Discaimer: I do not own Ronin Warriors. However, this story is MINE! Don't sue me because I have no desire to profit with money with this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I will get to writing the other disclaimers on the other ones soon, but it won't be for a while. I'm sorry to disappoint the people who are eager to find out what happens to the characters, but this chapter only needed a few more short paragraphs. I'm currently working on a Chapter 5, The Nether Realm (hint, hint). Enjoy! And please review!!
Precarious Hopes and Dreams
Chapter 4
Don't Trouble Trouble Until Trouble Troubles You
Ryo and I shared the incident with the other Ronins later that evening. All of them were infuriated. Especially Rowen, he volunteered to walk me EVERYWHERE. I was actually flattered and I blushed. He was so sweet. I must admit, that out of all of them, I think I'd rather walk with Rowen. I smiled secretly.
A flash filled the room suddenly and Kayura materialized. Her face appeared worn and battle ridden. It just didn't seem like Kayura to look like that.
Her voice was also haggard as she spoke, "Ronins, I'm sorry, but time is running out. The Nether Realm is falling hard to the new invaders." She faltered a little, but then stood straight. "Please hurry, I do not know how long the Warlords and I can hold out." She turned to me, "Lisa do be careful. You are considered to be an easy target because you are a girl. They will not give you mercy. Be strong." She smiled, then disappeared.
"Wait!" Ryo yelled, but he was too late. She was gone.
"Man she looked horrible," said Kento.
"You're not kidding," added Sage.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Rowen asked.
Ryo remained silent and hung his head. "I don't know."
The silence in the room was almost hard to bear. I noticed that the light in the room seemed to be leaving, making the room darker.
"Huh? What's going on?" Sai asked in surprise.
I looked up toward the ceiling to see a pair of swords hovering slowly downwards toward me. They appeared to be a cross between Sage's no-datchi and Ryo's wildfire katanas. I could've sworn that they were their own light source because they glowed with a light that emanated from them in a mystical glow. On the hilt was a stunning large red stone, while the handle was dark blue.
I held out my hands and they rested softly in my grasp. They were surprisingly light; I'd be able to wield them with no trouble. As soon as they touched my skin, the light I had seen dimmed significantly and the swords shrunk to about the length of a notebook.
My eyes were wide as I said, "Woah. They're awesome."
All of them stared in disbelief.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Rowen asked.
"I don't know," I answered. "I just hope it will help us."
Ryo spoke up, "If I'm not mistaken, those might've been a gift from Kayura and the warlords to help enhance you power."
"I'd believe it, but why did they think I'd need it?" I asked.
"Maybe the power contained in them is specifically created to fight this new evil," Rowen concluded. "Besides, it makes sense for the swords to come from Kayura because she has been fighting them, obviously. Therefore, she can take what she knows about the evil's power and give the swords an effective amount of power to fight it."
Sage agreed with what Rowen had to say. "I agree. I think that these swords will help us and if they don't, then, I say trash 'em."
I just shrugged my shoulders. "Oh well," I said. "I'm a little tired, so I think I'm going to go home now." I stood up with a sword in each hand. "Um," I looked at them oddly, thinking that it is going to be strange walking down the street holding swords. "I'll talk to ya'll later," I walked out the door, Rowen not far behind.
"Hey, wait up. I'll drive you," he said.
"Okay," I said.
"You know we agreed that you wouldn't go anywhere without someone with you right?"
"I know, but I was trying to see if I could get away with one lonely walk home."
He smiled, "Honestly, I try the same thing too."
I smiled back at him. He always seemed to make me feel better. It was nice.
* * *
I could not have seen the events of the next day coming. It was a nightmare come true. The swords that I received the night before were small enough to be concealed in my bookbag. I normally would never consider bringing anything of that sort to school, but what else was I supposed to do? I had this feeling that I was going to need them.
The guys picked me up on their way to school. I climbed in and noticed that they were all very quiet. It wasn't at all normal.
"Are you guys all right," I asked. They all avoided my gaze. "What the heck is going on here!?"
"Chill Lisa," Cye said. "We have a lot on our minds. Don't worry, it won't kill us to have a quiet drive to school."
I nodded, then sighed. He was right. I needed to chill, but I was hoping they would talk because my nerves were way out of whack anyway.
We arrived at the high school and no one had said a word yet. My morale was sinking lower and lower. My stomach felt like it had butterflies in it and I felt like I could cry at any moment. Instinctively, I reached up and touched my cross around my neck. It made me feel better by reminding me of my faith. Then, I reached into my pocket and clutched my crystal orb. Please don't fail me. I have a feeling I'll need you today more than ever.
As the six of us entered the building through the front entrance, I noticed that the black leather jacket students that had threatened me the day before were waiting for us. I lowered my head, making my hair fall in front of my face, hoping that I wouldn't be noticed although I knew it was impossible to avoid them.
Sage led the group as we passed them. The leader stepped into our path. His eyes had a mischievous look about them. "So, you decided to show your face," he said as a smirk lighted his perfect face. I noticed that his hair was pulled back tightly back and braided. It appeared sleek and flawless.
"We have nothing to hide from you," Sage replied, still avoiding the leader's gaze.
"I know. Have nice day," he said. His tone was saucy and satirical.
Sage turned his head slowly and glared at the boy. Then, we made our way to the gym.
"Woah that was weird," Kento voiced.
"No kidding, what do you suppose he plans to do to us?" Rowen asked.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, I haven't had a good feeling about it at all," I said, my voice shaking. "I really don't want to be here, but I know I need to be." I pulled out my bookbag and showed the ronins that I had brought the swords.
"Are you crazy? They could get the administrators on our backs!" Ryo said forcefully.
"They don't need these to do that, although it would help. I'll keep them concealed until we need them; I have a feeling we might."
None of them said anymore after that except for hushed "be careful" 's to each other. Almost on cue, the bell rang for everyone to report to class. Which, we all did quietly. I don't like it when the ronins are quiet it makes me nervous, but I could deal with it. I sighed as Ryo and I walked to our first period class.
The morning went very smoothly. I was just waiting for something to happen. I stood talking to one of my friends, Leona. I tried to act normally, which was really difficult when you feel three pairs of evil eyes watching your every move.
"So, when are you going to get back online?" Leona asked.
I wasn't paying attention, "Huh? Oh I'm sorry, could you say that again?" I felt horrible, but I couldn't help it. I started to fiddle with my crystal orb in my left pocket.
Leona repeated the question.
"I don't know exactly," I replied. "Depends how things at home and school go. They've just piled me up with things to do, I can't find much time for the computer. I'll try to get on soon." By this time I had the orb out of my pocket and I was clutching it tight in my hand.
"That's a bummer. Well, I hope things get better for you," she said.
"Me too," I added. Then my crystal orb slipped out of my hands and onto the floor. My heart leapt into my chest and I knelt down after it. Thank goodness it didn't roll far. That's exactly what we need, someone to lose their armor.
I heard the dark three snicker in the background. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. They were just about to push me too far. Opening my eyes slowly I said, "I'll talk to ya later, okay Leona. It was nice talking to you."
"Uh, okay. What was that?" Leona asked, pointing to the sphere.
"Oh, it's a very special marble that I inherited from my family," I lied. I couldn't tell what it actually was, although she'd very much enjoy the truth. Maybe I could tell her at a different time.
I turned and walked to the ronins' table.
"Hey Lisa!" Rowen said as I sat down.
"Hello," I replied solemnly.
Ryo looked at me thoughtfully, "You're worried aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. I know something's going to happen today….I just don't know exactly when."
"We'll keep an extra close eye out," he said as he smiled gently to reassure me.
"That's fine, but I'm just waiting for the ice to break."
Silence filled our table until the lunch dismissal bell rang. Then, I hurried back to class.
* * *
Near the end of third period, I was called up to Mr. Baker's office. I took my bookbag with me. I made a quick stop to the girls' room before I reached the office to hide my swords in case they did a bag check on me.
I entered one of the stalls and locked the door behind me. I sent a mental warning to the other ronins just so that they were aware that the time was almost here. I pulled out the swords and held one in each hand pleading to them saying, "Please do me this one favor, I know you change size, so will you please become small enough so that I can conceal you in one of my purse pockets?!" I was begging, but I was desperate. Surprisingly, they did exactly what I asked. I sighed a breath of relief and made my way to Mr. Baker's office.
He seemed a bit out of touch when he first began to speak to me.
"Have you been holding any unusual mystical objects lately, Lisa?" he asked. It wasn't a question a normal administrator would ask. The question hit me like a lead brick. This isn't Mr. Baker…
"Um, no sir. Not that I know of," I replied steadily.
"You better not be lying to me, because I have a feeling you are."
His tone of voice began to scare me, but not as much as his eyes turning green. I shifted in my chair.
"Well, I guess we'll have to do a search on you then." He reached for my bag and I handed it to him. His expression remained stone-like and unfazed. Then, he started looking through my purse, my back stiffened. I had to do something!
RRRIIINNNGGG!!! That was the bell to go to fourth period.
I snatched my bookbag and my purse from him as he pulled out one of the minature swords. I grabbed it out of his hand and ran out the door and into the mass of students. Before I rushed off I noticed the reflection in the sword reveal that the leather jacket leader was disguised as Mr. Baker.
I ran down the hallway, ignoring the curses and warnings from the students and teachers. My chest began to burn with fear as I continued to hurry down the hall.
"Hey! Why are you in such a hurry?" It was Jake again.
I looked at him and said, "The administration's after me, I have to get out of here!"
"Why? Did you do something wrong?"
I walked faster and faster, then started jogging. "No," I stammered, "I didn't."
Then I broke into a sprint leaving Jake in the dust. The ronins broke out of one of the side doors as I ran out of one not far away.
I continue to run towards the practice fields. I could feel the ground pound under my feet as I struggled to lift up my legs that felt like they were forged from a block of stone. Finally I stopped in the middle of the field and knelt on the ground. The ronins came and surrounded me as I dropped my purse and my bag on the ground.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Rowen asked.
"I think so. I was called up to Mr. Baker's office. He interrogated me about my armor, not specifically, but indirectly, then he searched my bag. His eyes glowed a green the shade of that evil dude's. Then as I grabbed my stuff out of his hand I saw his reflection in the side of my sword to show the leader…it was too weird."
An evil laughed echoed in the air. My head shot up at the sound and glared into nothingness.
"You fools," the voice cooed. "You're never going to win this war!" the voice trembled. "Especially since you made yourselves such an easy target!" The laugh continued and grew louder then before.
I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I stood up. "TO ARMS!" The ronins were hesitant, but went along.
"Armor of Wildfire! Tao Jin!"
"Armor of Halo! Tao Chi!"
` "Armor of Torrent! Tao Shin!"
"Armor of Hardrock! Tao Gi!"
"Armor of Strata! Tao Inochi!"
"Armor of Spirit! Tao Ai!"
All of us appeared in our subarmor. I held my swords. Sensing the armor, they grew to normal size and started to radiate with their natural light. They glowed in a brilliant silver, white light.
The three leather jacket students appeared before us. All of them had smirks on their faces as their forms shifted to reveal fully armored villains. I felt my body tense as I readied myself for combat.
"Hello, friends. I know you've been enjoying your day," the leader said. His voice was slithery and sarcastic. "Oh, by the way, my name is Anton. My friends' names are Mikalou and Kino." Anton spoke slowly. His armor was totally black, while the others' were a grayish color. Their armors had many harsh, jagged, angry, angles making it more devilish looking.
Anton's eyes began to glow a bright green.
"Huh? Man!! What is going on!!?" Kento demanded. We felt a force pushing us backward. Trying to fight it was a struggle. I groaned and resisted until I felt a final shove throw me off my feet.
"AAHHH!!" I flew into another world that was not my own. I could hear the other Ronins around me…but where were they?
* * *