(9/7/05) I have nothing.


That scary lady? She is my… Well, she was one of my friends growing up. Her name is Cesei. I suppose it's my fault that she's a necromancer now. Her original abilities were shape shifting into various animal forms. However, one day… I challenged the Immortal Queen Hel, to battle. I was so foolish. Cesei had rescued me from death and carried me off in hopes that we could escape. The Queen had quickly recaptured us and as punishment, fused dark matter into our veins. She was planning on doing it to me anyway, like a sick experiment. Cesei… To create a necromancer, one needs a very small percent of Lunar blood blended with a heavy amount of dark matter. My careless act mutated her skills and thus, she had become a necromancer. The Queen saw much potential in her but could not tame her anymore. With no other options left, she had been sent to train with a man called "Sin." I have not seen her until now…

Sabata idly stared out of the window, at the bright rising sun in the distance. Sketch sat in his claimed shadows, his violet eyes fixed on the Dark Boy. Sabata chose not to look back at the ninja. He still had all of his wounds slowly recovering while Sketch was completely healed and rather healthy-looking.

"How is it," he began. "How is it that you are completely recovered and I am still taking care of my injuries?"

"Because I know magics!"

Sabata stared at him.

"Eh heh… Sorry. I always wanted to say that!"

"Who are you anyway?"

"…Huh?"

Sabata glanced at Sketch for a moment.

"I know your name, but what is your history?"

"…My master says that I was left at his dojo about ten years ago. I have little memory of my parents. I can only recall a mix of black and green hair with purple eyes… From my abilities, I am told that I am royalty from the Nebula sector of the Moon. I am dubbed the Lunar Ninja Sketch. I intend on learning more about my parents, but first, we need to get out of here."

"Heal me."

Sketch looked at Sabata in question.

"If you want me to believe you, heal me. Only Lunar Royalty and Moon Beauties hold the power to heal by magic."

The ninja remained quiet, but nodded. He sat next to the Dark Boy and for a moment, glowed a soft green. Sabata was enveloped in the same light and watched in amazement as all of his wounds closed up without a trace of ever being there in the first place. Sabata muttered a few dirty things under his breath while the Sketch beamed at him. Suddenly, a grappling hook shot up and clung between the wall and ground.

"About time you two showed up." Sketch grinned.

"Hn, Saki had to put on some damn makeup before we could go." A masculine voice retorted.

"HEY!" A feminine voice exclaimed. A head full of spiky blue locks appeared.

"Yo, Kyo."

"Hello to you too, Sketch."

"Who are these people?" Sabata blurted, feeling quite irritated.

"Ah, Kyo and Saki, but where's Saki?"

"Further down the rope."

"Alright, do you guys have my shuriken?"

Kyo passed a circular object with four stars equally distanced from each other through the bars. Once Sketch touched it, wispy black blades shot out from each of the stars with an odd glow. With two quick swipes, the bars from the window easily slid free, as if they were butter left out on a hot day and Sketch's overlarge shuriken was a hot knife. The boy quickly climbed in and pulled the rope up, helping a brunette girl in. Sabata quickly compared the three's choice of clothing. Sketch had a more traditional ninja suit while Saki, he assumed was the girl, wore a short robe with, thankfully, tight shorts underneath. He assumed that, from the brightness of her outfit and white tobi socks, she was more of a surprise attack ninja. What interested him the most was the gauntlet on her left hand. At the elbow, it was curved in, allowing Saki to move her arm more freely. At her hand, there was a shiny plate over the back of her hand and claws over her fingers. He took a quick glance at Kyo, surprised that he had a more modern appearance. He had a high collar, baggy navy sweater, though above each elbow, there was a switch from looseness to tightness. Sabata supposed that it was so it would not get caught in anything. The collar hid half of his face most of the time, but he could tell Kyo wore a mask over his mouth. He wore indigo pants tucked into boots.

"Who's this?" Kyo asked, jerking a thumb rudely towards Sabata.

"An unarmed Dark Boy Sabata." Sketch answered quickly. He leaned into his friends and quietly whispered, "I think he's cranky right now."

"So says the sart boy." The Dark Boy said loudly, making sure Sketch would flush and sputter. And that's exactly what he did.


At the Solar Tree, Lita was abruptly wakened up. At the base of the stairs leading up to the hill, Django and the mysterious girl stood. The girl looked up at the Solar Tree and gave a sight of relief.

"Skeletons aren't over it! Thank Sol!" She exclaimed.

"But Lita is?"

"I'm alright, Django-sama." Lita said. She stood up and quickly brushed her dress off before hurrying over to Django. "I was so worried about you! And… Who is this?"

"Oh! This is Ally! Formally known as Arison, she was my best buddy growing up! Ally, this is Lita, the Earthly Maiden. She takes care of the Solar Tree."

"Nice to meet you."

Lita was still silent while Arison stared at her.

"Sheesh, I'm not seeking any love interests right now." Arison announced loudly. Django looked at her with confusion in his eyes, quite oblivious to Lita's silent treatment towards his old friend. "Anyway, whoever's going to kick ass tonight better find some shade and sleep."

"Shouldn't we go sometime during the day?" Django questioned.

"Django. We're both really tired. And we can't rest until tomorrow morning." She put a hand on Django's shoulder. "Besides, there's hardly a challenge if everything is asleep. Well, I'm not sure about skeletons, but I know most things are asleep in the morning, including you, squirt. It's what they least expect. And…"

"And?"

"Honor system, squirt. Honor system."

"…Ally?"

"Yeah, squirt?"

"…Never mind."

"…Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong!"

"You deny it. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong!"

"Django…"

"I… Ally…"

"…If you're uncomfortable, you can tell me later, but if it's going to bug you while you fight, you might as well tell me right now."

"…Before we set off to find Enbara, I had this weird dream… I dreamt that… There were unpurified bok-corpses all over the floor as far as the eye can see. And I was dead."

"Squirt, that's silly. But, if it makes you feel better, I promise I'll do whatever it takes to keep you from dying before me."

"Ally…"

"Hm?"

"…Thank you…"

Django watched Arison disappear as she climbed a tree and rested in its branches. His eyes wandered to the ever-floating castle in the sky. Soon, it would omit the sun from the Solar Tree… He sighed and climbed up the Solar Tree. The pink blossoms shaded the sun's rays just a bit, allowing the light to shine in a few places. It was a pleasant feeling, though somewhere down in his stomach knew it would end pretty soon. Django fell asleep…

Django was falling. All of it felt too real. The wind howled in his ear. The ends of his scarf flapped noisily, though he felt thankful his back was turned more to the ground so it wouldn't choke him to death. A bright light pierced the pitch-black ground below his sight. An object was soaring to him; six graceful wings and a pair of arms were spread out ready to catch him as he fell.

Django woke up. He quickly jumped off his branch, the setting sun glaring in his eye. Arison stood at the base, arms crossed across her chest. Her cloak was folded back so it would not cover most of her body, revealing the purple tank top beneath.

"You ready to go?" She asked, pulling herself forward from the tree. She drew both her roped blade and Sword Del Galaxia. Django nodded, drawing out the Gun Del Sol. Otenko formed from out of the void between the boy's ears.

"While you two were out, I managed to scout the area below the Bone Castle." The Sunflower said. "I found a way to create a warp, but you'll only be able to use it if something you share anything is up there."

"…We share the earth, the sky, the sun, and the moon." Django said.

"Very well then… Let's go to Sunwishing Plaza."

"Wait! Django-sama!" The boy turned around to see Lita rushing to him. She carefully handed him a small bag filled with solar fruit and apples. "Good luck, Django-sama!"

"Thanks."

"Alright now, let's go!"


"These bars seem odd, no?" Saki said, tapping the bars of the dungeon cell. It had the luster of metal yet did not make a sound when her claw hit it. Suddenly, she struck the bars, tearing it like paper. It immediately grew back with a sickening squishing sound. She quickly placed three kunais between her right fingers and slashed furiously at the cage. Kyo sighed and flicked a few shurikens into the ceiling and floor. Saki stared at him before kicking the bars down. They instantly shattered upon hitting the floor and could not grow back; Kyo's shurikens blocked their path.

"The exit is to the south." Kyo said.

"I feel it. My Gun Del Hel!" Sabata muttered. He pushed Saki and Kyo aside and quickly went into Zero-shift mode opposite of where the older ninja was pointing.

"Wait, that's where the immortal is!" Saki called out. But Sabata could not or would not listen.

"I think he has his reasons." Sketch sighed. "Come on, let's get out of this place!"

The three ninjas dashed out of the room, hacking and slashing at boks and skeletons alike. Mentally, Sketch frowned. He only remembered being attacked by skeletons. Did the boks mean Cesei was growing even more powerful? His thoughts were stopped when he bumped into Kyo and Saki, who have mysteriously stopped. In front stood a new duo. The blond with the red scarf lowered his gun a little bit.

"I never knew the Necromancer caught people." He said.

"Not people, just the dunce over here." Kyo replied, jerking a finger behind him at Sketch.

"HEY!" yelled an indignant boy. Stealthily, a group of skeletons managed to surround them and clacked wildly.

"I don't have time for this…" The girl, with blue and purple hair, murmured and quickly swiped at the skeletons with her sword. Bones fell to the ground noisily, signaling other undead creatures nearby. She growled fiercely and quickly cast a rising sun above. The living dead were instantly fried into dust particles and vanished into thin air.

"Say, you look familiar." Saki commented. "Like that guy from earlier…"

"Did he have purple hair?" Django questioned quickly.

"Yeah… He was kind of girly too."

"That's Sabata! Where did he go!"

"Over there…"

Django sped off, charging through skeletons and boks alike. They tumbled over from the force and disintegrated on the spot.

"What a weird child."

"You don't know the half of it…"

"So, who was he?" Kyo pondered out loud.

"Solar Boy. He is Solar Boy Django."

"Solar Boy?"

"And you?"

"Saigon Knight Arison, descendant of the honorable Saigons Lunars mixed into one."

"Your aura readings… They're just like Sketch's…" Saki gasped.

"Whose?"

"I'm Lunar Ninja Sketch!"

"Iron Claw Saki."

" Just Kyo."

Arison looked at the three ninjas and held up the Sword Del Galaxia.

"I've been told the Galaxia weapons choose their wielders. I'm not sure if it picks by blood, but I know that the weapon and I have some things in common; we must keep darkness at bay."

"Well put!"

"Then what are we waiting for, Django will most likely need our help!"

Django dashed on, pushing skeletons over, shooting boks, and rolling through traps. He felt that Sabata was close; he had no explanation, but he just knew it. However, he found his energy reserves were growing low. He used his last shot on a bok and frowned as skeletons surrounded him. Suddenly, a large shuriken swung around like a boomerang, slicing through the skeletons with ease. The ninja in the purple outfit caught it as it spun back.

"And where do you think you're going?" Arison demanded, catching Django's ear between her thumb and finger.

"I was going to see Niich—OW!" He yelped as she pulled and twisted his appendage.

"Stupid." She growled. "Going in there all by yourself when you have people who will help you?"

"Ally… But then who are the ninjas?"

"Lunar Ninja Sketch!"

"I'm called the 'Iron Claw,' but you can just call me Saki."

"My name is Kyo and nothing else."

Once introductions were settled, Saki ran in front of everyone and began to tear up boks and skeletons alike. It was quite amusing yet scary at the same time. Alone, her claw could break through a skull with a quick swipe. Django shivered. He was glad she was on his side. Kyo usually picked off what was left from Saki's blood wrath, though it still left him with so little to do. Finally, the reached a dead-end.

"Is this it?" Saki asked, stopping after splitting a bok in half.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

The wall ahead of them suddenly vanished, revealing the Dark Boy Sabata battling undead with his bare fists.

"Niichan!" Django cried out. He rushed towards him, but suddenly halted, as if he smacked right into a window. Kyo threw a shuriken at the ceiling and touched the wall perpendicular to it, raising a brow.

"Let me."

Arison drew her Sword Del Galaxia and smashed it against the "wall," only to wrinkle her face in disgust at the sickening squelching noise it created.

"It's a barrier."

"I can see that."

On the other side, Sabata managed to dispel the undead with just his fists. From the stairs descended a fanged skeleton.

"You must be the Dark Boy Sabata." The skeleton remarked, amazingly enough, he was heard through the barrier.

"And you are?" Sabata inquired, raising a brow.

"I am Millon, Cesei's loyal servant. Or, at least I was her loyal servant." He chuckled.

"Oh?"

"That foolish child… Did she really think she could rule? She hasn't even noticed the boks I created. She thought she was able to make them from her 'growing' power!"

"Che… You're really stupid, aren't you?"

"What did you say, you impudent little boy!"

"I said, you're really stupid. You think Cesei is that naïve? I think she's been letting you make more undead spawn to absorb for her power!"

"Why you…! I'll make you regret those words! And when I'm done with you, your brother will be next!"

Sabata visibly froze, completely oblivious to who was behind him.

"Don't you dare threaten my family!" He snarled.

"Oh, you are so very intimidating!" Millon smirked. "You and your worn out body and weak little fists!"

"Niichan, don't listen to him!"

"…Django?"

The Dark Boy turned around, watching as his younger brother pounded on an invisible wall.

"Niichan!"

"How touching! This will be the last time you see one another!" the fanged skeleton cackled. He summoned more undead minions and, to everyone's disgust, devoured them. With each zombie he ate, he grew rotting flesh and blood; with every skeleton consumed, his size expanded. Soon, shredded wings spread from his back, tearing up his robes.

"NIICHAN!"

Arison choked, leaning on the barrier for support. She felt the cool energy against her fingertips. She held her chest, breathing softly. She hated feeling so helpless and watching others feel the same as well…

"Django, stand back." She commanded.

"Ally?"

"Just stand back. All of you, stand back."

Django was at a loss for words, but only obeyed.

"Ally, what are you doing?" He asked, but his question was only ignored. The Saigon Knight waved her arms around, quickly moving her fingers around the air. Kyo only gasped at her actions.

"She's not really going to—"

"Going to what, Kyo?"

"Unleash the four elements at one…"

"But… No one's ever been able to…"

The ninja's suspicions were confirmed when Arison completed the last seal.

"Four deities of the elements, lend me your power!" She called out, bright orbs of light surrounding her. "Fighting Dragon! Shielding Tortoise! Rushing Tiger! Rising Phoenix!"

Four figures appeared in front of her; four different colored animals made of pure energy were at her command.

"GO!"

Immediately, the four elements rammed into the invisible barrier, shattering its energy hold. The "pieces" fell like glitter and vanished upon hitting the ground.

"Ally!" Django cried, rushing to his friend's side as she fell to the floor.

"Squirt, I'm fine." She wheezed. "But go! Go help your brother!"

"But Ally…"

"Go, Squirt! Go, Django! Go, Solar Boy Django!"

The boy stood there for a moment, torn.

"Django-kun, your brother!" Saki shouted.

"Don't worry, Saki and I will take care of Arison!" Sketch exclaimed. "But you REALLY need to help Sabata! Take Kyo with you though!"

"Right!"

Django nodded to the blue ninja and leaped into action, his Gun Del Sol ready to shoot anything reanimated…

"Millon."

As if time had stopped on the spot, everyone in the room froze. Light footsteps became louder as the necromancer finally emerged from her throne. Her eyes seemed soulless, void of any emotion.

"And what are you doing, Millon?" She inquired smoothly.

"I… I… I am going to kill you!" Millon declared, suddenly getting his confidence.

"Is that so?"

It was all too sudden. One moment, Millon was a seemingly powerful being, and the next, he was a pile of bones and decomposing meat. She had stripped her traitorous servant of his "life" with a mere wave of her hand.

"Hmph. He was weak anyway." She spat. The necromancer turned around, heading back up the stairs, but paused. "Oh, and I forgot." A familiar black object with red lining was tossed carelessly, skidding to a halt by Sabata's knees. "I look forward to our rematch." Silence ensued the area as her footsteps grew faint once again.

"Rematch?" Django questioned.

"He did look quite beat up in the cell."

"Shut up."

Sketch only rolled his eyes, walking over to Sabata to heal his wounds.

"Stubborn." He smirked. "You knew you had people who were going to watch over your back, so why did you tackle this on your own?"

"Because one of them is foolish." The Dark Boy remarked. The purple ninja scowled at him, standing up. Sabata stopped for a moment. "And sart."

"SMART! I MEANT SMART DAMNIT!"

"Of course you did."

Sketch managed to simmer down, grinning at Sabata.

"Right. Now, you go remind the scary lady who you were and what she meant to you while you were growing up!"

"Hmph."

"Niichan, are you going by yourself?" Django asked, tugging on his brother's scarf.

"Of course I am." Sabata replied coolly.

"But, you're not even to full health! Not that I doubt Sketch's powers, but…"

"If you're so worried, then why don't you come with me?"

"…Huh?"

Sabata lifted his shoulders, giving another "hmph."

"We fought against the Queen together. What, are you scared?"

The Solar Boy smiled brightly, pulling the older boy into a tight embrace.

"As long as you're there to protect me, I'm afraid of nothing!" He said. In a lower voice, he whispered, "…except for Ally."

"I heard that." Arison snorted, rolling her eyes. Django laughed nervously, but calmed down when the girl ruffled his hair fondly. "Just… Don't die, okay?" The boy only nodded and flashed her a smile.

"Let's go."

With that, the two brothers disappeared up the stairs.

"Is something wrong, Arison?" Saki asked, looking at the girl.

"This castle is ascending, right?"

"Yes, we're going up quite quickly too."

"And the castle itself… Is it made of skeletons and dirt?"

"Lined with boks."

"Unpurified corpses…"

"What's wrong?"

"…Everything is…"

Arison said no more and fled the room.


I don't like how that ended, but meh. Much better than my original written one. That was just.. augh. (11/21/05)