Destiny (Ronin/Witchblade Crossover)
By: Yin-Yang & JanimeLee

~Chapter Fourteen~

            It was dark, even by Dynasty standards as Rowen focused on keeping the dark blue bubble intact.  Sure this was dangerous but he loved Zenida and swore to bring her back home.  So while Anubis was getting upset, Delia trying to keep him calm and the others were trying to figure out a plan he took the time to head to the Dynasty.  It felt weird to be back in the other dimension for almost the same reasons.  But like last time he wasn't alone.

            "Look!  There's the tower!" Dini pointed out, biting her lip in worriment.  It had been sheer chance that she had caught Rowen in sub-armor and looked ready to summon full armor when she tapped him on the shoulder.  He nearly jumped out of his skin and stuttered when she asked what he was doing.  Putting two and two together she rounded up the other girls and they opened the portal.

            "Hey this is so better!  No man eating plants, no scorching desert, no tower to climb!" Lupia said with a grin.

            "I was the one that pulled you all up that tower," the young girl said with a slight glare.  "And one of you had better go on a diet ASAP."

            "I am not fat!!"

            "Ladies please!  I have to concentrate to keep this around us," Rowen sighed once more.

            ~Let's put it in other terms.  If we don't concentrate, then all of us will be kissing the ground rather hard,~ Strata said and gave them a mental picture of just that.  The two girls swallowed and became quiet.

            ~Why didn't I think of that?~ the spider asked, glad for the silence.

            ~Quick thinking.~

            Naomi was quiet thought, looking out as the tower was in close view and rested her hand against the barrier.  She still found it hard to believe that her own grandfather was possessed by an evil spirit their fathers went against years ago and supposedly destroyed yet it was now trying to gain back the armors.  Now their boyfriends had armors of their own and they were on their way to save a friend.  And to destroy her own grandfather…

            ~Asking the silent question?~ Venom asked her softly so not to startle her.

            ~I think… I know why Zenida couldn't bring herself to hurt Reficul, she loves life itself so much she wouldn't even step on an ant,~ she explain to him, dark eyes growing thoughtful for that moment.  ~And… there has to be a way to save grandpa--I mean Reficul from Talpa's grasp.~

            A moment of silence.  ~And if there isn't?~

            She was silent also and narrowed her eyes some.  ~We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.~

            ~Zenida?  Zenida wake up.~

            The young girl softly groaned and shifted against the iron bars of the birdcage.  She was stiff and slowly opened teal eyes.  ~Something wrong?~ she asked as she lifted a sub-armor hand to rub the rest of sleep away.

            ~The other girls and Rowen are coming to get you.~  The ogre spirit winced as his charge sat up rather quickly, pulling a muscle in her shoulders and banged her head against the bars.  ~Are you alright?~

            ~Yes just fine,~ she hissed between her teeth and rubbed her sore head.  ~I can't believe he's coming… and with the others as well.  I know don't whether to be upset or glad.~  She sighed but grew puzzled when her hand encountered something.  She pulled a bobby pin from her hair and smiled a bit to herself.  ~I have a plan but first, can you tell me if Talpa's anywhere near by?~  The spirit was puzzled but 'looked' around and reported nothing.  They were alone.  ~Perfect.~  Being as quiet as she could she moved the pin to the lock and began to fiddled with it, trying to jimmy the lock.  It took some concentration but she managed to locate the spring and unhitched it.  The door swung open with a slight creak.

            She smiled at the praise coming from the Guardian of the Armor of Spring and locked her hands tightly at the bars on the bottom of the cage.  Taking a deep breath she pulled out to hang by the bottom bars and sighing deeply dropped to the ground.  Staying there with one hand flat on the ground, she looked around the area before locating the door and sprinted to it.  Opening it she looked both ways before dashing down the darken hallway.

            "Rowen never does anything impulsive," said Kento. "He's in love."

            "In love or not, he shouldn't have gone to the Dynasty with just the girls," Sage said. "It's hard enough for the five of us to open the Gate--now we have to open it with just four."

            "It's difficult," Ryo said.

            "Have you heard from Kayura yet?" Cye asked.

            Ryo shook his head. "Get ready to open the Gate. We're going after them."

            "Not without me, you're not."

            The four Ronins turned. "Ineisha," said Cye.

            "But it's dangerous in there," Kento began to say.

            Sekhmet stood up behind her and narrowed his eyes at them. "She was there with the girls and led them through it to rescue myself. She knows her way around it and the fact that all the time you visited the Dynasty there is a lot more you don't know."

            "You know... he has a point," Sage said and looked at their leader.  Ryo sighed but nodded.

            "Alright. Let's go and get everyone back. If Mia or Kayura calls-"

            "Don't worry, we'll handle it from here," Delia nodded to them. "Good luck all of you."

            "Mother..." Sekhmet hugged her as tight as he dared. "Be careful. Please."

            "Don't you worry about me," she said and smiled. "Let's go." Ineisha took Cye's hand as the Ronins opened the Gate and entered the Dynasty.

            "Any ideas where he would keep Zenida?" Ryo asked.

            "The dungeon possibility is out," said Ineisha. "Talpa's smart; he won't put her in the same place twice."

            "Agreed," Sage nodded. "Halo, can you contact Strata?"

            ~Already ahead of you,~ the Guardian answered. ~They're at the palace.~

            "Tell them to be extra careful," Ryo said.

            Reficul watched the three view panels in his room.  Zenida was running through the halls, Rowen and the girls were looking for a way in, the other Ronins and Ineisha started for the castle.

            The screen zoomed in on Ineisha. Reficul reached out his hand and touched the image of his wife's cheek.

            The young woman stopped and looked around before reaching up to touch her face. "Strange..." she looked around.

            "Something wrong?"

            "A feeling of being watched... Let's hurry." She nodded and they began to head in the direction where they felt the strongest pull.

            Meanwhile, Zenida was still racing along the hallways. ~Okay um, I think I'm lost. Which way to go now?~ she asked the spirit and ran a hand along her face.

            ~Don't panic…~

            ~You don't know?~

            ~It's not like I have the entire layout of the palace in my memory,~ Ogre said, ~Even if I did, Talpa most likely made a few changes from the last time I was here.~

            "Why me?" Zenida was close to crying. She wanted to go home, see her parents, and stay in Rowen's arms till dawn. "Rowen," Zenida closed her eyes and focused on him. ~Rowen? Can you hear me?~

            Rowen stopped as Zenida's voice echoed within his mind. ~Zenida? Where are you? Are you all right?~

            ~For now I am. But I'm lost and I have no clue where to go.~

            ~Hey it's okay, we'll find you.~ He just wanted to hold her and reassure her but first they had to find her first. ~Nothing looks familiar?~

            ~No... it feels like I'm in a giant labyrinth,~ she sighed and leaned against a wall only to slump down to the floor. ~I want to go home...~

            ~And you will but Zenida listen to me, okay? Don't stop talking and keep moving,~ he said as he tried to get her to move some more. Looking at the others his dark blue eyes were worried. "I found Zenida but she has no idea where she is.  A maze but she's feeling depressed and sounds tired."

            Naomi thought about it before smacking her fist into an open hand. "Talpa's doing. I guess when he changed the layout he added some surprise traps."

            "Is there any way we can locate her?" asked Lupia.

            ~Not unless you want Talpa to locate you,~ Darkness replied. ~I'm afraid to say that he can tell where you are when you use your powers.~

            "So he knows that we're on the roof," Dini said. "Wonderful."

            ~Don't lose your hope yet, my girl,~ Illusion told her. ~Rowen, see that slightly crooked tile, third row from the edge?~

            "What about it?"

            ~Pull it out.~

            Rowen did as the Guardian suggested, and the tile slid out easily.

            ~Old tricks are always the best,~ said Strata.

            Rowen carefully looked down through the hole. Seeing that it was clear, he stood next to the edge and jumped down.

            "Bottom floor please," Lupia said as she jumped through.

            "Bonsai!" Dini jumped after her.

            "Oh brother…" Naomi grunted as she followed suit.

            One by one they all landed as quiet as possible, scanning down the corridors before taking off down the left. True to what they saw before it was empty and dark but there was a very good reason for that. Before them were three different passages. Each just as dark and empty.

            "Lemme guess, Zenida's in there," Dini said and she gestured to one.

            "How are we going to find her and not get lost ourselves?" Lupia asked and ran her fingers through her hair some. "Rowen! You're the genius here think of something!"

            He held up his hand to silence her. Then something clicked in his mind. Zenida was falling deep into sadness. The last time she was sad, Rowen had whistled her favorite song, and she cheered right up. "That's it," he said and began to whistle.

            Zenida raised her head at the tune that floated down the hallway. "That song… it can't be…" She stood up and followed the song through the maze; it grew louder.

            The spirit remembered that song, it one of the few songs that they both liked and he saw how she seemed to brighten up. So he gave her as much energy as he could to help her. The whistling was becoming louder the further down they went. ~Down here!~ he called out, hoping they would hear and that they would come to help.

            ~Down the middle!~ The bracelets called out and Rowen along with Dini ran into it. Sure enough they found Zenida, still depressed but happy as well.

            "Ugh I hate this place," the pink haired girl said with a shiver, "the air is thick with depression and such."

            "And that's what got her down. C'mon, help her onto my back." The young Ronin knelt down as Dini helped Zenida onto his back and they walked out with him carrying her.

            "Hey you're okay!!"

            "Not until we get outta here. We'll have to find another way out, at least until we hit outside before I can use the air bubble," the young man explained.

            "That won't be necessary."

            They turned and watched in terror as a figure stepped from the shadowed corridor.

            "Reficul…" Naomi whispered.

            "Talpa," Rowen hissed. "What do you want?"

            "I believe that answer you know already," the dark emperor said.

            "You are not getting the Armors!" Lupia shouted at him; she seemed to be taking on the persona of her nickname.

            "I'd watch where I'd sink those fangs, little pup," Talpa eyed her. "You may bite off more than you'll be able to chew."

            "Release my grandfather," Naomi demanded.

            "Your grandfather and I made a pact--he had his revenge and saved his wife from sharing the same fate as the rest of her people. In exchange, I needed a host vessel in order to move from this word to another."

            "But that's completely and utterly inhumane!" Dini yelled at him, her normally bright blue eyes were dark with anger. "Who gave you the right to play with people's live like puppets?!"

            "I have every right to do so. That pact has been made and only death can break it now."

            "Death huh?" Everyone looked surprised as the green haired girl laughed in a twisted sort of way, her head bowed so her bangs hide her eyes yet her arms shook as she held them into tight fists. She looked up at him with her dark colored eyes bright and an almost pained expression on his face. "Grandpa... damnit I know you are still in there!! You wanted grandma and dad to live and they did! Even when grandma was a prisoner she was still alive thanks to you! Do you honestly think Talpa will continue to hold the pact after he gained all nine armors?!"

            "He'll never get them..." Zenida groaned and opened her eyes some. "Like the original spirits of the armors... I will give my life to protect my friends, my family, and this world..." She bit back a spike of pain and held onto Rowen tighter yet forced the words from he lips.

            "Before all of this I loved nature and I couldn't hurt anybody or anything... that's why I couldn't attack you, but so help me in the name of Buddha I will fight you just to protect everything I love." Had she had a mirror she would've noticed that a kanji flared brightly on her brow beneath her bangs. It was the kanji of loyalty, that same loyalty she had to protect all she loved and cherished.

            The helmet appeared above her head; Zenida raised her arms and put it on. A strange light surrounded her, making only the outline of her body visible. When she reappeared, Zenida was wearing the full Cruelty Armor with the kama-giri wrapped around her.

            "I was afraid of turning into what my father had been," Zenida confessed, "but he mended his ways and became a better man. And I'll be damned to just stand by and watch you destroy everything!"

            The girls blinked. Oh yeah, Lupia thought. She's pissed.

            Talpa blinked as he took a step back. He did not expect the girls to summon the armors so soon, especially this one!

            The young girl felt oddly comforted by the armor, wondering if this was the same feeling her father had went through when he wore the armor, and looked up at their enemy. Slowly she unwrapped the chain from her body and held the blade in her hand, looking for the entire world ready to teach this demon a lesson. "This time... you're going to stay dead!" Leaping forward and high into the air she hurled the clawed end of the chain at his feet, watching as it buried deeply down while yelling the sure kill. "QUAKE WITH FEAR!"

            It was the first time the ladies had the opportunity to witness one of the attacks and it took their breath away as multiple chains erupted from the ground only to ensnare Talpa within its tight grasp. For the moment, he was bound and trapped where he stood.

            "Let's go!" Rowen grabbed Zenida's arm and the five raced down the hallway. "Those chains won't hold him forever," Rowen said. But it would stall the demon long enough. "Strata!"

            ~Right with you, my boy.~

            "Armor of Strata! Dow Inoki!"

            Banners and sakura petals flew around Rowen and moments later his Armor appeared. He grabbed his longbow from his back and turned around, firing a few arrows down into the hallway. "That should give us some more time," he said and ran after the girls.

            ~Zenida has awakened Cruelty,~ Wildfire said.

            "So soon?" Ryo asked. "They have only been with the girls a few months."

            "We've had you guys for years," said Kento. "How did she manage to wear Cruelty?"

            ~She invoked the true nature of the armor,~ Halo added, taking a moment of silence before speaking up again. ~Her loyalty to protect everything she loves is very strong.~

            "And soon the others will follow as well," Sage added and shook his head some while smiling. "I hope they're ready for this."

            "They had better be," Ryo said, returning the grin.

            "If what they've been through so far hasn't prepared them," Anubis grinned a little, "nothing will."

            "Just like fatherhood," said Sekhmet.

            "Is it that difficult?" Ryo asked, his thoughts going to Mia and his baby.

            "It's a shock," Cale admitted, "one that you don't mind having."

            "Cruelty has awakened."

            "The others?"

            "Not yet," Kayura shifted in her makeshift chair. "They still sleep."

            White Blaze licked the Ancient's hand and growled.

            Mia walked over to the mural painted on the wall that resided above a stone altar. On top was a white silk pillow, and resting on the pillow was a red, tear-shaped jewel with a light gray-colored cord strung though it.

            "Jewel of Life." Looking down at it she remembered the power it held and how it had helped them all. But this time, would it be enough?

            Kayura smiled softly, gently scratching the tiger's ears and looked up at the older woman who would become her successor to the Clan of the Ancients. "Everything will be fine."

            Mia turned and smiled at her some. "I know but I still can't help but worry. Those girls are carrying on their father's legacy, no matter how hard they tried to hide from it. In the end you must stand up and embrace it, to protect everyone you care about."

            "yes…" Kayura whispered. "Everyone you care for. They are your weakness and your greatest strength." Too soon, Kayura thought as she felt the power within her fade a little. Not now… she isn't ready.  The baby… if I pass on my power now… Kaosu, what will it do to Ryo and Mia's baby…?

            "I have good news and bad news," said Dini.

            "What's the bad news?" asked Zenida.

            "I think we're lost."

            "And the good news?"

            "we're away from Talpa."

            "Oh yeah," Lupia grunted. "That's really comforting."

            "Hey you rather we be with Talpa right now?"

            "Good point." Naomi sighed and rubbed her hands over her face before pushing her hair back. looking around none of this seemed familiar and they had been going at it for a while now. "This is really messed up. I mean our sense of direction can't be that bad."

            "What if we try and back track our steps?" Zenida suggested but Rowen shook his head.

            "It'll take too much time and that's something we really don't have."

            Dini frowned as she idly ran her hand along the wall, tracing an invisible pattern on the stone wall and for a moment let her eyes close. She continued to move her hand around but nearly fell went she encountered air. Opening her eyes she found herself starting at solid stone, tapping on it just confirmed it; yet with her eyes close there was no wall there.

            ~Is this an illusion then?~ she asked softly and keeping her hand outstretched walked forward.

            Lupia's eyes widened as Dini's hand went through the wall. "Dini..."

            "I know," the pink-haired girl said. "Take my hand and follow me."

            "You're going into a wall," said Naomi, "How are we supposed to follow you?"

            "Trust me," Dini kept her eyes shut. "Come on."

            Rowen took Zendina's hand, and held his other to the girls. Zenida took his hand, and Naomi and Lupia followed suit.

            They all took a deep breath and trusting the other as they wall, waiting for any moment to run into the wall but it never came. Cracking an eye open they found themselves in a long hallway with lit torches on either side. Dini slowly opened her eyes and smiled weakly as she leaned against the wall.

            "Dini... how'd ya know?" Rowen asked a bit bewildered.

            "A trap... a never-ending loop with no exit in sight," she said as she brushed her hair from her face with a hand, "reminded me of that movie Labyrinth."

            "Girl I am never ragging on your fantasy movies ever again!" Lupia said as she sighed deeply in relief. "Let's get outta here!"

            "Wait," Zenida held up her hand. "Listen."

            "To what?" Naomi frowned a little.

            A strange scratching, clicking noise started far down the hallway, growing louder and closer to the five.

            "What the heck is that-" Lupia's sentence was cut off by her scream as something invisible grabbed her leg and pulled her towards the ceiling. Naomi grabbed her friend's hand and tried pulling her back down.

            "It's the Shadow Beasts!" Rowen shouted.

            "Get me down!!" the young girl screamed at her friends, holding onto their hands tightly as she tried vainly to kick herself free.

            "We're trying but you keep moving too much!" Naomi snapped as she tried to pull down when something tackled her in the back, sending her crashing into the floor. before she could get her wind back something steely and sharp wrapped around her throat from behind, slowly tightening.

            "Naomi!!" Dini made to go help her but something did not feel right. Even with the single torch as light they could not see their attackers. She vaguely remembered the Shadow beasts, they hated light but the way they moved was almost as if they weren't really here. ~Like real shadows... but shadows can't hurt us!~

            "Dini! Help us please!" the other girl called out, still trying hard to pull Lupia down. She wanted to call upon her armor but there wasn't a lot of time. She heard a clicking noise again and looked up only to see a flash of darkness as she was sent crashing into the wall, banging her head against the stone and slumped to the floor. She was out for now.

            "No stop it! Stop it right now!!" the young girl screamed loudly, feeling something churning deep inside her body as her scream seemed to intensified. The torch on the wall flickered a bit and the sound of something fragile was heard, a small crackling sounded like a piece of spun glass being stepped on.

            It was buried deep inside her, crying out for release. She had to help her friends, and the feeling that she had was going to help her. Dini raised her hands up as the kanji began to glow on her forehead. "Serenity."

            The helmet of the Illusion Armor appeared in her hands, and Dini placed it on her head. The Armor itself came forth; Dini took the scythes from her back.

            "WEB OF DECEPTION!"

            Six razor sharp blades extended out from her, almost like a giant spider's legs and each one meet flesh of the shadow beasts. Cries of pain filled the hallway and beyond as they dissolved into the dark shadows, releasing her friends from their clutches. One still remained standing as it hissed angrily at the armor clad girl. It was critically injured and as a last resort lunged at her, intending deadly harm but it never got the chance. Dini braced her body for impact but at the last minute lifted the spider blades overhead and then brought them down in one clean swipe. She had the displeasure of watching as the shinny blades sliced through the demons like a pot roast before dissolving away.

            "Hey look out!!" Lupia warned before managing to land roughly on her feet and managed not to fall onto her backside. Naomi sat up, coughing as she rubbed her throat and cautiously looked around. Rowen was making sure Zenida was okay; other than a large bump on her head she was fine.

            "Now I understand why my dad gave your dad ginsu knives for his birthday," Naomi said

            "So do I," Dini laughed nervously. The power of the Armor was incredible. She could feel it all around and inside her. She could feel the evil within the castle itself and the good that still somehow managed to remain.

            ~I hate to break up such a lovely moment but we need to keep moving,~ Ogre spoke up. ~I can sense the others are close by.~
            "He's right. The sooner we find the others, the sooner we can all go home," the Ronin said as he lifted his girlfriend in his arms, holding her close and nodded to Dini. "lead the way."
            She blinked  a few times and pointed to herself, placing the spider blades back on her back. "Why am I the official leader all of a sudden?"
            "'Cuz you're wearing armor and with those blades you can hit anything trying to attack us from a distance?" Lupia said with a small smile.

            Brother, Dini thought. "Okay, follow me… even though I'm not sure where to…"

            They walked down the hallway, which then divided into three paths.

            "Great," Naomi snorted. "Now what? Eenie, meenie, minie, mo?"

            "I don't think we should rely on that in this place," said Lupia. "Suggestions, Wolfie?"

            ~Stop calling me that. ~

            "Hey, I don't call you late for supper."

            ~I don't eat, ~ the Guardian replied.

            "Bad joke, Darkness," Rowen said.

            "Um whichever direction we're going I think we had better go," Zenida spoke up as she looked behind them

            "Why not wait and think this out for a bit?" Dini asked.

            "Because I don't think we'll live that long." Pointing down the hall from the direction they had come from was a large army of soldiers, hellhounds, and things lurking in the shadows of the walls.

            "Oh sh-" Strata frowned and took off down one of the hallways with Zenida close behind. "We have to split up and meet up later! We'll be harder to catch!"

            "Hey hold up!" but they were gone. Lupia looked and swallowing the lump in her throat took off down the middle corridor. She could hear heavy footsteps behind her but knew that it wasn't her friends so she ran harder. ~You guys had better make it out alive,~ she thought to herself. Even if the area was completely dark she could see just perfectly.

            Enough to see the enormous gaping hole in the ground. Lupia skidded to a halt and stared at the massive opening. "Oh boy…" she swallowed. There was no other way around it, and the sounds of the Shadow Beasts were drawing closer. "not good, not good."

            ~Stay calm. ~ Darkness told her, but it wasn't helping. Lupia was nearly in a state of panic.

            She turned around and looked at the hallway, knowing what was heading towards her. The only two options were either going down or to fight. Lupia took a deep breath and slowly released it.

            She was not going down.

            The Shadow Beasts slowly came into view, tilting their shapeless heads as if studying her.

            I am not backing down! Lupia told herself. I will not be underestimated or beaten by these stupid, walking inkblots!

            Power--raw, surging power--shot through Lupia's body. She held up her hands, and the Helmet of Darkness materialized. Lupia placed it on her head, and the Armor appeared on her body. She smirked as the creatures backed away.

            "so," Lupia pulled out the sword, "I guess you don't like it when the tables turn. I hate to tell you this… but they have! BLACK LIGHTNING SLASH!"

            The corridor was too narrow for the creatures as they tried to turn around to escape but only succeeded in getting stuck. High pitch howls echoed off the walls as the raw power of the winter armor struck them down, illuminating their bodies for a moment before falling to the ground in a burnt heap. Behind them stood the soldiers and they only froze there, holding their spears tightly but didn't make a move to attack.

            Lupia grinned wolfishly as she held the sword before her and brandished the tri-claws. "You want the armor? Come and take it but you'll me the same fate." The soldiers continued to stand there before slowly retreating for now.

            ~Now they know why you never corner a she-wolf, they're just full of surprises.~ the bracelet chuckled into her mind. ~Let's continue. They'll get over their shock soon and be back with more reinforcements.~

            ~Darkness has awakened. ~

            "Really?" Sage asked his Guardian then grinned. "Alright, Lupia."

            "What happened to my daughter?" Cale demanded.

            "She's okay; her power has been awakened."

            "One by one…"

            "What does that mean?" Kento asked.

            "He means one by one our daughters are starting to become what we once were," said Anubis, "and you have no idea what it is for us knowing that our nightmare is coming true."

            "But the ladies have good heads on their shoulders, they'll be alright," Cye spoke up in their defense.

            "You have no idea what it was like... but all we can do now is hope and pray," Dais said softly.

            "Naomi wait! I think we lost them," Dini panted as she pulled her back by the shoulder and leaned against the wall, catching her breath. "You should be on the track team."

            "Yeah right... if I can wear this under my uniform," she grinned and brushed her ponytail over her shoulder.

            "This is just peachy," Dini let out an exasperated sigh, "Lupia takes off by herself; Rowen and Zenida are who knows where and she's half awake, while the two of us are running around this disgusting excuse of an oversized rat maze. Could things get any worse?"

            High pitched screeching noises started down that hall.

            "Dini, there are days where I really wish you'd keep your mouth shut," Naomi said.

            The other girl took the scythes from her back and created a web, sealing the path. "That should hold them for a while. Let's go."

            "Good question. Where?"

            Dini turned and saw the dead end. "Why do these things have to appear every time we get chased by something?"

            "Sheer boredom. And I don't feel like going back until we find a correct way so let's make our own doorway."

            "And how are we gonna do that?" Pale blue eyes widen as the other girl just grinned. "Ooh no. No I am not doing that!"

            "You're wearing armor it can't hurt!"

            "It does hurt, metal is not comfortable to be in when your fighting or falling!"

            "Hey is it my fault I can't wear mine yet??"

            "If the shoe fits then wear it!"

            ~Ladies!!!~ Both girls jumped back and stared as the slightly glowing snake bracelet that shifted on Naomi's arm. ~In case you haven't notice but all your yelling has attracted trouble.  You both can continue this once we are home safely.~

            "Fine.  On the count of three we run into the wall alright?" the green haired girl sighed as she rubbed her eyes.

            The pink haired girl thought for a moment but nodded.  "One... two... three!"  Both ladies ran at the wall and a crash was heard along with a cloud of dirt but when it died the young bearer of the armor of summer was sitting on the ground, holding her head and the bearer of autumn was standing behind her, trying hard not to laugh.  The wall they were suppose to crash into had a large crack and dent but was still standing.

            "You... dodged it..." she groaned as she wrapped her arms around the helmet tightly to stop the ringing.

            "Like I said, you're the one wearing armor," the other retorted.

            A tearing noise, like someone ripping paper came from behind them, and the girls realized with fear that the shadow beats were beginning to break through the web barrier.

            "Uh oh," Dini looked down the tunnel. "We've got problems…"

            Naomi stood her ground, fists clenched and jaw set. She knew that she wasn't as strong as Dini was now but she wasn't going to back down from a fight.

            You are gonna get your ass kicked, Naomi thought to herself. There's no way you can beat these things without help. Oh man, what am I going to do? Dini can't fight these things alone--she needs my help!

            That seemed to be all she needed as the bracelet began to glow and filled her power with a surge of energy. Looking she soon found in her hands the helmet of the armor of autumn. When she last held the helmet in her hands her father had stopped her from putting it on for fear of becoming what he was but he wasn't here. But I am not letting Dini fight alone. She's one of my best friends so... why am I hesitating? she thought to herself.

            More tearing was heard and Dini made her way before Naomi, pulling the blades from her back and got into ready position. "Here they come," she said as they could watch the hallway begin to fill with a darkness that was literally alive. Growls echoed down the corridor, filling their ears and minds but for the moment, the young girl in her father's armor but she took a deep breathe and got ready. "Time to show them what little girls are made of." with a little smirk she charge forward, bringing her blades high up only to bring them down in a graceful arch towards their enemies.

            Naomi stood and watched Dini slice the beasts. What am I waiting for? Naomi thought. I can't let Dini fight alone. I want to get out of here--all of us! Cye, Dad, Grandma… and Grandpa! I'll kick Talpa out of my grandfather's body myself if I have to!

            She lifted the helmet above and placed it on her head. Power, raw and pure, surged through her body. The Venom Armor came forward; Naomi reached behind and pulled out the two katanas. She held them in front of her and released them. The blades did not fall. She did the same with the next four swords, pushed them together and pulled the bottom right sword away with the others following.

            Naomi spun the blades above her head. "Dini, move!" she shouted. Her friend jumped out of the way, and Naomi released her attack. "SNAKE FANG STRIKE!"

            The shadow beasts looked up but didn't have time to move as a red slash hit them dead on. The next thing they knew the attack tore at their bodies, filling them with a searing heat they burnt their shapeless forms. They barely had time to cry out in pain when they fell to the ground in a heap. Dini watched it all from a safe distance before looking at Naomi, great admiration in her pale colored eyes.

            "Naomi... you rock!!" she cheered and flashed the victory sign, "Let's get going and look for the others."

            ~Venom has awaken… they are now enveloped in the full power of the armors.~

            "Naomi did it…" Cye said to himself softly after hearing Torrent relate the news. He couldn't help but smile a bit.

            Sekhmet didn't have the same enthusiasm. "So it's finished," he said. "Now what? Will our daughters fall down the same dark path that we did?"

            ~That won't happen, ~ Wildfire assured. ~They know what Talpa has done and you told them of your own experiences. They won't fall under Talpa's deceptive allure. ~

            "We thought the same thing... when we buried the bracelets in the beginning we all knew that it would be forever no matter how hard we prayed. After that we still continued to have nightmares about Talpa, Badamon, the battles, even one day of turning on those who raised us. Now Reficul is Talpa's slave and I doubt that he is going to let the armors slip through his fingers so easily."

            ~You must have more faith in hem.~

            "We do," Dais spoke up as he closed his eye. "But no matter what the girls will always be our little girls. and like any father we want to always protect them."

            ~That, ~ said Wildfire, ~is your greatest challenge you have ever faced. ~

            Talpa stood in front of the view screens, watching the Ronins and the Warlords, and zoomed the focus on Ineisha. "Tell me, Reficul, do you still love her? How would you feel if she died?"

            ~You wouldn't… ~ Reficul said from within his own mental prison.

            "That will depend on the outcome of what happens. I know that she will do anything to free you, so will you son and granddaughter now that they know I was behind your actions." Talpa chuckled. "When they are together, I think I will pay them a visit. Especially Wildfire's charge."

            ~What do you want him for? ~

            "He has something very powerful… and I want it."

            ~I seriously doubt he would let you near him. Beside, knowing you whatever he has you just want to use it for your twisted purposes,~ he growled lowly but could do nothing. He just hoped he took his bluff.

            "We shall see, puppet. We shall see."

~End of Chapter Fourteen~