Note: I have nothing to do with Ronin Warriors and its characters except to be a fan who enjoys the series very much. This story is my extrapolation of the storylines as received in North America. I apologize if this story doesn't quite fit into the Japanese series.

Ryo staggered backwards as Mr. Manigami--or the thing that called itself Mr. Manigami--brought his blade down in a crushing blow better suited to an axe. The force of their clashing swords drove Ryo to his knees. He desperately flung himself to the side as one of the other monsters brought its own blade in a curving arc that would have decapitated him had he stayed still.

Ryo rolled to his feet, just in time to parry a third ogre's attack and dodge a fourth's. Pain suddenly tore through him as a fifth monster brought its fist swinging around, catching him in the gut. Gasping for breath, he fought his way to his feet, just as the door to the courtyard opened and a group of students rushed in.

"Master, what--"

"No!" Ryo shouted. "Get back!" If the ogres lost control of themselves now, then the students would become their next victims. He flung himself in front of the growing crowd and faced the human-shaped monsters stalking towards them.

"Get everyone out," he ordered over his shoulder. "They're locked in some sort of battlelust. It's too dangerous for you to stay."

"We can help--" one of the students began.

"No!" Ryo snapped. "I know you've been training, but you're no match for them now. Leave!"

"But--"

"Go!" Ryo shouted, just as one of the ogres charged in. With the students still behind him, Ryo knew he couldn't dodge away. There was too great a chance that the ogre would crash into them, hurting them and very likely winding up killing the rest as its evil passions took over.

Using the battle skills and instincts honed during the war with the Dynasty, Ryo launched himself at the ogre. When they were only a few feet apart, he jumped and, flipping and twisting in the air, caught the ogre in the head with a drop kick. Then, using the force of the recoil, he somersaulted and landed back where he'd started in front of the students. The ogre lay stunned on the ground, but Ryo knew that his kick had only bought a few moments. Besides, there were still ten more opponents waiting for him.

He needed help, and he knew it. The students couldn't help; neither could the other human instructors.

Desperately, he did the only thing he could think of.

* * *

Sage felt the psychic call just as he reached the hospital Kento was working at. He stumbled to a stop, and gazed over his shoulder in the direction of the ogre's dojo.

"Hang on, Ryo," he whispered. "We're coming."

He started forward again, frowning to himself. Why hadn't he thought to call for Kento mentally? It would have saved time. He'd be at Ryo's side by now if he had. Instead, he was moving away from the battle. True, he was gathering their forces, but Ryo needed help now, and even at their best speed, it would be a while before they could get to the dojo.

He shook his head. The fact was, in his concern and surprise at the involvment of ogres, he'd forgotten about that ability they all shared. After all their problems with the Dynasty, none of them had suspected that a new supernatural evil would strike at them so soon. The ogres had caught them all off guard, and that was making them sloppy. Grimly, Sage vowed to himself that it wouldn't happen again.

He slowed to a stop as Kento raced up to him.

"Sage!" the other Ronin said. "Did you hear?"

"Of course I did," Sage snapped. "We have to hurry!"

As one they turned and started off towards the dojo. Then, as soon as a handy alley made itself available, they took to the high path. As they jumped across the rooftops, Sage filled Kento in on what Mia had shared with them.

"The Ogre-Slayer?" Kento said incredulously. "You can't be serious!"

Sage nodded. "What better way to hide from someone intent on hunting you down than by staying in plain sight? They haven't been killing anyone, so the Ogre-Slayer wouldn't come to investigate. And while they remain safely hidden, they do their best to learn fighting styles that the Ogre-Slayer wouldn't be expecting from them, giving them the advantage if...no, when the Ogre-Slayer finally caught up with them."

"By watching the swordsmen that answer the add for instructors?" Kento asked.

"More than that," Sage said, shaking his head. "I think the ogres are somehow draining the knowledge out of the instructors, taking some of their energy at the same time. That's why Ryo kept coming home so tired."

"It still doesn't make sense," Kento said. "Even if the ogres attack him, I'm sure Ryo could handle them without any trouble. I don't care how many instructors they've been using the same way. They're no match for Ryo."

"Think, Kento!" Sage snapped. "Ryo's working at a dojo. At a school. That has students enrolled in it. Ryo's going to have his hands full trying to protect the ordinary humans and trying to counter the ogres' attacks. And every moment that passes is one more chance that the ogres will lose control and start killing students. And even if he had his armor, Ryo couldn't transform and risk hurting the students in the crossfire."

"Well, he's a match for them, isn't he?" Kento asked, almost pleading. "I mean, even without his armor?"

Sage shook his head. "Against one opponent, certainly. Against ordinary ogres, maybe. But against ogres who have been training in different schools of swordsmanship? I don't know."

"But--"

"Every time he comes up with a way to counter and attack one opponent and one style," Sage explained, "another ogre will step in with a different style, forcing Ryo to retreat to prepare another defense. There is one chance, though," he added softly.

"What is it?" Kento demanded.

"As long as the ogres stay in human shape, they're weakened, limited," Sage said. "Ryo still has a chance. But if they lose control and transform...only his armor will protect him. And he doesn't have his armor."

Kento stared ahead grimly. "Hang on, Ryo," he whispered. "We're on our way."

* * *

"We're almost there, Ryo," Rowan whispered as he and Sai raced towards the dojo. "Hang on."

In a few moments the doors of the dojo loomed before them. They were closed, naturally, but that didn't stop them. As one they jumped to the roof, then sprinted along the tiles in search of their friend.

It didn't take long. The sounds of clashing swords echoed in their ears and led them to the courtyard. The two Ronins jumped down into the courtyard. Even as he prepared to enter the battle, Rowan took in the entire scene.

Ryo was struggling to hold three ogres at bay while protecting the students, who had been backed into a corner of the courtyard. Ryo had managed to get his hands on a pair of swords, but with the added burden of guarding a bunch of novices, he'd been unable to do anything other than defend, and even that had not been entirely successful. Two students were bleeding from light slashes that had gotten through Ryo's defense, but they'd live...if they escaped. Ryo was worse off: he had a number of cuts on his arms, and a gash on his left leg. Blood was also staining the left shoulder of his shirt, and through the torn cloth Rowan could see the deep slash that seemed to pulse with blood with each movement.

Rowan landed with Sai touching down a moment later. Then, crouching low, they both sprang forward. Sai tackled the ogre threatening Ryo from the right while Rowan's kick caught the middle ogre in the face. Ryo recovered from his surprise and disarmed the third ogre, driving it back.

"Guys," he said weakly.

Rowan didn't look at him. "You okay, Ryo?" he asked, warily watching the ogres who had retreated to regroup.

"I've been better," the other Ronin said. "We've got to get the students out of here."

Rowan risked a quick glance over his shoulder. "And you," he said. "You need time to catch your breath."

Ryo shook his head. "I'll be fine in a moment. But the students--"

"Right." Rowan glanced at Sai, then looked back at Ryo. "We'll hold them off," he said. "You get the students out and take a break."

"But--"

"Go on, Ryo," Sai said. "We'll be fine for now. And Kento and Sage are on their way."

Ryo sighed. "All right," he said. "But you'll need to drive the ogres back." He pointed to a corridor that opened in the wall about twenty yards away...and behind the ogres. "That's the fastest way out."

"Right," Rowan said. "Sai, you ready?"

"Ready."

"Ryo, when we charge, you and the students get moving, all right?"

"Gotcha."

Rowan nodded. Then, after counting to three silently, he charged forward, Sai right beside him and Ryo and the students hurrying after them.

* * *

"There it is!" Sage said, pointing ahead of them.

"All right," Kento shouted. "I'm going in!" He charged forward.

Sage suddenly realized what the other Ronin planned. "Kento, wait!"

Kento ignored him. He didn't bother with jumping over the walls or even opening the door. He simply barreled through them, leaving only splinters in his wake. Sage grimaced as he followed his friend into the dojo.

He almost skidded to a stop as he felt the aura of the place. He knew how it had affected Yuli when he'd first come here, but he'd attributed it to the similar architecture. Now that he was here, he knew that it had been something more. There was a sensation of evil that rivaled that of the Dynasty. An aura of menace permeated the very air around them, and a sense of something old and monstrous that seemed to further dim the already weak light around them.

Sage shook it off as he followed Kento. Then, he did stop as he saw shapes moving towards them in the gloom. He started to prepare for battle when he saw Ryo staggering towards them, held up by a couple of boys only a couple of years younger than them.

"Ryo!" Kento said. "What happened?"

"Never mind me, Kento," Ryo said. "Get the students out. Rowan and Sai need help."

Kento nodded. "Okay, boys," he said loudly. "The exit's that way. Let's get going." He gestured behind him, then led the boys away.

Sage moved forward and helped Ryo over to the wall, where he sank to the floor. "Are you all right?"

"They're ogres," Ryo said. "All of them. I don't know why they're here, but they're the ones who were sapping my strength. I'm sure of it."

"So am I," Sage said grimly. He quickly told Ryo everything Kento and Mia had pieced together, along with their sudden realization that it was fear of discovery by the Ogre-Slayer that had kept the ogres in check for so long.

"A young man with a sword?" Ryo asked, surprised. "Are you sure?"

"That's what Mia said," Sage said. "Why?"

"Then I've seen him," Ryo said. "Once when I arrived I saw him staring at the sign above the dojo. He seemed about to enter, but when I drew near he looked at me, then turned and walked away."

"He probably sensed you weren't an ogre," Sage said. "But he's close by, then. Do you think we can find him and enlist his aid?"

Ryo shook his head. "There's no time," he said, struggling to his feet. "Rowan and Sai are good, but those ogres fight dirty. And if they transform again..."

"Will you be all right?" Sage asked, glancing at the wounds that were still bleeding slightly.

"If you help, I will be," Ryo said. He suddenly began to glow with a fierce red light.

Sage felt the heat rising from his friend and stepped back. Then, taking a deep breath he called upon his own powers.

Without the sword of Halo to focus his energy it was more difficult, but with Ryo already working at healing himself, the task before him was made somewhat easier. Glowing with his own white light, Sage channeled healing energy into Ryo. It raced along and merged with Ryo's own energy. Before their eyes the slashes and cuts stopped bleeding, and the wounds sealed themselves, leaving behind no scars. The wound in Ryo's shoulder took a little longer, but in a few moments the only sign of a wound at all was the torn and blood-soaked cloth of Ryo's shirt.

Kento came back. "The students are all out. Are we good to go?"

Ryo started to speak, but Sage cut him off. "Go ahead and help Rowan and Sai," he said. "We'll be along in just a few moments."

Kento frowned. "Is that a good idea?"

Ryo opened his mouth again, but Sage interrupted again. "White Blaze should be on his way by now. We'll wait and see if he comes soon, and it will give Ryo a chance to rest."

Kento nodded. "Right!" He turned and raced along the corridor to the courtyard.

Ryo spun around. "All right, Sage," he snapped. "What's going on?"

Sage straightened and crossed his arms. "Like I said, we're going to wait for White Blaze and for you to catch your breath."

"I'm fine," Ryo said impatiently. "And I can wait for White Blaze alone."

"And then what?" Sage countered. "Are we just going to transform into our armors and wipe out the ogres? We'll destroy the dojo and very likely a number of the neighboring buildings if we do."

Ryo started to speak, then shut his mouth. He sighed. "You're right, of course," he said. "So, does that mean you have a plan?"

"Of course," Sage said. He smiled grimly. "Our primary goal is to lead the ogres out of the city, so we have to give them a reason to leave."

"They're pretty well settled here," Ryo said dubiously. "The only thing that could possibly drive them out would be..." His eyes widened as his voice trailed off. "The Ogre-Slayer!"

"Right," Sage said. "If he comes, they'll definitely flee. I don't think they're ready for a confrontation yet."

"But how will he come?" Ryo asked. "We know he's nearby, but we can't just go shouting for him to appear."

"He doesn't have to be," Sage pointed out. "The ogres just have to think he is. Better yet, if they think you're leaving to find him, they'll probably chase after you and try to stop you."

"So if I shout out that I'm going to get the Ogre-Slayer," Ryo said, "they'll do everything they can to stop me." He shook his head. "I'm going to need my armor for this. There's no way I'll be able to fight them if they transform back into ogres."

"Which is why I told you to wait for White Blaze," Sage said. "First, though, where are you going to lead them? You'll have to avoid populated areas."

Ryo frowned. "And to be safe, we'd better look for someplace without a lot of flammable stuff. If you, Rowan, or I use our attacks, we could start a huge fire without meaning to." Then he smiled. "I have just the place. It's right on the other side of the hill."

Sage stared at him. "Hill?" he demanded incredulously. "If that's a hill, I'm a Dark Warlord."

"Okay, okay, so it isn't all that small," Ryo said. "Anyway, it isn't too far to the top from here. Then it's all downhill from there to the place I have in mind."

Sage started to protest again, but a large mass of white fur barreled past him, lunging at Ryo.

"White Blaze!" Ryo cried. He threw his arms around their tiger friend. "You brought it?" he asked, pointing at something in the cat's mouth. The tiger whined once, then dropped the yoroi ball into Ryo's waiting hand.

Sage watched as Ryo straightened. It was as though his friend was filled with new energy and strength.

Ryo turned to him. "I'm ready. Do we go now?"

Sage nodded, smiling grimly. "We can't let the others have all the fun, can we?"

* * *

"What's keeping them?" Rowan gasped.

Sai didn't answer. He was too busy struggling for breath to answer.

They'd succeeded in buying Ryo time to escape with the students, but that was about it. Now, they were fighting for their own lives as the ogres closed on them. The odds were slightly better for them than they'd been for Ryo, but only barely. And Sai could feel his strength starting to flag.

"Hey, guys!" someone shouted. Sai looked around and saw Kento running into the courtyard. "Save some for me!"

"You!" another voice roared. Sai spun around.

One of the instructors was glaring at Kento. "You'll pay for your interference the other day!"

"Well, if it isn't Mister Goma," Kento drawled. "You think you'll do better now than you did then?"

The ogre named Goma didn't answer. He just charged.

Sai gaped. Fortunately for him, so did his opponents. So, for that matter, did everyone else in the courtyard.

"Hurry, Ryo," Sai whispered, as Kento ducked under the ogre's swinging blade and knocked it out of his hands. Then the two were grappling, with neither one giving an inch.

Then one of his opponents swung at him and Sai reentered the battle.

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