Konnichiwa, Minna-san!! ^-^ Here's the next chapter after so long.
-Kitai Matsuru: Sorry to hear about the cold weather (it doesn't snow where I live).
-Poetry_Freak: Thank you so much for telling me that there are grammar errors. I forgot to run the document one more time through the spelling & grammar check. Sorry about that.
-Chaos: Same thing as Callie-Cat. I can't promise that it will become a B/L fic, but I assure you that I'll keep it in mind.
-Siammi-san: You better get your fic out soon, Rae-Rae. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
-Liza: You're so kind! ^-^
-Unsigned Reviewers: I really appreciate your support. Thank you.
I know that the possibility for all 5 of you to be still with this fic is very low, but I post for those who read. It gives me a certain joy to do that.
Disclaimer: Honestly, you'd think people would get the clue that if it's FAN FICTION, then it isn't possible to be owned by the person who's writing the fan story. But to put it simple, I don't own Zoids or Fast & the Furious or anything else. Only thing in my possession is this fic.
~*~
Becoming A Better Me
Chapter Two
The Ace
~*~
Sweat trickled down Leena's slender form as she repeatedly punched and kicked the air around her. Stopping a moment to catch her breath and get some water, Leena thought over the last month and a half she had spent in her new home.
She had conquered all the training in targeting weeks ago. Some days ago, the teen had finished training in physical non-arsenal attacks. Currently, Sara and Vega decided to put Leena into maneuvering instruction.
Taking in a deep breath, Leena stood in front of one of the many punching bags in the large gym. Without any sign of warning, the magenta haired female assaulted the hanging red target. Blow after blow, the bag began to wear thin and loose hold of its insides. Even though an hour had passed, her attacks didn't stop. In fact, her raid became fiercer and stronger. Through her training, thoughts of the Blitz team came flooding back to her.
When the team was first assembled about a year and a half ago, consisting of only Leon, Doc, Jamie and herself. The win of their first battle and few others as well as the consistent failure in most also rushed in the rapids of memory. The pure rush of adrenaline in all those battles as well as the disappointment in the loss was still fresh in her mind. Those feelings grew more vivid when she recalled Brad joining the team. He was the only mercenary willing to work for them, despite his need for money. Why he had joined, no one really knew. She was sure of one fact, he was willing to help people in need, whether money was involved or not.
A chuckle resonated from her throat as she remembered the event of which Bit Cloud had entered her life. Then she recollected their first moment face-to-face. Leena remembered the feeling of contentment as his emerald orbs pleaded for her understanding. It wasn't his hopelessness that had given her pleasure, but the depths of the windows of his soul that had locked with hers.
Without realizing it, the former Blitz team pilot had been whispering the name of the one that had recently occupied her thoughts. Coming back to the reality at hand, Leena clasped her hands over her mouth and frantically looked around her to see if anyone had heard her. Relieved that she was unsupervised, a sigh came from her and she headed towards the kitchen for a snack.
Reaching her destination about 10 minutes later (yes. The base is that big), the former Blitz team member was greeted by Vega, who was munching on some Rice Crispy Treats®. Smiling over at her younger friend, Leena grabbed an apple and took a seat next to him.
"How was your workout?" Vega took a gulp of the near by milk as Leena thought for a moment on how to place her word.
"It was all right I guess, but too dull. WHEN ARE WE GOING ON WITH THE TRAINING?!"
"As soon as you change into something clean. We'll be taking the training up a notch since your skills are increasing significantly." Leena looked up with a broad smile to see Sara heading towards them.
"Okay, then. I'll head over to the simulation room in 20 minutes."
~Desert near Toros Base~
"Cut it out, Liger! I don't get why you keep bothering me about her!" Bit was strapped in Liger0's cockpit, fuming. The blonde had been out on a run with the white Ultimate-X when the same zoid had began to talk about what Leena might be doing at that moment. In one of these ideas, the thought of Leena making out with someone had popped up. Both partners had gotten into a very heated argument about this, which in the end Liger accused Bit of having stronger feelings for Leena than he was letting on. Doubting it wholly, Bit had yelled his outburst.
When the two had calmed down (mostly Bit), they decided to go back to the base. As the duo neared the Toros Base, the human image of a fashion disaster came running their way.
"BIT CLOUD!! WHERE IS MY DARLING LEENA?!" Opening the cockpit, the emerald eyed youth just sweat dropped and began to reply.
"Hey, Harry! How's it going?" The young Champ heir was gasping for air with smoke coming out of his ears.
"Don't you dare 'hey, Harry' me you -- you junk dealer! (man! That's lame!) I demand to know where my precious Leena is! And don't even think of lying to me!" Harry somehow scurried up the side of Liger and got a hold of Bit by the collar.
"We've gone through this before, Harry--" Harry shook Bit.
"She didn't leave on her own and not come to me, Cloud. She would have come to me! You forced her to go and threatened her that if she came running for my aid, you'd hurt her in some way. Now tell me where she is!" Bit took a deep breath.
"Harry, Leena Toros has left the Blitz team for her own personal reasons to become a better person and warrior. I ask that you respect her reasons of leave and not bother her. NOW WILL YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!" Harry cowered away, but not without getting the last word in.
"LEENA'S MINE!! YOU STAY AWAY FROM HER!!" Bit just sighed in frustration. 'It's not like I have a choice. No one knows where she is in the first place.'
~TOROS BASE~
After Harry had run off like the wind, Bit and Liger0 arrived at the Toros base to meet get ready for the on coming battle. In the briefing room Doc was playing with his zoid models, Jamie was busily typing on his laptop ideas of strategy, and Brad was drinking coffee while reading the newspaper.
"Hey, Doc! What's up?" The (mad?) scientist stopped his playing and looked at the youth with an excited look.
"I just got a new blue Blade Liger Star Series model. I can't wait to add some components to it. First I'll start with blade accompaniments - Oh! Then some high-speed boosters and I'll put a bunch of…" Bit quickly lost interest with Doc's ongoing fantasizing and decided to talk with Brad.
"Yo, Brad. How are things with Naomi?" Brad took a sip of his bitter liquid and adjusted the newspaper in his hands.
"I can't complain." The blonde sighed, he knew he wasn't going to get anything more from the monotone brunette. With no option left, the Ultimate-X pilot turned to Jamie.
"So … Jamie, have you come up with any good strategies lately?" Jamie continued to jab the keys.
"Well, it depends on your definition of "good" and "strategy" 'cause right now, I can't give you a straight answer. By the way, Doc has come up with a way to combine the Jager and Schneider conversion armors. Isn't right, Doc?" The 2 warriors looked over to their team's manager playing with his new model.
"Huh? Oh! Yes, yes. I still have to upgrade the databanks and decide how to graft the armors. It'll probably take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half. I'll work on it tomorrow, though. I wanna finish playing with my zoid." Bit just gapped at the elder man as Jamie spoke for both of them.
"You're just gonna play with your toys when there is something so close to being accomplished? C'mon, Doc! Don't be so lazy!" The 39-yea-old made his bottom lip tremble.
"You don't have to yell, Jamie. I'll go work on it now." With that, Doc left the room with his head hanging in shame.
~OBSCURA BASE~
"Leena! Stop pushing yourself! You're going to--" The sickening sound of grinding and crunching metal filled the simulation room. Vega cringed and slowly opened one of his eyes.
"I told you so." Leena's face was firmly placed on the simulation pod's cockpit's canopy. The teen's muffled curses filled the cramped space.
"WELL, SORRY!! I SO CLOSE TO THE END!! WHAT ELSE WAS I GOING TO DO?!"
"But you pushed the machinery too far to be handled. It strained and you obviously couldn't control it at that speed level either."
"Still Vega, you could've--" The younger warrior interrupted the magenta haired girl.
"Stopped you? That's why I was yelling into the mic! But yet you still wouldn't listen. So basically, this wasn't my fault." An unsettling silence filled the air until laughter erupted from both teens.
"You know Vega, if it wasn't for your yelling I probably would've gotten to the finish line." Vega countered this.
"If you had just listened to me in the beginning, I probably wouldn't have yelled at you in the first place." The midnight blue haired boy just laughed harder when Leena had finally opened the cockpit but was still stuck in the restraints.
"STOP LAUGHING!! I'd like you to try and get loose from this hunk of junk!" Leena eventually un-strapped herself and landed in quite an undignified matter with her rear high in the air. Vega could only hold tightly to his sides in order to keep from laughing as tears of mirth rolled down his cheeks.
"I-I'm s-sorry, L-Leena. I--I just ... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Leena immediately regained her composure and stalked over to the control room of the simulation training ground. Bursting through the poorly constructed metal door, a once trigger-happy warrior loomed over a 14-year-old who had lost the humor in the situation and was now cowering in fear.
"C'mon, Leena! You know I was just kidding. Don't take it so hard!" The ex-Blitz team member ignored the boy's plea and continued to advance. Soon the violet-eyed girl was directly over the youth and descended for the assault. Childish laughter once again filled the air as Leena mercilessly attacked Vega with tickles. Vega was helpless and tried with all his might to stop his attacker. About 5 minutes later, Leena had released Vega, who took the chance to get his revenge. The laughter finally died down when Sara entered the control room ten minutes with a soft smile dancing upon her features.
"I suppose that the training is finished for today? Or did you two just decide to take a break?" Leena rose to her feet and shook her head.
"We kind of got caught in the moment. Don't worry, though. I'll go back to my training now." As Leena turned to leave, Sara grabbed the young woman's collar as she passed her.
"When the system is on the fritz because of your last simulation? I think not. You have put all the simulation pods into repair because of your maneuvering training. Besides, you've mastered everything we've taught you. I suggest that we take a small hiatus as a celebration for your grand work done. Perhaps we should visit the Toros base and see how well your friends are doing. Hmm, Leena? It's not a bad idea." Leena clenched her hands into fists.
"I'd rather not. I don't want to see them until I have accomplished on what I promised to do. They'll understand." Vega stood from his sitting position on the floor and looked at Leena.
"Exactly how are you going to prove yourself?" For a moment, Leena looked as if she was at a loss.
"I never really though about that. What am I going to do to prove to them that I have worked hard to build my character and skills?" Sara nodded and snapped her fingers as an idea struck her mind.
"You could enter the annual Ace."
*
"Let's pair you up with a zoid first. Take your pick." Sara switched the lights on and the hangar was illuminated. Leena's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets at the variety of zoids that even Harry's collection would've been put to shame. Seeing that the teen had trouble moving, Sara chuckled and guided Leena through the aisles.
"Do you own all of these zoids?" Sara shook her head.
"Not really. I'll be selling all of them. That is except for the one zoid you choose out of them all." Leena went wide-eyed again.
"I can't possibly take anymore from you. You've given me too much. I--"
"It's all right, Leena. I know how hard it is to acquire the companion you need in order to fight with your full potential. That's the struggle Vega had to go through before he met the Berserk Fury. Go ahead. Choose one." Leena walked down along the paths and caught sight of zoids that met her fancy, but they just didn't seem to click with her. Suddenly, in the midst of the crowd, one certain zoid appeared before Leena. Unknowingly, Leena started to walk in the direction of the zoid and was soon face to face with a majestic white zoid. It looked somewhat like the Liger0 if it weren't more slender and had the two narrow metal plates stretched on its back. A voice echoed through Leena's mind in the most graceful manner, almost angelic.
Hello, Leena. I've been waiting for you. The clarity of the voice shocked the teen and she jumped a few feet off the ground. Leena looked around herself to see who the speaker was.
"Would you like to hear a story?" Leena just looked dumbly as Sara crept to her side.
"Shoot?" With a grin, Sara began.
"After the Backdraft was put to rest, I was given all the equipment left, including all the zoids you see here. The ZBC entrusted me with it all because of my past duties with them." Leena opened her mouth to say something, but Sara stopped her.
"I was an officer. That's all you need to know. When I received the zoids, this certain one caught my eye. The reports said the Backdraft found the zoid about 100,000 miles from the Berserk Fury under one of the ruins. It was in a rather large underground shelter deep under the surface. It seemed completely untouched, it was guessed that it was put there for storage before the city was destroyed. The Backdraft brought it in and decided to use it as one of our units. Unfortunately, no one could open the cockpit much less pilot the thing. If someone as much as tried to open the cockpit with anything that would harm the zoid, the stubborn thing would cause quite a riot. They did this in secret during the focus on the Berserk Fury. From what I've been told, I'm guessing that this zoid is probably an Unltimate-X."
"Female," Leena stated in a nonchalant tone.
"Excuse me?" Leena averted her gaze from the white zoid to Sara.
"This zoid is female.'" Sara gave Leena a questioning look.
"How did you know that?" Leena seemed as if she was in a daze.
"She, Seraph-Liger told me. Why can I hear her?" The same heavenly voice reverberated with clarity in Leena's mind.
Because you are my partner.
*
~In today's news, we've officially begun our 528th Annual Ace. For all you non-zoid people out there, the Ace is similar to a tournament except that it takes a year and a half to accomplish.
The minimum of teams to participate in this event is 15 as to an unlimited maximum after that. From each team, there must be only one representative and zoid throughout the entire Ace. No switching warriors and/or zoids are allowed. Team representatives and members are not to be revealed until they are defeated and/or after the Ace is over.
Teams will be singled out over a series of 99 consecutive battles. If a team so happens to loose any of their battles or forfeit a match, that team is disqualified. All battles must be against different teams, weather they are Ace participants or other non-Class S teams. The remaining warriors will fight their 100th battle against a random S Class warrior. Teams still undefeated will enter their 101st and final battle against each other in a battle royal. Whoever the winner is, their team will be registered as a Class-S team. For all the teams that didn't make the cut, they are allowed to have another go at a later Ace so long as they use a completely different zoid and pilot.
27 teams will be entering this year's Ace. And here's the list:
01. Spit Fire
02. Star Light*
03. Nightmare
04. Hope*
05. Legend*
06. Kitty Kat
07. Rebirth*
08. Wisher
09. Virus
10. Uproar
11. High Rise
12. Vicious
13. Saints*
14. Duets*
15. Harpy
16. Sunny Rain*
17. Daydream
18. Rebels
19. Crouching Tiger
20. Hidden Dragon
21. Guardian
22. Reboot
23. Star-crossed
24. Bittersweet*
25. Paradise
26. Ebony*
27. Asylum
And there you have it folks. As you can see, nine teams are rookies and you can tell by the stars marked by their names. The Ace débuted just yesterday with all the participants winning their first battles. Stay tuned for schedules of the Ace for the up coming week. This is Karin Lao with Zoid Crew News signing off. Now back to you, Rick!~ Leena changed the channel and set the remote down with a sigh.
"The first battle wasn't as bad as I'd thought. In fact, it was pretty easy." Vega shrugged.
"What did you expect after all you've been through? May I remind you that you've been taught by the best?" A smug look spread on his innocent features.
"You know that look dose NOT go with your cute face. So stop it. It freaks me out. Anyways, it's hard to believe that I won a battle all my own without any help." Vega raised an eyebrow.
"Is it really that shocking?" Leena shook her head and tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear.
"Not really, it's just that I didn't think I could do it." Vega chuckled.
"C'mon! You finished your opponent off in less than 30 seconds. You shouldn't doubt yourself so much." Leena shrugged.
"It might've been a fluke."
"It most certainly was not. I have the ability to know how things like this go and that was certainly no fluke. Trust me. Now put it on channel 17, they're about to show 'The Fast & The Furious,' (I LOVE that movie)" stated Sara as she munched on some popcorn. Vega grabbed the remote and flipped the channel as Leena started to leave the room.
"Aren't you going to stay and watch the movie with us?" Leena shook her head and nodded towards the clock on the wall that read 11pm.
"I'm gonna go check up on Seraph and hit sack. I'm really tired." With that, the Ace representative walked over to the hangar where her Seraph slept. There in the midst of the vast emptiness stood the white zoid she had chosen, standing beside the Berserk Fury. All the other zoids in the hangar had been shipped off to their new owners. Seraph roared a greeting to Leena as the teen took a seat on the large mechanical beast's paw.
"Hey, girl. Yesterday's battle was really something, huh?" A reassuring purr resounded throughout the hangar.
"Yeah, it was pretty easy. I can't disagree with you there, but I thought it would've been harder on my own." The female zoid roared in a hurt way.
"I have you. I'm sorry. I forgot. I still can't believe I'm talking to a zoid and an Ultimate-X to top it off." Another roar came forth.
"I know, I know ... but it's still all too new to me. Even after a week. Still ... Why me?" An unsettling silence filled the air for a moment.
You are a noble person in heart and soul. You are not afraid to discard your weaknesses, such as pride and ill temperance. It is my duty to watch over courageous people like you. That's part of a promise from long ago. A promise I intend to keep. I will tell you the tale when the time comes, but for now, let us focus on the battle at hand. You must prove yourself in skill now that you have conquered your emotions. Leena smiled.
"Thanks."
~TOROS BASE~
"Life is cruel and unusual." Bit lay on the patch of grass beneath Liger's shade as the mighty zoid stood in a vast field of green.
Why is that? A troubled sigh escaped from Bit's throat.
"I keep thinking about Leena and I don't know why! Not only that, but you know the reason and you won't tell me! C'mon. Liger! We're best pals, right?" Liger0 looked down at the human.
Of course. Why else would I have kept you as my partner?
"THEN WHY WON'T YOU SAY WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!"
Calm yourself. I fear that the vain popping up in your temple is about to burst. Bit glared at the white zoid.
"Don't avoid the question!" Liger loosened his shoulders and shook his head in regret.
I'm sorry. I just can't tell you. You'll have to figure that out on your own. Frustrated, Bit punched the dirt underneath him.
"That's what you've said that last eighteen times. I'm so sick and tired of hearing it. Just give me a damn clue if nothing else!"
Will you calm down and stop bugging me about your thoughts of Leena? Bit sighed in pure irritation.
"Yes! Now just tell me."
Don't be so testy, my friend. If you require so badly a hint, then a hint you shall have. All I can tell you is that your feelings go far deeper than what you do think. Bit raised and eyebrow.
"Okay. I guess I get it. So it's more than just missing her, right?" The blonde's face full of confusion.
Yes.
"Can you tell me anything else?"
If I tell you any more information, I'll give the whole entire thing away. I'm sorry, I can't.
"Not that again, but I guess I can't yell at you 'cause you gave me what I really needed right now." Bit slowly descended on his back to the green grass once again with more of a relaxed figure.
"Do you think she'll be any different when she comes back?" Liger just shook in a way that would almost pass as shrugging for zoids.
Is it not what will happen if she becomes a better person like she has promised? Bit thought for a moment.
"You're right, it's a stupid question. But do you think that Leena will still be 'Leena'? What happens if she comes back as a completely different person?" Liger shook his head.
Doubtful. She may become nicer and well skilled on the battlefield, but it's highly unlikely she'll change so much. Why do you ask? Looking up at the passing clouds, Bit caught Leena's image in one of the puffy white formations.
"I don't want to loose the Leena I know. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind her being more nicer to me and having a ton of great skills, it's just that I'm afraid she won't be the same person she really was to begin with. You know, the Leena that always made you think everything was okay with her even though all Hell was going on for her. The Leena that did small kind gestures that most people wouldn't notice. The Leena makes life worth living--" Bit's eye widened as he realized what he just said. A hopeful look gleamed in Liger's 'eyes'.
"Did I just say that? I've been out here too long. C'mon, Liger! Let's go before I start hallucinating." With that, Bit climbed into Liger's cockpit and rode off. All the while, Liger wondered if Bit would always stay so oblivious of the obvious.
~*~
YES!! Another chapter done! PLEASE REVIEW!! That's all I'm asking. Flames are welcome. Oh! And if you find any errors of any kind, please tell me in your review and I'll fix them. ^-^
JA NE, MINNA-SAN!! ^-^
~*Sakura Scout*~