Samurai

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Ah yes, what do this images inspire? I think I see a story emerging. Mix some Astro, Black Jack, and Princess Knight together and add a splash of Dororo, and lets see what we get!

Samurai

One

Astro and Dr. O'Shay sat near the middle of the small bus that was crawling over the winding road though the forest. It was a dark and rainy night with the only illumination being provided by the bus's headlamps and an occasional blinding flash of lightning. The conveyance was nearly empty, with only four other passengers. Atom looked around, studying the other occupants who were along for the ride with him.

Seated just behind the driver was a beautiful young woman with short dark curly hair and deep blue eyes. She was wearing a wide brimmed hat with colorful ruffles on the top which matched her outfit. Astro thought she was dressed for a party.

In the row behind Astro and the Doctor sat a tall man wearing a dark coat with a cape. His hair was partly white and partly black, and he had a long surgical scar running down the left side of his face, the skin of which was two toned. Sitting next to him was a young girl, who Astro took to be about the same age that his sister Uran looked to be. She was wearing a short red dress and had four pink bows in her brown hair. She also had beautiful brown eyes. Every time a bolt of lightning flashed between the clouds releasing a loud clap of thunder, the girl would move closer to the man for comfort.

All the way in the back of the bus was a character that gave Astro the creeps. He had a patch over his left eye, and his long uncombed hair was pure white. He was also dressed in a dark coat, and seemed content to be sitting all by himself.


“How much further?”, the young woman asked the driver as she leaned over the seat in front of her.

“Maybe another hour until we reach the edge of this forest,” the driver replied, “and perhaps another past that.”

“Not soon enough!,” she shivered, “this rain is giving me the creeps. I've never been this way before, just what road is this?”

“It's a shortcut,” the driver explained, “The locals refer to this as the old temple road because it passes by many old abandoned shrines and temples, many of which were built in the old times when the Samurai and the Shogun ruled the country. You can't go as fast on this two lane road as on the highway, but it does shave a few hundred klicks off of the route. If I'd known about the rain in the forecast though, I'd probably had stayed on the main highway.”


Suddenly a large lightning bolt struck the ground a few yards in front of the bus. The driver quickly slammed on the brakes as a large tree fell in front of them, blocking the roadway. He put the vehicle in reverse, and tried to maneuver around the fallen tree, but his front right tire sunk into a soft spot in the road and the front of the bus sunk downwards. The driver got out of his seat to look outside the bus. He examined the front of the vehicle and his face turned sour.

He reentered the bus and turned to face his passengers. “Looks like we're stuck here for the time being,” he said. “The front axle seems to have broken when we ran off the road. I've radioed ahead to my dispatcher, and they will have a tow truck here by the morning. I know exactly where we are, and there is a temple just a few hundred yards off the road where we can spend the night and be out of the rain. If you'll all follow me, I'll guide the way. Do watch your steps though, the ground might be a bit uneven outside.”

Astro looked at Dr. O'Shay, “I could probably lift the bus and fly us all out of here.”
The Doctor smiled at Astro. “True, but I'm not sure how the passengers would handle that.”

“I guess so.” Astro sighed, “Humans do get airsick flying in rough weather.”


The six passengers exited the bus and followed the driver across a rocky trail which lead to a cobble stone path leading uphill. Another flash of lightning lit up the sky and revealed the outline of an old building in the distance. It appeared to be a large abandoned temple where monks once lived. The driver tried the door, but it seemed to be jammed shut tightly.

“Let me try,” Astro asked. He grabbed the door handle and pulled on it hard. The door creaked on its rusty hinges and slowly opened outwards. The bus driver's flashlight cast eerie shadows in the gloom of the old temple. Astro switched on his eyes searchlights to give more light.

The small front room of the building led into a larger second room that appeared to have served as the bedroom for a clan of perhaps two dozen monks. The beds were still in place in the room, and perhaps half of them still had usable mattresses on them comfortable enough to sleep on. Another chamber had a long table with the remains of many chairs, this was obviously the dining area where the monks would partake of their meals.


From deeper in the building, came a shriek of terror. The tall man with the scar ran in the direction of the sound where he found his young companion shivering in fear.

“What is it Pinoko?” the man asked.

“Ghosts! I think.” she said. “Sensei, I'm scared!”

Astro ran towards them his eyes still sending out beams of light. He was followed by Doctor O'Shay and the bus driver. “Loook!” Pinoko pointed.

This inner chamber was filled with gruesome statues that appeared to be the work of devils. Their frightening looking forms were carved in hideous poses, they appeared to be performing acts of human sacrifice to the demons.

“This must be the demon temple,” the bus driver gasped. “I knew it existed, but I've never actually heard of anyone who ever saw it. This place belonged to a dark sect of monks that worshiped the dark beasts of the underworld. It is said that one of the early Shogun's actually prayed to these demon idols to give them his unborn son for their blessings. This Shogun ruthlessly ruled most of Japan before being defeated by an unknown hero.”

“Maybe we shouldn't spend the night here....,” Pinoko sobbed.

There was another even louder clap of thunder and the sound of the rain on the roof of the building became even louder as the wind suddenly picked up in speed.

“I don't think we have much of a choice,” Black Jack replied. “But let's keep out of this part of the building, for our sanity's sake!”

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Dr. Kiriko pulled a flashlight from his pocket and slowly walked around the 'demon chamber'. His torch revealed the true size of the room as he shined his light on a long row of statues. “Kurō, come take a look at this,” he called to Black Jack.

Black Jack followed the 'death doctor' towards the rear of the chamber and saw what the white haired man had discovered. There along the wall was a line of idols fitted with huge precious stones for eyes. Diamonds, Rubies, Star Sapphires, and Emeralds, each of them being at least a hundred carrots or more in size.

“A man could walk out of here quite rich with only a few of those gems,” Kiriko laughed.

“I wouldn't touch them,” Black Jack replied.

“You think they are cursed?” the white haired doctor laughed.

“Perhaps,” Kurō said, shrugging his shoulders, “they've been here untouched for centuries, that in itself speaks of their sanctity.”

“Perhaps,” Kiriko replied, as he scanned the beam of his torch further along the wall. The light now fell upon an idol having several dozen arms. Each of its many hands held a katana in a golden scabbard with a leather belt attached. Kiriko carefully removed on of these from the idol's hand and examined it.

“The workmanship on this is incredible,” he replied as he slowly pulled the sword from the scabbard and held the blade pointing upwards. Kiriko carefully ran the tip of his left thumb across the blade to feel its sharpness and almost drew blood. He pulled a hair from his head and pushed the root of it against the blade, neatly cleaving the hair in half, lengthwise.

“Amazing!” he smiled as he replaced the katana back into its sheath. He carefully wrapped the leather belt around his waist and admired how well the sword balanced against his body.

“I'd put that back if I were you,” Black Jack warned him.

By this time Astro, Sapphire, and Dr. O'Shay had gathered to see what their companions were looking at. “What is this place?” Astro asked.

“This appears to be the heart of the temple,” Dr. O'Shay replied. “This isn't a healthy place, it is a place of demon worship.” The doctor looked down at the floor and scuffed his foot along the hard stone surface, kicking up a cloud of dust. “I don't think anyone has been in here for centuries, just look how thick this dust is!”

Sapphire looked around the room and suddenly shivered, “Let's get out of here, this place gives me the creeps!” she gasped.

“Me too!” Pinoko said, tugging on Black Jack's trouser leg to get him moving towards the chamber exit.


Suddenly the eyes of the idols began to glow. Red, Green, Blue and White rays of light emanated from the Rubies, Emeralds, Star Sapphires and Diamonds that were set into the heads of the statues. A humming sound filled the room, and it rapidly rose in volume and pitch, drilling into the ears of the everyone present. Dr. O'Shay, Kirko, Black Jack, Sapphire, and Pinoko clamped their hands over their ears for protection, but to no avail. Even Astro felt the pain and he too began to pass out. The room grew dark and the sound faded.

The bus driver had been exploring elsewhere in the temple, looking for clean water to drink. He heard the screaming of the others and ran in the direction of the sound. He found the demon room and scanned his flashlight around, its beam bounced off of the demon idol statues and he saw the evil grins on their faces. The room was otherwise empty, but in the dust on the floor he could see the outlines of six bodies that had mysteriously disappeared.

[Shiyonasan]

Pretty neat story so far. I like the dark atmosphere of it.

Also, I wouldn't mind seeing this as an animated special!

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

I had actually sorta run out of new story ideas when I dusted off my previous AU for the ISAAC story I'm in the middle of. Then when you suggested that I might write something based on the cell phone game images I saw something there too. I've sorta borrowed a theme from Dororo and 'Spirited Away' for this this one, and I'm making it up as I go along though I now have a solid 'road map' in my mind as to the overall plot.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

[CENTER]Samurai

[/CENTER]

Two

The old man with the large nose and balding head sat with his legs folded under him as he repeatedly bent down in prayer in front of the altar. The bronzed image of the Buddha on the raised platform seemed to talk to the priest, who finally got back on his feet and adjusted his violet robes so they fell straight on his rotund frame. He held the prayer scroll in his right hand, and carefully rolled it back up and placed it into the pocket of his robe.

There was a commotion at the door to the temple, and the man made his way as quickly as possible in response to the heavy pounding on the thick wooden door's bronze knockers. The priest lifted a latch on the door and pulled on the ringed handle to open it. The heavy door rolled backwards easily on its well oiled hinges to reveal the figure standing in front of it.

The war lord stood there with a defiant scowl on his face. His left eye was covered by a leather patch held in place by a thin strap of the same material that was tied in back of his head. His long gray hair fluttered behind him in the breeze. He wore a cloak of green armor topped with a purple top coat and had a jewel encrusted stuffed serpent wrapped around his neck. Hanging from a scabbard on his right side was a long katana, the sword of the Samurai and the noble elite.

“Where is she!” the war lord demanded.

“I don't know who you are talking about, Kiriko!” the priest softly replied.

“I know she's been here old man,” the visitor growled, “I can see the tracts of her horse leading here, and they are fresh.”

“The person whom you seek doesn't own the only horse in this country, you and your soldiers have mounts as well,” the priest replied.

“Yes but I know her tracks by the unique impressions made by the shoes on her steed,” Kiriko smiled, “the smith who shod her stallion used an extra nail.”

The war lord gave a hand signal and the four men behind him dismounted from their horses and marched toward the temple door. “You will search this place for that woman!” he ordered, taking a step toward the priest, “and if my men find where you have been hiding her I will kill both her and you on the spot!”


The peasant farmer opened the door to his hut to find that his young son had been successful in his quest to find a healer.

“I came as quickly as I could,” the man in the doorway said, “I only hope that I'm not too late.”

The healer was a tall man dressed in a green robe with yellow trim on its sleeves and openings, tied shut with a wide orange sash. He also wore a dark blue cape with an orange and yellow collar. His hair was half white and half black, and he had a fearsome looking scar dividing his face diagonally in half, the left side being darker than the right.

Lying on a bed in the middle of the room, the farmers wife moaned in pain. Sweat was dripping from her skin as she shivered from the fever that had gripped her for the past few days. Her son ran from the door to his mother's side and squeezed her hand.
“It's OK now mom, I've brought the healer!” He said, trying to comfort his mother.
The healer walked quickly towards the woman and turned to the boy. “Please boil some water, and bring me whatever clean cloth you have, and hurry,” he whispered to the lad.
The boy ran off on his errand while the healer examined his mother. The farmer stood back observing as the man attended to his wife. He smiled at her, trying to reassure her that all would soon be right.

The healer gently probed the woman's body with his finger tips, carefully examining her lower abdomen. “I'm going to have to cut her open,” he told the farmer, “I will need to sterilize my tools.”

He removed a roll of cloth from under his robe and unwound the cloth. From inside of this he removed several knife like implements which he carried over to the fire and carefully held the sharp blades in the fire. The boy had now returned with several large wads of clean cotton cloth, which the healer inspected and nodded with his approval. He wrapped his tools in a piece of one of these cloths and carried it over to where the woman lay.

“What are you going to do, Sensei?” the boy asked.

“You mother has a sort of wound inside of her which must be removed or she will die,” he explained. “I will now make a small opening in her lower abdomen and repair the damage. First, I must prevent her from feeling any pain,”

The healer reached inside his robe and withdrew a vial containing a dark fluid. He tore off a piece of the cotton cloth and poured a quantity of this liquid onto it and then held the cotton over the woman's mouth and nose.

“This is a spirit of ether, breathing it's vapors will render your mother insensitive to my blade, and she will feel no pain,” he explained.

The healer worked quickly, he made a small incision through the woman's abdominal wall and then removed her appendix, sewing the wall of the colon tightly with gut and a curved needle. He then cleaned the wound with some of the cloth that had been soaking in the boiling water. After closing the external wound with more stitches of gut, he bandaged the area with clean cloth wrapped around her body.

“If you don't mind, I will now rest myself,” the healer said, “It's been a long journey for me, and the surgery has worn me out.”


Astro woke up when he felt the animal's breath on his face and its wet tongue on his cheek. His eyes slowly came to focus on the white stallion that was nodding its head in approval at him.

He slowly got to his feet and looked down upon himself. He was dressed in a green robe with brass bands on the ends of its sleeves, over which he had on an armored vest made of leather and bronze. His red boots now sported the images of dragons, inlaid into the leather and cast in bright bronze. He had a flowing red cape attached around his neck that reached down to his knees. Attached to his waist was a leather and bronze scabbard containing a long katana sword. Astro slowly pulled the blade from its sheath to examine it, the katana glowed with a faint blue light as he waved it in the air.

He replaced the sword in the scabbard, and as he took stock of himself, wondering just where he was and how he had gotten here, the horse gently nuzzled him and whinnied. The steed bowed low, bending its forelegs as if to demand that Astro mount him.

“I'm guessing you want my help for something?” he laughed, “I sure wish I had Uran's ability to understand animals!”

Astro carefully placed his left leg in the stirrup and hoisted himself up into the saddle that the animal wore. Before he could grab hold of the reins the horse was already bounding ahead in a full gallop.
“OK, I guess you'll lead the way!” Astro laughed.


The horse bounded over the hilly country side giving Astro a wild ride, as he held on tight to the stallions mane to stay in the saddle. The animal slowed its pace as they came to a brook that fed a mill pound. The horse stopped by the flowing water and knelled down allowing Astro to dismount. The two of them drank from the cold water of the pond for several minutes to refresh themselves.

Astro's sharp ears picked up the sound of a whimper coming from within the building of the mill. He slowly crept up to the door and pushed it open, its rusty hinges creaked and moaned as the door swung open. It was dark inside the building which had few windows, so Astro illuminated his eye searchlights and scanned the inside. Lying in a dark corner was a young girl who looked about Uran's size. She was dressed as a princess in a brightly colored dress. She had four pink bows tied into her hair, as well as a flowered head piece held onto the top of her head by hairpins.

As the light from Astro's eyes fell upon the girl she squinted and rubbed her eyes.

“Where am I?” she asked.

“Pinoko?” Astro asked.

“Who?” the girl moaned. “Is that my name? I don't remember.”

“I think you'd better come with me, Pinoko,” Astro said. “Come, get a drink from the stream, it will make you feel better.”

Astro led Pinoko from the dark interior of the mill and towards the flowing water where the horse was waiting. He bent down and cupped his hands, bringing a mouthful of the cold water to the girl's lips. Pinoko drank and the color slowly returned to her face. “I was thirsty!” she said as she bend down to get some more water for herself.

Once again the white horse bent down to allow Astro to mount. He picked up Pinoko and sat her in the saddle in back of him. “Hold on tight to my belt!” Astro told her. This time the stallion picked up its pace more slowly, and was careful to keep to an even gait as it continued along the route that intended to travel.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Sapphire shivered in the cold water at the bottom of the well. The warlord Kiriko had been trailing her for several hours when she came upon the temple of the Buddha. The kindly old priest had offered to hid her but she knew if she was found out that the evil Samurai would have the priest and all of the monks killed in revenge. She spotted the well behind the monastery just as she had noticed the dust cloud in the distance that was being kicked up by the hooves of the army's horses that were hot on her trail. She thought quickly, and removed her clothing, stuffed it into the saddle bags on her horse. She pulled a long hollow bamboo reed from the nearby field of grass to use as a snorkel tube. Then she whispered a plea into the horse's ear and slapped him on his rump to get him to gallop off out of sight, and she then lowered herself into the well to hid.

Soon the sounds of the approaching army's horses were plain to her ears and she could hear the pounding of fists against the door of the temple. When the back door of the temple crashed open, Sapphire put the reed into her mouth and ducked below the surface of the water, she inhaled and exhaled though the bamboo tube as Kiriko looked down into the well searching for her.

Just when she thought that she could no longer stand the cold, the well bucket came crashing down on her and she heard the priest's kind voice.

“They're gone now, you can climb out of the well.”

Sapphire tugged on the rope and found that the end was anchored fast to the top of the well. She pulled herself up and climbed out to find several large soft towels sitting folded on the stone wall around the well. Sapphire dried herself and wrapped a large towel around herself. The priest was standing there with his back facing her.

“You can turn around now, old man. I'm decent now,” She laughed.

The rotund priest turned to face her. “I have some other clothing for you inside the temple. Man's clothing of course, but perhaps a bit of a disguise might be a good thing at the moment?”

“I can't thank you enough,” she sobbed, giving the priest a hug, and a peck on the cheek.

The priest handed her some items of clothing he'd found. A simple monk's robe to keep her warm, but also a green armored vest and cape, plus two green leather boots. “Those last items were left here by a young Samurai who died of his wounds defending this place,” the priest sighed. “I washed most of the blood stains off of it, it looks like it might fit you.”

She held the armored outfit up in front of her, “Yes, I think it will do perfectly!” she replied.

“You look hungry, can I get you something to eat?”, the priest asked.

“Yes, thank you!” Sapphire exclaimed.

The old man led her into the dinning room and motioned for her to take a seat at the head of the long table. “This is where the monks have their meals. Right now they are all out somewhere meditating, but they will return soon for the evening meal. Wait here and I'll check and see what is cooking in the kitchen.”

Sapphire sat down and lay her head on the table with her arms crossed under it. She closed her eyes briefly, but soon heard the footsteps of the old man returning.

“If you're still awake I have some tea with rice for you,” he said softly, handing her a bowl and a pair of chopsticks.

“Arigatō,” Sapphire replied accepting the bowl, which she lifted to her mouth and quickly ate.

“My you were very hungry!” the priest remarked, I can get you some more if you'd like.”

“No, I feel much better now,” she replied.


The white stallion slowed its pace. In the distance Astro could see an old temple building, a shrine to the Buhdda. The horse stopped in front of the build and whinnied loudly. Astro dismounted from the saddle and then reached up to help Pinoko get down from the animal's back. The two of them slowly walked to the door of the building, Astro lifted the large bronze knocker announced their presence at the door.

Sapphire heard the horse's whinny and her face lite up. She ran towards the door, followed by the priest who blocked her way. “Perhaps it might be better if I saw who might be paying us a visit, just in case. Why don't you wait in the dinning area?”

Sapphire nodded in agreement and remained out of sight from the door, which the old man slowly opened. He smiled when he saw Astro and Pinoko, realizing that they were no threat.

“Dr. O'Shay?” Astro asked.

“Who?” The priest asked. “My name is Ochanomizu, I'm the leader of this Monastery. What can I do for you?”

“Pinoko and I were led here by a horse,” Astro replied, “for some reason, I think he wanted us to be here.”

Sapphire ran out from where she had been hiding to see who her stallion had brought. “That was my horse that brought you here,” she replied. “I was being pursued by the evil war lord, Kiriko, and I asked him to bring me back help.”

Astro looked into Sapphire's face and he was smitten by her beauty. “I don't know how I got here in this strange land, or why everyone I know seems to have lost their memory except for me, but I am at your service,” he said bowing and taking her hand in his.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Samurai

Three

The farmer offered the healer a bowl of rice and some green tea. “I'm sorry I can't offer you a better meal,” he said, “but food is rather scarce here, I can barely raise enough crops to feed my family and myself.”

The healer accepted the meal gracefully. “Arigatō,” he said bowing his head.

“I am in your debt for saving my wife,” the farmer replied, “She suddenly became ill in great pain and seemed near death, it's only been a few hours since you treated her and her fever is gone and color has returned to her face. You must be a magician. I don't even know your name.”

“No, nothing like like,” the healer replied. “My name is Kurō. I'm not sure where I come from, I'm having a hard time remembering my distant past. I know I've been walking through the country side for some time treating people in each of the villages I've passed though, but nobody has yet asked me who I am. I also seem to remember having companions that are now lost from me.”

“My wife, what was wrong with her?” the farmer asked, “Will she recover?”

“Your wife had acute appendicitis,” Kurō replied. “That's a condition when part of the intestines becomes infected, if the affected tissue isn't removed the infection may cause the organ to swell and burst which will spread the poisons resulting in death. It can be cured by removing the swollen bud. It is a simple procedure, but I can't remember how I learned to do it.”

“You seem to be rather good at it,” the farmer replied, “Must you be going?”

“I'm afraid so,” the healer replied, “I must find my companions.”

“The village could really use your help,” the farmer sighed. “Ever since the warlord Kiriko took power in this area we have suffered. He appeased the evil spirits to gain power over the other Shogun. These demons now haunt the land. Nothing much will grow and there is little to eat. The priests have foretold that a stranger will come into the land and will defeat these demons and banish Kiriko from power. Until that day, we suffer.”

“Did you say Kiriko?” Kurō asked. “I know that name, only the man who I know who goes by that moniker isn't an evil war lord, he's actually a kind man in his own brutal way.”

“How is that?” the farmer asked.

“The Kiriko I know helps those who are suffering leave this world in a gentle death,” Kurō explained. “I disagree with him, for I see all life as precious, but I can understand someone who is in great pain that cannot be relieved wanting to end it all gently.”

“That is not the Kiriko we know,” the farmer huffed. “The war lord Kiriko is a brutal murderer who delights in pain. His death cannot come soon enough.”


Sapphire retrieved the clothes that she had hidden in her saddle bag. The priest looked at her soiled outfit and said, “I'll have the monks wash those for you, if you'd like.”

“Arigatō,” she said, handing the old man her pink skirt and blouse.

The priest took them and walked off towards the monk's quarters, he returned a few minutes later. “You'll have them back this evening some time after dinner,” he told her.


A few hours later the three visitors to the monastery were seated near the head of the long dinning room table next to the old priest. The two dozen monks who lived in on the temple grounds took their places at the table and bowed their heads in prayer before the meal. The two monks that served duty in the kitchen set the dinnerware at the table, plain wooden bowls and cups, pewter spoons, and bamboo chopsticks. The evenings repast, a thin stew with mutton was then served from a large cauldron like pot, while a strong tea was poured from a large pewter teapot. Several loaves of a dark brown bread on wooden cutting boards were also delivered to the table.

The monks ate their meal in silence, and the three guests followed their example. The kitchen servants then collected the empty dinnerware, and the monks silently marched out of the dinning room for their evening prayer and meditation. The old priest remained behind with his guests.


Astro turned his head about and looked at the faces of the three persons seated about him. “Doesn't anybody remember who they are?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” the priest replied.

“All of us were on a bus when it broke down in the middle of a forest,” he said. “We took shelter from the rain in a temple where we all were rendered unconscious and we are now here in this time and place.”

“Now that is a strange tale,” the priest laughed. “I've lived in this land all my life, I can't remember not being either a priest or a member of the temple.”

Sapphire looked at Astro and replied, “I am a princess from a neighboring country,” she explained, “I was abducted by the evil Kiriko who wanted me to become his bride. When I refused, he imprisoned me and sentenced me to die. I managed to escape with the help of one of Kiriko's servants who felt sorry for me and betrayed his ruler. Ever since then I've been on the run, leading a rebellion against the warlord.”

Pinoko sobbed, “My memory is a bit hazy. I remember that my father is a rich merchant and that we were kidnapped by Samurai loyal to Kiriko. They drugged us, but somehow I escaped and hid out in the old mill where I spent the night. When I awoke I no longer remembered my name, only vague details, which are slowly coming back to me. I guess you can call me Pinoko if you like, it's a pretty name.”

“That isn't right!” Astro replied, pointing to the priest. “Your name is Dr. O'Shay, you are the head of the ministry of science!”
Astro then pointed to Sapphire, “You were on the bus with us, I don't know who you are, but you're not a princess.”
“Pinoko, you're Dr. Black Jack's assistant, you think you are his wife. Both Dr. Black Jack and Dr. Kiriko were on the bus, and were in the temple as well, but they are now missing.”

““That is quite a story,” the old priest replied, “Are you sure you are feeling well?” he asked.

“Why doesn't anyone believe me?” Astro sobbed. “I guess that whatever brought us all here and took your memories probably couldn't have taken mine, because I'm a robot!”

“I'm not sure I know what a robot is,” The old priest said, “Is that a clan of Samurai that I haven't heard of yet?”

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Kurō was awakened by the sound of horses galloping all around him. The farmer peeked though a knothole in the wall and his face became white with fear.

“It's Kiriko's men,” he gasped. “The last time they were here they took my best milk cow, now I have nothing left to give them. They'll kill us all for sure!”

The healer got up and walked towards the doorway. “Shut the door behind me and keep quiet,” he said as he walked outside to face the mounted Samurai.

Upon seeing the tall man with the scar on his face standing alone in the middle of the path leading towards the farmhouse, the horsemen reined they mounts to a halt and surrounded him.

“There is nothing here for you,” Kurō told them in a calm voice. “You should leave and find what you want elsewhere.”

“Really, now!” one of the horsemen laughed. “What kind of fool are you to tell Kiriko's Samurai where to ask for tribute!”

The healer held his ground, as he slowly loosened the belt around his robe. Each of the horsemen now had their scabbards in a position from which they could quickly access their Katana's. Several seconds passed as Kurō glared at the Samurai without blinking. Suddenly, his hands quickly moved beneath his robe. Before any of the Samurai could unsheath their Katana's the healer produced a dozen sharp scalpels from a pocket inside of his robe and threw the razor sharp weapons in rapid succession at the horsemen. Each blade pierced a vital area and all of the men lay on the ground bleeding to death!

From his hidden station at the knothole the farmer saw the one sided battle and gasped at the fighting skill of the healer. He emerged from the hut as Kurō removed the last of the Katana scabbards from the bodies lying on the ground. Two of these he strapped around his waist, the remaining four he handed to the farmer. “These swords should fetch many yen at the market,” he said. “Keep them.”

“You are a Samurai!” the farmer stammered, “No common healer could kill so efficiently!”

“A healer also knows where the vital areas are,” Kurō replied. “My healer's tools can save lives, but they can also take them. Self defense is a skill I had to learn to stay alive, it's a rough world out there.”

“What of Kiriko's men?” the farmer asked.

“We will burn their bodies and clothes and then scatter the ashes. Perhaps you can find a use for their horses, I will ride away on one of them.” Kurō replied.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

The sky began to darken and the monks proceeded to light candles throughout the temple. The priest directed his guests toward the bed chambers. He found each of them a room for themselves with a futon and some blankets. He then handed a lantern containing a candle to each of his three guests. “It isn't safe around here in the dark,” he warned them. “These lanterns each contain a slow burning candle that will last the night. They don't give much light but they will keep you safe. Keep the lantern by your side at all times during the night.”

Sapphire and Pinoko accepted the priests words without question, however Astro was skeptical. “What is there to fear in the dark?” he asked.

“Demons.” The priest replied.

“You're kidding!” Astro laughed.

“I am deadly serious,” The priest replied. “The evil Kiriko obtained his power by bribing the demons with the blood of his own yet unborn son. Ever since he has come into power the devil's children roam the countryside at night, causing sickness, famine, and destruction. Even within the wall of this temple we are not fully safe from them in the dark.”

Astro accepted the lantern from the priest and set it next to his bed as he retired for the night. He thought his ears were tricking him as he thought he heard ghostly screams carried by the wind throughout the night.


Kurō followed the road leading away from the village. His horse trodded along the old road leading though the countryside, the sounds of its hooves, the hooting of the occasional owl, the chirping of the crickets, and the rustle of the wind though the leaves in the trees helped keep him awake. The farmer had warned him against traveling at night, at but Kurō was used to this. Still, he was now in the land ruled by the evil Kiriko, and not the more familiar territory that he was used to. The pair of Katana hanging from his belt gave him some comfort as the long shadows cast by the light of the moon gave the landscape and eerie appearance.

Kurō kicked the horse in its ribs with his heels and the animal picked up its pace. He could now see an old building in the distance, as he approached it he recognized it as a Buddhist monastery. Here he knew he would find shelter and food for the night. He urged the horse to gallop faster and soon found himself at the door of the temple.
Kurō lifted the heavy knocker on the door and announced his presence. The old priest heard the pounding on the door and he tightened the belt on his robe and rose to see who was outside the temple looking for shelter.

“You shouldn't be outside at night in these parts,” the priest told Kurō, “You might have come upon one of the many demon monsters that roam the countryside at night.”

“I don't believe in such nonsense,” Kurō replied, “I'm more afraid of Kiriko's rouge Samurai, they are real flesh and blood.”

“In either case, you are very lucky to have found the shelter of this monastery,” the old man told him, as he barred the door. “I can offer you some warm tea and some bread if you you're hungry.”

“Arigatō,” Kurō replied, as the priest led him to the dining room and fetched a pot of warm tea and a loaf of brown bread from the kitchen.

“When you've had your fill you will find an empty room with a futon at the end of this hallway,” the priest replied. He then set a small lantern with a candle burning inside of a paper wind screen on the table. “Keep this with you, it will guard you from the evil spirits that have been known to invade darkened places.”

“I'm not afraid of the dark,” Kurō replied, “but I will accept this anyway.”

The priest muttered a few prayer words and headed back to his room after wishing Kurō a good nights sleep.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

Samurai

four

Pinoko was having a hard time falling asleep. She constantly tossed and turned in her sleep, waking up numerous times to the creepy sound of a low moan, like someone crying out in pain. The moon rose above the horizon and cast its light though the window of her room, displaying the shadow of a dead tree just beyond the building. The wind blew the branches of the tree about, and the resulting movement of the shadow looked like a monster waving its arms at her.

A gust of wind shook the window, and it blew open blowing out the candle in her lantern. Pinoko sat up in bed in fear, wrapping the blanket tightly around herself. The shadows again played upon the walls and she screamed in terror.

Suddenly the door to her room was flung open as Astro and Dr. Black Jack burst into the room, followed by Sapphire. Astro's right hand gripped the handle of his Katana as he held the blade out in front of him. The doctor was wearing the scabbards of his daishō on a belt around his waist, the grips of both Katana in easy reach. Sapphire was armed with a Wakizashi, the shorter of the two swords worn by the Samurai.

Except for the light of the sliver of moon shining in from behind the clouds the room was dark. In the gloom Astro's keen eyes could see the creature that now gripped the small girl with its hairy arm wrapped around her head, covering her nose and mouth.

“Drop her!” Astro yelled at the demon, as he crept forward holding the Katana over his shoulder in a position ready to attack. Sapphire and Kurō advanced forward as well, the doctor now had his right hand on the grip of his Katana, ready to pull it from its koshirae.

The standoff lasted a few instants longer, then suddenly the creature ran past them and bolted out of the bedroom door. Astro took off like a shot to follow the demon which seemed to pass through the wall of the temple. Astro quickly unbarred the door and ran outside to find himself confronting several of the foul creatures, who formed a circle around him. His first instinct was to take the advantage of attacking them from above, but he could not command his jets to function. Panic momentarily rolled over Astro as he realized that he had lost the ability to fly. The creatures moved closer, their fear of him vaporizing as they now believed his powers were gone. Beads of sweat rolled down Astro's face, and he gripped the hilt of the katana tightly. The first of the monsters lunged at him and Atom swung the sword, easily slicing the demon in half. He breathed a sigh of relief to find that while he might have lost the power of flight, he still had the might of 100,000 horses in his arms!

Two demons tried to sneak up behind Astro, but both were cut down in a single motion as Kurō attacked with his twin Katana simultaneously. Sapphire dueled it out with the remaining demon who was armed with a long dagger. She appeared to be handling he own quite well, as the monster slowly was forced to give ground, as it backed up towards the dead tree whose shadows had frightened Pinoko. With its back against the dead oak, the creature snarled at Sapphire who lunged forward and cut down her adversary with a quick thrust of her sword.

The three heroes looked about them. There remained no sign of the fight, as the bodies of the demons had evaporated as soon as they were cut down. The wind died down, and the clouds departed. The only sound left was the gentle chirping of the crickets.

“Let's get back to bed,” Sapphire said as she replaced her sword in its scabbard. “It will be morning soon and we need our rest.”