Disclaimer: I do not own Rowen Hashiba, Kento Rei Faun, Sage Date, Cye Mouri, Ryo Sanada, nor any other character or reference affiliated with Ronin Warriors.  All copyrights for the Ronin Warriors are owned by Bandai and Sunrise.  All other characters and the plot were created and copyrighted by me unless otherwise noted.

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Kento tossed his head back, letting out a groan as he stretched.  The beauty of nature was really putting him in a good mood.  He looked at his four comrades behind him.  They had their arms crossed.  They weren't sharing his sentiments.  In fact, they looked royally pissed.  They were just on a little hike.  It's not like they had to fight anybody.

 

Kento: Beautiful day, eh, boys?

 

They all glared at him.

 

Kento: Aw, come on, guys.  You aren't still mad for suggesting a hike, are you?

Cye: Not only did you suggest it, you practically forced us out here in the woods.

Kento: We're not in the woods anymore.  See?  It's flat.  The trees have formed a boundary around us, sheltering us.  There is a river over there.

Rowen: That's a creek.

Kento: Same thing.  Cye.  You of all people should appreciate the beauty of that river, and Rowen...he takes a deep breath...How can you not taste the delicious air that powers your armor?  Sage?  Well, I'm sure we'll get to you.  Ryo?  Uh, we'll get to you, too.

Ryo: Cut it out, Kento.

Sage: Yeah, man.  We'd been out here all day.  Can we go now?

Kento:  Awww!  Poor Sagey!  Are you sweating out your hairgel?

Cye: Kento, we are ready to go now.

 

Cye felt as though his feet were stuck in cement.  He didn't think he could walk another step.  Before Rowen even got his two cents out, something got Kento's attention.  He wandered away.

 

Rowen: Now, where are you going?

Cye: Whatever he does, I'm waiting for him right here.

 

Rowen followed.  Ryo went next, then Sage.  Cye didn't want to be left in the middle of nowhere alone, so he forced his cement feet to take him a few yards further.  The five friends stood at the entrance of a cave.  A soft, iridescent blue light glowed from inside.  Kento left the others standing at the mouth of the cave while he went to investigate.  There was a small pool.  The light was coming from somewhere at the bottom of it.

 

Kento: Guys!  You should see this!  This is so cool!!

 

The other four joined their friend at the pool.  Suddenly, the light grew brighter.  The five were nearly blinded.  Just as quickly as it started, the light dimmed.

 

Cye: Um, what was that for?

Rowen: I have no idea, but let's leave before something else happens.

 

They head back to the mouth of the cave.  Something was unnervingly different.  Something with the landscape.  There was a loud squawk overhead.  Instinctively, the five looked up.  A huge birdlike creature circled overhead.

 

Rowen: Oh...my...God!

Sage: What?  What is it??

Rowen: It can't be!!

Cye: What the hell it is, Rowen!?!?

 

The creature touched down on the ground about 50 yards from where they were standing.

 

Kento: Rowen, please tell me that's not a pterodactyl.

Rowen: I wish I could.

 

The sight took his breath away.  Rowen was absolutely fascinated by the creature.  He took a step towards it.  A hand grabbed his arm.  He turned around, annoyed at whoever was interfering.  It was Ryo.

 

Ryo: Dude, I don't think you should get too close.

Rowen: I'm not gonna touch it.  I just want a closer look.

Sage: I think those guys would rather talk to us first.

 

Everyone followed Sage's line of vision.  Three men were coming their way.  They fearlessly walked up to the five and stood lookin at them.  They looked like regular humans.  Their girths were round and solid.  They had huge clubs resting on their shoulders.

 

Rowen: Neanderthals.

Kento: Uh, dude, I don't think you should call them names.  We haven't even made their acquaintance yet.

Rowen: No, stupid.  They're Neanderthals, early Homo sapiens.

 

Kento's expression went blank.

 

Rowen: Cavemen.

Kento: Oh!  Okay.

Cye: They look like they could be Kento's ancestors.

Kento: I outta knock your lights out.

 

The one in front, apparently the leader, hit Kento roughly on the chest with his fist.  Kento was nearly knocked off balance.  Regaining his footing, he dropped into a fighting stance.

 

Kento: Look, buddy, we didn't come to make trouble.  Take your friends and get outta here.

Ryo: I don't think they understand you.

Kento: What about ooga booga?  Rowen, will that work?

Rowen: Now, how am I supposed to know?  I've never talked to them before.

Sage: Let's just get out of here.

Cye: Where are we gonna go?  There are giant flying bird things and cavemen.  I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

Ryo: Let's make a run for the cave.

 

In unison, all five turned and ran as fast as they could.  Cye snuck a peek behind them.  The cave men were chasing them.  Adrenaline surged through his veins.  He was the first to reach the cave.  He made a beeline to the blue light.  Soon, the others made it.  As soon as the fifth got to the pool, the bright light flashed again.

 

For a moment, they stood in silence.  Were they back?  The cavemen hadn't jumped out of the dark and beat their skulls in yet.  Kento was the first to venture forth.  He realized he was the only one moving.

 

Kento: Come on, guys.  Let's go check it out.

Cye: Oh, no.  If things look back to normal, you come back here and get me.  If not, then forget it.

Kento: Fine.

 

Kento started to walk to the door alone.  Rowen followed.  Someone needed to educate the ignoramus if things weren't how they were supposed to be.

 

The landscape had changed.

 

Kento: See?  Those guys worry too much.  Everything's back to normal.  You're enjoying the sounds of nature, aren't you?  Isn't it nice?

 

Rowen was trying to concentrate on the surroundings.

 

Rowen: Something's not right.

Kento: What do you mean?  Those trees were there before.  That river...well, stream...was there.

 

Suddenly, a dozen men on horseback raced their way.  The riders encircled the two.

 

Kento: Oh, sh--.  Not again.

 

Behind them, an unknown assailant knocked them out cold.

 

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Sage had been pacing back and forth.  Where were they?  They were just going to check the surroundings and come back.  They'd been gone too long.  Just as he turned to tell Cye and Ryo that he was going to go look for them, the bright light flashed.

 

Cye: Please, tell me that it was just testing itself.

 

The three ran to the mouth of the cave.  They had forgotten that they had left their backpacks on the bank of the river...well, stream...before they ventured into the cave.  They were still there, untouched.

 

Sage: We're back.

Cye: What??  We can't be back!!

Ryo: What about Kento and Rowen?

Sage: I don't know.  They're not with us.  Wherever they are, I hope they're alright.

 

Rowen, he wasn't worried about.  He could take care of himself...ever the survivalist.  Kento was a different story all together.  That fool would get the both of them killed if he didn't check his tongue and let Rowen do all the talking.  Ryo looked up at the sky.  Night was descending.

 

Ryo: Kento, Rowen, don't worry guys.  We're gonna get you back.  Don't know how yet, but we're coming.