Comics Index

Volume 4

Chapter 7: Tears from the Heart

Shocked by the treasure's appearance, Fiona motions for Van to keep quiet about Shadow. The bandit leader instructs Fiona at gunpoint to pick up the treasure and bring it out. As Fiona does so, Zeke follows her. Another bandit thinks they should take Zeke too, but Zeke uses the distracting comment to take out the gun. Moonbay and Irvine go on the offensive, but the bandit leader holds Fiona hostage. Fiona tosses the treasure to Van, telling him not to let them take it. She demands it back, but Irvine threatens her with a revolver. Before they can rescue Fiona, a Redler comes and picks up the bandit and Fiona. The bandit tells the group to meet her at the Belva Fortress the next day at noon, then takes off. Van and Zeke merge and follow.

Van and Zeke return to Moonbay and Irvine later. Van's upset that he was the only one who couldn't do a thing to protect the treasure or Fiona. Irvine comes over and slaps Van, insulting him for his attitude, and brings Van's father into it. Angered, Van hits Irvine back, and shows a sudden determination to save Fiona and keep the treasure.

The next day they reach the bandits hiding place. The bandits prepare to meet them. In a flashback, Van had explained how the treasure looks like Shadow, and that he thinks it would have similar powers - Increasing a Zoid's powers in exchange for its life. Moonbay decides that must have been why her brother had Caesar protecting it, so no one could use it to harm Zoids.

The Redler lands and the bandit steps out with Fiona. Irvine tosses over a bag to start the exchange, and the bandit releases Fiona, despite her protests of handing the treasure over. Before she can rejoin her friends though, the bandit fires at her, demanding Zeke as well. Enraged, Van and Zeke merge, tackling the woman bandit as they snatch up Fiona and the treasure before taking off into the sky. Initiating phase two of their plan, Moonbay shoots off fireworks as they all escape into the desert. The Redler takes off after them.

Fiona questions why they saved her knowing the treasure was dangerous. Van says even though they want to protect Zoids, they don't want her to die either. The Redler quickly gains on them and starts firing at the Viper. It quickly becomes apparent what the fireworks were for though, as an enraged Shield Liger charges into the scene. Van tosses the treasure into the Shield Liger's cockpit. The Liger attacks the Redler, sending it retreating. Caesar seems happy to get its treasure back, but their rejoicing is cut short as Caesar takes a direct blast in its side. The Redhorn has found them and is ready to battle.

Refusing to give up on the fatally wounded Shield Liger, Van and Zeke try to merge with it once again. Fiona helps Van enter Caesar's memories. He sees Jadow, dying on the ground, requesting Caesar to protect the dangerous treasure. He also tells Caesar if it meets someone who truly loves Zoids, to give the treasure to him, and accept him as its new pilot. Van starts to cry, feeling helpless to assist Caesar. It's unsure how to tell if someone really loves Zoids. Jadow tells Caesar its new pilot will be someone who cries for a Zoid.

The Redhorn and its assisting Molga pull back on their assault, figuring the Liger should be totally decimated. However, Caesar stands, as good as new. It has accepted Van as its pilot.

Chapter 8: Life and Ressurection

Everyone, friend and enemy, is surprised alike as Caesar stands strong. The Liger races towards the Redhorn and Molga, evading every shot that's fired at them. Desperate, the bandit boss decides to use the Redhorn's Linear Rail Gun, despite it being near overheating. As the odds stand, it would be impossible to dodge the rail gun's bullet. Even so, the Liger dodges it with mere inches to spare, leaving a cliff side behind them to take the blast. The bandits decide to run for it.

Unfortunately for them, Caesar cuts them off and destroys all their weapons, leaving them helpless. Van spares them because he doesn't want the Zoids to die, and tells them to get lost. They quickly oblige.

Van returns to his friends who are joyous for his victory. Fiona is very happy for him, and notes it's the first time he's seen Fiona smile. After some teasing from Moonbay, they visit Jadow's grave to pay their respect to him, and Van says he'll find the right way to use the dangerous treasure that Jadow left behind. Then they notice that Fiona has wandered off.

After some searching, Van and Zeke finds Fiona deep in some ruins. They discover where a capsule had once been, the capsule that Shadow was released from. Fiona brushes her hand along a symbol on the wall, and a wave of energy sweeps over her and she faints. The place starts to collapse and Van pulls her out as they escape the crumbling walls. Once outside, the ruins finally settle down. Fiona awakes, claiming that she must be there for Zoid Eve.

Back at the bandits base, their Zoids have been destroyed by another man who had hired them for the job. He says they're just lucky to be alive. As the man leaves, it becomes apparent that he's working with Raven. Raven wants another Zoid to kill - One that's worth his time.