Return of Rowen: Chapter 3 Part 1
"Drive to Rowen's house," said Sage as he buckled his seat belt.
"All right, but you still have to tell us what the receptionist told you,"
said Mia as she backed the jeep out of the parking space.
"It was about his parents," he began hesitantly.
"Sage, you've got to tell us what you heard. It's the only way we can help
Rowen," urged Ryo.
Sage let out a deep sigh, and said, "Well, she said his parents appeared to
be in a trance, and seemed to have this bad aura,"
"Bad aura?" wondered Kento out loud.
"Yeah. That would be the best way to put it. She just felt uncomfortable
being with them," finished Sage.
"Grandfather!" burst Mia.
"What?" asked the others together.
"When the Nether Spirits possessed my grandfather, that's exactly how he
was! You remember, right Ryo? You were there too, Yuli!" she continued.
"Hey you're right, Mia!" exclaimed Yuli.
"Then the Dynasty is at it again," concluded Ryo.
"Mia, does this mean that Rowen's parents are going to d... d?" asked Yuli,
unable to utter the last word of his question as he remembered the fate his
family had nearly suffered.
"That would be a big loss," grumbled Kento under his breath, but the others
heard him.
"Kento!" they shouted in unison.
"Sorry guys. It's just hard for me to care about Rowen's parents after
seeing how much they've hurt him," apologized kento.
"I know what you mean, Kento, but we've got to save Rowen's parents. It's
what he would want. Right Sage?" asked Cye.
"Right," answered Sage as he turned away to hide the tears forming in his
eyes. "Rowen, where are you? What have they done to you?" thought Sage as
Mia's jeep sped down the expressway. He looked into the darkening sky, saw
a star and remembered... remembered how simple, yet special their
friendship used to be. No worries about the Dynasty, just enjoying each
other's company...
<flashback>
Six years ago, the playground of han'a Elementary School. Laughter fills
the air as groups of children play soccer, basketball, and run across the
lush grass. In such an idyllic setting, it is difficult to imagine that
one would find a child in tears, but there is. A young boy with blue hair
sits alone in the grass softly sobbing. Another boy, one with blond hair
goes to him. "Rowen, I have something for you. Happy Birthday my friend!"
said the boy as he gives a small package to his blue haired companion.
"Sage! You remembered!" replied Rowen.
"How could I forget? You're my best friend," said Sage.
"Best friend? But I only met you this year!" said Rowen.
"I know, but I feel closer to you than to my other friends," explained
Sage.
"I've always felt the same way with you. I think you are my best friend!"
replied Rowen.
"Then I guess I am getting a present from you, Rowen," said Sage happily.
"Now open the package! I hope you like it!" Rowen quickly tore away the
wrapping and opened the box.
"A book about stars! Sage, thank you!"
"What is it Rowen?" asked Sage as he looked at the thoughtful expression on
his friend's face.
"I am just thinking. Today I was sad because my parents forgot about my
birthday and my mother was so mean to me, but now I am so happy. I am
happy because I see that you brought me a present, but not just the book.
You gave me the gift of friendship as you always have, and I hope I can do
the same for you."
"You already have, Rowen, and I promise to always be here for you." replied
Sage.
<end of flashback>
Yes, he remembered. That was the day- the day they had promised to be
friends for life. "Nothing will stop me from keeping that promise, Rowen.
Not even the Dynasty,"
"Sage!" called a voice interrupting his thoughts.
"Huh?" said Sage turning to see who was talking to him.
"Sage, we're here," said Mia.
"Should we all go in?" asked Cye.
"No. I don't think so. It could be a Dynasty trap," replied Sage.
"Then why don't you go in with Ryo, Sage? Kento and I will wait outside
with Mia and Yuli," suggested Cye.
"That's a good idea, Cye," said Mia.
"Okay, come on Ryo," said Sage as he got out of the jeep. Ryo followed him
up the sidewalk and to the door of Rowen's house.
"Hello?" asked a woman's voice after a moment.
"Hello, Mrs. Hashiba? May we see Rowen?" asked Sage.
"Well, Rowen needs to rest, but I suppose seeing his friends will make him
fell better. Come in," invited Mrs. Hashiba. As they stepped into the
house, the warriors of Wildfire and Halo felt a sudden chill, but they
followed Mrs. Hashiba into the living room. "His room is at the end of the
hall," directed Mrs. Hashiba.
"Thank you," said Ryo and Sage as they made their way towards Rowen's room.
"Rowen," called Sage as he entered Rowen's room.
"He's not there!" exclaimed Ryo. The two exchanged glances and hurried
back to the living room.
"Mrs. Hashiba, Rowen's not..."
"Looking for me?" asked a familiar voice as the two stepped into the living
room. It was Rowen.
"Rowen, is it really you?" asked Sage.
"Yes, Sage. It's me," replied Rowen.
"Hold it Sage. Don't get any closer to him," warned Ryo.
"There's nothing to be afraid of Sage," said Rowen, but Sage did not move.
"Sage there's nothi..."
"Yaahhhh!" yelled a voice cutting off Rowen.
"Dynasty soldiers!" shouted Ryo as he turned to see a sword falling toward
his head. The two quickly changed into their subarmor and began fighting.
"Uh!" yelled Sage as he vaulted over the coffee table and pounded his legs
into the chest of a Dynasty soldier. He seized the soldier's spear and
thrust it through the armor.
"Take that!" shouted Ryo as he dodged the sword and administered a fist to
another's face.
"Nice moves Wildfire! But you'll need to do better than that to defeat
me!" laughed a deep raspy voice.
"Cale!" said Sage in disbelief.
"But I thought you're on our side!" called Ryo.
"Guess again!" yelled another voice.
"Dais! Sage! Get the others!" cried Ryo.
"Right!" replied Sage as he kicked a soldier out of his way and lunged for
the door.
"Aren't you going to put on your armor?" jeered Cale.
"As you wish! Armor of the Wildfire! Dao chi!" retorted Ryo.
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into Wildfire. Today is
you're last battle," warned Dais.
"We'll see about tha- uh!"Ryo let out a moan of pain as a powerful kick
sent him smashing through the wall.
"Ryo!" yelled Yuli as he watched the warrior fly across the pavement.
"Ready for more?" asked a familiar voice. The other Ronin Warriors looked
on in disbelief as a blue-haired figure emerged from the hole created by
Ryo's flight.
"Rowen?" gasped Ryo as he tried to sit up.
"Stay where you are!" ordered Rowen as he kicked Ryo in the chest.
"Rowen! What are you doing?" cried Yuli.
"Well, I'm going to put an end to it, whatever it is!" proclaimed Kento.
"No Kento! Wait! Can't you see how powerful Rowen has become? He's not
even wearing his subarmor!" said an astonished Mia, but she was too late.
Kento was charging towards Rowen his weapon poised to attack.
"This is for you, traitor!" shouted Kento as he swung his staff.
"Kento! No!" yelled Sage.
"This is too easy," laughed Rowen to himself as he dodged the attack and
plastered Kento's face with an uppercut. As Kento fell to the ground,
Rowen smashed his elbow into his back. "Weakling," taunted Rowen as Kento
let out a groan. "Play time is over. It's time to finish you all- starting
with you," he continued looking Sage in the eye.
"No!" screamed Sage as Rowen's stormy blue eyes locked on him.
"Armor of Strata! Dao Inochi!" called Rowen.
"That's it Strata! Destroy Halo!" yelled Cale as Rowen's transformation
began.
"Put on your armor, Sage!" urged Cye.
"No! I can't! I won't hurt Rowen!" cried Sage.
"Sage, you've got to!" shouted Kento.
"Arrow Shockwa... Ahh! What's happening to me? That light," moaned Rowen
as he broke off from his attack. The others looked up into the air to see
the figure of a woman floating in the air. Brilliant yellow light emanated
from the staff she was carrying.
"It's Lady Kayura!" exclaimed Yuli as the woman landed in front of Rowen.
"Rowen, listen to me. I can help you," she began.
"Kayura, free me from the Dynasty" he whispered.
"Yes, Rowen, I will," she said as she raised the staff of the Ancient.
"Dais, we must inform our master of this!" called Cale.
"You're not going any where!" said Ryo as he slowly got up, but the two
warlords were gone.