The Flames of Retribution
Chapter 6: Power of a hope & A lie unwoven.
When they arrived at the Ruins, Fiona immediately got out the bedding supplies from Astra's broken Zoid and made her friend a soft resting place. Raven was extremely helpful as he lowered her friend into the bedding, Fiona asked the guys to turn their backs as she was going to finish undressing Astra. They did as she asked and as Fiona undressed her friend she saw the bruising from the harness and others as well. She calmly washed the bruised flesh and dried it before covering her friend up. Seeing the three organoids watching her she smiled at them. Getting up the men turned to look at her.
"Nothing that I can tell is more than a flesh or shrapnel wound which I was able to remove. She will recover. But Saix..." She looked at the stone Zoid and sighed. "Maybe she can save him but the Liger hit the Zoid core... He's dying." They looked at the fallen Zoid before Raven was in Van's face and had decked him one. The Schubaltz brothers separated them Karl taking Raven towards the sleeping zoidian "Get a grip Raven, would she want this?" Karl asked the usually bloody-minded pilot who surprised him by slumping in his grasp. "No, she would not. Astra hates to see me hurt. She told me about you and the events that sent her looking for me." Karl and Raven shook hands then a silent pact to protect the zoidian between them.
Several days passed and the Zoid got weaker his whines getting softer every day. Fiona came into the room they all camped in and gasped. "Astra no!" She yelled startling the men outside. When they came in two of the three organoids were gone and a black, purple, and blue flame-shaped cocoon had arisen around Saix. Raven and Karl were intercepted by Shadow who flared his wings. His blue eyes were now aglow. "She's trying to save herself and her Zoid." Fiona stated as Zeke looked her in the eyes his red eyes also glowing. Several days past Doctor D arrived and used his strange suit to enter the flame. When he returned they all watched him with anticipation. "I couldn't see anything but I could hear a song. Like a distant hope gaining strength the more I stayed the louder it became." Fiona started to cry and Thomas handed her a handkerchief. "Astra can sing, she used to use it to call wild organoids to play with her. After someone very close to her was killed, she stopped singing."
For days Raven and Karl took shifts watching the flaming light. On the ninth day, the color began to change. Raven was almost asleep when he heard the yell. "RAVEN!" He was up and running down the corridor barefoot. He skidded to a stop next to Karl and both Shadow and Zeke were still protecting the cocoon. Both organoid's heads were bobbing along to something only they could hear, eyes still glowing. The flames suddenly started to dissipate, and that's when they saw it. The Zoid was no longer stone but was not what it had been either, it had evolved. A longer, stronger body frame, a muzzle both long and broad. Gleaming silver claws and fangs. It was black as night, two lights emerged from the Zoid and all four organoids turned to look at the head of the machine to see Astra sitting there in just that big tee shirt. "Astra!" She smiled and the Zoid lowered its head to allow her to slide down. She slid down and was grasped by Raven who squeezed her to him. "Raven.." She whispered and he squeezed tighter, she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.
When he finally released her she smiled at him and turned to the others. "Karl! Thomas!" She hugged both who were blushing. Yet Karl held her as tight as Raven had. Elisi came up and hugged her next. "I am alive Elisi. Saix woke me before the fever could set in any further. To save us both I had to risk it all." Both zoidians looked at the new Zoid who purred at seeing his mistress up and about. She explained her meeting Raven to Elisi the boys listened stoically. She told them about the attack on them by Prozen and how Prozen was hunting Raven for his Zoid and organoid. "I see. The empire's greatest weapon has now become its worst enemy. We need to see Rudolph. He's our only hope and he needs to be aware Prozen didn't die in the First Deathsaurer incident." Raven nodded when they looked at him for confirmation of her story and Karl sighed. "Fiona is correct the Emperor needs this information quickly. We need to make for the closest GF base and contact him and the madam president." Van listened and was shocked by what he had overheard. The girl had been innocent all along but he knew better to approach her now. If Raven didn't hit him Schubaltz would. He nursed his cheek from where Fiona had hit him and sighed. He had to apologize.
They left the following morning, The closest GF base was a full day's travel away. Saix walked next to the Geno-breaker and the two pilots kept an open channel to each other. On the other side of Saix was Karl's Iron Kong. Irvine's Lightning Saix and Van's Liger were at the back of the group. In the middle was Thomas' D-bison and Fiona's Liger. The base went on high alert as soon as they saw the Geno-breaker. Van took the lead and showed his GF id. They were allowed on base but Raven was seen with distrust and glares. He helped Astra out of her cockpit and he and Karl followed Fiona into the command center. The call was already in progress. Rudolph looked up and gasped. The woman escorted in by Raven and Schubaltz, looked similar to a painting of a woman from long ago. "Emperor Rudolph. Are you alright?" Rudolph shook his head. The woman came closer and when their gazes met something about her was more than that she looked like the painting. "Who... Who are you?" He asked not aware of the others watching them.
"I am Astra Guylos. Last of the Red Dragon clan. I am a zoidian." Gasps were heard. "I am Emperor Rudolph of the Guylos Empire... It seems we have something in common." She smiled. "It seems we do. This Prozen person is an enemy no good person can ignore. His evil is rancid. From what I have been told he has already tried to resurrect the Deathsaurer once. He will try again." The boy nodded. He sighed. "What about you Raven? Why are you turning against Prozen?" Raven snorted. "Prozen raised and trained me to be a weapon. He gave me Shadow. Now he sends his cronies to murder me and take both my organoid and my Zoid." Rudolph saw how the woman Astra was careful to stay in Raven's shadow next to Schubaltz. "This is deeply unsettling." The madam president said. Each took a turn talking to the two leaders including Fiona. "Astra can feel the evil as well as I. It has not dissipated, He is still out there trying to resurrect the monster that wiped out my entire civilization. Even with all the digging and what we uncovered at the Xeno ruins tells us that our people had made zoids able to stand up to the Deathsaurer. But their location and how many were made is unknown."
Both leaders looked disturbed by what they had been told. "Prozen must be stopped for the good of Zi." Both zoidians exchanged looks. They were worried about what would happen if Prozen did awaken the Deathsaurer. Neither woman could ignore the feeling that something evil was afoot. Astra spent many hours watching the surrounding lands as they awaited the reinforcements and arrival of the two leaders. Astra was never alone as she was lost in her thoughts. Shadow, Helios, and Damienth all accompanied her wherever she roamed. She was so lost in thought she didn't notice the hammerhead or two storm sworders landing in the base below. Raven, Thomas, Karl, and Van awaited the two. The madam president was accompanied by Herman who grinned at them. Rudolph had Russo and Viola with him.
Van smiled at Rudolph. "You're growing faster every day." Rudolph laughed. "Perhaps I will be taller than you one day." Rudolph noticed the girl was not among those who were to greet them. "Where is Fiona and the zoidian woman?" He asked and Van sighed. "Fiona is in the control room with Doctor D going over everything we got from the ruins. The other one is on the cliff up there." He pointed to the gleaming figures of the three organoids. They entered the building and sat at the table. Fiona smiling at the young emperor. As the meeting progressed Fiona's words chilled them all to the bone. "I don't remember much about the Deathsaurer but Astra does. I've seen it in her eyes, she might even be able to tell us about Zoid Eve." They decided to approach Astra as a group and left the room only to see the woman standing atop the geno-breaker rocking back and forth. Her body swaying to a tune only she could hear yet every zoid in the base followed her movements. A song slowly began to rise on the wind, her voice gaining strength as she released more and more of her pent-up emotions. Note by note the tuneless song slowly changed the surrounding zoids. They saw several zoids coming from the desert without pilots to answer the music. Two shinning streaks came from the sky to answer the dancing maiden's call.
The entire base was in awe to see their zoids crowding around the geno-breaker, rocking along to the zoidian's song. She sang with all she was as she lept fearlessly off the Zoid to be caught by another. She danced from zoid to zoid singing to each one. Van watched in awe as his own Liger bowed and was sang to, the notes forgiving and uplifting. Her hair gleamed seeming to be lifted on the wake of power her voice caused. Shimmering strands shone in the moonlight the white strands sprinkled throughout with silver. Finally, the song ended and she turned. Rudolph nearly fell to his knees. As she stood with the five organoids behind her he realized it was the same as the secret portrait. "It is you..." He trailed off stepping towards her figure. "Your Majesty?" Raven said confused.
"There is a hidden secret passed from emperor to emperor. Before the Empire was founded an ancient capital stood where ours does now. A portrait was found undamaged by whatever happened to them. It was of the Royal family, the very family mine took the name of." Astra smiled. Stepping towards him her mane of white hair danced in the powerful winds. "You are correct little one. I am Crown Princess Romanastra Sarali Guylos. With my family gone, I do not know what that makes me now." Rudolph looked at her in awe. "You are the Rightful Empress.." She knelt to his level and lifted his head so their eyes met again. "I was not ready yet to take the throne. And you seem to be doing a wonderful job. Zekeial and Fiona have said much about you. I am a warrior, woman, and was to be Empress. But what was my empire is now not but ash, memory, and crumbled stone. You have fought for and earned your right to rule." Rudolph couldn't help the tears that rolled down his cheeks at her praise.
He heard shuffling and noticed two more organoids had come. A deep blue wolf with gold eyes and a large lioness. The zoidian rose to her feet and looked at the pair. "You came? After all this time?" Growls and rumbles met her questions and Rudolph was aghast to see shining blue tears drip down her cheeks. The two quickly came and rubbed their heads against her. Fiona smiled through her tears. Thomas looked at her handing her another handkerchief. "Thank you, Thomas. They used to come to play with us when I visited Astra's home." The woman smiled speaking quietly with the pair. "Irvine, come here." The bandit seemed stunned but quickly strode to her side. She took his hand and rested it on the wolf's nose. "This is Angeal. He wants to be your friend." A tear dripped out of Irvine's gray eyes. "Not friends, Partners." The wolf's tail wagged.
Astra held her hand out to Rudolph. He walked to her the large golden lioness looked down at him with silver eyes. "This is Valor, Rudolph. She will be your protector and ally from now on. In my family, when you have earned an organoid you have earned your place in the family. By giving Valor to you, I acknowledge you as kith & kin. You are a Guylos." Rudolph surprised them all by hugging the zoidian who hugged him back just as tightly. "I always wanted little ones." She whispered to him and his tears though silent shook his body. He looked up at her. Finally seeing under her bangs the crimson crescent moon and faint cheek stripes of black that told him it was her. "You think I'm doing a good job?" She stroked his long brown hair. "You put the welfare of your people above your own, you crossed across enemy-infested places to get home and take your rightful place. You are in every beat of your heart a Guylos. A ruler must always think of the people first and self last, and you showed before even taking the throne you had that quality inside you."
Russo and Viola were surprised by the strange zoidian woman. Rudolph gently reached up and stroked the golden organoid and it purred at him encouragingly. He thought about his huge throne and how awesome Valor could curl around the back of it and read his reports with him. He could have adventures just like Van and Zeke did. He may only pilot a Zaberfang but he would do his best not to abuse the trust Astra was placing in him. The two Guylos smiled at one another. "I know this seems like such an awful time to ask this but I need to know about the Deathsaurer." Rudolph asked. Astra nodded and taking his hand in hers she walked back towards the base eventually ending up in the large meeting room. She took a seat and the others settled themselves. "The Deathsaurer is unlike other zoids in the fact it has the power to destroy an entire city in a single attack. To level a nation in one night. It is a world ender. I was part of four zoidians who were hidden by the head of the team that created that monster. He knew as time grew near for it to awaken something terrible was to come... So he called us together. Heirs of the four ruling families of Zi." She could see every soul was hanging on her words.
It was strange to be so focused upon again. "Reece Sheldon and Specular. Aizen Hiltz and Ambient. Elisi Linette and Zekeial. Myself and Damienth. Dr. Kenpatchi was a man of high pride but was man enough to admit he had created something evil. As I have been reading his journal he discovered early on that the Deathsaurer was afraid of zoidians and wished to wipe us away. He began developing zoids with powerful cores similar but with opposing natures to the Deathsaurer. Where it hated anything other than zoids he tried to instill love and respect in these cores. For help, he turned to the highest power of all. Zoid Eve." Fiona blinked in shock. "You remember what Zoid Eve is?" Astra smiled. "I didn't lose my memories while I slept. Zoid Eve is the mother of all zoids. And our deity, a great power. It is said from Zoid Eve, came our greatest gift... The organoids." Van was in shock and he looked at Zeke who wagged his tail at him, he patted his nose.
Raven looked at the others. "Do you know where it is?" She looked at him. "I would need to see a map of the world and double-check it against Saix's map. But yes I could find my way back to Mithra City. But, I am not sure passage is possible." The madam president looked at the woman with keen eyes. "Why if I may ask?" Astra sighed softly. "Elisi rules Mithra city. Only she can unlock her nation if it still stands. But I worry that if we go to it. The evil will follow. We should be seeking the Death class zoids." Rudolph tilted his head sideways slightly. "Why call them Death class?"
Astra smiled. "They were born to fight the Deathsaurer, they too have the power to end cities. But it is the heart of the zoid itself that makes it different. And we have to remember there are still two other zoidians out there, what side of this war they are on needs to be made clear before we dare step foot in Mithra city." Heads were nodding along. Herman grinned. "I can see why you were heir to the throne. You think like an Empress but plan like a general." Astra flushed. "Maybe but I have tiny advantages." Fiona laughed. "You talk to zoids. I remember you once got your brothers by dangling them by their pants with a liger's help." Astra flushed darker. "I was three. They took my stuffed Geno-saurer. I wanted him back." Thomas looked at Fiona. "What happened?" Fiona sighed.
"Emperor Ven was very furious at his sons for stealing their sister's birthday gift... Their backsides were paddled. Lady Myra was overjoyed to see her child was gifted. Since the boys threw her Geno-saurer in the lake. They had to buy their sister two new ones. She chose a Liger and a new Geno-saurer." Karl couldn't resist chuckling but then it started a chain reaction and the whole table was in laughter. "I am suddenly glad you didn't get that mad at me." Van said. Astra scoffed. "Your Elisi's issue. To beneath me to bother with anymore. I tried helping you and you tossed it back at me. No, I'm here because of Raven, Karl, and Elisi asking me to be here and now because of Rudolph." She held up her hand and he saw her ring. "I am a Guylos and we do not run, we do not abandon those who need us and we never leave our friends behind!" The growls behind echoed the sentiment. Rudolph held up his ring seeing the different designs and hers was so much more intricate, the jewel a true blood ruby. He noticed the emblems on her clothing and smiled.
"We should add you to the royal linage just in case, I would feel safe that my nation would not fall prey to Prozen's ilk again." She smiled. "I do wonder though why your body seems to be hiding from something." Rudolph was confused. "What do you mean?" She picked up a strand of his hair. "It's like your body is at war with itself. I can feel you are a Guylos. But there is something more." Rudolph called his chief counsel at home while the meeting was continuing with strategy. Astra and Rudolph sat before the screen when it was answered and the man looked so shocked he nearly fainted. "Is this possible? How are you still alive?" Astra growled softly. "Explain!" The demand seemed to startle the man into a ramble.
"The former emperor's son couldn't conceive a child. So the then minister Prozen dug into some ancient ruins finding some scientific papers and genetic samples. Two were male and thus put in storage. Two were female and deemed viable. We used the male sample with the photograph of a red-haired male to test that the samples were of ancient zoidians. The sample died during the test but we got the information we needed. Looking at the female samples and what we could determine from the two we were going to choose when the minister decided that his majesty should. So we provided the photos to him and to our surprise he chose the other sample instead of the one we had earmarked. Prozen took a male sample from a loyal house of the empire when we discovered both the emperor and his heir were now infertile. We carefully did what we could but to our surprise, the samples crossed the first time successfully. Nine months later the child was born from the organoid capsule. But, the organoid that came to see his birth vanished before it could be captured and studied." Astra was stunned. Rudolph was taken aback.
"You mean to tell me you fiddled with ancient technology to produce my son! Were you in this room I would slap the foolishness right out of your head!" She hung up on him and turned to Rudolph. "You are a child and not just any child, my child. Now I know why my senses are going wild. They knew you were mine. Now I am going to help you try and touch your inner power. Picture within yourself a warm, soothing energy. What form it takes is up to you but reach within for it." Rudolph crossed his legs in the oversized chair and closing his eyes, focused went looking for that warmth inside him. It took what felt like forever but he found a place inside his mind that swirled like air currents, he could smell a flower that he had never smelled before. And he reached out with his heart, mind, and body and touched it. He felt something like walls shatter inside him and then he could feel so much more. "Rudolph." He opened his eyes to see Astra's own were shiny with moisture. "What's wrong?" She smiled.
"Your looks have changed some. Breaking the hold on your power has allowed your body to revert to its actual appearance." Rudolph got off the chair and ran over to the mirror and stood in shock. His hair was now platinum blond with silver strands sprinkled through and his eyes were a luminous emerald. "This is me?" He was slightly taller but leaner and his facial marking had changed. He had the same faint black stripes Astra did but a blue crescent moon. "What did Zeller mean by a loyal house of the empire?" The minister lowered himself further. "The male's line comes from the house of Schubaltz. The elder son, the Major." By the flush on her face, she wasn't displeased and Rudolph realized Valor was standing there.
"You and I are going to have a rather harsh meeting one day Minister Zeller." The line was closed and the pair made for the door to return to the meeting room. "Valor." 'Yes, Master?' "She talked!" Astra laughed. "My son all organoids talk. Humans just can't hear their words." She got up her outfit long pants and halter top with a cape embroidered with the red dragon. When they reentered the room conversation stopped. "Where is Rudolph?" The boy in question sighed. "Right here, Van. Just found out Prozen messed with my life more than even I knew of." Those eyes were annoyed with him but Van smiled at him. "That bad eh?" The boy sat in his chair rubbing his head. "I don't want to talk about it right now." Astra snorted. "Later I will teach you how cathartic it is to hurl knives at targets." Rudolph looked happier. "Sounds relaxing."