TRTSS23: Clash of the Ranma! – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and others belong to their respective owners…save for Greek lore, that's public domain (although the modern Greeks might have a say about that…no, really, they are that prideful of their heritage).

Note: This is an eight-part story.

Special Note: For clarification, "Agrippos" (He of the Horse) = Ranma Saotome and Kounelia (She of the Rabbit) = Usagi Tsukino. Generally speaking, as time travelers, Ranma and Usagi try to fit in, so that they don't attract attention. As always, C&C are welcomed.


Part 8


The Temple of Persephone had been once a grand place back in its day, until an unknown malady caused it to fall apart. No one save for the gods knew what happened, only that the Gorgon Medusa was responsible for what had happened to it, and now hides within the ruins like a crazed caretaker.

Usagi and Hakeem both lurked in places where it was hot, yet well hidden from most eyes.

Usagi had her bow ready, as she motions her partner to move off to the left side. Her keen senses told her that Medusa was nearby…

"Ulp!" Usagi said, as she sees the Gorgon rises in front of her…

"Skree!" Medusa said, as she used her hideous gaze to freeze Usagi in place.

Satisfied that her prey was turned to stone, Medusa moves off to her next quarry.

"Did you hear that?" Perseus asked, as he glanced back towards his friend. "Do you know what it means?"

"It means that Medusa is about to attack," Ranma said, as he places his head band over his eyes.

"How is THAT going to help us?" Perseus asked.

"I've been trained to fight without the use of my sight, Perseus," Ranma said, as he rolled his neck. "It is called the 'Art of Blind Fighting'."

"Well, you should have taught me how to do it, Agrippos," Perseus said, as he grits his teeth.

"Maybe next time. Now, you run ahead. That should drive Medusa into the open. You shouldn't have to worry about her, unless she is up close."

"I don't think that is much comfort," Perseus said, as he crouches a bit for a sprint. "Ready."

"Okay. One, two, three…GO!"

Perseus yells, as he sprints down a path.

Medusa turns to see this, and lobs off a volley of arrows, but misses her mark.

"Arrrgh!" Medusa yelled in frustration, as she takes off after Perseus, who leaps over the ravine of lava, and slides underneath a fallen column.

Meanwhile, Ranma is close behind. Based upon the direction that Perseus and Medusa were going, they should be running into Usagi and Hakeem any time now.

Meanwhile, Perseus continues to run. He catches a glimpse of someone familiar.

"DUCK!" Hakeem said, as Perseus does as he is told…

With a solid punch, Hakeem punches Medusa in the mouth, knocking her back, straight into Ranma's arms.

"Hold still, Medusa!" Ranma said, as he grabs Medusa behind. Unfortunately, her snakes-for-hair were biting his face.

"Arrrgh!"

At the same time, Medusa grabs Hakeem by her snake tail, and attempts to use her stone gaze on the djinn.

"Skreee!" Medusa screeched.

Hakeem respond by laughing at her, as he reveals to her his blue, glowing heart.

"Hakeem gave up his humanity to be a man of living stone," Ranma said, as he held on. "Give up."

"Never!" Medusa yelled, as she flings Hakeem away, and began to move about the ruins, slamming Ranma into the ruins in the process.

"Oof!" Ranma said, as he tried to hold on, although the Gorgon's sleekness was making it difficult for him to hold on to her.

Eventually, he fell off Medusa in a heap. Unfortunately, his blindfold came off in the process.

"Ow," Ranma said, as he felt his back.

"Now, you shall join my collection," Medusa said, as she was about to give Ranma the Stone Stare. However, a sudden volley of arrows intercepted her path.

"Who did that?" Medusa yelled, as she whirled around. All she saw was a statue of a female archer…

Curious as to the familiarity of the statue, Medusa crept up to the archer.

"How is she here?" Medusa said to herself, as Usagi suddenly opened her eyes.

"Surprise," Usagi said in a gravel voice, as her eyes glows a glowing blue, before she punched Medusa in the face.

Medusa flew backwards, surprised by these turn of events. She attempted to recover, only to have Perseus grab her head, ignoring the bites from her snake-hair.

"I should cut your head off for what you have done," Perseus said. "But I think my Mother would not disapprove, even now."

"What…what do you want?" Medusa asked. "Did Athen send you to torment me?"

"We need your help," Ranma said, as he produces a nap sack. "But first, we want YOU to put this on."

"What?"

"After what you did to Usagi, consider this as a precaution," Ranma said warily, as Hakeem comforted his new "sister".

"Your only choice, monster," Perseus said, as he pressed his blade on Medusa'a neck.

"So be it," Medusa said, as she allowed Ranma to cover her head with the burlap sack. "I am curious as to why my gaze had no effect on two of your party."

"Hakeem is a 'djinn', a living stone man," Ranma said.

"And don't know the hell what you did to my Mother, but you should lose your head over THAT," Perseus said.

"It's okay," Usagi said.

"Since when has being a golem-whatever okay?" Ranma asked incredulously.

"Well, no, but Hakeem and I knew that Medusa is one tricky lady. So, during the crossing of the River Styx, Hakeem taught me how to move my body while in stone form, with his boon."

"Are you…stuck like this?" Perseus asked.

"No. I just need to drink some Nectar of the gods, and my form can be reversed," Usagi said, as she took out a vial from her pack. "Thank Bell and the others for foreseeing the need for this…"

Usagi took a sip of the golden liquid, before placing the remaining contents back into her fanny pack. Slowly, Usagi's stone flesh becomes flesh again.

"Mother, you're okay!" Perseus exclaimed. "I thought, well…"

"Son, I haven't lived this long without a trick or two," Usagi said with a sigh. "Sometimes, being so lucky is a curse."

"Mother, don't say that," Perseus chided. "I don't want Ichthysa and I to lose you, too."

"Well, no need to worry, dear," Usagi said, as she hugged Perseus. "I promise you that I won't pass on anytime time soon."

"I'll hold you to that promise…"

"What are you going to do with me, strangers?" Medusa asked.

"We need to record your visage," Ranma said. "I have the means to record your visage, including your terrible power. Instead of removing your head, we can use this other method."

"And what do I get for this service? Will you cure me of my affliction?"

"You get to keep your head?" Perseus said with a smirk.

"Perseus, at ease," Usagi said.

"We can't overcome the curse of another god, but I can give you something of a cure," Ranma said.

"Okay, I'm listening…"

A short time later, Perseus, Usagi and Hakeem walk out of the Temple of Persephone.

"Why do you think Agrippos wanted to teach Medusa alone?" Perseus asked.

"Well, he tends to be hands on, in his training methods," Usagi said red faced.

"Graar!" Hakeem said.

"Yes, I KNOW that, Hakeem, which is why I'm not going to interfere."

"What did 'Rocky' say?" Perseus asked.

"A better question is: what are you going to do next, Perseus?" said Calibos, as he held Io threateningly.

"Calibos!" Perseus said, as he, Usagi and Hakeem had placed their hands on their respective weapons.

"Put that weapon down, Acrisius," Usagi said. "You don't need to do this."

"Why do you call him Acrisius?" Perseus asked.

"Because he is your grandfather."

"What?" Perseus said.

"Now, you know," Calibos said with a sneer.

"What is the meaning of this?" Perseus asked, as he turns towards his mother. "You know this man?"

"I do," Usagi said with a sigh. "It's the reason why you came to me, my son…"

Usagi quickly tells Perseus about the war Acrisius, king of Argos, waged war on Zeus' favorite. In retaliation, Zeus slept with his daughter Denae in order to get "satisfaction".

"Agrippos and I knew Acrisius back in our traveling days," Usagi said. "In fact, Agrippos was Acrisius' fight master."

"That's why it was hard for me to kill him," Perseus said in surprise.

"Now that you know that, it's time to rid the shame that the king of the gods inflicted upon my house!" Calibos said, as he rounds on Perseus, after he pushes Io to the side.

"Acrisius, we can cure you, you know!" Usagi said.

"I know, goddess of Bunnies," Calibos said. "I could have asked for it when I attacked the last time."

"So why are you doing this?" Perseus asked, as he brings his guard up.

"Pride, I suppose," Calibos said. "I AM Greek, after all…"

And, with that, Calibos attacked.

Tbc.