Air Gliders

The **Air Gliders** are a group of soldiers that appeared in the *Leeko: The Beginning* trilogy.

## Characteristics

The Air Gliders are small creatures with anatomy similar to Leeko - though with more defined fingers and lack ears and a tail - who wear gray jumpsuits with black visors on the front. The only thing that distinguishes them visibly are the weapons they carry, the color of their gloves, and the letter on their torsos with signify the Air Glide Machine they pilot:

* **S** - Shadow Glider
* **F** - Formula Glider
* **R** - Rocket Glider
* **W** - Winged Glider

The Air Gliders do not have dialogue. The Copy Abilities they provide depends on the weapons they are using. These consists of the following:

* Baton - Baton
* Bomb - Missile launcher
* Fire - Flamethrower
* Flail - Flail
* Top - Exploding tops

## Air Glide Machines

### Formula Glider

The Formula Glider is relatively large, in comparison to the other machines. It is a sleep, neon cyan machine, with a floating crescent-shaped spoiler at the back, and two white propulsion units at each side. This Air Glide Machine is the first of the machines that Leeko commandeers and learns to pilot, though he does not pilot it in Fight To The End.

### Rocket Glider

The Rocket Glider's main body has an arrowhead-like shape, with convex left and right sides. Its body appears to be covered in a brown leather-type material, which is sealed with a large zipper, running from the front tip of the vehicle, under the rider's seat, and to the back. Extending out from the rear, on the left and right sides, are two propulsion units, which expel a yellow gas at diagonal angles pointing outwards somewhat, rather than straight behind. The most apparent feature of this machine's appearance is a large orb on the rear, which stores a glowing white core with a blue hue. Leeko rides the Rocket Glider while battling the flail-wielding Air Glider, but is forced to ditch it when it runs out of fuel and then explodes. He does not end up riding one in Fight To The End.

### Winged Glider

The Winged Glider is on the smaller side. Its design resembles a pale-blue bird with darker blue accents. It has a narrow front end tip, and wings spread out to each side. Its rear is composed of three outspread jets, which expel a white jet-like propulsion while the machine is moving. While it charges in flight, it glows white, and glows brighter the longer it flies, prior to landing. The Winged Glider is the most common Air Glide Machine used by the Air Gliders, and Leeko learns to fly it while battling these foes. He later ends up using one to pursue Nebula into his inner sanctum, and uses it again to ferry him and Milly away after Nebula is defeated.

### Shadow Glider

The Shadow Glider is one of the vehicles used by the Air Gliders. The machine's main body is of average size, and appears a dark purple arrowhead with a metallic-marble texture. Protruding out of the base are two wings, bearing the same hue and texture. The entire machine is stylized to look somewhat like bat wings, with the rear of the machine bearing three spines, similar to those found at the tips of said wings. The machine's edges appear particularly razor-sharp, compared with the more rounded tips of most other vehicles. Notably, there are no apparent propulsions or engines on this machine. However, two trails of a dark violet cloudy glass expel from the two outermost spines on the machine's rear while it has momentum.

## Role in the series

### Leeko: The Beginning

The Air Gliders first appear in the episodes Air Ridin’! - Part 1 and Part 2, where Leeko is forced to battle four of them, each carrying unique weapons and riding a different Air Glide Machine. Leeko faces them down one-by-one by copying or countering their abilities and then mounting their respective vehicles. It is later revealed, however, that this entire battle sequence was a dream implanted in Leeko's head by Mr. Mage in order to mentally prepare him to use Air Glide Machines later.

In the episode Fight To The End, Leeko encounters his first real Air Gliders who attack him using missile launchers and flamethrowers. Using the dream training he received, Leeko quickly counters their attacks and rides their vehicles in order to defeat them and then pursue Nebula.

## Appearances in the series

### Leeko: The Beginning

* **S3E29/TB096** - Air Ridin’! - Part 1 (*debut*)
* **S3E30/TB097** - Air Ridin’! - Part 2
* **S3E33/TB100** - Fight To The End

## Trivia

* Out of the four Air Glide Machines seen in the episode Air Ridin’! - Part 2, the Shadow Glider is the only one that Leeko does not ride.