Forever Suiko

Chapter 12
 
 
The noose had tightened on the poor boy. Sai desperately struggled for air but then again, he wasn't. Then, three figures came pounding into the courtyard, shouting, "You leave our friend alone!" One had black hair and blue, starlight eyes. The other had one eye appearance and held out his no-datchi. It was definitely Sage and Ryo on Whiteblaze! Sai smiled and then he was full of energy. No time to stagger and presume as dead. He bounded and yanked the stiff rope off his throat, joining his friends. He quietly reunited with them. Ryo shook his head, putting his hand on Sai's shoulder, "You're one mischievous and trustworthy guy." Sai beamed solemnly and Sage added, "Oh yes… and maybe I resume him as an idiot right now. How come you're not in your Suiko Armor?"

Sai shrugged and lamely said, "Cause I don't feel like it." Sage smacked him on the head, "Dumbbell! You could be dead by now if you don't put up to your full gear!" A mutant henchman sprawled at them and Sage cried, "Thunder… bolt… CUT!" The blaze of lightning swirled around him and crisscrossed at the enemies. That was when Ryo was attacked from offside and he flew in the air, unaware. Ryo shrieked as the Mutant cackled, "You are too weak to face me, Wildfire. You can't even withstand the power." Sai saw how come Ryo couldn't fight. Gosh, it was Rowen was part of him and his Inferno Armor. He also recognized something unfortunate his foot for it was dreadfully injured from just jumping overboard to catch Rowen.
                 

Racing from no where, his palm bladed against the atomic shield that held Rowen inside and blemished it with all he got. Falling off side, he became sheepish. Luckily Whiteblaze had knocked him off the deck before a fire beam was launched. Rowen ran over to Sai, shaking him, "SAI! I'm here! You freed me! SAI!" Immediately, he glared, glumly at the Mutant. "Ha, ha! You've not seen what the Ronins can do! Now I'm free, you've no hope against us!" Rowen got up and saw Sai's hand flung in front of him. Sai groaned, "You guys don't got a chance against this fool. Someone has to go and fetch Kento… before he falls into the duplicate's hand. Then, we've lost again." Ro flared, "Sai! You gotta be kidding! The duplicate is only one third of this Mutant's strength! How could you say…?"
               

Sai broke off, defending a laser beam that sped right in front of Rowen. Within the defense, he had consumed the laser's energy, regenerating it into his. Rowen brought out his armor anyway, "Armor of Strata! Dao Ino-chi!" It was like a pure trance, which not one could move till he finished his transformation. Ryo and Sage had done the same before they had reached the arena. Rowen made his you-are-in-trouble face at the abundant of enemies. Raising his bow, he shot a blazing arrow and pinned. Sai still wouldn't transform to his armor… which made no sense to anyone.
               

All Sai did was made his yari appear and disappear at the time of use. Sage thought, "That Sai… he probably thinks his Suiko Armor won't be able to help him right now. But gosh, he'll be five times better than he's fighting right now. Why don't we summon the Inferno Armor? That way we could finish them once and for all." Ryo nodded, "That's a great plan. Agreed?" Rowen also agreed, vivaciously, but Sai confirmed, "Sure, you could. I don't disagree with it. But…" He stopped himself, making sure Ryo wouldn't get curious to ask what he was about to say.
              

 "Sai…" began Ryo, then ordered, "everyone! Let's kick it! Armor…" A legion of soldiers blasted from all sides, attacking at the same time. Sage called, "Rowen! Sai! Let's summon the Ronin Three Shield and let Ryo transform to the Inferno! NOW!" Sai had to go by with it. This was the time Sai had been suspecting. Kento hollered, "Don't say three! Make it four! Kento of Hardrock at your service!" His horn on his helmet glinted. Sai happily yelped, "Kento! You're here! All right!"
               

Everyone then thought Sai finally was going to change to his Suiko Armor. But no, he didn't. Instead, he undid his sub-armor, back into an orb. Sai cried, "Ryo! Take this! Power of Suiko and Trust! Transform this power, into the Inferno's heart! Dao Shin!" He threw his orb at Ryo, which was merely startled. The orb disappeared into Ryo, now within HIM. Ryo shouted, "Sai! SAI! Why on currents did you do that?" Sai commanded, "Change into the Inferno. I'll take care of myself!"
               

Ryo couldn't say anything and immediately, he had to transform. Once he did, the Fervor Swords were in his hands. He cried, "Rage… of… INFERNO!" The minute the source of magic lit, he was reflected and the power rebounded, hitting HIM! "GAH!" Everyone yelled, "RYO!" Kento was behind him, catching his fall, "--oomph-- Got you…" Ryo was shocked by the minute, the swords didn't work! Sai's hand went to the ground and bright sheet of light swerved around him; the Mutant combined his power and went for Ryo and Kento. Kento called, "IRONROCK CRUSHER!” heading head-to-head with the beast. The Mutant was extraordinary, slicking for Kento's naginata before he could summon the full power of the "IRONROCK Crusher."
                  

Sai's light had blocked the all-cornering soldiers to attack his friends. Now, the light became an automatic shield. The lisping gale rushed from his hand, attacking the Mutant. Sai crowed, "RYO! All of you! This is not good. Go to the exit at the left and jump down the circling beam down below. I'll be right behind you… GO!" Kento took off, trusting his old pal he'll be right behind. But the rest knew what Sai had in mind but lucky Kento didn't and led them away. Sai took out an amulet that had four gems on it. It was something he had ever since. "I have saved the Suiko Armor… now I've to save this."
                  

The beastly Mutant cackled and the soldiers gave heave and broke in. Sai used invisibility to escape for a short period. Then, he called, "You want me, you'll have to fight for it! One-on-one Mutant! ONE-ON-ONE!" The Mutant smiled, "Sure… one-on-one, Torrent… or should I say… Sai?" True enough, he couldn't use his Suiko Armor now. But he felt no major effect about it. Turning toward the Mutant, it had already attacked him, smacking at his jaws, causing blood to pour down his mouth. Sai retrieved the attack, hitting at the Mutant's chest. The Mutant's hands of claws scratched and dug at Sai's back and shoulder. Squinting, his leg made the thing go off balance as Sai regain his energy.
                  

The two had big aura around each of them… one blue… the other a dark bloody red. Sai's ki became so tense that every blow made the ki stronger. Taking his chances, Sai fled to do a Rowen type of spin kick, flying around and around from the side, hitting at the Mutant's face, scarring it. The Mutant growled and went for Sai's neck, choking him. Mutant: "You've got your fun! Now give up or I'll suffocate you AND take the amulet!" Sai refused, "Never. Not even if you strangle me."
                  

Sai's eyes radiated at the hit of the moon's light. It was getting dark, time had passed… coming toward midnight. Sai knew, by the fireworks of midnight… it would determine who should win. The Ronin… or a Mutant was to win. Sai did a backward pound, spinning the Mutant right over, smashing to the ground. His hands gripped at the Mutant and surpassed a shimmering energy. "You know… I already know I'm going to die anyway. By a will…"
               

Ryo scowled, "He's not coming! Darn it, he's just going to fight alone! I knew it wasn't going to be good!" Kento cried, "He told us and now we must! Just trust him. He's Torrent, right? I think it's best to." Rowen and Sage didn't like the idea either and told that Ryo was right. Refusing to go down, the three, with Kento nagging behind, sped as fast as they could back.
                

Mrs. Mori was at Ryo's home now, looking at the note with tears. It was in a poem Sai had written with his best calligraphy. "Sai… Little thing… he's not going to survive. With how he's already hurt and everything… he's not going to live. I shouldn't have kept it as a secret to him." Mrs. Date confirmed, "You had to. You wanted to protect him from the knowledge. Plus, I bet the boys will protect him… for certainly Sage…" Mrs. Mori whispered, "That Sai… he'll do anything to protect them instead… if only I could give him one last… hug and kiss." She had tears in her eyes and no hope that he'll return.