Chapter 4

The Journey Begins

Later that night Ryo and Rowen were having their own shared dreams. They were both visited by Anubis. Ryo and Rowen had linked dreams when they shared dreams. Neither knows how or why this happens, but both are happy to share them because that way they aren't alone.

"I had a feeling you were going to show up soon. How about you Rowen," Ryo asked wryly, already knowing the answer.

"I had the same feeling," Rowen replied dryly.

"So what's up with those five girls...." Ryo started.

"And what was up with Midget and Munchkin and their dreams," finished Rowen.

"Well, those five girls are to be new warriors. I came to Munchkin in a dream and the Ancient went to Midget," he explained. "Those two are very powerful and are very special. They don't know about the bond they share yet, but they will find out soon."

"Why is it you came to them in a dream," Rowen asked curiously.

"I had to tell them to bring their friends here tomorrow. They are to receive their armors then. And you guys are to be there to help them," Anubis explained calmly. "You will also have to train them for the upcoming battle."

"Is Talpa really back," Ryo asked quietly and with a tinge of sadness.

"I am afraid so, Ryo. I am truly sorry. I know you all are tired of fighting, but you are the only hope, and now you have help," Anubis said softly.

"I kind of feel sorry for them for what they are getting into," Rowen stated sadly.

"Yeah, and they don't even know yet," said Ryo. I hope they can handle it, he thought.

"Don't worry, Wildfire, they are stronger than they appear to be," Anubis told him suddenly.

"Quit reading my mind," Ryo hissed with a hint of laughter.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it," Anubis replied with a smile. "Please take care of Munchkin and Midget, The Ancient and I have known them for a while and they have been through a lot," Anubis said sadly.

Ryo and Rowen looked at each other with surprise and interest in their eyes, but didn't ask. Somehow they knew it would be better to leave it alone.

"I have to go now, but you will find out some more tomorrow from Kayura," he said, "Oh, and tell everyone I say hi. Bye!"

With that he disappeared and brought them back to the dark of sleep.

They both woke up with a start around three a.m. and lay there in thought the rest of the night.

At around seven the next morning everyone got up to get ready to leave, because today was when they were to go back home before school started. Cye was making breakfast while Kento was drooling over it. Sage was in the bathroom fixing his hair, while Rowen was banging on the door and yelling for him to get his slow butt out. And Ryo was sitting with White Blaze at the table. Mia had left around six that morning on her expedition.

After Breakfast, which Keno ate most of, they all went to their rooms to pack. At around nine Ryo and Rowen called the others to the living room to tell them of their dream, and that be ready for the girls, and Warlords, and Kayura to show up soon.

"I actually can't wait to see the girls again," Sage said, grinning in anticipation.

"I know what you mean. That girl Penny is cute," Kento exclaimed, pausing for only a moment before returning to his breakfast.

"I am more partial to Sara," Sage replied, picturing her in his mind.

"I don't know, I think Jaya is sweet and pretty," Cye told them, blushing.

"I like Midget. She's really cute and seems to be very nice," Rowen stated shyly.

"Munchkin is also cute and she seems real nice, too," Ryo said, looking thoughtful. "After last night I hope all of then are ok?"

The other guys had the same thought running through their minds when Kento said, "Don't worry. You said Anubis told you they were strong. They will all be fine."

Meanwhile at Jaya's mom's house

The girls had all gotten up at 6:30 a.m. with the intent to go shopping for clothes because they had to start school the next day. Jaya was in the kitchen with Midget cooking breakfast, while Penny was waiting patiently at the table to eat. Sara was in the bathroom fixing her hair, while Munchkin was resting on the couch.

After Breakfast the girls were getting ready to leave when Midget and Munchkin decided to tell the others about their dreams. They were all a little stunned, and didn't understand what they were saying.

"It was just a dream," Penny insisted stubbornly.

"Yeah, but a dream that they both shared," Sara pointed out sensibly.

"I don't know about this," Jaya told them worriedly.

"Trust us, we know these people," Midget and Munchkin said seriously.

"We will go back if they explain what the deal was yesterday," Sara sighed resignedly.

"How about you two," Munchkin asked, looking at Jaya and Penny.

"I guess so," Jaya answered uncertainly.

"If I can see Kento again, sure," Penny replied with a strange smile on her face.

"I think Sage is cute," Sara said with the same kind of smile on her face.

"I myself like Cye. He is so quiet and cute," replied Jaya blushing.

"That Rowen has the cutest smile, and I love his hair," Midget told them with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Shoot, Ryo is sooo cute, with those tiger blue eyes and that deep black hair," Munchkin stated with an almost wild look in her eyes. "He is so sweet, too."

"So is Cye."

"So is Kento."

"So is Rowen."

"So is Sage."

The other girls chimed simultaneously. Looking at each other, they all suddenly burst out laughing.

"Well, lets get going," Midget said, calming down quickly.

With that they all left using Jaya's mom's car. On the way they decided to stop at Mia's before going shopping.

They arrived at the house at around 9:15 to see the guys ready and waiting for them.

"How did you know we were coming," Penny asked, astonished.

"We are psychic," replied Kento. They both looked at each other and blushed.

"I'll bet you could read her mind now," Sara whispered under her breath.

Sage heard her and began to laugh, causing her to look over and laugh with him.

"Oops, did you hear that," she asked between gasps for air

"Accidentally," he said.

"Should we break them up," Jaya asked quietly.

"No, that would be a shame, they are so cute," Cye replied with a smile on his face.

The others heard him and began to settle down, all blushing just a little.

"So should we get this started," Kayura asked, walking up behind them.

"Are you all prepared for this," asked Dais curiously.

"We don't know what this is," Penny retorted sarcastically.

"You will soon find out," Seckhmet hissed back, frowning.

"Touchy today, aren't we, snake boy," Munchkin snapped irritably, instantly regretting it. A feeling of possible doom had her feeling anxious and edgy. That was no excuse for snapping at any of her friends, though.

"Careful you two, he's on our side," Midget stated quietly but with authority. She wondered silently how well they were going to take all of this. Munchkin was all readyhaving trouble with the stress.

"You better watch yourself too, Seckhmet," Cale laughed, enjoying the sight.

"Ha. Ha. Cale, stay out of it," Seckhmet snapped waspishly.

"Gees, you are a bit touchy today," Ryo said, eyeing the older man.

"That is because Kayura made him keep his pet snakes outside last night," Dais informed them, laughing.

"Only because they got in Kayura and Dais' bed the night before when they were taking a nap together," Cale spit out while trying not to choke on his laughter.

Everyone but Kayura and Dais joined in on the laugh. They were blustering in anger and blushing with embarrassment at the same time.

"Let's just get this over with," snarled Dais.

They all tried to control themselves long enough to follow them. They were all led to a cave under Mt. Fuji. They entered there and walked till they came to a fork in the tunnel. They then took a right and walked for what seemed like forever to a certain hungry boy. All the way he was complaining about his stomach.

"When are we going to stop to eat," Kento complained in a whiny tone.

"After we finish what we set out to do," Ryo replied in a no-nonsense tone.

"That is going to take to long, by the time we finish I will be skin and bones," Kento cried.

"Penny, you need to teach him your tricks about controlling your hunger," Sara said teasingly, just a hint of an edge in her tone.

"I could try, but I don't know if he has the will power," Penny retorted with a tinge of sarcasm, feeling a little out of sorts. Kento's complaining was getting to everyone.

"Hey, I resent that remark," Kento squealed in an offended tone.

"You mean you resemble that remark," Cye returned as he laughed.

"I'll get you for that," Kento snapped and charged at him. Cye dodged quickly and made a run for it. About ten feet ahead he tripped over something and Kento slammed into him sending them both to the ground.

"Ouch, what was that," Kento said.

"Me," Cye said, his voice muffled underneath the bigger boy. "Please get off before I suffocate."

"Sorry Cye, I didn't see you," Kento said meekly.

"So I noticed," Cye replied knocking the dust off his clothes. "I slammed into something."

"What is it," Sage asked, coming up behind the two.

"I don't know," he replied.

"It's part of what we are looking for," responded Kayura. Dais went over and picked up a stone tablet.

"Let's get this out of here," Cale suggested, his tone a mixture of regret and gratefulness.

"Yeah, that way we can read it," reasoned Seckhmet, adding beneath his breath, "and I can get out of here."

"Seckhmet, afraid of the dark," Kento mocked, his pride still stinging from Penny's remark.

"NO, it's just that being here with you makes my skin crawl," Seckhmet retorted, giving a fake shudder.

"Ha. Ha. Aren't you just soo funny," Kento remarked moodily.

"Let's just go," sighed Munchkin. They all turned to her, who had just turned back the other way and started to walk the other way. Everyone kept quiet and followed her out.

I wonder what's bothering Munchkin. It probably has something to do with yesterday's attack. Midget watched her best friend as she continued to try to figure out what was wrong.

I wish that everyone would just be quiet sometimes, and take in account what danger we are truly in. Munchkin walked quietly to the cave entrance with everyone following her, pondering ways to make them understand without freaking them out.

I hope Munchkin is ok. Ryo trailed after the girl, a worried expression on his face. He kept as close as he could without bumping into her or Midget. She seems to be so worried all the time. I sense that Midget is close to her and will help her, but I also sense that she needs someone else to help also.

Munchkin seems to be worried about something. Rowen stayed close to Ryo as he also considered Munchkin's behavior. She also seems to have an unusual amount of power. For that matter so does Midget. They seem to be real close, maybe she can help her get through what is bothering her.

I hope Munchkin is ok. The thought crossed the other girls' minds at the same time.

When they all left the cave they went over to Kayura and Dais to read the tablet. Kayura had to read it to them because it was written in the language of the Ancients.

"It says: There are seven armors that were created in another dimension to fight an ancient evil. When the evil was destroyed the armors were sent to specific resting places and were only to be used to fight the evil that would threaten a peaceful dimension. They can only be worn by those with the true power of psionics and a certain birthright. Only the ones who are to claim them can find the armors in their resting places. They are also the only ones who can enter their special sites. They will have to fight to prove themselves worthy in an individual test. Each is different, but they are all equal in challenge to the challenger. Only the Ancient staff can send them to this dimension and only their armors can bring them back. That is all it says," Kayura explains.

"Does this mean that we are supposed to get some kind of weird armor like you four," Penny asked hopefully, looking at the Warlords and Kayura.

"Actually, like us nine," Kento stated a bit smugly.

"What!" Penny, Sara, and Jaya shouted, stunned.

"We are the Ronin Warriors," Sage said proudly.

"The ones from Midget's crazy stories," asked Sara, stunned. "But those are just supposed to be stupid legends about fake demons and heroes."

"That would be us," Cye said quietly. "No, we aren't fake and this is not a lie."

"Isn't it cool," Kento asked with a laugh.

"Whatever," Jaya retorted, looking anxious and upset.

"I don't know. It always did seem really cool in the stories," Penny said excitedly, nearly hopping up and down in excitement.

"You are psycho, Penny," Sara snapped, more than a little shaken by the thought of fighting.

"Guys, please settle down," Munchkin asked with a sigh. "All I can say is that if you don't want to help, then don't. The earth and people around the world need our help, though, and I for one am not going to turn them down."

"Me either," shouted Penny excitedly.

"I guess I won't, either," Jaya said quietly. At the look Munchkin gave her she explained, "I mean, the thought of that just isn't something I can stand. That doesn't mean I'm thrilled, though."

"Well I could never say no if no one else said no," Sara said exasperated, trying to hide her own doubts. She exchanged an understanding look with Jaya, causing both to feel slightly better.

"Well, I couldn't leave you guys alone without my strategies," Midget stated reasonably, rationalizing her decision like usual. "I am kind of wondering about the other two, though. The tablet did say there were seven, didn't it?"

"Yes it did, and they have already been claimed," Kayura explained, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"And after they were, Talpa got the bearers to join him," Dais hissed in frustration.

"If the Ancient's staff is the only way there, then how did they get there," Munchkin asked curiously.

"They received their armors a year ago, when Anubis was alive and working as the Ancient. Then the two were good, but after his death they were taken by Talpa and possessed." Kayura said sadly.

"Are you all ready to go," Cale asked, immediately changing the subject. He didn't like to remember such a painful time.

"Yes," the girls answered in unison.

"Then good luck," Seckhmet said formally.

"Thanks," they chorused simultaneously.

They were then transported to the other dimension, which was known as the 'Mystery' dimension.

To be continued.....