Matt Battled RD (Episode #12)

The episode begins with three men and Dr. Piers discussing the possibility of multiple (more than 2) Zoids fusing with one another. Dr. Piers has yet to see this happen. When the men (Watts, Vulcan, and Miguel) leave, it's quite obvious they have something up their sleeves.

Outside Blue City, RD and Matt are involved in a makeshift Zoids battle. At one point Matt has the advantage, but then RD's quick maneuverability traps Matt. RD takes the victory. Afterwards, Matt complains that he will never be as good as RD. In an attempt to console the boy, RD tells him that he's almost ready to take his Zi fighter license test. (*Cringe*...bad move, RD.)

Later that day, Matt couldn't help but brag to his friends about the Zi fighter test. News travels fast in Blue City....it isn't long before the other members of Mach Storm hear about it from concerned adults. They confront RD and insist he tell Matt that the boy is just too young. It seems the Zi fighter test is an actual Zoids Battle. When Matt enters the room, RD has trouble telling him. Finally he sheepishly declares, "Matt can take the Zi test, but he must beat me first."

At the same time Watts and the others arrive at the headquarters of Savage Hammer. They are a bit hostile toward Blake, but he simply smirks and walks away. Watts meets with Sandra and assures her that the Liger Zero Phoenix will be theirs soon. In the hangar Miguel works diligently on his computer preparing the ultimate fused Zoid. One more Zoid is needed to make it perfect...and that is the Leoblaze (Zoid Matt pilots).

In an effort to prepare for his match with RD, Matt enters "Max's" to talk with other Zi fighters. After being blown off by another pilot, Matt approaches Blake, who is drinking his prune juice (hey, hey....constipation can really give one an attitude. J/K: What do you think he was drinking?? Ack....back on track..). Blake is not interested in kid games. He gets up, pays for his drink, and leaves echoing, "you must be focussed on taking your opponent out." Matt happily considers that excellent advise.

Just then Vulcan approaches the boy and convinces him to return to their base to try out a Zoid simulator. (Matt...didn't your mama tell you never to go with strangers???) Watts and Vulcan trick Matt into believing they are helping him when in fact, they were merely collecting the vital data of the Leoblaze.

It's time for Matt and RD to face-off. The other members of Mach Storm watch the match. Just into the battle, RD is hit with the fire power of Watts' Mosasledge. What is going on here?? Suddenly, the Zoids of Matt, Watts, Vulcan, and Miguel (Leoblaze, Unenlagia, Nightwise, and Mosasledge) combine to form the powerful "Matrix Dragon". Sweet and the others are concerned about Matt's safety. Luckily, before attacking RD, Watts ejects the boy to safety.

RD calls for the fire phoenix and fuses to the Liger Zero Phoenix. He tries valiantly to fight off the Matrix Dragon, but its powerful attacks send the Liger Zero Phoenix plummeting to the ground. RD is able to recoup while using his shield to deflect some of the missile attacks. He tries a daring diving laser claw strike attack, but when he misses, the Matrix Dragon comes from behind and hits him with a powerful attack. The Liger Zero Phoenix drops from the sky in a crumpled heap of charged metal. Watts surveys RD's destroyed Zoid, and flies off declaring the Matrix Dragon the most powerful Zoid ever.

Back at Savage Hammer, where they watched everything via satellite, Sandra tells Blake, "Quit your pouting. You should be happy your nemesis has finally been taken care of." Of course, Blake would have preferred it was him who did the job. He walks away mumbling, "Well...what do you know..."

Inside the crumpled Liger Zero Phoenix, Helmut desperately tries to contact RD. Two words are uttered through the clenched teeth of the seething boy..."You'll pay!"