Past Returns

The lumbering beast grew nearer as the seven Zoids stood at the front of the Last Guard Team base. The pilots shifted uneasily in their seats. Jamie's Raynos fired up its engines and took off into the sky.

"I'll stay on watch and see how close I can get to this thing," he said, and boosted off.

The rest of the Kreuz Team and the Last Guard Team watched the green Zoid fly toward the giant.

"Any idea what kind of Zoid it is, Ariel?" K.O. asked.

"Sensors indicate a Gojulas, but it's moving and an incredible rate for one," Ariel announced.

"How fast?" K.O. inquired.

"180 km/h. The usual speed for a Gojulas is 75!"

The Raynos swooped in.

"It's a Gojulas all right, but it looks real different. Unlike the normal nice little Gojuluses we know, this one isn't upright. It runs like an actual T-rex with its body parallel to the ground."

The other pilots weren't able to answer, because soon enough, the Gojulas reached them. It loomed high over the seven Zoids, and let out a terrifying roar.

"Like my new toy? Nothing like you've ever seen is it?" a voice echoed through the minds of the pilot.

"Inari!" Ariel growled.

"Good, at least you remember who I am. I am, after all, the one that is going to destroy all of man-kind," the voice laughed. "This, my weak little human friends, is the Giga Gojulas, or the Gigantor. It's the newest Gojulas platform created by the Battle Commission that my new little slave stole for me."

"You coward! Why don't you ever come fight us yourself!" Cloud suddenly yelled out.

The voice laughed. "Because, I have more important things to tend to. Play nice."

The Giga roared. There was a flash, and the Ion Sniper was charging the Gigantor.

"I'll take this bloke out," Cloud growled. "Weasel Unit Total Assault!"

The barrage of missiles and Gattling shots showered the sky and rammed into the Giga. The dust cleared, and the Gojulas was still standing on the same spot, seemingly unscathed. It roared, and shook the ground. The Ion Sniper backed off.

"We can't take this Zoid out individually, we have to work together," Ariel said.

"Together? Huh. There is no together," Death glowered.

The Genosaurer opened its hover ports and took off toward the Gigantor. It banked left and fired its mounted cannon at the Giga. The behemoth grunted irritably and with a quick swipe of its monstrous tail, sent the Genosauer rolling across the landscape. The Reaper Zero jumped forward to be the next contender, but K.O.'s green Blade Liger blocked its path.

"No. We can't take this guy out individually, just like Ariel said. We have to work together. Even if the Kreuz Team refuses to do so, we still are the Last Guard Team, and we will work together. That is not a suggestion, that's an order from your captain," K.O. said.

"Whoa. K.O. is actually acting 'captain'-ish," Strider said with a whistle.

The green Blade Liger glared at the other Liger, which turned away unnoticing. Gash stepped forward next to the green Liger and the Reaper Zero.

"So, any plans Captain?" Ariel asked, eyeing the approaching Gigantor. "Because if you do, now would be a good time to tell us all."

"Damnit Strider, get over here," Angel snapped.

Strider grinned sheepishly and walked his Liger toward the rest of the team.

"Just because the rest of us are getting all serious, doesn't mean you get to slink off," Angel said with a grin.

This was their way of dealing with tough situations. Whenever the Last Guard Team was in a fix, they'd always joke around to blow off some steam.

"Alright. The Reaper Zero is the fasted Zoid here, so Angel, I want you to attack the Giga head on. I know your Zoid is really durable, but I don't know how much damage this thing can inflict. Be careful, and just try to keep the Gojulas occupied until I tell you to pull out. Ariel, since you can run around this place without being seen, Strider and I will attack the Gojulas from both sides after Angel pulls out. You have to somehow find some weakness on the Giga if you can, and send us some info and updates. The Helcat is not a particularly strong considering its limited armor, so don't pull of anything stupid. Got it? Okay. Everyone ready? Let's get going then."

The Reaper Zero took off toward the behemoth, its lips pulled up into a snarl. The wolf-Zoid leapt toward the Gigantor and turned around in the air, hitting the Gojulas with its back feet, then pushing off again to land safely on the ground.

"That was good Zero. Now lets see what this Giga can do."

The Zero howled and charged again, quickly and constantly changing positions to confuse the Gigantor. It then jumped passed the monstrous Zoid, slicings its side with blades. The Gojulas roared in agony, and swept its tail at the Reaper Zero.

"Too slow," Angel laughed.

She came in for another round when she heard K.O.'s incoming call to pull out.

"Aww...I was just getting warmed up. Alright. Pulling out." The Reaper Zero halted its charge.

The Gigantor, confused, charged the immobilized Reaper instead.

"Bad move," Strider grinned.

The two Blade Ligers criss-crossed each others' paths, and cut deep into the Gojulas' armor. The behemoth roared in sheer anger. Its roar sent a shock wave through the air, hitting all the Zoids, sending them to the ground. The Gojulas then seemed to sit down in a normal Gojulas stance, and locked its position. Gash stood up.

"What? This Gojulas can change its position?"

The two colossal rear-facing cannons shifted and positioned themselves as back-mounted weapons pointing forward. The Gojulas roared and fired a blazing stream of blistering red thermal energy toward the downed green Blade Liger. K.O. opened his eyes and saw the red beam approaching, but knew he could do nothing to avoid it.

"Well, this is it," he thought to himself.

But as he closed his eyes to accept his fate, something banged into him from the side, knocking him out of the cannon fire's trajectory. K.O. still felt the searing heat from the blast, but his Zoid was unaffected. K.O. turned and saw that the Raynos had pushed him out of the line of fire, but was now a burning mass of twisted and melting metal.

"Jamie!"

No answer. Another beam was headed toward him. This time K.O. avoided the blast. Just barely. The Incendiary Beam Cannon's blast singed the side of the Blade Liger, leaving an ugly black mark. K.O. was angry. He turned his Blade Liger toward the Gigantor and charged. Another blast skimmed his Liger's shoulder, leaving a green metallic mess that dripped down its leg. But the Liger continued on. Another Liger and the Reaper Zero formed a two- person line behind him. The Genosaurer, the Ion Sniper, and Gash were in back of them. The triangle formation advanced forward, breaking when needed, but joining back together after.

"K.O, the Gigantor does have a weakness. Its knees, the armor is weak at the knees," Ariel informed him.

K.O. nodded. "Alright then. Split left and right, three and three. Surround the Gigantor and try to avoid its beam cannons while aiming for the knees."

"The knees?" Death scoffed. "What kind of plan is that?"

"It's the only hope we have left of surviving."

-------------------------------------------

Rit and Drake sat Jason upright, trying to give him some water. Jason only groaned and turned his head away.

"You have to drink something. You're tired and dehydrated," Rit said softly.

"Can't..." Jason gasped. "Hunger..."

"Hungry? You're hungry?"

Jason's eyes snapped open and he flailed his arms to get away from the two teens.

"Hey! It's you!" Drake said and stood up. "Didn't notice you with your eyes closed and you looking so tired."

"Don't come near me," Jason warned.

"We're just trying to help-" Rit started.

"You can't help me. No one can," Jason said in a low voice.

Then the wind started to swirl around. Jason froze. Inari appeared behind him, her left hand on his shoulder, her right on his waist. She peered around Jason's form, and looked at the two pilots. The demon queen grinned.

"So, I've finally found you, my dragon," she said to Drake. Then Inari's eyes turned to Rit, and she growled. "Khai! Kill the spare."

A streak of red shot passed both Jason and Drake, and up around Rit. She fell to the ground, a giant metallic snake wrapped around her body. It hissed and showed its teeth, dripping with venom. Rit shrieked. Inari turned away and whispered something into Jason's ear. Jason's eyes were lifeless and hollow. He nodded limply and walked over to Drake. Drake backed away and threw a punch at Jason. Jason caught the punch and kicked Drake in the gut, knocking him unconscious. He then picked the boy up and followed Inari in the trees. Rit was still battling the snake, when a black flash tackled the snake to the ground.

"Chemuk!" Rit said, relieved.

The organoid barked and pinned the snake to the ground. She then looked at Rit.

"No, wait." Rit approached the snake, which turned into its humanoid form involuntarily due to loss of energy.

Khai cringed as Rit approached, and held his hands in front of his face.

"Please..." Khai began.

Rit looked down sympathetically at the boy. But she shook her head and tried to look stern.

"I'm sorry.." Khai continued, still cringing. "I-I didn't want to but-"

Rit couldn't hold on to her tough-act anymore.

"She did the same thing to you, didn't she?"

Khai looked up with his sad, pitiful eyes. He nodded slowly.

"I-I was once normal. Like, a normal boy. But then...Then she came a took me away. Turned me into this." Khai looked down at himself. "A freak. Half human, half snake. She told me I was a wasted form of life. That no one in the human world would miss me. She tried to make me hate humans...but I couldn't."

Khai buried his face in his arms. Rit, standing above him, couldn't help but feel superior over this boy. This boy that was part animal. This boy that was a demon with supernatural powers.

"Tell me where that demon took my friend," Rit said.

Khai looked up with tear-stained eyes. "I-I can't. She'll kill me..She'll-"

Rit angrily grabbed Khai's shoulders and shook him.

"She won't get to you! I promise! Just please..."

Rit dropped the boy's shoulders and turned around. Chemuk had her eyes glued on the strange snake-boy, but was determined to comfort her partner.

"The girl..." Khai said suddenly. Rit turned around. "She wants the girl."

"What girl?"

"She has the dragon-boy. All she needs now is the girl. The girl with the griffon."

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Shane's eyes fluttered open. She sat up on the log. Where was everyone?

"Jason? Jake? Where are you guys?" She stood up. "This isn't funny. Come on. Where are you?"

Arrow came down from the sky and perched on Shane's shoulder. She crooned softly.

"Hey Arrow. Have you seen Jason and/or Jake?"

Arrow gave a cry and took off into the sky.

"Tell me if you find them," Shane called after the falcon.

There was a shuffling in the trees.

"Jason? Jake?"

A woman stepped out, wearing a malicious grin. Then, a familiar someone stepped out next to her.

"Jason!" Shane cried happily.

She ran to greet him, but stopped short. Jason's eyes were hollow and lifeless. He carried a boy in his arms. The woman stepped out in front.

"Hello. I have finally come to meet you myself. I see you've already met-"

Shane's palm collided with the side of the demon's head.

"What did you do to Jason?!" she roared.

The demon queen grinned.

"Touché, touché," Inari said, shaking her head.

The demon then stuck her palm out in front of Shane. Shane looked at it, confused. She suddenly coughed. She couldn't breath! Shane tried to suck in air, but she couldn't. Slowly, Shane sank to her knees, gagging and chocking, trying to fill her lungs with air. Finally, the girl fainted into a heap. Inari put her hand down. She nodded to Jason, and he walked over and picked up Shane's lifeless body and slung it over his shoulder.

"I have the two that hold the key. Now the destruction begins," Inari laughed.

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Kat and Jake ran down the streets, pushing passed demons, yelling 'sorry's over their shoulders. Finally they reached a park-like area. There were two demon-men lying on the ground. A form stood above them. Kat and Jake stopped abruptly. The form laughed hysterically

"I love this!" Shinigami yelled in glee.

She turned around. Kat saw that indeed, Shinigami had also been changed according to her Zoid. There were flaming wings on her back, and a long, black metallic tail protruding from her backside. Her feet were metal talons, and long elliptical shapes covered both her arms. They were like metal guards going from around her elbow to the tips of her fingers. Kat later saw that her hands were still there, they were just grasping onto small holds inside the armor. At the tip of each shell, were two long scythe-like claws.

Shinigami's eyes were wild, and she grinned deviously.

"Hey! It's you! Is that guy bothering you by any chance?" she said, motioning toward Jake.

Jake's eyes bugged out. "Eh?"

Kat turned to him, and grinned evilly. Jake shook his head, eyes wide with fright.

"Nah. He's the one who gave us these forms anyway. If you were to attack him, he'd take away your demon form like that." Kat snapped her clawed fingers.

"Actually, I can't. The form lasts until we get out of the demon world," Jake whispered to Kat.

"Well, it's either I lie for you, or she slices you open and guts you like a fish," Kat replied snidely.

"I'll take the first one..."

Shinigami looked over at Jake, who froze at her glance.

"Alright then. Good job," she added with a grin. "So, where is this place anywho?"

"The demon world," Jake answered, going back into his serious mode. "Somehow that demon lady must have somehow flung all three of us into her world."

"How do we get out?"

Jake shook his head. "If I knew, I'd tell you. But the question is not whether we get out or not. It's whether the human world can withstand the demon's full wrath."

"What do you mean?" Kat demanded.

"The demon queen, Inari, is after two 'keys' hidden in the human world. I have heard rumors that they are actually within two humans, but I am not certain. These keys hold powers of great intensity, and if in the wrong hands, can cause immense damage, perhaps even destroying the planet. I am afraid that the demon may have already found them."

"What?!" both girls yelled in unison.

"But, there is a catch. Inari cannot use this power."

Both pilots let out a sigh of relief.

"She will most likely turn these two humans into her own kind."

"How?!" Shinigami yelled. "We can't handle this one demon! How can we handle two more!?

"There are three demons on Zi right now and-"

"But how will Inari be able to get the new recruits to obey her demands? Demons are not soulless," Kat said.

"She tells them things that are not true. She deceives them and lies. The two other demons, Enko and Khai, are actually humans who have been turned into demons."

"Why is she simply changing them into demons?" Kat asked. "Why not change the whole planet into demons?"

Jake turned to look at Kat. "Because she cannot. The humans that hold the key have influence from the Old World."

Both girls looked at the organoid-boy hard.

"What do you 'Old World'?" Shinigami asked.

"Their Zoids are both mythical creatures you see only in human fairytales and stories. But these creatures once did thrive, but in the Old World. The world has long since been exterminated and forgotten, but some traces remain. How do you think humans received the idea that unicorns, phoenixes, dragons, and griffons existed? Because they did exist. And somehow, some hint of these creatures remained, and hid themselves deep within the mind and body of a few humans. They have some strange connection to the Old World, and tend to have Zoids that match the soul of the creature that is concealed within them. Inari has the power to draw out that soul and mold it to her wishes. That is what she did to Enko and Khai. Their demonic forms may not seem like forms of Old World creatures, but are. The silver fox, the symbol of the Old World Guardians. The red snake, the form the Underworld dwellers took to disguise themselves. It all fits..." Jake trailed off.

Kat and Shinigami waited for him to continue. When he didn't, Shinigami rolled her eyes and said, "What? Out of batteries? Come one! Tell us mo-"

"Batteries!" Jake burst out.

"What?"

"Shinigami! You're a genius!"

"Er...okay, let's leave it at that," Shinigami said with a shrug.

"Nothing can be created out of thin air. Not even the energy used in Inari's schemes. Just because this is not the human world, doesn't mean the same rules do not apply. The demon queen must be getting her energy from some source, just as the organoids and Zoids get their energy from the Zoid Eve. If we destroy the power source, we destroy Inari!"

"But what about the rest of the demons?!" Kat said angrily. "They're probably not all bad."

Jake cocked his eyebrow. "You'd be surprised. But don't worry. I think I have it all figured out."

{A/N: Yes, I know. I really do love cliffhangers. Leaving you people on the edge of your seats is just so fun. Lol. Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing. Oh yeah, and I didn't kill off Jamie, so don't start complaining just yet.}