SailorStar9: Figured I needed to get this chapter out before you guys hunt me down. So, this is Chapter 9. Read and review.

Disclaimers: Nothing here are mine, well, except the plot.

Chapter 9: Wildfire in the Sky


Nighttime fell and the group were sitting by a campfire.

"Now we know where Rowen is." Sage remarked.

"But it sure is a tough place to get to." Kento noted.

"'Unmoored in the stream of the sky'..." Mia quoted.

"Even with our powers, getting to space is a tall order." Ryo stated.

"How do we wake up Rowen who's in orbit in space?" Mia inquired.

"I'd say those guys have figured out where Rowen is too." Sage interjected.

"I doubt even those guys can get to space. We shouldn't worry." Kento waved Sage's concerns aside.

"Shouldn't worry?" Ryo scolded.

"Why?" Kento challenged.

"We can't rescue him." Ryo pointed out.

"That's right." Mia agreed.

"Um right..." Kento lowered his head.

"That Rowen's sure made it difficult for us." Ryo looked up at the sky.


In space, Rowen was in a deep coma, floating aimlessly about.


In the Sailor Senshi world, Usagi's locket opened and the Ginzuishou appeared above the compact. A light blue stream of light emerged from the crystal and flew out of the window. A split second later, the Ginzuishou returned back to the Crystal Star locket and the compact closed, leaving no trace of what had happened.


Back on the 'Ronin' Earth, Athena stood away from the group, her thoughtful eyes scanning the lake before her.

A shooting star flew across the sky and the Goddess gasped at the very familiar aura the particular star gave off.

A moment later, a glittering lily-shaped crystal sat prettily between her palms and Athena knew at once that it was the Mercury Planet Crystal which had served as Athena's Shield.

Serenity would be ticked if she found out half of the blue Nijiizuishou's power was missing Athena thought.

Athena surmised that Serenity had known of the origins of the Nijiizuishou but she had refused to inform the girls about it. Like her mother, Serenity had no qualms of using the Senshi's powers as her own because in the Moon Princess's mind, the girls were her Senshi and so, their powers were rightfully, hers.


In truth, the Planetary Senshi were also given another name; the Goddess Senshi. The girls did not serve Queen Selenity by choice. Yes folks, the girls were forced to obey the Moon Queen. The reason was simple, Queen Selenity had her spies sneak into the Planetary castles to steal the Planetary Crystals for her. Once all the Planetary Crystals were in her grasp, the Moon Queen had used her illusionary magic to reform all eight crystals into the Nijiizuishou. The blue Nijiizuishou was formed by both the Mercury and Neptune Planetary Crystals combined into one. With all seven Nijiizuishou at hand, Queen Selenity merged all seven crystals to form the Ginzuishou. And because the blue Nijiizuishou was more powerful compared to the others, it automatically became the power core for the Ginzuishou.

Without the support of their Planet Crystals, the Senshi gradually lost their powers. It had started small when one day, one of Chloris' or Jupiter's stronger attacks would have lesser power than before. Enyo or Mars had credited it to fatigue or lack of concentration. Then, a few days later, an attack that could easily level an entire mountain ceased to work. A couple of weeks later, a commonly used spell stopped working. Three months later, the Goddess Senshi was so reduced in power that they had reverted to their first-stage powers, no longer able to transform into their Goddesses forms. By this point, they had no problem fingering the source of their troubles.

Some time later, the girls had stormed into the Moon Castle, demanding an explanation.

The Moon Queen had merely smiled smugly and responded that the girls had better wisen up and pledge themselves and their planets to her rule.

Most of the women just gaped at the pure arrogance that the Queen radiated with this statement.

Uranus or Nemesis recovered first and demanded what the Queen had meant.

Queen Selenity simply smiled as she brought the Moon Wand before her. The Ginzuishou flashed and the eight Senshi were on their knees.

Queen Selenity then smirked before revealing that she had sent her spies to each of their castles to steal their precious Planetary Crystals. She had then reformed all of the crystals to create the little trinket the girls saw before them.

Incensed, the Goddess Senshi attempted to get to their feet. The crystal flashed again and they were wracked with intense pain, prostrating them on the floor before the Queen.

Queen Selenity warned them eerily calmly that the Senshi would make an announcement two days' time stating that they are relinquishing their godhood to her. Sailors Venus, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter, would be the guardians of her kingdom, her senshi. Sailors Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn, would be the System Defense. It would be up to them to protect the Sol System from outside threats. Sailor Pluto was banished to the Gates of Time.

She further announced that the Senshi were only allowed to retain their first-stage abilities, never to be able to revert to their Goddess forms. They would report to no one but her. Disobedience would result in the immediate drainage of their powers. The people of the eight planets were to be be enslaved and used to serve the Lunaian people and its army. Anyone who refused to fall in line will be executed along with their immediate and extended families while the girls witness their deaths, knowing that it was all on their heads.

With a wave of her hand, all eight Senshi were transported from the throne room in a demonstration of the Queen's new power.


"Athena." Sage's voice cut her off from her contemplation.

"Yes Sage?" Athena asked, her Planet Crystal having re-absorbed back into her body.

"Everyone's waiting for you." the Warrior of Light told her.

The Goddess of Wisdom nodded and the two headed back.


A shooting star flashed across the night sky as the Ronin group back on Earth discussed their plans further.

"This is not the end of this." Mia reminded the boys.

"What do you mean?" Kento asked.

"Talpa." she turned to the boys.

"What could he do?" Kento inquired.

"Now he knows where Rowen is, he's bound to find some way to get to him." Mia reasoned.

"That makes sense." Cye agreed.

"That's true." Sage noted. "But we have to figure out what they're up to."

"Right, we should go on the offensive." Kento suggested.

"Don't be stupid." Sage reprimanded. "Have you forgotten that they had us totally defeated already?"

"But we're not the same back then." Kento argued. "They won't be able to beat us like that again."

"It's true." Ryo agreed. " If we go to Tokyo, we'll at least know what they're up to."

"Bravado like that will get you killed." Sage warned.

"But we just can't leave Rowen up there." Kento argued.

"Talpa's just waiting for us to make a wrong move." Sage reasoned.

"And that's what we're doing by arguing among ourselves." Athena intervened.

The group turned to the Goddess who had been quiet the whole time.

"Remember, our enemy is Talpa, not each other." Athena reminded them.

"She's right." Mia agreed, standing up and arms akimbo. "Let's first go back to Tokyo. Two of you can head into Talpa's castle and see he's up to. But don't get caught, otherwise all our efforts would be for nothing."

Sage nodded, "All right. Let's go with Mia's plan."

"I agree." Kento nodded.

"Now we just have to decide who'll go." Ryo remarked.

"Right. Let's decide then." Mia agreed.

"All right. Ryo and I will go." Kento offered enthusiastically. "Sage and Cye can wait outside the castle."

"No, Cye and I would be better." Sage objected.

"Why?" Kento asked.

"Precisely." Sage replied. "Our goal is surveillance. If you guys go, it'll end up in a big mess."

"He's right." Cye agreed.

"But you were the one objected in the first place." Kento argued.

"See? You're already thinking of fighting." Sage pointed out.

"What?" Kento exclaimed.

"Enough!" Athena rebuked sternly.

The two arguing parties immediately fell silent at the sharp surge of her Cosmo.

"I've just said that our enemy is Talpa, not amongst us." she reminded them firmly.

"All right, I'll decided." Mia took over from the younger girl. "Tomorrow we head for Tokyo and Sage and Cye will check on Talpa. We'll go with that."

"Mia!" Kento whined.

"Kento, don't be stubborn." Mia chided. "We have a big day tomorrow. Get some sleep."

"How dare she!" Kento snorted angrily as Mia was out of earshot. "I'll do as I please. Off to sleep."

Ryo smiled as Kento walked off. It was obvious that the Warrior of Fire had something churning in his mind.


Meanwhile back in Talpa's castle...

"We can't underestimate them considering they saw through Dais' illusion." Talpa warned his Warlords.

"So, this is what happened after your big talk." Cale mocked.

"It's only a minor setback." Dais retorted. "But I didn't come back with my tail between my legs."

"Do you see this a a prize?" Anubis snorted.

"It's the truth." Dais remarked. "The Armor of Strata is their key."

"That's right. We can strike them while they're unsure of their next step." Cale stated.

"It's just like you to take advantage of coincidence." Anubis remarked.

"Silence!" Talpa hollered. "Those pests won't be able to get to Strata no matter how hard they try. He is in space after all."

"But Master Talpa, how are we supposed to deal with Rowen in space?" Anubis pointed out.

"There is a way I can get to Rowen." Talpa replied. "I have a way."

With an evil laugh, the candles went out.


Back with the Ronin group, the whole gang was asleep. The camera then focused on Yuli who was using Whiteblaze as a pillow.

Just then, the white tiger's ears twitched as it woke up.

Ryo immediately silenced the overgrown cat, "Come on, let's go Whiteblaze."

The white tiger growled lowly and got up, sliding Yuli off in the process.

Just as the two were about to head off, Kento grabbed Ryo by his ankle, forcing the Warrior of Fire to kneel.

"What are you doing, Kento?" Ryo demanded quietly.

The orange-clad warrior smirked, "What're you sneaking away for? I'm going with you."

Ryo frowned slightly, "I guess I have no choice."

"What's wrong?" Yuli asked groggily, having been awoken.

Ryo quickly went over and cupped his hand over the younger boy's mouth.

"Quiet Yuli." Ryo warned. ""Listen to me carefully. Kento and I are heading off first. Tell Mia and the guys this in the morning. All right?"

Yuli nodded.

"Good. See you later." Ryo nodded as he and Kento took off, with Whiteblaze in tow.

"Ryo..." Yuli muttered in worry.


Back in Talpa's castle, the Warlords were in the basement of the castle, standing on the bank of a large lake of lava.

Talpa's ghostly head appeared above the molten pit and the lava bubbled.

"Nether Spirits of the Netherworld, it's time to rise up and lend me your powers." Talpa chanted. "Rise up. Rise up before me."

A solidified bubbled emerged with a figure within from the lava. Slowly, one by one, numerous similar bubbles rose from the molten pit.

"Incredible." Anubis was stunned.

"What is this?" Cale wondered aloud.

"Nether Spirits, obey your master and unify your powers as the time has come to use the cannon of doom." Talpa continued his chant. "Rise up now!"

Streams of steam burst out from the molten pit, bathing the bubbles in its heat, releasing the Nether Spirits from their prisons.

"Your target is the orbiting planet in distant space. Destroy that last threat to my rule as he lies dormant in space." Talpa continued to chant. "Forces of darkness, spirits of the Netherworld, go!"

At Talpa's command, the Nether Spirits teleported out to complete their task.

"Master Talpa, what can these Nether Spirits do that we can't?" Anubis asked.

"Everything you see in the world possesses a life force. An incredible power lies across the surface of the planet. These Nether Spirits can harness and amplify that power and produce a fireball that can be catapulted into space. That power is able to destroy anything in this world." Talpa explained.


Back with the Ronin group, Mia and the guys had arrived in Tokyo.

"Those two had headed there." Mia remarked.

"Ryo and Kento will be fine on their own." Cye assured her.

"You better come back safely Ryo, Kento." Sage stated.

"They'll be fine." Yuli noted. "Whiteblaze is with them too. They'll definitely be okay."

"Am I right, Mia?" he turned to the older woman.

"Uh yes, I'm sure they'll be fine." Mia replied.

"But Athena looks worried." Sage pointed out, glancing sideways at the Goddess beside him.

"I just hope my premonition last night was wrong." Athena revealed.

"Premonition?" the two remaining Ronins chorused.

"Uh." Athena nodded, her watchful eyes settling on an abandoned building.


Back to the two runaway Ronins, Ryo and Kento had made their way across the building tops with Whiteblaze in tow.

"Here they come. What should we do Ryo?" Kento announced as a demon soldier followed them, leaping from building to building.

"Just leave them alone." Ryo replied. "We need to get to that building then we'll be able to find out what their plan is."

That said, the three jumped off the building they were running on.


In Talpa's castle, the Warlords had sensed the two Ronins' presence.

"What?" Sekhmet questioned.

Anubis inquired, "Wildfire, he's here?"

"And Hardrock from Mount Daisetsu." Sekhmet added.

"Why would they come to the castle so boldly?" Anubis was puzzled.

"Master Talpa, allow me to take care of them." Cale offered.

"No, please let me do it." Dais stepped up.

"There's no hurry." Talpa hushed his Warlords. "The Nether Spirits will take care of the intruders."

"Yes Master!" the four Warlords chorused.


On top of the abandoned building Athena had her eyes on, the Nether Spirits were preparing the fireball of doom.

Four Spirits floated on all four corners of the roof, a fifth in the middle, the five Spirits powered up a red circle. The four Spirits in the corners transferred their power to the fifth who was obviously the leader. With the combined powers, the five Nether Spirits focused on creating the fireball.


"What's that?" Kento asked, noticing the glowing red ball.

"I have no idea." Ryo admitted.

"Kento!" he shouted a warning as the demon soldier from before jumped at them. Kento managed to dodge the attack with Ryo delivering a punch at the soldier with sent it to the ground. Another three soldiers jumped up onto the building.

"Here they come." Kento readied his fist.

"Kento, we don't have time for this." Ryo told him. "We need to go."

"So soon?" Kento complained.

"Come on, let's go." Ryo turned around to continue their journey.

Kento quickly disposed a soldier that attacked him before following Ryo.


The Nether Spirits were by then bathed in the eerie red light, before they immersed themselves into the fireball. A lightning bolt struck as they congregated their powers, and the fireball was finally complete.


"What are they planning to do?" Ryo demanded as the three ran towards the abandoned building.

"Can't say for sure, but it looks like they're after Rowen." Kento replied.

"And it's right in front of us." Ryo cursed as four demon soldiers appeared before them.

"They really want to keep us from there." Kento noted.

"Forget that." he hissed, jumping forward to punch the daylights out of the soldiers.

"At this rate, we can't save Rowen." Ryo remarked as the two fought off the soldiers.

"What could they be up to?" Kento inquired, after dispatching the last soldier.

"Who knows. Come on!" Ryo instructed and took off.


"Destroy him before he awakens!" Talpa commanded as the fireball rocketed up into the air. "Go to Rowen of the Strata."


"What is this?" Ryo demanded as the fireball was launched into the air.

"Is this their plan?" Kento asked.

"What the..." Ryo gasped as he saw the massive fireball raise into the air.

"That ball..." Kento blinked.


"What is that?" Mia turned as the fireball was propelled into the sky, the ground shaking from the impact. "What is that light?"

Suddenly, Athena turned pale as she wobbly supported herself with her Staff.

What is this feeling? This darkness? The Goddess wondered.

Could it be... She realized.

"Athena..." Sage turned worriedly to the Goddess beside him.

"I was right..." Athena mumbled. "Talpa.. he has really summoned them."

"Them?" the two remaining Ronins chorused.

The Goddess nodded, "Nether Spirits."


Somewhere else, the Ancient looked on as the fireball was skyrocketed.

"That's..." the monk muttered. "Talpa has summoned the power of the Nether Spirits."

"My powers shall render you into stardust." he declared, his staff glowing a dark blue and the monk threw the staff at the fireball. The staff entered the fireball and the said meteor imploded.

"Forces of darkness, return to the void from where you came!" the Ancient commanded.


"Curse that monk, he has foiled my plans again. How dare he!" Talpa hissed in anger.


"What just happened? It disappeared." Kento inquired.

"I don't know. In any case, it didn't reach Rowen." Ryo remarked.

"That means Rowen is safe then." Kento reasoned.

"That's right." Ryo replied. "But it's not over yet. Let's go!"


"I summon the Nether Spirits once again. Launch the cannon of doom! Rise again!" Talpa's booming voice sounded again.

At the evil lord's command, the Nether Spirits were reformed to create the cannonball again.


"Talpa's doing it again!" Ryo commented as the two rushed towards the building.

"But what is it?" Kento asked.

"Go Anubis." Talpa told the Warlord.

"Yes Master." Anubis beamed, pleased that the evil lord was giving him another chance. "I will bury those two even if it costs my life."

Talpa nodded, "You re dismissed Warlords."

"Fight to your heart's content Anubis." the evil lord laughed once the four Warlords were out of earshot.


By then, the two runaway Ronins had burst into the abandoned building, crashing in through a window.

"Ryo, the energy ball came from up there." Kento pointed upwards to the roof.

"What are those guys anyway?" Ryo asked once he saw the Nether Spirits.

Up on top, Anubis stood in his full armor, laughing.

"Anubis!" Ryo hissed.

"I'll answer that. They are the Nether Spirits Master Talpa has summoned from the darkness." Anubis replied. "Once the fireball is launched, your friend, Rowen of the Strata, shall die! And I will destroy the both of you!"

With his scythe in hand, Anubis jumped into battle.

"You want a re-match huh?" Kento questioned.

The two Ronins dodged Anubis' attack.

"I will not forget the last time." Anubis hissed, as he recalled his defeat.

Insert flashback to episode three when Anubis and Ryo were decking it out on a rock.

"I shall get my revenge today." Anubis swore.

"Kento, leave him to me." Ryo told the orange-clad warrior.

"All right, I'll go deal with the guys up top." Kento agreed.

"Take this!" Anubis jumped up, throwing his weighted chain down to the boys, who dodged the attack.

Landing on the ground, the Warlord saw Kento jumping up to the roof, using the walls as leverage and he threw his scythe above him. The claw attached itself to the wall and Anubis pulled at the concrete, causing Kento to fall along with the cement.

"Kento!" Ryo shouted a warning as the Warrior of Hardrock fell back to the ground and was buried under the rubble.

Taking his distraction, Anubis took Ryo by surprise, smashing the Warrior of Fire back onto the wall.

Whiteblaze jumped in to defend his master, gripping Anubis tightly by his arm. Anubis managed to shake the tiger off, causing Whiteblaze to crash against the opposing wall.

"What's wrong? Drone on your armor and fight me!" Anubis challenged. "You're not a worthy opponent in your undergear."

"Then I'll show you the true power of the armor." Ryo retorted as he painfully stood up. "Armor of Wildfire, Tao Jin!"

"You're not going to get to Rowen of Strata!" Ryo of Wildfire promised, fully clad in his armor.

"Big talk." Anubis laughed. "Do you think you're a match for the power of Anubis and the Netherworld?"

"What?" Ryo hissed.

Up top, the five Nether Spirits continued their chant, their evil power brimming around them.

Anubis laughed as the Nether Spirits' power reached their peak, "Listen well, when the powers of the Nether Spirits reach their height, Rowen's life will be extinguished."

"I will protect Rowen of Strata!" Kento's voice interjected as he burst out from the rubble. "Armor of Hardrock, Tao Gi!"

Armored up, Kento used his sanjiegun to heave himself up to the roof.

"It's me you want Anubis!" Ryo rushed towards the Warlord, his katanas drawn. The two were quickly locked in a standstill as Kento continued his ascend.

"Get out of my way! I said, move it!" Kento shouted, easily dispatching the soldiers that came after him until one of them knocked him back to the ground.

"His defense is pretty tough." Kento admitted once his landed safely.

"You're too late." Anubis grinned.

"What?" Ryo demanded as he looked up.

"Rowen's finished. Give him up and fight me!" Anubis challenged once the Nether Spirits' powers peaked.

"I won't give up." Ryo told him.

"Let's go! Kento, Whiteblaze." he instructed and jumped upwards, with the other two in tow.

"What?" Ryo gasped as he grasped onto the side of the wall.

The pink energy quickly filled up the entire building, making the structure a makeshift cannon.

"What is...? What is this...? A power... a power is taking over my body!" Anubis could only remain still as the sheer power over took him.

"This must be their ultimate weapon." Ryo noted.

"What should we do Ryo?" Kento asked.

"Let's go up to the roof." Ryo replied and the two took off.

Fully charged up, Anubis leapt up after them.

On the roof top, the battle continued but both Ryo and Kento found themselves clearly outmatched against the powered up Anubis.

Beneath them, the fireball continued to grow in size.

The energy crackled and the two Ronins knelt down.

"I feel like I'm being squeezed." Kento noted. "What's going on?"

"The energy ball is causing our armors to tighten." Ryo replied.

"Ryo, Rowen's in trouble." Kento warned as the fireball was being catapulted upwards.

"Kento, at this rate, we'll all be doomed." Ryo agreed. "At least... at least I can still save Rowen."

"Ryo..." Kento gasped as the Warrior of Fire threw himself in to the cannonball.

"Come on Whiteblaze!" Kento told the white tiger as the cannonball was about to launch and the two fled the scene.


Mia stopped her jeep and stepped out as the fireball was re-launched into space.

"What's happening?" the woman inquired.

"Ryo and Kento failed." Sage replied.

From the smoke, Kento was seen walking towards the group with Whiteblaze.

"Kento, where's Ryo?" Mia asked.

"Sorry I couldn't stop him." Kento apologized.

"What on earth...?" Sage pressed.

"Ryo..." Mia muttered in worry.


SailorStar9: Well this long awaited chapter is done. Read and review.