I don't own Ronin Warriors.
Chapter 9
The next morning, Tiffany woke up feeling refreshed and renewed. She also felt stronger, more powerful. It must be from the powers I absorbed from the others. Tiffany got up from her bed, getting herself ready for the day. She walked downstairs into the kitchen to see Cye at the stove making breakfast and Kento, Ryo, and Mia were eating. "Morning," Tiffany greeted.
"Morning," Cye greeted in return, smiling at her. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel better but I'm starving."
"Want some eggs?"
"Got any bacon to go with it?"
Cye scooped a handful of scrambled eggs onto the plate along with three strips of bacon then handed it to Tiffany. She thanked him, poured herself a glass of orange juice, and then sat down at the table with the others.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Ryo asked.
"Ryo, I'm fine." Tiffany gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me." She turned back to her breakfast.
Ryo remained focused on her, thinking back to last night. When he had carried her into room, Ryo was worried that Tiffany wasn't all right for her breaths were very shallow and he feared she wasn't going to make it through the night. However, once he placed her on the bed, Tiffany breathed normally as if she didn't almost kill herself moments ago. Ryo stayed with her until he thought she would be okay through the night.
"Why are you staring at me?" Ryo snapped his attention to Tiffany who was staring at him with an eyebrow raised.
"It's…nothing."
Tiffany continued to stare at him, skeptical of his answer. She shrugged it off, though; as she went back to her meal. "You ready to have your Wildfire swords back to normal?"
"You have no idea how much I missed those swords."
"I would bet since you complained so much about it the first week of my training." Tiffany smirked at him. "I was surprised you didn't start whining."
"Ha, ha, very funny."
"I thought it was hilarious."
Ryo gently punched Tiffany in the arm and she grabbed her arm in mock hurt. "Why are you being so mean?"
"Because you're being mean," Ryo teased, smirking.
"Whose being mean?" Sage asked, walking into the room.
"Ryo and Tiffany are flirting with each other," commented Kento.
"We're teasing each other," Tiffany exclaimed, her face red with embarrassment. "Big difference."
Kento shrugged. "Sounded like flirting to me."
"We weren't," stated Ryo, his face also red.
Rowen walked into the room then and saw Ryo and Tiffany's faces were red. "Did I miss something?"
"These two were flirting."
"Kento!" Ryo exclaimed.
"Ok, I think I'm done here," stated Tiffany, getting up from her seat. She carried her empty dish to the sink. "If anyone needs me, I'll be outside." She then left the room.
Once Tiffany was gone, Ryo slapped Kento upside the head. "Ow, what was that for?!"
"Really? You're really asking that question?"
"I was just telling the truth!"
"No you weren't."
"I have to agree with Kento on this one," commented Cye. "It did sound like you were flirting."
"Ha!"
"Whatever," Ryo mumbled, getting up.
"Hey, I'm sorry all right?"
"No, I'm not leaving because of that. I was going to ask Tiffany how to repair my Wildfire swords." Ryo put his dish in the sink then walked out. "I'll see you guys later." He walked out of the kitchen then outside to find Tiffany sitting on the porch, absentmindedly petting Kalana. "Sorry about them," Ryo apologized, sitting beside her.
Tiffany jumped at Ryo's words, placing a hand over her chest. "Geeze, don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry."
"Anyway, it's ok. So what are you doing out here? Besides apologizing to me."
"I wanted to ask how to fix the Wildfire Swords."
"Oh, right. Well…how about I show you?" Tiffany stood up. "Kalana." The demon looked up then jumped off the porch. Her eyes started to glow as did her body and soon, Kalana's body was in its wolf form. Tiffany turned to Ryo and smiled. "Follow me."
Ryo whistled and White Blaze appeared beside him. Tiffany and Ryo got on their animals' backs and Tiffany told Kalana where to go. The wolf took off with White Blaze and Ryo following behind.
From on top of a mountain, the soldier hidden in a brown cloak watched the Ronin and the girl head off towards their destination. The soldier's eyes glowed red then it took off after them, following them at a distance so they wouldn't suspect anything.
Soon, Tiffany and Ryo arrived at the base of a volcano and the two, along with Kalana and White Blaze, climbed to the top. "This is where I'll fix my swords?" Ryo asked, looking inside the volcano.
"Yes. The swords and your armor are one so where your armor gets strength, your swords can also be repaired," explained Tiffany. "First, put on your armor." Ryo nodded and did as he was told and the armor of Wildfire soon appeared on him. "Then go into the volcano and place your broken swords in the lava. It should repair your swords and they'll be as good as new."
"All right." Ryo jumped into the volcano and landed on the bottom. He looked over the lava then took out his swords. Ryo held them in his hands then looked back at the lava. Taking a deep breath, Ryo pierced the lava with the broken swords and waited. The lava bubbled around the weapons, growing more and more aggressive until lava shot up, carrying the swords with them. The lava hovered up for a bit then it died down and the column of lava dispersed, leaving the swords lying in the flames. Ryo grabbed the hilt of the swords and pulled them out, revealing the newly repaired swords. "Amazing," Ryo muttered, inspecting his new swords.
Back at the top, Tiffany was sitting at the edge of the volcano, her feet dangling in the air. Both animals were lying down on either side of her, peering over the edge. Tiffany suddenly had this feeling that someone was watching her. She quickly glanced behind her but saw no one there.
Kalana sensed something was wrong as well and turned her attention from the volcano to where Tiffany was looking. Seeing no one, Kalana looked up at her mistress and whined softly. Tiffany looked down at Kalana and smiled. "It's nothing, Kalana." She rubbed the wolf's head reassuringly.
Ryo jumped out of the volcano and landed near the trio. Tiffany smiled at his return. "Are they fixed?" Ryo took out the swords and showed them to her. "Wow, that's really good; almost like a blacksmith fixed them."
"Yeah, I didn't imagine they would be fixed so quickly."
"Now you can fight with your Wildfire swords again. Aren't you happy?"
Ryo smirked at her. "Why don't we go home and tell everyone the good news?"
"Sure." The four walked away from the volcano but Ryo suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Is something wrong?" He turned around, looking past Tiffany's shoulder. She followed his gaze but saw nothing there. Tiffany turned her attention back to him. "Ryo?"
Ryo looked back at Tiffany and smiled. "It's nothing, let's go." Tiffany nodded and the group continued their walk down the side of the volcano. A shadow appeared in the smoke from the volcano, staring at their retreating figures.
Once at the bottom, Tiffany turned to Ryo. "Let's have a race."
"What?"
"Let's race to see which one of us gets home first. I know Black Blaze merged with White Blaze so I want to see if he's fast enough to beat Kalana," explained Tiffany.
Ryo smirked. "You're on."
"All right." The two got on their respective animals' backs. "Ready…GO!" Kalana and White Blaze took off, racing towards the mansion.
"I'm starving!" Kento whined, plopping down on the couch.
"We know," replied Sage, barely looking up from the book he was reading.
"What's taking Mia so long?" Just after Tiffany and Ryo left, Mia had taken Yulie and the two went food shopping. It had only been two hours and already Kento was hungry.
"Why do you have to wait for Mia?" Rowen asked, walking into the room. "There's some snacks still in the kitchen."
"Don't say that for now we really won't have any food until Mia comes back," said Cye.
"I won't eat all of the food," said Kento then mumbled. "Maybe."
Cye gave Rowen a pointed look then went back to watching TV.
"Does something feel off to you?" Sage asked the others, glancing at them.
"What do you mean, Sage?" asked Cye.
"I feel something is going to happen. Like we are going to have to fight soon."
"I hope so. It's been pretty boring these past couple of weeks," commented Kento.
"Are you worried about Ryo and Tiffany?" Rowen asked. "That someone might attack them?"
"If you think about it, Ryo's Inferno armor is very powerful and Tiffany can now help control its power."
Cye, Kento, and Rowen look amongst each other, thinking over what Sage just said.
"It has been a while since we were attacked," stated Cye.
"Do you think someone is planning an attack?" Rowen wondered.
"Whatever happens, we will send them back to where they came from," confirmed Kento, enclosing one hand over his fist.
"Let's just hope nothing bad happens to those two and that they come home soon," replied Sage, glancing out the window.
On one of the backroads, Kalana and Tiffany were in the lead with White Blaze and Ryo following close behind. Tiffany briefly turned back, smirked at Ryo, then paid attention to what was in front of her. Ryo narrowed his eyes at her then gently patted White Blaze's side, signaling him to go faster. White Blaze pushed himself further until he was neck and neck with Kalana. Ryo smirked at Tiffany who smirked back at him, her eyes narrowed playfully. The two animals were still side by side for another good mile, neither breaking ahead until they came next to a forest area. It was there Tiffany saw something weaving in and out of the trees. She thought it was an animal at first but soon realized it was a hooded figure following them. Her playful mood disappeared and she tapped Kalana on the side. Kalana glanced at her mistress but her eyes also caught the hooded figure. The demon wolf skidded to a stop, giving Tiffany time to hop off, then Kalana charged at the figure.
Ryo saw this happen and ordered White Blaze to stop. He got off the tiger and hurried over to Tiffany's side. "What's wrong?"
"Someone's following us," stated Tiffany. She held out her hand and her bow appeared out of thin air. She grabbed it then separated it into two swords, pointing them toward the forest.
Rumbling was heard and Ryo looked up to see dark clouds rolling in. It can't be, Ryo thought as he glanced back at the forest. The trees rustled and both warriors prepared themselves for a fight. Kalana jumped out of the forest, looking around the area, alert for anything that might pop out. Tiffany was taken back; she could have sworn she saw something. Ryo, however, noticed something out of the corner of his eye. "Look out!" Ryo pushed her out of way just in time to miss a spear aimed for her.
"Thank you," Tiffany replied. Ryo nodded and both turned their attention to the soldier standing where the two once stood.
"Who are you?" Ryo demanded.
The soldier didn't reply, only stared the two down with red piercing eyes. Kalana stood next to Tiffany, her teeth bared at the foe. White Blaze stood behind the enemy, his teeth also bared. The soldier briefly glanced at the tiger then back at his opponents.
"Why are you here?" asked Tiffany.
"None of your business," snarled the soldier.
Tiffany's anger flared at the soldier's remark. I'm so going to enjoy killing him, Tiffany thought to herself.
The soldier set his sights on Ryo, who instantly crouched into a fighting position. "If you want a fight, then we'll give you one. Armor of Wildfire! Dao Jin!" Cherry blossoms and rivers surrounded Ryo as his armor appeared on him. He drew out his katanas and glared at the soldier.
"I see your swords have been repaired," observed the soldier, grabbing the whip around his neck and pulled slowly. The whip unraveled itself from the enemy's neck.
How does he know about that? Tiffany wondered. Her mind raced back to the presence she sensed earlier and it all clicked. "You're the one I sensed earlier at the volcano," Tiffany figured out.
"Very perceptive, girl, but I'm not here to fight you. I'll show mercy on you and let you go home before you get hurt."
The wind howled as the group stood in silence. Ryo worriedly glanced at Tiffany, opening his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Tiffany's next words. "You're going to regret those words," Tiffany growled. "Armor of Spirits, come forth!" Light wrapped around Tiffany's body, replacing her street clothes with the black and purple armor. Tiffany pulled the hood over her head and a mask appeared around the lower half of her face, covering her mouth and nose. She glared at the soldier, fire dancing in the pools of her sapphire eyes. Clutching the swords, Tiffany charged at the soldier. He backed up as Tiffany swung, her sword barely missing his head. She thrusted her other sword outward but the soldier grabbed it with his hand. He took Tiffany's moment of shock to bring her closer and pulled his fist back. However, another sword sliced the air between the two as the soldier released Tiffany. He glanced to his side to see Ryo standing beside her.
"I see I have underestimated you." The soldier raised his whip, twirling it around before whipping it at the two warriors. They jumped out of the way as the whip struck the ground, creating a hole.
"Damn," Tiffany muttered.
"Impressive, isn't it." Rope wrapped tightly around Tiffany's throat. She gasped for air, trying desperately to pull the rope away from her neck. "Try all you like but once my weapon snags you, it won't let go." The soldier pulled and dragged Tiffany towards him. He spun her around once then the whip released its hold, sending Tiffany into the trees.
"Tiffany!" Ryo exclaimed.
"I'm fine," came a strained reply.
Kalana released a loud growl then pounced on the soldier. He threw the wolf off him but was caught off guard by White Blaze who was able to snatch the cloak concealing the enemy. As the cloak fluttered to the ground, Ryo got a good look at his enemy. A dark blue armored foe stood before him with red dreadlocks and bug-eye shaped eyes stared at him.
"Who are you?" Ryo demanded.
"My name is Sun Devil," replied the soldier, holding a spear he had been hiding underneath his cloak. "I've been sent by my master to test your armor."
"And who is he? Who is your master?"
"That's for me to know." Sun Devil chuckled, aiming the spear at Ryo.
"Arrow Shock Wave!" Sun Devil heard the shout and jumped out of the way, avoiding the sure-kill that was aimed at him.
"I see your friends are here."
"Thanks guys," Ryo said as his friends joined his side.
"Another one?" Sage exclaimed.
"Let's give him a free trip home," stated Cye.
"Careful, this one's quicker than the others," warned Ryo.
"Where's Tiffany?" asked Rowen, checking the area.
"She couldn't handle my power," chucked Sun Devil.
"That's what you think!"
"What?" Sun Devil was met with a punch to the face. Tiffany glared at him as she combined her swords, transforming into a bow. She swung her bow, whacking Sun Devil with it. "Stop." Whack. "Insisting." Thud. "That." Smack. "I'm." Clunk. "Weak!" With on final hit, Tiffany struck Sun Devil with all her might then readied her bow. Pulling the string back, an arrow appeared in the bow, lighting up with energy. "Go to hell you son of a bitch! Moonlight Typhoon!" She released the arrow, sending the sure-kill towards Sun Devil. The blast exploded when it hit its target, sending debris flying everywhere.
"Holy shit," muttered Kento.
"To think she could have used that power on us," observed Sage.
"Good thing she didn't use it on us," Rowen said.
"Yeah, good thing," agreed Ryo, knowing that Tiffany could have used this power on him when they were training.
"Is he gone?" Cye wondered, staring at the hole that was created from Tiffany's attack.
Tiffany stared at the ground after the dust cleared. "Still think I'm weak?!" she taunted.
A spear shout out from the ground, grazing the side of Tiffany's head which knocked her hood back. Sun Devil appeared in front of her, grabbing the spear and hitting her with the backend of it. Tiffany tumbled to the ground and Sun Devil stood over her, spear raised, when Kalana jumped in, swiping her claw at the demon, clawing out one of his eyes. Sun Devil screamed in pain. "Wretched beast!" Sun Devil whacked her with the spear, sending the wolf into a nearby tree.
"Kalana!" Tiffany cried out but her cry was short lived when the whip wrapped around her throat again, squeezing tightly.
"Tiffany!" yelled Rowen.
"Let her go!" Ryo exclaimed, running towards the two with the others following suit.
Sun Devil turned to them then raised his spear. "You will not interfere!" The demon struck the ground and from it, black ice formed, heading towards the group. The Ronins' legs stilled as the black ice formed over their feet.
"What the?!" The warriors tried to break the ice but it didn't even chip as the ice slowly traveled up the warriors' legs.
"This is no normal ice," explained Sun Devil. "It will not break with your weapons. Don't worry; it won't be the thing that kills you. I still need to test your armor." The demon turned his attention on Tiffany. "As for you." Grabbing a fistful of her hair, Sun Devil yanked Tiffany's head back, exposing her face. Sun Devil raised his spear, the point gleaming menacingly at her. "I'll make sure you stay down for good."
"No!" Tiffany raised her hand the same time Sun Devil plunged down his spear. Instead of hitting skin, the spear pierced the earth.
"What?!" Sun Devil took a step back to see a chuck of earth had raised from the ground. Even Tiffany was shocked at this new development. How did I…? Tiffany wondered but shook these thoughts out of her head. No time for that now. Yanking the whip away from Sun Devil's grasp, Tiffany removed the whip from her neck and used it against Sun Devil, whipping the spear out of the demon's hands. Tiffany drew the weapon back and lashed out again but Sun Devil caught it with his hand. Tiffany struggled to pull it back as Sun Devil grabbed a few daggers from behind his back.
"Tiffany, look out!" warned Cye.
Sun Devil threw the knives at Tiffany and she raised up her hand but as she did, the earth raised up and went in the direction Tiffany's hand went. The daggers pierced the earth, shielding Tiffany from the attack.
"How is this possible?!" Sun Devil exclaimed.
Tiffany tried to think of what could have happened; she was never able to do this before. Tiffany thought back to when she absorbed some of the Ronins' powers. Could it be from their power? Only one way to find out. Tiffany glanced down at her hand and concentrated, thinking of fire. She slowly wiggled her fingers, imagining that fire was weaving through her fingers and as she imagined it, a small glow formed around her hand until fire lit her hand up. Tiffany's eyes were wide. "Impossible," she mumbled. Tiffany was snapped out of her shocked state by Sun Devil claiming his whip back.
"I won't let you use this new power against me!" Sun Devil exclaimed, electrifying his whip then whipped it at Tiffany.
White Blaze jumped up and took the hit, electricity surrounding his body. The tiger glared at Sun Devil then his eyes turned red. White Blaze raised his head, releasing a loud and long roar. Thunder rumbled in the sky in response to White Blaze's roar then lightening pierced the ground where White Blaze stood. Fire appeared from the strike, forming around White Blaze and from the fire, an armored black tiger stood, resembling a lot like…
"Black Blaze?" Tiffany questioned.
"But how?" Ryo wondered as well. He didn't understand how White Blaze could have become Black Blaze and have his armor. He knew that Black Blaze gave his life to White Blaze so that his friend could live again but he didn't think that would change anything. Does a part of Black Blaze live inside of White Blaze? Ryo thought. A soft red glow coming from his swords caught Ryo's attention. When he looked at them, Ryo noticed that his armor was glowing red as well.
"Hey, what's going on?" Ryo glanced behind him, noticing that his friends' armors were glowing the color of their armors.
"Are the armors trying to tell us to form the Inferno?" wondered Cye.
"If the armors are acting this way, shouldn't we try to control its power?" Ryo asked.
"No way am I going down to this demon," spat Kento.
"This is the only way to defeat him," Sage said. The ice was already at their waists, slowly making its way up.
"But-"
"It's ok, Ryo," Tiffany reassured, smiling slightly at him. "I believe in you."
Ryo watched her before nodding slowly. He turned to Sun Devil, narrowing his eyes at him as the power of the armors flooded into him. Ryo shed the armor of Wildfire and intense flames surrounded the Ronin as pieces of the Inferno armor slowly came together to form the white armor.
Black Blaze waltzed over to Ryo's side and Ryo grabbed the Swords of Fervor, pulling them out of their holder.
"So, this is the Inferno armor with Swords of Inferno," observed Sun Devil. He started laughing as he readied his spear. "My mission is complete. My master only wanted to see your white armor and swords."
"Tell me who your master is," demanded Ryo.
"Like I told the girl earlier, it's none of your business." Sun Devil raised his spear into the air. "But I'll leave a parting gift for you." Lightening flashed and then struck the spear. "A tomb of black ice!" Sun Devil pierced the ground and ice quickly formed around the Ronin Warriors, encasing them in the ice. The demon observed this. "I'm surprised by how easily they were frozen. They're armor must not be that powerful."
"Not yet it is."
Sun Devil glanced back at Tiffany as she struggled to stand, glowing the colors of the armors. Even though the power inside of her wasn't as bad, Tiffany was still trying to get used to this new sensation flooding through her. She got the powers under control, sending the needed power over towards Ryo. The ice started to glow until red beams shot through and the ice broke. How did he break free? Sun Devil wondered in amazement. He glanced at Tiffany, back at Ryo, and back at Tiffany again. So, she controls Inferno's power.
Ryo swiped his swords around, creating fire as he spun the swords. "Rage of Inferno!" Ryo sent the column of fire over towards Sun Devil, encasing him in the fire.
"What tremendous power!" Sun Devil exclaimed. "Now my master will know what to expect." He screamed in pain as the fire burned his body, leaving no trace of him.
Thunder rumbled and lightening crashed as Ryo's attack faded off. The rumbling and flashing continued until the lightening turned a sinister red and flashed onto the ground, producing a red gate. The gate slowly opened, revealing a golden light. "You have improved, Ronin Warriors," a smooth, familiar voice started. A voice that the Ronins thought was long gone.
"Talpa?!" Ryo exclaimed. "You're alive?!"
"Yes, and I'm awaiting the day to welcome you into the Dynasty."
"What is he talking about?" Rowen wondered.
"Does he think the armors still belong to him?" asked Sage.
"They still do, Sage of Halo. I'm pretty sure the Priestess would be able to tell you that."
The Ronins turned their attention to Tiffany, who's eyes were wide with terror.
"Yes, I know about you Priestess, descendent of the Ancient One." Talpa's laughter filled the area. "You would do well to join me as my Priestess of Darkness."
"Like hell I will," Tiffany mumbled, taking a step back.
Talpa laughed once again. "I would look after this one, Ronin Warriors. Don't want the same thing to happen to your other friend." His laughter carried off as the gates shut and then disappeared from view.
"Talpa can't be alive." Kento shook his head in disbelief.
"This can't be happening," Cye mumbled. "Not again."
The Ronin Warriors had come to a painful realization Talpa was back and so was the Dynasty. They would have to fight to keep the mortal world safe again from Talpa's clutches. Talpa's last words also carried a heavy weight on the guys, especially Ryo. He glanced over at Tiffany, staring into her eyes. He could see the despair and terror in them as if she knew what was going to happen. As Ryo stared at her, thinking over what Talpa had said, his eyes narrowed in determination. He's not going to touch her, Ryo told himself. I'll make sure of it.
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