It was raining, just a light sprinkling, as Sanada Ryo, known also as Ryo of Wildfire, was laid to his eternal rest. The coffin was lowered into the cold, unfeeling earth as the seven closest people in the world to him watched in overbearing sadness.
*****
My name is Sage. Date Sage. I was once known as Sage of Halo, the Ronin Warrior of Wisdom. But no more, for my title now belongs to another. No longer am I the handsome young man that send ladies' hearts aflutter. I have grown old, along with my colleagues.
Ryo, was it so long ago that we were so young and full of promise? Have so many years passed?
I still remember... how you freed me from my darkest prison. Without you, I would have been killed a thousand times over. You were my leader, my ally, and my friend. You taught me to live life to its fullest, and warmed my cold heart with your kindness and caring. You broke through my icy shell to find the light within me. And for that, I can never thank you enough.
I know Talpa will rise again soon. I can feel his darkness spreading into this world, like the plague. The new Ronin Warriors will have a difficult time of it.
I was surprised to find my shy grandson, Akira, would be the next bearer of Halo. I had thought one of my two older grandsons, Korin and Seiji would be chosen. But now I realize the armor made the right decision. Akira has a kindness and gentle courage that his brothers lack.
How time has swept by... now our grandchildren will fighting alongside each other, lead by your granddaughter, my friend. Ryoko.
She has lost so much, she no longer has her child's faith. On the outside she remains impassive, but I sense inside, she is screaming. One day that pain will surface, and she will either triumph over it, or be destroyed in a hell of her own making. This small girl will one day hold the full fury of the Inferno in her small hands, a living flame to twist and shape to her will.
I pray she has your strength, Ryo.
*****
The grave seems so harsh and heartless. It pains me to think of you spending eternity there. But of course it is not you, you are up There somewhere, with your son and daughter-in-law. My scientist's mind argues the existence of such a place. Rowen, the Brain, the Genius, the Freak. I have been called this and more. You saw that I was more than a super genius, Ryo. You saw me as a person, not some brain freak. Before I met you and the others, I lived in a world of books and equations and homework. I was safe in my own little world. I liked my own little world.
You pulled me from my cocoon, and I emerged a butterfly, so to speak. I experienced the joys of life firsthand, instead of through the characters in my books. Odd, isn't it? That the Ronin Warrior of Life had to learn to live from another? Ah, well, many things in life are quite strange.
My grandson, Kenji, on the other hand, seems to sink his teeth into life, attack it with tooth and toenail. Now, if only he would stop 'enjoying' life so much and do his homework for once...
But his father expects too much of him, he's disappointed that his son isn't a big brain. Kenji tries to please him, but it never seems to be enough. Kenji will eventually stop trying and shrug it off, like he normally does with things that upset him. He is like me, in that respect.
He will one day be Kenji of the Strata. I hope he embraces his duty as he embraces every heartbeat. I know he will not go about his responsibility the way I did, for he is not me.
However, I believe that the armor chose well.
My glasses are getting splattered with rain... oh, but I digress.
The important thing is that I thank you for all you've done for me, and wish you well, wherever you are.
Domo arigato, Ryo-san.
*****
I won't be far behind you, Ryo. The doctors told me I have cancer, and that it has spread. I have a year to live, a year and a half at the most. I am not afraid to die, I've lived a good life, full of smiles and laughter.
You never smiled as much as you should have. As much as you cared for others, you never seemed to care for yourself. Too much burden was placed upon you.
Somehow, you always managed to find time to help me with my homework, or go to the aquarium with me when no one else would. For awhile, you'd be fascinated by the colorful fish darting among the reefs and plants. Then you would become bored, but you never once complained.
You were many things to me, Ryo. Friend, ally, leader, and so much more.
So much time has passed since we battled Talpa...
Talpa. That word evokes such loathing in me, such anger.
I know he is watching us now, with whatever new Warlords he has gathered. He is watching, and waiting for the time to strike.
I had hoped... he was destroyed permanently. We all knew better than that, though. We knew he would try to revive himself. It angers me so, that our grandchildren must go through what we did. I for one, had never wanted the armor, never wanted to do battle.
The new Warrior of Trust is Yoshio, my oldest grandchild. He's a spunky one, always challenging his father and trying to act so tough. Inside, he is much like me. He angers slowly, tries to make peace before fighting. His love for water and fish rivals my own. He'll sit in front of his fish tank and stare for endless minutes at the little creatures. He cries whenever one dies, but he'd never admit that.
I think he will be the one that holds the new Ronin Warriors together. Trust is the key. He has already formed a bond with the one who will be his leader, Ryoko. That bond was forged five years ago. Yoshio and Ryoko got into a fistfight, and they formed a childish respect for one another... becoming best friends was the next step, naturally.
I know Ryoko better than the other Ronins here do. She was once so bright, and full of laughter. Now she just stares at you with those big green eyes accusingly, as if asking 'Why?'
She was beginning to open up to you, Ryo, and then you left her. Left all of us. And poor Mia... she's all alone now... having to raise her two granddaughters by herself. If anyone can do it, she can.
We'll see each other again, buddy. For in a brief span of twelve months, Cye of the Torrent shall be no more.
See you soon.
*****
No... don't cover him up, I want to scream. I don't want him to go away and leave me. Dude, I hate funerals. I always have.
There are no parades, no candles lit in mourning, no silent vigils. That is what you deserve. For all the world to know the hero you were and to grieve for your loss. Instead, you are being laid to rest in the cold ground, just another dead man to the world. You're not just another man, you were the one who saved the world from a fate so awful, I don't even want to think about it. And none of them even know. If they did, would they even care?
Damn, this suit is uncomfortable. You know how I always hated dressing up. If it were up to me, I'd just lay around in my underwear all day.
Yeah, I know, I know, my daughter-in-law would kill me. Kongo wouldn't even care, he's just like me. Like father like son, huh?
There is one bright side to this, you're with Rekka and Deirdre again. Rekka was so much like you, hot-headed, but caring. And Deirdre, you loved her as if she were your own daughter. It practically killed you when you lost them. You didn't act as upset as you could have, but I knew you were hurting bad. I think Ryoko gets that from you. It's not healthy to keep all that inside, you know?
Talpa's coming. I can feel it in my bones. One of these days, Hiroko of Hardrock will claim the title that was once mine. Warrior of Strength. Ronin of Justice. It was so long ago that I was Kento of Hardrock...
I admit, I wasn't exactly thrilled when I found out that Hiroko would take my armor. I don't know if it was because she was a girl, or because of her cheerful, caring nature. She gets that from her mother. Her appetite on the other hand... whooo-boy. It's almost as big as mine.
The more I thought about it, the better the armor's choice seemed.
Hiroko stands up for what's right, no matter what others think. She rises above the pettiness everyone seems to have locked inside them. Her name does mean magnanimous after all.
Unfortunately, she's surrounded by petty snobs that call themselves her 'friends'. That's a laugh. When Talpa rises again, she'll learn who her true friends are.
You were a true friend to me, man. And I am honored to have known you, to have fought at your side, and to call you friend.
Sayonara.
*****
Ryo... oh gods... my love. I will miss you so. I remember the first time I saw you. You were on the news, with Whiteblaze at your side, looking so proud, so handsome. I fell in love with you in that instant.
We've shared so many adventures together, and just plain normal days. I was content every moment I spent with you. Even when we fought I knew you still loved me. You were my match in every way, my one true love, my Prince Charming.
When you first told me you loved me... I was so happy...it was as if I was walking on air. I'd never known such joy... except perhaps when Rekka was born. My sweet little boy... you take care of him, Ryo, and Deirdre.
I've lost a child and a husband in a span of two years. It's an almost crippling blow to my heart, but I will be strong. For Ryoko, and for Junko. They are all I have left.
Poor Whiteblaze will be so lost without you...
Ryoko... of the Wildfire. That is who she will be if--no, I refuse to believe it. Talpa was destroyed by the Armor of Inferno and the Jewel of Life. He is gone and he will stay gone. My granddaughter will not go through what you and the others did! Do you hear me?! She won't!
Ryoko looks so much like her mother. She'll be the spitting image of Deirdre when she's grown. She had just begun to talk to you about how she felt... and then you had a heart attack. The look on her face broke my heart when she found out. For a moment, I thought she was going to cry. Then she masked her emotions and coolly asked me if it was a painless death. I told her the truth. He went quickly and didn't feel a thing.
She smiled at me sadly and said that was good, no one should have to suffer before they die. I knew she was talking about her parents. What happened during the accident is a mystery to me. There were no remains left. I expect Ryoko will go to her grave with that secret.
Ryo... I love you. When the girls are old enough, I'll come join you. Wait for me.
Wait for me...
*****
He left me. I knew it would happen sooner or later. For a little while, I thought he would stay, and help me, but then I reminded myself that I couldn't trust anyone. Maybe Yoshio, but that's it.
It hurts inside, like a big ache, but I force it back down to where it belongs. I won't let it hurt. Never. At least Grandpa dying wasn't my fault... not like Momma and Daddy. If I hadn't been singing in the car...
WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?!
I take a few deep breaths and try to calm down. Breathe... force it back...
Who will stop my nightmares now? Who will keep the bad dreams away? If I'd have a dream about the accident... or about the fire and the armored people and the red eyes... you were there.
I can't even forget how bad I am in my sleep. They're always there, haunting me. They never stop.
I've thought about... dying, Grandpa. You know, killing myself, so it won't hurt anymore and I can be with you, Momma, and Daddy. But Sobo needs me... and I think... other people do too.
For now, I'll just keep on hurting.
Grandpa, why did you go away? You were the only one I could almost-but-not-quite trust.
That grave looks so cold. So very cold. You shouldn't be down there. You always liked warm places. Remember how we used to read together in front of the fireplace in winter time?
I'm gonna miss that. And I'm gonna miss you.
But I knew you'd leave.
*****
There, in the rain, seven people paid tribute to one great warrior, and bowed their heads in grief. It was the end of the beginning.
Well, how was it? Did you like it? Did it suck?
I seem to be in an angsty mood lately...
For those of you who have emailed me(newgenfan@hotmail.com) and asked about the next chapter of the New Gen. I will get it out soon--please don't kill me!
Sharra