(The Music is Ronin Grandmaster's Theme)

Ronin's appearance was a tough one to come up with. He is a guardian class Numensapien whose appearance is based off images I've seen of samurai warriors, and Jax's mask from League of Legends. Before he died, it is said he equaled Diablo Etwatia in both strength and cunningness, however, he was humble to a fault.

Mikoto never thought she would ever attend a Numensapien play. When she was Fulguras, that was the one thing she never had been allowed to see. Firstly, because when she and Amor lived in poverty, they couldn't afford it. Secondly, because before she was a Lance Maiden, she had to attend plenty of classes for acting like a proper maiden.. and those classes cost both her and Amor money.. so again, unless they wanted to stop eating, they couldn't do something like that.

However, this is what she knew about a Numensapien Play. It was more like a movie then a play. A Magic Screen in the amphitheater would project a magnificent light into your eyes.. and then you would be instantly transported into the story to watch from the sidelines. There were no actors.. you were watching the actual characters themselves.. and if it was a story from actual history.. you saw what happened exactly.. Numensapien plays were more accurate records then any in existence.

Anyways.. there was no way to move while watching the play.. however, there was always a brief 30 minute intermission.. so Mikoto figured that was when she and Erza had to make their exit.

Well it was kind of hard to think of exiting once they saw the theater though.

A massive dome of immeasurable size.. all the seats glowed with ethereal blue soothing light, as strange lifeforms of all shapes and sizes floated by, as if everyone were underwater.. The large stone slab, which was the projection screen, rose 500 feet.. being 1000 feet in length. incredible..

Mikoto and Erza took their seats at the top box of the arena like theater, next to Ava and Bella.

Happy, Elli, Lily, and Charle sat at Mikoto's feet. Mikoto was wearing a dark cloak and hood over her power shroud to disguise herself, as she wasn't supposed to be out of the palace at this hour. Even though she was only staying for the first half of the play, Mikoto had to admit to herself.. she felt a bit excited.

"So.. is it like a movie..?" Erza whispered.

"Oh just you wait.. you're in for a treat.." Mikoto whispered back.

A voice spoke into the crowds.. whispering, yet sounding so clear, everyone went silent.

"Our tale goes back years and years...perhaps not millennia.. but a vast amount.. this is the tale of Ronin Grandmaster, the Numensapien of Weaponry and Hand To Hand Combat. As he searched for a prophesized bane of Diablo.. the most evil of our race to ever exist.. This takes place 2 years before his death.. and 2 months after his daughter Fulguras was born.."

Mikoto's jaw dropped. "Wh-what?"

"Oh, I knew you might like this Fulgy!" said Bella. "You're always asking for stories about your father!"

"Cause.. I never knew him.. " Mikoto muttered. "Mamma never EVER talked about him.."

As Mikoto said this.. a vision swept over the entire audience, as their very consciousness were pulled into a simulated dream...

______________________

Ronin traveled upon the rocky terrain.. the dark moonlit sky was his guide.. the two swords at his side.. and the bow staff at his back were his constant companions.. and his only friends, besides the woman who waited for him back on his home planet, and the little girl who was born to his and her blood..

By all typical appearances, at first he looked like an old traveler or mercenary. He wore a floral patterned open Kimono over his slender, and flexibly fit body which wore red samurai  armor and faulds. He wore a wide brimmed bamboo hat and his face and head was obscured by a mask with multiple eyeholes, that all glowed with a greenish light.

As Ronin walked along the young Earth.. a large green Tyrannosaurus stomped passed, sniffing the air for nearby prey.

The Earth was still quite young.. and many Numensapiens were debating whether to put humans on this planet..

Humans, being one of the 9 sentient races, already inhabited around 30 percent of the Galaxy's full population. But some of them had evolved, and clearly couldn't be defined as humans any longer... growing extra appendages for instance, had ensured that.

Ronin wanted to ensure that didn't happen on this planet.. that when the seed of life was planted.. humans stayed human.. to be honest.. the whole evolution thing kind of freaked him out.. even though that was how God created it.. sometimes God freaked Ronin out too..

(Back when the Universe was still this young, Nebulosos and Earth ran on different time flows.. so sometimes Earth would fly forward 65 million years, while Nebulosos only went by a few thousand.. Now however, the timelines of the Universe are steady, so Earth and Nebulosos run on the same timeline as the rest of the Universe.)

"Hmm.. I am complaining too much.." Ronin muttered. "How God wishes it.. is how it shall be.."

Ronin was normally quiet and reserved.. dedicating most of his time to training his combative skill and inventing new forms of weapons.. but now.. now he was just taking a walk on one of the lower worlds before he returned to his wife and daughter.

Grandmaster wasn't a real part of Ronin's name, that part he kept hidden, but he had earned that name after beating Ikkari Rippu in a fight in under merely 20 seconds. To beat the Numensapien of battle itself.. was a feat of immeasurable honor.. so Grandmaster became Ronin's nickname.. Ronin Grandmaster.

And that nickname was fitting, as Ronin's sword and his bow staff weren't his only weapons anyways.. it was part of his identity to be a walking arsenal of hidden toys...

The Tyrannosaurus walked over sniffing Ronin curiously for a moment, before letting out a frightened growl and striding off as quick as it could. If that dinosaur thought it could make prey out of a Numensapien, then it was sadly mistaken.

Ronin sighed and sat down.. clasping his hands together in quiet meditation.. he wanted to feel the magic and spirit energy of the universe flowing through this small, seemingly insignificant world..

"At it again? Are we? Ronin.."

Ronin looked up to see a familiar Numensapien standing next to him..

"Ahh.. Temporum.. what is it?" said Ronin. "I am at peace right now.."

"Perhaps you are for now.." said Temporum. "But we are in need of your services.. an event is scheduled to happen in the future, that has a great deal to do with Diablo's Bane.."

"Really!?" said Ronin, standing up. "The event we have waited so long for?"

"A human girl.. is destined to found an organization of extraordinary importance to the one known to be Diablo's Bane." said Temporum. "In the future however... she will be targeted by a cruel dragon.. he is one of the Elder Drakes.. a dragon of such ancient power, he rivals our wisest elders in age.. a near direct descendent of one of Dravis and Elanis's first children.."

"Ahh.. one of the few that can rival our race's power." said Ronin. "Very well.. bring me to this future.. I will do what I can to defeat the cruel drake.. what is it's name?"

"Cragneel.. he is the grandfather of another dragon in that age.. named Igneel.. ". said Temporum. "His time is up.. slay the beast.. and save the girl.."

And so Ronin agreed. He picked himself up.. and in a twist of temporal energy from the Numensapien of time, he found himself standing in what appeared to be a small bedroom, with crayon drawings on the wall, all of which seemed to be of.. hmm.. faries..

Ronin looked down to see a small blonde girl with a neat pink dress, and neat little wing adornments on either side of her head..

"Hello young human.." said Ronin, bending down on one knee to greet the little one before him. "Fear not.. I might look frightening.. but truly, I am just a silly thing in a costume.. what's your name?"

The little girl's lip quivered. "Mommy says not to talk to strangers.."

"And she's a smart mommy." said Ronin. "You must never do so.. but I am a special circumstance.. perhaps.. you would like to have some tea?"

Ronin reached into his clothes and pulled out an entire Japanese tea set.. a table, cups, and pots, and all.. and set it before the little girl. "I rather love tea parties.."

The little girl's face lit up..

"And I think.. so do you.." said Ronin. "Now maybe I can ask again? What is your name?"

"Mavis." said the little girl cheerfully. "Mavis Vermillion!"

"Ahhh.. a beautiful name." said Ronin.

"Hold on!!" Mavis ran over to her bedroom window and pushed it open. "Sometimes.. if we drink tea real quiet.. the fairies will come and join us while we drink!"

"Hmmm.. fairies?" said Ronin. "That is a nice thought.. back in the time where I come from.. I know of a place in your world.. that has lasted a while. I call it Tenrou Island.. it is a place where plenty of fairies exist.."

"REALLY!?" said Mavis, her eyes sparkling. "I want to go there!!!"

Ronin looked within the child's eyes. She truly wished to go there.. but it wasn't safe for a weak fragile human child to go on such a search.. even for twelve minutes..

But something drove Ronin's heart.. something told him.. told him that this was important beyond measure.

Ronin nodded. "I will bring there.. I know not if it still exists in this future.. but I know where it will be if it still does exist.. but.. would your mother be okay with this?"

"Mommy left years ago for a bottle of something called cold medicine.." Mavis said sadly. "I don't know when she's coming back.."

Ronin could see there was nothing holding this child back.. so he took her and hid her in the faulds of his kimono, where no ordinary wind or harm could pierce.. a Numensapien's power shroud was like armor after all.. unbelievably comfortable armor.

"Hold on.. I'm about to run.." said Ronin.

There was a flash.. and in an instant.. Ronin dashed through streets, forests.. rivers.. his feet moved like the wind.. like a silent ninja blinking through the world.. in about 3 more minutes.. he was running silently across water... not even leaving ripples in his wake..

And then he stopped.. standing on the ocean.. like a peaceful water strider, as Mavis peeked out from under his arm at the amazing island before them.. with it's large ginormous tree that towered into the sky.

"I give you.. the home of the Fairies in Earthland." said Ronin. "Tenrou Island. Hmm.. it seems.. 3 times smaller then when I last visited it.. The fairy queen did mention she was thinking about downsizing in the future.. their race is tiny after all.."

Ronin glided silently over to the beach of the island... Mavis's eyes went round as cookies in delight. "Wow wow wow!! WOW WOW WOW!! It really does exist!!"

"Yes.. now.. let's see if we can find some-" before Ronin could say the word, "Fairies", he saw something which made his heart darken..

It was a dragon footprint in the beach.. scorched into the sand, and molding it as glass, as a result. Ronin knew only the most ancient dragons made footprints this massive..

There was a roar, as a massive geyser of flames blasted out of the wilderness, and a dragon, that resembled Igneel, but was much larger, with bigger fins and a darker set of scales, launched itself out and blocked Ronin's way.

"A NUMENSAPIEN!!!? IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE I SMELLED THAT STENCH!!!" Cragneel roared. "Come to make fun of my small territory eh!? Well begone!! I am the one and only Cragneel and I shall.. shall..."

Cragneel noticed Mavis and growled threateningly. "Wait a second.. I know that rat.."

"Oh no.. it's him again.." Mavis squeaked, pulling her head back into Ronin's kimono.

"Again?" Ronin muttered. "Hmm.. so this cruel drake has some sort of grudge with you young one?"

"I wanted to touch one of those eggs dragons have with them.." Mavis squealed. "But.. but.. he flew into a rage.. and.."

"Say no more.." said Ronin. "I understand.. leave my side now.. I do not want you getting hurt.. "

As Mavis slipped away farther down the beach, Ronin stood before Cragneel. "Listen great dragon!! I am from Nebulosos.. that is true.. but I have no need for conflict with-"

"WHAM!!!" A thick scaly tail sent Ronin flying through hordes of trees and forests.. in an instant, Ronin somersaulted in mid air.. and recovered, landing lightly on the ground as he took up a martial arts stance similar to kung foo professionals. "Alright then.. you've asked for this.."

Ronin dashed at incredible speeds.. outmaneuvering Cragneel as he blasted flame after flame at the Numensapien.

However, Ronin was skilled.. he flashed from left to right, almost looking like a Soul Reaper, doing flash step. However, this wasn't flash step.. this was way faster...

Cragneel lunged a burning claw down at Ronin.. and Ronin thrust his palm upwards, knocking away the ginormous dragon paw with ease

"Smiting Blow of the Quick Master."

Ronin flashed away and dashed up the side of the massive dragon's hide, before leaping into the air. He formed a large golden sphere of magic in his hands, and sent it hurtling down at Cragneel's back..

There was an explosion so powerful, so violent.. that the entire island shook.

Ronin was currently only using minimal power, he knew that damaging the island could possibly hurt Mavis, and he didn't want that to happen. A full powered Smiting Blow of the Quick Master, would have ripped apart half the island altogether.

Cragneel rose from the smoke.. minor injuries smelting off his scales..

Of course.. thought Ronin as he landed lightly in the sandy beach once more. An Elder Dragon was the only creature on Earth that had a chance at matching a Numensapien's strength..

That left only one more-

KSSSSHHHHHH!!!! Static fills Mikoto's vision, as the Numensapien Play suddenly runs into technical difficulties..

_________________

Mikoto blinked as the vision left her.. and she once more found herself in the theater. "Wh-what!? They shouldn't be having an intermission this soon!!"

"B-but!!" Panther Lily muttered. "I wanted to know how he defeated Cragneel!!"

"Aye!" said Happy. "So did I!"

"It appears we have technical difficulties.. because of this.. please feel free to take advantage of the early intermission to find food, and other resources to replenish yourself.." said the voice from earlier.

"Oh well.." said Bella, her head tinkering like a little bell again. "Howabout Ava and I go find us some food while we wait? Justitia? Will you be okay watching Fulgy till we return?"

Erza nodded. "Of course."

"Very well.." said Ava cheerfully, as she and Bella made to get out of their seats.

Erza and Mikoto nodded at each other. This was their chance.

"LADY FULGURAS!! DEAR SUPREMOS!!! WE'VE BEEN WORRIED SICK!!!"

And like a rock, Mikoto's heart plummeted as her hood and cloak were thrown off her by one of the palace Guards.

"Our apologies Justitia Ma'am!!" said the three guards, bowing to Erza. "We should never have let her out of our sight. It's good that you watched her till we arrived."

"B-but!" Erza stammered as Bella and Ava bowed their heads sadly.

"This was supposed to be like what the Earth humans call a bachelorette party.." Ava moaned. "But of course the guards have to ruin it.."

"Sorry Ava.." said one guard. "It's our job, you know how it is.. Come Fulguras, we must ready you for the wedding tomorrow.."

As Mikoto was pulled away by her wrist... she looked back at Erza and all the Exceeds with only one phrase plastered on her pleading face.

"HELP ME!!"

RIFT TRIVIA

1. There is a social hierarchy depending on how important or powerful sentient beings are in the Multiverse. The hierarchy is ordered as such: Humans, Mages and Espers, Demons, Dragons, Elder Dragons, Numensapiens, Oldest Dragons (Elanis and Dravis), Angels. Take note that Fallen Angels aren't counted due to their treachery. Soul Reapers aren't counted because they exist under different standards of importance or power.. and demons are merely ranked above mages and espers because they are more ancient. Arrancar aren't listed because they are an extremely young race, and Hollows aren't listed because they are categorized as a class of demon.

2. It is my pleasure to announce that Shizuri Mugino will soon be getting her own Exceed. It will happen in this very book.. yes.. read on to find out about the newest member of ITEM!!

3. Miyoko and Mir both have their own Exceed companions back in the future. Giddy and Ashley, Giddy being Happy and Charle's kitten, and Ashley being Panther Lilly and Elli's kitten.