"Bearing 3, 2, 7!" O'Connell shouted as the Blade Liger and Dibision moved through the training exercise, testing out the new modifications made to the Zoids. "Fire now!"
Van shot the two dummy Zoids with ease, the Dibision doing the same to its target.
Hermann looked out from the Ultra Sauer, the massive Zoid testing out all of its firepower with the exception of the Gravity Cannon. "Perfect, that Zoid doesn't stand a chance." He smiled, as he knew justice would prevail. "Fiona, how did the Blade Liger and Dibision perform?"
"Perfectly." Fiona said with a smile, looking down from her post in the Ultra Sauer.
Hermann nodded and looked up. "All men clear the area, its time to make sure the Gravity Cannon is still operational." He took a seat at the firing post were Karl had sat during the Death Stinger crisis. "Target is the dummy Dibision, coordinates?"
Fiona read the information the computer was giving her. "13 Kilometers, angle 5 up and 13 left."
Hermann nodded and moved the reticule over the target. "Ready for fire. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." He paused for a moment, and then fired. The bullet flew straight threw the air, destroying its target and creating the massive energy surge in the area surrounding the center of impact. "Confirmation."
"Destroyed, the Gravity Cannon is fully operational." O'Connell said smiling.
Van watched the explosion from an extreme distance, Thomas and Zeke walking next to him.
"That Zoid and its pilot are going to get exactly what they deserve." Thomas said with a rage of hatred towards the Tiger, and whoever controlled it.
"Yea. They deserve to die more then anyone else we've fought before. Even more then Hilz and Prozen." Van was just as angry, and was filled with just as much hatred and rage as Thomas was. He needed to die, as much as Van hated to take a mans life he knew he needed to die. "Any idea on how long we have to wait?"
"General Hermann said it maybe a day or two before we actually catch this thing. He sent two squads after it just to see if we even need to use the Ultra Sauer." Thomas turned around and walked to his Dibision.
Van nodded, both men had changed some, if not a lot since these murders had begun. "Lets go Zeke."
Jason stood on top of the Tiger, looking down at Ryss and Moonbay. He shook his head. "Tragic, very tragic." Jason wanted to smile but couldn't for some reason. "I'm tired of all these games, I want to end this now." He jumped into the cockpit and turned the Zoid around, quickly heading towards the direction Van was in; ready to finish the same thing he started far to long ago.
Raven woke up; the smell of fish frying filled the air of his small cave. He looked around and saw Alice cooking the fish he had caught yesterday.
Alice smiled at him and gave him a plate of fish. "Good morning." She said softly as she started to eat her breakfast.
Raven put the plate down and rubbed the back of his head. "When did you wake up?"
"I guess an hour ago. When did you get back last night?"
Raven stood up off the ground and shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know."
Alice stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you." She kissed him on his lips, feeling as he put his arms on her shoulder blades. "Don't leave me."
Raven looked at her puzzled. "Why would I leave you? I love you just as much."
"You want to fight again." Alice leaned back and kissed him softly once more.
Raven felt her back away again, though he could still feel her breath on his face. "Only once more, then like you said Ill settle down."
Alice smiled. "Glad you actually listened to me."
Raven smiled back and looked at Shadow. "I have to go now."
Alice let him go but gave him a soft kiss oh his cheek and watched him walk out.
Moonbay looked down at the lifeless body of her fiancé, and he would always be her fiancé.
"There wasn't anything you could have done." Ryss said walking up besides her. "That man has no heart or remorse."
"I wish he had killed me to." Moonbay's sobbing made it hard to understand the words she spoke.
"He didn't because he knew you would suffer more alive and Irvine would suffer more dead." Ryss listened as the sound of an explosion went off. "You need to warn Van, otherwise he'll get away with all of this."
Moonbay nodded and dried her eyes as she walked over to the Gustav.
Van looked straight ahead, leading the Ultra Sauer and Dibision forward. He hands were gripped tightly on the controls, he was growing impatient quickly and was ready to find that Zoid and kill the man who had done so much to hurt him emotionally. "Moonbay." Van said as the image of Moonbay came up, he could tell she had been crying. "What's wrong?"
"Irvine's dead." Moonbay said bluntly, trying to keep herself from crying again.
Van's hands dropped off the controls and his heart sank. Irvine' dead, those words buzzed around his head as if they were hornets trapped inside his body. Stinging him over and over. His rage was swelling now, and again a close friend he cared for was dead. "Who killed him?" Van's voice was low but filled with anger.
"His name is Jason. Van he's insane, he's killing everyone and destroying everything." Moonbay did her best to hold her tears back, but it just wasn't possible. "Be careful Van."
"Don't worry, Ill find him and make sure he gets what he deserves." Van closed his eyes, remembering his times with Irvine. "This is the only guy Iv ever wanted to kill."
Moonbay just ended the transmission and looked at Ryss. "Why did he do all of this?"
"Its his entertainment, killing and causing sorrow and grief. He loves watching people suffer, watching them cry and killing there spirits." Ryss replied as she picked up Irvine's body and brought it to the Gustav. "I'm sorry."
Moonbay nodded and gave a smile. But it was a smile of disbelief, still wondering why this happened. Everyone she has ever loved or cared for was either dead, hurt, or the next in Jason's sights and the fact of any of this happening just seemed like it was a bad dream, something she just wanted to wake up from wake up and see Irvine next to her, see Van and Fiona together and all of her friends back. But it wasn't a dream, it was reality, something she now dreaded more then anything else. Irvine was gone and wasn't coming back; neither were Karl or Dr. D, nor Rudolph and Marianne. The four years they had worked together to stop Prozen and Hilz, to stop them from killing and destroying was now a worthless effort. Death, the only thing that had filled her mind for the past two days. A physco, a terrible madman with a craving for blood and death walked amongst her, killing all of those she loved and cared, all of those she would never want to lose, all those she would do anything to get back even though, she knew it was impossible.
Raven got in the Berserk Fury; the mighty Zoid was now back to its full power. "Shadow!" He shouted, the black Organoid merging with the Fury, bringing it to life. He looked down at Alice but made no gesture, gave no smile. Raven took off, heading towards the area he heard the explosions knowing Jason had something to do with it all. "Revenge." He said. "Shadow, I want you to give me everything you have. We need to kill him for everything he's done to us, and make sure he doesn't do it anymore." The mighty Fury burst out of the forest, moving quickly to his intended target, the Tiger and its pilot.
"There's the squad." Hermann said as he watched almost 100 Zoids come into view.
"We've found nothing sir."
Hermann nodded and sat back. "Where the Hell is this thing at?"
Jason looked out at the army and smiled. "Now Van, lets see how well I molded you." Jason set his sights on the army of Command Wolves and Shield Ligers. The Tiger mouth opened and the gun underneath its neck moved forward, both creating a glowing ball. "Time to die." The two beams fired, destroy the Zoids that were remotely close to them beams. The Tiger jumped out and pounced on a Zoid that had escaped the blast, driving its teeth into the neck of the Zoid, severing the cockpit from the body.
"Where the Hell did that come from!" O'Connell shouted, searching the area for the source of the beams.
Fiona looked up, still devastated from the news of Irvine's death. She saw it, the massive orange Zoid slowly walking out of the smoke and rubble. "There it is." She pointed out to it, looking at its power and pride, feeling its evil.
"Van, Thomas. You see it!" Hermann shouted. "Damnit, that thing has some power."
Van stared at it, griping his Zoids controls tightly. "You ready Thomas."
Thomas smiled as he looked at the Zoid. "This is it Van."
Van smiled. "Ready Zeke."
Jason smiled. "Time to see weather life will live or die."
Van watched as the Tiger charged forward. "Fast Zoid."
"No fast enough. Beek target that Zoid." Thomas listened to his AI's beeping. "Ready, fire!"
Jason stopped and drew up the Tiger's shield, watching as the Migalowmax bounced off of his shield.
"How the Hell did he deflect that?" Hermann said as he watched is amazement.
"Class 5 shield." O'Connell as he read the information put up on the computer.
"Damnit!" Hermann shouted. "Van, Thomas. Firepower isn't going to work on this thing."
"Great!" Thomas shouted. "The Dibision isn't a close combat Zoid."
"Use your fire to draw his attention, Ill go in and use the Blade Liger." Van replied, pushing the throttles forward.
"Got it." Thomas continued to fire at the Zoids shield, knowing it was useless but that wasn't the object of this.
Van charged as fast as the Liger could move and drew out the blades. He could feel the adrenaline rushing through his body as he neared his target.
Jason smiled as he withdrew the shield and raised the Tiger's right paw.
Van watched as the Tiger caught his blade, holding it there. "How did he do that!" Van did his best to escape but watched as the Tiger used its other to smack the head of the Blade Liger.
Van!" Fiona shouted as she watched the blue Blade Liger fell to the ground though she gave a sigh of relief as it quickly stood back up.
Van looked at the Tiger, breathing hard and feeling a little sweat run down his forehead. "Damn that things strong." He looked over at the broken blade. "Thomas, were in trouble."
Thomas stared at it, trying to figure out how a Zoid could do that to a blade on Van's Blade Liger. "Yea I see that. Beek, Migalowmax."
Jason watched as the beams came rushing towards him. "Useless."
"Haha!" Thomas cheered as he watched his fire make direct contact with the Tiger, which drew out no shield. "Got it!"
"No you didn't." Van said, his voice filled with fear as the Tiger came out of the smoke.
"How. But. I hit it." Thomas said, his smiling and cheering gone.
"My turn." Jason charged the Blade Liger quickly.
Before Van had any idea on what had happened he felt his Zoid crash to the ground. "Damn that Zoids fast!" Van got up again and dodged another charge from the Tiger. The Blade Liger sung its paw at the Tiger, barley nicking the left side of it. The Tiger turned around and drove its shoulder into the Blade Ligers side and used its paw to swipe at its hind legs.
"Hang on Zeke!" Van pushed out the only good blade and watched as it went through the Tiger's chest.
"Damn, lucky bastard." Jason backed away. "Phantom, lets finish this."
Van tried to get his Zoid up but the damage on the hind legs was pretty severe. "Come on Zeke, I need your help here."
Thomas opened fire at the Tiger again, but watched as not a single shell did anything to its armor.
"Annoying little bitch!" Jason shouted turning his Zoid facing the Dibision.
"Damn!" Thomas drew up the shield, embracing the impact of the Charged Particle Cannon.
"Able to hold that off." Jason smiled, as he got ready to fire the other one.
Van finally got the Blade Liger up and made a dash towards the Tiger.
Jason turned the Tiger around, closing off the beam and ducked under the Blade Ligers leap, grabbing its tail with its powerful jaws and slinging it to the ground.
Hermann looked out, gritting his teeth he hated watching this. "Get ready to fire the Gravity Cannon."
"What!" Fiona shouted as she looked back at Hermann. "But Van wont be able to escape!"
"I know that, but look out there. Do you think we have a choice?"
Fiona looked back at watched as the Tiger continued to stomp on the Blade Liger. She felt a tear run down her face as she shook her head.
"I'm sorry Fiona, but if we don't do this then we'll lose, Van's dead either way." Hermann looked at O'Connell. "Give me the coordinates."
O'Connell looked at him and felt some inner resistance. "Yes. Yes sir." He said stuttering, pushing up a few command on the console. "Bearing 6,2,1. Angle 5 down, 3 right."
Hermann set the coordinates and targeted the Tiger. "Sorry Van." He gave a salute and pushed down the trigger.
Jason watched as the shell rushed towards his Zoid quickly. "They still don't get it."
Thomas turned his Zoid around and took off. "You could have given me a warning!"
Hermann ignored him and watched as the shot exploded, creating its massive energy surge. He hated what he had just done, but there wasn't a choice. Hermann closed his eyes, knowing he wasn't feeling near as bad as Fiona was.
Fiona looked out; she couldn't feel her mind working or her heart beating. It was like she was dead, and she had felt this way only once before. "Van." Her voice soft, as if it wasn't even hers. She wept and sobbed over Van's lose again.
Thomas looked out, giving Van a salute. "Its over."
"No." Fiona said softly. "Its far from over."
"What!" Hermann shouted.
Fiona pointed out and showed him a figure slowly walking out of the smoke, no shield even drawn.
"How the Hell did it survive?" Hermann's voice dissipated drastically. He slouched in his chair and shook his head. "Were dead."
Jason smiled as he aimed at the Ultra Sauer. "Can't be stopped with firepower."
O'Connell looked at him. "Do you want to new coordinates sir?"
"What's the point, it survived a direct hit once." Hermann closed his eyes.
O'Connell drove a fist into the console. "I don't believe this."
Fiona stared at the Zoid, still trying to understand why it seemed do familiar. Trying to understand why it existed and why it was so powerful, and so evil.
The Tiger's mouth opened and the two glowing balls slowly come to life. Before Jason could fire though, he watched as a beam moved towards his Zoid. He turned around and drew up the shield, the beam bouncing off of it. "Damn you Raven!"
Raven smiled as he charged the Tiger. "I told you I would have my chance to kill you once and for all."
The Tiger moved quickly towards the Fury, using its shield as a ram.
Raven drew out the Fury's shield and felt as the two Zoids collided with each other at intense speed. "Revenge Jason, revenge." Raven gave a small smirk as the Tiger's feet began to lose grip in the ground, slowly sliding back.
Jason gritted his teeth, using all of his strength to hold the Tiger still. "You forgot one thing Raven."
Raven watched as two balls began to form.
"Can you handle two Charged Particle Cannons at point blank range?" Jason laughed as both beams fired.
Raven watched as the shield held them off. "Shadow, hold it!" Raven felt the controls slipping in his hands as the bright flashes of light glowed heavily in his face. "Shadow!" The Fury pushed the beams forwards, knocking the Tiger back a few meters.
Jason wiped a bit of spit coming out of his mouth and smiled. "Not bad Raven but lets see how well you use maneuverability."
Raven watched as the Zoid charged at him with impassable speed. He had to strain his eyes to keep the Tiger in sight. Using one of the black claws on its back he snapped at the Tiger when it came in range.
The Tiger dodged the continuous attacks, finally driving its shoulder into the Fury's stomach.
Raven felt the impact of the shot, forcing him to jerk in his seat, only the straps keeping him from flying out of the cockpit.
The Tiger raised its paw and smacked the right arm off of the Fury, then bit its neck, throwing it to the ground, putting its right paw on the Fury's head. "Now you die Raven!" Jason heard a scream of rage and turned at the smoke filled crater, watching a blue Blade Liger burst out of it then swerving left and right, quickly making its way towards the Tiger. "How are you alive?" Jason said under his voice.
Van drew out the shield and crashed into the Tiger's front paws.
Jason pushed down on the shield, attempting to shatter it but he saw nothing happening.
"Zeke!" Van eyes were bloodshot from the rage in his body; his voice gave that away easily. Zeke gave off as massive growl, sending the Blade Liger forward with an incredible force of energy.
The Blade Liger rushed forward, the Tiger lying across the shield as Van drove it into a solid rock cliff. The Tiger became embedded in the rock as the Blade Liger backed away slowly, growling and roaring at the Tiger.
Jason's eyes, bloodshot as well looked at the Blade Liger as it roared at it with as much rage as the pilot had. "You are going to die for that!"
"No! You're going to die!" Van shouted as he drove the Ligers shoulder into the Tiger's shoulder, the two Zoids clashing at each other over and over. Neither giving in, neither backing down.
Hermann watched the two Zoids go at each other. "Amazing. I have never seen two Zoids fight like that."
Fiona didn't care about the fight; she was both glad and amazed that Van survived the Gravity Cannon blast.
Raven got the Fury up and set up the clamps, taking aim at the Tiger. "Leave him for me Van!"
Van stared at the Tiger. "I want him as much as you do!" Van was breathing hard, sweat coming out of every pore and blood slowly coming down out of the corner of his mouth, his hair shone in the sunny rays. "Killed everyone, everyone I ever cared about. Rudolph, Irvine, Kruger, everyone."
"He's done the same to me." The Fury raised the clamps and limped up besides the Blade Liger. "My entire life, killing my parents, forcing me to be what I am."
Jason was breathing hard as well, admitting to himself that he had never been pushed this hard in his life. "Both of you working together." He gave off a slight and brief smile. "Should be interesting."
Van looked at the Fury. "Well Raven."
Raven smiled. "Lets kill him for good."
Jason charged both Zoids, slashing the Tiger's claws at the Fury and taking a piece of the armor off.
Van drew out his shield and crashed into the Tiger's side and forcing it to the ground.
The Tiger slapped its paws at the Liger as it rested on the ground, occasionally grazing its neck or side. Finally the Tiger burst up off of the ground, driving the top of its head into the chest of the Blade Liger.
Van felt the impact and his body was thrown forward, only the straps kept him in the seat and even those felt as if they would snap under the pressure his body gave on them.
Jason no longer wanted to toy with them, he didn't want to give them a chance anymore. It was time to end this and get on with the extermination. The Tiger walked up to the downed Zoid and raised its paw high above Van's cockpit.
Thomas drew out the Dibision's shield and rammed the rear of the Tiger.
Jason felt the impact and turned around quickly getting his Zoids feet planted and turning the Zoid around to face the Dibision.
"Forget about me already?" Thomas said panting, rubbing the sweat off of his forehead, feeling the stinging sensation as the sweat slid slowly into his eyes.
The Tiger raised both of its front paws and caught the charging Dibision, sliding back a few meters before its hind legs got planted into the ground.
"Damnit!" Thomas used all of his strength to keep the Tiger from pushing the Dibision backwards, knowing he would be at the Tiger's mercy if he did. He felt as the throttles wanted to go back, doing everything he could to make sure they didn't.
On the other side Jason easily held the Dibision in place and was slowly working the powerful Dibision back. "Could have lived a few days longer if you ran." Jason said with a small laugh of disbelief, he was amazed at how hard this was.
The Fury finally got back up and it limped over towards the Tiger. "If I die I'm taking you with me!"
"Use the Charged Particle Cannon!" Thomas shouted as he still worked on keeping the Tiger from shattering his shield. His muscles were now sore and tight and were ready to give way towards the tremendous pressure.
Raven smiled and put the Zoid in position. A red flash came about in the cockpit stating that the clamps wouldn't go down. "No. No, Shadow do something!" He heard the Organoid growl. Both Shadow and Raven were exhausted, and the Fury barely able to stand let alone fight. "Alright." Raven targeted the Tiger and watched as the glowing ball formed at its mouth. Raven gave a smirk and prepared for the blast.
Jason's eyes widened as the blast came towards him, just then he felt the Dibision's shield give way, shattering into pieces. He smiled as the beam crashed into its armor.
The Fury had flown back almost 300 meters from the blast, its neck unable to move and Shadow out resting on the ground. Exhausted and damaged, the Organoid laid there motionless, Raven doing the same as he fell out of the cockpit.
Van finally got the Blade Liger up and charged Tiger.
"Van! The Tiger has some sever damage where the Charged Particle Cannon impacted the side, if you can use your blade then maybe you can take it out." Fiona said watching the battle unfold. It was incredible, words could hardly describe how great it was, but also how deadly and evil it could become.
Van looked at the red spot on the Tiger's side and gave a nod. "Thomas and Raven are down, the Ultra Sauer can't do much to help." He smiled, panting and sweating from the exhaustion, feeling every muscle and nerve scream from pain and tiredness. "Up to me and you Zeke."
Jason turned his attention to the Blade Liger; once more it stood up long after it should have been destroyed. "I have to hand it to you Van, you have given the Tiger a fight." Jason was panting as well, tired from the battle and all of the shots taken on his Zoid.
"Come on Liger, keep it together." Van killed his smile and stared at the Tiger's red eyes keeping them in his mind. "Ready Zeke?" He listened as the Organoid growled a yes.
The Blade Liger charged the Tiger, making a small pounce at it. The Tiger bounced out of the way and slashed its claws at the Liger, catching the side of it and ripping off a chunk of armor. Jason watched as sparks began to fly out of the Liger and new it was only a matter of time. And the time came quickly as the Blade Liger collapsed to the ground, Zeke flying out of the downed Zoid and crashing towards the ground. Jason shook his head and slowly walked to the downed Blade Liger. "A battle I shall never forget. Thank you Van for this excitement. But sadly I must end it." The Tiger roared in pain as a few cannon shots pierced the weakened area of the Zoid. Jason turned his head and looked at the green and orange Gustav. "This is what I get for not killing you!"
Moonbay as she looked up at the cliff, Ryss and Specula standing there, waiting for Jason to fall into there trap.
The Tiger ran over, ripping the top of the Gustav off with its claws and turned around, driving its claws into the Gustav's neck.
Moonbay gave a shriek of terror, amazed but not surprised at the Zoids speed. She felt the Gustav turn on its back and looked back up at Ryss.
Ryss smiled. "Now Specula!"
The blue Organoid merged with the downed Blade Liger and quickly brought it to life.
Jason looked at it, now he was furious at everyone. "Fine, Ill give you a quick and painless death."
Van shook his head, getting the dizziness out of his mind and looked at the Tiger, which prepared to fire two Charged Particle Cannons. Van watched as the shield came up and smiled. "Specula." He shrugged and pushed the throttles forward, the Blade Liger moving towards the beams quickly.
Jason watched in horror as the Blade Liger crashed through the two beams and quickly make its way towards the Tiger. "How did he do that?"
Van ran up towards the side of the Tiger and drew out its last good blade as it came next to the weakened spot. The blade went straight through the Tiger, cutting a gash from the center of the chest to its end.
Jason turned the Tiger around slowly, listening to Phantom scream in pain as the Tiger crashed to the ground, unable to get up. Jason released the controls and looked at the Blade Liger as it too crashed to the ground as Specula flew out of it, back towards her master standing on the hill. "I. I." Jason was stuttering. "I lost. I lost with the Tiger."
Van slowly let go of the controls, the cockpit black and quiet. "Good job Liger."
Jason got out of the cockpit of the Tiger and ran towards Phantom.
"Hold it right there!" Thomas shouted as he held his right elbow which was now dislocated, jutting out in the opposite direction as it should.
Jason laughed. "This isn't over. Not until I am dead." He looked back at his Organoid. "Now Phantom!"
Thomas watched as the gray Organoid pulled Jason into his chest and took off into the cloudy sky.
Moonbay gave a slight smile as she looked at the Tiger, now downed and destroyed. She was a little happier, but not much.
Van got out of the cockpit, wiping the blood and sweat off of his face. He walked up besides Thomas and smiled, looking at the Tiger.
"That. Was amazing." Thomas said laughing a little, both in joy and disbelief that they had beat that Zoid.
Van nodded his head as he watched Zeke slowly get up and walk besides him. "Good work Zeke!" Van put his arm around the Organoid, petting its head.
"He escaped, you know that." Thomas said.
"But he doesn't have the Zoid anymore. Meaning he won't be as hard to beat."
"I still wish he would have died. Would have made me feel a lot better about all of these deaths he caused."
Van nodded as he looked at the mighty Tiger now lying dormant. "It's a start though."
Thomas nodded as he watched Moonbay walk up to them.
"Thanks for your help Moonbay." Van said letting go of Zeke, hugging his old friend Moonbay.
Moonbay cried. She didn't know what to say, but she just returned his hug.
Raven stood up and smiled as he saw the Tiger. "We win Shadow." He watched his Organoid come up next to him, limping but only slightly. "We win." He looked at the Fury and smiled. "The best Zoid I have ever had." Raven turned and walked into the woods following the trail made by the Fury, Shadow following close to him.
Ryss smiled as she slowly pet Specula. "Jason finally got what he deserved. Now he's all but harmless with nothing left to fight for."
Fiona smiled as she listened to the cheers and hurrahs coming out in the Ultra Sauer. Ignoring them all she just looked down at the Tiger, looked down at Van and Moonbay and Thomas. In her mind she knew it was over, finally over. But her heart said something much different; telling her it was only the beginning. How the true power of the Tiger was yet to be revealed and how Fiona, would become part of that power.