NOTE: I do not own Zoids, though I really wish I did.
ZOIDS: EPIC CENTURY
By Lightning Dragon
Much happened after the defeat of the second Death Saurer. Some 7 years later there was a double wedding: Van Flyheight and Fiona Alysee Lanette, along with Raven Obscura (he had chosen his own last name due to his obscure past) and Reice. Van and Raven remained rivals, but on friendlier terms. Raven even joined the Guardian Force (along with Reice) to everyone's surprise. Irvine and Moonbay were much the same as ever, though they too were now married (to the surprise of some). Also, both the Guylos Empire and the Helic Republic had jointly established a Zoid-battle tournament.
But that is all long past, for it is the year ZAC 2370, 200 years after the death of Van Flyheight. Van, along with his comrades and rivals, had become a legend. But as it is said, history is doomed to repeat itself and Zi faces yet another difficulty.
* * * * *
Chapter 1: Fire!
"Uggghhh, I can't sleep." A rather-tired looking girl got out of bed. Her blue hair was a bit matted and her green eyes were barely visible under her dropping eyelids. "I might as well get some fresh air. Anything's better than suffocating to death in here." She changed into her everyday clothes and wandered over to a nearby hillside, gazing at the stars. They seemed brighter than usual.
"Attarka village, what a peaceful place. These fools will have no idea what hit them. And in these Zaber Fangs, the Republic will think this was all the Empire's fault."
"What was the plan again, Preig?"
"We demolish the town and leave one of these Zaber Fangs here. And leave no survivors, otherwise they'll figure it all out."
"Roger that."
Three Zaber Fangs headed closer towards the village. With the blanket of night surrounding them, the villagers wouldn't know in time to escape.
"Alright boys, commence the attack now!"
The Zaber Fangs ran towards the village and began firing their cannons.
What was that? I thought I heard an explosion! That couldn't just be my imagination! The girl turned to towards the direction of the village. It was engulfed in flames, and several Zoids were demolishing everything and anything. She stood there in shock; her eyes riveted to the scene, her feet unable to move.
One of the Zaber Fangs turned toward her. "Hey! I think I see someone over on that hill!"
"Then what on Zi are you waiting for? Kill them!"
The girl broke out of her trance. She had to run for it. She plunged down the other side of the hill and hid behind a small grove of trees. There's no way I could outrun a Zoid. I'll have to hope they don't find me here.
"What! You lost them?"
"Sorry Preig, its too dark out here to go on a manhunt."
"Don't you remember our orders? No survivors! Absolutely NONE!"
"Oh come on, give Flang a break. It's miles upon miles to the next town. There's no way anyone could make it on foot without provisions. Besides, even if they did make it, who would believe 'em? They probably thought we're Imperials! That makes it even better! Then they can spread news in the Republic about an attack from the Empire. That would only further our goal!"
"I suppose you're right, but you know how much the boss hates when we mess up."
"Yeah, well, what's a beating if we accomplish our goal in the end? If it works out well, maybe we'll get promoted."
"Let's just get back to destroying the village. We'll carry out the rest of the plan and no one'll ever know the difference."
* * * * *
The Zaber Fangs headed back towards the village. Noticing that they didn't seem to be coming back, she ran away from the village. And she kept running, unable to do anything else. Days, nights, who knew how long it had been. She would rest a while, and then keep going as fast as she could, as long as she could. But without food or water, she was done for. It was barren land as far as the eye could see. Eventually she stopped and collapsed. This is it. The end. Looks like I won't be able to make it. She closed her eyes. It's just too far. And I'm so…tired…
At that same instant, by pure chance it seemed, an Imperial Zaber Fang approached.
"Is that a person over there? It's hard to tell in this glaring light." The pilot stopped and jumped out of the cockpit, shielding his blue eyes from the sun's brightness. "It is a person, alright, and she doesn't look so good. Is she still alive?" He ran closer. "Yes, she's still breathing. Looks pretty dehydrated, though." His hand combed through his jet-black hair. "I'd better hurry, she looks near death." He ran back to his Zoid and grabbed a bag from the cockpit. "I don't have much left, but it's better than nothing." He ran to the unconscious girl and pulled a water canteen from the bag. "Hey, wake up." He poured some of the cool water into her parched mouth. She began to stir.
"Mmmph…Am I alive?"
"Yes, unless heaven looks like a wasteland. Hungry?"
"Oh yes, very hungry. I don't think I've eaten for days."
He offered her a sandwich. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Trying to get to the nearest village." She took the sandwich and devoured it greedily.
"My, you weren't kidding! One would think you just escaped a famine!" He slapped his forehead. "How rude of me! I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Dregan Obscura."
She finished her sandwich. "Nice to meet you. My name's Mina Stormwind."
"Well Mina, why exactly are you wandering out here alone?"
She lowered her gaze. "My village, Attarka, was destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Dregan looked puzzled. "By what?"
"Zaber Fangs. I think there were three of them. But they weren't like yours. They were much newer versions."
"Those are Imperial Zoids. This keeps getting stranger and stranger," He said thoughtfully.
"Say where are you from?"
"Oh, here, there, and everywhere. I just wander. Anyway, what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. But I want to find out about those Zaber Fangs and the ones responsible. They in my village but me. I won't let them get away with that."
"Well, there's only one way to find out about them. We have to go straight to the capital of the Empire."
"We?" She asked, looking a bit surprised.
"I can't just leave you here." He explained. "Besides, I was headed that way myself. Although you must know, it's a long journey."
"I know, but you'll really take me there?"
"Sure, why wouldn't I?" He smiled. "Who knows? It could be an adventure," He said as he stood and helped her up. "We'd better get moving. I'm starting to get low on supplies, and I wasn't exactly expecting company." He headed toward his Zoid while Mina just stood there. "Well, are you coming?" He turned and asked.
"Yes, but wait, you said you name was Dregan Obscura, right?" He nodded. "Like Raven Obscura?"
He looked down at his feet. "Yes, he was my ancestor. If you don't want to come now, I understand."
"No, no, I think it's cool that your ancestor was Raven."
"Really? Most people don't think so."
"Yeah, well he did join the Guardian Force after Hiltz was defeated. He really wasn't that bad, from what I've read. Now I guess we'd better go." She walked a few meters and stopped dead in her tracks. "Wait a sec…" Her eyes widened in shock. "Isn't the Zaber Fang…a one-seater?"
Dregan laughed. "I know what you're thinking. Yes, most Zaber Fangs are, but not good ol' hurricane here," He said, motioning toward the silver-colored Zoid. "He was the Zoid of some emperor a long time ago, so he was modified to be a two-seater. You know how emperors are. They won't drive themselves anywhere." He stated as he helped her into the cockpit.
"Hurricane? That's an interesting name for a land Zoid."
"Well, hurricanes are swift and powerful. It just seems to fit my buddy here."
"I guess that makes sense. It is a nice name." She looked excited and ready for an adventure. "Well, then I guess let's go!"