The Armor of the Soul

By Dixxy

Chapter Seventeen: Finding Hardrock

(Keisha)

Once we figured out the fortune teller was, indeed, Kento of the Hardrock, we high-tailed it to China Town. Boston, being Boston, made it difficult to get there. We were all crammed into my car, Anubis trying to figure out what Trulpa could use their powers for aside from Kaze. AND what energy substance #4 was. But I had to concentrate on driving.

"I hate red lights," I said miserably. We were stuck in some nasty traffic and all the beeping horns were adding to my stress. Little did I know, but what little grip I had was about to be tested.

"I like traffic lights, I like traffic lights, I like traffic lights, but only when they're green," sang Ria from the back seat in an obviously fake British accent. "I like traffic lights, I-"

"SHUT UP!" I yelled. "This is EXTREMELY frustrating!" (Dixxy's Note: I hear you, Keisha. Kids that were on a bus I was on would sing that non-stop all the time. . .)

"Keisha's right, Ria," said Sara. "Look, we're in deep trouble and we need to find him again, okay?"

"Walking would be faster," said Anubis.

I sighed. "Too late now," I said. "Besides, I needed the gas anyways."

"Looks like it's going down the drain," said Sara. "How many traffic lights are in Boston?"

"Too many. But someone was seriously high when they laid out the street plan," said Ria. "Think it was crack, pot, or beer?"

"Probably opium," said Sara, trying to look thoughtful. "That was the big drug back a long time ago. Although I think morphine was big, too-"

"QUIT IT!"

Ria closed her eyes. Deciding that I was in a bad mood (Which, granted I WAS), she changed the subject. "So, Anubis, exactly what happens when two armor bearers of the same kind meet? Say, Hardrock and Hardrock?"

Anubis shrugged. "It depends on the armor bearers. Ronins have married outside of the armors, before, if THAT'S what you're getting at," he said. "They haven't lived to have children, but no, you aren't promised to them or anything, if you're concerned about being betrothed without you or your families knowing-"

"No, just curious," said Ria. "I mean, I guess I don't like the idea of being promised to some guy I don't even know."

"I'm sure they'd feel the same way," he said. "But no, Anubra and I pretty much hated each other any time we had to work together. On the other hand, Sehkment and Vanessa were usually all over each other."

"The Warlords and Warladies are weird," I said. "Let's get to that stupid studio already."

~

When we arrived at Madame Shinshu's studio, it had already closed for the day. "Drats, said Ria. "Great, anyone know where she lives?"

"I thought she lived here, too," said Sara. "Keisha? I have an idea."

I looked at Sara suspiciously. "Yes, Sara?"

"Why don't you try to talk to him like you did in the Dynasty?" she asked.

Anubis smacked his forehead. "That would have been SOOO much easier."

"No kidding," I said. "Okay, let's see if I can locate him."

~

It had taken me a good amount of time- a few hours to even get a hold onto Kento's mental telepathy range so I could talk to him. As it would turn out, Madame Shinshu was a demon woman that was trying to kill him, but I lost contact with him before I could figure out where he was.

After Kento cut off from me, I knew the danger of Madame Shinshu's demonic form was getting worse. Ria, Sara, Anubis, and I were in the abandoned psychic studio, trying to figure out what field Kento was in. There were a lot of fields in the towns surrounding Boston.

"Keisha, you're a psychic, try to find his location," said Sara.

I sighed. "My head's hurting," I said. "That took a lot of work to find him the first time."

"Well, just try to find a trail of his essence and follow it," said Anubis.

"Oh, I like that idea!" I said. We left the shop and I concentrated on that. Yup, I could find a strong "scent". Well, it didn't smell, but my psychic powers picked up on it pretty quickly. We were about to get on the trail when we heard echoing laughs.

"Uh oh," said Anubis. "The Dark Warlords."

"I thought you said they changed sides!" said Sara.

Anubis gulped. "They could've changed back or have been brainwashed."

"Well at least we know that coming back from the dead didn't kill any brain cells, traitor." We turned to see a man in dark jeans, a dark leather jacket, and wild, green hair. His eyes were large and snake-like, only tiny dots serving as his pupils.

"Sehkment!" said Anubis. "What has happened to you?!"

"Trulpa showed them back to Dynasty, Anubis. It's so nice to finally meet you," said another voice. This was a blonde man with sharp, green eyes and soft, almost shaggy looking hair.

"Who the hell are you?" asked Anubis.

"Why, I'm Osiris, Dark Warlord of Cruelty," said the man. "I'm the new bearer of your old armor."

Anubis looked wide eyed as another man jumped down. This guy had long, white hair and an eye path over one eye. "So looks like we'll have to kill you and these little Senshi brats."

"Dais, fight whatever spell Trulpa has placed over you!" Anubis said, already in the robes of the Ancient.

Ria leaned back to whisper in my ear. "Sara and I will take care of these losers. Get to Hardrock," she said. I nodded as Ria and Sara armored up.

"Hey, Captain Ugly!" Sara yelled at Dais. "Bet ya can't catch me!"

"Why you little brat!" said Dais, transforming into his own, forest green subarmor and chasing after Sara, who led him on a via the roof tops. Ria then came up with an interesting comment I'm not gonna repeat for Sehkment before he got mad as well. Once Anubis and Osiris began, er, circling around each other and growling, I began to follow the trail.

~

I was led somewhere a few miles outside of Boston when I heard the sounds of a battle. I looked on to see who must have been Kento dodging attacks by a weird, blue demon with wild hair that must have been Shinshu. I watched his movement, mesmerized in a way. The naginata he held was almost identical to mine, but considerably longer and thicker.

"Wow," I said.

Then, the demon got a hit in to one of his legs. He fell to the ground and cried out, but tried to get back up and continue to fight. I thought he was okay until he fell to the ground again. Shinshu laughed and began to taunt him before Kento told her to go to Hell. She started walking towards her and I knew she was going to kill him. He looked up at her, fearfully, closing his eyes.

I moved and blocked the attack she sent. I turned back to him to see him looking at me wide eyed from surprise and shock. "You all right, Kento?" I asked.

"Um, I'll be fine once my leg heals up a bit," he said. He was blushing profoundly and I smiled. Sara had been right, he WAS kinda cute.

"If you think you can fight, go ahead, Anubis and my friends aren't going to be here for a while," I said, turning back to Shinshu. "They were distracted by your old friends the Dark Warlords."

"Great," he said, "I think I can cast a few spells from here, just watch out, she's one powerful demon lady."

I was confused. Spells? Hmm, the barriers must have broken. But spells? "Fine, whatever, let's take this jerk down."

"Fine by me," said Kento. The two of us stared her down, ready for the real fight to begin.