Disclaimer: Vandread belong to Gonzo, the fan characters Jezebel, Schala, Eklor and, of course, Vyse, belong to me. As for Vanguard Zero, part me, part Capcom, considering I did make it out of the Reploid Zero.

Chapter Ten: Rivalry.

Shot flared forth as the enemy cubes went into evasive mode, repelling each of the laser rays shot from the dreads. Immediately did they break in opposite paths, as Vanguard Zero swooped in, holding up the fully charged Z-Pistol, blowing the group of fighters into a many tiny particles.

"Defense shattered! Pearl, Mika, hell of a good job!" He mentioned to them.

"No problem Vyse!" Pearl said with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, it's great to have you working with us." Mika replied with a thumb up.

"Save the comments for later, hotshot!" Meia remarked, as Vyse only snorted, going about with the battle.

Vyse nodded, drawing his sword out as he charged at the Pods cutting them apart one by one.

"Jeez, what a showoff… damn guy thinks he can do whatever the hell he wants!" Hibiki remarked, watching Vyse cut down a few.

"Something wrong Mr. Alien?" Dita asked, as his irritated glance turned to his neutral glance, as he shook his head.

"Huh? Forget it, lets finish these creeps off!" He stated, pressing his hand down firmly on hers, as the dual beam cannons mounted, preparing to fire away, as it shot forth, blowing most of the remaining pods apart.

"That outta show'em!" He declared as a fake Vandread Meia flew directly toward them from behind.

Immediately did a shot fire forth, blowing the wing doppelganger vandread apart, as Vyse glanced on, his gun aimed perfectly at where the bird once was, nearly within ramming range of Vandread Dita.

"You can thank me later!" Vyse snottily remarked, turning off, as he flew with the other band of Dread fighters, Hibiki glancing on with a flared glance.

"Grrr." Hibiki remarked, immediately separating from Dita.

"Huh? Mr. Alien, what's the matter?" She asked, as Hibiki accelerated away, heading towards the docking bay.

Hibiki ignored her question, as his main concern was for the one guy who had recently pissed him off. For the past two weeks since Vyse first went into battle with the crew was he already being a bigger hotshot each time they went into battle. If that wasn't enough, Vyse seemed to already be getting more maintenance on his Vanguard then Hibiki did in the recent months, with the fact that he felt it was better he worked on it.

"You still doing okay Vyse?" Parfet asked, as he walked out from the cockpit, looking around, his goggles pushed up from his eyes.

"Yeah, my eyes feel better then usual thanks to the goggles you made to utilize the eyes for the mech. The only real problem is my back is killing me." He said, as his right hand caressed his back.

"You probably get it from too much slouching when your in link mode." Duero noted, as he stepped forth.

"Yeah… Parfet, if it ain't too much trouble-"

"Usually I'd say no, but if Duero says it's a medical problem, then I can't argue with that." She replied with a blush pursed on her cheeks.

"Is that really the reason?" Vyse asked, narrowing his eyes as he gave a sly smile.

"Just what are you getting at?" Duero asked confused.

"Probably just being a kiss up like always!" Hibiki yelled out, as Vyse glanced over to see a furious faced Hibiki glaring at him.

"And just what crawled up your ass today?" Vyse replied ignorantly.

"Your damn attitude, I don't get why the Dread team leader isn't getting on your case." Hibiki muttered, as he crossed his arms.

"Sound more like you're jealous." Duero mentioned, Hibiki glancing irritatingly at him.

"Great, you're taking his side!" Hibiki muttered as Vyse sighed.

"Hibiki, you're acting like a little toddler. Though I ain't looking to be a leader, just someone who can work with the team, nothing else." Vyse remarked, Hibiki only huffing.

"Talk is cheap, but I bet you've grown soft physically as well!" Hibiki stated, as he threw a punch directly at Vyse, who only grabbed him by the wrist, and threw him directly onto the cold metal floor.

"Don't even try Hibiki, I'm beyond your damn league." Vyse muttered, as he walked off, leaving Parfet and Duero to glance at the fallen Hibiki, who pushed himself up.

Slowly walking over to where he laid, Duero was about to offer him a hand when Hibiki glared angrily at him.

"Like I really need YOUR help!" Hibiki stated, as he staggered walked off.

"Talk about angry." Parfet said, shaking her head.

"Vyse does act like a hotshot, but unlike Hibiki, he does work well with the dread teams." Duero mentioned, placing his hand on his chin.

"I smell rivalry a brewin', how bout you doctor?" Parfet asked as he glanced to her with a sly smile.

"Couldn't agree more Parfet." He said with smirk, Parfet blushing as she watched him smirk at her.

"The nerve of the guy, I can't believe he-"

"Mr. Alien?" Dita called out, as he turned toward her with a still irritated glare pursed on his face.

"What do you want now?" He angrily demanded.

"Well, are you still planning to come to my room, I know your trying to find something to-"

"LATER DITA… Jeez, as if I don't have enough problems already!" He muttered, marching away from her as she stood there with a worried glance.

"Mr. Alien…" She whispered, glancing to the ground, as she sighed sadly, turning away from him as she walked off.

She slowly though back to when he split, remembering he seemed to be annoyed with Vyse, even if she had not been told directly, she knew it had to be him. The last few days did Hibiki seem to be growing more agitated by Vyse's recent interactions with the pilots of the Dread Teams. She knew she had to find some way to get Hibiki to be less furious then he was now. Though the problem with that was dealing with the one person she used to be a enemy with.

"What do you want now Dita?" Misty demanded, as Dita had already sat next to her in the Café.

Misty wasn't big on dealing with someone who had recently been her enemy, nor did she want anything to do with the dim-headed girl.

"It's about Vyse… I know he seems to be more closer to you then anyone, and well…"

Misty sighed, as she noticed Dita was a bit more reluctant to ask the question as she fiddled with her index fingers, glancing to the table.

"What, you best not tell me your have a crush on him!" Misty angrily spat, as Dita shook her head.

"I just feel he is upsetting Mr. Alien too much. I wanted to ask if you could, well…"

"Listen, I don't deal with things like that… believe me, when it comes to men, it is better to keep out." She said leaning back.

"But Misty-"

"Dita… trust me… when it comes to men and conflicts, it's sometimes best to let them figure it out." She said with a sigh.

"So… we're friends now?" Dita asked, with a more excited look.

"Well…" Misty said, remembering what Vyse had told her.

"You should try to be friends with them; after all, we are going to be spending the next few weeks or three months with them."

She sighed, as she glanced to Dita with a beaming smile, as she nodded.

"I ain't into aliens, but I think we do have a lot to share with each other." She said warmly.

Within the anaerobic area of the ship was Vyse hard at work bench pressing at least two hundred and twenty five pounds at an incline angle. His face was already blood red as he continued to bench press the heavy load from above, breathing in as he took it down towards his chest. He pushed it up again, breathing out as he pushed upward, fully extending his arms to the limit, as he slowly brought it down only a few centimeters from his chest. He repeated this a few more times before placing it back on the racks as he took a deep breath.

Standing to his feet, he stretched a bit, heading over to the bicep curls, needing to work on his biceps a bit more. Taking his seat, he picked up the ninety pound curls, lifting them slowly up as he breathed in deeply, bringing the two dumbbells near his shoulders. Reaching his shoulders, he exhaled the air he breathed in, as he lowered both of the dumbbells down to the dangling end of the board. He continued a few more times, focusing his full attention upon the workout, not aware of Misty as she walked into the training room.

"How's your workout going, feeling the burn?" Misty asked, Vyse glancing over to her with a smile.

"Whaddya you think?" He asked with a devious smirk.

"I take it you're trying to keep yourself fit as a soldier still, huh?" Misty asked, crossing her arms.

"That and reduce the pain I receive from the vanguard when I enter battle. No pain no gain, like they say." He remarked, once more curling his arm up as it shook from the heavy weight he lifted.

"Try not to strain yourself." She teased as he gave a soft laugh, completing his reps.

"I think I've worked enough for today… up for a bite to eat?" Vyse asked, Misty only nodding.

"Aw right! A nice two foot sub with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and some-" he was just then purposely bumped into by the still enraged Hibiki, who only hmphed at him as he impacted.

"To think a wannabe pilot as yourself still obsesses over spilled milk, you really have issues Hibiki!" Vyse remarked, as Hibiki glared back.

"You one to talk, kissing up to the females, I don't know which is more pathetic." Hibiki remarked absurdly.

"That's it, I ain't gonna keep ranting over this meaningless conflict. We'll settle this in a duel where we are on the same level. Better yet, we'll fight using the simulator vanguard programs. I'd say that way we'll see who the better pilot is." Vyse remarked as Hibiki held a fist up.

"Consider your duel accepted!" Hibiki agreed, still giving a cocky glance.

"And before you start gripping about my one skill, in the name of all that is honest, you have my word I shall not pull any cheats to defeat you." Vyse conclued, as Hibiki nodded.

Paiway only stood close by, biting on her notepad, wishing it was more of Misty and Vyse.

"This Pai-check is not going to well!" She muttered, with a sigh of disappointment.

"Vyse, you do know those simulators are not for fun!" Misty mentioned, as Vyse slowly customized his Vanguard, giving it a decent armor and weaponry.

"Right, if it was easy to sit down and talk to the guy, maybe things would be settled, but Hibiki's too damn consumed by his ego then he is by his head." Vyse mentioned, as he selected his secondary weaponry.

Misty only sighed, as she hugged him around his neck gently.

"That's the reason I find you much cuter then him Vyse!" She whispered kissing his on the cheek.

"I know… but… could you try not to hug me so much… I get that enough in bed." He mentioned as Misty released him, her face filling with arrogance.

"Well fine, you can sleep on the floor!" She said, turning to look away.

"Mist, seriously, I almost suffocated when we first were together." He mentioned, as Misty sighed, remembering him mentioning something about it.

"I bet you enjoyed it!" she said, pressing her breasts against the back of his head as she rubbed his arms.

"The only thing I remember is my vision getting blurred and nearly trying to struggle out." He mentioned as Misty giggled.

"This coming from a strong man as yourself!" She teased.

"I still am a gentleman, wouldn't be right to just hurt those wrists of yours, right?" He said, glancing to her with a beaming smile.

She only smiled back, as the two kissed deeply on the lips together, enjoying the time they had spent with one another.

Hibiki slowly loaded his Vanguard up with a balanced array of armor and weaponry, being a worker with the Vanguards, he knew exactly how to set up one that would beat Vyse, unaware that his was merely identical to his nemesis. Dita slowly walked in, setting the platter of rice balls nearby for Hibiki to chow down on.

"Huh? Oh, thanks." He mentioned, as he took one, slowly munching down on one.

Dita remained quiet, as she clenched her sleeves, looking to the ground.

"Um… Mr. Alien…" She mentioned, twiddling her thumbs nervously.

"This better not be about coming with you two your room, is it?" He gripped out.

"No… it's that… well…" she tried to gain courage, she could already feel herself stutter, all that Vyse had mentioned was once more happening.

"Well, what?" He asked turning around.

"It's-"

"I hear rumors spreading that you and Vyse are going to be fighting. Mind telling me what it is that is getting under your skin?" Meia asked as she walked in, her hands crossed.

"For someone who got on my case about being a hotshot, I'm demanding to know just why you're not going after him for this?" Hibiki demanded, still editing his vanguard.

"Vyse is working with two of our pilots, and even though he shows off, he still does it in care for us. Hibiki, you and him are in some ways alike, you both are Vanguard pilots-"

"Someone needs to kick his cocky ass, and I plan to do just that." Hibiki mentioned, as he finished the final preparations for his vanguard.

"I may not be able to kick his ass physically, but I will in a vanguard… that guy has no clue how to even pilot one without using his damn paksis to even control, so he's already at a great disadvantage." Hibiki mentioned with a cocky smile.

"But Mr. Alien…" Dita begged, but was only ignored.

"The field is a terrain; you two will fight with both long and close range weapons. The first one to shoot his opponent down is the victor. Are both of you set?" Duero asked, as the two replied with a 'yes' in their own way.

As the timer counted down to zero, the two blasted at one another, moving behind the terrain rocks, as they started shooting at one another heading apart from one another, taking cover behind the rocks. Waiting from behind, Vyse was first to make a shot, shooting upon the tip top of the area, sending a few boulders down atop, as Hibiki leaped out, firing back at Vyse.

"You're a damn fool to think that you could get me that easily!" Hibiki shouted, as Vyse only smirked, only firing several rounds to Vyse at that immediate instinct.

"Impressive… but lets see you handle this one!" Vyse blasted his way through his terrain, as he dashed forth, the two drawing their swords, as Vyse went onto the offense, striking from one side to another.

The two clashed one more time, before shoving off, standing a good few yards away from one another.

"Lets settle this with our fists then a blade!" Hibiki remarked dropping his blade to the ground.

"Sounds good enough to me!" Vyse remarked, dropping his sword onto the ground, along with his gun, as the two dashed forth, their right arms back, ready to swing forth and knock one another out.

The entire ship already was glued, as the fight was broadcast throughout the televisions. Already were some watching in shock as the two began to fist fight, a number of them looking away.

"Misty, are you sure this is the better way they should settle things?" Dita asked as Misty sighed depressingly.

"I really don't know Dita… men just are so stupid sometimes!" She mentioned shaking her head.

Both fists shot forth, as they collided with each other, striking the torso of one another. Vyse quickly made another strike, his foot going over and striking the ankles of Hibiki's vanguard as Hibiki fell to the ground hard. Grasping a rock nearby, Hibiki swung forth smashing the Vyse's vanguard in the head hard. He immediately fell down to the ground, the face now dented in from the large rock that Hibiki had used.

"Ouch."

"That's not good!"

"Damn, critical hit. Time to get serious!" He remarked, as he reached over grasping a small rock in one hand, as he turned, tossing it directly at Hibiki as the rock was impaled directly into the bots own left shoulder.

"Grr, bastard!" Hibiki yelled, as he dashed forth, tackling the staggering Vyse that had tried to stand to his feet.

Hibiki began his assault, punching Vyse's Vanguard in the face, before Vyse finally grasped the hand and swung him sideways. Slowly, he tried to stand, only to find the recent damage was now taking its toll. Hibiki stood, turning the mech towards the droid, as he walked over towards Vyse, lifting his foot up around the abdomen, ready to bring it down. He was unable to proceed as he was suddenly thrown forth by a external force, the alarms of the Nirvana now going off.

"Enemy units already are around us, all dread teams immobilize." Ezra mentioned, with a sigh.

"I thought you were watching the scanners!?" BC scowled, glancing to Amaro.

"Me, but I thought-"

"Never mind! Vyse! Hibiki!! Game over, it's time for battle!" BC mentioned to them through the communications line.

"Understood!" Vyse commented.

"Looks like your not good at everything, huh Vyse?" Hibiki stated, with a smug glance.

"Big deal, you won. So brag after we get this battle over with!" Vyse mentioned, running off to the area where his Vanguard was stationed.

Hibiki only smiled, his arms crossed as he took a deep huff.

"Guess I showed him!" He muttered to himself pride heartedly.

"Dread teams, lure the enemies into Bart's firing range, he'll take out most of the fleet, and we'll pick off the rest!" Meia directed.

"Roger!" The team replied.

"Starting the party without me? Ladies, I'm crushed." Vyse said flatteringly.

"Always the overdramatic as always Vyse." Pearl remarked as his two female partners flew side by side.

"Right, so let's get this party going!" Vyse stated, as he accelerated forth, slicing a pod in half, as a few cubes followed closely behind him, as he followed Meia's plan.

Mika and Pearl followed behind, both with a pod or two trailing closely behind them with several cube fighters hot on their tails. Bart waited patiently; his attention focused upon the enemies as he locked onto each target came into firing range.

"Just a bit more!" He muttered mentally, as the enemy elements moved into range.

Targeting each one of the enemies, the ion ray cannons of the Nirvana shot forth, streaming through each one of the enemies, one by one they fell to the beams sheer power eradicated each one in a hell of numerous explosions. Only a few remained as Dreads swooped to nail them with rapid laser cannon fire. The fight indeed had been quick, as most usually had been since the cannons of the Nirvana easily could take out most of the enemy elements.

"All enemy units... huh? Second wave closing in, along with… the fake Nirvana!?" Bel mentioned with a gasp.

"Of all things… Bart-"

"Roger! Lets see these small frys handle THIS!" He shouted out, as several laser streams blasted forth, each one tearing apart the oncoming cubes advancing forth.

Immediately did a red beam fire forth, as it impacted the Nirvanas starboard side, forcing it off course from its once main position, Bart crying in pain from the hit.

"Goliath, doppelganger of the Nirvana… just what we need!" Vyse muttered, as the ship moved forth.

"All dreads, move in and-"

"Hold it…" Vyse mentioned, cutting Meia off. "Hibiki, listen up, I got an idea how to take this son of a bitch down, but I need your help."

"Gee, decided to finally take control of things?" Hibiki remarked rudely.

"Mr. Alien, let him speak for once… he may have a good plan." Dita mentioned, as Hibiki glanced into her deep blue innocent eyes.

Taking a deep sigh, he finally replied.

"Fine, I'll listen, but it better be good." Hibiki mentioned.

"Alright, listen up, Dread teams, do your best to distract Goliath. Hibiki, separate from Dita… I need the vanguard mode to pull this off." Vyse replied, Hibiki immediately separating as Dita flew off, following the plan Vyse had laid out.

"Now what?" Hibiki asked, as he approached Vyse.

"Take out your sword and cross your blade with mine… I will transfer the negative energy into your blade. We make four passes, counting down from three to zero." Vyse mentioned as Hibiki grunted, but understood.

The two immediately moved forth, as they moved to intercept, their blades crossing, Vyse's saber transferring the energy within Hibiki's blade.

"Three!" Vyse mentioned, the two continued three more times, counting down from each til they reached zero.

The dreads flew cautiously and carefully, distracting it from attacking Vyse and Hibiki. Missiles fired forth, doing only enough damage to cancel the behemoths movement.

"You won't get this craft you bastard!" Barnette shouted, delivering several missiles from her delivery ship to the machine, throwing it off balance for a short time.

Hibiki and Vyse charged forth, as they split off, going to the left and right, turning simultaneously and in-line, as they brought their swords back, before they accelerated at the same pace. Their blades immediately dug into the machine, soon crossing, as a large bolt shot through Goliaths body, streaming through the legs and hands. Hibiki and Vyse were a good distance, as the huge bolts blew up, the head split from the center with a wide crack. The claws followed with the shattering, as a large explosion followed with the bursts of fractures, concluding the battle.

"Somehow I think that I did only a small part for this scene." Hibiki mentioned, only to have a window open, as Vyse still remained with his helmet on.

"Fifty-five forty-five. I transferred a negative charge to you, I used a positive, with the two striking, and the powers gave off the force you saw that obliterated Goliath. Without that reaction, the thing would still be in once piece." Vyse mentioned, as he smirked.

"That so… so without me, it wouldn't have worked?" Hibiki asked directly.

"Exactly." Vyse answered. "By the way Hibiki, I would have creamed ya the enemy didn't interfere." Vyse jokingly replied.

"WHAT!?" Dita replied, stunned at his remark.

"Oh no." Cel commented.

"Here we go again." Bel remarked with a sigh.

"You wish, with the damage you took, you were down for the count!" Hibiki remarked with a smile. "Still, I gotta hand it to you, you did put up a good fight."

Almost everyone was baffled by Hibiki's response, especially when he usually continued with his comments of how tough he was and other times move closer to fighting others. Vyse only could laugh, as Hibiki did the same, everyone listening with confused glances.

"Hey Vyse, up for another round?"

"Why the hell not!" Vyse remarked, as the two returned once more to the ship.

Magno smiled, still petting the black cat as she took a deep breath.

"Even the bitterest rivalries can turn into a good friendship." She mentioned to herself, petting the cat calmly.