Title: Destiny’s Wheel: Chapter 2: Paths Chosen. Pt. 2/?

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: Not mine, all theirs yea.

Warnings: Dark, angst, violence, death, language, sap….this is the sad episodes people!

Pairings: oh hell….all of them are close friends.

Rating: R for violence and such.

Note: *sniffs* these episodes always made me sniffle cuz they were so SAD! Thanks to everyone still reading!

Feedback: Please!

‘thoughts’

/telepathic speech/

Ryo panted as he ran through the castle. He tried to put aside the image of Shin fighting Naaza alone as he searched for Arago, fighting the tears that came. ‘Shin…I swear I won’t let you down...’ he thought to himself.  “ARAGO!!  Show yourself!!” he cried out angrily as he went from room to room.

Suddenly, a screen opened in front of him and he gasped as he stared at the head that floated there. “Ryo no Rekka…where are your friends? Did they abandon you?” Arago sneered as he watched the Rekka holder.

Glaring at the head, Ryo snarled, “Arago….if you weren’t already without your body…you’d lose it!”  He raised his katanas and prepared to strike but was stopped suddenly.

“Ryo! No don’t!” Touma cried as he grabbed his leader’s arm, stopping him.

Ryo blinked in surprise. “Touma! You’re here!” he replied in relief, but then saw the serious look in his friend’s deep blue eyes.

“Yea, but I don’t know about the others,” Touma stated grimly then looked over at the floating head.  “Answer me this, Arago! Why have you come into our world? Why are you here?!” he called out and Arago laughed in evil amusement.

“Foolish Troopers. Your former mentor Kaos should have told you more.  I need your world. My world has become too large and I need your world,” Arago answered in smug evilness.  “Look over there Troopers and see what I mean,” he instructed and they looked out, gasping in shock.  As they watched, Ankoku Priests were being formed…by the captured humans.  “Our world survives on your hate and fear.  With the power your people give to us, we shall soon be able to take over this pitiful world,” Arago explained and chuckled softly.

“No! Never!” Touma cried in horror as they stared at the spirits being formed.

Ryo turned from the horrifying image and glared at the floating head. “We as Samurai Troopers have sworn to defend this world and defeat you, Arago,” he declared in confident defiance.  Touma nodded as he turned, facing the floating head as well.

Arago laughed. “I wonder if you can…” he mused in evil glee.

“If I have anything to say about it they will.” Genaisa’s soft voice floated up from behind them.

“Genaisa!” Ryo cried in relief as he and Touma looked at her.  She smiled grimly at him and nodded, then turned her gaze back to their enemy.

Arago laughed again. “Genaisa no Reikon… you will die the same way that your mentor did…” he growled out in amusement before a red light blasted at them from him.

They cried out, covering their faces as the blast pushed them back a step.  Arago laughed cruelly as Touma fired an arrow and was thrown back by the backlash. “Touma!” Ryo and Genaisa shouted.  Running and jumping, they both attacked with angry cries.

A bright flare of power blasted the three Troopers out of the tower as Arago laughed mockingly.  They cried out as they fell into the rain.

*~~**~~*

Genaisa cried out in pain as her body hit the roof hard and she rolled, sliding a bit before getting a handhold.  She looked over as she heard Touma cry out in pain as he landed and slid towards the edge of the roof.  She gasped and moved swiftly.

Touma grunted softly as his sudden descent was stopped at a jarring rate.  He looked up into Genaisa’s strained face as she held onto his arm, the only thing keeping him from plunging to the ground.

She panted softly as she struggled to keep her grip, and then tried to haul him up.  His eyes widened as her grip slipped a bit and they both gasped. “Ge-genaisa… let me go!” he ordered urgently and she glared at him.

“No way!  I told you I’d never let you fall, remember?!” she growled out, and then gasped in pain as her grip slipped again.  Her eyes began to glow as she stared down at Touma and he gasped.

“No Genaisa!  You don’t have the strength!” he cried out, but she ignored him.  Slowly, she pulled him up until he could help himself and they collapsed together on the roof safely.  They panted as they lay together then Touma leaned up and glared at her.  He was on top of her, relatively pinning her as they tried to catch their breaths.  “Don’t you EVER do that again!” he growled out and she laughed softly.

“Ne, Touma. I do what I feel is right….and I always keep my word,” she replied softly and smiled up at him.  They stared into each other’s eyes for a minute, and then Touma smiled and leaned his head down.  Gently, he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss.  She gasped softly in surprise, but then relaxed.  Her eyes fluttered closed as they kissed before the need for air broke it for them.  She stared up at him, surprise still within her gaze and he smirked back.  She blushed then and looked away, saying, “We need to get to the others.”

He sighed softly then stood up, helping her up.  She didn’t look at him as he murmured, “Hai….they’ll need our help.”  She nodded and they both ran off to find the other Troopers.

*~~**~~*

Seiji slashed at Anubis, dodging the back slash that answered his attack and blocked the following strike.  He looked over suddenly as a barrage of arrows rained down from above, causing Anubis’ attack to shift to defense.  He smiled. “Touma!” the blond warrior called out, receiving a smirk from the archer.

Shu laughed as several youja soldiers went flying. “Hey babe!  Come to join the party!?” he called out and Seiji smiled in relief as Genaisa slashed through a couple more soldiers before smirking at the Kongo bearer.

“Yea well, knowing you guys, you’d need our help!” she replied sarcastically, then jumped as Naaza attacked her, growling.

Shin jumped, blocking him as he grinned at Genaisa. “What took you two so long anyways?” he asked as he slashed at Naaza.

Touma snickered as Genaisa blushed slightly. “Eh, we got hung up after Arago blasted us out,” he explained as he shot at a couple of soldiers.  Looking over at Shin, Touma asked, “Where’s Ryo?”

“I don’t know!  He went after Arago!” Shin called out as he jumped away from Naaza.

Seiji blocked another attack by Anubis as he stated, “We can’t do this alone. We need Ryo!”

Shu grunted as he knocked Rajura away and looked over at Genaisa. “Hey Genaisa!  Can you get a bead on him?” he asked and she frowned.

“That’s what’s worrying me! I can’t sense his mind! He must be unconscious. But…” She frowned as she slashed a couple more soldiers.  “But…I can sense where his yoroi is. Catch ya later!” she called, then disappeared in a flash of light.

“Whoa! Did you see that?! She disappeared!” Shu cried as they grouped together and faced the Mashos.

“Yea…other tricks indeed!” Touma added and grinned.

Seiji frowned. “If she did that, then Ryo must be in trouble. Let’s go find him!” he said urgently and they nodded, and then faced the Mashos as they attacked.

*~~**~~*

Jun and Nasuti ran, Byakuen right beside them as they ran.  They gasped as they saw Ryo lying on the ground, unconscious.  “Ryo! Are you okay?!” Jun cried out as he knelt down next to the Rekka holder.

Ryo moaned softly as he slowly opened his eyes, and then looked at Jun. “Huh? Jun! Nasuti! What are you doing here?!” he cried out as he sat up painfully.  He gasped slightly, and then ordered urgently, “Get out of here, you two! It’s too dangerous!”

Suddenly, he looked over as something flashed, and then he gasped as Genaisa fell to her knees next to him. “Genaisa!” he cried out as he reached out for her.

She smiled slightly at him, and then cried out as a chain wrapped around her chest and yanked her back, slamming her into a wall.  “No!” Ryo cried out then looked around.  “Damn! We’re surrounded!” he snarled in frustration. 

Genaisa looked up and gasped as a soldier raised his gama.  Suddenly, it was split in two and she smiled in relief as Shin grabbed her.  She leaned against him, whispering her gratitude.  They all gathered closer together, facing the youja soldiers. Touma looked at Ryo as he stood next to Jun and Nasuti. “Hey Ryo! You ok?” he asked. Ryo nodded, and then winced in pain, stumbling slightly.  Touma looked at him in concern. “Ryo?”  Looking over at the troops near him, Touma fired his sure kill. “Shin…Ku…HA!”

They closed together, forming a square around Ryo, Jun, Nasuti, and Genaisa.  Ryo looked over at Shu. “Shu?”

Shu smirked back as he replied, “Hey man! We’re pulling it together!”

Touma looked at them and ordered, “It’s time to put our yoroi together!”  The others nodded and their yoroi glowed.

“Gi!”

“Shin!”

“Chi!”

“Rei!”

As Jun and Nasuti watched, the yoroi of their friends glowed brightly, crackling with power.  Nasuti looked over at Genaisa and asked, “What’s going on?”

Genaisa smiled as her yoroi glowed brightly along with Ryo’s.  “They are bonded…through the yoroi….and more,” she stated softly as Ryo leapt to the top of the pyramid formed by the other Troopers.

“Jin!”

All around the group, the soldiers were destroyed as lightening lashed out from the pyramid.  As they surveyed the damage, the group suddenly heard Arago’s laughter from the tower.

“Samurai Troopers. You have indeed grown powerful in your yoroi.  Would you like to see its full potential, Ryo no Rekka? Then return it to me,” Arago commanded in evil amusement.

“What do you mean?” Ryo asked suspiciously then noticed Genaisa’s tense watchfulness.

Arago laughed. “I’m surprised Kaos didn’t tell you. Your yoroi belong to me,” Arago replied as if talking to a child.

“No way! Their yoroi can’t belong to you! The Samurai Troopers are good!” Jun cried defiantly.

“But it does,” Arago stated sharply.  “I will have their yoroi and they shall serve me, united as one in my will as I conquer this world!” he declared as the ground began to crack.  Suddenly, a pale pink armored hand came up beneath them, scattering them. 

Ryo cried out as he was grabbed as he tried to jump free with Jun.  The fist smashed into the roof several times before Shin and Shu got him free.  They watched in shock as Ryo’s yoroi went out of control and vanished, leaving the Rekka wearer weak and unconscious.  Seiji got to him and leapt to safety. “Hold on Ryo! I’ve got you covered,” he said soothingly as he jumped over by Touma and Shu.

Genaisa ran suddenly and a shield glowed to life as Arago tried to attack Shin again where he lay after helping Ryo and getting smashed.  She groaned in pain as the hand attempted to squeeze the shield.  She looked over her shoulder. “Shin…onegai…you have to get up! I can’t hold this for long!” she gritted out.  Shin groaned softly as he stirred, opening his eyes slightly.

Arago laughed cruelly. “Genaisa no Reikon…you will die….just like your mentor…and your yoroi will serve me,” he stated confidently.

Genaisa growled as she looked back at the hand. “You will never have them, Arago! I swear!  Over my dead body will you have them!” she shouted defiantly, increasing her shield.

Arago laughed again as he murmured, “So be it.”  The hand squeezed again, sending power crackling through the fading protection.  Genaisa screamed in agony as she fell to her knees, struggling to maintain the shield.  Shin sat up and reached out to her as the shield collapsed and Arago’s hand came at them both, smashing them into the roof.

“Shin! Genaisa!” Shu cried out as he and Touma came to try and help them.  The hand moved up, holding a limp Genaisa as they attacked, trying to free her.  Crashing down into the roof, the hand came up again, still holding Genaisa as Shu and Touma tried to get back up.

Smashing down again, the hand moved up, leaving Genaisa lying in a heap.  Slowly, she leaned up and looked at the Troopers. “Listen to me, Samurai Troopers.  I believe in you. Don’t give up. Trust and believe in yourselves…your yoroi….and each other,” she instructed softly and firmly.  She fell back down as her yoroi glowed bright gold and she vanished in a ball of light.

“NO!” Seiji, Shu, and Touma yelled, but could do no more as the hand came down.  Seiji and Shu leapt out of the way, but Touma got caught.  He was dragged up into the air, and then used as a club, smashing into Shin.  Shu tried to help, but was struck away.

As Shu and Seiji watched, Touma and Shin glowed indigo and blue.  “Oh no! Now he has Shin and Touma!”  Seiji exclaimed in horror as Ryo woke.  He gasped in horror as his two friends disappeared.

Shu growled in anguish.  “He’s going to pay for doing this to my friends!” he declared in grief stricken determination.  Getting up and facing the approaching limb, he called on his attack. “Gen…TESSAI!”  But instead of stopping, the hand reflected the attack, sending Shu painfully back to just in front of Seiji and Ryo.

“No Shu!” Seiji shouted as he watched Shu glow bright orange.

“I can’t take this anymore!” Shu cried out then screamed as he disappeared.  The four glowing spirits of their friends disappeared into the tower.

Ryo closed his eyes in grief.  ‘Shu…Shin…Touma…Genaisa.  All of them died to protect me,’ he thought in anguish, and then looked up at Seiji.

Seiji looked down at him. “Ryo…I have to fight,” he declared softly.

Ryo smiled slightly. “I wish I could with you,” he whispered regretfully.

Smiling back at him, Seiji replied, “Genaisa said to believe in each other and our yoroi. Our yoroi….it holds great power.”  He leaned in and murmured softly, “I believe in your yoroi, Ryo.”

Ryo leaned up. “I believe in you,” he whispered softly.  Suddenly, he gasped as he felt his yoroi glow, reacting to another force nearby.  He reached out slightly, leaning more against Seiji as a gentle power flowed through him, healing him.

Seiji gasped softly. “Ryo! Your yoroi is healing your wounds!” he declared in amazement.  Looking up as he stepped away, he stated, “I have to go fight Arago.” Ryo nodded, and then they both cried out as the hand smashed up from under them, sending them flying.  Seiji looked down as Ryo rolled down the roof. “Ryo!!” he cried out, then turned and faced the incoming appendage.  Raising his datchi, he slashed through the length of the hand, and then watched in horror as his datchi shattered.  Eyes wide in fear, he cried out as he was smashed into the roof.

“No!! Seiji!!” Ryo screamed out in horror as he watched Seiji fall off the roof, then disappear.  Gritting his teeth in anguish, Ryo looked angrily up at the hand. “You’re mine!!” he snarled out. “Busou…REKKA!!”  Standing in his yoroi, he faced the tower visage of his enemy.  Suddenly though, he felt his yoroi react, and then turned his head as he heard someone jump up behind him.  “Shuten!” he cried in surprise, then gasped as he saw ‘Chu’ glowing brightly on the forehead of the Oni Masho.

“I must help fulfill Kaos’ prophesy,” Shuten stated firmly, then jumped up as the arm came at them again. “Join with me, Rekka!” he cried out as he brought out his kusari gama.

“Sou En ZAN!!” Ryo shouted as he jumped up as well.

“Kou Rai SEN!!” Shuten shouted and their attacks combined, white and red holding the hand back as the chains wrapped around it.  They kept the attacks up, struggling to hold it back, but the power of Arago was too much for them.  Clenching into a fist, the hand yanked the chains up, taking Shuten with it.  Shuten cried out, then screamed as the now reconnected hand absorbed him. 

Ryo watched in horror as his last ally was absorbed and Arago walked out in full armor.  He gritted his teeth as he watched Arago admire his new armor…the armor his friends’ lives had created. ‘No…I…I can’t let it end this way! I WILL have revenge!’ he told himself angrily as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Arago!!” he shouted in rage.

Arago laughed as he looked up at where Ryo was standing on one of the obelisks. “Ryo no Rekka…do you like my new armor? With the power of nine of the ten yoroi…I am invincible!” he replied as he laughed wickedly.

Ryo gritted his teeth. “I will not allow you to defeat me, Arago! I will have vengeance for my friends!!” he shouted as he jumped up.  He landed on Arago’s arm as the Demon lord lashed out at him.  Running up the arm, he flipped his katanas so he could make a swift strike down when he got to his target.  But he never made it as Arago moved his arm swiftly and tossed the boy to the roof.  Ryo dodged the next attacks, and then jumped up high. “Sou…En…ZAN!!!” he shouted, sending blistering white fire down at Arago.

Arago laughed mockingly as the power surrounded him, melting everything around him.  Ryo gasped in shock as he saw the undamaged lord looking up at him and laughing. “He didn’t even move! Why?!!” he cried in shock and Arago cackled.

“Foolish Rekka.  I have the power of nine yoroi surging through me. You can not defeat me!  I will have your yoroi...NOW!” Arago commanded in determination as he slashed his sword at Ryo. Ryo dodged the attack barely, then braced against the broken base of the obelisk that Arago shattered in result of missing.  He leapt up, but was caught by Arago.  He cried out in pain as Arago squeezed him, laughing harshly. “Now…you shall be mine and my yoroi will be complete! You will serve me…now…and forever!!” Arago declared in triumph.

Ryo struggled. “I’ll never serve you!!” Ryo shouted in defiance then gasped in surprise as a jolt went through him.  He felt them…felt the others as they fought against Arago…from the inside.

Arago snarled as he seemed to struggle with himself.  Ryo fell from his fingers as he growled. “Blast them…they think to defy me as you do. But they will not succeed,” he declared in smug confidence.

Ryo looked up at Arago in shock. “My friends…they’re still alive.  Which means….I have to save them somehow and still destroy Arago.  But…how?” he said softly in wonder.

*~~**~~*

The five Troopers that had been captured floated serenely in an empty void.  They slept peacefully…but their minds were anything but peaceful.

/He’s trying to get Ryo!  And using our own attacks!/ Seiji cried in horror.

/We gotta stop this train now!/ Shu snarled in determination.

/But how? We’re trapped here! What can we do to help him?!/ Shin asked anxiously.

/There’s got to be something we can do!/ Touma growled out as he fought against the bonds holding them as strongly as chains.

/There is though,/ Genaisa revealed softly, her voice filled with calm.

The four Troopers gasped softly in shock. /Well don’t keep us in suspense girl. Tell us!!/ Shu cried excitedly.

She laughed softly. /Troopers…don’t you feel it already? How is it…that you are able to communicate with each other right now?  What have I told you to trust in?/ she questioned soothingly.

The Troopers were silent as they thought about what she had just said, when Touma gasped. /Duh! Our yoroi! Didn’t you guys feel it?! When we bonded our yoroi together to form that pyramid, our spirits were connected! That’s why we can feel each other and Ryo right now!/ he explained excitedly.

Seiji smirked. /So…if we can feel each other through the yoroi bond…we should be able to control Ryo’s armor together!/ he added.

/Alright! Then we can control Arago as well!/ Shu declared in glee and Shin snickered.

/You’ll need help. Take what little strength I have left and use it, Samurai Troopers,/ Genaisa stated firmly and, before they could protest, sent her remaining energy to them. 

*~~**~~*

Ryo panted as he watched Arago approach him, helpless. ‘Is this where it all ends? Wh-what was the point if we were never meant to succeed?’ he thought to himself, and then closed his eyes.  Suddenly, he felt his friends near him, with him. ‘My friends….Gomen ne…I failed you.  I’ll be with you soon,’ he thought in sad resignation.  All of a sudden, he found himself standing, his katanas at the ready to attack.  He blinked in shock. “Huh? What’s going on?”

Arago’s angry cry alerted him and Ryo looked up in shock. “Blast you for defying me!!!” Arago cried out in rage as he glowed green…orange…blue….indigo…and gold.

Ryo stared in shock as Arago struggled to move.

/Ryo! Don’t give up!/ Touma called out.

/Fight Arago!!/ Seiji ordered as Ryo stared up at the struggling demon lord.

/Get him now while we hold him!!/ Shin’s normally calm voice shouted out.

/What are you waiting for, man?! Do it!/ Shu demanded.

/Don’t worry about us! Just take your best shot!/ Touma called out as Ryo balked.

/RYO!!/ all four called out.

“No! I can’t! I’ll kill you in the process!” Ryo cried out in horror, tears coming to his eyes. “I can’t risk it!!”

/Why do you think we saved you?! You’re the best one to get him!/ Touma called out as he brought the resisting katanas forward slightly.

/Our souls are in your hands….Take your best shot!/ Seiji yelled as he got the katanas pointed at the trapped demon lord.

“Yamette! Yamette onegai!!” Ryo cried out as he closed his eyes, trying to fight what had to be done.

/What are you waiting for!? Take your shot and destroy this maggot!/ Shu asked incredulously.

/Use the power of Rekka! Show the power and destroy Arago!!/ Shin cried out.

Ryo sobbed. “No! I can’t! I can’t kill Arago if it means killing you!! Don’t ask me to PLEASE!” he shouted as he separated his katanas and fell to his knees.

Arago blinked as he stared at his now moving body and laughed in evil satisfaction. “Your time for living has expired. Give your yoroi to me,” he cried in glee as he advanced towards the sobbing Rekka.  Ryo looked up as Arago pointed his sword at him. “NOW!” 

Ryo screamed as he was surrounded by red electricity, immobilizing him as he was brought up before Arago. ‘Is this where it ends? What was the point if we were never going to win? Jun…Gomen nasai…I failed you. Genaisa….forgive me,’ he thought to himself in utter defeat.

“Ryo.”

Ryo looked up and gasped as Genaisa appeared before him, cherry blossoms flowing around her as she smiled at him. "Ge-genaisa?” he asked softly, eyes wide.

She smiled and floated to him, then wrapped her arms around his waist. Leaning in, she pressed her forehead to his and he gasped softly as Jin and Ai mixed, mingled in power between them.  She closed her eyes as she smiled. “Ryo…this battle has been occurring for centuries. Let us show you…why we are all involved,” she whispered softly and opened her eyes.  She turned her head and looked down.

He followed her gaze and gasped.  “N-nani? Doko?” he asked softly and he heard Kaos speak.

“This is a thousand years ago, in a time when youja roamed freely among man,” Kaos explained softly as Ryo and Genaisa watched history repeat itself.  They watched as Arago’s demon armor was made into ten mystical yoroi, dispensing the power of the evil yoroi into lesser forms.

Ryo looked ahead as Genaisa disappeared and he reached for her, only to find himself staring at Arago.  Arago laughed as he said, “Now that I have all ten of my yoroi, this world will be mine!” 

Crying out in agony as lightening shot out and surrounded him, Ryo yelled, gasping, “Kaos, gomen nasai…I have failed you!”  Arago laughed in triumph as he absorbed the final Samurai Trooper.

*~~**~~*

Ryo sighed as he floated in blackness. /Where am I? Am I…dead?/ he asked softly, then looked down and smiled.  His five friends were floating serenely in the void beneath a cherry tree in full bloom.  /Touma…Seiji….Shin…Shu….Genaisa….at least we’ll be together….even in death,/ he cried softly as he sat down in the middle of their small circle.  He slumped forward, relaxing after his struggles finally.

A chiming in the air woke him from his brief reprieve and he looked up. /Kaos…onegai. Just…let me rest,/ he pleaded softly, then looked down.

Kaos sighed sadly. /Samurai Troopers…well done. You battled as best you could. I…had no right to ask you to fight.  The yoroi chose you for your strength and courage.  My battle should not have become your battle.  There was to be an end….but not this way,/ he declared sadly as he appeared before each Trooper’s side, lingering at Genaisa’s the longest before he began to fade away.

/Kaos?! No! You can’t stop fighting!/ Ryo cried, pleading as the monk faded slowly from view.

/As long as there is hatred in human hearts, I can not win. This battle is destiny, a never-ending battle that mirrors the battle within human hearts.  As long as there is despair and anger, the side of evil will always battle the side of good./ Slowly, Kaos became Arago as the demon lord took over the litany. 

Ryo growled as he stood up.  /I won’t believe that this is the end!/ he called out and Arago laughed mockingly.

/But you can not win.  Your friends whom you thought you were saving are here with me,/ Arago stated as a small ball appeared, showing the five in limbo.

/No!/ Ryo cried out in horror as he saw his friends’ suffering.

/Because you gave up and betrayed them, they will wallow in anguish and hatred, loathing you for failing them!/ Arago added in evil amusement as the ball vanished and surrounded him with a gray fog.

/No…I was doing it for them I swear!/ Ryo cried out, fresh tears coming to his eyes.

/Ryo…don’t listen to him,/ Genaisa said softly as she came up behind him and wrapped her arms securely around his chest.

He looked over his shoulder at her face and saw the serene smile that graced her lips. /Genaisa? Demo.../ he trailed off and she smiled, and then kissed his cheek.

/They do not hate you, Ryo….love is not destroyed so easily,/ she reminded softly.

/Love?/ he asked quietly as he leaned back into her embrace, closing his eyes at the comfort she offered.

/Hai…love.  For there is no greater love than when one lays their life down…for a friend,/ she replied softly. /Ryo…trust yourself and use the bond that is within you. Use the strength, trust, courage, and love that bonds you all in this battle.  And let love be your guide,/ she murmured gently and he gasped softly as he felt her chi flow into him.

His eyes flew open as he felt himself renewed. /Seiji, Touma…Shin, Shu!! Wake up and help me! We have to defeat Arago together or we’ll lose this battle!/ he cried out as Jin glowed brightly on his forehead. 

The answering glows of Shin, Chi, Rei, and Gi shone on the other four Troopers’ foreheads as they answered his call, connecting to him through their yoroi….and their love.

/Yes! Together we must have Shin…Chi…Gi…Rei…then I will have the power!/ he cried out as he jumped up and left the void that had held them prisoner.

Arago cried out in surprise as a red glow shot out from him and Ryo appeared on an obelisk not far from him. “You still live?! Good! I shall have the greatest pleasure killing you again!” Arago snarled in surprised anger.

Ryo smirked, and then growled as he called on the powers of his friends instinctively.  Arago gasped in shock as the kanjis of Shin, Rei, Chi, and Gi glowed brightly on his chestplate, then shot out and melded with Ryo’s yoroi.  Arago stared as a bright white light flared up and out, then sparkled down in embers as Ryo emerged in bright white armor, katanas crossed in front of him and the fires of rage swirling in his eyes. “You’re going down, Arago!” Ryo cried out and Arago laughed.

“I do not think so, Ryo no Rekka. DIE!” Arago cried out as he slashed at the warrior.  Ryo jumped up, avoiding both the first and second slashes, then dodged and landed in front of the demon lord. “You can not escape me!” Arago declared as he brought up his sword.

“Who said I was escaping!?” Ryo replied in challenge as Arago swung his sword down.  Ryo growled angrily as he held off the attack then pushed it off of him, much to Arago’s shock.

Arago brought his sword up again to strike, but then stopped suddenly, halting mid swing as the Ai glowed brightly.

/Ryo! Hurry! While I hold him!/ Genaisa called out and Ryo’s mouth firmed in determination.

Jumping up, a bright white flare surrounded him as he screamed out, “Sou…En…ZAN!!” Arago cried out in fury as the white power hit him square in the chest, plunging him back to the nether realm in a white flare of power.

As the power dissipated, five glowing balls came out of the dark void before it vanished and surrounded Ryo as the glow disappeared around the exhausted Rekka holder.  Jun, Nasuti, and Byakuen watched in delighted shock as the six Troopers floated down from the sky.

Seiji, Touma, Shin, and Shu opened their eyes in shock, realizing that they were alive as they looked at each other.  Ryo slowly opened his eyes, and then gasped as he looked up at his friends in relief.  He looked forward as Genaisa smiled at him. “Well done, Samurai Troopers.  Well done,” she stated softly in approval and Ryo smiled, eyes filling with tears as he closed them, happy that the battle was over.

TBC

<<Home>>   <Previous Chapter    Next Chapter>