And Hell followed after him.
WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH, AND ADULT THEMES AHEAD, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma, Ghost Rider or any other characters that appear in this work of fiction.
"Speaking"
"Ghost Rider speaking."
*Thoughts.*
*Sound Effects*
"Whispering."
And thanks to Freedom Guard for Beta reading this chapter for me.
Chapter 10:
Nerima had changed from what the man who wielded the power of the Rider could see, and sadly it was not for the better.
Graffiti and trash littered the walls and streets, where there once was a feel of calm and slight excitement now stood a feeling of oppression and fear. Nerima, the martial arts capital of the world had fallen far and hard from grace in his absence. And despite all the headaches he got from being here, he had learned to love it since there was always a chance to sharpen his skills when he was still called the place home.
*How could it come to this?* Ranma thought as he looked at the few people out with their heads bowed down in an attempt to make themselves look meek and inoffensive.
The One-Above-All had warned him that his absence allowed from the criminal elements to move about unchallenged. This plus the knowledge that his remaining enemies had done this only fueled his rage further. The fact that they were willing to go this far when he wasn´t around only served to make the desire to punish them all the more thick and strong in him.
Right now he was letting it stay below the surface until the time comes to unleash his fury on the guilty. His primary objectives were finding Sasuke and rescue Kodachi.
Despite the reprehensible circumstances he saw it did work in his favor as the populace did little to determine his identity, his dark clothing and imposing look more than likely made them think of him as one of their tormentors. He disliked it a lot and vowed that before it was all over, this place was going to regain its pride and strength once more.
He quietly moved towards one of the alleys and easily jumped to the roof of the one story building.
*Where can I find him? The Kuno house is the best bet but I can't let anyone but him know I am rescuing her.* He thought as he looked from his vantage point.
Luck seemed to be on his side this day as he soon spotted a figure he both recognized and at the same time did not.
*What the fuck!* The Rider thought as he found the whiskered face ninja that served the Kuno's.
Sasuke had not remained the same in the ten long years since Ranma's imprisonment as evidenced by his appearance.
He no longer wore the ninja garb the young Saotome always found him in but in a typical kimono a manservant wore as seen in families from noble birth. His face was a myriad of bruises and cuts some fresh others faded, he walked with a noticeable limp on his left side and what was worse was the certain lack of a right hand and a bandaged stump in its place.
No, Sasuke had not fared well at all in the absence of the young martial arts prodigy. And that made Ranma all the more disgusted that it had come to this for the man.
Ranma cloaked himself in the Umi sen ken and discreetly followed the poor manservant waiting for his chance to acquire him.
That opportunity soon came as the man in question walked past a darkened alley and was quickly grabbed from behind.
"MMMPPH!" His muffled voice tried to let out a scream but Ranma held on until he managed to press the former ninjas sleeping point, making him go limp in his arms.
With that done he and his cargo faded from sight and left towards the area where he left his car.
Minutes later…
Sasuke awoke to find himself on the hood of a car; he got up with a start and saw it was one of those American 'Muscle' cars.
"Like it?" A voice spoke in front of him.
He turned around and saw a hooded man clad in black from head to toe staring at him impassively. He was slightly unnerved by the way the hood seem to obscure the upper part of his face in shadow, no doubt it was complemented by the blood red half mask the man currently had down.
"W-who a-are y-you?" The servant of the house of Kuno asked fearfully as he slid off the hood of the car and settled to sit down on the ground.
Ranma walked towards him and leaned in, had it not been for the supernatural nature of his hood Sasuke would have been staring directly into his eyes.
"Are you Sasuke servant of…Tatewaki Kuno?" Saotome spat the name venomously making no attempt to hide his hatred for the mad swordsman.
Sasuke nodded in fear keeping his head bowed down.
"It is my understanding he and others have imprisoned his sister Kodachi, correct?"
At that question the servant looks up with a start at the man's question, his gaping like a fish was all the answer the Rider needed.
"Where is she? Where are they keeping her?" Ranma asked ignoring the look Sasuke gave him.
"Why should I tell you? What would you do with the information?" Sasuke asked with suspicion.
*I must protect the mistress from more pain. She has had more than enough ever since this all happened and I will not let this man inflict any more on her.* Was the main thought running through Sasuke's mind, the man he once knew as Ranma reply broke him form this line of thought.
"I intend to rescue her before I kill them all for their crimes." Ranma spoke in serious and somewhat dark tone of voice.
"W-what!"
"You heard me…" Ranma spoke as he rose up grasping the servants shoulder and pulling him up as well "…they all must pay for their crimes against the innocent!"
"You…" shock soon came to the weasel faced man "…you are the one who killed the Chinese Matriarch and weapon master! You're Ran…MMPHFF!" Sasuke found his mouth covered by a large hand and raised eyelevel with the now identified person.
"SILENCE! How do you who I am!" Ranma yelled as he released the man.
"I-I-I overheard a call between him and the weapon user…" Sasuke spoke quickly as he looks at the now identified man, he could have sworn that the heat was rising in the area. "…they said you were back and killed the old woman."
Ranma said nothing but did in fact remove his hood revealing his scarred face.
"It is you…" Sasuke whispers in awe.
"Yeah…yeah it is." Ranma speaks in tired resignation.
"But how? I thought your exile was eternal?"
"It is a long story so I will tell you what I can…but first you must swear never to reveal it was I who has saved Kodachi or killed these bastards to anyone, ESPECIALLY my family and friends." Ranma spoke emphasizing his desire to whom his return should be kept in the dark.
"But…why?" Sasuke asked in complete surprising thinking he would want his Mother and Brother to know of his return.
*Sigh*
"Get comfortable and don't freak out on me…" He spoke with a tired voice as he sat on his car's hood and told a slightly edited version of how he got out of Hell and what he had done.
Ranma showed him his other form and had to wait a couple of minutes after the man fainted on him.
He left out his encounter with God and only told him a third party gave him a chance to fight back at a price…his exile.
Sasuke at first was shocked by the transformation but from the young man's tale, he understood his reasons why he chose this bloody path and his desire for anonymity.
"So now that you know can you please tell me where they keep her and where they are?" Ranma asked.
"I…believe Kuno and Hibiki stay in a top floor of an high rise apartment complex he bought, it lies in the outskirts of Nerima. I am not sure which since he has me take care of the estate for when he…he brings company." Sasuke spoke with shame.
"What do you mean by company?" Ranma asked not liking the implications of the former ninja's attitude.
"It is either fellow Yakuza or…or young women from the school that he, he…"
"Rapes." Ranma finishes with anger in his voice as Sasuke confirms this easily enough.
"Yes, kami have mercy but yes." The weasel looking man spoke with tears as he used his only hand to block them.
"And the pig?"
*Sniff.*
"Hibiki rarely is there unless he and Taro are needed to set an example or make sure their blood money arrives safely." Sasuke replies as he regains his composure.
"I see… where is Kodachi kept?"
"She is kept in a mental ward in Shinjuku, I can write down the address for you."
"Please do so, I will leave tonight and release her." The Rider spoke.
"Be careful though, Taro and Gosunkugi are there keeping watch." Sasuke warned.
"Why? And why them?" Ranma asked.
"Because Gosunkugi used his dark sorcery to try and find you, all he got was a vision of her. They were chosen for Taro´s monstrous form and the other for his occult powers."
"Taro has lost his power and Voodoo boy will learn the true meaning of Hell soon enough." Ranma replied with a sneer on his face.
"Then I pray that you succeed where I have failed." Sasuke spoke with clear shame written all over his face as he held his stump.
"What?" Ranma asked as he could tell there was a reason for the wounds he suffered.
"After Tatewaki murdered his Father…" Sasuke began a haunted look in his eyes taking hold "…he poisoned Kodachi with one of her formulas, one that caused madness in the recipient. I tried to free her a week after but he and the others found out." He spoke as he began to tremble.
"He…he found me just as I was taking her off her bed a-and then he…he cut off my hand, had them beat me and made me watched as those three bastards raped her for kami knows how long!" Sasuke wailed as he collapsed onto the ground and sobbed as he remembered that horrible night.
*THEY SHALL SUFFER AND BURN!* Ranma's thought as he unknowingly transformed upon hearing what they had done to her as punishment to the man before him.
Sasuke saw this and instead of fainting like last time crawled to him and grasped his legs looking at the fiery skull of the Ghost Rider.
"Please! Please save her! I have failed her Ranma-sama but you will succeed! I know it!" The man pleaded, sorrow and pain filled his eyes but also a tiny sliver of hope was there.
"I will free her Sasuke and when I do their screams of agony will echo into the night." Ranma replied coldly as he lifted the man up and move to his vehicle. He pulled out a piece of paper and Sasuke gave him the directions he needed to the mental asylum.
With that said he soon got in his car and left after telling Sasuke to go home and maintain appearances while he took care of his business.
*I'm coming Kodachi, just hold on.* was the pervading thought in Ranma's mind as began to plan out the rescue. *But first I need to secure a safe haven for her. Hmm I think it´s time I pay a visit to my tomboy and leave her a little message.*
Meanwhile in Juuban…
Sounds of physical activity could be heard as we look over a large estate similar to that of the forgotten Tendo dojo.
The property while not as large was as the former home of Ranma Saotome was still large enough to accommodate a dojo where the sounds of people training could be heard.
Inside we find several people, all links to the past of Ranma Saotome.
Nodoka and Ryukken Saotome, Tofu, Ranko and Kasumi Ono, Hinako and Kimiko Tendo and finally Ryu, Akane and Ranma Kumon. The latter two were in Karate Gi's training with one another while Kumon watched them with the others.
Despite the tragedies that befell them after Ranma's banishment they still retained much of their looks and personalities.
Akane had grown into womanhood quite well despite all that happened; her black hair was now kept at shoulder length and despite the injuries she suffered she had maintained her healthy lifestyle leaving her with a fit body though not as muscular as when she practiced her martial arts.
Though not in the teaching career she wanted she still felt pleased that she was doing well in her job, especially since she had the help of her pseudo stepmother Hinako, whom would have been married to her late Father had they not been killed in the tragedy.
Like her and her sister she was devastated by the loss, together with Kimiko they strived to move forward as family. Hinako asked if they would allow her to become a Tendo to which they agreed going so far as calling her Mother and the newborn sister.
Motherhood and marriage had helped sooth her weary soul, she may have not married her first love but Ryu was a good man who had saw her through terrible times. She still had that same fire from before only now focused towards teaching in a different manner.
Ryu, now a respected member of the JSDF as well as martial arts instructor, had cherished his family and always made sure to make time for them especially his wife.
Despite their encounters, He and Ranma had mutual respect for one another. When Genma came to him with news of his son's apparent demise and offering to train him in the full use of his style Ryu felt he owed it to the pigtailed youth to keep his legacy alive.
He never counted on him and Akane falling in love but he never regretted it, he had seen her pain and couldn't help but want to be there for her. He understood she would always save a spot in her heart for her first love but that didn't dampen his spirits. He was the one who proposed to name their first born after Ranma after all.
Speaking of the boy, he shared a mixture of his parent´s looks with his Mother´s hair and eyes to his Father´s face. He too had been raised with stories of the pigtailed youth and like his friend Ryukken desired to become a great martial artist.
Tofu and Kasumi still looked much the same as before, though an aura of peace and content surrounded them. They had both entered marriage with many doubts and fears but worked through them when she became pregnant.
Kasumi had much help during those times with the aid of her friends the Mizuno's and Nodoka. She was fearful she may not be a good enough Mother just as her husband feared not being a good Father, but together they made it work.
Ranko Ono was mixture of her parent's both physically and mentally. She inherited her Mother's serene beauty and kindness while using her Father's brilliance and thoughtfulness. Many of her teachers believe she would go far in life, she simply desired to be a healer like her parent's.
Nodoka had aged gracefully despite the many trying circumstances in her life, she made sure to be good Mother to her son and keep them safe from her departed son's enemies.
It was hard for her at times, her second child often desired to emulate his elder sibling because of all the tales she and the sisters told him. She found that he shared much in common with her firstborn as he was just as passionate about the art as Ranma.
She was thankful he took his lessons to heart and heeds their warnings not to let himself get taken by surprise by their enemies.
She and the others were under no illusions that they would ever be truly safe so long as Ryoga and Kuno were still on the loose.
"You're doing fine Akane..." Her husband spoke up from his seat next to Tofu "…Ranma up your speed a notch."
"Okay Dad." His son replied.
"Easy guys, I barely remember when I did this as a teenager." Akane complained slightly as she found herself panting a bit.
"Akane dear we simply wish to see if you are completely healed." Kasumi spoke gently to her younger sister.
"I still can't believe you have full motion without the pain." Tofu spoke as he scratched his head.
"I can't believe and actual Goddess came to our room in the middle of the night." Ryu spoke still not believing what happened last night.
Flashback…
Akane and Ryu had retired for the night after seeing their son to bed.
The steady thump of Akane's cane resonated in the quiet hallway of their home.
"Do you need me to get you anything from down stairs?" Her husband asked.
"No but thanks for the offer." Akane gave a small smile.
She understood his need to ask, as much as she was load to admit it her aches always caused her a bit of problems getting around the house.
He simply nodded as both went into their bedroom and change into their night clothes to sleep.
However before they could sleep on their bed the vanity mirror Akane used glowed with a brilliant light.
"Ryu!"
"Stand behind me Akane!" Her husband shouted as he stood protectively in front of her.
From the mirror appeared an exotically dressed woman, her light brown hair was unbound and her face showed three tattoos. Despite her unusual entrance both Akane and Ryu did not feel any fear from her…if anything they felt strangely at peace like when Kasumi visited.
"Good evening, I am Belldandy Goddess first class, License Unlimited." Belldandy spoke with a bow towards the two.
"A Goddess!" Both shouted in surprise though it did little to mar the peaceful aura that the Norn of the present exuded.
"Yes, I have been sent to answer the request of one Ranma Saotome."
"R-Ranma?" Akane let out in shock, in the ten years since his banishment her thoughts had often wondered what had happened to her erstwhile fiancée and love.
"Is he alive?" Ryu asked as he too often wondered about the man who had defeated him.
"I am sadly not at liberty to say." Belldandy replied with a frown as despite her wish to inform them of the truth, her Father had ordered both herself and Peorth not to reveal the knowledge of what the "boy" had become.
"Why! We deserve to know!" Akane shouted.
"I am sorry Mrs. Kumon but Kami-sama has ordered that we not speak of his fate."
Sensing the sadness from his wife Ryu decided to get to the heart of the matter.
"Why were you sent here specifically?"
"Mr. Saotome has charged both me and another to undo the damage done to your wife and that of Ukyo Kuonji at the hands of the men who wounded you."
"What you mean Ukyo is being visited by a God too?" Akane asked as she placed her sadness aside.
*Oh Ranma, even gone you still look out for us.* She thought privately, when she was alone she would shed her tears, she never wanted her son and husband to see her looking so weak.
"A Goddess to be precise Mrs. Kumon, now then…" Belldandy spoke as she stepped towards the former Tendo and placed her hand on Akane's forehead "…be calm as this won't hurt a bit."
Her marks glowed as a white cloud of energy poured out of her hand into Akane. The bliss the former Tendo felt was something she could not describe, warmth spread throughout her body focusing primarily on her legs.
Ryu was transfixed by the sight as a sense of serenity came over him… after mere seconds it was over.
"Now, arise Akane." Belldandy spoke kindly as she held the woman's hands.
Akane allowed herself to get up and for the first time since the terrible tragedy that befell her she felt no pain whatsoever in her legs.
"Ryu…there's no pain, I can't feel any pain!" She shouted with tears of joy as she walked quickly to her husband.
"Oh my sweet." He spoke as he to shed some tears for her as he embraced her as she cried in happiness.
Belldandy smiled in happiness though it was tempered by the knowledge of how it came to be.
*Oh Saotome-san…if only we had acted sooner, perhaps all this pain and bloodshed could have been averted.* The Goddess thought sadly.
"Thank you Miss Belldandy." Akane spoke as she looked at her.
"No Mrs. Kumon it is not I who should thank but Ranma, he may not be able to be here with you but his love for you and his family is still as strong as when he was here." She spoke before she disappeared in a brilliant light.
End Flashback…
Akane and Ryu contacted their families immediately to give them the news. They rushed over as soon as they could and were simply astonished by what had transpired.
Both Tofu and Kasumi did a full check up on both her body and ki pathways and found her fully healed if only a bit sluggish from years of lacking full use.
Akane then asked that she try to test her body through martial arts, where they are currently all present and watching.
"How are you Akane?" Hinako asked.
"A bit winded but…" She spoke as she took a breather before looking at her step mother and smiling "…I couldn´t be more happy." She finished with a radiant smile.
They all shared in happiness she felt though not for long as soon a knock was heard.
*Knock!* *Knock!*
"Hmm, that´s odd…" Ryu spoke as he got up from his place "…are we expecting any one else honey?" he asked his wife.
"No…not that I recall but maybe it is Ukyo, she was also visited and healed." She said as she recalled Belldandy´s words to her last night.
Ryu agreed with her theory and went to answer the door.
However no one was found.
*That´s odd…hmm?* He saw a letter stuck between the frame and the wall. *What is this now?* he plucked out of the crack and went to return to the others.
"Who was it Dad?" His son asked as he handed a bottle of water to his Mother.
"No one was there, just this letter." He spoke as he opened the piece of paper and began to read it out loud.
-To those concerned for the well fare of Kodachi Kuno…-
The Letter started immediately earning everyone´s attention.
-I am in the stages of mounting a rescue; once I have made sure she is free I shall bring her to you as I deem you trustworthy…-
-How I can I know this is irrelevant… but I will say this, I was once a friend to one Ranma Saotome…-
-Who I am is irrelevant but if you must call me by a name use Rider, Ryukken Saotome and Ukyo Kuonji have met me before and will vouch for my intentions…-
This made everyone look at the small boy.
-I shall save her I swear to you, when that task is done Kuno and Hibiki will rue the day they messed with me. Until then, please wait for our arrival.—
All of the occupants were silent as Ryu finished reading. The children, with the exception or Ryukken who smiled, didn´t really understand the significance but their parent´s did.
"Ryukken what did that person mean when he said you and Ukyo-san would vouch for him?" Nodoka asked her son.
"Well I met him yesterday Mom."
"You did?" She asked once more.
"Yeah, after school I went to visit Dad and Brother. I remembered you said I wasn´t supposed to talk to strangers but he knew who I was so I tested him." The child replied with an assertive nod.
"How did you test him son?" His mother asked while the others came in close to hear his answer.
"I asked him why my brother was afraid of cats and he told the same reason you did, then we went to visit Auntie Ukyo, my nessan´s were there too."
"Hmm…this is most perplexing." Tofu muttered.
"Auntie did you ever meet anyone close to Ranma before the incident?" Kasumi asked the Saotome Matriarch as she carefully avoided saying banishment in front of Ryukken.
"No…to my knowledge he had few friends and none of them were called Rider."
"Do you think he is telling the truth?" Akane asked suddenly.
"About what dear?" Her husband asked.
"About rescuing Kodachi and bringing her here." She asked a bit her lower lip nervously yet she was a bit hopeful the man´s words were true.
*Please Kami let it be true, we haven´t been able to and I am starting wonder if we´ll ever be safe.* She thought with worry.
"Honestly? I don´t really know…" Ryu spoke before turning to look at his student Ryukken, slowly he walked towards him and knelt down to one knee never breaking contact with his eyes.
"Ryukken, I am going to ask you to be completely honest with me. Can this man do what he says he can? Can we trust him?"
Ryukken thought hard on that, he may have only spent a few hours with Rider but honestly there was something in his voice when he asked him to stay clear of his dark path that led the boy to trust him.
He showed that he cared for his future for some reason, cared about his Auntie Ukyo when she was sad. The young Saotome looked into his sensei´s eyes with a serious look one rarely finds in ten year olds.
"Yes Sensei, I believe in him. If Rider says he can save her then he can and will."
Ryu could freely admit never once seeing such a look on the child's face, in training he was always smiling and laughing when learning a new Kata or coming up with a new attack.
The others agreed with him that Ryukken was usually a very happy and carefree boy, if this person could inspire such a reaction then perhaps their prayers had finally been answered.
"All right then let´s call Ukyo she may want in on this, Doctors I believe we should prepare in case there are wounds to heal. I´ll make some calls to some friends in the police I know I can trust. Mrs. Saotome I suggest you take the children someplace safe I rather we not take any chances agreed?"
They all nodded though the children did protest, their parents eventually made their point clear that they weren't about to risk them getting hurt.
Now only time would tell if this Rider character would come through for them.
Later that night, at the mental ward where Kodachi was kept…
Ranma was patiently waiting for the last of the daytime workers to leave for the night. He was going to avoid any innocents getting involved with his vendetta; he had enough of that when he was still active before all this happened to him.
After delivering his note he immediately went to the mental ward were the Black Rose was kept, once there he secured a spot where he observed who came and went. His powers allowed him to see the innocent from the guilty.
Several orderlies and security guards set his senses on high alert; this told him that Kuno had made sure her torment would continue with none the wiser.
It wasn´t until the arrival of two individuals that he decided that come sundown that blood would flow. Coming out of a black luxury car were none other than his old foes Pantyhose Taro and Hikaru Gosunkugi.
Despite looking rather menacing Taro looked on edge to the Rider, perhaps not feeling all that secure in the knowledge that his cursed form could no longer grant him the air of power he was used to.
Gosunkugi still looked frail and weak though clearly a dark and disturbing madness could be seen in his eyes. Ranma had no doubt the boy was immersed in dark magic for him to look even worse than he remembered. And that was saying something considering the fact that the guy was not exactly menacing in the past despite the voodoo powers he had.
*Doesn´t matter, in the end they will burn…* Ranma thought darkly as he immersed himself in the thief´s cloak and made his way towards the hospital…there were insects he had to remove before saving the Black Rose.
Carefully he slowly made his way into the lobby where visitors registered themselves. Only a man in scrubs was sitting there watching the news from a portable TV, his soul showed him to be innocent as did the guard with him.
*Got to find where they are keeping her.* He thought as he moved along the corridor searching for a doctor's office or one of the guilty men he saw enter. As luck would have it he soon neared the office of one of the psychiatrists.
His good fortune continued as he tried the knob and found it unlocked. Stepping inside without making a noise he dropped the cloak and moved to the file cabinet in hopes of locating his friend. Carefully he opened it and went through the files in hopes of seeing her name.
However the sound of people closing in made him break off his search for the moment, he left everything as it was and faded from sight once more. Two men entered a doctor and a security guard.
"I can´t believe those two." The doctor spoke as he entered.
"I know, you think they are trying to get us in trouble on purpose." The guard replied.
Ranma saw that they were tainted; his thoughts at the moment were if they were part of the torture and if they knew where Kodachi was.
"You saw how that Taro guy looked on edge or something?" The doctor asked as he sat in his seat.
"Boss Kuno told me he was going through some personal shit, not that it´s any of our business…" the guard paused as he pulled out a flask to drink from "…he and that freak are here to make sure she is safe."
"I wonder w…GUH!" He never finished that question as he found a large blade imbedded in his chest. Blood splashed the desk of the doctor who now sported a look of surprise.
"Maybe it´s because of me asshole." The Rider growled as he wrenched the blade of chaos out of the dying man and turned too looked at the extremely frightened doctor.
Before the man could move Ranma uncoiled his chain and wrapped him in it. The man looked fearfully into the hooded face of the Rider whose eyes glowed fiery red adding to his already menacing aura of fury and vengeance.
"W-who a-are you?" The man stuttered out.
"Vengeance in the flesh…Where is Kodachi Kuno kept?" Ranma growled out.
"I-I-I d-d-don´t k-k-know…" the man said fearfully earning a growl from the Rider who slammed him into his desk. From there he placed one hand on his mouth while with the he grabbed the man´s right arm and gave it a sharp twist.
*CRACK!*
"MMMPHMM!" The doctor´s screamed to no avail as Ranma had a firm hold on him as he trashed about, this only added to his pain.
"I don´t like it when I am lied to…" Ranma spoke as he increased pressure on the broken appendage eliciting more muffled screams "...It makes me lose my temper…where is she?" He asked again as he released the man.
"R-r-room 402…o-o-on t-t-the f-f-fourth floor." The man whimpered while a growing wet stain was seen in his pants.
*Shit…he either pissed or shat himself.* The Rider thought with disdain.
"Good answer now…did you rape her too?" He asked in a neutral tone that did nothing to alleviate the growing fear in the man´s eyes.
"N-no…GAK!" Once more the Ghost Rider show off his impressive strength by clamping his hand around the neck of the corrupt doctor. The other hand removed the hood revealing the burning skull hiding within.
"Look into my eyes…" was all Ranma said as his Penance stare began to unleash rightful vengeance upon the man whose screams were hampered by his hand.
An empty shell was all that was left once the Rider finished with him; he had seen the doctor´s sin´s against his friend and had faces of others who would soon share his fate.
*Not now though got to get to her but first I have to make sure no one follows us.* He thoughts as he cloaked himself and proceed with his plan to cull the guilty from the innocent.
He hid the bodies in a small closet in the recently deceased doctor's office; he knew it was only a matter of time since someone notices their absence so time was of the essence.
He started off on the first floor giving silent thanks the designers thought about making the building a multi-story to save space on the surrounding area. He found no one except the two men at the entrance both were innocent.
He moved to the second floor through using the stairs as the elevators may bring unwanted attention to him. There he counted four men dressed as orderlies…they were all guilty as he recognized some as part of the group Taro spoke to and his powers confirmed this.
Quietly he slipped in and pulled his blades from his back, they would never see him coming as he faded from sight.
The first to fall was passing a janitors room, he had taken four steps pass the door when the thug was pulled inside letting out a muffled cry as the Rider covered mouth his right hand stabbed him twice with his blade in the left hand… once in the stomach and the chest. Ranma hid the body inside a locker and moved towards his next victim.
The next thug to meet his end was calmly walking passed some empty rooms…however he soon learned to his detriment that one was anything but that.
"Huh? Why is that one open?" He asked to no one in particular as moved closer to inspect the room.
Closer inspection revealed the lock had been bent and broken.
"What the…?" The "orderly" never finished his question as the door was suddenly opened from inside rather fiercely. Before he could even blink he was roughly pulled in, he stumbled a bit before turning around, what greeted him was a man dressed in black with two swords in hand looking like some macabre grim reaper.
Before he could even blink or speak the unknown assailant slashed his chest with the blades in a crisscross pattern leaving a bloody X on it. The henchmen dumbly looked down at the wound before falling on his back, weakly looking up at his attacker who proceeded to plunge the blade in his right hand into his torso's center mass.
Ranma wrapped the body in a sheet before moving onto the next one. He found the last two conversing at the end of the hallway next to the door that led to stairs.
"Man can you believe that we have to spend the night in this place?" One of the henchmen complains to the other.
"Yeah, but you heard the boss he wants to make sure no one comes in and takes the crazy bitch." The other orderly spoke.
"Yeah I get that, I mean she is a fine piece of ass even if she is batshit crazy." He spoke to his companion with a grin that spoke volumes about his lustful thoughts.
"You got a point there, got myself a taste of it last week." His companion replied with a lecherous grin. Both were unaware they had just incremented the ire of the Ghost Rider.
"Motherfuckers!" Ranma growls, he decides subtlety can be forgotten for these two as he spots a fire extinguisher rips it out of its place.
"What was that!" He hears one of the orderlies say.
"Fury and vengeance…" he says to them as he comes around the corner running and throws the extinguisher with all his supernatural strength at the man on the left.
The red projectile flew through the air at speeds that rivaled most race cars and slammed itself hard into the man's skull. The impact was violent and gory as bone and blood flew.
His companion was stunned, so much so that he never saw the ignited chain wrap itself around his neck until the searing heat burned his skin. Ranma yanked back hard enough that the man's head easily came off his shoulders leaving only a headless corpse and the smell of burnt flesh.
It took him some minutes to calm himself before deciding on hiding the bodies, though the mess caused a man having his head splattered with a speeding object left plenty evidence of his presence.
*Stupid, stupid, stupid! I have to hurry before someone sees that.*
He moved swiftly to the third floor only stopping when he heard voices on the other side, one he easily recognized.
"Where is that idiotic Voodoo freak?" The voice of Taro can be heard, he may have aged in his absence but he remembered that mocking and infuriating tone.
*Pantyhose Taro in the flesh.* Ranma thought.
"Getting his dick wet with the Kuno bitch." Another man answered.
"Fuck, can't keep it in his pants for one fucking moment." Taro scoffed unaware of who was behind the door.
All Ranma heard were the last words of a dead man as he kicked the door in hard.
*BAM!*
"What the Hell!" Taro yelled as a fist embedded itself in his stomach, he fell clutching his stomach while spewing out bile.
Ranma wasted no time as he rushed the men who were conversing with Taro and now were caught off guard by his sudden arrival.
Taking out his blades the Rider started to hack and slash the men in quick and brutal manner before an alarm could be raised. The small hallway was painted red with the blood of the corrupt orderlies and guards leaving only a fearful Taro as witness to the massacre.
Ranma untangled his chain from his body and threw it at the terrified man; as soon as touched the man it sprang into action as if it had a mind of its own and wrapped itself around his body.
Ranma casually walked up to him, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and delivered a devastating punch to his face. He made sure to use only enough force to break his nose and render him unconscious…he had plans for both him and Gosunkugi.
A two chain links separated them from the main one and grew in length to match his original chain. He allowed it to coil around his torso as he moved past the downed enforcer.
With that done he raced to get to Kodachi fast.
*No way am I letting that freak live for one second if he is raping her, not one fucking second!* He thought furiously as he raced up the steps with his blade at the ready.
He smashed through the door and spotted five men all waiting in the hall looking at him in shock, further in he heard the woman's cries and the insults his enemy was calling her.
He did not hesitate as he attacked the guilty men who would not live beyond this night.
The first fell to a diagonal uppercut that cleaved the orderly in two with the blade in his left hand. Continuing with his momentum he repeated the maneuver on a second orderly with his right hand. Two others fell when he threw the Blades of Chaos center mass, they glowed eerily as they struck the men center mass. The final orderly was terrified as he watched the Rider rush past the still falling bodies and pick him up by the neck with both hands and squeezed…
*CRACK!*
The man's head fell to the side as his broken neck failed to support it. Ranma threw the body to the side carelessly and turned to look at the door that stood between himself, Kodachi and Gosunkugi.
He strode over to it and prepared to kick the door in however…
*FWOOOSH!* *BOOM!*
A fireball erupted from it and blew him into the room behind him.
*What the fuck!* Ranma thought as he quickly stood up.
"So the mighty Saotome returns." The voice of his former classmate spoke as he stepped out of the room wearing only a pair of business pants.
"Fucking Voodoo boy in the flesh…" Ranma spoke neutrally as he eyed the man in front of him "…you still look like shit as always huh?"
Gosunkugi simply growled before launching another fireball at the Rider who dodged left.
*BOOM!*
"Still got that big mouth huh!" The voodoo practitioner yelled as he readied another pair of fireballs.
"Your mom didn´t complain about it last night fucker!" Ranma yelled back as fired his signature attack with some Hellfire added into it. *Got to end this fast before the cops come or the guards decide to investigate the noises.* He thought furiously.
Kikaru fired his own attack against the enhance ki attack causing a massive explosion.
*BOOM!*
The blast managed to shatter the windows that looked into the rooms as well as some inside of them.
"I´m not the same weakling you're used to dealing with Saotome! I have power now!" Hikaru yelled at his opponent.
"At what cost asswipe! You're still a lackey for that bastard Kuno!" Ranma shouted back as he pulled out his guns and fired at his opponent.
*BOOM!*
Hikaru ducked back into Kodachi's room as the bullets impacted into the area where he previously stood.
"A richly rewarded lackey who gets money, women and kills people. And after I deal with you I and this bitch will have a celebratory fuck over your corpse!" The madman shouted in sadistic glee, only to be met by silence.
Carefully he peered out of the corner of the shattered doorway and found the hall empty.
"Where are you Saotome!"
"Behind you asshole…" A demonic voice whispered into his ear.
"Gah!" Hikuru yells as he spins arpund and fires a ball of fire at the Rider's face…
*FWOOSH!*
"Ha! I got you bas…GURK!" whatever he was going to say was cut off by the leather clad hand wrapping around his throat. Ranma proceeded to punch his foe in the stomach with his free hand repeatedly until blood was starting to come out of the man's mouth and a large purple bruise was forming.
"You know something Voodoo boy?" Ranma asked as he removed his hood and took some dark joy in seeing the terror in his former classmate's eyes "I WAS going to let live a little longer with Pantyhose but now that you've fucking PISSED ME OFF!" The Rider screamed at his prey who unfortunately decided to empty his bladder as a result.
"I am going to something more immediate…look into my eyes!" The Ghost Rider spoke as he looked into his victims own…only for nothing to happen.
*What!* He thought as he used his powers to find why his Penance Stare failed to harm Hikaru's soul. He soon found the answer and was surprised to say the least.
"You soul…it's gone!" Ranma spoke in shock as he relaxed his grip slightly. "What have you done to yourself!"
"S-sold…it…for power…" Gosunkugi replied weakly though he was surprised that Ranma knew he no longer had a soul.
"You have no idea what the Hell you've left yourself open too…" Ranma spoke as he reared back his fist and slammed it into Hikaru's face, knocking him out. He proceeded to tie him up just like Taro.
"But don't worry; I will give you a preview of you're coming nightmare." He finished as he turned to look at the room's only occupant.
*God what have they done to you Kodachi?* the young man thought dismally as he looked at the Black Rose.
Her once lustrous black hair was matted and unkempt while her face showed no signs of pain or anger or anything in the least, in fact her eyes had bags under them yet stared at the ceiling as if her mind was miles away.
Her naked body was covered in fluids that clearly told the young Saotome he had not managed to prevent her rape, much to his rage and sadness. He took a discarded jacket that most likely belonged to his downed opponent and began to clean her body while speaking to her not as the Rider but as himself.
"Kodachi…I…don't know if you can hear me…God please let her hear me…" He whispered as he finished cleaning her up and held her left hand in his own while leaning into her ear.
"I'm so sorry I never treated you right, that I didn't try to see how much you cared about me…I…I wish there was some way to turn back time and set everything right but… please give a sign that you are there. I know that I can't take away the pain or the memories but please Kodachi tell me you are still in there and that there is still some hope for you."
Nothing happened at first but when he felt her gently squeeze his hand, which was all the proof he needed.
"Rest Kodachi." Ranma spoke as he pressed a point in the back of her neck that placed her in a calming sleep. He grabbed a clean sheet from the closet and wrapped her in it. Before he could take her anywhere he had to reclaim her tormentors first as he could hear sirens approaching.
He managed to find Taro right where he left him however from the stairway he could hear footsteps approaching.
*Time to go!* He thought as he extended his hand towards bound man, this had the effect of having one of the chain links lengthen and grow towards him. With he pulled Taro towards him as quickly as he could until he was secure in his grasp.
With his first cargo secured over his shoulder he ran towards Hikaru and unceremoniously dropped Taro next to him. Taking a length of chain from his second and first victim Ranma fused the two chains and let it wrap itself around his body so his arms would be able to carry Kodachi.
After making sure her nakedness was covered he gently picked her up bridal style.
"Ranma-sama…" She mumbled in his arms.
"Don't worry; I'll make sure you are safe." He spoke calmly before turning tail and dragging the two tormentors.
"Hey! Who are you!" A guard shouted from across the hallway.
Ranma ignored him and took off in a flash, both Taro and Gosunkugi bodies being dragged on the floor and slamming into walls…not that it was any of Ranma's concern if they lived or died because of the injuries.
He soon saw that he was running out of hallways by the fast approaching wall that only had a barricaded window to let the light in.
Making a choice he stopped, placed Kodachi down and took out Death Wish and fired at the wall and quickly shielding the woman.
*SHOOM!* *BOOM!*
Now there was a large hole in its place so with escape in mind grabbed the two prisoners in one hand and placed Kodachi on his shoulder as if carrying a sack and ran at the hole making sure to that his landing didn't affect his precious cargo.
With a resounding crunch his feet created two foot shaped craters into the asphalt, looking around he saw he was in an alleyway. Mentally he summoned his car to him while keeping an eye for police.
He saw the orange glow in the darkness that told him his car was in its transformed state. He made a quick survey of the people with him, Kodachi was relatively fine and still asleep while the other two were still unconscious and looked more battered and bruised.
His vehicle soon stopped in front of them opening the passenger and driver doors, he picked her up gently and placed her in the passenger seat making sure to secure her in place. As for Taro and Gosunkugi accommodations he decided that the trunk would be perfect for them.
He dragged them along the asphalt before grabbing the chains holding them and dropping them in as if they were two sacks.
"Ugh…" Taro groaned as his head rose slightly.
"Back to sleep dirt bag." Ranma growled as he slammed the hood onto his head.
*THUMP!* "UGH!"
"Hey! You over there stop!" A Police officer yelled as he spotted him from around the corner.
The Rider choose to make his exit than heed the officer's order and quickly entered the vehicle and gunned the engine for all its worth. With a squeal of rubber on asphalt he peeled out of the alley and turned right.
By the time the police could give chase he was long gone.
Later at the Kumon residence…
The Kumon's, Saotome, Ono's and Tendo had all gathered in the home of the family as they awaited with abated breath news on the fate of Kodachi Kuno. With them were Ukyo and her cousin Makoto who had proven that they did indeed know about Rider (and in the case of the Senshi of Jupiter the true identity of the Ghost Rider.)
The families were overjoyed that Ukyo had regained her sight and had the scar removed, like Akane she was both overjoyed and saddened by the news that Ranma had a hand in helping her from her affliction.
Makoto and the Senshi shared in her happiness though they felt torn by the need to maintain the knowledge of his existence and power from them a secret. Nodoka had taken the children to the temple and left them in the watch of the young women.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
All activity stopped as they heard someone knocking at the front gate. Both Ryu and Ukyo stood up and carefully walked towards it, he kept his fists at the ready while she had her combat spatula out.
They soon reached the gate and prepared themselves in case something went wrong.
"Who is it?" Ryu asked.
"Rider." Was the reply, Ryu looked to the chef to confirm and got a nod.
He slowly opened the door and found the man he once knew as Ranma Saotome, in his arms he held a sleeping Kodachi. Without a word he stepped inside ignoring a shocked Ryu or a tearing Ukyo.
The families stood on watching from the home in silent awe as he walked towards them, each step weighed heavily on his heart as he saw his Mother, would be in laws and Akane.
He stood before Tofu and held his charge towards him.
"Take her." He spoke as he gave silent thanks his face mask muffled his voice enough not to be recognized.
The doctor did as asked and gently held her.
"She's been kept on drugs so I suggest you get her cleaned out before letting awaken." Ranma spoke before turning around.
"Wait!" His Mother spoke quickly as she walked towards him while Ukyo and Ryu joined Tofu as he went inside with the dormant Black Rose.
"Yes?" He asked neutrally as he forced himself not to give himself away.
"How did you know my son Ranma?"
"That is a long story Mrs. Saotome, one I cannot share with you as time is of the essence."
"What do you mean Rider?" Makoto asked while maintaining a look of ignorance regarding his identity.
"In order to save Ms. Kuno I had to eliminate some of her Brother's men, it is likely he will not stop searching for her unless I deal with him and his remaining enforcer Hibiki." He finished.
"We can help you." The former Ms. Hinako spoke up.
"No…no this is something I must do myself; the less you are involved the better, the police may ask question and the less you know the better everyone is in the end."
"But why you? Why must you get involved? You don't know us and we don't know you so why?" Akane asked with equal parts worry and curiosity.
"Because they took something precious from me and I aim to make them pay." Ranma growled out while his eyes flashed red.
No one could refute the fury in his voice and more importantly no one believed they would be able to stop him. Akane took one of his hands into her own and looked him in the eyes despite the shadows that obscured them.
"Please…be careful and thank you for helping her." She spoke honestly as she gave him a smile that for a brief moment took him back to a past where he knew nothing of Gods and Demons.
"I…make no promises but to make sure you never live in fear again." The Rider spoke before turning away and heading out of the home, ignoring the stares he felt on his back or tears he knew he was shedding.
He simply got into his car and slowly drove away with one thought in mind.
*Goodbye Tomboy, I'll miss you.*
In an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Nerima.
No light could be seen inside save for the headlights that focused on two individuals strung up a rafter with chains binding their arms. Ranma stepped between them and his car causing his shadow to cover them; in each hand were a pair of buckets filled with water.
Placing the buckets down he put his hands in each one and concentrated about of his powers into each causing them to heat up, not boiling but not mild either. He lifted both each and threw their contents at the two.
*SPLASH!*
"ARGH!"
"AAHH!"
Both men naturally screamed as the hot water scalded them, Ranma ignored this as he let them suffer as he casually walked to area of the warehouse where some rusted pipes lay and pick one up and brought it back.
The men struggled to free themselves from their chains every so often hissing in pain as their reddened and burned skin gave protest to their movements.
"Well boys, let's have a chat." Ranma spoke as he leaned on the pipe.
"Fuck you!" Hikaru yelled.
*Sigh.* Ranma let out as he lifted the pipe and swung hard to the man´s legs.
*CRACK!*
"ARRGGH!" The Voodoo practitioner bellowed in agony while Taro fearfully looked on.
"I have all night and a lot of repressed anger to work through, so let's start with the obvious question shall we." The Rider spoke as he removed his hood and mask and let them see his burning skull as he gave the pipe a few practice swings.
That night many agonizing screams were heard from the building.
To be continued…
A/N: Well here we are once more. Writers block and a lack of Beta readers is such a pain in the ass! The end is nigh folks, next chapter it all comes to a close as the Ghost Rider goes to meet the last of his tormentors in a brutal battle. I will have to make sure to include an epilogue before completing this story I while take suggestions should they be good enough to contribute.
Also should I include a song during the assault and battle as I have done in past chapters or leave it be?
Also I will come and say that in the sequel, Hellsing will be in it. I realize I owe you for not making more use of that element but I will make it up to you.
Also as much as I would love to use anime such as Code Geass, Evangelion or Vandred (and don´t think the idea of having my Rider hijack one of the mech´s and transform it with his powers didn´t cross my mind) I will have to say no to send him to those realms.
Onto some reviews:
Richy1991: Thanks.
7 Winds: Well, I have thought of Bleach, DC verse, Ultimate Marvel, BTVS as some of the realities I could send him too. Would like to hear your input on the subject.
Drednaught: Thank you for your kindness, though honestly I don´t consider myself on the level of Freedom Guard or The Writer With No Name. But thank you for the compliment nonetheless.
frytrix: To answer questions 1 and 4, although I do plan for him to further explore his powers in sequel as well as combine them with his martial arts, I think that should occur in his new reality. Also I won´t be giving him a Zanpaktou if he lands in Blech verse.
Didn´t understand your second question. And yes once he is done this part will be over and a new story will take place.
Raidentensho: Thank you for your kind words, however I don´t think Code Geass would work for him. I mean in order for Lelouch to rise to the top he had to do some questionable things, plus he did kill an innocent if you count Euphi ordering the massacre because of him albeit accidently.
RoyalTwinFangs: You have no idea how tempted I am to sending him to the DC verse. Can you imagine him getting in the face of Batman and tell him to fuck off as he has the Joker at his mercy? Or flipping the Man of Steel the bird as he burns the Bald headed Bastard´s soul? Or lay the smackdown on Hades ass while Wonder Woman and the Amazon´s have ring side seats?
WTF2002: Hey it works if people like what they read, evidenced by the review below yours.
Hishin Trueflame: Hellsing will be in the sequel but no guarantees on Seras pairing.
Rictor Yagami: Well I will have to think about those suggestions of yours but no promises if I go a different way.
Rune Tobor: See you understood why this story had no room for much romance or light comedy. My aim here was to create a tragic story in which our hero must surrender something precious in order to protect what is precious to him.
I will admit, at times I felt compelled to find some women who could take the places of his girls but in the end I went with him following the path of vengeance to the end with no distractions while he cut off his ties one by one.
No HP cross, I have never made it clear before but I am not a fan of HP crosses as well. I hope not to offend you or some of my readers but that is just how I feel about the matter.
Well that is all the time I can spare for you folks, I have to get to work on the latest chapter for my X:Evo cross. Thank you all for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Peace out and I know that this is rather late to say but I hope each and every one of you had an excellent year and I hope this one is just as good.
