I really don't like that type of attention." Link said as the boy sat next to her. He grinned and took a burger offered to him. "Did you tell him you had a boyfriend?" Jamie asked. "Ya, but he still doesn't get it." Link said as she looked over to the staring boy. She shivered as he winked at her. Jamie glared at him and wrapped a protective arm around Links waist. She smiled and moved closer to his protective body. Jacob scowled and ate his burger in silence as the team chatted about the day's battle. "So you guys are a Zoid team huh? Must be pretty exciting." Jacob said as he finished his burger, "yeah my Zoid is the Liger zero. Leena's is a gun sniper and Jamie flies a ranous (That spll right?) and Link's is one I've never seen in my travels as a Zoid parts dealer, what was it called again link a ke-ke-" "a Keaton is what its called where I come from but here its called the Ghost fox." "Why's that Link?" Jacob asked in a somewhat seductive voice. "Because they say it disappears after it's owner dies or sells it. It chooses it's own master." Link said as she ate the last of her burger. 'I must get that Zoid and Zoid pilot for the back draft.' Jacob though to him self. "Yawn! Man I'm tired lets hit the hey." Bit said as they entered the base. The other teens agreed by yawning. Link trudged toward the both room still in her jeans and tee shirt,(you know the one's from the first chap her clothes won't really change cause I'm to lazy to make new one's up) she closed the door and turned toward the mirror unaware of the shadow behind her. She brushed her teeth and spit. And swashed the remains down the drain. In one swift movement a cloth was placed around her mouth. She struggled to scream but passed out into the arms of her capture. Jacob dawned in black smirked at his captured victim. "Heh it would have been easier on you if you had come swimming with me, but this works to." He said with a fanged grin and hosed the body of the unconscious fairy onto his back and passed the unconscious bodies of Doc, Bit and Leena. "I would of loved to get that boyfriend of yours but I can; seem to find him. Oh well I came for what I had to get." He said as he hosed him self in to a raptor. And took off. Unaware of the eagle eyed boy sitting in his ranous. "No one takes one of my team mate's as long as the wild eagle is around," he said with a arrogant smirk. And took off after the raptor and his new love. Owowowowowowowow my fingers hurt and I'm sick. A-choo. 'Blows into tissue.' 'Hiei looks over' Hiei: you better not infect me girl or you will pay. LK: you know you luv me. Anyways oh no Link's kidnapped but she's the main character with out her there is no story. But wait what's this? The wild eagle to the rescue and Link finds out about Jamie's other half? Shocker two boys for the price of one. And what's this? Link's dad and Jamie's dad find them dating and now its an all out war between the dad. What? Link and Jamie can't be together? Will their love concur their dad orders or will the lose each other? Find out on the next issue of KEATON which will be posted in summer or when I get another bright idea, LK: give me some of that ice cream. Hiei: no my sweet snow. 'Runs away' LK: yarg 'tackles Hiei for the ice cream and falls and smashes the bowl in the process' Hiei T-T my sweet snow wah a-choo and now I'm sick and it's all your fault. Wah. LK: 'blows nose and hands a tissue to Hiei' deal with it I have to. 'Plops down on couch and watches Yu Yu Hakuso' 4. Back Together Then Lost Again Helloo how ya'll doin? No I ain't from the south I'm in Washington. Oh no I'm a bad authoress I don't update much poor you. A well I went ice-skating and fell once and it still hurts in my knee. Sorry for the spelling errors in the last issue I just spelled it the way it sounded. So this is the forth issue of the KEATON. Link's life goes a little upsidown. And it's Jamie to the rescue or should I say the Wild Eagle and Vega makes his first appreance. And there will be like a few more chapters then it's done. K see ya at the end. Disclaimer: LK: 'hiding under a table with a paper in front of her face. Looks to see readers' shhh I'm hiding from the disclaimer. Hehehe stupid disclaimer. Hiei: you know I can see you down there. 'Jagan glows.' LK: damn psychic. I don't own Zoid's I own Link and her Zoid and family. K on with the story. KEATON Link sat tied to a chair. She rested in a pitch-black room; the only light that entered the room was from a lamp that hung from the ceiling. She groaned and opened her forest green eyes to see darkness. "Oh great where the hell am I this time?" she asked no one. The door swooshed shedding light into the pitch-black room. There in the doorway Jacob leaned against the doorframe with his fanged smirk on. "Well hello Link, I'm glad to see your awake, now." He said as he entered the room his grin gone. It was replaced with a serious look. Link looked away and didn't answer. Jacob walked over to her and tilted her chin to face him. "Now tell me how you got that Zoid. And say you will pilot it for the back draft." Jacob smirked as Link glared at him with cold hard eyes. She then smirked and bit into Jacob's finger. "Aug you little bitch." He yelled as he looked at his now bleeding finger. Link smirked; blood dripped from her lips. "I will never pilot for you. Your bastard team mates killed my mother." She yelled and glared hard and started to rocked her chair back and forth. "Heh you can try but you won't escape we have guards every were." He said as he left. Link sighed, "I really don't want to be here. I hope Jamie's ok." She said as she looked back down and drifted into unconsciousness. The Wild Eagle snuck around a corner. Barley missing a passing guard. 'Damn where is that woman.' He though as he looked around and bolted for another corner. "So who is this new person Sara?"a child like voice asked from down the hall. The Wild Eagle peered around the corner to see two figures coming his way. It was Sara and Vega. "Her name is Link and we hope she'll join us but I'm not really sure. We might have to threaten her." Sara said as they walked over to the room where Link was being held. The Wild Eagle looked past the two people, the saw the person he was looking for. 'Yes I found her now I just have to get her out of here with out being noticed which will be really hard.' Vega ventured further into the dark room; he walked over to the unconscious girl. He walked around the fairy girl. "Hey Sara this girl is really weird." "Vega that isn't very nice to say about a unconscious person." "Well she is. She have pointed ears, see?" Sara's heels clinked against the floor as she walked over to the girl. She tilted Links head to the side to see her ears. "Indeed they are pointed. Hmm she seems familiar. I shall do research." with that she left the young teen with the unconscious girl. Vega sighed, "So what do you do exactly." "I talk, I fight, and I think, normal stuff for a teenage fairy don't ya thing?" Link said as she lifted her head and smirked. Vega jumped back. "Hey there who are you and why am I here?" Link asked as she looked toward the door. She smirked as she saw the Wild Eagle. He made a shhing motion. She winked at him and turned her attention toward the other young teen next to her; who was flicking her ear. "Could you stop that? Its really annoying."she said in a bored sort of tone. "Sorry but I've never seen a real fairy up close." He said as he came toward her. She glared at him, she snorted and laughed. "You are really weird." Vega said. "Is that so, well deal with it. I have to. But then again I'm trapped in a place I hate with the people who killed my mother. So yeah my life is really great." Link said as she rolled her eyes. Vega walked around the fairy girl yet again. "Someone from the back draft killed your mom?" "Yeah so there." Link said and stuck out her tongue. "How old are you?" "I just turned 16 a month ago. Why?" "You act a lot younger." Vega said, as he looked her over. "That so, well I got five sisters and two brothers. Two sisters are blood related along with one brother and the other four are step. To bad my step mom ain't here." "Why's that? What happened to her?" Vega asked rather intrigued by the fairy girl. "She died when I was 14 from breast cancer. When I heard about it I really couldn't take losing another mom. So I took off on my own adventure. I came back the night she died and spent some time with her before she died, then took off to deal with my grief." Link said as tears dripped down her face. "That's two moms gone that I loved and I couldn't do a thing to stop either from being killed." Vega looked way. "I'm sorry that happened to you." The door swooshed open as Sara entered. "Vega it's time to train." "All right Sara. See ya Link." Vega waved goodbye to the fairy girl who smiled in response. The two people passed by Jacob who stood in the door way smirking. "What are you so happy about? You bastard." Link scowled at him as she spoke. Jacob revealed a chain. "You gonna tie me up and rape me? Lot of good that'll do." Link said as she stared at the chain. "Don't you know what I am? I'm a forest fairy and a guredo. My mums half so I'm half, half. So just try it." Link said with an evil scowl. "Oh no I'm not going to do that. I'm going to beat you till you say you'll join the back draft." He said with an evil smirk as he clinked the chain and walked slowly toward Link. He raised the chain above his head and brought it down hard on Links shoulder. "Aug." Link screamed in agony as he beat her with the chain. Her blood dripped off the chair and onto the floor. Link cough and spit blood onto the floor, "now say you'll join the back draft." Jacob said as he clinked the chain. "Cough never. I'll never pilot for you." Link said more blood-dripped form her mouth. "Humph I'll try again later." He said as he walked out with the bloody chain in his hands. The Wild Eagle watched the whole event in horror. 'Now's my chance I can get Link out of here and bring her to safety.' He thought to him self as he raced toward the door narrowly avoiding Jacob. Link raised her black and blue head to see a blurred vision of someone. "Who are you?" she asked as the figure came closer to her. "Don't come near me. Or I swear I'll kill you." She said she started to rock her chair away from the figure. "I'm me the Wild Eagle." "Never heard of you now if you don't get away from me." She said she continued to rock back and forth. "I will kill you without mercy." 'Oh damn that's right she's never met me. I guess I have to let Jamie take over.' He though as he went back to Jamie. "Huh where am I?" Jamie asked as he looked around his surroundings. His attention was caught by Link coughing up more blood. "Link!" Jamie said as he rushed over the fairy girl. "Jamie?! What are you doing here and what happened to that Wild Eagle guy?" "Um I'll explain later, lets get you out of here." Jamie said as he knelt behind her and untied the bond that restrained her. "Yeah I'm free." She celebrated as she rubbed her wrists. The door swooshed open and Vega walked in. "oh crap." Link said as she sat back down. "Hey you got out." "Please don't tell." "Its cool you want out right?" Link nodded. "I'll help you guys get out." "You will? THANK YOU!" Link shouted as she ran and glomped the young boy. "Ok but you have to stop crushing me." "Oops, sorry." Link said as she released him. Vega walked down the corridor with a chain Link and Jamie. "Vega, what are you doing?" a passing guard asked. "Taking them to Sara in the hanger." He said as they walked. "Ok be careful. The fairy is trick and hard to knock out." Link glared at the guard as he walked off. "Hehehe stupid guard. Come on we got to hurry before they find out I lied." Vega said as they ran toward the hanger and toward their freedom. "You guys be careful out there." Vega said as he waved to his new friends. "You sure you don't want to come?" Link said from the raynous. "Yeah I still have work here. See ya later guys." Vega said as he turned and walked back toward the base. The raynous took off into the air and gained altitude fast. "Ah it's so good to be free. And with my best guy." Link said as she looked out the window. "Link I got to tell you something." Jamie said as he put the raynous on autopilot. "That guy the Wild Eagle well he's me. I'm the Wild Eagle, he's my other half. He comes out in battle." Link was quiet. She continued to stare out the window. "So he heard what happened to my moms?" "Yeah I heard through him. I'm really sorry that happened to you." "Yeah I am to. she would have loved to meet you." The horn of Kokkori's van honked. "Come on dad stop talking to Oscar and Torso and go get Link." Ruto the youngest of the sisters honked the horn and yelled at her stepfather. Her dark blue hair was done in two braids. She had a starfish clip in her hair to hold some of it back. "All right I'm going she should be ready by now." He said as he wandered to Links room. Link sat on the bed as Jamie helped her bandaged her arms. "That jerk really did a number on you." He said as he wrapped a bandage around her arm. "I'm so sorry I didn't get there sooner I could ha-"he was cut off by Links lips; silencing him. "Quiet you." She said as she kissed him again. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. The door swooshed open. "Link are you ready?"Kokkori said as he walked in on Jamie and Link kissing. "Dad.""Mr. Kokkori?" "Link please go to the car and wait there. I need to talk to Oscar." "All right dad. Bye Jamie." "Bye Link." He said as he watched her go. Kokkori glared at him for a second and then left. Jamie flopped back onto the bed. "This seriously ain't good." He said as he rubbed his face. "Why didn't you tell me you were with Oscars boy? Link sweetheart I'm you father I have a right to know these things." "Yeah I know." "So why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't think you would understand." Link said as she sat down at the table across from her father. "Dad I think I love him," Link said. "What?! You don't know what love is. Your only 16 years old you don't know what your saying!" Kokkori said as ranted on about it. "What about you dad? Huh? What about you?" "What are you talking about?" "You said you loved mom from the first time you saw her and you were only 17 years old dad. You and mom taught me that if you find someone you love to hold onto them and never let anything hurt them." "Yeah that worked with this boy. Look at you Link. You have cuts and bruises all over you." "And he saved me risking his own life to do it." Link yelled at her father. "That's it you are not allowed to see him." "Dad I love him and I can't change that." Link said tear threatening to fall. "That's enough either you stop seeing him or you can't pilot for the blitz team anymore." Link sat stunned. 'Stop seeing Jamie or stop piloting.' "Arg I hate you!" Link yelled as she ran away toward the barn. The doorbell rang. "Arg." Was all Kokkori said as he went to answer the door. There stood Oscar and Jamie. "Um welcome. What can I do for you Oscar?" "I would like to talk to you." Kokkori moved out of the way and let Oscar and Jamie into the house. "It would appear that Jamie loves Link." Oscar said as the sat around the table. "Um Mr. Kokkori where's Link?" "She's out in the barn. Why don't you go see her?" Jamie jumped up and walked out toward the barn. "So Jamie loves Link and Link loves Jamie. This is a big mess." Kokkori said. "How so? I think it's a nice thing that they love each other."Oscar said. "Oscar they are 16 years old they don't know what love is." "But they do know that they care about each other. So why not let them be together?" "I just don't want them to be hurt if they say I love you and break up later." "Just let them be they'll be fine." "No! They won't their just 16 they shouldn't go that far until they're sure!" Kokkori yelled. "Kokkori your being bull headed!" "I'm being bull headed, I'm being bull head look who's talking I just don't want my little girl hurt again she's already be through so much, she doesn't need that boy to add to her problems." "That boy happens to be my son. And I think you right. They shouldn't be together. She might turn out to be like you." With that Oscar stormed out to the barn. Link sat in the loaf. Tears dripped, almost dry. "Stupid old man telling me what to do. But what am I going to do. I love Jamie. But I love being on the blitz team. Arg why is my life complicated?" Link asked no one. The horsed neighing caught her attention. Link looked down the hatch of the loaf down to where the horses were held. She saw Jamie backing slowly away from Epona. "Nice horse good horse stay there." "Having fun?" Jamie turned around to see links head stick out of the ceiling. Jamie walked up the latter and wrapped his arms around Link. "Jamie my Dad said I can see you anymore. Or I can't pilot for the blitz team. Both will drive me insane." "I know Link I-I-I love you Link." Jamie said as he hugged her close. She giggled softly. "I love you too." She said and clung to him. Jamie pulled back and caught her lips; he nibbled her bottom lip and was allowed entrance. They stayed that why for a few minutes. They pulled apart and looked at each other. "I love you so much but we have to be apart till we can figure out what to do." Jamie said as he looked into her eyes, tears dripped from them, "but we can be together just in secret. Ok? So don't cry I love you to much to see you cry." She nodded her head yes and hugged him again. "JAMIE! Come out here we're leaving." Oscar yelled at the barn. Jamie looked at Link and kissed and hugged her again and whispered "remember I will always love you no matter what anyone says." "I love you so much Jamie." She whispered back and let go of him. And watched him go around the house and off into the car and go. Tears fell as she watched her love go. That's it wow that's the fastest I written something, TWO DAYS wow that is fast aren't you happy? Well on the next chapter. Jamie and Link lose each other but still see each other in secret. It's just like Romeo and Juliet. Don't worry neither of them die. But what will happen? It's Link 18th b-day by the time they get back together. And what's this Bit and Leena getting married and what's this Jamie purposed to Link? The chapter after that Link and Jamie's wedding. Aw I get write a wedding story. See ya later. ;-) 5. Will You Marry Me? Hiya guy's wazz up? HUH? 'Many things are throw at her.' Ack ok, ok I'm sorry for taking so long to update. Ok I'm taking a trip and will be gone for a week so deal with it I got one more chapter after this. Ok so KEATON is coming to an end. Thanks you guys who have been with me from the start. 'Cry's' you guys are so great. THANK YOU! Disclaimer: I own almost nothing. But my original characters k so don't take without permission. So on with the ficcy KEATON Link sat on the rooftop waiting for Jamie. She kicked her heels against the ledge of the roof out of boredom. She looked toward the setting sun. "It's been two years since our first kiss." Link said to no one inpaticular. Yes Link was now 17 and a half. Her 18th was coming up and then she could do what she liked. Jamie's 18th birthday had already past about a month ago. Link gave him a painting of the setting sky. He loved it. "Hey there Link sorry to keep you waiting." Jamie said as he climbed the ladder leading to the roof. They had put it there so people could come up. Link giggled as she watched Jamie toppled over the edge of the roof. His skin hitting the cold pavement of the roof. Link got up and walked over to him and held out a hand and continued to giggle. "I really need to teach you how to fly." Link said as she pulled Jamie to his feet. Not much had changed about the two teens. They we're still in deep of love as they were when they were 16. About the only thing that changed was Links hair; it had gotten longer, about the end of her back. She still keeps it in the same style. Link looked at Jamie and smiled, then hugged him; her arms going around his neck. Jamie smiled and wrapped his arms around Links waist. "Hey Jamie." Link said as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Hmm." Jamie said from his resting place on her shoulder. "You know when I'm 18 we can be together and my father and your father can't do anything about it." Link said in a gentle tone. "Yeah. I can't wait for your birthday to come I got you a really special present." Jamie said to Link in a secretive tone. Link pulled back from Jamie and looked at. "Tell me." She said like a little kid trying to pry it out of a parent. "No" he said as he shook his head. "I'm not going to tell you but it will be really good." Jamie said with a smile. Link pouted at his answer. "Hump fine. I'll pry it out of Bit then." Link said with a sly grin. She knew how to get answers out of Bit. Jamie shook his head at her comment. "Nope I haven't told Bit yet our Leena." Jamie said as he saw Links mouth open to say Leena's name. Link pouted again and scrunched up her nose. Jamie laughed at her face. "You look like a little rabbit you know." Jamie said as he pulled her cheeks. "Ack stop, stop you know I hate when you pull you cheeks." Link said as she rubbed her sore cheeks. "You are a real baka some times." Link said to him. He smiled at her. "You know you love me." He said to her. "Nope I don't love you." She said as she crossed her arms. And turned away. (AN: this is an on going joke between me and my friends. They say something insulting to someone. They say 'I hate you so much right now.' Then they go 'you know you love me.' The other goes yeah right. But that's just us. We're big dorks.) Link turned back to him and stuck her tongue out at him. "Nnn. Hehehe" She giggled and jumped off the roof. "Link, Link, Link. Guess what, guess what?" Leena asked very excited, "I take it some thing good." Link said with a grin. "Yeah its really good." Leena said as she showed Link her right hand. She had a gold ring on her ring finger. She squealed and hopped up and down. "Bit asked me to marry him and I said yes." Leena said as she went into another fit of giggles. Link smirked. "I'm so happy for you. when are you going to have it?" Link said as she hugged Leena. Leena went into another fit of giggles. "We haven't decided yet. But it will be soon." Leena said as she went into another fit of giggles. Soon she calmed down. "Ok, ok I got to go tell my dad he will be so happy. Eh! Can you believe it me and bit are getting married." Leena said as she rushed off to find Torso. Link leaned against the wall and hugged her self; a few tears were shed but nothing more. "Link are you here sweetheart?" A voice called from the front of the hanger. Links head shot up. It was her dad and Oscar together. Now that was confusing. "And in what parallel universe are we in that you to are some where together without yelling?" Link said in a sarcastic voice as he father walked over to her and hugged her. "Dad? What are you doing here with Mr. Kokkori." Jamie said the last bit a little slower trying to make sense of it all. He looked over at Link; who shrugged in response. "Kids we got something to tell you would you please come out side." Links dad said and walked over to the entrance of the hanger. Jamie walked over to Link. "What do you think this is about?" Jamie whispered in her pointed ear. "Maybe they made up and will let us be together." Link whispered back. "If it is I got a plan." Link whispered her plan into Jamie's ear. He grinned in response. He nodded his head. "Come on." Link said and race outside. "Link, Jamie we've been talking and." Kokkori stopped in he's sentence not really knowing how to say it. "That it be best for everyone if we let you two see each other. You know live and learn on your own." Oscar said with a grin. Link and Jamie looked at each other. "Well," Jamie started. "We really don't feel that way any more. So we don't want to get back together." Link said as she rubbed her arm. Kokkori and Oscar looked at them in disbelief. Then started laughing. "Nice joke kids. But we know what your planning I heard you plan." Kokkori said with a grin. Link kicked the sand. "Aw man, totally forgot you got the same hearing as me damn. There goes our plan Jamie." Link said as she rested her head on Jamie's shoulder. Jamie smiled in response. It had been three months since Leena and Bit had swapped vows and are still as lovey, dovey as ever. Link and Jamie had never been happier. They kissed and hugged ever chance they got. Links birthday was about to start in a few minutes and Jamie wasn't back. He was picking up his tuxes. Link walked paced. Her long dress flowed against the floor. Everyone was there, Brad came with Naomi. Jack and Harry came. Harry was still depressed that Leena and bit got married but he was happy that Leena was happy. Pierce came with Vega and Sara, Vega looked adorable in his tuxes. Even Layon came; after arguing with Torso for sometime, Oscar and Kokkori had to break them up. "Link everyone's here what are you still doing here?" Navi asked. Navi was the second oldest. She had bright blue hair and dark blue eyes. She wore a dark blue strapless dress. "Huh? Oh still waiting for Jamie I promised him the first dance." Link said as she bit into her glove. She was wearing a long yellow dress with thin straps and a pair of white gloves. "Link dad asking where you are?" Saira said as she race over to her and Navi. Saira was the third oldest. She had forest green hair that was to her chin and curled under. She had bright blue eyes. She wore a light green headband that went with her light green dress. "I'm here and I'm going to wait for Jamie I won't dance without him." Link said as she walked back to the entrance of the hanger. The two sisters sighed and walked back to the party. Jamie's raynous broke the sound barrier. 'I got to get there. I can't let Link down.' Jamie thought to him self as the raynous speed toward the hanger. "Ah I haven't missed it yet." Jamie said as he landed near the base. He jumped out of the raynous with his tuxes and a small velvet box. Link walked back and forth. "Where are you Jamie." She mumbled to herself. "Right behind you," Jamie said and hugged Link from behind. "Sorry I'm late." "Don't worry about it." Link said and turned around. Jamie smiled at him. She pushed him a bit. "Go get changed." "I'll be right back." Jamie said as he raced off. He emerged a few minutes later in his tuxes. A faint blush on his cheeks. Link smiled and walked over to him. He held put his hand for her to take. "Shall we dance Milady?" Jamie said. Link giggled and took his hand. They waltzed for a will spinning every few minutes, they hugged each other tight. Never wanting to let go. "I love you so much." Jamie whispered. "I love you to." Link whispered back. Jamie let got her for a second. "What's up Jamie some thing wrong?" Link looked at Jamie. Jamie had a very faint blush on his cheeks. "Link I have a very important question for you. If you don't say yes I don't know what I'll do." Jamie said as he pulled out a velvet box from his pocket. Links whole family and everyone else watched the sight in front of them. "What do you think he's going to ask her?" Zelda asked Darnumi her older brother. He had dark brown hair and a pair of glasses. He pushed his glasses up his nose. "I don't know but I trust him." He said in response. "Speak for your self." Mido said his bright orange hair stuck up in the back. He crossed his arms against his chest. "Quite Mido I can't hear." Ruto hissed at her older brother. "Link," Jamie said as he got down on one knee. "No one has ever made me as happy as you have, and no one ever will," He opened the box. "Will you marry me?" he asked the blush being deeper. Link stared shocked for a moment. She shook her head. "Yes I'll marry you Jamie." "You will?" "Yes." She said with tears in her eyes. They hugged and cried in each other arms. The sound of clapping caught their attention. The whole party had come to watch them and we're so happy for them. Link and Jamie laughed as the party came over and hugged and congratulated them on finally getting married. "You all suck for hiding." Link said as Malon hugged her. "Nice going Jamie finally getting someone." Bit said as he patted Jamie on the back. "Thanks Bit. I think." Jamie said. Oscar patted his son on the back rather hard making him fall to his knees. "Ow dad. That really hurt." "Sorry son I'm just so proud of you." He said as he pulled Jamie into a bone-crushing hug. "Oscar you're going to kill him then I won't have a husband to spend my life with." Link said as she stifled a giggle. "I'm just so proud my little boy has finally grown up." Oscar said wiping his eyes. Everyone laughed and hugged the new couple. Jamie hugged Link. "I love you so much." Jamie said. Link wiped her eyes. "I love you to." Link said. "Kiss her Jamie." Bit shouted from the crowd. Jamie smiled and then kissed Link on the lips. An 'Aw' admitted from the crowd. YEA HOOO Chapter five is done and I only got one more to go. Next chapter is the WEDDING SCENE yea I get to write a wedding scene. No idea how long it will be but suggestions for stuff are welcome. K Please send in what it should look like. I might write the wedding night. But that's a lemon and will be posted somewhere else. K so one more chapter for this story then on to the next one pleas e read them they will come some time this summer I think. 6. The Wedding Story And The End Of The Sto... Hey peoples waz up? Yes I know you're all sad but it has to come to an end. Yes this is the last chapter of Keaton the wedding story yes Link and Jamie are finally tying the knot. Yea. I noticed something a while ago all my reviewers are guys. Weird because this is meant more for girls but whatever. Anyways I wanna give a shout out to bladesdeath. Thanks dude for stickin with me in the long run. Even though I take forever to up date. Hehehe anyways that about it. Disclaimer: I don't wanna make Jamie do it. Jamie: but it's my wedding day I can't do it. LK: will you do it if I have Link here with you? Jamie: um ok. 'Link suddenly appears.' Link: Hiya mom, Hiya Jamie. Ready? Jamie: yup Link & Jamie: Little kitsune does not own the anime Zoids so please don't sue. K on with mom's ficcy. LK: don't call me mom you're as old as me sort of. Well you were when I started this fic. Whatever. KEATON THE WEDDING CEREMONY Everyone was at the cherry blossom tree near Links house. The one on the walls of her room. Jamie and the priest stood at the trunk of the tree. Jamie dressed in a black tux. Bit stood next to him as he rocked back and forth on his heals. Bit put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Jamie smiled and calmed down a bit. Oscar was in the audience sitting next to Kokkori. They both beamed with pride. Jamie smiled today was the day. Link and him were getting married and from now on they will be husband and wife. He looked over the audience. Everyone was here. Vega, Sara, Harry, even Links friends, Sakura, Samantha, with their dates Cye and Sage. (AN: Their from angle in the lights which will be fixed soon.) Fox who sat with Sheik; one of Link's best guy friends. Also Lina was there sitting with Gourry. Even Pierce had come to wish Jamie and Link luck. Jamie sighed. Link sat on the chair having her hair done by her younger sister Navi. Navi was putting it up in white chopsticks. Links dress was on. It had thin straps and a low cut neck that was tight that showed off her curves. The bottom was puffy and flowed at the end. It was pure white. She looked radiant. "Don't be nervous Link Jamie's not going to leave you. He loves you to much so don't worry be happy it's your wedding day." Navi said as she tried to comfort her older sister. It seemed to work because Link looked a little less nervous. "Yeah I know, I know." Link said as she looked at her younger sister. "Thanks Navi that made me feel better." She said with a smile. Zelda opened the curtain. "Yo Link its time. You ready?" Zelda said with a grin. Link picked up her bouquet of daffodils. As she stood up her dress swooshed as she moved. "Sigh as ready as I'll ever be." Link said as she made her way over to the end of the aisle. The music began to play and she walked down toward Jamie, her future husband. Jamie's jaw dropped. A blush rose on his cheeks. Link looked to beautiful for her own good. She walked over to him and stood next to him; also blushing. Then the priest began to speak. "We are gathered here today to join Link and Jamie in holy matrimony, for today they come here separate and they will leave here as one. The two of them had wanted to say their own vows so I will let them." The priest said as he turned to Jamie. "Link I have never meet anyone like you. You are different from every person. You are your own person. I love ever thing about you, the way you smile, the way you walk, and your very personality is hard to resist. So in every word in the world there is only one word to describe you. Perfect. You are the perfect person for me Link." Jamie said. With that he took hold of Links hand and held it never wanting to let go. "Jamie I've meet a lot of people on my adventures. But they can never compare to you. Everything about you is so fun. You're just like a child when you're near a Zoid. It's like seeing something for the first time you are fascinated by them. And I'm the same way when I'm around you. Like a child in a candy shop finding all these different things about you it's just like tasting a new candy. Finding out things about you is just like unwrapping a new piece. And all the candies taste wonderful. So in other words Jamie you're sweet and good as candy. So in other words you are one of the best things that ever happened to me." Link finished and took Jamie's remaining hand in hers. The priest looked over at the ring bearer. "The rings if you will." He said as the ring bearer stepped up. Jamie took one and held it in his hand. "Jamie do you take Link to be you lawfully wedded wife, for richer or poorer for sickness and in health?" the priest asked as Jamie slipped the ring on Links finger, "I do." He said as he held Links hand. "Link do you take Jamie to be you're lawfully wedded husband for sickness and in health for richer or poorer?" Link took the remaining ring and slipped it on Jamie's finger. "I do." The priest smiled. "I now pronounce you husband and wife you may now kiss the bride." With that he closed his book. Link looked at Jamie. Jamie smiled and captured her lips. The crowd clapped as the happy couple made their way down the aisle. Cherry blossoms blew around them. "I love you Link. I'm so happy your mine, now and forever." Jamie said as he kissed Link. "I love you so much Jamie." Link said and kissed Jamie again. The car drove off toward the place they were spending their honeymoon. In the back window it read just married. As it drove off into the descending sun. **Epoligy ** Link and Jamie have never been in so much love they have now just announced the birth of their first son Daniel that they usually called Dan. (that's for you bladesdeath ;)!) He has Jamie's misty grey eyes. He's got Links beautiful orange; blonde hair. He's also got her nose for trouble. But link and Jamie couldn't be happier. "It's a happy ending to a very happy story." Is all she'll say. She and Jamie have continued to be polite for the blitz team. They'll never give that up. And their son has shown an interest in it. Jamie and Link couldn't be happier. "Its just perfect," Link said "with you by my side that is. I love you." "I love you and I always will," Jamie said and kissed Link. "Now and forever." And that's a wrap cut and print that's the end of the Keaton. And their son has the same name as bladesdeath. Just because he stuck with me all the way even thought I take forever to update. Anyways thanks to all the people who reviewed and will review thanks you guys and please if you liked this one go read chibi randomness. It's really good. So go review or go read another one of my story's k see ya when I see ya. End file.

Keaton by little kitsune2

Zoids

1. Chapter One Author's note: Hey, it's me! I finally decided to write a Leon fic since there aren't that many out there. After all, he is droolworthy! This is a different take on how Leon really came across the red Blade Liger. Hope you enjoy! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER ONE Rain fell from dismal gray skies upon the funeral party for Morgan Blackwell's father as the tears fell from her eyes much like the rain did from her black umbrella. There was plenty of grief that resided within her heart, but there was still some room for revenge on those who had killed her father. She knew who was responsible, although there were those in the Backdraft that insisted that her father's death was the result of nothing more than an unfortunate accident. But she knew that it had been no accident that had killed her father. It had been a flesh and blood human being. A hand on her shoulder broke her from her thoughts, and she looked up to see Captain Stigma Stoeller standing nearby, a man that had been close friends with her father. Years ago, they had fought together before Stigma had retired, and it had been her father that had brought him into the Backdraft. And from the grief shining in his own eyes it was obvious he missed him just as much as she did. "Please accept my sympathies, Morgan," he said, his deep voice offering her some comfort. "He was one of the best of men to have as a friend." She sniffed and wiped at her eyes with the handkerchief she still held onto. "Thank you, Captain," she replied with a small smile. He returned the smile, noticing that everyone had left but them. "You know better than to be so formal with me. After all, you're almost like a daughter to me." Surprisingly, a laugh emerged. "Even though I used to call you Uncle Stiggy when I was small." "And I trust you will keep that to yourself, young lady," he replied with a laugh of his own. Her smile faded as her eyes fell on his casket which was being slowly lowered into the ground. "I just don't understand why anyone would want him killed," she said, fighting against the tears that threatened to emerge. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "How about we go get something to eat?" he asked. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry." To anyone else, it would seem like he was comforting her with a kiss on the head, but he was actually whispering in her ear. "Will you promise to eat something if I tell you what may have gotten your father killed?" She struggled to hold her composure as she realized he didn't want anything to seem out of the ordinary. "I suppose so," she replied, allowing herself to be led away to his car. Once inside, they were driven into the city to a small coffee shop where they could find a little privacy to talk. "Okay, Stigma. Spill it," she demanded once they were seated. He asked himself for the hundreth time if he was doing the right thing by telling her this as he knew what she would do once she knew what had happened. But he hoped that her common sense would keep her from doing anything too rash that might have her joining her father. "You know the Blade Liger your father was working on? Those higher up in the Backdraft, after seeing the test run and pleased at its results, wanted to use it against the Blitz team with you as its pilot. Your father wouldn't have it and threatened to take the zoid and go to the Zoid Battle Commission and tell them everything." Understanding dawned, and her head sunk into her hands, her auburn hair falling around her shoulders. "He died because of me," she groaned. He reached out and took one of her hands in his own. "Don't say that, Morgan," he insisted. "That's the last thing your father wanted you to feel. He came to me shortly after as he knew that something was going to happen and asked me to look after you in case he couldn't. He told me that once you found out you would see it like this. But he died because someone killed him, not because of you. And I sincerely hope that you don't intend to track down his killer all for the sake of revenge." A fire had started smoldering in her hazel eyes, but she sighed as she looked at the hand holding hers, setting her other one over his and squeezing it gently as she saw the concern in his blue eyes. "At one time I had thought about it, but I realize that it would be foolish of me to even think about it. But someone has to pay, Stigma, for taking him away from me." He looked deeply into her eyes, an idea suddenly coming to him. "How about you make them all pay?" he asked. "What do you mean?" she questioned, her voice betraying her confusion. "Take something from them that is very important to them," he suggested. She immediately understood what he meant as the fire blazed once again in her eyes. "When?" That evening, she walked into the hangar and stood for a time looking at the red Blade Liger, a zoid that her father had been very proud of as they were very hard to find. Those that were present in the hangar paid her no mind as they merely thought that she was remembering him in her thoughts, but little did they know what she had planned. She was going to do this alone, despite Stigma's protests as she didn't want him to suffer for helping her, and they had said their goodbyes to one another earlier that evening. Climbing up into the zoid's cockpit, she quickly fastened the restraints as the zoid came to life with a mighty roar that sent everyone there into a panic. She mobilized it towards the hangar doors, which she blasted open and ran through before activating the boosters that pressed her back into her seat as it raced across the desert, her own heart beating furiously from the adrenaline pumping through her. She knew that soon a force would be mobilized to bring her back, which is why she was determined to gain as much ground on them as she could before they had time to regroup. Glancing down at a piece of paper in her hand, she looked upon the directions to a secret hideaway that Stigma had told her would give her some refuge from the Backdraft as no one knew it was there. Only problem was, it was a long ways away from her current position. An alarm sounded in the cockpit, and she pressed a button to see a force of Rev Raptors pursuing her. She cursed as she realized that she couldn't keep up this speed forever as the boosters were only meant to be used as a quick fix, not as a solution to a long range problem. Spinning the Blade Liger around, she prepared to face her opponents as she saw the dust rising that signaled their approach. ******************** Leon appears in the next chapter! Promise! Thanks for reading and please review! 2. Chapter Two Disclaimer: I don't own zoids just my character. Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER TWO Not very far away, a Shield Liger trudged slowly across the desert, the pilot inside not really paying attention to where he was going as he nodded off to sleep at times. He had just fought a hard won battle earlier that morning, one of the very few he had won since he had left the Blitz team, and was tired as he wondered where he would rest tonight. It had been hard for him since then, living day after day and experiencing one battle after another in his quest to become a better warrior. There were times when he had come close to giving up and returning to his father and sister, but Bit's words kept him going on even though what little money he had from his battles with the Blitz team was almost exhausted. If he suffered any more damage to his Liger then he would be left without a zoid as he may not have enough to pay for repairs and still eat. Seeing a dust cloud just over a nearby hill, Leon directed his zoid in that direction as he was curious to see what was going on, even though it was obvious there was a battle going on. When he crested the hill, his eyes widened when he saw the lone zoid fighting off numerous Rev Raptors, an unfair fight in his eyes, and he scanned the area to see if there was a judge nearby. Seeing none, he acted before he thought and spurred the Shield Liger into action as they raced down the hill towards the battle, a small part of him wondering if he was nuts to go off charging into an unknown battle like this. Morgan breathed heavily from exhaustion inside the Blade Liger, wondering when the flood of Rev Raptors was ever going to stop. She had cut down so many of them she knew they had to be suffering, but they just kept coming and she didn't know how much longer she could last against them. She saw two of them lining her up in their sights, and she activated her shield just in time to keep the shots from reaching her, becoming dismayed when she saw the shield energies were draining low. Summoning forth what little energy she had left, she rushed towards them and extended her blades to cut them both in half before spinning around and blasting down two more with her cannons. Feeling a blast catch her in the side, she cried out in surprise and prepared to counterattack, but watched in wonder as it was cut down suddenly from an unknown source. Looking around, she saw a blue Shield Liger join her in battle, taking down many of the enemy but becoming damaged as well in the process, his selfless act of sacrifice giving her enough energy to take down the rest of them. When she was sure that no more were left to fight, she moved her Blade Liger over to the other Liger and jumped down to the ground to check on the pilot. Opening the cockpit, she looked inside to see a handsome man about the same age as her with brown hair that was fixed in a strange style that was attractive on him. She tried shaking him after seeing that his eyes were closed, and it took a few minutes for him to come around enough for him to become aware of her presence, his gray eyes looking at her but not really seeing her. She stepped inside and grabbed his shoulders when she saw he was threatening to pass out again and shook him. "Come on, wake up. Can you hear me?" Leon managed to wake long enough to see someone in front of him, although he couldn't quite focus his eyes on her as he mumbled something unintelligible. The fight had taken a lot out of him, more than he had thought and now he was paying for it. She took his head in her hands and kept it supported as she saw he barely had enough energy to stay awake. "What's your name?" she asked, noticing a cut near his hairline that had started bleeding and taking her handkerchief out to press it over it to stop the flow. "Leon," he answered thickly, putting his hand over hers to see why she held a cloth to his head and weakly attempting to remove it. His touch was warm and caught her off guard. "No, don't touch it. It's just a scratch but you may have a concussion. Please try to stay awake, Leon," she pleaded as she touched her hand to his face, not wanting to be alone just now. He felt the touch and finally managed to focus on her, his breath taken by the vision before him. He brought up his own hand to touch her cheek, whispering one word before he passed out again. "Angel." Her eyes widened as she feared that he had left her. "Leon?" she asked, shaking him again desperately. "Leon, don't do this. Come on, we've got to get out of here! Leon!" she cried, tears spilling from her eyes as she pounded her fists on him weakly. "Leon, please, I won't leave you out here! Wake up, dammit!" Receiving no answer, she sat back against the console and buried her face in her hands, sobs shaking her shoulders. Leon stirred and opened his eyes to see the disturbing sight before him, and he found enough energy to sit up and touch her hands gently. "Hey, what's wrong? Why the tears?" She straightened suddenly and wiped at her tears, embarrassed to be discovered during a moment of weakness that was brought on by her grief over her father's death. "Do you think you can make it over to the Blade Liger if I help you? This is a dangerous place for us to be and we need to leave." He smiled. "I think so. May I ask your name?" She returned his smile, amused that in a time of such urgency they took the time to find out each other's name. "It's Morgan." It took some time, but she eventually helped Leon into the Blade Liger's cockpit, becoming exhausted herself as he had suffered from a sprained ankle which left her to do a lot of the work. But she didn't mind if it meant that they could be on their way away from here and onto safety. Leon had fallen back asleep, and this time she left him alone as she started off on the long journey to her destination. The desert landscape passed by slowly at first, soon giving way to greener terrain as she neared their destination, but stopping when she saw a vehicle blocking the road with someone standing beside it. Opening the cockpit, she looked to see who it was, her eyes widening. "Sanders?" she asked, surprised and confused as to why he was here. "It's about time," he called up to her. "I was getting worried. I assume that you didn't get away all that easily?" "No, I didn't" she replied. "What are you doing here?" "Captain Stoeller sent me to give you this to let you have access to the path to the house which is hidden by a distortion shield." He tossed her what appeared to be a small controller with two buttons. She looked it over before returning her gaze to him. "How is he? Is he all right?" Sanders smiled. "He's fine. He would've been here himself to give you this, but his absence would've been noticed whereas mine would not. Which means I better return quickly just in case. At least I can tell him that you are all right." She returned his smile. "Send him my love as well. I miss him already." Sanders bowed towards her and leapt inside the vehicle to speed away back to the Backdraft Headquarters. Morgan watched him leave, wishing that she had gotten the chance to know him better as he seemed to be very loyal to Stigma. Sitting back down, the cockpit closed around her and she pressed the button on the controller to see a portion of the trees on her right disappear, revealing a path large enough for a zoid to travel on. Starting down the path, she remembered to reactivate the shield before she got too far and continued on her way through the trees, the glint of sunlight reflecting on something glassy catching her eye. A smile spread across her face as she drew closer to see a lake, the path turning to skirt it before eventually ending in front of a cozy log house. Once stopped, she turned and leaned back to wake Leon who was still sleeping deeply. "Leon, wake up," she said, shaking his shoulder. "Time to wake, sleepyhead." Leon eventually stirred into wakefulness, but barely enough to be called alert. Truth be told, she was just as tired and barely managed to help him down from the cockpit and into the house using the key Stigma had given her. Finding a small bedroom downstairs, she helped him onto the bed after turning down the covers and removed his shoes, reminding herself to be careful with his injured ankle. With that out of the way, she shed a few of her clothes and collapsed on the bed next to him, her strength failing her as sleep crept up on her and pulled her under into the land of dreams. ******************* Hope you're enjoying this so far! Thanks for reading and please review! 3. Chapter Three Disclaimer: Same as before people! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER THREE When she awoke the next morning, she found herself staring into gray eyes that were at first unfamiliar to her, but her memories came flooding back along with a fresh batch of tears that she had refused to give into during the time after her father's death. The first sob caught her unawares, and she turned her face into the pillow to hide her grief from the stranger lying next to her, knowing what he must be thinking but unable to stop them once they had started. Leon had at first been confused when he had woken up to find Morgan lying in bed beside him, but like her he had remembered everything as soon as he had tried moving his foot and feeling a sharp pain cut through his ankle. But nothing had prepared him for the sudden bout of crying that had her whole body shaking, and concern filled his eyes as her sobs tore at his heart. "Morgan, it's all right," he assured her as he laid his hand on her back. "You're safe now. The battle's over," he said, thinking that it was the battle that had scared her. Her tears subsided as she turned red eyes filled with surprise towards him, his generosity catching her off guard. But she let him think what he wanted as she didn't want to tell him just yet why she had been fighting by herself. "I'm sorry, Leon," she said as she sat up to wipe her tears away with her fingers. "You don't know me from a hole in the ground, and here I am crying like a child." He smiled as he eased himself up into a sitting position. "It's okay. Considering the odds you were up against, you were probably running on pure adrenaline and coming down like that is rough." She suddenly remembered his injury and moved down to the end of the bed to take a look at his ankle, grimacing when she saw how swollen it was and covered in patches of blue and purple with a little green and yellow mixed in. "Looks wonderful," she commented. "There must be a first aid kit in here somewhere. Don't move while I look around and find one." "Don't worry, I won't go anywhere," he replied with a chuckle. She smirked at him and dashed into the bathroom to check around, crying out in triumph when she found one and walking back into the bedroom to sit beside him on the bed. She had wet a washcloth and used it to clean the blood off his forehead, having to hold back his hair to see how deep it went, which wasn't that far, and a band-aid fixed that problem easily. His ankle presented a bigger problem as he wouldn't be able to walk on it, much less move it, and he needed something to act as a crutch until he could. But then another problem arose, one she could take care of when she heard his stomach growl hungrily followed by hers. They both were surprised and embarrassed but laughed it off. "I guess I'd better see if there's anything to eat before anything else," she said as she took a cloth bandage and wrapped his ankle tightly. "Yeah, I guess we're both pretty starved," he replied as he watched her, finding her ministrations curiously captivating just as she herself was. Morgan knew he was watching her, and she couldn't keep the blush from coloring her cheeks as she fought against looking at him. "Thank you for what you did yesterday, Leon. It was a very brave and unselfish thing to do." "I couldn't just let you fight them all by yourself," he answered. "It was an unfair fight." She looked down at his bandaged ankle, rubbing her thumbs across the top of his foot. "But you lost your Shield Liger. And it's all my fault." His foot jerked in her grip, and she looked up at him to see him trying his best not to laugh. A slow smile spread across her face and she continued tickling him before he stopped her by grabbing her hand and pulling her back onto the bed to dig his own fingers into her sides. She howled with laughter, her pleas for mercy only garnering even more torture. Finally he stopped and lay there beside her, patiently waiting for her giggles to stop which only sent her into further fits of laughter. "I didn't know it was that funny," he said. She was holding her aching sides as tears of laughter ran down her cheeks and into her hair. "I'm sorry, Leon," she finally gasped. "I should warn you I'm very ticklish." He smiled evilly. "What, like this?" he asked, moving in for the kill. "Leon, please don't!" she squealed at the top of her lungs, grabbing hold of his hands with her own to stop him. He eased back down beside her, keeping one of her hands in his own and bringing the other one up to softly brush strands of hair that had fallen across her face during her struggles. Gazing into her hazel eyes, he suddenly realized that he wanted to kiss her, but kept the thought from turning into action as he wondered if it only came from a need created by their ordeal together. That and the fact that she may not welcome it. But nothing could've been farther from the truth. His touch had been feather-light, but it had felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her and had jumpstarted her heart. She had sensed the change in him and knew what he wanted as she wanted it just as badly, but when he let go of her hand and sat up, she buried her disappointment as she sat up herself and moved off of the bed. "How about I go find us something to eat? Would you like to come with me?" she asked. He smiled. "No thanks. I'll just stay here. I think that little scuffle tired me a little." She wondered if that was the real reason, or if he wished to be alone because he wasn't interested in her after all. Maybe she had misjudged his reaction to her. She hid her chagrin behind a smile. "If you want, I'll bring it in here," she offered. He nodded his head. "That would be great. Thanks," he replied, watching as she left and feeling rotten as he had seen the flash of hurt in her eyes. He hadn't meant to hurt her feelings, but he was just being cautious as he didn't want things between them spiraling out of control so fast only to be brought to a screeching halt once they realized they never really liked each other that much in the first place. It was amazing that he had just met her and already she had his emotions in a turmoil as she was a very beautiful woman, and his body was reacting to that as well as the more deep-seated feelings that were beginning to stir inside his heart. And that was what scared him most of all, the thought of giving himself to someone so completely and having them throw it back in his face in the end. Or worse yet, to fall in love with someone and find out that they're not who he thought they were. But there was only one way to find out, and that was to do a little asking of his own. ******************* Hmm, playtime's over and now it's time to fess up! But will she tell him who she is? Stay tuned! 4. Chapter Four Author's note: Thanks for reviewing, Tempest Child!!! I have your fic, "Without You", on my favorites list! You're my first reviewer on this one! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER FOUR Morgan was pleased to see that there was plenty of food for them to eat, and she wondered if Stigma was to thank for that, and thinking of him made her realize the situation she was in. This was her first time out on her own by herself, and she wondered if that was the reason why she was so drawn to Leon. Was she feeling this way towards him simply because she needed someone to look up to and Leon just happened to be there in the right place at the right time? Or was she feeling the stirring of something more profound than that? The questions led to thoughts she didn't want to think about, and she busied herself with fixing a light breakfast since it wouldn't do no good for both of them to eat something heavy after having nothing to eat for so long. She sliced various fruits and arranged them on a platter along with a pitcher of orange juice which she carried back into the bedroom only to find Leon gone, but he soon appeared in the doorway of the bathroom and limped back in to sit on the bed. She set the tray between them, and they began eating, both of them quiet as neither of them knew what to say. "I hope this is okay," she said. "If you'd rather have something more substantial, I can fix it. The cabinets are stocked full of food." Leon eyed her as he bit into a slice of apple. "It seems as if someone knew you were coming here." She kept her eyes averted as she was unsure of what to tell him. "It was my father's house. He died not long ago," she said, telling him some of the truth but not all. That answered his question as to why she was so emotional earlier. "Why were you being attacked like that? I saw no judge nearby and no one just gangs up on one warrior like that. It was obvious they were after something." She sighed, wishing that he would stop asking so many questions and making her lie to him like this. But a little voice told her that if there was anyone to blame it was her, and she wondered why it was so hard for her to tell him the truth. And she knew it was because she didn't want to lose his friendship, although if he were to find out later then she would surely lose him, and the pain would be even harder for her to bear. "The red Liger was something he had worked on for years, and the Backdraft have been trying to get it for some time since it's so rare. They finally got it when my father died and I took it back from them that night," she answered, hoping he would be satisfied with that. He sensed that she was holding back something, but decided not to press her further as she seemed in enough distress already. "I'm sorry about your loss," he said. "It's all right," she said, putting down her food and rising to her feet, her appetite diminished. "I think I'll go take a look upstairs and see what's up there. I'll probably take a room upstairs as my own, that way you'll have this one to yourself." She started to leave, but he reached out to take a hold of her hand as he rose to his feet, making sure to keep his weight off his ankle. "Morgan, please," he said as he pulled her back to look into her eyes. "I didn't mean to pry." She sighed, her heart beating out of control from their nearness to one another. "Leon, I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't right now." He nodded his head once. "I see. You don't feel comfortable enough to open up to me. It's all right." "No, it's not that," she quickly explained. "It's just that...I don't want to lose you right now," she added. "You're all I've got, and I really need someone I can trust. This is my first time being by myself, and I guess I'm a little frightened." He smiled and touched his hand to her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. "Whatever you need, just ask. I'll do my best to help you." She returned his smile, the brightest he had ever seen, and threw her arms around him to embrace him tightly, sighing when she felt his arms come around her and hold her close. It felt so right for them to be together, leading her to wish that they would never part, but they did and she pulled away with a smile to walk out of the room to begin her exploration of the house. Leon merely chuckled to himself and sat back down onto the bed as his ankle had begun throbbing painfully with every beat of his heart, which was very fast after holding her within his arms. And he couldn't help but wonder how he was going to keep his emotions in check with them being confined here until he was healed. Finding a room upstairs, she quickly browsed through various closets and drawers and found a change of clothing, planning to take a shower as she guessed it would help her get her mind off Leon and the feelings he stirred within her. He was very handsome and caring, and a good warrior at that, things that she had always hoped she would find in a man someday. But never had she expected him to be so perfect. Soon she was done showering and rushed back downstairs to find him asleep, and she picked up the platter of food they had shared to take it into the kitchen. Then she turned on the television for a while, and after seeing nothing on that caught her interest, she stepped outside to look at the lake. A path led from the house to the shore, and she saw a gazebo sitting near the water's edge, wondering why Stigma had built it there. Walking out to it, she sat on one of the benches and watched the play of sunlight across the water, as well as listening to the sound of the water lapping against the shore from waves stirred up from the breeze. But what took her breath away was the beauty of the mountains that overlooked the lake, its crystal clear reflection pictured on the lake. And seeing the snow that capped the peaks, she wondered what snow was like as she had never seen it in her lifetime. When she returned back to the house, she found Leon still asleep and woke him after seeing how late it was getting. He turned sleepy gray eyes towards her, and she couldn't help but run her fingers lightly through his hair as she knelt by his bedside, smiling when his own lips turned up in a smile. "Would you like some dinner?" she asked, enjoying the feel of his hair sliding across her fingers. He nodded. "Unless you put me back to sleep," he murmured. She stopped and withdrew her hand, but he reached up and caught it, holding it in his own for a few moments. "It felt wonderful," he sighed. She chuckled. "I better watch myself around you, Leon. I just might spoil you. Although I must admit I wouldn't mind it." He laughed. "Neither would I." They looked into each other's eyes for a moment before she rose to her feet to go fix them something to eat. She managed to pull together a meal of chicken and vegetables on rice, pleased when Leon told her how delicious it was. Afterwards he disappeared in the bathroom to take a shower, Morgan hanging around to make sure he was okay. At one point she thought she heard something and knocked on the door a few times, calling his name. Receiving no response, she cracked open the door to see him standing in the middle of the bathroom with nothing on except a towel around his waist. Her eyes wide, she quickly shut the door and rushed back to the bed, sitting there with one of the pillows cradled against her body, the end covering just enough of her face except her eyes. He stepped out into the bedroom, and she buried her face within the pillow to hide the painful blush that rose to her cheeks, looking up when she felt his hand on her head. She was surprised to see him smiling. Leon saw the surprise written on her face, but he knew she wouldn't be so happy if she knew the real reason why he was smiling. Standing there fresh out of the shower with a towel wrapped around him, he saw the quick flash of appreciation that had crossed her face before she had left. And to know that she had liked what she had seen filled him with a masculine pride he had thought he had lost after losing so many battles. "Leon, I'm so sorry," she apologized in a soft voice, thankful he had put on the clothes she had found for him to spare her any more embarrassment. He sat down on the bed next to her. "Don't worry about it," he replied. "It's all right." She looked over at him, a small laugh escaping. "It's just that I thought I heard something and I was worried that something might've happened to you." He ran his fingers through the silky auburn strands of her hair, smoothing it down her back as well as giving her a bit of a back rub at the same time as he gazed into her dark hazel eyes. "You were worried about me?" he asked, thinking of how beautiful she was and how badly he wanted to kiss her right now and end his torment. It was pure torture to want someone so badly and yet want to take things slowly until the time was right for him to make a move, but at this moment his resolve was failing miserably. Morgan's breath caught in the back of her throat at the feel of his touch, closing her eyes and sighing when she felt his hand on the back of her neck, lightly caressing it and sending delicious shivers down her back. When she opened her eyes, she saw his face mere inches from hers, and her heartbeat quickened in response. He was going to kiss her. Now. But a little thought kept her from making it happen, even though her body and soul cried out for it, wanted it with a longing that was sweet pain in itself. She couldn't allow things to go too far between them for fear of rejection once he found out about her past. She touched her hand to his chest, feeling his heart beating just as furiously as hers and almost giving in, but she remained firm even when she saw the confusion in his eyes give way to pain then acceptance. "Goodnight, Leon," she whispered, rising to her feet and walking out of the room, stopping in the doorway long enough to look upon him before leaving to go towards her own room. But she didn't make it that far as the weight of her decision bore her down onto the steps, where she gathered her knees close to her chest and laid her head down on them. They had only known each other for today, and yet it felt like much longer, like they had known each other forever. She needed him more than anything else in her life, but she couldn't help but wonder if she was just clinging to him out of grief for her father's death. For his sake, she hoped not. Leon couldn't help but feel like such a fool for letting his emotions get the better of him, and he vowed never to be so careless again where she was concerned. Settling back onto the bed, he reached over and turned off the lamp at his bedside, filling the room with shadows and moonlight as he tried to get some sleep. Then he heard footsteps coming into his room and felt the opposite side of the bed sag as weight was put upon it, and he was even more surprised to feel an arm come around his waist as a head laid down on his chest. The scent that filled his nose told him it was Morgan, and it was quite an experience to feel her body pressed against his. "Morgan, you know this is a bad idea, right?" he asked. He heard her sniff. Damn, she had been crying. "I know," she answered, wiping the tears from her eyes. "But I can't stay away from you, Leon. I don't know why, but I can't." He sighed and pulled her closer so that her head rested just beneath his chin, and he brought his hand up to brush her hair back from her face while his other hand caressed her arm. "This is crazy, isn't it?" She laughed and sniffed again. "It is," she agreed. "It doesn't make sense. But I think I should be here in case you need something so I can get it for you." He wanted to tell her that he had what he wanted right here in his arms, but refrained from it as he kissed her hair. "Thank you," he replied. *********************** Man, this is turning out to be sappy! But do you think I care? NO! ^.^ I happen to like Leon very much, thank you. Thanks for reading! And please review! 5. Chapter Five Disclaimer: I don't own zoids, just my own characters. Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER FIVE Morgan awoke early the next morning, her head still pillowed on Leon's chest and his arms around her as she lay there listening to his even breathing wondering what he was dreaming about. He stirred in his sleep a bit and laid his hand on his stomach. She took her own hand and laid it on his, lightly caressing it and taking it in hers to hold it to her lips for a light brush of her lips on his skin as she looked up at his face, realizing that she was beginning to fall for him. Bad. Shaking her head, she released his hand and moved off the bed without waking him to walk into the kitchen and grab some water to drink. She needed to get out of here for a short while, find somewhere where there were people and things to do to distract her from her thoughts of Leon. Even now, thinking of him lying there, she wanted to crawl back under the covers and stay close to him. It was a thought she could entertain for hours, but was dangerous to do so. The phone ringing broke into her thoughts, and she was thankful for the distraction. She picked it up on the second ring, not wanting it to wake Leon. "Hello?" "Morgan?" asked a voice she thought she'd never hear. "Stigma?" she cried, her eyes wide with excitement, and she stepped outside into the cold morning air, her breath leaving little wisps of vapor in the air. "Is everything all right?" Just a few words, but they nearly proved to be her undoing as she wanted him to be here to talk to her and help her. But she was a child no longer that needed support from an adult as she was an adult herself now and able to take care of herself. "Everything's fine," she answered. "You're not getting lonely, are you?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "No, actually there's someone here with me." "Who?" he asked, his voice reminding her of her father's whenever he was concerned. "A pilot who helped me escape. He sprained his ankle really bad in the battle, and I brought him here to patch him up. But he needs a cast put on it and crutches so he can walk." Stigma was silent a moment. "Here's the name of a doctor in the town nearby who can help him. I'll call in a favor to him, and he'll give him whatever he needs." She remembered the name of the doctor and decided that was going to be first on her list for today." Stigma, thank you so much for everything. How about you? Are you okay?" "Never better," he replied. "Just stay there for as long as you like. I don't mind. And if you need money, there's some in a box in one of the drawers of the desk in my study." "Stigma, no!" she protested. "You've already done enough!" "Morgan, I promised your father I'd look after you, and that's what I'm doing," he answered. "Well, I'd better go. It's dangerous enough calling you. Take care and remember I love you, okay? Maybe I'll see you soon." "I love you, too," she said then listened as the connection was severed. She walked back inside into the bedroom to see Leon still in the bed, a mean idea popping into her head. She got back into bed, not bothering to be quiet about it, and smiled when she saw him stir awake. But before he was fully awake, she stuck her feet under the covers against his and nestled her cold body next to his. "Morgan!" he shrieked. "Damn, if you aren't cold!" But instead of pushing her away like she thought he would, he instead held her closer much like he did last night. She chuckled mischievously at first then quieted when he ran his fingers through her hair and caressed the back of her neck, almost going back to sleep. "Who called?" he asked. She barely heard him as she was drifting back to sleep. "A close friend of my father's who knew I was coming here. He called to check on me to see if I was okay." She sat up next to him. "How would you like to try and go into town today? I figured it would be best for both of us to get out a little bit." He heard the unspoken words in her statement saying that it would be best for them to be around other people other than each other. But he guessed it would be a good idea to test their feelings towards one another in public. "Sounds good to me," he replied. "My father's friend is going to call in a favor to the doctor there so he can look over your foot and maybe give you some crutches to help you walk. Plus maybe we can do a little shopping." Like any other man, he balked at that word. "Shopping?" he asked. She eyed him strangely. "Yeah. Like for supplies and maybe a new change of clothes for both of us." "And just where are you going to get the money for this?" She opened her mouth to answer, but he cut her off. "I know, your father's friend, right?" She nodded. "What's with this guy?" "I used to call him my uncle when I was growing up, and he promised my father that he'd take care of me if ever he were to die," she replied. "Enough questions. Let's get ready so we can go." Leon sighed. "Typical female. Mention the word shopping and they're instantly ready to go." Growling playfully, she pounced on him and began trying to tickle him. "You take that back, Leon!" "If the shoe fits!" he replied, easily fighting her off as he was stronger than her. She gasped in outrage. "Why you--ah!" she cried when he flipped her onto her back and pinned her against the sheets. Both of their breaths came hard and fast, their eyes looking deeply into the others, and she loosened one of her hands to bring it up to touch his face. She saw his eyes close then reopen, desire filling their gray depths just as it washed over her body when she became aware of the press of his body on hers. "Leon, why are we doing this?" she whispered. "We both know that it's dangerous to let anything happen between us, so why do we tempt each other like this?" He breathed deeply to try and gain control over his emotions which were running rampant throughout his body. "We don't intend for things like this to happen, they just do. And it's up to us to keep things from becoming out of our control." She didn't want to think of how much she would like for things to get that way with him. "Well then, I guess we'd better leave then, cause if we stay here then something's definitely going to happen," she said as she ran her fingers across his lips. "Keep doing that, and we'll both find out what might happen," he said, reluctant to move but doing so anyway and watching as she left the room, rubbing his face with his hands. "You might just be the death of me yet, Morgan." ******************* Hope you're enjoying this! I promise they'll get together soon! Thanks for reading and please review! 6. Chapter Six Author's note: Thanks Ryan for the funny review! Do you mind if I use it in my fic? It sounds exactly like something they would say. And thanks to everyone else who reviewed! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER SIX Soon they were ready to leave in the sportscar that she had found parked near the house. In fact she had almost stepped on it with the Blade Liger since she was so exhausted when they arrived and didn't see it. She took it easy on the dirt roads, but once on paved roads she revved the engine and flew across the pavement, laughing when she saw Leon hanging on for dear life. They arrived in no time and immediately stopped by the doctor's office who admitted them and looked at Leon's ankle, eventually placing a support boot on his foot and giving him a pair of crutches to use. Their next stop was a clothing store where Leon picked out a new set of clothes that looked incredibly sexy on him, as well as making him look like a tough warrior, which she had no doubt in her mind he was. She, on the other hand, chose a pair of denim jeans and a comfortable ivory sweater to wear since she wasn't a zoid warrior, and they both wore their new purchases since their current clothes were dirty and torn from battle. At Morgan's insistance, Leon got his hair cut into a shorter length that suited him much better, and after that she began to notice the heads of various women turning his way whenever they passed. She would glare at them until they turned away, Leon smiling to see her reaction as it pleased him to see it. Soon they both were hungry, and they stopped in a restaurant to grab a bite to eat. A comfortable silence descended upon them as they enjoyed each other's company. Instead of feeling a desire to go their separate ways, they stayed together and acted like two people who were discovering each other for the first time, which they were. The waitress brought them their drinks, and Morgan couldn't help but notice that she readily responded to Leon's order but barely paid attention to hers when it was her turn. Strangely enough, she wanted nothing more than to drag him back to the house and show him how she was feeling at this moment. But maybe it was selfish of her to think that way as he may like to have his freedom to see other women once he left her. Leon saw the troubled expression on her face. "Hey, what are you thinking about? I hope you aren't upset at the way all those women have been acting." She shrugged as she swirled the liquid around in her glass with her straw. "Just so long as you aren't enjoying it and letting it go to your head." He looked over at her, seeing her auburn hair tied back in a ponytail with a small amount left out to cascade down her shoulders and a few strands falling loosely around her face. Never had he seen someone so beautiful in all his life, and it was then he realized how much she meant to him. He took her hand in his and held it tightly with both of his. "Morgan, you are the only woman I want to look at me that way as I don't want or need anyone else in my life except you. Those other women don't have anything on you as you are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on." She was surprised and touched deeply at his confession. "You really think so?" she asked, a smile lurking at the corners of her mouth when she saw him nod as she fought against smiling like a little schoolgirl who has just found out her crush likes her. Thankfully the waitress returned to refill their drinks, and this time it didn't bother her when she got an eyeful of Leon as she knew that he didn't get any satisfaction from it. She settled her eyes on him after the waitress left, all traces of giddiness gone. "Leon, have you thought about what you will do after you are healed up?" she asked. He took a drink and leaned forward with hs elbows on the table. "I haven't really thought about it. I left the Blitz team to find out what kind of zoid warrior I was, and instead I found you. Only problem is, I don't have a zoid to fight with and I can't afford to repair the Shield Liger." She worried at her lower lip with her teeth. "You could have the Blade Liger," she suggested. His eyes widened. "I couldn't possibly," he breathed. "Leon, I'm not part of a team, nor am I a free agent warrior like you. What would I possibly do with a zoid like that? Use it as a lawn decoration?" That brought a smile to his face. "Still, it was your father's. Don't you think you need to keep it?" "I think my father would want anybody but the Backdraft to have it," she answered. "Besides, it seems suited to you. Maybe you can take it for a run sometime." He appraised her thoughtfully. "Maybe." The rest of their lunch passed comfortably, Morgan learning about Leon's family, his sister's firecracker personality and his father's compulsive spending. He told her about Bit and Brad, and about the battles he had fought after leaving the team as well as remembering the first time he had met Bit Cloud. She couldn't help but wish that she had been there to experience it all with him so she could share in something of his life, but if things progressed as she hoped they would then they would have the opportunity to share in a future together. But there was the problem of him not knowing she had been part of the Backdraft, and if she ever told him then she knew he could easily drop out of that picture. Soon they finished and stopped by the produce shop to pick up some supplies such as snacks and things to fix for dinner. Then they piled everything into the car and headed back to their hideaway as she liked to think of it. Once there, they put all the groceries where they belonged and laid their remaining packages on the bed. Morgan gestured for Leon to follow her outside to the gazebo, where she showed him the beauty of the mountains which were tinted gold by the setting sun. They sat there for some time, enjoying each other's company and listening to the breeze playing through the treetops, her eyes on his face the whole time. "You know, it's no wonder you turned every woman's head today," she said, the words surprising her. "You are quite handsome." He moved over so that he sat next to her on the bench. "Thank you," he replied, propping his elbow on the frame and laying his head against his fist as he played with a strand of her hair with his other hand. She moved closer to him. "But not only are you handsome, you're smart, caring, very easy to get along with..." A single eyebrow raised when he saw a smile spread across her face. "Is that all?" She shook her head. "Not by a longshot," she replied. "I could go on for days, but I think your head's big enough as it is." He stopped the inappropriate thought that ran through his mind before it went any further. "Oh, it is?" She nodded. "And just what are you going to do about it?" he challenged her. Her laugh was low and seductive. "Make it a little bigger by saying that you're the sexiest man I ever laid eyes on," she replied, leaning forward to brush her lips against his neck and hearing his sharp intake of breath. "Morgan," he groaned, moving his hand so that it rested against the side of her neck. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" "Mm-hmm," she replied, pulling back slightly. "Why do you think I'm doing this?" "Don't you think we need to take it a little slower?" he asked. This time she sat back, disbelief written all over her face. "Leon, am I getting mixed signals here? I thought that after today we were ready to move away from being just friends." He leaned forwards towards her, trying to take her hands in his but she kept them away from his reach. "We are. It's just that I don't want us going so fast that we'll jump in the bed together and have at it. I need to know if this will prove to be a lasting relationship or if it is just desire that's between us." She sighed impatiently. "I would've thought you would've figured that out by now," she said, rising to her feet and walking away. "Honestly, waiting to be with you is just like wishing for snow. Both of them will never happen." Leon watched her disappear towards the house, his heart heavy after hearing her words. Why was he so reluctant to initiate things between them? He wanted her so badly he fairly trembled from it, but maybe that was part of the problem. If he was to ease this ache he had for her, perhaps everything else would fall into place for him. In order to find out how he really felt, was he going to have to take the plunge and have faith in their feelings for one another? *************** Oh, the humanity! Will they ever get together?! Hee-hee! Maybe! Thanks for reading and please review! 7. Chapter Seven Disclaimer: I don't own zoids or Leon, though I wish I did. *sigh* Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER SEVEN That night Morgan slept in the bed upstairs by herself, finally going to sleep cuddled around a pillow as she tried not to think of how much Leon's rejection hurt her. When next she awoke, she noticed that the light that filled the room seemed a funny color, and she eased out of the bed to walk up to the window and pull aside the draperies. What she saw made her eyes widen and for a moment she was unable to say anything as she took in the sight before her. Everywhere she looked there was snow. The branches of the trees were lined with it, a delicate tracery of white against the dark trunk. Small birds hopped through it, no doubt wondering where it had come from as they looked for food. A gust of wind caused a shower of flakes to fall from the roof, and she watched entranced as they floated to the ground. Then she came to her senses and all she knew was that she had to get out there before it disappeared. Grabbing some clothes and hurriedly pulling them on, she all but flew downstairs into Leon's room, jumping onto the bed and waking him with her cries of "Leon, it snowed last night! Come on, you've got to see it!" He sat up in the bed, the covers falling down around him, and the fact that he was shirtless didn't even faze her as she was so excited. Surprised to see her here and in a state of high excitement, he could do nothing else except smile and take in the view as he had expected her to be angry with him after what happened between them. Then she started pulling on his hand, and he had to pull back to keep her from yanking him onto the floor. "Easy, Morgan! Give me some time to at least put on some clothes." That put a stop to her, and she blushed as she was embarrassed, but it didn't last long as she darted from the room and ran outside to stand in the snow and twirl around like a little girl. The snow came up to just below her knees, and she tilted her head back when she felt the flakes falling from the trees once the breeze stirred them, the cold air staining her cheeks and lips pink as her breath plumed towards the sky. She felt something hit her, and she spun around to see Leon laughing at her and packing another snowball in his hands. "All right, Leon, you asked for it," she said, packing her own snowball and throwing it at him, but missing. "Ha! I can't believe you missed!" he crowed. "Some thrower you are!" "Don't worry! I'm just warming up!" The next few shots she scored on him as she dodged some of the ones he threw and getting hit by the others. Soon he abandoned the snowball fight and took to chasing her as best he could with an ankle injury. But she was slowed down by the snow, and eventually tripped on something underneath, laughing as she landed on her back. Leon appeared and held out his hand to her, chuckling as he helped her to her feet. "Are you okay?" She nodded her head, still laughing. "I'm all right. Isn't this beautiful?" she asked, looking out across the lake at the mountains. The sun was beginning to come out and made everything glimmer from the snow. He reached out and turned her head back to face him, brushing a few wet strands from her face as he looked upon her flushed face with her bright eyes, and he knew that he was in love now if he wasn't already. "Not as beautiful as you," he said. She saw the way he looked at her and her heart pounded even more fiercely within her as she hoped it meant what she thought it was. But she thought of yesterday when she had seen that same look in his eyes and he had turned her away. "Leon, don't do this," she murmured. He smiled. "If I remember your words correctly, you were wishing for two things to happen. Now that one of them has happened, don't you think that the other should?" Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't known that he had heard her, and she felt guilty for saying them. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you heard." "It's okay," he laughed, brushing his thumb across her cheek and leaning closer to her, hearing as well as feeling her nervous breathing. She saw them coming ever closer to one another, and she realized that she was trembling all over in anticipation and more scared than she had ever been in her life. His lips brushed lightly over hers at first then more sensually when he heard her moan his name, causing his lower abdomen to ache painfully. Her hands came around his neck as his arms enclosed her and pulled her against him, his lips sliding across hers then his tongue as he deepened their kiss. "Leon," she moaned as she felt a similar ache settle in the bottom of her stomach, and gasped when his kisses moved down to her neck which drove her insane with wanting. "Leon, please," she groaned. Leon had had almost all he could handle as he fought against taking her then and there in the snow, although that would present quite a problem. "What?" he asked, his voice husky with desire. "What do you want?" The wanton longing he saw in her eyes almost did him in. "I want you," she whispered, gazing into his gray eyes which now looked at her hungrily as she touched her fingers to his lips, soon pulling them close to touch her own as they became lost in each other's kisses. Soon they broke away to walk inside the house, remembering to shut and lock the door before heading towards the bedroom, all the while shedding their clothing until they fell on the bed. And for the next hour they explored the ways that two people could show their love for one another, following that with a short nap that gave them even more energy for more exploration. Before long, their growling stomachs alerted them to the fact that they hadn't eaten yet, and she walked into the kitchen to prepare something for them to eat. Leon came into the living room where he started a fire in the fireplace and had it crackling invitingly by the time the food was ready, and they shared their meal at the table before moving onto the sofa that sat in front of the fireplace. Discovering that it was a fold-out sofa, they removed the cushions and pulled out the bed, Morgan running into the room to grab the comforter and throw it onto it before joining him. They lay there for a time, simply enjoying being held by one another as he ran his fingers through her hair, watching the silky strands fall to her back. He had wondered if by easing this ache she stirred within him would help him see things clearer where she was concerned, but it had only awakened a deeper yearning within him for her, something he knew he would never be able to satisfy. He needed her like he had never needed anything else in his life, and he smiled at the irony of life sometimes. He had left his team to become a better warrior, but instead had found her, a woman who had helped him become a better man as she had given him back his pride and had made him realize that there were more things out there to enjoy than zoid battles. She stirred in his arms, and he pulled her closer to kiss the top of her head, the words he wanted to tell her so bad on the tip of his tongue. But then she turned her face towards his for a soft kiss so achingly sweet that it touched both of them all the way down to their souls. "What is it?" she asked, noticing that he seemed to be quiet, and she became slightly worried that maybe he was regretting what they had enjoyed with each other. "Nothing," he answered. "Just enjoying lying here with you." She smiled as she trailed her fingertip across his chest, the smile slowly fading. "Do you regret what happened between us?" He looked down at her, his gaze guarded as he wondered the same about her. "Do you?" She brought her hand up to touch his face. "No, absolutely not. It's just that you were so quiet, I wasn't sure." "You have nothing to worry about then as I don't either," he replied, pulling her close for a kiss to assure her of that. She sighed as she settled back against him, listening to the pop and crackle of the fire. "Where does that leave us then?" she asked, her tone not so serious this time. "What do you mean?" She smiled. "You said that you would fulfill my wish as it had snowed. Well, snow melts away and never comes back except when the time is right. So, are you going to be the same way?" He sighed. "Morgan, what I feel for you will never go away. That's why I was so hesitant to rush into things as I wasn't sure if what we feel for each other would last past this one time." She raised up so that she could look into his eyes. "But?" she prompted. A smile spread across his lips. "But now that we have had this one time, I have found that I want this to last between us. I know that we haven't known each other that long, but you have done more for me than I thought possible, and I wanted to thank you for that." A slow smile spread across her face. "How about you show me how thankful you are?" ******************* Awww! They're finally together! But what will this mean when he finds out about her past? Thanks for reading and please review! 8. Chapter Eight Author's note: Thanks, Ryan, for the wonderful reviews! Not too much going on in this chapter, I'm afraid, but I hope you all enjoy it anyway! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER EIGHT By the time morning dawned, most of the snow had melted except in places where the trees cast shadows upon the ground, and Morgan faced the new day with a happiness she hadn't felt in a long time. She was pleased that she had gotten to see it snow, but the greater part of her joy came from her love for Leon, and she knew that as long as she held that love close to her heart there was nothing she couldn't face. Except one thing. The small matter of her past, which perhaps wasn't so small considering she had lied to him about where the Blade Liger had come from, and she knew that she had to tell him soon before things progressed to a deeper level. She felt a pair of strong arms pull her close against his chest, and she readily melted into his embrace as she laid her arms across his. "I see most of the snow's gone," he pointed out. "I hate to see it go," she sighed. "But I have you here to keep me happy now, don't I?" "Mm-hmm," he replied, pulling her hair aside and kissing the back of her neck. She laughed as a shiver raced down her spine. "So what brought you out here so early this morning?" "Besides you?" he asked, releasing her and bringing his hands up to massage her neck and shoulders. She nodded, her head drooping forward as she relaxed. "Isn't that enough?" Stepping away from him, she turned to plant a finger on his chest. "You are such a sweet talker, Leon," she teased. He laughed. "I can't help it if it's true," he replied, pulling her close for a kiss. "Actually, I thought we might take a walk together to get out of the house for a bit." She arched one auburn eyebrow over one hazel eye. "Cabin fever, hmm?" He smiled sheepishly. "I guess so. Not that I'm saying that I don't enjoy spending that time with you," he hastily explained after seeing the other eyebrow join its twin. "What I meant was...oh, brother, why do I get myself into these situations?" Not wanting him to suffer any longer than he deserved, she laughed and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I love you, Leon!" she cried, drawing back in surprise when she realized what she had just said, her hands covering her mouth. He was just as surprised as he had wanted to tell her that since last night, and was happy that she felt the same way, allowing them both to share in a laugh as an awkward silence descended between them. "I love you, too, Morgan," he finally said. Her eyes widened, and she giggled nervously before leaning forward to kiss him. "I think I've got a better idea to cure your cabin fever. Follow me!" she said as she took his hand and led him over to the Blade Liger, watching as she saw his eyes widen in appreciation of the zoid. It seemed to sense Leon's presence as it turned towards him with a low roar that rolled over them and gave them both an idea of its power. "It's unbelievable!" he exclaimed. "No, it's awesome!" he cried, seeming for all the world like a little boy with a new toy. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she watched him walk around the zoid. "It's yours if you want it," she called out to him. He stopped his inspection and looked towards her, his face belying his astonishment. "No, I couldn't," he replied, although his eyes fell once more on the red zoid. This was the type of zoid he had always dreamed of piloting, and it was here within his grasp, being offered to him by someone who he loved very much. Strangely, he felt as if he didn't deserve such a powerful zoid, but he knew that with the Blade Liger he could realize his full potential as a zoid warrior. Feeling a hand on his arm, he looked to see her standing beside him. "Leon, please. I want you to have it. As I said, what use have I for a zoid like this one when I'm not even planning to fight in any battles? Besides, it seems to like you." A grin spread across his face, and it was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds as he picked her up off her feet and swung her around a few times, laughing as he heard her squeal of surprise. Before he met her, he had rarely found a reason to laugh, and it was just another reason among a long list of why he loved her so much. "And what about you?" he asked once he set her back down. Breathless, she waited a moment before answering, and then she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. "You'll do," she replied, smiling when she heard his exclamation of protest. "How about you take it out for a run?" she suggested. He smiled and looked up at the zoid. "How about it, Blade Liger?" he asked. The zoid responded with a loud roar that chased away every single bird and squirrel nearby. Morgan sat on the porch steps waiting for Leon to return from his test run with his new zoid, wondering if he was hungry as it was past lunchtime and trying not to worry since he was gone so long. But then she heard their return and rose to her feet as they came into view and stopped, Leon getting out carefully as his ankle was still tender. "So what did you think?" she asked him. "He's awesome!" he exclaimed. "His speed is unreal, and his blades are the ultimate weapon to have in a battle!" She laughed. "I'm glad you like him. Now, I imagine you're hungry. I've fixed us something to eat for lunch--Leon!" she cried out in surprise when he pulled her up against him for a passionate kiss, his lips devouring hers before pulling away to allow them both to catch their breath. "What was that for?" she asked. "Not that I'm complaining." He smiled. "I missed you," he said, holding her face in his hands as he kissed her again, this time more softly. "What would you say to meeting my family along with the Blitz team?" She became nervous as she had never thought that she would be meeting his family one day. "I guess so," she answered uncertainly. His smile faded as the last thing he wanted to do was to push her into something she didn't want to do. He was just excited after thinking about introducing her to his father and Leena and didn't stop to think about how she would feel. "If you'd rather not go..." he prompted. She saw the disappointed light in his eyes, and she could've kicked herself for putting it there. "No! I mean, yes! I'd love to! I guess that I'd gotten so used to having it be just us two together, I never thought about meeting your family one day. Do you think they'll like me?" she asked. He laughed at her nervousness. "I think they'll love you," he replied. "Let me go call them and see if they're there first. I can't wait to introduce you to my father," he said as he disappeared inside. She followed him, shaking her head as she knew she couldn't refuse him anything. ****************** Oh, boy, is she in for a treat! Who knows what will happen once they arrive! Thanks for reading and please review! 9. Chapter Nine Author's note: Man, I haven't had a review on this one for a while. Has everyone deserted me? *looks around and hears nothing but crickets* I know Ryan has been reviewing my other zoids fics so I guess he likes those better. ^_~ Anyway, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! Disclaimer: I guess I'd better include it this time, but you all have read a thousand of them by now so you know the drill. Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER NINE As soon as Leon spoke with his father, they gathered their things and left in the Blade Liger to travel to the Toros Base, where she would be meeting his family as well as his former teammates. She was becoming nervous just thinking about it, because if she did tell him about her past, which she would eventually have to do, there would be more casualties involved than just him. And she wondered how his family would react to her once she met them. "You're awfully quiet back there," Leon commented from the front of the cockpit. "Just enjoying the scenery," she replied. He moved so that he was peering at her from around his seat. "You don't sound like you are," he pointed out, his eyes looking into hers. She looked away from the directness of his gaze. "I guess I'm just nervous," she finally admitted, turning back to him when she felt his hand touch her face. "You have nothing to worry about," he reassured her with a smile. "Just be your usual charming self, and I know they'll love you." She smiled back and leaned forward to kiss him. "With you by my side, I know I'll be okay 'cause I love you so much." He laughed softly, a sound that touched her heart deeply. "I love you, too." Then he turned back to the front, leaving her alone with her doubts once more. They stopped over in a small town to grab something to ease their parched throats, Leon going inside and Morgan staying outside to stretch her legs and let the breeze play throughout her hair. She heard footsteps coming up behind her and assumed it was Leon, turning around with his name on her lips only to stare wide-eyed as she looked upon Stigma Stoeller instead. The Backdraft warrior had never been so glad to see someone in all his life as he had been worrying about her ever since he had arrived at the cabin and had found her gone. Anger and relief warred inside him, and eventually relief won. "How are you doing, Morgan?" he asked. She was having conflicting emotions to deal with herself as she wasn't sure if he was here to bring her back to the Backdraft or if he was here of his own accord. "Fine," she answered, keeping her voice neutral. "What are you doing here?" "I came looking for you once I saw you were gone," he answered. "What do you think you're doing out here where they can find you?" he wondered, some of his earlier anger surfacing. She became a little defensive after hearing the tone in his voice. "If you must know, we're going to visit someone." "Why?" he asked. "What, did you expect me to stay cooped up in that cabin forever?" she countered. "If it means your safety, yes," he shot back just as heatedly. "Morgan, you know I promised your father I would look after you," he reminded her as he stepped closer to her and took her hands in his. Her anger faded as she realized he only wanted what was best for her. "I know, but I can't just hide forever from them, Stigma. I have a life that I would like to enjoy as well, a life that I wish to share with someone special." He raised an eyebrow. "And this someone would leave you by yourself knowing the danger you're in?" She sighed. "He doesn't know everything about me just yet," she admitted. He nodded his head. "And just when are you planning to tell him?" She shook her head. "I don't know," she answered unhappily, bringing her eyes up to look into his. "I'm scared, Stigma." His heart melted to hear the tremble in her voice, and he gathered her in his arms to offer her whatever she needed, hearing her sigh as her arms closed around him. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything." He smiled. "You know I would do anything for your father," he replied as he pulled away from her. She didn't know why, but she giggled a little. Perhaps it was her way of getting through a difficult moment. "I know." "Morgan?" She jumped at hearing Leon's voice and turned to see him standing behind her holding a bag of groceries. "Is everything all right?" he asked, eying Stigma warily as he was wondering what she was doing in a stranger's arms. "Leon, this is Stigma Stoeller, the friend of my father's I keep telling you about that has helped us out," she introduced him. The younger man's eyes didn't change but he walked forward with an outstretched hand to offer a handshake, which Stigma accepted. "Thanks for all you have done for the both of us," he said, not entirely sure what was going on but not about to embarrass himself by flying off the handle at someone who had given them everything they ever needed without being asked. "It was my pleasure," Stigma replied. "After all, her father and I were close friends, and he asked me to look after her in case he died." Then he turned towards Morgan. "I am happy to see you in the care of someone who cares about you just as much as I do. I will be able to rest at night knowing you are in good hands. Farewell to the both of you." She watched as he walked away, wondering what Leon must be thinking and dreading to see his reaction, but was surprised to feel a gentle hand on her shoulder. "He seems to be a good man," he said, sensing that he had just come upon the tail end of something very important that had just happened. "He is," she agreed. "He has looked after me ever since I was little. I think of him as an uncle more than anything since nobody can replace my father, although Stigma comes close." "I wonder what he was doing here?" he asked. She sighed. "I imagine he had come to the cabin to check on us, but once he found out we weren't there he came looking for us out of concern for me. But I think that now since he knows I'm in good hands, maybe he will stop worrying about me." Looking into her eyes and seeing the love she felt for him, he decided to put aside his feelings of unease. "Maybe. Now how about we get going? It will be getting dark soon." The sun had just disappeared behind the horizon when they arrived at the Toros Base, both of them glad to have an end to the trip as their stomachs were growling hungrily by now. They brought the Blade Liger inside and jumped to the ground to see that they had a welcoming party waiting for them, Leon leaving her side long enough to meet his sister, who had taken off at a run towards him, and he met her in an enthusiastic hug. Soon they were joined by his father, and Morgan could see where Leon had gotten his good looks from as she stood by the Liger with a nervous smile on her face. Leon had never been more happy to see his family since he had missed them terribly these past few months. "Dad, Leena," he said after they separated. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." He led them over to his beloved, taking her hand in his own and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "This is Morgan. Morgan, this is my sister, Leena, and my dad." Standing in front of them, she had never felt more like hiding in a hole somewhere than she did right now, but she put her brightest smile on her face as she greeted them in return. "Nice to meet you. Leon has told me a lot about you both, and the team as well." That sounded good enough. "Happy to meet you, Morgan," Leon's father said. "You can call me Doc. Everyone else does. Now I know you both are starving so let's go get something to eat." Leena darted off after Bit, exclaiming that he wasn't going to hog all the food tonight, and Doc rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Those two," he lamented. "If you would like, you can have your old room, Leon, to stay in. And I know you both just got here, but I've taken the liberty of planning on going to the beach for a vacation. Doesn't that sound like fun?" Leon laughed. "That sounds great, Dad. I think you'd better go before Bit and Leena tear each other to pieces. We'll be along shortly." The older man took the advice and left them alone. Leon turned towards Morgan, who took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" She smiled her agreement, but she could only hope it didn't get any worse. ******************** Hmm, a beach trip, huh? There's a lot of things that could happen there, I wonder.... Oh, well, thanks for reading and please, please review! 10. Chapter Ten Author's note: Well, still can't read any reviews, but I can still update! Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER TEN Dinner went well as everyone else was too busy being occupied with other things to ask questions about their relationship, which Morgan knew they would eventually. They would want to know about how they met and about her past as well as their future together, and she wondered what Leon would tell them if they asked him. Up until know, she had never given their future much thought as she had merely been living day to day, thankful just to be able to enjoy them with someone so special that she loved with all her heart. At times, she would look up from her plate and see Brad's eyes on her, and she wondered why he looked at her so intently as it embarrassed her to a certain degree. Thankfully, Bit and Leena's bickering over each other's food kept his attention diverted somewhat as he had to watch and make sure he wasn't involved as well. Leon never made any advances towards her romantically during that time, leading her to wonder if he was just shy about it in front of his family, or if he was having second thoughts after coming back to them and had no need of her anymore. And after seeing him slip easily back into the routine, she became somewhat depressed as she missed her own family. It was enough to make her leave, and she hastily excused herself as she walked out into the hallway to sink back against the wall and onto the floor, her breaths coming deep and quick as she needed to catch a breath of air. Drawing her knees to her chest, she propped her forehead against them as she fought against giving in to the tears that threatened to emerge. She could only imagine what they were thinking after running off like that, but she couldn't face seeing the love that Leon's father and sister felt for him without thinking of her own father. And it had cut deep, reopening wounds she had thought were closed. Feeling a hand on her chin urging her to look up, she did to see Leon's concerned eyes gazing into hers with such love and worry she felt awful for doubting him even for a second. Two tears slid down her cheeks, paving the way for even more to come. "I'm sorry, Leon," she whispered, allowing herself to be pulled into his comforting embrace as she gave way to her tears. "It's okay, Morgan," he murmured against her ear, feeling her hot skin against his neck as he wondered what had gone so wrong as to bring this on. Then he looked up to see his father and Leena standing nearby with the same concerned expressions on their faces, indeed everyone was there standing in the hallway. Suddenly it hit him what was wrong, and he could've kicked himself a thousand times for not thinking how it would affect her. Rising slowly to his feet, he brought her up with him and led her down the hallway to his old room which had been prepared for their arrival. After setting her down on the bed, he went to shut the door and glanced outside to let everyone know everything would be okay and he would see them shortly. Then he returned to her side and lay down beside her, combing his fingers through her hair and brushing his thumb against her cheek to wipe away her tears. "Morgan, I'm so sorry for not thinking," he said softly. "I should've known better than to push you into this so soon after losing your father." She sniffled as the last of her tears subsided. "It is I who needs to be apologizing," she said, her voice still shaky. "I can only imagine what everyone is thinking right now." He raised up to kiss her cheek. "Nonsense. You're just tired from traveling and this bunch can be a lot to handle when you're not prepared for it. Was there anything else wrong?" She smiled sheepishly. "It's silly," she said. "Tell me," he urged her. She laughed then grew serious as she gazed into his eyes. "I thought that after coming back to be with your family you may not need me anymore," she admitted in a small voice. His eyes stared into hers for a moment before he gently pushed her over onto her back and moved on top of her to catch her lips in an unbelievably soft kiss which sent a thrill coursing throughout her body. She held him close to her, not wanting him to leave just yet, and when he finally pulled away to look into her eyes she touched his face with wondering fingers. "Is that proof enough that I need you?" he asked. She smiled as she nodded. "I love you, Leon Toros," she said, bringing him back down for another kiss. They suddenly pulled apart when they heard something outside their door, and he stepped silently over to it, yanking it open to see two members of the Blitz Team fall inside with another standing outside with his arms crossed. "Hello, Bit, Leena," Leon greeted them in a sour tone. They both jumped to their feet and stood there with sheepish grins on their faces. "Sorry, Leon," Leena apologized. "We were just making sure everything was okay." "That's not what I heard," Brad spoke up. "If I remember correctly, you both wanted to see if they were--mmph!" "Like we said, we were making sure nothing was wrong," Leena explained as Bit kept his hand over Brad's mouth and having a hard time as Brad was fighting him. "Sure, I believe you, Leena," Leon replied drily, stepping outside and closing the door behind him. "If you both would do me a favor and relax whenever you're around Morgan? She's not quite gotten over losing her father, and at times you're both nervewracking when you're around one another." All three immediately calmed down after hearing his words. "Poor girl," Leena lamented, and the other two merely nodded their heads in sympathy. "Now, I believe we're leaving for the beach in the morning so we'd better get some rest." Bit and Brad left, but Leon held his sister back to speak with her a moment. "Leena, I didn't mean to be harsh," he began. She waved him off. "Don't worry about it," she said. "I just wish you had told us beforehand so we could've avoided it." "I know, and it's my fault," he admitted. "I wasn't thinking too clearly myself. I was just so impatient to have her meet you all I didn't think of what it could do to her." She smiled. "She makes you that happy?" she asked, genuinely happy for her older brother that he had found someone. He nodded, his own smile the widest she'd ever seen on him. "I don't know what I'd do without her." "Then I wish you both the best of luck," she said, raising up to kiss his cheek. "See you in the morning, big brother," she said as she walked away to her room. "Good night, Leena," he returned before going back inside to his beloved to see her already asleep, and he shed his own clothing to ease down in the bed beside her, kissing her cheek and whispering, "I love you," before settling down to sleep himself. The next morning they were all up and packing their things for the trip to the beach, Morgan excited as she had never been to the beach before. Soon the call for breakfast came, and they all converged at the table to attack the piles of pancakes and french toast that Jamie had prepared, and she got the feeling that no one else here knew how to cook, just how to eat it all. Stuffed, she sat back in her seat with a sigh of contentment. She felt so much better after last night since she knew everything would be all right, and at the same time she felt bad because everyone had acted like they were walking on eggs around her. And she knew it was because of what Leon had said to them last night. "That was delicious, Jamie!" she exclaimed. He looked over at her, his face surprised. "Thanks," he replied, thinking that was perhaps the first compliment he had ever gotten on his cooking. Then she sighed as she sat up a little straighter. "I also wanted to tell everyone that I apologize for my behavior last night. But I'm feeling much better now, and there's no need to act so carefully around me." They all looked to each other, embarrassed that they had been so obvious. Then they looked to Leon, who shrugged and looked at her. "Are you sure you'll be okay?" he asked, taking one of her hands underneath the table and holding it within his own. She smiled and jumped out of her seat to sit in his lap. "Of course, I'll be okay!" she cried. "I wouldn't have said so otherwise, silly!" Brad, Leena, and Jamie laughed, but Bit sat there looking intently at the couple as if he were waiting for something to happen. When it did, he grinned and began chanting a little song designed to torment young couples. "Morgan and Leon, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G..." "Bit!" Leon cried as Morgan laughed along with everyone else. "Bit! Leave them alone!" Leena seconded. "I think it's so romantic!" Hearing a strange sound coming from Doc, they looked to see him sitting there with a starry-eyed expression. "I can't believe it! I'm going to be a grandfather!" "DAD!" Leon shrieked as Morgan's face flamed redder than her Blade Liger. ********************* Hee-hee! That was a little idea Ryan gave me in the form of a review. Thanks for letting me use it, even though it wasn't quite the same as yours! Thanks for reading! 11. Chapter Eleven Author's note: Thanks to all who reviewed! Especially, Schala85! If anyone out there is a Stoeller fan, which I am ^_^, go read "Night Striker" which Biowolf is posting for her. It's a great fic and will only get better as it goes on! And Ryan, you give me so many ideas, I think I should put you down as a co-writer of this fic! Love ya! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER ELEVEN Shortly after breakfast, everything was piled inside the hover cargo and they left the Toros Base bound for the surf and sand of the beach, spending the time between in different ways. Morgan and Leon caught a nap together while Brad sat watching TV and sipping his coffee, trying to hear through the yelling and screaming of Bit and Leena. Soon Morgan walked into the same room Brad was and stretched out on the couch across from Brad, yawning as she was still sleepy, and as she lie there she would glance at him from time to time and see him looking at her strangely. Finally she turned to look at him, and he turned his eyes back to the TV. "Do I know you, Brad?" she asked. "You keep looking at me, but I know I've never seen you in my life." He appeared embarrassed. "You just remind me of someone, that's all," he replied. "Sorry if it bothers you." She smiled. "Not at all," she said, sitting up. "So, is this person a love interest of yours?" He was saved from answering as Leon came into the room. "There you are," he said, lowering himself down beside her and kissing her gently. "I wondered where you disappeared to after I got out of the shower." "I wanted to take a little tour of the place, but decided I'd be better off staying here seeing as Bit and Leena are at it again," she said. As if on cue, both of them came tearing through the room, two miniature tornadoes chasing each other screaming at the top of their lungs. "Bit! Give me back my doughnut, right now!" "No way! Not until you promise not to take my cookies, Leena!" Then as soon as it started, it was over as they moved on to torment someone else. "Some things never change," Leon said, shaking his head. Before long they arrived at the beach, leaving the hover cargo parked outside the city limits. Leena had already established that she wished to go into town to browse through some of the beach shops to shop for new bathing suits, and everyone else decided it would be a good idea also. Bit suggested that they take the motorcyles that had been sitting around collecting dust, and Brad, Leena, and Jamie agreed wholeheartedly with excitement. Morgan looked to Leon, wondering why he didn't share their enthusiasm. "What about you, Leon?" she asked, wanting to ride on one but not without him. He saw the excitement in her eyes and smiled. "I'm sorry, Morgan, but that's one thing I don't do anymore." "Oh," she murmured, crestfallen. "Well, I'll just ride with you and your father then." He laughed and embraced her. "You can go ahead and ride with them if you want. I won't mind." She pulled back away from him. "Are you sure?" "Of course," he assured her. "Now go on before they leave you behind." She hugged him tightly and kissed him firmly. "I love you, Leon! Thanks!" she said as she ran off after them. "Wait up, guys!" They stopped long enough to let her catch up, and she walked with them the rest of the way to the hangar where the bikes were kept. "I'm surprised to see you here without Leon," Brad pointed out. "I wasn't going to, but he insisted I come along," she replied. "I wonder why he won't ride one?" "He had an accident on one when he was younger and was hurt pretty bad. It scared him so much that he's never gotten on another one since," Leena supplied. Morgan dwelled on this while the guys prepared the bikes, making sure there was enough gas and that they ran well enough to be dependable since they hadn't been used in a while. Satisfied with what they saw, Leena hopped on one with Bit and Morgan chose to ride with Brad, leaving Jamie by himself, and they sped out of the hover cargo into the city. Morgan had never felt such exhilaration in all her life as the wind whipped through her hair, and she was glad that she had thought to tie it back in a ponytail to keep it from getting too snarled. Only problem was, she was forced to hold onto Brad to keep herself from flying off the back, and she felt a little uncomfortable having her arms around someone other than Leon. The streets were nearly jammed with traffic, especially the road that ran parallel to the beach itself since various hotels lined the sides, and they cruised at a slow pace, stopping at whatever shops caught their eye. Morgan was astounded at the number of T-shirt shops that sold all kinds of merchandise, some of them cute and some of them causing a blush to rise to her cheeks. As they continued on their way, evening drew upon them and the streets became lined with walkers, mostly young girls out to show themselves off with clothing that barely covered their figures, but there were some guys out there looking for a good time as well. Some of the girls were actually making eyes at Brad, and she couldn't blame them as he was sexy in his own right, but couldn't compare to Leon in her eyes. At one point, she and Leena had gone inside one of the shops that sold all manner of items, specifically ones meant to be used by couples, and Leena dropped a few suggestions her way as to which ones she should get. Morgan was mortified that Leena would speak about her brother in such a manner, but it gave her some ideas to think on. When they walked back outside, they saw Bit and Brad talking to a few girls who were practically falling over them. Leena bristled a bit at seeing this. "Look at Bit, the rat," she fumed. Morgan looked at her in surprise. "Leena, don't tell me you have a crush on Bit," she said. Leena flipped her hand nonchalantly. "No chance there," she replied. "I'm just surprised he would speak to a piece of trash like her." The other woman giggled, seeing that Brad seemed to be suffering through all the attention. "Watch this, Leena," she said as she walked outside and sauntered up to him. "What's going on, Brad?" He appeared somewhat surprised at what she was doing but caught on quickly. "Just talking to these young ladies here," he replied. "Find anything good inside?" "Oh, yeah, I did," she said. "Just wait till we get some time alone tonight. You'll find out then, I promise you," she added as she ran her fingers up his arm and touched his jaw in a suggestive caress. Leena had to fight to keep from laughing. If these girls hadn't taken the hint by now, then they were as blond as they looked. One of them crossed her arms in front of her. "Excuse me, but I don't get the feeling you're his girlfriend. I've been watching him all day and I've seen nothing that tells me you're together, so I decided to come find out myself. And I would have if you hadn't walked up." Morgan smiled. "Oh, so I came just in the nick of time," she purred. "You were going to tell them about us, weren't you, honey?" Brad was trying his hardest to remain calm during this little show, but as it turned out it was having an adverse effect on him, especially since she was playing it to the fullest. "Of course, you know I was." The girl stepped closer to them, almost thrusting her face in Morgan's. "Well, if you are together, then why don't you show us how serious you both are?" Morgan's eyes widened. She hadn't counted on it going this far. "Child, you don't want me to show you how serious we are. You're likely going to be running back to your mommy and crying your eyes out cause you know you'll never be the same afterwards. Besides, we're in public, and we'd likely get arrested." Leena and Bit snickered, his eyes wide as he wondered what would happen next. The girl bristled, but remained calm. "Well, if you won't, then that just tells me that you aren't his girlfriend and that means he's mine for the taking." Morgan's eyes flashed to Leena, who smiled and winked at her. "Oh, all right you asked for it," she said, moving over slowly in front of Brad. "I'm sorry about this," she whispered before catching his lips in a heated kiss that had catcalls sounding all around them. She had sat on his lap so that everyone would get a good view, and she moaned as she felt his hands on her back holding her close as she slipped her tongue inside his mouth, deepening the kiss as she threaded her fingers through his hair and held him still. She managed to make it believable enough and yet still keep it from becoming personal, but one thought did cross her mind, a thought that she couldn't keep held back. Damn, but if he wasn't a good kisser. She pulled away from him and wiped the corners of his mouth with her finger, smiling provocatively at him, and seeing the dazed look in his eyes. "How was that?" she purred. Brad couldn't help but wonder if he was going to be able to sleep at all tonight. Damn if she wasn't the hot vixen! But he knew that it was only just a show and tried not to think too much into it, although the pressure between his legs told him differently. "Keep doing that, and I'll have to rent us a room right now." She laughed at that, her laughter growing louder as she saw the girls walking away. "You should've seen the look on their faces!" Leena exclaimed. "But, wow, that was a hot kiss! I can see why Leon hooked up with you!" Morgan blushed and covered her face with her hands. "Please don't tell Leon!" she begged. "This will hurt him for sure if he finds out!" "Don't worry, our lips are sealed," Leena assured her. "But that was great, though!" Bit and Jamie stood by looking at each other helplessly. "Why couldn't we have been that lucky?" **************** Poor Bit and Jamie! But what a moment between Brad and Morgan! Uh oh, I hope that this doesn't get to Leon! But you know Bit and his big mouth.... Thanks for reading and please review! 12. Chapter Twelve Author's note: Finally, an update! About time! Thanks for all the reviews, guys! As for why Morgan did what she did, let's just say she had a moment of insanity. That and I needed something that would really have the potential to break them apart. Not that I'm saying I will! :p I guess I'd better make like Bit and keep my big mouth shut! ;) Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER TWELVE Morgan glanced back towards Brad, now feeling uncomfortable around him after what she had just done to him, especially since they didn't even know one another and it wasn't even like her to do such a thing. She felt rotten for even doing it as she knew that it reflected badly on her feelings towards Leon, and she hoped that he never found out although if he did, she more than deserved what was coming to her. She moved off his lap and stood beside him, a troubled expression on her face. "Brad, I'm so sorry about this." He smiled and waved it off. "Don't worry about it. Besides, it accomplished what you wanted it to, didn't it? And I must admit that it had some side perks as well," he added. She blushed furiously. "But I feel so bad, especially since I love Leon so much. How could I have been so stupid to do that?" Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she looked over into Leena's lavender eyes. "Morgan, we all know how much you love my brother," she said. "Which is why we're going to keep quiet about this, aren't we, Bit?" she emphasized. He held his hands up. "Hey, what're you looking at me for?" he asked. "I know how to keep a secret." Leena, Brad, and Bit all glared at him. "You'd better or else we'll have to put duct tape over your mouth to keep you quiet," Leena threatened. "Hmph, I'd like to see you try," he returned, earning a good chasing from Leena. At that point, Leon and his father showed up as they came walking up to them. "Leon!" she cried as she ran towards him, jumping into his embrace and holding him tightly as they shared in a long kiss together, happy to see each other again. Doc Toros smiled as he watched them. "All right, team, I've made reservations at a nice restaurant Leon and I found so we'd better hurry if we're going to have any time to get out on the beach." Leena stopped chasing Bit at the mention of food, and Morgan decided it would be best for her to ride with Leon and his father as they all rode to the restaurant. Lucky for them it was an all-you-can-eat buffet, and they stuffed themselves full, all except Morgan and Brad of course, Brad because he never ate a lot and Morgan because she was still feeling guilty. After they were finished, they walked out onto the white sandy beach, Morgan taking the time to savor the feel of the sand between her toes and the smell and sound of the waves crashing against one another as she watched everyone else except Leon enjoy running along the beach. Leon came up behind her and held her against him, nuzzling her hair aside to kiss the side of her neck softly with his breath teasing her ear. She shivered all over, and almost lost it then and there when she heard his laugh. "What's so funny, Leon?" she asked lightly. "You know what kind of effect you have on me." "I know," he answered, his teeth nipping gently where he had kissed, drawing a tortured gasp from her as her body ached all over for him. "Which is why I love teasing you like this." "Leon," she groaned, turning in his arms and taking his face in her hands. "You are a very cruel man, do you know that?" she asked as she trailed soft kisses up and down his neck, pleased to hear his sharp intake of breath. "No more than you are," he replied, closing his eyes as he fought against fulfilling his desires right then and there on the soft sand. "You just wait until we get back to the hover cargo." She pulled away far enough to gaze into his eyes. "Why don't we go now?" she suggested. "If we leave now, we may have enough time to get there and have some time alone together." He smiled as he brushed her hair back away from her face. "It sounds tempting, but I don't want to take the truck and leave Dad with no way back except for the alternative. I wouldn't want to put him through that kind of torture." She giggled at the image that brought up. "I know what you mean," she replied, turning when she felt a hand grab her arm. "Leena!" she cried as the younger girl dragged her away from Leon and towards the ocean waves that washed on shore. "Come on, Morgan, you're supposed to have fun when you come here!" Leena exclaimed. "How about helping me find some seashells?" Morgan laughed but looked back at Leon, who she saw walking towards Brad, Jamie, and Bit. "I only hope you keep your mouth shut, Bit Cloud," she muttered to herself. Leon stopped to stand beside Brad, who was watching Bit and Jamie play an impromptu game of football with some other guys they didn't know. "How's things going with you, Brad?" The mercenary shrugged. "I can't complain. Things have been going pretty well so far." "Looks like Bit's doing a good job. The Blitz Team has been racking up the wins, that's for sure," he pointed out. Brad nodded, his eyes glancing over to where Morgan and Leena were. "You've got quite a woman there, Leon," he said. "I hope you don't ever plan on letting her go." Leon eyed the other man out of the corner of his eye. "Why, are you interested?" he asked carefully. "Not a chance," he replied with a laugh. "There's someone else that I'm interested in right now. Morgan reminds me a lot of her, mostly in looks." "Oh, I see. You wouldn't be talking about the leader of the Fluegal Team, the one they call the Red Comet?" Leon asked with a smile, laughing when Brad didn't answer. "I love Morgan very much, but there's something she's holding back, and I wonder what it is. I've tried asking her, but she doesn't want to tell me, and it bothers me that she doesn't feel she can confide in me." "Maybe she's afraid that she'll lose you because of it," Brad pointed out. Leon sighed. "If it's something in her past, I can forgive her anything as that's all it is. It's in her past and I can't change that, I'll just have to accept that as a part of her." He was silent a moment. "However, there was something that happened on our way to the base that was strange." "What was it?" Brad asked, now feeling worse for allowing Morgan to kiss him when he knew how much Leon loved her. He had just as much a part in this as she did as he should've stopped her no matter what the stupid girl thought. And he was a little upset at Morgan for butting in when he could've handled the situation on his own, and in the end it just made a bad situation even worse. "There is this friend of her father's that keeps watch over her as he had promised her father he would before he died. But she won't tell me who he is or what he does, she just insists he's a friend of the family. The only thing I know is his name." "What's his name?" the mercenary questioned, a little intrigued himself at what she was hiding. "She said his name is Stigma Stoeller." "Stoeller?" Bit's voice came from in front of them as he walked back towards them with Jamie in tow. "You know him, Bit?" Leon asked. "You could say that," Bit replied. "He's part of the Backdraft organization that promotes unsanctioned battles. He pilots an awesome zoid called the Elephander." Leon was quiet as he thought this information over. If Stigma was part of the Backdraft, then what about her father? Had he been part of the organization as well? And was that who she was escaping from when he had come across her in the Blade Liger? Then it all made perfect sense. Her father had developed the zoid but didn't want to use it for some reason, so they killed him. And for that, she took the Blade Liger and escaped, and that's how he found her. Bit saw Leon leave and walk towards Morgan, and he bit his lip nervously as he wondered if he had just opened his big mouth again. ******************* Oh, boy! Now that Leon knows of what's been bothering Morgan, what will he do? Will he forgive her not opening up to him, or will the more destructive secret come out into the open? I'll never tell! Bit: No, but I will! Shelly: Ahhh!!! Bit, what're you doing here? It isn't bad enough I've had to put up with Thomas, now I have you bugging me! What did I ever do to deserve this anguish and torment?! *sob* Thomas: Fine! If that's how you feel, then I'll just leave! Come on, Bit, let's go. It's obvious she doesn't appreciate what we do for her. If it wasn't for me, then she wouldn't have gotten half the reviews she did on "Dragonflame". Bit: You got that right! Shelly: Fine, leave then! And don't let the door hit your @$$ on the way out! *Slams door behind them* Man, am I going to miss Thomas. Maybe if I write that fic about him like I promised then he'll forgive me. Maybe not. *sigh* Besides, he's probably on his way over to Dracou Malfoy's since she's writing a fic about him, which is wonderful! Oh, well! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for reading! 13. Chapter Thirteen Author's note: Thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews! Man, is Thomas in trouble for leaving or what? Ryan's threatening to get into his Gundam and come after him and Bit, and Schala85's Klary's gonna join him as well. I guess it's a good thing he's in Dracou Malfouy's cage. ^_~ Everyone fasten their seatbelts as it gets better from here! Hope you all enjoy! Disclaimer: I guess I'd better put this in here this time. Nope, I don't own zoids. Just Morgan. Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER THIRTEEN The whole time she and Leena were searching for seashells, Morgan had tried to keep a discreet eye out for Leon to see if anyone told him of what happened. But when she saw him approaching them, her heart leaped to a wild beating inside her as she was bracing herself for the inevitable to happen. "Leena, your brother's coming this way," she whispered. "Do you think he knows?" The young woman risked a glance. "I don't think so. He looks pretty calm. But in case he does find out, I'll stand beside you to make sure you both stay together." "Thanks, Leena," she replied. "Find any shells?" Leon's voice finally reached them. Morgan turned with a smile that tried to cover up her nervousness. "A few. They're pretty small though." Leon returned her smile, his own expression troubled. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked Morgan as he took her hand in his. She almost stopped breathing. "Of course," she returned as they walked away a short distance. "What is it?" He really didn't know how to approach this, but he guessed the direct way was the best. "Morgan, I found out from Bit who this Stigma Stoeller is. He's part of the Backdraft Group, which means your father was also, wasn't he?" She tried not to let her relief show as she was no longer worried about how to handle this after having something worse to worry about. "He was," she answered. "He developed the Blade Liger to defeat the Liger Zero in battle, only the Backdraft wanted me to be the one to pilot it since they thought it was time I joined their ranks. He fought against it passionately as he didn't want any harm to come to me, but they still held true to their views. "He vowed then to leave and go to the Zoid Battle Commision with everything he knew, saying he was taking me with him as well as the Liger. Not long after he was found dead, and the doctors pronounced it a natural death as opposed to foul play. But I knew better and so did Stigma since my father had told him of what he had done, and that's when he begged Stigma to watch after me, to keep me safe at all costs. It was Stigma's idea that I take the Liger and leave, which led you to me." Leon gazed into her eyes for what seemed like forever before he released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "If that's all it was, then why didn't you tell me in the first place?" he asked quietly. She took his hand in hers and raised it up to kiss it softly. "Because I was afraid I'd lose you, Leon. The Backdraft are not very popular as they fight without any rules, something that could very well end up killing the pilot. I thought that if you knew about my past with them, then you wouldn't want to have anything to do with me. And even after being together for only a short time, I knew that I didn't want to see you walk away from me after seeing me as I once was." Then she turned hazel eyes glistening with tears to his. "I'm so sorry, Leon. I know what I did was wrong....Can you ever forgive me for lying to you?" He touched his hand to her face and drew her into his embrace, her head tucked underneath his chin. "Your past is a part of you, Morgan, a part that I cannot change. The way I see it, you were an unfortunate victim of an organization that makes its own rules just to spite those who would fight fair. Since you never fought for them in any battles, then I see no reason why I can't forgive you." She pulled away from him just enough to look at his face, searching for the answer in his eyes even though he said he forgave her. Then she threw her arms around his neck and held him close, her heart overflowing with love for him. "Oh, Leon, I don't deserve you. I love you so much." His soft laughter teased her ears. "I love you, too," he said. "Although I happen to think that you do deserve me, and that's all that matters." Brad, Bit, and Jamie watched in silence as Leon took Morgan aside to speak with her, not even noticing Leena's presence when she came to a stop near them. "What's with them?" she asked. "Leon just found out that Morgan may have something to do with the Backdraft," Brad answered. "I guess that's what he's talking to her about." Leena's eyes widened in shock. "Morgan? No way! She's nothing like them!" "Doesn't matter," Bit added, his voice a little harsh. "There's a chance she may be trying to steal my Liger from me again." "Oh, come off it, Bit! Not everything's about you and your Liger! She wouldn't do anything like that! Besides, she's had her share of chances to do so, and if that's what she was going to do then she would've done it by now," she retorted. "But how do we know we can trust her? She didn't tell Leon who she was, which means she might still be working for them. And what about earlier today? If she truly loved him, then she wouldn't have done what she did," he fired back. Leena's fists clenched and she thrust her face into his. "You're just jealous, Bit Cloud, because she kissed Brad instead of you!" "Am not!" he shouted. "Are too!" she shouted back just as loud. "AM NOT!" "ARE TOO!" Brad shook his head as he crossed his arms in front of him. "Will those two ever stop?" Jamie sighed. "You know what they say. Love makes the world go 'round." "What was that?!?!" both Leena and Bit screamed as they faced Jamie, his own scream joining them as they chased after him up and down the beach. Brad sighed and eyed Leon and Morgan once more, a smile appearing when he saw them embrace each other. Then his smile disappeared as he felt a pair of arms slide around his shoulders. "Hey, Brad, I see you're alone," a female voice purred beside him. He looked to see the owner of the slurred voice, and his eyes widened as he saw it was the girl from earlier that had tried to become such good friends with him, and judging from the smell of her breath she had had more than her share of alcohol so far. "What are you doing here?" he asked her as he tried to break her hold on him. "I came here to see you, babe," she replied. "I saw that your girlfriend wasn't with you, so I decided to come and say hi." He finally succeeded in removing her hold on him, but in the process sent her tumbling to the sand in a drunken pile. Embarrassed, he tried to help her up, and after a few tries she managed to stand on her own but still swayed a little from time to time. Then he saw at the same time Morgan and Leon walking towards them and the girl perking up at seeing her with another man. "Oh my, isn't she the little slut?" she mused with a little laugh. "Hey, watch what you say about her!" he corrected her. "After all, you're the one throwing yourself all over me, so what does that say about yourself?" Apparently she didn't hear him or she chose to ignore him. Either way, she started off towards them, and he reached out to keep her from ruining things, but she was stronger than she looked as she pushed him away from her, breaking his hold on her to stalk towards the happy couple, the light of revenge blazing in her eyes. This little worthless piece of trash embarrassed her in front of everyone, and she wasn't about to let it go unpunished. Hand in hand, they walked back down to the others with the biggest smiles on their faces which told them things were okay between them. But then Morgan stopped in her tracks as her smile faded when she saw someone heading towards them that she had never hoped to see again. Leon glanced back at her with a confused expression on his face. "What is it?" She swallowed deeply as it was none other than the girl from earlier that had been bugging Brad so bad, and her mind chose a good time to stop thinking as she couldn't think of a way to get out of this. And when she made eye contact with the girl, it was definitely too late then to do something. "Leon, how about we go back to the hover cargo after all? I'm not feeling too well all of a sudden," she said, cringing inside as it sounded so lame but it was the only thing she could think of to get him away where Brad could take care of the girl and it would all blow over without any damage done. He was beyond confused now at her sudden fierce need to leave. "Morgan, what's going on? Why is it you want to leave all of a sudden?" "I told you, I'm not feeling well," she insisted. "I think it's something I ate earlier." And she wasn't joking as her stomach was tied in knots from anxiety as she knew that the shit was about to hit the fan, and she would be powerless to stop it. ******************* Well said! The shit will definitely hit the fan in the next chapter! What will happen is anybody's guess. Will Leon find out, or will he be kept in the dark? Hee-hee! Stay tuned! Oh, by the way...Thomas, I miss you!!! 14. Chapter Fourteen Author's note: Thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews! I'm not going to say too much here as I know you're all dying to see what happens. Enjoy! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER FOURTEEN "Please, Leon! Can we go?" she pleaded. No, no, she kept saying over and over. Not like this. Not like this! "Morgan, I don't see why you're in such a hurry all of a sudden to leave," he pointed out, becoming worried at her frantic behavior. "It's because she's done something she doesn't want you to know about," a voice slithered up to them. Leon eyed the girl in surprise then glanced back at Morgan. "Do you know her?" he asked. Morgan shook her head, her whole body trembling as she wished that something would happen so that this nightmare would end soon. "I have no idea who she is." The girl laughed. "Oh, what a convenient little lie. One lie to cover up another." "Look, I don't know who you are, but I suggest you leave Morgan alone. If she says she doesn't know you, then I believe her. Besides, it's obvious you've been drinking a little too much, so why don't you just go sleep it off and stop causing trouble?" "Well, then if you won't believe me then why don't you just go ask your friends? They'll tell you everything, and I guarantee you two won't be holding hands after that. See ya!" she called as she walked off, her steps a little unsteady. Leon watched her leave, his expression cloudy as he thought things over. He hoped that there was no truth to her words, hoped that she was lying with all his heart as he couldn't take it if Morgan had done something to betray him. But as the girl said there was one way to find out, and he continued walking over to Brad just in time to see Bit and Leena following an exhausted Jamie back towards them as well. Morgan could almost feel the noose tightening around her neck as she saw the look Bit cast her way, a look filled with distrust, and she knew that if anyone would tell on her it would be him. Then she realized that if she had any chance of saving herself in Leon's eyes then he had to hear it from her instead of someone else. Taking a deep breath, she stopped before they came too near them, and she saw Leena's worried gaze on her as she smiled reassuringly at Leon's sister. He looked back at her, his heart nearly breaking at the silent submission in her eyes. "Morgan?" She gave his hand one final squeeze before releasing it altogether. "There is something I need to tell you, Leon, before we go any further. I don't know what this will mean for the two of us, but do know that I love you and I always will for as long as I live." He turned towards her, looking for all the world like a scared little boy. "Morgan, you're scaring me. You mean to tell me you knew that girl after all?" "Well, I wouldn't exactly say that I knew her, but we crossed paths earlier today and our meeting did not go well," she began. "What do you mean?" he asked, unable to comprehend what was happening as he felt as if his whole world was about to come crashing down around him. She looked so scared standing there, and he wanted to tell her to stop and not say anything as he felt it best he not know what she was going to say. But part of him wanted to know before things went any further between them, not that he wasn't hurting enough already. "Leena and I went inside a shop this afternoon, and when we came out that girl was throwing herself all over Brad, and he seemed uncomfortable with how to handle the situation. So I decided to give him a hand and try to make her go away by acting as if I was his girlfriend. I said a few things in a way that suggested we were together, but she refused to go away until she had certain proof." He turned cold all of a sudden like he had lost all feeling inside. His emotions were cut off as all he wanted now was to hear from her what had happened. "What kind of proof," he asked, his voice flat. "What happened?" Tears filled her eyes. "Leon, please," she whispered, unable to say the words that would drive a wedge in between them and create a rift between them that could never be healed. "What happened?" he demanded a little more forcefully. "Go ahead and say it, Morgan," Bit called. "Tell him that you kissed Brad." "Bit!" both she and Leena cried, Leena kicking him in the shins. Leon's face drained of all color as he heard the one thing he had not ever wanted to hear in his whole life as his heart busted into a million pieces. "Morgan, tell me it isn't true," he pleaded. But her tear-filled eyes so full of apology told him all he wanted to hear, and all of a sudden all he could see was red as anger surged forth to cover the pain of her betrayal. The last thing he wanted to do was to take it out on her, but he needed a physical outlet to his anger, and as his eyes fixed on the one person he had never thought would betray their friendship, he growled deep in his throat and lunged straight for Brad. "You bastard!" he cried, swinging a right hook and connecting with the mercenary's jaw. Brad fell to the ground but didn't get up as he knew that Leon was only venting his anger as he just as quickly walked away from them. He immediately forgave his friend as he knew he would've done the same thing had he been in his shoes, but he knew that Leon would never forgive him. "Leon!" Leena cried as she knelt down by Brad's side to see if he was okay, not receiving an answer from her brother as she watched him walk away. "Bit, how could you!" "Hey, she brought it on herself," he replied, looking over at Morgan without sympathy as he still believed her to be part of the enemy. Tears flowed down Morgan's cheeks as she heard Bit's words, knowing they were right but still feeling hurt at what had happened. Then she felt Leon brush against her roughly, a sure sign that he was pushing her away, and she placed her hand on his arm to try and stop him one last time. "Leon, please, I'm sorry," she began, but he yanked her hand off of him and pushed her back away from him, not caring that she stumbled to the ground near Brad. "Whatever you have to say, don't. There's no way I can forgive you for betraying my trust, Morgan. I thought you loved me, but I guess I was wrong. And you know something? The snow melts just like my love has, and I seriously doubt it will ever come back. Goodbye, Morgan." Then he turned and walked away from her and out of her life, not wanting her to see the tears that ran down his cheeks as well. Seeing his retreating back, she saw her life walking away from her as well, and she struggled to her knees with a cry of protest before feeling hands on her shoulders pulling her back down. "Leon!" she sobbed, feeling herself held against a hard chest with strong arms comforting her, and she knew without looking that it was Brad that was holding her. "Leon," she whispered as she turned her head into his shirt and cried like she had never cried before. Leena looked down on them both with tears in her own eyes, finally having to turn them away before she broke down as well. And as she saw Bit standing there with a self-satisfied smirk on his face, she was quick to rise to anger. "I can't believe you would be so selfish, Bit," she spat in contempt. "The one chance Leon had to be happy, and you destroyed that for him. Do you feel better now? Did you ever stop to think of how he would feel? He was the one who saw what little potential you had, and he left the team because he believed in that so that you could develop it. And how did you repay him? You destroyed his heart. If there was ever a time when I hated you, Bit Cloud, it is now." Then she walked in the same direction Leon had gone, Jamie following her as he cast an angered glance towards Bit as well. Bit glanced over at Morgan only to receive the same glare from Brad, and he turned away with a sigh as he followed the others. *************** Oh, Bit and his big mouth. But she was going to tell him anyway, Bit just sped up the progress a little. How many people think Morgan should go after Bit in the Blade Liger? Hee-hee! You people are mean! ^_~ If I was her, I'd do it, too! If you wanna read an excellent fic, there's one called "Nothing I've Ever Known" by Zinou. It's a Brad/Naomi/Leon pairing with the two guys fighting over Naomi. And what's better it's written in first person which is awesome! Okay, Thomas, I'm glad you're happy in your cage. And that you got the girl. *sniff* But I will soon be starting your fic, probably after I finish this one. I'll stop bothering you now. Thanks everyone for reading! C-ya! 15. Chapter Fifteen Author's note: Yay! The site's finally up! Thanks so much for the reviews! Yeah, Bit really screwed things up in the last chapter, but he has no interest in Morgan whatsoever so he's just being an insensitive putz. ^_~ But there might be someone else that's interested.... Enjoy! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER FIFTEEN Morgan sat there in Brad's arms for what seemed like hours before she finally found the strength to stand up, and he rose to his feet beside her dusting off the sand from his clothes like nothing unusual had just happened. He knew their little scene had attracted a lot of attention, but he didn't care. If they wanted to look, then let them look. He saw her wiping her cheeks dry and sniffling a little, and he touched her shoulder gently. "You all right, Morgan?" he asked. She nodded her head. "Thanks, Brad, for being there. I know it's all my fault and I shouldn't even be crying like this." A thin smile stretched his lips. At least she knew that she was the only one to blame in this mess unlike some females who always blamed everything on the guy, even if it meant lying to save their own skin. She could've done that to him, said that he had kissed her against her will, but he had to admire her courage to tell Leon the truth even though it had cost them their relationship. "You still lost someone who you loved very much, and that always hurts no matter who's at fault." She glanced up at him, and she looked a pitiful sight with her hazel eyes puffy and red from crying and her hair disheveled a bit, and he fought the urge to find a way to ease her pain. He had told Leon that he wasn't interested in her, but he had begun to think that if she and Leon ever broke up then maybe he might approach her eventually as he liked her genuinely, and he had meant what he said when he spoke to Leon about her earlier. She smiled hesitantly and stepped closer to him to touch his cheek where Leon had punched him. "I'm sorry about that," she whispered. "None of this was your fault and it was stupid of me to bring you into this. I never should've even kissed you in the first place." He laughed. "Well, I certainly enjoyed it. It was the most pleasant surprise I'd ever received in all my life." Blushing, she turned from him and began walking away back towards where they had parked their bikes with him following. "What will you do now?" he asked her. She sighed heavily. "I guess the only course left for me is to leave and return home." "Leave?" he repeated, surprised. "Morgan, I'm sure that Leena will explain everything to Leon once they return to the hover cargo and things will return to normal." "It won't be that easy Brad," she answered. "I've betrayed any trust he had in me, and without that there can be no relationship between us. Not only that, if he finds out that I kissed you as a result of a dare by some girl then it will make him feel ten times worse." "How's that?" "It means that I thought so little of his love that I would destroy it all because of a stupid mistake." She sighed again. "It is over between us and nothing will ever be able to bring that back." Soon they were back at the hover cargo, and she couldn't help but feel sick to her stomach as it was tied in knots and her emotions were a jumbled mess that was hard to unravel. If she was to leave then she had some things she had to pack and they were in Leon's room. She could only hope that he wasn't in there, although a part of her wanted to speak with him again before she left for good. Brad laid his hand on her arm encouragingly. "If you want, I'll drive you back to the Base to get your Blade Liger after you get your things." She smiled and shook her head. "There's no need. He deserves it more than I do, and I want to make this up to him, and leaving him the Blade Liger is the only way I know to repay him for all that I have done to him." Swallowing deeply, he took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "Leon is a fool if he doesn't want to make things work between you two. You are a special person, Morgan, and at one time I know he saw that in you. I just hope he can remember it even now when things aren't the best for him." She hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she said. "I would like to have a ride back home in the morning though. I wouldn't want to ask you to take me home in the dark. I think I'll go up and try to talk to him at least. He deserves an explanation from me after Bit blurted it out so quickly. I wonder what I ever did to him to deserve his hatred all of a sudden?" "After he found out you were with the Backdraft, he thought that you might be trying to steal his Liger from him," he replied. She couldn't believe that all this had happened because of Bit's worthless Liger. "Well, he can just stick his Liger up his ass along with his head for all I care. Besides, I know the Blade Liger can defeat him, no problem." He laughed. "Once I get a hold of him, I'll be damn sure he gets what's coming to him. Leena had some good points, and I hope he realizes what he's done." She smiled. "I hope he does," she replied as they walked up to where their rooms were. They passed Leena on the way, and Brad stopped to speak with her to let Morgan continue onto Leon's room. "How is she?" the young girl asked, worry evident in her lavender eyes. "She's calmed down a lot," he replied. "She knows this is all her fault and there's no one else to blame but her. And because of that she's leaving in the morning and letting him keep the Blade Liger." Leena's jaw dropped to the floor. "She's what? Leon would be stupid to let her go just like that, especially after that." Brad nodded his agreement. "Where's our hero, Bit?" he asked wryly. She made a face. "Who knows? I hope he's somewhere thinking about what I told him and feeling like the jerk he is." Somewhere nearby, Bit sat alone out on the grass, thinking back on what had happened that day and feeling incredibly rotten after Leena's harsh words had sunken in. She was right. If it hadn't been for Leon then he would've never gotten the spot on the Blitz Team in the first place and he wouldn't be here now with everyone hating his guts and cursing his name. But they could never understand the bond between him and the Liger. They were partners, two halves of a whole, and he was never going to let him be stolen from him again, no matter what it took. And for that reason he had done anything he could to drive away the beautiful young woman that had captured Leon's heart before she showed her true colors and revealed herself to be working for the Backdraft. He had to get her away from there before she took the Liger Zero from him. But he hadn't thought about how much it would hurt Leon, and he knew he would never forgive himself for tearing out his friend's heart like that. Of course, Leon would forgive him for what Bit had told him as Leon had to know what she had done. It was just that everyone else hated him now for what he had done. Especially Leena. It had hurt to see the hatred in her eyes and hear the coldness of her voice when she had spoken to him. But in order to clear things between them, he had to swallow his pride and admit he was wrong, something he had never had to do before. Especially to her. *************** Well, at least Bit's seeing how wrong he was to do what he did. But what will Leon have to say to Morgan once she sees him again? Will he push her away or will he forgive her? Stay tuned, and the chapters should be coming faster as I've finished it already. Woo hoo! That means more time for my Thomas fic! And thanks so much guys for reviewing that one, too! I can't believe how much you like it, so I must be doing something right! C-ya! 16. Chapter Sixteen Author's note: Thanks, everyone for reviewing! You know how Bit is, always thinking of himself and his Liger, oblivious to what's going on right under his nose. Hope you all enjoy the chapter! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER SIXTEEN Morgan stopped in front of the door to Leon's room, laying her hand on the hard surface as she rested her forehead against it. One step through this door and there was no turning back. It was either face him and admit defeat or turn and run like a coward from her feelings for him. Breathing deeply, she rested her hand on the handle and turned it gently, pushing the door open and stepping inside. She was surprised to see it was unlocked, and perhaps that was a good sign that he was ready to talk now. It was pitch black dark inside, and it took some time for her eyes to adjust to the lack of light, but when they did she could make out his form lying on the bed with his back to the door. "Brad, go away," his voice called out, rough with emotion. She stepped closer to the bed. "It's me, Leon," she whispered, sitting down on the edge of the bed at his feet. She heard the rustle of the bed and light suddenly filled the room as he turned on the light at side of the bed, and tears filled her eyes again as she saw his own eyes were red with crying. His clothes were disheveled like he had been tossing and turning as was his hair, and she couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again as she did everytime she looked into his eyes. "Leon, I'm so sorry," she sobbed as she fought to hold back the tears that threatened to come. His own eyes became moist as he looked upon her anguished expression, and he knew that she had been hurting just as much as he was. He didn't understand why she had done what she had done, and he had thought that he could never forgive her, but after seeing the love she still felt for him he realized that he still loved her just as much as he had when he first met her. And that he would forgive her anything although he still hurt deep inside. "Morgan," he breathed as he held a trembling hand out to her. Surprised, she took it and let him pull her up to lie beside him, although she chose to lay her head on his stomach instead as she felt she didn't deserve his forgiveness. She cried for a bit as his fingers combed themselves through her hair, and from time to time she would hear him sniff, and she could feel the heat of his body through his clothing as well as feel its trembling. What she had done had taken a terrible toll on both of them, both physically and emotionally, and she would never be able to forgive herself for doing that to him. "Why, Morgan?" he finally asked, his voice broken. "Why would you do something like this? Did I not love you enough? I thought we were happy together." She sniffed and wiped at her tears as she sat up. "Leon, I have never been happier in my whole life. You're all I ever want for as long as I live, and I know that I've destroyed it with one stupid mistake." He closed his eyes to shut out the pain he saw in her own. "Would you rather be with him? Was that why you kissed him?" he whispered, finding it hard to even be able to say it. But he had to know. He had to know if there was anything between them. She gazed at him in complete shock. "No! Absolutely not! I don't love him, nor am I even interested in him. It was just a stupid act gone terribly wrong and I know I'm the only one to blame for it. She dared me to do it, and I took her up on it so I wouldn't lose face in front of everyone." He clenched his teeth to bite down on the anger that surged forth. "It's obvious you thought more of your pride than my love then," he pointed out bitterly. "I'm sure everyone else would've understood if you had backed off, and I'm certain Brad would've found a way to handle it on his own from there." "I know," she cried. "And I hate myself for even doing it. I also know that there's no way we can resolve this without hurting each other even more. Which is why I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I still love you with everything I am, Leon, but I know that having me here pains you even more as I'm sure that any trust you once had in me is gone now. That and any love you once had in your heart for me." He took in a deep, shuddering breath as he looked into her swollen eyes, unable to think of anything else except how beautiful she was. "That's just the problem," he said quietly. "No matter how angry I am with you, and no matter how badly I'm hurting, I still love you, Morgan. I want to be with you as well for the rest of my life, but with this still fresh between us, I know things will be difficult for us. I think that separating would be in the best of both our interests as it will give us some time for the wounds to heal." She nodded quietly as two more tears raced down her cheeks. "I understand," she said. Then she felt his hand caress her cheek, wiping away the tears, and she looked up to see him draw her gently towards him as they both lie down on the bed beside one another, both of them gazing into each other's eyes. She ran her fingertips across his face, brushing her thumbs slowly across his cheeks. "I love you so much, Leon," she whispered then moved to tuck her head underneath his chin so she wouldn't be tempted to kiss him, for if she did then their parting would be even more painful than it was already. He brushed his lips across the top of her hair as his own eyes teared. "I love you, too, Morgan," he replied softly, holding her tight against him and hoping that he would be able to live without feeling her beside him or seeing her lovely face. Her laughter had been the music of his heart, and he wanted nothing more than to be able to forget all that had happened and just let things be the way they used to be. But he couldn't as the pain was still too fresh in his mind. They fell asleep like that in each other's arms, and when she awoke he was still asleep, his breathing steady and deep which told her he was sleeping deeply. Easing out of his embrace, she quietly gathered what few things she had and was almost about to walk out the door before she felt a hand on her arm spin her around and soft, warm lips assaulted her own. Moaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth to him to allow him to deepen their kiss, her head spinning out of control as was her body as she needed him so badly. But it would do no good for either of them to give in to their desires, and she managed to push him away from her long enough for her to get her emotions back under control, although it was difficult when he stood not a foot in front of her with nothing on but boxer shorts. "Leon, please don't do this," she breathed. "It's hard enough to walk away from you without reminding me of how much I need you." He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger there for a moment. "All I want is to make sure you remember that, so that when we next see each other you'll come running back to me. Or it could be the other way around if you wish," he added with a smile. Returning his smile, she couldn't help but be intrigued by his offer as she suddenly wanted to show him how much she needed him and how badly she would miss him. It was the sweetest love they had ever made to one another as they both knew it would be their last for a time, and when she finally walked out of his room they both had tears in their eyes. He had told her he would stay here as he wouldn't be able to watch her leave without wanting to call her back, and she said the same as she would want to return if she saw him standing there. Brad and Leena were waiting for her in the hangar and so was someone else: Bit Cloud. Seeing the cocky young warrior, she wanted so badly to knock him to the ground and stomp on him until he couldn't be seen for the dirt covering him, but she knew she had no right to be angry with him as it was her fault this had happened. She only wished that he had let her be the one to tell him. "Bit," she greeted him flatly as she stopped some distance from him. He seemed to waver a little about something and looked to Leena, who balled a fist at her side and growled menacingly. Eyes wide, he snapped to attention and bowed before Morgan. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, Morgan, for what I did. It was selfish of me to interrupt where I wasn't needed, and I hope you'll accept my apology." Then he glanced back at Leena again. "How was that?" he asked. Brad had his arms crossed in front of him. "I suppose it's good enough," he replied. "Although you didn't grovel at her feet and beg like you were supposed to." Bit sniffed a little. "A warrior has to have some standards," he said, screaming when Leena began chasing him around the hangar. "Bit Cloud! Get back here right now!" Brad shook his head. "You ready?" he asked. Morgan sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be. If I don't do it now, then I won't do it at all." They got onto the bike, and Brad started the engine before they left the hover cargo, Morgan looking back and squinting her eyes at something. Was that Leon standing at the window to his room? But before she could be certain, they sped off down the street and towards her house where she would stay for a while until she and Leon crossed paths again, the wind scattering the tears that fell to her cheeks. ********************* Well, things didn't go as bad as you thought, did they? Even though they still decided to go their own ways and give each other some time to grow a little. But their parting might present an opportunity for someone else to step in.... Thanks for reading! C-ya! 17. Chapter Seventeen Author's note: Hey, an update! Man, what being on vacation can do to a person! And a request from Biowolf! What an honor! Let's see...a Hiltz fic...oh! I think I might have an inkling of an idea! But we'll see! And Ryan, I hope you have Naomi on a leash after this chapter! Hee-hee! And thanks so much to everyone else who reviewed! Luv ya! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER SEVENTEEN They soon arrived at their destination, and she steeled herself against the flood of memories that assaulted her when she stepped inside and looked around. Brad saw this as well and busied himself with looking around at the place as he was impressed with its beauty. "This is a nice place you've got here," he commented. She smiled. "Thanks, but it's not mine. It's Stoeller's." His eyebrows raised a notch as he whistled appreciatively. "Man, this guy must be rolling in money if he can afford a place like this." "Actually, I think it's been in his family for some time. He's just done some remodeling to it. If you like I can take you out back and show you the view of the mountains and the lake." "Okay," he replied, not wanting to show his further surprise, but after seeing the beauty of the scenery he couldn't help but be amazed at it. "This is the type of place I'd like to live in someday," he breathed. "This is wonderful!" She laughed. "I'm glad you like it." He walked up so that he was standing next to her with both of them looking out across the lake. "So, how did things go between you and Leon?" he asked. "I noticed you both stayed in the room until this morning." "We did," she agreed. "We both decided it would best to take a break from one another for a while and let our wounds heal. We still love each other so much, but if we were to try and make things work when he couldn't trust me it would just make things worse. I guess this is his way of testing me to see if I wanted to have a chance at a relationship with someone else." Brad glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "He wouldn't have been talking about me, would he?" She sighed. "He did mention you. He asked me if I was interested in having a relationship with you, and I told him I wasn't. That he was the only one I wanted to share my heart with." "So what was that kiss all about then?" he demanded, becoming a little angry that she had kissed him in such a provocative manner without even being the least bit affected by it. "Brad, that's all it was. A kiss," she answered, wondering where this was coming from. "Did you think that there was something else there that led me to do it?" He was silent a moment as he didn't really want to answer that. If he did then it would mean examining emotions he didn't want to right now. "Just forget I said anything," he said as he started to walk away. But she grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Brad, please, answer me," she pleaded, wanting to hear it as his silence had told her more clearly than words that he had thought there was something there. He looked into her eyes and lost all resistance as he looked into their hazel depths, and for perhaps the first time she saw him lose some of his calm and collected demeanor. "What do you want me to tell you, Morgan? That after you kissed me I could think of nothing else for the rest of the night? That deep down I hoped that Leon would find out and that maybe I might have a chance with you? Dammit, Morgan, I'm just a man! I'm not made of stone, and I have feelings, too!" She was taken aback at his outburst, even more surprised to learn that he had wanted her and Leon to break up. "I'm sorry," she finally said. "I guess I didn't think of what effect it might have on you. But we barely knew each other and I thought you would think nothing of it since it was apparent from what you told me that you were interested in someone else." He sighed heavily. "I don't know anymore," he admitted. "You could be her twin, Morgan. You both have the same color hair and build. The only difference is the color of your eyes and your personality." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Maybe I'm just acting this way because you do look so much like her. Hell, I don't know." She stepped closer to him and laid her hand on his arm. "Brad, I don't know what to say. I'm flattered that you would think so much of me, but I love Leon." "I know," he answered, clearly frustrated with the current situation. For some totally insane reason, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her until she forgot about him, but he had no right as he considered Leon to be a good friend and didn't want to do anything to betray him either. And he would only be causing himself more heartache as nothing could ever grow between them as long as she loved Leon. But, oh, to feel her lips underneath his again.... Before he knew what he was doing, he had taken her face in his hands and lowered his lips to hers, brushing them across hers softly at first then more demandingly when her hands clutched at his shirt, bunching the fabric in her hands as she pulled him closer. What the hell was she doing?! Her mind screamed for her to stop this madness right now, but the feel of his lips on hers proved to be her undoing as she had forgotten how his kiss had felt. It felt different from Leon's, more passionate and uncontrolled as was Brad's nature if he would only let it show, and she became lost when his tongue swept through her mouth, drawing forth a tortured moan from her. It was then she realized what she had held back the first time they had kissed. His kisses drove her wild with wanting, and she knew it was only desire that prompted her to allow him to kiss her. She loved Leon with all her heart, but there was something about Brad that drew her to him. She didn't know what it was, but it awakened something within her that urged her to throw caution to the wind and just run with it. She pulled him closer to her, so close she could feel the furious pounding of his heart against her chest, gasping for breath when he broke away to kiss along her neck, and she dug her fingers into his hair to hold him close. "Brad..." she breathed. "Please...we can't do this." "God, Morgan, I want you so much," he panted huskily against her ear, his lips caressing the outer edge, and she closed her eyes tightly to try and keep her desires under control. It drove her insane to hear in his voice how much he wanted her, and she wanted him just as badly, but she couldn't do this to Leon. Not now. Not ever. "Brad," she repeated a little more firmly, and he released her so that they could put some distance between them, and as a result her thinking became a little clearer. "You can't imagine how much I want you, too. But it would only cause more harm for us to give in to each other. I can't betray Leon like that when I have done so much already." He stood there trying his best to control his breathing as it was out of control from his raging desires, and he knew that she spoke the truth even though he wished that they could throw all caution to the wind and see what could be between them. But she had more to lose than he did, although he had just as much to gain if anything ever developed between them. But he nodded his head instead, not trusting himself to say anything more as his resistance was slowly wearing thin, and turned and walked away, leaving her there shaking like a leaf in the wind as she lowered herself to the ground and pulled her knees close to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. Why did things have to be so complicated? Since when did desire become stronger than love? Since she had no answers to these questions, she sat there for a time staring at the mountain's reflection on the water until the sun's setting light tinted them a golden orange. Only then did she rise and walk back inside to an empty house that once had held such love for her. ********************* Well, I guess I don't have much to say after this chapter. It seems the first kiss they had shared meant something to them both after all. But don't worry, she'll stay with the one she truly loves. And guess who makes an appearance next chapter? Thanks for reading! C-ya! 18. Chapter Eighteen Author's note: Hey, another update! And so soon! And Zinou reviewed my fic! Thank you so much! Your fics are awesome! And Schala, I saw that you posted another YGO fic! I'll read them whenever I get a chance. My husband has started playing on the computer more often, so the only time I get a shot at it is in the morning. Biowolf, I've started on your fic, but I'm not sure if I'm happy with it as so far it's from his point of view. I don't want to disappoint you or anything, especially since you requested it! Oh, Shelly, when will you ever shut up! Now! Here's the next chapter. Enjoy! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER EIGHTEEN The next months passed slowly for Morgan as she stayed within the confines of Stigma's house, rarely going out except for supplies or for a small shopping spree, and hardly did she find any joy in anything anymore since that day. Whenever she went into town, she would check up on the the standings of the teams, and was happy to see that the Blitz Team was doing well. Never had she heard anything of Leon, although Stigma had told her once that the Backdraft had been unable to locate the Blade Liger, and she wondered if Leon was putting it to good use. Then came a time when she just didn't care anymore, and she stopped going into town except for food runs and it was only for that and nothing else. Without Leon in her life, she found it harder to wake up everyday and face every one of them all alone. But then something remarkable happened that changed her life around: Stigma had quit the Backdraft and was going to stay with her along with Sanders. She had cried openly that day when he had shown up on the front porch, telling her the good news, and since then she had slowly become herself again, something he had been glad to see. He knew all about Leon and the circumstances that had broke them apart, and she wondered why she had never heard from him. Had he found someone else to love that deserved him more than she did? If he did, then she couldn't blame him as they had been apart for some time. Finally the time came for the Royal Cup Tournament, and Stigma suggested that they all go watch the Tournament together in town along with a new addition to their club, a woman named Pierce who Stigma seemed to be very taken with. And of course Morgan couldn't help but tease her "uncle Stiggy" about it until he blushed furiously. The Tournament contestants were named, and Morgan's jaw dropped to the floor when she saw the Blade Liger in the tournament along with a red Gunsniper, the team being identified as the Fluegal Team. Her heart raced furiously as she wondered if it was Leon's, but it had to be as it was the only one in existence that she knew of. And when they fought the Blitz Team, she was amazed at the abilities of both Ligers, and she recalled her statement to Brad when she said the Blade Liger could beat the Liger Zero anyday. But she was proved wrong when Bit defeated him with his Seven Blade Attack. The rest of the Tournament was pretty exciting, especially the finish when the Liger Zero faced off against the Berserk Fury. She had seen the Shadow Fox taken down and worried that Brad might be harmed since she knew it was him that piloted the awesome zoid, but was relieved to see he was okay. After a nail-biting win, the Blitz Team finally walked away the victors, and she couldn't have been happier for them. As a matter of fact she planned to try and get up with Brad later to see what he was doing as it was obvious Leon didn't care enough to come looking for her. She excused herself from their table and went to grab something to drink, but a familiar figure caught her eye sitting at a table alone, and she approached the person, her eyes widening when she saw the clothing he wore. There was no doubt that it was Leon sitting there with a content smile on his handsome face, and it was like a knife through the heart to see him so happy when she had been so depressed all these months. He looked up and caught her eye, his smile fading slowly, and she wondered if maybe he wasn't happy to see her. Had he moved on and forgot about her? Well, there was only one way to find out, and that was to ask him. Walking slowly towards him, she watched his face for any sign that he might not want to see her, but seeing none she quickened her pace a little and soon found herself standing near his table. "Is this seat taken?" she asked. "No, not at all," he replied. "Please, have a seat." His voice sounded even more mature and sent that familiar thrill through her that she always got whenever she heard it. "So, how have you been?" she started, her mouth suddenly becoming dry. She couldn't believe that they were sitting here holding a normal conversation and so far it looked as if he thought of her as nothing more than a friend now, a memory of something wonderful that they had shared so long ago. "Good," he answered. "I can't complain. The Liger and I have been getting along really well lately. Thank you for leaving it for me." Oh, Leon, her mind cried. Why does he have to be so formal? What happened to them running back into each other's arms and professing their love for one another? "You're welcome," she said, glad that her voice was remaining steady although her insides were quivering out of nervousness. Little did she know that he was having the same thoughts. He was holding himself back out of respect for her feelings as he hadn't heard from her either during all these months they had been apart, and he wondered if she had found someone else as well. "So, how have you been?" he returned. She was quiet a moment as she wanted so badly to tell him the truth, that she had been lost without him ever since they had parted ways and that she wanted him back in her life again. But she wasn't going to do this here as she didn't want to break down in front of him like this. "I've been good," she replied. "Stigma quit the Backdraft and has moved back in. I'm glad because the house was getting rather quiet without..." She had started to say without him, but caught herself before she went any further. But he knew what she was going to say and now knew that she had not been with anyone else since then as he had seen some of her sadness shine through, and his heart softened to see it. He, too, had suffered during their separation, but he had had battles to keep his mind off his heartache as he had buried himself in it, perfecting his abilities to the point where he ended and the Liger began. It was a constant reminder to him of her love, and he had never stopped loving her, although he had stayed away out of respect for her need to be alone. "Morgan," he said, starting to reach for her hand but stopped when he heard a familiar voice. "Hiya, Leon," a female voice called to him. Morgan looked up to see an incredibly beautiful woman standing there, and she knew that this was the woman Brad had spoke of that looked so much like her, and apparently the other woman thought the same thing as she eyed her curiously. Then the thought entered her mind that Leon must've found someone, and she was the lucky one. Suddenly the room became stifling as she figured that he had fallen in love with someone who favored her in more ways than one, and it hurt to see the two standing beside each other. Leon wondered what was going through Morgan's mind as she had suddenly become quiet and just stood there staring at Naomi with a blank expression. "Naomi, this is Morgan. Morgan, this is Naomi, my partner." She even had a beautiful name to match her beautiful face! How dare she! How dare he! And now he was rubbing it in by saying she was his "partner"! How she wished she had claws so she could rip both of them apart! But she did none of that. Instead she muttered a quick greeting and apology and just as quickly walked off, her eyes stinging from unshed tears. Here she had been so lost without him all these months and he had been lounging in the arms of another woman! Why did life have to be so unfair? Leon watched her go with a mixture of confusion and indecision as he wanted to go to her but had no idea what was wrong with her. Why did she just walk off like that without an explanation? Naomi was just as confused as she watched the young woman storm off. "What's with her?" she asked him. He shrugged. "I have no idea." She looked back at him, even more curious when she saw that it was apparent that he had loved this woman at one point, and she remembered what he had told her about her one day. "That was 'the' Morgan you've told me about? The one you were so crazy about?" He nodded. "Yeah, she's the one. But I didn't expect things to turn out like this." Naomi laughed as everything suddenly became clear. "I think you better go get her, silly! You've got some explaining to do if she's thinking what I think she's thinking." "And what's that?" he asked. "Come on, Leon," she said. "She thinks you and I are...um...together? I guess that would be the word." Sudden understanding dawned on him and he buried his face in his hand as he groaned. "I can't believe this." Then he jumped out of his chair and ran after her, hoping that she hadn't gone too far. ***************** You'd better get her quick, Leon! You never know that Brad might be lurking nearby. Next chapter: a happy surprise for them both! Thanks for reading! C-ya! 19. Chapter Nineteen Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! This is the last chapter! *sob* It's not fair! I'm glad you all enjoyed this fic so much! Especially Schala85, Biowolf, Aries, and Ryan. I enjoyed all your reviews! You guys kept me going! Wishing For Snow by Shelly CHAPTER NINETEEN Morgan couldn't half see where she was going from the tears that blinded her, but she knew she was outside when she felt the suns rays warm on her face, and she stood there for a moment to calm herself down. It hurt, the thought that Leon had found someone else, but what was worse was that she looked so similar to her they could be sisters. It would've been different if he had chosen someone that looked nothing like her, but it still hurt all the same. "Morgan!" she heard her name called and knew it was his voice. He had followed her out here apparently. Hadn't he drove the knife in far enough already? She started to walk away from him, and he ran up to catch her arm in a gentle grip. She ripped it out and whirled around to face him, her eyes red and filled with tears. "What do you want, Leon?" she demanded. "It's not enough that I've seen you with someone else, you've come out here to rub it in further? Let me tell you something, Leon! After I left, I became so depressed that I rarely stepped foot out of the house except for food and supplies. And what have you been doing? You've been lying in her arms, probably whispering the same words you whispered to me before, haven't you?" He stood there patiently, waiting for her tirade to end. "Are you finished?" he asked. Struck speechless, she didn't know what to say. Walking up to stand before her, he took her head in his hands and wiped her tears away with his thumbs, smiling when he heard her sharp intake of breath as he was pleased to see he still had the same effect on her he had always had before. "Morgan, I haven't been seeing anyone during all these months. Naomi is my teammate on Team Fluegal. There's nothing going on between us." Her breath seemed stuck in the back of her throat as she digested what he had said. Only teammates? Then they weren't...? It was too much to hope for, and she was afraid it wasn't true, that he was only saying that because he wanted her back. "Please, Leon, don't play with me," she whispered. "I don't think I could take it." But then she was silenced as his lips touched on hers softly, teasingly, and she drew in a shuddering breath as her entire body trembled from the force of her emotions. "Leon," she moaned as she threw her arms around him and enthusiastically kissed him back with tears running down her cheeks and salting their kiss with its liquid. It was like old times again as they stood there in the sun kissing one another for what seemed like forever, and he finally broke away to look deep into her eyes. "Do you think I'm playing now?" he asked. She smiled as she felt the first stirrings of joy within her heart. "Depends on what you want to play with," she said. He laughed and began kissing her neck. "How about we work that out tonight?" he breathed against her ear, and she shuddered deliciously in anticipation. "Mmmm...I would love to, Leon," she replied, becoming disappointed when he pulled away from her. "Morgan, if there was one thing I learned from our separation, it was how much I love you and want you with me. I want you to be with me for the rest of my life, and I know only one way to do that." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box, handing it to her and watching her expression when she opened it. What she saw brought new tears to her eyes it was so beautiful. It was a diamond ring the size of a carat set in gold. She turned joyful eyes to him, and he took the ring and box from her to kneel down in front of her. "Morgan, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked. She covered her mouth with her right hand as he slid the ring on her left hand, unable to believe this was really happening, and she held her hand up to admire its sparkle for a moment before crying a resounding, "Yes!" and throwing herself into his arms to hold him close. He picked her up and spun her around a couple of times before setting her back onto her feet, both of them looking up when they heard the sound of applause. The entire Blitz Team stood by with Naomi watching them with smiles on their faces, Morgan laughing when Leena rushed up to her and hugged her enthusiastically with tears in her own eyes. Then she looked at the ring, exclaiming how pretty it was and how happy she was for them both. Stigma, Sanders, and Pierce came walking out to see what all the commotion was about, and they were soon sporting smiles as they were told what had happened. Morgan hugged Stigma tightly as he was incredibly happy for her, and soon she saw Brad appear near her and she embraced him, too, not really knowing what to say after the moment they had shared between them. "It's good to see you," she said once she saw they were alone for the most part. "I'm glad you're okay after seeing your zoid get trashed." He shrugged. "No big deal. At least we beat him." Then he looked at her hand, not bothering to touch it for fear of what might happen. "I'm happy for you and Leon. He couldn't have asked for a better wife." She looked deep into his eyes. "Are you really?" she asked seriously. He raised his eyes to hers and she saw the faint tint of sadness in them. "Yeah, I am," he said instead, although he really wasn't. He had refrained from seeing her since they had last seen each other, and he had hoped that one day she might come and visit the team. But she never did, and after seeing that this was her and Leon's first time back together, he could've kicked himself for not visiting her before. She gave him a look that said she knew better, but she let it go as it would do no good for them to dig up old wounds which in his case had never healed. And she wasn't about to tell him that she was on her way to find him when she had spotted Leon. "Wish me happiness?" she offered. He swallowed deeply as he struggled to keep himself from losing control around her once more. He had missed her deeply, and had even entertained a relationship with Naomi at one point, but knew it would be futile as it would only remind him of Morgan every time he looked at her. "Morgan," he began, but she cut him off by embracing him again. "Brad, please don't do this on the happiest day of my life," she whispered in his ear. "Please?" He closed his eyes to shut out the pain her plea was causing. "Morgan, you know I would rather it be me putting that light of happiness in your eyes instead of him," he admitted. She let go of him and when he saw her she had tears in her eyes. "I know," she answered. "And maybe if things had turned out differently, I would be here with you. But this is what I want, although I will always remember you. And I know we will see each other again as I'm sure we'll be visiting each other." He nodded and she walked away before anything else was said between them, returning to her beloved's side and accepting his affectionate kiss. He watched them for a moment before turning to walk back inside, running across Leena in the process. She turned to look at him strangely as she thought she had seen tears shining in his eyes, but it could've been a figment of her imagination as she returned to the crowd of well-wishers, happy that her big brother was finally getting married. *************** Oh, they're getting married! Happy endings galore! Except for Brad.... Anyway, thanks for reading! I'll see you all on my other fics! End file.

Wishing For Snow by Shelly3

Zoids

Resolve DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ZOIDS Resolve Raven looked up from the Geno Breaker's cockpit at the fireworks lighting the sky. In all honesty, he was a bit surprised that they would show up this far out in the desert. The thought of a new year brought an onslaught of overwhelming emotions. The dark haired pilot tipped his bottle and took a noisy gulp of his alcohol. He detested the thought of losing control, but for once he didn't care; he wanted to get wasted. The war was finally over and he was a free man with no one to answer to. The sound of broken glass turned his attention from the spectacle in the sky to his forsaken home a few meters way. Specula and Shadow were fighting again. One of them had broken a window. Reese would say that they were 'playing', but Raven failed to see how such raw anger and viciousness could be associated with playing. Those Organoids were out for each others' blood. Raven took another swig, savoring the alcohol's burning affect as it slid down his throat. If he got drunk enough he could really forget everything. _Why hadn't Reese returned?_ He hadn't seen her in months. They didn't talk much - as both of their life styles were ones of preferred silence; but from what he had gathered Reese had taken a job as a mercenary. Her services went to the highest bidder. It was of no real consequence to him, a job was a job after all... What did disturbed him however, was the fact that in this particular case she hadn't taken her blue Organoid with her, and Reese always took Specula when she left on assignment. They were a team, just like Shadow and himself. All the more alarming was that Reese hadn't come back yet. Usually she was gone a couple weeks, up to a month at a time. The money she brought back was well worth her absence, or so Raven had first thought. He wasn't ready to admit it to himself, but in his own peculiar way he was beginning to miss her. The nomadic life style he had chosen had come easily to him, but apparently not so for Reese. The ancient Zoidian thrived on relationships with others. It was what had ultimately led her to her alliance with Hiltz; but now the vile man was gone and all that Reese had was the clothes on her back, the Organoid that was her friend and the Zoid that she piloted.. and him. Wasn't he enough? Why did she have to keep running? A strange entourage of static gold lit up the sky and Raven turned back up to watch it. When Reese had flippantly mentioned her new career move, Raven hadn't cared much about it. It wasn't his business after all. He knew the Zoidian had combat skills. She was a big girl and he knew that she could take care of herself. They had never gotten around to talking about where they stood with one another. It was always a 'come and go - I don't really care about you but I kind of do' sort of attitude. Now he wished that they had addressed the issue more thoroughly. Reese was what? _An ally._ He thought automatically. After all, they had fought together in the end. _A friend._ He could agree to that, if somewhat uneasily. She had stood with him, after all. If things continued... then what? What would she be then? Should he let them continue? Raven tipped the bottle and emptied the last of the bitter drink into his mouth. The popping sound the fireworks made was starting to give him a headache. Yes, things should continue. Since she had come along the loneliness and pain in his heart had slowly begun to fade. Of course, he had always had Shadow, but Reese was different. She was a human. A human girl that was very important to him, he decided. When she got back - A bright explosion flashed in the sky and Raven was forced to shield his eyes. If she ever got back. Damn it, where was she? "Reese..." He mumbled irritably and his head began to swim. "Yes." Came an automatic response. At the sound of her voice, Raven whipped his head around, only to smack it into the base bar of the cockpit's entrance support. "Ugh!" He grumbled in pain, deciding that it would be better to remain still seeing that the alcohol had severely limited his hand eye coordination. Reese laughed and slid into the cockpit so that she sat on the side lip of the door. The force of her entrance caused their knee caps to hit. Raven glared angrily at her. "What are you doing? The cockpit is too small for the both if us! Get out!" He stuttered, his cheeks flushing slightly from the alcohol's influence. Reese studied him intently for a minute. "Are you drunk?" She finally asked. Raven scoffed. She always seemed to ask questions that she knew the answer too. Still, he wasn't going to admit that to her, no matter how obvious his drunkenness was. "Of course not. Hey -" Reese spotted his empty bottle and swiped it from his hand. After studying the beverage container for a moment, she took a whiff of it and smiled. Raven remained silent. The alcohol was burning his throat and making it swell. "I haven't seen this before. Have you been holding out on me?" She teased casually. Raven snorted and his throat protested. His eyes started to water. "No," but his voice was drowned out by the fireworks. He watched them with a scowl. They didn't seem that beautiful anymore... not when there were now more beautiful things to look at. "Hmmm." Reese contemplated and it took a moment for Raven to realize that he had spoken out loud. Startled by his own words, he shot a confused glance at his companion. Sensing his panic and embarrassment, Reese graciously ignored him and moved the bottle slowly over in her palms. She smelled like cool spice. Raven's nose started to run and he began to feel like a drunken fool. Reese pretended not to notice. "Do you have anymore of this stuff?" She asked in interest. Raven tried to study her from the side of his eyes. She had cut her hair since he had seen her last. It had grown out to her chin but now she looked more like she did when they had first met. "Where have you been?" He asked her softly. It sounded like a whine. The ancient Zoidian made brief eye contact with him before she went back to watching the bottle. "Why? Did you miss me?" She countered in a quiet voice. Agitated by her response, Raven grabbed her wrist in an attempt to get her attention. He was being serious! His dimmed reflexes ended up missing her wrist entirely. Reese watched him expectantly as he slapped at the joint helm of the droid's dome. "Is that yes?" She asked and then Raven knew that she wasn't going to tell him where she had gone. It irked him. "You didn't take your Organoid with you." He jabbed, looking away. Reese brushed some invisible lint off of her shoulder. "Specula doesn't need to follow me everywhere." She reasoned. Her casualness unnerved him. Raven stared at her hard. Reese evaded his stare, reaching under his seat with her hands. "Ah, looks like you got another one." She said smugly, pulling her hand out to reveal an unopened bottle. Raven tried to grab it from her but his maneuverability was sluggish. Reese smiled in satisfaction and yanked the bottle open. Raven watch as she titled her head and started to down the burning liquid inside. The gulping noises she made turned his stomach and made him want to retch. "You were gone for much longer than usual. Why?" He demanded. Reese pulled the bottle away from her mouth. Already a fourth of its contents were gone. Why had he wanted her back so badly? She was incredibly annoying. "It took longer than usual. Why do you care?" Her constant word spars were really grating on his nerves. Couldn't she tell that he had been worried? Why was she always so difficult? Oblivious to his thoughts - but not his emotions, Reese took another few gulps from the bottle. Raven watched her throat bob as she swallowed. Casually, she leaned in. Squirming, Raven tried to pull away from her, but the cockpit was small and cramped. Really, he had no where to go. His head hurt and now he was beginning to wish that she had come back in the morning instead of the evening where he had gotten drunk. He didn't like the thought of appearing weak or foolish in front of her. He tried to pull his thoughts together but everything was blurry. He wished he had sobered up before trying to speak to her. "You know what? Just forget it." Reese stared at him blankly for a moment and it occurred to Raven that she probably had no idea why he was acting the way he was. He needed to tell her. His body felt sluggish and heavy. Scowling, he turned his gaze back to the sky. "This is our home now. If you plan to stay here, than you need to be here. I've been waiting for you for a very long time, you know." _He thought he had said those words, anyway._ The next morning, Raven woke up early to the hang over of his life. From his cockpit, the dark haired pilot saw that Specula and Shadow were both asleep. The fireworks had left an eerie silence over the desert plain along with a chilling fog. Raven was only mildly surprised to find himself surrounded by empty bottles of alcohol. There was no sign of Reese, and in disgust Raven realized that his intoxication had spurred on the illusion of his companion's presence. She still hadn't returned. Deep inside of him, the loneliness was beginning to take root again. A twinge of pain flared sharply in his chest as a vision of his mother and father flashed before his eyes. _Family_ His parents' deaths had left him empty inside. The years spent with his Organoid had helped in his endeavor to fill in the gaping hole in his heart but it was only after meeting Reese that Raven understood what it was that he had finally needed. Shadow alone could no longer fill the void within him. Now that he had sampled the taste of her company, he wanted it desperately. Reese was in his life now and she was important to him. Dismissing his wondering thoughts, Raven made his way into the house. Finding a spare pack, the pilot stuffed it with some food and extra clothing. He was tired of waiting. If she wasn't going to come back to him, then he would just have to go to her. End file.

Resolve by 157yrs

Zoids

Prologue to 'Becoming A Better Me' KONNICHIWA!! Yuppers! It's me! And **no**, I haven't given up on 'Becoming A Better Me'. Is it on hiatus? Maybe, but no guarantee that any chapters will be out soon. Anyhoo, this little one-shot is what happened the night Leena told Doc that she was leaving the Blitz team. Yup, that's right. And its in Leena's POV also. ENJOY!! **** ---- Prologue to 'Becoming A Better Me' **** ---- I tear down the last poster on my picture wall (refer to Chapter 8 of 'Becoming a Better me') and crumple it up before tossing it into the trash bag beside me. There's only one thing left on the wall, the photo our team took after winning the Royal Cup. Picking it up, I can only gaze as it and struggle to hold back the tears. Rubbing away the moisture in my eyes, I wrap the frame in old newspaper before placing it into my backpack. I look at my backpack and duffle bag, the only pieces of luggage I'm going to bring with me. Sure enough, I couldn't get all of my clothes and stuff to fit into the two bags, but that's okay. The guys can split the stuff up among themselves or sell it; though I think the latter is more favorable for them. I'm pretty sure Naomi is going to look better in my designer clothes that I ever will, even if we are near the same size. I sigh and take a look around the room I have grown up in for ... well ... pretty much all my life. Everything's bare, save for the three garbage bags and four boxes of stuff/clothes. I briefly wonder if someone else, someone more better than me in personality and piloting skills alike, will come along and claim this room as their own. Most likely. The metal of the door is cool under my touch before it slides away to let pass. I leave my bags in my room as the door slides back into place. I won't be leaving just yet; I still have to tell everyone about what I'm about to do. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to hear it. I can hear laughter coming from the rec. room. No doubt Bit's making an ass out of himself, laughing along with everyone at his stupidity. Getting closer, I can identify everyone's own laugh. Brad is chuckling in a low tone, Jamie's laughing with his sides undoubtedly aching along with Dad, and Bit is, without a doubt, laughing the hardest and loudest. I find my lips curling upwards, my own burst of giggles fighting for freedom. How can they all have such an affect on me? Making me smile and laugh just by the sound of their own laughter. I hate them because of that. I wipe the smile off my face and push aside all of those feelings. If I don't do this now, I won't be able to do so later. I'm greeted with the sight of Jamie and Dad leaning on each other for support as they laugh uncontrollably. Brad is clutching his coffee mug, trying his best not to spill any of its contents as he chuckles deeply. And then I see Bit rolling on the floor, his whole being shaking in laughter. "What's so funny?" The whole lot of them doesn't stop their merrymaking and are unable to speak. Because of this, they just point at the large monitor up on the wall. Thoughts of what I had come into the room to tell disappear. My lips part ever so slightly as they curl upwards, a fit of giggles overcoming my being. There on the screen, is a home video of moments where everyone was in one of their most hysterical moments. I guess I was wrong, though Bit did make an ass out of himself in many of the clips. I was in a few, but it was to be expected. In the end, I end up by Bit's side, laughing to my heart's desire. When the home movie is over and the laughter has died down some, I find myself and Bit leaning against each other. And for some reason, I don't feel like hurting him for being so close. "Where were you, Leena? I haven't seen you around for the past couple of hours." I turn to Jamie, remembering why I had been missing for the past couple of hours and why I had come to face all of them. I open my mouth, ready to give the speech I had all planned out, but nothing comes out. I turn my gaze to Dad and take a deep breath before trying again. Again, nothing but soundless air passes over my lips. The four of them look at me; curious as to why I've become so quiet. I feel someone's hand on my shoulder, Bit looks concerned and I don't feel like swatting his hand away; the weight actually feels nice. "Leena, what's the matter?" I turn from Bit to Brad, his brow creased in worry, surprising me. Am I acting that much out of character? Clearing my throat, then coughing, I give Brad a hard look. "I felt kinda sick, so I took a nap. Is there something wrong with that?" My tone is biting and prideful, as usual. The tone in which I am lying to them with isn't what gets to me; it's the concept of lying to them at all. What am I doing? Shouldn't I be telling them that I was packing up, cleaning up my room, and getting ready to leave them for good? I felt Bit pull me to my feet, easing me over to the door while everyone looked on in concern. Were they **that** worried about me? "You shouldn't be out of bed if you still feel sick. Did you take any medicine?" I shake my head and wonder when Bit had become so caring. He has always had a knack for helping people, but since when did he start caring about **me**? Especially since I'm the one who beats him to a pulp on a regular basis. Isn't he supposed to hate me? As Bit helps me out the door of the rec. room, I turn my head to get a glimpse of everyone. I tell myself that I have to say it now, while I still have their attention. The fabric of Bit's blue and black shirt is soft and smooth as I grab a hold of it to tug, causing Bit to stop in the doorway. I open my mouth to tell them all about my plans of leaving, but once again, no sound comes out. My cheeks flush in anger, but I think they take it as a flush in fever. "I'll get you some medicine and make you some soup, Leena. You may need it later." Jamie stands from his seat and starts his way to the kitchen. "It's okay, Jamie. I'm fine, really. Besides, I already took some medicine. All I need is some rest, honest." Jamie seems reluctant, but he nods in reply. I think I was just lying to him in complete tenderness. Bit must think that I **am** ill. "Come on, Leena. We better get you back to bed." I push myself away from him and give him a scowl. "I am **very** capable of getting to my room by myself without any of your help, thank you. G'night, everyone!" I glance over everyone's face; this would be the last time I would be seeing them. Yup. I'm not changing my mind. I'm leaving. With or without telling them all. Brad is reading his newspaper while sipping his coffee, but I can tell he's fighting the urge to look at me. He can be that way sometimes. Ever since Leon left, he's taken the role of 'big brother', though not a good enough job to pass as Leon. Jamie is getting up to head to bed himself, his sleepy eyes not betraying anything including the concern he's aiming my way. Always the smart one. 'Early to bed, early to rise'. And with Jamie always being the first to wake up in the morning, that makes sense. Dad is playing with his zoid models. He's childish and incredibly smart. Enough said. Bit is looking at me concerned and somewhat upset by my refusal of his escort. He's a sweet guy, but I'm not a damsel in distress. He should know that by now, especially after all he beatings I've put him through. Turning my back to them, I make it to the living quarters before Jamie and lock my door behind me while turning off the lights. I hear Jamie come up to my door and knock. I don't answer and he eventually leaves. Once I'm sure of that, I go over to my phone and call a taxi to pick me up at midnight. It takes some convincing on my part for the Taxi Company to come out this far so late at night to drive me to Romeo City, but I'm victorious in the end. As I wait for midnight to come, I'm stuck thinking about my teammates ... My friends ... My family ... Dad with his childish antics and zoid models; Brad and his addiction to black coffee and money; Jamie, brooding over how unorganized we all are along with his crazy alter ego, the Wild Eagle; and Bit, with his cocky attitude, natural battling skills, and Ultimate-X. Should I tell them that they'll never see me again? Nah. If I couldn't say its before in the rec. room, then I'm sure I can't tell them now. Besides, they'll be too ecstatic and to see their expressions would make me face reality. No one wants me around. They'd all be better off without me. __ That's not true. Oh, great. The little voice in my head, a.k.a. my conscience, is trying to persuade me to stay. I hate it when it does stuff like this. __ They were all concerned about you when you said that you didn't feel well. So? Big deal. They're all nice guys; they would do the same with anyone. __ That's not true and you know it! Don't be stubborn and-- OH! Looks who's talking! Arg! I can't believe I'm arguing with myself! __ At least tell Dad. You don't have to tell him that much. Just tell him that you're leaving. Wow. My conscience is **actually** agreeing with me for once. So I **can** leave without my conscience giving me the guilt trip. I open the door and make sure that everyone is too preoccupied to notice me as I make my way to Dad's study. __ Do you really want to leave without coming back? Sure. They don't need me around. Like I said, they'd be better off without me. __ Then you're just taking the easy way out, like a coward. What? I am **no** coward. __ Then why not improve who and what you are. Prove to them-- What's there to prove? I suck and don't deserve to even know these people much less be on their team in Class-S. I mean, Bit has an Ultimate-X and natural talent for battling, Brad's got Shadow Fox and is a mercenary for a reason, Jamie has an alternate ego and an incredible aerial zoid, and Dad is a zoid genius. What am **I** good at? Wasting ammo, getting everyone into trouble, and being a pain on and off the battlefield, that's what. __ Then change what you're good at. Become a better you. Become a better me? You mean, up to the point where I won't be talking to myself in my head anymore? __ Precisely! Well ... I guess it couldn't hurt, especially if it means that I won't be talking to myself anymore. Then I'll show all of them that I'm just as good as they are. But will they care? Oh shoot! I just reached Dad's study. What should I say? __ Simply tell him what we're going to do. You mean become a better me? I get no response, so I take it as a 'yes'. Man. I didn't know I had enough issues to have my sub-consciousness take on a personality of its own. Then again, it's probably just reflecting my own attitude. Sighing, I place my hand onto the metal plate on the door and it slides open for me to enter. "Dad?" He looks up from his zoid models to face me. Immediately, his expression changes to that of concern. Why is he so worried? "Leena, what's wrong?" Wrong? Why would he think something's wrong. Oh. I probably don't look all that cheerful right now. Am I that sad about leaving? I guess it comes with the knowledge that the only reason why you're leaving is because you're useless. I lower my head to hide my face and clench my fists. "I'm leaving the team." I chance a glance upward in his direction and am greeted with a dumbfounded gaze. Dad kinda looks funny that way, his eyes wide and his jaw hanging open like that. "Why would you want to leave the team?" Why? I clench my fists even more, the knuckles turning white and my nails threatening to puncture my skin. That's a stupid question. He should know how pathetic I am. He **is**, after all, my father and the manager of the team. "I'm nothing but a useless piece of junk to the team. I waste ammo, I always need someone to bail me out, I'm the first one down, and all I do is cost everyone trouble. Not only that, but outside the battlefield, I'm only a nuisance. Everyone would be better off without me." He shakes his head quickly and I don't know whether it's to tell me I was wrong or to shake the idea of it all out of his head. I didn't know he cared either way. "Leena, you know that's not true--" Not true?! Where has his brain been all this time since team Blitz was first created? And he's the zoid genius of the family. Sometimes I wonder. "But it is, Dad! It's all true! Jamie doesn't need someone picking on him. Brad sure doesn't need to split the prize money with a useless pilot. And Bit honestly doesn't need someone beating him up, stealing his cookies, and chasing him non-stop around the base day-in and day-out. Face it, dad: I'm not needed here and it's about time I figured that out." Dad lowers his head, obviously tossing in the towel in trying to convince me that I'm wrong. He looks defeated when he sighs. I think he's finally getting it now. "I'm guessing by the way you came up to me about this, you don't want me to tell the guys until you're gone. Am I right?" I nod. Finally. He understands the truth of what I'm saying. "So ... When are you leaving?" Dad sits down in a distraught manner. I seriously didn't think he would care to know. "Tonight." His head snaps up so quickly that I wonder if he suffered from whiplash. "What do you mean by 'tonight'?" Ugh! Another stupid question. I thought the two-syllable word would be enough. Regardless, I sigh and relax a bit, knowing that the explanation part of the conversation was over. "I already packed and called a cab to bring me into town." His eyes went to stare at his desk sadly. It wasn't all that bad for news, was it? "When are you planning on coming back?" There's the question I've been dreading. Should I stick with my original plan or go with the one my conscience made up on the spur of the moment? Words come out of my mouth before I can think it through. "I don't know. As long as it takes me to become a better person and warrior." I pause for a moment as Dad stares at me. He's probably thinking about the depth of my words. I'm not so sure there **is** any depth to them, though. "So you want to go on a trip of self-discovery like Leon?" I smile at the thought. If I could grow as much as Leon did ... "Yeah ... To prove myself to you and the team that I'm worthy enough to be on team Blitz and be in Class-S. I'll come back after I prove that, I promise." Dad pulls out his wallet, taking out a card and handing it out to me. "Take it. It has a balance of $5,000. You can take the Gun Sniper--" "No." I push the credit card back into his hand, shaking my head. "I have enough saved up and I don't need the Gun Sniper. You can sell it if you want; technically, I could care less about it." He nods and puts the credit card back into his wallet, then swivels in his plush chair so that he's not facing me anymore. "Alright then. You better grab your stuff and get ready for your taxi. Don't worry. I'll tell the guys about this in the morning." I gaze at the floor for a bit before heading to the door to leave. When I open the door, I stop, run over to Dad and hug him for all he's worth before running out of the room. I don't dare look back. Once I reach my room, I put on my backpack and sling my duffle bag over one shoulder. I poke my head into the hallway to make sure the close is clear. All the lights are off, so I guess it's safe to go. Having lived in this base all my life, I easily navigate myself to the hangar through the seemingly pitch-black halls. When I finally reach my destination, I can hear the low rumble of a car in the distance. I guess the cab is early. I walk out of the hangar and into the cold night, grateful for the windbreaker I'm wearing and my wise decision on wearing jeans today. The cab is just about stopping and the driver is motioning me to hop in; I do so, throwing my stuff into the back. As the yellow car drives away from the Toros base with me as its passenger, I keep my eyes forward. If I look back now, I'll want to go back to my delusions that anyone really cares about me. I know that's not true. I can't afford to back down now; I've gone too far. From this point on, I'm becoming a better me. **** ---- Wow, that was ... interesting. Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry if it was crappy. The idea just came to me a few days ago and I just had to write it down. **** REVIEW PLEASE!! Sakura Scout End file.

Prologue to 'Becoming A Better Me' by Sakura Scout

Zoids

Attack of the fan girls! Hea! Van Flyheight here! Ya know the one who defeted the deathsuares and all.the one who found Fiona and zeke in a capsule in some ruins. THE ONE WHO SAVED YOUR ASSES!!!!!!!!!if you live on planet zi anway umm, how do I say this, sigh. OK her it goes. I LOVE FIONA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh BOY I'M FEELING GOOD TODAY. HEAVY BREATHING um sorry. Yeah so I love Fiona.big deal right? Wrong. There are a lot of girls mostly fangirls oo scary huh that like me , I wouldn't blame them though, I am hot,they seem to be slightly attracted to Irvine though.But also attracted to me to. I guess you could say were on the same level of atraccevness. Somtimes I wonder about him. He,well,uh is kinda creepy almost. But You know he is still my best, most trusted friend.back to Fiona. "VAN!!!!!!!HELP ME!!!" Hold on. peeks out bedroom door to see Irvine is being mauled by some fan girls I'm comin buddy!! stops abruptly Wait what the hell am I doing? fan girls stare at him RUNAWAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! Ivine is running right beside me.waht did you do to them!!! " I don't know, I was sitting on the couch and they all jumped on me !!" "VAN, IRVINE WE LOVE YOU" "OH SHIT THERE CATCHING UP VAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" HEAD FOR THE GUSTAV!!!!!!!!!!!!both jump into the gustave in slow motion I think were safe now. "we better hope so Van." Irvine turns on the light, only to find out that the fangirls are surrounding them INSIDE the gustav. Again van flyheight, please read and rewiew. SIAFCamong the fan girls- AHH I love being evil Irvine- I don't like you. Van-yeah,what did we do SIAFC-nothing Irvine and Van- WE WILL GET OUR REVENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! End file.

Attack of the fan girls! by Saskue- Is- A- Fat- Chibi

Zoids

I'm With You _I'm With You_ **Disclaimer: sigh This truly is the hardest part of writing fanfics...the disclaimer, I unfortunately do not own Zoids or any of the characters involved, please don't sue me!On with the story!** Leena Toros stood rigidly still for one who always seemed to be chasing after something, or a certain blonde haired _someone_ after he had stolen her cookies. But right now, she looked as if she were frozen to the spot. Leena's usually lively and energetic facade, remained stoic and unchanging, revealing nothing to anyone who happened to pass her by on the bridge she stood on. Her life was a mess and she knew it, nothing ever seemed to right for her ever since the day her mother died, so she became one of her fathers Zoid pilots, taking up the position of the trigger happy Gunsniper pilot on the team. Tears silently fell down her face as she recalled the days earlier events. **Flashback** _" Bit Cloud! Drop my cookies now!!!" The blonde pilot froze on the spot, hand still in the cookie jar he had found hidden, as he heard the all to familiar bellow of rage from Leena that always took place as she caught him in her "secret stash" . A lone bead of sweat formed on his brow as he put the cookie jar down and hastily stuffed the cookie he snatched into his mouth._ _"Weena...hi! I didn't hear you get back from getting the groceries, ummm...how long have you been here?" Bit Cloud pilot of Liger Zero asked nervously swallowing the last remnants of cookie that was in his mouth. An almost primal growl escaped the angered redheads throat as she lunged at her co-pilot, missing him by inches as he leapt nimbly out of the way._ _"BIT! You jerk, get back here so I can clobber you properly!!" Again Leena lunged at Bit and successfully grabbed him by the shirt collar, wrenching his face mere centimetres from her own._ _"N-now Leena, let's be reasonable about this...I only took one cookie! I swear! Please don't kill me!!"_ _Bit pleaded with Leena, her eyes flashing fire within them. Another growl escaped the young woman as she slapped the other teen upside the head and stormed away, not letting the blonde guy see the tears of anguish and pain silently roll down her face as she stomped to her room, shoving past Jamie roughly as she went by. Flopping down on her bed Leena shoved her face into the pillows she screamed at the top of her lungs and then submitting into silent sobs that wracked her entire body until sleep took hold of her. _ **Still flashback- Den area with the other pilots** _Bit sighed and sat down on the couch that occupied part of the den at the base, thinking back to his earlier encounter with Leena. Something with the way Leena reacted seemed off, usually she would clobber him until he was a mess or gave up (whichever happened first), but today just wasn't right. Something was wrong with Leena and he knew it, sensing another presence in the room Bit looked up to see a worried Jamie standing in the doorway._ _"Hey Jamie, what's up? Is something wrong?" Of course something was wrong, if Bit sensed something was wrong, obviously Jamie would._ _"Well, actually, yes...did you notice Leena's odd behaviour today? When she stormed past me after catching you she was crying, or at least trying not to, but still she was crying none-the-less. I think she's depressed or something." Bit nodded silently as if to say he did understand, looking up and into the eyes of his fellow pilot._ _"Yeah, you're right I think something is wrong with her...she didn't even give me a total beating when she caught me in her cookie stash."Jamie and Bit both sighed in unison, unknown to them that a certain someone they were talking about just caught the last of their conversation_. **Leena standing outside the door** _'So they think that something's wrong with me, huh? Well maybe I should just leave then and let them get on without me. I don't want to be a** burden** to them any longer, now do I?'It's settled then, I'm leaving and not coming back, I know Bit doesn't feel the same way about me so what's the point to life either?' Leena thought bitterly to herself, envisioning her family and so called "friends'" faces when they found out she left and took her life soon after. With those final thoughts she fled to her room once more and scribbled separate little notes to her father and her teammates, telling them of what she planned to do that night._ **Back in the den** _"You know what Bit? We should do something special for Leena, you know, to let her know we care about her. Some more than others...you have got to tell her how you feel you know." Jamie brightened up slightly, but became serious when he started to talk about the blondes feeling towards Leena. Bit sighed and ran an exasperated hand over his face. Everyone but Leena knew how the blonde Liger pilot felt about the "trigger happy", fiery spirited, redhead._ _"I know, I know...you're right I've got to tell her, I'll do it right now!" Getting up and gathering what courage he had in him after his earlier "encounter" with Leena, Bit left the den and headed for the redheads room, a half hour too late, Leena had already left._ **Leena** _Packing only a small backpack with a sharp knife and a few measly keepsakes, Leena silently made her way from her room and to the door leaving the base. Those fateful letters stacked neatly on her bedside table. Fleeing into the darkness a cloaked woman left everything behind, even the one she loved but could never tell._ **Flashback ends** At the base Bit knocked silently on Leena's bedroom door, calling her name. When he received no answer from within, Bit cautiously opened the door and peeked his head inside the darkened room. "Leena, hey Leena, are you here? Can we talk?There was still no answer and Bit grew worried, going fully into the room he turned on the lights, preparing himself for an oncoming beating. But no beating came. Noticing the room was vacant and some items missing, his mind reeled as he noticed a stack of letters on top of Leena's desk. Picking up the letter addressed to himself, he opened it with shaking hands and read it. _Bit,_ _As your reading this letter you must have discovered that I am gone, and no Bit I will not be returning. I know you do not feel the same way towards me as I feel for you, so here it is I'm telling you now because I'll never have the chance to tell you myself to your face. Bit since the first day you waltzed into our lives with your cocky, know-it-all attitude and egocentric ways I've loved you...I fell for you hard, and yet you never really gave me the time of day. And now I'll never know how you feel or even reciprocate the same feelings because I plan on ending my life tonight. My life isn't worth shit all and I have no reason to go on anymore. All I do is waste ammo in battles and bring down the team when we fight. So here it is, my final good-bye to you and the others. Please don't be angry with me, that's not how I want it to be. Just remember all the fun times we had earlier on and all of our pointless arguments about you stealing my cookies and such or when you accidentally walked in on me in the bath and then I proceeded to chase you with the bathtub above my head, trying to murder you. Good times huh? Bit remember me as who I was, not who I am now. I love you!_ _Leena_ Bit's vision blurred and his hands trembled violently as he read the letter from Leena, _she loved him_? A lone tear cascaded down the teens cheek as he fought the panic that rose in him at the thought of Leena out at night, contemplating death, he had to find her and fast! Grabbing the other letters Bit raced from Leena's room, forcing the urge to scream bloody murder as he passed Jamie on the way out, forcefully he shoved the letters into Jamie's hands and ignored the sounds of confusion coming forth from the younger boy. Breaking into a sprint Bit headed to the hanger where they kept their zoids and his jeep, leaping into the vehicle he hit the automatic door opener and turned the ignition, speeding into the night and to the one he loved, praying he wouldn't be too late. **Back to Leena** Standing on the bridge Leena swung her bag off of her shoulders and opened it, taking the switchblade she had concealed within it out. Tears once more slipped down her face as she went to drag the blade along her wrist, pausing momentarily as she remembered her father and the other pilots. She remembered how her father always managed to seem so juvenile when he happened across new zoids models or how Brad was always the solitary, quiet guy who usually only spoke when he was spoken to and how he always had a mug of coffee in his hands. _'Brad the voice of_ _reason,'_ Leena thought to herself cynically, _'I wonder how he would reason to this?'_ Shaking her head Leena pushed those thoughts out of her mind and continued reminiscing about the other pilots. _'Jamie, dear sweet, naive Jamie.'_ He always seemed so innocent. Being the youngest member of a team can have that effect on a person, he was always nice, kind and polite to her...looking up to her (not so) secretly as being a big sister to him. And then there was her secret crush Bit Cloud, he was always cocky and had the air of an arrogant guy around himself. But deep down he was a shy guy, just being loud to keep the air of confidence he had built around himself so no one could crumble his walls. That's what she admired about him most, his confidence...he kept everyone going with it, even when things seemed bleak. But she wouldn't be able to see that any longer...not after tonight, she was never going back and yet she still wished she would. Momentarily Leena dropped the blade she was holding, startling herself back to reality and what she was about to do. Bending down she picked the blade up and once again held it to her wrist. **Back to Bit** Gunning the accelerator on the jeep Bit sped to the one place he could always find Leena at when she was upset, the park on the bridge, he found her there on her birthday once when she became upset when her father gave her a picture taken of her and her mother when she was ten years old on her birthday only a few months before her mother died of a rare disease. Bit and Leena just sat in silence on that bridge until she finally broke down and clung to Bit telling him about her mother dying when she was only ten, Bit remembered sitting there and holding the trembling girl in his arms. His only thoughts now was that he wouldn't be too late. **Leena** Ever so slowly Leena drug the blade softly over her wrist, only drawing a thin trail of crimson blood, she didn't make the first cut into the fatal one. But she would soon, she knew she would, then why was she hesitating? In the far regions of her mind she was hesitant about ending her life, but otherwise she was determined to do it, she didn't want to live a life of pain any longer... she wanted to see her mother again and be held in her arms. As Leena once more raised the blade above her wrist and began to dig the blade in wrist, lights from a vehicle flooded onto her and a vehicle, a jeep to be exact, screeched to a complete halt. A figure jumped out of the jeep and yelled her name, in her daze she never recognized the voice. "LEENA! DON'T DO IT!!" It was Bit running towards her at a speed that rivalled the Liger Zeros. Startled Leena looked up with a tear stained face. _"Bit?"_ Leena couldn't believe her eyes. There was the infamous Bit Cloud running to her with tears in his eyes. He was crying, but why? Was it because of her? She didn't know, all of a sudden she was enveloped into a crushing hug and having sweet kisses rained all over her face. "You're alive...I wasn't too late!" Was all Bit was able to get out of his mouth over and over again as he kissed Leena repeatedly, tears still freely falling from his eyes. Pulling back slightly Bit looked into the young girls eyes and looked at her, hurt reflecting in his eyes. "Why Leena? Why all of this? Don't you know what you mean to me? And not to mention all of the others. Leena don't you know I love you?" Leena looked like a small child as Bit ranted on and on, suddenly a thought occurred to her. 'Bit loves me?' With tearful eyes Leena looked up into Bit's face and gave him a look that questioned him do-you-really-love-me? Her only answer was Bit tilting her chin upwards with his thumb and kissing her softly on the lips with a passion that rivalled any other emotion. Slowly they broke away and Bit softly whispers in Leena's ear. "I love you too." (A/N: Okay seeing as it's such a sweet and sappy scene here, I've decided to skip ahead into the future a little... ) **One Year Later...** It was exactly a year after Leena tried to take her life and Bit confessed his feelings when he found her, and things between the couple couldn't be better, they were happy and in love nothing could go wrong and things could only get better for the two. And that's precisely what Bit was planning on for that day, he was planning on asking Leena to marry him, with the ring box in his pocket he thought back to earlier in the day when he asked Doc's permission to do so. **Earlier that day, Doc's office** _Bit nervously walked up to Doc's office a small box in his front jeans pocket, he had something important to ask Doc and he prayed to God that he would approve. Hesitantly he knocked on the older mans office door, a warm "come in" could be heard from the inside of the room. Slowly making his way into the room, Bit looked around noticing different types of Zoids models adorning the rooms shelves._ _"Ah, hello Bit, what can I do for you?" Doc asked the Liger pilot cheerfully, almost a little too cheerfully for Bit's likings. Bit shifted nervously from foot to foot, carefully he reached into his pocket and pulled out the box that contained the ring._ _"Well Doc, as you know Leena and I have been a couple for a year now and I love her more than you would think possible...so what I would like to ask you is...canIhaveyourpermissiontomarryyourdaughter?... I mean, do I have your permission to ask Leena to marry me?" Doc's face broke into the biggest of smiles, an even bigger one than that of one when he got himself a new model, laughing heartily he embraced Bit in a fatherly hug._ _"Of course my boy, I couldn't have asked for a greater thing to happen today, you make my Leena happy and I want that for my daughter... so yes you may." Bit grinned his trademark grin and thanked the Doc profusely about his acceptance. Leaving the room he gave a sigh of relief._ _'Today's the day...and tonight I'm going to ask Leena to marry me.' With that thought Bit went off to prepare for that night._ **That night...Bit and Leena** Bit had everything planned to the very last detail and was now walking along the same bridge with Leena where she was going to kill herself. Stopping at the very spot where he found Leena, Bit came to an abrupt halt, puzzling Leena to no end. "Bit Cloud what...!?" Leena was cut off mid-sentence as Bit got down on one knee and pulled out the red heart shaped ring case. A sharp gasp escaped Leena lips as she realized what was happening. "Leena...love, this is the very spot where you and I first confessed our feelings to each other a year ago, this is the place where I was given a second chance at showing you how much I love you. And here's the place I wanted to propose to you. Leena Toros...will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Tears formed in Leena's eyes and a sob escaped her throat as she launched herself into Bit's arms, kissing him passionately she gave him the answer he wanted, softly he slipped the ring upon her finger sealing their love for each other and telling what lay ahead for them in the future. End (A/N: Well I hope that you liked this hopeless mushy story and give me a good review...I did have this fic posted under another alias for a long time on here...still is. Just my account never got used very much and I don't remember my old password...sweatdrop...whoops. I'll also be posting my other fic I had started too it's an Inuyasha one...so stay tuned!) Always, Miko End file.

I'm With You by musicismylife87

Zoids

Obsolete Components Obsolete components This is for you Raziel . . .. Ligar. Do you need me? I mean. Really need me? Doc told me how you never let anyone he knows of pilot you before me. So what makes me so Special? Raw skill like I keep telling everyone? But what's the point of skill, when your weapon has a mind all it's own? I've talked to Vega. Now that Backdraft has fallen apart I can see that he isn't really that bad a kid. But I talked to him Ligar. Ligar . . .. During that last stretch of the final battle? The part where after that one hit he so quickly increased in speed and reaction time? I talked to him. He was out cold that whole time. I wasn't fighting him, or him and Berserk Fury in unison; it was the Berserk Fury, and only the Berserk Fury. Do you ultimate X's even NEED a pilot? Or are we just for show? Do we just slow you down with our commands? Leon talked about bringing out your full potential in our first fight with him. But now I wonder, am I holding you back? Are we human beings an obsolete component to the ultimate X Zoids? Leon says he just found his Zoid just wandering around. Or rather it found him. Do you just LET us pilot you, just so the Zoid Battle Commission will let you battle? Zoids aren't allowed to fight without a pilot. Are we just a technicality? Ligar . . . I considered you my partner, maybe even my friend, but . . . now I can't help but feel used, betrayed. Do I have any skill at all? Or did you choose me BECAUSE I had no skill and therefore, would be easy to direct in combat? Just let the idiot sit in the command chair and let the Zoid do all the work is that it Ligar?! You won't give me any answers. Not even a reactions. Are you ashamed that you used me? Or are you thinking I still "pilot" you as long as I think there's a chance that I'm actually doing some of the work too? Does that surprise you Ligar? That I WANT to be useful? That I WANT to have to earn that cash I need to break free of my huge dept to Doc? (the Royal Cup prize money wasn't as much as we thought it was after reconnecting the wings to the Rainos and the legs to the Shadow Fox and having to rebuild the Gun (V)Sniper from almost nothing, and then was the overhaul the zero armors all needed.) We human like to useful Ligar, in spit of some ugly exceptions. But now I doubt, that I've been doing anything. Vega's revelation is just too much right now. I'm sorry Ligar. I can do it. Not now. I can go into battle with you. Knowing that maybe, everything that happens is only you, and I have nothing to do with it. What's stopping me from taking out your AI and piloting you without it? To find out if I do indeed have skills at all? I know I've acted cocky from day one, but . . . this is different. I think I'm afraid I already know the answer that I'll lose if I go out there. Because it was all you to begin with. I'm sorry Ligar, I can't deal with this. I wonder if we can find a copy of Brad's old Zoid somewhere. I'm sorry Ligar. Good-bye. Flames, comments, suggestions on future events, spelling and grammar corrections, reactions, occasional constructive citizen all welcome. End file.

Obsolete Components by Alex Warlorn

Zoids

1. Default Chapter Chad: Hi people! This is my take on Bit and Leena's marriage. It came to me while I was sketching a couple of days ago when I was stuck with a..a. ACHOOO!! 'Sniff' cold. I soon felt better and got down to writing this. B/L fans, Hope you like it. Also, this will probably be my first (And last) fic without the "script" font. Jecht: Now people, what we are about to say is a lie, but I'm sure all of you would like to say this: I DO OWN ZOIDS! Again, what you have just read is a lie. We don't really, but we'd like to! Leena looked at herself in the mirror. She was dressed in a white wedding dress with a jeweled brooch and white sleeves. She barely ever wore a dress, but this was a special time. Two weeks ago, Bit Cloud had proposed to her. Though she was a little surprised, she happily accepted. She couldn't believe the day had finally come. Everyone had come to see them. Well, everyone except you-know-who. "Nervous?" Leena spun around and saw Naomi standing behind her. "A little. It's still a little hard to believe though." Leena said sitting down. "Hmm? What is?" Naomi said, sitting beside her. "Well, when Bit first came to us, I completely hated him. I thought he was a useless jerk. I just wanted to slam him into the wall, then beat the stuffing out of him, then drop him into the desert, then trample him with my Di-bison, THEN SHOOT HIM WITH IT'S MEGALO MAX ATTACK, THEN TRAMPLE HIM SOME MORE, THEN THROW HIM OFF A~" (Sweatdrops) "LEENA! Get ahold of yerself!" Naomi said. Leena stopped swinging her arms around and sat back down. (Sweatdrops too) "Sorry, guess I got a little carried away. (Smiles nervously) I just hated him, and here I am getting married to him! It's just a little strange doncha think? "Well, do you love him?" "Well Yeah! If I didn't, I wouldn't be dressed this way, would I?!" Leena said. "Well then there's no problem is there? All that matters is if you both love each other, right?" "..Yeah, I guess your right. (Blushes and looks up) 'sigh' After today, I'll finally be Leena Cloud. ^_^ It's just so amazing!" "Yeah, and besides that, "Mr. King" will probably stop chasing you." "I know! Isn't it wonderful? Nothing can spoil this day!" "Well, except maybe if Harry found ou~" "'gulp' DON'T SAY THAT!!" She said crying. Elsewhere, Bit Cloud was sitting in the lounge of the hover cargo with Brad, Leon, and Jamie. Bit was staring at the wedding ring he got for Leena. He was dressed in a tuxedo (minus the coat), waiting for the time he would stand side by side with Leena. "So your actually going through with this huh?" Brad said. "Well, yeah. Why wouldn't I?" Bit said, turning to Brad. "Cause just being near Leena is a safety hazard if ya ask me." "Brad's right Bit. Just being married isn't gonna save you from her wrath ya know.." Jamie said. "Forget it guys, nothin' you say's gonna stop me." "Okay Bit, it's your health." Jamie said taunting him. "Geez, even on my big day I can't even get a little support from you guys." "Ah, were just messing with you Bit. Don't take it so seriously." "Yeah. By the way, any of you guys seen Doc? I haven't seen him all day." Brad said. "Dad said something about seeing some of the guests." Leon said. "Knowing Doc, he's probably off spending what's left of our funds on this wedding." Jamie said. "Well, I guess this probably is worth it guess." Doc was in the church, talking to a few of the guests. A lot of their rival teams had come to see his daughter's wedding. He walked around and saw Jack, Chris, and Kelly sitting in one of the rows, playing cards, Jack obviously winning. He then saw the Saber fangs team devouring the buffet at a tremendous speed. (And stuffing bits and pieces in their coats for later) Doc then turned his attention the Champ team. (Sans Harry) He chuckled at the site of Benjamin and Sebastian in strangely shaped tuxedos. "I'm glad that cold-hearted woman is finally getting married, maybe know that pea-headed leader of ours will finally get some sense into whatever's in that empty space he calls a head." Benjamin said. "We were lucky just to get out of the base unnoticed. Are you sure Harry doesn't know were came?" Sebastain said worried. "Positive. I told him we were going to go and convince Mary to accept his love for Leena. It was way too easy!" Benjamin said, looking around the place. "What are you looking for Benjamin?" "I invited my sweet angel to the Ceremony. She should be here any minute." Benjamin said, turning red like he did before. Benjamin sweatdropped. "Your just as pathetic as Harry Benjamin. Do you honestly think a battle commission Judge would come all the way down from a satellite to~" "Oh Bennie!" a voice called from behind. "There she is!!" Benjamin yelled as he saw his girlfriend judge. He glowed red again and wheeled over to her, leaving Sebastian speechless. "Unbelievable." Was all Sebastian could say. (Editor's note: "Ya know folks, I've read in the japanese, uncut version of zoids, Benjamin and Sebastian are programmed to be females. That's why Benjamin fell in love with a judge. They made the Judge a female for the American version. Just a quick note." ^_^) Doc turned his attention away from the robots to Oscar, who was talking to an emerald haired woman. "Glad you could come Oscar." "Believe me Tauros, I wouldn't miss this for anything." He said shaking Doc's hand. "Ooohh. And who might you be? You look familiar." Doc said, turning his attention to the girl next to him. He stared at her for a while then he remembered Bit's "sketches" of the people who stole the Liger Zero. "Now I remember. Your the girl from the backdraft group!" "(Laughs lightly) Flattered you remember. My name is Pierce. A certain Wild Eagle invited me." She smiled and Doc grinned. "TOROS!!" A voice yelled from the door. Doc, Oscar, and Pierce turned around and saw Dr. Layon walking towards them. "Oh, it's just you Layon. Sorry, but I'm not battling you today." "I'm not here for a challenge Toros. You didn't think I'd miss this do ya?" "You serious? ..Well, I guess I'm glad you could come." "Oh, by the way." Layon walked up to Doc and punched him in the gut. Toros fell to his knees, gasping for air. "What 'cough' was 'cough' that 'cough' for?!" Doc managed to say. "Just a little revenge." Layon as he walked away laughing. Oscar and Pierce helped Doc up of the floor. Suddenly, Jamie came running up Doc, a worried look on his face and completely out of breath. "Doc! Doc! We got a big pro.'gulp' Oh! Hi ..Pierce.. Glad you. could come." Jamie said stuttering. "No problem kid. How's the Wild Eagle doing these days?" She said smiling. Jamie blushed all sorts of red. "Well.. no problems. We got into class S and.. OH YEAH! Doc! We got a real problem!!" Jamie said turning his attention back to Doc. He whispered something into Doc's ear. When he finished, Doc's face grew pale. "Your kidding!" Doc said in his sad voiced tone. "Fraid' not! Come on!" Jamie dragged Doc outside the curch and into the Hover cargo's lounge. Inside, Bit was looking horrible. He kept ranting on about mutant alligators and apples with the peels inside of them, or something. Empty bottles of sake lay around the floor. "What happened!? Who gave Bit sake?!" Doc yelled. Jamie and Leon pointed at Brad. "Brad! How could you?!" "Sorry, didn't know the guy couldn't take a glass of the good stuff." "Oh, look peoples! I see Killer domes! Flying around in the sky even! Oh someone save me!" Bit said, still ranting. "Ehh, that's great Bit. Don't worry, Doc's here to help you." Jamie said. "Oh goody! Listen Doc, it's like this." Bit said, leaning on Doc's shoulder. Doc cringed at the scent of alcohol. "Every night, I eat some kind of food, and I experience a loss of appetite, followed by excruciating pain later on by some screaming creature that follows me everywhere. And some nights, I fall unconscious until the next morning, but I always feel tired when I recover and I don't wanna get up. And sometimes," "Uh, that's very nice Bit, why don't we get you some medicine and a breath mint. You need it. badly." "Okay, fine! But first! Get me a hatchet! Must slice up the green canaries for dinner!" Bit said. "Green canaries. Yeah right." Brad said. A large green canary then landed on Brad's shoulder. Everyone but Brad gasped and ran stumbling out of the lounge. "Hmm? What's up with them?" Brad then turned around and saw the canary. He did a double-take then ran out of the lounge. Meanwhile, Harry Champ was trying to call Leena at the Toros base for the twelfth hundredth time. "Leena! Come on! Pick up!" Still no answer. "Fine, a message will have to do. But I know, in my heart, my beloved angel will hear it and come rushing over to me." Harry pushed a button on the phone and a recording came on. "Hi! This is Steven Toros, leader of the Blitz team. If your calling about a battle request, press one. If your calling about a zoid trade, press two. If your calling about Bit and Leena's wedding, press three." Harry's face turned pale and he dropped the receiver. He growled and clenched his fist. "How.. How DARE HE?! THAT LITTLE JERK IS FORCING MY BEAUTIFUL QUEEN TO MARRY HIM!!! NOOOOO!!! I MUST SAVE MY DARLING LEENA!! HOLD ON MY SWEET!!! I'LL SAVE YOU!!! BENJAMIN!! SEBASTIAN!! TO ARMS!! IMMEADIATLY!!" Harry waited for his robots, forgetting the excuse they gave him. No one came. "FINE!!! FORGET YOU!! I'LL SAVE MY QUEEN MYSELF!! Harry ran to his zoids screaming. "If you want to sell us a zoid, press six. If you want to give me a rare zoid, press seven. If you want to sell me a rare zoid model kit, press eight. If this is Layon, don't press anything and I'll get back to you sometime in the next century." The recording continued. Chad: Okay, that does it for the humor, next is, well, read and find out! Jecht: "CAPTAIN! Pointless Harry bashing ahead! Should I set a direct course?" Chad: "Affirmative Mr. Jecht!" 2. ch. 2 Chad: I don't own zoids. Enough of the disclaimer. Let's get on with the ceremony! The time had come at last. Everyone was gathered in the church. Bit and Leena stood side by side at the stand while the judge had almost finished his speech. (Chad: "So I can't remember what they say at weddings! Shoot me!" Jecht: "Can I be of assistance?" Chad: "Shaddup Jecht.") "Do you, Bit cloud, take this girl to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and to cherish, till death to you part?" "I do." Bit said nervously. "And do you, Leena Toros take this man, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love and to cherish, till death do you part?" "You betcha." Leena said. The judge sweatdropped. "Then with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you~" BOOM!!!! Without warning, the ceiling of the church exploded open. Leena screamed and Bit instantly shielded her from the falling debris. Everyone else ran for cover. "WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?!" Bit yelled as he looked up at the hole. When the smoke cleared, a huge Gojulas peered through the roof. It's head moved towards the couple. "BIT CLOUD!! RELINQUISH YOUR HANDS FROM MY LEENA!!!" A voice yelled from the Gojulas at an incredible volume. "Harry?! What are you doing?!" Leena screamed. "Leena my sweet! Never fear! Your Prince is here to save you!" Harry said jumping down from the Gojulas' cockpit. "Save me!? Save me from what!?! Get the hell outta here! Your ruining my wedding!!!" Leena screamed. "W.what? You mean..you actually want to.MARRY HIM?!" "Very clever Einstein!" Leena said, trying to stop herself from killing him. Harry looked just plain stunned. He then snapped his fingers and pointed at Bit. "i.I know! This..this must be some kinda power that ultimate X pilot's have! That's gotta be it! Leena! He's controlling your mind!! Try to snap outta it!" Harry yelled. "Gee, you have an excuse for everything doncha Harry?" Bit said sarcastically. Harry then turned around and started strangling Bit. "RELEASE HER TENDER MIND FROM YOUR EVIL CLUTCHES CLOUD!! OR I'LL DO IT MANUALLY!!" He said as Bit tried to get his hands of his neck. Suddenly, Harry got kicked in the side by Leena. He lost his grip on Bit's neck and crashed into the church wall. Leena bent down to see if her fiancee was still breathing. "Bit! Are you all right?!" She said hugging him tightly. "'hack' Yeah I'm all right." Bit said standing up. Harry wiped his bloody nose and growled at the site of Leena hugging Bit. He reached into his pocket and pressed a button on a remote. Without warning, Harry's gojulas released a smokescreen into the church. Everyone was soon coughing and completely in the dark. Harry somehow managed to get back into the cockpit. The gojulas made a swipe at Bit and Leena. It grabbed Bit and pulled it towards it's jaws. Bit struggled to get free, but to no avail. The Gojulas cockpit opened and Harry walked up to Bit's face. "So, thought you could force my girl to marry a slime like you?? I don't think so Mr. Cloud. Once I take care of you, my sweet pumpkin's mind will be free and we'll be together again! (Laughs insanely.)" Suddenly, Something knocked the Gojulas off it's feet and sent Harry tumbling back into the cockpit. Bit fell from the air and landed in the Liger zero Jager's cockpit. ("I love the Jager. That's why it's here insted of the basic zero.") The restraints lowered and Bit grasped the controls. The Gojulas regained it's composure and roared at the blue zoid. The Jager roared back and Bit tried to hold it back. "Listen Harry, I don't want to fight you, but if your going to force me, I got no choice but to take you down!" "Just try and stop me! You won't take my Leena away from me!!" Harry yelled as the Gojulas fired the mk. 2 cannons. The Jager ran away from the church and avoided the fire. It then turned around and charged the ion boosters. The Jager thrust forward at an insane speed toward the gojulas. Harry continued to fire at the Jager, missing of course. Meanwhile, back at the ruined church, everyone was getting their bearings together, all except Leena who was shaking Sebastian quite violently. "YOU METALLIC MORONS!! I TOLD YOU NOT TO TELL HARRY ABOUT THIS!!" Leena yelled while crying anime style. Benjamin then intervened and pulled his robotic teammate out of her grasp. "Leena! Sebastian and I never once told Harry about this! It's not our fault!" "Well? How else would he have found out?! Can ya tell me?! HUH?!" "Hmm. It might be that Harry listened the recording I left for people calling about the event." Doc said. All eyes turned to him. "What?Well, how was I supposed to know Harry would actually listen to something for once?! What do you expect me to do now?" "Frankly Dad, I think you should run for cover." Leon said. Before Doc could ask why, he found himself being strangled by his daughter. "Get em Liger! Strike laser claw!!" The Jager's paws glowed and jumped into the air. But before the strike laser claw could connect, Harry spun the Gojulas around and it tail whipped the Jager out of the air. It came crashing to the ground. Liger struggled to get back up. "Not so tough now are you, huh Bit?!" Harry opened fire on the blue zoid and soon had it pinned to the ground. Harry stopped firing and the Gojulas walked over to the sparking downed Zoid. It aimed it's cannon at the cockpit and charged a mini particle cannon on the head. "It's over now!! Once you and your little ultimate X are out of commission, Leena will be free of your dastardly power and we'll spend the rest of our happy lives together! You lose Bit!!" Bit managed to sit up in the cockpit. He then imagined the site of Harry and Leena getting married, and frankly, it was revolting. "Ugh.. No way Harry!!" Bit opened the Ion boosters and slide along the ground, away from the Gojulas. The Jager got up on it's feet and made another charge for the gojulas. It charged up again for the strike laser claw and lunged at the Gojulas. Harry saw this coming and knocked it down again with another tail whip. The Jager tumbled to the ground and staggered a bit before regaining it's composure. "You can keep charging all you want Bit! But your no match for the King of zoids, the Gojulas!!" Harry laughed as the Gojulas roared. "Aw man! Okay, what now Liger?" Bit asked his mechanized companion. The Liger roared and a new screen came up on the monitor showing schematics for a new attack. "Super Sonic Strike?.. All right, LET'S DO IT!!" The Liger charged it's ion boosters and started running away from Harry. This attack need at least a few hundred feet to be used. "What's the matter Bit? Finally realized your no match for me?" "Hardly Harry." The Liger turned around and charged towards Harry at full speed. Harry smirked and ran towards the blue zoid. "All right Liger! SUPER SONIC STRIKE!!" Bit hollered. The Jager's ion booster's glow went from bright blue to hot pink and the Armor went from Blue to a glowing yellow. "WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Harry yelled as the Jager ran towards him. He started panicking and started firing blindly. The yellow zoid then turned into a beam of light and shot right through the Gojulas. A second later, the beam turned back into the glowing Jager and stopped in a few miles away from Harry's zoid. The Gojulas toppled over with it's bottom half completely gone. The Jager returned to blue and it's roar echoed through the air. "ALL RIGHT!!! WE DID IT!!" Bit yelled. Bit then stopped laughing and felt a little nauseous. The speed of the sonic strike was too much for his stomach to handle. He then fell back into the seat and grabbed a paper bag from the back of the cockpit. "Ugh. way too fast.. (censored)" Back in the fallen Gojulas, Harry still couldn't have grasped the fact that he had lost. "I..I lost.Leena.. I couldn't save. couldn't save you. Leena.. I lost. Leena.." A few hours later, a zoid battle commission whale king arrived. They took what was left of the Gojulas and took Harry into custody. Bit, Leon, and Doc (Who finally managed to calm Leena down.) watched as Harry was dragged crying into the whale king. Doc took a long hard look at Harry and frowned. "Hmm. Whaddya think Bit? Should we press charges?" Doc asked. Bit stared at Doc for a second and then turned around. He looked at Harry for a while and couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy. "Naw. I don't think we should. Poor guy's had enough I guess. Let's just send him back to his base." "Think he'll be all right?" Leon asked. "I don't know Leon. I don't know." Doc replied. Soon the Whale king was fully loaded and vanished into the sky. Chad: "Now that Harry's been taken care of, what about the wedding? Will their BE a wedding? Find out in the next chapter." Jecht: "Who ya kiddin? Of course theirs gonna be a wedding!" Chad: "You numb skull!! Whyd ya go and tell them?!" (SLAP) Jecht: "Cause they all ready know!" (SLAP) (SLAP) Jecht: "LISTEN YOU!" Chad: "What?!" (extremely evil look) Jecht: "Uh.. Nothing." Chad: "Just what I thought." ^_^ 3. ch. 3 Chad: I don't own Zoids.. OH COME ON PEOPLE! This fic isn't THAT bad is it?! Gimmi a review here!! T_T Bit ran into the empty ruined church. He looked at all the debris that was caused by Harry's attack. He then saw Leena sobbing in one of the seat rows that hadn't been crushed. Her head hung low. Her dress had been slightly stained from all the debris. Bit walked over and sat down next to her. "You okay Leena?" Bit said as he put his arm on her shoulder. She looked up at him with teary eyes then collapsed into his chest. Crying was totally out of character for Leena, so he knew this was a real blow to her. Bit hugged her tightly and ran his hand through her hair while she sobbed. "Bit. "Sniffle" Why did this have to happen?" She managed to say after a while. "I'm sorry Leena. Don't worry, Harry's gone now. It's gonna be all right." "No it's not!" She said. "The most important day of my life and that moron had to ruin it. "Sniffle" All I wanted to do was get married." She said clinging on tighter. Bit frowned for a moment and then slightly smiled. He gently pulled Leena's face up and wiped her tears. "Well, who says we still can't get married today?" Bit said. Leena gave him a puzzled look. "I mean, just because the church is a wreck doesn't mean we can't get married, does it Leena?" ".I. I guess not." "Right! Whaddya say we get outta here and get on with the ceremony? We can continue outside.. K'?" Bit said. Leena smiled and hugged him. "You always do manage to make me feel better Bit." Bit smiled. A half hour later, everyone was gathered outside the church near the liger Jager. The first judge had gone crazy from fright due to Harry's attack, so Benjamin's girlfriend judge was making the speech. (Chad: Again, I don't know what they say at weddings. T_T) "Do you, Bit Cloud, take this woman to be your wife? To love and cherish, till death do you part?" "I do." Bit said. "And do you, Leena Toros, take this man to be your husband? To love and to cherish, till death do you part?" "I do." Leena said. "Do you have the ring?" The Judge asked Bit. Bit smiled and reached down into his pocket. After a few seconds, he realized there was nothing in his pocket. "That's weird." Bit said. "Somethin' wrong Bit?" Leena asked. "I know I had it before." Bit said. He then took his coat off and started fishing through it. After a while he reached for his belt. "O.O Bit!! Not here!" Leena said. Suddenly, the Jager started walking towards Bit and Leena. Leena stepped back slightly and the Jager moved it's head towards Bit. It then opened it's jaw and dropped something shiny into Bit's hand. Bit looked into his palm and saw the ring. "Hm. Thanks buddy." Bit said to the Jager. It growled lightly. Bit turned around and placed the ring on Leena's finger. (Sweatdrops) "Very well then. With the power invested in me, I know pronounce you, husband and wife. You may ki~" "I think we got that part down Judge." Leena interrupted. Leena jumped into Bit's arms and they kissed like never before. The whole crowd cheered as the couple turned around. Leena smiled and launched the bouquet into the air. All the ladies lunged for it. Who caught it? Benjamin. Suddenly, a couple of Hammer heads appeared heading towards the ceremony with news logos on them. "Oh no. HEY! Who invited the media!?" Bit and Leena yelled. Everyone was silent. Doc took a few steps back. Everyone turned around and sweatdropped. "DOC!!" Everyone yelled. "I couldn't help it! They all offered me so much money! I just couldn't say no!" He said. The Hammerheads landed and hordes of reporters started stampeding towards them. Bit and Leena were about to break for it, when the Jager roared and opened it's cockpit. The newlyweds ran to it. "Thanks Buddy!!" Bit yelled as he and Leena jumped into the cockpit seat. The hatch closed and the Jager started running away. Bit and Leena sighed as they ran farther and farther away from everyone else. "Man! Talk about a close call." Bit said. "No kiddin'." Leena said. She then relaxed into her husbands chest and looked up. "So what's next for us Bit?" She asked. Bit looked at her and smiled. "I dunno Leena. But whatever it is, I'm sure we can handle it." "You know it Bit." Leena smiled and kissed Bit again. The Liger roared and continued it's run. End. Chad: Okay folks. That's it. NOW PLEASE REVIEW!!!! I'm getting desperate here!! T_T End file.

Cloud's wedding by Chad Hyou

Zoids

The Moment Disclaimer: I do not own zoids. Tomy does, so there. The Moment Josie sat musing over her laptop. She was a writer, a poet, a muse of sorts. She had a saying stuck in her head and she didn't know why; she wanted to turn it into a poem, but no inspiration was coming to her. "A moment in time," Josie said softly, running the words across her tongue. "A moment in time." "Josie, time to get up!" came a call from downstairs. Her mother. Josie glanced at the clock next to her bed, it was seven-o-clock. _Time for school already?_ Josie thought as she shut her laptop down and climbed out of bed, yawning. Josie had been up since four that morning, after waking up from a strange dream . . . _Josie gripped the controls in panic, as she felt herself thrown into the air, as if grabbing onto them would prevent her from leaving the ground. Feeling her distress, Dallas snapped at the zoid producing before them, reaching with all his strength from the arm. It was of no avail; the Blade Liger and its pilot were thrown into the abyss below them._ _To Josie it seemed like it was taking forever for them to fall. She smiled as she saw a bright light above. They had done it. Everything would be ok . . . for them. Her grip on the controls relaxed. Slowly the Genosaurer, Iron Kong and the Command Wolf on the rocky platform above were disappearing as they grew farther and farther away. Dallas growled a soft goodbye to their friends now far above them. Josie patted the console comfortingly. "It's ok Dallas. It's just me and you now, together."_ _Josie leaned back in the cockpit. She found herself wondering if she had any regrets: all those dreams and goals . . . No. She was happy, though she would've liked to have said goodbye to everyone first and for Dallas to live longer. He was only a year old, a very young zoid. Josie thought she could hear some words coming from the distance. Josie's eyes narrowed in concentration, it sounded like . . . her voice, saying something. But what was it?_ _Time sped up suddenly. The Blade Liger slammed into the bottom of the canyon. Glass and armor shattered, debris, flying everywhere. Rocks crumbled on the canyon walls, falling on the Blade Liger, denting what was left of the bent and battered frame. Then an explosion sounded. When all the smoke finally disappeared, all that could be seen below among the debris, was an old, dead Blade Liger._ . . . A moment in time. Those were the only words Josie could remember hearing right before she and Dallas hit the canyon floor. A moment in time . . . Josie shrugged. It was just a dream, but the words, 'A moment in time,' would've been neat in a poem. So much for that. Grabbing her leather gloves, Josie paused at a picture of a young, blue-haired woman. Her great-aunt Blue. Apparently her aunt had been a zoid pilot too, though Josie had never met her before her aunt had died. Her mom had always said that she had gotten her zoid piloting skills from the Flyhight side of the family, but her Aunt Blue had been the only 'Flyhight' to actually become a pilot. Josie hoped to become a pilot one day herself, either that or a famous poet. Josie ran downstairs and ate breakfast as fast as she could. She had taken too much time to get ready this morning; she was going to be late. "Bye, Mom!" called Josie as she ran out into the family hanger, past her Dad's Pteras and the family jeep, right up to her own Blade Liger, Dallas, a present from her last birthday. The Blade Liger leaned down and opened its cockpit, allowing Josie easier access. "All right, Dallas," she said as the cockpit closed and the liger stood up. "We're going to have to go top speed. I'm bordering on late, and we're holding Zephyr and Alex up." Dallas roared an answer and burst out of the hanger at top speed. Technically it was against the rules to take a zoid to school, but no one enforced the rule. So anyone with a piloting license and a zoid skipped the bus and came with their zoid to school; even some of the teachers took a zoid instead of their cars. Up ahead, Josie could see a Command Wolf and a Genosaurer. Josie briefly remembered her dream, but pushed it from her mind. It was true that her friends piloted these zoids, Zephyr, who had been lucky enough to get the Genosaurer from his uncle who was a professional pilot for his birthday, and Alex in her Command Wolf, but Josie had no friends who piloted a Iron Kong, or even knew someone who piloted an Iron Kong for that matter. "You're late," commented Zephyr, or Zeph, as they sometimes called him, as Josie's Blade Liger came up to the two zoids. "Well then what're we waiting around for?" asked Josie. "I'll race you guys to school." The Genosaurer and Blade Liger took off at the top speed each pilot could withstand, with the Command Wolf lagging behind them. "Guys, wait, stop! I don't want to do this!" came Alex's exasperated face on the screen. Zephyr smirked. "You don't want to do this every morning. And you don't just want to do this because you always lose." Alex looked to Josie beseechingly. Josie shrugged. "You'll never get any better unless you practice, remember? Besides, we'll be late if we don't hurry." Josie heard Alex sigh, exasperated, and mutter something about how they'll never be late at the rate they're going as Josie turned her eyes back to the race. Zephyr was ahead, but Josie would soon change that . . . * * * Josie and Alex had gotten out of homeroom early that afternoon, and waited outside patiently for Zephyr. When he finally came out, he had an annoyed look on his face. "What's wrong Zeph?" asked Alex, concern on her face. Zephyr sat down next to them and sighed. "Mr. Tangelan, he's the most boring science teacher that ever walked the planet." Zephyr chuckled dryly at this and continued. "Today we were talking about the space-time continuum. Puhhh, all I know about time is that it's boring." At the mention of 'time,' Josie's dream resurfaced in her mind again. Josie almost slipped into deep thought, but Alex brought her out of it at the mentioning of zoid piloting. "Come on Zeph. We'll take our zoids out for a ride. Piloting always makes you feel better." Zephyr brightened up at that. He stretched as he stood up. "Well then, what are we waiting for? I'll race you guys to the triangle rock formation over by the north side Twilight City." Alex didn't look happy at this idea, but got into her Command Wolf anyway. * * * The race had succeeded in cheering Zephyr up, though he claimed he hadn't needed it. All three zoids now stood around the edge of the Triangle Rock formation, which was at the edge of a canyon where the river had long dried up. Josie and her Blade Liger stood over the edge of the canyon, looking down into the abyss below, 'a moment in time,' echoing in her head. Suddenly she turned to the Genosaurer and the Command Wolf which where in a sort of wrestling match. It appeared as if the Genosaurer might be winning. "Hey guys, what does 'time' mean to you?" Both zoids stopped in mid-tussle. Both Zephyr and Alex's confused faces appeared onscreen. "What do you mean?" Zephyr asked. "Exactly what it sounds like. What does time, mean to you?" The Genosaurer got off the Command Wolf and seemed to contemplate along with its pilot. "I think . . . I think time goes too quickly. I think you have to constantly be aware of it or it'll take you by surprise. Before you know it . . . you'll be old." Zephyr seemed to shiver at that last thought. The Genosaurer looked in the direction of the Command Wolf. "What about you, Alex?" Alex also thought about how she should answer. Finally she said, "Time is powerful." "Is that it?" asked Zephyr. Alex nodded. Zephyr burst out laughing. "That's the stupidest answer I've ever heard." Alex flushed. "Stop it! It's not funny." Though the reply was calm, hurt was clearly in her voice, and anger mixed with embarrassment now showed on her face. Zephyr just laughed harder, paying no attention to Alex's pleas. Finally Alex broke down. "Stop!" Zephyr paused, tears of mirth in his eyes and he started at Alex. To both Josie and Alex's surprise Zephyr started laughing even harder. Alex burst into tears and ran in the direction of the canyon toward Twilight City. Zephyr stopped at this, now angry. "Hey! Come back here! I was just teasing you." No reply came. Alex had shut off her comlink. "Stupid whore," Zephyr muttered angrily. Josie sighed and began talking to Zephyr as if he was a naughty child who didn't know any better. "You shouldn't have teased her like that. She really _likes_ you, you know," she said, reminding Zephyr of the crush Alex had on him. Zephyr blushed angrily. "Yeah, I know." "Come on, we better go get her," Josie said, urging Dallas off in the direction Alex had taken. The Blade Liger needed no further motivation, he was off. After half an hour or so, Josie noticed something in the distance, about three-hundred meters away from them. There were two zoids, duking it out. One was Alex's Command Wolf, but the other? A tear-stained faceappeared before them. "Zephyr, Josie, get out of here, you'll get hurt!" said Alex. "No way!" yelled Zephyr, angry that someone could be attacking his friend. "We'll teach this jerk a lesson." "Zephyr . . ." "What, Josie?" "There's something coming toward us." A blip had appeared on the radar. Zephyr was the first to realize what it might be. "That zoid that's fighting Alex is a Iron Kong. There's only one missile that I know of that could come this far . . ." "That's a Ballistic Missile!" "That's a Ballistic Missile!" The Blade Liger's and Genosaurer' shields flew up in the nick of time, just managing to save the zoids from a command system freeze. "We can't let that thing fire another missile again. Come on." The Genosaurer ran off towards the two combatants. "Hey you! Leave our friend alone!" Josie followed, but more carefully. Her shield was out, there was no way Dallas would survive another attack like that, and Josie knew how strong a Iron Kong was. They would have to be careful. "No!" Alex yelled. "Go away! I can handle this!" The Command Wolf leaped onto the back of the Iron Kong in desperation. The Iron Kong grabbed the Command Wolf and slammed it into the ground. Dallas's blades flipped out and lighted up with heat energy. Josie charged the Iron Kong. To her surprise, the Iron Kong stepped right in front of the charging Blade Liger. Dallas slammed into the Iron Kong, which managed to remain standing. Josie tried to back out, but the Iron Kong was bending over her with a strong grip on the base of Dallas's blades. Josie had a clear view of the cockpit, but it looked as if there was no pilot. "Hey guys, I think this is a wild zoid." As she said this, Josie heard something snap. Dallas fell down and the Iron Kong stood over it with the Blade Liger's blades pointing down at it. The Genosuarer's claws latched onto the Iron Kong, sending volts of electricity into the ape zoid. The Command Wolf began pummeling the Iron Kong with its Twin 50mm Cannons. The Iron Kong roared in pain and dropped the blades. Grabbing the cables that attached the grappling claws to the Genosuarer, the Iron Kong swung the Genosuarer so that it crashed into the Command Wolf, tripping it. The Iron Kong then picked up the blades again and prepared to drive them down into Dallas's cockpit. The Command Wolf was the first to get up. "No!" The Command Wolf charged at the Iron Kong. The Kong turned and saw the Command Wolf. Taking the two blades, it drove them into the Wolf's side. Unable to battle any longer, the Command Wolf fell to the ground. The Kong prepared to finish it, and Alex, off. By this time, the Genosuarer and Dallas had gotten up. Josie looked in the direction of the canyon and an idea formed. "Zeph, prepare to fire your charged particle gun in the direction of the canyon. I'll take care of the rest." Zeph's head nodded. Dallas turned in the direction of the Iron Kong. "Hey you!" Josie called. "Follow me." Dallas roared at the Iron Kong mockingly, saying something to the big ape zoid that Josie couldn't quite understand. The Iron Kong turned and ran after the Blade Liger. Before Josie knew, she found herself looking down into the canyon again. Dallas turned around to find itself facing the Iron Kong. The Blade Liger snarled, and leaped onto the Iron Kong, scratching and biting madly at the zoid. Somehow, the Iron Kong managed to stand up. It grabbed the Blade Liger with both hands and . . . Josie gripped the controls in panic, as she felt herself thrown into the air, as if grabbing onto them would prevent her from leaving the ground. Feeling her distress, Dallas snapped at the zoid producing before them, reaching with all his strength from the arm. It was of no avail; the Blade Liger and its pilot were thrown into the abyss below them. To Josie it seemed like it was taking forever for them to fall. She smiled as she saw a bright light above. They had done it. Everything would be ok . . . for them. Her grip on the controls relaxed. Slowly the Genosaurer, Iron Kong and the Command Wolf on the rocky platform above were disappearing as they grew farther and farther away. Dallas growled a soft goodbye to their friends now far above them. Josie patted the console comfortingly. "It's ok Dallas. It's just me and you now, together." Josie leaned back in the cockpit. She found herself wondering if she had any regrets: all those dreams and goals . . . No. She was happy, though she would've liked to have said goodbye to everyone first and for Dallas to live longer. He was only a year old, a very young zoid. Josie thought she could hear some words coming from the distance. Josie's eyes narrowed in concentration, it sounded like . . . her voice, saying something. But what was it? _A moment in time._ Josie smiled regretfully. She knew what she should have written that morning, now, she could hear the poem. _Here today, gone tomorrow,_ _leaving is always such sweet sorrow,_ _But don't you worry, my darling Devine,_ _Life is but a moment in time,_ _Not the future, and not the past,_ _Always the present, always to last,_ _In the moment, you will shine,_ _Life is but a moment in time_ Time sped up suddenly. The Blade Liger slammed into the bottom of the canyon. Glass and armor shattered, debris, flying everywhere. Rocks crumbled on the canyon walls, falling on the Blade Liger, denting what was left of the bent and battered frame. Then an explosion sounded. When all the smoke finally disappeared, all that could be seen below among the debris, was an old, dead Blade Liger. _Here and there, moving and not,_ _it is what it is, and it is what it's not,_ _But wait a while, and you will find,_ _Life is but a moment in time._ End file.

The Moment by Blue Flyhight

Zoids

Hunter & Hunted Hunter and Hunted _**Author: This is the re-load of the original except with a bit more detail. I own nobody but the members of the Wolf Pack, the Shadow Raptors & their members, plus the three new zoids. If ya want a description of them, here ya go:**_ _**Desert Wolf is just like the Command Wolf with a longer muzzle & ears like the Shadow Fox.**_ _**A Mountain Wolf is a more slender & agile version of the Command Wolf that's built closer to ground.**_ _** Wind Wolf is very slender & has long legs. It doesn't really look like a Commander Wolf at all.**_ Brad took a drink of his coffee and watched Bit wander around the hanger aimlessly. "Stupid rookie." he muttered. Outside the base, lightning lit up the sky. It also lit up the hanger, making almost everything glow with a silverish light. But when the light hit Brad's eyes, they glowed a weird shade of yellow-green. He closed his eyes and didn't say a word. By the time the light subsided, Bit was out the door. But standing in the opening of the hanger was a shadowy figure. "Hello Brad." the figure said. Brad jumped to his feet and stared at the figure. Lightning flashed again, lighting up his eyes again and revealing a huge zoid behind the figure. His eyes went wide with shock. "Wait!" Brad Hunter jerked upright in his bed, breathing hard. He looked around his room half heartedly. Nothing was out of place and the door was still locked; he was okay. "A nightmare." he whispered, brushing his bangs back. "That voice, that zoid. I know them both. And I thought I buried them away. Guess not." he muttered as he lay back down. He put his arm over his eyes. "I have to go out there tomorrow, today, which ever it is." Brad said, glancing at his alarm clock, which read roughly five thirty. He reached over and turned it off. "I'm going to sleep in for once." he muttered. A knock came on his door a few hours later. "Brad! Wake up!" It was the pink haired Leena Toros. "I'm awake Leena." he muttered, glaring at the door. "Then get out of bed. It's almost ten o'clock." she told him. "Alright." he said. She walked away and he got up to get ready. About ten minutes later, he stepped into the kitchen. "Are you okay Brad?" Jamie asked, handing him some coffee. "Fine, didn't sleep very well." he muttered. "Hmm. That's unusual." Naomi Flugle walked in, a usual visitor to the base, with Leon Toros at her heels. "Hi Leon." Leena said, with a grin. "Morning." he said, sitting beside her. Naomi dropped down beside Brad and asked, "What's the matter." He shook his head. "Brad?" Leon asked. "It's nothing to worry about." he growled, getting up and taking his coffee with him. "Brad!" they all called after him. He went to the living room and leaned against the door. _"They left you for dead at the bottom of that cliff. He left you for dead."_ he thought. He set his coffee on the table and lay down on the couch, thinking of the first time he had even been inside the base. _"That was a long time ago."_ he thought. Flashback He was awake, but lay still to allow his senses to kick in. There were bright lights above him, not the sun though. He could hear none of the sounds he was used to: the wind, zoids moving, his pack mates breathing. "Where am I?" he asked. "In the Blitz team base." His eyes snapped open and he found himself staring at a pink haired girl slightly younger than him. "Hi." she said. A brown haired boy, older than him, stood behind her; a brown haired man was sitting alongside him. "It's okay son." he said. "The name's Brad Hunter." he growled, attempting to force himself up. His chest and ribs were taped, so the pain left him with no choice but to lay back down. "I'm Leena Toros. This is my big brother Leon and our daddy." the girl said. "Doctor Toros." the man said. "Where's Command Wolf?" he asked. "In the hanger, it's beat up, but can be repaired." the doc said. "Good." Brad sighed. End Flashback "Ash, Dawn, Jade, Cloud, Lightning. Whatever happened to you all?" he whispered. Someone clicked their tongue from the doorway. Leon stood there, the one person Brad had truly trusted since he had woken up at the base. "Who are they, those people you named off?" he asked. "People I used to know; a long time ago." Brad whispered. "A long time ago, before we found you." he guessed. He started to answer when the door opened. "There's some people here, all in wolf-type zoids. They want to see you." Jamie told him. Brad got up, went to the hanger and just outside. "Hello Brad." a female's voice said, making him jerk back. Five zoids stood before him, four of which zoids he knew. One was gray Command Wolf, very plain. The second was beautiful red-gold Desert Wolf, with streaks of a very pale pink and blue mixed in, to resemble the sky at dawn. Third in line was yet another Desert Wolf, this jade green some darker splotches on it's paws and face. The fourth was a silver and blue Wind Wolf and the fifth was a Mountain Wolf, white in color with streaks of blue, silver and gold which gave it the effect of seeing a lightning storm. The five pilots stood in front of their zoids. The Command Wolf's pilot was a tall, heavy built older man with very pale almost gray skin, brown eyes and graying hair. This was Ash, the oldest of the pack. Where he was from was a complete mystery. He didn't talk of his past but then again he didn't talk much at all. Ash was a man who Brad would gladly have as a friend rather than an enemy if he had to choose. The beautiful Desert Wolf's pilot was a very beautiful woman. She was average height and build with long golden blond hair, pale blue eyes and a dark tan; Dawn. Dawn was one of the most beautiful women he had ever met and if she hadn't been like a sister to him for most of his youth, he would have probably fallen head over heels for her. He had been very young when he asked where she was from and the only answer he had gotten was: "The desert Brad. I'm a daughter of the desert." The third wolf's pilot was a beautiful and skinny young woman with jade green eyes, red hair and a dark tan. This was Jade, Dawn's daughter. Jade had been born when he was young, a daughter of the desert like her mother. The day she had been born the whole pack gathered to welcome this new addition to their family. It had been a night full of celebration: a feast, music, a bonfire and plenty of howling from the zoids. The Wind Wolf's pilot was a young woman with odd silver hair, blue eyes, a little tall and skinny with a light tan; Cloud. Where Dawn had been like sister to him, Cloud had been like a mother to him. For a majority of the time he had been with the pack, she had looked after him. It was her who had taught him that in order to get anywhere in life, he had to work hard. Like Ash she was a mystery and wouldn't talk about her past. The final pilot was a man a bit older than Brad with jet black hair and hazel eyes. He was tall, thin and pale. This was the head of the pack, Lightning. Lightning had come into the pack when he was young like so many others. They hadn't really ever gotten along growing up: Lightning had always be very power hungry. It didn't surprise Brad that the runaway from the city was leading the pack now. Like him, they gave nothing away in their eyes. He saw no clues as to how they had faired over the years, where the rest of the pack was or if they were the last. It was hard to say how much they had changed over years. But many years ago Jade had been just a tiny girl much too young to pilot a zoid and he had been a very different person. "Brad." Lightning said, as he eyed the gold and black Shadow Fox. "Why are you five here?" he asked. "You had the dream didn't you. Of Inferno returning to lead the pack." Cloud said, in her soft soothing voice. "He will not!" Lightning snapped at her. The younger woman refused to shrink away from him. "I did have the dream, but I don't know if I want to believe it." he said, narrowing his eyes at Lightning. "Why not?" Ash growled. "He left me for dead at the bottom of a cliff after our battle with the Shadow Raptors." Brad said. Jade's jaw dropped and understandably so, Inferno was her father and she had been very small when that battle had happened. "He didn't. I did." Lightning hissed. All five looked at him. "What! How dare you leave one of our own for dead!" Dawn shouted, as she left her daughter's side. "Learn your place Dawn Wolf!" he barked. "My place is at side of our pack's leader." she growled. "Then by all means, take it." he told her. She didn't move, a look of mixed defiance and hatred in her eyes. "By our true leader: Inferno." she added. Lightning growled and without warning, slapped her. She stumbled back, her daughter and Cloud rushed to her. Ash pulled them away, stepping in front of them. Brad growled, punched Lightning and pinned him to the ground. "It's againest our law to hurt them! You're supposed to turn your shoulder and take her rage!" he snapped, with hackles raised. "You aren't part of the pack, you never were! I knew Inferno was going to pick you to lead us in his place, but I couldn't allow that to happen. So I struck a deal with Havok of the Shadow Raptors to get rid of you. Then I told them I'd let them run on our territory if my plan worked. The pack destroyed them, but I still gained the leadership I deserved." he said. "Traitor!" Brad roared as a shadow fell over them. "Then take your vengance. He nearly destroyed your zoid, do what you will to his." Dawn, Jade, Ash and Cloud stared in shock. Brad looked up over his shoulder at the man who stood beside him. His hair was flame red and his eyes were green. He was tall, muscular with the lightest of tans. This was the man who he had idolized for many years and who had taken him into the pack as a child. "Inferno." Lightning said, the only one not in shock of seeing him return. Some time later, Brad and the Wolf Pack were sitting on the roof of the base. "I believe we've stayed long enough." Inferno finally said, as the sun began to set. "What are you going to do about Lightning?" Brad asked. "He will be dealt with, if he returns to our territory." the older man said. The sandy haired man sat in silence as they walked away, got in their zoids and ran off. In the distance he could hear them howling and saw their pack formation. At the back, Cloud and Ash ran side by side. There was a space in the middle of the group. In front of the space, Dawn and Jade ran together. In front of them was the pack's real leader. The Mountain Wolf was black with red flames around it's throat, down it's tail and on it's paws. "Is the space for you, if you go back to them?" Naomi stood behind him, watching them. "I think so." he whispered. "Are you going to go back to the pack?" she asked, sitting beside him on the edge of the roof. He shrugged and whispered, "I don't know. Maybe, if I ever have nowhere else to go." "Are you still a Wolf?" she teased. "In the form of a Shadow Fox, yes." he said. "They seem like good people." Naomi said. He looked at her and said, "One day, I'll take you to meet them." "Sounds like a good idea." she said. "You're a lot like Dawn." he told her. "That's an honor to hear." she said. _**Author: Thanks to KitsuneFyn for the review on the original version. I hope you like the new version of this story. Now I'm off to see if Mirokou's bf will take me to see X-Men Origins tonight when he takes her. *crossing fingers* R&R plz.**_ End file.

Hunter & Hunted by everfaraway

Zoids

Gleaning **A.N:** My first Zoids fanfiction story ever. :-) I won't ask you to not flame me for lack of knowledge of the show but just to keep in mind that it's been at least 2 years since I've seen the show. **NOTES:** (N1); this is **NOT **a story based on the Zoids season with Fiona and Van in it. This story is based on the season **before**, with Lena and Bit in it. (N2); There may be some OOCness (Out Of Character) in Lena and Bit, however I will try my hardest to keep them both in character even though I have not seen the show for at least 2 years. (N3); I _have_ seen the ending to the Lena & Bit season but I was fairly disappointed with it so this is my add-on to how I think the season should have ended. (N4); This story is written through Lena's POV (Point Of View). (N5); **Gleaning**: collecting, gathering. **DISCLAIMER:** Zoids belongs to its respective owners. _**Gleaning**_ "Bit." He doesn't see me at first. When I clear my throat loudly and cross my arms across my chest, tapping lightly with one foot, he turns; looking startled and jumpy. Then he sees me standing there and his face relaxes into a wide smile. "Hey, Lena." I think about how it's just like him to pretend that _nothing_ at all was wrong, how even though he **knew** how upset I am, he still likes to act as if everything is alright. It's not. "Lena?" I give an incomprehensible shrug that's out of place in this semi-conversation before looking up at him. His blue eyes are crinkled up in slight concern as he gazes down at me in return. "You okay?" I hesitate. "Yeah...fine. I just heard you were leaving, that's all." His head pulls back in shock and he blinks rapidly for a few minutes before seemingly pulling himself back together and looking down at me again. "Brad and the others told you?" I give a small nod, staring unseeingly at the ground. "Ah..." He gives a small sigh and it makes me realize just how different we have become under these circumstances. How strange it would have looked to Brad or my father if they had been passing by. I look back up at him and I see his eyes focused on a point above my head, gazing at something that's not there. He's off in his own world again, thinking of something else that is completely unrelated to the subject at hand and I wonder what he's thinking of this time. What is it this time that makes him have the small look of longing shining in his eyes? I think of this and it gives me a small ache deep inside me when I think that it's probably not me. "Bit." He gives a tiny jerk and I watch as his eyes slowly lower themselves back onto my face. "Hm?" I want to control myself but I've never really been very good at controlling myself. My hands shake violently and I shove them into my pockets. "How come you have to leave? What's wrong with staying here? You have **everything** here; food, shelter, security..." I was about to add "me" but I stop in time. "...and the team." I say instead quietly, once more looking down at the floor. He's silent, broodingly so, and I take his lead, keeping silent as well. And then he gives another sigh and I cannot tell what it is of. Impatience? Anger? Grief? I cannot understand and I am not sure if I really want to. "Lena. I'm really sorry. But you don't understand-" My temper flares up. "What **don't** I understand?" I ask him heatedly, "I don't really think there's **anything** here to understand. You're leaving for no apparent reason and-" "Lena." I pause and look at him steadily. "What?" I wait for an excuse, a stupid reason why he's leaving. He looks serious and sincere when he speaks again, a rare expression seen on his face. "I need to leave. I know I'm leaving a lot behind but I need to, can't you understand? I can't stay in one place forever. It'd kill me. I need to see what's **out** there. I can't just...I can't just stay here when there is so much more for me just waiting for me..." He trails off, looking unsure of what to say next. An uncomfortable silence falls between us. I clear my throat uneasily before breaking the quiet. "I...understand", I say this resignedly and he glances quickly at me. Resignation was not something that I normally felt nor showed. "I can't...I can't stop you from leaving and...if you want to leave...then", I falter, "then...leave. I don't care!" I turn my back on him, not wanting him to see my eyes which were suddenly burning with unwanted tears. He's silent for a while. Then I hear his footsteps thudding heavily on the ground. I think that he's walking away and I want to scream out at him but instead, his footsteps come closer and closer to me before coming to a stop. I see dust drifting up lazily from his feet. "I'm sorry", he mumbles this and I turn back to him, my eyes still burning. "So am I." I don't want you to leave, I want to say. I think I love you and...and if you leave, how will I ever be able to tell you? I'm not ready...I'm not ready to tell you now. But I don't say anything after that. His hand shifts a little by his side and it seems as if he was about to reach out and touch my shoulder but he seems to think better of it and his hand falls back down to hang loosely by his side. "When are you leaving?" I suddenly ask and he gives a small shift as if he were surprised at my sudden question. He recovers quickly though and replies with a bit of apprehension. "The day after tomorrow." I am startled by the abrupt date. "You work quick." His face turns away from me as if he realizes how thrown I am by the sudden date. "Yeah...well, I thought it was better not to stay around here any more than necessary." Here. It's not home to him anymore. Perhaps it never was. "You were right." It hurts to say it because he **wasn't **right but he wanted to be...he wanted to be right so badly. He looks back at me almost pleadingly. "You understand, don't you, Lena? You understand, right?" I don't and I didn't want to but I nod anyway. "I understand." _**Finis**_ **A.N: **So...what do you think? :-) Good or bad? Please review! I am anxious to hear your comments! End file.

Gleaning by Autumn Dusk

Zoids

Remorse Reese stood facing the bright, moonlit sky. It was cold and windy outside, but she didn't mind. Being inside with Raven seemed too much to bear at the moment. Specula's mechanical steps announced her arrival. She planted herself next to Reese and let out a roar of affection. Absentmindedly, the young woman lifted her hand and patted the Organoid's head. "I'll go in later," Reese told her. * * * Raven sat, hunched, against the cold brick of the fireplace. He sighed as Reese came in and got up to approach her. She looked up at him and smiled a bittersweet smile. "I guess we're both at a loss," she said. "Yeah. I have to admit, life gets boring without strife." "We've been so used to conflict... Now that it has died down, we feel empty." Reese took his hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Reese," Raven began. Tears welled up and before he realized it, he was clinging to her. The Ancient Zoidian staggered under his weight and she fell into a sitting position. Tears of her own started spilling. "It's okay, Raven," she reassured him, all the while stroking his hair. All the things they had done the past few years had suddenly dawned on them. The remorse was too much. In her mind's eye, Reese could see Nicholo's blurry face. She bit her lip hard and drew blood. Guilt ate at her. He needn't have died. If only she'd known that they would kill him, she would have gone with them. He was the only person who had been truly kind to her. Well, until Raven showed up. Raven sobbed into her bosom. His past went through his mind in a flash not unlike the vision Reese showed him. His parents' mangled bodies lay on the floor as Ambient swished his tail in victory. He could remember the anguish he had felt at that time. Prozen raised him like his own kin. He taught him to fight and he gave him Shadow. Though Raven wasn't sure if he should be entirely grateful to him. After all, Prozen taught him to hurt others. The broken shutters above them rattled in the wind as they silently comforted each other. Their Organoids watched them at a distance. Both knew that their companions needed human warmth and they chose to respect that. Reese lifted Raven's chin up so that their faces met. He looked so vulnerable then. So childlike. "We can... We can make up for everything we've done," she assured him. * * * **A/N:** So sorry. Quite a long gap from Black & Blue. To be honest I ran out of plots for these two. I hope to write more, though. End file.

Remorse by Laverne Pettigrew

Zoids

1. Let's make a date Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** ???: Good evening and welcome to a Zoids version of " Whose Line is it Anyway?" On tonight's show... "Will I get paid?" Brad Hunter! "AHHH MY PTERAS!!" Jamie Hemeros! "You ate my cookie!" Leena Tauros! "And Courage with a sense of humor." Bit Cloud! Drew Carey couldn't make it, so I'm your host Max Leunam. Let's go have some fun! (runs down and sits in his seat) Hey everyone. Welcome to Whose Line is it Anyway, the show where everything's made up and the points don't matter, just like future Polta/Fuma fics. If you never saw the show before, what happens is we have all the performers come up, they're gonna make everything up, right off the top of their heads, right in front of you. And then we give 'em points. I don't know why, we just do it. And at the end of the show, we pick a winner, the winner gets to do a little something special with me. Audience: oooooooo.. Max: And the loser has to be forced to make more "How to kill the Champs" fics. Now let's go on to a game called " Let's make a date" Leena, you will be the contestant in some kind of dating show to pick three of the best bachelors in the world.. But you're stuck with these three.. Bit: Hey! (Everyone sets up and reads their cards) Max: Anyway, Leena if you're ready, take it away. Leena: Bachelor #1, I love going out on a nice stroll on the beach. If we had to go on a tropical island for a vacation, what will it be? Brad: (Bruce Wayne who later on becomes Batman) Well, I'm a really rich guy, so I would send us to a... (sees the Batsignal) .... ummmm I'm sorry. I have to go somewhere. I have a date with the .... nevermind. (runs backstage) Leena: uh...huh..Why's HE here? Bachelor #2. I'm a girl who wants the ideal guy. But what do you want in a girl? Jamie: (Police officer who thinks Leena is a prisoner safely behind bars) Well whoever it is, it certainly won't be you or any other law breaking punk friends of yours! Leena: .....I wish I had my Gunsniper... Bachelor #3. If you were a fruit, what would you be? Bit: (secretly hiding boxes of cookies from Leena) ..(nervously) Well I hope it's something that won't be pounded easily. (eats cookie) .. Not that I didn't do anything wrong... Leena: .. Right.. Is bachlor #1 still here? Brad: (walks out as Batman) Sorry, Brad couldn't make it. But I'm going to sit for him. Not that I'm bachelor #1 or anything, I'm just doing my job of being a good citizen to the town and ... (sees Joker) Joker! (runs to the audience and starts beating up Harry) Jamie: (joins the fight) I won't stand anymore of your punk ass remarks! I'm placing you under arrest!!! Bit: (drops boxes of cookies by accident) .. IT WASN'T ME!!! I MEAN I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THE COOKIES TO YOU. BUT I WAS SO HUNGRY!! I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF!!! I DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE!!! (runs backstage and acts like he's jumping off a cliff) aaaaaaaaaaaaa........ Max: ... That was just disturbing... (starts talking when everyone gets back to their seats) So Leena. You figure out who they are? Leena: Well bachelor #1 is Batman. Max: That's right! Leena: Bachelor #2 is some old geezer who hates teenagers. Max: Close enough.. He's a police officer who thinks you're a prisoner. Leena: Oh... And bachelor #3 has.. something that belongs to me? Max: mmmm good enough. (everyone goes back to their seats and everyone applauses) And I give 1000 points to the justice league up in their satellite. And Harry over there gets nothing.. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines for Bit and Leena in Whose line *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Multi Personalities and Narrate. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please read and review. 2. Sound effects/Whose line? Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Now let's go on to a game called Sound Effects. Jamie and Bit, you're gonna play this. Jamie: Why do I have to play? Max: Because you have the best facial expressions when it comes to something bad happening. (hands Bit the mike) Now the scene is that you are getting ready for your prom. Take it away Bit. Jamie starts sleeping standing up (snoring) and (beep beep beep) wakes up, grabbing a hammer (smash) then gets up and looks at the alarm clock he smashed. He then gets shocked and starts dressing (buttoning noises). Jamie then runs downstairs and goes to his car and starts it up. (vroom) (vroom) Jamie then gets out for a second (vrooooooommm) and gawks (AN: my personal favorite). Jamie then looks back and finds his parents (yelling) He then starts running (icecream music) and goes to the icecream truck (blahblahblah) to knock the daylights out of the icecream guy. He then jumps into his car, throws the ice cream guy out and starts driving. (icecream music) Jamie then turns it off. (boom) The truck stops and Jamie gets out and finds his date. (oops) He then kneels down and lifts her up. (slap) (girl talks) Jamie then starts kissing her on the ground to shut her up. He then picks her off the ground and carries her to the truck. (vroom) (vroom) (icecream music) Jamie then gets a hammer (smash) and gets out of the truck for any damage to the car. When he's at the front of the car, (bump) (vroooom) Jamie gets ran over. Max: (buzzes) (laughing while the others went back to their seats) And by the way, people. This is one of the many reasons why people get their licenses at 17 up. But anyway, I'll give 2000 points to whoever the hell your date even was. Now let's go onto a game called Whose line. Believe it or not, we have a game called Whose Line... But I don't think anybody cares for now. Bit and Leena, you're going to play this game... Bit: Why even bother to sit down? Max: (gives cards) Now you have to do a scene using these cards and you also have to say whatever is over there. And the scene is .... Leena, who is Bit's personal secretary, is about to announce her resignation to him and a desperate Bit tries to pursuade her to stay. So anytime now, you can take it away. Leena: Hello Mr. Cloud. Bit: Hey Miss Tauros. What brings you here? Leena: I loved working here with you and you gave me the best days of my life, but now I believe it's time for me to go. Bit: What are you trying to say, Leena? It won't be the same without you. If you go, I'll never get the chance to tell you..... [Want to see my Liger Zero?] Leena: Mr. Cloud! Bit: Just call me Bit. Leena: I never knew you felt this way about me. But still, I can't stay here. I need to go outdoors and live my life long dream and before that starts, there would be nothing more pleasurable than to run out to the streets and yell out.... [I love you] Bit: Oh! So you love someone more than me huh? Well tell me! Who is it!? Leena: I don't love anyone. I just feel like I have to say that. Bit: Well, Leena darling, why would you want to live out your life as... Leena: A pooper scooper. Bit: As a pooper scooper? Just watch. You won't find anyone else like me. Leena: That's right! I wanna find someone better than you! Bit: Leena. No one will be better than me. I remember the times when we had REAL fun, when we played around and at the end of the day, I would say... [ Don't worry. It's suppose to look like that.] Leena: Well I guess you're right. But that's not going to stop me from being a pooper scooper. My inspiration always came from this one drama, where this one particular couple always mentions something like... [Let's go skydiving!] Bit: Well if that's true, then you got problems. Leena: It's a curse I guess. Bit: But you still have to stay! I always had a dream when you and I were always to be together in the end. That's not really how the dream went, but if there was a lesson to be learned, it would be.. [Screw the Pteras!] Leena: Woah! Well you convinced me, Bit. I will stay as your personal secretary, but until then, I have something to say after this little chit chat ..... [I never seen anything that big before.] Max: (buzz)(everyone sits) Oh brother. Anyway, that was so convincing, I'll give all the points Brad will get to the Jamie's Pteras that Bit wanted to screw so bad. Jamie: What!? Brad: What!? Max: Hey! We'll be right back to Whose Line is it Anyway. Right after this break! *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Multi Personalities and Narrate. *And some others that I missed If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please read and review. 3. Weird Newscasters Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Welcome back to Whose Line is it Anyway, the show where everything's made up and the points don't matter, just like the Zaber Fangs. That's right, they don't matter. They're useless to us! Now let's play a game called Weird Newscasters. (eveyone sets up) This is for all four of you. Jamie, you'll be the anchor of the news program and eveyone else is gonna help you out. Brad, you're the co-anchor. You're a Backdraft member. Leena, you're doing the sports, and you're jumping on a trampoline as if you were in the credits of "The Man Show". Audience: YAY! Max: And Bit, you're doing the weather and you're looking for your long lost sister. Won't this be fun? So whenever you hear the music go ahead and start the news, Jamie. (Music plays) Jamie: Hello. I'm Entenmann's Little Brownie. And this is the news from the Zoid Battle Commision. It says here that Royal Cup was actually created from a hobo from some time now. So just for the moment, we will give our thanks to Harry Champ, the hobo who still is. Giving in the details is Nancy Cruboporwicks. Nancy? Brad: (Backdraft member) Damn! How do you put these damn eye things on. (tries to put them on) Jamie: Hey! You're on TV! Brad: Oh! (throws them at Leena) The Zoid Battle Commision was lucky that time! If it wasn't for the Liger Zero, we could've taken over the Zoid Battle Commity. But nooooooo. We have to be stuck in jail and I have to be some retarted co-anchor for some stupid news! I'll get you Bit Cloud, and your Liger too! The Backdraft group will come back if it's the last thing in the world. I swear that if I don't defeat you with my special Irvine Command Wolf, I'm gonna- Jamie: Would you please shut the hell up!? Brad: oops.. sorry.... Jamie: Now let's go on to the sports with Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Poka Dot Bikini, but we just call her Billy. Billy? Leena: (on a trampoline) (starts jumping up and down) Whee! I hope no one sees what's under my dress. Now let's see. In sports, the Fuzzy Pandas have finally gotten rid of their nickname reputation by killing the Champs. (jumps up, spreading her legs apart) But just for fun, we still call them the Fuzzy Pandas anyway. Back to you. Brad: You know.. maybe the Backdraft group going out of business wasn't so bad afterall... Jamie: Now let's see if there's ever going to be any chance of a better weather, with Husky Higamijigerz. Husky? Bit: (looking for his long lost sister) ....(looking at a picture) Well, we still have some rainy days up ahead. And ( looks through the audience) I don't think we're ever going to get a sunny day ever again... (looks surprised) Oh my god! (looks at picture and walks up to the audience) (picks up a certain girl up to the stage) My long lost sister! It's been a long time! This just in! We're going to have sunny days throughout your whole lifetime! (hugs sister) Jamie: This just in. Rumor has it that Bit is really a sailor scout. Brad: Bit! (runs to him) If you don't want me to kill you, bring your sister to the trampoline. Bit: Ok. (sister goes with Leena and jumps with her) Jamie: Well that's the news for now. So now we will end by watching Leena and Bit's sister jumping up and down the trompoline. Brad: I'm still going to kill you! Bam! (Bit falls dead) Jamie: Good night cuz I know I'll have one. (music) (everyone goes back) Max: Hey you! I think I seen you before. What's your name? ... Serena. Ok. Let's give all of Bit's points to Serena... and her four friends, along with her cats, cousin from out of town and boyfriend... God.. do you really have to mention all of that? Jamie: (to Serena) (makes phone with his hand and moving his mouth silently) call me! Max: Not just that, but let's give 100000 points to Leena for giving us the best show of our lives. Harry: (shouting) Why Leena!? Why!? You could've saved that for me Leena! Max: Oh brother... *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Multi Personalities and Narrate. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please read and review. 4. Superheroes Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Now let's move on to a game called Superheroes. This is for all 4 of you. (sets up) Leena, you're gonna start and then, Bit, Brad and Jamie are gonna join you. And you're gonna start out as an unlikely superhero and you're gonna name anyone else who comes in and etc. Now what I need from the audience is a suggestion for a name of an unlikely superhero. ???: Cookie Monstress! Max: Cookie Monstress! Leena: Cookie Monstress!? Max: That's right, Cookie Monstress! Now there's a crisis in the world. What is it that we're dealing with? ???: Backdraft stole all the cookies! Max: Backdraft stole all the cookies. Ok. Cookie Monstress. The Backdraft group has stolen all the cookies in the world, what do we do? Leena: (holding a box of cookies and trying to pick out one) (in cookie monster tone of voice) Cookie Monstress want cookie. Never had cookie since 3 seconds ago. What!? No cookies! And there is crisis! Cookie Monstress turns on screen to see what crisis is. (turns on) Backdraft group take all cookies from world!? Cookie Monstress now mad! Bit: (Comes in) For once in your life! Can you please shut up! I was about to finally get some sleep! Leena: Thank god you're here..... Human Punching Bag Boy! (punches Bit) Bit: Ow! What do you mean? And what did you do THAT for? Leena: Backdraft group take all cookies from world. (punch) Bit: Ow! Well anyone knows that. You're so loud that even the guys from Earth could here you. Leena: No time for argue! Me want Cookie! (punch) Brad: (comes in) Sorry I'm late. Bit: Who the hell invited you .... Santa Clause Man? Brad: (looks at camera for a second and punches Bit) Bit: Ow! Brad: HO HO HO! I'm going to make sure that you get a cold hard lump of coal this Christmas! You've been a naughty boy! (punch) Bit: Ow! Leena: Me want cookie now! (punch) Bit: Ow! Brad: What!? No cookies!? (punch) Bit: Ow! Leena: Backdraft stole all cookies! (punch) Bit: Ow! Brad: No ho ho! What do we do now? (punch) Bit: Ow! Jamie: (comes in) Why don't you shut up? Everyone can hear you! (punch) Bit: Ow! Brad: Thank God you're here ...... Play Dough Face Man! (starts molding Jamie's face and puches Bit) Bit: Ow! Jamie: Stop! You don't know how long it took me to make this beautiful face! (Punches Bit) Bit: Ow! Leena: Play Dough Face Man look ugly now! (punch) Bit: Ow! Jamie: No! (punch) Bit: Ow! Brad: HO HO HO! You're so ugly that the Backdraft group would give you all the cookies in the world just to never see your face again! (punch) Bit: Ow! Jamie: You're right! (punch) Bit: Ow! Leena: Use paper bag first! (punch) Bit: Ow! Jamie: I'll save the world with my ugly face! I must go now! ( punch and leaves) Bit: Ow! Brad: HO HO HO! I have to go now also! (punch) I have to check my Christmas list. (punches and leaves) Bit: That's it! I'm going to take karate lessons! No one's going to push me around anymore! Leena: (punch) Bit: Ow! Now I gotta go get some rest..... (leaves) Leena: ..... Cookie Monstress still want cookie! Max: (buzz) Thank you! (everyone sits down) That was so good, I'll give all the points to the Nabisco Company. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Weird Newscasters, Multi Personalities, Narrate and any other game. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please read and review. 5. Song Styles Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Now let's move on to a game called Song Styles, this time, I'm gonna drag all four of you in. Bit: You know, ever since the fic started, I never got a chance to sit. Max: And boy do I feel sorry for you. (everyone sets up) Laura Hall couldn't make it so we replaced her with Pogi! (Pogi waves) And since the others aren't here, we replaced them with any other OC we ever invented so far. The sad part is we only have three. So let's give it up for Craig Anderson and Anne Hart. Craig: Hey, FF.N! Anne: Hey, Max! Bit: YAY!ANNE'S HERE!!! Leena: (punch) Bit: Ow! Max: Oh yeah! And by the way, don't forget to vote who you want to win on Zoids / Zero : Revenge. It's either the Blitz team or the Alpha team. And depending on who you vote for, you get a different ending. Bit: Trying to be cheap and advertise your story on this, huh? Max: Yes I am. Leena: Keep in mind that most of them want us to win! Max: Well keep in mind that some already voted for me. But anyway, if you do, I promise to maybe shorten the fic in any way possible. Bit: (coughs) Bull (cough) Max: And people, if you like action, you can at least check the No Future part of the fic! Especially my fight with Bit. Bit: We're gonna win! Max: Yeah right! Now to get someone from the audience. Harry: Hey! This is cruelty to me! All five of you are making fun of me ever since the start of the fic! Max: (idea) Gee. I'm sorry. And to make that up (brings Harry to the stool) You will be the volunteer. And don't tell because we all know that your occupation is an asshole. Harry: WHAT!!!? Max: This game is also in a MAXINDPOGSTER twist. That means that we get to change the game in whatever we want. Aint that right Pogi? Pogi: Uh huh. Max: Now anyway, you're going to sing in the tune of YMCA but in a Harry bashing motivation twist along with advertising to make people read How to kill Harry Champ fics. So whenever you're ready, get down and funky! (music starts) (Brad) Harry, no one likes you, you know, I said Harry, we say you gotta go, I said Harry, 'cause we think that you blow There's no need to be with Leena (Jamie) Harry, we all think that you suck, I said Harry, you can't get a good (censor) We should kill you, and hope you go to hell Now does that ring anyone's bell (Bit and others in background) When it comes to Harry we should KILL When it comes to Harry we should KILL We should get some ideas, let's read Kill Harry fics I'm sure we will get many kicks When it comes to Harry we should KILL When it comes to Harry we should KILL Let's blast him with a grenade, let's stab him with some knives Let's hope that he stays out of our lives (Leena) Harry, are you listening to me? I said Harry, what will your sweet death be? I said Harry, we even hate Mary But you got to know this one thing No man likes you being around, I said Harry, nobody likes your sound There's a thing that, we call KILL I'm sure that can help us today (Bit and others in background) When it comes to Harry we should KILL When it comes to Harry we should KILL We should get some ideas, let's read Kill Harry fics I'm sure we will get many kicks When it comes to Harry we should KILL When it comes to Harry we should KILL Let's blast him with a grenade, let's stab him with some knives Let's hope that he stays out of our lives (Bit) Harry, I was never like that, I said I was ex-te-reme-e-ly phat We should take you out of your precious days And there's nine thousand ninty ways That's when someone came up to me and said Bit Cloud, you should read my story It's called Ways to go and Kill Harry Champ And that's why that I have my lamp (with others in background) When it comes to Harry we should KILL When it comes to Harry we should KILL We should get some ideas, let's read Kill Harry fics I'm sure we will get many kicks KILL, when it comes to Harry we should KILL Harry, Harry, Leena has got a gun Harry, Harry, we'll blast you to the sun KILL, when it comes to Harry we should KILL Harry, Harry, I was never like that Harry, Harry, I was extemely phat (everybody) KILL (audience goes wild while Harry sits there, with his mouth open and his brain in another world) Max: (laughing his ass off while everyone sits back down) And to think I was gonna put this on the parody collection!... (starts thinking) Bit: Hey, Max! How about some points? Max: Oh yeah! All the points you want is whatever you get! Oh yeah! And I hope all you people at home learn today's lesson. Start reading! Until then, we'll be back with more Whose line is it Anyway? right after this short break. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Weird Newscasters, Multi Personalities, Narrate and any other game. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please read and review. 6. Film, TV and Theater Styles Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Welcome back to Whose Line is it Anyway. You know, I could've sworn the title of the fic also had "The Zoids Special" attatched to it. Oh well, anyway, the points don't matter... Bit: Just like the other words attatched to your title. Max: Well I guess this isn't a special anymore, so we're probably gonna have another fic like this in the nearby future made by me. Oh and by the way, I also wanna give special recognition to Hockykid45. Right now, he made his own Whose line fic and let's all hope that this turns out to be something worthwhile. But until then, let's go onto a game called Film TV and Theater Styles. This is for Bit- Bit: AGAIN!!? Max: Leena and Jamie. They're gonna act out a scene. But I'm gonna make them adapt different styles and what I need from the audience is some styles of TV or theater that you like. (people start yelling out stuff) Comedy.. (to whoever said that) This is a Zoids Parody of whose line and you still say comedy. What's the irony of that? .... Talk show... WWE..... Spider Man..... Ninja Turtles ..... Soap Opera .... Sailor Moon.. DBZ ..... Tenchi Muyo ... Zoids... Zoids? ???: Classic Zoids! Max: Classic Zoids! ???: Porno! Max: And porno. Leena: Who didn't see that coming? Bit: (gives thumbs up to Leon in the audience) Max: Ok now shut up! Now you'll start off with a scene normally or whatever you think is normal. Leena: Having grey eyes isn't exactly normal now is it Max? Max: I'll deal with you after the show. Anyway, after the scene starts, I'm gonna buzz you and you come in with different styles. Now the scene is.... Leena is going to get a sex change and is going to go see the doctors, Bit and Jamie. Leena: WHAT!!!??? Max: I told you I'll get you back. Now get going! Bit: (doing surgary on someone) And I finally killed Harry!!! Harry: (still in the position like from last round) Jamie: Yes! It's a succes!! We'll be famous!! Leena: Hey! I'm here for my sex change.. Max: (buzz) Tenchi Muyo. Bit: (looks at Leena and starts hugging her) Why do you want a sex change, Miss? Don't you wanna go out on a date with me? Leena: I don't really wanna.. Jamie: You stay away from Lord-essy... Whatever her name is. All I know is that she's from the Royal Zi family! (grabs one of Leena's arms) Bit: (grabs Leena's other arm) She's my patient! Go get your own! Leena: DOCTORS, STOP IT!!! (Bit and Jamie look at each other *electricity*) Max: (buzz) Oh.. brother (laughing) Talk show. Jamie: (up to camera) Now why don't you want the patient to get a sex change? Bit: Well, cuz she's my property and none of you can have her! Leena: You be quiet! I'm a person! Not your property! And I deserve my respect you ass! audience: JAMIE! JAMIE! JAMIE! Max: (buzz) WWE. Bit: What? Leena: I- Bit: What? Leena: I- Bit: You want a sex change! audience: What? Bit: You wanna be a man! audience: What? Bit: You're too good to be a woman? audience: What? Jamie: (starts singing Kurt Angle's theme while walking up to Leena and Bit) audience: (with the music) YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK! Jamie: (stops singing) I am your olympic hero and I say that this girl should get a sex change! audience: WHAT? Bit: If you want this Jackass to shut the hell up, give me a hell yeah! audience: Hell yeah! Max: (buzz) Why didn't I pick that last? Anyway, Spider Man! Jamie: My spider senses are tingling! Leena: Help me!! Jamie: I'll save you! (web slings at Bit) Bit: Ahh! Max: (buzz) Ninja Turtles. Jamie: Take that Shred Head! Leena: Cowabunga! Bit: No! (falls to the ground) Jamie: Come on dude! Let's go get some gnarly pizza! Leena: Right on! Max: (buzz) No way I'm gonna end this. Soap opera. Leena: How could you kill your own half uncle's brother's cousin's great great grandmother? Jamie: It was no use. He couldn't have anymore kids. And it was I who wanted to do surgery on you, darling. Leena: I'm sorry, but I'm not really the person you think I am... Max: (buzz) That was just pathetic. Classic Zoids. Leena: (turns the other way) Van! Bit: (gets up) I'm not Van. Now I'm gonna kill you like I promised a long time ago, assistant. Jamie: You don't even know my name and you're going to kill me? Zeke!... Bit: Ha! Now I'm gonna finish the job! Shadow!!!!...... Leena: Can I have some salt please? Max: (buzz) Sailor moon. Bit: (does Sailor Moon transformation with Leena and Jamie) Jamie: I will punish you! Bit: That' s my line! Max: (buzz) DBZ. Bit: AND NOW YOU WILL SEE THE POWER OF A SUPER SAIYAN!!! (turns into a super saiyan) Jamie: Well I'm past Super Saiyan. (turns into a super saiyan) Leena: Oh no! (gets pushed back by their energy) (Bit and Jamie start fighting and blasting away) Bit: KA....... ME......... HA............ME......... Max: (buzz) Too slow. New Century / 0. Jamie: (in a mocking tone of voice) My name's Harry Champ. I'm a man destined to be king. Bit: HA! (blows away Jamie) Now you don't have to go throught the sex change. Max: (buzz) Porno! (Bit tackles Leena down and starts making out with her) Max: (buzzes over a thousand times) I don't think we're gonna go anywhere for a while, so we're gonna take a break right after this. Don't go anywhere. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Weird Newscasters, Multi Personalities, Narrate and any other game. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please read and review. 7. Moving People/Props Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Welcome back to Whose Line is it Anyway. The show were everything's made up and the points don't matter. Yep, that's right. They're useless, just like Hiltz's Ambient or any of the Zoids they use and end up destroying, they don't mean a thing. If any of you seen the last game, we had to stop Bit and Leena from giving us a free porno. Bit: (gives thumbs up to Leon) Max: Well in that case, Bit finally gets to sit out on this game. Bit:YES! Max: We are going to play Moving People. This game is for Brad and Jamie. (they walk to the stage) And now to get some audience members. Hey! I already found some. (walks to audiece) So who are you? ???: Naomi. Max: And who's the one next to you? ???: Pierce. Max: To be honest, I knew you all along now get down there and pick the person you want and place them in any position you want. (Naomi puts Brad's hands on his waist in a shape of a fist while Pierce makes Jamie kneel down and puts his hands together on front of his face) Right... Well the scene is that you are at a bar room fight. Jamie: Please God. I hope nobody gets hurt, especially me and my Pteras and my- Brad: Quit your whining and get up! Besides, nobody liked your Pteras so I blasted it because I'm a superhero! Jamie: I'll scream when I stop praying. (Pierce picks him up and points one hand to Brad) AHHHHH!!! Why'd you do that to my Pteras!? I'm gonna beat you up with my Bear Claw style of martial arts. Brad: Ha! You can't beat me up! Why do you think I'm not doing anything to defend myself? Jamie: Just watch! I'm gonna get you just as soon as I walk up to you! (Pierce grabs on of Jamie's legs) And I won't start with the leg that's keeping my balance. (Pierce grabs other leg and makes Jamie walk) Ha Ha! Now I'm going somewhere. Brad: Now would be a good time to be in a defensive position. (Naomi forms his arms to an x on his chest) Jamie: I'm coming for you and now I'm gonna form a fist. (Pierce gets up and closes Jamie's hand) Brad: You can't hit me. You'll hurt your hand. Jamie: Not if I literally kick your ass! (Pierce makes him walk around Brad) Brad: I guess I should turn around. (Naomi lifts Brad's leg and turns him around) Now if my other leg can face the same direction, then maybe I won't suffer from a sprained ankle. (Naomi does that) Jamie: I'm still gonna get you. (Pierce still makes him walk around Brad) Brad: Guess I'm gonna have to turn around until you stop chasing me. (Naomi keeps on doing what she's doing) Jamie: You can run but you can't hide! Brad: Well, I can throw up on your shoes if I keep on doing this. Stopping would be of much help to me. (Naomi stops) We can't go on like this. It looks retarted. Jamie: I guess so. (Pierce stops the walking and make him face Brad) (Pierce then grabs Jamie's leg and kicks Brad in the (censored)) Brad: Ow! Hey! I got kicked and I didn't have any reaction. What's up with that? (Naomi grabs Brad's hand and punches Jamie) Jamie: Well it looks like I didn't have anything happen to me also. We seem to be even. Brad: Why don't we call it a draw? Jamie: Okay. (Pierce grabs Jamie's hand and tries to grab Brad's) Brad: Put her there. (Naomi does the same and they both badly miss) Jamie: I guess I should practice on that. Max: (buzz) Let's just get the move on before anything more pathetic happens. (everyone sits down) I'll give 503 points to anyone who wants Pierce and Naomi in the next show. Now let's go on to a game called Props. This is for all four of you and here (throw 2 giant Q tips at Brad and Jamie) and this one's for you (throws 2 giant cardboard tubes at Bit and Leena). Do whatever you want with them, even if they ARE sick minded. In this game, everyone gets to do a scene every turn. So take it away Bit and Leena. (Bit looks through one tube like a telescope) Leena: We're never gonnna get off this island, are we, Gilligan? (Jamie and Brad hold the tubes in their hands) Jamie: You just had to bring the super sized Q tips, didn't you? (Bit puts one tube on one sholder each) Bit: Hybrid Cannon! (Jamie and Brad start using the Q tips as weapons as if they were on Gladiators) (Leena stands one tube up and uses it as a strip pole) (Jamie and Brad point the Q tips at the audience and place it in front of their wastes) Brad: Did you see what Leena was doing a few seconds ago? (Leena talks into one end of the tube) Leena: Ricola! (box falls out of tube) Hey I found something! (Jamie "stabs" Brad with his Q tip) Jamie: That's for the death of my father! (Bit points the tube at the audience and places it in front of his stomach while Leena holds the box in her hands) Leena: So THAT's what you meant by being an outie. (Brad and Jamie go down on the floor so you can't see them and hold up one Q tip) Brad: (as Benjamin) If I could only see my judge. (Bit sticks out both tubes at the audience and places them on his chest) Bit: What kind of surgery is THIS!?? I'm gonna sue! Leena: (opens box and a smile comes on her face) COOKIES!!! (Jamie holds the Q tips in each hand and holds them upstraight on front of him) Jamie: But I was framed! (Bit and Leena are fighting over the cookies) (Brad gets both Q tips and makes them look like Leena's head thing) Brad: Hi. I'm Leena and I like cookies. (buzz) and cupcakes (buzz) and doughnuts (buzz) and I think Max should stop buzzing because it's still my turn. (Bit and Leena are whacking eachother with the tubes for the cookies) Max: (buzz) ... (throws some cards in his hands away) Why do I even bother?.... No points for the dick who stashed my cookies in their prop. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Weird Newscasters, Multi Personalities, Narrate and any other game. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please review. 8. Party Quirks Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Now, let's go onto a game called "Party Quirks". Leena, you're hosting a party. Brad, Jamie and Bit will be your guest and each of them have a strange quirk or identity (everyone's reading cards) Leena has to guess what the quirks are also. So everyone line up there (everyone sets up) and I'll bring you one at a time with the doorbell. (dingdong) And whenever you're ready, start the party, Leena. Leena: (talking on the phone) Yeah I know. It's just getting too old and everything's just the same.... Not only that, but Pogi over at the piano started on a Fuzzy Pandas fic. Well at least he thought up something creative! Max:(doorbell) Leena: (Opens door) Brad: (accidentaly stepped on Dr. Layon's noodles a few minutes ago) (runs from the door and hides behind Leena) Leena: What are you doing? Brad: I did something bad. And he's after me!!! Leena: Why don't you use the Shadowfox? Brad: I would, but I'm afraid he'll be there. I'll just hide here. (hides in the audience and tried to disguise himself) Max: (doorbell) Leena: I'm so glad I invited you. (opens door) Hi Jamie. Jamie: (the worst B/L,Harry bashing fic ever) (as Bit) Hi. Thanks for inviting me. (as Leena) I love you! It's your fault! (as Harry) Hey. Remember, you make sure they don't get together and I'll make sure you get your money, because I'm evil! (as Leena) What? I can't believe you! I hate you! Kinda think of it, I've always hated you and I always knew that I loved Bit even more that I hate you. (as Liger Zero) Roar. (pounces on "Harry" and beats him up) Max: (doorbell) I should have you to this house more often. (opens door) Bit: (Zoids New Century/ Zero in 30 seconds) Vrooooooom. My truck! (looks at the ceiling) If only you had a partner. We won! My Liger's not a waste of space. (picks up quarter and "accidentally" hits Leena) So what you're saying is you're in love with me huh? (grrs at "Backdraft official and steals Pteras). Nobody's fast, so I made you go in Cannon Tortoises. I'm going to get out of retirement. (imitates Elephander) I don't know what you are anymore, Brad. I'm your savior! Brad: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Leena: Hey Bit, have you met Brad, he's afraid of Dr. Layon. Max: What did he do to make him mad? Leena: He called him Dr. Laden? Max: Guess again. Brad: And they were so tasty! Leena: He ruined Dr. Layon's noodles. Max:(buzz) That's right. Jamie: (as Bit doing "things with "Leena") (as Harry) I love you Leena! I'm going into that room! (as Liger) (holds him back) (as Bit) (shoots Harry with a gun that came from nowhere) (as Harry) Nooooooo!!!!! Leena: This is the sorriest thing I've ever seen. Bit: Oh my god you look so adorable! We can predict anyone's move in a fraction of a second. AHHHH I don't know what you're talking about! Jamie: (to camera) And that's the end, what do you think. Please read and review (laughs evily) Leena: What was the worst fic ever. Max: (buzz) Bit: (bites Leena's shoulder) It's Stoller. I told you, my name's not Jamie! Little lady? The Chainsaw man! You mother looked alot like you. You're inexperienced. This is the ultimate Zoid! I'm getting too old for this. If I could only see my judge. It's the quest for unlimited potential. How about a ride fox? NOBODY STANDS ME UP ON A DATE AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!!! Cease operation! Do your thing Berserk Fury (laughs like Vega) Ready Fight! Let's be partners next year. Aiii... the winner is the Blitz team. We can do it Liger!!!! We'll get you next time King. Courage, bravery and a sense of justice. We should take a vacation. (faints to the ground) Leena: Sorry, I just wanted to watch the reinactment of Zoids/0. Max: (buzz) That's right. (everyone sits down) 1000 points to Bit for filling me in on what I missed. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Weird Newscasters, Multi Personalities, Narrate and any other game. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please review. 9. 90 Second Alphabet Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** Max: Well now let's play a game called 90 second alphabet. It's for Brad Bit and Leena. In this game, you have to say a sentence and the other have to say another sentence starting with the next letter of the alphabet. So what letter should we start with? ???: K! Max: K! Well anyway, the scene is that the animals from the pet cemetary come to life and a couple, Bit and Leena, try to get help from a blind cemetery keeper, who is Brad. Bit: ...Kangaroo? In a pet cemetary? Leena: Let's go before we get eaten alive by these zombies! I wanna go home! Brad: (closing his eyes) Make my sandwitch, whoever the hell you are! Bit: Nevermind the sandwitch! We need help! Leena: Oh my god! They're coming this way! Help us! Brad: Please! I just used the little blind man's room and now you want me to do this? Bit: (looks past Brad) ...Queer... very very queer to use the fountain as a toilet... Leena: Right now, we gotta get out of here or else we're doomed! Brad: Stupid! This is a cemetary. Everyone's dead and you think that the pets are Zombies? And I thought I was blind. Bit: Tomorrow, if we survive, I swear I'm gonna sue your blind ass! Leena: (points to the floor) Under there! We can hide under there! Brad: Vat are you talking about? Bit: What? Now you think you're Count Dracula? Leena: X rated movies should have something more interesting nowadays like me. Brad: You're talking nonsense! Just like that other guy who's with you. Bit: (to camera) Zoids / Zero : Revenge has a sequal. It's called Zoids / Zero : Return of the Backdraft Group. Please read and review. (Max gives a bow to the audience) Leena: (points to audience) Antelope! It's coming this way! Brad: But there is no antelope in the cemetary. Bit: (points to audience) Cat. Leena: Dog. Brad: Elephant! I always wanted to say that! Bit: .....(censor) you! Elephants don't mean a damn thing! Leena: (looks around) Great! Now we're surrounded with zombies! Brad: (waves) Hello everybody! Bit: I better start writing my will. Leena: Just shut up. If it weren't for him, we could've live at least longer. Brad: .. Kangaroo. Max: (buzz) (everyone sits) All of your points go to the kangaroo for that round. *************************** *Attention* I need suggestion from you to get this show up and running. What I need from you is: *Lines *What to sing for a Hoedown *Scenes for Scenes from a Hat *Scenes for 90 sec Alphabet, Film TV and Theater styles, Newsflash, Superheroes, World's Worst, Questions only, Quick Change, Weird Newscasters, Multi Personalities, Narrate and any other game. If I use your suggestion, then you will be mentioned at the credits part. Anyone's who doesn't make it will be considered for a sequel. Thank you for your cooperation. Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please review. 10. Scenes from a Hat Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line To anyone who's been badly waiting: Sorry I haven't updated in a while... a long while. If you should know, I've been busy with other fics (see Return of the Backdraft Group) and school got in the way. I'm only going to do either 2 or 3 more games. So here we go. *************************** Max: (sniff) (wipes his eyes and starts laughing histerically) I'm sorry folks, the author sounded funny at that point. Bit: How can you hear him? This is a fic. Max: Does it matter? Well anyway, I'm not going to be in the other fic for a while, so lets do what everyone's been waiting for (pulls out Ambient's head) Scenes from a Hat. Hiltz: (from a distance) NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Max: (look at Ambient's head and quickly switches it with a top hat) Scenes from a Hat. (everyone comes down) You see, during the fic, lots and lots of people sent in suggstions for things and we took most of them because the majority for some where just... Let's just start. (pulls out paper) What the performers are thinking right now. Bit: What the hell took the author so long updating? Leena: I really got to go on a diet... Brad: For the last time: If I was an I/M, I would'nt be ALL white, now would I? Bit: If I got a nickel for every B/L fic on FF.N, I'd be richer than Bill Gates.. Jamie: .. Who the hell is Hiltz? Bit: I find Naomi to have one sweet ass.. (drools thinking about it) Leena: No lovin for Bit tonight. Bit: (goes on his knees) NOOOOOOOO!!! Max: (laughs at Bit misfortune) Rejected endings for Zoids. Brad: Which? Max: .. All 3 seasons. Brad: (as Hiltz in the Death Saurer) AND NOW I'M GOING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD AND I'M GOING TO DESTROY EVERONE AND ANYONE AND .... I don't feel like doing this anymore. I wonder where Ambient is? (walks off) Bit: (being Van/ Blade Liger) Bring it on Hiltz! (crashes into Leena) Brad: Oh my God! You crashed Zoid Eve! Jamie: You bastard! Bit: (puts his registration thingie in)... (shocked) Haha.. I tricked you.. This isn't the finish line? (throws a tantrum) Brad: (as Irvine) I think Van and Fiona left and went for find the Zoid Eve. (Bit and Leena make love in the background) I really hope they get Zoid Eve. Bit: Come on Liger! I know you can do it! Jamie: (As Vega) Grrr.. Shadow!!! Brad: (Runs into Jamie, knocking them into Leena) Max: (chuckles) Oh my God... Unlikely books at the Library they won't let you read. Jamie: (picks out book) How Vega is the greatest lover in the world... (runs away screaming) Leena: (reads book) Ambient and Cookies: A good combination... Brad: (picks out book) How to wear wierd little head things? Bit: The forbidden book of the million ways to kill (insert your character).. Jamie: The X Rated Adventures of Reese... (grabs the book and heads to the nearest bathroom) Bit: Dr. D and Me: A True Love Story? (screams like a girl) Brad: Why Brad is Cooler than Irvine. (intersted look on his face) Leena: (picks out book and blows away the dust) Hiltzism: The NEW Satanic Religion. Max: Ways for Jamie as a baby to be the Wild Eagle. Bit: (picks up baby) And here's the balcony in our 1000 story tall building. You wanna see the streets? (lifts him over the balcony and over the streets) Leena: Oh Jamie, time for breast feeding. (Bit has a jealous look on his face) Brad: (shows a book to everyone) I bought your favorite book. The X Rated Adventures of Reese. Max: Right... What happened to Pierce? Leena: (acts like a Stripper in front of Bit and Brad) Bit: I'm glad we came to that agreement, huh, Sanders? Brad: Sure thing, Stigma. Bit: (badly beats him to the ground) You call me sir, Sanders! Sir! (stomps on him relentlessly) Leena: Hi! I'm Pierce for Perky's Anonamous. Max: Messages that were delivered a little too late. Bit: (runs around jumping) Maxindpogster finally updated! Maxindpogster finally updated! Max: Movies that wouldn't make the top 10 list. Jamie: And I'm going to make a movie called the X Rated Adventures of Reese. Brad: (looks at the sign) "If Raven Ruled the World" Coming to theaters soon.. Leena: (as movie trailer announcer) Punching Bag boy. In theaters this weekend. Max: Rejected ideas for TV shows. Jamie: (runs out all excited) Are you ready kids!? Audience: Aye Aye Capitan! Jamie: Here it is! The X Rated Adventures of Reese! Bit: Ok! Everyone together now. (sings) When it comes to Harry we should K-I-L-L! Brad: (with his hands being Leena's head thing) And I like cupcakes, a pankackes and syrup. MMMMMMM. (buzz) I looooovvvvessssss syrup! (buzz) It's my #1 fetish! (BUZZZZZZZZZZZ) Leena: Making cookies, With Leena and Ambient's head. Hiltz: (from distance) NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Max: Things a judge would never say. Bit: .... (clears his throat and reads a paper and prays to God) .. Raven Sucks! (audience starts throwing tomatoes and rotten fruit at him as he run to the backstage) Max: What you won't hear from the ZBC. Bit: So what happened, Chief? Jamie: About that dead body up in the mountains? I knocked that baby up so hard, it wasn't funny. No seriously, it broke to pieces. So let me give you hardcore detail! (BUZZ) Max: Honestly, I kinda liked the whole X Rated Adventures of Reese thing. What the Blitz team do on their day off. (All 4 sit on the stair) Bit: (on the phone) Ok, Cartoon Network. And since you're goign to make this special, call it The Final Four! (audience goes wild) Max: What Zoid warriors are REALLY thinking while they're in combat. Leena: Is it me, or does Jamie really have something for that book? Bit: If I can do all the girls in all 3 seasons at the same time.... (drools thinking about it) Brad: .. You know. The name Fuzzy Pandas isn't that bad.. Jamie: If you fuse and Organoid into and Ultimate X, what would happen.. Oh (bleep) I lost! Max: Stupid things to say to a judge. Bit: (clears his throat and reads a paper and prays to God) .. Raven Sucks! (audience starts throwing tomatoes and rotten fruit at him as he run to the backstage) Leena: You know, I heard you judges never had any in a while. (winks) Max: Unimpressive Zoid names. Bit: I thought of new names for all you Liger fans in the next upcoming interactive fics! (rolls out a giant list of Liger names) So here's the (BUZZ) Max: How NOT to fly and arial Zoid during battle. Bit: (sings) When it comes to Harry, we should K-I-L-L! Jamie: (While flying the Zoid, he plays baseball) Max: ... (sweatdrop) Things you shouldn't do with jello. All4: (stuffs jello in their pants and start dancing and spasming) Max: What Jack Sisco does on his spare time. Brad: (pulling off his headband) This thing's gotta come off one day! Max: (laughing) What Tauros really does with his models. Jamie: Ok! Ok! It's time to tell you the story of (shows book) The X Rated Adventures of Reese! Bit: (makes them dance) When it comes to Harry we should K-I-L-L! Leena: Thank goodness you made it Punching Bag boy. (everyone runs to Bit and punches him violently) Max: What goes on at the Lightning Team's base after battles. Brad: (still pulling off his headband) Can someone help me!? (Leena and Bit try to pull it off) Max: What goes on at the Zaber team's base after battles. Bit: What the hell?! Now you mock us by saying we have a base!? Screw you! (gives the finger and leaves) Max: (laughs) Things the Backdraft group do in their free time. Brad: (STILL pulling off his headband with the other helping) It STILL won't come off!! Max: Stuff you never want to walk in on. Bit: .. (opens door) HARRY!!! Brad: (walks in) Oh... Oh! THAT's what they meant by "Riding the Stinger"! Max: What Leena's thinking about. Bit: (whistles) Woo man. Did you see Bit? He is soooo sexy. I mean no one can compare with him. And he has the Liger Zero, meaning that he's the coolest person in the world. Yeah I know, everyone wants to be like and all the girls want to do him because of his body glimpse that we got to see in that one episode of Zoids that we say that has him and the Liger Zero being equipped with the third armor: The Panzer unit against Stigma Stoller and the Elephander, which nobody likes. And I figured that nobody likes it because everyone like's Bit's Liger Zero WAY better! (BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ) (gets beaten up violently by ALL the Harry fans and Harry Champ himself) Harry: Who we gonna kill now!? Who we gonna kill now! What! (all Harry fans go wild as Harry walks off stage with the Harry fans as The Rock's theme song plays) Max: .. What the hell happened?... Well I guess that's what happens when you bash a person for long enough throughout a fic. Reasons why some Zoid teams will never make it to class S Brad: (moves over Bit's unconsious carcass off stage) I'm Irvine... And you must be a real asshole if you're still wondering why I'm not in Class S. Max: Books by anime characters that will never hit the bestseller list. Leena: Hey look. It's the X rated- (gets whacked in the head unconciouse with the book she was about to say by Jamie) Jamie: Not THAT book! It's the #1 seller! Raven: (in the audience) Hell yeah! Brad: Oh my god! You bashed Leena! Jamie: .. (sweatdrop) .. We needed alittle Leena bashing once in a while. Max: There's always a first anyway... What would happen if Zoids: New Century/ 0 met Pokemon. Jamie: (as Bit and Liger Zero) Strike Laser Claw! Brad: (as Mewtwo)(raises his hands forward and explodes the Liger) (as Pikachu) Pika (sneezes) Jamie: (flies off) Looks like I'm blasting off! Brad: (as Ash) You did it Pikachu! And it's all because of friendship! Max: Things you would say that would be censored out by a machine. Jamie: I always dreamed of (bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep). Don't you? Max: What's inside Leena's cookie jar other than cookies. Brad: (looks in jar and pulls out something) Ambient's head? Hiltz: (from distance) NOOOOOOOOO!!! Max: Pairings in Zoids that just seem to die out in a week. Jamie: I was thinking of making Vega/Leena Lemon. (B/L fans get disguisted) You see in this fic. Vega's going to have a 39 1/2 foot (BUZZ) Hey! They have Raven/Fiona! So why can't I do the same thing!? You're all cruel! (runs backstage crying) Brad: ... No offense, Max. But it can't be Whose line with one person. Max: You mean he actually meant that?.. Oh well, we're going to find out who the winner is, after this break. *************************** Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please review. 11. Irish Drinking Song Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line To anyone who's been badly waiting: Sorry I haven't updated in a while... a long while. If you should know, I've been busy with other fics (see Return of the Backdraft Group) and school got in the way. I'm only going to do either 2 or 3 more games. So here we go. *************************** Max: (with Brad, Jamie and Harry) Hey! Welcome back to Whose line is it anyway? The Zoids special. Tonight's winner, no doubt about it is Bit and Leena. Bit and Leena: (Still knocked out from the assault) Max: And they get to rest and hopefully recover while the rest of us, with the help of Harry get to do an Irish Drinking song. (audience goes wild) With the help of Pogi Selamac on piano and Craig Anderson on violin. Craig: How the hell did I get reduced to this? (Pogi hypnotizes him and he becomes obedient) Max: And what I need from all of you is what we should sing about. Audience: HARRY CHAMP!!!! Max: Harry Champ. Ok then. We're going to do a Harry Champ Irish Drinking song then. (looks at Bit and Leena) a Pro-Harry Irish Drinking song. Take it away, Pogi and Craig. (Pogi and Craig play) All: Ohhhhh, Aye-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di Brad: Hey! Who's the really rich guy Max: I heard his name is Harry Jamie: He's not a Vega/Leena fan Harry: Cuz that's extremely scary Brad: He has a really cool Dark Horn Max: And he's the comic relief Jamie: He has 2 robots for his slaves Harry: Hiltzism's my belief! (Hiltz fans go wild) All: Ohhhhh, Aye-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di Max: They say he's related to Tom Jamie: So some bash him as well Harry: So after I go kick their arse Brad: Hiltz burns them all in hell? Max: He alway makes me want to laugh Jamie: And Bit just makes me hurl Harry: He's such and asshole Brad: He screams like a little girl All: Ohhhhh, Aye-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di Jamie: So if you can't respect him Harry: Then you can go to Hell Brad: Where Hiltz is gonna get you Max: Did anyone order a Dell? Jamie: He is also fashionable Harry: It's very full of luck Brad: Did I mention he's a Pogi fan Max: What the (bleep)? All: Ohhhhh, Aye-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di Harry: I'm glad to say I have a cult Brad: Who kicked the ass of Bit Cloud Max: I hope they don't come back for more Jamie: I'm feeling really proud Harry: This song about me's amusing Brad: The fun will never cease Max: And just this once, I'm going to mention Jamie: The X Rated Adventures of Reese! All: Ohhhhh, Aye-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di Ohhh, aye-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-dee-di-deeee-diiii-deeee-diiiiii! Max: Harry Champ, people. (All Hiltz and Harry fans in the audience go wild) We'll be right back. *************************** Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please review. 12. Credits Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids, or Whose line *************************** (Brad stands on the stage) Max: Hey! Welcome back to Whose line is it anyway? We're going to end this fic with Brad doing the credits being Jack Sisco who is STILL trying to take off his headband. Pogi: Wait! Tell them about the next Whose Line fic coming in a month or less! Max: (ahem) Somewhere within a month, don't forget to tune in for the next episode of Whose Line. It's called Chaotic Whose Line and Pogi over there is the host. Pogi: And tell them who's going to be in it! Max: (sighs) Van, Hiltz, Reese and Raven (everyone goes wild). So if you want, send your suggestions by looking at the bottom of this chap. Pogi: And tell them about-- Brad: Can we just get on with this!? Max: Thanks for reading and don't drink too much. -------------------------- CREDITS: -------------------------- Brad: (pulling off his headband) Where the hell is that Chaos person!? He's suppose to get this damn thing off me. Jamie: (Helping him) Mello-Panther Productions is suppose to be here with EclipseKlutz and a crowbar. Brad: Oh Chomperz!! Bit: (finally wakes up) BradHunter.Pilot of ShadowFox? Jamie: No! He's Jack Sisco, Sirusmoe! Bit: I'm Bit Cloud. And he's not Jack Sisco! Brad: Pretty Cakkie, for a dense person. Jamie: Donnie Knowles couldn't say it any better. Leena: (wakes up) I had a dream I had lunch with Katai Matsuru and Ambient's head. Hiltz: (from distance) NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Brad: Spectral, who was that? Jamie: Itsbetterifyoudon'task, animeluvr. Bit: (to Leena) Strange, I also had a dream I was Porunga and I was doing a Hoedown with Tezza, Stephen Kerr and Jessica Kellicut/Melfina. Brad: Some name. Now can you please help me get this off! I have an art appointment with Angel Sugar Princess! -------------------------- And now for Chaotic Whose Line: I'm going to start this up in a month or less so get ready to send in your suggestions. But I can only do a few games. So here are the choices: Hoedown Irish Drinking Song Whose Line Sound Effects (new kind) Wierd Newscasters Superheroes Let's make a date 90 sec Alphabet Scenes from a Hat I'd put down others, but I just can't think up of anything. So anyway, give me suggestions by any means neccessary and wait up for the sequel in a month. What are you sitting there for? Get to typin! *************************** Author's note: So what do you think? If I screwed up anything or did anything that you think needs improvement, let me know. Please review. End file.

Whose Line is it Anyway? by Maxindpogster

Zoids

Cold Love At the moment that it all happened Van and Fiona were merely on a mission but neither of them was prepared for what happened because of it. Looking back on it now Van remembers what happened just earlier that day. "Lieutenant Flyheight, we have gotten word that there has been some bandits that have been looting an area up north and I want to send you and Fiona to go check it out," said Crougar. "I will do that sir," said Van as he gave a salute and left the room. "What is it that he wanted Van," asked Fiona? "He wants us to go and check out some bandits up north," said Van. "Are you ready to go Fiona," asked Van? "Yes, I am," said Fiona. Van and Fiona left almost immediately after Van was told of the mission. As they traveled they soon realized that they were heading into a snowy area making it a bit hard to see. "Fiona do you see anything out there," asked Van? "No Van, I don't. The snow is making it way too hard to see," said Fiona. Almost right as she said this there were some shots that came out of nowhere. The shots seemed to rock the Blade liger a bit but they managed to survive it. "Where was it coming from," asked Van as he regained control? "To the left of us Van," said Fiona. Van immediately extended the blade ligers blades and charged at the enemy zoids. Almost right as he got started two white command wolves fell to the ground. Yet as soon as this happened more shots hit them, this time it came from their right but there was absolutely nothing there. "Must be using hellcats," said Van. Van decided to use the snow that was coming down to help them by seeing where it hit the hellcats. "There they are," said Van as he charged at them and took them down as well but he wasn't aware that he was standing on the edge of a cliff. He let his guard down a bit and one of the fallen command wolves managed to move just enough to fire a shot. The shot missed and hit the ground but it was enough to make the ground underneath them break up and cause the blade liger to fall a large distance till it hit the ground below throwing both Van and Fiona out of it in different directions and knocking the unconscious. "Ouch, my head," said Van as he managed to wake up some time after the incident. He took a look around him and realized that he was lying down in the snow with the damaged blade liger about a hundred feet away from him. "Zeke are you ok," asked Van. Zeke responded with a growl to show that he was still there. "Where is Fiona, Zeke," asked Van? Zeke gave a growl that told Van that he didn't know where she was. "We had better go and find her before something happens to her," said Van in a worried tone. He quickly went to the blade liger and opened a compartment and grabbed a coat for the search and also grabbed one for Fiona when he found her. "Van, are you there," yelled Fiona wondering where Van was at the time. She wasn't really prepared for how cold that it was there and couldn't really handle how cold it was. "Where are you Van," asked Fiona in a voice just higher than a whisper? She took a few steps in any direction hoping that Van might be in that direction but she was unable to see anything. By this point Fiona was starting to feel dizzy from the cold but tried to stay up as long as possible. And just kept walking. "Hey Zeke do you see any sign of Fiona anywhere," asked Van? Zeke just managed to growl a no to Van. "I see," said Van. "Listen, lets split up so we can cover more ground in finding Fiona, but we need to stay close so that one of us doesn't end up getting lost," said Van. Zeke had to agree with this because he was just as eager to find Fiona as Van is. After splitting up into two different groups to find Fiona, Van made sure to make sure that Zeke was within hearing range so that neither of them got lost. After a bit of walking Van was about ready to turn back and take a different path when he saw something up ahead of him. He quickly rushed over to see what it was and found Fiona lying in the snow unconscious. "Oh no, Fiona," said Van. "Zeke, I found her," yelled Van and within a minute Zeke was right by him. Van quickly grabbed the extra coat he brought along and wrapped it around Fiona to try and warm her up. Van took notice when doing this that Fiona's lips were a deep shade of blue due to the cold. "We need to get her out of the cold soon," said Van to Zeke. Holding Fiona tightly in his arms Van quickly ran back to the blade liger. After he grabbed a few supplies from it he quickly ran off in search of a shelter for them to use. "Zeke when you were searching did you see anything that we could use as a shelter," asked Van? Zeke nodded and ran off in one direction as Van followed close behind still holding Fiona. Zeke ran for a few minutes until he came up to a small cave. Van came up to him a few seconds later. "Good boy," said Van. He quickly took Fiona in and set her down carefully on the ground. He took out the supplies that he had grabbed from the blade liger and tried hard to start a fire. "She needs to be warmed up soon or she might not make it," said Van. After a number of more tried Van got a small fire going with the limited supplies that he had. He then took out a blanket that he had grabbed from the blade liger and almost forgot about and wrapped up Fiona in it. "I hope she will be alright," said Van quietly. At that moment though Van heard a noise from outside the cave. Van went to take a look but what he saw he didn't like. It was one of the zoids that he fought earlier. When it saw Van it aimed it's guns and fired at the walls of the cave. A lot of snow and rocks fell from the ceiling and blocked off the entrance to the cave so that no one would be able to get in or out. "Just great," said Van as he tried and failed to move some of the rocks. After a while of trying he gave up and headed back. "Looks like we are stuck in here Zeke," said Van. Zeke growled in response. "At least we have a fire going so we should be able to stay relatively warm but it won't last forever," Van said. "I hope that they have realized something has happened to us so that they can come and help us," said Van as he stared into the fire. Van just stared at Fiona for a number of minutes till he noticed that Fiona was still shivering even though she was wrapped up in a blanket and near a fire. "What am I going to do? I don't have anything else to use to help warm her up," said Van. By this time Van was starting to get a bit sleepy. "Van, you are going to freeze if you stay like that," said Fiona weakly. This made Van jump a little until he noticed that it was Fiona. "Fiona you are awake," said Van. "You are going to freeze to death like that," said Fiona. "But there is only one blanket," said Van. "We can share," said Fiona. "You need it more Fiona," said Van. "Please Van, I don't want to see you get sick because only I used this blanket," said Fiona. "Are you sure Fiona," asked Van? "Yes," said Fiona. Van got up from where he was sitting and walked over to where Fiona was and carefully got under the blankets by Fiona. By this time Fiona was trying to get back to sleep and Van still noticed that she was shivering. Van cautiously put his arms around her in hopes that he could use his body heat and somehow warm up Fiona a bit. He was glad to see that Fiona stopped shivering after this and had fallen asleep. Van too eventually managed to sleep. "Hey Thomas have you seen Van or Fiona around here lately," asked Moonbay as she past Thomas at the base. "No, they never returned from the mission that they were sent on and we can't seem to get in touch with them," said Thomas. "Do you think that something might have happened to them," asked Moonbay? "I don't know but I have been ordered to go to their last known position and check to see what is going on," said Thomas. "Good luck," said Moonbay. "Don't worry I won't stop until I find Miss Fiona," said Thomas. "And Van," asked Moonbay? "Yeah and him too," said Thomas but not as enthusiastically as when he talked about Fiona. With that he headed out. "Van how long do you think that we will be stuck here," asked Fiona? "I don't know, but I guess until they send a search party because the blade liger isn't working because of the fall. I am pretty sure that they have noticed that something is wrong and would have sent somebody by now since we haven't even checked in for a few days," said Van. "Do you think that we will freeze if they don't find us soon," asked Fiona? "Don't think like that. They will find us before then," said Van. "I guess," said Fiona a little sadly. "You need to be a little more optimistic Fiona," said Van. "I guess I am not too enthusiastic about being stuck in here," said Fiona. "I am not either but I am sure we will be fine," said Van. "Do you promise Van," asked Fiona. "Yeah. I will make sure that we manage to get out of here," said Van. Fiona got up from where she was sitting and walked over to Van and sat next to him. She then rested her head on his shoulder. "Fiona," asked Van? "Let me just stay like this Van. You are nice and warm," said Fiona. Van didn't say and word and just let Fiona stay as she was. As the Dibison walked through the snow Thomas kept and eye open for any of the bandits. At that moment Beak picked up the trace of some upcoming zoids. "Lookie here boys. We've got another one," said a man Thomas guessed was the leader. "My name is Thomas Richard Shubaltz of the Guardian Force. Two others were sent before now. What happened to them," Thomas asked. "Don't know where they are now but last I saw was when I shot the ground out from under them and they fell off a cliff," said the leader. "You're lying. You must know where they are now," said Thomas. "Ok, so maybe I do but what makes you think that I am going to tell you," asked the leader? "Then I guess I will have to force it out of you," said Thomas. "Yeah and how will you do that," asked the leader. "Beak, MEGALOMAX FIRE," yelled Thomas. "The Dibison fired the megalomax hitting almost every target with the rest of them running away. "Now I will ask you again. Where are they," asked Thomas pointing his guns at the downed zoid. "Great the fire is going out," said Van once he noticed this. "We're going to end up freezing to death now," said Fiona taking her head off Van's shoulder. "I told you, don't talk like that Fiona,' said Van. "I guess I am just scared now," said Fiona, "But if we are to die I guess I don't think that I would mind because at least I am with you Van," said Fiona. "Fiona," asked Van? "I guess the reason that I don't mind it as long as I am with you is because." said Fiona. "Because what," asked Van? "Because I love you," said Fiona quietly as she turned her head away. Van didn't respond. Instead her put his arm around Fiona's shoulder and turned her to face him. "Van," questioned Fiona? "Do you mean that Fiona," asked Van? "yeah," said Fiona quietly but this time she just stared into his dark eyes and just kept staring into them. Van as well was looking deep into Fiona's eyes. "Fiona. I. love. you. too," said Van as his head got closer with every word, and with the last word their lips made contact for a sweet and gentle kiss. It just seemed to go on for a while and was only stopped when they both heard a voice. "Van, Fiona are you in there. Came Thomas's voice. "See I told you we would get out of here," said Van quietly. "Yeah we are in here," yelled Van for Thomas to hear. "Hang on I will get you out of there," said Thomas. Van and Fiona got up and walked over to the rocks. They each grabbed some and they were able to move a few, until there was enough for Van, Fiona, and Zeke to be able to fit through. "Miss Fiona how are you," was the first thing Thomas asked when they got out. Fiona took a quick glance at Van before answering, "Great." "I am glad to hear that," said Thomas. As they headed off to the blade liger with Thomas in the lead, Fiona walked up beside Van and took his hand in hers and they walked together. "Fiona, you're ok," said Moonbay when she saw Fiona come into the base. "Hey Moonbay," said Fiona. "What happened," Moonbay asked Fiona? "I just want to go get something to eat right now," said Fiona as she walked off to the kitchen. Moonbay turned to ask Van the same question but he was nowhere to be found. "Where'd Van go," asked Moonbay? "I saw him come in but I don't know where he went," said Irvine. "So Thomas what happened," asked Moonbay? "The bandits tried to get them and missed but caused them to fall off a cliff damaging the blade liger. They were trapped in a cave until I came to their rescue," said Thomas. "Oh, I hope they are ok," said Moonbay. "They looked fine when they came in," said Irvine. "I am going to go rest," said Thomas walking off towards his room. "I think I am going to go get something to eat like Fiona," said Moonbay also walking off to the kitchen. "Wait for me," said Irvine. "I wonder what happened to them when they were in the cave," said Moonbay. "Don't know," said Irvine as the came to the kitchen door. They opened the door and walked in only to walk out a second later. "Maybe I will just go out to eat," said Moonbay. "Good idea," said Irvine. "Well that answers what happened," said Moonbay taking one last look in to see Van and Fiona kissing. End file.

Cold Love by cyberdemon

Zoids

Free Food Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids Chaotic Century or any of its characters. But I do own the other characters that I made up in this fanfic (Tom and Mary) but you can steal them ... I don't mind. Free Food Author's note: This is a just a one-shot, humor, fluff-romantic fic I made up one night. Moonbay and Irvine are a little OOC in this fic, but that's where it gets its humor genre. Hope you like it! ~~~~ It was another late night when Irvine and Moonbay returned back to the little city they were staying at. The pair had found some mercenary work there, and since the cost of living had been steadily increasing after the war against Hiltz and the Deathsaur, the two mercenaries found that their pockets emptied quicker these days. Moonbay was driving the Gustav home, towing Irvine's zoid plus three other, inactive ones. Moonbay sighed. Moonbay: "Who ever thought that three sleeper Rev Raptors would be such a hassle to catch?" Irvine: "I can't believe that old man wants them that badly to offer such a high reward." Moonbay: "Well I can see why he did ... man! I wanna meet the genius who designed those sleepers's AI!" They pulled up to a large warehouse and Moonbay lifted the hatch to her Gustav as a guard approached. guard: "Oh, I see, you've brought the sleeper zoids. He's been expecting these." Moonbay: "Well tell him this job's gonna cost him extra! We had to spend all day trying to catch these buggers!" The warehouse's gigantic doors opened wide to let the Gustav and cargo in. There at the entrance stood _him_... Dr. D: "Well it's about time! Do you know it's already past 11?" The two mercenaries groaned. The mad scientist went over to examine the cargo. After much humming and hawing, he finally turned to the weary hunters. Dr. D: "These Rev Raptors are in terrible shape!" Irvine: "Hey you didn't say what shape we should bring them in! Just give us the reward and we'll be on our way!" Moonbay: "Not so fast! I want extra for the hassle!" Dr. D: (holding his chin and trying to recall) "Oh that's right, I did offer reward money for this didn't I?" Moonbay and Irvine: "Grrrr!!..." Dr. D: "Well ... I don't have it right now." Moonbay and Irvine: O.O Dr. D: "But I will have it in the morning!" Moonbay and Irvine: "............ You're DEAD!!!!" They both lunge at him, really to choke him to death for all the torture and hell the mad scientist had put them through all these years. But suddenly ten guards came to his defense and blocked the angry mercenaries from their sweet revenge. Dr. D: (doing a funny pose) "Oh it sure _pays_ to have lots of money, doesn't it?! Ha ha ha!" Moonbay and Irvine: "GRRRRR!!!" Dr. D: "Now come on now, you'll see your money in the morning! You don't need it right away do you?" Suddenly both Moonbay and Irvine's stomach growled loudly. Dr. D: "Oh well, ... I guess it's always good to watch your figure!" With that he snapped his fingers and the guards took them away. Moonbay: "THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU I'LL HAVE A RAIL GUN WAITING!!" Irvine: "I DON'T NEED TO WAIT TIL NEXT TIME ... I'M GETTING IN MY LIGHTNING SAIX RIGHT NOW!" Dr. D: "Bye bye!" The guards let them go and the two were about to load up some ammo when Dr. D pressed a button and made one of his inventions pop up from the ground and aim a mean looking barrel at them. Moonbay and Irvine hugged each other in fear (Team Rocket style): "Wha-what the hell is **that?!**" Dr. D: "I call this baby my ultra-mini-but-super-evil-gravity-cannon cannon! ...Bwahahahahah!" Moonbay: "**Ahhhh!!**" They get in the Gustav and take off. Dr. D: "_Wait!_ ... Oh well ... I guess this means you don't want your money do you? ... Heheheh!" ~~~~ Moonbay: "This is just **great!** I knew this would happen! I told you not to trust him, didn't I?" Irvine: "Oh so now it's _my_ fault for not getting paid right away?" Moonbay's stomach growled. Moonbay: "Yes it is! And now you're going to buy dinner for us!" Irvine: "With what? ... Pocket lint?" Moonbay: "No." (points to Lightning Saix that the Gustav is hauling) "With **that!**" Irvine: o.O "Get a hold of yourself; you're not actually thinking of ..." Moonbay: (going crazy with hunger) "Heheheh!" Irvine realized they were driving towards a pawn shop. Irvine: "NOOOO!!! How about we sell your crappy Gustav instead?" Moonbay: O.O "**Excuse me?!**" Irvine: "You heard me, what good is it for any way?" Moonbay: "It's good enough for hauling your @$$ all the way from here to the Wind Colony! Get out of my Gustav!" Irvine: "With pleasure!" They stopped the zoid and Moonbay popped the hatch. Moonbay: "Alright, this is where you get off-" She stopped as she realized Irvine had a dazed expression on his face and he was staring at her. Moonbay: "Wh-what are you staring at?" But as she got a closer look at his face she realized he was staring past her and she turned her head to see what he was looking at. Then her own eyes widened at the beautiful sight before them; an all-you-can-eat buffet! Irvine: (in a dreamy voice) "Moonbay, look at what that sign says down there ..." Moonbay looked at the advertisement in the restaurant's window and read it: "tonight only, eat ... **free** ..." Irvine: "That has to be the most sexiest word on the entire planet Zi ..." ~~~~ The restaurant's guests were busy enjoying a lovely meal when suddenly two, loud-mouth, dirty-clothed mercenaries burst into the building shouting "**Yippee!**" Irvine came up to a cleanly-dressed waiter who had the misfortune of being the closest one to him. Irvine: "I'll have three servings of everything!" Moonbay: "Can we get a doggy-bag?" waiter: "Uh, I assume you're here for the free buffet?" Moonbay: "Oh of course, absolutely!" Irvine: "We're always attracted to things that are free!" waiter: "Well I'm sorry, but you should have read the small print." Moonbay and Irvine: XD "Small print?!" waiter: "Yes, the buffet is free for couples only, and to make sure that you're real a couple one of the waitresses asks you questions about each other." Moonbay: "Hold on for one moment!" She grabs Irvine by the arm and drags him outside again. Irvine: "Moonbay! Why'd you do that? I was all ready to hold them up with my gun and make them give us the food!" Moonbay: "I've got a better idea! Why don't we just play along with their little game and make up some false information to give to them? I mean, how hard a question can they ask? So, let's pretend my name is Sandy Box and you can be-" Irvine: "I think I liked my thought of holding up the place better!" Moonbay: "Irvine! We can't be outlawed from _every_ town!" Irvine: (sighes) They go back in. Moonbay: "Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had to talk to this idi-I mean ... my _boyfriend_ in private for a moment!" waiter: "Ok ..." Irvine: (sighes and sweatdrops) Moonbay: "So we're ready for the free food now!" waiter: "But first you must answer the questions." Moonbay: "Oh, yeah, that's what I meant." Suddenly a ditsy-blonde waitress came over with some question cards. blonde-ditz: (suddenly holds her nose with her long, fake red fingernails) "Oh my Gawd, they like, _smell funny_!" Moonbay: (growls) "You'd smell funny too if you spent all day chasing Rev Raptors in the hot desert sun!" waiter: (trying to keep the peace) "Now, now, just read the questions and get this over with!" Irvine: "I agree, wholeheartedly." blonde-ditz: "Eww, would you like a mint, sir?" Irvine: (growls) waiter: "Mary, please!" blonde-ditz: "Ok! Ok! ... Ok. Question one is ... what are your pet names for each other?" Moonbay: (with a big, fake smile) "Poopykins!" Irvine: (groaning, and not feeling imaginative) "Honey." blonde-ditz: "Ok. Ok ... Question two is ... where did you first meet? And you have to write the answer down on paper without looking at each other." (hands them two pieces of paper) Moonbay and Irvine sweatdrop but take the paper and begin to write something down. They hand the answers back to the waitress. blonde-ditz: (looks at Irvine's answer first) "Ok, looks like you met ... in a van?" Irvine: "No! _Van_'s the name of the person who brought us together!" Moonbay: (smirks) "Irvine! ... you're really starting to get into this aren't you?" Irvine: "I'm really starting to get hungry!" blonde-ditz: (looks at Moonbay's answer) "Hey! But you said it was during a battle with some ... slippers?" Moonbay: "**Sleepers!**" blonde-ditz: "Well either way, it's not the same as his answer so it proves you're a fake!" Moonbay: (in her best negotiating voice) "No, you got it all wrong, you see ... it was during a battle with sleepers that our best friend, Van, brought us together on the battle field!" blonde-ditz: "Oh, I see, ... so it was kinda like, ..._romantic_, right?" Moonbay: "Extremely..." (elbows Irvine) Irvine: "... Yeah." waiter: (sighes) blonde-ditz: "Ok. Ok. Ok ... Question three is ... Ok. Ok." Irvine and Moonbay wanted to slap her, but the other waiter beat them to it... blonde-ditz: "Ow! Tom, why did you do that?" waiter: (draws his hand back quickly as he realized what he'd just done) "I'm sorry, I was just acting on impulse." blonde-ditz: "**Grr** ... Anyway ... Question three is ... what are your middle names? This is the last one, and again you have to write them down on separate pieces of paper." Moonbay and Irvine gulped, but once again took the pieces of paper. Moonbay carefully wrote the most general name as possible that she could think up. She didn't realize she was taking so long when the waitress spoke up: blonde-ditz: "Uh, are you like _done_ yet?" Irvine: "Here's mine." Finally Moonbay handed her piece of paper in too. She watched it go into the other girl's hands, slipping away, just like her own chance at finding a meal tonight. blonde-ditz: "Ok," waiter: "Mary, please! _That word?!_" blonde-ditz: "Sorry, I can't help it, it makes up most of my vocabulary!" waiter: (sighes) "Fine, just ask them the last question." blonde-ditz: "So you tell me what your middle name is first." (turns to Moonbay) Moonbay: "......Sarah." blonde-ditz: (squints at what Irvine wrote on his paper) "Oh my Gawd, I can't even read it!" waiter: "It's ok, Mary, at least we didn't hire you for your reading skills." (takes paper from her and looks at it) waiter: (sweatdrops and looks at Irvine) "This just looks like a bunch of scribbles!" Irvine: "I can't help it if I have bad handwritting ... but it does say Sierra, anyway." Moonbay: "**Sarah!** He said _Sarah!_" waiter: (sweatdrops) blonde-ditz: "Well at least I can read her's. Ok, so what is your middle name?" (looks at Irvine) Irvine: (states simply) "It's Zeke." Moonbay: o.O "**Zeke?!**" blonde-ditz: "Well it says on her answer that it's _John_, so **ha**! That means you're not a couple!" Moonbay: (stands up and grabs Irvine by his shirt) "Why did you have to choose something stupid like **Zeke**?! Why couldn't you have picked a more _normal_ middle name like **John?!**" Irvine: "Well I'm sorry _'honey'_! I didn't know that it had to be the most _'normal'_ middle name!" Moonbay: "This is just great! Now we have no dinner and it's all your fault!" Irvine: "Oh, so it's _my_ fault for not being able to read your mind?" Moonbay: "Yeah! And you're sleeping _outside_ of the Gustav tonight!" Irvine: "Oh, I think the Lightning Saix will be even more welcoming!" Moonbay: "Forget it! I'm selling it for cash!" waiter: (watches them) "**Oh my God!** Mary get them a table!" blonde-ditz: "**What?!** But why?" waiter: "They're not just a couple ... they're freakin' **married!**" Irvine and Moonbay: O.O "**WHAT?!!**" ~~~~ Two main courses and eight appetizers later ... Moonbay: "I'm so full ..." Irvine: "Yeah ..." Moonbay: "This was actually kind of fun, we should do this again sometime." Irvine: "......................... no." Moonbay: "Oh come on, Irvine, it's not like we'd _actually_ ever be a couple!" Irvine: "Only when Hell freezes over." Moonbay: "Exactly!" She finishes her drink and begins to stand up. Moonbay: "Have you stuffed enough of those pancakes into your pockets?" Irvine: "Yup. I even fit some of those French bread things in my shirt." Moonbay: "It's really too bad that they wouldn't give us doggy-bags, oh well..." She shifted some of the food items in her own pockets to make room for some more jelly packets that she was swiping from the adjacent table. Moonbay: "I'd say we're stocked up for the week!" (she said as they headed for the door) Irvine: "That's good, but hopefully we'll be able to buy some more food once Dr. D pays us." Moonbay waved goodbye to the waiter and ditzy waitress. Irvine didn't because he was too busy crossing his arms to keep the bread sticks from falling out of his shirt. Once they were gone, the waiter closed the door and ripped off the advertisement for "eat free". waiter: "Tell the manager that we're _never_ doing this again!" blonde-ditz: "Really?" ~~~~ Irvine and Moonbay got back into the Gustav. Moonbay: "We got really lucky tonight! Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky again tomorrow and Dr. D will pay us like he promised!" Irvine: (looks over at her) "I think that has as much possibility as us getting married!" Moonbay: (smiles and winks at him) "Should we stop by the church on the way back?" Irvine: (smirks) "Only if Dr. D's there with the money!" They both laughed and drove off. Little did they know that Dr. D's super-spy-camera was watching them and listening to them. Dr D: (from his secret hideout) "Hehehe ... married, huh?" He suddenly makes a phone call. Back at the restaurant, the telephone rings. The waiter answers it. waiter: "Hello?" Dr. D: "Hello, Tom! I trust you did what I asked you to?" waiter: "Uh, yes ... Um, what exactly was that stuff that you had me put in their food?" Dr. D: "Oh, that?" (smirks) "That was _love potion!_" waiter: o.O "... Why?" Dr. D: "Heheheh! Well, those two are always causing me more debt to them everytime they do a job for me, so I figured I'd give them a little something to keep them off my back for a while ..." waiter: "Oh ... I see." Dr. D: (laughs maniacally) ~~~~ Meanwhile, about a mile away... The doors of a church swung open as a man with a woman in his arms stepped out, laughing intoxicatedly. Irvine: (with a goofy grin on his face) "Who cares about money when I have you, **honey-buns?!**" Moonbay: (even goofier grin and laughing) "Same here, **pookey-bear!** Let's go home and call _all_ our friends to tell them we got _married!_" Irvine: "I bet Van and Fiona will **love** to hear that! Hey! Let's call McMann, too!" Moonbay: (winks) "Ok, sugar!" The merry couple walked off into the desert together. The End Author's Note: :P Sorry for that! I wrote this fanfic at 12 am and it continued to get progressively stupider as the night wore on. Well, hope it made you laugh at least! ^_^| End file.

Free Food by Krystal Anime

Zoids

1. Chapter 1 Day 1 The Animal Convention Secret Hobbies It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. ... ...... ... Bit woke up excited. Everyday this week there was a convention for all his favorite hobbies. Of course he wasn't going to tell some of them to the team they wouldn't understand. Like the Knitting, the Cosplay, D&D, and cave painting conservation conventions. The other two conventions were for animal lovers, and writers. The other convention was for Zoids of course. All the best teams would be there. He pulled his daily planner out from his bedside drawer. He opened it up and looked at the days. The First convention was for animal lovers. He pulled his covers off and went to his closet to dress. No one knew he was going to any of these conventions other than the Zoids Convention on Saturday. They just figured he was going into town like he usually did. He put his camera in his bag and other assorted things he'd need for the day and so he left the base picking up breakfast on his way. ... ...... Bit had just gotten his own "I Love Kittens T-Shirt" when he decided to go see the panda's that were brought to the convention to bring about more awareness for them. They were in the open without any cages. They were baby pandas that couldn't do that much damage. They were on leashes as well. One of them waddled up to Bit and began to paw a his leg. He bent down and began to pet the little cub. Others bent down to pet the animal as well. He looked to his left and saw a familiar face with brown hair. "Hey Brad I didn't know you were going to be here. Brad, who had just realized Bit was beside him, jumped to his feet. "B-b-b Bit!" Brad was wearing an "I Love Doggy's T-shirt". "Fancy meeting you here! I didn't know you had a soft spot for animals." Bit said with a smile as the baby panda went off to play with some toddler who giggled to no end. "Listen Bit, Don't tell ANYONE I was here!" Brad pleaded. "Why?" Bit asked unsure. "Because, it will ruin my image. I'm supposed to be a tough mercenary, not some sissy who totally love baby animals!" Brad said making it sound like a bad thing. Bit just looked at him like he was just being silly. " Whatever... Hey did you see the elephants?" Changing the subject was the only thing Bit could think of. "Sure!" Brad's composure returned and they went off to the giant mammals. ... ...... ... Brad had left first so he wasn't seen coming back with Bit. When Bit did get back Brad wasn't wearing his new t-shirt. Instead he had his usually attire and his mug of coffee. He acted like nothing happened and he hadn't gone to the convention. Tomorrow was the writing convention. He had to get his writings together of all his Zoid Experiences and such. 2. Chapter 2 Day 2 The Writing Convention Secret Hobbies Chapter 2 It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. ... ... Bit was wandering around the large building packed with fellow writers. He had gotten a free hardcover notebook for his writings and a pen and pencil set. His favorite author was there he was going to have them sign his books. He waited in line. Isaac Asimov was sitting at a table signing book after book. Bit was third in line he saw a familiar kid ahead of him. "Hi Jamie!" Jamie turned and saw Bit. "Hi Bit! I didn't expect to see you here! I didn't know you wrote." "I didn't know YOU wrote. We'll have to take a look at each other's writings." Bit was next. Jamie had gotten his signed while they were talking. "Hello Sir, I'm Bit Cloud and I've read every single one of you're books!" Bit said enthusiastically. "Well thats a lot of books!" The famous author said cheerfully. "Mr. Asimov, what is your favorite book of all the ones you've written?" The Author thought for a moment. "Probably book 306.. although 245 was pretty good." Once Bit had gotten his books signed he and Jamie headed off to one of the vacant tables to share their writings pieces. The exchanged notebooks. "Wow Bit you write a lot! Hey cool these are like adventures of Zoiding right?" "Yup they are!" Bit looked at Jamie's Notebook. _It was a dark and stormy night. There was a gun shot and a scream from the maid. Detective Jones was going to find out who killed the butler, Winston._ _End of Part One._ Bit looked up at Jamie. He was definitely an amateur but not compared to Jamie. He needed a lot more than that to be called a book... or even a short story. But how to tell Jamie he needed help without hurting his feelings. Jamie looked up at Bit. "So what did you think? It's still in progress." Okay Bit just tell him! You can do it! "It was the best thing I've ever read Jamie!" Jamie's face brightened. "You really think so?" "Totally! There sure is suspense in this! I mean, Man! I wonder who did kill Winston!" Yeah Bit did wonder. "Well..." Jamie blushed. "I'm still working on it." Oh good! "I haven't finished part two yet." Oh... Bit looked over and saw the super hero of writing. He leaned over to Jamie. "Look! It's Grammatically Correct Man!" Jamie looked quickly and saw a 17 year old kid with taped glasses, a pocket protector, his shirt tucked into his high pants and suspenders, with large purple G on his shirt, handing out books. "Oh, boy! Come on!" Together Jamie and Bit ran up to Grammatically Correct Man and greeted him. "Hi! I'm Jamie and this is my friend Bit! We're really inspired by how well you know grammar!" The kid just looked a them weird and handed them a book and quickly walked away. Jamie and Bit looked at their books. "How to Use Correct Grammar in Your Writing". "Wooooowwww.. they looked at the books with awe. ...... Bit and Jamie went home together talking about how cool the Convention was. Tomorrow was the Knitting Convention. Bit wondered if he'd find another surprise guest at the conventions. He'd have o find out! [AN] Isaac Asimov has been dead for about 30 years...I think. So this probably isn't possible for Bit and Jamie to meet him. He must be back from the dead. Plot hole!!! I'll work on the 3rd chapter really soon! I promise! 3. Chapter 3 Day 3 The Knitting Convention Secret Hobbies It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. ... ...... ... Bit sported his hand knitted scarf and hat. They were red of course. He was going to enter them into the contest for best style and stitch. He really hoped that he would win. Some artists were selling some. He felt weird that he was just about the only guy there. Everyone else was either a girl... or a grandma. Because there was totally a difference between the two... As Bit walked through the crown he saw the rocking chairarea and just had to go over there! He bolted for the last open rocking chair. He so wanted to knit in a rocking chair. He'd never done that before and it was so traditional! But someone was trying to beat him to it. He ran faster. The other person ran faster as well. They were practicaly neck-'n-neck. Birt leapt for the chair and so did his opponent. CRASH!!! They both had jumped for the chair and crashed to the floor. Bit crawled out from under the other person and the debris that was once a chair. People quickly walked away not wanted to be seen around those two. Bit turned to give a tongue lashing to the person who tok his chair but was surprised to find a very familiar man getting up from the rubble. "Doc?" Now this was just crazy! "What the heck are you doing here?!" The man at hearing his name turned and jumped. "Bit!" He placed a hand over Bit's mouth so he couldn't say anything else. "Mmphmgphh" Bit mumbled through Doc's hand before pushing it away. "You can't tell ANYONE I was here!" "Funny Brad said the same thing!" Bit said then stopped realizing he wasn't supposed to tell. "WHAT!! Brad is here? Oh no!!!" Doc was fretting. Brad was a merciless mercenary! "Relax Doc..." "Wait! I'll just Deny ever being here! no one will believe you!" "Thanks Doc.... thanks" bit said with an unamused face. Just then a woman walked up. "Excuse me gentlemen but..." "I'm not with him!" Doc said immediately. "uhm okay.. I was just wondering if you had the time." She said slightly backing away. "It's 4:35." Bit replied to her request. "Thanks." Bit looekd back to Doc, shook his head and walked away. "Wait Bit!" Doc ran up to Bit. "Since we're both here maybe we could you know..." "Hang out?" Bit asked. "No.. no....okay yes....." Doc said as though he were confession a great sin. Bit rolled his eyes. This would be one heck of a weird day. "Okay come on. They're doing the judging for the best knit hat and scarf." "Oh Boy! I Bet I'll win!" Doc said excited. "You? HA! No way! I'm totally gonna win!" "oh yeah...." ....... ......... ........ .. ... . "HA! I told you I'd win!" Doc laughed maniacly as he help the blue ribbon up over Bit's head. Bit Growled and went to pounce on the man when he saw another contest. "I best I'm a faster knitter than you are!" "No way! I'm totally faster!" "Oh yeah!!!" Bit and Doc ran over to the contest area grabbed some knitting needles and some yarn and they were off. Bit and the Doc were knitting as fast as they could.. so fast in fact that smoke was staring to come from the needles. The Audience thought that the yarn would burst into flames any moment but they wanted to see it happen first before they ran for their lives. Bit Knitted and knitted. until finally his scarf was done! Doc wasn't too far behind. The woman running the contest made her way to Bit and handed him a blue ribbon. "I must say I've never seen such a fast job done." She said almost nervously. "See old man!! I'm faster because you're old and have arthritis!" The Doctor didn't take to kindly to that. "Please! its isn't about how fast you can make it, its how well you can make it! and that looks liek a peice of..." Bit Gasped! "You take that back!" "Make me!" "Fine I challenge you to another contest!!" Bit said pointing his now swollen finger at his opponent. The audience looked at each other. .... ..... ... ..... ..... "I can't believe they threw us out." Bit said as they made their way to their rooms. "I blame you." "ME? Oh come on!" Doc ignored him and walked away. Bit opened his door. "Bit you're not going to tell anyone I was there right?" "No Doc. I wont tell." .... ..... [AN] Sorry if this took a bit to get up.. my computer has been a jerk. I have to type it all in text document... which doesn't have spell check.... Sorry for any misspelled words.. blame my computer! I tried to catch them but I may have missed a few... Thanks for the review! You have NO idea how great it is to hear fro myou guys and your reaction! Please R&R. 4. Chapter 4 Day 4 The Cosplay Convention Secret Hobbies It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. Chapter 4 - Cosplay Convention Rayne Cloud . ... Bit stood in front of his mirror admiring his costume for the Cosplay convention. There wasa contest for the best cosplay. He was sure to win. He looked exactly like Cloud. Plus he had the cool guy's name. He left early so he could get breakfast on the way. He really didn't want to stay for Jamie's breakfast. Not because Jamie was a bad cook, he a wasa very good cook. But it was because ever since Bit met him at the convention Jamie had been trying to get Bit to read more of his stuff... Which isn't very fun. So Bit snuck out trying not to be seen by Jamie and he was off. . ... Once he was at the convention he signed up for the Cosplay contest. He saw there were quite a few Clouds running around. But his costume was the best. He saw a few Vash the Stampedes. Some Ouan High School Host Club Groups, Fruits Basket, Star Wars, even Star Trek. There were hundreds of other costumes for different shows, books, games, and movies. Bit pulled out his camera phone and took some pictures. He turned and saw a red head look his way. he snapped the picture and looked up. Two very angry purple eyes were staring back at him. "Hi Leena what are you doing here?" Bit asked happily putting his phone away. "You better delete that photo!" He yelled pointing her black nails at him. Bit slowly lowered her hand away from his face. He smiled and changed the subject. "So You're Rayne from Blood Rayne right?" "Yeah! You got it right!" Leena's entire attitude changed. "Are you signing up for the cosplay contest?" Bit asked as they began walking to a comic book stand. "You Bet!" Leena said proudly. .... "Whoa!! Sonic the Hedgehog!! This brings back memories! I haven't read this series in ages!! I still have all my old comics. I got them from my brother who got the originals... I wonder if I'd be able to sell them. No he'd prolly kill me..." Bit bought the comic happily. "Hey look Batman! I love Batman!" Leena said watching some Batman's go by. Bit looked at his costume. "Maybe I should have come as BITman." He laughed at his own joke. Leena just elbowed him in the ribs. "ow..." . .... The Costume contest was underway. All the Vash the Stampedes were on the stage and Batmans, The Clouds, the Blood Raynes, and everyone who entered. "The Winner for the Vash the Stampede Costume is...Bruno Magne!" The anouncer who was dressed as the Referee of the martial arts tournament from Dragon Ball Z. The crowd cheered. He moved on to the Batmans and pulled out the winner's card. "The Winner for the Batman Costume is... Christian Bale!" More Cheers erupted from the crowd. He got to the Clouds. "Al right..." He pulled the card out of the envelope and then droped it. "Whoops..." He leaned down to pick it up. Bit was dieing from anticipation. He NEEDED to know who won! "Okay the winner for the Cloud costume is...." He looked at the Clouds who were about ready to kill the announcer, and then to the crowd who were laughing. "The winner is... BIT CLOUD!!!" The crowd erupted again! It was so bad some people thoguht there was going to be a riot. The security guards came and hadto calm the peopel down. "okay.... now to the Raynes from Blood Rayne." The announcer opened the envelope. "And winning by an land slide the winner is.... Leena Toros!!!!!!!" This time the crowd did erupt into a riot. Bit ran past the Announcer grabbed his prize and ran out of the area. Leena was trapped by adoring fans. "AHH! Bit Help!" However Bit ws long gone. He hopped into his liger and headed home. . ... Bit walked into his room and changed into his regualr clothes and then he heard a knock on the door. OH NO! That was probably Jamike wanting him to read more of his writing. Bit looked around looknig for a way out. "Hey Bit! It's Doc." Bit relaxed and opened the door. "Whats up Doc?" "Have you seen Leena?" Bit thought back to the convention were Leena was trapped and most likely getting mobbed by fans. "Bit Cloud you're gonna pay!" Were the most likely words coming out of her mouth. "Nope haven't seen her." Bit said cheerfully before closing his door again and lying down on his bed. Tomorrow was the D&D convention. This week was getting to be pretty weird. Bit pulled out his journal and wrote today in it. At least this week was interesting. 5. Chapter 5 Day 5 The D&D Convention Secret Hobbies It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. Chapter 5- The D&D Convention. [AN] I've left a few notes to myself here and there so just ignore them. . ... Bit was dressed as a swordsman. He had his cardboard sword and his robin hood costume. He was ready to beat those noobs of D&D. He'd show them his level 34 warrior with +50 hit points Sword of Death. He had everything he needed to be a master D&D player. He was paired up with some losers who were mostly mages. He would 'wow' them with is awesome skillz. He approached his playing area and saw one of the mages turn. He was dressed in a long blue robe with a blue pointed wizard hat, stereotypical of any wizard. He had a staff what was more of a dead branch and a fake Merlin's beard. Bit's Jaw dropped when he saw who was underneath that beard. "LEON?" Bit almost busted into laughter if he didn't know better. "W-What are you doing here?" He half chuckled. "Uh.... uhm.. B-Bit.. uhm.. I...uhm... Don't tell ANYONE! Especially Dad and the others." He said grabbing Bit by the shoulders. "S-Sure... I guess..." Bit said with a nervous smile and an Anime sweat drop. This week was getting ridiculous. "Well then lets show these losers that we are the real pro's of Dungeons and Dragons!" Leon said suddenly confident now that the issue was out of the way. Bit shrugged and smiled. He took his place at his playing area and got ready for some serious role playing. . ... "I cast Merlin's Beard!" said one of the opponents. "I counter with 'Merlin's Deception'" Leon said pointing his staff at the opponent very seriously. Almost too seriously. Even Bit wasn't THIS serious. It was more of just a simple game... not anything SERIOUS! "I attack with the Sword of Death!" Bit said pulling forth his cardboard sword. The crowd gasped. He knew they would be impressed! He worked hard to get the sword. Lots of searching and venturing. He died about ten times trying to get it luckily he had a cleric that revived him each time. He looked over to Leon who was just as impressed. . ... After much venturing and dueling and battling, Bit and Leon had finally won their D&D championship. As they were leaving Leon couldn't get enough of Bit's amazing skills. "Wow Bit I've never seen anyone play like that before! you were amazing! You know this game like the back of your hand! And how did you ever get the Sword of Death? I know people who looked all over for it and never found it! its REALLY rare! How did you get a hold of it? And your character is so far along! It's like you've been playing for nearly years!" "Luck? I was lucky that my brother lost interest in the game and gave everything he had of it to " Bit said unsure to tell Leon tha the truth was, he had a very easy time getting everything from his brother.. he even inherited the character ..thats why it was so good! Leon just looked at him for a moment then smirked. "Lucky is right! Most people when they are through with their cahracters just get rid of them but to get a character that is so advanced and play it so much that it becomes the best is really something! How long has the character been around?" "Ages.." it said not wanting to tell Leon that its been inherited more than once. "So I'll see you at the Zoids convention right?" Bit asked changing the subject. "Definitely... oh but Bit. You can't tell ANYONE I was here okay? No a soul! forget that I was even here!" eon said very seriously again. "Relax!" Bit said before leaving and heading home. When he got to his room he sighed and plopped down on his bed. Only one more convention then the Zoids convention would be here and this week would end and finally stop being weird. Tomorrow was the Cave Drawing Conservationists Convention. Bit half hoped he wouldn't see anyone else he knew.. and yet he did hope he'd meet someone to make the day interesting. He rolled over and fell asleep. . [AN] This chapter wasn't that great.. I didn't really knwo how to write it... but Leon seems like someone wo might play D&D in his spare time... maybe.... But I hope this chapter wasn't to boring or anything. R&R only 2 chapters to go! ^.^ Agian for some reason only my text doc works and it doesn't have very good Spell chekc ..srry for any misspellings. I tried to catch as many as i could. 6. Chapter 6 Day 6 The Cave Drawing Secret Hobbies It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. Chapter 6 - Cave Drawing Conservationists Convention [talk about a mouth full] . ... Today was the last weird convention of the week.. tomorrow was the Zoids convention. Everyone this week had been so nervous that Bit was going to tell. The anxiety was so high.. except Jamie he just wanted Bit to read all his stuff. Bit sighed as he walked through the new convention. Cave Drawing Conservationists. At least they gave out free t-shirts and cave man dreadlocks! Bit really liked them. he played with the dread locks on his head as he walked. He looked up and saw someone staring at him. He didn't know who they were but they ere acting nervous the tried to cover up their cave drawing t-shirt and took their dreads and tied them under their nose so it looked like they had a mustache, then they turned around and acted like nothing happened. Bit knew that the person was avoiding him. He was determined to find out who they were. Although half of him didn't want to run into anyone else. He walked around in front of the person who turned the other way. Bit again went in front of them and tried to see their face. He reached up to pull off the wig but a hand caught his. He tried with the other hand and he was pinned with both hands. He kicked the guy in the shin and ripped the wig off. There bending over in pain from being kicked was Jack Sisco. He was here supporting cave drawing conservation? Bit put the wig back on his friend's head and walked away. Then there was a hand on his shoulder. "Bit hold on!" Dread lock jack came up and pulled Bit into a corner. Bit knew what was He rolled his eyes and said "I know I know, don' tell anyone!" Bit said ready to walk away now but he was still being held. "What do you want me to say? 'Nice dreadlocks?'" Jack looked at him unsure then a smile stretched across his face. "You really like them?" Bit was feeling like he was at the butt end of a joke or something. "Are you serious?" The smile vanished. "So you don't like them?" "Ugh!" Bit broke away from Jack and headed off to the display cases where ancient cave drawings were on display. Jack had caught up to him. "So did you enter the cave drawing contest?" "yes." Bit said sounding like an anamatron without any emotion. "You like this kind of culture huh?" "Yes." The same answer as before. "Are you mad or something?" Bit looked at Jack. "No. This week has just been really weird." Bit wasn't going to tell him WHY is was weird.. it just was. "oh..." They were silent. Then Jack leaned over a cocky smile on his face. "I bet I'll win the cave drawing contest!" "You wish!" Bit said even more cocky. . .... "And the winner for the Cave Drawing contest is... Bit Cloud!" The announcer lady said happily. Bit ran up on stage grabbed his prize and starting laughing at Jack. "Hah! I told you I'd win!" "Oh please! that drawing looks like crap!" Jack said annoyed. "Duh! do you really think cave men could draw!?" A gasp came from the crowd. "No thats why you won because you're dumb just like them. Another gasp. All of a sudden Bit and Jack were taken into custody by guys in black suits and sunglasses. They looked like they were from the CIA or something. "You're being kicked out of this convention for failure to respect this culture!" Next thing they knew they were sitting on the hot pavement. "I blame you!" Bit said picking himself up along with his prize. "Oh please! you're the one who said they couldn't draw." "First of all.. they can't... and secondly... you started it, you said my drawing sucked!" Bit said sticking his tongue out. Jack looked at Bit in the eye. "Don't Tell ANYONE." Bit gave him the do-you-think-I'm-dumb look and got in his zoid and left. On his way back he started to realize how funny yht day had been and tomorrow was the last day of conventions! He didn't think he would want the week to be over with so soon. Tomorrow was the Zoids Convention he hoped it would go smoothely... Hoped! [AN] okay so only one chapter to go.. sorry this chapter was kind of lame.. I didn't really know what to do... the next chapter should be good though. Please R&R Thanks for the reads and reviews! 7. Chapter 7 Day 7 the Zoids Convention Secret Hobbies It's a big week for Conventions and Bit is going to all of them. However he'll meet the most unlikely people at these conventions. Find out who has secret hobbies and past-times. Chapter 7 The Zoids Convention. ... ...... ... Bit and the rest of his team walked through the crowd of Zoid pilots and fans. His hand was cramping from signing so many autographs.... in his dream... He fell asleep on the way there. Everyone was high on anxiety. Fear that Bit had or will tell the others if they piss him off. That was the reason for why Leena was so nice to him... sort of.. she was still annoyed that he ditched her at the convention but she had given him a cookie that morning to try and sweeten him up.. no pun intended. Brad just gave him dirty looks when he wasn't looking And Doc was looking around nervously from one team mate to the next afraid they knew this secret hobby. Jamie was the only one unaffected. He was just trying to get Bit to read his new story... which was 3 lines long... and finished! Bit walked ahead of them avoiding their eyes. He caught a glimpse of Leon in the distance. "Hey Leon!" Leon turned and saw Bit. Panic as clear on his face. he looked at Naomi who was looking at Brad and waving. Bit knew now that even Leon was feeling anxieties about Bit knowing his secret Hobby. Bit sighed. "Great..." "Bit I thought you liked Leon." Jamie said hearing Bit. "I do, it was something else! I'm hungry again that's all!" Bit said making an excuse. "Oh okay well there's a food court right over there." Bit turned and began to walk for it. Everyone was following keeping an eye on him not really talking to one another... except Naomi who had no idea what was going on. "Yeah I'll have a cheeseburger and some fries thanks." Bit said as he got to the counter. "Sure thing hon!" Said the middle aged lady who probably couldn't get a better job since high school. No offense to anyone out there. Then Bit read the name tag. Oh.. it was the manager... Nevermind. He turned and bumped into someone almost spilling his food. "S-Sorry... Jack?" Bit was looking into the confused and panicked face of Jack Sisco. "Uhhh... Bit...." He looked the crowd of friends who looked funny at him. The Twins helped Bit stabilize his tray. "Fancy meeting you here." "Yeah." Bit said with a sweat drop. . ... After eating he was able to break away from the others and wander freely. Then he was a Zoids costume store. He saw a short kid in a gunsniper rubber costume. "Vega?" The kid turned and his face turned bright red. "uh.. uh..." He threw a flier in Bit's face and fled to the inside of the store. Bit pulled the flier of his face not bothering to read it. "Part time job? Poor Vega..." A smirk crossed Bit's face then it quickly faded when he realized Vega was going to want him to keep it a secret. "great... -.-" . ... Meeting back up wit the others they stared at him intently. Leon, Doc, Leena, Brad, Jack, and Jamie (but that was because he wondered if Bit was going to read his latest story) Then Naomi looked at him.. not sure why everyone else was looking at him. He turned around and saw Vega staring at him too. He was trapped. "GAHH!!! ALRIGHT THAT'S IT!" Bit yelled. "Brad has a soft spot of animals especially Puppies!" Brad almost tore his hair out of his head. "Doc Knits!" Doc's eyes bugged out as he looked from one person to the next. "Leena Cosplays and plays dress up!" Leena turned bright red.. from both embarrassment and anger. "Leon plays D&D!" Leon looked like he was going to faint. "And Jack supports Cave Drawing Conservation!" Jack was ready to pounce. "And Jamie! Your writing isn't good it sucks! A real story can't even be summed up in 3 sentences!!!" He turned to Vega. "I don't care of you have to dress in a rubber Zoids costume for your Job! It's just a damn Job!!!" Bit fell to his knees dramatically ready to face the on coming attack. Nothing happened. "Brad I knew there was more to you than just a hardcore mercenary! I love puppies too! I just got one! You should come over and see her! She's soo cute!!" Naomi said grabbing his arm. "Uh... okay..." Brad said relaxing. "Dad you mean you made the scarf for me for my birthday! Awwwwww.." Leena said giving him a hug. "Yeah and Leon! You must really have my genes. I played D&D in college A while back! I was pretty good!" "Really cool! oh and Leena! you've always played dress up so it doesnt really matter... Naomi plays dress up too." Leon said calming down dramatically. The twins looked at Jack who was both embarrassed and pissed. "You support the conservation of cave drawings too?" "Huh?" Jack said taken off guard. "Welcome to the club!" They said patting him on the back. Bit sat there unsure what to do. Vega tapped him on the shoulder. "My parents own the shop, when I'm not piloting I help them out. plus I'm the only one who can fit in the costume." He smiled timidly. "No big deal." Then Bit remembered Jamie. He was sure to be in tears. He turned and saw Jamie looking at his notebook. "Listen Jamie..." "You know something you're right. I'm such an amateur. You should have told me Bit I can handle criticism. But I'm glad you didn't want to hurt my feelings!" Jamie said with a smile. "Phew." No broken bones. No gashed eyes. He was saved. Happy Ending After all. ~END~ [AN] Sorry it took me a little while to get this up. i've been pretty lazy! XD Hope you liked this Fic. PLEASE R&R this last chappy! :D End file.

Secret Hobbies by Metoria

Zoids

All That Matters Hey everyone, this is a one-shot B/N fic I wrote, cuz I'm in a bad mood and I need to write something. Nevertheless, enjoy! It was one of those days where everything is right. The sky was a beautiful forget-me-not blue, the sun was shining, and the weather was deliciously warm. Oh yeah, it was definitely one of those days. Brad Hunter wished he could enjoy it like everyone else. Doc had given them a day off and the Blitz Team had eagerly gone off to have fun. Except for Brad. The Flugel Team had arrived the day before as they had a battle near the Toros base, and of course, since Leena's brother was on the team, they had stopped by and visited. Ironically, the night before, they had all been playing truth or dare, (it was Leena's idea) and Brad somehow winded up having to ask Naomi out the next time he saw her. If he didn't, well, let's just say that the consequence would be 100 times worse than having her refuse. The moment the Flugel Team arrived, Brad could feel the Blitz team's eyes on him, waiting for him to ask her out. He could see Leena mouthing, "Ask her out". Brad replied my mouthing, "I will!" and shooting her a look. When the Doc announced that everyone had a day off today, Bit, Jamie, Leena, and Leon immediately took off for the beach. Doctor Toros retreated into his room, undoubtedly wanting to play with his zoid figures. Pretty soon, it was just the lone wolf of the Blitz Team and the leader of the Flugel team standing together in the living room. Brad gulped, but he knew he had to do this sooner or later. He forced down any flustering and forced himself to stay cool. "So, you wanna go into town and get a coffee or something?" Brad asked her, while averting her gaze. Naomi looked up, as if she couldn't quite believe what she heard. He was asking her out? Her mind raced as she tried to reply. "Hurry up and say yes or else he's gonna think you don't want to!" "Naomi?" Brad gave a puzzled looked as she jumped, startled by his voice. "Y-yeah?" "You okay? You seem kinda jumpy." Brad asked, raising his eyebrows. Naomi shook her head violently, "No, no, I'm fine. Yeah, coffee sounds great!" She replied, trying to fight down any signs of blushing, but to no avail. A pink tinge still appeared on her cheeks. Brad smiled a bit at the sight of Naomi blushing. She looked so sweet and cute at that moment, the sun's rays reflecting off her crimson hair, and her pink cheeks made her look like an angel. "Alright then. Wanna go now?" "Sure!" With that, the two headed out towards the door. -------------- "Wow! That sounds exciting! What other teams were you on before the Blitz Team?" Naomi asked Brad. She was glad that all the butterflies in her stomach had gone away. Naomi was actually surprised how easy it was to talk to Brad, seeing as her heart was pounding before, but that didn't matter now. They were enjoying each other's company and that was all that mattered. "Well, I was also on the Thunderroaders, but only for one battle. I think that was all." Brad squinted, trying to remember any other teams he had been on. "Well, now that you know all about me, how about a little on you?" Brad asked her. "Okay, well, let's see, I started battling when I was 14, and at first, I was on one of my friends' team. But later, I decided I wanted to do things by myself, so I started my own team. But even then, I rarely fought in team competitions. It was mostly one on one. And, then I met you guys and the rest is history." Naomi finished and took a sip of her coffee. "Sounds like you had a good beginning, but let me ask you this. Why did you start battling? Was it for the fame, money, the love of zoids? Why?" Brad asked, curious. Immediately, Naomi started fidgeting, looking uncomfortable with the question. "Oh, sorry! We could talk about something else if you don' want to answer it." Brad quickly apologized, mentally reminding himself never to bring up that subject again. "It's okay, and yes, I do want to tell you. I guess I needed to tell someone sooner or later." Naomi responded, looking down at her cup. "No, really, you don't have to." Brad argued. But at the same time, he was feeling anxious to find out." "I need to tell someone Brad. I can't keep it to myself forever, are you willing to listen to me?" She asked, looking up at him. "Sure, I'll listen." Brad said, and gently closed his hand around hers. Naomi blushed a little but she began. "The real reason I battle is not because I loved zoids, or wanted fame and fortune. No, I started battling so I could get away from home. ----------Flashback------------ The sky was clear, birds were singing, everything looked calm and peaceful. Suddenly, a loud voice is heard. "NAOMI! GET DOWN HERE!" Naomi Flugel sighed, if it wasn't one thing it was another. She trudged down the steps to where her angry mother stood. "Naomi! Didn't I tell you to keep you things in your room?" Her mother shouted, holding up Naomi's red jacket. "I'm sorry, I meant to get it later." Naomi tried to apologize, but her mother cut her off. "I'm tired of your lame excuses! No get out of my face!" She screamed. Naomi dashed up the stairs and up to her room. She flung the jacket onto a chair and curled up on her bed, tears dripping down her face. "I wish somebody loved me." ----------Flashback End--------- "Naomi, you okay?" Brad looked worried as Naomi paused for a second. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just reliving some bad memories." "Man, it must've been tough for you." "It was. My parents didn't care about me. To them, I was a mistake. Something that wasn't supposed to happen, but it did. They were always yelling at me, if it wasn't one thing it was the other. At school, I was the lone wolf who didn't have any friends because I was so different." Naomi replied in a bitter tone. "But things got better for you, right?" Brad asked, hoping he wouldn't have to hear her depressing stories anymore. "Yeah, I told my parents I wanted to battle and they didn't give a damn. So I just went. And here I am." Naomi finished her story, and looked down at her cup. "Man, I didn't know you went through this kind of stuff. I'm, sorry." "Don't be." "You know Naomi, I know that I've only know you for a short time, but I promise that I'm never going hurt you or let anyone else, for that matter." Naomi looked up. Was this actually Brad talking? He just about never showed any emotions whatsoever. "T-thanks." She stuttered. Naomi could feel Brad meshing her fingers with his. They just stared at each other for a moment, until Brad broke the silence. "It's getting kinda late. Why don't we get back to base?" He said looking over at the clock, which stated 8:19. "Sure, the others are probably already wondering where we are." Naomi agreed and got up from her seat. As they walked out, Brad grasped her hand, letting her know that he would always be there for her. Naomi smiled and returned the favor. At that moment, to the two young warriors, nothing else mattered, except each other. Hope you all liked it. I know it was kind of short, but as my music teacher says, "Better have it short and sweet than long and dragging on and on!" Review if you liked it, don't if you didn't. See you next time! End file.

All That Matters by mantinemaniac

Zoids

The Wedding Day The Wedding Day By: Demoness T.K Disclamer: I do not own Zoids. However, I wish I did but this fanfic would be in the show. Leena Tauros smiled as she walked arm in arm with her father Steve Tauros down the aisle to her soon to be husband Bit Cloud. 'He looks cute in that tux' she thought then blushed. 'Get it together it's the biggest day of you life don't screw it up'. "Your nervous aren't you." A voice broke though her thoughts. It was her father, all she could do was nod her head slightly. "Don't be, I'm proud that you chose Bit over Harry." Leena couldn't help but smile. Bit and her had decided not to invite Harry but word had gotten out that they where going to be married and had showed up today to break up the wedding, but before he could say a word Brad, Naomi, Jamie, Pierce, Benjamin and Sebastian had tied and gagged him. The walk down the aisle ended to quick for her liking .Her father released her hand, walked up to Bit, and whispered a few words of wisdom. They must have not been to reassuring, for she saw Bit's eyes go wide with shock. Leena narrowed her eyes and gave a death glare to her father. The Doc quickly backed away and pushed Bit towards Leena. (A\N: Good for the doc HAHA) The priest said his words and turned to Leena. "Do you Leena Star Tauros take Bit Scott Cloud to be your husband?" "I do." "And do you Bit Scott Cloud take Leena Star Tauros to be your wife?" "I do." "If anyone thinks these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace." {Silence} Just then, Harry Champ yelled out. He had somehow gotten out of his bindings and now was yelling "NO I OBJECT LEENA'S MINE!" {Bam} Harry face became contorted then he fell and behind him sat a very sung looking Pierce holding her gun, she had hit Harry on the head with the handle of the gun, everyone cheered and praised her, until the priest brought them back to realty. "I'm proud to present Mr. and Mrs. Bit Scott Cloud, you may now kiss the bride." Bit and Leena looked into each other's eyes, Bit staring at violet eyes, and Leena sea green. Then they kissed Pure bliss, And nothing in the whole planet Zi would be better than this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Review and I may write continuation of this. Read my other storys Pluz ( ~~~~~~ Demoness T.K ~~~~~~ End file.

The Wedding Day by DarkMiss 13

Zoids

Air to Air 1 Jimmy Hamilton #9 10/20/08 Battle in the Sky I get in the ship, and power up the guns. I fire up the engines and slingshot off the end of the cruiser. I then catch up with my team, who had I had not gone out with so I could attach a special new piece. I see the enemy coming in on modified jets, and they quickly separate and attack each of our fighters, but one hangs back. I decide to ignore that one for know and help out my team mates. I turn on the radio. I instantly hear, "I've got one on my tail and I can't shake him!" I respond, "Don't worry, I got your back." I lock on and fire a couple of laser shots at it. I hit an engine and it goes down. I decide that because there are so many I have no choice but to activate my secret weapon: the new untested air-to-air plasma bolt generator. I fire up the generator and charge it to a highly intense ray, about the size of my hand. I fire it at the 1st of the enemy fighters, and it instantly explodes. I repeat this process until only one jet is remaining. This one, however also had a secret weapon and it had suddenly transformed into a new form. After taking out all the ships but me, it instantly dropped to the ground. Its new form is that of a Griffin. Boy am I mad now. I guess I should avenge them, so I use my last resort: Liger Zero Schneider*. I fly back to base and detach my wings. Once I get to the mod area I transform into Schneider mode and my jet transforms into a walking laser blade storm with an energy shield, while his turns into a griffin with wings and a whole lot of guns, plus energy shield. I blaze my way through his energy shield and try and get in close, but his guns stop that plan. I decide to unleash my Zoids final attack: Seven Blades Strike. I send all the blades pointing to all sides, then power up my Liger's claws. My opponent is retracting all his guns. I wonder what he is doing. The guns on his ship retract all the way in, and that's when it hits me. He's going to try a Giga Strike! I decide to go ahead and attempt my attack anyways. I realize that if I want to defeat him I'm going to need more speed and power for my attack. I disengage the blades and decide that instead of a Schneider mode I will use a new mode, codenamed Jaeger*. I power up the ion boosters, and start to run at full speed. I charge at full speed yelling "Strike Laser Claw!" I rush at full speed, (which is very fast) and take him down. It's almost not enough, but it works. I win the battle and fly back to the ship. Too bad it's only a simulator on a US NAVY Battleship. End file.

Air to Air by Kit Shinku

Zoids

Letting Go **LETTING GO** "_And all the talk and all the lies/ Were all the empty things disguised as me" _ _ (The Goo Goo Dolls, Sympathy)_ * * * It was hard coming home every night, seeing her sitting there talking on the phone to someone else. Seeing her smiling, and knowing that no matter how much he wanted it, he could never have her. He knew he had to get over her, but somethings where easier said then done. It had been two months since the Royal Cup, but things hadn't really changed much except for the sudden bond of friendship between Kris and himself. It was more of a rehab buddy then anything else, but this was more complicated then some twelve step process. No, this dealt with people's hearts. Such a fickle thing, really. He never did quite understand what caused people to fall in and out of love. There was no regular pattern to follow, or common routine. Just, something inside of you changes. And he still wasn't sure if he wanted that something to come. Naomi sat her legs curled up at her side, in front of the video telephone, talking with Brad. For both them being people of very few words it was surprising how much time they spent on the phone just talking. Leon chuckled softly as he walked past, noting the time. They had been on the phone for an hour- funny how people can bring out different sides of others. "Alright, so I'll see ya tomorrow?" Naomi smiled, even through the darkness, he knew she was smiling. Goodbye was never a depressing thing for that girl, she never looked at those things as the ending of something, more like the starting of something new. "Course, I'll pick you up about eight." Brad had seemed to take on a new life since he caught her heart. He smiled a bit more, Leon smiled as he remembered seeing the usually monotone mercenary skipping around the base, he thought he was going to die of shock. "Goodbye!" "Bye." Naomi didn't even have to turn around to notice his presence, "hey Leon, glad to see your back," she turned around in her chair and smiled at her partner, "Brad told me you had left a couple of hours ago, I was starting to wonder where you where." Leon smiled, "I was just around." "Around?" She raised her eyebrows, "let me guess, you met some girl and have been sneaking around with her these past few weeks." "Not exactly," Leon shook his head, he had found a girl a long time ago, but she hadn't found him yet. She smiled, "oh really? Because what are these reports of you and Kris Tasker being seen hanging around town together?" She stood up and walked over to him, putting her finger on his nose, "you know you can't keep a secret like that for very long," she teased him. Leon shook his head, "nah, me and Kris are just friends. But I wasn't with her tonight," he lied. He had been spending a lot of time with Kris lately, both of them could talk to each other so easily. But he didn't want Naomi getting the wrong idea about them, just in case. "Oh really? Then where were you?" She put her hands on her hips, "you know it only takes about a half hour to get to the Toros base and back." Leon smiled, "that's my little secret." Naomi rolled her eyes, "you know for being the mature one, you sure are annoying as hell." "Thanks." "No problem." He smiled as he walked away, scooting into his room. Once inside his place of solitude, he closed the door softly so she would not hear. Then he turned, leaning his body against the door. His eyes darted around the room, his breathing growing heavy. It was getting harder and harder to ignore. Each day his jealously grew and grew and grew. He could feel it welling up inside of him, trying to push it's way out. It would be so simple. Once Brad was gone, Naomi would turn to him. Maybe even come to realize that she was perfect for him. Then one day she would admit her love for him, and he would take her in his arms and never let her go. They could be married on a hill, surrounded by all their family and friends. She would wear a long white dress, and him, he would wear a dressy tuxedo that made him look like a penguin. They could live in a small home, just out of town, but away from the desert. He could play with the children in the yard, while she cooked a nice dinner for the four of them. His smile grew and grew as he thought about all these things he could have. But it grew somber as he realized it was only a dream. A fool's prospective on reality, really. His body slid down the cold door, until he felt the hard floor beneath him. He shook his head, trying to wash away that dream. Brad was his friend, no matter what had happened between him and Naomi. He had no idea of Leon's feelings for the red comet, he himself was never much of a romantic. Each time Naomi kissed him in front of people, he would blush and mumble something incoherent. Naomi thought that was cute. The girl had the nerve to tell him that, he who so longed for her sweet kisses. She said that he couldn't keep a secret, well the fact was that he had been for several years now. Once, a couple of months ago, he thought he had a chance with her. Especially after he joined her team. He had let his head get big, Naomi had asked him after all, he was sure it must have meant something. But all it meant was for Naomi to have a skilled pilot and a nice guy around. In other words: a friend. A fucking friend. That's all he was to her. She would tell him things that no one else knew, but that was all changing. Now all she ever talked about was Brad. Brad this, Brad that. He couldn't take it anymore! He grabbed two handfuls of hair, wishing he could scream out. His breathing got heavier as he looked around the room, everything in it reminded him of her. She had been in his room plenty of times, he could see in clearly in his head wandering around in it. Laughing and smiling. He had to get out of there. It was driving him insane. Slowly he crawled from his position on the floor up over to his window, opening it up slowly and saying a silent prayer that Naomi wouldn't notice his disappearance. He carefully slid out the window, lowering himself down until he could feel the hard ground beneath his feet. He had to chuckle to himself, he never quite pictured himself sneaking out at this age. When he was younger, maybe, but now, never. Especially since he didn't live with his father anymore. That was just how pathetic he was getting. He didn't want her to know he was weak, or that he was suffering. Things would just get so awkward between them, and he sure as hell didn't want that. At least as a friend he had a chance with her, a slim one, but a chance none the less. And at least this way he could see her everyday, see her smile, talk with her, laugh with her. At least this way he could pretend, just fool himself into thinking that she loved him back. That she was his. But the sad truth of the matter was, no matter how hard he tired to forget, he always remembered. Leon walked up to a familiar sight, the bright neon lights of the bar creating a riot of colors against the dreary night sky. Fooling its visitor that this was a happy place, that they could be at peace there. The bar had become apart of him in these past few months, the bartenders starting to treat him like a regular, knowing his drink, his name, it was like that old television show. What was it called? He could hear it's theme song playing over and over again in the back of his mind, "you wanna be where you can see, the troubles aren't always what they seem," he began to hum along to it's lies, "you wanna be where everybody knows your name." Cheers. That was the name of the show. Cheers. A pathetic excuse for reality really, no amount of alcohol could drown out your troubles. Even if you passed out, when you woke up, the first thing that came to your mind was your problem. He walked into the bar, taking his usual seat at the counter, still humming the song. The thing about troubles where that they clung to you like a sickness, latching on to your brain and bit by bit ripping apart your heart until there was nothing left to tear. "Hey Leon, the usual?" The overly perky bartender greeted him. He mumbled something even he didn't understand, and nodded. Maybe she understood what he said, because she turned and got him his drink in record time. It was probably something threatening, because she left him as soon as she gave him his beer. He didn't care. "You know you're breaking the rules," a familiar voice came from behind him, trying to sound as amused as possible. "Then explain to me why you're here, Kris," Leon forced a smile, not even bothering to turn around and look at her. "I needed to get wasted, I figured this would be the best place. And besides, this was your resolution, not mine." "Whatever," he mumbled, motioning for her to take a seat next to him. "And I never said that I couldn't get wasted, I just said that I was gonna try to not get casually drunk. Drunk and wasted are two different things." She plopped down besides him, holding her almost finished beer in between her hands. "So, couldn't stand to stay away from me, could ya?" "Are you drunk?" "That is kinda the plan," she laughed, "well actually the plan is to get wasted, but drunk just kinda happens along the way, y'know?" "I knew there was something up with you," he teased. "Ha, ha, ha, you know very well I'm not drunk," she paused, taking a huge gulp and finishing off her drink, "yet." "Always such a lady," he smiled, taking a huge slip of his drink. "Always such a sore loser," she teased pointing out the fact that she had just drunk a lot more of her beer the he had of his. "Ha, ha, ha." They both sat in a comfortable silence for a long time, both just drinking as much as they possibly could before the threat of vomiting would come into play. The music sang in the background, the singer weaving a lonely sob story about love and loss. But the notes seemed almost lost to the two pilots. Both so emerged in their task of forgetting that everything else but the one thing they wanted to forget would disappear. "I found out something funny today," Kris said flatly, downing another beer. "What?" "You remember how Kelly acted so funny for so long right after Jack moved in." "No, but I wasn't there," Leon reminded her, motioning the bartender for another round of beers for the both of them. "It's because her and Jack were together back then," she spat, pushing away the glass so that it moved down the long bar. "They were sneaking around, cause they said they didn't wanna hurt my feelings! Can you believe that!" Leon watched her closely, looking at all the little things he had noticed about her in the past weeks he had spent with her. How her right eyebrow would arch when she yelled, the shape her mouth made when she spoke is disgust. How strands of hair would always fall out of her tight bun and into her face when she was drunk. And how she had five different smiles: one for when she was truly happy, one for when she was laughing, one for when she was just trying to be polite, one for when she saw her friends, and one, one for when she was so drunk that everything was hilarious. A spoon, a singer, a bum, anything was up for grabs. "Those bastards," she stuttered in a drunken fashion, picking up her next bottle. "You know what, in that affect, their actually quite perfect for one another!" "Love sucks," Leon mumbled, downing yet another beer. "Why do we even bother?" "I donno," she said sadly, "I guess to me, he was, he was, he was everything I thought I wanted." "What do you want?" She smiled dreamily, closing her eyes and picturing her dream guy, "the kind of guy that you can depend on, that you know won't run away. You know, he's there for me at my low points and still loves me, even if I'm wasted." She laughed slightly, "which, apparently happens a lot now," she let out a snort, which in turn caused both of them to laugh. "Y'know, he's the kind of guy that I can talk to, that's loving, and supportive, that shares things that happened to him too, someone like, someone like," she jerked open her eyes, not wanting to finish her thought. "Someone like, who?" She bit her bottom lip, "someone like you." Leon sat back in his chair, not sure of how to take this revelation. Sure, they were both a little on the drunk side, not wasted yet, but both well on their way, but still. His normal self was screaming at him to say something back, told him that he had fallen in love with her over the past months. Without another thought, he leaned in, grabbing her face, and pulling her lips to meet his in a fiery and passionate kiss. Actions did always speak louder then words. Kris kissed him back, parting her lips open ever so slightly to let his tongue inside and wrestle with her own. There was a spark, hell, there were fireworks. Maybe they were drunk, maybe this was a huge mistake. All they knew, was in that moment, they were happy. They had finally let go. And it wasn't as scary as they thought it would be. In fact, it was magical. * * * __ _I had written this fic because almost all of my reviews asked to me update to the next chapter soon. Well, I thought I had made it pretty clear that the fic I had written was meant to be a standalone fic when I posted it. But the idea of a Kris/Leon hook-up was still impending a story or something. It sounded like a fun couple, espically since neither of their characters were extremely well developed in the series. Left a lot of room for me to fill in, which meant, less complaints in reviews about how my characters a sooo different. I hate that. _ _Anyways, I started work on this about a couple months after I posted Holding On and actually have two different verisons of it. I just happened to like this one better, the whole dirnking thing, adn the fact that we really don't know what's gonna happen to them. It's just up in the air, like how the last one left off. _ _Well, I hope I didn't bore you too much. Reviews would be most awesome._ __ End file.

Letting Go by Anwa

Zoids

1. The Green Organoid Disclaimer: Of course I don't claim to own Zoids or any associated characters, but any OCs are mine. A/N: Third and final attempt at a Zoid fic, takes place just after the war between the Empire and Republic ended. Please review, it helps motivate me to write better. * * * CHAPTER 1 The Green Organoid Crow's ocean blue eyes fixated on the pair of Zoids ahead of him. His tall, athletic build helped him to balance on the hover board under his feet. The golden sun bathed his face in its warm glow, revealing his handsome features. His nose was short and petit, his cheeks skinny and his lips slim. Up ahead was the long lost battlefield he often visited to clear his head and today was no different. Except that is that this time more then just ruined Zoids were here, up ahead he saw two combat-ready Heldigunners. The iguana-like Zoids were painted in desert camouflage, but the fact that they stood on a dark brown rock face gave them away. Crow noticed the pilots hop out of their Zoids and head toward the ruins their Heldigunners were parked near. He himself had investigated the ruins many times, using the scrap parts he found to fix and modify his hover board. He turned his board off and hid behind the ruins of an old Stealth Viper as he watched the pilots disappear inside the ruins. The boy left his board behind and crept toward the ruins, dodging many the corpse of a fallen Zoid on his way. He silently made his way through the broken metallic entrance of the ruins, disappearing inside the darkness. "Do you see it anywhere Jack?" a voice in the darkness asked. "No, there must be a switch or something in here that opens up a secret room," another voice said, "come on, we've recovered at least a dozen of these by now. You should have these ruins figured out by now, idiot." Crow crept closer to the voices, listening as the pilots felt around for some button on the wall and picking up a pipe he felt on the ground. He saw a red button flash and a door slide open ahead, revealing a lighted room beyond it. "See Skoal, I told you there was a-" but the pilot's voice was cut off when Crow struck him across the back of the head. "What are you do-" the one called Skoal began before Crow did the same to him. These guys were up to something, and for now they were more useful to Crow unconscious until he could figure it out. Trained in stealth combat by his father, the boy had perfectly utilized the darkness to overcome two possibly superior opponents. He smiled and walked into the lighted room, carefully glancing back to ensure the men were still on the ground. As he investigated the room further he spotted a green tube connected to the ceiling and floor by two control panels. The boy gazed at the entrancing color of the lime green liquid inside for a moment before starting to push a few buttons around the tube. Suddenly an alarm blared and the room started flashing red as the tube began cracking. Steam and liquid poured out of it until the glass couldn't hold anymore, exploding open and pouring out its contents. When the liquid had washed out a small, metallic creature fell to the floor. "What the?" Crow whispered, standing over the creature. It resembled a Zoid, only on a much smaller scale, with large bat-like wings and a draconic appearance. The Zoid's olive green color further fueled the fact that it resembled a dragon. Suddenly its eyes flickered open, showing off their lime green color as they looked around. "No!" Crow heard the one called Jack say, "He's released the organoid!" The "organoid" as he called it stood up and roared a defiant challenge at the boy. "Calm down buddy," Crow said calmly, looking back to see Jack rising, "I'm not going to hurt you." The boy held out his hand, letting the creature sniff it momentarily before turning to face the rising man. "Look here kid," Jack said, "you don't know what you've just gotten yourself in the middle of, just get out of here and I'll let you live." Crow immediately detected a hint of deception in the man's words and just stood his ground, holding the pipe he had found out in front of him in a defensive position. Jack snickered and drew a pistol from its holster at his side, Crow scolded himself for not realizing the man was armed before. The man steadily raised the gun as his partner came to and joined him. "Sorry kid, nothing personal, just taking care of business" Jack said. Crow heard a roar behind him and felt himself being lifted into the air. The organoid had grabbed his shirt and now held him by it. The boy watched as boosters on the backsides of the creature's legs popped open and charged with green energy. With another roar the organoid blasted forward, head butting the gun wielding pilot and continuing on out of the room and toward the light of the outside. The creature carried him far outside, toward the Zoid graveyard outside. Crow heard a few gunshots being fired behind him and cringed. The organoid spread out its wings, de-activated its boosters and landed softly on the Stealth Viper the boy had hidden behind before. Then the creature dropped him in the open cockpit. "I can't pilot this thing," Crow said, "its trashed." Suddenly the organoid bathed itself in green light and rocketed into the air as a bolt of pure energy. It roared and slammed into the head of the Stealth Viper, disappearing as it melded with the Zoid. Crow watched in awe as the blue colored cockpit was revived, the systems buzzing to life. The body of the snake-like Zoid was immediately repair by a wave of green power, revealing its pure white paint job. The Zoid hissed in the air as the Heldigunners from before sprang to life, charging toward it. Having a small amount of experience in piloting, Crow turned the Stealth Viper to face them. "Damn it!" Skoal yelled, "he's discovered the power of the organoid!" "Get him!" Jack ordered. The Heldigunners split up, attacking the Stealth Viper from either side. Crow struggled to figure out the controls of the Zoid as the lizard types opened fire, shots slamming into the side of the Stealth Viper. Out of nowhere the snake-like Zoid turned its head, returning fire with the dual 40mm machine guns mounted on either side of its head. The shots pelted the ground all around Jack's Zoid, causing the pilot to veer his Zoid to the side to dodge them. The other Heldigunner snuck around the back of the Viper, biting into its metallic tail. The Viper hissed and began thrashing its tail back and forth, slamming the attached Zoid against the ground again and again. Next Crow finally took hold of the Stealth Viper's controls, figuring them out as he watched the buttons and levers move themselves. The boy used the Viper's tail to throw the Heldigunner over its head and opened fire on it midair. The Heldigunner's armor was ripped apart by the repeated fire and the Zoid landed on the ground in near ruins. "My combat system's frozen!" Skoal yelled. Jack's Heldigunner hissed a challenge at the Stealth Viper, charging forward and pinning the Zoid down with heavy fire. Crow pushed a blue button on the main controls, listening as the steam vents all along the Stealth Viper opened and watching as a pure white fog rolled out. "Where'd he go?" Jack asked, looking around for the Viper as he opened fire. "Right here!" Crow yelled, firing a missile from the center box of the Stealth Viper's body. The rocket slammed into the ground under the Heldigunner, the explosion throwing it upwards. Crow followed up the maneuver with a lash of the Viper's tail, sending the Heldigunner flying into its partner. "Retreat!" Jack growled, "we have to tell the boss that the retrieval mission was a failure!" Crow watched as both Zoids scuttled away as quickly as they could. He had just won his first Zoid battle. The Stealth Viper bent down, opening its cockpit as Crow jumped out. The boy watched as a familiar bolt of energy shot out of the Zoid and landed next to him, the organoid taking its place. "Wow, that was great!" Crow yelled excitedly, hugging the dragon-like creature. The organoid just stood solemnly. "Guess this means we're stuck together huh?" the boy asked. The organoid growled slightly, but nodded its head. "How about I call you Drake?" Crow asked. The organoid roared in approval. An hour later, back at the Waterfall Colony . . . Crow's dad stood, looking over the organoid standing in front of him. His dad was a relatively short and stocky man, with black, spiky hair that matched Crow's. Drake stood perfectly still as the man poked and prodded him. "Yep," his dad said, "this is definitely an organoid. You say you found it and the Stealth Viper in those ruins you're always nosing around in huh?" "Well, the Heldigunner pilots opened the room but technically I was the one who found him" Crow explained. His dad shook his head in acknowledgement of the statement. "Where the pilots Imperial or Republican?" the man asked. "Definitely Imperial," Crow said, "they were wearing Imperial uniforms. But I thought the war was over, why would they be so ill intentioned if they were actually soldiers?" "I don't know, that's what I'm wondering about" his dad said, grabbing his chin as he thought it over. Suddenly the sound of explosions caught their attention and Crow turned to see where they were coming from. Another explosion near the edge of the colony rocked the ground as a large tavern was blown to pieces, rubble and dust flying everywhere. "Come on boy, looks like the village is under attack! It's our job as pilots to defend it!" Crow's dad yelled, running out of the house and toward his parked Zoid. Crow chased after him, with Drake in toe. His father's Zoid was a Zaber Fang, a tiger-like Zoid with a multitude of weapons and saber-tooth like fangs for close combat. Crow hopped in the Stealth Viper, booting up all its systems. "Drake!" he yelled. The organoid roared and turned to energy once again, melding with the Stealth Viper as it and the Zaber Fang mobilized. The Zoids ran, and slithered, toward where the last explosion was. As they neared the site of the attack the attackers came into view. The Heldigunners from before flanked a much bigger t-rex-like Zoid. The Zoid had a pair of back and nose mounted cannons, its eyes glowing a sinister red. "A Genosaurer!" Crow's dad yelled. "Citizens of the Waterfall Colony!" a raspy voice said over a megaphone. "Hand over the one with the organoid or suffer the consequences." "I'm right here!" Crow screamed, opening fire on the Genosaurer. On queue his dad also began firing, using the impact cannon on the Zaber Fang's chest to rip at the Saurer's armor. The Heldigunners charged forward, double teaming the Stealth Viper as the Genosaurer and Zaber Fang squared off. "Leave this village" Crow's dad said seriously, the Zaber Fang springing forward and biting into the Genosaurer's chest. The dinosaur-like Zoid grabbed the head of the Zaber Fang and pulled its teeth out of its chest, throwing the Zoid to the ground. Next the Saurer stomped roughly on the fallen Zaber Fang's midsection. Crow heard his father scream in pain as the Zoid malfunctioned, electricity surging through his body. "No, dad!" he yelled. But a few shots from the Heldigunners reminded him he was in his own fight. The Stealth Viper spun around, lashing its tail at one of the Heldigunners. The lizard-like Zoid bounded out of the way. "Don't think we're gonna fall to the same crap twice!" Skoal yelled. Crow gritted his teeth and pulled a lever next to him. The Stealth Viper threw itself into the air, coming down and burrowing into the ground. "You can't hide from us!" Skoal's Heldigunner opened fire on the mound of dirt left behind as the Stealth Viper approached it from under ground. The snake-like Zoid erupted from the soft dirt below the Heldigunner, picking the Zoid up with its head and chucking it to the ground. Crow finished the Zoid off with a frenzy of bullets to its cockpit. The Zaber Fang tried desperately to get to its feet, met only by a swift kick from the Genosaurer that knocked it back to the ground. Then the Saurer locked down its foot locks, opened its tail fins and bent down, a gun barrel stretching out of its mouth. Crow's father stared in horror. A cloud of charged particles formed on the outside of the barrel as energy began building up. Then, in a flash of light the cloud formed into a beam of particles that slammed into the fallen Zaber Fang, enveloping it in blue and purple energy. "No!" Crow yelled, the Stealth Viper slithering toward the Genosaurer and opening fire with its machine guns. But the Zoid didn't stop until all that was left of the Zaber Fang was a smoking crater. Suddenly the guns of the Stealth Viper quit firing and Crow couldn't move it. "Drake, what are you doing?" Crow asked, tears swelling up in his eyes. The organoid took control of the Zoid as the Genosaurer turned and began charging up another shot with its Charged Particle Gun. The Stealth Viper opened its steam vents and dug into the ground just as the beam of destruction would've destroyed it. When the fog cleared the Stealth Viper was gone. Jack looked from side to side, seeing absolute nothing that showed any evidence of the Zoid's departure. "What do we do now Craven?" he asked. The Genosaurer turned toward the Heldigunner, a hooded face appearing on the Heldigunner's screen. The hood completely concealed the man's face but Jack could still make out Craven's blood red eyes as they glowed with the power that manipulated him. "Kill everyone who might of saw us," Craven's raspy voice said, "then return to the base." Jack smiled deviously and turned to see a woman and her small children running by. Being a bad guy was _way _too much fun. * * * A/N: Next chapter should be up by the middle of the upcoming week, hope you like it! 2. Night Drive CHAPTER 2 Night Drive The white colored Stealth Viper slithered back into what remained of the Waterfall colony the next day. Crow's eyes watered as he looked at what was left of his former home. He saw the crater where pieces of his father's Zaber Fang still laid around, he saw the bodies of children he had once looked after. The boy broke into tears, unable to control either his sorrow or his rage. They'd taken everything from him, his only surviving family member from the war, his house, everything. All because of the organoid he had with him. He didn't blame Drake, the organoid had saved his life after all, he blamed himself. He should never have returned home knowing that those creeps knew what he looked like, he should've just finished them off back at the ruins. He slammed his fists into the rough ground in rage, tears pouring off of his face. So many memories, so many good times. Drake appeared behind him, sensing the loss the boy had suffered and placing his metallic claw on the boy's shoulder as he choked up his tears. "Are you with me to the end buddy?" Crow asked. Drake nodded. "Thank you" Crow said, grabbing the organoid's claw for a moment before standing up and heading back to the Stealth Viper. Crow jumped into the cockpit, wiped the tears from his eyes and closed it. Drake flew up onto the center box of the Stealth Viper as the Zoid started moving. "I'd say let's go find the bastards responsible but I don't know where they went and I have the feeling that they'll find me," Crow said, "guess I'll see what I can do about enlisting some help." Over the next couple of days Crow traveled, seeing the sights and keeping an ever watchful eye out for the creeps that had attacked him earlier. His destination was Guygalos, the capital city of the Empire. There was the closest thing he had to family, his dad's best friend, a man named Colonel Payne. Payne was a military strategist in the Imperial Army, one of the best too. He had worked side by side with his father in the war against the rebel Republicans. He was even one of the strategists that worked against the Death Saurer when it had attacked the capital city he now resided in. On the night before he would arrive at the city he decided he couldn't wait anymore, he would travel through the night and arrive early morning. The darkness was no problem for such an advanced Zoid like the Stealth Viper, the moonlight from both the moons of Zi helped as well. As his Zoid slithered through the sand, Drake resting on the Viper's head, he spotted a campfire ahead. His radar picked up two objects, one obviously a Zoid, the other smaller, probably the pilot. He flipped a switch on the Viper's main control pad, suppressing all noise and heat the Zoid might put out as not to be detected. As he neared the campfire he felt a little better when he saw that the Zoid was neither a Heldigunner or a Genosaurer. Instead, the Zoid was a there called a Helcat. The Helcat was a cheetah type Zoid with abilities similar to his Stealth Viper. It used a new type of stealth technology called a Stealth Shield that refracted the light around the Zoid to make it seemingly invisible. From what Crow could tell in the faint light of the fire the Helcat was painted black and dark blue for added stealth at night. The pilot, a tall young man, probably around 21 to 22 years old, had short spiky blue hair and wore a piece of chest armor with loose black pants and gloves. "Victor?" Crow asked himself. The pilot spun around, drawing a large pistol from its holster and aimed it into the darkness. "Show yourself coward" the man said. The man nearly jumped back when the white Stealth Viper slithered out of the darkness. Drake roared at the sight of the gun but Crow assured him it was okay and opened the cockpit. "Crow?" the man asked in disbelief, putting down his pistol. "I heard that the Waterfall Colony had been destroyed, how did you survive?" the man asked as Crow jumped down to greet him. Victor used to be Crow's schoolmate when a traveling Imperial teacher had came to their village, but then he had left for the Imperial army. "Drake there saved my skin, without him I'd be dead too" Crow said. "What about your dad?" Victor asked. Crow just sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry pal, he was a great man, can I ask what happened?" "They came looking for Drake and I," Crow explained, nearly crying again, "two Heldigunners I had defeated earlier and a Genosaurer. Those glowing red eyes and that raspy voice, I'll never forget them. I managed to take out one Heldigunner before the Genosaurer killed my dad and was about to get me too. That's when Drake took command of the Stealth Viper and got me to safety." At the mention of his name Drake glided down, standing next to Crow, worriedly looking at the gun in Victor's hand. "Oh, by the way, he doesn't like guns" Crow warned as Drake solemnly growled. Victor nodded and put the weapon away. "An organoid huh? I've seen one of these before, a silver one named Zeke," Victor said, reaching out to pet Drake, "amazing creatures they are. So, I'm guessing he's responsible for you having a Zoid as well?" "Yes, never seen a Stealth Viper colored white before though" Crow said. "You know, there was a tale about a Zoid pilot who piloted a white Stealth Viper going around during the war," Victor said, "I heard he was good. The white color was to help blend in with the color of the steam the Zoid emitted. They say he was able to defeat entire Imperial bases with that Zoid." Crow looked up at his Zoid. Could this honestly be the Zoid Victor was talking about? A Zoid of heroism amongst the Republic, or was it a simple coincidence? He'd have to get down to the bottom of that later. "Hey, enough about me, what've you been up to?" Crow asked. "I joined the army, as you know, and training camp was hell but I made it through," Victor explained, "then they started me off with a Molga Zoid. Not my favorite, weak weapons, not much speed or armor but I excelled none the less. Finally they gave me my Helcat, seeing how I did as a scout and guerilla warfare soldier. I've never been hit by a single bullet." Crow nodded in acknowledgment of the accomplishment. "So hey, where you headed all the way out here?" Victor asked. "Guygalos, I'm going to go see Colonel Payne, see if I can get some help in tracking down the guy that killed my dad" Crow said. "No way, that's my commanding officer," Victor said, "tell you what, you help me on my mission and I can take you straight to him. Deal?" "What's the mission?" Crow asked. "We've received some reports of bandit activities between here and Guygalos, apparently they've been intercepting traders on their way into the city, I've been sent out to find and apprehend them" Victor said. Crow didn't even have to think about it, even if Victor wanted help against the Deathsaurer Crow would be in. "Okay, sure I'll help you," Crow said, Drake growling in the background, "sorry _we'll _help you." The organoid nodded at that comment, roaring in approval. After packing up Victor's camping gear the two hopped in their Zoids, the Helcat taking the lead as they searched around. Soon they came across the ruins of an insect-like transport Zoid called a Gustav, the Zoid in flames and its cargo all missing. "This is definitely their work, your radars picking up anything?" Victor asked. "No, oh, wait a second, what's that?" Crow asked. Suddenly the night lit up as muzzle flashes pierced the darkness. "Activating Stealth Shield!" Victor yelled. Suddenly a rainbow colored aura covered the cheetah-type Zoid and in a flash it disappeared into the night. "Drake!" Crow yelled. The organoid bellowed a battle cry and rocketed into the air, turning into a bolt of pure energy and melding with the Stealth Viper. More muzzle flashes appeared out of the darkness from behind the snake-like Zoid, the shots barely missing the Viper's skinny body. The Stealth Viper whirled around, firing shots from its dual 40mm machine guns into the unknown abyss where he thought the enemy fire had come from. Up ahead, the Helcat approached the small blip on its radar screen, cautiously circling around it in order to get some idea of what it was up against. "Crow! They're Guysacks, we didn't pick them up on our radars at first because they dug underground!" Victor exclaimed over the intercom. The scorpion-like Zoid ahead of the Helcat snuck slowly toward the Stealth Viper's position, then began digging into the ground with great haste. Victor opened fire with his Zoid's back mounted AZ20mm machine guns, catching the back of the Guysack before it disappeared under the sandy ground and out of sight. Below the ground the bandits communicated back and forth. "My audio equipment is picking up something behind me, but I couldn't pick it up on radar" one of the bandits said. "Must be using some kind of stealth technology, probably a Helcat, tricky little buggers" the other bandit said. "Just use your Zoid's advanced audio equipment to find it, focus on the small amount of noise the sand makes when it shifts under the Helcat's feet." "Okay, I just need to-" but the bandit was cut off by the sound of gunfire as it shot through the sand above, raining down on his Zoid. "Damn, they found me! But how?" he asked. The Stealth Viper emerged from the sand above and slammed into the Guysack head first, using its digging ability to find its opponent and flush it out. The Guysack tried to reach up and use its pincher-like claws but in such a tight space they were useless. Instead, the bandit piloted the Zoid forward, out of the way of the burrowing Viper and toward the surface. "Now!" Crow yelled. The Guysack erupted from the sand, met by the gun barrel of the Helcat The cheetah type Zoid slashed forward with its hardened alloy claws, ripping off a few of the Guysack's fragile spider-like legs. The Zoid fell to the side, off balance and began digging to try and escape. The Stealth Viper emerged from behind the Guysack, lashing out with lightning reflexes and biting into the Zoid's dangerous tail. The maneuver halted the Guysack's retreat, holding it above ground long enough for the Helcat to open fire and blow off one of the Zoid's pincher claws. "Care to give up yet?" Victor asked with a smile on his face. Suddenly a blast from behind him slammed into the rear of the Helcat, exploding into the Zoid's back leg. "No, you son of a bitch!" Victor yelled, pissed that his clean record of never being hit had been broken. The Helcat disappeared once again while the Stealth Viper watched guard over the disabled Guysack. The remaining Guysack pilot desperately looked around for the enemy Helcat, trying to catch some distortion in the pitch black of the night, but to no avail. Victor growled and opened fire with all the Helcat's weapons from behind it, tearing away at the scorpion type Zoid. He continued firing until the Zoid had been completely dismembered. Then he opened his cockpit, walked up to the Guysack's and spit a huge wad of spit onto it. "Thanks for the help" Victor said, reaching out and shaking Crow's outstretched hand. "We'll take these guys and book em, then I'll take you to Colonel Payne." * * * A/N: How am I doing so far? Please review and tell me what you think. 3. The Empire Trembles A/N: This chapter dedicated toVanya-Deyja for her grand reviews * * * CHAPTER 3 The Empire Trembles "So the organoid escaped with the boy huh? Sounds like a failure on your behalf," the man said, tossing back his long green hair and narrowing his liquid silver eyes, "and how exactly do you plan on fixing this problem?" "The boy and the organoid will be brought in as soon as possible," Craven's raspy voice said as he bent down on one knee, "no worries, my lord. Just a minor setback." "And what of the other Wraiths? How many organoids have they collected?" the man asked, eyeing his servant roughly. "A total of twelve organoids are in our possession with four more on their way," Craven explained, "of course I personally have delivered over half of them." The man nodded and turned to the pool of purple liquid behind him, staring down at the shadow of the behemoth below. "Then it won't be long until he awakens," the man said coolly "get the green organoid before we talk again, no more failures Craven." Craven bowed one last time before flicking his black cloak and turning to leave. "Soon my precious, soon" the man said to himself. Crow and Victor entered the city of Guygalos the next morning, or at least what was left of it since the attack of the Deathsaurer a month ago. Skeletons of the buildings that once stood proud in the Imperial capitol still existed and Crow noted seeing many a construction Zoid as they went through. "The Emperor just approved a huge budget for fixing the city and soon it will be restored back to its full glory" Victor said, noticing all of Crow's sight-seeing. "So, is Colonel Payne still a major pain in the ass or has he gotten any better here lately?" Crow asked. Victor laughed. "One of the guys called him that once and all he said was that he was a major long ago, now he was a colonel pain in the ass and to always address him as such" Victor said. "Sounds like something he'd say" Crow said as they approached the Imperial base that had been planted smack dab in the middle of the city, where the Deathsaurer had done the most damage. The base was massive, with five bunkers, eight Zoid hangars and a pair of command and communication towers. Victor pushed the bandits from the night before out of his cockpit and watched them fall face first onto the hard ground. Then he jumped down, landing roughly on their backs before stepping off. "Enjoy your stay in the Imperial holding cells boys," Victor said, grabbing them by the necks and pulling them to their feet, "it's gonna be a long one after all." Crow jumped out of the Stealth Viper's cockpit and stood next to Drake while the organoid vigilantly watched every soldier that walked by. "Don't worry buddy," Crow said, "we're amongst friends now." A couple of minutes later Victor appeared at the door to the nearest command tower, motioning for Crow to follow him. The boy and his organoid hurriedly followed their escort through countless rooms of busy soldiers as they made their way to the top of the command tower. Finally they reached the top, passing a pair of armed Imperial guards and entering the command post. Drake tentatively stared at the guns the guards held but Crow patted him and he quickly lost interest. The room was huge, with windows on every side and a hundred screens and computers everywhere inside. Colonel Payne walked out of the crowd of soldiers, flanked by a pair of guards which he waved off when he saw Victor and Crow. The Colonel was tall, with great posture and powerful features that would otherwise intimidate Crow if he didn't know how gentle and careful the man really was. His short and combed graying hair was a silhouette of silver and blonde that somehow fit the man's cool green eyes. "Colonel Payne, good to see you" Victor said, saluting. The man saluted to the soldier as well, then turned to Crow, taking off his medal-covered hat. "Sorry to hear about your father and the village," the Colonel said in his sly yet soothing voice, "we will speak of his courage and strength forever. We've organized a statue to be built in his honor in the village once it's rebuilt." Crow nodded in thanks. "What, no salute?" the man asked. Crow just laughed, shaking the man's hand. "Sorry Colonel," Crow said, "but I'd like to get to business as soon as possible. I came to ask for some help in finding my father's killer. Think you could spare anyone?" "Of course, anything for your father," Payne said, "as a matter of fact, I think Victor's schedule just opened up after catching those bandits." Payne turned and looked at the blue haired soldier. Victor quickly straightened his back and saluted the man. "I would be honored Colonel, thank you" he said. "Yes, thanks," Crow said, "if there's anything I can do to pay you back somehow don't hesitate to ask." The Colonel saluted the boy who in turn did the same. Suddenly an alarm began blaring, a red light flashing and illuminating the entire room as it rocked from the impact of an explosion. "Sir, unidentified Zoid approaching from the south" a soldier at a computer said, bringing up a picture of the Zoid on the main command screen. "The Genosaurer, it's him!" Crow yelled, turning and running out the exit. "All guardian Zoids to defensive positions! Fire at will!" the boy heard Payne's voice say over the communication systems. Once outside, Crow ran as fast as he could toward the Stealth Viper. Drake appeared beside him, using his boosters to keep pace. The organoid scooped up the boy and rocketed into the cockpit, dropping Crow off before disappearing into the Zoid's core. The Stealth Viper mobilized, heading toward the southern edge of the base where the Imperial army had mounted a massive defensive force of Zaber Fangs and Molgas equipped with Cannonry Units. The boy watched in horror as a purple and blue beam of energy cut through half of them, continuing on to hit a hangar next to the Viper. Crow yelled as the Genosaurer blew through the defensive barrier of Zoids and into the range of his Zoid's weapons. The muzzles of the Stealth Viper's dual 40mm machine guns flashed as Crow buried the Genosaurer under an avalanche of bullets. The Saurer turned, seeing the Viper and completely ignoring the remainder of the defense forces while it roared into the air. The Stealth Viper returned with a vicious hiss. "Where's the organoid?" the familiar raspy voice asked. "He's with me, and don't think you're ever going to get your hands on him!" Crow yelled, firing a pair of multi-purpose missiles from the center box of the albino Stealth Viper. The Genosaurer boosted forward, dodging the explosions as the missiles uselessly slammed into the ground behind it. Crow glared and piloted the Stealth Viper forward, the Zoid's enhanced speed allowing it to reach the Genosaurer before it could react. The snake-like Zoid wrapped its long, flexible body around the Saurer, its heading staring straight at the Genosaurer's before it opened fire. The shots tore into the Saurer's head but did little focused damage, the shots spreading out as the Genosaurer bent forward, locking down its feet and opening its tail fins. Crow quickly maneuvered the Stealth Viper out of the way as the particles began gathering at the base of the Saurer's mouth. He saw the Helcat approaching and quickly waved Victor off. "Look out, its going to fire the Charged Particle Gun!" Crow yelled. Victor quickly activated the Helcat's Stealth Shield and jumped to the side, narrowing dodging the blast as it came screaming at him. The beam of destruction passed by the Helcat and slammed into the command tower where Colonel Payne had been posted. Crow watched in awe as the tower went up in flames and smoke, its foundation beginning to give way. Finally the Genosaurer wrestled the Stealth Viper off of it, grabbing onto its narrow body and chucking it to the ground. The Viper hissed defiantly as the Saurer prepared to crush its cockpit with a mighty stomp. Suddenly an invisible force tackled the Genosaurer, throwing it off balance and toppling it. "Leave Guygalos now!" Victor yelled, pouring down a stream of bullets from the Helcat's automatic weapons. The Stealth Viper slithered back up and joined the Helcat in its barrage of bullets, covering the Genosaurer in small flashes where the bullets slammed into its armor. The dinosaur-like Zoid quickly got to its feet, firing a few shots from its nose-mounted cannons where the Helcat's muzzle flashes where. A small bullet pierced the armor of the Helcat, its Stealth Shield deactivating as its systems tried to recover from the shelling. The Genosaurer began bending down and opening its tail fins when Craven saw it, a wave of Royal Zaber Fangs descending from the Imperial Palace. His Zoid quickly boosted up off its feet and turned to retreat. "After him!" Colonel Payne yelled from the cockpit of the lead Zaber. "Destroy the Genosaurer!" A flock of Redler joined the assault, flying over head and easily keeping up with the Saurer as it tried to flee. Craven sighed and turned his Zoid back around, landing softly on the dirt and locking its foot locks down. A moment later the CPG fired, cutting through the Redler's in the sky. Crow watched as the Zoids simply evaporated from inside the purple and blue energy. Craven smiled and turned back around, continuing his retreat. "Damn it, we're losing him!" Payne yelled, "Set up a defensive perimeter around the city and make sure he doesn't return!" Crow sighed, the murderer had come for him again, taking many lives with him in his pursuit of the boy and his organoid. Everywhere he went destruction followed, he decided it wasn't safe for him to remain in Guygalos any longer. "Thanks for all your help Colonel but I can't continue to stay here and risk the lives of the citizens of the Empire" Crow said, shaking the man's hand once again. "I understand, the Empire thanks you for the lives you did save today," Payne said, turning to Victor, "now you stay close to this boy, that's an order." "No problem Colonel" Victor said. "No salute soldier? You're already picking up Crow's bad habits!" Payne exclaimed. Victor quickly saluted the man, adding a bow as a sign of respect. The Colonel just laughed, kids these days. * * * A/N: (walks hungrily toward readers) "Must . . . have . . . brain-I mean reviews" 4. The Death Wraith Strikes CHAPTER 4 The Death Wraith Strikes The deserts of planet Zi were always a lonely sight to Crow, even when he had a good friend like Victor beside him. The endless churning waves of sand, the dry heat and the never changing horizon gave them a despairing, almost ghostly feel. The sight of Guygalos was well behind them now and Crow was well satisfied with the idea. No more blood needed to be spilled on his behalf; he had to face the murderer alone. He didn't want to tell Victor but he felt like the final battle between him and Craven would have to be one on one. Crow felt bad that it was more for his pride than Victor's safety. "Hey bud, what's wrong?" Victor asked, his face appearing on the screen of the Stealth Viper. "Just thinking of the future, that's all" Crow answered. To be honest, Crow was afraid to face Craven. The Genosaurer was a dangerous weapon in his hands, capable of mass destruction beyond the scope of imagination. Not only that, but Crow still didn't know why Craven wanted Drake badly enough to face off against the entire city of Guygalos. All Crow knew about the man was his name, not much to go on considering he only knew the first name, not the last. Even that might be fake, no; if he wanted to track the man down he had to get information. Somehow, he had to find someone who knew him, met him, or at least knew something about him. "Where are we heading now?" Victor asked. "Back to the Waterfall Colony" came the response. "Why? Nobody's there" Victor pointed out. The Stealth Viper turned and faced the Helcat momentarily. "Exactly, nobody there for the Genosaurer or Heldigunners to slaughter for no reason" Crow said. Victor understood, remaining quiet for a few moments. "So what's the plan if we're attacked?" Victor asked. "We destroy our attackers, and if Craven isn't with them then we save one to interrogate" Crow answered. "Okay, sounds like a plan" Victor said. "Hey Victor" Crow said. "What?" the man asked. "Tell me more about the legend of the white Stealth Viper will you?" Crow asked. "Sure buddy," Victor began, "they called the pilot the 'Albino Assassin' and for ten years he brought the Republican army nothing but pride and victory. Countless times he could be seen joining a losing battle and turning the tide with his excellent skills and leadership abilities. Then one day he got involved with some shady characters, or so I've heard, and double crossed them, turning them into the authorities. After they got out it was said they stalked him with their black Gun Snipers, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It came during the fabled 'Battle of the Forgotten Sands' in an unmarked part of the desert. Hundreds of missing soldiers on both sides of the war are presumed to have been killed there. There were no survivors." Crow absorbed the information he'd just received. He remembered how badly his Zoid's cockpit had been damaged before Drake restored it. A Gun Sniper's tail sniper rifle could've easily caused the damage, something to ponder. "If there were no survivors then how'd the story start?" Crow asked. "Don't know man, maybe one of the Gun Sniper pilots opened his big mouth" Victor suggested. "What was the pilot's name do you know?" Crow asked. "Lost with everything else, it's just a legend man, doesn't make it real you know" Victor pointed out. Crow nodded. "Hey, we got company coming up pretty quick." Crow gazed into the horizon, squinting through the searing light of the sun and seeing three shadowy figures in the distance. "My sensors tell me that the Zoids are Republican in origin, a pair of Command Wolves and a Shield Liger," Victor said, "I know the war's over and everything but its still an odd sight to see Republicans in Imperial territory. We'd better stop them and see what they're up to." The Stealth Viper and Helcat moved to intercept the Zoids ahead, cutting them off and motioning for them to stop. The Command Wolves were both white in color, with the usual pair of 50mm cannons on their backs and smoke dischargers. The Shield Liger was also white, with small amounts of blue tied in. The Zoid was fresh from the factory, no modifications other than the numerous amounts of Republican symbols painted on it. "Whoa there boys, where you headed?" Victor asked. A man with short spiky black hair and hazel eyes appeared on the screen. "This is Captain Richard A. Sullivan and my personal escorts Privates Smith and Johnson, we're here on an urgent mission" the man said. "What's your mission?" asked Crow. "A hooded man piloting a Genosaurer was seen recovering an organoid from a private location, the Empire said it wasn't theirs so we chased after it," Sullivan explained, "so if you'll kindly get out of our way so we can recover the organoid we would be most grateful." "Craven, he has an organoid now? Great!" Crow said sarcastically. "As representatives of the Empire we will follow you and help you retrieve the lost organoid" Victor said. "Great, we could use the help" Sullivan said, his Shield Liger charging forward, cutting between the Helcat and Stealth Viper. The Command Wolves continued after their leader followed by Victor and Crow. "I'm sending you the information about the pilot now, along with a picture of the Zoid" Sullivan said as the data was transmitted. One the screen of the Stealth Viper a picture of a Genosaurer boosting away from some ruins came up and underneath it was the pilot information. Basically, they had nothing, no name, no rank, and no army loyalties. But they had spotted the pilot with red glowing eyes and a hooded cloak, good enough. "So where are we headed?" Crow asked. "The Pteras we have following it right now says it's approaching the Avalanche Colony from the east, if we cut it off up here over this group of dunes we can save ourselves of any civilian casualties" Sullivan answered. Crow liked the plan; he also liked the fact that these guys could help him catch the murderer once and for all. A few miles up the Avalanche Colony came into view. The village was built in the center of a giant oasis, around the perimeter of a massive lake. Crow glanced to the side when his radar went off and saw the Genosaurer boosting toward the village. "He's in sight, fire at will, but try to salvage the pilot the best we can" Sullivan ordered. "Drake!" Crow yelled. The dragon-like organoid roared, rocketed into the air and melded with the Zoid core of the Stealth Viper just as the snake type Zoid burrowed into the ground. The Genosaurer roared when it saw the small group of Zoids approaching it and turned to face them. Suddenly the Stealth Viper erupted from the sand in front of it, catching the Zoid off guard with a head butt. The Genosaurer was pushed to the side from the force but its boosters continued to thrust it forward. Crow watched the Helcat disappear under a cloak of invisibility and the Shield Liger activate its frontal force shield. "Fools!" the Genosaurer pilot yelled over the intercom in a deep, sinister voice. "Rex!" A bolt of crimson energy shot through the air, ramming into the Genosaurer and bathing it in blood red energy. "He's using the organoid!" Sullivan yelled. "Victor, we're not dealing with Craven here, its someone else! I don't recognize his voice" Crow said urgently. "You mean there are more of these creeps out there?" Victor asked, the Helcat opening fire from the Saurer's flank. The Command Wolves split to either side while the Shield Liger charged the Zoid head on, they had it surrounded. As the ring of soldiers unloaded on the Genosaurer it boosted to the side, knocking over a Command Wolf and launching a grappling arm at the other. The claws of the Zoid dug into its helpless foe and it began reeling it in next to its fallen partner. "Now you're finished!" the pilot of the Saurer said as it locked down its feet and bent forward. The tail fins opened as the gun barrel of the CPG extended out. "Victor, we have to take out the Charged Particle Gun or those Privates are toast!" Crow yelled. "Roger, aim for the foot locks and we can throw it off balance, then the force of the Charged Particle Gun will do the rest" Victor said. The Stealth Viper and Helcat synchronized their attacks, one aiming at one foot lock, while the other aimed at the remaining one. But the Genosaurer quickly let go of the Command Wolf it had hold of and turned its head toward the Stealth Viper as the particle cloud began forming, forcing Crow to quit firing and burrow underground. The Genosaurer cocked its head down at the last second, firing the CPG down where the Stealth Viper had burrowed. The energy beam struck the soft sand below, creating a massive crater as the shockwave that went along with the blast slammed into the ground, hurling twisters of sand into the air. Finally the Saurer's foot lock gave way to Victor's shelling and it stumbled. The Shield Liger seized the moment to charge the unbalanced Zoid, using its shield as a battering ram. "Crow! Are you okay?" Victor asked. Searching the crater frantically for his partner. Then he watched the Stealth Viper stick its head slowly out of the sand below the crater. The Zoid's entire body was dented and sparking but the cockpit opened and Crow jumped out, followed by Drake. "Alright boys, good show!" The Command Wolves pinned the Genosaurer to the ground with shelling while the Shield Liger began tearing away at the Zoid with its hardened alloy claws. The lion-like Zoid quickly wore down the Saurer's broken armor and tore out the chest cockpit. The pilot fell out, his hooded figure collapsing to the earth below. The organoid that had fused with the Genosaurer also came bolting out, but it quickly rocketed toward the horizon and out of sight, leaving its master behind. Sullivan, Smith, Johnson and Victor all drew their weapons and cautiously approached the seemingly unconscious pilot. Crow and Drake just watched from a far. "Pilot," Sullivan began, "by order of the Republic you are under arrest for illegal confiscation of an organoid. Have you anything to say for yourself?" The pilot just lied there. Sullivan lined up a shot and motioned for his Privates (lol) to grab the man. The soldiers grabbed the man and pulled him to his feet quickly and roughly. Sullivan walked forward and used his gun to pull up the hood. The pilot cackled lowly, opening his crimson-colored eyes and ravenously thrashing to escape the grasp of the soldiers. But what was worst of all was the man's horribly disfigured face. His skin was a putrid brown color, with marks of discolored, wait, rotten patches of flesh all around. He was also hairless, looking a lot like a cross between a corpse and a burn victim. Scared, the soldiers released their hold of the cackling abomination and backed away. "Did I not say you were fools?" the undead pilot asked. "Fools to think you could capture a Death Wraith, fools to think you could retrieve the organoid. The boss will turn you all into his personal slaves when we're finished with you!" the zombie-man bellowed. He started to cackle again but was cut short by the sound of a gun shot. Crow watched as the bullet pierced the flesh of the abomination and threw his head back with the impact. The undead pilot leaned his head forward and continued cackling. Then he charged forward, grabbing the Captain's gun and bending the barrel in half. Sullivan gasped and backed up when the realization hit him, there was no way to kill this thing. They'd never keep it captive long enough to get it back to the base and contain it either. The raving lunatic just continued cackling for a moment before lunging forward and cutting into the Captain's gut with his razor sharp fingernails. The demon stared into the man's eyes with his own and watched with horrific glee as the Captain died. Crow didn't see anything else as metal tentacles wrapped around his body and he disappeared inside Drake's body. * * * A/N: I enjoyed writing the line about Sullivan's Privates way too much. It kinda reminded me off Duffman from the Simpsons. "Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem!" I couldn't stop laughing. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter and the new direction the story is beginning to take. 5. Hired Help and Maniacal Minions CHAPTER 5 Hired Help and Maniacal Minions The Stealth Viper slithered into the Avalanche Colony weakly, its body tweaking and surging from the damage it had received from the Genosaurer's Charged Particle Gun. The Helcat covered it from behind, Victor ever vigilant in protecting his younger friend as his commanding officer had ordered. Drake burst out of the Viper and landed on the ground just between the first two buildings in the village. His chest opened up and Crow walked out from the blinding abyss inside. The boy turned and looked over the damage his Zoid had suffered. The body had taken the brunt of the force, but it was better than being consumed by a beam of charged particles. A small segment near the Viper's center box was pushed way to the side, throwing the Zoid off balance and causing most of the tweaking and surging. It would take a few days for the Zoid to be back to 100, a few days that Crow just didn't have. Anytime Craven or more of his lackeys could show up and without some support Crow was afraid Victor wouldn't be able to handle it. Walking around the village the trio found a man capable of working on the Zoid who had a shop near the center. "I can have it ready by morning if you really need it and if you have the right amount of money" the repair man said. Crow looked the scruffy man over. His short, round appearance seemed to limit his maneuverability but he was covered in grease and oil and seemed like an honest man with experience so Crow OK'd it. "Now what if Craven attacks?" Victor asked. "Guess it'll be up to you and Drake," Crow said, turning to the green organoid, "right buddy?" The organoid roared in acknowledgement. Crow cocked a slight smile, at least he didn't have cowards as partners. "You guys needing some muscle?" a voice asked from behind them. Crow turned around to see a man of just a few years under Victor standing there waiting for a response. The man was tall, with messy red hair and confident eyes. His features were rugged and rough but something about him suggested he wasn't immediately dangerous. "Who are you?" Crow asked. "My name is Scar, professional mercenary at your service" the man said. "What kind of Zoid do you pilot?" Victor asked. "Because we need something capable of standing up to a Genosaurer." "I'm sure me and the Whitz Wolf can be of some assistance" Scar said, pointing to the other Zoid standing in the repair man's garage. Crow glanced over at it. The dark red Zoid resembled a wolf, hence the name, with features similar to the Command Wolf. But the Whitz Wolf was equipped with a trio of boosters just above its tail, Dual 50mm Photon Particle Rifles and a Dual Impact Cannon. Suffice to say it was a rather impressive Zoid, the color scheme and green cockpit giving it and its pilot some similarities. "After all," Scar said, "the village already paid me to protect it so as long as I'm not stepping on anyone's toes." "Your help would be appreciated" Crow said, calmly shaking the mercenary's outstretched hand. "So where are you from?" "New Helic City" came the reply. "You're a Republican huh?" Victor asked. "Well, I was born in Republican land, have a Republican Zoid and a Republican attitude but I wouldn't say I'm actually Republican" the mercenary said. Victor just smiled and shook his head. "So, we're up against a Genosaurer huh? How'd you guys make that big of any enemy?" Scar asked. Crow pointed over at Drake and preceded to tell the mercenary the story behind it all. When he was finished Scar just nodded and absorbed the information. "What made you become a merc?" Crow asked. "I come from a poor family," Scar began, "we used to live in the roughest part of the city, the part you never saw. Behind the giant White House and all the dazzling lights New Helic is a pretty tough city. With no other jobs available to me or any money to inherit I turned to doing odd jobs for some pretty shady characters, until they screwed me and I turned on them. Ever since then all I've wanted to do is work for decent, honest hardworking people, and I have." "That's pretty cool," Victor said, giving the guy a low five, "you're alright for a Republican." The two shared a quick laugh. But the cheers and laughter were quickly broken up by the sound of gunfire and screams. Scar didn't even look to see where the fire was coming from, he just ran into the repair hangar and a second later the Whitz Wolf came boosting out, the trio of boosters rocketing the Zoid forward. "Victor," Crow said, grabbing the man before he could get away, "don't let them get to this hangar, got it?" The soldier nodded in acknowledgement and ran toward the parked Helcat. "Drake, go help him" Crow said. The organoid roared and shot into the air, morphing into a beam of pure energy and slamming into the Helcat, disappearing inside just as Victor hopped in the cockpit. Crow pulled a pistol from behind his back and cocked it, nobody was getting near this hangar until the Stealth Viper was back in action. "Scar, what's the deal, who's attacking us?" Victor asked. "My Infrared Sensors are picking up three heat signatures at the end of the village," Scar reported, "looks like a pair of Zaber Fangs and a . . . wait a minute, what is that?" Victor was suddenly rocked by a blast striking his Zoid's side. He winced and activated the Helcat's Stealth Shield. Then he turned to see what had shot at him. The Zoid he saw was as terrible as the Genosaurer in ferocity, with just as intimidating an appearance. The Zoid resembled a Republican Spinosapper, but with a much closer resemblance to a spinosaur. The Zoid was blood red and black in color, with a dinosaur-like appearance and a massive line of spines running down its back. "A Dark Spiner!" Victor yelled. "What's a Dark Spiner?" Scar asked. "A Zoid with the Charged Particle Gun like the Genosaurer and a multitude of other abilities including the Ionization Field and Communication Jammi-" but Victor was cut off. Scar tapped his screen but heard nothing else. "Damn it!" Victor yelled. The Helcat silently stalked the Spiner while the Whitz Wolf sprang into action. The red wolf Zoid boosted into the first Zaber Fang, throwing the tiger type machine back. The Zaber dug its claws into the ground to stop but was only met by a pair of shots from the Wolf's Dual Impact Cannon. The shots exploded on impact, tearing the Zaber Fang's own Impact Cannon from its mount. The cat-like Zoid roared and jumped forward, digging its claws into the shoulders of the Whitz Wolf as the other Zaber Fang moved into an offensive position. "Now I got you in my sights" Jack said, aiming the Dark Spiner's AZ140mm cannon toward the battling Whitz Wolf and preparing to pull the trigger. But an explosion from his rear forced him to turn the Spiner around and see what the commotion was about. A barrage of laser beams cut into his new Zoid's armor, alone not doing much but together beginning to chip it away. Jack frantically looked around to find his attacker but the evening sun blinded his vision and all he could see was a blotch of sunlight as Victor kept firing. The second Zaber Fang sprang forward just as Scar activated the Whitz Wolf's boosters, throwing the Zoid and the first Zaber forward. Then Scar hit the brakes, the momentum carrying the first Zaber through the air, it landed roughly on its stomach. "Guess cats don't always land on their feet" Scar mused, firing a few shots from his Dual Photon Particle Rifles to finish off the fallen Zoid. "Show yourself coward!" Jack screamed, firing in every direction possible. The shots blasted into small corners of houses and taverns, reducing them to rubble in instances. Seeing that his stealth was putting innocent lives in danger Victor tried a different strategy. The Helcat de-activated its Stealth Shield and threw itself at the Dark Spiner. The cheetah-like Zoid landed hard on the Spiner's back and began tearing away at the Zoid with its hardened alloy claws. Jack retracted the Dark Spiner's spines into their protective case and shook his Zoid from side to side. When that didn't work the Dark Spiner backed up into a building and threw itself backwards. Victor screamed as the Helcat fell through a few stories of a local inn. Scar turned to face the remaining Zaber Fang, squaring off with his opponent for a moment before the cat-like Zoid lunged forward again. Scar activated the smoke dischargers of the Whitz Wolf, filling the air with billows of chalky black smoke. The Zaber Fang slashed into the air momentarily before realizing the Whitz Wolf wasn't there anymore. The pilot looked around him but all he could see was darkness. Suddenly a flash of light pierced the shadows and slammed into his Zoid's side. The Zaber Fang turned and fired but only heard the shots uselessly hit the ground. The Helcat slowly tried pushing itself up, but to no avail. The Dark Spiner turned around and Jack smiled arrogantly. With a snapping noise the Spiner's spines slid back into place and the Zoid leaned forward. Dual foot locks dug into the ground and the Spiner's tail vents opened. "Say goodbye soldier" Jack said coldly. "Don't think so buddy!" Scar yelled as the Whitz Wolf collided with the Dark Spiner, pushing it to the side just as the beam of charged particles expelled from the Zoid's mouth. The charged particle beam cut through the air and knocked down a few people on the ground with the following shockwave. Jack turned to face the Whitz Wolf but found it had disappeared into the fog of smoke again. The last Zaber Fang viciously charged through the smoke, clawing the air all around it as it scrambled to get out. Shots flashed from beside it, blowing a hole in the ground just ahead of the tiger-like Zoid. The Zaber Fang tripped and fell forward as the Whitz Wolf jumped forward and pounced on top of the falling Zoid. A few point blank range shots from the Wolf's impact cannon separated the Zaber's head from its main body. "Gotcha!" Scar yelled triumphantly. Just then a beam of blue and purple energy cut into the air just above the Wolf's back, the shockwave tossing it like a rag doll. "Perfect shot!" Jack exclaimed excitedly. The shockwave had also blown the smoke from the Whitz Wolf's dischargers away, giving the lackey a clear shot at the mercenary. Scar fell limp in his cockpit upon impact with the ground and the Wolf remained motionless. The Dark Spiner bent forward and locked down its feet just as a draconic roar came from behind it. Drake shot into the Whitz Wolf, bathing it in green light as the charged particles began to gather. The Wolf suddenly stood and sprang to the side, just in time to dodge the CPG but not the shockwave. The tremendous blast of air once again threw the Zoid through the air. But this time when it landed Drake burst out of it and landed exhaustedly on the ground, panting from all the energy he'd been using that day. "Now just come with me little organoid and I won't have to kill you" Jack said, the Dark Spiner stepping forward. Drake roared defiantly before collapsing in utter exhaustion. Jack just smiled and opened the cockpit of the Dark Spiner, preparing to grab the dragon-like creature. "Don't move you son of a bitch!" Crow yelled from beside the Dark Spiner, leveling his pistol and aiming it at the minion's head. Jack froze momentarily. "Get out of the Spiner and we'll see who won't have to kill who" Crow demanded. Jack began to climb down from the cockpit when a moan from the skies distracted both pilots. Crow glanced into the sky as the sun was eclipsed by the sight of a Whale King descending from the heavens. Seeing Crow was preoccupied by the sight Jack scrambled toward Drake. A shot from Crow's pistol pierced the man's hand and he fell over screaming in pain before he could reach the organoid. A familiar beam of crimson colored energy rocketed into the Dark Spiner and suddenly the Zoid came to life, swooping down and grabbing Jack before running toward the open mouth of the Whale King. Crow fired a few shots at the retreating transport Zoid but was just happy to see his friends still alive. He ran over to Drake, helping the organoid up and giving it a bear hug. Victor and Scar joined them moments later, the group gazing at the retreating enemy and wondering how they were ever going to defeat opponents wielding weapons of mass destruction with just a pistol. 6. Pitfall CHAPTER 6 Pitfall The seven Death Wraiths stood in a circle, staring at each other and remaining perfectly silent as their leader stared down at them from above. Craven sat in his Genosaurer on the high cliff, gazing down at the hooded figures below him. The Death Wraiths and their Genosaurers were quite a sight to behold. With Craven being one of the only beings alive to know what they truly were, and being one himself, the mysterious effect had long ago faded away. "The master called for a gathering for a reason," Craven said over a megaphone, "there is only one organoid left to recover, one final chosen one. The green organoid runs rampant to this day and it MUST be captured for the awakening to begin. It has banded together with some village boy named Crow, who pilots the Albino Assassin's Zoid. Find the boy and destroy him, then bring his head and the organoid back to me." The gathering of Wraiths bowed their heads in unison before turning toward their parked Genosaurers and preparing to leave. Craven was sure that they would succeed, the question wasn't if, it was when. The master would be patient, but not too patient. His Genosaurer roared ferociously in the air before activating its boosters and turning to leave. A soldier stared through a pair of binoculars far to the side of the Genosaurer and watched it maneuver through the rocky terrain. He pulled out a walkie-talkie and turned the dial at the top, "Target is heading west by southwest." "Roger," Colonel Payne said, turning to the platoon of Zoids behind him, "go, go, go! Bring that bastard back to me!" The Zoids, five Red Horn, twelve Royal Zaber Fangs and ten Iron Kongs mobilized, charging to intercept and surround the Genosaurer. Craven's radar blared as it picked up a huge amount of approaching targets, the Death Wraith just smiled and turned to meet them. Hook, line and sinker. The squadron of Imperial Zoids quickly surrounded the Wraith and his Genosaurer, aiming all their specialized Anti-Zoid weaponry at the Saurer's chest. "Craven, for crimes against the Empire by authority of Emperor Rudolph you are under arrest!" Payne yelled. The chest of the Genosaurer popped open, the Death Wraith gliding down and landing softly on the ground. Craven threw his hands up, making the soldiers flinch until they realized he was surrendering. Colonel Payne himself strolled right up to the hooded Wraith, a massive guard of soldiers behind him aiming at Craven as the Colonel approached. Payne grabbed Craven by the wrist, pulling up the cloak and revealing the rotting flesh beneath. Craven mockingly blew a breath of putrid air at the Colonel as the man went to cuff him. * * * Crow looked the Stealth Viper over meticulously, but couldn't find a single dent in it. He smiled and shook the hand of the man responsible for the repairs. "Thanks old man," he said, "here's your payment." The repair man greedily accepted the Imperial currency and patted Crow on his back before turning to leave. Victor walked up from behind. "Ready to go yet?" the soldier asked. "Yeah, let's get the hell out of here" Crow said, jumping in the cockpit of the Stealth Viper. Drake took flight, landing softly on top of the center box and went back to sleep as the snake-like Zoid slithered into motion. "Sure you don't want to come with us?" Crow asked as he passed the Whitz Wolf. "Sorry guys, I've got a few jobs lined up south of here" Scar answered, the Whitz Wolf roaring a goodbye in response. Crow just shrugged and continued on, quickly joined by the newly repaired Helcat from the side. "So I'm guessing it's back to the original plan of heading to the Waterfall Colony?" Victor asked. Crow solemnly nodded. "I'm a little afraid to go back and see the destruction but no worries, I'm up for the task." "You've seen hundreds of destroyed villages, it doesn't look much different" Crow said. "Well sure it does," Victor retorted, "it's our home Crow. We can never forget our roots, they're what define us." "You're right I guess" Crow said, thinking again about his friends and family that had been slaughtered because he couldn't defend them. He had grown almost emotionless when thinking about them, the only emotion left being rage. He couldn't wait for the battle between him and Craven. A few hours went by with virtual silence between the two travelers, the only real noise coming from Drake's snoring. Crow admired the organoid greatly, the creature had been an essential part of their survival so far. Finally the sun began setting into the horizon, casting a golden aurora down upon Zi and Crow yawned briefly. "If we ride through the night we'll reach the village by sunset, your call" Crow said. "Hold on a minute," Victor said, "I'm receiving a message from Colonel Payne." Victor transmitted the message to Crow's screen as the Colonel's face came up. "We've captured Craven and are now attempting to transport him to the nearest base now" the Colonel said. "Where are you?" Crow asked. "Just outside of the Waterfall Colony, we've got the bastard detained and in cuffs" the Colonel said. "No, stop Colonel, he's undead! He CAN'T die with conventional weaponry!" Crow yelled. "It has to be a trap!" Suddenly screaming came from behind Payne and Crow and Victor watched in horror as Craven grabbed the military man by the throat and aimed a bloody pistol at his head. Payne struggled to get out of the Wraith's grasp but to no avail. Crow barely made out a smile on Craven's face under the shadows of his hood. "Good to see you again boy," Craven said over the intercom, "how about we stop and have a little chat about the organoid?" "Wouldn't have it any other way, where do you want to meet?" Crow asked. "Why the burial sight of your pitiful father of course" Craven said, cackling maniacally before the screen went blank. Crow turned on the intercom to Victor. "You stay behind in case he's got friends with him, but leave Craven to me" Crow said seriously before the Stealth Viper kicked in to its full speed and charged toward the Waterfall Colony, or at least what was left of it. The Helcat ran to catch up and they disappeared into the night sky. * * * Morning came and Craven glanced down at all the tied up soldiers he had taken hostage. His plan had been simple, but effective, much like the common pitfall. The Wraith looked up in time to see the albino Stealth Viper come into view. He smiled and activated the Genosaurer's boosters, heading to meet the approaching Zoid. Craven cut Crow off and the Genosaurer and Stealth Viper exchanged growls and hisses. "I'm here, now if there are no more interruptions can we get to it, I've been waiting" Crow said coldly. Craven smirked. "So be it, did you bring the organoid?" the Death Wraith asked. "Drake!" Crow yelled. A roar from behind the Stealth Viper signaled the organoid's approach and in a flash of lime green light Drake disappeared inside the snake type Zoid. "Satisfied?" Crow asked. Craven nodded and the two began squaring off. The Genosaurer and Stealth Viper circled each other slowly, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Craven tauntingly activated the Genosaurer's boosters, making Crow flinch, but quickly de-activated them and laughed mockingly. Crow lost what patience he had and piloted the Stealth Viper forward, using the Zoid's superior maneuverability to slither around the Genosaurer's legs and squeeze. The Genosaurer collapsed to the ground as the Viper slid around to face the fallen Zoid. The Stealth Viper struck like lightning, lashing down and biting into the neck of the Genosaurer with its hardened alloy teeth. The Genosaurer desperately slashed at the Viper but Crow easily extended the Zoid's body backwards and dodged the attacks. In response the Genosaurer boosted forward, releasing the Stealth Viper's grip on it and pushed itself to its feet. Then it shot one of its grappling arms toward its opponent, catching the Zoid in its mid-section. "Got me!" Crow yelled. The Stealth Viper hissed defiantly as it was drug toward the tyrannical Genosaurer. "There's no escape!" Craven exclaimed ravenously. The Genosaurer dug further into the body of the Stealth Viper with its claws and activated its foot locks. The Viper swung its long tail at the Saurer as it prepared to fire the CPG. Realizing it was futile to strike the Genosaurer in its main body, Crow aimed for the foot locks as a cloud of charged particles formed at the base of the Zoid's mouth. Only managing to dent one Crow instinctively threw his Zoid's tail at the Saurer's head, bashing it to the side as the Charged Particle Gun fired. The Stealth Viper lunged to the side, Crow watching in horror as the particle beam sliced through one of the 40mm machine guns located on the Viper's head. The shockwave of the weapon threw the Stealth Viper back with tremendous force, releasing it from the grasp of the Genosaurer. Crow groaned as his head was slammed against the console upon impact with the ground. Everything became foggy and for a moment all he could make out was the shape of the Genosaurer as it boosted towards him. Drake took command of the Stealth Viper, piloting it back and around the saurian Genosaurer and opening fire with the remaining 40mm machine gun as Crow's world came back into focus. Craven turned his Zoid but the Stealth Viper moved in unison, keeping out of reach of the Genosaurer and continuing to rain bullets upon it. A small piece of leg armor fell off from repeated fire, crashing to the ground below. The Genosaurer roared viciously and turned its head, firing a few shots from the cannon mounted on its nose. The shots struck the Viper's head, knocking it backward and disabling it for a moment, allowing the Genosaurer to swing around and fire two direct hits with its twin 120mm pulse laser cannons. The Stealth Viper hissed and collapsed to the ground, bowing before the might of the Genosaurer. Crow looked up to see the Saurer's foot come crashing down on his Zoid's cockpit, the glass breaking and exposing his position. "You're finished!" Craven bellowed. The Stealth Viper sprang to life, wrapping itself around the Genosaurer before Craven could react. The Genosaurer tried desperately to pry the Viper off of it but the Zoid and its pilot were determined. A spray of bullets to the Saurer's face dissuaded any more resistance as gears and armor began grinding together as the Stealth Viper squeezed the Genosaurer roughly. Craven frantically pressed button after button, pulling levers and typing commands in an attempt to release his Zoid. The Genosaurer bent into itself as its body began breaking, wires snapping and gears grinding against armor. The Zoid's cockpit erupted in electricity as the command systems malfunctioned, trying to send commands to body parts that couldn't react. Craven screamed in pain as the electrical energy surged through his already deformed body, the electricity charring his festering skin. "Yes!" Crow yelled, revenge in his eyes. "Suffer you son of a bitch!" Suddenly the boy lost control of the Stealth Viper and the Zoid began releasing its hold over the Genosaurer. Crow frantically looked around, confused as the snake-like Zoid unraveled from the mal-formed Genosaurer. "Drake! What is this? Why are we stopping?" Crow barked angrily. "We almost had him! What are you doing?" The Stealth Viper slithered away, Crow watching as the Genosaurer collapsed into a heap of broken metal behind him and screaming in righteous confusion. "Crow what happened?" Victor's voice asked over the intercom. "Drake stopped the battle, we're heading for a rock face not too far from here, meet us there!" Crow yelled. The Viper maneuvered between two large jagged rocks, turned and opened its cockpit, ejecting Crow out then closing it. "What's the meaning of this?" Crow demanded. The Stealth Viper hissed and wrapped itself into a coil as a layer of pink colored crystals began covering its body. "What?" Crow asked. When it was done the Stealth Viper and Drake had disappeared, replaced by an egg of crystals. * * * A/N: Any thoughts on the battle between the Genosaurer and Stealth Viper? Send them to me in a review. 7. Evolution CHAPTER 7 Evolution Victor bent down and untied Colonel Payne, constantly looking over his back at the wreckage of the Genosaurer. "Thanks soldier," Payne said, "now where'd Crow go?" The Colonel hopped in the Helcat and together him and Victor followed the slither marks left by the Stealth Viper in its unexpected retreat. They came around a rocky carapace and saw it, a massive egg of pink crystals, with Crow standing in front of it like he was hypnotized. "Crow, what's happening?" Victor asked, jumping out of the cockpit and landing next to his partner. Crow just shook his head, signaling he didn't know. "The Stealth Viper is evolving" Colonel Payne stated. "What do you mean evolving?" Crow asked. "When your Zoid emerges from that egg it will be different, _far _different," Payne explained, "just you wait and see. When a pilot reaches a level of skill that the Zoid can't keep up with anymore it evolves to meet the pilot's requirements for a Zoid. In terms of sheer power, speed and maneuverability the Stealth Viper will become the perfect Zoid for you." Crow gazed at the egg in wonder for a moment. "But my piloting abilities couldn't have improved _that _much in just a few weeks," Crow said, "it's impossible." "Perhaps it's Drake" Victor said, pondering the idea for a moment. "What do you mean?" Crow asked. "There are hundreds of organoids out there, think about it," Victor said, "why does Craven need yours so badly unless there's something special about it?" Crow had never really thought about that before, he grabbed his chin as he began to put the pieces together. "Maybe Drake can evolve a Zoid faster than your average organoid," Crow suggested, "that's why they've only been collecting certain organoids. They're trying to evolve something very quickly, and with influence from all different organoids like Drake we'd be dealing with something far more devastating than the Deathsaurer!" Crow heard clapping from behind him and turned to see a familiar hooded figure. Crow and Victor drew their pistols and leveled them at the clapping Death Wraith. "Very good child," Craven's raspy voice said, "very good. I never thought a simpleton like you could figure out our grand plan. Too bad you don't even know the half of it, the Awakening will be far more grand than anything you could imagine. Haha, if you thought I was bad, you're in for a nasty surprise." Crow and Victor opened fire, the bullets rocketing toward their target. Craven just laughed as the bullets went right through him like he wasn't there. "It's a hologram! Someone's messing with our heads!" Crow barked. Craven continued laughing maniacally as his image began fading away. "Get back here and face me you unholy piece of shit!" Crow yelled, but there was nothing there anymore. He breathed heavily for a moment as he tried to calm down. Colonel Payne put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I sure hope whatever comes out of that egg is ready for the challenge ahead" Payne said. "What if Craven comes with the other Wraiths and tries to destroy it or us before the Stealth Viper comes out?" Crow asked. "You just leave that to me" Colonel Payne said, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a square shaped walkie-talkie. * * * Craven bowed before his master, kneeling on one knee and removing his hood. "No green organoid," Craven's master said, "why do you return to me?" "Great Master Necros, please forgive me," Craven said, "the boy destroyed my Genosaurer. Without a Zoid I cannot possibly recover the green organoid as you have decreed." The green haired, silver eyed man turned to his servant and touched the Death Wraith on his bald head, digging his nails into the undead flesh. "I gave you the chance for a second life slave and all you do with it is disappoint me!" Necros screamed. Craven moaned in pain as black ooze began seeping from where his master's nails pierced his flesh. Necros shoved the Wraith to the ground and released his hold. "Fine," he said calmly, "I will revive the Genosaurer. And what will you do in return?" "Bring you the green organoid master" Craven said. Necros smiled and snapped his fingers. A roar from behind the Wraith signified the approach of an organoid. A bolt of crimson energy landed next to Necros and shaped itself into a dragon-like creature. "Rex here was recovered but is not one of the Chosen Ones," Necros explained, "therefore he is a willing sacrifice to our cause." The crimson-colored organoid gave a confused growl and looked toward its master. "Bring me the Genosaurer's Zoid core!" A group of four Wraiths brought over the orb-like heart of the Genosaurer, setting it in front of their master and then scuttling away. In the battle with the Stealth Viper the core had been damaged by too much pressure against it from all angles, causing it to bend inward and then crack. Craven stared at the cracked orb in loathing. Necros snapped his fingers again and Rex obeyed, morphing into a ball of red energy and floating toward the dead Zoid core. In a flash of light the organoid and Zoid core fused into one and the core began mutating. A puddle of red energy washed over the core, repairing the crack as the orb-like heart began throbbing in all different directions. Then the orb stretched out in both directions and became box-like in shape, with round edges. Craven stared in awe as metal tendrils reached out of the box and combined together, forming a small solid form as they began expanding and mutating around the core. Necros smiled evilly as his plan unfolded. After much more throbbing, surging and morphing a new Zoid took shape around the Zoid core, something that wasn't the Genosaurer or the organoid. Something far more grand. "Genosaurer no more, it has evolved into the Psychosaurer!" Necros declared with excitement apparent in his voice. Craven stared at his new Zoid, looking it over. The Genosaurer's bulkier body had been narrowed out, leaving the Zoid with a much sleeker form. The armor was crimson colored, as Rex had been, with spikes emerging from the shoulders and to the side of the knees. The Psychosaurer's head was raptor-like, with long, powerful hardened alloy fangs and a much more oval shape than before. On either shoulder an armored case held a concealed pincher blade that could slide forward and be used with devastating effects. The Psychosaurer's forearms held a pair of powerful AZ188mm repeaters on one side and AZ144mm spine launchers on the other. Like the Genosaurer before it these arms could be fired forward, but with much more destruction possible because of the mounted weapons. The feet concealed boosters and the Psychosaurer boasted no foot locks, allowing it to fire the Charged Particle Gun without having to lock in place due to a Charged Particle Converter on its back. Craven and his master shared maniacal laughs as they stared in splendor at the abomination before them. * * * A few days later . . . A plethora of Imperial and Republican Zoids stood guard just outside the perimeter of the evolution egg. Crow saw Command Wolves, Dark Horns, Gordos, Iron Kongs and even Gojulas and Genosaurers standing guard to protect _his _Zoid. He just hoped they would be enough to stop Craven and the other Wraiths. Colonel Payne stood next to him, staring at the united force he had amassed. "It's always good to have friends in high places" the Colonel said, winking at the boy. Then the military man turned and looked at the egg concealing Drake and the Stealth Viper. "A new Zoid is created about once every decade or so," the Colonel said, "you're about to join the ranks of the first pilots to pilot a whole new Zoid. I hope you understand how great a gift Drake is giving you right now as he works on the Stealth Viper." Crow nodded. "I do, and maybe with this new gift together Drake and I finish what we started with Craven." "Sir!" a soldier yelled, running up to the pair. "Urgent message from one of our scouts!" The soldier handed the Colonel a walkie-talkie. "Colonel Payne, unidentified Zoid approaching!" Victor's voice yelled over the walkie-talkie. "It's horrible sir, if I didn't have my Stealth Shield equipped I'd fear for my life right now!" "Son, calm down," Payne said, "tell me what you see." "The Genosaurer, only not," Victor tried to explain, "it's far beyond the Genosaurer sir and it's approaching at a speed of roughly 350 kilometers per hour!" "Craven" Crow growled, running up a small mountain face and looking into the horizon. He watched as a small red dot came into view, coming closer and closer every second. Colonel Payne turned to see the evolution egg behind him begin to crack. The crystals shattered one by one as they dematerialized out of thin air, giving small glimpses of what was beneath. "Protect the Stealth Viper with your lives!" Colonel Payne yelled over a megaphone as Crow ran to watch the egg hatch. The entire mixed guard of Imperial and Republican Zoids opened fire at the approaching terror. Republican Supercannons and Heavy Imperial Hyperbeam Cannons rained shots down on the ground all around the Psychosaurer as it boosted through the desert and toward its target. Craven smiled as the Charged Particle Converter began taking in charged particles from the air, a cloud of them forming at the base of his new Zoid's mouth. "Max Charged Particle Gun!" Craven yelled. The cloud turned into a stream of glowing purple and red energy as it shot forward. Smaller beams of charged particles split from the main one, diverting their courses toward different targets than the original. Separate Charged Particle Beams slammed into the defense forces, slaying each Zoid they hit instantly. A Gojulas moaned as it fell backward, a glowing hole of red imbedded in its chest. A Iron Kong collapsed into a heap, missing half of its original body. "Return fire damn it!" Colonel Payne yelled. The defense Genosaurer's bent forward in unison, opening their tails vents and locking down their feet. A group of Charged Particle Beams fired back at the Psychosaurer, coming in from virtually every direction. Craven smirked as he saw the oncoming beams of power and shook his head. The Psychosaurer jumped up, activating its boosters and rocketing into the air as the Charged Particle Beams slammed into the ground where it had just stood. The massive explosion of kinetic energy that followed hurled the Psychosaurer even farther into the air and the Genosaurer pilots screamed as the Psychosaurer came down upon them. Crow stared at the Stealth Viper as it emerged from its egg, shaking its newfound body free of the crystalline shell that held it. The new Zoid was far more draconic in appearance than it had once been, but it still remained true to its snake-like origin in shape. The Stealth Viper had gained a small pair of arms where its center box had once been, with boosters lining its stomach. The new Zoid's body segments were more rounded, allowing for far superior maneuverability and speed. The Zoid had glowing green eyes like those of Drake and a pair of mouth-mounted AZ40mm machine guns inside its jaw, which was lined with rows of blade-like teeth. The Stealth Viper's new tail a sharp octagonal shaped weapon at the end, making it ten times as dangerous as before. "Come to me Stealth Dragon!" Crow yelled, the Zoid obeying and levitating into the air with its stomach boosters. Drake shot out of the hovering Zoid, grabbed his partner and melded back with the Stealth Dragon after dropping Crow in the cockpit. Crow looked around at the new cockpit controls, familiarizing himself with them briefly through trial and error. He heard a scream over the intercom and watched as the Psychosaurer switched its pincher-like blades forward and cut the head off of a Genosaurer. Next the Psychosaurer turned and fired its arm mounted weapons at another defense Saurer, blowing a leg off and watching it fall uselessly to the ground. The final Genosaurer pilot locked his Zoid in place and activated the Zoid's CPG. Craven turned to his opponent and did the same. In unison the two super weapons collided, pushing at each other. The Psychosaurer's Max CPG easily overwhelmed the Genosaurer's CPG, throwing it back and breaking into separate beams which in turn sliced into the Genosaurer from all different angles. In a split second the Genosaurer fell into at least a dozen different pieces. "Craven!" Crow bellowed. The Psychosaurer turned toward the Stealth Dragon, its eyes glowing a crimson colored red. * * * A/N: Sorry to end the chapter there but I felt it necessary to build up anticipation. The Psychosaurer is of my creation, but sadly the Stealth Dragon isn't. I also created the Max CPG with inspiration from the Megalo-Max. 8. Defeat Tastes Bitter Sweet CHAPTER 8 Defeat Tastes Bitter Sweet "And so, in conclusion, I would like to thank you for coming to the unveiling of the statue of our Madam President," Necros said, "any questions?" A crowd of gathered people clapped, the man before them bowing a few times before turning to the two men in Republican uniform behind him. "Ambassador Necros," one of the soldiers said, "the President requests a conference with you to discuss the upcoming anniversary of our fair city." Necros stared at the soldier momentarily with his piercing silver eyes before smiling pleasantly. "Of course, after you" the Ambassador said, turning to wave at the gathered people one last time before he departed. Then he slowly followed the soldiers, his smile becoming an eerie grimace. He followed the soldiers into the White House and up a flight of stairs before greeting the Madam President herself with a cheery grin. "Thank you for the audience with me Madam President, what is it that you request a conference with me for?" One soldier tapped the other on his shoulder and leaned his head to one side, the other responding by turning to go back downstairs. "Necros," the President said, "good to see you again. Walk with me for a moment." The two began strolling through the second floor of the White House casually. "There's been a lot of talk about some interesting activities you've been participating in," the President said, a stern look on her face, "I don't recall authorizing the recovery of any organoids." "Madam President you offend me," Necros started, "why would you assume such a thing?" "Because I have footage of a group of bandits handing one over to you," the President retorted, "at your secret hideout, oh wait, it's not so secret anymore." Necros's cheery exposition turned cold in a flash. "Listen here you old wench," Necros said, drawing a gun from his back pocket and leveling it at the woman, "you just opened a nasty can of worms. I think it's about time we took a little walk _outside_." The Ambassador whistled and the two soldiers from before came up, blocking anyone else's view of the President as she was lead out by gunpoint. * * * "Ah, the child prodigy," Craven said, "I see your Zoid has evolved, so has mine." The Stealth Dragon roared in bestial rage, spreading its retractable wings and boosting toward the Psychosaurer like a rocket. The evolved Genosaurer boosted to the side just in time to dodge the first half of the Stealth Dragon. The second half on other hand slammed into the head of the Psychosaurer in the form of the Stealth Dragon's hardened alloy tail. The attack tossed the Zoid to the side with great force, sending it flying toward a jagged outcropping. Craven sneered and activated the Psychosaurer's boosters, stopping the Zoid just inches from the potentially deadly terrain. The Stealth Dragon swooped back around and opened its mouth, revealing the dual AZ40mm machine guns inside. The draconic Zoid spat a wave of anti-Zoid bullets at its opponent, ripping into the Psychosaurer's leg armor. In return, the Psychosaurer shot its arms out like grappling hooks, opening fire with its weapons as well. A few spines from the AZ144mm spine launchers drilled into the Stealth Dragon but it pulled up before the grappling arms could catch it, heading right for the Psychosaurer before it could pull back its weapons. Crow bellowed a battle cry as the Stealth Dragon head butted the Psychosaurer and activated its boosters, bringing the Zoid along with it as it turned toward the sky. Seeing that the arms of the Psychosaurer were nearly back and knowing the possibility of Craven using the Max CPG was high, Crow climbed a little bit higher and then dove toward the ground as quickly as possible. The Stealth Dragon broke the sound barrier before it curved back up, the momentum throwing the Psychosaurer into the ground roughly. Craven winced upon impact, his Zoid's parts crunching together as they had done before against the Stealth Viper. Luckily, due to its recent evolution, the Psychosaurer had reinforced hardened alloy along its body to prevent breaking and bending. Crow watched in disbelief as the Psychosaurer emerged from the small crater it had created upon impact. Craven's Zoid roared and revealed the gun barrel in its mouth, making Crow shudder a little bit. An orb of charged particles formed at the base of the Psychosaurer's mouth as the Stealth Dragon swept down, pouring more bullets upon the ex-Genosaurer. "Max Charged Particle Gun!" Craven yelled deviously. Crow struggled to maneuver the Stealth Dragon to the correct positions as the beam of destructive power fired and split. The Stealth Dragon twisted and bent itself in a perfect wave shape, the beams of charged particles slicing through the air just inches from the Zoid's body. The ensuing explosions threw the Stealth Dragon skyward, but it managed to right itself with some quick thinking from Crow. "Damn it!" Craven screamed. Crow wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and prepared for another attack. The Psychosaurer boosted into a hovering position and sped toward the Stealth Dragon, pelting the enemy Zoid with fire from the Psychosaurer's arm mounted weapons. The Stealth Dragon belched a volley of bullets upon its opponent again and dove toward the Psychosaurer with outstretched arms. Crow spun the Stealth Dragon as he approached and activated its Gripper Claws, digging into the back of the Psychosaurer as it continued on. The Stealth Dragon's speed faltered as it picked the Psychosaurer up and the mid-section of the dragon type Zoid nearly dropped to the ground but it held. Crow dropped the Psychosaurer as he activated the ion boosters of the Stealth Dragon, throwing the Zoid into a rock face. The initial impact rocked the cockpit of the Psychosaurer and cracked a piece of armor on its chest. Craven turned his Zoid around and yelled as a cloud of charged particles formed outside the Psychosaurer's mouth once again. Crow quickly moved to avoid the shots again, bending the Stealth Dragon in every which way in an effort to dodge the oncoming onslaught. This time Craven snickered and waited a little longer before firing his beam, the computers signifying a number of lock-ons. "MAX CPG!" Craven yelled once again. Red and purple energy swirled together and broke apart, the beams of charged particles splitting and heading toward their target sections of the Stealth Dragon. Crow screamed in terror as he tried to move the Stealth Dragon. A split second later a pair of beams struck his Zoid in two different places, the shockwaves and impact throwing it to the ground. A layer of dust and rubble obscured Craven's vision but he knew what was happening. The Stealth Dragon sparked and tweaked as it went to stand up, Crow watching in horror as the Psychosaurer broke through the dust smoke screen. Craven laughed maniacally as his opponent tried to get a hold of himself. "Time to pay you back for my earlier defeat child" Craven said coolly. Crow sneered and tried a few different controls, the Stealth Dragon wiggling and slithering as it tried to escape. Another gathering of charged particles formed, the Psychosaurer's eyes glowing with power. "Not so fast!" a voice said over the intercom. Craven turned to see a wave of Zoids approaching him. "Commence Attack Pattern Gama!" Colonel Payne commanded. The line of Genosaurers and Dibison behind his Zaber Fang halted and began activating their ultimate attacks. The barrels of the Dibison Zoids began glowing with golden energy as the Genosaurers charged up their CPGs. Craven turned back to fire at Crow but his Max CPG struck nothing but an empty crater. "Fire!" Payne ordered. The Psychosaurer sprang backwards as numerous beams of energy struck the ground all around it. Craven screamed as his Zoid was thrown around like a rag doll from the explosions. Crow watched safely from the Stealth Dragon as the Psychosaurer emerged from the after effects of the attacks. The Zoid's armor was ripped to shreds, not to mention dented, and a couple of holes dotted its body. The Psychosaurer roared defiantly as Colonel Payne ordered a second attack. Craven wisely backed off and began boosting away, the second stream of CPGs and Megalo-Maxs falling short of their target. The Colonel's Zaber Fang ran up to the Stealth Dragon, the Helcat appearing behind it. "You okay boy?" Payne asked. "No problem I'm fine, you alright Drake?" Crow asked. A resilient growl from inside the Stealth Dragon answered his question and he watched as Drake emerged from the Zoid. "That Psychosaurer is pretty powerful," Payne pointed out, "do you think it's the result of the mass organoid evolution you were talking about?" "No Colonel, it was strong, but not that strong" Crow said. "Sir," Victor's voice said, "we've just received word that the President has been kidnapped!" "What?" Payne said in disbelief. He stared into the horizon as Craven disappeared into the sunset. "You had something to do with this didn't you?" the Colonel asked. * * * "Craven return to base" Necros said over the Wraith's intercom. "But master, I am yet to capture the green organoid" Craven said. "Just come back, we have a change in plans, I've waited long enough" Necros said before his transmission cut off. Craven shook his head and directed the Psychosaurer toward his master's secret base. * * * "Who has kidnapped the President?" Colonel Payne asked, standing next to a few Republican generals in his command tower. "We don't know just yet, the security was-" one general started to say before a face appeared on the main command screen. "Citizens of planet Zi," Necros said, "welcome to my sick little game. You're all pawns in this game of chess and I'm the player. I have the Madam President and she's safe, for now. I decree to the world for all to hear now, you will all bow to my unfathomable power. Think of yourselves as lucky to be part of the beginning of something far greater than you could ever imagine. You will all remember this day as the end of your silly Zoid battles and simple disagreements. No more will you live a life of division, as you will all be united under one banner, mine. Witness the power. Witness the destruction. Witness the Awakening! For all the world to see!" Behind the man a pair of glowing red eyes appeared from the pool of purple liquid a few feet away. A/N: Yay a new chapter again! We're so excited we're gonna write reviews, right? By the way, VD, the beginning was for you, altered at the last moment to satisfy your curiousity. 9. The Awakening CHAPTER 9 The Awakening Behind Necros the giant pool of liquid began bubbling ferociously, the shadow of the behemoth below rising closer and closer to the surface as Necros laughed maniacally. The first part of the Death Saurer to emerge was its head, its shocking eyes glowing a sinister red not unlike those of the Death Wraiths. The world watched in horror as the legendary Zoid they had defeated just months ago was reborn, the immense Zoid rising to its full extent and roaring menacingly. Colonel Payne nearly fell back in shock, the Death Saurer was back. He watched as Necros snapped his fingers and the camera pointed toward a line of shackled organoids. "These creatures shall take the steps necessary to ensure the destruction of both New Helic City and Guygalos!" Necros yelled. There were organoids of all different types, some rapturous, some saurian and some draconic. "The Chosen Ones will awaken the true power of the Death Saurer! Watch as one by one they sacrifice themselves to our cause!" The Death Saurer's chest opened up, revealing its glowing Zoid core. There were nineteen organoids in all and each where a different shape and color, each an individual life and conscience. Jack and the Death Wraiths poked and prodded them with swords and guns to do as they were told. With a small amount of resistance the first organoid obeyed. The golden colored organoid roared and boosted toward the Death Saurer, breaking its shackles and disappearing into the glowing light. The Death Saurer growled as it adjusted to the new feeling of power that swept through its body. The next organoid, a silver colored raptor type, did the same. It continued on down the line as organoid after organoid bonded with the Death Saurer, each adding to its already immense power. When the final organoid fused with the Death Saurer it bellowed into the air and a swirling vortex of black energy enveloped it. "Yes! Yes!" Necros yelled. Craven appeared behind him, watching the wondrous light show from the shadows. After a few minutes of this the energy began to slowly come to a halt and reside in a locked position. With that it began sinking to the ground, revealing the new Zoid underneath its cloak of evolutionary energy. The new Death Saurer was far different from the old one, having decreased in size by nearly half. But all the changes it had gone through did nothing but improve it. As a giant behemoth the Death Saurer had been nothing but a big target. Now it was roughly the size of a small building, still bigger than most Zoids, but not too big. The next change to come was one that the Genosaurer had undertaken, an advanced body shape for more speed and maneuverability. The Death Saurer's newer, sleeker body was draconic in appearance, with a pair of wings for flight capabilities that were also unseen by its former self. Improved black colored armor covered its body, at nearly twice the thickness of what it had been. An array of new weapons had formed on the Saurer, most notably the enormous pair of beam cannons mounted on its back. These beam cannons were of 360mm caliber and were designated as Anti-Zoid weaponry. The next weapon change consisted of a cluster of random caliber mortar cannons just below the Zoid core opening, these weapons having a massive blast radius. Boosters were mounted behind the Death Saurer's legs, giving it the ability to travel speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. The tail of the Death Saurer had been equipped with hundreds of spine launchers on either side of it as well as the pre-existing rocket launchers on the top. On the Zoid's nose a pair of 120mm laser repeaters were mounted, giving it destructive power from every angle possible. The new Death Saurer roared, the tremendous force throwing everything in sight towards the walls, including Necros. "Behold the Chaos Saurer in all its bountiful glory Madam President and watch as your precious capital city is crushed under the wings of my creation!" Necros exclaimed. The President, being held by a pair of Death Wraiths just fell back in awe, nearly fainting as the truth hit her hard. The Ambassador wasn't kidding, the Chaos Saurer was twice the Zoid it used to be, and that meant it was unstoppable. The Chaos Saurer looked up at the ceiling containing it and a cloud of charged particles formed at the base of its mouth. The Charged Particle Converter mounted on the Zoid's back drew in energy as the Chaos Saurer unleashed the Super Charged Particle Beam from inside its mouth. The SCPG blasted through the ceiling and the Chaos Saurer roared in satisfaction at the sight of the sun. The legendary Zoid reached down and grabbed Necros in its claw, then spread its wings and took flight, using the hole it had created to exit into the world above. "It can't be!" Colonel Payne screamed in disbelief. "The Death Saurer can't be back! Not again! We don't have the resources to stop it!" Crow grabbed his forehead as he tried to comprehend the task that was before him. It was his duty, his holy quest to stop the Chaos Saurer and release Drake's kin. Drake roared viciously and grabbed his partner, boosting out the window of the command tower and toward the Stealth Dragon. "Sir, what do we do?" Victor asked. Colonel Payne pried his eyes open. "Deploy all available Zoids to protect New Helic City, we have to make a stand and defeat this abomination now, before it can reach Guygalos!" Colonel Payne ordered. Every available soldier scrambled out of the room and toward the Zoid hangars. Payne grabbed Victor by the shoulder to stop him from leaving. "I'm sorry soldier, but your Helcat can't come along, its not powerful enough," Victor's heart sank to the ground, "which is why I've had it arranged for you to pilot a new Zoid we engineered just for an emergency like this." Victor looked his superior officer in the eye, seeing the seriousness and saluted the man. Colonel Payne saluted back. "Soldier, report to hangar number 0592 and identify yourself, the Attack Arachnid awaits!" * * * New Helic City . . . Every kind of Republican Zoid imaginable lined up in a massive perimeter that surrounded the capital city. On the ground Cannon Tortoises, Gordos, Godos, Dibison, Command Wolves, Shield Ligers and Gojulas lined up. In the air Pteras, Raynos and Storm Sworders flew just outside of the defense perimeter, waiting for the Chaos Saurer to approach. Soldiers scrambled to evacuate civilians in multiple Whale Kings as more Zoids poured into the ranks. The Stealth Dragon, almost mistaken for the Chaos Saurer by the air units, entered the city. Crow waited patiently like the rest for a shot at the Chaos Saurer. "Crow!" a voice yelled from below the Stealth Dragon. The boy looked down to see the Whitz Wolf awaiting a response. "Scar, what are you doing here?" Crow asked. "Just shut up and follow me!" the mercenary yelled back. Crow shrugged and directed the Stealth Dragon to follow its Wolf type partner. A giant staircase leading underground slid open and the Zoids vanished inside. Crow opened the Stealth Dragon's cockpit and with a motion from Scar followed the mercenary to a rather plain looking door. "In here" Scar said. The mercenary opened the door, revealing a group of important military men sitting around a circular table and debating. Scar walked over and sat in a seat next to some Imperial general and pulled a seat next to him for Crow who sat down in response. A man with blonde hair dressed in a Republican uniform stood up and motioned for quiet, which everybody granted him. Crow recognized the man as Herman, the leader of the Republican forces. "Gentleman, thank you all for coming," Herman began, "please welcome Crow, our final warrior to join our ranks." Everybody began clapping and Crow nodded in acknowledgement, wondering what this whole thing was about. "We have amongst this group gathered the eight warriors to cross paths with the Death Wraiths and survive. Each plays an important role in the mission before them as each has experience unseen by many. These warriors are to be our saviors, our heroes to emerge from the shadows as champions of the light. I deem these eight fine pilots the Peace Paladins, with specific orders to restore peace and stability to Zi in our time of need. First is the Paladin of Righteousness, Scar of New Helic City. Next is the Paladin of Vengeance, Crow of the Waterfall Colony. The Paladin of Virtue, Herc of Guygalos. The Paladin of Might, Oz of the Avalanche Colony. The Paladin of Punishment, Ace of the Blizzard Colony. The Paladin of Dominance, Gabriel of the Hurricane Colony. The Paladin of the Sea, Nicholas of New Helic City. Last, but not least is the Paladin of the Sky, Juliet of Guygalos." Each warrior stood up and bowed before the clapping group of generals and colonels before them. Crow looked each of them over carefully. Herc was a short man with a powerful upper body and long blonde hair. Oz was tall and slender, with well proportioned muscles and short brown hair. Ace was medium sized, with an average build and messy dirty blonde hair. Gabriel was a tan man with a slightly muscular build and many a scar along his face and arms as well as flowing black hair. Nicholas was short and thin, with slicked back blue hair and a cocky smile. Juliet was tall and athletic, especially for a woman, and had short pink hair. "Now my Paladins," Herman said, "when the Chaos Saurer shows up it is your duty to protect the city at all costs. Your actions may very well turn the tide against a monster such as the one we're up against.. Go now, and may whatever God you believe in protect you and your cause!" The warriors saluted to the man and began exiting from the room. Crow was glad to know that he had a little bit of back up in his fight against the Chaos Saurer. Each warrior appeared to specialize in one area that the others didn't. Alone they were strong, but united they would face the Chaos Saurer with all the might of the Republic and the Empire. * * * Victor entered the hangar he'd been told to and gazed at the small squadron of Zoids before him. The Attack Arachnids were the ultimate in offensive technology. Designed after spiders, each leg was lined with missile launchers which fired Anti-Zoid missiles. Just under the cockpit of the Attack Arachnid were a pair of AZ75mm repeaters, along with a pair of pinchers that stretched out just beyond the barrels of the repeaters. On the back abdomen of the Attack Arachnids, or Attack Arachs as they were called, dual AZ60mm gatling guns rested on either side of an AZ40mm machine gun. Victor jumped into the cockpit of a black and blue Attack Arach and watched as the cockpit closed and the command controls booted up. Victor looked to either side to see lines of Attack Arachs marching toward the open mouths of a pair of Whale Kings. Armed with the best anti-Zoid weapon on Zi Victor felt confident in joining his fellow Imperial soldiers in preparation for the massive assault on the Chaos Saurer. The Death Saurer had been a nuisance but the Chaos Saurer would be a terror. Victor hoped to God that all this preparation would be enough, he estimated they had about a 1.3 chance of actually winning the battle and anything over half a percent was good enough for him. * * * Out of the horizon the abomination appeared, riding on wings of shadows and spewing destructive energy in every which way. The Chaos Saurer roared in anticipation as the defense forces came into its view, the first wave just waiting to die. * * * A/N: Lots of new stuff added this chapter, the Chaos Saurer, the Peace Paladins and the Attack Arachs. Give me your opinion on all of them in some reviews. Come on, I know more than Vanya-Dejya reads this fic so don't be shy. I don't bite _that _hard. 10. The Betrayal CHAPTER 10 The Betrayal The aerial defense forces swept forward, led by Juliet, the Paladin of the Skies in her ocean blue Raynos. The pterosaur-like Zoid accelerated through the air at speeds of mach 3, sending a shockwave along the ground far below it, and raced toward the Chaos Saurer. "Falcon's Nest this is Daredevil, I'm engaging the target now" Juliet said over the intercom. The Raynos cut the Chaos Saurer off, maneuvering to its side and opening fire with its trio of 30mm beam cannons. The cannons shot bullets of pure energy, slicing into the Saurer's thick armor but leaving nothing behind but small scratches. "The initial attack was unsuccessful, bring in the bombers!" A group of Pteras flew over the Chaos Saurer, firing missiles which left trails of smoke as they descended down upon the Saurer. The abomination leaned its body sharply to the side, easily dodging the oncoming missiles, and charged up its Super Charged Particle Gun. Juliet swept down over the squadron of Pteras at top speed, using the shockwave left over to knock the aerial attackers out of the way just as the Chaos Saurer unleashed its attack. "Daredevil this is Falcon's Nest," Herman's voice said over the intercom, "launch full scale attack!" "Roger," Juliet said, turning back toward the Chaos Saurer, "alright boys, fire at will! It's dogfight time!" The Raynos swept in, followed by a pair of Storm Sworders and shot lines of beams across the side of the much bigger Zoid while the Sworders prepared their Blade Attacks. Energy charged through their hardened alloy blades as they boosted alongside the Chaos Saurer. But the behemoth was more resourceful than they anticipated, suddenly falling back and lobbing rounds at them with its chest mounted mortar cannons. The Storm Sworder pilots screamed as their Zoids were shot out of the sky and began plummeting to the ground. "Damn it!" Juliet yelled. "Need some help?" Crow asked as the Stealth Dragon quickly approached. The two dragon-like Zoids met midair and scuffled briefly, the Chaos Saurer trying to claw at its opponent while Crow opened fire on the Zoid's chest with his Zoid's AZ40mm machine guns. A quick swipe from the Chaos Saurer fended off its attacker and it began charging up its ultimate attack. Crow smiled at the Zoid's foolish decision and simply maneuvered around the Saurer's head and whipped the bigger Zoid with the Stealth Dragon's hardened alloy tail. The Chaos Saurer easily shook off the attack and began turning as it unleashed the Super Charged Particle Gun. The Stealth Dragon narrowly managed to dodge the oncoming attack, but the shockwave that followed hurled it through the sky and toward the ground in an uncontrollable spin. The Raynos roared and swooped in, pelting the Chaos Saurer with shots as it flew by. The Chaos Saurer roared in resistance and opened the missile launchers in its tail, a pair of missiles screaming out and rocketing toward their aerial target. Juliet looked down at her radar as it blared, the missiles coming closer and closer. The Raynos whipped to the side, hoping to dodge the missiles, but to no avail they were smart missiles which meant big trouble. Juliet decided the only way to shake them would be to destroy them so she opened fire with the Raynos's tail-mounted 40mm AMD machine guns. The shots flew through the air, missing the missiles by inches as they drew nearer. A lucky shot hit one, sending shrapnel through the air as the missile exploded in a ball of flame. The last missile came up under the Raynos's wing, matching its speed perfectly before curving up and exploding. The blast caught the Raynos in both its wing and its side, wildly throwing it to the side and rocking it. Juliet screamed. "This is Daredevil! I'm coming in for an emergency landing!" the female Paladin yelled. The Stealth Dragon advanced toward the Chaos Saurer again, this time followed by a flock of Pteras and a few Raynos. The aerial Zoids descended upon the Chaos Saurer, raining rockets and bullets upon the abomination. But when the smoke cleared from each attack there were no dents, craters and in some cases no scratches. "You fools! Nothing can stop the Chaos Saurer!" Necros yelled, laughing maniacally. The Chaos Saurer charged up and released the Super Charged Particle Beam, immediately annihilating the Pteras and Raynos in one blast. Crow winced; the Chaos Saurer was nearly to the capital now, with only him standing in its way. "Falcon's Nest this is the Albino Assassin, how are we on aerial reinforcements?" Crow asked. "Sorry Crow, you're up there alone for at least two minutes until we can launch some more Pteras or until the Empire shows up!" Herman responded. The Stealth Dragon came in close with the Chaos Saurer as it prepared another SCPG, the Dragon clenching on with its Gripper Claws and wrapping its long body around the bigger Zoid. The Chaos Saurer couldn't manage to aim its head close enough to do any damage and the SCPG exploded uselessly on the desert below. Crow's Zoid used its hardened alloy tail club and began beating one of the Saurer's wings, knocking it off balance and sending both plummeting to the ground. Crow pulled up at the last minute and looked back to watch as the Chaos Saurer slammed into the ground, the ground forces advancing quickly. The Saurer went to turn and run but was faced with five incoming Whale Kings. It roared and charged up its ultimate weapon, blowing a massive hole in the nearest one. The other Whale Kings landed safely and immediately Imperial Zoids began pouring out, with the Republican Zoids coming from the other side. The Chaos Saurer went to flap its wings and try to escape but a bombardment from a squadron of Black Redlers convinced it otherwise. "Commence Attack Pattern Gamma!" Colonel Payne yelled from a Whale King. The Republican Dibison aimed their cannons and began charging the Megalo-Max while the Imperial Genosaurers bent forward and prepared their Charged Particle Guns. "Fire!" Payne ordered. From either side of it beams of destructive energy slammed into the Chaos Saurer, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the air where they impacted. When the smoke cleared a piece of leg armor on either side of the Saurer slid off. Soldiers all around cheered. The Chaos Saurer roared ferociously and blasted the Genosaurers away in a single pass of its Super Charged Particle Gun. While a whole line of Imperial Zaber Fangs and Dark Horns began firing away the Dibison began charging their attacks again. Republican Gojulas and Command Wolves also fired just as the Megalo-Maxs streamed forward and struck the Chaos Saurer in its exposed leg. The Saurer roared in pain and charged up the SCPG again. The buffalo-like Zoids struggled to move and dodge but only a few escaped the wrath of the Chaos Saurer and only at the cost of other Zoids. Imperial Iron Kongs and Rev Raptors entered the fray, attacking the Chaos Saurer with blades and fists. Republican air forces teamed up with Imperial Redlers and Zabat, dropping bombs and firing missiles from above. The Chaos Saurer struggled to decide which attackers to target next, then came to a simple conclusion. Attack them all. The Chaos Saurer fired shots from its chest mounted mortar cannons, knocking out frontline Republican ground troops as it fired missiles from its tail at the aerial forces. Then it spun around and disintegrated a line of Imperial Zoids. Both forces took a moment to recover from the losses but kept pounding the Saurer with gunfire to the best of their ability. Confused at its utter lack of progress facing such an overwhelming amount of enemies the Chaos Saurer lost its patience, firing in blind rage every which way. "Falcon's Nest this is King Kong," Oz said over the intercom as his Iron Kong sprang into action, "time to finish this devil off!" The customized Iron Kong was equipped head to toe with powerful weapons including a Heavy Imperial Hyperbeam Cannon, twin 105mm cannons and quadruple 40mm gatling guns. The Paladin of Might showered the Chaos Saurer with power equivalent to five other Zoids. "This is the Juggernaut calling Falcon's Nest," Gabriel said, "time to dominate and obliterate!" The Paladin of Dominance appeared in his pitch black Dibison, leading the remainder of the buffalo-type Zoids in an all out Megalo-Max fest. The Chaos Saurer nearly collapsed as the gaping hole in its leg buckled in on itself. "Retreat boys!" Gabriel yelled as the Chaos Saurer took to the sky and aimed a SCPG down at them. The Dibison force was cut in half again just as the Chaos Saurer rose to meet the aerial forces once again, heading for the heart of New Helic City. It easily shook off a few barrages from Zabat and Pteras before landing next to a Whale King with an Imperial symbol on its side near the White House. The Whale King's mouth opened and a line of spider-like Zoids scuttled out, splitting into five small groups and opening fire. "Our turn now!" Victor yelled, pulling the trigger on his command stick repeatedly as the Attack Arachs fired their anti-Zoid weaponry. The Chaos Saurer returned fire with its chest mortars but the Attack Arachs had great reflexes, dancing around the explosions while continuing their assault. "Falcon's Nest, Herc here," the Paladin said, his Double Sworder descending from the sky, "engaging the Big Boy now!" Suddenly a barrage of Charged Particle Guns slammed into the Sworder from all directions at once, cutting it to pieces. "Not for long" Craven said, scuffing. The Psychosaurer launched its Grappling Hook Arms forward, grabbing a pair of Attack Arachs and boring holes into them with its arm-mounted AZ weaponry. "How about a taste of your own medicine!" the Death Wraith yelled. A pair of Attack Arachs turned their attention to the Psychosaurer, pounding the Zoid with their special weapons. Twin Charged Particle Beams obliterated them, revealing the presence of the other Death Wraiths as they moved to protect their master. "Craven! What is this?" Necros asked furiously. "I never asked for your help!" "I never offered it to you!" Craven said, pointing at the Chaos Saurer, "I had orders from a higher authority!" Necros looked at the Chaos Saurer in confusion, the Zoid's eyes glowing bright red as it transmitted a psychic message to Craven. "Of course master," Craven said, "he will bother you no more!" The Psychosaurer boosted up, climbing up the side of the Chaos Saurer's arm and to the shoulder where the Ambassador rested. "You can't do this to me I created you both and I can undo you!" Necros yelled at Craven and the Chaos Saurer. "I will sap you of all your strength! After all, I gave it to you!" Craven just closed his eyes and smirked. "You may have given me back my ability to live but you also enslaved me for your own personal gain," Craven said, "the Chaos Saurer has offered me more than you ever could. I will reign over all of Zi as the new Emperor once the Saurer and I have proven our power to the world!" "I should've seen it coming," Necros said, figuring it all out, "just as the Death Saurer betrayed my race long ago it continues to betray me now. I will have my revenge! No one betrays Necros the Reanimator without-". A shot from the AZ188mm spine launcher of the Psychosaurer drilled into the Ancient Zoidian, coming out the other side blood red. The Chaos Saurer's eyes flickered happily at the sight. Craven and the Death Wraiths turned and formed a protective circle around their ultimate master as ground forces began circling in on them from all sides. The Chaos Saurer and its Wraiths fired their ultimate weapons in unison, forming a brilliant light show of purple and blue slaughter. * * * A/N: Story will be wrapping up soon. Thanx to all my fans, especially Vanya-Dejya for her support and insight and please look out for The Organoid Chronicles II! 11. A Paladin Falls, a Demon Rises CHAPTER 11 A Paladin Falls, a Demon Rises The Republican and Imperial ground forces were being torn apart by the combined efforts of the Chaos Saurer, Psychosaurer and the Genosaurers. The Psychosaurer and Chaos Saurer would annihilate many a foe at once while the Genosaurers would pick off the stragglers. In short, things weren't looking good for the fate of planet Zi. Crow and the Stealth Dragon swooped down, catching the Psychosaurer off guard and landing a vicious blow to the Zoid's head with its hardened alloy tail club. The Psychosaurer fell back from the impact as Crow followed up with another blow to the Zoid's head, nearly cracking the armor around it. The Chaos Saurer swung around, firing a Super Charged Particle Gun between the two quarreling warriors. The shockwave threw them both apart, the Chaos Saurer sending a stern message to the Death Wraith that he had other things to worry about than his rivalry with Crow. Though the ground forces had suffered many losses they continued to push forward, hoping to regain the dominance they had achieved earlier. A regrouping of the last Dibison by Gabriel began to turn the tides, as Megalo-Maxs combined with other gunfire tore through a Death Wraith's Genosaurer. "All we need is one more hit on that damn leg and we can cripple the Chaos Saurer!" Gabriel yelled. The Dibison lined up and began charging their most powerful attacks as the Chaos Saurer turned to finish them off. Golden energy streamed from each Dibison and in unison they struck the damaged leg of the Chaos Saurer with amazing force. The Saurer began toppling over but fired its SCPG as it went down, leaving only Gabriel and one other Dibison standing. The others had disappeared in the massive, smoldering crater next to them. As the Chaos Saurer hit the ground, its leg lying in two pieces the ground forces pushed forward, disabling another Death Wraith. Soon the Saurer found itself swarmed with smaller Zoids like ants attacking a small dog. Oz and the Iron Kong pounded the armor of the Saurer again and again with the Zoid's hardened alloy fists. Soon a small dent appeared, then widened. Oz was filled with the anticipation of breaking off a piece when the Chaos Saurer rolled, tossing a majority of the Zoids off and crushing a few unlucky ones. Then the behemoth flapped its powerful wings and flew toward the White House, charging the Super Charged Particle Gun as it went. The attacking forces stopped for a second, none even moved as they watched in awe. The White House literally evaporated from the blast, leaving not even a simple piece of paper left in its wake. Crow nearly stuttered when he yelled "Drake!" The organoid, who up till now had been watching the fight as a safety precaution, rocketed into the air and melded with the Stealth Dragon. A wave of green energy revitalized the Zoid and gave it new fighting spirit. The Stealth Dragon gracefully flew toward the Chaos Saurer, firing with its AZ40mm machine guns and aiming for a wing mount. The Chaos Saurer whirled around, facing its familiar opponent. The demon Zoid roared in the air and took off as fast as it could, flying toward the horizon. "Don't let it escape!" Crow yelled, flying after it and opening fire. The aerial forces swarmed the retreating behemoth, covering it in a layer of bullet spray. The Saurer annihilated them left and right, continually firing its Super Charged Particle Gun in any direction and killing scores of men and Zoids without remorse. Crow hated it, almost as much as he hated Craven. "Speak of the devil!" Crow exclaimed, searching the ground for his arch foe. All he saw were the carcasses of fallen Zoids and the ground forces as they tried desperately to follow the Chaos Saurer. "This is Herman, calling off all attacks on the Chaos Saurer, return to base for regrouping" Herman said as he watched the Saurer disappear. The armies of Zoids slowly came back, the soldiers happy for a short reprieve from the fighting. "Herman! Why'd you call off the attack? We almost had it!" Crow yelled as he stood face to face with the man. "How many more lives needed to be lost? How much more blood spilled before you would've been happy?" Herman yelled back. "I withdrew the men because we have an opportunity here," Herman began, "now that we've fought it we know it's not flawless. We _can _defeat it, look at the damage we've done. Now we can assess the danger and put plans into action for defeating it and the Death Wraiths. Now come on, we have no time to waste, every second counts." Crow, Victor and the other Paladins followed Herman down to the secret underground meeting room from before. Crow approached Herman from behind, grabbing the older man's shoulder. "Sorry about earlier, now where's the Chaos Saurer headed?" the boy asked. "It was last seen retreating into the same underground hideout it came out of, probably getting ready for round two just like us," Herman said, "this Zoid is unlike any other. It has the ability to make decisions that other Zoids can't compare to. It's almost like a person." Crow nodded in understanding, he knew they were up against more than just a killing machine. The Chaos Saurer had a conscience that allowed it to make its own decisions, like ridding itself of Necros. Truly it was much more frightening of an opponent now than before. "So what's the plan?" Crow asked. "Well, its not like the Chaos Saurer's going to come back here again," Herman said, "he's headed for Guygalos. I've decided to send you and the Paladins to try and stop it before it can get there, as well as the remaining Attack Arachs. But if you can't defeat it don't take any unnecessary risks, we're going to need you at Guygalos." Crow smiled and saluted the man who saluted back. The Peace Paladins approached Crow from behind. "Ready to go put a stop to this thing once and for all?" Juliet asked. Crow nodded and the Paladins said their goodbyes, heading toward the Chaos Saurer. "So what's the plan for beating this thing?" Juliet asked. "I say we just crush it with firepower!" Oz yelled, his Iron Kong pounding its chest. "Hey meathead," Nicholas said, "we need more of a plan than just go out there and shoot." The Paladin of the Sea's Hammerhead roared in agreement. "Yeah well I didn't see you out there earlier!" Oz shouted back. "Silence damn it!" Crow yelled. The other Paladins suddenly got deathly silent. "Stop fighting and listen to me," Crow said calmly, "the Chaos Saurer is crippled. All we need to do is remove a wing and we've got it. Now focus on the battle ahead and quit bickering amongst each other. Juliet, Nicholas and I will cover the aerial attacks while Ace, Oz, Gabriel, Scar and the Attack Arachs handle ground warfare. It's too bad that Herc's Double Sworder was destroyed, he would've been some good help in the aerial department." The Peace Paladins and Special Force Attack Arachs approached the secret underground base of the Death Wraiths and Chaos Saurer cautiously. "So am I to assume that the ground forces also deal with the Death Wraiths?" Ace asked. The Paladin's Green Horn was a Dark Horn painted green and equipped with dual 60mm Laser Vulcan guns, a chin mounted 30mm machine gun, a 3-shot rocket launcher and a pair of 50mm cannons atop the mount between the Vulcan guns. "We'll share responsibility for them, remember that we're all in this together" Crow said. Just then the Chaos Saurer rose from the underground base, heading toward Guygalos. "Juliet, Nicholas, we have to cut it off so that the others can get in on the action!" Crow ordered. The other Paladins nodded and the three aerial Zoids rocketed after the much slower Saurer. Juliet reached it first, her blue Raynos screeching and passing by with a casual amount of fire from her tail-mounted machine guns. The attack was enough to catch the behemoth's attention, the Chaos Saurer spinning around and seeing its familiar opponents. "Right here Big Boy!" Nicholas yelled, his Hammerhead's face mounted rocket boxes opening and firing three anti-Zoid rockets. The projectiles struck the Chaos Saurer just under its wing and the pilot cheered in triumph. "Don't get cocky just yet, we still have to bring the Chaos Saurer to the ground!" Crow reminded him. The Stealth Dragon flew circles around its opponent in tight up close and personal quarters, spraying bullets from its mouth. Juliet attacked the Saurer from the front, making the Peace Paladins' assault a triangular one. Confused, the Chaos Saurer nervously grabbed the end of the Stealth Dragon's tail. "Damn, he got me!" Crow exclaimed. Next the Saurer pulled the Stealth Dragon up, using its other arm and held the Zoid out, charging up its Super Charged Particle Gun. "Let go you bastard!" Crow yelled, shooting anti-Zoid bullets down the behemoth's throat as a particle cloud formed. Suddenly a stream of flashes exploded near the Saurer's wing, distracting it momentarily. The Chaos Saurer turned its head, looking down at the Attack Arachs. Crow used the chance to squirm free of the Zoid's grasp. The SCPG fired, taking three Special Forces Zoids with it. Crow winced at the loss, wondering if Victor was one of them. The Saurer swatted around at its aerial opponents, trying to strike one of them from the sky as the Stealth Dragon and Raynos swooped in, Nicholas still barraging it from behind. Crow's Zoid maneuvered under the giant claw being thrown at it and flew around behind the Chaos Saurer. The Raynos expertly boosted out of the way and accelerated behind the behemoth as well. Together, all three Paladins aimed for the Saurer's weakest wing mount. A combination of rockets, beam fire and anti-Zoid shells ate through the weakened mount quickly and blew the wing off, sending it and the Chaos Saurer plummeting to the ground. "We got it!" Nicholas exclaimed. The Saurer crash landed roughly on a pile of rocks below, sending dust and debris in the air. "Ground forces attack!" Victor yelled. The Attack Arachs swarmed forward like a colony of ants, opening fire once again. The special shells from their weapons began eating away at the fallen Zoid's armor as the Chaos Saurer struggled to get to its last leg. The Iron Kong, Green Horn and Whitz Wolf descended upon their opponent as well. A beam of charged particles sliced through the Iron Kong's left arm and Oz watched in horror as it evaporated before him. The CPG then split and slammed into the ground all around the Green Horn and Whitz Wolf. "The Death Wraiths, we'll handle them, you guys just keep your assault on the Chaos Saurer going!" Juliet yelled. The Raynos, Hammerhead and Stealth Dragon turned their attention to the oncoming Death Wraiths and their CPG-wielding Zoids. "Give it up Craven, how's the Chaos Saurer ever going to win with just one leg and one wing?" Crow asked mockingly. "Stupid village boy," Craven said, "look at my master very closely and you'll understand its true powers!" Crow looked back at the Chaos Saurer carefully. Small amounts of the leg and wing had already begun to reform, the atoms that made up the Zoid's structure regenerating. "The Chaos Saurer is revived more and more with each shot fired at it, so unless you can cause some massive damage all at once you will never defeat it!" Crow sat back and took a deep breath as a fresh wave of shots from the Attack Arachs fueled the Chaos Saurer's regenerative abilities, the armor absorbing the energy and converting it into atoms to rebuild the Zoid. "How . . . how do we beat a monster like that?" Juliet asked. "We don't have enough Zoids _or _firepower to take it out now, the smartest move would be to retreat" Crow said coolly. Craven smiled and charged up his Max CPG, aiming for the Stealth Dragon. "No way!" the Death Wraith yelled. "You'll never escape!" The Max CPG fired, splitting and slicing through the air and toward its draconic target. "I've heard that more than once!" Crow shot back. The Stealth Dragon used its wings to beat the air and throw it backward just in time to dodge the ensuing destruction. The CPG's struck the ground, creating small craters all over. "Retreat! Head for Guygalos!" The ground forces confusingly fired a few more shots before stopping and swarming over the top of the Chaos Saurer and toward Guygalos. All except for Oz. "You disarmed my Iron Kong, you'll pay!" Oz bellowed, the Iron Kong charging toward the Psychosaurer. "Oz, get over it, retreat!" Crow commanded. "Fool! Let's finish this freak shall we?" Craven asked. The Genosaurers surrounding the Psychosaurer followed its example as it charged up its most destructive weapon. Multiple beams of charged particles struck the Iron Kong, piercing its chest, head, arm and legs. Crow shook his head in disappointment as he watched what was left of the Zoid collapse into a heap on the ground. As the Peace Paladins headed for Guygalos Crow turned back one last time, watching as the Death Wraiths shot at their master, regenerating the demon as quickly as possible. All the defense forces' hard work, disappearing almost instantaneously. 12. The End of the Beginning CHAPTER 12 The End of the Beginning By the time the Chaos Saurer and the remaining Death Wraiths had reached the city of Guygalos all the citizens had been removed and defensive forces mounted. This time Imperial Zoids made up the bulk of the forces, the Republic nearly completely crushed by the first assault of the Chaos Saurer. It was decided that the aerial Zoid forces would not lead the attack, as ground forces were able to do far more damage. Instead, flight capable Zoids would be used as support units. The strategy for the Peace Paladins was to corner the Death Wraiths and keep them out of the main battle, allowing the ground forces to face the Chaos Saurer unopposed. Crow had thought this plan to be a good one, giving credit to Herman for his ingenuity. He and Drake were sitting out of sight when the call came. "All forces prepare, the Chaos Saurer is closing in!" Herman's voice said over the intercom. Crow sat forward in his cockpit, booting up his Zoid's main control system as he prepared for the final battle. Beside him Victor and the other Peace Paladins began mobilizing as well. The other Attack Arachs had been deployed with the defense forces this time, allowing for maximum damage against the regenerative Chaos Saurer. "Drake, let's finish this!" Crow yelled. Drake roared in his metallic voice and boosted up, turning to a bolt of pure energy before melding with the Stealth Dragon. "Mobilize Paladins, its show time!" the boy ordered. In a flash the Peace Paladins took off, springing from their hiding place behind a rock face. Over head the Chaos Saurer flew by, the Death Wraiths just now coming into view behind it. Craven smirked at the sight of his arch enemy. "The odds are in our favor, seven against six," Juliet said, "but they have superior Zoids, which help balance it out. Good luck everyone, I'm proud to have met you all." "Same here" Crow said. "Ready to meet your end village boy?" Craven asked in his sinister raspy voice. "My name's Crow" Crow said, rage building as his rival approached him. "So, Herman thought you weaklings would stand in our way huh? Fat chance" Craven said. The Psychosaurer's Charged Particle Converter began taking in energy as the Genosaurers bent forward and locked down their feet. "We'll finish you in one final attack!" "Attack everyone, you know the strategy!" Crow ordered. The Paladins split in all directions, moving in sync with each other as they came in from both sides in a guillotine maneuver. The Genosaurers tried to turn before they fired but without unlocking their feet they couldn't bend far enough. The Psychosaurer boosted backwards and fired its Max Charged Particle Gun, sending a wave of charged particles at Crow. The Max CPG split and went in all directions, aiming at every Paladin at once. In the sky Juliet and Nicholas easily evaded the oncoming attacks with a simple evasion technique but Crow was having some trouble. "Guys, I can't shake it off, help!" Crow begged. The CPG followed the Stealth Dragon as it danced through the skies in an effort to evade it. Crow closed his eyes at the last second when he realized it was hopeless, preparing for the worst. "Don't give up yet kid!" Juliet's voice yelled. The Raynos flew over Crow's Zoid at max speed, the shockwave throwing the Stealth Dragon out of the way of the attack. Crow sighed in relief and quickly got back into the battle. The other Paladins had managed to dodge the Max CPG with the old jump to the side at the last minute move. "Megalo-Max!" Gabriel roared. The Dibison grunted as golden energy gathered at the base of its cannon array. With a swishing sound the cannons fired their stored energy all at once, sending forth the Megalo-Max. Like the Max CPG the Megalo-Max split and targeted all enemy Zoids at once, even bending and twisting to attack. The golden beams of power slammed into the Genosaurers one by one, hitting each target in a different area. Craven simply boosted out of the way and charged toward the Paladin of Dominance, unsheathing the Psychosaurer's blade-like claws. Unable to match the Saurer's superior speed, the Dibison charged forward as well, firing with its cannon as it moved. The Psychosaurer and Dibison met with a massive crash. The claws of the Psychosaurer pierced the enemy Zoid's chest while the twin Crasher Horns of the Dibison stuck into the Saurer's belly. Craven pulled his Zoid's claw out of the Dibison's chest and pushed it aside. The other Death Wraiths had suffered significant damage, but were still in the fight. Crow winced at the loss of the Dibison but Gabriel had done a great deal of damage and survived, both good things. The Stealth Dragon blasted the Psychosaurer with anti-Zoid shells as it came down upon it from above. Crow's Zoid tackled the Saurer to the ground and began beating its saurian opponent with its tail club. Ace and the Green Horn charged one of the least damaged Genosaurers, firing with its Vulcan Laser guns as it went. The Death Wraith inside the cockpit fired the Zoid's Grappling Hook Arms, catching the Green Horn by the leg and causing it to collapse. As the Genosaurer began to reel in the Green Horn Juliet struck from above, shooting with her tri 30mm beam cannons. The Genosaurer locked down its feet and bent forward just as its back exploded and it toppled over in defeat, too damaged to continue. "Thanks Juliet!" Ace exclaimed. Scar and his opponent, a highly damaged Genosaurer, squared off momentarily before activating their boosters and charging each other headlong. The Whitz Wolf and Genosaurer exchanged gunfire from their back mounted weapons as they closed in. With a loud scraping metal sound the Whitz Wolf sprang forward, baring its claws and cutting into the Genosaurer. An extra boost at the end added additional impact damage and the Genosaurer began short circuiting. It flailed around helplessly on the ground as the Whitz Wolf pulled its paw out of the Saurer's chest. Victor opened fire on two of the three remaining Genosaurers, his special anti-Zoid equipment tearing up their heavy armor. The Genosaurers boosted to either side of the Attack Arach and closed in. Unsure of which one to target, Victor opened the missile launchers lining his Zoid's legs and fired half of his missiles at each. The first Genosaurer was completely engulfed in explosions by the attack but the other managed to out maneuver the dummy missiles and close in. The Genosaurer stomped down on the cockpit of the Attack Arach, sending an electronic pulse through it. Victor cried in pain. A few shots from behind the Genosaurer caused it to turn around, the Whitz Wolf waiting to face it. Scar smiled and boosted forward. The final Genosaurer faced off against the Green Horn and Raynos as they attacked, firing its back mounted pulse laser cannons. The shots hit Juliet's Zoid, forcing her to call off her attack, but bought Ace enough time to close in. The Green Horn's Crasher Horn pierced the Genosaurer's underbelly. Ace used his momentum to drive the horn far into the Saurer and toss it aside like a rag doll. Craven, seeing he was now alone, doubled his efforts to throw Crow's Zoid off. The Stealth Dragon tried desperately to hold the Psychosaurer down but the saurian Zoid was too strong, finally wrestling the Dragon off of it. The Saurer got to its feet and began charging the Max CPG as the other Paladins closed in. "I've had enough of your petty attempts to defeat me! Max Charged Particle Gun!" Craven roared. The attack blasted forward and only split at the last second, catching its targets by surprise. Each Paladin gasped as their Zoids were slain by the Max CPG. Crow watched the scene in horror, the Stealth Dragon reacting to his rage by charging straight into the Psychosaurer with a head butt. Crow's world blacked out as rage consumed his every thought and he lost control of his body. In his altered state the pilot thought of nothing but attacking, swiping at the Psychosaurer with his Zoid's tail and claws. Craven nimbly dodged the wildly aimed attacks, keeping his cool against his raging opponent. The Psychosaurer shot out its Grappling Hook Arms and caught the Stealth Dragon by its throat, the saurian Zoid roaring in its opponents face. Craven cackled as he charged up his Zoid's most devastating weapon. Crow blindly continued his rage induced attack, the Psychosaurer barely able to hold its opponent steady. At the last second Drake abandoned the Stealth Dragon, grabbing Crow as he went, and flew out of the way as a stream of charged particles consumed the cockpit of the Stealth Dragon. * * * Guygalos roared into action as the Chaos Saurer entered its city limits. The ground forces, led by a platoon of Genosaurers and the one remaining Dibison, opened fire as soon as the behemoth entered their sight. Colonel Payne sat in the cockpit of his ruby red Genosaurer and began preparing to fire the Charged Particle Gun. Waves of bullets struck the Chaos Saurer in a predetermined spot, the Saurer's chest. Colonel Payne and the other leading Zoid pilots yelled as they fired their ultimate attacks in a familiar attack pattern. The attack opened up the Chaos Saurer's chest, revealing its glowing core. "Aim to kill!" Herman commanded from his Dibison. "Roger that, fire at will!" Payne ordered. The Genosaurers and Herman's Dibison began charging their attacks just as the Chaos Saurer charged its SCPG. The ultimate attacks all fired at once, meeting half way in between the Saurer and its opponents. The clashing energies pushed back and forth, both surging forward or faltering backward at any moment. Then finally the defense forces' Zoids ran out of energy and the SCPG overwhelmed their attacks. The blast consumed both the Dibison and Genosaurers as it struck the ground and sent a massive shockwave through the ground, resulting in a powerful tremor. The tremor shook the defense force Zoids all around the Chaos Saurer, causing them to fall to the ground. While the Zoids tried to recover from both the attacks and the loss of their two major commanders the Chaos Saurer opened fire on them with every weapon it had. The massive twin beam cannons fired, the mortar cannon array sent explosive projectiles through the air and missiles launched from the tail of the demon Zoid. Countless Zoids fell left and right as the Chaos Saurer continued its campaign of terror through the streets of Guygalos uncontested. Suddenly the air forces swept down, dropping bomb after bomb and firing numerous missiles all at once. Explosions covered the body of the Saurer as it marched through Guygalos. The Chaos Saurer roared in defiance and aimed its SCPG at the sky, blasting many Zoids away in an instant. The remaining air force tried for one final attack on the Zoid core of the Saurer, most valiantly sacrificing themselves by just crashing right into the chest of the Chaos Saurer. The efforts were unsuccessful though, as when the smoke cleared only one Zoid stood above the rest and that was the Chaos Saurer. It shook off the attack and charged up a final SCPG aimed for the Emperor's Palace. Craven showed up just in time to watch the show. A stream of charged particles struck the palace, instantly turning it to nothing but flames and rubble. The Chaos Saurer roared in pleasure at the sight. The last thing to fall to the ground and burn away in flames was an Imperial flag, signaling the end of the Empire in all its glory. The cockpit to the Psychosaurer opened and a red energy gathered around Craven, lifting him into the air. The Chaos Saurer took control of Craven through its psychic powers. "_The world is now mine to rule. None shall stand in my way any longer, for I am to be your new God, I alone am your savior and your executioner._ _All hail your master, all hail the One. Bathe in my glory and be consumed by my madness children. Planet Zi as you know it is now under my control and you will all bow to me_!" Craven shouted. The Chaos Saurer roared one final time and sent a beam of charged particles at the surviving Zoids below, proving its ultimate dominance over them. * * * To Be Continued in The Organoid Chronicles II: the Resistance A/N: If you like the ending please tell me, I wasn't super confident that my readers would react positively to it since it isn't your usual heroic ending. The next Organoid Chronicles will be out soon and will reveal the fate of Crow and the other Paladins. It will take place 10 years into the future, in a post apocalyptic Zi torn by war, destruction and corruption. Hope you like it! End file.

The Organoid Chronicles I: The Chosen Ones by Might is Write

Zoids

The Huntress Tori: This is just a pointless piece of work I typed up _long_ before I waseverregistered.So please no flaming me for major suckage! Bit: Ah, it's not that bad! Tori: Yes it is now shut up or I'll sic Leena on you Bit: (runs away screaming) Disclaimer: Tori does not own Zoids * * * The huntress waited atop a high plateau for her pray to come into sight. As she waits she thinks carefully about a plan. The huge lumbering liger armed with a shock cannon would be spotted easily on that hill. So she backed the zoid half way into the woods to hide itself among the trees. She then slowly places her hand on the controls of the cannon. Aiming the barrel in the exact location of the target area where her enemy will appear. Then she switches the view to the cross hairs for sniping, she adjusts the aim to her likings before hitting the charge up switch to the massive turbines mounted on the back of the liger that powered the shock cannons. She had to time the power up just right because it takes a lot of time and the liger can't move while it's charging so it wont waste any power. The huntress checks back behind her so the turbines won't catch the forest on fire. The energy meter was almost full so she braced her zoid for the recoil of the blast from the cannon. The meter hit the top of the limit so she nervously grabbed the controlls keeping her index finger off the trigger until she spoted the target and lets her reflexes take over take over from there. The huntress leans over the scope and scans the land for her opponent. Being extra careful because her enemy is none other then Jack Cisco of the Lightning Team. Jack had snuffed out the rest of her team and she wanted revenge! She taunted him to follow her to the plateau for a final face off. But she had cleverly lied to him and is about to take him bye surprise, the prefect revenge! Her trigger finger started to itch until just then a black streak flashed in the scope and instantly her reflexes pulled the trigger as hard as she could. A huge streak of energy burst from the end of the barrel like a thick jolt of lightning, the turbines were screaming so loud she could hardly stand the noise. The flash of light was more then enough for her eyes. As the echo died down and her vision cleared, she saw a blurry image through the distorted air from the heat of the turbines. The black smudge she hoped for was the lightning saix laying on its side, sparks flying from its severed body. The huntress toke the cross hairs off aim and peered at the wreckage. To her surprise the zoid was digging its feet into the ground trying to get up but the hind legswere paralyzed. The blast form the shock cannons had complete drained all the ligerexcept the backup power for the command system and lights, so the zoid could not move at all. If Jack was able to get up and spot her it would be all over for her. She stayed completely still as she watched Jack struggle to his feet but she wassatisfiied that he had gotten the surprise of his life. The lightning siax finally collapsed and the huntress had finallygotten her revenge. And so sheput up no struggle when the rest of the lightning team moved in to defeat her. She was not upset about losing the battle now that she gotten her revenge on Jack for stomping her friends and saying that theyshould give up zoids to avoid any more humiliation. Meanwhile after Jack Sisco calmed down he looked up at the hill at the familiar black liger on top ofplateau. Panting he cursed her under his breath for pulling that trick on him. Even though Chris and Kelly finished her off after her off because herzoid hadran out of energy he wanted to take her down himself for that false taunt. Relived the huntress opened the cockpit of the black liger and leaped out onto the dry ground. She knew Jack would want revenge but that was illegal outside of battle so she prepared to scream her head off at him. She breathed heavily and calmly walked over to the wrecked zoid with a death stare on her face. But, Jacks was easily more menacing. "I'm gona get you for that kid!" he growled at her but the huntress was mostly unfazed she replied "no, we're even that was for mocking my team mates" He just glared at her and said "I don't care no one pulls a stunt like that on me now you'er going down" Digested at his cockiness she said "shut up you won any way so what does it matter, maybe your just to cocky to accept that you got taken down first" Now she had a lead on him and she smiled with confidence. Now he was getting mad, this was the second time he had lost to a kid and was about to whack her upside the head for it. But Chris yelled at him to drop it and before he could answer the huntress had walked away towards her friends to the east. She waved to her friends Jess and Emily in the command wolf and zaber tiger. "you guys ok?" They ran to her side and answered. "yeah, we'er ok but how are you?" She smiled "great I got back at Jack for insulting our team" Worried Jess and Emm replied "boy I bet he fuming right now better watch you'er back The huntress smiled back "don't worry I don't have any thing to do with him any more" They all just shrugged and left the battle field. But Jack was not finished yet ad started to plan out a way to get revenge on the pray... * * * Tori: Well there you go folks my first one shot. Since I think this really sucks you don't have to review. However if you flame meI well feed you to Liger Zero Liger Zero: ROOOAAARR! Tori: He said "that's right!" so ya better lesson to him for you're own good. And sorry for spelling mistakes, people who complain about that well also get eaten End file.

The Huntress by Storm Blue Lightning Saix

Zoids

1. Phase Ten Hey, it's me again, The Rogue Prince. Another solo, how sad. I like doing big group stories, they're more fun. Anyway, got the Zoids crew playing cards. No betting cash though, you'll see. Enjoy! Disclaimer- I don't see how I could own Zoids. It'd be so cool though. Wild Cards "Okay, I say we play Uno!" Lina suggested. "No, let's play go-fish!" Jamie objected. "I'll play want ever my sweet heart Lina wants!" Harry yelled in. Everyone turned and stared, "Where did you come from? And who said you could come?" Lina questioned. "Nothing could keep my love for you away. As soon as I heard you were in town, I rushed over as fast as I could, Lina my love!" Everyone was ignoring him again and were busy fighting over which card game to play. "NOOOOOOOO!!!!! I've been ignored again!" Harry slouched and defeated, sat next to Brad on the couch. "Let's play poker. That way I can steal all your money!" Brad offered. "No! Let's play Phase Ten!" Bit announced. "I like that game." Jamie agreed. "Oh come on! That game is s... so... fine. I can't think of anyway to put it down." Lina muttered, "By the way, what is Phase Ten?" At this point, Bit started to have a laughter fit. Lina got the extremely pissed off and started to yell at Bit. Finally when things calmed down, Jamie gave a quick description of the game and rules. "So how about it Brad?" Bit asked. "Is there any money involved?" Brad inquired. "Maybe we could bet on who wins or lose..." Bit trailed off. "Sounds good to me." Brad replied. "It's settled then! Harry! You playing since you're here?" Harry perked up and nodded. "All right!" Bit declared, "I'll deal first! Everyone is one phase one. Let's go!" -ONE HOUR LATER- Bit is on phase nine, Lina is on phase seven, Brad is on phase eight, Harry is on phase six and Jamie is one phase nine. "Come on! I can't believe it! Half of your hand is wild cards again. Are you cheating?!!" Bit gave Jamie a suspicious look. Jamie waved his hands in front him, "Of course not! I guess I'm just lucky!" "Lucky my foot!! This is the fifth time you've gotten half your hand full of wilds! And you've had at least two or more wilds in every hand you've had so far!!" Lina argued. "Let it drop." Brad said, "If Jamie's cheating, that will be a new thing for all of us. And even if he is, we'd have caught it by now." "I guess you're right..." Lina sighed, "Anyway, we still gotta stop him, he's on his last phase!" "All right! This is what it comes down to. I'm out, so myself and Jamie are tied. This is where the betting comes in Brad. Okay people! Me or Jamie, you pick!" Bit announced. Everyone started to mumble about the winners. "Wait a minute! I don't want to bet on!" Jamie protested. "Then you lose." Bit stated simply. "But I don't want to lose! I was only playing for fun!" Lina butted in, "Awww come on Jamie. You don't want to be uncool do you?" "No, but-" "Then it's settled!" The debate on the winner started with Brad, "I bet $20 on Jamie." "I bet $15 on bit!" Lina then looked over at bit and scooted next to him so only he hear. "You better win Bit or you'll pay!" she hissed. She then gave Bit a big slap on the back, "I'm routing for ya bit!!" "Well?" Everyone was staring at Harry. "Ummm? I don't know..." "Ya gotta pick someone Harry. That's how you bet on things." Brad nudged him. Harry finally bet $10 on Bit. Now it came down to the final round. Of course everyone else played, but Bit and Jamie were the one's who counted. Finally it came down to both Jamie and Bit missing one card to win. But who would win? "Come on Bit!" Lina cheered. "Yeah... go Bit!" Harry said uncertainly. "Louder Harry!!!!" Lina demanded, "We can't lose!!!!!" Lina and Harry then started madly cheering while Brad gave a bored sigh. Mwahahahahahaha!! I'm not going to tell you who won!! That privilege is for you to decide. Who do you think should win, Bit or Jamie? 2. And The Winner Is? Hey! The Rogue Prince here! Yes! This is it! Chappie two is up and for the very few of you who review and didn't leave a review, it's now down to the epic battle between Jamie and Bit! Who will win you ask? You'll see. Enjoy! Disclaimer- I don't own Zoids! Stop questioning me! Wild Cards "Come on Jamie." Brad nudged Jamie, "if you win, I'll split the earnings 80/20." "That's not a lot of money... anyway, I'm trying as hard as I can!" Lina butted in, "What are you two whispering about? Are you cheating?!" she gave them one of her evil death looks. "N-no!" Jamie stuttered. "Come on! Stop the talking! Brad, it's your turn." Bit cut in, "Just play and you can argue after I win." "That's the spirit!!" Lina cheered, "Harry! Where's your enthusiasm?!" Harry was busy staring at the ground mumbling about how he'd save his poor Lina from the evil Bit and once Bit lost, he'd spare Bit of her precious wrath and whisk her away on his white steed and they'd live happily ever after... "HARRY!!" "I... uhh... what?" "It's your turn." "Oh." The next turns went pretty uneventful, Harry and Bit went out. Lina, bit and Jamie were still trying to phase out. Then on Bit's turn, there was a cheer of victory, "yes! I got a three! Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Bit's the man!" Bit almost passed out with joy. "Yay! Bit you came through!" Lina clapped Bit on the back. "You haven't won yet, if Jamie gets his card, he can still win." Brad warned. "Oh yeah..." The next urns went through, Brad, Jamie, Harry, Lina, Bit, Brad... Then Jamie got his card. "BIT! You NEED to go out BEFORE JAMIE!!!" Lina half screeched, "I CAN'T LOSE to BRAD of all people!" So as it stands, Bit and Jamie are tied, both determined to win. Lina and a half throttled Harry, he wasn't cheering again, were almost doing a dance routine in favor of Bit and Brad was telling Jamie if he lost, he'd have to pay back the $20 he'd lose. Both have something to lose, Jamie, his money, Bit, most likely his life after Lina finished beating him up. "hey! I can play off you! Oh. That was my last card. Jamie you lose!" Bit started to grin evilly and Jamie got a really sad look on his face. Brad finished writing down everyone's points. "Bit! I'd stop dancing and start running. Jamie actually won." "WHAT?! You're just trying to fake me out! Gimme that!" Bit grabbed the paper and read it over. It slid from his hands and fell on the floor. Bit's face was white as a sheet, "Excuse me, bathroom!" he yelled over his shoulder as he fled the room to hide. Lina picked up the paper and read it over. Then Lina grabbed Harry's arm and took off after bit, dragging Harry behind her. "BIT!! I'LL GET YOU!!" "What happened?" a confused Jamie questioned. "Well, both you and Bit went out. He ended up winning the last round but since you both went out, we had to base the winner on final points. To put it bluntly, you won by five points." "... YEAH!" "I do believe this is mine." Brad grabbed the pile of money off the table, "Jamie, lets forget the split and instead I'll buy you dinner and an ice cream. What do you say?" A long painful sounding scream echoed through the building. "We're not bringing them are we?" "Nope." "Deal!" The two walked out of the room and towards the hanger. An extremely frightened Bit ran by with Lina, dragging Harry, at his heels. "She seems to be taking the loss a bit hard, isn't she?" Jamie inquired. "Nah..." Well? A bit more than half of you voted for Jamie, so Jamie it was. If you voted for bit, sorry! I hope you all enjoyed it and maybe I'll do a sequel with discussing how Lina tortured Bit... Anyhoo, that's all for now! Please Review! End file.

Wild Cards by The Rogue Prince

Zoids

Pranks, Drinks, and Gifts **Edited Version: March 5th, 2008 -** I fixed the grammar mistakes that AnitMusicMan had pointed out long ago. I just never corrected them till now. **Disclaimer: **Randomcat23 does not own Zoids. Sad. * * * "Van, tell me why I'm doing this?" "Come on, Moonbay! Why wouldn't you! Just look at him!" The young Zoid pilot pointed frantically at Irvine who stood in the near distance. "I can't leave him alone but I still have to go explain." Moonbay tapped her foot and crossed her arms, "Just take him with you." Van pleaded again, "All you have to do is sit for ten minutes." She shook her head and turned to watch the setting sun. The sky was painted pink and orange; dark clouds made an eerie pattern over the horizon. "Van. . ," she started again. And she was interrupted again, "It's his birthday, have a little heart." Van's eyes got big as he made an attempt to create a cute 'puppy-dog face'. It wasn't very good. Under normal circumstances, Moonbay would have hit him for trying 'the face', but she paused. "Irvine's birthday is today?" Her voice hinted at a past memory. Van picked up on the hint, "Yeah. . .something wrong? We all have one. Even people like Irvine." "I know that!" She snapped. Obviously, Van wasn't expecting such a response, he flinched slightly. "Fine, I'll sit with him, but only ten minutes. If your not back from that bar I'm leaving Irvine to cause any destruction he can." "Thanks, Moonbay. I'm sure he'd appreciate it too. . .even if he doesn't realize it now. Funny how this all came out of me treating him to a drink." With that Van turned away and jogged back into town. Moonbay watched him for a few moments as the street lights began to turn on. The nighttime parties were beginning, and here she was, stuck babysitting. Then, with a sigh, she walked over to the tall mercenary and grabbed his wrist. "Come on, Irvine, we're going to sit on my Gustav." The way she gently, but firmly, lead him to the pink Zoid was much like the way a mother leads a child. Suddenly, she blushed, as she found that she was treating him like a child, when she should be scolding him as an adult. With a quick shake of her head, she sat him down, and positioned herself next to him. "_Silence might be the best way to go."_ Moonbay kicked her feet against the armor and glanced at the Lightning Saix pilot. As far as she could tell, he was fine. No scratches, no bruises, no nothing. In fact, besides his dropped eyelids, nothing seemed to be wrong with him. No one would have ever expected him to be drunk. "_Van said they got into a 'mess' at the bar and that he needed to go back and explain,"_ she looked at Irvine again, _"If its not a bar fight, what kind of 'mess' did they get into?"_ Moonbay raised an eyebrow at the thought, what happened exactly? _"Look, you've gotten yourself in trouble again, and its your birthday!"_ Mentally the transporter yelled at him again and again. He was always getting himself into trouble. In a furry of thoughts, Moonbay leaded over and looked at his face, "Are you even awake?" Lazily, Irvine propped open his eyes halfway. "T's my birthday, Moonbay. Aren't ya gonna say sumthing?" Moonbay flinched. So he was drunk, Irvine never slurred his speech, ever. And what a random thing to say. "_Oh well, humor him. You've only got five minutes left." _ "Happy birthday, you fool," Moonbay muttered, but it wasn't completely harsh. Apparently, he didn't pick up on the insult, "Thanks much." " '_Thanks much'? Oh my God, Irvine, what did you drink?"_ She nodded her head and turned away. Any other person might have laughed at this point. They would have recorded every single silly thing that spewed out of Irvine's mouth. But not Moonbay. There was a reason she detested seeing Irvine drunk, especially on his birthday. About eight years ago, two years after meeting Irvine, Moonbay found him drunk on his birthday of all days. It was funny for awhile; they were only kids. It was humorous until Irvine broke down in sobs unexpectedly. Moonbay had tried to comfort him, asking what was wrong. And she regretted asking. In his vulnerable state, Irvine yelled out his life tragedies. How he lost his parents, tales of fights specifically the first time he killed a man. Such sadness, such pain. All the while, Moonbay stood trying to comfort him in the back of an alley. She had been clueless as to what to do. Then suddenly his tears stopped and his voice became monotone. Moonbay's eyes had widened in fear and regret when he spoke of all his other birthdays. Ever since his sister died, which unfortunately, had been on his birthday, Irvine drank the day way. What was supposed to be a happy day, he washed it out in blur of alcohol. Moonbay shuddered every time his birthday passed, in fear of having to hear more stories of angst and loss. But as the years passed her times with Irvine were short in number and never again were they on his birthday. And soon Moonbay forgot the exact date. . . Moonbay let out a heavy breath, she had forgotten how bad his birthdays could be. No longer did she want to see or hear him like that. On the outside, he was always strong, an unbreakable wall. But on this day, the wall crumbled and the pain leaked out. Now she was determined to keep him from doing that again. Moonbay would mark her calendar, mental and physical ones, and on Irvine's birthday she would treat him to anything he wanted all day, just so he didn't reveal that inner turmoil. _"Van didn't mention anything about an outburst. . .maybe this time, maybe now, after all these years. . ."_ Her thoughts were crashed when she found Irvine's head leaning against her shoulder. Red crept to her face as she pulled hair behind her ears. "Uh, Irvine?" "Where'd the damn sun go?" "_The what? Oh that. . ." _ "It set, Irvine. It's almost ten o'clock." He was so. . .not. . .Irvine right now. He mumbled in response, "Got anything t' drink? A bit thirsty over here." "No, sorry," her voice quivered. "I don't think you need anything right now," her hesitant hand brushed rouge hairs out of his face, which still rested on her shoulder. "Mhmm. Suppose not." They fell silent for awhile. "_Where is Van? It's been more than ten minutes. If he forgot about me. . ."_ Moonbay shook her free hand in the air. She sighed again and looked down at Irvine. _"So far, so good. I'm hoping he's healed a bit since the last time."_ In a random gesture, she rested her head on top of his, just to see what it felt like. It felt. . .comfortable if anything, to be able to just sit here with him. To not be bothered by anyone, it was a rare gift. And in a weird way, it was a gift for him to be drunk and a bit out of it. It was the only way Moonbay could ever show any kind of affection. "_Kind of sad isn't it? Affection must be saved for times like this. . .and why are we like that? Because we're both too stubborn t_o _change our ways."_ That thought brought a grin out. She lifted her head, and patted Irvine's face, "Up you go." He was so much like a child now, so helpless almost. She realized he was different than usual though. Last time Irvine was drunk, his anger also increased. This time it was like he was drowsy, like he had just taken a nap and woke up too early. "You know. . ." Irvine spoke slowly. "It's kinda weird being here, with you." Moonbay gulped, "Why is that." She spoke, but she didn't expect an answer, he barely knew what he was saying. "Reminds me of that one time. . .you sat, on my birthday, watched me. . .cry." "We were kids, Irvine. . .I didn't know what to do." "Mhmm. It was raining that day." "What? Oh," her eyes shifted to the ground, "I guess it was." "_Can we not. . .start on this subject?"_ Moonbay could feel her heart pounding. Where was Van? Oh, she didn't want Irvine to start talking about his sister's death again. . .not again. . .it was hard for him, yes, but why did he take it out on himself? Could she really stand to hear it again? "Thanks much." There was that phrase again. "You're. . .what? Thanks for what?" "Mhmm, that day. . ." Moonbay looked at him with sad eyes, "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." "Wah?" He glanced at her with those grey eyes. "I'm thankin' you." "What? For. . .listening?" He nodded sluggishly and, much to Moonbay's surprise, took her hand. "That was all I needed, was to be heard." "_And I used to regret listening."_ Her hand squeezed his, and for the first time was glad that she had stayed and listened all those years ago. "It was all I could do." Irvine gave her a sloppy grin as his head turned to the side. "Can I give you a thank you gift?" Flabbergasted, Moonbay answered, "Sure, you can give it to me tomorrow." "Mmm. . .I have it right here." "Oh, well in that case, I'll gladly take it," she held out her hand, so much like a parent does to a child, waiting for the crushed flower or shiny stone. Irvine pulled her close and kissed her. At first, Moonbay didn't struggle, the surprise was overwhelming. _"Don't panic, he's drunk, he's out of it." _If anything, she enjoyed it, it wasn't like this would happen under normal circumstances. A prick in her mind told her something was wrong though, something was off. Where was the taste of alcohol in his mouth? If he was so drunk, where was that tangy, intoxicating taste? The answer was plain: Irvine was playing with her. And he'll pay for it. . .right. . .now. In a swift movement, her hand escaped his and slapped him straight across the face. "Ah, shit! Moonbay!" Irvine touched his cheek, "What the hell was that for?" Moonbay just smiled wryly and said, "Glad to hear your speech is back." "What? Oh, yeah." He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, "Why the hell did you go and slap me?" "You don't know the answer? Hmm? You think pretending to be drunk and then kissing me doesn't deserve a slap?" "Oh, come on. It was a joke." He gave her a cocky grin, "You liked it." "You have no idea if I liked it or not," Moonbay argued, her hands glued to her waist. He shrugged again, "Say what you want." His tone was understanding, but the gleam in his eyes betrayed his amusement. "You can't stay mad at me forever, it is my birthday after all." Moonbay opened her mouth to argue, but paused, thinking. _"He hasn't. . .brought it up. Course, he wasn't really drunk today." _Her eyes softened and a pleased look fell on her face. _"I guess that means he's ok. No more bad regrets, no more bad memories. I don't doubt that he still remembers his sister, but now. . .it's ok."_ "I've underestimated you, yet again," she voiced out loud. "Hmm? What you say?" He had been studying her and forgot to listen to her response. Shaking her head, Moonbay smiled slowly and whispered, "You're welcome." Then, while he was piecing together their conversation, the transporter grabbed Irvine in a quick hug. "So you're not mad with me," Irvine stated, smirking. She released him, "I never said that. You have a sick sense of humor." "Blame Van." "No I blame you, you went through with it." "But, he put those dirty little thoughts into my head," Irvine continued to fake innocence. Her hand raised again to slap him, but he caught it. "You think that would work again?" She shrugged, "Worked last time I was mad at you." "But, as you thought, I was 'out of it, drunk'." Moonbay rolled her eyes, "You were not drunk. I'm not even sure you drank anything at all tonight." "You can be drunk on things other than alcohol." "Like what?" She asked, trying to follow his line of thinking. "Figure it out," Irvine taunted and turned to back into town. Moonbay was left slightly confused, but she followed soon enough, a small grin planted on her face. When she finally caught up with Irvine and slid her hand through his, he didn't object. Together they walked, heads high to the bar to properly celebrate Irvine's birthday. * * * Reviews are greatly appreciated! -randomcat23 End file.

Pranks, Drinks, and Gifts by randomcat23

Zoids

1. The Bandits Cometh Zoids: The Desert Bandits 5 Chapters Chapter 1: The Bandits Cometh Hey, Nick here. It's been so long since I found Fiona, Zeke and the Shield Liger. Yet, by some twist of fate, Raven became a new enemy of mine. First, with his Zaber Fang, and now even more menacing with his new Geno Saurer, which blew the creeping crud out of my Shield Liger the night before. But, since Fiona and Zeke resurrected it, it's evolved into a Blade Liger. Well, that's all I have the time for now. So, cya. ///*|*\\\ I put down my journal and gazed at the stars. I was having such a hard time trying to calm down after the Zoid Core of my Shield Liger was blown away by Raven, Shadow, and the Geno Saurer. Then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned. It was Fiona. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Not much, Fiona, but I keep losing sleep over Raven and the Geno Saurer. If they attack again, I don't think we can win, since this is my first time piloting a Blade Liger," I explained. She had that look in her eyes again. She really cares about me. "Aw, it's ok," she said as she embraced me for the 2nd time that night. I hugged her back. Later that morning, as Fiona slept, I was out testing my new Blade Liger, with Zeke fused with it, of course. I fired the blades' sniper guns at a nearby rock face, causing a huge chunk of it to break and fall at us. Not even frightened at all, I pulled down a lever, activating the boosters, and the Blade Liger shot at the rock. "Go, Zeke!" I yelled as I pressed a button, which unsheathed the blades. They started glowing with negative particles, and I leapt the Blade Liger towards the side of the rock, cutting it in two with the blades. After a copule more exercises of testing the booster/blade combo, I shot the Liger back to our campsite, only to find Fiona gone. I then saw a note. I didn't have to get out of the Liger, as Zeke diffused from it, shot to pick up the note, dropped it in my lap, and refused with the Liger. "Hmmmmm.......it says, 'If you want to see your friend again, head to the Gurreal Ruins for a Zoid battle. No funny stuff or the girl dies.'" I was so mad now, I could just........ "That's IT!" I yelled as I turned the Blade Liger towards the direction of the Gurreal Ruins. Zeke was mad, too, for I could hear him growling in fury. "Well, Zeke, as long as we're here, we'd better put a stop to this! Full speed!" I yelled, nearly screaming myself hoarse in my fury as the Blade Liger's boosters opened and we shot off at full speed towards the ruins. MAN! That was hard to write. Expect the next chapter this weekend. Cya for now! 2. The Search For Fiona Ok, so I'm early, but I just got out of school. Ok, here's chapter 2! Chapter 2: The Search For Fiona Me, Moonbay, Zeke, the Gustav, and, of course, the Blade Liger had made it to the Gurreal Ruins (the bandit's base of operations) in next to no time. Amazingly, the bandits had a whole 2 armies' worth of Zoids. The first set of Zoids were 2 Gun Snipers, a Godos, a Heavy Armor Guysack, and one Gun Sniper equipped with the Wild Weasel Unit. "What's a Wild Weasel Unit?" Moonbay asked me after I had finished checking and determining each Zoid in the first wave. "I'll explain later. For now, let's take them out!" I shouted. The Blade Liger did something totally new: it unhatched its blades, pointed them down, and leapt on top of the Heavy Armor Guysack, the blade cutting it in two. Unfortunately, the Wild Weasel Gun Sniper fired all of its ammo at us. But, the pilot had a look of horror on his face, for when the smoke cleared, he saw us and the Liger without so much as a tick mark. One reason: the shield was up. With that, I shut off the shield generators, unhatched the blades again, and charged at the WW (stands for Wild Weasel) Gun Sniper. The blades, upon contact, instantly sliced the Wild Weasel unit and its tail clean off. As soon as it exploded, we were left with 2 Gun Snipers and the Godos, which were all dismantled with my blades a minute later. The next wave consisted of 5 Pterases and 10 gray Command Wolves, which weren't much trouble with a little help from Zeke and the blades, of course. I had just set a new record: taking out 15 Zoids in one fell swoooop. (author's note: Good one, huh?) "NEXT!" I shouted as we busted into the next chamber where a GENO SAURER stood. "Raven!" Moonbay managed to get out. "No, Moonbay, it's not Raven. Look, Shadow isn't with the Geno Saurer, and I'm not detecting him inside the Zoid Core either," I told Moonbay. With that, I charged at the Geno Saurer, and did the same thing I did to another Geno Saurer a few episodes back: I pushed the tip of the blade into the Geno Saurer's Zoid Core (which was in the lower part, near the top of the cockpit), destroying the Saurer almost instantly. We kept on eliminating waves of Zoids which included more Gun Snipers, more Command Wolves (the new Command Wolf AC type), a few Raynoses, and one more Geno Saurer. Well, that's it for chapter 2! I was going to type this up last night, but I was watching the Packer game, which we won 34-14. Anyways, check for Chapter 3 soon! Ciao! 3. Zoid Lighthouse Chapter 3: Zoid Lighthouse We kept plowing through waves of Guysacks, Gun Snipers (77% of them equipped with a Wild Weasel Unit), Command Wolves, Red Horns, Ligers, Geno Saurers, and God knows how many other Zoids! Our next opponent was a Heavy Armor Guysack. I had an odd feeling about it, but that theory was confirmed as it aimed its tail at us. Oddly, instead of bullets, missiles, pulse lasers, or all the other basic weapons crud, it turned on a blindingly bright light. "Nick?" Moonbay said. "I've read about this! That's the Heavy Armor Guysack LES- better known as the Lighthouse Guysack!" I explained to Moonbay. "The.......Lighthouse Guysack?" Moonbay asked, confused. "The 1000-watt light in the center of its tail is a bright as a lighthouse at night, which is why it's called the Lighthouse Guysack! But, this Guysack's light is about to burn out, courtesy of the Blade Liger!" I yelled as I charged forward, put up the shield, and unhatched the blades. The shield hit the cockpit of the Lighthouse Guysack, tearing through it, and I used the blades to short-circut its light by cutting off its tail. It was too much, as the legendary Lighthouse Guysack fell to pieces. But, all of a sudden, my command system froze. "Oh, for pete's sake! Come on, Zeke, can you get it to work?" I started saying, nearly out of breath. Then, as if some miracle had happened, the Blade Liger got up again and was restored to full operation. "MAN! That was too close a call!" I said to myself as we continued our search for Fiona. 4. Fiona's Escape This will be the longest, so here's the long awaited Chapter 4! Chapter 4: Fiona's Escape We were STILL searching the Gurreal Ruins for my missing friend, Fiona. I've had to battle a near-2 BOAT-LOADS of Zoids before, but nothing like this! We just finished wiping out their last wave of Zoids when I did a count. "Hey, Moonbay!" I said after I finished. "Yeah, Nick?" she replied almost instantly. "I just set a new record- I'm the very first person to wipe out and otherwise mangle, tear apart, blast to bits, or still otherwise destroy 24,309 Zoids in a single day!" It was almost nighttime outside, but luckily, there were lights inside the ruins. I then was able to see a shadowy figure in the next chamber. "Raven?" Moonbay asked me. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out!" I stated as I hopped out of the cockpit of the Blade Liger. As I got closer, I was able to see the figure more clearly. When I got a full view of the figure, I noticed that it was a girl about my age, with yellow hair, a long ponytail, a pink and white dress and skirt on, and light blue sneakers. No, that can't be..... can it? I gasped as I realized who she was. "Fiona!!" I cried out as I embraced her tightly. "Well, that's an Ancient Zoidian for you," Moonbay mumbled to herself. Fiona said nothing. She just smiled and held me close the whole night. When it was 5:30 AM, Moonbay was asleep, and me and Fiona were taking a walk outside, I asked her how she escaped. She said, "Well, they tied me up, but not tightly enough." "Not very smart, are they?" I said. "You're right. They thought that because I was a girl that I couldn't escape." "Boy, were they wrong!" "You're right again. Anyway, when they all fell asleep, I wriggled out of the ropes and tiptoed to one of their Zoids- a Pteras." "Obviously, you're good at that type of Zoid. So that's how you escaped?" "Uh-huh." I then did something totally new: I stood on my tiptoes and kissed her on the cheek. She started to blush furiously. She was about to return it when I heard a loud explosion of words from far off. "Uh-oh, they know," Fiona said nervously. "And they don't seem too happy about it, either," I replied. I embraced Fiona tightly to keep her calm. "Well, if it's a fight they want, it's a fight they'll get!" I said again. As we hopped into the Blade Liger, Fiona had those memory scenes racing through her mind again. Would she be ok this time? You're going to love the next chapter. It's the final showdown! See ya then! 5. The Final Battle This will be about medium-length, but this chapter will also be the best! It's the final showdown! Oh, and, I forgot to say this before, but I don't own anything in Zoids except my own (namely, the desert bandits and the Lighthouse Guysack), ok? And, now, with that out of the way, here's the conclusion of Zoids: The Desert Bandits Revised! Chapter 5: The Final Battle The bandits arrived at the scene about 2 minutes after they realized Fiona had escaped. It was time for a showdown again. "First off, who are you 3, and why did you capture Fiona?" I demanded to know. The bandits each hopped out of their respective Zoid's cockpits. The first bandit said, "My name is Bruce, and this is my Zoid, the Shadow Fox." The 2nd bandit said, "I'm Jeice, and this is my Geno Saurer." The 3rd bandit said, "You can call me Max, and I'd like to introduce you to my Gun Sniper." "Ok, then. Now, LET'S DO THIS!" I yelled. I charged at Bruce and the Shadow Fox first. Its claws oddly started glowing with yellow energy. "A Strike Laser Claw. It's gotta be," I thought. I'd seen that before. *Flashback* **Me and Fiona were battling a Liger Zero which was being piloted by one of my enemies. (I don't mean Raven.) All of a sudden, its claws started glowing with yellow energy. This was new. Just then, the claws hit the starboard side of my Shield Liger. The cockpit rocked hard from the impact. I held Fiona tightly. "How do you like my Strike Laser Claw?" the pilot yelled.** *End Of Flashback* "So sorry, Bruce, not this time!" I yelled as I pushed a gear stick forward, causing the Blade Liger's twin ion boosters to start up and I unhatched the blades. I charged them up to their maximum power, and the blades passed through the Shadow Fox, cutting it in two. Bruce bailed out before the Shadow Fox exploded. Then, we went up to face Jeice and the Geno Saurer. But, we weren't being as lucky as the fight with the Shadow Fox. Just as the Geno Saurer was about to finish us off with a Charged Particle Beam, I put up the shield. I immediately realized that THAT was a mistake. I held Fiona tightly, since I knew this would be the end. Then, all of a sudden, I heard a loud cannon shot. I couldn't see who did it, since my eyes were closed tightly. Still holding Fiona, I opened my eyes and saw the Geno Saurer crumble to bits, Jeice having bailed out. Moonbay looked out the cockpit window, too. All three of us saw a black and red Command Wolf. It didn't take long to figure out who the pilot was. "Irvine! Hey, it's been a long time!" I managed to get out. "I heard about the situation here, so I decided to help." "Thanks, Irvine!" I said. Then, before I could react, the Blade Liger got hit by a sniper bullet from Max and his Gun Sniper. "All right, THAT'S IT!!" I yelled. I pulled back a lever and pressed a button, and at the same time, the Blade Liger put a paw on the top of the Gun Sniper. "I mean to end this battle NOW!" I yelled as I pushed back another lever. With that, the Blade Liger raised its free paw into the air and did something totally new AGAIN: the blades unhatched and flipped onto the side of the Liger's paws. The Gun Sniper was hurt. Just then, as Max also bailed out, I charged up the blades and brought the Liger's free paw, blade attached, down into the head of the Gun Sniper, making the Sniper explode. The battle was over. The bandits were nowhere to be seen, having already escaped. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, Fiona, you ready to continue our search for Zoid Eve?" I asked Fiona. She nodded her head yes, her long golden hair blowing slightly in the wind, we ran off into the sunrise. *-Fin-* End file.

Zoids: The Desert Bandits Revised by S.P.D. Gold Ranger

Zoids

Punch The Schubaltz family has always seemed to me like the sort that would be into physical training from a young age, hence this scrap of...something. I'm guesstimating a five year gap between the brothers, but if anyone can give me the facts on that score, that'd be great. Thomas is eight or nine here, and Karl's thirteen or fourteen. _**Punch**_ "Not scared, are you?" Thomas looked up and saw the smirk stretched across his brother's face. Karl was teasing him. "I'm not scared!" he almost yelled, annoyed and embarrassed that his big brother had noticed him hesitating, hanging back. "Good," said Karl, and led the way in. Surely it couldn't matter that Thomas walked behind Karl on the way into the gymnasium. It was his first time here, after all, and he didn't know where he was going. It was only natural that he should follow his brother, who knew his way around, the way to the changing rooms and the boxing ring and everything else. Thomas hefted his bag nervously, unused to the bulk on his shoulder, while Karl carried his as if he'd been born with it on his back. Practice, Thomas supposed, though he wished that Father hadn't decided on _today_ as the perfect first day for him to learn about boxing. The corridors had tiled floors, black and white, and greyish-blue paint on the walls, peeling a bit. Their footsteps rang off the tiles, Thomas' slightly faster than Karl's as he hurried to keep pace with his brother's longer legs. A group of boys, older, maybe Karl's age, jostled past, laughing and talking loudly, their echoes trailing along behind them down the passage. Thomas suddenly felt terribly small. Karl kept talking as he walked along, telling Thomas things that he wasn't listening to and probably wouldn't remember anyway. Finally he stopped walking and pushed open a door. "This is the changing room," he explained, going inside. Thomas followed him slowly, looking around at the lockers, the benches, the showers. There were more boys in here, a few of them around Thomas' age but most of them older. Several of them greeted Karl, clapped him on the shoulder, looked at Thomas when Karl jerked a thumb in his direction, explaining who he was. One or two grinned and waved, but most glanced at him without much interest. He stayed standing near the door, not sure what to do. "Come on," Karl said impatiently. "Don't just _stand _there." He looked annoyed for a second, then vaguely guilty as his big brother instincts kicked in. He smiled, sort of apologetic and sort of sympathetic. "Look, I know it's a bit intimidating when you're not used to it. I was younger than you when I first came here, you know." Thomas _did_ know, but that wasn't really a comfort. He would bet anything that Karl had fitted in perfectly the second he'd arrived, had walked in through the doors and acted like he'd been here for years. Because Karl always knew what he was doing, was never scared of anything. And anyway, it wasn't as if Thomas had wanted to come here in the first place - not _today_, not when he'd almost got that broken computer working again, just needed a couple more hours to work the bugs out of the operating system. He'd explained that, of course, and Father had looked stern - not angry, just determined - and told him that he could go back to tinkering with that old computer when he got home, because this was _important_. It was what the Schubaltz men _did_. It would be good for him; a healthy mind in a healthy body, after all. Thomas knew all that, knew what this meant and what was expected of him. He didn't know _why_ it was so important, but he knew that asking would annoy Father; those sorts of questions always seemed to, for some reason, but often Thomas couldn't help asking them anyway. This time, though, he hadn't, and even if he had it wouldn't have made any difference, he would still have ended up here. When Father had that stern look there was no point arguing with him, because you'd end up doing what he wanted in the end anyway. Besides, it had been nice to see Father looking so pleased and proud, smiling and reminding him that it was lucky to get blooded on your first day of training. It had given Thomas a sort of warm glow all up and down, and even though he still didn't understand why this was important to Father, it was important to _him_ because it made Father proud like that, the way that fixing a broken computer wouldn't. He _would _make Father proud. He wouldn't act like a scared little kid, hiding behind his big brother. Thomas walked over to a free spot on one of the benches and slung his bag down, sat beside it and started taking off his shoes. Karl, across the room, gave him an approving grin. The changing rooms were cold; the hall Karl led Thomas into when they had changed was even colder. Thomas shivered in his singlet and trunks, feeling every draught that swept in through the swinging doors, the high-set windows. He envied Karl, who didn't seem to notice the cold at all, and wondered how long he'd have to come here before he got used to it. There were six boxing rings set up around the hall, with singlet-and-trunk clad boys gathered around them, some chattering and pushing, some listening to the instructors, who all wore whistles. It seemed awfully noisy, and awfully crowded, and Thomas stared around at it all until Karl punched him lightly on the arm. "You're over there, with the beginners," he made a clumsy pointing gesture, his hand almost like a lobster's claw in the boxing glove, but Thomas saw where he was pointing at. The boys there looked mostly his age or a little older, a few of them shuffling nervously, maybe here for the first time like him. "And I'll be over there," Karl told him, pointing at another of the boxing rings. "Good luck," he said then, and jogged off. Thomas walked over to the ring that Karl had pointed out, feeling awkward and unbalanced in his gloves and padded helmet. A man in a jogging suit was talking to the group of boys; he was wearing a whistle so he must be an instructor. As Thomas joined the back of the group the man's eyes fell on him. "You!" he called. "What's your name?" "Thomas Schubaltz," he said, too startled for anything but an automatic answer. "Another Schubaltz,is it? Well if you're half as good as that brother of yours, you won't be in the beginner class for long." Thomas felt a swelling of pride at hearing how good Karl was, at being compared with him like that. He didn't think he'd ever be as good at this as Karl was, but maybe he could be _half_ as good. "All right," said the instructor, who Thomas quickly learned was called Coach Hesse. "How many new faces do we have today?" Thomas raised his hand, as did three other boys. "We have a little tradition here, for new students," Coach Hesse said, drawing the four of them up alongside him. "In the beginner class, you learn all about the basics of boxing, the way to defend yourself, the types of blow and the footwork to use. But on your first day you get to do a little sparring, just to let you know what you're here for. So why don't you two go first?" He picked out two of the other beginners, checked their helmets and gloves, shoved gum shields into their mouths and then hustled them into the ring, where they stood eyeing each other nervously. There was a small bell at one corner of the ring, which Coach Hesse rang to start the bout; why did the instructors wear those whistles, Thomas wondered, if they used the bells? Another one of those questions that would probably annoy someone if he asked it. The bout lasted only a few minutes, and nothing really happened. The two boys kept a cautious distance from each other, neither having any idea how to go about attacking or defending, just wanting to get this over without embarrassment. Occasionally one or the other would make a halfhearted jab, but none of the weak blows struck home, and when Coach Hesse rang the bell again both competitors were untouched. "Okay," said Coach Hesse, helping one of them disentangle himself from the ropes, where he'd got caught trying to climb out. "Hopefully by the next time you go in the ring, you'll have learned to hit more than air. Now, you two." Thomas climbed into the ring trembling, and not from the cold. His hands felt useless in those bulky gloves, the padded helmet kept slipping over his eyes and the gum shield felt strange in his mouth. He couldn't do this. He didn't want to be here, he wanted to be at home, wanted to be working on that broken computer, something he understood, something he was _good_ at. The only good thing here was that his opponent, a pale, chubby boy, looked just as nervous as Thomas felt. The bell rang, and Thomas turned to jelly. He could hear the other boys in the group shouting encouragement from a million miles away, could see his opponent blinking anxiously at him, raising his gloves in a clumsy imitation of a guard position. All Thomas wanted at that moment was to climb back out of the ring. And then he thought of Coach Hesse's words, _if you're half as good as that brother of yours_, and how he'd felt when he heard them. He couldn't be a coward, couldn't let down Father and Karl, couldn't ignore the importance of this thing even though he didn't understand it. Thomas raised his hands and stepped forward, determined that he could get at least one hit in, to show that he was worth all that was expected of him. The chubby boy was right in front of him, still trying to guard, still looking scared, and Thomas didn't think anymore, just pulled back his arm and swung. And missed. And the chubby boy, in some purely instinctive reaction, lashed out with a gloved fist and landed a punch right on Thomas' unprotected nose. He went reeling back, more in shock than because of the force of the blow, and bounced against the ropes. Pain went shooting through his face, spreading out from the centre of pure agony that was his nose. The noise of the hall was distant, muffled, but Thomas could hear a steady dripping, the sound clear and loud in his ears. Looking down, he saw a small, spreading pool of red on the canvas, saw the drops of blood falling, hitting the pool with a tiny splash. Realisation hit. Thomas howled, loud enough that everyone in the hall turned around to see what was going on. Then he burst into tears. He didn't want to, tried desperately to force down the sobs that wrenched at his rib cage, to hold back the wetness that rimmed his eyes, but it was useless. He was hurt, and scared, and all he'd wanted to do today was fix the computer, and the sobs escaped in rhythmic jolts as the tears went streaming down his face, splashing on the canvas with his blood. He was crying and crying, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Coach Hesse pulled him to his feet and out of the ring, took off his helmet and gloves, cajoled and threatened in an effort to make him stop, but Thomas hardly heard him. The other boys in the beginner class stared at him; the chubby boy shuffled his feet and muttered that it wasn't his fault; a hundred years passed and eventually the sobs began to die away, the flow of tears slowing to a trickle. Someone handed Thomas an ice pack and he held it against his face, sniffling into the cold plastic. By the time the worst of it was over, most of the rest of the hall had lost interest or had been prodded back to work by their instructors. But looking up and across the hall, blinking his eyes clear, Thomas could see Karl was still looking at him, could see the disappointment painted on his brother's face, and his vision blurred over again. Thomas' first time was quite obviously over, but the classes weren't finished yet, so he sat in the changing room with the ice pack on his throbbing nose, listening to the noise from the hall. The cold felt good, and he wondered if it would freeze the blood solid so it would stop dripping. Certainly the bleeding stopped a while after he held the pack to it, so maybe that was how it worked. When the worst of the pain was numbed, he put the pack down and got dressed, wincing when the neck of his shirt slid across his nose. He picked the ice pack up again; it was already turning into slush, but it was still cold so he held it against his nose again. A while later, the doors swung open and the boys came back in, talking and laughing, sweaty and exhausted and a little battered, but all in good temper, stripping off _en route_ to the showers. Karl appeared in their midst but didn't head towards the showers, simply changed his clothes quickly. "Let's go," he said, and Thomas dropped the ice pack, grabbed his bag and followed his brother out. He wanted to say thanks to Karl for not showering, for not making Thomas sit there in front of the other boys with his ice pack and his bloody nose and the tear stains still on his face. Except he didn't think he could make it come out right, and he didn't think Karl wanted to hear it anyway, so he just followed silently. The car was waiting outside to pick them up. They got in, and Karl turned to Thomas, spoke in a low voice. "We don't need to tell Father about, well, what happened. All right?" Thomas nodded, relieved. He didn't want Father to know that he'd acted like a little kid on his first day, that he wasn't good at this important thing - that he didn't even understand why it was important. He just wanted to go home, and tell Father it had all gone well, and then go and finish fixing the computer. He might even have it running before dinner. "All right," Karl repeated, and for a second he looked very serious, almost like Father when he was being stern. Then he smiled a little, and reached across to ruffle Thomas' hair. "You know, it's good luck to get blooded on your first day." Thomas knew it was, though he didn't know why. And he didn't ask. * * * _I do love Thomas, I swear. I just show it by hurting him. C&C would be very much appreciated, since I'm lacking experience with these characters. Also, if anyone can point me in the direction of a nice, active Zoids discussion group (preferrably fanfic-friendly), I'd be all sorts of grateful._ End file.

Punch by teethlikedog

Zoids

Zoids: A Side of Fiona I opened my eyes for the first time as I walked out of the pod. There was a hot looking man who seems to be my age. He looks very sexy; I just want to go somewhere else to give him all I have. All he wanted to see is another organoid. He already has Zeke! Why would he have another one when he could have me? I saw his eyes filled with confusion. 'Probably thinking why a girl is in a pod?' I thought to myself. He introduced himself to me, and was called Van Flyhight. We heard several explosions outside of the laboratory ruins. Van jumped on his hover board, and gave me a ride to the Shield Liger. I held onto him while Zeke ran right beside us. He told me it was the work of 3 Gyzaks, and had to get to the Shield Liger. We eventually made it, and Van destroyed those stupid machines. Years have passed, and Van still hasn't noticed my promiscuous body. He recently became Lieutenant Flyhight. His structure has improved while training with the military from a scrawny little boy to a handsome well-built man. The only thing is backing me up is that jerk, Irvine, and his AC Commander Wolf. Van will be mine. A teenage boy's hormones at his age wouldn't be able to handle me. Soon afterward we gotten rid of the Geno Saurer's particle cannon, and the world was saved from the Geno Saurer. I saw Van walked into the room I was in, and wondered why I need him. "Fiona, can we make this quick? I have a meeting with Lieutenant Schubaltz in fifteen minutes," he said to me. "It won't be too long," I replied back to him. "Why did you want me to come here?" "Something I've wanted to do since I've met you in the ruins," I pressed my lips onto his, and wrapping my arms around him tightly. He grabbed hold of me and deepened the kiss further into a make-out. After a minute our mouths came apart to gather some air. He had the look I've been wanting for a long time. He groaned in delight, "I think Schubaltz can wait for a little while." End file.

Zoids: A Side of Fiona by Salorgirl

Zoids

Eyepatch _6 years._ It had been 6 years since the war against Gunther Prozen and Hiltz had been put to an end. It had been 6 years since things had begun to go back to a normal enough life for the Empire and the Republic. It had been 6 years since Irvine finally gave in to his feelings and realized his true emotions for Moonbay. It had been two years since he had proposed to her, and now, Irvine was giving up his bachelor days for a new life...the married life. 6 years ago if anyone had asked Irvine what he thought about settling down, starting a family, and devoting himself to one woman, Irvine probably would have laughed. But now, as he looked at himself in the mirror, he knew those days were behind him. He looked over his hair, which had been cut shorter in a crew cut that resembled Thomas's, at his eyepatch which adorned his eye, and the rented tuxedo that fitted him perfectly. A lot had happened since the day he first met Van Flyheight. He could remember that day as clearly as he remembered what he had had for breakfast. Irvine's nostalgia was cut short however as a knock at the door broke him of his thoughts. "Come in," Irvine called out as he straightened his black tie. Irvine looked in the mirror as his best man stepped up beside him to regard him in the mirror. "You nervous?" "Scared shitless." Van laughed as he clapped his friend on the shoulder. "You'll make a fine husband for her, Irvine. Marriage isn't that terrifying." "Easy for you to say, you've been geared up for marriage since the moment you saw Fiona," Irvine replied as he fidgeted with his tie. "Oh let me," Van barked as he turned Irvine to face him and readjust his tie. "You and Moonbay are as perfect for each other as me and Fiona are. What are you worried about?" Irvine looked into his friend's eyes with a sigh. "What if I'm not good enough, Van? What if the married life gets too boring?" "Irvine, you're not entering a convent or anything," Van laughed. "You'll still have plenty of adventure with all of us, just now you'll have a family to support. I can promise you, marriage itself is an adventure." "Yeah, I suppose you're right," Irvine sighed as he looked back at himself in the mirror. "Van?" "Yeah, Irvine?" "I was just thinking about the first time we met...can you remember it?" Van laughed as he leaned against the wall. "Of course! You damn near tried to kill me." "A lot has happened since then," Irvine smiled as he looked at his friend. "I can't believe I'm getting married, Van..." "You'll believe it when you see her walk up that aisle," Van grinned as he patted his friend. "She'll look more beautiful than she's ever looked before to you." "I don't doubt that," Irvine smirked as he turned to Van. "Van..." "Yes?" "What happens if I become a father one day?" Van looked into the ex-mercenary's eyes and said honestly, "You'll make a great father one day. I promise you that." Irvine took a deep breath and nodded his thanks as the door was opened and Thomas stepped in. "Are we ready boys?" Irvine and Van looked at each other before nodding. Before Irvine left the room however, he took off his eyepatch and set it gently into a box in a drawer. "Irvine?" Van questioned. "I don't need it anymore. That part of my life is over," Irvine smiled as he gave the box one last look before looking at the others. "Are we ready?" Thomas and Van exchanged smiled before letting Irvine lead the way to the altar. End file.

Eyepatch by GunSniper64

Zoids

Mistletoe **Author's note: Blame Randomcat23 for this little one shot I've been reading her Christmas drabbles and I got this idea stuck in my head and really didn't want to put it in the story so I decided a one shot about Irvine and Jesse's past Christmas's and it would help you guys understand how close they are.** **Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Zoids the only thing I own is Jesse. So enjoy and tell me what you think by reviewing. ** It was Christmas eve in New Helick city. It was gently snowing and at the presidents house it was all quiet, well except in the library where a fire was roaring and Jesse Herman was sitting on the couch wearing a red sweater and blue jeans a untitled book in her lap. Irvine came into the library carrying two mugs of cocoa. She smiled as she looked up at Irvine he had changed out of his usual attire and was now dressed in a white cotton turtleneck sweater and brown pants. He had removed his bandanna and eye scope. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you to fix that cocoa," she said as he handed her a mug. "Just making sure I got it right," he said sitting down beside her draping one arm on the back of the couch behind her. "Okay let's get started." he said propping his feet up on the coffee table crossing his legs at his ankles, as Jesse opened the book and put it between on their laps, which turned out to be a photo album. "Remember this one," she said pointing to the picture on the page it was of them when they were twelve a few months after they had met and it was Christmas morning, wrapping paper was scattered everywhere and both of them had bows on their heads. Both were holding up the shotguns that they had both received. "I can't believe your dad took that picture or that he gave me that as a present." Irvine said taking a sip of his cocoa as he let his arm drop to around Jesse's shoulders pulling her closer to his side. "Remember when he took us to the shooting rang the next day," she said as she showed the picture of them both holding up their target pages Irvine's bullet holes were the closest to the target. "Hey look at this one," he said as they turned the page to the one where they were thirteen. "Oh my god," she said looking at the picture that her father had took of them in the door way they were both looking up at the spring of mistletoe that was hung there. "I can't believe we got caught under the mistletoe." She said looking at the next picture, "Look at this one," she said showing him the picture where he was kissing her on the cheek. "Want to redo that kiss?" he asked leaning forward a grin on his face. "Sure," she said looking up seeing the mistletoe the held above their head. She set there cups of cocoa aside and then wrapped her arms around his neck bringing his lips to hers as they redid the kiss from their childhood and didn't even see the flash of the camera as Herman took another for the Christmas scrapbook. He smiled as he quietly shut the door leaveing the two together to enjoy their Christmas Eve. **Author's note: I loved writing this I think it was so cute. ** End file.

Mistletoe by Phoenix07

Zoids

1. Fire Wheel Team Battle Zoids: Call of the Fire Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Zoids, I am borrowing the names, settings, etc. under fair use and without making a profit. This work cannot be sold for profit or retransmitted and reposted without my express permission. Continuity: Takes place after the Raynos appear in the series. ------------------------------------------------ East Flatland Waste, 1400 Hours, Day 1 "Who would'a thought that I'd get so lucky as to find a whole Viper!" Bit Cloud exclaimed, leaping out of his jeep in excitement. Lying on its stomach, under a thin layer of dirt blown onto its metallic surface, the black Viper Zoid lay prone, and appeared to be in reasonable shape. Certainly, there were holes in its armor, and one of its side-mounted grenade launchers was missing, but it was still left there, after the battle held only an hour earlier. Whichever team owned the Viper was likely on the losing team. It all seemed too good to be true, Bit thought. Well, if they're going to leave something like this out here in the middle of nowhere.... Bit made his way to the cockpit, raising his left arm to his face to block the dust blowing his direction as the wind picked-up. Viper Zoids were very common Zoids, and in fact they were really nothing special. There was only a few teams that Bit knew of that used Vipers seriously, and none of them impressed him. Yet salvaging this discarded Viper was not for the Zoid itself, but for the parts. Although a thin layer of dust formed over the cockpit window of the black Viper, Bit could make out the silhouette of a person-- the pilot, likely-- within. Immediately thoughts of dismantling the Zoid transformed into disappointment, then into worry that the pilot might need help. He pounded his gloved fist against the window. "Hey!" Bit cried, over the wind. "You need any help?" Bit got no immediate response from the pilot. He wiped a section of dust off the window, then cupped his hands around his eyes, and peered inside. The pilot was a young woman, appearing to be in her late teens, her eyes shut, as if sleeping... or meditating. She wore a heavy black coat, buttoned only at the collar, and wore it almost like a cape, as its length seemed to stretch to her boots and her arms were folded under its folds rather than inserted into the sleeves. Her dark hair was tied up in a red chord, curiously in a shoelace knot. Bit watched as one of the girl's arms appeared from under the coat and reached over to the console. He jumped at the sound of her voice, demanding, "What do you want?" It was obvious from her voice that this warrior was young, but also no-nonsense. Bit summoned his composure. "Hey, are you okay? What're you doing out in the middle of nowhere, anyway?" "Who're you?" she asked sternly. "If you're a junker then I was here first. Salvage Law." Bit cursed mentally, wondering if the pilot really was a warrior. According to the Salvage Law the first person who found the salvageable goods had claim to them-- which also meant whoever this was is holding the goods in the battle area. "Just wanted to see if you were okay." "I'm fine, thank you," the pilot replied, although Bit thought she could use a little more work in sounding sincere. "You sure you want to wait outside like that?" "Nah, that's okay," Bit answered, sitting up and away from the cockpit window. "You're waiting for something?" "My friends, actually. If you hadn't noticed, this Zoid isn't exactly equipped to lug any of the garbage around here home." "Yeah, I've noticed. By the way, who are you?" "Shizuka, of the Fire Wheel Team." So she is a warrior. "'Fire Wheel Team?' Name sounds familiar... but I can't place it." The pilot within laughed, genuinely amused. "You wouldn't be the first. That's because barely anyone accepts our challenges. Who are you?" "My name's Bit Cloud!" he proclaimed proudly. "I'm with the Blitz Team. Maybe you've heard of them." "Heard of them? Who hasn't?" Shizuka, for her part, did not sound as if she were awed by his presence, which disappointed Bit. "You're the guy that joined when they got that big winning streak that the Lightning Team took away. That was a nice match." For some people, he thought. His eyes passed down the length of the Viper. "Your Zoid looks kind of beat up. Was it that close of a battle?" "You could say that," she granted. "Now that the battle's over we need to pick up the pieces. We can't afford to leave our equipment lying around like some other teams can. We're stripping for cash." "Yeah; sometimes you can find some nice things out here," Bit agreed. "I find some equipment to stick on my Liger all the time!" "Feh. Some people think, that they have Zoids like that, that they're better than people like me that don't use powerful Zoids. Vipers aren't exactly competitive in this Battle Commission, you know." "I know what you mean," he replied with a nod, "it must take a lot of work to keep this thing in competition." He heard a tone through the intercom, followed by a slight pause. "My friends are coming. You'd better get outta here; they don't like junkers, and they don't like guys from other teams scouting their Zoids." "Well, then," Bit said, standing, planting his arms by his hips. "I guess I'll be seeing you around sometime, then, Shizuka?" "Heh. Later... Bit Cloud." No sooner had Bit jumped off the nose of the Viper the Zoid powered to life, rising from the sand. He hurried back to where he left the jeep, narrowly avoiding the sand shower of the Viper shaking-off the dirt from its armor. The snake Zoid's head turned in his direction for a moment, as if the pilot wanted to say something, but then turned away, heading out to meet her comrades. Bit waited a few minutes as a monstrous juggernaut appeared in the distance. As it drew closer he could make out its features. It was an armored creature modeled after a lobster, its upper armor halves painted red and the lower portions metallic gray. It walked on eight insect-like legs, surprisingly able to carry the transport's weight. It came to a full stop, its right claw opening to reveal a ramp and hangar. Emerging from the hangar was the smaller, violet- painted lobster cousin of the transport-- a Macurtis-- probably modified for salvage operations, as the Macurtis was designed for both surface and underwater combat. "Wow, a Dragoon Nest!" Bit exclaimed. "You don't see one of those every day!" A portion of the lobster shell on the transport's back opened up, revealing a hangar in the rear. A large blue flying Zoid, a Salamander, launched. The winged lizard Zoid vaguely resembled a legendary dragon, and was the larger cousin of the Pterras which Bit was already familiar with. Although the display of such expensive Zoids all together was marvelous, Shizuka's words were probably true-- they wouldn't like people like Bit around while they were conducting business, and that was probably why the Salamander was deployed-- to act as an aerial scout. Even though it didn't look like it was sporting any weaponry whatsoever the Salamander was still large enough to squash the jeep. Of course, Bit reminded himself, Salamanders had too frail of a frame to handle close-quarter combat. Turning on the ignition, Bit's mind wandered. "The Fire Wheel Team, huh?" Blitz Team Base, 1900 Hours, Day 1 Bit's memory of the odd team name suddenly jogged and caught up to him. "Tomorrow we're facing the Fire Wheel Team," Jamie, the tactical advisor, stated, standing next to the projection screen displaying an overview of the team's specs as made public by the Zoid Battle Commission. "'Fire Wheel Team?'" Leena echoed, sitting at the chair across from Bit. "Aren't they the biggest losers in Class A?" "That's what I heard," Brad confirmed, sitting back in his chair with his arms folded, appearing not to care, as usual. "They're also one of the biggest teams around, with eight possible warriors." "Except that some of them left the group, and the team itself is having financial difficulties," Jamie corrected. The screen changed to display three Zoids-- a Guysack, a Storm Sworder, and a Stealth Viper. "Only three of their registered Zoids are used anymore because they can't afford the upkeep for the rest of them. Most of the Class A teams refuse to challenge them or accept their challenges because of their reputation, so the Zoid Battle Commission has to arrange all their battles for them." "Reputation... what reputation?" Bit wondered. "They're supposed to be unpredictable because of the amount of Zoids they have at their disposal," Brad answered. "It's also because each of them have very capable pilots, so people are afraid to challenge them over that." "But it's still hurting them even when they're not like that, huh?" Leena finished. "Glad I'm not on their team." "The current rankings of their current pilots from the last Zoid Trials are lower than our scores," Jamie continued. "In fact their Stealth Viper pilot scored in the low sixties." "On the other hand it's only a Stealth Viper," Bit added, remembering what its pilot said earlier that day. "What, are you worried about a dumb Stealth Viper?" Leena teased. "It seems to me," Dr. Toros said, interrupting, "that those Zoids they're using are military-issue. Meaning they're probably surplus hardware from back during the war before the Zoid Battle Commission was set up." "That makes them OLD!" exclaimed Bit. "If they're winning using fossils then no wonder they're Class A." "Not to mention Storm Sworders are one of the hardest air Zoids to find, since they're so good," added Brad. "It sort of makes up for their other two below-average Zoids." "Right, so we can't take them lightly," Jamie agreed, "and we're not handling the Stealth Viper like we did with the Viper Team." "If you say so," Leena said, unconvinced. Continuing, "Guysack is armed with a tail-mounted 20mm cannon and two pincer claws-- that's it. They've only switched out the tail for the gunnery pod on three occasions, but I don't think they're going to do it this time. The tail cannon can fire in every direction, but the claws are forward-only; the key to beating this one will be getting in close and behind it or to the sides." "The Storm Sworder can fight both on the ground and in the air, but it's in their favor to going into the air. It's only got one forward cannon under its neck, and relies primarily on blades attached to each wing." "I'm sure you can out fly it easily," Brad said. "Last of all, the Stealth Viper. It's got two 40mm cannons, two grenade launchers, twin dual pod launchers, and two image-recognition surface-to-air missiles. It has good heat suppression and radar deflection armor. Since it is military-issue, it is also equipped with an ECM unit, making missiles less effective against it. So when you go up against it you want to use something other than missiles." "Guess you're out of this one, Leena," Brad added, jabbing at his fellow warrior. "What?!" she exclaimed. "You're not going to go out and get easy points while I'm sitting around here!" "It'd be pointless to waste good ammo on something that can't be hit by it," he continued. "Guys, guys!" Bit said, getting between the two warriors. "Geez, you don't have to get so worked-up about it Leena." "If it's not such a big deal, Bit, why don't YOU sit out on this one?" she yelled angrily. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Toros interrupted. "Bit hasn't sat out of a battle since he joined, and we don't want to make it look like he's the only reason we're winning...." "Uh... thanks, Doc..." Bit said, uneasy. "But don't you need me and Liger out there?" "I'm sure we can handle it," Brad replied. "Even if they are Class A they're still the lowest of Class A, so these guys shouldn't be a problem." "And we do need the Raynos to help with the Storm Sworder," Jamie added. "They only have three Zoids, so we have to be handicapped according to the rules." Bit sighed, then shrugged. "Well, I guess you guys can handle it...." "Just don't let Leena go against the Stealth Viper," Brad persisted. Fire Wheel Base, 2200 Hours, Day 1 The leader of the Fire Wheels, Mizuki, a woman in her mid-twenties, sat back in her chair, giving her full view of all three monitors set up at her station. Her youthful face betrayed the experience she had behind the Guysack, the Zoid of her choice. She ran her hands back through her waist-length volume of dark hair, throwing it over the back of the chair to ease some of the strain of sitting back, facing her similarly-aged lieutenants. The left monitor held the master tactician and Zoid pilot woman, "Spider"-- her battlefield name. Although she was only two years younger than Mizuki Spider was unusually brilliant, but rather cold and calculating. Her eyes seemed to pierce into Mizuki's soul like icy daggers, and although her peers wanted her to lighten- up she refused to change her ways. Her role on the battlefield these days was as the sometimes secondary gunner for the Guysack, since her Warshark's ammunition couldn't be paid for anymore. The center screen beheld "Warlock," the chief technician and chief Salamander pilot; the secondary pilot left when the team split, so he had to modify the large Zoid to fly without assistance. Unlike many other pilots who wore eye lenses Warlock required them in order to see, as they helped correct his poor vision. His breaths exhaled, revealing cold wisps of air, reflecting his current position deep within the base, a forgotten military installation. The Salamander was similarly impaired as the Warshark, but Warlock's task now was to decrypt the doors to the lower levels of the installation-- and that took him to the cold recesses below, without heating. Finally, on the third monitor was "Ziel," the ace pilot of the team's Storm Sworder. Just like the vicious iron raptor he piloted Ziel was very efficient in aerial combat, utilizing the Storm Sworder's unpopular blade option now that ammunition was scarce for the team. The lights in his chamber were kept purposefully dim, and only a dark silhouette could be made out on the monitor, as Ziel seemed to like to keep to himself most of the time. Behind Mizuki stood Shizuka, her apprentice. Even before three members left the team to form their own team Shizuka was always the youngest of the pilots, narrowly shy of twenty years. Where three Zoids were denied ammunition the Guysack and Stealth Viper got first dibs, and whatever was left over went to the Storm Sworder's cannon, as both of the former Zoids were effectively crippled without ammo. Mizuki lead her apprentice by example by not wasting that ammo needlessly, forcing herself and Shizuka to become better shots. She was proud of her apprentice's 57% accuracy rating in the simulators; it was a good margin of miss and more than half the bullets hit something. Shizuka's field name was "Silencer," but Mizuki herself had no such name. It was always something generic like "Boss." "Let's hear it," the boss said, expecting her trained warriors to deliver their reports. "I've finished up the battle plans," Spider began, careful to hide her obvious pride in her brilliance. "And I've analyzed the public data given on the Blitz Team. The one we have to look out for is their Liger Zero; it has a transforming parts capability, and we will be unable to predict with certainty which armor they're going to use." "I would count on them using the Schneider," Mizuki suggested. "Make a contingency for each of their armors." Spider nodded. "Right. Anyway, they've got a Raynos now, which isn't reflected in the records yet, as they've only recently acquired it. You can be almost certain they're going to use it against our Storm Sworder." "I can handle that thing easily," Ziel chirped in. "Raynos aren't equipped for mid-air melee like my Storm Sworder is, so he's going to have to rely on his two cannons. If he hits, first of all...." "You flyboys are full of it," Warlock interrupted, although he himself flew a flying Zoid. "They've also a Gunsniper with a Wild Weasel Unit attacked, so it's nothing like the other Gunsnipers we've encountered," continued the master tactician. "History shows that the pilot is prone to waste ammo, but she also hits a lot, too." "If I had that much ammo to throw away, there wouldn't be a Zoid left," Shizuka grumbled. "That also makes you rely too much on your ammo," Mizuki added sternly. "And that's unacceptable. The Stealth Viper's ECM unit should be able to deflect most of the missiles from that Wild Weasel Unit." "Of course, boss, but they're the Blitz Team, and I hardly think they're going to be THAT dumb," Spider pointed out. "They're too good for that." "Don't make the mistake of overestimating your opponent," the leader countered. "If they're really that good they wouldn't have lost to the Lightning Team. The fact that they lost means they are beatable, too." "Of course, we lost to the Lightning Team, too," Warlock added under his breath, although Mizuki didn't say anything to that. It was certainly true that the Fire Wheel Team themselves weren't as good as some of the other teams, but it helped to keep the team's feet on the ground. "You can't go into the simulations assuming that your opponent is always going to make the best choice at the right situation," Mizuki continued. "That's why I make you do several simulations for each possible scenario; if there is a possibility the opponent will make a mistake, we need to know how to maximize our ability to take advantage of it." "Yes, boss," Spider said with a sigh. "Lastly, they have a Command Wolf; my probability suggests that the Blitz Team will rotate this one out for the match, so I haven't done any serious simulations with it." "Go back and do the simulations," the boss ordered. "For all you know they'll switch out the Gunsniper instead and then we'll have a problem." She turned to face Warlock. "And you?" "I'm still working on it," he reported. "Every time I get past one security block there's always another one behind it. I'll finish up the next block tomorrow evening, but who knows how many more blocks there are." "If there's something usable, or sellable, we'll need it." "Yeah, I know, I know...." "Ziel?" "All the Zoids are prepped," the flyboy said. "I went through and replaced all the parts damaged in the battle this afternoon, and restocked the ammo to your Guysack and the Stealth Viper, but I've few rounds for my Zoid." "Tough luck," Shizuka replied. "My snaky is totally worthless without ammo." "If it wasn't for the stupid scheduling we wouldn't have to do two fights in a row," Ziel complained. "And by that I mean the Battle Commission shouldn't screw us like this." "We're screwed as is, remember? Blitz Team, one of the most promising teams in the league. Fire Wheel Team, least-promising team in Class A. Ammo shortages, bad armor, and uncompetitive Zoids." She sighed, then chuckled to herself. "Don't you just love these uphill battles? We are soooo going to lose." "I don't plan on losing," Mizuki replied, amused by her apprentice. "Oh, and Shizu?" Spider voiced. "Do not, I repeat, do NOT, use the switch. My calculations are doing the simulations without that, and if you do use it that could screw up our future battles." "Dammit, why not?!" she complained. "You've kept telling me that ever since I got that sucker, and I could've used it to win all of the battles we lost!" "It's a huge advantage to keep secret your ultimate edge," Mizuki explained. "If you use it, and rely on it completely, others will come to expect it, and counter you. Then it won't be such a good edge anymore, will it?" "But you keep insisting I practice WITH it in the simulator!" "You'll know when to use it when you get there; not a moment before, and not for the Blitz Team. They aren't worth it." "Besides," Spider added, "we've won those other battles without it. We don't even NEED it." Battleground, 0800 Hours, Day 2 The Judge Capsule landed on time, creating a massive crater all around it. The capsule raised out of its hole, and swung open, revealing the white Judge within. Its head 'surveyed' the land as it habitually did, declaring, "The land within a thirty-mile radius is a designated Zoid battle zone." To the Judge's left, the Blitz Team Hover Cargo pulled to a stop at the edge of the battle area, deploying its three Zoids from its top-mounted catapult: a blue Command Wolf, a heavily-armed Gunsniper, and an aerial teal Raynos. At that moment the Fire Wheel Team's Dragoon Nest pulled inside the zone. Its rear hangar catapult released a dark silver, bird-like Storm Sworder, and it banked hard to its right to orient its direction back into the battlefield. The lobster-type transport opened its center ramp, located under the head-bridge, allowing a black-painted Guysack off, snapping its scissor-like claws together in anticipation. Finally, the Dragoon Nest's left claw opened up, allowing a black Stealth Viper free. Satisfied, the Judge continued, "All unauthorized contestants and personnel must leave the battlefield immediately." It once again made a quick scanning sweep of the field. Most of the terrain was barren rocky waste, with few rocky cliffs here and there, but none large enough or significant to use as high ground, rather as cover. "Area scanned; battlefield set-up. The Blitz Team versus the Fire Wheel Team. Battle mode '0983.'" The Judge raised its arms into the air. "Ready... FIGHT!" * * * "I'm going on ahead," Wild Eagle announced. The flyboy alter-ego of Jamie added boldly, "I'll see if I can clip that Storm Sworder's wings quick." "Roger that, Wild Eagle," Brad acknowledged in reply, leading with his Command Wolf, Leena's Gunsniper following behind and to the right. "If it's still close enough to the Guysack and Stealth Viper try to draw it away." Over the system they heard Bit's voice from the Hover Cargo. "Good luck, guys!" "There won't be anything left of them," Leena boasted, "when I'm through. This'll be a piece of cake!" * * * "Raynos is moving out ahead of the pack," Spider said, appearing suddenly on the screen in the Guysack's cockpit. "The other two are running on behind it." "So, they're coming to meet us, huh?" Mizuki determined, amused. Although the Storm Sworder and Stealth Viper were very fast, the Guysack was not, and the boss wanted to be certain she had cover so as not to get caught by something a lot faster than her. That was essentially every other Zoid in the battle, of course. "Uphill battles are more interesting," she mused. "I'll get the Raynos," Ziel stated, breaking out of formation. "Negative on that," the boss commanded. "Stay with us." "Why not?" he complained, wavering back into formation. "Because you're too damn eager to plug the Raynos, that's why," Silencer answered. "If we can plug it on the first pass then the battle'll be easier, and that'll be a lot harder if I can't shoot it." "That's a big 'if.' We all know he's better than that, and you're going to miss with only TWO STA missiles." "Maybe. Or maybe not." "Cut the chatter," Mizuki ordered. She sighed, leaning back slightly against her pilot chair. The Liger Zero, unexpectedly, was not present for the battle, which disappointed the Fire Wheel boss. However, that gave their team the best scenario for victory, provided they could get rid of the Raynos. The Stealth Viper and Guysack could retaliate against aerial threats, but not exceedingly well; if the Storm Sworder failed to bring it down both the Viper and the Guysack are sitting ducks to strafe runs. * * * "Wild Eagle here, I've visual contact. I'll pull the Storm Sworder out, and the rest is yours!" He considered doing a quick strafe on the Guysack and Stealth Viper, but the Storm Sworder was already moving ahead to intercept. The Wild Eagle cracked a smile, eager to duel against a fellow aviator. The communications screen flickered to life, and an unfamiliar man stared back at him, although most of his features were obscured by a sun-visor flight helmet. "Let's make this quick, kid," the pilot of the Storm Sworder challenged. "I wouldn't have it any other way!" Wild Eagle answered in reply, killing the visual. He felt the cannon beneath the cockpit rumble to life as he readied it to fire, intending to take out his aerial rival in the first pass. Thumbing the firing trigger, a stream of deadly bullets flew out toward the Storm Sworder, but the Raynos was forced to bank right to dodge a hail of fire from the Storm Sworder's own cannon. Wild Eagle turned his head around and saw that the Storm Sworder banked left, and was wheeling around to get behind the Raynos. A warning alarm flared, tracking a missile lock. Undaunted, he kicked the throttle to full, breaking out of the surface targeting easily. Wild Eagle didn't need to think to know it was the Stealth Viper trying to take a potshot at him, as the Storm Sworder wasn't equipped with any missiles-- only the forward cannon, its retractable head sword lance, and its wing blades. Which meant, once the Storm Sworder was out of ammo, it would be forced to make mid-air slash passing, and that was only a problem if it somehow managed to keep up with the Raynos. He yanked the stick left, then right, avoiding another deadly hail from the silver Zoid. He had no idea how much ammunition the Fire Wheels loaded it up with, but the way it was firing the Storm Sworder was going to run out of ammo fast, and for nothing. "Wow," he shouted, knowing the enemy pilot was listening, "I'm not impressed!" "I've flown head-on in a lightning storm; don't you screw around with me, you little punk!" the pilot cried, obviously angry. "Dammit!" The sudden cause for alarm on the part of the Storm Sworder's pilot was evident, as the bullet streams ceased. Wild Eagle snorted in amusement; the Storm Sworder had even less ammunition than he thought. "Now I'll be happy to oblige your request and start playing seriously!" He cut the speed of the Raynos, then hard-turned to line up his own shot. The Storm Sworder's head lance was already extending, as if getting ready for its mid-air joust. Satisfied that the enemy was committing to the joust Wild Eagle thumbed the trigger, unleashing his own stream of bullets. However, at the last moment the Storm Sworder broke from its intended flight path, veering off to the right and over the bullet stream, pulling a braking maneuver. The Raynos was moving too fast to slow itself down as the Wild Eagle knew what the other pilot was intending to do. Letting out a roar he kicked on the afterburners, pushing the Raynos further ahead and past the Storm Sworder, narrowly missing its clipping dive with its right wing. He spared a quick glance over his shoulder, killing the afterburners after knowing the Storm Sworder was getting ready to make another pass. "That's more like it!" * * * "I've contact with the Guysack!" Brad announced as his Command Wolf bounded across the wasteland. Although visual contact had not been reached the radar blip for the Guysack was within strike range. The mercenary had long since switched-off the blips for the Raynos and Storm Sworder, as it made him sick watching them move around on the radar screen the way they do. Brad looked over his shoulder, visually confirming that Leena had kept up with him. "The Guysack's hiding behind the rocks over there," Leena said, indicating a point slightly to the left of Brad. "I can't track the Stealth Viper." "It's definitely got good heat suppression," Brad added, quickly toggling the heat tracker on the console. "It looks like they're hiding out and waiting for us, as expected." He brought the Command Wolf around to circle the rock the Guysack was hiding behind from the left, while Leena's Gunsniper took off for the right, intending a pincer attack. It would appear to others that they were trying to flank and corner the Guysack, but both pilots knew it was only an attempt to draw out the hiding Stealth Viper. The longer the Viper stayed in its hiding hole the harder it would be to take it down later; it was better to flush it out now by pressuring its teammate. The moment the Command Wolf exposed itself to the Guysack's 270 degree arc of fire its tail cannon opened fire, but Brad pushed hard on the acceleration, moving faster than the turret could rotate, but several bullets bit into the Wolf's rear right leg armor. At the same time the Gunsniper entered the range of fire, but a loud scream and gunfire signaled to Brad that they found the Stealth Viper. Moving in a wide arc Brad now saw what the enemy was doing. The Guysack, with its back to the rock, had a natural gun position toward him, as the tail could swing faster toward its natural forward position rather than 180 degrees around. Coiled on top of the Guysack's back was the Stealth Viper, firing its two head-mounted 40mm cannons on the Gunsniper, and it was hitting, as the Stealth Viper's head could move with greater mobility than the Guysack's tail gun. "You guys are history!" Leena cried. "Wait, Leena!" Brad yelled, braking his Command Wolf to turn and line a shot against the Guysack. But it was already too late, as Leena was already flipping switches. "I'll take them both out at once! Weasel Unit Total Assault!" As he expected the Guysack and Stealth Viper were not moving from their position, seemingly unconcerned that a hail of missiles originating from the Gunsniper was about to rain destruction. Brad tried to ignore the noise and squeezed off a few shots from the Wolf's top- mounted cannon, then broke off to avoid more bullet rounds. He felt the blast of explosion behind him, followed by Leena's protests of disbelief. "N-no way!" * * * Bit stood up from his chair, having watched all of the Weasel Unit's missiles fly over, around, and past the Stealth Viper and Guysack combination, either blowing up its hiding rock or the dirt behind it. "Wow!" he exclaimed. "That's the first time I've seen that happen!" "That's actually quite clever," Toros admitted, scratching his chin. "Not only did they hide the Stealth Viper's radar, heat, and physical presence by standing on top of each other, they're using the Viper's electronic countermeasures to distort targeting the Guysack as well." "They're WHAT?!" they heard Leena scream. "You guys didn't say anything about that!" Her complaints were cut short as the Stealth Viper continued fire on the Gunsniper. The radar screen showed that the Stealth Viper and Guysack were now splitting-up, now that their rocky cover was gone, with the Viper going after the Gunsniper and the Guysack the Command Wolf, as predicted. Although the Command Wolf could handle the Guysack, the Gunsniper would be in trouble once the Stealth Viper got within melee range, as the Gunsniper's cannons could not hit targets that close. "Leena, you'd better fall back," Bit suggested. "Don't tell me what to do!" she yelled back angrily. "I'll get this guy before it gets to me!" Sighing, Bit closed the transmission to the Gunsniper for a moment, turning back toward Toros. "Hey, Doc...? What do you think's going to happen?" Toros folded his arms. "What'll you think will happen, Bit?" He looked up toward the ceiling thoughtfully. "Well, I guess the Stealth Viper's going to get that close to the Gunsniper, and the Guysack is buying time with the Command Wolf until the Stealth Viper is done. Then after that they could assist the Storm Sworder in taking down the Raynos." "Pretty good," Toros complimented. "That's what I was thinking, too." "So Brad needs to take out the Guysack and help Leena, and then they can handle the Storm Sworder," Bit added. "Mm-hmm. The only problem is we don't know how good the Guysack pilot is with that Zoid. It's all up to those two now." * * * "Did you hear that, Brad?" Toros said. "You must take out the Guysack as soon as possible and help Leena." "Yeah, I gotcha, Doc," the mercenary pilot replied. "Easier said than done." The Command Wolf took two bounds to the left, then turned and fired shots at the Guysack, but the scorpion-type Zoid was unexpectedly nimble for an insectoid monstrosity. Its lower center of gravity afforded it better control on surfaces, making the Guysack suitable for combat on all terrains; its only flaws are a distinct lack of armor and effective weaponry. If Brad wanted to hit the Guysack he would have to get into melee range, but that would also mean he had to put up with the Guysack's pincers. However, since the pincers were forward-only, all he had to do was find a way to get on one of its other three sides. Since the scorpion was so maneuverable tackling it from the left or right would only end in facing the pincers, so the best way to get around it was to attack from the rear. However, the tail cannon could easily nail him from there, but there was not much choice in it. As much as Brad liked to get out of such a simple battle without a lot of holes in his Wolf's armor, he needed to finish this now, before it got worse. * * * "Come on, now!" Silencer cried, weaving her Stealth Viper around the bullet shots as it slithered closer to the Gunsniper. "You can aim better than that!" It was not dodging bullets at all; there wasn't any Zoid built that she knew of that could do it. The Gunsniper pilot, in her panic, was making predictable moves, and it wasn't difficult to judge where her sprays were going just by carefully watching how the top platform of the Gunsniper was moving. Silencer scoffed; the Wild Weasel Unit was overrated. For her part the Viper pilot was taking her time, savoring the moment as she weaved the snake Zoid back and forth in the dirt, inching closer, but not close enough for one good strike. The trick was to not put the Gunsniper pilot in a state of panic such that she would break and run; the Gunsniper, although top-heavy, could still outrun the Stealth Viper. The Silencer only needed for her to forget about that. "'Tis I, the snake charmer," she said to herself, having not squeezed off a single shot of her own during the Stealth Viper's dance. "Paralyzed with fear, I shall strike, and savor my prey!" The moment the Gunsniper's cannons spun dry, the Stealth Viper reared its head back and lashed out, quickly coiling around the weapon platform's legs. "What ego comes up, must stay down!" Silencer cried, squeezing the Gunsniper's legs together. * * * "Computer frozen?!" Leena cried in disbelief, a high-pitched whine the only response the Gunsniper computer would give her. "You've got to be kidding me!" She slammed a fist against the console, in frustration. The Stealth Viper that bested her lifted its head into view, and stared down at her, as if contemplating whether or not to finish off its prey. * * * Mizuki risked a glance in the Stealth Viper's direction, glad to see that the Gunsniper toppled over on its own weight. Quickly she tore herself back to the fight at hand, quickly remembering that the Command Wolf was the bigger threat. Said opponent fired several more shots in her direction, which were easily avoided, then the Wolf ran off in the opposite direction. "What the hell?!" "Boss, the Command Wolf is retreating," she heard Spider say, receiving audio-only. "I can see that; I want to know why." "I don't know, but don't go after it." "I know," Mizuki acknowledged, her thoughts following the same train as her tactician. "I need to see what he's up to first." Another communication came in, this time from Silencer. "Gunsniper locked-up. I'm on my way." "No, keep your distance," the boss ordered. "The Command Wolf is up to something, and if it gets both of us, then we lose." "Roger that," her apprentice replied. This time Ziel checked-in. "Hey, if you're not that busy, how about creating a diversion for me? This Raynos guy is pissing me off." "Oh really?" Silencer said, feigning sweetness. "I've two kids here that could help you out. Just say 'please.'" "Look, fire the damn missiles or I'll strafe YOU!" the flyboy yelled angrily. "Shizu, go help him," Mizuki ordered. "This is no time to argue." By this time the Command Wolf had turned around, and was heading for Mizuki's Guysack at full speed. "A running start?! He's got to be joking!" Mizuki frantically put the Guysack in reverse, falling back and quickly scanning the grid for any rocky outcroppings, but the closest one was the victim of the Wild Weasel Unit. Cursing her timing, the boss of the Fire Wheels cut the reverse, powered-up the electrical charges in the pincers, and charged forward at full speed. "This'll be the last thing you expect, Wolfie!" she cried, grinding her teeth together. * * * As Mizuki predicted, Brad wasn't expecting the Guysack to charge, which meant the pilot knew what he was trying to do. Quickly he redid the calculations, coming up with a new solution now that the Guysack was in forward motion. The jump would have to come sooner than expected, but there still should be enough speed. That is, provided the Guysack didn't make a sudden stop or turn on the way, but Brad was confident he got the Guysack pilot worked-up enough to make her forget about that. He watched the radar grid closely, and the solution appeared, just in front of his position. Bracing himself, Brad switched on the boost drives that forced the Command Wolf to jump. As he hoped, the Guysack hadn't changed its course, and the Command Wolf landed square on top of the scorpion's back, smashing through its armor with its weight and momentum. The cockpit rocked Brad around a bit, but the satisfactory crunch that came from crushing an aluminum can underfoot was there to greet him when it stopped. Brad looked out to the sides, satisfied that the eight legs supporting the Guysack had given way under the weight of a Zoid heavier in density than a Stealth Viper. He barely heard the Judge disqualify the Guysack from the battle, and turned his attentions toward Leena's Gunsniper. Too late, however, as the Gunsniper was already down on the ground, and Leena was complaining loads over the channels. The Stealth Viper had disappeared again, but this time there was only one blip left on the radar. "Guess you don't have good enough stealth after all," Brad noted, commanding the Wolf to give chase. * * * "Mizuki! Mizuki! Are you alright?" Popping open the cockpit, coughing from the smoke that suddenly billowed within, the boss of the Fire Wheels watched the Command Wolf bound off. The Guysack was completely flat against the ground, and all eight of its legs had snapped-off. Not to mention the telltale paw prints on the Guysack's back. "Damn," she cursed, ignoring Spider's communications. "That's going to cost a lot of paint jobs." * * * For the most part, Ziel was sick of flying around in circles, dodging bullets. As he circled for another pass he considered the Raynos. Its pilot was very good, no doubt, squeezing shots only to keep Ziel away from a mid-air wing slash. It was all he could do to ignore the itch in his trigger finger, to fire off the ammo he reserved, and hopefully, by now, convinced the Raynos pilot he didn't have any. Spider was correct; they were counting on him to run out of ammo. The only trouble was he couldn't find a good time to shoot. If he fired at the wrong time he would miss his chance for a flyby hit, and then his advantage would be gone. If he waited too late the Storm Sworder may be nose-diving. But now that the Stealth Viper was free, it had two good STA missiles to annoy the Raynos with. If he played his cards right that could lead to a decisive victory. The moment the Stealth Viper launched the STA missiles the Raynos would try its best to shake them off, and Ziel guessed it wouldn't be difficult for the pilot to do so. That would hopefully open a window of opportunity for the Storm Sworder to make its strike, and he would likely have to unload some of the reserve ammo to set up the wing clipping. "Here goes nothing!" he heard Silencer cry. As if on cue the Raynos reacted, and Ziel's radar indicated that the two STA missiles have indeed launched. Even though that gave away the Viper's position it wouldn't matter if he could take out the Raynos; whatever was left on the ground would be his. The teal Zoid tilted right and kicked its afterburners; Ziel maneuvered the Storm Sworder to his right to catch the Raynos on the turnaround. He mapped-out the scenario in his mind. The Raynos would try at all costs to ditch the missiles. Even though the Stealth Viper's STA missiles didn't pack enough punch to destroy the Zoid it was still enough to clip its wings. Since there were no good rocky outcroppings within the immediate area the only true solution would be to dive, then pull up at the last moment, causing the missiles to impact against the ground. All Ziel had to do was be there when he dove. Keeping one eye on the radar the Raynos purposefully weaved to and fro and around in arcs; the Storm Sworder moved along the outer arc to meet the opposing Zoid. Both missiles kept up with the Raynos, and were gaining fast. Ziel pulled his eyes away from the radar; the Raynos wasn't diving as expected. Instead, the pilot was aiming directly toward him at high speed. "Clever," he muttered, unwilling to participate in an exchange of targets. Reaching onto the console the pilot killed the engines, angling the stick downward. As gravity caught him and threatened to yank him back to terra firma the Raynos and both missiles zoomed past him overhead, and Ziel congratulated himself. Even though the missiles were identity-lock they could still detonate prematurely if they impacted against something else-- say, a Storm Sworder-- while pursuing the target. Keeping the engine on would only have served to cut the margin closer as the Raynos and Storm Sworder's distance would've been closer to one another, and there would have been a greater chance of eating the missiles. Only an ameteur would make that mistake. Quickly bringing the engines back online Ziel kicked on the afterburners and quickly regained control of his descent. Taking a quick glance out each side of the cockpit window he finally realized that the Raynos was making its diving maneuver to ditch the missiles; its pilot probably understood what was going to happen. Ziel yanked the stick downward to pursue. The landscape quickly became larger in the windshield and the sky disappeared completely as Ziel brought the Storm Sworder in a near-straight nosedive. The Raynos descended at a less steep angle, but began to pull-up. Ziel ignored the missiles, easing his angle of descent to line-up his cannon with the Raynos. The moment the targeting computer pinged, he thumbed the trigger. "I hate easy targets," Ziel said, grinning to himself. Fire rained down upon the Raynos, putting holes through its wings and producing satisfying plumes of smoke. * * * The Wild Eagle felt each bullet tear through the armor of the Raynos, and he frantically tried to level out the Zoid's body for a safer emergency landing. He had to give the Storm Sworder pilot credit for fooling him; he never expected him to have any more ammo left, not after this long of fighting without using it. Of course, such a stunt was going to cost the Storm Sworder, too. Land caught up to the Raynos quickly, and Wild Eagle braced himself. The only consolation for being shot down was, judging from the Storm Sworder's frantic attempt to get the shot in, it wasn't going to have time to pull-up before hitting the ground. * * * Silencer watched as the Storm Sworder narrowly missed a flat body landing. The Zoid's neck tore a hole in the ground, then flipped the craft over from momentum. Then it flipped over several more times, on its wings, and then sliding off somewhere on its back. "This isn't going to be pretty," she muttered to herself, quickly moving the Viper from one rocky outcropping to another. The Command Wolf was still in reasonably good shape, and the Stealth Viper was attempting to find good ground from which to strike. After firing its missiles Silencer was forced into a quick skirmish before losing the Wolf, and now she was forced to hide while she tried to think of a way to beat her opponent. She wiped her palms against her coat, forcing herself to relax and breath. Her heart pounded with exhilaration, being up against someone that was obviously better than she was, and who beat even Mizuki. "Perhaps this Blitz Team does deserve its reputation," she mused. "So it's just me and him, huh?" "Don't use it," Spider insisted. "You have to beat him without the secret weapon." "You don't have to remind me," Silencer replied, punching more keys on the console. A chest compartment along the Stealth Viper's body opened, and a mechanical arm holding a mortar appeared. She guided the arm downward, shoving the mortar into the ground, orienting it upward. "It won't be as satisfying, will it?" "That's the kind of stuff I want to hear!" Mizuki encouraged. "This is what you've been trained for; even though Command Wolves outclass your Zoid in every way you can still beat him!" "Cut that 'you can do it' bull," she hissed, annoyed at her sudden virtual pep squad's appearance. "If you pressure me I'm going to crack." The pilot reached under the console, and adjusted the heat suppressor further, praying silently that she really was gone from the Wolf's sight. The boss was right; the Command Wolf outclassed her Zoid, and the only true advantage was to live up to the Stealth Viper's name. All she had to do was wait for the right moment to strike. Or rather, make that opportunity. "Okay, Shizu," she told herself, "he's nothing special. Just another punk kid with an overpowered quadruped... you can take care of him...." Silencer imagined that the others were amused by this, and the tingling sensation in her arms wouldn't go away. "I don't understand. Why can't I calm down? What is it about this battle that excites me?" * * * "I don't see her, Doc," Brad said, his eyes scanning the area in his forward arc. "This Stealth Viper may as well be using stealth technology, too." "But it's not," Toros replied over the link. "You must keep your eyes open. Don't rely on the radar to help you." "Easy for you to say." Slowly, Brad edged the Command Wolf around each rocky outcropping, knowing that the Stealth Viper was hiding behind one of them. The problem was, each time he rounded a corner the Wolf was vulnerable to attack, as the top-mounted back cannon could not turret; its range of fire was only directly ahead. So for a few precious seconds the Command Wolf would be open to attack and the Stealth Viper was free to take shots or run off to another hole in another direction; the snake Zoid had the advantage of being far more maneuverable than a quadruped Zoid. "Not as easy as you thought it would be?" Brad froze in his tracks, not recognizing the voice. "Come on," beckoned the woman's voice, and Brad realized it must be the Stealth Viper pilot. "Show me your true power!" "Triangulate that," he ordered, relaying the message to the Hover Cargo. "Don't bother. By the time you figure out where I am, it'll be too late." The Command Wolf's head swung side-to-side. "This is getting kinda old," he taunted, hoping to bait the pilot into making a mistake. "I thought you Fire Wheel guys were better than this." "Heh, heh. You guys are amusing, taking out one Zoid of ours for each one we take down. Too bad the trend is going to continue, and you'll be out of Zoids to take ME out with!" So she's a talker, too. He edged the Command Wolf away from the rocks. "I was kinda hoping that you'd give me a better challenge. Too much talking, and not enough shooting." "BANG!" Brad jumped in his seat, alarmed at the sudden yell in the audio link. He switched on the visual for a moment, noting that the female pilot was making faces at him, then killed it. It was then followed by terrible, cackling laughter. "Brad," Dr. Toros said, over the sound of the mad cackling, "we've got a fix on the Stealth Viper's location. It's...." All at once three explosions rocked Brad in the cockpit, realizing that three of the nearby rocks were now smoking. A second later launched grenades impacted against his blue armor, rocking the Wolf further. Bits of shrapnel rained downwind. Suddenly a red blip flared to life on the radar, but it was already on top of the Command Wolf. The Zoid protested against a physical hit, of steel grinding against steel. Looking over his shoulder, upward, the Stealth Viper had sheared-off the cannon, and was now staring down at him menacingly. No, the Viper wasn't simply standing on him, it was wrapped around the Command Wolf's body. "Game over," the enemy pilot shouted, obviously pleased with herself. Gritting his teeth, Brad yanked hard right on the controls, forcefully turning the Command Wolf onto its side, bringing the Stealth Viper down with him. Machine gune fire kicked up dirt where the cockpit used to be, but Brad was thrown hard against the cockpit, with the window pressed against the ground. He looked straight up out the top of the window, and spied the Stealth Viper's head lying on its side in the dirt. He certainly hoped the system froze from the impact. But sadly, the Viper's head reoriented itself back to face him. "That was a funny little stunt, but it's over now." * * * "Battle over!" declared the judge. "Battle over! The winner is... the Fire Wheel Team!" Toros sat back in his chair, sighing. "Well, so much for that one." "Ah, that's no sweat, Doc," Bit assured him. "We're still better than they are. We'll just have to challenge them again, and I'll win it for you!" One screen flickered to life, and Leena appeared quite annoyed. "WHAT did you just say?" Another came up, this time with Jamie. "Uh, guys, how about picking me up?" "Come on, Bit," Brad complained, opening his own transmission. "It's not like you're the reason we win, you know." "How do you know I'm not?" Bit replied boastfully. "Me and Liger could've beaten that Stealth Viper... no problem!" In unison, each of the pilots yelled, "BIT!!" * * * Shizuka the Silencer sat back against her seat, sighing in relief, but the tingling sensation would not go away. In the span of a few seconds, she finally understood what it was that was egging her. Reaching to the console, she opened a channel to each of the Blitz Team members. "Congratulations," she told them. "It should be you that is congratulated," a middle- aged man, probably the Blitz Team technician, said. "Using remote grenade launchers like that as a distraction...." "It was a cheesy trick," Shizuka interrupted. "In an even match I would have lost; but then, battles are hardly even, aren't they? Mr. Wolf pilot, I salute your abilities; maybe next time it'll be even closer." She smiled, amused by the bewildered expression on the Command Wolf pilot's face. "Uh... sure." She gave a quick, informal solute. "From here I'll train harder. I hope you guys will do, too, for the next time we fight." * * * Mizuki ran her fingers down the side of the smashed black Guysack, just as the Dragoon Nest arrived and deployed the Macurtis. The smaller lobster's claws were adjusted for scooping, and was strong enough to tow the wrecked Zoid. In the other direction the Stealth Viper was approaching. How many years was it, father? Yes, it was over ten years ago I first laid eyes on this black scorpion. It was similarly as long ago I trained myself to pilot it against your wishes. I remember the first singles match; you were so angry, and I was so proud, slicing that guy like a tuna can. I think, those times as I earned money for our family, that I started helping the others in town, building our team slowly from the ground up. Every scratch and dent on your armor, Guysack, was our badge of honor, and we never gave in despite how easily we became outclassed. I'm proud of all those years.... A live communication came in from Spider, from within the cockpit of the Macurtis. "Damn, that thing's a wreak." "This guy's beyond salvage now," the boss said. "It was a good last battle, wasn't it?" "Cheer up, boss," Spider encouraged. "We can use the prize money to buy another...." Mizuki shook her head. "We'll strip this Guysack for parts. Anything else we can't use we'll sell for cash. I can't pilot another Zoid like I could him." The Macurtis pilot remained silent. "Our first priority is to fix the Stealth Viper and Storm Sworder, then we'll re-outfit the Warshark to take my place. From there we'll just have to rebuild our finances, slow but steady." Mizuki cast her eyes to the approaching Stealth Viper. "I think we've enough capable warriors to carry this team on... to victory." * * * Fire Wheel Base, 1600 Hours, Day 2 "Got it," Warlock muttered, finishing keying the decryption code to the security door. He looked out the window of the control room to the hangar, and to the number of decrypted passkey doors required to open the chamber at the far end. Warlock counted six-- now seven-- open. The last six times his efforts were rewarded with another sealed door; whatever it was that was back there was certainly something the old military didn't want people to touch easily. The sliding double doors parted, protesting against the cold condensation the entire hangar was suffering from ever since the facility was abandoned. It was sheer luck Mizuki found this place, and it was this place that prompted her to start the Fire Wheel Team in the first place. Each of the Fire Wheels came from a class of people who simply could not afford to buy and maintain Zoids; to people such as them, having the ability to enter Zoid battles was a dream come true. Warlock stood up in his seat, catching the reflected glint of white and blue armor. Boxy armor at that. He scrambled for the controls, heart pounding in realization that this was it. Flipping all the light switches of the underground hangar on, more of the new Zoid's features could be made out. It stood low to the ground, and was as large as a Liger. Its white and blue armor was made of very simple geometric shapes, but looked incredibly sturdy despite its bulky appearance. A cockpit window 'visor' armor rest in a raised position, providing what would be complete armor when in the lowered position, like a tank. From the front it was armed with two clamp-like claws, rather than Guysack's scissor pincers. It stood on eight legs, like the Guysack, but the legs were more armored and reinforced in all the structurally- weak places. On its back was a mounted, turreted dual- barreled shock cannon. Up and along its back formed a scorpion-like tail, with one large gatling cannon as its stinger, and two smaller cannons to each side of it as backup. Sliding back to the control console Warlock brought up the technical specifications of the mysterious Zoid. Reaching to the comm, he said, "Mizuki... everybody, to Hangar 7, immediately. You should come see this." It was rare to see a Deathpion these days, as they are expensive as heck, but this was no ordinary Deathpion, according to the specs. It was the second, unfinished, Death Stinger, one of the military's top- secret ultimate weapons in the war. * * * No words could describe what Mizuki was thinking, staring at the Death Stinger head-on in the cold hangar. Every aspect of the beast was just like the Guysack, and then some. "Is this a sign?" she wondered. "How could I...?" "Boss," she heard her apprentice say, her voice echoing in the empty chamber. "Please don't think of this as a replacement. Think of it as... well... your gift. A gift from all of us, for what you've done for this team." "It will never replace my Guysack." "Nor should it," Shizuka agreed. "Nothing will replace your old partner." She waved her arm, gesturing the Death Stinger. "The past is done; now all there's to do is lead us to our great future. Only you can do that, because you are our leader." Mizuki snorted, lowering her head. "It figures, I guess. You guys would fall apart without me." Turning away from the Death Stinger, she ordered, "Get the simulator ready! Add this guy into the database; we're in it for the long haul." ----------------------------------------------- Author's Rant The Dragoon Nest, Death Stinger, Salamander, all exist in the Zoids universe. The Death Stinger, too, exists; in a previous Zoids series it was one of the top-secret weapons of the Guylos Empire (the other was Geno Saurer). This series may or may not be the successor to that series, but I thought it added a bit of spice to add slight references to it. Macuritis, Warshark, Guysack, and Storm Sworder all appeared as Backdraft Zoids on the show. The Stealth Viper was used many times: Backdraft Group, Champ Team, and Viper Team. -- Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html 2. Stardust Team Battle Zoids: Call of the Fire 2 Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Zoids, I am borrowing the names, settings, etc. under fair use and without making a profit. This work cannot be sold for profit or retransmitted and reposted without my express permission. Continuity: Takes place after the Raynos appear in the series. ------------------------------------------------ Wasteland Stardust Camp, 1900 Hours, Day 3 Three warriors sat around their modest campfire, staring at the dancing flames, while guarded all along the outer circle by their three Zoids-- a manta-like Sinker, a standard Cannon Tortoise, and a quadrupedal aerial Redler, a purple winged lizard-like creature. It was an uncommon sight to see a team composed of one male and two female warriors, much less warriors that owned such a strange diversity of Zoids, but the three members of the Stardust Team have proven themselves seasoned veterans in their own right. "Yesterday," one of the girls, who held her hair in a pony-tail, said, "the Blitz Team lost to the Fire Wheel Team." "I heard that too," the second girl, who kept her hip-length hair free, confirmed. "I mean, could you believe that such losers could beat one of the better teams?" "I'm a little surprised," their leader, Johan, replied. "For people with so little resources the Fire Wheels, by all rights, should've lost." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe the Blitz Team isn't all they're cracked up to be, losing to the best Class A team and then the worst Class A team." "It's gotta be luck," the long-haired girl stated. "So you're itching to see what they've got, Chika?" the pony-tailed girl guessed. "Just because one of the most hyped teams lost a couple battles doesn't mean we're going to win." "So you'd rather take on the Fire Wheels instead, Ayame?" Chika asked in return. "Won't it help us more if we beat the guys who beat the Blitz Team?" Ayame wondered, staring off into the sky. "I mean, I know we can't beat the Lightning Team, so why don't we?" "We'd garner more prestige," Johan countered, "if we defeat the Blitz Team." The warrior got to his feet, and dusted off his pants. "I'm going to transmit a challenge proposal to the ZBC tomorrow. I'm sure our opponents will accept." Turning away from the campfire the leader of the Stardust Team regarded his Sinker. "I'm dying to test the new thruster modifications I installed in this sucker." Ayame cast her eyes toward each of the Zoids. It was true that the Sinker was the star of the Stardust Team, as it possessed the greatest amount of missiles and guns. The Cannon Tortoise was only armed with a single mortar on its back, and the Redler its strike claws on each of its four feet and a blade attached to its tail. Arguably the Redler held an advantage over other quadrupedal Zoids in that it could fly and was just as good in the air as on the ground, but its lack of projectile weaponry killed a lot of strategies. Yet, melee combat was what Ayame thoroughly enjoyed. Chika was too scared to get into melee combat, which made the Cannon Tortoise perfect for her, even though Johan tried and failed to convince her to trade it in for a Gunsniper instead. It didn't surprise her, as the Cannon Tortoise was also well-armored, despite being incredibly slow and a huge target. Panic often settled in for each battle in which the opponent got within the Tortoise's minimum attack range, so Ayame and Johan made it a point to help maintain Chika's health and sanity as much as possible. Johan himself was a speed fanatic, and hated the feeling of a Zoid running through the wastes, which is why he settled on a hovering model instead. Chika claimed Johan got sick in the stomach driving a Shield Liger, but the leader would deny it always. Ayame simply didn't care, so long as Johan was good enough to continue fighting. Other than speed customs Johan added four top-mounted missile launchers, two to each side of the cockpit. Ayame thought it was for surface- to-air, but Johan insisted it was meant to hit things behind him. Customs often ended up being the cheaper choice, as the Stardust Team did not earn enough money to buy a new Zoid outright. "Blitz Team, huh?" she mused. Toros Base, 0900 Hours, Day 4 It seemed to Toros that his team all but forgot the battle two days prior, and he felt it was a good a time as any to accept another battle. He stared at the screen mounted on his desk, then reclined in his chair, and stared at the ceiling of his office. It was the Stardust Team, another Class A team looking for a piece of the Blitz Team's reputation, but Toros knew right away that this team wouldn't lay claim to that. His mind wandered back to the battle two days prior; the Fire Wheel Team certainly seemed more than the records indicated. It seemed that their skill levels were evenly-matched to the members of his own team, but Toros dismissed the thought, appending the fact that they were playing with an unofficial handicap. Certainly, it was interesting to see some good competition every once in a while, but now that he saw them in action Toros resolved that the next time his team went up against the Fire Wheels the outcome would be different. It wouldn't hurt to regain the team's confidence by destroying a more reasonable-leveled team, he decided. Fire Wheel Base, 1100 Hours "'Backdraft Group?'" Mizuki said, perplexed. It was one thing to get an unsolicited call from someone you didn't know, but it was another to be interrupted while in the simulator. On one screen was Shizuka, who was holding the call, but the Fire Wheel leader wasn't paying her any attention; her eyes were forward, concentrating on manipulating the Death Stinger on the virtual battlefield. It was like learning how to ride a bicycle all over again. "What do you want me to say to them?" her apprentice asked. "I don't care," she replied. "Just get rid of them." * * * Killing the transmission to the simulator, Shizuka faced another monitor, which she placed on hold. The creepy-looking guy with the tear-shaped sunglasses was waiting on the other end, some Major what's-his-name, was it? She snorted; military types were major pains in the rear. She sat back in her seat, and stared at the three- screen console, and listened to the music Major Moron was probably getting sick of, propping her feet on the desk. Suppressing her grin, she reached back over with her heel, and put the Backdraft guy back on. "Well?" he asked, with a tone of impatience. "Sorry, Major Asshole--" "That's Palta," he corrected, now more than irritated. "Get it right!" "Whatever," she replied, waving her hand off in a mock salute. "Not interested." What was it they wanted? she asked herself again. Oh yes. The Backdraft Group heard that the Fire Wheels beat the Blitz Team, and wanted them to do it again. Shizuka sighed. "Hell, you guys don't make very good offers." "We are offering five-times the normal prize money if you win." "Five-times won't cover all our expenses, especially if they trash our Zoids. Besides, what happens if we lose?" "The Backdraft Group will confiscate all your Zoids as compensation." Shizuka's eyes narrowed. "Are you dumb, or just plain stupid? If we run a risk fighting and losing our Zoids if we win, and lose them if we lose, then why the hell don't you just come down here and shoot me? That's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard." Major Palta groaned, and looked about ready to slam his head on the desk in front of him. It was more than obvious he wasn't enjoying this, and for that Shizuka could draw a little satisfaction. "Don't be surprised if you hear from us again in the future, Fire Wheel Team!" No sooner had the Backdraft representative killed the transmission, another line was ringing in. Annoyed, Shizuka once again tapped the console with her foot. This time it was a wild-eyed looking young man, his hair cut neatly. The kid's backdrop caught Shizuka's attention, as it seemed to be some kind of hangar-- one filled with lots of Zoids. "Greetings, Fire Wheel Team," he began. "I am Harry Champ, a man destined to be king!" Immediately Shizuka's expectations dropped a few notches. Putting on her most bored tone, she asked, "And what would His Majesty want, such that he'd grace our lowly hovel?" "I'm so glad you asked!" Harry replied, obviously missing the dripping sarcasm. He pressed his face closer toward the screen conspiratorially. "You're the one known as 'Silencer,' are you not?" "Yeah, what about it?" Somehow she knew where this was going. "It seems that you're registered as a mercenary, my friend," he said, briefly flashing some printed records. "Which means it's possible for you to fight on behalf of another team." "Dear god, no," Shizuka said, flat-out refusing. "I don't work for peanuts anymore." "W-wait!" Harry cried, his tone settling into panic. "I need your help! You beat the Blitz Team!" She rolled her eyes. "You, too? Who do I look like, the Tooth Fairy?" "But I need to defeat my rival!" he pleaded. "You must've beaten him, at least!" Rival? "Well, now, that's interesting. You want me to beat up your 'rival,' huh? And how much are you willing to pay me to fight him?" "You'll do it?!" he exclaimed, obviously excited. "Name your price!" "Maybe if you fixed-up all our busted Zoids, and bought me a particle cannon...." "Deal!" Harry yelled, ecstatic. His attention was now turned away from the screen. "Bit Cloud, you will regret the day you got between me and Leena!!" "'Bit Cloud?'" the warrior whispered to herself. "The junker is this guy's... 'rival?'" She sighed. "Moron, I didn't agree to this...." Champ Base, 1100 Hours "Harry!" Sebastian, one of two robot warriors in the Champ Team, protested. "Why did you just agree to give her the particle cannon ahead of time?" The leader of the Champ Team turned away from the console, having finished conducting business with the Fire Wheel. "She says she needs it if she's going to take on Bit Cloud." "And you're trusting her on this?!" Benjamin, the second robot, complained. "Didn't the last time you hire a mercenary we still lost?" "But this time we've got one that beat Bit already!" Harry claimed. "This time I'm sure to win!" Fire Wheel Base, 1200 Hours "Going out, I see." Professionally, people called her the 'Spider' because her analytical mind was very good at weaving carefully planned webs of deception, but off-duty others knew her as Kanna. She leaned with her back against the hangar door, between the interior and the exterior, once to the darkness and once to the light of the noon sun. Her arms folded, eyes narrowly open staring toward the other side of the entrance, she barely made out Shizuka walking out a beat-up motor bike out of the corner of her eye, out of the gloom. "Yeah," the other girl replied, kicking the stand on the bike to slip on her sunglasses and scarf. The beat-up motor bike was nothing like any real motorcycle; it was more of a dirt bike, caked with dried mud in all the appropriate places, and beat up from age. "Don't stay out long," Kanna directed. "We're supposed to go into town tomorrow to buy some more parts to finish the Death Stinger." "Yeah, I know," Shizuka moaned, sounding as if she'd heard the same conversation ten times before. "I think I've just been volunteered to help someone, so I'll go and come back, okay?" Kanna opened her eyes fully, and eyed the other warrior. "You mean someone actually bought you out?" she asked neutrally, maintaining her poker face. "How could I refuse? The guy came up on my offer to pay for the repairs of all our Zoids if I fought his rival. It's not my fault if he doesn't know what we have." "So you're saying you're doing this for the good of the team?" "I'm comin' back, you know," Shizuka insisted. "I mean, I wouldn't have gotten this far if it wasn't for Mizuki, so I owe her at least that much." Kanna snorted. When it looked as if the Fire Wheel Team was going to go under due to financial difficulties Shizuka opted to change her registration to reflect herself as a mercenary, and hoped that there would come a time that someone would hire her out and she wouldn't have to feel bad about deserting like some others did. It was a rather cowardly way to say that she wanted better financial stability, but it amazed Kanna that Shizuka stuck around for as long as she did; she had monitored her transmissions for the first six weeks going to Shizuka and it seemed that she had been getting offers from other teams. Yet, the only conceivable reason Kanna could formulate that would keep Shizuka from going was that each of those teams did not possess the same kind of facilities the Fire Wheels did. It was as if she wouldn't settle for anything that was below her perception of a normal life, even if it was at a near-poverty level. Financially the Fire Wheels could have avoided their money problems had they sold their more 'useless' Zoids, the Warshark and Salamander, but both Kanna and Shion refused to part with their machines. The Dragoon Nest, too, was expendable, but nobody seriously offered it up, particularly since the rooms in it beat sleeping on the dirt. It was simply expensive to keep that many Zoids around, especially if they weren't being used. Shizuka lifted her scarf over her mouth and nose, signing off with a mock two-finger salute before revving her motor bike. Kanna watched impassively as the girl sped off into the desert, the sound of the motor echoing across the landscape. "You're getting more clever all the time," she noted, recalling what Shizuka told her of the terms. "The Death Stinger Mark II prototype, unfinished as is, will surely benefit from being sponsored." Kanna cast her eyes back into the dark hangar. "It's fortunate that completing it won't require too many extensive modifications, I suppose. I only wonder how well that'll do in practice." Toros Base, 1300 Hours The moment the sliding double doors to the lounge opened, Toros shouted, "Guess what, people!" The lounge was centered around an oval table, as low as a coffee table. To each of the oval ends were comfortable padded seating, with Brad lounging across one of them as if he owned it, and Bit and Leena sitting across from him, eating lunch. Jamie sat in another padded, but one person, seat at the opposite end of the table from Toros, folding laundry quietly, as usual. All of their eyes, except for Brad, of course, were now on Toros. He held up a data card. "We've got a match scheduled tomorrow against the Stardust Team." He tossed the card gently to the table, allowing it to clatter against the table's surface. "'Stardust Team,' huh?" Bit said, reaching for the data card. "Is this another nobody team?" "Stardust is the splinter group from the Fire Wheels," Brad said, keeping his eyes shut in his relaxed manner. "It's three people who broke off from the bigger team because they didn't want to deal with their financial problems." "How come I didn't know this?" Leena asked. "It's not as if they're very well-known," Jamie chipped in. "There's just so many three-person teams out there that they don't really stand out as much as the Fire Wheels." "But they're good on their own, too," added Brad. "Seems to me they want a piece of us now that their former teammates beat us." "Well, then," Leena said, suddenly fired-up. "We'll just have to show these guys that we're not push- overs!" "Or maybe that you aren't," Bit murmured. "What did you just say?!" He held up the data card for Leena to see. "Just look at this: a Redler? A Cannon Tortoise? A Sinker? Does this sound very good or what?" "Don't try to change the subject!" she yelled, fuming with anger. "I'll show you who's a push-over!" "Uh-oh, here it comes," Brad said, sitting up quickly. Champ Base, 1400 Hours Standing in the Champ hangar was like coming to one of the great wonders of the world, Shizuka thought. She turned about, her eyes cast upward, passing from Zoid to Zoid, awe-struck. "Impressed, eh?" Harry said, smirking. "If I had all the pilots in the world working for me, and this hangar, I'd conquer the world!" she declared boastfully. "I'm glad you approve," the leader of the Champ Team replied. She broke herself out of the reverie, turning her full attention toward the young man. "Um, about our arrangement... this will be one-on-one, or not?" "Of course not!" he answered. "I want to be there when you beat Bit Cloud in front of Leena!" "Okay, whatever." She sighed. "So, what Zoid are you best using?" "Uh, the Dark Horn, I guess...." A loud explosion interrupted him, throwing both Harry and Shizuka to the floor. Debris rained down from above, and Shizuka felt something fall over her-- probably Harry, trying to be a hero. She risked a glance upward, ignoring the foppish guy, and indeed the ceiling was blown away, revealing the sky. Or rather, it seemed as if the ceiling was peeled open like a can of sardines. High above, a silhouette in the sky, Shizuka could make out some sort of aircraft, vaguely fish-shaped. Immediately her view of the aircraft was obscured by another, much larger aircraft, descending into the hangar. More correctly, it was closer. A black, bat-form Zoid was landing, followed by two more. Shizuka had no idea what this new type of Zoid was, nor did she know why they descended, but the moment the lead Zoid's cockpit hatch opened she knew. It was the same guy from before, Major What's-his- name, with the teardrop sunglasses. "We can do this the hard way," the Backdraft officer stated, a smile on his face. "I do prefer it like this." * * * "So that's the Backdraft Group," Kanna said, leaning closer to the console monitor of her Warshark. Submerged beneath the sands meters under the ground the land-modified Warshark served as Kanna's personal submarine in the sandy ocean; she even had a tracker periscope mod added on for such things. Sitting only a mile outside the Champ Team base she watched the black Whale King pry open the hangar, and deploy its black bat Zoids. They only remained in the hangar for a mere two minutes before taking off again. She waited a few moments until the Whale King started to leave, then checked her instruments to make sure that Shizuka was indeed no longer in the hangar. One life sign remained, for sure; it was probably the other person Shizuka was meeting. Retracting the periscope, Kanna powered-up the Warshark. She shook her head. "Sometimes, Shizuka, I wonder about you." Undisclosed Location, 1900 Hours She spent most of her time in the dark cell sitting Indian-style, with her head down. Meditation was hard for Shizuka, but Mizuki insisted it was a good exercise in discipline-- to bring chaos into order. For what it was worth, Shizuka tried it, but it would do nothing to prevent her from pondering the meaning of life. By the time the cell door opened, and the man with the black cape entered, Shizuka realized she spent all of her time trying to push questions about the Backdraft Group out of her mind, essentially making her more edgy. This newcomer was different from the major guy; his head was devoid of any hair, and he wore dark goggles that looked like they were designed for night vision, but really was probably nothing special. A fashion statement, maybe? "Please excuse our Major Palta," he began, his voice deep, but with a touch of arrogance. "I am Colonel Martin, representing the interests of the Backdraft Group." "So far you haven't interested me," Shizuka shot back bitterly. "Our organization exists not for kidnapping or extortion, as you may or may not think," he said, turning to the side. "We are interested in Zoid battles worthy of entertainment. You, my friend, have attracted our interest." "You want me to work on your behalf; I've heard as much." "We want you to battle the Liger Zero for us," Martin said bluntly. "Although we understand you cannot give us any guarantee on that regard, your team has managed to defeat the Blitz Team once already. I consider it enough qualification that you could see through their tactics and defeat them; it should be no more difficult to defeat the Liger Zero." "What's the big fuss over the Liger Zero, anyway?" Shizuka asked. "It's 'Liger Zero this,' or 'Liger Zero that;' what's the big deal?" "That's not important," the officer told her. "What is important is that Liger Zero is an obstacle to our vision. We must have it." "That's right," she recalled. "You confiscate Zoids when the opposing team loses. So you want the Liger Zero yourselves. If you guys recall, I don't want to play under those rules." "And here is we make a revision to our offer," Martin said. "Fight for us, Shizuka, in one battle. After the battle you are free to go, and your Zoids remain yours. The Backdraft Group will leave you alone. If you win you will receive five times the prize money. If you lose... there is no penalty for losing. We want you to fight for us." "So what if I refuse?" The colonel glared at her, and Shizuka understood that she didn't want to know that answer. "I see. Well, you know, I don't have my Zoid with me or anything...." "One will be provided to you. It has special modifications which may interest you." "Fine," Shizuka said, shaking her head. "So when's this battle, anyway?" Martin smiled. "Tomorrow." Zoid Battlefield, 0800 Hours, Day 5 Leaving the Cannon Tortoise and Chika behind the Redler and Sinker rushed out, flying low over the ground at high speeds. The landscape was devoid of any rocky crags or outcroppings; it was simple flatland, the battleground where the Redler and Sinker could truly take advantage of their off-surface speeds. It was a simple enough plan, Johan thought. Chika always remained at the border of the battlefield, launching heavy shells into the battlefield to keep the opposing team on their toes, while Ayame and himself took care of the three opponents. Rarely, if ever, did anyone get past their two Zoids without a fight. The Redler's low flight speed and its strike claws was usually enough to tear good holes in Zoid armor, and the Sinker's guns and missiles were usually on their mark, but sometimes the Cannon Tortoise did hit things. "I'll show you, Mizuki," Johan said to himself. "We will beat this Blitz Team and make your victory look insignificant in comparison!" * * * "Two incoming fast!" the Blitz Team warriors heard Jamie warn. Bit's Liger Zero, outfitted with the Jager unit, was intended to help match the predicted high speeds of the Sinker and Redler; Jamie said, according to records of previous battles, the two Stardust Team warriors seemed addicted to speed. The Redler dragon-type never took off into high atmospheric flights, making surface-to- air modifications unnecessary. With the Command Wolf and the Gunsniper to each of his flanks, Bit lead the charge. "Well, Liger," he said, "it's time to show these guys what speed is all about!" * * * "This sucks," Chika complained, pounding the dash of the Tortoise's cockpit. "Every time I always have to stay back here." She watched the Redler and Sinker blips on the radar, moving ever closer into the 10-mile-radius area the Judge declared to be a battlefield. Every battle the Stardust went into she always had to stay behind in the Tortoise, and just shell anything she felt like shelling. It was almost as if Ayame and Johan felt she was a burden. Ayame always said it was because Chika would not get hurt, but Chika realized they only needed her for three-on-threes. If the battle went as it usually did the Sinker would run circles around the opponents, drawing fire for the Redler to make rushing tackles. The Redler had the advantage of being an aerial Zoid with standard melee equipment, giving it better maneuverability than a Shield Liger or Saber Tiger, but lacking in decent range weaponry. The only time Chika got someone was if the opposing team somehow forgot she existed, and that only worked once per battle. Although it was just as annoying, co-piloting her brother's Salamander was more enjoyable than sitting around all day. Chika sighed. "What good is it to be on a Zoid team if you're not even participating?" * * * "That thing's faster than they usually are," Leena noted, as the Gunsniper's targeting computer was having difficulty pinging a lock on the Sinker. She directed to the Hover Cargo, "Someone get a calculation compensation for the Sinker's extra speed!" "I'm working on it," Jamie assured her. "What's with this Redler?!" she heard Brad shout in surprise. "It's trying to run into me!" "They're just playing with us," Bit realized, and Leena checked the radar to confirm those words. Both the Sinker and Redler were making quick passes at each of them, probably to shake them up. Impatience got the better of the Gunsniper pilot. Flipping switches, Leena input her best guesses into the targeting computer, and fired off a salvo of six missiles at where she guessed the Sinker would fly into. But surprise was not on her side, as the Sinker veered off away from the Gunsniper, and the dumb-fired missiles missed completely. "Jamie, where's that calculation?!" she complained. * * * "I think we've got things under control," Ayame said, psyching herself up for the strike claws. "I'm going for the Command Wolf!" "Gotcha," Johan replied. "The Liger Zero is mine!" Smiling to herself, Ayame prepared to shut off the Redler's boosters, circling around for one more pass on the Command Wolf. This time the Wolf fired several shots at her, some barely missing, but one shot got the left wing. Deciding she had to cut to the chase sooner than expected she killed the booster, and extended the Redler's legs for ground position. The Zoid's claws sank into the ground, into the dirt, against her former velocity. Bracing herself against the cockpit from the rough, forced landing she barely felt the Redler being shaken by the Command Wolf's shots. "No," she groaned, "it can't be over this early!" Forcing the Redler into a run Ayame charged the Command Wolf head-on, wishful that her Zoid had a cannon on it. She dodged to the right, avoiding the latest shot, then leaped into the air. "Eat my Strike Claw!" she yelled, rearing back the Redler's front right claw. Ever watchful, the Command Wolf fired again, this time on the Redler's underbelly. Ayame cried out in surprise, feeling herself and the Zoid recoiling backward against her forward momentum, slamming her back against the seat. The Redler landed upside-down, and Ayame looked up to see only dirt. A high-pitched whine echoed, breaking the sudden silence, and she knew it was already over. "Over before it even began," she said, chuckling to herself. "Johan's in for it this time." * * * "What the hell?!" Johan yelled, listening into the Judge's transmission, disqualifying Ayame's Redler. "Ayame! What the hell did you do?!" Gritting his teeth, the Stardust leader shut out the rest of the world, focusing on the Liger Zero. The lion Zoid was right on his tail, having not fired a single shot his direction, but it was gaining ground every time the Sinker banked on a turn. The Gunsniper was still sitting idle, and the Command Wolf was about ready to come after him, too. "Chika," he transmitted. "Fire on the Gunsniper and Command Wolf!" "What?" he heard the Tortoise pilot say, as if she were not paying attention. "Shoot them, dammit!" he ordered, fuming. "Gee, thought you'd never ask." Johan didn't particularly care which target she shot at; the Liger Zero was going to catch him eventually. He had no idea that Zoid could keep up with him, but suddenly he realized it was the boosters on the beast's back. So he's a speed demon, too, eh? He flipped on the top-mounted missile launchers, which were oriented skyward. Adjusting the targeting computer, hoping for a good hit, Johan launched two of the deadly warheads, and hoped for a miracle. * * * "What?!" Bit exclaimed, bringing the Liger Zero to an emergency halt. Almost by reflex he bounded the Liger off to the left, away from the missiles the Sinker fired off into the air that suddenly fell. "He's using the missiles like mines," Jamie informed him. "So he's sick of this 'follow the leader' game, too, right?" the pilot decided. "Well, this is the game I want to play, too! Right, Liger?" Just as predicted, the Sinker was making a hard turnabout for a strafe run against the Liger Zero. Its wing-mounted cannons fired off its deadly gatling volley, blowing up a dust trail in the ground before Bit and Liger, but each shot was getting closer each fraction of a second. He began to power-up the Strike Laser Claw. "Now I've got you!" he heard Leena shout. "What the...?!" Bit cried, and the Liger aborted the attack to escape the volley of missiles coming his direction. The explosion rocked him in the cockpit, and his eyes barely caught the Sinker flying into, and through, the inferno. "What's the big idea?!" he shouted, directing his ire at Leena. "Missed?!" she yelled in disbelief. "Don't get in my way, Bit!" "He's mine!" Bit claimed. "Not if I get him first!" Leena countered. "I'll get him!" Brad decided. Yet the protests were cut short when the heavy shell landed. The impact of the shell blast the Liger Zero off its feet and onto its side, knocking Bit against the cockpit. An even greater fireball sprung to life, and the radar fritzed for a few seconds. As he got Liger back to its feet, the radar returned, but this time with one less friendly. "I'm down!" Brad yelled. "My computer's still good," Leena reported. "It's a little cooked over here." By now the smoke had cleared somewhat, and Bit realized that it was the Cannon Tortoise. "Jamie!" he shouted. "Where's that Cannon Tortoise?" "I got it," Jamie replied. "It's on the other end of the battlefield, and it looks like it's getting ready to fire off another shot." "Thanks; I'll get the Tortoise." Directing his attention back to Leena, he added, "The Sinker is yours if you can catch it!" "Stay out of my way," she replied. "The Sinker will sink if I can help it!" Firing up the Jager's boosters, checking for any signs of the Sinker, Bit rushed off, hoping to get the Cannon Tortoise before another shell did something like fry Liger again. "I'm with you, partner," he said. "I hate being shot at like that!" * * * "This is kind of pathetic," Shizuka noted, sitting in the cockpit of the black Backdraft Zoid, monitoring the battle zone the Whale King was about to breach. "Trust me, it'll become more interesting in a moment," Martin assured her. "It is rather fortunate the Liger Zero is relatively unharmed." Yeah, and a total luck shot by Chika, at that. "We'll see about that." "Remember," the Backdraft officer informed her, "you will not have the luxury of the ejection system available to you. Secondly, if you try to attack us we have armed an explosive device under the seat, which I can detonate by remote here on the Whale King. Fight well, and you may live. Do we have an understanding?" "Clearly," Shizuka said, nodding slowly. The thought passed in her mind to open fire while still in the hangar, but thought better of it; not only would she take out herself and that jerk Martin, but anyone else who was unlucky enough to be on the ship, and Shizuka didn't want that on her conscience when going down. Yet something about that bomb bugged her. * * * "Warning!" the Judge announced. "You are in violation...." The white Judge had no time to finish its sentence when a large, boulder-like black sphere crushed the capsule like a tin can. "What?!" Jamie shouted, just as another capsule landed near where the first judge capsule used to be. Out from its crater the dark capsule raised, opening to reveal the familiar Backdraft Dark Judge. "It's the Backdraft Group!" Jamie informed Bit and Leena, just as Brad entered the Hover Cargo's bridge. "This battle has been taken over by the Backdraft Group!" the Dark Judge declared, just as the black Whale King descended to the ground. * * * "What the hell is this?!" Johan yelled, bringing his Sinker to a halt. The Whale King's mouth, the loading ramp of the airship, opened its toothy maw. As the Dark Judge droned on, declaring the presence of the Raijin Team, two black Zoids emerged-- Rev Rapters, each armed with cannons mounted on their fore claws. The two Rev Rapters marched down the ramp silently, then moved to each side to await their leader. "Stay out of this battle if you know what's good for you," came a transmission over the comm system. "That voice," he noted, trying to remember who it belonged to. Those thoughts were interrupted by another, a man Johan was unfamiliar with. "We are the Backdraft Group. The Raijin Team hereby challenges the Blitz Team's Liger Zero to a match, one-on-one." "'One-on-one?'" he heard the Liger Zero's pilot echo. "Isn't your guys' style 'no rules?'" "If you refuse, I will destroy each person on this battlefield until only you are left." "What?!" Johan exclaimed. "Who the hell do you think you guys are?" Both Rev Rapters started firing in his direction, and it was all Johan could do to minimize the damage by quickly retreating. * * * "Now that's fighting low!" Bit complained. "Fine; I accept your challenge!" "Good," the Backdraft officer replied. "And here is your opponent; you will receive five times the regular prize money for victory. If you lose, the Liger Zero is ours." Both of the Raijin Rev Rapters stepped back into formation, and Bit knew his opponent was emerging from the Whale King. The panther-like Zoid, decked out in black plated armor, strolled down the ramp, acting as if it owned the world. It came with its standard twin forward-facing 20mm cannons mounted under the head, but from there it was obviously heavily-customized. Mounted on a turret on top of its back was a double- barreled CP-4, similar to the one Brad used on his Command Wolf. Mounted to each side were twin beam cannons, running a cable from the back of the cannons to the Zoid's power plant. Each of those weapons, too, were decked in black plated armor. Bit only saw this type once before, but it was easy to recognize the familiar Backdraft Group's custom Stealth Helcat. "Come on," he shouted, "don't you guys have anything better than that?" "The ones you fought before were amateurs," the Raijin assured him. "This time I've acquired an expert in stealth units. I believe you've met." As if on cue, another view screen flickered to life. As the Raijin commander promised, Bit did recognize the pilot on the other end. Although it had only been a few days since they first met in the desert Shizuka looked incredibly bored and depressed, slouching back in the pilot seat as if chained down. She removed the knot from her pony tail, wrapping the chord around her left hand, across all her fingers. "You won't believe how many people want to see you lose," she said bleakly, sounding a bit tired. "Time to earn my pay." "Why are you working with the Backdraft Group?!" Bit demanded. She shrugged. "Well, the plot sucks, but I'm willing to do it anyway." She gave the universal hand sign for 'money.' "Shall we begin?" "Looks like we have no choice, then," he decided. "Alright, Liger, this should be a piece of cake!" She doesn't look like she's going to try, Bit thought. How hard can it be? * * * Up periscope, and Kanna was just in time for the Dark Judge to declare the battle. "That Helcat is built with a similar thought as the Stealth Viper," she mused. "Obviously, whoever is in charge of this Backdraft Group isn't stupid. The question is, will Shizuka use it to her full advantage, or hold back?" Kanna scratched her chin thoughtfully. Although the Zoid was different the principle was the same; the stealth models were designed for hit-and-run when on the offensive. If she guessed correctly, the Helcat was also equipped with the same secret weapon as the Stealth Viper. She moved the periscope to focus on the Whale King, which, after collecting the two Rev Rapters, was lifting off. "My Warshark doesn't have the capabilities to hit things that high in the atmosphere, but... there is something that can!" Lowering the periscope, Kanna sat back in her seat, and scanned for the Cannon Tortoise's position. * * * The Helcat pivoted in place as it fired its twin beam cannons, carving a dust trail right behind the Liger Zero. Bit felt a rush, understanding that Liger knew the beam was slowly catching-up. He kicked on the Jager's thrusters, pulling out ahead of the beam and continuing in his wide arc around the Helcat. As Bit expected, the beam cannons could not sustain such a long burst like that. He guided Liger Zero toward the center of the circle of destruction, and powered-up the Strike Laser Claw. "Playtime's over; now we finish this!" he proclaimed. "Strike Laser Claw!" Liger Zero's front claws flared to life, and the great lion leaped into the air for a mighty swipe. At the last moment the Helcat jumped backward, allowing the Liger to smash the ground where it used to be, kicking up a great cloud of dirt into the air. "Nuh-uh," he heard from Shizuka. "You'll get dirt on my armor." Bit pulled Liger away from the Helcat's line-of- sight just in the nick of time, unwilling to fall for the same kind of tricks Jack's Lightning Saix would pull. As he made his escape the thought crossed his mind that the Helcat might actually be tuned to be faster, but discarded the thought, knowing that the Helcat can't be tuned to go much faster than it's going already; Liger Zero Jager at its top speed was already over twice as fast as the fastest Helcat. The only explanation was the pilot's reflexes were very good. On the other hand, if they were really that good, Shizuka should've hit him by now. Bit snorted confidently, comforted by the thought that his own reflexes were faster than hers. "We'll just have to hit faster, right, Liger?" * * * "What the hell are you doing?!" Martin demanded. "Stop toying with the Liger Zero and defeat it!" "Or you'll do what, blow me to smithereens?" Shizuka countered, toggling the 20mm cannons. "Then you'll definitely lose." "Use the cloaking field, NOW!" the officer ordered. "Hey, if I don't tell you how to run your Raijin Team, then you don't tell your hired gun how to play the game!" she thundered, taking two more shots at the fleeing Liger Zero. "I don't need your retarded cloaking field, OR your fake bomb!" Shizuka killed the visual link, tired of seeing Martin's head about to explode. She recalled many times in the past of Kanna insisting to skip using the cloaking field on the Stealth Viper and work with everything else; back then it made absolutely no sense to Shizuka. Today, however, she understood; it was not simply to maintain an advantage. The cloaking field was also a crutch, just as much as having too much ammunition-- you tend to rely on it even when you don't need it. She understood why the Backdraft Group never beat this Liger Zero; they were too stupid to realize this. The difference between her and their stealth pilots was that Shizuka didn't need the cloaking field to win her battles, and, as such, it remained her advantage. There was also another issue; if the Liger Zero was equipped with heat sensors then it wouldn't be difficult to spot the Helcat. While all Helcats were designed with heat suppression this Helcat, unlike her own Stealth Viper, did not have the extensive amount of heat sinks that effectively masked her presence from all but the top-of-the-line sensors. Shizuka would not consider using the cloaking field until she was 100% certain Bit Cloud wasn't going to see her; it meant the difference between a successful attack and a dead merc. After that, the last major issue was that the cloaking field merely obscures vision, but not the Helcat's presence. Unlike the Stealth Viper, which could 'meld' its shape into its surroundings, the Helcat was still the same oversized panther it was when visible. Raising a big dust cloud, for instance, would help alert the opponent of her presence as the cloud formed around the Helcat's huge frame. She was certain Bit Cloud knew this; it was one of her disadvantages to be fighting out in a loose-sand desert like this, and she would have preferred a rocky canyon. The Liger Zero turned for another pass for the Strike Laser Claw, and Shizuka brought the CP-4 online, buying time for the beam cannons to recharge fully. It was her hope that her 'ameteur,' mistaken use of the beam weapons would prove her edge later. The thought of ensnaring the Liger Zero into her trap made her giddy, and suddenly the blood drained from her arms, replacing it with the same tingling sensation as before. Shizuka twitched involuntarily at the sudden change, and her heart beat like a drum. It took all of her effort to slide her thumb over the firing trigger, and she gritted her teeth. The targetting computer registered the Liger Zero into her firing range, and she squeezed the trigger. One after another, chain-liked fire, the 20mm cannons and the CP-4 fired, each hitting wide and very off the Liger. She cursed herself, trying to regain control of herself, but her shots continued to fly wide of the opposing Zoid. And then the Liger Zero's claws flared to life. In reflex reaction Shizuka oriented the broad side of the Helcat toward the attacker, then darted out of the way as the blue and white beast leaped into the air. * * * "Missed again?" Jamie exclaimed, surprised as he monitored the battle from the Hover Cargo. "The Helcat can't move that fast!" "It's actually not," Toros explained, just as Brad and Leena entered the room. "The Helcat's pilot is predicting Bit's movements and reacts accordingly." "Somebody want to explain to me what's the deal here?!" Bit demanded, his voice over the comm link betraying a hint of panic. "Bit, you've got to use the Jager's boosters to help hit the Helcat before it has a chance to escape," Toros suggested. "The Helcat is watching your movements." "Yeah, I know," he replied, calming down a bit. "But if I use the Jager boosters I might overshoot her." A pause, then Bit continued, "You think we can do it, Liger? Well, let's give it a shot!" "There they go again," Brad said, and Bit and Liger were maneuvering for another pass. "The Helcat pilot was always given a few seconds warning every time Bit charged the Strike Laser Claw," the leader of the Blitz Team mused, scratching his chin. "Most people stand around like deer to headlights on a mountain road, but this one's overcome that innate fear enough to recognize the danger. So the only way around that is to force a lapse in judgment." * * * "Geez, you're trying to pull the same crap again?!" Shizuka muttered, checking to make sure the beam cannons were full. "Third time's a charm, I guess!" She oriented the Helcat's forward direction toward the Liger Zero, but her readings suddenly registered something Shizuka didn't want to see. "That damn fool is speeding up?! He'll miss and crash at this velocity!" To use the Strike Laser Claw at such high speeds would require Bit to power them on early. Shizuka switched the chain-linking of her cannons and set them to single burst, which would discharge all sets of cannons at the Liger Zero at once. She had no intention of backing out of this chicken match-- not this time. * * * Far from the battling feline Zoids Chika monitored the two Zoids, unsure as to who to root for. Johan quickly transmitted that the Helcat pilot was Shizuka, recognizing her voice alone. The thought confused her and Ayame, as neither of the two girls imagined their former comrade would pilot anything other than that snake she cherished like a baby. Leading herself to the second surprise of the day, as a new transmission kicked in. "Hello, Chika. Long time no see." This time Chika had no doubts about who it was. "Kanna? What are you doing here? Where are you?" "I'm not on the Whale King, if that's what you're asking," Kanna replied. "I'm right under you. I need a favor to ask you, because I don't have any weapons on me." "Still don't have enough money?" she jabbed. "You guys drive me nuts; you won't sell any of the surplus Zoids for money and would rather have them sit around while you eat rice and noodles every day. What good is having a nice place to live if you have to live there in poverty again?" It disgusted Chika that her former teammates, each coming from families that couldn't afford Zoids and now suddenly had access to some, chose to live at that old military bungalow living the same way as they had before. Mizuki and her followers refused to give up on anything they found, but Johan got sick of this attitude. He chose to live nicer even if that meant camping out in the desert every day. The Stardust Team was better-off financially for that reason; they were willing to make sacrifices to live decently, while the others were crazy enough to remain content as poor packrats. The Dragoon Nest alone would've commanded enough money to satisfy their food and weapons needs, at the very least. Kanna shook her head. "No, it's not that. I was supposed to go into town to buy some parts, but I have to look after Shizuka. She gets in trouble when she's by herself, you know." Chika nodded, knowing this to be true. "So you're cutting me a deal... with a rival?" "I'm not cutting deals; I'm asking a friend for help. We aren't rivals." "Kanna, this is probably going to be my last battle anyway. What's the use of recruiting me back onto your team like this when I'm so useless?" The Spider remained silent. "We've always a place for you. Ayame and Johan, too. But that's neither here nor there. Help me, please." "And what can this stupid bucket do?" Chika demanded, frustrated with herself. "Cannon Tortoises are slow and are just big moving cannons; I want something more... like a Sea Panther." "A Sea Panther? You're joking; that's practically the same thing." The Tortoise pilot shook her head. "Nuh-uh! They look like hermit crabs, have a really big cannon, a bunch of other cannon attachment options, and a really good missile box! They're faster than the Tortoise to boot!" Kanna groaned. "Geez... you pirate. Fine, but we'd have to do some trading...." "I don't care about the Tortoise; if you get me a Sea Panther I'll do anything you say." "Anything?" Kanna echoed in disbelief. She nodded confidently. "Well... uh... okay." * * * "Let's do it, Liger!" Bit screamed. "Strike Laser Claw!" He felt the rush of the boosters propel the Liger Zero's leap forward. The right claw tore through the air quickly, and it seemed to Bit that he would hit his mark; the Helcat wasn't budging. Then the nasty surprise came for him; the reason the Helcat stayed put was that it was going to retaliate this time. All six cannon barrels mounted on the black panther Zoid fired at once; both beam cannons fired their stream shots past Liger Zero, but the other four cannons found their mark. Yet it was not enough to kill Liger Zero's forward momentum, as the Jager's boosters continued to propel Bit and Liger forward. Yet, the impact of the shots was enough to force Liger to miss its mark, redirecting the attack on the front left leg to shear the left beam cannon off instead with Liger's full body. Crashing into the dirt hard, Liger got up and quickly shook off the dirt. Bit recovered from the momentary shock, throwing a look over his shoulder to see the state of the Helcat. Now minus one beam cannon the Helcat was now off-balance, putting more weight on the right side of the frame. While the attack wasn't a complete success, it wasn't a complete failure, either; Liger Zero escaped with minor damage. "Nice shot," he heard Shizuka say, congratulating Bit. "Too bad it wasn't what you intended." "You're not so bad yourself, if a bit crazy," Bit replied. The girl laughed. "'Crazy?' That's the nicest thing someone could call it, I suppose." The Helcat turned to face the Liger Zero. "Now, then, where do we go from here?" Another voice interrupted, this one belonging to the Backdraft Group officer. "What are you doing?! Destroy the Liger Zero!" "I think I've wasted enough time here, then," Shizuka decided. "Give me everything you've got, Bit Cloud!" Shizuka cried, and the Helcat suddenly lurched into motion. "I hear ya, then," Bit agreed, a smile forming on his face. Liger Zero rushed to meet the charge. A great explosion rocked Bit around the cockpit. He stopped in his tracks, as did the Helcat, and looked up into the sky, to see that the Whale King's left wing was smoking. "Someone's attacking the Whale King?" he said, surprised. * * * "What in the world is going on?!" Marin demanded, as he was thrown from his command chair. "We're under attack from an unknown surface location!" one of the technicians reported. "It's not coming from the Hover Cargo, or any visible unit within the general area!" "Is it the Zoid Battle Commission?" he wondered, hearing that Altile was wrung into a similar trap before. "Get us out of here before they shoot us down!" "What about the battle?" "Forget the battle!" Martin yelled, seething. "We cannot lose the Whale King over this!" * * * "There's two!" Chika announced, launching a second missile into the air. This time the missile hit the Whale King near its trailing engine, and the great airship wavered in the sky. Dark smoke poured forth from each new fissure. She waited for the third hardpoint to load up, but the Whale King was already trying to retreat. "That'll teach you goons to ignore me!" * * * Bit's eyes followed the Backdraft Whale King retreat, followed by the Dark Judge capsule that was withdrawing from the battle. He sighed; it looked like they weren't going to get the Backdraft prize money after all. "It looks like we'll have to settle this another time, then," Shizuka said, sounding disappointed. "Yeah," Bit agreed. "The Dark Judge is gone, and the regular Judge is out of commission." The other pilot snorted. "Well, then, until next time." The Helcat began to leave. "Wait, Shizuka!" he yelled, trying to get her attention. "Why were you working with the Backdraft Group?" The Helcat stopped in its tracks, and the panther Zoid's head turned back to look. "Like I said, there seems to be a number of people who are interested in defeating you. I've got to go collect my pay, so I'll be seeing you later-- hopefully, extra rich." Bit raised an eyebrow, having no idea what the girl was talking about. * * * "She's gotten better," Ayame noted, sitting back against her Redler's leg. Her eyes moved over to Johan, who was sitting on top of his Sinker to get a better view. "I can't believe she got that thing to move faster than the Liger Zero," Johan said. "How did she do that?" Ayame shrugged. "I don't know; why don't you ask her?" Johan sighed, then looked back down at her. "Well, then, maybe I will. Coming?" Champ Base, 1000 Hours The noise of construction workers busying themselves with repairing the hangar filled the air, as Harry stared up at the black Helcat that suddenly showed-up. Behind him, his two robot assistants slowly backed away, clearing the creature's shadow, as it blotted out the sun above. "Harry Champ," Shizuka said sternly, "where's my money?" "Money?!" Harry cried. "You didn't beat Bit Cloud already, did you?" "'Beat?' Who said anything about defeating the guy; you agreed to hire me to fight him." "What? Are you joking?" He heard the sound of a button press, followed by a mildly-distorted voice: "And how much are you willing to pay me to fight him?" Next came the part Harry wished he didn't remember: "You'll do it?! Name your price!" The color drained from his face when he realized what he'd done; Harry jumped the gun and forgot to be specific. "Maybe if you fixed-up all our busted Zoids, and bought me a particle cannon...." Click. The Helcat's head lowered closer to the ground. "You can keep the particle cannon; I'll feel bad if I took that, but the rest stands," Shizuka added. "Well, then, Mr. Champ?" Fire Wheel Base, 1500 Hours Kanna was definitely impressed with Shizuka as Rowan finished going through their newly-acquired black Helcat. Shizuka claimed that the Backdraft officer said there was a bomb on it, then added there wasn't a bomb. Kanna had to make sure of it before allowing the Zoid into the hangar. When Rowan came back with the confirmation, she was relieved. She was also suprised that Shizuka saw through the ploy, as often it was either true, or designed to scare into cooperation-- sometimes both. But then, Shizuka reasoned, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot by destroying one of their own units like that. Silently she watched as Ayame's Redler and Johan's Sinker arrived. Chika already changed her registration back to the Fire Wheels, waiting for the Sea Panther she was promised, and now it was Kanna's task to make sure to reabsorb the other two members of the Stardust Team. It wasn't the rewards from her boss, Mizuki, that Kanna was after; she felt it necessary to look after her own teammates. She watched both Ayame and Johan disembark from their respective Zoids, approaching her wordlessly. "Welcome back," she greeted. "There's rumors going around," Johan replied, a sly grin on his face, "that you guys have earned a good sum of money." "It could only grow larger if we combine our resources," Kanna added, fully prepared to play the game of words. "The Stardust Team has done well for itself since then." "But not enough to beat the Blitz Team," Ayame added. "When you guys stole Chika back to your team we couldn't rematch them from the interrupted battle this morning." "Your Redler could use some weapons customs, don't you think?" "Yeah, maybe...." "And Johan; your Sinker can be pushed further. The Liger Zero's boosters could still overtake you. Wouldn't it be prudent to buy something more powerful?" "Yeah," Johan admitted, "there's this one engine I've been meaning to install, and.... Wait a minute. Are you trying to sucker me?" "We'll get you that engine," Kanna promised, "if we combine the assets of our Fire Wheel Team with your Stardust Team. It will be as it was before, only this time we will be able to keep our weapons and our lifestyles at the same time. We're going to fight more aggressively now that we've got this opportunity given to us. So, the question is, are you with us, or not?" The strategist was satisfied to see that Johan and Ayame paused to consdieration. She was already certain she hooked Johan, and now it was only Ayame who could hold out. The reason she never customized the Redler with cannons was out of pride, but this recent battle with the Blitz Team proved how ineffective she could be without a ranged projectile of her own. "No strings attached?" Ayame asked finally. Kanna shook her head. "Mizuki's got a surprise for you guys; it's a new Zoid. Once she's satisfied she can pilot it, we'll be unstoppable. Until then, we need you to help bring us the income with which to complete it." At last, she knew she had Ayame hooked. "Well, if you put it that way, count me in." Backdraft Group HQ, 2100 Hours Colonel Martin did not like standing in the presence of the elite heads of the Backdraft Group. The dark hall was devoid of all illumination save one-- the one light beating down over his head. The shadowy heads of the organization remained in the darkness, and Martin hated that; he would rather know who to hate by seeing them rather than go on ear alone. His reasoning for being there was simple: "Why did you allow the Helcat to be stolen?" For that, Martin could give no explanation. He could take any demotion and loss of prestige for the Raijin Team; that girl, and the Liger Zero, however, would have to pay. ----------------------------------------------- Author's Rant Another chapter from the Bad Guy Writer. Yes, the Stealth Viper's secret weapon is a cloaking field, as was alluded to in the first, and now in this, chapter. It isn't used for that given reason; you could call it personal handicap but it really isn't. Not only that but I am also trying to portray its pilot as having a nervous problem despite how good she is. I am not happy with Anime simply stating that somebody is 'excited' about the battle, because there is more to it than that; there's a certain exhilaration that goes with it, the fear of losing, the thrill of battle, and of course that certain numbness that seems to occur at the wrong times, such that you have to force yourself to keep moving. It's a strange feeling. The Raijin Team is made up, and so is Colonel Martin. It didn't feel right to have Altile or some random flunky do these things. -- Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html 3. Endgame Zoids: Call of the Fire 3 Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Zoids, I am borrowing the names, settings, etc. under fair use and without making a profit. This work cannot be sold for profit or retransmitted and reposted without my express permission. Continuity: After the Royal Cup takes place. ------------------------------------------------ Wasteland, 1500 Hours, Day 1 The great, lobster-like Dragoon Nest served as the mobile command base of the Fire Wheel Team-- eight strong in number, of great skill. For a while it looked as if such a promising, large team would drop out of Class A due to lack of accumulating points in battle, but after their successful upset against the Blitz Team their battles have been going up in frequency. Mizuki, leader of the Fire Wheels, sat back in her command chair behind her station on the bridge, watching eagerly as her warriors defeated Zoid after Zoid. The Royal Cup competition, the event which all Class A teams aspired to conquer to move on into Class S, was within reach, after many years of waiting and planning. Although the Fire Wheels was made up of eight Zoids only four, by regulation, could compete in actual battles during the event, and it was with careful thought that she chose her four most able warriors to fight: Shizuka the Silencer, in her Stealth Viper; Kanna the Spider, in her burrow-modified Warshark; Johan, in his mach-speed modified Sinker; Rowan 'Ziel', in his polished Storm Sworder. The others-- Chika, Ayame, and Shion 'Warlock'-- remained on board the Dragoon Nest as support crew. The battle has gone on for most of the day; the Zoid Battle Commission required that a team win a grand total of five battles before the location of the goal could be revealed. To that end, at the start of the competition Mizuki paired-off Johan and Ziel, then Kanna and Shizuka, mainly because their Zoids complemented each other well. The Sinker and Storm Sworder pair had already picked-off three battles on their own without suffering too much damage, while the Warshark and Stealth Viper pair was in the midst of their second battle. Admittedly, though, the Warshark was doing very little work, serving as a mobile tactical supplement for the Stealth Viper. Kanna in particular was a vicious strategist; when she encountered the Wolf Team, consisting of three Command Wolves, she and Shizuka forced down two of them and made the third one flee the field, allowing it to escape. The third Command Wolf stopped once it was convinced it was away from the opponents and Judges, but Kanna and Shizuka dogged it into running into one of the Judge circles, and now they intended to put the poor Zoid out of its misery. She watched on the monitor as the Stealth Viper purposefully revealed itself to the Command Wolf. As predicted the Wolf's attentions were fully on the singular threat, as it started to turn and fire at the snake's direction. Shizuka squeezed off several pulse laser shots for good measure, just as the burrowed Warshark began to surface. It was over in a few seconds; one Command Wolf was no match for two hit-and-run guerilla units. "Congratulations," Mizuki aired over the comm. "We are receiving the coordinates from the Judge." "We're recalling the other team," Warlock added, sending notice to Johan and Ziel. "Um... Boss, we've got a problem." Mizuki's attention perked up. "What?" "The goal location is in the opposite direction from where we're headed. If we don't get there fast enough someone closer is going to beat us," he reported. Losing her calm composure, she slammed her fist on top of the desk. "No!" she seethed. "We were this close!" Taking a deep breath, she said, "Ping the ZBC and see if anyone's won yet." The technician shook his head. "Nope, not yet. But we'd better get a move on. I'm sending Johan and Ziel ahead to the goal point; they can get there faster." She nodded. "Do it. I haven't gone through four years of training just to have the Royal Cup snatched away from me again!" Wasteland, 1600 Hours It was already too late. The bridge of the Dragoon Nest was completely silent, save for the constant hum of machinery. The eyes of the five gathered warriors were on Mizuki when Ziel and Johan reported that the Blitz Team had already claimed the Royal Cup, narrowly defeating the Backdraft Group's entry. She kept her head low, in a futile attempt to hide her tears. Mizuki was no stranger to defeat, but it was nothing like the total defeat handed to her four years ago, in the previous Royal Cup; this time her team had a chance. This time her team was ready. This time, she was robbed of victory. Over her thoughts, Shizuka, one of the veteran team members from that time, said, "I'm sorry." Mizuki sighed, then wiped her eyes with her left arm. Slowly, she raised her head. No, not all of them knew of the humiliating defeat of four years ago, but they did feel the heavy weight of the loss, just as much as she did. Even Ziel, poker-faced as ever on the main monitor, seemed to express his understanding. "We're not taking this lying down," she announced, swallowing her emotions. "I cannot accept that the Blitz Team-- a team younger and more inexperienced than us-- has won." "I'm with you," Shizuka voiced, ever supportive of her mentor. The others nodded in agreement. "The Blitz Team may claim Class S," Kanna stated, "but that doesn't mean we can't still fight them if they agree to it." She walked over to one of the consoles. "Shall I put it through to the ZBC?" Mizuki nodded. "In this situation, there's only one thing that'll satisfy me, and that won't be a three-on- three battle." The strategist looked back at her, surprised. "You're not seriously considering using the Death Stinger, are you?" "There's a time for ethics, and a time to set them aside," the boss replied. "Its power prevented me from entering it into battle before, but now, I don't feel that restriction holding me back anymore. It has been six years in the making, but I think now it's time to show the world the power of the Fire Wheels." Toros Base, 1900 Hours, Day 2 Despite the fact that the Blitz Team was still in debt, they wasted no expenses in throwing a party. Steve Toros, the leader of the team, took the opportunity to step aside from the party to take a call. Sitting down at his desk, he turned on the video phone. At the other end was a young woman, around twenty- five years of age. He vaguely remembered the face. "Congratulations, Blitz Team, on your victory in the Royal Cup." "You're the leader of the Fire Wheels, right?" Toros remembered. Assuming airs, he replied, "I appreciate the gesture, really!" Yet the woman did not look as if she were sharing the jovial air. "The Zoid Battle Commission has approved our request-- our team against yours." Instantly, Toros cast the jokes aside, realizing she was serious. "A battle... already? Your team is only in Class A; there's not enough incentive to accept your challenge." "Oh yes you do," the Fire Wheel replied, holding up a data card. "The Commission has approved an all-out battle royale-- all of our team against all of your team. Feel free to invite others into your ranks, up to a maximum of eight warriors per team. I assure you we've already filled that quota; it is up to you to fill in the rest." That caught his interest immediately. "When you put it that way...." "The battle starts in three day's time at these coordinates," she added, transmitting data across the line. "Know this: you may have won the Royal Cup, but you still aren't the best." * * * "You WHAT?!" Each of the four warriors making up the Blitz Team's fighting force had their turn to yell and protest at Toros' decision, killing the party mood. "We haven't been in Class S for a day and we're already fighting a Class A?" Brad said in disbelief. "Give me a break." "It'd figure they'd be jealous," Bit added, feigning calmness. "Doc," complained Jamie, "we haven't even fixed all our equipment yet!" "Well, it is in three days..." Toros excused, twiddling his fingers. "And the prize money is three times the usual for such a prestigious match...." "Dad," Leena added, "we don't even have that many people? Where are we going to find four more people on such short notice?" "And that is why I volunteer the Champ Team!" came a familiar voice. Harry Champ jumped out, causing Leena to jump herself in surprise. "Harry, when did you get here?" Bit asked. "Whenever there's something my dear, sweet Leena might want, I'll always be there!" Harry proclaimed. Leena laughed nervously, waving him away slowly. "That's not what I had in mind...." "We could ask Naomi and Leon to help," Brad suggested. Instantaneously, Leena's expression changed into excitement. "That's right! With Leon on our team, we'd be unbeatable." "Even if we did get them, that means we're still short two people..." Bit said. "Wait, don't you mean 'one?'" Harry interrupted. "Come on, Harry," the other warrior said, "it's not like... well...." "So, you don't think I'm good enough for her, Bit Cloud?!" Harry yelled, angry. "By this time tomorrow, you'll be begging me to help you!" All eyes watched as Harry rushed out. Leena blinked. "What was that all about?" Toros Base, 1700 Hours, Day 3 "Well, you've got to hand it to Harry," Bit said, standing outside the hangar with the rest of his teammates, "he sure knows how to throw money around." Harry Champ laughed to himself, obviously proud of what lay in the hangar of his Whale King. Lined-up in neat rows were weapons-- each custom for any Zoid imaginable, from pulse lasers to hyper cannons. Beyond that were missiles of varying hardpoints, bundled together neatly and polished for presentation. In other words, he knew exactly how to win both Doc Toros and his daughter. "All of this can be at your disposal if only you give me this one chance to fight side-by-side with my dear Leena!" Harry proclaimed. Toros leaned to whisper to his daughter. "I think you should take it." "This could help solve a lot of our problems," Brad added, knowing the ammo stockpile was more than enough to coerce Leena. "But... with Harry?!" Leena complained. "It's not like he hasn't done this before, so you should be used to it by now," Bit added. "We do want to win, right?" Toros added. "Even if Harry's not that good we can put some of those weapons to good use," Jamie said, joining the bandwagon. "Okay," Leena said, talking to herself, "what's just one little battle with Harry compared to all the ammo I want?" Her face reddened at the thought. "How can I say 'no' to all that ammo?" Warriors' Bar, 1400 Hours, Day 4 "So that's what it's like, huh," Leon said, taking a sip from his coffee mug, his attention full on Bit, seated across the circular table from him. "You guys are asking me to come back now." "Well, you don't have to come back permanently," Bit explained. "We're just asking for your guys' help." To Leon's left, Naomi Fluegel, seemed interested. "I think this could be a good change of pace. It's not often you can have such a large team battle like this." "I don't know," Leon admitted. "The Blitz Team doesn't feel as if it's my team anymore. It's your team, Bit; the team you lead to Class S." "It's not like you didn't help or anything," the other warrior said. "You're a great warrior; I'd love to fight alongside with you, even if it's just once. Besides, Doc and Leena are excited to have you back." Leon chuckled, closing his eyes as to recall the memories of times past. "Yeah, I know." Gathering himself, he added, "Tell you what, Bit. I'll join you guys this one time. If after that time I don't wish to remain, you'll allow me to walk away." "Well, it's not my position to...." Bit shrugged. "Ah, what the hey." He extended his hand. "Good to have you aboard, Leon!" * * * "That's a shame," Jack Sisko, mercenary Zoid pilot of the Lightning Saix said, "my plans include staying with the Lightning Team for a while." Across from him was Harry Champ, a former client. "Remember last time when you said you'd fight another battle for me for free? I'm calling in that favor." Jack smiled. "Oh? You aren't planning on fighting the Blitz Team, are you? They're way beyond your league now." Harry shook his head. "It's not that; I'm asking you to fight for them." That caught the warrior's curiosity. "Oh really? I think they're capable enough, don't you think?" The richman slid a data card across the table. "The Zoid Battle Commission approved of a battle royale between the Blitz Team and the Fire Wheel Team. An eight-on-eight battle with no restrictions. Naturally my dear Leena asked for my help, and I want to make sure I fulfill her trust!" Jack whistled. "So, you're doing this for a girl, huh? I guess this is your lucky day, then. Sure, I'll win this battle for you, this one time." He picked up the data card, and punched a few keys. "That's a good amount of money going around there." A few seconds later, alarm struck him. "They can't be serious." Harry leaned closer. "What is it, Jack?" "Did any of you see what the Fire Wheels have registered?" he asked, putting on a serious tone. "As expected they asked for a team limit of eight because that's the number of warriors they have total. Their registrations have been updated only a couple days ago. They're using some serious hardware here." Harry leaned back, perplexed. "I don't see how that can be a problem...." "I'll still fight, there's no mistake about it," he assured Harry. "I want to see what this infamous 'Death Stinger' can do first-hand." "'Death Stinger?' I thought all of those were destroyed." "Not according to the Zoid registry. The Fire Wheels have a Death Stinger of their own. If it's anywhere near complete as those Geno Saurers were the other day, we might have our work cut out for ourselves." Undisclosed Location, 2000 Hours Ever since the event, a few days prior, when the Zoid Battle Commission destroyed all the Backdraft Group Judge Satellites, the Backdraft Group has been scattered to the winds. While the Zoid Battle Commission ordered the immediate surrender of all Backdraft operatives, many elected to take flight, and many of them were in hiding. That was more than they could say for the top brass: people such as Altile were in custody. The Berserk Fury and the Geno Saurers were confiscated, and many of the other Zoids were lost in the confusion. For Colonel Martin of the Backdraft Group's Raijin Team, it was like becoming a fugitive. He was annoyed that the top brass would dare to attack the Zoid Battle Commission head-on during the Royal Cup battles, and disappointed that it brought the organization's downfall. Now as a 'resistance cell leader,' Martin felt as if it were his duty to somehow bring prestige back to the outcast Backdraft Group. Beside the sudden lack of equipment, there was also the unmistakable lack of funding. The shadowy backers of the Backdraft organization vanished whence they came; their greedy gambling habits and high society bluster took flight the moment things started to look bad. While it was very likely those same people wouldn't mind funding another organization like the Backdraft Group, Martin realized, if he wanted to keep the organization clean, he would have to do some of the important tasks himself. Before the organization's fall Altile was charged with obtaining an Ultimate X Zoid for the Backdraft Group; with such a Zoid financial backing would be a non-issue, and clients' faith in the organization would effectively become unwavering. The Liger Zero and the Berserk Fury were both Ultimate X Zoids; the Zoid had to be exceptional in every way. Which is why the Fire Wheels suddenly caught his interest. Before, Martin kept tabs on the Zoid team, as one of its members stole a Helcat from his team. By sheer luck, a possible Ultimate X may have fallen into his lap-- a new Death Stinger model, probably found in the Fire Wheels' base somewhere. It was obviously a well-kept secret if they've had the Zoid for so long; Martin wondered why they hadn't used it until now. It probably could have won the Royal Cup for them. "I've only heard legends and folk tales about the Death Stinger," he murmured. "It is said to be a fantastic beast if used in the correct hands; its tail- mounted particle beam cannon was extremely potent. In one tale, it was launched into outer space, orbiting the planet, and the cannon incinerated an entire city." He raised a clenched fist. "I would have that power if it means restoring the organization!" Battle Zone, 0800 Hours, Day 5 The Zoid Battle Commission deployed four Judge capsules to the battlefield that morning, as the one- hundred mile radius battle area needed good coverage on all sides. In particular it was difficult for one Judge to keep track of sixteen Zoids at once for such a large area. The battlefield itself was divided into four quadrants, one under the jurisdiction of each judge, centered at their respective quadrants with little overlap. The first quadrant, taking up the northwest area, consisted of rocky canyons. It was expected that most of the battle would take place at the bottom of the network of canyons, and whoever got to the high ground would have the area covered. There were also plenty of places to hide. The second quadrant, in the northeast area, continued the rocky canyons, but tapered-off into the wasteland. Rocky outcroppings still dominated here and there, but it was not as dense as the canyon itself. Directly to the south of the second quadrant was the third, a vast expanse of wasteland, nearly all flat. It was expected that many of the high-speed battles would take place in this area, as it was the most open space available. Finally, the fourth quadrant in the southwest area housed a mostly-open stone ruin, believed to formerly be a city lying against the canyon in the north. Although there was much open area here as well there is also a number of craters dipping below the foundations, where one could easily become trapped and disabled. Such unfavorable ground made this the area least likely to be traversed. In the Royal Cup the Fire Wheels were one of the favored teams to win the tournament, but it was the Blitz Team, who upset many favorite picks, that won. Warriors everywhere flocked to bars and stadiums to catch what was termed the 'Rematch' battle, so soon after the Royal Cup concluded. This time it was the Blitz Team that was favored to win, as word spread around fast that they gathered the strongest of warriors to participate in the battle on their behalf. Early on the Blitz Team agreed to the Fire Wheels' choice of battleground; it essentially gave the Fire Wheels a 'home' advantage, as they knew the battle terrain better. In fact, the Fire Wheels already deployed their Zoids in each of the four quadrants before the battle started, while the Blitz Team and its allies were only entering from the third quadrant. So, as many expected, the initial three hours or so would be a game of hide-and-seek, despite the fact that the Dragoon Nest was deployed at the edge of the second quadrant. It was a fairly impressive gathering of Zoids for the Blitz Team: two Ligers, one the Liger Zero, armed with its Jager armor, and a red Blade Liger. Two Gunsnipers, one red, one blue with a heavy arms loadout. A teal Raynos, a black Shadowfox, and a dark Lightning Saix, then finally a black Darkhorn. For the most part each of the Zoids retained their usual loadout, but Harry arranged for ammunition depots to be set up around the battlefield when necessary, as the battle was expected to be long. The only obvious waypoint was the Blitz Team Hover Cargo; the rest the Fire Wheels had to find and capture, if they could. It was expected that the Fire Wheels, who own at least three aerial Zoids, would put a lot of pressure on the Raynos. If pattern followed, however, only the Storm Sworder and Salamander would join such an aerial dance, as the Redler usually remained near the ground. However, none of those were detected in the air, making it obvious that they were still on the ground somewhere. "So, are we splitting up, or sticking together?" Naomi asked, breaking the silence. "Splitting up," answered Jamie. "Stick with the plan for now," he added. "Right," the other warrior replied. * * * "They're splitting up, as expected," Kanna reported, broadcasting her transmission on the Fire Wheels' personal frequency, her eyes on her custom periscope. "Looks like... both Ligers and the Raynos are heading for Q2. The Shadowfox and Lightning Saix are heading for Q4, and the Darkhorn and two Gunsnipers for Q1." "Good," Mizuki replied. "Let the Shadowfox, Saix, and both Ligers go; pick off the Gunsnipers and Darkhorn before they get to the canyon, if you can. Don't get too reckless; you're on your own right now." "I hear you," she said, retracting the periscope. Relaxing against the seat Kanna waited silently below the earth as the blips for the Blitz Team and friends dwindled down to the slower Zoids. It was a very sound strategy to supplement each of the Zoids in such a manner; it was only her luck of the draw that the Spider would have to deal with the three most armed Zoids on the battlefield. If she wasn't careful, while Kanna was taking out one Zoid the other two could pop her. She called up a tactical readout on her console, then determined she ought to take her chances against the red Gunsniper. Its pilot was a crack shot sniper, and, if Kanna wasn't careful, she could take her out in one shot. That is, if the Warshark even allowed her to get into a sniping position. The other two relied heavily on ammo consumption to get their way, and Kanna wagered they were lousy shots. She hoped. * * * The attack came without warning as the red Gunsniper's left leg fell into a sinkhole, throwing the Zoid off-balance and onto its side. The other two pilots became alert. "It's got to be the Warshark," Leena explained, her eyes scanning the sandy field. "There's such things as Warsharks with burrow modifications?" Naomi wondered, trying to get her Zoid upright again. "It's here!" Harry cried. Sure enough, as Leena was accustomed to the sort of attack by now, a black-armored Warshark burst out of the sand, into the air, attacking with the morning sun against its back. Trusting the targeting computer to do the work for her Leena fired off several missiles in the enemy Zoid's direction, squinting. However, the computer did not register any hits. She heard a loud cry from Harry, and it was apparent that the Warshark was taking this opportunity to taking out his Darkhorn. Several explosions erupted from the missiles launched from the pod on the fish's back, each hitting the Darkhorn in all the vital spots-- its legs. A wave of sand tossed against the cockpit window, and Leena knew the Warshark burrowed again. "Whoever that is," Naomi said, her Zoid's leg free of the sinkhole, "sure has this hit-and-run thing down." "I'm okay, Leena my sweet!" Harry declared. "My Darkhorn suffered moderate damage, but don't worry! I'm okay!" "Great," Leena muttered. She waited several heartbeats. "So why isn't the Warshark attacking again?" "Isn't it obvious?" the other Gunsniper pilot said. "That warrior is taking his time on us, probably soften us up for whatever else we run into." "You've got to be kidding." "At least, that's what I'd do if I were the Warshark pilot." * * * Kanna called up the Darkhorn's technical readout. "Although it's heavily modified with more weapons and maneuverability, the Darkhorn wasn't designed to carry the amount of weight it's hauling around." She magnified the support mechanisms on each of its four legs, with red areas marking the areas which she hit earlier. "If I let nature run its course, the Darkhorn will fall over by itself in less than an hour, provided it keeps up this marching pace." She sat back against her chair. "The blue Gunsniper knew where I was attacking from; I'm going to have to watch out for both of them, it seems." Quadrant 2, 0900 Hours "Things are too quiet," Bit complained. "They're likely planning an ambush," Leon agreed. Directing his attention to Jamie, he asked, "Do you see anything from up there?" "Nothing," the Raynos pilot answered. "The Dragoon Nest is nearby, and it... wait a minute. It's launching the Storm Sworder!" "Just the Storm Sworder?" Bit asked, confused. "I'd have thought they'd have the Redler and Salamander along with it." "That means whatever the Storm Sworder is being sent here to support, it's on the ground with us!" Leon realized. As if to punctuate on that fact, a large explosion threw both Ligers onto their sides, a huge crater replacing the dirt that stood between the two. "We're being shelled," Bit knew. "It came from the west!" "It's probably hiding out in the canyon," Leon guessed. "Seems we're going to have to come to them, doesn't it?" "I'll take care of the Storm Sworder," Jamie said. "You guys should go after the mortar unit." "Gotcha," replied Bit. Quadrant 1, 0900 Hours "I'd think you'd want to fire up their nose, not across it," Shizuka noted, transmitting her comm to the Sea Panther. The hermit crab-like Zoid Sea Panther, armed with a plasma mortar on its back, craned down a couple degrees. "That was only a warning shot," Chika, the pilot, assured the Stealth Viper pilot. "You missed," the other warrior insisted. "Well, it's not like you're doing any better. Crawl back under whatever rock you're hiding under, and I'll deal with the Ligers." "Yeah, right. As if a mortar could take out the top Zoid in the Royal Cup." "Knock it off, you two," Mizuki said, cutting in. "Not only are the Ligers heading your direction, but so are the two Gunsnipers. Kanna took out the Darkhorn, but she's not nailing those other two fast enough." "So you want me to go get 'em?" Shizuka asked. "Remain where you are; lure them into your den, not lure yourself out of it," the leader of the Fire Wheels insisted. "This story's only beginning; no need to throw yourselves recklessly before the climax." Quadrant 4, 0900 Hours The Shadowfox and Lightning Saix tread carefully over the ancient stone grounds of the ruins, careful not to break a hole into the ancient sewer system. Ancient ruins such as this was an unpopular location for Zoid battles because one false step could knock a Zoid enough to freeze the computer system. Some people attributed this to shoddy engineering of Zoids in general, while others attributed it to the operating system, but one thing that was agreed upon, it happened quite frequently when falling in ruins. "Those Fire Wheels must've been crazy to pick this area as a battlefield," Brad complained. "It's as much of a hazard to them as it is for us." "They're certainly not amateurs," Jack warned. "I wouldn't take their choice of field lightly." A strong heat source registered on their computers, and both warriors guided their Zoids away from a powerful heat jet leveled at them. Without anything around to burn the flames quickly died, disappearing as suddenly as it appeared. Tracking with his computer, Brad shouted, "Salamander nearby using its flamethrower! Three o'clock!" Sure enough, the blue dragon Zoid's neck craned out from the hole where it had been hiding, large enough to conceal itself, and, most likely, also large enough for it to take off at a given instant. The Salamander's jaw opened wide, spewing another flame jet in the Shadowfox's direction, threatening to overheat the Zoid's systems. "Pretty bold of you to take us on, two-on-one!" Jack said, swinging the Lightning Saix around for a shot. Twin beams lanced across Jack's path, and the warrior tore his eyes from his target long enough to recognize the Salamander's backup: the violet Redler, mounted with twin pulse cannons, having emerged from its own hiding hole. "I'd say this'd even the odds," Ayame, the Redler pilot, said. Jack snorted. "Interesting. You think you can keep up with my Lightning Saix?" "Jack, behind you!" Brad warned. Just in the nick of time the Lightning Saix leaped forward, then broke off in a sprint as a third attacker appeared-- the Sinker-- from behind. "Nope," Johan said, "I'll be the one that dances the highway with you!" "Hmph, three-on-two now, huh?" Brad noted, amused. "I didn't know I was that popular." Dust kicked up quickly as the Salamander took off from its hiding hole, and Brad took the opportunity to flip on the Shadowfox's smokescreen generators, hoping to make the opponents lose him in all the smoke. He kept an eye on the Redler, knowing he would have to take that out while Jack took care of the Sinker. It was then obvious why the Fire Wheels chose to duke it out in this terrain: none of the three Zoids had to deal with setting foot on the ground if they had to. The Redler was equally adept at fighting on all fours or in low-level flight, the Sinker hovered, and the Salamander's strength relied on its flight abilities. That only made the battle more interesting. Quadrant 2, 0900 Hours The Blitz Team Raynos was within his sights as the Storm Sworder rocketed toward its aerial adversary. Ziel could barely contain his excitement at the thought of getting revenge against the so-called Wild Eagle who forced them into a draw the last encounter. In his mind's eye he remembered frantically pulling up on the stick as the ground became larger in the cockpit, desperately trying to avoid a straight nose- dive plummet. Ziel barely escaped with his life, as he only remembered the Storm Sworder's nose scraping against the ground, and forcing him to flip over several times. He remembered, by the time he woke up, that his Zoid was upside-down, and the paint was scratched everywhere. He ground his teeth together, formulating plans in his mind that would bring the Raynos to a similar fate. "Raynos pilot," he broadcast, "this is your adversary! My Storm Sworder is itching to take a bite out of you." The other end came up with the cockpit view of the same guy, yet, somehow, he looked different. "Excuse me?" he said. "It took me a week to repaint this sucker," Ziel continued, "and another to polish it! Every moment of it was spent thinking of ways I could make you suffer the same fate!" Yet the kid on the other end looked like he had no idea what Ziel was talking about, and seemed ready to panic. Killing the transmission, Ziel found himself already in strike range. He thumbed the console for two light rockets, and waited for the tracking ping. The moment the Raynos was locked-on, he fired. Already the Raynos was banking away from the two missiles, and the chase began. Ziel kicked on the afterburners, moving out ahead of the rockets to take a few shots of his own, confident the radar tracking would maintain lock on the opposing Zoid. He powered on the wing blades of the Storm Sworder, rolling the stick for a sideways, vertical slash against the Raynos. Disappointed that the Raynos was making straight line escapes, Ziel kicked the afterburners on and dove for the left wing. He felt the satisfactory grind of his left wing into the Raynos' wing, followed by the dual impact of the two missiles. Glancing out the cockpit, the Raynos was spiraling downward toward the ground, just as predicted in the best case scenario of the simulator. "This is rather disappointing," he muttered. "I expected more of a challenge." Yet, when he was ready to write-off the Raynos to plummet to its doom, it suddenly started to recover from the death dive despite damage to its left wing and engine. Smoke trailing behind, the Raynos pulled up and away from the ground below, then shot back up on afterburners. "Thought you could count me out that easily?" the familiar, cocky voice of the Raynos pilot said. "You've had your fun, and now it's my turn!" Ziel snorted. "Foolish; you're not going to beat me crippled like that, kid! Once you're out of afterburner fuel, you're history!" "Heh, guess I have to finish this quick," the Wild Eagle replied, unfazed. "It takes more than guts to win this battle!" Ziel screamed angrily. He lined up the Raynos' ascent with his gatling cannon, and squeezed the trigger. Already moving at its top speed the Raynos could do little to avoid getting pelted by the shots, yet the Storm Sworder had to compensate greatly each moment to maintain line of shot. The teal Zoid shot up and out of firing range, looping over Ziel's head for a shot in the rear. Getting a taste of his own medicine the Raynos unloaded its own hail of bullets, and Ziel spun the Storm Sworder off to the right to avoid the shots. "Ameteur!" Ziel cried, killing the thrusters and pulling the stick back. The Storm Sworder initiated a steep climb for which the Raynos was unprepared for, and shot past underneath. Ziel pushed the stick forward, only having to wait two heartbeats for the lock-on ping before unleashing a heavier missile. Although sluggish, the heavy missile propelled much faster than the lighter missiles used earlier, and easily caught up with the Raynos. The Zoid's engine erupted into flame, and Ziel was certain this time the enemy wasn't going to get another extension on life. Quadrant 3, 1000 Hours "Leena, wait up!" Harry shouted. Both Naomi and Leena looked back toward Harry's Darkhorn, lagging behind in formation. Although it looked to be in fine shape before, slowly, before their eyes, the Darkhorn collapsed under its own weight, and it pitifully dragged itself along the ground. Now, however, it seemed that it could go no further. "Geez, you're hopeless," Leena said, turning her Gunsniper around. "If it wasn't for the fact that the Judge didn't disqualify you we'd leave you behind." "You know," Naomi added, "some people think it's merciful to put a dying animal out of its misery." "T..that's cruel!" Harry protested. "Maybe, but this is even crueler!" replied an unidentified voice. "It's the Warshark!" Leena warned, alerted. This time the black fish burst out of the ground from behind the Darkhorn, using their own teammate as cover for an attack. Naomi froze for a second, but Leena was on the ball, firing both her gatling cannons without hesitating, over Harry's protests. She felt a few impacts against her own Gunsniper, but as light as they were Leena knew it wasn't the missile box this time. Sand rained over her cockpit window once again, this time directly in front of her. She felt the Gunsniper sink into the sinkhole slightly, but soon the hole plugged itself up. "I know I got her that time," she said. "Remind me why we're on the same team?" Naomi asked. "Oh, come on!" Leena protested. "Harry in the way is only good reason for them to attack us that way!" "Leena, I understand," Harry said, seemingly sure of himself. "Sure of what?" she asked. "I'm only holding you back like this," he replied. "I can't stand the thought that I would be at fault if you lost this match, so you should go ahead without me." "Harry...." "Mighty noble of you," Naomi noted. Pulling the Gunsniper away, she added, "See you." As Leena's Gunsniper followed suit, Harry lost his composure. "Hey, wait! Aren't you going to give me a good-bye kiss?" "Bye, Harry," Leena purred. "Take care of the Warshark for us." Hearing the sound of her heavenly voice, Harry mellowed out instantly. "Anything for the pursuit of love...." Seconds later, the Warshark surfaced, and put the Darkhorn out of its misery. Quadrant 4, 1000 Hours The Shadowfox leaped into the air at the oncoming Redler, ignoring its laser fire, and dove with its left Strike Claw. Metal tore through metal as the Redler passed quickly through the path of the strike, ripping armor away like a can opener. Landing hard on the stone, Brad quickly spared a glance backward, glad to see that the Redler was smoking on its right side and losing control. "The Redler's bugging out," Brad informed Jack. "Now for the Salamander!" Destruction rained from the heavens, hailing bombs all around the Shadowfox. Bracing himself, the warrior knew the Salamander had missed him, but when the ground started to give way underneath the Shadowfox he knew the aerial threat did that on purpose. * * * "Damn Shadowfox," Ayame cursed. "I'm heading back for the Dragoon Nest." "I think I got it," Shion said. "I can't tell from all the dust, though." "That's nice," Johan replied, "but how about nailing the Lightning Saix while you're at it?" Bringing the Salamander about, Shion answered, "I'm coming." An explosion rocked the flying dragon, and the warrior knew he was under attack. "God dammit, the Shadowfox is still functional." Several more shots fired from the middle of the dust cloud where the Shadowfox disappeared earlier, each taking good hits at the Salamander's fragile wings-- its obvious weak spot for such a heavy Zoid. Cursing his luck Shion brought the blue dragon into descent, pulling back against the stick for a controlled landing. * * * Jack regarded the Sinker as both his and the opposing Zoid sped across the ruin. He had no idea that a Sinker could have such a high thrust as to keep up with him, and he considered ramming its wing to tip it off balance. Such an action would probably kill the pilot, however, and it simply wasn't Jack's style. The only true advantage the manta ray Zoid had was that it didn't have to rely on contact with the ground, and that was offset by its poor balance. The Lightning Saix's guns only fired forward, which meant Jack had to get the Sinker ahead of him somehow. The other guy looked as if he had no intention of giving up on this pissing contest. Smirking, Jack braked the Lightning Saix, and the Sinker zoomed on ahead. "Right on target," he said, lining up the Sinker in his sights and firing. * * * The other Fire Wheels called him 'Warlock' because at times he seemed to weave miracles like magic, but Shion felt at a loss as the situation deteriorated quickly. The Salamander plod toward the north, away from the enemy quickly, having been grounded swiftly after underestimating the opponent. All three members of the ambush party were routed, and that looked poorly on himself as a field commander. "My drive's going to fail any minute," Johan complained. "I covered my retreat with a few missiles, but if that Lightning Saix decides to chase after me I'm through." Yet Shion was only a technician, not a strategist; his forte was not on the battlefield, but in the confines of a computer. Certainly, his tricks were implemented in all the Fire Wheel computer systems, but the damage they were suffering now was physical in nature. There was nothing he could do about that. "Pull back to the mountains, if you can," he ordered. "If we get to the Dragoon Nest we may be able to service our Zoids and get out again." * * * "Shall we go after them?" Jack asked, even though both warriors knew the answer to that question. Brad shrugged. "I want that Salamander; it's got to get me a lot of points." Quadrant 1, 1100 Hours "So Shion and Kanna failed," Mizuki said neutrally. "Don't worry, boss," Shizuka assured her, "we'll pick off the leftovers. They've been fighting for the last few hours, and we're still fresh." "Speak for yourself," Chika said, amidst the sound of mortar shots. "If I keep this up my power supply is going to run dry soon." "Have Ziel bring the Dragoon Nest closer," Shizuka asked. "Since we're all going to be in this localized area anyway, we may as well have our maintenance deck close by." "I see," the leader of the Fire Wheels said. "I'll pass it on." * * * Naomi and Leena heard the Redler pilot crying over the common link, obviously torn up at having her Zoid, already damaged in battle by something, blown full of holes by two Gunsnipers. The pair came upon the fleeing dragon on its low-level flight up the mountain, likely heading for the Dragoon Nest up north for some quick repairs. Whatever the Redler had problems with before, it wasn't going to get the chance to fight back now. "Let's go," Naomi said. "That should make up for losing the Darkhorn." "I suppose," Leena conceded, "but I don't think that was such a big loss...." * * * Cruising near the surface, the Warshark came upon the smoking wreckage of the purple Redler. Its pilot, Ayame, stood outside several meters away, staring blankly at her Zoid, oblivious to the Warshark surfacing from its burrowing mode. The once-proud royal Redler, mounted with the twin pulse lasers stripped off the Helcat, would not be able to get back up on its own power. At least, not without some good servicing. Opening the cockpit, Kanna stood up, confident that no Blitz Zoids were coming her way. "Hey, you okay?" she yelled. Turning slowly, Ayame wiped her eyes on her arm. "I'm out. You're still in; get those Gunsnipers for me." Kanna shook her head. "Wish I could. The one with the Wild Weasel unit is a lot more dangerous than I thought; she damaged the drive a bit when I was taking out the Darkhorn, so it's going slower than usual. I was thinking about going back to the Dragoon Nest and get the Maccurtis... want a lift?" Ayame snorted, then shrugged. "I guess it beats standing around out here." * * * "I see it!" Bit cried. "It's a Sea Panther!" Rushing through the bottom of the canyon, both Liger pilots looked up and ahead, to the hermit crab Zoid that stood sentinel at the top of the canyon, near the edge, its plasma mortar aimed high in the air to keep the Ligers in its area of effect. However, the distance was closing fast, and soon the Sea Panther would be in trouble. In fact, it already was. "If we take out the ground from under it, the Sea Panther will lose its height advantage," Leon suggested. "Would you do the honors?" "I thought you'd never ask!" Bit replied, readying the Liger Zero's impact cannon. Beams of energy lanced out across Bit's cockpit, exploding to his right. Bringing Liger Zero to a halt, he cast a glance toward his left, toward the assailant unseen on the tracking computers. Sure enough, emerging from behind a corner, was the black Stealth Viper. "You're the only one who can bring Chika down easily, so you have to go out," Shizuka said in greeting. "So naturally I chose you as my opponent." "I had a feeling it would be you," Bit said. "You're mine, then!" "I'll get the Sea Panther," Leon said. "Then the two can't support each other." The Stealth Viper allowed the Blade Liger to continue its path, followed by more shots missing it and blowing up dirt everywhere. It reared back its head and barred its maw, revealing polished fangs and a small launcher within. "Back then I was using a Zoid I was off with," the Viper pilot explained, "but this time it's not only my home turf, but it's my Zoid. Don't hold back on me." "I don't plan on it," Bit assured her. * * * "Oh my god!" Chika cried, near panic. "Get away from me!" She pulled the Sea Panther back, away from the cliff edge, and lowered the mortar, as the Blade Liger used its speed to make quick progress up the side of the canyon. Quickly she flipped switches to arm the missile box and smaller cannons, and aimed them toward her initial position. Instead, the red Blade Liger emerged to her left, on the blind side of her cannons. Screaming frantically, she unloaded the missile box. A cluster of small missiles launched out, each impacting the ground behind the Blade Liger as it danced around to her rear. "With such lousy support, no wonder you're going down," the enemy pilot said. Chika felt the Blade Liger ram her in the back, free to do whatever it pleased, as all the weapons were mistakenly facing forward. Each shove put her closer to the edge of the cliff, and she braced herself for the inevitable fall. "Someone help me!" she cried. * * * Jack surveyed the wreckage of the fallen Sinker, having crash landed by itself halfway up the mountain. "Well, he didn't get far." Beside his Lightning Saix, Brad's Shadowfox surveyed the area. "No sign of the Salamander. That thing is moving faster than I thought." "You may have clipped its wings, but its boosters are probably still good," the mercenary said. "That would help pick up its otherwise terrible running speed." "Don't I know it," Brad replied, remembering how terrible the Salamander's smaller cousin, the Pteras, did on the ground. "Let's meet up with Bit and the others, and then we'll deal with the Salamander." * * * Leon peeked over the edge of the cliff, and looked down at the Sea Panther, lying on the mortar side of its shell, unable to get up. The local Judge had not declared disqualification yet, indicating that the Sea Panther's computer didn't freeze from the fall, which was unusual. "All that's left is to finish the job," he told himself. "Not so fast," said another, and Leon tore his attention to the newcomer behind him. Towering over the Blade Liger was a blue Salamander, its wings folded out and its weapons pointed directly at him. Parts of the wing looked damaged in areas, indicating that it was unable to fly. While it suffered a distinct disadvantage on the ground, the Salamander was still far from helpless. "Picking on little girls?" the warrior said jokingly. "The only one who gets to do that is her brother... me!" "Hey, I'm not a little girl!" the Sea Panther pilot protested. "And you're late!" "So now it's your turn," Leon said, smiling. * * * Liger Zero Jager dashed in a wide arc around the Stealth Viper, bullets biting into the cliff wall behind it. Bit turned hard, aiming his forward cannons at the mechanical snake. The Viper slinked back against the initial barrage, but flinched hard when the shots hit their mark. The serpentine beast fell over backward behind the rock which it hid. "Gotcha!" he cried triumphantly. Without hesitating Bit guided Liger Zero around the rock, wishing to make certain that the Stealth Viper really was down. But the moment he cleared the bend, the only thing left was a quick trail in the sand left by the snake's wheels. "You've got to be kidding." His eyes followed the trail left by the Stealth Viper, trying to figure out where Shizuka ran off to, but it abruptly ended at the cliffside. Looking up and around the cliff face, he saw no sign of the Stealth Viper. * * * "Dammit," Shizuka hissed, breathing hard and heavy. The only thing keeping her in her seat was the seatbelt, as the Stealth Viper, cloaked under its secret weapon, stared down at the Liger Zero as it clung to the cliff face. The blood drained from her arms and legs, effectively freezing Shizuka in place as the Liger stared dumbfounded by the vanishing trail. So long as the Stealth Viper remained perfectly still, she couldn't break loose some rocks and draw attention to herself. So long as her body remained numb, that was not a problem. Shizuka knew she was very close to losing the battle, as the numbers showed that her Stealth Viper was no match for the armored Liger Zero at all. Over the comm she heard her mentor demand to know what happened, but Shizuka could not wrench her hand free of the controls, her fingers deadlocked along with the rest of her arm. Her lips parted, but no words formed. * * * "Something's wrong," Mizuki decided, worried that Shizuka wasn't responding. It was very likely her apprentice was frozen in shock; it seemed to occur with disturbing regularity these days. It wasn't as if it was Shizuka's fault, really; it was a psychological reaction from when their hometown was attacked by bandits using Zoids. Ten years ago Mizuki stole her dad's Guysack and fought them off skillfully. Yet, Shizuka was still a young and impressionable kid back then, and the attack left an emotional scar on her. It always happened when she was on the verge of losing, effectively equating that with dying, losing everything. The last one left. Being alone. Mizuki had to convince her that she wasn't alone. The others had to keep fighting. She keyed in the video feed from the Salamander and Sea Panther, just in time to see the Blade Liger slash the Salamander's left leg, causing it to fall over. It was more than obvious that the situation was deteriorating on every front. There was only one solution, and that was to lead the charge herself. "Kanna," she said, keying in her comm, "I'm going out." The Warshark pilot appeared on the screen, her cockpit stuffed with another passenger, Ayame. "I hope you know what you're doing," Kanna said. "You show 'em!" Ayame shouted, and Kanna winced from the noise. "I'll have to go get them before they take Chika out, too. Get Ziel to launch again, and Kanna... get Shizuka up and running again." "Roger." * * * "What happened to the Stealth Viper?" Leon asked, careful not to move over to the cliff edge where the Sea Panther fell earlier. "Beats me," replied Bit. "It just... disappeared." "While you're down there, how about taking out the Sea Panther?" he suggested. Leon heard a loud rumble. Quickly surveying the area around him, he checked the grid. "Bit! Something else is down there with you!" "What?!" * * * Bursting from the ground before the Liger Zero emerged the blue sea scorpion Zoid, its thick armor reflecting the afternoon sun. Liger Zero took several steps back involuntarily as the great beast's tail, towering overhead with its mounted charged particle cannon, stared downward. "What the heck is that?" Bit cried. "You know," he heard the pilot of the beast say, "I never intended to use this creature in battle; it would be so unfair to use a legend like Death Stinger in a fair fight." "'Death Stinger?'" he echoed. Liger Zero roared, and the pair knew they were in trouble. "Can such a thing still exist?!" "Get out of there, Bit!" Leon shouted. "You don't have to tell me twice!" Bit replied, turning Liger around and kicking on the boosters. Beams and bullets streaked past Liger Zero Jager as it attempted to flee, and fear overcame him, as Bit knew the Death Stinger was simply buying time to power up the charged particle cannon, which could fry him and Liger in one shot. Unlike previous bouts with such a weapon his confinement in the canyon only served to hamper the running room. Liger rocked as one of the beams lanced through the left booster, killing the overall running speed. He guided Liger Zero up the cliff face, hoping to hit the high ground. "I'm heading back to the Hover Cargo," Bit informed Leon. "Stay out of that thing's way until I get back!" "I'll be waiting," Leon said. * * * "That's one nasty guy," Naomi said, perching in her snipe position. Putting the Death Stinger in her sights, she aimed for the charged particle cannon, and fired. The shot only served to get the Death Stinger's attention, as the shot seemed to only bounce off the creature's tank-like armor. "I didn't even dent it?!" she hissed in disbelief. "I'll just have to show you how it's really done!" Leena declared, opening up all her missile boxes. She guided her Gunsniper near the mouth of the canyon, seeing the blue monster heading their direction. "Weasel Unit Total Assault!" Bullets and missiles rained down on the Death Stinger, converging for one huge explosion concentrated on the center of the beast. Long before the smoke cleared, Leena declared victory. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" "Leena, pay attention!" Leon ordered. "You barely scratched that thing!" "That sounds typical," she heard Brad say. "Your sister sure knows how to waste ammo." "Doesn't look like you dented it much," Jack added. "When did you guys get here?" she asked. "Heard this was where all the action was," Brad said. "Looks like we outnumber that Death Stinger thing by a lot." "Don't underestimate it," Leon warned. Sure enough, as the smoke cleared the Death Stinger was already on its way up the cliff face. Both Leena and Naomi ran their Gunsnipers in opposite directions, unwilling to fight the legendary beast directly. * * * "Get a grip of yourself, Shizuka!" Kanna shouted over the comm. "Where the hell are you?" Eyes closed, she spoke wordlessly, repeating to herself, "I'm going to die." "Come on, I know you can hear me," the other persisted. "It's not that bad! Just relax. Relax. It's going to be okay." "He SHOT me!" she screamed, and for the first time she realized she was crying. "I can't beat him!" "Stop being such a big baby!" she heard Ayame say. "You can at least still get up and move around, so do it! Avenge my Redler! Remember how to breathe!" "Just calm down," Kanna insisted. "It's not any different from the other battles. So what if he's won the Royal Cup. So what if his Zoid can turn your Zoid into snake skin. That's not what you're good at. Just remember to calm down, relax, take a few breaths, and go help Mizuki and Chika. Ziel's on his way out, so you're not alone this time. Do what you do best." Shizuka swallowed her words, forcing herself to count her breaths. She opened her eyes, stared down at the ground in front of her, and noticed that the Liger Zero was gone. "Hit and run," she told herself, knowing it was now high time to utilize the cloaking field to its fullest extent as a secret weapon. * * * "It's moving much better than in simulations," Mizuki noted, having cleared the canyon. The Gunsniper that attacked her earlier had retreated back a distance, regrouping along with another Gunsniper, a Lightning Saix, and the Shadowfox unique Zoid. The Blade Liger was also coming up from behind, but the Liger Zero was retreating to its home Hover Cargo. She deployed the extra blades on the Zoid's claws, and opened up the rear missile boxes. "Come on, Death Stinger. Let's see if you can surpass simulation further!" The enemy Zoids were all taking snipe shots at her, but the Death Stinger heavy armor deflected the attacks easily. Mizuki launched a flurry of missiles at each of them, forcing each of them to scatter. By this time the Blade Liger was already approaching melee range, so she switched on the rear cannons and fired to keep it away. She thought better of it, and brought the Zoid around to face off against the Blade Liger, her own blades ready. "Come on," she purred, "prove to me the lion type is superior after all!" The red Blade Liger deployed its infamous blades, and rushed head-on. Mizuki raised the right claw to meet the joust, and held it in place to parry the Blade Liger. Much to her surprise, however, she felt nothing as the Blade Liger's right blade snapped clean off in the first pass, despite its power charge. "That was... a little too easy," she noted, turning the Death Stinger around as the other Zoids kept shooting at her. The Blade Liger fell on its side, but was getting up quickly. She looked to the right claw's extended blade. "It didn't even dent it." She brought the sonic wave cannon turret on the Zoid's back to bear on the Blade Liger, and fired. An invisible wave of force, visible only on sensors and through the dust, blew the red Zoid off into the distance, and down into the canyon. Mizuki shook her head, disappointed. Turning to face the others, she found they were scattering. "If I could take out one of their best this easily, then the rest, other than the Liger Zero, are no match for me." She pulled back the controls, raising Death Stinger's claws up and down. "We don't have time to play with small fries." Activating the burrowing mechanism, she raised the comm for the rest of the Fire Wheels. "The Liger Zero is mine. The rest are yours. Take 'em out." * * * Leena maneuvered her Gunsniper back down into the canyon, hoping to ditch the Death Stinger by hiding from view. Thumbing the comm, she said, "Leon, are you okay?" "Yeah, I think so," he replied, shaky. "I don't think Blade Liger can take much...." There was a loud explosion, and the comm went dead. Before she could have time to worry about what happened the local Judge announced that Leon was no longer able to battle. "What the heck?!" she cried. Fate chose the moment to dish out a similar fate as a plasma mortar hit her Gunsniper dead-on. * * * "That's two," Chika announced, having gotten her Sea Panther back in an upright position. While sitting at the bottom of the canyon limited her field of attack, and limited her scanning computer's range, it also obscured her from being a target to something like the red Gunsniper. Over her head, the crippled Salamander, with her brother at the helm, continued to give her a tactical feed. While the Blade Liger did manage to kill its left leg the Salamander was still kicking, if unable to move quickly. Only Mizuki's timely appearance on the battlefield prevented the Salamander from being finished off completely. "That's good," Shion encouraged. "Lay low for a couple minutes; the others are sure to be cautious now. It doesn't help to fire continuously like that." "I know," she replied. Continuing his guidance, he added, "Herd the red Gunsniper to the following coordinates...." Not knowing what Shion was up to, unable to see what he saw in the computer, Chika resigned herself to trusting him. She squeezed the trigger, launching another plasma shell. * * * Naomi Fluegel's heart raced as the plasma shell barely missed her Zoid, but three shots was good enough to triangulate the Sea Panther's current position. She spied the crippled Salamander on the cliff just above the hermit crab, and when she was certain she was out of range from its attacks Naomi assumed the sniper position. Aiming for the rocks just beneath the Salamander, she declared, "It would be poetic justice if you knocked out your own partner...." A split second before she could squeeze the trigger, however, the power seemed to drain from the Gunsniper. Alarmed, she pulled out of her snipe position, and checked the computers, but found that they had died suddenly. "This can't be happening...." * * * The needle-like projectile was the only true evidence of any attack on the red Gunsniper, as it stood there dead in its tracks, its computer crashed. Well, that was what the Lancer was for, anyhow-- it delivered a operating system command glitch that caused the standard Zoid computer to crash, and is the tech geek Shion's finest weapon, once you got past the Crash Guard program installed in each of the Fire Wheel Zoids. Standing right in front of the Gunsniper, cloaked under field, Shizuka turned her Stealth Viper about to search for another target-- preferably the Liger Zero. * * * "Where'd that Death Stinger go?" Brad shouted, scanning the area around him, but picking up nothing but disappearing Blitz Team blips. It was very apparent that, after taking on five Zoids at once, the Death Stinger was no pushover, and the Panzer unit was the only thing that had enough firepower to break through the hardened tank armor. Yet, while the Jager was quick the Panzer was very slow, and so Brad retreated toward the Hover Cargo to regroup. Apparently, Jack decided to do the same, but on a different route. He then picked up an enemy blip on the computer, and Brad had only seconds to maneuver out of the way as sand flew in the sky. The enemy Warshark fired down on him from the air, missing with each shot as the Shadowfox was too quick, then submerging again. "I don't have time for this!" he cried, keeping his eye on the computer for the Warshark's next entry attack. He brought the Shadowfox to a halt, intending to rely on the turret to attack. It was coming from the left. The Shadowfox hopped forward once, bringing the turret to bear, and fired. Brad was rewarded with black plumes of smoke as he nailed the Warshark the moment it surfaced, beating back its attack run, and slowing it to a halt. "That's another down," he said, satisfied. Quadrant 2, 1300 Hours Jack snorted in amusement as the Storm Sworder appeared from behind his Lightning Saix. "So you want to play the speed game with me?" He accelerated, pushing against the sound barrier as much as possible as the Storm Sworder continued to gain on him. The human body could withstand only so much at such speeds, and it seemed to Jack that the pilot was draining himself just trying to catch up to him. Jack was betting that the Storm Sworder would exhaust himself a lot sooner than himself. Bullets flared from behind, but too slow to hit the Lightning Saix. Jack jockeyed the stick left and right, weaving around obstacles and avoiding the Storm Sworder's attacks easily. He almost wished he was up against the Sinker again. A few moments later the Storm Sworder's speed seemed to slow, and that was indication to Jack that the pilot exhausted himself. Slowing the Lightning Saix as he turned Jack oriented his cannons on the silver Zoid, and squeezed off several shots. Each shot hit their mark, and the Storm Sworder wavered in its flight as it zoomed past him without attacking. Looking over his shoulder, Jack celebrated quietly. "Have a nice landing." * * * "How could the situation get this bad so quickly?" Bit wondered, the Liger Zero Panzer moving out just ahead of the Hover Cargo. "Only Brad and Jack are left." According to the Judge information, the Fire Wheels now only had four Zoids left, as the Storm Sworder only moments before was disqualified. According to Leon the Salamander was crippled, but not out, and add the Sea Panther to the list of 'deal with later,' as it could not move very fast. That left the Stealth Viper and Death Stinger, whenever they arrive. "That Stealth Viper's probably cowering in the rocks as usual," he reasoned, "so that only leaves the Death Stinger." "How perceptive," he heard someone say, and Bit jumped in surprise as said Zoid emerged from the sand, its gun ports opening quickly. "So, how 'bout we get this pissing contest over with?" "You won't be so cocky soon enough!" he countered. Standing his ground, he allowed the Death Stinger to unload ammunition on him, as the Panzer armor easily deflected such minor offerings. Bit squeezed off a few shots of his own, but they were having similar effectiveness against the Death Stinger's armor. The only thing he really worried about was the charged particle cannon, which could fry his Panzer armor in an instant. Well, the whole Zoid, he amended. "Charging Hybrid Cannon!" he announced, and the Liger Zero arched its back as its shoulder mounted cannons powered up. Bit felt the chargeup build on both sides of the cockpit as Liger braced itself against the dirt for the inevitable kickback, but his confidence faltered as the Death Stinger started moving out of Liger's forward attack arc. The blast of the Hybrid Cannons blew Liger Zero back several meters, unleashing deadly bolts that flew past the Death Stinger, past where it used to be right before the chargeup. "Give me a break," the Fire Wheel said, "do you seriously think I'm going to stand still for that?" "It used to work before," Bit replied. Liger Zero roared. "Alright, Liger," he said, speaking to his Zoid, "you think we should attack the armor behind the cockpit, too? I agree!" "Bit, wait up!" he heard Brad shout, and the Shadowfox appeared behind the Death Stinger. "No use wasting all that ammo on the party if you don't have backup, kid," Jack added, his Lightning Saix appearing to the right. "Glad you two could make it!" Bit replied. "Attack the soft spot I make." Liger Zero prepared for the attack, and Bit squeezed the trigger. "Burning Bigbang!" All at once Liger Zero seemed to heat up as all the missiles and explosives launched at once, concentrating on a single point in the Death Stinger's armor. But the moment the missiles cleared, as if on reaction, Bit felt a shock blowing against Liger Zero, probably from the sonic wave cannon, knocking him and partner back and away. He got up as the smoke billowed over him, and gunfire from both the Shadowfox and Lightning Saix gave Bit the indication his attack was successful. Jettisoning the Panzer armor, Liger roared triumphantly, but it was cut short, turning into a cry of pain. "What is it, Liger?!" Bit cried, concerned. The computer responded by showing him a schematic of Liger Zero, then diagramming a needle-like projectile sticking out of its exposed left. "What the heck is that?!" "Liger Zero is most vulnerable after its Panzer transformation after it unloads its ammo," he heard a familiar voice say, calmly. "I reviewed the tapes of the Royal Cup, and that much is apparent to me." "Shizuka," he hissed, although he could not detect the Stealth Viper. He brought Liger about to retreat to the Hover Cargo for the Schneider armor, but the controls felt sluggish. "Darn it, why are we going so slow, Liger?" "Looks like your Zoid's resistant to the Lancer," the enemy pilot continued, as the smoke thinned. This time Bit could see the Stealth Viper, its maw open, revealing a cannon with another harpoon weapon within. "I'll just have to pin you up a bit more." "Oh come on," Bit complained, "at least let me get some decent armor." "I still owe you for the last time," Shizuka said, puncturing Liger Zero with another Lancer. "I'm disgusted; how could YOU win the Royal Cup when you keep playing around with such bold tactics as this?" She unloaded several more Lancers into Liger Zero, and with each shot Liger grew less responsive and the painful howls seemed to dull, as if it was getting used to the pain. Bit protested against the controls, knowing he had to make it back to the Hover Cargo to stand a chance against the Stealth Viper. Without armor he was just as weak as the snake Zoid. Risking a glance behind him, he was flabbergasted that the Death Stinger was still standing, and was only lowering its claws after having just clobbered the Shadowfox and Lightning Saix with its blade attacks. "How are we supposed to beat such a monster?!" he wondered. "That thing's like the Berserk Fury; could it be an Ultimate X?" A viewscreen flared to life, revealing the mug of the Fire Wheels' leader. "'Ultimate X?' Tell me, Liger Zero pilot, what is this?" "You ought to know," he replied. "You know, black box, organoids, Zoid learns from mistakes... stuff like that." "'Black box?'" she echoed. "Hardly. We went over this thing eight times, and there wasn't anything like an organoid in this thing." * * * Colonel Martin was shocked, stunned, as he listened in on the conversation, tapping into the line from his listening post just outside the battlefield. "What does she mean, not an 'Ultimate X?' That's impossible!" Yet, in the legends, the greatest Zoid pilots used organoids to augment their abilities, but there also existed warriors who fought without such things. Some saw it as an unfair advantage, some thought it got in the way of the purity of the Zoid. Or some people were just so good they didn't need one to unlock a Zoid's full potential. Like this Mizuki, perhaps? It would take someone of extraordinary talent to harness such thing as a Death Stinger so well without assistance. * * * "I'm sorry to say, I don't feel as if I've won this battle," Mizuki continued. "Six years ago I intended to lead the charge to victory with my partner, my father's Guysack that is no longer with us... not this horrid, overpowering beast. What was I thinking?" She closed her eyes. "Judge, I request a withdra...." "Mizuki, you can't do that," Shizuka protested. "Even though you're our leader, you're only cheating the rest of us if you surrender now. Why are you throwing away OUR accomplishments because of your selfish reasoning that you don't feel good about the fight?" The leader chuckled. "Just as your pride dictates you have to beat the Liger Zero with a Stealth Viper, so does my pride dictate I haven't won." "But that's different," the apprentice countered. "The former was a personal vendetta; the latter takes the rest of our fates into your hands." "There's no reason for you to surrender," Bit added, jumping in on the conversation. "You guys took advantage of us at each opportunity, exploiting all our weaknesses we still have as warriors. Sure, we won the Royal Cup, but that doesn't mean you guys are worse than us; you might even be better." "He's right," Shizuka said in agreement. "We didn't train for six years and lose both times because we are bad warriors. We ARE good. You were exceptional even when you still had the Guysack, and you're phenominal with the Death Stinger; you don't overhandle it or waste its potential at all, like newbie kids would do. Newbies would depend entirely on the charged particle cannon, and you haven't fired a single shot of it and still beat five Zoids at once. The Death Stinger's greatest strength is its phenominal defense; all the fancy-pants weapons are just icing on the cake." Mizuki was surprised at the two of them. "You guys are crazy," she said, smiling. She killed the transmission to the Judge. "I pushed all of you guys hard because I wanted to prove we were the best. I couldn't convince myself that we were ever good enough, or even great. You're right; we don't need recognition and praise to know we're good." "I hope to meet challenges like this in Class S," he continued. "If anything, thanks for the wake-up call; better we see it now than later, huh?" Bit added with a laugh. But then Shizuka was noticing the Liger Zero was still slinking off to the Hover Cargo. Her guns spinning to life, she hissed, "Oh come on, you're not getting off THAT easily." * * * It was now obvious to Martin why the Stealth Viper girl and the Liger Zero pilot beat him the other time: they really were good warriors. He chuckled to himself, wondering if the Backdraft Group would be in its current state if it had more skillful warriors in lieu of money-grubbing noblemen. Martin sighed, realizing something plainly obvious: the Backdraft Group has outlived its usefulness. It could do nothing to compete against true warriors of skill, as the Blitz Team proved time and again in numerous unsanctioned battles. Disabling the transmissions, Colonel Martin, formerly of the Backdraft Group, turned to his gathered remaining soldiers of the defunct organization. Some of them were his own Raijin Team, others from different teams lost in the mixup of the power struggle, but all looked toward him, the highest-ranking officer, for direction. "We aren't worthy to harness such a superior power," he declared. "It's obvious to me that the Death Stinger already has its best pilot. I think it's best if we don't bother those people any longer... and find another way to achieve our destiny." ----------------------------------------------- Author's Rant This is a wrap-up to the battles against the Fire Wheels, due to lack of reader interest and my decision to move on. Ah well, when the muse strikes again.... Thank you for reading. -- Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html 4. Cast List Zoids: Call of the Fire Cast List Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Zoids, I am borrowing the names, settings, etc. under fair use and without making a profit. This work cannot be sold for profit or retransmitted and reposted without my express permission. ------------------------------------------------ The Fire Wheels Mizuki. AKA The Boss. Leader of the Fire Wheel Team. Owns and operates a black Guysack that once belonged to her father. Her father was a competent warrior who fought to earn money for the family in their poor village. She secretly trained herself to pilot the Zoid, which eventually came out into the open when bandits using Zoids raided the village. After chasing them off, Mizuki eventually won her father's approval to enter Zoid battles herself. Mizuki distinguished herself fighting by herself for a time, until she encountered the wanted criminal Shion by chance. Eventually the two decided to join forces, and suddenly Mizuki had a number of resources available to her in order to start her own team. Two years after formally creating the Fire Wheels she attempted to take the Royal Cup, but failed early on in the competition. She plans on winning the next Royal Cup, training her warriors and herself hard to make up for their obvious deficiencies after waking-up to the thought that they weren't as good as they thought they were. Mizuki is haunted by this failure and pledges to win the next Royal Cup if it's the last thing she does. A talented warrior Mizuki uses the aging Guysack with fierce loyalty, unwilling to settle for anything else. She wishes to use her talents to bring prosperity to her family and her village, using any excess prize money to help promote the impovrished children of her hometown to a better life. It is speculated that if she used a stronger Zoid her ability may be unmatched. Shizuka. AKA Silencer. Stealth Warrior. The Stealth Viper pilot hails from the same village as Mizuki; she was but a child when bandits raided it, and it left a strong emotional scar on her, orphaned. However, even early on in her career Mizuki recognized that Shizuka could become a fine warrior if trained properly, if only she could harness her fear and turn it into a weapon. Shizuka did not start piloting until after the encounter with Shion; she chose the cloaking device- equipped Stealth Viper as a mirror of her battle philosophy: strike when they least expect it. Under Mizuki's tutelage she miraculously defeats opponents much stronger than her, creating fantastic upsets in many battles. She has, to date, never used the cloaking device in battle, at the insistence of Kanna. On the battlefield Shizuka is quick on her feet and is able to come up with daring plans at times, despite her usual 'missing a few screws' personality. However, such a gifted warrior has one major weakness: she has a tendancy to go into shock. Due to the raid during her childhood Shizuka goes into shock out of fear of being the last one left alive, and then dying alone. If she does go into shock, Shizuka is almost useless for the rest of the battle-- the only way out of this is if someone (usually Mizuki) can snap her out of it. While her teammates try to help her recover and conquer it Shizuka finds it impossible to overcome. Therefore, her primary motivation to battle is to overcome this irrational reflex reaction. She looks up to Mizuki as both her mentor and her hero, and treats Kanna like an elder sister. Shizuka is also slightly jealous of Chika, having a crush on Shion, as Shion tends to pick on his sister more than her. Kanna. AKA Spider. Battle Tactician. This cunning pilot was attracted to the Fire Wheel base after learning of her friend Shion's alliance with Mizuki. She initially used Maccurtis exclusively until she learned that a Warshark can be modified to burrow under the sands of Zi. Kanna treats her Warshark like a submarine in absence of many bodies of water, even though she is arguably stronger with Maccurtis. With the Warshark, however, she utilizes hit-and-run tactics unavailable to the slower Maccurtis. Her combat style favors no casualties, as she is obsessed with devising the flawless battle strategy. Kanna is a brilliant strategist and tactician; her tactics are nearly foolproof as she dedicates much time on researching means to win. However, she is also slow to think, meaning that opponents can capitalize on her weakness by issuing battles earlier than she can compensate for. She is not known for coming up with strategies on the fly like Mizuki and Shizuka. Kanna gets upset when plans don't go her way. As second-in-command of the Fire Wheels Kanna has just as much authority as Mizuki. She treats Shizuka like a younger sister and watches over her paternally, wishing to cultivate her cunning in Kanna's image. Shion. AKA Warlock. Technician. Owner of the abandoned military facility the Fire Wheels now use as their base of operations, and pilots a Salamander. His abilities as a warrior are below average, and the Zoid and his technical expertise make up for this. Thoroughly hating the way Zoids freeze up all the time he wrote a program that helps guard against system crashes, effectively boosting durability of the computers by 50%. Shion also learned a great deal about the standard Zoid Operating System, and knows how to successfully trigger a crash in all but the latest system upgrades. Shion is known under alias as a cyber terrorist by the Zoid Battle Commission for computer crimes, and is not at all eager to draw attention to himself. He protests against the stranglehold the ZBC has over all walks of society, as nearly everything on Zi revolves around their organization. To that end he augments the Fire Wheel Zoids with better computer programs and viral weaponry (used sparingly in case the ZBC becomes suspicious) in order to get his message across. Shion supports maintaining a small army could accumulate enough strength to challenge the ZBC one day. His current guise, hiding under the ZBC's collective noses as a lowly warrior, helps protect him from discovery. Of the Fire Wheels he is the most sympathetic to the Backdraft cause, but only in that they, too, oppose the ZBC. Shion would much rather eliminate Zoid battles entirely and focus on revitalizing the deserts of Zi, feeling that the ZBC is ignoring the core problem of the planet and hiding it by distracting the people with such wasteful battles that continue to destroy the landscape. Rowan. AKA Ziel. Mechanic. A loner who transforms into a boastful braggart in the cockpit. He loves his Storm Sworder so much that he spends all of his free time polishing its armor or adding new parts, essentially treating it like people would treat their favorite car. Being a 'Zoid' person he naturally became friends with Shion, who held many Zoids under his possession. Ziel loves flying, plain and simple. Egotistically he believes he's the best fighter pilot in the world, and isn't afraid to prove it to anyone that challenges such a notion. He paints marks for each target he shoots down in battle on the side of his Storm Sworder. Johan. AKA The Dance Man. Mercenary Speed Demon. Obsessed with speed, therefore modified a Sinker to break the sound barrier. He does not enjoy high atmospheric flight nor does he enjoy the bumping around in bipedal/quadrupedal Zoids, as Johan tends to get sick in the stomach. He won't admit this, however. Johan was the last member to join the current group of Fire Wheels and therefore does not share the same dreams as Mizuki as the others tend to; Johan was more interested in accessing their facilities and equipment. Johan used to belong to a bandit gang, but left after its members chased him out for making his Sinker better than the others'. Convinced they were jealous of his abilities, he sold his services to the Fire Wheels, owing no true allegience to Mizuki's cause. He feels winning the Royal Cup will wipe the smug faces off of his old gang. For a brief time he broke off from the Fire Wheels and formed his own team, the Stardust Team, after a heated argument with Mizuki over the use of financial resources. He is later coerced back when the Fire Wheels rectify their financial situation, lured by the promises of money. Ayame. AKA Ferret. Aerial Support. She joined after the Fire Wheels lost the Royal Cup the first time, and pilots a standard, violet Redler. True to form she uses it for low atmospheric passes with her tail-mounted switchblade, which is difficult to avoid when the opponent is distracted. Ayame favors gang-up situations in her favor and does poorly in single combat; others tend to make up for her lack of personal ability in battle. Ayame serves as the cohesive force on the team, holding all the clashing personalities together most of the time with her simplistic personal charm. She goes nuts when people fight and make the organization dysfunctional. A good friend of Chika, who is the most rational, down-to-earth member of the Fire Wheels. Chika. AKA Weasel. Long-range Attacker. Her favored Zoid is the Cannon Tortoise because she is afraid of close-range combat; Chika would prefer to hit people from afar before they get close enough to hurt her. Ability not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination, and she questions why she is even on the team, when she is arguably the worst warrior on the team. Chika's advantage, however, is that opponents tend to underestimate her, as she strikes hard by the time they forget she's even around. Chika mildly dislikes her older brother Shion for teasing her, and is at odds with Shizuka because she makes fun of her for some reason. She gets bent out of shape when people mess around with her like that. The most 'normal' of the eccentric Fire Wheels. The Raijin Team (Backdraft Group) Colonel Martin. Leader of the Raijin Team. One of the highest-ranking officers in the Backdraft organization Martin leads the elite Raijin Team, which is at odds with the more skillful Fuma Team. He competes with the Fuma Team for the honor of being the organization's most valuable team, but the ninja-like warriors always seem to oust him somehow. Martin is a model soldier dedicated to the Backdraft Group, and fiercely defends its interests. He would like nothing better than to become a member of the Committee of Seven, however, in order to exert a more military bend in the organization. While his team tends to use Rev Raptors and cloaking device- equipped Helcats, Martin himself uses a souped-up Glaive Quama. ----------------------------------------------- Author's Rant Short reference list for the Fire Wheels. -- Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com) http://www.angelfire.com/art/rcxshizuka/index.html End file.

Call of the Fire by Razorclaw X

Zoids

FOR NEV :P THER IS A HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THIS THER IS A HIDDEN MESSAGE IN THIS Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out of Nev and makes her cum!! Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out Cock goes in cock comes out End file.

FOR NEV :P by woopitsjoely

Zoids

All Mixed Up This is just some random idea that ran through my head that I just had to get out. I know it makes no sense whatsoever (It's not even supposed to!) and I will be the first to admit that I'm not that much of a writer. This will probably leave me with a bunch of flames but I don't care. Disclaimer: I do not own Zoids, and probably never will. In case you can't tell, thoughts: '' while speech: "" * * * Jamie woke up late in the afternoon as the sun's rays hit him dead on through the window. He stretched and yawned before getting up out of the bed with a glance at the clock, which the alarm hadn't gone off, and almost immediately woke as he thought, 'My alarm didn't go off! ...I wonder why Bit hasn't thrown Leena into one of her tantrums yet.' This, of course, made him curious. As he got dressed he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, it had become so habitual to wake up to Leena screaming at Bit as she chased him around for one thing or another that he never had to set an alarm clock. So he headed out of his room and headed to the kitchen, expecting the mayhem to start any moment as he neared the kitchen door. After he heard voices coming from inside he stopped, it definitely wasn't the usual. "Go ahead and eat all the cookies you want to Bit, I don't mind." Said a voice that only could have belonged to Leena. 'Is she sick or something?' Jamie couldn't imagine what might have gotten into Leena. 'She _never _offers Bit any of her cookies.' "Really?! You mean it? I can eat as many as I want to? Alright!" came Bit's response, followed up by a sound that could only be Bit scarfing down a cookie. "Thanks Leena!" Jamie could only stand there and blink before coming back to reality, even though it hardly felt like it, as he walked into the kitchen. "Umm... Good morning" Jamie said as he glanced at the giant pile of cookies that he could only assume was the whole stash. "Mornin Jamie, hey where were you for breakfast this morning?" Asked Bit between a mouthful of cookies. "Yeah we were worried about you. It's not like you to sleep in." Leena followed Bit's lead and took a bite of another cookie. "Yeah I'm sure that's it, you probably just waited at the table wondering when the food would show up." Jamie headed towards the cupboards and started pouring himself some cereal. Seeing as it was already too late for breakfast he wouldn't even bother with that. "Oh come on Jamie, we could have lived without breakfast. Besides we made our own." Bit smiled as he finished a cookie only to start on another one. Jamie stayed silent. 'Okay, something is seriously wrong here." Jamie poured the milk and got out a spoon before sitting at the table and ate silently, watching the two going back and forth. Both being uncharacteristically nice. "Oh Bit, I never thanked you for pushing me out of the way of the Helcat's line of fire in the last battle, those missiles would have costed me quite a bit in repairs." Now Jamie could only stare silently at the two Zoid pilots. 'Leena thanking... Bit?' "Hey it was no prob, I couldn't just let them hit you ya know." Not even finished with his cereal, a still stunned Jamie got up and started getting ready to do the dishes until Bit noticed and started talking. "Hey Jamie, why don't you let me handle that?" Jamie stood completely still, stunned. 'Bit had offered to do dishes? With nothing to force him to ask in the first place?' Jamie started walking towards the kitchen door. "I-I think I need to lay down for a bit." With that he started hurrying towards his room, his eyes staring at the ground. Before he got out of earshot he heard Leena make a comment to Bit. "You think he's alright? He seemed a bit out of it." "Morning Jamie." Jamie looked up off the ground and straight at Brad, who was holding the usual coffee mug, although it appeared to be empty. He didn't look like his usual self, but he also didn't seem to be going crazy either. 'Finally! Something normal!' "Good morning Brad. You know what's up with Bit and Leena?" Jamie hoped that Brad could shed some light on the situation. "What's wrong with them? I have no idea what's wrong with them. But I can tell you what's wrong with this base." Brad got a look of anxiety on his face. "We're all out of coffee! How can I make it through the day without my precious coffee!?" Jamie started backing away from Brad slowly, a nervous chuckle escaping his throat as Brad was getting a more and more crazed look by the second. 'Ok... So much for Brad being normal today.' "Well why don't you just umm... go to the store and buy some more?" "Buy some more, yes that would be the perfect plan wouldn't it. But no, my Shadow Fox wouldn't get me there fast enough, I need coffee now... But perhaps..." Brad looked up at Jamie and started heading towards the hanger. Jamie suddenly got nervous about Brad. Knowing that the Liger Zero wouldn't let Brad control him and that Leena's Gun Sniper couldn't even keep up with the full speed of the Shadow Fox, Jamie came up with one conclusion. "NOOOO! NOT MY RAYNOS!!" Kicking it into high gear, Jamie got there seconds too late to see Brad flying off in the Raynos and headed towards the nearest town, breaking the sound barrier on his way there. Leaving Jamie standing in the hot desert sun, utterly perplexed by how his day was going so far. After a few minutes of staring after his Raynos, Jamie finally started moving again. Head down, feet hardly coming off the floor. Once again his Zoid had been taken by a member of his own team. "What is with everyone today. It's like I stepped into another world or something. I gotta find Doc, maybe he knows what's going on here." "What was that Jamie?" Doctor Toros walked up to Jamie. He looked very pleased with himself. "Do you have any idea what's going on with Bit and Leena?" "What makes you think that somethings wrong?" "Well, Leena was sharing her cookies with Bit. I mean she actually said that he could have as many as he wanted." "And that means something is wrong... Why?" Jamie sweatdropped as the Doc started walking again until he made it to the hanger doors. "Doc, do you even pay attention to Bit and Leena?" "Of course I do, they've been together for a couple weeks now." Jamie's eyes went wide. 'Did he just say they were... Together?' "I think... I think I'm going to go lay down for a bit." "You alright Jamie? You haven't even seen my surprise." The doc shielded his eyes as sand started kicking up in the distance. After a few seconds a Gustav carrying a large cargo crate pulled up to the base. "Doc... What did you buy?" The doc turned to Jamie and laughed, ignoring the question as he walked up to the driver and signed the sheet, handing him the money as well. "Doc... What did you buy and how much is this going to set us back?" Jamie stared as the cargo crate opened up when the Gustav drove away. Sitting inside was four 108 mm cannons stared back at him. "These are the new Impact Cannons. I saw them in the catalog and I just couldn't help myself. They would be the perfect addition to your Raynos!" The doc seemed adamant about not talking about the money involved. Jamie sighed and lowered his head. 'Well at least the Doc seems to be acting normal today.' "But if you don't like it Jamie we can send it back." '... I spoke too soon.' Jamie stared at Doctor Toros before just turning and started to walk away. 'First Leena shares her cookies and thanks Bit for saving her... Bit offers to do dishes.. Then Brad goes crazy and takes my Raynos to get some coffee. Now I learn that Leena and Bit are dating and Doc's offering to send back parts?' "WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND HERE!!" "Jamie... What's your Raynos doing on the news?" Jamie looked up and saw Bit looking out the door at him. He quickly ran into the room and stared at the tv where a pretty new reporter was standing on the scene. "Earlier today, a crazed coffee enthusiast crash landed a green Raynos into the heart of New Hope City. The Raynos has been identified as a Zoid registered to the Blitz team and the pilot has been identified as Brad Hunter, a mercenary working for the Blitz team." Jamie stared at the tv, not taking in any of the words the reporter was saying but just staring at his crashed Raynos. "You alright Jamie?" Jamie turned towards the couch to see Leena and Bit cuddling on the couch. He blinked before heading out the door. "Yeah I just need some sleep I guess." He headed to his room and layed down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Seconds later he heard a crashing sound. "BIT CLOUD COME BACK HERE WITH THAT COOKIE!!" The unmistakable sound of Leena chasing Bit around the base came through his door and invaded his room. He jolted awake and looked around. The sun was down and the clock claimed that it was in the middle of the night, Jamie relaxed and layed back down. "That had to be the weirdest dream I ever had. Good thing it's over." Jamie closed his eyes when a loud CRACK echoed through the base as Leena once again massacred Bit's spine. And Jamie was soon asleep again. * * * If you could read it all until you got to the ending, I congratulate you. As I've stated I'm not much of a writer but I hope to get better as I write more and more. Flames are expected, but good reviews (As improbable as that seems) are welcome as well. Till next time, The Pitbull End file.

All Mixed Up by Knight of Rust

Zoids

From Me to You From Me to You a one-shot.. Twenty-seven days had past. Twenty-seven fucking days, and he still couldn't get over her. Their fight seemed so stupid and trivial now, why the hell did he ever let her go? Letting her go, dammit that was the one thing he had promised he would never do. He said he would never make her cry! That nothing she could ever do could make him stop loving her! Not even for one second. And yet, for that one second, he thought he had lost her. And he ran. Dammit he ran so fast away from her, his head was still spinning. Bit Cloud knew that that girl would someday be the end of him, but he never saw it coming like this. Sitting in a darkened room, too tired too move. You couldn't tell he was tired at first glance, no, he still tried to remain carefree and happy. But he knew it was all just an act. And anyone that looked into his eyes could see that as well. His soul was gone now, his eyes dark and lifeless. The rest of him had been stretched so thin, in a pathetic effort to conceal the emptiness. The dark abyss that once housed his light-hearted soul. He didn't even know if he even had the strength left to cry anymore. His eyes yearend for the wetness again, as if it was somehow supposed to make him feel better or something. But it never did. He sometimes thought that maybe this was just a phase, another phase that would blow through eventually. But he never expected this. Not in a million years. He was only seventeen for Christ's sake! He wasn't supposed to fall in love! That part comes later in life! Not now dammit! A time where he isn't destined to screw things up by raging hormones and dumb arguments. Sometimes, he would see her walking the halls of the base, and it took everything he had not to go up to her and kiss her again. To take her in his arms and tell her everything. How sorry he was, how much of a dammed fool he was, how much he loved her. But, day by day, she got better. She moved on. He, he was stuck, and the worst part was that he got himself stuck. Bit looked around his room, his body slumped against the door again. He couldn't find the strength to make it too his bed, besides, this place was as good as any. He hadn't slept in nights, it just wouldn't come anymore. The dark circles under his eyes were starting to become his new look, people began to become accustomed to this. He couldn't remember the last time he had changed his clothes, he could tell he needed a new shirt, but he couldn't remember where to find one again. This used to be so easy, life that is, now, now everything was a challenge. The only thing that he could remember was her, her and that stupid argument. The fucking argument that put him here in the first place. Slumped against a doorway, pleading desperately with himself to cry again. He felt a hard shove against his door, he just slumped his head to one side, unwilling to move. Another shove came, this one even harder, his body moved with the door, now laying on his side just away from it. A little crack of light came into his room, his eyes squinted and burned from the sudden light. "Bit," Brad kneeled down besides him, pushing him over so he could see his face. Bit just looked at him, lifeless. He didn't have the power left anymore to put on that happy front. Leena wasn't here anyways, he was the only one who he didn't want to see him like this. "Bit, man, I'm sorry, but you need to get over this." Bit avoided his friend's piercing stare, "what if I don't wanna get over this." He mumbled, rocking his head to the side. Brad shook his head, "have you eaten anything recently?" Eaten. Food. He couldn't remember the last time he had a descent meal. Occasionally, he would fumble his way into the tiny kitchen, but he didn't want anything to eat even then. Everything reminded him of her, cookies, pancakes, sandwiches. Everything. "You have to eat something, dammit! I don't care about your stupid pride, or whatever it is that is making you like this, man! I mean, fuck," he looked at Bit and the disarray he was in, unable to find the words to finish his sentence. "There are other girls, man, it's not the end of the world. Get on with your life." "I love her," he stared blankly ahead of him, looking at the picture frame that had a picture of him and Leena in it. A tear drifted down his cheek, "as much as it hurts, I don't think I want to get over her." Brad looked down at his friend, his eyes pleading with him silently to come back, "Bit, you need to get over her, man. It's not a choice." He shook his head weakly, "I can't, you don't understand, I just can't bring myself to do it. I still can't stop myself from loving her, dammit." Brad shook his head and sighed, "I'm getting Doc, you don't look good at all, man. You need help." Bit shook his head, the tears coming quicker now, "I'm fine, just leave me, I'm fine." Brad surveyed his friend again in the light, he had lost visible weight, which was a miracle considering the fact that the blonde didn't have much of any visible fat on him. His skin was sickly pale, his breathing hoarse and heavy. "No, no, you're not fine, Bit! Stop kidding yourself! Dammit! You need help!" He ripped open the door entirely, pulling the blonde out of his prison for the first time in a couple of days. Bit groaned at the sudden blast of light, but too weak to bother fighting Brad. The older pilot dragged him out of his room by his feet, just dragging him through the hallways. He knew that there was no other way of getting Bit to move out of his room. He would have stayed there until the end of the world, in fact, at this rate, might have welcomed death. That's what scared him, he didn't know what was going on inside Bit's head anymore. Bit just laid there, lifeless. Tears the only thing running from his eyes anymore, it was amazing that he could even muster that out of his eyes. "Doc! Doc!" Brad yelled, trying to get Doc's attention, "Doc! Where the hell are you!" Doc ran up to where Brad stood, dragging Bit behind him, "what's the matter," he paused, surveying the scene in front of him, "oh my god, what happened?" Brad shook his head, "he needs help, Doc, he's still not over it. I finally dragged him out of his room, he's dying in there." Doc nodded, "come on, let's get him to the hospital," he said sternly, grabbing Bit's hands and lifting him upwards. Bit felt his mind begin to slowly fade to black, images began to blur in his eyes. He could hear mumbled words, but nothing was making any sense anymore. "Bit! Oh my god! Bit!" Leena ran in, hearing the commotion of Brad and her father trying to bring Bit to the hospital. Bit felt his lips move upwards into a smile, there was still one image that he could make out, clear as day, "Leena," he whispered, "I'm so sorry," he made out, a hoarse whisper. Then he felt nothing. His mind was spinning again when he awoke. He was laying in a white bed, hooked up to several machines of shorts. But that didn't matter to him, all he saw was a sleeping form curled up next to him. He would recognize that red hair anywhere. "Leena," he whispered again, it feeling magical just to say her name out loud again. She stirred, turning to face him, "Bit," she whispered back, her face wet with tears, "Bit, I'm so sorry, if I had known, Bit, dammit, I'm so sorry." He shook his head, tears filling his eyes, "no, this is my fault, Lee, you didn't do anything wrong." She shook her head, placing her fingers over his mouth, "no, no, Bit, I played my part too well. I destroyed you." She looked at him warmly, wiping away the tears from his eyes, "I'm no better off then you, Bit. These past twenty-seven days have been hell for me too." Bit felt a faint smile come over his lips, "I love you so much, Lee, I don't understand what happened to us." "Neither do I, Bit, but all I know is that I am willing to work on it. I don't want you to leave me again, Bit," she leaned into him, putting her arms around him, "I love you, dammit, I love you," she whispered in between her tears. Bit put his arms around her, rubbing her back in an effort to calm her down, "I guess we're both idiots, putting on acts for the other." He looked down at the top of her head, with a warm smile. He felt warmth again in his body, his eyes slowly filling again with happiness. "I guess there isn't much difference from me to you, not much at all." She nodded, "just next time we get into an argument, don't do something like this to yourself again," her eyes looked up at him pleadingly, "I was so scared." Bit nodded, "I promise, Lee, with everything I've got left, I promise I will try and work on things. Make it so that maybe we won't have another argument like that. I mean, I can't promise that we won't disagree, but I can promise that I will try and be more agreeable." Leena smiled, "there you go again, always trying to be the hero," she teased him. Bit smiled, "it just works for me, fair damsel." She laughed quietly, "you always were a dork, weren't you?" He smiled, "yeah, I guess you could call me that." She frowned, "okay, that's being a little too agreeable!" He smiled, "really? You think so? Well so do I then!" He joked. Brad stood outside of the hospital room, watching as Bit came back. He smirked to himself, maybe Bit was right, maybe it was the best for him not to move on from Leena. They were both still kids, and disagreements come with the territory. He smiled as he watched them talk and tease each other, just like nothing had happened. That was probably the one good thing about being a kid, you didn't worry so much. Because as much as you argue, you also forgive tens time more. That's the beauty of it really. Naomi walked up from behind him, snaking her arms around his waist, "it's funny. They are so young, but you know that they are meant for each other. That they are truly in love with one another." He nodded, "it's kinda weird, I feel like another big brother to Leena who is now dating my best friend. Part of me wants to protect her, but I also know that Bit loves her. I guess this is what it is like for other big brothers, huh?" Naomi shrugged, "I wouldn't know." He smiled, "yep, those two will be the end of each other someday." She nodded, "they sure will." End file.

From Me to You by Arwenamin

Zoids

Waiting for You Waiting on You (A/N I don't own zoids or the song Travelin' Soldier by the Dixie Chicks) Two days past eighteen He was waiting for the bus in his army green Sat down in a booth in a cafe there Gave his order to a girl with a bow in her hair Bit was waiting at the bus stop. ' Man, I'm hungry and I've got about two hours before the bus gets here. I wonder where I can grab some food.' he thought, as he was looking around for a place. ' There's a cafe, I be they have good food.' Then he grabbed his bags and walked into the cafe. Bit was eating, but only half heartedly. He was scared. ' I can't believe they want me to fight in the army. I'm so nervous and scared.' thought he as he was eating his food. He's a little shy so she gives him a smile And he said would you mind sittin' down for a while And talking to me I'm feeling a little low She said I'm off in an hour and I know where we can go " Hey miss, would you mind sitting down with me? I need someone to talk to." said Bit to the young girl who was waiting on him. " I can't at the moment, but give me an hour. Then I'll take you to a place where we can talk. Ok?" said the young waitress. " Sure." said Bit. So they went down and sat on the pier He said I bet you got a boyfriend but I don't care I got no one to send a letter to Would you mind if I sent one back here to you Bit was sitting on the pier with the young waitress who's name was Saria. They were talking about all sorts of things. Both giggling and smiling. Then Bit reached over and held Saria's hand. They sat there in silence for a little while, still holding hands. Then Bit glanced at his watch. He had 5 more minutes before his bus arrived. " Hey, Saria. I have to leave here in a few minutes. I bet you have a boyfriend, and I don't want to start trouble, but do you mind if I send letters to you. I have no one else to write to?" asked Bit. " I would love that, thanks." said Saria as she pecked Bit on the cheek. I cried Never gonna hold the hand of another guy Too young for him they told her Waitin' on the love of a travelin' soldier Our love will never end Waitin' for the soldier to come back again Never more to be alone whne the letter said A soldier's coming home Bit boarded the bus, and Saria walked home. She was in heaven soaring. ' Wow, he was so cute and sweet. I can't wait till he comes home. I'll wait forever. I love him so much.' (A/N Aww, teenage love. So sweet.) " Hey honey, how was work? And where have you been for the past hour?" questioned Saria's mom. " Hey mom, work was fine. I've been at the pier, talking with this...guy." said Saria. " A guy?" Honey, I don't think you should be going to the pier with strange men." said Saria's mom. " Mom, he's a soldier. He just celebrated his 18th birthday two days ago. He wanted to talk, so I said sure. He looked really down. He asked me if he could write to me, and I said yes." said Saria. " You gave a guy our address. Wait a minute, did you say he's 18? That's a bit too old for you." Sarias mom said. " Mom, he's a great guy. And I'll be 17 in two months." said Saria, and then she went into her room. So the letters came from an army camp In California then Vietnam And he told her of his heart It might be love and all the things he was so scared of He said when it's getting kinda rough over here I think of that day sittin' down at the pier And I close my eyes and see your pertty smile Don't worry but I won't be able to write for a while " SARIA! You've got another letter from Bit." screamed Saria's mother. " Thanks mom," said Saria as she took the letter. She opened it up. Dear Saria, I miss you. I think I'm in love with you. Don't be frightened or worried, but I may not be able to write for a little while. I've got to go. I love you. Love, Bit " Darn, he won't be able to write me for a while." said Saria. " Good, maybe you'll forget about him, and find you a boyfriend your own age." mumbled Saria's mom. " What did you say?" said Saria. " I said good, because I think the mailman is getting tired of delivering here all the time." said Saria's mom. I cried Never gonna hold the hand of another guy Too young for him they told her Waitin' on the love of a travelin' soldier Our love will never end Waitin' for the soldier to come back again Never more to be alone when the letter said A soldier's coming home Bit walked into the war. A trademark grin on his face. ' I can't wait to return home.' he thought. ' I really miss Saria. Just this one last battle, and I can go home.' Bullets wizzed by. Flying everywhere around the young soldier's face. And then, lights out. One Friday night at a football game The lord's prayer and the anthem sang A man said folks would you bow your heads For a list of local Vietnam dead Crying all alone under the stands Was a piccolo player in teh marching band And one name read and nobody really cared But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair " Nooo!" cried a young girl. " Why him." " I'm sorry Saria." said Megan. " I can't believe he won't be coming home." sobbed Saria. I cried Never gonna hold the hand of another guy Too young for him they told her Waitin' on the love of a travelin' soldier Our love will never end Waitin' for the soldier to come back again Never more to be alone when the letter said A soldier's coming home Funeral services took place the following Monday. Only three people attended the funeral. Saria, her mom, and the preacher. Saria cried and cried. Her mom looked at her with sad eyes. ' I'm so sorry honey, I wish this never would have happened. He seems like such a nice guy laying there in that casket.' thought her mother. Towards the end of the service, Saria walked to the coffin. She glanced down at the young man laying in the casket. She dropped down to her knees, and laid her head on the boy's chest. " I love Bit Cloud, and I always will. Wait for me in heaven." she sobbed into his chest. ' I will,' thought a young soldier from up in heaven, glancing down at his funeral service. ' I will my dear Saria. You can count on that. I love you.' I cried Never gonna hold the hand of another guy Too young for him they told her Waitin' on the love of a travelin' soldier Our love will never end Waitin' for the soldier to come back again Never more to be alone when the letter said A soldier's coming home End file.

Waiting for You by S.S. Cloud12

Zoids

Joy Ride note: I missed "Enter the Dragon", so I'm doing what I can about Vega's character. Tell me what I get wrong. I look at you. And I wonder. I see you sleeping like this. And I feel empty. For those of you who don't remember my name. It's Vega Obcura. I'm the Backdraft Syndicate's top pilot. Or least I was when there [i] was [/i] a Backdraft Syndicate. After the total disaster of operation Battle Line, they, we, lost everything. Every last Dark Judge Satellite was shot down. The Zoid Battle Commission had had it's fill of us. Every last one of bases and units were tracked down, captured, or destroyed. Professor Leon, my care taker Sara, everyone, in prison for a list of charges longer than I am. Oh, you're wonder what happened to me? Now that's sorte interesting . . . you see, I [i] was [/i] an official contender in the Royal Cup Tornament, and technically I had never attacked any ZBC forces. So I was kinda let off. Plus, I was under age. Who would of guessed that would of actually been a blessing for once. I've always had a hunger for the trill of a fight. The rush of conflict. I guess that's what makes Him and such great partners, or that's what I used to think. Whose He? I'll get to that in a second. Anyway . . . you can imagine no one would let a twelve-year-old kid pilot a Zoid. Or at the time, eleven year old. 'Come back when you're older.' That what I was always told. Backdraft were the only ones who ever let me fight. Let me show the world once and for all what I could do no matter who I was. Can you believe they added child exploitation the charges against Sara? They actually wanted me to testify against her. Thankfully the Bill of Right extends even to Zebus. Bezerk Fury. You know, for the short time we fought together, I considered you a partner, even a ally. We both hungered for battle. We both wanted to prove that we were the best. And we did . . . almost. We cut through the opponents at the Royal Cup as if they were stocks of wheat. Then there was Bit Cloud and HIS partner, Ligar Zero. I don't regret you deciding to fight them instead of going to the finish line. To be honesty, I wanted one more fight with only other Zoid at the tournament equipped with an orginiod system. A learning computer. Mass produced Zooids are just mindless robots. However, ones like you and the Ligar, you're capable of so much more. Leon managed to create a crude version of the organoid system with his Shadow Fox. Of course we both know how long that Neanderthal Zoid lasted again us . . . Or was it you? I see you sleeping like this. And I wonder. Do you actually need me? I watched the recording of the final battle. During the time I was knocked out, you were reacting faster than lighting. Was I just holding you back all that time? I told you, you would be stronger when you woke up. If what Toros and Leon believe about the Ultimate X's to be true, that beating them only makes them stronger, I have no doubt you will be stronger when you awaken. I actually shared this with Bit a while back.-Now that Backdraft is no more his Blitz team doesn't really see me as the enemy as much.- He didn't look so good after I told him. I was watching one of his S class battles yesterday, he wasn't piloting Ligar Zero, he was piloting a Shield Ligar. I recognized his style, well, half of it. It was clear he wasn't giving it his all. Thankfully for him the rest of his group was able to pick up the slack. I think I struck a cord in him. To tell the truth, the revelations did in me too. Here before me is the most powerful Zoid on the planet. And instead of feeling the lust for a fight like I did before, now I feel empty. I managed to puppy eye some dealers into letting me do a test drive on a number of Zooids but . . . they don't feel the same. But still, Bezerk Fury, are you just using me? Your savage and unrelenting attitude towards battle was what brought us together. Even at the beach that day I could feel you. I was drawn to you. And you didn't try to kill me the moment I sat in the cockpit. I considered that a very good sign. Now looking back at it. Is a little kid just easier to control? Easier to manipulate? Easier to use? Am I just your instrument in finding battles? I can tell how much you love to fight. It's hard wired into your programming. I want to wake you up at long last and ask you. But I'm afraid of the answer. Because I'm afraid of the truth. I can't think of any other reason for what happened that fateful day at the Royal Cup other than I was just a kid playing space man in one of those rocket rides. I have skill I know I do! If bit couldn't pilot Ligar Zero after what I told him, can I really pilot you now? I'm sorry Bezerk Fury. I need time to think. But I don't know who to talk to. And for the first time in my life. I wish I had a friend. Flames, comments, suggestions, reactions, corrections, occasional constructive critizem all welcome. As long as they have something to do with the story. I want to revise this piece if I get enough feed back. Please e-mail me at matt@lenzarts.com if you didn't like a review I made of a story instead of abusing the review system to spam me. End file.

Joy Ride by Alex Warlorn

Zoids

Roses, Brownies, and Two Pilots Discalmer:: I Do not own Zoids! Too bad I don't..... Onegai - Please Sugoi - Amazing;Terrific;Great Hai - yes Tashikani - Surely;Certainly Ano - Um Arigatou - Thank You Douitashimashite - You Are Welcome Naze - Why;How Datte - Because;But Aishiteru - I Love You Roses, Brownies, and Two Pilots Bit ran across the hanger with an angry Leena right behind him. "I'm sorry Leena! Let me live! Onegai!" Bit screamed. "You will pay for eating my brownies!" Leena screamed angrily. She then jumped at the blonde pilot knocking them both to the ground. Bit turned around to see Leena sitting on him ready to punch his face in. "I wanna live!!!" Bit cried. Leena laughed victoriously, she won this battle. "You will live alright, but you are going to be in pain park for a few days," Leena smirked before landing a blow to his stomache. She then got up and left Bit to groan over his sore stomache. 'Shesh, Valentine's Day and she still is a devil," Bit chuckled to himself. He had a plan. Bit walked to his room slowly then made sure to close the door. He then walked towards his closet and pulled out a red heart-shaped box. He opened it to reveal a heart shapped chocolate brownie, to make up for the ones he ate earlier, plus a gift for the beautiful red-head. yes, Bit Cloud had fallen for Leena Torus. Bit then walked to his desk and picked up the bouquet of roses, the most beautiful roses Bit had ever seen. White at the bottom of the petals that turned into a light pink then a baby blue. Bit had asked Naomi to find the best roses for him to give to his special someone. Naomi sure did find the best. He then walked down the hall to Leena's room, knocking first to see if anyone was in there. Getting no answer he walked in and placed the gifts on her desk along with a note, then quickly left. Leena walked into her room with a sigh, she really hated that she had hit Bit today, Valentine's Day! She loved Bit but thought the blonde Zoid Pilot probably didn't like her the same way. When she finally stopped thinking about Bit, she noticed the gifts on her desk. When she caught sight of the five identical roses she almost fainted, they were beautiful. 'Sugoi...,' Lenna thought. She reached out and touched one of the silk petals. 'Who would do this for me?' She then opened the box to find a brownie which made her mouth water, who would have known she had a craving for brownies. Only a team mate could know. 'Maybe Bit did this..' Leena thought to herself but then shook her head dissaprovingly. 'Yeah right Leena, dream on!' Leena then caught sight of the small note and read it aloud. Leena, Happu Valentine's Day my angel. I hope you enjoy the brownie and roses. The roses were my favourite, I almost kept 'em! Well, have a great day. Maybe you will find me. With Love, Your Valentine Leena was trapped, the only person that would write something like this was Bit or Harry. It couldn't be Harry though because he was on Vacation. Leena decided she would ask Bit if he knew who this person was. She walked down the hall and knocked on Bit's door. "Hai?" Bit asked from inside his room. "Can I come in?" Leena asked. "Tashikani," Bit answered. Leena opened the door and steped into his room. "I need to ask you something Bit, are you the one who left the roses and brownie in my room?" Bit didn't know whether to tell the truth or lie. "Hai..," Bit sighed. "Ano....arigatou," Leena said softly. "Douitashimashite," Bit smiled. "Naze?" Leena asked. "Datte, aishiteru," Bit explained. Leena nearly cried on spot. Instead she threw herself into Bit's arms and cried in his arms, "I Love you too, Bit Cloud." "Will you be my valentine Leena Toros?" Bit asked the crying girl in his arms. "Hai," Leena cried. End file.

Roses, Brownies, and Two Pilots by Sasune

Zoids

Smoke **Author's note!: **'Ello, there! Well, this is my first Zoids fanfic. I don't think it's very good, but that's for you folks to decide, isn't it? I'm rambling, haha. Oh, it may sound like it, but there's no Reese bashing in here, Raven just hates her, lol. Reviewing wouldn't hurt. ;D OVER AND OUT! (Oh, tell me if there are any grammar/spelling errors please. My eyes aren't good for spotting that stuff, hehe. kthx.) _**Rated T for smoking and cussing. Yay! Set right after Shadow died. That's important, lol.**_ **Smoke** Inhaling slow and deep as if he were savoring some type of rare delicacy, Raven took a long drag of his cigarette. With what could have been mistaken as a sigh, the smoke poured out of his mouth, swirling around like a grey phantom until it vanished into the invisible chilly air. The head-rush from the nicotine and tobacco never ever seemed to get old or lose its calming touch, which Raven was forever grateful for. He picked up the nasty little habit post-first-destruction-of-Death-Saurer, after he had discovered a seemingly untouched pack in a zoid he defeated, then proceeded to raid the cockpit for anything useful. In all honesty, he couldn't care less about the side-effects; five minutes off his life for each one was a blessing if you asked him. A genuine sigh escaped from his lungs this time as he gazed up with hazy eyes upon the celestial specks that dotted the canvas of the pre-nighttime sky. This was his usual routine at the curtain call of the day, when the sun collides with the horizon and the moon arose like the nocturnal bat. He and Shadow would just stargaze until sleep engulfed them in its blanket of exhaustion. Something was missing though, something that carved a monstrous hole in his chest like a jack-o-lantern in its untimely and undesirable absence; his partner. The day's contents had been the epitome of the ninth circle of Hell, and even that was a complete under statement. Shadow was dead, making Raven's almost non-existent heart erode enough to break down, and in front of an audience for that matter. 'Devastation' didn't even scratch the surface of how forlorn, pathetic, and just plain dead he felt. Sheer vengeful rage was the only saving grace helping him keep his composure steadily constructed at that moment, vowing that Hiltz would die by his hand. Now, just pure weariness flooded in with the nicotine and smoke; he had spent the last hours in a tiny fit of insanity, a tantrum of anger and tragedy controlling him with a formerly unknown might that had made itself known with his partner's death. Raven was stripped of every last drop of energy he had; punching, clawing, and throwing himself up against whatever he could find until he was heaving and crying to the point where it was borderline hyperventilation. He was finally calming down, but with that tiny taste of placidness came dread, the situation settling in like a cloud of dust does after a violent whirlwind. Another drag began to slide down his throat, but to his irritation was cut short by a voice spoiling the silence of the twilight. Catching him by surprise, it caused the smoke to enter the wrong passage in his throat, initiating a coughing fit. "Those can kill you, ya know." The keeper of the feminine and smooth voice strutted to his side, snatched the cigarette, and proceeded to take a deep, lengthy drag. "Goddam it, Reese." Raven spat, nearly finished throwing the choke out of his system. She flicked the cancer-stick to the dirt-dominated ground and crushed it with her boot. "A simple 'hello' would be nice every once in a while." "Not when you constantly make entrances like that," He retorted. "It gets old. What do you want, anyway?" "What? I can't just stop by to check up on you?" She smirked, obviously content with some unknown satisfaction. Raven scoffed a firm 'no' for an answer, side-stepping away from her. "With Shadow gone," she continued, paying no regard to the fact that he seriously did not want her anywhere remotely near him. "Someone needs to keep an eye on you." "Oh yeah?" He scoffed, flashing a look at her from the sides of his eyes. "And why's that?" "I have you on suicide-watch." She kidded, but with an underlaying seriousness of the issue at hand hidden in it. "Oh look, Reese has jokes." He huffed, the words saturated in sarcasm, which was his favorite dialect by far. He departed from the Zoidian beside him and closer to his Geno-Breaker, plopping down on its clawed foot, his main priority falling along the lines of getting away from that wretched woman. As expected, the Queen of Stubborn followed, uninvitedly taking a seat right next to him. To Raven's relief, a silence befell the pair as they both gazed upon the brilliant sun setting over the barren desert. To his surprise as well, nothing felt awkward, the atmosphere shifting into a comfortable deafness. As much as he'd hate to admit it, 'peace' would be the only word he could find that would describe this moment; sure, the dead, hollow, stone statue that used to be his partner was a mere few yards away, but he was so damn drained that it didn't even matter. The sun dipped down even more, engulfed by the horizon like a tidal wave. No vibration of sound travelled to Raven's ears except the occasional shaky breath that he made himself. In fact, he was almost dozing off to sleep right where he sat, his head and eyelids feeling like they were giant boulders of stone getting ready to tumble into sleep. "Sorry about your cigarette." Reese broke the silence, reaching into her own pocket, fetching a pack and retrieving one, lighting it for him. Raven denied it with a 'hmph,' but not before snatching it from her and mocking her actions from earlier, except with more malice and irritation punched into it. She chuckled, "I guess I deserved that." No response came from him, mostly because he had nothing to say to the girl. A few more moments passed by and neither one of them moved, Raven still not quite sure why the hell she was there and why the hell she kept pestering him; she was like a fly, you can swat and swat and swat, but it just doesn't get the hint that you'd rather it be dead. Maybe flies were just lonely. Maybe Reese was lonely too. _Well, that's one thing we have in common, _he snorted in his head. That's when something dawned on him, causing him to scan the immediate area for it. Coming up short, he turned his head a few degrees towards Reese, who was giving more attention to the ground than anything else. "Where's Specula?" "Guarding the Psycho Geno-Saurer, about two miles that way." She pointed to a direction Raven didn't particularly give a shit about, concerned with something else. "Two miles is quite a bit to walk, you could've been killed." "I'm a big girl, Raven. No desert-monster was gonna eat me." "There are a lot of sleeper-zoids out here." "Then what are you doing out here? Without Shadow around, you could've been killed too." "I'm a big boy, Reese," He retorted, mocking her like a parrot. "I don't need him." "You're a horrible liar." She smirked, and with that she got to her feet and stated making her way back to the Psycho Geno-Saurer, leaving Raven behind to watch her go. A thought crept into his mind, one that truly convinced him that he was insane and should've been committed to a mental hospital for even the notion of it. He looked at the stone cadaver of Shadow, then to the departing Reese. Then to Shadow. Then once more to Reese. It was crazy. It was dumb. It was impulsive. It was rash. And it was the polar opposite of what he'd do if his mind was in the right place. But it was also necessary to keep his sanity intact. "Reese," He called after her, a small part of him hoping that she didn't hear him, yet another portion wanting her to come sprinting back. "Don't go..." She turned around, a small smile dancing across her face. End file.

Smoke by Expired In Goreville

Zoids

1. it starts again "Ah, here it is just where my father said it would be," came a voice. "That means that I have a powerful zoid. With this I will get my revenge and I will also take control of this miserable planet and kill those who would dare to stand against me," said the voice again. There came a cold laugh. There was a zoid behind the shadowed man and then everything disappeared and was replaced with destruction. There were dead people everywhere including Van Flyheight. There was a scream and Fiona woke up with a start. She looked around and realized that it was all just a dream. It had been five years since they had faced and defeated Eric and everything was peaceful. "Fiona, what is it," asked Van who was woken up by Fiona's scream. "I had that dream again," replied Fiona. "Are you feeling ok," asked Van? "I am feeling fine, but I just wish I knew why I keep having that dream," said Fiona. "Why don't you try to get back to sleep," said Van. "Ok I will try," replied Fiona. ***** Fiona was sitting down looking out a window watching her five-year-old daughter playing with Zeke. "Why do I keep having this dream," Fiona asked Herself. "I hope that it doesn't mean anything," she said to herself again. "Don't worry about it Fiona," came Van's voice from behind her, "The death saurer and the death stinger were destroyed and I am sure that there couldn't be anything stronger than them," said Van. "I don't know," said Fiona quietly. At that moment the sound of a baby crying could be heard throughout the house. "Your turn," said Van. "Yeah, I know," said Fiona. She got up out of her seat and walked into another room. 'It is peaceful now, and the guardian force isn't needed as much. I am happy. I have a family besides just my sister, this has got to be the best that has ever happened to me,' he thought to himself. At that moment Fiona came into the room holding a baby boy that was a little less than a year old. Van couldn't help but smile as he watch his wife and their second child. Fiona just looked back at him and smiled. Yes this was the best that ever happened to him. ***** "Mommy, mommy," yelled Van and Fiona's daughter Nicole as she ran into the room jumping on her mothers lap opposite from her brother Bit. "Hey sweetie," said Fiona. "I'm hungry," said Nicole. "Dinner will be ready soon," said Fiona. As they all ate dinner Van couldn't help but notice that Fiona was acting weird. "Is that dream still bothering you," asked Van? "Not as much but the person that is in my dream. I don't know why but he seems very familiar," said Fiona. "How does he look familiar," asked Van? "He looks like him," said Fiona since she knew Van would know what she was talking about. "Sorry I asked," said Van. "It's ok. I guess that it help a little to tell you," said Fiona. "What are you talking about mommy," asked Nicole? "Just something of the past. Nothing to worry about," said Fiona. "Fiona there is some military business that I will have to deal with soon. So I will have to go for a while," said Van trying to change the subject. "What is it about," asked Fiona. "Thomas wasn't specific. He just said that they were having some problem with someone and that they needed my help to solve it," said Van. "Why you," asked Fiona? "Don't know. Probably because I am one of the best zoid pilots around," said Van. "When will you be leaving," asked Fiona. "Tomorrow," said Van. ***** When the next day came Van prepared to set of for his destination. Nicole who was in near tears asked, "How long will you be gone daddy?" "I don't know but I will come back as soon as possible ok," asked Van? "Ok," said Nicole giving him a big hug. "Be a big girl and help your mother out will you," asked Van? Nicole just shook her head. "Good," said Van. "I am sorry that I can't help you Van," said Fiona. "It's ok. You should stay with the kids anyways. A military base isn't really the best place for them," said Van. "I know. Please stay safe Van," said Fiona. "Don't I always," said Van. "Maybe not always," said Fiona with a laugh. She quickly gave Van a goodbye hug and kiss before he jumped into his blade liger and rode off to his destination. ***** "What exactly is going on Thomas and why aren't you telling me anything," asked Irvine as him and Thomas walked through the base's halls. "Let's wait until Van gets here before I tell you two what exactly is going on," said Thomas. "We both have lives now in case you haven't noticed. So why is it you need both of us for it," asked Irvine? "It is something of great importance that involves all of us," said Thomas. "Tell me now," yelled Irvine. "Are you sure," asked Thomas? "Yes, now tell me," yelled Irvine. "Follow me," said Thomas. The two walked into a room with a lot of TV monitors. "Take a look at this," said Thomas as he typed a few things into the computer and an image popped up. Irvine took one look at it and was speechless. "This has to be some kind of joke," said Irvine when he managed to say something. "Afraid not," said Thomas. Irvine could only stare. ***** "Feels good to be back," said Van as he jumped out of the liger as he reached the base. "Good to see you Van," said Thomas. "Hey Thomas. So what is it that you wanted," asked Van. "Irvine is here but he is preoccupied so lets just get to the point. Fiona isn't here is she,' asked Thomas? "No, why," asked Van? "This is something that she might not like so it is a good thing that she is not here," said Thomas. "What's going on," asked Van as they started to walk? "A few weeks ago someone just showed up and started to attack some of our soldiers," said Thomas. "Why do you need me though," asked Van? "This person is doing this because he is after you, me, and Irvine," said Thomas. "Why," asked Van? "He has a grudge against us because of something that we did," said Thomas. They walked into the same room that Thomas and Irvine went into earlier. The first thing that Van noticed was Irvine sitting in a chair. "Hey Irvine," said Van. "Whatever," said Irvine who had his face in his hands. "What's up with you," asked Van? "It happens to do with what Crougar called you here for," said Thomas. "Tell me already," said Van. "Look at this," said Thomas as he typed in a few keys and a screen popped up. When Van saw it he seemed to get too mad that he felt like punching the screen. "I am sure you remember him," said Thomas. "What the hell is this about. We killed Eric so why are you showing me this," asked Van? "He's not the problem," said Thomas, "He is." He typed a few more keys as another pictured showed up. The picture was of a man that had red hair and looked a lot like Eric. "They look alike," said Van. "His name is Zack, and the reason is that this man is Eric's son," said Thomas, "He is trying to get us for what we did to his father. We lost track of him a few days ago and we figured that with all of us here that it would become too tempting of a target for him that he would have to show up here," said Thomas. "Now I see why you needed us, and why you didn't want Fiona to find out," said Van. "We are trying to set a trap to catch him and that is why we needed you because he is a really good zoids pilot like his father," said Thomas. "Tell us what we have to do," said Van. Fiona walked through the market with Bit in her arms and Nicole walking a few feet behind bouncing a ball. "Stay close to me sweetie," said Fiona. "Ok mommy," said Nicole. She did manage to stay close until the ball bounced out of her reach and she went to go and grab it. By the time that she caught up with it another person already had it. "Can I please have my ball," asked Nicole? The man just smirked. "You're the daughter of Van Flyheight aren't you," asked the man? "Yes. Can I please have my ball," asked Nicole? "Here you go," said the man giving her the ball, "By the way my name is Zack and I am an old acquaintance of your parents," said the man. "Well I should say that my father was," said Zack. She was planning on saying thanks you but the next thing that she knew he was gone. Fiona then came running up to her. "I told you to stay near me," said Fiona. "I'm sorry mommy but I lost my ball but this man got it for me," said Nicole. "Don't go wondering off again ok," said Fiona. "Ok," said Nicole. 2. the plan "Do you get the plan Van," asked Thomas as he finished his explanation of what they were planning. "I get it, but I don't like it too much," said Van. "Understandable considering what you have to do," said Thomas. "We are going to get started as soon as he comes so always be on your guard," said Thomas. "Right," said Van, "What about Irvine are you going to tell him the plan," asked Van? "Only me and you, and Crougar need to know the plan so that almost everyone will think what is happening is real," said Thomas, "So just make sure that you don't tell a single sole about what we are planning. Not even Fiona," said Thomas. "I know. I won't tell anyone." Said Van. "So you get it," asked Thomas? "I get it," said Van. ***** "Van isn't there so I can only guess where he is at," said Zack riding through the desert. "That could only mean that he is at that military base, but it all seems way too simple for me," he said to himself. "Oh well it does make it easier," said Zack. ***** "Is he coming," asked Thomas walking into the control center? "Yeah, he is," said Crougar. "Sir I don't know why but I can't figure out what kind of zoid it is that he is using," said a soldier. "His family could probably get their hands on anything so it is no surprise," said Crougar. "Shall we get ready," asked Thomas? "Yes, go and greet him," said Crougar. ***** "Ah so this is why it was so easy. You were all planning on bringing me here," said Zack when he noticed that there was a large amount of zoids were waiting for him. "We thought you would come if all of us were here," said Thomas. "Well you guessed right and it saves me a lot of time searching for all of you. Now revenge for my father will happen today," said Zack. "Your father was a lunatic and needed to be stopped," said Van. "We will see about that. My father gave me a new zoid as a present before he died and it is more powerful than it looks. Meet the carnage blader," said Zack. Showing off his zoid. "Prepare yourself," said Zack as he took his zoid to it's max and charged at them. Each of the zoids were able to evade most of the attacks but this new zoid was ripping through the other that couldn't move fast enough to pieces. "None of these are of any importance to me," said Zack, "It is you three that I want to kill," he continued facing his zoid towards the dibison, the lightning saix and the blade liger. "We're honored," said Irvine sarcastically. "You should be," said Zack. The zoid opened its mouth and energy was brought in. "That thing has a charged Particle Beam," said Irvine. "Not just any. This one is ten times more powerful and harder to dodge than any of the other," said Zack as the three zoids made a break for it. Like the deathsaurer this carnage blader was capable of moving while using the Charged Particle Beam and it followed in the direction of Van. No matter how fast Van went it kept an even line with the blade liger until it was ready and fired. ***** Fiona jumped from her sleep quickly at the feeling like something bad was happening to Van. Taking a good look to her side she noticed that her daughter was standing near her. "Is something wrong sweetie," asked Fiona as the girl sat in her lap. She appeared to be frightened by something. "What's wrong," asked Fiona when Nicole didn't respond. "I had a bad dream," said Nicole. "It's ok sweetie," said Fiona trying to comfort her daughter. "What happened in the dream," asked Fiona? "Something happened to daddy," said Nicole. 'She felt it to,' thought Fiona staring out the window nearest to her. ***** The beam came speeding towards the blade liger and it couldn't turn fast enough. It tried to put up it shields and it stopped the beam. The Carnage Blader kept at it and the Blade liger's shields were giving out fast. "No Van," yelled Irvine charging forward. "Irvine wait. If you attack you will no doubt be torn apart too," said Thomas. "I can't stand here while Van is about to die," said Irvine. "There is nothing we can do," said Thomas. Irvine stopped. The shields were fading fast until they gave out and the beam hit the blade liger full force on the side. It tore through the armor like it was nothing and soon the entire blade liger disappeared beneath it. "You bastard," yelled Irvine as he charged the zoid. "Sorry. Not today. I have other things to attend to now," said Zack as his zoid ran away. "Come back here," yelled Irvine. "Consider yourself lucky that I am letting you live for a few more days," said Zack as the Carnage Blader disappeared. Thomas and Irvine jumped out of their zoids and ran to the wreckage that was once the blade liger. "How could this have happened," asked Irvine? "What is Fiona going to say when we tell her," he asked again. "I will tell her Irvine," said Thomas. "Are you sure," asked Irvine. "Yeah," said Thomas. Going back to the base after that defeat was hard on all who survived. When they did get there Thomas immediately got out of his zoid and walked out of the hanger. He came up to a door and knocked. "Come in," came Crougars voice. Thomas walked in. "How did it go," asked Crougar? "Everything went according to plan," said Thomas. ***** Fiona just sat in a chair staring at nothing holding a sleeping Nicole in her arms. 'I have a feeling like something really bad has happened to Van,' thought Fiona. It was early in the morning and she found she couldn't sleep the whole night. A knock came at the door and Fiona was surprised that someone was here this early in the morning. She assumed that it could have been Moonbay because earlier in the day she had talked to her and Moonbay was planning on coming over since Irvine was gone too. Setting Nicole down and listening for any noises coming form her son's room she walked to the door hearing nothing. She opened the door to see a man standing at the door. "Can I help you," asked Fiona. "Yes I have come to give you news about your husband Van Flyheight from Colonel Crougar," said the man. Fiona couldn't help but get the feeling like she had seen this man from somewhere before. "What about Van," asked Fiona? "Can I come in because it is kind of cold out here," asked the man. "I guess," said Fiona uneasily. Fiona walked to the kitchen planning to get something to drink. "Can I get you anything," asked Fiona? "Black coffee please," said the man. Fiona tried to ask him about Van but he seemed to dodge the questions every time until Fiona came back into the room. When she came in she noticed that Nicole was still there. "Let me just go put her in bed," said Fiona she went to pick her. "By the way what is your name," asked Fiona? "It's Zack," came a voice from right behind her. Suddenly something was placed over her mouth. "You wanted to know about your husband, it is that he is dead," said Zack. A tear fell down Fiona's face before she passed out. 3. captivity "Things seem to be really be going my way today. I got rid of Van Flyheight like my father couldn't and now this. Boy, wouldn't he be surprised," said Zack. Putting Fiona over his shoulder he grabbed Nicole from where she was placed without waking her and left the house. The door was closed so he did it quickly and kicked down the door. This woke Nicole up. "What's happening," asked the young girl? He moved quickly though and used the same thing he used on Fiona to knock her out. The thing was that he never realizing the soft crying coming from another room. ***** Driving up to the village that Van and Fiona lived in you could hear Moonbay singing her song until she came to a stop and got out but she kept humming it. It may have been early so no one was even awake yet but Moonbay still made a large racket that caused people to yell at her. She was happy that she was going to see Fiona again. She came up to the house that they lived in and realized that the door was broken down and the house was a bit messed up. "FIONA," yelled Moonbay running into the house. There was nothing there except messed up furniture. "HELLO," yelled Moonbay. There was still no answer. She was about to run out and call Irvine and the others when she heard crying coming from the other room. Quietly walking through the small halls she came to the room where the noise was coming from she opened the door to see a baby in the room. "Oh my god," said Moonbay rushing over to the baby. "I've heard of you little one," said Moonbay holding the baby. 'Something happened to Fiona and I have to tell Irvine and Thomas immediately,' thought Moonbay. Taking the baby she immediately left the trashed house and ran to the Gustav. ***** With it only being about six o'clock in the morning Irvine was a little grouchy when someone was trying to contact him. "Hello," he asked tiredly. "Irvine, have you heard from Fiona," asked Moonbay? "No why," asked Irvine? "Fiona has disappeared," said Moonbay. "What makes you think that," asked Irvine. "Her house is trashed," said Moonbay. "After what happened she probably was really upset," said Irvine. "Her and Nicole were missing, and this little guy was all alone," said Moonbay. "I think you're right Moonbay. Van and Fiona love their kids they would never leave them alone, especially not a baby," said Irvine. "Wait a minute. What do you mean by 'After what happened she probably was really upset,'" asked Moonbay? "Van was killed," said Irvine. Moonbay was speechless. Finally she said, "I don't believe it." "Moonbay you had better get down here now," said Irvine. "Wait Irvine what happened to get Van killed," asked Moonbay? It was too late because Irvine had already hung up. "Come one little one," said Moonbay carrying little Bit, "I really want to know what happened to your parents," said Moonbay. ***** It was a while before Fiona woke up from the drug that Zack used on her. "Where am I," asked Fiona. She received no reply and woke up even faster. Looking around she saw that she was in a cell and that her daughter Nicole was in there as well. She quickly walked over to her and was glad to see that she was only asleep. She sat next to her and carefully put Nicole's head to rest on her lap. 'Where is Bit,' Fiona asked herself. Seeing that he was nowhere to be found. She just sat there thinking about all that had happened for a while, and barely noticed the cell door opening. "Ah you're awake. I thought for sure that you would be out for a few more hours," came the voice of the man that did this to her. "What is it that you want with me," asked Fiona quietly so as to not wake Nicole. "Wouldn't you like to know," said Zack walking into the room followed closely by two others on each side. The one on his right was a man with long blonde hair that was about the same height as Zack, and the one on the left was a muscular man with brown hair and was taller than the other two. "Don't worry about them. They are only here to make sure that you don't try anything behind my back," said Zack. Fiona took a look at both of them and noticed the blonde just staring at her, and the muscular man looking at her in a nasty way. "Where's Bit," asked Fiona? "Who," asked Zack? "My son," said Fiona. Zack gave an annoyed look. "I was never told you had a son so I never brought him," said Zack. Fiona remembered that Moonbay was coming over and hoped that she had gotten him. At that moment Nicole woke up. Taking one look at Zack she said, "Hey your that nice man that got me my ball." "Hate to tell you this kid but I am not a nice man," said Zack, "I hate nice people. Oh by the way there won't be anyone coming to save you two. Not your friends, not Van, no one. They are probably still licking their wounds that I gave them in our battle and Van won't be coming because he is dead," said Zack. "No it can't be," said Fiona. "Afraid so. He just couldn't take the power of my zoid," said Zack. Fiona sat where she was for a number of minutes and wasn't able to take in what was being said. "You still alive," asked Zack? Fiona immediately jumped out of her trance. The first thing that she noticed was that Nicole was crying. Nicole got up and ran at Zack. "No don't," yelled Fiona. Nicole ran up to Zack and started hitting him. "No daddy isn't dead," said Nicole through tears. The hits weren't hurting him but he was getting annoyed. "Afraid so kid," said Zack. "You mean old man," said Nicole. "Hey who are you calling old," yelled Zack. Fiona looked around and saw that the blonde man looked like he was trying hard not to laugh at the scene before him. "You had better stop kid," said Zack picking up Nicole. "Let me go," yelled Nicole still hitting him. He was having trouble holding the wild kid and lost balance and fell over dropping Nicole as he fell hard into a wall cutting his arm in the process. His two servants rushed over to him and helped him up. He was now angry and took used as much control as he could so that he wouldn't hit the kid. "Come," he yelled to the two. Then all three of them left the room. "Sweetie are you ok," asked Fiona when they left. "Daddy," said Nicole quietly while tears were building up in her eyes. "It's ok sweetie," said Fiona hugging Nicole. The next thing that Fiona knew she was crying along with Nicole over what had happened to Van. "I can't believe Van is dead," said Fiona. "I want daddy," said Nicole crying into Fiona shirt. "So do I," said Fiona. In a medical room sat Zack who said, "Blast that kid," he said as he was having his arm stitched up. "Do you want anything done about her," asked the muscular man. "No. I was told to bring them and not do anything else," said Zack. "Told by who. I thought you were in charge," said the blonde. "It doesn't matter. I was just told to," said Zack. "Why did this person ask you to get them," asked the blonde. "You ask a lot of questions you know that," said Zack, "All that matters is that we keep them here till he gets here," said Zack. ***** "What do you mean we aren't going to do anything," asked Irvine? "Exactly what I said," said Crougar. "After what happened you aren't even going to try? They killed Van and then kidnapped his family," said Irvine. "I realize this but we must wait for now. The time will come but we must wait until then," said Crougar. "What are we waiting for," asked Irvine? "In time you will see," said Crougar. "So how did it go," asked Moonbay waiting outside the door. "He said that we aren't going to do anything and that we will just wait," said Irvine. "The old man is crazy to not try something," said Moonbay. "Try telling that to him," said Irvine. "I feel sorry for Fiona," said Moonbay. "It is worse than that though," said Irvine. "What do you mean," asked Moonbay? "You remember Eric don't you," said Irvine. "Who could forget," said Moonbay. "Fiona was kidnapped by his son," said Irvine. "I don't believe it," said Moonbay. "Van told me the last time that I saw him that Fiona still has nightmares at times about Eric and that he was fighting this time to put a stop to his family to help Fiona," said Irvine. "I still can't believe that Van is gone," said Moonbay. 4. return from the dead As they were walking down the hall Crougar stopped them. "Irvine wait," said Crougar. "What now," asked Irvine? "If you must know there is something that we are planning though," said Crougar. "What," asked Irvine. "In one weeks time it is taking place and I want you to help out," said Crougar. "What will happen," asked Irvine? "You will know when the time comes," said Crougar going back into his office. When they thought that he couldn't hear them they started to speak. "Why wait a week," asked Moonbay? "I don't know, but by waiting that long anything can happen to Fiona and her daughter," said Irvine. "Hey Irvine. If it was me and a future child we will have what would you do," asked Moonbay? "You're my wife so I wouldn't even think of waiting and I would just go to rescue you," said Irvine. "Unfortunately we have no idea where Fiona is so we can't go and help her so we will have to wait," said Irvine. ***** A lone zoid walked into the hanger of the base that Zack was in control of. "Good to see that you could come," said Zack as a man jumped out of the zoid. "Did you honestly think that I would miss this chance," said the man. "I guess not so I guess I will bring her to you," said Zack. "Yes, please," said the man. Hours had passed and Fiona was glad for the silence that they had. It allowed for Nicole to rest peacefully. Unfortunately it was ruined when the door opened and Zack walked in with his two guards. "Come Fiona," said Zack. "Why should I," asked Fiona? "Because there is someone that wants to see you," said Zack. With the snap of his fingers the muscular man went up and grabbed Fiona. And the blonde went up to grab Nicole. "Please don't hurt her," said Fiona. "I won't," said the man in a rough voice. The five of them then left the room. "Listen I want you to take the girl to a quiet room for now. I don't think they need to be in that cell anymore. So take her to a quiet room and watch over her," said Zack to the blonde man. "Yes sir," said the blonde man. Walking down the hall with the sleeping girl in his arms he walked into a room and put the girl on the bed. He then walked to a computer that was in a corner and wrote some things down that said. New information has come to my attention and it is imperative that you act now. He turned off the computer and stared at the girl who was now waking up. "Where am I? Where is mommy," asked the girl a little frightened? "You are not in the cell anymore and someone is talking to your mother," said the blonde man. "Your one of the mean people," said Nicole. "Not exactly," said the blonde. Nicole turned her back to him. "You killed Daddy," she said. The blonde man smiled and walked up to the girl. She would have not looked at him but he placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at his face and her face seemed to light up. "Where are you taking me," asked Fiona? "I told you someone wanted to talk to you," said Zack. "What if I don't want to talk to him," asked Fiona? "He won't take no for an answer, and would it help to say that you know him," asked Zack? "Who is he," asked Fiona? "If you want to know, he is in here," said Zack opening the door and he pushed Fiona in, and walked in after her. "Ah Fiona it is good to see you again," came a voice. Fiona recognized the voice and turned in it's direction and her face filled with fear. ***** "Why the sudden urgency by Crougar," asked Irvine as he waited in his lightning saix in the middle of nowhere. "I know why but I can't tell you just yet. You will know what is going on when we get the mission started," said Thomas. "Yeah Irvine," came Moonbay's voice. "Moonbay? What are you doing here," asked Irvine? "I had to bring Crougar here," said Moonbay. "Why is he here," asked Irvine? "Because I needed to oversee this in the end," said Crougar. "Whatever, so when do we move," asked Irvine? "You'll know," said Crougar. ***** "How is this possible," asked Fiona? Her legs gave out under her and she fell to her knees. "Good so you do remember me. I mean it has only been five years," said the man. "You shouldn't be alive. You should be dead Eric," yelled Fiona. Standing before her was the man that brought suffering to her life. "Rather harsh words don't you think," said Eric. At that moment the blonde man came into the room. "I have done as you have commanded sir," said the blonde man. "I told you to stay with her," said Zack. "Sorry sir," said the blonde man. As he was leaving he took one glance at Eric and his hands clenched into really tight fists. He then walked out of the room. Walking down the hall one thing went through the man's mind. 'This is not good,' he thought. He walked into the room to see Nicole on the bed but she remained quiet at the look on his face. He walked back to the computer and typed in GO "You'll be safe in here. So stay here," said the blonde man as he walked out of the room. At that exact moment the base was rocked with missile fire and the alarms went off. ***** "What's going on," asked Eric when he heard the alarms. "The base is being attacked," said Zack rushing out of the room. "You," said Eric pointing to the muscular man, "Go take care of the attackers," said Eric. "Yes sir," said the man. "Come," said Eric grabbing Fiona and leaving in a different direction. As they entered another hallway an announcement came that intruders had entered the base. "Where is our defense team," yelled Eric. He once again started to drag Fiona to get out. "Let. me. go," yelled Fiona trying to escape. "Not this time," said Eric, "I lost you last time but I won't lose you again," said Eric. The next thing they heard was a click of a gun and when Eric turned around he noticed Thomas and Irvine with guns pointed at him. When they saw who he was they were surprised but didn't stop pointing their guns at him. "I don't know how you are alive but let go of Fiona," said Thomas. "Looks like this time I won't be able to have you after all, but don't worry I will come back for you," said Eric. He then forced a kiss on Fiona and threw her at Thomas and Irvine and during the distraction he managed to escape. "No, he got away," said Irvine. "How is he alive," asked Thomas? "I don't know. Are you ok Fiona," asked Irvine. Fiona who was busy trying to wipe off her lips barely noticed. "Thomas, Irvine come to the command center," said Crougar. "Good they did it," said Thomas. ***** Running through the base Zack was wondering how they could have broken in and taken over the place. When he turned a corner he noticed the blonde man leaning against the wall. "What are you doing? Go and help get the base back," said Zack. The blonde man walked up to him and said three words, "I think not," said the man as he punched Zack in the stomach. Zack fell to the floor hard becoming unconscious. He quickly tied him up and walked in a different direction. ***** Walking into the command center they were greeted by Crougar. Thomas was about to report but was interrupted by Crougar. "I have already been filled in on all that is going on," said Crougar, "This is something serious considering all that he did before, and now he is back." Fiona looked around and saw the blonde man from before. "You," yelled Fiona. "Chill, Fiona," said the man. "Traitor," said a now conscious Zack. "I am not a traitor because I was never on your side," said the man. "He has been a spy for us all along. He let us into the base," said Crougar. Fiona was confused but when she looked at him she noticed Nicole looking out from behind his leg. "Mommy," yelled Nicole jumping into Fiona's arms. "Who are you," asked Zack to the blonde man. "Crougar figured that the best man to do this job was a dead man," said the man. Zack's eye's widened. "Then that means that you're," said Zack. "Oh yeah," said the man. Removing a wig to show that it was actually Van. "VAN," yelled Fiona jumping into his arms like Nicole did to her. "Hey Fiona," said Van. "By the way Fiona your sons ok. I found him and took him to safety," said Moonbay. "Thanks Moonbay," said Fiona still holding onto Van. Nicole not wanting to be left out also joined in. 5. interrogation "Now I will ask you one more time. How is Eric alive," asked Van? "Why the hell should I tell you," asked Zack. "You really don't want to make me angry right now," said Van. "Or you'll do what," asked Zack? Van looked around to make sure no one was around and when he saw that no one was he slammed Zack's head against the table that was in front of him. "What was that for," asked Zack? "Want me to do it again because I will if you don't tell me," said Van. "Alright," said Zack, "I don't know much but he said he used controls like what you did to fake you're death," said Zack. "Now will you let me out of here," yelled Zack. "The difference is that I used a fake blade liger to do it and not the original," said Van, "And no. You can just stay there," said Van leaving the room. "Hey. HEY," yelled Zack. "Did you find anything out Van," asked Fiona when Van walked into their room? "He was never in the battle in the first place," said Van, "Like me he used controls from a different area to control it," said Van. "Then why hasn't he done anything until now," asked Fiona? "Probably waiting for us to put our guard down by thinking that he was dead," said Van. "I'm scared Van," said Fiona. Van put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It's ok Fiona," said Van. "Not for me, for our children. They are in the most danger right now," said Fiona. "I won't let him touch them," said Van. "What if he does," asked Fiona? "Then I will do everything in my power to stop him," said Van. "I think that his son might actually be of some help to us," said Van. "What do you mean," asked Fiona? "He can help us find Eric. Even if we have to force it out of him," said Van. Van then ran out of the room in a hurry. "You're back," said Zack upon seeing Van. "I am just going to get to the point because I have other things to do," said Van. "What? Playing with that brat of a girl of yours," said Zack. "Shut up. Where is Eric," asked Van? "He isn't in any base I can tell you that because he destroyed them all years ago," said Zack, "But other than that I am not telling you a thing. See if you can find him in this large world. It will be like finding a needle in a haystack," said Zack. "Listen here, my family is in danger so I won't leave you alone until you tell me something," said Van. "I can tell you many things, just nothing useful," said Zack. "Listen you are getting on my nerves," said Van in an annoyed voice. "You asked me questions and now I am going to ask you one," said Zack, "Are you happy with your family," asked Zack? "I was till you showed up," said Van angrily. "Aren't we touchy today," said Zack. "What is your point," asked Van? "I recently had a talk with my father and I want you to answer this. Is that brat of yours your daughter, or is it possible that she could be my sister," said Zack. "SHUT UP!!! There is no way she can be your sister, because she is my daughter," said Van. "Are you sure," asked Zack, "I seem to recall my father talking about an event that triggered your hatred for him," said Zack. Van suddenly remembered what he was talking about. "No your wrong," said Van leaving the room. "Why don't you just ask you're wife," yelled Zack so Van could hear from the other side of the door. Walking into their room Van saw Fiona playing with Nicole. "Fiona, I need to talk to you alone," said Van. "What about Van," asked Fiona? "It would be best if Nicole didn't hear this," said Van. "Sweetie, why don't you go and play with auntie Moonbay for a while," said Fiona. "Okay mommy," said Nicole running out of the room. "What is it you wanted to talk about that you didn't want Nicole to hear," asked Fiona? "It has to do with her and I don't want her to hear right now," said Van. "What," asked Fiona. "What happened Fiona," asked Van? "I don't understand," said Fiona. "The day all this hatred for Eric began. What happened," asked Van? Fiona was quiet when he said this. "I. I don't want to talk about it," said Fiona. "Please Fiona," said Van walking up to her and hugging her. "What did he say about it," asked Fiona? "He seems to think that there might be a chance that Nicole might be his sister rather than my daughter," said Van. "And you believed him," asked Fiona. "No I didn't. The thing is that I don't trust Eric or him so I don't know if what he said is true or not, but I believe he is lying. I want to know what happened to prove that he was lying," said Van. "I don't know," whispered Fiona very quietly. "What," asked Van? "I said I don't know," said Fiona, "And I don't want to even think about what I actually do know," said Fiona. "Please Fiona. I want to know what happened," said Van softly. Although Fiona didn't want to talk about it she knew there was no way that she could keep it from Van. Pulling away from him she spoke quietly. "You remember the day that it happened clearly right," asked Fiona? "Yeah, it is kind of hard to forget for me," said Van. "It happened when you were out fighting that group of Iron Kongs," said Fiona, "It happened near the end of the battle. I was planning to go and meet you when you got back but I was stopped by Eric." ***Flashback*** Running down the base Fiona wanted nothing more than to meet Van when he got back to the base even if he was still fighting. She ran past a door when a voice stopped her. "Fiona," said the voice. Fiona looked around and saw that it was Eric. "Yes," asked Fiona? "I was wondering if I could have a small talk with you," asked Eric? "What about," asked Fiona? "Come here," said Eric to Fiona. Unsure what he wanted she still went anyway. Eric walked for a minute till he came up to an empty room. "In here. What I have to say I need to say in private," said Eric. "What is this about," asked Fiona not walking into the room? "I just want to talk to you, that is all," said Eric. Fiona walked into the room reluctantly because she wanted to go and see Van. "Now will you tell me what is going on," asked Fiona? "Fiona I have been going this over in my head and there is something important that I must tell you," said Eric. "What," asked Fiona a little annoyed. He walked up close to Fiona. Fiona felt a little uncomfortable with how close he was and tried to back up but she was against a wall. "What's the matter," asked Eric into her ear? "You are a little too close," said Fiona trying to move. He ignored what she said and started to speak again. "Fiona I have gone over this over and over in my head and the only thing I can think of is that I love you," said Eric. He then quickly kissed her. Fiona was stunned for a few moments but when she got her senses back she immediately pushed him away. "What's wrong," asked Eric? "I didn't want you to do that," said Fiona walking to the door. She reached the door and was about to walk out when he grabbed her arm. "I don't care," said Eric softly into her ear again before kissing her again. This time she pushed him away instantly. "Stop that," yelled Fiona. "No," yelled Eric. Pulling Fiona back to him. Fiona struggled to get free but was unable to. "Come on Fiona can't you feel that this is what is supposed to happen. We are meant to be together. Can't you see it," asked Eric? "No," yelled Fiona still struggling. "You know that you love me to so why are you struggling," asked Eric? He then started to do something that made Fiona try even harder to get loose. He started to feel all sorts of parts all over her body. After a while she didn't have any strength to keep struggling. "See I knew you would come to your senses," said Eric. "Van," Fiona mumbled sadly. "Your in love with Van aren't you," yelled Zack when he heard what Fiona said. "Please stop," said Fiona. "No," yelled Eric as he started to do more things to her, "I want you to answer my question. Are you in love with Van," asked Eric? Fiona was quiet for a few seconds before she quietly said, "Yes." Eric did not seem pleased with this. "Fine then I guess that I will just have to do something about that," said Eric. "Please don't," said Fiona a look of fear on his face at what he just said. Fiona then did the only thing that came to her mind and bit Eric's arm when he was least expecting it. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh," yelled Eric as he let go of Fiona to look at his arm by accident. In this little move Fiona ran to the door but was hit in the back of the head by Eric. She was sent forward and hit her head on the door. "How dare you," yelled Eric. Fiona was dizzy from hitting her head that she was unable to do anything. When she was able to she tried to get up and leave the room but Eric pulled her hair to stop her. The next thing she knew he hit her and threw her to the other side of the room. By now she had many wounds and was barely conscious. "This could have been a lot easier on you Fiona but you chose to do things the hard way," said Zack walking towards her. Fiona then let out a scream in hopes that there was someone that would hear her. "Forget it. I checked to make sure nobody was around before coming here and your precious Van Flyheight is more than likely still out there fighting," said Eric. Fiona seemed to be giving up hope. Eric started to move towards her removing some of his clothes. When he came close enough though Fiona gave one last attempt and kicked him and tried with what little strength she had left to make it to the door but he beat her there. "That's it," yelled Eric as he punched Fiona hard in the side of the face which knocked her unconscious. ***End Flashback*** "I don't remember anything after that because he knocked me out. The next thing I knew though I woke up and you were right next to me," said Fiona. Van had nothing to say. What he did do was wrap Fiona in an even tighter hug than the one he had given her earlier. "What if he is right Van? I don't know how long it was from when I was knocked out to the time that you came," said Fiona, "What if she actually is his," asked Fiona with a tear running down her face. "I don't care Fiona," said Van, "She is my daughter whether he is the real father or I am," said Van. "Van is there any way that we could possibly find out," asked Fiona? "Maybe Dr. D will be able to help us," said Van. 6. the search begins "Hey Thomas," yelled Van trying to get Thomas's attention. "What is it Van," asked Thomas turning from his Dibison where he was in the process of repairing it. "Have you seen Dr. D lately," asked Van? "No, why," asked Thomas? "It is important that I talk to him. Something has come to my attention that I think he might be able to help with," said Van. "I believe the last place that I heard that he was, was in New Helic City," said Thomas, "Why is it that you need him," asked Thomas? "Sorry but I can't tell you right now," said Van who then ran out of the room as fast as he could before Thomas could ask anymore questions. ***** "Hey Dr. D you have a call," yelled one of Dr. D's assistants. "Yeah, yeah," said Dr. D. walking up to the phone. "What do you want," asked Dr. D who was a bit grouchy at the time. "Hey Gramps I need your help," came Van's voice. "Hey Van," said Dr. D. "What is it this time," asked Dr. D. "Listen I need your help with something that is very important," said Van. "What," asked Dr. D? "Have you heard of Eric," asked Van? "Who hasn't? That guy brought so much destruction that everyone in both the Republic and the Empire know who he is," said Dr. D. "Do you know why he did it," asked Van? "Fiona," said Dr. D quickly. "I heard about him from Fiona once. She told me all about his obsession with her," said Dr. D. ***** Van was walking back to tell Fiona all that had gone on with the call with Dr. D. However as he was nearing their room there was a huge explosion coming from the direction of the cells. Running to the room where he left Zack Van found that it was empty and one of the walls was destroyed. "Great," yelled Van running to the hanger to get his blade liger. Running out of the base he was greeted by Thomas and Irvine who were also there. Standing before them was the same zoid they faced before but this time it was piloted by Eric. "I thought that in all these years you would have learned to put a better defense at the base you are at when I am around," said Eric. "We got careless," said Van. "Allow me to show you your mistake for being carelessness," said Eric. The zoid charged forward but was met by a blow of the same force by the blade liger. "Impressive you managed to stop my attack," said Eric. "I have only gotten better in all these years," said Van. "Let's see," said Eric attacking again but was once again blocked by Van. Van then attacked with his blades but Eric quickly moved. "We're even," said Eric astonished. "Where's your son," asked Van? "He never left the base," said Eric with a wide grin spreading across his face. "Oh no," said Van immediately rushing back to the base but it was too late because a hellcat came out. "Too late," said Zack. "Unfortunately I was only able to get the little girl for now," said Zack showing a tied up Nicole in the zoid with him. "You are just too careless Van," said Eric as him and Zack ran off. Van immediately gave chase but with the hellcat's cloaking device he lost track of it and Van could barely keep up with the carnage blader. "Later Van," said Eric as he as well disappeared. "NO," yelled Van slamming his fists against the controls. ***** Fiona couldn't help but cry into a pillow. "I couldn't stop him," said Van. "Fiona listen I am going to go search for them," said Van. "Please Van you must find them," said Fiona. "I will but until I get back I want you to go and hide," said Van. "Also is there any place that we can leave our kids until this ends," asked Van? "I don't know," said Fiona. "I think I do," came a voice from behind them causing both of the to jump. It was only Dr. D. "Where," asked Van? "You may not like it but Zoid Eve might have the power to do something," said Dr. D. "How do you know this," asked Van? "Why won't we like it," asked Fiona? "With my studying that I have done on zoid eve. I have found out that it could pretty much do anything," said Dr. D. "It could even send people to different times," said Dr. D. Van was silent after this. "So you are suggesting that we send them to another time for safety," asked Van. "Yes, but I don't think it will be able to send you all. Only the kids would be able to go, but I am not completely sure," said Dr. D. "If it will mean their safety I will gladly do it," said Fiona although they both could tell that she didn't really like the idea of losing her children. "I will try to get in contact with Emperor Rudolph. He might be able to hide Fiona and your son until then," said Dr. D. "Fiona are you sure," asked Van? "Yes, I only want to know that they will be safe," said Fiona. "I know," said Van. The two of them waited a number of minutes before Dr. D came back. "Any word yet old man," asked Van? "Rudolph says he would be happy to help you guys," said Dr. D. He then noticed the look on Van's face. "Van are you also sure that you will be able to go through with this," asked Dr. D? "I feel the same as Fiona. It may not be something that we want to do but it is something that must be done to keep them safe," said Van. "What you are doing is the right thing just remember that," said Dr. D. "You're right," said Van. "Come on. You had better get Fiona. Rudolph is waiting," said Dr. D. "He has made sure that this place is near the Valley of the Rarehertz so it will be easy to get them there afterwards," said Dr. D. "The search shouldn't be too difficult because people would notice a zoid like that and they have no more bases because Eric destroyed them five years ago," said Van. "Good luck Van," said Dr. D walking off. ***** She was scared to say the least. Nicole didn't like these guys. "Hey there little one. Why don't you try to loosen up? You are among family now," said Zack in a half way nice tone. "No, I am not," yelled Nicole right in his face. "What didn't you know? Van isn't your real father. He is," said Zack pointing towards Eric. "No he isn't," yelled Nicole even louder. "Believe what you want but it is the truth," said Zack. "Mommy hates him so there is no way," she yelled as loud as possible. "You may think that we are bad people but we really aren't. It is that so called father of yours that is the evil one. Your mother just says what he wants her to say because it is more that she is afraid of him. She really doesn't hate us. In fact I am almost positive that she loves our father," said Zack. "LIAR," yelled Nicole. She then kicked his shin. "Why you little," yelled Zack but a cough from Eric brought him under control. "Just go to sleep now," said Zack as he walked over to a campfire that they made. ***** "Van, Fiona it is good to see you two," said Rudolph upon seeing Van and Fiona. "Thank you Rudolph but I won't be staying long," said Van shaking Rudolph's hand. "Yes I heard about your trouble and I will be more than happy to help you in any way that I can," said Rudolph. "Thanks but I have to do this by myself," said Van. "If you wish. Oh by the way Raven and Reese are planning to do this as well. They have had trouble lately with Eric as well because he has been trying to kill them as well," said Rudolph. "Why would he target them?" asked Van. "According to what I have heard he isn't targeting them in specific but is actually targeting their child," said Rudolph, "Apparently he seems to be trying to kill all have ancient zoidians," said Rudolph. "I wonder why. I never would have thought those two would have a child though," said Van. "Neither did I. They aren't going to be doing this the same way as you though. They will be doing it like the way Fiona once did," said Rudolph. "Ok. I had best get going before they have a chance to do anything," said Van as he started to walk out the door. "Van, wait," yelled Fiona. "Yes?" asked Van. "Please be careful," said Fiona wrapping him in a tight hug. Van gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry. I will get her back, and we will both come back safely," said Van as he let go and walked out the door. "Van I will try to prove them wrong with what they said," yelled Dr. D after Van. "Thank old man," yelled Van back as he jumped into his blade liger and set off. 7. Fiona's past Night came fast for Fiona and she was worried out of her mind. Her daughter had been kidnapped and Van was out looking for her. She was only left with her son, but she knew that in the end she would be left with no one but Van. Holding her son in her arms she let a tear run down her face as she thought about how she would never be able to see him grow up, and that he hadn't gotten to be with her for all that long. "Why did things have to turn out this way," Fiona asked herself. "I wonder how Van is doing," said Fiona. ***** Van wasn't having much luck. "It is amazing with a zoid that rare at least one person should have seen it," Van said as he left another town that had no idea what he was talking about. Either that or they might have been too afraid to do anything. Some of the people did seem a bit nervous when he asked them. "These two have a lot of the people really scared," Van stated. ***** Fiona was fast asleep but it was a very uneasy one. She was seeing things in her sleep that she wasn't sure what it was about. That is until it really got going. A little girl was playing in a field full of flowers and Zeke was with her. It didn't take Fiona long to realize that the little girl was the younger version of herself. The place she didn't even know where it was. 'Could this place be my past?' Fiona asked herself. She was interrupted from her thoughts though because she heard a voice coming from the dream. "Hey Alicia," yelled the voice of a young boy. The boy was about as old as Fiona. He had dark red hair. The younger Fiona looked at the source of the voice and took refuge from behind Zeke. "What's the matter Alicia?" he asked as he somehow quietly got to the other side of Zeke. "Leave me alone," yelled the younger Fiona. Fiona now knew who the young boy was. It had to be Eric. "Why?" he asked as he took a step towards Fiona, who in return took another step back. "I don't like you, that is why," said Fiona. "That hurts my feelings when you say stuff like that to me," he said with a fake sad voice. He stepped up to her and threw an arm around her shoulder. "And besides that isn't something you should say to your future husband," he said with a wide grin. "No, that is not true," screamed the young Fiona. "Well it will be soon. Both of our fathers think that it is a great idea," said Eric. "Well I don't want to," said Fiona. "You really have no choice in the matter," said Eric. "I do to, and I will never be married to you," screamed Fiona running off. Things then seemed to fast-forward for her and then she saw her younger self who seemed to be crying on a bed. The door to the room she was in opened and a middle aged man walked into the room and sat down next to the bed. "Alicia dear what is the problem?" asked the man. The man had a beard with the same crimson eyes as Fiona and medium sized blonde hair. "Daddy I don't want to be married to that creep," whined Fiona. "Listen dear. This could be the best thing that will ever happen to you. I admit that he is a little rude now but I am sure that when he grows up more he will be a perfect gentleman and will be a good husband to you," said her father. "I DON'T WANT TO," yelled the young Fiona. "Even if you don't want to you will still have to. We need to carry on our family line and we want you to have the best husband possible to do that," said her father as nicely as possible. "NO," yelled Fiona as she ran out of the room. When she left her father put his face in his hands and let off a long sigh. After a few second a woman came into the room. She to had long blonde hair and she was a very beautiful woman. "I take it that she isn't taking it too well," said the woman. "I am just trying to do my best to give our daughter the best possible future for her," said Fiona's father. "In a way I am with her on the subject. You shouldn't force her to do something that she isn't willing to do," said Fiona's mother. "Maybe, but this could be the best thing for both of our families," said her father. "Why not just let her choose her own future like you and I both did," said Fiona's mother. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and left the room. "Yeah. We did but still," said her father. He then got up from his sitting position and walked out of the room. Fiona now saw herself running through the fields from before with a sort of happy look on her face despite what they were trying to do to her. She ran up the steps into a small house. "Mommy, daddy guess what?" smiled the happy Fiona. There was no one there. This confused Fiona because her mother or father were usually always at home. "Mommy? Daddy?" said Fiona looking everywhere. She then heard a noise coming from one of the rooms. She raced towards the room and what she saw scared her half to death. She saw her mother on the floor drenched in her own blood and she wasn't breathing. Her father was up against the wall hurt badly but he was still alive. Then she saw Eric standing in the middle of the room with a gun in his hand pointed at her father. "What going on?" asked the young Fiona with tears falling freely from her eyes. Eric saw her and threw the gun down. "Lovely Alicia. They tried to break us apart, but I wouldn't have it," he said in a kind voice which Fiona found disgusting considering what he had just done. "You killed mommy," yelled the young Fiona. A crazy face then replaced his kind face. "Yeah, isn't it great. Now there is no one to stop us from being together," he said in a crazy tone. "No," yelled Fiona as she ran towards the gun that he threw down and picked it up. She then pointed it at Eric. "Now do you actually think that you will be able to pull the trigger?" he asked in a cocky voice. Fiona hands were shaking from rage as she pointed the gun at Eric. "You killed mommy," yelled Fiona as she pulled the trigger. The gun went off and when she opened her eyes he was on the floor clutching his bleeding leg. "I can't believe you just shot me," said Eric in pain. Her father took this chance and walked to Fiona with as much speed as his injuries would allow. "Let's go Alicia," he said as he took Fiona's hand and the two ran out of the room. The two ran for a while till the came up to some structures. He led her inside why she saw a sleeping pod. "Listen Alicia I am sorry. I have failed you as a father," said her father. "This is the best way to keep you safe from Eric and from the rest of the problems that our planet is facing. I never should have tried to force you to marry him. That is my failure as a father. I want to do this to make up for what I did. Live your life the way you want to when you wake up from your sleep. Don't make the same mistakes as I did when you are a parent yourself. I am sorry Alicia," he said. "What about you father?" asked the young Fiona. "I will stand up for what I did and die if I have to as long as you are safe. Then I can go with your mother," said her father. "I will miss you daddy,' said the young Fiona while crying. "I will too, but you probably won't even remember this," said her father putting her into the pod. "Please be safe my daughter," he said as Fiona fell asleep. He then quickly walked out of the room. He got as much distance from the building as possible and hoped that Eric didn't know where he put her. "I think it is safe," he said. He said it too soon though because he then heard the clicking of a gun towards his head. He slowly looked around to see Eric standing there with the gun they had left behind. "Where is she?" he asked with much demand yet with a calmness in his voice. "I will never tell you," said her father. "Then do you wish to die?" asked Eric. "Nothing would be better for me. That way I will be with my wife," said her father. He got an angry look on his face and fired his gun. He fell to the ground lifeless. "I think I know where he put her, but then that would mean that I wouldn't be able to see her for hundreds of years. Oh well there is nothing left here," he said think about how the deathsaurer was destroying everything. "I will just have to go after her and take a guess to what time she will appear in," he said as he walked away on his limp leg because of the gunshot wound. Fiona bolted upright in her bed and was sweating an awful lot. "That was my past," Fiona stated. Tears came to her eyes remembering all that happened. 8. taking her back "Will you shut up," yelled Zack when he was hearing Nicole crying that she wanted to go back to her parents. "NO, I don't want to be here. I want to go home and be with my mommy and daddy," yelled Nicole right in his face. Zack was using as much self-control as he could to make sure that he didn't do anything that he would later regret. "You are with family now," yelled Zack. "No I am not," yelled Nicole. "You are and you will just have to deal with it because we are the only real family you have. So you have to deal with it," said Zack pointing at Nicole. She didn't really take this well and before he could even react she got on her feet and was immediately biting his arm. "Why you," yelled Zack as he threw her off of him. She landed a number of feet from him and immediately started to cry again. Zack had enough of this and just walked off. He took a seat by a fire that was going he looked at Eric and noticed that he was laughing. "What is so funny old man?" asked Zack in an angry tone. "You," said Eric still chuckling. "What did I do?" asked Zack with the same tone in his voice. "You were outdone by a five year old girl. That it what," said Eric starting to laugh even louder. "Oh shut up," yelled Zack as he started to ignore his father. ***** Walking out of another city. Van was still at a loss for where they could have possibly be. "Where are they? I am sure that people have seen them, but that they are just too scared of them to even do anything," said Van as he hoped into his blade liger. He was so lost in thought that he nearly didn't hear some footsteps coming up from behind him. "Um excuse me," came a young girls voice. Van turned around to see a young girl. Probably no older than thirteen years old. "Yes, what is it?" asked Van looking at the girl. "You were the one that asked about those people right?" asked the young girl. "Yes," said Van. "Does. does it have anything to do with that little girl that was with them?" asked the young girl. "Yes. She is my daughter. They kidnapped her and I am trying to get her back," said Van. "They. they came by here. They also warned anyone that if they talked to anyone about being here that they would do horrible things to us," said the girl. " Then why are you telling me about this?" asked Van. "I feel bad for that little girl. She looked so frightened and I wanted to help her," said the girl. "Do you know where they went?" asked Van nicely. "They didn't tell anyone but I did overhear them talking about some place with a lot of fog. Saying that it would be a really good place to hide," said the girl. "The Isalina Mountains," muttered Van. "Yeah. That was the place," said the girl. "Thank you for telling me this. Now I might be able to get my daughter back," said Van with the nicest smile he could give. ***** "Damn it. I can't see anything here. Also, why is it that I have to carry this little brat all the way out here?" asked Zack. "Because this is the only way we could get her to move," said Eric. "Then why don't you carry her? She just won't hold still," said Zack with an extremely angry look on his face. "Because I don't want to get hurt by her," said Eric. "Thanks," said Zack sarcastically. "No problem," said Eric with a large smile on his face. "I really hate you. Did you know that?" asked Zack with a smirk on his face. "Of course. It isn't like I could really give a care though," said Eric with an even bigger smirk on his face. Zack just growled at his father. "Come on. Most likely Flyheight is getting close to us. We must get a good deal into the mountains so that it will almost be impossible for him to find us due to the fog," said Eric as he led the way through the mountains. It was very quiet so it was very easy to hear a loud roar of a zoid in the background. "Didn't I say he was getting close? One of the towns must have blabbed to him about us and that person must have overheard where we were going. We have to hurry," said Eric as the quickened their pace. ***** "Stupid fog. How am I supposed to find them if I can't see? They definitely chose a good place to hide," said Van as he looked all around the place. A number of times he thought that he saw something but every time it was just his shadow coming off of the fog. "I must get her back so I won't give up," said Van. The blade liger moved as fast as it could forward. ***** Fiona sat by a window looking out of it wondering if at any moment Van would come into view and he would have Nicole with him. It didn't happen though. She just remained there. Moving only to eat and sleep but that was about it. She held her son in her arms. "Soon. Your father will be back with your sister,' Fiona whispered to him. "Fiona," came Dr. D's voice from behind her. She turned around to look at him. He had on a very serious expression on his face. "What is it?" asked Fiona. "I have the results to the tests that I have been taking," said Dr. D. seriously. "Well?" asked Fiona. "It's." said Dr. D but he stopped but yet he still kept the very serious face. He didn't have a frown or a smile to help prove what the answer was. ***** "What is it Zeke?" asked Van when the blade liger suddenly stopped in it's tracks. Zeke gave a growl before he suddenly shot out of the blade liger. "Zeke. What are you doing?" asked Van as he raced the blade liger after Zeke. "Come on. Something is coming," yelled Eric as they suddenly broke into a run with Zack with Nicole on his back running right behind him. "Tell me again why we couldn't bring the zoid?" asked Zack breathing heavily due to the extra weight that was on his back. "It would make it too easy to spot us. So I had to hide it," yelled Eric. Suddenly a bright light came crashing down before them. Once the light settled an organoid could be seen. "Zeke," said Nicole happily. Zeke roar at Zack and Eric. "It is the organoid," said Zack as he tried to take off in the other direction. He was stopped though when a zoid appeared. It was the blade liger. "That is far enough," said Van. "Daddy," yelled Nicole in an extremely happy voice. "He is not you father for the last time," yelled Zack. "Shut up. Quit filling her head with all of these lies that you have been saying," yelled Van. "But they aren't lies. I thought you would have come to grip with it by now. I am sure that Fiona told you her little story. That should be all you needed to know in order to know the truth behind all of this," said Eric with a wide grin on his face. "Yeah, she did. It doesn't mean that I believe you though. I don't think that you did anything," said Van with a grin of his own. "It doesn't matter what you think. It doesn't change the truth about her," yelled Eric as he pointed towards Nicole. "I am taking her back and there is no way that you are going to stop me," said Van. "Quick Zack. Take her out of here," yelled Eric. Zack didn't need telling twice because he took off running. Fortunately Zeke followed him and nailed him in the face with his tail while being able to avoid hitting Nicole because she went flying up into the air unharmed and Zeke easily caught her on his back. "Yay. That was fun," squealed Nicole happily. "Thank you Zeke," she said nicely as she patted him on the head. Zeke growled happily. "It looks like that plan failed," said Van as he had a stare down with Eric. "The thing about me is that I usually have a backup plan," said Eric as he took something out of his pocket. "What's that?" asked Van trying to see what was in his hand. "You'll see," said Eric as he threw it down on the ground and a bright flashed engulfed the area. By the time it cleared there was no sign of Eric or Zack anywhere. "Damn it they got away," yelled Van. Zeke came trotting up from behind Van with a now sleepy Nicole on his back. "Let's go Zeke. We got what we came for," said Van as he smiled at Zeke and Nicole. ***** Fiona was once again at the window but this time she did see something coming. Her face lit up and she quickly ran out of the building. The blade liger came to a stop and Van jumped out of it with Nicole following closely behind him. "You did it Van," said Fiona happily. "Yeah, but I wasn't able to stop them. They got away," said Van sadly. "It is ok. At least we can be a family again," said Fiona as she hugged Van. "Mommy," yelled Nicole as she ran towards Fiona. She jumped into her mother's arms and Fiona happily hugged her. "I was so scared," said Fiona as tears of happiness fell down her face because she finally had her daughter back. "Van," said Dr. D. Van turned around and faced Dr. D. "Well?" asked Van. Dr. D only smiled at Van. "After all the testing that I did there is no doubt in my mind that she is your daughter Van," said Dr. D happily. A big smile crossed Van face. "However. It is time that we get this little plan going," said Dr. D. 9. farewell "You are awfully calm father," said Zack noting the calm disposition of Eric. Eric didn't even bother to try to respond to Zack. "What do you think is going to happen next?" asked Zack. This time Eric did respond. "I already know what is going to happen. They are afraid. They know what I am trying to do. So they are trying to hide the children to make sure that I don't get to him. Smart move. Those children will most likely become pests just like their parents but possibly even worse," said Eric with a grin on his face. "What makes you say that?" asked Zack curiously. "Fiona is a ancient zoidian with great powers. Van is a great zoid pilot unrivaled by most except for me. Just think about it. If they are to be raised by their parents then they would not only be skilled at piloting zoids but will also be strong in their zoidian powers. Even if the aren't they might still end up being a problem. Right now the question is where they are planning to do this?" said Eric as if it wasn't even a problem. "We will just have to keep and eye on them to see what they are going to do," said Zack with a smirk. "No. We are going to stop them before they can do anything. The children can't live," said Eric with an evil laugh. ***** "Fiona. You know that we can't keep on putting this off," said Van as kindly as he could. He for one would rather that they never had to do this but he knew that if they wanted to let their children live a peaceful life then they would be forced to do this. Holding her son in her arms, Fiona couldn't help but let a tear fall from her eyes. "I know, but I don't think I can actually do this. We will probably never be able to see them again. I just don't think that I would be able to go through with it," said Fiona as a lot of tears ran down her face. "I don't like it either. If we could we would go after them but then we would be leaving our friends, and the people that need us here. I just don't think that I could do that. So many people need us," said Van with as much sincerity as he could possibly use. The tears slowly started to dry from Fiona's eyes. "I guess you are right. I love our children so much though. You and them are the only family I have. I just can't keep losing them," said Fiona sadly. "I will be here with you. Don't forget about that. They will also be with each other. They will watch out for one another. I know that for a fact," said Van. "Come on. Let's get this over with," said Van reluctantly. Fiona stood up reluctantly. "You are right," was all that Fiona said. Suddenly the place started to shake very violently. "Van, Fiona. You need to get out of here as soon as possible," said Rudolph as he ran into the room. "What's going on? Never mind, stupid question," said Van knowing exactly what was going on. "My forces are trying to hold him off but he is too good and we won't be able to do it for much longer," said Rudolph. "Right. Come on Fiona," said Van as the two of them ran out of the place at full speed. ***** Explosions were occurring all around the family as they raced through the desert as fast as they could. They didn't use the blade liger because they knew that it would be easier for Eric to find them that way. The running was exhausting and Fiona was running out of strength quickly. She was caring young Bit while Van had Nicole on his back. "Come on Fiona. Don't give up. We are almost there," encouraged Van. This helped to get Fiona going again. They were almost there when a gunshot was heard. Fiona saw Nicole be shoved off to the side and Van fell right to the ground. "Van! Van!" screamed Fiona. "Daddy," whispered Nicole seeing her hurt father. "Go Fiona," said a weak Van. Fiona got up and looked around but there was no one around. 'Where did the shot come from?' Fiona thought to herself. "Go Fiona. I will be all right. Just make sure that they are safe," said Van. Fiona could tell that he was getting weaker. "Right. I promise that I will come back for you. Just stay alive until then," whispered Fiona before giving him a short kiss and then she left with her children. 'Please stay alive Van,' thought Fiona without looking back because she knew that it was only make her hesitate even more. ***** There she was in the valley of the rarehertz. The resting place of zoids eve. It was her final destination with her children. Entering a small cave opening Fiona knew it as the place where the gates to zoid eve was located from her last visit here. Taking a knee on the ground Fiona couldn't help but let out more tears. "Nicole. Please take care of your brother will you?" asked Fiona sadly. "What do you mean mommy. What about you and daddy?" asked Nicole a little confused. "We are sending you someplace far away and we won't be able to come. So just please promise me that you will protect you brother," said Fiona with so much sadness in her voice. "I want to stay with you mommy. I want to stay with you and daddy," cried Nicole with tears now rolling down her face. "I am sorry but you can't," said Fiona. Fiona closed her eyes and then concentrated. 'Zoid eve. Please take my children far away from here. I want them to be safe. So please grant my request,' thought Fiona as tears fell from her face. The place gave off a light shine. Fiona looked and saw that her daughter was starting to fade. "No, mommy," yelled Nicole as she ran towards Fiona. Fiona opened up her arms to embrace her daughter but she just vanished before Fiona's very eyes and before she could even hold her daughter one last time. Fiona couldn't take it anymore and the tears that she had been trying to hold back came pouring out of her. "Please be safe my children," whispered Fiona as the tears flowed freely down her face. She then got to her feet and ran as quickly as she could out of the place. She just couldn't stand being there. However a whistling sound caught her ears. She looked up and saw a missile was coming right at her. She was too shocked to move and the missile came down with a big explosion. What she expected to be her death didn't come and Fiona was unsure why. Looking up she saw the blade liger in front of her with its shields up. By the looks of it though it still got hit hard. The blade liger was seriously damaged and soon fell to the ground. The cockpit opened up and Van fell out of it. "Van!" screamed Fiona as she rushed to his side. "Looks like I made it just in time," said Van weakly. A sudden laugh then caught their eras. "Very clever. Sending them to a place where I would never be able to find them. It failed however. I will soon be with them as their destroyer," laughed Eric. "You know you could have prevented all of this Fiona by being with me all of those years ago. You refused to though and now it will cost you the lives of your children," laughed Eric. Zack then walked up behind him. "Now we have another time and place to go to. So I bid you goodbye lovely Fiona. Live with the thought that your children died because of the foolish decision you made back then," laughed Eric before walking off towards zoid eve. "No," yelled Fiona. "We can not let them get our children. So I guess we will have to follow them," said Van trying to sit up. "Come on Fiona. We have to stop them," said Van once he was on his feet and heading towards the gates of zoid eve. 'Please don't let it be too late once we get there,' thought Van as he weakly walked. Gaining entrance into the cave was easy. Van and Fiona stood there facing Eric and his son. "Hold it right there," growled Van at the two. "It is too late Flyheight. I have made it so that after I am gone zoid eve will go into a very long hibernation. You will be dead before it starts back up again. You have made the ultimate failure," smirked Zack as the two of them disappeared. "Try it Fiona," said Van as he sat against a wall because of the pain that was in his said. Fiona went into a sort of trance but in the end nothing happened. "No. It is too late," whispered Fiona as tears fell down her face. ***** "How could we have let this have happened Van?" asked Fiona sadly when they were all alone later. "We couldn't do anything and it cause us to lose our children and the only hope that they would be safe," said Van quietly and angrily. Van then wrapped his arms around Fiona and she just started to cry into his chest. They didn't say anything as Van just let Fiona cry and he also felt like crying himself but he knew that he had to be strong. ***Future*** "Hey come take a look at this," said a man. "What is it?" asked another one as he walked up. He noticed two children just laying on the ground unconscious. "What are these children doing here?" asked the second man in surprise. "I don't know. I wonder where their parents are," said the first man. "We had better take them somewhere for their safekeeping," said the second man as he picked the girl up. Then the first man picked up the baby. "Who would leave such young children?" asked the first man. 10. into the new century "Where did you say you found them again?" asked a relatively young woman as she looked over the two sleeping children. This woman had long flowing red hair. She was about the same size as Fiona was. She has sparkling purple eyes and a smile on her face. "We found them out in the desert abandoned. We figured that we couldn't just leave them there so we figured we could bring them here," said one of the men that found the two children. "I hope we aren't burdening you with this," said the other man. "Of course you aren't. I do run an orphanage you know. Plus it is always my pleasure to help children like them," said the woman with a smile. "Thank you Marie," said the first man shaking her hand before the two of them walked out of the room. "The poor kids. I wonder where their parents are. I also wonder why they would just leave them there," said Marie with sadness on her face. A sudden grumbling noise then caught her ears. She turned around to see the young girl waking up. A look of fright caught the girls face and she looked around the place fearfully. "It is ok. I am not here to hurt you," said Marie trying to calm the girl down. The girl then started to cry. "Where's. my mommy. and Daddy?" asked the little girl through her tears. "I don't know. I was hoping that you did though. Can you remember anything?" asked Marie putting a comforting hand on the girls shoulder. She nodded her head slowly. "First off why don't you tell me your name," said Marie nicely. "Nicole," said Nicole quietly. "What about him?" asked Marie pointing to the baby. Nicole immediately got out of her seat and ran to him. "I take it you know him," said Marie thinking that it was a stupid question. "He is my brother Bit," said Nicole quietly. "Do you know your last name. That might help us locate you parents," said Marie with a smile. Nicole remained silent. "What's the matter you have nothing to fear from me," said Marie still smiling. "Flyheight," whispered Nicole. A look of confusion went over Marie's face. "Did you just say Flyheight?" asked Marie looking at the girl skeptically. Nicole just nodded her head. "You mean as in Van Flyheight?" asked Marie. Nicole seemed to smile. "He is my daddy," she said happily. "I think that you must be mistaken. Van Flyheight died many, many years ago," said Marie looking at the girl sympathetically. "No, he is alive," said Nicole with fresh tears in her eyes. Marie decided to not push it anymore. "Why don't you get some rest. We can talk more after that," Marie said quietly. Nicole laid down next to her brother and closed her eyes. A while after she had fallen asleep, Marie found herself just sitting and watching them. "How can she be a Flyheight. I heard that they died without any children," said Marie. "That is not exactly true," said an elderly man as he popped up on a screen. Marie jumped to her feet. "It is only you admiral," said Marie holding her chest as she looked at the elderly man. "What are you trying to do, give me an early death?" asked Marie as she tried to control herself. "Of course not. You have children of your own that would need you, not to mention all of the children at the orphanage," said the admiral. "What did you mean by what you said, about what I said not being exactly true?" asked Marie looking at the elderly man. "That is only what the history books say, but they are wrong. The thing is that Van Flyheight and his wife did have two children, but the two of them disappeared one day," said the admiral. "You don't actually think that these two are those children?" asked Marie pointing to Nicole and Bit. "That is exactly what I am saying. We got a report about it. I only have one question," said the admiral. "What is that?" asked Marie. "The young girl. Does she have some markings on her head?" asked the admiral. "Yes. I was a bit confused about that because there aren't many people now a day that have those," said Marie with confusion on her face. "The two children were sent sometime into the future using a power called zoid eve," said the admiral. "Zoid eve? Isn't that only a story that was talked about with Flyheight?" asked Marie. "No, it is very real. Those two children were brought here through that. While they are here though, I want you to look after them and keep them hidden from anyone that looks suspicious,' said the admiral. "Why?" asked Marie very confused. "There are people that are after them. Sooner or later they are bound to show up. When that times comes you need to protect them," said the admiral. "I will do what I can," said Marie quietly. "Good. I know that you will do a good job Mrs. Toros," said the admiral before the screen disappeared. 'I don't believe it. It is very impossible to believe but I actually am believing it,' thought Marie with a slight laugh. "Don't worry you two. I will look after you no matter what," said Marie with a smile. ***Four years later*** "Like this?' asked a now five year old Bit as Marie was showing him something. "Right. You are doing great," said Marie with a smile before walking to a different area. The doors to the orphanage opened up and in walk a man with two zoid models in his hand. One was a raynos and the other was a blade liger. "Pow, pow, pow," said the man as he made it look like one was shooting the other. "Take that," said the man happily. Marie blushed in embarrassment as she saw her husband doing this. "Hey there honey," said the man known as Doc. A lot of the children seemed happy to have him here. 'At least he could get along great with the kids,' thought Marie still embarrassed by his actions. "Hello Steve," said Marie putting on a smile Doc placed his blade liger zoid model on the counter that Marie was standing by and smiled as well. "Little Leena wanted me to ask if she could come over later today," said Steve with a smile. "Of course she can. It will be fun to have her around," said Marie. "Great then I will go get her," said Steve preparing to leave. "Ok then I will see you later tonight," said Marie waving goodbye to that very short visit. He then remembered his zoid model and went to get it and saw that it was gone. "Where is it?" asked Doc freaking out a little. "Where's what?" asked Marie curiously. "My limited edition blade liger model," said Doc looking around frantically for the model. Marie blushed of embarrassment even more. "Oh wow. A blade liger," came a happy voice. Doc turned around to see little Bit holding his zoid model. "Ah, my blade liger," said Doc walking over. "Um I need that back," said Doc reaching for it but Bit just moved out of the way making Doc go falling over. Doc pouted at the loss of his zoid model. "Now Bit. Will you please give that back?" asked Marie with a serious look on her face. "Yes ma'am," said Bit with a sigh and handed it back to the happy Doc. Doc then happily walked out of the doors with both of his zoid models in his hands. "Sometimes he acts more like a kid then all of you kids do," said Marie with a laugh, which caused Bit to laugh as well. "Marie! We need your help," said one of the employees urgently. "What is it?" asked Marie. "It is Nicole. She has gotten very sick," said the man as he ran back into one of the rooms. "My sister?" said Bit frantically as he ran to. Marie grabbed his arm. "Stay here. We don't want you getting sick as well. She saw the worried look on his face. "Don't worry I am sure that she is going to be fine," she said with a smile. She then ran out of the room into the one that the other one went into. "I am not doing anything until she gets better," said a sad bit as he sat on the floor and did nothing after that. ***** "Mommy," said Leena happily as she ran to her mother and jumped into her arms. "Listen, she can't stay as long as I wanted because there is a bit of a problem right now," said Marie with a frown. "It is ok. I guess I could take her somewhere fun," said Doc with a smile. "I want to go with mommy," said Leena with a pout. "You van stay for a short time but then you go back with your father," said Marie with a smile. "Ok," said Leena happily. "I will come back in a little bit," said Doc walking back outside. Leena walked through the halls of a building holding the hand of her mother. "This is where I work Leena," said her mother very kindly. "Why are all of these kids here?" asked Leena. "They aren't as lucky as you are to have a family so we take them in and take care of them until someone comes to decide to take them as their own children," said Marie with a smile. "Hey Marie can you give us a hand?" asked one of the other workers. "Coming," said Marie. "Now Leena can you stay here for second while I go do something real quick?" asked Marie. "Yes Mommy," said Leena. By herself for a moment she couldn't help but look around at all the kids. One caught her eye as she spotted a boy who was sitting by himself not even playing. She walked up to him. "What's wrong," she asked. "Nothing," said the boy. "My name's Leena what's your?" asked Leena. The boy didn't respond. "Alright, I'm back," said Marie walking up to Leena. She looked at the boy with a sympathetic look and said to Leena, "Sweetie, why don't we leave him alone for now," said Marie as she took Leena's hand and started to walk away. "What is wrong with that boy?" asked Leena. "His name is Bit, and he has no family except his sister but she is sick right now. I think that you two would become good friends if you could get to know each other," said Marie with a smile. "Come on, let's go find you dad because he was planning on taking you somewhere," said Marie. "Ok," said Leena happily. The two of them then started to walk towards the door where Doc was already waiting for them. "Did you have a good time with the short amount of time that you were able to be here?" asked Doc with a smile on his face. "Yeah. It has been great being here with mommy," said Leena happily as she smiled at her parents. "Well I guess it is time to go though. I am sure that your mother would be happy to have you here at some other time then when they are having a problem," said Doc with a smile. "Will that be ok with you honey?" asked Doc putting on a smile which Leena seemed to be able to match easily. "Of course it is. I can't wait until we are able to do that. Next time you will be able to stay even longer. Maybe you will even be able to make friends with some of the kids that are around here," said Marie with a smile. "Yay. I can't wait for that to happen," said Leena with a smile on her face. Doc then picked her up and the two of them walked out the door. "I will see you later tonight," Marie yelled after them. They just waved back. ***** "Um, how is my sister doing?" asked Bit kind of shyly. Marie looked up from the things that she was doing and smiled at him. "She is doing just fine. She is being taken care of right now and will be back in a few days. So no need to worry," said Marie with a smile. Bit smiled happily and walked of down one of the halls with the smile still on his face. "What a cute kid. Him and Leena have a lot in common. I think that they could become good friends sometime," said Marie with a smile. Suddenly the doors to the orphanage opened and in walked two men. "How may I help you?" asked Marie cautiously because she didn't like the look of these guys. One man looked to be a lot older then the other on. He hard dark brown hair and he had deep amber eyes and a scar that went across his left eye. The other one looked younger and also had dark brown hair but he had violet eyes and no scar. They looked alike so Marie could only guess that they were probably father and son. "Yes we were wondering if you knew of these two children that we heard were brought in here. One is an girl named Nicole and she has a brother named Bit," said the older man. "What do you want with them?" asked Marie but then she remembered something. ***Flashback*** "I want you to look after them and keep them hidden from anyone that looks suspicious,' said the admiral. "Why?" asked Marie very confused. "There are people that are after them. Sooner or later they are bound to show up. When that times comes you need to protect them," said the admiral. ***End Flashback*** "So they are here? That is great. We have been looking for them for a long time," said the younger one. "Listen Mr.." said Marie not knowing his name. "Oh my apologies, my name is Eric and this is my son Zack," said Eric with a smile. "Listen I don't know who you are but I am afraid that I can't show you them," said Marie having a feeling that these two were the one that she heard about. Eric then put on a stern face. "Why not?" asked Eric seriously. "I am under orders to keep them safe from you," said Marie before she realized what she was saying. Eric and Zack both smirked. "So you know about us? I figured those fools knew that we would turn up," said Zack still smirking. "If you know who we are then it is in your best interest it you hand them over to us," said Eric with a serious tone in his voice. "Never," said Marie defiantly. She looked them straight in the eye and all she saw was hate and anger. "So be it then," said Zack grabbing a hard object and threw it across the room. Any child that was in the room started to panic and many of them started to run around. "Stop that! This is an orphanage," yelled Marie. Running to calm down the children. "I think not," said Eric as he took out a lighter and lit it up. "Unless you want this place burned down I suggest you give them to us," said Eric without an ounce of hesitation in his voice. Marie could only remain quiet, because she knew that she couldn't tell them. she hated to do this to the rest of the children though, and Bit and his sister meant so much to her. "So be it," said Eric as he picked up an object and lit it on fire. He then threw the object and it landed in a pile of large sheets. Every one of them almost immediately lit on fire and it started to spread faster then anyone could put them out. Eric and Zack then ran for it. "We need to get the kids out of here," she shouted to anyone that wasn't busy trying to put the fires out. "What will we do now?" asked Zack as they ran down the halls to find another exit. "She won't let them die. We will just have to wait until this is all over and grab them," said Eric as he ran as fast as he could. Suddenly a kid walked in front of the two of them. It was none other than Bit. Zack and Eric didn't even bother to try to stop and they hit him hard. He fell back and landed on the wall, hitting his head in the process. "Stupid kid. He should know not to get in our way," muttered Zack not even looking back. "There is an exit. Lets get out of here," said Eric as they ran through it and then ran as far away from the place as possible. ***** "Is that everybody?" yelled Marie over all of the noises. By now the fire had gotten worse then ever. "We are still missing one," said an employee of the place. "Who could be missing?" asked Marie quietly as she looked over all of the kids. It was then that she realized that Bit was still missing. "Oh no," said Marie as she immediately ran back into the place despite the pleas of all of the employees for her to stop. "I have to help him. I swore that I would protect him and his sister and that is what I am going to do," Marie said to herself as she ran into the place. ***** Bit eyes opened up to see all of the flames that had surrounded him. "What's going on?" Bit asked as he eyes the fire fearfully. He knew that he had to get out of the place. Flames seemed to shoot up everywhere, as the young boy seemed to be lost in all the smoke and debris. "Sis, Marie," yelled Bit in a frantic search to find anyone to help him out of this. There was no reply except the roar of the fire and pieces falling. "Where are you," yelled Bit again. Even though his skin was getting slightly burned from the flames he kept going. The next thing that he noticed was a large piece of wood falling towards him. Fear coursed through his body. The burning pillar was falling towards Bit but he was too frightened to even move. The next thing that he knew he had been pushed out of the way but he hit his head hard on the wall. The woman that pushed him got hit by it instead and was both burned badly at the waste but she broke a few ribs. "Ahhhhhh," screamed Marie as she held her burned and broken ribs. She managed to get up through all the pain and tried to walk towards the unconscious Bit. "I have to get you out of here," said Marie weakly when she was right over him. Even with how hurt she was she managed to pick Bit up and tried to walk out while trying to protect Bit from the flames but getting badly burnt in the process. "The exit," said Marie happily once she saw the doors. They were already open so it would be easier to get out, which she was thankful for. She stepped out into the sun and all of the other employees ran up to help her. One of them grabbed bit just before she collapsed to the ground. "Marie, Marie!" yelled the one that had taken Bit as he carefully placed Bit on the ground and walked towards her. "Is he ok?" asked Marie weakly pointing towards Bit. "He is alive. We have to get the two of you to a hospital though," said the worried employee. "Someone call an ambulance," yelled another as Marie felt herself falling into a deep sleep. 'I hope you will be all right Bit,' she thought before passing out. ***** "What are we doing here daddy?" asked little Leena as she followed her frantic father into the hospital along with her brother. "You're mother is in here right now," Doc told Leena not wanting to frighten her. "Stay right here with Leon. I am going to go talk to one of the doctor," said Doc quietly as he sat Leena on a chair with her brother. "Yes daddy," said Leena. Doc walked off and found the doctor that was taking care of his wife. "How is she doing?" asked Doc in a worried tone. The doctor had a gloomy look on his face. "I will be honest with you. She is in very bad shape. She has multiple third degree burns, many cracked ribs, and has lost a large amount of blood. I am afraid that she will most likely not live through this," said the doctor with a saddened face. Doc was devastated by what the doctor said. "Can we see her?" asked Doc sadly. "Yes but you must make it quick," said the doctor figuring that this was going to be the last time that they would see her alive. "I will just go grab my kids," said Doc as he slowly walked back. He got back and noticed that Leena was gone. "Where is your sister?" Doc asked Leon. "Said she had to go to the bathroom," said Leon getting out of his seat. "Lets go find her and then go talk to your mother," said Doc grabbing his sons hand and they started to look for Leena. ***** Leena was walking down the halls looking for a restroom. She was suddenly in front of an open door. She looked inside and saw a very familiar young boy. 'It's that boy. What was his name again. Bit was it?' Leena asked herself. "Bit?" asked Leena. The boys head shot up fast. "Wh-who are you?" asked a fearful Bit. "Remember me? I am Marie's daughter," said Leena with a smile. "Wh-who's Marie?" asked Bit with a weird look on his face. "Don't you remember?" asked Leena with a worried expression on her face. "No," said Bit with a saddened face. He suddenly got out of the bed despite his condition and ran as fast as he could out of the room. All that Leena did was watch him run away. While Bit was running down the hall he thought, "She called me Bit. That is my name I think.' that is what he thought while trying to get by everybody. He found himself running out of the place a few minutes later and thanks to his small size he was able to avoid everyone and get out without being noticed. Leena just continued to watch until he disappeared out of sight. "He was weird," Leena told herself. Then her father came up behind her. "Come on Leena. Let's go see your mother," said Doc with a sad look on his face. Leena silently nodded her head and followed closely behind her father and brother. They soon came up to a closed door and Doc almost hesitated before opening it and walking into the room. There she saw her mother. Bandages were wrapped all over her body and she had a mask to her face. She weakly turned to look at her husband and children and gave off a weak smile. "Hey there honey," said Marie very weakly. "Mommy. Are you ok?" asked a sad Leon. "Of course," she lied to make him happy. "You have to get better honey," said Doc as he walked up to her side and took her only hand that wasn't bandaged up. "Years ago I swore that I would protect those kids. I have no regrets about doing what I did even if it means I might leave you," said Marie with a cough. "Don't talk like that. You are going to be fine," said a very sad Doc. "You know I am not. Please take care of Leena and Leon for me. Will you?" asked Marie with a slight twinkle in her eyes. Doc tightened his grip on his wife's hand. "Of course I will," said Doc with a weak smile despite the fact he felt like crying. "Mommy. What's wrong?" asked little Leena walking up to her mother's side. "Come here Leena," said Marie weakly. Leena carefully moved her way forward until she was at her mother's side. "What is it mommy?" asked Leena in a sweet voice. "Look after your father. He will definitely need it," said Marie with a laugh before she started into a fit of coughing. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be there to see you grow up," said Marie weakly. Then her eyes closed and her hand fell limp. "Mommy, mommy!" screamed Leena with tears in her eyes. The sudden flat lining of the machine told Doc all that he needed to know. His wife was dead. ***** A young girl with long blonde hair walked through the hospital. She had heard all that had happened but didn't want to believe it. She walked to a receptionist. "Excuse me," she said quietly. The receptionist looked at her. The receptionist had long brown hair and a very friendly smile with twinkling blue eyes. "How can I help you little girl and where are your parents?" asked the woman with a smile. "I heard that my brother was here. I was wondering if you could tell me where," said Nicole in a quiet voice. "What is your brother name?" asked the woman with a smile. "Bit," said Nicole in the same quiet tone. The woman then took on a serious face. "I am sorry. I hate to tell you this but he disappeared earlier today. No one has been able to find him," said the woman with a sad expression. "Thank you anyways," said Nicole sadly before turning away. "Where are your parents little girl?" asked the woman with a smile on her face. "I don't have any. They are gone," said Nicole quietly. "You poor thing. Is there anything I can do for you to help?" asked the woman nicely. "No thank you. I will just go back to an orphanage," said Nicole. "How about I adopt you then. You are cute so I think it might be a good thing for you. Maybe I can help you find your brother," said the woman with a smile. "No thank you. I don't want another mother. I love my own mother despite that she is gone," said Nicole sadly walking away. It hurt her a lot to talk about her mother. She loved Fiona a lot and it hurt to think that her mother and father were both dead. "How about a friend then. I promise I won't try to replace your mother. You need a place to stay and I think that I can give it to you with a good life," said the woman with a smile. Nicole seemed sort of happy by this. "Thank you,' Nicole said with a weak smile. The woman smiled a friendly smile at her as well. ***** Bit ran and ran like he never had before. That place was really freaking him out. He had no idea how he had got there or anything else. Despite his small size he ran a pretty good speed. He stopped and went into an alley. He took in deep breaths to try and calm down. A loud roaring noise then caught his ears. He followed it to the back of that alley. He then stood there in an opening and saw before him a beautiful white liger. "Will you try and contain him already?" yelled a man over a megaphone. The white liger wouldn't settle down and was throwing people all over the place and tearing apart zoids that came after it. Bit remained hidden but he was amazed by the strength of the zoid. The liger suddenly turned in Bit's direction and Bit froze in his spot. It seemed to calm down as it looked directly at Bit. "What's going on," said the man with the megaphone. He then turned and spotted Bit. "Hey! What are you doing here kid? This is a restricted area," yelled the man. Bit didn't seem to listen he seemed to be in a sort of trance. All fears forgotten, he got to his feet and started to walk towards the white liger. Despite the man's protests, though he didn't do anything but yell because he was afraid to get near the zoid. To everyone's surprise the liger didn't even move. Bit got right in front of it and reached out towards it. It didn't move and Bit placed a hand on the tip of the area where a nose would normally be on a regular animal. Everyone was amazed that a child had managed to calm the zoid down a bit. "Alright. It is calm. Take it away before it starts going wild again," said the shocked man. Bit seemed to snap out of what he was doing. He took a few steps back but remained calm. "Hey kid," said the man from before. "Who? Me?" asked Bit pointing to himself. The man looked down on Bit with admiration in his eyes. "Yeah. How did you do that?" asked the man with confusion on his face. No one that he knew could handle a wild zoid like that "Do what?" asked Bit with even more confusion on his face. "Calm that zoid down. We have been trying for a few hours and it never even responded to anything unless it was to throw people around or try and destroy our zoids," said the man, eyeing Bit carefully. "I don't know. I just had this feeling like it wasn't going to hurt me," said Bit quietly. "I am impressed that a kid like you could do something like that. How about I teach you a few things. I can teach you everything that you need to know about zoids. That is if it is ok with your parents," said the man. He just stared down at Bit waiting for a reply but Bit remained quiet for another minute or two. "Well? What is your answer going to be? Will your parents even mind?" asked the man getting a bit tired of waiting for a reply. "I don't know who my parents are," said Bit quietly. "Then how about I take you in. that will make things easier for me to help teach you," said the man with a smile. "Plus my wife might be happy to have a kid around the house," said the man with a grin. "I guess," said Bit quietly. "I don't have anywhere else to go anyways," said Bit quietly. "Then it is settled," said the man happily. "What was that zoid?" asked Bit looking as the zoid was loaded up into a truck and then they took it away. "Just a rare liger that we found. We were getting rid of it because it wouldn't do anything that we told it to," said the man with a sigh. "Someday I want a powerful zoid like that," said Bit excitedly. "Listen to what I have to say and maybe someday you can. Oh I almost forgot. My name is Derek, Derek Cloud," said the man with a grin. "What's yours?" asked Derek. "Bit," said Bit shyly. "From now on you are part of my family," said Derek as he patted Bit on the back. ***13 years later*** A car was driving through the hot desert sands. A now eighteen-year-old Bit was driving through the sands looking for a good place to find parts. The sight of a falling judge capsule caught his eye. He grinned a bit knowing a zoid battle was going on and that would be the perfect place to find some parts. End file.

Shadows of the Past by cyberdemon

Zoids

Silver Lining **Disclaimer:** I do not own Zoids. **Foreword:** To any major Leena fans in general, this is not meant as inflamatory, parts of this are meant to be different and to try and break the fan-crafted mold of her character from the point-of-view of another member of the Zoids/0 cast. Silver Lining * * * There`s a silver lining to every cloud, ya see. My cloud is the chase I committed myself to the day I stole my uncle`s garbage truck and fled from my home in the Wind Colony at the age of fourteen. My chase is the one chase I felt I was born for, and it`s the one chase that I hope I never complete. Why? Because if I complete it, then what? If you`re a hero and you complete a quest that`s the only thing that matters to you, do you accept that fact or do you keep driving after it, not believing what you`ve done or trying to change it into something else? That`s my dilemma here. You see, over the past two months I`ve been realizing my dream, carrying out the chase with the only partner I feel I can truly put my trust in. Over the past two months, I`ve joined the pursuit and completed it, I succeeded in getting from the edge of the hurricane to the silver lining of it`s eye. My chase should be over. But you know what? It`s not. It just got a bit more glorified but my chase isn`t over. It never will be. My name is Bit Cloud, I live for the chase. The chase is my first love, my only love and it`s only going to end if I die. But the chase is already over, if you ask some people... Vega Obscura and Leon Tauros understand though, they`re in it for the chase too. Leon is in it for the wrong reasons though, Vega`s in it because he doesn`t know any better. You don`t enter the chase because you want to spite fate, you don`t enter it to become someone they talk about in history books like a god. You enter this chase because your heart calls you to. That`s why I`m in it anyway, but maybe for them their hearts just call differently. I don`t know. I kinda don`t like my team mates because of that though. None of them are in it for the chase. Leena`s in it for glory, Brad just wants money and Jamie wants to follow in his father`s footsteps. Me? I don`t care about any of that. Sure, I used to care about the glory and the money, but my parents were farmers so I didn`t really have any point in following their footsteps. Nah, this here farmboy had himself an epiphany when he fought through two of the hardest battles he`d ever seen. Remind me not to talk in the third person again... Anyway, my epiphany was something that should`ve been blaringly obvious to me all along: None of that matters. All that matters is the calling of my heart and that`s calling me on the long path of the chase. The chase is what I live for. I`m chasing for the other silver lining now, you know... No, not the one on the opposite side of the serenity of the eye of the hurricane. The silver lining up in the heavens, the lining rimming every star in the night sky. My chase is going to lead me to my own star some day, just wait. But about that epiphany... That`s why I gave all the prize money I had to the Doc. Yeah, I willingly went from rich boy back to the farmboy-turned-Zoid warrior I was meant to be. Brad thinks I`m an idiot, Jamie thinks I`m insane and Leena thinks I`m some selfless stud. Bah. No, not bah... What`s a better word? ... Eh... Forget it. Anyway... Brad may think I`m an idiot but I`m a pro at reading people, they all think I`m dumb but I`m probably smarter than the Doc. Know why he thinks I`m an idiot? Brad grew up poor, I can smell the poverty on him, and now that he`s beginning to fall for Naomi it`s driving him up the wall that he hasn`t finished paying off his old debts or anything else. Jamie thinks I`m insane because I`m the simplest person he knows but I`m still at least as smart as he is. He see`s through me, I`m sure, but I know the real reason he`s in these battles now. Sure, he may say it`s to live up to his dad`s expectations but truthfully he`s doing this to try and passify his own demons. He calls me insane but he`s the real lunatic, and Zoid battling is his only outlet for his aggressions. Leena? Leena`s just a psychopathic user. Oh, yeah, call me mean, call me an ass, call me what you will but it`s the truth. She uses her beauty to play off of Harry, she tries it on Jamie and me both sometimes and if not for the ice-king treatment Brad gives her she`d probably try it on him too. Her dad too, Doc is completely brainwashed by the way she gives him these big puppydog eyes when she wants something. But why do I call her a user? Really? In specific, it`s not because of most of the reasons I just said, it`s because of what she does to Harry. Harry is a guy I have sympathy for, his chase is even harder than mine because Leena just uses him liberally and even tries to use him to get to me. She`s pretty immature, beautiful and spoiled. Did I mention she`s an absolute psychopath when it comes to fighting? Oh, right... You`re probably too busy frothing at the mouth that I`ve just bashed Little Miss Innocent Perfectly Vulnerable Beauty Queen to see the fact I`m telling the truth, nevermind. Romance? Feh. Money? Blah. Retirement? **_NO WAY! _** The only thing I live for is the chase. One day I`ll get to that silver lining, no matter how many times I have to make it jump to a higher, harder-to-reach goalpost. I don`t care how hard I have to push it to make it push me, the day I grab a hold of that gleaming silver finishing line, that`s the day I`ll be at peace. That`s the day I`ll be okay with dying. Yanno, there`s a saying in my family, real old, not sure who came up with it first but I guess for me it rings pretty true... "Every Cloud has a silver lining." And until I`m happy with mine, I`ll keep chasing it down and polishing it off. And in the end, I guess that`s all I have. But it`s also all I need. * * * **Author`s Note:** The parts involving Leena in this fic were **not** meant as character bashing, they were meant as an author`s interpretation on the true relationship between two characters from an anime. In short, I felt it was time for something different from the caring, nice way she`s often shown, because in the series she was effectively a brutal, greedy, self interested girl who was willing to open fire repeatedly on her own team mates and a guy who was willing to die to protect her. Blame my disposition to Bulma/Vegeta syndrome. That`s all for now though, leave a review if you would and I hope you enjoyed this _different_ take on the personality, thoughts and dreams of Bit Cloud. _Sh33p_ out. End file.

Silver Lining by The Sh33p

Zoids

Still Here STILL HERE It had been six hours since they had brought him in here. The Blitz team had been watching the clock like hawks watching their pray. Jamie and Doc were able to keep their minds of things by making needed phone calls to friends, and trying to find Bit's family, if he even had one. Brad was making several trips to and from the coffee machine, often coming back with things for Leena, trying to keep her mind off things, he knew that this would effect her the most out of everyone. Jamie and Doc were blind; they didn't notice the two pilots' sudden attraction to one another. Hell, it took Bit and Leena two years to figure out what was going on inside each of themselves, but only a moment to admit. He was the only one on the base who knew about Bit and Leena's secret, why they were always disappearing together, and why they suddenly got along so well, then again he had found out by accident. Really it was more of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he has suspected it for awhile. Jamie had brains, but he had no common sense, and Doc, well, was just Doc. It's hard to believe this guy is a super genius and a parent, he acts like a two year old most of the time. "Leon and Naomi are on their way over," Doc announced to no one really, he knew that no one was really listening. Jamie was focused on this computer, Brad was now sitting drinking an empty cup of coffee that he hadn't noticed was empty for quite sometime now, and Leena, she just sat their, her eyes lifeless. Like she had suddenly lost the will to live, that was what scared him the most about this whole situation. What would happen to Leena if Bit didn't live. "I heard the news, how long did it take to find him?" Jack Sisco broke the gloomy silence as he walked into the waiting room. "Two days," Brad said emotionlessly, "two fucking days." "Did they find the kidnapper?" "Nope, must have just left him for dead," he sighed heavily, "assholes. Do they have no common decency!" "Most criminals don't. The reporters said it was bad, they're all around this place y'know, what are the doctors saying?" "Not much. Just that we shouldn't get our hopes up. Bastards." "Have you found his family yet?" "Jamie's looking." "How's everyone doing?" Jack looked over at Leena, she still stared at the clock with those lifeless eyes. He could tell she wanted to cry, but she wasn't that type of person to cry in front of a crowd, especially full of people that she knew. "Been better." Jack nodded, Brad wasn't really in the mood for small talk. Not that he ever really was, but this was different. Bit was in the hospital. Bit was dying. "Hello, is everyone comfy?" A cheery nurse walked into the room, no doubt sent by the doctor who was far to scared to tell these crazy people anything. The last time he came and talked to them Brad almost punched the poor guy, then again Brad really wasn't a fan of medical doctors to begin with. "Like shit I am," Jack mumbled, "why do you types always have to be so damn cherry! I mean we're in a hospital for Christ's sake!" "Ahm," the nurse cleared her throat, "Mr. Cloud is currently in a comma, and the Doctor has decided to go against the rules and let you all go and see him," everyone jumped out of their seats. "Hold it! He said only one at a time! And I mean it!" She glared at the group, who grumbled and sat back down. "Is he going to be okay?" Leena spoke for the first time in five hours, even now her voice was small, childlike even. She glided her teary eyes over to face the nurse, "tell me the truth. Is he going to be okay?" She spoke a little louder this time, with more strength. The nurse smiled warmly at her, "We hope so, hon, we're doing our very best." "Dammit! I'm sick of your answers! I just want the fucking truth! Is that so much to ask!" Leena jumped up out of her chair, her voice full of fire and vengeance. Brad placed a hand on her shoulder, "come on, Leena, it will be okay. How about you go and see him first, we'll have more information for you when you get back, we promise." He smiled warmly, Leena nodded, "Thank-you for not saying anything," she whispered to him, "it really means a lot to me." Brad nodded, "now you go ahead. We'll stay here and have a nice little chat with the doctor, okay?" He smiled and cocked his head at the nurse, motioning her to go and get the doctor or else. She nodded, and followed another waiting nurse to Bit's room. She was scared. He knew it. She knew it. Hell, everyone knew it. Leena was scared for Bit, she had been for the past two days while the police were searching for him. This was the last thing she needed. "Here you go, I'll give you some privacy miss," the nurse smiled at Leena, she nodded in reply. The room was stark while, it even smelled of death. It was the last place Leena wanted to be, but she couldn't bear not seeing him. Leena walked over to where Bit was laying, at least he wasn't in pain anymore. She couldn't imagine what kind of pain he must have been in for the past two days. It must have been a living hell, and all she wanted was for him to hold her tight and say everything was going to be okay. That he was fine, and everything was going to go back to normal. But he couldn't even hear her voice, or see her face. He was in a completely different world, wedged somewhere in-between life and death. She pulled up a chair close to his bed, and brushed the sandy blonde hair away from his eyes. He had such beautiful green eyes, what she wouldn't give to see them open one last time. She just sat there for a moment, just watching him in his serene state. At least now she knew he was safe, or at least safer then before. Then she placed her hand in his, and held it up to her lips, kissing it gently, "Come back to me, don't you dare leave me alone Bit Cloud," she threatened, "don't you even think about it." She could feel the tears swelling up in her eyes and she continued on, "I'm no good alone, I'm a horrible person," she sat in silence for awhile, crying into his hand. "All I have ever done is hurt others, dammit, that's all I'm fucking good at! And then you," she paused looking into his face, "you, your just, well wonderful. I'm so selfish." She cried awhile longer, squeezing onto his hand, hoping it would squeeze back. "If you left me who would steal my cookies, and, and, who would help me hide Brad's coffee from him? Huh? And who, who, would be there to comfort me and protect me. Dammit Bit!" More tears spilled out of her eyes, all the tears that had been building up all those days, "dammit Bit! Why'd ya have to go be the hero! They might have let you go if you hadn't protected me! Dammit! You know I don't deal well with death as it is, but you have to go and get yourself kidnapped because someone threatened me! Why couldn't you have just gone to the cops Bit!" She cried more openly now, "fuck you, you know that. Fuck you. Why'd ya have to go," her words became slow and slurred as she leaned in a cried on his stomach, "don't leave me, please, don't leave me alone. Not again. Not like Mum did." "Ms. Toros? Are you alright?" A nurse came in, hearing Leena's yells, to see what was going on. She didn't exactly look like she was in the sanest state. She lifted her head, "I'll be fine." She mumbled, wiping away some of her tears. She cast another look at Bit, "just please, tell me, how is he? That is all I ask of you. Just please tell me what is going on." The nurse sighed, "I wish I could, sweetie, you seem like such a darling little thing," "No! That's not good enough. I need answers! Not apologies!" The nurse sighed, "he doesn't have much time. He's not going to live." She said mechanically, uncaringly, "I'm sorry, but you said you wanted the truth, and that's it. I'm sick of giving people the sugar-coated versions anyways." Leena's eyes widened her heart pounded intensely, "wh-aa-tt?" She asked breathlessly, "no, that couldn't, no, not Bit," she shook her head. "He's lost so much blood it's almost hopeless." "But there's still hope." She sighed, "very slim, I wouldn't bet on it." "Well I will." The nurse sighed as she closed the door again, muttering something about young people today. Leena just turned her attention back to Bit, her eyes soft and blood-shot, "Please don't leave me, I love you," she whispered to him, "things just aren't supposed to be like this." "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN WE CAN'T SEE HIM! HE'S OUR BROTHER FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! IT'S NOT LIKE WE WANT TO KILL HIM!" An angry blonde-headed girl yelled at one of the nurses stationed outside Bit's room. "I'm sorry, I don't make the rules. Ms. Toros is in with him now, when she comes out, then you may see him one at a time just like everyone else." "NO WAY!" The blonde shouted, pushing her way pas the army of nurses. Behind her was a girl with dyed red hair, and a man who looked a lot like Bit. In fact, each of them shared a close resemblance to the cocky blonde pilot. The blonde girl slammed open Bit's door, and found Leena sitting next to him holding his hand in hers. She looked like she had been through hell. No doubt each person present tonight had been through almost the same thing. "Who are you?" Leena turned to face them, "and if you're more nurses, I swear I will," The other redhead held up her hand, "nope, we're not, but we do understand. Damn, those people are annoying." "Well," Leena looked at them strangely. "Oh yea, hi, we're Bit's siblings!" The blonde announced, "I'm Aris and this is Urban," she motioned to the redheaded girl, "and that's Garrett." "Your parents really couldn't pick normal names could they?" "Sadly no, but I love 'em for it anyways," Garrett sighed, "ironic huh?" "What is?" "I grew up hating my parents because I had such an strange name, but now it's what I love most about them." "Where are they now? I presume they will be coming down shortly." The three looked at Leena sadly, "you mean he never told you?" Garrett looked at her, surprised, but at the same time hurt. Leena looked at Bit, and then at the three in front of her, "told me what?" "Our parents," Urban sighed, "died when Bit was just four." Leena gasped, "what?" Aris nodded, "he didn't tell you, because he didn't want your pity. We're no different." Leena nodded in understanding, "I take it you would like sometime to visit with him," she lowered her head, "I'll just be out in the waiting room, and I promise, no pity." Urban shook her head, "no, it's just good enough that we have seen him. I think he needs you now, not us. We've never really ever been there for him, it seems like you have." Leena turned a little red, "it's not like that," she lied, "we're just friends." Garrett smiled, "then he's one hell of a lucky guy to have friends like you guys looking out for him." Leena lowered her head, "that's not true." "What do you mean?" Garrett looked at her, "I don't think I have ever seen such dedication to a friend before." Leena looked at Bit sadly, feeling her eyes start to swell up with tears again, "it's my fault he's here." She set down Bit's hand, and stood up. Leaving Bit's siblings alone with him. She couldn't stand to be in there any longer, they made it seem like this could have never been prevented. And that she was such a good friend for Bit. But it could have, she should have never shown him the note. She should have done more to make sure he didn't go that night, she knew better then anyone that it had to be a trap. Why else would they give a time and a place on a threat note. Leena walked slowly back down the hallway, she could feel herself wobble and the room began to spin around her. She fell back against the wall, her sobs breaking out again. She crunched down, holding her knee's to her chest, just wishing that the world would just go away. She hadn't felt this way in years, she felt so helpless, so weak. She was supposed to be strong, she promised herself that. And here she was. Crying her eyes out in the hallway of a hospital. "Oh my god. Leena!" Naomi pointed at the crouched figure down the hallway from Bit's room. She grabbed Brad's hand, "What?" "Leena!" She motioned again to the redhead down the hallway. Brad dropped his coffee. He took off on a run down the hallway, Naomi right next to him. "Leena?" Brad asked softly, bending down to her level. Naomi took up a seat next to her, and started to rub her back gently, "Hang in there, hun, he'll be fine." Naomi lied, knowing what the doctor's stance was on Bit's condition. "No, no he won't," Leena mumbled, "I had hope last time, and it killed me just to see her go away." "Leena, it's not going to be like that. Your mom, she was sick," Brad paused, unsure of what to say, "Bit is, well Bit. He has yet to not surprise me with some amazing stunt. Don't worry, he'll make it through." "I can't keep up this act anymore. I'm not strong enough for this." Naomi smiled, "what act? If that was Brad in there, I swear half these doctors would be dead thanks to me. You, you have kept your head level. You never broke down in the waiting room. You are one of the strongest people that I have ever met." "What am I going to tell everyone if he dies?" "Don't talk like that," Brad reassured Leena, "he's not going to die. He's too stubborn for that." Leena smiled a little, Brad was right, he was stubborn. "You see, it isn't that hard to smile," Naomi stood up, "now come on, let's get you back to the waiting room. We'll try to dodge the reporters." "I thought they were just outside of the waiting room?" Leena asked, standing up and wiping her eyes. "The hospital can't keep them locked in there, against the law or something stupid like that. They have now moved on to the waiting room area, we've barely got room to breathe!" Brad complained, "and the constant questions and camera flashes! I swear I'm going to kill one of them sooner or later!" "Do they know? About me and Bit?" Naomi shook her head, "the only people who know in that room is me, you, and Brad. Brad and me haven't said anything, so unless you have incriminated yourself," Leena smiled and shook her head 'no'. "Good then, let's get going then," Brad smiled, "here have some coffee. It will help you calm down a little." Brad handed her his cup of coffee, something he rarely did for anyone, but this was Leena. He thought of her like a little sister, especially after Leon left the team. Leena nodded and accepted the coffee, "Thanks you guys, for everything." "You would have done the same, Leena, we both know that." "Steve Toros! Is it true that Bit and Leena have been an item for a long time now?" "Yes! Yes! Are the rumors true? Do you have any comment as to your daughter dating someone on your team?" The reporters were vicious, attacking everyone and anyone who even dared to breathe while they were in the waiting room. Brad and Naomi looked at each other and nodded, standing in front of Leena to protect her from the sudden on slot of cameras and reporters coming her way. "Ms. Toros! Do you have any comments as to Bit's condition?" "Will you confirm the rumors that you and Bit are dating?" "What are your feelings on the matter?" Camera's shot up into Leena's face, as she scooted closer and closer to Brad and Naomi, holding on to each of their arms in fear. She didn't know what to say, she didn't want to deal with these people right now. She just wanted to be alone, and most of all for Bit to be there. Holding her, telling her that everything was going to be all right. "Hey! Back off!" Naomi shouted at the reporters. "Just go away!" Brad added, "we don't want to deal with you guys right now!" "Brad Hunter! Is it true that you and Naomi Flugal are planning to elope?" A reporter shouted through the mob. Brad turned an interesting shade of red, "WHAT THE HELL! WHO TOLD YOU THAT CRAP?" "Name. Address. Telephone. We'll take anything!" Naomi shouted, being a little less harsh then her other half. Leena poked them in the sides, "umm, guys, just keep walking, ignore them, remember? They're just trying to get a rise out of you." Brad nodded, "too late." Naomi grabbed his arm and held him back, "there are no wedding plans, now if you would excuse us," she said calmly, noting Leena's reasoning was a little better then hers. They pushed their way through the crowd, to a little bunching of seats at the end of the room where the bewildered, angered, and sad pilots sat around ready to punch out the next person who came up and took their picture calming free press. "Hey you guys! You made it!" Jamie shouted over the mob of reporters, "it's a miracle you made it out alive!" "No shit," Jack muttered, "I went for some coffee about and hour ago, and I just got back. Damn press. It won't been so free once I get through with it." "I take it you guys have met Bit's family," Leena asked, trying to make conversation. Leon nodded, "quite a threesome they were. But they did remind me a lot of Bit." "They didn't kick you out of there did they?" Kris Tasker looked at her sadly, "if they did I'll go kick their asses for you!" She offered warmly, well as warmly as kicking someone's ass can be. Leena smiled, "no, no, they didn't kick me out. I just thought that they would want time alone with him, I mean they are his family." "I wonder why Bit's never talked about them, in fact I don't think he ever mentioned his family once," Jamie wondered out loud. "Who knows, if you ask me he's once strange cookie, but you gotta love him." Kelly Tasker smiled. "I know," Leena said softly, everyone turned their attention to her, "it's the same reason I don't go around talking about my mom. It hurts." Everyone lowered their heads, getting an idea of what Bit's life must have been like for him never to want to talk about it. "Psst, Cameron, are you getting this?" A blonde reporter whispered to her cameraman, pointing to the group of pilots huddled in the back talking in whispers. Brad, Leon, and Jack stood up as soon as they heard this, towering over the small blonde reporter. "Hello, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Toros, and Mr. Sisco, any comments? Heh, heh." The blonde girl held up the microphone to their mouths, as the three stood shaking in anger. "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM US!" They shouted, not just to the blonde but to every reporter in the room. "Free press?" A tiny voice squeaked out. "HELL NO!" Jack yelled, ready to lunge at the reporter. "Remember your manners, Jack," Kris reminded him in a monotone voice, "and for god's sake, at least remember to censor yourself! I mean we're in a hospital, I'm sure they're all a bunch of little kids around here!" Jack rolled his eyes, and sat back down. Brad and Leon looked at their handy work, the reporters now sat on the other side of the room, quietly, and cameras turned off. "Thank-you," Leon called after them. Aris, Urban, and Garrett sat besides Bit's bed, unsure of what to do. It had been years since they had seen their brother, hell this was the first time the three of them had been reunited in seven years. So much had changed since then, but still when they saw each other, it hurt. They were each other's reminders of a past they wished would just go away. "Hey Bit," Urban whispered to him, "it's been awhile, huh? And you know what sucks most about it, it took you getting hurt to bring us back together." She said with venom in her voice. The last time she had seen him, he was eleven, she was nine, Aris was twelve, and Garret was fifteen, now seven years later they had changed so much. They had grown up apart, and missed out on everything that every sibling experienced. She was sixteen now. She had experienced the world, but she still wasn't happy. The one thing that all of Zi had in common was family. Each person had at least one person to turn to, but her. She was an outsider. She had no one. And now the one family she had was dying right in front of her. Bit was only two years older then her, he wasn't supposed to die. He was too young. And she wasn't supposed to lose all of her family, not yet. If he died that would leave only three of the siblings, and one more giant hole in her heart that could never be filled. She had already missed out on her parents, what memories she had of them were small and incomplete. At least Bit, Aris, and Garrett had their memories to turn to when they were sad. She had nothing. "You were right, Urb, you were right all those years ago. We should have listened to you. We should have never gone our separate ways." Aris could feel the tears swelling up in her eyes. "All those years ago, when we decided to go our own ways you were the only one who wanted to say together. You said 'if you don't got your family, do you have?'. I'm sorry, I wish we could go back in time and change all of that." "No, I wouldn't change that decision, not for the world. Bit is happy now, or at least was happy. He had a life with the Blitz team, he had a family. That was something we could never give him. We're only family by blood, but we were never there for each other." Garrett reasoned, "his new family is stronger then ours ever was, and ever will be." Urban lowered her head, "your right you know. I think it's time to go, we've imposed on this family far too long." Aris nodded in agreement, "we let them down." "Who down?" Urban asked, not sure of what Aris meant. "Mum and Dad. They said for us to no matter what stick together, because we are a family and no one can take that from you." "Then they lied." Urban stated without hesitation. "What do you mean?" Garrett asked, confused. "Those murders took that from us a long time ago." Garrett, Aris, and Urban walked into the hallway without another word. Things were going to be different now, they were going to try and set things right between the three of them. Try to give themselves together the one thing they could never give themselves on their own. Family. Leena noticed the three walk out of the hallway and into the waiting room, without even stopping to wait for Bit's outcome. She jumped out of her chair and ran over to them, worried for the worst. "Hey! Aris! Garrett! Urban! Wait!" She shouted after them. "Ms. Toros?" Urban looked at her strangely, not sure of what the redhead wanted. "Is he?" She shook her head and smiled, "he's still in that comma." Leena looked at them, confused, "then where are you going?" "Home, I guess, where ever that might be," Garrett smiled. "But don't you want to see if he will live! I mean, you're his family! Don't you at least care one little bit?" Aris nodded, "of course we do, as does the rest of Zi. But we're not his family." Leena jerked her head back, even more confused then before, "what?" "You are. The Blitz team as a whole is his new family, not us. He's happy with you guys, we're not going to impose on that type of bond." Aris reasoned, "just one thing." "What?" "Take care of him, okay? I may not have been there for him like I should have, but he's still my baby brother. I don't like seeing him hurt." The three siblings turned to walk out of the hospital, but Leena grabbed Aris's shoulder, "Don't go. Stay. He needs you." "No, he needs you." She smiled, "tell him we said hi." They turned and walked away again, Leena stood unsure of what to do, on an instinct she yelled out, "Just stay with us until he wakes up! Please!" Aris looked back at the redhead, and shook her head, then walked away. Leena had a funny feeling that she would never see those three again. "What was that all about?" Leon asked as Leena walked back into the waiting room. "I'm not quite sure," Leena sighed, "I guess I just don't understand their reasoning really, but I really can't understand what it must be like to be in their shoes." Leon nodded, and gave his sister a warm hug, "that's probably a good thing, sis, I'm not quite sure I would want to understand their reasoning either." She nodded and smiled faintly. Another three hours past. It was now in the early hours in the morning, but the pilots couldn't find sleep easily. The reporters on the other side of the room had long left, knowing that their story needed only one more thing. And ending. They would hear news sooner or later, and then rush down to see how the fates decided Bit's life. Everyone's hope hung by a thread. Leena walked the corridors of the hospital uneasily; she kept passing two rooms. The one room where her mother died, and Bit's room. Funny how both people she cared for tremendously ended up in the same hospital, only rooms apart. She walked back into Bit's room, memorizing his body. Memories flashing through her head. At least now she knew what it must have been like for her father, the only difference was he had to be strong. He had both Leon and Leena to worry about, and she, she was just trying to keep herself together. Trying not to breakdown in front of everyone. She chose to be strong, because that is what she did. She hid her emotions. She could feel her tears again, falling freely down her cheeks. She had cried so much today, and she was thankful that she had someone always looking out for her when she cried, expect for the one person who would have brought her total comfort. "Bit," she practically whispered, "remember when we first met?" She smiled fondly at this memory, "remember how Brad tied you up, and I gave you food but didn't untie your hands. Remember how you tried to steal parts from my zoid? And how much I hated you for it. I thought you were the worst person in all of Zi," she laughed silently, "funny how time changes everything. "Remember when you asked me when it was I first realized that I was in love with you? And then I said I didn't know. Tell you the truth, I lied. When you left after we won the tournament, for your vacation, when you were gone, that's when I realized how much I cared for you. It seemed so cheesy and Hollywood that I didn't want to tell you, I thought you would make fun of me. I guess I was the immature one, huh? "Bit, now that you're gone again, I realize just how much you mean to me. Don't go. Please. If you did, what would I do? I don't know how my father ever survived, losing my mom like that, but at least he has me and Leon to remind him of my mother so that she never goes away from him completely. But, if you go, then I have nothing but memories of you." She sat down on the side of his bed, her tears flying out of her eyes, "don't go, please, just don't go." She leaned down and hugged him tight. She could feel his warmth slowly draining out of him, and how she longed for him just to wrap his arms around her, but she knew it wouldn't happen. Harry stood outside of Bit's room in the hospital. He had just caught wind of what had happened, he had been on vacation with his family while Bit was kidnapped. 'Leena must be devastated,' he had thought, 'I should go and comfort her. Her and Bit were such good friends.' But he had never expected this. He stood outside, a giant bouquet of red and pink roses in hand for Leena, and a 'get-well soon' card for Bit. It was the least he could do anyways. But listening to her talk to him, it made him feel so angry and so sick inside. 'Bit and Leena?! Together all of this time? Why didn't anyone tell me!' He yelled at himself silently, both envying Bit and hating him at the same time. Then a thought struck him, 'maybe it was because nobody knew.' It made sense, Bit and Leena wouldn't have wanted the publicity that goes with two high ranking and famous zoid pilots dating each other. They had seen the press's reaction when they discovered that Brad and Naomi were together. Maybe they didn't want to bother with it. Then there was always Leon and Leena's father. No doubt Leon would have a problem with any guy dating his baby sister, and Doc would go into protective father mode. Maybe that was why he never knew, because they didn't want anyone to know. "You're one lucky bastard, Bit. You better take care of her," he whispered silently, dropping his flowers to the ground. He shook his head, trying to hide his tears, then he walked away. It was better Leena not know that he knew, she had enough to deal with right now anyways. Earlier that day... Brad walked past Bit's room for about the tenth time that day. He kept telling himself he was only going on coffee runs, that was all, but he knew better. He wanted to see Bit, but he was afraid. Death had never suited him well, he had avoided it his entire life and here now before him is one of his closest friends dying, even before turning twenty. He shook his head, and turned around, headed straight for Bit's room. It was a stupid fear, he had to get over it sometime, this was as good of time as ever. As he walked into the room he felt a sudden wave of panic come over him. The room practically screamed death as you entered, it wasn't the most comforting of feelings in the world. Then he looked at Bit, hooked up to all sorts of things, machines, IV's, the list when on. How the hell did something like this happen to a guy like him. Bad things weren't supposed to happen to good people. Brad didn't know what really to do, so he did what he did best in a situation like this, he talked, tried to hide from the truth. "Hey Bit, you did well in that battle last week, you and Liger make a good team together. But, shit, you already know that, hell all of Zi knows that. "It's not like I don't mean to just state the obvious, but what do you say to a guy when he's laying there in front of you, dying, and you can't do a damn thing about it. I mean you can't exactly have a conversation, and your just trying your best not to break down. I mean, boys don't cry, y'know? Ah, fuck, there I go I again. "I guess I just want you to know that, well, damn this is hard to say, but, well, you're a good kid, Bit. You grew up. I don't know when it happened, but you turned out good." He sat there in an uncomfortable silence for awhile, thoughts running through his brain at a hundred miles an hour. Then in an act of frustration, he lifted his head towards the ceiling, "did you hear me God?" He yelled tears starting to fill his eyes, "why the hell did you have to go and do something like this to such a good guy! Huh? Why isn't a member of the Backdraft or something lying here! Why, why, did you have to pick on Bit! He's just a kid, dammit! "I thought you were understanding and compassionate! Have you seen Leena out there, she's a wreak! And Doc and Leon, they're the best at hiding their emotions, and here they are having a breakdown right in front of everyone! Please, God, don't take him from us. He's too good for that. Hell, I even look up to the kid. Did you hear that God! I, Brad Hunter, look up to Bit!" Brad stared at the ceiling, half expecting an Angel to come down and condemn him for all the awful things he had just said. Tears formed in his eyes, he knew he was losing it, everyone was. How he managed to keep his composure was beyond him. "Please God, I'm begging you. I'll do anything, anything at all. Just don't take his life. Please." "Having troubles keeping your faith, son?" Brad turned to face the voice, in the doorframe stood a pastor, dressed in traditional black robes and a trademark worn leather bible in his right hand. "I've lost my faith a long time ago, Father," Brad said bitterly. The Father sighed, "that's a shame, for such a bright young man," he smiled, "come talk with me, I think I might just be able to help." "Help with what?" "Finding your faith, my child," the Father smiled. Brad grunted, "what faith? I told you I lost that a long time ago." "It's never too late to find your faith again, my child." Brad turned and faced the Father in confusion, "what do you mean?" "God works in all sorts of strange ways, it's not my part to tell you what these ways are, but instead to help guide a sheep that has seemed to lost it's way." Brad had talked with the minister for hours on end. He had confessed things to the Father that even Naomi didn't know. He found himself with a restored faith once the minister went on his way, something he would never thought possible. He was changed, and he knew it. Things wouldn't be the same between him and God anymore, he was going to try and be a better person. Maybe then he wouldn't feel so lost all of the time. "Thank-you, Father, for everything. You've given me hope." The minister nodded, "then go and be with your friends, they need you now." Brad nodded, "Thank-you again." "I didn't do anything, my son, you were the one who believed," the minister smiled, "and every believing man deserves one thing," He smiled mischievously, "here, take it." He handed Brad his old worn Bible that he had held in his right hand. "No, no, I can't. That bible must have some meaning to you, I mean it looks like you have carried it around for quite sometime!" "Don't worry, just believe." Brad nodded, as the minister handed the Bible to him, and walked away. He watched the Father go, and for some reason he brought the Bible in his right hand and held it to his heart. Like that was the part of him missing his entire life. Faith. He looked down at the bible, opened it to its first chapter, Genesis, and began to read. And he wasn't afraid any longer. Kris Tasker looked over at Brad, he had been reading that Bible ever since he came back from talking with some minister. Brad really didn't seem like the religious type, but then again people find their religion in all sorts of ways. This might have just been Brad's turn to find his faith. "Kris, where did Jack go? I haven't seen him for a little while now," Kelly asked her sister. "I don't know, I didn't really notice he was gone." "What were you staring at then?" Kris smiled, "it seems like someone found their faith," she whispered and pointed to Brad. Kelly nodded, "Naomi's sitting with him, it looks like they're reading it together." Kris nodded, "I'm glad for them." "Me too, they always had something special together. I've always been jealous myself." "Really? You? Jealous?" Kris laughed at her sister. Kelly nodded, "the only other two people I'm more jealous of is Bit and Leena." "What do you mean, they aren't a couple." Kelly shook her head, "from the looks of it, they are. I don't think I've ever seen Leena this depressed before, it must be hard on her." "It's hard on all of us, Kel. Probably more so on the Blitz team though, I mean we never really knew the guy like they did." "Hey Cloud, you still owe me that rematch, remember?" Jack Sisco spoke softly, almost like he was talking to a ghost, but the way things were looking he might as well. "I bet your just scared that I will beat you," he smiled, "mercenary or no mercenary I am still one damn good pilot. I just like cash a bit better. You see that's the one thing I could never understand about you, you are ten times a better pilot then me, but you stayed with your team. I would have gone off at the first hint of my celebrity and began work as a mercenary. "I guess you're just too nice of a guy to do that. You see that's my problem, I'm a good pilot, but I am a horrible person. I have never actually done something nice for someone else before, I've always had my best interests in mind, always. That's what I don't get about people, how someone can be so selfless and how I just so selfish. "Dammit! You see what you're making me do, Cloud! You're making me feel bad about myself! I've never felt this way before. Oh, just, shit. I don't know what so say anymore. I could just keep on talking, but I know you can't hear me any better then I can understand why the hell I am even here. "Just come back for all of our sakes, Cloud. You wouldn't want me turning into a nice guy now would you?" He smiled faintly, and walked out of the room. At the least now he felt better, well almost. "Hey Jack," Leon Toros greeted the pilot as he left the room. Jack turned around in fear, it wasn't going to be good for his reputation if someone had proof that he was a nice guy. "Toros, you, you didn't hear anything did you?" He nodded, "I won't tell a soul, Jack, your secret's safe with me." Jack breathed a sigh of relief, but then reality stuck him, "THEN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" Leon chuckled, "nothing really, just thought I might try and stop you before you make a complete fool of yourself." Jack face-faulted, "WHAT! IF THIS IS THAT FUCKING SHOW CANDID CAMERA I AM SO SUING!" Leon chuckled, "no, no, it's not that, it's just, well," Jack grabbed the pilot by his shirt and lifted him off the ground a little, "THEN WHAT IN SEVEN HELLS IS THE MATTER WITH YOU TOROS! SCARING A GUY RIGHT OUT OF HIS FUCKING MIND!" Leon chuckled again, "Bit's awake. He's been awake for about fifteen minutes before you came," hysterical laughter erupted from Bit's room, "and Leena's in there too, with a video camera." "WHAT!?!" Jack shouted, running into the room to see Bit sitting up, still looking a little ill, and Leena sitting on his lap as they watched the replay of Jack's confession over and over again. "Oh hi Jack, I'd love to have that rematch with you, seeing as how you missed me so much!" Bit laughed as Jack began to shake in anger, "You know, if you weren't in a hospital, I'd hit you." "Glad to know you care, Jack, feeling the love." Bit smirked, "but in all honesty, that was really nice what you said. Thanks man." Jack blushed a little, "well, well, umm, well, DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING LIKE THAT AGAIN CLOUD!" He shouted and ran out of the room. "Glad to see that he's back to normal," Leena smiled and turned to Bit, "but I'm more glad to see that your back." Fifteen Minutes before..... He could hear her voice, it was clear, and he understood what she was saying. For once he could feel her warmth, and he could feel her tears drenching his hand. Bit opened his eyes, he was in a white room, with an IV in his arm, and a heart monitor hooked up on the other. And Leena. She was sitting in a chair next to him, sobbing her eyes out into his hand. Crying over him. He gripped her hand tightly, turning to see her pretty face again. "What?" She practically whispered, "Bit?" He nodded, "hey." "Bit! You're alive! You're alive!" She cried happily, "you're alive." He sat up, and pulled her into a tight embrace, "I would never leave you alone." He cried gently, rubbing Leena's back trying to calm her tears, "I love you." Leena pushed back a little and looked into his eyes, "I love you too," she whispered back. Bit pulled her in closely again, but instead her pulled her lips to his enveloping her mouth in a passionate kiss. Back to present time...... Bit pulled Leena into another tight embrace, "Promise me one thing," she whispered to him, "Anything." "Never leave me again." Bit smiled, "but I haven't left you, I've been here all along." Leena smiled, "no jokes, just promise me that, okay? You have no idea what we've been through." "We've?" "I've, what I've been through," Leena laughed. "Then it is a promise, but remember this is a two way street," Leena nodded, placing her head on his chest, letting his arms envelop her in a tight embrace. Bit kissed her gently on the head, "I promise I will never leave you again. It scared me as much as it scared you," he looked down at her, "I must be selfish, but the only thing I could think of when I was with those men was you. Seeing your beautiful face again." Leena looked up into his sea green eyes, "you think I'm beautiful?" He nodded, kissing her lips again, "I've always thought that about you." Leena blushed, "well, then," "AH!" Jamie's voice yelled, "BIT AND LEENA?!?" Bit and Leena turned to see the remainder of the Blitz team, the Flugal team, the Lighting team, Harry, and several TV cameras and reporters staring intently at them. Jamie, obviously, looked like he might die of shock. Doc just stared in complete confusion. Harry tried to hide himself behind everyone else, not wanting to have Leena or Bit notice him. Brad stood with his arm around Naomi, "I think your secret's out guys," he smiled. "You KNEW about this!" Leon shouted, "and you didn't tell me!" Naomi nodded, "sorry, I was under orders not too." "From who!" "Them," she pointed to the bright red Bit and Leena. "WE CAN EXPLAIN THIS!" They shouted together, pulling out of their embrace. "Alright! I knew it! Pay up guys!" Kris shouted, as Kelly and Jack dug their hands in their pockets looking for money. "Hey Kris, share the wealth!" Leena shouted. "Yea, I mean you did bet on us, the least you can do is give us half!" Bit agreed. "So how long has this secret relationship being going on between two of the most well known pilots? And how did you keep it a secret for so long?" One of the reporters piped up, sensing a story. "Oh shut the hell up," Brad was being to get ornery with the reporters. "Mr. Hunter, do you have any comments to this relationship between your fellow teammates?" He just glared at them all, and didn't say a word. Bit leaned in closely to Leena, "hey, what's wrong with Harry?" He pointed to the figure in the background, looking sad. "Harry?" She looked over to him, "oh my god, Harry!" He looked up at her, and smiled, "best wishes you two." "Harry, look I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you." "It's my fault too, I mean I could have told you thousands of times." He just shook his head, "no, no, I understand. It's no biggie." "Are you going to be alright?" Bit asked him, concerned. He nodded, "I think things are going to get better for me now," he smiled, "oh and one thing, Cloud." "What?" "Take care of her," he smiled and turned away, walking out of the hospital without another word. Bit looked bewildered, he would have thought that Harry would be furious with him, but instead he was congratulating him. 'I guess there's more to that guy then we give him credit for,' he thought to himself. "Okay! Okay! Get the cameras out of here!" A nurse yelled, waving the reporters out of the room, "you'll get visiting time later! This is strictly for family and friends now!" The reporters grumbled and walked back into the waiting room. Behind them stood three figures, smiling at Bit and Leena. "Hey," Garrett smiled, "glad to see your better." "Hey guys, how've ya been?" Bit smiled, glad to see his family again. "Been lower," Urban smiled, "but I guess we really hit rock bottom yesterday." "What do you mean?" Aris smiled at Leena, "thank-you. We would have make a bigger mistake not coming back." "What?" Leena asked breathlessly, "what do you mean?" "What you said to us yesterday, it made us remember what is was like to be a family." "I'm glad, then." "Oh and, Leena, just friends, right?" Urban laughed. Leena blushed, "well, umm, ya, I, umm," She held up her hand, "don't worry about it. You don't have to explain. You can't help who you fall in love with." Leena smiled, "your right. I shouldn't have to justify everything in life." "Okay! Stop! Rewind! How the hell do you know my sister!" Bit yelled, more confused then ever. "You missed a lot while you were sleeping," Leena smiled, "but the most important thing is that you are back. Why bother explaining everything that went on while you were gone?" Bit nodded, "so, how've ya been everyone?" "Can't you even manage a thank-you, maybe?" Jamie asked, annoyed, "I mean we didn't have to take you to the hospital! And we didn't have to wait around for two days here! And we," "Oh, sorry, thanks guys," Bit smiled sheepishly. "You're welcome!" Jamie pouted. "Welcome back, Bit," Doc smiled, "glad to see your still you." End file.

Still Here by Arwenamin

Zoids

The Red Comet **I Do Not Own Zoids** 00000000000000000 Two people stood on the dry dirt outside of a small complex, consisting of a simple, ranch style home and a large shed. One, a young girl, eight years old, had red hair and violet eyes. She held an oversized rifle to her shoulder, aiming down at a target, a good hundred yards away. Behind her stood a sixty-two year old man, with a walrus-like gray mustache and short cropped hair, his vivid violet eyes were strikingly similar to his younger companions.. He knelt behind the girl, helping her support the weight of the large rifle, and correcting her grip. "Keep the butt tight against your shoulder," the older man instructed, gently pushing the gun back into the girl's shoulder. "You think it's tight enough?" he asked with a small smile. The little girl nodded. The man smiled. "Okay, now before you fire, look down the barrel and through the scope at your target. Before you fire, you have to know what you're aiming at. Chose the spot you want to aim for..." "I thought I was supposed to hit the bulls-eye?" the little girl questioned, drawing a chuckle from the older man. "In general yes. But your targets won't always have a convenient target painted on them. You need to learn not to aim for something that isn't there. So try and hit another spot on the target." He paused for a few moments. "Know where your aiming?" "Yeah." The man smiled. "Now comes the tricky part. You need to control your breathing, and your heat rate. Don't think about the rifle, think of what you're aiming for. When you're ready, take a deep breath, hold, and slowly release as you squeeze the trigger. That's the important part, if you pull, you'll throw your aim off. Remember, take your time, you've got all the time in the world." They stood for several more moments, until the little girl fired a round, completely missing the the target. She frowned, as she lowered the gun from her shoulder. "I missed," she said unhappily. The man chuckled as he stood up, taking the rifle with him. "That's alright Red, this takes practice, you're not going to become skilled after one lesson." "Grandpa, can I try again?" The man looked down at her. "Are you sure your shoulder can handle it, this is a pretty powerful rifle?" Naomi Fluegel nodded, despite the pain in her shoulder. "Yes." Her grandfather, Killgore Fluegel gave her an accessing look before he smiled and shook his head. "Alright, but only twice more." As he knelt back down he muttered under his breath, "I'm going to have to get you your own rifle." 00000000000000 Naomi sat outside the large shed, crying. The eleven year old looked over at the house disdainfully. Her mother had come back, after an absence of five months, and wanted to take her away from her grandfather. She hated her mother, Mina Fluegel would always do this. She'd meet a man, leave Naomi with her grandfather while she lived with him, and when the relationship finally failed, she'd come back, wanting Naomi in her life until the next man showed up, usually a few weeks later. She didn't understand why she couldn't just stay with her grandfather. "It's alright Red," the comforting voice of her grandfather said from above her. She looked up to see the smiling man as he sat down next to the young girl. "Why can't she just leave me here with you?" she asked. "She always brings me back a few weeks later." Killgore sighed. "Don't judge you're mother too harshly," he said, putting his arm around his granddaughter shoulders. "She's always been a free spirit, and I admit that's partially my fault." "Why is it your fault?" Naomi asked. Killgore stood up and walked a few steps to the doors of the shed, pulling out a key, he unlocked the door. Turning back to Naomi, he said, "Come on, I want to show you something." The young girl stood up and followed her grandfather into the building she had never been allowed in, despite living here for the majority of her life. As her grandfather flipped switches, turning on lights, the first thing she noticed was the large Zoid sitting in the shed. It was colored in shades of gray and black, but she recognized it instantly as a Gunsniper. "When your mother was still a child, I was a Zoid warrior," her grandfather explained. "I was called the Comet, as I reigned down bullets like comets falling from the sky. Your late grandmother never wanted Mina to travel with me, but she so desperately wanted to. But, Mina stayed here, on the compound, as I traveled the world, participating in Zoid Battles and bringing back souvenirs for her from wherever I went. Unfortunately, she hated it here. The town was a lot smaller then, we didn't have the things to do that we do now. And as soon as she could, your mother left. She only came back when your grandmother died, and when she found herself pregnant with you." He sighed. "Maybe if Grace and I had allowed her to travel with me, she wouldn't have the wander lust she has now." The next day, Naomi had left with her mother. 0000000000000 It wasn't until she was fourteen that Naomi realized there was more tension between her grandfather and mother than simple absence. Apparently, every time Mina had come to the compound, it was to ask her father for money, which he would only agree to give her if she spent some time with her daughter. Walking in on the argument between them when Mina admitted that she had never wanted the "little brat" had been eyeopening. She never had to go with mother again, and apparently Killgore refused to give Mina any more money. A few days after Mina left, her grandfather allowed her to pilot the Gunsniper for the first time. She had never been happier then when Killgore told her, with a large smile on his face, "You're a natural Red," after she hit the eight moving targets he had set up for her. 0000000000000 Sixteen-year old Naomi had tears in her eyes as she looked down at the picture of her and Killgore standing in front of the Gunsniper. It had been taken only a few days before Killgore had suffered a sudden heart-attack. He had never made it to the hospital, that had been two weeks ago. Killgore had left her everything, much to the ire of her mother, whom she had just finished arguing with minutes ago. Mina hadn't been happy when she received nothing from her father's estate, in fact Naomi had been forced to threaten her own mother, though she loathed to admit the fact, with the rifle that Killgore had taught her to shoot so many years ago. What would she do without him? 0000000000000 Twenty year old Naomi looked through the sights of her Gunsniper, at the the Zoids below her. Her grandfather's Gunsniper, repainted red, had proven to be a superior Zoid. The modifications her grandfather made had withstood the test of time, and allowed her to follow in his footsteps as a Zoid warrior. As the Red Comet, a name she took in tribute to the man that taught her everything she knew, that she idolized to this day. Squeezing the trigger, she made her shot. 0000000000000 **Naomi is my favorite Zoids character, so I hope you all enjoyed, I really wish there were more fics of her (especially her and Bit, I like Brad, but I like Bit more). For those that didn't realize, Red was the nickname her Grandfather gave her, because of her red hair.** **Please Review and Check Out the Challenges in My Forums.** End file.

The Red Comet by whitetigerwolf

Zoids

1. Chapter 1 **A/N: This story was a prompt giving to me by Jameis. It's my first time writing Van/Raven, and I tried to keep them as in-character as possible. Please feel free to review! I own nothing.** **Chapter One** "I'm getting tired of this shit!" "Van, calm down. It's only been half an hour." "You don't get it Fi, I'm tired of being the only one out to take care of sleeper zoids when I should be doing some high-top, high-class secret Guardian Force shit! Besides, where's Thomas? He was supposed to back me up by now!" "Thomas sent us a message saying he would be a little late. Herman has him running an errand to New Helic City." "He's probably getting all the attention and praise from the Madame President while I'm out here fending off some stray zoids," Van huffed as he leapt the Blade Liger far into the sky to land down on a Hel Cat, cracking its machinery and snapping its control systems. Van jumped off the Cat, and raced around to begin firing at a Command Wolf. "Van, that's not very fair," Fiona frowned. "Thomas is a hard-worker, and if he could be here to help, I know he would be!" "The only reason that idiot would be here would be if you were in danger. I don't know why you don't just tell him upfront how you feel," Van whined as he blasted the Command Wolf just in time for four more to surround him and commence firing. "Because maybe I don't want to let him go," Fiona pouted. "Thomas is a gentleman, and he treats me far better than you do half the time." "What's that supposed to -" Van was cut off as the zoids started firing on him. "Fiona, hold on!" he shouted as he tried to fire open a hole in the surrounding. "Van, we can't get through!" Fiona replied as a second brigade of zoids surrounded the first circle, all firing at the Blade Liger. "Van, we're taking on heavy damage!" "Zeke, get us out of here!" Van shouted. Zeke grumbled in response; "What do you mean you can't get us out?" Zeke grumbled again, and Van cursed. "Zeke, take Fiona out of here!" "Van, no! You need Zeke's help -" "Zeke, get her out of here!" Van shouted as warnings started flashing on the Blade Liger's control system. "Van, this is ridiculous, you can't - " She was cut off as Zeke took her and blasted out of the zoid. 'How are these sleepers so powerful?' Van thought as he leapt the Liger high in the air in an attempt to escape. However, a powerful shot from a GunSniper froze the Liger's controls, sending the zoid crashing to the ground. As Van hit the ground screaming, the zoids continued to fire at the Liger, causing the controls system to catch on fire. Van struggled to free himself from the cockpit, but as he pushed at the ceiling, the cockpit wouldn't open. He knew Zeke wouldn't have left the Liger unless the situation was dire, and as much as he had hated to use it, Van had needed to use his master-sense against Zeke. Organoids were naturally born to serve a master, and since Van had befriended Zeke and awakened him, Van was, in an Ancient Zoidian sense, Zeke's master. "Zeke!" he called out, but his voice came out in a cough as smoke filled the cockpit. "Zeke!" he tried again. As a Command Wolf began stomping on the Liger's side, Van tried one last time to push on the cockpit before an electrical shock from the Command Wolf surged through him, causing him to scream. As Van drifted off into unconsciousness, he heard Fiona's scream. * * * Van could hear the faint sound of rushing water from somewhere below him. 'What happened to me?' He could vaguely remember being surrounded by a gang of powerful sleeper zoids when he had heard Fiona's scream. "Fiona?" Van asked as he struggled to open his eyes. "Fiona this, Fiona that. Whenever I see you, you're always going on and on about that Zoidian. I don't get what's so special about her." Van opened his eyes and found himself lying on a cot in a small cave, most likely dug into the side of a cliffside. Inside the cave there was a lantern hanging on the wall, a box of medical supplies and food, and another cot on which a shadowed boy sat. "Raven?" Van asked as he tried to sit up. "Don't bother getting up. Those sleeper zoids not only shocked you, they bruised a couple of your ribs and forced you to sprain your right wrist. You need time to heal." Van subconsciously tried rotating his wrist only to meet a horrible sense of pain. Gritting his teeth, he moved his left hand to his waist, and realized his knife was missing. "You took my weapons, I see." "Of course. I may have saved your life, but I'm no soft idiot like some of your friends." "_You_ saved _my_ life?" Van asked as he propped himself onto his elbows. This was the first time he had seen Raven in months, and to be honest, the boy looked different. Examining the dark-haired man, Van saw that Raven had grown a lot in the last few months. His voice had gotten even deeper, his eyes had a different shine to them, and his body... Raven interrupted Van's musings by taking a swig from some kind of dark liquid and nodding. "You were outnumbered badly." "I've been against worse before," Van smirked. Raven raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he straightened up. "They were obviously being controlled by someone. Hiltz?" "Maybe. His organoid Ambient certainly has the capability to control that many zoids. I should phone in to Herman." "No can do, Van. I don't have a radio, and you know as well as I do that Herman would send his men in to arrest me on the spot and I don't look good in those prison jumpsuits." "You still haven't told me how and why you rescued me," Van reminded him. Raven smirked as he reached into his medical container and took out a roll of bandages and a pill. "Take the pill for the pain, and remove your shirt." "Wow Raven, I didn't know you were into that kind of kinky stuff," Van smirked. Van thought he saw a faint blush on the man's face as Raven shook his head and kneeled beside Van. "The pill is for the pain, and I need to redo your bandages. I'll explain everything as I fix you up." "Why should I trust you? You've tried to kill me on several occasions, remember?" Van quipped. "If I wanted you dead, I would have let those sleeper zoids kill you, or I would have thrown you into the river while you were unconscious," Raven replied. Van took the pill and a small cup of water from his supposed rival and downed both in a single gulp. "Feel better?" Raven asked, his shining lavender-purple eyes sparkling slightly. "Yeah, actually," Van rotated his wrist slightly before swinging at Raven. However, the boy caught his fist before it collided with his face, and the two of them glared at each other for a few seconds as Raven held the boy's fist in his own. Van's face contorted in pain as Raven squeezed slightly, causing a wave of anguish to travel through Van's injured wrist. Raven gently pushed back on the other boy's arm, not letting go even as Van lowered his arm to his side. Their eyes never left each other's. "Van, you're hurt, and until you are 100% better, I cannot let you out of my sight. Your organoid and Fiona are fine, and I'm guessing when they regain consciousness they will be on their way to the nearest base. They'll probably start a search party out for you, but I know you, Van. You don't want to return to a base where you can sit around being used by other people all day. You want to find the person who attacked you, and to be honest, so do I. Why don't we form a temporary alliance, Van?" "What's in it for you?" Raven smirked as he let go of Van's hand and leaned back on his haunches. "Whoever attacked you, whether it's Hiltz or not, has a great deal of power over zoids. If I can obtain his organoid for myself, or whatever his power source is, then I will have the power in these parts, and everything will go back to the way it was." "Way it was?" Van ventured as he stifled a yawn. The drugs were making him sleepy. "When you were the most renowned and respected military hero in all of Planet Zi, and I was your Number One Enemy." "You're power-hungry, Raven. You always were." "You're wrong, Van," the boy whispered as he moved to lift Van's shirt up slightly to reveal the blood-stained bandages. "Our rivalry was never just about power." Raven watched as Van drifted off to sleep. Raven tenderly peeled off a few of the old bandages, trying not to marvel at Van's abs. They were the same age, had experienced relatively the same training, yet Raven could simply not figure out how Van had such a better-built body than him. Van had a six-pack going for him, whereas Raven still had some of his baby-fat. It simply wasn't fair. Van had everything Raven wanted. Van had grown up with a family and a town who loved him and cared for him. Van had friends and a permanent home he could always return to. The only two things Van and Raven had equally were organoids that truly cared about them, and saw them as more than simple masters...it was a fact that took Raven a long time to learn. Re-bandaging Van was easy, but the emotional toll was what was killing Raven. When he had been patrolling through the area with Shadow, looking for some poor pathetic soul to rob or something, the last thing Raven had expected was to stumble upon Raven's Blade Liger being ambushed. As soon as Raven had appeared at the scene, however, the sleeper zoids had all took off in flight, as if they were afraid of the boy. Raven had driven his Genosaurer down to where the Blade Liger lay, and examined the damage. Van's organoid and Fiona were lying unconscious about a mile from the Blade Liger, but Raven didn't care about them. They were of no use to him. Allowing Shadow to briefly take control of Van's Blade Liger, the black organoid popped open Van's cockpit. As Van's body had fallen out of the zoid, Raven had easily caught him and carried him away in the Genosaurer. _'I should be able to get a nice ransom for Van's body and still be able to figure out who was behind this sleeper attack,'_ Raven thought with a smile as he finished Van's wrappings. Sitting back, Raven took a closer look at his sleeping enemy. The Guardian Force had truly done wonders for Van's body, and Raven couldn't help but feel jealous. A quiet rawr at the entrance of the cave led Raven to wave a hand in greeting. "Hey, Shadow." The organoid moved over to stand beside Raven. Slowly the organoid moved down to sniff Van's body before rearing back and growling. "Relax Shadow. He's too badly hurt to do anything to try and escape. We've got him right where we need him." Shadow growled again and moved over to snack on some fruit in the corner of the cave while regarding Raven and Van warily. Raven lowered the boy's shirt and watched Van's face for signs of movement. "The greatest hero on Planet Zi, and he's sleeping like a baby." 2. Chapter 2 **Chapter Two** When Van opened his eyes, he found that he was lying on the cot, but the cave was empty. Slowly he rose himself up to a sitting position, but instantly had to cup his side in pain. Looking down and slowly removing the bandages, he saw a nasty scar from where the controls system had cut him stretching across his ribcage, where deep bruises lay underneath his skin. Gently touching his ribs and spazzing at the pain, Van took the time to look more closely at his surroundings after he redid the bandages. Raven had left a pill next to his cot for him to take, and a fresh piece of bread for dinner. Quickly devouring the bread and pill, Van raised his left hand to the cave wall and slowly began his journey to stand up. When he finally made it to his feet, Van took a few uneasy steps towards the entrance of the cave. Peering out over the side, Van saw a river rushing by, making him dizzy. Leaning heavily against the wall of the cave, Van turned around and slowly began walking towards the supplies box Raven had stashed against the wall of the cave. Kneeling down beside the box and fighting against his protesting ribs, Van opened the box and searched inside. Nothing except some bullets and a flare gun were found inside. _'He must have my knife on him,'_ Van thought to himself. Sure enough, his question was answered when a voice laughed, "If you're looking for your precious knife, you won't find it in there. I made sure to keep it in a safe location far away from your able reach." Van turned his body to see Raven standing in the entranceway of the cave. Behind him, Shadow hovered in the air. "Raven, I want you to -" Van was cut off as suddenly he got a terrible migraine. As Van collapsed to his knees, holding his head and gritting his teeth, Raven tutt-ed and walked forward, remarking, "Those pills are designed to keep you under my control. If you should act out in unquestionable ways, I can cause the pain to flow fresh through your body as if you were being electrocuted all over again." "That's barbaric!" "That's life," Raven quipped. "Who gave you these?" "Pills I stole from Prozen's place before he was defeated. I've been saving them up for a special occasion." "You're a monster, Raven. You were always a cold-hearted bastard, and now you'll get what's coming to you!" Van's eyes locked with Raven's, and the criminal was surprised at the level of hatred in Van's eyes. "Do you really hate me that much, Van?" The question caught the hero off-guard and he looked down at his hands. Raven nodded and moved to kneel before Van. "Well? Do you hate me?" "I hated Prozen and everything that dealt with him...I hated people who thought the Empire and the Republic should forever be at war with one another...and for a time, I even hated myself...but I can't hate someone who doesn't know what their heart truly wants." Van looked up and his eyes met Raven's as he whispered, "You're feelings are conflicted, Raven. You don't know what you want or what side you want to be on. You're angry, and have every right to feel that way. But most of all you're weak." Raven lashed out against Van, smacking him across the face. As stars flashed before Van's eyes, Raven's body shook with rage. "You don't know anything about me!" Raven shouted at the boy. Van struggled to regain his composure as he looked up into Raven's eyes. "Do I know nothing, or do I know too much?" Raven slapped him again in the opposite direction, causing Shadow to chuckle as Van hit the ground. Raven roughly picked the boy up by the front of his shirt and looked deep into his eyes. "You don't know a damn thing about me," Raven hissed. Van simply looked into Raven's cold, heartless eyes and saw a mixture of fear, anger, and rejection there. "You're wrong, Raven...I do know about you. And I know you want happiness." Raven raised his hand to strike Van a third time, but something in his opponent's eyes made him falter and hit the ground instead. "You don't know anything about what happiness means to me," Raven whispered, but his voice was filled with sadness instead of anger. Van felt something in his heart tug at the lonely expression on Raven's face. He was just about to comment when Raven suddenly threw Van against the floor and trudged out to the entrance of the cave. "I'm going out for a run with the Genosaurer with Shadow. I'll be back in a few hours." Van watched as the boy and organoid disappeared while he crawled over to his cot and slumped down on the material. It was time for another nap. * * * Raven sent the Genosaurer into full speed as he put as much distance between himself and the cave as possible. When he was sure nobody was following him, Raven locked the Genosaurer into the ground and opened his signature attack on a local farm house. Watching the locals run out screaming with all of their family members and prized possessions in tow left Raven with a sense of purpose as he half-smirked to himself. This was his purpose in life - he had been raised by Prozen to be a machine, and that was what he was on Planet Zi to do. To destroy. He was a destruction machine. Shadow growled softly, but even his precious organoid's affection couldn't comfort Raven at the thought of his own existence. There had to be another reason as to why he was on this planet. A part of him deep down knew that he wasn't supposed to be a machine forever, but he didn't know what his true purpose was. As he watched the farmhouse burn, Raven thought back to his conversation with Van. What if Van had been right? What if there was a way for Raven to achieve happiness? But how could a weapon of destruction like him ever hope to find happiness? Raven turned the Genosaurer around and quickly sped off, deep in thought. The more he thought however, the more pissed off he got. He was angry, that was true; he was angry at Prozen for turning him into the machine he was, he was angry at Ambient for murdering his parents, he was angry at Prozen for sending troops to kill Van's father, the man who had taken care of him when nobody else would, and he was angry at Van for being the hero. Raven gave a war cry and shot another electromagnetic shot into the air, firing at everything and nothing in sight. As the shot died down, and Shadow growled again, Raven gave a heavy breath and sighed. He needed another talk with Van. Van awoke and saw that it was growing dark outside. Soon the stars would be out, and another double-moon night would be upon him. Van loved watching the stars at night; they had always comforted him and reminded him that somewhere up above, his father was looking down over him...keeping him safe. The thought made Van smile. He had hardly known his dad in person, but the memories that others, such as Colonel Krueger and Maria, had shared with Van made him feel like he knew him on the battlefield as well. Everyone always told him he had his father's looks and spirit. Grinning, Van rolled onto his side, ignoring the pain from his ribs, and looked at the supply kit. He had to get out of there, but with his injuries, he knew that even if he did make it to steady ground, he would be in no condition to make it to a base, let alone to the nearest village. Perhaps if he could use the flare gun when a patrol was out and about, he would be able to attract attention. But with the Genosaurer still in Raven's possession, no patrol team would be able to withstand the zoid's special attack. Van reached for the supply kit, but his fingers ached in protest. "Come on baby," Van whispered as he reached for the handle of the box. "Come on..." Van's attempts were interrupted as he heard Shadow descending to the cave's entrance. Raven climbed out of his Genosaurer and allowed Shadow to pilot him to the cave's entrance. He had a secret zoid hanger built into the side of the cliff in which he stashed the Genosaurer. As Raven's feet stepped out onto the cave's entranceway, Raven looked immediately to where Van lay sleeping. Slowly Raven walked over and leaned over Van's body. Gently Raven kicked Van's leg. "I know you're awake, so you might as well open your eyes." Van didn't budge and Raven sighed. "So you're going to play it that way, hm?" Van didn't move and Raven nodded to Shadow. The organoid chuckled as he lifted up a bucket from inside the cave and disappeared from sight. It only took about a minute for the organoid to fill up the bucket with water from the river before arriving back in the cave. As Raven took a step back, Shadow dumped the bucket of water onto Van. Spluttering and cursing sharply, Van sat up and instantly began shivering. "What the hell was that for?" "You wouldn't listen to me," Raven shrugged nonchalantly as he tried not to smirk. Shadow, on the other hand, was not as shy with his feelings, and openly laughed at Van's misfortune. Van shot the organoid a death glare as Raven tossed him a cape. "Here, dry yourself off. We need to talk." Van shakily took the cape and tied it around his shoulders, surprised at the way it gave off Raven's scent. "W-what about?" "What you were saying before...about my...happiness." "What about it?" Raven took a breath and looked into Van's eyes. "How can I obtain it?" There was a brief silence in which Van just stared like a fish at Raven. Van was so confused, what did Raven mean? "Raven - " "Look, I know this is a stupid question, and I know you're probably going to mock me, but you don't get it Van! You have everything! Everything I have ever wanted, you have. You have the wonderful lover who is always there for you, you have the home and warm family and supportive friends, you have the perfect zoid, and everyone loves you! You're so happy...it disgusts me. I have never found happiness like yours before, and I want my share. It's not fair! We're the _same_!" Raven breathed heavily as he realized his face was only inches away from Van's, and that he was clutching the boy's shirt. Van just stared at him, completely shocked and confused. Slowly Van opened his mouth a couple times before finally managing, "First off, I don't have the wonderful lover. Fiona is **not** my lover. She's like a sister to me, but that's all." "Out of all of that...**that** is what you got out of it?" Raven couldn't believe his ears...but he also couldn't push aside the relieved feeling at knowing Fiona and Van weren't an item. "I wasn't finished," Van smirked as he pulled himself up into a complete sitting position, shaking off Raven's grip and leaning against the wall. Once he was fully settled, Van met Raven's gaze. "Secondly, we are not the same. We're built differently, come from different backgrounds, and even our beliefs in what zoids should be used for differs." "I knew your father," Raven blurted out after a quiet moment. "W-what?" Van asked, completely taken off guard. "He took me in under his wing when Ambient killed my parents. He was going to introduce us, but he was killed by Prozen's soldiers before he could. Prozen found me and took me in after that. I was scared and confused...and a part of me still believes it was my fault your father died. He refused to give me up...it was my fault, Van." "You're...you're lying," Van stuttered, not being able to believe what his ears were telling him. Raven's story was a lie...it couldn't be true. "It's true, I swear it! Your dad is dead, and it's all my fault!" Raven shouted, his eyes swelling up with tears. What happened next was all a blur. Van swung at Raven and as his fist made contact, Van continued to punch Raven in the face, despite the pain in his wrist and ribs, knocking the boy to the ground. Shadow growled and leapt forward, but Raven shouted, "No Shadow!" and the organoid halted just in time for Van to straddle Raven on the ground. Van gripped Raven's shirt around the collar and lifted the boy up as far as he could considering he was straddling Raven and shouted, "How dare you talk about my father!" "He was like a father to me too Van, and it's all my fault!" "You're lying!" "AM I?" There was a deadly silence as Van searched Raven's eyes for the truth... ...And found it there. Slowly Van let Raven's head fall back against the ground as the two breathed heavily. Van's eyes moved from away from Raven back to the boy and away again, trying to take everything in. "Why didn't you ever tell me you knew my father? Why didn't any of the others ever tell me the truth?" Van whispered, his voice coming out weak and questionable. "They probably kept it from you for your own benefit. I wanted to tell you sooner, but the time never seemed right. Van...I'm sorry." Van clenched his fists in Raven's shirt and tried to keep the tears from spilling over. "Why? Why did he take you in?" Van's whole body began to shake. Not knowing what else to do, Raven reached for Van's shoulder and gently gripped it. Van moved to shake it off, but something in Raven's eyes made him pause. Van suddenly felt the oddest feeling. Looking deep into Raven's eyes, he felt like everything was falling into place. The true cause of his father's death, why he had always felt a powerful bond with Raven... The two boys could have been raised together as brothers. "Van..." Raven started, but he didn't know what to say. In all honesty, what were they supposed to say to each other now, after all this time? After all of the battles and the wars, what were two long-lost brothers supposed to say to one another? "I...I don't blame you for his death...no matter what you said. I blamed Prozen, not you, and I still blame Prozen alone," Van muttered after a few moments, hoping he was making the right decision. Would his dad have forgiven Raven? Yes...yes he would have. A tremendous burden began to lift off of Raven's shoulders. Hearing Van forgive him felt like the first step towards total forgiveness. Hearing Van forgive him felt like Van's father was forgiving him. "I was just a little boy, I was scared and alone. I would never have let them kill him if I had known -" "I know, Raven," Van whispered softly as he brushed a stray strand of hair out of Raven's face without realizing it. "We both know." "I may be heartless, but at the time I was young and stupid. If I could go back I would have saved him just because he was so kind -" "Raven, it's okay." Raven's body reacted in the strangest way. He quickly reached out, wrapped his arms around Van's body, and pulled the boy completely against him, burying his face into Van's shoulder. Van was shocked. Raven had never before shed a single tear in front of anyone, especially Van, and now the boy was full out crying. It was as if the Raven that was currently holding Van tightly was a completely different man. 'Maybe he's been hurting for so long, and keeping the emotions bottled up for so long, that he's just ready to let it all go,' Van thought as he ran his hand through Raven's hair. Van was surprised at how soft Raven's hair was, and he found that he didn't necessarily mind the close contact. Instead, the hero chose to awkwardly pat Raven on the back as the criminal tightened his eyes to stop himself from crying. "I should have been a hero like you." "Nonsense. Raven you have to stop thinking about it like that." Van pulled back and lifted Raven's chin up to meet his. "I'm not as much of a hero as they all say I am. And I certainly haven't been doing any work for the Guardian Force that shows I'm the Hero of Planet Zi. At the moment, I'm actually more of a lackey for the GF than a recognized hero." Raven genuinely smiled, and the sight made something deep inside of Van catch. Raven's whole demeanor seemed to appear lighter, as if he had just received total reconciliation. His eyes even had a shine to them. And it was in that moment that Van realized just how close he and Raven were, and their current situation. Van could smell Raven's breath on his lips, and the thought made his pants feel tighter. Instantly Van's inner conscious began to flash warnings in his mind. This situation was too much for the boy to process at the moment, and he needed to get out of it. _**Now**_. Quickly his eyes shot over to where Shadow had his back turned to the two boys, giving them their privacy. Van shook his head and tried to move away from Raven, but he was prevented from escaping when Raven's grip on him tightened. Van's eyes betrayed his fear and confusion when he looked into Raven's lustful eyes. Wait..._lustful_ eyes? Van knew he was in trouble as he tried to move away but was pinned down by Raven. As Raven overpowered Van and pinned the hero's arms above his head, Van managed, "Raven, stop! What are you doing?" Raven paused in his actions as his mind wheeled. What was he doing? He knew what he was doing felt right, but it felt wrong at the same time...he wanted to do this to Van, but not like this...not in these circumstances. Raven's eyes instantly showed his guilt as he moved off of Van and walked over to stand up beside Shadow. '_What the hell is going on with him?'_ Van shouted in his head as he just laid there in shock and confusion, trying to make all of this out. Raven didn't say anything as Shadow engulfed him, and flew them out of the cave, leaving Van to lay there alone. "I need to get out of here." Raven slammed his head against the Genosaurer's leg. "What the hell is wrong with me?" He shouted to himself. Shadow sympathized with his master and best friend. Although Shadow knew nothing about romance or what Raven was feeling, he could tell that Raven's heart was conflicted, and that was something Shadow knew a lot about. The organoid growled softly, taking a step towards Raven. "Shadow, what am I doing? I thought I had this all thought out, but Van, he just...he makes me feel so confused. Like I think I want one thing one minute, but then after just a few words from him, I want something completely different. I want happiness, yes, I want love, yes, but Shadow, whose love do I want?" "Well you did jump him back there and nearly make out with him," Shadow thought. "But where did that come from? I mean, I was pouring my heart out to him about his dad and then I almost make out with him? Shadow...am I going insane?" "No, Raven...you're just confused. Perhaps we should just let him go and forget about this whole thing until you know what you truly want." "But I want him," Raven hissed as he leaned against the organoid. "I want his love." "Why?" "I don't know! There have just always been these strings pulling us together, and I cannot explain why. I know he feels them too...what should I do, Shadow?" "I think you should consult a love guru about this." Raven's body tensed as he slowly turned around and stared at Shadow in shock. "You're saying I should get love advice...from _Stinger_?" Van reached into his pocket and removed the knife from where he had swiped it from Raven's belt during their...episode. Van admired the craft for a quick minute before he reached into the supply case. He took out a couple flares, the flare gun, and a string of bullets, which he pocketed. Van dragged his body over to the edge of the cave and looked out. The sun had risen barely an hour ago, and his body was still sore. However, his wrist had begun to heal thanks to the pills Raven had been feeding him, and his leg only hurt when he pressed down on it. The question now was how would he make it to the ground above? The cave had been built out about 40 feet below the surface of the cliff, and the face of the cliff was a solid sheet of rock, so there was no hope of Van rock climbing by holding onto the rugged cliff. Looking down, he saw the river, which was about 50 feet below him, rushing by him, taunting him. "I wish Zeke were here to fly me out," Van muttered as he looked around. Suddenly he had an idea. Quickly heading back to his cot, Van picked up the sheets and fashioned an idea. He began cutting Raven's cape into strips, tying the materials to the sheets on the cot. When Van had secured the materials together, he tied one end around the width of the cot. Dragging the cot to the entranceway of the cave, Van secured the cot between the walls of the cave, so that the cot was lodged between the walls and wouldn't budge. Van knew that the stunt he was about to do was insane, especially considering his injured state, but he knew he had to try. He wasn't sure what was going on with Raven, but if he didn't get away or at least find help, than Raven might take advantage of him, or worse... Van tied the other end of the sheets around his waist and leaned over the edge of the cliff. Taking out his knife and gripping it in his left hand, Van dug the knife into the side of the cliff right below the entranceway. Squatting down, Van slid his legs over the side of the cliff while clutching the knife, and slowly leaned forward. He only had one clear shot, and he prayed and hoped that Raven wasn't standing at the top of the cliff waiting for the shot. Readying the flare gun, Van stretched his arm out as far as he could, and fired two shots into the air. However, he wasn't expecting the powerful rebound of the blast on his injured body, and Van panicked as his body leaned forward too far and he slipped off the side of the cliff. As Van's body hurtled toward the river, the sheets suddenly pulled on his body, slamming him into the side of the cliff, causing Van to cry out in pain as his bruised ribs hit the cliff. Blinking past the stars, Van looked up and was happy to see the flares explode into fireworks of different colors. As Van fainted into unconsciousness, he sent a prayer to his dad that someone would see the fireworks. 3. Chapter 3 **Chapter Three** When Fiona opened her eyes, she found Zeke leaning over her and gazing at her intently. Holding a hand to her head, Fiona pushed herself off of the ground and sat up. Looking around, she saw the Blade Liger's beaten down remains. "Van!" she called out, but Zeke shook his head and growled. "He's not around here, Fi. I don't know where he is, but he isn't here." "We need to find him, Zeke! Can you fly me to the nearest base? We'll call Major Herman." Zeke growled in acknowledgment and engulfed Fiona, flying her away from the Blade Liger's remains. Stinger was surprised to get a call from Raven asking to see him immediately. Everybody of importance knew that wherever Raven went, destruction usually followed. Not taking the boy's visit as a positive start to his morning, Stinger poured himself an extra thick cup of coffee, and returned to take his seat at the bar. The two had agreed to meet at a local bar where hardly any visitors came, and were even fewer amounts left. It was a good thing Stinger had an arrangement with the bar owner or things might get ugly. The bell above the door gave a light tinkle as the door opened and a hooded figure walked in. Stinger kept his eyes closed as he smirked and took a swig of his coffee as the figure sat down beside him. "I'm honored that you decided to come to meet me here...you must be in a truly desperate situation to come looking for _my _aid," Stinger joked around his coffee. "I need your advice," Raven whispered as he drew the hood closer around his face. "...It's about romance." Stinger spluttered on his coffee, coughing loudly as he attempted to compose himself. When he had finally recovered, the thief turned and gazed at the black-haired criminal in awe. "Is that so? Might I ask who the object of your affection is?" "No, you may not," Raven spat as he looked around to make sure nobody was listening in on their conversation. "I just have a hypothetical scenario that needs...guidance." "Do tell," Stinger grinned as he sat back in his chair and gave the boy his full attention. "Alright, let's say that _hypothetically _you have this person in your life who you absolutely cannot stand, but something about them draws you to them. You want to distance yourself from them as much as possible, but something about them keeps pulling you in, and you find yourself wanting more of them...all of them. What do you do?" "Hmm, well usually what I would do is not stop until I had gotten all of them. And I do mean _all_ of them," Stinger smirked with a wink. "But what if they don't want to give themselves to you?" "Then you go ahead and take them anyway." Raven's face distorted into a look of pure disgust as he managed, "But I don't want them to be forced to do anything. I want him...I want them to succumb willingly to my desires." "You want him...them to love you," Stinger noted. "Yes...but how do I obtain their affection when I don't even know what _I_ truly want?" "Well," Stinger began, stretching out his body and showing off his feminine looks. "What I would do first is bond with them. Find something you two have in common and maybe make a date out of it. You want him...them to know that you're genuinely interested in them, and that you're not just looking for the next big score." "But we have such limited things in common," Raven sighed as he looked at the bar. "And when I told him the truth about a secret, he was emotional." "Angry?" Stinger asked, noting the way Raven didn't even attempt to continue hiding the object of his affection's gender. Stinger was obviously gay, and he had always prided himself on having an excellent gaydar. "At first, yeah, he was really angry...but then he grew compassionate and he held me. That's when I messed everything up and came onto him...he wasn't even expecting it! I almost took advantage of him." Raven's expression darkened and clearly showed his feelings of regret. Stinger sympathetically put a hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Sometimes we let our emotions get the better of us and we lash out in either sexual or emotional ways. But sometimes our body reacts in ways where it demonstrates knowing what we truly want, even before our hearts may know what they want. I wouldn't go beating yourself up for coming onto him as a bad thing when it may not necessarily be simply that. Something good may come out of it yet." "But what should I do now? I left before I could even say I was sorry, and even if I did tell him I'm sorry, I know he'll never trust me again after that!" "You should still talk to him about it," Stinger advised, ignoring the way Raven was sounding like a confused, angsty teenager instead of the murderer/criminal he truly was. "Just tell him how you feel. You need to open up to him if you want him to open up to you." "How do I do that?" "Buy him something nice, or take him somewhere special." "Like on a date?" Raven asked skeptically. "Yes, but nothing sappy. You're aiming for something meaningful, not something that is going to make him laugh at you." "Alright...I think I know what to do now...thank you Stinger," Raven said awkwardly as he reached to shake the man's hand. "Don't mention it, _criminal_," Stinger smirked as he returned the gesture. As Raven left the bar, Stinger took out his cell phone. "Hey, Karl? It's me...want to get a drink tonight? We have a lot to talk about." It had started out as a hopeful morning for Major Herman. He had been given an extra dose of coffee courtesy of O'Connell, there had been no reports thus far about Hiltz's actions, and all was okay at the capital. What could possibly go wrong? "Major Herman, sir!" "Yes, Captain Robert?" "There are reports about an unauthorized zoid approaching the base at high speeds." "What color?" "Silver, sir!" Major Herman let out a sigh of relief. "Grant him access. He's one of ours." As Zeke freed Fiona from inside him, the blonde ran through the open gates and collided with Thomas. "Fi-Fiona?" The blonde man asked bewildered as he rubbed his head and helped her up. "Thomas! You have to help us! The Liger was totaled, and Van's missing!" "Calm down Fiona, we'll find him," Thomas said, taking her shoulders and looking into her eyes. Fiona nodded, but she bit her lip in worry. "Come on, I'll bring you two to Herman," Thomas said, nodding at Zeke and leading the way. "So let me get this straight. You're telling me that our top Guardian Force soldier, and the Hero of Planet Zi no less, was kidnapped...and you left the Blade Liger behind?" "The Liger is completely out of commission. I'm sure it's zoid core will need extensive healing with both the efforts of this base and Zeke's abilities. But Major, I'm begging you. We need to send out a search party to look for Van. He would never have left the Liger or us of his own free will!" "Major Herman. I offer to lead the search party, sir," Thomas stepped forward. Rob looked between the two blondes and gave a sigh. "Alright, Thomas, you will lead the party. Take both air and ground zoids with you. However, I'm going to have to ask you, Fiona, to fetch Moonbay and have her transport the Blade Liger back here. Zeke, you will heal the Liger's systems, and Fiona and Moonbay will repair the exterior damage." "But Van -" "Will be okay with Thomas leading the search," Rob said gently as he patted Fiona's shoulder. "It will be okay Fiona. Thomas, you know what to do." Thomas nodded and turned to Fiona as the major left the room with his men in tow. "Fiona, I will find Van, I promise you that." Fiona looked up into the Lieutenant's eyes, and Thomas thought his heart would stop. "Please find him, Thomas. It would mean so much to me." Thomas grinned at the memory of Fiona's pleading eyes as he piloted his Dibison. Fiona had given him the coordinates of where they had left the Liger, so Thomas figured he would start looking in that area and branch out. It was still early on in the morning, but the sky was clear and promising. Thomas was just about to radio in to his men when suddenly a loud bang sounded. Turning his zoid around and searching the skies, Thomas suddenly saw...flares? "Men, check it out!" "Yes, sir!" Fiona had been watching Moonbay screw some bolts onto the Liger when suddenly she got a call on her radio. "Fiona, it's Thomas." "Thomas! Thank the goddesses, did you find him?" "Yeah. He was hanging off the side of a cliff with a string of sheets tied together, holding him up. He's got some bad wounds, and when we pulled him up he was unconscious, but he's slowly coming to. Fiona, he's rambling on about how he needs to speak to Herman asap, but I don't know in his state whether he should -" "Of course I should go talk to Herman! Fiona, are you there? Fiona!" "Y-yes Van, it's me! I'm here," Fiona shouted excitedly as she jumped up out of her chair. "Fiona, listen to me. Raven kidnapped me, and I need to tell Herman everything that has happened!" "Raven? Why did he -" "Fiona, there's more to the story. Raven, he's...he's confused. Look, I can't explain it now over radio, but will you just tell Herman to expect me?" "Of course, Van," Fiona said, relieved that he was alive. "Oh and Fiona?" "Yes?" "How are you, Zeke, and the Liger?" "The Liger's being fixed but Zeke and I are fine." "Good...that's really good Fi." Fiona couldn't help but smile softly. "I missed you Van." "Yeah, same here. Make sure you let Herman know I'm coming to him." "Will do, Van...will do." 4. Chapter 4 **Chapter Four** As Raven brought the Genosaurer back to his secret cave, he was shocked to find a whole fleet of zoids surrounding the cliff by both air and ground. Quickly turning the zoid around and speeding off in the opposite direction, Raven's mind was spinning. How could Van have signaled for help? Did the Guardian Force infiltrate his base and take his items? It wasn't like he had anything of value stashed in the cave anyway, but it was the whole point of it! Now where was he to go? Raven was sure that if Van had been rescued, than he had surely ratted Raven out to the higher officials by now, which meant that there was probably a reward out for Raven's head. Where could he hide? Stinger had done his part, but he certainly wouldn't help Raven find cover. Raven gripped the controls of his Genosaurer tightly as he clenched his teeth. What was he to do? "Stick to the plan, Raven," Shadow growled out. "Find whoever planned the attack against Van in the first place, and take that power." "But what if it's Ambient and Hiltz? I can't face that kind of power and destruction by myself." "A few moments ago you believed you were a pure force of destruction, and now you're questioning that you're not destructive enough to take on Ambient and Hiltz alone?" Shadow asked. "And you're not alone, Raven. You have me." Raven sighed as he brought up an image of where the republican zoids were inspecting his base. Focusing in on the image, Raven zoomed in until he focused in on a specific Dibison. There he saw Van leaning heavily against the zoid while a medical examiner inspected Van's wounds while Van and the blonde Lieutenant talked. Raven found himself focusing in on Van's face and staring at his eyes. "I need to talk to Van," Raven muttered. "Are you crazy? He'll have you arrested and probably killed in an instant," Shadow growled. "I know...but I need to tell him I'm sorry for almost taking advantage of him." Shadow growled to himself but he understood in a way. "You can do this, Raven." Herman sat back heavily in his chair, examining Van, Fiona, and Thomas who stood before him. "So you're telling me that Raven kidnapped you in order to help heal you so that the two of you could track down whoever ambushed you with sleeper zoids, and that I should not order a warrant for Raven's arrest because as corrupt as he may be, you intend on going back and working with him?" Van nodded, "That's correct sir." "But Van, he attacked you," Fiona replied worriedly. Van's lip twitched. He had altered the story of Raven's advance on him slightly to a more masculine story in which Raven's character wouldn't be subjected to conflicting comments. "I know that Fi, but Raven...he's confused. I don't think he knows what he wants." Van looked back at Herman. "Major Herman, I believe that if Raven and I can work together as a team to track down whoever did this to me, than I can turn him to our side. I feel that he's just a lonely guy who wants a family." "Raven has also killed many of my men, and even tried to kill _you_ many times," Herman reminded him. "That may be true sir, but you need to trust me...please Major." Herman gave a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. "And what exactly is your plan?" Raven watched from afar as the Republican zoids which had been hovering around his base began to move away and head back to HQ. "It's probably a plan to capture you," Shadow remarked. "Probably, but I want to be captured," Raven reminded him as he piloted the Genosaurer between the two cliffs and between the walls. As the Genosaurer hovered by his hideout, Raven hopped out of the cockpit and entered his hideout. "What took you so long?" Raven stood shocked as his eyes roamed over Van Flyheight. The hero sat on his cot with a knee drawn up against his chest, with his arm hanging lazily on his kneecap, while his free hand tossed a pill bottle up in the air and caught it, repeating the process as Raven stood there. The boy in question was dumbfounded. Slowly Raven approached Van, allowing his confusion to slip in his voice, "I got caught up talking...your wounds look almost healed enough for you to walk without falling." Van shrugged. "Not completely, but they're getting there. These pills of yours are incredible." There was an awkward silence as Raven stood opposite the boy, trying to read Van's eyes for clues. He found none. "What are you still doing here, Van?" "What do you mean?" Van quipped cheerfully. "I saw you talking to that blonde GF guy. You were carted away by Republican zoids." "But I came back." Raven couldn't help the way his heart seemed to skip a beat at that, or fail to notice the mischievous gleam in Van's eyes. "Why?" Van stopped tossing the pill bottle and held it in his fist, letting his eyes lock with Raven's. "You said these pills have the power to make the receiver succumb to the giver's will. How come when you saw that I had escaped, you didn't make me double over in pain and then attack?" "I couldn't do that to you." "Why? Is it because you like me or something?" Raven's heart hammered in his chest, but he refused to let the blush on his face show as he thought back to Stinger's words. _"Just tell him how you feel. You need to open up to him if you want him to open up to you."_ "You're impossible," Raven said honestly as he flopped down on the ground to sit across from Van. "You're extremely stubborn, you have a horrible knack for putting friendship and the love of zoids before common logic, you're irrational, and you have this...absolutely _disgusting_ way of enticing everyone who meets you into liking you." "Sooo...that's a yes then?" Van asked with a smirk. Raven's eyes gave a shimmer of hopelessness as he looked down at the ground. "I don't know how I feel about you. For so long I have absolutely hated you. I despised you and wanted nothing more than to make you watch as I took everything and everyone you loved away from you as I killed you slowly. But something's different now. Something about the way I feel about you has been changing lately the more I think about you. When we talked about your dad, something...changed. And I know you felt it too." Raven looked back up and saw a brief look of uncertainty pass Van's face before the normal smirk returned. "Would you wipe that stupid smirk off your face? I'm trying to talk to you!" Raven shouted, exasperated. Slowly Van slid closer to the boy so he could look into Raven's eyes. "What is it you want, Raven?" Raven licked his lips, a nervous gesture, before replying slowly, "Van, if you plan on throwing me in jail for what I have done to you, I understand. But first I would like to show you something. Something that nobody has ever seen before." "Your smile?" Raven smirked and shook his head as he stood up. "In all honesty, you probably don't deserve to see what I am going to show you. But I need someone to know about it before I get locked away in a cell forever, and that person might as well be you since we've had a relatively important history together." "What is it?" Van asked hesitantly as he moved to stand up. "You'll see when we get there. But mind you, I haven't been there in a very long time, so if at first you don't see it for its true splendor, don't judge me for it." "I believe first appearances have taught me that what's on the outside is different than what's on the inside sometimes," Van replied with a smirk. Van had always thought that if he ever had the chance to sit in the back of Raven's Genosaurer that he would feel incredibly out of place and anxious. Yet he couldn't help but feel slightly at peace in the zoid. The Genosaurer truly was a miraculous creation, and it had all the effects of quality mechanics. Plus the thought of going somewhere secret with Raven both excited him and made him a bit nervous. Van knew that miles away, a lone Dibison was following them, so if Raven did try to kill him, Thomas would be there instantly to save him, but nevertheless, Van felt kind of safe here. Van looked up and found himself watching the back of Raven's head. Their hair was almost identical, but Raven's swooshed side to side whereas Van's bounced in spikes. Van had the sudden urge to run his fingers through Raven's hair again. '_Whoa, gotta lay off the papaya_.' "Hey Raven, are we almost there? I am incredibly impatient after all." "We're here," Raven said softly as he brought the zoid to a halt. The lid of the cockpit raised, and the two boys jumped out, Van with a bit of a stumble due to his sore ribs. "What is this place?" Van asked as his eyes widened. In front of them stood a dilapidated home, complete with an observatory on the roof. In fact, ivory covered most of the structure, and what wasn't covered by the moss, was covered by rust or dust. "My home," Raven answered before leading them inside. Thomas tapped his fingers against the Dibison's controls, watching through a pair of binoculars as Raven, Shadow, and Van entered the broken down structure. The plan was if Van was in trouble, he would say the code word "Papaya" into a hidden microphone beneath his clothes, which had been switched on by Van while he was in the Genosaurer, and Thomas would storm the building to save was just outside of the zoid's tracking range, and far enough away so he would not be detected by Shadow, but could still watch over Van. On the other end of another mic was Major Herman, who could only hear Thomas's voice, not Van's. "Hero's inside," Thomas voiced into his own microphone in the zoid's consul. "Got it, T.S. Keep us updated," Herman's voice replied. Van followed Raven into a room that looked about as ancient as Dr. Dee. Pressing a button, Raven gestured as the lights flickered on, and Van's eyes fell on a pod that mirrored the ones he had found Zeke and Fiona in. From where he stayed in the hallway, Shadow growled. The pod was broken, and there were still a few shards of glass left on the floor. "My parents discovered Ambient when he was still in his unconscious state. However, when they brought him back to consciousness, he killed them, and would have killed me too had I not been rescued. I should have killed him before he could have even woken up, but I was too young and confused. After the accident, I was afraid of zoids, and wanted nothing to do with them. That is, until your father took me in under his wing. He showed me that zoids could be used for good and could be my friends. I didn't really believe him. After Prozen killed him, he took me in under his wing seeing the potential deep inside me. He gave me Shadow and told me that he would help me bring about the devastation Prozen wanted. When I was young, before the Ambient accident, my father used to take me onto a balcony on the other side of the house. We would spend hours gazing up at the stars. I've always found comfort and safety in looking up at the stars at night...which probably helps explain why I love the dark and why I have such a connection with an organoid named Shadow. I still believe that had your father lived to raise me as a son, he would have shown me a light of happiness in my dark world...and maybe I could have shared that light with you in your world, Van." Raven leaned against the wall and looked at Van expectantly, but Van was too busy taking in everything to respond. "I'm still not sure why I'm showing you this place," Raven continued on. "The house should have been torn down years ago. There are no towns around here for miles...but I couldn't let this place be destroyed. I may be a product of destruction, but I could never destroy what once was a home to me." Van was silent as he walked over to the pod and gently ran his hand along its dusty machinery. "For Zi's sake, Van, are you just going to stand there and not say anything?" "I think I understand you now, Raven," Van whispered, feeling the cool metal beneath his hand, never turning around. "You want to find a light out of the darkness." Van looked over his shoulder and their eyes met. "Right?" Raven shifted his feet but nodded. "And you think that I, being the definition of happiness and kindness, can help you find this light?" Again, Raven nodded as his eyes fell to the floor, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He wanted Van's help, but he couldn't help but feel this was just another reason why Van had and knew every answer to every problem. "Hmm," Van nodded as he looked back at the pod. "This house could be your home again." "The memories and fears are too great. As long as Ambient and Hiltz roam free, I can't stay here." "Then we'll capture them," Van replied as he turned around to face Raven. "We'll stop them once and for all, and you can come back here, restore this house to its former glory, and move in here with Shadow. You can start a new life again." "It's not that simple," Raven sighed as he slumped down. "Hiltz has such great power. Look at the way he used his organoid's power to control those sleeper zoids and attack you! The fight against him won't be easy." "So you're certain it was him who attacked me," Van amused. "Raven...if you always assumed it was Hiltz and fear him and his power, than why did you bring me here? Why continue our original plan to fight him?" "Because the fight may be impossible for me, but for the Hero of Planet Zi, nothing is impossible. You were strong enough to defeat me, you were strong enough to defeat Prozen, you can stop Hiltz." "You have faith in me," Van observed. "Yet you are jealous of me and want me...what exactly do you want, Raven?" Raven tilted his head, and his bangs swept in front of his eyes. "You feel the strings pulling us together, don't you Van?" "I don't know if I would necessarily say that they're pulling us together, but there is a reason why you were there to save me from that ambush. I don't usually believe in fate or destiny, or any of that stuff really, but there is some sort of powerful bond between us. I mean, let's be real here for a second. If what you said about my dad was true, which I believe it was, than you and I could have been raised as brothers. Than there never would have been an rivalry or violence between us. It's crazy to think of you in a position as anything other than my enemy. Yet you healed me when I was hurt, and kept me hidden from Hiltz. I have to ask you why you did that." Raven shrugged against the wall as he gripped his arm in uncertainty. "I don't know really...I guess a part of me always needed to be forgiven for what happened to your dad, and I guess I figured that by me healing you, that would make up for me hurting your dad." "But why did you come onto me back in the cave?" "I don't know, okay?" Raven shouted as he looked from Van back to the floor, his eyes searching for an answer. "I was emotional and upset and scared. I don't want to be alone forever. I want to find that _someone_." "What about Reese?" "She's...not my type." "Why? Cuz you don't like girls in that way?" Raven's eyes snapped up to meet Van's with a look of pure fear and shock. Van held up his hands as he gave a light chuckle. "Hey, calm down. I'm not going to tell anyone so don't worry." The thought that Thomas might be listening in on the other end was far from Van's mind at this moment. "I'm not judging you for liking guys, I'm just asking if that's the case." "Prozen was ashamed of me for it," Raven admitted. "He told me I was disgusting and that I was a disgrace to everything that he was trying to accomplish. He told me I would never find the love I was looking for because people like me...people like me don't live long enough to find that love." Raven's body gave a tremble as he whispered, "He was going to kill me in the end if I didn't at least pretend to like girls. He said it would ruin his image and reputation if word got out that one of his top soldiers was a gay." "I don't think any less of you for it," Van replied softly as he turned to fully face Raven. "In fact, I think higher of you for coming out and admitting it to me. Being gay is nothing to be ashamed of." "Than why do you hide it from _your_ friends and family?" Raven shot back. Van's eyes widened briefly as he rubbed the back of his neck and bit his lip. "I don't make it obvious, do I?" "No," Raven said, shaking his head. "But I did always wonder why you never openly made any advances on Fiona after she exhibited such devotion and attraction for you. She's beautiful, and there are plenty of straight men who would love and desire her, so I could never understand why you two never made things...official." "I pretend that I put the Liger and Zeke before her so that way she thinks I'm just selfish and obsessed with zoids. It would break her heart if she knew the truth, but I think she's slowly figuring it out. Besides, when she does finally realize the truth, she will have Thomas's shoulder to cry on, and the two of them will finally get together. The only ones who really know about my sexuality are Irvine, Colonel Krueger, Dr. Dee, and Moonbay. I told Irvine when I first figured out I was gay when I had a small crush on him. He helped me though it and showed me it was okay, but he's straight and into Moonbay, and I got over him. I told 'Bay when she kept asking me why I wouldn't ask Fiona out, and Krueger and Dr. Dee both guessed it." "Why are you telling me all of this?" Raven asked. "The same reason why you showed me your house," Van explained as he smiled at Raven, stepping closer to the boy. "Because somebody deserves to know the truth in case one of these days the threat is too great for me to defeat." "But why me?" "Because you're the only other gay guy I know who would understand what it feels like to be pressured to be something you're not. I know in my heart that it's okay to be who I am...and I want you to know that it's okay for you too. When Prozen was defeated...a lot of his ideas and beliefs were defeated too. And I want you to know that." Raven was at a loss for words. In the same day not only had he been forgiven by Van Flyheight for Van's father's death, but now the same boy was telling Raven that it was okay to be gay? Raven was shell-shocked. "I've noticed also that when you're overly upset or don't know what to say, you tend to react in outbursts. I hope you're not going to try to make out with me or anything," Van joked as he rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Not unless you want me to," Raven smirked as he winked at Van. Van felt his pants start to grow tight again as he laughed awkwardly and punched Raven lightly in the shoulder. "I think I'll pass this time. Did you want to show me the balcony?" Raven gave that genuine smile again, and led the way out, leaving the bad memories behind him. 5. Chapter 5 **Chapter Five** Hiltz peered through the scope of the Death Stinger at the house in the distance. Focusing in, he saw three figures appear on the balcony. Very soon he would get his revenge on Van Flyheight for ruining so many of his plans beforehand. Looking at Raven, Hiltz gave a sigh. That boy had potential, but because he had rescued Van and healed him, Raven had to be brought out of the picture as well. First, Hiltz would need to take out the organoid Shadow in order to prevent Raven and Van from escaping. That wouldn't be a problem. Hiltz smirked as he licked his lips. Not now, but soon, very soon would he attack... Raven led Van to the edge of the balcony, where he swept his hands across the dusty railing. "It's been such a long time since I've stared up at the stars like this," Raven commented as he gazed up. "It feels right being back here." Van nodded in understanding as he moved to stand beside Raven. The whole being on the balcony thing was kind of romantic, and it probably would have made Van feel uneasy had he been here in the past with Raven. But after everything that had happened, and him coming out to the boy, Van felt kind of at ease being here with Raven, knowing that nothing was going to harm them in that moment. "Oh, you must be famished! Here, I grabbed one for you before. I've heard they're your favorite," Raven said as he took out a hidden papaya from his pocket. "Thanks man," Van grinned as he easily caught the fruit and began munching away. "Whoa, this is the best thing **ever**!" Van made sure not to use the secret word. "Haha, glad you like it," Raven laughed as he turned back to the stars. "Can I ask you something?" "Shoot," Van said as papaya juice dripped out of his mouth. Willing himself not to lick the juice up, Raven tore his eyes away from Van's face and asked, "Where do we stand now?" Thankfully Van wiped the juice off with his wrist as his face twisted into that of confusion. "Hmm, well, I don't think I can actually call you my enemy after all that has happened. But calling you my friend would just seem really weird and messed up. How about we consider each other...frenemies?" "What a ridiculously gay thing to say," Raven replied with a straight face before Van burst out laughing. Raven found that he loved the sound of Van's laugh. "You know, I'm really glad I came out to you," Van said after he had calmed down from laughing. "It's strangely reassuring to know that I don't have to carry that burden alone anymore. I mean yeah, I told a few of my friends the truth, but for me, it's different telling you the truth than it is them...why do you think that is?" Raven shrugged. "Maybe because you're finally realizing you want me." Van laughed again as he rolled his eyes and took a last bite out of the papaya. "You're dreaming." "Maybe I am," Raven whispered after a moment, giving Van his full attention. Van paused in his chewing and turned his face towards Raven's, swallowing awkwardly as he stared at the boy in wonder. Van was about to ask Raven what he meant when suddenly Shadow's head perked up and he gave a growl. "What is it Shadow?" Raven asked as he looked out into the distance. There was just enough time for a sparkle to appear in the distance before Van shouted, "DUCK!" and jumped onto Raven, pushing the boy to the ground as an explosion hit the house. As more shots fired, Shadow moved towards Raven to protect him when suddenly a blast hit the organoid, sending him flying into the wall of the building. "SHADOW!" Raven shouted as Van pinned him down with his body. "Don't move!" Van shouted back as more shots attacked the balcony. "PAPAYA!" "Van, this is no time to be talking about -" Raven's voice cut off as Van lifted up his own shirt to his mouth and started screaming 'papaya' into the microphone. Raven's eyes widened in horror as he stared up at Van in shock. "You were wearing a wire this whole time?" Van's eyes widened too as he realized what Raven was thinking. "Yes, I was, but not for the reasons that you think -" "You son of a bitch!" Raven shouted as another blast hit the balcony where they were laying directly, causing the balcony to begin to crumble. "ZEKE!" Van shouted as the balcony broke below them. Instantly there was a flash of silver as the organoid appeared out of nowhere and engulfed Van, throwing Raven onto its back, and flying away. "You're not getting away that easily," Hiltz muttered as he fired more shots, trying to lock onto Zeke. However the organoid was too fast. Zeke flew to where the Liger was standing next to the Genosaurer. As Zeke dropped Raven into the Genosaurer's cockpit, and Van into the Liger's, Van heard Raven shout out over the communications system, "I swear Van Flyheight, when I stop Hiltz, I'm coming after you for lying to me, you bastard!" "I didn't lie to you, Raven! I didn't know our conversation was going to get that deep, I promise I wasn't wearing a wire to betray you or anything!" Van shouted as he brought the Liger to life and sped it off towards Hiltz. "SHADOW!" Raven shouted. When the organoid didn't merge with the Genosaurer, Raven sighed and began piloting the zoid in Van's wake. "Looks like I'm doing this without him." "Look Raven, I'm sorry for all this, but we need to work together to stop Hiltz!" Van cried out as he got the Death Stinger in his sights. "Why should I trust you now? If anything, I should destroy you first, and then stop Hiltz! After all, I am just a machine of destruction," Raven snarled as he fired a shot at the Liger from behind. "Raven, I'm sorry about this, but we need to work together!" "Van, what happened?" A small voice asked from behind. Spinning around in his seat, Van was shocked to see Fiona sitting in the backseat like always. "Fiona? What the hell are you doing here? This wasn't part of the plan!" "She's here too? Oh great, now it's just one peachy reunion isn't it?" Raven spat. "Go on, Van! Tell her the truth while you're at it! If you want to prove to me I should still trust you, tell her how you feel about her! Or did she hear the truth already over the secret microphone?" "Van, what's he talking about?" Fiona asked shakily as the Liger avoided shots fired by the Death Stinger. "I couldn't stay behind knowing you were in danger, Van." "I wasn't in any danger when it was just Raven and I!" Van shouted back. As the Genosaurer began attacking the Death Stinger, Van continued, "And nothing Fi, it's not time for that now!" "Oh, on the contrary Van, I think now is the perfect time!" Raven shouted as he fired more angry shots at Hiltz. "And besides, just who exactly was listening in on the other end of that microphone if it wasn't Fiona?" "It was me," a voice replied as the Dibison rounded the corner. "I'm the only one besides you, Van, and Shadow who knows the truth, Raven. And for the record, I don't hate either of you for it. Herman only knows what information I relayed back to him, and the only thing I told him was that I was going in to help you with the Liger's help." "What truth? Van, Thomas, what's going on?" Fiona cried out as the three zoids formed a line against Hiltz. "Go on, Van, tell her. She deserves to know, doesn't she?" Raven taunted as the three zoids began targeting the Death Stinger. "Van?" Fiona asked, fear sneaking into her voice. "I hate to interrupt this bickering, but I would appreciate it very much if the four of you would simply cease moving and allow me to kill you," Hiltz's voice rang out as he began preparations for his most infamous attack. "Van, he's going to use his charged particle attack!" Thomas shouted as he fired shots, which were easily deflected by the Death Stinger's shield. "Van, I can't help you if I can't trust you!" Raven also shouted. Van looked from Fiona's pleading face to Hiltz's Death Stinger, to Raven's face on his screen. Van gave a deep sigh as HIltz's Death Stinger prepared to fire its master attack. "Fiona, I can't love you because I'm gay." What happened now happened in a relative Hiltz fired his ultimate attack, Thomas fired a Megolomax in response to counter the attack. Van piloted the Liger up into the air with a battle cry, and drove the zoid down onto the Death Stinger, whose shield had been disabled in order to allow Hiltz to fire his attack. As the Megolomax struggled to overcome Hiltz's blast, Raven also sent out one of the Genosaurer's electric blasts, assisting the Dibison in counter-measuring HIltz's attack. And as the Genosaurer and Dibison's blasts met Hiltz's, the Liger broke Hiltz's shield and speared the zoid. "No, this can't be happening! You were all supposed to hate each other!" Hiltz shouted as his zoid was attacked. "Love overcomes shit like fights," Raven muttered as he moved the Genosaurer forward, overpowering the Death Stinger's ray. "Ambient, I need more power!" Hiltz shouted as the zoid growled an agreement. "Raven, without the help of Shadow, we won't last that long!" Thomas shouted. It was true. With the Death Stinger connected to an organoid, and Raven's Genosaurer without Shadow, it wouldn't be long before HIltz got the upper hand and overpowered them. "SHADOW!" Raven shouted. Simultaneously, Van's Liger continued to slam down on the Death Stinger, attempting to disengage the enemy's attack. "Oh no you don't," Hiltz muttered as he aimed a spare cannon at the Liger to fire an attack. Van quickly side-stepped HIltz's attack and drove one of its blades deep into the cannon, proceeding to turn the Liger sharply and rip off the zoid's cannon. Ambient growled as one of its sources of firepower was ripped off of the zoid. Suddenly the Dibison and Genosaurer began sliding backwards. "He's overpowering us!" Thomas shouted as he struggled with his controls. "The Dibison isn't used to a prolonged Megolomax attack like this! Raven, we need Shadow!" "He's out of commission!" Raven shouted as he said a silent prayer. '_Come on Shadow.'_ Van spun the Liger around to the back of the Death Stinger and prepared to give it another go. "I'll end this," Van muttered darkly. Hiltz looked out of the corner of his eye at the Liger. Suddenly he had an idea. It was a risky one, but it was one he was willing to take nonetheless. "Ambient, I'm going to spin this baby onto Flyheight. Can you take care of the other two quickly?" Ambient growled and Hiltz smirked. This would be over soon enough. All Shadow saw was darkness. He could hear voices calling for him, but he couldn't see them or respond. All of the voices were blending together, and it was hard to make out what each individual voice was saying. All he knew was that his name being spoken. Focusing on one particular voice, Shadow recognized it as Prozen's. "This is Shadow. He's yours if you can tame him." Shadow smiled softly at the memory. That had been the first day he had met Raven, and the two had been inseparable since. Another voice came to his mind as his body began to stir. "I hate zoids...I hate them and I hate you." Raven had once told him that. It seemed like so long ago since Raven hated zoids. Shadow wondered what had changed in the boy? "Zoids aren't weapons to be used in a war! They're supposed to help humanity and to be free creatures used for good!" Ah yes, it had been that boy Van Flyheight who had changed Raven's outlook on life and zoids. Shadow smiled again as he began to stand in the darkness. His master...no, his best friend had changed thanks to meeting Van Flyheight. Shadow's head tilted as he heard a voice calling for him. "Van? No, it was...' Instantly Shadow's eyes shot open and the darkness cleared as he heard Raven's voice calling for him. Shadow looked around as he stood up completely. He was standing in the rubble of the balcony of Raven's old house. Looking ahead, Shadow saw his best friend's zoid fighting with a Dibison, trying to overpower the Death Stinger while the Liger hit it from behind. 'I have to help them,' Shadow thought as he tried to open his wings. One of his wings was badly injured, but Shadow couldn't worry about that now. He had a friend to save. "Raven, we're not going to last much longer!" Thomas shouted as the controls of the Dibison started frizzing out under the pressure of the Death Stinger. "Just a little bit longer!" Raven shouted as the Death Stinger slid them back even further, closer to Raven's old home. "Hang on guys," Van shouted as he charged the Liger forward with a shout. Suddenly Hiltz smirked and swung the Death Stinger around, changing the path of his charged particle attack from the Dibison and Genosaurer to the Liger. The charged particle attack hit the Dibison in the attack, wiping out its Megolomax, and swiftly cutting through the Dibison's legs as if they were paper. Thomas screamed as his zoid crumbled to the ground. "Thomas!" Fiona shouted from the backseat of the Liger. Up until now, she had just been silently watching, taking everything in, but she couldn't stand the thought of losing her Lieutenant. "What?" Van shouted as he dove the Liger away from the attack just in time. The Genosaurer's attack hit the Death Stinger just as the Death Stinger brought the charged particle beam around in a full rotation to meet the Genosaurer's attack head-on again. "That's impossible!" Raven shouted. "That's the power of my organoid," Hiltz smirked as he rammed the power lever up to its fullest. As the charged particle beam fired its full power onto Raven, the Genosaurer was pushed even farther back as the distance between the Death Stinger's attack and Raven grew smaller. "I'm going to die," Raven thought as he watched Hiltz's attack grow closer. From out of the blue, Raven looked up sharply as he heard a growl as his organoid merged with the Genosaurer. Instantly the controls surged to life, and the charged particle blast emitted by the Genosaurer was able to pour more power into pushing Hiltz's attack back towards him. "Shadow! You're alive!" 'I couldn't let you have all the fun alone,' Shadow grinned as the Genosaurer gave a roar of life. "So your organoid returned to its master after all? Well it doesn't matter. Ambient is still stronger than any of your organoids!" Hiltz shouted as he gave a cry. "Shadow, stop him!" Raven shouted. Shadow smirked as he gave the zoid the boost he needed. "Thomas, can you still fire another Megolomax?" Raven shouted. "I can try. I've never fired more than two at a time before!" "Do it!" The Dibison gave a groan as it fired another Megolomax, combining itself with Raven's charged particle cannon's attack, opposing HIltz's attack. "What?" Hiltz shouted as the blast surged forward, pushing Hiltz's blast back at him. "No!" the criminal shouted as the Liger jumped high into the air and crashed down onto the Death Stinger. The aerial attack was just the distraction Raven and Thomas needed as they put more into their attack, watching as their blast surged forward and hit the Death Stinger. "No!" Hiltz shouted as the attack hit the zoid, completely destroying Hiltz's charged particle cannon. "This isn't over!" Hiltz screamed as he tried to bury his zoid underground. "You're not getting away that easily," Raven muttered as he called his organoid's name once again. Shadow laughed as the Genosaurer fired another attack on the Death Stinger, singing the top of the zoid just as it disappeared into the ground. A few moments of peace went by as the zoids stood around, recovering. "I guess...we won," Thomas replied as he opened the cockpit of his Dibison and hoped out. "Yeah," Van agreed. "Guess we did...Ambient's strong, but he wasn't evenly matched what with two Guardian Force members and two organoids against him." It was at that moment that Van remembered Fiona. Slowly he turned around to regard Fiona. "Fi...?" The blonde was sitting in the backseat regarding Van with a curious look on her cace. The boy was surprised at how small she looked in that instant. "Why didn't you ever just tell me the truth?" she asked quietly. "I thought you would hate me for it," Van said honestly. "I could never hate you Van," Fiona said honestly as she looked up into his eyes. "I wish that you had told me beforehand and not under such grave circumstances, but I'm proud of you for telling me...and it's okay. I still love you, even if I can't love you in that sense anymore." "Soooo you don't want to kill me?" Van asked with a shaky laugh. "No," Fiona smiled as she leaned forward and gave Van a hug. "You're my best friend." Van grinned and gave a sigh of relief as he relaxed in the embrace. "Thanks, Fi." Raven opened up his cockpit and jumped down, meeting Shadow on the ground. Raven quickly ran forward and embraced Shadow. "You're the best, Shadow," Raven grinned as he held his organoid tightly. "I was worried I had lost you." 'You're not losing me that easily,' Shadow laughed as he rested his head on top of Raven's. Raven smiled and turned to watch as Van, Fiona, and Zeke appeared on the ground. The trio quickly walked over, and the group of friends stood around looking at each other in awe. "You know this isn't over...Hiltz will be back. And next time our little stunt won't be enough to stop him," Thomas said matter-of-factly after a moment. "We'll be ready for him when he does," Van grinned as he looked at Raven. "Together?" Raven looked down from Van's open hand to Fiona's face and back to the hand before gripping it tightly. "Together," Raven agreed. "Fiona, can you call Moonbay and ask her to come pick me up? I don't think the Dibison can make it back to the base on its own." "No problem," Fiona grinned as she moved to head back to the Liger. "Oh, and Fiona?" "Yes, Thomas?" Thomas exchanged a smile with Van before turning back to Fiona, sucking in his stomach, and asking boldly, "Since Van can't be an object for your attention anymore, I would appreciate it very much if you would consider going on a date with me!" Fiona looked at Van who gave her a shrug in a response. "Well...I guess I could go on a date with you Thomas," Fiona smirked. "On one condition." "What's that? I'll do anything for you, Miss Fiona!" "Be gentle in your report to New Helic City. There's no reason why certain truths need to go into the report." "Already took care of my wording," Thomas beamed as he gave Van and Raven a knowing look. As the two blondes made their way to their specific zoids, Raven, Van, Zeke, and Shadow stood around. "I'm sorry I mistrusted you," Raven blurted out after a moment. "I'm sorry I wasn't fully honest with you," Van replied. "I don't get it though. Why didn't Thomas use that mic to call in reinforcements?" "Because then we wouldn't have had the privacy to do this if we won," Van whispered as he drew Raven in for a kiss. It started out gentle but took a different toll as Van's tongue licked against Raven's lips, asking for entrance. As their tongues battled for dominance, Shadow gave Zeke a wink, who blushed and turned away in a pout in response. When the two boys finally broke apart for air, Raven whispered, "Always the dominant one, hm?" "Well I do have a reputation of being the hero go uphold," Van smirked with a wink. Raven gave a genuine smile before his face twisted into a confused one. "Wait...so you and Thomas were willing to risk our lives just to avoid us getting caught in a kiss?" "Wasn't it worth it?" Van grinned as he gave Raven a light peck before pulling the boy close to his chest. "I'm sorry about everything Raven. WIll you forgive me?" "On one condition," Raven smirked. "Tell me what you truly want." Van smiled as he gripped Raven tighter to him in an embrace as he pressed his nose into Raven's hair and whispered by the boy's ear, "I want you Raven. Always have, and I always will." End file.

Light and Darkness by GunSniper64

Zoids

1. Chapter 1 Butterfly Kisses By: Luna09 Chapter 1 A Bundle of Joy It was a typical day at the Blitz team's base. Leena Tauros was taking a bath, Brad Hunter was sipping coffee (what else is new), Jamie Humorous was cooking dinner, Dr. Seven Tauros (a.k.a. Doc and Leena's father) was building zoid models, and Bit Cloud was sitting in the garage, taking care of his Liger Zero. "How do you feel now Liger?" Bit asked the big cat. It roared with happiness and shook off the extra water. Bit laughed and then sighed. He looked outside and saw a family having a picnic. It was a family of four, a mother and father, and a girl and a boy. The boy looked older than the girl and he sure act like it. "You can't catch me, Tori!" The boy yelled as he ran around the picnic blanket. "Oh yes I can, Brian, you just watch me!" The little girl yelled as she chased her brother around and around. "Alright children, lets settle down," The mother said pulling out turkey sandwiches. Oh, how Bit longed to have those moments with his family. He sat down and whipped the sweat of his forehead. "It's been a long day Liger, I think I'll turn in," Bit said as he closed the garage door and turned off the lights. Liger roared quietly. Bit walked tiredly down the hallway and into his room. He sighed as he shut the door and changed into his pajamas. He got into bed and closed his eyes. "Where's Bit?" Leena said at dinner. "I don't know, the last time I saw him, he was heading to his room," Jamie said as he past around a bowl of mash potatoes. "Must have turned in for the night," Brad said as he grabbed a piece of lasagna. "I guess," "Mom, I'm going all over the planet to collect good zoid parts," Bit said as he sat at the Cloud's table for the last time. "Now dear, you must promise me that you will be careful," Bit's mom said as tears filled her eyes. "Don't worry mom," Bit said as he leaned back in his chair. His mother smiled and- Bit awoke from his dream. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Will I ever see her again?" Bit thought. Almost every night, he would have the same dream. He got out of bed and dressed. He could smell food from the dinning room. He opened the door and started to walk down the hallway. Then the doorbell rang. No one was going to answering it and since he was the closest to the door, he decided to answer it. He opened the door and saw nothing. For some strange reason, a little voice inside of him told him to look down, so he did. There, lying on the doorsteps, was a little pink bundle. Bit squatted down and picked up the letter attached to the 'bundle'. Dear Bit, I'm sorry to bother you, but these times are so hard for me right now. Could you please take care of your little sister? Her name is Mimi and she is only ten months old. I hope you are not upset with me about this situation. Love, Mom "Mom," Bit said after he read the letter. He picked up the bundle and moved the blanket to see the child's face. There, in his arms, was a little girl sleeping. She had blonde hair just like his. He tried to hold back the tears that were forming in his eyes. He carried his sister in side the base and held her tight. She was so cold and small. He went into his room and wrapped another blanket around the little one. He couldn't believe it. The thing he always wanted he already had it. He picked up Mimi and held her close to his heart. He walked into the dinning room and- "BIT WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BABY!" Leena yelled, her food flying out of her mouth and landing on the table. "Shush," Bit said as he handed her the note. The team passed it around the table, eager to read it. "Her name is Mimi, that's such a cute name," Leena said as she held Bit's sister. She brushed back the little baby's blonde hair and kissed Mimi forehead. Jamie stepped in the picture and felt Mimi's soft hands. "She's so soft," Brad said with what looked like a smile as he felt her forehead. "Bit, could we have a talk?" Dr. Tauros said. Bit nodded and followed the Doc into a different room. "Bit, how are you going to take care of a baby and fight at the same time?" The doc said as he rubbed his chin. "Well, you did it, why can't I do it? Answer that question. I really care for this baby," Bit said angrily. "You've only been with that baby for two seconds! You don't have the experience to raise a child!" "Just give me a chance! I know I'm not as perfect as you with your family, but I have wanted a sister or a brother all my life! How would you feel if you've wanted something all your life and it suddenly turns up on a door step! Don't take her away from me!" Bit yelled. Dr. Tauros knew he was right. He sighed and decided to go along with Bit. When Bit walked into the room, Mimi was on the couch sitting by Brad. She was awake and looked really happy. She had green eyes, just like Bit's. "Bit, she is so adorable!" Leena said as she sat on the other side of Mimi. "Yeah, she gets it from my mom," Bit said as he squatted down so him and Mimi were eye to eye. The little girl giggled at the funny face Bit made. "What did the doc have to say about Mimi?" Jamie said as he put some mashed potatoes on a plate for Mimi. "He agreed with me and said she could stay," Bit said as he made another funny face at his sister. "Oh, that's good. Another lady around the house," Leena said with a sigh of relief. "That's supposed to be good?" Brad joked. Mimi stared at the necklaces around Brad's neck and smiled. It was shiny. "There is got to be away to get that shiny thing," Mimi thought, squaring her jaw, until she got the most brilliant idea that made a smugish smile appear on her face. Mimi let out a high pitched cry. "Oh, Mimi, don't cry!" Bit said as he picked her up. "Put me down you poop head! I want the shiny thing!" Mimi thought as her cries grew louder and hurtful. "What are we going to do!" Leena said. Then suddenly, she saw Mimi stare at it while she was pretending to grab it, "Brad! I think she wants your necklaces! Give it to her!" Leena demanded as Brad pulled off the necklaces and gave it to the crying kid. Once she got a hold of it, she stopped crying and stated to play with it. "Glad that was over," Bit said as he set Mimi on the ground. She fell on her bottom, but she didn't care. "I guess she can't walk yet," Brad said as he sat on the floor with her. "Hey look, Brad has a soft spot," Bit said as he joined the two on he floor. "I wouldn't be talking, Mr. Tears almost in his eyes," Brad said as he placed Mimi into his lap. Bit turn as red as a tomato and said, "Shut up," "Alright Mimi, ready for bed?" Bit asked later that night. Mimi smiled and yawned. Bit laughed, "Tired all ready?" "Yes, now come on stupid and put me to sleep," Mimi thought as she rubbed her eyes. She yawned again, "On second thought, I'll just sleep now," Mimi then knocked out into a deep sleep on Bit's shoulder. "Hey, she's just like you Bit," Brad joked. "Ha, very funny Brad," Bit said as he carried his sleeping sister to his room. Three weeks later, Mimi had gotten used to the world of zoids. Although, she couldn't walk yet, she would have to stay under Jamie's watch as the Blitz team would battle. Bit thought it was a good idea, because if Jamie was yelling at him, he would be able to see Mimi smiling back at him, waving. She had at least learned one word, and that word was, Bit. It was a miracle, as Bit thought so. She just said it out of the blue. "Bit!" She said as she bounced on her bottom singing her little chant, "Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit, Bit!" Bit chuckled at the thought. "What are you laughing at, Cloud?" The pilot of a Dibison from the other team said. "Oh, nothing. Just something funny I saw," "The Blitz team against the Genie team. Battle mode 0982. Ready Fight!" The judge called out. The battle began and the blitz team was way ahead. Mimi clapped at the sight of her brother in the lead. She found a door that said EMERGENCY EXIT and opened it. "There's Bit!" Mimi thought looking out the door. Mimi crawled out of the door and into the middle of the battlefield. "MIMI!" Bit yelled as he halted right in front of Mimi. She smiled and laughed. Bit was breathing really hard, like he was having a heart attack. "Gosh, I'm not that important," Mimi thought, her eyebrows furrowed and her lips stuck out. Bit flew out of his Liger and came running over to Mimi. Of coarse, he fell and tripped along the way, so the time he reached his sister, he was covered in dirt. "This battle will be continued another time because of the interruption, we will post you when," The judge said as he shot up in his capsule. Bit said as he held Mimi in his arms. "I gotta be careful now, more than ever," "I went into town today and bought some new close for you, Mimi," Leena said as she pulled out a dozen dresses. Mimi stared at them wide-eyes and clapped her hands. "Make me look pretty Leena!" Mimi thought as she giggled. Outfit after outfit she tried on, she only really liked two of them, a dress that looked like Bit's battle costume and a dress that looks like Bit's regular clothing. "Oh joy, same style for both Clouds, how cute!" Leena said as she picked up the little girl and carried her into the living room. "May I introduce you to the new Mimi Cloud!" She said as she held Mimi up. "Aw, how cute! Her clothes looks almost like Bit's," Jamie said as he looked up from the newspaper. "Hey, soon enough you'll get your own zoid," Bit said as he picked Mimi up and swung her around. Mimi sat in her crib. "I want to get out of this dark room. Maybe if I could pull myself over the top of the bar, I can maybe land on my bottom," Mimi thought to herself. She took hold of the metal bar and pulled herself up and over it. She landed on her bottom and crawled to the door. It was opened a little bit, just enough for Mimi to push. Mimi pushed the door open and crawled into the living room. Everyone was so busy eating dinner that they didn't know her. "I can maybe grab onto the couch and pull myself up so I can stand. Well, here goes nothing," Mimi thought, taking in a breath as she grabbed hold of the arm of the couch and pulled herself up to stand, "No falling, hey, I'm standing! Now, for the hard part, walking," Bit walked into the room and saw his sister standing on the side of the coach. He stood there in silence so she could concentrate. Mimi moved her foot to angle up where Bit was standing. She swished her body so she could stand in the right position. She held the couch for balance and made one-foot go forward. She let go of the couch and put her other foot in front of the other foot. "Hey! I'm walking!" Mimi thought as she smiled at her feet, "Bit! Bit!" Mimi yelled as she walked over to her brother. "Mimi! You did it! You walked!" Bit said as he threw his sister up in the air and caught her. "What did we miss?" The team said as they rushed into the living room. "Mimi walked! Show them again Mimi," Bit said as he set Mimi down. She walked over to Leena and hugged her legs. "Mimi! You are amazing! Walking and talking at ten months!" Leena said as she picked up the little girl. "Runs in the family," Bit said as he took her away from Leena, "Now you, you need to get to bed," "Good thinking bro. I'm pooped!" Mimi thought yawned and laid her head on Bit's shoulder. Bit kissed Mimi on the forehead, laid her in her crib, and turned off the lights. He was tired also so he decided to go to bed. 2. Chapter 2 1Chapter Two Bit's Dream What looked like a 16-year-old Mimi came running out of the house. "Mark! Mark! I got a letter from Bit!" She said as she gave her friend, Mark Sky, her brother's letter. "He still doesn't know, doesn't he?" Mark said seriously. Mimi sighed and nodded, "Mimi, you have to tell him some time or later," "I know, I know, but he'll just not want me around any more," "He's your brother, he has the right to know," There was a long pause between the two friends, then Mimi spoke up and said, "All right, I'll go this afternoon. But you have to come with me," "I wonder what Mimi's doing," Bit said as he stared up at the ceiling. He didn't look like an old hag, he looked like he was 21. "Oh, Bit, stop worrying about her. I'm sure she's having fun at zoid academy," Leena said as she sat next to the worried brother "Yeah, but she left when she was three, how is she going to control her blade liger at the age of three?" Bit said as he sat up. "If she can control it here, she can control it anywhere," There was a knock at the door. Bit got up and answered it. There, standing in the doorway, were two kids that looked about the age of 16. "Um, Can I help you?" Bit asked confusedly. The girl with blond hair and green eyes looked up from the ground. "Bit, don't you know who I am?" she said. "Um, no," "Mimi! Your little sister!" "How! You can't be! I need proof," "Is this proof!" The girl that said she was Mimi pulled out a blue diamond necklace shaped like a heart from out of her shirt. Bit stood there wide eyed at the diamond. "The necklace that I gave her... I mean you!" Bit said as he took his sister by the arm and brought her inside. The black headed boy followed. "What happened to you!" Bit said as he made eye contact with his sister. "Someone put a potion in our drinks and over night, it made us turn older. So, now you have a 16-year-old sister and a..."- "AH!" Bit screamed as he woke up from his sleep. Mimi stood in her crib and had a confused look on her face. Bit walked over and picked her up. "I had the most horrible dream of you," He said as he brushed Mimi's hair behind her ears. " Did I make you pee in you pants? Because you sure made me pee my pants when you screamed. In fact, I need you to change me right now," Mimi thought as her bottom lip stuck out. "Aw, Mimi, you stink. Let's get you changed," Bit said as he carried Mimi into the bathroom. "Bit," Mimi said as she pointed to the battle costume of hers. Bit slid it over her head and put on the matching outfit of his. "Ah, the battle Clouds," Brad said as he looked up from the television. "It was Mimi's idea," Bit said as he sat down on the coach. "Mine," Mimi said pointing to herself as she followed Bit to the coach. "Wait to go Mimi, another word spoken," Brad said as he gave her a high five. She giggled and leaned back."Let's see if she can say anything else," Leena said. "How about Liger, can you say Liger Mimi?" Bit asked. "How about Brad," "Can you say Leena?" "L-l- Leena!" Mimi said as she jumped up and down. "Leena! She said Leena!" Leena said as she swung Mimi around in circles. "Leena! Leena! Leena! Bit!" Mimi said as she sat down from the dizziness. "Make a wish Mimi," Bit said as his three-year-old sister blew out the candles of her cake. "I blew out fire!" She said as she played with the smoke. "With set of lungs, you could be working as a firewomen," Brad joked as he pulled of the candles. "Brad, you're so silly!" Mimi laughed. "What did you wish for Mimi?" Leena asked. "It a secret, I can't tell," "She's right or it will never come true," Jamie said as he came out with the pieces of cake. Mimi wolfed it down and yelled, "Present time!" "She's just like you, Leena," Bit joked. "Shut up, Bit," Leena passed Mimi present after present. "Chocolate! Thanks Brad!" Mimi said as she pulled out the big chocolate box. "Best treat a kid could ever have," Brad said as he leaned back in his chair. "Ah, a lion toy! Thanks Jamie," "No problem Mimi, since you like cats a lot," "Clothes, Thanks Leena, they look just like your clothes," "Since you have clothes like Bit, you can have clothes like me," Leena said as she looked at Bit. He smiled and handed his sister a little box. She unwrapped and opened the box. Her eyes went wide and pulled out a blue diamond heart shaped necklace. "Bit. Was this mommy's?" Mimi said as she pulled out the necklace. Bit nodded as he sighed. "It was her wedding present. Just before I left home, she gave that to me for good luck and told me to give it to someone I love. Well she never said I could give it to my little sister," Bit said with a smile. "And now For my present!" Dr. Tauros said as he led Mimi into the garage. There standing next to Bit's liger, was a... "Blade Liger!" Mimi yelled as she ran towards it, "That's mine?" "Hey, if the Cloud jeans live inside of you, you'll have a spot on the team," "Doc!" Bit said as he rammed him the arm, "She's only a three year old!" "Don't worry, Leon got his first zoid when he was a one year old," "Oh, ok. But how did you get this blue liger?" "Uh, I haven't checked my email yet today, I better go check it," Dr. Tauros said as he ran out of the garage. "What are you going to name it Mimi?" Leena said as she stood next to her."Hmmm... Blade," "Good choice, it suits it really well," Brad said as he held Mimi on his shoulders. 3. Chapter 3 1Chapter Three Mimi's Nightmare "You ready Mimi?" Bit said as Mimi slid into Blade's cockpit. As Mimi strapped herself in, she nodded her head violently. Bit chuckled and jumped onto the launch off pad. "Blade mobilized, ready to launch," Mimi said as she grabbed hold of Blade's controls. It roared softly. "Scared Blade?" Mimi asked the blue beast. It nodded it's head, "Me too,""Blade Liger ready for launch off," "Here we go Blade. Go Blade!" Mimi screamed as she was launched off from the hover cargo. Blade lost balance and fell on its back. "Mimi are you ok?" Bit asked through the intercom. "Fine, I'm fine," Mimi said weakly. "Thank god this is just practice," Mimi thought as Blade slowly got up. "Ok, take hold of Blade's controls and make it run forward," Dr. Tauros said as he gave instructions to the little girl. "K, Doc," Mimi said as she gave hold of Blade's controls. She gave it full speed and zipped forward. "That baby has booster cannons! Go Mimi!" Brad said, as he became interested. "Now what?" Mimi said as she stopped the fast cat. "Harry Champ is out there for target practice. Since you have no guns, you need o use Blade's blades," Leena said through the intercom. Since Harry Champ did no like Leena any more, he decided to help with Mimi's zoid practices. He was really nice to Mimi, so he would go easy on her. "Ok, I'm ready," Mimi said confident. She drew out Blade's blades and look at the radar. A red dot appeared by the base and Blade took of like lightning. The blades light up when Harry's Iron Kong came into view and sliced it in half. "That was too easy! I need a challenge!" Mimi yelled. She was pumped and it felt like she had done this forever. "Looks like you have a spot on the team, Mimi," Dr. Tauros said as Mimi walked toward the hover cargo. A smile spread across Mimi's face. She hugged Dr. Tauros tightly and her eyes sparkled. "Thank you so much, Doc!" She said as she hugged him again. Bit hadn't seen Mimi so happy, that he was glad that she had done wha she had always wanted. Jamie turned on the TV and switched it to the news. There, with bight, big letters that read 'BREAKING NEWS' flashed across the screen. "We interrupted this news bulletin to announce that zoid thieves are at there worst. All around the Planet Zi, zoids are being stolen and some people are being kidnapped at this moment. We alert you to lock and double check all your doors and windows. This is not a joke," The anchorman said as the TV screen zoned out. "Well, what know?" Mimi said as she folded her arms and leaned back on the couch. Bit shrugged his shoulders and sat next to his sister. "Why would they say 'this is not a joke' when this is very important stuff to know?" Mimi asked. "So that people wouldn't think that is was a joke. You know how people are these days," Brad said as he turned on the TV, once again. Mimi sat in her blade liger as fog spread all over the place. There was a sound from a gun, then a scream. Mimi jumped out of her zoid and ran to the sound of the scream. There, lying on the cold ground was Bit and Leena, both dead. Mimi was horrified from the scene, tears formed in her eyes. She moaned and a hand grabbed her. Mimi tried fight back, but it was useless. She opened her eyes to see a man with a scar going half way across his face. One of his eyes where red, the other black. Mimi tried to scream, but the man had grabbed her throat. "Well isn't it Mimi Cloud, sister of Bit Cloud, or should I say, used to be," The man said as he laughed a cold, evil laugh. Mimi was both scared, and angry. The man let go of the little girl. "What do you want with me!" Mimi yelled as she coughed. The man smiled evil-like and said, "Your dead brother's Liger Zero," "Never!" Mimi said as she ran away from the man. The murder pulled out his gun and... Mimi woke up in tears yelling, "Don't kill me!" when she realized that it was a nightmare. She sighed as she trembled with fear. Bit ran into the room with a metal bat. "Get away from my sister!" He yelled as he ran into Mimi's room, not noticing that no one was in the room except his sister. "BIT! NO ONE IS ATTACKING ME! I HAD A NIGHTMARE!" Mimi yelled over Bit's howlers. He put the bat down and blushed. "Ha, sorry Mimi," Bit said as he walked out of Mimi's room, quietly and quickly. 4. Chapter 4 Chapter Four Older Mimi, New Enemy "Get up team! Today we have a battle!" Dr. Taros said as he knocked on everyone's door. Mimi groaned as she got up. Her first zoid battle and she was groaning. She dressed in the Bit matching battle suit and pulled on some black boots. "Leena, could you please do my hair," Mimi said tiredly. Leena yawned and tied Mimi's hair into two tight pigtails. "Thank you," Mimi said as she walked out of Leena's room and into Bit's room. He was still getting dressed, but Mimi didn't care. She plopped onto Bit's bed face first and moaned. "Excited Mimi?" Bit asked as he put on his sneakers. Mimi moaned and nodded her head. Bit laughed and grabbed her by the head. "BIT! NO! NOT THE NOGGIE!" Mimi screamed as she tried to get free of her brother's clutches. She laughed and punched her brother in the stomach. He moaned and got up. "All right, cut it out. Remember you have to register today," Bit said as he rubbed his stomach. "For the thousandth time, I know Bit!" Mimi said as she walked out of Bit's room. "Morning Mimi," Brad said as Mimi walked into the room. Mimi yawned and waved 'hi'. She sat down next to Brad and rested her head on the table. "Not enough sleep Mimi?" Dr Tauros said as he sat across from the blonde-headed kid. "Yeah, I was up all night trying to decide what to put on my register thing," "You know, you just have to put your name and wha kind of zoid you have," Leena said as she entered the kitchen. "Yeah, I know, but I was also to excited to go to sleep," "Yeah, reminds me of Leon when he was going to register. I had to hold him down just to get his pajamas on," Dr. Tauros said with a laugh. Mimi smiled at him and started to eat her breakfast. "Name," The Judge said as he talked to the little girl. "Mimi Cloud," Mimi said as she beamed as the computer wrote down her name. "Age," "Seven," "Zoid," "Blade Liger," "Birthday," "July 5th," "Blood Type," "Uh Bit help," "A positive," Bit said through the computer. "Height," "Bit " "Three feet and two inches," "Weight," "Bit " "Fifty-five pounds," "Register complete," The judge said as he zoned of the screen. "Thanks Bit. I thought it only asked questions like you name and zoid," "They must have changed it," Bit said with a shrug. "Leena here, mobilizing Gun Sniper," Leena said as her Gun Sniper stepped onto the launch zone. "Gun Sniper mobilized. Ready for launch," Jamie's voice called from the PA system. Leena shot out of the hover cargo "Bit here, mobilizing Liger Zero," Bit said, repeating what Leena did. "Liger Zero mobilized, ready for launch," Bit shot out of the hover cargo. "M-Mimi here, m-mobilizing B-Blade L-L-Liger," Mimi stuttered as Blade stepped onto the launch zone. "Blade Liger mobilized, ready for launch," Mimi closed her eyes, so her tears wouldn't come out. "Mimi don't be scared, you've done this millions of times. You're going to be ok," Bit, said as a little screen appeared in Mimi's cockpit. She nodded her head slowly and seized Blade's controls. She pushed it forward hard enough to fly ten feet in front of the hover cargo. Blade roared loudly as if that was an accomplishment. "Hey, nice launch Blade," Mimi said as she walked next to her brother in the line up. From a distant, you could see two Zaber Fangs and a Blade Liger, roaring with all their might. "Scared," said a voice from the Blade Liger. Mimi glared out the glass window and said, "In your dreams," " Ready, set, FIGHT!" The judge yelled. Blade darted forward after the Blade Liger. "GET HIM BLADE!" Mimi yelled as Blade drew closer to the Blade Liger. As the other Blade Liger drew out its blades, Blade put on the booster cannons and drew out its blade. "BLADE ATTACK!" Mimi yelled as Blade jumped, spun in the air, and sliced a big slash in the other Blade Liger before it even got a chance to move. The blade liger fell to the ground. Blade slid, faced toward the totaled Blade Liger, and roared loudly. It put its paw on the other Blade Liger and looked fiercely at it. "Say uncle," Mimi said glaring out the window. "Never," He said as he tried to get up. Blade drew out its blades and sliced off the other Blade Liger's leg. "SAY IT!" "UNCLE!" The boy yelled as he surrendered. Mimi smiled devil like and let go of the Blade Liger. Mimi jumped out of Blade's cockpit and knocked on the other Blade Liger's cockpit glass. "You ok?" Mimi said as she looked into the dirty window. It opened and a boy who looked about nine came out holding his arm. He had black hair and gray eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," He said as he held his arm to try and stop the blood. Mimi tore off a part of her skirt and tied it around the boy's arm. "Thanks," He said as he moved his arm around. "Your welcome," Mimi said as she sat down and looked over the edge to see her brother was shooting off one of the Zaber Fangs. "Um, what's your name?" The boy said as he sat down next to Mimi. "Mimi Cloud, how about you?" "Mark Sky," "Nice meeting you," Mimi said as she stood up and walked over to her Blade Liger. She looked back at Mark and smiled. She not only had her first zoid battle; she now has an enemy. 5. Chapter 5 1Chapter Five A new friend and a mysteries disappearances "Nice battle team!" Dr. Tauros said as he poured pop into everyone's glass. "I say that we do that more often!" Mimi said as she took a sip of her drink. "Now don't get your hopes up Mimi, we don't have a battle every day," Bit said as he grabbed a chicken leg from the dinner plate that was being passed around. "By the way, great job on beating that other Blade Liger, Mimi," Leena said as she took Bit's chicken out of his hands. "Thanks, I really enjoyed it. All that training with Harry really helped," Mimi said as she scooped up some rice and stuck it in her mouth. "Yeah, cause every time you battle him, you would whoop him," Brad said as he took a sip of his pop. Mimi showed a smug smile and asked the most stupid question you would ask the Doc, "Dr. Tauros, where did you get my Blade Liger?" "Um, well, that Blade Liger did not come cheap. It was said to be really old, was used in the olden days. Said was he best blade liger ever built" "And how much money did you take out of our paychecks?" Leena said with a sigh. "Battled some tough zoids along the way," "DOC!" Everybody yelled as he wrote the price on a napkin. "Ninety hundred-thousand and five hundred dollars! Man I'm spoiled!" Mimi said as her eyes widen. "Do I have to go," Mimi said as the school bus build up to the Blitz team's base. "Mimi, first grade won't be so bad. You will get to meet a lot of other kids and won't have to stay with Bit the whole day," Leena said as she handed Mimi her blade liger printed lunch box. Bit glared at her. "But I want to stay with Bit," Mimi said as she pouted. "You'll have fun Mimi, trust me, I'll be here when you get back," Bit said as brushed back Mimi's bangs. Mimi smiled and nodded. She turned around and got on the bus. As the bus grew dimmer into the distance, the guilt in Bit's stomach grew. "She'll be fine, don't worry," Leena said as she read the expression off of Bit's face. "Hi, I'm Rachel Cole, you can sit with me," A little girl with brown hair and green eyes said happily and she scooted over. She looked about Mimi's age, but she was a little shorter. Mimi smiled and sat down. "My name is Mimi Cloud," Mimi said as she sat her lunch box on her lap. "I like your lunch box. That's a cool, looking blade liger," Rachel said as she pointed to Mimi's lunch box. "Yeah, I have a zoid just like it, its name is Blade because of his blades," "Is it blue?" "Yeah, but I wish it was pink," "I have a red one, its name is Firebolt because he looks like fire bolting when it runs," "What team are you on?" "The Bladers team with my sister and cousins. I haven't battled yet though. What team are you on?" "Hmm that name sounds familiar," Mimi thought, then said, "The Blitz team with my older brother and his friends," "Wow, I heard that you guess are really good. You're the only team I have seen that has a liger zero. Isn't that your brother's?" "Yeah, he calls it Liger, if it were mine, I would have named it snowball," "Are you two talking about zoids?" Said a girl with purple hair that was sitting in the seat in front of Mimi and Rachel. "Yeah, do you have a zoid?" Mimi said as she should the girl her lunch box, "because I have o-" "No I don't have a zoid because they are the most stupidest things that where ever created. Only losers talk about those," the girl said as she turned around and sat back in her seat. "That was rude," Rachel whispered into Mimi's ear. Mimi nodded as she lowered her head. "Don't worry about her, she's just a dork," said a familiar voice. Mimi looked in the seat behind her and saw Mark Sky sitting with his hands behind his head in the seat behind Rachel and hers. He was sitting with a girl who looked exactly like Rachel. "Hi, Mark. Hi, Angel," Rachel said as she looked over Mimi's shoulder. "Do you know him?" Mimi asked as she pointed to the black headed kid. "Yeah, he's my cousin, and the girl sitting beside him is my twin sister, Angel, who is two minuets older than I am," "Nice to meet you, Angel," Mimi said as she shook hands with the duplicate of Rachel. "Well, we better get off, or well be late for school. See you around Mimi," Mark said as he winked and got off the bus. From the seat she was sitting in, she could see Mark Sky's body vanish inside the building. "Good morning class and welcome to first grade," An old lady said as she welcomed her students to her room, "I'm your teacher Mrs. Ryosan, and I am glad to see all of you," "Hello Mrs. Ryosan, My name is Mimi Cloud and I am seven years old," Mimi said as she smiled at her teacher. "It's nice to meet you Mimi. You know... you remind me of someone I used to know... oh but that was way long ago. Well, let's sit down and start the class ok," "Who's your girlfriend Mark?" Mark's friend Noah said as he sat next to him in art. "She's not my girlfriend, she's just a person I battle and now she is Rachel's best friend. I was just helping her out with Denise the snobby pants," Mark said as he dipped his paint brush into his paints and applied the paint to a small, plastic battle armor for his Blade Liger model. "Whatever Romeo," Noah said as he got up and sat down to paint his Helcat model. "That's a good picture of a blade liger, Mimi," Rachel said as she grabbed a red crayon from her crayon box. "Thanks, that is a good picture of a command wolf, does your dad have one?" Mimi said as she colored blue shades into the Blade Liger's head "He used to, but it got stolen, it was really cool," "How fast did it go?" "Pretty fast, but when it would turn, it would usually slow down or slide to far, that's why I like Blade Ligers, they run very fast and they turn perfectly," "I know, and they really can turn tight corners,""Ok, class! Time to pick up all your things and you can go home! Hope to see you tomorrow!" Mrs. Ryosan directed her class as all the first graders scrambled out the door. "Good, I'm going to go home and work on Firebolt's particle gun," Rachel said as she walked fast to the bus. "Bye Rachel!" Mimi yelled as she got off the bus and waved her friend good bye. Rachel waved good bye and the bus faded in the distance. Mimi walked up to the base's door and entered the code to make it open. She stepped in the darkened base and turned on the lights. "Is any one here!" Mimi yelled as her voice carried out throughout the house. She walked into her bedroom and lade down her stuff on her bed. She went into the kitchen and pulled out a tub of ice cream that read the label, LEENA. "Yummy, ice cream!" Mimi said as she threw the top off and cobbled the ice cream with her hands. She went into Dr. Tarous's room and stared up at his zoids models. She crabbed the closets ones she could grab (which was a blade liger and a liger zero) and put them into the half-filled tub of ice cream. She walked into the middle of the family/living room. She played with the ice cream covered zoids models, until the blades on the Blade Liger fell off and the Liger Zero's head fell off. "I think I'm done playing," Mimi said as she placed the two broken models under the couch. "That was the most stupidest movie I have ever seen in my whole life!" Bit yelled as he stepped into the base. "It's supposed to be Bit, it's a chick flick," Brad said as he hanged up his coat. "Shut up Brad, Leena and I didn't want to see your stupid James Bond movie so we bought tickets to our movie," Naomi said as she glared at Brad. "Stupid chick flicks... They should die," Bit mumbled. "Why is your little sister sleeping on the floor, covered in ice cream?" Leena said with a laugh. "What do they give those kids at school," Brad joked. "Ok, for the thousandth time Brad, you are not funny," Naomi said as she laughed at her statement. Bit laughed along and picked up the sleeping child. Bit whipped her off with a damp cloth and changed her into her pajamas. He lade her in her bed and turned off the light. He would ask her in the morning how her day went. 6. Chapter 6 1Chapter Six The unknown appearance Mimi woke up from the sounds off her brother screaming. "AH! DON'T KILL ME!" Bit yelled as he ran around the base as Leena chased him with a Japanese radish. "I MARKED IT CLEARLY THAT ICE CREAM WAS MINE!" "I NEVER TOUCHED YOUR ICE CREAM!" "YOU LIER!" "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" An evil smile spread across Mimi's face. She pulled the covers more over her shoulders and closed her eyes. "Mimi, get up, you have school today!" Jamie yelled from the kitchen. "Okay! I'm up!" Mimi yelled as she got out of bed and put on her Leena -looking outfit, with the headpiece. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a piece of toast off of the table. "Bye everyone I am going to school!" Mimi yelled over the havoc of Bit's screams. "Have a good day Mimi!" Dr. Tauros said as he gave Mimi her book bag. Mimi waved and headed out the door. "Hi Rachel," Mimi said as she climbed onto the bus and sat in the seat next to her best friend. "Hi Mimi, guess what!" Rachel said as she moved over. "What?" "Ok, my team is having a battle today and Bruce, my older cousin, can't battle because of his broken arm, so I'm battling in his place!" "Wow! Cool! What team are you battling?" "I have no clue, but who cares! I get to battle!" "Are you still talking about those stupid things! By the way, why are you wearing wire on your head?" The girl in the front said with a snarling attitude. "For your information, stupid head, zoids are not stupid and this is a head piece from one of the most best gun spinnerets in the world. So just shut up and sit in your seat, you loser," Mimi said with a powerful attitude. The older girl snarled and sat in her seat. "Wow, I know who I am not battling next battle," Angel said as she sat in her seat. "Just me you don't want to, she cuts off zoid's legs. It almost cost me a ton of money to fix it, but luckily, I fixed it myself," Mark said as he leaned back in his seat. "Hey Mark," A boy with dark blonde hair said as he sat in the seat next to Mark. "Hey Noah, this is Mimi, the girl who almost killed me in battle," Mark said as he pointed to Mimi. Mimi blushed from the thought of her battle. "And it's a sham she didn't. Hercules is looking pretty rusty," "Who's Hercules?" Mimi asked as she stared into Noah's dark brown eyes. "My Helcat, best one I have every seen," "What's a Helcat?" "A type of zoid that one side of government used a long time ago. I read it in history," Mark said, as he should a picture of the cat like zoid. "Shut up Mark, quite acting so smart," Rachel said with an evil stare. "I'm going to beat you doc!" Bit said as he moved his game character back and forth. "Oh, it's on!" Dr. Tauros said as he shot two bullets from his game character's gun. "I wonder what Jamie is cooking for lunch," Bit said as he wiped the sweat of his hands."Speaking of lunch, did you give Mimi her lunch box," Dr. Tauros said as he paused the video game. "Uh, I thought you did," Bit said as scratched his arm. Dr. Tauros shook his head and Bit spoke up, "Look I'll go down there and give it to her. No big deal," "Watch out for the kids, they love any zoid pilot that sets foot in a school," "Whatever," Bit said as he grabbed the Blade Liger lunch box and headed out the door. "My lunch box is gone!" Mimi yelled as she unpacked her book bag. "What do you think happened to it?" Rachel said as she placed her book bag on her hook. "Maybe aliens took it, or fairies, or those creepy monkey things in the Wizard Of Oz!" "Um, Mimi, look who is here," Rachel said as she pointed to the entranceway. "BIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" Mimi yelled as every body in the class turned heir attention to the entryway. "You forgot your lunch box," Bit said as he handed his sister her lunch box. "Hey, your Bit Cloud! The one with the Liger Zero!" A boy from the back of the classroom yelled. "Bye Bit!" Mimi said as she pushed her brother out the classroom door. "Mimi, you never told us that your brother was Bit Cloud!" A little girl standing next to Mimi squeaked up. "That's what I didn't want you to know," Mimi mumbled. "Now she will have to bring him for career day!" "Settle down class. Mimi did not want to find out about her brother so lets act like Bit never came in our classroom," Mrs. Ryosan said as she looked over at Mimi. Mimi smiled as saying thank you and Mrs. Ryosan nodded. 7. Chapter 7 1Chapter Seven White Rose "ACHOO!" Mimi sneezed as he wiped her nose on her sleeve and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy and blood shot. She tried to breathe through her nose, but her nose was so stuffed, she couldn't. She shuffled her feet out of her room and knocked on her brother's door. "Mimi, what's the matter," Bit said as he bent down to eye level with his sister. "My nose if stuffed, my eyes are red, and I wish I didn't wake up, I think I am going to die!" Mimi mumbled. Bit shook his head and said, "You're sick, I think you better stay home," "Sick, I don't have to go to school? But, I like school!" "I know you do, Mimi, but you don't want to get the other kids sick," "Am I going to die?" "No," "Are you sure?" "Yes, now come on, let's cure your cold," "But I'm not cold," "Not the "cold" cold, the cold like your sick," Bit said as he led his sister into the kitchen. "Woah, Mimi, you look sick," Brad said as he put down his coffee cup. Mimi nodded and laid her head down on the table. "I'm calling the school, so stay right there Mimi," Bit said as he left the kitchen. Mimi moaned and scratched her head. Brad rubbed her back and continued drinking his coffee. "Do you want some 7UP Mimi?" Leena asked as she poured a can of 7UP into Mimi's cup. Mimi nodded and turned to Leena. "When I was little, my dad always gave me this when I was sick. It always helps now when my throat is soar," Leena said as she gave Mimi the pink cup. Mimi took a sip, licked her lips and said, "This taste good," Leena smiled and left the room. Bit entered the room with a slip of paper. "I need to go down to the body shop to get up grades on the Blade Liger," Bit said as he grabbed his coat. "I want to come!" Mimi said as she slammed down her cup, spilling some of her 7UP. Brad's eyes widened for a second, then he took a sip of his coffee. "Mimi, your sick, you need to stay home," suddenly Mimi gave Bit the puppy eyes, which you can't say no to. Bit sighed and said, "Get your coat," "So's you wants to up grade on your Blade Liger? Can I see the receipt," The mechanic said as he stared at Blade. Bit checked his pockets and his eyes widen. "Mimi, do you remember which pocket I put the receipt in?" Mimi shook her head and took a drink of her 7UP. Bit sighed and said, "Hold on Mister, maybe I left it out in the car," Bit said as he ran out of the body shop. Mimi reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the receipt. She tugged on the mechanic's sleeve and handed him the piece of paper. "Ha ha, aren't you a little trickster today. Thank you young lady," Mimi smiled and took a sip of her drink. Bit came in panting."I couldn't find it, but I am sure-" "Don't worry lad, we found it," "How? Where?" Bit said scratching his head. "Oh, it just appeared from some where," he mechanic said as he winked at Mimi. She winked back and smiled. "AHHCHOO!" Mimi sneezed as she laid deadly in her bed. She whipped her nose on her sleeve and laid back in her bed. There was a knock on her door. "Come in if you dare," Mimi said as she rubbed her eye. "Mimi, your friends are here," Bit said as he held the door open for Mark and Rachel. "Mimi! Are you going to die!" Rachel said as she sat in the chair directly across from Mimi. Mimi shook her head and rubbed her eye. Mark leaned back on Mimi's desk and looked at his feet. "She just has a cold Rachel and that's it," Mark said as he looked up. He looked tiered or either that, worried. "Yeah, but Bit says I should be fine tomorrow," Mimi said as she looked at Rachel. Rachel smiled and relaxed in her chair, but Mark seemed to straighten up at the thought. "Well, um, Rachel we better leave, because Bruce will be mad at us for making him wait," Mark said as he headed toward the door. Rachel glared at him and said, "He is talking to Bit, we can stay, sit in the chair," Mark slumped over to the chair and plopped into it. Mimi giggled and leaned back on the headboard of her bed. "Your brother is here?" Mimi asked Mark as he looked up at her. He nodded and sighed. "Excuse me?" A guy with an eye patch came in. Mimi looked over at him and smiled. She was guessing that it was Bruce. He handed Mimi a white rose and stood next to Mark. "You must be Bruce?" Mimi asked, as she smelled the rose. He nodded and scratched his neck. "Mark said you where Bit's little sister, and the one with the awesome blade liger. So when Rachel came in crying and told me you were sick, I thought we could come over here and wish you a get well," "Well thank you for the rose," "Don't thank me, thank Mark. He is the one who picked it out," Mark sunk low in his chair. You could tell by how low he went that he was embarrassed. 8. Chapter 8 1Chapter Eight Fight for Your Life Mimi woke up feeling a 100 better than yesterday. She hopped out of bed and put on a teal colored shirt with a dark teal flower on the front, blue jeans, and black boots. She flipped her hair, as usual, and smiled at herself in her mirror. She grabbed her book bag and skipped out of her room. "Well someone is in a happy mood today," Bruce said as he looked over his cards. Mimi was surprised to see that Mark, Rachel, and Angel where all sitting on the couch watching TV. "Go fish," Bruce said as he rearranged his cards. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN GO FISH! I SAW A STINKIN' TWO IN YOUR HAND AND YOU KNOW IT!" Bit yelled as he stood up. Bruce smiled up at him and handed Bit a faced down card. Bit stuck his tongue at him. "Go fish my foot," Bit mumbled as he took the card. He flipped it over and smiled. "HA! I BEAT YOUR BUTT! SEE HERE! A TWO! YOU HANDED ME A WINNING CARD! AND YOU CALL YOUR SELF A CHAMPION AT GO FISH!" Bit said as he danced around the card table. "Come on kids, you don't want to be late for school, Mimi your coming too," Bruce said getting up and grabbing his jacket. "Ha, you can't even admitted that I whooped your butt. Come on! You're not leaving 'till you admit that I whipped your butt," Bit said as he moved in front of Bruce. "Goodbye Bit. Come on kids, let's go," Bruce said as he stepped around Bit. Mark sat in his seat worried. Thoughts where squirming in his mind. Mimi looked at him confused. She thought that it was something to do with school, but she didn't know what. Mimi sat back in her seat and let the wind fly against her face. Bruce pulled up to the front of Panther Hill Elementary school and put the jeep in neutral. "Ok kids, see you guys at 3:30," "Rachel, why is your cousin taking us to school," Mimi said as she closed the car door. "I told him I hated the bus, which I do, so he said he would take us to school," Rachel said as she waved her cousin good-bye. "Well, hello Mimi! It's good to see you again. We missed you," Mrs. Ryosan said as she beamed a smile at Mimi. She smiled back and took her seat next to Rachel. Denise sneered over to Mimi and barked, "I didn't miss you," "I didn't miss you either, spoiled little brat," Mimi spat as she stuck out her tongue. Denise's face tightened up, and then she turned around in her seat furiously. Rachel giggled and unloaded her book bag. "What's the statues on the blue blade liger?" Zuni said as she looked over her brother's shoulder. "Well all I got is that it can reach speeds over 190 mph and its blades can slice through diamonds. It also has moves like strike laser claw and its teeth can bust a zoids computer. It also has laser guns, but there not all that good," Roy said as he showed 3D images of Mimi's blade liger on his laptop. Mark stood off to the side, having second thoughts of why he joined this group in the first place. He didn't want to steal zoids, he just wanted to learn how to improve them. "Well, at least one thing about it is good," Zuni said as she rubbed her forehead, "That blade liger is the best one I have ever seen," "Well the only way to get the liger zero is..." "I know, two minds think alike," Zuni said with an evil smile. "Hey Mark, You still comin' with the shrimp or are you backing out," Austin Stocks said as he pounded his fist into his hand. Austin Stocks was a fifth grader that had failed the fifth grade three times, so he out beat anyone in a fight. "Come on, give her a break. Why do you want to take it out on Mimi any way," Mark said as his fists tighten. "My team is battling them tomorrow, I don't want the kid in the battle. I don't want to end up like you who can't do anything but whine and cry in his room," Mark jumped at him, but Austin's friends held him back. Austin smiled evil like at him and said, "Be there, or I'm gonna hurt the kid more," "Why is Mark so tense these days?" Mimi asked Rachel as she painted the color green on her white rose picture. "I have no clue. I may live with him, but I don't know what he thinks in his head," Rachel said as she added black to her "super hero's costume". "Whose that supposed to be?" "Batman, but I couldn't draw the bat sign on the front of his costume, so I drew a kitty instead," The bell went off in the hallway and all the students in Mrs. Ryosan's class stared at her. "Recess, have a good one," Mrs. Ryosan said as she opened the door. The kindergartners rushed out the door. Mimi and Rachel walked over to the swing set and sat down. Mark walked over slowly, looking back behind him every now and then. He swallowed and put on what looked like a smile, "Um Mimi, can you come over here with me?" Mimi blinked in confusion. She nodded and walked with Mark behind the school, where the teachers didn't watch. Standing in the corner was Austin and his gang. Austin smiled and punched his fist into his hand. He walked up to Mimi and pulled her up by her shirt. "So, your Mimi Cloud, Bit Cloud's little sister," Austin said as his hand moved quickly to Mimi's shirt to her neck. Mimi couldn't talk, nor breathe. She tried to move Austin's fingers, but they where to tight around her neck. Mark was held back by Austin's gang, trying with all his might to be let free. "My team is up against you tomorrow, and I don't want to be beaten by a stupid little seven year old," Austin said as he lifted Mimi higher. Mimi's eyes began to glow a reddish color and a weird sign appeared on her forehead. Austin's hand that held Mimi grew hot and he threw Mimi on he ground. With the other he punched her in the stomach and the eye. Mimi with her eyes still glowing screamed with all her might and curled up into a ball. Austin picked Mimi up and threw her at the wall. As Mimi bounced of the wall and landed on the ground, a load bang was followed behind Austin and his gang. Mark stood next to Brad and Bruce, who put his gun in its holder. Brad picked up Austin by the shirt and punched him in the face. "NOW WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO HURT A SEVEN YEAR OLD! NO ONE DID!" Brad said as he swung another one at the 5th grader. Mimi laid dead like on the ground. Mark knew as he sat beside her that she had blacked out. "I'm sorry, Mimi. But every thing is going to be ok Mimi...it's going to be..." Mark said crying as he clenched up holding the wound that was created at his side. Mark blacked out over top of Mimi. 9. Chapter 9 1Chapter Nine Butterfly Kisses Mimi ran through the fog following the sound of a girl's voice. She rubbed her red eyes as fog got into them. "Hello! Who are you!" Mimi yelled into the fog. A girl that looked exactly like Mimi came out of the fog with clothing that looked like a butterfly. Mimi's eyes widen at the sight, could she have a twin. "W-who are you?" Mimi said to her twin. The girl smiled and touched Mimi's forehead. The weird sign appeared on her forehead again and both of the girl's eyes and signs on their foreheads glowed. "My name is Fiona. Mimi, you are not dead, you are in a deep sleep. Believe in yourself that you have strength. Believe in your self, believe in Mark," The girl said as it seemed both Mimi and the girl made the fog go away by themselves. "Mark? Fiona, is Mark ok?" Fiona smiled and faded away. "Wait! Don't leave me here alone!" Mimi said as she reached out for Fiona's hand. Fiona smiled and said genitally, "You are never alone, Mimi, I am always with you," Fiona kissed Mimi on the forehead, which made the weird mark go away. Mimi closed her eyes tightly. Mimi woke up startled. Bit, Bruce, Leena, Brad, Rachel, Angel, Jamie, and Dr. Tauros stood at the foot of Mimi's hospital bed. A huge sigh of relief filled Bit's face as he hugged his sister. "Where is Mark?" Mimi said as she pried her brother off. Bruce sighed and pointed to the bed next to Mimi. There, Mark laid on his back. Mimi got up, feeling a pain in her left leg. She didn't care, Fiona told her to believe in Mark. Mimi sat on Mark's side and prayed over him. "Mark! Where are you!" Mimi yelled through the fog. Mark appeared out of the fog and blinked. "Mimi, are we dead?" Mark said as he stared at Mimi. Mimi smiled and said gently, "No, we're not dead, just in a deep sleep," Mimi grabbed Mark's hand and put his hands in a praying position. "Mark, you need to believe in yourself so you can wake up. Believe in yourself Mark," "Mimi, your eyes are glowing, and the weird shape on your head is appearing again. And who is that behind you?" Mark said as he looked over Mimi's shoulder. Fiona smiled and placed her hand on Mimi's shoulder. "Believe Mark, believe." Mark and Mimi woke up at the same time. Sweat was traveling down their faces. Mark looked over at Mimi. He smiled and sat up. "Mimi, you helped me... Why?" Mark said as he sat crossed legged in his bed. Mimi smiled and sat on the bed, "You're my friend," "The Blitz Team against the Shadow team, battle mode 0992. Ready: FIGHT!" The judge yelled as Blade took off. Austin's command wolf couldn't match for a blade liger, and besides, Blade just got upgrades. Mimi put Blade into full speed and drew out its blades. Austin's commanded wolf ran slowly through the dirt. Mimi flipped the switch on Blade's joystick and missals came shooting out of Blade's sides. "You know what Austin, you may be strong in fist fights, but you're a wimp in zoid battles!" Mimi yelled as she sliced through the black commanded wolf, "And because of you, you made my mind, my body, and my heart stronger. You also gave me nice red eyes and a black eye. So now I am off saying; revenge is sweet," "The battle is over! The battle is over! The winner is...the Blitz team!" The judge called out as he shot out into the sky. Mimi jumped out of her partner and waved her long hair, still with the flip in the front. Mark walked up to her side and both of them looked into the sunset. The two best friends walked back to their base with smiles on their faces. End file.

Butterfly Kisses by Luna09

Zoids

Bit Cloud's Admirer Disclaimer: I do not own Zoids or the narrator. Try to guess who this person is and receive a treat of teasers, info is at the end of this story. Beware of my other two aibous, Daemon Wing and Demon Wing. Bit Cloud's Admirer The pilot of a particular Zoid was amazed at the energy and spirit of the pilot that the fighter adored. The fighter thought, 'Did he were notice me in the way I notice him.' The fighter watched the blond warrior do his victory yell in awe. Smiling at the team's victory against the Sabers Team and to conceal the fighter's emotions of the blond pilot, the fighter congratulated the team and the fighter's own abilities. Later, the Blitz Team went back to the Hover Cargo to freshen up and have a victory dinner. The fighter place the Zoid first, followed by Bit Cloud and the rest of the team. Deciding to take a shower after everyone's done in order to avoid another teammate's wraith, the fighter went to the control room to accompany Doctor Toros. The fighter and the doctor watch the filmed battle over and over to see what was wrong and how to improve the team's skills. Later That Night The fighter laid on roof of the building where the Zoids were stored. The warrior leaning against the edge of the small wall at the edge of the roof. In the warrior's lap was a book but the fighter was glancing at the stars above. Pointing out constellations, Orion, the Dippers, Aries, Hercules, Gemini, etc. but the one most intriging was a constellation of Bit's face. The fighter had to admit that the warrior was obess with the guy. Bit haunted both his thoughts and dreams. The fighter thought about the first time that the fighter saw Bit. The pilot thought Bit to be some kind of thief trying to steal Zoid parts. The fighter must say that even then the pilot was in love with Bit. The fighter thought about the time when the Blitz Team battled against Naomi Frugal. The warrior thought about Bit dodging that bullet was a complete fluke. Now the fighter knew that it wasn't because almost everything seemed that Bit does were fluke but they not. The warrior knew not to disrespect the Liger 0's pilot any more because it was him who brought the Blitz Team to Class S. Bit also defeated another Ultimate X, the Berserk Fury, with only the standard Liger 0 armor. Even now the warrior thought highly of the blond. Bit Cloud was the most powerful fighter there is, even the warrior had to admit that now. Leon thought the same too as well as Naomi when they decided to join the Blitz Team, after making it to Class S a year ago. The Frugal Team was no more when all the best teams were defeated by the Blitz Team and were send back to Class A. Leon and Naomi grew tired of battling the Blitz Team over and over and losing again and again. Leon became the second in command after the warrior but Bit, who insisted that one of the two warriors became leader, stayed as the leader. The Sabers Team and the Champ team were the only one able to fight the Blitz because of the money they agreed to pay. Ever since the Sabers and Doctor Lyon decided to join each over to try to get even with Bit and Dr. Toros, of course after a couple lashing from the Sabers Team to Dr. Lyon. The warrior sat there until Bit went out to get the fighter back inside. The fighter stood up and walked over to Bit and went inside after him. Before going inside the pilot thought, 'Did he ever love me like I do to him or at least will love me when I tell him my feelings.' The warrior went inside and listened at the conversation the new and improved Blitz Team was saying. The fighter sighed and went to bed but before the pilot left the control room the fighter saw Bit had a look of concern on his face when he saw the warrior go to bed without saying anything. As the pilot went inside the bedroom, the fighter thought, 'Maybe he does love.' Hello, remember me my dear fans of my Gundam Wing story. For all those people who don't, my name is Le Wing. This is the start of my fierce come back after few years' disappearance. For those who do know my Gundam Wing story and Card Captors story, I'm sorry to say that I have unfortunately lost my inspiration for them and will soon go to forbidden lands, the land of Yaoi. I have taken a test saying that I am a 64% yaoi corrupted person, but don't get me wrong. I shall be writing some yaoi and straight couple stories. Now let us forget that now and talk about this story. As you all know after reading this story I have not stated the person who is obsess with Bit Cloud. Now my lovely readers, you must guess who is the person. It could be Brad, Lena, or even Jamie. The person is not of any other team and that includes Naomi Frugal and Leon Toros who in my mind joined the Blitz Team after about 20 battles with them after joining the Class S fighter ranks. As I have said before this could either be a yaoi story or a straight story. If you want you could make it another team fighter be in love with Bit and join the Blitz team because of it. Tell me who this person is and I will send little teasers of the stories I will be writing next after some planning of the plot events. The person is being called the "pilot", "fighter", and the "warrior." Make sure you send your email or post it with your review. Thank you. End file.

Bit Cloud's Admirer by Lucifer Hisaki

Zoids

Please Forgive Me Van **Just a short song ****fic**** showing the other ending if Fiona went through her decision of destroying ****zoid**** eve.** "Zeke it's time I must." Fiona declared. Zeke growled in a response of defeat. "I know Zeke but it's the only way." cried Fiona. "_Van, I'm sorry this is goodbye." _This horrible thought clouded Fiona's mind. Zeke approached Fiona opening his silver plates on his chest, coming out were tubes that wrapped around the zoidian's body where she was lifted off the ground ready to be sacrificed. This meaning the mechanical creatures called zoids and the last of the ancient zoidian race would be destroyed. Just as the deed was to be done a sort of yelling in plea came in Fiona's direction. "Fiona don't." The voice was none other than Lieutenant Van Flyheight. "Van!" Fiona smiled also letting a tear escape. "Fiona please you can't we have come this far." Pleaded Van. "Van I must please try to understand there is no other way." Fiona cried. _"Please forgive me Van wh__ere ever I may go you will always be a part of me."_ This was Fiona's last thought as she closed her eyes and took her last breath. _hold on to me love __you know __i__ can't stay long __all __i__ wanted to say was __i__ love you and __i'm__ not afraid __can you hear me? __can__ you feel me in your arms?_ "FIONA!" Van yelled. It was too late a white light shined out over the ruins of zoid eve. The light was so blinding Van couldn't see what was going on. _holding my last breath__safe inside myself__are all my thoughts of you__sweet __raptured__ light it ends here tonight_ **Two Weeks Later** Search parties had been out day and night to find any sign of Fiona and Zeke. It appeared that the Republic and the Empire had no luck. Both sides kept on the search for about five months till completely throwing the towel. _i'll__ miss the winter __a world of fragile things __look for me in the white forest __hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)__i__ know you hear me__i__ can taste it in your tears_ A memorial was held in Fiona's memory by the idea of Van. An hour past Van still stood in front of the memorial letting his tears fall. "I'm sorry Fiona I couldn't be there for you." "Why couldn't it have been me." Van yelled. Some of Fiona's last words raced through his mind. _"Van I must please try to understand there is no other way."_ "There was another way there had to be." Van yelled. _"Don't worry Fiona I won't stop searchi__ng until you and Zeke are found."_ _"I just hope w__h__ere ever you are you are alright." _Van thought. Before leaving the memorial Van placed his proof of the guardian force the medallion which he always wore on the site. "Be safe." Van frowned as a few more tears of grief escaped. _holding my last breath __safe inside myself __are all my thoughts of you __sweet __raptured__ light it ends here tonight __closing your eyes to disappear __you pray your dreams will leave you here __but still you wake and know the truth __no one's there __say goodnight __don't be afraid __calling me calling me as you fade to black __holding my last breath __safe inside myself __are all my thoughts of you __sweet __raptured__ light it ends here tonight_ End file.

Please Forgive Me Van by CrazyIrishBitch23

Zoids

Leena's Cookies A/N: this really is poetry, its a form of Japanese poetry called haiku _Leena's Cookies_ _Hot delicious treats,_ _Slowly melting in my mouth,_ _Ow, there's Leena's Fist_ End file.

Leena's Cookies by Tasmanian Tiger 221

Zoids