Brutal Battle Royal (Episode #11)

A local TV station is having a meeting, and the Producer (Mark) is worried. One of the Zi fighters of their scheduled "Battle Royal" has backed out....seems he didn't want to be on television. Tracy (female announcer), however, is not worried. She has someone special in mind to take his place.

Elsewhere, Helmut is placing flowers on the gravesite of his friend when he is approached by Gummi. They discuss a strategy to flush out the ruthless Marvus. (Remember him from last episode?) Helmut and Sigma will go out on patrol later that day.

Back at Mach Storm headquarters, Tracy and Mark are trying to convince RD to join their other Zi fighters in the Battle Royal. Hop and Sweet are hesitant to see RD get involved in such a dangerous battle. RD and his liger would be going head to head with 4 other Zoids, and there would be NO rules. (Hop changes his opinion when he is made assistant producer.) RD is all for it especially when Tracy promises him something special (a dinner) if he does it. Later that day, RD works on the liger to get it primed for the battle.

That evening, the other four Zi fighters involved in the Battle Royal have met indiscreetly. They include Rotten Roger (piloting his Geno Saurer), Gilbert the Impaler (piloting an indestructible Red Horn), Sarah Slam (piloting a supersonic Raynos), and the debonair Rastani (piloting his blade liger). It was Rastani's idea for them to meet. Because he is well aware how powerful a Zoids Fuzor is, Rastani asked the others to work together to destroy the liger phoenix. (Uh Oh...poor RD.)

Meanwhile on the roof of Mach Storm's building, RD stares at the view and ponders what's ahead of him. His finger is aching. Sweet approaches him and asks what's wrong. RD explains how he crushed his finger while working on the liger earlier that day. Sweet pulls out a band aide from a small heart-shaped purse. RD recognizes the purse as a gift he had given her a long time ago, but when he went to ask about it, Sweet changed the subject immediately. Basically, Sweet encourages him to do his best....their conversation ends playfully.

The next day at Blue City Stadium, the Battle Royal begins with the fire phoenix fuzing with the liger zero. Unfortunately, RD is barely able to check out his competition before he is pummeled with the pre-planned attacks of his opponents. The scheming Rastani snickers at RD's inability to fight them all. While RD tries to think of his next move, the liger phoenix continues to take hit after hit. Sadly, due to the range of the other Zoids, his laser claw is useless. He puts up his E Shield to deflect the ongoing attacks.

Rotten Roger threatens to plug the liger phoenix into an electrical circuit if RD doesn't surrender. Even though he has just one minute left of reserve power, RD won't hear of it. Suddenly, the liger phoenix is hit with a devastating blow by Gilbert's Red Horn. The impact knocks RD out for a few brief moments. He is jolted to reality by the sound of Sweet's voice on his comlink. It seems everyone (even Tracy) is trying to get RD to admit defeat so that he isn't injured. Sweet, however, knows that he won't give up and encourages him to "finish it". RD gazes at Sweet..then at his bandaged finger and knows what he must do next.

Like a miracle, a burst of light, power, and energy emit from RD giving the liger phoenix new life. First he maneuver's in a way that sends the Geno Saurer and Red Horn colliding into one another. Next, RD is able to take down the Raynos with a flying laser claw. Rastani is trying to warn the others, but RD is working quickly now (scratches head....wonders what took him so long??). The collision caused the Red Horn to go down, but Roger's Geno Saurer is still functioning. The Rotten Zoid pilot shoots his charged particle gun at the liger phoenix. RD's determination and spirit bolts right through it, and takes the Geno Saurer out of commission. Next it's Rastani's turn....the handsome pilot cringes as RD practically knocks him and his blade liger out of the stadium....bah bye...

At the restaurant later that day, Tracy is complaining, because what she had hoped would be an intimate date with RD turned into a group dinner with all the other members of Mach Storm (except Helmut and Sigma who remain on patrol). Not only that, but RD requested that Sweet be seated next to him. Sweet was surprised when a beautiful birthday cake was placed in front of her. RD blushes and proclaims that even though the TV station is paying for the dinner, HE paid for the cake. Sweet is happy RD didn't forget. Tracy relinquishes her jealousy and makes a toast..."Cheers to RD's victory and Sweet's birthday!!"