When Shadows Rise
Chapter 21
At the Tendo Dojo
Ranma held his bride as she slept. When he gave in and admitted his feelings for Akane things had both gotten easier and harder. The other girls had banded together for one last attempt to win him. The chaos at the wedding had made him finally explain things to them. Surprisingly once he put his foot down they had backed down and realized that there were others who they had feelings for. Kuno and his sister were the only ones who would not admit to losing. To sooth their reputations they told everyone that their family demanded they meet new people and they headed to the family home outside of Tokyo.
He softly stroked Akane's back as he went over the most recent battle and the couple who joined the fight. They were very strong fighters, who cut their way through the monsters with clean and fast tactics. It was obvious that they had been fighting the same battles as a team. The man was mostly silent, really didn't engage his thoughts but the glowing white woman did.
Going over the battle in his mind he remembered her words. She had called him little brother and she knew his name. How she knew him he wasn't sure but he could almost remember. Her voice brought to mind green eyes in a face much like his. Eyes that held sorrow and pain. The harder he tried to place her, the more his head hurt. It felt all too familiar. Like he had been forced to forget something.
Trying to power his way past the block just didn't seem to be working. He hated non-physical battles. If he could hit it with his fists he could beat it but he knew mental exercises weren't his strong point. "In the morning," he decided he would go back ot the Cat Café and demand answers from the old ghoul..
***
At the Green Dragon Dojo Suteko was confronted by Gregor. "You just decided you could head out by yourself after all we did to bring you back? Are you trying to leave us out of this battle?"
Suteko sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I wasn't alone Greg. I knew one of you would be following."
"She knew one of us would follow she says! If they get their hands on her again I'm not going back to get you!"
Jaeoh stepped between his 2nd and his mate. "I knew where she was Rage. The important part of this was the information we gathered."
"Intel? What Intel?" Jaeoh took Gregor to the side and filled him in on what had happened.
Suteko slid away form the men to find some privacy to think. Seeing her brother had hurt but she couldn't show it to the Kouhei. While she was relived he was pulled away before his questions could be answered, she was saddened he still didn't remember her. She had been tempted, sorely tempted, to smack him on the head like Akane had done so long ago. But while it had worked miraculously against an incomplete pressure point attack, she didn't believe it would work for a death curse. All the magic that had floated about that day had made her truly the forgotten child.
Entering Jae's private practice room she started her Tai chi. The slow motions helped to clear her mind usually and it helped her center tonight. As the tension left her, she went over the battle and what happened before. Never had she felt pain when becoming Unicorn. After all the healing from both Serena and Cologne, she should be stronger than before but that stab of pain was wrong. Could she be losing her connection to the Star Crystal? She stopped and pulled it out of the air. Holding it up to the light, she studied the crystal. It still held the image of a unicorn deep inside. The image of her Star knight self. Slowly turning it she blinked and brought it closer. When held at just the right angle there was a very fine crack bisecting the image in the crystal. "No," she whispered, closing her eyes. A damaged crystal, what did it mean?
She knew that the Kouhei crystals used to be filled with murky darkness but their crystals didn't crack. Even Chris' crystal after the destruction of its owner, was burnt but whole. She just didn't know what it meant. Closing the crystal in her hand she sent it back to the pocket space she kept things in. She wished Chris was here to explain it to her. She was sure she could ask Serena but the girl, while a good leader for the Senshi, was a bit too ditzy for Suteko.
She headed back to the common room, pausing behind the door to listen. Gregor seemed to have given up his ranting. Whatever Jaeoh had told him calmed him down. Which was a good thing. She sighed and palmed the bag in her pocket. The rings that Ichuru's ghost had slipped her were sending out a low vibration. She wasn't sure why he had been so insistent in her head that the Kouhei be given the rings. He said they were for them and two others. Obviously one of the other was Iriko. The senshi of Secrets had bonded strongly with Hana and Samuel. But who was the final ring for? She knew it wasn't for herself. As she held the bag she felt a tingle like she got when she held her sword. The crackling energy of pure Light. She was leery of giving these to the Kouhei. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, when in fact she had come to trust them totally. It was that she was worried the Light would harm the warriors.
"They won't you know."
Suteko started and spun about. Like always Setsuna had appeared wit hno notice. 'Why can't you warn people?" Suteko smiled tightly.
Setsuna shrugged and went on softly. "The Kouhei will not be harmed by your gift for them. The happenings of the past weeks have changed the warriors in ways they would not understand or truly accept if you told them."
Suteko pulled out the softly glowing bag. "You know that there are 8 rings in here."
Setsuna nodded. "One each for the current Kouhei, one for Minerva and a final one meant for another warrior of Light."
Suteko stared at Setsuna for a long moment, hoping she would name that person but knowing all ready. She sighed and separated one ring from the rest. The crest on the ring was close to her own symbol. A rearing stallion, graven in fine lines. "Will you give it to him, Setsuna?"
"No Suteko. In three days time he will claim it. And he will come into his full powers."
Suteko wrapped a fist about the ring. "He can't be part of the battle Setsuna. Otherwise everything that has happened will be for nothing."
"You will understand soon Suteko. Everything will happen as it should." Setsuna debated her mission as she stood in the hall with Suteko. It was getting harder to keep information from this warrior.
Suteko nodded and sighed. "Thank you for watching over them Pluto, even though they are outside of the Moon Kingdom's influence." Suteko tucked the rings back into her pocket. She then turned back to the door.
"They are a part of you and you are a part of it all Suteko." As she started to push past the door Setsuna added. "Don't give them out till the moon rises full." Suteko nodded and joined the people who had become as dear to her as her family.
***
The next two days flew by. The shadow Master kept sending bigger and nastier shadows to draw out Suteko and the others. Ukyo's restaurant and the Cat Café were closed for the duration as the families all gathered at the Tendo/Saotome Dojo. Akane was close to her due date and everyone wanted to help keep her calm and relaxed. Ranma had managed to keep the up tick in odd happenings from her.
Kasumi came out of their bedroom and placed a finger to her lips. "She is asleep Ranma, finally."
"So it was a false alarm?" he let out a relieved sigh. While he was very happy that he was soon to be a father, he wasn't ready to del with Akane in labor.
"It won't be soon. She could be in labor anytime now."
Ranma looked sick. He remembered how Mousse had been when Shampoo gave birth to the twins. He wasn't sure he could be as calm as his friend had been. "Kasumi, what if those things attack while…?"
Kasumi soothed him with a gentle finger to his lips. "We will be here for her, little brother. Your son will be safe in our care."
"Son?" Ranma blinked. Akane and he had decided not to learn the sex of their baby. He felt a goofy grin spreading across his face. Before it got too silly, Kasumi led him down the hall. There were things she felt he should know. Her brother-n-law would have many surprises n the following hours. "Ranma, I want you to promise me that you will do your best to stay calm for the next 24 hours."
Not understanding, Ranma shagged and smiled. "Hey it is me sis. I can be calm and excited at the same time."
Kasumi bit her lip. Ranma thought she was referring to the impending birth but she knew that tonight there would be something that would change many lives. And it wasn't just the child being born. "Just stay calm no matter what." Ranma nodded and gave her a brief hug before heading downstairs to answer the front door. Kasumi sighed and went about her tasks. Outside the dojo things were heating up.
***
Dawn had brought a sense of foreboding to those at the Green Dragon Dojo and the Tofu Clinic. Those touched by destiny felt a rising tension. Jaeoh and Gregor teamed up to spar against Samuel and Uhanzee as Iriko, Shayla and Hana watched. The Senshi were once more patrolling the streets. When they found out that the Guardian's wife was due to deliver a baby at any time they had offered to keep an eye on the noncombatants. They had become friends with Cologne's family and Ukyo over the past few days. As the sun set Suteko called a halt to the sparring by clearing her throat.
As one the Kouhei and Minerva turned to look at her. Pulling out the pouch Suteko paused and then sighed. "Three days ago I was given a set of matching rings to be given out the night of the full moon." She held out her hand and poured the rings into the air. They floated, glowing for a few moments before they zipped out to hover before each of the others in the room. All except one ring that darted out of the room. Suteko watched it for a moment and then turned to her team. They each stared first at the rings and then at Suteko. "It is your choice to accept them. They are a gift from the Light." She looked them each in the eye. "If you accept them you will be changed, for they contain new powers for you each." She smiled at Gregor as he opened his mouth. "No, I have no idea what you will get. I didn't chose this gift. I am just the delivery agent."
The first to reach out and accept the ring was Jaeoh. All ready his powers had been changed and he trusted his instincts. As the ring slid onto his right index finger there was a flash of light brighter than when Suteko transformed. When the light dimmed Jaeoh had transformed. His simple jeans and shirt had shredded and reformed into a long silken split robe with matching pants. The black silk was heavily embroidered with coiling green dragons that moved sinuously down his chest and back. Over his shoulder could be seen a sword to match his old blade but now it held the royal colors of a long dead house. His hair had lengthened to sill past his shoulders. When he opened his eyes a green glow looked out at his Kouhei. He gestured silently telling them to decide whether they should accept or deny their new powers.
Next to reach out and accept was Uhanzee. Again as it cleared Uhanzee stood transformed. His clothing was o longer his traditional leggings and vest. He was now dressed in a tunic and pants of a rich mix of green and brown, dappled like leaves on trees. His braid came undone letting his hair flow about him. The great horned blade he carried was still at his side but he now had a twin strapped to the other hip. Above his shoulder rose a great bwo and a quiver of arrows. His eyes flashed briefly a deep brown.
As he turned to face his mate, he watched as the ring transformed her. No longer was she in her simple gi, her clothing had been changed into robes of emerald green, covered with symbols and leaves. She placed her hand in his, her eyes glowing sapphire.
Samuel smiled at Iriko as he accepted his ring, his shorts and t-shirt reformed in a flexible armor. The many tiny plates looked as if they were formed of granite and glistened as his eyes too glowed.
Iriko paused a moment before accepting. Her coveralls faded into long and lovely kimonos of four shades of lavender. Her eyes too began to glow.
Hana watched Gregor before she shrugged and accepted her own ring. When the flahs faded she stood in Kimonos of black and white, covered in the many varied symbols of time. "Come on Gregor. It doesn't hurt." She teased him softly.
But Rage was glaring at Suteko. He noticed that she did not have a ring and was not transforming. "Why are the rings for everyone but you?" He growled as he took a step forward, dodging the ring.
Suteko sighed and shrugged. "I am all ready a part of the Light, Gregor. The spirit of the Cave Guardian only gave me 8 rings. The seven of you and one other are all being given new powers and new gifts. Fate must have decided you deserved them and that I didn't need them."
"Where did the 8th one go?"
Suteko didn't answer right away. Her eyes closed for a long moment. "That ring was for the Guardian."
Hana nudged Gregor, who growled again but accepted his ring. In a flash almost as bright as Jaeoh's he was transformed. As it faded he was clothed in a deep red lacquered armor. His gladuis sword lengthened to a great sword and his eyes glowed red. He stepped back and swung it a few times. A smile split his angry face and he found the perfect balance. The new longer blade moved like an extension of his arm. "Damn! This is fine!"
Suteko looked at each of her friends and nodded. "With those gifts you have become the army of Light. You each will find new powers. Follow your instincts. They will be your best guide to using them."
:Instincts will do them little good, little girl." A dark whisper came from the door leading outside." Everyone spun about to face the Shadow Master.
*****
Across Nerima a white stream of energy banged against the outer door. Three hooded figures stood just beyond and rang the bell. After a few moments Kasumi swung open the gate nd smiled. She watched the ring zip past her and head toward Ranma. "Is it that late Setsuna?"
The tall elegant woman dropped her hood. "May we come in?"
Kasumi nodded and stifled a giggle as she watched Ranma bat away the darting ring. "What the heck is this thing?"
"Your destiny, your moment and more."
Ranma glared at Setsuna, "Who are you and what are you talking about?" The two figures with Setsuna flanked her and dropped their hoods.
"We don't have time for this Pluto. Unicorn needs his help now!"
Ranma stopped batting at the ring and focused on the man on the left. "Did you say Unicorn?" Do you mean the Star Knight?"
"Yes, he did Guardian. She is going into great danger and will need your help to defeat her sworn enemy, the Shadow Master. The ring will show you the way."
"Setsuna really, why do we need this bonehead? Let's just head over to Suteko's before Kaneda gets there!" The red haired man groused.
When Ranma heard Suteko's name he winced. Something was trying to make him remember. He grabbed the ring in his fist and pointed at Setsuna. "Will this help me remember?" She nodded. He then slipped the ring on his right hand.
Like he happened across Nerima a flash of Light filled the night and Ranma lifted from the ground. His clothes shredded and reformed into a long split robe and pants made of silk . His set was covered in reading stallions. He let out a gasp as memories buried years ago were pulled back out of a his subconscious. Memories of his sister, of her challenging then defeating his father. Battling him and losing and then learning all about each other. Then the battle that destroyed Ito and Atuuko and his sister's broken body. Her sobs as everyone was taken from her. "Suteko! NO!" He landed slowly and shook with contained anger. "How dare that woman curse her own child?" He turned back to Setsuna. "Where is she?"
Chris stepped forward, "Your sister was at the Green Dragon Dojo."
"Then we need to get there." He stepped toward the gate when Setsuna stopped him.
"Guardian it is too late. The Light Bearer and her army are brought to the mountain." She stretched out her hand and in a flash she transformed into Pluto. "Touch my staff and I will bring you to them."
Reaching out Ranma's hand touched her orb just as Phoenix and Dragon's did, together the disappeared from sight. Kasumi nodded and whispered. "Bring her home little brother."
****
"You thought you could hide from my shadows little girl?" The hooded form turned toward those gathered in the room. "Do you really think these children will protect you?"
"No Kaneda. I don't think they will protect me." She stood between her friends and her enemy in her street clothes. With all the power in the room her quiet confidence drew every eye. :And they are not children Kaneda. They are warriors." She walked forward, obviously unafraid of the boogeyman of her past. "Together we will put you back into your prison."
The Shadow Master cackled and waved a robe covered hand. A moment later they were in the clearing outside of the cave of Shadows.
"You think you can put me back here little girl? You do not have the power, in fact you have no power and no back up."
She spun about. She could feel her friends about her but she could not see them. Closing her eyes she reached into her pocket and pulled out her crystal. Raising it up she pulled her power about her to start her transformation when a whip cracked out and her crystal was knocked from her hand. It went flying and crashed against the outside of the cave, shattering into a dozen pieces.
Gasping in pain as her connection to the power of the Star Knights was severed, she fell to one knee. "I told you that you have no power woman." Kaneda flowed toward her glowing blackly.
"You're wrong Kaneda." She whispered from the ground. Praying she reached with her mind. When Kaneda's robe brushed the ground before her she stabbed her hand down and impaled his foot with a dagger of light. While not the strength of her blade while she was transformed it still hurt. Kaneda let out a bellow and backhanded her. Suteko hissed and then the Shadow Master wrapped his hand about her throat. "Without your crystal you cant hurt me girl." He lifted her from the ground and proceeded to slowly choke the life from her.
*****
Jaeoh and the others could see Suteko, watched as her crystal was shattered and as Kaneda started to strangle her. As one they moved forward and bounced off a glowing barrier. "Prince, you must not enter that Shield!" A voice called out.
Spinning about Jaeoh pulled his sword, his eyes scanning the growing crowd about them. Row after row of monsters circled them. All the creatures that had battled over the past month and more. This was the rebuilt army that had destroyed the Star Knights. Standing in front of the army was Steve. Dressed in black, the once happy go lucky Star Ocean saluted his former leader. "I would ignore Aki. It seems our former general has had a change of heart." He gestured with the handle of a coiled whip and two Reapers dragged forward a badly damaged form.
"Former?" Jaeoh's new gifts allowed him to see beyond his dislike of the battered man before him. The general's aura was no longer covered in shadows. Between the red of his injuries there was a clean white starting to show through.
"Seems he is becoming Kouhei…or something else." Steve shrugged. "Doesn't matter much though since he should be dead in the next few hours. He looked over his former team mates. "Nice new threads kids. Did you think it was a dress up ball tonight?"
Gregor growled at his once friend. "Looks more like you dressed for a movie set than a battle, brother." His sneer was clear.
"Enough," Jaeoh restrained Gregor with a simple look. Turning back to Steve he too gave him a once over. His eyes were drawn to the black crystal. "You joined them whole heartedly I see."
Steve shrugged and had the Reapers toss Aki to the ground where he fell limp and bleeding. "I got a better offer." He smiled and gestured at Kaneda and Suteko. "Looks like your slut won't be much of a issue anymore. Too bad, she looks like a fun ride?
This time it was Gregor that restrained Jaeoh. "Easy man, look,: He gestured to the shield where her battle was taking place.
Suteko struggled as Kaneda's fingers started to draw energy from her, making her skin cold. She could hear muffled voices from just beyond the shield. She needed to get loose. Kicking back and then forward she twisted and managed to break free of Kaneda's grasp. Coughing she dropped back into a crouch and rubbed her throat.
"Did you think I would be that easy Kaneda?" She got up and taking a deep breath she once more formed a blade of Light. She might not be Unicorn but she still could access he Light given gifts. She struck a fighter's stance. "I will fight you no matter what form I must take."
Kaneda hissed at the light but pulled out his own sword. Like weeks before they fell to it. There wasn't as much room to move about but the blades sizzled as they clashed.
Being a Star Knight gave her a boost in speed and endurance but not skill. She dodged and leapt, bringing the short light sword down and across trying to take Kaneda's head. He flowed to the side avoiding her though the sword still managed to take a part of his robes. Again he let out a howl.
"You seem to find me still bothersome." She grinned, eyes darting for whatever keystone was holding the shield up. She needed more room to maneuver. The confined space limited just what she could do.
"You won't find it Suteko. You won't drop this shield." Kaneda's voice hissed. "Your lover will be only able to watch you die."
Shaking her head, Suteko paced sideways. "You aren't good enough Kaneda."
"Will you be able to concentrate when your friends die at the hands of my army?" he waved one robe covered arm and the mass of creatures moved forward. As he did Suteko leapt forward, swinging her Light blade down and loped off one of Kaneda's hands. Kaneda cursed and swung his own blade, hitting her with an upward slash that cut open her shirt nad the skin below. Suteko spun away and grimaced as blood blossomed across her ribs.
"Pay attention Beast, I am not the one getting distracted." She prayed that the new gifts helped her friends or this battle would have the same outcome as the last.