Raven stared at the few survivors left from his attack on the small colony. "Perfect, this should get Van running over here." Raven turned back to his Berserk Fury and smiled. He turned on the comm., attempting to reach the Imperial Capital, he had a much better idea then attacking them straight on.
Kruger and Hermann sat at their desk, trying to come up with any sort of plan for dealing with the new bandit threat.
"We need to find them first." Hermann said, throwing down a folder.
Kruger nodded. "We can send a few scouts within the region right here." He pointed on a small map. "This is the area they had been concentrating on in their attacks."
"Ok, all we need to do is got Imperial support on this and we can go ahead and start." Hermann replied. He heard the door open and watched as O'Connell came in, his face having a nervous twitch in it. "Can we help you O'Connell."
O'Connell took a deep breath and nodded. "We have a message from Raven, he just destroyed the Windcolony."
Kruger looked up and slammed his fist in the table. "Damnit." He yelled.
Hermann got up and quickly followed O'Connell, Kruger did the same a few moments later. All three men looked up at the screen, Raven was smiling as the charred remains of a small city burned in the background.
"Raven what the Hell are you doing." Hermann shouted.
Raven laughed. "Don't tempt me to kill the few survivors Captain. I only want one thing and Ill let them go unharmed."
"Damn you Raven have you lost it." Kruger said. "Ill have your head."
Raven cut him off. "I want Van, you tell him to come to what's left of his home and be prepared to fight me one last time. Weather he wins or loses ill let these people go, if he doesn't show up within 24 hours though." Raven pulled out a blade. "I will kill the last 10 survivors." Raven smiled.
They all watched as the transmission ended.
"What do we do?" O'Connell asked, staring at the now black screen. "You know he's up to something."
"Van will go even if we tell him not to." Hermann said. "I guess the question is do we send him alone or with backup."
"The right thing to do would to send back up." Kruger made a fist. "But we all know he can handle himself, even in a trap."
Hermann nodded. "I think it would be best if we let him decide."
"Ill go get him sir." O'Connell said, running off out the doors.
"Damn Raven." Kruger said quietly, he turned and walked out.
Hermann shook his head, standing in the room with only two other officers around.
Jason sat there, staring down at the smoke and fire remaining in the colony. "The greatest battle in the history of Zi is about to unfold."
Drake looked at him. "Hell with Zi, I'd bet this will be the greatest battle this galaxy has seen."
Jason laughed. "Maybe."
Drake waited a few moments then looked back at Jason. "Why the Hell do you enjoy tormenting that family, as far as I know they have done nothing to you."
Jason looked up at the massive man, his face stiff. "No they have done nothing to me or to the Tiger. But in a way they are my greatest rivals."
"Every death in that family you have had something to do with it. You have used Hilz, Prozen, and that Organoid. Do they scare you that much."
Jason smiled. "Your greatest enemy is the one that knows your darkest secrets."
"Didn't know they had anything on you."
"They don't."
Drake looked down at him. "Then what the Hell are you talking about."
Jason gave a small laugh, it had a dark and evil tone. "Not only have I had something to do with each of their deaths, but I have basically controlled everything in their lives."
Drake shook his head. "You're a God damn monster."
"I know." Jason said.
"Now answer me why the Hell Raven would start something up with Van again."
"Because of me."
"What the Hell did you do now?" Drake said, staring over at Phantom.
"I promised him I would give him another chance with his dead parents."
"Didn't you have Hilz kill them or something like that."
"Yes I did."
"And now you want to bring them back to life."
"I never said anything about bringing them back to life."
Drake laughed. "Damn you are the biggest monster in the universe. You have Raven on your leash by a lie."
"I'm not lying, and yes I can bring people back to life."
"You're not lying, but your not bringing them back to life."
Jason shook his head. "He will still be with them, it just wont be in this world."
Drake let out a gasp of air, not believing how evil this man was.
"I will kill all life within this universe, why would I spare him and bring him back with his family."
"Cold hearted monster, no soul and no remorse but you have the power of a God and the Zoid of a savior."
"I have a soul, and I do feel remorse. My heart is as warm as even the holiest of people. But I am a monster. To all in my path, my dream is nothing more then a desire for madness. To myself and those at my side, it's the freeing of all the chaos and terror life had created."
Drake nodded and looked down at the remains of the colony. "Everyone has a different view I suppose. So with Van and Raven dead you feel no one will be able to stop you."
Jason nodded. "Anyone, even a child can stop me. But they are two of my greatest threats."
"So who do you want to win if Van shows up?"
"Van will show up, and it doesn't matter to me. When the Tiger is reborn Ill simply finish the other off."
"And all you need is the stone."
"No, I will need something else."
"What's that?"
Jason didn't say anything, he just looked back at the Fury as the night sky started to fall. The glow of the fires still burning gave the small colony a hellish look.
Van looked over at Fiona who was slowly eating her dinner. He wasn't exactly sure why he kissed earlier, and was even surprised that she let him. But he didn't want to bring it up. He looked down at his plate, Fiona had made pasta it was pretty good. He took another bite and looked out the window as a jeep quickly pulled up. "Someone's here." He said getting up from his chair. But he sat back down as O'Connell walked in. Van saluted.
"Listen, something has come up. Get Zeke and whatever you need, we have to get back to base now."
Van looked at him but didn't question.
About an hour later they had reached the base. O'Connell led them to a room, when he entered he saluted to the many officers in that room.
Kruger looked at Van. "Take a seat Van, you to Fiona."
They both took a seat, Fiona next to Rudolph and Van next to Thomas.
Hermann spoke first. "Well, I guess we need to start with the fact that Raven is back."
Van looked at him, but didn't say anything.
"He destroyed the Windcolony, everything and everyone."
This time Van got out of his chair and screamed. "What! Why the Hell did he destroy it."
"He wants to fight with you again." Kruger said.
"Fine, Ill finish this once and for all then."
"Hang on a second Van." Irvine said. "No way you can take him alone."
"Iv done it before."
"Last time you tried you almost got killed. Will you swallow your pride for once and work with us."
Van shook his head. "I don't care, he just destroyed my home. The same thing my dad died protecting. There is no way I'm letting him get away with this."
Irvine looked at him. "Fiona will you talk with him."
"Irvine's right Van, you don't know what Raven is planning on doing."
Van looked down and nodded. "Fine, well leave tomorrow at noon."
Irvine smiled. "Alright, lets get some sleep then."
Kruger nodded. "Get a good night rest, dismissed."
It was early, the sun was barley starting to come up. Van got his usual uniform on, no one else was even up yet. He wasn't going to work with anyone on this, he wanted to make Raven pay. He got Zeke and got in his Blade Liger, but then he saw Fiona standing in front of the hanger. "Fiona, what are you doing up."
"I could ask you the same question." She said smiling. "I knew you would do this."
Van got out of the cockpit and walked over to her. "Fiona I need to do this alone, understand."
Fiona shook her head, the smile she had gone. "I don't want to lose you Van."
"You wont, I promised that I would take care of you, didn't I."
"It doesn't matter, what if you do die."
"Listen Fiona, my father died protecting my home and my family. Raven just threw his sacrifice into the ground. I thought Raven changed but looks like I'm wrong." He saw Fiona turn her head away so he grabbed it, forcing her to stare at his eyes. "Fiona look, I don't want you or Irvine or anyone hurt." He gently rested his forehead against hers. "Just let me do this, please." He saw Fiona starting to cry, and it hurt him a lot. But he watched as she walked away slowly. "Ill be back Fiona, I promise." She didn't answer him, he got in his Blade Liger and took off.
Zack sat in his Sabertiger, his legs up on the console and the cockpit open. He was cutting an orange with a pocketknife, easting slowly. He looked up and watched as a blue Blade Liger pulled away from the capital. "Hey Marcus." He said, looking around for his friend. "Marcus!" He yelled a few moments later. He turned and saw him sleeping in his Sabertiger's cockpit. Zack shook his head, took another bit of his orange, and threw the rest of it at Marcus. It splattered against his face, waking him up instantly.
"Damnit Zack, what the Hell was that for." He said, throwing a chunk back at Zack, but he threw it to high.
Zack laughed. "For not waking up when I called you."
"Damn you could have come over and tapped me." Marcus took a canteen and poured water over his face. "Now what the Hell did you want."
"That Blade Liger over there, isn't that Flyheights."
"Yea, why."
"Seems to be in a big hurry."
Marcus was rubbing the sticky juice off of his skin. "So what?"
"Get your Zoid ready, lets see what he's in such a hurry for."
"Come on Zack." Marcus said, he didn't want to chase after him.
"You got something better to do."
Marcus shook his head and closed his cockpit.
Zack took off, staying far away as he could from the speedy Blade Liger.
"He what!" Hermann yelled, hearing the news from Fiona.
"Want me to go after him?" Thomas asked.
"No let him do it on his own. He seems to want that." Kruger replied, nobody challenged him.
Van looked down at the now blackened remains of his one time home. "Damnit Raven." He said softly.
"Glad to see you make it Van, all alone to." Raven said, his Fury coming up slowly behind the Blade Liger.
"Another new Zoid Raven, do you still think that is going to make a difference."
"I promise you it will be part of the difference." Raven looked over at his Organoid. "Shadow, now!" He yelled, the Organoid merging with the Fury.
Van looked at it. "Ready Zeke." He smiled. "Lets go Zeke, one last time."
Van charged the Zoid, firing its cannons. The Fury drew out its shield. He turned and made another charge, using his blades he tried to cut off the left arm but he watched as the Fury ducked out of the way and grabbed the Ligers tail with its powerful jaws, throwing it into the ground. Van got up quickly, his Liger dancing around the shots from the powerful Fury.
"Come on Zeke." Van yelled, firing at the Fury the shots again bouncing off the shield.
Drake laughed. "Damn what a battle."
Jason nodded. "Two men, two Organoid, two of the most powerful Zoids, both with a will stronger then anyone I have ever known, and both with a drive that wont end until they die."
Drake smiled. "Raven or Van?"
Jason looked at both. "Neither will go down unscratched, but overall I would have to say Van."
"Yea, your right." He looked over as the battle continued.
Zack and Marcus, far away from the battle stared at the two Zoids clashing at each other.
"What the Hell is that, some sort of miniature GenoSauer?" Marcus asked, looking through the binoculars.
Zack looked at it, he had seen it somewhere before and finally he figured out where. "That's the Berserk Fury, I saw it in one of Paul's books. It's called an Ultimate-X because it has a built in Organoid." He looked at it again. "It was made to stop the Death Sauer, but wasn't finished in time so it just collected dust."
"Hang on, if it was made to stop the Death Sauer then that thing has got to have some power." Marcus said, turning his head back to the battle.
"Yea, it does." Zack said, releasing a breath of air.
The Liger and Fury crashed into each other, the two massive beasts driving their shoulders right into the other. Van got up first and made another charge.
Van moved the gears around, drawing out the blades on his Liger. He charged it, making a sharp juke to the left just before he got in range. He made a circle and quickly came up behind the Zoid.
The Fury jumped in the air, landing up behind the Blade Liger. "Lets finish this Shadow." Raven planted the back claws of the Zoid into the ground.
Van saw what it was doing. "Damn, that thing has a charged particle cannon to." He drew up the shield and charged the fury. Van felt the blast crash right into his shield, pushing his Zoid back. He was able to grip it, using all of his strength to slowly push forward. "Zeke!" He screamed, he activated the boosters and began running through the beam. He got up to the Fury, using his shield he rammed it down to the ground. Van found himself on the ground as well few seconds later, breathing hard and sweating.
Raven looked over, getting the Fury back up. He saw his Zoid was hurt from that last charge. "Try blocking that again Van." He said, again planting the back claws on the Fury into the ground, taking aim at the weakened Zoid. "I will have my parents back." He spit out blood on the floor of his Zoid. "I don't care what happens Van, I will kill you this time!"
Van drew his shield up again, waiting for the impact of the beam to crash into his shield. And again it did, but this time it was able to shatter it, taking off a piece of the Blade Liger as it did.
All of them, Fiona, Irvine, Rudolph, everyone watched as the Blade Liger fell to the ground from that last particle blast.
"Van!" Irvine yelled. "Get out of there." He looked over and saw tears start to run down Fiona's face. He made a fist and turned back to the screen.
"His life signs are failing sir." One of the officers at a console said.
"Come on Van, pull out of it." Rudolph said, watching his friend slowly dying to this monster.
Kruger shook his head. "Come on, I don't want to lose you like your father."
Raven got up, his face red with blood, the Fury damaged beyond belief and his mind spinning out of control. "This is it Van, nobody is around to save you this time, nothing is going to stop your death this time." He walked over, his voice low and his body numb. "Will you just die!" He yelled this time, planting the claws in the ground, ready to deliver the final blow.
Van had his head down and his eyes closed, he felt blood coming out of his face, not to sure from where though. He looked up, opening his eyes watching the Fury walk up to his downed Zoid. "Zeke." He whispered, trying to get up. "Come on." He was finally able to get up. "Not yet Raven, not dead yet." He felt the sweat and blood run down his chest. He drew up the shield and started charging the Fury.
Raven couldn't dodge the attack, his Zoid falling to the ground loosing one of its black claws and an arm. Raven couldn't move his body and saw Shadow lying on the ground motionless. "Shadow." He said, he got the Fury back up and wobbled it over towards the totaled Blade Liger. Raven panting and exhausted from the lose of blood tried to keep the battered Fury steady. "Die Van, you have ruined my life, will you just die." Raven fell unconscious, but the Fury still stood, ready to finish what its master had started.
Van rubbed his face, the hand turning red and his face stinging from the sweat coming into the gashes in his skin. He watched as the Fury stood before him, his arm was broken and his body was useless. He felt a tear run down his face, it was a bloody tear but a tear all together. And not because he was afraid to die, but because he failed to keep his promise to Fiona. He felt as if his heart was ripped from his chest then smashed by a hammer. He watched as the mouth of the Fury glowed. "Fio.., Fiona." He tried to speak as loud as he could but his strength was gone. "Sorry Fiona." He was able to muster up enough strength to say that.
Zack and Marcus watched as the beam crashed through the cockpit of the Blade Liger.
"Oh God that just didn't happen." Marcus said, putting both of his hands on his scalp. "How the Hell did he just lose."
"Damnit!" Zack screamed. "Now what the Hell do we do." He took the stone and threw it into the sandy desert. "Damn."
Drake stared in awe. "What just happened."
Jason smiled. "Exactly what I promised, the greatest battle the galaxy has ever seen." He got up and walked away. "Come Phantom, we have work to do."
Drake shook his head and followed them.
The room was silent except for a few tears. Kruger and Hermann stood there shocked, Irvine still trying to understand what had happened, Thomas the same. Rudolph was on the ground, his fiancé and Homaleff stood there trying to comfort him.
"Is he alive." Irvine asked looking over towards one of the officers.
"Well sir I ."
Irvine cut him off. "I asked is he was alive or not!" Irvine screamed.
The man shook his head slowly.
Irvine looked over at Fiona, who still wasn't sure what happened.
Hermann looked over at his mother, who like most of the people had tears in there eyes. He walked over to O'Connell. "Prepare some units, we will have to take that thing out."
O'Connell saluted and slowly walked off.
Fiona stared at the screen, hoping it would come back to life, but it didn't. She fell to the ground, crying like she had earlier when she had last seen Van. "Van." She said softly. "Van, no." Again her voice was soft and dry. Her dream had come true and she had betrayed the man she loved, she didn't know what to do or what to say, she just let her tears do all of the talking.