Talpa grinned at the expression on Rowen's face. It was mixed with shock, disbelief, and pain. One could tell the boy thought he was either dreaming some horrible nightmare or thought he was hallucinating from the blows he had received.

He laughed, the sound echoing off the dark walls of the throne room. "I am no dream or hallucination, Strata. I am very real and very much alive."

"Unfortunately," Cye muttered as he held his broken wrist. By now it had swollen three times the normal size and was black and blue, and it hurt awful. He glanced over at Rowen's wounds worriedly. His wrist was not important right now. It was Rowen who needed help. His wounds were much worse than his own, and if they weren't tended to soon, they could become infected and make him ill.

Talpa ignored Torrent's remark for the time being. He kept his cold eyes on Strata. "And now I will tell both you and Torrent what plans I have for you, Strata."

"If it's anything that has to do with you, we don't want to hear about it," Rowen said through clenched teeth. He was still in pain, but he wasn't going to give Talpa the satisfaction of knowing it.

Talpa's eyes flashed red. "You have no choice, Strata. And I'm sure after one day you will change your mind about it."

"We'll see," Rowen snapped. "Whatever you're planning on anyway." He was seriously tired of Talpa's mouth, and wished he had the energy and strength to get and just punch the chrome dome into outerspace. But he was too sore, and too weak. All he wanted was a comfortable bed to lie in and sleep.

Talpa smirked. "I am sending you both to our school to attend to. There you will learn all about the Dynasty and how powerful you can become by joining us!"

Rowen glared at him. "Forget it, Talpa! It's not gonna happen!"

"Yeah, we don't want to go your Dynasty School!" Cye added.

Talpa glared at them both. "You will both think differently after tonight. I promise you that."

"NEVER!!" Rowen and Cye both screamed.

Talpa's eyes flashed red and his long stringy white hair blew as if a wind had suddenly come into the room. At the same time both Rowen and Cye felt incredible burning pain as energy waves struck them, causing them both to scream in agony. At the same time they vanished, each to separate cells in separate dungeons.

Talpa's power died down and he glared off into space as he tapped his metal fingers against the arm of his throne. "Those two will learn not to fuel my anger, and they will do everything I say or face the consequences of it!"

Ryo let out a sigh as he walked out of the hospital with a shake of his head. He was quite discouraged and more worried than he ever been before. Where could those two be? They weren't here, they weren't at the library, nor at Aqua Land, or SpaceView Legacy. It was like they vanished into thin air!

Sage glanced over at him worriedly as they made their way back to the jeep. He had this feeling that both Rowen and Cye were suffering badly, but he couldn't place where they might be. It nerved him to no end and for once Sage felt screaming in the middle of the street while tearing his hair out in frustration. But he knew it would do them no good to lose control like that.

"Ryo," he said softly as the bearer of Wildfire glanced at him. "We'll find them."

Ryo merely nodded with a sigh, but Sage knew the look on his face. He was afraid they would never see Cye and Rowen again.

Kento was grumbling though. "I swear when we get back home, and those two are sitting there, laughing about this, I'm gonna rip them both apart!"

Ryo didn't answer as they all climbed back into the jeep. Sage started the jeep up and drove off, casting a worried look at Ryo as he did so.

Ryo gazed out the window, a vacant expression on his face. Rowen. Cye. Where are you two? Are you all right? Are you even alive?

Rowen laid on his side, in full pain. He tried to ignore it, but it was too much. A terrible headache had developed and he was seriously wishing he would pass out. But his wish didn't come true, and he was forced to endure the pain he felt. He held his head, whimpering softly. Ryo, Sage, Kento, please..... save us....... And the tears dripped down his cheeks.

Cye was trembling in the darkness as he held his wrist. Tears streamed down from his face. He felt scared, in pain, and lonely. But the worst feeling of all was the loneliness. He would have given almost anything to be home with Rowen right now. Cooking, putting up with Kento, wrestling, or even talking to his fish. But he was stuck here in a horrible nightmare that seemed all too real. All Cye wanted was to go home along with Rowen and be with his friends again. And the tears continued to pour down his face.

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Crimson Flames was right! Chapter 4 came out soon! Aren't ya happy now! Wait, what was that you ask? Where's Chapter 5? It's coming soon! And no, neither Crimson Flames or I own the RWs, so don't sue us. She's right. We're both broke. All I have are some pennies, $45 in the bank, and dog and a mean wolf hybrid. Any questions? And please send comments to Crimson Flames and me! We'd love to hear from you, but no flames please! Arigato! Firestorm.

Rowen came to very slowly. He winced sharply as he pushed off his back and sat up resting against the wall. He couldn't see very well because a mixture of blood and tears blurred his vision. He reached his right hand up. It was trembling slightly as he touched his forehead. A second deep gash had been made. He drew back his hand and looked at the crimson that stained his finger tips. He just stared at the blood. His blood.

Rowen closed his eyes and tried to brush back his hair, which he found impossible. For dark dried blood now tangled his hair. His mouth was dry and his belly was growling. As well as he figured, it had been 3 maybe 4 days since he'd eaten or drank anything. Though to him it felt like an eternity. He took a deep breath wondering if he'd ever get out of this alive. A thought reached him. If he went with the Warlords he'd be fed and his wounds would be treated. Cye could get out on his own. Even when he battled alongside the other warriors he was often bailed out by Ryo or Sage. He was the weakest fighter there and always in the way. He was no use to the Ronins. Maybe he's the weak link in the chain for the warlords-. Rowen slammed his fist down causing the half healed cuts on his hand to re open he didn't seem to care. He was too angry with himself.

“Come on Rowen!” he thought to himself. “Stop it, Cye is one of your best friends. You can't turn you back on him.” Rowen growled at his own thoughts. “Just stop it, damn it! They'll come. They’ll save you, they always do ... “ He spoke the last of his thoughts out loud. "Just be strong Rowen, Just be strong." His voice barely above a whisper as he spoke.

His thoughts cut off quickly as all senses went on red alert as he heard someone approaching his cell.

"Who's there?” Rowen asked his voice at first weak but ending strong . Unwilling to give who ever it was the benefit of knowing he was frightened.

Dais calmly unlocked his cell, at first ignore the Ronin.

"Talking to your self again Ronin rodent?”

Rowen got to his feet as quickly as his wounds and fever would allow. The room went wheeee for a moment and Rowen had to grab a hold of the cell for support. Rowen was quick to regain his footing and look toward the door, now the smallest amount of light trickled though the now open door.


"Dais" Rowen hissed.

"What do you want , Dais" Rowen said almost fearful of the answer.


"Me? Nothing, Strata, although it's time for you to go to school," Dais responded.


If it had not been a matter of life or death Rowen would have laughed at the thought of Dais saying, 'It's time for school.'


Rowen thought of going with him. Cye could handle it, but the bearer of Strata shook his head and responded in sheer anger.

"NEVER"!

Dais smiled, or smirked Rowen couldn't tell in the dark shadows of the cell. What Dais said next sent chills up his spine.

"Strata, Strata, Strata tisk tisk. Your mistake. Tulpa wanted you unharmed IF you complied. Clearly you have refused his offer... and so I can try to convince you in any way necessary."


Before Rowen could defend against it, Dais hit him hard in the face and slammed him into a wall, his arm across Rowen’s neck. Rowen couldn't breath.


"Last chance, Strata," Dais hissed.


Rowen couldn't breath and so couldn't respond with words but as the saying goes actions speak louder than words. Rowen spit in Dais’ face. Dais growled in fury and drew back his fist.

When Dais's fist connect Rowen blacked out......

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part 2
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Cye sat in silence, his knees draw to his chest. He cradled his wrist with his other hand his wrist now easily 3 times its normal size. The flesh was pushed up where the bone was broken and almost pushed past the skin. He looked around struggling to comprehend what was going on. Tulpa back, the warlords evil ..again .. and where were the guys? Normally he would have sensed them. Cye couldn't even figure out why he couldn't sense Rowen. His guess was it was something to do with the cells, maybe the nether spirits or something. He took a deep breath wondering what he would do when the Warlords came knocking.


Almost 2 hours had past and Cye had almost found sleep when he heard a key turning and unlocking the cell door. Cye was on his feet quickly still cradling his wrist.



"Who's there?" Cye shouted into the darkness.



No answer


"Who's there?" Cye shouted again becoming fearful.


No answer

"WHO'S THERE " Cye said struggling to keep the fear out of his voice.


Cye froze as a hot breath brushed past his left ear. It was then he realized the Warlord was in the cell with him.


"W-Who's there" Cye stumbled though the words as he jumped away from the breath.


Again the breath beside his ears but this time a voice followed.


"Time for your lessons, Torrent," a growl said.

Cye recognized the voice and swung around with his good hand trying to hit him.


Cale easily defended.

Cye swung with the other hand, his hurt wrist.

Cale grabbed his wrist, pulling his palm past its limits that was followed by a sickening crack as another bone shattered in his wrist. Cye fell to the ground.

"Now Torrent, last chance. Will you comply with Tulpa's wishes or will you refuse foolishly and like you ally pay the price." Cale hissed still holding Cye's wrist tightly.


Cye struggled not to scream, but hearing 'ally' he knew he was talking of Rowen. A mixture of pain and fear was evident in his voice.

"What did you do to Rowen? If you hurt him so help me-" Cye started but was cut off by cold pain that course through him and forced him again to the ground as Cale pushed on his wrist more.


Before Cye could gather his wits enough to remember how to speak a picture appeared before him; a picture that forced him to stop breathing.


*Rowen lay in a pool of his own blood deep gashes covered his body. his blue hair now almost crimson and stiff from blood. His shirt now on the ground around 5 feet away, well what was left of his shirt. His pants rippled and torn until only a few shards of cloth clung to his trembling body, He was burning up with fever and seemed exhausted , mentally and physically . Rowen seemed to be clinging to life and sanity all at once. He lay chest first on the cold floor, his back rising and falling in a fearful rhythm..*


Cye's eyes widened in fear and disbelief. Slowly, but steadily pain and fear was replaced by a cool dangerous anger . Cye stood slowly turning to face Cale and Sekhmet he could barely make out their features in the darkness.


"I'll go.... but leave him be, don't hurt him again.... and allow me to see him." He paused "Thoses are my standards," Cye finished.


Sekhmet started to argue, but Cale cut him off.

"Very well you may see him after lessons, BUT if you attempt to flee we will kill him" Cale stated.


Cye nodded and turned walking freely out of the cell. Cale stood on his right and Sekhmet to his left. Cye cradled his wrist as he walked, but he never made any escape attempt.


Softly Cye whispered, ..........."Rowen"..........
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That’s Ch.5 hope ya like. sorry it took so long.


we don't own the RW regardless how many times we put it on our wish list.


Ja-ne


~*~Crimson Flames ~*~

Chapter 6


Cye continued down the long dark hallway that was lit up only by torches adorning the walls on either side. He continued to hold his wrist, grimacing in pain, but he refused to let the tears come. He glanced up at Cale on his right side, then glanced up at Sekhmet. He let out a soft sigh and let his gaze fall to the floor as he continued to walk.
Just what was Talpa's plan? he wondered. And why did it involve school? Cye had no idea, but he knew it could be no good. Cye promised himself that no matter what happened he would not get taken over.
He suddenly found himself in the throne room.
"Master Talpa, here he is," Cale said with a bow.
Talpa looked toward Torrent with a hateful and cold look. He snapped his fingers causing a pitch black uniform with gold snap up buttons to appear on him. A backpack had appeared as well. Cye was surprised, then he heard the Dynasty master and looked up, seeing his eyes glowing red.
"I am warning you, Torrent. If you try to escape from the school, your friend Strata will be tortured relentlessly. And if you try to contact your friends you will be beaten. Is that understandable?"
Cye glared at him hatefully. "No, it's not understandable." Before Talpa could say anything, he took a deep breath, then lowered his head* But I won't try to escape or contact my friends."
"Good," Talpa said, nodding with approval. "Now get your backpack. Cale will take you to school. You will be picked up at 6 P.M."
6 P.M? Cye wondered, with a puzzled look on his face as he used his good hand to grab the backpack. It was almost empty except for a few notebooks, folders, pens and a pencil, and maybe one eraser.
Talpa noticed his look and laughed. "Oh, did I forget to mention? School in the Netherrealm lasts longer than it does on Earth."
Cye frowned, unsure whether he liked that idea or not. Without another word he turned and followed Cale out of the room. Cale led him down the halls again and outside of the castle. For a moment Cye had to shield his eyes at the sudden brightness of the outside. Although it wasn't compared to Earth's light, he had been in the dark for three days and any kinda light hurt.
Cale grunted. "Let's move, Ronin."
Cye grumbled quietly to himself all the way.

Rowen's eyes fluttered open and he sat up with another groan. That was a big mistake. A huge wave of dizziness hit him full force that he could actually see his entire cell spinning like a rotator on an axis. He fell back down and winced as his head connected with the stone floor. A soft pained groan escaped his dried lips. He closed his eyes waiting for the spinning to stop, but it seemed relentless as it continued on and on.
Rugged breath escaped through his mouth, and even that hurt. In fact everything hurt, especially his head. Oh why didn't he just go with Dais? Anything had to be better than being beaten and starved everyday. A frown came to his lips. No. No matter how hard it was he was going to get through this. He was positive the others were looking for him and Cye. He would just have to be patient and wait. Cye.....
Rowen opened the mind link between him and Cye and tried reaching out to him. 'Cye?' No answer. 'Cye?' Silence. Rowen frowned and tried once more.
"Forget it, Ronin, he can't answer you."
Rowen opened his eyes to glare up at Sekhmet. "And why not? What have you done?!"
Sekhmet smirked. "I have done nothing, Strata. Your friend chose to follow Master Talpa's orders. Soon he will become part of the Dark Dynasty."
Rowen gasped as his eyes filled with horror. "No....... NO! Cye's not like that! He'll never join you!"
Sekhmet spat. "Say what you want, Ronin, but already Cale has taken him to school. And there he'll learn everything needed to turn him to Master Talpa's side. A much better way than using netherspirits, don't you agree?"
Rowen was tempted to spit at him, but a sudden vision came back to him. It was the one where he spat in Dais' face right before he lost consciousness again. He kept his mouth tightly closed, glaring heatedly at Sekhmet. If only looks could kill.
Sekhmet laughed and turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the hall.
Rowen sighed painfully and relaxed his head, wincing at the slightest pain. His eyes closed. 'Guys, please...... find us..... please?'

Sage was an absolute total mess. For days he had been having dreams. Dreams that Rowen and Cye were both alive. He hadn't had any sleep for the past three days, and food seemed to disagree with him. He had stayed locked up in his and Rowen's room, trying to sort the mess out in his head as he paced back and forth.
I know they're alive! I know it!! They can't be dead! A sigh escaped his lips as his gaze lingered on a photo on the dresser. He frowned and collapsed onto his bed as a single tear escaped his eye.

Kento was beating the stuffing out of his pillow as tears ran down his face and dripped onto it. Already a corner of the pillow was soaked, and it was getting flatter and flatter as a gash ripped along the side. It had been only a few days since they had found the car lodged in the deep ravine off the mountain side, on it's roof. The car had been completely damaged and had caught fire.
Kento sobbed quietly as a terrifying image of Cye and Rowen came to his mind. He could just see them trapped in the car, struggling to get out as it crashed over the guardrail and floated through the air, careening toward the ground which was seventy-five feet below. When Kento saw the explosion in his mind his eyes snapped open wide with horror. And he sobbed even more as the pain hit him all at once.

Ryo was angry and upset, and no one, not even Mia or White Blaze could calm him down. Already he had broken five plates, four bowls, and six glasses, smashing them all against the kitchen walls, as he let his temper, frustration, worry, and concern get to him. Tears constantly ran down his face the whole time as he continued to blame himself for what had happened. I knew I shouldn't have let them go off by themselves! CRASH! There went another plate. It's my fault they're dead! SMASH! Another glass. Already the floor was littered with several broken pieces of glass that left the floor hardly to be seen. Ryo dropped to the floor and cried.

Cye found himself in school and already knew that he did not like it. It was much larger than what he was used it and looked like a maze. Dynasty soldiers were everywhere and constantly watching him. The place was dim and cold and littered with trash and graffiti and pictures and statues of Talpa and netherspirits and of famous Dynasty warriors were in every hall and on every wall.
He was in his first class which was Dynasty History. He had expected the teacher to be teaching but instead of that, the teacher whose name was Gadala ranted at him.
"Why did you attack our emperor, Ronin?" Gadala demanded as every student turned to look at Cye. Cye hated this much attention as he glared down at his desk, refusing to answer. The teacher became angry and slammed his fist against his desk, created a loud echo that caused the students to jump. "ANSWER ME!!"
Cye glared at him angrily* He attacked us first! We had a right to defend our world and the people in it! That's what a Ronin Warrior does!"
Gadala sniffed indigniately. "Well, your world will soon become Master Talpa's anyway, the way it was suppose to be. And you Ronins won't be able to do anything about it. Now I want all of you to open your books up to page 562 and read to page 567."
The class did as it was told. Cye sat there, not bothering to read at all as he glared angrily at the words, the teacher's tauntings continuing through his head.

Rowen looked up as a Dynasty Guard went by his cell. The guard eyed him as it did so, but continued onward until it was gone altogether. He let a sigh out, wincing as even that caused him pain. His stomach growled again, but now because of his fever the slightest thought of food made him sick to his stomach. He tried to think of anything else besides that. His thoughts turned to Sage, Kento, Ryo, Mia, White Blaze and Yulie. Yes, even Yulie. Rowen missed them all, and wondered just how much longer it would take them to rescue Cye and him. The more time passed the more Rowen began to believe that he would die in this place, but then what would happened to Cye? He knew he had to stay strong and keep going, but it was getting so hard to do that. All he wanted was to wake up from this horrible nightmare.
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Another part has been finished and put together finally. Crimson is working on the next chapter as we speak. Again, we do not own the Ronins! Ja!