Neko: Hello All!!
LigerZero: GRRRRRR
Neko*grins* A few things before the chapter.
*Ducks down behind Liger Zero and pulls out banner reading "THANKS FADE" *
Neko: Yes I would like to thank Fade for beta reading for me, THANK YOU
Liger Zero: Growl
Neko*pats Liger Zero*: Ok last thing, I do not own anything in this story, except Avalon but that's it I don't own zoids or anything to do with Zoids. Don't Sue please!!!
Liger Zero: GRRRRRRR
Neko: Ok ok, onto the show!!!!
Chapter 2 PowerplayProzen watched as his men moved the Deathsaurer into his bay. A slow smile drew across his face, he knew that it would be very soon that he would destroy the Republic and have total control over the whole planet. His eyes narrowed, as he knew there was a weakness to his plan: the Deathsaurer could be destroyed. He turned from the rail and slowly began to walk across the platform. Yes, the Deathsaurer was by far the most powerful Zoid, yet it had a weakness. He walked down the stairs towards the Deathsaurer and his mind began to think. The Ancient Zoidians discovered something that could destroy the Deathsaurer but it was too late to activate it; the Deathsaurer destroyed those who knew about it. Prozen smiled at that last thought, but that will all change, soon the Deathsaurer will be stronger then ever and if by chance someone knew the weakness to the Deathsaurer it wouldn't matter.
He had reached the Deathsaurer and observed it; he reached out and touched it feeling it's metallic texture under his hand, yet he could also sense the power inside of it, growing more powerful by the day. He closed his eyes and felt the power wash over him, like a blanket he wrapped himself in it. He never felt so powerful, he opened his eyes and wished for that power to consume him, but he had to control himself; he dropped his hand and felt the strength leave him. He felt his shoulders sag in exhaustion, yes, he could control the Deathsaurer but only for a limited amount of time and already he had used a lot of his own power. He scowled at the Deathsaurer; it used a lot of power not only from itself but also from the pilot so that pilot had to be strong both physically and mentally. But like the weakness that would change also.
"Lord Prozen."
Prozen turned around and saw a Sergeant standing behind him.
"Yes."
"The Lords have arrived and so has Colonel Schwartz, Captain Alvas and Colonel Marcus. They are waiting in your office sir"
Prozen nodded and watched the Sergeant walk away and turned back to the Deathsaurer and smiled.
'Yes soon, it will all change.'
Colonel Karl Schwartz shifted uncomfortably as he sat in his chair; he just watched one bloody battle and he couldn't believe that one zoid could do all that. He watched as hundreds of Republican and Imperial soldiers and zoids alike were reduced to nothing but ashes. He looked around the room curiously and he noticed that all the Imperial Lords were there, excluding the Prime Minster, but they all seemed confused and nervous. Didn't they know what was going on, about the rebellion, the battle, anything? He couldn't believe that those people were running their Empire.
"Yo big brother." Came a hiss from next to him.
Karl snapped out of his own thoughts and looked beside him; Thomas, who was looking impatient, was talking to him.
"I said what's wrong. You've been all out of it since we were called into Prozen's office."
"Uh, oh its nothing."
Thomas rolled his eyes; he knew Karl too well to believe that
"Karl, I'm your younger brother and you're First Lieutenant. I think I would know if something is bothering you."
"Nothing's wrong, Thomas, so quit asking."
Thomas shook his head "You're lying, now tell me."
Karl gave Thomas an irritable look "Nothing is wrong, Lieutenant!"
Thomas shut his mouth. He knew that Karl was being serious when he used that tone and called him Lieutenant. He faced back towards the window that he was watching before and sighed. This was going to be a long day.
The door opened and Karl fixed his eyes on the person walking in; Prozen, who used to be High Chancellor; Karl didn't know what he was now.
Prozen strode forward and looked at the people around him, then smiled.
"I'm glad you could all make it."
Lord Talabur who was a tall, broad man in his late fifties stood up.
"Lord Prozen you better tell us what is happening. We're hearing all kinds of rumors, like Prince Rudolph and the Prime Minster turning traitor and getting killed by your hand."
All the other Lords began muttering between themselves, agreeing with Lord Talabur.
Prozen walked towards Lord Talabur until they were close enough that their noses were almost touching.
"I can assure you, Lord Talabur, that I can answer all your questions, so please take a seat." Prozen said in an icy, polite tone.
Lord Talabur sat down, looking extremely flushed.
Prozen walked to the front of the Room and turned to face them.
"I will answer your first question. Prince Rudolph and Prime Minster Laston did turn traitor did become traitor sand are now dead."
Gasps rose through the room and whispering began to grow. Karl sat in his seat like a stone; he knew Prince Rudolph was already dead, he knew it before he walked into this room.
Prozen coughed and the whispering stopped; Prozen continued.
"To answer your next question, yes I did kill him."
Yells erupted from the Lords as Prozen finished his sentence, the only people were silent, were the two Colonels, the Captain, and the Lieutenant. the only difference between them was that only two were smirking; the others were wearing neutral expressions.
Prozen waited this time till the yells subsided before he continued.
"As I hear from your shouting I guess that you are none too happy with that."
"Of course we aren't!" exploded Lord Michem, who was a rather plump man.
"I did only what had to be done. Rudolph and Laston became traitors, so I destroyed them."
Lord Michem jumped up from his seat "How did you know that Rudolph was a traitor? You're the traitor!"
Karl didn't even know what happened next until a few seconds later as he saw Lord Michem as white as a ghost standing very still with a red, glowing blade at his neck. It wasn't only till a few minutes later that Karl noticed the red zoid that the blade had come from standing beside Lord Michem.
"I suggest you keep your mouth shut, if I were you Lord Michem." Came a drawling voice.
Prozen turned to where the voice came from "Ahh my Lords I would like you to meet Hilz and Reese."
From out of the shadows in the corner came a man with long, red hair and an aura of darkness around him. Next to him was a woman with blue hair, and startling green eyes. Next to the women was another zoid, like the red one, except it was blue and was a bit taller.
"Who…what are these things?" stuttered Lord Michem .
"These, these things are what everyone wanted, they are organoids."
A lot of the Lords gasped but Karl just watched, his face betraying nothing, his eyes flicked over the red organoid who seemed to have a cruel manner, and then his eyes checked out the blue one that seemed impassive but did not seem to lack the cruel aura. Organoids did not surprise him; he had already seen three, which were Shadow, Van's silver one, and that girl who had challenged him at Red River and Ares Airport, her golden one. But he had never been this close to one before. He watched, as the blade was pressed closer to Michem's neck and a drop of blood dribbled down.
Hiltz smiled and clicked his finger, the blade disappeared and the organoid walked back to Hiltz. Hiltz waved his hand casually towards the red and blue organoids.
"I hope that Ambient and Specular have not disturbed you."
Michem looked like he wanted to collapse, which he did in a dignified way as he sat back down in his chair. Prozen walked back to his chair and sat down, his hands clasped in front of him.
"Well gentleman I suggest we move onto business." He suggested with an icy tone, his warm, sarcastic behavior gone.
"What. What do you mean?" asked Michem, who was warily looking at Ambient.
"Prince Rudolph is dead and we are continuing with the coronation of the new king, which is me."
"We'll never let you be King, we would rather die then see you on that throne."
Prozen grinned, "That could be arranged."
The room suddenly got colder, Prozen raised his arm, and before the Lords could react a group of soldiers came rushing in, guns drawn. Karl stood up as well, his gun drawn, along with Thomas, Marcus and Alvas.
"Now gentleman it appears that you have no choice, accept me as your future king or be prepared to die."
Lord Michem growled, "Never, none of us are going to be pushed around by you, or anyone else."
Prozen laughed and turned to face another Lord who was quite calm by despite it all it all he was even smiling.
"Ahh but Lord Michem, I am not the only one who thinks my being the King is not such a bad idea."
Michem had a *puzzled expression on his face 'Who could possibly let that maniac be King.' But his question was answered, as the Lord; Prozen was looking at stood up, grinning.
"Well done Prozen. I am surprised they didn't think of it sooner."
"Lord Garent." Michem growled. "Why?"
Garent turned around and smiled at Michem "Why not, Prozen was a far better ruler then Zeppelin and would be a better ruler then Rudolph, I've always supported Prozen."
"I should have suspected this. When did you finally get a backbone Garent, before or after you saw Prozen destroy nearly half of the city with that monster."?
Garent lashed out towards Michem but was restrained by Hiltz. Michem continued.
"Besides, one Lord on your side is not enough Prozen, and also you cannot bully the rest of us."
Prozen stepped forward. He was losing his patience; he stepped forward so he was inches away from Michem.
"I suggest you look around, already these pathetic men that you call Lords are thinking to change to my side."
Michem looked from one side to the other; he could see all the Lords quickly looking at the situation. On one hand support a maniac or die; Michem did not like his chances of gaining any support.
Prozen smiled. He knew he had won the moment he walked in but he loved to see them squirm.
"Raise your hand if you accept me being King."
All the Lords raised their hands. Michem looked around and he collapsed into his chair; he knew when he was defeated. He raised his hand. Prozen raised his hand and the soldiers lowered their weapons.
"Good now that that is over, we will seriously get to business. First thing's first, Garent, you are now Prime Minster," Garent smirked at the other Lords "As for you others, you will have to await your punishment for not agreeing with me. Willing only because you are scared of getting killed"
He turned his eyes on Michem "As for you Lord Michem, I will have to think of an extra special punishment for you."
Michem looked away; he knew that he would die very soon.
There was a knock at the door. Thomas stood up and opened the door (You might want to say "it" instead of saying "the door" again and then put a period before "a Private") A Private was standing there at attention. Karl watched as Thomas and the Private spoke to each other in quiet voices. Thomas nodded then shut the door and he turned to Prozen.
"My Lord, Raven has returned."
Karl watched Prozen smile and shivered; something about that smile was not right. Thomas had sat back down and leaned towards him.
"I wonder what Raven has done to make Prozen happy?" asked Thomas in a whisper.
Karl glanced over to Prozen who was now discussing something with Hiltz and Reese and didn't notice them talking. Karl turned back to Thomas.
"I don't know but I guess we'll find out soon."
The doors opened and the small chattering stopped. Walking through the doors was a young man about 19-20; he had black hair and an emotionless face. Flanked behind him were two soldiers. Thomas had never seen Raven before or his organoid, so he took in every detail, from Raven's dark eyes to his unusual air around him. The tension grew as Shadow, Raven's Organoid walked in. He was jet black and had a deadly look on him; he came walking in with his blue eyes set on everyone. Raven stopped about a meter away from Prozen's desk; he didn't even notice the Lords or the other soldiers.
Prozen smiled and with his hand offered Raven a seat. Raven just stood there.
"Ah Raven I hope you have good news for me," he glanced behind Raven at Shadow and his eyes narrowed "I can't see either of them, I do hope you have them in your pocket."
Raven clicked his fingers and everyone gasped (excluding Hiltz, Reese, Prozen and Raven) as Shadow's chest opened and out of it a girl who was about 18-20 fell. She had golden, brown hair and amber eyes; as Karl looked closer he noticed silver swirls in them. The girl groaned and began to move, she lifted her head and Karl's eyes widened. The girl had a split lip; a bruise coming over her cheek, and several cuts and bruises running down her arm. Her eyes glanced around and locked onto Karl's for a second, but just for that moment, Karl felt the pain she was in. She continued to look at the people until her eyes laid on Prozen and her eyes flashed with anger
"Ahh Avalon. I'm glad Raven found you."
Karl nearly jumped in surprise. It was she, the girl that he had fought in Red River and talked to at Ares airport. But what would he want with her, unless of course he wanted her organoid. Karl glanced around to see where it was but couldn't see it; his eyes returned to Avalon, who had looked back at the ground.
Avalon looked at the ground and she spat out some blood, slowly feeling for her strength she rose unsteadily and stood, pain flickered across the face but was quickly gone. She stood holding her side but had a determined look about her.
"Yes your little lapdog found me. I knew you couldn't," she replied calmly.
"I see your wit has not been damaged."
"Yes it hasn't but I can your looks have, what are you 40-something."
Prozen raised his hand and Avalon felt something hard hit her in the knees; she fell forward with a thump. She rolled to her side and saw one of the soldiers putting away his sword; he must have hit her with the face of the blade. She slowly stood up again and looked at Prozen.
"I suggest you be careful Avalon."
Avalon's eyes blazed with rage and looked at him; his smirking smile was annoying her.
Prozen drew a sword and walked towards her. He lightly brushed her cheek with the tip. He turned his attention to the Lords.
"Gentleman you may leave, but do not try to run because I will find you, and any disloyalty to me and you will see what I can really do."
The Lords began to file out, some with confused faces, others sent a quick sympathy look towards her, which Avalon brushed aside; she did not need their pity. As soon as the door closed Prozen spoke to Raven while still looking at Avalon.
"Where is the Organoid?"
"She sent it away before I could capture it." Raven replied.
Prozen pressed the sword against Avalon's chin "Where is your organoid, Avalon?"
Avalon stared at him and her eyes hardened "What's wrong Prozen, did you think I was willing to let Tri get captured? Did I ruin your plan?"
Much to Avalon's surprise, Prozen laughed, and his laugh was cold.
"Delayed Avalon, you've only delayed my plan."
He took the sword away from her face and studied her "Avalon, it will only be a matter of days until I find your organoid. Hiltz, Reese."
Hiltz and Reese stepped forward, their organoids following behind. Avalon's eyes widened.
"As I can tell from your face, I see you are more surprised at the fact that I now have three Organoids at my disposal."
Raven eyes narrowed but he did not say anything. Shadow was his, not Prozen's and he would remind Prozen of that.
Prozen continued, "Where you have only two, but wait, that's right, Van and Zeke were accidentally killed."
Avalon couldn't take anymore; she snapped and lunged at Prozen, pushing his blade upwards and tackling him to the ground. Avalon drew her fist and punched Prozen across the face; before she could do another Colonel Marcus kicked her in the ribs, which sent her sprawling across the polished floor. She stood just in time to counter Ambient's tail as it swung towards her. She jumped back and dodged his tail again; he began to swing it in arcs and Avalon kept dodging, but her foot slipped and the tail caught her right in the stomach. She went smashing into the wall and she tried to stand but her strength gave out and she slumped back against the wall , breathing heavily. Prozen walked towards her, his sword touching her neck.
"You will learn to obey me Avalon, do not think that you will escape. Now tell me where Tri is."
When Avalon didn't answer, Prozen clicked his fingers. Reese and Specular, who have so far been quiet, stepped forward. Reese's eyes began to glow along with Specular's.
Prozen smiled "If you cannot tell me willingly then I will force you."
Before Avalon could react she felt searing pain through her head. She cried out loud; her mind felt like it was splitting, like a force was trying to get in. Karl had to control himself not to help the girl as she was rolling around the ground in agony; he didn't know what was happening but he knew it had something to do with Reese and her blue organoid. He watched as Avalon clawed at her head, screaming 'no'. He looked at Reese and noticed she was concentrating on Avalon and seemed to be mumbling something. It just hit him; she was trying to read Avalon's mind. His eyes traveled back to Avalon; who had her head to her knees and was still clawing at her head.
Avalon felt as if her head was trying to be invaded by spiders; she could hear a voice in her head.
'Open your mind to me.'
'No'
'Let me know where the golden organoid is'
'No'
'Show me your secrets'
"NO!!!"
Avalon tilted back her head and screamed the last 'no'. A blinding, white light erupted from her and flashed through the whole room, spreading out towards across the whole base and palace. It flew through the hanger and straight into the zoids. The zoids began to move and roars were heard out throughout the whole city area. As the light began to grow stronger, Reese gasped and she and Specular were sent crashing into the floor, their links to Avalon's mind severed. The light began to flicker and disappeared as soon as it came. The roars from the zoids slowly stopped and silence followed, everyone in the room was stunned, even Prozen was shocked. No one moved for a couple of minutes; Avalon had seemed to collapse after the light disappeared. Karl could see that she was still breathing. The door swung open and a panicked-looking Sergeant ran in.
"Lord Prozen, you must come quickly, some zoids have gone crazy in the hanger, and we can't seem to control them."
"Destroy them."
"What, sir!"
"You heard me, destroy them." Snapped Prozen who had now come around.
"Ah yes sir." With that the Sergeant left.
Prozen walked towards Avalon, who had now gone into a deep sleep. He kicked to see if she would awaken but she didn't.
Prozen turned to Reese "What happened?"
Reese seemed too shocked to speak but she stood up shakily "I don't know, she's different from others. She resisted so fiercely that we couldn't get past her mind barrier; it was like something was protecting her."
Prozen turned to Hiltz for an answer and Hiltz looked at Avalon thoughtfully; his interest in her had suddenly grown.
"From what I observed she seemed to be able to break Reese's mind link, although whether or not it was intentional I don't know. I suggest we don't kill her; the organoid might come easier if he knew we had Avalon."
Prozen turned back to Avalon and held up his sword. With a quick stroke he slashed across her right eye and blood slowly spilled out of the wound.
"Well she can be blinded in one eye, maybe that will make her easier to control. Hiltz, you and Reese will be in charge of tracking down that organoid." Hiltz nodded and he and Reese walked out of the room followed by their organoids.
Prozen turned to Raven "Raven you have another task ahead of you for now you may rest here or destroy some Republican survivors. I don't care which one you do but when I come back, I have a task for you to do."
Raven didn't say anything. He just walked out followed by Shadow, glancing at Avalon as he closed the door.
"Where are you going my Lord?" Colonel Marcus asked.
"I have some things to watch over, I'll leave you and Colonel Schwartz in charge of the prisoner and the base. I'll be back in about a week."
He began to walk out and stopped near Avalon; with a final snarl he walked out of the door.
Colonel Marcus walked over to Avalon and nudged her with his foot; with a swift kick he turned her over to her back. He raised his foot again but was stopped by Thomas who restrained him.
"Stop it."
Marcus stopped and turned to face Thomas "You're stepping out of line, Lieutenant." he snarled.
Thomas opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Karl.
"Marcus I suggest you listen to what my First Lieutenant has to say. Lord Prozen wouldn't like her to be dead when he gets back."
Marcus looked at Karl for a moment and nodded to Alvas who went to the door and opened it. Marcus strolled towards it and hissed to Thomas "You watch out, you won't always have your big brother with ya, and when that happens you're mine." And he left with Captain Alvas.
Thomas turned to Karl "Uh Karl, I."
But Karl pushed past him and bent down over Avalon and began to examine her.
"Not now Thomas, go to the Infirmary and tell them to get ready for us."
Thomas hesitated but saluted and walked out, leaving Karl with Avalon.
Karl bent forward and picked her up, she felt quite light and he could feel tenderness around her rib area. He sighed "You are quite a girl" he muttered softly and walked slowly out the door.
"How many dead?"
"Over five hundred sir."
Robert sighed and put his fingers to his temples. In just over an hour five hundred men were dead, and that didn't include the civilians or Rudolph's men.
"And how many wounded?"
"Over a thousand sir."
Robert leant back into his chair and closed his eyes, brushing his spiky, blonde hair back. That many wounded; he could kick himself right at that moment.
"Any sign of Irvine and Moonbay Lieutenant?"
"No, sir, in fact the only time anyone last saw them was when we were retreating."
'Were they captured? Or just left the Republic?' Robert shook himself mentally; no they wouldn't do that.
"Any ideas where they could have gotten to Lieutenant?"
Lieutenant Taydra thought for a couple of minutes and then looked out the window.
"It is very unlikely that they would switch to the Empire, from what I have observed in battle they are very loyal to you and would not give up without a fight. They were either captured or killed." He replied bluntly.
Robert looked up in surprise, not only at the brown-hair Lieutenant's bluntness but also at how accurate he was.
Taydra, sensing an explanation, spoke quickly "I was in Moonbay's Command Wolf Squad."
Robert nodded but before he could speak more a Sergeant rushed in; he looked like he was struggling with his emotions between happiness and sadness.
"Colonel Sir, Prince Rudolph has been reported dead, so has 200 of his men."
"What about Laston?"
"He too has been reported dead."
Robert closed his eyes and muttered a prayer for the young prince and his companion; he had grown quite close to the boy over just a few hours. He also muttered a curse for now he had lost one of his most powerful allies. Another solider appeared at the door and wanted to speak to the Colonel but Robert didn't make a move, so Taydra spoke to the young private who seemed to be bursting with news. As soon as the private left Taydra quickly told Robert what the private had said.
"Sir they have found Van's Bladeliger."
Robert's head snapped up from where he was looking down at some plans.
"What? Where? How? Is Van there?"
Lieutenant Taydra didn't know how to say it but he knew he should just come out with it.
"Sir from what I just heard I suggest you go have a look."
Within 15 mins Colonel Robert Herman was flying out in a Petras following the coordinates that the Private had given him to where Van's Bladeliger was. With him were three other soldiers, also in Petrases. Among them was Lieutenant Taydra.
"There it is sir." Taydra said, pointing to a spot just below him.
Robert looked below and nodded to his men "Ok we'll go in and look around but be careful, enemy troops might still be out."
"Roger." They replied in unison and they proceeded to land.
Neko: Ok that's it for now, please review for next chapter.