SailorStar9: I've finally decided which episode to put Ami in. So, this is Chapter 1. Sit back and enjoy this chapter. Read and review.
Disclaimers: Nothing here are mine, well, except the plot.
Chapter 1: Shadowland
It seemed to be a normal, nice day in Touyama, when a cloud gathered overhead and casts a strangely shaped shadow on the buildings below. Demonic laughter resounded.
In a room at a university nearby, Mia Koji was busy with a computer, working for her grandfather, Doctor Koji. Her grandfather was worried. The armor of the Ronin Warriors had disappeared, which could mean that the Demon Lord Talpa -- whom he had researched for years as a folklorist -- might be ready to manifest once again.
In Touyama's shopping district, Yuli and his parents were window-shopping when Yuli almost ran into White Blaze and got a wet lick as a greeting from the huge white tiger. Then the tiger's human companion, Ryo, spoke with him. Yuli's parents then pulled him away, fearful for his life, as Ryo and White Blaze continued about their business. But someone had called the police about the appearance of the tiger, and the media arrive, too.
Mia and Doctor Koji saw a news broadcast about the young man and his 'pet'" Doctor Koji identified Ryo as a Samurai Trooper. He sent Mia off to bring Ryo to him. Dark clouds suddenly appeared, traveling too fast to be natural. Mia's "jeep died, as do all the cars around her. She stole a policeman's bike to continue her mission. A helicopter fell from the sky, its motor quitting. Ryo and the police surrounding them watched in horror.
Lightning struck around them, breaking windows as people panicked and Yuli lost his parents in the crowd. Behind Ryo, a deadly-looking suit of samurai armor materialized. It's a warrior of Talpa's demon army. White Blaze sensed it and responded, giving Ryo enough warning to leap out of the way of its first blow. The demon soldier's scythe cut open the back of his shirt, and we see the red undergear he wore through the slit. Ryo turned and challenged the warrior, discarding the rest of his civics to display the body armor that was concealed underneath them.
"I'm Ryo of the Wildfire," he declared. The warrior merely laughed, twirling the chain that is part of his weapon and then striking at Ryo. Ryo's own attacks had little effect on this opponent.
Buildings and roads began to crumble around them. Yuli stumbled into the battle zone, looking for his parents. Yuli was nearly killed by the warrior but Mia arrived in time to save him.
Ryo was not doing very well at all in his first battle, and it was the arrival of Rowen of Strata that saved his life. They were then joined by the other three Troopers – Kento of Hardrock, Cye of the Torrent, and Sage of the Halo. The warrior seemed unconcerned; he was quite willing to take on all five humans by himself.
Mia was telling Yuli a little about Talpa and the Ronin Warriors as the battle continued.
Just the, a regal-looking girl appeared from behind the pair.
"You have to leave." Ami warned.
"But..." Yuli turned to the battlefield.
The others have no better luck that Ryo did in affecting Talpa's warrior. Mia yelled at them to put on their armor; the soldier responded by tossing his chain at the trio.
Ami stood defiantly in front of the two innocents, a towering golden aura appeared around her, deflecting the scythe.
"What is this?" the soldier questioned harshly, catching his weapon.
"What the..." Ryo gasped, his 'kanji' burning on his forehead.
"I'm feeling something too..." Rowen added, the 'Life' sign appearing on his forehead.
"What amazing..." Kento gasped, the symbol of 'Justice' burnt on his forehead.
"I can feel a strong power coming from her." Sage admitted, his sign appearing on his forehead.
"And it's an comforting aura." Cye added, his kanji burning on his forehead.
"She isn't a fighter, but what is this aura?" Sage inquired.
"That's..." Ryo's eyes widened.
"Athena!" the five Ronins chorused, seeing the image of Pallas Athena's statue behind the blue-haired girl.
"She really is Athena!" Ryo realized. "So this is what Ancient meant by 'Guard Athena'."
"What Athena?" the soldier scoffed.
The five turned back to their battle and Ryo called the Wildfire armor; and the other four armored up as well. The warrior laughed once more, "So you are the Ronin Warriors!" he gloated. Ryo attacked, but the warrior parried his blows.
"You don't know how to use your armor yet!" the warrior taunted as he knocked Ryo into the ground.
Yuli called to him, and Ryo discovered how to power up, using his 'FLARE UP NOW!' to destroy his opponent.
White Blaze walked over to the revealed Goddess and nuzzled her affectionately. The azure-haired girl smiled fondly at the white tiger and petted him, her aura still radiating.
The others had almost no chance to congratulate Ryo before nasty laughter was heard from the roofs overhead. They looked upward to see four men dressed in armor somewhat like their own. The foremost told them that Talpa had just been testing his newest foes, and introduced himself as Anubis, warlord of Cruelty and sworn to Talpa's service. The other three also introduced themselves: Cale, warlord of Corruption, Sekhmet, warlord of Venom, and Dais, warlord of Illusion. With a warning that they would be back, all four teleported skyward as Talpa's voice was heard. The clouds cleared up somewhat, and for the first time we see Talpa's dark castle floating above the city.
Ami, her holy aura still unwavering, walked out and placed herself before Talpa's very obvious threat.
This world won't be handled over to evil like you, Talpa. She warned mentally. Not while I still guard it.
"You know you don't have to do that." she gently remarked, turning around to face the five knelt Ronins.
"No." Ryo objected. "The Ancient clan guarded you and the five of us are oath-bound to do the same."
The other four nodded.
SailorStar9: Yup and that's it, for now anyway. Read and review.
