Sweet-Calmness: I don't know what to say .... I'm so touched .... You even replied to my e-mail ... And even flamed me just because of my request ... Plus, you put me and this fic on your favorites ... YOU'RE SO SWEET!! ^-^

Chaos: Ahh .... One of my most faithful readers. *sniff* People like you are just too kind. Thanks for sticking with the fic for so long. ^-^

Shadow: Thank you for the compliment. ^-^

KageTasumi: Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ... Funny ... You lifted my mood to the next level. I don't think I can stop smiling. I didn't know my story had that kind of effect on people. And I just found out that you put my fic on your favorites. Thanks. ^-^

Ruby: It's good to see new people reviewing. I'm continuing. Don't worry. ^-^

Jumper Prime: Another new person. Wow. I'm so glad that someone out there likes Seraph-Liger. Anyhoo, I hope that my battle scenes aren't too bad. Thanks for the confidence booster. ^-^

zero talon: Chapter 7 was 'OK' and 'nice'? YEAH!! I'm more happy now. I don't know if that's possible, but I am. ^-^

****Moonlight's Sorrow****: NUMBER SIX IN GUESSING RIGHT FOR THE CHALLENGE!! WOOHOO!! Congrats!! ^-^

blade liger: Thanks. ^-^

****Hanamaru285****: YEAH!! LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN!! And thanks for saying that chapter 7 was 'kewl'. ^-^

****zeonreborn****: YET ANOTHER WINNER!! Thanks for being honest with me. I know my story isn't as good as other stories. I've read plenty of hecka good fics on my part. Still happy that you like my fic regardless. ^-^

Kitai Miatsuru: Yup. Happy moments. And I try to type quickly enough. Thanks for all your cheerfulness. ^-^

secretperson: You 'LOVE' my story? And you want me to keep typing? THANK YOU AND I WILL!! ^-^

Commando115: Well, I knew it was kinda boring, so I'm not that shocked that someone said that. I LOVE HONESTY!! Anyhoo, this chapter is suppose to be action packed, but I'm not good with describing action sequences. Sorry and thanks. ^-^U

Carmina Burana: YUP! YUP! YOU ARE NUMBER NINE TO HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWER TO WHAT TEAM LEENA IS ON!! SO HAPPY!! Besides that, another honest person. Chapter 7 would've been better if I didn't have writer's block. Sorry. ^-^

lester: It's nice that you want to let authors know what time you reviewed. But really, you should get some sleep even though it's on holidays. And don't worry. Bit and Leena will meet soon. Just be a little more patient.

Lil Bre: I LOVE YOUR NAME!! It's so cute!! Ahem! Anyhoo, I'm sorry. Leena's team isn't Sunny Rain. Though I was inspired to use it 'cause I really liked the name. ^-^

Max Brea: WOW!! MY FIRST OFFICIAL FLAME!! Should I really be happy about that? Oh, well. Though it hurts to hear it, it really is true. Chapter 7 wasn't necessary. It was nothing but talk that didn't need to occur. Though I think it was pretty nice with Bit's explanations of his feelings for Leena. THANKS FOR THE FLAME STILL!! ^-^

sheba: Very short, but it lifted my spirits anyways. Thank you! ^-^

jmbeard: Wow. You've actually counted the days. Dedicated. Very. Anyhoo, it's alright to complain. I complain all the time when I really shouldn't, so yea ... Just to let you know, it's writer's block that's been keeping me from uploading anything. That and not being on a computer for a week due to non-stop chores. Now answer to question one is that the Blitz team will not be participating in the Ace. I had originally put them in it with Bit being the opponent in one of the battles, but then I'd have to write two battle scenes. Since I didn't want to put off uploading any longer, I decided against it. Answer to question two will have to remain secret. Sorry. I can't tell you. I really can't, but look through chapters 2, 3, 5 (kinda), and 6. There are some clues. And I would really love to watch zoids, but I have bad sleeping habits that I must break and I suck at setting a VCR. I can record stuff on the thing, but I can't set the time or any of the other stuff that doesn't involve the simple task of pushing one button. Nevertheless, THANK YOU!! Wow. That has to be that longest reviewer reply I have ever done. ^-^U

WINNER OF THE CHALLENGE THUS FAR (from earliest to latest):

Chaos

Shadow

KageTasumi

Sweet-Calmness

zero talon

Moonlight's Sorrow

Hanamary285

zeonreborn

Carmina Burana

JUST REMEMBER THAT THE CHALLENGE IS STILL IN PLAY!! AND SO IS THE REWARD!! See chapter 4 for details. CHAPTER 9 IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GUESS!! CHAPTER 10 WILL REVEAL LEENA'S TEAM!!

Now I must warn you people that I am about to attempt to write a battle scene. Why? Because it is part of the story outline that I made. I have no idea what I was thinking at the time. Forgive me of the crappiness of my battle. I'm not good at explaining such things. A lot of people I know can do a whole lot better than me, but I'm just one of the unfortunate ones. Sorry in advance.

disclaimer: I only own this fic, Karin Lao, Zoid Crew News, and all teams made specifically for the Ace competition. Well, I also own about a couple of dollars in change, but that's it. I DO NOT OWN ZOIDS OR ANYTHING ELSE!! I'M POOR!! DON'T SUE ME!!

~*~

Becoming A Better Me

Chapter Eight

The Semi-Finals

~*~

"Karin Lao here with Zoid Crew News!! It's time for the 100th battles to begin! After a year and a half of winning streaks against common ranking teams, it has come for the remaining representatives to face the big boys of Class-S!!

Each team will representative will face one representative from randomly chosen teams. This battle will determine who gets to move up to the final battle.

It's a close call on who will advance, but I'm rootin' for all the teams!! And here's how things are gonna go down!!

Asylum vs. Odyssey

Rebirth vs. Triton

Star Light vs. Ino

Bittersweet vs. Shattered

Wisher vs. Pavilion

Yup! Only five teams remaining and holding strong!! Real impressive. Check out the schedules and disqualified teams. Well, I'll see you in a bit. This is Karin Lao with Zoid Crew News. Over and out!!

*

Leena checked her surroundings and took in deep breaths to calm her shaking body. This was the second to the last battle, one of the two most important events in the entire competition. She had a right to be nervous about it, right?

It is simply another battle. There is no difference. However, Seraph-Liger's confidence didn't seem to be shared with Leena through the telepathic link or even through the cockpit she sat in.

"I know that, but I can't help being antsy. How can you be so calm at a time like this? Why am I the frantic one here? This is the semi-finals and we're gonna be battling to get into the finals." The Ultimate-X pilot was now hyperventilating as he zoid partner heaved a sigh (I'm not sure if zoids can sight, but work with me).

Leena, I implore for you to put your mind at rest. The battle is not for another hour and we are still traveling over to our destination. Leena's nerves still seemed to frizzle.

"What?! We're not there yet? What if we're late? We'll be disqualified. All our hard work would go down the drain--"

Be still, Leena. Be still. We are going to make it to the designated battlefield with plenty of time until the battle starts. In fact, we should be reaching it in no less than 15 minutes. Letting the information soak in, Leena finally began to calm down a little.

"What do you think everyone's doing right now?" Seraph scoffed as best zoids were allowed.

Do not stray your thoughts in that direction again. You will end up throwing a tantrum once more. And I for one wish to revel in what time of peace I have left before a battle.

~Toros Base~

A group of eleven individuals sat in various areas of the large Rec. room of the Toros Base. Brad and Naomi had busied themselves on one of the plush dark gray love seats. Leon was sitting in a black leather Lay-Z-Boy, a paperback copy of Death Be Not Proud® by John Gunther firmly in his left hand and a tissue the other. Doc and Layon were arguing over whether vanilla or chocolate was the best ice-cream flavor while Oscar was tallying the score and refereeing the debate. Jamie sat with the three older men, wondering if he too would lose his sanity like his elders. All four sat around the mahogany and glass coffee table, each occupying a side. The other couple of the group was sitting in the back of the room, discussing timidly about what their plans in the future with them still together. Bit sat right in front of the big screen TV, ignoring everyone and everything else in the room. His only thoughts were of figuring out which team Leena could be on.

Just leave it be, Bit. You are going to make yourself frustrated again. Bit huffed and paid close attention to the battle on screen.

'I just can't leave it alone. And I am very aware that I am still too dense to figure out what team she's on. But is it so wrong to at least give it a try?' Liger just chuckled.

In your case, it would be asking too much. The blonde mentally glared at his partner.

'Hey! Just because I'm a dumb blonde--'

So you admit it-- Bit silently fumed.

'Liger!' Laughing once more, Liger sighed.

Do not think about it too much. You will find out what her team is soon enough. Bit took in a breath and exhaled deeply, still looking at the blaring screen.

~Hello, everyone! I'm Karin Lao of Zoid Crew News!

Wasn't that last battle just amazing?! Com'on you know you can't deny it. It was incredible!!

Anyhoo, I am thrilled to announce that our next team is one of the rookies in the Ace. Their white zoid, known as the Seraph-Liger, has come to be a favorite of our viewers. And who wouldn't adore this pretty little snow-white zoid? The lucky warrior piloting this magnificent piece of work will be fighting for a place in the finals like everyone else left in the Ace.

Now with no further ado, here is--~

Shut that off. We are about to start our battle. Leena closed the window that she had brought up in boredom of waiting. She leaned back into her seat, relaxing just for one more moment before the battle truly began.

The ground shook as a white capsule descended from the atmosphere and crashed into the earth, a crater surrounding it. The Ace representative flexed her fingers and then ran them over the controls around her, her body tense. The capsule opened to reveal the ZBC judge scanning the battlefield. Leena took a firm hold of the controls, gripping them to keep from letting her concentration slip away from her. The judge was announcing the teams, but Leena wasn't listening. She was looking straight ahead of herself, directly at her opponent, everything else lost to her. A modified midnight blue and blue-green Command Wolf stood poised before her (I can't remember that many zoids). Seraph roared.

*FIGHT!!* Leena dropped her stiff shoulders and quickly jumped to the left as bullets flew in her direction. Without thinking, Leena had Seraph rush forward suddenly, just barely missing being hit by two missiles. A loud explosion rocked the earth behind them and vision was temporarily blurred. With both metal plates extended at Seraph's sides, the pair braced themselves against two more missiles. A low hum flowed through the air as the metal panels began to glow.

There was a boulder nearby to their comfort and Leena took full advantage of the situation. Seraph's speed increased, the distance between her and the two projectiles diminished greatly. It was just twenty yards apart they were as Seraph barely reached the large protruding rock. Leaping off the right side of the huge stone, Leena grunted as she forcefully pulled the right of her controls towards her as she pushed the left out. The result lead to a small barrel roll, the makeshift blades on Seraph's sides helping them stay in the air and slice through the missiles. There were two explosions that combined to become one in mid air, dust and debris flying in every direction, failing to reach the still speeding white zoid.

After the world quickly stopped spinning, the duo landed back on the ground before melding the right blade into a sort of circular shield, just in time to soften the blow of the charging Command Wolf. The opponent's full body attack caused the group to skid some distances with the earth upturned in their path and dirt momentarily flying around. Leena's jaw tightened as she gripped the controls harder, fighting for control.

"Seraph, I need you to alter the shield into something like a buzz saw." Seraph complied and converted the shield's edges into a more thinner and deadlier sheet of metal. The now sharper circular panel began to spin and grind off some of the dark blue shoulder armor of the Command Wolf, sparks soaring in every which-way that they were allow access to. Jumping away, the dark blue and blue-green zoid slowly moved to its right in a curve, slowly advancing to Seraph's unarmed side with the metal plate back in its standard position on Seraph's back. Leena had the angelic zoid do the same, the buzz saw still whirling in place with its low hum soothing, yet threatening. The two zoids continued to circle one another until Leena changed the buzz saw back into a long straight panel.

The Command Wolf dashed forward, though cautiously heading towards Seraph's left where the panel remained unsheathed, unlike its counter part that was extended at the right side. Leena was half expecting this and retracted the right panel. Just as she did so, Leena and Seraph noticed that they unpredictably didn't have time to move as the Command Wolf progressed quickly in the direction of the two.

"Stupid speed modifications. I forgot about them." Leena cursed beneath her breath and hastily thought of what to do next as her enemy zoid was soon upon her. As the colored zoid reached its destination and finished charging up a powerful shot, Seraph got low and missed the explosive blast as she was forced to go directly under the Command Wolf because of the detonation. Taking the benefits of the circumstances, Leena allowed herself to grin as Seraph's front right claw began to cast a silvery-gold light.

"STRIKE LASER CLAW!!" The shimmering claw tore through the underbelly of the enemy zoid above. Seraph roared in satisfaction while quickly getting out from under the Command Wolf just as it collapsed a few yards away. Echoing in the distance was a bullhorn, signifying the command freeze of the colored zoid and the end of the battle.

*Battle over ... Battle over ....*The judge's monotonous voice was drowned out by Seraph-Liger's long and loud victory roar with Leena chiming in with her own cheers of triumph.

~*~

MAN!! I SUCK!! I REALLY DO!! I mean, I have you guys wait for like 2/3 of a month and all I can think up are four or five lousy pages. Go ahead and flame me. I deserve it. *sigh* I should remind myself that I should never write battle scenes ever again. I'll get someone else to do it.

I just want to tell you that Death Be Not Proud® by John Gunther is a memoir to his son, Johnny Gunther, who died at the age of seventeen from a brain tumor. This is a true story, too. If you decide to read it, be sure to have a box of tissues handy. It's all just so sad.

Lastly, I've decided that chapter 12 will be the last chapter. So we're almost there. YEAH!! Hopefully it will be finished sometime in September. Hopefully. Then I'll revise this story several times over so that's better. With any luck that won't take too long. ^-^

REMEMBER!! YOU HAVE ONE CHAPTER LEFT TO GUESS WHAT TEAM LEENA'S ON!!

REVIEW!! YOU MUST REVIEW!! IF YOU WANT THE CHAPTERS TO BE LONGER AND BETTER, THEN REVIEW!! REVIEWS FUEL MY CREATIVE JUICES TO WORK PROPERLY!! SO REVIEW!!

~*Sakura Scout*~