Destiny's combat--chapter 3
By,
Sugar and S. or Spirit
Mia woke up rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She groaned falling back on her pillow, yet at the same time thanking the Lord for making it Saturday. She couldn't take it anymore! Two jobs a night was to much for her. The house didn't need anymore money on it, that was all taken care of but food, utilities and other personal needs they didn't have the money for. Her gratitude towards Ryo was beyond words, he didn't know how much it meant to her. Now only if the others would get a job too!
"Mia?" Ryo peeked his head into her dark room and smiled when she turned her head towards him. "Look outside." She turned her head towards the window then back at him shaking it. "Why not?"
"To far, bed, warm, sleep," she mumbled. Ryo chuckled and walked over to her window and yanked open the curtains. A smile spread across her face, snow! "Wow!" she sprang up out of bed and over to the window. Even though she was sixteen she acted like she was ten at times. Ryo laughed and turned her towards her closet.
"I'll get you breakfast and you get dressed, then we'll all head out okay?" Mia nodded and shooed Ryo out of her room. As soon as her door closed she fell back on her bed curling up. Ryo looked back in knowing exactly what she did. "UP!"
"I'm up!" she got up and dressed quickly and headed back down stairs after Ryo.
"Oh hello," Mia said spotting Skyler on the sofa talking with Kento. He smiled and waved then continued talking about the newest game with Kento.
She shuffled into the kitchen in a pair of thick jeans and a gray sweatshirt, her weekend attire. She found Ryo was trying desperately to safe the burnt eggs and bacon while still flipping the French toast. Sai's days off were always a disaster. Mia laughed and took over the French toast while he got the other food under control.
"Well I hope you like crispy bacon," Ryo smiled sheepishly at her and Mia just giggled.
"Crispy is fine," Mia replied as they started to serve everyone. Skyler sat across from Mia that day instead of Kento, who was next to him. Skyler's silver gray eyes watched Mia carefully, but was careful not to show it. Why do I feel so weird around her? No love I know that, but something else, I wish I knew what, he thought taking a bite of eggs, which had been saved by Sai while Ryo had been fishing around for juice. A knock at the door made Rowen jump up, volunteering to get it.
"Hot date again?" Kento asked Rowen's feeling figure.
"Kinda!" he called back answering the door. He smiled and pulled Ruby and Jo inside, who were bundled up. Ruby waved to her brother, who drove off. Mia rinsed off her dish and walked into the living room with a smile.
"Hi," they all said at once and laughed.
"You two must be Ruby and Jo right?" they nodded and Mia extended her hand, "I'm Mia."
"We know, your grand entrance was perfect last night," Jo joke and Mia blushed.
"Nice to meet you," Ruby replied sweetly letting go of Mia's hand. Mia rose an eyebrow as Rowen slipped an arm around her waist. Sage came in with a big smile on his face.
"Hey, long time no see," Sage said walking up next to Mia. She looked up just now noticing how short she had gotten, or how tall Sage had gotten.
"Hey," Jo said with another flirty smile that beat the one last night. She had been so upset about Drew last night she hadn't really gotten the full effect of Sage's looks. Just looking at him sent chills down her spine.
"We should have a party," Kento said plopping down on the sofa with Skyler next to him as they started to battle it out on some fighting game. Mia rose an eyebrow looking at them as if they were crazy.
"And why is that? I'm not about to have everything broken in my house….not that I haven't before but why?" Mia questioned sitting on the arm of the sofa next to Skyler.
"Well...I kind of invited another guy over too, then there's those two," he jerked his head towards Ruby and Jo, "so Skyler, Travis, and those two make a party."
"They have names!" both Sage and Rowen snapped. Kento shrugged not bothering to ask for their names.
"Travis who?" Skyler asked a bit nervous. Please not Travis Wills, he thought.
"Travis Wills," Skyler groaned leaning back into the sofa wishing the ground below him would open up and swallow him. "What's wrong? Don't like him?"
"Well he not only cheated off my exam and got away with it while I got stuck with the F, he creamed me in basketball last Saturday, and yesterday he stole my girlfriend, need I say more?" Kento snickered and shoot up as someone knocked on the door.
"Well he's here, so no fighting, your luck he'd end up hanging out with one of the others," Kento said getting the door. Travis stood in black jeans and a black T-shirt with a large gold puffy snow jacket on. "Yo dude come on in, you know Skyler Kyles right?"
"Yeah we've met a couple times before," Travis smirked as he sat in the single chair and Kento returned to his paused game with Skyler, who didn't dare look at Travis. His eyes were glued to the screen taking his anger out on poor Kento's player. Travis's eyes wondered over Mia's body as she stood up to move upstairs.
"Ready to go?" Ryo asked coming back in from the kitchen with his red snow jacket and Mia's white one. She nodded and he helped her into her jacket. Mia slung her hair out of the jacket and moved towards the door with Rowen, Sage, Ruby and Jo behind them. Hang with the others my butt, Skyler thought in anger. Kento knew he didn't get a long with Travis at all, but for some reason every time they had looked at each other something connected, like brotherhood almost.
"So any hot dates lately Trav?" Kento asked as him and Skyler ended their game, after Skyler murdered Kento.
"Yeah," Skyler clenched his fist to keep from yelling at him. "This hot girl Celia." Skyler looked at him almost in shock.
"What about LayLa?" Skyler asked raising an eyebrow. Travis chuckled and shrugged.
"We're not a couple, LayLa just wanted me to play along to make you jealous, so I did," Travis said taking off his jacket. Skyler slumped back feeling like a complete idiot. Why hadn't he known? That is how him and LayLa got together isn't it? Maybe she was trying to get Travis too, only he wasn't as stupid as him to fall for it. Someone knocked on the door and Kento grinned widely.
"I don't like that look Kento..." Skyler growled as Kento moved over towards the door.
"I kind of um invited some girls over," Kento replied with a grin. He yanked the door open and Skyler blanked out. The two girls from the library stood at the door bouncing from being so cold. "This is AnDel Lukmanji and C-"
"Celia Forst, we've met," Travis said smiling at the redhead. But her eyes were on Skyler more then Travis. Wow! He's pretty cute once you see him from the front, she thought smirking to herself. Kento pulled them in and another girl followed.
"This is Kylie Toms," Kento said ushering them in. Kento sat back down next to Skyler with Kylie next to him and AnDel next to Celia on the love seat. Skyler noticed Celia's gorgeous legs and eyes, the two things he always look for in a girl. She had instantly caught his hormonal teenager attention at first sight. The horrifying words from
Travis flooded back into his head. This hot girl Celia Frost. Skyler didn't stand a slurpees chance in hell against Travis Wills, that was one thing he didn't have to give a second thought too. He ran his eyes over AnDel, carefully taking in all there was too see. Her legs were longer then Celia's, only because the gap in height difference.
"Hey Celia, we're still on for our date right?" she nodded slowly as her hair fluffed around her. Skyler felt the tight grip on his heart grip tighter then it had been a few seconds ago. "Cool."
"You two are dating?" Kento asked twirling a piece of Kylie's wheat blond hair around his finger.
"Yeah,"
"Not exactly," Celia countered crossing her legs with a faint smile on her lips. She made eye contact with Skyler and her smile widened.
"What do you mean not exactly?" Skyler spoke up making her frown a bit.
"We're just going on a date," Celia responded with a faint grin. Skyler's heart beat speed up at the sight of her smiling face. But a date can lead to more Sky! Don't get yourself fooled by this teenage heartthrob, a small voice called to him.
"So you don't plan to have anymore dates with me?" Travis questioned raising an eyebrow. Celia was caught off guard and went to reply but AnDel got their faster.
"A girl has to spanned her horizons doesn't she? You can't be kept down to just one guys hoping more will come out of it," AnDel smirked and winked at Skyler who flushed a deep red.
"Are you saying someone could please her more then me?" Celia sank back knowing AnDel would take care of this ego manic.
"Yes that's exactly what I'm saying," AnDel sat straight challenging him, "I already see a good candidate for my dear friend over here."
"Oh really like who?" Travis was clearly amused while Kento and Kylie had started a conversation of their own…in the next room.
"Skyler over there," Skyler stiffened and AnDel smiled at him, "he's got more class then you'll ever have. He isn't full of himself and seems as if he'd care about Celia more then he'd care about himself." Travis burst into laughter and slapped his knee.
"Are you saying Skyler over here is better then me?" Travis laughed again and Skyler burned a deep rouge. Celia sat forward glaring at the laughing Travis.
"He's got twice the looks then you do," Travis stopped dead in the middle of a snicker and glared at her.
"You think he's better looking then me?" Celia grinned her breathtaking smile and nodded. Her slender hand brush away some red hair from her face. The same hair Skyler wanted to run his hands through.
"See told you," AnDel snickered.
"Fine, we'll see about this. We'll keep our date but after our date you'll go out with Sky over here and then you report who was a better date. Him, or me," Celia thrust out her hand toward.
"Deal," Travis took her hand in a firm grip and shook it.
"Uh, do I get any say in this?" Skyler quizzed looking at the other three teens in the room.
"You'd really pass up a date with her?" AnDel jerked her thumb towards Celia who was running her fingers through her hair trying to get the tangles out.
"Uh, you have a point," Celia's cheeks took a sudden redness at his answer.
"I rest my case," AnDel smiled and glanced at her watch, "time to go Celi."
"Right, bye Kento!" Celia called as they stood up.
"Later!" he crocked back followed by a high giggle. Travis and Skyler glanced at each other, a wild grin playing across Travis's lips.
"She's going to choose me you know,"
"In your dreams," Skyler shot back.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Colette and Aiesha walked back into the house, Aiesha bewildered. Colette had just told her about her armor and her roll, making Aiesha confess about her armor as well. Aiesha pushed her auburn hair away from her face as she sat down on the sofa. They had gotten caught in the club and were thrown out. They had walked back to Aiesha and Colette's apartment.
"So you're a Ronin warrior?" Aiesha asked trying to convince herself what was true and what wasn't.
"Yes, Ronin of Firepit," she replied sitting on the love seat across from her. Aiesha let out a low whistle and smiled.
"Well at least I don't have to fight on my own anymore, I sure did need the help last time!" Colette smiled at her friend tying her long hair back.
"Ronin of Tiger and Ronin of Firepit, what a great team," Colette joked and gasped as Aiesha flung a purple pillow at her friend. Colette grabbed it and threw it back, thus starting the pillow war!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ruby sat on the porch of her house sipping her hot coca. Jo was inside having a small chat with Ryan, her older brother. She had just spent the afternoon with Rowen and had loved every minute of it. She saw definite potential between Sage and Jo and hope for a future with herself and Rowen. Who knew one simple bad date would have her falling head over heels for someone she just met. Rowen was smart, good looking, funny, romantic and all together a great guy. But something always made her feel as if she shouldn't be with him. Could it be your armor? She thought almost scolding herself. Looking down at the steam rising from her cup she frowned.
"No, we can't tell them about us," Jo answered her unspoken question while sitting down.
"Why not? They've told us," Ruby replied setting her mug down and turning towards her best friend.
"Rubs, it's just to much right now, we don't even know if you and him will last," Jo answered thoughtfully. She bit her bottom lip as redness colored her cheeks.
"Thinking about Sage?" Jo nodded blushing harder. "You two could really have something."
"No," Jo answered quickly, "I've heard of him from some friends. Said he's nothing but trouble. A heartbreaker if you've ever seen one. There's just no way him and I could ever have the kind of relationship that I want."
"Maybe you're wrong?" Jo looked at Ruby as if she was insane.
"No, I'm not wrong. Even if he was dedicated to me and only me it would be to hard," Jo shook her head before speaking again, "hiding an armor from him would be to hard. I'd slip up one time or another. I see it now, he'd be fighting and I'd jump in and then where would we be? I'll tell you where, in a big whole lot of trouble!"
"Jo," Ruby placed a hand on her shoulder causing her friend to look at her finally, "it won't be the same as last time."
"How do you know? Jeremiah took off running when he found out, getting himself killed," Jo answered quietly. Ruby hugged her friend as tears slipped from Jo's eyes.
"No, Sage would understand, he's just like you! Don't you think he knows how it feels to have to keep things like this a secrete? He'd understand if it took you a while to tell him," Ruby tried desperately to convince her friend nothing would happen. Are you trying to convince yourself too? That thought scared her. She had never gotten close enough to anyone to tell them about it. Jo was the only one because when they were younger it had slipped and Ruby had confessed to her about herself.
"We'll see Rubs," Jo whispered into her friends hair and they left for a walk.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Alyssa crouched in a dark corner trying hard to be unseen. Soldiers swarmed the halls of the Dark Gem castle, making it almost impossible to escape this time. You can't give up! A tiny voice cried as Alyssa almost jumped out and screamed 'hear I am, come get me!' Alyssa clenched her hands up into tight balls and peeked out once more. Taking a deep breath she looked up at the high ceilings. I have to find a way to get out of here! To many peoples lives are at risk if I stay! She stood up, pressing her body against the wall. Inhaling sharply she let out and ear piercing scream…..
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mia clamped her hands over her ears hearing the high pitch scream ring in her head. As she fell she knocked over a display of cans, causing them to topple over as well. She hit the floor with people surrounding her. The scream soon subsided and she looked up. Ryo had knelt down beside her and was holding her upper body close to him.
"Are you okay?!" he practically yelled at her. Mia nodded still hearing the young girls scream in her ears.
"It, I, well I don't know what it was. It just hurt all the sudden," Mia whispered trying to explain her pain. Ryo just held her for a few minutes until the passerby left.
"It'll be okay," he whispered into her hair. Mia gave a small nod and they stood up. A few people were still eyeing them and a clerk from the store came over to clean up the mess.
"I'm really sorry," Mia apologized and he just shook his head waving it off.
"No worries, I'm just glad it was a pretty lady who ruined it instead of an old hag, gives me something to look at," he flashed her a smile and she blushed deeply, which caused Ryo to get red in the face.
"Come on Mia," he pulled her away and out to the car.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sai sat in the park looking around as the rain clouds started to roll in. Sighing he stood up and grabbed his books. He felt humiliated for being stood up, again. How could he have fallen for her again? Yeah sure she was gorgeous, smart, funny and down right fun to be with, but she would never date him. He was the shy guy that nobody liked, right?
Kicking a rock of his way he started to walk a bit faster. The wind was picking up and the park was beginning to become deserted. Checking his watch he grimaced. He had waited for her for another five hours. That makes fifteen hours waiting for her all together, nice Sai, very nice. He thought looking up as a drop landed on his face. Why'd she have to have such an effect on him? Couldn't he just fall madly in love with someone else? Looking up he noticed a strange darkness above him. Oh no he thought as it began to swirl around. He let out a weird sound as someone fell on him. Pushing the person off him he stood up ready to fight. Noticing the girl sitting in torn black cloths he began to relax.
"Are you okay?" she looked at him as if he were speaking a foreign language. "Do you speak English?" still no response. He turned and started to walk off.
"Wait!" he turned back and watched as she stood up, that's when he noticed the small glowing orb that was above her head. "Do you know where I can find the Ronin Warriors?" Great, dynasty chick, he groan silently.
"Who are you?" he asked summoning his armor orb into his hand. She rose an eyebrow and held out her hand. Sai gasped as his orb disappeared and reappeared in her hand. "Give that back!"
"Don't yel-" he lunged at her and knocked her on her back. She flipped him off her and she rolled away standing up looking at him. He was already in a fighting position.
"Calm down!" a tiny voice cried out. Sai looked around for someone else but they were the only ones there. "She's on your side."
"Who said that?"
"Me!" he looked at the small glowing orb and he flew towards him. It looked like an armor orb but there was a small fairy inside of it.
"You're Sai, Ronin of Torrent, right?" Sai nodded and she smiled.
"Good."
"I'm Alyssa, Ronin of Fairy, that's Calie," she said with a small smile. Sai just stood there and blinked. This can't be happening….
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ryo sat down at one of the tables he was cleaning taking a deep breath then rubbing his eyes. He didn't see how Mia could do this. If he thought this was bad he should try working two jobs a night and still going to school. He looked up as Mia walked in with a paper bag and a huge smile on her face. Ryo stood up and held up a hand and walked over to his boss.
"Yeah, go a head and have your break," Ryo thanked him and walked over to Mia.
"Hey!" she said holding out the paper bag, "lunch?" he laughed and hugged her.
"Thanks, c'mon lets sit down," they sat and Ryo eyed her, she was smiling still. "What's going on? Why are you smiling so much?"
"I got a raise," Mia said cheerfully, "so you don't have to work anymore."
"No, now you don't have to work two jobs. The coffee shop gave you a raise?" she nodded and Ryo took her hands in his, "Mia you can quit your job at the book store, it's not paying you that much anyway. Besides, you're only sixteen, you shouldn't have to support five other people plus yourself. I've convinced Rowen into getting a part time job, maybe he can be your replacment?"
"Ryo, you know Rowen! He'd get fired for sitting down and reading the books instead of putting them away!" Ryo laughed as Mia giggled, both knowing it was true.
"Well we'll find him something, I don't want you working yourself to hard. And think about it, you can take those dance classes you've been wanting to take now at night instead of working," Mia chewed on her bottom lip while thinking.
"I'll keep my job for one more week, if it turns out we can pass with only the coffee shop and your job then I'll think about quitting," Ryo smiled and nodded.
"Sounds like a deal," he replied before taking a bite of the sandwich she had brought him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Celia looked at herself in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction. Although she was excited she was sad. She felt Saturday had come to soon, she didn't want to go out with Travis as much as she had wanted to before. Although Saturday was going to be a drag, Sunday was beginning to sound exciting. Shaking her head she gave herself a firm nod.
"If you start to think going out on a date with Travis Wills will be a drag, then it will be! Don't judge it until you start it," she recited those words to herself a few times then turned when someone knocked at the door. Adjusting her low rise capris she flipped her hair and walked towards the door. Swigging it open she smiled at...a Dynasty soldier?! She screamed as he lunged at her, knocking her on her back. Coughing she scrambled away and looked desperately around for her purse.
"Come here!" she jumped out of the way as he went for her again.
"How can you talk!" she screamed as someone grabbed her from behind.
"Same way you can Nova," another soldier said bringing a sword up to her neck. She gulped clenching her eyes shut tightly.
"Celia? What the!" Travis yelled as he caught sight of the few soldiers that were there.
"Travis run!" Celia screamed.
"Don't think so," two soldiers came up behind him grabbing his arms holding him there tightly.
"I think it's the other way around buddy!" he pulled his arms forward and together, bashing the two soldiers together. Shoving his hand down in his pocket he pulled out an armor orb.
Armor of Fate Tou Chi!
He was wrapped in gold ribbons and golden poppies. With a bright flash of blinding gold light he was in all gold armor holding a staff out ward.
"Let her go," Travis growled spinning his staff around. Celia's eyes widened at the sight that was unfolding before her. He's like me? How... she thought and almost gasped at the sight of her purse. I have to get to my purse! My orbs in there, she thought franticly as Travis battled off more soldiers.
"We could get out of here while we have her," the one holding her said to the other one who had first grabbed her.
"No, if we can get Fate it'll make our job much easier," he replied watching the battle in Celia's living room. She closed her eyes trying hard to summon her orb, finally it worked.
Armor of Nova Tou Gen!
She was yanked away from the soldiers and brought up into the air. Shining silver stars and bodies of stars hugged her body tightly, forming a silver sub armor. She was set down and a shooting star wrapped around her, turning into full armor. As a helmet clamped down on her head an ax appeared in her hand.
"Wha?" Travis said from his spot on the ground. She flipped away from the two soldiers that were holding her captive and landed in front of him. Holding her ax in front of her face diagonally she crossed her other arm in front of her left one. Opening her eyes they flashed silver and her lips curved into a smirk.
Celestial Body Smash!
A wave of silver flooded over the soldiers, causing them to evaporate into thin air. Celia's Ax disappeared and she removed her helmet, shaking her head. She turned around and held out a hand towards Travis. He took it and she pulled him up to his feet.
"My poor house," she laughed while looking around. Wrapping her hand around a key that hung around her neck on an invisible chain she closed her eyes. "Heal."
"Whoa!" Travis looked around at the once destroyed house, which now looked as good as new. "Where'd you learn that?"
"I don't know," she confessed with a giggle, "kind of came with the armor I guess."
"Damn, so you fight too?" she nodded and he grinned. "Looks like your beyond perfect now," she blushed and banished her armors, he followed in suit.
"Well that was an interesting start to our date huh?" he laughed and nodded at her question.
"Come on, it gets better," she nodded and they left.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jo lay spread out across her bed. Her green streaked hair flung everywhere, creating a sea of colors. Her eyes were lightly shut as she clenched her fists tightly. Taking deep breaths, chest rising and falling, her surroundings faded leaving her in only a black void. Soon images started to come to her in her mind. 9 armed figures stood in a circle, weapons drawn, all pointing them inwards. A light started to gather in the middle of them all…a dark light.
"No..." Jo whispered as it over took them, turning all the arms black with evil spirits. Jo felt the vibe in her heart, strangling the very life out of her.
"Josephine!" Jo bolted up right breathing hard, now back in her room. Her black hair fell over her shoulders as she looked back when her mother burst into the room. "Did you not hear the phone ringing?!"
"No sorry…I must have dozed off…who is it?"
"It's Ruby," her mother handed her the phone and Jo pressed it against her ear, waiting for her mother to leave before she spoke.
"Rubs?"
"Jo! What's up?" she sucked in a breath looking down at her right hand. Opening it up she looked at her armor orb.
"We need to talk…meet me at Spring Walks in thirty minutes…I'll explain then," Ruby agreed and they hung up. "What does this mean?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By,
Sugar and S. or Spirit
Mia woke up rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She groaned falling back on her pillow, yet at the same time thanking the Lord for making it Saturday. She couldn't take it anymore! Two jobs a night was to much for her. The house didn't need anymore money on it, that was all taken care of but food, utilities and other personal needs they didn't have the money for. Her gratitude towards Ryo was beyond words, he didn't know how much it meant to her. Now only if the others would get a job too!
"Mia?" Ryo peeked his head into her dark room and smiled when she turned her head towards him. "Look outside." She turned her head towards the window then back at him shaking it. "Why not?"
"To far, bed, warm, sleep," she mumbled. Ryo chuckled and walked over to her window and yanked open the curtains. A smile spread across her face, snow! "Wow!" she sprang up out of bed and over to the window. Even though she was sixteen she acted like she was ten at times. Ryo laughed and turned her towards her closet.
"I'll get you breakfast and you get dressed, then we'll all head out okay?" Mia nodded and shooed Ryo out of her room. As soon as her door closed she fell back on her bed curling up. Ryo looked back in knowing exactly what she did. "UP!"
"I'm up!" she got up and dressed quickly and headed back down stairs after Ryo.
"Oh hello," Mia said spotting Skyler on the sofa talking with Kento. He smiled and waved then continued talking about the newest game with Kento.
She shuffled into the kitchen in a pair of thick jeans and a gray sweatshirt, her weekend attire. She found Ryo was trying desperately to safe the burnt eggs and bacon while still flipping the French toast. Sai's days off were always a disaster. Mia laughed and took over the French toast while he got the other food under control.
"Well I hope you like crispy bacon," Ryo smiled sheepishly at her and Mia just giggled.
"Crispy is fine," Mia replied as they started to serve everyone. Skyler sat across from Mia that day instead of Kento, who was next to him. Skyler's silver gray eyes watched Mia carefully, but was careful not to show it. Why do I feel so weird around her? No love I know that, but something else, I wish I knew what, he thought taking a bite of eggs, which had been saved by Sai while Ryo had been fishing around for juice. A knock at the door made Rowen jump up, volunteering to get it.
"Hot date again?" Kento asked Rowen's feeling figure.
"Kinda!" he called back answering the door. He smiled and pulled Ruby and Jo inside, who were bundled up. Ruby waved to her brother, who drove off. Mia rinsed off her dish and walked into the living room with a smile.
"Hi," they all said at once and laughed.
"You two must be Ruby and Jo right?" they nodded and Mia extended her hand, "I'm Mia."
"We know, your grand entrance was perfect last night," Jo joke and Mia blushed.
"Nice to meet you," Ruby replied sweetly letting go of Mia's hand. Mia rose an eyebrow as Rowen slipped an arm around her waist. Sage came in with a big smile on his face.
"Hey, long time no see," Sage said walking up next to Mia. She looked up just now noticing how short she had gotten, or how tall Sage had gotten.
"Hey," Jo said with another flirty smile that beat the one last night. She had been so upset about Drew last night she hadn't really gotten the full effect of Sage's looks. Just looking at him sent chills down her spine.
"We should have a party," Kento said plopping down on the sofa with Skyler next to him as they started to battle it out on some fighting game. Mia rose an eyebrow looking at them as if they were crazy.
"And why is that? I'm not about to have everything broken in my house….not that I haven't before but why?" Mia questioned sitting on the arm of the sofa next to Skyler.
"Well...I kind of invited another guy over too, then there's those two," he jerked his head towards Ruby and Jo, "so Skyler, Travis, and those two make a party."
"They have names!" both Sage and Rowen snapped. Kento shrugged not bothering to ask for their names.
"Travis who?" Skyler asked a bit nervous. Please not Travis Wills, he thought.
"Travis Wills," Skyler groaned leaning back into the sofa wishing the ground below him would open up and swallow him. "What's wrong? Don't like him?"
"Well he not only cheated off my exam and got away with it while I got stuck with the F, he creamed me in basketball last Saturday, and yesterday he stole my girlfriend, need I say more?" Kento snickered and shoot up as someone knocked on the door.
"Well he's here, so no fighting, your luck he'd end up hanging out with one of the others," Kento said getting the door. Travis stood in black jeans and a black T-shirt with a large gold puffy snow jacket on. "Yo dude come on in, you know Skyler Kyles right?"
"Yeah we've met a couple times before," Travis smirked as he sat in the single chair and Kento returned to his paused game with Skyler, who didn't dare look at Travis. His eyes were glued to the screen taking his anger out on poor Kento's player. Travis's eyes wondered over Mia's body as she stood up to move upstairs.
"Ready to go?" Ryo asked coming back in from the kitchen with his red snow jacket and Mia's white one. She nodded and he helped her into her jacket. Mia slung her hair out of the jacket and moved towards the door with Rowen, Sage, Ruby and Jo behind them. Hang with the others my butt, Skyler thought in anger. Kento knew he didn't get a long with Travis at all, but for some reason every time they had looked at each other something connected, like brotherhood almost.
"So any hot dates lately Trav?" Kento asked as him and Skyler ended their game, after Skyler murdered Kento.
"Yeah," Skyler clenched his fist to keep from yelling at him. "This hot girl Celia." Skyler looked at him almost in shock.
"What about LayLa?" Skyler asked raising an eyebrow. Travis chuckled and shrugged.
"We're not a couple, LayLa just wanted me to play along to make you jealous, so I did," Travis said taking off his jacket. Skyler slumped back feeling like a complete idiot. Why hadn't he known? That is how him and LayLa got together isn't it? Maybe she was trying to get Travis too, only he wasn't as stupid as him to fall for it. Someone knocked on the door and Kento grinned widely.
"I don't like that look Kento..." Skyler growled as Kento moved over towards the door.
"I kind of um invited some girls over," Kento replied with a grin. He yanked the door open and Skyler blanked out. The two girls from the library stood at the door bouncing from being so cold. "This is AnDel Lukmanji and C-"
"Celia Forst, we've met," Travis said smiling at the redhead. But her eyes were on Skyler more then Travis. Wow! He's pretty cute once you see him from the front, she thought smirking to herself. Kento pulled them in and another girl followed.
"This is Kylie Toms," Kento said ushering them in. Kento sat back down next to Skyler with Kylie next to him and AnDel next to Celia on the love seat. Skyler noticed Celia's gorgeous legs and eyes, the two things he always look for in a girl. She had instantly caught his hormonal teenager attention at first sight. The horrifying words from
Travis flooded back into his head. This hot girl Celia Frost. Skyler didn't stand a slurpees chance in hell against Travis Wills, that was one thing he didn't have to give a second thought too. He ran his eyes over AnDel, carefully taking in all there was too see. Her legs were longer then Celia's, only because the gap in height difference.
"Hey Celia, we're still on for our date right?" she nodded slowly as her hair fluffed around her. Skyler felt the tight grip on his heart grip tighter then it had been a few seconds ago. "Cool."
"You two are dating?" Kento asked twirling a piece of Kylie's wheat blond hair around his finger.
"Yeah,"
"Not exactly," Celia countered crossing her legs with a faint smile on her lips. She made eye contact with Skyler and her smile widened.
"What do you mean not exactly?" Skyler spoke up making her frown a bit.
"We're just going on a date," Celia responded with a faint grin. Skyler's heart beat speed up at the sight of her smiling face. But a date can lead to more Sky! Don't get yourself fooled by this teenage heartthrob, a small voice called to him.
"So you don't plan to have anymore dates with me?" Travis questioned raising an eyebrow. Celia was caught off guard and went to reply but AnDel got their faster.
"A girl has to spanned her horizons doesn't she? You can't be kept down to just one guys hoping more will come out of it," AnDel smirked and winked at Skyler who flushed a deep red.
"Are you saying someone could please her more then me?" Celia sank back knowing AnDel would take care of this ego manic.
"Yes that's exactly what I'm saying," AnDel sat straight challenging him, "I already see a good candidate for my dear friend over here."
"Oh really like who?" Travis was clearly amused while Kento and Kylie had started a conversation of their own…in the next room.
"Skyler over there," Skyler stiffened and AnDel smiled at him, "he's got more class then you'll ever have. He isn't full of himself and seems as if he'd care about Celia more then he'd care about himself." Travis burst into laughter and slapped his knee.
"Are you saying Skyler over here is better then me?" Travis laughed again and Skyler burned a deep rouge. Celia sat forward glaring at the laughing Travis.
"He's got twice the looks then you do," Travis stopped dead in the middle of a snicker and glared at her.
"You think he's better looking then me?" Celia grinned her breathtaking smile and nodded. Her slender hand brush away some red hair from her face. The same hair Skyler wanted to run his hands through.
"See told you," AnDel snickered.
"Fine, we'll see about this. We'll keep our date but after our date you'll go out with Sky over here and then you report who was a better date. Him, or me," Celia thrust out her hand toward.
"Deal," Travis took her hand in a firm grip and shook it.
"Uh, do I get any say in this?" Skyler quizzed looking at the other three teens in the room.
"You'd really pass up a date with her?" AnDel jerked her thumb towards Celia who was running her fingers through her hair trying to get the tangles out.
"Uh, you have a point," Celia's cheeks took a sudden redness at his answer.
"I rest my case," AnDel smiled and glanced at her watch, "time to go Celi."
"Right, bye Kento!" Celia called as they stood up.
"Later!" he crocked back followed by a high giggle. Travis and Skyler glanced at each other, a wild grin playing across Travis's lips.
"She's going to choose me you know,"
"In your dreams," Skyler shot back.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Colette and Aiesha walked back into the house, Aiesha bewildered. Colette had just told her about her armor and her roll, making Aiesha confess about her armor as well. Aiesha pushed her auburn hair away from her face as she sat down on the sofa. They had gotten caught in the club and were thrown out. They had walked back to Aiesha and Colette's apartment.
"So you're a Ronin warrior?" Aiesha asked trying to convince herself what was true and what wasn't.
"Yes, Ronin of Firepit," she replied sitting on the love seat across from her. Aiesha let out a low whistle and smiled.
"Well at least I don't have to fight on my own anymore, I sure did need the help last time!" Colette smiled at her friend tying her long hair back.
"Ronin of Tiger and Ronin of Firepit, what a great team," Colette joked and gasped as Aiesha flung a purple pillow at her friend. Colette grabbed it and threw it back, thus starting the pillow war!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ruby sat on the porch of her house sipping her hot coca. Jo was inside having a small chat with Ryan, her older brother. She had just spent the afternoon with Rowen and had loved every minute of it. She saw definite potential between Sage and Jo and hope for a future with herself and Rowen. Who knew one simple bad date would have her falling head over heels for someone she just met. Rowen was smart, good looking, funny, romantic and all together a great guy. But something always made her feel as if she shouldn't be with him. Could it be your armor? She thought almost scolding herself. Looking down at the steam rising from her cup she frowned.
"No, we can't tell them about us," Jo answered her unspoken question while sitting down.
"Why not? They've told us," Ruby replied setting her mug down and turning towards her best friend.
"Rubs, it's just to much right now, we don't even know if you and him will last," Jo answered thoughtfully. She bit her bottom lip as redness colored her cheeks.
"Thinking about Sage?" Jo nodded blushing harder. "You two could really have something."
"No," Jo answered quickly, "I've heard of him from some friends. Said he's nothing but trouble. A heartbreaker if you've ever seen one. There's just no way him and I could ever have the kind of relationship that I want."
"Maybe you're wrong?" Jo looked at Ruby as if she was insane.
"No, I'm not wrong. Even if he was dedicated to me and only me it would be to hard," Jo shook her head before speaking again, "hiding an armor from him would be to hard. I'd slip up one time or another. I see it now, he'd be fighting and I'd jump in and then where would we be? I'll tell you where, in a big whole lot of trouble!"
"Jo," Ruby placed a hand on her shoulder causing her friend to look at her finally, "it won't be the same as last time."
"How do you know? Jeremiah took off running when he found out, getting himself killed," Jo answered quietly. Ruby hugged her friend as tears slipped from Jo's eyes.
"No, Sage would understand, he's just like you! Don't you think he knows how it feels to have to keep things like this a secrete? He'd understand if it took you a while to tell him," Ruby tried desperately to convince her friend nothing would happen. Are you trying to convince yourself too? That thought scared her. She had never gotten close enough to anyone to tell them about it. Jo was the only one because when they were younger it had slipped and Ruby had confessed to her about herself.
"We'll see Rubs," Jo whispered into her friends hair and they left for a walk.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Alyssa crouched in a dark corner trying hard to be unseen. Soldiers swarmed the halls of the Dark Gem castle, making it almost impossible to escape this time. You can't give up! A tiny voice cried as Alyssa almost jumped out and screamed 'hear I am, come get me!' Alyssa clenched her hands up into tight balls and peeked out once more. Taking a deep breath she looked up at the high ceilings. I have to find a way to get out of here! To many peoples lives are at risk if I stay! She stood up, pressing her body against the wall. Inhaling sharply she let out and ear piercing scream…..
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mia clamped her hands over her ears hearing the high pitch scream ring in her head. As she fell she knocked over a display of cans, causing them to topple over as well. She hit the floor with people surrounding her. The scream soon subsided and she looked up. Ryo had knelt down beside her and was holding her upper body close to him.
"Are you okay?!" he practically yelled at her. Mia nodded still hearing the young girls scream in her ears.
"It, I, well I don't know what it was. It just hurt all the sudden," Mia whispered trying to explain her pain. Ryo just held her for a few minutes until the passerby left.
"It'll be okay," he whispered into her hair. Mia gave a small nod and they stood up. A few people were still eyeing them and a clerk from the store came over to clean up the mess.
"I'm really sorry," Mia apologized and he just shook his head waving it off.
"No worries, I'm just glad it was a pretty lady who ruined it instead of an old hag, gives me something to look at," he flashed her a smile and she blushed deeply, which caused Ryo to get red in the face.
"Come on Mia," he pulled her away and out to the car.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sai sat in the park looking around as the rain clouds started to roll in. Sighing he stood up and grabbed his books. He felt humiliated for being stood up, again. How could he have fallen for her again? Yeah sure she was gorgeous, smart, funny and down right fun to be with, but she would never date him. He was the shy guy that nobody liked, right?
Kicking a rock of his way he started to walk a bit faster. The wind was picking up and the park was beginning to become deserted. Checking his watch he grimaced. He had waited for her for another five hours. That makes fifteen hours waiting for her all together, nice Sai, very nice. He thought looking up as a drop landed on his face. Why'd she have to have such an effect on him? Couldn't he just fall madly in love with someone else? Looking up he noticed a strange darkness above him. Oh no he thought as it began to swirl around. He let out a weird sound as someone fell on him. Pushing the person off him he stood up ready to fight. Noticing the girl sitting in torn black cloths he began to relax.
"Are you okay?" she looked at him as if he were speaking a foreign language. "Do you speak English?" still no response. He turned and started to walk off.
"Wait!" he turned back and watched as she stood up, that's when he noticed the small glowing orb that was above her head. "Do you know where I can find the Ronin Warriors?" Great, dynasty chick, he groan silently.
"Who are you?" he asked summoning his armor orb into his hand. She rose an eyebrow and held out her hand. Sai gasped as his orb disappeared and reappeared in her hand. "Give that back!"
"Don't yel-" he lunged at her and knocked her on her back. She flipped him off her and she rolled away standing up looking at him. He was already in a fighting position.
"Calm down!" a tiny voice cried out. Sai looked around for someone else but they were the only ones there. "She's on your side."
"Who said that?"
"Me!" he looked at the small glowing orb and he flew towards him. It looked like an armor orb but there was a small fairy inside of it.
"You're Sai, Ronin of Torrent, right?" Sai nodded and she smiled.
"Good."
"I'm Alyssa, Ronin of Fairy, that's Calie," she said with a small smile. Sai just stood there and blinked. This can't be happening….
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ryo sat down at one of the tables he was cleaning taking a deep breath then rubbing his eyes. He didn't see how Mia could do this. If he thought this was bad he should try working two jobs a night and still going to school. He looked up as Mia walked in with a paper bag and a huge smile on her face. Ryo stood up and held up a hand and walked over to his boss.
"Yeah, go a head and have your break," Ryo thanked him and walked over to Mia.
"Hey!" she said holding out the paper bag, "lunch?" he laughed and hugged her.
"Thanks, c'mon lets sit down," they sat and Ryo eyed her, she was smiling still. "What's going on? Why are you smiling so much?"
"I got a raise," Mia said cheerfully, "so you don't have to work anymore."
"No, now you don't have to work two jobs. The coffee shop gave you a raise?" she nodded and Ryo took her hands in his, "Mia you can quit your job at the book store, it's not paying you that much anyway. Besides, you're only sixteen, you shouldn't have to support five other people plus yourself. I've convinced Rowen into getting a part time job, maybe he can be your replacment?"
"Ryo, you know Rowen! He'd get fired for sitting down and reading the books instead of putting them away!" Ryo laughed as Mia giggled, both knowing it was true.
"Well we'll find him something, I don't want you working yourself to hard. And think about it, you can take those dance classes you've been wanting to take now at night instead of working," Mia chewed on her bottom lip while thinking.
"I'll keep my job for one more week, if it turns out we can pass with only the coffee shop and your job then I'll think about quitting," Ryo smiled and nodded.
"Sounds like a deal," he replied before taking a bite of the sandwich she had brought him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Celia looked at herself in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction. Although she was excited she was sad. She felt Saturday had come to soon, she didn't want to go out with Travis as much as she had wanted to before. Although Saturday was going to be a drag, Sunday was beginning to sound exciting. Shaking her head she gave herself a firm nod.
"If you start to think going out on a date with Travis Wills will be a drag, then it will be! Don't judge it until you start it," she recited those words to herself a few times then turned when someone knocked at the door. Adjusting her low rise capris she flipped her hair and walked towards the door. Swigging it open she smiled at...a Dynasty soldier?! She screamed as he lunged at her, knocking her on her back. Coughing she scrambled away and looked desperately around for her purse.
"Come here!" she jumped out of the way as he went for her again.
"How can you talk!" she screamed as someone grabbed her from behind.
"Same way you can Nova," another soldier said bringing a sword up to her neck. She gulped clenching her eyes shut tightly.
"Celia? What the!" Travis yelled as he caught sight of the few soldiers that were there.
"Travis run!" Celia screamed.
"Don't think so," two soldiers came up behind him grabbing his arms holding him there tightly.
"I think it's the other way around buddy!" he pulled his arms forward and together, bashing the two soldiers together. Shoving his hand down in his pocket he pulled out an armor orb.
Armor of Fate Tou Chi!
He was wrapped in gold ribbons and golden poppies. With a bright flash of blinding gold light he was in all gold armor holding a staff out ward.
"Let her go," Travis growled spinning his staff around. Celia's eyes widened at the sight that was unfolding before her. He's like me? How... she thought and almost gasped at the sight of her purse. I have to get to my purse! My orbs in there, she thought franticly as Travis battled off more soldiers.
"We could get out of here while we have her," the one holding her said to the other one who had first grabbed her.
"No, if we can get Fate it'll make our job much easier," he replied watching the battle in Celia's living room. She closed her eyes trying hard to summon her orb, finally it worked.
Armor of Nova Tou Gen!
She was yanked away from the soldiers and brought up into the air. Shining silver stars and bodies of stars hugged her body tightly, forming a silver sub armor. She was set down and a shooting star wrapped around her, turning into full armor. As a helmet clamped down on her head an ax appeared in her hand.
"Wha?" Travis said from his spot on the ground. She flipped away from the two soldiers that were holding her captive and landed in front of him. Holding her ax in front of her face diagonally she crossed her other arm in front of her left one. Opening her eyes they flashed silver and her lips curved into a smirk.
Celestial Body Smash!
A wave of silver flooded over the soldiers, causing them to evaporate into thin air. Celia's Ax disappeared and she removed her helmet, shaking her head. She turned around and held out a hand towards Travis. He took it and she pulled him up to his feet.
"My poor house," she laughed while looking around. Wrapping her hand around a key that hung around her neck on an invisible chain she closed her eyes. "Heal."
"Whoa!" Travis looked around at the once destroyed house, which now looked as good as new. "Where'd you learn that?"
"I don't know," she confessed with a giggle, "kind of came with the armor I guess."
"Damn, so you fight too?" she nodded and he grinned. "Looks like your beyond perfect now," she blushed and banished her armors, he followed in suit.
"Well that was an interesting start to our date huh?" he laughed and nodded at her question.
"Come on, it gets better," she nodded and they left.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jo lay spread out across her bed. Her green streaked hair flung everywhere, creating a sea of colors. Her eyes were lightly shut as she clenched her fists tightly. Taking deep breaths, chest rising and falling, her surroundings faded leaving her in only a black void. Soon images started to come to her in her mind. 9 armed figures stood in a circle, weapons drawn, all pointing them inwards. A light started to gather in the middle of them all…a dark light.
"No..." Jo whispered as it over took them, turning all the arms black with evil spirits. Jo felt the vibe in her heart, strangling the very life out of her.
"Josephine!" Jo bolted up right breathing hard, now back in her room. Her black hair fell over her shoulders as she looked back when her mother burst into the room. "Did you not hear the phone ringing?!"
"No sorry…I must have dozed off…who is it?"
"It's Ruby," her mother handed her the phone and Jo pressed it against her ear, waiting for her mother to leave before she spoke.
"Rubs?"
"Jo! What's up?" she sucked in a breath looking down at her right hand. Opening it up she looked at her armor orb.
"We need to talk…meet me at Spring Walks in thirty minutes…I'll explain then," Ruby agreed and they hung up. "What does this mean?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~