"And how do you think you'll stop me?" Raven repeated himself as the girl just shook her head.

"This is not right! You'll be killing innocent people! What have they done to you now?" was the reply of the furious Rae.                        

"I don't have time for this!" Raven turned, ignoring her as he shouted back to her, then he hopped in his GenoBreaker. Rae hurried to catch his arm before he too, joined Hiltz, and as she reached out to grab him, he jumped out of her reach. She fell flat on her face with a raging whimper.

"Don't do it!" a last plea was made just as Raven's cockpit door closed, sealing her voice out. Raven's mind refused to be moved by her words, and he immediately went to work in mobilizing his zoid.

"Shadow come on," he commanded his organoid. Shadow was currently gazing at the ebonhaired girl, still laying on the ground, suppressing a sob that tempted her so. At his master's demand, the black organoid made a grumbling noise, and began to walk towards the large Genobreaker, scowling. Raven was being too cruel to her. . . This wasn't right!

"Shadow come now! Don't tell me you feel sorry for HER!" Raven mentally growled, and the organoid immediately obeyed. Shadow quickly rocketed off into the sky in a beam of bright white light, and fused with the Genobreaker, roaring as he did.

::GRRR!:: (She's sad! You bastard! You made her cry!)

"I don't care if she's sad. I have a job to do. Several, actually. When we've done our duties to Prozen, I have a score to settle with someone," Raven mischievously declared, making sure his eyes avoided the girl below him.

"Raven, where the heck are you?" came a voice, then a screen appeared in front of him, of the blue haired mind-reader known as Ryss.

"I am coming. You're impatient," was Raven's dry return, beginning to pilot his Genobreaker. It soared off over the valley, silently and stealthily keeping along the ridges, as not to draw attention to itself. As he got farther away, his eyes were drawn backwards, to Rae, who was now getting to her feet.


::Roar!:: (Haha. You just HAD to look at her didn't you?) came from the zoid core of the genobreaker. Much to Raven's luck, not a single soul could heard it, save him.

"Shut up Shadow. I was making sure the boosters didn't damage the camp!" Raven growled back at his organoid, clenching a control stick in his fists rather tightly.

::Rehhee:: (Yeah right. Whatever.) came Shadow's reply.

Raven ignored the organoid from that point on, maneuvering his large zoid towards a base that blended well into the side of the canyons. People poured out of the zoids, ready for a meeting of some sorts. Zoids of all sorts and people from both the Republic and the Empire were there, most likely on a treaty-renewal convention.

Out of nowhere came the red demon-organoid, and immediately began to terrorize the crowds. Ambient swiftly knocked several people off of the ledge of the base, causing them to fall to a blood-curdling death below. Raven's eyes quickly caught Ryss's Genosaur above the canyons, and Hiltz's Deathsting on the ground.

"He always beats me to it," Raven sighed as he started charging his particle cannon. This time he would win Hiltz's little competition.

"Ha! So long pathetic fools!" he shouted carelessly as the blinding light of the particle beams swept over the side of the cliffs. Once the beam dissipated, nothing was left of the base, save a few burnt zoids, and half of the canyon-side was gone.

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Rae had been watching the Genobreaker with horror. At the sight of so many going, she was shocked beyond terror. Raven, the one she had thought may have a heart, was killing so many people and zoids.

As the ray of light faded, Rae saw nothing left save a zoid far down in the valley. Everything, and everyone, was gone.  Soon enough, the genosaur flew back to the camp which Rae was at, and the cockpit door opened. Ryss hopped out as the Deathsting crawled over the edge, and the Genobreaker landed.

"See what we do now?" asked Ryss haughtily, hands on hips and grinning disturbingly. The girl only stared back, unable to speak or even think anymore. A malicing laugh sounded from behind, and Rae turned just ever so slightly to see a pleasurable, evil grin plastered on Hiltz's face.

"The weak will perish," was all he said as he turned around and started walking toward their camp with Ambient tagging along behind. Just as he had done this, Raven had jumped out of his zoids and walked up to Rae.

"I told you no one could stop me," his voice was more satisfied than necessary, like a child who had just won an argument it resembled. Rae's emerald eyes stared deeply into his, so lost and scared she couldn't even comprehend it. Sorrow, anger, helplessness, pain, and criticism, all in my set of eyes. She gently shook her head, and turned away and left. Raven's proud expression turned into a look of fierce anger, not at her, but at his own feeling.

"I will not tolerate a nuisance such as this feeling," he whispered so softly only his Shadow could hear.

::RRrrr:: (Why do I even bother? You need to get a life Raven.) sighed Shadow, shaking his dragon-like head. Raven glared at Shadow and walked off, the opposite direction of the camp. He had to think again. . .

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Rae was now almost at the bottom of the large valley, stumbling over some rocks, tripping on another. She was headed for the trashed zoid. Now that she was closer, she could smell burnt metal and rubber, and something else she didn't even want to know what it was. The zoid was turned on it's side, and the cock-pit was slightly ajar. Out of the  small crack hung a pale, bloody hand, dangling for all the observe.

Out of sheer curiosity, Rae walked over and forced the cock-pit all the way open, causing a man's dead body to fall out. In surprise, Rae jumped aside, giving a soft squeal. The body fell limply to the ground, landing on it's back, the faces staring eerily at her. Brown, matted hair framed his frozen face, and blue eyes gleamed dully, lifeless and devoid. Rae knelt next to him, gently brushing his hair from his face.

"I can't believe someone would do this to innocent people," Rae thought aloud as a tear rolled down her cheek and then dropped onto the man's empty face. Her eyes caught something she hadn't noticed before, a small note-book tucked preciously under the man's arms.

"What's this?" she asked herself, Mystic watching over her back, and gently took the small book from him.

She opened the book to the first page and read it:


My dear Melanie, how are you and little Cody doing? I hope and pray you two are doing well. I will be coming home in two days, after I go to a special meeting in the Kaeni Canyons. I have a special something for you and Cody for when I come back. I love you dearly, my sweet. Give my boy Cody a hug for me and tell him I'm very proud of him.

Love, Your Reiner

At reading the last word, a small photograph fell slowly to her  lap, and she gently picked it up and studied it. The man was in it, holding a little boy on his shoulders, about five or six. Next to him was a pretty young woman, with blonde hair and brown eyes. They were all smiling and seemed to be very happy.

After reading the letter and seeing the pictures, Rae burst into tears.

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"Why didn't you let me deal with any of it?" question a very agitated Ryss. She was on the verge of pulling her short blue hair from he scalp and screaming at Raven. What was he thinking, anyways? Hadn't they told him the plan?

Raven walked away from the girl, a scowl in his brows, and annoyance seeming to ooze from her very being. That was Raven, alright. Always proud, cocky, and very annoyed.

"Raven, why did you destroy it by yourself. I was supposed to take out the base and you the zoids," Hiltz inquired as he walked up to Raven, also very furious at the cocky warior. Raven's eyebrows arched and his eyes narrowed to mere slits.

"Why would I tell you?" he asked staring straight into Hiltz face, with one of the most intimidating faces possible. Hiltz started laughing, amused at the boy's behavior. Maybe he hasn't taken too big a fancy to the girl, and therefore wasn't being affected by her. . ?

"You were trying to prove something weren't you?" he asked, still wickedly laughing.

"And what if I was?" Raven coldly replied, his eyes even narrower, violet beams of pure rancor seething from within.

"I knew it. You like that Rae girl don't you?" Ryss asked worriedly, nervously running her slender hand through her blue locks.

"HA! No way!" Raven shouted, turning and trudging towards the Genosaur. That seemed to be his quiet place lately. . .

"Then what were you doing, if you weren't showing off?!" Ryss called back, running after him, frowning with immense concern.

"I was proving to everyone here I'm no push-over and that I will do as I please," Raven finished, not giving a motion so much as a twitch of a hand Ryss's way.

"Then why didn't you make sure that you destroyed them -- "

"NO MORE!" Raven, who was now standing under his zoid, waved his hand, dismissing any farther arguments, and then climbed into his zoid.

"I'm going to kill that Rae. She is soooo softening Raven's heart," Ryss declared with annoyance, as Hiltz's vile laughter sounded again behind her.

"You're jealous!" his laughter continued, almost enough to drive Ryss insane this time. Her piercing eyes gave him a scowling deathglare as the sound of the Genobreaker taking off was heard behind them.

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On a mound of dirt so lovingly made, stood Rae, just before a crudely fastened wooden cross made of sticks. In her arms she held the note-book so dearly, and the photo tucked safely inside. The wind gently blew her black curls about, causing them to ever so gently brush her face.

"I will find his wife," quietly Rae whispered, gazing up at the azure skies as saline tears ran gently down her fair cheek.

By her side, stood her loyal companion, Mystic, with her head hanging low from the weight of grief. The two were very much alike, both very empathic and protective of their beliefs. After a few solemn moments, the noise of rocket boosters were heard in the distance, and they slowly grew until Rae knew what was just  behind her. Soon, the three zoids owned by  her 'keepers' were landing in front of her, and the cock-pit door to the Genosaur opened, and Raven peeked out.

"Get in Rae," he commanded loudly, causing Rae to glance upwards. Their eyes locked for a mere second, her expression that of one deeply wounded.

"I said to get in!" he shouted a second time, this time standing up. Slowly, Rae lifted her head, and gazed a moment at Raven, then made her way to the large zoid's side.  Raven climbed down onto the top of the zoid's leg, then a small flat surface just under it. From there, he reached down, just able to grab hold of Rae's arm, and lift her onto in.

"Here," he murmured as Rae took his offer, and was helped up next to Raven. Before Raven could even blink, Rae had lost her footing, and he gently held onto her. "What out, it's slick," he said softly, still holding on to the girl.

Rae stood there a moment, surprised at the gentleness of Raven's assistance. Her cheeks tainted a rosy pink, ashamed of herself for not being careful. Quickly and swiftly, Raven helped Rae up onto first the leg, and then into the cock-pit, in which he took the pilot's seat in front of Rae once she was safely in.

"Your luck is great," Raven started, beginning to take the zoid up into the air. "Ryss is going to kill you, and I have an extra seat. . ." Rae's eyes and  mind weren't with Raven, however. She stared sadly out towards the horizon, where the sun was setting with a colorful show.

"Maybe I will make you go in her zoid next time then," he coldly remarked when his statement wasn't answered.

"And maybe I want to die," Whispered Rae, softly. Her eyes closed and  Raven heard nothing more uttered from her lips.

Puzzled, Raven shook his head, shunning the strong feelings that were brought forth from just one small glance at the beautiful girl. Why did he feel like this, anyways? Was it because he was attracted to her, or something else?

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"Here!" called Ryss, who was standing on a elevated table-land that rose out of the large desert.  "That looks like a good place!" her finger pointed towards a large canyon in the distance. 

"Sure, why not?" Hiltz folded his arms across his chest, and shrugged.

Raven was silent, as was Rae. The group was in the middle of a desert wasteland, and they hadn't seen anything except for miles of dirt and sand.

"There's water there," Ryss happily stated as she smiled. Sure enough, a small stream flowed around the canyon, and entered through a small cavern to the depths of the earth.

"Don't go there," Rae told them, coming out of the three-day silence she had been in. The other three and all the organoids looked at her, wondering what had caused her to speak up so suddenly.

"Why?" asked Ryss, a curious tilt to her head.

"It's not safe," Rae answered simply, and then turned around to walk back to the Genobreaker. The others wondered why she was telling them this, and why she had such an odd look in her eyes. Was she really demanding them not to camp there? Hiltz shook his head, paying no heed to the girl's words, and Ryss puzzled over them. Raven remained silent and staring ahead, a distant look on his fair face.

"I'm still going," Hiltz declared, defiance blazing in his eyes.

Soon the three zoids were making their way to the cliffs that Rae had seemed to anxious over, as it was getting dark. Being in the desert around here, with not protection, was a death-wish, or so Raven had heard several times in his life. He had personally never been around this area, and was beginning to grow restless inside. When they reached the canyons, everyone hopped out, and Rae did so also, though reluctantly.

"Here we are. Doesn't look so dangerous," Ryss mocked Rae, sticking her tongue out then grinning impishly. She loved being right.

"Please let's go," Rae said, a look of sheer horror growing on her soft features. A glint of utter fright radiated from her emerald eyes.

"Aw, is Rae scared?" Hiltz laughed haughtily, shooting Rae a fun-making look. Raven glared defensively at the two, but neither saw it. Hiltz's growing laughter was beginning to annoy him, and his black organoid. Soon, Shadow had had just enough, and with a quick swipe of his large tail, knocked Hiltz into the canyon wall.

"YOU WILL PAY!" he yelled, his voice echoing off the rock-walls in an eerie manner.

"You shouldn't have done that," Rae said, swallowing. Her eyes were filling with unshed tears as she inched back two steps. Suddenly, the air grew still, and clouds blanketed the sun-set, making the canyon fill with shadows. The sound was no more, and nothing dare break the foreboding silence that threatened so.


Bam!  the GenoSaur came to life, shooting a laser straight at the party. The noise was soon followed by many other pings and blasts as the genobreaker and deathsting both joined into the chaos, shooting missiles and lasers. All of the organoids fell to the ground, limp, and before anyone knew what was happening, the whole place was showering with dirt and debris everywhere. Rae opened her eyes, feeling an evil presence.

Rae stood there a moment, wringing her hands in silent anticipation, but she stopped when she caught a shadow moving out of the corner of her eyes.

No, it was darker than a shadow.

"Come out you coward! You're too afraid to face me aren't you?" she screamed above the noise with full force, suddenly turning towards the moving shadow-like figure. The shadow stopped creeping along the walls and came into the open, hissing menacingly.

"You're too afraid to face me alone, so you cheated and used our zoids," she cried with rage and despair. Behind her the zoids were still firing, but strangely enough, they had stopped firing her away. In fact, the whole five-foot diameter around her was clear of any debris or fire. Ryss and Hiltz had ducked into a cavern for cover.

"Rae you're insane! Come here!" hollered Raven, but his attempt was in vain. Rae paid no heed to her captor's plea.

"You're the ones who trespassed on my grounds," the shadow hissed with a voice that could make ever the bravest of brave run away more terrified than a dog in the presence of an abusive master.

"Be gone!" Rae shouted back, a confidence like she had never felt building up inside of her.

"It's mine," answered the shadow, it's eyes blazing with hatred and malice.

"No, it isn't yours. This place belongs to everyone," Rae held her hands out in front of her, her palms facing towards the advancing shadow-creature. "Stay back foul beast!" she cried, her hands beginning to glow an odd blue.

"No," was the final reply of the demonic shadow, his red eyes burning with pure evil, and two void-fangs appeared, dripping with black ooze.

In response, Rae muttered something in a strange language for moment, a soothing presence filling the air. When she opened her eyes again, she hatefully glared at the shadow, and screamed, "I said GO!"and a light appeared around her. It was bluish and glowed brilliantly, causing the shadow to dissipate, shrieking with the most blood-curdling shriek possible. Not a moment later than the shadow completely was gone, the sky returned to a cheery blue, the zoids stopped firing, and the organoids awakened.

"R-rae?" Raven stuttered, not able to believe his eyes. "Are you--" but before another word was uttered, Rae fell to the ground, unconscious.

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In the midst of her void-captured mind, Rae heard a soft voice calling out to her. She ran towards it, but she could not catch up. Why? Why was it teasing her so? Moments, then an eternity passed, and she still could not even spot the owner of the voice.

Suddenly Rae's eyes opened, and she sat up, remembering everything that had happened earlier.

"Is it gone?!" she panicked, sweat pouring down her fair face.

"Yes, it's gone," a voice beside her stated calmly. Rae turned to see Raven, sitting patiently next to her. On some odd impulse, Rae smiled, glad to see the young man beside her. To the girl's surprise, he gave a faint smile back, tilting his head just slightly, then he stood up. However, the movement caused a sudden streak of blood to run from his forehead, and it was then that Rae noticed the gash in his chest.


"You're hurt," quickly standing up, Rae quickly rushed to Raven's side and put a hand gently on his shoulder, turning his head towards her, and looking into his eyes.

"I'm fine," was Raven's answer, his cheeks turning a distinct rosy pink.

"No, you aren't," Rae returned, frowning.

"I am fine. Leave me alone!" he made it clear he didn't want to deal with her, although the two organoids that were now by their side thought different.  Mystic and Shadow by this time were next to them, giving each-other a satisfied glance.

"No you aren't! Take that shirt off now! Shadow go get some rags, I don't care where from. Mystic, watch Raven while I get water," she started blurting out commands as she hurried off to the Deathsting, which was carrying the water supply.

She returned quickly with some water, and quickly built a fire. Raven was sitting, shirtless, revealing his nicely muscled and bleeding chest. His scowl deepened as she neared, mad at himself for actually listening to her. The young man was quite uncomfortable with the black and green organoid staring at him, practically breathing down his neck.

"What do you want? Stop staring!" he said, finally yelling out from the frustration that was building inside him. The organoid only continued it's silent stare.

"Oh! Stop it!" he cried again, but wasn't anywhere near getting results.  Shadow soon returned, right then, carrying a small pail of rags.

"Thank-you Shadow," Rae smiled as she took the rag from Shadow, and then grabbed the water off the fire, and took it over to where Raven was brooding. Taking the cloth, she began to clean the wound of a very furious Raven. He turned his face up and away, embarrassed and ashamed. After a moment, he looked down at Rae, who almost done cleaning it. No longer did the angry scowl knead his eyebrows, but a soft, curious, puzzlement graced his handsome face. Why would she be so loving and kind to him, when he had been so rude and selfish to her?

"Do you believe in miracles?" inquired the girl with a sweet voice, continuing wiping the blood away.

"No," Raven stated, his eyes still on the girl.

Rae looked down, and then put both her hands over the right-side of his chest ,where the wound was. She closed her eyes and then her hands began to glow a soft green, and soon faded away. Quickly, she removed her hands, and there was not a trace left of the wound, even a scare wasn't present. Raven's eyes widened with awe, as he gingerly felt the place where he had been hurt with his hands. Rae stood and walked away, leaving Raven still sitting, with a awe-stricken look on his face. Neither were aware of a certain blue-haired zoidian who'd been eavesdropping.

Raven quickly rose to his feet, rushing towards the edge of the cliff where Rae was now standing. Rae was gazing at the heavenly skies with admiration when Raven came up her, and placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

"I want to thank-you -- for everything you've done today," he whispered softly, his eyes on the sky as well. Just a moment later Rae turned around, silent crystalline tears slowly sliding down her cheeks.

"I don't know how I did it. . ." her voice trailed off, but she started again as her eyes gazed at the ground. "The shadow, the language, or healing you. . ." Raven had just stood there, wondering what to say to Rae, but his head could think of nothing.


"Rae, I--"

Crack!

Suddenly, the very edge of the cliff began to crumble beneath them, and Rae began to fall backwards. A surprise, dazed look washed over her face as she felt herself begin to fall backwards. . .

"No!" Raven shouted as he snatched Rae into his arms, and quickly stepped back several feet. The very edge of the cliff gave way, just that instant, and fell to the ravine below. As the tumbling debris echoed throughout the canyons, Raven stood there, embracing Rae lovingly, holding her so dearly and preciously. Never before had he been so scared for someone. It was so odd. . . 

Finally, he pulled away, brushing a rogue strand on hair from Rae's face, and gazing into her eyes. "Thank-you," Rae managed to say, a look of pure innocence in her eyes. Raven's emotions swam inside him, confusing his mind yet again. He couldn't take this. . .

"Don't expect it next time. I only did that because I wanted to get even," a sudden scowl returned to his brows, and the boy pulled away, and walked off with his arms now crossed and his eyes narrowed.

"No Ambient. We have to tell Prozen." Hiltz told Ambient. They had been watching the whole thing from behind the Deathsting, just across from where Ryss and Ambient had been observing behind the Genosaur.