Disclaimer: Yoroiden Samurai Troopers is the property of Sunrise. Ronin Warriors is the property of Bandai Entertainment.

Author's Note: So, after four chapters of set-up, it's finally time to ignite the plot. Do you see now why I wanted to change the schedule? If I hadn't, then we'd have only been up to Chapter 3! ... Okay, I promise, I'll stop harping on about the schedule change now. Long story short, I'm much happier now that I'm uploading faster.

So, Chapter 5... No new original characters introduced, but some old friends will be making their appearance. Can you guess who?

Enjoy and please review!

The Wicked Knights
by Jake the Fearless Leader

Chapter Five
"An Untimely Awakening"

The residents of the Koji mansion sat around the dining room table, discussing their situation. Ryo, Rowen, and Kento had tried to use the link between the five armors to see if they could locate their friends, but were unsuccessful. There was no reaction from either the Armor of Halo or the Armor of Torrent, which could mean two things. Since they refused to even consider the possibility of Sage and Cye being dead, that left them with only one option.

"They're in the Dynasty. I know it. We gotta bust 'em out!" exclaimed Kento loudly, pounding his fist on the table for emphasis.

"Kento, do you remember what happened the last time you went charging headfirst after Sage and Cye?" Rowen asked pointedly.

"But we can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"Kento's right. Our friends are in trouble. We've got to save them," said Ryo.

"We don't know who took them, or if they were even captured. We can't just rush into this. It would be suicide," reasoned Rowen.

"There might be another way," Mia said thoughtfully. "If Sage and Cye are in the Dynasty, then we might be able to use the Jewel of Life to contact Lady Kayura and the Warlords."

"Just one problem with that plan, Mia. Yuli has the Jewel," Rowen reminded her. "Will his parents even let him come over today?"

"We can't wait until tomorrow. By then, it could be too late," complained Kento.

"We're just gonna have to go over to his house and get it ourselves," said Ryo, standing up. "Then, we'll use the Jewel to get in touch with Kayura."

Mia insisted on driving over, as she was their best chance of distracting the Yamanos. In the time between Talpa's two assaults on the Mortal Realm, she made a point of becoming friendly with the couple, as their son had been spending a lot of time over at her place. This made Mia the best candidate to strike up a casual conversation while the Ronins explained the situation to Yuli. The kid was just as worried about Sage and Cye as his older friends were, and he was more than willing to give them the Jewel of Life. Promising that they'd see him soon, the Ronins and Mia said their goodbyes to their young friend and his parents. The four got into the jeep and headed back towards the Koji house. However, after discussing their options, they decided to instead stop on an abandoned highway, where, not surprisingly, White Blaze was waiting for them.

Ryo, Rowen, and Kento changed into their sub-armors as they gathered around the Jewel of Life. They weren't quite sure what they had to do to make it summon Kayura, though fortunately, the Jewel began to glow, seemingly activating on it's own. Out of the ground rose the massive gate leading into the Nether Realm. Not exactly what they were going for, but it would have to do. White Blaze huffed as Hardrock approached the gate and forced the doors open. Ryo glanced down at him and petted the tiger behind the ears.

"All right, guys. Good luck. And be careful," warned Mia. She knew there was no way they would let her go with them.

"Don't worry, Mia," reassured Rowen. "We'll get Sage and Cye, and be back before you know it."

The three Ronins and White Blaze ran through the doors into enemy territory.

They had only just passed through the entrance to the dungeon when Sage felt the first flash of pain that was not his own. Instantly, he doubled his efforts to escape his captors. Damn, he knew it! As soon as the Sinister Fae separated them, Sage knew they were planning on torturing his friend. And if this Lightning Rod lived up to it's name, then there was no telling what it would do to Cye. The Ronin Armors could only protect them so much.

"Struggle all you want, Halo. You won't get far," Rochelle sneered at him. "Melaina, go prepare the shackles."

"Sure thing." Melaina went on ahead, disappearing into the cell that the two Ronins had shared before.

"You're not going to get away with this!" exclaimed Sage.

"Why? Because the other Ronins are coming to save you?" The Fae of Sadism snorted and rolled her eyes. "Hate to break it to you, but our castle's security system is designed to cut off your armors from the outside world."

They had reached the cell door. Rochelle push him through, and Melaina grabbed his wrist. The redhead pulled him closer to the wall, where she shackled him before he had a chance to react. Sage tried to pull away before she managed to shackle his other hand, but there was no where to go.

"Do you think blocking our armor link is going to stop our friends from finding us?" Sage questioned as Melaina finished securing him to the wall. "Because it won't. It'll just make them more determined."

"Won't matter. No one in the Nether Realm knows we're here," Rochelle informed him.

"They'll find a way. And if you think they won't, you're delusional."

Melaina whistled. "Well, bless your heart, sugar. And here I thought you was supposed to be smart." She turned her gaze apprehensively towards her fellow Fae.

Rochelle's brown eyes had narrowed, her face radiating with rage. "You're going to regret insulting me, Halo," she growled menacingly as she removed the whip from her belt. She lifted it up above her head and brought it down with a fierce crack.

Sage couldn't help the cry that escaped his lips as the whip made contact with his arm. It hurt worse than it had when she'd used it earlier. This time, Rochelle didn't stop after one. She struck him again and again, never hitting the same limb twice in a row. With every crack of the whip, the Ronin cringed at the pain and did his best not to cry out again. There was no need to give the Fae any satisfaction from his misery.

"Wait, Rochelle, be careful. We don't want to hurt him too much. You remember what Lord Zankoku said," warned Melaina.

"Why do you think I'm not aiming for his face?" Rochelle pointed out, lowering her whip as she turned to look at the Fae of Miasma. "He still feels the lashings, but the Armor of Halo will keep me from marking up his flesh."

Melaina placed her hand on her right hip as she thought it over. "Huh. I plumb forgot about that."

"And as long as his armor protects him, there's no need for me to hold back." Rochelle tightened her grip on the leather whip as it started to glow with an olive green aura. "This isn't going to be very pleasant for you, Halo, but I'm going to enjoy every second of it."

And with another crack of the whip, she slashed him directly across the chest. This time, Sage was unable to stop himself from screaming. It felt like thousands of tiny knives stabbing him all at once - cutting, twisting, tearing. Rochelle continued to whip him, though it seemed like she was concentrating on his torso more than she had before. That just made it harder to breath, and Sage's yelps became more choked due to the lack of oxygen. His entire body hurt, his head pounding a little more each time the whip made contact with some part of him.

The Ronin was forced to close his eyes tightly as a burst of green light filled the room. In that moment, it felt like his head was exploding. His soul was flooded by new sensations, more than he could bare.

So much suffering and negativity and doubt…

So much fear, panic, sorrow, confusion…

And they were everywhere — in his head, in his heart — drowning him.

He couldn't take it, couldn't handle it anymore.

It was ripping him apart!

Sage slowly opened his eyes, his gaze focusing almost immediately on the two Sinister Fae as the emerald light faded away. Both Rochelle and Melaina were staring right back at him with surprised expressions.

"Uh… what just happened?" asked Melaina, hesitantly breaking the silence to voice her confusion.

Rochelle recovered quicker. Her face hardened, and she once more brandished her whip threateningly. "What did you do, Halo?"

Lavender eyes glowered at the winged women. Sage got his feet under him and, with a single tug, tore the chains connected to his shackles out of the wall. Freed from confinement, he swiftly charged at Melaina, who was caught off guard and took the full brunt of the assault. She slammed into the bars on the opposite side of the cell, falling unconscious. Rochelle wasn't as easy to bring down. With a snarl, she lashed out with her whip and snagged the Ronin around his neck. But even as she tried to choke him, Sage grabbed the whip with both hands and whirled her around, sending her crashing to the ground. She didn't get up, but she wasn't down for the count, either. Knowing he only had a slim opportunity in which to escape, Sage broke the shackles off his wrists and quickly slipped out of the open cell.

"Time to find Cye and blow this hellhole sky high," he muttered to himself, racing down the hall that would take him to the stairs leading leading out of the dungeon.

Cye did his best not to scream as his body jerked uncontrollably. There was no way of knowing how much voltage was currently coursing through him, but it felt like more than was humanly possible. He was certain that the two Sinister Fae were standing close by, but he didn't care enough to try prying his eyes open to look for them.

He didn't know how long it had been since Aviva and Clara had brought him up to the tower, where the torture device appropriately named the Lightning Rod was kept. He'd been pushed onto a flat metallic surface and quickly restrained by his wrists and ankles. Cye tried to struggle, tried to get free, but it was no use. Next thing he knew, Aviva was pulling a large lever on the nearby control panel, and the metal prongs hovering over the slab showered him in bolts of lightning.

It was the most painful thing he'd ever experienced. What Talpa had put him, Sage, and Kento through was nothing compared to this. In his weaker moments since they'd started torturing him, Cye almost wished he could be back in those blasted gargoyles with the demonic Emperor gloating over him. Anything was better than listening to Aviva's cruel cackle.

At some point, Clara approached the control panel. With one swift movement, she pulled on the lever to turn off the power to the Lightning Rod. The Ronin's body twitched weakly as he fell limp. His sea green eyes were hidden behind pale eyelids, and he let out a broken moan.

Where were Ryo, Kento, and Rowen? Why weren't they there to save him? Was it possible that they didn't even know what kind of pain he was in? But their armors were all linked, so they had to know. His friends had to be on their way.

"Why'd you stop? It was just getting good," Aviva complained to her comrade.

"We haven't been told to kill him, and I'm pretty sure Lord Zankoku would be pissed if Torrent were to, in fact, die," said Clara calmly.

"Guess you're right." Aviva sighed in frustration. "Fine. Wait a few minutes, then turn it back on."

Clara cracked a mischievous smile, and a wicked gleam shimmered in her emerald eyes. "Hey, just because we can't kill him doesn't mean we can't have fun. I'm curious what happens if we crank up the voltage. I mean, we are supposed to be testing the Lightning Rod's potential."

Cye's eyes shot open. Had he heard her right?

"That's a very good point," agreed Aviva, her black lips spread in a smirk. "Adjust it by another twenty-five percent. Let's see what this thing can do at half it's full power."

"Already done," Clara said as she turned a dial on the panel.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," Aviva practically cooed as she walked over to where Cye was strapped down. She sneered at him evilly. "It's been a blast watching you squirm, Torrent. Hope you don't mind putting on one more good show for us." The dark haired Fae stepped back away from the table. "Clara, turn it back on."

Clara cackled and pulled the lever.

Cye screamed as he was once again electrocuted, his voice cracking as his vocal cords strained to get the sound out. He could no longer hear the Fae or their cruel snickering. The only thing he could hear was his own tortured cries. His body was once again jerking as the electrical surge flowed through it. And as the torture continued, his voice became hoarse, causing it to falter. His head had started to hurt, his temples pulsing. It almost seem to swell with the flow of lightning coursing through him.

It always amazes me how durable Mundanes are…

Cye winced and croaked out an agonized whimper. The pain in his head doubled.

How I wish we could see what this thing could really do…

His head felt like it was splitting open, and he found that he hadn't strained his voice enough to prevent a final howl from escaping his lips.

Why do I let that idiot live again…?

What a loser…

These Ronins are hot… It's almost a pity we have to destroy them…

A strange cerulean light blinded him. A series of disembodied voices began to assault him. It was impossible to tell where any of them were coming from, almost as though they were floating adrift in the air around him.

I wonder if he's ever kissed that slut…

Unbelievable… If only we could drown the little maggot…

It would be so easy to grab her and mark my territory…

I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into that little morsel…

Uptight bitch… She's gotta be a virgin…

The voices were starting to overlap, so much so that he could barely make any of it out. He couldn't hear his own thoughts anymore, just the voices.

I hate that demon…

He doesn't even know I'm alive…

Humans are disgusting… They're like rats…

They're stupid if they really think any of this matters…

I want to die…

I'll kill the bitch…

He's a dead man…

It was pure cacophony. There was no way to tell the difference between any one voice. They all sounded the same to him - whispery, harsh, distorted… hardly human.

And the voices imparted a new desire, one that burned strong within him.

I hate them…

I'll kill them all…

The light blue glow faded as suddenly as it had appeared. Cye laid limply in his bonds. He kept his eyes closed, regaining his composure. It didn't take long to notice the room was now quiet, save for his ragged breathing. Clara must have turned the machine off. He could still hear her, though, along with Aviva. The Sinister Fae hadn't moved.

Aviva and Clara were frozen in shock. They hadn't expected the boy's armor to react the way it did, radiating with such incredible power that it pretty much destroyed the Lightning Rod. The torture device was now wrecked. The prongs had snapped off and were lying innocently on the floor, and smoke was puffing out of the control panel.

"What was that?" asked Clara.

"Beats the hell out of me," Aviva responded, unconsciously moving closer to her fellow Fae.

Cye slowly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on the two holding him captive. "Let. Me. Go," he whispered in an oddly dark voice.

"Sorry, Torrent, that's not going to happen. You'll only be released when our Lord wants you returned to your cell," Clara informed him.

Cye let out a ferocious growl and began to struggle fiercely against his restraints. Clara actually took a step away from him.

"Let me go, you bitch!" he snarled more forcefully.

"What in the name of all that is unholy…?" gasped Aviva.

"Uh, maybe we should tell Lord Zankoku," suggested Clara.

"My thoughts exactly."

The two Fae quickly turned tail and fled from the room. They could hear the Ronin cursing them as they shut the doors tightly. On a whim, Aviva activated the tower's main locking mechanism to ensure that the boy couldn't get out before making their way down the spiraling staircase.

In the weeks the followed the defeat of Emperor Talpa, Lady Kayura and the former Dark Warlords worked tirelessly to rebuild the Nether Realm. They had decided to remain at Talpa's castle, using it as their primary base of operations. It wasn't like the demon would be coming back to reclaim it. They remodeled the place a bit, of course, starting with removing large sections from the maze of walls in the courtyard. It proved useful as a security measure, but really, it was just too much. The few allies they made since embarking on the restoration complained every time they had to traverse it. Every so often, they allowed themselves some rest and recreation, which allowed them to take time to attend to their individual interests.

It was on quiet days like these when Kayura would spend hours in the library, studying the writings left behind by the Ancient One. There was much she had to learn if she was to follow in his footsteps. For the most part, everything depicted in the scrolls were events related to Talpa or the Nether Realm. She found the information in these scrolls to be useful towards the restoration effort. Every so often, she would come across a scroll that would referred to the nine mystical armors, which were always an interesting read. On this occasion, one passage proved to be particularly detailed, and that caught her eye. Pulling one of the nearby candlesticks closer, Kayura placed the scroll flat on the table.

After the creation of the armors, I began the process of carefully analyzing them. During this time, I discovered that each of the armors had their own unique abilities. It seems fitting to refer to them as the Seasonal Armors and the Elemental Armors.

The four Seasonal Armors somehow still maintain part of the chaotic evil from which they were spawned, if their powers and abilities are any indication. The Armor of the Ogre represents the Spring season. It has the ability to absorb energy and, if my suspicions are correct, draws power from a person's innermost thoughts. The Armor of the Jackal represents the Winter season, as evidenced by the ability to create blizzards. And yet it's primary power lies in the darkness, which should allow the chosen bearer to see clearly through the blackest night. The Armor of the Snake represents the Autumn season. The name I have given it comes from the potent venom that appears to seep from the armor, which can be used as a curing agent, as well as to cause bodily harm. The Armor of the the Spider represents the Summer season. Capable of creating realistic illusions, the power of this armor can be used to sooth a troubled mind. I also have reason to believe that the bearer will be able to camouflage themselves in order to hide from enemies.

The five Elemental Armors, on the other hand, seem to be gentler in nature. I have christened the red armor the Wildfire to match it's connection to the element of fire. Flame strengthens the power of the armor, and I suspect that the chosen bearer will be protected from intense heat. The first of the blue armors, the darker of the two, will be known as the Armor of Strata. It appears as though this one has power over the element of air. The chosen bearer will be able to fly in a spherical orb, and I have reason to believe that this may offer some protection from most attacks. The lighter blue armor, which I have taken to referring to as the Torrent, is adept in the manipulation of the element of water. There is a purity in this particular armor, and I have discovered that the bearer will be capable of counteracting the harmful effects of the Snake Armor, provided that the exposure is not inflicted upon the bearer. The green Armor of Halo finds it's strength in the element of light. With this radiant power, the bearer should not only be capable of the extraordinary gift of healing magic, but also should never fear being blinded by any bright light. As for the Hardrock Armor, shaded orange, it's power comes from the element of Earth. I have come to refer to it as the brawn of the nine armors, as it grants it's bearer great strength and could potentially cause earthquakes if the bearer is not careful.

Kayura sighed. She already knew the abilities of each armor, mostly from her own past experience. But there was more to the passage, and if the Ancient had taken the time to make note of it, it must have been important. She read on, curious as to what it was the old monk wished others to know.

During the process of my experimenting, I have discovered a very unusual connection between two of the armors, Halo and Torrent — very rare and powerful gifts, one for each potential armor bearer. The one who dons the Armor of Torrent will eventually become efficient in Telepathy, or mind reading. Similarly, the one who dons the Armor of Halo will become proficient in Empathy, connecting the bearer to the potent emotions and desires of others. How exactly this has occurred, I cannot say. I can only assume that these magical traits developed from the virtues I have infused into the armors, Trust and Grace.

Kayura was startled. She never heard any mention from Talpa about the Torrent and Halo Armors being capable of such power. Was it possible that even he didn't know about these abilities? Did the Ronin Warriors?

The doors to the library opened with a loud creak in the silence. Kayura looked up to see that Sekhmet had decided to join her. The expression on his face, however, was grim.

"Kayura, there's trouble," he informed her.

"What is it? More strange activity by the western border?" asked Kayura, rising from her chair.

Recently, the Warlords had noticed bizarre energy signatures coming from the Western Lands of the Nether Realm. The last of the Ancient One's clan insisted that the men keep an eye on things, just in case whatever it was proved to be unfriendly.

"Not that we've detected, though whatever is causing the disturbances in that area could be involved," said Sekhmet. "Ryo of the Wildfire, Rowen of the Strata, and Kento of Hardrock are here. Apparently, their comrades have gone missing."

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me as much as it should." Kayura sighed as she walked over to join the Warlord of Venom. "Where are they now?"

"War Room," was all he said as he lead the way out of the library.