YAY!! New charactor introduced here. Nothing much more to say, hope ya like it.


Chapter 12

Blood Partner.

Three days later, Josh stood waiting outside of the federation building after another victory. Normally he would have just went straight home, but it was the end of the week so he had to report in to claim his earnings, and because of regulations he had to send Gunner home on his own while he took the train downtown. A lot has changed. He thought, taking a moment to look around himself at the shimmering skyscrapers and busy city streets. I almost take it for granted now. I guess I have just gotten used to living here, but it still feels strange at times. There is just so much to do and learn that I guess every once in a while you feel like you are starting all over, and everything is new, but that just makes it more fun. Then his thoughts were broken as Joshua pulled up to the curb in their old red cavalier.

"Sorry I'm late, but I got a hold of Jake's uncle." Joshua started as he climbed into the passenger seat, causing Josh to perk up. " He said he would call us when he found Jake."

"What do you mean find?" Josh asked, his excited expression turning to confusion.

"That I don't know, but it shouldn't take too long."

"I hope not." Josh replied a little discouraged as he buckled himself in. "Battle season ends in twelve days and I would like to get one more battle in still, but I want to have a partner so I can take on a higher rank team."

"You may have to do that last battle alone" Joshua replied sympathetically. "But we will see what happens."

Josh sat quietly on the ride home thinking. Who is this Jake anyway? He is a Talon, but he does not seem very smart, or at least uneducated. His Zoid sounded good, but it was a Sinker. Sinkers are not exactly known for their performance in battle, and yet he had said it was modified. Then again it does not matter what the Zoid is like, to an extent, but what the pilot is capable of doing with the Zoid. He would have to wait and see, but he would not have to wait long.

Four days later Joshua had contacted Bill, Jake's uncle, and Josh had set up a battle for the upcoming Saturday, which would be the last day of the battle season. I want a good fight for the last one of the season. Josh thought as he whipped his forehead and put his rag down from cleaning Gunner. But maybe a team of three was a little over board. They have two Command Wolves and a Raynos. The command wolves should be no problem, but I have never fought a flying Zoid before. Then he looked up at Gunner with a smile. But I bet Gunner and me can beat it, still I will need Jake, but we have not gotten any word back from Bill about finding him. I wonder if he will make it in time. Either way I am in for a good challenge.

"What do you think?" He asked up to Gunner who growled his reply. "Me too." He laughed "I will see you tomorrow boy." Josh said patting the dark blue Zoid's black foot claws.

With that, Josh gave Gunner one last smile, as the Zoid growled softly, before turning and heading out of the barn. Tomorrow I will go over Gunner and make sure everything is in peak condition for the battle. He thought as he came around the corner of the house, but suddenly something caught his eye and he froze.

A dark mass low and black rested in the middle of the road. It was huge, but flat, and its color made it hard to define in the black night because the sun had set hours ago. Then a hatch opened on the top with a hiss as a figure climbed out. It is a Zoid then? Josh wondered, still trying to make sense of the obscured object. Yes, and a Sinker at that! Is it…? Could it be?

"Hello mate. Took me a while to get here. Sorry about the wait. Me uncle's phone ran out of minutes so we couldn't call."

"Jake?"

"Thyts me name. So when is our first battle?"

Then he saw a small figure drop down off the top of the Sand Ray. Come to think of it, the voice had sounded young. Josh thought to himself as he watched the person come into view. He looks my age, but there is something different about him somehow.

Jake's was what would have been considered a hard life, but to him the woods and badlands were home as life had tempered him with strength that was toned like a rock beneath golden brown skin from years under the sun. He wore a simple blue shirt with light brown pants, and a flat brimmed felt hat complete with a snakeskin band above the brim rested on top of his scraggly blond hair.

"How old are you?" Josh asked.

"Ten. How bout you?" Jake replied

"The same." Josh answered a little surprised, and then got back to business. "So that is your Sinker huh?"

"Yeah." Jake said as he stopped next to Josh and turned to face his Zoid, swelling with pride. "She's a real beauty. I don't know too much about the modern world, but I know everything bout her."

"That's good. Do you think it will perform well in B class?"

"Perform is a small word mate." Jake said waving off the question. "Her armor is so thick heavy armor cannons have a hard tyme gettin through. It's more like excel."

"Doesn't that lower its mobility?" Josh asked referring to the heavy armor.

"Not a bit. Especially because of the boosters I put on it. She will beat a Saix any day of the week."

"Wow!" Josh said stunned thinking back to his first battle of the season. "That's fast."

"You're tellin me. You should of seen the faces of those crooks I brought in last month when I let those rockets loose."

"Crooks?" Josh asked puzzled.

"Yeah I've done a little bounty hunting out in the bush. Great fun mate."

"How did you catch them?" Josh asked confused and doubting. "I mean you look strong but how did you catch adults?"

"Well if you stop their Zoids they don't usually try to run if you shoot the cockpits every time they try to open them. I use small rounds so they aren't in any danger unless they get out."

"I guess that would work." Josh replied scratching his head. "Well let's get you inside. You have to meet my brother." Then a thought crossed Josh's mind. "Where are your parents?"

"My dad left us before I was two, and me mother is an Aborigine." Jake said taking off his hat. "She told me not to take my father's name, but I liked the sound of it and thought I would make something good of it, but then I got kicked out of the village for my name and this." He said, pointing to his bleach blond hair. "So I grew up with my uncle, but it's all good. I will prove to them that Talon is a good name, and that the pale haired people are strong."

Josh was speechless. He does not seem bitter about his past. Josh wondered. But definitely determined to prove his worth and so should be a good partner because of his drive to succeed. Josh opened the door letting Jake go first and it was then he saw the handle sticking up out of the back of Jake's shirt.

"What is that?" Josh asked.

"What? Oh thyt. Thyt's my Bowie knife. I keep its sheath attached to a strap. Makes for a quick draw ya know. Never know when you might need to get into action fast."

"I guess." Josh answered, not fully understanding.

Jake was in for a surprise, because Josh had forgotten to mention the other two inhabited of the house, as Chomper sprung from inside followed by Godzilla. Jake was instantly horrified, and it took a lot to even make him jump. Acting out of pure instinct, he drew his knife and pounced on Godzilla.

Chomper went into defense mode, jumping on top of him knocking the Knife from his hand, but Jake whirled around and grabbed Chomper tossing him beneath himself on top of Godzilla.

"Man!" Chomper said causing Jake to spring off of them and stand ready crouching in panic. "He fights good. He will do just fine on the battlefield."

"Yeah." Godzilla said. "But he could be a little gentler."

"What is going on?" Jake asked Josh, confused and still ready for an attack.

"These are my pets." Josh answered glaring at Chomper and Godzilla.

"No joke." Jake replied with interest, but did not let his guard down.

"No." Josh said sarcastically. "I just have two monsters in my house."

"Hey! We're not monsters." Chomper protested.

"I know. I was joking."

Jake was quite disturbed, and yet intrigued by the strange pets. It would take some getting used to but he liked them, that is, after he found out they were vegetarians. Soon the greetings were over and the household settled down for the night with Jake staying in Josh's room, but the next morning Josh and Jake were up before dawn and outside inspecting the Sand Ray, or as Jake called it, Sinker.

"Let's take it out to my training place outside of town." Josh suggested. "Then I can see what it can really do."

"Sounds good to me." Jake agreed. "But can we eat first. I have missed my last three meals getting here."

"Sorry." Josh apologized. "Sure, we can eat first. My brother is a good cook."

"I'd eat anything right now." Jake replied dryly, but with a smile.

They walked back inside laughing to wait for Joshua to wake and fix breakfast, talking about each other's battle strategies to try and get to know each other better. Jake was more of a strait forward fighter, while Josh used his sniper guns to their full advantage and together they would make a strong team. They did not know they would be stronger than even they could think of.

After a hearty meal, they headed out to Josh's favorite place, and once there, Jake started his presentation proving that Sinker was indeed a magnificent Zoid despite its plain appearance. The underside of its fins were loaded with small artillery guns, and on each tip were slightly larger guns that would do nothing against heavy armor, but Sinker had another trick up its sleeve.

Jake thrust the boosters to full power and pulled back on the controls sending Sinker up into the sky at tremendous speeds. Next, he killed the boosters and fell backwards rotating the front downward until the Zoid pointed towards the ground. Josh watched horrified as Sinker fell to within forty feet from the ground. Then at the last second, Jake jerked the controls leveling it out, but instead of belly flopping into the ground, the Sinker hovered uninjured a foot off the ground.

"Shouldn't you be dead?" Josh asked over the com link inside Gunner.

"No mate." Jake answered with a laugh. "Sinker has anti gravity plates on her belly. I told you it was modified. Watch this."

Jake put the boosters on again, but only at half power, heading straight for a large boulder, and Josh looked on in amazement as Sinker rammed the stone, pulverizing it into chunks that flew out from the dust.

"No Zoid has stood up to that attack yet." Jake said proudly. "So what do you think? Am I in?"

"Yes, although I guess I should have told you. Because your last name was Talon, you were guaranteed the spot. I can not be leaving family out to dry."

"Thanks mate. I knew it was a good name." Jake smiled.

"Let's get back to the house." Josh told him as he turned Gunner for home. "We can finish getting our Zoids ready for battle in the barn."

"Ryght." Jake answered, falling in beside him, but as they started, off Josh picked up five small objects coming in fast on his radar.

"Missiles!" He shouted to Jake.

"No worries mate." Jake said calmly as he turned and started firing into the bundle of projectiles, but one sill got through, striking Sinkers cockpit.

"Jake!" Josh yelled in fearful desperation.

"What? I told you she was strong." Jake replied over the link somewhere beneath the smoke cloud

As the dust and black smoke cleared, Josh was astounded to see not even a scratch on the Zoid's armor.

"I think we will do fine tomorrow." Josh said flatly.

"You can bet on it mate." Jake replied, still smiling.

"Let's just get out of here before whoever it was decides to take another shot." Josh said, turning Gunner towards home again and looking around cautiously

"Ryght behind ya."

As they ran, Josh thought back to the time he had been fired at. Who was it? Why did they not finish the job? Why did they not come out and fight openly? Was it they? Or was it a single person? Why do they, or whoever, fire at us in the first place? Is it some punk getting kicks? Whatever the case Josh was sure of one thing. If he ever tries that again, I will track him down and bring him in. Josh was a patient person, but he had his limits above that he hated to see people attack or assault anyone for petty reasons. Even at his young age, he had a strong hatred for those that took advantage of their abilities to bring harm to others.

That afternoon, he and Jake put the finishing touches to their Zoids, and then ran drills until the sun set. They wanted to be ready for the battle ahead, and ready they would be. For this battle they would have to make the trip to slept that night dreaming of the day ahead. Will we win? Josh wondered. The team is a high ranking B class. Then he smiled as he drifted off to sleep.


At four o'clock Saturday afternoon, Josh and Jake waited for the Judge to arrive, but after only a few minutes the capsule came streaking down, smashing into the ground, creating a crater, and then rose up to ground level before opening to start his announcement.

"Danger! Danger! This area within a five mile radius is now a designated battlefield! only warriors and designated personnel are allowed with in the battle zone! Area scanned, battle field set up! This is a two on three Battle. Battle mode 0989. Input Zoid registration now... data cleared!" He announced after the information was entered. "Ready… fight!"

Jake charged forward into the open valley while Josh stayed back to cover him from the rear. Josh did not know just who he had partnered up with, but Jake was a strong pilot. He was used to fighting three or even four Zoids by himself, so this would pose not a single threat. Because he did not enter any tournaments, but had started piloting at a younger age, Jake had been piloting Sinker in combat for two years longer than Josh giving him experience that most pilots his age never had.

The battlefield was an open valley about four miles wide meaning that everything in the area was within Josh's range of fire. Josh got a lock on one of the Command Wolves, but it broke the Lock with a radical pattern of movement as it crossed behind the other. Then he saw the Raynos coming in fast and started running to the left dodging the oncoming missiles from the air born unit before turning his attention back down into the valley to see Jake doing circles around the two Command Wolves.

Finally, Josh got a lock and fired at one of the Wolves taking it down as Jake charged in on the other. The Wolf tried to shoot, but Jake's Sinker was so low to the ground that the gun on the Command Wolf's back could not reach him at that close a range. In vain, the Wolf pilot tried to get to a farther range, but Sinker easily caught up to the slower moving Zoid as Jake let go with all his guns and then rammed the Wolf knocking him out. Josh allowed himself to be distracted as he watched Jake take down the Command Wolf and then Gunner shook violently taking fire from the rear before falling over immobilized as the Raynos came into view flying overhead.

"It's up to you now." Josh said

"Ryght. He won't be a problem." Jake replied putting his boosters on full blast climbing into the sky while Josh watched the two engage in a dogfight.

They circled exchanging a few shots, and then Jake had to return to the ground and the Raynos swooped down, unleashing its Vulcan cannons, but Sinkers armor was too thick for them to be of any affect. Reigniting the boosters to full power Jake took to the skies once more as the Raynos came around on his tail and started to get a lock.

"Now it's all over." Jake said as he suddenly jerked up and left on the controls causing his nose to point upward with his right side facing the Raynos.

The Raynos pilot had no time to react because it had been so close behind Jake in a fast pursuit and the right wing of the Raynos was ripped off as it collided with Sinkers tail. A few seconds later, the pilot ejected before his Raynos smashed into the ground, ending the battle in less than five minutes. Josh had thought they would have been a harder team, but with Jake, they were no harder than any other B class team.

Josh knew from that day on that he and Jake would do great things together. If only he knew just how great, but that was impossible. Neither Josh nor Jake could imagine the course that they were setting for themselves as the federation's Whale King started to land to take them back home. Their group was not yet complete, but they would be called upon in one of the world's darkest hours, and theirs would be an unforgettable journey of untold struggle. Time would tell if they were up to the task, but for now they laughed, staring out the window and talking about the battle as the Whale King lifted off the ground.


Josh is no longer alone in his quest, but are they enough? Jake is strong, but is there a stronger challange yet to come? What of the shots fired? Was it the same man, or someone new? What in fact is their purpose? Continue to read to find out as the plot thickens.

hope you like the new adition to the story, please review and let me know what you think wether it be good or bad, but please no flames.

9TailedFox.