WEAPON Ranma: Side B
By Resurrector of the Dead
Summary: The Planet's original WEAPONs have gone rogue, so it decided to bring in a new WEAPON entirely.
FFVII/R1.5 crossover/AU/Divergence
Warnings: rated T for language, violence, angst, character death.
Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Final Fantasy VII is owned by Sony Playstation, Squaresoft and Square Enix. I am making no money from this and am using the characters without permission.
Just to note, the reason WEAPON is in capitals is because that's the way it is written in the game, much like SOLDIER.
SIDE B: Ranma's Story
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Prologue
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"Mount Phoenix Royal Family Special Attack!" Power swirled around the phoenix god, heat shimmering in the air around him.
"TENKA SHUNMETSU KOUKYUU DAN!" (1)
Ranma Saotome, 16-years old and self-proclaimed martial arts master, felt his eyes widen in horror at the size of the fireball. He could feel the heat of it beginning to burn his skin, sweat trickling from his forehead. The amount of raw power that Saffron wielded was incomprehensible; it was a miracle that he had survived so long as it was. Thankfully, years of training to react on instinct and to think on his feet had been ingrained in him, and his mind was whirling with possible counters against the miniature sun.
Just as Saffron released the fireball, Ranma grabbed the blade of the Gekkaja with his free hand, pushing the blade into his chest by a few millimetres. He ignored the pain as ice burst from the scythe-ended staff to surround his torso, face and hair, spreading down towards his legs as the Hiryu Shoten Ha (2) spun wildly around him. The attack flew past him, managing to melt most of the ice coving his body. Wisps of water vapour surrounded him form as the heat evaporated the ice.
"I will not allow you to escape!" Roared Saffron, furious that Ranma had managed to avoid his most powerful attack. With a wide sweep of his arm, he sent the circular blade of the Kinjakan spinning towards the teen. It scored a glancing blow, the remaining ice managing to protect Ranma from being sliced apart. Saffron finally understood how Ranma had survived his fireball, and there was an underlying tone of surprise in the god's voice as he spoke. "You actually froze yourself with the Gekkaja to stop my attack! Your persistence is incredible for a mere mortal – and very, very ANNOYING!"
Saffron began gathering his power once more. "A clever trick, but you only delay the inevitable! My next blast will shatter you frozen body to pieces!" He pushed more power into his attack, determined to beat the mortal once and for all. Ranma grit his teeth, already running over and dismissing the strategies he was coming up with. None of his current techniques could stand up to such a powerful blast. He was tiring out as well, and Akane was getting weaker with every passing moment. He had to end the fight now. Glancing down at his frozen fist, and idea came to him.
I'll only get one shot at this…he thought. With my frozen fist, I'll drive a Hiryu Shoten Ha right into that bastard's heart! All of this heat with will squeeze the cold spiral to a razors edge and should cut him to ribbons, but my ain must be perfect – I'll only have one shot at this. He focused all of his remaining power, taking up careful aim as Saffron released his even larger blast.
"TENKA SHUNMETSU KOUKYUU DAN!" The fireball was hurtling straight towards him, and he cursed wildly as he realised one fatal flaw in his plan. With the large fireball in his way, he couldn't see Saffron, and he couldn't risk missing Saffron with the Hiryu Shoten Ha.
"AUGH! I can't see a damn thing through this fire!" He cursed mentally once more. "I can't aim! It's no good – I have no chance of hitting him!" Only when he felt a slight burning from his chest did he notice Akane. She's burning hot! He let out a cry of desperation as the doll-sized version of his fiancée left his shirt and flew towards the blast. "AKANE!"
Her ice-cold body reached the burning ball of flames, and to his surprise, passed harmlessly into it. "A-!" A second later he realised her true intentions. She's using her frozen body to punch a hole through to Saffron! "I can see him!"
The phoenix god snarled as he noticed the girl. "Foolish girl!" He yelled furiously, clutching the Kinjakan tighter in his hand. "How many times do you wish to die! My blast shall incinerate you!" He was distracted enough not to notice Ranma pulling back a fist and focusing his energy until it was too late.
"HIRYU SHOTEN HA REVISED!" He threw his fist ice-enclosed fist forward with as much power as he could muster. "HIRYU HYOU-TOPPA!" (3)
Just as Ranma had predicted, the heat from Saffron's blast compressed the freezing miniature whirlwind to a razor point that travelled straight through Saffron's fireball. Caught completely by surprise, Saffron took the blast straight in the chest, the cold, twisting air tearing a hole right through him. The gaping would was frozen seconds afterwards, and Saffron, god of the phoenix tribe, plummeted to the ground, his mind in shock. But…but I am immortal!
Ranma, seeing that his attack had hit, immediately turned his attention towards the doll-like form of his fiancée. "Akane!" He called, reaching out for her. Please…keep your eyes open just a bit longer! Finally reaching her, he cradled her carefully in his hands, noticing the soft smile that graced her features. "Akane! I've won! Just one more minute, and I'll get the cold cursed water for you! Then we can be together again!" He paused. "Akane?"
Her closed eyes said it all. She's…she's still smiling! What is this? ...Is it too late? Hoping against hope, Ranma continued talking. "Akane, don't leave me now! Not like this!" Clutching the girl to his chest, he cursed the warm air that kept them afloat. He caught sight of the dragon tap below him, and thrust the Gekkaja down towards it, his aim ringing true when it landed directly in its slot. I can't wait any longer! Akane needs the water NOW! If I can throw one more cold fist down into this heat— "—I can call the water!" He finished the thought aloud. Don't die yet, Akane! I'll save you!
"A strike for life! HIRYU GYOTEN HAAAAA!" (4)
To the horror of the other cursed individuals and the Jusenkyo Guide, the whirlwind tore off the head of the dragon tap, only to drop it back onto the dragon's body – this time facing upwards. Uncaring of what the others were shouting at him, Ranma was drenched by the cold water gushing upwards like a fountain. The others stared as they finally realised what Ranma had intended to do. The dragon…he made it look up at the sky!
"Akane!" Ranma, now in his female form, held the doll out in front of her. I got the water for you! Please…please come back to me! With a whoosh of displaced air, the doll-like for of Akane Tendo was replaced by her normal body, albeit unclothed. Completely disregarding this, Ranma stared hopefully into the other girl's face. "Akane!" As the seconds ticked by and Ranma, with Akane in his arms, he made a horrifying discovery.
She…she's not breathing…
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End Prologue
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(1) Any-Mortal Instant-Annihilation Emperor Sized Ball Blast
(2) Flying Dragon Ascending into Heaven Blast
(3) Flying Dragon Ice-Breakthrough
(4) Flying Dragon Staring Up at Heaven Strike
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AN: Forgive me if any of the technique names are incorrect…I'm only going by some scanlations I managed to get of the Saffron Saga, and about three American comics from the Herb Saga. All of my information comes from the internet otherwise. Also, about Ranma's age: I don't recall him having a birthday in either the manga OR the anime. If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me. As it is, though, I'm going by that he's 16, although he doesn't know his birthday. Do you believe Genma would have celebrated his birthday on the road? Also, those of you interested in reading WEAPON Ranma: Side A (vignettes from the points of view of the Final Fantasy VII characters) please check in my profile or search in the Final Fantasy VII genre which is where I'll upload it to. Side B is my priority, though, although I am slow at updates.
Next chapter: Fast forward to present day… The Final Fantasy VII characters show up next chapter.
Comments and constructive criticism welcomed…no flames, please!