When Shadows Rise

  As he turned to face his mate, he watched as the ring transformed her. No longer was she in her simple gi, her clothing had been changed into robes of emerald green, covered with symbols and leaves. She placed her hand in his, her eyes glowing sapphire.

  Samuel smiled at Iriko as he accepted his ring, his shorts and t-shirt reformed in a flexible armor. The many tiny plates looked as if they were formed of granite and glistened as his eyes too glowed.

  Iriko paused a moment before accepting. Her coveralls faded into long and lovely kimonos of four shades of lavender. Her eyes too began to glow.

  Hana watched Gregor before she shrugged and accepted her own ring. When the flash faded she stood in Kimonos of black and white, covered in the many varied symbols of time. "Come on Gregor. It doesn't hurt." She teased him softly.

  But Rage was glaring at Suteko. He noticed that she did not have a ring and was not transforming. "Why are the rings for everyone but you?" He growled as he took a step forward, dodging the ring.

  Suteko sighed and shrugged. "I am all ready a part of the Light, Gregor. The spirit of the Cave Guardian only gave me eight rings. The seven of you and one other are all being given new powers and new gifts. Fate must have decided you deserved them and that I didn't need them."

  "Where did the eighth one go?"

  Suteko didn't answer right away. Her eyes closed for a long moment. "That ring was for the Guardian."

  Hana nudged Gregor, who growled again but accepted his ring. In a flash almost as bright as Jaeoh's he was transformed. As it faded he was clothed in a deep red lacquered armor. His gladuis sword lengthened to a great sword and his eyes glowed red. He stepped back and swung it a few times. A smile split his angry face and he found the perfect balance. The new longer blade moved like an extension of his arm. "Damn! This is fine!"

  Suteko looked at each of her friends and nodded. "With those gifts you have become the army of Light. You each will find new powers. Follow your instincts. They will be your best guide to using them."

  "Instincts will do them little good, little girl." A dark whisper came from the door leading outside. Everyone spun about to face the Shadow Master.

  ***

  Across Nerima a white stream of energy banged against the outer door. Three hooded figures stood just beyond and rang the bell. After a few moments Kasumi swung open the gate and smiled. She watched the ring zip past her and head toward Ranma. "Is it that late Setsuna?"

  The tall elegant woman dropped her hood. "May we come in?"

  Kasumi nodded and stifled a giggle as she watched Ranma bat away the darting ring. "What the heck is this thing?"

  "Your destiny, your moment and more."

  Ranma glared at Setsuna, "Who are you and what are you talking about?" The two figures with Setsuna flanked her and dropped their hoods.

  "We don't have time for this Pluto. Unicorn needs his help now!"

  Ranma stopped batting at the ring and focused on the man on the left. "Did you say Unicorn? Do you mean the Star Knight?"

  "Yes, he did Guardian. She is going into great danger and will need your help to defeat her sworn enemy, the Shadow Master. The ring will show you the way."

  "Setsuna really, why do we need this bonehead? Let's just head over to Suteko's before Kaneda gets there!" The red haired man groused.

  When Ranma heard Suteko's name he winced. Something was trying to make him remember. He grabbed the ring in his fist and pointed at Setsuna. "Will this help me remember?" When she nodded he slipped the ring on his right hand.

  Like had happened across Nerima a flash of Light filled the night and Ranma lifted from the ground. His clothes shredded and reformed into a long split robe and pants made of silk . His set was covered in rearing stallions. He let out a gasp as memories buried years ago were pulled back out of a his subconscious. Memories of his sister, of her challenging then defeating his father. Battling him and losing and then learning all about each other. Then the battle that destroyed Ito and Atusuko and his sister's broken body. Her sobs as everyone was taken from her. "Suteko! NO!" He landed slowly and shook with contained anger. "How dare that woman curse her own child?" He turned back to Setsuna. "Where is she?"

  Chris stepped forward, "Your sister was at the Green Dragon Dojo."

  "Then we need to get there." He stepped toward the gate when Setsuna stopped him.

  "Guardian it is too late. The Light Bearer and her army are brought to the mountain." She stretched out her hand and in a flash she transformed into Pluto. "Touch my staff and I will bring you to them."

  Reaching, out Ranma's hand touched her orb just as Phoenix and Dragon did, together they disappeared from sight. Kasumi nodded and whispered. "Bring her home little brother."

  ***

  "You thought you could hide from my shadows little girl?" The hooded form turned toward those gathered in the room. "Do you really think these children will protect you?"

  "No Kaneda. I don't think they will protect me." She stood between her friends and her enemy in her street clothes. With all the power in the room her quiet confidence drew every eye. "And they are not children Kaneda. They are warriors." She walked forward, obviously unafraid of the boogeyman of her past. "Together we will put you back into your prison"

  The Shadow Master cackled and waved a robe covered hand. A moment later they were in the clearing outside of the cave of Shadows.

  "You think you can put me back here little girl? You do not have the power, in fact you have no power and no back up."

  She spun about. She could feel her friends about her but she could not see them. Closing her eyes she reached into her pocket and pulled out her crystal. Raising it up she pulled her power about her to start her transformation when a whip cracked out and her crystal was knocked from her hand. It went flying and crashed against the outside of the cave, shattering into a dozen pieces.

  Gasping in pain as her connection to the power of the Star Knights was severed, she fell to one knee. "I told you that you have no power woman." Kaneda flowed toward her glowing blackly.

  "You're wrong Kaneda" She whispered from the ground. Praying, she reached with her mind. When Kaneda's robe brushed the ground before her she stabbed her hand down and impaled his foot with a dagger of light. While not the strength of her blade while she was transformed it still hurt. Kaneda let out a bellow and backhanded her. Suteko hissed and then the Shadow Master wrapped his hand about her throat. "Without your crystal you can't hurt me girl." He lifted her from the ground and proceeded to slowly choke the life from her.

  ***

  Jaeoh and the others could see Suteko, watched as her crystal was shattered and as Kaneda started to strangle her. As one they moved forward and bounced off a glowing barrier. "Prince, you must not enter that Shield!" A voice called out.

  Spinning about Jaeoh pulled his sword, his eyes scanning the growing crowd about them. Row after row of monsters circled them. All the creatures that had battled over the past month and more. This was the rebuilt army that had destroyed the Star Knights. Standing in front of the army was Steve. Dressed in black, the once happy go lucky Star Ocean saluted his former leader. "I would ignore Aki. It seems our former general has had a change of heart." He gestured with the handle of a coiled whip and two Reapers dragged forward a badly damaged form.

  "Former?" Jaeoh's new gifts allowed him to see beyond his dislike of the battered man before him. The general's aura was no longer covered in shadows. Between the red of his injuries there was a clean white starting to show through.

  "Seems he is becoming Kouhei or something else." Steve shrugged. "Doesn't matter much though since he should be dead in the next few hours". He looked over his former team mates. "Nice new threads kids. Did you think it was a dress up ball tonight?"

  Gregor growled at his once friend. "Looks more like you dressed for a movie set than a battle, brother." His sneer was clear.

  "Enough," Jaeoh restrained Gregor with a simple look. Turning back to Steve he too gave him a once over. His eyes
were drawn to the black crystal. "You joined them whole heartedly I see."

  Steve shrugged and had the Reapers toss Aki to the ground where he fell limp and bleeding. "I got a better offer." He smiled and gestured at Kaneda and Suteko. "Looks like your slut won't be much of a issue anymore. Too bad, she looks like a fun ride?"

  This time it was Gregor that restrained Jaeoh. "Easy man, look," He gestured to the shield where her battle was taking place.

  Suteko struggled as Kaneda's fingers started to draw energy from her, making her skin cold. She could hear muffled voices from just beyond the shield. She needed to get loose. Kicking back and then forward she twisted and managed to break free of Kaneda's grasp. Coughing she dropped back into a crouch and rubbed her throat.

  "Did you think I would be that easy Kaneda?" She got up and taking a deep breath she once more formed a blade of Light. She might not be Unicorn but she still could access he Light given gifts. She struck a fighter's stance. "I will fight you no matter what form I must take."

  Kaneda hissed at the light but pulled out his own sword. Like weeks before they fell to it. There wasn't as much room to move about but the blades sizzled as they clashed.

  Being a Star Knight gave her a boost in speed and endurance but not skill. She dodged and leapt, bringing the short light sword down and across trying to take Kaneda's head. He flowed to the side avoiding her though the sword still managed to take a part of his robes. Again he let out a howl.

  "You seem to find me still bothersome." She grinned, eyes darting for whatever keystone was holding the shield up. She needed more room to maneuver. The confined space limited just what she could do.

  "You won't find it Suteko. You won't drop this shield." Kaneda's voice hissed. "Your lover will be only able to watch you die."

  Shaking her head, Suteko paced sideways. "You aren't good enough Kaneda."

  "Will you be able to concentrate when your friends die at the hands of my army?" he waved one robe covered arm and the mass of creatures moved forward. As he did Suteko leapt forward, swinging her Light blade down and loped off one of Kaneda's hands.

  Kaneda cursed and swung his own blade, hitting her with an upward slash that cut open her shirt and the skin below. Suteko spun away and grimaced as blood blossomed across her ribs.

  "Pay attention Beast, I am not the one getting distracted." She prayed that the new gifts helped her friends or this battle would have the same outcome as the last.

 

  Chapter Twenty two

  Aki groaned as the Reapers dropped him to the ground. The more blood he lost, the less he felt the Shadow power influence his thinking. "You were right old man," he whispered.

  Ichuru's voice filled his mind, "You still have a chance boy. Help the Light." Aki lay still on the ground, trying to breathe through the broken ribs and other injuries. The bandage he had roughly wrapped about his arm yesterday was gone, torn away during the hours that he had endured.

  When Kaneda signaled his army to attack the glowing warriors of Light even his guards disregarded him. He was just a fallen foe to both sides. Very slowly he levered himself off the ground, hissing. Time had allowed some clotting but if he moved too quickly, he knew he would start bleeding again. As the Reapers moved to engage Jaeoh, he looked toward the cave. If he could get there he should be able to bring down the shield without having any of the Light warriors transported to Shadow.

  He panted as he reached his knees, and then managed to climb to his feet. When a troll head crashed into his side, he was staggered to the side. He gasped and holding his ribs he kicked it away. The battle moved away from him briefly and he managed to work his way closer to the cave mouth.

  ***

  Instead of facing his former leader, Steve spoke directly to Gregor. "So you get pretty red armor and become a dog of the light. How do you like being second fiddle to a weak woman Rage? Does she tell you how to play with Hana?" He gave Hana a long appraising look before whistling low. "She sure looks good dressed like that. That girl has become a real looker." After a moment he grinned "I see you broke her in for me."

  Turning to Hana, he licked his lips. "How about you join me. After old Gregor here some finesse should be welcome."

  Gregor growled as his eyes grew red. "Keep your mouth off her, traitor." He stepped forward fist clenched.

  Hana ignored the byplay between Steve and Gregor and counted. Beside the two that had brought Aki forward there were eight more Reapers. Added to the fifteen werewolves and the huge number of other creature, the new formed Army of Light was seriously out numbered.

  When his master gestured all hell broke loose and they two Reapers attacked Jaeoh, who had turned his attention toward Suteko.

  ***

  Uhanzee and Samuel flanked Shayla and Iriko. The gentle healer was pulled toward the wounded former Shadow general. She paused when she felt Iriko's hand on her sleeve. "Not till we are sure Shayla-san."

  Shayla stepped back and nodded. The two women clasped hands and Iriko sent a tendril out with more ease than ever before. She slipped into the mind of Aki and generally searched his mind. It was filled with confusion, shame and a new determination. The general had been wavering for the past few weeks and now she could see the touch of a minion of Light on his mind. She smiled tightly at the beating he had suffered. He had been paid in full for the damage he had caused to Suteko. "He is almost one of us now Sweetwater."

  Shayla nodded and once more started toward him. Her mate blocked her path, his great bow drawn. "He is no longer Shadow beloved."

  Uhanzee nodded but before he could let her move the hoard surged forward. Werewolves, vampires, oni and more attacked the seven. He started to draw and fire, chanting in Cheyenne. The arrows blazed bright as they left his bow, taking out lesser beasts each time. He pushed the women back as Samuel stepped out with his Si in hand.

  The weapons glittered like diamond in the half light and the normally slow moving warrior spun and stabbed like a man half his size. In moments three bearlike Oni had surrounded him, their claws glowing black. Iriko gasped and pulled power into her hands. She flung Levin bolts toward the monsters. The vampires who had been circling around the warriors hissed, grabbing their heads.

  Hana watched as the two former friends swung and slashed at each other. Gregor's new weapon flowed like a river of steel, leaving sizzling wounds but Steve's weapon changed from one moment to the next. The hooked blade managed to crack and pull one vambrace and sunk briefly into the muscle below.

  Hana took her watch chain in hand and started swinging. Flashes of Light filled the clearing as she spun her fob. She concentrated and slowed the time for the attacking beasts. The ring had given her more control over time. It was still limited to a finite space but she could now reach more of the creatures. She did her best to guard the back of Jaeoh and Gregor. Instead of her watch fob striking the monsters and pulling all their time from them it now destroyed the shadows within. On the creatures who had been co-opted it left a living host who quickly scampered out of the clearing. On those who were shadow entire it caused them to flare and burn. They became piles of dust and black pearls that glowed briefly before going dull.

  Steve leapt back, hissing as Gregor's longer blade opened his arm to the bone. The big man fought as powerfully as ever but his focus was now laser sharp. Even angry from Steve's taunts, the undisciplined Rage did not peek out. It was as if the Light had found and destroyed his battle madness. Panting he used his new darkness powers to call creatures from more than common myth.

  Steve had always loved monster movies and tales. The creatures about were all good at scaring the common people but he needed something to take Gregor down. Something big and strong and best yet, unexpected.

  ***

  Jaeoh swung his crackling blade, chopping the scythe-like arm off his opponent, then dodged the swing of the second Reaper. The open space gave them more room to maneuver but it also gave him room to move. Fighting in a split robe should have slowed him down but between th
e new power and the old body memories it was like coming home. He spun and slashed, skipping up he flipped up and over the now howling creature to take its head. He turned to strike the second when he felt movement behind him. Flowing into a low crouch, he felt another pair of scythe blades pass over him. Slipping to the side and up he pulled a ball of green crackling energy and sent it into another Reaper. Another downward slash and he formed a second blade and started to battle again, cursing as he was surrounded by Reapers. Each scythe he parried was followed by blows that he barely dodged. He felt more than saw as one got through and scored his side from arm pit to hip.

  Uhanzee fired glowing arrow after arrow taking down the large manlike beasts as fast as he could. The women were behind him, safe for the moment but the arrows, while effective against the smaller beasts and vampires did little to the werewolves. Three dashed forward and he tossed the bow to the side and pulled the twinned blades. Soon he was battling intently, trying to keep the beasts away from the women.

  ***

  Suteko poured everything she had into her blade, bringing it back to the full length sword that she fought with as Unicorn. Sweat poured down her sides as she fought grimly on, knowing that outside the circle her friends were fighting for their lives. She hoped they trusted their new gifts and could overcome.