Joining 19 b : The Perfect Difference
Author's note
Hey guys, it's been a while. Sorry to those who thought I was dead. I've been busy, but this story is going to keep going. The general consensus seems to be that everyone wants to continue, so so be it. Catch you all next time.
S
The two opponents were a stark contrast. One was a pretty young woman with long brown hair and brown eyes. The other was a tall man, almost 6 foot in height, with white hair and gray eyes. He had a scowl on his face that suggested that whatever it was that he was doing, he hated it. The woman however was smiling as though she was about to have dinner with friends. Even the clothes they were wearing were markedly different. The woman was wearing pristine white robes that seemed somehow symbolic of her nature. The man was wearing wrinkled gray robes that suggested that he didn't give a damn. They were standing on opposite sides of a crater that Goku had personally dug with his body, staring at each other from 30 feet away.
Ranma glanced down curiously as a cool breeze drifted across his skin and clothes. "Is there a draft in here?"
"That's from their conflicting auras," The White Wizard said, "it's called miten kori, or perfect difference. This is what happens when the magical auras of two wizards who are completely opposite come into contact."
'Even I haven't heard of this before,' Nabiki thought to herself in interest. 'Mother's book didn't mention anything about it.'
"It's extremely rare," The White Wizard added, "Even across multiple generations of wizards only two or three perfect differences will ever coexist."
"What I want to know is what the consequences will be," Piccolo said, "will this be an advantage or a disadvantage?"
"It's impossible to tell, but I can say that for me it's a relief. Because their powers stem from opposite ends of the magical spectrum it means that neither side is capable of directly overwhelming the other. Kasumi stands a chance of at least holding her own."
"Who trained you?" Nabiki interjected with a sharp glance at the White Wizard.
He blinked in surprise. "Where did that come from?"
Nabiki looked at him suspiciously for a moment. "You came out of nowhere to help out Akane and now you're here risking your life for her. You know things about magic that I've never heard of before and can cast a spell that bends the nature of the universe itself. Who taught you all of this?"
"I suppose it would be fair for me to tell you. I was trained by an arch magi by the name of Maple. He's sort of an inter-dimensional policeman but he also likes to interfere with individual dimensions. That's why I'm here."
'His master's name was Maple?' Ranma asked himself. 'That was the name of the guy who sent Goku and me to the amazons for the technique of Joining. Is it the same guy?'
"I guess I'll accept that answer," Nabiki said, still eyeing the White Wizard suspiciously.
"Enough talk," Piccolo stated, "they're about to start."
"You'll regret ever choosing to fight me," Rykuyo boasted, "Ripping!" As though he were making some kind of pitch he drew his left arm back and threw it towards Kasumi. Out of his fingers came a black claw that flew reaching and straining for her throat.
"That's an unpleasant spell," Kasumi said with a gentle smile, "this will help. Blossom." In midair the claw transformed into a bouquet of white roses which landed neatly in her arms. "They're beautiful!"
"Horrid growth!" Rykuyo spat in disgust. Immediately the thorns on the roses began to pulsate and grow rapidly while wrapping themselves around Kasumi.
"Calming mist," Kasumi said tapping a thorn with one finger. Immediately light dew covered the plants and the pulsating stopped. The roses then expanded for a moment and then contracted, as though they had just taken a deep breath. They then slowly drooped off of her body and then fell onto the floor. All around Kasumi beads of water were hanging in the air and everyone who watched took a deep breath and then sighed in relief.
"It feels like I've been meditating for hours," Ranma commented in surprise.
"Those kinds of spells are Kasumi's specialty," Nabiki said not being able to help but smile. "They always have been."
"Do we have to do this?" Kasumi asked Rykuyo, "all I want is to see my little sister again."
"Don't fool yourself," Rykuyo stated harshly, "I'm here for only one reason. I'm going to kill you if I can. And if you want to survive you should do your best to kill me."
Minder crossed his arms while a devious smile played at his face. 'Of all the fights that we've seen today no two combaters will be as different as these two. The White Wizard is correct, perfect difference indeed. Even to me the outcome of this fight is unclear.'
Rykuyo dropped to both knees and placed his hands flat on the ground. "Black Rager!" he spat, as though it was some kind of curse word.
Immediately darkness pooled out from his hand as though he had tapped an underground fountain. Spreading out from his hand the darkness expanded rapidly and began to take a serpentine shape. It grew for almost ten seconds before it reached its final form, that of a huge dragon almost twenty feet high with deep black scales and dark blue claws. Its eyes were like sapphire spotlights and its teeth were like polished ivory daggers. Slowly it turned its head and surveyed Kasumi who only stared up at it with wide brown eyes.
"What the hell kind of creature is that?" Nabiki asked after a moment of stunned silence.
"It looks like a dragon," Goku commented.
"I can see that," Nabiki said dryly, "I was asking for what kind of powers it would have."
"I've heard of this one," The White Wizard said thoughtfully. "It's known as a black summon. It's a spell that takes a piece of the soul of the caster and manifests it in a physical form. It's very powerful but also risky. I guess that Rykuyo feels confident that Kasumi is incapable of destroying it."
'Damn it,' Ranma thought to himself, 'I didn't expect something like this. Still though, if Kasumi can keep her cool it should work.' He looked carefully at Kasumi who was in turn staring up at the dragon in amazement. 'I know I should have faith in her but still... damn it, I wish it were my turn to fight!'
"Are you afraid Kasumi?" Rykuyo asked smugly, "you should have expected this. I am after all an expert summoner. One of your meager powers couldn't hope to match me."
"I don't need to be strong. I was taught long ago that the power of a wizard doesn't rely on the talent but on the heart."
Rykuyo snorted, "what kind of rubbish is that? Those with power make the rules for those without. Next to this simple truth nothing else matters."
"I was taught differently," Kasumi said quietly.
S
The crescent moon was a pale orange in the night sky above. Despite the many lights of the city the stars this night were clearly visible, an odd sight. Those who were still out for whatever reason paused from time to time to gaze upwards and wonder.
On this night there was a humble house. All of the windows on this house were dark, save one. Inside that window there was a pretty young teenage girl with brown hair and eyes who was sitting at a desk that was almost too large for her. Opened in front of her on the desk was a small handbook. The pages inside the book were a yellowish parchment and were filled with extremely neat writing, almost calligraphy.
The girl sat in the chair staring intently at the pages before shaking her head in frustration and turning them. When she came to the next two pages she would sit for another few minutes before finally giving up and turning the pages again.
Finally she sighed in defeat and closed the book with a resounding thud. Resting her chin in her hands she sat quietly for a moment before looking at a picture that was sitting on her desk. It was of a beautiful young woman who looked remarkably like the girl who was sitting in the chair.
"How did you do it mother?" the girl asked quietly, "how were you able to master so many different magics?"
She waited for a moment but no answer came. Sitting back up in her chair she opened the book again, turning to a sort of table of contents on the first page. "I learned chapters one and two easily enough," she said indicating the first two sections that were listed in the book, "but everything else, I just can't understand. It says that compassion is for healing and defense. It then says that anger is for attacking and infliction. But father says never to hurt anything in anger. So how can anyone attack with magic?"
She waited, but the conundrum didn't present an answer. "Does that mean that magic can't be used to attack?"
She waited again, and then sighed. "But I trust father. I won't go against his wishes." She looked again at the picture. "Or yours mother. I'll use my powers to protect, and not to hurt."
S
Kasumi couldn't help but shiver as the dragon turned it's shifting blue eyes towards her. She could feel the hate and confusion emanating from the dragon. "It feels like you," she said suddenly, surprising herself.
"What?"
"The dragon, it shares your sadness and ignorance. I feel bad for it."
Rykuyo snorted in disgust. "It's just a mindless beast. If you become emotionally attached to it you will be destroyed."
Kasumi smiled gently. "Don't worry, I forgive you."
"Damn you," Rykuyo muttered under his breath, "you mock me."
"Is this part of your plan Ranma?" The White Wizard asked.
"Sort of, but she's doing it on her own," Ranma smiled, "I didn't know that she could take her enemy off balance like that."
"It's happening naturally," Nabiki said, "Kasumi isn't angering him deliberately. She's meant those things that she said."
Rykuyo pointed at Kasumi, "Destroy her!"
The dragon responded immediately. Charging past Rykuyo it dived for Kasumi with its mouth wide open. "Shield," she said calmly, holding up one hand as though in denial to the dragon.
A thin aura of light appeared around her just as the dragon's jaws closed on her. Mouth wide it strained as it attempted to crush her shield. "Your pain, it's so strong."
"Shut up!"
'That girl's insight is incredible,' Minder thought, examining Kasumi carefully. 'It's not often that someone can so easily recognize the heart of another creature. But what is uncertain is whether or not she can protect herself from the incredible power that pain generates.'
"Crush her!" Rykuyo ordered the dragon, "grind her to dust!"
"Kasumi is stronger then I expected," Piccolo said, "the dragon's strength is obvious yet she's repelling it."
"It's because of Kasumi's focused heart," the White Wizard said. "It's increasing her power ten fold."
"You don't need to be angry anymore." Kasumi told the dragon soothingly. "Peace." Waving one hand through the air she lowered her head as though in prayer.
Seeming to sigh in relief the dragon relaxed it's jaws and then stepped backwards from her. Lowering its head it closed its eyes and started snoring loudly.
Rykuyo stared at the unconscious dragon. "That's impossible."
"She put a Black Summon to sleep?!" the White Wizard said in a hushed voice, "that's almost impossible!"
"What's so special about that?" Piccolo asked.
"Like I said before, the Black Summon directly takes a piece of its casters soul. But even though it has a body it's not really alive. It shouldn't need sleep at all. That spell must have pacified it to an unprecedented extreme."
"Worthless," Rykuyo spat, "leave my sight." Swinging his left hand dismissively he banished the sleeping dragon, which disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. "Now you," he said, glaring at Kasumi, "I will show you no mercy. If you don't defend yourself properly you will die."
"Don't worry about me," Kasumi said while smiling softly, "I'm more worried about you. Please don't push yourself too hard."
"Flaring!" Out of the wizard's hand came a small ball that resembled a star. Exploding over and over in front of him it grew in size until its diameter was the height of his body. Making a pushing motion he sent the aura of explosions flying towards Kasumi.
"That's a higher level attack spell," Nabiki noted.
"Yes, I haven't heard of it before," the White Wizard added.
"It's strong, Rykuyo used it against me when we fought," Ranma said, "It's just as dangerous as it looks." He glanced over at Minder. 'This might be bad, if it gets too much worse then I can stop the spell, but I won't be able to without him recognizing my move. I guess I'll have to leave it to Kasumi.' He frowned and crossed his arms, 'keep it together Kasumi. If you win here then it's up to Piccolo and me, and I know we can do it.'
"Mystic Wall," Kasumi said while making a waving motion with her left hand. Appearing directly before the ball of explosions appeared a curtain seemingly made out of silver glitter. Glowing brilliantly the silver wrapped around the fire slowing down its progression.
"Too weak!" Rykuyo barked. Clenching both of his hands together he pulled them apart violently. In response the explosions pulsed greatly ripping and then disintegrating the silver wall in a single instant. In the same motion he pushed both of his hands towards Kasumi open palmed causing the violently shifting fire to rocket towards her.
Kasumi looked at the flames for only a second before she was forced to turn away because of the heat. "No!" the White Wizard yelled. Bending his knees Ranma's body tensed as he prepared to move, "Come on Kasumi," he whispered.
Minder grinned slightly. 'She simply doesn't have the power to stop it. That spell is much too strong for her. What will you do?'
'The hate is too strong,' Kasumi thought to herself, 'Mother, what would you do?' She stopped for a moment, so that the fire was just seconds away, and smiled. Waving her hands again, she said softly, "Mystic Wall."
Again the wall of silver sparkles appeared and wrapped around the ball of fire. 'This again?' thought everyone in the room.
"Worthless!" Rykuyo yelled in victory. Clenching his hands he prepared to expand his spell.
Kasumi looked over at him, her eyes lowered in a combination of abject pity and love. "Mother's embrace."
At her words a beautiful spectral woman wearing a flowing white night gown appeared in front of Rykuyo. Staring with glowing blue eyes into his surprised face she gently leaned up and kissed him on the cheek before wrapping him in a hug. Immediately the fire exploded into silver tinted fireworks that had Kasumi and her friends diving for cover.
"That's... incredible," Piccolo said in a low voice.
"That's Kasumi," Nabiki said with a shake of her head, "even though I've seen it before I have trouble believing it."
"In all of my years of training I've never heard of such a spell," the White Wizard admitted.
"Not bad," Minder and Ranma said in unison. Glancing at each other the former smiled while the latter frowned.
"Please," Kasumi begged, "just rest."
Rykuyo stood frozen while tears ran down the side of his face. "Such a low level defensive spell," he muttered, "disappear." Immediately the spectral woman vanished. Standing still for a moment Rykuyo fell to his knees and cupped his face in his hands. Staying there his body shuddered while being wracked by silent sobs.
"Oh no," Kasumi said quietly. Looking at Rykuyo yearningly she slowly walked towards him around the crater.
"Leave him be," Minder ordered her.
"How can you say that?" Kasumi asked, not even looking at him. "You're his teacher."
"You don't understand," Minder said wearily. "You can't help him. Of my three disciples his past is by far the most tragic."
"That's why he needs affection," Kasumi said now turning to face him. Her expression shocked her friends who were used to her soft and gentle emotions. Her eyes held intensity.
"Is this what you had in mind Ranma?" Nabiki asked giving him a sideways glance.
"Kinda," Ranma said in disbelief. "But Kasumi sort of over performed her role."
"Ranma had intended that Kasumi protect herself while wearing down Rykuyo's desire to fight, eventually leaving him open to some kind of sleep or otherwise submission spell," Piccolo said. "He could tell from when he fought Rykuyo that the wizard was mentally unstable enough for this plan to work. However, not only has she protected herself but she unintentionally inflicted a complete mental breakdown of her enemy."
"Nice plan." Goku said admiringly, patting Ranma on the back.
"Feeling better?" Ranma asked, looking at him.
"I'm still feeling pretty beat up." Goku said while touching some now prominent bruises on his body. "But I'll be alright. You know me, I heal fast." He looked over at Rykuyo. "But this could be a big problem."
"What do you mean?" Ranma asked.
"Well, I don't know that much about magic, but I know that in martial arts extreme amounts of emotion can cause power surges. Heck, that's how we beat Captain Ginyu."
"Good point," Ranma admitted looking back to Rykuyo.
"How could it be so tragic that you wouldn't want him to be helped?" Kasumi asked challengingly.
"Furthermore, this is a fight," the White Wizard added, "if she chose to comfort him what right would you have to stop her?"
Minder stopped and glanced over at the White Wizard, considering him. "You make an excellent point." He looked at Kasumi. "Then this is the situation. You have won this fight. If you declare your victory then it will end and I will place Rykuyo beyond your reach. I believe that if you attempt to interfere with him now it will be disastrous for both of you. However if you wish to continue your beneficiary pursuit then by all means do so, keeping in mind that this fight is not yet over."
"First, tell me why he reacted that way to the image of his mother."
"Fair enough I suppose. Rykuyo's mother was an unfortunate subject of demon possession when he was only ten years old. She died a tortured death in front of his eyes inflicting such nightmarish memories that he actually killed himself in an attempt to dispel them. The demon then went to the beyond and forcibly resurrected him. I found him just a few weeks later and banished the demon and ever since have been working on mental reconstruction through magical training and strict discipline. Does that paint a picture that you can understand?"
"I see." Kasumi whispered, her face going completely white.
"Don't look at me," Piccolo barked at Ranma and Goku who were eyeing him uneasily. "I made it clear that blatant resurrection was completely forbidden."
"It must have been an old co-worker of your old man then," Ranma said with a shrug.
"I don't think anyone but Piccolo would have been that strong," Goku said with a frown. "Are you sure it's not the other kind of demon?"
Nabiki kept her expression neutral during this conversation. 'Are they saying that Piccolo is a demon?' she asked herself glancing at him, 'but how can that be true?"
"You presume correctly saiyajin," Minder said. "It was a greater demon, the same race as Freezer. I can assume that your trained friend knows what that means," he looked pointedly at the White Wizard.
"It means that he has the taint," the White Wizard said uneasily.
"What exactly is the taint?" Ranma asked, "and how do I know that I'm not going to like your answer?"
"It's a result of demonic resurrection. Even if the demon is banished afterwards its spiritual fingerprints are left on the soul of its victim."
"Do you understand now Kasumi?" Minder asked. "You can't help him. No amount of power or skill will make you capable of success."
"You don't understand what it is that he feels," Kasumi said softly. "But I can help him." She looked over at Ranma, her face pleading.
Ranma looked at her and then nodded slightly. "Against my better judgment," he whispered to Goku, 'but it's her fight. I have no right to tell her yes or no."
"Your decision is based on the martial artists' code?" Goku asked with a smile.
"Of course."
Looking back at Rykuyo Kasumi's expression softened. Walking towards him quickly but gracefully she slowed down when she was only 10 feet away. Carefully approaching him she slowly dropped to her knees besides him. "Please let me help you." Laying one hand on his forehead she closed her eyes and whispered a few silent words.
S
I was alone. Or at least that's how I felt. Sitting in a small chair in an empty office staring at where my feet used to be all I saw was a blue fire. It would have been cool, had I not been dead. That's what I told myself anyways.
But this wasn't what death was supposed to be. At the time it seemed like such an easy escape, take the nice darkness and go. I had thought that I would just disappear, disappear and be with mother again. But now I was dead, and feeling a horrible clawing feeling in my gut. It was the same kind of feeling that I felt when I was sent to my room, but much worse. What did mother call it? Guilt maybe.
But in any case I was dead now. The large man behind the desk seemed disappointed. He said that I was too innocent to go to Hell, but was weighed down too much with guilt to go to heaven. The solution? Post-life psychiatric counseling in a place that they called Purgatory.
You'd think that in a place like this that they'd have angels or something do the work. You know, people who were perfectly kind and innocent who would understand everything you said and then give you a hug at the end of every session while telling you that everything was going to be okay? Instead they had professional dead psychiatrists who sat you in a chair and tried to figure out whether or not your sexual relationship with your mother or lack thereof was the root of your guilt. What the hell! I was a kid, I didn't know about that shit! I only felt worse as time passed. I found myself wishing that they'd just put me in Hell so I could get away from that place.
A few weeks passed, I think. They don't really have day or night and don't firmly keep track of the passage of time. But I know that at some point a different kind of visitor came to me. He was dressed in a double-breasted black suit with a top hat and a white tie, like some kind of gangster from a movie. He actually didn't look that different from any of the other workers there, except for his eyes. They resembled shifting glowing embers. I had seen them before.
"You're the one," I whispered in a tiny voice. I was filled with a combination of fear, hate and despair. It was horrible, I recall. "How did you find me here?"
"Little Rykuyo," the man said while shaking his head and clicking his tongue. "Did you really think that you could escape me by coming to this place?" He held up both of his hands as though to indicate the entire building. "I could have marched directly into Hell in order to find you, and here you are in this low security dump. Not exactly a challenge."
"You killed my mommy," I said in a whining voice. Well, I was a kid, and I was traumatized. This was the one; I knew that this was the one who did it. I never saw his face before she died but I knew by looking at him, it was clear. The feeling in my gut, or at least in my deep blue spiritual region: it was the same.
"Yes, I did kill her," the man said with a huge grin, like I had just complimented him on some kind of victory. "I checked her records before coming down here and guess what I found? She too is in this dump receiving counseling for the guilt she's feeling by leaving her son behind alone to fend for himself. I dropped by to talk with her and accidentally let it slip that you had killed yourself because of the pain you were feeling. I'm afraid that she may never recover now." He grinned wider, the smile now freakishly stretching through his cheeks to the side of his head. "It's a pity I'm afraid."
I couldn't react, I couldn't speak. I just stayed still, feeling the pain burning inside me. It's so much worse when you don't have a body. You can't protect yourself by being exhausted. What's worse is that you can't cry, there are no tears. You have to bear everything fully, all the time. It was horrible.
"No words? I guess that I shouldn't be surprised, I am a professional after all." He looked down at a watch that he had on one hand. "I suppose that I should move along." He knelt next to me and stared at where my eyes should have been. "I have a special treat for you Rykuyo, a special one time event. But you have to promise not to tell anyone what I intend to do." He held up one finger to his mouth as though to emphasize. "I'm going to take you with me when I leave."
This sent my mind reeling with disbelief, take me with him, but I was dead! I wanted that even less then I wanted to stay here!
"You don't think I can do it do you?" He asked in a small voice. "Well, I suppose that I can't blame you for not understanding. But the process is simple really." Holding out both of his hands he conjured a black briefcase and then opened it in front of me. "Just hop in here and we'll be good to go."
I didn't move, I couldn't I was petrified. But I knew one thing; I sure as hell wasn't getting in that briefcase.
He chuckled, "I suppose that I should have anticipated this response. But you of course, a spirit without a body, also have no prayer." Reached up with hand he picked me up by the scruff of my blue fire and neatly deposited me in the case and closed it over me. He was right, I never stood a chance.
It was dark for a while, endlessly dark. Eventually I blinked, and found myself lying flat on my back on the kitchen floor. Right where I had left myself. It's amazing really, how the passage of time can be manipulated. Then crawling my way up to my knees I attempted to gorge myself on some well deserved tears. But they didn't come.
"I'm still with you," I heard a voice whisper from inside me, "I will always be a part of you, Rykuyo. You will never let me go, I will never leave you."
It was him. He had resurrected me only to possess me. I had never been raped before, but I imagine that demon possession is something that's a lot like it. Only worse, because no one that I've ever heard of has ever been raped non-stop for three weeks straight.
That of course was when I met Minder, henceforth called Mr. President. I still remember the look in his blue eyes when he first saw me. No one else had ever looked at me like that. I could tell that he understood at a glance what I was going through. This was when I witnessed my first spell. He muttered a single word and the demon that was inside me ran for the hills and disappeared. I was free. Immediately I sighed in relief and fell to the ground and started to cry.
Kneeling down next to me Minder explained that I had some difficult times ahead. If I didn't mind he'd be willing to take me in and provide for me. He'd give me power, so I wouldn't be vulnerable to anyone ever again, and he'd be my father and my master. The pain of the possession still clear in my mind I accepted, and then never looked back. I decided that being strong was everything, and I was willing to give anything for that power. So I trained, and became strong. But still, I can feel that weakness living inside me. Gone but not forgotten, the demon will always be with me. And I will always be his.
S
Every pigment drained from Kasumi's face, leaving her as pale as a ghost. Her shock was such that even her eyes seemed to lose a bit of their usual rich brown. "I had no idea," she whispered quietly to herself, "and so since then you've tried to build a wall of discipline and strength to keep the feelings of pain away."
Rykuyo didn't say anything; he just continued sobbing wrapped in himself. Looking at him with wide eyes tears started to well up until she too began to cry.
"Isn't this just a bit ridiculous?" Piccolo mumbled. "What happened to the fight?"
"Give them a break," Nabiki said crossing her arms, "Neither of them has cried in a long time."
"True," the White Wizard agreed, "it might help with releasing the pain. But this won't release the taint."
"Why is this taint so special?" Ranma asked.
"The demon has left his mark on Rykuyo's soul. It's like a scar that can never heal. But the potential consequences are... well horrible."
"For example?"
"The demon though banished is difficult to truly destroy, even for a magi of the highest level. Now that it's possessed Rykuyo it will always remember the taste of his soul."
"Damn," Ranma said lowly, "so are you saying that it can return to repossess him?"
"Don't worry," the White Wizard said confidently, "Minder was the one who removed the demon. As long as Rykuyo is under his protection there's no way that it would return again. It would be banished immediately."
Immediately a black aura flared around Rykuyo. Surprising her with its force Kasumi was picked up and thrown back several feet into the crater. Catching herself in midair with a quickly cast spell she hovered staring in shock at Rykuyo.
He was breathing heavily, his lifeless gray hair rising around his head. His aura blazed black around him and his eyes burned red. "Rykuyo," he whispered under his breath, his voice completely clear, "do you remember me?"
"Shit," Ranma muttered.
"I was going to go with 'damn', but yours works," Nabiki said.
"This is a worse case scenario," the White Wizard said, trying to be cheerful. "At least things can't get much worse."
"You," Kasumi whispered, "you're the demon."
"Yes, that would be me. You may call me Wracks, and you I presume are Kasumi."
"And I am Minder," Minder stated from the sidelines. Looking at him Kasumi's friends were surprised to see his head lowered while a faint red aura surrounded him. His blue eyes burned faintly in his sockets and his face was tense. Needless to say he looked pissed.
"Have you forgotten me demon? I'm the one who banished you. I have not given you permission to return."
"You gave me permission the instant you let this child stand on his own," Wracks told him confidently. "I have just bided my time and waited until such an opportunity arose. But you," he pointed one finger at Minder, "have no right to interfere with me now."
"Why is that?"
"Because this fight is between Rykuyo and Kasumi. And I have been with Rykuyo since the beginning of the fight, hiding myself. Therefore it is my privilege to finish it. Ask your friend if you don't believe me."
Minder stopped for a second, and then sighed as he released his energy. "You're right," he said coolly, all evidence of his anger gone. "You have every right to finish this fight."
"You see, my plan is perfect," Wracks said with a twisted grin. Turning he looked over at Kasumi. "Are you prepared little lady? After I defeat you I will take your body and soul as my prize."
Kasumi stared at Rykuyo, hovering in the air. Ever so slightly her hands started to shake.
"Is it possible?" Nabiki asked herself in awe.
"I'd say so," Goku said, "who'd of thought it?"
"Is she... angry?" the White Wizard asked.
Minder grinned to himself and shook his head. "It's true that you caught Rykuyo in a moment of weakness Wracks. And further true that I am not permitted to interfere. But you're wrong if you think that Kasumi is weak. Especially against something like you."
"Kasumi cannot harm this body," Wracks said with a smile. "And her power is pathetic compared to mine. I have every advantage."
Kasumi drew her hands to her side and lowered her head. "How dare you?"
"I'm afraid that you're going to have to speak up little lady, I couldn't hear you over the roar." He held out his left hand. "Hell Expander!"
A swirling black flame rushed out of his hand. Cracking as though it were burning an entire lumberyard the fire expanded outwards in a cone towards Kasumi.
Kasumi never blinked. Raising her left hand she waved it in front of her as though to a friend. Immediately the black flame vanished.
"Impossible," the demon said while staring at her, "what spell was that?"
"It's wasn't a spell," the White Wizard said in awe, "that was will magic. But it countered a full fledged spell, that should be impossible."
"That's Kasumi," Nabiki said amazed in spite of herself, "I've never seen her like this before."
"It's obvious that the demon is stronger," Piccolo said, "But Kasumi easily banished the spell."
'Focus is even stronger in magic then it is in martial arts,' Ranma observed. 'Amazing.'
"I can't let you keep him," Kasumi said with her head lowered, "so I'll banish you myself." An aura appeared around her, very light blue in color. The brown color in her eyes cleared somewhat, becoming a translucent crystal. Looking up to stare at him the air shimmered with the intensity of her gaze.
Wracks grinned at her, his mouth stretching freakishly across his face. "You are strong, for a human. I will admit that you perhaps will be a worthy adversary." He bowed to her deeply and stood, holding his arms to either side as though inviting her closer. "I'm curious as to how you intend to banish me, so I will allow you the first attack."
"Calming breeze," Kasumi said while holding both of her hands up to her face. Blowing across her hands a faint trail of blue energy trailed lazily through the air.
A vague frown of annoyance crossed Wracks face. "Clever girl," he muttered, "barrier." Holding out one hand a black barrier surrounded his body repelling the spell.
"Why did he bother stopping it?" Goku asked, "Wouldn't being calm make it easier for him to fight?"
"Don't forget that he's an outsider to his body," Nabiki explained, "Rykuyo would be the one calmed by the spell."
"Under those circumstances he might have the strength of will to repel the demon," the White Wizard observed, "brilliant strategy."
"If I can't burn you perhaps I can cut you, Witness Blade." Tossing up his left hand as though doing an underarm throw he threw a small piece of metal into the air. Shifting and morphing mid-throw it expanded into a large extremely thin piece of metal with no handle. Hesitating for an instant it then dived directly for Kasumi's position.
Kasumi stared at it as it traveled. "Barrier," she said holding out both of her hands in front of her. Appearing around her body was a light blue wall of energy.
While in air the blade tilted so that one of its corners was pointed forwards. Kasumi's eyes widened only mildly as she watched it approach. "Oh no," she whispered before turning sideways desperate to avoid it.
The sword cut through her barrier without even a slowdown cutting deep into her right arm as it passed her. Red blood spilled out soaking her white robes. In response she quickly placed her left hand over her wound and flew up and away. Not hesitating the sword swirled once in a circle to remove the blood and then immediately flew up giving chase.
"The witness blade is an intelligent weapon," Wracks boasted, "it even operates independent of my control. There's no way you can escape it."
"The idea of a flying sword isn't very original, but making it intelligent is certainly clever," the White Wizard observed.
"He's a demon," Piccolo muttered, "why the hell would he care about originality?"
"Why don't you tell us?" Goku asked with a big smile. "Didn't you come up with a new attack just recently?"
"Yeah, the special beam cannon, but I intend to keep that a secret from Minder, so why don't you shut the hell up?"
"As I recall it was quite effective," Goku commented patting himself on the stomach.
"Are you prepared to deal with a second threat?" Wracks asked his malicious smile again prominent on his face. "Spirit Cutter!" Tossing his right hand this time he threw a small shard of glass into the air. Expanding in size its appearance warped until it was in a strange kite shape. Hesitating in the air it pointed one edge at the retreating Kasumi and flew after air trailing the other sword.
Kasumi stopped and turned to consider the oncoming swords. Putting her hands together she closed her eyes and started to chant as though she was praying.
Stopping in the air the Witness sword waited until the spirit blade caught up. It then flew side-by-side with the other sword directly for Kasumi.
Kasumi opened her eyes just an instant before the swords reached her. "Peace." At her command a blue ripple originating at her body traveled in all directions covering the entire contents of the gymnasium in a single instant.
Immediately a sense of relaxation appeared in the minds of everyone there. Wracks screamed out as though in pain and covered his face with his hands. And the two swords hesitated in the air.
But only for an instant. The Witness Blade after stalling dropped quickly down the ground, its desire to fight expunged. The other blade however covered the short distance to Kasumi's position and impaled her through the stomach.
"Impossible, why didn't it stop?" Ranma sputtered in shock.
"It must not have been an intelligent sword," the White Wizard said. "The demon had already said that his witness sword could operate on its own. Apparently he was controlling the other one himself."
Kasumi looked down in shock at the weapon protruding from her stomach. "Vanquishing touch," she whispered touching the glass. Immediately it disappeared, and she floated slowly down to the ground holding her wound.
"Something's wrong," Goku said, staring intently at Kasumi, "she's not wounded but I can see her chi leaking away."
"It was a spiritual attack," Piccolo said, "and it devastated her powers. This took a turn for the worse."
"At least the demon was hit pretty hard," the White Wizard said hopefully.
"Damn you you little bitch," Wracks stuttered as he shook his head and stared at Kasumi, "you hurt me."
"I only restored some confidence to Rykuyo," Kasumi said with a sad smile, "I don't believe that such is a crime."
"I don't care if I get to stay in this world after this fight or not," Wracks cursed as he stood straight up. His red eyes blazed in rage as he stared at her. "I don't need your body or your powers. I'll just destroy you and get it over with." His black aura burned around him so violently that bubbles began to well up on his exposed skin.
"Just leave now," Kasumi begged him, "even now I don't hold anything against you. Just let Rykuyo go."
"I will," Wracks stated, "I'm sending both him and you straight to Hell, together." He held both of his hands palm out to face her, "right now."
Ranma stared at Wracks before blinking in realization, "he intends to sacrifice himself in the attack!"
"No," Piccolo corrected, "he intends to sacrifice Rykuyo in the attack. The demon will be unaffected." He looked over at Minder. 'Did you get more then you bargained for kid?'
Minder glanced over at Piccolo as though he had received the message, smiled and shrugged. He then pointedly looked at Kasumi. 'Are you prepared Kasumi,' he asked silently, 'to show us the truth of your powers?'
"I don't understand," Kasumi whispered quietly, "how such a thing could possibly exist in this world. I know that some good is in all living things, regardless of how they seem on the outside. But you are different." Her blue aura again appeared around her and she slowly stood up straight. "Wracks sir, I'm going to request that you leave and don't return."
Wracks ignored her as the black flame around him burned more and more violently. His hands darkened until they were no longer recognizable as a flesh tone. His face was a bright red color with the skin seeming as though it were about to melt off his face.
Kasumi held both of her hands together and closed her eyes. "Mother, please help us." Immediately a wind whipped through the gymnasium so violently that even Goku and Ranma were forced to step back.
"What the hell?!" Piccolo yelled out.
"It's miten kori!" the White Wizard yelled out, "the Perfect Difference. But I've never heard of one this extreme!"
"Kasumi!" Ranma yelled, "if he casts his spell then Rykuyo is dead whether or not you survive!"
"I understand Ranma," Kasumi said back, "leave it to me." She looked pointedly at Wracks. "For Akane, and for Rykuyo. Summon Angel."
Condensing in front of her in a blaze of blue and golden light was a beautiful woman. She looked like she might have been human once but only now appeared in a glorified form. Her hair was a long beautiful black and her skin was smooth ivory. A golden halo floated above her head and beautiful white feather wings were spread wide to either side. A gorgeous white gown seemed to float around her defying gravity. But her eyes stood out the most. They were brown, and so excessively kind that everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief just by looking into them.
Except for Piccolo... and Wracks.
"How could you be here?!" the demon screamed in shock the black fire burning around him uncontrollably, "that's impossible!"
"You forget your opponent," Minder said with a smug smile. "What human have you ever heard of that can create miten kori with one of your kind?"
"He's right," the White Wizard said in a hushed voice, "to be the perfect opposite of a demon would require a perfectly innocent heart. That's why she can summon an angel."
Goku whistled in appreciation. "That angel is strong, probably even a match for that demon lord Rate that Ranma and I fought."
Nabiki stared over at Ranma and Goku, 'these two fought a demon lord? What have I missed in this last year?'
"Needless to say that this greater demon is no match for it," Piccolo said with his arms crossed.
"You can't stop me from killing this boy!" Wracks yelled. Black fire erupted from his hands for just an instant before it stopped. The angel was already standing in front of him, holding both of his hands. Immediately the fire dissipated and the burns on his body healed. Rykuyo looked at her for just a moment before his eyes rolled up into his head and he fell forwards into her arms. The woman wrapped her arms around him smiling gently. Rykuyo slept soundly, his face showing peace for the first time since anyone had seen him.
"Perhaps I was wrong Kasumi," Minder said quietly, "your true nature wasn't immediately obvious. I had no idea just by looking at you."
"My heart isn't completely innocent," Kasumi said with a sweet smile. "But since my motives were pure the angel decided to help anyways." The translucent nature of her eyes slowly blended back into a doe brown. She walked over to the angel who slowly placed Rykuyo onto his back.
"Thank you mother," Kasumi said with a big smile before bowing to the angel.
The angel smiled faintly and nodded her head before turning to look over at Nabiki, who was trembling with tears welling up in her eyes. "Mother," she whispered quietly.
The angel smiled warmly, causing warmth to spread through Nabiki's body and her tears to dry almost immediately. Then slowly her perfect form evaporated into the air.
"My cut," Kasumi said, looking at her arm. The blood was gone and even the robes had been re-stitched. If anything they looked better then before.
"Their mother must have been a sorceress of significant power if she was promoted to an angel after her death," the White Wizard said in an awed voice.
"Of course," Kasumi said looking up into the air in appreciation. "She was wonderful."
"Thank you Kasumi," Minder said, his expression neutral. "The greater demon Rate was not only banished but completely destroyed. I commend you. Your intelligence is recognized."
"Thank you," Kasumi said with a nod of her head. "And this boy?..."
"I will care for him," Minder said. "But don't worry. I have different types of training in mind for him this time." He snapped one finger and Rykuyo disappeared. "I will teach him how to be kind."
"Thank you," Kasumi said. "That would be enough." Floating up into the air she hovered over to where her group was waiting.
Nabiki caught her in a hug the moment she reached them. "Thank you Kasumi."
"Mother was happy to help," Kasumi said gently, "because I was trying to help Rykuyo and Akane. In fact she volunteered."
"That was the reason for the change," the White Wizard said in realization. "When your eyes changed color, it was because that was when she joined you."
"I can't believe that only your intelligence was recognized," Ranma said in frustration. "Well there's no point in arguing. Minder will just come up with some jack-ass reason anyways."
"Great job Kasumi," Goku said with a big smile. "If you were a martial artist I could teach you the spirit bomb and the Kaoh-Ken. You have the perfect heart for it."
"Thank you," Kasumi said, smiling at him warmly. "If you were a wizard then I would teach you how to heal. I think that would suit you as well."
"Enough patting each other's backs." Piccolo said pointedly looking at Ranma. "I'm the last one."
"Go ahead," Ranma said with a nod.
"At last, it's my turn." Piccolo walked forward confidently to face off with Minder. "Call out your next flunky. Stop wasting our time."
"Of course. Kayree appear."
Appearing in front of them in a flash of green light was a cute little red haired teenager wearing a high school uniform. Before Piccolo had a chance to dodge she threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "Piccolo dear!" she exclaimed happily, "I'm glad I'm the one who gets to fight you!"
"Hey!" Nabiki called, "hugging costs extra!"
Everyone stared at Piccolo and Kayree, then at Nabiki, and then back at the couple. "My, what a curious situation," Kasumi understated.
"You aren't joking," the White Wizard muttered under his breath.
"You never told me that you had a girlfriend Piccolo," Goku said with wide eyes. "You really are a human!"
"Shut up!" Piccolo yelled quickly pushing Kayree away and backing off from her. "I'm not dating her!"
"Talk about taking your opponent off balance," Nabiki said with a shake of her head, "I hate to say it, but the strategy is brilliant."
"No kidding," Ranma said sympathetically, "Now you know what I have to go through."
"Stop messing with me," Piccolo yelled at Minder, "get rid of this girl and send me a real opponent!"
"If you think that Kayree is not your equal then you are mistaken," Minder said with his usual mysterious smile. "I ask that you give her a chance."
"Please Mr. Piccolo," Kayree said with large doe eyes.
Piccolo looked at her for a second before turning away. "Damn my luck." He looked over at Minder, "I guess there's no choice. I'll fight her."
"Wheee!" Kayree squealed while hopping around, "I get to fight Mr. Piccolo!"
Piccolo threw a dirty look at Ranma and the others before turning back to face Kayree. Dramatically he whipped his thick white cape to one side. "Lets get this over with."
Minder's grin curved across his face. 'Demon king Piccolo, you have no idea what's in store for you.'
