Ranma 1/2:
Ranma of Grayskull
Crossover: Masters of the Universe
By: Dani Yanega
(Dani: Legend is listed in Profile. My profile is also where I will address specific questions or issues that readers ask about.
I do not own many of the Characters in this story though some are mine all the KNOWN characters belong to those who originally created them. Thxs.
Please also NOTE I write Alternate Universe (AU) stories whether they are crossover or not. The AU applies to ALL characters. Thus this will make them OOC to the original Story and I like it that way. So if you plan to comment that Akane is not like that sorry I write her like I like to. This goes for all the characters it makes the story more fun for me to write that way. Got to have some antagonist and some friends! :D)
Chapter Eleven
"SAOTOME! DIE FOR THE HELL YOU PUT ME IN EVERY NIGHT!" Ryoga drew his umbrella as he charged Ranma not caring who was with her.
"Take her Sorceress and get everyone to safety!" Ranma spoke quickly as she handed Meriana to the Sorceress and charged Ryoga.
"MOMMA NO LEAVE ME!" Meriana struggled to get down and run to her mother but the tight grip the Sorceress had on her prevented it.
They all headed toward Ranma and Meriana's bedroom as they entered the hallway Castaspella cast a shield on the doorway to prevent the strange boy from getting to them. She did not know that any magic cast inside the castle was automatically tripled by the power of Grayskull. The two queens blocked the door and watched as Ranma fought the angry boy.
"RANMA CASTA HAS PLACED A SHIELD ON THE DOOR WE ARE ALL SAFE!" Frosta shouted to allow Ranma to know her daughter and friends were ok and to give her the ability to fight to protect them.
"THANKS FROSTA!" Ranma acknowledged as Ryoga stopped at the shout of the child calling Ranma 'momma'.
"WHAT PERVERSITY ARE YOU UP TO SAOTOME! WHO'S CHLID HAVE YOU STOLEN!" Ryoga shouted then the fact he remembered three women with Ranma made his anger grow even more.
"YOU DEFILER OF WOMEN YOU BETRAYER OF AKANE DIE!" He realized Ranma was with other women forgetting there was no engagement or that he and Akane had slept together.
"That pig-boy is none of your concern! Besides it was Akane that BETRAYED our engagement long before I ended it. Remember _P-Chan_ I talked with my mom and she told me everything!" Ranma said as she landed on the other side of the mosaic and took a strange ready stance.
"I am going to make this short and sweet so that your pea brain can understand." Ranma snarled as her cat aura appeared.
Ryoga stared in fear as he just caught the glimmering fifteen-inch chi claws on her hands. He jumped back quickly when they were followed by the cat aura. He began to sweat when a fiery bird shaped aura formed around her encasing her and the cat. He gulped as the heat was strong and had begun to over power him. He nearly fainted when a white iridescent aura with solid white, blue, green, red, and black chi formed around her what frightened him the most was it looked like a dragon. He slowly backed up not sure; it was a good idea for him to have tried to attack the angry girl before him.
"Ran...Ranma what is hap...happening?" Ryoga asked trying to defuse his rival sometimes friend.
"It is quite simple you _jackass_! YOU TRIED TO KILL MY DAUGHTER, THE FEMALE CAT SPIRITE IS ANGRY NOT TO MENTION THE SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON, AND PHOENIX I NOW HAVE IN ME! IN ESSCENANCE YOU HAD BETTER LEAVE OR YOU DIE!" Ranma took a swipe at Ryoga and sliced his umbrella into four even pieces.
"HUH!?" Ryoga looked confused as he tried to process everything Ranma had just told him.
His attention was drawn to the loud *THUNK*. He looked down and saw his umbrella in four segments on the floor. He looked at the handle still in his hand and found the umbrella was cut so close to the handle he was holding that it was even with his hand. He gulped as he realized Ranma had such control that she never even scrapped his hand. He then raised his head at a stern angry voice. He looked behind Ranma and saw the three women the one up front was dressed in a body suit and wore a falcon headdress. Her arms were up and spread out showing a feather caplet sewn to the underside of her arms and sides. The two equally beautiful women behind her were glaring at him as they comforted a small child.
"You have entered past Grayskull's defenses this cannot be allowed. After your fight with the Mystic Warrior, you will never be able to enter here again. I only needed you to enter once before I could stop it permanently." The bird woman told him, as he looked confused.
"Mystic Warrior?" Ryoga asked as he looked at a still enraged Ranma.
"Let me know when you are ready Sorceress this is going to be a quick battle as I will not allow him to destroy your home!" Ranma growled as the cat aura darkened.
"It is done Ranma don't worry any damage he does the Spirit of Grayskull should be able to make repairs." The Sorceress said as if giving Ranma free rein in her upcoming fight.
"No sense giving the Spirit extra work to do then he should have to do." Ryoga marveled at how gentle Ranma's tone was when he talked to the woman behind her but still showed him a rage that would frighten even Akane.
{Go ahead, Mystic Warrior I will not tolerate even cursed beings to enter my domain!} Ranma paused as she heard the spirit of Grayskull for the first time.
"You have your answer Ranma now please take out the trash!" The Sorceress said as her eyes flashed with rage at the boy who scared Meriana.
"WAIT! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHERE I AM!" Ryoga did not like the conversation he was listening too even more the look on Ranma's face as she took a step toward him.
"Why pig!?" Ranma asked as she continued closer to him.
"RANMA WE ARE FRIENDS!" Ryoga pulled the friend card when he needed it!
"A friend would not sleep with my fiancée! A friend would not try to attack a child! A friend would not continually attack me after promising to be friends! A friend would not try to ra...!" Ranma could not get the last one out but Ryoga knew what she meant.
"IT WAS A DREAM!" Ryoga shouted as Ranma ticked off her list claw marks appeared on Ryoga's chest.
"Yesssss, but you sssstill brrrrroke ourrrrrr grrrrowing frrrriendsssship!" Ranma's 'R's and 'S's began to elongate as she moved closer with the grace of a panther.
"NNNNOOOO!" Ryoga screamed and turned he did not know where to go he just ran.
Ranma chased after the fleeing boy to make sure he finally left the castle. Once she was out of visual range of the Etherian queens, she showed Ryoga some of the other things she got from the dragon. First lightning, then a frost bolt and just to warm up his behind a small fire bolt. She followed as he went down the different hallways trying to locate a way to escape. Ranma saw, as the Grayskull spirit would nudge him down different hallways that led nowhere. Ranma began to wonder if the Spirit was purposely keeping the lost boy from getting lost. Finally, he turned down a dead end hallway and when Ranma turned down the hall the lost boy had gotten lost. Ranma took several deep breaths as she tried to calm down she did not want to go back to Meriana angry. The little light of her life would be frightened and she would have to calm her down.
"Thank you Spirit of Grayskull!" Ranma said as she bowed to the center of the castle.
{"You are welcome Mystic Warrior!} The spirit responded with a chuckle in h his voice as if he enjoyed himself.
As Ranma walked back to the throne room she realized her old life was breaking into her new one. She was going to have to reconsider going home after her first time. She still needed to get the items for his new home and she wanted to activate her mother's Spirit Weaver powers. She wished her mom had them when Genma took her he would not have lasted long on the rode. When Ranma rounded the corner into the throne room, she reached up and grabbed a streak of yellowish red in a tight hug.
"Hello my little Lotus Blossom! You did good keeping quiet so as not to distract me." Ranma told the tear-stained face of her daughter.
"That bad man gone no hurt momma!?" Meriana asked as she buried her face in Ranma's neck.
"Yep and thanks to the Sorceress he won't be popping in like he tends to any longer." Ranma said as her friends finally reached her as she walked toward the throne.
"What happened Ranma how was that idiot able to get inside Grayskull?" Frosta asked as she hugged her friend followed quickly by Castaspella then the Sorceress.
"He is from my past. He like my ex-fiancee and some others back there did not like take responsibility for their own mistakes. His family has a directional curse. He could get lost in a closet. He just shows up angry with me. I had told the Sorceress about him and she said once he showed up where she could see him she would fix it so he could not get into Grayskull like that again." Ranma told them as they sat down at the dining table Meriana refusing to let go of Ranma, she gave up trying.
"Well actually Ranma I am using his genetics against him none of his family will be able to just pop in." The Sorceress smiled at Meriana and handed her the stuffed dolls from the two queens.
"My goodness Ranma I am glad you are here now! The life you led was hard enough on a strong person, but on a child! I am surprise you are not messed up!" Castaspella told her friend as she took Ranma's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"If it had not been for the Sorceress and those at the palace I would have never known what real friends were like. Now my blessings are growing with you two and Meriana I am the happiest I have ever been." Ranma said with a warm smile to the three women.
"What about your mother Ranma?" Castaspella asked her as she watched, as there was both happiness and indecision.
"I am going to go see her after our meeting with King Randor. I would love to take Meriana but I can't I am not sure I can protect myself from the spirits and I know I can't protect us both. Well not until I get stronger. But when I get back my mother's Spirit Weaver powers will be active and she can come visit." Ranma said as she felt her frightened daughter move.
"GRAMMA COME HERE! WHEN GRAMMA COME!" Meriana looked happily at her mother.
"Well I am not sure sweetie. Once I open a rift for her to get her powers it will take her time to train with her powers. I however have a feeling she will learn quickly because she wants to hold you tight and as she put it 'spoil you rotten'!" Ranma and the others looked at the shocked look on Meriana's face.
"I not rot...rott...what that word?" Meriana gave up and turned to her mother for an answer.
"That is were she will give you everything you want, let you stay up late, feed you sweets. She will then get you all hyper and send you home to me to enjoy your buzz." The smile on Meriana's face made her and the other women nervous.
"Great gramma come to!?" Meriana asked her mother.
"That depends on if she and King Randor can work out her people moving to Eternia." Ranma said as she handed the Amazon law book to her new friends.
"Though they say the prideful laws are gone, I don't believe it. I told King Randor I felt they would throw them out the window if it was not convenient for them." Ranma told them as they skimmed the first few pages.
"May we borrow this booklet? If their laws are not to bad we might be able to find them a home on Etheria." Frosta said as she handed the book to Castaspella.
"Well since your world does have multiple kingdoms, they might work better there but Lily and King Randor are going to see. Evidently most of the council has been trying to get rid of those prideful laws for a long time." Ranma told them with a nod of her head.
The soft snoring caught the attention of the three women. They looked down, found Meriana, finally settled down, and were now sleeping in her mother's arms. They looked at the time and saw it was late. They needed to prepare to return to Etheria the day after tomorrow and the king had contacted the Sorceress that the first six communicators were ready. The four women and one child rose and headed to bed. The two queens took the booklet of Amazon Laws with them. The Sorceress also went to bed as she knew Ranma would take to the skull to talk with her mom. Ranma went to put Meriana down for the night with her Orko doll and snowman doll to cuddle with. She put the Battlecat and Swiftwind sculptures on the night stand and left the room.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Nodoka got ready for bed her face in a tight scowl but there was pride there as well. She had asked Ukyo to be her adopted daughter and sister to Ranma. It shocked her that she did not jump at the chance but she also understood why she did not.
(o)(o) FLASHBACK (o)(o)
"Ukyo I asked to speak with you in the garden because I have a very important question to ask you." Nodoka told the young chef as she fidgeted nervously.
"What is it Mrs. Saot...sorry Miss Takashi." Ukyo was still getting use to the fact Nodoka was divorced from Genma and so quickly.
"I want you adopt you as my daughter." She got to it quickly before Lily and Mousse returned from shopping.
"I...I don't know." This answer surprised Nodoka and Ukyo saw it in her face.
"Don't get me wrong I have to restrain myself from jumping up and down shouting yes from the rooftops. You are giving me an opportunity to be a part of a family again and I really want that so badly I can taste it! The problem for me am I saying yes _for me_ or am I saying yes to be near Ranma." Ukyo spoke softly but saw the understanding forming in the woman's eyes before her.
"This is my chance to have a new life also and I want to be absolutely sure it is my new life I am agreeing to and not a continuation of my old life. I mean yes I will always be a part of Ranma's life this way and I could not be happier about that I just want to make sure I don't go back to claiming her as my property. Do you understand? You are not mad are you?" Nodoka reached over and hugged the chef tightly.
"Of course not my dear. I am just a little sad I have to wait to know if I have a beautiful new daughter but I am proud of you for realizing you could be saying yes for the wrong reasons. I will wait for your answer my dear when you are ready to give it." Nodoka held her even more tightly as her tears of joy, sadness and pain flowed from her tightly closed eyes."
(o)(o) END FLASHBACK (o)(o)
Nodoka turned out her lights and crawled into her bed her locket safely in stuff space. She had tried sleeping with it but the lotus blossoms hurt. She settled into bed facing her window and trying to see the stars. She remembered when Ranma had showed her the area outside the castle she was staying. She could see the stars and the two moons intrigued her. She had also gotten Ranma to describe her courtyard and the walkway into the castle she had some ideas she might like and if she did, she would order the plants and they could pick them up when she came. She frowned, as she knew Ranma could not stay but for the day or Meriana would bet depressed and frightened.
"Mom?" Nodoka sat up quickly she smiled as she pulled the locket out and put the chain on then opened the locket.
"I am here my love!" She answered the call to her from her child.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Ranma jumped to the skull of Castle Grayskull. She sat at its highest point. She opened her locket but paused as she looked out over the area around the castle. She smiled as what she had told the others was true this was the happiest she had ever been over the last twelve or thirteen years. She just hoped letting her mother come would not be a mistake but she had already told her she did not want to take over her life just be a part of it. Ranma smiled as she could agree to that. She picked up her locket and called to her mother.
"Mom?" Ranma waited for a few moments and was about to call again, when she heard her mother's voice.
"I am here my love!" Ranma broke out into a loving smile as her mother's face appeared in the locket.
"Hi mom watcha been doin'?" Ranma giggled at the scowl her mother gave her for her bad grammar.
"Oh Ranma behave yourself!" Her mother giggled as she tried to look stern and disapproving.
"HAHAHAHAHA! It is good to hear your voice and see you again." Ranma told her even though they talked last night it meant so much to have this private time.
"Ranma I need to tell you something." Ranma looked at her mother with worry but Nodoka did not see it as her head was bowed.
"First the divorce from your father came through yesterday. I am going by Takashi now and if you wish to use that surname you can as well. Father is not well Hayashi your uncle and the one that helped me over the years. Did you know he was looking for you when he went on training trips? He said he always missed you by a day or two. Anyway he helped me to get my divorce." Nodoka's sadness was evident in her voice.
"Are you going to go see him?" Ranma asked wondering if they should go together but the shaking of his mom's head made it a moot point.
"*SIGH* No Ranma I am not. It is not because I don't want too see him, Hayashi said he does not wish to see you or me. So I will not put you through that." Nodoka looked at her daughter her eyes brimming with tears. Hiroshi says to say 'Hi'. He said it was the most fun he ever had with the art was when he got to train you." Nodoka smiled proudly at the Mystic Warrior.
"Tell him the Takashi School has been a big help in the battle. I have only taught it to He-Man and She-Ra and we make a huge difference when fighting the Kalcar robots." Ranma told her an evil grin on her face.
"I will tell him Ranma he will be happy and proud to know that." Nodoka grinned at her child.
"The other thing and don't get your hopes up she wants to think about it. I asked Ukyo to allow me to adopt her. I thought she would jump at the chance but she wants to think it over. I am both excited, disappointed and proud all at the same time." Nodoka said as Ranma raised an eyebrow.
"Did she say why she wanted to think it over?" Ranma asked with curiosity written all over her face.
"She says that she wants to make sure she is doing this for herself alone and not so she can be near you. She is ecstatic that I asked and that you and she will be sisters but it would mean nothing if she started her new life trying to keep the status quo. She wants to make sure she is doing it for the right reason, for her." Ranma saw the pride in Nodoka's face as Nodoka could see it in hers.
"Tell Ukyo I said I hope she makes the right decision for her but the best decision for me is if she would say 'yes'." Ranma told her beaming mother.
"So what else is going on? Oh and Randor has agreed to talk with Lily. We are going there tomorrow so I will introduce them and let them have at it." Ranma said with a big cheesy grin Ranma thought she would wait until Frosta and Castaspella finished with the law book before getting their hopes up about living on Etheria.
"I hope you don't mind but I have made some notes on how to do your garden. They are just suggestion and you might get ideas from them to make it your own." Nodoka said with a nervous smile as Ranma leaned in the excitement was evident in her eyes.
Nodoka explained some of the ideas and one was to line the walkway with some of the Sakura trees then spread the rest she wanted around her garden in strategic spots that would draw people to that area. She also said if the line of the entry walk way was to bare then maybe mixing something like Lilac bushes in-between them would be nice and the smell was so heavenly. Nodoka also said that lilacs came in not only lavender but red and white as well. She told Ranma some of her other ideas and noticed as she was writing them down. She also told Ranma she could put in the orders so that they would be ready for her when she got there. She had checked with several garden centers and only two she found had whiled cattails or bull rushes available and they also had the tiger lilies in the colors she wanted.
They talked some more this time though it was just to keep the connection going as long as they could. They did not want it to end but to soon it had. Ranma's head dropped as her mother faded from her view. Ranma's tears fell covering the star sapphire in the locket. Ranma took a deep breath and re-entered Grayskull for the night. She took off her locket and left it on the throne of the Sorceress and headed to her bed and a good nights sleep with her Lotus Blossom.
(l(l(l)l)l)
The hustle and bustle in Castle Grayskull was heard throughout the stone, walls. The women helped make breakfast as Ranma and Meriana still slept. They were tickled they were able to get up before the Mystic Warrior. They entered the throne room with the meal as Ranma slowly exited her bedroom. She smiled with a slight scowl as she missed the chance to help in the kitchen.
"AAAWWW! Why didn't you wake me I coulda helped!" Ranma said as she moved to the dining table and a hot cup of tea.
"We wanted to make the breakfast as a going away present for you and the especially the Sorceress." They told Ranma as the Sorceress entered from the kitchen a frown on her face for sure.
"Yes they would not even let me help!" The protector of Grayskull said with a pout.
The three other women laughed as they sat down and ate their breakfast. Ranma asked about the law book and the two queens said they agreed with King Randor they would have to prove themselves sincere and have a severe punishment in place for those that break the new laws. Ranma nodded as she told them now they problem threaten them with Jusenkyo. She smiled evilly as she made her next comment.
"They could feed them to the dragons if they break them!" Ranma's face had turned so evil they were all a bit frightened then the Sorceress who knew her the longest intervened.
"Now Ranma be reasonable you don't want to give the dragons indigestion!" This had the desired affect as all four of them began to laugh.
"What funny momma!?" They all turned to see Meriana standing next to Ranma pulling the sleeve to her tang." She bent down and picked her up and placed her in her chair then took Orko doll and Snowman doll and put them in the seat next to hers.
"I was teasing them about feeding the dragons some misbehaving Amazons." Ranma told her with a wide grin.
"What Amazon?" She asked as she took a bite of her cereal.
"They are a race of strong warrior women. They are trying to get rid of stupid and bad laws so they can come help me fight!" Ranma told her with a bright smile.
Meriana scrunched up her face and tried to understand what she was being told she leaned down and put her ear to her dolls and nodded as if they were explaining it to her. The women smiled as she sat back up as if she understood and went back to eating. They all talked about the plantings they would gather for Ranma then Castaspella turned to the Sorceress.
"Sorceress would like any plantings for Grayskull?" The Sorceress looked up longingly but shook her head.
"I have no way to get them sun to survive." She said with a slight frown.
"If we could fix that without opening Grayskull to attack would you like some?" Frosta pushed, as she was excited about sharing part of her kingdom with both her new friends.
"I...Ye...Yes I would but the spirit of Grayskull would have to approve." She said sadly knowing it would not.
{Do not underestimate my desires to make my guardians happy, Sorceress!} They all heard the voice of the Castle spirit as it let its desire to have the garden in the castle.
"Oh how wonderful! Thank you very much spirit!" The Sorceress said as they told her what they could do to get light into the castle but still keep its integrity against attack.
"We will bring what we need when we come back to give Ranma her plantings." Frosta said knowing they may not be able to go to the valley to help her plant them.
"I look forward to it!" The excitement bloomed in the face of the Sorceress.
"I can get some from earth if you like? I just gotta tell mom to order extra for you guys if you want them?" Ranma asked as the women broke out into beaming smiles.
"Oh Ranma you and Meriana need to get ready!" The Sorceress said as she heard Adam and Adora in her mind as they were nearing Grayskull.
"Prince Adam and Princess Adora are part of your honor guard to the palace they don't want what happened the last time to be repeated." The Sorceress said with a smile as she knew they had hoped it would have especially Meriana.
"Oh drats!" Both Castaspella and Frosta said together their arms crossed over their chests and both pouted.
"Oh drabs!" Meriana mimicked though not exactly she also copied their stance and pout.
"You better stop pouting or it will freeze like that the birds will sit on your lower lip and poop down your front." Ranma told them as she and the Sorceress busted out laughing at the three comments to her.
"EEEEEWWWWWWW!" They all three scrunched up their faces and shuddered slightly. (Dani: This was for my very best friend we were like soul sisters, who passed during the end of 2013 I used to tell her this all the time and that was her response.)
The four women laughed as Ranma picked up Meriana and her dolls and headed to get dressed. When they reappeared, Adam and Adora had just arrived with Teela. Ranma smiled at the Captain of the Guard. Then she scowled at the red head that became a bit nervous.
"Have you been practicing?" Ranma asked as Teela blushed bright red.
"Unless daddy has her doing something she joins Adam and me almost every morning." Adora said with a happy smile.
"Ok then that is good!" Ranma said with a bright smile that caused Teela to start breathing.
"Teela Captain of the King's Guard, this is Queen Castaspella and Queen Frosta. We missed you when we were there the other day." Ranma said as she introduced her friends to each other.
"It is nice to meet you majesties!" Teela said showing proper etiquette when dealing with royalty as she bowed to the queens.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Teela." Castaspella said as she and Frosta bowed to her as well.
"Yes it is very nice to meet more of Ranma's friends and nice to see she is finally getting the friends she deserved. Oh and please we are not standing on ceremony it is hard to do that and fight the Kalcar." Frosta said as she held out her hand to Teela after she rose from her bow.
"Thank you, I was afraid she was still attracting the type of people she left behind but it is wonderful to find there are such caring people on Etheria." Teela smiled brightly letting the women know she knew about and did not like Angella's antics.
"Oh Ranma you finally decided to go as twins?" Teela said as she turned to Ranma and Meriana.
"Was not my idea, Lotus Blossom wanted to match today so after three seconds of her pleading and big puppy dog eyes I gave in." The group all laughed as Ranma smiled down at her daughter.
Ranma and Meriana were wearing the red-plum with the same style as her other battle kimonos, the red purple kimono was embroidered with shimmering silver and gold star bursts of varying sizes. Ranma did not care for crystals at the center of the starbursts there was silver or gold crystal depending on the color of the thread. She was just glad they were not pink. She wore the matching pants, sash, and slipper while Meriana wore the alternate color for this kimono, which was the only pink in the kimono sets and she was glad it was a very pale pink.
"How come you are not wearing the pink like Meriana?" The Sorceress asked her with a mischievous smirk.
"Wanted everyone to tell us apart." Ranma smiled back just as mischievously as the rest of the room laughed but Meriana as she looked to her momma and the others.
"Come we need to get going the King is waiting." Teela said as she and the others left the castle both Ranma and Meriana hugged the Sorceress bye.
The group piled into the rover, they had to make Ranma get in as she wanted to fly air support but she finally got in and when she was seated, Meriana crawled into her lap and leaned against her as she sat sideways. As they drove, to the castle Meriana played with her Orko and Snowman dolls, as Ranma could not get her to leave them at Grayskull. As they drove Frosta and Castaspella asked Teela how she liked being the head of her kings guards and the type of things she was required to do. The trip went quickly with no incidents evidently Skeletor had not recovered from the last time. Ranma still kept her sense on high alter.
As the land rover pulled up in front of the castle they group was met by the king and queen and the kings aunt Sijhan as she just could not leave until she saw Meriana again. As they got out of the rover Meriana jumped from her mother's lap and ran up to Queen Marlena and into her outstretched arms. Ranma smiled happily as she feared Meriana would never trust another queen after her time with Angella.
She and the Etherian queens stepped forward they all bowed to the royal couple and Sijhan. They returned the bow. As they, headed into the castle Marlena and Sijhan disappeared with Meriana in tow. Ranma chuckled as she heard her daughter laughing with glee at her new playmates.
"She and my aunt have been so excited that Meriana was coming today it was getting annoying. But to see my lovely wife so happy and my aunt acting so strong and young it is worth the 'will they be here soon?' questions." The king said with a deep baritone laugh.
"I am glad Queen Marlena was able to help Meriana over her fears of queens. Frosta and Castaspella's staying with us at Grayskull continued her lesson that not all queens and kings on bad." Ranma said as she smiled lovingly at her two new friends.
"Yes she also seems to be filling out much better now then when we first saw her." Randor said as worry filled his face as he looked off toward the laughter of Meriana.
"Yes but she was starting to get to filled out so we have been working out so her food intake would go to muscle and not fat." She told her sovereign.
"Yes I can see that it also makes her very fast and energetic!" Randor told her with shock and bemusement.
"We have to keep you on your toes!" Ranma giggled as Randor sat on his throne as they all stood in front of him.
"Well I was able to get ten communicators completed Man at Arms was not able to get them tested so when you return please try them before passing them out. I am taking one for me if you need to contact me. I have also got one set aside for the Sorceress as she will be your first line of communication to get to Eternia. Then this one is for Ranma as she will need to be contacted if she is needed." Randor told them as he handed the small chest to Frosta.
"We will test them as soon as we get back to Etheria later today." Castaspella said as she and Frosta each put the wrist communicator on.
"We do not know how to thank you for your kindness majesty." Frosta said as her eyes filled with tears as she and Casta realize their planet was not alone.
"I just wish I could do more. We are now fortifying our world just in case but with He-Man, She-Ra and the Mystic Warrior I doubt it will be necessary. I just like to err on the side of caution." Randor told them they all saw the pain in his eyes as he remembered a similar fight to save Eternia.
"Your skills in stratagem will help us greatly. With the help of the Sorceress we were able to create a map of Etheria. We left in a hurry." Castaspella said with a smirk as she winked at Ranma.
"That would be helpful for me to know the lay of the lands I will study this with Man at Arms and Teela." Randor said as he took the five-foot long scroll Castaspella handed to him.
Randor unrolled the map to take a quick look when Castaspella and Frosta began to show him where in relationship to Brightmoon their kingdoms were. They showed him where Peekaboo lived and the mermaids kingdom. They showed him whispering Wood and a few other notable landmarks including the Kalcar's domain. Randor scrutinized each location the queens showed him as he nodded. He then rolled up the scroll and asked them his next question. He really wished Marlena were there as she is part of this next step of the plan. He smiled as a child's laughter came running into the throne room.
"MOMMA, MOMMA LOOK WHAT AUNTIE MARLENA GAVE ME!" Meriana ran to her mother carrying a doll of He-Man and one of She-Ra.
"Oh my aren't they beautiful! You really did not have to do that your majesty!" Ranma said as she scooped up her baby.
"No I didn't but I wanted to! She told me about the quartz Battlecat and Swiftwind and you can't have those without He-Man and She-Ra." The queens eyes sparkled Ranma thought with worry as she looked at her son and daughter.
"Have I missed it my love?" Marlena asked her husband.
"No I was just getting to it." He smiled at her.
"Where's aunt Sijhan?" He asked, as she was absent from their entry.
"Taking a nap Meriana seems much faster today." Marlena told him with a warm smile.
"Yes will I don't doubt it, her mother is Ranma." The king said with a huge smile of pride.
"Now Queen Frosta and Queen Castaspella I would like us to make an alliance that will last after we defeat the Kalcar. Would you be interested in such an alliance?" The king started as he waved to the scribe standing near a door that exited to deep into the palace.
Castaspella and Frosta turned to each other and talked quickly and quietly as the scribe moved closer to the king. When they turned back to their host they bowed deeply. They rose with huge smiles on their faces. Casta moved forward to give the king their joint answer. Her eyes shimmered with relief and happiness.
"It seems majesty we think alike. Frosta and I have enjoyed our time here on Eternia we were going to request an alliance as we do not want to lose the most wonderful new friends we have made." Frosta moved next to Castaspella as eh began to talk.
"Then let us make it official for us and future generations of our kingdoms." Randor said as he handed copies of the alliance to each queen.
It took another hour to work out the differences and the fact that when the war was over they hoped he and his queen would visit Etheria as well. After all the details were worked out, each ruler signed the agreement and placed their seal beside their names. Randor then gave the queens their copy and shook their hands as Marlena gave them a tight hug.
"Now Ranma you have a request?" The king asked as she moved toward the throne.
"Yes majesty, my adopted grandmother wishes to speak on behalf of her people. She wishes to be able to get them to come here and fight with the rebels and if they can prove their desire to grow and change become part of your or Etheria's worlds. I have brought my Lotus Locket just open it and then call to Nodoka. She is my mom." Ranma said as she moved forward.
"Well now this ought to be fun. You will of course do the introductions?" The king asked as she smiled.
"Oh you have to wear the locket when using it. The spells used by the Sorceress to amplify the magic in the locket causes a protection spell to prevent harm to the user and theft of the locket." The king nodded as he slipped the locket over his head.
"Like this?" Randor said as he then opened the locket.
"Yes. Mom are you there?" Ranma said as the locket began to glow slightly.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Nodoka was finishing up the preparations to lunch. She has had such fun using the new spice cabinet. She could not wait to start growing her own spices and herbs. She tasted her dishes and smiled, as Ukyo was correct. She frowned as she hoped the young chef would accept her offer. She had talked to her young girl and she would still come and visit while she thought about it and Nodoka and Lily would not push her.
"Mom are you there?" Nodoka jumped slightly then put down her spoon and answered the locket call of her other child.
"LILY IT'S RANMA!" She called out as she headed to the living room Lily was waiting for her at the sofa. Nodoka sat down and opened her locket.
"Yes Ranma we are." Nodoka told her as she moved the locket to Lily's neck the women watched as a man's face appeared in the locket behind him stood Ranma.
"Hi mom, grandmother Lily!" Ranma said with a broad smile.
"HI GRAMMA HI GREAT GRAMMA!" All four of the faces in the locket laughed as Meriana shouted to her grandmothers from the lap of Queen Marlena.
"Mom, Grandmother this is King Randor of Eternia. This is his wife and Queen Marlena. These are the two Queens from Etheria that are my friends and of the Crown of Eternia as they have signed an alliance with them. Queen Frosta and Queen Castaspella." Ranma turned the locket to each person she introduced and they bowed their heads slightly as Ranma's family did the same.
"I hope our talks can be fruitful majesty." Lily stated as she smiled her gray eyes flashing with determination.
"Well it will not only be with me that you will be negotiating. It seems Queen Castaspella and Queen Frosta might agree to have the Amazons live in thier kingdoms but they also have concerns about the old laws that might rear their ugly heads." Randor said as the scribe from before brought two chairs for Casta and Frosta as the four heads of state began to come to an understanding.
Ranma took Meriana from Marlena as Queen she had to be present for this. Ranma then followed Adam and Adora out. The twins led her into the palace garden. They walked around the garden showing Ranma and Meriana the many plants native to Eternia. Ranma had taken out a notebook and began writing down the names of the ones she wanted for the valley. They led Ranma to a small man made lake and waterfall. The three adults sat down while Meriana ran to the edge of the lake and started to try and catch the dragonflies that flew around the edge of the water.
Ranma kept her gaze on her daughter as she and the twins talked. They all enjoyed being with each other it was nice for the twins to have friends they did not always have to be on protocol for and Ranma liked them as they were kind and just fun to be around. They turned at the loud splashing and found Meriana had sat down on the edge of the lake. She had removed her shoes as she had pulled up her pants legs and was kicking the water causing it splash all over her.
The three adults laughed as Meriana played. Then they sat quietly for a while until a servant appeared carrying a basket of food and a blanket. Adam and Adora rose to speak with him when they returned they had smiles on their faces. The servant spread out the blanket and set out a sumptuous feast. What surprised Ranma was some earth picnic food was in the mix. There was potato salad, fried chicken, and a three-bean salad. There was also Eternian cuisine as well.
"Meriana lunch." Ranma stated as her daughter rose from the lake, picked up her shoes, and ran to the blanket.
They ate their food as Adam and Adora asked what was happening in the Valley of Mists. Ranma explained she was using her Mystic Warrior powers and her own chi to temper the castle it was still to hot to be around but she hoped it should be cool enough very soon. She was planning on going to earth through the spirit world and once she could move through it safely for herself she would take Meriana to visit her home. They asked about her Spirit Weaver gifts and Ranma explained what she knew and that on her visit she would activate her mother's weaver powers.
They ate and talked while the servant stood close by. Adam and Adora said they would bring the things in but he refused to move. He was an old man but refused to sit in the presence of the prince and princess. Ranma had other ideas. She pulled from stuff space a small but sturdy stool. She put it behind the servant with a smile as he just ignored her. Though Ranma could see, he was intrigued by the appearance of the stool.
"Now sir it is time for you to rest." Ranma told him and pressed a point on his back causing his legs to give out from under him.
"OH!" He shouted before Ranma grabbed him and helped him to sit down Adam and Adora tried to hide the giggles.
"Now rest would you like some food? Meriana why don't you bring this nice man, something to eat!" Ranma asked her daughter who got up and put some chicken, potato salad the three bean salad, and a mutton leg. She then put some strange looking vegetables on a plate. She then carried it with both hands to the sitting man.
"I cannot eat that!" He said with shock.
"Why it is quite good and besides look at that face you don't want to make her cry...do you?" Ranma asked, as she knew Meriana would be the best to get him to eat.
"Your Highnesses it is inappropriate for me to be doing this!" Adam and Adora tried to hide their smiles.
"He is correct Ranma, but he has been with the court before we were born. He does deserve a rest." Adam said as he came up and put his hand on his shoulder.
"But we need to give him is dignity and allow him to go to his rooms to enjoy his food." Adam continued with a warm smile to the man during his childhood was more like a grandfather then a valet.
"Very well I apologize sir!" Ranma said with a proud smile at the man as she pulled out a bag for his plate to take with him.
"No thank you! I will get my meal when it is my turn to eat." The man tried to rise but could not because the shiatsu point was still active.
"Uh ahem will you release my legs please!" The man said with a raised eyebrow.
"OOPS sorry!" Ranma said with an impish smile as she pressed the needed release point.
"Ranma Meriana I would like to introduce you to Dacaar. He was my valet growing up he still is and has been like a grandfather to me." Adam said as he placed his hand on the elderly gentleman's shoulder.
"He has also been there to help me reintegrate into my family." Adora said as she stood on his other side.
"It is an honor to meet you Dakaar-san!" Ranma and Meriana both bowed to the elderly man.
Dakaar stood at five feet nine but would have been taller but because of age he was now slightly stooped shoulder. He had thinning gray white hair that he wore long and in a tight braid. That reached just to his shoulders. His face was round and jolly though he kept a stern look his hazel eyes shone brightly with life and mischief. His face was wrinkled but still had its youthfulness. His eyes were big but not overly large and framed a long aqua line nose that settled over a pair of medium thick lips. He wore a white shirt with long flared sleeves and a high color. His pants were straight legged and black in color and a pair of hard sole calf high black boots. Over the top of his shirt and pants he wore an ankle length vest of smoky gray trimmed with metallic copper threads of a looping design.
"Thank you sir, ma'ams it is nice to kno...!" Dakaar was cut off by a child's squeal of happiness.
"GRAMPA!" To the shock of Ranma and her friends, Meriana had dropped the plate of food and jumped into the arms of Dakaar.
"OOF! My word!" Dakaar got out breathlessly as he held tightly to the little girl that had just entered his personal space.
"Well Dakaar looks like you got another one!" The group turned to see Queen Marlena, King Randor, Frosta, and Castaspella behind them all giggling and not trying to hide it.
"Really majesty! I don't even know how it happened!" He tried to sound exasperated but his tones came out gentle and caring as Meriana hugged him 'to beat the band'.
"It is alright Dakaar she needs lots of caring people around her and what better choice then you!' Marlena said as she came up and helped disentangled him from Meriana.
"Thank you majesty I will continue with my duties." Dakaar turned and bowed to everyone and when he looked at Meriana he gave her a wink and smile.
Dakaar was confused he had seen the little girl in court and the way the queen and king enjoyed having her there. He also heard the story of what happened in Etheria. He was not happy that King Randor was making an alliance with the two Etherian queens but then he realized he would not if they were anything like that Angella person. He could not wait until the little girl came to the palace again the next time he might get to watch out for her while the Queen does her duties. His happy smile faded as he thought about how that queen almost killed the child he just hoped she never made an attempt to come to Eternia he did not think she would make it back to Etheria in one piece.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Ranma and Meriana stood at the door to Etheria as the Sorceress opened the locked door. She smiled as the three new friends hugged tightly and both the queens each hugged Meriana and gave her a kiss. They promised to be back for her birthday and if they could maybe sooner. Frosta and Castaspella then turned to the Sorceress and hugged her just as tightly. The communicator now a permanent part of the Sorceress' wrist.
"We are going0 to miss you! Please come again as soon as you can!" The Sorceress whispered to the two Etherian queens as they each kissed one of her cheeks.
"We will we promise!" Then they passed through the vale onto Etheria.
The Grayskull residents watched until they were inside Whispering Wood and safely deep within the tree line before the Sorceress closed the door. Meriana was still waving to her aunties until the door was shut. She then ran to her mother and jumped into Ranma's arms. The three of them returned to the throne room and Ranma explained that Randor and Lily had a long talk.
"So will he allow the Amazons to come to Eternia?" The Sorceress asked as they sat down at the dining table.
"Yes and no. He, Frosta and Castaspella want more assurances as to the following of the new laws. Though since Etheria is run by different queens and kings they may fit in better there but the outsider laws to marriage and training is a big stumbling block." Ranma told her as she nodded.
"So what are they planning to do?" The Sorceress asked as she and Ranma had tea and cookies she had waiting for them.
"Well it turns out there are a total of seven tribes some smaller then the Joketsukuko some large. They all followed similar laws but most of them had removed or never enacted those laws to begin with. It seems the Joketsukuko were the last to get rid of them and plan to lean heavily on their sisters tribes to keep them from their laws." Ranma said with a proud smile that Randor was a just ruler.
"So he told Lily he wanted a member of the council of elders from each tribe to come to Eternia as his guests to face to face negotiations. Each delegate may bring one honor guard with them though he felt their protection was not a necessity but with Skeletor and Maldar he was not sure." Ranma told her as he drank some tea.
"That is wonderful I hope it won't be Cologne and Shampoo!" The Sorceress shuddered at the thought.
"No, Cologne is not an Elder of the council outside the village. It will probably be Lily and Mousse. They will lead the delegation since they have had the most contact with King Randor and us here at Grayskull. Casta and Frosta will be back for that meeting. They said they would talk to other rulers about joining the alliance and coming to the meeting with the Amazons." Ranma said as Meriana stole her half eaten cookie like she had before this time though she was sharing with her dolls and figurines.
"The problem is how to get them here. They can't come the way I did. Mom and I could problem bring them with the both of our Spirit Weaver powers we could protect them but it might take more then one trip. Or maybe we can get good enough to each take seven." Ranma said, as she did not ask if there was a door in Grayskull to earth.
"Why not allow me to bring them Ranma?" The Sorceress asked with a warm smile.
"There is a door to earth?" Ranma asked with confusion.
"I don't really know. I will tell you what while you go to your mother I will start looking. If not you and Nodoka can bring them here." Sorceress told her surprised Meriana was not screaming about her gramma.
The Sorceress looked down at the mosaic and found Meriana curled up with her dolls and figurines sound asleep. Ranma smiled as the Sorceress touched her arm and pointed to her daughter. Ranma rose and gathered up Meriana and toys and took her to bed. She needed to leave soon to see mom but she might wait until tomorrow. She did not want to be gone when she woke it would hurt her daughter too much. Ranma returned from her bedroom a thoughtful smile on her face.
"What's wrong Ranma?" Ranma turned and looked at the Sorceress with a frown.
"Well I kinda hope you do have a door to earth. If I am right and the other Amazons are the same as the Joketsukuko, they are all going to want to fight the Kalcar. Mom and I will be exhausted trying to get them all here!" The Sorceress giggled as Ranma's eyes grew wide with fear.
"*GIGGLE* I can't promise anything Ranma but I will try!" The Sorceress kissed her cheek as she like Meriana was tired and was going to bed.
Ranma watched her go. She debated whether to link with her mom. She decided she wanted at least to say goodnight. Ranma headed to the only window in Grayskull and jumped out and up on the skull of the castle. As she sat down, she pulled free her locket and hoped her mother was alone. Ranma opened the locket but did not call to her mom she instead dropped her hands into her lap and stared out over the landscape in front of her. She compared her life on earth to her life here. The images of her past life flashed before her. The memories changed to show how she believed her life would be if she and Meriana returned home. Ranma's memories were interrupted as an angry Akane tried to mallet her while she still held her daughter. Ranma's tears flowed she had no longer bothered to stop them when she was alone.
"Ranma?" Ranma jumped at the sound of her worried mother.
"I am here mom!" Ranma told her as she tried to wipe away her tears.
"What is wrong!" Nodoka saw her daughter's puffy eyes and worry filled her sapphire blue eyes.
"Nothing really I was just remembering my life on earth and what might happened if I and Meriana moved back there." Ranma's eyes filled with terror and anger.
"Ranma you don't have to come back and I really don't want you too." Nodoka told her shocked child.
"Ranma you are finally happy and it is Eternia that made that happened. When you come, I will eventually be able to move back and forth though I think I might just stay there as well. Though I will need a nice home for Meriana to come to and be rambunctious and a way to make money." Nodoka said watching Ranma as she calmed.
"Like what? What about a seamstress or restaurant? Lots of people like the kimonos you got me." Ranma asked her and saw her thinking about it.
"That might work Ukyo and I can run both if I can get a building large enough to house a store and restaurant. Maybe I can get goods from the Amazons to sell." Nodoka said with a thoughtful smile.
"So what happened with King Randor and the Etherian queens? Meriana the royal twins and I were on a picnic while they talked with Lily." Ranma asked her mother.
"Well the answer right now is the same for both parties they want proof that they will not fall back on the old laws when it suits them. Though the other six tribes had already removed or never instated those laws many eons ago." Nodoka told her child a soft loving smile at her as she listened to what she was saying.
"So basically it will be the Joketsukuko that might be out of this deal if they don't stop with the outsider laws and others like it." Ranma said with a confused look.
"Yes so Lily is bring proof that if it is not Jusenkyo where they will be punished they will be sent back to earth and banished from the tribe no matter who they are.
Ranma nodded at that and she and her mother moved onto other topics. Nodoka told Ranma she had found several nurseries with the different types of plants she wanted and that were in stock. She also told her she found several books on terra forming and got them for her as a housewarming gift. They both laughed at that since the castle was still hot from tempering. Ranma told her she could only stay a day at a time, as Meriana could not handle her being gone because of what Angella's nurse had done. She also told her mother she hoped Herleda was not being truthful and Angella did not know what she was doing.
"Mom the locket is fading! I love you!" Ranma got out as the image of her mother faded.
"I love you too my darling see you tomorrow!" Nodoka responded back as the lockets went dark.
Ranma closed the locket with a smile. So, she wanted a place of her own. The sigh that came from Ranma was deep with relief. Ranma decided she would get more information from her mother as to what she was looking for then locate several options for her too look over when she visits. She knew she would too when the Amazons came for their meeting with Randor, Frosta and Castaspella. Ranma put the locket in subspace and re-entered the castle. She moved slowly toward her bedroom and to bed.
(l(l(l)l)l)
"DON'T GO MOMMA! MOMMA NOT COME BACK!" Meriana was not about to let her mother leave her and go back to earth.
"Meriana I have no intentions of stay on earth there is nothing there for me but my mom and new family. I will be back this evening and if you are really good I will bring you back something, maybe." Ranma said as Meriana stopped crying and looked at her mother with excited eyes.
"WHAT!" Meriana jumped for joy, as she wanted to know what it was going to be.
"UH HUH it is a surprise!" Ranma told her as she picked up her daughter and held her tightly.
"I love you my little Lotus Blossom and I will be back soon. I left the lotus locket with the Sorceress so you can contact me if you be." Ranma buried her face in Meriana's neck as she really wished she could take Meriana with her.
The problem was that she was not yet skilled enough to protect her from the Spirits and she feared for Meriana's safety with all her rivals and enemies on earth. She kissed Meriana and handed her to the Sorceress. Them hugged the Sorceress and turned to leave. She stopped and turned to her daughter and with crossed arms over her chest and a stern expression. She asked her daughter a question.
"What would you like if I could bring back anything?" Meriana perked up the tear tracks still flowed.
"A puppy!" Meriana said with a bright smile.
"Well if I get you a puppy it will have to be after we move into our home. We can't have a puppy make a mess of Grayskull." Ranma smiled and left the castle giving no other response.
Ranma implored the Umi-Sen-Ken at the window and then flew out of it. She headed toward the valley wanting to enter there where she would have help. They would be able to explain what to do and give her tricks she hoped later on would help protect Meriana if she took her to earth. Ranma hoped it would not come to that as she hoped by then her new family would be living on Eternia.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Nodoka was nervous she had only told Lily of Ranma's visit. As she also told Lily Ranma had agreed to activate her powers but asked she did not activate her family's gifts. She had no intensions of doing that while her father was still alive. She feared he would go to Eternia and either force Ranma back to earth or steal Meriana. She hoped she was wrong but she was not to sure.
She decided she liked having Lily here and as her Amazon mother. She could talk to her when her emotions were a jumbled mess and Lily helped her make sense of them. She turned when she felt the strong hand on her shoulder. She looked back behind her and Lily stood there with a warm smile. Nodoka smiled back as the two women finished breakfast preparations.
"You know Ukyo is stopping by this afternoon. Mousse has agreed to be her prom date and she wants to go look for a prom dress. I think I will meet up with her and take her. I will tell her you had an important meeting you could not get out of." Lily saw the frown on her face.
"You want to help her?" Nodoka nodded at the question.
"Well let me see if we can get her to do it tomorrow then we can both go. She won't want to go if Ranma is here anyways." Lily said with a chuckle as Nodoka giggled with excitement.
"Maybe we can take Ucchan with us and do her dress shopping at the same time!?" Both women turned with a shriek to see Ranma standing there with a cocky grin.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Mousse was outside doing his kata his mind wondering how he got roped into being Ukyo's date for her prom. He did not really care he had started to like Ukyo. She was kind and giving and did not walk all over a person but would not let them be a _jackass_ either. As he moved through his training from his auntie Nodoka in her family style, he stumbled at the scream from the house. Mousse feared the worst and ran toward the patio door his steel claws at the ready.
Mousse skidded to a stop when he entered the kitchen and found both his aunt and grandmother hugging a shapely girl with hair of living fire. There is only one person with hair like that now and he wondered how he...she got here.
"So does Ukyo know you're here today!?" Mousse asked as he walked into the kitchen." Mousse stopped as even with his limited sight he saw the iridescent glow about Ranma.
"No I wanted to be a surprise. How are you Mousse." Ranma asked him a bit nervous.
"Ok though you owe me _big_ time! I am the only male and these two have fun ganging up on me!" Ranma smirked as she mock glared at her mother and grandmother.
"Now why would you too do that when I am not here to help!" Ranma tried to keep the laughter in as Mousse's shout filled the kitchen.
"HEY!" Mousse shouted as he pulled free his bo staff with duck shaped potty chair.
"Mousse do you really want to test my new skills." Ranma said as she glared at him.
Mousse looked at Ranma and saw as the flame in her eyes doubled and a silver glow formed around her. Mousse opened his senses but it was not ki or chi she was showing but something more powerful something a lot more powerful then even the council or Saffron. Mousse quickly put away his staff and shook his head vigorously. Ranma smiled as she walked up to him and put his hand on the blind boy's shoulder.
"Now how about we just try to be friends?" Ranma asked Mousse was going to make a sarcastic retort when he heard the pain and loneliness in his voice.
"Alright Sao...Ranma friends." Mousse said as he quickly changed to Ranma's first name as they shook hands.
"Come let's eat and discuss our day." They all sat down at the dining table as Ranma and Mousse brought in the food from the kitchen.
"So granddaughter when will you activate your mother's Spirit Weaver powers?" Lily asked the excitement shone in her eyes as she imagined helping Nodoka learn to use them.
"Not until I leave. It takes a lot out of you because of the cramming of all the information. Jagar and Karamer is going to also push the Eternian language into her as well so she will be able to speak to others without a magical device." Ranma said with a broad smile.
"Well I guess we should start learning to speak Eternian as well what about Etherian?" Lily asked, as she did not remember seeing the two queens wearing anything like that.
"Well their languages are very similar so it is not necessary. Just remember what you are learning is very archaic as Jagar was the first king of Eternia. It will however get you through and you will pick up the recent incarnation of the language as you go." Ranma told them with a bright smile.
"How is castle doing Ranma, grandmother said you used your powers and chi to temper it?" Mousse asked as he was curious about it and this new person before him, a person that seemed so much happier.
"Well since I left from the Valley of Mists I checked on it. It is still hot but it has cooled enough I can take Meriana to the valley for a promised picnic. If she accidently touches it, she won't be burned just maybe a discomfort but no injuries. Though by the time we get there for the picnic it might be cooled enough we can go inside to look around." Ranma said as she debated whether to take Meriana if she could still get hurt.
"Tell us granddaughter what is this Kalcar like? What do the Amazons have to look forward to in battle?" Lily leaned in as the council had been asking questions about the enemy they would be fighting.
Ranma spent the next hour telling them about the Kalcar as she knew them and from what intelligence she got from the rebels. She told of fighting the old Horde robots mostly as the living leaders stay well out of battle. She talked of their sadistic nature and the enjoyment this Maldar got from causing pain. As Ranma talked a red black aura appeared around her. The aura winked out when her mother placed her hand on top of Ranma's.
"It is alright dear. You will defeat this maniac and free three worlds and a universe doing it." Nodoka said with a warm smile.
"I hope so mom I really hope so." Ranma said as he smiled at Nodoka.
"It will be a fun battle as the Amazons can fight in our ancient battle style! It has been to long we held back!" Lily said absently as Mousse gasped and paled.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!* Lily smiled as she rose to answer the door.
When Lily returned she was gently guiding Ukyo into the room from behind her. She had placed her hands over her eyes. The chef had a smile on her face but she grumbled at the antics of Lily. When she was lined up and Ranma was standing with a huge happy grin Lily uncovered Ukyo's eyes. Ukyo took a few minutes to allow her eyes to adjust to the darker room her face a mask of confusion. Her gaze was suddenly drawn to a fiery halo as she turned to face the figure in the center of the dining room.
"RAN-CHAN!" Ukyo's eyes widened with recognition as she ran into Ranma's waiting arms.
"Hi ya' Ucchan! How have you been?" Ranma asked as he hugged her tightly her eyes still flitting around for a chi mallet.
"I am great is Meriana with you?" Ukyo asked as she looked around for the little girl.
"No the technique I used to get here is new to me and it is too dangerous to bring her the same way until I can do it safely." Ranma said as Ukyo took her arm and dragged her back to the table.
They sat and talked about what Ranma was doing today. Ukyo was excited that she would be there to see her in her prom dress if not at the prom. She agreed to help in selecting the herbs and spices Ranma wanted to grow. She also thought about root vegetables. She also mentioned a root cellar or maybe selling the Etherian and earth vegatables she did not need at a farmer's market. Ranma nodded at the idea but she was not sure they had those. She decided she would have to ask the Sorceress.
They all asked about the people Ranma were with on Eternia and how she was fitting in. Ukyo felt a bit sad and guilty as Ranma talked about the Sorceress but she did not let Ranma see her pain. She was the cause of it not Ranma. She had realized the pain she caused her Ran-Chan by trying to force the engagement instead of asking for her friend back. She had almost made up her mind to accept Nodoka's offer but now she was not so sure. She jerked as a hand waved in front of her face.
"Earth to Ukyo, earth to Ukyo!" Ukyo shook her head and turned to the smiling face of Ranma.
"Now I don't want you to think I am pushing but will you hurry and accept mom's offer to be my sister! I am so excited I can hardly wait." Ukyo stared at her old friend her face full of confusion then a smile as bright as the sun lit the room.
"I promise to make my decision a top priority!" Ukyo told Ranma as she hugged the changed warrior.
"Now we have to get going we have a lot to do before Ranma goes back home." Nodoka said with a soft sad smile.
The five of them left the house ten minutes later and headed off to gather what Ranma needed. They took time to help Ukyo with her dress shopping and found her a wonderful dress for the prom. They got a tux for Mousse he would pick it up the day before the dance. Since he had no need for a tux, he just rented it. They finished their day out with dinner out and headed back home.
Ranma really did not want to leave his mother again but she also knew Meriana wanted her home. She had found this large stuffed Irish Wolf hound doll and got it for Meriana. She then got ready to leave. She walked upstairs with her mother the others close behind her. They watched as Ranma had her mother lay on the bed. She bent down and kissed her mother's cheek then opened the rift over her mother's bed. The others watched as the bed became covered with ethereal spirit energy.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!" Nodoka's scream shook the house and the neighborhood.
Ukyo tried to go and help her auntie but Lily stopped her. They watched as the spirit mist covered her completely and seemed to seep into her head. Nodoka finally stopped screaming after what seemed like hours but was only ten minutes. Mousse had left the room to answer the door as people were worried what was happening to their friend. He turned them away and went back upstairs in time to see the mist disappear and a sleeping Nodoka on the bed. He moved to the bed as Ranma covered her mother with a blanket from a nearby chair.
"When she wakes she will be tired and might have a really big headache. It will take a day or too to get over the affects. She should start training on the techniques she was given. The sooner she can use them the safer she will be from the panda." Ranma said as she stared down at her mother not wanting to leave until she woke.
"We will watch over her granddaughter you must get home to Meriana. I will have her contact you when she is up and around." Lily told her adopted granddaughter as she nodded her head in agreement.
Ranma opened a rift in her mother's bedroom and moved into it. When the rift closed Ranma was gone. The group had stared where Ranma, had just been and the bed where her mother laid recovering from the waking of her weaver powers. The group took up a vigil around Nodoka's bed as they waited for her to wake. The problem was that she slept through the night and they all fell asleep in the chairs they were sitting on waiting for her to come too.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Ranma moved through the spirit realm of white misty fog. As she walked shimmery silvery white orbs streaked past her and sometime through her. They were as small as a marble to as large as baseball. They did not hurt her it was just the spirits way of talking to her. She smiled slightly as in their passing through her she learned in a fraction of a second everything about them and what they knew. This knowledge was added to her own. The only time the orbs moved fast was to enter her. They other wised moved slowly so as not to collide. If they just wanted to talk the orbs would float in front of her and stretch out from an orb to the physical form the spirit had in life.
Ranma wanted to be with her mother but she could not stay away over night at this time. Meriana would go into a deep depression of fear that she would not be back. As Ranma moved through the many spirits, her beautiful face in a deep scowl she turned at the touch of a hand on her shoulder. She looked into the pain filled eyes of an adult Meriana. Ranma reached out with her senses and smiled sadly as she recognized the readings.
{You are Meriana's mother.} Ranma said instead of asking.
{Yes, it is said around the spirit world realm you are now her new mother!?} The woman asked the warrior as Ranma nodded.
{Why? Why is she not with her family?} Ranma scowled, as this woman should have known unless, Ranma asked the woman her next question.
{When did you die!} The woman looked confused but answered.
{I died in childbirth. She should be with her father or his family since I lost my family in the Horde infestation.} Ranma frowned, as she should have felt her husband join her unless he was still alive but did not want his child.
{The Kalcar are now fighting on Etheria and have destroyed the village where I found Meriana. She was the only survivor did your husband and his family not join you here?} Ranma asked as the woman's eyes opened wide with fright.
{I do not know unless there is a large power surge we do not know who enters the spirit realm. You are a beacon to us.} The woman said as her ghostly tears fell at the loss and abandonment of her daughter.
{Is she happy with you?} The woman asked her sad and lonely smile pulled at Ranma's heart.
{I think so, though the mind games forced on her in Angella's court still terrify her.} Ranma said as she felt Angella deserved no protection or respect.
{Like what!?} The mother became angry and frightened but released her anger at the presence of a spirit Ranma recognized.
{Raja! What are you doing here?} Ranma smiled at the first He-Man as he nodded to her and moved next to Meriana's biological mother.
{I came to find you when you did not return as fast as you should have.} Raja said as he allowed the ghostly mother to lean on him as he started to lead her away.
{Come let us go I will explain to her what has happened.} Raja told Ranma as he led the woman away.
{Hey, wait a minute!} Raja stopped and turned his arm still around the crying ghost.
{Please what is your name? I can't give Meriana up I can't! It would kill us both and three worlds!} Ranma got all her questions out, as Raja had started moving toward the Valley of Mists rift.
{I am called Aria you have no fear of that Mystic Warrior. My husband would have claimed her if he had survived the attack that killed our village.} Ranma felt both relieved and guilty at the same time as she followed Raja and Aria.
Aria's ghostly form stood five feet eight inches. Her long hair Ranma could only assume was the same red blonde as Meriana's hair. Aria's eyes were large and almond shaped but the color was not detectable. She was lean and had an athletic build. She had a medium length nose on the lean side that ended over a pair of full lips. She wore a woolen dress with a yoke top over a cotton shirt with flowing sleeves and leather slippers.
{Aria you can't tell Meriana who you are? Not now, it would confuse her and frighten her!} Ranma realized what Raja was doing and she really did not mind except what the confusion would do to Meriana.
{I am her mother!} Aria turned with an angry scowl.
{A mother she does not know!} They all turned to see Jagar behind them with Karamer.
{Why did you bring her here Raja!} The anger was unmistakable and Ranma knew Raja was up to something.
{I don't mind Jagar I do however mind if she is going to cause Meriana pain and in telling her she is! I know Meriana will have to be told eventually but not until she is older and can understand, what she is being told.} Ranma also glared not only at Raja but Aria as well.
{Then who am I to her?} Aria was getting angrier with the Mystic Warrior for taking her daughter.
{That is not your concern woman! You passed on at Meriana's birth, she is much smaller then normal three year old children and after what she went through at the Kalcar's hands and Queen Angella's grasp you should be thanking Ranma for giving her a loving home and mother!} Ranma looked confused at Raja as he stood by her yet he was trying to bring her into the mists.
{Where is the husband and father that was to be taking care of her! Was she even with them or did she get abandoned in that village!} Raja continued as if he knew for sure and was trying to tell the woman the truth.
{Ok spooky out with it! What do you know!?} Ranma was getting angry and right now, the insulting name was all she could manage at the moment.
{I agree Raja you know something and it had better not cause that child and Ranma any more harm.} Karamer was in front of her beloved's descendant with rage filled eyes.
{I found her husband and his family they succumbed to the Kalcar about six months before you found Meriana at that other village. They had taken her there and left her with friends until the Kalcar left their area where their village was. The only problem was they arrived back in time to fall prey to the extermination. They know you have Meriana and have made their way to the mist to be with her. They also know they cannot tell her who they are until she is ready to hear it.} Raja told the group and Ranma nodded her assent.
{So you are bringing Aria to them so they can be together when I _decide_ she is able to understand who they are.} Ranma said her eyes bore into the eyes of the mother of Meriana.
{Yes, they have agreed to be as the rest of the spirits of the mist. They will be her aunties and uncles. When she can understand what happened to her at that village and at Angella's court then they will help you tell her the truth.} Raja told her and Ranma seemed to be pleased with the idea.
{I agree to that but she is my daughter and I will raise her as I think is necessary! I will not have another mother trying to take over!} Ranma looked directly at Aria her flaming eyes told the woman she meant business.
{I agree! May I see her now?} Aria promised and she would fight hard to keep the promise, as she knew the Mystic Warrior could end her existence completely if she hurt Meriana.
{No, the tempering castle is still to hot but I am hoping she will be at the valley in the day or too. I will check the castle when I drop off my plantings.} Ranma said as she turned and moved toward the rift around her home.
As Ranma ended the conversation, the ghosts followed her into the rift around the valley. Ranma felt as the spirits in the mist moved quickly around Aria. Ranma reached out with her senses and felt they were not family in a sense. She assumed they were her husband and his clan. She did detect a bit of Meriana in them and she smiled as she had guessed correctly. She exited the mist into the valley, moved to the farthest end of the courtyard, and began unpacking her stuff space of Plantings, cases of seeds, spices, and herbs.
Once they were all setting out she watered the trees ands shrubs then went to check on the castle. She reached out and lightly touched the surface. She smiled, as it was still hot to the touch but not to hot well for her. Meriana on the other hand could still get hurt but she felt by the end of the week she and her daughter could come and visit their home. Ranma turned to leave when she found Aria and about six other spirits with her. She bowed at them then rose to face them.
"What can I do for you? The castle is still to hot for Meriana but I would say by the end of the week it will be cool enough she can visit the valley." Ranma saw as they all smiled then a tall burly man stepped forward with another one.
{What will you do if we do not honor your request if we tell Meriana who we are!} Ranma looked at the burly men one was a younger man the other must be his father.
"I am the Mystic Warrior I am cat, Phoenix and Dragon do you really think that you are safe as spirits? I would talk with Raja and find out! The cat in me is very attached to Meriana it believes she is her cub. Endanger her and I _will not_ control the cats rage!" Ranma's spirit wings formed behind her as she faded from view.
The spirits reentered the mist and Raja was waiting for them. He scowled angrily at them and their audacity to threaten Ranma. He told them of her ability to cut through spirit flesh and that if she chose she could destroy them all! The group looked at Raja with fear and uncertainty it was when Jagar and Karamer backed him up along with the spirits that had seen the fight between Raja and Ranma that they finally relented. They knew Ranma would tell them when she felt Meriana was ready and not when they wanted her to be ready. After all, Raja told them they were dead and Meriana needed a mother that was alive.
(l(l(l)l)l)
The Sorceress and Meriana moved through the castle together. The Sorceress had to find different ways to keep the little girl occupied until Ranma came back. She had decided Meriana would help her find a door to earth then her gramma and great gramma could come visit. The frightened little girl got excited to be able to help find her a way to see her grammas.
"There a door." Meriana pointed as she ran to the door the Sorceress behind her.
"Well my I did not know I had so many accesses to other world." The Sorceress told the little girl.
"Ok now let us see where this one goes to." The Sorceress waved her hand over the door and a plaque formed on the door showing a single star and nine planets (Dani: Sorry don't write I still believe Pluto is a planet, they the scientist just wanted something to do.)
The Sorceress opened the door and looked out at the a line of trees. She sensed no magic as she looked around. She thought it might be earth so she closed the door and as she did with the others, she and Meriana put a little sticker on the door. She turned to Meriana who was sitting on the floor her eyes drooping sleepily. The Sorceress bent over and picked her up and carried her back to the throne room for some lunch. The Sorceress put Meriana to bed until lunch was ready then disappeared into the kitchen after making sure all her dolls were in bed with her.
"Man she keeps that up and I am gonna have to sleep on the floor." Ranma whispered at the smiling scream of the Sorceress.
"EEK! Don't do that!" The Sorceress whispered back making sure Meriana was still asleep.
"Naw to much fun!" Ranma whispered as she and the Sorceress left her bedroom and a sleeping Meriana.
They went to the kitchen, made a light lunch of fruit salad, and headed back to the throne room. They sat and talked about Ranma's trip and that she left all the plants at the valley until Castaspella could fix Grayskull to allow an atrium for her. Ranma told her of Aria, her husband, and the rest of her husband's family it was as if they wanted Meriana back but they are dead and cannot care for her. The Sorceress gasped in shock at the fact the spirits of Meriana's family would think that would be feasible.
"How could they believe they could take her from you they can't care for her!" The Sorceress said with wide frightened eyes.
"I don't know but I told them they could be a part of her life as aunties and uncles until I felt she could handle the truth! I am afraid they might go against me and try to force her to them. I also told them to talk with Raja to learn the extent I would go to keep her." Ranma told her as she glowed black red.
"It will be ok Ranma I know it will. Listen Meriana and I have found many doors here in Grayskull to other places. So, we have marked them to have you see if anything looks familiar. That is why she is so tired we have been all over Grayskull looking for the doors." The Sorceress said with a warm smile.
"What kind of worlds?" Ranma asked as she raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
"Well we found a faerie realm. When I opened the door, there were three faerie children the two girls looked like you and Ukyo. The young boy reminded me of Lily's grandson. There was a coppery blue duck and a unicorn with butterfly wings. The two girls each carried a kitten. I allowed them in Grayskull to play with Meriana they all had a great time. I think that was why she is so tired. The faerie children were so fast they actually disappeared when they flew. Then they left to go home. It seemed the duck was not happy they came through the door." The Sorceress said with a giggle as she remembered the nagging antics of the duck.
"Then I found a world at war there was a group of thirteen people at the door when I opened it. One looked like that Hibiki boy and one kind of looked like the faerie boy. I sensed old magic from them ancient god like powers But we shut that door quickly as the one that looked Hibiki charged the door. Out of view I heard the voice of a girl that sounded very much like yours." The Sorceress said with a shudder.
"There were many world we went through though many seemed to have people that reminded me of you. I found a world where there was a white haired girl with golden highlights. She was you and with her was your mother and a young tanned skinned man that was very protective of her. They were fighting against an ancient evil and like you she was one of the warriors destined to fight it." The Sorceress looked off to the distance.
Ranma saw the fear that filled the woman's eyes. Ranma got up and moved next to her friend. She wrapped her arms around the Sorceress and pulled her close to her. She only looked for a second for the mallet but she was learning she no longer had that threat to her existence any longer. The Sorceress leaned into her hug as she shook with fear. The soceress allowed her tears to fall as she thought of the innocent lives that had been lost in that particular war.
"The last world we found before the one we think is yours there was a group of warriors building to fight a war. The thing is their was you and Hibiki and Mousse...yes that was his name. But they were both glaring sideways at you and a tall man behind you with shoulder length white hair and red robes. He carried a magical staff. Though, what really fascinated me was the power coming from you and the white haired man it was godly in nature!" The Sorceress said as she sat up and pulled from Ranma's comforting embrace.
"Wow, how come you seemed to find a lot of worlds that had me in it?" Ranma asked confused.
"It has always been believed that when you make a decision it causes a new flow from the main 'trunk' of a world. You get branches if you will if it is a strong branch it will continue to its end if it is not it will end fairly quickly." The Sorceress explained as she tried to remember the tome where she had found the legend.
"Ok so I evidently made different choices somewhere along the line." Ranma said wondering if once, the Kalcar was finished if she should visit the other worlds to help them.
"How long do you think it will be before your mother can travel through the spirit realm?" The Sorceress ask trying to change the subject, with a raised eyebrow as she did not want to talk about the one world where demons had over run it and had tried to break into Grayskull.
"I think it depends on how hard Lily pushes her to learn the spells." Ranma said with a giggle.
"Momma?" Ranma turned to see a sleepy Meriana as she stood at the door to the throne room.
"Well hello there my little Lotus Blossom! Did you miss me?" Ranma asked her daughter as she scooped her up into a big hug.
"Yes is gramma here?" Meriana asked as she looked around the throne room for her gramma.
"No not yet little one I activated her Spirit Weaver powers so when she gets up she will start training so she can come see you." Ranma told her with a warm smile.
"Momma, did you bring me somet'in'!" Meriana asked as she remembered her mother promised she would.
"Well I brought me?" Ranma said with a wink to the Sorceress.
"Did you get me anyt'in' else?" Meriana persisted as she looked for something new in the room.
"Well there is Wolfie." Ranma said contemplatively as she rubbed her chin.
"Wolfie? What Wolfie?" Meriana asked as the Sorceress looked on excited as she also wanted to know what a Wolfie was.
"Well now I could not get you a live doggie so I bought Wolfie. He is a stuffed Irish Wolf Hound and one of the biggest dogs on earth. They used them in a country called Ireland to catch and kill bears and cougars. They did such a good job they almost all died out." Ranma explained what the toy store clerk told her about the breed.
"LET ME SEE!" Meriana got excited as Ranma reached behind her and pulled forth a sitting stuff dog taller than her.
Ranma then took the huge front paws of the dog and put them on to her shoulders. It towered over Ranma at just over seven feet. In Wolfie's sitting position he was just over four and half feet tall. On his four giant paws, he was five feet at the shoulders. His faux fur was about three inches long at its longest and an inch and half at its shortest. It was shades of mostly gray with bits of black and brown mixed in with the gray. He had dark brown eyes and his mouth was slightly opened. His tongue hung out in a permanent pant and hung out of the left side of his mouth giving him a goofy look.
"WOLFIE!" Meriana ran to the stuffed dog and knocked him to the floor and hugged him tightly as she laid, down on top of her new toy.
"Ranma he is a magnificent dog. Will you get a real one when you move into your home?" The Sorceress asked her face taking on a sad and lonely look that Ranma did not see because she was facing Meriana.
"No, I would like to have two or three of them the problem is they don't live long because of their size and Meriana has seen enough death in her young life.
"Yes that is true. My, she does love him. When she goes to bed tonight, I will put the protection spell on him as well. I finally got it on the She-Ra and He-Man dolls today when she took her nap." The Sorceress smiled as the little girl and all her toys laid by the mosaic so she could play with them.
"I am going to need to get her around other children but I fear while the Kalcar is a threat she will be a target." Ranma said as she now realized how the Sorceress felt and why she gave up Teela.
"It is hard isn't it?" She asked Ranma who nodded and then took a deep breath.
"I will still try and raise her. I am training her and she will be able to defend herself. I will teach her who to avoid and eventually how to read auras to see if people are who they pretend to be." Ranma said as she frowned angrily that the Sorceress was forced to relinquish her child in order to save her.
"Well if you need her protected you can leave her here. No one can enter here unless I or the spirit permits it." The Sorceress said as her face matched Ranma's and for much the same reason.
"Thanks Sorceress that means a lot to me when I have to go to Etheria it will give me peace of mind that she is with you." Ranma told his best friend as she turned and hugged the Sorceress.
"Ranma may I ask you a question?" The Sorceress asked her friend as they moved to the table to allow Meriana play time with her new friend.
"Sure anything?" Ranma said as she poured a cup of tea for the Sorceress and herself.
"Do you still fill the tingle when you step in hot water?" Ranma was taken aback she had not thought of that since she brought Meriana home.
"Well I don't know I haven't really thought about it let me think." Ranma said as she let her mind go to when she was in hot water.
"Well now that you mention it yeah I still feel it but it is very faint as if it was giving up.' Ranma said with a sad smile as she looked at her daughter.
"Did you ever try to link to the Jusenkyo magic and try to manipulate it yourself? I mean you are locked in your curse and it is your true form now but if you can control your change, your male side could protect you and Meriana better then your female form. Well if he is not altered like you are now." The Sorceress said as Ranma thought about it and liked that idea.
"Well since I can't talk to mom tonight she will probably not wake until later tomorrow I will meditate and see what I can find out." Ranma told her friend wondering if she actually wanted her male form back.
"Well now how about that door you think is earth?" Ranma said as she rose and called to Meriana.
"Meriana want to go with me and the Sorceress to check the doors?" Meriana looked back over her shoulder at her mother with a wide happy grin.
"YES!" She jumped up, tried to pick up all her toys, and grabbed Wolfie by a leg to drag him with her.
"Lotus Blossom why not leave them here they will be here when we get back. After all Wolfie will protect them for you." Ranma said with a bright smile.
Meriana looked hurt she wanted her friends to go with her but she was finding it hard to carry them all with her. She looked down at Wolfie and her dolls then up at the out stretched arms of her mother. She gently put the dolls down next to the mosaic. She then put Wolfie on top of the mosaic and had him face her other friends to watch over them for her until she returned. She then ran to her mother's arms and jumped from five feet into them. Ranma smiled down at her as she hugged the little dynamo tightly.
"You are getting better in your training my love. Pretty soon you will jump as high as I do." Ranma tickled Meriana's side as she squirmed and giggled.
Ranma carried Meriana just because she missed her so much today on earth. They followed the Sorceress to the last door they found. They were able to label the others pretty much but this one. Ranma noticed the solar system was a representation of her home solar system. The Sorceress opened the door and Ranma looked through the vale much like the one to Etheria. Meriana still in her arms she stepped through and looked around.
The area looked familiar but she was not sure. She turned behind her to face the door she had to lean back slightly as she looked up at the face of the mountain. She allowed her Phoenix chi wings to appear and flew up signaling the Sorceress she would be right back and not to close the door unless she had to. She rose over the trees and saw what she thought she would. In the distance was Tokyo. She smiled as she landed again and reentered the door to Grayskull.
"Yes it is earth it is actually at the base of Mount Fuji. Which puts it relatively close to Tokyo?" Ranma told the Sorceress as she closed the door.
"Good now we have a way to bring the Amazons here if they are permitted." The Sorceress said as they walked back to the throne room.
"Is that momma's home?" Meriana asked still awed by how they went through and came back not noticing Ranma's perplexed look.
"Yes and it is a way for gramma to come visit with auntie Ucchan and Uncle Mousse." Ranma said as Meriana looked at her with excitement.
"They come tomorrow?" Meriana asked, as she was so excited she was jumping in her mother's arms.
"No gramma very tired after getting her powers we have to wait until she is rested. Great gramma can't come unless King Randor permits because her people don't like to play fair but they are trying to change." Ranma told Meriana and watched as she tried to understand what her mother said.
"No gramma." She said sadly, as she hung her head.
"We will talk to her tomorrow she promised to contact us when she was awake." Ranma told her with a wide smile.
"Did you know that Wolfie is from the three of us? Gramma, great gramma and me?" Ranma asked her daughter knowing she did not.
"He is!?" Meriana perked up and looked at her mother.
"Yep they wanted you to think of them every time you play with him." Ranma said with a warm smile as they entered the throne room and Meriana jumped down and ran to Wolfie.
"HI WOLFIE!" She jumped onto the back of the big dog and hugged him around his neck from behind.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ranma and the Sorceress laughed as they watched as she played with the dog and her other dolls.
They smiled as Meriana climbed from his back and took a position between Wolfie's front paws, grabbed her other dolls and brought them within the dog's protection. They stared for a few moments and smiled as she played with her beloved toys. Ranma raised an eyebrow as she pulled out a notebook and wrote some notes to herself. The Sorceress looked at what she wrote and smiled.
"So what kind of pouch are you looking for?" Ranma looked to her friend with a wry smile then turned to face her friend.
"I think something strong yet pretty. I need to be careful how big I make it but it should hold her dolls." Ranma said as she tried to draw what she thought would work.
"Well is this going to be a present for her birthday?" The Sorceress lowered her voice and leaned in to Ranma.
"Yeah I think it will be." Ranma said with a nod of her head.
"Then once you finish it I can turn it into a bag of holding. I think I have that spell here somewhere." She said with a faraway look.
"You don't have to do that Sorceress. I don't want to take advantage of you, your magic or your kindness!" Ranma said with a frightened look as images of her life in Nerima came back to haunt her.
"I want to, this way it will be a joint gift from us both. Though, I do have her birthday present already." The Sorceress said with a wry smile.
"I...I ok thank you!" Ranma relented at the sad smile on the woman's face as she stared at Meriana.
"Though I think I would like to learn that spell. The dragon magic I have does not have a spell like that I guess because dragons don't need them." Ranma said as the image of Firestar's horde came back to her.
"Tell me Ranma what happened to Nova's horde?" The Sorceress asked her friend.
"Firestar made me take it since I was Nova's heir. I really did not want it but he insisted. So, I am thinking of turning one of the larger rooms on the main floor into an armory. He had a lot of magical armor and weapons that I will need to figure out." Ranma said as she frowned as an idea came to her about the dung...basement.
"You know I could put it in the basement and create a secure area for them and the jewels and precious metals." Ranma said with a thoughtful grin.
"Did you tear down the cells before you tempered the building?" The sorceres asked her as the idea of Meriana playing in the cells made her shiver.
"Well no I couldn't the walls of the cells helped to support the castle. I didn't have to worry about the doors they were all rotted away. So, it is just a bunch of opened rooms. I did manage to open up most of the cells to make them larger and not weaken the foundation though." Ranma said with a smile.
"The tempering will make the remaining walls even stronger to compensate for the missing walls." The Sorceress said with a knowing smile.
"Yeah and the best thing is the door to the basement is actually a wall. It cannot be seen. I might build a bookcase in front of it like I use to see in those old American spy and horror movies. Then I can go through the tomes I got from nova and look for protection spells I can use to prevent people from entering the lower level." Ranma said as she frowned as she realized there would not be to many visitors.
"Well you are you going to put your tomes in the accessible library or put them in one of the rooms downstairs?" The Sorceress wondered if Ranma would allow her to copy the dragon's tomes.
"Well no one can read them. They were bonded to me when Nova died. That was one reason Firestar let me take them." I don't think so if I go down there without Meriana she might follow me down and get hurt." Ranma said as the Sorceress frowned at a lost opportunity then an idea hit her.
"Ranma can any magic user cast dragon magic?" Ranma turned to the Sorceress then thought for a moment.
"No I don't think so why?" Ranma asked the woman as she frowned.
"Well I want to make a swap. I give you copies of my magical tomes and you give me copies of yours. Whether I can use them or not it would be a very good idea to have a set in Grayskull in case something happens to the ones in your library." The Sorceress told her friend as she thought about where to store them if Ranma agreed.
"You might be right, especially if the next Mystic Warrior did not get a dragon as old as Nova. Not that they would. The spells Nova created and collected might not be around for the next warrior and they would need them." Ranma said with a wide smile.
"Ok Sorceress I will start making copies after Meriana goes to bed. Uh um do you have any blank tomes?" Ranma did not think she had enough of her journals to copy them over to for her friend.
"Actually the Spirit of Grayskull will make what you need. He will always have one ready once you bring it out to copy." The Sorceress smiled at her friend as she and Ranma could work together on the copying and building a stronger bond through the magic they shared.
"Greay I will start tonight. Now I am hungry I will go start dinner." Ranma rose and disappeared into the kitchen under the watchful eyes of her daughter and the Sorceress.
(l(l(l)l)l)
Ranma served dinner to the Sorceress and her beloved daughter. As they ate Ranma's mind was thinking on the door to earth. Her mind kept shifting to the door to Etheria. She jumped slightly at the gentle touch of her friends hand on hers. She looked up and smiled sheepishly as she looked at the worry gaze of the Sorceress.
"Is there something I could help with?" The Sorceress asked as they finished eating and Meriana ran to play with her toys by the mosaic.
"Yeah did you notice the door for Etheria and earth are right over one another maybe just slightly offset?" Ranma asked her friend as the Sorceress shook her head slightly but had a knowing smile.
"Come I need visual aids to show this to you so you can understand it. It took me a long time to get it down myself. Meriana we are going to see something beautiful did you want to go?" The Sorceress asked the little girl that jumped up quickly and ran after them Wolfie still protecting her other dolls.
Ranma grab her flying daughter as she carried her through the hallways as if she was an airplane her laufhter filled the gray walls of Grayskull. The went down toward the core of the castle. They stopped next to an empty blacken room with no door. They stepped inside and room came to live with shimmering stars and ghostly dotted lines and solarsystems from everywhere.
"WOW!" Meriana whispered as she slipped from Ranma's arms.
"Now here sit down. There is a barrier in place to protect us." The Sorceress said as she directed them to some chairs by the wall which housed the door.
"Now there are many worlds that exist though they do not all exist on the same plan of existence or dimension if you will. Gray skull is the magical center of this dimension. Etheria does not exist here nor does earth. They are in two other dimensions but at almost the exact same position as Eternia and Grayskull." As the Sorceress spoke she waved her hand the world before them began to move and shift.
The planet of Eternia came into view. The dotted lines around it and the solare system showed it as a dimension. Then Etheria appeared surrounded by dark red dots as apposed to the blue ons around Eternia. The planets of Eternia and Etheria were almost on top of each other but slightly off center but not by much. The last planet to show was earth's universe. It was surrounded by bright yellow dots and though almost totally aligned with Etherian it was only two thirds aligned with the center of all magical energies.
She Etheria has a strong magical base as does Eternia because of their proximity to Grayskull. Your home world is part of this triad but because you alignment to Eternia is not as strong since as you can see earth is close to Grayskull but does not touch it as Etheria does. So, the doors here will line up. Before you ask no the other world where you were a part of they were time lines of the same earth. If you want watch." The sorcereess wave her hand and the picture changed to just the dimension with earth. They watched as all the doors the Sorceress and Meriana foun aligned around the planet as a massive shimmering light passed through it. The doors showed on the shimmering line where they branched from the main line.
"Wow!" This time Ranma whispered as the Sorceress giggled.
"So over three dimension our worlds and Etheria are connected as they occupy the same space almost completely." Ranma said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, it was because of this I was able to get He-Man to earth to save it from a threat from space. I brought him back home when he stopped it. Though Queen Marlena did not know she went through a rift in space to reach Eternia. If she had left to go home as she had planned she would have died in space if the rift was no longer there. She however, feel in love with Randor and he, her. She stayed to be his queen and love." The Sorceress told Ranma as an image of a muscular man flashed through her mind.
"Could you teach me more about this Sorceress I would like ot make something like this in my castle as I have a feeling I might be using my gifts to help other time lines and worlds." Ranma said with a excited smile.
"This is done by magic and the power core of Grayskull Ranma I am not sure you can do it at your castle but we can check the tomes once we start copying them over. It might be in the dragon tomes." Sorceress said as she wave her hand and the images faded and the three of them left with Meriana looking at the room over her mother's shoulder.
