Chapter 11: Storm Rising

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 1:25AM-

The large globe of magic streaked above the Western Pacific ocean leaving a wake in its passage. It paid no attention to the ship it nearly capsized or the Chinese fighter jets pursuing it in vain; such things were beneath its notice if it had any notice to give. It did skirt the occasional island solely for the purpose of maintaining its contact with the sea. Said islands had their coastlines suddenly (and disastrously) flooded by the wake though. Other than those slight distractions, it cut a straight line across the featureless sea until it stopped abruptly. A GPS unit would show the coordinates of this location to be 11°19′47.650″N, 142°11′57.498″E, but there was no sign post to indicate that the globe now hung over an area known as Challenger Deep, and the deepest part of the Mariana Trench.

The globe floated about sixty meters above the surface of the ocean, glowing with a maleficent red light. Below it, the sea turned red in the light as the light penetrated the surface of the water. The light seemed to sink into the water reaching down into the darkness beyond the realm of sunlight. Deeper and deeper it reached, flowing like lava into the depths. Within three minutes, the baleful light had reached five kilometers below the surface when an angry green light rose to meet it. The two columns of light flowed and twisted together. Up above the surface, the globe of magic collapsed in on itself and flowed down into the sea, following its own light.

Deeper and deeper the sorcery reached, chasing the twisted columns of light until its red essence poured across the very sands of Challenger Deep, nearly eleven kilometers below the surface of the sea. The area, usually a place of constant midnight, was already lit by a green light that was emitted from the very water. Static energy began to crackle through the water as the two thaumaturgies mixed and did war upon each other. Slowly, the red Power began to dominate the green, and the bolts of energy began to multiply through the region. The bolts skittered through the sand and grew to span over a kilometer across, covering the width of Challenger Deep. Then the energy climbed the sloped sides of the Deep to escape into the rest of the Mariana Trench.

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 4:50AM-

"IT'S COMING!"

Tofu Ono was thrown from his bed as the Thought reached out to touch him, much to the surprise of his wife, Kasumi. Tofu sat up on the floor and tried to focus on the alien thought. "King Kurage?" the quarter-Kitsune answered groggily.

"The Trench is lit up like one of your cities, Man," the Jellyfish King responded. "The Power is racing north as we speak. The Storm is coming. Gather your forces, Man! The battle for our world is upon us. I'll do what I can here to weaken and delay it, but I cannot stop it. Go!"

Tofu stood and answered "Done!"

"Tofu! What's wrong?" Kasumi demanded.

"The Storm!" her husband told her urgently. "It's breaking now – earlier than we expected. I've got to summon the others." He turned his face to the ceiling. "MASTER!" his thought reached out.

"I hear you, my son," Jakaro answered. "It's upon us. Warn the mortals! I'll get people moving here!"

Tofu picked his phone up from the endtable. He touched a couple of buttons and was rewarded with a sleepy voice. "Yo…" Ranma answered.

"Ranma? Get to Nerima now. It's rising from the Sea as we speak. The Storm is coming," Tofu spoke breathlessly. "We've got about forty-eight hours."

"Finally…" Ranma said in a stronger voice. "We're at Mount Terror. We'll be there shortly."

"No, don't come here. You still need to keep a low profile until the right time. Mount Terror is as good as place as any," Tofu replied. "We need to spread out to avoid a central attack."

"Yes, but we should be a bit closer," Ranma argued. "We'll move to a hotel just on the western edge of the city."

"All right," Tofu agreed.

"Tofu?" Ranma asked.

"Yes?" Tofu prompted.

"Take care."

"You too, little brother."

Ranma turned to Akane who was already sitting up. Both of them were naked. "It's rising," he told her.

Akane blew out a big breath. "We better get dressed and moving."

"In a second. Come here," he responded. With that, he embraced her tightly and she returned his fervor. They held on tightly for several minutes until Ranma said hushly: "Remember, you're fighting for me too. I don't want to live without you."

Akane nodded. "You remember too. I feel the same way about you." She paused and added: "Is there enough time to deal with Shampoo?"

"I think so. It'll take time to get here – like Saturday," he answered.

"That's time enough to get reset again. If everything goes to plan, we can encourage Shampoo to leave the city. That will be one less complication to deal with…"

Toshio picked up the phone. "Go," he said tersely.

"The dojo is in an uproar," Sasuke replied. "Expect a phone call any moment. It's on."

"We have anywhere from six to thirty-six hours until the Storm gets here," Toshio stated. "Who knows when Henna will attack. Raise the alarm, but no central muster. Let's not get wiped out in a single raid."

Ryoga awoke as Akari sat bolt upright in bed. "What's up?" he asked her.

"Yume just told me the Storm is on its way," Akari said hopping out of bed.

"Let me get confirmation…" he started just as his phone went off showing Tofu's number. "Never mind," he said. He picked up the phone and opened with: "We're moving."

"Good," Tofu answered. "What's your ETA?"

"We'll be at Ucchan's in two hours."

"Good, don't dawdle. Has your inner self touched base?" Tofu asked.

"Yo!" came the inner answer.

"He just did."

"Any advice?" Tofu prompted.

Ryoga started swearing.

"What's wrong?" Tofu asked sounding alarmed.

"I do not believe this," Ryoga said.

"What?"

"He said: Don't kill Happosai, we need him," Ryoga repeated back.

Tofu started to swear as well. "Fine," he finished grudgingly. "We'll settle up later."

"He's going to get away, you know that, don't you," Ryoga warned.

"Probably, but we have other issues right now. Call once you get to Ucchan's," the part-Kitsune told him.

"Will do," Ryoga acknowledged, and then he hung up.

Akari was just getting off the phone with Ukyo as Ryoga turned to face her. "I heard," she said. "Never mind. Ukyo is running to the market for supplies. She should be back before we get..." She was cut off by a pounding on the door.

"It's now!" Olaf called through the door.

"We're moving!" Ryoga called back. "Meet you down stairs!"

"All right!"

Ryoga turned and grabbed Akari. She returned the embrace and whispered: "It will be OK. I drank the Kool-Aid."

Ryoga gave a muffled laugh/sob. "Has Yume told you anything else?"

"No, she doesn't know what's going to happen anymore than we do. She's very scared, but she's putting on a brave face," Akari replied.

"Suma's not scared, but he's worried. He doesn't know how this is going down either – he's not sure if Yume is a replacement or something new. He insists we need Happosai to beat Henna though – worst luck."

"So be it," Akari shrugged.

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 11:00AM-

At sea level, above the northern end of the Mariana Trench, water geysered into the air in several locations, adding to the airborne moisture. Red and green bolts of energy flew from the sea to detonate high in the sky. Thick clouds began to spin out of nowhere, flowing in a counter-clockwise pattern. Soon, a proper eye wall formed and the winds intensified around it as the rainless typhoon gained strength.

King Kurage watched the Power rise out of the trench, astounded by the ferocity. "The Elements have had it," he thought. "I might as well try and stop the Moon in its path. There's no hope of appeasement. Only freeing the Sprite can stop this."

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 12:00PM-

"Go back to Hokkaido!" Toshio Kuno ordered his nephew.

"Not happening," Tatewaki told his uncle steadily. "Now tell us where the best place to set up is." Nari, the healer watched the two men with a firm expression.

Between his nephew's calm demeanor and the witch's presence, Toshio was getting a headache. It would have been easier to dismiss both of them if they were acting high handedly, but they weren't – in fact, they were being down right reasonable and it was freaking Toshio out a little.

"You might as well, Uncle dearest," Kodachi chimed in. "We're here and we're not going away." She walked over to stand with Tatewaki and Nari. Tatewaki looked like he was going to say something, but Nari nudged him and shook her head, so he stopped. "You want us out of the way," Kodachi continued. "The best place to put us is an aide station. We'll be out of the fighting and helping the cause. Where should we be?"

"The fighting may be city-wide – there's no safe place!" Toshio shot back.

"There's no safe place in all of Japan," Nari returned. "Which is why I'm here. If the fighting hits the aide station, we are in dire straits anyway. If we lose, we're all dead. So, what's the plan?"

Toshio held a hand to his head and debated calling his ninjas – it was Tatewaki's stance that stopped him. He had never seen his nephew look so determined. "He's finally come into his power," Toshio thought. "If I don't factor him in, he could destroy everything just by accident." He sighed then. "Fine," he said out loud. "Promise me you'll stay where I put you – I need to be able to count on you."

"Promise us we'll be in a useful spot," Nari countered tartly.

"Done," Toshio answered. "Set up at Furinkan High School – that's the evacuation point."

Tatewaki looked confused. "Evacuation?" he quizzed.

"Evacuation," Toshio countered firmly. "I'm not passing out the plan to the men in the trenches." He glared at them. "That's not for you to know just yet. School is getting out at 3PM today for the holiday. As soon as the students leave, move in quietly and set up. You're on duty starting at midnight tonight."

"Tonight?" Nari questioned.

"Tonight," Toshio said determinedly. "The Storm is rising three days before we expected it. We don't know how fast it will come here."

"How do you know it will come here?" Kodachi asked.

"Because this is the closest Nexus," Nari answered here. "The Storm will be drawn here like iron to a magnet."

"She's right," Toshio confirmed. "Nari can fill you in as you setup. Once you hear the complete story, if you have any common sense, you'll get on the first plane out of here."

Kodachi laughed – it was a surprisingly clean sound. "I've never been known for common sense, Uncle Dearest. Don't count on me leaving."

Toshio's response was a very sour look.

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 2:10PM-

Kasumi read through her journal feverishly. It contained every vision she had since the Sight came upon her. She was trying to figure out what her next steps should be. "There's got to be some clue somewhere," she thought.

Nodoka came into the living room carrying a suitcase. Kasumi looked up in surprise and asked: "Auntie, where are you going?"

"The same place you are – wherever that might be, but we can't stay here," Nodoka told her. "The dojo is high on Henna's hit list."

"I'm not leaving here!" Kasumi replied strongly. "This is my home!"

"It's a death trap," Othan stated as he walked in. "The only place worse is the Unryu's farm, which is being evacuated as we speak."

"What? Where are they going?" Kasumi asked.

"The civilians are going to Sendai; the warriors are coming to Nerima except for the contingent of Kitsunes setting up an ambush," he answered. "If Henna attacks the farm, she's in for a rude surprise."

"Well, we need to set up a trap here too, then," Kasumi stated.

"Already done," Othan returned. "My squad will be manning it. You will not," he added firmly.

"Then what do you expect me to do?" she asked a little crossly.

"Let me ask a question," he rejoined. "What can you do?"

"I can…" Kasumi started, but stopped. Othan was baiting her. He knew exactly where she should be, and something told her she should too. She sighed then. "All right, where is it?" At his raised eyebrow, she continued: "The aide station, where's the nearest aide station?" He grinned at her.

"Makes sense," Nodoka approved. "I can go with you there."

"Are you sure you don't want to go to Sendai?" Othan asked Nodoka. "There will be plenty of help at the aide station already."

"You've had too much to drink, if you think I'm abandoning my family," Nodoka told him tartly.

"Tut tut," he returned offhandedly. "I'm on duty." Then his face turned serious. "I promised Ranma and Kuno I'd try to get you out of here. You're not a warrior, Nodoka."

"You'll find out differently if you try and force me," she shot back.

Othan made a face. "I suppose you'll only get on the next bus back. At least this way, I'll know where you are. All right, the aide station it is."

"Which is where?"

Nabiki walked in then. "Furinkan High School," the sharp eyed woman said. "That's the evacuation center."

"It's hardly a fortress," Kasumi pressed.

"No, but it will be," Nabiki said. "Hideo and his fellow earth mages are going to beef up the walls this evening – just as soon as the kids go home."

"Why did you can it an 'evacuation center'?" Nodoka asked.

"Let just say there will be a lot of people there…" Nabiki told her.

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 4:00PM-

At NHK Studios in Tokyo, the meteorologists were in an uproar. "Where the hell did this thing come from?" one demanded.

"I don't know!" another burst out. "The front has long passed. There shouldn't be any energy for a few more days."

"Well, it doesn't know that apparently," a third interjected. "We've gone from a clear sea to an eye wall in less than six hours.

"More importantly," a newscaster cut in. "Where is it heading?"

"Here!" the first one barked out. "It's coming straight here!"

"What? Shouldn't it go east at this time of year?"

"Again, it doesn't know that!"

The third meteorologist turned to the newscaster and said: "Well, there's your lead story: In thirty-six hours or so, Tokyo is going to take a direct hit from a massive typhoon."

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 4:25PM-

Toshio looked at the dispatches one of his ninjas brought him. Then he held out the papers and let them fall to the desk with a serious sigh. "What's wrong, Master?" the attending ninja asked.

"I want the flamethrowers reworked; they'll be useless in high winds," Kuno stated. "Contact Kuno Engineering and have Tatsuo Ageda sent to me immediately. Warn his people they are putting in some serious overtime. All leave is canceled."

"Yes, Master," the ninja answered.

As the man turned to leave, Kuno spoke once more: "Oh, have Steven Marcus brought to me as well."

"Yes, Master," the ninja repeated and then left.

Not three minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in Marcus!" Kuno called out.

The Mage Marcus entered the room, wearing a white glove on his right hand. The hand had been severely burned three months ago down to the bone, but had been blessed by the World Spirit Apay so that it healed – mostly. It still was a bit raw and tender, but considering where it had started, Marcus was grateful for the Spirit's intervention. He had every reason to believe that it would be whole again in due time. "You sent for me, Mr. Kuno?" Marcus asked politely.

"I have a job for you," Kuno acknowledged. "I know you've been busy building up the Sacred Fire reserves, but we have a typhoon coming." Marcus nodded his head, so Kuno continued. "Our long range weapons are going to be of limited use. I want you to come up with something that can be used at close range against Henna's zombies – even in high winds."

"That won't be easy…" Marcus murmured.

"There's nothing easy about this whole thing," Kuno snorted. "Do it though. I have a nasty feeling we are going to need it."

-Thursday, June 19, 2003, 5:00PM-

Akane looked through the binoculars from the roof of the school. "Where the hell is she?" the young woman burst out.

Ranma shook his head as he sat on the trussed up assassin. "I don't know. You'd think this would be forefront in her mind," he commented.

"I'm going down there," she stated.

"No, you're not," he countered. "Not until Othan gives us the all clear. Shampoo isn't sneaking up on you. She's expecting to present herself and get ambushed. Instead, we got a load of Henna's assassins. Something's gone wrong."

"Do you think she's betrayed us?"

"It's possible," he answered.

"But you don't believe that," she replied.

"No, I don't. Shampoo doesn't trust Henna – that I believe. My guess is that Henna has her claws in Shampoo deeper than we thought. She picked up on today's meeting, waylaid Shampoo, and sent the assassins instead."

Behind them, the two heard something land. They turned to see Taro's bull form appear. He took out a flask of water and resumed his human shape. "I can't find a trace of her anywhere," he announced.

"How good is your sense?" Ranma asked.

Taro shook his head. "Good enough to know she's not in Nerima."

"Crud, " Akane sighed. "What do we do now?"

"We finish springing the trap and gather up as many of the assassins as we can," Ranma stated.

"And then?" Akane prompted.

Now Ranma sighed. "And then I don't know, Akane. I really don't know…"

Meanwhile, in the Tokyo Ward of Edogawa, Shampoo slept in her hotel room. She was oblivious to the fact that she had now slept for over forty hours – just as she was oblivious to the blackness continuing to slowly crawl across her face.

A/N: Next up – The Heart of Darkness