Omg, omg, another story. This beast is just gonna be a short of how Adamaris got where is. friends with Dragon, blah blah blah. Plus, for my CW class we really focus on characters and since Dragon has like, 14 years of history, I figure Atlas needs the same. So, here we are. Hooray.
ALSO. This fi is Rated M! For language and slight adult themes. Because really, Adamaris and friends are early 20s and I'm sick of Zoids being so kiddy. No, these characters are gonna act they're age. Nothing really bad, but Atlas is a bit of a bisexual slut or something. I don't even know. He's so awkward. Anyway, Zoidy violence too. Like, graphic stuff, maybe. Yeah. Nothing that's gonna be really bad but be warned, I guess.
Oh and swearing, that too. Fuck :D This is a bit over 12 pages in Word, def one of my longer chapters and I'm really proud of it. Banged out the last 6 pages in like, 3 hours. High five.
Enjoy and stuff~
---
Its not that Adamaris doesn't like Zoids, its just that he doesn't want anything to do with Zoids.
"This here, son, is just for you. All yours. I know you'll take good care of him." Mastiff, Adamaris' father, said in truly near-tear heartbreaking, sob-story fashion. Adamaris let himself be pulled into an awkward hug, his face vanishing in the massive, beefy chest of his heroic father. At 5'9, Adamaris couldn't be described as super short, but his 6'4 father towered over him like a skyscraper.
Adamaris pulled his face away, looking up as his father with an unhappy set of eyes. "T-thanks, dad. Thanks a lot. Really, I don't know want to say, because this is, its just…." The words slipped from his tongue, useless and limp like cold pasta, as Mastiff clapped a meaty hand against his son's back. The impact nearly caused Adamaris to swallow those slippery words. Almost. Mastiff chuckled, his steely eyes bright with merriment and joy and so much pride. Adamaris tilted his gaze down to the shiny silver floor of the Hanger below his feet. The whole place stunk of metal and oil, a sharp, stinging scent.
Leonardo, Adamaris' older brother of two years, watched on with a slightly sadistic smirk from his place on the talon of his Godkaiser. Despite being his brother, Adamaris really didn't enjoy Leonardo's company. Simply put, he acted like a dickhead and smelled like nine different colognes at one time. The Godkaiser, Brutus, lived up to its name, possessing all the personality and intelligence of a broken toilet.
"You see, Adamaris, you're 21 years old. You won't get any smarter or stronger by living here with your mom and I," Mastiff continued, his hand plastered on Adamaris' shoulder. The weight under that sentence, combined with Mastiff's muscled limb, caused Adamaris to stagger and nearly buckle. His knees felt weak, but so did his entire body, because really, Adamaris loved his Camaro and he really didn't want a Zoid. So he opened his mouth to argue, to argue, anything at this point. But Mastiff beat him to it. "So its time you became a Zoid pilot and went out in the world and earned yourself a living. You're gettin' too old to rely on mom and I."
Over in the corner, Leonardo barked out a harsh, raspy laugh that Brutus echoed. Obviously, those two shared the same half a brain.
"Leon still lives here and he's 23." Adamaris pointed out, loud enough that his idiot brother shut the Hell up. Mastiff shrugged.
"Eh. You, Adamaris, are smarter then Leon. You got the brains, but eh, he's got my strength." Mastiff waved his hand carelessly, steering poor Adamaris over to a huge shape taking up a great deal of space in the Hanger. While Adamaris didn't much enjoy piloting, his father and brother like, lived for the sport. But some of the Zoids had been moved out in order to make space for this bound-to-be-gigantic monster.
Mastiff turned to look down at Adamaris, and despite his manly manness, tears were welling up in his eyes again. Adamaris didn't think this could get anymore awkward. He shuffled a bit, silence surrounding the two of them like a very awkward pillow fort. Until Leonardo sneezed loudly and totally ruined the father/son moment. Bastard.
Mastiff cleared his throat. "Right. Adamaris Armani, meet the Genosaurer Maxis!" And with the most dramatic flourish that ever existed, he yanked the entire sheet off with one massive, powerful stroke. The covering fell apart easy enough, leaving Adamaris to gasp in horror/panic/amazement/shock at the black beast that stood before him like the very End of The World.
For one, it stood taller then even the Godkaiser. The panels of armor shone glossy ebony, pristinely polished to an amazing shine. The whole beast stood saurian in shape, complete with sharp looking teeth and hooked nails. A single blade longer then the setting sun's protruding rays nested right in between the monster's eyes. Two ion boosters rose from the slender back, almost like narrow wings. Adamaris stood there in awe, his bottom jaw hanging slightly, eyes stretched wide as his brain failed to compute the sheer monstrosity of this…..this thing. His Zoid.
Mastiff let out a loving sigh. "Well go on, son. Take a gander, walk around. I promise, he won't bite ya." He chuckled and stepped back, arms folded over his chest as he nodded to Adamaris, the universal sign to go forward. And hopefully not get ripped limb from limb. Adamaris never had any good luck with Zoids, so…..
Ignoring Leonardo's jeers in the background ("Be careful, Princess! Try not to break a nail."), Adamaris walked up to one great and mighty talon, meekly noting that it stood far taller then he did. Plus, it looked very sharp. Sharp enough to separate his top from his bottom, no doubt. One hand stretched forward, the tips shivering, to rest lightly on the cold gray metal. It felt like water. Icy and sleek, but endlessly powerful.
"Ya know what he kinda looks like? Those smelly animals from Earth, the ones with the stripes. I mean look, this Maxis' got that same stripe." Mastiff mused out loud, pointing upward with a meaty finger. Adamaris stepped back a few paces and craned his neck, spotting the lone white stripe that ran the length of the Zoid's black back. It stood out heavily, a gleaming angel trapped in the body of a demon. Adamaris looked over at the dead black optic. Even from here, he saw his reflection in the empty glass.
Adamaris really didn't want to stay here, standing awkwardly close to this behemoth monster. So when his father called him and Leonardo that they were going back to the house, Adamaris followed suit, much too happy to oblige.
---
At 11:11 pm, Adamaris made a wish from where he lay in his bed. Above the covers, of course, because if he got too comfortable he would fall asleep. And that couldn't happen, not tonight of all nights. A knot swelled in the pit of his belly, a painful combination of fear, nerves, and too many pieces of garlic bread. Adamaris stared up at his ceiling; hand splayed on his stomach, and glanced back at the clock. 11:12.
12:00 finally came. Adamaris exhaled deeply, adrenaline already pounding up his spine and sending a chill through his body. Sure, he still had to sneak out of the house at age 21 like some deviant. But his parents, so worried about his safety, didn't like him wandering the streets of New Helic City. Soundless, quiet as the air itself, he slipped out of bed and stepped into his boots, having already been fully dressed. He stopped at the mirror, watching his opposite self stare back at him.
Hair is getting long. He thought, running fingers through the black strands. He really wanted a highlight, something in blue or green but Leonardo said that would be so gay and thus it slipped his mind. After the short self-check, Adamaris slipped out of his room and padded down the hall, patting his pockets ad feeling his phone, wallet, and car keys. His sneakers rested by the door. Tugged them on, and wisped outside with all the silence of smoke, to the Hanger. Inside that Hanger, Adamaris stood for a moment and looked at the Genosaurer Maxis, dead and quiet, those inky optics fixed on him but seeing nothing. Brutus snoozed away in a corner, rumbling softly. Adamaris kept his gaze fixed on the Maxis and imagined the devastation a Zoid like that could bring.
Finally walking past the ebony armored beast, Adamaris stopped at a shape just as black and just as sleek, not a Zoid but a car. A car imported from Earth. The fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro. Adamaris smiled and let his fingers grace the car's cool metal touch, because he seriously loved this car, loved it with a fierce passion that made all others obsolete. The scent of leather, the roar of the engine and the bright flash of the headlights filled Adamaris with a sense of tranquility.
The Camaro started with a snarl, the sound echoing through the Hanger and causing Adamaris to swear softly and pray his family wouldn't freak out and come rushing out to investigate. A few tense seconds passed. Nothing. Adamaris sighed in relief, tapped the gas, and let the car gently roll out of the open Hanger door. He watched the Maxis in the rearview mirror, a sleeping giant with black eyes. "Don't wait up." He muttered.
---
At first, going to clubs killed some downtime. Trying to sneak into usually dank, smelly buildings with far too many lights started off as the greatest adventure ever possible. But now, at the actual legal age of 21, that thrill ended, crumbled away like dust. No more ninja-esque creeping or flirting with bisexual bouncers. No more memorizing fake IDs or sordid attempts to act like a legit 21-year-old. No more pretending that, oh hi my name is Joaquin and I go to the University about six blocks away. No more of that. Ever.
"Helloooooo, birthday boy! Well, belated B-Day boy. Whatever. How you doing, handsome?" Jenna gushed, sliding into the Camaro's passenger seat. "Oh wait, don't answer. Look, I got you something special for the big 21!" Jenna leaned over and planted a wet kiss right smack on Adamaris' cheek. He quickly forgot her gift came a grand total of six days too late.
"Was that it?" He chuckled, rubbing at the mark with the back of his hand so he wouldn't smell like Strawberry-and-cream lip-gloss for the whole night. Jenna scoffed, rolling her wide emerald eyes before reaching into a huge and expensive bag placed on her lap.
"No, you stupid fuck. I got you this! Sorry I didn't wrap it but….less for a landfill, right?" Jenna smiled big at him and placed a cute, ribbon-covered pink bag on his lap. "Open it, please?" She begged. Adamaris opened his mouth to say, of course he would open it now but really, you didn't have to get me anything and….
Jenna poked her head out of the Camaro's window and screamed: "Troy, Colby, let's go! Holding us up!" Adamaris stared at her for a moment, his mouth quirked up in a tiny grin before diving into his present because…..okay, so he really loved getting gifts but who didn't? After rifling through four trees worth of colorful tissue paper, Adamaris unearthed about eight packs of gum and several brand-new air fresheners. Talk about disappointment, but he didn't so much voice it as much as he gave Jenna a funny look.
"You got me gum?" He asked, holding up one pack of so super-sweet fruit combination. The smell emitting from behind the wrapper and packaging floated through the entire car. Jenna turned to him and nodded dumbly.
"Yeah! So the cops won't smell the booze as much when you get pulled over. Oh, where's the watch? I got you a watch, isn't it…..oh, here it is," Jenna fished around in her huge bag for a moment before pulling out a black box and handing it off. "This thing cost me an arm and a leg. Not to mention the respect of my parents so if you lose it I swear to Eve I will slice off your dick, Aries." She threatened, calling him by that perfect little pet name. Jenna didn't kid and Adamaris quickly nodded.
While Troy and Colby bumbled into the Camaro, a mess of flailing limbs and rowdy "Happy Birthday!"s, Adamaris cracked open the velvet black lid and met the most gorgeous, jaw-dropping shade of silver he had ever seen, all shiny and flawless. The watch softly ticked, big hand moving in steady rhythm to the background of two moons and a galaxy of stars. Adamaris stared in wonder, completely transfixed by this beautiful little object, completely oblivious to the gleeful stares of his friends.
"You like it?" Jenna piped after a solid minute of silence. Adamaris jumped from his stupor, looking back at her with love and lost joy in his eyes.
"I love it. Really, this….this is the best gift I've ever gotten. Thank you so much." He babbled, stumbling over the words. Jenna smiled.
"Ooo, you two can't top that!" She laughed into the backseat, only to receive friendly jeers from Colby and Troy. The two piled their gifts over the front seat until they cascaded over Adamaris, lots of tissue paper and confetti and even a rain of multi-colored glitter.
"Love it, guys. But we need to go or we'll be late." He laughed, tucking the watch safely under his seat.
---
The Camaro roared along and parked in the crowded parking lot of Sunsets. Not exactly Adamaris' favorite club, but the girls and even the boys were cute and the drinks were sorta cheap. Adamaris pressed the wrinkles from his jeans and let the cool air waft around his body. Jenna took his hand, her fingers made to fit between his, and together they walked to the entrance with the other two trailing behind.
"Lovebirds!" Colby giggled, despite her arms being contorted around Troy's. "But no, seriously, you two are so cute. Aw." She cooed, dark brown hair falling in the way of equally dark eyes, a curtain blocking windows. Troy rolled his eyes, blonde hair spiked to high Heaven.
After flashing their cards at the door (very satisfying, because now Adamaris could show that burly meathead he could legally be here! Ha!) Jenna broke away and instantly hit the bar. Adamaris glanced around, relishing the heavy air and the solid stink of bodies sweating and dancing. Already he felt disgusting but the bone-breaking beat of the music filled him up and left him gasping for more. Adamaris wiggled through the crowd, moving into the heart of the dancing. He caught a speck of Colby through the grinding bodies and she winked and smiled at him before throwing herself up against Troy, already so deep in the mood.
Something tugged on his jacket. Adamaris half-turned, grinned broadly when Jenna came up to him and offered a sip of some alcohol he couldn't name. Adamaris felt drunk off the air. But he took a sip anyway, letting the taste burn his mouth and set his belly on fire. He bent his head low until his forehead touched her's and he could smell the apple rich scent of her dirty blonde hair.
"So, that watch. How much, exactly?" He purred in her ear, getting a little frustrated when she merely giggled and slapped his chest.
"I'm not telling. It ruins the gift." She fixed him with a vixen look before striding off. Adamaris groaned in failure, which must have been taken as sexual angst or something because another girl, a pretty one, came out of nowhere and promptly invaded his personal space.
And well, Adamaris didn't really mind.
---
Two hours flew by like ten seconds. Tired and sweaty, with his tongue dried up and fuzzy thanks to booze and kissing, Adamaris lounged on some random beanbag, wondering why the fuck these things were just here. Like, in a club. He ran a hand over the material. Weird.
A sudden weight dropped onto his waist, causing a grunt to bubble up from the pit of his stomach. Jenna fluttered her eyelashes at him seductively. Adamaris beamed back drunkenly, funny since he didn't remember drinking a lot. A sip here and there. Nothing major. "So, having fun, B-Day boy?" Jenna giggled, running fingers through his hair, her acrylic nails digging into his scalp oh-so-right. Adamaris damn near purred, slouching lower in the beanbag chair and letting all this noise surround him like water.
You.
Adamaris gasped, jerked upright, causing Jenna to yelp and nearly fall off. "Aries, what the Hell?" She snapped, glaring at him with an intense dislike. Adamaris blinked, mouth hanging open a bit in plain shock, like holy shit did I just hear that?
"D-Did you hear that?" He called over the thumping bass, the lyrics of some song he didn't understand. Jenna continued to glare at him, but her look gradually shifted to puzzlement.
"What? There's a lot of things to hear." She answered, softly enough that he barely heard her. Adamaris floundered around, useless, finally managing to land on all fours and slowly pull himself to his feet. Jenna stood next to him, concern lacing her features that he could hardly see because everything started spinning and the noise blared and his head throbbed.
That word, did he imagine it?
Your car.
"My c-car?" Adamaris stammered, the words thick and sluggish like syrup. He stumbled forward, toward the door, at least he thought so, and only managed to plow idiotically into some guy who stood much taller then him. A drink splattered. Lights flashed haphazardly. "Sorry, my fault." Adamaris murmured, pushing past the guy and apparently stepping on his toes, guessing by the curses that were thrown at his back.
Jenna hurried after him, grabbed his arm. "Adamaris, what the serious fuck? Are you okay? No, I'm going to go get Troy and Colby because you are so fucked up." She talked too fast, Adamaris realized, as he pulled away from her, letting her shouts fall on deaf ears. Getting to the door included more pushing and shoving, but when Adamaris finally made it through to the outside, he blissfully took it all in before….forgetting why he came out here.
Your car.
Right. Adamaris trotted down toward where he thought he parked, wondering why this deep and gravelly voice in his head thought it so urgent to get to his car. Adamaris made all of four steps when a hand landed rough on his shoulder, nearly knocking him down. Glowering, he spun around to confront Troy or whoever, and a fist promptly smashed into his face with all the strength of a wrecking ball.
"Ufff," Adamaris grunted, the blow hitting him solid enough to topple his entire body. The parking lot pavement bite into his back, starving teeth that needled him even through a shirt and jacket. He blinked, eyes watering, warm liquid leaving a path down the side of his face. "Uh, can I help you?" He grumbled thickly, struggling to get up but failing too. His head hurt. "I need to get to my car."
The same meaty hand that punched him came down and grabbed the front of his shirt and damn, this guy seriously worked out, Adamaris thought blindly as he felt himself getting hauled to his feet like some ragdoll. The douchebag in front of him sorta resembled the guy from before, the one who Adamaris knocked into and caused his drink to spill. The guy who maybe, maybe not had his toes stepped on by a departing Adamaris.
Adamaris opened his mouth in question but the guy pulled his arm back, way back, hand curled up into a fist so Adamaris saw two rings on his fingers and holy shirt those were gonna-
The second blow landed right on his eye and finally, his slow and stupid body caught up with pain. Adamaris let out a very un-manly squeal and staggered back, clutching his right eye blind. The douche advanced on him, and Adamaris stepped back, since of course the fucking jerk had two cronies, ignorant jock meatheads with tight shirts and baggy jeans. Adamaris thought of his car.
"Fucktard, you ruined my shirt, got my girl wet, and scuffed my new fucking shoes. I've seen you around here, you fucking prick." The tool yelled, his voice bulging thickly, like his muscles. Adamaris' fingers gently pressed on his eye and it burned, a searing pain worse then when he accidentally let his hand fall on the hot stove a few years ago.
"Listen man I'm sorry, but I really gotta go and-" Adamaris stuttered, the blood gushing from his nose and running a coppery taste in his mouth. The sentence remained unfinished as the joke of a guy stepped a huge stride forward, fist poised high and ready to come down with all the force of Ever herself, ramming cold ring-tipped knuckles deep into Adamaris' stomach, so hard he swore he felt the icy metal reach all the way to his spine and before he knew it he puked, vomited all over himself and the guy's new shoes.
Adamaris heard yelling, heard Jenna screaming for help. People rushing and running, but he felt the cold pavement and suddenly, he wanted sleep. His belly ached and his eye didn't work, smelled like rancid food and booze and the thumping came again, louder this time, so loud, behind him, behind, coming up, above him, right-
Leave him alone.
The loudest, most tremendous, planet-shaking bellow of a saurian roar assaulted the space right above Adamaris' head. As if the Gods themselves were unleashing their fury. The ground literally shook. Adamaris saw, with his good eye, a great gray nail looming above him. The shape blotted out the moons, the stars, this imposing black hole, loud and louder still. The tool looked at the Zoid and his eyes went wider then a hungry mouth, and Adamaris swore the guy pissed his pants, and his jerk friends do the same. Adamaris smiled, dazed, as the fuck screamed like a total chick before rushing off.
"Aries! Adamaris, are you okay? Say something, the police are on their way but make your Zoid stop!" Troy yelled over at him, voice impossibly tinny and quiet compared to the un-godly rumbling. Adamaris moaned but rolled onto all fours, gingerly ushering his battered body to sit up…..and then fall. Fall back onto cool sleek metal. He spat blood from between his teeth.
"My Zoid?" He echoed, curious. A triangular head bent way low to peer at him. Adamaris knew that head, with that toothy jaw and singular head blade. The optics shone a bright, luminescent blue, a shade so brilliant that Adamaris couldn't look away. The Zoid growled lightly.
Your Zoid. Tragedy we had to meet under these conditions, but my name is Wolfgang and you are Adamaris Armani, my pilot. The Maxis went quiet for a second. Pleasure to meet you.
Adamaris burped out a bloody chuckle. "Likewise, Wolfgang." He chirped, patting the metal foot before letting himself slide into a much-needed sleep.
---
He dreamed of seeing that monster, well less of a monster now, and how it pretty much saved his life. He also dreamed of fingers soothing through his hair and he loved that feeling, so when the fingers pulled away and the feeling stopped, he whimpered and arched his head for more.
An amused giggle by his ear. "Poor thing, Aries. Those assholes got jail time for what they did. And Wolfy scared them straight." The soothing resumed and Adamaris sighed, lost in the gentle petting. His belly still ached, a dull pain now. But his eye hissed with a flash of agony now and then, which really sucked. The voice, beautiful and quiet, obviously Jenna's, spoke once more.
"You got your nose broken, and some bad damage to your eye so you get to wear this cute little eyepatch! But the doctor said sleep is the best cure. And painkillers." A quiet rattling of pills in a bottle. Adamaris sighed again, his bed so comfy and the fingers so nice, he really did love sleep.
Are you okay?
Adamaris flinched a little, since having a Zoid voice in his head totally creeped him out. But really, Adamaris owed Wolfgang big time. He wished he knew how to answer. Maybe this thought thing worked both ways? Adamaris pictured himself asleep in his bed, dead to the world, in a state of eternal bliss.
Wolfgang let out a rumbly Zoid chuckle.
"Your Zoid is so sweet. Why didn't you tell us you got one?" Jenna asked, softly, nails scratching lightly at Adamaris' temple which just felt the best. His eye fluttered open, everything black until color slowly restored and sure enough, here he lay in a warm sea of blankets.
"Birthday gift." Adamaris replied, a yawn breaking out after his sentence. Jenna grinned wide and clasped her hands in her lap upon seeing him awake.
"Oh thank Eve, I thought I was talking to like, a dead body for the last four hours," Jenna laughed, all that stress melting away. "So how do you feel?" She asked, lifting a hand to place on his shoulder. "I sent Troy and Colby out to get some stuff, but I can call them if you need anything."
Adamaris shook his head. "No, I'm fine. What about the Camaro? Wolfgang said something about it." He spoke without thinking. Which, okay dumb, because Jenna gave him a look that could kill. Adamaris winced and ducked his head for mercy.
"Are you serious? You get your ass kicked and all you care about is that stupid car? You left the lights on, okay? That's it!" Jenna rolled her eyes and hopped off the bed, crossing the messing room to sit in his desk chair. "Seriously Aries, you need help. If you didn't look like such a wounded puppy I would hit you so hard."
Adamaris peered over at his clock. 3:30. Damn. "Sorry, sorry," He apologized, eye scanning over the room. He saw the watch box Jenna had given him. "Uhm, are my mom and dad home? Or Leon?"
Jenna crossed her legs, hair falling into her face. "No. They want to press charges or something. Your mom wanted to stay but your dad said you would be fine as long as I'm here. They left like, half an hour ago. I don't know where Leon went." She shrugged.
Moving caused some discomfort in his belly, and Adamaris frowned at the angry red mark a little above his belly button. "Do I want to look in the mirror?"
"No. Not for a few days at least," Jenna humored. "Get up, you injured thing, and I'll make something for us to eat because I am starving." She waited patiently while Adamaris stepped out of bed and threw on a baggy T-shirt (he took time to notice he wore sweatpants now, and wondered who had changed him.), padding after Jenna as they made their way to the luxurious kitchen space. Adamaris sat at the island while she made her way to the fridge, shuffling around water bottles and snack food.
"Where's Wolfgang?" He asked as Jenna pulled out a package of Liger-shaped chicken nuggets. She fixed him with a funny look.
"Dude, seriously? What are these," She shook the bag. Adamaris shrugged because chicken nuggets were amazing and he couldn't yet give them up. Jenna scoffed. "But he's out in the Hanger. I've never seen a Geno Maxis before. How jealous did Leon get? Oh, I wish I could have seen his face!" She laughed and after putting the chicken nuggets on a tray, let them cook in the oven.
Adamaris traced his finger in some spilled water. His head ached, as if a bowling ball had been thrown right dead center at his skull. Everything sounded fuzzy and his right ear housed an uncomfortable ringing. Like he just aged overnight. Fast-forward 10 years, all thanks to some asswipe at a B-Rank club who couldn't bear to see his shirt get a stain.
It took a complete and total time of five seconds until Adamaris realized Jenna took a seat in front of him. She cupped her face in her hands and stared at him, brilliant eyes sorta hazy and off-color from the night's events. Or the morning. Whichever. "So. You gonna learn how to pilot?"
Most kids knew how to fully pilot a Zoid straight out of the womb. Adamaris barely knew how to climb up to the cockpit. "Yeah. I guess I am."
---
Colby hugged the air straight from his lungs while Troy promised murderous revenge on that jockstrap bitch. Adamaris laughed, he knew that Troy would keep his word on that. Troy piloted a very fierce, very scary fiend by the name of Jigsaw. Spinosnappers weren't the biggest Zoids but they still commanded a lot of respect. With plates of chicken nuggets and potato chips before them, Adamaris felt like a kid but whatever.
"Dude, I can teach you how to pilot. Jig is a dino, Wolf is a dino, it'll be no sweat," Troy started, no less then eight chips shoved in his mouth. "Size difference, sure, but as long as you don't fall on me or something we'll be tight."
Colby picked at a piece of chicken. Adamaris nearly cleared his plate already; seriously he felt half starved or something. Jenna, not too far behind she housed an appetite the size of the city itself, swallowed a bite before speaking.
"You two have like, matching Zoids. Mad adorbs and all, but c'mon," She teased. Troy and Colby exchanged looks. Adamaris choked slightly on his potato chip, he laughed so hard. "My Lidier can ruin you two."
"Jenna, we've had this conversation like twelve times already, give it a rest." Colby replied, mock-frustration littering her words. Troy wordlessly agreed.
"Thanks, but dad is probably gonna teach me. Father son bonding and all." Adamaris voiced, pushing his empty plate into the sink, where it clattered haplessly loud.
Loud.
Thanks I know, Wolfgang, Adamaris clearly flinched, having forgotten that yeah, a Zoid can talk in my mind now. How long before he got use to that? "Can I saw how much I'm not looking forward to that? Dad is damn near the best pilot in the city." A wave of depression sulked over Adamaris.
"Cut the crap, Mar. You'll be fine," Colby smiled and patted his hand. "But oh Eve won't it be awkward? Wonder what conversations are gonna happen….." Her grin changed to a devious smirk, and Adamaris, at age 21, blushed deep crimson and buried his face in his hands while his friends howled in laughter.
Just then, his mom and dad came through the door.
---
It's not like, he's 5 anymore. No, he's 21. Even so, Adamaris could be 38 years old and still reek of shame when getting punished by his parents. He hated being a disappointment, he really did, so he hung his head and sat there all by himself on the plushy sofa while Mastiff and Danelle glowered at him in disapproval.
He really wished that at least Jenna stayed. But nope, they got ushered out of the house the second Mastiff saw them. Nothing rude and he thanked them, but that look on his face….Adamaris stared at the floor.
"I don't know what to do with you, Addy," Danelle clucked her tongue, sitting down beside her son and gently inspecting the eyepatch over his eye. "I know you're an adult and everything, but you didn't need to sneak out like some criminal." She smiled faintly and Adamaris' stomach tied itself in a twist.
Mastiff growled. "Don't baby him, Dane! He needs to learn to grow up, act like a man!" He threw his hands in the air, fixing Adamaris with a glare so hostile, it burned like raging fire. "He and Leon both! But you, Adamaris," Mastiff bent down and Adamaris recoiled, averting his eye. "Need to stop acting like a little bitch."
And he stormed away. Danelle sighed, gave Adamaris a loving rub on his shoulder, and told him she would go speak to his father. Oh, and you're grounded.
---
Grounded?
"I can't go out for two weeks."
Oh. Can we still talk?
"We are right now, aren't we?"
Wolfgang tilted his head, looking surprisingly innocent despite the metal cleaving knife attached to his skull, and the rows of deadly teeth. Your parents love you very much and they were very worried. Perhaps this grounded thing is for the best?
Adamaris, lounging between two of the Zoid's claws, pulled his earbuds out and reclined further, until his shirt rode up and the metal stung his skin. Communicating with Wolfgang hadn't been so hard. He couldn't do it telepathically but after three days into his punishment, he learned a lot about the Maxis. Like how on the night of the incident, Wolfgang hadn't wanted to "wait up" and after sensing the distress of his pilot, hurried to his rescue.
So for the past three days, Wolfgang became Adamaris' new best friend. Two whole weeks of no going out, no phone, and only a little T.V. Leonardo laughed at him for five hours straight, then left the house to go get drunk off his ass. At least Adamaris didn't need the eyepatch anymore.
"I've been thinking. I can't live with my parents my whole life." Adamaris started, twirling the music device in his hands. iPod, one seriously glorious device imported from Earth. Adamaris loved it.
You are still young.
"No, in human years, I should have been on my own like, 5 five years ago." Adamaris scoffed. Bitterness laced his words like un-ripe fruit. But Zi, such a big place, Adamaris just didn't feel ready yet. Last night certainly failed to help. Wolfgang growled something unintelligible, and shifted his head to the Hanger door.
Company.
Mastiff walked in, crackled his knuckles, and nodded at his son. "Get up. I'm teaching you how to pilot today," He strode over to the latch, unlocked it, and let the shiny metal door slide open in all its glory. "Some basics first, and then we're doing a mock battle. Even got Leon to come out and help. He'll be down soon."
Adamaris opened his mouth to protest, didn't want to fight, not at all because well, Wolfgang bristled and snarled as Mastiff's Zoid loomed above them, waiting outside like the very destruction on the planet.
The Gojulas Giga bared teeth twice as long as Adamaris, flexed massive nails and lashed a tail the length of a city block.
Adamaris damn near fainted.
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Everybody loves Giggles! Stayed tuned for for hilarity sometime. HitM and TFM will also be updated whenever. Woo. Read and review, plzkthxbai.