Not Always What It Appears

Author's notes: Look! Look! I finished within a month! Wow! This is the shortest it's taken me since last year! Well I'm really excited to finally get this story out and finished. My thank-yous will be at the end so please look at those. Here's my list of new characters:

Disclaimers: The original characters from the Ronin Warrior world obviously do not belong to me! Besides the characters mentioned above, I do not own the people in this story. So I'm begging you, don't sue me! It's not worth it I'm telling you! Okay, get some reading in okay? Bye Everyone!

Wiping sweat from his forehead, the well-built, boy with blue hair pulled the last arrow from the target. He glanced up at the summer sky briefly and saw nothing but blue in the area above… not a cloud in sight. Sighing, he hauled the bow and arrows back with him up to the mansion. "Hey Rowen!" a voice called to him. Looking up, Rowen spotted Yulie hanging off the side of a balcony waving.

"Oh sure, better get a seat and be prepared to grab the pancakes before Kento gets them all." Rowen grinned in reply, setting his burden down in a corner before moving to the sink and washing his hands. Excusing himself, he ran up the stairs to change before breakfast.

"Oh?" One blonde eyebrow arched, "Pancakes today is it?" The smile on the other's face was enough of an answer, "Alright then, I'm getting my meal! Later, Rowen!" Sage cut across the room to go into the kitchen, hoping to be able to grab something before the living garbage disposal appeared. Sage brushed back his hair hanging over his right eye only to have it fall back into place. Shaking his head he peered in to the kitchen, "Cye? Need some help?"

The brown-haired boy had his sleeves rolled all the way up and was just turning off the stove. Turning a little, he motioned Sage to the refrigerator, "There's some juice in there. Bring the cups and that to the table." Once Sage left with the cups, Cye turned back to placing the pancakes on a few plates. Hopefully spreading them into three different areas would stop Kento the hungry from getting all of them.

"Breakfast's ready!" he called out, though that wasn't needed since word had already spread and the guys, along with Yulie, Mia and White Blaze, were sitting around the table. "Kento, stay put," Cye ordered as he set the plates down. "Don't be hogging them all, like usual." He shook his head, it never ceased to amaze him how fast Kento moved when it came to food. By the time the plate had been set down Kento had already grabbed about ten pancakes before anyone could even blink. "I'll be back…" he promised and left to bring in the last plate.

Breakfast passed uneventfully, for the first time in ages. It was just barely a week since the second large battle with Talpa. Hopefully this time they had defeated him for good. The guys had to admit that it felt strange not to be constantly fighting, though they didn't want to be fighting… by then it was routine and it seemed wrong for them not to be.

"That's a great idea," Ryo commented, standing. "Let's go for it." They all headed back to their rooms to change. Cye was the first back downstairs, wearing swim shorts and a white T-shirt. He went into the kitchen and began packing a huge picnic basket, knowing Kento they'd need it. "What you packing, Cye?" Ryo stood in the kitchen doorway with a towel about his shoulders.

The older boy replied, "Packing a `snack', knowing Kento he'll want one and this'll save us the trouble of coming back." Soon the others joined them, everyone carrying towels and sunglasses. Rowen also produced two bottles of suntan lotion while Kento carried a large blanket to lay out on the grass.

Mia nodded approvingly and the rest of the group followed her down to the lake. After taking the time to put on sunscreen, the guys and Yulie jumped into the water with hearty cries. Mia slowly undid the makeshift skirt of a towel and then slipped off her green T-shirt to reveal a purple and black, one-piece swimsuit. She laid out her towel and lay on her stomach to watch the guys playing in the water.

No one could argue with that and finally Sage volunteered to go back to the mansion and get some frozen treats. He wrapped his towel about his bare shoulders before walking back. He trudged along and entered through the kitchen door. Just as he was about to leave with a box of ice cream bars the doorbell echoed throughout the house. "Who would that be?" Sage mused aloud. Not really thinking of how he was dressed, he reached the front door, opening it he stopped to stare at the new arrival.

Standing within the shaded doorway was a girl of medium height, she was looking at a piece of paper, causing her red-brown braid to fall to the front. She wore a loose tank top and a pair of jeans, at her side was a suicase laying on the ground. "Excuse me…" Sage started.

Startled, the girl dropped her piece of paper and turned blue-green eyes to look at him. She stared at him for a while, unconsciously looking him over and taking in his broad, bare chest and strong arms. "I… I…" she stammered. Clearing her throat she tried again, "I'm Lionna. I'm looking for Cye, is he here?"

"Hmm?" Sage asked, breaking out of his trance. He, too, had been studying her as she introduced herself. "Oh, Cye… sure… uh… you can leave your bags inside." She followed him a little hesitantly through the house until they were outside again. "They're all down by the lake, it's not too far." Sage coughed a little to hide his nervousness as Lionna fidgeted with the end of her shirt.

The gentle hum of conversation reached their ears and Lionna perked up and moved a little more behind Sage, looking carefully around him to see the people ahead. Finally she spotted the brown-haired boy she was looking for and ran forward, crying, "Cye!"

She turned to him and whispered back, "Because they're teenage guys, Yulie, and they want an easy date." The annoyance she felt entered her voice, she was mostly irked that Ryo was taking part in this but she wouldn't mention that aloud. "Besides, they always seem to be going besirk whenever they see a `cute' girl." Yulie looked blankly at her but took the explanation anyhow.

Cye growled a warning to his friends but they continued. It was, amazingly enough, Sage who finally broke in, "Hold it guys. Let's leave off the fighting until later, don't we need introductions?" Everyone quieted and Mia smiled approvingly. Cye and Lionna both looked relieved, "I'm Sage, sorry that I didn't introduce myself earlier."

"That's okay, nice to meet you." Lionna shook his hand and then turned to get the names of the other Ronins. She nodded a greeting to Mia and Yulie when suddenly she felt hot breath and… fur… on her neck. Surprised she turned to see a huge white tiger staring her in the face. Instead of screaming in fear, as the others had expected, she widened her eyes in surprise and then smiled softly, "Oh hey there." She held out a hand and let the tiger sniff her hand. Then she ran her fingers through his silky white coat before asking, "What's his name?"

Lionna gave a sweet smile before turning back to the tiger and again running her fingers through his fur, "He's very handsome, nice coat…" There was silence for a while and Lionna seemed to be blissfully ignorant of the longing gazes set on her.

Rowen lay a comforting hand on Cye's shoulder, "Listen, we understand. But from experience I don't suggest you try to protect her too much, she won't want to have someone deciding everything for her. By the way, how old is she?"

"She's seventeen, we're twins- not identical, obviously. But I still want you guys to keep your hands off!" He narrowed his eyes for effect before beginning to gather the picnic blanket up. Yulie watched on with an innocent interest. They were silent for a while as they walked home but then Cye stopped and asked abruptly, "Sage, you didn't go trying anything did you?"

The question came out of the blue and Sage stood blinking for a moment, the one eye visible showed utter confusion. The other Ronins turned to look at him and for a moment he didn't understand. That's when realization donned on him and he cried out, blushing, "Cye! Jeez what do you take me for? I just opened the door and she said she was looking for you. I took her straight back out here!" He continued to blush and then moved quickly ahead, muttering unintelligible things as he went.

Mia took one of Lionna's bags and proceeded to lead her up the stairs to the last empty guest room. "You can stay here, my room's at the end of the hall down that way," she pointed back the way they had came before continuing. "Next door is Cye, luckily it's your brother and not one of the other guys… they can be really strange sometimes." She frowned a little at that statement, not noticing Lionna's reaction to it.

The room was a nice sized one with pale cream walls. Opposite the door was an almost all glass wall where a small balcony protruded, light filtered in from the windows to give the room a warm air. The carpet was short cut and a tannish color. Light purple sheets covered the four-poster bed; cherry wood furniture accompanied the bed and gave the room a nice homey feel.

"Thank you Mia, for letting me stay and all… I didn't really want to impose but when my brother left so suddenly last year I couldn't stand it. Mother wasn't of any help so I finally packed and left home, searching for my twin. Finally I've found him, I really was beginning to think that I wouldn't." Mia rested a hand on Lionna's shoulder, giving the other girl reassurance, "It's nice to know that he was content while he was here."

From downstairs they heard an angry, or impatient, slam of door. Curious, the two girls walked back out to look over the railing that overlooked the dining room. A blonde-haired boy walked quickly past the table and then up the stairs, muttering to himself the whole time. Exchanging strange looks the girls watched until he reached the top of the steps. "Hey Sage, what's going on?" Mia asked, slightly worried.

He looked up in surprise, obviously not knowing that someone was watching him. For a moment he just stood and looked at them before stuttering, "Er… nothing… Cye's just… acting a little uptight now… excuse me." Sage fumbled to open his door and entered to change.

"Well… Cye's very protective, if not over so. It can get annoying…" she winced and turned to look at her new room. "Especially when it gets to other guys and them taking interest in me." There was a long pause and Lionna snapped out of it, looking to Mia, "You should change, I need to too. So… I think I'll just get settled in a little."

Mutely Lionna nodded before entering her room and shutting the door. Leaning against it she let out a groan, "Why does Cye have to be like this? And with all those cute guys around too… man I wish I'd found him a little earlier… wonder if any of those guys are taken?" Thinking back to the earlier comments she grinned a little, "I don't think so." Standing up again she walked to undo her suitcase and put the clothes into the dresser drawers. She left out a short sundress to change into later before going into her backpack and removing various items. On the table next to the bed she placed her diary, which she wrote in every day, and also her sketchbook. Lionna was about to move the bags away until she realized she hadn't unpacked something very important. Panicking she went through both bags, looking frantically for the small bottle. "Oh no, no… please don't say it's gone!" Slowly she calmed herself down and lay back on the bed, thinking before she got too uptight.

"Okay… I'll just change and then start looking… couldn't be too far, right?" She could only hope. Slowly she striped off her jeans and shirt, placing the sundress over her head. It reached down to flutter around her knees, the deep purple color accompanying her hair nicely. Sighing a little dreamily Lionna turned to the door, her face turned grim then as she remembered what she had to find.

She looked around before stepping out into the empty hallway. She began her search near the room and then continued to the stairs. When she didn't find anything, Lionna began to worry. 'Stay cool… it should still be in the house…' She walked towards the main entrance and started looking around the area where her bags had sat. Still nothing. Beginning to loose her hope Lionna did her best to control her breathing. "It has to be here…" she whispered, tears stinging at her eyes. The last place she could think of to look was just outside the door. Taking a deep breath and preparing herself she opened the front door and peered at the surrounding ground. It was an open area and it would be easy to see if a bottle was there… if. Lionna finally winced in defeat, it was gone and now she would need to find some way to obtain another one. Her feet trudged back into the house as she shut the door and crept back up to her room.

When she returned she just sat on the bed, staring into space with a blank expression on her face. A knock finally sounded on the door and she didn't move a muscle. Another knock came, more urgent, and finally the door opened a crack. She was aware of a faint sigh of relieve and then a male voice talking to her, "Lunch is ready come on down."

There was a silence for a while and then she became acutely aware of the creak of floorboards as the boy approached her. Lionna's eyes didn't move to see him and she felt his presence as he sat beside her. "Um… look, Lionna… can you just come down?"

"Cye stop being a pain, these guys should be able to handle themselves and I know I can handle myself. Just lay off would ya?" Lionna finally let her eyes blink, up until that point she had just been staring… it was something that had frightened Ryo and now he was glad to see that she seemed to be getting back to normal.

Lionna sat up and turned to face him, "Well they never even knew I existed! How would they know about that?" she snapped. Cye looked startled by her outburst. Rubbing her temples she apologized, "Cye… I'm sorry, really. I'm just a little upset right now. I lost something and it's kind of a big problem…" She could tell that her brother was trying to figure out what was so vitally important to her. Shaking her head Lionna broke through his thoughts, "Don't try and figure it out. I heard lunch is ready, let's get some. You coming… Ryo, was it?" The three headed down the stairs to where the others were waiting around the table. Lionna took a seat next to Cye and looked to her left to see Rowen smiling at her.

Lunch continued with small talk until they were finally finished and Lionna offered to help with the dishes. Together the twins worked in the kitchen, washing and drying the silverware and plates before putting them back in the cupboards. In the other room sounds of the TV were heard and occasional chatter filled the air. Brother and sister were silent throughout the whole time, neither thinking of what to say.

Finally they finished and joined the others in the living room. White Blaze was laying out his full length with his head resting on his paws. Lionna reached down and scratched him behind the ears before sitting on an empty couch cushion next to Sage. Everyone was quiet for a moment as Cye figured out what he was going to say, "Um… you guys, there's something you need to know about Lonni. You see… she's not exactly normal… but…" he trailed off into silence. At first everyone looked at him curiously until the other Ronins felt it too.

Lionna spoke as if in a trance, "Just outside the house; kitchen entrance; ten of them." Her eyes rolled back a little and she leaned back, breathing heavily. The others looked at her with shock and worry apparent. Cye was by her side in seconds, checking the pulse of his sister. Nodding, he motioned the guys to follow him.

As the Ronins left, Mia moved over to Lionna's side, looking on with worry. "It's okay… really…" Lionna smiled weakly and sat forward again. White Blaze got up and moved to her side, seemingly worried himself. Grinning faintly she reached out a hand to the tiger, "You remind me of the tiger I used to know…" she murmured mostly to herself. Mia and Yulie watched on with odd curiosity.

The boy wearing light blue sub-armor grimaced a little, "That's what I need to explain… What was that?" They all froze to listen, suddenly Mia's worried cry pierced the air again. The guys quickly ran back into the living room to find a frantic Mia and Yulie looking over the sprawled body of Lionna.

"I don't understand what's wrong… this never used to happen…" he stopped to think about anything Lionna had said that might clue him in on why this had happened. "Did any of you guys find something, an object, out of place? Somewhere where Lonni's bags were?" Cye looked up, hoping to find a positive answer.

Everyone shook their heads, White Blaze stood up at that point and sniffed the air. He began walking from the room and towards the stairway. He went beneath the steps and began pawing at a corner. Curious, Ryo walked over and went to pick up what the tiger had found. Looking at the find skeptically he handed it to Cye, "Any clue what that is?"

It was an odd-shaped bottle with a chip near the top. The cork stopper had obviously been removed and replaced before, for it was worn and small pieces were missing. The label stuck onto the greenish glass was written in some odd characters and no one could decipher the meaning.

Cye tentatively opened the bottle and let a very small black pill fall into his hand. Studying it suspiciously he looked down to his sister's face. He suddenly became aware of her twitching features and was relieved when her eyes opened, they seemed to become unfocused before finally she stared up at her brother. "...Bottle…? Did you find…" she trailed off, her thoughts blurring together.

Lionna struggled to sit up and grabbed the small pill from Cye's hand, she quickly placed it in her mouth before taking the bottle and corking it shut again. She struggled to stay awake as she whispered, "Long story… I'll explain…when I wake up…"

'What is going on with you?' Cye wondered mentally. 'This never happened before… did they take you again?' That thought alone worried him and Cye winced as he thought about his twin in the enemy's hands… Talpa's hands… he shuddered again as he turned back the covers and placed his sister under them. Setting the bottle beside her on the nightstand, Cye let the sub-armor wear off as he sat there and watched Lionna's face.

He remembered the day clearly when Lionna was taken prisoner. It was a memory he'd rather forget but the images flooded into his head. -A storm raged as the attack hit suddenly… `They must know about me having the Torrent armor…'… "Cye! Help me! Cye! Please!"… The strange armor with six swords… venom killing innocent people… barely missing Lionna. "Cye…!"-

"No…" Cye panted, shaking his head and shutting his eyes. There was something else that happened later on… before they battled Talpa for the first time… -Sitting happily in a park and chatting… another attack, so sudden and surprising… Sekhmet appearing and attacking… "LIONNA!"… The venom again being used… Lionna burnt by the spray… her capture…-

"Stop!" He cried softly, covering his eyes to block out the past, "She broke free… she was alright… I saw to that… she was all right…" but he couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened. Cye slowly turned back to his sister and wished he could see if the scar was still there… but he couldn't easily check her side where the scar had been… and still probably was. "I'm sorry…" he whispered.

Rowen threw a shrug Ryo's way and then jumped away from their battle, "I'm going to check it out. Finish these guys off!" He ran towards the east, from which he had heard the scream emitted. "Hey! Where are you?" He shouted as he ran, "Hello? Anyone there?" Continuing to run, Rowen finally spotted a small group of soldiers surrounding a figure huddled in fear. "You creeps! Why don't you pick on someone else?" Rowen shouted the challenge as she punched his way through. Finally he reached the shaking form. "You alright?" he asked softly.

Looking up at him was a girl about his age, her golden brown hair hung raggedly about her face and wide dark blue eyes stared up at him. Rowen frowned when he noticed the blood trickling down her cheek. "Come on," he said, bringing her to her feet. "Looks like we have another house guest. What's your name?"

"Rowen," he provided. "Come on now, don't worry about it. Just be careful okay? We'll get you cleaned up." She smiled a little but Rowen soon discovered that she must have been hurt worse than he thought for she continued to stumble along, tripping more than necessary. "Here," he stopped her and then scooped her into his arms. "If you don't mind?"

Within a few minutes the Ronins had cleared the forest with their mysterious new guest. She was snuggled quite happily against Rowen who had continued to carry her. Waiting for them outside was Yulie, "Hey you guys! Is everything okay?"

He walked past Mia's room hearing the two female voices muffled by the door. Shaking his head, Sage reached his room. For a moment he glanced at Cye's door which was next to his, then looked to the room where Lionna was resting. Trying to figure out what he was feeling, Sage let his senses guide him towards Lionna's room. He opened the door softly and found Cye sitting at the end of the bed, staring to some unknown spot. The brown-haired boy looked deeply worried which in turn caused Sage to feel weary. "Cye…?"

Snapping from his trance, he looked to the blonde boy who had come in. "Oh… Sage…" he murmured softly, "close the door please…" He sighed and rested his face within his hands. "I don't know what's going on and I can't tell if she's okay! I'm just so worried about her, I haven't seen her for over a year… I just knew that she was safe… but now I don't even know that…" Cye lifted his head and stared again into space. "I just don't know Sage…"

Looking at his friend, Sage went to sit beside him, "Look, can you explain to me what this strange `power' that she has? There's something hauntingly familiar about her…" he gazed at Lionna's prone form, her brow creased and sweaty, probably in a nightmare.

Cye winced as he looked at his sibling, "She…" he trailed off and took a deep breath. "It was about two years ago, she and I were pretty close for our younger years and then we began having some troubles. I'm not sure what happened but finally as we turned fifteen we were happily hanging around one another again. One day we stumbled across an old scroll in our basement, we read through it finding out a little about the Ronin Warriors. Interesting enough, Lionna asked me if I was to be the wearer of the armor of Torrent, which was mentioned to be in the ocean near our house. She finally convinced me to look for it and I ended up finding the armor's orb on the ocean floor. There was a long pause during that time as we practically forgot all about the armor. It wasn't until about six months later when the first attack came…"

Shaking his head no, Cye continued, "It was okay, I learned how to go into sub-armor and was able to defeat the small group of soldiers sent. We stayed on our guard at that point. It was… only a few weeks after that attack that Lonni and I were at the park. Nothing seemed wrong at the time, that is until we spotted an armored man with six unusual swords. Sekhmet," Cye spit the name. "I don't care if he's good or not now, I still won't ever trust him. But that's not part of the story, is it? He attacked us and I still did not know how to use my armor, it took him hurting my sister for the armor to activate. Lonni wears a scar from her stomach to her right side, not a small thing. That venom is truly evil. Truth to tell, I think she would have died if left in my hands, I didn't know how to treat Sekhmet's venom. She was captured… taken away…" he trailed off and brushed Lionna's sweaty brow with his palm. "I almost gave up… I never saw her, but then… just the day before I arrived and met up with you guys she finally contacted me. I'm not sure how she found me, but we talked on the phone. She let me know about her capture."

"Lionna was given the power to detect other life forms and sometimes is able to read their minds. During her time in Talpa's hands, if she was completely brainwashed she could also use her katanas like a master. I thought she was fine… but…" looking at the tight drawn look on his sibling's face, he shook his head. "No, there's more to it. There has to be. That or she was captured by the Dynasty again… she never had to take any pill before, but something is just wrong here."

Mia scowled in reply and headed to open the door. With Bunny following, they entered the dining room to find Kento, Ryo, and Rowen sitting about in the chairs conversing idly. Once they saw the two girls they perked up a little. "Hello again. How about we get the introductions done, all right? We messed up the first time with not introducing ourselves to Lionna, why did we have to make the same mistake again? And within the same day, no less!"

Having dozed off a little, Sage sat straight up with a jolt as he felt something banging against his leg. "Ow…" he grumbled, he snapped to attention once he saw Lionna. Her face was drawn tight with tension as she thrashed about with her arms and legs, her mouth opened in a silent scream. Her hair clung tightly to her sweaty neck and Sage became aware of the tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Shh… shh… Lionna…" he called softly, but she lashed out unseeing and he moved back. Her movement stopped then, but the tight, pinched look in her face remained. Her eyelids opened slowly to reveal large pupils, larger than humanly normal. Getting nervous, Sage swallowed the lump of worry in his throat. She sat up stiffly and turned her head to him.

"Go away…" she growled, "Stop…" Her feet began to slide off the bed but Sage rushed forward to stop her. She immediately fought back, struggling as he tried to keep hold of her arms. She obviously knew something about fighting with her hands for she easily slipped them from his grasp and slapped him hard. "Leave me alone!" Her voice rose higher and Sage winced as he felt the faint trickle of blood come from the corner of his lip.

Sage backed away again, working on talking to her again. In a soft tone he told her, "Lionna, it's me, Sage. Your brother's friend. You came here to see Cye, and we gave you this room to stay in. You went unconscious before and we took you here… It's Sage, not your tormentor."

The short laugh brought chills down Sage's back, "Using Dais to hide yourself, Sekhmet? It won't work!" she lunged at him again, but she seemed to have her doubts about it. That was enough to give Sage the chance to pin her arms down against the bed. She struggled with him but Sage managed to miss the major blows. Just as he was about to call for help Lionna shuddered once and fell limp. So shocked at the sudden change, Sage just about dropped her but quickly moved her back onto the bed.

"What just happened?" He asked aloud as he again leaned against a bedpost. "Lionna, don't be a threat to us… please…" This time he didn't doze off, but watched Lionna carefully as he pondered over where he had noticed her before. He only hoped that he wasn't recognizing her from the Dynasty. Even if she was now escaped he somehow couldn't bear to have thought that he had ever fought against her.

Looking at Lionna wearily, Sage wondered if he really should leave her. "Okay… in a moment…" he saw Mia nod her head from the corner of his eye. Once she was gone he stood up and walked to the head of the bed, once again wiping the sweat on Lionna's brow. "Poor thing… that nightmare just keeps on…" he trailed off and walked from the room to dinner.

Everyone began to grow worried and impatient as Lionna still didn't wake up… she had said that `tomorrow' would be when she would talk to them, but having no specific time made them all anxious. As six o'clock came around Cye set the dinner out on the table for everyone. Small talk started as Mia and Bunny exchanged stories of their childhood and caught up on years missed. The guys talked amongst themselves, occasionally teasing Rowen for his heroic entrance the day before with Bunny in his arms.

Yulie laughed as Rowen argued with Kento about the battle from the previous day until he heard an odd noise. "What's that?" he asked, causing everyone to quiet and listen. White Blaze stood and sniffed the air, beginning to growl.

Before anyone knew what was happening the white tiger leaped towards the stairs and a female figure jumped to meet him. Her pupils wide and unseeing like the day before, Lionna lunged past the tiger with expert skill. She moved with deadly grace that confused everyone and as she ran with a death cry the Ronins suddenly realized something was very wrong. "Lonni!" Cye cried in surprise and despair. Sage backed away, remembering how quick her reflexes had been the night before when she was looking like this.

Lionna jumped across the table, landing between Kento and Ryo. She immediately darted her hands out to Ryo but he blocked her, just barely. Her eyes didn't blink and he shuddered, seeing the girl before him seem to turn inhuman in front of his eyes. Both toppled to the floor as Lionna again lunged for his throat. "… we have no choice, to arms!" Rowen shouted. The other Ronins, excluding Ryo, powered into their sub-armor hoping to be of some help to their leader.

Ryo continued to fight against the girl above him but he knew he wasn't going to keep that up forever. He finally managed to slip from her grasp and headed for the balcony, hoping to draw her outside. As he ran he powered up into his sub-armor and prepared for the next attack. As it so happened, he didn't even notice as Lionna appeared beside him and swung a punch his way, causing him to roll to one end of the balcony. He panted as he got himself to his knees, amazed that the other fighter stood not even breathing heavily.

An icy glare chilled Ryo to the bone as he saw pure hatred in the blue-green eyes of Lionna. Her lip twitched as a dagger formed in her outstretched hand and she again leaped to him. Sage moved quickly, calling forth his no-datchi and then slicing it out to stop just only three inches from Lionna's nose. She stopped abruptly as if someone had slapped her. She moved back a step or two staring the whole time at the sword… and seeing her reflection. For a few minutes the image reflecting from the sword showed the wide unblinking eyes and pale face, it then flickered to a blue-green eyed girl with a smile on her face. Crying out softly, Lionna dropped the dagger and fell to her knees tears streaming down her face.

Cye ran forward and held her as she cried against his shoulder, the salty droplets falling from her face and landing on his sub-armor. Bunny came from the doorway a little scared and stood beside Rowen. "I didn't know there was such a hostile guest here…" she muttered, trying in any way possible to lift the mood. Wearily Rowen gave her a warning look but Cye's lips only formed a thin line as he held back whatever he wanted to say.

As brother and sister embraced, Kento helped Mia with getting Ryo standing again. The leader rubbed his sore neck and checked for bruises, finding various ones all over the place. He stared for a while at Lionna as her back shook with sobs. He then turned his gaze to Cye and found the other looking at him, begging him with his eyes. Ryo was about to give in when he suddenly noticed the red welt from Cye's right jawbone to his chin. Frowning the leader walked forward and stared down at Cye, "What's that mark on your face?"

It was then that Lionna looked up, her eyes returned to normal but looking haunted with worry. "No… oh no, I didn't hurt you, I- I… how could I?" Her brow creased with worry and she leaned over to Cye and placed her hand on the welt, he hissed in pain and she flinched backwards a little. "I- I'm sorry… I just can't heal you like this… I don't have the power…" she brushed fresh tears from her eyes with her palm and turned away to see the dagger. Her body tensed, "…What's his dagger doing here?"

She flinched away from Kento and carefully picked the dagger up desperately trying to make it disappear. Lionna let out a frustrated cry and let the dagger again fall to the ground, "It won't go away! I can't control it! It's not fair!" She hit her fists on the floor, sending trickles of pain up her arms. "Why can't I ever use my power on my own?!"

Ryo knelt and delicately handled the dagger to study it, he identified the feel of it almost instantly and dropped it in shock. Staring at Lionna in disbelieve he said, "That's Sekhmet's style, it has the same aura as his swords!" Remembering the welt left from Lionna's slap, Ryo looked closer at the red line. "That's a mark of poison!" He drew back away from her, as did the others, "What is going on here?"

Only Sage and Cye hadn't moved from their positions near to Lionna, she was shaking her head and mumbling inaudibly. Again Cye ran his fingers along his cheek and he whispered his statement, "Your powers were added on to." Lionna only nodded in fear, "When?"

"I- I don't remember… I lose track of time… I don't know if it was when you first fought them, or the second time you did… they.. they just got a hold of me again… I don't know…" Lionna shuddered and blocked her vision from the mark she'd left on her brother.

"What are you talking about, Cye?" Mia asked, bewildered by all that was happening. White Blaze brushed past her to stand before Ryo's feet, guarding his owner. Lionna grimaced as she noted White Blaze growling at her, completely different than he had been the day before.

She bowed her head in defeat, "I don't want to recall what happened… you can see how White Blaze now acts towards me, because of his power taking over me again I give off my old aura. That is what frightens Blaze so, believing I am the enemy. Or rather, Sekhmet." She winced again before continuing, "I was given more powers last time… my first mission to track down and kill the ancient… though when I first attacked I found it to be Anubis, which still confuses me. I don't know how he did it, but he was able to let me go through periods where I wasn't controlled so that I could live my life normally… as normal as you can get in the Netherworld. There was something that happened in the beginning… I'm not sure what, but I was prevented from being in the mortal realm for long otherwise I'd be sick, weaken, and eventually die. To cure this I was given a certain black powder from the Netherworld, I'm not sure what it is. I only know that either you take that in the form of a pill or wear a sample of the dust as a condensed crystal about your neck. I don't have the crystal."

"Yes…" Lionna agreed softly, tears stinging her eyes again. "But it won't last. I can't take them forever, I've used many already and I'll eventually have to leave. Not only that but also those pills can take a mind of their own and give me back his powers. I hate him! I can't stand it and can never forgive him for the life he's signed me to! I can't live this way!" She snapped her head to face Ryo as she felt him begin to speak.

He spoke softly, mostly directed at Cye, "Listen… I'm sorry… but as leader of the Ronin Warriors I can't let her stay. She's posing a threat…" His look did not show much softness but in his eyes were hidden the feelings of regret and guilt.

Lionna shook her head, tears ever so slowly dripping from her cheek bones, "He's right. I have no control and I just nearly killed him. You don't need to be touched by that dagger to be poisoned. And look what I've done to you! I carry a deadly attack now even without a weapon! I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, I really thought I could handle it…" She pushed through the semi-circle of people and ran towards the stairs, her footsteps echoing across the dining room and the slam of door resounding from the ceiling.

Clenching his fists the other yelled back, "I haven't seen her for a long time now! Over a year! And I finally get to see her again and she needs help and then you go chasing her off before I can even give her a helping hand. Now how fair is that?"

"It's not fair and I know it!" Ryo shouted in reply. "But look what she did to you, that welt across your cheek is nothing normal, Cye. That's the same thing as Sekhmet's poison. And that dagger there isn't just lying around for fun! What if she is suddenly controlled at night and ends up killing one of you? Any of you? Then I would be blamed for not sending her away now."

Cye's tear-stained face was tight with tension until finally he spoke again, "Ryo, you don't seem to understand. As far as I know, and Lonni knows, only Sekhmet can control her like that… but the warlords are supposed to be on our side. That leaves a few options-"

For a while all stood silent as the breeze flowed by, carrying the scent of a summer evening. The sun was just starting to set, casting a warm glow over the earth. Cye turned away and walked slowly up the stairs to his twin's room, needing to talk to her.

Taking charge, Ryo gave out orders, "White Blaze can go with Yulie and Bunny, heading straight from Lionna's balcony. Mia… you can come with me, you guys split up." With that cleared, Ryo and Mia headed off as the other Ronins split their own separate ways. Yulie urged Bunny to get onto the white tiger's back and finally they were off.

Lionna shook the braid from her face and continued running, pulling the backpack tighter to her. She had only packed a few things, needing to leave as quickly as possible. She knew her brother well and realized that he would check on her fairly soon and then start looking for her. "How could I have been so stupid?" She muttered, "I should have known I'm not strong enough… I should just give up ever living with people again. I'll just end up hurting them…" She paused for a moment to listen.

Once she heard a snapping of twigs to her right she headed in the other direction, taking to the trees for as long as she could. For a time she was able to leap from one sturdy branch to another, making better distance than she would have on the ground. 'If I could access my sub-armor… no, don't think like that.' She shook the thought from her mind just in time to realize that she had reached a clearing. It was too far to jump to the next branch so she leaped to the ground and began to move again, only to be stopped mid-step by a new sound.

"Come out," she growled, preparing to defend herself if need be. From the shadows stepped Cye in his sub-armor. Lionna backed away, feeling something out of place. "You couldn't have caught up with me that fast," she told him bluntly.

Prickles of fear suddenly stabbed at Lionna's back as her heartbeat quickened. She moved back once again from the white-haired figure in front of her. He was in his full armor but without the helmet. For a moment they just stared at each other. "Get away from me, Dais…" she growled dangerously though she didn't feel at all stronger than him.

"I know I'm weak!" she shouted at him, "But leave me alone! As long as I'm away from the Ronins I won't be of any threat!" In the back of her mind, she began to feel a strange tug. The sensation grew as she shouted and continued to bother her. As it grew she could also feel her black as night sub-armor try to appear.

Dais got into a fighting stance, "You're not weak, you're strong and that's the whole problem. Calm down or that armor will take over." He was cut off with a sudden kick from Lionna's booted foot. She landed on the ground with expert skill, battle instincts of the armor taking over.

Blocking another kick from Lionna, Dais managed, "At the moment I'm trying to keep from getting hurt… if only she wouldn't let the blasted armor take over." Lionna stopped for a moment, suddenly noticing Sage. She paused and stared into his eyes, as if searching for something. Without a word the black sub-armor faded and she ran off through the forest once again. "No! Come back here! You can't let her get away!" Dais shouted, but Sage was already running off in hot pursuit, determined to find Lionna before someone else did. Something was wrong about Dais showing up, and if he was there that meant the others were… and if the others were…

So was Sekhmet. If Sekhmet found her… he didn't even want to think of it. "Lionna!" he called out. "Please, wait!" He saw a flash of brown-copper hair up ahead and was relieved to see that she had stopped within a small clearing. Carefully he approached her, "Lionna, are you okay?"

She turned to face him, her blue-green eyes searching his face before falling to her hands, "Yeah. Are you?" It took a moment for Sage to get his senses together again; he nodded slowly in response. He noticed then that she had changed clothes before running away, a peasant top, which seemed to be the new fashion, of blue adorned her top while cut off jean shorts hugged her thighs. Lionna finally leaned back against a large tree, turning her face once again to him.

Her eyes were intense, seeming to bore into his skin and making him uncomfortable. He realized that her gaze had always been like this but she never had looked at someone for a long amount of time. She winced a little as she saw his discomfort and turned her eyes away. "I'm sorry," she told him. "I always try not to frighten people by staring for long…"

She studied him under long eyelashes and finally responded, "Anywhere and nowhere. I'd just wander until I could no longer live in the mortal world. At that point either I'd let myself die here, or return to the Netherworld. Considering the options I'd choose dying here."

"Not without help, and there's no help for me anywhere," Lionna replied bitterly, kicking at a stick. "I'm on my own and that's the way it is. You get used to it." They were silent for a moment until a faint snap of a twig made Lionna jump to attention.

'She has quick reflexes,' Sage noted, 'those of a true warrior.' When he turned to find who had come to them he stopped cold, the color draining from his face. Sekhmet stood there in dark green sub-armor, careful to keep his distance but make his purpose known.

"I'm sorry," Sekhmet told her as he stepped forward, "but right now you're a threat. We can either hurry up and find a way to fix what was done or I'll have to resort to capturing you." He moved forward another few steps and still Lionna didn't move. "Fine, have it your way," without warning Sekhmet jumped forward, knocking Sage out of the way and pinning Lionna on her stomach to the ground. She struggled against his hold but he held strong. "Will you calm down and cooperate?!"

She snorted, "With you? Yeah, right!" With a sudden burst of strength she managed to turn violently to her side, causing Sekhmet to go flying a few feet. He stood up and glared at her. Both stood in fighting stances, prepared for the attack. Lionna was the first to strike out, raising her hand and just barely missing slapping him. However on his face a mark still was left.

Sekhmet backed away, "I told you sorry and to cooperate, next time will you listen? All I want to do is make sure you're not a threat- what the?!" His sub-armor began to glow and soon he was in full battle armor, "This is not good-!" he started.

From the other bushes appeared more figures, a mix of Ronins and Warlords. The other armors which Dais, Cale, and Kayura were now clothed in began glowing as their auras lifted into the sky. "We can't control it!" Kayura shouted the obvious, but there was nothing they could do as suddenly the four auras hit Lionna with such a force that she was hit to the ground.

"What's going on?!" Cye yelled, moving forward, trying to reach his sister. He backed away, however, when he saw an armored figure lift themself from the ground. The facemask fell back to reveal a disoriented Lionna. Her blue eyes were clouded in confusion and Cye bit back his surprise, moving away from her.

Lionna's armor was a pure black and blood red version of the Inferno armor. Her helmet was different, more like Cye's, though. She stood for a moment and looked coldly at the warlords before looking at herself. With an angry cry she charged at Sekmet who was more than surprised by her sudden change. He fell back into a tree with a painful snap and Kento ran over to see if he was all right. "Why do you have to be like this? Why did you have to do this?" She shouted at him, preparing to attack again, Sekhmet was quick in reflexes and struck her weak spot, her right side. She moaned as she fell to the ground. "You play dirty," she said between gritted teeth.

The black armor about Lionna's body also dispersed and she clutched at her aching side. Looking down discreetly she noticed the mark of blood starting to show through, she hoped she would be able to hide it so she moved closer to the shadow of the trees. Everyone was silent for a moment as the new visitors stared at the Ronins and their companions.

Finally Kayura spoke, "We came to try and retrieve Lionna. She has the ability to fight even without her armor or sub-armor and do serious damage, she also is the one who carries the armor of the Night. A new ruler has come to the Dynasty's throne and he'll use her to keep that power he holds. Either she is watched carefully or she gets `cured', so to speak. This new ruler is very powerful and can take control of our armors, henceforth this display of the Ultimate Night Armor. There's another night armor, which is Lionna's usual armor, but if she has four other sources of energy from other armors she can power into the Ultimate form. Oh, that means she can draw from your armors too, Ronins." She stopped there, waiting for everything to sink in.

The sound of two pairs of footsteps made everyone jump in surprise, when the two figures made it into the clearing everyone relaxed a little. The first, a girl with long purple hair done in two pigtails, asked, "Did we come at a bad time or something?"

Dais turned to the two arrivals and motioned them forward, "No, that's okay Sonja. Ronins, meet Sonja." The girl with purple hair nodded her head, brown eyes searching the new faces. "And Kristy," the second had waist-length, blonde hair and unusual violet eyes.

For a moment Kristy's eyes went around the group and suddenly she rested her gaze on the blonde-haired Ronin. She gasped in surprise and rushed forward, moving the hair from his right eye. "Sage, honey! I didn't know where you'd disappeared to!"

For a moment it seemed that Sage was gathering his thoughts, staring (with both eyes for once) at the girl in front of him. "Kristy…? Oh… Kristy!" With a jolt he suddenly remembered her. She grinned up at him and gave him a brief hug.

"Been a long time, eh, Sage, honey?" Kristy was leaning on his arm now while everyone watched on with a look of surprise and interest. From the side, Lionna rested her sights on the new girl attached to Sage's arm. Without a sound Lionna let a wave of emotion pass through her before stopping it and going into an emotionless state.

Cale was the one to answer, "Sonja already has an ability to be built on which would help the new ruler with his plans, before she was taken we were able to retrieve her and bring her with us. On our way when we were searching for Lionna we found Dynasty soldiers trying to take Kristy, Sonja's been with us for some time now."

"Yes," Sekhmet responded, "but even before then we were having our doubts about Talpa because of Anubis. Not only that but even if we were under Talpa's control we would not want someone else to rise in power. For a while we were able to hide these two girls, Kristy we've had with us for a week only. We started immediately looking for Lonni after the last battle." Cye gave a small snarl of warning towards Sekhmet, not understanding his use for Lionna's nickname.

Continuing to watch from the shadows, Lionna still stared at Kristy, taking in every detail that she could. For a moment the girl's mind was open to her and Lionna went through her memories to find how she knew Sage. Finding the information Lionna blinked in surprise. 'She was his girlfriend for that long?' It was amazing to think of that. 'But… that means that…' she broke off her thoughts and searched through more of Kristy's memories. 'Oh… he left suddenly… they never really broke up.' She stopped her thoughts and Lionna felt like hiding away forever in shame. She never used the mind-reading skill on her own will, but now she had and that was breaking one of her personal rules.

Voices began making their way to her ears again and Lionna glanced over to find that the Ronins were offering the Warlords to stay with them. "Oh no, uh-uh… you can't be serious!" she cried, stepping into the last slice of sunlight.

Sage stayed silent as he watched her. He remembered now from when he had seen her, or rather, felt her. When they had first battled Anubis and then Talpa had sent the Ronins to different places all over Japan, Sage had been trapped within a strange set of caves. At the time Ryo had to fight against Sekhmet and was temporarily blinded. While trapped and unmoving, Sage had felt the strangest sensation as if fingers were running across his hair and mind. A voice had whispered to him that she was sorry, that she didn't know how to fight against `it'. At the time he had no clue what was happening but he realized now that someone had been going through his mind, picking out memories and details for their own use. 'Lionna, Sekhmet was using her at that point… that had to be it. There was another time…' Sage thought as he walked with the others, ignoring his ex-girlfriend's chatter.

Hanging by his wrists in full armor, Sage fought fatigue as he stared into the dim light. He could tell that on the other side of the pillar Cye was unconscious once again. Talpa had gloated earlier that day, telling them that the other Ronins would soon be in his hands. The blackness seemed all there was in the room, yet at times Sage could pick out tall walls surrounding the large pillar he and Cye were tied up to. His throat was dry and his stomach empty, but he dared not think about it for fear of going mad.

There was a sudden movement from the corner of his eye and he perked up quickly to look at the small doorway below him. Within it was an outline of a young woman in a lavender and blue kimono. Her brown-read hair was pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. Her voice came softly to him, seemingly in his mind. "I'm sorry, if I was stronger I could help… but I'm not strong and they'll kill you both if I try to help. Your friends, I'll try to keep them safe- try to keep them from being pulled into this trap." Her head turned quickly to look down the hallway, "I need to go, I might not see you again…"

She turned back and blue-green eyes bored into him, she told him, "I cannot answer your questions. I wish you luck, you are survivors… don't give in as I have." With that she was gone and the door closed. After a time Sage had convinced himself it was only a dream, or a hallucination.

'It was her… she was still captured at that point!' Sage pondered the thought and then casually cleared his throat. "Will one of you tell me why you are looking for Lionna now when she was still in the Dynasty when Cye, Kento, and I were captured?"

Sekhmet stopped a moment and then continued walking, "You are observant, Halo. She was there, yes, and nearly was killed for talking to you. She escaped just before Talpa was defeated, slipping through the gates and back into the mortal world. Unfortunately she didn't take her necklace with her." He held up a silver chain with a black triangle pendant, "It holds more power than those pills that she takes. If she'll accept this, I'll give this back to her."

"Not exactly," Dais replied. "She'd tried before but couldn't be long gone before Talpa noticed her absence. She would also get quite disoriented as she was given control of herself but then pulled back into being a `puppet' as she calls it."

The large group finally returned to the mansion, they paused outside a moment as Mia spoke, "Since we have a rather large group we'll have to be rearranging where everyone stays. I have eight bedrooms and so far only Bunny and I are doubled up. Now if we have…" she trailed off to count, "fifteen of us we'll need to be doubling in most rooms and one person alone. I'll stay in my room with Bunny, since we're already set up and all."

"I don't like that idea," Ryo admitted, looking a little ashamed. "Kristy really doesn't have any means to protect herself… what if Lionna is `possessed' again? Cye, you know it's true. Don't argue with it," the black-haired leader broke the other boy off before he even began the argument.

Bunny nodded in reply, "I think so. They get along fine, right? And Cye seems to trust him enough to let him be alone with her. Besides, I have this odd sense that somehow they can talk normally with one another without any discomfort or fear."

Finally everyone accepted the decision and they headed into the house. Cye held Sage back for a moment, giving him a warning stare, "You try anything and you're dead meat, got it? I don't want something else to be happening to her. And Sage…" His tone turned more worried, "please take care of her. I'm nervous about what's going on…"

"It's okay, Cye, really." The blonde-haired boy gave a small smile and then motioned towards the house, "You should head in, I'll be in soon." Cye only nodded and entered the door. Once the door was shut again Sage turned to the bushes, "I know you're there, come on out." Slowly the female form straightened herself from the crouched position she had been in.

"I don't know why you let them stick you with me, you could have let Kayura stay with me you know. She's not too bad, but I'm just weary of her… she came to capture me, you realize that." Lionna pressed her right arm harder against her side as she felt more blood start to come.

For a moment Sage chewed over a thought and then herded Lionna along, "Come on." They stood a little ways off from under her balcony and Lionna watched him curiously. Suddenly he swept her into his arms and jumped up. She just barely muffled her shriek of surprise when they landed. "There, problem solved. Now I'm going to enter through the door and then come up here to help bandage that side of yours…" Lionna nodded mutely, still completely astonished. He jumped back to the ground and moved to the back door.

"There you are, we were wondering when you'd get in," Mia told Sage as he came in. "How about you move your stuff into Lionna's room. Ryo's getting the cots right now so you can grab one of those too. Kristy will take your room when it's empty."

She smiled at him, "I got you a cot, want help moving your stuff?" Sage felt he couldn't really say no and reluctantly agreed. Together they began to empty his dresser drawers and pile the contents in easy-to-move piles. "I thought I'd never see you again, Sage, honey. You just left so suddenly, and then all this Dynasty stuff that started up a few weeks back… that was strange."

"What?! No! This is just some arrangement, Lionna just came in yesterday! Stop having such crazy thoughts!" Sage turned away and took the first pile of stuff down a few doors to Lionna's room. Cye's twin opened the door and let him come in and set his load down, "There's a few more things and then the cot, do you have everything needed to bandage that cut?"

"Get all bloody, then? Because of my scar, only those from the Netherworld can reopen it. Sekhmet used it to weaken me, he did it twice so now it's bleeding more than it usually does. It's really not that bad, looks worse than it truly is." Lionna carefully lifted her shirt a little and Sage was careful to keep his eyes where the blood was. It was a strange sight indeed, the blood was there but looking closely he saw no signs of clotting or the skin actually being broken.

Lionna nodded in reply, "I can stop the blood by tying the bandage a certain way, a trick I learned after a while." She added the last part a little bitterly, "Would you hand me my backpack over there?" Sage nodded and brought it back with him. Lionna opened it, carefully trying not to let her bloodstained hand touch any of the contents, and lifted out a small packet. She removed the string binding the cream-colored cloth and then unraveled it. "I need help getting it around my stomach," she admitted softly. Sage moved forward and wrapped the bandage around her stomach three times before she nodded to him that it was good enough.

The ends were tied securely off to the side and she managed to keep the knot from sticking out too much. Sage stood for a moment glancing at her shirt, looking purplish with the red blood. "I think you'd better change… I'll be back in a bit." He left the room and closed the door to give her privacy. Lionna stared after him for a moment before moving to her drawer of clothes. Reaching in she retrieved a tank top that she wore to bed during the summertime and slipped it over her head, discarding the peasant top to the trash.

Looking about, she moved forward to the cot and opened it up, walking it over the far corner of the room. She went out in search for some sheets and pillows and bumped into Mia on her way out. "Here you go, Lionna, thought you might need these for the cot."

"Oh, thanks…" she trailed off and took the bedding over to the cot, Mia helped her set it up before leaving Lionna once again alone. For a moment her blue-green eyes trailed over the entire room, taking everything in. All in all it was too much to take in, all the new events… new guests… seemingly new life. "Now what?" she asked softly. "I'm a major part of this battle, but not of my own will."

Lionna struggled against her attacker as the armored man stuck out at her. She blocked him and dodged away, rolling across the ground and again hopping to her feet. From the corner of her eye she noted the battlefield had changed to that of the seaside. She jumped away from the next attack and let out a snarl of impatience, at the same time striking out with her poisoned swords.

The sword was on aim perfectly and cut through the armor, letting blood flow over it. She was unable to tell the color of the armor, only that is was now stained red. Smiling with triumph, Lionna strode over to her kneeling foe. His head lifted slowly and suddenly armor and helmet disappeared to pale blue sub-armor stained with blood. A Word formed on the young man's lips 'Why?'

Sweaty sheets stuck to her skin as Lionna fell onto the floor. She breathed heavily, her chest heaving with each deep intake of breath. 'A dream… only a dream…' But from experience she knew dreams could be real. "No…" she whispered, letting her strong mask fade and tears softly trail along the curves of her nose. From the hallway she heard rushing footsteps and in seconds a group of people rushed into the room, only a few staying in the hallway and peering in.

Blinking in slight surprise, it took Lionna a moment to realize that she had actually screamed aloud and that's why everyone had come running. For a moment she just stared at the group, most flinched from her intense gaze but for once she didn't notice. "Just a dream," she told them calmly and a little coldly, "nothing to worry about. A dream…" She trailed off and stood up, untangling herself from the sheets tied about her.

Again the image of Cye staring up at her entered her mind. His eyes held a dying fire as the blood trickled down his cheek to join the blood of the death wound that she herself had given him. "A dream," she said more harshly, to remind herself that it hadn't happened. After a while the crowd dwindled and only a few remained. "What is it?" she asked softly.

Turning back, Lionna found Ryo, Mia, Cye, Sage, and Sekhmet standing within the door. She said nothing and finally all five moved into the room and closed the door, Mia turning on the light as they entered. Glancing absently at the clock Lionna noted that it was about half past ten at night, that meant she had only been sleeping two or three hours before the nightmare. "Lionna, I hope you realize what position I'm in at the moment," Ryo began. "We have old enemies within the house, and you, and a few other new guests. I'm not sure who's on who's side or anything like that, I'm not trying to accuse anyone either. The problem is I'm not able to entrust everyone with the belief that they won't hurt one another… so I need to ask you to cooperate and stay with one of the guys when you go someplace."

"I figured as much," Lionna replied a little coolly, moving back the sweat-soaked sheets to sit on the bed, "why else would you decide a Ronin to be my roommate instead of Kayura? I knew that you wouldn't have chosen her anyway." There was silence for a while until she sighed and told them, "Stop hiding your fear. I can feel it easily and it bothers me when your physical appearance does not match what you really think. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get some sleep."

Mutely Mia urged the others out of the room, nodding to Sage to stay. Once they had left and the door was once again closed he turned to see Lionna watching him. "Why are you not frightened of me? Why do you not fear me coming to kill you at night? I had a dream that I was attacking Sekhmet, that was last night or maybe the night before… I believe it wasn't just fully a dream. Was it you I fought?"

"Don't soften me," she scoffed, confused by his behavior. "It still does not explain for your absence of fear. If anything that event should have caused you to fear me more…" the corner of her lip twitched once before she continued. "Why did you ever agree to staying with me when there could have been arrangements made for you to be with Kristy?"

Lionna shrugged carelessly as she could manage, "You never broke up with her and from what I can tell she still wants you badly. You two were a couple for a long time until you suddenly left." Sage stared at her in complete astonishment. Lionna sighed and hung her head, "I didn't really mean to… but I read through some of her memories… found out how you knew her. She has nice memories of the two of you, you had good times. Why don't you go back to that life?"

"I don't know," she whispered in reply, avoiding eye contact, "She's a good person, not from the Netherworld or something like that… but… I just don't like her… I don't know. I wish I didn't feel like this, it isn't fair." She pulled her hands from his and turned away purposely, "I'm tired."

She sat there for a moment, waiting for him to move. Yet he continued to sit behind her, his eyes resting on her shoulders. "You aren't tired, you just want to avoid the subject. Strange that I can read you so easily when all the others seem to not see through your mask." Sage stood up then and moved towards his cot.

"Wait a moment," Lionna called softly. Turning her head to him he saw the droplets of tears resting on her cheeks. "I just don't understand why you don't fear me, even Cye does… even Cye does…" she trailed off and lay down, burying her head within a pillow. Sage stared at her in shock, his mouth hanging open a little.

Lionna lifted her face from the pillow, "He thinks that too. But inside, in the back of his mind, he knows that I'm a danger… that I could get up one night and kill him or one of his friends. He's scared, Sage, no matter what he thinks or shows- he's scared and eventually that feeling will take over and I'll be lost another friend, and my only brother." Her eyes that looked up at Sage seemed different from the normal hard, intense stare. Her eyes at that point gave way to a frightened, child-like gaze. She looked up at him, looking like a lost child who had seen a scary movie. "And the truth is…" she whispered, a tear dripped off the tip of her nose, "I'm frightened of myself. I don't know what happened to me so I fear myself…" she trailed off and turned away from him, "Why have faith in me? I'm so weak as to give way and be changed like this." She stopped crying as she suddenly felt warm breath caressing her ear.

"You're not weak," Sage whispered back to her, his lips right next to her ear. "You are strong to even be alive. You are strong to still stay here and know that most of us here fear you. You are strong in just letting yourself tell me all of this. Lionna, you are anything but weak." With that he stood up and walked away, turning the light off as he went.

Long minutes passed as Sage's words repeated over and over in Lionna's mind, she lay awake on her back and stared up at the shadowed ceiling, "Sage, if you're still up… don't tell the others. Please don't, I need this to be kept between us for now- I'm still scared." She didn't know if he heard her or not, but she felt that he probably had. 'And thank you.'

Morning dawned all too early it seemed and the fresh scent of warm earth drifted through partially opened windows. Lionna lay on her back as she listened to the clattering of pots from downstairs, also noting the sounds of footsteps on the stairs and in the hallway. She hoped to wait until everyone was about his or her business to come down, but thanks to Sage she would have no such luck. "Get on up, we're up early around here even if Rowen complains." Lionna groaned and threw an arm over her eyes but Sage persisted, "Lionna, come on! If we don't hurry to breakfast Kento will eat it all."

"Oh I did, but I also know that you wouldn't go downstairs for hours if at all possible. Now let's get going, I've already changed. I'll wait for you outside, but you better be a quick dresser because I'll be in within five minutes whether you're ready or not." Lionna gave a shriek and hopped out of bed, Sage grinned at her and left the room.

Giving an exasperated cry, Lionna rushed to pick out new clothes for the day. As quickly as she could she tossed on new underclothes and then slipped on a purple tank top. Just seconds after she managed to slip on her jean shorts, Sage opened the door. "Oh good, you're ready, I was worried there for a moment."

Glaring at him Lionna commented dryly, "Or are you?" Sage gave an innocent look and then pulled her out of the room. "Hey! I can walk by myself!" As she entered the hallway the joyful mood melted away and old fears settled in. She walked slowly down the stairs after Sage, glancing sidelong at those already seated at the table. Avoiding Sage's obvious intentions of having her sit more in the middle, Lionna sat on the very end of the large table, next to Kristy. It wasn't her first choice as of where to sit, but she also didn't want to be near everyone.

Breakfast went by without much talking, most fearing Lionna's sharp tongue. The auburn hair girl picked at her food, slightly agitated. Cye glanced at her a few times throughout the meal but said nothing. Once everyone was finished, Lionna volunteered to clean up. She walked down the length of the table picking up the used dishes. When she passed Sage he caught her arm and opened his mouth to speak, at the last minute he changed his mind and shook his head. Shrugging, Lionna moved into the kitchen with the dishes.

Lionna stayed silent, feeling the tension radiating off her twin. 'So you want to keep it like this? Okay… I can follow your lead…' She closed the dishwasher door and then hopped to sit on the counter. "I'm not sure what you mean by that, Cye."

With the reference to the nightmare Lionna's muscles tensed immediately, "It was just a dream," she snapped. "Nothing more…" she trailed off. "Sorry," she murmured. "I'm just bothered by it. Anyhow Sage was fine. He doesn't fear me," she added in softly.

His twin turned her intense gaze to him, "You may not realize it fully but you're worried about what can happen if I'm possessed. You're scared of me, much less than most of them out there, but you are scared. If I attack again…" she trailed off and made a dismissing gesture. "Let's not talk about it- what was that?"

Cye looked back at Lionna but she answered for him, "of course he'll go. I'll see you later Cye." She moved past the two boys back into the dining room. She could hear the girls talking in the living room, and Yulie playing with White Blaze in another closed room. Leaning against the table Sekhmet looked at her from the corner of his eyes, she avoided him as best she could. Across the room Sage and Ryo were engaged in a conversation while the others were no where to be seen.

Sekhmet motioned for her to sit, she refused angrily and he just sighed in irritation. She remained standing, glaring at him with fire-filled eyes. He winced inwardly and did his best to hold his composure. "I'm truly sorry, I have no one but myself to blame for my actions- but I do hope you know that I want to start over again."

In surprise Lionna gazed down at it, slowly slipping it across her head. She lifted her eyes to him, a slight amazement, vainly trying to hide, shining in them. But her face was set in a determined manner. "This only helps me be in this world, I'll only thank you for this necklace. My thanks does not go any farther and my trust does not grow. People fear me now, how can I live like that? I only wait for the day until I can end my torment. If that means killing you, I will. I just want to make that clear." She bowed her head shortly, "I'm sorry to sound like this- I may yet change my mind." With that she turned on her heel and began to go up the stairs.

Sage silenced Ryo and moved to reach Lionna's side. They silently ascended the stairs and entered their room, Lionna's lips pressed in a thin line of white. "Sekhmet did something wrong in the past, but that doesn't make him a bad person now."

"I know that," Lionna replied softly as she moved to pick up her sketchbook. "But I do believe that if it came down to a real all-out battle I'd kill him, not in any other circumstances though. There's a new Dynasty ruler? If so, and he's the one controlling me, I'll settle fighting my last battle against him." She let out a soft snarl and made a fist, "I hate this."

Brushing blonde hair from his eyes, Sage stood silently having no idea what to tell her. For a moment they just stood there in silence, eventually Lionna turning her eyes to look at him. There were a few brief seconds that Sage saw clearly her past, what and who she had fought… and then her eyes returned normal again and she sighed. "Would you like to go out into the woods? It'll be peaceful there and you won't have to worry about the others."

Looking surprised, Lionna blinked at him, "How did- oh never mind. I would love to, should we pack a lunch?" He smiled softly at her reply and motioned her out the door. When the reached the dining room, Ryo and Sekhmet were talking softly with Rowen and Cye. All four stopped upon seeing Lionna, she paused for only a moment before moving to the kitchen door. Before going through she turned back to them, "Don't try to hide what you say. If I really wanted to know I could read it from your minds." With that she pushed open the door and went in.

"She's not impulsive," Sage mumbled as he moved to follow Lionna. "Lionna?" he called into the air when he didn't see her at first. Listening softly he wondered if she had tried to run again, but as he moved to go out the back door a new sound caused him to turn. She sat beneath the countertop, looking straight ahead as the sun passed through the windows to caress her face. "I wasn't sure where you were… you okay?"

Stern eyes turned to him, only to soften slightly as she saw the deep concern etched on his face. "I'm okay, really. It's just so new to be back within humanity. I've been with the Dynasty for a long time, no love is found there… no pure light… only darkness and hatred. Look how pale I am, when I was walking on the streets a few days ago people would move away saying `ghost'. I once stuck out against some street bums, left a poisoned scar on one of their faces. He's in the hospital now. People observing ran away in fear, calling me a demon. But that's what I am…" she trailed off, her face wrinkled in emotional pain, "Aren't I?"

Quietly Sage moved towards her and softly silenced her with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Lionna you are no demon. Neither are those Warlords or Kayura. You were taken prisoner and taken control of- it's not your fault." As she shook her head, Sage took her face in his hands, "Stop blaming yourself. Repeat after me: I am not weak."

Her brow furrowed in astonishment as a blank look flickered across her eyes. Her lips were parted as she sought to find a reply. She came up with none and could do nothing but shake her head to show her confusion. Sage's blonde hair glowed as the sun passed through the windows, adding a glamorous effect to his already knock-dead looks.

The door opening was what broke the silence, "Listen, Lonni, I- eh…" Cye trailed off, his mouth agape in surprise. For a few moments Sage and Lionna sat there staring at the four who had just came in. With the start of a flush Lionna moved away from Sage, pushing his hands away from her face.

"Yeesh, easy Cye…" Sage calmed his friend, trying to move the hands from his throat, "nothing happened. Why don't you stop being so paranoid and see how much this is hurting her?" His tone grew fierce as he ripped himself from Cye's hold. Glaring at the four there he said, "She's just returned to the mortal realm a little over a week ago- and here she is where there should be friends. But what does she find? Only people that fear her, and fear for their safety because of her. She believes herself weak, inhuman- a demon, those were her words herself. She blames herself for all that happened…. Can't you see how much this is killing her- how this will eventually kill her? I quote: `there's a new Dynasty ruler? If so, and he's the one controlling me, I'll settle fighting my last battle against him'. Note that she said last battle. She plans on dying…" Sage stopped and took a deep breath, "Just- oh forget it…" He turned to leave the room but Ryo stopped him. Glaring at his leader, Sage asked, "And what do you say now? You were the one giving her such strict rules."

The black-haired boy took a calm breath before he began talking, "Sage, listen… I'll admit I'm frightened by her, but it's something I can't help- not now at least. I also just can't give her complete trust, she attacked me, Sekhmet, and Dais. I can't let her end up killing someone while under someone else's control."

Cye took a step forward and looked Sage in the eye, "I don't understand… how you know so much about her- how you can read her feelings. I just don't know why you're guarding her so much, if your feelings are more than some friendship protection… I want to know."

His brow wrinkled in confusion, Sage took a step back, "What…? But…" he trailed off, "Cye, I've known her for what? Three days? Not even… there's no way that I would be falling for someone that quickly. Just stop the accusations."

Out of their line of vision, Lionna stood next to the open outside door. Sage's words stung her chest. The tone that he was using sounded like she was some disgusting creature, not a human. 'But maybe-` she didn't finish her thought instead wondering how he could defend her one minute and then put her down the next. 'Why…? But I understand what you're saying, I wouldn't fall in love with someone within a few days.' She let the thought end there, knowing what the rest of it would be.

"I'm not accusing you of anything, but I don't want you to be leading her on in any way, Sage. Like you said, she's hurt, and someone pretending to love her and then dropping her without notice is going to damage her more than anything." Cye had calmed down, now worried about his sister.

Sage brushed a piece of hair nervously behind his ear, "I'm not leading her on, am I? I haven't done anything to suggest I'm interested. I'm not interested. She just needs a friend and someone to understand her. That's who I am- nothing more… that's the way it should stay, too." He hit the countertop with a fist, confused about his feelings and actions. "Why did you have to get me thinking like this? There was absolutely nothing wrong before!" He turned on his heel and headed towards the open door, not knowing that beside it Lionna was contemplating his words.

'He's not interested? But… I must have been reaching for stars- all those actions were just to help me get through. Just an act of friendship-` she held back tears and turned her head away. 'What do I do now? I fell in love with the enemy once, and now I'm falling even harder for him- now that I know more about him. But he'll never be interested will he?' Just as her thoughts finished, Sage sailed right past her, causing the door to fly out a little more. Giving a shriek, half of surprise and half of the slight pain, Lionna backed from the entranceway.

When she turned around she saw Sage staring at her with a paled face, his mouth set in desperate denial that she had heard. Lionna turned her head away, "We're friends, Sage." Her voice wavered a little but she quickly masked all the emotions away, "We'll never be anything more, that's the way you want it. Too bad my brother's so paranoid, huh?" She gave a weak laugh. "Who would ever fall in love with the enemy anyhow, right?" Not able to keep it up anymore she ran away from him, towards the front of the mansion- hoping to somehow lose him. Behind her she could hear his voice call but she blocked it out, not wanting to hear fake excuses.

Kristy watched the exchange between Lionna and Sage from a window. She frowned in confusion, not understanding why or how Lionna fit in with all the Ronins. 'What a confusing character,' she thought, shaking her head. 'Might as well try and find some answers…'

Turning her back on the window Kristy headed out the front door to search for Lionna. She didn't have to go far before seeing the auburn hair girl. "Hey! Lionna!" Kristy called, jogging across the yard to reach the other girl's side. Lionna widened her eyes in surprise and Kristy vainly tried not to wince.

"Sorry," Lionna murmured, moving her eyes to look at the forest. "Well, what is it? You don't like me all too much so why come out to find me?" The blonde shook off her nervousness and opened her mouth in reply, but Lionna broke in before she even spoke, "I'm Cye's twin. I realized before that you didn't understand about that."

A loud snap sounded and Lionna whirled about, eyes widening she pushed Kristy down, "Just stay still and you'll be fine!" Kristy lay on her stomach in confusion, feeling Lionna tense above her. "It'll be…" she broke off in a gasp of pain. Kristy started as she felt something wet hit her cheek, from the corner of her eye she spotted the gash along Lionna's cheekbone. "That's it…" she growled, "Go on, get."

A commotion of noise came from around the house as Ronins and Warlords alike ran forward to the battle. Distracted for a second, Lionna let her gaze rest on Sage for a moment. She was able to drop just in time before the butt of a spear came across her head. "Come back, Lionna, back to the Master." The lead soldier braced his spear, ready to strike at her.

Raising into a fighting stance she growled at him, "Your master, he isn't mine. So get out of here- you won't ever capture me again, I won't let you." Before he could reply again Kento struck out at him as the other Ronins headed for the remaining soldiers. The world spun for a moment and Lionna fell to her knees, "Get away from me!" She yelled loudly, stumbling to run from the other warriors. She was only a few feet away when the black sub-armor covered her body. "No…" she whispered, feeling her control slip away.

Cye was the first to rush forward, trying to help his sister in some way. But yet as he got to her she was already in the black sub-armor she had worn before. He backed away from her, swallowing hard. "Lonni… you can hear me, right? Somehow…?" The inhuman eyes glanced him over before pushing him out of her way and moving forward.

Their leader jumped away from Lionna's first kick. He backed away and kicked her down to give him time. "Armor of Wildfire, Tao Jin!" As his helmet fell to his head Lionna again attacked, her sub-armor changing to take the shape of the Night armor. "Whoa- how does she do that?"

A new male voice, cruelly harsh, reached the group's ears. "Oh she has great powers, luckily the Dynasty has enhanced them since last year." Slowly the man slipped from the forest, revealing a tall, well-built form. His black eyes glittered against dark silver hair. "She'll fight you now, and prove that she can fight and win against the Inferno armor. You'll need luck, Wildfire, to win this." With a flick of his wrist, the strange new man disappeared with the remaining soldiers.

The four warriors, having some of their powers taken, fell to their knees weakly. Ryo stared in horror between Cye and Sage, suddenly realizing what the man had wanted. Purposely Lionna's armor took Cye's and Sage's, making them weak for when the Inferno armor would be drawn. Without notice, Lionna's long, poisoned sword swung down in front of Ryo. "You have no choice! Call on the Inferno!" Rowen shouted at him.

Backing away a little, Ryo took a deep breath as he felt the power of Inferno take control of him- powering his armor up. The armor settled in just in time for Lionna to attack once again. Ryo drew out the swords of Fervor to block her attack. "Stop it! Lionna, stop it!"

Murmuring a soft `sorry', Ryo leapt into his air for his attack. "Rage of Inferno!" The ball of fire began its descent towards Lionna who was now simply standing, looking straight ahead and doing nothing. In the blink of an eye the armor disappeared to reveal her clothed in the outfit she was wearing before the soldiers had appeared.

As Lionna fell weakly to the ground the others looked on with a worried horror as Ryo's attack neared her. "No!" One Ronin threw himself before Lionna to block her from most of the attack. As the after smoke cleared everyone jumped forward. Light reflected off of the green sub-armor.

Ryo turned a weary eye to Cye who said nothing, just looking away in shame. "Let's not change things, not for now. Let Sage decide when he's awake again." He stood up shakily and moved to Sage, helping Rowen to move him into the house. "Someone take Lionna in."

The throbbing in her head was what awakened Lionna late afternoon. She sat up wearily, rubbing her eyes. "What happened?" Her words slurred together into inaudible sounds. Blurry eyes took in her surroundings and she was surprised to find herself sitting on Sage's cot in their room. 'What's going on…? I can't remember much…' Flashes of protecting Kristy and then yelling at everyone to get away entered her head. 'Oh no! Who did I hurt this time?!'

Forcing herself to stand, Lionna jerkily moved towards the door only to stop when seeing who was laying in her bed. Hands shaking in surprise, she just barely made it to the side of the bed before collapsing. She kept the tears that formed in her eyes back as she buried her face in the sheets, "How could I have let this happen? Why… why…?" Tears can unbidden down her face to soak the sheets, "I'm so sorry, Sage… so sorry…" Her hands curled into fists and she shakily moved to stand, once again heading to the door. At the last minute as her hand touched the cool surface of the knob, Lionna turned and headed to the balcony, "I can't face them right now, they'll be furious at me this time. I really hurt him… I can't believe it…"

What she didn't realize was that the wounds that appeared on Sage were those from a deep fire, nothing like the raw power that the Night armor gave off. She blamed herself and would continue to do so until she could find someway to fix her `problem'. Her hair fluttered in the breeze outside on the balcony as she gazed out to the bright sky. From below her she noted the sound of arrows hitting a practice target and the sounds of a punching bag being hit. 'They're practicing to fight the Dynasty, they probably know by now that that will mean fighting me too.'

The rustle of material from inside the room caused Lionna to whirl about in surprise. She stopped her fast-beating heart when she saw it was Sage struggling to sit up. But then her face paled as she realized he'd fear her now, that he'd not trust her anymore. Not wanting to face him yet, she sneaked back into the room and made it to the cot. "Don't," the voice caused her to freeze in mid-motion.

The girl shrugged her shoulder back, still refusing to look at him. "I don't see why you need to talk to me. What's the point anyhow?" Slowly, and not without wincing, Sage stood and began to move. By the time he finished his first step he let out a pained cry and kneeled down to stop the pain. Having heard him fall to the ground, Lionna turned about and rushed forward to help him. "Why do you persist? Get back in bed and rest- you're hurt badly… I just can't believe I did that…" she trailed off and turned her head away.

It was a surprise as Sage saw the mark of tears on her cheeks. Hesitantly he reached forward and brushed a thumb to remove the wet droplets. She jerked away from his touch and he hung his head in defeat. "You weren't the one who hurt me, you ought to know that."

A grim smile crossed his face as he stood and moved back to lay down, "It was my own choice for what I did, but you could say it was because of you I was hurt." Confused to say the least, Lionna turned to him. "I won't tell you aloud, Lionna. You'll have to figure it out yourself." He lay on his back and closed his eyes, soon after falling asleep.

For a while Lionna continued to sit and watch him. Then she slowly stood up and moved to him, placing a cool fingertip on his forehead and concentrating. From his memory she saw herself fighting against Ryo, blasting him with the sure-kill attack of the Ultimate Night armor, and then Ryo powering up with the Inferno armor to attack. Loosing her armor and collapsing to the ground Sage had run forward at the last second to block the fiery attack knowing that anyone in normal human form could ever survive the attack. With her new discovery, Lionna moved away from the bed and back to the cot, laying down to think things over. As it turned out she didn't think on the events too long before falling asleep herself and dreaming of things to come.

Shrouded in darkness and mysterious mist, a well-built male figure leaned against a wall, smirking to himself. Unlike previous rulers of the Dynasty, he did not make himself known to his enemies even though he was usually the main attacker. He was a sharp thinker and had a strong patience, more than willing to wait a long time before reaching his goal. For a moment he let his black eyes look over the dark room he was in. Concentrating briefly he made sure that the Ronins were strongly wary of Lionna. "My dear Lionna… you do not realize where you belong. But you will find me, of course you will." His grin could have chilled even the hottest of fires.

The man stepped away from the wall and crossed the room to enter the long hallway. His footsteps were the only sound as he moved briskly towards the last door. Upon reaching the doorway he moved the door open with his mind before crossing through. In the center of the room stood a podium of pure obsidian and then floating above it was a sphere of black crystal. The crystal immediately powered up as he stepped into the room and slowly flames sprouted from candles, casting an eerie light.

"No matter how hard you try, my dear, you will never succeed in controlling `your' Night armor. Perhaps Sekhmet gave it to you, but did you ever know that it was myself who created it? There's no good in that armor," he whispered, showing his teeth in a sardonic smile. 'I'll bring you back, Lionna. Just you wait and see. I can wait for a year if need be, but it won't even take that long for your armor to take over. You'll be by my side within a month, I promise that.'

Yoshi turned once again to the crystal sphere floating and hid a smile of satisfaction. "How about we add some more fear into your life, eh?" He lifted an index finger and pointed it at the crystal for a moment until an image appeared. Lionna sat on her cot blinking away the morning sunlight. On the other side of the room Sage talked with Rowen, Cye, and Cale. "Now let me see… oh yes… Cye, welcome to the game." He smirked and left the room with a flutter of his cape.

When Lionna awoke once again the streams of dawn flew in through the window. For a while she sat blinking as she remembered the past day's events. After a while she became aware of voices coming from the other side of the room. Glancing towards the bed she noted Sage was sitting and talking with Rowen, Cye and Cale. She winced as she felt the tension and weariness emit from their auras.

As the boys talked, Cye became uncomfortable and nervous for a moment as he felt a sharp sensation hit the back of his head. For a while he tried to figure it out but gave up trying, he glanced behind him to see Lionna watching him. She weakly raised a hand in greeting and Cye was slightly surprised to feel himself flinch in fear. 'Am I really so scared of her?' He was oblivious to the fact that Lionna had suddenly let her mask of emotions fall to reveal the horror that she felt, and the helplessness that suddenly filled her.

'He… no… Cye… please… no…' A lost look filled Lionna's eyes as she gaped at her brother. He had flinched at her when she had only waved a good morning. There was no threat in that yet she had felt the fear rise within him. 'How could this happen? Cye… oh Cye…'

On the other hand, Sage noted the exchange down to every last detail. He managed to get rid of the others he was talking to, wanting to ask Lionna some questions. "I'm not hungry right now," he replied to Cye's question as they left. "I'll let you know later. Yeah…" The door shut and the thud echoed for a moment as the silence finally settled in. Lionna stared at the door with a helpless look of a lost child on her face.

Sage let her get a hold of herself before he began to speak. "Lionna, I have some questions I need to ask you…" She turned her head to face him, the color drained from her cheeks yet no tears filling her eyes. When no reply came he continued, "What did you mean yesterday… when you said `who would fall in love with the enemy'? I wasn't saying that I couldn't fall in love- but I mean… you know…" he stuttered. "Sorry, I'm making a fool of myself. What I was trying to say was that you're no enemy and either way it would make no difference if I or anyone else fell in love with you."

"That's not what I meant," she replied softly as she stood. "That statement was on a reminisce of the past… sometime last year. Just forget it, I never should have said anything." Lionna moved away from the cot and headed to the balcony, leaving Sage to think about many things.

The next week passed uneventfully as Kristy, Sonja, and Bunny became better aquatinted with the Ronins and Warlords. Lionna stayed often with Sage and they would avoid any subject pertaining to the Dynasty or past and/or present battles. Together they would share a brief game of speed or possibly of checkers. Sage recovered well during that week, lucky to even be alive. Everyone was still on the edge as Thursday neared and still no attacks had come.

Whispering to one another in the halls, the warriors would discuss what the next move would be. Mia continued to work on breaking more of her grandfather's code to see if there was any more helpful information while Sonja stood on the side glancing through old scrolls.

Tension grew as ominous clouds darkened the summer sky and a storm started. Lionna shuddered as she looked out the balcony window, waiting for Sage to finish his lunch. "Can you feel anything?" he inquired softly, for the first time in a while talking about their present situation.

"I can't sense anything for this… but I just realized how much I'm using my powers. I shouldn't… I mean if I am… that means…" she shuddered with the beginning of fear. "Sage," she said quietly, "I don't want to go back there. But I'm so close to being there once again… but it's so cold… and dark… there's just nothing there…"

Her brow furrowed in worry, she carefully moved to sit in the chair beside the bed. "You do realize that by the time it comes to face off against the Dynasty I'm not going to be fighting on your side even if I want to. I'd love to battle this mysterious new ruler myself but… if he controls me, how can I?"

Reaching out a comforting hand, Sage told her, "We'll find a way. You just work on being yourself and don't worry what others think of you. That alright?" She smiled weakly at him. "Good. Now what are we-" he broke off as a loud shriek erupted from the dining room below. Exchanging glances, Sage worked his way to stand and with the help of Lionna he walked out of the room to see what was going on.

Downstairs chairs were overturned as Bunny ran for the stairs with Rowen protecting her back. A group of Dynasty soldiers stuck out against the Ronins fighting as a black crystal sphere hung in the air high above the fighting. Lionna stared at the crystal, fascinated by the look and the power erupting from it. She reached out a hand as if in a trance and Sage quickly pushed her away from it. "What are you doing?" she snapped at him, coming out of her trance-like state.

Lionna studied it for a moment, her eyes coming in and out of focus, "It has a power that I react to…" she slurred, trying hard to concentrate. "Very… confusing…" shaking her head she turned away from it. "I'm not sure what it is."

A cry caught Lionna and Sage's attention and they turned to see Kristy cornered by three Dynasty soldiers. Lionna leaped into action knowing even at that time she would be too late to help her. A battle cry broke the air, "Sun Beam Strike!" A sudden burst of white light knocked Lionna to the ground weakly and destroyed the Dynasty soldiers trying to attack Kristy. Sage limped over to the two girls to see if they were okay. "I'm fine, Sage honey." Kristy rubbed her eyes, "Man was that some bright light."

Sage took her shaking hand and felt her pulse. 'What's wrong with her? Why is she shaking so much? Was it…? The light!' He stood up to look below, finding everyone grouped loosely about a brightly armored figure. The helmet was removed to find a girl with short, light blue pigtails smiling at everyone. Narrowing his eyes to study her, Sage called out, "Just who are you?"

The blonde haired boy motioned Kristy to head down the stairs and she sent one last worried look towards Lionna. He carefully picked up Lionna whispering softly to her as he brought her down to the dining room. "Well then, tell me what's wrong with her." Sage's voice cut like ice shards as he met the new girl's eyes.

"Humph, so say you. I'm Felicity of the Sun armor, pleased to meet you. Now as for what's wrong with her? It's obvious, she's from the Dynasty and can't deal with the purest light- that's my attack. I'm not sure why she's still alive though, only rulers or those high in command can withstand it." She shrugged and moved forward to take a closer look at Lionna.

Ryo cast a side-long glance toward his friend, warning, "Sage, be nice to our guest. We'll need her help in the future." Turning to Felicity he told her, "She's not a Dynasty minion, she's another guest and Cye's sister. We know what danger she poses and we've been able to-"

Felicity broke in, "It's you who don't know her, Ryo of Wildfire. I study all your movements, I know almost the complete story of each Ronin or Warlord… also this girl here. Lionna on the Night. Her armor isn't like yours, wasn't from Talpa's original armor. Mine is- though it wasn't found until about a year after yours."

"You know fully well why. Now as for her armor it's made from the darkest of nights… the one who created it had her in mind. Sekhmet, you may know some of this- do you know who made the armor?" When Sekhmet shook his head no in reply, Felicity gave a small shrug. "Okay then, guess you don't know. But her armor was made by Yoshi."

"What, you were taken in by that whole story that he had also been captured and was being used by Talpa? No way is that true. He was in fact trying to overthrow Talpa for a long time and when you came along he saw it as the perfect chance to take advantage and create a purely evil armor for you. Depending on what powers you use and how often, the armor can take hold of you. That's your warning, but I've already seen what you've done, seen who you've hurt."

Lionna sunk to her knees, still shaking, as her face paled and lost all color. Her eyes grew haunted. "No…" 'Yoshi was always on their side? But he knows everything about me! We… I… he… I thought there was love between us, once…' She shook her head and bit her lip as she tried to deny it.

Completely baffled, everyone except the Warlords (not including Kayura) stared in confusion at the girl sitting on the floor. Sekhmet coughed, "I did not know Yoshi was never captured. I did believe he was once captured but just turning to the Dynasty much easier than most. At the time it did not matter either way for me…"

She took in short gasps of breath as she tried to talk to him and only when she was finally laying once again in her cot did she speak to him. "Sage, even the Warlords don't know… about what happened… between Yoshi and me…" she trailed off, struggling to regain control. "I loved him once… until… until.. y-" she broke off and moved her eyes away from him.

The breath caught in Sage's throat, his mind whirling at what she had meant. 'She broke off… but it sounded like…' he stopped himself from thinking about that. "You loved him because you were lonely… there's no shame in that… you don't love him anymore, do you?"

For a few minutes he continued to sit by her side and watch her shiver in her sleep. 'Lionna… what can I do? What can I do to help?' He hung his head, feeling helpless. Before leaving he leaned down and brushed his lips across her forehead. 'You're not alone, don't think that way.'

Sneering at the blonde man leaning over Lionna, Yoshi controlled the flame of anger that had risen inside him. Finally Sage left and Yoshi stepped from the shadows letting his black attire add mystery to his form. Stepping to Lionna's side he placed a hand above her forehead, "Wake from the sleep I've put you in." Her blue-green eyes snapped open to reveal large pupils staring unseeing up at him. "Good, now we have the wearer of the Sun armor here, do we? Well let's see what I can do to help you…" a leather pouch appeared in his hand and he opened it. Taking out a piece of incredibly dark jade, Yoshi willed it into the form of a necklace.

Lifting her head a little, he slipped the necklace over her head. "Her powers can no longer hurt you, let the shuttering of her power stop." Placing a hand over her eyes, Lionna's body slowly calmed easing down to normal breathing of sleep. "Perfect, you'll return even sooner than I expected." He gave a chilling smile, "You have not forgotten our past, now have you?"

Thinking back to the scenes he had watched over the past week he narrowed his eyes. "My only problem now is Halo… what to do with him…" He looked over Lionna as she continued staring up. "You won't just let me kill him, will you? No… that won't work… but he can't be allowed to just live… he's distracting you, Lonni. Can't have that, now can we?" 'Little Ronin brat,' he thought bitterly. 'She just had to fall in love with him didn't she?'

Rushing footsteps sounded from the hall and Yoshi turned in surprise, "They're getting better at detecting me and my forces… that won't help them." In the split second that his concentration was taken away Lionna came fully awake and widened her eyes when seeing Yoshi. Gasping in surprise, Lionna tried to move away and only succeeded in falling off the cot. He turned back to her, taking a moment to lock the door with magic. "Ah, you are awake, my dear."

Looking slowly about the room, Lionna felt flickers of memories nip at her heart. "Not everyone…" she replied softly. "There was someone… but who? He was so kind to me… where is he now?" She tried to look around but Yoshi turned her to face him.

"It was a ploy, he was tricking you. That man is a fake, come with me where you'll really be accepted…" she still looked so unsure and Yoshi formed a plan as he heard someone trying to open the door. Being exact, he let the door come unlocked as he pulled Lionna, still in a daze, to him and claimed her lips.

Lionna rubbed her hand repeatedly over her lips, trying to free herself of his taste. Letting tears of fear run from her cheeks she rubbed harder at her lips until they began to bleed. "Stop! Lionna, stop it!" Cye, having just arrived, rushed past Sage who was standing frozen in the doorway. "Lonni, stop!" She pushed him away spitting blood from her mouth.

Rushing through the door she ran towards the bathroom where she began to run the water and splashed her face. Completely baffled, Cye stared after her, slowly following her. In moments everyone was upstairs and trying to find out what was going on. "Leave me alone! Just leave me alone!" Lionna yelled at them, wiping at blood on her lips.

For a moment the twins exchanged looks. Quietly Lionna told him, "You're strong enough to free yourself from fear, and even hate. I am not able to… I can't keep fighting forever…" She trailed off and pushed through the crowd moving back to her room. Sage stood within the doorway, turning his gaze to her he was in complete shock. "That was Yoshi," was her simple statement.

He brought his arms about his sister and held her, "It's okay, we'll find a way to end all this. I promise you that. Some day you'll be free to be whoever you want to be." Lionna gave in and relaxed against him, crying on his shoulder.

"We're over, Sage honey. It was wonderful before but things have changed, and it's time to move on. You've already got an absolutely wonderful girl who's longing to be with you. Now don't tell me you haven't seen it," Kristy gave one last smile before turning and moving to her room. "I'm rooming with Felicity so I'll see what's up with her. See ya."

As she moved away Sage opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself as he saw that she was comfortable with letting him go. 'Thank you, Kristy… but does she really want me? How can you be so sure?' But then he remembered Lionna's question, `who would fall in love with the enemy?'. 'She said it was from the past… her past… once in love with Yoshi but then… she changed her mind.' He let his thoughts trail off and looked at the closed the door. "I'll help you, and you'll be amazed how many of the others will too."

"We start planning our first large attack, which should be the final battle, now. Understood?" Yoshi asked coolly as he stood before the leader of each group of soldiers. Looking over each of them in turn, they bowed their heads in agreement. "Are there any suggestions? It will not matter who is in the fight the most, only if the plan fits perfectly- no mess ups."

The first to step forward was Yoshi's own shadow creation, one with no name. The black, ghostly figure was garbed in full battle armor and a silver samurai helmet. Carefully he spoke, "Master Yoshi, let each of us be positioned in pairs. We lure the Ronins in with an invitation they can't refuse, an open gateway. With only one gate open, we shall wait for them." He stepped back, bowing before letting another add on to the idea.

As the proposal sunk in, Yoshi nodded in approval, "You are right, they will not turn away from one of our open gates. When they enter we must get them to separate… and into certain groups…" He grinned with dark satisfaction. "I have plans for each of them. Listen here, at the end you may add in ideas."

It took some time to get through every detail of the battle plan but each leader listened carefully, amazed at the well thought out planning Yoshi had done ahead of time. By the end of the explanation any who had thought him unfit to be leading the Dynasty, their ideas had changed.

Suggestions were added and maneuvered to fit into the plan, satisfying all. "Begin preparations immediately. When everything is set, we send out our `friendly' invite… they'll come right into our waiting arms. If there is nothing else, you are dismissed." Yoshi nodded to the others and then turned to leave through a side door.

His dark eyes shot about the room, taking in every shape of the shadows. When everything seemed in order the silver-haired man let out a low laugh that could freeze the soul. "You cannot protect your friends, dear Ronins," he spat into the air. "Halo, you will die at the hands of the one you love… I promise you that- for interfering in my plans!" His fist clenched as power grew before striking out across the room and hitting a darkened pillar. The sneer playing across Yoshi's face changed to a content grin, "You don't stand a chance. Not against me, not against Lionna, not against this Dynasty. Talpa didn't know how to control his troops, didn't know how to keep them loyal." Laughing aloud he shouted, "But I do! These soldiers below me will fight, not for me but for themselves- that's good enough. As long as they serve this Dynasty they'll be serving me… even if they all won't realize it."

Suddenly a black sphere appeared and began to pulse with power. Interested, Yoshi pointed a finger at it to release an image. "There'll be a day when you can be yourself, just wait… I'll help you." Cye hugged Lionna tighter before releasing her and then moving to the door, "I need to talk with the others, you just take it easy."

"Humph," Yoshi muttered, "she sleeps and she'll be plagued by nightmares. She knows that already… poor Torrent, not even realizing that his sister has not been sleeping well. And she won't…" he hissed, "until she returns here."

It was nearly nightfall when Mia, Sonja, Kristy, Bunny, Lionna, and Yulie heard the dining room chairs being moved about once again. Glancing from the book she was reading, Sonja commented, "Looks like they finished their discussion…"

Mia nodded slowly, glancing at Kristy and Lionna who were engrossed in a conversation of their own. "Hey sis," Bunny moved nearer to Mia, "do you think they'll let Lionna stay around with us? She really is nice… when she's not holding up that cold barrier…"

The door came open a crack as Ryo moved into the room, "Everyone doing okay?" He was met with a series of nods. "That's good. As you can tell, we've finished talking things over." He moved into the room and stood in the middle of the semi-circle of faces.

Lionna said nothing but carefully swallowed a lump in her throat as Ryo glanced a little at her. "We know that we all have to train hard, the final battle is coming up soon… all too soon. So we won't be hanging around inside too much any more. After talking things over with Kayura and the Warlords I don't believe that we'll have to find the Dynasty- they'll find us."

Amazed looks appeared on everyone's faces to see the way she was acting, so different from anything they had ever seen her show. Suddenly Bunny began to giggle quietly, overjoyed to see Lionna for once not acting so serious and down. Yulie continued staring wide-eyed and open mouthed as Cye's twin quickly moved away, blushing and murmuring `sorry'.

It took a while for Ryo to regain his composure and when he did he shook his head to clear his thoughts, "Uh… I guess that was a thank you." Everyone laughed at the comment and Lionna hung her head a little in embarrassment. "Come on, let's all get dinner."

Backing away from the crack of the door, a grinning Cye moved back towards the kitchen. 'See, Lonni? You haven't lost all your spirit… it's still there… you'll survive all of this.' A wistful look came to his eye as he remembered the past and how Lionna and himself had always played around with such joy and carefree attitudes. 'She always seemed to have the purest heart… she was so full of energy and joy… but they took that away. If she doesn't get that back… I… I don't know what I'll do.' Taking a grim look at the blackened sky out the window, he got back to helping make dinner.

Days continued to pass, soon turning into two weeks. Each of the people staying at the mansion would go through nights of horrible nightmares, not getting much-needed sleep. This continued on and on, nights and days running together with visible signs of no sleep.

Looking up the stairs, possibly searching for an answer, Cye wondered where Lionna was. 'She doesn't usually sleep this late… perhaps she just had a better time sleeping than I did. Those were some strange nightmares. But where's Sage?'

Breakfast done with, everyone helped clean up before going out to once again practice. The girls stayed behind -with the exception of Felicity- to just talk and help wash the dishes. "It's getting late… already ten o'clock. I wonder where those three are?" And as if on cue to Sonja's comment, two weary Ronins along with an alert Lionna stepped into the kitchen.

Mia searched Sage with her eyes, looking for any hint if he knew what was going on. Yet he, now wide-awake, was looking at Lionna with confusion showing in his eyes. Rowen was oblivious to what was going on and just stumbled to a cupboard to bring down some cereal. "They're already practicing, eh? Oh well."

The room filled with silence, giving everyone an uncomfortable feeling. Only the light sound of Lionna's feet hitting every so often against the cupboard doors filled the air. Coughing to clear the silence, Bunny asked, "So… um… uh…"

Abruptly Lionna stood, "I think I'll watch them practice." With her unexpected comment, she moved from the room and to the outdoors where the others were sparing. Sage watched after her, silently wishing that she wouldn't ignore what had happened the night before.

Felicity sent a kick Dais's way just as he prepared to block. Off to their right, Ryo and Cye went through their routines of fighting. Lionna watched with eyes taking in every detail, not aware that she was being used to gain information.

As Kento paused for a breather, he noted Lionna standing and carefully looking over each fighter. Getting a strange feeling from her, Kento nudged Ryo and told him softly, "Look over there, at Lionna. Something strange is going on… see her eyes…"

The whole time the guys were lucky that Lionna didn't notice their small little `talk'. She continued looking over the Warlords for a brief time but ended up concentrating more on the three Ronins that were out. She noted every fighting style and how they responded to other's attacks. 'Why am I watching this? Why am I interested?' Her brow furrowed a little with worry as she continued to stand. 'I want to leave yet I can't move…' Suddenly a horrible thought hit her and she discreetly tried harder to turn back around and reenter the house. 'It has to be Yoshi! Oh no… he's preparing the last battle!' She was finally able to break free and she turned from the practice ground, knowing it was too late to hide anything. "Sorry…" she whispered before running back into the house.

"That was very suspicious," Rowen stated as he moved from the sidelines and into the midst of the group. Everyone gave him surprised looks and he explained, "When I found out Lionna was here I ate fast and then came out to watch. Something was up… she knows something, too. We'll just have to find out what."

Silence seemed to be a companion to anyone at the Kuojii mansion those days, so it wasn't such a surprise when silence took over the space between the Warlords, Kayura, and Ronins. "…You guys having nightmares…?" Ryo finally asked.

Giving a backward glance the girl replied, "Sorry, Bunny." Suddenly she was cut off as she bumped into another body blocking her way. She just barely missed falling back when strong arms reached out to pull her back up. Lionna shook her bangs from her eyes to find Sage looking down at her with a questioning gaze. "Excuse me…" she muttered, preparing to move fast.

"Lionna plays an important part in all of this, but so do us all," Sekhmet stated as he moved into the kitchen. "The battle is coming soon, nightmares have been sent by Yoshi to keep us weary and sleepless. Be on your guard, they can attack at any point."

The girls exchanged nervous glances before bowing their heads in approval. They each knew that this last battle would be a tough one, possibly the hardest the Ronins had ever fought. Each female who could not fight could not do much more than pray for their newfound `companions'.

'What happens this time?' Mia wondered. 'Ryo's always been worn down in the past after using the Inferno armor, same as the guys. Last time they almost had to kill Ryo… what if it comes to that again? Then what?' She never considered the fact that this time it may very well not be Ryo's life that was in the worst danger.

All day it was a game of hiding from Sage. Lionna ducked behind a door as he passed through the hallway before she sprinted out and escaped to the kitchen. As the hours passed she began to grow weary and tired, the sleepless nights adding more and more weight onto her already pounding head. When mealtimes came she ate fast and then would leave immediately, not worrying on how rude it was.

It felt to Lionna that nightfall came much later than it usually did. She gave a wispy sigh as she felt the night breeze run across her face. Standing on the dining room balcony she hoped that no one would be passing through soon. The warriors were just finishing up practice and would return to get some rest, knowing full well that the Dynasty was preparing their attack. Staring blankly at the forest in front of her, she registered the sound of a door opening at the last second. Quickly she turned her head and realized she couldn't escape them by way of the dining room. Studying her other option, hopping from the balcony, she shrugged and leapt down. She surprised herself when she landed in an elegant crouch, as if prepared to strike at an opponent. Realizing this, Lionna hurriedly stood and ran to be hidden by the bushes. She ran until she found a sheltered clearing where she could think and rest, hopefully gaining some sleep.

Sage knitted his eyebrows together. "I don't understand why you are ignoring me!" His voice cut sharply from the dark shadows, "One night you go pouring your heart out to me and the next you just leave me alone? Excuse me! But I do have a heart you know!"

Clenching her fist in frustration she shouted back at him, "Well maybe I was just too carried away last night! After all I wasn't feeling well from some stupid nightmares!" Her cries were only slightly muffled by the surrounding forest.

Upon hearing his words, Lionna let her shoulders drop from their tightened position. Her face went blank and for a while she just stood gazing at him. "That phrase, `I love you', can hardly ever be enough for anyone, Sage. But that isn't exactly what this is about and you know it." The wind picked up and her braid flew out behind her as her voice rose, "Damnit! Why can't you live with us just like this? As we were before? What's so wrong about it?!"

"Is that want you want?" Sage asked, his face contorted in a mixture of anger and pain. "Last night, where I gave my heart to you, and you just throw it away now? You can't do that, Lionna, or you yourself are missing a heart." She gave no reply and her face did not soften, so Sage for the first time didn't see the tear drip from her eye. "You want it the old way? Fine! What the hell do I care anymore? I don't! So go on! Go fight your own battle, I needn't help you anymore! You're strong enough!"

Lionna raised a hand and struck him across the face, startling Sage as the taste of blood entered his mouth; he had not realized that she had come to stand right in front of him. "Stop it," she hissed, still not revealing her tears. "I don't need to be here listening, all I'm asking is that we forget about that night and continue on with our old friendship."

Rubbing his sore jaw, Sage replied curtly, "Just forget about last night? Maybe you don't realize this, Lionna, but you were the first girl that I was able to talk to without knowing well. You were the first one I truly fell in love with- yes I've had various crushes, so? And you are also the first one I kissed. Forget last night?" He gave a short, bitter laugh, "Yeah, right."

Turning her head away, Lionna began walking away from him, saying softly, "It was a mistake, on my part. Do not blame yourself because you needn't burden yourself with the blame. Seems I still don't rule my life… maybe I never will…" She tried to move but her body was frozen in place. 'Let me turn back to him! Let me tell him what I really feel! Stop taking control of me like this! Stop…!'

'Damnit Yoshi, leave me alone!' From the back of her mind she heard the dark snicker and knew she could do nothing to help the situation. It was a comfort, however, to think that possibly Yoshi was causing her actions. Lionna couldn't bear to admit that the actions she was taking were of her own choosing.

Blue-green eyes turned their intense look to him, "Goodbye? I never said goodbye. I assume this may be hard to live with… but it's what we must do. I was foolish for ever loving the enemy, I realize that now and I'm correcting my mistake. Let me do that at least."

Sage was silent for a moment, his stance giving away his feelings of annoyance, anger, pain, and desperation. "I, however, never fell in love with the enemy. So why should I give her up?" he strode forward to wrap an arm about Lionna's waist. "What happened last night was no mistake, I loved you and still do… no matter what you say or what you want." With that he brought his lips to hers and planted small kisses all along her jawbone and down her neck. Bringing his head up, he gave a short bow. "That is my goodnight for now, I won't stop loving you no matter what you want." His eyes flashed briefly with something unreadable as they stood and glanced one another over.

It seemed years until Lionna finally answered, "The final battle approaches and I won't be fighting with you. If I can I may very well kill Sekhmet. I may end up killing you, and you may end up killing me. Why complicate things?" She didn't say the words she truly felt, only praying that Sage could once again see through her façade. Staring into his eyes for a minute longer, Lionna turned and moved away from the clearing. 'I do love you Sage, and I continue to do so. But… you can't be allowed hurt by losing me. Mourn now and get over it by battle time. You were right, this was goodbye, I believe.'

The blonde stared at her retreating form, reading nothing from her movements. "There is something underlying, isn't there? Sorry, Lonni, but you've built up so strong of walls that I no longer can look over to see what's really there." The breeze again came up to whip about his hair before moving on to tickle the leaves and bushes.

He stood there for a minute before realizing just how stupid it was for him to be sitting there and letting Lionna go off in the mood she was in. "Hey!" he called out, hoping that his voice would reach her ears. "Lionna! Wait!" Suddenly his heart beat faster and he ran through the forest, ducking low-hanging branches as he felt an awful tug at his heart. 'Lionna… what's going on? Are you okay?'

When he broke though another clearing he skidded to a stop, barely missing knocking a frozen Lionna over. She stood with a rigid back as she looked up with tight-drawn lips. "He had it planned all along," she said aloud, bitterly, and to no one in particular.

She shrugged him away, "The others will be here soon and you all must power into sub-armor. They are prepared, it was planned." For a few moments Sage was only able to open and close his mouth, thinking of a proper reply. When none came to him he resorted in obeying her command.

The others soon were seen rushing to the huge Dynasty gate that stood within the small clearing. "Whoa…" Rowen whistled, "I'll never get used to how huge these things are!" Bunny stood beside him with wide eyes filled with terror as she moved herself closer to his side.

Lionna glanced up suddenly as the gate began to creep open, "Don't have a choice! Hold on and brace yourselves!" Her last words were swept up into the powerful wind that shot out from the gate and embraced all those standing around it. Screams emitted themselves from various mouths as the heavy gates shut, locking the group from the mortal realm… and in the Netherworld.

The howling storms died away, leaving tangles of bodies spread out everywhere within a large, shallow, pond-like area. Groaning at the familiar surroundings, Ryo sat up and rubbed a sore head. "We all here?" he asked, hoping for a positive reply.

Dais gave her a weary eye as he helped Sonja to her feet, "Don't count on it for lasting long." The others gave tired replies of understanding as they regrouped. Lionna stayed on the edge, not wanting to be surrounded by the others since she had still not recovered the argument she had just finished with Sage.

"Only one," was the simple reply. Cye studied his twin's face but found nothing to clue him in. He turned away from her for a second before he did a double take and looked at her face again. "Stop it Cye, I don't want to talk of it," she said before he could even comment on the thin tear stains.

It seemed hours until they finally reached the next gate. It was tall, foreboding, the usual. Kristy openly stared at it with the same amazement as the first. She was the first to note the small movement of the doors as the slowly swung outward. Nothing seemed to be on the other side except a long stretch of massive desert hills.

Sleepless nights had added up and the most typical movement was hard to detect, so Cale was sluggish in shouting the warning of the ambush. Soldiers suddenly were pouring in from all sides, striking out against the group. "We have to protect them!" Kento yelled out, jerking his head to the stunned faces of Kristy, Bunny, Mia, Yulie, and Lionna. Though Lionna wasn't fully surprised, she was upset that she hadn't been able to pick out such a simple plan. Angrily she cursed Yoshi as the warriors positioned themselves around her and the others.

More and more waves of Dynasty soldiers came and not many were falling. Ryo opened his mouth to suggest that they don their armors when he realized that he wasn't surrounded by everyone anymore. He found Cye and Dais not too far off, Sekhmet also near them. But the others seemed to be completely on the other side, and oblivious to the fact that they had been separated.

What seemed worlds away, Kayura managed to yell out, "Try to regroup! It's a trap! It was planned! Regroup!!!" Yet through the din of fighting only the two others near her, Kento and Felicity, heard. Soon it was too late to ever have any hope of forming their original group again. The soldiers did their jobs well as each of the small groups of the intruders were pushed apart in opposite directions.

A simple trap. A very simple trap. It was almost a disappointment to not have someone figure it out sooner but it didn't matter all that much to Yoshi. He paced around the black sphere floating in the center of the room as he studied the groups that the warriors had been split into. 'Disappointing,' he thought, 'both Halo and Torrent were to be in Lionna's group. Oh well, this is good enough, just need a few minor alterations of plans.'

Green eyes turned to study Kayura and Kento's armors. Dryly she told them, "Perhaps we defeated them, but not until we were in full armor. Had this been the `old Dynasty' we would have defeated them so simply just in sub-armor."

Felicity gave a small shrug as she began to speak. "He's much more powerful than any of the previous Dynasty rulers. He doesn't care for power as much as he does for things to be done correctly. This makes him dangerous because he's a strict planner and will wait long amounts of time to carry out his plans. Yoshi's powers exceed any one's that I've studied… really incredible. He can control most of the armors and especially the Night armor since he himself created it. The Night armor was formed for Lionna in particular so that the full power could be used. Yoshi said that he made it for Talpa's disposal but in fact he had planned all along to use the Night armor to overthrow Talpa. There's more, but I don't think that information would help us."

Sage gave a half-hearted shrug as he put away his no-dachi. Rowen was also in his full armor with his bow in hand and an arrow at the ready. "Calm down, Rowen. Let's just consider our options for a second here…" A skeptical look passed over the other Ronin's face and Sage just rolled his eyes in reply. "Either we stand around here, hoping for a fight or some of the other guys stumbling across us. Or we could travel on hoping to find another group… or another fight."

Tapping him on the shoulder, Kristy gave a fake smile, "Sage, stop mentioning the fights. We know we'll end up in one again but don't go reminding us that no matter what we do it's not likely we'll find the others but we'll find a fight."

The others had to agree as Rowen took the lead. Each could only pray they were going in the right direction. 'Where is everyone?' Sage let his worried thoughts roll around in his mind. 'What about Lionna? Is she okay…? Is Yoshi going to use her against us? That's more than likely… but… why can't I be there to protect her?'

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Ryo kicked the dirt by his feet. He looked over the small group again and cursed himself for not seeing the simple plan sooner. "Okay… we have few choices on what to do…. However, are there any suggestions?"

"Keep your cool," Lionna told him as she moved the limp armor of a dead soldier with her toe. "Getting frustrated will help us get nowhere fast. Yoshi's an odd guy, plans incredibly well, and has more patience than anything or anyone you'll ever meet."

Lionna brought up the rear with her brother as she kept her thoughts to herself. 'This is bizarre… Yoshi's plans are much more deadly than this. Is he testing them? Shouldn't he know by now what they can handle?' She wasn't in much of a position to question what was happening, but she had nothing better to do. Besides… it kept her mind away from the verbal battle she had with Sage.

The voice broke though her thoughts and Lionna concentrated on the faint voice that had entered her mind. At first she believed it to be Yoshi, he being the only one she knew of who could contact her telepathically. Yet as she listened harder and more carefully she was surprised to find it was a much more familiar, friendlier voice. 'Sage… can you hear me?'

Her eyes showed surprise that she was actually talking to him and she worked on strengthening their connection. 'Sage, listen to me. I'm with Ryo, Cye, Dais, and Sekhmet… we're heading to the palace. Can you get there too? And who's with you?'

'If you mean me wearing the Night armor, no… not yet… just a second, Ryo's got one big temper.' Lionna broke off the connection for a moment to tell the others what she had found out. "Rowen, Sage, Bunny, and Kristy are also heading to the palace. They're in one group."

"There it is!" Yulie yelled out while pointing from White Blaze's back, "Right up ahead! The palace!" Mia, sitting behind him, squinted for a better look. She nodded in agreement and held tighter to White Blaze as they jumped through another tangle of soldiers. Sitting behind her, Sonja worked on keeping her balance.

Nodding in response, Mia concentrated on the upcoming palace. It radiated evil just as it had when Talpa ruled… but a new strong sense of power surged from it and made it hard to breathe. 'Odd…' she thought. 'I've never been affected by anything like this before…'

Yulie looked over at the former Dynasty Warlord and nodded his head, "What about over there?" Cale glanced towards the towering roof that overhung a large building. "It's hallow underneath, will that work?" Nodding his head in reply, Cale thanked the boy's sharp eyesight.

Angered by their delay, Lionna kicked hard at the soldier's neck. Not surprisingly he fell to the ground never to raise up again. She didn't even think how she was attacking anymore, knowing that if she did she would hold back and just be a burden to the others.

Cye watched with a careful eye as his twin fought dangerously with no weapons except her own body. 'She's deadly… it's really amazing the fighting techniques.' Seeing another large group approaching he shouted, "Super Wave Smasher!"

On the other side of him, Ryo called his attack, "Flare Up Now!" Dais and Sekhmet did the same. They all were trying to break away from the pestering troops and get to the palace gates that were only meters away. "C'mon, let's move it!"

Sprinting ahead, they fought their way through until they had the palace at their backs as they fought. Lionna went to the middle of the two Ronins and two Warlords to contact Sage. 'Okay, we're here but with the dilemma of attacking soldiers.'

There was no reply, but Lionna didn't even pay attention to that as she saw an image swim before her eyes. Three armored figures lay anchored to dark tiles on the ground. The thick chains about their wrists and feet gave off a negative force and Lionna feared to see the faces.

A sudden gust of wind flew about Lionna and she felt herself spinning faster and faster until she was no longer near where she had last communicated with Sage. The faint shouts of her twin reached her ears just before she hit the hard floor of a blackened room.

The voice was crisp yet dangerously sweet. His form that slid from the shadows was elegantly sculpted with a broad torso and well-built muscles. His face was slightly narrow, black eyes glinting in the dim light. His dark, silver hair seemed to glow with power as he moved towards Lionna.

He seemed to melt away then, leaving behind a wavering strand of silver power. Lionna stood slowly and knelt beside the battered warriors. "You shouldn't have come… this was my battle…" Felicity's bright armor was darkened in areas where Yoshi's dark power had hit her. Luckily her face was mostly undamaged, only a small cut along her cheek bone. Kayura was worse for wear, parts of her armor sliced and blood clotting in her unprotected hair. Kento seemed to have been knocked unconscious, judging by the bump on his head. His armor was also cut in various areas with his helmet protecting his face.

Kristy rested a hand on the green armor, motioning him to quiet. Sekhmet spoke then, "Yes, Yoshi will use her in some way so we need to find the others and warn them. She's already been gone for…. About… what? Fifteen minutes? That's more than enough time for Yoshi to take control. We better let the others know."

They walked for a long time, no one really keeping track. It seemed like hours, precious hours, to Sage as he fought to gain telepathic contact again. He continued to have failed attempts but still he persisted, just praying Lionna was safe.

"Where o' where have the other warriors gone?" asked a sarcastic voice from the shadows. The male body moved to stand in front of them, faking to think as he looked over them. "Now who's coming with me now?" Cocking his head to the side he curled a lip at the group. "You are truly pathetic."

"Ah, perhaps not, but I am, aren't I? Now you shut your mouth and I'll let you frolic around with whoever is left. Right now," Yoshi gave a chilling grin, "I have some entertainment to set up. Come now, Halo, Torrent… I have a guest that is just dying to see you." With that said, cyclones of black surrounded Sage, Cye, and Yoshi as they disappeared.

Landing with a thud, Cye and Sage sat up in the darkened room. What little light was there shone on one wall only. Below it were three battered figures. "He caught Kento… Kayura and Felicity…" Sage trailed off as he heard a click of a lock.

Yoshi leaned against one of the shadowed walls and commented dryly, "Brilliant. I shall enjoy destroying you, Halo, come with me now. I do believe you'd like to see my other guest. She just loves visitors." Sage was given no choice as Yoshi shot tendrils of magic to encircle him and bring him into another room, leaving Cye behind. "You'll find she can be much different than you think of her," Yoshi said as he locked the glass room door behind him. "Fascinating how her decisions can change…"

The room that surrounded Sage was made completely of darkened glass… or was it regular glass with poor lighting? Sage was unable to tell at that point, he could only watch as Yoshi stepped into the dark room. 'What is he doing? Where's Lionna?'

A stream of dim light suddenly trickled through the middle of the room, revealing a kneeling figure. The girl was his age and height with red-brown hair and pale skin. Her eyes were closed and her head bowed forward as if she was meditating. She wore an ankle-length skirt of black and a dark, maroon, low-cut shirt. As Yoshi approached her, her head snapped up and her eyes opened. When Sage finally was able to take in all her features he realized with a shock that it was Lionna. A few minutes passed where her face was blank as Yoshi stood before her and talked to her softly, Sage was unable to guess what was going on but he began to get nervous.

Lionna raised her head up from her short doze when she felt Yoshi's presence. He looked down at her for a moment and she couldn't help but note his attractive features that she had once loved. He began to talk to her softly, warning her not to move, "Don't rebel now, Lionna. You hold all of your friends' lives in your two hands. In the glass room to your left is Halo. He's watching every move we make. I suggest that you obey what I say if you want him to live. You rebel… and well, both he and your brother are dead."

An amused look passed through Yoshi's eyes as he stared down at her, "Oh really? I don't believe so." He smirked at her before grabbing her arm and pulling her into a stand, "We'll just have to see how much you can take… how much you can handle." With a sharp flick of his wrist Lionna suddenly felt as if she was free falling and felt oddly frightened. "Complain in any of these situations and I'll let him die… don't think I won't go through on my word."

He disappeared and Lionna muffled a scream as she felt a clammy hand grab her foot. She looked down to find a Dynasty soldier preparing to strike her with his spear. Angry at the incompetent being, she lashed out hard, knocking him down the odd nothingness they were in.

Sage stared out the glass as he watched in confusion. Yoshi was standing alone in the room with a sphere in front of him, images flashing out and Sage could catch glimpses of Lionna running from bizarre beasts of all kinds. 'What's he trying to do? What's he trying to prove?'

Lionna was beginning to get annoyed, and tired, of Yoshi's on-going `tests'. 'Now what?' she thought as she sunk to the floor of the chamber in which she had just evaded the largest snake she'd ever seen. 'Ha ha, what a laugh…' she thought sarcastically. It was annoying that Yoshi knew how she hated snakes.

A new sound caused Lionna to snap her head up with worry. "No…" the word escaped her mouth and she panicked as the water began pooling about her ankles. It was coming in fast from all sides. The water level continued to rise and soon Lionna found herself fumbling about the room looking for an exit. "It can't be! Where's the entrance? It has to be here!"

Again she searched the walls, diving beneath the water's surface to look for an opening. Still nothing was uncovered and she reached the top to take some air. "Ow!" Lionna tipped her head back to avoid hitting the ceiling as she gulped at the air hungrily. 'Huh… how long can I hold my breath?' she mused to herself as she took one final breath.

I must admit now that as I released the water into the chamber I felt like running in to save her myself. Even though she had left me behind a few weeks back I never forgot how wonderful it had been to have her with me. She's truly amazing… or should I say was? That water came pouring in so fast… and she was taking her last gulp of air. The water filled the room completely with no air to spare.

What was I doing killing her? She was so incredibly powerful… so amazingly beautiful in my eyes. I hate that Halo excepted her so gratefully and that she wanted him so badly back. When I first found out that she was hiding information on him, I destroyed everything in my sleeping chambers. No one ever found out, but for days I had to avoid the Ronins or they would have perished instantly. I do wonder why I didn't just destroy them, it would have been so simple. But then Lionna would hate me, she would cry… and if she was furious at me I wouldn't be able to comfort her.

Okay, that's not the only reason. Those five warriors hold so much power and I knew they could destroy Talpa. They were interesting to watch, each was different… unique. And each of them had such a good grip on what was right. I lost that long ago, as did the Warlords. But the Warlords were lucky and were able to gain it back. I was never allowed to take my claim on human lifestyle again.

Water entered her ears and nose, causing a deafening roar in her mind. Seconds went by, turning to minutes, and Lionna wondered how she could still be alive. Her body felt so weak and her head was pounding. She couldn't stand it anymore and let out a scream, even if no one would hear.

Sage watched as Yoshi snapped from his trance-like state. The silver-haired man set his features in an appaled manor, so different from the blissful look that had been on his face moments before. 'This is so strange… I don't understand Yoshi. Who exactly is he?'

Suddenly Sage was yanked out from the glass room and Yoshi stood before him, looking angrily at the younger warrior. "You die," he barked, "in twenty minutes. Enjoy this time." With that, he walked from the room just as a shivering, wet Lionna materialized.

He knelt beside her and embraced her, "There's nothing you could do… you did your best. Lionna, you're brave… really. And…" he trailed off to leave a kiss on her temple. "I love you." Sage held her closer to him as he buried his face in her hair.

Deep inside I know it's not his fault, or mine, or Lionna's. It's no ones, but when you live in the Dynasty everything has to be blamed on someone. Oh yes, so this was the fault of Halo's. Why? I have no idea myself but it comforts me to think that it is him that is the problem. At that moment I had half a mind to walk right up to him and blow him to bits. But I couldn't… one of the reasons being I had more pressing business. I needed to set up the next attack against the two groups who had just penetrated the palace shields.

Cye struck again at Kento's chains with his yari. "C'mon… this has to work…" He paused for a moment and wiped the sweat from his helmet-less face. Since Yoshi had taken Sage away, Cye had been hard at work trying to free his three friends who where now chained to the floor of the darkened room. For a while he just stared down at Felicity's face and wondered what attracted him to her.

She hated his sister, or at least that was the impression. Felicity had always hunted the Dynasty, knew much about the Ronins and Warlords alike. Someone like her was incredibly useful on the planning stage of an attack, yet Cye knew it wasn't that which fascinated him. Her pale blue hair caught the dim light and turned it into a shining silver. Amazing, really, that she had such an impact on whatever light she was near. Also strange was that she was of the Sun while his sister was of the darkest night… day and night. Light and dark. White and black.

Shaking his head to clear the strange thoughts, Cye went on to continue at working the chains. Somehow he felt a desperate need to hurry, as if his life, and the others', depended on it. Little did he know that it was very likely so.

Lionna let herself be warmed by Sage's embrace as he held her close and occasionally dropped a kiss on her face. She felt almost sleepy as she let herself calm down from the ordeals she had just been through. Sage questioned, "Won't he be back soon?"

Grumbling her complaint, Lionna tugged his arm back to her, "Will you stop that." He just grinned at her and stood up and stretched. With his body no longer next to hers, she suddenly felt incredibly cold… and not just because of the missing body warmth. She felt her skin with a little panic but was relieved to find it normal temperature. The last reason suddenly struck her and she snapped her head up towards the one area where she had noted Yoshi had left by. "Sage, get behind me now, no questions asked for anything I ask."

Lionna didn't reply but tensed her shivering body as she kept an alert eye on the shadows. 'He always was in the shadows, hiding things. Why couldn't I have seen before that he was just trying to use my power?' Blue-green eyes darted about the room over and over as she began concentrating on calling forth the black sub-armor. Somehow she felt she could control it this time, that she wouldn't be used. It was a risk… a huge risk, with Sage there, but… she would take the chance. 'C'mon… I can do this! I have to… to beat him, to break free.' With that last bit of determination, Lionna felt her body being embraced by the smooth material of sub-armor. For a moment she let the sensation flow over her and her eyes close.

Sage glared at her angrily. "Double-crosser," he muttered as he let his muscles relax. "Get help if you need it," his face now serious, Sage was deeply concerned. In reply, Lionna only gave him a smile that spoke hundreds of words.

Mouth open to speak, Lionna suddenly spun about and held her arms up in a block in front of Sage. The moment was so swift and quick, Sage barely caught the action. Taking a step back from Lionna, the man with silver hair glared all sorts of weaponry at him. "I'll deal with you later, Lonni. Seems I have a little pesky Halo to take care of first."

Still not even flinching, Lionna stood bravely in front of Sage with her body in attack position. "You aren't going to kill him. Ever. Even if I die I will not let him. Come now, the fight is really between us. You win and I end up by your side, I win and you, obviously, are dead." She smirked at him and called out mentally to Sage. 'Go. Now. No questions, just move your butt.'

He had no choice and he dashed to the door, 'Fight for it, Lonni. But don't die in the process. I'll get the others and we'll finish the other soldiers.' Looking back he saw the brief relieved look on Lionna's face before she prepared for the first strike from Yoshi. 'I love you.' No response came and Sage wouldn't waste his luck waiting around.

Through the black sub-armor Yoshi could see Lionna's muscles prepare for her first move. He cast a smirk her way, knowing that he knew how she acted and what she did. Suddenly her voice cut through the air like a winter's wind. "Oh no, Yoshi. You do not know me anymore. I have changed, so don't think you're at an advantage." Finishing her statement, Lionna kicked out at him and he easily evaded it.

Yoshi gave no reply, not wanting to waste his breath on a petty argument. Lionna began to focus her attacks and each time they came closer and closer to her original mark. However it was starting to bore him that she had really not changed. Would have been interesting if she had. Ready to take control of her armor, the black-eyed man was astonished when he fell back against the floor from a power-kick by Lionna. She was already pummeling him with her next attacks, obviously ignoring the strain it was putting on her arms.

She smiled, a little bitterly, up at him as she went to a fighting stance once again. "It's you who is worthless. What I'm doing will benefit if I win or lose. Perhaps they'll stand a chance just against you and not the two of us."

"Shut up," Yoshi spat at her as he struck tendrils of black, glimmering magic at her. She obeyed him, not because he commanded it but because she knew that every last ounce of strength she'd need. Narrowing his eyes at her, Yoshi angrily feinted a punch to her shoulder and quickly flipped the attack to the opposite side and down to where her scar was hidden.

Blood trickled from her lip as Lionna bit hard against the soft flesh. Sneering at him, she began attacking again. 'I'll have to call the armor soon… do I dare? But it's my only hope. My only chance…' As Yoshi gathered another sphere of energy, Lionna willed the Night armor into existence. Her arms were flung back by unseen winds and her hair blew about her. Parts of the armor slipped into place, the shoulder guards resting last. The helmet would block too much of her vision, she realized, and discarded it almost immediately.

Drawing the two long swords from their sheaths, Lionna let them reflect the dim light for a moment. They were almost `glowing' with power as she held them posed in the air. From the spiral attachments on the end to the deadly, sharp, poison tip, they radiated elegance. "The battle is here. And now. Fight." With those words she struck her first attack with the swords, praying that the others were safe.

In the midst of all the fighting, Kristy struggled against one of the soldiers as he tried to strike out at her. Luckily Sekhmet broke away from his battle briefly to cut the offending soldier down, "Be careful!" he warned. Kristy nodded in reply when she was suddenly jerked forward, landing on her hands and knees.

"Hey…!" Looking over her shoulder she noticed that anyone who could fight was doing so, giving up on trying to get a word in she stumbled clumsily onto her feet and tried to move from the battle ground. She never noticed as the hard butt of a spear came in access with the base of her neck.

The girl's limp form slumped to the ground and she lay still. None of the Ronins noticed her fall, they were so engrossed in their battle. A soldier prepared to finish his job when a glimmering aura began to fall over Kristy. Within in the next instant she was vanished from sight.

His lips tightened momentarily and Sage replied, "She's fighting Yoshi. C'mon, let's free these three and then get you guys out of here." Cye didn't ask any questions at the moment, guessing that if he did he might very well end up getting no where.

Together Cye and Sage used their weapons to crack through the chains binding each of the warriors. Kayura was the first to come to, but in quite a daze. She watched with blurry eyes as Sage cut through Kento's chains. "Wha…?" she began, her words not forming correctly.

Sage didn't turn to look back as he replied, "I'm not letting her fight alone. I promised her that and I'll be keeping that promise. Help get those three out of here, they're in no condition to fight. I'll join you as soon as possible."

Lionna switched her swords to the other hand again, trying to rid her palms of the sweat they had. The battle was getting harder by the second as she had to be repeatedly dodging Yoshi's strong power attacks. He was rarely using brute, physical force. That was something she could defend against, but as far as magic went she wasn't well educated in it. If only she could get closer she may be able to use her special poison attacks that Sekhmet had once taught her.

Gathering more power, Yoshi let it roll off his fingers like water as it rippled to her. Again she jumped above it and struck a sword out his way. Suddenly she realized what she had done was a mistake as the silver-haired man grabbed her arm and threw her against the far wall. She hit the hard, tiled wall with such a force that it brought a darkened night sky (full of stars) to her eyes.

His feet took up a faster pace as he neared the battle scene. He burst into the room and barely thought about what was going on. Yoshi was on one end of the room as a huge amount of power gathered in his hands- an end attack. Next thing Sage knew, the power was shooting across the room at a steady pace and heading straight to a dazed Lionna. She looked frozen, really… as if she couldn't move.

Gasping in surprise, Lionna registered the fact that Sage was nearby for the telepathic contact was clearer than anything. Of course, she didn't expect him to be in the same room. "N-!" she didn't get to finish for everything happened almost too fast for her to see. Yoshi stood with first a fowl frown on his face which soon turned into a full-out grin. Lionna fell back on the floor, causing one of her swords to go flying, as another armored body rammed hard into her. Green armor flashed for a moment before blackening from the power.

Lionna couldn't move for a moment as she stared at Sage who was halfway in her lap. He had been literally crushed, she could tell. His ribs broken by the power as they slammed full-force into him. His lungs caved inward… a long gash stretched across his right brow. She was numb with shock for a few minutes and slowly she reached a hand under his nose.

There was nothing left and that's when Lionna suddenly popped up and screamed out her rage as she rushed a bewildered Yoshi. Wordless cries escaped her lips as she pounded against the black-eyed man. He was quickly regaining control and shot more power her way. Lionna was at too close of distance for him to judge correctly and soon a gaping hole appeared in the wall. Deciding to widen the battleground, Yoshi jumped through with Lionna following him. Rage burned in her eyes, and had it been anyone but Yoshi they might have died from fright right on the spot.

"You damn, evil, bastard! How dare you?! How dare you do that? Damn you, Yoshi! This was our fight! No one else's!!" Lionna screamed at him as she cut her sword before his face, leaving a light streak of poison. The man sneered at her and managed to kick the sword from her tight grasp. Her hands tensed at him and she struck out again.

As she did so, Yoshi plunged the poisoned sword out- more poisonous than all six of Sekhmet's were together. For a moment the two former loves stared at one another. One holding a sword through the girl's middle, the other holding her heel of her palm against the base of the man's neck.

As I stood there for the first time since I first fell in love with the Ronin of Light, I saw deep inside Yoshi's past. It's something barely anyone knows of and for a while I felt honored to be one of the few to know. That's changed now.

I still didn't understand why I didn't let my paralyzing blow hit him at the base of his neck. I just… paused. I don't know why. It didn't make sense. I had every right to kill him right then, to not look again in his eyes. It wasn't even the sword biting into my middle that stopped me, I barely noticed it there.

I had every right to kill him. He had killed Sage, had created that awful Night armor that took over my life… he made me hurt my friends… why didn't I just kill him? When I looked in his eyes I saw he wanted to die. I couldn't help but oblige.

Strange that my heart soared for a moment as I saw a confused understanding pass through her eyes. I don't know why I let my heart take over like that. For years I hadn't let emotions rule me as they do mortal humans. Love… strange how it can change you. Strange how the girl that I planned on controlling was the one I ended up loving… I guessed then that I'd love her to my death, which was coming soon. Within the next few blows from her I would be dead and I knew it.

Within those few blows I'd be freed of this awful Dynasty, free of all the pain. I could be free to be the carefree boy I was once. At that moment I suddenly realized how much I ached to be back with all my old friends and to have Lionna with me… but I couldn't force her, not after she had suffered so much.

Lionna paused for only a moment to gain strength and then she suddenly brought her knee up to press up against his ribs. Without thinking she kicked at his neck hard, blocking out the disturbing crack that it emitted. Yoshi crumpled to the ground, nearing his death.

A shimmering image appeared beside her and the auburn-haired man held out an odd gold staff to her. "Destroy the darkness with the light." Lionna hesitated, a question resting on her lips. "It should not hurt you, you are not evil and therefore hold no darkness in your heart."

Kristy awoke to find herself in the middle of a darkened hallway. Confused beyond belief, she thought at first that she was captured. Then the thought occurred to her that she was in the hallway, and who kept prisoners in a hallway?

She Decided the only way to find out where she was was to wander around. Carefully she moved about the halls, only once stopping to itch the base of her neck- not realizing that she had been hit there. "What is that?" she asked aloud as she moved to a seemingly burned door. The blonde frowned as she stepped through and looked about the room.

Her face drained of color as she stepped one foot in front of the other, scared to approach his body. He wasn't breathing, his breath was no longer there as the blood clotted on his forehead. Kristy dropped to her knees as she let out a sob and held Sage's bloodless hand. "No… Sage…" she whimpered. "Y-you just can't…"

Tears trickled down her face and there seemed to be no end to them any time soon. A faint glow came about her but Kristy didn't even notice as she once again fell into blackness. Beside her, the prone figure suddenly took a huge intake of breath.

Lionna grasped the staff tightly in her hands. 'I must do this, I must destroy the last of his evil… I refuse to let his power remain!' The thoughts ran over and over in her mind as she took another unstable step forward. Gritting her teeth, Lionna raised the staff for the first strike.

Slightly annoyed, Lionna snapped at him, "I don't plan on becoming a spirit so just lay off. I…" she stumbled suddenly and she stood to gain balance. "I… must succeed!" With a loud cry she slashed the Ancient's staff across the Night armor. A painful scream erupted from her lips as she felt the sub-armor cloaking her body being torn away.

The bright, white light burst out in all directions, carefully disintegrating the armor and anything evil. Lionna was thrown off the roof and landed with a painful thud on the ground. She gasped from the pain as the light tore through her veins as it searched for evil. Wordless screams continued from her lips until the light finally faded and she fell back.

Her breath came ragged and heavy as the last of the dust settled. Lionna fought to keep her eyes open, but couldn't succeed very well as blood rushed across her face. From a brief glimpse she noted two shorter staffs of gold and was astonished to think that the staff had broken. 'What now? Sage… am I joining you? Am I going to be allowed to do that? Or am I doomed to a fate without you…?'

Anubis's spirit form slowly moved toward her, his face showing a mix of pain and relief. "You've succeeded, Lionna. I congratulate you. No longer do you possess Yoshi's powers, or any powers at all. Unless you wish to accept the remaining energy from the Ancient's staff." Lionna leaned an arm across her stomach as she gave a single, weak nod. "Very well." Golden light washed over her briefly, no longer painful but calming.

A bitter laugh came from her throat and more blood came with her words, "For the time I have yet to live, which doesn't seem it will be long, I will use this new power for… good…" She broke off as she went into a coughing fit. Anubis knelt down beside her with a worried frown. "Please," she whispered, "stay with me now… I need someone here… to say goodbye. Cye… I never got to tell him…" tears trickled off her face once again. "I never got to tell him… how much I care. And Sage… we never had a chance… but perhaps I'll be blessed… and will be with him…"

In spirit form he could do nothing to help the dying girl. Even though he hated to admit it, Anubis knew she was dying and that she didn't have much of a chance. Because of her loss of dark powers her immunity of most poisons no longer applied, and with a poison as strong as the Night armor's was… even with her old powers she wouldn't have lasted long. 'Come to her, Ronins… she needs you now.'

Luckily, after Kento, Kayura, and Felicity were freed, Cye was able to lead the small group from the interior of the palace and look for the others. After fighting a few smaller battles the warriors were able to join up with the other two groups.

Hurriedly Ryo, Rowen, Cye, Kento, Kayura, Dais, Sekhmet, Cale, Mia, Yulie, Bunny, Felicity, Sonja, and White Blaze ran towards the area where the light had vanished. When they were only a few hundred feet away a softer glow came into existence before fading just as fast. In the distance was a hazy figure kneeling next to another bloody and battered form.

The first to rush forward was Cye as he began to put two and two together. "No…" he whispered, the start of tears already coming to his eyes. "Lonni… no…" The hazy figure glanced up suddenly and the others were shocked to see Anubis. The spirit stood and moved away as Cye knelt down beside his twin and gently cradled her in his arms.

"C-Cye…" she choked out. "He's… he's gone… because of me…" Her chest heaved with the effort to talk but she needed to tell him. "Sage, dead… because of me. Me…" a soft cry broke through her throat and she sagged in her brother's arms. "I care so much, for you… but never told you. I'm sorry…"

Darkness was all he could see for a moment until he realized his eyes were still closed. Feeling a little strange and tingling, the boy sat up as he tried to remember what happened. 'Why am I still alive? All I feel is a dull ache… nothing like that first pain…' He felt his ribs and was confused when he felt nothing out of place. 'But didn't I…? How…?' Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Sage stood and rubbed a hand across his forehead. With a start he found dry blood covering the area above his right eye (where his hair usually hung down) but there was no cut. "Okay, what happened here?"

No answer came and it was a little chilling. Sage looked around with a dark claw of fear heading to his heart. The room was an utter mess with one wall missing and almost anything else destroyed. When the female figure came into his vision, he was surprised to see Kristy lying there. He checked her pulse quickly, worrying that she was dead. But after that quick check he found she was fine with not even a bruise to show.

The air was all too still and the silence hit Sage so hard he began to wonder if he really was dead. 'What is going on?!' he cried out to himself, too scared to speak. That's when he saw the first body. The man's black cape was torn and bloodied, a broken sword laying a few feet from him. Sage's eyes widened in surprise as he figured out that the dead form was Yoshi. Oddly enough the expression drawn across the man's face was one of regret with the edge of peacefulness. 'That sword… the design… is Lionna's! Where is she?' He went into panic mode immediately and scanned the area, seeing nothing but blackened ashes on the roof. Breathing hard, he looked down from the roof and froze when he saw all of the others kneeling around two figures. 'No…' he thought, 'Oh Lord, no!'

Everyone looked up as Sage broke through and stared in shock at the torn form in Cye's hold. She looked so breakable the way she was. Blood still was coming from a stomach wound and another cut plastered her hair against her face. Her eyes were only open in slits as cracked lips took in any air available.

Numb, and feeling lost, Sage dropped to his knees. Cye finally looked up to see him and dropped his gaze again, slowly allowing Sage to take Lionna in his arms. Her eyes fluttered open a little more and a look of surprise passed her face, "You… were dead… weren't breathing. I was there…" she couldn't finish the sentence well and took quick breaths. "Sage…"

"Hush," he whispered painfully, "there's no way I'm going to let you die. Never… I refuse to…" she didn't respond to him in any way and it worried him greatly. "Lonni, I love you too much… don't…" Her eyes were beginning to unfocus and then refocus again. As she parted her lips to speak, Sage stopped her with a kiss, begging her to live.

Sage needed no further words than `it isn't too late' and was already running through to the other side with Lionna in his arms. "Hold on," he told her as he made his way along the rooftops of the city. "I'll get you to a hospital… I won't let you go."

Annoying sounds. All of them. I've always hated those sounds so I put off waking up for as long as I could. Who said hospitals were wonderful? I know I don't! My head ached so badly that I didn't open my eyes for a while, letting the confounding noises run through my head again and again and again.

"Will she be okay?" The other male voice I heard as clear as the morning birds. It took me a while to muddle through my thoughts to remember who's voice it was and just what had happened. After realizing what must have been going on, all I wanted to do was jump up and find Sage, to find out what had gone on when I left him and fought against Yoshi.

'Blast.' Those confounded noises were still all about me, I just wanted to rip out the machines circuits at that moment. Actually it was quite an appealing idea, yet when I felt something warm wrapped about my hand and then heard someone's breathing, I stopped myself.

Painfully I turned my head to see who was beside me. My breath caught in my throat as I saw the only person I wanted to see. A smile tugged at my lips and I tightened by fingers around his. His blonde hair lay messily about his forehead as he slept soundly in the chair. 'That's going to hurt in the morning…' I thought with amusement.

He began to twitch and I watched with anticipation as he opened his eyes and began blinking away sleep. Just as he tried to slip his hand from mine, I tightened my hold. Surprise! He looked down at me with relief spreading across his face; "Thank god you're fine! Lionna, are you okay?"

I did my best to look indignant as I replied, "You think I give up that easily? No way! After destroying the Night armor and Yoshi I wouldn't give up!" My voice faltered suddenly and I became quiet as a thought passed through my mind.

Looking up at him, I knew I had to let him know. "Yoshi… well, he wasn't just from the Dynasty. Or if he was he was one of the few that was `good' you could say. Yes, he didn't seem that way… but now I know something, I'm not sure how, about him. He protested against Talpa for years while trying to escape to the mortal world. At heart he still felt human, that's why he was able to love." I blushed a little before continuing, "Sage, there was a look on his face before I placed my death blow and he ran my sword through my stomach… he suddenly looked regretful… looked lost, and yet found. He still cared, and that's why I was able to defeat him. He didn't want to be living in the Dynasty anymore…" I sighed and leaned my head back.

Sage looked as if he actually understood what I was saying. Surprising since I didn't think he'd buy it. "You're right," he said, surprising me. "I found his body before finding you, he looked regretful and yet free… it was odd."

I've led a strange life and dealt with odd things yet here I am… moving on in these strange streams of time. I wonder sometimes when and how I'll die. Seriously I thought I wasn't going to make it through this, but I have. And, I guess I'll continue to do so. I'm just worried about Kristy, she seems a little distant around me even though we're friends. I suspect she still is in love with Sage… I don't know what to do. But I guess that's another chapter in my life ahead, isn't it? What is happening in my future? And will it include Sage? I have yet to find out what became of the Warlords and Kayura. I have yet to solve the mystery of how Sage `came back to life'. And then there's still this awful problem of talking to Sekhmet… I'm not looking forward to it but it's something I need to do. Something I owe him…

I'd like to thank my friends Bunny, Megan, Kristina, and Sindhu for letting me put their characters in this story. Then I'd also like to thank Bunny and Meg for giving me some ideas for the story when I was getting stuck. Meg, thanks so much for offering to write this story again but instead focusing on Kristy! I hope my other friends will do the same so that we have a little `series' going. I have a sequel started for this so maybe one day that will be out too. Remember that the characters Lionna, Kristy, Sonja, Felicity, and Yoshi are mine (and respective ones to Sindhu, Meg, and Kristina). Bunny is, of course, Bunny's character while all others such as the Ronins and Warlords are property of big, huge, major companies.