Chapter Eighteen

Xi'an frowned. He had felt the spirit inside Ryoga vanish, torn from existence by a powerful energy blast. His connection with the ethereal was like a marionette with a string and that string had been cut. Ryoga was now free of Xi'an's powerful influence, but only in spirit. He could still control the boy if necessary.

Ryoga Hibiki was very susceptible to suggestion, especially when it came to Akane Tendo being threatened.

Xi'an's minions were lined up side by side on their knees in his dojo: Shampoo, Mousse, Uyko and Nabiki Tendo; their eyes blank, starring into an abyss, for which only Xi'an controlled. They all had their special gifts.

They were under his influence, spell-cast with spiritual power.

His plans were almost ready. But before he could begin the final step, he needed the blood of Ranma Saotome and his father; and their broken, battered bodies at his feet, so he can present their souls to the Underworld, so his family's spirits could rest in peace, after centuries trapped in limbo.

Copycat Ken had the drive but he lacked the power to defeat Ranma and his father, Xi'an knew. However, Ken, injunction with Ranma's friends, could beat the last of the Saotome Clan.

"Go my warriors, kill Ranma Satome and his father, and bring their bodies back to me!" he ordered.

And without question, the four warriors left to do Xi'an's bidding.

"Come on, Copycat Ken; fight us!" Ranma demanded. "We can take you!"

Ken laughed, pulling out his change cloak. "I've studied you Ranma, and you to, Ryoga; there's nothing you know I can't copy!"

"Our fighting spirit!" Ryoga said. "You'll never copy that!"

Ranma smirked. "Ryoga can say some pretty corny things at times, but he's right! We've beat you before, Copycat Ken! And we can do it again even with all your tricks!"

Ken was straight-faced. "Not this time, Saotome. I've learned some new tricks, of my own learning and from Master Xi'an. Get ready to face the new and improved me!"

Ranma gulped nervously. Something told him that Copycat Ken wasn't bluffing.

Xi'an could feel the battle between Copycat Ken and the others was about to begin. His 2nd Lieutenant, Ken, was much stronger in will than the demon that possessed Ryoga was, and Xi'an knew Ken wouldn't fail.

He could also feel his four minions approaching the battlefield, which just happen to be the recently destroyed Tendo dojo. What a fitting place, he thought, to have a battle. It would be over the ruins of his ultimate triumphant.

And when all was done, the Hiroshi dojo would then be the most famous in Nerima, and soon in Japan.

But that would have to wait. The death of the last of the Saotome Clan would come first.

Ken scowled as he gazed across the line of his enemies from Ranma all the way to Ryoga. Along with them, Genma Saotome, Cologne, and Soun and Akane Tendo also joined the fray.

He knew he couldn't take them all on. Together they would overpower him physically. So he needed a plan; something to deceive them into defeating themselves, just like he had done when he had first met each one using his changing ability.

But the same trick won't work twice, he knew. And he started to feel a little weakened having to fight back the will of his host. He was feeling a headache coming on.

"Next time, Ranma Saotome," Ken finally said. "My master will deal with all of you in do time."

"You running away? Coward!" Ranma barked.

"A wise man knows the odds and doesn't tempt fate!" Ken said.

Ken felt four strong souls approaching his position; they were demonic souls controlled by his master inhabiting hosts. He smiled. "I'll depart now, but feel free to play some more." Ken turned and leapt over the enclosure wall of the next door property.

His master's plan was coming to fruition, he knew. And these four ensnared hosts will be Ranma and his father's undoing.

There was no way Ranma would be able to hurt his friends. Despite battling them before, this time it was different. Ranma would have to kill them to defeat them with those demons inhabiting the bodies of his friends.

Ranma had the discipline and the heart of a martial artist, but he was no killer. And that is precisely why he would lose!

When Ken left, Ryoga had wanted to run after him. But Ranma stopped him. He felt something ominous coming and he would need Ryoga's help to face it.

Ranma's eyes narrowed, searching the surrounding area around him. He turned 360 degrees. He felt something strange, a spiritual coldness that he couldn't explain in lamens terms. All he knew was it felt...evil.

"What is it, Ranma?" Akane asked.

"I...don't know. Stay on your guard. We're about to have company."

And as on cue, his feeling was confirmed. On the roof top of a nearby house stood Shampoo, Mousse, Uyko and Nabiki, bathed in shadow from a setting sun that cast it's last remaining glow over the horizon.

"Guys!" Akane said elated.

"Nabiki, my dear!" Soun Tendo cried out. "You've come home!"

"They escaped Xi'an!" Genma said.

But Ranma continued to hold a battle stance; clenched his teeth. His gaze strongly focused on the quartet.

"What is it, boy?" Ranma heard his father say. But Ranma didn't turn to reply. "What's the matter?"

"Something's wrong!" Ryoga confirmed Ranma's feeling. "It's not them. I mean, it's them but they're possessed! Just like I was!"

Ranma sighed deeply. "Ryoga's right, and nd they're much, much stronger!"

To be continued…