Chapter 20: The Prototype
Beneath the deep gorge, the Bade Liger moved in a straight direction as he followed as he followed Wesley's coordinates in the skies. It made the travel faster than Van thought, but detecting something they couldn't see was what challenged them. By the end of the path, Van found it a little straining to see through so many towering trees, and they also had to be careful not to be seen by the enemy. Fiona was also a bit concerned that there might be stealth Zoids guarding their surrounding area, although, Van already knew exactly what to do when that happens.
"Hey, Wes, are you sure that we're heading the right path?" Van asked. "It's pretty dark down here."
"It's just around here somewhere. Just think that we're playing hide and seek. If I find something I'll tell you right away." Wesley replied.
The Storm Sworder zoomed out of sight. The trees blocked even the rays of the sun, making it seem like its night.
Van scratched his head as he put his Blade Liger into a halt.
"Van," Fiona called.
"What is it?" Van asked.
"I can hear a waterfall nearby." said Fiona, pointing out where it is. "It's close."
Van wasn't as sensitive like Fiona to hear the waterfall, but fortunately she was there since he was already getting parched.
He started getting the Blade Liger moving again. As they got closer, Van could finally hear the flowing water falling into the crystal clear lake. They both rushed down from the Zoid and began to freshen up their dry throats.
"This is the best water I've ever tasted!" Van wiped his wet chin.
"You said it! It almost makes me want to go for a swim!" Fiona said cheerfully.
Van began to protest as much as he wanted to agree with her. "We can't just leave ourselves vulnerable especially around the enemy border. What if something comes up?"
"But we've been travelling for hours. Let's just cool off our heads for a few minutes then we can leave." Fiona said. "Look, Zeke's already enjoying himself over there!"
Van stared forward and saw Zeke standing by at the top of the waterfall waiting to be watched.
"What's he doing up there?" Van wondered.
Just then, Zeke jumped like a cannon ball with a frolic roar, splashing water on Van when he reached the water.
Fiona laughed. "That looks so much fun! Let's give it a try!"
"It seems dangerous…" Van said, changing his mind in a snap. "I'm in!"
After changing their clothes, they ran and jumped onto the cold water. Fiona sneezed when she got back up to the surface.
"I g-guess we s-should've t-tested the w-w-water before getting in." Van said with a shuddering voice.
Fiona shivered. "It's l-like s-s-swimming in a pool f-full of ice!"
Just then, Zeke playfully started splashing water at them, diving down again, and then resurfacing between Van and Fiona.
"Looks like Zeke just got used with it." Van grinned.
"Too bad Wesley's not here to enjoy the fun." Fiona said. "Should we call him?"
Van pondered. "Well, someone's got to be looking out for the castle. Let's tell him later when we're already finished with the mission."
"That sounds unfair." Fiona said. "But you're right."
Zeke dove back down, swimming further and further from Van and Fiona's sight.
Fiona began to wonder where Zeke went after a couple of minutes. "Where did Zeke go?"
"Maybe he's playing somewhere, but I'm sure he's nearby." Van answered.
"There's a cavern behind that waterfall, should we take a look?" Fiona suggested.
Van thought that they need to go back to the Blade Liger to check if Wesley had any reports, but there was something in the cavern that caught Van's attention though he just wasn't sure what it really is. He had a feeling that he just had to see the cavern. It almost made him remember when he and Fiona used to search ruins for the Zoid Eve.
To get into the cavern faster, they followed a trail of boulders leading there. They got wet when they passed through the gushing water but they didn't mind. It was dim and murky but cracks from the wall gave way for sunlight to penetrate in though it wasn't enough for them to see everything clearly.
"Should've brought a flashlight." Van muttered.
"This cavern looks deep. Where do you think that tunnel leads to?" Fiona asked.
"I don't know." Van replied. "But it's too dark in there, we'll only get ourselves lost if we go any further. We better head ba-AAAGH!" Van yelled when he tripped on a rock and lost his balance. He heard Fiona scream and realized that he had fallen on top of her. I really should've brought that flash light…
Fiona whined. "That really hurt!"
Van apologized as he tried to get on his knees. "I'm really sorry, Fiona…ow, I think I chipped a toe nail…"
"You chipped a toe nail?" Fiona giggled. "I never heard you say anything like that before."
Van snickered, helping Fiona stand up. "I just said it to cheer you up."
"FLYHEIGHT!" A voice boomed in the cavern.
Yellow light flashed on Van and Fiona's faces. "No wonder why you couldn't hear my calls! Just so you know, this isn't the perfect time for a honeymoon!"
Van smiled sheepishly at him. "Uh, hey there Wes—"
"Don't "hey there" me! I AM SO DISSAPOINTED IN YOU!" Wesley scolded with a scowl. "Why the heck didn't you bother to tell me that you guys were swimming out here?"
"Sorry about that. How did you know that we were here?" Van asked.
Peeking behind the curtain of water near the entrance, Zeke was wearing an apologetic look on his face. "He found me, sorry."
"I can't believe that I've been out there being a watch dog while you're here having fun!" Wesley began to remove his clothes, leaving only his boxers.
Fiona yelped as she quickly covered her eyes.
"What are you doing?" Van asked looking surprised.
"It's my turn to relax. You go out there and watch out for the enemy or whatever." Wesley said in a commanding tone.
"Fine." Van grumbled. "Let's go, Fiona."
"Oh, wait." Wesley suddenly took Fiona's wrist. "I didn't say that Fiona should go too." He stared at her and said with a gentle tone. "Will you stay with me, Fiona?"
"Huh?"
Van squeezed himself between them with objection. "In your dreams, Wes." He took Fiona with him as they made their way outside. "Though I could let Zeke stay to keep you company if you like."
"I almost thought I had her." Wesley snickered. "Don't worry about me. Just let me know if something comes up."
"I will." Van replied. What a joker, he was just kidding after all. I thought he's gone nuts….
"Hey Irvine, I think Specula's trying to say something." Thomas said, inclining his head at the tall blue organoid. "Specula's pretty tall." He glanced at the black organoid on his left side. "And you look so much tamer than the last time I saw you. Has Raven been giving you lots of hugs and kisses lately?" Thomas started laughing at himself. He stopped when Shadow snarled at him.
"Will you stop kidding around? Now tell me what Specula's trying to say." Irvine demanded.
"How should I know, I'm not like Fiona or Reese or maybe like Van…or Raven..." Thomas answered.
"Then how come you could understand Beek?" Irvine asked curiously.
"Well, that's because I created Beek, that's why." Thomas replied, puffed-up.
Specula was getting impatient knowing that there's no time to waste. She could sense that Reese is in a lot of pain. With one look at Shadow, they agreed with a plan to save their masters.
Specula hissed in a way to communicate with Shadow. "I say we fuse with their Zoids and lead them to where Reese and Raven are."
"They'll understand sooner or later. Let's do it." Shadow growled back in reply. "I'll take the Lightning Saix."
"What are they saying?" Thomas wondered.
In a sudden, the two organoids flew up in the air, fusing in the Lightning Saix and Dibison in a flash.
"W-What just happened?" Thomas could see his Dibison changing.
"Those two just fused with our Zoids!" Irvine exclaimed. "Finally, now I'll know what it feels like to pilot a Zoid with an organoid."
But why? Do they know where Raven and Reese are? Thomas thought. Organoids truly are amazing…I bet my Dibison's Megalomax could blow up an entire enemy unit with such power! Dr. D and Dr. Jonathan should really make something like them. Well, anyway, this isn't about me. "They must be trying to lead us somewhere…Irvine?" That look on his face, I bet he won't let go of Shadow after this.
There was a smirk on Irvine's face. "Let's roll."
It has already been a while since Van Fiona left Wesley back in the waterfall. He said that he'd be back patrolling the sky in ten minutes but half an hour has already passed and still he hasn't been answering Van's calls.
"Do you think he was attacked by a wild crocodile out there?" Van said.
Fiona glowered. 'Don't say things like that. I'm sure he's just taking his time."
"Huh? I understand that it's okay to relax for a moment but taking too long like that isn't something he should do at a time like this." Van said with a pout.
"Well, we still haven't detected any Zoid's trying to attack us right?" Fiona said.
Van started to ponder. "I wonder how far we are from Mirage Castle. It seems a little too peaceful in this place to—"
Just then, they heard Zeke roaring trying to warn Van that he sensed a Zoid approaching.
"I guess we're already close." Fiona presumed.
"Come and get me." Van said confidently, anticipating what sort of Zoid he would be against with.
Trees fell down as the unidentified Zoid came closer and closer.
A Geno Saurer? Van thought. It looked like it at first, but there was something about it that seemed off.
"Van, look, that Zoid is not even equipped with any weapons at all." Fiona observed.
The Zoid resembled the Geno Saurer, though it had a white armor and it seemed that it could move more agile, but without its weapons, the Zoid looked smaller than what a Geno Saurer would appear to be like.
"What is that?" Van muttered.
Their opponent seemed like it was waiting for the Blade Liger to make its first move. The pilot wasn't responding or making any sort of interaction, making Van think that it might be a sleeper Zoid guarding the area.
"There's just one. They must be underestimating us to send out an unarmed Zoid to fight. This should be easy." Van cracked up his fingers with a grin. "Let's go for a Blade Attack for a smooth finish!"
The Blade Liger hasn't even moved yet when its opponent leaped from its place and then swung its tail onto the Blade Liger, making it lose its balance.
"I guess I spoke a bit too soon. This thing is fast!" Van exclaimed, trying to bring the Blade Liger back up to launch an attack but the enemy was able to evade getting hit.
"I'm getting pumped up! This one seems like it's worth a good battle. It's almost like having a one-on-one with Raven." Van said, watching the Zoid position itself for a Charged Particle Beam.
"Be careful, Van." Fiona warned anxiously.
My Liger's shield was able to withstand a Charged particle Beam from that Death Saurer back in the desert. Van recalled, activating the shield. This one should be nothing.
"What are you doing? You have to get the Blade Liger out of the way!" Fiona instructed.
"Trust me Fiona." Van said. All of a sudden, a gush of powerful energy hit the shield. At first the shield was able to withstand the power. Van was confident that it would stay that way, but then he noticed that his shield was starting to crack and the Charged Particle Beam is about to penetrate through it. The Blade Liger tried to dodge it before the shield shatters. It happened too fast that the Blade Liger's leg got hit.
"I-I don't understand…" Van groaned. He could see the damage that their enemy has done. A straight path of trees was wiped out and he could hear a part of a mountain crumbling miles away, but the Zoid wasn't done yet.
Its clawed feet kicked on the Liger's side and then aimed on its damaged leg.
"Do something Van!" Fiona shrieked.
"Yo Zeke, a little help here!" Van yelled.
Zeke roared. 'I'm already am fused.'
"Since when?" Van sounded confused.
"Zeke fused when the Charged Particle beam was about to hit the shield. The Liger wouldn't last that long If he hadn't done it." Fiona explained, sounding furious. "Stop being so careless, Van. Your over-confidence is getting us into serious trouble." She scolded him.
Van apologized. "Play time's over…" He tried to gain back his controls to the Liger, but with the enemy still thrashing on its damaged leg, the battle would end up a shortcoming for the Blade Liger. "Just what's with this Zoid? It's taking advantage on us even without an organoid!"
"Or weapons at that!" Fiona glowered at Van. "Come on, Van…"
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Van yelled. "Zeke, what's wrong? You're not putting enough juice here!"
Fiona started checking the Blade Liger's status and discovered that its energy level was drastically decreasing. "The Liger is almost at its limit."
"What! Already?" Van uttered. I guess we have no choice but to retreat. "Hang in there buddy…"
"Need a hand?" Wesley's face flashed on Van's screen.
Van's face lighted up. "So glad to see you, I thought we were goner's here."
The Storm Sworder launched its missiles toward the enemy Zoid. The Liger was able to leap free but was badly damaged.
"What do we have here?" Wesley tried to figure out the enemy Zoid, claiming it to be some sort of a Geno Saurer at first but changed his mind. That must be the prototype I've heard about, but why is it unarmed? "Your Zoid looks like it's in a bad shape. I'll be stalling the enemy while you escape."
"Thanks." Van said. The Blade Liger was still able to carry itself even if it's limping because of the damage.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Van stopped as if the voice he heard stunned him. "Raven?"
"I'm not done yet here, so why don't you stay for a bit longer until you're dead."
"I-Is that really him?" Wesley wondered in disbelief. Where did he get that Zoid?
"Raven…" Van muttered. "What are you doing?"
"Goodbye, Van. I won't miss you."
The Zoid was ready for another shot of a Charged Particle Beam, and this time, it's a surefire at the Blade Liger.
There's no way I could dodge that one in time, I have to get Fiona and Zeke out of here…Van thought.
"Van! Hurry up!" The Storm Sworder was ready to strike the enemy Zoid with its own blade, but it missed it though it delayed the shot.
"I won't make it. Zeke, get Fiona out of here, right now!" Van commanded.
"We're not leaving you here." Fiona insisted.
"I don't think that Raven's going to stop what he's doing. You need to get out of here." Van said.
"Not without you!" Fiona sobbed.
"Now look just what you did! I'm taking Fiona with me if you make her cry!" Wesley grumbled. "I can deal with Raven, just get out of here!"
I lost hope a little too soon. I hope you'll forgive me, Fiona. Van thought. "Come on, let's get out of here."
As the Blade Liger makes its way out of the battlefield, Wesley averts Raven's attention away from Van. "Let me give you a taste of my Sonic Boom!" The Storm Sworder struck like a hurricane.
Without any long ranged weapons, the Prototype Zoid won't have a chance to inflict damage on the quick flying Zoid. Annoyed, Raven aimed for another Charged Particle Beam even if it's not likely to strike the Storm Sworder.
"It would take a moment until he could—" The Storm Sworder swirled in the air after evading an uncalled attack that took only a seconds to happen. "That was close!" I hope Van has gone far enough.
An hour has already passed since Moonbay left the base piloting a Pteras Bomber. But before leaving, Dr. Jonathan came to her. It was as if things were quite obvious to him even though he looked like an oblivious man.
He actually knew all along that she had the silver disk. Who else would take it from his chamber since it was her and Fiona who were snooping around at that time? The Count showed her that the silver disk also worked like a map that could lead her to Mirage Castle. He also explained to her that it was also a key to a secret facility that could only be opened by the silver disk. Moonbay was obliged to be given such a significant task and hardly suspected anything suspicious.
Now all I have to do is to get there in time and find Van so I can give him this. Though sometimes, I can't help but to think that there's something really odd about how that crazy old Count acts. Lady Kathleen has been gone for a while too. I wish I knew what they're doing.
Just then, she received a link from the Headquarters.
"Moonbay, this is Colonel Schubaltz.I need to know your coordinates. Van is calling for back up." The Colonel said in a stern voice.
"Back up? How many Zoids are they dealing with?" Moonbay curiously asked, thinking that Van could just easily take on any number of Zoids on his own.
"Just one." Colonel Schubaltz answered.
Moonbay snorted. "Is it Vegard and his Death Saurer? I'm pretty sure Van and Zeke can handle that thing."
"It isn't Vegard this time." Colonel Schubaltz said. "It's an unidentified Zoid and it's Raven who's piloting it."
Moonbay looked astonished. "Are you kidding? Did he, like, gone back to the dark side again?"
"I'm not sure what exactly is going on there, but I want you to assist Van once you reach them." Colonel Schubaltz ordered, and then signed off.
That Raven, is this how he's going to repay us after all we've done for him? He's got a lot of explaining to do, and maybe I can make him do chores around the mansion for a week. Ha! I'd like to see the look on his face once he starts doing the maids work!
next chapter coming up soon.