When Shadows Rise

When Shadows Rise Part 4

Two out of Three ain't bad

Ari leaned his shoulder casually on a wall that wasn't there. The game was shaping up interestingly. The human that had become the Shadow Master was a fool. Instead of focusing on the current guardian of the Gate of Shadows, he was focusing on the woman. She, while powerful, was not the one keeping the gate from opening. Ari could not understand what the allure of the warrior of Light had for the Shadow Master.

Yes she was a striking creature with her pale skin and ink black hair. The large green eyes and generous curves would definitely attract the attention of any fleshy man but the Shadow Master was no longer fleshy. Though he did have a point. The warrior had nearly destroyed him when she tried the suicide ploy and from reviewing the intel on the woman he knew she would protect her brother the guardian even more fiercely then she had the Prince that was her leader.

Calling to one of his own cadre of lieutenants he set them about looking for other chinks in the Star Knights armor. That the Moon Princess and Earth's last prince were now part of the battle just made him smile. They may have defeated the Dark Kingdom and all those who followed but those were outsiders. They were not the other half of the human heart. In the end shadows would rule as they always did. The difference being this time the Chi Masters of Light would not be there to pull the bacon out of the fire for the Silver Moon Kingdom.

Pluto and Time materialized in the clouds above Star Ocean. They listened to the offer given to the Kouhei and waited for him to make his decision. They knew how it would go but there was always a chance that he would not betray his friends and comrades. When the pact was made they faded from the skies and headed back.

Hana was silent as they reappeared in her current apartment. Matten was not there and she was glad. She turned to her mentor with a troubled look. "I had thought he was the least touched by darkness of the team. That he would have made it past those days."

Setsuna took pity on her young student. "Each of us, no matter which team we belong to, has to fight the battle with our inner darkness. Star Ocean never fought his. This is his challenge. He will have to fight this battle alone as each of you has."

"This will shake Rage to the core, Pluto. He and Star Ocean go way back."

"Rage is stronger than you give him credit for my student. He fought and won his battle, as you did. He will deal with Star Ocean when the time comes. For now we need to gather about us those allies that will be needed." Setsuna then took her to the pool and gave her the back history of the battle that they had now entered.

******************88888

In another part of the mega city a young man with large blue eyes and his black hair pulled back into a tight braid fought and laughed with his wife. Their battles had brought them together finally and all was good for them. There had been no attempts on the gate in a month. No new women claiming to be his bride, no men trying to take his wife. Life was good. As he snuggled down with his bride he tried to grasp something that his mind kept telling him was important. Something that was missing. Something he had for only a short time. With a sigh he gave up and closed his eyes. He was sure he would remember if it was important.

In the place outside of time and space Setsuna appeared. "Your majesty, things are flowing as expected. Soon we will need to send them back."

Queen Serenity stepped out of the mists, her eyes sad. "Yet another battle for the children. I am not certain that returning them all to the battle is wise."

"It is necessary Serenity. This enemy is from the Earth and will need Earth's protectors to defeat. They will each be tested once again. Those that make it through the test will have a long period of peace before they will be needed again."