The Dragon Dilemma
I don't own Naruto and Zoids
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"Talking"
'Thoughts'
/-- Scene change
)-()-( Different point of view
?-? Flash back
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Chapter 24
Ambient hadn't arrived as they were ready to leave. In the end, they figured that the Organoid will catch up, everyone is a bit relieved about the fact that the red Organoid wasn't around. He just hoped that Ambient doesn't get into too much trouble as he pilots the fox Zoid, following behind Neji with Shikamaru following behind him in a Konig Wolf with Tenten bring up the rear in a Rev Raptor.
He tries to tone out Kiba and Akamaru's attempts at singing. He couldn't tell if Shino was as annoyed as him at the words that Kiba was shouting about. He figures that it's dirty song and continues on trying to tone their off key voices as he follows behind the Lightning Saix.
/----
He frowns as he follows the red Organoid. Ambient appeared just an hour ago and had demanded that he followed him. The fact that the Organoid had been away for about two weeks had bothered him and he had to wonder just what Ambient did during that time. He sighs and continues to follow the violent Oganoid through the bushes with only the starlight to help him navigate through the darkness.
?-?-
He frowns inwardly as he wonders when Tobi will finish his final preparations. He stands by Naruto, watching as Tobi began to undo seals that had been placed on him during the older nins time in Akatsuki. The seals were to help the one eyed nin grow great reserves of chakra by restricting how much his chakra flows within Tobi's body.
It seems that about sixty percent of Tobi's chakra had been restricted and it'll take a while before Tobi's body is ready to handle not having his chakra restricted. It also meant that they got as close as they dared to the area where the gate is housed, but far enough away to be outside of their patrols. The Rogue Liger is stashed away in a house covered in rocks, mimicking a natural occurrence or an old jutsu accident. Either way, they had done their best to hide the Zoid away to help decrease the chances of getting spotted or scanned.
He did wonder just what kind of advance stealth systems the Rogue Liger has that allows it to avoid detection. He couldn't find it on any of variations of his scanners, which most likely is an advantage at this point of time. For if he can't locate it on any of his scanners so then it's very unlikely that anyone else using scanners could find it.
He watches the energy of navy and blue pulse up from the ink that make up the diagram on the stone slab. Candles with light blue fire burning at the edges of the diagram, he watches as the seven scrolls begin to draw in the ink diagrams. Once the scrolls finish drawing in the ink, they begin to smoke, and within three seconds Tobi begins to scream as seals began to appear on Tobi's bare skin.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could tell that Naruto pales visibility as the seals on Tobi's skin glow an eerie green. Tobi's holds himself and seems to be trying to stay quiet, he watches as Tobi shivers and shakes as the seals begin to glow brightly, the scrolls begin to burn black and he doesn't see the flames that are burning the scroll paper. He doesn't see smoke either as the scrolls burn black.
As more of the scrolls begin to burn, so a green light begins to cover Tobi's naked body. Tobi lets out a final scream as the light brighten and covers the older nins body for a good five minutes. Once the seven scrolls are ashes, the light fades, revealing a sleeping Tobi. Naruto finally takes a few steps towards the older nin after staring at the man for a good three minutes.
He watches as his blond friend and partner picks the head and shoulders of Tobi's body. He's about to follow when his scanner reveals something moving his way at high speeds. He checks through his variations of scanners and finds that it's an Organoid heading his way. He decides to intercept the Organoid before they spot Naruto and Tobi.
He opens up his wings and jets up off the ground. He soon spots a red blur and would have scowls if he could. "And just what did you trade to regain your freedom?" He growls at Ambient. He just knows that Ambient was smirking within, for the red Organoid replies as they circle around in the air, "I got myself a human too. I'll wager that he's more talented then your's."
They landed among the bushes and rock out cropping that was beneath their flight path. His wings close up once he touches the ground, Ambient's energy wings dissipate as well. Despite the fact that either of them had it within them to alter their facial expressions, they were doing their best to glare at each other.
He didn't like the fact that someone let Ambient out of whatever cage or cell Leaf put the red dragon Organoid in. He did have to wonder about the mental stability of Ambient's so called partner. True Raven could have care less about who he hurt during a Zoid battle, but Raven never went out of his way to injure towns folk and such. Ambient took pleasure out of killing humans; he really wondered when the other Organoid grown fond of killing, but then he didn't know the other from the ear of when there were Zoidians around. For all he knows, Ambient could have been created with that liking from the very start.
"I've been searching for you. Now we'll see which of us has better taste when it comes to picking partners. Mine has a powerful Zoid and is very talented; I doubt you and yours will be a match for us." Ambient snarls out. He's amused about this brag, for it shows that Ambient didn't think much about his choices in partners. He growls out. "If you're interested in a match, bring your partner here without his Zoid and I'll bring mine with his Zoid. If they decide they want to fight, then we'll arrange an area for the battle." He turns and once his wings unfold, he adds, "If you think it's worth it, that is." He jets off the ground and heads to where the camp is. His very much amused about how childish Ambient is acting, deciding to chalk it up to being imprisoned for about two years.
?-?-
It took them about five hours, but they finally made it where Ambient wanted to go. He blinks as he notices a teen with long blond hair. He notes the tan and how the teen's cloths seem to be slightly small for him. He couldn't see the blond's face until he draws closer.
He's attention leaves the blond as a pool of darkness seems to move and two blue eyes study him. He stumbles back as the black Organoid moves to stand before the blond, who he now knows is Naruto. "He looks weak." Ambient growls out. He didn't understand the black dragon's answering growl, though he switches from staring at the black Organoid to study Naruto.
"Naruto…" He says, not too sure what to say to the blond before him. "Sasuke, you've grown." Naruto says simply. "So have you." He says. Naruto nods and then Naruto turns to the black Organoid and asks, "This is who we've been waiting for?" The black Organoid makes a barkish growl. He guess that was a yes from the way Naruto turn to study him, slower this time.
He had mixed feelings at the moment, for here was the person they had been searching for and yet from the looks of things, Naruto was fine. He states, "So you and him seem close, considering he kidnapped you." Both Naruto and the black Organoid seem to give him a sharp look. "I've known Shadow since I was six." Naruto says in a cold tone. He blinks and feels his jaw open in surprise, for that was something he hadn't expected.
"How could you keep him a secret?" He asks once he recovers. Naruto looks amused at that and Shadow growls something out. Ambeint just plain growls at Shadow, Naruto glance at Ambient and frowns. "What are you doing with Ambient? I thought you'd avoid someone like him." Naruto asks. He blinks and asks, "You know Ambient?" "I know of him, Shadow told me about him." Naruto answers. He looks between the two Organoids and didn't know what to make of that information.
"I wasn't informed about that." He says as he sends Ambient a glare, the red Organoid seemed unfazed about his glare. "Do you even know why you're here?" Naruto asks. "He just demanded that I follow him." He admits to the blond. "Well, it seems that Ambient has a bone to pick with Shadow and want the four of us to battle it out. We're here to arrange the date, time, and place of said battle." Naruto says dryly. He closes his eyes and tries to wonder just how much trouble he's in.
'Here's the guy we've been looking for and now it seems that I have no clue what to do or act around him. I guess I never thought I'd ever confront Naruto ever again. So now what am I suppose to do?' He ponders as Ambient begins to argue with Shadow. Naruto had turned away from him and seems to be amused as the two dragon Organoids argue with each other. His emotions were just all over the place, he couldn't pin any of them down too long as a new one flutters into its place.
Finally the pair of Organoid stopped arguing once Ambient turns around angrily. Naruto snorts and says, "So it's going to be tomorrow, around noon, and down at the flats just south of this spot. I believe Tobi wouldn't mind refereeing the battle and the time limit is ten minutes. Anyone has anything to add?" He shakes his head, surprise that he missed the whole argument. "Then see you tomorrow around noon." Naruto says and walks away with Shadow. He watches as Naruto and Shadow disappear in the darkness, he then noted that Ambient is alright walking away. He sighs and begins to follow the red Organoid. He wonders just what kind of excuse he'll be using to make it to the fight.
)-(Naruto)-(
He had been surprised and slightly nervous once he realised that it had been Sasuke that Ambient partnered up with. He reflected that Sasuke has changed since he last saw the silent teen. He also had to wonder just what Sasuke's goal in life now that his elder brother is dead.
He glances over at Tobi, the older nin seems to be curious about Sasuke, which he chalks up to Tobi knowing Sasuke's older brother, he kind of forgot the guy's name. The masked nin seems to be recovering from the unsealing, truth be told, he hadn't heard of such a way to seal and unseal one's strength. But then, it seemed so … so… permanent in a way.
Tobi stands straighter as his elder notice that he was looking at the man. "I'm fine." Tobi snaps, he sighs and nods, turning to look at something else. They didn't have anything better to do then go down to the flats and wait for Sasuke and Ambient to appear. He checks the time; Sasuke has fifteen minutes before it's time for their battle.
He watches Shadow; he wonders what's so interesting that the Organoid is gazing up into the sky. He glances up for a bit, but then sighs and studies the landscape once more. Just as he thinks he's going to do something drastic, a large black fox Zoid arrives with minutes to spare. He stands straighter and walks pass Shadow as he heads towards Rogue Liger.
He soon sits within the cockpit of his Zoid, Sasuke's face appears on a screen. "Ready?" Sasuke asks and he nods. "This is a time battle so the battle ends in ten minutes. Ready?" Tobi says and then once the Zoids crouch, the one eyed man shouts, "Begin!"
They rush at each other; he leaps back as Sasuke turns left sharply. He rams the black fox Zoid in the right side as Sasuke brings his gun into play. Though he gets hit about eight times, he pushes Sasuke back. He pulls back and slashes at the side with one of the Rogue Liger's forepaws. The black Zoid pulls back and he gives chase, the bottom blades are lowered as he dodges the shoots from the torrent gun resting on the fox's back.
He allows the Liger to increase its speed, a grin makes its way onto his face as he judges correctly which direction the fox Zoid turns. The systems bring up a weapon screen. Soon the twin blades begin to glow and he launches the Liger into the air. The right blade cuts one of hind legs of the Fox. The Fox's shots hit the Liger around his back legs.
He frowns as the damage report shows just how much damage has been done from that last attack, but then, he doubts that Sasuke is fairing any better. He notices the limp on the fox Zoid as the Zoid turns around to face him. "Shadow!" "Ambient!" Both of them say at the same time. The two Organoids roar and then as they launch themselves off the ground, they're soon covered in light as they fly towards them.
The Rogue Liger heals once Shadow joins with the core. The Zoid roars once it's fully healed. He turns and glances over at Tobi quickly; he turns to find the black fox Zoid charging at him, he leaps, lands, and then jumps off the back of the other Zoid. His scanners register multi Zoids heading their way. He frowns and says, "Seems like our battle is finished, Sasuke. I have multiply Zoids heading our way."
Sasuke nods and Ambient shots out of the black Fox. "Tobi?" He asks over the loud speakers. "I'll be fine!" The man snaps once more. He smiles and nods his head. He charges towards the group of Zoids heading there way, Shadow remaining bonded to the Rogue Liger. The two blades resting on the Liger's back move from their positions, all four blades are now ready to be used.
A screen with that creepy snake man appears on screen. He tones out whatever demands the man may have as he races between a pair of Zoids, they explode as soon as he's about eight feet from them. The group totals over sixty Zoids and he doesn't miss a beat as he engages in battle with about five of them, with a few of the Zoids possessing guns try and hit him.
He feels his blood sing as he battles the group. The group only gets in each other's way as they try and attack him. He could feel the fox within stir as the fighting increases. A grin settles on his face as he weaves through the Zoids around him, his four blades slicing into and out of enemy Zoids.
He loses track of how many he's crippled by the time Sasuke shouts out for help. He had forgotten about the other teen in the battle lust that has settled in him. He turns to find the black Zoid that Sasuke had been piloting being held down by five smaller Zoids with a larger one attempting to get the cockpit open. He stares wide eyed as Tobi suddenly appears and takes Sasuke out of the cockpit once the glass shattered.
His eyes narrow and he feels the fox's rage intensify. He yells out as he allows the red chakra to pore around his body into the Rogue Liger. He can feel Shadow and his link and he sends energy to strength it. He soon loses sight where Naruto ends and Shadow begins, though it was fairly easy to tell where the fox's emotions begin and end as they mush with their own.
To be continued …