Disclaimer: I own neither Ranma nor Davy Jones. Not so bad- the cost of feeding them both- especially Ranma- would put me in the poorhouse.
Here we go- the last chapter! I hope you all like it! Originally I didn't have Ranma fight Kirin, but something would have been lacking if I hadn't. Again, fights are not my forte, but I tried to do something like the one seen in the film. The only difference here is that the castle is not blown apart- no hot spring. Viewers of the movie will know what I'm talking about. Ranma does win the fight the same way, though. Did I mention he defeats Kirin as a girl here? Also note, Jones commits a murder here, as well. In any case, enough rambling. I only ramble to point out differences to avoid reviews where people say "Where's this?" or "Why didn't this happen?" I'm just ending the story my way. Keeping the flavor of the original (or something like it, I hope), but doing it my way. On with the show!
Chapter Eleven: Confronting Kirin
A week later
The group was sleeping in the brig when he door slammed open.
"Wake up, the lot of ya! We've arrived!" Davy Jones bellowed. He reached down and grabbed Ranma's short in his claw, yanking the half-asleep boy-turned-girl to his feet.
"We're there? Already?" Ranma asked groggily. "It feels like we're still moving."
"The Dutchman cannot make port. You know that. We will go ashore in a longboat. We've traveled as far as we can up the river. I believe we are in Sichuan province. One of the crew hails form this part of China and recognized the terrain," said Jones. Still clutching Ranma, Jones began to march out of the brig. "Let's go."
"Don't we get any breakfast?" Ryoga asked.
Jones turned to glare at him. "What's more important," he snapped irritably, "filling your stomachs or gaining your freedom?"
For a second, no one spoke.
"Point taken," said Ryoga.
"Get your lazy arses moving. I don't want you troublemakers on my ship anymore than you want to be here." Jones growled.
"Give us a break. We just got up." Ranma groaned.
"Shut up," Jones snapped back, shoving Ranma along.
"Just remember," Jones glared at Ranma as they all sat in the longboat rowing to shore, "if you try to escape-"
"I know, I know, okay?" Ranma groaned. He in turn glared at Happosai. "This is all your fault, old man! If you hadn't stolen that damn scroll all those years ago, none of this would be happening to us now!"
"I have no regrets!" Happosai retorted.
"You will, in two seconds!" Ranma yelled, raising a fist.
"Quiet, the lot of you, or I'll throw you overboard and let the Kraken take you!" Jones ordered.
Mousse looked at him. "Frankly, I think you should've left us overboard in the first place."
Jones sighed, rolling his eyes. "Aye, I see that now."
On Seven-Luck Mountain, the group saw Kirin's castle at the top.
"We're gonna hafta climb this thing to get to the castle, I guess," said Ranma. Smirking, he looked at Jones. "Think you can manage it?"
"It's you lot I'd be worried about," Jones retorted. "You'd best be showing me more respect, Miss Saotome. I might be your captain for all eternity if this little endeavour fails."
"He right, you know," said Lychee.
Ranma had to agree. Grudgingly.
"We free now, yes?" Lychee looked at Jones.
"I'll decide when you're free. You lot will be free once I enter that castle. As for Miss Saotome… well, that depends," Jones sneered back.
They had to pass through several gates, each guarded by one of the Seven Lucky Gods Martial Artists. Happosai used his "Happo-Fire-Burst" technique to get them past bellicose Bishamonten, guardian of the first castle gate; Ranma got the group past Daikokusei and Daihakusei at the second gate; Jasmine the elephant distracted Wu, the massive giant guarding the third gate. At the fourth gate waited Monlon, the curvaceous lute-playing fighter.
"We have business with the guy that's ahead of you. Let us through and you won't get hurt." Ranma warned.
"Brave words. You're no match for me," Monlon sneered back.
"Come down here and fight, you-"
Suddenly Monlon was there. "I am Monlon, guardian of the fourth castle gate, and I am afraid I am unable to let you pass through here. Monlon final attack- Makin-Kin-Bakushou!"
She swung the lute around, and the strings shot out at them, wrapping around each member of the group, including Jones, whom Monlon had not noticed; he stood at the rear of the group. The strings squeezed painfully.
"The more you struggle, the tighter the wire becomes," Monlon purred, enjoying the scene. She plucked one string, causing one wire around Jones' arm to tighten and cut deeply. He let out a bellow. "Now do you understand my power? Why don't you give you and go home like good little children? If you do, Monlon won't have to kill you."
"Harridan!" Jones bellowed.
To Monlon's surprise, Jones moved forward, snapping through the wires holding him. "Impossible! Who are you?" she cried.
"Davy Jones," he replied, still moving forward. "Remember me, Miss Monlon?"
Now Monlon's eyes widened as she recognized him. "It can't be! The devil of the seas? It is said you cannot set foot on land-"
"But once a decade. That day is here." Jones sneered back. He began to stalk forward, right up to her, snapping the lute strings holding the others with his claw as he went. He still needed them, after all. For now. The others were free in seconds.
"It- it can't be-" Monlon swung the lute at Jones again, but again he snapped the strings or ignored the wounds.
"You should be dead by now!" Monlon stammered.
Suddenly Jones was right in front of her. "You cannot kill what is technically already dead," he sneered. "I should think you'd know that, Miss Monlon. It has been only been seven years." He drew his sword, holding it up. "You, however, are very mortal." He thrust down-
"No!" Ranma yelled.
Jones, caught by surprise, stopped short.
"Look, just let her go, all right? It's Kirin you're here for!"
"I don't take orders from you, Miss Saotome," Jones growled.
With that, he thrust his sword into Monlon's heart. With a shriek, she slumped to the ground. Jones slid his bloody sword out of her body.
"Humph," he sneered. "Seems they aren't gods after all."
Ranma, his face full of horror, stomped up to Jones.
"I can't believe you just did that! You really are a-"
"Heartless wretch? Why, thank you, Miss Saotome. I'm glad you finally noticed." Jones sneered. "Best get used to that. You'll be seein' a lot more of it once you're permanently on the crew again."
"Ai-ya, he scary," Shampoo shivered, holding herself.
"A heartless wretch is right," said Genma softly. "A heartless wretch with no sense of honor to speak of."
"I agree. The fighter who would kill an opponent without giving them a chance to surrender has no honor." Kuno said flatly.
"Funny, hearing that from you, considering you were kissing up to him all this time," Ranma sneered.
"Let's just keep going. The sooner this is over, the better." Happosai groaned.
After a brief battle with Ebiten, guardian of the fifth and final gate, at last the castle loomed above them.
Kuno Soun, Genma, Happosai, Shampoo, Mousse, Lychee, Jasmine, and Ryoga smiled- as soon as Jones set foot inside the castle, they'd be free.
Meanwhile, up in the sacred sanctuary of Kirin's castle, Kirin and Akane stood before each other, each holding half of a scroll.
"Once these scrolls are joined, we will be as one for all eternity," said Kirin.
The doors suddenly burst open.
"No, Kirin. You will be as one with my ship for all eternity!"
The sound of this new voice made Kirin's face go white as death. He turned to see Davy Jones stalking into the room, followed by a group of people.
"You! Impossible! How can you-" Kirin stammered. "How did you-"
"Don't play dumb with me, boy. I know you've learned about me. I get one day ashore every decade, recall, Kirin. A shame it's the same day as your nuptials. " Jones sneered, walking toward Kirin and reaching for him.
"Hold it, buster," Ranma grabbed Jones.
Jones snarled, scowling at him.
"I'm gettin' my revenge first. If you're takin' him for the crew, then I'll only get this one chance. Don't gimme that look, Jones. You waited seven years. You can wait a few more minutes." Ranma sneered. "It won't kill you."
After a pause, Jones shoved him forward. "Fine. But be quick about it. Remember- your freedom is at stake here."
"You think I've forgotten?" Ranma retorted, and then turned back to Kirin. "Now. Let's finish this." He began to walk toward Kirin.
Kirin looked confused. "Who are you?"
"'Who am I'? Whaddya mean, 'who am I'?" Ranma asked.
"Ranma!" Akane cried happily.
Kirin looked surprised now, studying Ranma's face. It was true, this woman did have the same hairstyle as Ranma, albeit a different color, and the same defiant look in her eyes. She could've been Ranma's twin in every way save gender. But still…
"…It can't be. You're a woman. Or, perhaps, a fish?"
"I'm Ranma, buster. And as for why I look like this instead of like a guy, that's my business. And I am not a fish! Don't you dare laugh, pal, 'cause you're gonna start lookin' like this soon enough. Hand over Akane." Ranma pointed at her.
"Kirin shall not. Akane is destined to be Kirin's bride." Kirin said firmly, pulling Akane close.
"Hardly. She only got her hands on that scroll by accident. She's not the original owner." Ranma scowled, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You lie."
"I wouldn't lie about a thing like that. I saw it happen, all right? And you weren't there. So I think I know what I'm talking about. So. Are you gonna hand over Akane, or am I gonna hafta get rough?"
Kirin snorted. "Humph. If it will be anything like our first encounter, this will be no fight at all."
Ranma scowled, and then launched himself at Kirin, bellowing.
"Katchu-Tenshin-Ama-Guri-Ken!" Ranma launched a ferocious hail of punches at Kirin. But something was wrong. 'What the..? None of my punches are gettin' through!"
"Humph. You cannot break through the iron defenses of Kirin."
With a mighty punch, Kirin sent Ranma flying into the rear wall of the room.
"Some revenge," Jones scoffed.
"Shut up, Jones! I ain't done yet!" Ranma hollered back. My special attack didn't work? Has he got some kind of invisible shield or somethin'? Ranma thought. Then he looked at his arms. There were odd, stick-shaped marks all over them. Wait. If I didn't know better, I'd think those were marks from- That's it! It's no shield! He's stoppin' my punches with his chopsticks! Ranma jumped to his feet.
"Ranma! Are you okay?" Akane called.
"Better than okay! This is a fight between men! Butt out, all right?"
"What? I'm just worried! You're losing!" Akane scowled.
"Not for long." Ranma said.
"It is time we ended this foolish game." said Kirin solemnly.
"I couldn't have said it better myself!" Ranma retorted. He looked at Akane. "I came all this way and went through three weeks of hell to get you back, Akane. And I'm gonna, no matter what it takes." Then he turned back to Kirin.
"R-Ranma…" Akane said softly.
Problem is, I gotta hit him with something his chopsticks can't stop. Hm. We're not on a ship anymore. I've got a lot more room here. Maybe I can use it now. But first…
"All right. You guys back up against the wall. This is gonna be rough. I'm gonna need a lotta room for this." Ranma addressed his friends.
They did as he asked, even Jones, to Ranma's surprise.
"All right, you flaky jerk. This ends now." said Ranma to Kirin, his voice menacing.
"Humph. Bring it on, for all the good it will do you." Kirin sneered. He raised his chopsticks. "Seven Lucky Gods Ultimate Technique: Yakkyo-Kyo-Gekki-Kyo!"
"Hiryu-Shoten-Ha!" Ranma yelled.
Both men channeled all their strength into these, their strongest attacks. For a bit, they were evenly matched. But then Ranma sent a surge of chi into his attack; Kirin, overpowered, was thrown into the air. Ranma let out a bellow of triumph.
Impossible! How can Kirin of the Seven Lucky Gods School of Martial Arts lose against the likes of her?! Kirin thought as he was blown back.
"YEAH!!!!" Ranma yelled.
The last surge of the attack blew the ceiling off of the room; the pale blue and amber sky of sunset shone outside.
Kirin landed hard against the altar.
"Humph. I wasn't gonna let you beat me with that wimpy attack of yours again, pal." Ranma sneered.
Jones stomped up, grabbed Ranma's shoulder, and shoved him back. "You've had your revenge, Miss Saotome. Well done, I hate to admit. You've beaten him in battle and your woman is yours again. Now I'll take what's mine."
Kirin could only whimper quietly as Jones reached down and grabbed him in his claw, hauling him to his feet. Davy Jones was the only person on Earth Kirin of Nekonron truly feared. Kirin knew, from having tried them years ago, that none of his attacks would harm or even faze Jones.
"You have a debt to pay," Jones snarled into his face.
"…" For a bit Kirin was too scared to speak.
"When you lost your scroll over the side of your ship that day seven years ago, I retrieved it, as you asked. Did you really think you could run and hide from me forever? Very clever, turning your ship into an airship, but it did you no good, did it? You stressed how important that scroll was, how vital it was, to your people. I retrieved it. Your soul belongs to me. That was the agreement." Jones growled into Kirin's face.
"But- no- Kirin is getting married today- it is Kirin's fate to marry Akane-" Kirin babbled fearfully.
Jones chuckled cruelly. "Your fate is to be married to my ship."
Meantime, Ranma rushed up to Akane and threw his arms around her briefly. They paid not attention to Jones and Kirin.
"Ranma!" Akane cried. "You came! What took so long?"
Normally, when she snapped like that, Ranma would get angry and snap back. But he had to admit- she deserved an explanation this time.
"Well, we hit a little snag. We had a shipwreck or two crossing the ocean to get here, and the, um, Flying Dutchman picked us up."
"The- Flying Dutchman?" Akane breathed. "I thought it was a legend."
"So did we, until it showed up after our second shipwreck. That's where we've been for the pas three weeks. See that guy down there with the tentacles? That's Davy Jones. Of Locker fame. He's very, very real too." said Ranma. "He killed one of Kirin's guys- a girl, actually- on the way up here. Guy really is a heartless bastard. Literally, too, but I'd rather not go into gory details, though."
Akane looked him over. "What's… happened to you?"
"Hm," said Ranma, holding up his hands. "Scales on my arms, legs and hands, barnacles on my face, webs between my fingers- I must look like a sea monster, huh? This is what happens when you join the crew. You start tuning into a fish."
Akane was touching the few barnacles on Ranma's face, next to his left eye.
"But don't worry. If Jones keeps his end of the bargain, I won't look like this for much longer. He's got what he came for, so he'll have to set me free. 'Scuse me." Ranma turned from her to see Jones starting to walk out, dragging a pleading Kirin with him. "Hey! Jones!" Ranma yelled.
Jones turned abruptly.
Ranma strode up to him. "Okay. You got what you came for. You have Kirin. You have no further use for me. Now let me go. Get rid of this Black Spot." Ranma held his hand out. "We had an agreement."
"Ranma! What's going on?" Akane rushed up, her white and gold silk wedding gown flowing behind her.
Jones looked at her, smirking. "Ah. So this fetching lass must be Akane. I understand you're Miss Saotome's intended."
"So you must be Davy Jones," said Akane, more than a little sharply. "I understand you kept Ranma and the others captive for three weeks on your ship."
"Captive? Why, Miss Akane, I rescued her and her friends from a shipwreck. They agreed to join the crew. There was no captivity involved." Jones sneered back.
"I'm sure."
"You're not married yet, right? I mean, you and Kirin didn't-" Ranma stammered.
"Nope. In fact, you walked in at just the right time."
"I did, didn't I?" Jones put in. "It was I who interrupted these unwanted nuptials. Seems to me you owe me a de-"
"Don't even go there." Ranma interrupted.
"And why not?" Jones scowled.
"Well, first of all, under the terms our deal, Akane is off limits. Secondly, if you think I was feisty, you'd hate her- she's just the same, plus she's uncute, unsexy, built like a brick, violent as a gorilla-"
Beside Ranma, Akane's face darkened with anger.
"-and you wouldn't want a harridan like her on the crew. She hates men and she'd probably beat you up before you could whip her. Plus, this girl can't cook to save her life. Her cooking is to die for, or from, quite literally. Shampoo, Lychee, and I cook food that's at least edible. This girl turns out toxic swill that she dares to call food."
"Hey!" Akane cried, punching Ranma.
"If you say so, Miss Saotome," Jones chuckled mirthlessly. "Methinks you two aren't exactly the best of friends."
"Our fathers arranged this. We had nothing to do with it. Just to set the record straight." Akane said.
"Really? Then why risk your life for an unwanted fiancée, Miss Saotome?" Jones asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Who said she was unwanted? We just don't always agree, that's all," Ranma retorted. "Anyways, our relationship is none of your beeswax, pal. You gonna free me, or not?" He stuck his hand out again.
Jones sighed. "Aye. I don't want a troublemaker like you on my ship any longer."
Ranma gave a groan of disgust as Jones' tentacled hand wrapped around his again. As before, it came away slimy, but the Black Spot vanished when Jones' hand came away.
The scales and barnacles dropped away from Ranma's skin as the spot vanished. The webs between his fingers disappeared. He was free.
Everyone else's had dropped off when Jones entered the castle.
Jones looked at Akane.
"This harridan could drive a saint insane," he told her, gesturing with his thumb at Ranma.
"I know," Akane said flatly.
"HEY!" Ranma yelled.
Jones, gripping Kirin's arm tightly in his claw, began to stride out of the room.
"None of you lot are welcome on my ship. I've had enough. How you plan to return to Japan is your business." Jones spat. "Good riddance, I say."
"Yeah? Well… Same to you, bud!" Ranma yelled after him.
Then Davy Jones and Kirin were gone.
"Man, am I ever glad that's over," Ranma groaned.
"Tell me about it," Ryoga came up. "My hair was turning into seaweed and I had barnacles growing on my skin!" He looked at Akane. "Are you all right, Akane?"
"Yeah. I was treated well. So, how do we get back to Japan?"
"Well, we could take Kirin's airship. God knows he'll never need it again." Mousse said.
"Good idea. We just have to find out where it's moored." said Ranma.
Once they were airborne and flying home, Shampoo looked down.
"Look! Is Dutchman!"
Everyone looked down. There it was, sailing back down the Yangtze toward the ocean.
"It is! I'd know that monstrous prow anywhere! Can you see, Akane? It looks like a crocodile's mouth. The sails are all torn and seaweedy, and the hull is crusted with barnacles, and there's a skeleton lashed to the bowsprit. I don't think there's a creepier place on this planet, and I've been everywhere." said Ryoga.
"Why was Jones with you, anyway?" Akane asked.
"Couldn't you tell? Kirin had a debt to him. Ranma told Jones he knew the way to Nekonron. Ranma made a deal with Jones to lead him here in exchange for our freedom. We were free as soon as Jones set foot in Kirin's castle. But Ranma would've been forced to rejoin the crew if Jones hadn't gotten his hands on Kirin. To keep Ranma from escaping, Jones marked him with the Black Spot. If Ranma had escaped the ship before fulfilling his side of the bargain, the Kraken would've gotten him, and all of us would've thrown into Jones' Locker." Ryoga told her.
Akane shuddered, having heard of the sea beast. She looked around at the others. Ranma was at the helm, steering the airship. The others stood out on deck, smiling happily, enjoying the fresh air, and heartily hoping they would never have to go to sea again. In fact, they'd had enough of the ocean to last a lifetime.
"I bet you all feel lucky to have gotten away from Jones, and I think we're all glad this is over. It'll be good to get home." said Akane.
Ranma, at the helm, spoke. "You can say that again. Y'know what, Akane? Don't ever let me complain about life at the dojo again. Ever. Remind that I know there's worse out there- I've seen worse. Been through worse." Ranma said. "No way is the dojo worse than the Flying Dutchman. The dojo is insane, but the Dutchman is a nightmare. "
"Sure," said Akane.
"Good. 'Cause putting up with Davy Jones is one thing. Puttin' up with you is another." Ranma muttered.
A cargo crate struck Ranma in the head, thrown from across the deck.
"I heard that, Ranma!" Akane yelled.
The End!
Okay- the end! Thanks to all who reviewed and all who didn't but read this story, and I hope you liked the ending! I had to guess at the Romaji for Ranma and Kirin's attacks. I tried to end it on a funny note- this is Ranma ½, after all! kittylover1890, over and out!
Although, I may do a series of prequel chapters that tell the story of Kirin's deal with Jones, if you're interested. Let me know in your reviews!