Disclaimer: All these characters are property of their creators, and are probably really really pissed off at me for using them in such a vile manner.
Lotus Blossoms - Chapter 2
The First Lesson
At last the meeting with principal Kuno was over. Half an hour doesn't seem like much, but when you have to spend it with a Japanese man who thinks he is Hawaiian, complete with accent? It was hard to get through it with a straight face! All that just to find out that he was welcome to the new school, and his schedule was almost identical to Lotus' schedule.
So now he and Lotus were on their way to their martial arts class, Gome flying just behind. The class was taught by Genma Saotome, Ranma's father, who had finally gotten this job after almost getting kicked out of the Tendo home for causing just a little too much damage while sparing with his son. Why they were signed up for the course, they didn't know. Lotus was good at it, but she abhorred violence, and Fly just assumed that it was Aban's doing.
When they got there, they went in and assumed their places. Gome flew to the class tapestry and perched himself there for the whole class. The bell rang and Genma came in. The class went smoothly. After Lotus passed her test on the first try and earned her Green Belt, Genma taught the students a new move. Just as the bell rang for lunch, Genma asked Lotus and Fly to stay after class. After all of the other students left, Genma started to speak.
"As you probably both have noticed; Lotus is the best student in the class. And Fly, you have the potential to match her in combat. Because of this, I have decided to place you two in the new advanced class." Lotus noticed a shadow coming from behind the tapestry on the wall. Fear coursed through her, demanding that she ran, yet she forced herself to remain calm. "I will now introduce you to your new sensei, Aban."
The shadow materialized and jumped out from behind the tapestry and landed directly next to Genma. It was a man, or maybe a woman, with curly blue hair, glasses, and a beautiful, immaculate white suit that looked like it would be more at home on a prince than on the man (woman?) that it seemed to be on.
'Aban? What's he (she) dong here, and where did he (she) get that getup?'
"Thank you Genma. As you might have noticed, I have been masquerading as someone who is, shall we say, less than sane. As you can plainly see, I am not as crazy as I appeared to be. I have merely been searching for the Heroes of Prophecy, and I believe I have found them. During your gym class and after school you two shall train in the alternate classroom with me. I will teach you everything I know. Hand to hand combat, weapons, magic, and techniques you've never even heard of. I believe that you are our only hope for survival."
"Survival? Heroes of Prophecy?" Lotus seemed stunned. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"An ancient evil is awakening. I know you don't yet believe me, but you will. And it is my job to make sure you're ready."
They began training immediately. Aban brought in two large rocks. "To begin your training, try to break these boulders."
Lotus took her position in front of the smaller of the two rocks, while Fly moved in front of the other one. They both let loose a barrage of attacks, the strongest they knew, yet they could do no more than knock off a few shards of stone.
"I expected as much," Aban said, thoughtfully. "Gome, Can you come here please?"
"Pii?" Gome flew to Aban and hovered in front of him (her). Aban pointed at her.
"SUKARA!!!" Aban yelled, and a sphere of silvery light surrounded Gome for a moment. "OK, now, Lotus, I will teach you some magic. First, there's Mera, the Fireball spell. Gome, just fly around and try to avoid the spells. Lotus, I'll show you how to cast the spell." Gomes eyes widened as Aban leveled a hand at her. "MERA!!!" A ball of fire formed in front of Abans palm and sped towards Gome, who naturally closed her eyes to shield them from the eminent explosion. As the fireball struck, Gome screamed. The fireball did explode, but as Gomes scream was heard, the explosion disappeared. "Hmmmmm. Very interesting. It would seem that Gome knows some kind of Maho spell. Well, that will make the training all the more effective. Lotus, It's your turn."
"OK sensei," Lotus responded. "But I don't know if I can do it. MERA!" A smaller, but just as real fireball appeared in Lotus' hand as she emulated Abans spell. As the spell hit it's mark, Gome screamed again, but this time the spell was nullified quicker. "Whoa! I did it!?!?! That was cool!!!!"
"That was very admirable for your first try, Lotus. Fly, it's your turn now. I'm sure that you can do it."
"Yes sensei." Fly responded, looking more than a little concerned. 'I have to do it. Aban said I could, and Lotus did it, so I HAVE TO do it!!!!!' "MERA!" A fire ball appeared just like it had for the other two, but Fly's was no bigger than the flame on a Zippo™ lighter, and it disappeared only a few inches from his hand. The four of them fell over, overbalanced by the large drops of sweat that appeared on their heads.
"Don't worry about it, Fly. You'll get it eventually. Gome come down here." Gome flew down to Aban, The Sukara spell winking out around her. "It is time for something I had almost forgot." Aban walked over to the tapestry while Lotus and Fly traded worried glances. Taking a large basket from the space behind the tapestry, even though it seemed like there wasn't even an inch of room. With a sudden motherly expression, Aban happily said, "It's lunch time!" Lotus and Fly simply face-faulted as Aban laid out a rather impressive homemade lunch.
After lunch, they started practicing their swordplay. Fly had been pretending to be a Hero since childhood, including playing with a wooden sword. Lotus had never even held a sword before, so Fly had a definite advantage in this respect. No matter how hard she tried, Lotus simply couldn't beat him.
Their day almost over, Aban instructed them to try to break the rocks again, even though they were tired. Lotus and Fly both attacked the rocks only once, directly in the middle. The rocks both shattered. The students looked stunned.
"Very good!" Aban said. "Lesson 1: When the body is tired, the mind searches for the quickest way to defeat your foes. Remember this when you face your enemies. Speed isn't always the way to defeat your opponents. You must out think them as well.
The training sessions always wound up the same. Lotus was more magically inclined unless Fly was angry, but Fly was always better at close fighting with weapons except for the dagger. They showed the same amount of skill in projectile weapons.
Despite some intense competition, training sessions had become fun. A strong friendship was also forming between the two Martial Arts students. The two were sitting contentedly in the Secondary Dojo, arguing over who could fire an arrow farther when the ground beneath them began to rumble.
End of Chapter 2
Finally done. Despite a few problems and a little laziness chapter 2 is finally out. If you're enjoying this story, or have any ideas, feel free to E-mail me. You never know, the way this story turns out may depend on you.
Credits:
Author: Simon (The Dragon) Cwilich
Editor: Lois (Serra Angel) Flocari
Special thanks: The creators of all characters I'm using (I'm not worthy!)