Here we are at Chapter 11. Man, feels like forever since I've been back on this story, but then again, I've been really busy lately. Let's get the first part of the battle royal underway. I do not own Zoids. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 11. Enjoy.
Chapter 11: Battle Royal Part 1
Team Lockhart get out of their Gustavs after pulling into the town, but as they get out, Grace and Colt notice that their team leader is looking a little nervous, if the slight shaking in her legs is any indication.
"Yo, Sarah, you okay?" Grace asks.
"Huh? Who, me? No I'm fine," Sarah replies nervously.
"You'd better be, because here comes trouble," Colt says, nodding ahead of them.
"Well, well, well, it's been a while, Sarah Lockhart," Leon Toros says as he and Naomi Fluegel walk up to them.
"Y-yeah, I guess it has," Sarah replies as she tries to maintain her composure.
"I see you guys got a new teammate. Spots sure are filling up fast. What's your name, kid?" Naomi asks Colt.
"The name's Colt Wilson, freelance zoid warrior turned Lockhart team member. Pleasure to meet ya," Colt replies coolly.
"So, you guys here to enter in the battle royal, too?" Grace asks.
"Yep, a good way to gain points, prize money, and to find some tough opponents. To be honest, Leon here has been bored ever since the Blitz Team moved up to class S," Naomi points a thumb to her partner.
"Well, don't worry about that. We'll make things interesting for ya," they hear a deeper voice from the side and look to see Jack Cisco and the twins walking up to them. "Don't forget about us now, or else we'll leave you way in the dust," Jack says, and then looks to Sarah. "So, you're the new rookie I've been hearing so much about. That's a pretty impressive zoid... you got... there..." Jack trails off as they all look up after hearing some growling and see the Geno Ritter glaring at the newcomers as they get closer to his partner.
That gets Sarah going, "Wait, Geno, you need to calm down. How many times do I have to tell you: no eating people!" Sarah says as she pets her partner to calm him down.
"What was that about?" Kelly Tasker asks, a little nervous about the Geno Ritter.
"Yeah, Sarah's partner isn't much of a people person. You get used to him. Just don't try anything funny, or he'll eat you," Grace notes.
"Well, looks like this zoid is getting more interesting by the moment. Anyway, the first part of the battle royal will be starting tomorrow, so we'll see you guys out there. Just don't bite the dust before we get a chance to battle. I want this to be a good battle," Jack says to Leon.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Leon replies, but then both veterans look at Sarah.
Everything goes silent as the two leaders stare at their junior before they leave.
"Well, looks like the top dogs are going to be gunning for us. Sounds like one Hell of a party," Colt notes.
"Sarah, you know what this means. They may very well acknowledge you, maybe even see you as a strong opponent. That's so cool!" Grace cheers.
Sarah actually smiles a little at that, "Yeah, I think you're right. It may be tough, but I'm sure we can take them," she says.
…
"We're totally gonna get our butts kicked!" Sarah cries, her head laying on a table as anime tears fall from her eyes.
The team are in one of the rooms at the local tavern, going over how they're gonna win, until Sarah gets a little overwhelmed and breaks down in tears.
"How's she the team leader again?" Colt half-asks, half-jokes.
Grace punches him in the arm, "Shut up, how would you feel if two of the toughest teams around were eyeing you like lunch?" she says.
Colt rubs his arm, "Ow, aside from the pain in my arm, I'd feel pretty flattered. If they're gunning for me, it means that they see potential in me, and maybe even a threat," he says.
Grace rubs Sarah's back, "Look Sarah, I know this challenge is a tough one, but you have to remember the goal here. We need to draw out the NBG and take them down. To do that, we need to make it big in this battle royal. If we could actually go toe-to-toe against the Lightning Team and the Fluegel Team, it could really get their attention," Grace explains.
"Yeah, until those guys are taken down, no one is safe," Colt adds.
Sarah stares at them for a moment and wipes the tears out of her eyes, "Sorry about that. I guess I'm just a little stressed out about facing two of the best teams around at once. I remember our mission, and that's why I'm worried. Because if we don't win, then the NBG may not come after us, as weird as that sounds since we want them to come after us," she says.
"Then we'd better make on Hell of a show," Grace says, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder.
"You're right. Thanks, Grace," Sarah says.
"Ahem," Colt coughs.
"...Thanks Grace," Sarah says again, making Colt hunch over in defeat. "Okay, first step is figuring out a plan for taking down the Lightning Team and the Fluegel Team," she says.
"Sweet, and I actually have an idea that just might work," Colt says.
…
The next day, the battle royal is about to begin and all of the teams are all scattered around the outside of the battle arena for the event. All-in-all, thirty teams are participating, with the area being large enough, and having enough old urban buildings around, to host them all.
"Alright, people, the battle royal is about to begin. Remember, the last four teams still standing will face off in elimination matches, but until then, thirty teams will compete in this battle royal. We have cameras and drones all around to monitor the battles. Any form of foul play will result in immediate disqualification. The battle royal will play out until only four teams remain. Battlefield, set up. Ready...Fight!" the judge calls out as the bell tolls and the match is under way.
As soon as the bell went out, all teams race into the battle arena. All the buildings inside vary in size and shape, but all look abandoned and beat up. Inside, Team Lockhart stick together and move through the streets.
"Alright guys remember the plan and keep your eyes out for you-know-who. If it's anyone else, take them down, but try to conserve your ammo. This is going to be a long battle," Sarah calls out.
"Roger that," Grace and Colt reply over the comms.
It doesn't take long for the action to find them when they get a hit on their radar, coming in from their 10 o'clock. They see a pair of Black Rhinos coming in from around a corner. Sarah's Geno Ritter and Colt's Bravejaguar charge in first, with Grace's Spinosapper behind them. The Black Rhinos fire off their cannons, but the pilots evade them easily. The Bravejaguar jumps on top of the first Black Rhino, taking out its cannon before jumping off, while the Geno Ritter flies by the second, using its left blade to slice off the left legs of its opponent. The remaining Black Rhino tries to retreat, but forgets about its third opponent. The Spinosapper gets in front of it and, using its chainsaws, rips through the right side of the Black Rhino, causing it to fall to the ground in pieces.
"Well, that's one down. Twenty-eight more to go," Grace notes.
"Alright, let's keep going," Sarah says, while the Geno Ritter roars.
…
Meanwhile, in another part of the battle arena, a trio of Zaber Fangs slowly stalk their way through a destroyed building. As soon as they come out the opposite side, a shot rings out and takes down the leader with one shot.
"What the-where'd that come from?!" one member shouts as they look around.
A second shot rings out, taking out the second Zaber Fang, leaving only one left. The last Zaber Fang's pilot screams and tries to run away, only for the side of a building next to him to burst open, revealing a red Blade Liger on the other side, charging through with its blades out. The Blade Liger roars as it runs right by the Zaber Fang, slicing the zoid completely in half. The zoid turns around and checks out the damage.
"Too easy," Leon notes. "Let's move on to the next quadrant," he calls out.
"Roger that, Leon," Naomi says as she jumps down from a nearby building and moves next to him. "This kind of battle arena is perfect for someone with my skills," she says.
"Well, keep your eye out for the Lockhart Team or the Lightning Team whenever you're up there. I still want to fight them before the other teams get a chance to," Leon says.
…
Back with the Lockhart Team, the team takes some cover behind some buildings as a squad of Command Wolves fire off their laser guns from down the street.
"They seem to have us pinned down. What do we do?!" Grace calls out.
Sarah gets an idea, "I need you guys to keep them distracted. I have an idea. Let's go, Geno!" Sarah replies and looks up.
"Well, guess that's cue to show them my skills. Let's go, Bravejaguar," Colt says and races around the corner to stand against their opponents.
The Command Wolves focus their fire on the opponent out in the open. However, the Bravejaguar is too fast and too agile as it races and jumps off the side of the buildings to avoid their fire. From the rear, the Spinosapper fires off its guns to do a little damage, but only causes the Command Wolves to scatter.
"Come on, where's your leader. I want to fight the Geno Ritter," the leader of the opposing team calls out.
"Looking for me?" a female voice rings out.
The lead Command wolf looks up, just in time to see the Geno Ritter crash on top of it, stabbing its blades and claws into the zoid, taking it out. The other two get spooked, giving the Geno Ritter the chance to fire off its laser guns at one, leaving it in the dirt. The third Command wolf fires off its guns, only for the Geno Ritter to block them. It then charges at the Command Wolf, crashing into it and smashing it against a building. The Geno Ritter lets its opponent fall to the ground, and then stabs it through the torso to finish it off.
The Spinosapper walks up to the two, "Aw, I didn't get to take one out. That's not fair," she whines.
"Don't worry, you'll get the next one," Sarah replies.
…
In another part of the battle arena, the Lightning Team zooms through the abandoned streets, blowing by anything that gets too close.
"We've got bogeys up ahead," Kelly calls out.
"Time to have some fun," Jack mutters.
He engages his zoid's boosters and flies away from the twins. Up ahead, a few Gun Snipers slowly make their way to an intersection. However, just before they cross it, Jack flies right by them, using the rush of air from the run to blow the first Gun Sniper into a building.
"Fire!" one calls out and the other two fire off their machine guns.
However, the shots miss as Jack's Lightning Saix races on by before stopping and sliding across the ground as it turns around.
"Gotcha," Jack mutters.
From behind the opponents, the twins, who were hanging back, fire off their cannons, damaging their opponents, and then use their boosters to blow by them, using the rush of air from their speed to blow the other Gun Snipers out of the way, and out of the fight. The twins slow down to a stop as Jack rejoins them.
"That was way too easy. Where's the real competition?" Chris asks.
"Don't worry. If my hunch is right, they're still in this battle. If we don't find them here, we'll see them in the finals. Of course, there are times where I'm just not the patient type," Jack says.
…
Back with Team Lockhart, Colt's Bravejaguar runs down another street as an enemy Gator fires off its small gatling gun at him. The Bravejaguar weaves through the shots as it gets closer. Eventually, the Bravejaguar jumps along the side of one building and towards the Gator, its claws glowing with energy.
"Strike Laser Claw!" Colt yells as he attacks.
The attack shreds the side of the Gator, and it falls onto its side. Meanwhile, the Spinosapper fires off its gatling guns at a Sea Striker as it flies by, but narrowly misses its mark.
"It's too fast. I can't get it!" Grace yells in frustration.
"I'll help you out," Sarah calls out.
The Geno Ritter jumps from out of nowhere and lands in front of the Sea Striker, causing the pilot to hit the breaks and turn hard, only to end up crashing into the side of another building. This gives the Spinosapper the chance to fire off its guns, this time riddling it with holes.
"Finally, that little weasel was annoying. Thanks, Sarah, but what about your opponent?" Grace asks.
"Oh, him..." Sarah says and then glances behind her along with the Geno Ritter, showing another Sea Striker deep in the dirt, smoke trailing out the sides. "I wouldn't worry about him," she says.
"So, how many teams does that make now?" Colt asks as he joins them.
"I think that makes eight now. We've been lucky so far. Most of the teams we've fought were class C and a few were class B. Haven't seen the Fluegel or the Lightning Team yet," Grace says.
"Well, let's keep an eye out. This battle royal isn't over yet-AH!" Sarah yells out as a few blasts ring out and explode around them.
"Finally found ya, rookies," they here and look to see the Lightning Team down one street from them. "Time for some real fun. Just don't make this too easy for me," Jack says.
"Ah, crap! Figures our luck would run out sooner or later!" Grace says.
"We need to move, now!" Sarah says and retreats with her teammates in tow.
"Do you really think you can outrun our Lightning Saix?" Jack mutters before his team goes after them.
The chase is on, but thanks to the Lightning Saixs' superior speed, they catch up in a short amount of time.
"Sarah, we can't out run them. And I definitely can't out run them!" Grace yells as her Spinosapper falls behind.
"Alright, remember the plan. I'll give you two an opening, then scatter!" Sarah replies.
The Geno Ritter stops and turns around, firing off its laser guns while the Bravejaguar and then the Spinosapper run by it. The Lightning Saix race under the shots and make small movements to narrowly avoid them. They counterattack with their beam weapons, but the Geno Ritter uses its swords to block most of them, though it takes some damage from a few shots.
"You're done for, kid," Chris says as she and her sister race by Jack and fire their weapons again.
However, the Geno Ritter suddenly jumps up high, causing them to stop and look up. They see the Geno Ritter land on the side of one building, using its blades to stay on the side by stabbing into the building. It then pushes off and jumps higher, repeating the process until it makes it on top of one building and disappears.
"What the-how can a zoid that big move like that?!" Chris yells.
"The Geno Ritter is based off the Geno Saurer, a powerful zoid that had a high level of power and maneuverability despite its size. The Geno Ritter has even greater agility thanks to the extra thrusters on the back and wing binders on the legs. Come on, they've scattered, but no need to follow in their footsteps. Stay together and hunt them down one by one, starting with the Spinosapper," Jack explains.
The Lightning Saix go down one path, following the tracks left behind by the Spinosapper. They could run at full speed, but feeling like this may be a trap, they keep their speeds to a minimum for the time being.
"You picking anything up?" Kelly asks.
"Hold on..." Chris mutters, checking her scanners before she picks something up a moment later. "Wait, I've got something. One of them is in the building up ahead on our left," she replies.
The trio stop outside one building, seeing a hole in the side.
"Should we go in?" Chris asks.
"No, we go in, we can't utilize our Lightning Saixs' superior speed. These kids are smarter than they appear. However, an obvious trap like this won't work on us. Flush them out," Jack commands.
The three Lightning Saix fire off their weapons at the building itself, causing enough damage to make the whole thing come crashing down in a huge plume of smoke and debris.
"Ha, that should teach you rookies. We're not in class A for nothing," Chris notes.
"Wait, something's wrong. I'm still picking something up on my scanners," Kelly says, her scanners showing something still alive where the destroyed building is.
"But how, they couldn't have come out of that unscathed. That's impossible!" Kelly retorts.
"Wait...It's moving towards us. And now I've got two more signatures coming in from our flanks," Kell says.
"Get ready. Chris, focus on the one in front of us," Jack says.
The three dots on their scanners slowly get closer, causing them to fire off their beam weapons all around them. However, while second and third dots stop, the first keeps moving towards them, now right in front of them.
"I don't see anything! Where is it?!" Chris yells.
Jack remains calm and thinks about what's up as they get closer. Just as the first dot is on top of them, he figures it out.
"Wait, Chris, below you!" he yells.
Just then, the Spinosapper bursts forth from underground, right in front of Chris' zoid. Chris' Lightning Saix pulls back as the chainsaws come out, getting close enough just to slice off the beam weapon barrels before she manages to escape. To add fuel to the fire, a charge particle cannon shot bursts forth through another building, causing the Lightning Team to scatter to avoid it.
"They actually set an ambush for us. How'd they do that... Wait, that Spinosapper is mainly used for digging and mining, so it must've burrowed underground before we attacked the building, either that or it did before we showed up and we never went inside to check. Looks like I underestimated these guys," Jack mentally notes.
They look through the hole to see the Geno Ritter a few buildings down. A second later, the Bravejaguar lands near them while the Spinosapper fully emerges from the ground, and the Lightning Team find themselves blocked on all sides.
"They actually got the jump on us. How'd the Hell did that happen?!" Kelly asks.
"Heh-heh-heh, don't underestimate us just because we're rookies. I knew we couldn't outrun your zoids, so we had to lure you into a trap, and we had a trap for a trap so you'd let your guard down. It wouldn't have worked if the Spinosapper wasn't designed for heavy digging. Now then, let's get the real party started," Colt chuckles.
Just then, the bell goes off, signaling the end of the battle.
"Battle is over. Battle is over. The final four teams are the Lightning Team, the Fluegel Team, the Lockhart Team, and the Grun Team. The elimination matches will take place tomorrow at noon. Finalists, prepare yourselves. Until tomorrow," the judge announces before his capsule closes.
"Aw, things were just getting good," Colt whines a bit.
However, Sarah and Grace breathe a sigh of relief, "I'm just glad this fiasco is over, at least for now anyway," Sarah notes.
"I second that," Grace adds.
"Don't ease up just yet. Tomorrow is the elimination matches. There's a chance that you'll be facing us again tomorrow, and if that happens, you won't get the drop on us a second time," Jack says.
The Geno Ritter roars in anticipation, and Sarah finds herself agreeing with her partner.
"Yeah, we won't go down that easily. We'll see you in the finals," Sarah says.
And that's the chapter. The battle royal is over, but now the real battle begins as Sarah's team prepare to face their next opponent. Who will their opponent in the first match be: Lightning, Fluegel, or this mysterious new Grun Team? Until then, please Read and Review.