In Response, I Swear, part one: Learning
The girl brushed a black braid over her shoulder and watched the fight below.
"So you're the one," she said softly, her attention flitting to a red armored boy in the middle of protecting a young woman from the armored soldiers around them. "I would have never thought..." She trailed off with a small laugh. "It's funny how the world works." Suddenly, an errant soldier leapt at the woman. A growl began in the girl's throat, but she suppressed it and put her focus into the small orb around her neck. The red jacket and black jeans gave way to a white and red sub armor. "I was created to fight the Dynasty," she murmured, stepping onto the ledge. "This is nothing compared to what I've faced. But my life depends on her. She must *not* die."
Chapter 1(Ryo)
My katana ripped through a soldier, then another took its place. Sage yelled something at the same time I heard a clatter of armor behind me. Mia screamed, then was silent before I could turn. Fear clutched in my throat. What... if she was dead?
"Watch your own back, Wildfire," said a new voice. "I'll watch hers." I sliced through the second soldier and turned quickly. I saw a flash of black hair, then they were both gone. A few seconds later, they reappeared on top of a truck. Mia looked as stunned as I felt. The girl had on a sub armor *exactly* like mine. Three soldiers leapt onto the trailer and she regarded them coolly. "Don't test me, Dynasty trash. I'm not having a good day." They didn't believe her and lunged. She kicked one of them back into the other two and they all collapsed on the ground, run through with the third one's spear. "Well, I told you so. Watch yourselves, not me!" she yelled. "You're in the middle of a battle, Ronins. That's not a smart idea." I turned my attention back to the soldiers and finished off the last of them.
"Relei!" shouted another voice. She swore to herself and lifted her head. Four more girls in black landed around her. "It's time to come home, Ree. This is insane. You can't change the future," finished the blonde one.
"Wanna bet, Synder?" she shot back, her sub armor fading to black jeans and red jacket over a black T-shirt. "We've done our part to save the world. Not that we were ever thanked in anyway. The war's over and we've been forgotten. Live with it." She helped Mia down and gave me a small smile. "I told you: I'll watch her. You could've been killed. Next time, trust me, okay?"
"You really think saving her will change it?" asked a girl with light red hair. "You know it won't."
"And? I'm still supposed to protect the innocent. That's my mission, Synder. That's the only reason I was created. The war was a side effect. Trent, Karya, so don't you start too." One with light blue hair raised her hands in defeat, then laughed.
"You know I'd never go against you, leader," she said. "But you need to stop this. You'll be killed, or worse. You can call your sub armor, but what about your armor armor? It's already being used." She gestured towards us. "All of them are."
"What is she talking about?" asked Rowen. I shrugged and so did Relei.
"I left the gate open wide enough to get ours through. Dr. H thought of that before I left."
"That is the dumbest-" started the last girl. Then she paused. "Dr. H sent you on this insanity trip?" Relei nodded.
"You bet, Karya. She's been watching us, even after the war. She knows we're all but non existent to the people of Earth and the rest of the galaxy." Okay, this was getting really weird. Who was Dr. H? And who were these girls, for that matter?
"Listen, we're standing here talking about things that shouldn't be talked about in the open," said Synder. "We need to go somewhere else. See ya', Ronins." They disappeared and Sage gave what sounded like a sigh.
"I'm getting a headache," he muttered. "Who were they?"
"Like I know," I said. "But whoever they were, they saved Mia's life."
Chapter 2(Relei)
"This is mutinee," I mused, collapsing on the couch in the hotel room. "I came here to give us a better life in the future."
"And instead you make us all look insane," said Trent, dropping her dark blue jacket onto the chair. "I still can't believe Dr. H sent you. I thought she of all people would try and *stop* you."
"There's nothing to be afraid of, in actuality," said Synder. "We're here, in twentieth century Toyama, we have enough of that crap to last us for a year and we get to meet the Ronin Warriors of the past. I call it an upside."
"And the downside is we have no idea how long we'll be here. What if it's longer then a year?" asked Seraan. "We won't survive."
"We'll be fine," said Karya. "But you know what's really awful? Torrent's cuter in person." I threw up my hands in frustration.
"And you all call me insane," I murmured. "So now what? I'm not leaving, no matter what you say, but we can't spend all our time in a hotel room. Not to mention we probably should introduce ourselves to the Ronins."
"Why?" asked Trent. "They know we're here. Isn't that enough? What if they figure it out?"
"Figure what out?" I asked. "There's nothing to figure out. We don't technically exist yet and sooner or later, it will come down to fighting with them against the Dynasty, so we might as well."
"You know exactly what they might figure out," scolded Synder. "And we can't let them."
"What if they do?" wondered Seraan. "Then what?"
"Whoa whoa whoa," I said. "Take this one step at a time. First, we meet the Ronins. Then, if they do learn what we are, we'll devise a plan, okay? This is the first time in months we've had a break and I personally want to enjoy it." Seraan grinned slyly as I picked up my backpack. "Coming, fish girl? I was assuming you'd want to go swimming too."
"You betcha."
Chapter 3
I stirred the ice with my straw. Where was he? I knew he was supposed to come down here with Mia sometime soon and I had already been in town an hour. Much longer then I would have wished.
The door opened and both of them walked in, laughing about something. I lowered my head as they sat down at a table nearby. I tuned out the rest of the conversations around me and put all of my focus into theirs.
"Did Sage say anything about his headache?" asked Mia.
"Only for an hour," he laughed. "What do you think? Do you think they came from the Dynasty?"
"I doubt it. That one girl, Seraan, said something about their armors already being in use. I wonder... maybe they're the future Ronins." You gotta give the woman credit. It hadn't even been a day since we had met them(sort of) and she already had secret number one down. I just hoped she couldn't get numbers two through a thousand.
"Was everything alright?" I jolted back to reality and my hand knocked over my glass. It spilled onto the floor and shattered. So much for my not being noticed. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said bending down to pick it up. I leaned over to help and a shard sliced my hand. Blood welled up and I jerked back. Oh, not good.
"Are you okay?" asked Mia. I looked over her shoulder at Wildfire and his eyes widened in shock.
"You," he mouthed. I shook my head and pressed the cut tightly. Please, let the stuff kick in...
"I'll be fine," I said, standing up. My legs threatened to collapse beneath me, but I had been trained better then to let that happen. At that same moment, Trent was walking past the door, talking with Strata. She glanced in and gasped. I saw her hand go into her coat pocket and then everything went dark.
Chapter 4(Trent)
I pulled the small bottle out of my pocket just as Relei went down. Her jacket was already soaked with blood and it was getting worse. Damn it! She must have cut it pretty deeply.
"What happened?" asked Mia. The entire restaurant was pretty much with the same question and I had no way to explain it. So I dumped the liquid into Ree's mouth and held the cut closed. Slowly but surely, it stopped and I sighed gratefully.
"Help me get her up," I said. "Relei, come on girl, don't quit on me now." She groaned and opened her eyes slowly.
"Wha- what? Trent?"
"Chill, it's okay. Don't do that to me, got it?" She licked her lips and grimaced.
"What did you do? Give me the entire week's worth?" she said in disgust. "I hate that stuff."
"You'd rather I let you bleed to death?"
"No, not really." She smiled. "I'm sorry. I screwed up."
"No, not really," I mocked.
"Maybe... someone should call a doctor," said Strata.
"No!" we both said in unison. Then more gently, I added "No. That's not an option. We need to get her outside. I'm sorry about the mess," I said to the waitress, who looked pale at the sight of the blood. "We'll send you a check for the clean up."
"And the lunch," said Relei. She stood up and took a uncertain step forward. I caught her arm and helped her out the door. "I have a headache," she muttered. "Thanks Trent. I owe you."
"You saved my butt a lot during the war. Not to mention we're at a loss without you to lead us."
"Don't start with me, Trent," she growled. I let her arm fall and she leaned against the wall. "That is the dumbest thing I've ever done."
"What about the time-"
"Okay, okay, yeah, that was dumber." She grinned as Wildfire, Strata, and Mia walked up to us. "Hello."
"Str-" I started, then stopped. "Rowen, meet Relei, our leader. Relei, meet Rowen of the Strata."
What... just happened?" he asked.
"It's complicated," she explained. Just then, Synder shouted from across the street. Her, Karya, and Seraan came across the street, dragging Halo, Hardrock, and Torrent with them.
"What the heck happened?" asked Seraan. "You look like you ran into a warlord in a dark alley again." Relei shivered visibly.
"Never again. That was the worst thing I've ever done."
"And the dumbest," I spoke up. She laughed, then rubbed her temples.
"Headache?" asked Halo. She just nodded.
"We need to talk to you, all of you," she said after a moment. "First of all-"
"Not here," broke in Synder. "There might be... people listening." She lifted her gaze up and I knew in an instant who she was talking about. Anashi Zero-Six. At that moment, I heard a light chuckle.
"*So* observant, Zero-Two. And what are you planning on telling them exactly? Who you *really* are? I doubt it."
"Don't doubt what you don't know, Anashi," said Relei coolly, standing up. "Do you really want to fight right now, or are you simply being a pest?"
"You know me," she said as she jumped off of the fire escape. She wasn't fully armored, thankfully and she had a wicked smile on her face. "Poor, poor Relei. Does it hurt?"
"Shut up, Anashi," she sneered. "I don't have time for your games. Go away." Anashi rolled her eyes, but vanished with a sneer.
"Have it your way. I was going to ask you join the Dynasty and be free of your miserable life, but it's apparently not a good time." Relei swore loudly at her.
"I'll never join you and your Dynasty. You know that!" she shouted angrily. I touched her arm and she took a deep breath. "She's a pain, but a warlord none the less," she muttered.
"A warlord?" asked Rowen. "Her?" Relei blinked calmly, walked over to him and gave him a full glare.
"Is that a problem?" she asked, jabbing her finger into his chest. "She's incredibly strong and I doubt even *you* can take her. But you're welcome to try." I sighed and pulled her back by her shoulders.
"Calm down, Ree. He didn't mean anything, it was just a question. Anashi *is* a warlord, but she's from our time, not yours. That's why you don't know her and why she seems to think she can get us to join the Dynasty."
"But what Ana doesn't understand is that fact that we're not evil," said Seraan. "We weren't created to be. It's not in our blood."
"I'm gonna strangle that... that..." Relei trailed off. "Come on. Our hotel's near here and we really should talk. Especially now that Anashi's here. You know Kina, Deri, and Suin won't be far beyond." The other three warlords: Suin Zero-Seven, Kina Zero-Eight, and Deri Zero-Nine. As strength goes, Anashi's the most powerful, but they're all *complete* bitches, so it balances out.
Chapter 5(Rowen)
By the time we reached their hotel, Relei looked a lot better, but my chest still hurt.
"Sorry," she said quietly as Synder dug around for her key. "I shouldn't have been so..."
"Mean?" interjected Seraan. "Evil, cruel, contemptuous, um, wretched, despicable-"
"We get the idea, Ser," said Trent, shoving her through the door. "Move it, kid. I'm really resenting that Christmas gift."
"Which one?"
"All of them, at the moment. Relei, you should go get cleaned up. You're a mess."
"What was your first clue?" She disappeared into the bathroom and reappeared a few minutes later to grab her backpack. "Don't say anything yet, got it?" she whispered to Karya. "Wait until I get back."
"No prob," said Karya. "Do you have anything against getting something to eat?"
"Food?" asked Kento. Relei shook her head sadly and shut the door tightly. Karya shrugged.
"Guess not. Come on, Synder. You're helping."
"Karya," she said as they walked into the hallway. "There's a reason you're Zero-Four."
"Zero-Four?" asked Kento silently. I shrugged.
"Hey Relei!" said Trent, knocking on the door. "Can we at least tell them our names?"
"Go ahead! Why should I care?" she asked, coming back out. Her hair was brushed and hanging loose on her shoulders and she wore a simple red T-shirt with black jeans. "I'm Relei Sanada Zero-One."
"Seraan Mori Zero-Two."
"I'm Trent Hashiba Zero-Five."
"What do those numbers mean?" asked Ryo. Relei shook her head.
"No way. First, you tell us who *you* are. We know you by your armors, and that won't get us far."
"I'm Ryo Sanada."
"Cye Mori."
"Kento Rei Faun."
"Sage Date."
"Rowen Hashiba." Relei gathered her hair into a band and smiled as Synder and Karya walked in. Karya tossed her a bag of chips and a candy bar.
"Sorry it's not those freeze dried things you eat, but it's almost the same," she said.
"Potato chips and a Snickers bar are slightly different then apple chips," said Relei. "And I just had lunch. I'm not a black hole like you Karya." She dropped the food onto the table. "Meet Karya Rei Faun Zero-Four and Synder Date Zero-Three."
"You still haven't explained what those mean," said Ryo. Seraan opened her mouth, then shut it and nodded towards Relei.
"I think it's your turn." Relei nodded and sat on the edge of the couch.
"About thirty years into the future, technology is seriously more advanced. But, unfortunately, there is a war. It involves the Dynasty and *four* new warlords. No one knows what happened to the others, but the new ones- Anashi, Kina, Deri, and Suin- are twice as strong and twice as evil."
"So you're the Ronins of the future," said Cye. "That doesn't explain some things, like why are you here?"
"Let her finish, will ya?" asked Synder.
"The warlords are clones, plain and simple," continued Relei. "They were created by a company called Interspace Labs. Even if we don't know what happened to Kayura, Dais, Kale, and Sekhmet, we know that the new ones are their clones."
"Clones?" asked Mia. "She *did* look like Kayura."
"The war was started by them and their new form of the Dynasty. In the first battle, the Ronins were caught off guard... and destroyed." Trent swore and bit her bottom lip. Even Karya looked away.
"No matter how many times I have to hear that," she murmured. "It still hurts knowing the soul reason we were created was because of the death of heroes." I realized what they were saying. In the future, we were dead. But somehow, it wasn't such a problem. Everyone dies and we ran a greater risk, being Ronin Warriors. Then something else hit me.
"Created?" I asked slowly. "Then you're..." Relei nodded grimly.
"We're clones too. Yours, specifically." Seraan jumped up, just now listening to the conversation.
"I thought you said we wouldn't tell them!" she said angrily. Relei got up and glared at her.
"You're questioning my judgment, Seraan?"
"No, I'm questioning your sanity. They shouldn't have to know!"
"Look around you, Seraan! The warlords are here! How long do you think they'll keep it a secret themselves?! Anashi's probably waiting for the right moment to say it out loud, catch us all off guard, like in the middle of a battle. She's done it before, she'll do it again, only this time, it won't just be us that get hurt!" Trent laid her hand on Relei's shoulder. "Leave me alone, Trent," she said coldly, walking out onto the balcony. The door slammed shut, then Seraan muttered something and left through the other door.
"Not again," groaned Karya. "Those two are at each others throats every damn day. Why can't they get along?"
"I give it an hour," said Synder. "They fight like leopards, but it doesn't last long." Still, I got up and walked outside. I didn't see her at first until I heard a small sniff. I turned back around and saw her sitting on the rail, leaning against the wall.
"I shouldn't have said anything," she murmured. "Seraan's right. There wasn't any real reason to tell you. But Anashi... she'll use anything to win. Even *that*."
"So whose clone are you?" I asked gently. She gave me a weak smile and I realized she looked a lot like-
"Wild- Ryo, I mean. That's going to take some getting used to. We were raised knowing only the names of the armors, not the people who wore them." She shifted her gaze and stared over at town. We were pretty high up, so it was a nice view. Then she barked a laugh. "Saha would love this. Dr. H too."
"Saha? Dr. H?"
"Saha is her son and Dr. H is the scientist who created us. She's also the one that sent me here. The others followed on their own. I had hoped they would but now... Trent was the only one I was truly worried about."
"Why her?"
"She's very close with Saha. If anything happened to him because of what we do to change the future, she'd fall apart. We almost lost him before and it was hard getting her to fight again, especially after... rrgghh, I could kill Anashi. She turned Saha against us and his own mother too. Now he fights for the Dynasty."
"Is... does Talpa exist in you world?"
"No," she said, shaking her head. "Thankfully, he doesn't. Anashi tried to bring him back, but... she was stopped. The warlords fight together, even if power does occasionally go to their heads." Another laugh shook her hair loose again. "That's their greatest weakness and we have no way of using it against them."
"Do you think they've teamed up with the Dynasty here?"
"Think isn't the word," she answered. "I know they have. And it's going to be twice as hard for all of us now. Anashi's Black Soldiers are as strong as any soldier now, but they're three times faster. Kina's Brown are faster then the Black, but weaker in power and Deri's Red have strength to spare, but slower then a rock. Suin's Green are really the weakest, but they can over power in large numbers. Put them with the soldiers now, who have strength, speed *and* numbers- we've got a problem." She finished abruptly, leaning over and looking down.
"That's obvious."
"No, I'm serious. Anashi's down there, with six others. You're warlords too, I'm guessing. Seraan... oh no, Seraan!" She jumped off the railing and ran back inside. "Move it, guys. Ana's up to something and Seraan's on her own." Her clothes gave way the her sub armor as Karya headed for the door. "Karya, there *is* a quicker way." Karya's grin was an exact copy of Kento's when he knew that were going for a fight and the one he was wearing right then.
"Don't I know it. Come on." She and Relei jumped up onto the railing and shared a smile. Then they both disappeared over the edge and Synder and Trent followed.
"Can I say something?" asked Sage, his sub armor appearing. "They're exactly like us, aren't they?"
Chapter 6(Synder)
Don't ask me why Seraan and Relei acted like they did. We weren't clones of each other, after all.
Relei and Karya jumped off of the balcony and Trent and I went down after them. Seraan was our friend too and I wasn't about to let her get herself killed over a stupid argument.
"Armors?" I asked, landing a kick in a Black soldier. Relei shook her head.
"No. We do this without them. Save your strength. If Anashi actually shows up, we'll have a real battle on our hands."
"Need help?" asked Sage, landing next to me. It was definitely a trip seeing the Halo sub armor on him too, but what can ya' do? These things happen in time travel.
"Sure, why not?" I responded with a grin. Three reds dove for us and were a blur as they caught him around the waist. "I don't think so," I said. I grabbed one of them by the leg and swung him into another. Sage knocked the other one away, a cut on his lip. "These things are a pain in the-" I was cut off by a regular Dynasty soldier slamming into my from behind.
"Synder!" shouted Trent as I ran into her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, nothing broken. Or cut for that matter." She smiled wryly and kicked over a pair of Greens. "I swear, these things get more annoying."
"As do you, Halo." I growled and Kina appeared, followed by Kale. "Interesting to finally see both of the Halo's in one place."
"You're gonna see my fist in a minute," I threatened. The barrage of soldiers lessened, leaving only the warlords and us. "Where's Seraan?"
"Torrent? She's fine. Suin and Sekhmet are... talking with her."
"If she dies, I swear, I'll kill you all," said Relei. "Where's Anashi?"
"Here, Relei. You want to fight me?"
"Do I ever. Armor of Wildfire! Dao Jin!"
"Dao Chi!" I called. We weren't going to get very far fighting them in our sub armors, now were we? And I was planning to kick Kina's face in.
"Dao Gi!" yelled Karya
"Dao Inochi!" shouted Trent. Power rushed through me and I lunged for Kina, nodaochi raised.
"Fight me, Kina!" I shouted. She dodged and our swords connected. "I'll teach you to turn my friends."
"Ah, I see," she said coolly. "You're still angry about Saha H-"
"Of course I am," I broke in. "Saha was my best friend. Thunder Bolt-"
"Black Lightening-"
"CUT!"
"SLASH!" The energy wove together and produced an explosion like nothing it ever had before. "Holy-"
"That was new," I agreed over the metal clanging. "There must be a stronger power source here then in the future."
"I'll still kill you."
"Just keep on dreaming, Kina. You know I'll win this time too. I always do."
"You just don't get it, do you? All of our battles mean nothing- they haven't even happened yet. You're precious Dr. H can't protect you and neither can your armor." She glanced over my shoulder at the same time I felt a strong power behind me.
"Black Lightening Slash!" yelled Kale. Kina followed and both powers came at me. I braced myself, but darkness wrapped around me and I heard only the clatter of my sword hitting the ground before sinking into blackness.
Chapter 7(Sage)
My armor appeared the instant Synder's did and I was too shocked to attack Kale when she attacked Kina.
"The armors must be connected. When we call ours, yours come too," said Relei, unsheathing her katanas. "Come and get me, warlord bitch. I'll show you the right way to attack this time around."
"Nothing matters this time around. Soldiers, keep the past out of this. I don't have time for their interference."
"Interfere with this!" Relei lunged as the soldiers closed in.
"We have to help them!" said Ryo.
"We can't," I shot back, slicing through a soldier. "Think about it. If that was us- which, technically it is- would you want help?"
"Point taken. But we can at least take care of the warlords we know, right?" said Kento. There was an explosion of dark energy and pain rushed through my armor. I turned and saw Synder fall from an attack by both Corruption armors. "Synder!"
"I got her," I said. "You're mine, Demon of Darkness!" Kina grabbed Synder by the arm and they both vanished. The pain stopped abruptly. "Bring her back!"
"Not this time, Halo," said Kale. "Fight me Ronin trash."
"That had better not be your thoughts about all Ronins, Kale!" Seraan appeared out of nowhere, wielding her yari. "Bring back my best friend, damn you!"
"Such harsh words, girl." Seraan was on the verge of crying and on the verge of screaming, it wasn't that hard to tell. Especially after Kale called her girl.
"I'll show you what a girl is capable of!" she hollered, diving for him. That's when I noticed the blood streaming from her leg. The warlords of venom had beaten her up pretty badly. "I'll kill you!"
"Seraan, you're hurt," I said, catching her arm as Kale vanished and she started to fall.
"Let me go, damn it," she cursed, tearing her arm away. Her eyes reflected a deep pain and they were the sharpest blue I had ever seen. "Don't stop me. I have to do what I have to do."
"Is that something you were raised to believe too?"
"Damn you!" she said harshly. "I wasn't raised believed anything except what I've told myself... I wasn't raised at all other then by myself and my friends. *That* is my life and don't act like you know how it feels because not even *they* know how it feels." She gestured towards her friends who were in the middle of battle. "It's too different for each of us." The blood had stopped, but she looked pale and uncertain. "I let them take her... that wasn't supposed to happen. I have to get her back. Kina! Show yourself!"
"What do you want, Torrent?" asked Kina coolly, appearing just above our heads. "If you think you can get Halo back, you're wrong. She's ours now, just like Saha."
"Saha..." Seraan trailed off. "How *dare* you? It's bad enough to turn him, but now you bring it up after you've kidnapped my best friend. I'm gonna kick your ass, Kina of Darkness."
"Be careful," I muttered, knowing she had Cye's determination. "You're still hurt."
"Shut up, Sage," she murmured with a slight smile. "I'm a big girl, Halo, believe me. Don't test my limits, Kina. You'd be surprised what I'm capable of when I pissed beyond your knowing." Her armor flashed for a second then faded and the blood was gone. I could feel pain again. Synder was near and she was losing her battle.
"I'll find Synder," I told her softly. "Be careful."
"Watch yourself. If Synder's back, then she's *probably* not alone. Ten to one, that's where Kale is."
"I can handle the Demon of Darkness." She just shook her head and raised her yari at me.
"You die and I'll hunt your ass down to kill it again," she threatened, her weapon inches from my chest. "I don't know why, but it would really suck for some reason if you died."
"Maybe because Synder wouldn't exist?" She shrugged.
"Maybe."
Chapter 8(Seraan)
No no no! This was not the time to get some puppy love crush on the past Ronin of Halo. This frankly was not the time to do anything like that even in the slightest. Kina charged at me and Sage. I barley managed not actually stabbing him with my yari from total surprise.
"That's it Kina," I said, a lot calmer then before, but still ticked off. "I've had enough of you and your-. Super Wave Smasher!" I attacked to avoid getting hit by her dark energy. My leg was almost not there and it hurt like nothing else, but that was the least of my problems.
"You still think he can save her?" she asked as Sage disappeared into the army of soldiers.
"He better," I whispered. I didn't want to lose either of them at the moment, but Synder was- is my best friend. Saha was a hard enough blow without her too. And then Sage... no, I had to keep my focus on the battle.
Suddenly, everything disappeared. The soldiers, the warlords, all of it. I froze mid attack as Relei cursed at Anashi.
"Coward!" she shouted. "Get back here and fight me!"
"Chill, Relei," said Trent, lowering her bow. Then she raised it up again and fired her last nocked arrow angrily. "They had better not have hurt Synder."
"Guys..." I whirled around and saw Sage, carrying an unconscious Synder. Her armor was gone and blood dripped down a long gash in her arm. "I healed her the best I could but..."
"Synder!" cried Karya. "No, please, not you too." Her armor faded and she ran over to her. "Synder, please, wake up!"
"Kina..." Relei lowered her katanas and looked away. "I'll kill her, I swear." Synder groaned.
"Let me kill her first, okay?" she mumbled. There was a sigh of relief from everyone in the group, even me. Synder was okay, for the moment. "I'd get more enjoyment out of it then you would."
"Wanna bet?" asked Relei with a small smile. "I beg to differ." Synder started to laugh, then stopped and groaned again. "Headache?"
"Just a *little* bit." Everyone else sent their armors away and Sage set Synder back on the ground. "So what did I miss?"
"Not much other then they ran away with their tails between their legs," said Kento. Synder rolled her eyes and turned to Karya.
"Now I know where you get it," she said. "Anytime the warlords run, especially if they're on the verge of winning, there's a problem. A definite problem."
"Anashi ran from the greatest battle in our lives to attack Relei who was on her own and unarmed. Kina ran because the humans were mounting a better attack then hers and Deri's run for the sake of a bigger plan. Suin doesn't run, nor will she ever unless she's losing badly," I said. "I don't know about Dais, Kale, and Sekhmet, but I *do* know our warlords and trust me, if they're running, we're dead meat."
Chapter 9(Cye)
"Seraan, listen..." started Relei, but Seraan waved her hand.
"I shouldn't have yelled. You're right: anything they *can* use, they will. We know that," she said simply. "I just wasn't thinking straight. I'm sorry."
"I'm supposed to be the leader and listen, but I didn't. I'm sorry too."
"Oh god," muttered Trent. "Here we go again."
"What's that mean?" asked Seraan.
"Nothing, never mind," broke in Karya. "This isn't the time to be fighting. We need to figure out what the warlords are up to. As big a cowards as they are, ours mostly, they don't just run from battle and take the soldiers with them. It was like we had never fought."
"We did, believe me," said Synder, sitting up. The ice bag fell into her lap and she pushed wet bangs out of her face. "I hate to ask this, but you don't think they dragged Saha here?" Trent swallowed and looked away. Relei just snarled softly.
"If they have, it's not going to get in my way," she said. Trent got up and walked outside. "Trent, wait a minute." Relei followed her and shut the door.
"What was that all about?" asked Rowen.
"Trent and Saha were really close," explained Seraan. "About three months ago, Anashi and the other three kidnapped him and turned him to the side of the Dynasty. We've seen him all of once since then, but we know he's evil. As much as Trent doesn't want to believe it, she knows it's true and it eats her up."
"Who is Saha? I've heard you talk about him before," I said.
"First of all, his mother, Dr. H, is the scientist who created us," said Karya. "She raised us in addition to Saha. We're all sixteen and we've known each other all our lives, but he was definitely closer with Trent."
"It's a no brainer, Karya," said Synder. "They like each other, but Trent was afraid of our feelings. She didn't want to lose our friendship by getting too close to Saha with us around."
"Oh for the love of- she's insane if she thinks it'll effect us that much," said Seraan. "Sure, I like Saha, but not the way she does. Damn it, that's the stupidest thing she's ever done."
"But why would Saha fighting for the Dynasty be a bad thing?" asked Sage. Seraan got up and walked over to him.
"Are you completely dense?" she asked, leaning over the side of the couch and getting directly in his face. "The last time we fought Saha, it wasn't even a battle, and we almost lost Trent. Now we've got seven warlords to deal with, in addition to him." She pulled back with a smile at his confusion and disappeared out the door. "I'll be back. I'm going to get a pop." Karya doubled over laughing the instant the door shut.
"I don't know how, or why, she does that, but she does it well," she said between giggles. "You'll have to excuse Seraan, Sage. Occasionally we wonder about her and then she does something like that."
"We know that she's not all there," added Synder. "But she's the best spy we've got."
"Spy?" asked Sage, still uncertain.
"During the war-"
"Back up, Synder," said Karya. "If you're going to tell them what happened *during* the war, why not tell them about the war in general too?" Synder nodded and settled back against the wall.
"The war started because of the Dynasty. Anashi needed hatred, greed, and the like to give her new kingdom power, so she started a war between Earth and some of the colonies in space. The colonies were newly formed, but had large military powers and highly advanced space technology. Any battles in their territory were lost before they started, but on the ground, Anashi was building strength. When we joined the fight, her empire was more then strong enough, but the humans she had convinced to go into darkness were warring on their own, so she couldn't use them. Our only chance to get to her was stopping the war-"
"Dr. H told us about the start and we pieced it together," continued Seraan, who had come in unnoticed. "It was my job to get inside the main Earth base and stop transmissions to Anashi and the Dynasty. Relei did the same with the colonies. Synder and Karya were in charge of keeping the fighting at a stand still and Trent wanted no part in any of it. She hated war and still does, but she's got a reason now. After the transmissions stopped, we were hired by the various sides to retrieve information and assassinate the political superiors. Fortunately, there was no bloodshed. Anashi attacked finally with the Dynasty and everyone joined together to fight her."
"No blood shed..." Karya trailed off, looking out onto the balcony where Trent and Relei were talking. She blinked and shivered. "Sorry. That happens. Sometimes I remember the fighting between the two that Synder and I couldn't stop. It has nothing on slaughter. Slaughter is an understatement. Pointless is more like it."
"There's never a point to war," I said. She smiled softly.
"Of course not. There never has been, nor will there ever be."
Chapter 10(Karya)
I said it before and I'll say it again: Cye is a lot cuter in person. But that's just my opinion.
Relei and Trent came back in, Trent looking like she had been crying, which was understandable. If Saha did show up... we were screwed. We couldn't fight without Trent. Come to think of it, we still can't.
"Let's go get something to eat. Hopefully the warlords can hold their blood lust long enough for us to have some food," said Relei. "And no, Synder, you're not staying. Not since Anashi has a tendency to attack us when we're alone."
"Damn it," cursed Synder, standing up. "I still don't know how you do that."
"Do what? Know what you're thinking? It's a gift." Relei laughed and grabbed her jacket. "Let's go." Seraan set her pop down and followed. I grabbed Synder's arm as she started to take an unsteady step forward.
"Come on, I'll help you," I said. She smiled gratefully and picked up her coat with her free hand. "It's not fun getting the crap beat out of you, is it?"
"Not really, no," she said. "Karya, tell me, what do you think of Kento?" I almost dropped her.
"What do you mean?" I said. We were the last ones in the room and as hungry as I was, Synder was my best friend and she needed my help.
"I mean, he's cute and all, but... he's a bit of an idiot. No offense."
"None taken. I don't know. I guess he's cute, but it's a little weird. When Relei said she was going to save the past, I didn't know we'd get to meet the people who we wouldn't exist without. It's all too bizarre for me."
"Need some help?" asked Kento. Synder paled, but I didn't think they had heard us. I seriously hoped Kento hadn't and I wasn't really worried about Cye, but still...
"Yeah, thanks," I said cheerfully. Synder shot me a look of complete contempt, then smiled at Kento. I knew she was mad at me, but I was being helpful.
"Hurry up!" said Relei, walking into a restaurant. I followed and found her sitting at a table next to Rowen and the others. Remarkably, Seraan was next to Sage, but Trent sat by herself at the end. I could tell she was thinking about Saha, but he wasn't there.
"Heya Trent," I said, sitting next to her. Synder sat across from me and Cye sat next to me. Not that I'm complaining. "What's up?"
"He's here somewhere," she whispered quickly. "I know he is. I didn't tell Relei because she'd freak, you know she would."
"Saha?" I said back. "Here? Not good."
"I'm going to free him, Karya. I promised him I would-"
"Whatever you do, don't get it confused with our real mission, got it? We've still got a job to do and people to protect. They die and so do we." She just nodded and shifted her attention back to the glass of water in front of her. "Hey Synder, how are you feeling?"
"Better. I still have a ripping headache, but it's not so bad."
"What can I get for you?" I didn't even look at the waiter, only at the menu.
"Coke, a burger, fries, and chips," I said. Synder groaned and shook her head.
"No food for me. I'll just have water, thanks." He moved onto Trent. For some reason, her voice came out choked and I looked up. "What is it, Trent?"
"He's close," she murmured, tears in her eyes. "I can sense it. I'm sorry, forgive my holding up everyone. Um, I'll have the chicken salad, I guess." She handed him the menu and turned to her water again.
"Gotcha. Anything to drink?" Now my voice caught in my throat. That voice... no way. I finally looked up and saw a familiar half grin under blue eyes.
"*You*!" I hissed. Trent jerked and knocked over her water. "So you *did* come."
"Like I'd let you guys have all the fun in the past," he said, sitting in the empty chair next to Trent. She gave another choked noise and he looked at her. "And how are you, Trent?"
"You're here..." she trailed off.
"Of course. You really thought I'd stay back? Oh, Trent, I thought we knew each other better then that. How's your head, Synder?"
"It just got worse," she muttered. "What do you want, Saha?"
"Saha?" said Kento. "But isn't he...?"
"Just chill, Hardrock. I'm here on embassy from Anashi. She says that she'll leave if she gets the Inferno armor of Master Talpa."
"The Inferno?" I asked. "What the hell is that?"
"It's a mega armor you girls haven't figured out yet. But one will work just fine for Master Talpa because getting you five to turn will be a cinch." I jumped up angrily.
"We'll never turn and you shouldn't have either!" I shouted. Relei gasped.
"Saha!" she said.
"Who said you'd do it on your own? We have... our ways, you should know that by now." I heard a light tinkling of glass and he collapsed. Trent stood over him, looking as angry as I had felt. Now I was just stunned.
"*That* was for trying to kill Dr. H," she mused. "You're not my friend Saha and until I find him, you are my enemy."
"Go Trent," said Relei. "Come on, we had better get out of here. Thank goodness this place was almost empty." It was true. We had been basically the only customers upon coming in and the only other person had left already. Something was missing though...
"What do we do with him?" asked Rowen.
"We'll take him back to the hotel," suggested Synder. "Even if Anashi does find him, he's ours again now so he won't go far." She got up and brushed water off of her arm. "Maybe there's some way to send him back to Dr. H. I'm sure she'll want to see her son again."
"We can't," said Relei. " And until we regain the strength we had when we came, we can't either. It would be too much of risk and I'm pretty sure none of us would survive the trip."
"What are you talking about?" asked Ryo.
"The armors brought us here, Sanada, using our own power, and we'll be killed unless we're stronger when we go back."
Chapter 11(Kento)
Karya lifted Saha's shoulders and Cye grabbed his legs.
"We'll take him back to the hotel, hopefully without any meetings with the warlords."
"They don't stand a chance if we do," growled Synder. "I'm gonna pound Kina to dust and Kale too if he tries to get in my way."
"You're still hurt," I pointed out. She flashed me a dangerous smile that looked really great on her.
"Don't try and protect me, Kento, when I perfectly capable of protecting myself." Trent managed a chuckle as she followed Cye and Karya.
"I pity whatever guys tries to protect you," said Relei. "'Cause who's going to protect him?"
"Very funny, Ree. You're one to talk." She cast a half glance at Rowen, to Relei's definite dislike.
"Hush up, Synder," she muttered. "I'm not as dumb as I look either." Synder scowled as Relei walked off.
"What was that all about?" I asked. She coughed and shook her head.
"You can't see it?" she said. "Relei likes Rowen. It's kind of obvious, when you figure she was quicker to apologize to him then she ever has been with us." Synder shrugged. "I don't know. but let's hurry. If the warlords attack, they'll need our help too."
"But you're hurt," I repeated. She growled and whirled around to face me. Her light blue eyes were cold and angry.
"I know I'm hurt, Hardrock. That doesn't mean to you have to act like my father." She stalked out the door, to my confusion.
"Smooth move, Kento," said Rowen.
"What... just happened?" I asked. Relei grinned.
"Welcome to the wide world of trying to understand us," she said. "Synder has a rule about getting to close and/or being protected by members of the opposite sex i.e. you. She's especially particular about it when she likes that person." She grabbed her jacket and went after Synder.
"Huh?"
Chapter 12(Saha)
I watched myself through a dark haze. Sometimes I'd see someone I knew, like my mother, but it didn't occur to me who they were. And then, suddenly everything cleared up. I felt Trent hit me in the back of the head and I collapsed.
Hours, days, minutes passed. I didn't know which, but when I opened my eyes, Trent was leaning over me with a bag of ice.
"Oh!" she said. "You're awake. How do you feel?" I tried to sit up, but the blood rushed to my head at the same time she gently pushed me back down. "Just stay put. You're hurt."
"Did... you really hit me in the head?" She grinned, embarrassed.
"Yeah, that was me. Sorry, but I *had* to do something." She sat on the edge of the couch next to me and put the ice bag on my head. I couldn't decide whether it made my head hurt worse or less, but I didn't say anything.
"Where am I?"
"1989, our hotel room," she said gently. "Anashi brought you back here when we came to pro- er, um, stop her from destroying the Ronin Warriors." She added that last part as Relei walked in with Synder, Seraan, and Karya.
"They went home. I seriously think we've scared the life out of them," said Seraan. "Hello Saha. Glad you're awake."
"You're all here?" I asked. "But why? And what's going on? I thought you were the Ronins."
"Calm yourself, Sa," said Karya. "We're the Ronins of the future, remember? Not to mention, if they don't exist, neither do we. There's a reason for that and you know it." Oh yeah. We had been friends for so long that I had almost forgotten what they were. Not that I cared they were clones. They were still cool.
"So this is 1989," I said after a moment. "There isn't a whole lot to it."
"Just wait," said Relei. She pulled me to my feet, much to Trent's dislike and pushed open a pair of doors. They led out onto a balcony over the city and the view, it was amazing. I had never seen anything like it in my life. "Beats the smog covering the landscape, huh?" I just nodded. She left and Trent took her place. I had missed her so much... Even now, she looked incredibly gorgeous.
"It's been awhile," she said softly. "Do you remember when we used to climb Mt. Dojo just to see everything from that high up?" I nodded again. "I bet if we did now, it would be..."
"Beautiful," I finished. She smiled and leaned against the railing with a sigh. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know... how long it would last," she said. "I mean, how long until Anashi turns you again? And it doesn't have to be of your own free will either." I took her hand in mine and touched her cheek lightly.
"I promise that'll I'll do everything I can to keep from turning against you and the rest of the girls. You're everything to me, Trent, you should know that by now." She opened her mouth to speak, but on a whim I kissed her. The silence this produced was broken by various muffled shouts of joy. "What the-"
"It's about time," said Relei, shutting the door behind her and cutting off the yells of the other girls. "I swear Saha, if you hadn't kissed her I would've..."
"Would've what?" said Trent breathlessly. "Better watch it, Relei. I'll kick your ass and you know it." She held up her hands in defeat.
"Alright, alright, I get the idea. Listen, the guys are here. They're going to explain what the Inferno is and why the Dynasty would want it, so move your butts." She grinned wickedly. "Unless, of course, you want to be left alone, which I completely understand." She went back into the room and reshut the door. I shook my head and pulled away from Trent. She laughed and started for the door.
"Saha-" she started, then stopped herself. "Saha... I missed you."
The End