A/N: Woo, I have some readers! =) All the more reason to keep on posting chapters. Thanks very much for jumping aboard. Hopefully as the story progresses, more readers will jump on the bandwagon. Here’s for hoping anyway. Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!

If you look on my profile page here on , I have full color sketches for this story and my other Ronin story, Loyalty and Love.

Also, we will be dropping in on Ryo and the others every now and then, but this story is mainly geared around the original RW universe with our three lady Ronins unceremoniously dropped in it. =) This chapter is going to start out following a lot of the traditional Ronin Warriors storyline, but pay close attention because it’s going to change up rather fast.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Ronin Warriors. I do however own the original characters that my crazy little brain has made up. That’s about it though.

Chapter One: Immortal Fire

Rya felt as if every inch of her body were bruised. It hurt to move and the mere thought of opening her eyes was a notion that the female warrior dreaded. Her limbs felt heavy and her head was spinning. If she hadn’t known any better she would have thought she had been drugged. She listened to the sounds all around her, intrigued to hear crackling and popping noises all around her.

‘What the hell?’ She thought.

Deciding it was time to bite the bullet so to speak and open up her weary eyes, Rya was amazed at what she saw. Lava was all around her. Hot red and yellow liquid pooled all around her body as she lay on her stomach. Thank God her face plate had come down to keep her face from being scorched. She groaned as she pushed herself up onto her knees. Her muscles cried in protest as she sat back on her haunches. Her head throbbed and she placed a hand on her aching skull as her forehead burned. A single world formed in her thought process.

‘Virtue.’

“How in the world did I end up in here?” She thought, looking around.

She reached behind her back to account for her swords and discovered that one was missing. It was then that Rya’s memory came flooding back to her.

“I remember fighting with Alexis and collapsing afterwards. Did the Dynasty separate us all somehow while I was unconscious?” She thought aloud. She offered a silent prayer of thanks to her Wildfire armor from protecting her from the blazing heat all around her.

Rya stared up to see the opening of her volcanic prison looming hundreds of feet above her head. Now was not the time to panic. She had to get out of here and find everyone. Where did she start?

~*~

Anubis gazed at Emperor Talpa’s viewing screen with a victorious smirk on his face. He was immensely proud of himself for his part in getting rid of the Ronins. He chuckled aloud as he took in the sight of the crumbled city that loomed below the Dynasty castle. It had been too easy for him really, taking on that headstrong boy called Wildfire. He was powerful yes, but clumsy in his attack and speed. It was only a matter of time before the Ronin would have been eliminated. At least that’s what Anubis told himself.

“Do not be so sure of yourself Anubis.”

Anubis turned to look at the source of the voice with an amused sneer.

“Why?” He asked.

Anubis’ fellow Warlords materialized in the dim light behind him. Cale, Warlord of Corruption crossed his arms over his chest.

“You didn’t see them die; they could still be out there.” Dais, Warlord of Illusion stated.

Anubis narrowed his eyes at the three of them.

“They were destroyed, all of them I tell you.” He growled.

Sekhmet raised an eyebrow and gave his leader a look of scrutiny.

“If the Ronins were destroyed it would be only because of Master Talpa’s aid in the matter.” The Warlord of Venom added.

Anubis grit his teeth as his battle with the Ronins was picked apart by his fellow dark generals. Dais narrowed his good eye at him.

“Right, the Ronins fought a good battle. You under estimated them and they got the better of you Anubis.” Dais spat.

Cale threw his head back in a laugh before adding to Anubis’ irritation.

“Just admit it; they were way tougher than you thought.”

Anubis crossed his arms over his chest before curling his lips into a sinister smile.

“They didn’t stand a chance against me.” Anubis replied.

Before the four could bicker back and forth between each other for any longer, the voice of Emperor Talpa filled the viewing chambers.

“This is not the time for your senseless arguing.” His voice boomed as his head was projected into the room.

Anubis was startled by the entrance of his master and immediately swept into a bow with his fellow Warlords, placing his hand over his heart in allegiance.

“It was I that disposed of the Ronin Warriors. The power of Dynasty made it so.” Talpa thundered.

Anubis straightened from his low bow to address his master with evil smile still intact.

“Yes Master. Your power was tremendous against those pitiful Ronins. They did not know what hit them. You should be pleased. They Dynasty has succeeded.” He offered, hoping to please his master.

“Don’t be so quick to assume victory Anubis. They were skilled samurai and they have that mystical armor on their side. They could return, watch the city carefully for them. One Ronin’s hiding place may have already been discovered.” Talpa bellowed.

His blood red eyes flashed and the viewing screen lit up before the Warlords. Mia and Yuli appeared on the screen riding atop Ryo’s white tiger, White Blaze, and holding onto Ryo’s lost Wildfire katana.

“She carries the sword to Wildfire. He may have already revived. We must find that Ronin and eliminate him before he is able to reach the others.”

Anubis was quick to jump on the chance to dispose of Wildfire. He had already developed an extreme dislike for the Ronin leader and would relish killing him and taking his armor.

“Master, he won’t live long enough to escape me a second time. Let me finish that Wildfire brat off once and for all. I will bring you honor, Master.” Anubis stated.

Talpa regarded his favored Warlord for a moment before answering.

“Granted. This is your last chance Anubis. Do not fail me again.”

Anubis bowed low to Talpa in gratitude.

“Yes Master.”

Anubis straightened and looked to three others with a victorious grin on his face. They regarded him with loathing. Before one of them could hurl another insult or mock him, Anubis turned on his heel, instantly transforming into his ogre armor and vanishing from the viewing room.

~*~

Mia and Yuli were indeed on their way to where Ryo had been banished to. At least they thought it was Ryo that they were going to rescue. When Mia and Yuli had awakened that morning, they discovered Ryo’s sword sticking up in the ground nearby. Mia crept over to where the handsome sword was sheathed in the earth, just in time for a building to crumble right on top of where she and Yuli had been sleeping mere moments before. White Blaze appeared to them and began tugging on Mia’s arm, urging her to come with him.

So now the two were riding with the white tiger, letting him take them to where they hoped Ryo was waiting. The tiger had a special connection to Wildfire armor, and they could only pray that White Blaze had sensed the armor’s whereabouts. Yuli held onto White Blaze’s tail and rode along behind on his skateboard. The boy was engrossed in his thoughts of Wildfire when he heard a sound behind them. He turned his head to find Dynasty soldiers gaining on them, armed and on horseback.

“Mia! Those soldiers are back again! What are we gonna do?” He yelled.

Mia looked back over her shoulder in alarm.

“Just hang on Yuli. White Blaze will protect us!” She replied, hugging White Blaze’s neck tighter.

Anubis narrowed his eyes inside his face plate as he was pulled along in a chariot. They honestly thought that they could escape him? Not a chance. He would not dispose of them yet, he needed the girl to lead him to Wildfire. The Warlord’s lips curled into a cruel smile.

“You will not escape me again boy. I will see to it that you never again call Wildfire to arms.” He said, speaking to no one.

He regarded the mindless Dynasty soldiers as they began pelting the two humans with arrows. Yuli screamed as he did his best to dodge them. Mia thought quickly and reached around to pull the boy up in front of her on White Blaze’s back. The powerful tiger ran faster, the muscles in his lean back rippling as he did so. The soldiers closed the gap between them and Mia held on tightly to Yuli. Anubis let out a wicked laugh as his soldiers closed in on the pair.

‘This is too easy.’ He thought triumphantly.

Mia hugged Yuli tightly to her chest as she braced herself for impact. It never came. Mia whirled her head around and saw a brilliant light behind them. When it dissipated, there was a large crater in the road where the Dynasty soldiers had fallen.

“Where did they go Mia? What made that huge hole?” Yuli asked, climbing off of White Blaze.

“I’m not sure Yuli, but I’m glad they’re gone.” Mia said. White Blaze tugged on her sleeve and she turned to look at what he was pulling her towards.

Her Jeep that she had abandoned the day before was several yards from where they were standing. She tried not to get her hopes up as she rushed towards the recently inoperable vehicle.

“There’s my car! Good job White Blaze. Come on Yuli let’s see if the engine will turn over.” Mia said as she came to halt at the driver’s side door.

She reached her hand into her jacket pocket and withdrew her car keys. She leaned in the opened window and placed the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine fired right up.

“It works! Maybe with those Dynasty soldiers being gone, the interference was lifted from my car! Get in Yuli. White Blaze, you lead the way!” She called as she strapped herself and Yuli into the vehicle. White Blaze took off down the road and Mia followed close behind him as the giant cat raced towards Mt. Dojo looming in the distance.

Mia did not see the blade of a kusari-gama sticking up from the side of the crater as they raced off. Anubis hurtled himself back over the edge and onto his feet. Landing with a grunt, he stared off at the disappearing vehicle.

“What caused that crater to form in the road? Was it the work of the Ronin’s armor?” He growled.

He leapt up onto a rooftop to better see where Mia’s car was heading.

“When I found out who did this they will suffer!” He bellowed. His teal eyes narrowed onto the smoking formation in the distance.

“I wonder…” He said softly. He regarded the landform for a moment before taking off towards it.

High over the rooftops, a lone figure levitated in the sky. He wore monk robes, and straw hat that shielded most of his face. In his right hand he held a golden staff with rings on the top. He was known as the Ancient that guided that Ronin Warriors to battle against Talpa. He watched with interest as Anubis took off towards what he knew to be as the birthplace of the Wildfire armor. He had managed to stop Anubis’ soldiers from getting to Mia and Yuli, but now he had to act quickly to ensure that Anubis did destroy the leader of the Ronin Warriors. In a flash of light, the monk disappeared.

~*~

“Dammit! How much further?!” Rya yelled as she crept up the side of the volcano.

Her arms and legs burned from the constant climbing, not to mention that trying to climb up a steep surface in full battle armor is not the most fun thing to do. Sweat dripped down her face and she wished that the heat weren’t so intense that she could open her face plate. She was almost to the top and she was fully prepared to do a victory dance once she got up there. After she had lain down to rest for a bit of course.

“Come on Rya, just a few more feet! I’m almost to the top!” She said through gritted teeth.

High above her, the Ancient materialized in the air. He studied the Wildfire bearer for a moment, pleased that he was going to make it out in time to fight with Anubis. He glanced to the other side of the mouth of the volcano to see Anubis nearing the top. The Ancient was startled when his impeccable hearing picked up the sound of Wildfire’s voice as he climbed. His eyes grew wide beneath the brim of his hat.

That wasn’t Ryo of the Wildfire inside that armor.

Startled, the man quickly began to meditate, hoping to form some sort of conclusion about what was going on. After a moment, a vision of the dark energy warping time and space relayed in his mind. He saw Wildfire, Halo, and Torrent being pulled into an alternate dimension and their three female counterparts being thrust into theirs’.

His eyes snapped open in shock and disbelief. He had prayed that this would never happen. He believed it to be impossible for it to happen. But it was true.

There was a parallel universe to their own that held its own heroes and evils. There were ten more identical suits of armor with opposite gender duplicates to bear them. He knew that the two teams of Ronins and Warlords were never to meet. It would change the course of history and everything about the battle with the Dynasty. The Ancient’s eyes flew to whom he now knew to be the female Wildfire. This girl had never before fought Warlords such as the one that was awaiting her to emerge.

Anubis’ female counterpart was as evil as Anubis himself, but gender plays a role in brute strength. Testosterone is weapon in its self. A woman fighting with woman is on equal ground. A woman fighting with a man in mystical armor is an entirely different story.

“Ronin or not…he’s too strong for her. He’ll kill her!” The Ancient hissed.

She could not let him know that she was not Ryo of the Wildfire. It would be her undoing. The Ancient disappeared, hoping to reach the girl in time to warn her. She most likely thought that nothing was amiss.

Rya placed her hand at the top of the volcano, preparing to let out a cry of victory as she did so. She stopped dead when she saw who was waiting for her at the top.

“Worked up a sweat did you boy?” Anubis cackled.

Rya’s mind reeled.

‘Boy? Why would Alexis call me boy? And what the hell is wrong with her voice?’

Anubis grinned as he noted the silence coming from his adversary.

“You’re surprised are you? Well you should have stayed at the bottom of that damned volcano, because you’re about to go back!” He bellowed, striking the Ronin in the chest with his kusari-gama.

Rya was knocked off balance and she toppled back into the volcano.

“Ryo!” Mia cried as she watched the Wildfire armor disappearing back into the volcano.

“Mia he’s alive!” Yuli yelled, hugging her leg.

White Blaze took the katana from Mia’s hand and jumped over the mouth of the volcano.

A flash of white crossed Rya’s line of vision and she felt her sword being placed in her hand.

‘White Blaze!’ Rya thought as she thrust the katana into the rock face hoping to stop her fall. She slowed to a stop about half way down, her muscles screaming. She groaned as she held onto the sword to keep from falling back any further.

“Are you alright young one?”

Rya turned her head and was startled to see a man floating in the air beside her in monk’s robes. The Ancient sensed her struggling and held his hand out in front of him. Rya’s body was picked up and she floated in the air beside him, relieving her tired limbs. Rya weakly pulled the sword from the rock and placed it within her sheath with the other.

“Thank you for that, but who are you?” She asked.

The Ancient nodded in response to her thanks.

“There isn’t much time Wildfire. I am here to warn you. Did you notice that there was something amiss about the Warlord of Cruelty?” The Ancient asked.

Rya nodded. “Yeah, she sounded like a dude.” She growled, glaring back up at the opening of the volcano.

“I do not have time to explain, but that’s because that Warlord is not the one you are accustomed to fighting. You have been thrust into a parallel universe, Rya of Wildfire. That is not Alexis of Cruelty that just sent you down here. That is her male counterpart Anubis.” The Ancient warned.

Rya’s eyes grew wide. “Counterpart? Parallel universe? Anubis? What in the heck are you talking about?!” Rya asked, thinking him to be a nut ball.

The Ancient shook his head.

“You and two of your fellow Ronins were thrust into our universe and three of ours into yours! You are not fighting Talia anymore. You are fighting Talpa!” He cried.

Rya’s mind whirled as she tried to take in the information. She narrowed her eyes at the man before her.

“How do I know that you’re telling the truth?” She asked suspiciously.

The Ancient grew frustrated and sensed Anubis preparing to leap in after her.

“You don’t, but I am telling you that you are not in your own dimension anymore. Anubis is far stronger than Alexis and he is ruthless. He believes you to be Ryo of the Wildfire and do not let him think otherwise.”

The Ancient leaned close to her and took her armed hands in both of his.

“I am warning you young one, do not let him know that you are not Ryo. It will be your death. I will explain everything to you later. Do not speak and keep your face plate down. Now go before he comes in after you!” The Ancient cried.

He pointed his staff at her and sent her hurtling back up through the mouth of the volcano. Rya’s mind was a jumbled mess after listening to all that the Ancient had said but she did her best to focus on the battle she was about to face. If he was telling the truth than she most likely was about to have her ass kicked. She reached behind her and withdrew her katanas as she flew out of the volcano in battle formation.

Rya ground her teeth together and launched an attack at Anubis. The Warlord grinned wickedly and blocked her attack with his kusari-gama. Rya did her best not to gasp when he began pushing back against her attack.

‘Maybe that monk dude wasn’t lying after all. Alexis has never been this strong…’ she thought as she looked up into his face plate. ‘…or this tall!’ She mused as Anubis pushed back and Rya jumped away from him. White Blaze flew to her side and she was grateful to have a familiar face, even though it was most likely not her female white tiger. She looked on with surprise as Mia and Yuli started jumping and down.

“Go Ryo! Get him!” Yuli cried.

Rya blinked. ‘Man he looks a lot like Julie!’ She thought. She jumped as Anubis swung his weapon at her. She dodged the attack and leapt near the edge of the volcano.

‘God he’s strong.’ She thought as his weapon joined with hers once more. She was now convinced that this was not Alexis. She did not know what had happened, but this was not the Master of Cruelty as she knew her. This was an angry, male version of her!

“Come Wildfire, what’s the matter? Did your fall make you forget how to fight?” He taunted.

Rya narrowed her blue eyes and fought the angry words that wanted to come out of her mouth. Instead it lit a fire inside of her and she broke out into an all out brawl with the Warlord.

‘I’m not going to let you make a fool of me! I may not be this Ryo that you’re used to fighting, but I damn sure won’t be viewed as any less of an opponent!’ She thought as her swords connected with his weapon again.

A wicked smirk broke out onto the Warlord’s face. ‘He is more determined than usual. This will make my victory all the more sweet!’ He thought as he dueled with Rya around the foot of the volcano.

Mia studied Rya as she fought. There was something off about the figure in the Wildfire armor. She was trained in archaeology and history and her senses were tuned to find small details that others may not have noticed. Her brow furrowed together as she watched their battle. She wondered why Ryo would not speak, as he normally would hurl an insult right back at Anubis without a second thought. Her eyes traveled to the armed warrior’s frame and she blinked several times as if she could not believe what she was seeing.

‘That person’s frame is too small to be Ryo. Even with armor, those are not Ryo’s shoulders or legs.’ She thought.

Rya’s foot slid to the mouth of the volcano and she looked back over her shoulder to keep her footing as she held Anubis’ kusari-gama off with her blades.

‘There’s no way I’m going in there again.’ She thought as she struggled to push back.

Anubis grunted and pushed with all of his might. Rya stifled a scream as she went toppling back into the volcano.

“Ryo!” Yuli screamed and ran forward. Mia grabbed him by the waist and held him back.

Anubis let out a triumphant laugh as he watched Wildfire disappear into the depths.

“He’s finished!” he cried.

Rya closed her eyes and braced herself for impact but she slowed down inside of the volcano. She opened her eyes and looked at her swords as a bright red light glowed from them. She felt her forehead burn and she winced as that single word formed in her consciousness again.

“Virtue.” She whispered.

She felt as if her body was on fire and she felt a strange energy building up within her. Rya felt charged and powerful and she looked down below her to see the lava swirling faster and faster. Her swords began to flash and she gripped them tighter.

“The spirit of the volcano…it’s affecting my armor. It’s giving me strength. Is this the secret of Wildfire? I feel so much more powerful!” She said, closing her eyes and feeling her heart pound in her chest.

The volcano roared and a wave of lava and fire thrust Rya back up to the surface, her armor protecting her.

‘This is my chance!’ She thought as she blasted up from the volcano. The roar of the explosion masked her voice as she called her attack.

“Flare Up Now!” She bellowed, shooting a fierce beam of energy straight at a very shocked and surprised Anubis.

He groaned in pain and was rocketed backwards into the volcano, disappearing with a flash of red light from Rya’s swords. Rya breathed heavily as the bright light faded and her feet touched the earth. Steam billowed from her armor and her shoulders sagged from fatigue. The armor had taken all of her strength and she fell down onto her knees, her swords on either side of her.

‘I…I beat him.’ Her mind whispered. She heard someone calling her name, Ryo’s name rather, and she weakly turned her head to see Mia and Yuli running towards her. She didn’t know how to explain what was going on to them, but she did not have the opportunity to. Fatigue overcame her and she fell forward onto the ground unconscious.

Rya’s faceplate rose and Mia stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her face. Mia’s mind raced as she saw a female replica of Ryo’s face inside the Wildfire helmet.

~*~

Anubis groaned as he was teleported into Talpa’s throne room. He collapsed to his knees before his master, his blue subarmor covered in soot and singed in places. His body ached from the force of Ryo’s blast and his head slumped forward.

“Anubis, I see that you have failed me once again.” Talpa’s voice boomed.

The other three Warlords sneered at Anubis as he was humiliated by their master. Anubis looked at them out of the corner of his eye, anger burning inside of him. How dare that damned Wildfire make a fool out of him!

“I underestimated the Armor of Wildfire greatly. Now that he has awakened, the other Ronin Warriors will surely return to fight. Tread carefully and act swiftly. Do you understand me?” Talpa bellowed.

Anubis bowed his head in shame. “Yes master.”

Damn that Wildfire. He would teach that stupid boy a lesson if it was the last thing he ever did.

~*~

TBC. Let me know what you think!