Disclaimer: I don't own any characters in here that I don't own, but the ones that are made up, uh, I guess I do…
Ranma ½
"Demons and Angels"
Prologue: "Past Loss"
By Gray
"Damn it Ferio! How many of them are there?" Ranma roared among the clashing of swords and other weapons. His friend and comrade for many a year, Ferio Escudo, answered him between parrying a flurry of strikes with his sword.
"I'd say at least a few dozen…" Ferio and Ranma were soldiers. They were not your average soldiers though…
The discovery of magic and its myriad of uses had changed the world forever. Magic and Science worked in conjunction to better the lives of people all over the planet. It seemed that humanity's dreams were limitless now that they had mastered both nature and technology through magic and science respectively. But, there was a reason magic was suddenly discovered and distributed more freely. In the days of the past, few knew magic existed, and fewer still knew how to use it. Now, magic schools were popping up all over the world, in an effort to educate the masses on the wondrous skill of manipulating nature. Then they came. Demons they were called, but they were far more than that. Great and mighty weapons of destruction created for an unknown purpose by an unknown being.
"You think the leader is okay?" Ferio asked while thrusting his sword through a Demon who got too close to he and Ranma, who were now back to back.
"Ha! Course he is! He's the strongest guy around!" Ranma yelled over the battle cry of his newest opponent, a Demon soldier armed with a wicked curved scimitar.
Little was known of the beasts, only that they were extremely powerful, and were ruled by what was called "The Triad" a group of all-powerful Demons with a thirst for conquest and destruction. Their only goal was the total eradication of humanity. Few had ever seen them, and the ones who had died, simple as that. They were whispered amongst the populace with hatred, but more fear that hate. The Demons were based in what was once Russia. The frigid landscape barely bothered them, and that was where they waged war upon the world. Europe was barely hanging on, as was China. The Middle East and Africa had been taken over already. It was only a matter of time many thought. In an effort to fight back. The governments left remaining pooled resources and began a counter-offensive. It was marginally effective at best. Soldiers were cut down by the Demon's powerful magic, and ridiculously high pain threshold. Guns were barely effective, for a soldier rarely got a shot off before being dismembered by the lightning quick reflexes of the Demons. Even the weakest Demon could move at high speeds. Missiles and what not were ineffective as well. A barrier surrounded the Demon's HQ, and even if some Demons were killed from a bomb drop, many more rose up to replace them. That was perhaps the worst part. The Demons seemed to have unlimited numbers.
"Ahh! Die you bastard!" Ferio yelled, slicing a huge gash into a Demon's chest before blocking a strike from the side. Ranma blocked a particularly deadly slash with the small shield strapped to his forearm, and retaliated with lopping the Demon's head clean off.
Finally, the situation got too out of hand, and a group was formed. Called the "Templar" they were fighters of the highest caliber. Carefully selected and trained, they wielded weapons of great power. The highest-ranking members of the Templar used special swords imbued with elemental properties and were called the "Elite". The leader of the Templar was named Dante, and he wielded the mighty lightning sword Alastor. Under him, his second in command was known as Kyo Kusanagi, who wielded the fire blade Ifrit. Then came Elhaym Van Houten, or Elly as her friends called her. She ranked just below Kyo, and possessed the twin rapier-like swords of water, known as Aqua and Stream respectively. Finally came Fuu Huuoji, who used the wind swallow Tempest and also took care of the planning and strategy for the Templar. She was usually called the "Brain" of the Elite. These were the four core members of the Templar, and the strongest of them all. That is, until a young man got in a fight with Kyo one day on the streets, and defeated him barehanded. This youth was named Ranma Saotome, and his combat skills astounded Dante, who immediately recruited him into the Templar. Under Dante's tutelage, he learned how to use the blade with stunning speed; some say he was better with it than the leader himself. The only thing stopping Ranma from becoming an Elite Templar like Elly, Kyo, or Fuu, was his experience. He needed to be with the Templar for a little longer before he could become an Elite. But now, this happened…
"Argh! Can't believe the bastards managed to get all the way to the HQ!" Ranma cursed between blocking attacks from two Demon's claws with his sword.
"Doesn't matter!" We have to protect "it" from them!" Ferio yelled. Ranma grimaced. He knew about a secret hidden within the Templar HQ, and he also knew that whatever it was, the Demons would give anything to get their slimy claws on it. He knew he was tough, but he was unsure of how long they could hold out. He and Ferio were the only ones left in the area alive, and the Demon's numbers never seemed to dwindle.
"Hey Ranma, when this is over, what say we take the girls out for a nice dinner?" Ferio asked, grinning slightly. Ranma grinned too.
"Yeah, I know just the place too. It's sorta far but…" He didn't finish, as he was too busy watching a Demon sword stab through Ferio's chest, coming out the other end with a sickening noise and a spray of blood. His mind barely registered his body parrying more attacks; he was shocked, unable to process the fact that his friend lay dead or close to it at his feet. They had trained together, fought together, met their prospective loves together. Ferio had wanted to get out of the Templar, and perhaps start a family with his girlfriend Fuu, he had spoken of it often, even going so far as to name his future children in advance. And now… now the other boy's dreams were dashed, just like that. Simply because he hadn't been fast enough to block a particular strike out of the hundreds of others. It just seemed so goddamned unfair to Ranma. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. His eyes narrowed, a roar of fury issued from his lips, and before he knew it, he was cutting down every demon in sight, with punishing efficiency. None escaped the pig-tailed boy's wrath. When it was over, Ranma stood amidst the bloody remains of his foes, waiting, just waiting and hoping one would so much as twitch so he could tear into it again. When it was clear that all were dead, Ranma dropped his sword, and rushed over to Ferio's limp body, cradling his head with tears beginning to show.
"Heh, guess we can forget about that date with the girls…" The green-haired boy said, coughing up blood.
"Shut up you stupid idiot, save your strength…" Ranma whispered, pain lancing into his heart even though the Demons hadn't landed a single blow upon him. Ferio seemed to sigh.
"I didn't want to die Ranma…I-I wanted t-to have a family…with F-f-uu. My kids would be named Ascot, and Caldina, and…and…" Ranma finished for him.
"Ferio II?" He said, a trace of humor in his voice, though it was small. Ferio smiled slightly.
"Yeah, that too…" He whispered.
"Do me a favor Ranma, keep Fuu safe, please…I beg of you…" His voice was fading.
"I…I will buddy…but you gotta hold on, so you can too. You know h-how jealous Elly g-gets r-right?" Ranma's voice trembled. Ferio smiled wider.
"Yeah, she sure does love you…you better protect her too…" He whispered.
"I will Ferio…Elly and F-Fuu are gonna be fine…" Ranma felt the blood from his friend slowing, which scared him.
"Good…then I'll be seein' ya pal…" And then, Ferio Escudo breathed his last. Ranma trembled slightly, bowing his head as grief assailed him. He screamed in rage and pain.
"Arghh!!!!!!!"
He wanted to bury Ferio, but first he had to make sure the others were alright. Every room of the Templar HQ was a mess. Blood and the remains of soldiers and Demons was everywhere. Finally, Ranma arrived at the hidden chamber, where the greatest secret of the Templar was hidden. There, he arrived just in time to see Kyo Kusanagi getting cut down by a large, extremely powerful Demon. The Demon was garbed in black armor, and a flowing blood red cape accompanied the look. The only part of him you could see was his eyes, which glowed with red flames of power. Kyo noticed Ranma, and whispered weakly with his last breath.
"Get out of here Ranma…You can't beat this guy…" Ranma ignored this however, and Kyo sighed.
"Geez, he never learns…" And then, he too was gone. Ranma snarled at the large Demon.
"Bastard! You'll pay for killing him!" He yelled, fury rolling off of him enough o where his battle aura manifested itself. The Demon's face was expressionless.
"You think so human?" He said in a voice without emotion.
"Know that I am called Kain, The Shadow Knight, and I do not appreciate the foolish threats of a young weakling like you…" He then raised a sword, which seemed to be composed of pure darkness, as it was constantly writhing and shifting, though it always retained the shape of a blade. Ranma's eyes widened.
"The Shadow Knight Kain, he's one of the Triad! Dante spoke of him once…" Ranma steeled himself however. He would avenge his fallen brethren, he would not fail Ferio…
"Very brave human, but foolish…" Kain prepared to attack. Before Ranma could even reply however, three figures entered the scene.
"Ranma!" One of them cried. Ranma smiled slightly as he knew it to be Elly and the other two Elite.
"Stand down Ranma, this is not your fight…" Dante, commanded. Ranma was temped to disobey, but nodded and stepped back. Dante slid into position in front of him, Alastor sheathed on his back. Ranma stood protectively in front of Elly and Fuu. Kain seemed to hesitate slightly at the sight of Dante.
"So! The traitor shows his face!" Kain sneered. Dante scowled but said nothing. Ranma still had his sword out, and was ready to back his leader up. Elly and Fuu also had their weapons drawn, and stood ready for whatever might come. Much to their surprise however, Dante unsheathed Alastor, and tossed it to Ranma, who caught the large weapon with a gape upon his face. Dante spoke without keeping his eyes off Kain.
"Take that Ranma. I want you to have it. Take good care of Alastor for me will you?" He asked. He then drew another sword from the red trench coat he always wore.
"Now go! All of you! Get out of here!" He then leapt at Kain, who seemed to smile and met his attack. Ranma quickly herded the girls out, trusting his leader. Once they were gone. Kain spoke to Dante.
"So, the embryo is not yet grown then?" He asked without expecting an answer. Dante smirked and slashed at him, only to be blocked.
"Hmmf, you'll never understand how to make it hatch…" He then went for another strike. Kain blocked easily.
"Perhaps, but you will tell us traitor." He said. Dante scowled and leapt at him in a leaping chop.
"Like hell!!!!!!" He roared, the sword he wielded snapped under the strength of the blow. Kain smirked.
"Ah well, this will be fun…"
Ranma and the two girls ran through the bloody halls of the Templar HQ. It used to be a church actually, but it was modified, and lengthened to house the Templar Knights. Based in Rome, it was a beautiful place, but now, it was covered in blood, pain, and sorrow. Along the way, they passed Ferio's body. Still wet with blood. Ranma swore as he realized Fuu saw it. The woman walked over to the body, trembling and shaking her head slowly.
"Oh…Oh God…no…" She whispered in a tiny voice. Elly bowed her head and moved to comfort her friend.
"Please, leave me…" Fuu whispered, still staring at Ferio. Elly blinked but shook her head.
"We can't Fuu! We have to keep moving…or the Demons will come…" Elly tried to get her friend to see reason.
"I don't care anymore…" Fuu whispered. Finally, Ranma decided to try and move her by force. Instead, he found the point of Tempest lying in front of his face.
"Just go Ranma…and take Elly with you…That's an order…" Her voice was so soft and distant. Ranma was about to argue, but finally, Elly sighed sadly, and grabbed his arm.
"Come Ranma, it's too late for her…" She whispered. Ranma nodded slowly, and the turned to go. When he turned back to take a final glance at her. She was sitting beside Ferio, her head bowed, and Tempest slung lazily along her shoulder. Then, he followed Elly through a door, and Fuu was gone.
"Ferio…" Fuu whispered. She caressed his face, smiling without humor at the smile upon it.
"You never…could take anything seriously could you…" She whispered.
"I hope Ranma and Elly get away…"
"You should worry more for yourself…" A voice said from her side. She turned to see Kain. She said nothing, and turned back to Ferio. Kain raised his sword.
Ranma cursed as he saw the exit was locked. He and Elly had finally reached it after several minutes of running and trying not to think about the death of their friends.
"Damn it! Now what!" He cried helplessly. He turned to see Kain appear from behind a pillar.
"Now you die. None shall live upon seeing any of the Triad…" He readied his shadow sword. Elly drew her own swords, the blades glinting in the moonlight.
"We will see Demon…" She whispered. Kain smirked.
"Yes, we will won't we. I sincerely hope for your sake that you put up a better fight then your leader or your lovely little friend...." He said in a sinister voice laced with evil.
Ranma, get out of here now…" Elly whispered, glaring at Kain with hatred. Ranma shook his head.
"No damn way Elly…" I've lost too many friends as is, I won't lose you too…We fight together…" He then slid into a combat stance, Alastor held in front of him. Elly smiled slightly at his words.
"Alright Ranma…together…" She then turned suddenly, and kissed him passionately. Breaking the kiss, she whispered two words.
"I'm sorry…" She then hit a hidden button by the door, opening it wide, and shoved the shocked Ranma through, before closing it once more.
"Go Ranma, and promise me…Promise me you'll live!" She yelled. Before leaping at Kain. Ranma screamed and pounded on the door.
"Elly! Open the damn door! Please for the love of God! ELLY!!!!" A sensation stabbed into his mind. He saw things he had never seen before, then he felt faint, and the world went black.
Author's Notes: Okay, this one's really weird, and I apologize if it seems so. I'm also sorry if it's bit choppy, but this is very rough! It's just an idea I sort of threw together. Don't ask about why I used the characters I did, I just felt like it. Yes Dante is from Devil May Cry, Elly is from Xenogears, Fuu and Ferio are from Rayearth, and Kyo is from King of Fighters. This is AU! So anything goes! Tell me what you think, and let me know if I should continue. If I do, you can bet next chapter is really gonna heat up. Heh heh heh. Bye!