The Lost Years
Chapter 6
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Disclaimer: I do not own zoids. I do not own characters except mine. This
is a work of fiction, similarities are purely coincidental.
(for the record, this is the 15th time I've had to write this....yay. ^_~)
[[[[[[[[[[]]]]]]]]]]]
Van, Fiona and Zeke awoke early to the sounds of birds outside. Van stretched out and crawled out of bed. It was not as if he wanted to. He felt like he could sleep forever. He glanced around and looked at Fiona. She had awoken, but looked as if she had no energy for the day. It must be hard on her. Van thought. Van laughed at himself. That must have been the understatment of the year.
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Fiona clenched her eyes closed as the sound of the birds jarred her into consciousness. Morning came much too fast. Fiona tried to forget about the events of last night, but it was to no avail. She couldn't. Not when she was in danger, and especially not while Van was in danger. She would have to carry on, it seemed. She finally with reluctance threw open her sleeping bag. Van was already fully dressed, and was beginning to walk outside with Zeke to begin repairs on the blade liger. She sighed slowly and rose out of her sleeping bag. Bending down and grabbing her clothes she left by her bag, she pulled them on over her head, and placed a new band in her ponytail. How long ago was it that they were in a state of perfect happiness? A few days, perhaps? It seemed like forever. Just after they had finally wiped Crow from space and time, this had to happen. Slipping back to the dirt ground, Fiona pounded her fist onto the floor, small tears forming in her eyes. Fiona paused for a moment. Were they really not happy? No, she thought. As long as Van and I are together, for those precious moments nothing could take away their joy. These thought lightened the burden on Fiona's shoulder a little. Sure she had plenty to worry about, but that could wait. Right now she was happy, she was with Van. She quickly sprang up and ran outside to help Van.
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Fiona was right. It didn't take any time at all to fix the Blade Liger. It seemed almost as soon as they started that they were already back on track to their destination. From the cockpit of the liger, Van and Fiona examined the path ahead. It was a somewhat narrow mountain pass, plenty of room but with all the crooked and convuluted red rock faces gave both a sinking feeling in their stomachs. Fiona checked the map again. She smiled. "Were making really good speed, Van. Hopefully it'll only take another full day of travel to get to the Lunax ruins, perhaps by tonight we'll arrive." Fiona said. "Alright, that's good." Van said, letting a certain amount of excitment and hope rise in him. Fiona smiled brightly at him, although he couldn't see it. That excitedness in his voice always made her smile. Perhaps everything really would turn out alright.
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"Come Malchus, we're going." Erik said, pounding the table again, breaking it in two peices. "Uh...ok...." Malchus replied. Since when could Erik break a table in two? Erik uttered various profanities to himself as he walked briskly out of the small room. Malchus followed, and they were outside of a hut in a suburb outside of Azul Town. Near the lake, covered enough by trees to block their flight away. Malchus aways wondered why he chose such a location close to a civilized population. Malchus blinked. They had been in the hut for a few days now, and the sunlight stung his eyes slightly. It was rather breathtaking, he had to admit, as it sparkled off the lake's waters. He raised his hand to his brow to block out the sun as Erik lead them to their pteris. "We must take the next step. Perhaps you've been wondering in my interest in those two. I cannot risk trying to destroy the world as long as those two are alive and well. The prophecy has already been fulfilled, however their love is still strong and enough to defeat me in a direct confrontaion." "What prophecy?" "The one involving Crow." "Who?" "Oh yes, that's right. I forgot you mere normal humans cannot remember his reign of terror. You all had your memories erased as he ceased to exist. That's one reason why. Secondly I need to have a possessed person in order to unlock the REAL power in this sphere, for the power to meet full maturization. To maximize the power with the fears of another person, all their deepest terror. Since the memory of Crow, the pure evil one, still exists in Fiona's mind, her fears will give me unsurpassed power. With me and Crow and the Sphere becoming one, nothing can stop us. I kill two birds with one stone. We must now attempt to stop them from removing the spirit from the girl." Erik said, feeling the rare urge to share his plans with less worthy beings. Malchus got in the cockpit and stared at Erik. His friend was getting strange, not hismself at all. How did he know this stuff? Perhaps seeking out this sphere was a giant mistake. Perhaps they should never have done it, never sought that power. Erik grinded his teeth in the front section of the cockpit. He could sense the disdain in all of Malchus's thoughts, and was getting quite annoyed. He knew there was only one thing he could be thinking of, one thing he was bound to notice. "Your quite right, my friend, I'm not just mere Erik any more." Erik started to take off. "This sphere has lent me it's power, it's consciousness. I'm not your same friend. I'm ....a..... god!" Instantly Erik turned and clutched Malchus's throat. "Do you have a problem with that? I have this thing about people who aren't loyal...." "No, no, no none at all...." Malchus said. "......good. Now if you don't mind, please take over piloting. I have to give our heros another obstical. See....even the rocks and stones of Zi tremble before the wake of fear...."
=+=+=+=+=+=+=
The Blade liger was able to make a fairly straight path through the pass. Some rocks blocked their way, but Van was easily able to manuver around any impediment to their goal. No wonder they were going so fast. They all shared such a strong bond. Van caring about Fiona, Zeke caring about both. Van was pushing the liger to it's limit, and Zeke helped him every step of the way. It appeared from the map and the liger's persent rate of speed that they would be at their destination by sundown. They both were enthusiastic about their proximite to their destination, but onee fact kept resounding in both their minds. 'It's too quiet' Just as the blade liger jumped over a boulder in their path, the silence finally broke. "Um, Van...I think an Earthquakes is starting..." Fiona said, as slight tremors developed into full fledged rumbles. "Yeah." Van said, a determined look on his face. He wasn't giving up yet. "Is it natural?" Fiona said, thinking the same thing Van was thinking. "Can't be. It's too much of a coincidence. Happening in a mountain pass where all the rocks can tumble down and crush us? Not a chance. Erik did this." Van said. This is going to be interesting. Van thought. Just as their short conversation ended a rock became jarred loose from the rock face above, and came tumbling down straight at the Blade Liger. Van, without missing a drop, pushed the boosters and propelled his zoid right at it. He landed ontop it while it was falling, and he hit the boosters again and jumped, landing his liger and continuing along the shuddering ground. Van clenched his teeth as ahead he saw more and more rocks falling in their path. "Hold on, Fiona" Van said, working the controls of the liger. Van was becoming an adept pilot. With a minimal amount of sweat he jumped and dived on and inbetween boulders and rocks, without so much as a scratch on the liger. "VAN! There's the ruins up ahead at the end of the pass!" With this encouragment, Van redoubled his efforts. The quake was worsening. Van was beginning to fall behind the wake of the boulders. "Your not stopping us yet, Erik!" Van yelled, and unhatched his blades. Van perfectly cut his way through the rocks, dust and stones flying up everywhere. When the rubble cleared, they were standing at the mouth of the mountain pass, in walking distance of the ruins. Van and Fiona jumped down from the cockpit, as Zeke diffused from the liger. They looked ahead. It was a open air temple type structure. Large stones made a circular patern around a center courtyard about one hundred yards in length. at the enter of this courtyard must have been what Magentia was talking about. A small stone alter set with a horizontal slab of stone on top. The orange glowing sunset caused the light beams to eerily peak out from the stones as Van Fiona and Zeke made their way quickly to the ruins. Running fast, Foina's cry of agony almost made Van fall over with momentum as he stopped to check on her. Fiona was clutching her stomach on the ground. Van ran back to her. "What's the matter, Fiona?" Van asked. "It's trying again..." Foina said. "We'd better hurry." Van said, picking Fiona up into his arms. "I think we get in this position way too much, huh?" Van said, reffering to carrying Fiona. Fiona let out a small smile. Van started running as fast as he could with Fiona in his arms. In what seemed like forever Van finally reached the couryard, and began climbing the steps to the stone altar. Van reached the top and set Fiona down again. "Van! Be carefu..." Fiona started to say, but her eyes turned black again. "uh oh.." Van said, stepping backwards, away from Fiona who started to dive at him. Luckly Zeke intercepted Fiona with his tail, knocking her back with surprise, but also bringing Zeke with her. Zeke fell to the base of the steps, phased but seemingly unharmed. The real Foina used this moment to grab control of herself again. She shuddered violently as she tried to stand up. Van ran forward to her and caught her in his arms. "Van hurry...It's almost got me, you must hurry before it's too late.." Fiona said. "I'll fight it as long as I can." Looking at Fiona, Van could tell she was indeed fighting it. She was putting every ounce of will power, strength and love into her battle. "What do I do?" Van asked aloud. A voice, seemingly blowing with the wind, said "Put her on the stone tablet......" Van, not pondering where the voice came from, complied. During this, none of them noticed a pteris land right outside the ruins. As soon as Van placed her on the pedestal, he felt a wave of fear and instantly became paralyzed. He fell backwards against the altar, facing the direction of his assualters. "Well well well we meet again, Van." Erik said. Erik, holding the sphere out, was walking slowly, closer and closer to Van. "Your not going to save her this time." He said. Van noticed out of the corner of his eye a glowing coming from behind him. Erik's face went white. He noticed it too. "I don't know why you want her, but it's your plan that's going to be ruined." Van said, struggling against the pain that was starting to course through his body as the sphere continued it's lethal effects on him. Erik ginded his teeth. He must have the power of Crow. "Hey Erik, maybe you should back off..." Malchus said. In seething anger Erik turned to him, lifted him with one arm and threw him to the ground. "I warned you." Erik said. Van watched helplessly as Malchus began to writh in fear and agony as he was right now. Erik turned and fired a black/purple beam at Fiona, trying to stop the process. From the look on his face, he couldn't stop it. Then, for a moment, Van was confused. It look almost as if...as if he had smiled briefly. Whatever it was, his facial expression was back to a glare now. Van felt Fiona stir above him. She was back to normal, everything would be alright. Except for the fact that the sphere was killing him, Van thought. Fiona thought quickly, and surged the strength of the stone altar into her and fired it at Erik before he could target her with the sphere as well. Erik was knocked backwards. He stood up and brushed himself off. Fiona was preparing to do the same when Erik spoke. "Ahem. It appears you have won today. My commendations. But......I'll be back soon." Erik winked and he Vanished. He had apparently teleported to the pteris, since it had begun take off initiation procedures. Van sighed. He felt the grip of fear lossening. He noticed that Erik had left Malchus, and he was beginning to recover too. Fiona hopped off the altar nd hugged Van. "I knew you could do it...." She whispered into his ear. They started to kiss again, but realized that Malchus was hurt and needed help as well. They ran down to where Malchus had been thrown. "Are you alright?" Van asked, extending his hand. Malchus eagerly took it. "Yeah, I will be. I'm really sorry." Malchus explained as Van and Fiona helped him back to the Blade Liger. "He's changed, he really has." Malchus shook his head in disgust. "Maybe now this'll be over." Van, hopping into the cockpit, seemed lost in thought. "I wouldn't bet on it."
[[[[[[[[[[]]]]]]]]]]]
Van, Fiona and Zeke awoke early to the sounds of birds outside. Van stretched out and crawled out of bed. It was not as if he wanted to. He felt like he could sleep forever. He glanced around and looked at Fiona. She had awoken, but looked as if she had no energy for the day. It must be hard on her. Van thought. Van laughed at himself. That must have been the understatment of the year.
=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Fiona clenched her eyes closed as the sound of the birds jarred her into consciousness. Morning came much too fast. Fiona tried to forget about the events of last night, but it was to no avail. She couldn't. Not when she was in danger, and especially not while Van was in danger. She would have to carry on, it seemed. She finally with reluctance threw open her sleeping bag. Van was already fully dressed, and was beginning to walk outside with Zeke to begin repairs on the blade liger. She sighed slowly and rose out of her sleeping bag. Bending down and grabbing her clothes she left by her bag, she pulled them on over her head, and placed a new band in her ponytail. How long ago was it that they were in a state of perfect happiness? A few days, perhaps? It seemed like forever. Just after they had finally wiped Crow from space and time, this had to happen. Slipping back to the dirt ground, Fiona pounded her fist onto the floor, small tears forming in her eyes. Fiona paused for a moment. Were they really not happy? No, she thought. As long as Van and I are together, for those precious moments nothing could take away their joy. These thought lightened the burden on Fiona's shoulder a little. Sure she had plenty to worry about, but that could wait. Right now she was happy, she was with Van. She quickly sprang up and ran outside to help Van.
=+=+=+=+=+=+=
Fiona was right. It didn't take any time at all to fix the Blade Liger. It seemed almost as soon as they started that they were already back on track to their destination. From the cockpit of the liger, Van and Fiona examined the path ahead. It was a somewhat narrow mountain pass, plenty of room but with all the crooked and convuluted red rock faces gave both a sinking feeling in their stomachs. Fiona checked the map again. She smiled. "Were making really good speed, Van. Hopefully it'll only take another full day of travel to get to the Lunax ruins, perhaps by tonight we'll arrive." Fiona said. "Alright, that's good." Van said, letting a certain amount of excitment and hope rise in him. Fiona smiled brightly at him, although he couldn't see it. That excitedness in his voice always made her smile. Perhaps everything really would turn out alright.
=+=+=+=+=+=+=
"Come Malchus, we're going." Erik said, pounding the table again, breaking it in two peices. "Uh...ok...." Malchus replied. Since when could Erik break a table in two? Erik uttered various profanities to himself as he walked briskly out of the small room. Malchus followed, and they were outside of a hut in a suburb outside of Azul Town. Near the lake, covered enough by trees to block their flight away. Malchus aways wondered why he chose such a location close to a civilized population. Malchus blinked. They had been in the hut for a few days now, and the sunlight stung his eyes slightly. It was rather breathtaking, he had to admit, as it sparkled off the lake's waters. He raised his hand to his brow to block out the sun as Erik lead them to their pteris. "We must take the next step. Perhaps you've been wondering in my interest in those two. I cannot risk trying to destroy the world as long as those two are alive and well. The prophecy has already been fulfilled, however their love is still strong and enough to defeat me in a direct confrontaion." "What prophecy?" "The one involving Crow." "Who?" "Oh yes, that's right. I forgot you mere normal humans cannot remember his reign of terror. You all had your memories erased as he ceased to exist. That's one reason why. Secondly I need to have a possessed person in order to unlock the REAL power in this sphere, for the power to meet full maturization. To maximize the power with the fears of another person, all their deepest terror. Since the memory of Crow, the pure evil one, still exists in Fiona's mind, her fears will give me unsurpassed power. With me and Crow and the Sphere becoming one, nothing can stop us. I kill two birds with one stone. We must now attempt to stop them from removing the spirit from the girl." Erik said, feeling the rare urge to share his plans with less worthy beings. Malchus got in the cockpit and stared at Erik. His friend was getting strange, not hismself at all. How did he know this stuff? Perhaps seeking out this sphere was a giant mistake. Perhaps they should never have done it, never sought that power. Erik grinded his teeth in the front section of the cockpit. He could sense the disdain in all of Malchus's thoughts, and was getting quite annoyed. He knew there was only one thing he could be thinking of, one thing he was bound to notice. "Your quite right, my friend, I'm not just mere Erik any more." Erik started to take off. "This sphere has lent me it's power, it's consciousness. I'm not your same friend. I'm ....a..... god!" Instantly Erik turned and clutched Malchus's throat. "Do you have a problem with that? I have this thing about people who aren't loyal...." "No, no, no none at all...." Malchus said. "......good. Now if you don't mind, please take over piloting. I have to give our heros another obstical. See....even the rocks and stones of Zi tremble before the wake of fear...."
=+=+=+=+=+=+=
The Blade liger was able to make a fairly straight path through the pass. Some rocks blocked their way, but Van was easily able to manuver around any impediment to their goal. No wonder they were going so fast. They all shared such a strong bond. Van caring about Fiona, Zeke caring about both. Van was pushing the liger to it's limit, and Zeke helped him every step of the way. It appeared from the map and the liger's persent rate of speed that they would be at their destination by sundown. They both were enthusiastic about their proximite to their destination, but onee fact kept resounding in both their minds. 'It's too quiet' Just as the blade liger jumped over a boulder in their path, the silence finally broke. "Um, Van...I think an Earthquakes is starting..." Fiona said, as slight tremors developed into full fledged rumbles. "Yeah." Van said, a determined look on his face. He wasn't giving up yet. "Is it natural?" Fiona said, thinking the same thing Van was thinking. "Can't be. It's too much of a coincidence. Happening in a mountain pass where all the rocks can tumble down and crush us? Not a chance. Erik did this." Van said. This is going to be interesting. Van thought. Just as their short conversation ended a rock became jarred loose from the rock face above, and came tumbling down straight at the Blade Liger. Van, without missing a drop, pushed the boosters and propelled his zoid right at it. He landed ontop it while it was falling, and he hit the boosters again and jumped, landing his liger and continuing along the shuddering ground. Van clenched his teeth as ahead he saw more and more rocks falling in their path. "Hold on, Fiona" Van said, working the controls of the liger. Van was becoming an adept pilot. With a minimal amount of sweat he jumped and dived on and inbetween boulders and rocks, without so much as a scratch on the liger. "VAN! There's the ruins up ahead at the end of the pass!" With this encouragment, Van redoubled his efforts. The quake was worsening. Van was beginning to fall behind the wake of the boulders. "Your not stopping us yet, Erik!" Van yelled, and unhatched his blades. Van perfectly cut his way through the rocks, dust and stones flying up everywhere. When the rubble cleared, they were standing at the mouth of the mountain pass, in walking distance of the ruins. Van and Fiona jumped down from the cockpit, as Zeke diffused from the liger. They looked ahead. It was a open air temple type structure. Large stones made a circular patern around a center courtyard about one hundred yards in length. at the enter of this courtyard must have been what Magentia was talking about. A small stone alter set with a horizontal slab of stone on top. The orange glowing sunset caused the light beams to eerily peak out from the stones as Van Fiona and Zeke made their way quickly to the ruins. Running fast, Foina's cry of agony almost made Van fall over with momentum as he stopped to check on her. Fiona was clutching her stomach on the ground. Van ran back to her. "What's the matter, Fiona?" Van asked. "It's trying again..." Foina said. "We'd better hurry." Van said, picking Fiona up into his arms. "I think we get in this position way too much, huh?" Van said, reffering to carrying Fiona. Fiona let out a small smile. Van started running as fast as he could with Fiona in his arms. In what seemed like forever Van finally reached the couryard, and began climbing the steps to the stone altar. Van reached the top and set Fiona down again. "Van! Be carefu..." Fiona started to say, but her eyes turned black again. "uh oh.." Van said, stepping backwards, away from Fiona who started to dive at him. Luckly Zeke intercepted Fiona with his tail, knocking her back with surprise, but also bringing Zeke with her. Zeke fell to the base of the steps, phased but seemingly unharmed. The real Foina used this moment to grab control of herself again. She shuddered violently as she tried to stand up. Van ran forward to her and caught her in his arms. "Van hurry...It's almost got me, you must hurry before it's too late.." Fiona said. "I'll fight it as long as I can." Looking at Fiona, Van could tell she was indeed fighting it. She was putting every ounce of will power, strength and love into her battle. "What do I do?" Van asked aloud. A voice, seemingly blowing with the wind, said "Put her on the stone tablet......" Van, not pondering where the voice came from, complied. During this, none of them noticed a pteris land right outside the ruins. As soon as Van placed her on the pedestal, he felt a wave of fear and instantly became paralyzed. He fell backwards against the altar, facing the direction of his assualters. "Well well well we meet again, Van." Erik said. Erik, holding the sphere out, was walking slowly, closer and closer to Van. "Your not going to save her this time." He said. Van noticed out of the corner of his eye a glowing coming from behind him. Erik's face went white. He noticed it too. "I don't know why you want her, but it's your plan that's going to be ruined." Van said, struggling against the pain that was starting to course through his body as the sphere continued it's lethal effects on him. Erik ginded his teeth. He must have the power of Crow. "Hey Erik, maybe you should back off..." Malchus said. In seething anger Erik turned to him, lifted him with one arm and threw him to the ground. "I warned you." Erik said. Van watched helplessly as Malchus began to writh in fear and agony as he was right now. Erik turned and fired a black/purple beam at Fiona, trying to stop the process. From the look on his face, he couldn't stop it. Then, for a moment, Van was confused. It look almost as if...as if he had smiled briefly. Whatever it was, his facial expression was back to a glare now. Van felt Fiona stir above him. She was back to normal, everything would be alright. Except for the fact that the sphere was killing him, Van thought. Fiona thought quickly, and surged the strength of the stone altar into her and fired it at Erik before he could target her with the sphere as well. Erik was knocked backwards. He stood up and brushed himself off. Fiona was preparing to do the same when Erik spoke. "Ahem. It appears you have won today. My commendations. But......I'll be back soon." Erik winked and he Vanished. He had apparently teleported to the pteris, since it had begun take off initiation procedures. Van sighed. He felt the grip of fear lossening. He noticed that Erik had left Malchus, and he was beginning to recover too. Fiona hopped off the altar nd hugged Van. "I knew you could do it...." She whispered into his ear. They started to kiss again, but realized that Malchus was hurt and needed help as well. They ran down to where Malchus had been thrown. "Are you alright?" Van asked, extending his hand. Malchus eagerly took it. "Yeah, I will be. I'm really sorry." Malchus explained as Van and Fiona helped him back to the Blade Liger. "He's changed, he really has." Malchus shook his head in disgust. "Maybe now this'll be over." Van, hopping into the cockpit, seemed lost in thought. "I wouldn't bet on it."