EPISODE 3: THE HUNTED
Somewhere beneath the ocean lies the top secret lair of the Shadow Knight organization. Yesterday they sent their best to retrieve a single Zoid-they returned discouraged and empty-handed. Ace pilot Koga Minisura sat before his three superiors explaining the situation as if it were a life and death situation. The words came out as slow as molasses. An important mission-failed.
"And you say you fought with the Zero X?" The oldest of the three elder councilmen questioned stroking his long white beard.
"Yes. It took out my Zoid with single mid range attack." His blood red eyes shook with fear. "An E.M.P. strike."
"We know all about that Zoid's capabilities. We used to own it back when we were the Backdraft Group." The three stood and walked around Minisura, surrounded him, and continued. "Ten years ago we were the fierce Backdraft Group. We where unstoppable until he came along..."
Minisura shifted in his seat. "You mean Bit Cloud?"
"Yes! Bit Cloud! The only pilot who tamed the Ultimate X Liger Zero. No matter how dirty and underhanded our tactics were we could not defeat him!"
"Even our Ultimate X, the Berzerk Fury, couldn't defeat him." The third elder spoke. "The Zero X is the only other known Ultimate X Zoid. Before we could use it we were disbanded and the Zero X confiscated. "
"Their is something else, elders." Said Minisura.
"The Berzerk Fury. You said that you fought with it as well?"
"Yes. The only known one in existence. But why did a common team of Zoid battle pilots have it?"
"The King, Vega Obscura, was pardoned when the Backdraft was tried by the Zoid Battle commission, because of he was one and it was said that he was nothing but a confused pawn in some wicked game. About five years ago he quit battling and set the Fury free. What a waste he proved to be in the end."
"Minisura..."
"Yes?"
"You will find the Zero X and retrieve it, now!"
"Y-Yes!"
******
Meanwhile, back at the base of the Burning X team, our heroes pondered over the new Liger. Why did it come and wait for Sasha? Why did it really attack them? Sasha didn't care at all why, he only cared about what battling with his new partner would be like. Tidus and Zut stood in a daze reading the data analysis. Yuraki paid no attention to anything that was going on for she had he own problem. Her Zoid had received heavy damage and needed repairs quickly.
"Mr. Kunzaki!? How long before my Zoid will be up and running?" Yuraki screamed. Zut's father stumbled into the hangar with a bottle of liquor in his hand. He stood behind her singing softly and shaking his head. His spiky, jet black hair slapped him in the face as he danced and drank. "Mr. Kunzaki, you shouldn't be drinking at a time like this!"
"Whooo! Oh yea....you know your Zoid is missing one of its *hick* legs?"
"DUH! THAT'S CLEAR AS DAY TA SEE! I need it fixed quick so I can battle!" She exploded.
Sasha attempted to cheer her up. "Don't worry we can take them in latter today. We are near Zodos City aren't we?"
"About five miles away from it. We should have enough money already but we should sell one of those old Zoids so we can be sure to have enough. How many are there in our storage anyway?"
"Well there is my old Gojulas..." The Mr. Kunzaki took a sip of his liquor, "Tidus's old Rev Raptor and Zut's old Pteras. They *hick* can still be *hick* used but require heavy repairs and new parts."
"Well let's sell the Gojulas." Sasha put his arm around Yuraki's waist and poked her nose. "Then we can get her Zoid fixed and have the Fury's armor cleaned up." Zut and Tidus joined the others. They debated over the matter for a moment then agreed to go to Zodos for an overhaul.
"Well lets get moving now before it's too late." Zut exclaimed happily.
*****
With their Zoids all loaded up, except the Zero X, they were ready to make the short journey to Zodos City. Sasha decided not to go along but instead took his new Zoid for a test run. He went about fifteen miles away from the base toward the beach.
"You handle pretty good Liger. I didn't think you'd be so eager to let me pilot. What's that? Oh we're here! I wasn't paying much attention." The Liger stopped at the shore and let Sasha out. "That was good!" The Liger roared at faced the setting sun. "So Liger how about a nick name? Ok how about.....Volt....you don't like it?" The Zero X roared and turned around. "Ok ok! How about.....Mercurius? Maybe? Well at least I'm getting somewhere." Sasha dug his heals into the sand. The liger turned and nudged Sasha with his nose. "What? You like the name Mercurius? Well alright, Mercurius it is!" He hopped back into the cockpit and activated lowered the restraints. Lets AUUUUUUUUGHHHHH!" A hail of lasers rained down on them.
"Zoid warrior! The Shadow Knights have come for that Zoid. Exit the cockpit and just walk away." Cried a familiar voice.
"You sound familiar. Are you the leader of the Knights that attacked us before!?" A video link popped up on Sasha's right side.
"Hello Zoid warrior. We have come for that Zoid you're piloting. Hand it over or die!" He gave Sasha a cold stare with his crimson eyes like pools of blood. He had medium length hair of matching color with short bangs in the front. His pale skin showed bright on the video screen as he spoke again. "Well what are you waiting for kid!?"
"Shut up and show your face." Sasha looked around for the enemy. A warning siren rang as the enemy emerged from the forest. Two Lightning Sykes and a black Geno Saurer stood before him. "Geno Saurer....max speed 260km/h. I can dust him but the Sykes have me by 10km/h. Damn! Mercurius run!" Mercurius roared loud and pounced on the Geno Saurer. "What are you doing!? RUN!" The Liger struck hard and fast but was halted by the Sykes cannon fire. It jumped back and shook violently. "Come on buddy!"
"Fool!" The Geno Saurer fired its twin 120mm cannons. Mercurius evaded the blasts with ease and finally made a hasty retreat. "Get that Liger!" The Sykes chased after Sasha. Run while you can fool!
"Damn, still right up on us! Ok lets try fighting again." He yanked the controls back and stopped abruptly. The Sykes turned quickly to claim their prey. "Lets see you get around this! E.M.P. FLASH!" The blades upon the Ligers back stood as a giant bolt of electricity struck the two charging Sykes. They fell hard at Mercurius's feet. "Two down and AAAAAHHH!" Six more Lightning Sykes approached him from the rear. The surrounded him before he could react. "Well Liger it was nice knowing you." The liger roared loud and charged the Sykes in front of him. "CRAP! YOU REALLY ARE A WILD ZOID!" It leapt into the air and attacked with its strike laser claw attack. "Lets go!" The Sykes chased after him for another ten miles. He was lucky to elude them and their blasts before turning to attack once again. "Strike Laser Claw!" The five Sykes scurried out of the way. "We have to make it west to Zodos. Burn these losers!" Zodos was just a few more miles away. Sasha pushed the controls forward and activated Mercurius's thrusters. The Sykes surrounded him again and fired many rounds at the Liger. "Shit! They got us this time!" The Geno Saurer approached them and ordered the troops to cease fire.
"What do you say now? Will you give us that Zoid or do you want me to use my charged particle cannon?" Minisura questioned.
Damn! I just got this Zoid and already I'm gonna lose him. Sasha clinched his fists and reached hesitantly for the controls. Just as he was about to make his move a loud howl pierced the night sky.
"What the hell!" They all directed there attention toward the mountain range. Minisura gulped hard in amazement at what he saw. There stood a sky blue and white Shadow Fox unit. "A Shadow Fox! You gotta be kidding me!" The Fox created a smoke screen around itself and fired its laser vulcan at the Sykes. They dropped quickly leaving only the Geno Saurer standing. "NO!" Minisura charged the particle cannon and fired at the Fox. It evaded easy and ran to Sasha's side.
"Well well. Looks like we got you Shadow Knight scum!" The two Zoids forelimbs began to glow. "Oh ho! A double Strike Laser Claw attack. Well lets do it!" Shadow Fox darted toward the Geno Saurer and leapt high in the air. Mercurius followed close behind and the two Zoids struck Minisura and his Zoid down with their powerful strikes.
"Damn you both! I will have my revenge." The Geno Saurer struggled to run away. "Enjoy that Zoid while you can, boy!" He disappeared into the forest.
"Thank you, whoever you are." He opened the hatch and stood up in his cockpit. "Who are you friend?" The Shadow Fox turned its head toward the Liger. After a few quiet seconds the cockpit opened. "Oh!" Sasha smiled.
****Almost lost it there Sasha. Who is the mysterious Shadow Fox pilot and is his (or her)'s intentions good. Find out in Episode 4- Hyper Girl Boogie*****