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* Illuminations *
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* A Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction *
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* By Freemage *
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*Author's Note: This story draws on both the anime and the
manga. Still trying to work out continuity issues: It has now
been pointed out that the chi-blasts also post-date the arrival
of Pantyhose Tarou. *sigh*
This is a dark story, with several sexually suggestive scenes,
although no outright Lemon scenes. If such material offends or
disturbs you, please consider not reading this story--Unless, of
course, you like being offended and/or disturbed....
Thoughts are denoted by {X}.*
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* Chapter Four *
* Controlling the Center *
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Happousai raced down the street, eyes ablaze with a fierce
determination. His worst fears had been confirmed, and he
suspected that, if he did not act soon, it would be too late.
He leapt over the fence surrounding the Tendou household's
back yard. His eyes took in everything. If the Enemy knew that
he was aware of the plot, he was in mortal danger. A lack of
caution would prove fatal.
There were no shadowy forms under the trees. Good. No
outlines of heads peaking over the roof's edge. Also good. No
one crouched behind the clothes flapping off the line. Perfect.
Happousai paused. The clothes? Kasumi was getting
careless. She rarely left the wash out overnight anymore. {The
recent tragedies must have distracted her}, he thought, {Or
perhaps the rain earlier prevented her from drying the wash
until now. No matter the reason, this is too good an
opportunity to pass up.}
Gleefully, he moved toward the undies, white cotton against
black night. Then he pulled himself up short. {What am I
doing? There is a matter of life and death at stake here, not
some meager fetish! I can return later....}
His thoughts slowly ground to a halt as he neared both house
and clothesline. This was not the usual fare offered by the
Tendou household. This was a gift from the gods.
Hanging from the lines were underwear of every description:
sheer lace, red and black leather, clear PVC; chrome studded,
crotchless, padlocked. He could hardly believe his eyes. But
this dream was too wonderful to try to escape. A slight breeze
set the delightful array swaying slightly, filling out to the
point where one could almost imagine them being filled by warm,
soft, yielding bodies.
Happousai never had a chance. He leapt to the nearest of
the delicacies, a black lace pair of crotchless panties. He
buried his face in the delicate fabric, trying to smell past the
heavy detergent so he could tell which of the delightful
feminine forms which blessed the Tendou Dojo had worn it.
Deep he breathed in, and then he felt the sharp jab in his
chest. {My heart...Of course, that detergent scent...Oh, what a
fool...a fool.}
Happousai collapsed to the ground, and began slowly crawling
toward the house. Only twenty feet to go, but it suddenly
looked like twenty miles.
*************************************************************
Soun and Genma-Panda were playing their usual game of Go,
each taking the appropriate opportunity to cheat. Shampoo and
Cologne had come over for a "friendly visit" (Cologne was sure
that this new concoction of hers would work, making everyone
sleep soundly until the two of them had Ranma on a ship to
China.)
Of course, Shampoo had greeted Ranma with her usual
enthusiasm, almost squeezing the breath out of him in the
process. In the ensuing chaos of Akane's actions and Ranma's
somewhat futile efforts to stave off her attack, the elixir had
been spilled prematurely, affecting only Nabiki (who had
returned from her walk), Mousse (who had been following Shampoo)
and Kasumi (who didn't even get through a full, "Oh, my" before
the dust cloud took effect).
As the rest of the household gave Cologne a malevolent
glare, she prepared to pogo out of the room. At that exact
moment, the back door slid open and Happousai stumbled in. He
was in obvious pain, and collapsed to the hardwood floor,
clutching his chest.
Soun was the first one at his side. "Master, are you okay?
Master, say something!" Of course his thoughts were closer to,
{Maybe you would like me to end your suffering right now?}, but
he didn't say it because it would set a bad example.
{Boy, listen to me!} Ranma swirled around, trying to see
who had spoken to him. It had sounded like Happi, but the old
lecher was right there....
{Don't argue! Just listen. I don't have much time...beware
the clothing out back...it has been treated with a powerful
stimulant...you must be very careful...an ancient evil has
awakened, and seems to have chosen you and the others as its
targets...tell Cologne that you face the Illuminated Ones...she
can tell you more...} And then the voice was gone.
Under his breath, Ranma muttered, "This better not be one
of your little `training exercises', you old freak."
At that moment, Cologne, carrying a revealing teddy, came in
and held it out for popular examination. "It has been treated
with a very powerful stimulant. In conjunction with the level
of excitement Happousai usually exhibited in the presence of
such items, it would have been easy to trigger a heart attack."
Ranma cleared his throat. "Cologne, do you know anything
about a group called the `Illuminated Ones'?"
Much to everyone's surprise, Cologne fainted.
*************************************************************
Everyone was seated around the room, except for Nabiki, who
had apparently been exposed to too much of the Blissful Slumber
serum, and was sleeping up in her room.
Ranma had finished explaining how Happousai had contacted
him telepathically as he lay dying, and was explaining the
contents of the message.
Cologne sat for a while, then turned to the group. "I can
tell you what little I know of the Illuminati--for that is their
true title--but it will take me a while to dig up any useful
information from my books.
"For now, suffice it to say that the Illuminati is an
ancient organization that seeks to acquire control of the entire
human race. However, instead of conquest, they usually seek to
use manipulation and guile. It is said that many of them are
powerful sorcerers, and can draw energy from the negative
emotions of those around them."
Kasumi interrupted, "You mean, like the Onii?"
Akane glanced at her older sister. {Poor Kasumi, I don't
think she'll ever forgive herself for the "evil" she did under
that thing's control.}
"It is similar, child," Cologne responded, "but there is
more to it than that. The Onii was no more responsible for what
it did than a hurricane--Such creatures are evil by design, and
only fulfill their role in the great scheme of things."
She visibly suppressed a shudder. "The Illuminati are far,
far worse, for they have chosen evil of their own free will, and
will do anything to accomplish their goals. No one is their
match in ruthlessness, guile or power. Look at how well they
learned and used Happousai's one true weakness against him.
"That symbol you described on the head of the murdered
Guide, the eye in the pyramid, is their mark.
"I must go now, and see if I can learn the identity of the
Illuminati here in Nerima." Cologne hopped to the door,
allowing her voice to drop. "It should be no trouble, but there
is one thing that worries me...."
"What that, Grandmother?" asked Shampoo, as they slipped
into the velvet night.
"I should have been able to sense the presence of the
Illuminated Ones on my own by now. For one of my mastery to be
blinded would mean that I, too, am caught in their web, and have
been since my arrival. It is most distressing."
"Great-Grandmother not worry. Shampoo protect Great-
Grandmother."
Cologne studied Shampoo long and hard. {Yes, Child, that is
what I am afraid of...}
*************************************************************
By unspoken agreement, Soun and Genma handled the disposal
of Happousai's lifeless body. There had already been too much
trouble associated with the Anything-Goes School of Martial
Arts, and they had no desire to complicate it with yet another
corpse.
The others stayed at home, in various degrees of silent
thought. Nabiki was holed up in her room, while Kasumi went out
to return a few library books. In the main room, P-Chan slept
next to Akane, while she and Ranma watched TV.
Feeling the need to stretch her legs, Akane got up and
drifted into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she came out
with a small platter of snacks and a hot pot of tea.
"Thanks, Akane." Ranma picked up one of the hors d'oeuvres
and started munching absent-mindedly. All of a sudden, he got a
surprised look on his face.
"Oh, wow. This is even better than Ukyou's usual
leftovers," he exclaimed.
Akane turned to him, eyes wide. "Uhmmm...Ranma, that isn't
Ukyou's take-out," she said cautiously.
Ranma paused in his chewing, mouth still full. "It isn't?
Then I guess Kasumi left it out when she went to the library.
It's really delicious, try some...." Ranma's voice trailed off
as he looked at Akane's ever-widening eyes. {Wow, those eyes of
hers are like deep pools...}
"Ranma," she said quietly, almost a whisper, "I made that
plate up, myself."
The look in her eyes actually penetrated Ranma's thoughts
enough to warn him that now was not the time for the usual
banter. "It's good, Akane. Really, really good. Guess all
that practice time you've spent in the kitchen has finally
started paying off, huh?" He gave her a smile, much more
tender than his usual smirk.
"I guess so..."
Both a little unnerved, they settled back to watch TV again.
*************************************************************
Chapter Five
Thoughts & Reflections I decided that I had had enough of the cliffhangers and downers for a bit, so I tried to end this part on a slightly upbeat note, even with Happy's death. Those who are distressed at the casual reception of his passing should remember that Genma and Soun have often expressed outright joy at the suspected passing of their old master. I'm not sure, but I think I see the light at the end of tunnel (finally!). It looks like we're headed for a bittersweet ending, although I'm still considering an alternate, slapstick ending for those who dislike darkfic.....
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