Shadows of the Past
In the twilight darkness of a desert night, a young man stands. By day, he's a warrior who fights for the sheer enjoyment of it. But by night, he is whom he was to begin with, Bit Cloud. Beside him, his faithful Zoid also stands, shining in the moonlight.
"Why am I out here? Is there a reason?" Bit wondered, as he gazed out at the sandy expanse. Then something catches his eye; a faint glow was coming towards him. At first, the glow was only a misshapen mass, but, when it got closer, Bit could see that it was a Zoid and its pilot walking towards him! Liger Zero growls, but doesn't make any sudden movements, as the ghostly duo approaches. They stop almost three feet away from Bit and Liger Zero, and the pilot looks at Bit with a gaze that almost seemed to go through Bit's very soul.
"I know you. You're Van Flyhight, aren't you?" Bit asked. The ghostly man nodded.
"Yes. Yet I also know you as well, Bit Cloud." Van replied, his voice almost a sigh.
"Was it you who called me out here?" Bit asked.
"Yes, I did. I wanted to see how you and Liger were doing. It appears that you are doing well; you have both become strong." Van said, smiling slightly when Liger growled questioningly at the Blade Liger.
"Is there another reason why you called me?" Bit asked, intrigued by meeting this legendary pilot, even though he was only a shadow.
"There is something I need to know, and I need to hear it from you." Van said, his expression solemn.
"What is it?" Bit asked, catching the seriousness in Van's tone.
"I need to know if you would be willing to protect the peace of this world, should the time come that war would raise its ugly head again. I need to know, Bit, if you are willing to pick up where I left off." Van said, quietly. Bit stood where he was and stared at the ghost.
"Do you think war is coming?" Bit asked, after a moment.
"I cannot say. It is not my place to tell you what lies ahead. I do not have much time left, Bit. I must know now; will you protect the peace, should war come again?" Van asked. It took Bit only a second to decide.
"Yes. I'll do what I can to protect the peace." Bit promised. Van smiled and handed something to Bit. Bit shuddered slightly as Van's hand brushed against his, sending a chill down his spine.
"Now I can rest. Take care of yourself, and your comrades. They, too, will be faced with this decision someday." Van said, as he started walking off away from Bit. Bit looked down at the hand Van Flyhight had touched and gasped; there, in his hand, was Van's Guardian Force pendant!
"But what will I do………………….?!" Bit trailed off when he looked up. Van and his Blade Liger were nowhere to be seen. Again Liger Zero growled a question.
"I don't know, Liger. But I do know that he can rest in peace, now that his burden's been passed to another. C'mon. Let's get some rest. That tournament is tomorrow and I don't want to miss it because I didn't get any sleep." Bit said, as he put the pendant on and then ushered for the white Zoid to follow him. Liger Zero lingered for a few moments, before following his partner inside.
~Owari~