ZAC 2112.
Glowing blue eyes peeked out from a black, draconian face, peering inquisitively at the bundle lying in the cradle that was making so much noise. Leaning in it sniffed delicately, unmoving as a tiny hand reached out and grasped the end of its nose. At the contact the crying stopped as bright cerulean eyes looked up at the towering creature, watching as it cocked its head slightly to one side, as if it was unsure of what to make of this small, new being. It huffed softly, accepting the touch of the baby without objection and continued its silent observation, its attention finally shifting when a mildly amused chuckle came from the doorway. A man leaned against the door frame, watching the interaction between organoid and infant.
Shadow straightened up and took a step back as Raven quietly crossed the room and stood on the other side of the cot a moment before picking the baby up. Cradled in his arms, little chubby fingers wrapped around one of his own and the child let out a bubbling gurgle.
His child.
Almost a decade removed from the desperate battle against Hiltz and it still surprised him on occasion just how much his life had changed. Both the Empire and Republic had quietly absolved him of the crimes he had previously committed as reward for his part in bringing an end to the deathsaurer's rampage, on the condition he disappear. Not that they could have done anything to stop him if he chose differently, but he had discovered that he was tired of fighting and agreed to the terms. Officially he had been KIA, and with all the chaos that happened during the final fight it was an easy enough lie to sell to anyone who wasn't there that might have thought to ask.
Reese had stayed with him, and over time he had slowly opened up and admitted the growing feelings he had for her. While Specular and Shadow were initially at odds with each other, eventually the two organoids slipped into a comfortable companionship alongside their masters. After months of wandering aimlessly they had eventually settled at an isolated oasis in the middle of the desert in the southern part of the Republic. With the closest colony being at least a week's travel and the fearsome sight of the Geno Breaker to deter any would-be visitors, it seemed like the perfect place to be left alone and start over. With a cabin nestled within the trees that surrounded the the small oasis they lived a modest and relatively undisturbed life.
And now he, of all people, was a parent. The very idea was simultaneously exciting and terrifying in equal measure.
He lightly traced a finger over the marking under his daughter's eye that was identical to his own, unable to help but wonder if the sins of the father would be passed down. He wouldn't deny he had done a lot of terrible things in his youth, things that he regretted, especially now that he had a family of his own. No doubt a lot of broken homes had been left in the wake of the destruction he had caused, and more than a few people out there who would love a shot at revenge if they could get the chance.
He was broken out of his contemplation by an inquisitive rumble from Shadow, finding the organoid staring at him curiously.
"No matter what happens, I want you to always keep her safe, Shadow."
Shadow looked at Raven then back to the baby, his eyes seeming to dim a little as if he were narrowing them in deliberation. Was he really being charged with the welfare of this soft, pinkish creature? Again he leaned in closer, gently nudging at the tiny hand that once again reached for his snout. While Raven appeared stoic, Shadow could sense just how much the infant meant to the man, and what was important to Raven was important to Shadow.
When Shadow made low rumbling noise of agreement the smallest of smiles played over Raven's face. Few things on Zi were as strong as the loyalty from an organoid. He would teach his daughter everything he knew to make her strong to face whatever the future may bring, and not only would she survive, she would thrive...
ZAC 2128.
A soft breeze blew across the surface of the modest lagoon, taking the bite from the last of the early evening desert heat. Shadow was lazily stretched out at the foot of a large tree under the shade of its thick branches with a slim girl leaning against his side. In her hands was a book about zoids that she studied intently. It listed dozens of different kinds from both the Empire and Republic, their abilities, strengths, and flaws. Looking up from the pages her gaze fell onto the imposing scarlet form of the Geno Breaker, it's bulk covered by several camouflaged canvases to hide it from any potential sky high eyes. It truly was one of a kind; aside from the monstrous Deathsaurer, none of the many books she had read over the years had made mention of anything that remotely resembled it.
When she was little she hadn't thought much about the origins of the fearsome war machine. The only thing that had mattered was when her father would sit her on his lap and showed her what piloting a zoid was all about, and even letting her try her hand at controlling it under his watchful eye. As she got older her mother got involved, using her Ancient Zodian powers to project targets into her mind's eye for mock battles. These 'games' grew larger and more complex as they progressed with the help of Specular, amplifying Reese's abilities to conjure bigger and harder obstacles to overcome. The fact that these exercises were feeling increasingly real had started to become a point of concern for her. She often wondered why her parents were so intent on teaching her how to fight, and had even started to question them about it.
There are some people in the world that can't be reasoned or bargained with. They're callous and uncaring in the harm they cause to others, and sometimes they even enjoy it, Raven had said, his gaze averting from the questioning eyes of his child to stare out the window, haunted as he remembered his own past. There might come a day where you could run into someone like that, and you'll need to be strong. Stronger than your mother. Stronger than me. Stronger than anyone who think they can take everything you care away from you.
She never forgot his expression that day and it only raised even more questions, but he had refused to elaborate any further. Perhaps it had something to do with his dislike of going anywhere populated, preferring to avoid people as often as he possibly could. What had happened that caused him to turn into the man he was? Why was he always so wary about letting her out of his sight? And why did they have to live so far into the ass end of nowhere? Was she destined to live her life out here all alone? How she desperately wished for someone her own age to talk to...
With an irritated sigh she snapped the book closed, causing Shadow to stir. He lifted his head to peer at her and she smiled apologetically to him, reaching out and stroking the ridge above his eye. At least she had one friend out here. While Specular was friendly enough, the lithe blue organoid always held a certain... aloofness towards anyone that wasn't Reese. Shadow, while also somewhat reserved, had been close to her side for as long as she could remember. Why her father's organoid decided it preferred her company over his she didn't know, but she certainly wasn't going to reject Shadow's companionship.
Cayla, Reese's voice filled her head, accompanied by the strange yet familiar sensation of her mother reaching out to her. Go wash up, it's time for dinner.
"Come on, Shadow," she said as she got up and brushed away any dirt from the back of her pants. "It's chow time."
He rose up from his spot and allowed the willowy teen to climb onto his back, unmoving until she had a firm grip before spreading his wings and glided over the spring, landing in front a modest cabin.
From the far side of the oasis two figures hidden in the undergrowth watched the girl and the ebon coloured organoid disappear inside. After months of searching they had finally found their target. Carefully they packed up their gear and fell back to where a pair of high speed zoids were waiting. Setting off once they had strapped themselves in, one opened up a secure link to his unit commander.
"Targets confirmed," he stated. "Making our way to the rendezvous point to await further orders."
"Affirmative. The unit will meet you at the co-ordinates."
When they got to their destination they were met by the sight of almost two dozen zoids, a foreign flag emblazoned on the left shoulder of each unit. The one who had made contact climbed out of his zoid, approaching someone who was clearly the commander and snapped off a salute, then delivered a detailed report when prompted.
"Everything is ready, we move at 2300 hours," the commander said.
"Understood, Sir. For the glory of Zenebas!"
The commander dismissed his subordinate and climbed into his zoid. Their strike would be the first of many that would herald the looming invasion. Once they neutralised the greatest defenders of both the Republic and the Empire then finally the entire continent could be unified under Zenebas' rule...
The silent peace of the desert was shattered by an ungodly explosion, the night sky coming alight in a fiery orange glow. Several more followed in a volley and the scent of smoke and spent artillery permeated the air. Raven burst through the door to an all too familiar scene, but this time he wasn't the one instigating the attack. With Shadow hot on his heels he sprinted toward the Geno Breaker, the few seconds it took for its systems to warm up feeling like an eternity. Confusion and anger surged through him as he questioned who was stupid enough to come all this way in some vain attempt to take him out. They obviously had no idea who they were dealing with, but they would, and by then it would be far too late.
"Shadow!"
At Raven's call the organoid unfurled his wings and shot off into the sky with a raspy battle cry, his form engulfed in a bright light as he merged with the Geno Breaker's core. Its eyes flashed an electric blue and it roared ferociously, it had been too long since it had last seen battle and was eager to flex its strength. With only the one zoid between them, all Reese could do was look on as the scarlet tyrannosaur charged into the fight, loathing the sense of helplessness she felt. The enemy emerged from the darkness, their strikes too precise to be simple bandits, but their zoids were neither Imperial or Republic. Who were these people, and why were they attacking?
"Dad!"
Cayla went to move past her mother, only to have Reese catch her by the arm and Specular obstructing her path. Desperately she struggled to break free but Reese was stronger than she appeared, managing to keep her daughter from running into the midst of the chaos.
"There's nothing you can do to help him," Reese said sternly, trying her best not to let on just how scared she actually felt. While Raven was putting up a good fight, he hadn't been in a real battle for decades, and these zoids were like nothing she'd ever seen before. They fought with a strength and ferocity as if each had its own organoid partner, but the only ones she could sense were Shadow and Specular. Abruptly one of the shells hit too close to home. Despite Specular doing her best to shield them, all three were violently thrown from the force of the shockwave.
Within the Geno Breaker Raven snarled viciously, launching a barrage of missiles at the offending zoid that had dared harm his family. He fought to keep his frustrations from clouding his judgement, but there was no denying the fact that his attention was successfully divided. Having to keep a conscious effort to be aware of where Reese and Cayla were he couldn't fight as effectively as he was capable of and his enemy knew this, keeping him constantly on the defensive. To make matters worse, Shadow was reaching his limit on how long he could stay fused with the Geno Breaker's core. The situation was becoming dire.
From the corner of his eye he saw a movement of blue, Specular was by Reese's side and doing her best to protect her mistress. There was still no sign of his daughter though, and it played on his mind.
"Shadow, find Cayla and get as far from here as you can. If my hunch is right about these bastards then someone needs to know about them." Shadow tried to make a reluctant noise of protest, but Raven wasn't having any of it. "Do as I say! There's no time to argue."
With a conflicted roar the organoid released its fusion with the core, his keen eyes easily picking out the girl's motionless form from the air and promptly landed. Leaning over he nudged her with his nose, the only response a small moan; she was alive. Unconscious and injured, but alive. Straightening up to his full height the plates along his chest and underbelly burst open, snaking cables rapidly enveloping the willowy teen and pulling her into the armoured safety of his body. Spreading his wings wide with a snap he spared only a seconds glance at Reese and Specular before taking off into the night sky.
As Reese leaned up against Specular she understood what Shadow was doing, it had been something she and Raven had discussed more than once. Looking into the golden eyes of her concerned organoid she smiled, at least now they could finally help Raven and together they would fight to the last, buying Shadow as much time as possible so he could put in as much distance as he was able. Without a word being said, Specular took Reese within herself and then rocketed towards the Geno Breaker where the three of them would make their last stand.
Shadow flew as fast as his wings would carry him across the endless desert with only one destination in mind, toward the first person who had ever been able to win Raven's respect. He pushed himself to his absolute limit, unsure of just how long the journey took him until he finally saw it, a reprieve from the ocean of sand.
Wind Colony.
Hey there!
I've had this idea rattling around for a while and have decided to finally sit down and get it down while I attempt to pull my other zoids fic back together (Vendetta under the pen name Thoughts In Chaos, if anyone is interested). While predominantly this is set in the Chaotic Century anime time line, I will be taking a fair amount of creative license by incorporating aspects from the Battle Story, manga and a few other things on the wikia I found interesting.
Now with the Zoids fandom here being the small niche that it is, if you could be so kind as to review it would really make my day :)
