The Dark Ronin Warrior
Seth N Jones

Part One: The New Ronin

The young, seventeen-year-old girl sat down at her desk in a school in Toyama. Her midnight blue eyes glanced around at the scene of her new school, but flinched slightly when it met sunlight. Some people looked at her weirdly because of the one white streak in her brown hair that ran in front of the right side of her face. Or maybe it was because the way her left hand was tattooed with strange, colorful symbols.

And the blue school uniform just bothered her. Back in America, she didn't wear a school uniform with a khaki skirt and blouse, instead wore comfortable jeans and t-shirt. And would always wear sunglasses.

Around her, the students whispered excitedly about a crime fighting group called the "Ronin Warriors." As far as she was concerned, they had nothing to do with her. Was she ever wrong.

She had recently moved to Japan with her father, who was in the army, to where her mother grew up, the same house too. She learned the language easily when she was young and knew how to speak it well. But before the school term started, her father died. Now she was on her own.

But she lived fine without anyone. Her mother disappeared when she was younger and presumed dead. Her father died soon after they moved. She worked part time to earn money and lived in the old house.

The teacher walked in a suddenly everyone got quite. "Class," she said loudly, "We have a new student. Her name is Lančna Vampirra and she came all the way from America."

Lančna stood up and walked to the front. The teacher put an arm around the younger's shoulder. "Is there a different name you would like to go by?"

She nodded. "Lana is fine," she said quietly.

"Very well, Lana," the teacher said. "You can go back to your seat."

Lana nodded again and returned to her seat quickly. But when she sat down, a loud rumble filled the room and it shook. A few screamed and others ran to the other side of the room, but Lana stood fixed right beside the window.

Outside, a large black cloud filled the sky with streaks of lightening searing it. Lana thought she caught a glimpse of red eyes, but then ran to the other side of the room when the wall was blown inward. A tall dark warrior stood in the large opening, dark green armor covering him from head to foot. He carried a bow and arrow over his back, same color as his armor.

"I am Traent, Warlord of Greed. I am looking for a Ronin Warrior."

"If a Ronin Warrior you want," a male voice called out, "Then a Ronin Warrior you will get."

Traent moved and Lana caught a glimpse of boy wearing bright red armor and carrying two swords. He had a look of determination was in his eyes.

"I'm not looking for you, Wildfire."

"Then how about Strata." A boy with deep blue armor and gold bow and arrow appeared.

"Or Halo." A boy with green armor and battle sword stepped into view.

"Or how about Torrent or Hardrock." Two boys, one with a light blue armor and one with orange armor, appeared. All had masks over their face, so that the only thing you could see was their eyes.

Traent shook his head. "You don't know what you're getting into."

"Oh, do we?" Wildfire said. He attacked Traent with his two swords. As Lana watched, the back of her mind thought, I may have met my match in sword fighting.

But the fight was over as fast as it was started. Traent disappeared and the warriors were left standing in the demolished classroom. Lana was the only person standing away from the wall and all alone. One by one, the Ronin Warriors left, but Strata glanced at Lana as if he wanted better of her.

Lana gazed into his dark blue eyes and felt something familiar about them. Then he left.

Lana gazed out of the hole in the wall when the clearly shaken teacher said, "Class dismissed for the rest of the day."

She was jerked out of her trance by the cheer of the class. Lana quickly got her bag and ran to the girls restroom. When she left the restroom, she was dressed in a pair of jeans, white t-shirt, and black leather jacket.

Lana ran to her motorcycle that sat in the parking lot and climbed on. As the engine roared in her ears, she pulled out a pair of silver sunglasses and put them on. Her eyes focused better now.

The motorcycle roared out of the parking lot, Lana's long brown hair flaring behind her.

Eighteen-year-old Ryo sat driving the red Jeep with Rowen, Sage, Cye, and Kento in the passenger seats. His outfit was no longer his armor or sub-armor, but just pants and a shirt.

"Do you think it's the Dynasty?" the blue-haired Rowen asked.

"I don't think so," Sage answered. His blond hair whipped in the wind. "That warlord was looking for one Ronin Warrior."

"And apparently he wasn't looking for one of us," Cye put in. "Most of the time, they want all of us."

"Hey, I'm hungry!"

Ryo looked back at the dark-blue haired warrior. "You're always hungry, Kento." He was about to turn back to the front when a trail of dust started up behind him. "What the. . ."

Everyone looked back and a dark figure came into view. Ryo glanced at the rear view mirror every few moments and saw the motorcycle right at their tail. But before he could do anything, the bike sped up and pulled up right next to the Jeep so that, if Ryo wanted to, he could reach out and touch the driver's shoulder.

The driver scanned the occupants of the Jeep, but the gaze stopped on Rowen for a moment longer. The eyes narrowed thoughtfully, taking in his light blue hair and the blue strap that ran across his forehead.

"I think she has a crush on you, Rowen," Kento said from the back. Ryo could barely hear Cye's snicker. A bright red began to color Rowen's cheeks.

The driver's long, dark brown hair thrashed in the wind, her eyes peered out from behind the dark sunglasses and Ryo caught a glimpse of a deep blue.

"She's a student from our school," Rowen said. "No one else has a streak of white hair like that."

The driver smiled and gave a small salute to the boys. Ryo saw a flash of color coming off of that left hand. But before he could do anything, the driver revved the motor and pulled ahead of them.

Just as it disappeared from sight, a loud screech came to their ears, followed by the sound of a something crashing into a tree.

"Oh no!" Rowen said. Ryo sped up to reach the fallen driver. He had to swerve to miss a large patch of ice, then stopped short in front of a tree in the middle of the road.

Everyone climbed out and saw the bottom of the tree was smashed to smithereens. The motorcycle laid at the side of the road with the owner no where to be seen. But then there was some movement in the woods, a moan, near where the tree had stood.

Kento ran to see it, and when he reached it, he cried out in surprise, followed by a cry of terror from someone else.

The driver quickly stood and back away as quickly as possible. Her sunglasses were missing, but that wasn't the only thing. Her clothes were gone, replaced by black and silver sub-armor. She glanced down at her armored arms, her eyes wide with terror and confusion.

She backed up into a tree and glanced up. Before Ryo or the others could do anything, she jumped up and grabbed onto a limb a few meters up. The rest of the group ran over to the tree and gazed up, meeting the fiery blue gaze of the girl.

She glanced back over to the road and suddenly jumped to the ground and ran toward her bike.

Kento tackled her and rolled to the ground. The girl said a few choice words in English and then gave a kick to the stomach, but the blow was absorbed by Kento's sub-armor. She got up quickly but stood her ground, for she was caged in by the rest of the Ronin Warriors, all wearing their sub-armor.

She looked scared by all what was happening. She held up her hands in self-defense, looking for a way out. Her eyes narrowed. "What do you want?" she whispered, her voice accented.

"Who are you?" Ryo asked.

She turned away from the road to face Ryo. She shook her head slightly. "I don't know anymore." Her eyes glanced behind her slightly, and took off like a shot. She pounced on the chest of unsuspecting Rowen, who went down with an oof. "Sorry," she whispered and quickly ran to the road and righted her bike.

But before she climbed on, a voice called out, saying, "What's the rush, young Ronin?"

The girl cried out and quickly backed up in fear away from another warlord. This one was different. His armor was an icy blue, almost white. He held a long staff in right hand.

"I am Fraezi, Warlord of Hail and Ice. And Empress Vionite sent me to get you, Ronin."

The girl turned and ran from him. Ice snaked along the ground and caught her feet. She stood frozen as ice crawled up her body.

"Arrow Shock Wave!" Rowen's super move stopped the warlord.

The ice stopped and froze around her throat. She made strangled sound and her eyes went wide with fear as she realized that she might choke. Fear suddenly seemed to fill Rowen.

The Ronin Warriors made a protective circle around her, all in their full armor. Ryo quickly ran to the girl and placed his armored hand on the ice, melting the ice with his Wildfire power.

She finally collapsed in his arms, taking deep breaths. Finally, she stood on her own, her eyes seeming to glow a bright blue. Ryo took a few steps away as wind began to blow her hair wild.

Suddenly, she yell, "Armor of the Night! Tao Mikomi!"

The wind picked up more, throwing dust around so that everyone had to close their eyes. But when they opened them, the girl wore armor that looked like a cross of Ryo's Wildfire and Inferno armor. It was black, silver around the edges and where the white on the others armor was, and two, long swords on the back.

"Ah, Lady Lančna, you show your true powers." Fraezi lifted his rod and swung at Lančna but it was blocked by one of her swords. She grabbed her second sword and touched it to the staff.

Electricity came away from Lančna and traveled to the staff. The warlord disappeared, unable to take the shock, and the girl collapsed to the ground.

Rowen picked her up as the black armor disappeared, leaving the black and silver sub-armor. His own armor faded to his clothes. "What do you think we should do with her?"

"She's apparently a Ronin Warrior. She has the potential."

Rowen nodded once and took her to the Jeep.

"Kento, hook the bike onto the back."

Kento smile and rubbed his hands. He lifted the motorcycle off the ground and tied it to the back of the Jeep.

"You sure this is wise, Ryo?" Cye asked.

"If we have a new enemy, a new ally will help," Sage said.

Lana's eyes slowly opened and saw darkness all around her. Her eyes saw through the darkness like anyone else saw through daylight. She glanced around and saw herself in a bedroom with herself in the only bed.

The silver of the sub-armor caught her eye and she looked at it closely. Flashes of the fight came to her mind, but she seemed distant, like someone or something controlled her, helping her.

Then there was the other Warriors. She saw the face of every one of them. She also vowed revenge on the one who tackled her, Hardrock.

The sound of foot steps brought her attention back to the present. Lana silently slipped out of the bed and out of an open window. Once she was out into the night, she seemed to melt into it.

Rowen stepped into his room where the girl slept. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but as soon as they did, he notice the girl was gone. The window was open and he ran to it, seeing no one out there. He looked around the room to see if he could find signs of struggle but found none.

Still, worry filled him. Why do I care for her? he asked himself. He remembered the way her eyes looked when she first met Kento or when the warlord nearly killed her with ice.

This could all be a trick, he thought. Just a Dynasty trick. Then his thought went back to the way her eyes would stop on him and the way she smiled.

Shaking himself from his musings, he went back down stairs and looked at the other warriors. "She's gone."

Kento started to get up, but Rowen stopped him. "Her bike is still here and she must not live far if she didn't take it. I'll return it tomorrow."

"I'll go with you," Kento said. "I'll take the Jeep so you won't have to walk."

"There's an old house a few miles away from here," Ryo said. "It's been left alone and she might live there."

Rowen nodded his thanks. "I just wish that Mia and Yuli didn't go on vacation for a few weeks."

The motorcycle stopped right in front of the house. Rowen got off just as Kento pulled up in the Jeep. "Okay," Kento said, "We dropped off her bike, let's go."

"Wait, how do we know this is the right house?"

Kento shrugged and Rowen walked up to the door. He knocked and it creaked open. Rowen went inside and Kento ran to catch up.

The house looked lived in. There was a TV and a computer in the main room. In the kitchen, there was a bowl of fruit and a large pile of books. Kento walked over and picked up a few.

"These are all written in English."

Rowen picked up a piece of paper and looked at it. It was written in a language he didn't know, but by telling by the marks, it was a language paper with a good grade.

He walked out to a large stairway and looked at the pictures hanging on the wall.

Kento was very close behind. "Do you ever have the feeling that you're being watched?"

Suddenly, there was a loud thud and Rowen spun around to see Kento pinned to the floor with Lančna on top. "That's because you are," she said with a smile.

She pushed herself off and brushed her hands off. "That was for yesterday, Hardrock." Lančna wore a combat suit that fitted her body like a glove. Her long hair was braided around her head with only a few strands falling out. The one white streak still ran through it. She apparently found out how to get out of the sub-armor. She was as tall as Rowen, but had a smaller frame.

She looked at Rowen and noticing him staring. His gaze quickly moved away and he felt himself blush. She smiled lopsidedly and helped Kento up off of the ground.

"What was that for?!" Kento yelled.

"I told you. For yesterday. Why did you attack yesterday?"

"We thought you were from the Dynasty," Rowen said

She raised an eyebrow. "The Dynasty? I'm not from the Dynasty, I'm from America."

"America?"

"Yeah. My father was in the army and we get sent here."

"Where is your father?"

"He died a few months back. I've been living on my own since then."

"Oh."

"My name is Lana," she said, extending her hand.

"I'm Rowen," he replied, shaking her hand, "And this is Kento."

Kento glared evilly at Lana and she shook her head, amused. "He holds grudges, doesn't he?"

Rowen nodded. But before he could say anything else, a loud rumble shook the house. Lana's eyes went wide with fear and she ran upstairs. Rowen and Kento quickly changed into their armors and ran outside.

In front of them stood at least fifty blue samurai soldiers. Then all at once, they attacked. They fought off, but the odds were not in their favor. Just as one soldier came up to finish Rowen off from behind, there was a slash, followed by a loud crack, then a light smoke filled the air.

Rowen turned and saw Lana, sword with strange markings on the hilt and blade, in hand, press her back to his. But she was not in her armor. Alarm filled him. "Lana! The odds of you surviving this attack are-"

"Never tell me the odds!" she yelled as she cut another soldier down. With her fiery attitude and quick mind, she was able to help Rowen and Kento. No matter what, Rowen vowed, I'll make sure she lives.

Kento twirled his staff and yelled, "Iron Rock Crusher!" The blow took out the rest of the soldiers.

Lana stood with her sword ready in hand. Her combat suit was torn and slashed in many places and there was small cuts underneath. Rowen surveyed the scene. "It look like they're gone." He turned around and saw a soldier come up on Lana. "Lana! Behind you!"

But it was to late. The soldier's sword cut deep into her right shoulder and she cried out in pain, falling to her knees. But as did so, black lightening came out of the wound and instantly killed the soldier.

The sword in Lana's hand dropped to the ground. Rowen ran over and lifted her up. She hissed in pain and her eyes opened. She gazed into Rowen's and something passed over her's. "Your eyes are like my father's," she whispered before the pain in her shoulder took her.

Rowen saw the life force slowly flow out of her body. "NO!" he cried out.

His kanji symbol, Life, suddenly appeared and Rowen's armor glowed blue. The armor stopped the life from going away from Lana, and slowly began to feed it back to her.

Kento, now in his sub-armor, came up beside his friend. "We might be able to save her if we hurry."

Rowen nodded and quickly got back into the Jeep, still in his full armor, still holding onto Lana. As long as the armor had contact with her, she will live. The blue glow had transferred over to Lana, keeping her alive, but barely.

The Jeep came to a screeching stop in front of their house and Ryo, Sage, and Cye came out, shocked. They saw the girl and the torn look on their friend's face.

The took Lana into the house, and, with Rowen refusing to break contact, bandaged up her arm. Sage used some of his healing powers on her, doing the best that he could. It was strange. The arm already began to heal at top speed and the little cuts and bruises that used to be on her body had disappeared.

A few hours later, Lana laid in Rowen's bed, with Rowen still holding her hand tightly. The blue armor still covered he from head to foot for he denied to take it off.

The blue glow still covered the healing Lana, and right before Rowen drifted off to sleep, kneeling beside the bed, he felt a weak squeeze in his armored hand.

Fog filled Lana's mind. The hard she tried to see through it, the thicker it got. Finally she called out, Where am I?

You need rest for your training, child, a male voice came back.

I am not a child.

The voice seemed to laugh. No, but you're starting to act like one.

That quieted Lana. What is going on with me? she asked after a moment.

You have recently discovered the powers that sleep within you, the voice answered. With the help of the Ronin Warriors, you will learn to use that power. It is important that you train hard and well.

Who are you?

I am known as one of the Ancients, but that is not important.

Lana's eyes slowly opened and immediately adjusted to the darkness that surrounded her. The last waking moment, she remembered seeing Rowen in full armor. Then she felt searing pain in her right shoulder. But where was she now?

Lana glanced to the side and saw an open window with stars shining in. The room was familiar. A quiet noise brought her face to the other side and she saw Rowen, asleep in his Strata Armor, a lock of blue hair falling out from beneath the helmet. He was kneeled at the bedside, with her left hand was in his armored grip.

Cautiously, she reached over and pushed the hair out of his face and his eyes slowly opened. Very quickly, he was wide awake.

"How long have you been there, Rowen?" Lana asked quietly.

"You have been healing for four days."

"Four days? Friday. That must mean I missed school." She looked back over at Rowen. "You still haven't told me how long you've been here."

"Ever since we brought you back Tuesday." Lana looked shocked. "You nearly died, but my armor gave you life. I refused to leave until you woke up." He smile at Lana and his armor slowly faded to his clothes.

Lana gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm fine. You're the one I'm worried about." She slipped her hand away, sat up, and slowly unwrapped her shoulder. When the bandage was off, her skin was fully healed except for a red mark where the sword had cut into her.

She looked sort of embarrassed. "Do you think I can run up to my house and change clothes?"

Rowen shook his head. "I wouldn't risk it." He got up and rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a shirt and pants. "These might be a little loose on you," he said, handing them to her.

Lana looked down at the articles of clothes and then looked back up at Rowen with a lopsided grin. "Thanks Rowen."

"Come out when you're ready and I'll introduce you to the rest," Rowen said and left the room.

Lana quickly dressed in the clothes and Rowen was right. They were slightly loose. She tucked the shirt into the pants and used her belt to keep them up. The she quickly did her hair. She left it so the there was a crown of braided hair around her head, but now she had loose hair that fell to the middle of her back.

Lana stepped out into the hall and saw Rowen leaning against the wall, deep in thought. But before she could say anything, he snapped out of it. "Do they work?" he asked.

Lana nodded. "They're just fine, thank you."

Rowen gestured and led Lana down a flight of stairs to a large living area where for others sat. She recognized Kento, and remember the faces of the three others.

"Lana, this is Ryo," Wildfire, her mind said automatically. He had slightly long black hair that fell slightly in front of his blue eyes, "Cye," Torrent. Cye's light brown hair was the only one that looked normal of the group, ending before his dark blue eyes, "and Sage," Halo. Sage had thick blond hair that covered one of his icy lavender eyes.

Lana looked closer at Kento and Rowen. Kento had a really dark blue hair that she would have mistaken as black, with an yellow band running across his forehead, right above his blue eyes. Rowen had light blue hair that sometimes fell across his dark blue eyes and had a blue band also running across his forehead. "Guys, this is Lana."

"And White Blaze is behind you," Ryo said.

"White Blaze?" Lana turned around and saw a huge white tiger with black stripes. "Cool," she said as she scratched his head. White Blaze purred like a big kitten.

"I never seen anyone take to White Blaze like that," Kento whispered to Sage. "She can't be human."

"I'm more human than you, Kento," Lana said, not looking up. Sage laughed.

"Are you hungry, Lana?" Ryo asked.

Lana looked up. "No, not really. But thanks."

"Now I know she's not human," Kento said out loud. "No one can sleep for four days straight and not be hungry."

"Would you believe that the only things I can eat are fruits, vegetables, and grains?" Lana saw the look of horror on his face and grinned. "Guess not."

"Why's that?" Cye asked.

"I don't know. I get severely sick if I have any kind of meat." Lana looked around and suddenly felt as if she was claustrophobic. "I need some fresh air," she said. "Am I allowed to go out?"

"As long as someone goes with you, I don't see why not," Ryo said.

Lana frowned at the statement. "Why does someone need to go with me?"

"The Dynasty, or who ever wants you, will still be after you. And you don't know how to use your armor yet. Do you remember how to call on it?"

"Sort of."

"I'll go with you," Rowen said. Kento was about to make a snide remark when the glare he received from Rowen stopped him. He led Lana outside and every time he glanced at her, her face was to the stars.

"I always loved space," she said quietly. "Dark, silent."

They soon reached the lake near the house and the moon shone off of the water. "Why did you say that my eyes are like your father's?" Rowen asked.

"His eyes were a dark blue, like your's and mine. They had a sad, but thoughtful look in them." Lana smiled. "But they seemed happy when he trained me or helped me with my homework."

"Trained?"

"He taught me how to use a sword and bow and arrow. Also in self-defense. I. . . ahh!"

Lana crumpled to the ground, hands covering her ears. She cried out again and again as. . . something flashed through her mind.

Rowen kneeled beside her and placed his hands onto her shoulders. "Lana! Snap out of it!" Then, on impulse, he brought her close and kissed her.

Lana's vision immediately stop when her lips touched Rowen's. His hand gently cradled her neck and his arm was around her waist. He pulled away and saw Lana's eyes wide with surprise. Together, they stood.

"Sorry," he whispered. "It's just that. . ."

"It's just that I sounded as if I were in pain." Lana shook her head. "Don't be sorry."

Rowen smiled weakly. "Lana, I-"

"Rowen, look out!" Lana pulled on Rowen's shirt and kicked behind where his head was a few minutes ago. The blue samurai soldier crumpled to the ground.

"Lana, get back to the house and get the others!" Rowen yelled. Lana looked over and saw him in the dark blue Strata armor. The samurai soldiers had surrounded them.

But before she knew it, she yelled, "Armor of the Night. . . Tao Mikomi!" The black and silver armor appeared on her. She pulled out the swords on her back and crossed the blades. "I'm not leaving you Rowen."

Their back pressed together and Rowen pulled out an arrow, and yelled, "Arrow Shock Wave!"

Gold energy shot out and destroyed half of the soldiers. Lana's eyes glowed a bright blue and she yelled, "Dark Illumination Affect!"

Black bolts of energy came from the crossed sword and took out the rest of the soldiers, along with a few dozen trees. When the dust cleared away, only one figure remained.

"Oh great," Lana moaned. "Another warlord."

The figure narrowed it's eyes. "I am Haetie, wearer of the armor of Despise." He wore an armor of dark blues and greens with two swords hanging off of each side, four in all. He pulled out two of them. "Now, Lady Lančna, why don't you come peacefully."

"Don't call me Lančna!" she yelled and charged at him, swords humming in the air. The blades clashed together and Lana's eyes narrowed. "Why do you want me?"

"For Empress Vionite."

"You still haven't answered my question, Haetie."

The warlord swung but Lana blocked it easily. "Empress Vionite wants to meet you."

"Then you'll have to find me." Lana jumped up into the trees and disappeared in the darkness.

Soldiers came in by the dozens and surrounded Rowen. Lana was no where to be seen. Rowen kept shooting the soldiers with his arrows.

"Iron Rock Crusher!"

"Super Wave Smasher!" Kento's and Cye's attacks came out and destroyed a few dozen soldiers. One by one, Ryo, Kento, Sage, and Cye showed up at Rowen's side.

"Where's Lana?" Rowen asked, but no one answered. Ryo used his attack of, "Flare Up Now!" and Sage used his attack of, "Thunder Bolt Cut!" getting rid of a few dozen more.

But there was at least fifty left. "Very clever Ronins, but let's see if you can block this." He pulled out all of his swords and slammed it into the ground, yelling, "Hatred Quake!"

Suddenly, Lana jumped out of the shadows, brandishing her swords and stopped in front of the attack.

"Lana!" Rowen yelled. "Get away!"

"Dark Beam Destroy!" One massive bolt of black energy shot from the twin swords, destroying everything in the way. It blocked the blow and went farther to get Haetie, but he left before it got to him.

Lana stood their for a moment, the only thing disturbing the air was her heavy breathing. Then her armor faded into her sub-armor and her hair was back into the ring of braids.

She fell to her knees and the others rushed forward to help. Lana tried swatted them away. "I'll be fine," she said. "Just a little weak."

Still, Sage and Ryo draped her arms over their shoulders and started back. Her sub-armor faded immediately to clothes, making her lighter to carry. Kento kept his three-sectioned staff handy as he led the way, while Cye held his Trident and watched the back.

They made it back without incident and they set Lana down on the couch. Then they all transform back into clothes and sat down. After a few minutes of what they're deciding what to do with the new threat, the warriors started off to their rooms.

Rowen saw Lana curled up on the couch, asleep, and picked her up to let her sleep in his room. White Blaze, who was laying in front of the couch, growled. "No Rowen," a soft voice said. "You sleep in your bed. You need it after four days of being in your armor."

Rowen smiled. He laid Lana back on the couch and covered her with a soft blanket. Before he left, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

As he turned out the lights, he heard, "Night Rowen, sleep well."