Claps of thunder and bursts of harsh, blue-white lightning grew in intensity outside. The Shadow Fox approached a small section of the forest, with a large, jagged hill in the middle of the clearing.
As the Shadow Fox fully entered the clearing, it suddenly growled in agitation. The pilot didn't seem terribly shaken. "What is it?"
A zing of a missed shot told him what. Looking up, the Zoid and pilot both spotted a single Gun Sniper atop the hill. The Zoid would have been difficult to spot, with it's dark blue and black color scheme, had a burst of lightning not illuminated it so perfectly.
"You know, I wasn't really looking for a fight, but I just couldn't resist." The voice of the Zoid's pilot, female, crackled over the radio.
"I don't generally participate in unsanctioned Zoid matches."
"Tsk. What's the matter? Afraid you'll lose?" The other pilot was either an amateur who felt her position on the hill gave her the advantage, or it was just another jock pilot, confident in her abilities.
"Fine. Just know, I'll fight how I will. I aim to misbehave if you're going to challenge me."
A second shot, this time catching a tree next to the Shadow Fox, gave her answer. "Set battle mode. Deploy smoke screen." The Shadow Fox gave a roar before crouching down, smoke pouring from slots in it's legs and body. "Activate 3D Radar systems. Follow her position. The moment she realizes she's lost us, she'll bolt."
A crouch and leap, and the Shadow Fox was running along the edges of the trees, moving to circle around the enemy Zoid. A growl from his Zoid told the pilot something was up. "Activate Optical Camouflage."
The Shadow Fox stopped for a moment before it shimmered and faded away. The forest was quiet for a moment before a Saber Tiger Zoid came lumbering into view.
As the Zoid passed between two trees, the heavy beam cannon on the Shadow Fox's back lit up for a brief second before slamming into the side of the Zoid. So close to the cannon, the shot actually picked the Zoid off the ground for a few meters before it crashed back to the ground.
A snarl alerted the pilot before a Rev Raptor down off a section of the hill, claws bared and ready to kill. "Dodge." The pilot commanded, as he threw forward the speed actuator. The Shadow Fox leapt to one side, but not before a brush with the front claws sent alarms going off.
"Beam Cannon's going to need some repairs... Missile Barrage." The panels on the front shoulders of the Shadow Fox slid apart, revealing the missile systems. Ten missiles from each flew out and slammed into the Raptor, knocking it from the match.
"Who the hell are you?" The female pilot screamed over the com as she started firing blindly at the Shadow Fox.
"My name..." The Shadow Fox sped up the hill, jumping from boulder to boulder. "is..." The Fox-type Zoid jumped into the air, claws bared and glowing.
"Is Alex."
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