The Healing Power Of Music
Chapter 6: The New Zoid
Author Note: Wow! A lot of people enjoyed that last chapter! Keep those reviews coming! They motivate me to write a lot more than no reviews! Sorry for the wait, I had a few papers due, as well as mid terms, so here we go! I'm updating this one before my other story, (even though it's my other story's turn!). I left you in a cliff hanger eh? Sorry! To the reviewers!
SulliMike23 - Yeah, I know. Another cliff hanger! Sorry about that! Don't worry though, you'll see what happens to Bit this chapter!
Mercenary Pen - I don't know about the wolves thing, I just happen to like the Command Wolf as a Zoid, its pretty multi-purpose in nature. We'll have to see what Zoid Bit ends up in won't we?
Careless Whispers - Why thank you! (Blushes). You're going to make my ego swell up with comments like that! I'm glad you liked the end of the chapter! I thought it came out kind of neat! Thanks for reviewing!
ShadowLiger - I know the update wasn't soon, and I know it was a cliffhanger last chapter! I'm sorry! Keep reading and thanks for reviewing!
Kitai Matsuru - Yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed having Leena throw Harry a record distance. The image in my head was priceless! And keep writing! I want to see more of your work (like My Fallen Star!). Thanks for the input!
RaiKinoshin - OO;;.... oops! Sorry, I didn't realize that I had been calling you "my man". Lol, forgive me for my blasphemy! You're gonna make me blush with compliments like that! Keep 'em coming!
Doctor Kiba - Well, I can't reveal my plot, but there is a good chance of that in Bit's future. I don't think Harry is dumb...just misunderstood lol! Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Zoids or its affiliates.
Now! On to the story!
An explosion rocked the coliseum, sending clouds of dust billowing outwards in all directions. The concussive blast cracked the retaining walls, sending even more debris into the air, obscuring the sight of all those watching the battle, remote cameras and spectators alike. The smoke cleared to reveal the shape of a large wolf-like Zoid sprawled on the arena floor, twin blast holes marking either side of its head. Another wolf stood triumphantly over its fallen foe, like the alpha dog in the pack. A figure popped open the cockpit hatch of the fallen Wolf and took his helmet off, glaring up at the victor.
Just how did I lose? growled Bit to himself.
The Konig Wolf stood above him for a few seconds more, before the voice of secretary came over the intercom system again.
"The winner of the match: Chairman Cloud!"
Bit nearly fell out of his cockpit in disbelief as the cockpit hatch of the Konig Wolf opened up to reveal its pilot, none other than Bit's father, Ward Cloud, blonde hair unruly and blowing in the wind.
"Dad?" Bit questioned, "You were in that Wolf?"
His father smiled slyly, "Of course I was son! What else did you expect?"
Bit sighed, "Well that explains why I couldn't hit you with any of the shots I took."
"Oh really?" Ward said mischievously, point over his shoulder to the side of the Konig Wolf's head. Bit's gaze followed, and he noticed twin blast marks on either side of the Wolf's skull, quite similar to the ones on his own Zoid.
"Hey!" he exclaimed, "I did hit you! So how come you didn't go down?"
Ward's laughter boomed loudly, "I can't tell you all my secrets now can I?"
He clambered down from the Konig Wolf's cockpit, crossing over to Bit's downed Zoid.
"You certainly gave me a run for my money though!"
Bit cast his gaze downwards, "Fat load of good it did me. How am I supposed to beat a former Royal Cup champion?"
Bit's father put his arms around his shoulders, "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself! It's been a long time since I've actually been hit by another Zoid's fire"
"Really?" Bit turned to his father in wonderment.
"Of course!" Ward smiled triumphantly, "You don't get to be where I am by taking damage now do you?"
Bit smiled back, "Well, that's true enough...but still, I didn't win, so I guess I'll have to wait on that Zoid."
"Well, I certainly was impressed with your skill!" his father beamed, "You finished the obstacle course section with two minutes to spare!" he pulled Bit closer, "There's something I want to show you."
He motioned to Bit to remain silent, gesturing that they return to the hanger complex where the Zoids were stored. Bit nodded and fell into step beside his father. They passed a few techs who were heading out to the battlefield to bring in the two Wolves. The passing techs each did a double take, witnessing time in progress with the younger Cloud a mirror image of the elder. Ward took him to the back of the hanger to the elevator that would lead back to the administrative levels. Bit looked on curiously as Ward swiped his key card into the access slot, keying in a number on the pad beside the screen. It flashed an acceptance message before the elevator began to descend.
"Wait," Bit said, "I thought the hangers were the lowest level?"
His father pocketed his key card, "That is true...it never does say how many hanger levels there are now, does it?"
Bit couldn't help but crack another smile, "It figures Dad, you were always one for cloak and dagger secrets."
His father spread his hands, "You know me too well son."
The chime on the lift dinged, indicating that they had reached their destination. The doors opened, revealing a sight that caused Bit's eyes to widen in wonder. As they stepped through the threshold and into the hidden hanger, Bit simply could not believe the image that greeted his eyes. Almost every type of Zoid, regardless of shape, size, or rarity could be seen, from small Zoids like the Godos and Guysack to huge beasts like the Dark Horn or Dibison. As he followed his father between the rows of Zoids he noticed that some were grouped by type, as they passed a group of Command Wolves, including the standard Command Wolf, the Command Wolf AC, IT, and even the Urban Assault Juggernaut like the one he had piloted before. The further they went into the hanger he noticed some rare Zoids, some hailing back to the days of the Zenebas Empire. He passed a squad of Red Horns, and a pair of Hammer Rocks, the Iron Kong's little brother.
"Where do all these Zoids come from?" Bit stared in awe.
His father smiled proudly, "This is my personal collection, obtained from prize money in battles or gifts from the nations of Zi to the ZBC for helping to keep the peace and allow the population to get their aggression out in Zoid battles."
They passed a row of particularly rare and vicious Zoids: the Geno Saurer series. There sat a Gun Sniper, the base form of the Saurer, and then a Crystal Saurer, the blue Zoid being an old Imperial clone of the Geno. Finally, stood the Geno Saurer itself, this one a dangerous looking red colour, the hanger lights glinting off. There were two empty spaces beside the Geno Saurer, but Bit took no noticed of them.
"Where did you get those?" Bit wondered.
"Well, the set came to us as a gift from the Guylos Empire," his father replied.
"Why did they give them to you?" Bit asked.
"Well," said Ward, gesturing to the next set of Zoids, "This is why."
He looked across to where his father was pointing, awed by the magnificence of the pride of Liger type Zoids he beheld.
"The Helic Republic first gave us this complete evolutionary set of Liger types when I first became ZBC Commissioner."
First in line came a classic blue Shield Liger, with it's characteristic impact cannons. Beside it was a modified version of the Shield Liger, the DCS-J, also blue, equipped with two HI-beam cannons. Next came the evolution of the Shield Liger, the famous Blade Liger. This one was also blue, its blades folded neatly away, ready to deploy at a moment's notice. The final Zoid in the sequence caught Bit as odd and out of place. This one was white, and appeared to have no weapons mounted to it at all. It did have a pair of mean looking golden claws, however.
"What's with that one? It's different from the set," Bit pointed out.
"That, son, is the Liger Zero," said his father.
"Liger Zero?"
His father nodded, "Yes, the Liger Zero. This Zoid served me well during my piloting career."
"You piloted this Zoid?" Bit exclaimed, "It has no weapons!"
Ward smirked, "On first glance, maybe not, but this Zoid is very special," he walked over to the Liger and placed his hand on its paw, "It helped me win the Royal Cup."
"What? You won with this piece of junk?"
With that comment the white Zoid reared its head back and let loose a huge roar, shaking Bit visibly.
Ward chuckled, "You should watch what you say around him, he gets pretty annoyed by insults."
Bit, however, was busy trying to keep his composure, having just taken a roar full in the face. The Liger Zero growled further, pacing forward a few steps towards Bit.
"Easy buddy," Ward consoled, "He didn't mean it."
The Zero regarded Ward with a slightly quizzical look, letting out an interrogative growl.
"He's not just a friend," said Ward, "He's my son."
The Zero seemed to nod in Bit's direction, forgiving him for his earlier insult. It took a few steps back and returned to its place in line.
"D-dad," Bit stammered, "How can you communicate with it?"
"Well son," he explained, "The Liger Zero is a special Zoid. It was formed by the evolution of a Blade Liger, though the means of the evolution are unknown. Though it has no weapons, it carries with it the ability to be mass modified by replacing the segmented pieces of armour."
"But how can it talk?" Bit wondered.
"That is something I don't know," his father said, "It's just something we've always done."
"And what about those armours?" Bit asked.
"The conversion armour system," Ward sighed, "Unfortunately, though I know it exists, I haven't been able to locate any sets."
Bit frowned, "Then how did you win the Royal Cup without any weapons?"
His father smiled, "You'll have to find out when you pilot it."
"What!?"
"That's right son," his father said, "I'm entrusting the Liger Zero to you. You've earned it."
Bit's jaw dropped, "I don't know what to say!"
"Thanks would be a good start," his father said before his laughter boomed throughout the hanger.
"Thanks Dad," said Bit as he hugged his father.
Ward Cloud simply smiled, "Thank yourself, you've made me proud."
They broke the embrace, and Bit regarded his father warmly, "I have to go take care of some business."
"Next," said an extremely bored voice.
So far that day, the candidates arriving at the Toros Base were poor at best. First of course had been Harry Champ, himself being quickly dispatched by an irate Leena Toros. Next had been a group of lower level pilots from Class D, but Leon had rejected the idea of bringing them on board. There had been overpriced mercenaries, underpriced mercenaries, and a handful of people who ended up having the wrong address.
"Leena, my darling!" came a voice.
Leena Toros, the red haired, gung ho warrior of the Blitz Team tried in vain to restrain her rage.
"Harry," she growled dangerously, "I suggest you leave now."
"But why my sugar beet?" his voice was insanely annoying to her.
Leon leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
"Oh she certainly wouldn't do that to me," Harry brushed his warning off, "Why I'm the man destined to be King!"
You're a man destined to be dead, Leon sighed as Harry walked over to Leena and took her hand into his, lips brushing the back of it.
Leena all but exploded, grabbing Harry by the ear and kicking his rear end out the door before throwing any object she could find handy. Unfortunately for Harry, a selection of wrenches lay nearby, and he soon found himself unconscious on the desert floor amid a hail of flying wrenches.
"And don't come back!" Leena yelled.
"But I just got here," an amused voice said.
Leena turned to see the new visitor, already fed up with the disappointment of the day's applicants. She was surprised to see a familiar face.
"Is that you? Bit was it?" she inquired.
"Yeah, that's me," Bit replied.
"Are you here to apply for the position?"
"Yeah, why else would I be here?"
Leena blushed, annoyed at her stupid question. "Obviously," she said, "Come on, I'll introduce you to my brother and father."
They walked through the hanger towards the desk set up by the doors to the interior of the base. On the way, Bit noticed the Dibison he had seen earlier, as well as a blue Shield Liger, looking slightly beat up, but still dangerous. He noticed two men, one looking like a younger version of the other.
"This is my brother Leon, and my father Steven Toros," Leena introduced.
"Hi, I'm Bit Cloud," he introduced himself.
Leon nodded, but Toros said, "Can I see your Zoid?"
Bit nodded, "Sure I guess, its just around front."
Leena sighed, whispering to Bit, "My dad has an obsession with Zoids," but she was also curious to see what Zoid Bit piloted.
Upon Bit's agreement, Dr. Toros immediately bolted outside, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. They followed behind, but at a slower pace.
"So Bit," said Leon, "How long have you been piloting Zoids?"
"Well," Bit began, "I piloted them when I was fifteen but had to give it up at seventeen when I moved out of my house and didn't have the money to maintain a Zoid."
"What Class did you fight in?" Leena wondered.
"Class B," Bit replied.
"Well, that's where our team is now," Leena informed him, "We-"
"So cool!" she was cut off by the Doc's childish voice.
"Here we go again," Leon said.
They rounded the hanger doors to find the Doc running all around the Liger Zero, ooing and ahhing at this and that.
"Do you guys have an idea how rare it is to find a white Liger?" he rattled on, "I don't even know what this type is! Oh it look sooo cool!"
"Dad," Leon cautioned, "This thing doesn't have any weapons, how can it fight?"
Once again, the Liger turned and roared, this time in Leon's face. Leena giggled at the look on her brother's face, slightly perturbed and his hair ruffled from the force of the roar. Bit merely smiled and the Doc rambled on.
"Did you hear that roar! That's how you can tell a Zoid is strong!" he was practically in his own dream world now.
"Well," said Leon, "That's certainly interesting. I've never seen a Zoid do that before."
"But where are the weapons? Where did you get this Zoid?" Leena asked.
"Well," said Bit, "It was a gift from my father, and he says that I have to get by with it for now. He also said that there was an armour conversion system or something."
"Did someone say armour conversion?" Doc piped up.
"Yeah, I did," said Bit.
"That is so cool!" Toros practically squealed, "I've heard about armour converting Zoids! You're hired!"
"Huh?" came Bit and Leon's simultaneous replies.
"Don't you want to interview him?" Leon asked his father.
"No, I think he'll do, I mean look at this Zoid!" Toros wasn't hearing anything after that point, lost in a world of armour conversion and white Ligers.
"Don't worry Leon," said Leena, "I think Bit will do just fine."
"He better be," said Leon, turning to re-enter the hanger and check on his Shield Liger.
"Don't worry about him," Leena consoled, "He's just skeptical of new warriors."
"Well, I'll just have to show him that I can fight!" Bit proclaimed triumphantly.
"Good," Leena said, "It's getting late, but we have a room made up if you want to stay the night."
"Thanks," said Bit yawning, not realizing how tired he was, "I think I'll take you up on that offer."
With that they entered the base, chatting about this and that as the Liger Zero followed them inside, the Doc not far behind, practically drooling over the new Zoid.
"Rewind the tape," a voice said.
The images on the screen reversed until they stopped, showing a white Command Wolf Juggernaut pegging a black elephant Zoid with mortar fire.
"Now play back the security tapes," the voice added.
A view of a hanger of Zoids came to life, showing a figure climbing up the side of the Command Wolf and jumping into the cockpit. The blonde haired warrior buckled himself in and headed towards to arena.
"It was that boy!" the voice hissed.
"Yes, sir," said another, "But what do we do about it?"
"Well Polta, we can't just let him go unpunished," the voice said dangerously, "He put a serious kink in the development of the Elephander. He must be dealt with."
"Yes sir, I will put spies out to find his location," said Polta.
"Good, but it must be a Zoid battle," warned the man, "We have to make this look like a legitimate accident."
"Of course," Polta saluted, "By your word Commander Alteil."
With that he left the room to carry out his orders, leaving Alteil alone with his thoughts. He leaned back in his chair and smiled thoughtfully.
No one crosses the Backdraft Organization. No one.
Author Notes: Another chapter complete! I know, not too much action, but I hope you liked the Doc's antics...and what are those pesky Backdraft guys up to now? And how will Bit do on his new team? Tune in next time to find out, and don't forget to REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
Peace!