Well, here's the next chapter. This will be one of my shorter fics. I just wanted to tell you that. And I'm also gonna put in three poems by the end of this fic. I want you guys to tell me who you think they relate to, you know, character wise. I'm gonna do three poems. It's just for a little game, that and I love poetry. You can guess or not guess. I don't care.

Disclaimer: Actually, I own all the characters in this story, but I don't own Zoids.

**************************************************************************** ********************

-A wanderer

Trying to find the way

Walking an endless road

The light is gone-

-A follower

Standing in the rain

Not wanting anything

Just to walk on-

-A runaway

On an unclear path

Away from home

Not going back-

-An angel

Beautiful and strong

Lost in a different world

Just a wanderer

Not following a path

Running away

From unseen fears

A lost angel-

~4 years later~

The city was still as huge as ever. Many people scrambled down the streets; just trying to get to wherever it was they were going. There was a shop at the edge of the city for people to bring their zoids when they needed them repaired.

"You got your money, now you can leave," came the voice of a gruff, old man. His voice was kind and a little playful, but also sort of ruff. Two people walked out of the shop. One was a red headed 15 year old and the other was only 10, but had the same red hair.

"Thanks old man, appreciate it," said the 15 year old.

"Yeah, yeah, now get going. You've done your part here," responded the man.

"See ya around."

"Yeah, bye," said the 10 year old. They both silently walked down the street.

"Well, what should we do? Eat, go to the arcade, go to a hotel, what?" asked the 15 year old.

"Maybe we should spend it on something important."

"Eating is important."

"You just ate."

"I know that." They both continued walking, the buildings still as tall as ever. They were approaching an alley and out of it walked 8 men, all dressed in black coats and pants, along with black sunglasses. Most wore bandanas. The two boys stopped. The 15 year old had a look of hatred, along with fear. The men looked to them and smirked. They began to walk over.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Rick Star. Make any good money lately?" asked their leader.

"No, as a matter of fact, I just go fired," lied Rick.

"Oh, too bad, but it's past payment."

"I don't owe you anything."

"Is that so?" He quickly looked to his men, then back at Rick. The men began to move towards him. Rick looked around for an easy way out. He spotted a city bus that was picking up a few people at a bus stop.

"Come on Mattei," said Rick as he grabbed his brother's hand and made a dash for the bus.

"Don't let them get away," ordered the leader. The bus closed the doors and was about to take off. There was a rail on the back of the bus and a ledge. Rick jumped up, pulling Mattei with him, and grabbed the rail. Mattie reached out and grabbed it as well. They both stood on the back of the bus as it pulled away. Unfortunately, the next stop wasn't far away. It was about a block away and the gang was running after the bus. The bus came to a halt and more people were getting on. Rick and Mattei got off and began to run down the street. Mattei was having a hard time keeping up with Rick's fast pace. He eventually had to stop.

"Wait bro," he pleaded. Rick stopped and turned around.

"We don't have time. Come on." He grabbed Mattei's hand.

"I'm tired."

"We have to go now," said Rick in a demanding voice. "Come on."

"Hey!" shouted someone. It sounded like a girl. Rick looked to see who it was, a glare on his face. She had shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes. She wore a white shirt and blue jeans and a pair of normal, white tennis shoes. "You can't boss him around like that. Who do you think you are?"

"I think I'm his brother, and I don't need you meddling in our affairs," retorted Rick. The gang members had caught up by now and were approaching the girl from behind.

"Look out," warned Mattei. She just looked at Rick and Mattei with a confused glance on her face. The leader was about to punch her in the back of the head.

"Get out of the way!" yelled Rick. He dropped Mattei's hand and then went over to the girl. He then shoved her out of the way and took the punch in the side of his face. The force knocked him over and he fell to the hard ground.

"Jerk. How dare you run from us like that," spat the leader. Rick forced himself up onto his knees. His face hurt. He then stood up and stared at the leader of the gang.

"Shut up. I don't wanna have anything to do with you. I'm sick of you and these twisted little games." He was then kicked in the stomach by one of the men. He bent over and got back down on his knees, his arms over his stomach.

"Leave him alone," said the girl, who was now standing near Mattei.

"Do you want a piece of this too, girlie?" threatened the leader.

"Just...just leave her alone. She's got nothing to do with this," said Rick in a soft and pained voice.

"No can do," said the leader. He began to walk towards her, but Rick extended his hand and tripped the man. The other men ran to him. Rick just smiled. He slowly got up and went over to Mattei and the girl, but was then grabbed at the neck from behind. The grip on his neck tightened, cutting off his air.

"This is what you get for messing with us," said the leader in a cruel voice. The look on Rick's face was painful, but it made the man smirk. He tightened his grip even more.

"No, bro!" yelled Mattei. Rick reached into his pocket and took out his wallet.

"Mattei...take...this," he said. He tossed the wallet to Mattei.

"Now...get out of...here," he managed to say.

"I'm not leaving you Rick!" he yelled back. The girl straitened at the mention of his name. She looked to the red headed teenager who was being strangled. He did seem familiar. Rick moaned slightly and would have screamed out in pain if he were able to.

"Yes...suffer," said the leader. Rick brought his arm forward and then jabbed it backwards hard, his elbow coming in contact with the stomach of the man. The man released Rick, who fell to his knees and began to breath rapidly. He then jumped up while the men were distracted. He ran towards Mattie and the girl, grabbed their hands, and ran. They turned a corner, went down an alley, and came out on another street. They then stopped running. All three were breathing hard.

"Hey Rick, you okay?" asked Mattei.

"Yeah," he said. "That punch will leave a bruise and my neck hurts, but I'll live."

"Here's your wallet back." Mattie handed him the wallet.

"Thanks bro. Now we can eat." Rick just smiled as Mattie sighed at his older brother's antics.

"Is that all you think about?"

"No." He still wore his stupid grin. He just laughed slightly. The girl was watching them and just stared at Rick. His blue eyes were smiling right along with his grin. It was as if he had never been in a fight. He was innocent, like a child.

"Oh yeah, hey, are you all right?" he asked, looking towards her.

"I'm fine," she answered. "I think I'm the one who should be asking you that."

"Me? I'm okay. I just got punched, that's all."

"That's all? He could have killed you, and you say that's all?"

"I have to agree bro."

"Why are you taking her side? You don't know her." For the first time, Rick glanced up and really took a good look at her. She seemed concerned about him, but she also seemed mad. He then looked at her eyes: the same emerald eyes and her golden hair.

"It can't be," he said in a quieter voice.

"What can't be?" asked the girl.

"Meiyuu...is...is it really you?" The girl stared at him in a confused way. She then smiled.

"I thought it was you Rick," she said. Both of them smiled. Meiyuu came closer and hugged him and he hugged her back.

"It's been so long," he said.

"I know," she agreed.

"Um, did I miss something?" asked Mattei.

"Sorry bro," said Rick, releasing his childhood friend. "This is Meiyuu. She's my best friend. This is Mattei, my brother."

"Hi," they both said.

"I've got so much to tell you," said Rick.

"I do too."

**************************************************************************** ********************

I'm stopping here for now. I'll put up the 18th chapter of "Destined For Loneliness" soon...after I write it, that is. Remember to Review! Audi^.^