Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Zoids.

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Chapter V: Spirits of the snow

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"Majestic Wolf?" Naomi raised her eyebrow in question. "Never heard of a zoid named like that."

"It's not a name," Chioni said. "It's just a term they use to describe it. No one really knows the name of that zoid or see it quite in detail. He hides in the snow."

"Waiting for its prey, huh," Naomi mused.

"Something like that," Chioni smiled.

"But Majestic? Who called it that?" Naomi asked.

"Uncle Weis did," she answered. "But he had another term for it that I can't possibly remember."

"Anyway," Naomi sighed and looked at Chioni. "Have you always lived here?" the girl smiled at her question.

"In town, no. But I had lived here since time immemorial." Her answer puzzled Naomi a great deal.

Naomi chose to deviate from the topic and rest on a safer one.

"How good are you in sniping?" Naomi asked. Chioni gave her a wide smile.

***

Ivers was getting nervous. He had sent his troops on that search mission but they haven't even checked in yet. Granted maybe the magnetic disturbances may hinder their communiqués but it was already past their time of patrol.

He frowned at the implication of things.

Does the Guardian really exist or was it some sick minded individual who thinks that tormenting one with stories of phantoms was a good past time?

Even if he didn't believe the myth, the fact was every zoid he sent out not one had returned intact.

If this did not stop he would have gone back to base with an empty Whale King.

***

Weis returned to the zoid custom shop a few hours later and found Rick loading the parts he ordered onto the sled.

"How was it?" Rick asked as he saw the man in white.

"He's complaining that the rifles are too weak," Weis smirked. Rick gave him a look of contempt and sighed.

"I'M not a weapons expert," he growled but Weis laughed and patted the shopkeeper's back.

"Mind if I take a whack at it?" he asked.

"Go ahead," Rick said as he continued to load the sled. "Be back in an hour, I have some things I wanted you to have."

Weis playfully saluted the man and left. Checking his watch, he was mortified that he was already TWO hours late. With his experience with women, they are allowed to be late but gets angry if you yourself are late.

Inwardly, he would rather face a Deathsaurer with a Godos equipped with only a pile driver than face a woman's wrath. He'd have a higher rate of survival with the Deathsaurer.

Hell. He'd face the Deathsaurer ZOIDLESS and he may even survive it.

Unfortunately there were no Deathsaurers available.

He steadied himself and went to meet his fate.

***

"Fifteen all," Naomi smiled as she looked at the target range. Chioni had just made another bull's eye making their score even. "I may have to play a little seriously now."

"Me too," Chioni smiled. Naomi laughed and unloaded her rifle.

"You're good," Naomi admitted smiling. "When you want to start out in Zoid Battles, look me up and we'll clean them up."

"Thanks," Chioni blushed.

"Having fun Angel?" the girls turned around only to find Weis smiling at them.

"We are, Uncle Weis," Chioni said as she cocked her rifle making Weis flinch.

"Is this the part where I start running for cover?" he asked. Naomi had a hard time maintaining a straight face.

"I think this is the part where you say your prayers," Naomi joined the teasing as she herself loaded her rifle.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said. "Her parts were hard to come by."

"Should we believe him?" Naomi asked Chioni. The girl paused to think.

"We'll let it slide this time," Chioni smiled obliquely. "But next time..." Chioni aimed her rifle at the humanoid target and fired, obliterating the crotch area. Weis blinked in shock.

Setting the rifle down, she looked at Naomi who just smiled and aimed at the target as well. Severing its arms, legs, head and dusting the destroyed crotch area.

"Shall we?" Chioni asked the redheaded sniper. Naomi smiled and held the girl's hand and left the target range.

"We'll be at the bar," Chioni said before she was completely out of the range.

"Now that's scary," Weis said as he approached the prep table where Naomi's rifle lay. He switched it to full automatic and change the clip for a new one. Aiming at one of the circular target, the pulled the trigger. Continuous fire from the rifle rang throughout the range as the bullets hit their marks; one on top of the other.

The gun was empty when Weis lay it on the counter, smiling at his achievement.

Leaving the range, he left the target hanging.

With all the bullets he fired he made only one hole in the bull's eye. Only widened by the bullet's continuous passage one over another.

***

"Why does he call you 'Angel'?" Naomi asked Chioni when she noticed his pet name for him.

"He sees me as one," Chioni replied. "I found him in the snow. He was wounded and delirious. Of course, I was wearing white so he must have thought that I was his guardian angel sent to guide him to the heavens."

"That was sweet," Naomi said.

"It was unnerving," Chioni sighed. "He was babbling. He also was confessing his deepest and darkest secrets to me and was asking for forgiveness. The things that an eleven year old has to hear. It gave me nightmares."

"So, when he came to he called you angel?"

"Yes," Chioni smiled. "But I'm more of a fairy than an angel."

"She's right you know," the bartender said as he gave them their drinks. "Chioni reminds me of a story my grandma used to tell me. There was this ranger who lived alone in the mountain who had a daughter. Her skin was as white as snow and her hair was the color of ice.

"One day the ranger met a terrible accident and could not come home to his sick daughter. But the daughter waited, using all her strength believing that one day he would return. The girl was never heard from again."

"That was sad," Naomi said sullenly.

"Yeah, it was," the bartender agreed. "But it was said that the spirit of the little girl still haunts the way station she once lived till this day."

"What way station was that?" Naomi asked.

"Way station five," Weis said as he came from behind making Naomi jump.

"Where is that?" she asked.

"You should know," the bartender grinned. "You've been there."

Naomi was puzzled. But before she could ask him more, he moved to another customer.

"What was he talking about?" Naomi asked. Chioni was smiling as she looked at Weis.

Weis, only sighed.

"Way Station Five, is where I live."

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End of 5.

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A/n: There are clues in the names of the characters but by saying this it may become obvious. Thanks for all those who reviewed and thank you to ZBCUltrasaurus for letting me join the Zoids Writers Guild. I felt honored that you thought of me qualified for such a guild. Thanks again.