Zoids-S
Episode 3: Brad's Battle: The Shadow Fox's Ultimate Potential
Vanguard City was home to department of the Zoid Battle Commission that dealt with the Class-S.
Most of the buildings were some division of the Class-S. One building was home to the
Investigative Bureau. This department dealt with looking over the profiles of all in-coming
Class-S teams to make sure they were worthy to be there. Today, one of their operatives was in
for a surprise.
"I don't believe it," he said. "Why did they let those freaks into Class-S. I find it hard to
believe they won the Royal Cup. There must be..." He smiled as he came upon one of the
profiles. He activated his vid phone.
"Zoid Battle Commission Headquarters," came the voice on the other end.
"Ashley, it's me. I have another pathetic looser for you to pick on. His name? Well..."
"Brad, watch it," Jamie called from the Hovercargo's control room. "That Demon Lizard has you
in his sights."
"I see it, Jamie," Brad called as he fired his electro net. The net enclosed the Demon Lizard's
tail.
"Hey, I can't shake it!" The Lizard's pilot cried. Brad took advantage and fired his vulcan
gataling gun. The blasts were dead on and the Demon Lizard was disabeled.
At around the same time, Leena took down a Spinno Sappa Zoid with her Total Assault.
"That takes care of all his reinforcements," Jamie said. "Bit, hurry up and finish off the
Cruncher."
"Right, Jamie." The Cruncher was a large green colored Zoid about twice the size of the Liger
Zero. It had a double-barrel cannon mounted on its rear.
"Remember, aim for the region just below its head," Jamie instructed. "That it's weak spot."
"Roger." The Liger Zero-Schneider extended it's five blades and began rushing towards the
Cruncher. The Cruncher rose to its hind legs and its weak spot was revealed. "BUSTER SLASH!"
Zero-Schneider stabbed the Cruncher and it fell onto its side.
"The battle is over!" The Judge announced. "The winner is... the Blitz Team!"
"Yeah, another great battle," Bit congratulated.
"Either we're too good for our own good, or the ZBC is sticking us with these low-lifes on
purpose," Leena commented as the Hovercargo's rear hatch opened.
"Hey, a battle, is a battle," Brad said. "As long as we get paid."
"Spoken like a true mercenary," Bit replied. The Zoids were loaded up with the Zero-Schneider
being last so that the CAS can remove the Schneider armor and replace it with the original
Liger armor.
"Hey guys," Jamie called through the comm. system. "We're going to stop by Vanguard City on our
way, just to finish up some paperwork."
Bit froze for a second. "Vanguard... City?"
"That's right, Bit. Why, is there some place you have to be?"
"Uh... no, no, that's all right." Leena couldn't help but notice that Bit's normally confident
voice waver. Did Bit have some unsurances about going to Vanguard City?
The after-battle paperwork took longer than expected (as it usually does). The Blitz Team ended
up having dinner in the city.
When they got back, they discovered there was somebody waiting for them. A Gustave was parked
outside in front.
The Blitz Team left the Hovercargo and went up to the Gustave. A woman was leaning by it.
She was small and lean with extremely short blue-black hair and dark eyes.
"Are you the Blitz Team?" She asked.
"We are, and yourself?" Doc. Torros replied.
"Ashley Coller of the Zoid Battle Commission. Which one of you is Brad Hunter?"
"I am," Brad stepped forward.
"Mr. Hunter, I would like to speak with you privately if possible."
"Of course, follow me."
"Bet you anything they're going to his room," Leena whispered to Bit and Jamie. They both gave
her an annoyed look.
"I hope everything's all right," Jamie said.
"I'm sure everything's fine," Doc. Torros assured him.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Brad shouted.
"Believe me, Mr. Hunter, I didn't believe it myself until I checked the regulation book. It's
true."
"You can't just throw me out like that! It's discriminating."
"Class-S is meant to be a very specific league, Mr. Hunter. We can't just take any riff-raff in
simply because they won one tournament."
"You can bet I'm not going to take this lying down."
"Brad, what's going on?" Bit asked as the others came running into the tactics room. "We heard
yelling."
"This lady says that I'm an illegal Zoid pilot."
"Not exactly, Mr. Hunter," Ashley said. "You see, Doctor Torros, our records have Mr. Hunter
down as a Zoid mercenary."
"And your point is...?" Doc. Torros said.
"Zoid mercenaries are not allowed in Class-S teams."
"But why?" Leena said. Such an idea was outrageous in her mind.
"Mercenaries have no idea of the true spirit of the Class-S. They're nothing but a bunch of
money-grubbers."
"Hey, I'll have you know that Brad put himself on the line hundreds of times without thinking of
reward," Leena argued. Ashley wasn't convinced.
Brad himself took over. "Look, I've come too far to fall all the way to the bottom based on a
technicality! I'm going to fight this in any way I can!"
Ashley cocked her head at Brad. There was something in his eyes that told her that he won't be
dragged down, not without bringing half the planet down with him. Yeah, that's what she would do
too. That was probably his one redeeming virtue, his determination.
"So you're determined to stay in Class-S?"
"That's right, even if I have to fight you."
"All right, then let's do it."
The entire Blitz Team put on confused faces.
"Mr. Hunter, I challenge you to a Zoid battle. A normal one, not in Class-S. However, the prize
is something different from money. If you win, you can stay in Class-S. But if I win, you go
back all the way to Class-C."
"That's not fair," Brad protested.
"Hey, if you're as good a warrior as everyone says you are, then you won't have a problem getting
back up to Class-A."
Brad grimaced. It didn't seem like he was going to have any other choice. "All right, I'll
accept your challenge."
Ashley smirked. "Don't worry, Mr. Hunter, warriors move down ranks all the time. You'll just be
one of them."
Brad scowled.
Ashley had left. Brad had spent the next four hours checking out the Shadow Fox's systems.
While he was getting up for a midnight snack, Bit came upon him.
"You seem nervous," Bit observed without greeting.
"I'm not nervous."
"I thought I saw you go over the same system check five hours ago."
Brad sighed and jumped down from the Shadow Fox.
"I originally joined the Blitz Team so I could get some prize money. Needless to say, that
didn't come at first."
"So when did you guys start winning?" Bit asked.
"Believe it or not, it was during the battle with the Tigers Team, where you appeared on the
scene with the Liger Zero."
"I bet you were glad I came along so I could win you some cash."
"I was just glad to get some cash period. Unlike you guys who battle for honor and pride and
that other stuff, I'm just looking to make a quick buck. I never really considered fighting for
something other than the prize money."
"So that's why you didn't help me and Jamie battle the Backdraft Group so long ago."
"That's right, it was only after the Doc contacted me and offered your share of the prize money
that I decided to help."
Bit let out a grunt of disapproval. "I'm still pissed about that."
"Anyway, I never fought for anything other than money or survival before. That's why I'm not as
wound up about battling like you or Leena."
"You don't trust your abilities with the Shadow Fox, do you?"
"Don't get me wrong, the Shadow Fox is a great Zoid. It's probably Dr. Layon's only good point.
But I don't think I'll be able to handle whatever Zoid Ashley is using. Maybe if the Shadow Fox
was an Ultimate X like the Liger."
The two sat down by the Shadow Fox's right front leg. "Come on, Brad, many Zoid battles have
been won with Zoids that are not Ultimate X. Leena wasn't piloting an Ultimate X when the
Backdraft Group kidnapped Harry or when Jamie used the Raynos to take on the Sabbats."
"That's true," Brad agreed. "But I think I would have a lot better chance if I was piloting the
Liger Zero."
"Brad, you know that the Liger won't let anyone pilot it except me. It's stubborn that way."
Brad nodded.
Bit asked a question. "Brad, do you think that the only reason Liger Zero's won so many battles
is because it's an Ultimate X?"
"Yeah."
"Well that was a factor, but it's not the real reason. I told Jack Sisqo once that the reason
Liger and I are so good is because we act as a team, two working for the same goal. We acted as
one. Perhaps that's all you need to do to unlock the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential."
"I thought I was acting as one with the Shadow Fox."
"You were controlling the Shadow Fox, you need to let the Shadow Fox do the same as you do. You
get the picture?" But Brad had fallen asleep. Bit chuckled and shook his head and left to go
to bed himself."
The next day, the Hovercargo parked at an abandoned valley. It wasn't far from the city ruins
where they first battled the Champ Team. Brad was already in the Shadow Fox. The others were
in the cockpit.
"Are you ready, Brad?" Doc. Torros asked.
"As I'll ever be," Brad replied.
"All right. Launching Shadow Fox!" The catapult opened up and the Shadow Fox was shot onto the
battlefield.
"Do we know what Zoid Ashley will be using?" Jamie asked.
"Not really," Doc. Torros replied. "I assume it's her Gustave. That was the one she arrived
in yesterday." Sure enough, a Gustave came into view, but it was towing something. It
looked like an Iron Kong, but it was different from ones Brad has seen before. This one was
black with green highlights. It had two gataling guns on each shoulder (like the one Harry Champ
used on his Dark Horn) and a missile on its back. The Zoid leaped from the trailer it was on
and landed on the ground across from the Shadow Fox.
"Is that an Iron Kong?" Bit asked.
"Doesn't look like any Iron Kong I've ever seen," Jamie replied.
"Well, Mr. Hunter, ready to loose?" Ashley asked.
"What kind of Zoid is that? Is it registered?" Brad questioned.
"I'm a member of the Zoid Battle Commission, I can get whatever Zoid I want registered. This
started out as an Iron Kong, but I modified it into a new Zoid. Mr. Hunter, meet the Konger."
"The Konger?" Brad repeated. Before anybody could let out another word, the Judge Capsule
touched down and opened up.
"Battlefield set up," the Judge announced. "The Shadow Fox versus the Konger. Battle mode
0992. Ready... Fight!"
"I've read all about your Shadow Fox's abilities," Ashley said as the two circled each other.
"So I accomadated my Zoid to counteract."
"We'll see about that." Brad fired his Vulcan gun. The Konger dodged and fired it's shoulder-
mounted gataling rifles. The hail of bullets forced the Shadow Fox back a few Zoid-size paces.
"Brad's certainly off to a good start," Leena replied dryly.
"Take it easy, Leena, the battle's just begun," Bit said.
Outside, the Shadow Fox tried to circle around to the side of the Konger.
"Strike Laser Claw!" Brad commanded.
"I was hoping you would try something like that," Ashley commented. All along the fist of the
Konger, little gray metal spikes popped up. "Strike Iron Knuckle!" With a roar, the Konger
backhanded the Shadow Fox. It landed on its side but staggered to its feet.
"This is insane," Brad complained. "She knows all about me but I know nothing about her."
"Well, I'm 21, about 130 lbs," Ashley began jokingly. The two Zoids exchanged gun fire. Brad
moved the Shadow Fox in for a full-out assault. The Konger grabbed the Shadow Fox and threw it
away. The Shadow Fox landed on its feet and attacked again. "Strike Iron Knuckle!" The Konger
punched Brad's Zoid.
"The Shadow Fox's power is down to 75%!" Jamie reported.
"Brad, get it together!" Bit called. "Try using strategy or something!"
"Like you're one to talk," Leena muttered.
"Huh? What? Hey, what are you talking about?"
"Never mind."
Meanwhile, the Konger continued its ruthless assault against the Shadow Fox.
"Gotta stall for some time," Brad stuttered. He fired the smokescreen.
"Sorry, Mr. Hunter, but I was prepared for this too. Activating thermal sensors. Bingo." The
gataling cannons fired again. Brad was caught off guard. The Shadow Fox was thrown from the
smokescreen.
Brad grunted from the attack. He quickly activated his invisibility field.
"Ooh, an invisibility field. Good, but not good enough." Ashley began programming commands into
her computer.
Jamie suddenly realized what she was doing. "Brad, deactivate your field now!"
"Huh? Why?" Brad asked.
"Gotcha. Strike Iron Knuckle!" The Konger seemed to punch thin air, but there was a crackle of
electricity and the Shadow Fox was revealed.
"Brad!" Leena cried.
"Shadow Fox's power is down to 45%! I don't think Brad can take much more of this," Jamie said.
"How did you know that Ashley spotted the Shadow Fox?" Bit asked.
"I realized what commands she was using. I used the same commands to detect the Backdraft Group
Gold Team's Hellcats when we first battled them."
"That's right, I forgot, you sent me the data that enabeled me to trap them with the Liger Zero's
Strike Laser Claw."
"If you two are done going down memory lane, Brad's in trouble," Leena pointed out.
"Doc, let me take Liger out and relieve Brad," Bit volunteered. "I'll fight in his place."
"I'm sorry, Bit, but if you do, Brad will be disqualified, Ashley will win. I don't like this
any more than you do, but we have to let Brad do this by himself. We can't help him."
Outside, the Shadow Fox was beaten around like a rag doll. Brad's forehead felt funny. He felt
it and realized it was bleeding.
{This might be it,} he thought. {I'm going back down to Class-C. But what about the Shadow Fox?
If Ashley continues in her assault, it could be damaged beyond repair.}
The Konger ripped the vulcan gun from the Shadow Fox's back.
{This is it, I'm done for. All because I couldn't get the Shadow Fox...}
Brad then remembered what Bit said the previous night. ~ "The reason Liger and I are so good is
because we act as a team, two working for the same goal. We acted as one. Perhaps that's all
you need to do to unlock the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential." ~
{Bit's right. Me and the Shadow Fox need to act like one. But how to do that.}
"Play time's over, Mr. Hunter. Don't worry, going down in ranks aren't so bad. Nobody holds it
against you."
{All right, Shadow Fox, we may be going down, but I'm not going down like a dog. We're going to
make one last attack on the Konger. We may lose, we may be reduced to Class-C, but we're going
down like warriors. So let's give it everything we got!" Brad realized that he said that last
part out loud. Suddenly text slid across the screen. 'SHADOW SLIDE.'
"Shadow Slide? Well if you think that'll work, then go for it, Fox. We'll both do it."
"Time to deliver the final blow," Ashley said. The Konger leaned forward and the missile that
was strapped on its back targeted the Shadow Fox.
"I know what that weapon is," Bit said stepping up front to the view screen. "It's a Buster
Missile. Even if it doesn't hit him, the explosion will be enough to send Brad miles away. I
once picked up a shell of one on my travels."
Jamie quickly opened a comm. link to the judge. "Judge, you can't allow Ashley to use that
Buster Missile, it'll destroy Brad!"
"A Buster Missile is a registered Zoid weapon and has not been known to cause serious injury.
Request is denied."
"Brad!" Bit, Leena, Jamie, and Doc. Torros all cried out.
"Buster Missile fire!" The missile launched towards the Shadow Fox. Nothing perturbed it. It
struck the Shadow Fox. There was an explosion and smoke all around. The Blitz Team and Ashley
covered their eyes. When the smoke cleared, nothing remained.
"I... I don't believe it," Bit said holding onto the back of the chair. "He's gone, I can't
believe he's gone."
"I knew something like this would happen," Jamie said slamming his fist on the control panel.
"This can't be happening, this can't be happening," Leena kept saying. Bit put a hand on her
shoulder in comfort.
Ashley was just as bewildered. "But... No... I didn't want to kill him... it couldn't have been
that powerful... maybe... he lost too much... power. I'm... I'm sorry."
Even the judge was taken aback. "The Shadow Fox is out of commission, the winner is..."
"Don't count me out yet, Judge." Everybody turned towards the East. The Shadow Fox stood there
in the setting sun.
Bit said it. "BRAD'S ALIVE!"
"H... How?" Ashley asked. "I saw you destroyed."
"Not really. You saw the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential released in a move called the Shadow
Slide. The Shadow Fox used the smoke screen to form an exact duplicate of itself then as soon
as the missile struck, we moved left."
"Uh-oh," Ashley said meekly.
"That's right, now you'll see what happens when we act as one. Let's go, Shadow Fox!" With a
howl, the Shadow Fox galloped forward.
Still recoiling from Brad's dodge of her missile, Ashley blindly fired her gataling cannons.
"Plow through," Brad instructed. The Shadow Fox was unwavering in its assault.
"How about it, Fox, let's show her what this money-grubber can do."
"Strike Iron Knuckle!"
"Not this time," Brad said. "The Shadow Fox and I will win this battle."
"Oh no."
"STRIKE!" The Shadow Fox leaped over the Konger's fist and pushed off of it.
"LASER!" The front paw began glowing.
"CLAW!" The Shadow Fox grazed the side of the Konger. The Shadow Fox landed behind it. At
first, it seemed like nothing happened, then an explosion erupted from the hip.
"No, he got me!" Ashley cried just before the Konger fell.
"The battle is over! The battle is over! The winner is... the Shadow Fox!"
The Blitz Team erupted into cheers. Not only did Brad survive Ashley's most lethal assault, but
he won the battle.
Later on, after the Judge left, Brad exited the Shadow Fox. It looked a little warn, but overall
pretty good. It was one tough Zoid.
Brad turned and saw Ashley walking towards him. He got ready for a conflict. But instead, she
smiled.
"Well, Mr. Hunter, you won the battle. As per our agreement, you get to stay in Class-S."
"Thanks," Brad replied. "I hope there's no hard feelings."
"None, and just to prove that there are none, I'll let you choose any Class-S team you want.
I'll even vouch for you if someone complains."
"Thanks but that'll not be necessary," Brad replied as the other Blitz Team members approached
them. "There's only one team I'd rather be a part of. The Blitz Team."
"In that case. Brad Hunter, as a member of the Zoid Battle Commission, I am changing your status
from mercenary to full-fledge Zoid Warrior for the Blitz Team. I'll take care of the paperwork."
"Thanks again, Ashley."
"There is one thing I would like in return though."
"What's that?"
"A rematch."
Brad smiled. "Any time."
As Ashley brought around her Gustave to pick up the Konger, Bit stuck his head on Brad's
shoulder. "Well, Brad, looks like you made a new friend." Brad lowered his eyes in annoyance.
Leena stuck her head on Brad's other shoulder. "Wonder what Naomi would think."
"..."
POW!
POW!
Soon, Bit and Leena were sprawled on the floor with apple-size lumps on their heads.
Brad looked up at the Shadow Fox and smiled. He finally understood what Bit meant. He unlocked
the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential. However, something told him... told both of them, that this
was only the beginning.
Epilogue
"I wanted you to throw him out of the Class-S, not make him a permanent part. He's a mercenary
He doesn't belong!"
"Not any more. The ZBC agreed to change his status from mercenary to full Zoid warrior."
"Grrrrrrr........" He slammed down the phone. He would get the Blitz Team out of Class-S yet.
Leena: Oh great, Mary Champ is back, and now she's leader of her own Class-S team. Even worse,
she set her eyes on the Liger Zero. Even worse, Bit's starting to take interest in her... what,
he's not?! Man, that kid couldn't recognize a beautiful woman if one came up and kicked him in
the butt... say, that's not a bad idea. Next time on Zoids: "The Princess becomes a Queen:
Mary Champ's Return." Ready... FIGHT!
Episode 3: Brad's Battle: The Shadow Fox's Ultimate Potential
Vanguard City was home to department of the Zoid Battle Commission that dealt with the Class-S.
Most of the buildings were some division of the Class-S. One building was home to the
Investigative Bureau. This department dealt with looking over the profiles of all in-coming
Class-S teams to make sure they were worthy to be there. Today, one of their operatives was in
for a surprise.
"I don't believe it," he said. "Why did they let those freaks into Class-S. I find it hard to
believe they won the Royal Cup. There must be..." He smiled as he came upon one of the
profiles. He activated his vid phone.
"Zoid Battle Commission Headquarters," came the voice on the other end.
"Ashley, it's me. I have another pathetic looser for you to pick on. His name? Well..."
"Brad, watch it," Jamie called from the Hovercargo's control room. "That Demon Lizard has you
in his sights."
"I see it, Jamie," Brad called as he fired his electro net. The net enclosed the Demon Lizard's
tail.
"Hey, I can't shake it!" The Lizard's pilot cried. Brad took advantage and fired his vulcan
gataling gun. The blasts were dead on and the Demon Lizard was disabeled.
At around the same time, Leena took down a Spinno Sappa Zoid with her Total Assault.
"That takes care of all his reinforcements," Jamie said. "Bit, hurry up and finish off the
Cruncher."
"Right, Jamie." The Cruncher was a large green colored Zoid about twice the size of the Liger
Zero. It had a double-barrel cannon mounted on its rear.
"Remember, aim for the region just below its head," Jamie instructed. "That it's weak spot."
"Roger." The Liger Zero-Schneider extended it's five blades and began rushing towards the
Cruncher. The Cruncher rose to its hind legs and its weak spot was revealed. "BUSTER SLASH!"
Zero-Schneider stabbed the Cruncher and it fell onto its side.
"The battle is over!" The Judge announced. "The winner is... the Blitz Team!"
"Yeah, another great battle," Bit congratulated.
"Either we're too good for our own good, or the ZBC is sticking us with these low-lifes on
purpose," Leena commented as the Hovercargo's rear hatch opened.
"Hey, a battle, is a battle," Brad said. "As long as we get paid."
"Spoken like a true mercenary," Bit replied. The Zoids were loaded up with the Zero-Schneider
being last so that the CAS can remove the Schneider armor and replace it with the original
Liger armor.
"Hey guys," Jamie called through the comm. system. "We're going to stop by Vanguard City on our
way, just to finish up some paperwork."
Bit froze for a second. "Vanguard... City?"
"That's right, Bit. Why, is there some place you have to be?"
"Uh... no, no, that's all right." Leena couldn't help but notice that Bit's normally confident
voice waver. Did Bit have some unsurances about going to Vanguard City?
The after-battle paperwork took longer than expected (as it usually does). The Blitz Team ended
up having dinner in the city.
When they got back, they discovered there was somebody waiting for them. A Gustave was parked
outside in front.
The Blitz Team left the Hovercargo and went up to the Gustave. A woman was leaning by it.
She was small and lean with extremely short blue-black hair and dark eyes.
"Are you the Blitz Team?" She asked.
"We are, and yourself?" Doc. Torros replied.
"Ashley Coller of the Zoid Battle Commission. Which one of you is Brad Hunter?"
"I am," Brad stepped forward.
"Mr. Hunter, I would like to speak with you privately if possible."
"Of course, follow me."
"Bet you anything they're going to his room," Leena whispered to Bit and Jamie. They both gave
her an annoyed look.
"I hope everything's all right," Jamie said.
"I'm sure everything's fine," Doc. Torros assured him.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Brad shouted.
"Believe me, Mr. Hunter, I didn't believe it myself until I checked the regulation book. It's
true."
"You can't just throw me out like that! It's discriminating."
"Class-S is meant to be a very specific league, Mr. Hunter. We can't just take any riff-raff in
simply because they won one tournament."
"You can bet I'm not going to take this lying down."
"Brad, what's going on?" Bit asked as the others came running into the tactics room. "We heard
yelling."
"This lady says that I'm an illegal Zoid pilot."
"Not exactly, Mr. Hunter," Ashley said. "You see, Doctor Torros, our records have Mr. Hunter
down as a Zoid mercenary."
"And your point is...?" Doc. Torros said.
"Zoid mercenaries are not allowed in Class-S teams."
"But why?" Leena said. Such an idea was outrageous in her mind.
"Mercenaries have no idea of the true spirit of the Class-S. They're nothing but a bunch of
money-grubbers."
"Hey, I'll have you know that Brad put himself on the line hundreds of times without thinking of
reward," Leena argued. Ashley wasn't convinced.
Brad himself took over. "Look, I've come too far to fall all the way to the bottom based on a
technicality! I'm going to fight this in any way I can!"
Ashley cocked her head at Brad. There was something in his eyes that told her that he won't be
dragged down, not without bringing half the planet down with him. Yeah, that's what she would do
too. That was probably his one redeeming virtue, his determination.
"So you're determined to stay in Class-S?"
"That's right, even if I have to fight you."
"All right, then let's do it."
The entire Blitz Team put on confused faces.
"Mr. Hunter, I challenge you to a Zoid battle. A normal one, not in Class-S. However, the prize
is something different from money. If you win, you can stay in Class-S. But if I win, you go
back all the way to Class-C."
"That's not fair," Brad protested.
"Hey, if you're as good a warrior as everyone says you are, then you won't have a problem getting
back up to Class-A."
Brad grimaced. It didn't seem like he was going to have any other choice. "All right, I'll
accept your challenge."
Ashley smirked. "Don't worry, Mr. Hunter, warriors move down ranks all the time. You'll just be
one of them."
Brad scowled.
Ashley had left. Brad had spent the next four hours checking out the Shadow Fox's systems.
While he was getting up for a midnight snack, Bit came upon him.
"You seem nervous," Bit observed without greeting.
"I'm not nervous."
"I thought I saw you go over the same system check five hours ago."
Brad sighed and jumped down from the Shadow Fox.
"I originally joined the Blitz Team so I could get some prize money. Needless to say, that
didn't come at first."
"So when did you guys start winning?" Bit asked.
"Believe it or not, it was during the battle with the Tigers Team, where you appeared on the
scene with the Liger Zero."
"I bet you were glad I came along so I could win you some cash."
"I was just glad to get some cash period. Unlike you guys who battle for honor and pride and
that other stuff, I'm just looking to make a quick buck. I never really considered fighting for
something other than the prize money."
"So that's why you didn't help me and Jamie battle the Backdraft Group so long ago."
"That's right, it was only after the Doc contacted me and offered your share of the prize money
that I decided to help."
Bit let out a grunt of disapproval. "I'm still pissed about that."
"Anyway, I never fought for anything other than money or survival before. That's why I'm not as
wound up about battling like you or Leena."
"You don't trust your abilities with the Shadow Fox, do you?"
"Don't get me wrong, the Shadow Fox is a great Zoid. It's probably Dr. Layon's only good point.
But I don't think I'll be able to handle whatever Zoid Ashley is using. Maybe if the Shadow Fox
was an Ultimate X like the Liger."
The two sat down by the Shadow Fox's right front leg. "Come on, Brad, many Zoid battles have
been won with Zoids that are not Ultimate X. Leena wasn't piloting an Ultimate X when the
Backdraft Group kidnapped Harry or when Jamie used the Raynos to take on the Sabbats."
"That's true," Brad agreed. "But I think I would have a lot better chance if I was piloting the
Liger Zero."
"Brad, you know that the Liger won't let anyone pilot it except me. It's stubborn that way."
Brad nodded.
Bit asked a question. "Brad, do you think that the only reason Liger Zero's won so many battles
is because it's an Ultimate X?"
"Yeah."
"Well that was a factor, but it's not the real reason. I told Jack Sisqo once that the reason
Liger and I are so good is because we act as a team, two working for the same goal. We acted as
one. Perhaps that's all you need to do to unlock the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential."
"I thought I was acting as one with the Shadow Fox."
"You were controlling the Shadow Fox, you need to let the Shadow Fox do the same as you do. You
get the picture?" But Brad had fallen asleep. Bit chuckled and shook his head and left to go
to bed himself."
The next day, the Hovercargo parked at an abandoned valley. It wasn't far from the city ruins
where they first battled the Champ Team. Brad was already in the Shadow Fox. The others were
in the cockpit.
"Are you ready, Brad?" Doc. Torros asked.
"As I'll ever be," Brad replied.
"All right. Launching Shadow Fox!" The catapult opened up and the Shadow Fox was shot onto the
battlefield.
"Do we know what Zoid Ashley will be using?" Jamie asked.
"Not really," Doc. Torros replied. "I assume it's her Gustave. That was the one she arrived
in yesterday." Sure enough, a Gustave came into view, but it was towing something. It
looked like an Iron Kong, but it was different from ones Brad has seen before. This one was
black with green highlights. It had two gataling guns on each shoulder (like the one Harry Champ
used on his Dark Horn) and a missile on its back. The Zoid leaped from the trailer it was on
and landed on the ground across from the Shadow Fox.
"Is that an Iron Kong?" Bit asked.
"Doesn't look like any Iron Kong I've ever seen," Jamie replied.
"Well, Mr. Hunter, ready to loose?" Ashley asked.
"What kind of Zoid is that? Is it registered?" Brad questioned.
"I'm a member of the Zoid Battle Commission, I can get whatever Zoid I want registered. This
started out as an Iron Kong, but I modified it into a new Zoid. Mr. Hunter, meet the Konger."
"The Konger?" Brad repeated. Before anybody could let out another word, the Judge Capsule
touched down and opened up.
"Battlefield set up," the Judge announced. "The Shadow Fox versus the Konger. Battle mode
0992. Ready... Fight!"
"I've read all about your Shadow Fox's abilities," Ashley said as the two circled each other.
"So I accomadated my Zoid to counteract."
"We'll see about that." Brad fired his Vulcan gun. The Konger dodged and fired it's shoulder-
mounted gataling rifles. The hail of bullets forced the Shadow Fox back a few Zoid-size paces.
"Brad's certainly off to a good start," Leena replied dryly.
"Take it easy, Leena, the battle's just begun," Bit said.
Outside, the Shadow Fox tried to circle around to the side of the Konger.
"Strike Laser Claw!" Brad commanded.
"I was hoping you would try something like that," Ashley commented. All along the fist of the
Konger, little gray metal spikes popped up. "Strike Iron Knuckle!" With a roar, the Konger
backhanded the Shadow Fox. It landed on its side but staggered to its feet.
"This is insane," Brad complained. "She knows all about me but I know nothing about her."
"Well, I'm 21, about 130 lbs," Ashley began jokingly. The two Zoids exchanged gun fire. Brad
moved the Shadow Fox in for a full-out assault. The Konger grabbed the Shadow Fox and threw it
away. The Shadow Fox landed on its feet and attacked again. "Strike Iron Knuckle!" The Konger
punched Brad's Zoid.
"The Shadow Fox's power is down to 75%!" Jamie reported.
"Brad, get it together!" Bit called. "Try using strategy or something!"
"Like you're one to talk," Leena muttered.
"Huh? What? Hey, what are you talking about?"
"Never mind."
Meanwhile, the Konger continued its ruthless assault against the Shadow Fox.
"Gotta stall for some time," Brad stuttered. He fired the smokescreen.
"Sorry, Mr. Hunter, but I was prepared for this too. Activating thermal sensors. Bingo." The
gataling cannons fired again. Brad was caught off guard. The Shadow Fox was thrown from the
smokescreen.
Brad grunted from the attack. He quickly activated his invisibility field.
"Ooh, an invisibility field. Good, but not good enough." Ashley began programming commands into
her computer.
Jamie suddenly realized what she was doing. "Brad, deactivate your field now!"
"Huh? Why?" Brad asked.
"Gotcha. Strike Iron Knuckle!" The Konger seemed to punch thin air, but there was a crackle of
electricity and the Shadow Fox was revealed.
"Brad!" Leena cried.
"Shadow Fox's power is down to 45%! I don't think Brad can take much more of this," Jamie said.
"How did you know that Ashley spotted the Shadow Fox?" Bit asked.
"I realized what commands she was using. I used the same commands to detect the Backdraft Group
Gold Team's Hellcats when we first battled them."
"That's right, I forgot, you sent me the data that enabeled me to trap them with the Liger Zero's
Strike Laser Claw."
"If you two are done going down memory lane, Brad's in trouble," Leena pointed out.
"Doc, let me take Liger out and relieve Brad," Bit volunteered. "I'll fight in his place."
"I'm sorry, Bit, but if you do, Brad will be disqualified, Ashley will win. I don't like this
any more than you do, but we have to let Brad do this by himself. We can't help him."
Outside, the Shadow Fox was beaten around like a rag doll. Brad's forehead felt funny. He felt
it and realized it was bleeding.
{This might be it,} he thought. {I'm going back down to Class-C. But what about the Shadow Fox?
If Ashley continues in her assault, it could be damaged beyond repair.}
The Konger ripped the vulcan gun from the Shadow Fox's back.
{This is it, I'm done for. All because I couldn't get the Shadow Fox...}
Brad then remembered what Bit said the previous night. ~ "The reason Liger and I are so good is
because we act as a team, two working for the same goal. We acted as one. Perhaps that's all
you need to do to unlock the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential." ~
{Bit's right. Me and the Shadow Fox need to act like one. But how to do that.}
"Play time's over, Mr. Hunter. Don't worry, going down in ranks aren't so bad. Nobody holds it
against you."
{All right, Shadow Fox, we may be going down, but I'm not going down like a dog. We're going to
make one last attack on the Konger. We may lose, we may be reduced to Class-C, but we're going
down like warriors. So let's give it everything we got!" Brad realized that he said that last
part out loud. Suddenly text slid across the screen. 'SHADOW SLIDE.'
"Shadow Slide? Well if you think that'll work, then go for it, Fox. We'll both do it."
"Time to deliver the final blow," Ashley said. The Konger leaned forward and the missile that
was strapped on its back targeted the Shadow Fox.
"I know what that weapon is," Bit said stepping up front to the view screen. "It's a Buster
Missile. Even if it doesn't hit him, the explosion will be enough to send Brad miles away. I
once picked up a shell of one on my travels."
Jamie quickly opened a comm. link to the judge. "Judge, you can't allow Ashley to use that
Buster Missile, it'll destroy Brad!"
"A Buster Missile is a registered Zoid weapon and has not been known to cause serious injury.
Request is denied."
"Brad!" Bit, Leena, Jamie, and Doc. Torros all cried out.
"Buster Missile fire!" The missile launched towards the Shadow Fox. Nothing perturbed it. It
struck the Shadow Fox. There was an explosion and smoke all around. The Blitz Team and Ashley
covered their eyes. When the smoke cleared, nothing remained.
"I... I don't believe it," Bit said holding onto the back of the chair. "He's gone, I can't
believe he's gone."
"I knew something like this would happen," Jamie said slamming his fist on the control panel.
"This can't be happening, this can't be happening," Leena kept saying. Bit put a hand on her
shoulder in comfort.
Ashley was just as bewildered. "But... No... I didn't want to kill him... it couldn't have been
that powerful... maybe... he lost too much... power. I'm... I'm sorry."
Even the judge was taken aback. "The Shadow Fox is out of commission, the winner is..."
"Don't count me out yet, Judge." Everybody turned towards the East. The Shadow Fox stood there
in the setting sun.
Bit said it. "BRAD'S ALIVE!"
"H... How?" Ashley asked. "I saw you destroyed."
"Not really. You saw the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential released in a move called the Shadow
Slide. The Shadow Fox used the smoke screen to form an exact duplicate of itself then as soon
as the missile struck, we moved left."
"Uh-oh," Ashley said meekly.
"That's right, now you'll see what happens when we act as one. Let's go, Shadow Fox!" With a
howl, the Shadow Fox galloped forward.
Still recoiling from Brad's dodge of her missile, Ashley blindly fired her gataling cannons.
"Plow through," Brad instructed. The Shadow Fox was unwavering in its assault.
"How about it, Fox, let's show her what this money-grubber can do."
"Strike Iron Knuckle!"
"Not this time," Brad said. "The Shadow Fox and I will win this battle."
"Oh no."
"STRIKE!" The Shadow Fox leaped over the Konger's fist and pushed off of it.
"LASER!" The front paw began glowing.
"CLAW!" The Shadow Fox grazed the side of the Konger. The Shadow Fox landed behind it. At
first, it seemed like nothing happened, then an explosion erupted from the hip.
"No, he got me!" Ashley cried just before the Konger fell.
"The battle is over! The battle is over! The winner is... the Shadow Fox!"
The Blitz Team erupted into cheers. Not only did Brad survive Ashley's most lethal assault, but
he won the battle.
Later on, after the Judge left, Brad exited the Shadow Fox. It looked a little warn, but overall
pretty good. It was one tough Zoid.
Brad turned and saw Ashley walking towards him. He got ready for a conflict. But instead, she
smiled.
"Well, Mr. Hunter, you won the battle. As per our agreement, you get to stay in Class-S."
"Thanks," Brad replied. "I hope there's no hard feelings."
"None, and just to prove that there are none, I'll let you choose any Class-S team you want.
I'll even vouch for you if someone complains."
"Thanks but that'll not be necessary," Brad replied as the other Blitz Team members approached
them. "There's only one team I'd rather be a part of. The Blitz Team."
"In that case. Brad Hunter, as a member of the Zoid Battle Commission, I am changing your status
from mercenary to full-fledge Zoid Warrior for the Blitz Team. I'll take care of the paperwork."
"Thanks again, Ashley."
"There is one thing I would like in return though."
"What's that?"
"A rematch."
Brad smiled. "Any time."
As Ashley brought around her Gustave to pick up the Konger, Bit stuck his head on Brad's
shoulder. "Well, Brad, looks like you made a new friend." Brad lowered his eyes in annoyance.
Leena stuck her head on Brad's other shoulder. "Wonder what Naomi would think."
"..."
POW!
POW!
Soon, Bit and Leena were sprawled on the floor with apple-size lumps on their heads.
Brad looked up at the Shadow Fox and smiled. He finally understood what Bit meant. He unlocked
the Shadow Fox's ultimate potential. However, something told him... told both of them, that this
was only the beginning.
Epilogue
"I wanted you to throw him out of the Class-S, not make him a permanent part. He's a mercenary
He doesn't belong!"
"Not any more. The ZBC agreed to change his status from mercenary to full Zoid warrior."
"Grrrrrrr........" He slammed down the phone. He would get the Blitz Team out of Class-S yet.
Leena: Oh great, Mary Champ is back, and now she's leader of her own Class-S team. Even worse,
she set her eyes on the Liger Zero. Even worse, Bit's starting to take interest in her... what,
he's not?! Man, that kid couldn't recognize a beautiful woman if one came up and kicked him in
the butt... say, that's not a bad idea. Next time on Zoids: "The Princess becomes a Queen:
Mary Champ's Return." Ready... FIGHT!