The Halo Fox: Brad's Rival

by YamiMaster

Hello my public. I thank you for your info. Here is the second or third to last chapter of this story. Spring Break just ended this week (It's April 24 today, since this wont be up for a few weeks), so I'm being true to my word to update by now. And for those that like Yu-Gi-Oh, go to fanfiction.net. My pen-name is Time Mage. Go if you like. Actually, go please. AND REVIEW! PLEASE! That includes you, Julie, if you have the time. I respect your work, though, and therefore have no desire to be pushy, that I don't (Kenshin pun).

Chapter Four: Challenged

Three days had passed since the little run-in with the Backdraft Group. Fortunately, due to the unexpected fiasco that had occurred, the Zoid Battle Commission had given the Blitz Team a week to make repairs and regroup. Leon was in the area, helping his father and Jamie work on the Liger Zero. Things were fairly quiet.

     “Bit, your gonna need to pay me back sooner or later.” Lance said to Bit, sounding rather annoyed. They had just walked into the living room. Everyone else seemed to find their way in as well. Bit was on the couch, trying to avoid him. “I bought you those engines, now...” he was cut off by a small ping.
     “Tauros.” a voice shouted, turning the vid-phone on. On the screen was a husky man in a white shirt, pink tie, pointed head, and a black over coat. “I challenge you, Tauros.”

Then again, maybe not so quiet.
     “Layon?!” everyone shouted in surprise. Last time they had seen him was when he had risked his life to rescue Leena at the Royal Cup, knocking her, and Harry Champ (Darn It. Curse You And Your Heroic Ways, Layon!) out of range of a Charged Particle cannon assault.

     “Do we really need this to keep on...Hey wait, weren’t you arrested?”
     “I managed to escape the hospital a few days early. But aside from that, I’ve noticed that you’ve been giving my Neo-Backdraft Group some trouble. I wont except that.” he shouted, clenching his hand into a fist.
     “We caused them trouble!” Bit shot back.
     “They kidnapped both Lance and me!” Leena cried. “And we’re the guilty party.”
     “Uhh, yes, well...you see...” his voice stumbled. “That’s besides the point. What I’m saying is, I challenge you to a zoid battle.”
     “Again?” Bit whined. “Haven’t we kicked you around enough. What is that, one, two...” he began to count off of his fingers.

     “It was six times, alright!” Layon shouted. “But, I have a new secret weapon now.”
     “Didn’t you have one of those every other time?” Lance remarked. 
     “How would you know, newbie?” Layon spat at Lance.
     “I like to read old reports.” the pilot explained. Layon simply began to fume.
     “Why you little...”

     “Anyway, Layon. What is this all about?” Dr. Tauros inquired, cutting his rival scientist off.
     “Yes,” Layon said with a cough, regaining his composure. “As I was saying, I want to battle you and your team in four days. I’ll set everything up. I’m even willing to offer fifteen times the usual prize money amount.”

Brad’s eyes perked up at the proposal. Leena began to grin mischievously. Bit looked relieved, (‘I can finally finish paying Doc and Lance off.’ he thought to himself). Lance’s jaw hit the ground. Jamie’s eyes bugged out of their sockets. Tauros began to grin in a fashion similar to his daughters, (‘Think of the number of models and zoid parts I could order so that I could keep Bit in debt. Therefore, using his winnings behind his back without question.’ he plotted).

     “We accept.” they all said in unison. The screen flashed off.
     “Well, since I’m not part of the Blitz Team, I’ll just be going...” Leon said in an attempt to escape being pulled into this.
     “Not so fast son!” the young pilots father ordered. “We’re gonna need you. Now, go get that Blade Liger of yours.” he said, turning. A crafty face grin was plastered across his face.

***

     “We accept.” they said. Layon switched the screen off in his Whale King. He turned to his new secret weapon.
     “Soon, we can crush that evil piece of filth, Tauros. He and that scoundrel Brad must be destroyed. I’ll deal with the one. You are to target the Shadow Fox.”

     “Understood, partner.” the western accented woman smiled evilly.

***

It was the day of the battle, and the Hover Cargo had arrived at the dessert area where Layon had said to meet. The blue shell of the snail shaped carrier opened. The first platform of the catapult was ready. “Go Jager!” Bit shouted. The midnight blue zoid fired into the air and landed in a perfect crouch. The next zoid stood ready for mobilization. “Mobilizing Gun Sniper.” Leena cooed. She was soon standing next to Bit. “Mobilizing Shadow Fox.” “Mobilizing Starlight Fox.” “Mobilzing Blade Liger.” “Jamie here, ready to launch Raynos.” The small army of six zoids stood ready to face off against whatever Layon attacked with.
     “Tauros, impressive little band you have.” a cocky voice laughed. Out of the clouds burst five metal capsules that descended down upon the Blitz Team.
     “Are those missiles?” Lance asked. Before he could get an answer, however, they exploded, and five green nets wrapped around the Gun Sniper, Raynos, Blade Liger, Liger Zero, and Starlight Fox. Electric charges surged throughout the zoids, paralyzing their combat
capabilities.

     “Layon, what’s going on?!” Doctor Tauros demanded. Out of the sky fell a black capsule. It opened up to show a Dark Judge.

     “Battle Field Setup. Battle mode 0999. The Shadow Fox, verses the Halo Fox.” it
sneered. As it did, a massive blue whale king descended. Its mouth opened to create a plank. A white zoid dashed and leaped out of it. It was identical in appearance to the Shadow Fox, except for the color difference. It also hosted a 30mm Laser Vulcan Gun, had
been modified to handle rough terrain, and looked like it had been well maintained.

     “Ha ha. That’s right Tauros. This is a one on one battle. If I win, I take the Shadow Fox BACK!” Layon screamed over the intercom. “I want my zoid back!”
     “You said I could keep it.” Tauros countered.
     “That doesn’t matter! If I win, I get it back.”
     “Alright. Fine. But you’ll have to up the prize money to twenty
times!”
     “Why you little...” Layon seethed. But still, managed to keep his cool. “Very well, twenty times. After all, what do I have to worry about. Ha ha.” he laughed
uncontrollably. “I mean, with a pilot this good, I can’t loose.”
     “What pilot.” Brad asked.
     “Me.” a familiar voice spoke up in a charming way. Brad looked at his screen to see a young woman. She had milk white skin, and red hair that was pulled back, making it smooth over the top, and ending in a fanned out, spiky pony tail. Her lips were twisted into a seductive, bemused grin, while her eyes were red.
But it was the eyes that were disturbing. They had no emotion. No soul. It was most disturbing. But what was more disturbing, was who she was.
     “Naomi?” Brad asked of the empty image.
     “Ready to lose, Brad.” she seethed. It was a heart piercing seethe that tore into his heart, and mind.
     “What...What’s going on?” the young man asked in disbelief.

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As always, flames and criticism are welcome. Do NOT get on my case over spelling though. I will delete your message and not respond. Also, I much prefer praise over flames, yes indeed I do (another Kenshin pun. Lol). My email is yamimaster@email.com. REVIEW!