Chapter 1: The Return

 

“DRAGON SLAVE!!!”  A yell rang out in the silence of the Abyss. Black flames of fire swept over the volcanic ground, incinerating everything it touched. At the source of the blast, a young mortal stood, glowing black. Waist length black hair was died back loosely, dark blue eyes glared defiantly at the looming demon in front of him. Dark handsome features and a tall muscular body would have made women’s heads turn, except for the expression of hatred on his face.

 

The demon growled in pain as the human readied another attack. That last attack really hurt him, another one would finish him off. It didn’t want to die but the only way to save itself would be to admit defeat. It sensed the build up of power and made its decision.

 

The human narrowed his eyes and released the blast. “CLEANSE!!!” A pure white blast of chi flew from his hands and hit the demon.

 

The demon reached into its last reserves to block the blast and to open the Gate. The glowing blue door suddenly appeared behind the human. Then the demon rushed at the human.

 

The human jumped back and fell through the Gate with an anguished yelp. The demon whimpered as part of its power dissipated with that particular soul’s release. It made a fervent pledge to avoid Ranma Saotome in the near and far future.

 

Ranma screamed as the roars and the howls of the denizens echoed in the Abyss. He failed, after so much he failed. His heart sank and he was ready to give up. Then a bright light appeared and it was coming closer. Ranma shut his eyes and covered his face with his arms and curled up in a ball. Let it be over, he prayed. Let it be over. Then there was a light, a glorious light, then there was nothing……..

 

Then there was rain…

 

Ranma opened her eyes in fear and in apprehension. She was kneeling in a field of dark green grass. Familiar noises and sounds assaulted her senses, the smell of grass, moisture, tainted oxygen… It brought back memories to her mind, cleansing away the Abyss with its never-ending pain, despair and heat.

 

“Home,” she whispered, then more loudly, “Home! I’m back!” She laughed and jumped into the air. She felt the raindrops splash her, soaking her hair and clothes but she smiled. Once she had hated cold water, now she welcomed it as a lover’s embrace. Ranma never noticed that she was floating in midair or that she was glowing white. Her chi signature flared and briefly grew in power, sending a message to all those powerful enough to sense it that a powerful force has returned.

 

Cologne sat up in bed, shaking uncontrollable. She could sense the chi signature of one once thought long dead. And whether it was him or a demon, she must find him. She left the restaurant without another word.

 

Akane paused in her cooking. For a second she thought that she heard a jubilant yell. Then she shook her head in exasperation, probably her imagination. Then she noticed that she nearly put motor oil in the food. Akane yelped and stopped herself just in time. Akane frowned, she hadn’t done something that dumb since… his death. So why now?

 

Ryoga paused in his morning workouts. Who was yelling? He didn’t see anyone…

 

Happosai narrowed his eyes in calculation. His old ‘student’ was back, and possibly hunting him. He decided to take the initiative and find Ranma before Ranma found him.

 

Ranma got up and brushed off her clothes, well, the dirty remains of her clothes. Acheron sure gave them a beating, she thought absentmindedly. She wonder how long she had been there, it seemed like an eternity but she aged maybe a year or two. She dug through her pockets and pulled out various artifacts. Okay, she thought, let me see: a enchanted locket which makes the bearer invisible, a ring which keeps a person from being affected by a Jusenkyo curse, better keep it, a soul katana which belonged to an archangel, a bunch of gems and jewels from that dragon’s hoard, that dragon’s tooth, and my Tools. Ranma put everything back in her pockets except for a flawless emerald. She appraised it then headed towards the shopping district, she could get quite a bit of yen for this.

 

Ranma left the jewelry store feeling rather puzzled. The store owner was so ecstatic to see the emerald that he gave her over a million yen and a bunch of other gems as well. She hefted the backpack that he gave her and went to the mall. She needed some hot water and a change of clothes.