New Battle Reborn

by Anna of Star Wildfire

Episode 20: Behind the Mask

(Anna's voice) After I was reborn to be warrior again, I have my memory back but half of it. I wish I had time to find what's happen in four years ago. It seems like it's missing past of me. I don't know why but it felt like I'm in somewhere dark and cold. I don't want tell Ryo or others about that. I really want to tell Ryo about it so badly but I fear that Ryo don't love me anymore. Why? Because I was once Talpa's warlord. And I fear that darkness is still inside me.

Flash! A 14-year-old girl wears ugly mask. Flash! "What's this mask lead me to?" Flash! The light. Flash! The mask breaks in half. Flash! Pain, blood, darkness.. Evil is gone.. Disappeared. Lost memory. Can't remember.

Sage nodded that his sister isn't talk since the magic ring. He remembers she say she'll explain later so..

"Anna, will you please explain now?" said Sage.

Anna looks at him and spoke.

"Since nobody isn't chose Tsuki, I'll take it's place." Said Anna.

"You mean you protect my armor?" said Keda.

"Yes and I make our foes think I'm the one." Said Anna.

"Oh! You're very sly! You sure know how to make foes confused!" said Keda.

"Yes. Do I?" said Anna.

Boys are clueless and speechless.

"What the?" said Kento.

"Well, brain boy?" said Sage.

"I think they talk something weird in girl code.." Said Rowen.

"Remember guys, women are full of mystery and very sly!" said Anna, giggle.

"Yeah!" said Keda, giggle.

"It'll take ya awhile to figure that out!" said Anna.

When she turn her back, somebody call her.

"AAANNNNNNAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!" said a female voice.

A shadow quick hugs Anna. Everybody except Eric shocked and fell down.

"Oh, hi, Wingblade.. Please don't do it in front of guys." Said Anna, sweatdrops.

Eric is standing. He didn't shock or something. He blushing. He never saw a beautiful girl with wings and tails. She look like she came from Disney's Gargoyles when Eric was little to watch this show but she is more human than gargoyle.

"If you need help, I can help ya." Said Sage.

"SSAAAAGGGEEE!!!!" said Eric, hit Sage.

"Ow! Maybe that girl is going save me from that evil boy!" said Sage.

"Why you little!!!!" said Eric.

Everybody is sweatdrops as they watch Sage and Eric fighting.

"Are they twin?" said Wingblade.

"No. Oh, bother!" said Anna, walking and zap at two boys.

They freeze and can't move.

"What's happen? How come I can't move?" said Sage.

"Nice going! You make our sister mad!" said Eric.

"Sister? You mean.." said Wingblade.

"Yup. That's right. That dark haired is my twin brother. And the weirdo is my brother too.." said Anna.

"Weirdo?! Why, I'll get ya!!!" said Sage, try to move but the only thing he can is wiggle his fingers.

"Just try and get me." Said Anna, unfreeze Eric.

"Hey! What's about me?!" said Sage.

"Ok. But I warn ya!" Said Anna, unfreeze Sage.

"Yes! Hey. Why I talk slow?" said Sage.

"Like I say, try and get me!" said Anna.

"Why you!" said Sage, try to run but running slowly.

"I think the snail always pass Sage." Said Kento.

"Why you!" said Sage, going to hit Kento, but hitting slowly.

His hand touches Kento's cheek.

"That's tickle. What are you do? Tickle me to death?" said Kento.

"Gggrrrr!!! Anna!!!! Undone what you done!" said Sage.

Everybody can't help but laughing when Sage talk very slowly. Wingblade laughing so hard enough she fell.

"Oh, Anna! You're so funny! You're really good with humor!!" said Wingblade.

"Humor is my game." Said Anna.

Sage tries to pull her hair but seem tag her hair.

"Sage, don't get mad. Anna try to cheer us up." Said Rowen.

"Yeah, right." said Sage.

Dark Red look at Terry who sitting peace.

"Mother?" said Dark Red.

"Yes, dear?" said Terry, look at her.

"When you use Anna's DNA to make of me, is there something that Anna fear of me?" said Dark Red.

Terry looks at her and smile.

"Yes. When you touch her, she'll become part of you." Said Terry.

"What's you mean, Mom?" said Dark Red.

"I mean you're Anna's dark side. When you touch her, your form will change and you'll more powerful than Talpa!"

"Wow! What's I'll look like?"

"Beautiful but danger."

"Mother?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I want Anna!"

Outside of the room where Terry and Dark Red are, Nick was shocked. He fears that the time is coming. Very soon.

"I miss you so badly! Image that! You're gone too long!" said Wingblade, never let Anna go.

"Hey, I'm in one piece.. Thanks to Ryo who saved me." Said Anna.

"Ryo?" said Wingblade.

"That's me!" said Ryo, waving at Wingblade.

"Oh yeah!" said Anna, slap herself.

"My rudeness. Ryo is my soulmate." Said Anna.

"Really? Do the others have name too?" said Wingblade.

"I'm Keda."

"I'm Rowen."

"Kento's the name."

"Mine is Cye."

"I'm Sage."

"You know me before, do you?" said Sea.

"Yes. Your name is Sea, right?" said Wingblade.

"Yup."

"This is my tiger, White Blaze." Said Ryo, petting White Blaze.

"And her name is Tiger Lily." Said Anna.

They look at her, clueless.

"Who's Tiger Lily?" said everybody.

Anna is going say a word but she's shock. Her eyes went big.

"Oh no!!" said Anna, looking around.

"I hope we didn't leave her behind!!!!!" said Anna.

"You mean a white tiger with green eyes?" said Urk.

"Yes! That's right! Where she is?!" said Anna.

"I saw her walking away while you fighting and she disappeared." Said Urk.

"Gee I wonder why. She want to see White Blaze but disappeared before meet him?" said Anna.

"Hey, where is Keda?" said Rowen, looking around.

"Oh! You're so cute!! Enough make me want have you!" said Keda, hugging Urk.

Everybody fell down.

"Wait until you see baby unicorns!" said Anna.

"Really??" said Keda.

"The nests are inside the rose garden." Said Anna.

"Why rose garden?" said Keda.

"To keep safe. I fear when I tell you why, you'll be shock and sad." Said Anna.

"Why you let me tell human what's happen?" said Wingblade.

"Yes. Please." Said Anna.

"Let me guess. Is that unicorn-eater cats?" said Ryo.

Anna's and Wingblade's jaws touch the ground.

"How you know that?!" yell two girls, freaking out.

"Did you tell him that?!" said Wingblade.

"No! I didn't! That's way too scary!!!" said Anna.

Everybody is sweatdrops, speechless.

"I didn't mean to scare you but the dream told me everything. That's how I found Anna." Said Ryo.

"Oh, mom, you didn't?!" said Anna.

"What?" said Eric.

"But Mom didn't have power or something!" said Sage.

Sea hit Sage with the 10 feet fan.

"She mean Rainbow!" said Sea.

"Sorry about that. My girl is losing." said Cye.

"I think I know why she call mom and dad. Because they raising her!" said Ryo.

"Wow.. Your dream sure told you everything." said Wingblade..

"Anna!!!"

The call makes everybody expect Anna went flew by the strong wind.

"Windy!!!!" said Anna.

They saw a dragon flying. It hard to tell because the dragon is flying where the Sun is.

"Black Fire!!!" said Kento, running but the boys hold him.

"Windy!!!" said Anna.

When the dragon land, Anna was running to her.

"Good to see you." Said Urk.

The dragon is so beautiful. Her scales are red. Ryo never saw a dragon is red before.

"Princess Anna, we're so happy to see that you're alive. Which human saved your life?" said Windy.

Everybody point at Ryo.

"Thank you so much. I have a question." Said Windy.

"Yes?" said Ryo.

"If you have trouble with Anna, I can help you if you don't know woman." Said Windy.

Everybody fell down.

"Windy.." said Anna, start water up.

"Ok. Enough of chant. We need to go to the castle before nightfall." Said Windy.

"Good idea.. I'm tired. Can't wait to hit the bed.." Said Anna.

"Me too." Said Keda, yawning.

They heard the roar, which make others full awoke.

"Oh, goodie!!! My clans are waking!!" said Wingblade.

"Clans? You mean your family?" said Eric.

"Yes." Said Wingblade.

"Come on, guys. Let's go. We need our rest." Said Ryo.

It takes awhile to walking to the castle.

"Are we here?" said Kento.

"For million times, no!" said Sage.

"You're wrong. We're here." Said Anna.

"See?!" said Kento.

"Oh, be quiet." Said Sage.

"I'm going to make the beds for ya." Said Anna.

"Do you need help?" said Ryo.

"Naw. I use my magic to make the beds." Said Anna.

"Oh." Said Ryo.

"Will you please show guys around here?" said Anna.

"I'll. Come with me." Said Urk.

They are following Urk.

"I'll call ya when it's ready!" said Anna.

(Anna's voice) I don't want the girls sleep in same room where I sleep. I fear that the darkness is take over me and kill the girls while I sleep. So that's will good idea to sleep alone. I know I hate to be lonely but I have to. I don't want this darkness takes over me. I need two more armors and then I'll be free from darkness. The only armor that can free me from darkness called Angel Inferno. But where's other two armors are? I use my magic to make the beds for guys. It's not same beds like on Earth. It's different bed. It has huge pillow enough for people to sleep on it. I have special animal in Unicornsland, called the silk worm. He is huge as two story of building. I use his silk to make blanket that will keep us warm. After that, I call everybody that the beds are ready. Urk and I showed their room.

Ryo and White Blaze will sleep in the room that next by my room. Rowen and Sage will sleep in the room that next by Ryo's room. Cye and Kento will sleep in the room that next by Rowen's and Sage's room. Keda, Sea and Wingblade will sleep in the room that next by Cye's and Kento's room. Eric will sleep in the room that next by Cye's and Kento's room. I kissed Ryo to good night.

Somebody laughs evil. She is huge and scary looking. She looks like she's more monster than human. The blood is on her hand. Keda saw that all her friends are lying. They have lots of blood all over their body. Ryo wearing his Inferno armor but it look like it was torn. Something that makes Keda's heart stops beating. Rowen! He stands and the blood comes out of his wound.

"Rowen!!" said Keda, ran to him but went through him like a ghost.

"What?" said Keda.

"Dark Red! Leave Anna's soul to us! Why you need her soul?!" said Rowen.

"Well." said Dark Red, licking the blood off her hand.

"Anna have darkness inside her heart, which mean when she was 10 year old and died in the battle of Terry. About a year later, Talpa bought her to live but order the evil spirits to go inside her heart. And now, with Anna, I'm more powerful than Talpa!" said Dark Red, laughing evil.

"You know how much we loved her!! She helped us to fight in the battle! And she told us things that we missed! And when you steal Anna's soul, it's torn my girlfriend's heart! Her friendship with Anna are very strong and how dare you steal her away from her?!" said Rowen.

Girlfriend? Oh, please, don't let it to be another girl.. Thought Keda.

"Are you forgot something?! Anna's dead and your girlfriend, Keda is always dead!" said Dark Red.

Keda gasped and saw her other self is laying on the ground, dead.

"And soon, you'll join her and your friends!" said Dark Red, ran to Rowen.

Her speed is too fast for Rowen to move out of the way. Her claws went through Rowen's belly. The blood came out of his mouth when he was in shocked.

"Rowen!!!!!!!!!" yelled Keda.

She gasped and woke up. She hopes that she didn't wake Sea up but she sleeps like a baby.

"What's that dream mean? Is it warning of danger?" said Keda, in her soft voice.

"Why Dark Red want Anna's soul so badly?" said Keda.

"So she can be more powerful than Talpa."

"Whose say that?" said Keda, looking around.

Keda gasped when she saw two glow green eyes in the dark.

"Whatever you are, I'm not let you to harm my friends." Said Keda.

"Hmm.. What's make you think I'm going to hurt your friends?"

Something walking over where the moonlight is. Keda saw a white tiger that look like White Blaze but have green eyes. Keda remember Anna ask where Tiger Lily is.

"Is your name Tiger Lily?" said Keda.

"Yes, but you'll call me TL for short." Said Tiger Lily.

"I have no idea that you can talk. I mean it's weird."

"Wait. If you can talk, how come White Blaze can't talk?" said Keda.

"I have no idea why. I need to see Anna." Said Tiger Lily, walking out of the room.

"Wait!" said Keda.

But Tiger Lily is gone. Sea yawned.

Everybody expect Anna is sleeping like babies. Anna is in the huge library. It has six hallways. The bookcases have almost 20 bookshelves. Anna sitting on the magic floating chair. Anna is reading fat old book. When she rest her eyes, she look down and feel dizzy. Her face turns into white like a ghost.

"Anna! Don't look down when you have fear of height!" said Anna, told herself and hang on the chair like if she is going to fall.

Anna slaps out of it and takes the book back to the bookshelf. She remembers the time before she was reborn as warrior, Ryo have white armor, but seems disappeared in middle of battle. (that's part came from The New Battle Reborn episode 10 in just case you forget it. - author)

"Is that armor key of winning the battle? Or war?" said Anna, rubbing her chin with her finger, then touch her lips.

"If I'm right, this white armor may be Inferno Armor. Hmm."

Anna thinking for awhile.

"The gangs give their power to Ryo. That's may be key to have Inferno but it's look like it need something. Could it need my power?" said Anna.

"That's doubt."

"Yup." said Anna.

Her eyes went wide and start freak out. She jumps off the chair.

"Who's say that?!" said Anna.

"I did."

Anna look downs and found out that she isn't sitting on flying chair anymore, she's on her own.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!!!!" sceaming Anna, falling.

"Anna!"

Anna watching the floor is getting close. Somebody caught her before she hit the floor. Anna looked up and saw Eric.

"Are you alright?" said Eric.

"Yes and no." said Anna.

"What?"

"Please don't touch me like that."

Eric look downs and saw his hand is laying one of Anna's chests. Tons of blood came out of his nose and moved his hand.

"And put me down before your blood is all over me." said Anna.

Eric did. Anna gave him the towel. Eric quick takes it and covers his nose.

"Look like it's boys' weakness." said Anna.

"If Ryo accident touch that spot, he'll bleeding to death!" said Eric.

"Eric.."

"Yeah?"

"What's happen to the white towel?"

Eric looks at the red towel and sweatdrop. Few minute later.

"Finish?" said Anna.

"I think so." Said Eric.

His nose stopped bleed.

"Ten minutes of nose bleeding. Wow.. That gotta be New World record." said Anna.

"Anna? Can I ask you something?" said Eric.

"Yes?" said Anna.

Eric moving his fingers, blush.

"Yes??" said Anna, moving close.

Eric is still blushing and moved his head in other way.

"Yes?!" said Anna, pop a vein.

"Umm." said Eric, turn his back, still blushing.

"I can't help you if ya tell me!!!!!" yelled Anna.

Her yelling make Eric's hair moving like he's outside when it's windy. Eric looks at her when she's breathing hard.

"Are you finish?" said Eric.

"Yes!!!!" yelled Anna, waving her arms madly.

Her yelling make Eric's hair moving like the weather is windy, again.

"Good thing that the door is sound proof." said Eric.

"Just go ahead says it!!!" said Anna, pop lots of veins.

"I like to get know of Wingblade.." said Eric.

Her eyes look like two tiny dots. Her face looks so funny. Few hairs straight out.

"That is serious question?" said Anna, can't believe it with her ears. (well, since Anna is deaf and she's lip-reader, so I'll rather say, "can't believe it with her eyes". - author)

"Yes. And I want to know her past." Said Eric.

Anna's face return back normal.

"Are you sure? Her past is painful." Said Anna.

"What's happen?" said Eric.

"Her mother is human and her father is gargoyle. That's how Wingblade look like human and gargoyle at a time. The village where her mother live, is Wingblade's home. The people thought Wingblade is evil. They want kill her when she was little. Her mother died from protects her. Wingblade's father saved her. And the sad part is." said Anna.

"What?" said Eric.

"That she hate humans since they kill her mother in front of her."

"But, you're human." Said Eric.

"I know but Wingblade say that I'm immoral." Said Anna.

"Why she think like that?" said Eric.

"I have no idea. Just don't try have crush on her." Said Anna.

Anna gasped when she saw something flash. It reminds her something..

:: Flashback::

"Talpa!" said Anna.

She looks like she's 14 year old. Her outfit looks like Kayura's fighter outfit. (the one from RW TV shows) But her cloth is pink.

"Ssshhh! Quiet! We're in middle of meeting!" said Anubis.

"Hold that thought, Anubis. What's your plan, Lady Anna?" said Talpa.

"Since Ronins defect one of your soldiers, I know a spell that will give warlords a chance to kill Ronins and will give you the armors." Said Anna.

"Master! Don't listen to teenager's plan! It's not going work out!" said Anubis.

"It is!!!!" said Anna.

Anubis and Anna shoot a sure kill look at each other. Everybody is sweatdrop. They know Anubis and Anna aren't get together very well. Talpa thinking for a minute.

"I like that plan!" said Talpa.

"You do?" said Anna and Anubis.

"Yes. What's kind of spell you know of, Lady Anna?" said Talpa.

"Yes." Said Anna.

Before she says something, Anubis cut her.

"Your master! You can't! What if she's on Ronins' side?!" said Anubis.

Anna is very mad. Talpa know the looks.

:: Do it now when somebody stand in your way, teach them a lesson they never forget.:: Thought Talpa.

Anna is smiling. She knows warlords can't hear Talpa's thought. She walking closes and slowly reaches Anubis's neck, then gasp his neck. Anubis was in shocked.

"Master! Make her stop!" said Anubis.

"I can't. If you stand in her way, things will get mess." Said Talpa.

"You know what? Time for meal." Said Anna licked her lips.

Anubis feels the coldness slowly raising his body. She steals his heatness!

"Lady Anna is daughter of Sun Goddess. If she is evil, she'll drink any heatness from the body." Said Talpa.

Cale think of something, fast. Then he has idea.

"Lady Anna! Maybe you do that later! You may start doing the spell before Ronins make a move!" said Cale.

Anna looks at him. He's right. She needs to start now.

"Ignore him. Finish what you going." Said Talpa.

"He's right. I need to start. This spell take long time." Said Anna, threw Anubis in front of warlords.

"Somebody want stand in my way?" said Anna.

Warlords quick shake their heads.

"Very well." Said Anna.

"If your plan work, I'll let you go to fight against Ronins." Said Talpa.

"Thank you. Before I go, I want to know what's Ronins look like so I won't got mess up." Said Anna.

Warlords were speechless. Talpa may get mad at her when she say that but. Seem cool.. Maybe he doesn't want her get mess up.

The screen on the wall starts glowing. The picture has blonde haired boy wearing green subarmor and the other boy is blue haired wearing blue subarmor.

"Their names are Sage of Halo and Rowen of Strata." Said Talpa.

The picture changed and it has redhead boy wearing light blue subarmor and gray haired boy wearing orange subamor.

"Their names are Cye of Torrent and Kento of Hardrock." Said Talpa.

The picture changed again. It has dark haired boy wearing red subamor. Anna gasped. She never saw a young man with tiger blue eyes. His smiling make Anna feel like..

"Hello? Lady Anna?? Dynasty to Anna, can you read me?" said Talpa.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I was studied their face so I can tell which one!" said Anna.

"His name is Ryo of Wildfire." Said Talpa.

"Thanks!" said Anna, give okay sign and running.

"I never saw a girl dying to fight Ronins.." said Dais.

When Anna finish the spell and want Talpa to use his power to take Ronins to their place where the poem say, the boys are sleeping peace, but not so long.

"Lady Anna, your plan works. I'll let you go to kill boys." Said Talpa.

"Thank you." Said Anna, bowed and disappeared.

"This is bad idea.." said Anubis.

Anna standing in the lava. She knows it won't burn her or melt her. She loves the heat. It's felt good. Anna took one of her Star Heart the swords. It has picture on it. It has ruby Sun but it has star on it. She walking to Ryo who sleeping peace. Anna raising her sword ups and ready to kill Ryo.. But when Ryo turns his back. Anna gasped. She fears that he may wake up, but he didn't, still sleeping. Anna raised her sword again and ready to kill. There's something inside Anna's body that she doesn't know what it is. When she look at his face, it make her heart beating slowly. The feeling is growing inside her. It means that feeling trapping the darkness in place so the goodness frees. Anna slowly moved her face to close his face. She kissed him. A tear came out of her eyes. She didn't know that her necklace is broke and it lay on Ryo's chest.

"Please help me.. Free me from darkness, Ryo of Wildfire." Said Anna, look at him for last time and disappeared.

The one of Anna's Star Hearts sword starts glowing and went inside Ryo's body. The necklace disappeared too, but it's still inside his body..

In few weeks later.

"Lady Anna." Said Talpa.

"Yes, master?" said Anna.

"When I fought against Ancient One, he made himself as the bridge to our world." Said Talpa.

"What?! How?!" said Anna.

"His powers are mystery. Ronins are on their way. And you're only warrior I have left. Go and fight Ronins. The warlords will stay out of your way." Said Talpa.

"Thank you." Said Anna, disappeared.

When Kento opened the huge gate, they gasped when everything is red and blue. They are screaming while they're floating in unknown place. (that came from RW TV show when they faced Talpa for first time.- author)

Ryo woke up and found himself in the dark in nowhere. He saw something moving. It looks like cherry blooms but it's not. When it landed on Ryo's hand, he looked close, then smell it.

"What the? It smell like a rose." Said Ryo.

He saw lots of roses are flying. The air smell like roses.

"Ryo of Wildfire, the time is here."

Ryo gasped and look around.

"Whose say that?" said Ryo.

He never hears that voice before but it sound like a young woman.

"Look up."

Ryo looked up and saw a beautiful girl sitting on something that hard to see in the dark.

"Who are you?!" said Ryo.

When he looked at her, she's look like a beautiful goddess, if she's his new foe.

"I'm the one been sent to destroy you while you slept in volcano, but failed. And this time, it won't happen again!"

"What's your name?!" said Ryo.

He saw a red rose flying and lands on her hand. She rubbing the rose closes her cheek, like she loves roses.

"I'm Lady Anna, one of Talpa's great warrior." Said Anna.

Anna jumped off and takes her sword out. Ryo jumped out of the way before Anna slice him. He was shocked to see that her sword can cut the ground! Anna looked up and smiles.

"That's lucky move but it won't least longer!" said Anna, attack Ryo.

Ryo blocked her attack with his swords. That girl.. She is so strong. Thought Ryo.

"What's the matter? Never meet with girl who is very strong?" said Anna.

Ryo gasped. It's like she can read his thought! Anna hit Ryo and he flew across the place. His helmet fell off when he landed. Ryo looks up and saw Lady Anna walking to him. His cheek is badly hurt. While Anna walking, something went across her so fast. She gasped. It feels like something went through her heart. It's too painful enough makes her fell down. Anna panting so hard. She was in shock. Lots of sweats are all over her face. Ryo have a chance. He took one of his swords out and attack Anna. She watching Ryo and still panting hard.

:: End of flashback::

"Is Anna going be ok?!" said Ryo.

"I don't know! Her fever is too high!" said Rowen.

Anna lying on her bed. She breathing so hard and her body are shaking. Like she's in pain.

"Keda, go and get the bowl of cold water and the cloth!" said Rowen.

Keda ran to get the stuff.

"Eric! What's happen to her?!" said Ryo.

"I don't know! While we talking, she looks like she saw a ghost and she started dizzy! That's when I caught her before she collapsed!" said Eric.

"Darn it! Talpa!!" said Sage.

Everybody looked at him.

"He's behind this! I know it!" said Sage.

"No! You're wrong!" said Sea.

"Who?" said Cye.

"Terry! She want kill Anna so badly!" said Sea.

Everybody gasped and looks at Anna.