TRTSS12: The Winged Horse! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, Sekirei and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 25
Later that evening…
"So, what's up, guys?" Ranma said, as she steps into Matsu's "inner sanctum".
"Ah, Minato," Usagato said with a smile. "You're here."
"Please, have a seat," Matsu said. "We have a good news, bad news situation."
"Okay," Ranma said, as she sits down. "Shoot."
"The good news is that a cure is possible," Usagato said. "We can produce an antigen that will reverse your condition to its previous state. I was able to get Washu to wire up your most recent files as a reference point to draw from."
"Also, we might not have to do anything to make a cure," Matsu said.
"Oh?" Ranma replied.
"Apparently, my contacts at MBI have indicated that THEY are working on a cure to their retro-virus."
"Once Matsu can access their formula, I can create a synthetic version to return you to normal," Usagato said.
"I suppose that is good," Ranma said with a nod. "So…what is the bad news?"
"Your stability factor."
"Explain."
"All Sekirei have to be winged at a certain time in their life," Usagato said. "This allows them to stabilize their powers, as a way of establishing a benchmark of sorts. If not, their power could burn them up from the inside, leading to certain death."
"Oh, boy. Is it related to the Burning?"
"Precisely. Eventually, the unwinged Sekirei will suffer performance-wise."
Pause.
"The worse case scenario would be death."
"Huh," Ranma thought to herself. In many ways, Usagato's words remind her of "pon farr", a condition where a species has to mate…or die trying.
"On another note, we found something interesting about you," Usagato said, as she directs Matsu to bring up another screen.
BLIP!
"It appears that you are not just become a Seikirei; you are become an Ashikabi Sekirei," Matsu said.
"Huh?" Ranma said.
"Before this happened to you, you were just some person that could wing Sekirei," Matsu said. "Apparently, you still have that ability, even as you become a Sekirei yourself."
"And, you can take an Ashikabi's Sekirei for yourself," Usagato said. "But YOU will have to be the one to initiate the switch, not through a Sekirei."
"Wait, then that means that you ever can wing me, can potentially control the others," Ranma said.
"Which explains, according to the this database, why you are being referred to as 'The Pillar Sekirei' now, with the 'Mother Sekirei' at your side."
"In other words, Minaka, the MBI Chairman can have his action figures," Ranma groused. "That's what this stupid Sekirei Plan is REALLY all about-"
TING!
Ranma comes to a realization why she was here to participate in this game as a contestant. It was not to play the game, but rather lay the foundation of a new way for the Sekirei. If she could beat Minaka at his own game, she would have to eliminate the other contestants. Sure, she could actually eliminate the other Ashikabi, but their Sekirei would lose all meaning to their existence, since what they are as Sekirei has been warped into believing in a system that was an utter farce…"
"Excuse me," Ranma said, as she turns to leave. "I have to speak with Miya…"
"Hmmm?" Usagato and Matsu said in unison.
A short time later, Ranma and Miya are sitting across from each other having tea.
"Thank you," Ranma said, as she accepts the tea.
"You're quite welcome," Miya said with a smile. "It's not every day that I can have tea with the man that inspired the creation of the Sekirei."
"Er, right," Ranma replied. "Miya, you've been a big help in getting everyone settled and stuff, as well as tolerate my…situation."
"As long as you behave yourself, everything will be fine."
Silence.
"Miya, I need answers concerning two questions."
"Okay…"
"My first question is this: were you a member of the Disciplinary Squad?"
Miya says nothing, as she sets her tea down.
"…"
"Miya?"
"Yes I was, along with four other Sekirei," Miya said. "Humph. I never would admit that with anyone, since that was a life that I want to leave behind."
Pause.
"We formed in response to attacks on Krankor Island by some unknown force. We, the first five Sekirei, were made to be the defenders of the MBI director's interests."
"Wait, so you, Matsu, the Black Sekirei and Kazehana were the founders of this group?"
"Yes, so was Sekirei #05: Mutsu, now the Sekirei of the Ashikabi of the South: Hayoto Mikogami."
"Huh. Was your husband the reason why you left your role?"
Miya smiles, as if she just heard a joke.
"Miya?"
"I'm sorry, Minato," Miya replied. "You have to understand that Asuma Takahito was a friend of Minaka Hiroto, from when the two were in college, and saw the Sekirei as Minaka did…at least, at first."
Pause.
"However, over time, he saw our humanity, and sought to change how we were treated."
Pause.
"But I began to believe in him when I saw Asuma teach his last student intern to see us as companions, not as tools, though I still think he is a bit of a degenerate at times, based on the way he treats his Sekirei…"
"Let me guess: we're talking about Seo Kaoru," Ranma replied.
"Precisely, which is why I berate him so."
"Well, that guy deserves it," Ranma replied.
Miya laughs.
Just then, Ranma's Sekirei, Kari and Shiina enter the dining room.
"Minato-san, we want to ask you a favor," Musubi said.
"What favor?" Ranma asked.
"Well, since you are one of us now, we want you to dressed properly," Kazehana said.
"Personally, I think it's unbecoming of a husband to play 'dress-up'," Tsukiumi said.
"The clothes look cute, Big Brother!" Kusano said.
"You should go ahead and try these outfits, Ranma," Kari said.
"Humph," Ranma said. She then turns towards Shiina, who stood there quietly.
"What do you think, guy?" Ranma asked.
"I'm…not good with picking clothing," Shiin replied meekly.
Ranma sighs. However-
"Alright, I'm game," Ranma said, knowing that she'd lose if she denied their wishes. "Show me what you got…"
A minute later, Ranma was dressed in a sexy version of a Sailor fuku.
"No," Ranma replied.
"But you look so cute!" Kazehana said.
"No, I'm not wearing this. Next outfit."
A minute later, Ranma was dressed in an S&M outfit.
"Definitely not," Miya said, as she covered Kusano's eyes.
"Huh?" Kusano said.
"Definitely is right," Ranma said. "Next!"
After several tryouts, all of them turned down, Ranma stops the process.
"Are ALL Sekirei clothing just some guy's fantasy?" Ranma complained.
"Well…we never really thought of it as a guy's fantasy, Minato-san," Kazehana said.
"But the wearing these clothes is an expression of our inner selves."
"Well, in that case, hold on for a second," Ranma said, as she leaves the room.
Everyone wondered why Ranma left, until she returns wearing her normal Chinese clothes, although the fit was tighter, thanks to her new measurements.
"See?" Ranma said, as she twirls around. "What do you think?"
"Eh, it's alright," Kazehana replied. "But it doesn't show off your assets."
"Exactly."
"I like it, Minato-san," Musubi said. "It looks great!"
"I agree," Kari said. "I think it's nice that women can have some modesty."
"THANK you- wait, I'm not a girl!"
"Oh, I beg to differ," Kazehana said, as she grabs Ranma from behind. "THESE say otherwise."
BLOOP!
"Hey, cut it out!"
"Yes, you nasty woman!" Tsukiumi said, as she splashed Kazehana's face.
SPLASH!
Unfortunately, Tsukiumi received a bop on the head.
BOP!
"No fighting please," Miya replied. She then gets serious, as she turns towards Ranma.
"I'm glad that you are dressed appropriately, Ranma, because Homura will need your help."
"Huh?" everyone said.
Ten minutes later, Ranma and her fellow Sekirei are ready to head out for the MBI central building.
"Ranma, let me come with you," Kari said.
"No, this isn't your fight," Ranma said. "This is mine."
"But why do I have to stay here, Big Brother?" Kusano asked.
"Somebody has to protect Matsu, Kuu-chan," Ranma said with a smile.
"I must remind you that if you are in proximity with an Ashikabi-"
"I know the risks," Ranma said, as she turns towards Usagato.
"You want to do this?" Ranma asked.
"I'm your Sekirei, am I not?" Usagato said, as she places her bokken within the sash of her outfit (pink gi top with biker shorts and thick, black combat boots).
"Okay, then," Ranma replied. She then looks at her Sekirei.
"None of you need to come, but I appreciate it."
"Kagari-san is a friend, Minato-san," Musubi replied. "He needs our help."
"He needs to be punished for lying to me, when he was suppose to be my rival!" Tsukiumi fumed.
"I think it's nice that Homura would do this for you, Minato-san," Kazehana said with a contented sigh. "THAT is true sign that he is to be your next Sekirei."
"In other words-" Ranma began to say.
"You are to make Homura your wife, Minato-san," Tsukiumi declares. "Normally, I would disapprove, but he needs to be punished."
"So, you want him to be punish by putting this all on me," Ranma said.
"…"
"Well, we'll discuss this later. Right now, we got a person to save a person from making a mistake-"
BRRRRRIIIING!
"Hmmm?" Ranma said, as she takes out her cell phone, and opens it. She reads an incoming text message.
"Oh, dear…"
"What is it, Minato-san?" Musubi asked.
"MBI just sent out a text message to all Ashikabi, alerting to the fact that Homura is the last officially unwinged Sekirei," Ranma said. "A mystery Sekirei will be showing up shortly for a 'fire sell', as a part of a two-for-one deal."
"That means that you're being set-up," Kari said.
"I know. I either protect myself by sacrificing Homura, or run the risk of becoming winged, and thus a slave to some jerk."
Pause.
"Oh, well," Ranma said with a broad smile. "I DO like a challenge."
Everyone in the room face-faults.
WHAM!
"Take this more seriously, Minato!" Tsukiumi said.
"Oh, I do. Whenever I go into battle, I make light of the situation in order to better deal with the serious nature of it."
Pause.
"But time for talk is over. Time to butt."
"Hoo-wah!" said Ranma's Sekirei, as they fisted the air.
"Let's go," Ranma said, as she runs out of the room with her Sekirei in tow…
A short time later…
Homura breathed hard, as other Sekirei surrounded him. Earlier, it became apparent to him that more he fought, the unstable he was became, especially around the Ashikabi that was nearby. However, what really had hurt him was the revelation that the Veiled Sekirei, the one who introduced the retro-virus into Ranma's system, was none other than Sekirei #10: Uzume.
"Why would you do this to Ranma?" Homura said. "Why would you subject HIM to our fate?"
"It's nothing personal, Kagari," Uzume replied. "Just like you, I'm fighting for someone that I love, just like you love Ranma."
"I…I do?" Homura said.
"Why would you put yourself at such great risk, if it is not for the love of another?"
"…"
"Enough of this," said a young man who wore a black suit and glasses, as he steps up. "Either, you can accept our offer to be winged by Master Higa, or die."
Homura closes his eyes.
'I'm sorry, Ranma,' Homura said. 'I failed to live by your example. And besides, at least I can die, while I am still male…'
Homura opens his eyes, which were burning with fire.
"If I have to die, then I will take as many of you as possible, Kakizaki!" Homura raged, as he unleashed a holocaust that would burn the building to the ground. "Number 06: HOMURA'S WAY OF DYING!"
As the heat increases in and around the Fire Sekirei, something suddenly happens.
SPLASH!
"Huh?" Homaru said, as he was dosed a torrent of cold water. He then looks towards the source.
"Trying to escape your responsibilities to your proper Ashikabi, Homura?" Tsukiumi yelled. "Huh?"
Homura could only respond in stunned silence.
"…"
He then turns to look Ranma and the rest of the Sekirei.
"Ranma…"
"Hi, Kagari-san!" Musubi said. "We're here to help you!"
"Kagari…Homura, I appreciate this, but Minaka can't be touched right now."
"But look what he had others do you?" Homura said, as he points to Uzume. "You've become like us Sekirei…nothing more than a TOOL!"
Ranma glances over at Uzume, who looks away…
"Kagari, I've been through worse situations than this. Sure, thanks to this condition, I'm more prone to be with anyone, regardless of gender, but at least I have a chance to fight for my destiny. If you kill yourself, even if it means taking down MBI, other people will still see you…see US as nothing more than tools by people. The Sekirei are NOT tools!"
"You say that Sekirei are not tools?" said Kakizaki. "Then why would anyone risk themselves for another? Even as we speak, I bet you feel the urges that my very presence is having an effect on you."
Ranma walks up.
"One, the Sekirei was created to be loving companions for the person THEY choose to be with. Thanks to Minaka, he corrupted that into a sick game!"
Pause.
"And, two, I've been feeling urges all day. But so what? That's not going to prevent ME from kicking your arse!"
The Sekirei, other than Ranma's, that were with Kakizaki were now standing in from of the Ashikabi.
"You will not harm him!" said the Sekirei.
"That doesn't mean we won't harm YOU!" Tsukiumi said.
"Ranma, we'll take care of these guys," Usagato said, as she draws her bokken, "Take care of Homura's needs."
"Right," Ranma said, as she goes over to Homura while the others engaged the Sekirei.
Meanwhile, Homura's heart beats rapidly.
"Come with me if you want to live," Ranma said, as she reaches down for Homura. Homura looks at this, and accepts Ranma's hand.
"Thanks," Homura replied. He then sees that Ranma's Sekirei were forcing the other Sekirei to retreat.
Silence.
"Ranma?"
"Yes?"
"Will you be my Sekirei?" Homura said bashfully. "I will understand if you don't want to-"
Ranma grabs Homura's face, and looks into Homura's eyes.
"Yes," Ranma said, as she kisses Homura on the lips.
FLASH!
Wings made from light sprouted not just from Homura's back, but from Ranma's as well. However, even more startling was that Ranma's Sekirei felt the effects, even those at the Izumo Inn.
"Oy!!!" said the Sekirei in unison.
Not really understanding, Kakizaki and his Sekirei and Sekirei allies stepped back, until the light died down…
"Minato-san!" Musubi said with surprise.
"Huh?" Tsukiumi said.
Ranma…was now his old self again.
"I'm…me," Ranma said. He then turns towards Homura who, who was now all female.
"We better get out of here," Kakizaki said. "Master Higa won't like this…"
"How is this possible?" Ranma asked.
"Because it was not your destiny to be a Sekirei, Minato-san," Musubi said.
"And we like you as before, husband," Tsukiumi said.
"I get it now," Ranma said. "You guys…do love me, for ME."
"Of course we do, my Izanagi," Kazehana said. "That is the way of the Sekirei."
"Even if time and space creates vast distances between us," Usagato said.
"Minato, do you wish for me to remain like this?" asked the fully female Homura. "I can change into any creature that you want me to be, since that is an ability of mine."
"No, you can choose what form you want," Ranma said, as he places a hand on Homura's shoulders. "That's what I want."
"Thank you," Homura replied. "Until I make up my mind, you can call my female form 'Kagari'."
"Deal."
"So, what now?" Homura asked.
"Watch," Ranma said, as she slammed her fist into the roof of the MBI building. "PARTIAL CRACK!"
THOOM!
A large crack runs along the side of the building, seemingly splitting it in half, without really doing so. This shocks Homura and the others.
"Don't worry," Ranma said with a smile. "The support structure is intact, but it'll cost millions to get that crack fist."
"…"
The next day…
With the winging of the last Sekirei, life returns to normal. With that, comes a departure…
"You sure you don't want to stay?" Miya asked, as she, Ranma and the other Sekirei stood with Kari and Shiina at the front door of the Izumo Inn.
"Don't worry, guys," Kari said. "As long as Ranma will be okay, and as long as Miya permits it, we'll be around."
"YAH!" Kusano said, as she hugged her brother Shiina. "You'll be back!"
"Yeah," Shiina said with a smile.
"I'm…just glad that you're back to normal, Ranma," Kari said with a smile.
"Actually, I found out that one of my girl-forms is still Sekirei," Ranma said. "However, unlike the other Sekirei, this one, the Pillar Sekirei, is winged to HER Sekirei. How that will turn own will remain a mystery for now, but at least that form has been stabilized."
"Well, all the same, I SO happy to have my man back!" Kazehana said, as she hugs Ranma from behind.
"Hey, nasty woman!" Tsukiumi said. "I should be the one to do that, since I'm his wife!"
"I'll leave you to your…happiness, Ranma," Kari said, as she and Shiina begin walking from the sounds of threats and perverted schemes. Unknown to everyone below, someone was observing this from the roof of the Izumo Inn…
"You did it, Ranma," Usagi said, as she looks down from the roof of the inn. "I did it all for love, and I hope that we have a chance to talk about this, once you defeat Minaka and his MBI at their own game."
And with a sigh, Usagi disappears in a gale of white petals, and was gone.
Fin.
Author's Note: That's it for now. Check out "Ranma's Precious Jewel" for the sequel (sort of). Later!