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*disclaimer* At the time I wrote this, I had
not yet read She-Ronin's New Generation. In fact, I just recently
got down to it. (Yes, I know, I'm a bad girl, but I'm also a busy
one . . . *friends snort* Okay, so I was watching TV.) So the
fact that the title of this story happens to be one of
She-Ronin's warlords' armor is purely coincidental. I just
thought it fit . . . Another thing is that Ronin Warriors/YST are
copyright um . . . I forgot this last time too . . . It's Sunrise
Animation, isn't it? Also, any characters in this story are based
purely on my imagination and any similarities to real people are
accidental. Yeah right. I'm sorry this story is so screwed up,
but what can you expect from someone who believes in even half
the stuff I do? Oh dear, I'm rambling again. Well, here's the
story, at any rate.
The Armor of Insanity
by Shala-chan
The Ronin Warriors, defenders of the mortal realm, were sitting on their asses watching TV. They were bored. And, unbeknownst to them, they were soon to be very, very, not bored. Their friend was coming to pay a visit. And she always brought some extra chaos with her. Or should we say . . . insanity?
Shala burst through the dimensional fabric excitedly, tripped over Kento's outstretched legs, and promptly fell flat on her face. She was immediately surrounded by seven people and a tiger.
"You okay?" Kento asked. "Sorry about that."
"Are you alright?" Mia asked, sounding concerned.
"Yeah," Shala said weakly, getting up. "It was no big deal." She winced a bit as she put pressure on her feet, and White Blaze licked her reassuringly. He seemed to notice something different about her. The tiger started sniffing Shala's hand, then arms, and legs.
"White Blaze, what is it, boy?" Ryo asked.
"Come outside and I'll show you," Shala said.
"You should really rest," Sai said. "After tripping over Kento, anyone would need a rest."
"I'm okay, really," said Shala. "You comin', or not?"
"We're coming," Rowen said, "what's up?"
"I'll show you." They walked out onto the lawn, then Shala unexpectedly said, "attack me." The guys gaped.
"We can't!" Sage protested.
"Why, pray tell?" Shala looked at him quizzically.
"Because," he said, sounding as if he were talking to a four year-old, "we'd hurt you."
"I can take it," Shala said. Rowen snorted. "Besides, it's part of my little, hmm, demonstration?"
"Fine," said Rowen. He moved in swiftly, only to find Shala was no longer there. She was in a tree. Shala hated heights.
"Missed me!" she called teasingly.
"How could you - ?" Rowen started. In answer, Shala stripped off her shirt and pants. And she was wearing something underneath. A shimmery metal substance that looked suspiciously like...
"SUB?" The boys shouted at once.
"Shala, that is sooooo cool!" Yuli exclaimed.
"Could you come down?" Mia called up.
"Sure thing." Shala jumped to the ground and landed on her feet. "I don't know how you guys got used to this," she complained. "This stuff is way uncomfortable under anything but a loose t-shirt." Sai was the first to recover.
"You get used to it," he said kindly. "You want to come inside and discuss this?"
"Sure," Shala sighed. "Actually, could we stay out here? It's nice out."
"Sounds like a plan," said Ryo. They all flung themselves down on the grass.
"You wanna tell us about this all?" Rowen asked.
"You want me to change to full to show you?" Shala replied.
"If you want," Sage said breezily.
"Alright then," Shala said. She stood back and took a deep breath. "ARMOR OF INSANITY, WAY OF IMAGINATION!" The Ronins, Mia, and Yuli saw a basic transformation like they'd seen tons of times before. Moments later, Shala appeared in full armor.
"Nice color," Sage commented, referring to the fact that, like her sub-armor, Shala's armor was a mass of swirling colors.
"Well it is the Armor of Insanity, right?" Rowen said.
"Yeah, last time I checked," said Shala.
"Well, the colors are a total mess of insanity."
"Hang on." Shala concentrated, and her armor slowly assumed a pattern. Her surcoatish thing, which went down to about her thighs, and everything above that, was a green, navy blue, and black plaid. Her legs were pretty much a lavender, pink, and white plaid. "It keeps doing that," Shala said apologetically. "Every time I make it assume solid color, it generally does this." She gestured down at the clashing colors.
"The cut is a bit like the ogre armor," said Mia. "With the surcoat and all, I mean."
"More comfy," Shala said.
"How did you get that?" Ryo asked. Shala willed herself back into subarmor and flopped into a sitting position on the grass.
"You know my dimensional abilities?" They nodded. "Well, I wrote myself a story, and it sounded so interesting that I went in . . ."
"You would," Rowen said, somewhat disgustedly.
"And it just kinda stuck to me."
"Hang on," said Kento. "I didn't see your weapons when you changed."
"They're like Rowen's arrows," Shala explained. "I've got twin sets of two different weapons."
"What weapons?" asked Sai. Shala hung her head and muttered.
"Dagger . . . and frisbees."
Ryo burst out laughing.
"FRISBEES? Daggers I could understand, but . . ."
"I know it was a stupid choice!" Shala snapped. "But it seemed like a good idea at the time . . . I didn't know I'd interest me enough to end up going in! I'm a victim of myself!"
"Like Zaphod?" Rowen said.
"Yeah . . . by the way, how did you like Silver Gryphon? I know the time change is weird . . ."
"It's really good! But that gap does kinda mess things up a bit . . . Plus, this one is way more confusing than the other two were."
"I have to show you the next trilogy!" Shala said happily. "Boy is it weird!"
"Ahem," said Ryo, "some of us don't feel the need to talk about books all day."
"And some of us," Kento continued for him, "wanna know more about Shala's armor!"
"Oh, fine," Shala said. "What else do you want to know?"
"I want to see your weapons," Kento said promptly.
"I don't feel like it," Shala said. "Maybe later."
"What's your sure-kill?" Ryo asked.
"I have two . . ."
"What?"
"Well, when I was writing, I couldn't decide which one to use . . . so I have 'Imagine That' and 'Endless Possibilities'."
"Interesting names," Sage said.
"Can your armor do anything?" Sai asked.
"Like Sage healing?" Shala said curiously. Sai nodded. "I think it's supposed to inspire creativity. Creativity in what area exactly I have no idea . . ."
"I thought you made this yourself," said Kento.
"Yeah."
"Then you should know!"
"I was ambiguous when I was writing about it, okay? All I know is that since accidentally getting it, I've written more than usual."
"And when did you get this?" Sage asked.
"Um . . . last week?"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU COME THEN?" Ryo flared.
"I had homework! I was busy! And I was stuck in that damn fic for three days! I was lucky we had a long weekend! I MISSED SNL!"
"Calm down," said Sai. "So it's only been about two or three days since you got back?"
"Yeah," said Shala, breathing heavily. "And let me tell you, it was a bad few days. I was just excited 'cause I was finally getting to tell you guys . . ." She burst into tears.
They all immediately crowded around her to see if she was alright. Mia shooed them aside and looked at Shala closely.
"It's just hysteria," she said calmly. "No need to panic, she'll be all normal in a minute or so." From the tears, Shala suddenly burst into fits of laughter. She had tears streaming down her face as she gasped something out.
"What was that?" said Rowen.
"I . . . hahaha . . . have never . . . *gasp* . . . been nor-normal!"
"Do stop laughing," Sage said. "It's ridiculously stupid."
"I ca-can't stop!" She kept laughing. "So-sometimes t-this goes o-o-on f-for ages!"
"Penina told me that she once laughed for a whole half hour without stopping," said Sai.
"Well, I think it might also be the after-effects of receiving the armor," Mia said. "After all, it is her armor. Insanity. And Shala has always been a bit . . . off . . ."
"A bit insane?" Kento said. "Most definitely, dude."
"Let's take her inside," said Yuli cheerfully. "Come on, guys!"
Shala suddenly sobered up a moment.
"I know you mean well, but the only reason I tolerate that behavior is that you've saved their butts a few times and I've seen an older you in another dimension. Don't push it, kiddo."
"An older Yuli?" Sai asked.
"Don't," Shala said. "He ends up being tortured and killed," she added in a stage whisper. Yuli started crying. "I was joking! Sheez!" She started laughing again. Rowen grabbed Shala by the shoulders and shook her. She kept laughing, but looked a little off-balance. She sat back down heavily.
Sage put two fingers to Shala's forehead.
"Calm yourself," he commanded. "Breathe in and out, and focus, all attention at your center. Good . . ." He looked up at the others. "She lost her center. Even Insanity needs a center."
"Ground and center, ne?" Shala said quietly.
"Ground and - what are you talking about?"
"Just thinking about Kris and Talia . . ." Shala murmured. "Arrow's Flight, Rowen."
"It has something to do with magic," Rowen explained. "I haven't read that far yet, but I think that's what she meant."
"I think that's what I meant," Shala said. "These days I can't be too sure."
"And just what do you mean by 'these days'?" Sage asked.
"The phase of life I'm going through."
"And what phase would that be?"
"I'm at that awkward stage between birth and death," Shala explained. "It's rather hard to get out of."
"I would imagine so," said Mia. "If you're feeling better, Shala, why don't we go inside and you can lie down for awhile?"
"Thanks a lot, Mia," Shala said gratefully. "I don't know that I should lie down, though. I might fall asleep, and I have homework to do."
"I'm sure the boys will help you," Mia said, shooting "the boys" a look that said they'd better.
"Okay then . . ." Shala muttered. She tried to stand up and fell down. When she stood up again, she teetered a bit, but was immediately supported on either side by Sage and Rowen. They helped her get inside, onto a couch, then watched as she weakly fished her backpack from home and opened her assignment book. "I think," said Shala, "that we'd better work on math first, before I pass out. The Chinese is really the only other important thing."
"Okay," said Rowen, taking the paper, "let's see now . . . She wants you to use equations to solve the word problems?"
"Ain't it a bitch?" Shala said. "I just need help on how to set up the equation. And defining my variable. I keep forgetting to do that . . ." Sage read aloud the first problem over Rowen's shoulder.
"The wording is a bit weird here," he said. "Do they mean then, or now?"
"I was wondering that myself," Shala said wryly.
"Ro-wen . . ." they chorused.
"I think," Rowen said, "that Shala needs rest, dinner, and a chat before attempting anything so mundane as schoolwork."
"I never thought I'd hear you say schoolwork was mundane," Sage commented.
"Me either . . . even though I've said it hundreds of times . . . I think *yawn* I'm ready for that nap now . . ." They left her a few minutes later, quietly slumbering on the couch.
"That's the fastest I think she's ever gone to sleep in her life," Rowen said. "From what I know, Shala's a bit of an insomniac. And she only takes naps when she's sick. She told me that."
"I checked her over," Sage said quietly. "Harnessing the power of Insanity is a bit harder for her than ours were for us, even though she has us as models. I mean, Insanity is basically not definable . . ."
"True . . . Wanna go see what Sai's cookin' for dinner?"
"Less than Kento does, I bet."
"Kento doesn't care, as long as it's edible."
"Well duh . . ." When they got into the kitchen, Mia and the other Ronins were there.
"How is she?" Mia asked.
"Okay," said Rowen, "although we didn't really help her with her homework. She wasn't able to focus."
"I think we should tell Kayura and the warlords about this new armor," Ryo said.
"We should ask Shala if she wants to when she wakes up," Sai said from the stove. "I assume she is sleeping?"
"Yes," Sage said, "and with luck, deeply. I know why she got hysterical. That much armor power is a little hard for a fourteen year old girl to control. Insanity is an unknown quantity, even if she did make it up."
"The armors can use their bearers," Kento said. "Even if their bearers made 'em up."
"Dude, you may be right," Ryo said.
"That's a first," Rowen commented.
"Shut up, space brain."
"You shut up, rock boy."
"Why I oughta . . ."
"Oughta what?"
"Boys! Keep it down! Sleeper, remember?" Mia said.
"Sorry, Mia."
"Anything we can help with, Sai?"
"No . . . you just go ahead and play outside and summon Kayura. I'll call you for dinner."
"I thought you said -"
"That was before Kento's comment." Sai's tone brooked no argument. They filed outside and started discussing how best to get Kayura and the warlords to the mortal realm.
"My head hurts," Kento complained.
"And it ain't just the sun," said Ryo.
"Yes, it is," Kento growled. He tackled Ryo and they began wrestling. Rowen had to separate them, as Sage made no move to help.
"Guys," Rowen said, "that ain't gonna get us anywhere. We need to figure out how to contact Kayura."
"We could knock on the gate to the Nether Realm," Sage said calmly.
"That's a pretty good idea," Kento said.
"Or we could use the phone!" Ryo said cheerfully.
"We could also try an armor summons," said Rowen. "After all, the armors are linked . . ."
"Brilliant," Sage said dryly. "We'll need Sai then."
"Can this wait until after dinner?" Kento asked.
"He won't want to be bugged before then anyway," said Ryo.
"Shall we go back inside then?" said Sage. They all got up and went in. The kitchen smelled wonderful.
"OUT OF MY KITCHEN!" Sai half-yelled. He shooed them out with a ladle.
"When's dinner?" Kento asked. Sai glared.
"Ten minutes. Shoo!"
"Should we wake Shala, then?" Rowen asked.
"Yes, yes, now go!" Sai shook the ladle menacingly. It could be almost as dangerous as his yari, if not as sharp. They beat a hasty retreat. Sage volunteered to wake Shala.
"After all," he said, "I'm the one who keeps having to wake Rowen up, so I'm used to it."
"Hey!"
"It's true, Ro," said Ryo. Rowen made a face at him. Sage went to wake Shala.
He walked into the room slowly, as to not wake her up too soon. Shala was sitting bolt upright, eyes open but unseeing.
"Shala?" No response. He walked over and touched her shoulder. "Shala, it's almost time for dinner. She looked at him dazedly. Then recognition dawned.
"Oh, hey, Sage. What did you say?"
"Dinner," he repeated. "Sai says ten minutes about five minutes ago."
"Oh . . . thanks . . ." She shook her head violently. "That was weird."
"What was?"
"My dream . . ." A series of confused and tangled images were pushed into Sage's mind. He raised an eyebrow, but it was the right one, so Shala just saw his hair move. But she got the meaning. "I know, right? It was just so . . . freaky. Like I'd lost all connections to things outside, and the only things left were the images and my mind."
"The beginnings of insanity," Sage said. "Uh, we were planning to inform the bearers of the other four armors of this new development. Are you okay with that?"
"Sure. Let's eat, I'm hungry."
"Need any help?"
"Nah, I'm," she stumbled, "fine. Just a little shaky. No big deal."
"Right. And I'm the Prime Minister of China. Come on."
"I don't know why I let you order me around," Shala said, grinning weakly.
"Because you and I both know," Sage retorted, "that if you don't, you'll have Mia and Sai fussing over you."
They walked to the other Ronins. Then into the kitchen when Sai called dinner. They sat at the table and chatted amiably.
"So what are after dinner plans?" Mia asked.
"Contact Kayura and the Warlords," Ryo answered.
"Don't forget I need to do my homework . . ." Shala said.
"That stupid math stuff?" Rowen said. "Forget it." They all looked at him like he'd gone nuts. "Could someone pass me an apple, please?" Sai wordlessly handed one over.
"We really do need to work on contact," Sage said, "because frankly, Shala, you need more help than we can give you. I think Kayura might be able to."
"She does have the Ancient's staff," Kento pointed out.
"No arguments here," said Shala. "I've felt like I've been on acid coupled with permanent PMS for the last few days. Anything to get rid of that feeling. Although I did write some good stories."
"Forgive me if I say your sanity is more important," Rowen said sarcastically. She smiled at him.
"I didn't have much sanity to begin with, Ro-chan."
"You may be right," said Sai, "but you certainly had more than you have now." Shala's face fell. She mumbled something that sounded like a reluctant affirmation. When dinner was aside, Kento took the initiative.
"How about we go tele-phone some ex-Warlords?"
"Nice play on words, Hardrock," Sage said. "Let's go. The study should be good." They excused themselves politely and began marching down the hallway in determination.
"So what do we do?" Shala asked.
"Ah, we aren't exactly sure . . ." said Ryo, scratching his head. Shala gave him a look of mock disgust. He returned it.
"I think I've got it," Sage said quietly. He directed the other four Ronins to places on the floor, and motioned Shala out of the way. "We don't want Insanity to interfere and make something go wrong."
"I wholeheartedly agree," Shala said fervently. She stood, well leaned, against the wall, and watched the Ronin Warriors begin their work.
They did some simple breathing exercises first, then started to feed power to Ryo as he extended a tendril of thought query into the Nether Realm. Shala knew the instant when they finally got a response a few moments later, because kanjis were flaring all over the room. The silent conference broke after a few minutes. Ryo opened his eyes.
"They'll be here in three hours," he said.
"Guess I'd better do my homework, then," Shala said. "Come on guys," beckoning to Sage and Rowen, "I think that word problem just waits for solving. Whaddya say?" They glumly followed her out of the room. I hate word problems, Shala inserted into the Ronin's minds. Who cares when Train A meets Train B? It's just not very useful.
"It is, applied properly," Rowen admonished.
"Right," Shala said cynically. She rubbed a temple. Then she slowly brought out her pencil and paper and they got to work. It took an hour or so, but the math was finally completed. "Thanks," Shala said. "That would've taken me twice as long on my own. Setting up equations is not my forte."
"Can I see the thing you have to do for Chinese?" Rowen asked. Shala fished through her bag and brought out a heavy trapper keeper. Then she unzipped it and took out the top paper of a large pile. Shala wordlessly shoved the packet at Rowen.
"I can almost do most of this on my own," she said. "We've done a lot of these packets. It's just generally in class, with the other students, and the teacher . . ."
"That does add help . . . to you, I mean. I think you'll have to tough this one out alone. Neither of us know a ton of Chinese."
"Very well," she sighed. "Can you just stay here to make sure I don't lose it?"
"We should," said Sage. "It would be a very good idea."
"Unless you need us, just pretend we aren't here," said Rowen.
"Oh, good," Shala replied. "Then I can use these." She pulled a discman and CD case from her backpack, selected Nimrod, and worked on her Chinese homework to Green Day songs. "Hmm . . . ta shi liu xuesheng. Ta xuexi . . . Hey mister, where ya headed? Are you in a hurry? Need a lift to happy hour, say oh . . . no . . . Ta xuexi Fayu!"
"You sure she's okay?" Rowen whispered to Sage.
"I think this is her usual modus operandi regarding homework."
The next hour or so was filled with singing interspersed by bits of Chinese. It was interesting, to say the least. Shala was singing "Nice Guys Finish Last" again when she suddenly shot up and removed the headphones from her ears.
"They're early," she said. "I thought Ryo said it would be three hours, not two and a half."
"Guess you'd better finish up," Sage commented.
"Oh, I'm done. I only had to do the first two pages."
"Then why did you try to finish the whole thing?"
"I wanted to get a little ahead, that's all."
"Well, let's go then. I suppose they're in the study?"
"Nooo . . ." Shala looked around. "They're coming down the hallway to here. I don't think I -" There was a polite rap on the door.
"Come on in," Rowen said. The door opened and Ryo, Kento, and Sai came in, followed by Kayura, Sekhmet, Dais, and Cale. Shala found herself under intense scrutiny, and she shifted uncomfortably.
"You are the bearer of this new armor?" Kayura questioned. Shala nodded miserably. Kayura found a seat and gestured the others to take places as well. "How did you come by this?" she asked. "Ryo of Wildfire was very cryptic in his message."
"Um, I could probably just show you," Shala said. "If you feel up to a bit of reading, or I could just convey the images. Either way . . . this is all my fault."
"I think the images would be best. More understanding may be achieved from them."
"Not these ones," Shala said grimly. "They're clear in my mind, but they're kind of confused."
"That's alright," Dais said. "We're used to confusion."
"Okay then . . ." Shala focused herself and gently inserted her memories into the nine minds surrounding hers. They all caught moments of frenzied writing, then contemplation and interest. And a split second moment of decision that had launched Shala into total insanity. What seemed like hours later, the contact broke, the memories ending.
Shala was sobbing. "I thought that would be the best way to show you. It's all m-my f-fault!"
"Don't say that!" said Sai.
"I don't think so," Cale said. "Kayura, what do you think?"
"The call of the armor was too much. It influenced her actions. That armor was made for you, by you, to fill a gap. A gap created by missing your armor. Do not feel at fault."
"That's kind of hard," Shala said, sniffing.
"We can help, can't we?" Sekhmet said. "There hasn't really been much to do lately."
"We can help too," Sage said.
"Yeah!" Kento added enthusiastically.
"We shall need everyone's help to deal with this new armor," Kayura said.
"Um, aren't we exaggerating this a bit?" Shala asked uncertainly.
"Your armor," said Sage, "is, well, slowly driving you nuts."
"I always was nuts."
"He means in a bad way," Sai said. "The armor can control the bearer."
"But insanity is such a benevolent force! It helps fuel imagination!"
"Just a moment ago you were crying because you thought it was your fault, and now you're defending it?"
"What would you say if someone told you that your armor was corrupted?"
"Good point." Shala just paced.
"I'm not even sure what came over me. Sometimes everything just seems like a hallucination. And then sometimes, it's so clear . . ." She started crying again. "I think . . . I need a nap before we continue this?"
"You should probably stay here for a few days," Dais said.
"Can't. I have to go to school. And if I'm not home, my parents might worry."
"Everyone out," Sai said. "We can discuss this in another room. Shala needs her rest."
"More like beauty sleep," Kento said. Shala smiled weakly. They left the room. The second she was in a reclining position she conked out. The dreams were not pleasant. Each one had her sending a mental wave of distress and confusion, not to mention terror. They had seemingly come out of nowhere.
The nine warriors were sitting around the kitchen table, drinking tea and discussing their problem. Mia was trying to get Yuli to go to bed. His faint protests could still be heard. Simultaneously, they all winced.
"I can't take this much longer," said Sage.
"It should stop when she wakes up," Cale said.
"And how long will that take?" Rowen asked. "Aren't you afraid that whatever's going on in Shala's mind will mess her up or something?"
"There is that possibility." This from Kayura. "It may also be that the armor is trying to strengthen her." The others snorted. "Or she may be partially rejecting it."
"Now that I believe," said Ryo. Another wave, another wince. "Although . . ." he left his thought unspoken.
"I'm going to wake her up," Sage said, rising. "It's not just that I can't take this, she's getting more panicked as this goes on, and quite frankly, the mental damage it will cause is not pretty." He stalked off to the room where Shala was, technically, resting. The others glanced at each other. Nothing could be done.
Once again, Sage entered quietly. Shala was tossing restlessly. He knelt beside her and gently shook a shoulder. "Shala!" Nothing woke her. Sage gently probed her mind and recoiled at what he saw. Chaos was predominant, along with fear and tangled messes of confusion. Sage reentered Shala's mind, and began to emanate a soothing presence. The chaos began to disperse slowly, and Shala's tossing lessened. He withdrew. Sage got up and started to leave when Shala stirred. She opened her eyes and looked around.
"Sage?"
"Yes?"
"You're green. Dark green. And not that cold. In case you were wondering."
"You want to talk about it?"
"I suppose . . ." she sighed. "God, I need a hug. Only three things that help, and none of them are in this dimension."
"And just what are those three things?" Sage came and sat down.
"Mom, my boyfriend, and blankie. Maybe Max, too."
"I thought you said three."
"And a good cry. That generally works."
"And what's blankie?" Indecision warred with the slightly fearful but content expression on Shala's face for a moment. Then she extended herself and pulled. Hard. Two pieces of soft colored material were grasped firmly in her hands. She pulled them to herself and hugged.
"This is blankie. White blankie, and yellow blankie."
"Aren't you a little old?"
"Hey, Sai has a stuffed dolphin!"
"And how did you know about that?" said a slightly bemused British voice from the doorway.
"I snooped."
"Very well then." Sai came in and sat next to Sage.
"I felt like I OD'd on LSD or something."
"What?"
"You were wondering about the dreams. Some seemed so real . . . I don't want to think about some of them. I mean, seeing one of you out cold is nothing new to me, but seeing a mangled body left out to rot . . ."
"WHAT?"
"And the one's where I knew I was losing all control and actually hurting people . . . I heard screaming and cries for help all because of me . . ."
"This gets interesting." Shala looked at her watch. The one that ran no matter where she was. The one that kept the time at home.
"I have to go home!"
"Why?" Sai asked.
"Because it's a weekday! I have school tomorrow!"
"And at home it happens to be late?"
"Not too late. But yes, late. I doubt I have the energy to get back home."
"If it's not going to be safe . . ." Sai said worriedly.
"I really have to, though. I'll come back tomorrow, okay? And if I go home sick I'll be over right away."
Shala stood up, took her things, and with great effort managed to go back through the dimensional fabrics to home. Sage and Sai went back to the kitchen.
"She went home," Rowen said flatly. Sage nodded.
"But why did she not stay?" Sekhmet asked.
"Because Shala has school tomorrow. If she didn't go, there would be problems."
"Big problems."
At home, Shala threw down her backpack, slowly changed into
pyjamas, and climbed into bed. She lay awake for a long while,
just staring blankly at the ceiling, hoping to evade the chaos
sleep cost her.
The next day Shala actually had to exert herself to get through the dimensions.
"Hi guys!" she attempted to say cheerily. It came out as a wearied mumble.
"You look like hell," Kento said bluntly.
"I feel as if I was dumped in the lower regions of Tartarus. Thanks for the compliment."
"You mean where they kept Sisyphus and stuff?" Rowen asked.
"Yeah . . . that rock just kept rolling back down the hill, no matter how hard I tried to get it up there."
"What rock?" asked Ryo.
"Sisyphus was a Greek king who offended the gods," Sai explained. "He was condemned to eternally roll a rock up a hill, only to have it roll right back down again."
"It really sucked," Shala said.
"I have a question," Kayura said suddenly, "and it is imperative that we know."
"Yeah?"
"Does anyone besides the occupants of this house, including us, know about the armor?"
"Um . . . yeah. At least, I think so."
"Who?" Shala looked at the guys.
"Ami. At least, she probably suspects. She read my story, and she's seen me the past few days."
"Why did you have this Ami read your story?" asked Cale.
"I wanted to know if it was any good," Shala shrugged. "Ami's kind of a good critic. Do you guys want to read the story? Once I rest a bit, I could probably get it for you. I printed out a copy."
"That would probably be useful. Now, if you don't have any objections, I think the wisest course to follow would be if you donned your sub-armor and took a nap."
"Kayura, excuse me, but why put on my sub?"
"You need to forge a better bond with your yoroi. I suspect half your problems come from fighting it."
"But -" Shala shuddered.
"We could have someone monitor your dreams if you like. They likely wouldn't wake you up, but we would have a better understanding of the visions you are getting."
"Please!" said Shala. "Sleeping's hard enough without these damn dreams. If there's any way to get rid of them . . ."
"There's not much of a chance we'll find one," Ryo said tactlessly. Rowen hit him.
"I'll go to sleep then. Dao xiang xia!" She was in sub. "I found conventional Chinese works pretty well too." She smiled, and went off to find a spare bed. Dais and Sage followed.
"Once she's asleep we can maintain a light mental contact," said Dais. "At a subconscious level, we'll be able to see her dreams."
"Sounds like an okay plan. I suppose we can't interfere, though?"
"We may have to institute a soothing effect if it gets too bad."
"Now that I can do." They waited outside of the door to the room Shala had chosen until they heard her breathing slow into a sleeping pattern. Then they entered.
"You may require light physical contact," said Dais. "I suggest forehead or fingertips."
"I know, I know. Let's do it!" They slipped into Shala's subconscious like a pair of fish. Dark stirrings began soon afterwards.
This is interesting, Dais thought. She goes from one dream to the next without ever truly finishing the one before it.
Not all of these are nightmares, thought Sage. Some are just happy, even though they're weird.
What seemed like hours later, Shala began a long dream sequence. Right before it ended, she was seeing a battlefield. One with bodies strewn all around, something she had never seen in her real real life. And the first thing she focused on was the mangled, broken body of White Blaze. Subsequently followed by all nine armor bearers. Sage immediately pulled out, followed by Dais. Shala sat straight up and began to cry softly. Her mind was running in circles. Frantic little circles that slowly started to move at the speed of the thickness of molasses.
"You're broadcasting," Sage told her.
Don't care!
"In verbatim, please," said Dais. She glared at him.
"You saw, didn't you? If you hadn't seen some of the stuff you had, you'd have been scared witless! And this is my mind!"
"I realize that, but really, speaking aloud helps us hear you better." She's up! He sent to the others.
How was it? Cale asked.
You don't even want to know . . .
"The last one is the worst," Shala said. "I mean, some of the dreams are just your typical weird, insane dreams. But some of the others . . . Brrr!"
"I think I see what you mean," said Sage as seven people and a tiger walked into the room. "You were actually having some pretty happy dreams there."
"Too bad I can't remember most of the good ones," Shala said with false cheerfulness.
"I can tell you about them later."
"Have a good nap?" Sai asked.
"You okay, Shala? Ya look kinda pale," said Rowen. Sage sent him an image of Shala's last dream. "Oh. Well, ya got a reason then, don't ya?"
"Yeah," she said bitterly."
"Hey, at least you weren't the dead one," Rowen pointed out.
"It was weird. That last one reminded me of - OH MY GOD! How could I be so STUPID!" Her hands flew to her mouth in dismay.
"Did you figure something out?"
"Well, you see, that was a dream sequence that the main character has in my story about the Armor of Insanity. All those dreams were from stories I've written or read. Meaning that they did happen in another dimension. So technically, they're real."
"Do you think you could retrieve your story for us?"
"I'll . . . try." Shala said. She started muttering. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, Shala, c'mon, you ain't the little engine that could! Just do it!"
She pulled. Well, more accurate to say that she shoved the upper half of her body through the dimensional fabric, fished around, and brought out a sheaf of papers when she popped fully back into their dimension. She also had her assignment book. "Who would've thought Nike would help me?" she smiled. "No, no homework for tonight. Good."
"Are you going to stay tonight, then?" asked Kayura.
"If it's okay with Mia. This is her house."
"I don't see why it would be a problem," said Sai.
"And I should probably ask my parents, even if they can't stop me from staying here. Well, technically they can't. They can always ground me."
"Which wouldn't really restrict you, would it?" said Rowen.
"Not in movement, but I'd be deprived computer."
"Mia!" Kayura called softly, poking her head out the door. The other girl came in.
"Yes?"
"May I spend the night?" Shala asked.
"Of course."
"Thanks so much." Shala looked around. "Well, this part might be kinda hard. You guys want to start on the story while I beg my parents to let me stay?" She handed Rowen the story, trusting he could read it aloud fast enough, and went home.
Shala grabbed some clothing and pyjamas, plus her whole backpack and the LHM trilogy for Rowen. Then she went to find a parental unit.
"Mom?"
"Yes, Shala?"
"Can I sleep over at Mia's house tonight?"
"It's a school night."
"But I finished my homework . . . And she'll make me get up on time. Please?"
"Alright. But you had better go to school, and I want you there on time too. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Mom!" Shala gave her mother a hug, then concentrated on getting back.
"So how far are you?" Shala asked curiously. Rowen showed her. "I liked that part . . . I'll set myself up if you don't mind."
Shala started putting things in order so that she could go to sleep when she had to. She laid out her pyjamas on the bed, followed by Rowen abruptly stopping his reading.
"Your pyjamas are the same color as when your armor settles down," he said strangely.
"I suppose . . ."
"They really are," said Sai.
"When's dinner?" asked Kento.
"Oh I forgot to put up dinner!" Sai exclaimed.
"You can read the story later, if you want," Shala offered. Sai ran downstairs to see what he could put together. "So what are we doing today?" Shala asked. "All I've done so far is take a nap."
"Well, now we don't really need to analyze your dreams, do we?" said Sekhmet. "And I doubt, now that we know their origins, that there's a way to stop them."
"All I have to know is that they aren't technically reality, and I might be able to control them a little," Shala offered. "Sorry about the broadcasting, guys, but I wasn't really aware." Everyone assured her it was okay.
"If you could try, now that you do know, to dampen it down . . ." Ryo said with a wince.
"Oh, sure. I think I know how to treat my armor now, too, something I just remembered should help."
"And what is that?" Kayura asked.
"It may damn well be useful sometimes to have this armor, and I respect it's power, but I'm doing this the way I want to."
"Good!" said Rowen.
"Thank you, Kerowyn," Shala said, eyes turning upwards. "Oh, that reminds me . . ." She handed Rowen three books. He looked at them.
"Thanks, Shala. Trust you to remember something like this at a time like this."
"So I'm book-oriented. I see no problem with that."
"You do get a little overenthusiastic at times," said Ryo.
"It's my nature. Better than trying to kill people."
"True . . ."
"Back to the business at hand," said Dais. "I think you should continue reading, Strata." Rowen sighed, and continued from where he'd left off. Shala unobtrusively slipped out of the room to sit outside. She called on her armor, and just sat there staring blankly in front of her. Her eyes were out of focus, but her brain was not. Shala was "talking" to her armor, or rather, thinking at it as if it were an independent entity.
Look, she thought forcefully, I want this perfectly clear. I made you. I don't have to put up with this crap. What were you trying to do to me, anyway? I appreciate that you may have been trying to strengthen me, but you scared me half to death. You don't want a dead bearer, do you? I know you make me stronger and all that, but if you're going to turn everything upside down just because you're insanity, I will delete and burn all my files relating to you. That will destroy the dimension you came from, along with you. You want that? If you do, I'd be more than happy to help. Got me? Understand? Capieche? Shala felt something give. She smiled. "I suppose this means I won't be getting too many more nightmares?" She stood up and willed her weapons into existence. "I suppose I'd better work on my aim with these discs, then." She picked one up, got a proper hold, and took aim at a spot between two trees. She missed.
Shala sighed, the disc flew back into her hand, and she tried again. And kept trying. Eight of the nine other bearers watched her from a window in the room they were currently occupying. The ninth watched from a window in the kitchen.
"She really does need to work on her aim," said Kento.
"Shala isn't exactly a whiz, but I'd like to see you do better, Mister I-can-bash-through-a-wall-with-my-head."
"Hey! I can not! I need my shoulder, too."
Let's see . . . boil the water for fifteen minutes, oh look, she hit the target . . . Add the mix, stir often . . ."
Shala retrieved her disc again, and turned toward the window. "Could you stop watching me like that? Gives me the creeps." Her watchers immediately looked away guiltily from the window. Yeesh, Shala thought. What a bunch of -
Don't even finish that thought.
Sage, I was going to say heroic figures whom I should look up to and revere as role models, Shala thought innocently back at him. But if you disapprove . . .
Oh, can it.
"Maybe I should work with the daggers now . . ." Shala brought one out and readied her hand. She flicked her wrist, and the dagger whizzed through the air to bury itself in a dead tree limb twenty yards away. Its twin soon followed. Shala went to retrieve her weapons, then "sheathed" them, effectively making them disappear. I'll be meditating until supper, she thought at Sage. If anyone cares to join me, they can go right ahead.
"Shala's extended a meditation invitation to anyone interested," Sage relayed to the others. "I suppose she's done practicing for now."
"Quite the opposite," said Kayura. "She's training her mind. I am afraid we will have to decline, however."
"Why?" pouted Sekhmet.
"It would be a good idea to go back home for a little while to make sure things are still in order," Kayura explained.
"I suppose . . ." said Cale.
"Yes, Kayura," Dais grumbled.
"I'm all for meditation," said Ryo.
"I'll be the'a," said Rowen.
"I'll just go see what's cookin'," Kento said.
"Sai will kill you," Sage remarked.
"Or feed me," Kento shrugged. "Either way." The eight armor bearers went their respective ways, Rowen, Ryo, and Sage heading outside.
Shala was already tranced out of awareness. Rowen and Sage sat down on either side of her, and Ryo, looking at them disgustedly, sat next to Sage. Ryo really meditated. He felt like he did when sitting in a fire - tranquil and peaceful. As such, he didn't notice that neither Rowen or Sage were really meditating. They were forming a discreet mental bond with Shala.
I feel sorry for Kento, Rowen remarked as they heard a yell of anger from Sai, and a yelp from Kento.
He had it coming, said Shala.
Ryo's starting to give off heat, Sage said uncomfortably.
So douse him, Rowen suggested.
We could always try asking Sai to hurry up dinner, said Shala. Rowen and Sage both "kicked" her.
It would never work.
Just a suggestion.
For suggesting something like that, Sai would probably ask a shark to eat you.
I doubt it. Several sharks, maybe, but not one, Shala commented dubiously.
Point taken.
I've got a deep question, Shala said. And I figure besides Sai, you two are the best to answer it.
Shoot.
I've been wondering for awhile . . . What do you guys think of me as?
Like what? asked Rowen. Sage was silent, thinking.
Like friend, companion, annoyance, buddy, whatever.
Annoyance, certainly, Rowen laughed.
Aside from the obvious, Shala thought wryly.
A little sister, said Sage decidedly. Not quite in the same category as Mia and Yuli, 'cause basically you're our equal. And not entirely a little sister for the same reason.
Like you guys are my big brothers who just happen to be my extraordinarily good friends?
Yeah.
I've always wanted a brother, Shala thought humorously.
Well, now you've got five, said Rowen.
We might be adopted, but we're still family! Ryo exclaimed.
And how long have you been listening, Mister Fireball? Shala asked acidly.
Oh, about . . . hmm . . . a few minutes, anyway.
Then why in hell didn't you speak up?
Eavesdropping is okay, but interruption is not polite, Ryo explained. Shala socked him. The mental ties were broken. "Hey!"
"Siblings fight all the time," Shala said innocently. "Me and my sister do, anyway."
"My sister and I," Rowen corrected automatically.
"Who asked you, anyway?" Shala muttered.
"I feel entitled, as a newly adopted brother, to -"
"Do my homework for me?" Shala said hopefully.
"Actually, I was going to say put you on the right path. You seem to be going off the road sometimes."
"What's wrong with that? Sometimes the road hurts my feet. So I get off for awhile to rest them. Besides, the flowers are prettier."
"Metaphors," Ryo groaned.
"Bad metaphors," said Sage. That was too much. Rowen pinned Sage down, and Shala proceeded to tickle him. Of course, being "Sage the ice cube," it didn't do much, but while this distracted him, Ryo mussed Sage's hair.
"I must say, Wildfire, those twigs are a nice touch," Shala said.
"Good tickle maneuver, Insanity. We owe some credit to Strata, however."
"How about some to Halo for not killing you?" the blonde warrior said, getting up dangerously. Shala pretended to look at her watch.
"Gotta go!" She sprinted off. Rowen took off right after her, keeping a steady pace. Shala began to flag. "Never . . . was . . . much . . . of . . . an . . . endurance . . . runner," she panted. "Sprinter . . . all . . . the . . . way!"
"Don't worry about it. Sage'll be killin' Ryo first. We just hafta get to the house and we're safe." They almost made it. Kento clocked the way.
"Sage said to stop you two . . ." he trailed. Rowen jumped at the same time Shala did. \"I hate heights," Shala said, as they ran along the top of the roof.
"Window!" Rowen exclaimed, vaulting into an open window. Shala followed. "That was the most fun I've had in awhile!"
"You're telling me!" Shala said. "The look on Sage's face . . ."
"Was absolutely priceless, I'm sure," Sage said darkly.
"We're in for it . . ." Rowen muttered.
"I suppose you won't ask how I did this?" Vigorous head-shaking. "Well, I'll tell you anyway."
"Why must the villains always brag?" Shala asked nobody in particular as she looked at the floor.
"A villain? Moi? How could you?"
"You insulted our metaphors. You have no decency. You must therefore be a villain," Rowen deadpanned.
"Exactly!"
"I don't think I am," Sage said seriously.
"Of course not. You're just our little half-frozen ice cube," Shala said comfortingly.
"Excuse me?"
"Sure."
"I meant what in hell are you talking about?"
"You, Sage Date, are like a half-frozen ice cube."
"And why would that be? And why are you using metaphors again?"
"They're similes, dude," Rowen told him.
"Metaphors, similes, whatever."
"Well, you're generally cold and hard on the outside, although quite possible to chip, but you've still got water on the inside that just needs a few taps in the right spot to get to."
"Interesting . . ."
"Of course it is!"
"I meant I never thought I'd be compared to something that belongs in a martini."
"Well, it just happened, buddy. Ya want ta go downstairs?"
"No, I think up here will be an adequate space to torture you."
Downstairs, Ryo dragged himself into the kitchen. He was torn, bedraggled, mussed, getting a few bruises, and looked quite zonked. He also looked quite cheerful.
"They are sooo gonna get it," he said happily.
A few yells and thuds later, Sage was able to mentally convey a "we're okay" message to Sai. The thuds were from them all hitting the floor laughing. The laughing had a diabolical tone behind it. Sai wasn't too sure he wanted to know why.
When they came to the kitchen later, Shala, Rowen, and Sage were wearing their sub-armor.
"Dinner has been ready for fifteen minutes. What were you doing?" Sai said reprovingly.
"Oh, nothing. Did Kento leave us anything?" Shala asked. The aforementioned food disposal looked at her indignantly and protested that he merely had a healthy appetite. "Riiiight . . . And I'm the queen of Brazil."
"Queen Shala?" said Kento.
"No, of course not. Despotic ruler Queen Shala."
"You want to be a despotic ruler?" asked Ryo.
"Who doesn't? I've already got people volunteering to be my advisors when I take over."
"And who would that be?"
"My entire group of friends and them," she returned flippantly, pointing to Rowen and Sage.
"Knowing people in power can be very helpful," Sage smirked.
"Besides, she promised us a five percent cut of the profits," Rowen added.
"Dinner," Sai said insistently.
"Oh, right," said Shala.
"So what exactly is for dinner?" said Rowen hungrily.
"Food. Now eat," Sai said, glaring. They were forced into seats and made to eat. "So what was all the maniacal laughter about?" Sai asked conversationally.
"Just normal, healthy, maniacal laughter," Shala said, chewing. "No big deal."
"Whatever you say," Ryo said.
"Shouldn't our other guests be back by now?" Rowen asked.
"They may have something to mop up," said Sai. As if on cue, Lady Kayura and the former warlords came in the door.
"Slight problems with the nether spirits," Cale said.
"Slight, he says," Dais added. "Slight." He plunked himself down in a disgruntled manner.
"Dinner?" Sai said, holding out dishes.
"Thanks," said Sekhmet, taking one. The other 'lords and Lady followed his example.
"I hate nether spirits," Kayura commented.
"With good reason," Shala said.
"I suppose," said the other.
"Are we going to do anything now?" Kento asked impatiently.
"You seem to have no problems with your subarmor," Dais observed, speaking, of course, to Shala. She grinned.
"I feel much better. I think Insanity may finally be listening to me."
"In that case," said Kayura, "weapons practice after dinner would be advisable."
"Ooh! Target practice! Fun!"
"You'll have to learn some kind of hand-to-hand combat," Sage said.
"I took karate for almost five years. My daggers aren't that short, and the frisbees are very effective when you hit people over the head with them. I think that qualifies."
"You still need to work out against us," Rowen said.
"Well, duh . . . I'm not that stupid."
"Good. After dinner, then?"
"You're on. But not immediately afterwards." They glanced at her. "I cramp. I need digesting time."
"Fine. You have a twenty minute digestive period. If you aren't outside by then, I'll sic Yuli on you." Shala made a warding-off gesture and ducked.
It looked like Insanity was finally beginning to control her power. As much as it could be controlled . . . Shala grinned. It looked like she'd be having fun for awhile. This would be interesting.
Okay, so it's cheesy. Very cheesy. But you must remember, this was my second ever RW fic and I'm not a terrific writer in the first place . . . am I? And you also have to remember that I wrote this in about five days or so, which is exceedingly fast for me, given the length of this, which I guess isn't too terribly long, although it is for me. The thing is, I hurried the ending somewhat, so it kinda doesn't measure up to my standards, but it's been like that so long I can't think of how I'd change it. And I know I've got too many abrupt moodswings in here. I dunno why. I also wrote the disclaimer at the top about the same time I typed this up, which was a few months ago . . . And I keep fluctuating my use of Rowen's accent. Eh, forget it. I hate using underlines to emphasize, but when I'm using italics for thoughtspeech, what else can I do? *sigh*