JAL flight 004 from Chicago O'Hare is now arriving at gate 6...
 

    The trip seemed even longer than the first time.  Every second seemed like an eternity.  Katie watched the solid blue that was below her for hours on end, wishing she could just teleport there or something, but she knew that was not an option.  She didn't' know how any ways.  When the plane finally landed she had even more trouble getting past customs since she didn't know how long she'd be there.  A year, just to get them off her back.  Work?  Sure, why not, got herself a work visa.  School? Never thought about it, this was a spur of a moment trip.  She got what visa's she could and finally got through the gate about an hour and a half later.  It seemed like a mile before she got to the baggage claim.  After waiting for a half hour, her bags finally came through.  Shouldering one bag and pulling the handle out of the other she headed off toward the lobby where Mia should be waiting.
    Mia and Yuli sat in some chairs off of the side of the lobby.  Katie walked out and noticed them before they saw her.  Yuli jumped up at the sight of her,
    "Katie!!" He exclaimed looking hopeful
    "What happened? We thought something might have happened." Mia asked taking one of her bags.
    "Had trouble going through customs... I'm here for a year, with two or three different visas." Katie stated, "So, what's going on?"
    "Let's get going, I'll explain on the way." Mia said as she led Katie to the red jeep.

    Katelynn and Stardust were still in the Nether Realm walking through a pasture, heading toward the gate they would use to get back to the mortal realm.
      "It's hard to believe this is a land full of demons." Katelynn sighed as she looked down at the beautiful flowers they passed.
    ~ Do not let your guard down. We could be jumped at any time. ~ Stardust warned getting Katelynn's attention.
    "Oh, Stardust, you need to calm down. Nothing is going to happen." Katelynn stated waving the white tiger off.  Katelynn stopped to pick a particularly pretty one, when just as she plucked the flower from the ground it and all the ones around it wilted before her eyes.
    ~ Katelynn! Watch out!! ~ Stardust yelled jumping in front of Katelynn who was still looking at the wilted flower.

    "...And we don't know where Cye is or if he's even all right."  Mia explained and then looked over at Katie who was watching the scenery go by.  "Are you all right? You don't look too good."
    "I just haven't gotten much sleep the past couple nights."  Katie said sighing.
    "Just nervous or what?" Yuli asked leaning up so he was between the seats.
    "Yeah, that and worried, I guess."  Katie replied
    "Worried? About Cye?" Mia asked taking a glance over at her.
    "Yeah, and the others.  I don't want to end up like Katelynn, alone and afraid." Katie replied taking a deep breath to keep from crying.
    "You won't be alone.  You have us!" Yuli chimed.
    "Yes, I have you, but then, when I have to go home, and I can't stay here…" Katie trailed off.
    "Don't you have people who care for you at home?" Yuli asked looking over at Katie.
    "I have my family yes, but... " Katie didn't finish
    "What about friends?" Mia asked, "Surely you have friends at home."
    "Yes, I have friends, but, well, they're more like acquaintances." Katie replied looking over at Yuli who gave her a puzzled look, "Its just that the only time I see or talk of them is at school.  And then even it's they who start talking to me first.  I very rarely start the conversations.  I don't go anywhere or do anything with them.  My one best friend is, or was similar, yet different.  She used to stay home like me, but she is more forward and isn't as shy or backwards as I am." Katie explained, "The guys were the first ones to get me out and do stuff.  I'm happy when I'm around them. Especially Cye.  But now they have him and I'm afraid.  They'll get the others too."
    "Katie, the Ronin Warriors haven't lost yet." Yuli said cheerfully.
    "I wish I had your spirit, Yuli. But I can't keep these worries out of my head.  I'm afraid I'm naturally pessimistic."
    "Just don't give up hope, K?" Yuli said smiling.
    "I promise." Katie replied ruffling his hair.  They continued down the road and were just about to hit the lake when a feeling of sudden dread came over Katie and she opened the door to the Jeep.  Mia slammed on the breaks but not fast enough.  Katie jumped from the jeep and rolled onto the ground.   She was shocked for a second and then jumped up and ran into the woods.
    "Katie!" Mia yelled after her, "Yuli, shut the door. She's heading toward the lake." Mia instructed. Yuli jumped into the front seat, shut the door and Mia hit the gas.

    Katie ran though the woods, donning her sub armor as she ran.  She didn't know where she was going, but let her mind show her the way.  Something had caused her to jump out of a moving jeep, so she had to trust whatever that was.  She emerged from the woods into a clearing next to the lake.  Just in front of the lake was a female warrior clad in very skimpy armor.  Katie looked around the clearing and saw the others.  Ryo was near the warrior, Sage was on the other side of the cleaning, while Rowen was shouldering a badly hurt Kento not far away from Katie.
    "So, you've finally arrived." The warrior hissed putting her hand on her hips.
    "Katie, get out of here. Your not ready to fight." Sage yelled.
    "Shut up Halo!" The warrior snapped waving her hand at him throwing a wave of energy slamming him into some trees, "Let me decide if she's ready to fight"
    "Sage!" Katie yelled, "What have you done, you... you.... SLUT!!!" Katie yelled, "Man, I need some lessons in insulting."
    "They are no longer involved in this battle." She lifted up her arms and sent a huge wave of energy at all the Ronin's knocking them all into trees and unconscious," Now the true battle has begun."  The warrior stepped aside as a spout of water erupted from the lake. It twisted in the air and came down on the shore next to the warrior.  After a few seconds the water stopped and evaporated leaving a warrior in a red Torrent armor.

     ~ You were saying? ~ Stardust said as she glared down at Katelynn.  Katelynn stood up slowly the dead flower still in her hand.
    "What happened?" Katelynn asked looking at the dead pasture.
    ~ We fight. ~  Stardust stated taking a fighting stance, ~ You disturbed their home, they will not be happy. ~
    "What?! I just picked a flower!" Katelynn exclaimed looking around nervously.
    ~ But flowers here in the Nether Realm are very rare, so the ones that are here are very rare. ~ Stardust explained.
    "Well, where are they?"
    ~ They're already here. ~ Stardust said as demons started to come from the ground as if they were growing.
    "We have to fight that?!"
    ~ That's the idea! ~ Stardust said as she jumped on one of the demons before it was totally out of the ground.  She took its weapon in her mouth and tossed it to Katelynn. ~ Here, use this. ~ Katelynn jumped back in surprise and looked at the weapon like it was going to jump up and attack.  ~ Katelynn, NOW! ~ Katelynn picked up the spear and looked at it.  A demon came up behind Katelynn, and without really thinking Katelynn turned and stabbed the spear right through his midsection.  Several more demons came up and she killed each and every one of them, but they continued to grow.
    "Stardust, there is no way we're going to make it through all of them." Katelynn yelled as she stabbed yet another demon.
    ~ You must use the power in the armor ~ Stardust yelled back, ~ These demons are made of plant matter.  They hate fire. You need to use fire to stop them ~
    "But, Stardust, Ryo was the one that could control fire." Katelynn yelled.
    ~ Katelynn, you possess a piece of each of their armors. You can control fire too! Just concentrate. Think about the fire Ryo used when he fought and concentrate on it ~ Katelynn closed her eyes and pictured Ryo working out.  He moved with such grace. He used the power of the volcano in his attacks.
    "That's it!" Katelynn yelled. Honor flared on her forehead. "I call upon the power of the immortal volcano to aid me in this battle." as Katelynn yelled she began to glow red and an enormous amount of heat radiated off of her body. The demons, afraid of the heat she was creating disappeared. When Katelynn saw that they were gone she stop concentrating and sat down among the already dead bodies and flowers. "How did I do that?"
    ~ Your armor is of five elements. You can call on all five elements while in your sub armor. Only when you are in your full armor can you actually use them in an attack. ~ Stardust explained,
    "How does calling on the element help?"
    ~ By calling on the element it will protect you. Like just now. The fire from the volcano radiated its heat off of you scaring the demons away, but you couldn't have killed any of them. This is our goal while we are here. You must be able to call on any of the elements with out having to concentrate on them. ~
    "But, how do I do that?"
    ~ Practice. Come let us go to where it is safe. ~  Stardust stated, as she headed away from the battlefield.

    "I can't fight him!" Katie reeled back in shock.
    "Then that's your problem.  He doesn't remember you.  He's under my master's control.  And if I tell him to kill you... he will." The warrior said as she raised her hand into the air, flicking her wrist once disappearing in a mist.
    "Come on Cye.  I know you're in there."  Katie said shaking her head, "I know you.  You wouldn't do this to your friends.  Please Cye, listen to me!! I know you can hear me!! Please!!!"

SUPER WAVE SMASHER!!!

    "CYE!!!!" Katie yelled as the funnel of water headed straight for her.  Katie didn't know what to do, there was no way she would be able to move fast enough to avoid the attack let alone block it.  She looked around quickly, at each of the guys mentally calling for their help.  Somewhere deep in her mind she thought she heard something.  She wasn't quite sure what it was at first, but she didn't have time to think about it, the one word, Wildfire.  Suddenly Honor flared to life on her head.  Her sub armor started to glow red, it was not just a light, it was heat.  The pure heat from the volcano.  Katie didn't understand what had just happened, she didn't try to, she was just glad it did.  The heat created from her sub armor was hot enough to evaporate Cye's attack.

    Night had fallen when the two travelers reached a small lake on the outskirts of the forest they met in.
    ~ We should be safe here. ~ Stardust said as she drank some of the water.  Katelynn followed and edged her way into the water till she was waist deep.
    "This water feels so good.  You should come in, Stardust." Katie said as she dove into the water head first, and reemerging near the center.
     ~ Water is the element in which the wearer of the Suiko armor controls... ~
    "His name is Shin." Katelynn stated as she floated around.
    ~ Shin can control the water but is at his strongest when he is in the water. Concentrate on the water that is around you. What is it about the water that allows Shin to be strong? ~
    "Well, I guess it would be the currents. A water's currents are what shape the lakes and rivers they run through." Katelynn replied
    ~ You're awfully smart for a princess. ~ Stardust replied.
    "Who said I was a normal princess." Katelynn replied grinning over at the tiger.
    ~ Well, I want you to concentrate on those currents no matter how small they are. ~ Stardust instructed.  Katelynn looked down at the water and could feel its strength as it splashed against her.  Katelynn closed her eyes and felt the strength flow through her.  Stardust noticed as she started to glow a light blue, and as the water around her started to form a barrier around her.  Katelynn opened her eyes and saw Stardust on the shore through the wavy water that now surrounded her.  Katelynn let herself sink below the surface and let the water protect her.  It kept air in her little bubble, and through something she could only imagine, the air stayed fresh.  It was amazing, so many different kinds of animals roamed around her, she felt as if she could live down there.  She just floated in her little bubble and watched all the life around her.
    ~ Katelynn, it's time to come up. ~ Katelynn jumped at the voice in her head and lost her concentration causing her little haven underwater to suddenly be filled with water.  She stumbled to the surface gasping for breath when she arrived.
    "It was so beautiful down there.  I could have stayed down there for hours." Katelynn stated swimming toward the shore.
    ~ Yes, I know.  But you have been under there for hours, four hours to be exact.  You seem to have the hang of it. ~
    "Yea, I guess I do.  Well, except when you started talking to me." Katelynn frowned crawling up onto the shore, too tired to walk.
    ~ That's something you will need to learn.  At one point, you will have to be able to do more then one thing at a time.  We can rest for tonight, but we must get moving in the morning. ~ Stardust said settling down next a large tree.  Katelynn just remained where she was and watched the night sky till she fell asleep.

    Cye was also surprised at this new power Katie seemed to have.  Deciding the attack would not work as long as she knew she could do this, he had to do something.  Rushing her he grabbed her and jumped into the air.  Katie struggled the entire time hitting him, trying to get him to let go, but he didn't.  They landed right in the middle of the lake.  When Katie realized what he had done she tried to look around for him, but she was never able to open her eyes very well in the water, and she needed air, like yesterday.  She started to swim to the surface when she heard something in the distance.  She turned to find Cye's attack rushing toward her, killing all the life that was in its way.  The attack hit and sent Katie flying out of the water and into the air.  Katie didn't know what to do, except to take a deep breath before she reentered the water, knowing she wouldn't know how long she'd have to stay under.  When the water cleared she looked around for him, and when she couldn't find him she started to swim up to the surface, but found she was stuck on some rocks.  She was running out of air fast, and Cye had just appeared in front of her, poison from his armor killing all that came near him.  He raised his trident and pointed it at her, thinking she couldn't last this time.  Cye called out his attack and the red water rushed toward her, she closed her eyes and wished she could get to Cye, at least once.  She let out her last breath of air as she felt a shock wave hit her.  That couldn't have been the attack she thought as she opened one of her eyes.  The poison was around her, but nowhere near her.  She realized she was breathing air, but how.   Torrent.  The water was protecting her like the fire had.  She had gotten to Cye, just a little, but it was enough to giver her some hope.

    "Are we walking in circles? Isn't this where we first met?" Katelynn asked looking around the wooded area.
    ~ The Nether Realm is full of mysteries.  This may look like the same place but it is not.  The place we did meet might be in the middle of lake, or even a city. ~ Stardust explained as she sat down next to a tree.
    "I guess it's kinda pointless to ask for a map then, isn't it?" Katelynn sighed as she slumped down next to the tree.
    ~ Stand up Katelynn, it's about to start raining. ~ Stardust informed her.
    "You know where we can find shelter?" Katelynn asked doing as the tiger said.
    ~ Yes, you will make it for us. ~ Stardust informed the princess who looked at her in shock.
    "And how exactly am I going to do that?" Katelynn asked looking around, "I don't see anything that would make a good shelter."
    ~ The forest will protect you, but you must ask it to. ~  Stardust explained, ~ The wearer of Korin.... ~
    "Seiji…"
    ~ Seiji, He used the power of nature when he fought.  He was one with the forest.  You must ask that power for help ~ Stardust explained as a few raindrops fell from the sky.   Katelynn thought about what Stardust just said and closed her eyes.  She pictured Seiji using his power and how the creatures of the forest were not afraid of him.  Her ears perked up when she suddenly heard the rainfall, but she couldn't feel it.  Opening her eyes, she found a light green light surrounding her.  On the other side was Stardust already drenched from the rain.  Katelynn closed her eyes again and asked the forest to protect Stardust too, the forest complied and the barrier expanded to enclose the tiger also.
    ~ You did well. We cannot go any farther today, let's rest. ~ Stardust said as she lay down.  Katelynn agreed and thanked the forest for it's help and lie down next to Stardust and fell asleep instantly to the sound of the falling rain.

    Katie freed herself from the rocks and jumped from the lake onto the shore followed by Cye.  Katie landed not far from where she had emerged from the woods with Cye only a few feet in front of her.
    "Put on your armor!" Cye yelled his voice dark and menacing.
    "I can't fight you!"  Katie yelled back.
    "I don't think that's true.  You have the armor of the Earth. It was made from each of their armors.  You can defeat me, but you know that if you do, you'll kill me too." Cye stated walking slowly toward Katie.
    "Earth?!  That's it!  I do have a connection to the other armors.  But why does that make me able to use their power, or maybe I'm just borrowing it..." Katie whispered to herself.
    "So, are you just going to give up?" Cye asked now right in front of her.
    "I won't die until you are free!" Katie yelled in his face.  Cye snarled and his eyes glow a bright red.  He raised his hands towards his fallen friends and a blast of energy emerged from them and headed right for the defenseless Ronins.
    "NO!!" Katie screamed and tried to think of something, "halo..." She whispered closing her eyes.  The blasts of energy exploded, but before they reached them.  The Ronin's were now surrounded by a green shield.  Cye was now mad.
    "Why won't you just give up?!" Cye yelled in her face, "You won't win.  You don't even know how to use your armor!! Put it on!!"
    "NO!" Katie gasped stepping back from the warrior in poison.
    "Then you will die..." Cye seethed as he raised his hand in front of Katie sending a blast of energy right at her.  It was too fast for her to do anything and it sent her flying against a tree knocking the wind out of her.

    Katelynn slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the morning sky.  The rain had stopped and the barrier was now gone, but the leaves still dripped, splashing her on the nose.
    "Ow, I think I slept on a rock." Katelynn said looking over to where Stardust was, but found she was no longer there, "Stardust?"
    ~ I am here child.  I wouldn't leave you. ~ Stardust said walking out from a group of trees.
    "You just surprised me, that's all." Katelynn stated trying not to look like she was worried, "What did you get?"
    ~ Breakfast, I thought you might be hungry. ~ Stardust said laying the packet on the ground.
    "I'm starving!!" Katelynn stated as she tore into the packet and started to eat the raw meat.
    ~ Katelynn! ~ Stardust roared batting the meat from the girl, ~ You cannot eat that raw! It will hurt you! ~
    "I... I'm sorry, Stardust, I...." Katelynn apologized.
    ~ It's okay, I understand.  Now get a fire going so we can have something to eat. Okay. ~ Katelynn nodded and picked up some wood near were they slept and went to work on the fire.

    "How did we get back here? We were going in circles weren't we?!" Katelynn exclaimed as they stood on a cliff overlooking a grand golden castle.
    ~ No matter where you go, you will always end up here.  This is the center of the Nether World.  It's heart. ~ Stardust explained.
    "An evil heart at that." Katelynn said sourly.
    ~ There is nothing you can do about it. ~ Stardust sighed, ~ It is the nature of the Nether Realm.  It is what the Nether Realm is.~
    "Yes, I know.  You said we were nearing the gate." Katelynn stated changing the subject.
    ~ Yes it is around here somewhere, I am surprised we haven't encountered any opposition. ~
    "That's what you think, you little brat!" Red Wing laughed, as he appeared in front of the two travelers, "I thought I got rid of you when you were banished, but it seems you've done quite well for yourself."
    ~ There is nothing you can do, to me.  I will get her friends back, you can count on that! ~ Stardust yelled into his head.
    "Stardust, who is that?" Katelynn asked staying behind the tiger.
    "I milady am the Lord Red Wing.  I am the one that took your friends."
    "YOU?!!" Katelynn gasped and then took a deep breath.
    ~ Katelynn you are not ready to fight.  We must leave now. ~ Stardust said backing away from Red Wing.
    "Oh, don't leave so soon, I have a gift for you." Red Wing chuckled waving his hand out to the side.  In it appeared the Suiko orb.
    "WHA???? But that..." Katelynn stuttered looking in her pouch where the orb had just been.
    "That's right, it's mine now." Red Wing seethed, "And now the fight of the century, Chikyuu against Suiko, who will win?" Red Wing laughed as the armor orb glow bright blue and then expanded forming the torrent armor with Shin trapped inside.
    ~ Katelynn we must leave! NOW! ~ Stardust yelled when she realized who had just appeared.
    "Shin..." Katelynn whispered.  Shin raised his yari into the air silently calling out his sure kill.
    ~ Katelynn! You can't fight him! Not now!!! ~  Katelynn nodded numbly, and looked to the barren ground below her.  The earth started to shake as a wall of rock erupted separating them from Shin and Red Wing.
    ~ It won't hold for long Katelynn ~ Stardust yelled looking at the glowing figure, the orange hue changed to that of dark blue, and then just as the sure kill made it through the barrier they were gone.
    "Don't worry, Stardust, I will find you, and your student.  You will die." Red Wing hissed as he and Shin disappeared.

    "Cye..." Katie whispered as some blood ran out of her mouth.  Without the sub armor she would of die, but the sub armor won't protect her for long.  She knew that much. She tried to stand up but only got half way when another blast of energy sent her into the tree yet again.
    "You won't defeat me.  You won't even raise arms against me let alone kill me.  You are pathetic, you won't kill, and you and your friends will die.  The Human Realm will belong to Red Wing." Cye laughed as he brought up his trident aiming it to run her through.
    "I know you're in there, Cye.  I would never hurt my friends.  Even if Red Wing does have control, I won't fight." Katie whispered as blood dripped from her wounds.
    "That will be your downfall then." Cye hissed as he released another blast of energy, but this one didn't make it. The earth erupted up between the two forming a barrier, Hardrock.
    "I'd rather run." Katie sighed as she pleaded to Strata. Katie, and the rest of the Ronin's glowed a bright blue and then disappeared.
    "We will, meet again." Cye swore and then returned to his master.

    Mia pulled up next to the cabin by the lake and jumped out.  Scattered along the yard were the Ronins and Katie.  None were moving.  Mia and Yuli raced over to Katie when they saw her move a bit.
    "Katie... Katie!" Mia yelled kneeling down next to her.  Katie looked up at Mia, blood mixed with tears running down her face, "Katie, what happened?"
    "I couldn't fight him." Katie whispered as Mia helped her sit up.
    "You couldn't fight who?" Mia asked wiping some of the blood off her face.
    "Cye..." Katie whispered as she erupted into fresh tears.

ps: Just a note to say THANK YOU to Cora, for helping edit all these things!!