Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Queen Mercury Revived ❯ Disc 1 ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

SailorStar9: Okay, I've posted Chapter 1. This is Chapter 2. Before I begin the chapter proper, I want to thank the following reviewers and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. All because I started this on Christmas Day.

FirecatRekka: About Anhara being Arago's daughter, you'll know more about Anhara's birth in the later chapters. About deflecting Senshi, from Chapter 2 alone, it's quite obvious that only Saturn and Pluto stood alongside with Anhara (A/N: I have a knack of putting these three together.) Mamou and the other three Inner Senshi will remain neutral, while only Uranus and Neptune will stand by their Queen. And guess what? When the time for the Deep Freeze comes, Serenity is SO going to realize that she needs Anhara's powers. Otherwise, Crystal Tokyo would never come.

Yami Flo: Are you French? Because I took a look at your profile, and it's written in French, which unfortunately, I do not understand. And about Anhara being Arago's daughter, please refer to FirecatRekka's answer.

SailorStar9: And one thing I do not understand, is that none of you two commented anything about the missing Holy Grail! I thought I'd get flames and criticisms about taking the Sacred Cup from Usagi!

PS: Anyone familiar with Clamp Campus Detectives will notice that I took the Takamura surname from Takamura Suoh.

Words in italics refer to thoughts and telepathic messages.

Disclaimers: I don't own any characters used in here. They belong to their rightful owners.

Chapter 2: Disc 1

***************************************************************** **********************

Episode1: Nerawareta Dai-Tokyo

The camera shows an arial overview of Tokyo. All is well and peaceful, until the sky grew overcast. When the clouds cleared, a huge shadow loomed overhead.

Meanwhile, at the Sengoku University, Yagyu Nasuti was working with her grandfather.

Professor Yagyu's research had led to the discovery of the existence of the Netherworld and its ruler, Lord Arago. Noticing the weird happenings, he informed Nasuti that only the Yorioden Samurai Troopers could save the world now.

Turning attention back to Shinjuku, Yamano Jun was window-shopping with his parents, when he stopped by a skateboard store. His mother urged him to choose one, before complaining to her husband. Mr Yamano, however, waved her complaints aside, saying that they still had a lot of time. Finally, Jun picked a skateboard, and despite his mother's protests, skated right down the street.

Losing his balance, Jun got up, only to be licked by Byakuen. Startled, Jun stood up, and the ebony-haired teenager asked if he was all right. Jun nodded and questioned the older boy if Byakuen was a real tiger.

Ryo cracked up softly and nodded in affirmative. Looking down at Jun, he said, “Go back, your parents are worried. Goodbye.” With that, he walked off with Byakuen.

Meanwhile, Nasuti was biting on a biscuit when a news flash caught her attention. Her grandfather appeared from the door and confirmed Nasuti's suspicion that the boy in the news was one of the Samurai Troopers and requested Nasuti to bring the boy and the tiger back to the university.

However, dark clouds begin forming unnaturally quickly around Shinjuku. Anything running on technology began to falter and fail. Nasuti's Samurai (jeep look-alike), the cars around her, and stoplights all die out.

Two dark figures, one feminine and a gigantic bird of prey, stood on the top of a skyscraper.

“So, it has begun.” The female muttered.

The bird beside her, let out a cry in agreement.

“Let's go, Indivar.” The girl said. Then, she leaped over the buildings, with the bird beside her.

Nasuti sorta-of `stole' a traffic control officer's bike in order to continue farther into the city.

Above, a news helicopter motor died off and it fell from the sky.

Ryo and the riot police watched in horror as the helicopter went down. Then lightning started to strike everywhere.

Windows shatter and people run in panic. Jun and his parents get separated in the fear-driven mob.

By then, both the female and the bird had arrived at the very-confused scene.

My Queen. The bird gasped mentally to the girl beside it.

Below, Ryo yelled for the youja to attack him since he was their enemy.

The girl frowned at the scene below, “Be careful what you wish for, Rekka.” She muttered in warning.

As if in answer to her warning, a youja soldier materialized out of the video billboard above Ryo but Byakuen's warning allowed Ryo barely jump out of the way.

The scythe had cut the back of Ryo's sweater, revealing his undergear.

Ripping off the rest of his clothes, he stands before the youja in his red and white undergear, announcing he is Rekka no Ryo.

“So the first one arrives.” The shadowy girl commented.

The girl was then revealed to be Takamura Anhara. The giant bird was showed to be a golden condor, overtowering Anhara. (A/N: I blame my recent obsession with “The

Return of the Condor Heroes” comic for this.)

Are you going to intervene, my Queen? The condor beside her asked mentally.

Not now, Indivar. Just wait for the rest. Anhara answered.

Even with his undergear though, Ryo was no match for the youja soldier as the youja easily batted off Ryo's attacks. Byakuen attacked but he was also knocked away. The amount of power the youja was releasing from the scythe ripped the road and part of the surrounding buildings apart.

Jun, who was looking for his parents, emerged out of an alley and right on to the fight.

Fortunately, he was not noticed but the youja's scythe just incidentally stopped swinging.

Pointing to the boy, the energy discharged.

Nasuti, coming in on her borrowed bicycle, cried out, "Look out!”

She jumped off the bike to push him out of the way. The bike was mangled in the process.

Ryo was finally beaten to the ground when the youja decided to finish him off.

However, the blow meant to cave in his head, was instead, warded off by the arm guard of Tenku no Touma's undergear.

Subsequently, Kongo no Shuu, Suiko no Shin and Korin no Seiji jumped into the fight.

The youja was not all worried and once again easily batted away the four Troopers attacks.

Nasuti, meanwhile, told Jun a little about whom the Troopers were and what they were fighting. She noted that the Troopers were not united; Rekka wanted to fight but the others simply told him to stay out because he was too hurt to do anything.

Nasuti yelled out to them that they must be of one heart in order to stand a chance of beating Arago.

Angry at her interference, the youja trapped Jun and Nasuti with his chain, using them as hostages.

My Queen... Indivar turned worriedly at Anhara. In response, Anhara produced two throwing knives, a trademark weapon of the Takamuras.

Looking around, Anhara gave Byakuen a quick glance. The white tiger gave her a low growl in acknowledgement when he recognized her. Having caught her look, the fully-grown white tiger nodded.

Meanwhile, Ryo and the other four finally armored up in bolts of silk and fluttering sakura blossoms.

The youja laughed and commented that they must be the Samurai Troopers; he had not believed that before. Even with the yoroi, Ryo cannot harm the youja soldier who then proceeded to throw Jun and Nasuti into the video billboard that he came out of.

However, in midair, Jun and Nasuti's flight was intercepted by two sharp objects; one severing the main chain the youja held, the other neatly slicing through the chain that held the two hostages together.

A split second later, Byakuen had leapt up and caught the falling two. Landing down gracefully, he bounded off and out of the battlefield.

“Nani?” came the surprised exclaim from the youja soldier. Glancing sharply around, he demanded, “Show yourself!”

“Why should I?” Anhara asked coolly, stepping back into the shadows once more.

The youja soldier growled lowly and threw his chain at the general direction. The metal claw hit the edge of the building, making it obvious that Anhara had dodged the attack.

“My turn.” Anhara countered. Calmly, she stepped forward and placed her hand on the chain. In an instant, the chain turned into ice and the ice traveled down to the youja soldier. Shocked, the youja soldier dropped the chain.

Then, without warning, Anhara put out her hand and whispered, “Cold Snap.” Before the five Samurai Troopers knew it, the youja soldier was encased in solid ice.

“Baka.” Anhara muttered. “Hit him with an area spell and he falls.”

Turning her attention to the astonished Samurai Troopers, Anhara barked, “What are you waiting for, Rekka? Go in for the kill!”

Ryo nodded mutely.

Clicking the hilts together, Ryo swung them over his head and yelled out, "So En Zan!"

The youja was hit at point blank range, and just as he was disintegrating, he tossed her scythe into the air and screamed, "Oni Masho sama!" When the attack dissipated, the Troopers gaped at the destruction of the attack, for it cut through a city block.

On the building tops, someone caught the spinning scythe and burst out laughing.

Ryo looked up and asked who they were. The one who caught the scythe introduces himself as Shuten, Oni Masho, and leader of the four Dai Mashos. Next are Yami Masho Anubisu, Gen Masho Rajura, and Doku Masho Naaza.

Turning to the cloaked Anhara, Shuten commented snidely, “And of course, our little traitoress from ten years ago.”

Anhara smirked, “I see you still remember me, Oni Masho.”

Growling in displeasure, Shuten threw the scythe at the supposedly unprotected Anhara.

Touma was about to yell out a warning, when Anhara's eyes flashed an icy blue, her irises turned white. Her hair flew about wildly as an eerie wind picked up around her.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, the scythe stood stationary in midair. Levitating into the air, a seemly-possessed Anhara threw both her arms in front of her. At her command, the scythe was thrown telekinetically back to Shuten.

Taking a second to react, Shuten caught the scythe effortlessly.

Powering down, Anhara warned, “Tell Arago that I'm no longer his pawn.”

Scrawling, the four Mashos turned to globes of light and flew off into the dark clouds.

Then Arago appeared and introduced himself. The clouds parted to reveal his fortress above Shinjuku.

Turning around, Nasuti questioned, “Where's the girl?”

Blinking, the five Samurai Troopers turned to look for their mystery helper, only to find that she had disappeared.

Then, something caught Shuu's eye.

Stepping away from the group for a moment, he went forward and pulled out the two throwing knives Anhara left behind.

“But she left these behind.” He commented.

***************************************************************** **********************

Episode 2: Oni Masho! Shuten's Fierce Attack

Above the earth, a satellite read nothing over Tokyo. The Japan Self-Defense Force was sent into the blackout area where they found a large castle floating on dark clouds over Shinjuku.

The copter's instruments began to go haywire, causing the copter to plummet. One tried to auto-rotate and scarcely managed to pull up but a youja's naginata sliced the fuel tank and caused the copter to explode. Youja appeared on every building top.

Arago was holding a conference in his main throne room.

Shuten volunteered to go and defeat the upstarts who dared to defy them. The others sneered at his overconfidence, saying that the yoroi gear that the boys possessed might be a danger. It was plainly obvious that none of the others cared too much about Shuten.

Arago showed Nasuti on the main viewing screen, saying that she and the Troopers will be together.

Back in the abandoned city, Anhara and Indivar were jumping on the rooftops, searching for the Samurai Troopers.

Byakuen remembers you, My Queen. Indivar pointed out.

He should, for Kaos is my adopted father. Anhara answered.

And the Mashos? Indivar asked, fearing that he was threading on dangerous territory.

They're merely misguided, by that wretched father of mine. Anhara answered, spitting the last part out.

Back to where the Troopers were…

There were crows and broken building pieces everywhere.

Touma and Seiji were up top, surveying the surrounding.

Then, Seiji frowned. He had recognized the weapons that the cloaked figure had left behind.

“Seiji?” Touma asked, worried.

“Daijoubo, Touma.” He reassured the archer. “It's just that I think I know who the cloaked helper is.” He added.

“Anhara?” the blue-haired archer guessed.

Seiji nodded.

“But what is she mixed up in all this?” Touma asked the inevident question.

“That, I don't know Touma. But I feel she has a big part in all this.”

Back where the rest were, Byakuen was guarding the entrance.

Below, Nasuti was reassuring Jun that his parents were all right and were thinking of him.

Ryo promised to bring an end to Arago, to which Shuu seconds.

They all introduced themselves. Then Touma and Seiji came back from reconnaissance.

They report there was nothing up there, like everything was dead.

“Not even a sight of our mysterious helper?” Shuu asked.

Seiji shook his head.

Then, Touma interjected, “Shuu, you can be so dense sometimes.”

The bearer of Kongo looked insulted.

“Touma, what was that supposed to mean?” he asked.

Ryo had to smile.

“That throwing knives belong to our dubbed `Ice Queen Incarnate', Shuu.” He told him.

Shin's eyes widened in realization.

“How is she related to all this?” Shuu exclaimed.

“That would be the 64-thousand dollar question Shuu.” Touma added.

“When I said `I'll be involved in the events in the near future', this is what I meant.” A

feminine voice answered from the doorway.

“Takamura-san?” Ryo asked, surprised.

“Quite right, Sanada-san.” The girl replied, stepping down, revealing herself to the five

Troopers.

Turning to Shuu, she added, “I will greatly appreciate it if my weapons are returned.”

Shuu's mouth remained agape as he shakily pulled out the two throwing knives.

The ninja stepped forward and retrieved her weapons.

“Yamatte, Takamura-san.” Ryo called out.

The girl turned to face him, “Hai, Sanada-san?” she asked.

“Those knives… they aren't the ones you used in school, are they?” he inquired.

Anhara looked surprised for a moment, and shook her head.

“Iie, the ones I used in school are merely inferior duplicates.” She explained.

Looking down at the two metal knives in her hands, she added, “These are the actual throwing knives of the Takamura clan.”

“What's the difference?” Touma asked. “They don't seem any different from the ones you used in school.”

Anhara had to smile.

“You don't seem to know very much about weapons, don't you Hashiba-san?” she inquired.

Touma faltered a little.

“Not really.” He admitted.

Anhara nodded slowly, “I see.”

Turning her attention to Seiji, she asked, “Do you remember what your ouji-san said about the Takamura swordplay, Date-san?”

Seiji nodded slowly.

“The Takamura swordplay is not meant to sparring as its strokes are not only swift, but

also deadly.” He quoted.

Anhara nodded.

“The same goes for the throwing knives.” She added.

“These knives are sharp enough to take a person's life.” She revealed seriously.

Gasps were heard all over.

“Are you serious?” Shuu stammered.

Anhara nodded, “Dead serious. That is why I'm extremely cautious when using these. One wrong move…”

“And a head gets loped off.” Ryo finished grimly.

“Precisely.” Anhara added.

“Whoa.” Touma breathed.

Ryo frowned, “I've heard rumors that certain Takamura ninjas have elemental magic.”

“And I'm one of the few selected ones.” Anhara confirmed, forming an ice ball above her open palm.

All eyes blinked in astonishment at the elemental orb.

Anhara frowned, before replying jokingly.

“You guys have learnt my other profession. You guys have seen me do a divination. And now you guys are freaked out because I throw ice balls?”

Seiji blinked for a while, before bursting out in laughter.

The Troopers looked at the blonde, not really understanding.

Then, Touma cracked a smile.

“She does have a point.” He noted.

Ryo nodded, smiling as well.

Shin had to chuckle. After all he'd seen of this beautiful but elusive ninja, he should have expected her to be quite out of the ordinary.

Tanks and jets arrived into Tokyo.

However, within this quasi-dimension, Arago could control the technology and turned it against the attackers.

Nasuti added, further commenting on how useless the attack was. Ryo then asked who she was. She gave her name and the fact that she was currently studying old romance stories and legends under her grandfather.

Byakuen suddenly bounded down the stairs of the subway entrance and growled in warning.

Meanwhile, Indivar's head turned up to the sky as he felt something.

Shuten is here, my Queen.

I know Indivar. I felt him. She answered back.

Beside her, Seiji suddenly sensed Anhara stiffen.

“Takamura-san?” he inquired.

“Shuten. He's here.” The girl hissed, removing herself from her leaning position.

Shuten arrived on the empty street, walking towards them, his heavy footsteps being a little hard to miss. He tossed the weight of his kusari-gama into the ground, where it continued into the subway underneath. After grabbing the floor, he pulled it up, causing parts of the floor to fly.

The piece that was still stuck to the chain swings around, almost hitting Jun once. Shuten threw the weight again, this time ripping the street and the subway ceiling.

Taking a look down, the Oni Masho remarked, “I see, not only can I get rid of the five pests, I can also rid Arago-sama of his little annoying traitor.”

Meanwhile, the Troopers had called forth a Kekkai. Running around Nasuti and Jun, the five Troopers stop, and called for the Kekkai. Each called forth his kanji and yoroi. The powers of the yoroi were joined in a pentagram with Nasuti and Jun in the center.

“Takamura-san, onegai leave him to us.” Ryo said, frowning at the Masho.

Anhara blinked and relented when she saw the sheer determination in his eyes.

Nodding, she added, “Minna, be careful.”

The five Troopers nodded, taking in her advice, before leaping out to face the Masho himself.

The five Troopers jumped up to street level, intending to fight Shuten in their undergear.

Shuten mocked, saying that they were only delaying the inevitable. He added that once they were dead, the Kekkai will dissipate and then he can kill the other two in his leisure.

Shuu attacked first but was caught and Touma freed him with a kick.

Both Ryo and Seiji dodged an energy blast.

Ryo jumped up the side of two buildings to build up his height and threw a flying kick at Shuten.

However, Shuten knocked him away, with Shin and Shuu grabbing onto the handles at Ryo's ankles and managed to slow his fall. Ryo still went into a wall.

The five were losing badly, until Anhara too leapt up into battle.

“You dare test my oaths, Shuten?” Anhara hissed dangerously.

“And why not?” he mocked.

“Takamura-san, get back! You're no match for him!” Ryo shouted.

“I've sworn that no innocents were to die by the Netherworld's hands and that includes

the five of them. It is time I fulfilled that oath.” She remarked, drawing out her henshin pen.

“Mercury Ice Power!' she screamed, her henshin pen raised in the air.

A strong burst of light encased the ninja girl as her clothes melted off. In a swirl of ice and snow crystals, forming her senshi fuku, when the whirlwind touched her skin. With single leap, she somersaulted, with a planet of Mercury behind her.

When she landed, Millennial Sailor Mercury cast her icy-cold eyes on the Masho.

“Traitor, Arago-sama will be glad when I bring back your body.” He answered.

“That is if you can kill me.” The senshi answered coolly.

Hissing at her indignant reply, Shuten threw a weighted chain at the senshi. The warrior simply sidestepped that attack, allowing it to fly pass her. Then, she took hold of the metal link, passing her element through it.

Shuten gasped and dropped the chain. Minutes later, the entire link was coated in ice.

Then, Shuten unleashed his special attack, `Ko Rai Sei'.

From the sky, the weighted end of his chain sank deep into the ground and from it, erupted a multitude of red lines, which were actually chains intended to entangle the Troopers.

Knowing that attack like the back of her hand, the ice senshi leapt away from the numerous red lines, skillfully avoiding being caught.

From underground, Nasuti explained to Jun why the Troopers were losing and he yelled at them to dispel the Kekkai and call forth their yoroi.

Then, the scene cut to a monk holding a shakujo on one of the building tops. He threw the staff into the center of the pentagram; the chiming of the rings dispelled the Kekkai.

Turning sharply at the person responsible for the interference, the ice senshi smiled.

Arigato Kaos. Imperial Sailor Mercury thought.

In response, the Troopers' undergear began glowing in pulses as they felt the after-effects.

They had no idea what happened but they armored up anyway.

“Leaving so soon?” a mocking voice said behind him.

Startled, Shuten turned around, only to be met by a frozen wave of water.

When the ice wave hit him, boy, did it hurt.

“Who's that?” Shuten demanded.

“You know Shuten. When they say `watch your back', they really mean it.”

Turning his head to look at his attacker, Shuten gasped at the person. Imperial Sailor Mercury stood proudly on the tangle of chains.

“Traitoress.” He hissed, stepping backward a little.

The scout smirked, “I think not.”

Then, she jumped, with one of her throwing knives charged up with ice magic. Shuten countered it with a chain of his own.

Imperial Sailor Mercury, however, smirked.

Shuten's eyes widened in shock as her palm glowed an icy blue, before erupting fully, the magic touching the chain web.

Growling in frustration, Shuten had no choice, but to get back to the ground, with his entire web, weakened by the ice, shattered.

The ice senshi snickered, “Baka, that was the oldest trick in the book.”

With his Rekka yoroi and weapons, Ryo knocked away Shuten's scythe.

The five circled him, momentary forgetting the senshi.

Seiji attacked first, at which Shuten dodged right into Touma's point blank range.

However, the Oni Masho was able to dodge each arrow shot. He departed, jumping up the side of buildings with Ryo behind him.

Imperial Sailor Mercury frowned, “Rekka; what is he thinking, going after Shuten? Does he have a death wish?”

Then, she leaped off after the bearer of the Rekka yoroi.

Keeping in pace with the fire warrior, Imperial Sailor Mercury called out, “Rekka!”

However, Ryo ignored the senshi and continued his ascent.

After a while, Shuten caught Ryo at a point blank with a `Ko Rai Sei'.

Ryo then made use that energy to power up his `So En Zan', which he fired at Shuten.

When the light cleared, Ryo was tangled in chains but they broke off, causing him to fall on the rooftop, and dropping a katana.

The chains around him vanished and part of Shuten's yoroi revealed a cut.

The other four arrived, jumping up form the ground, just in time to see Ryo collapse.

At that point, Imperial Sailor Mercury had arrived at the scene. Kneeling down at the injured Ryo, she asked,

“Daijoubo desu ka, Rekka?”

The warrior of Rekka nodded, despite his injuries.

Both Shuu and Shin turned to see Imperial Sailor Mercury, tending to Ryo.

“Takamura-san?” Shuu asked, uncertain.

“Iie, Kongo. I'm now called Mercury.” Imperial Sailor Mercury answered.

Looking carefully at her, Shin nodded slowly.

Then, the senshi let out a gentle smile, “Besides, shouldn't you two be more concerned about Shuten?”

The two warriors nodded and turned their attention back on Shuten.

Shuu then told Imperial Sailor Mercury to take care of Ryo.

Arago saw the scene from his viewing screen.

Growling, he sent in a black tornado of evil energy, intending to kill the five Samurai Troopers.

With the wind whipping across her face, Imperial Sailor Mercury frowned and hissed,

“Arago, I would not let you.”

After that, she stood up in, a determined look on her face. Stepping forward and ignoring the four gasps of surprise from the remaining four Samurai Troopers who were still standing, Imperial Sailor Mercury willed out the Safiastra out of her broach.

Imperial Sailor Mercury's fuku reacted with the power of the Safiastra, as the uniform's ribbons turned into a bright white.

Then, to the astonishment of the warriors standing, Imperial Sailor Mercury's tiara disappeared and the Mercurian sign burned brightly on her forehead.

The Safiastra's powers erupted fully, changing Imperial Sailor Mercury from senshi to Queen.

Finally, she unleashed the Safiastra's powers, countering with the black tornado.

The immense power of the crystal blasted Shuten back into the netherworld and shot out the five instead of killing them. From the ground, Nasuti and Jun watched in bewilderment.

Collapsing on fours, the young Queen Mercury devolved back to Imperial Sailor Mercury and dehenshinned, but not before whispering, “Take care, my warriors.”

One sphere, a red one, flew off into Mount Fuji. The impact then caused the dormant volcano to become active, spewing out smoke and lava.

Unknownst to the senshi of ice, that blast not only sent the five Samurai Troopers to their places of power; it had also removed the memory block Queen Serenity had placed on them.

***************************************************************** **********************

Episode 3: The Secret of Rekka Yoroi Gear

A subway entrance collapsed, awaking Nasuti. Just as she was wondering what to do, Jun awoke and inquired about Byakuen.

A building creaked above, tilting slightly.

Suddenly light from Ryo's dropped Rekka Ken, which was embedded in the street, flared up.

They rushed over to it and the tilting building fell right over where they had spent the night.

Jun was adamant that Ryo was protecting them, and Nasuti wondered if he or any of the other Samurai Troopers were still alive.

Footsteps were heard behind them and Nasuti turned sharply behind.

When the footsteps neared, Nasuti blinked in recognition at the new arrival: Takamura Anhara.

Jun cowered behind Nasuti in fear.

Anhara looked sympathetically at the younger boy and broke into a gentle smile, “Do not fear me, little one, I'm a friend.” She assured.

The giant condor beside her cried out in agreement.

Nasuti turned her attention at the condor and questioned, “Is that…”

Anhara chuckled, “Rekka has Byakuen, while I have Indivar.” She explained.

Just then, Byakuen bounded up and grabbed Nastui's sleeve with his mouth, pulling her.

He wanted her to follow him.

In the volcano, Ryo's `Jin' glowed, awakening the warrior of fire.

He remembered Arago attacking them with some sort of energy, then Takamura Anhara had used some sort of crystal to blast them away to safety.

Mercury. He thought.

Then, Ryo gasped as he remembered, Of course! The Queen! How could I have

forgotten?

Finally deciding, Ryo knew he needed to get out quickly and to find out what happened.

In Arago's throne room, the other three Mashos gloated over Shuten's lack of victory, since it was Arago's power and not his that defeated the boys.

Arago then called them to order. He informed them that the Troopers' yoroi gear was a danger to him and that they must be defeated before they really awaken.

On the viewing screen, he showed Nasuti, holding Ryo's katana, riding on Byakuen with Jun, on his skateboard, holding onto the tiger's tail.

Takamura Anhara was jumping on the tops of the buildings, with Indivar flying above her.

Arago believes that these five must know where the Troopers had gone. Shuten requested for this assignment and was granted it

Then, he silently gloated over the other three.

Ryo was climbing out of the volcano and Nasuti and company were being chased by youjas on chariots and with bows.

They fired arrows continuously, several times nearly hitting Nasuti, who barely managed to deflect some with the sword, and Jun, who was now riding the tiger. Shuten was on one chariot, standing with absolutely no hand holds.

Anhara was helpless at this point was she was not transformed. Shuten's assault did not even give her enough time for a transformation. She could only watch as Shuten and his minions continue their attack.

Kaous, who was watching from a building top, threw his shakujo just as Shuten was about to get his hands on Nasuti and Jun,

The energy from the staff pierced the quasi-dimension created by Arago's invasion, creating a huge crevice between that dimension and the real world, restoring part of Tokyo to its normal self.

Nasuti and Jun wondered what happened. Then, her car was found and the duo used it to drive after Ryo.

Shuten jumped up from out of the crater he fell into.

From the building top, he wondered if that was part of the yoroi power that Arago wanted eliminated.

From his view, he could see the smoking Mt. Fuji and he immediately knew where Rekka was.

Ryo finally reached the lip of the volcano, only to be greeted by Shuten with a trident.

His slash forced Ryo to lose his grip, but Ryo halted his fall by thrusting his one katana into the volcano wall.

Byakuen came along, with the other katana in his mouth.

He jumped past Shuten and towards Ryo.

Ryo leaped up, with both he and his tiger passing each other.

Ryo grabbed the katana and attacked Shuten but the Oni Masho knocked Ryo back into the volcano.

Shuten was about to celebrate when the volcano started to erupt, spewing magma straight up, along with Ryo, who was now wearing his face mask.

Nasuti, who had just arrived, with Jun, realized Rekka's secret: The yoroi was not called Rekka for nothing, fire is the source of its power.

Anhara arrived, just in time.

Frowning, she pulled out a pen, much like her former henshinn pens. Except that this one had a queen's crown on the top.

Clasping the pen with both her hands and holding it in front of her broach, Anhara shouted, “Ice Queen, Make Up!”

Jun and Nasuti gasped in surprise as Anhara henshinned beside them.

A bright light from Anhara drew Ryo and Shuten's attention towards her.

A swirl of ice flakes surrounded the glowing body of Anhara. The pen that she held extended into a staff. The staff's orb started to glow, before bursting fully.

The sudden bright light caused the four to cover their eyes. When the light finally died down, Anhara was not more. In her place, stood Imperial Sailor Mercury.

“Your Highness.” The transformed Ryo gasped in wonderment.

Imperial Sailor Mercury then said, “I'll protect these two, Rekka. Take care of Shuten.”

Ryo nodded and faced off with Shuten, relieved that both Nasuti and Jun were taken care off.

Shuten called upon his `Ko Rai Sei', to which Ryo countered it, causing the chains to wrap around Shuten instead.

The Oni Masho then finally understood the cause and begun aiming for two new targets.

Imperial Sailor Mercury resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

“What is it with bad guys and hostages anyway?” she muttered.

Just as Shuten neared Nasuti and Jun, the senshi of ice parried his chain off with her staff.

“You aren't attacking me?” Shuten asked, surprised.

Imperial Sailor Mercury's eyebrow quirked a notch, “Why should I? I'll let Rekka do the honors.”

Before Shuten understood what she meant, Ryo had leapt at hi, tackling the unfortunate Shuten into the volcano.

Imperial Sailor Mercury hid a snigger, “Didn't say I didn't warn him.”

Shuten squirmed, trying to pry Ryo off of him. When the pair were almost at the bottom, Ryo suddenly released

Shuten and jumped to a shelf on the inner wall.

Shuten threw his scythe and chain to another shelf on the other side of the magma pit, saving himself.

The volcano then began to erupt yet again.

In desperation, Shuten carved a large piece of rock out to the wall, causing it to fall onto the rising magma.

He jumped on, using it as a platform, and smugly wished Ryo a nice stay.

As Shuten smugly rides the rock up, Ryo burst out through the rock, once more recharged with the fire energy.

Clashing once again, Ryo's blades managed to break Shuten's chain with their heat.

For a moment, it was obvious that Shuten was losing.

He swung his scythe at Ryo, which was also broken by the fire warrior.

Ryo's next strike knocked Shuten into the magma, screaming.

Nasuti, Jun, and Byakuen were sitting outside, just below the volcano's lip. Imperial

Sailor Mercury was guarding them, with Indivar by her side.

In Arago's throne room, Arago censured Shuten for both his failure and for allowing one of the Troopers to grow stronger.

Shuten's undergear was all burnt and cut up.

The other three Mashos grinned in malicious glee.

Arago then ordered them that they can not allow any other Troopers to be revived as Ryo has been.

Watching from a distance, Ryo noted that he had to find the others in order to stand a chance against Arago.

Imperial Sailor Mercury, dehenshinned, nodded in agreement. Nasuti and Jun volunteered to go with them.

Then, to Nasuti and Jun's surprise, Ryo went down on one knee in front of Anhara.

“I was one of your protectors, the leader of the Yorioden Samurai Troopers. We failed you, Your Highness.” He said regretfully.

Anhara gave a tender smile, and knelt down in level with him.

“It isn't your fault, Rekka.” She replied softly, yet wisely. “Onegai, get up.” She pleaded.

Ryo nodded and stood up, along with Anhara.

On another cliff, Kaous stood watching. He smiled silently, glad that Rekka had found the path to go.

***************************************************************** **********************

Dictionary

So En Zan: Double Flame Cut

Oni Masho sama: Master Demon General

Dai: Grand

Yami: Darkness

Gen: Phantom

Doku: Poison

Naginata: single-edged blade attached to a long pole

Kekkai: shield