Burning passion for the Duel. [Ai Otome]

[Ai Otome]

The situation had just taken a very bad turn of the worse. Hearing the word 'checkmate' Ai got very worried about what was about to happen. The saberlion had moved back and it's right side blade had scratched the shield liger's front right paw. The saberlion's head went down and to the right and the head blade went with it. The saberlion's blade was aimed at the side of Ai's shield liger. Due to the circumstance with her front paw Ai couldn't move out of the way to avoid the blade. The blade pierced the shield liger's side and struck the core. All computers and electronics in the shield liger shut off and Ai was worried. She tried moving the zoid and turning on the controls but nothing happened. Ai opened the cockpit and stepped out of her zoid. "It looks like you win Ryûsuke. My shield liger won't respond anymore" Ai said. Her heart was weeping for the zoid because it was her father's and the only thing she had left to remember him by. It looked like it was time to get a new zoid, even Ai couldn't fix a zoid core and she was a top-notch mechanic.

[Ryûsuke]

Saber-lion’s high friction blade had soon connected with the surface of the Shield Liger; running straight threw his profound breastplate and regrettably threw the zoid’s core. His calculations weren’t faultless, Ryûsuke’s diagram was erroneous and for that, he’d taken the life of a completely blameless creature, Ai’s Zoid. Though only a quantity of steel on the exterior, the core was considered a living organ, and the heart of each and every zoid, what a way to impress his leader, pitiable.

Shutting his zoid down and opening his cockpit, Ryûsuke swiftly made his way towards the ground and as he did so, the dark haired pilot swiftly made his way towards Ai who had been standing by her departed zoid. Finally near the cherry haired beauty, Ryûsuke placed both hands on his knees has he lowered his head, attempting to catch his breath as he soon lifted his head upwards, a look of not only exhaustion, but also indignity as his purple eyes gazed into Ai’s.

“Are you ok?! I apologize for damaging your Zoid. However there is no possible way for me to finically support you with a new zoid as I have no money. Ai-chan, I didn’t mean to do this, I planned to…and…but..”

Confused, shamed, and sorry, Ryûsuke attempted to explain the situation; however nothing left his mouth besides conjoint words and fragment sentences. To fatigue to even continue his elucidation, Ryûsuke soon took a few steps forward as he placed his right hand on the open gash which resided in the side of the Shield Liger. What had he done? What would Ai think of him now? What would his newly formed team see him as now? Nothing could have been worse then what he had commited now, nothing made sense; he could have sworn that his calculations were only meant to rout the zoid temporarily, not permanently.

“I’m…. I’m sorry..”

[Ai Otome]

"I'm fine and don't worry about it Ryûsuke. It was just an accident right?...And besides I can always get a new zoid" Ai said. She knew it was an accident so she didn't blame Ryûsuke for what happened. Ai took the zoid core from the shield liger and held on to it. She planned to bury it later after she got a new zoid. "Hey judge, announce Ryûsuke's win" Ai said looking over at the judge. Ai wasn't angry in the slightest, she only regretted that she couldn't save the shield liger.

[Ryûsuke]

“Battle mode O992 has officially ended, parties Ikazuchi Ryûsuke, Otome Ai please returns to your respective zoids….The winner of this ZBC promoted battle is….. Ikazuchi Ryûsuke.”

Though the ZBC had spoken of victory and triumph, Ryûsuke could only feel the exact opposite. The two words that could describe his state of mind now were that of shame and dishonor. However this sensation would soon be overwhelmed by the comforting words of Ai as she made a idol effort to comfort Ryûsuke this most stressful time during the day. While still gazing into Ai’s eyes, Ryûsuke shifted his tired expression to that of a fascinating divinity and soon lifted himself upwards as he stood straight up.

“I’d be honor if you allowed me to take you back to the base; there we can get help to retrieve the zoid.”

Exclaimed Ryûsuke as he walked back towards the Saberlion, achieving his core and soon making the rather lager Lion pace towards the Shield Liger. Lowering the head towards the departed Liger, Ryûsuke used all the strength within the Saber-lion to pickup the Liger onto its back, leaving enough room for Ai to enter the Cock-pit. Though only a one seat, the two could possibly figure something out as the Saber-lion was still kneeled, holding the Liger on its back.

[Ai Otome]

Ryûsuke spoke and Ai smiled a bit. "Sure, let's go back to the base" Ai said. She saw the saberlion try and pick the shield liger up on it's back. "Ryûsuke the shield liger is to heavy to carry that way, the saberlion can't possibly carry it" Ai said. She sat on the back of the saberlion, still holding the zoid core of her recently departed shield liger. The shield liger would have to be left here on the battlefield and Ai would ride on the back of the saberlion all the way to the base. Once at the base Ai could bury the zoid core and then order a new zoid.

[end]

[Ryûsuke]

“Maybe you right, however I could have tried.”

Exclaimed Ryûsuke as he gave Ai a charming smile and soon began to exit the screen, leaving the Shield Liger behind as Ryûsuke continued to leave the cockpit chamber opened, just in case the two needed to talk. While walking, the Saber-lion moved at a slow pace, just to make sure that AI didn’t fall of on the trip. Hopefully upon returning to the base, Ai wouldn’t be mad with Ryûsuke and could hopefully find a better zoid for her use.

[exit]

[DogTrot]

( Reward Given )