Prologue
"Alright everyone, let's finish this fight! For the Earth, let's take him down once and for all! Zeo, we're putting an end to your evil!" A figure clad in crimson red armor, the head of a phoenix on his chest plate, and shoulder pads. His hair was as red as his armor was. He gazed with determination and anger into the sky at another figure floating above.
The figure above was in ebony armor, a dragon head with ruby eyes as the chest plate and shoulder pads. There were black dragonic wings extended from his back, his long raven black hair waving, flowing in the wind as he gazed down at four armored figures on the ground with piercing red eyes. His arm was held up above him, with a large dark energy ball, growing larger. "You fools…I'll finish you all here and now. Then this world will be plunged into darkness."
"Yeah, lets combine our powers and put an end to this! Katsuro…we're behind you, lead the way." Another figure spoke, his armor was white with black stripes, the head of a white tiger on his shoulder pads and chest plate. His hair was silver, short and wavy, and his eyes were and emerald green.
"I'm ready when you guys are, let's not fuck this up. We only have one shot at this. If that attack breaks through our line of defense, it's not only us that gets wiped…the city will too." Another spoke up to the others, his hair blue as the azure sky, almost silver piercing eyes. His armor was a darker navy blue with a dragon head on the shoulder pads and chest plate, with golden eyes. "Kenji, Katsuro, you guys start us off. I'll follow. Ryoto, I hope you're ready." He spoke to another figure close by.
Short brown hair waved in the wind, his golden brown eyes gazed up to the target above. His armor was dark green, the head of a tortoise on the shoulders and chest plate. "Yeah, I'm ready Takeshi. Let's do this…" His voice was calm but still showed signs of worry.
The red haired figure closed his eyes and smirked. No matter the outcome, he was with his comerades, his friends…his family. It had been a long war, and this was it, the final battle. "Lets make it showy everyone!" He pulled out a blade that was orange, with a phoenix as the handguard with wings spread. "Rising from the ashes! Katsuro Takahashi! I am the warrior chosen by Suzaku! BLAZING PHOENIX!" He slashed his sword, striking a pose as he began focusing all his power to his blade.
"You got it boss man! Roaring thunder, echoing through the skies! Kenji Akimoto! Chosen by Byakko! WHITE TIGER!" He began to spin a round a golden staff with a scythe on one end, and white tiger head on the other, charging white lightning energy into it.
"You two…dumbasses, both of you. But damnit if it doesn't rub off on you eventually." The blue haired one heaved a sigh then opened his eyes. "Fine, I'll join in. Ahem…Soaring above through the sky! Takeshi Kazemaru! The warrior of Seiryu! AZURE DRAGON!" He held a katana with the blade jagged like the tail of a dragon. Wind energy began to flow around it.
"Wouldn't have this any other way. I suppose its my turn then. Strength of the earth! Ryoto Tsuchimoto! Chosen by Genbu! THE DARK TORTOISE!" He began putting energy into a large Warhammer.
"Guardians of the Earth…" Katsuro began to say.
"UNITED WE ROAR!" They all called out.
"How touching, one last hurrah before facing annihilation. Now perish!" He began to throw the large ball of black energy and dark lightning down to the four.
"Phoenix Wave!" Katsuro called out, slashing his sword to send a large phoenix shaped flame energy rushing up towards it.
"White Tiger Strike!" Spinning the golden rod with lightning energy collected into it, Kenji slashed it to send a white lightning tiger from the scythe end that surged forward, combining with the Phoenix Wave.
"Azure Dragon Rush!" Takeshi made a circular spin with his katana as a wind energy dragon with blue energy surging through it made its way to combine with the other two attacks.
"Meteor Strike!" Ryoto yelled, smashing his hammer into the ground, causing a large piece of earth to rise up being shaped like a tortoise shell.. He swing his hammer like a bat, causing it to spin up into the air, joining with the other attacks to give them an extra push into the large ball of energy.
"EVERYONE! GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!" Katsuro called out as they pushed with all their power.
"You dare try to fight the inevitable?! Now be crushed like the insects you are!" The figure in the sky began to put more power towards his attack as the two forces collided in mid air. And then, there was silence. A large explosion went off from the collision, energy began to be dispersed everywhere. All the warriors involved in the fight slowly faded away into the light, and all that was left of this legendary battle…was a crater onto the Earth where a city…Tokyo…once sat.
Chapter 1
It was a peaceful spring day, the smell of cherry blossoms filled the air. A raven haired girl dressed in her priestess uniform happily swept the grounds around her family shrine, the Hikawa Shrine. She had just finished her last year of high school, as did her friends. Rei Hino slightly covered her eyes with her hand as she gazed upon the beauty that filled her shrine.
Finally, there had been an entire solid year of peace. There had been no fighting, no monsters, no world ending threats. And most of all, not a single damn vision of doom and despair. "I hope days like this last forever…" A sigh left her lips. But as she spoke these words, there was a loud crash from inside the grounds. "What the hell?!" Her calm violet eyes turned alert as she scanned her surroundings. Her heart raced as she reached her top to grab her transformation pen from a pocket, just by sheer instinct.
Frantically, she rushed around the corner to the inner grounds of the temple to see what the commotion was. She saw her two deer faithful companions, Phobos and Deimos circling around a small crater in the ground. "Oh my god…what's happened?" Her eyes widened with shock as she rushed over to see a boy roughly her age laying in the rubble. He looked badly roughed up, a red T-shirt torn and tattered, black jeans in the same shape, and black boots. There was a sort of watch on his wrist, but it didn't have time on it. It almost looked like it was just a speaker.
Just where did this boy come from? The sky? There was nothing around here that he could have dropped and hit the ground with that impact from. There was a phoenix shaped orange jewel beside him that was cracked that gave off a strange aura. Was this an enemy? She couldn't tell. "Ohh…what do I do?" She struggled internally to think of a solution or how to deal with this boy.
I get a strange feeling about that jewel, there's some aura coming from it…he looks badly beaten up. I haven't sensed any sort of battle near here or anything. I can't just…leave him laying here though. Rei looked over his body, there were numerous cuts, abrasions, bruises, and even slight burns. Ami was probably the best to call over in this situation to help her treat his wounds. Makoto would be needed for the extra bit of muscle to get him dragged inside and into a bed till he woke up. Normally she'd just call for an ambulance and have him sent to a hospital, but there was just something that told her this might be one of those supernatural type issues. Something that was more for Sailor Guardian business.
A deep sigh left her lips as she reached into her pocket for her communicator. It had been so long since they had any issues like this. Did she really want to bother everyone? She glanced again back to his body then to her communicator. "Ami, Makoto, are you two busy?" She spoke into it, only sending the message to those two.
"Rei? I'm just going through a few notes, studying. I'm wanting to prepare for some college entrance exams. Aside from that, I'm free." Ami's voice chimed back.
"I'm just out for a morning run right now. What's up?" Makoto's voice also rang back.
"If it's not too much trouble for you two. I may need your help with…something. I'll explain more when you get here." Rei spoke back, checking quickly for pulse on the boy. He was alive, and breathing. That was good. He was definitely out cold though.
"Sure! No problem. I'm sort of in the area right now." Makoto answered.
"Is there anything we need to bring?" Ami questioned.
"Now that you mention it…" Rei started to say, trying to figure a way to word this without raising alarm. "So, I need your medical knowledge. If you have any first aid supplies, please bring them." She spoke.
"Rei?! Are you alright?!" Makoto quickly responded, speaking into her communicator with worry. Rei sounded fairly normal, definitely did not sound in pain or any discomfort.
"Has something happened? Is there an enemy?" Ami asked.
"That's the part I'll have to explain when you get here. It's not for me. I'm not sure how to put this, but there's this boy here that…fell from the sky?" That sounded so strange to say, but in a way, that was just business as usual for them.
"Say no more, we're on the way, right Ami?"
"Correct. I'll grab what first aid supplies I have and will be right over." Her soft but precise speaking voice rang back. Which, what first aid supplies she had, with her family meant almost having a hospital at their disposal.
"Thank you so much you two. I'll be at the inner grounds of the shrine." With that, she closed her communicator. "Just who are you…and what happened?" She questioned to herself. He was human as far as she could tell.
The boy's mind, though unconscious, he dreamed of a memory from long ago, something that was dear and precious to him. Of a person he cared for, who he loved. The first time he ever received his powers, and learned of his destiny.
~2 Years Ago~
Rika Sayuki age 16, she had long jet black hair and emerald green eyes was a priestess at a shrine in town. She was a girl that he for a long time now had feelings for, checked out of school for some unknown reason. He had seen her feeling fine this morning when he ran into her, but as the day went on, she seemed to be troubled by something. When asked if someone could take her school work and assignments to her, this was his chance to finally be able to talk to her, so of course he volunteered.
He finally approached the stairs leading up to her family's shrine and home. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie silence over the area. No birds or wildlife made a sound; only the quiet breeze rustled through the trees. Katsuro's heart pounded in his chest as he realized that this was the first time he had a chance to talk to her, or be near her, with just the two of them. Well, this morning didn't count.
As he ascended the stairs, a sudden, fearful scream pierced the night. "Rika?!" Katsuro's eyes widened, and he sprinted up the stairs, bounding up the last few steps and skidding to a stop, kicking up dust. He scanned the area quickly, searching for the source of the scream. Dark shadows moved inside the building, and the flickering lights of a fire illuminated the scene. He rushed in, clutching his backpack tightly, and lunged into the entrance of the main hallway.
"Get away!" Rika's voice, filled with fear, echoed from the shrine's main room. The light from the fire revealed multiple shadowy figures surrounding Rika, who lay on the ground, inching backward. Katsuro knew he had to act. But who would attack a shrine like this?
He sprinted down the hallway and came to a stop in the main room, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief at the sight before him. A large group of humanoid figures stood there, but they were far from human. Black skeletons clad in dark ebony armor wielded various weapons, from katanas to small axes, maces, and two-handed battle hammers. Katsuro couldn't contain his shock. "What is this? What the hell is going on?!" he exclaimed, his eyes darting around the room at the menacing creatures.
Rika looked up from the ground, her eyes widening as she saw Katsuro standing at the front of the room. She couldn't believe he was here. 'What's he doing here? No, he can't get caught up in this,' she thought, mustering the strength to speak. "R... run," she began weakly. "Please... save yourself. Get... out..." Her voice grew quieter as she coughed, her body trembling from the wounds she had sustained.
Katsuro couldn't just stand there and leave her behind. A surge of rage and determination overcame his fear. "Like hell I'm running. Hang tight, I'm coming!" he declared, his fist clenching the backpack strap as he hurled it with all his might at the creature at the front, knocking it backward into another.
Katsuro continued his attack, using his martial arts skills to fend off the creatures, all while feeling a newfound surge of confidence. He blocked off one creature that tried to slash him with a sword, twisting it's arm around and barely managing to steal the sword for himself. He then pierced through the torso of one, causing it to disperse into a black mist. "So, they can be taken down, huh? Good to know," he smirked, his focus on the fight, determined to protect Rika.
But little did he know that another, more formidable threat was about to enter the scene. Katsuro's heart raced as he battled the skeletal creatures, his mind focused on defending Rika and himself. He couldn't believe the surreal nature of the situation. These monsters, clad in dark ebony armor, moved with an unnatural grace and menace. Each clash of his sword against theirs sent sparks flying, illuminating the room with brief flashes of light.
Despite his initial fear, Katsuro's determination grew with each strike and parry. He realized that Rika's life was at stake, and he couldn't let her down. He had to protect her, no matter the odds. As he fought, his thoughts raced back to the day he had first seen Rika after her parents had passed away. Her return to school had been marked by a haunting sadness, yet she had carried herself with a strength that had captivated him from the start.
As he continued battling, he couldn't help but wonder about the origins of these creatures and their intentions. Why had they come to the shrine? What did they want from Rika and the sacred jewels? These questions gnawed at his mind, but there was no time for answers.
Suddenly, a deeper, raspy voice echoed through the shrine. Katsuro's head snapped in the direction of the entrance as a new figure emerged from the shadows. This creature, unlike the skeletal warriors, had a more human-like appearance, albeit with a sinister twist. It was muscular, its body emanating a dark aura. Its head was covered by the skeletal remains of a bull, forming a grotesque helmet. Glowing red eyes and a jagged jawline were the only visible features beneath it.
"How hard can it be to collect the spiritual energy of one small priestess?" the creature growled angrily as it approached. Katsuro's gaze locked onto the red-haired boy.
"Oh-ho. We have a little boy wanting to play hero, it looks like. Still, it should be easy enough for them to dispose of both with little to no trouble at all," the creature taunted, cracking its neck from side to side. "No matter, I'll put an end to this. All we need is her energy and essence." It raised a darkened hand towards Rika, which began to glow with an ominous black light. "We'll be rid of her, then take the jewels. And I suppose the boy will make for a good snack after." With a sinister laugh, it unleashed a beam of dark energy toward the helpless Rika.
What jewels is this thing talking about? Katsuro looked between the creature and Rika.
Her emerald eyes slowly opened, only to see the impending doom rushing toward her. 'No, this is it. I failed. I failed my family, the gods, and the world,' she thought, closing her eyes and accepting her fate.
But Katsuro wouldn't let that happen. With a swift leap, he put himself between Rika and the dark energy, his arms outstretched to shield her. He closed his eyes, bracing for the impact. His entire being trembled, but he refused to yield.
A blinding flash filled the room as the dark energy collided with something, sending dust, debris, and smoke billowing into the air. For a moment, there was an eerie silence, as if the world itself held its breath.
The creature, believing it had succeeded, chuckled. "Oops, I guess I used too much power and disintegrated both of them," it said with a shrug. "Oh well, time to collect our prizes."
But as the smoke began to clear, the sight that greeted the creature was beyond its wildest expectations. Instead of witnessing the demise of Rika and Katsuro, it saw something entirely different. There was a radiant dome of orange light surrounding the two, with Katsuro still standing, arms outstretched, taking the full impact of the dark energy. The energy was being put out by a floating orange jewel in the shape of a phoenix.
The creature's confidence wavered for the first time. It was an unforeseen turn of events, a glimmer of hope in the midst of darkness. There was no way to prepare for the astonishing revelation that followed.
The creature's surprise and uncertainty were palpable as it stared at the dome of orange light that had shielded Katsuro and Rika from its malevolent attack. It could feel a strange power emanating from the barrier, something it had not encountered before. Fear and doubt crept into its eyes, mixing with its anger and frustration.
Katsuro, though still standing, was visibly shaken by the impact of the dark energy. His body trembled under the strain of the energy he had absorbed. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his arms quivered as he fought to maintain his stance.
"Wh-what just happened?" Katsuro mumbled to himself, his voice quaking. He had expected the worst when he shielded Rika, but this miraculous barrier had saved them. He glanced down at Rika, who was still on the ground, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Are you okay?" he asked, extending a trembling hand to help her up.
Rika, still in shock, nodded and allowed Katsuro to help her to her feet. "I... I don't know what just occurred," she replied, her voice trembling with a mix of wonder and fear. "But you... you protected me."
Katsuro managed a weak smile. "Well, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time," he said, trying to downplay his own surprise and fear.
The creature, growing impatient and agitated, roared in frustration. It couldn't afford to let this unexpected turn of events deter it from its mission. It raised its dark hand once more, preparing to unleash another devastating attack.
But before it could release its energy, a voice echoed through the shrine, resonating with a power that sent shivers down the creature's spine. "Boy... the determination and bravery you have displayed have proven your fighting spirit to be worthy to become my chosen warrior."
Katsuro's eyes widened as he looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice. Rika's gaze darted between the dome of light, the creature, and Katsuro with a mixture of hope and trepidation.
The voice continued, "There is no time to explain now; all will be made clear later. If you wish to accept your destiny, then reach out for my jewel. However, know that once you accept my offer, there will be no going back. I will bestow upon you the power to eliminate your foes and the power to protect those you care for."
Katsuro, still trembling from the earlier attack, gazed at the source of the voice. It was coming from the orange phoenix shaped jewel. His mind raced as he tried to comprehend the choice laid before him. This was beyond anything he had ever imagined, and he had no idea what consequences it might entail.
"Power to eliminate my foes and protect those I care for?" Katsuro repeated the words, his voice filled with uncertainty. He looked back at Rika, who met his gaze with a mixture of hope and concern.
With a deep breath, Katsuro made his decision. His determination overcame his doubts as he clenched his fists and stepped forward. "I don't know what's going on," he said, his voice gaining resolve, "but if this is the only way to save her and get us out of here, then I say lay it on me! I accept!"
As he reached out for the jewel, it began to break apart into fragments of light that surrounded his body. The dome of orange light blazed into a ball of fire and electricity, engulfing Katsuro as time outside seemed to freeze.
The creature's arm moved to shield its eyes from the blinding light, while the skeletal henchmen rushed toward the ball of fire. A barrage of fiery lights erupted from the dome, piercing through multiple shadow warriors and causing them to dissipate into a black mist. As the fire-like blasts struck the ground, they revealed red feathers scattered in their wake.
With a side swipe of his arm, Katsuro dispersed the dome of fire from his body. What stood before Rika and the creature now was something entirely different. Katsuro was transformed, adorned in crimson armor that sparkled from the embers of light falling around him. The armor featured a phoenix head on the chest plate and each shoulder pad. His scarlet hair flowed in the air, his eyes radiating determination as he faced the stronger creature.
Inside Katsuro's mind, a whirlwind of emotions and sensations overtook him. The newfound power coursed through his veins, filling him with a sense of purpose and strength he had never known. But alongside the power, there was a dangerous rage that threatened to consume him.
Katsuro's teeth gritted as he felt the overwhelming energy and the accompanying anger surge within him. He raised his clenched fist, ready to strike, but the target of his rage was not the enemy before him. It was Rika. He began to move, out of control, his attack directed toward her.
Rika's fear was palpable as she watched the transformed Katsuro, her heart pounding in her chest. But just as his fist was about to connect with her, a primal scream escaped her lips, snapping him back to his senses. His strike missed her, landing on the floor beside her. He groaned and growled as he wrestled with the uncontrollable power coursing through him.
"K-Katsuro..." Rika whimpered, her eyes filled with fear as she backed away from him. The energy that enveloped him was overwhelming, and she realized the danger they were both in.
"I... I can't..." Katsuro muttered through clenched teeth, his eyes flickering between their usual blue and a blank, eerie state. The creatures began to surround them, seizing the opportunity to attack.
"This is truly rich! Suzaku picks out some scrawny human boy, and he can't even get control of himself!" the creature taunted, its confidence returning. "Bahahaha! It's too much! Killing him and taking that power for the boss is going to be a cinch!"
Rika's mind raced as she tried to find a way to help Katsuro regain control. She knew that they couldn't afford to lose him to this uncontrollable power. Drawing from stories and tales she had heard, she made a desperate decision.
"I'm sorry, Katsuro!" Rika exclaimed as she reached out and kissed him, pouring her own spiritual energy into him in an attempt to calm the raging power within him. It was a gamble, but she had to try something to bring him back from the brink.
Katsuro's eyes widened, surprised by Rika's sudden action. He felt her lips on his, warmth and energy flowing into him. It was a surreal moment amidst the chaos surrounding them. As the power surged through him, the rage began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of peace and hope. His eyes returned to their usual sapphire blue, and he closed them, still holding back the overwhelming force trying to take control of him.
"R-Rika..." he managed to say, his voice filled with gratitude and relief. He slowly pulled away from her, his fists still clenched but no longer in anger.
Rika, her own eyes filled with tears, met his gaze. "Katsuro, I know we don't know each other well, but please hear me," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "You have to fight this and get control."
"I... I don't know what's happening," Katsuro admitted, his voice vulnerable. He struggled to keep the power in check, but the dangerous aura still surrounded him. "I can't control my body. This power is too much."
But their respite was short-lived. The creature, growing impatient, ordered its remaining minions to attack. The skeletal warriors rushed Katsuro, their dark forms closing in on him.
Rika watched in horror, but she knew she had to trust in Katsuro. He had the power within him now, and she believed he could harness it. She had to believe in him, just as he had believed in her.
As the skeletal warriors closed in, Katsuro realized that he had to take control of this newfound power and use it for good. With a deep breath, he made a decision. "This is it," he said to himself, determination filling his voice. "I can't let them down. I have to protect Rika."
With newfound resolve, Katsuro unleashed the full extent of his power. The crimson armor that adorned him began to glow even brighter, and his entire being radiated with fiery energy. His fists, now engulfed in flames, blurred as he launched a barrage of powerful punches and strikes, sending the skeletal warriors flying, their forms dissipating into black mist upon impact.
The creature, enraged by its minions' defeat, decided to take matters into its own hands. It raised its large battle axe, its muscular frame moving with predatory grace, and advanced toward Katsuro.
Katsuro stood his ground, his eyes focused on the approaching menace. He knew that he couldn't let this creature harm Rika or himself. "You know…there's one thing I forgot to do. In a situation like this. It's a number one rule for heroes to do this after transforming…" He clenched his right fist and raised it into the air, pointing his thumb toward himself.
"Rising from the ashes!" Katsuro declared, his voice filled with newfound confidence. He brought his arm down and across his chest, the motion accompanied by a fierce sense of purpose. "I am the warrior chosen by Suzaku! It is my job to burn away evil scum like yourself. I am Katsuro Takahashi! Blazing Phoenix!"
His declaration sent a surge of energy through him, and he struck a dramatic fighting pose, his eyes closed as he embraced his new role with a sense of youthful bravado.
Rika, who had been watching in awe, couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief. "You mean to tell me THAT'S what you forgot to do? A pose and a catchphrase?" she exclaimed, smacking her palm to her forehead in disbelief.
Katsuro, still striking his pose, opened one eye and glanced at her. "Yeah, of course," he replied, grinning beneath the helmet of his armor. "Every hero needs a cool catchphrase and pose before a fight. Otherwise, what's the point?"
The creature, meanwhile, was baffled by the sudden turn of events. "Stop ignoring me!" it yelled, its anger growing. "Kill him! Kill him now!"
Undeterred by the creature's taunts, Katsuro prepared to face this newfound challenge head-on. He charged forward, leading the battle outside to the open area just before the stairs that led down to the road. He set Rika gently down on her feet, a sense of determination burning in his eyes.
"Thank you for getting me back," Katsuro said to Rika, his voice filled with gratitude. "We'll talk after this, but first... there's something I forgot to do, and I have to take care of it."
Rika nodded, her eyes still wide with amazement and disbelief. "Just be careful, Katsuro," she replied, her voice filled with concern. She knew that this battle was far from over, and she feared what challenges lay ahead.
Katsuro turned away from her, his attention fully focused on the remaining threat. His heart raced as he approached the crowd of skeletal warriors, with the larger creature looming behind them. This was just like the stories he had read in manga and comics, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and fear.
"What's happening over there?!" the creature exclaimed, shielding its eyes from the blinding light that surrounded Katsuro. "Kill him now!"
Katsuro, determined and ready to embrace his newfound power, faced the approaching skeletal warriors. "Alright, let's get this fight outside in the open," he declared, his voice calm and resolute. He jumped backward, leading the enemies away from Rika and into the open area before the stairs that led to the road.
As Katsuro positioned himself for the impending battle, he couldn't help but reflect on the incredible turn his life had taken. This was like a dream come true, but he was well aware of the immense responsibility that now rested on his shoulders. The power he wielded was both a gift and a burden, and he was determined to use it for the greater good.
Rika, still watching from the sidelines, couldn't contain her amazement and disbelief. "My first kiss," she thought to herself with a mixture of humor and incredulity, "and it was to this insane, heroic, and utterly corny idiot." Her hand placed onto her forehead gently as a sigh slowly left her soft lips.