Note: From now on, I'll be referring to the Chibi Troopers by their names, not by their armor titles (for example: Chibi Rekka=Chibi Ryo). I don't know why I did it in the first place... Anyway, just something I figured you guys ought to know.

~*~

"How pretty!"

A tiny armored foot stepped upon the patch of lush green grass. Chibi Rekka no Ryo, leader of the Chibi Troopers, raised a hand to shield his eyes from the bright, spring sunlight to gaze upon the beautiful landscape that Chibi Suiko no Shin had just commented. The boys teleported to a countryside, thanks to the pillar of light that appeared before them after their last battle.

The land was simply magnificent, words alone couldn't describe its majesty. Rolling green hills were seen to the left, a quaint, fresh water pond was to the far right, and just ahead was a vast forest with succulent verdant treetops and radiant blossoms flourishing on the ground.

"I wonder if we'll find any of our friends here," Chibi Shin asked Chibi Ryo directly. He wore a worried expression on his face, his vivid blue eyes dark with solemnity.

Chibi Ryo lifted his hands and placed them on his helmet. He removed it with ease and placed it at his feet with a sigh. "I hope so," he replied softly as he stood up and gazed out at the charming scenery which stretched out before them. "We have to find everyone and stop that bad lady before she hurts us."

"Don't forget that we have to return to being adults again," Chibi Shin quickly added. He also took off his helmet and he sat down on the warm, sunlight grass. He fell on his back and his helmet slipped from his hand, tumbling a few inches away from him.

Wordlessly Chibi Ryo followed his friend and he too was laying stretched on his back, staring whimsically at the clear blue skies. Rekka's helmet was resting beside its owner's head, bathing in the welcoming rays of sunshine. Chibi Ryo and Chibi Shin both wondered how they were going to fight Sachiriku and return to their normal selves. The Chibi Troopers were scattered who knows where, the Masho were off training themselves, Nasuti, Byakuen, Kokuen-Oh, and Seoul were at home worried to death about everyone, and Kayura was nowhere to be seen. The situation seemed almost hopeless...

"SOMEBODY HELP ME!"

Both Chibi Ryo and Chibi Shin sat up and shrieked in surprise. They scrambled to their feet, grabbed their helmets and snapped them on. Standing back to back, the two boys awaited for the action to come to them. Naturally, it always did and it wasn't about to change.

Emerging from the forest was a little boy. At first he was too far away to be seen but after he had made his way up the hill, Chibi Ryo and Chibi Shin broke out into wide smiles.

"Seiji!" Chibi Ryo exclaimed in excitement. "You're here!"

Chibi Korin no Seiji shook his head and wore a distressed look on his face. He waved his hands wildly in the air and screamed, "Run! Run! Run!!"

"Run?" Chibi Shin inquired. "Why should we--?" He yelped as he discovered that tumbling after Chibi Seiji was a very huge boulder! Chibi Shin screamed, "RUN!"

The three Chibi Troopers cried out as they ran side by side, the giant boulder gaining its momentum and tumbling faster and faster. Up and down the hills they went, around and around the pond they ran, and back into the forest was where they ending up retreating!

Panting heavily, Chibi Ryo snapped, "Why did you have to have this stupid boulder come after you, Seiji?!"

Chibi Seiji stuck his tongue out at his leader. He barked, "It wasn't my fault! I was just walking around when suddenly it just came out of nowhere and it followed me ever since!"

As the boys ran through the thick forest, the boulder was crushing everything it came across: trees, flowers, fallen logs, and what not. It was quickly gaining upon them and was about to crush them when suddenly...

BOOM!

The boulder was magically detonated! The explosion's impact sent the Chibi Troopers flying off the ground and landing in some bushes a few feet away. Tiny pebbles, what remained of the boulder, rained down upon the forest floor until it was no more. Three little heads poked out from the bushes. Where the boulder had last stood, a chain link was seen laying on the ground.

"How did that happen?" Chibi Shin whispered as he looked back and forth at Chibi Ryo and Chibi Seiji. "Why'd it explode like that?"

Chibi Seiji frowned. "I don't know. It couldn't have been a trap 'cause if it was, wouldn't we have been caught in it?"

"Who knows. What do you think, Ryo? Ryo?"

Both Chibi Seiji and Chibi Shin looked at the blue eyed boy curiously. Chibi Ryo was staring at the chain link, his eyes distant and yet filled with such deep though. It was almost as if he was experiencing some type of flash back.

That looks so familiar, he thought to himself. Was it from a weapon? Hmm, the only people I know who can use weapons with long chains like that are the youja hei and... him.

"Earth to Ryo!" Chibi Shin screamed in his ear.

Chibi Ryo screamed and flew out of the bush. He flew straight up into the air and then crashed face first on the ground. His body fell forward and he laid there for a few moments before pushing himself off the ground. Whirling around, he glared at Chibi Shin with a giant bandage on his nose.

"You dork!" Chibi Ryo wailed angrily. "What did you do that for?!"

Chibi Shin shrugged innocently while Chibi Seiji was trying to pick the sticks and leaves out of his hair and helmet. "Just wanted to make sure you weren't sick or anything," the little warrior of water responded with a faint smirk.

Overhead, a flock of bird rapidly flew out of the treetops, ebbing into the dark, clouds that hastily hid the burnishing, spring sun. Rekka, Suiko, and Korin stood together and they watched in silence as their friendly surroundings were consumed by natural darkness... Then again, what was natural about anything anymore? This place wasn't for real. It just couldn't be. Where were they really?

The sound of a twig snapping caused the little boys to spin around on their heels. Three pairs of eyes widen in complete shock as they witnessed a warrior wearing dark armor with an article of clothing dressed over it. A demonic helmet with a red mask concealed his face. He was gripping the handle of a very deadly looking bladed weapon that looked like the head of a scythe. His other hand carried the chained link and weight that was a part of the weapon and his eyes, those narrow teal eyes, were filled with repulsion and depravity.

Chibi Ryo, Chibi Shin, and Chibi Seiji faltered and stared in shock at the new arrival. It couldn't be! All three were thinking at the same time.

"For allowing me to die oh so long ago," Oni Masho Shutendouji growled abruptly, "your punishment is death!"

~*~

Ryo... Samurai Troopers...

Byakuen opened his eyes and groaned. Outside, the rain was pouring down, pounding on the windows and rooftop of Nasuti's home. Sitting up on one elbow, Byakuen pushed himself up from his pillow and sat up, his sock-clad feet touching the carpet floor. He remembered... His failure. He had failed Ryo and the others.. Only a few hours ago he, Kokuen-Oh, Nasuti, and Seoul had given up in their search for the Chibi Troopers. There was just simply no way that any of them could locate the children, especially in this dreary weather. The Masho were still nowhere to be seen and this worried them no end. Byakuen heeded the words of Seoul just before he had gone upstairs to rest.

Their virtues are strong and just. Allow their hearts and their minds to lead them to safety. Rekka, Tenku, Korin, Suiko, and Kongo will help the boys. Seoul promises this and so does Kaosu-Kayura, right?

"I hope you're right, Seoul-san," the white haired man whispered wearily. " I hope you're right." Glancing to the side, Byakuen reached over to the nightstand and took a hold of a framed photo. He draw the photo over and sadly looked at it. It was a photo of the Troopers, Nasuti, Jun, and himself from their last day in New York. Byakuen hadn't gone with them to New York but he had his own way of going to where he wanted to go: first class cargo all the way.

"Ryo." He held the photo over his heart and closed his eyes. "I promise you, my friend, we will find you and the others as soon as we can. Be brave."

"Byakuen... Byakuen, can you hear me?"

A voice had spoken from out of nowhere, startling Byakuen to no end. He had nearly fallen out of bed but he was able to keep himself steady. Tucking the photo underneath his pillow, he rose from his bed and as he did so, a faint image of a female monk appeared before him.

Byakuen gasped, "Kayura!" He watched as her form was almost real, yet he was still able to see right through her. "Kayura, where are you? How are you doing?"

Kayura regarded the man with sad, dark eyes. She said to him, "Do not worry about me, Byakuen. There is nothing you can do about my situation."

"Kayura, I..."

"Byakuen, the Samurai Troopers will be fine as long as their friendship is as strong as ever. The power of their armors will guide them. I don't know how much more I can be of help to them... but believe me, they will get through this together."

~*~

Chibi Ryo was crying out in terror along with his fellow Chibi Troopers as they were running for their lives. He just couldn't believe it! Shuten was alive?! But why would he be wanting to kill them? I thought we were friends! Chibi Ryo thought in woe. Why does he want to hurt us now?

Chibi Shin flinched as he tripped over a fallen branch and skidded along the ground. He broke out into a wail and was holding his knee, complaining how it hurt. Skidding to halts, both Chibi Ryo and Chibi Seiji scrambled over to their fallen friend. Though it was at that time Shuten appeared before them, regarding them critically.

"As the saying goes," Shuten sneered as he lifted his sharp weapon before the three little boys, "'children are to be seen and not heard.'"

"Why are you being so mean to us?" Chibi Shin demanded with tears in his ocean blue eyes. "You're our friend! You helped us tons before, remember? Don't you... remember?"

"Prepare to meet your fates!" Shuten drew back the blade of his kusari gama and arranged to bring it down upon the three little boys. However, he did not expect a blinding, white light to render him sightless. He dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, pressing his hands against his eyes in agony.

Chibi Seiji blinked. This caught him, Chibi Ryo, and Chibi Shin off guard. "What happened?" Chibi Seiji asked in amazement. Glancing over his shoulder, he gasped as he discovered a ghostly image of a man standing behind the Chibi Troopers.

Tall, lean, with short blonde hair and pale violet colored eyes. Parts of his hair covered his right eye. The man was dressed in gallant in green and silver-plated armor, possessing a majestic looking sword in his hands. The sunlight sparkled off of the blade, creating elegant beams of light.

"That is..." Chibi Ryo was speechless as he realized who it was.

Chibi Shin, who was also in shock, whispered, "Seiji...? Mirai Seiji?"

Mirai Korin no Seiji spoke to them with clear but gentle utterance.

Rekka no Ryo, Suiko no Shin, Korin no Seiji. The power of your armors are at their greatest when the wearers hearts and minds are set. Work together in taking down those who stand against you. It is your duty to protect this precious world of ours. Fight with mind, heart, and soul set into one.

"We can do this," Chibi Ryo said boldly as he rose to his feet, along with Chibi Seiji and Chibi Shin. As the ghost vanished, Shuten was able to get back up, his eyes seething.

"You brats are going to pay for this!" he roared, gripping his weapon tight in his grasp. With swiftness that could easily match that of Taiyou no Mukara's, he lunged at the boys, bringing down his blade. Chibi Ryo, Chibi Seiji, and Chibi Shin all flew back as the weapon smashed into the earth, uprooting giant black vines. The vines raced upwards and tried to grab a hold of a Chibi Trooper. Never the less, the three boys were more than ready for this.

Drawing out Rekka Ken, Chibi Ryo flew higher into the air and shouted, "SO EN ZAN!"

A burst of pure fire fizzled the vines out in no time. Meanwhile, Chibi Shin and Chibi Seiji landed on both sides of the Oni Masho. Shuten reeled back and twirled his blade in the air above him. Anticipation filled the air as to whether who would strike first: Trooper or Masho?

Impatience getting the best of him, Shuten was the first to attack. He leaped high into the atmosphere and brought forth is special attack, one the Troopers hadn't seen in so many years.

"KOU RAI SEN!"

"Look out!" Chibi Seiji cried but it was too late.

Chibi Ryo landed onto the earth once more, his tiptoe touching first. Yet he wasn't able to land all the way, for Shuten's weapon struck deep into the earth and caused quite an earthquake. Moments later, chains tore up from the ground and stretched out all over the place. The three Chibi Troopers screamed as they found themselves trapped within the webbing of chain links surrounding them. They dangled in mid-air, fighting to free themselves as best as they could.

The Oni Masho landed roughly on the ground, his armored feet smashing the earth underneath him. He stood straight up and snickered at his victims. "Well now what do you have to say now?" he taunted them ruthlessly. "You will wish you have never gotten me angry."

"S-Shuten!" Chibi Shin gasped as he struggled to pull the chains that hugged his pale throat. "Stop it...! Stop it right now!"

"Oh but he won't," a deep, masculine voice spoke all around them. The Chibi Troopers looked about in confusion until their focuses turned to where Shuten stood. A masked individual appeared beside the Masho, gazing up at them.

Chibi Ryo growled, "It's you! Kaijin!"

"Salutations, Samurai Troopers," Kaijin hailed back. "How does it feel that in a matter of moments, your miserable young lives will come to a sudden halt?"

"We're going to stop you and the witch!" Chibi Ryo snapped with fierce determination in his youthful blue eyes. "You're going to be sorry!"

Kaijin scowled, his eyes glowing red. "How dare you speak of Sachiriku-sama in such a rude manner!" He turned to Shuten, his long flowing cape sweeping the forest floors. "Shutendouji-san, do you care to deal with them now?"

KABOOM!

A burst of energy from out of nowhere struck Kaijin and Shuten, sending them hurling away from the Chibi Troopers. Kaijin and Shuten skid across the ground until they finally stopped. Kaijin eased himself off the ground, obviously not pleased about what just happened. Shuten, or rather the Shadowling portraying Shuten, sat up on his elbow. The "skin" of Shuten was stripped from the rest of its costume, revealing the real face of the Shadowling.

"Master, what just happened?" it asked with a shaky voice.

Kaijin grabbed it and hurled the creature to its feet. He then levitated to his feet and was taken back by what he saw.

"Y-You!"

Two tiny individuals stood before the broken chain links. The three Chibi Troopers that where hanging trapped moments ago, were now standing alongside the new comers. A light glazed over the two and revealed Chibi Tenku no Touma and Chibi Kongo no Shu!

"Looks like we made it just in time!" Chibi Shu exclaimed boldly. He put his fists on his hips and stuck his tongue out at Kaijin and the Shadowling.

Chibi Touma, who was a bit more serious, drew out his bow. He held it up and magically, a golden arrow appeared on the bow and was ready to be used. Chibi Ryo, Chibi Shin, and Chibi Seiji were looking quite confident now that they were all together again. Kaijin and the Shadowling were at a loss as they found themselves trapped in their own trap.

~*~

Chibi Seiji: Hello everyone, this is Seiji. It looks like we're all together again! Now it's off to Sachiriku's castle but before we can do this, we have to go through Kaijin! I just hope we can get through this before something really bad happens. Ryo, you look... different somehow... Next time on Choroiden-Chamurai Troopers: "The Final Act of the Chibi Troopers?" See you then!