The Last Lady Ronin is Found
The Last Lady Ronin is found
Chapter 5
By: Lady Korin

Serenity was walking through the park when she thought she heard fighting. She walked over towards the sounds and saw people in armor fighting.
What's going on? Who are these people?
Serenity got a little closer to watch what was happening and to find out who these people were. She already had an idea who they were though.
Dark Star jumped back from the combined attack from Ryo and Sage. He looked around the park in hopes of finding something he could use against the Ronins. While looking around he saw the perfect way to turn the tide on the battle.

Serenity saw the man in black and gray armor glance in her direction and she decided that it would be a good time to get out of there. She turned around only to find several soldiers standing in front of her, blocking her escape. One of the soldiers made a grab for her arm, but Serenity managed to dodge him. The other soldier was luckier then the first. He grabbed her arm before she could dodge past him. They pulled her out from where she had been watching the battle.

"Give up, Dark Star" Shannon said.
"No, I don't think so. You won't attack me either."
"Oh yeah! Why not?" Kento replied.
"Because you wouldn't want her to get hurt now, would you?"
Dark Star motioned to the side with his free hand and the soldiers brought Serenity over to Dark Star. He took a hold of her arm and held his sword up in front of her. He never noticed a small chain, like a necklace, around her neck. It looked exactly like the other Lady Ronins. The Ronins looked at Dark Star and realized that if they attacked him they would hurt Serenity.
"Let her go." Mika said.
"Now why would I want to do that?" Dark Star said as he tightened his grip on Serenity's arm.
Serenity looked at the people in front of her and knew they wouldn't be able to help her as long as Dark Star had her.
Time to get away from this creep.
Before she had a chance to do anything, Dark Star called upon the soldiers of the Empire to destroy the Ronins and warlords. As they were fighting, Serenity saw her chance to get away, when Dark Star loosened his grip on her. She stepped back into him and managed to knock him slightly off balance. She ducked away from his sword and got away him. He brought his sword down at her, but he missed. Serenity turned around and saw that he had regained his balance. She looked behind him and yelled, "Flame!" Dark Star went to turn, when a black panther a little smaller then Onyx jumped from the tree and knocked him completely off balance. He fell to the ground as the panther went over to Serenity. Dark Star was picking himself back up, when Serenity realized the pendant she had been wearing was gone.
"Looking for something?"
She looked up and saw Dark Star holding her pendant. He looked past her and she whirled around to see several soldiers behind her. Flame jumped at the first soldier and the soldiers lost its grip on its spear. Serenity grabbed the spear and cut the other soldier in two. Flame jumped off the second soldier and Serenity brought the spear down on it. Both soldiers disappeared. The Ronins and warlords had finished off the other soldiers and turned back towards Dark Star. They noticed that Serenity had been able to get away from him.
"So you are stronger then you look. You would have to be to have this." Dark Star said.
He lifted the pendant up so the others could see it as well. They realized that it was exactly the same as the other Lady Ronins' pendants. They looked over to the girl and saw the panther was no where to be seen. She was holding the spear from the soldier in her hand. She didn't look very pleased at Dark Star having her pendant.
"Give back the pendant." Serenity said.
"Now why would I want to do that? I have the last pendant with me and the last Lady Ronin is defenseless. I can get rid of you and this pendant."
Cye and Sage sent their attacks at Dark Star and he jumped out of the way. Before he had a chance to retaliate, Flame jumped from behind him and latched on to the arm that had a hold of Serenity's pendant. He went to shake the panther off when the pendant went flying out of his hand. Flame jumped off and Dark Star tried to catch the pendant. He missed and Serenity caught it. The pendant began to glow as the others had. Serenity let go of the pendant, but it floated in the air in front of her. The pendant disappeared and a small turquoise orb appeared. Serenity went to take a hold of the orb, when she hesitated.
Why was I chosen? I never wanted this.
She thought back to when everything had been happening. Nothing had gone right and she didn't want anything like that to happen again.
I don't want anyone to get hurt. I just can't do this.
Serenity looked at the orb in front of her and she drew her hand back away from it. The orb immediately stopped glowing and disappeared. The pendant reappeared and fell to the ground. Serenity dropped the spear she had in her hand and backed up a few steps.
The other Ronins looked somewhat shocked that she had not taken the armor orb. It was like she already knew what would happen if she took the orb. Dark Star looked at her and said, "So you won't accept the armor. What a surprise coming from the bearer of the Lightning armor and the leader of the Lady Ronins. It's also a surprise considering that the Lady Ronin of Lightning is supposed to be the most powerful of the five. I see that you are not. It makes no difference. Since you won't take the armor, I can still destroy you."
Dark Star brought his sword up and said, "Dark Lighting Surround!" He swung the sword at Serenity and black lighting headed straight for her. Mia yelled for Serenity to get out of the way, but she didn't move. They were to far away to help her. Serenity brought one of her hands up in front of her and began to concentrate.
I hope this works. I've never tried this before.
The black lighting went to strike Serenity when a shield went up around her. The lighting dissipated harmlessly against the shield. Dark Star looked at her in shock, as did the Ronins. Everybody looked down to see the pendant glowing ever so slightly. Serenity lowered her hand and looked once again at Dark Star.
"So the legend was true. You are the strongest of the Lady Ronins. How can this be if you do not have your armor on?"
"I don't know and I really don't care." Serenity said as she turned to leave the park.
"You're not leaving that easily." Dark Star said.
"Oh really. Are you going to try and stop me?"
Serenity concentrated once again and she suddenly disappeared. Dark Star looked around in anger and realized with a start that she had left the pendant in the park. The Ronins realized this also. They tried to get the pendant, but before either could get the pendant, Flame grabbed the pendant and ran out of the park. Dark Star heard Arctic Blast from behind him and his arm with the sword was instantly frozen. He turned around and said, "This isn't over Ronins. I will be back." With that said, Dark Star disappeared.
"Damn, he disappeared and that girl is gone too." Kento said.
"Does anybody know who that girl is?" Rowen asked.
"Who cares? I would really like to know why she wouldn't accept the armor and how she did that shield and disappearing act." Tanya replied.
"We need to know who she is. I'm sure she has a good reason for not accepting the armor." Cye said.
"Well standing around here isn't going to do any good. We should get some sleep and meet tomorrow and see what we can come up with." Ryo said.
"Where should we meet?" Mika asked.
"How about we meet in the park near where you live Rowen?" Sage suggested.
"Sounds good. Does everybody know where the park is?" Mia asked.
Everybody nodded and then went back to their homes to get some sleep before they took on the task of finding the girl that had the last pendant.

In a small grove of trees, far away from the park where the Ronins were, a person suddenly appeared. She leaned against one of the trees. She tried to keep herself standing by using the tree for support, but she was too weak and she collapsed on the ground. Serenity was breathing hard and she was extremely pale.
"I should have known this would happen. I used too much of the magic from the crystal. I really need to get some sleep, but I don't know if I could make it to my apartment."
She looked around taking in her surroundings and realized she was in a small deserted park that was not far from her apartment. She leaned back against the tree and thought about all that had happened tonight. She was thinking about what had happened, when Flame found her. He walked up to her and she realized that he was holding something in his mouth. She reached out and took what he was holding from his mouth. She looked at it but noticed that it was hard to see it in the growing darkness. She concentrated slightly on the object and it began to glow. She realized with a start that it was her pendant. She could now feel the power it held. The pendant stopped glowing and she placed it around her neck once again. She looked around the park again and decided to try and get to her apartment again. She stood up using the tree for support. She stood there a moment trying to clear her head. She started walking slowly towards her apartment, when she turned around and said, "Come on, Flame." The panther came after her and he stayed very close to her. Flame knew something was wrong with Serenity. Serenity managed to make it to her apartment, where she fell asleep soon after arriving.

DoomSlayer was sitting in his throne room when Dark Star appeared before him.
"All of the Lady Ronins have been found. Only one has not donned the armor. What are you going to do about this?"
Dark Star looked up and said, "My master, the last Lady Ronin has indeed been found, but she refuses to accept her armor. Surely this can be used to our advantage."
DoomSlayer thought for a moment and then said, "This can be used to our advantage. I want you to lure her out, capture her and bring her to me."
"What should I use for bait?"
"Each Ronin has a connection to a Lady Ronin. Serenity's armor has awakened. She can feel the connection between herself and one of the Ronins."
"So I use one of the Ronins as bait."
"There is one Ronin that doesn't have a match yet. Use him to lure the Lady Ronin of Lightning out."
DoomSlayer thought for a moment and then added, "Also capture the Ronin as well."
"Yes, master."
Dark Star bowed and disappeared from the throne room.

Serenity awoke and sat up. She was feeling much better after what had happened the day before. She still had a slight headache, though. She was also still a little pale. She got something to eat and decided to take a walk in hopes of clearing her mind.

For the first time in his life, Sage was running late. He had been finishing something and had forgotten about the meeting. He was running down the sidewalk when he collided with someone. They both fell to the ground. He started to say sorry, when he looked up and saw who he had run into. He was amazed to discover that it was the same girl from the park. She was wearing the pendant as well.
Maybe I can find out who she is.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." Sage said to the girl.
"That's okay," she said as she got up.
"My name is Sage Date."
She looked at him and said, "My name is Serenity Farrell."
Sage looked at his watch and realized that he needed to get going.
"I must be going. I'm supposed to meet a few friends and I'm late."
"That's okay. I should be going anyway." Serenity replied.
"Maybe I will see you later." Sage said as he walked off.
Serenity watched Sage walk off. She turned and headed back towards her apartment.
I wonder what he meant by that.

Sage was entering the park when he heard, "It's about time you showed up." He looked over to see the others not far from where he was standing. He walked over to them and said, "Sorry, I was late. I had an interesting encounter on the way here."
"He met another girl." Kento stated.
Everybody started laughing and Sage just glared at Kento.
"As a matter of fact, I did. You would be interested to know who it was."
"Oh yeah. Why would that be?" Rowen said.
"Her name is Serenity Farrell and she is the same girl from the park yesterday."
They all looked at him in astonishment.
"That's all I know about her."
"Well, atleast we know who she is." Mia said.
"Okay, so we know who she is. Now what do we do?" Shannon asked.
"I'll see if I can find out where she lives and go talk to her. The rest of you go back to the house." Mia said.
"Okay," everybody replied.

Sometime later Serenity was sitting in her apartment reading, when someone knocked on the door. She looked up, wondering whom it would be. She got up and opened the door. Serenity didn't recognize the person standing outside her door.
"Yes. Who are you and can I help you with something?"
"My name is Mia and I would like to talk to you about something, Serenity."
"How do you know my name?"
"May I come in?"
Serenity stepped away from the door, allowing Mia inside. She shut the door behind her.
"What do you want to talk about?"
Mia looked at Serenity and said, "I would like to talk about the Lady Ronins."
Serenity froze. She turned and looked at Mia and said, "What about the Lady Ronins?"
"Serenity, I know you are the last Lady Ronin. I was in the park yesterday. I saw what happened?"
"How did you find out my name?"
"Someone you met told me your name."
"Would it be Sage?"
"Yes. He told me your name. He is the Ronin Warrior of Halo. He recognized you from the park."
Serenity couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Why did you come here?" Serenity said after a few uncomfortable minutes.
"I would like to know why you wouldn't accept your armor."
"I have my reasons."
Mia watched as Serenity walked over to the window. She saw the light bounce off the pendant and make it seem like it was glowing. She looked at Serenity's face and couldn't see a clue as to what she was thinking.
She seems so much like Sage.
Mia was brought out of her thoughts when Serenity said, "I hope you will understand why I chose not to don the armor. Several things have happened in my past and I don't want anything like that to happen again. I tried to help, but they ended up getting hurt because of me. I just don't want to fight anymore."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I understand what you are saying. I know things may happen, but you can let the past govern your future. If you don't many more people will get hurt. The Dark Empire will win and spread its darkness across the land. You are the last link to keep that from happening. I have one question I want you to think about. Would the people from your past want you to stop fighting for what you believe in?"
Mia turned and opened the door.
"I should be going now." Mia said as she walked out the door, closing it behind her.
Serenity stood by the window thinking about what Mia said.
If only you knew how hard and confusing this was and if I start fighting things will only get worse.

Mia drove back to her house and went inside. The Ronins and Lady Ronins were sitting around the living room. The warlords and Kayura were gone. They all looked up as Mia walked in.
"How did it go?" Ashley asked.
"I talked to her and unless she has a drastic change of mind, she won't be helping us. When I asked her why, she said it had something to do with her past. She didn't give me anymore detail then that."
"What the hell!? She won't fight because of her past. That's the worst excuse I've ever heard." Tanya said.
"Tanya calm down. We don't even know what happened in her past." Ryo said to his sister.
Mia looked around and noticed that Sage was missing.
"Does anybody know where Sage is?" Mia asked.
"He walked out of here a little while ago. He seemed like something was bothering him. It was like he was extremely tense." Rowen replied.
"Really. It makes sense now." Mia replied.
"What are you talking about?" Cye asked.
"I just figured out who each of you is connected with."
"How did you figure that out?" Shannon asked.
"Well, you and Kento's armors are both of the earth, you can cook and Kento loves to eat. Also you both get along very well."
Mia looked at Ashley and Cye and said, "Both of you love the ocean and sea life. You also get along very well."
Mia then looked at Rowen and Mika and said, "You have known each other longer then the others and have been friends, since you met."
"It makes sense. That means that Sage and Serenity are connected." Shannon said.
"How did you figure this out?" Rowen said.
"When you said Sage was tense, I realized that when I had talked to Serenity, she had been tense as well. The connection between each of you was not awakened until the armor was. Serenity didn't except her armor, but the connection was awakened. Sage can feel how she feels. He just doesn't realize it. I don't think Serenity can tell either." Mia said.

The forest was extremely quiet around the silent figure. Sage was meditating and he never even noticed when someone appeared a short distance away. The lone figure watched Sage and got ready to attack. Sage was still oblivious to his surroundings when an explosion infront of him brought him to his feet. He was looking around, when he heard, "I challenge you little Ronin." Sage turned around to see Dark Star standing behind him. Sage backed up and pulled out his armor orb.
"Armor of Halo, Dao chi!"
Sage's armor appeared on him and Dark Star drew his sword.
"What are you doing here?"
"I only want to destroy you and that pathetic Lady Ronin."
"Which Lady Ronin?" Sage said somewhat confused.
"The Lady Ronin of Lightning."
Why does he need me to lure her out?
Sage didn't have time to figure that out. Dark Star attacked and Sage was busy trying to defend himself. Sage jumped out of the way, but Dark Star was ready for him.
"Dark Lightning Surround!"
The attack hit Sage in the chest and he fell to the ground in pain. Across town someone else felt his pain.

Serenity was getting ready to go for a walk, when a sudden pain forced her to her knees. She waited for the pain to subside.
"What was that?" she gasped as the pain subsided.
She looked down at the pendant and noticed it was glowing. She also wondered where the pain was coming from, when she realized what was happening.
"The connection between the Lady Ronins and the Ronins. But who……?" Serenity said as another jolt of pain went through her.
"Sage! He's being attacked."
Serenity took the pendant off and held it in her hand. She knew that he needed help, but that would mean she would have to accept her armor. Serenity shook her head.
"Mia, you were right. The people from my past wouldn't want me to stop fighting. I will fight for this world."
As she spoke the pendant glowed brighter and finally disappeared. A turquoise armor orb appeared and Serenity closed her hand around it. Her subarmor appeared on her and she disappeared, reappearing in the woods behind Mia's house, with Flame beside her. She looked around realizing that Sage was nearby.
"Armor of Lightning, Dao Chi!"
Serenity's armor appeared over her subarmor and a sword appeared in her hand. She heard the sound of battle nearby and ran over. She was standing behind Sage, neither of them seeing her. Sage was on his knees before Dark Star.
"You are finished Halo. Even if I don't get the Lady Ronin, I will be able to finish you off."
Dark Star raised his sword and went to finish Sage off, when he heard, "Lightning Strike Eliminate!" A lightning bolt hit Dark Star in chest and threw him back several feet. Sage looked up as Serenity walked into the clearing. She walked over to him and knelt down in front of him.
"Are you okay?" Serenity asked Sage.
"I'll be alright. You decided to accept your armor?"
Before Serenity had a chance to answer, both Sage and Serenity heard, "So you showed up. You may have your armor, but I will destroy you."
Serenity stood up and faced Dark Star. She held her sword up and said, "You're sure of yourself, aren't you? We shall see if you can defeat me." Their swords clanged each other, neither giving an inch. Dark Star had to admit that she was a very good fighter. He jumped back and the Spear of Night appeared in his hand. He pointed the spear at Serenity and said, "Darkness Surround!" A blast of dark energy hit Serenity and when she looked up again, everything was black. She couldn't see a thing. Dark Star called upon his attack, which knocked Serenity off her feet. He also got a few good hits in.
Damn, I'm at a disadvantage. I can't see anything. Come on, I should be able to think of something.
Serenity held her sword up in front of her. She concentrated on her armor and said, "Lightning Flash!" The sword glowed a brilliant white. Serenity was able to see again and Dark Star was momentarily blinded.
Dark Star looked at Serenity and saw that she was holding her sword up in front of her. Her one hand was behind the sword towards the top.
"You're finished Lady Ronin. Time to die."
Serenity looked at Dark Star and said, "Not today."
The sword began to glow again and Serenity said, "Lightning Shower Destroy!" She then pointed the sword at Dark Star. Bolts of lightning struck Dark Star multiple times. When it was over, he was barely able to stand. He disappeared.
Serenity's armor disappeared and she walked over to Sage, whose armor had also disappeared. She helped him up and said, "Let's get you back to Mia's house."

Rowen was reading a book in his room, when he happened to notice that it was dark outside. He put the book down and went downstairs. Kento and Tanya were fighting and Ryo was trying to get them to stop. Ashley and Shannon were watching TV, while Mia and Mika were talking. Cye had come over with a snack for Kento in hopes of getting them to stop fighting. Ryo walked over to Rowen, who was trying hard not to laugh, and sighed as he watched his sister and Kento. Rowen looked at Ryo and said, "Have you seen Sage?"
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen him." Ryo replied.
Cye had succeeded in getting Kento and Tanya to stop fighting and Tanya said, "I haven't seen hairball at all today."
Whiteblaze and Onyx looked up and the door. Ryo and Rowen were watching them, when they heard the door open. Before they had a chance to do anything, a young black panther came into the living room where everybody was. Everyone looked up and realized that it was the same panther that had been with Serenity in the park. The others were watching Flame and never noticed the two figures that followed him into the house, until Shannon said, "Sage, What happened!?" Ryo and Rowen went over to Sage and Serenity and helped her get him to the couch. Serenity backed away from Sage and the others and just watched as Sage answered their questions.
"Dark Star attacked me while I was meditating. He had me down and if Serenity hadn't showed up, he would captured or destroyed me."
Mia was bandaging Sage up as he talked when she heard his last sentence. She abruptly looked up at him and then she turned and looked at Serenity who was standing a short distance away from them. Serenity was watching Sage to make sure he was alright when she heard Mia say something.
"Serenity, how did you know Sage was in trouble and how were you able to help him?"
Everyone watched and waited to see what Serenity would have to say. Serenity noticed everyone watching her and she knew that they would have asked her sooner or later. She just hoped that it would have been later. Serenity hesitated a moment before she said, "The reason I knew Sage was in trouble, was that I could feel his pain. I'm sure you all know about the connection between the Ronins and the Lady Ronins. Depending on how strong the connection is will determine just how strong the emotions or pain each person can feel. As for being able to help him, I used this in order to keep Dark Star from destroying both of us."
Serenity then held out her hand and opened it. Her armor orb was in her hand and it glowed faintly. Mia looked at her in surprise and then said, "So you decided to fight with the Lady Ronins to save this world?"
"Yes, I have. You were right about one thing you told me Mia. I can't let the past govern the future."
Mia nodded and finished checking Sage over. While she was finishing up Serenity was thinking to herself about something.
I can't let the past govern the future. That phrase could have several different meanings to it. The fight for the world has begun and I have sealed my fate.
Serenity was brought out of her thoughts by someone saying that everyone should get some sleep. She then realized just how late it was. Sage watched Serenity and realized that it was too late for her to head home. Mia and the others realized this as well.
"Serenity, why don't you stay here tonight? There is plenty of room." Mia said.
"Are you sure? I don't want to…." Serenity started to say.
Ryo cut her off before she could say anymore.
"There's plenty of room her. You wouldn't be a bother." Ryo said as everyone else nodded their agreement.
"Okay." She said nodding.
Everyone else got up and headed towards their own rooms. On his way past Serenity, Sage thanked her for her help. Mia looked at Serenity and motioned for her to follow her. As Serenity walked past Tanya she heard her say, "There is something about you I don't like. I don't trust you just yet. You will have to prove to me that you are the leader of the Lady Ronins." With that said Tanya went to her own room. Mia showed Serenity to her room and then left her alone. Serenity laid down and her last thought before she went to sleep was.
What have I gotten myself into?


Finally chapter 5 is done. Sorry for the long break in between chapters. RL caught up to me. Anyway let me know what you think of my story so far. C&C welcome.