Ranma ½
A Scary Thought:
What happened last time: While Shampoo and Kasumi were away, Usagi got unexpectedly teleported to the US while Ukyo ended up stuck in the animal shelter.
Chapter 61
XXXXX
Herb awoke with his usual seeming calm and control, but if you were to ask him and he were to be honest, he'd say he was a wreck. A usually trivial effort to set his thoughts in order and align all his energies took nearly a minute when it usually was a few seconds at most. Under the surface his emotions were a storm which only his well trained and advanced dragon kin mind could keep in check.
'Damn it all,' he thought as he finally ordered his thoughts and got to prepare for the day. It was not long before he headed out into the field outside the castle, anticipating the usual group of trainees to be present only to be have his carefully reorganized thoughts threaten to disorganize once again on the disconcerting sight of them all gathered around a few lawn tables conversing with a very familiar new party, namely Sorora. 'Damn it all!' he repeated mentally before approaching.
"Herb! Good morning!" Kasumi greeted as he approached, shifting everyone's attention to the Prince.
"Morning," he replied. "Sorora..."
"Ah, yes... sorry, I got impatient," Sorora replied with a teasing smile.
"Impatient? It hasn't been even one day," Herb replied with a mild glare.
"Yes, well, I had something unexpected come up, so my opportunities for an introduction anytime soon narrowed considerably. I figured rather than delay, I might as well get it over with," Sorora explained with a more serious expression, before looking at the others. "I trust you all don't mind."
"Not at all," Ranma replied for the group, giving Herb a particular look. "Always nice to meet new people."
Herb frowned but said nothing under his competition's gaze.
"That's good. I'd stay and chat more, but you all have training to attend to, and I have that matter to see to, which will preoccupy me for a while. I'm sure Herb here can answer your questions, yes?"
"Of course," Herb reluctantly agreed to which Sorora smiled.
"Good, good. Hopefully we'll be able to converse more when my duties are attended to. Till then, good to meet you all," she said as a way of a good bye and the others likewise returned the gesture before in a flash she was gone.
Herb's frown deepened before Ranma cleared his throat and gained his attention with a now insufferable smile on his face. "So, where you been hiding her?"
"Nowhere," Herb replied.
"Any others?" Ranma asked with his smile still firmly in place.
"No," Herb answered. "What did she tell you?"
"She said her name was Sorora and she is a relative who has been advising you," Kasumi answered. Herb considered on hearing this causing Kasumi to cock her head to the side curiously. "Is that not so?"
"It's... essentially accurate," Herb replied before noticing the questioning looks from everyone. "She has been advising me, but there is... more to her than simply being a... relative."
"Oh?" Kasumi asked.
"Well, don't keep us in the dark. Just who is she?" Ranma asked, his smile finally fading into a simple neutral expression.
Herb considered before taking a seat and beginning. "Honestly, I'm not one hundred percent sure. I have a strong suspicion who she truly is, but have never actually confirmed it with her," he began. "Put simply, I think she may be the progenitor of the dragon kin line."
"Doesn't look that old," Ranma commented in puzzlement to which Shampoo nodded in agreement.
"No, but we dragon kin do not age much once we hit our adulthood. A dragon kin of thirty would look the same as one over a thousand," Herb explained.
Kasumi looked to the side in thought as Shampoo spoke up. "So she is the dragon Musk used the curse on?"
Herb shook his head. "That is a myth. An understandable one propagated by your Amazon propaganda no doubt, but incorrect nonetheless. While it is true the other clans of the Musk... well, save the Fox clan, gained their abilities from taking transformed animal brides, the dragon clan had their abilities far longer than that. As the tale goes, in the distant past, a man of great virtue impressed a Celestial Dragon. So impressed was she, she aided in the development of a new human kingdom under his rule, and even gifted him a child said to carry on his will into successive generations. This child was the first Dragon Lord of the Musk from which I am descended."
"So, she was just a dragon?" Ranma asked, confused.
Herb nodded. "A Celestial Dragon to be precise."
"What's a Celestial Dragon? How is it different?" Makoto asked.
"I'm not privy to all the details, but from my understanding, Dragons are claimed to be the first intelligent life on the planet. They developed millions of years ago, in the time of the Dinosaurs no doubt and even survived the extinction of such by fleeing the Earth for a time. During their exile, while many simply planned on returning once the Earth had recovered, some came to embrace their new life in the stars and began a long process of altering themselves to be suitable for life in such an environment. These would become the Celestial Dragons."
"Woah," Ranma commented.
Herb took a moment to think before continuing. "While the dragons of most of our Earthly myths are of the original breeds, Celestials have augmented themselves so much as to be on a wholly different level."
"I'm assuming you think Sorora is this dragon?" Ranma asked to which Herb nodded.
"You are correct. Instilled in me was a spell to summon her, and while our tales never explicitly name the progenitor dragon, Sorora's name is long held in our history as an advisor to the Dragon clan. Naturally, if a spell to summon her is instilled in my very being, it seems only logical that the one to put it there would have to have been the original creator of the clan."
"Logical, yeah, but she doesn't look much like a dragon to me," Ranma replied skeptically.
"That is because that body is an avatar: An advanced form of Homunculus. It is a kind of puppet she uses to interact... Actually, calling it a puppet gives the wrong idea. Think of it more as a very complex machine with its own will, but subordinate to the true Sorora's will. The real Sorora isn't even on Earth. She is likely deep in space up to her own things, merely using the Avatar here to keep tabs on Earthly affairs in her absence."
"She have spirit of her own though," Shampoo noted.
"As I said, she has her own will, so she would have a likely significant spirit of her own, but it ultimately would be overruled by the true Sorora's direction should it come to it."
Shampoo nodded in acceptance of the explanation.
"Of course, as I said, I haven't actually confirmed any of this. It has little mattered so I have not bothered."
"Sounds all pretty crazy," Makoto commented to which Genma, who had been listening all the while silently, nodded along. "Sounds like she could be helpful though."
"Perhaps, but as she is want to remind me constantly, she is not my... keeper. She rarely directly intervenes in events. Plus..." Herb hesitated, gaining everyone's curious attention. Herb frowned after a moment of thought and continued. "While she has given me no grounds to doubt her, I must stress that I would not trust her fully. My father's opinions certainly can't be trusted, but he did forbid contacting her. I do not truly know why."
"Wait, didn't you contact her though?" Ranma asked.
"Yes," Herb admitted.
"So... wouldn't your dad be pissed?"
"If he learned of such... probably, although now it little matters," Herb replied.
Ranma examined Herb for a moment before leaning back and crossing his arms in thought but said nothing.
Any consideration of that reaction was quickly forgotten as Kasumi suddenly spoke. "So it is true then that the Dragon clan maintains their... purity through magical means?" All eyes moved to Kasumi. "It is something Cologne mentioned to me," she explained quickly.
"It is true. Shortly after birth, all children of the Musk are bathed in the special bath that is enchanted to pass along all the traits of import from their Musk parent. While the bath was originally made exclusively for the Dragon clan, it is now used by all, again save apparently the Fox clan, although I suspect not by choice. For them it is likely a limitation of the magic as I would assume ensuring the dwindling purity of their line would be quite enticing."
"So, wait, you're all a bunch of... what, clones?" Ranma asked to which Herb shook his head.
"No. The magic targets only those traits specifically desirable to carry on. For the dragon clan, our appearance is heavily influenced, yes, but even we have variation from generation to generation. Likewise the other clans have similar variety even if their special traits are forcibly carried on."
Shampoo continued to examine Kasumi closely, causing the girl to further the topic. "And... should I become Dragon Lord, would I be expected to use this... bath?"
The question caused quite a bit of surprise from all present, even Herb. "I... honestly, I'm not sure. There have been Dragon Lords historically who were not born of the Dragon clan, but they always married a dragon kin wife. However, now that you mention it, all the examples I can think of did indeed exhibit dragon kin traits themselves," Herb said. "Cologne mentioned this?"
"She did," Kasumi confirmed, casting a quick glance at Shampoo. "It was in regards to another topic, but she wasn't sure how accurate the info was."
Herb frowned. "Even if true, we would not be forced to use any old traditions I think. I don't see why Eyebright would insist on it. I think he might even be slightly against it. If it was for appearance sake, illusions can certainly suffice," Herb quickly analyzed.
Kasumi nodded, but was still deep in thought on the matter.
Ranma huffed. "This situation just keeps getting better and better," he muttered.
Kasumi, however, suddenly switched demeanor and brightened with a smile. "I don't think it is a major concern for now. As Herb says, it seems like something we won't have to deal with. Although, all this talk of magic has reminded me, Cologne also gave me this strange stone she said I should speak to Frost about," she said, producing the stone in question prompting the others to examine it. "She said a drop of blood should activate it, but didn't really give many details about it."
"What's it for?" Makoto asked.
"She said it was an option, one to use in the event we come at odds with the Amazons."
Herb examined it briefly. "It does have a magical aura about it, but that symbol is definitely not magical itself."
"Is mark of the Matriarch," Shampoo explained. "Shampoo see it on many official paper and such in village," she continued before frowning slightly. "Hmm... mostly... is slightly different."
"Perhaps Frost will have some insight. We should speak to her before she leaves about it."
Shampoo nodded in agreement prompting Kasumi to stand up. "I suppose we should get at least a light training session before school."
The others nodded and likewise stood up, although Herb's attention particularly focused on Kasumi. He considered but with a sigh decided to dismiss the matter for the moment.
XXXXX
Across town, Seiya returned to her room with a sigh. 'If I'm going to be stuck here for years, I really have to stop sponging off of Setsuna,' she thought. Sadly, she had no particular ideas as to what to offer. Her thoughts on this, though, were quickly tossed aside as she found her bed occupied.
Seiya started at the sight of an unexpected person in her room only to almost immediately realize from her minimalist attire that it was Eris. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she closed the door behind her, the ascended senshi laying with her back to the door.
"Moping," Eris replied plainly.
Seiya raised an eyebrow at that before hitting on another thought. "Why can't I feel you?"
"I'm suppressing it. Not by choice. I guess it is considered using our powers to interfere, so I feel compelled to do so," Eris replied.
Seiya frowned but nodded in acceptance of the answer. "Fine... so why are you moping, and why in my room?"
"I'm moping because I'm getting nowhere with Terra... er... Mamoru I suppose I should call him," Eris answered.
'Yeah, unsurprising,' Seiya thought before Eris moved on.
"As to why here... I suppose because I have no one else to talk to, so I came here."
Seiya's frown deepened, a strong temptation to send the woman away briefly flashing through her mind. However, with a sigh she dismissed it. 'As much trouble as she can be, I have to admit she really hasn't done anything wrong per say.' "Fine, if you want to talk, talk. Not like I have much to do these days, stuck here."
"Hmm..." Eris replied. "You see, that's the problem. I promised not to interfere in her... Usagi's love life, and I suppose you qualify, so talking about it is technically violating that promise."
'Then why did you...' Seiya started to mentally ask in frustration before silencing the thought. "Okay, then what do you want to talk about?"
"I don't know," Eris droned. "What are you getting up to?" She asked idly.
Seiya crossed her arms in annoyance, but quickly decided to simply play along. "Nothing really. Was actually thinking about what I should do with myself, stuck here and all."
"Oh?"
Seiya sighed and looked out the window. "Not like I can go back to my old identity here. When we left, we kinda set our affairs in order so those identities would be... shut down if you will. I suppose I could pick it back up, but there would be loads of questions from the press with the others not here."
"Yes, I suppose that would be troublesome."
"Yeah, but right now I feel like a total freeloader."
Eris let out a small laugh. "Indeed. You could always get a job. Now that your identities were revealed to some select others, perhaps one of them would be willing to accommodate your particular circumstances."
'I suppose... wait, is she trying to get me into more contact with Usagi?' Seiya pondered. "I could, but they all happen to be pretty close to Usagi, or was that your intent?"
"Hmh? No actually, but now that you mention it, it would be a nice side benefit."
Seiya huffed. "You just never stop scheming, do you?"
"Honestly, I rarely ever scheme, at least as I would say, mostly because I'm terrible at it. Schemes require lies, and I hate lies."
Seiya looked back, puzzled. "You hate lies?"
"Yes. Hate them greatly. Self-serving lies, lies of omission, white lies... it doesn't matter. I hate when people aren't honest." Seiya thought about this with a confused look, her silence prompting Eris to chuckle. "I can tell, you're rather shocked. Wondering to yourself, hasn't she deceived me before? I'll save you the trouble, no. I've been honest to a fault with you, with everyone. You are just so conditioned to expect dishonesty that when someone is plain with you, it seems like deception."
Eris waved a hand idly in the air. "I suppose now and then I let an untruth pass my lips. Even I'm not perfect. I'll gladly correct myself whenever I'm made aware."
Seiya frowned once more, unable to dispute the point. Still, she huffed. "I suppose I have to concede that, but what about that mask, hmh? Seems to me you wear it all the time to hide yourself. Seems rather deceptive to me," she said as she turned away to go to the dresser and retrieve a fresh set of clothes for the day. As she did, she heard a shuffling behind her, and just as she opened the drawer she idly looked back to see Eris had sat up on the bed, turned toward her and removed her mask.
Seiya was struck speechless as she looked upon Eris' full face. 'She looks...'
"She looks just like Usagi, right?" Eris asked, causing Seiya to wince at being outplayed. Eris chuckled. "Yes. Not an exact replica. Eyes are a different color, hair different shade, obviously a bit older, but all so close as to be downright creepy," Eris said, lowering her eyes to gaze at the floor. "Given she's blond in this life, not her usual silver haired self yet, the resemblance is even more noticeable. It is a very... interesting coincidence that both I and Ixion share... a bit too coincidental. Seems something is a bit up to me, but nothing I can actually prove."
"What, you're saying she took your appearance?" Seiya asked with a frown.
"Well, I didn't take hers... at least, not that I know of. So the next logical conclusion is that she is responsible, but I will admit it seems like a stretch. And no, like Ixion, I have no relation," Eris explained before looking down at the mask. "I wear this mostly to avoid the odd looks, although I will admit hiding my eyes is a definite extra benefit."
"Why not alter your appearance to look different?"
"I could, but I'm too stubborn to do such," Eris replied plainly, looking back up. "A trait I share with Orcus I suppose." Silence passed between them for a moment before Eris once more looked to Seiya. "Tell me, seeing me like this, does it stir your heart? Do you think-"
"No," Seiya quickly replied with an almost insulted look which caused Eris to laugh.
"Yes, yes, but therein lies the reason I doubt she would have done it. Particularly for we senshi, appearances mean very little. Even if she meant to appeal to Terra more, she would know the futility of it, and why bother? Why not simply make him love her? No, sadly the current conclusion is that neither of us are responsible for the similarity, just as with Terra and Ixion. If there is an intent behind it, it would seem to be of a higher power."
"Higher power?"
"Like our planets'. They have wills of their own, after all, and we are but their agents. Who is to say what tinkering they have done," Eris explained before moving to replace the mask with a sigh.
"Wait," Seiya said suddenly, stopping her.
"Hmh?"
"You want to be honest, right. Leave it off for now," Seiya said.
"If you insist," she replied and obediently set the mask aside. "Still, this is brushing dangerously close to the forbidden topic."
"Right... umm," Seiya agreed, returning back to the dresser. "Okay then, this... ascension... How does it work? Like, when will I know things are happening?"
"Are you hearing voices yet?"
"No," Seiya said, looking back with a fresh set of clothing in hand.
"Then you have a long ways to go," Eris said with a shrug. Seiya frowned, causing Eris to smile. "What, you want spoilers?"
"If you please," Seiya replied as she moved into a nearby bathroom and began changing out of sight, leaving the door open though.
"Very well. Understand, it isn't exactly a topic I've done research on, so I can mostly only relate my own experience, but from the few points I've discussed it does seem fairly similar for the others," Eris began. "The first real noticeable sign was the voices. They were indistinct, unintelligible, like someone speaking a foreign language in the apartment next door. Funny enough, I knew they were voices from within me and not real, and they were considerate enough to be silent when I desired such, well mostly."
"Then what?" Seiya asked from out of sight.
"In time the voices merged into one voice, and it became clear, and could be understood. It was like a running commentary on everything around me. 'Oh, that one is smiling but they hate this.' 'She says she loves him, but she's only interested in using him.' That sort of thing. Quite the chatterbox."
"Sounds annoying."
"Oh, it was. Again, it at least fell silent when I truly desired peace, but the rest of the time, nonstop."
"Did you try to talk with it?" Seiya asked as she reemerged.
Eris nodded. "Oh yes, on occasion. It never replied. That is until one day I got so sick of it all I started yelling for it to shut up. And finally it asked back 'Why? Is this not what you think?'
"From that day it went silent, but I don't think it was because I silenced it, but rather I knew immediately it was right. The voice was merely saying what I was thinking."
Seiya crossed her arms in thought. "Right, you hate liars."
"Exactly. Back then I wasn't open about it, but I still felt it," Eris explained before placing her hand on her chest. "You see, it was my planet speaking to me, urging in its own way to embrace the truth about myself. After I grasped that, the power started coming quickly as I threw aside any vestige of the untrue self."
"So that's when you became such a troublemaker?" Seiya asked.
Eris chuckled. "Ah yes. My planet's aspect is generally considered to be discord. It seems the way it manifests is by me being compelled to drag out the ugly truth in any situation, no matter how troublesome. After all, what is more likely to cause discord, a falsehood easily discovered, or the unfortunate truth that we all run from?"
Seiya sighed and nodded. "Yeah, that fits. Still doesn't tell me what my true self is supposed to be."
"Who knows? Don't put much stock in that element though. Those of us with more physical aspects, like rain for instance, showed little change in their personalities. You could be among that group. I don't know much about how they experienced things. Never bothered to ask," Eris replied.
Seiya nodded. "Right. Speaking of the others, why does Orcus hate Usagi... or Cosmos I guess so much?"
"She doesn't," Eris replied quickly to Seiya's surprise. "I know, it can seem like she does, but in truth she practically worships Cosmos. No, for her too it is her aspect coming through. She is the senshi of retribution. If Rhadamanthus is the judge, she is the executioner. She cannot deny what Cosmos did, and likely feels compelled to speak on the behalf of those that she wronged."
Seiya considered this. "I suppose that makes some sense. I'm guessing that's why she has that weird... aura of hers."
"The demon-like one? Oh yes. She actually has two. The other is rather angelic, but she hardly ever shows it. I guess it is rather rare for judgments to call for something positive for an accused. Still, she could really use it more often if nothing else to seem less... that."
"Yeah. Still hard to believe she worships Cosmos."
Eris nodded. "Yes, but it is true, or at least was. It has been a very long time since those days. I suspect her attitude has... evolved on the matter. Still, if you're worried about her, don't be. Rhadamanthus is the one who lays down the law and Orcus is but the one who implements it. She would never violate a decree, even one she wholeheartedly disagreed with. It is in her nature."
"A real lawful sort."
"Indeed, to a fault."
Satisfied Seiya nodded before thinking and shaking her head. "Well, I don't have much to talk about save the dreaded topic."
"Then, perhaps it is time I stopped bothering you. A temporary distraction if nothing else," Eris replied before getting up and once more moving to replace her mask.
"Wait," Seiya said once again, giving Eris pause. "Then let me talk, at least a little. That won't break your promise if you just listen."
"I suppose not," Eris said. "But what exactly have you to say?"
"Just a simple suggestion. You want Terra back, but it seems to want him to yourself more than anything. Is it so impossible for you to consider a... compromise?"
Eris's eyes grew cold. "Compromise? Tch," she replied and in irritation put her mask back on. However once in place she took in a long breath. "Like she would compromise... like I could accept it," she said quietly and without another word vanished.
'Well... that pushed a button,' Seiya thought. 'Still, now I understand why she hides her eyes. She can't hide her feelings worth a damn in those eyes.'
XXXXX
"Hmm... hmm..." Frost looked over the stone curiously as the others waited impatiently around the room.
After a full minute, Kasumi gently said, "Frost?"
"What? Oh, right," she said in sudden realization before looking around her. "It's a speaking stone. Kinda like a mental photograph if you will."
"I see," Kasumi said in uncertainty.
"No you don't," Frost said with a frown. "It's easier just to activate it and see. That said, should they all be here?" she asked, looking at Herb, Ranma, Makoto, Mint, Lime and even Genma who had all gathered shortly after the end of the school day to see the results. Along with Shampoo and Kasumi, the castle room, despite being one of the larger ones, was rather crowded.
Kasumi looked over the others who all shifted in slight awkwardness, but nothing was said. "I'm sure it will be fine. We're all pretty much in this together."
"Kinda defeats the purpose of having it blood activated," Frost mumbled in dissatisfaction but pulled out a needle regardless and pricked her finger. She proceeded to spread the droplet of blood that resulted over her fingertip and then pressed it on the stone before setting it down on a table at the room's center and stepping back.
The stone glowed and soon an image of Cologne appeared, tiny at first, but rapidly growing to her real life size and hovering over the stone. Reaching full size, the image of Cologne came to life and looked about the room before sighing. "See, I told you," Frost muttered.
"I had hoped you would see fit to activate this in more private company," the image began, but shrugged. "However, I partly anticipated others would be present, so it is of only minor concern."
"Sorry," Kasumi said nervously. "Are you speaking to us remotely?"
The image shook its head and Frost spoke up to explain. "It is a recording. Like I said, like a photograph. It has a limited range of interaction, but you can speak to it pretty naturally usually. Don't expect it to know everything Cologne would though."
"Exactly," the image agreed. "I recorded this to explain my option. Tell me, is the matter urgent, or have you simply activated me to see what the option is?"
"Nothing urgent," Kasumi said with agreeing nods from the others.
"That's good. Very well then. In that case, as I probably have already told you, but will nonetheless repeat now, this is but an option I present to you. You need not take it. You may never even need it. Still, should things go awry, knowing this could make a difference."
"I understand," Kasumi replied, causing Cologne to nod in acceptance.
"Very well. Then let us not beat around the bush. I believe I may have discovered the location of the spirit of Queen Tranquility," Cologne stated.
Reaction to this was varied. Many were simply puzzled, the name lost on them, but Frost, Shampoo and even Makoto all went wide eyed in shock at the name.
"If I recall, that's the last queen of the village?" Kasumi asked.
"Correct. She was lost to us approximately one thousand years ago when she stood with our allies of the time against a great threat," Cologne explained. "Most Amazons will know our history and tales of the various queens who lived before our current council system. What they don't know is that in truth all our queens were in essence the same person."
"What?" Frost exclaimed in surprise before collecting herself as Cologne frowned at her. "Sorry."
"If they were the same person, why have many identities?" Herb asked.
"In essence only, not in body. Obviously, being a thousand years removed from even the most recent queen, I can only relate to you little understood secret history of her. What is known is that each, from our very first, carried in them the essence of the first. In death, that essence would pass to a successor, who would then become the new queen."
"Sort of like reincarnation?" Kasumi asked but Cologne shook her head.
"In the simplest form perhaps, but this was far more deliberate. Each queen carried the full knowledge of their predecessors from the moment they inherited the position. So, as you may suspect, this isn't a natural process, but rather some advanced magic."
"Mind transfer," Frost concluded aloud, crossing her arms over her chest. "Triggered automatically on death. I've heard of it, but usually it's a pretty limited form. This sounds much more advanced."
"Yes. The important part is, though, whatever mechanism was used to pass the essence seemed to break with her defeat one thousand years ago. However, she appeared to be aware this was likely. After all, why create the groundwork for the council if a new queen would simply appear? So, all of us believed that was the end of her line, but I now believe that is not the case," Cologne explained.
"You found something new and unexpected," Herb said casting a quick glance to Makoto who he already noticed was rather uncomfortable with this topic.
"Yes. While monitoring certain... activities, I discovered a certain someone, who I cannot reveal in present company, who may in fact carry that essence in her, unknown to her."
Kasumi closed her eyes in thought. 'Usagi mentioned this... her mother, her earthly mother. Is that who Cologne is speaking of?' Kasumi thought before opening her eyes to see Cologne smiling at her. "If that is so, why hasn't she... awoken?"
"That is the question, but it has a fairly easy answer, she's not an Amazon," Cologne responded.
"I don't get it," Genma said.
"I think I do," Ranma said. "Let me guess, this queen isn't supposed to be in a non-Amazon, right?"
Cologne nodded. "Ah yes, you are right. The Queen's essence should only pass to Amazons, but what if something happened to trap it in a rebirth of its previous host, one reborn not as an Amazon, but a common woman? Well, quite simply, the magic would get... stuck. Its current host is not dead so it can't transfer, but is also not an Amazon so it can't awaken."
"Interesting, but what are we to do with this?" Herb asked.
Cologne grew solemn and looked down at the stone. "You may have noticed this stone bears the mark of the Matriarch, a very particular mark. It is a little used privilege of the Matriarch, a stone of adoption into the tribe."
Herb let out an amused chuckle. "Clever. If she can't be reborn as a common woman, then make that common woman an Amazon."
"I didn't know about such a thing," Kasumi said, looking at Frost and Shampoo who both seemed likewise surprised.
"Like I said, a little used privilege. Also, it is similar to Herb's current Amazon status, a provisional one. Honestly, the council is likely to be annoyed at its usage here as I'm gaming the rules, and since I am soon to lose the position of Matriarch, they may not even recognize it properly when they are made aware of it. However, by law, as is, the moment I made that stone and with proper intent, the woman became an Amazon, even if provisional... or rather she will when she accepts it," Cologne explained.
"Is a provisional standing enough?" Herb asked.
"That I cannot say. It is not like this circumstance has come up before, so this is a bit of guesswork. Also, as it is provisional, should the council decide to not honor it, I don't know what that would do either. Even if she did awaken, she might be forced back to sleep. Impossible to say," Cologne answered.
"What happens to the... host?" Kasumi asked.
"That's another open question," Cologne said with a sigh. "It is the main reason that I made no attempt to implement my plan. The host could be fully intact, a separate entity living in the same body. The host and the Queen may blend together becoming in effect a totally new person. The host may be submerged, unable and perhaps even unaware of what is happening, or even worse outright destroyed."
"That sounds rather... bad," Kasumi commented to which Cologne nodded in agreement.
"Yes, but I can tell you this, while the tales of our queens are not specific on the mechanism, it was always viewed as a great honor to become one, and I have never gotten the impression that the host was lost. Given also that each queen, while similar, have distinct personalities, I lean more to the former two scenarios being the case than the latter two. However, again, this is all guesswork."
Silence filled the room for a moment before Herb once more spoke. "Assuming this all works and we decide to use it, all we have to do is give her the stone?"
"With full knowledge of what it entails, yes," Cologne answered.
"Then this Queen will wake up... maybe," Ranma said to which Cologne once more nodded. "Lots of uncertainty here, and most of all, are we sure this Queen would even take our side?"
Cologne chuckled and shook her head. "No, you are not. That above all else is the best reason to not use this option carelessly. We revere our Queen in legend, but who knows what she's like in truth. She may well decide to turn against you in whatever situation you find yourselves in. It is a gamble, one to only be used if you have essentially no options left."
Herb frowned, Ranma merely crossed his arms while Kasumi nodded in understanding. "Thank you. I assume we can reactivate you... in more private company to confirm the identity of this woman?" Kasumi asked.
"You may, but I have a feeling you already know who I'm speaking of which is good. I trust you will use this with great care, Kasumi," Cologne said and Kasumi bowed slightly. "Very well. The magic of this stone is limited, so I will leave you now. It has but limited use left, so please only use it again should you be ready to proceed."
"Yes, of course," Kasumi said and with one final nod, Cologne's image vanished.
Frost retrieved the stone and looked it over. "Yeah. It's only got a few minutes left in it, so don't mess around with it next time, just get to the point," Frost cautioned. "Clean it and just place fresh blood on it once more to reactivate," she instructed as she handed it back to Kasumi.
"Right," Kasumi said as she accepted it. "Will it start fresh?"
"No, it will be aware of this conversation, so you can pick up from where you left off. Again, don't expect it to know everything Cologne knows though. It was made with this one topic in mind, so going too far afield from that and it won't be much use, not that you have the time to mess around like that," Frost explained.
"Yes, of course," Kasumi replied, quickly glancing at Makoto before smiling. "Well, I'll just store this away. Like she said, we may never have use of it." She paused and repeated, "Hopefully we never have use of it."
"Hopefully," Ranma agreed. "Man, I could use some food."
"Ah yes, Kasumi is the kitchen ready to go yet? I'd love to try out this new menu of yours," Genma said.
"Pops stop looking for handouts," Ranma chided as he pushed his father out the door. With their exit, the others broke up, Makoto lingering behind the group with Kasumi.
"I heard that a certain someone..." Makoto quietly hinted
"Yes," Kasumi concluded for her. "That's my thought too."
"Should I tell her, Usagi I mean?"
Kasumi paused in thought but then shook her head. "I think she's dealing with enough right now, but you've known her longer than I."
"Right, I'll discuss it with the others but yeah, I think we'll keep this to ourselves for now."
Kasumi nodded in agreement and the two followed the others out.
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Within the Karaoke bar area, Ken was sitting on one of the seats looking out the front. With the facility still yet to open officially, she practically had the place to herself, and was using the time to think. She raised her hand, even this simple action proving difficult, and the limb shaking uncontrollably. 'Man, I really messed myself up,' she thought and clenched her fist.
About that moment she noticed she was not in fact alone, without turning her head, she gazed to the side, noticing out of the corner of her vision a familiar cloaked girl standing at the entrance to the bar hesitantly. Ken gave a dismissive huff before saying, "If you're going to come in, come in already."
At the entrance, the girl started slightly before hanging her head and quickly approaching. "I just wanted-"
"Save it!" Ken cut her off. "I didn't do it for you so you don't need to thank me, or feel sorry for me. I did it to get back at those assholes, and in that respect... mission more than accomplished."
The girl deflated causing Ken to sigh. "Uh... Lemon right?"
"Mm... Yeah," Lemon confirmed.
"Look... I don't know what's up with you, don't really care honestly, but you don't need to pay me any mind. I've been gunning to take those bastards down for years. Only thing I wish is I could have done more to help out, but the results I'm more than happy with," Ken explained, but glanced at her hand once more. "Well, I suppose it could be a bit better." Ken huffed and shook her head. "Never mind. If you want to thank me, get me a drink or something. It's a pain to move around."
"Right!" Lemon said and quickly headed off.
"Didn't even ask me what I wanted," Ken mumbled with a shake of her head. Lemon soon returned with a can of soda which Ken shrugged to and accepted. "Good enough," she said before trying to open the pop top. After nearly ten seconds of futile struggle she eyed Lemon, and without further prompting Lemon opened the can for her.
After taking a few sips, Ken sighed and looked to Lemon who was still hovering nearby. "Okay, so what is your story?"
"Uh... I kinda messed up," Lemon replied.
"Yeah, well, that much is obvious from the fact you got caught. I mean why are you here? Aren't pure bloods supposed to be super important?"
Lemon looked away. "I... really messed up. My... punishment is to serve Kasumi."
"Oh? Hmh," Ken replied. "Could be worse. Kasumi is a total softy from what I've seen. You'll be fine."
Lemon mutely nodded, although Ken could tell she was hardly convinced. Just then they heard the front door of the restaurant open. Lemon immediately stiffened, looked in the direction of the door and darted away. Ken raised an eyebrow before seeing two women come to the entryway of the bar. One she recognized as Grenda's disguised form. The other, a red haired woman, she immediately guessed was yet another Kitsune.
"Ken," Grenda greeted and approached followed closely by the other. "This is Yui, she's from the Japanese Kitsune clan."
Ken merely nodded in greeting, noting how Lemon had slipped behind them and was now once more hovering by the entryway herself, although hiding herself poorly. Dismissing that matter, Ken refocused on the newcomers.
"Tell me," Yui said, "is your original name Keiko?"
Ken closed her eyes and nodded. "How do you know that?"
Yui brightened. "I knew it," she said quietly before taking a seat opposite Ken. Ken looked at her inquisitively as she considered her words. "I... I was the one she rescued... your mother rescued."
Ken went wide eyed at this before quickly deflating and hanging her head. "What happened?" she quietly asked.
Yui took a deep breath and started to explain. "I was on the city one night, being stupidly unaware when I got jumped by a hunter. Before I knew it I was out cold and by the time I awoke... in that place I guess, I was pretty much helpless. Thought I was as good as done when she showed up. She got me loose and we were just about to make our way out when we got discovered and we ended up in a fight. It... didn't go well. She took a real bad hit, and I wasn't much better so I gambled on a teleport. Got lucky, they didn't have any teleport traps set apparently.
"We got away, but your mother... she was too far gone. Most she could get out to me was that she had a daughter and her name, but then she passed. I'm sorry," Yui concluded.
"I fully expected such. At least they didn't..." Ken replied, before switching topics slightly. "If you knew about me-"
"We did hunt for you," Yui quickly interjected. "For months actually. Problem was we were way off the mark. You see, I wasn't caught in Tokyo. I thought that facility was in the town near our village, but I was way off. As such we were looking in the completely wrong place the whole time."
"Ah, that explains why it never got to the attention of the council," Grenda said to which Yui nodded.
"Yeah, we assumed they had picked up shop and left, but I'm guessing not," Yui replied.
"You didn't know where the mother was, what was her name?" Grenda asked.
"Chika, and no. She was... rather annoyed with the village leadership and had left many years prior. Nothing truly serious, but they had very little contact with her. We didn't even know she had a kid until she told me. I got the impression she had been stalking that place for a while as she knew it pretty well. Guessing she caught them bringing me in and moved in on her own."
Ken nodded in confirmation. "Pretty much."
Grenda frowned. "Still odd. It doesn't sound like it was nearly as well protected at the time."
"Oh god no. From the sounds of it, what you all ran into would have totally overwhelmed us in seconds," Yui said. "I think there were maybe two real hunters when I was there, and no pocket dimension."
Grenda nodded. "And Ken said a while back the activity level spiked. They must have moved that facility there afterwards."
At that moment, Ken noticed Lemon darting quietly to the hallway that led to the private karaoke rooms. The reason for this became plain as Kasumi and Shampoo soon after appeared at the entryway. Grenda also took note of them and beckoned them over.
"Kasumi, Shampoo, this is Yui. She's from the Japanese Kitsune clan."
"A pleasure to meet you," Kasumi said with a slight bow which Shampoo mirrored. "Have you come for Ken?"
"Yes," Yui confirmed. "We've actually been looking for her for years, although we'd largely given up hope till Grenda contacted us. Bah, we should have thought to cast a wider net," she said with a frown and shake of her head.
"You... know what my condition is, right?"
"Yes. Grenda already told me everything. It doesn't matter at all," Yui assured her. "We have many thinner bloods than you that could never transform. That you lack the ability is hardly a thing we'll hold against you if that is what you're thinking."
"I don't suppose there is any hope of restoring it?" Kasumi asked, to which Yui frowned.
"Doubtful," Yui replied. "We'll certainly have our best people look her over. Maybe there is something there that can be salvaged, but doesn't sound like it. Still, from my understanding you've acquired a lot of other ki based skills."
"I've never used them without shapeshifting though," Ken said with a sour look but Yui smiled.
"Nonsense. You just need to apply yourself to adapting them to your normal form. We have many trainers that can help you with that. I'm sure you'll get results."
Ken said nothing, but did look away in thought.
As a moment of silence passed, Kasumi cast a glance at Lemon who was still being poorly covert. "Um, if I might ask. Does your clan have the same policy of... changing the sex of their members for breeding purposes?"
Yui immediately looked to Lemon with a hard look before looking to Kasumi. "Yes, not that it would matter in this case. If you're thinking of having that one accompany us, I'm afraid that is impossible. She is... dishonored. None of the other clans will touch her."
"Oh," Kasumi said with a downward look.
"If she is a burden to you, return her to the Musk clan. They will accept her as she is theirs," Yui said flatly.
"Uh... I would rather not," Kasumi replied.
Yui shrugged. "As you wish. I do not know her exact infraction, but word is already widespread among us that her life is forfeit. That is not something any of the other clans will wish to deal with and they will reject her outright. Her life is yours, do with it as you will."
Kasumi couldn't help but cringe slightly at this, and even Ken frowned. 'Bloody cold. She must have really screwed up.'
"When will you be leaving?" Kasumi asked.
Grenda spoke up to this. "I'd recommend waiting till Ken can at least move about freely without the need for the golem aid."
"Yeah, that thing is bloody inconvenient," Ken replied.
"Ukyo apparently has a treatment for this sort of thing," Kasumi said. "Perhaps I'll ask her... or maybe have Ranma ask her."
"If she does, yes. Damage to an energy system is very slow to heal, and nothing we can do magically for it. It will also slow her natural healing and although we healed the worst of it, there is still a fair bit of damage."
Ken frowned and nodded. "Yeah," she said in agreement.
"I'll go see, but regardless we have plenty of room for you to stay until Ken is recovered," Kasumi said.
"Thank you," Yui replied and Kasumi dismissed herself. Shampoo followed after her for a moment, but stopped, apparently changing her mind and redirected to Lemon. Ken watched as the amazon approached, Lemon withdrawing but not attempting to flee. Shampoo said something and after hanging her head, Lemon followed behind as Shampoo led the way back towards the entrance of the restaurant.
Ken huffed, thinking to herself, 'None of my business.'
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Lemon followed behind Shampoo, already mentally preparing herself for the worst. 'Here it comes,' she thought miserably.
Shampoo came to a stop in front of the main door and turned back to Lemon. Gesturing to the door, she spoke in her native tongue, "There's the door. If you want to use it, go ahead. You're free to do so. However, next time we are not coming to save you if you get in trouble."
Lemon looked up, puzzled.
"If you want to go back to your clan, fine. We'll contact them and arrange that too, but again, that's it. We wash our hands of you. Understand?"
"I... think so," Lemon replied, still puzzled.
"Good. Kasumi said I can deal with you, and that is my decision on the matter. If you want to stay, then you don't leave here without our permission. You'll probably need an escort given what happened."
"Yeah," Lemon agreed.
"Don't think you stay here for free. We'll find something for you to do to earn your keep. Be a nuisance and I will send you packing home, got it?"
Lemon nodded.
Shampoo sighed and turned away but paused. "I'm not... totally unsympathetic. I can see how it would be frustrating to lose the one you expect to marry, especially when everything you know counts on it. Kasumi thought you were worth saving... I can only hope she was right," Shampoo said, looking off up the stairs where Kasumi had headed. "One more thing, about you enchanting me-"
"I'm sorry!" Lemon quickly said with a deep bow.
Shampoo huffed. "Um... well... yeah, but that's actually not... So Pu said I can actually become resistant to such."
Lemon looked up in surprise.
"That can be one of the things you help out with. I need you to help me train that ability. That doesn't mean you abuse-" Shampoo started to caution.
"I'll be very careful," Lemon quickly said. "You can... probably have Herb monitor. I can't enchant him."
Shampoo nodded, satisfied. With an eased look she beckoned Lemon to follow once more. "Come on then, let's talk about what else you can do around here."
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End Chapter 61
Next time in A Scary Thought: The situations with Ryoga and Kuno come to their close while Herb and Ranma confront one another.
For those a bit confused on the crossovers: Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna, Luna, and Artemis are all from Sailor Moon. Kitsune has her ties to the X-files, but only in that she's a fanatic of similar interests rather than appearing in said show. Saki and Sampei are from Sukeban Deka. You may also notice Frost borrowing a spell from here or there; in particular Gargoyles and Illusionaries are two prime targets. Speaking of Gargoyles, if you're a fan of the series you may have already figured this out, but La Bac is Cabal spelt backwards. Also Gen-U-Tech is also a business from Gargoyles. Does that mean this is a Gargoyles crossover? At this point, probably not. I have tried to square the circle of Gargoyles time travel mechanics with my story and it just isn't working and unfortunately they are too key to Gargoyles continuity to just ignore so most likely Gargoyles will remain just a shout out kinda crossover but not official. Anyway, besides that we have Chun Li, Rose, Shadow Lady, Shadow, Gill and the previously shown Karin and Sakura which come from Street Fighter series (Rose, Karin and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 3, Shadow and Shadow Lady from Marvel vs Capcom, Chun Li from much of the Street Fighter series, and now Gill from Street Fighter III). As for Ranko, well she's from my other major fanfic, Most Unlikely of Friends, although you can largely consider her standard Ranma trapped in female form for most purposes. And lastly comes dear old Siren who is from Dreiser's story 'Black Rose Blue Thunder'. I won't be using her much but she fits a temporary need. Be Dea comes from D B. Sommers fic Shampoo ½, and if you haven't read it, do so, now! I've also previously mentioned Perfume from same fic (although this story has two Perfumes being mentioned, the other being from my own Most Unlikely of Friends). Garnet was first mentioned by Jim Bader in A Very Scary thought I believe, but whatever the case I don't believe he ever actually appeared in any of Jim's stories, although I could be wrong. As already mentioned, Miku, Neru and Haku are vocaloid character, but just cameo's for them.
On a side note for those crossovers, it recently came to my attention that some believe I am crossed with Negima. I'm actually not, but out of curiosity I checked out Negima and could certainly see the similarities (a lot of them in fact, and was quite surprised seeing as I had never even heard of Negima until it was mentioned). That got the proverbial wheels in my head turning about potential crossovers so... maybe, but don't count on it. As Uq Holder, Negima's continuation, is still in progress and throwing in all kinds of new curve balls, I'll probably be forced to steer clear.
Speaking of things I'm not crossed with, two notable ones are Ah My Goddess and Tenchi! Jim liked to use the latter a great deal, and I believe he might have used the former too, although less sure on that, but either way I have decided both are ultimately incompatible with my vision of my story world.
Website... does my website even exist anymore? Well, I have it on my hard drive still, but that hardly counts. Needless to say, if you do stumble on it, it's hopelessly out of date.
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