Shouts again rose as they were noticed, and several people came over to help them. They watched one of the armored people shout and wave to someone else, and soon more came hurrying around from the other sides of the Dome.

Maroon uniformed men took Masanori from them, and one supported Aiden, talking in the language he couldn't understand. He was glad to see Hitomi coming through the crowd. Until he noticed she did not look happy. At all. Until right then, Aiden forgot he had helped Masanori escape from her care earlier that day.

He glanced at the assembling collection of armored people, counting six as the last one joined, but he addressed the Lady Date first. "I'm sorry," he said, shrinking under her accusing eyes.

"Neither of you should have gone anywhere," Hitomi said sternly. She gave her most withering look to Masanori, who dropped his eyes. "You especially young man." She turned to her son. "And why do I get the feeling this was all your idea to start with?"

Akio bowed. "I have no excuses."

Only reasons, Aiden thought silently. Now didn't seem to be the right time to discuss those, so he turned the conversation. "We should get Masanori inside."

Hitomi arched her brows, making him cringe. She may have been half his height, but he knew better than to cross any angry woman. "All of you should be inside, yes."

"I can help," Halo said, stepping forward. "My name is Axel," he introduced himself to the three of them. "My armor can-"

"Heal wounds," Akio cut him off, not meaning to be rude. He'd been staring at the newcomer since he'd spotted the green and white sub-armor. He was still trying to swallow the jealousy the sight raised. "I am Akio," He couldn't help himself. "Akio Date. This is Masanori of Hardrock, and our leader, Aiden of Wildfire."

Aiden blinked. That wasn't how he had planned introductions. His mouth went dry as he looked at the six strangers before him. Being expected to lead two was hard enough, but eight? And he didn't know any of them at all! "That is open for discussion," he said, unable to assume the strangers would be willing to follow a stranger.

"Don't fight it, Aiden," Masanori said quietly. He then addressed Axel, unused and unhappy at having to be supported. "If you wish, I would be grateful."

Axel nodded and called his armor, to begin healing the three of them.

Cruelty approached Akio and bowed in greeting. "I am Zariel of Cruelty, Rowen's great-granddaughter." She spoke in Japanese, and gestured to his sub-armor with a twisted smile. "Ironic, isn't it? Both of us receiving the armor of a Dark Warlord."

"Yes, it is," he returned her greeting with surprise, unprepared to meet the descendant of his ancestor's closest friend. "You have kept the history, as well?"

Aiden couldn't understand what the girl and Akio were saying, so he turned his attention to the others as they broke free of the awkward silence that seemed to have held most of them. As they introduced themselves, he couldn't help but notice they all seemed to be in good shape. It made his condition, and his companion's conditions, all the more embarrassing. Had they even faced half of what the three of them had been through over the last week? Maybe they were all better fighters than he was, and his allies poor health was a result of his clumsy incompetence. Better make someone else the leader, if that was the case.

Axel finished healing Masanori, and turned to Aiden. The Irishman braced, wondering if it was going to hurt. Everything grew bright and warm, a comforting feeling that seemed to wash through him entirely. It lasted for several moments, and he almost sighed when it left, leaving no pain behind.

Axel swayed slightly, and Else caught him. "Easy, brother," she said gently. "You are still tired." The flaxen haired girl with nearly masculine features looked at Aiden, and explained almost shyly. "He had to teleport us the rest of the way here, and healing takes a lot out of him."

Aiden frowned. "Teleport?"

"It's a long story," Liam told him, standing next to Masanori.

"Long enough it's one I'd want to sit down for, if we're going to talk about it," Peregrine piped up.

"Now that everyone is together, we should discuss some things," Seiji said, looking at the nine of them with a hint of wonder in his dark eyes. Perhaps there was some pride, as well.

"That sounds good to me," Aiden nodded. He would be glad to get some answers, and be on the same page as everyone else. There was one thing that still worried him though, and he gestured at the battered Dome and the destroyed Line. "Is everyone okay? What happened here?"

"We were attacked by Youja while you were gone," Seiji stated matter-of-factly. "They broke through our defenses, as you can see. Fortunately, the rest of the Ronin Warriors had arrived shortly before, and they were able to destroy the Dynasty's soldiers."

"They must have hoped to destroy not only us, but the last bastion of this city with that trap," Akio commented, having become interested in the conversation.

"I'm sorry we left you unprotected," Aiden shook his head. Why couldn't he protect everyone?

Seiji waved it away. "We were kept safe." He looked at him keenly. "I assume your mission was a success?"

Aiden nodded. "We killed the Captains, and didn't come across any more of the soldiers on our way back. Do you think they might all be gone?"

Everyone had gathered around as they talked. "It is possible the last of their stationed forces were split between you and us," Seiji assented. "But we stand beneath Talpa's gates. He is always capable of sending more. Likely as soon as he overcomes his anger at losing his Captains."

"How are we supposed to stop that?" Mikhail frowned, speaking for the first time after giving his name.

"That's what we need to determine," Seiji nodded. He gestured to the Dome. "Shall we go inside and discuss it? Our men can finish the repairs out here, and will warn us if the Dynasty rears its head."

"What's wrong with out here?" Zariel asked, tired of always having to wait for her answers.

"Inside sounds great," Liam smiled and was the first to leave. As a group, the others followed.

Hitomi and Seiji trailed behind them.

"I suppose this means there is no tenth armor," Hitomi said thoughtfully.

Seiji turned to his mother. "It is still hard to say for certain, but I think it is enough to assume it will not be joining us in this battle." He smiled. "I can hardly believe all nine of them are here."

"I didn't truly believe I would get to see this, either," Hitomi smiled back. "With their combined power, Talpa will surely be driven from our world for good."

"There is a lot between them and victory yet," Seiji cautioned. "And they are hardly prepared, with little time to make them ready."

"Let's forget realism," Hitomi said. "Just for the moment."

"As you wish, Mother," Seiji followed her inside. They were both just as eager to learn what had transpired, and ready to lay plans for the next step.

They talked for some hours, sharing stories and comparing points of interest. Aiden did not mention Akio's betrayal, and Masanori stayed equally silent on the matter. For his part, Liam also left out how he had first seen Zariel. The rest was open and well discussed. Several, Mikhail, Else, Masanori, and Liam, were largely quiet, listening as the more active members spoke.

Mikhail spoke up for the first time. "If the Captains here are all dead, then why are the clouds still like that?"

Seiji answered him. "I believe it is because this is the main gate, so to speak, to Talpa's realm. His city lies above us, whereas your gates were only extensions, and were closed when you defeated his forces there. The link between our worlds is strongest here in Japan, and until you force him from Earth entirely, those clouds will continue."

"If there's a gate," Axel asked. "Shouldn't all we have to do is find some way to fly up there and go through it? Face him on his grounds?"

Akio shook his head. "My great-grandfather's records state that the original Ancient One had to open a portal to get to Talpa's realm. The act consumed him."

"Then how are we supposed to get through?" Peregrine humphed. "No one's seen this Anubis, even if he would be willing to do the same for us."

"The only way to get to this Talpa is through those gates, right?" Axel took a breath. "I could try to get us there."

Else gasped and put a hand on his arm.

"You barely got us here," Zariel pointed out, pointing down with a finger for emphasis. "You yourself told us you didn't know if it would work because you didn't 'have a feel' for where we were going. It's really tempting to say we were just lucky to wind up here in one piece."

"You almost passed out," Mikhail said quietly. If he knew his concern was spread plainly across his face, he did nothing to hide it. "And that was only six of us, from the boat. If making the way in the past destroyed the person who could, it would probably kill you, too."

"Is there any alternative?" Axel asked seriously, looking to Seiji and Hitomi.

"Talpa has never come down before," Hitomi answered slowly. "He doesn't seem to have a body."

"It is a problem our family has long pondered," Seji said gravely. "We have not come to a solution."

"We've got to find another way. I can't let you sacrifice yourself like that," Aiden said vigorously.

"I'd rather not," Axel agreed, putting his hand atop Else's. "But if no other option presents itself, then the chance should be taken." He turned to Zariel. "When Else was dying, there was a portal opened to take Mikhail's people to their world. I'll admit I was not paying much attention, but I can remember the feel of it. I believe I have a good shot of finding their realm."

"And if not?" Peregrine leaned back in his chair. "Not to be rude, but what if you either can't find this place, or can't transport all of us? Would we all be killed?"

It was a valid question, and Axel took no offense. "I don't know. It is, in every aspect, a gamble."

"I wish Anubis was here," Hitomi sighed. "I wonder why he hasn't come."

Seiji put a comforting hand on his mother's shoulder. He didn't have an answer to her rhetorical question. "I believe it is safe to assume that if you cannot find a way into his fortress, this gate will stay open, and his soldiers and more Captains will continue to come through." He took a breath. "No one will blame you if you decide to stay here. All of you together will have a good chance of holding them off, all the way through Talpa getting tired of losing, and leaving our world to try again at a later date. However, we do not know what sort of progress Anubis was able to make on restoring the balance between good and evil in your armors, and it is possible the prolonged conflict will undo his work. If he made progress at all."

If they had been fixed at all? Liam looked at his sub-armor and shuddered, remembering the story of Sage, and how he had been twisted. He didn't want that to happen to him, or any of the others. "Anything we do is a risk," he said into the sober silence. "Even supposing we get into Talpa's world, would we actually have a shot at killing him? I mean, a lot of us aren't warriors, and it's got to be full of his armies."

Seiji leaned forward in his chair, and spoke with gravity. "Many of you have had no training, it is true. Yet each and every one of you were chosen specifically for this. So far, the Ronin Warriors have withstood and successfully resisted Talpa's repeated attempts at enslaving our world. There is solid reason to have faith in you, despite your inexperience. By now, you have all come through encounters with his forces, and you have prevailed." He scanned the room, holding each set of eyes for a moment as he spoke. They were uncertain, and sometimes afraid, but he saw a spark of something deeper in each of them, and he liked what he saw. "Ryo Sanada and our forefather were the only two of the five who had any sort of training on them before being thrust into this war, and they all managed to learn and strike at him in his home, nearly killing him. Now, you have the advantage of being in possession of all nine of the armors the former Ancient One forged as weapons against him."

"Why," asked Masanori. "Have they not been affected by taking the lives of the Captains, as your ancestor and his allies were?" He gestured at the others that sat with them.

Hitomi noticed he precluded himself in the question, and it made her wonder. Had he killed before? Nevertheless, she smiled faintly as she answered. "You wouldn't know it, but of the warriors before you, Cye Mouri was the oldest by a year. He was fifteen."

"I knew that," Zariel mumbled, irked at the surprised looks on everyone else's faces. Hadn't it been obvious?

"That means they were critical years younger than yourselves," Hitomi looked around at them. "You're what? Seventeen?" Zariel, Aiden, Liam and Masanori nodded. "Eighteen?" Axel, Else, Akio and Peregrine nodded.

"Nineteen," Mikhail said just above a whisper.

Hitomi's smile faded as she spoke again, thinking of her grand uncle. "You are all nearly adults, while they were still little more than boys, who had to mature quickly. I believe that is the main reason. Aside from that, I can only offer the conjecture that, considering the state of the armors, it is possible the virtuous nature of the armors was alarmed at what had happened, knowing it could easily be the irreversible step in tainting their young bearers."

"I know Halo at least showed some sentient traits," Peregrine was intrigued. "But do you really suppose any of them are 'alive' enough to be worried? They're just armor."

"The fruition of Halo's will is the best, most solid reason we have to voice such suspicions," Seiji put his hands together on the table. "But there is enough suggestion of a degree of sentience. Though we cannot prove it, we believe they choose their bearers. As we have discussed with Aiden, they seem to need to feel a connection with their bearer to give their real power."

Hitomi nodded. "Another possible supporting note is one my grand-uncle left in his collection of less outstanding notations and thoughts, which were not in the book Aiden and Masanori read. In there, he recorded something Rowen Hashiba related to him. In their earlier struggles with Talpa and the Dynasty, they were all separated, and put into a dormant state. Talpa's spirit forces conjured an enormous ball of destructive energy, intended to fly into space and destroy Rowen, as that was where he was entrapped."

"But Ryo rode the ball, and destroyed it," Zariel broke in. She knew what they were talking about, and it did seem to make some sense. "He would have been left to float about until he died, but my great-grandfather woke and rescued him, then brought them both back down to earth. After they landed, Rowen didn't remember what had happened or how they had gotten there. And none of the others seemed to suffer amnesiac symptoms after their revival." She finished with a satisfied look on her face.

"Exactly," Seiji nodded, smiling at her enthusiasm. "It is a small thing, and difficult to confirm at that, but taken with the other factors, I believe the conclusion is valid."

"I still wonder why they are alive," Akio said. "But that's as impossible to determine as ever."

"We still need to figure out what we are going to do," Axel reminded them gently.

Too many faces turned to Aiden, expecting him to make some sort of decision. It must mean most of them expected him to be the leader. He wanted to shrink away. How could he make that sort of choice? Couldn't they think about it for a while and come to a decision later? As much as it was tempting the avoid the responsibility they expected him to shoulder, he knew doing so would do no good. He tried to swallow his reluctance. "So, we essentially have two options," he clarified. Most of them were still strangers. The ones he knew best, he had only known for a week. "We either wait it out, fight Talpa until he hopefully gets tired of it and leaves, or," he swallowed. "Or ask Axel to attempt to open a portal for us to the Netherworld?"

"That would seem to be it," Akio stared at the table.

It wasn't a decision to be left to Aiden alone. "What do you all think? Stay or go?"

"Stay," Else said firmly.

"Go," Axel said at the same time. The twins looked at each other, giving the others the impression it was a rare instance they disagreed. Else stared at her brother in hurt. The look only lasted a moment, soon turning into something between resignation and angry concern.

"Our forefathers didn't risk everything for halfway measures," Zariel said forcefully. "It's time to finish their fight. Go."

Peregrine shook his head. "There are too many unknowns and variables. It makes more sense to stay."

Mikhail glanced at the twins. It was too certain what would happen, leaving him only one thing to say. "Stay."

"I'm not a good enough fighter to help in a real invasion like that," Liam shook his head. "Stay."

"It's worth the risks," Akio said stoutly. "Go."

Masanori looked at Aiden. "You know what I say."

Aiden sighed. Apparently it was too much to hope everyone would agree. But evenly split? He thought hard, trying to weigh the benefits and negatives of each, wishing he felt free to wish it was someone else's choice. In the end, there was the simple fact that it was too much to ask of one person, no matter how willing they were. "I think we should stay here."

"Aiden," Masanori started.

"No," The bearer of Wildfire shook his head. "I can't ask anyone to sacrifice themselves, Masanori. He didn't ask to be a part of this any more than the rest of us. I won't ask him to put himself to such a risk. It would endanger everyone else, too." Sensing more arguments coming, he continued. "If you want me to be your leader, Masanori, you'll have to accept that I need to do it my way."

A moment passed with no comments. It seemed everyone had things they wanted to say, but either didn't know how, or didn't want to say them. Seiji rallied himself. "Then it is settled. We will of course aid you in every way we can."

"Thank you," Aiden nodded gratefully. "We'll need every bit of it."

Hitomi smiled cordially. "If you will excuse us, we have things to oversee." She and Seiji left the room, giving the Ronins the chance to speak between themselves.

Axel looked at Aiden curiously. "Do you want to be the leader?"

Wildfire sighed again. "I wouldn't ask for it, and honestly? I'm not convinced I'm qualified. Really, I just want what's best for everyone." He frowned with a new thought. "Do we even need a leader?"

"Every unit functions best with someone in charge," Else said, her lips quickly returning to their thin line of unhappiness.

"There are nine of us now," Aiden suggested. "Maybe one of you would be better suited."

Masanori turned to him. "I follow you."

"You're the one in Wildfire," Zariel shrugged.

"And I would rather follow you than her any day," Peregrine smiled half heartedly.

"I don't know you," Mikhail said uncertainly.

"I don't know you, either," Aiden smiled.

"Does it have to be decided right now?" Liam asked. "We're not going anywhere, so don't we have time to work this out?"

"Perhaps it is too soon to ask everyone to be comfortable with this," Akio looked to Aiden. "Maybe we should give them time."

Aiden blinked. That made it sound as if he had been the one to push for their support, which had been one of the last things on his mind. "Everyone includes us," he said. He gestured to include Masanori. "You both want me to lead people who I just met. I'm not comfortable with that, either. Whatever you think of me, I'm just another guy that got drug into this without being consulted first. That doesn't mean I am either qualified, or want to try making decisions that will affect strangers. Or friends. I'm just trying to do my part, whatever that ends up being."

"Well," Peregrine said cheerily. "If we're not going on a road trip, I think I'll step outside and look around."

"I'm with you," Liam smiled. "Time to stretch my legs."

There was a general chorus of agreement, and chairs scraped as young men and women rose from the table. Soon, everyone had left the room.

AN: Questions answered, plan of action made, leadership established? Poor Aiden keeps getting squeezed into things he doesn't want! So will he be squeezed into this, or will someone else rise to leadership?