Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½, I am merely borrowing him from Rumiko Takahashi and now that he is under my power, I can bend him to my will! Muhahahahaha.
-Gets hit over the head with a mallet-
Ranma: Get on with the story!
ClanCrusher: Heh heh, sorry about that. Anyway, I do not own Tales of Symphonia either but I can still make Lloyd do whatever I want him to do.
-Gets hit over the head with a bokken-
Lloyd: I'm warning you
ClanCrusher: Allright, allright geeze. You guys need to take a chill pill. (Looks around and sees Lloyd and Ranma brandishing weapons) On with the story! I'm outta here.
Ranma and the Land of Symphonia
Chapter 3 – Angels, Demons and Humans
Lloyd, Ranma, Genis and Colette assessed their opponent. He had recovered quickly from the blow Ranma landed on him and was ready for more. He charged forward and the quartet jumped out of the way. Lloyd immediately got in close and did his hack and slash routine to the guys chest.
The giant brought one of his gauntleted hands and was able to fend off most of the stikes. Bringing his morningstar behind his head he was about to let loose but found that Ranma had jumped behind him and grabbed the business end of the weapon with a strength that contradicted his small stature.
In his distraction, Lloyd was able to leap up and plant both wooden swords in the mans face. Slightly staggered from this blow he backed up right into Ranma, who performed a leg sweep and knocked him down.
There is a saying that the bigger they are, the harder they fall and this man was really big. Ranma retreated back a few steps just at the time Genis released his fireball, hitting the prone man right in the chest, making him slightly scorched and uncomfortable in the metal armor that was heating up.
"Little rats!" He shouted and got up swinging his morning star. Ranma was able to get out of the way. Lloyd got clipped on the shoulder and was sent reeling back. The giant charged towards Genis who was busy chanting another spell and wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time.
However he had not seen the charka until it was too late and hit him squarely in the eye. Lloyd saw an opportunity and released the Demon Fang, special sword attack from his blades.
Ranma was temporarily shocked when Lloyd shouted out the attack. How did that kid manage to do that? He knew that he could use ki to increase his physical abilities beyond that of a normal human but he didn't know it could be used in such a manner. He would have to experiment later. Right now…
The energy traveled along the ground and hit the man squarely in the leg and dissipated. Ranma wasted no time in going over there and planting a flurry of kicks into the back of the mans legs dropping him to his knees. It was at this time that Genis unleashed his spell at point blank range directly into the mans face. Lloyd followed up with several strikes to the mans head.
The giant desperately tried to get up, to try and keep fighting but a final attack from Ranma aimed at his head ended his thoughts. The man's head could only take so much punishment, he collapsed to the ground.
Ranma walked over to where Lloyd was taking a breather and initiated a conversation. "Hi, my names Ranma." He stuck out his hand.
Lloyd took the offered hand and shook it. "Lloyd Irving. You had some nice moves out there."
"Likewise." Said Ranma. He was impressed with that Demon Fang technique. Lloyds moves seemed original and self taught. He didn't stick to a form anyway.
Lloyd caught sight of Ranma's hand as he withdrew from the handshake. "You have an exsphere!" he exclaimed surprised.
Ranma took a look at his hand and shrugged. "So that's what this thing is called. Those desians attached this thing to me when I came to the ranch."
The short, silver haired kid known as Genis spoke up, "You escaped from the ranch? How?" he asked excitedly with a hint of awe in his voice.
Ranma shrugged again. "I jumped over the wall. No big deal really. Then I followed these people to see what they were up to."
Lloyd however was still concentrating on Ranma's exsphere. "You know that's dangerous don't you?" he asked in a serious voice. Though Lloyd was not academically gifted, he could recite to you anything about exspheres as if it was taken from a textbook. "Attaching an exsphere to your bare skin without a key crest will slowly poison your body eventually killing you."
Ranma was shocked. "You mean to tell me that this thing is poisoning my body?" He shouted. He picked up a rock on the ground and was about to smash his hand if need be to get at the crystal when he found his hand restrained by Lloyd.
"The only safe way to remove it is with a key crest. If you try to remove it that way, the poison will only act more quickly." Lloyd was relieved to see that Ranma had calmed down.
Ranma regained control of himself. He knew next to nothing about exspheres and key crests so he had to trust this red armored Lloyd fellow for now. Coming to that conclusion, Ranma asked the next obvious question. "Where can I find one of these key crests?"
Lloyd continued, "The only people who can make these key crests out of inhibitor ore are the dwarves. Unfortunately most of them are underground in hiding." Ranma's face fell, "Fortunately for you, my dad is a dwarf. I'm sure that he could probably make you one." Ranma's face instantly brightened.
"I hardly know you and your already helping me out. What can I do to repay you?" asked Ranma.
Lloyd just smirked, "Dwarven Vow #2- Never abandon someone in need." Colette having finished her examination of the downed priest and determining he would live walked up behind Lloyd. Lloyd introduced both of the people. "This are my fiends Colette the chosen one and Genis the magic user."
Ranma gaped at this little statement. This girl was the chosen of regeneration? The fate of the world rested on her shoulders? That was a little much to handle. "Your really the chosen?" asked Ranma without thinking.
"Let me guess, you were expecting some old fart with a sense of 'I am more holy than thou art' type of aura weren't you?" stated Genis.
"Well… yeah." Said Ranma slightly embarrassed. In fact, that was exactly what he was expecting. Aside from the crystal in her throat, she didn't really look the part.
The girl looked a little downcast. "I guess I'm not very chosen like am I?"
Ranma, true to form, couldn't stand to see a girl depressed. "No no no, its not like that." He said out loud, "Just because you don't look all holy and great doesn't mean anything. I'm sure you'll do just fine as a chosen. Not to mention you have a wicked aim with that charka of yours." Ranma said, praying to the kami that he said the right thing. Fortunately it seemed to work as she looked visibly happier.
"Thank you um…" she trailed off.
"Ranma Saotome of the school of Anything Goes Martial Arts." He supplied.
"Thank you Ranma." She completed.
Ranma turned back to Lloyd. "So what exactly are you doing here?"
"Well, we wanted to go check up on the temple. Today is the day the chosen, Colette here, is supposed to receive the blessings of the angels to start her journey of world regeneration. We were supposed to stay in class but…" he trailed off looking a little embarrassed.
"Makes sense that you were curious. I'm glad you showed up when you did though." Said Ranma, "So tell me, how did you use that Demon Fang attack? I sensed some sort of energy being used in it."
"Oh this?" Lloyd demonstrated the technique again. "All you have to do it channel your ki through your exsphere. It serves as a focus and can help you use ki attacks easier."
Ranma did not like free power ups, but he always liked to try new techniques. Finding his center he looked within himself to find his life energy. With the help of the exsphere he was able to locate it much faster. Taking some of the energy, he channeled it into his fist to where the exsphere was. He was rewarded when his hand started to glow blue, but try as he might he could not release the energy from his fist. Frustrated he punched the ground and was surprised to find himself sitting in a 2 foot crater. Smiling now, Ranma released his hold on the energy and it faded from view. That was a useful technique.
"You picked up on that pretty quick." Commented Genis, slightly impressed. "I tried doing that kind of stuff but I never had the skill for weapons. I turned to magic instead." He said showing his kendama to Ranma.
"Yeah I could tell that wasn't ki, what was that?" he asked Genis.
"Magic requires spiritual and mind energy. That's why Lloyd here cant do it. He doesn't have any."
"Hey!" protested Lloyd. Genis chuckled to himself. It was obvious to Ranma that this was all in good fun. However, the introduction ceremony was interrupted by a new face.
"So you managed to defeat my guards. Most impressive." Said the man Ranma knew as Botta.
Lloyd's demeanor immediately changed from casual friend to serious diplomat. "How dare you desians violate the non-aggression treaty." He drew his swords while Ranma and the others tensed up, preparing for a fight. Unlike the man before, this one knew what he was doing. He had an aura of hidden power and one of those gem thingies on his sword hilt. He also had several backup guards. It looked to be a tough fight but then…
Another man appeared. He jumped in front of Lloyd and Ranma with a steel blade drawn. Ranma almost felt overwhelmed by the amount of power this man had. His aura was huge. Ranma blinked and then found that the aura was gone. Replaced by one of normal size. Ranma and Lloyd shook their heads to clear them. It must have been an energy spike of some sort.
The man didn't even waste a glance at Lloyd's company. He turned towards the man named Botta and his company of guards. His stance alone gave off a feeling of command and power. "Is the chosen all right?" he asked. Hell, even his voice made you want to obey him and listen to his orders.
"I'm all right, thank you." Said the ever trusting Colette.
"Good." Was all the man said before turning back to the arrayed troops.
Ranma noticed Botta recoil in shock. "Damn. I never expected you to be here." He addressed the soldiers, "Retreat for now." That said the entire battalion ran off.
The man turned and Ranma got a good look at their rescuer. He was about 10 years Ranma's senior but his eyes held an ageless quality to them. This man was no stranger to death and all of its lesser functions. He also seemed to be a man of power if he could send Botta running just by showing up.
The man then walked over to the priest who had been forgotten in the entire mess. Concentrating for a second he raised a glowing hand and brought it to the chest wound the priest had. Said wound healed almost instantly.
Ranma watched in fascination. There was a technique he would like having exsphere be damned. He could already see the possibilities. Once the wound was healed the priest got up and addressed the man. "Excuse me sir may I inquire your name?" he asked.
The man seemed to ponder for a moment before responding. "You may call me Kratos." He finally replied.
Ranma, Lloyd, Genis and Colette all approached Kratos. Lloyd was the first to speak up. "Thanks for your help back there." He said, "I don't think we could have taken them,"
Kratos only gave a slight nod in response before returning to the priest. "Where are the chosen's guardians?" he asked the priest.
"The fellow priests that were supposed to accompany her were all killed by the desian raiding party. If it is alright then I would like to purchase your services. You seem to be a fair hand with a sword and you have the look of a mercenary about you."
"Very well I accept." He then turned towards Colette. "We will begin immediately. Let's proceed chosen one."
Ranma and Lloyd both raised cries of protest at this. "Hey I want to come too!" said Lloyd closely followed by Ranma saying, "I want to help her as well."
Kratos looked undaunted but his tone broke no argument. "You will only get in the way. Stay here."
Ranma looked ready to hit him but Lloyd cut off any retort he made. "Alright then, we will follow you by ourselves then." Kratos did not look put off in the slightest.
"Fine, do what you will." And with that Kratos walked into the temple interior.
-Damn, he's one stuck up jerk- thought Ranma to himself. But with that aura he saw earlier maybe he had a good reason to be. He would have to challenge him to a match later.
Ranma, Lloyd, Genis, and Colette all followed Kratos into the temple.
Ranma dodged the spiders web that threatened to ensnare him. He and the party he was with had been battling monsters pretty much non-stop ever since they entered the temple. Ranma killed the spider by bringing his fist on top of the spiders skull. To his side he saw Kratos easily sidestep a swing from a zombie and decapitate it. He moved with a fluid grace that came only with years of practice.
The last of the enemies fell to Lloyd's sword. Although he was not on par with Ranma and Kratos in skill sense, he knew how to use a sword. He had his own style of swordsmanship that made him unpredictable but he was still a bit inexperienced. He had potential though.
Genis was a different matter entirely. His spells were powerful and did a lot of damage to the enemy but they required complete concentration. If he got hit once then he would have to start over which proved to be quite a bother. He also seemed unable to move outside his aura field that he generated when he was casting a spell. This left him extremely vulnerable to attacks unless someone was guarding him while he was casting the spell. In close combat he was hopeless. His weapon was meant for magic casting, not for close range fighting.
Colette was a different matter. Other than her charka attacks she didn't seem to have any really special attacks. Ranma wondered briefly at this. She was the chosen wasn't she? Shouldn't she have some sort of mystic power? As he looked at her he saw another zombie approach her. With a look of determination she concentrated for a second then said "POW HAMMER" and lo and behold out of nowhere a small hammer materialized and hit the zombie on the head, knocking him out. She moved in close with her charka to finish him off.
Ranma nearly fell over laughing. What kind of a move was that? Materializing a hammer out of thin air, what kind of fool would try that on a real human and who would be stupid
enough to stand in the way for that matter?
Somewhere in Nerima, a certain violent, maniac tomboy sneezed.
Ranma suddenly sneezed for some reason he couldn't comprehend. He shrugged and returned his concentration to the fight. They came back to the intersection where there was a three way split. Originally they had gone left and ran into a dead end and had to fight their way back through a horde of monsters that had gotten between them. Even with his new ki technique Ranma's fist was getting sore.
Kratos looked over to where Ranma was standing massaging his fist. He withdrew something and threw it at Ranma who reflexively caught it. It was a pair of bronze gauntlets. "Wear those." He said, "The monsters are only going to get tougher."
"Thanks." Said Ranma as he placed them on his hands. He then ducked a blow from another zombie, performed a leg sweep and Lloyd moved in to finish it off.
"Why are all these monsters here anyway?" complained Lloyd, "I thought this temple was supposed to be a holy place or something like that."
"The path of a chosen is fraught with peril. You must learn to overcome all obstacles, for only then will she be strong enough to perform the ceremony of world regeneration." Said Kratos.
I've heard my old man say that many times, but it makes a lot more sense when he says it thought Ranma to himself. After clearing the monsters at the intersection the group decided to go left. The corridor was small and only three people could walk abreast at a time. Kratos, Lloyd and Ranma took the front with Genis and Colette behind.
One slime like creature and a ghost stood between them and the stairs. Ranma ducked a swing from the ghost who drew a hammer from out of nowhere. It seemed to be a sort of fashion around here for some reason. Beside him Lloyd had blocked the slimes weak attack and both him and Kratos had moved in with their swords.
Genis had just finished casting his fireball. Fortunately two of the three projectiles hit the ghost, disintegrating it. Unfortunately the third fireball hit Ranma who couldn't get out of the way in time.
"My pants are on fire! My pants are on fire!" shouted Ranma who was desperately shaking his pant leg.
"Don't worry I'll take care of it" shouted Genis, "Aqua Edge!"
Several disks of water hit Ranma. Fortunately it put out the fire, while making Ranma soaked in the process. His look towards Genis promised a lot of pain.
"Don't worry, I'll dry you off" said Genis again, "Wind Cutter!"
Several blades of wind appeared around Ranma. Fortunately it dried him off. Unfortunately it gave him several cuts in the process.
"Geeeeniiiiisssss!" Ranma said in a low menacing voice, "Get back here you little runt!" he shouted as Genis ran down the stairs. Lloyd and Kratos sweatdropped.
A Couple Minutes Later-
The party entered the underground portion of the temple. There was several paths that had holes in them and there was a steep drop off right next to the paths that seemed to go on forever. Directly in front of them…
"Hey!" said Genis, "That must be the legendary sorcerers ring!" He pointed to the ring displayed on the pedestal.
"So what's so legendary about it?" asked Ranma.
"Um… well… that doesn't matter. Lets get it." Genis said hurriedly.
"Right," Said Colette, "If they put it in this temple then it must be able to help us get to the oracle room."
Genis and Colette ran forward followed by Lloyd and Ranma but then…
"STOP" Kratos shouted. This shocked everyone into standing still which was luck because a huge pile of rocks fell right in front of Genis and Colette.
"That was close thanks Kratos." Ranma moved towards the rock piles.
"Get back." Said Kratos while drawing his sword. Ranma was puzzled but got ready for battle anyways. He didn't see any monsters.
Ranma got his answer as the stone pile suddenly came to life. It split into three separate masses and formed into three giant stone golems twice the height of a human. Ranma, Lloyd, Genis, and Colette backed up, getting out their weapons.
"You have got to be kidding me." Said Ranma. He charged his gauntlet with ki and moved to attack.
To Be Continued…
A/N: After reading some of the reviews, I had to revise this chapter slightly. I am going to warn you now that I am not going to be following the game by the letter. I will improvise where I deem necessary. Thank you Max Krugman for your advice, for I have to admit that you are right. As always, C&C is always appreciated, flames will be put out with my aqua edge.