Lucian couldn’t believe what he just heard. The Timber wolf had spoken to him. Never has a mech been sentient let alone be able to speak. Fenrir could tell that Lucian is having a hard time processing what happened. Fenrir decides to walk back to the workshop. Before he could get another word out, Lucian snaps out of his trance and speaks to the mech.

“You could speak?! You can move on your own?! How is that even possible?!” Lucian says still trying to process Fenrir’s sentience.

“To be honest with you, I’m not so sure myself. I guess I was always like this.” Says Fenrir, unsure of his sentience as well.

“Well, I can tell all that high-speed running must have affected your joints. Once we’re back at the shop, I’ll try to alter the thrusters boost so it’s less stressful on you.” Says Lucian, looking a screen showing stress on the hind and back legs.

A few minutes later, Lucian and Fenrir return to the shop and enter through the massive hole they made earlier. Lucian gets barked on by his boss while Albane is about to leave. Before he could though, Albane notices something in the distance. He recognizes the mechs as belonging to the Coyote rough-riders, a band of goons and crooks. Before Albane could warn the others, the Rough-riders enter the workshop and immediately notice Fenrir.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Fancy mech you got there. Tell me, how many credits does this thing goes for?” The Leader of the Rough-riders asks, clearly eyeing Fenrir.

“He’s not for sale. So, take your band of misfits and get the hell out!” Says Lucian while staring at the Leader directly in the eye, a sign of a challenge.

“Hah! You really think you can take us one?! Alright. A mech battle it is then! You win; you keep that piece of scrap. We win, the mech is ours.” Says the Leader before leaving to wait outside the workshop in a C0Y-0T3 coyote mech with the rest of the Roughriders.

As Lucian goes to repair Fenrir before the fight, Albane intervenes and reminds Lucian of his poor driving skills. Luckily, Fenrir reassures Albane that Lucian and Fenrir have no intention of losing. The fact that Fenrir can speak spooks Albane and causes his boss to faint. Getting the idea that Fenrir is no ordinary mech, Albane trusts Lucian and Fenrir to work together in a way not seen between mech and driver.

After a few minutes of repairs, Lucian and Fenrir confront the Rough-riders in the center of Lycan city. The Rough-rider begin circling Fenrir, eyeing him up all the while. The Rough-riders notice how pristine Fenrir looks despite needing repairs from light use, almost as if he is a newer model of timber wolf. Just then, a Rough-rider tries to pounce on Fenrir in an attempt at a first strike. Fenrir is barely able to dodge this attack before getting smacked in the face by another Rough-rider. The Leader also is able to land a hit on Fenrir with a cannon shot fired from the coyote’s shoulder.

“Is that all you got little doggy?! Better off just handing that mech to us now while you can!” Says the Leader, steadying his aim for another attack.

“Damn it! If only I was a better driver!” Says a frustrated Lucian.

“Lucian. You put thrusters on my back, right? How about we put them to use?” Fenrir says, reassuring Lucian.

Agreeing with Fenrir, Lucian cools his mind, steadies his grip and activates the thrusters. This catches one of the Rough-riders off guard as Fenrir rams into it, sending the coyote flying into the air. Another Rough-rider tries to bite Fenrir only to be met with a kick to the face. That just leaves the Leader and his coyote. The Leader fires his cannons while charging at Fenrir. Upon seeing this, Fenrir charges at the Leader as Lucian activates the thrusters. The two mechs leap into the air and slash at each other with their claws. Fenrir lands on his feet while the Leader’s coyote tumbles on the ground, missing its right front leg.

“Tch. You’re tougher than you look. The mech is yours. Keep that piece of scrap metal.” Says the Leader as he begins to leave with his Rough-riders.

Lucian and Fenrir take a sigh of relief upon winning the fight. Lucian couldn’t believe what just happened. Not only did he manage to drive a mech, he also won his first mech battle. Fenrir notices and can’t help but join Lucian in the celebration. That is when Lucian notices something off the corner of his eye. It was a poster for a tournament being hosted in Terrier town. That is when an idea enters Lucian’s mind.

“Hey Fenrir! How do you think we’ll do in a tournament? I think we can do pretty well.” Says Lucian, optimistic about their chances.

“I guess there’s only one way to find out.” Says Fenrir.

With one victory under their belt, Lucian and Fenrir make their way towards Terrier town for their very first tournament.