CHAPTER 5: The Amazons
Joketsuzoku in China, several weeks later.
Ranma and company camped by the Joketsuzoku village front gate marked
by two upright totems with Chinese markings. Being outsiders with the
exception of Shampoo and Mousse, they were not allowed to stay in the
village. Mousse and Shampoo would come and go as they visited friends
and relatives, or an occasional old rival or two. Two large tents were
erected with Shampoo, Ukyou and Akane in one tent; Ranma, Genma, Ryouga
and Mousse in the other. Despite the rains that came this time of year,
no one with the exception of Genma were changed into their cursed form
as they crossed China. Genma still insisted on sleeping as a panda.
Ranma didn't mind, Genma's fur was still warm on cold nights. He did
mind the snoring, though.
*****
Akane and Ryouga were gathering fire wood and having an interesting
discussion.
"You're going to try to go with them when they go to this *nexus*
thing, aren't you?" asked Ryouga tapping Akane on the shoulder.
"Yes, yes I am." challenged Akane turning to face him.
"But you might be hurt. I don't think Ranma, even though he has
Ukyou now, would want you in any kind of danger."
"Ranma?!" Akane said a little too loudly. "Well, Ranma doesn't have
a place in my life anymore. I don't see how he, or you, can stop me.
Ryouga, I'm a trained martial artist and there are lives to protect. I
have to go and you know it."
Ryouga dropped his gaze and looked like he was speaking from the
heart. "Yeah, I know. It's just...I don't want to see any harm come to
you either."
"Ryouga?" she stood wide-eyed. During the weeks that they had
traveled, Ryouga was always there in her shadow. Though he never said
anything in words, Akane could tell that she was the primary focus of
his attention. At first, she thought he only wanted to protect her, as
he promised he would. Then she started to realize that it was becoming
more than that. She, too, found him...interesting and 'cute`,
especially with that yellow bandanna, just like her P-chan's.
Ryouga continued, "I've seen Ranma and Ukyou. I've seen the absolute
bliss in their eyes, and how much they really care for one another."
Ryouga suddenly became quiet. "It's kinda the way I care for you."
He looked into her eyes with a tender expression, and it made her
heart melt. Akane, stunned, took a step back and almost tripped.
Before she could recover, Ryouga caught her. Ryouga hugged her and she
slowly hugged him back.
"Well, I guess Ranma's going to have to put up with the both of us in
the nexus." said Ryouga.
Akane hugged him tighter. "Thanks, Ryouga."
*****
Ranma was helping Ukyou clean up some of the cooking utensils when
Ukyou noticed Akane and Ryouga talking very intimately.
"Ranma, haven't you noticed that Ryouga and Akane seem to be spending
more time together?" asked Ukyou looking over Ranma's shoulder.
"Doesn't surprise me. Ryouga always been in love with Akane." said
Ranma continuing to work.
"Yeah, but now I think Akane is starting to pay more attention to
Ryouga," said Ukyou. Ranma looked over at Ryouga and Akane seemingly
happy talking together. A slight twinge of jealousy hit him, and
through their connection it didn't go unnoticed by Ukyou. She looked at
him in concern. "I can sense that you still have some feelings for
her."
Ranma suddenly turned back with a smile. Instinctively, he was about
ready to counter her statement with a denial, but remembered that she
could sense his feelings. Instead he dropped his head in guilt. "I
think it was just habit. For a year I was engaged and almost married
Akane." Ukyou dropped her gaze when she remembered the wedding and her
part in its demise.
Ukyou felt his feelings of guilt, the sense of being caught with
one's hand in the cookie jar, and she couldn't bring herself to get mad
or jealous. It brought her to a new awareness and understanding of this
connection that bound her to Ranma. If she could ever get angry with
Ranma, she would in turn feel her own wrath being thrown back at her
through their connection. She would be hurting herself. Love was the
only thing that brought their connection into true balance. Feeling his
sadness that he may have hurt her, she immediately hugged him tight
until those feelings abated.
When Ukyou glomped onto him tightly, he too, came to the same
conclusions she did. Together, they brought the connection into balance
without words, flooding the connection with their love for each other.
They also realized that their connection was growing stronger.
Ukyou looked serious then smiled, "Those rotten old feelings for
Akane will go away in time."
Ranma laughed, "Yeah, I'm sure your right." Ranma looked her in the
eyes, then added, "No, I think Akane and Ryouga are made for each
other. Ryouga gets lost on his way to the bathroom, and Akane gets lost
in the kitchen. Sounds like a perfect match to me."
"Yeah." Ukyou laughed.
Somewhere out in the nexus, Tori was smiling.
*****
As Ranma was fixing one of the tents, Ryouga was bringing up water
in buckets from a nearby stream. Now, you would think that a trained
martial artist stumbling wouldn't be possible, but occasionally anything
is possible. If Ryouga changing into P-chan wasn't bad enough, Akane,
who had been chopping up firewood (with her bare hands, of course), saw
him change. At first, she was stunned, and then she was mad.
"RYOUGA NO BAKA!" P-chan became a black streak as she punted him
through the twin towers of the gate.
Ranma seemed almost unconcerned as he looked up and saw
P-chan...leave. "Looks like a 'field goal` to me."
"And YOU!" she pointed an accusing finger at Ranma. "You knew all
along, didn't you?"
"Yes." Ranma said without a moments hesitation and in a tone that
implied 'and it's about time you figured it out, too`.
Akane was about to slap him, but Ukyou caught her arm. Akane kept
her eyes pinned on Ranma. "Why? Why didn't you tell me."
"I-I promised Ryouga I wouldn't. I was the one that knocked him into
the spring-of-the-drowned-pig. So, I promised I'd keep his secret.
That was before I knew you...and before he became your pet."
"All this time," Akane dropped her arm out of Ukyou's grasp, "You
knew all this time." she said unbelieving.
"I tried to drop hints that wouldn't compromise my honor, but..."
"Your honor? Your Honor?! Your so big about *honor*. What about my
honor, Ranma? ...Huh?"
Ranma just dropped his head. Akane regarded him for a moment, then
went stomping off into her tent.
"I wish I could have handled that better." said Ranma looking on
after her.
"I think you did all you could, Ran-chan. In fact, I know you did.
It's now something Akane will have to deal with." said Ukyou.
*****
The Amazon Council of Elders were in secret conference at the center
of the village, the Great Hall. One of their own had returned to them.
"Great Sisters of the Circle, I have reason to believe that our
village is in grave danger," began Cologne.
"Danger? Nonsense! This village has stood for a thousand years and
will stand up for another thousand. The only danger I see, is that you
have returned, Cologne." challenged Ling Po, a very vocal rival of
Cologne's.
"Yeah!" another rival spoke up.
"The power of the Star amulets have been unleashed," continued
Cologne, drawing gasps from around the room.
"And who unleashed this nexus power? Was it you, Cologne?" said
Ling Po.
"Great Sisters, this bickering is pointless. I wish to hear what
Great Sister Cologne has to say. Plus, you will maintain a level of
decorum in my presence." commanded the Great Elder. The heads of those
around the council bowed in silence.
With a loud thud, something hit outside the walls of the Great Hall,
and everyone thought they heard a pig squeal. When nothing further
occurred, everyone was seated.
"Great Sister Cologne, please continue." the Great Elder indicated
with a gesture.
Cologne bowed again before she continued, "A young couple from the
Japans have come across my amulet and somehow found another."
"My stolen amulet!" cried out one of the matriarches.
"This young couple from the Japans must have used it and come in
contact with the Nexus Spirit. From all indications, they bear the
marks of the 'bonding`." Gasps came forth from the council and some
came out of their seats.
The Great Elder spoke what was on the minds of some of those around
her, "Great Sister Cologne, if what you say is true, then not only is
our village in danger, but the entire world is in danger. Your talking
about the cataclysmic destruction of all things."
"That's only a legend; a fairy tale. Stories to frighten little
children, not the Great Sisters of the Circle." countered Ling Po.
"Great Sister Ling Po, you will keep your place. I, for one,
believe this particular 'fairy tale`," corrected the Great Elder. Ling
Po bowed low, but her face hid her outrage.
"The young couple seek the two remaining amulets..." A series of
'No's` echoed around the room.
"You simply must be kidding, Great Sister Cologne, I, for one, will
not part with mine. To give them to outsiders is a sacrilege. How
could you suggest such a thing? Surely, there must be a better way."
said the Great Elder.
"Nor will I part with mine," announced Ling Po, who cowered under
another warning glance from the Great Elder.
"Then you doom our village." Cologne spoke gravely.
*****
The Great Elder met with Cologne outside the Great Hall. "Cologne,
we've known each other for a long time. We were sisters in battle, you
and I. Except for a few, you are highly esteemed by all for your
knowledge of the laws of the Amazons. I've never known you to do
anything outside the laws of our people. Why? Why do you suggest such
a thing as turning over our amulets to outsiders when you know it is
against our laws?"
"I am too old to be less than pragmatic, dear Sister. The laws of
our people will not mean a thing if there are not any people to populate
our villages. Unlike you who are shut away from the goings on of the
rest of the world, in the Japans I was privy to the news that great
destructions have already occurred. Haven't you observed the sign of
the times? Haven't you noticed the redness of our skies?"
The Great Elder turned to gaze at the unusual pink haze of the
evening sky, before turning back and almost whispering. "Sister
Cologne, I have been to the Nexus Spirit many times. I admit that it
was through his help that I came to be leader of our people."
Cologne *was* surprised, "B-but I thought no one had used the
amulet's power in centuries.
"With vultures like Sister Ling Po hanging around, how else was I
going to maintain my leadership over the council? Remember, she has the
other amulet, and between you and me, I think she *has* used it. Her
ascension through the ranks has been more than remarkable...and very
suspicious."
Cologne nodded agreement while she watched a large man with a meat
cleaver chase after a somehow familiar-looking black pig, "I don't envy
you a bit, Great Elder."
"Irregardless of our internal politics, it is important that the
power of the two remaining amulets be in Amazon hands. By hanging on to
the amulets, we can go to the Nexus Spirit ourselves and counter all
this destruction. And in this, Great Sister Ling Po and I agree: the
fate of the Amazon peoples must be in the hands of Amazons. If
necessary, these outsiders must die in order to stop any further
destruction." Cologne slowly turned her head to meet the Great Elders
gaze.
*****
It was long after dark when P-chan ambled into camp. Ranma and Ukyou
were still up keeping watch. They had been chatting about an
okonomiyaki recipe when all conversation came to an abrupt halt, they
watched a badly bruised and scarred black pig wander over to the
campfire.
"Ryouga, you look like hell," said Ranma who picked up a tea pot and
poured the contents onto the black pig while Ukyou looked the other
way. Without a word, a dripping Ryouga slowly walked into the men's
tent and went to sleep. He had looked stunned and heartbroken.
"Your remembering your curse, aren't you?," asked Ukyou, who turned
back around after she heard the tent flap close. Ranma was still
staring after the tent.
"Yes, I am. All those times I was like Ryouga. Those times I was
dropped into embarrassing situations by my curse. The typical would be
when I'd bad-mouth Akane at school. She'd hit me with water or push me
into a pool, then I'd have to run home trying to avoid someone like an
over-zealous Kunou who wanted to date me, or a maniacal Kodachi who
wanted to kill me. Like Ryouga, by the time I'd get home I'd be so
battered and bruised, and tired, that I couldn't deal with anything
more."
"Do you think Akane will forgive him?" asked Ukyou.
"Would you?" Ukyou kept silent. "I'll be glad when everyone's lives
can be back to normal. When Oyaji, Ryouga, Shampoo and Mousse don't
need to be afraid and avoid water anymore."
Ukyou suddenly remembered something and looked up at Ranma in
concern. "{Tori, you said at one time you were somehow responsible for
the Jusenkyou curses. What did you mean by that?}"
Ranma snapped his head back around to gaze at Ukyou, like he was
surprised. "{Yeah, I think I remember that, too.}"
"{Well, it's kind of a long story...}" An image formed in the minds
of Ranma and Ukyou. They were in space high above the Earth, slowly the
constellations came into view as they slowly turned to the right. All
at once, they were traveling at a great speed and distance and the stars
went whisking by them. Ahead of them they saw a distant galaxy slanted
to one side. They entered the galaxy and saw a dust cloud up ahead.
Though still traveling at a high speed, they slowed upon entering the
dust cloud and saw a single bright star surrounding by an asteroid
field. Obscured by the haze of the asteroids, a bowl-shaped object
appeared ahead of them cast in a violet hue. Ranma could see that the
structure was very huge and very old and had suffered some massive
destruction to several areas. Tori spoke again.
"{Somewhere in a nearby galaxy, the star Siris-El consumes the
heavens above this massive dome of a once majestic space-city like a
universe all its own, bathing it in a purplish glow. Perhaps upon
request it can tell of the fate that struck down this once mighty space
metropolis. Tell how a thriving civilization was born, grew and died
here, leaving this solar system-size husk behind as witness of their
former glory.}
"{One of the last Starmasters heard a rumor that the Pu-Optuah were
in search of a doorway through which they could freely travel in great
numbers instead of using the nexus transport system. The nexus
transport system is kind of like a spiderweb of interconnecting nodes
that allow limited travel from the nexus and various locations
throughout your universe and mine.}"
Ranma saw an image of two large globes connected together with a
smaller globe in between. There were tiny threads interspersed
throughout the globes connecting areas together. Ranma could easily see
that a spiderweb was a most accurate description.
"{This last Starmaster had found evidence of this new doorway in the
ruins of this ancient space city. Most of the city had been destroyed
when Cellulon-Nu, the companion star to Siris-El, went critically super
nova. Only a few of the sub-levels here are still capable of supporting
life.}"
Ukyou gasped when the image changed to show a low, heavy and
hideous-looking creature with many projections. Upon seeing many of
these projections, it was hard to determine if they were arms or legs.
The creature had a thick shell, like a tortoise and was surrounded by a
bubble.
"{My last master was hosted by an Ial, a creature well adapted to
these deep space conditions. Thinking that my master was some sort of
god, it obediently obeyed all his commands without question. Searching
through the rubble, he found the main library complex and brought to
life long-dead machines. This former space society apparently had a
deep desire to preserve their knowledge and culture, and so had gone
through great pains to insure that the library complex survived. At the
time the Starmaster accessed their knowledge, the city had been dead for
about a million years.}"
"{Through their library, he found many wondrous things and would have
like to have brought that knowledge back to our universe, but his soul
purpose was to discover the nexus doorway technology before the
Pu-Optuah discovered it. Hidden in a kind of vault, he found a green
crystal nodule, almost perfectly spherical and secured it on board a
waiting ship. While he was transporting this nodule on board the Ial's
ship, the Pu-Optuah, led by their leader Syrr, attacked. The Starmaster
just barely escaped.}"
"{The Starmaster was enroute to the closest transfer point, a node to
bring him back to the nexus, when his damaged ship crash landed on this
planet, Earth. The Starmaster was killed when the Ial was destroyed and
the crystal nodule he had been transporting shattered into four pieces.
These four pieces form the stones in the amulets.}"
Ranma saw the Earth again and was looking high above China. A streak
flew out of the sky and impacted on a plateau surrounded by high
mountains. Ranma guessed that the area was south of Jusenkyou but was
somehow different.
"{Three millennia ago, a farmer around the Jusenkyou plain discovered
the broken crystal. While playing with the broken shards, he
inadvertently found himself transported into the nexus, in front of me.
As is common among primitive lifeforms, he thought I was a god and he
begged to have his son back. His son had apparently drowned in one of
the local pools that surrounded the area. Having heard that others had
drowned because of the slippery banks surrounding most of the pools, he
made an unusual request that whatever drowns there, comes to life
again. I took pity and granted his request, in the exact terms that he
specified.}"
"{Now, because of his request, the entire water system around
Jusenkyou and up on Jusendou is... *cursed*. The man got his son back,
but the residual effect is the Jusenkyou curse.}"
Ranma was stunned. Here was a being that had entered his life over a
month ago, whom he had hosted and supported with great friendship. Now,
he discovered that the very curse that had kept him enslaved for over a
year, was caused by that same being.
Ukyou sensed Ranma's anger but recovered first. "{If you caused all
these curses, why can't you lift them?}"
"{I can only lift the curses if the recipients are here in the
nexus. Once we get the two remaining amulets, I need you to lead them
to the Cave of the Fire Dragon. There is a nexus transfer point
there.}"
"{Where is that?}" asked Ukyou.
"{I can't say right now, because it is within your destiny to find
it. You'll need to follow up on the Legend of the Fire Dragon. It will
lead you there.}"
"{Why can't we just use the two amulets, like we did before?}" asked
Ranma.
"{Transporting one person is easy. Tranporting two or more exhausts
their energy, and then they would be useless for fighting the Pu-Optuah
with.}" said Tori.
*****
Across the universe, another battle for a space city was being
waged. Like army ants, the Pu-Optuan forces under Syrr were clearing
whole sections of the Oti-Y galaxies in search of energies and the even
more precious commodity, *ki* energy.
The Anaxonian Space Station fought bravely against the Amaton space
fleet that the Pu-Optuans had taken over. They were not going to go
down without a fight. Sheer numbers, however, brought them to the
realization of their fate, and they soon succumbed to the brute strength
brought against them. Though this was a completely minor skirmish, Syrr
liked to get his hands dirty from time to time.
The space station held 100,000 citizens not including those of its
space navy. The leader of the space station was brought aboard the
Amaton flagship in chains.
"What are the terms of our surrender?" asked the Anaxonian leader in
abject fear.
Syrr, who just barely acknowledge the leaders presence, was staring
at a large viewscreen. The viewscreen gave a three-dimensional view of
the Anaxonian Space Station and the surrounding area of space. Syrr
continued to watch in amusement. "There is no surrender. There is no
life. We come and we go as we please, and none are there to stop us.
You and your people will be terminated at once. Your energy will fuel
our ships; your life forces will feed my army." The Anaxonian leader
shook visibly at Syrr's pronouncement. Syrr continued, "Observe."
The Anaxonian leader watched with renewed panic and disgust as the
top of the space station was pealed away. Like popcorn in a pan, the
Anaxonians ceased to exist as their debris were scattered into the
vacuum of the surrounding space. A ship stood off to the side and it
was plain to see that it sucked in little blue lights that the leader
knew was the life force energy of his people. When the last was
collected and the bodies floated out of view, Syrr turned around and
laughed. "And now it is your turn."
The leader backed up, but before he knew it Syrr held up a round
clear ball, touched him, and the ki energy was sucked into the ball.
"Jettison!" Syrr commanded as one of his soldiers removed the
ex-leader. As the body was being taken out, a messenger arrived.
"Speak!" commanded Syrr.
"We are making headway into the nexus. We think we have located the
Starmaster's ship." said the messenger.
"Good. That is good news. Once we have destroyed the remaining
Starmaster and his ship, nothing should impede our progress."
"There is a problem."
Syrr looked up in concern. "And what is this 'problem`?" he growled.
"We have detected trace patterns in the doorway that match the
signature of the Starmaster's ship." said the messenger.
Syrr stood up immediately with another ball. The ki energy of the
messenger disappeared inside on contact. Syrr slowly held up one of the
nodules in front of him and admired its bluish glow. "Foolish, foolish
Starmaster. What games are you playing on that planet your protecting?
Who is it that is hosting you? Do you not know that there are natural
ways to destroy a planet without using the power of the nexus?"
Syrr held up both balls in front of him and consumed the contents.
He laughed hysterically as he felt re-energized.
*****
The Great Elder was in her chambers combing her hair before a
mirror. Looking down she grimaced when she saw the volume of hair
attached to her brush. Chee, I'm getting too old. She slammed her
brush down on the vanity and gave her hair a couple of pushes to hide
her bald spots. Cologne was just about her age, yet she envied
Cologne's bushy tufts.
She thought back to Cologne's announcement and Ling Po's growing
impertinence. She knew only too well that Ling Po was after her seat on
the council. Perhaps, she thought, but not while I still live. She
tried to smile in the mirror, it was no improvement. She lost the
smile. What to do about Ling Po? She raised her eyebrows. What to do
about this whole nexus thing, that really had more priority than simple
politics.
It is time! she thought with finality. She picked herself off the
seat and moved over to a hidden cupboard. From there she extracted her
amulet, a gold metal chain with a coarse green stone mounted in a
crown. The stone was larger and heavier, she knew, than on the amulet
Ling Po had. Hopefully, it has more power that way, she mused.
She moved back toward the mirror, and noted that the green stone was
starting its glow. She looked about to make sure no one was around.
Earlier she had commanded her entourage that she would be sleeping, and
was not to be disturbed under any circumstances. In a well-practiced
move, she brought the amulet near the mirror and made an exchange
motion, almost as if she were exchanging the amulet in the mirror for
the one she held in her hand. The stone brightened considerably, then
all faded to dark.
*****
The Great Elder appeared directly on the platform. When she was on
Earth, she had nightmares about this place with it voluminous caverns of
fiery plasma that surrounded her. Here, all those fears seem to
disappear. She stood as she always stood before the Nexus Spirit. His
intense light always filled her with awe. Why such beings would subject
themselves to the whims of such lowly creatures like herself was beyond
her, still, she would take advantage while it existed.
She noticed something was somehow different. Inside the floating
ring that the Nexus Spirit occupied were two more apparitions behind
him. They looked like human ghosts but she could not detect that anyone
was inside. They seem to change in intensity like a strobe light caught
in a thick mist.
Also, off in the distance, behind the Nexus Spirit, was a bright
light, like a huge star. The Great Elder found this strange, the star
had never been there before. She sensed impatience coming from the
Nexus Spirit.
"{Great Spirit, you are all wise and powerful and...}" she began.
"{Let's do away with the pleasantries, old woman, noting your age you
haven't the time.}"
"{All right, then!}" she responded quickly though she couldn't muster
any anger, "{I need protection for my village from the disasters that
seem to be plaguing the rest of the world. There have been rumors that
the villages around our area are being wiped out one by one by giant
meteors that have come crashing down out of the heavens. Do you know of
this?}"
"{Of course, I am aware of all that goes on on your planet. I grant
your wish, your village and its surrounding area are under my protection
from these meteor strikes. You may go now.}" Tori spoke dismissively.
"{One more thing, Great Spirit," the Great Elder interjected, "I
wish that a certain... couple of outsiders who have visited my village
be destroyed, before they cause my people great harm.}"
Tori gave the appearance of staring at the Great Elder for a moment.
She noted also that several dark objects seem to be converging on their
location from a great distance away. "{Your wish is denied. I know of
the couple that you speak of and they are under my personal
protection.}" Tori indicated the two figures behind him. "{I assure
you that they will not destroy your village, but are your only hope in
saving it, and indeed save all your planet.}"
Tori changed in intensity and continued in a hurried fashion, "Now I
will make a request of you. It is in your best interest to cooperate
fully with this particular outsider couple. You will need to give them
the amulet that you used to contact me. And since it is within your
power, it is necessary that you order Ling Po to do likewise.}"
"{It is forbidden by our laws to give the amulets to outsiders,}"
the Great Elder countered.
"{I'm sure you will think of a way. You have no family, I believe.
You may go.}" Tori quickly raised an appendage and the Great Leader
found herself waking up from the vanity. The amulet lost its glow in
the mirror.
The Great Elder put the amulet into a secret compartment of her
staff. Before she closed the latch, a thought hit her and she looked
up. Hmmm...no family.
*****
When Akane got up early the next morning, she noticed Ranma and Ukyou
were already up and performing a series of simple katas in a field next
to camp. After her warm-up exercises, she joined them having recognized
the forms. During the entire series, no one spoke or said a word. Each
was lost in the performance of the kata.
When the series ended Ranma and Ukyou began a new series of katas
Akane didn't recognize. She noted that Ranma and Ukyou hadn't spoken a
word to each other but for some reason knew what kata series to perform
next. In anger, Akane bowed out and watched the two from the sidelines.
She noticed that Ryouga was staring at her from a distance and she
quickly jerked her head away. That rude PERVERT! When she looked
back, he was gone. How embarrassing, P-chan had been party to some of
her innermost secrets, secrets she never would have told anyone. She
stomped on the ground. How could Ryouga do that to me?!
The poetry-spouting upperclassman Tatewaki Kunou had been the butt of
many a joke for his failure to deduce that his Osage no Onna was none
other than Ranma in his cursed form, though he had enough hints thrown
at him. Had people been laughing at her for being just as naive? How
obvious it all was in 20/20 hindsight. Ranma had known about P-chan all
along, and *had* dropped enough hints. Oh, why couldn't he have just
come out and told me?! Because of his honor, she remembered. Ranma
had somehow promised Ryouga that he wouldn't tell anyone and he stayed
true to his word, despite dropping those hints. Ranma, always motivated
by honor, and his own selfish pride. She looked back at the pair, and
then realized that no, a new ingredient had been added to Ranma's
persona -- it was love. Love now directed Ranma above all honor and
pride. Unfortunately, that love was now directed totally in favor of
Ukyou and no longer at her.
Ranma and Ukyou dipped and swayed, blocking, parrying, punches
followed by kicks to some unknown kata. Akane was being mesmerized, the
two moved like mirror images of each other. Each of their movements
were carefully timed and the distances their limbs traveled perfect.
Each looked like they were dancing to some tightly choreographed number
set to music that existed only in their heads, music only they heard and
no one else. In their movements was such great beauty and harmony that
tears started to form in Akane's eyes.
"Nihao, Ranma!" came Shampoo's voice as she broke into Akane's
concentration. Ranma and Ukyou stopped and looked up to a running
Shampoo. She came up to Ranma and was breathing in winded breaths.
"Great Elder want to speak with Air...with Ranma. Say urgent." Ranma's
eyes widened and he ran over to the men's tent and grabbed a towel and a
change of clothing. After wiping off the sweat and washing his face in
a basin, he donned new clothes and followed Shampoo into the village.
*****
Ranma was brought to the Great Elder's court. The Great Elder sat
high above in a jeweled throne that almost looked to Ranma like a judges
bench. Dark stairs wound on either side of a large podium. After he
was announced, the Great Elder dismissed her court. One of the guards
raised open objections, but the Great Elder was insistent. "I have not
reached my station without being able to protect myself from any,
including a male outsider," the Great Elder reassured. The guards
reluctantly left them alone.
The Great Elder regarded Ranma for a long time from her throne, until
she finally got up and hobbled down the right set of steps. She carried
with her a huge staff slightly curve at the top. Her appearance was
frail, but she carried herself with a dignity that demanded nothing less
than total respect. "The Nexus Spirit must think pretty highly of you,
young man. He does not offer his protections easily. I'm surprised he
has offered those protections to outsiders. But then, you *are* the
promised couple from legend, are you not?"
Ranma was confused, but honored to be speaking directly to the Great
Elder. Her command of the Japanese language was flawless. Ranma also
knew enough about Amazon practices to know that it was seldom that an
outsider was ever granted a *private* audience with the Great Elder
herself. He tried to appear humble and radiated calm and reverence. "I
know nothing of your legends, Great Leader, so I don't know what this
'promised couple` is or what they are supposed to do."
The Great Elder spoke almost mystically, like she was reciting a poem
or an incantation, "There is a mountain far beyond the Jusenkyou plain,"
she waved her staff in a wide arc, "where the sun always sets between
two peaks. High in this mountain is a cave, the Cave of the Fire
Dragon. Legend has it that a special... couple, a man and a woman from
a far away land will come with great powers and fight this dragon in a
terrible battle. Before this great battle, there will be great
disasters and signs in the heavens. The victor of this battle will don
the crown of many worlds and bring either peace or destruction to our
world. Now I ask you again, are you and your wife this couple?"
Ranma thought carefully about how to answer. He tried not to show
surprise at the reference that Ukyou was his 'wife`. He knew that the
Great Elder was very wise and that it could not have been just a mistake
or mere slip of the tongue. He knew that she had knowledge of the nexus
and could only guess that the term 'wife` was in reference to Ukyou and
Ranma being twin spirits. "Again, I can not say whether we are this
'couple` or not, but we are receiving assistance from the nexus."
The Great Elder regarded him for a moment, then turned and pressed
something on her staff. She extracted an amulet from a compartment in
her staff and the green stone shone brilliantly when brought next to
Ranma. She moved the amulet away and it receded in strength. The Great
Elder snapped the amulet to her chest. "My amulet has answered the
question for you."
The Great Elder turned and regained the left set of stairs. "It is
against our laws for me to simply give this to you, young man. I cannot
just hand this over to a male and an outsider, but I think I may know a
way around that law." She regained her throne and looked at him for a
moment. "I have been...told that your wife is now without parents. I,
being so old, am without sons or daughters, I have outlived them all.
With your wife's consent, of course, I will adopt her. By this, she
will immediately be declared Amazon. I can then give my amulet to her
and no laws are broken. Is this acceptable?"
Ranma paused a moment, then bowed low. "I have spoken to her, and
she agrees...since it fulfills the purpose of our visit. She said she
would be honored to be included into so great a family."
The Great Elder showed surprise, then smiled with understanding at
how they probably were able to communicate so quickly. "Yes indeed, you
are this couple of legend." She pulled something off her wrist and
threw it to Ranma in one smooth motion. Ranma caught it effortlessly.
"You will give that to my...daughter." It was a jeweled circlet with
the Great Elder's own crest on it. Her face then lost expression, "I
have commanded one of the other matriarches to give up the remaining
amulet, but I don't think she will comply. I plan on calling a special
session of the council tomorrow to help...pursuade her."
The Great Elder knocked her staff against a gong and her guards
appeared immediately. "You may escort my...Son-in-Law...to his camp."
The guards showed surprise and confusion. Ranma almost winced at the
term 'Son-in-Law`, remembering how Cologne had used to call him that.
Instead, he bowed low expressionlessly, and followed the guards out.
*****
When Ranma arrived back at camp, he was surprised that news traveled
faster than he did. Several Amazons including a few matriarches were
already giving Ukyou the royal treatment. They were bestowing gifts and
clothes, and whispering for special favors. Ranma just stood back and
watched her receive all the attention. Genma came up to him and slapped
him on the back. "Congratulations, son. The head Elder herself is
throwing a big bash tonight to celebrate the adoption."
"Yeah well, just make sure you eat only what's set before you,
Oyaji. We don't need anyone to give you the 'Kiss of Death` if you eat
one of their prizes again." Genma lost his smile, shook his head in
quick agreement and disappeared into the tent.
Akane, too, was watching the attention Ukyou was receiving, sticking
her head out of the girls' tent. When Ryouga came back out of the
woods, Akane grimaced and disappeared back inside. Ranma just shook his
head in sadness.
Ryouga came up to Ranma effortlessly carrying a heavy load of
firewood. "What's the deal?" he asked.
"Ukyou, there, is going to be adopted by the head honcho herself. In
exchange, she'll give us one of the amulets. Something about one of
their laws."
"I see! Looks like a coronation," Ryouga said, throwing the
firewood onto a pile, and causing the ground to shake.
"In some ways, I think it is. The Amazons have never had a king or a
queen, but the Great Elder sure comes pretty darn close to that. So,
anyone in her family is treated like royalty," he pointed, "including
Princess Ukyou." Ryouga laughed and went into the tent to cool off.
Mousse and Shampoo joined the activities and offered their
congratulations to Ukyou. Ukyou looked around and spotted Ranma
watching with arms folded, leaning up against a tree.
"{'Husband`.}" Ukyou nodded his way grinning.
"{'Wife`.}" Ranma nodded back. "{We're not married yet you know.}"
"{That's okay, I forgive you.}"
"{WHAT?!}" Ranma stood quickly away from the tree and unfolded his
arms.
"{Well, you took your sweet time before you finally chose to marry
me, didn't you?}"
"{Yeah, but I had some help from a little *light* fellow about this
high.}" He indicated a size.
"{Ranma, you know better than that!}" Ukyou scolded.
"{Yes, Ranma, you know better than that.}" It was Tori.
"{So, how do you like all the attention, my Princess?}" Ranma raised
his eyebrows questioningly.
"{'Princess`, huh? I like that. Kneel slave!}" She pointed down.
"{Ha!...Ha!}" said Ranma mockingly. He refolded his arms and leaned
back against the tree. Ukyou only laughed at him.
When Ukyou turned back, Mousse and Shampoo were looking at her
strangely, wondering what all the hand gestures were all about. Then
Shampoo brighten, "You adopted into great family. Is high honor given
by Great Elder. You like queen now."
"You'll always be my queen, Shampoo," interjected Mousse dreamy-eyed.
Shampoo turned suddenly with almost a smile, then grimaced when she
remembered it was Mousse. "Shut up, Mousse!" Shampoo turned back, and
re-smiled. "And now..."
"{Ran-chan!}" Ukyou gave Ranma a momentary look while Shampoo was
rambling. "{Why don't we give Mousse some help with Shampoo?}" She
grinned menacingly. Ranma nodded silent agreement and stood behind
Mousse. Together they radiated love to the both of them. Ukyou
radiated to Mousse and Ranma radiated to Shampoo so that the impression
was that they were giving off signals of love to each other.
Shampoo continued to ramble looking unaffected, and Ukyou acted like
she was following every word. Finally, Shampoo said, "We see you at
celebration. Uh, bye now. Come, Mousse!" Shampoo turned and absently
grabbed Mousse by the hand, practically dragging him away. She seemed
to be in a hurry for some reason.
Ranma and Ukyou just stared after them. "Boy, they're a tough nut to
crack," said Ukyou shaking her head.
"Yeah, but at least she's touching him, and it isn't to punch him
out. I'd say that's progress," Ranma added.
"Amazons have such tough relationships," said Ukyou. Ranma and Ukyou
immediately turned and stared at each other, then broke out into
laughter.
"Oh," Ranma remembered, "I'm supposed to give you this." He pulled
out the circlet that the Great Elder had given him, and handed it to
Ukyou. "The Great Elder's way of saying, 'Welcome to the Family`."
"Oh, it's lovely. I'll wear it tonight at the festival."
"Ryouga calls it your 'coronation`."
Ukyou put her hands on her hips. "Ha!...Ha! Your just jealous."
Ukyou could feel Ranma's reaction through the connection and sensed that
she was partially right.
"Well, at least I'm marrying 'royalty`."
Ukyou momentarily lost her smile and came close. "Marrying you means
more to me than marrying the Emperor himself, or a dozen like him. I'd
trade twice that many just to be with you, Ran-chan."
Ranma pulled Ukyou in close and kissed her. He heard loud cheering
inside the men's tent and Genma stuck his head out with an ear-to-ear
grin. "That's. My. Boy!"
"Oh, shut up, Oyaji!" Ranma pushed Genma's face back into the tent
and Ukyou giggled.
*****
While the celebration was in full swing, one of the matriarches of
the council was suspiciously absent. Ling Po regarded herself in a
full-length mirror. Solid muscle. No fat. She stood proud and
thought highly of herself. She was the youngest matriarch to ever hold
a seat on the council and now she was two steps below the seat of the
Great Elder herself. No one in Amazon history had climbed so fast, so
rapidly. She laughed at her success, and then it faded. She looked at
the scroll sitting on her desk.
She had been ordered to give her amulet of power to some upstart that
the Great Elder had *adopted* to make her appear 'Amazon`. She found
the whole business appalling and shook her head. What subtle dancing
around the Amazon laws is this? The great ancestors themselves should
turn in their graves at such sacrilege, such insolence. All because of
some primitive superstition passed down by word of mouth. I will put
an end to this abysmal charade even if I have to take the Great Elders
throne myself.
She reached into her armor and held out the amulet before the
mirror. It's glow brightened when brought close to the mirror. In one
swift motion, she performed an exchange maneuver in front of the
mirror. The amulet flashed and she was in the nexus.
*****
It didn't take long for Ling Po to realize that something was
amiss. She was in the nexus standing on the platform where she normally
stood, but instead of seeing a being of great light in a ring, she saw
something that looked like a hideous black cloud where the floating ring
used to be. Uh-oh! The ring she noted was laying to one side and
bent. All around her were dark objects hovering against the fiery
backdrop, and off in the distance was a brilliantly bright object,
almost star-like in appearance.
Another dark cloud that was taller and thinner than the first floated
next to and behind the first cloud. The first cloud then produced a
spherical object and began to bounce it up and down.
"{Welcome, human.}" A voice boomed between her ears. The object
continued to bounce before her eyes. She detected that something was
awesomely wrong with the cloud, and that if she were to witness the same
event on Earth she would be dead out of fright, but here in the nexus so
few emotions existed, least of all...fear.
"{W-where is the Nexus Spirit?}" she asked. The ball stopped.
"{I was hoping you could tell me,}" said the hideous voice. The ball
began to bounce again. "{Tell me why you are here?}"
"{I have come to free my world from destruction, and my people from
tyranny and superstition.}" she responded.
"{A noble cause.}" Some of the black objects were starting to drift
in the direction of the bright 'star` in the distance. "{And
this...'Nexus Spirit`, does he usually grant you your wishes?}"
"{Y-yes!}" she responded, and was beginning to wonder how she could
return on her own back to her world without the Nexus Spirit. Though
there wasn't any fear, there was the sense of urgency, a sense that
one's life was in great peril.
The ball stopped. "{Then can I do any less? I grant your, uh,
'wish` on the grounds that you bring me the other amulets, plus the
amulet you used to transport yourself here. In return, I will see to it
that there is no destruction to your world, and that you are seated in a
position of power among your people. In this manner you yourself can
decide against this 'tyranny` and 'superstition`. Agreed?}"
"{Thank you, Great Spirit, thank you. Now, can you send me back?}"
In a wink she was gone.
The large central cloud turned to the taller cloud behind him and
they both shook. It could be interpreted as devious laughter.
*****
Ling Po woke up on the floor of her chambers. Outside were the
sounds of great celebrations and an occasional rifle being fired into
the air. She found herself beginning to shake and sweat when she began
remembering the hideous cloud and that object that kept jumping before
her. With the Nexus Spirit, there was always a sense of peace and
tranquility in all her encounters. With this dark apparition, there was
deep dread and awesome danger.
Then she remembered his promises. She was to be made leader of her
Amazon people. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw herself
adorned in the robes of the Great Elder, carrying her leaders staff and
sitting high on the Topaz Throne. Just as the emotion of fear was
hidden in the nexus, so was ambition. But to her on this world,
ambition was just as real as fear, and in Ling Po, ambition was stronger
than her fear.
She heard a knock at the door. She quickly hid the amulet in a safe
place and answered the knock. A guard relayed to her a message from the
Great Elder that she be present at the celebration. The guard made it
very clear that it was not a request, but a command. Ling Po left
immediately gritting her teeth.
*****
Ranma got up early the next morning and, after warm-ups, began a
series of katas in the field next to the camp. Ever since the funeral
incident, Genma never got up to fight or spar with him anymore. Ranma
missed some of the early morning *exercises* he used to have with his
*old man*. He was soon joined by Akane just like yesterday. He kept
the katas simple for her benefit this time.
While he worked out, he thought about last nights festivities. He
spent most the night trying to keep Genma out of trouble. Finally, a
lull was reached when Genma changed himself into a panda and began
entertaining some of the Amazon children. Genma was fascinating to
watch and Ranma wondered where all of Genma's enthusiasm for little
children came from. He couldn't ever remember Genma being like that
when he was little and they were traveling.
'Princess Ukyou`, he liked to call her, was also fascinating to
watch. She enjoyed all the attention, but still found time to spend
with him. In fact, she kept saying, "{I love you!}" the whole night.
Maybe, Ranma thought, Ukyou was trying to keep him from feeling left
out. When the celebration was over, Ukyou was given quarters at the
Great Elder's enclave. Until their *real* marriage, Ranma was still
considered an outsider, so had to stay in camp.
There had been one dangerous moment during the celebration when Ukyou
was challenged by one of the matriarches to prove her worthiness to be
an 'Amazon`, by sparring with a champion of the matriarches choosing.
The matriarch, Ranma noted, was a rival of Cologne. Ranma was ready to
step in and bring an end to the idea as soon as it was brought up, but
Ukyou insisted that she could handle herself. And that she did. In no
time, the Amazon was downed by a few quick moves, moves that Ranma
recognized as being his own when he was Ranko. The swiftness of her
attack allayed any claims to her not being 'Amazon` material.
Ranma also noticed that Shampoo and Mousse were getting along better
at the party. She no longer seem to be ignoring Mousse's advances. He
also noted that Mousse looked tired for some reason. He smiled and
wondered whether that trick he and Ukyou pulled yesterday on them may
have been a bit too much.
Almost on cue with his thoughts, Shampoo again came running up to
Ranma breaking his kata. "Great Council met in session. Ling Po still
refuse to give up amulet. Amulet belong to Ling Po. Great Elder simply
can't order her to give up amulet. She say she keep trying. Cologne
try, also."
"Thanks, Shampoo." Shampoo ran back through the gate.
"What are we going to do, Ranma?" asked Akane with a worried
expression.
Before Ranma could answer, Genma's voice spoke up behind him. "Well,
we could steal it." Ranma turned slowly around to face Genma, then his
eyebrows went up.
*****
Akane led a panda bear through the center of the village. Behind
them were a parade of the curious, consisting mostly of children.
Children who recognized the entertaining panda from the festival of the
other night. They stopped outside the estate of Ling Po, and a crowd
began to gather. The panda began performing tricks to the amusement of
those gathered.
From what Akane knew, Ling Po and the other matriarches were meeting
in session in an effort to 'request` a determined Ling Po to give up her
amulet to the mysterious couple that came from the Japans. Or, at
least, to the newly-adopted daughter of the Great Elder. Ling Po
steadfastly refused.
While the crowds were outside and busy watching the entertaining
panda, no one noticed a duck flying in through an open window of Ling
Po's estate. The duck flew downstairs and opened the latch-type front
door. A black pig ran in through the open door and up the steps. The
black pig had one of Cologne's amulets hidden in the yellow bandanna
around its neck. The pig began searching the estate followed closely by
the duck. Outside, the council session had been dismissed and was
re-scheduled to begin again in one hour. An angered Ling Po was
returning from the session followed by an equally determined Cologne.
They were in heated debate. Ling Po was brought up short when she saw
the gathered crowds out in front of her home. She became very
suspicious when she recognized the panda and the girl. Cologne tried to
step in front of her to continue talking, but Ling Po was not put off
and began to run over to her home.
Akane, recognizing the matriarch also stepped in front of her and was
brutally pushed aside. When no one was looking, Akane pulled her hammer
from hammerspace and bonked the matriarch on the head. She dragged the
unconscious matriarch next to a set of bushes while Cologne tried to
hide her actions. Akane noticed that several others formed a barrier
next to Cologne to keep Ling Po and Akane's actions hidden. When the
pig came to one room, the amulet began to glow as it neared one of the
walls. P-chan bweed in excitement. Together the duck and the pig
pulled away a panel and another amulet, which was glowing also, was
hidden inside. The duck dragged the amulet over to a window and in
pushing it open, passed the amulet to a pink and white cat with a purple
mane clinging to a tree. Suspending the amulet between two branches,
the cat placed her neck into the doubled metal chain and took off
running from tree to roof.
*****
Thirty miles away from Joketsuzoku, a meteor came down and destroyed
the Amazon village that had stood there for centuries. The explosion
lit up the night sky. An open crater now stood in what was the center
of the village. On the fringe of this village lay many who were dead,
burned by the heat and exploding shrapnels of rock. Amid the smoking
ruins, one by one they rose back up again picking up their arms and
weapons. Like a huge army, they marched into the forest. An army of
the dead.
*****
Late at night, Shampoo was just putting the amulets away in a safe
place when she was suddenly hit over the head. Ling Po grinned evilly
as she picked up two of the brightest amulets and admired their glow.
One she recognized as her own; the second she recognized as belonging to
the Great Elder. She was about to reach for the other two, when she was
interrupted.
"I will not allow you to leave with those," said Cologne balancing
on her staff. A much-angered Mousse stood behind her.
"And just how do you plan on stopping me, Great Sister?" Ling Po
turned and pointed her staff at Cologne in one single motion. A dart
was fired from her staff hitting Cologne in the shoulder.
Cologne felt her arm going numb and a paralysis beginning in her
lower limbs. "Mousse! Attack!" Cologne shouted before she went down.
Mousse immediately fired chains to wrap up Ling Po's legs. Shampoo,
who had just come to, pulled herself over to Cologne and removed the
dart. "Great Granddaughter...the dart...poison...Can't move."
Cologne's breathing was labored. All Cologne could do was just watch
the battle between Mousse and Ling Po.
Mousse was amazed at his own success, after all, this was an Amazon
matriarch. An not just any matriarch, but Ling Po, whom the Amazon
village considered one of the best of the best. But perhaps he had
learned something in his failed attempts to fight Ranma in the past, who
he had to admit was also one of the best of the best. At first, he had
tried just anything, almost in desperation, to get back at Ling Po for
injuring Shampoo, his Shampoo. He had lashed out in anger, but in his
fury he had somehow discovered a weakness in the old matriarch, and was
now doing his best to exploit it. He didn't know whether it was because
of Ling Po's age, or her overconfidence, but even through Mousse's thick
glasses he could see something in Ling Po that telegraphed her moves
ahead of time. He kept tangling her up, taking the suggested limb or
two out of the fray, and kept her off balance. He didn't know quite how
to end this fight, but would keep up the pressure while it lasted, until
an opening and suitable conclusion could be found.
Genma entered the room to receive the amulets. When he saw Cologne's
condition, he shouted outside for medical help. Before he could join
the fight, Ling Po threw a poison dart his way, which he was able to
avoid. Genma tried to grab the amulets away, but was thrown back when
partially hit in the shoulder by one of the chains Mousse had thrown.
Mousse continued to keep Ling Po wrapped up. As soon as she would
break one set of chains, Mousse would fire another while dodging her
staff. Cologne was impressed that Mousse could have this much success
against Ling Po. In her waning state, she recognized some of the
strengths and forms she had admired in her husband so long ago. Perhaps
Cologne had been too harsh in her criticisms of the boy. Cologne was
able to raise a slow finger and point it at the fight. "The boy...he
fights...well...I'm...impressed. He is...brave...like my...husband."
Cologne's vision was starting to tunnel. Shampoo held Cologne and
looked over at Mousse, and gasped when Mousse managed to dodge a similar
dart to the one that hit Cologne. Mousse kicked the feet from under
Ling Po and threw two shuriken. Ling Po blocked both with her staff.
Shampoo, too, was impressed at the fierceness in Mousse's attacks and in
his apparent confidence.
Cologne pulled her staff up to her and gazed one last time at the
butterfly pattern in the top of it. She grabbed onto Shampoo's wrist
with a shaky hand. "Gr't...Granddaughter...you...and Mousse..." said
the dying Cologne. Shampoo caught Cologne as she lost consciousness in
her arms.
With tears starting to form in her eyes, Shampoo shouted, "Mousse!"
Mousse's concentration was broken when Shampoo yelled for him. Ling
Po, who had narrowly avoided another set of chains to her legs, caught
Mousse in the stomach and ran out the door. Genma tried to catch Ling
Po on her way out and took off running after her. When other Amazons
arrived to take care of Cologne, Shampoo and Mousse followed.
*****
"ALARM! ALARM!" The gatekeeper shouted when she saw the movement of
several hundreds coming slowly out of the forest toward the Amazon
village. She frantically rang a bell. The watch had earlier been
doubled when an explosion had been sighted far off in the distance.
As proof of their military readiness, the gates were secured and in
no time an impressive number of Amazons took to the top of the
battlements.
"Look! Are these the remnant forces of some great battle? They look
like they've been hurt and wounded," said one of the matriarches who had
just arrived on top of the gate. She could see that many who came out
of the forest were dragging limbs, had limbs missing or had huge gaping
wounds. As they got closer, the matriarch could see that this was
something entirely different. She raised her sword on high and yelled,
"Amazons, ATTACK!"
Almost as one, the battlements emptied and the gates slammed open to
release hordes of Amazon warriors. The battle became fierce as the
living tried to repel the dead.
*****
"Akane?" called Ryouga into her tent.
"Go away, Ryouga, I don't ever want to speak to you." A voice said
inside the tent.
"Akane? I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. I didn't ever want to hurt
you."
"Hurt me?" Akane went flying out of her tent and started pounding
into his chest with an accusing finger. "Yeah, but you...you slept in
my bed and you...you watched me *change*. Y-you were there when I wrote
in my diaries."
"Yes, I did everything I could to be near you, just to be next to
you. You can't imagine the misery I went through when I had you so near
to me, and you were thinking of Ranma all the time. You can't imagine
the hurt I felt."
"B-but, Ryouga..." she began in realization.
"You looked cute in that teddy." Ryouga smirked. Akane's resolve was
starting to melt.
"Ryouga, Ranma rarely called me 'cute`." Akane started to smile.
"Akane, I-I love you." Ryouga finally said, and the two embraced
each other.
"Ryouga?"
"Yes, Akane." Ryouga looked into her eyes.
"Maybe I *can* imagine the hurt you felt, the misery. That night by
the koi pond when Ranma told about what happened out in the nexus with
him and Ukyou. I couldn't help but feel...envious, jealous. It was so
beautiful. Oh, how I wished it was me he fell in love with."
"Do you still love him?" asked Ryouga.
"I suppose a part of me still does. Funny, I used to be so afraid to
say that out in the open, but that's over with now. He has Ukyou, and
I...I still have my P-chan."
Ryouga and Akane were about to kiss when Ranma ran up. "Hey,
bandanna boy, we've got trouble." Akane and Ryouga followed a running
Ranma to the other side of the camp where Ukyou and an out-of-breath
Shampoo were already gathered.
Akane gasped. Ryouga looked incredulous at the sight of all the
zombies, "W-what kind of army is this? It looks like 'Night of the
Living Dead`."
"There are so many of them." said Akane.
"The Great Elder and the rest of the Matriarches are busy with
another wave that are attacking on the other side of the village. I
came to warn you." said Ukyou.
"Ling Po run off with amulets. She crazy. She hurt Cologne." said
Shampoo to Ryouga with her bonbori out and a cloth held to her head.
"Genma somehow got through them and ran after her," said Mousse
running up to them and showing concern for Shampoo.
"{Ranma, this is only a delay tactic used by Syrr. He's trying to
keep you occupied so he can take off with the amulets.}" said Tori
urgently. Ranma stepped in front of the rest.
"{How can we stop them?}" asked Ukyou running up next to him.
"{Well...the direct approach always works.} responded Tori.
Ukyou and Ranma nodded heads to each other. "Ryouga! Use your 'Shi
Shi Hokodan` on my signal. Clear a path straight ahead." said Ranma
pointing towards the woods. Ryouga charged up. "Now!" yelled Ranma,
when the zombies were within range.
"SHI SHI HOKODAN!!!" Ryouga blasted. Ranma and Ukyou gathered to the
left and right of him.
"MOUKO TAKABISHA!!!" Both Ukyou and Ranma yelled simultaneously
clearing the remainder on both sides of Ryouga's ki blast. What used to
be zombies, vaporized.
"Aiya! We got them." shouted Shampoo holding her bonbori up in
triumph. Ranma lead a charge to run after Ling Po.
*****
Ling Po ran near the stream. The mud along the banks and her age
slowed her progress. She could sense that someone was pursuing her and
was getting closer. She stopped next to the bank, put the amulets
around her neck, and brought her staff up to the ready. She felt
relieved when she found out it was Genma.
"Get back, panda man, you are no where near the skills of your son,
and I have heard Cologne has defeated him many times in battle, and I am
better than Cologne."
Genma stopped and stood ready. "Hand them over, old witch. I taught
my son what he knows."
"Not everything he knows." Ling Po batted the water with her staff
sending a column of water toward Genma. While he was busy dodging the
water, she struck the first of a series of three pressure points that
would bring about his death. Genma looked like he was stung, but
quickly recovered. Genma swung a low foot which Ling Po jumped over
easily, but not before he withdrew one of the amulets. He threw the
amulet behind him and stood back into a stance.
"That's one," he yelled.
Ling Po went into a series of hits that Genma blocked, but was backed
up. Genma spun and kicked her in the mid-section. Ling Po's staff came
down and hit the second pressure point. "That's two, panda," she
snarled.
Genma could feel tingling in his spine and a slow paralysis creeping
into his legs. Though his responses were slowing, he went on the
offensive backing Ling Po towards the river again. Genma threw a series
of punches, then he disappeared.
Ling Po looked around, her staff following her gaze. Still no
Genma. Cautiously, she moved toward where she had seen Genma throw the
other amulet.
"Ha!" Genma dropped behind her and tried to extract the second
amulet. Ling Po swung her staff around and caught him in the belly.
When Genma lurched forward, she hit the final pressure point.
"Three strikes your out, panda man. HIRYUU SHOUTEN-HA!!!" The
resulting whirlwind blew Genma up against a tree. He could not feel his
legs anymore and his vision was starting to tunnel. Genma knew he was
dying. I'm going to take that old witch with me! he swore.
"Flying Cannonball Attack" he yelled and launched himself at Ling Po
while curled into a ball. The momentum and delivery was perfect: Ling
Po was crushed.
"Just like old times, eh Tendou?" Genma thought reminiscently of his
old friend and winced when he found that his legs no longer worked. He
still had use of his arms and dragged himself over to Ling Po's dead
body and took away the final amulet. When the amulet was freed from her
neck, Genma joined Ling Po in the Kami Plane.
*****
"Oyagi? Oyaji! ... FATHER!" Ranma ran at full speed through the
thickets when he saw the whirlwind off in the distance. His gut feeling
was that the worst was happening to Genma. Ling Po was just too
powerful a foe for him to take on. Ranma worried that he would not be
able to get there in time.
When he got to the river, he stopped and saw Ling Po and Genma
side-by-side, ...neither moved. In slow steps, he went up to Genma and
sat down. He quickly checked Genma's breathing and pulse -- both were
gone. Ryouga and Ukyou arrived through the underbrush and stopped, and
observed.
"You silly, silly old man." Ranma whispered burying himself in
Genma's neck. Ranma cried. He cried with tears he never thought a man
should cry. Amid all their fights, through all the outrageous training
he had receive from this man, through all his ridiculous antics, he
found the spark of love still there. And he felt alone at his loss.
Ryouga checked Ling Po. "The Amazon is dead," he declared.
"Ran-chan?... Ran-chan." Ukyou hugged him from behind, trying to
consol him. She gripped tighter when she thought of her own recent
loss, and how she felt.
Ranma slowly pulled away from Genma's neck and looked up. "All those
years he taught me how to fight, but I hardly ever saw him fight
himself. I used to think he was just a coward. I'd see him connive and
steal family treasures. Now I know that he is probably the bravest man
I ever knew." Ukyou looked back at him with tear streaked eyes and a
quivering lip.
Ranma picked up the amulet out of Genma's hand. Ryouga found the
other one and gave it to Ranma. The amulets glowed and lit up the river
bank. Ranma placed an amulet on Ukyou's neck, making sure not to
exchange them, and he wore the other one. Together they stood by the
river.
"Now, we go find this...Cave of the Fire Dragon!" Ranma said wiping
the last of the tears away.
*****
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End chapter 5.