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Yuli slowly swung his legs as he watched the other kids leave with their parents, voices echoing across the rapidly emptying schoolyard. He heard familiar laughter and looked around to find three bullies approaching purposefully. Why does it always have to be me? Sighing internally, the boy slowly stood to face the inevitable.

"Hey, Yamano, you get around to doing our homework yet?" the tallest teen demanded, coming to a halt in front of the smaller kid. When Yuli failed to respond, he signaled to his friends who eagerly grabbed one of his arms. "Did you hear what I said, runt?" Bringing his arm back to strike the boy, he yelped as a large hand wrapped around his wrist. "Oi, what's the big idea? Let me go!"

"It's not nice to hit people. How would you like it if someone attacked you?"

"None of your business!" the captured teen roared, yanking his arm free and whirling to face his aggressors--and froze. Standing before the four kids were three armored men, all wearing a sinister grin. "Who are you?"

"That is not your concern, child," the white-haired man said chillingly, one good eye narrowed in a glare. "Just know that if you do not hand over Yuli, we will kill you."

---

Realizing that his arms were free, Yuli bolted, mind racing with the fact that the Dark Warlords had returned. Before he had gone even one hundred yards, something heavy sent him sprawling to the ground. An armor-clad knee pressed into his back, making breathing difficult. Metal flashed next to him as a sword was placed under his neck, the green encased arm identifying his assailant as Sekhmet. Vision clouding from the lack of oxygen, Yuli prayed for any sort of rescue.

"Get off of him, you ugly snake!"

Eyes snapping open in astonishment, the boy felt air rush back into his lungs as Sekhmet was hurled from his back. Looming over him, scythe clenched tightly in one gauntlet, was Anubis. Behind the former Warlord of Cruelty were the three other teens. Scrambling to his feet, Yuli evaded Cale's furious swipe and latched onto the red-haired man. "D-don't let them take me to the D-Dynasty." Anubis opened his mouth to reply, but what happened next was too sudden for even him to predict.

---

"Black Lightning Slash!"

"Web of Deception!"

"Snake Fang Strike!"

Quickly shoving Yuli towards the others, Anubis raised his weapon to defend against the combined attacks of the Dark Warlords. Crackling energy engulfed him, constricting his armor painfully. Yelling in extreme agony, he saw Cale lunge at him with his clawed hand extended. The unbreakable metal talons tore through the Cruelty Warlord's chest plate and into his flesh, a surge of dark power sending him crashing backwards. Dimly aware of his surroundings, Anubis heard Yuli scream before an eerie silence fell. Forcing himself onto his elbows, he saw that he was only wearing his subarmor, blood pooling on the grass beneath him. Meeting the gazes of the three terrified teens, he struggled to his feet, swaying dangerously. "T-take me to Yuli's house. I must warn the Ronin W-Warriors."