"Is this the Gates of Time?" asked Rowen in disbelief. They were standing in a barren area covered in fog, before them were a pair of doors, 100 feet in height and about 10 feet in length. On it was covered with carvings of the phases of the moon. "Yes, this is it." Setsuna said. "Gates of Time I command you to open!" she yelled, swinging her Time Staff before it. The huge doors opened and revealed an empty space. "Hold onto my hands otherwise you might get lost in the Time Warp." Said Setsuna as she and Rowen walked out the door. The gates closed behind them and they began to feel a sort of pressure press down on them. They slowly walked forward in painstaking steps, but soon the pressure became too big and Rowen and Setsuna's hands separated.
Rowen slowly opened his eyes and looked at his surrounding. He was surrounded by a rose garden and in the distance loomed a huge crystal building. He stood up and started walking around in search of Setsuna. "WHO GOES THERE!" said a voice. He turned around to face a boy about his age. He had white hair and wore a white turban like thing with blue trimming. On each ear dangled a crystal earring. "Who are you?" asked Rowen in surprise. "It doesn't matter intruder!" He said angrily and attacked with a javelin. Rowen ducked and changed into his sub-armor. Crystals appeared like a wall around him, trapping him. This is not good, thought Rowen and yelled "Armor of Strata, Dao chi!" He changed into his armor and took out his bow and arrow. "Arrow Shock Wave!" he yelled and blasted a hole in the crystals. He faced the strange boy and he started attacking him with his bow (it can be used as a weapon) They were in the middle of fighting when a voice called out. "Stop it you 2!" the two of them looked toward the speaker. "Setsuna?" asked the boy. Rowen looked in surprise at the boy and Setsuna. "Setsuna, do you know this alien?" he asked. "Helios?" Setsuna said in surprise. The two of them went to each other and hugged. Rowen felt a tinge of jealousy go through him. He cleared his throat to try and get their attention. "Oh sorry Rowen. Rowen this is my friend Helios, Priest of Elysion." Setsuna said introducing the boy. "Helios, this is my friend Rowen, he owns the armor of Strata." Helios bowed down to Rowen, "I'm terribly sorry Rowen for attacking you, I thought you were an intruder." He said sincerely. Rowen smiled, "Apology accepted." "Why don't we go to the temple and sit down." Helios asked, pointing them towards the crystal building. Rowen walked besides Setsuna as she related to Helios all that had happened. Helios' face tensed up as Setsuna finished talking. "This is worse than I thought it was." Said Helios worriedly. Just then they entered the temple. Two shrine maidens greeted them and they all took a seat. Helios explained his situation to them, "I was praying in the temple when all of a sudden I felt this evil presence. I turned around and this woman with long blue hair entered. She said her name was Elia and she was the sister of Galaxia. She wanted to try to control Elysion, thus leaving the Earth vulnerable to her attacks. I fought her and was barely able to push her out of Elysion. I prayed more and found out that she is trying to enslave you, the Sailor Senshi and you, the Ronin Warriors." Rowen cut in at the mention of the Ronin Warriors. "What do I and the others have to do with this?" Helios gave him a look and silenced him. "She is trying to capture all of you in order to gain a more powerful army. Once enslaved, you will fight for her and help her capture other planets and galaxies. " finished Helios. Rowen was shocked, "I will never serve under her." He said shortly. Helios closed his eyes, "It is foreseen that no matter how hard you fight, you will always end up under her." Said Helios sadly. "Then is there no hope?!" asked Setsuna in hysterically. Helios sighed and opened his eyes, "There is no hope for us, but hope for our children. If they somehow find a way to overcome this evil and free us, then there is hope."
"Take that!" Sage yelled, sending a wave of water towards her. She quickly dived beneath the water. She grabbed Sage's legs and pulled him under. They laughed and fought each other. Before long both were soaked to the skin and were laughing like crazy. They both stood up and faced each other. Haruka stared into Sage's dark green eyes. You could drown in them, thought Haruka. Their gaze locked and they moved their faces closer inch by inch…. Just then the sharp beeping of a watch interrupted them and Haruka turned away. Damn watch! Thought Sage. Haruka picked it up and spoke into it, "Yes who is it?" Sage went besides her to look at the watch. Michiru's face appeared (much to Sage's surprise.) "Haruka, you and Sage come back to the house immediately. We have a crisis on our hands!" she said quickly, then the watch returned to its normal state. "Let's go!" said Haruka quickly and she and Sage ran out of the forest.
"What's going on?" Setsuna asked as she and Rowen entered the house. Everyone sat in the living room, stone faced. Rowen waved a hand in front of Michiru's face, "Hello? Are you alright?" he asked in concern. "Setsuna, call Diana." Said Michiru. "What? You do know that Diana's a cat right?" asked Setsuna, looking at Michiru in a strange way. Michiru turned her gaze towards her, "Right now she isn't, just call her alright!" Setsuna nodded and picked up the receiver. "What number do I dial?" Setsuna asked staring at the receiver. "Rei's" came the reply. Setsuna dialed the number and spoke, "Hello Rei, this is Setsuna, can I please talk to Diana?" there was a little pause then Setsuna spoke again. "Yes, what's the matter? WHAT!?…" Setsuna dropped the receiver and collapsed to the floor. Rowen looked at her in worry, "Are you all right Setsuna?" Setsuna shook her head through tears. "Small Lady, Rini. The daughter of the future King and Queen have been captured."
"Must you leave right now? You've only stayed for a couple days." Asked Cye. Michiru shook her head. "You heard what Helios told Setsuna. Right now we're needed in Tokyo." "Besides, you're coming to Tokyo soon too." Said Hotaru. The 5 guys stared at her, "We are?" "Yeah, my Uncle Anubis has made plans for you to come to Tokyo." "I never knew that Anubis was your uncle?" said Ryo questionably. "I thought he was dead?" Hotaru shrugged and the four of them got into Mia's car. "See you soon!" shouted Haruka out the window to the 5.
2 weeks later:
"Ok, let me get this straight. Somebody that we thought was dead for a year has just bought us all tickets to Tokyo so we can go meet his niece and her friends." Said Sage uncertainly. Ryo nodded. He sighed, "This world was a lot more simple before this moment." "We should begin packing, Anubis is coming over in around 2 hours." "What?! We're leaving today? Why didn't you mention anything before? What should I bring?" asked Kento pelting Ryo with questions. "I just found out 5 min. ago so don't scream at me." Responded Ryo tartly. "Why don't we all stop arguing and go upstairs and get packed?" asked Cye . The other 2 nodded in agreement and went upstairs to pack.
Ding-Dong!!!!!! The two sharp notes echoed through the whole house. The person who had caused this noise stood outside the door. He had long red brown hair, thin eyebrows and matching sharp eyes. He wore a white shirt, black vest and blue jeans. He waited for an answer and was rewarded by the large thumping of footsteps. The door creaked slowly open and he saw seven pairs of eyes (one of a white Siberian Tiger.) staring at him in disbelief. "Hello everyone, is everyone ready to go?" he asked friendly and let himself in. "Anubis! You're a live!" said Mia happily. He nodded, "Didn't my niece already tell you?" Anubis shook hands with the other 5. "Are you all ready?" he asked. They all nodded and carried their luggage outside. White Blaze followed them outside and jumped into Anubis's car through its open door, ending up blocking all the room in the car. "Shoo! Get out, you don't belong here!" said Anubis sternly, pointing at White Blaze. White Blaze looked at him and gave him a tiger grin, yawned and lay down. Ryo sighed, and dragged the White tiger out by the ruff of its neck, "If you want him to do something don't speak to him so nicely, he won't listen." White Blaze looked up at Anubis innocently and licked his hand. Anubis grinned., "come on, let's put these bags into the car." Anubis helped the put their bags in the car and climbed into the driver's seat next to Rowen. He started the engine and was about to leave when he realized that Ryo wasn't with them. He turned to the blue haired archer who was reading a book. "what happened to Ryo?" Rowen sighed and pointed out Anubis' window, not even bothering to put down his book. The warlord followed his point and saw, to his amusement Ryo and Mia tightly embraced, kissing. Cye sighed, Kento whistled loudly and Sage (who was a "bit" annoyed) yelled out loudly "Oh get a room you two!" Ryo heard it and looked up sharply, then realized he was being watched , turned a deep shade of red. He said a last goodbye to Mia and climbed into the car.
"Flight 16 will be leaving for Tokyo in 15 minutes, please go to Gate 6. Thank you." Blared the announcer overhead. "Ah….finally here." Said Cue as they passed the gate. They had spent the past 40 min. coaxing the police to allow white Blaze onto the plane, then another 20 min. coaxing White Blaze into a cage. "I still don't understand why the police wouldn't let white blaze in, in the first. I mean he's perfectly tame and all." Said Ryo as the found their seats in the plane. Sage gave him a look, "That's easy for us to say, we've been around him for a while and we know he's safe. But others don't know that." He replied, seating himself between Rowen and Anubis. Rowen who was seated by the window was hyperventilating, "Yay! We're in the air! I love the sky, clouds, the scenery and…." Anubis tapped Rowen on the shoulder. "Rowen." "Yes?" "We're still on the ground." "oh." Rowen looked a little sheepish and calmed down. 3 soft bells sounded "WE will be lifting off in a couple of minutes, please buckle your seat belts and be ready for take off." said the flight attendant as the 6 clicked on their seat belts. "Yay!" said Rowen and Sage sighed, this was going to be a long trip.
"So what are we going to do once we get to Tokyo?" asked Ryo picking at his lunch. "I have a surprise for you all, we're first going to the concert of a world famous violinist and her piano accompanist." Kento groaned, "I hate classical music, the only person who likes that junk is Sage….Sage?" They all looked towards Sage, whose face had turned a sickly green. Sage muttered something and held his stomach. Rowen patted his friends on the shoulder "Are you all right?" Sage nodded slowly , then swallowed. He gave him a weak smile, "Yes, I'm ok, thanks. So who are these famous people playing?" Anubis smiled mysteriously, "You'll find out." "What are we going to do afterwards?" asked Cye, finally tearing his gaze from the ocean view. Anubis grinned and said mysteriously (again) "You'll find out." Cye sighed (that sounds funny, hee hee) and turned towards the window again." Sometimes I wonder who's harder to get information from, Setsuna or Anubis." Muttered Rowen to Sage. Sage merely nodded and started to look sick again.
"I'm hungry!" complained Kento. They were seated by the luggage claim with their luggage and White Blaze's cage. Everyone that passed by glanced at the strange group and their growling package. Cye looked at him strangely ," How can you be hungry? You ate all of our disgusting lunches, had seconds, and then ate yours and Sage's dessert. In my opinion if you ate anymore, you'd explode!" "Hey I have a large appetite, especially for seafood!" said Kento wickedly. "Don't you dare, if you eat any of my friends or I'll I'll…" "You'll what?" taunted Kento. "I'll never cook for you again!" "Hmph!" "Will you two please stop arguing?" asked Sage rubbing his temples. Just then a strange girl caught Kento's eye. She was tall and slender with jet-black hair that reached down past her feet. She wore a blue vest with 3 bead links on it and a long white dress. Kento stopped arguing and glanced at the girl, "She's beautiful." Whispered Kento. Everyone followed his gaze. "I agree." Said Sage dreamily. "Did you just forget about Haruka?" asked Rowen nudging his friend. "Oh yeah." Said Sage, embarrassed. The girl looked at them and then walked their way. "She's coming towards us." Said Kento excitedly. She waved at them and ran towards them, calling "Hey everyone." "Do we know her?" asked Cye quietly to Anubis. He didn't answer just stood up suddenly and went to greet her. He said something to her quietly and then both of them walked towards them. "Do you care explaining Anubis?" asked Ryo. The girl looked at them in shock, "You don't recognize me?" "Should we?" asked Kento, sighing with love. Anubis laughed and turned towards the girl, "How could anyone recognize you after such a change?" "Who is she Anubis." Said Sage impatiently. Rowen nodded in agreement, "Just tell us." Anubis cleared his throat and spoke "Everyone, this is my niece Hotaru Tomoe, also known as in her previous life….Mistress Nine."
"What?!" the 5 of them exclaimed in disbelief. "Is this some kind of joke Anubis?" Rowen asked. Hotaru laughed, "I know what you're thinking. How could little 13 year old Hotaru turn into a tall 17 year old in 2 weeks." "Exactly." Said Kento. "We'll explain later, I don't think this is the time or the place." Said Anubis glancing at the crowds of people that were watching them warily. The 5 nodded and they all headed for the parking lot. Kento walked next to Hotaru and keped glancing her way. She seems somehow different besides her looks, he thought. Then he noticed a dark star on her forehead. "Um…Hotaru?" She turned her glance toward him. "Yes?" "What's with the star on your forehead?" Hotaru smiled wryly, "One of the side effects of growing so quickly." Anubis hailed a taxi and they all got in. "Taxi, to the store 'Time Guardian'." Anubis told the driver. Hotaru who was sitting next to him gave him a strange look, "Isn't that…" Anubis silenced her with a look that clearly meant: keep quiet. Cye noticing the look asked Anubis questionably, "Just exactly where are we going?" Anubis gave him a half smile, "You'll see." He said in mystifying tone. Rowen sighed and leaned against the seat, Anubis was the hardest person next to Setsuna for getting information from. Speaking of Setsuna…. He started to wonder about where and how she was. She was one of the first girls that he had ever had true feelings for. She was so majestic and mysterious, intelligent and wise, not to mention her beauty…His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sudden lurch of the car. "Here we are." Said Anubis and opened the car door. Before them was a huge high-class clothing store. "Nice." Said Sage in approval. "Why are we here? I'm starved!" grumbled Kento. Anubis didn't answer but just opened one of the double doors of the shop and went in. The inside of the store reflected the elegance of the exterior for it was elaborately decorated with huge pillars, chandeliers, fancy curtains and for some reason at the far end of the wall was painted a huge door with carvings of different phases of the moon on it. Rowen gasped, "That almost looks like…" "Look around and see what you would like, we need to get you all something suitable to wear for the concert tonight. Hotaru and I will be back in about 30 min. so take your time." And with that he and Hotaru left. Kento sighed in disappointment. Cye nudged him in the ribs, "You like her don't you?" Cye asked (retorting back what Kento had said to him 2 weeks ago.) Kento turned a deep red," wh wh what makes you think that?" he stumbled. "The fact that you've been staring at her for the past hour." Said Ryo, grinning. Kento just turned even redder and everyone laughed.