Well, I'm back for another installation in this fic. Don't worry, I probably won't have Sieg kill Thomas.
A little note on ZOID evolution. As explained in "Chaotic Century", a ZOID that has gained a certain amount of combat experience will evolve, generally with the help of an Organoid. Once a ZOID reaches its third stage of evolution, the Organoid becomes permanently fused with the ZOID. Therefore, Vega's Berserk Fuhrer is the evolution of Raven's Genosaurer, and contains the Organoid Shadow. Rhodry, however, acquired her Berserk Fuhrer from the Zero Temple, and as such there is no Organoid inside the Fuhrer, thus making it slightly weaker than Vega's Fuhrer (unless Rhodry fuses hers with Vista).
Also, I'd like to clear up a few questions about previous chapters.
1. In Chapter 4, the Dragon of Chaos, Thuban, was the embodiment of a star in the constellation Draco with the same name. He called Shifter "Master" because Shifter was the one who created him, by taking the star and creating a life-form from it. In this chapter, or possibly later ones, you will learn the origin of the Deathsaurer and Deathstinger were very similar.
2. In Chapter 6, the white Gordos was the one that Van met up with in "Chaotic Century", as shown by his damaged leg.
Also, I'm sorry I am so late getting this chapter up... I'm having problems with school, plus AOHell won't let me get onto FF.net very often. Please be patient with me!
------------------------------
Last time on "ZOIDs: Futile Ambition"
"So it is war between us, Shifter. You tricked me once, but it will not happen again. I am on my guard now, and I await the moment when I will tear you to shreds." The Konig Wolf vowed, following the other two ZOIDs, "Soon, Shifter... we will see just who is the ikujinashi around here."
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Chapter VIII - A Not-So-Peaceful Interlude
Rhodry sat up in bed, looking around at the room she was in. Obviously, the Emperor had spared no expense to get her a nice suite in the palace while she recovered. Her right side ached, but Rhodry was grateful to see she was still in one piece.
"So, you're awake." Irvine said, sounding somewhat relieved. He was sitting on a chair across the room, watching her, "The doctor said the wound was pretty serious... but your Dark Spiner seemed confident that you'd pull through. We've been taking turns taking care of you."
"We?" Rhodry looked around for others.
"Yeah... me, Fiona, Moonbay, Dr. D, Van, Rosso and Viola, even Emperor Rudolf. Your Dark Spiner wanted to help out too, so he's standing guard below your window... you're four stories up in the imperial palace, in one of the finest suites in the place." Irvine chuckled, "And all of this for a messenger."
Rhodry ignored this, her eyes getting a faraway look, "New Helic City has been destroyed. My Diloforce was successful in rounding up the Sleepers, and the Republican army has already started making their way here. My Konig Wolf seems to have a lot on his mind... I had to send the Berserk Fuhrer to keep him from destroying Thomas... and I think it might have been too little too late for his brother."
"New Helic City is destroyed? What do you mean 'rounding up the Sleepers'? And what the hell is going on with the Konig Wolf and it trying to destroy Thomas? What is going on here?" Irvine stood up.
The door opened, and the others, as mentioned by Irvine, entered the room. Rhodry focused on Irvine, "I am an ancient Zoidian. Through my bond with my ZOIDs, I have seen the events that have taken place at New Helic City."
Fiona nodded, "I too have seen the events that have taken place, because of my connection to Thomas... and more noticably the arrival of the Berserk Fuhrer."
Fiona narrowed her eyes at Rhodry, "The Berserk Fuhrer is an evolution of the Genobreaker, is it not?"
"From Genosaurer to Genobreaker to Berserk Fuhrer." Rhodry nodded, "The third stage of a Genosaurer's transformation. I found it amongst the ZOIDs that I freed in the Zero Temple."
Fiona stormed up to Rhodry and grabbed her by the collar, "Rhodry Ricardi. The Berserk Fuhrer is an evil ZOID. It never should have been created, nor should it be piloted. I advise you to destroy it."
Rhodry grabbed Fiona's hand and pried it off of her shoulder, "The Fuhrer is my friend. I am its pilot. I guaran-damn-tee you that I know it much better than you. I'd destroy myself before I destroy the Berserk Fuhrer."
Rhodry leaned back, "Vista's coming. He should be here any moment."
As if on cue, there came a tapping on the window. Everyone turned to see Vista hovering there, wings flapping slowly. Dr. D walked over and opened the window, allowing the Organoid to step daintily inside.
"Vista, you're back." Rhodry sounded relieved, "I trust the others are with you as well?"
"The Konig Wolf and Dibison are here. Unfortunately, the Severe Tiger's ZOID Core was damaged beyond repair. The ZOID is dead." Vista hung his head.
Rhodry clutched the sheets tighter, narrowing her eyes, "It's my fault. If I'd been a little more careful, I wouldn't have gotten hit by that Gunbluster. I would've been there for the Wolf..."
"Don't feel bad." Vista replied, "You sent the Fuhrer after him and stopped him from adding Thomas to the list of casualties."
"But I couldn't save his brother." Rhodry sighed. On cue again, Thomas entered the room, looking ready to collapse.
"You're dead on your feet, Buffalo Boy." Rhodry smiled, "Sit down. Steal Irvine's chair or something."
"How about not?" Irvine said indignantly. Ignoring Irvine, Thomas collapsed into the chair with a sigh of exhaustion.
"That reminds me!" Vista blurted, "Everyone stand back!"
Vista opened his chest cavity, revealing Karl wrapped in wires. The wires released the ZOID pilot, who fell heavily to the floor, unconscious.
"Take him to one of the guest rooms and see to it that he's taken care of." Rudolf ordered. Rosso and Viola hurried to do his bidding.
After they had left, Rhodry stared at Vista, her expression unreadable. Vista turned to her and tilted his head, "What's wrong?"
Instantly, Rhodry was on her feet. She seemed slightly unsteady, and Vista moved forward to help her stand. Rhodry backed away from him, slapping his claw away. Favoring her right side and trying to ignore the stinging pain slapping Vista's metal claw had given her hand, Rhodry narrowed her eyes at the white Organoid.
"You fused with him." Rhodry said flatly, not bothering to state it as a question.
Vista nodded once, looking as confused as a metal dragon could look, "It was either that or let him die in his ZOID."
"That's how it should've been." Rhodry said coldly, her icy tone quickly changing to rage, "Traitor!! I HATE YOU!!"
Vista braced himself for a lunge, but Rhodry didn't strike out at him. Instead, the young pilot turned and fled out of the room, head down to hide the tears streaming from her eyes.
Vista dashed out after her, watching helplessly as she dashed down the hall. She fell a few times but kept getting up again and continuing her flight. Vista walked a little way down the hall and roared after her. The pilot didn't turn around, and the dejected Organoid returned to the room.
Upon his return, Vista was met by the stares of the others. Vista turned to face them, "What do you want?"
The others looked at their feet, at the ceiling, anywhere but at Vista. Slowly, the Organoid walked to the nightstand and picked up the watch-like device that Rhodry had so proudly carried on her wrist.
"The IBATU..." Vista said, startled, "She left without it... without that, she can't call her ZOIDs. And with that injury, she can't defend herself if Shifter attacks. She may have turned her back to me, but I can't just let her endanger herself. She is still my partner. I must return this to her."
Van took a step forward, "I'll help you. One Organoid can't go after her alone, that's just as dangerous."
"Have you forgotten, Freiheit?" Vista snapped, "I can't match the voice recognition system on this IBATU, but there's still a Dark Spiner, Berserk Fuhrer, and Konig Wolf sitting outside. Since I can assume Rhodry took one of those, I will take one of the other two."
Sieg took a step forward, speaking to Vista in its usual gruff growls. Vista lowered his head and stared at the watch-like device in his claws, "'Give friends a chance'? Sieg, I just want things to be the way they always were... just me, Rhodry, and the ZOIDs. No evil to fight, no worlds to save."
Sieg put a claw sympathetically on Vista's shoulder, growling again.
"Alright... you and Van can tag along. But only to escort me to Rhodry. After that, I want you two to hang back and let me talk to her alone." Vista walked out, Sieg and Van following close behind.
---------------------------
The Charged Particle beam shot from the mouth of the Berserk Fuhrer, turning a plateau into a heap of broken rock.
"Vista... how could you... how could you... HOW COULD YOU?!!!" Rhodry commanded the ZOID to fire again, obliterating the next plateau, "You promised me that you'd be my partner and mine alone! You said you'd never fuse with another! Have you decided that a colonel in the Imperial army would be a better partner than a renegade from Prozen?
"Yes, Vista... one thing that I never told you. A long time ago, before I met you, I worked for Prozen. If Raven was Prozen's right hand soldier, I was his left. I carried out every order he gave me without question with my black Rev Raptor. I destroyed entire cities, laughing in the faces of those who begged for mercy. Then one day I decided that I didn't like the life I was leading. I wanted out... but Prozen wouldn't have it. For my so-called 'treason' to the Empire, I was to be executed. I guess Prozen figured I was too powerful. He sent Raven to eliminate me, but Raven and I had been each other's only friends. When I faced him, Rev Raptor against Genosaurer, he told me that he had no desire to harm me. He finished me quickly, but when I awoke I noticed I was back in my home village. Raven had destroyed my Rev Raptor because it had a tracking device planted in its Core to make sure that I carried out Prozen's orders. Raven had no choice but to destroy my Raptor, but after doing so he transported me back to my village and left me with my family. A couple of months later, I found the hidden basement of the Zero Temple."
Rhodry looked down at the controls for her ZOID, "Perhaps if I am not worthy of you, Vista... perhaps I am not worthy of piloting this Berserk Fuhrer."
The Berserk Fuhrer rumbled, "You are more than worthy of piloting me. The past is the past, don't be ashamed of it... learn from it. You made the choice to turn away from Prozen, regardless of the consequences. You could've stood with him even when he resurrected the Deathsaurer, but you didn't. You risked your life and the life of your ZOID to take up a life you could be proud of. And now you are the protector of Zi... you have been chosen as the one who must save this world from annihilation."
Before Rhodry could respond, a cold voice broke through the communications channel, "So, you can fire a Charged Particle Beam as well... impressive."
Rhodry turned the Fuhrer around to see a red Genobreaker standing there, looking the other Tyrannosaurus-type ZOID up and down as though wondering if it would be a match. The Berserk Fuhrer was very slightly smaller than the Genobreaker, but its drill-like twin AZ185mm beam cannons made it look quite formidable. Rhodry spun the cannons and roared to intimidate the pilot of the Genobreaker.
"Who are you, anyway?" The pilot asked, "I don't believe I've ever seen that ZOID before, and I do get around."
"My name is Rhodry Ricardi, former pilot of the black Rev Raptor known as Reaper and the one chosen to protect Planet Zi from the evil force known as Shifter. This ZOID is the Berserk Fuhrer, and I can guarantee you he's more than a match for your Genobreaker. I have a Genobreaker too... it's white, but other than that they're identical." Rhodry sneered, eager for a good fight.
"Rhodry Ricardi? Black Rev Raptor? Liar!! Do not mock me!" The Genobreaker roared, echoing its pilot's fury.
"Liar? What reason do I have to lie to you? I don't even know you. I've heard of a red Genobreaker terrorizing Zi, but I've never heard the pilot's name mentioned." Rhodry tilted her head in confusion.
"You really don't recognize my voice... now that I really listen, I can see that it's really you, Rhodry. It's me... Raven." The pilot's voice considerably softened.
"Raven?" Rhodry had her Fuhrer approach the Genobreaker and the cockpit opened. The Genobreaker did the same.
For a long while, the two considered each other, then they both broke out in geniune smiles... the first for both in a long time. Leaping to the ground, the two embraced, both talking at once to tell their stories of what had happened to them when they had been separated.
"Now what was it you said about Zi being in grave danger?" Raven inquired.
Rhodry told Raven what had happened, from the time she awoke Shifter to her fight with Vista.
"I'll help you." Raven said firmly after she had finished.
"Raven!" A new voice spoke, spitting his name like a curse, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Rhodry and Raven turned to see a white Dark Spiner and a blue Blade Liger approaching. The two stopped in front of the two Tyrannosaurus-type ZOIDs' pilots.
The Blade Liger opened its blades and roared, "Raven, back away from her. Take your Genobreaker and leave. It's three against one, I doubt even you can stand against those odds."
Rhodry narrowed her eyes, "Actually, if you want to take that course of action, you're right... it will be three against one. I will take my Dark Spiner and team him up with my Berserk Fuhrer and Raven's Genobreaker to destroy your Blade Liger. Raven is my friend, and if you insist on fighting him then you will have to fight me as well. A while ago, Raven and I were both trained under Prozen. Since then, we have found in each other a kindred spirit."
The pilot of the Blade Liger considered this for a moment, the ZOID looking from the Genobreaker, to the Dark Spiner, to the Berserk Fuhrer, then to Rhodry and Raven. Finally, the blades returned to their normal position and the Liger moved from its battle-ready position.
"If you're sure..." Van sighed.
Vista appeared from the Core of the Dark Spiner, holding Rhodry's IBATU in his snow-white claws. Approaching her slowly, he gingerly held out the device.
"You forgot this." Vista said quietly.
Rhodry took it quickly, pointedly avoiding touching his metal claws. With a sigh, Vista backed away, not wanting to risk his pilot's ire. Already the Dark Spiner was responding to the negative change in her chi, shifting restlessly and snarling. Strapping the IBATU to her wrist, Rhodry recalled the Dark Spiner, transporting it back to the Zero Temple.
"Rhodry." Vista said, stepping forward, "I don't see why you think I betrayed you. If you had been in my position, you would've done what you could to save him. I am your loyal friend, and always will be."
Rhodry looked away, "Vista... an Organoid-Human fusion is more than just a physical thing... it also binds the two mentally and sometimes even emotionally. Karl Schwarz now knows how to pilot the Berserk Fuhrer... he knows how to enter the Zero Temple's protected rooms. He is a threat to us now, if Shifter captures him he can learn how to destroy all the hope we have left in this world."
"Doesn't he already know how to get in? You said when we first met that you released Shifter when you opened the secret room." Van jumped out of his cockpit, Sieg right beside him. Making sure he kept a safe distance away from Raven, Van approached Rhodry.
"No... Shifter knows that it's there, and he knows where it is, but he doesn't know how to get in. Only a person with a pure heart could open it the first time, but now that it's been opened once, anyone can open it who knows how." Rhodry sighed heavily. "I need to get back... the Diloforce should be back by now. You guys head back too, but give me a head start. I need to warn everyone that Raven's on our side now. Vista, you stay back with Raven and Van... to stop any fights that might take place between those two. I'm leaving the Berserk Fuhrer with you, I'll take a different ZOID."
Raven returned to his Genobreaker, "We'll be right behind you, Rhodry."
Rhodry pressed a few buttons on her IBATU, and a white Shadowfox appeared on the scene. "I'll use its fog dischargers to obscure myself, to keep Shifter from finding me alone. I'll be taking the Kanara Canyon Pass... it's a treacherous route, so you guys take the long way around. Only my Shadowfox has the agility to make it through."
With a short fox-bark, the white ZOID took off, leaving three ZOIDs, three Organoids, and two rivals.
--------------------------------
Well, that's all for that chapter! Will Karl's new knowledge endanger the mission? Will Rhodry's passage through the Kanara Canyon Pass go un-noticed by Shifter? Will Shifter even try to oppose Rhodry while she's taking the dangerous path through the Canyon? Will Guygalos give Raven a warm welcome once they know he's a good guy? If Van and Raven get into a fight, can Vista stop them? Will Van and Raven even get into a fight? Can the two ever work together? So many questions... so review and I'll get them answered for you in the next chapter!
A little note on ZOID evolution. As explained in "Chaotic Century", a ZOID that has gained a certain amount of combat experience will evolve, generally with the help of an Organoid. Once a ZOID reaches its third stage of evolution, the Organoid becomes permanently fused with the ZOID. Therefore, Vega's Berserk Fuhrer is the evolution of Raven's Genosaurer, and contains the Organoid Shadow. Rhodry, however, acquired her Berserk Fuhrer from the Zero Temple, and as such there is no Organoid inside the Fuhrer, thus making it slightly weaker than Vega's Fuhrer (unless Rhodry fuses hers with Vista).
Also, I'd like to clear up a few questions about previous chapters.
1. In Chapter 4, the Dragon of Chaos, Thuban, was the embodiment of a star in the constellation Draco with the same name. He called Shifter "Master" because Shifter was the one who created him, by taking the star and creating a life-form from it. In this chapter, or possibly later ones, you will learn the origin of the Deathsaurer and Deathstinger were very similar.
2. In Chapter 6, the white Gordos was the one that Van met up with in "Chaotic Century", as shown by his damaged leg.
Also, I'm sorry I am so late getting this chapter up... I'm having problems with school, plus AOHell won't let me get onto FF.net very often. Please be patient with me!
------------------------------
Last time on "ZOIDs: Futile Ambition"
"So it is war between us, Shifter. You tricked me once, but it will not happen again. I am on my guard now, and I await the moment when I will tear you to shreds." The Konig Wolf vowed, following the other two ZOIDs, "Soon, Shifter... we will see just who is the ikujinashi around here."
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Chapter VIII - A Not-So-Peaceful Interlude
Rhodry sat up in bed, looking around at the room she was in. Obviously, the Emperor had spared no expense to get her a nice suite in the palace while she recovered. Her right side ached, but Rhodry was grateful to see she was still in one piece.
"So, you're awake." Irvine said, sounding somewhat relieved. He was sitting on a chair across the room, watching her, "The doctor said the wound was pretty serious... but your Dark Spiner seemed confident that you'd pull through. We've been taking turns taking care of you."
"We?" Rhodry looked around for others.
"Yeah... me, Fiona, Moonbay, Dr. D, Van, Rosso and Viola, even Emperor Rudolf. Your Dark Spiner wanted to help out too, so he's standing guard below your window... you're four stories up in the imperial palace, in one of the finest suites in the place." Irvine chuckled, "And all of this for a messenger."
Rhodry ignored this, her eyes getting a faraway look, "New Helic City has been destroyed. My Diloforce was successful in rounding up the Sleepers, and the Republican army has already started making their way here. My Konig Wolf seems to have a lot on his mind... I had to send the Berserk Fuhrer to keep him from destroying Thomas... and I think it might have been too little too late for his brother."
"New Helic City is destroyed? What do you mean 'rounding up the Sleepers'? And what the hell is going on with the Konig Wolf and it trying to destroy Thomas? What is going on here?" Irvine stood up.
The door opened, and the others, as mentioned by Irvine, entered the room. Rhodry focused on Irvine, "I am an ancient Zoidian. Through my bond with my ZOIDs, I have seen the events that have taken place at New Helic City."
Fiona nodded, "I too have seen the events that have taken place, because of my connection to Thomas... and more noticably the arrival of the Berserk Fuhrer."
Fiona narrowed her eyes at Rhodry, "The Berserk Fuhrer is an evolution of the Genobreaker, is it not?"
"From Genosaurer to Genobreaker to Berserk Fuhrer." Rhodry nodded, "The third stage of a Genosaurer's transformation. I found it amongst the ZOIDs that I freed in the Zero Temple."
Fiona stormed up to Rhodry and grabbed her by the collar, "Rhodry Ricardi. The Berserk Fuhrer is an evil ZOID. It never should have been created, nor should it be piloted. I advise you to destroy it."
Rhodry grabbed Fiona's hand and pried it off of her shoulder, "The Fuhrer is my friend. I am its pilot. I guaran-damn-tee you that I know it much better than you. I'd destroy myself before I destroy the Berserk Fuhrer."
Rhodry leaned back, "Vista's coming. He should be here any moment."
As if on cue, there came a tapping on the window. Everyone turned to see Vista hovering there, wings flapping slowly. Dr. D walked over and opened the window, allowing the Organoid to step daintily inside.
"Vista, you're back." Rhodry sounded relieved, "I trust the others are with you as well?"
"The Konig Wolf and Dibison are here. Unfortunately, the Severe Tiger's ZOID Core was damaged beyond repair. The ZOID is dead." Vista hung his head.
Rhodry clutched the sheets tighter, narrowing her eyes, "It's my fault. If I'd been a little more careful, I wouldn't have gotten hit by that Gunbluster. I would've been there for the Wolf..."
"Don't feel bad." Vista replied, "You sent the Fuhrer after him and stopped him from adding Thomas to the list of casualties."
"But I couldn't save his brother." Rhodry sighed. On cue again, Thomas entered the room, looking ready to collapse.
"You're dead on your feet, Buffalo Boy." Rhodry smiled, "Sit down. Steal Irvine's chair or something."
"How about not?" Irvine said indignantly. Ignoring Irvine, Thomas collapsed into the chair with a sigh of exhaustion.
"That reminds me!" Vista blurted, "Everyone stand back!"
Vista opened his chest cavity, revealing Karl wrapped in wires. The wires released the ZOID pilot, who fell heavily to the floor, unconscious.
"Take him to one of the guest rooms and see to it that he's taken care of." Rudolf ordered. Rosso and Viola hurried to do his bidding.
After they had left, Rhodry stared at Vista, her expression unreadable. Vista turned to her and tilted his head, "What's wrong?"
Instantly, Rhodry was on her feet. She seemed slightly unsteady, and Vista moved forward to help her stand. Rhodry backed away from him, slapping his claw away. Favoring her right side and trying to ignore the stinging pain slapping Vista's metal claw had given her hand, Rhodry narrowed her eyes at the white Organoid.
"You fused with him." Rhodry said flatly, not bothering to state it as a question.
Vista nodded once, looking as confused as a metal dragon could look, "It was either that or let him die in his ZOID."
"That's how it should've been." Rhodry said coldly, her icy tone quickly changing to rage, "Traitor!! I HATE YOU!!"
Vista braced himself for a lunge, but Rhodry didn't strike out at him. Instead, the young pilot turned and fled out of the room, head down to hide the tears streaming from her eyes.
Vista dashed out after her, watching helplessly as she dashed down the hall. She fell a few times but kept getting up again and continuing her flight. Vista walked a little way down the hall and roared after her. The pilot didn't turn around, and the dejected Organoid returned to the room.
Upon his return, Vista was met by the stares of the others. Vista turned to face them, "What do you want?"
The others looked at their feet, at the ceiling, anywhere but at Vista. Slowly, the Organoid walked to the nightstand and picked up the watch-like device that Rhodry had so proudly carried on her wrist.
"The IBATU..." Vista said, startled, "She left without it... without that, she can't call her ZOIDs. And with that injury, she can't defend herself if Shifter attacks. She may have turned her back to me, but I can't just let her endanger herself. She is still my partner. I must return this to her."
Van took a step forward, "I'll help you. One Organoid can't go after her alone, that's just as dangerous."
"Have you forgotten, Freiheit?" Vista snapped, "I can't match the voice recognition system on this IBATU, but there's still a Dark Spiner, Berserk Fuhrer, and Konig Wolf sitting outside. Since I can assume Rhodry took one of those, I will take one of the other two."
Sieg took a step forward, speaking to Vista in its usual gruff growls. Vista lowered his head and stared at the watch-like device in his claws, "'Give friends a chance'? Sieg, I just want things to be the way they always were... just me, Rhodry, and the ZOIDs. No evil to fight, no worlds to save."
Sieg put a claw sympathetically on Vista's shoulder, growling again.
"Alright... you and Van can tag along. But only to escort me to Rhodry. After that, I want you two to hang back and let me talk to her alone." Vista walked out, Sieg and Van following close behind.
---------------------------
The Charged Particle beam shot from the mouth of the Berserk Fuhrer, turning a plateau into a heap of broken rock.
"Vista... how could you... how could you... HOW COULD YOU?!!!" Rhodry commanded the ZOID to fire again, obliterating the next plateau, "You promised me that you'd be my partner and mine alone! You said you'd never fuse with another! Have you decided that a colonel in the Imperial army would be a better partner than a renegade from Prozen?
"Yes, Vista... one thing that I never told you. A long time ago, before I met you, I worked for Prozen. If Raven was Prozen's right hand soldier, I was his left. I carried out every order he gave me without question with my black Rev Raptor. I destroyed entire cities, laughing in the faces of those who begged for mercy. Then one day I decided that I didn't like the life I was leading. I wanted out... but Prozen wouldn't have it. For my so-called 'treason' to the Empire, I was to be executed. I guess Prozen figured I was too powerful. He sent Raven to eliminate me, but Raven and I had been each other's only friends. When I faced him, Rev Raptor against Genosaurer, he told me that he had no desire to harm me. He finished me quickly, but when I awoke I noticed I was back in my home village. Raven had destroyed my Rev Raptor because it had a tracking device planted in its Core to make sure that I carried out Prozen's orders. Raven had no choice but to destroy my Raptor, but after doing so he transported me back to my village and left me with my family. A couple of months later, I found the hidden basement of the Zero Temple."
Rhodry looked down at the controls for her ZOID, "Perhaps if I am not worthy of you, Vista... perhaps I am not worthy of piloting this Berserk Fuhrer."
The Berserk Fuhrer rumbled, "You are more than worthy of piloting me. The past is the past, don't be ashamed of it... learn from it. You made the choice to turn away from Prozen, regardless of the consequences. You could've stood with him even when he resurrected the Deathsaurer, but you didn't. You risked your life and the life of your ZOID to take up a life you could be proud of. And now you are the protector of Zi... you have been chosen as the one who must save this world from annihilation."
Before Rhodry could respond, a cold voice broke through the communications channel, "So, you can fire a Charged Particle Beam as well... impressive."
Rhodry turned the Fuhrer around to see a red Genobreaker standing there, looking the other Tyrannosaurus-type ZOID up and down as though wondering if it would be a match. The Berserk Fuhrer was very slightly smaller than the Genobreaker, but its drill-like twin AZ185mm beam cannons made it look quite formidable. Rhodry spun the cannons and roared to intimidate the pilot of the Genobreaker.
"Who are you, anyway?" The pilot asked, "I don't believe I've ever seen that ZOID before, and I do get around."
"My name is Rhodry Ricardi, former pilot of the black Rev Raptor known as Reaper and the one chosen to protect Planet Zi from the evil force known as Shifter. This ZOID is the Berserk Fuhrer, and I can guarantee you he's more than a match for your Genobreaker. I have a Genobreaker too... it's white, but other than that they're identical." Rhodry sneered, eager for a good fight.
"Rhodry Ricardi? Black Rev Raptor? Liar!! Do not mock me!" The Genobreaker roared, echoing its pilot's fury.
"Liar? What reason do I have to lie to you? I don't even know you. I've heard of a red Genobreaker terrorizing Zi, but I've never heard the pilot's name mentioned." Rhodry tilted her head in confusion.
"You really don't recognize my voice... now that I really listen, I can see that it's really you, Rhodry. It's me... Raven." The pilot's voice considerably softened.
"Raven?" Rhodry had her Fuhrer approach the Genobreaker and the cockpit opened. The Genobreaker did the same.
For a long while, the two considered each other, then they both broke out in geniune smiles... the first for both in a long time. Leaping to the ground, the two embraced, both talking at once to tell their stories of what had happened to them when they had been separated.
"Now what was it you said about Zi being in grave danger?" Raven inquired.
Rhodry told Raven what had happened, from the time she awoke Shifter to her fight with Vista.
"I'll help you." Raven said firmly after she had finished.
"Raven!" A new voice spoke, spitting his name like a curse, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Rhodry and Raven turned to see a white Dark Spiner and a blue Blade Liger approaching. The two stopped in front of the two Tyrannosaurus-type ZOIDs' pilots.
The Blade Liger opened its blades and roared, "Raven, back away from her. Take your Genobreaker and leave. It's three against one, I doubt even you can stand against those odds."
Rhodry narrowed her eyes, "Actually, if you want to take that course of action, you're right... it will be three against one. I will take my Dark Spiner and team him up with my Berserk Fuhrer and Raven's Genobreaker to destroy your Blade Liger. Raven is my friend, and if you insist on fighting him then you will have to fight me as well. A while ago, Raven and I were both trained under Prozen. Since then, we have found in each other a kindred spirit."
The pilot of the Blade Liger considered this for a moment, the ZOID looking from the Genobreaker, to the Dark Spiner, to the Berserk Fuhrer, then to Rhodry and Raven. Finally, the blades returned to their normal position and the Liger moved from its battle-ready position.
"If you're sure..." Van sighed.
Vista appeared from the Core of the Dark Spiner, holding Rhodry's IBATU in his snow-white claws. Approaching her slowly, he gingerly held out the device.
"You forgot this." Vista said quietly.
Rhodry took it quickly, pointedly avoiding touching his metal claws. With a sigh, Vista backed away, not wanting to risk his pilot's ire. Already the Dark Spiner was responding to the negative change in her chi, shifting restlessly and snarling. Strapping the IBATU to her wrist, Rhodry recalled the Dark Spiner, transporting it back to the Zero Temple.
"Rhodry." Vista said, stepping forward, "I don't see why you think I betrayed you. If you had been in my position, you would've done what you could to save him. I am your loyal friend, and always will be."
Rhodry looked away, "Vista... an Organoid-Human fusion is more than just a physical thing... it also binds the two mentally and sometimes even emotionally. Karl Schwarz now knows how to pilot the Berserk Fuhrer... he knows how to enter the Zero Temple's protected rooms. He is a threat to us now, if Shifter captures him he can learn how to destroy all the hope we have left in this world."
"Doesn't he already know how to get in? You said when we first met that you released Shifter when you opened the secret room." Van jumped out of his cockpit, Sieg right beside him. Making sure he kept a safe distance away from Raven, Van approached Rhodry.
"No... Shifter knows that it's there, and he knows where it is, but he doesn't know how to get in. Only a person with a pure heart could open it the first time, but now that it's been opened once, anyone can open it who knows how." Rhodry sighed heavily. "I need to get back... the Diloforce should be back by now. You guys head back too, but give me a head start. I need to warn everyone that Raven's on our side now. Vista, you stay back with Raven and Van... to stop any fights that might take place between those two. I'm leaving the Berserk Fuhrer with you, I'll take a different ZOID."
Raven returned to his Genobreaker, "We'll be right behind you, Rhodry."
Rhodry pressed a few buttons on her IBATU, and a white Shadowfox appeared on the scene. "I'll use its fog dischargers to obscure myself, to keep Shifter from finding me alone. I'll be taking the Kanara Canyon Pass... it's a treacherous route, so you guys take the long way around. Only my Shadowfox has the agility to make it through."
With a short fox-bark, the white ZOID took off, leaving three ZOIDs, three Organoids, and two rivals.
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Well, that's all for that chapter! Will Karl's new knowledge endanger the mission? Will Rhodry's passage through the Kanara Canyon Pass go un-noticed by Shifter? Will Shifter even try to oppose Rhodry while she's taking the dangerous path through the Canyon? Will Guygalos give Raven a warm welcome once they know he's a good guy? If Van and Raven get into a fight, can Vista stop them? Will Van and Raven even get into a fight? Can the two ever work together? So many questions... so review and I'll get them answered for you in the next chapter!
