-Aftermath-

Chapter Four - "Deadly Challenge"

It was a new day for Snyde, as he was getting ready to leave Tagechi. Well, it wasn't quite a 'new day,' seeing as how it was night, but to be perfectly honest, he couldn't stand the noise. He prefered places like Vurious; large, but all around quiet. Or, just spending his nights by himself, alone in some artificial forests. Speaking of which, he could never quite understand just why they had artificial forests. He often wondered just how humans got they're oxygen. Perhaps he would have to ask one day.

Currently, though, his destination was Tagechi's infamous transportation system. While the city has its own Transervers, pods that could transport practically anything from one server to the next, just like other towns, Tagechi also had Rideservers, where people could actually drive state-of-the-art Ride Chasers to get to one city to the next. All it took was one simple contract with the far away town of Mejak to perform this little experiment, which proved to be a huge success. Of course, there was the chance of someone trying to steal the 'Chasers, and so a barrier was put up so no one may try and get away. While he would usually never use ANY sort of transportation, new things had always intrigued Snyde, and so he decided to give this a go. Not to mention... he wanted to get away from that psycho, Jackle.

Shuddering at the thought of having to fight someone as deranged as that or even those moron brothers, Snyde climbed on board a ramp, and went inside the Rideservers' entrance way. Few people were here at this late at night, and so it was the perfect time to snag one for himself. Walking up to the receptionist, he put an arm on the counter and waited for the lady behind the glass window to talk first.

"What can I do for you?" she asked, sounding bored.

What a dumb thing to ask... Snyde thought. Why else would he be here? "I want a Ride Chaser. To Mejak."

"That'll be two-thousand zenny," she absently replied.

Grunting a bit, he pulled out a wallet from seemingly nowhere and tossed the money her way. Taking it, the lady reached over to grab a card key, and handed it. "Down the hall, third door on the left. You can't miss it."

Not even bothering to say thanks, Snyde walked away, and down the hall. First door, second door, third door... Finally opening it, he came to a large room, where the Ride Chasers were found. He blinked in confusion at the sight, however. Every single space was empty, with only some old man mopping up the floors. Not wanting to be left behind in the news of what just happened, he slowly approached the man, and scratched his head.

"Uh, where are the Ride Chasers?" was all he could manage.

"Hmmmm?" the old man looked up, and blinked. "Oh, oh, the Ride Chasers? They're all gone, yep. All gone."

"What!" Snyde freaked, restraining himself to not grab and shake the man senseless. "But then why did I get a key for a Ride Chaser!"

"Let me see, let me see," he answered, snatching it away and looking at it. "Ah, you've got yourself a Ride Chaser 'Zoomer' model. The ones I was referring to were the Ride Chasers, 'Blaster.' Yessir, I did."

"Okay, then where is it?" he asked, taking the key back.

The old man motioned his arm. "This way, this way! There's only one left of the Zoomer models as well, so your in luck, you are." He took him to a door and put his hand on a scanner, confirming his access and allowing the two in. Coming up to a rather beat up looking machine, Snyde almost wanted to cry in frustration. Of course, he wasn't like that, so he just continued to throw questions out at it, like 'if it was sturdy enough' or if it 'could actually work.' Getting confirmed multiple times by the janitor, he just sighed and hopped in, inserting the card key to turn it on. Thankfully, the old guy was generous enough to open the door that lead to Mejak, and he took off.

He had to admit, even if this Ride Chaser was an older model and was a lot more beat up than most 'Chasers used for Rideservers, he rode pretty well. Still, it wasn't like he actually KNEW how he compared with others, since as mentioned before, he had never used a Ride Chaser before. Nonetheless, it was a safe ride, but he couldn't get his mind off of those missing Blaster models. There were around forty different spaces in that hanger, which meant that something was up, but he just didn't know what.

Trying to get the thoughts away from his head, he decided to ponder about the recent events of the world itself. Five years ago, the Elf Wars, the most devastating war ever brought forth on humanity, had ended, but the amounts of casualties were astounding. Around seventy percent of the worlds Reploids were destroyed, and about ninety percent of all humans were eradicated... And then Neo Arcadia slowly helped bring the world back to order. While everything seemed fine and dandy where he had been to recently, he knew that there were still many places that looked like a war zone. Mejak was one of them, and that's why they took part in Tagechi's Rideserver project--for money. Needless to say, it helped greatly, but from what he had heard it still wasn't enough. He had heard that in time Neo Arcadia would eventually just take Mejak as its own, and build upon it, expanding onto its already large space. While he found it kind of the government to look out for other cities in need, he didn't like how it was growing so quickly. Already it took Hereloff, the largest known city in the world, and it was even bigger than that know. It would only be a matter of time at this rate... something that freaked Snyde out. He prefered to live life his own way, free from all boundaries. He only stopped by places if for a reason; other than that, he was on his own. Lately however, he had been finding himself within city walls, and so he promised himself that Mejak would be the last stop before continuing on with his random wanderings, his destination no where in particular...

A little after an hour, Snyde spotted a highway-like structure up ahead. Noting that it was indeed within the barriers boundaries, he made his way over and across it, before picking something up on his radar, coming in from behind. Before he had time to react, a Ride Chaser had pulled up and begun ramming itself into him. It was then he finally saw that he was surrounded by dozens of Ride Chasers, and realization that these guys were the ones who took off with the newer models became apparent. Growling a bit to himself, Snyde was ready to retaliate with some of his own attacks, when another 'Chaser pulled itself in between both him and his target. A buff Reploid popped out, showing off his physique by not wearing any armor from the waist up, and laughed.

"Well, well, well!" he had a slightly sickening sound to his voice, like he had smoked one-too-many cigarettes. "It looks like the fish just grabbed onto our bait, boys! Now we'll get our revenge for what he did to Chan and Chen!"

Snyde only coughed a bit. He noticed how he had the same tattoo on the side of his neck; the one of the scorpion. He knew what the deal was. "Revenge, is that it? Well then, I'll be more than happy to kick your asses as well. Those two got it easy anyways."

"Hah! The party has only started!" he turned to call out to the other 'Chasers. "It's time to teach this damn punk a lesson!"

With that he hopped back inside and took off ahead, leaving Snyde alone with some forty other machines, surrounding him. They all slowly began to close in, and he began to think on what he could possibly do. Running out of time, Snyde did the only thing he could do--take his Zoomer and start ramming into the cars on both sides of him. Also trading blows, the vehicles all started to show signs of damage, but Snyde was taking it the worse. At the rate he was going at, he would be finished before he took out even one of those Blasters... and not wanting to go out in such a humiliating way, he turned on the boosters and shot forward, plowing right through two of the attackers, making them flip over and blow up. Sighing deeply, Snyde knew he wasn't out of the water yet, as his radar went off like crazy as four more Blasters caught up from the rear. Slamming on the breaks, Snyde did a complete 360 turn, slamming into two of the vehicles, making them spin out of control and crash into a couple tailing them. After regaining control, he noticed three more vehicles boost past him, to catch up to the apparent leader of the group.

If I get rid of him... Snyde thought to himself, Then they should stop attacking... Hopefully...

As if they all heard him speak out loud, more Blasters came up behind, and started to inch closer to reaching his sides, some even bumping into him. Angered and frustrated, Snyde slowed down to the point of almost stopping, causing the Ride Chasers in back to crash and flip forward, landing on their backs. Taking off again, the Snyde sped toward his goal as fast as he possibly could. However, a large explosion to the side of him made him lose his concentration and swerve violently, before regaining control. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that one of the Blasters had fired a small ball of explosive energy at him, thus explaining why they were called Blasters. He then saw another, and another, and he made it his personal business to dodge every single attack. The attackers started getting closer to their target, and were soon only a few inches away. When he saw one of the balls explode almost directly in front of him, Snyde withdrew his sword, now meaning business.

"Oh, what the heck is he gonna do?" one of them mocked. "Hey, fire another one!"

That was a terrible mistake on their part, though, as Snyde took a swing at the ball of plasma energy, deflecting it and knocking it back at them, ending it with a large explosion. Keeping his sword as close as possible, he wondered just how the heck those guys were capable of taking those Ride Chasers without raising suspicion. His thoughts were ended quickly as yet another plasma ball flew past him, making him use his quick reflexes to dodge. Then, preparing for another shot, Snyde blocked it, only to see that they had come prepared by firing another one into it, blowing it up. They obviously didn't count on the two combined would make an even larger explosion, however, as it swallowed them and a few more Riders up.

"Get him!" he heard a few voices behind him. "Don't let him get away!"

Like they'll catch me... Or destroy, more like it. The way I'm going right now, this will take forever...

It soon became a little game of hot and cold, as more Blasters fired explosive plasma, and it became his duty to either dodge or deflect. Sometimes if he was lucky, he was capable of actually knocking it into a 'Chaser behind him, but other than that he just forced them to dodge. This played on for quite a while, with Snyde slowly but surely catching up. As much as he hoped, he did not go unnoticed.

"Hey, get rid of that damn guy!" the buff Reploid screamed at the 'Chaser beside him. The driver confirmed by slowing down, getting next to Snyde almost immediately.

Oh, great... he thought drearily as he was rammed yet again, getting knocked right next to a ball of plasma. Quickly returning the favor, Snyde slowed for a quick second, right when the vehicle attempted another ram, just to get caught from the incoming blast. Desperately, he boosted, getting right behind the closest Blaster that he could reach. Bumping slightly, the two riding turned around, dumbfounded, as yet another plasma energy bomb came--landing in Snyde's car.

"God damn it!" he yelled, jumping out of the car as it blew, and landed on the one ahead.

Still a little confused as to what happened, the driver could do nothing as he was grabbed and tossed out, screaming. Sitting himself down, Snyde looked out of the corner of his eye the passenger, who smiled sheepishly, and then jumped out as well. Resting his sword in the passenger side, Snyde swiftly dodge all in coming attacks, and then shot forward, edging closer and closer to his target. Pushing a few buttons, the cannon attached to the front of the 'Chaser fired a bomb of plasma and made direct contact with a car, sending it sky high. Barely able to contain himself, Snyde went off and fired to more volleys, and with that blew up the last two cars protecting their boss.

Time to finish this...

As ready as he could possibly be, Snyde boosted forward, wanting to fight this up close. Coming up next to the lead car, he waved to them before repeatedly slamming himself, pressing them up against the wall. Sparks flew as the boosted, flying out of the trap, but had smoke coming out from the engines, black and thick. They soon slowed down and were head to head yet again, however, and they began to fight back.

"Dog!" the muscle man screamed, almost in his ear. "You will pay for all of these insults with your life!"

"Hm, so now we're gambling with life and death?" he hummed to himself. "Very well. Allow me to be your executioner."

"What! You..."

It became an all out contest, to see who could ram into each other more. They continually traded blow after blow, and while the Mr. Muscle had started off behind, eventually Snyde's Blaster began showing signs of damage and exhaust. Wanting to finally put an end to this, Snyde pulled behind him and accelerated, smashing the engine, which was obviously in the back, in. Flames began to erupt as Snyde pulled himself back next to them, giving a dead stare.

Veins started popping out of his head as he screamed in frustration some more. "Damn! Just how could some little... punk, do this to me!"

"Punk? Is that the best you could come up with?" he toyed, finding it amusing to get him all worked up.

"Why... why, HOW DARE YOU!" his voice echoed throughout the ears of all the members, most of them wondering just what was happening. In rage grabbed the driver, and tossed him at Snyde. Not having any time to move, he watched as the helpless driver crashed into the side of the car, his body snapping immediately in two. Sliding down, his lifeless body rolled down the highway--which was coming to an end--before getting run over by a Ride Chaser that didn't see it coming.

"Hah hah hah, how d'ya like that, huh!" the man laughed, taking the wheel.

There was nothing said, as Snyde stopped finding anything about the whole situation funny. Wanting some space between them, he slowed down a bit, allowing the muscle to get out front a bit. He then turned on what was left of his boosters and did another 360 turn, slamming both the front and back into the other Blaster, completely taking out the front of it. Starting to freak out, the man began to fall back, shaking his fist in anger as the other 'Chasers past him. Snyde, one hundred percent satisfied with what he did, used up whatever was in his boosters to get away, the others turning back around to get their boss.

"Idiots! All of you!" he almost cried. "He's getting away! Go on, get after him!'

"Uh..." one tried to speak, pointing at the machine behind his leader.

"What! Out with it!"

In response, the Blaster blew up, sending him flying, landing face first in the dirt. All of the men jumped out of their vehicles to help him back up, despite his pleas and protests to go after "the cowardly dog."

Back on the road, Snyde couldn't help but get agitated by the beeping of his low energy tank. Pounding on the control panel a few times, he calmed himself down and traveled with no other problems. It continued like this all throughout the next day, as he couldn't find it in him to sleep, in case he was attacked again. The morning sunlight beaming on his face, it almost hurt to squint, as he was forced to drive like that the rest of the way. Finally, he reached the end of the road. Tired and exhausted, he came to a sudden stop as he nearly fell trying to get out. Stumbling along a bit, some mechanics came over to help him get out of there, and took him to a medical bay. Lying down, he closed his eyes, and went silently to sleep...

"Just what the heck happened to that guy?" One of the mechanics asked another.

"I dunno, but whatever it was, it sure looked tiring..." remarked the other.

"Hey, do you think, well," he tried to get it out, "It has to do with that large cannon attached to the Blaster?"

"I don't see any other connection," a nurse came in, with a clipboard. "Didn't you know that a group of thugs had just recently stolen some Ride Chasers? He probably ran into them and had to fight for his life, the poor guy."

There was some silence between the three, before the nurse sighed and continued.

"Anyways, when he wakes up, leave all of the questioning to me. Understand?"

"Yessir."

"Good," he smiled and took a bow, leaving the room with them.

Opening an eye, Snyde smiled beneath his mask. He realized then that in Mejak, good people still existed. Maybe he would stay a bit longer than he had hoped... If he got to skip the questioning.

To be continued...

Author's Notes: I loved this chapter. While it was a huge debate if I should have given the 'leader' of that gang a name, I decided not to, mostly since the chances of actually seeing him again is slim to none. And so, Snyde pretends to sleep on. His destination? To get out of there before the questions start flying. Next chapter will bring about showing the worst after effects of the Elf Wars. Knew that the title would one day actually show footage of what it meant. :P