Chapter 1

INITIATION

4 Years ago...

Clad only in a towel, Ayane Makino stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The reflection she knew too well: Her rather pale skin, her dark green eyes, her chin-length purple hair, and her fairly slender body concealed by the towel. Like this, she truly did look like a girl. When she was dressed was always another matter entirely. From what her father had once told her, she definitely took after her mother, alot. Not exactly something she felt any pride in like she probably should have. Mother wasn't a bad person, per se, but she was never very strong. Hence why she had died when Ayane was born. On the other hand, her father was always a strong person, and that was an aspect she seemed to inherit from him.

She got dressed, putting on her usual black t-shirt, baggy black cargos, and her black boots. All of which were male clothes that concealed her waist, hips, and frame fairly well. Lack of a mother may have factored into her taste for gothic male clothes, or maybe that was just who she was. She'd seen plenty of girly-girls in her life. The ones who giggled like cretins, talking about hot male zoid pilots and bitching about female ones, wearing clothes with more colors than a rainbow and with the indecency level of a bikini. Not something she wanted to waste her life doing. Thank god Mother wasn't like that either.

All that aside, she'd been looking forward to today. She headed downstairs to go have something to eat while she waited for her dad to get back.

Afternoon...

"Congratulations, Ayane." The girl's father told her. "You've done exceptionally well training to be a pilot in both ground and air combat. It's time to finally organize your team. They'll be arriving shortly."

Ayane nodded quietly. She'd been waiting to fight in the official zoid battles for the longest time. This world clearly revolved around zoid battles, after all. Strong people piloted. Ayane had no desire on being a weak person. She'd see to that by any means necessary. And for that, she knew she'd have to train her teammates and herself as rigorously as possible. No questions asked. As she concluded her thoughts on that matter a blackish-gray monitor lizard came into the room and sat over at the girl's side. Ayane glanced down at her pet and stroked its head.

"Kali..." She said quietly. "Glad you finally decided to come down." The big reptile flicked its long tongue out. "A few new friends will be coming over in awhile. I want you on your best behavior."

3 hours later...

"Alright boys..." Ayane said sternly to a trio of teenagers as she paced back and forth in the hanger, Kali nearby narrowing her yellow eyes at the boys. "If you were expecting an easy time, parties, and other crap like that, then you've picked the wrong team." She paused for a moment to give a glance at them, as if giving them a chance to answer back. Nothing. She paced again. "On the other hand, if you're able to stand lots of training, battles against REAL zoid teams, and me, who expects you to WIN those battles against REAL zoid teams and nothing short of perfection, then welcome to the team." Ayane stopped pacing again and turned her gaze at her new subordinates again. Inspiring loyalty and respect was her first task as leader of a group like this. The first one was about 19, and was a pretty big, muscular guy. Ayane's dad told her that this guy, Axel, once had a job as a bouncer at a bar. Judging from his oxlike size and build, she had no trouble believing that. He was also clearly a "muscle" guy. Needs someone to tell him what to do, and he'll do it with little trouble. Ayane knew he wouldn't be much trouble for her. He wore combat boots that were a little worn at the edges, like he'd had them for some time, along with grayish pants and a black tanktop. His dark brown hair was spiked up and his features were hard.

As for the other two, the younger one was pale, like Ayane herself was, and had rather unruly spiky brown hair and a rather gangly frame under that worn gray buttoned shirt, black jeans, boots and duster. Ayane had been told his name was Cooper. The same went for the remaining guy. He was about her age: 16, and just a little taller than she was. He had a duster like the other guy did, plus loose dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt and boots. His auburn hair was slicked back. He also had an uncertain look on his face. Ayane walked up to him. She didn't know his name, but she'd find out soon as well.

"What's your name?" She asked. Shocked by the sudden confrontation, the boy couldn't answer back. Ayane's gaze took on a hint of disappointment. "If you don't answer me in 5 seconds I'll call you "No-Name" from now on."

"It's James!" the boy finally answered.

"Alright, James..." Ayane said. "I suggest a little more confidence. You won't get far in my team, or life otherwise."

"So a girl is gonna be kicking us around from now on?" The young boy muttered. Next thing he knew, he was on the floor in a headlock, courtesy of the purple-haired girl.

"Yes. That's right." She said. "And if you like your head where it is, you'll refrain from giving me any further trouble." She tightened her grip. "Got it?" The boy meekly nodded. "Good." She released him and returned to her spot and faced the group again.

"Understand that tomorrow at noon we have a battle scheduled. I expect the training you've already received will be satisfactory for now." She folded her arms. "Are there any intelligent questions?"

James raised his hand.

"What is it?" She asked.

"You got our names, we never got yours. What should we call you?" James fidgeted nervously. After what this girl did to Cooper, he knew she wasn't someone to toy with. Axel, who remained his usual stoic self the whole time, glanced at her patiently as well.

"Call me Shiva." Ayane answered.

TO BE CONTINUED...