Disclaimer 1: I do NOT own zoids. I never have and I never will…though I wish I did

Disclaimer 2: The characters Ibeyla, Obscura, Spectral, Rollo, Rabe, Salca, and Playzia do NOT belong to me. They belong to ShadowRebirth37.

Disclaimer 3: The characters Atherin, Azel and Eiji belong to ME. The towns Redai and Jurei also belong to me. I do not mind if Redai is used with out my permission, it's just a name I made up on the spur of the moment, but if you use Jurei please make a note of it in your disclaimer.

Summary: Raven and Ibeyla are on the trail of a killer, when they meet Atherin, a teen that's hiding something important. When the killer turns out to be something out of a legend and Atherin's secret revealed; will they be able to stop it? Or will they fail and doom the planet to death's embrace?

Author's Note: Alright, where to start? I guess explaining why I'm using Ibeyla's characters would be a good place ^^ Okay, this fic started out as an RP that we're doing. Somewhere along the way we decided that this might make for a good fic. So…here it is. As a side note, this fic starts out as T but in later chapters' turns to M. Also, this fic is mostly centered around the manga, but some of the anime was smushed into it. Just so everyone's clear on this, this fic is collaboration from Ibeyla and me. We hope you enjoy this fic as much as we enjoy writing it. ^^

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҉ I Share Your Plight ҉

A white, gold accented Blade Liger stopped in a nice big clearing in a forest. The sun was starting to reach its mid day peak, and both he and his pilot were looking forward to a nice long nap. His pilot didn't really like to travel during the day, so if it meant that he could sleep in the middle of the day for a few hours then he was all for it.

Eiji, as the white Blade Liger was called, lowered himself to the ground to let his pilot and partner out. The young boy of sixteen stretched out, having been in Eiji's cockpit since yesterday evening. He was wearing dark grey pants, with the left pant leg having been cut off and hemmed just below his knee, combat boots, twin black leather belts that crossed each other in the front and a long sleeved black mesh shirt and a thin, long, red cloth scarf that was tied around his neck. He was around 5 feet 8 inches, with very bright lavender eyes, short hair that rivaled the color of ebony, had a pale complexion that wouldn't tan no matter how long he was out in the sun, and a red upside down triangle Zi mark under his right eye.

Atherin, as he was called, dug into his bag that was at his side, and pulled out some rock candy and began to suck on it. His...'condition'...demanded that he had a large intake of sweets...daily… Eiji growled, wanting some candy too. Atherin obliged and tossed a piece of rock candy up to Eiji. After Atherin had devoured his candy he settled down in the shade that Eiji's giant head created. A nice nap out of the mid day sun would do him some good.

In another part of the forest a small chocolate brown organoid, named Rollo, wandered around the forest. He was looking for prey, a host, anything he could eat. Rollo stopped and sniffed the air. He could smell...Zoidian…? …Human…? He wasn't sure, but it was food. Rollo honed in on the scent, and found a Zoidian snoozing next to a Zoid in a clearing.

Eiji growled a warning to Atherin. Something was near them, but… it was either too small or it was just his imagination. Atherin paid Eiji no heed. If it wasn't big or didn't have a gun then it wasn't dangerous in his books.

Rollo started to stalk over to the Zoidian, his movements jerky and cautious. He was a skittish and scared Organoid, and he could tell his Zoidian was strong. By the time Rollo had come into the clearing Eiji had decided that it was his imagination after all... Atherin slept on; unaware that someone was sneaking up on him...

Rollo crept over to sleeping Zoidian, eyeing and sniffing him curiously. He was shaking in fear, afraid he would be killed if the Zoidian awoke. Atherin shifted a little, the hard ground not doing much to help his already stiff and sore body. He fell back asleep, not knowing that someone was right behind him. Eiji growled softly in confusion. There was something under his head by his pilot, but it was so small and cute he just couldn't bring himself to squish it.

Rollo edged closer to the sleeping Zoidian, sniffing at his shoulder. He cocked his head and leaned down, nipping and tugging at his shirt over his shoulder. Atherin was undisturbed, the tugging of his shirt nothing more than the breeze. Eiji whined...his pilot wasn't listening to him!!!

Rollo chewed through the mesh fabric, exposing the skin more. He licked him first, making sure he was numb, so he wouldn't wake up. As soon as he was good and numb, he nipped at him, using his small baby fangs to make a small bite. His venom caused the blood to begin to flow, and Rollo immediately began to lap up the blood with his tongue, drinking happily. Atherin felt a little discomfort on his right shoulder, but he shrugged it off as either Eiji trying to get his attention for something dumb again or a really irritating bug.

Rollo continued to feed, lapping up the rich, flowing blood like a vampire bat. His saliva caused the wound to warm and tingle slightly, not at all unpleasant, but not normal. He fed happily, drinking up the blood, making sure to not take enough to hurt his host. Atherin's discomfort increased a little. It wasn't the fact that his shoulder was feeling oddly warm...it was because it felt like his blood was being drained in small increments... It was a blood sucking bug. He swatted it away with a light touch; one didn't need much more than that to get rid of an overly gorged mosquito...

Rollo squeaked as he was suddenly hit, tumbling from his host's shoulder. He landed in a jumbled heap, blood covering his muzzle. Now that he wasn't there to drink, blood dripped down the Zoidian's shoulder, splattering to the ground. Rollo whimpered in fear and curled around himself, trying to hide by covering himself in his wings. He was shaking, whimpering and whining softly, afraid of the Zoidian.

Atherin's eyes flew open when he realized that he was bleeding!! He sat up quickly, digging in his bag for more candy to speed up his un-naturally fast healing process. He couldn't afford to lose any blood! There was a high price on his head, and he couldn't chance going into any of the Republican towns he was near, not until the hype settled down and he was all but forgotten. As he popped another candy stick into his mouth he noticed the small, huddling, shaking form of an organoid.

Rollo didn't open his amethyst eyes. He was terrified, expecting to be stabbed or shot or hit. He was shaking and whimpering, trembling in fear and terror. Atherin could feel the small wound on his shoulder seal up. It wasn't as deep as he thought it was. As he continued to eat his candy, Eiji now whining about giving him some too, Atherin studied the chocolate brown organoid in front of him. /…Young...a hatchling looking for a meal...that's all.../ Rollo didn't move aside from his trembling, too afraid to even try and escape. His pale tan wings obscured most of his body, but one glowing, violet eye peered out from beneath them, staring at the Zoidian in fear.

Atherin hadn't noticed Rollo watching him. He was too busy arguing with Eiji, it was like arguing with a two year old, but Eiji eventually won, threatening Atherin that he wouldn't move from this spot at all. Atherin sighed, defeated, before he dug in his bag for another stick of candy and tossed it to Eiji, who rumbled happily. Now that his child of a Zoid had been quieted, Atherin turned his attention back to Rollo, the little organoid trembling in fear of him. Rollo didn't move, too afraid for his life. His body had completely seized up, preventing him from running even if he had wanted to. He whined again, shuddering and trembling in fear.

"...I'm not gonna hurt you... You just took me by surprise is all..." Rollo squeaked in fear, tightening his wings around himself, trying to hide.

"........... You do know I can still see you right?" Atherin asked raising his eyebrow upon seeing the organoid's pitiful attempt at hiding. Rollo cried out in fear, expecting the Zoidian to grab him or kill him.

"...If it helps you to believe me that I'm not gonna hurt you, my name's Atherin...and this is Eiji, my partner." Rollo whimpered softly, but didn't try to escape or further hide himself. He was still completely terrified and panicking.

Atherin sighed. The organoid to fearful of him to do anything more than shake and squeak whenever he spoke. He got up quietly, rock candy still in his mouth, and gently picked the little organoid up, hoping he didn't scare him anymore. Rollo screeched and struggled, thinking the Zoidian was going to throw him or hurt him for feeding on him. "M-me.... me sahwee!!" he squeaked, shaking and whimpering in terror.

"...Sorry for what?" Atherin asked holding the shaking organoid a little closer to him. Rollo squeaked, but started to calm down as the Zoidian held him closer. Contact always calmed him down. "S-sahwee... f-for fe-feeding... off y-yous..."

"...I can't say that I don't mind it, but I'm not mad." Rollo was still shaking, still afraid the Zoidian was going to hurt him for using him as a host.

"...You know my name, could you give me yours?" Atherin asked as he shifted the little organoid into a better position in his arms.

"R-R.... Rollo..." he answered quietly, shifting slightly in the Zoidian's arms.

Atherin sat back down and pulled his bag to him. He needed more candy; now that his wound had been sealed he needed replenish his blood sugar and try to stimulate his body to into making some blood. It didn't always work, but he had to try. After he had another piece of candy in his mouth, now ignoring Eiji as he pined again, Atherin turned to Rollo. "See Rollo? I'm not gonna hurt you."

Rollo continued to shake, still slightly fearful. He had been lied to and betrayed, so he had reasons to be fearful. Atherin caressed Rollo as he gnawed on his candy. He wasn't going to try and sweet talk his way to make the little organoid believe him. He'd just have to see for himself. Rollo slowly stopped shaking, beginning to calm down slightly. He wasn't going to start talking, but he wasn't going to panic.

Atherin was too busy eating to talk. He could feel the sugar just coursing through him. Eiji rumbled something to him. He took the piece of candy out of his mouth to answer him. "No Eiji. You'll just have to wait 'til later…" Rollo pressed himself against Atherin, slightly afraid of the large Zoid.

Atherin noticed Rollo huddling into him as Eiji rumbled. "It's alright Rollo... Eiji's just a giant metal kitten... Trust me; I'm not kidding..." Rollo lifted his head slightly, looking at the Zoid. He didn't speak, but just watched the large Zoid.

Atherin then continued eating his rock candy. He had pixi stix for emergencies, but rock candy was his favorite. He caressed Rollo again, mentally talking with Eiji, which was why Eiji was rumbling, growling and purring so much. Rollo chirped quietly, nosing Atherin's hand as he caressed him, loving the contact.

Atherin chucked quietly, Rollo wanting more contact even though he was afraid of him. Atherin continued to caress him, hoping that the hatchling warmed up to him soon. Rollo chirped and cooed, closing his eyes and leaning into his touch, purring quietly.

"See Rollo? If I wanted to hurt you I wouldn't be going through all this just too get you to warm up to me." Rollo didn't answer, too busy cooing and purring as Atherin stroked and caressed him. Atherin chucked again, Rollo was too busy wanting attention to answer him. "...Say Rollo... Why did you want to feed off me? I know that you had to be hungry, but why?"

Rollo stopped. "I... I w-was... hungee..." he answered shyly.

"...Couldn't you of just...eaten a small animal or something?"

"N-no... me V-Vareix...." Rollo answered quietly.

"...Vareix? What's a Vareix?"

"A-a... v-vampwire... Organoid..."

"A vampire Organoid?" Atherin started to laugh, he couldn't help himself. He just hoped that the little organoid didn't think he was laughing at him. Rollo shrank a little in Atherin's hold, shying away from him. After Atherin had calmed himself, he noticed Rollo being shy again. "I-I'm not l-laughing at you Rollo. I share your plight." Atherin said smiling, showing off his own pair of fangs.

Rollo blinked in surprise. "Y-yous... yous a... v-vampwire?"

"Got that right. As far as I know, I'm the last humanoid vampire."

"Me never hear of a human vampwire..." Rollo said, blinking his eyes.

"That's because of the massive 'hunt' that happened a few hundred centuries ago. Most of the humanoid vampires were killed, the few remaining ones, hid away. About five years ago my hidden village was discovered and destroyed. From what the elders had said our village was the last remaining village to be found. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who survived..."

Rollo cocked his head. "Me the onwy one of me famwee to survive..."

"...But there are more of your species besides you... I'm the last one of mine..."

"No... me species very rare... onwy a few weft...."

"Well, there's no use sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves, it's not gonna help either of us." Atherin said as he stretched out again. This was cutting into his nap time. "I can't decide for you, but when we leave this area do you want to come with us?"

Rollo blinked. "Me have no where else to go... can... me come wit yous?"

"Sure... There's room in Eiji's cockpit for you. You'll have the whole back seat to yourself."

Rollo chirped and nuzzled his hand, snuggling into him and cooing. Atherin caressed him as Rollo snuggled into him. "Oh and Rollo...? If we come across any one, don't let them know what I am... I don't feel like dying anytime soon..."

Rollo nodded. "No wet dem know... what me is, either..." he said, nuzzling and licking him arm as he snuggled into him again.

"It's a promise." Atherin replied continuing to caress Rollo. Rollo cooed as he was stroked, pressing against him and chirping softly.

Atherin once again pulled some candy from his bag. He wanted to be sure that his blood sugar was nice and replenished; otherwise he'd go into some sort of cold sleep...something that he didn't want to happen. Rollo was a little confused. How much candy does he have in that bag and why was he eating so much!? Rollo watched as Atherin ate more candy. He cocked his head in confusion, watching him curiously.

"Hmm? Something wrong?" Atherin asked when he saw Rollo giving him a confused and curious looks.

"Why yous eat... so much candy?"

"...It keeps my blood sugar up. Which is good, 'cause I can't go waltzing into town every time I want blood. It keeps my 'hunger' from taking over me. Sugar also helps me heal faster too...that small wound that you created on my shoulder has already been sealed up."

Rollo cocked his head in interest. "Reawy? Me no know dat..."

"...But...I don't know if it'll work for you too... Our body systems are different... It could have some effect...or it could have none..."

Rollo shook his head. "Me no wan eat nothin' but candy. Me get swick fwom it..."

"That's alright Rollo. I don't blame you for not wanting to eat hardly anything but candy. It's all I really have at the moment though. I lost my food supply in a raid two nights ago... I can't get anything else until we reach Guylos..."

"Can I... has a piece?" Rollo asked shyly.

"Sure. Help yourself." Atherin said opening his bag for Rollo to get into. The little organoid had never seen so much candy stuffed into such a small bag. Rollo pulled out a piece of peppermint, grasping it in his tiny claws and licking it.

Atherin relaxed against Eiji's front paw, and Rollo moved back with him since he was huddled right into him. It was time for a quick siesta... They had a lot of ground to cover tonight. If they were lucky, they'd make it to Guylos territory by one or two in the morning. Rollo continued to nibble on the peppermint stick, loving the taste.

Atherin soon fell asleep, his body not objecting to it. He had been interrupted earlier… Eiji allowed his sensors to dim a little. He needed to rest too, this was basically the only time they slept until his pilot decided on a new sleeping routine...or had to adapt to a new sleeping routine to keep from being suspicious... Rollo yawned and curled up on Atherin's lap, the peppermint hanging from his mouth.

After a few hours of much needed sleep Atherin and Eiji woke up. It was now about...five. He nudged Rollo gently, trying to get him to wake up. Rollo yawned and lifted his head, blinking sleepily. "Come on Rollo. It's time to go. We've gotta reach Guylos territory tonight." Atherin said as he closed his bag and sat up. Rollo squeaked and yawned, but didn't move off him. He wasn't exactly good at walking...

Atherin pulled his bag's strap over his shoulder and picked Rollo up, seeing that he wasn't going to be moving anytime soon. Eiji opened his hatch for Atherin and Rollo to get in. Using one hand to hold onto Rollo and the other to climb, Atherin was soon in Eiji's cockpit, placing Rollo in the back seat.

Rollo squeaked unhappily, and climbed into the pilot's seat, settling into Atherin's lap with a soft purr. Atherin shifted Rollo a little so he could strap himself in. When he had fiddled with it and got it to buckle, Eiji stood up. There was no need to run to Guylos. They'd make it just fine by walking. Rollo cooed and snuggled against Atherin, purring quietly.

They started off; all of Eiji's sensors keeping a look out for anything that could hurt them. They were a little worried that the border patrol would be heavy, but they'd deal with that when they got closer.

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Author's Note: I know….the first chapter was a little boring, but it picks up!! I swear it does! I guess you could call this…an introductory to one of the main characters? ^^; Anyways, yes, Atherin is a vampire. Will his secret be exposed? And if so, how will the others react to this news? You'll just have to take guesses and wait to find out. Please Review and let us know if we're doing a good job on this collaboration!!