Chaotic Century Zoids fic. This is about the Shubaltz brothers when they're kids and their relationship to each other. Being the series doesn't go into detail things in this story may be OOC. My theory of the Shubaltz brothers' life as kids.

Disclaimer: Check Bio in author section.

A/N: This Chapter goes on with their childhood life. 4th  chapter will continue with their childhood. My thanks go out to all the reviewers that have reviewed. Those reviews are what keep me going. Everyone I need help on what to do with their fourth and fifth grade year, so when you review can you give me some ideas? Please?! Special thanks to Anime Queen and Kaiba-lover for their constant support. Enjoy reading!! ^_^

Chap.3

July 16 (Summer before 2nd grade)

Thomas and Karl were playing outside. Thomas was ecstatic his birthday was in two days. He was going to turn six and for a little while be as old as Karl.

" I wants to know whats I gots!" Thomas exclaimed. Karl was smiling and laughing at his brother's antics.

"I wants to know too Thom, but we's gots to wait." Karl told his younger brother. The two siblings played for a little while longer before they heard Lisa calling.

" Karl, Thomas, its time for dinner. Come inside and wash up." The two boys raced to the door with Karl winning by just a little bit.

" No fair, you gots a head start!" Thomas whined.

" So? You're faster than me. I's barely won," Karl said trying to cheer Thomas up, " Tells you what. Why don'ts we race against each other laters? Fair?"

" Kay!" Thomas exclaimed, once again his cheerful self.

The brothers got cleaned up with the help of Lisa and Nancy, one of the other household servants. Being their mom was working late and their dad was away on military business, the two boys ate alone with Lisa.

" I wish Daddy was home." Karl sighed. Thomas looked over at his older brother.

" At least, he'lls be back on my birthday," Thomas told his brother, trying to get Karl to think optimistically.

" You're right Thom. Stills that's two days away." Karl was still slightly depressed but was happier cause his dad would be home soon. (amazing how little kids have major mood swings isn't it? ^_^)

" You never know Karl your father may get home early. He might just be here when you wake up tomorrow."

" I hope so!" Karl and Thomas said simultaneously. They looked at each other and grinned. When dinner was over the boys were ushered up to their rooms. There they played for a little bit before they had to go to bed.

The two were playing Go Fish on the bedroom floor. Karl was winning. " You have any threes?" Thomas asked.

" Go fish. Got any nines?" It was then Karl heard something outside in the hall. " Thom, you here that?"

" Hear what?" Thomas had keen hearing but not quite as good as Karl's. Then on the edge of Thomas' hearing he could hear voices. " Sounds like someone talking."

" Call me crazy but I thinks its dad!"

" Really?"

" Yeah. Why don't we sneak over to the stairs and see who's there?" Karl suggested.

" Kay!" Thomas and Karl left their room quietly and snuck over to the railing of the stairs not far from their room. Peering between the railings, they saw their mom talking to someone. The person she was talking to was out of sight.

When the person talked, a shiver went down the siblings spine. The voice was so familiar yet different. They looked at each other nodded and listened to what the adults were saying.

" Tiffany, I may not be able to make it back next time I go out on a mission. I barely made it on this one."

" Then why don't you quit?" Their mom queried.

" I can't. I don't have enough service hours!" They mysterious person shot back sounding tired.

" But what about Karl and Thomas? How do you think they would react?" Karl and Thomas' curiosity was peaked. Why were the grownups talking about them? " How do you think they would react to their father being dead?!" Karl let out a choked gasp and Thomas let loose a startled cry. Hearing something their mom, Tiffany, looked up to see them looking through the railing.

" Karl, Thomas, come down here." Tiffany called her temper cooling off. The two quietly came down the stairs.

As they came down the person their mom had been talking to came in view. It was indeed their father. Forgetting that they could be in trouble for eavesdropping the two boys ran to their dad.

" Daddy!" Karl cried jumping into his father's lap, Thomas right behind him. " You're not going to leave us are you?"

" No Karl, Thomas. I won't leave you two." Mark reassured his sons. 'At least not of my own free will.' He added silently to himself.

" Promise?" They both asked at the same time.

" Promise." He hugged them, " So what have my two little men been up to while I was away?"

The boys told him everything enjoying the fact their father was home and would never leave them for good.

Two days later, July 18, on Thomas' birthday. Thomas, Karl, along with Irvine could be seen with Mark and Tiffany around the local Zoid history museum. Thomas was having so much fun looking at all the different kinds of Zoids and their functions. Karl and Irvine were having as much fun as Thomas. They hadn't reached the speed Zoid room. That was the room the boys looked forward to. They were currently in the air-borne Zoid room. The three friends stared at three different air Zoids. Karl turning around asked, " Daddy?"

" Yes Karl?"

" What is the dragon looking Zoid called?"

" That's a Redler. It's an Imperial Zoid. It's the primary air Zoid in the Imperial military." Mark explained to his sons and their friend.

" What about the one on the Redler's left and right, Mr. Shubaltz?" Irvine asked.

" On the right is a Storm Sworder. The Republic Military's prize Zoid for air combat. Their primary air Zoid is a Pteras, but the Storm Sworder has the ability other than to launch missiles to extend two blades from their wings. That gives them the ability to get in close range combat while in the air. The one on the right is called a Raynos. They are extremely rare currently, there is supposedly only a handful in existence and all of them in Republican territory. There greatest ability is to surpass the Speed of Sound. It creates a Command Freeze on Zoids the majority of the time and if they're in the air also possibly destroy them."

" Mark! You out to know by now that the majority of what you just said they don't understand yet!" his wife said exasperated. " Now come on boys. Let's go to the next room. It's primarily dedicated to Zoids known for achieving high speeds."

The boys beamed with happiness. This was the room they had been waiting for. When they walked in they saw a lion looking Zoid, along with a tiger Zoid, and a wolf Zoid. There were other Zoids there like Rev Raptors and such, but these three Zoids held the fascination of the three young boys. Something about them seemed to call them. " What are those?!" they asked at the same time.

" Those Zoids are from left to right a Shield Liger, a Saber Fang, and a Command Wolf. The Shield Liger and the Command Wolf are used by the Republicans. The Shield Liger for defense, the Command Wolf for agility, speed, and offense. The Saber Fang is an Imperial Zoid. It is used for offense and defense. It speed is normally reduced greatly do to weapons, but without many weapons and all of them light the Saber Fang becomes very fast. The draw back is there is rarely a pilot who can live off of light weapons and very few of them. So it takes a very skilled warrior plus a brilliant mind to push the Saber Fang to its limits. The pilot has to input codes into the Zoid in the blink of an eye to get it to work its best. Really the pilot is holding the Zoid back. Nobody has been able to get past a level 5."

The three boys stared at the Zoids. " I want to have a Command Wolf when I grow up." Irvine commented.

" I want to pilot a Saber Fang." Karl told his friend and brother.

" I can't say what I want just yet." Thomas sighed, " They all have their ups and downs."

" Your right there Thomas." His father said, " Karl, out of curiosity, why would you want a Saber Fang?"

" I want a challenge. I want to be the first one to push it to its limits. Also it just feels right. I can't explain it."

" I see…" 

During the conversation, the group moved on to the next room. There Thomas saw a Zoid that felt like it was meant for him. It was the D-Bison. (I can't help but give them their future Zoids as their fascinations. ^_^ Well except for Irvine because you know as well as I do that the Lightning Saix was meant for him but it hasn't been developed yet. And I know Karl switches back to the Iron Kong, but I think he is a better pilot in the Saber Fang. Personal opinion I know! ^_^;)

" What's that Zoid?" Thomas asked of his father pointing at the D-Bison.

" That's a D-Bison, another Republic Zoid. It is slow but packs a lot of fire power."

" Okay." He replied to let his father know he had heard.

The rest of the day went extremely well. Thomas was really happy. In his opinion this would be his best birthday ever. He didn't realize how right he was going to be. ( You'll see before the end of the chapter. So don't bite my head off! ^_^; )

September 29 ( 2nd grade )

School had started up again with Thomas, Karl, and Irvine once again having the same classes. When Karl walked into class he sat down expecting no surprises. It would just be a normal school day. His teacher Ms. Weldon however had other plans. She loved to celebrate birthdays and it just so happened today was Karl's. Karl had a funny feeling that his birthday might get some attention considering everyone else had been noted. When everyone had filed into the room, class started. Irvine for once sat close to Karl and Thomas.

" Hello class. Today and Monday we will be doing assessments for all your subjects. Today's will be History, English, and Science," everyone groaned, the teacher went on, " And also we have a birthday today. Karl please stand up."

Karl rolled his eyes but did what he was told. ' I hate when she makes a big fuss over this.' Karl told himself. As was tradition in her class everyone sang to him. Then she asked like always, " So Karl, what is it you want most for your birthday?"

" Well according to tradition if I tell you it won't come true." Karl sarcastically commented.

" That's funny Karl. No really, what do you want most?"

Karl looked straight at her never losing eye contact. His green eyes slightly unnerving, " Okay, you want me to tell you the truth. The truth is I want a Saber Fang at my disposable to practice on at anytime. It will have very few weapons all of them being light weight. That way I can push the Saber Fang to its limits."

Ms. Weldon stared at him. That was a pretty big wish. " Well that is a pretty big wish. May I ask why you want a Saber Fang? Aren't you a little young to be learning how to pilot a Zoid?"

" I want one to start training, that way I will be one of the best Zoid pilots out there. I'm going to go into the military and be their best land pilot, just like my dad."

" Thank you for sharing Karl, you may take your seat. Everyone get out a pencil and nothing else…"

The school day had ended about an hour ago and Irvine was over at the Shubaltz house. Karl was allowed to have Irvine over for a sleepover. It was going to last the weekend. The three had finished the little homework they had in less than ten minutes. When Karl's and Thomas' parents got home they would have dinner and open presents. Being it was Friday the boys would be able to stay up really late that night. The boys played around until Karl heard his parents come in.

" They're home." Karl stated.

The three boys went downstairs to greet Mr. and Mrs. Shubaltz. Afterwards they had an elaborate dinner. When dinner was finished it was time for Karl to open his presents. The entire time Karl opened his gifts he was having fun. He thanked his parents his friend, and brother. The three friends went upstairs and played late into the night, falling asleep exhausted from the days events.

The boys were awakened early on Monday morning for school. Tired from having stayed up late the last three nights in a row they begrudgingly got out of bed. On the way to school they ran into Irvine's mom. Before going into the school she stopped Irvine and asked to be alone with him for a few minutes. Being polite the brothers left Irvine and his mom alone to talk. When Irvine came in he told them some grave news.

" I'm moving. I will be leaving in a month." The three boys were saddened. The three of them would probably never see each other again. Thomas looked over at Karl who looked upset to hear that. Suddenly he got an idea.

" Hey guys why don't we get something for each other to remember that we were friends? You never know maybe it will help us find each other later in life."

" That's a really good idea. But what are we going to get?" Irvine asked.

" How about a armband?" Karl mentioned.

" Why an armband?" His brother asked.

" The armband will be able to be worn under clothes and bracelets won't work. Necklaces will probably be really easy to break or knot up. The armband can be cloth, that way it won't break so easily."

" I agree, but what should we put on it to identify each other?" Irvine added.

" We can put a dragon on it done in permanent marker that way it won't fade." Thomas explained.

" Good idea. It will be the symbol of our friendship forever." They all agreed.

One month later Karl and Thomas were saying goodbye to their best friend and visa versa. All three of them were wearing their armbands proudly. Irvine's family owned two Zoids, a Redler, and a Dark Horn. Because of the boy's friendship their parents had also gotten close to one another. As a going away present to Irvine's parents, Karl and Thomas' parents had gotten them a Command Wolf for when Irvine reached the age to pilot a Zoid ( the same one as in the show).

June 15 ( summer before 3rd grade)

It was a normal summer day where the brothers were able to sleep in. When they woke up they dressed and ran downstairs to see breakfast waiting for them, and their parents.

" Morning Mom, Dad. Why are you home today?" Karl asked.

" We thought we would spend the day with you and we have a surprise for you." their mom answered.

" A surprise?" Thomas asked starting to get excited.

" Yes, so hurry up and eat," their father commanded.

The boys hurried and ate their food. When they were done their father and mother took them outside where two Zoids waited there for them. They were a Redler and a Gunsniper. Karl and Thomas stared at the Zoids. " Are these ours?" Thomas asked for the two of them cause Karl was speechless.

" Yes, the Gunsniper is for Karl, and the Redler is for you," his father answered, " Though if you decide to switch on and off on who gets what that's fine with us.

" This is great!" they both cried. " Thank you!"

" Let's get a picture of you two in front of your Zoids." The boys got in front of their Zoids getting ready for the picture. Once the picture was taken they ran over to their parents and hugged them. They took another picture with Karl and Thomas standing in front of their parents grinning from ear to ear.

" Will you teach us dad?" Karl asked.

" Of course! I promise I will teach you everything I know. I won't stop teaching you until you're out of the house."

July 20

Thomas was happy he was now seven years old. He was only a little upset that his father had to miss his birthday. The two siblings were playing outside in their Zoids. Out in open fields they were racing. Karl and Thomas had agreed to switch who would have what every other week. Currently Karl was in the Redler and Thomas in the Gunsniper. No matter what Karl was winning the race every time in the Redler. The funny thing was the opposite of what was given to them was their specialty between the two Zoids. For instance Karl did better in the Redler and Thomas in the Gunsniper. All of a sudden they see a Zoid running for their mansion. It had Imperial markings of the military division their father was from. The two boys seeing that it wasn't their father's Zoid took off for the house wondering what was going on.

When they got there they saw their mom in the living room talking with one of dad's officers serving under him. Their father was a Colonel in the military at the time. The Lieutenant had an unhappy look on his face. Suddenly, the boys mom saw them and motioned them over.

" What's going on?" Karl asked.

" Your father has died bravely in battle." Their mom informed them with tears in her eyes.

" When?" Karl and Thomas shouted.

The Lieutenant piped up, " Two days ago." Thomas was dumbfounded in shock. His father died on his birthday! Both boys were silently crying. Karl was really feeling sorry for his brother. He knew how hard this must be on him with dad dying on his birthday.

" He promised." Thomas murmured. " He promised he would never leave us!"

Karl sentiments were similar but he also added one other thought. " He also promised that he would teach us everything he knew about Zoids. How is he going to do that now? It's not fair!" Both brothers were distraught about the news. Two days later a memorial service was held. The boys would never forget especially Thomas for the rest of their lives. ( I know I'm a loser. Hides under Gundanium turtle shell. Be willing to throw anything you want at me! I don't mind after all I am an evil authoress!)

( 3rd grade somewhere in the middle of the year)

The boys were beginning to mature and grow both in mind and body. They had overcome the grief of losing their father. Still it hurt not having your dad there with you like the other kids. However knowing that he died to save other innocent lives like them helped comfort them. Each day the pain had lessened until gradually they were able to continue on with their lives remembering him in their hearts. The brothers were now sitting in a classroom listening to the teacher go on about something. Finally the bell rang signaling the end of the day. As everyone was walking out the teacher called, " Tomorrow is occupation day. Dress up as who you want to be in the future."

Karl and Thomas always the last ones out of the classroom heard the announcement. Karl looked over to his brother. " You know I never thought about that really. Remember last year when it was my birthday and I said I wanted to go military?"

" Yeah? Where you going with this?" Thomas queried.

" I think I'm going to dress up as a military officer. I think I'm even going to go military and become a Colonel like dad when I grow up. How about you?"

" I think I want to go military too but I also want to be a technician." Thomas answered back.

" You want to work with electronics too? I guess it does fit you being you're always taking things apart. If we want to go military we're going to have to work harder with our Zoids. We also are going to have to improve our physical strengths like running. I'm willing to go the distance if you do it with me. We'll train on our Zoids together and we'll work on our speed for running. We'll make the track team in high school every year. You game?" Karl proposed.

" It's a deal." Thomas agreed. With that the two brothers took off for home to start on their promise.

A/N: I need to know what you think before I continue with this story. Their younger years will be a lot shorter than their 6th grade on up. That is because many people can't remember that much that far back. If you want to see what the two were like in the past please review. FLAMES ARE ACCEPTED!! BUT PLEASE GIVE ME THE REASONING BEHIND THE FLAMES!!!!! Once again special thanks to Kaiba-lover and Anime Queen for their wonderful reviews and ideas. Next chapter will continue on about their childhood. I will also put more of the shows take in here. What I mean by that is Thomas was always shunned by his parents and it was always Karl this and Karl that. The two brothers are still going to remain close and get even closer. But I'll have their mom start praising Karl more and leaving Thomas out. Poor Thomas! Don't worry Karl will comfort him like a good older brother! I have also figured out that I will post every three weeks on a Sunday. That is what I will shoot for. Currently I have company over this weekend so I am posting it a couple days early. Don't expect more until the 6th of October. Till next time Sayonara and Ja'ne. ^_~