ZOIDS

Darkness on the Battlefield; Enter the Phantom

By: Spectral

CHAPTER 21

Note: I still own the Phantom and Black Wing Liger but zoids and its characters are not mine…

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Phantom walked over to the wall and pressed a button on his wrist. A door slid open in the wall. It revealed a supply belt and a pair of metal gloves. He slipped them on and punched the guy behind him.

Phantom tied the military guy up and threw him into the hall. He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. He took care to kick the guy on the floor as he walked by.

**Lounge**

Jamie began to wake up. The rest of the team looked over at him. Jamie looked around and gave everyone else a puzzled look. They all just shook their heads.

???: Hehehe

The Team looked up as a man walked forward. He was dressed in what appeared to be a high-ranking military uniform.

Man: Good. You're all awake. I can make the call now.

The man turned around and walked over to the phone. He dialed a few numbers and waited. The face of the Zoid Battle Commissioner popped up on screen. He looked very surprised.

Commissioner: YOU! What's going on, Edward?

Edd: It's been a while, Brother.

Commissioner: What are you up to?

Edd: I've taken over this base. You surrender the ZBC or they die.

The view on the screen widened and The Blitz Team came into view. The Commissioner scanned the scene quickly. It was the Blitz Team but something was missing.

Commissioner: *Thinks* Wait a second. He couldn't have possibly taken out Phantom. Either he doesn't know about Phantom or he's got some sort of plan. Time to stall. Phantom, you better have a plan…*End Thought* I need time to consult with the rest of the Commission.

Edd: You may have your time, but remember. Every hour that my demands aren't met is more suffering for them.

The mysterious Edd hung up the phone and turned around.

Edd: *pulls off Blitz Team's gags* One hour until one of you is hurt. But which one will it be? Maybe this little girl here…

Leena: WHEN I GET FREE YOU ARE GOING TO WISH IWAS NEVER BORN! LET ME GO NOW!
Edd: *re-gags Leena* Temper, Temper. It's best not to anger me little girl.

Bit: Leave her alone or else.

Edd: *Punches Bit* Silence. In one hour you will suffer.

Bit: *Bleeding* Do what you want to me but leave Leena alone.

Edd: Brave words.

Jamie: You're just lucky Phantom isn't here!

Edd: You're imaginary friends can't help you, Boy.

Doc: *Thinking* He doesn't know. We may still have a chance. *End Thought*

**Hallway**

Phantom jumped into a room as shots were fired at him. He switched on his energy shield and both his gloves began to spark. He rolled back into the hall and punched the ground. The electrical current traveled along the floor and knocked out the two guys that were shooting at him. Phantom switched off the shield and continued running down the hall. He opened a door and was faced with about thirty gunmen.

**Lounge**

Edd: Your hour is over. Time for pain. *Walks over to Bit*

Edd repeatedly punched Bit as the rest of the team watched.

Leena began to cry as Bit started to bleed again. Edd finished and backed off. Bit looked up angrily.

Edd: I'm impressed. You're still conscious.

Jamie: Bit, are you okay?

Bit: I'm fine, Jamie.

Edd: One hour and it's your turn, kid.

Jamie looked horrified. Edd walked over to one of the soldiers guarding the room and wiped his bloody hands on the soldier's shirt. Doc stared into space.

Doc: *Thinking* Hurry Phantom…*End Thought*

**Hall**

The Gunmen opened fire. When the smoke cleared Phantom was still standing. The wall behind him wasn't. Not a single shot hit its target. The soldiers looked up.

Phantom: You guys have REALLY bad aim. Too bad for you, I don't.

Phantom raised his fists and began firing something at the soldiers. They were small electronic devices. The strange devices clamped onto the soldiers. They released some sort of gas that knocked all the gun-toting men out.

Phantom: What are these guys? "Add Water for instant Soldier"?

Phantom continued down the hall until he came to the stairs. They were heavily guarded.

**Lounge**

Edd: Another hour passes. My brother is stalling, but for what? It matters not; I enjoy causing this pain.

Brad: You sick freak!

Edd: Hold your tongue. Every word you speak is another moment of pain for your friend.

Edd walked over to Jamie and laughed. He pulled out a knife and cut Jamie across the cheek. He then put the knife away and proceeded to pummel Jamie. After a few minutes of punches, Edd began to strangle the young Raynos pilot. Jamie started turning purple.

Bit: STOP IT!

Doc: That's enough!

Jaime passed out and Edd got up he walked away from the Blitz Team. Brad watched him walk away with anger as the rest of the team kept concerned eyes on Jamie.

**Stairs**

Phantom sighed and pulled out a few smoke bombs. He threw them at the guards and rushed forward. After punching out several soldiers, he realized he wasn't the only one fighting. The smoke cleared and Phantom walked over to the other fighter.

Phantom: What took you so long?

Cassandra: There was a problem in the hanger. The two ligers are taking care of it now.

Phantom: The lounge is right up these stairs.

Cassandra: Let's go.

Cassandra and Phantom raced up the stairs and took out guards on the way. They reached the lounge and…

**Lounge**

Brad: Why don't you come over here and fight me like a man!?!?!? You cowardly little…

BANG

Edd put his gun away and laughed. Brad looked up. His shoulder was bleeding. He would have been killed if he didn't move.

Suddenly the room filled with smoke. Guards started dropping like flies. Edd looked around franticly and the Blitz Team smiled.

Edd: What's going on?

The smoke cleared and Edd was shocked. Cassandra was untying the Blitz Team while Phantom glared angrily at Edd.

Edd: What are you?

Phantom: I am the Phantom. You invaded my home, tried to take over the ZBC and angered me greatly. These were nothing but minor offenses. Your greatest crime was what angered me the most.

Edd: *too shocked to speak*

Phantom: YOU HURT MY FRIENDS AND NOW YOU WILL PAY!

Phantom jumped forward with both his gloves sparking. He began to pummel and shock Edd until he was unconscious. Phantom got up and walked over to the Blitz Team. Cassandra dialed the Commission on the phone and told them to send over a clean up crew.

Phantom:…

Leena: Thank you. You saved our lives.

A few tears seeped threw Phantom's mask. Everyone else looked on with concern.

Jamie: What's wrong?

Phantom: I thought I was going to lose more friends…

The Blitz Team was stunned. They never knew that Phantom thought of the as friends. Nothing happened for a minute or so. Leena, Bit, and Jamie rushed forward and hugged Phantom. Brad, Doc, and Cassandra watched on.

**Later That Night**

The Blitz Team was staying in a luxury hotel while their base was being repaired. Their zoids were getting a complete over-haul be the Commission's top mechanics and they were being given a lot of reward money for bringing in Edd and his military group.

Everyone else was asleep and Phantom was one the roof. He was just staring at twin moons. Cassandra walked up behind him.

Cassandra: Couldn't sleep?

Phantom: Yeah. I was too busy thinking.

Cassandra: About what?

Phantom: All the people I've lost over the years. My family and every friend I ever knew…

Cassandra: I'm sorry…

Phantom: Maybe it's time I told someone my story…

Phantom turned around and pulled off his mask. His icy blue eyes reflected the moonlight. Cassandra gasped in surprise as Tom walked up to her. He and Cassandra then went inside.

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Next Time:

The End Draws Near; The Call to Arms.