Chapter Three:

Ranmaru's Challenge/Ami's Rescue

It was a daunting site to say the least, at over 100 stories the building was easily Tokyo's tallest structure built in this century. Taking five years to create, and completed a little over a month ago, it is Japan's new shining achievement. Usagi complained almost immediately after they arrived: "Whaa! Why do these buildings always have to be so tall?! That looks scary…"

Rei focused her mind on the skyscraper: "I can definitely feel a strong evil aura in the building. We should be cautious inside. I have a feeling that once we enter, we won't be able to leave until we've defeated the source of this dark power." Parker nodded: "I agree with Rei, and never let your guard down . The Oda clan weren't exactly known for their honor and integrity on the Battlefield."

Parker unsheathed his sword… It was of well made steel with spikes forged into the side of the blade. This was so that whatever enemy that wasn't killed right away would be wounded and unable to fight. Ancient gold writing was also inscribed onto the weapon.

He took a deep breath; as memories of Ami raced through his mind. "Alright everyone, time to show these bastards the true power of our love and friendship for Ami!" Jupiter pounded her hands together: "I've been longing for revenge, no one hurts our wiz girl and gets away with it! But we can't let our anger get the best of us, we have to stick together." She said as they entered through the doors.

With no warning, a barrage of arrows came flying at them. "Oh crap! Fire SOUL!!" Mars launched her basic attack, and easily burnt the wooden arrows to a crisp. Endymion took his hand off his sheath: "That was quite the welcoming party, nice reflexes there Sailor Mars." She smiled with relief: "Thank you Endymion. I guess these guys are serious about not letting us get to the top."

Venus was still a bit shocked: "Man, if that was for the first floor…I'm not looking forward to what's waiting for us at the top floor." Jupiter sighed: "They're just toying with us. They are testing our strength, we had better conserve our energy." Just then an eerie voice came through the loud speaker:

"Ha ha ha. I see you managed to get past the first floor. Those arrows were my little way of saying hi. Every tenth floor has its own challenge, they get more and more difficult the higher you go. If all of you can survive them, and then somehow manage to kill me, your friend will be saved. If any one of you should die or fail a challenge, I'll get to have the pleasure of cutting off her head and give it as a present to my lord."

Parker's fists clenched: "Damn you Ranmaru! I personally will slay you for what you've done to Ami!" He laughed: "I doubt a dog like you can match my power and skills. But no need to worry, last time I checked she was still alive. No matter how hard we tortured her, she never said a word about the Sailor Warriors, you, or herself. It was a good waste of my time and energy. Good bye for now, I hope you enjoy your little adventure."

Again he laughed dementedly as his voice vanished. Anger was now boiling within Parker as his fists slammed the wall: "Dammit! Ami, hang in there." Rei hugged him: "Listen Parker, please you must calm down. I know this is hard for you, its hard on all of us. We can't let our emotions blind us, we can't save her that way." She smiled as she felt his tension ease: "Thank you Mars, everyone…You're all good friends, I appreciate you staying by me when Ami's not here."

Usagi frowned and crossed her arms: "Well, I guess the only way we can continue is by going on up the stairs and into each floor. The power's off, so the elevator isn't working." Endymion looked around: "At least there are enough torches lit for us to see clearly. Hmm. A challenge for every tenth floor…that means we should expect some individual challenges on certain levels."

Minako sighed: "I wish Ami were here, she's good at these kind of problems…Well, let's get going." And so, the warriors began their march to the top floor. The first nine levels were surprisingly easy, various ambushes were set using different kinds of rank and file soldiers (Swordsmen, Pike Men, Bow men, ninja, etc) thus Parker and Endymion together quickly disposed of the lifeless warriors.

Within twenty minutes time they reached the tenth floor, which was to be the first of challenges. Parker sighed: "Whew, it looks like I can rest for a moment, you alright Mamoru?" He nodded: "Yeah, compared to what I faced in the past those floors were easy." Usagi looked at Rei: "What can you sense in this room Mars?"

Rei focused her mental energy: "Well, I can feel a lot of dark energy here. Venus, since you're our warrior of light, I think you're up." She nodded and walked up to the platform. Looking around, she saw several large jars dating back to the warring states era, that were filled with evil energy. Minako looked below her and noticed that the floor was gone. "Ack! I can't see the bottom… One miss with my Crescent Beam could mean death for me!"

Again, Ranmaru came on: "So I see that you've figured out what to do on this floor. You are right, if you miss any one of the five jars on either side of the room, that platform underneath you will give away. You can't survive that fall, an unpleasant death will surely take you. If you succeed, a bridge of light will form across the empty space, allowing you and your friends to continue on. Have fun Sailor Venus."

He said sarcastically as his voice disappeared from the speaker. Mamoru looked at the room: "Five jars on each of the two walls, a total of ten. The distance separating them gets father apart after each one." Parker was disgusted: "Ranmaru, You underhanded… I am getting more and more annoyed by that bastard. Minako, please be careful. You must live to see Ami again!"

She looked back at him and smiled gently: "Don't worry, I'm not planning on dying today. Thank you for your encouragement Parker." Everyone went silent afterwards, as she readied herself to destroy the first Jar, which was five feet away. She raised her right arm, using her left one to stabilize it, and pointed her right ring finger at the jar of evil.

"Crescent BEAM!" A beam of golden yellow light shot out from her finger and crushed its target. A ray of darkness suddenly pierced through Minako's body. Everyone gasped as she let out a soft moan, and kneeled to the ground. Mamoru held Usagi back: "Minako! Mamoru, let go of me! She's been hurt!" He shook his head: "No! Usagi, you must calm down! We can't interfere with her challenge, even if she's been injured!"

Sailor Venus stood back up: "H-he failed to mention that part…I'm fine Usagi, it'll take more than that to stop me." Usagi desperately looked at Rei: "I know Sailor Moon, there is dark energy in these jars. Apparently, after she destroys them, a little bit of that energy shoots out and weakens her." So, with no choice, Venus continued to destroy them, each time getting weaker and weaker.

She was able to reach the final jar. By now sweat was dripping like rain from Minako's forehead, and she could barely stand. "F-finally… The…last…jar…if…I…can…just…." She summoned what strength she had left: "CRESCENT BEAM!" the attack shot out of her finger like a missile and hit its target dead on. The last, strongest wave of energy hit her straight in the stomach.

The platform vanished, and a bridge of white light appeared over the silent abyss. However, Minako was far too weak to even jump onto the ledge. Parker dropped his sword and slid to the edge just in time to grab her hand. With Mamoru's help, he pulled Venus back onto the floor and safe from danger.

Parker kneeled down so that Sailor Venus could, for a moment, lay the back of her head on his lap and rest. "P-Parker. It looks like I owe you my life, th-thank you. If…you…can…just…let me rest…for awhile…" she closed her eyes and collapsed from exhaustion. Usagi panicked and kneeled down to her friend's side: "Minako!…"

Parker smiled: "Its alright dumpling head, she's just tired. We should stop here to rest for a little bit so that we are prepared." Usagi let out a sigh of relief: "Parker, that's two of my friends you've saved now. I don't know how to thank you. And quit calling me "Dumpling head!" You know I hate that nickname."

He managed to laugh: "You know Usagi, one way you can thank me is by not burning me every time I call you that. I get that enough from Ami as it is." Everyone managed a giggle or a small laugh, except for Minako who was fast asleep. Makoto sighed: "Thank you Parker, I believe you've yet again managed to lighten our mood. Shall we get going?"

Everyone nodded. Parker gently shook Mina, who unwillingly opened her eyes: "Ohh… My head. Is it time to go already?" she asked as she stood up. Usagi smiled: "Oh, Minako! I'm so glad you're alright, you had me worried." She nodded: "Yeah, I guess I'll be fine. Now that my challenge is complete, I just have to take it easy for the final battle up top."

They soon realized after crossing the bridge, that the next eight floors would rely on stealth and quickness. They were however, spotted a few times thanks to Usagi's usual blunders. But Mamoru and Parker were able to eliminate their spotters before they could run for help. Other than that, the Warriors were silent and avoided enemy detection.

Usagi stepped onto the twentieth floor and couldn't help but to scratch her head: "Its empty, there's nothing here. Just the floor and the entrance to the next stairwell." She began to walk forward but Makato almost instinctively pushed her back: "Wait! Someone's appearing!" Everyone drew their attention to the center.

"So. You are silent, just as a shadow after all. But here is where your journey ends. To oppose an ally of my master, means you are a threat to my lord. Opposing him is grounds for death. I, Hanzo Hattori is loyal only to Ieyasu Tokugawa, and shall slay any in my master's way." A man said cloaked in dark purple armor, wearing a black mask and a battle helmet.

Rei, showing no sign of fear, looked at Parker: "Well, whose this guy?" He shrugged: " Good question Sailor Mars. He's a highly skilled Ninja assassin who serves, as he said, only Ieyasu Tokugawa. Ieyasu was once a powerful warlord in Japan. I still can't understand how they are here in the 21st century." Makato shook her head: "I don't care who he is, anyone who stands in between us and our friend will suffer the consequences."

He pointed his dagger at her: "Interesting proposition Warrior of Thunder. I accept your challenge, if you defeat me I shall let you all pass. Unlike Master Kotaru, I know my limits and shall accept my defeat if it comes." Jupiter sighed: "That's an awkward way to put it…But… Supreme THUNDER!" With a motion of her arms, a rush of lightning came streaking towards Hanzo.

The shocking blast exploded, but he easily avoided it. In a blink of an eye; he silently appeared behind Makato, with his dagger pressing against her neck: "Now the darkness consumes you." his voice whispered. Seeing her opportunity, Makato grabbed his arm and threw him five feet into a wall. "That was too close." she said as she saw blood dripping onto her hand from the small cut on her neck.

"You've defeated the darkness of the Tokugawa. You are worthy to pass." Hanzo said as he got up. "Had you not seen that one small instance of weakness, I would have slit your throat. Farewell." He faded from view. Not stopping to rest, the warriors continued their march to the top. To their shock, there was nothing in between floors eleven to Fifty.

Breathing heavily, they entered the halfway point. The Warriors tensed up and prepared to defend themselves when they saw someone waiting there for him. He was a tall, well built man, roughly around seven feet. Wielding a huge spear, he looked fierce indeed.

He smiled as he watched the tired warriors tense. His voice was cheerful and upbeat: "Ha! Alright! I'm glad to see you made it halfway! Now its really time to get this party started!" Parker eased his tension: "Well if it isn't the legendary wild man Keiji Maeda. At least we won't have to worry about getting killed by you."

He laughed: "Ha! Ha! You got that right boy. I'm just as disgusted with the Oda right now as you are! I'll do anything just to give Nobunaga some grief!" Mamoru and the ladies also relaxed. Usagi's stomach growled: "I haven't had anything to eat since we left the Shrine." Keiji grinned: "Here, Sailor Moon. I'd knew you all would be worn out by this point. Take this bread and cheese. There's plenty of provisions for everyone so don't be shy."

Everyone started to grab a share of food and begun to eat. It was a relief, a chance to relax for a change and to reflect on what's happened. Rei looked at Keiji: "You know, I really wonder why you would do something like this. Won't you get in trouble?" He laughed: "Nah, don't worry about it. Back home in my time, I'm the one whose usually causing the trouble." His voice turned serious: "I also couldn't stand the way they treated your friend, the poor thing. I'm surprised she survived the Hell she was put through."

Parker sighed: "Ami…Please be alright my dear. I swear I'll get you back…Keiji, when was the last time you saw here?" "So Ami's her name huh? I last saw her ten minutes ago on the roof. She's been chained to a wall and was unconscious. Before that, she was held in a prison cell under very poor conditions. I stopped by to sneak her food and fresh water whenever I could, but she was so weak I had to feed her by hand…"

Parker managed a smile: "Thank you Keiji, for taking care of my girlfriend. I appreciate greatly." "Hey man, no problem. Well, I cleared every single floor above this point except for the individual challenges, and floor 110." Usagi didn't like what she heard: "Why didn't you do the last floor?" He grinned: "Because there was so much chaos not even I could do it alone. You have a small army of a thousand soldiers waiting for you."

Everyone shook their heads in disbelief. Mamoru sighed: "That's going to be one heck of a battle. I'm not sure we have enough man power to break through that kind of a front line." Keiji laughed: "Oh don't worry about that, I've already got a special "Surprise" in store for them."

So, with those words and a new ally, they continued to march . The next challenge at floor sixty came as a shock to them. A familiarize face was ready to fight them. Parker, was most stressed by this: "A- no, Sailor Mercury! What are you doing here? Are you alright? I thought you were hurt…?" Rei stepped in front of him and slapped him across his face: "Ow! What the hell was that for Sailor Mars?"

She was angry: "That was to make you come back to your senses. Whoever that is, its not the real Sailor Mercury. I sense negative energy in her, she's using deception and posing herself as our dear friend." A playful laugh echoed through the room: "So psychic girl, you've managed to figure me out. My name is Nene, the beautiful wife of my beloved Hideyoshi Toyotomi. And Keiji, I'm so disappointed in you, you should know better than to play these rebellious games."

Keiji smiled: "Ha! If you think you're gonna give me a spanking, think again little lady. I'm here to help put an end to Nobunaga's cruelty and ain't no one going to stop me!" The two charged at each other, and Keiji sent her flying backwards hard into the wall, with just one swipe of his spear.

Nene, to everyone's surprised, at first was able to stand: "S-So I see now. I guess, your honor is greater than my strength after all…ugh…" she said as she collapsed from her injuries. Keiji turned away: "Senseless strength alone can never win against honor…You need both to really rock your enemies!"

Makato was almost disgusted by his lust for battle: "There's violence in your blood. You seem to get great pleasure from fighting and defeating your enemies, like you enjoy it." He shrugged: "They don't call me the "Wild Man" for nothin'! Let me tell you something, in our time there's constant fighting and bloodshed. As a Samurai, I'd figure instead of moping around and feeling sorry for everyone, I might was well go enjoy myself!"

Parker grinned: "You couldn't of put it any other way! Alright, let's get going, Ami's waiting for us!" By now the Oda forces were growing thin and weak, their control over the building was loosening. Thus the Sailor Warriors easily cleared the last few challenges. It was 11:00 pm by the time they reached floor 110.

Parker smiled and drew his blade as soon as he saw the awaiting horde: "You know, Iced Earth's "Ten Thousand Strong" would be a good song for this moment." He said in a failed attempt to cheer his friends up. Everyone was nervous, their situation looked very bleak: "Rei, are they living warriors?" Usagi asked worriedly. Rei shook her head: "No Sailor Moon, they're not. They've been raised from their graves, they're nothing more than mindless, lifeless tools."

Minako sighed: "But still Sailor Mars, every way you look at it this doesn't bode well. Having to fight on this huge empty floor. " Keiji laughed, which bugged Makoto greatly: "Man, what is with you Keiji?! Doesn't this bother you at all?" He grinned: "Ah man, don't get all mad at me. Alright everyone, time to show the Oda what we're made of!" Mamoru looked around confused: "Everyone? But its just us here…"

Then, a young warrior in red armor and a holding long spear appeared: "I, Yukimura Sanada shall slay any that stand in the way of honor and friendship!" A second warrior appeared, cloaked in white and wielding a deadly blade: "Indeed, so shall Kenetsugu Noae! I will cut down the Oda in the name of justice!"

Another warrior revealed himself: "Strategy will overcome any circumstance. I, Sakon Shima shall give the oda troops a safe passage back to hell." The fourth and final warrior walked up to them: "I am Mistunari Ishida. In the name of Righteousness, I will help any who wish to strike down the Oda."

The Sailor Warriors were in disbelief as Mistunari raised his fan and pointed it to the enemy. As if on cue, all the other Samurai warriors charged to meet the enemies left flank. Parker looked at Mamoru, who nodded as he drew his sword. The two charged straight into the middle, thrashing and slashing down any who stood in their way.

With the middle and right flanks beeing taken care of, the Senshi concentrated on the left. "Crescent Beam Shower!" A rain of golden yellow beams of light came pouring onto the enemy. "Burning Mandala!" Several blazing hot and razor sharp fire blades tore through the oda ranks. "Princess Elimination!" many soldiers were cut down by the deceivingly deadly light emmited from the scepter.

"Supreme Thunder, DRAGON!" Seemingly out of nowhere, a Dragon formed of lighting energy appeared and caused havoc amongst the living dead. While many were killed, the flank (though on the verge of Collapsing) eventually reached the Sailor Warriors, who then resorted to hand to hand combat. By this time the right flank was completely wiped out, and the middle flank was destroyed soon after; as the Samurai Warriors were able to attack from its rear and join in on Parker and Mamoru's offensive.

Then those warriors were aided the Senshi, and thus were able to clean up the rest of the army. Afterwards, the Samurai Generals who aided them vanished back to their original time. Keiji smiled "Hey, I hope you'll be able to get your girl back. This battle was fun, I was getting bored in my era." Parker was getting tired and breathing heavily, his sword thoroughly stained with enemy blood: "Thank you Keiji, we couldn't of done this without you and your allies."

With that said, Keiji vanished. The Oda army was decimated, and the spirits of the undead rose back into the heavens, as their bodies disappeared. Parker turned his attention to his friends: "Is everyone alright?" Rei nodded: "I have a few cuts and scrapes but other than that I'm fine."

Usagi sighed: "That's about the same for rest of us I believe. Now, lets go. Ami is just beyond this door." They walked through the door, and climbed up one last flight of stairs to reach the roof. Parker was immideiatly overcome as he saw Ami chained to the wall: "Ami! Ami, please wake up!" He shouted to her, but she gave him no response.

Ranmaru appeared a few feet away from them. Only this time, no laughing was to be heard: "Humph. I had not expected you to make it this far, I must admit I underestimated your strength. If you can defeat me in time, she is yours to save. She slipped into unconsciousness just before you got here, she doesn't have much time left. Now come and fight me!"

Parker lost control of his emotions: "With pleasure! You bastard will suffer dearly for your crimes!" With raging anger he leapt at his enemy and their blades clashed. The sound of the steel meeting steel echoed loudly. Parker dodged an attack from Ranmaru, but not without receiving a deep cut on his cheek. The Sailor Warriors watched helplessly as the battle for Ami's life raged on, each one realizing that time was running out.

Then, Parker heard Ami moan softly in pain…That was the catalyst which sparked his fury. Again, the two blade's met, but this time Ranmaru's shattered upon impact. Parker thrust his sword deep into his enemies flesh, his blood splattering on the ground. "Please…Have…Mercy…I beg you." Ranmaru pleaded. "Mercy?! After everything you've done to her, you want me to show you mercy!? I'm sending you to hell!!" Parker replied as he made the death blow.

He threw Ranmaru off his sword and he hit the ground hard. His body vanished soon after. Ignoring the blood dripping off his face from the cut, he raced to Ami, and released the chains that bound her. She fell into his arms as he laid her gently on the ground: "Ami, hey Ami! Please, wake up. I beg you…" he panicked as tears began to fall. Feeling the coldness of his tears, Ami stirred back into consciousness.

"P-Parker…So…You…Came…For…Me…I'm so happy…" she spoke weakly . He felt instantly relived: "Ami! You're alive! I can't believe it…! Please, Hang in there my dear! We'll get you to a hospital soon!" Everyone rushed to her side: "Ami!" they all said together.

She's was in bad shape, fresh cuts were plentiful, evidence of torture was everywhere on her body. She was shaking from the amount of pain inflicted on her. The stench of blood coming from her was staggering. Her arms and legs were brutally broken, her ribs were almost all crushed, she could barely breath. Parker picked her up: "We have to get her to an emergency room now!"

Usagi and the others de-transformed. Minako nodded: "The hospital where her mother worked is a ten minute drive from here!" she said as they ran into the elevator. The building's power began functioning again when the Oda's control of it was released. As soon as they got out the front door, a white 98' Honda Accord slammed on its brakes in front of them."That's my car! How did it get here all by itself?" Parker asked confused. Then, the heads of two cats appeared out the passenger window. Usagi grinned: "Luna! Artemis!" Parker was now even more surprised: "How did you two cats manage to drive this car?" Luna grinned: "We had to improvise a little, but I handled the steering while Artemis operated the brake and gas pedals." Rei opened the rear seat door: " Thanks you two, but we don't have time for chit-chat!"

Parker nodded and laid Ami on the back seat. He Buckled her up the best he could, and turned to Rei: "I need you to get in and apply as much pressure on her wounds as possible. That'll help stop the bleeding. Can the rest of you find a way to the hospital?" he asked as he got in and started the engine. Everyone nodded, Makoto gave him the thumbs up: "Don't worry, we'll all be there within an hour!"

He nodded as he put the pedal to the floor and sped off. He glanced at Ami as Rei was desperately trying to stop the bleeding. Suddenly, something occurred that neither of them wanted to have happen. A cop had caught them speeding and was giving chase, with sirens going full blast. "This is unit three, I'm in pursuit of a white 98' Accord going south bound! Requesting assistance to put an end to this chase before they get off the highway!"

"This is Police headquarters. Roger that unit three, units sixteen and twenty are attempting a road block on the south bound exit. Spike stripes are also laid out. The exit leads directly to the hospital." "Roger that H.Q., this is Unit three pulling back." Rei pointed out the back window: "Look! He's slowing down! Parker, take this exit coming up, it'll take us right to the hospital!"

He was getting ready to turn when there was a loud blast, the car suddenly veered violently to the left, somehow Parker managed to keep control of it. Rei yelled panicked: "What was that?!" "Damn! Spike stripes! Our right front was hit!" he replied. Rei saw the two cars ahead of them: "Parker watch out! It's a road block!"

With mere seconds to react, he slammed on the E-break and drifted around the two police cars, the rear bumper barely grinding against the wall of the exit ramp. He once again regained control and continued driving: "Rei are you alright!?" She nodded: "Yeah, I'm fine for now. There's the hospital!" By this time most of the tread on his tire was gone, and sparks lit up the early morning hours. He skidded to a halt in front of the entrance to the hospital, much to the surprise of their pursuers.

The three police cars surrounded them: "Come out with your hands up and get on the ground!" Parker could hear Ami moan in pain behind him. He slammed his hands on dash board: "Dammit! I don't have time for this!" He opened the doors slowly, and got out. The cops wasted no time handcuffing him and taking him to their patrol car.

Rei stepped out, tears flowing in her eyes: "Wait! Please, let him go! There's a reason for this! His girlfriend was ambushed by a gang and hurt badly! She's in the back suffering! If we don't get her into the emergency room, She'll die!" An officer peered into the back window and went pale: "Its true! There is a girl hurt badly back here! Release him now! That's an order!".

Doctor Yurisma came out to see what all the commotion was. He was shocked and horrified when he saw Parker holding Ami. He yelled at his assistant: "You! Get a stretcher now!!" The assistant quickly bowed: "Y-yes sir!" and ran back into the hospital. Yurisma walked up to Parker: "What happened to Ami!?" Rei wiped her tears: "She was attacked by a gang. We rescued her, but not before they hurt her…"

The stretcher arrived and Parker gently placed Ami on it. The three rushed into the hospital. Parker and Rei followed the doctors until they reached the Emergency room. Now that they were waiting, reality quickly hit. Rei broke down, she collapsed to her knees and tears were flowing constantly. Parker put his arms on her shoulders: "Rei, we must be strong for Ami's sake."

She got up and hugged him, her tears damping his shoulder. By now, Usagi and the others had arrived. She was sorrowed by Rei's tears: "Rei-chan. We all care for Ami as much as you do. We must have faith in the doctor's skill and experience." Rei nodded, and wiped the tears from her eyes as she let go of Parker: "Thank you Usagi, Parker, for comforting me. I just hope we got here in time…"