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Nicodemus left the motor of his car running as he sprung from the seat and flew toward the building. Eyes frantically darted to and fro looking for any sign of his family. It was than he saw William still in the hanger. A short breath crawled past his lips. "Riot.... RIOT!!" He called as he turned back to the building.

It was than he saw the curled form of his brother on the grass near the licking flames of the building. Before another breath he found himself kneeling by Riot's side. His heart raced as a slew of dark ideas played in his mind.

"Riot, wake up, common!" He reached out for his brother's shoulder and begun to shake him wildly. Body tensed as he was about ready to pick his brother up and carry him away from this blazing building.

"What are you-" Nicodemus had little time to even inquire what had happened, let alone respond to him finally being there, before a sharp sting graced his cheek.

Warm blood rolled down his cheek as his eyes widened, mouth hung ajar as he looked back at his little brother. Mind scrambled to come up with a reason for the action. Rage? He seemed upset, but not blinded by rage. The action was unfathomable. Riot was the only one in this family he trusted with his life.

Nicodemus took a step back. "What are you talking about? Our own good? What happened here?" He demanded and continued to ignore the blood now staining his shirt accompanied by the continual sharp pain in his cheek. Nicodemus also overlooked the stance of his brother, too shocked to believe he would go in for another attack.

"Can't say? Riot-" Nicodemus was too shocked and off guard to move out of the second attack, thus he earned another scar upon his cheek.

The entire ordeal seemed surreal. Never in his life had he thought to be attacked by his own brother while at the be utterly confused at what was going on. His left eye winced as the combined sting begun to demand its presence be known.

"Whatever this is..." He gestured to the burning house, flames continued to lick at the wood greedily bringing down parts of the estate already. "I won't let anyone blame it on you, you don't have to worry. I know you didn't do this. You don't need to defend anyone... common bro, this isn't you."

Nicodemus had come to the conclusion that he had been pushed by some means and frightened at the thought of being blamed for the fire. This wasn't like his brother, this wasn't like him. Blood continued to trail down the side of his face unattended as he focused all attention on his brother.

Nicodemus took off after Riot within a beat of his heart. Tears had already welled up in his eyes and threaten to mingle with the blood that continued to roll down his cheek and stain his clothing.

However, despite all the training he had received, like his ZOID speed on foot was not one of his blessings. Nicodemus could never match Riot in speed nor Ixion with Ebony's. Ixion was still back at the Dr. Fox labs in any case and could not make the pursuit.

"RIOT! WAIT!" He called after his brother as he tried to chase down the ZOID on foot. Blind determination overtaking him. Jarvis, the butler, could be heard behind calling out but the words were ignored.

"RIOT!" Once again he called as he tried in vein to catch up with the ZOID. "EBONY! DON'T LET HIM GO! STOP! RIOT!"

He continued to call and run, oblivious to the car that nearly hit him, and in turn he collided with the front of the car. Within moments lab assistants were swarming Nicodemus as ants to a treat trying to subdue him so they could return him to the labs. Nicodemus fought with everything he had to be free of them so he could resume his futile pursuit. Which wasn't without its reward as a few were knocked out and backup had to be called. More and more cars begun to appear as the normal entourage arrived.

"Let me go! I have to catch him! RIOT!!"

The burning estate could be seen miles around. The immense fire would completely overtake the massive building and with it several of the staff members and the body of Mr. Whitebane. Nicodemus had no time to grieve as he was hauled off, restrained, back to the Fox labs to complete the experiments he had abruptly abandoned.

Jarvis had testified against Riot in his statement about what had transpired at the manner the night Mr. Whitebane was murdered and his home burned to the ground.

------->

No sooner did Riot escape the glow of the estate did he jump back into the fire. A black fog surrounded his ZOID before rendering its controls useless. A soft think could be heard just outside of the canopy before a loud banchie-like screech echoed throughout the fog bank.

"The contract has been instated and you now find yourself a fugitive from your own nation. Punishment enough for your crimes for the time being. However, I have one last matter to attend to with you. A lesson you would do well never to forget."

Another screech could be heard somewhere in the fog as the canopy of the ebony mare was commanded open by an ancient presence.

"You are right to fear boy." The Judge cackled as her shadowy form was revealed just beyond the canopy. A shadow among the fog, all but that grinning white mask.

Another shadow appeared looming over that of the Judge's. Monsterous and with eyes that were ever changing in color. The pattern was never the same in when they changed or in what order the colors arose. Four arms stretched wide before one of the upper arms begun to stretch toward him. The arm begun to glow faintly with red runes as it drew near, one claw ready to engrave something he would never forget.

"Do not make a mockery of me, your words are binding boy and if you ever dare try and pull another 'loop hole' I will do more than carve a small reminder upon your flesh." The Judge chuckled. "Forever weep for what you have done to your family. That is your reminder boy."

The Judge only laughed at the defiance that was displayed. Her crimson eyes flashed as the beast behind her extended another arm to secure the lad. This time it was the lower arm from the opposite side. Fingers spread wide enough to engulf most of his body.

The knife simply clinked against the armor of the metallic beast and did little to cease its advance, claw still ready to grace his cheek.

"The more you struggle, the more I cannot guarantee you will walk away with both of your eyes intact." The judge mused as she watched with a twisted satisfaction.