Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu or Ranma's Cousin Iori
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Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½. That is property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own
The King of Fighters, that is property of SNK. I do however suggest you look up
information on these two properties. You won't be disappointed.
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Note: This takes place well after the Ranma ½ manga and during the King of Fighters '98.
(------)
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 42: Orochi Space: Fire Palace
Iori studies the little heart statue in front of him. He honestly, can't think of anything to do.
This trial is a complete enigma to the Orochi Warrior.
Iori lets out a sigh. He's been out with the statue for a couple of hours now. Kima had
stopped by to take a look at it, but she couldn't think of anything to do either. Now, Iori is
going to rely on his instincts…
Iori (Raises his hands high): WORK YOU STUPID TRIAL! RAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!
Iori brings his fists down upon the statue with all his might… But it doesn't break… Iori's
eyes widen, and…
Iori (Jumps back, shakes his hands wildly): GAH! Sonuvabitch… That hurts…
Iori, in his anger, kicks the statue… To then find himself clutching his foot with both his
hands, a split-second later.
Iori (Hops around on one foot while clutching the other): SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!!! THAT
HURTS!
Iori eyes the little heart statue with utter hate. Suddenly, it sinks into the ground. A bridge
made of a blue-tinted marble forms to the next landmass. Iori stares at it and smiles.
Iori: YEAH! I SHOWED THAT THING WHO'S BOSS!
Iori now runs back to camp to tell the others he's solved the trial, and they can get a move
on later.
(-------)
Ranma runs his hands through Leona's hair. She sleeps peacefully on top of him; a small
smile illuminates her face. Ranma can't believe what they did. It was experience he can't
even begin to describe. He feels that he is a man now. And he has Leona to thank for that.
Following that trail of thought Ranma moves his head down to kiss her lightly on the
forehead, making her murmur in her sleep.
Suddenly, a blanket is thrown on top of Ranma and Leona. Leona stirs a bit, but doesn't
awaken. Ranma turns his head slightly to see…
Ranma (Blushes): Uh… Hi Iori… Um… Please don't tell anyone about this… Okay?
Iori shakes his head lightly. A soft chuckle escapes from him. He then moves closer to
Ranma to give his cousin some 'advice'.
Iori: Now this is a Kodak moment… So…
Ranma (Sweats): "So?"
Iori (Smirks): You slipped her the "hot beef injection", didn't you?
Ranma brings his fist down upon Iori's head. Leona stirs slightly, and tightens her grip on
Ranma.
Iori (Lump on his head, looks at Leona): … Damn… Now she's a sound sleeper…
Ranma: Yeah…
Iori: Well, after exerting so much energy on you, it makes sense…
Ranma brings his fist down upon Iori's head once again.
Iori (Removes Ranma's fist): You know… If you weren't my cousin, I would be tearing
you apart for hitting me… Oh, Ranma… Some advice so you can keep doing this with
her… After all… I know you love her…
Ranma (Confused): "Advice?"
Iori: Yes. One, make sure to use protection, and two, don't tell ANY of your rivals…
Remember Heidern back on the Black Noah?
Ranma (Face pales): … How can I forget? …
----
Ranma (Running from Heidern): WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! LEAVE
ME ALONE! I TOLD YOU I DID NOTHING TO LECHAN!!!
Heidern (With AK-47): YOU LIAR! RANMA, HOW DARE YOU TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF MY DAUGHTER!?!? PREPARE TO DIE!!!
Ranma: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Heidern starts shooting around all the area on the deck of Black Noah, tearing up a lot of
the surrounding area… Including the USA Sports Team.
Heavy D, Brian, & Lucky: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
The USA Sports Team falls to the ground, amidst a pool of their own blood.
Heavy D: Gurgle… And we finally made it back to the big-time… Gurgle…
Lucky: Damn… This is like that time Yagami beat the crap out of us, and took our invite
to King of Fighters '95…
Brian: Raaaaaaaaaaaagghh… Brian… Mad… Brian… Bleed… Gurgle...
Rugal (Gets out of captain's quarters): What's going on? My "Wallet Sense" is tingling…
(Eyes widen in horror). MY SHIP!!!
Rugal faints, falling to the ground with a loud thud.
----
Iori (Mutters): Hmm… Maybe I should have stolen their invites again… Oh well… (Out
loud). This is my advice. Don't tell ANYONE you had sex with Leona… That way…
No one bothers you two and…
Ranma: And?
Iori (Smirks): And that way, I get to tease you some more. Heh heh… Well. Get some
sleep. I'll be back in a couple hours to get you two. We'll be heading out to the next
realm. Oh, and Ranma…
Ranma: Yes?
Iori: Be good to Leona.
Iori walks off, leaving Ranma and the sleeping Leona in each other's arms.
(------)
Billy walks back into Leona's palace. His back is killing him. All this exercise he's gotten
with the fighting and moving around is taking its toll on him. He hopes to use one of the
hot springs in the water palace to calm his nerves and body. As he looks around he spots a
sight that makes his eyes bulge, and his jaw drop. Billy, out of reflex, reaches for his cell
phone and starts dialing a few numbers…
(------)
Geese sits at his desk, looking over reports of his 'shipments' and 'activities' that are on his
desk. He has been making quite a bit of money from extortion and gambling. Seems the
King of Fighters '98 Tournament got people back into fighting, and so, illegal gambling is
at an all-time high in South Town with street fights. Geese is actually quite pleased. He
takes a sip from his wine glass when the phone on his desk stars ringing. He answers it.
Geese: Yes?
Billy: Boss…
Geese: Ah… Billy… How does it go?
Billy: Boss… You're never gonna believe this…
Geese (Smirks, sarcastic): What? You caught Ranma and Leona after they had sex?
Geese takes another sip of his wine…
Billy: Um… Yeah… How'd you know?
… And ends up spitting it out…
Geese (Wipes his mouth): COUGH! Billy… That wasn't funny…
Billy: I'm serious…
Geese stares at his phone. A huge smile forms on his face.
Geese: They really did 'it' huh? Hmm… Well, I WANT DETAILS! Be as explicit as
possible.
Billy: Well, um… Ranma and Leona appear to be naked… There's a blanket on top of
them… Their clothes are scattered all around the place… There's a musky scent to the
air… (Voice starts to tremble). Both are now staring at me… Ranma is getting up…
Ranma is now conjuring a purple flame in his hand… Um… Boss… My health insurance
is paid up, isn't it?
Ranma (Angry): Billy…
Billy: Um… I need to go boss… Er… RANMA, I'M SO SORRY, PLEASE DON'T
HURT ME! YOU NEED ME; I'M ONE OF YOUR SIX WARRIORS, RIGHT? SO YOU
CAN'T KILL ME!
Ranma: Yeah… I need you… BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN ONE PIECE! DRUNKEN
GRAIL GEYSER!!!
Billy: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Sound of a huge explosion over the phone follows. Line goes dead.
Geese (Stares at his phone): … With my luck, Ranma won't do any permanent damage,
which means I still can't get a new assistant… Dang… (Eyes widen). Wait a minute…
Six warriors? I thought Ranma had five… Hmm…
(------)
Most of the other fighters that are with Ranma, are sitting around the campfire, eating…
When all of a sudden, a huge burst of Orochi fire shoots from the top of the Water Palace
like a volcano. Billy's form flies through the air.
Billy (As he goes through the air): I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY!!!
Billy lands in the next realm.
Chizuru (Sweat drops): What…
Vice (Sweat drops): In…
Terry (Sweat drops): The…
Kima (Sweat drops): World…
Mature (Sweat drops): Was…
Kyo (Sweat drops): That?
Iori (Chuckles a bit): Looks like Billy saw something not for his eyes…
The fighters stare at Iori, but he just smirks a bit more at them.
Vice: Um… Iori? Are you insinuating what I think you're insinuating?
Mature (Surprised): "Insinuating"? Wow… Vice, you're using a bit more sophisticated
vocabulary… I'm impressed.
Vice: Thanks.
Chizuru (Realizes what Iori IS getting at): You mean…
Iori: Hm hm…
Terry (Eyes widen): Woah… You mean that?
Iori: My cousin is, as my aunt would put it, "manly".
Chizuru (Pulls at her hair): NOOOOOOOO!!! NOW I'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH
LITTLE OROCHIS!!!
Vice (Eyes widen): OH, HOW CUTE! Hey Iori-sama… Think we'll have any of our own
little Orochis?
Mature: WHAT!? VICE, HOW CAN YOU THINK LIKE THAT!?
Vice: Um… Because I love Iori-sama?
Kima (Glomps onto Iori): NO WAY! IORI-SAMA IS NOT GOINT TO GO WITH A
SNAKE LIKE YOU!
Iori (Eyes Kima): … Wait a minute… Did you just call me "Iori-sama"?
Kima (Blushes): ERM… Er… Uh… No… Um… Yes… Erm… NEVER MIND!
Iori chuckles to himself. This has definitely been one hell of an interesting trip…
Kyo (Makes a pose): I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS! I SHALL SLAY THE EVIL
RANMA, AND FREE LEONA!!!
… And is about to get more interesting…
Kyo runs to the Water Palace… And ends up flying over to the next realm the same way
Billy did.
Iori (Smirks): And away he goes…
(------)
The group that HASN'T made it over to the next landmass yet, makes their way across the
bridge. Ranma and Leona keep blushing a deep shade of red when one of the others stare
at them. Vice and Kima also seems to have latched themselves onto one of Iori's arms,
while Mature hits Iori on the back of his head.
Mature (Hits Iori): STUPID IORI, STUPID IORI, STUPID IORI…
Iori (Eyebrow twitches): Must… Resist… Blood Riot… Sweet… Vengeance-fulfilling
Blood Riot…
(------)
Once at the next landmass, they are hit with a wave of heat… The whole land is black, as
with covered with the sand of igneous rock, like the black beaches of Hawaii. In the center
is a Volcano. This place is literally, the opposite to the realm of water. They see that Billy
and Kyo in deep craters close to the reception area.
Iori: You two alive?
Billy & Kyo: Groooooooaaannnn…
Iori: They are… DAMN! WHY WON'T YOU DIE!?
Billy: I hate my life… I don't get paid enough for this…
Ranma: Billy…
Billy: EEP!
Ranma: Hand me your cell phone. If it can reach into our dimension, we can tell them that
were all okay so far.
Billy: Sure…
Billy moves his hand towards Ranma. In it is a mesh of plastic and circuitry…
Ranma (Looks at the mangled cell phone): … Damn…
Terry: How do you feel Billy?
Billy: Pride… Wounded… Bones… Broken… Breathing… Labored… Kidney… Still
unaccounted for… I need a vacation…
Suddenly, a huge purple flame bursts from the ground near the fighters. The visage of
Chris's head appears in it.
Chris: I am Chris! The great, and mighty Chris!
Leona: Stop stealing bits from the "Wizard of Oz"!
Chris: HEY! I resent that!
Leona: Whatever.
Chris: Anyway, I am "Honoo no Mei no Kurisu"! The Hakkeshu of Fire, and one of the
Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi! Come to my palace! For, if you REALLY want to pass,
you must defeat me, and face my trial… A trial of COURAGE AND POWER! Can your
fires manage to calm the heat of my volcano? We shall see…
The flame then dissipates. The fighters stare at the area the flame once was.
Iori: Little brat… I'll kick his ass…
Ranma is the first to move… He makes his way to the volcano. The others follow closely
behind him.
(------)
Once at the volcano, the fighters look around. They find no entrance.
Kima: How does he expect us to get in?
Suddenly, a burst of flame shoots from the ground again. Chris's head appears in it.
Chris: Simple. The top. This is the part of the trail that is courage. Can you make it down
to me by going through the mouth of the volcano?
The flame with the visage of Chris dissipates.
Ranma: I'm beginning to hate that kid…
Iori: Join the club…
Ranma: Lechan?
Leona: Yes?
Ranma: Lechan, will you please use your power to help us get in? We'll need you to form
some sort of barrier around us with the moisture in the air. And please… Keep it cool…
Leona: I'll try… I've never used my power on so many people…
Leona takes a moment to concentrate. She steadies her breathing and focuses on the area
around her and the others. There isn't much to work with, but she manages to take any
moisture in the air that she 'feels', and makes a 'coating' for all of them. They indeed feel
a bit cooler.
Vice: That's cool… And I do mean cool…
Mature: Where'd you learn to do this?
Leona: Ranchan taught me. He, Nodosan, and Iori helped me gain better control over my
power.
Chizuru: Hmm… That's interesting…
Ranma: Well, no time like the present. Come one guys… We got a volcano to climb, and
descend into.
Billy: BUT MY BACK STILL HURTS!
Ranma: Shut up, before I take your pole and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
Billy (Mutters): I REALLY deserve a bonus for this…
(------)
The group manages to make it to the top of the volcano. The searing heat would really be
unbearable if it wasn't for the 'coating' Leona had made for them using her power over
water. Ranma looks down into the volcano, but can't really see into it.
Kima: What do you see?
Ranma: Nothing… It's too bright.
Leona: What are we going to do?
Ranma: Simple really. We go down.
Iori, Leona, Kyo, Chizuru, Terry, Kima, Billy, Vice, & Mature: WHAT!?!?!?
Ranma: Um… Yeah… We know he's in there, so if he can be in there, then so can we.
Iori: Ranma… You DO realize that your logic isn't very sound, right?
Ranma: Hey, we gotta do this. If we don't the other Hakkeshu will be free to do what they
want. I can't allow that.
Iori: Wait! At least let us test to see if it's safe…
Iori grabs Kyo by the back of his collar, and tosses him into the mouth of the volcano.
Kyo: SONUVABITCH!!!
Kyo falls down into the volcano, but then smashes into a clear surface that is half way
down into it.
Kyo (Face-down on 'ground'): … Ow… I dink by dose is brokin…
Seeing that it is okay, the others climb down into the volcano after Kyo. Iori walks up to
Kyo.
Iori: How do you feel?
Kyo (Nose points to the left side of his face): By dose is brokin… I broke it in da fall…
Iori (Smiles wickedly): Allow me to 'help'…
Iori grabs Kyo's nose, and breaks it once again, so it is centered correctly.
!
Iori: Feel better?
Kyo (Teary eyed, bloody nose): Yes…
Voice: HA HA HAAA! That is so funny!
The fighters turn their heads to see Chris. He sits on a piece of obsidian rock. He is on the
edge of the platform is an alcove carved into the side of the volcano's inside, which aligns
itself with the clear 'platform'.
Chris: Welcome to the Fire Palace. I am who you shall be facing master Orochi.
Ranma: STOP CALLING ME OROCHI!
Chris (Smirks): You can't escape fate master… You WILL become the Orochi.
Ranma (Gets into a fighting stance): And what makes you so confident?
Chris: Simple… Unlike the others, I'm not stupid…
Chris's smile widens, and a wall of dark violet flame rises between Ranma and his crew, so
Chris and Ranma are on one side, and the others on the other side. Ranma shoots his
Mouko Takabisha no Orochi at the wall o flame, but it just dissipates once it touches the
dark violet flame
Ranma: What the hell is that?
Chris: My Orochi flame. My flame is 'purer' than yours master Orochi. Your flame is a
mix of 'shin' Orochi fire and Magatama, making it 'Magatama no Orochi', while mine, as I
said, is pure. But don't worry master… Once I defeat you, I'll cleanse the human blood
from you… Then your flame will also burn pure and you'll be 'free' from those weak
human emotions…
Chris then raises his hands, so the palms are up, and dark violet flames spring forth from
them, a devilish smirk graces his features. He then closes both his hands, and lifts one
finger in the air. A dark violet flame adorns it, and it gets bigger. Ranma feels a growing
power to it, and does the only logical thing. GET THE HECK AWAY FROM HIM!
Chris: SERPENT WAVE!!!
Ranma jumps up high into the air, as Chris performs the move that the Kusanagi clan is
well known for. Except Ranma knows if THAT flame touches him, it's going to hurt more
than the Kusanagi flame version. Ranma lands on the ground far from Chris. Ranma
concentrates his ki, making it pure, and does a normal Mouko Takabisha on the wall of
Orochi flame Chris made. The blue ki blast just dissipates on the firewall as well.
Ranma: DAMN! There's got to be someway to break that wall…
Chris: Sorry, but you aren't going to get rid of it. You have the flame elemental as well.
You energies will just feed the wall, and…
Leona: MIZU KEN!!!
Ranma and Chris turn to see a water-elemental ki blast from Leona tear through the wall of
Orochi fire Chris had made. The others look very pissed.
Iori: YOU LITTLE BASTARD!
Terry: Cheap kid!
Kyo: I SHALL SHOW YOU THE MIGHT OF MY MAGATAMA!
Kima: Unhonorable Hakkeshu!
Chizuru: VILE BEING! I SHALL SEAL YOU AWAY!
Chris (Sweats): Um… Can't we talk this out?
All others: NO!
Soon, a beat down proceeds, with Chris at the one being beaten. Suddenly, a huge burst of
fire shoots from Chris. He is enveloped in an aura of his dark violet flame.
Chris: You like? It's a revised version of my Orochi Ball Super Move. Instead of me
losing the ball however, it stays with me as a shield. Now, I'll defeat all of you!
FLAME!!!
Chris holds his hands out, as if he was holding a handgun. His hands jerk back as if he
fired one, and a burst of Orochi fire shoots from it and travels across the air. The fighters
scatter from the initial blast, but Chris keeps shooting at them. The 'coating' Leona made
them is now starting to lose effect, and they literally begin to feel the heat. Chris is raging
with a fire, which rivals that of Saffron…
Ranma: It's like Saffron all over again… (Eyes widen). This is crazy, but it may work…
LECHAN!
Leona (Turns her head towards Ranma): Yeah Ranchan?
Ranma: Hit me with a blast of cold once I get Chris moving in a spiral patter!
Leona: What? Why do you…
Ranma (Cuts her off): Please, trust me. (Turns to Chris). HEY, FIREFLY! TAKE ME
ON! OR ARE YOU AFRAID?
Chris: Foolish master. My flames will burn you to ash if you aren't careful.
Ranma: Less talk, more fighting!
Ranma then does an initial punch at Chris, and backs away. Ranma then starts moving in
an inwards spiral. Chris presses on his attack while Ranma concentrates on defending
himself.
Ranma: NOW LECHAN!
Leona, who had been gathering as much energy as she could, shoots a blast of cold water at
Ranma. The contact of the water is incredibly chilling. It even turns Ranma into a girl.
Kyo: RANKYO MY…
!
Iori removes his fist, and the unconscious Kyo falls to the 'ground'.
Iori: Idiot…
Chris (Tauntingly): FOOLISH MASTER! YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD GET HER
TO HIT ME WITH THAT COLD BLAST? HA! Now I shall have to teach you a
lesson…
Chris begins to press on his attack even more, the fires, burning at Ranko's arms, but, the
cold still keeps its place on her. Finally the make it to the center of the spiral, and Ranko
lets her fist loose…
Ranko: HIRYUU HYUU TOPPA!!!
The extreme amounts of clash between Chris's Orochi fire, and the cold Ranko received
from Leona's blast causes a frill of ice, no more than a fist wide. The drill obliterates
Chris's revised Orochi Ball. The drill makes its way to the top of the volcano and
explodes. The whole volcano becomes covered in ice. The volcano literally shatters. All
the fighters fall to the base of the volcano, its magma frozen into pure ice.
(------)
Goenitz's left eye twitches. This is not good. Ranma has a few tricks up his sleeve. And
who knows how many more he has.
Goenitz (Thinks): DAMN HIM! How is it he always seems to come out on top? Oh
well… Shermie is up next… And, she'll be after Ranma in another 'sense'. Hm hm…
This will be very fun to watch indeed.
Amethyst gems that align the walls of the throne room of Goenitz's castle begin to glow.
The energy he has stolen is starting to react. The Tenth Hakkeshu is getting closer…
(------)
Ranko and crew climb out of the rubble. All are present and accounted for… Except for
Chris… Iori walks up to Ranma and starts shaking him.
Iori (Shakes Ranko): WHAT THE F*CK WAS THAT!?!?
Ranko: It was the Hiryuu Hyuu Toppa. That was the move I used to defeat Saffron.
Kima flinches when Ranko says that.
Iori: … That move is powerful enough to kill a God?
Ranko: Yes…
Iori: TEACH ME HOW TO DO IT!!!
Ranko: Uh, you already now how to do it. It works like the Hiryuu Shoten Ha, except you
need to have extreme temperatures of cold and heat.
Iori (Drops Ranko): Okay
Ranko: Ouch… The jerk…
Leona, although tired from her exertion of energy, warms the water molecules in the air
around Ranko, and she turns back into a guy. Ranma looks at Leona and smiles.
Ranma: Thanks Lechan.
Vice: Master Ranma?
Ranma: Sigh… Please, just call me Ranma…
Vice: Okay… Um… Ranma?
Ranma: Yes?
Vice: You do realize that this means we have cleared 6 of the realms.
Ranma: Yeah. We're almost through this… (Gets up). Well… Let's get a move on…
Kyo (Makes a pose): FIEND! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE BEAUTEOUS
RANKO YAGAMI!
Ranma: … YOU SAW ME TRANSFORM BEFORE YOU, YOU DOLT! DON'T YOU
GET IT!?
Kyo: I do… YOU ARE A FOUL PRACTICIONER OF BLACK MAGIC, AND…
!
Ranma retracts his fist from Kyo's face, and Kyo falls to the ground.
Ranma: You know; he is getting REALLY annoying.
Iori: Amen to that.
Chizuru: Shall we continue? We are getting closer to finally putting an end to all of this.
Terry: Yeah. Should we.
Ranma: Yeah. Come on crew, LET'S GO!
And thus, Ranma and his friends start running off to the bridge to get to the next realm.
(------)
End Chapter 42
Next Time: Welcome to the Thunder Palace! It's a dance contest of the damned! And
Shermie tries to claim Ranma as her own.
Send your questions and comments to either RedPriest17@aol.com or
Ryutsurugi@yahoo.com
Author's note: Sorry it's been awhile since I updated the story. I had so much going on. I
had started my Senior Year of High School and got loaded down with projects, and then
there was the World Trade Center. I had to deal with that in my own way. A moment of
reflection for those that passed on if you will. Well, sorry for keeping you readers waiting.
I dedicate this chapter to all the victims of recent events, and those people I personally
knew, who just aren't coming back. And to Mr. Tanguay, glad you made it out alive.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
Note: Flames will be read and than used to fuel the Orochi fire.
(------)
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½. That is property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own
The King of Fighters, that is property of SNK. I do however suggest you look up
information on these two properties. You won't be disappointed.
(------)
Note: This takes place well after the Ranma ½ manga and during the King of Fighters '98.
(------)
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 42: Orochi Space: Fire Palace
Iori studies the little heart statue in front of him. He honestly, can't think of anything to do.
This trial is a complete enigma to the Orochi Warrior.
Iori lets out a sigh. He's been out with the statue for a couple of hours now. Kima had
stopped by to take a look at it, but she couldn't think of anything to do either. Now, Iori is
going to rely on his instincts…
Iori (Raises his hands high): WORK YOU STUPID TRIAL! RAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!
Iori brings his fists down upon the statue with all his might… But it doesn't break… Iori's
eyes widen, and…
Iori (Jumps back, shakes his hands wildly): GAH! Sonuvabitch… That hurts…
Iori, in his anger, kicks the statue… To then find himself clutching his foot with both his
hands, a split-second later.
Iori (Hops around on one foot while clutching the other): SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!!! THAT
HURTS!
Iori eyes the little heart statue with utter hate. Suddenly, it sinks into the ground. A bridge
made of a blue-tinted marble forms to the next landmass. Iori stares at it and smiles.
Iori: YEAH! I SHOWED THAT THING WHO'S BOSS!
Iori now runs back to camp to tell the others he's solved the trial, and they can get a move
on later.
(-------)
Ranma runs his hands through Leona's hair. She sleeps peacefully on top of him; a small
smile illuminates her face. Ranma can't believe what they did. It was experience he can't
even begin to describe. He feels that he is a man now. And he has Leona to thank for that.
Following that trail of thought Ranma moves his head down to kiss her lightly on the
forehead, making her murmur in her sleep.
Suddenly, a blanket is thrown on top of Ranma and Leona. Leona stirs a bit, but doesn't
awaken. Ranma turns his head slightly to see…
Ranma (Blushes): Uh… Hi Iori… Um… Please don't tell anyone about this… Okay?
Iori shakes his head lightly. A soft chuckle escapes from him. He then moves closer to
Ranma to give his cousin some 'advice'.
Iori: Now this is a Kodak moment… So…
Ranma (Sweats): "So?"
Iori (Smirks): You slipped her the "hot beef injection", didn't you?
Ranma brings his fist down upon Iori's head. Leona stirs slightly, and tightens her grip on
Ranma.
Iori (Lump on his head, looks at Leona): … Damn… Now she's a sound sleeper…
Ranma: Yeah…
Iori: Well, after exerting so much energy on you, it makes sense…
Ranma brings his fist down upon Iori's head once again.
Iori (Removes Ranma's fist): You know… If you weren't my cousin, I would be tearing
you apart for hitting me… Oh, Ranma… Some advice so you can keep doing this with
her… After all… I know you love her…
Ranma (Confused): "Advice?"
Iori: Yes. One, make sure to use protection, and two, don't tell ANY of your rivals…
Remember Heidern back on the Black Noah?
Ranma (Face pales): … How can I forget? …
----
Ranma (Running from Heidern): WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! LEAVE
ME ALONE! I TOLD YOU I DID NOTHING TO LECHAN!!!
Heidern (With AK-47): YOU LIAR! RANMA, HOW DARE YOU TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF MY DAUGHTER!?!? PREPARE TO DIE!!!
Ranma: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Heidern starts shooting around all the area on the deck of Black Noah, tearing up a lot of
the surrounding area… Including the USA Sports Team.
Heavy D, Brian, & Lucky: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
The USA Sports Team falls to the ground, amidst a pool of their own blood.
Heavy D: Gurgle… And we finally made it back to the big-time… Gurgle…
Lucky: Damn… This is like that time Yagami beat the crap out of us, and took our invite
to King of Fighters '95…
Brian: Raaaaaaaaaaaagghh… Brian… Mad… Brian… Bleed… Gurgle...
Rugal (Gets out of captain's quarters): What's going on? My "Wallet Sense" is tingling…
(Eyes widen in horror). MY SHIP!!!
Rugal faints, falling to the ground with a loud thud.
----
Iori (Mutters): Hmm… Maybe I should have stolen their invites again… Oh well… (Out
loud). This is my advice. Don't tell ANYONE you had sex with Leona… That way…
No one bothers you two and…
Ranma: And?
Iori (Smirks): And that way, I get to tease you some more. Heh heh… Well. Get some
sleep. I'll be back in a couple hours to get you two. We'll be heading out to the next
realm. Oh, and Ranma…
Ranma: Yes?
Iori: Be good to Leona.
Iori walks off, leaving Ranma and the sleeping Leona in each other's arms.
(------)
Billy walks back into Leona's palace. His back is killing him. All this exercise he's gotten
with the fighting and moving around is taking its toll on him. He hopes to use one of the
hot springs in the water palace to calm his nerves and body. As he looks around he spots a
sight that makes his eyes bulge, and his jaw drop. Billy, out of reflex, reaches for his cell
phone and starts dialing a few numbers…
(------)
Geese sits at his desk, looking over reports of his 'shipments' and 'activities' that are on his
desk. He has been making quite a bit of money from extortion and gambling. Seems the
King of Fighters '98 Tournament got people back into fighting, and so, illegal gambling is
at an all-time high in South Town with street fights. Geese is actually quite pleased. He
takes a sip from his wine glass when the phone on his desk stars ringing. He answers it.
Geese: Yes?
Billy: Boss…
Geese: Ah… Billy… How does it go?
Billy: Boss… You're never gonna believe this…
Geese (Smirks, sarcastic): What? You caught Ranma and Leona after they had sex?
Geese takes another sip of his wine…
Billy: Um… Yeah… How'd you know?
… And ends up spitting it out…
Geese (Wipes his mouth): COUGH! Billy… That wasn't funny…
Billy: I'm serious…
Geese stares at his phone. A huge smile forms on his face.
Geese: They really did 'it' huh? Hmm… Well, I WANT DETAILS! Be as explicit as
possible.
Billy: Well, um… Ranma and Leona appear to be naked… There's a blanket on top of
them… Their clothes are scattered all around the place… There's a musky scent to the
air… (Voice starts to tremble). Both are now staring at me… Ranma is getting up…
Ranma is now conjuring a purple flame in his hand… Um… Boss… My health insurance
is paid up, isn't it?
Ranma (Angry): Billy…
Billy: Um… I need to go boss… Er… RANMA, I'M SO SORRY, PLEASE DON'T
HURT ME! YOU NEED ME; I'M ONE OF YOUR SIX WARRIORS, RIGHT? SO YOU
CAN'T KILL ME!
Ranma: Yeah… I need you… BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN ONE PIECE! DRUNKEN
GRAIL GEYSER!!!
Billy: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!
Sound of a huge explosion over the phone follows. Line goes dead.
Geese (Stares at his phone): … With my luck, Ranma won't do any permanent damage,
which means I still can't get a new assistant… Dang… (Eyes widen). Wait a minute…
Six warriors? I thought Ranma had five… Hmm…
(------)
Most of the other fighters that are with Ranma, are sitting around the campfire, eating…
When all of a sudden, a huge burst of Orochi fire shoots from the top of the Water Palace
like a volcano. Billy's form flies through the air.
Billy (As he goes through the air): I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY!!!
Billy lands in the next realm.
Chizuru (Sweat drops): What…
Vice (Sweat drops): In…
Terry (Sweat drops): The…
Kima (Sweat drops): World…
Mature (Sweat drops): Was…
Kyo (Sweat drops): That?
Iori (Chuckles a bit): Looks like Billy saw something not for his eyes…
The fighters stare at Iori, but he just smirks a bit more at them.
Vice: Um… Iori? Are you insinuating what I think you're insinuating?
Mature (Surprised): "Insinuating"? Wow… Vice, you're using a bit more sophisticated
vocabulary… I'm impressed.
Vice: Thanks.
Chizuru (Realizes what Iori IS getting at): You mean…
Iori: Hm hm…
Terry (Eyes widen): Woah… You mean that?
Iori: My cousin is, as my aunt would put it, "manly".
Chizuru (Pulls at her hair): NOOOOOOOO!!! NOW I'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH
LITTLE OROCHIS!!!
Vice (Eyes widen): OH, HOW CUTE! Hey Iori-sama… Think we'll have any of our own
little Orochis?
Mature: WHAT!? VICE, HOW CAN YOU THINK LIKE THAT!?
Vice: Um… Because I love Iori-sama?
Kima (Glomps onto Iori): NO WAY! IORI-SAMA IS NOT GOINT TO GO WITH A
SNAKE LIKE YOU!
Iori (Eyes Kima): … Wait a minute… Did you just call me "Iori-sama"?
Kima (Blushes): ERM… Er… Uh… No… Um… Yes… Erm… NEVER MIND!
Iori chuckles to himself. This has definitely been one hell of an interesting trip…
Kyo (Makes a pose): I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS! I SHALL SLAY THE EVIL
RANMA, AND FREE LEONA!!!
… And is about to get more interesting…
Kyo runs to the Water Palace… And ends up flying over to the next realm the same way
Billy did.
Iori (Smirks): And away he goes…
(------)
The group that HASN'T made it over to the next landmass yet, makes their way across the
bridge. Ranma and Leona keep blushing a deep shade of red when one of the others stare
at them. Vice and Kima also seems to have latched themselves onto one of Iori's arms,
while Mature hits Iori on the back of his head.
Mature (Hits Iori): STUPID IORI, STUPID IORI, STUPID IORI…
Iori (Eyebrow twitches): Must… Resist… Blood Riot… Sweet… Vengeance-fulfilling
Blood Riot…
(------)
Once at the next landmass, they are hit with a wave of heat… The whole land is black, as
with covered with the sand of igneous rock, like the black beaches of Hawaii. In the center
is a Volcano. This place is literally, the opposite to the realm of water. They see that Billy
and Kyo in deep craters close to the reception area.
Iori: You two alive?
Billy & Kyo: Groooooooaaannnn…
Iori: They are… DAMN! WHY WON'T YOU DIE!?
Billy: I hate my life… I don't get paid enough for this…
Ranma: Billy…
Billy: EEP!
Ranma: Hand me your cell phone. If it can reach into our dimension, we can tell them that
were all okay so far.
Billy: Sure…
Billy moves his hand towards Ranma. In it is a mesh of plastic and circuitry…
Ranma (Looks at the mangled cell phone): … Damn…
Terry: How do you feel Billy?
Billy: Pride… Wounded… Bones… Broken… Breathing… Labored… Kidney… Still
unaccounted for… I need a vacation…
Suddenly, a huge purple flame bursts from the ground near the fighters. The visage of
Chris's head appears in it.
Chris: I am Chris! The great, and mighty Chris!
Leona: Stop stealing bits from the "Wizard of Oz"!
Chris: HEY! I resent that!
Leona: Whatever.
Chris: Anyway, I am "Honoo no Mei no Kurisu"! The Hakkeshu of Fire, and one of the
Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi! Come to my palace! For, if you REALLY want to pass,
you must defeat me, and face my trial… A trial of COURAGE AND POWER! Can your
fires manage to calm the heat of my volcano? We shall see…
The flame then dissipates. The fighters stare at the area the flame once was.
Iori: Little brat… I'll kick his ass…
Ranma is the first to move… He makes his way to the volcano. The others follow closely
behind him.
(------)
Once at the volcano, the fighters look around. They find no entrance.
Kima: How does he expect us to get in?
Suddenly, a burst of flame shoots from the ground again. Chris's head appears in it.
Chris: Simple. The top. This is the part of the trail that is courage. Can you make it down
to me by going through the mouth of the volcano?
The flame with the visage of Chris dissipates.
Ranma: I'm beginning to hate that kid…
Iori: Join the club…
Ranma: Lechan?
Leona: Yes?
Ranma: Lechan, will you please use your power to help us get in? We'll need you to form
some sort of barrier around us with the moisture in the air. And please… Keep it cool…
Leona: I'll try… I've never used my power on so many people…
Leona takes a moment to concentrate. She steadies her breathing and focuses on the area
around her and the others. There isn't much to work with, but she manages to take any
moisture in the air that she 'feels', and makes a 'coating' for all of them. They indeed feel
a bit cooler.
Vice: That's cool… And I do mean cool…
Mature: Where'd you learn to do this?
Leona: Ranchan taught me. He, Nodosan, and Iori helped me gain better control over my
power.
Chizuru: Hmm… That's interesting…
Ranma: Well, no time like the present. Come one guys… We got a volcano to climb, and
descend into.
Billy: BUT MY BACK STILL HURTS!
Ranma: Shut up, before I take your pole and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
Billy (Mutters): I REALLY deserve a bonus for this…
(------)
The group manages to make it to the top of the volcano. The searing heat would really be
unbearable if it wasn't for the 'coating' Leona had made for them using her power over
water. Ranma looks down into the volcano, but can't really see into it.
Kima: What do you see?
Ranma: Nothing… It's too bright.
Leona: What are we going to do?
Ranma: Simple really. We go down.
Iori, Leona, Kyo, Chizuru, Terry, Kima, Billy, Vice, & Mature: WHAT!?!?!?
Ranma: Um… Yeah… We know he's in there, so if he can be in there, then so can we.
Iori: Ranma… You DO realize that your logic isn't very sound, right?
Ranma: Hey, we gotta do this. If we don't the other Hakkeshu will be free to do what they
want. I can't allow that.
Iori: Wait! At least let us test to see if it's safe…
Iori grabs Kyo by the back of his collar, and tosses him into the mouth of the volcano.
Kyo: SONUVABITCH!!!
Kyo falls down into the volcano, but then smashes into a clear surface that is half way
down into it.
Kyo (Face-down on 'ground'): … Ow… I dink by dose is brokin…
Seeing that it is okay, the others climb down into the volcano after Kyo. Iori walks up to
Kyo.
Iori: How do you feel?
Kyo (Nose points to the left side of his face): By dose is brokin… I broke it in da fall…
Iori (Smiles wickedly): Allow me to 'help'…
Iori grabs Kyo's nose, and breaks it once again, so it is centered correctly.
!
Iori: Feel better?
Kyo (Teary eyed, bloody nose): Yes…
Voice: HA HA HAAA! That is so funny!
The fighters turn their heads to see Chris. He sits on a piece of obsidian rock. He is on the
edge of the platform is an alcove carved into the side of the volcano's inside, which aligns
itself with the clear 'platform'.
Chris: Welcome to the Fire Palace. I am who you shall be facing master Orochi.
Ranma: STOP CALLING ME OROCHI!
Chris (Smirks): You can't escape fate master… You WILL become the Orochi.
Ranma (Gets into a fighting stance): And what makes you so confident?
Chris: Simple… Unlike the others, I'm not stupid…
Chris's smile widens, and a wall of dark violet flame rises between Ranma and his crew, so
Chris and Ranma are on one side, and the others on the other side. Ranma shoots his
Mouko Takabisha no Orochi at the wall o flame, but it just dissipates once it touches the
dark violet flame
Ranma: What the hell is that?
Chris: My Orochi flame. My flame is 'purer' than yours master Orochi. Your flame is a
mix of 'shin' Orochi fire and Magatama, making it 'Magatama no Orochi', while mine, as I
said, is pure. But don't worry master… Once I defeat you, I'll cleanse the human blood
from you… Then your flame will also burn pure and you'll be 'free' from those weak
human emotions…
Chris then raises his hands, so the palms are up, and dark violet flames spring forth from
them, a devilish smirk graces his features. He then closes both his hands, and lifts one
finger in the air. A dark violet flame adorns it, and it gets bigger. Ranma feels a growing
power to it, and does the only logical thing. GET THE HECK AWAY FROM HIM!
Chris: SERPENT WAVE!!!
Ranma jumps up high into the air, as Chris performs the move that the Kusanagi clan is
well known for. Except Ranma knows if THAT flame touches him, it's going to hurt more
than the Kusanagi flame version. Ranma lands on the ground far from Chris. Ranma
concentrates his ki, making it pure, and does a normal Mouko Takabisha on the wall of
Orochi flame Chris made. The blue ki blast just dissipates on the firewall as well.
Ranma: DAMN! There's got to be someway to break that wall…
Chris: Sorry, but you aren't going to get rid of it. You have the flame elemental as well.
You energies will just feed the wall, and…
Leona: MIZU KEN!!!
Ranma and Chris turn to see a water-elemental ki blast from Leona tear through the wall of
Orochi fire Chris had made. The others look very pissed.
Iori: YOU LITTLE BASTARD!
Terry: Cheap kid!
Kyo: I SHALL SHOW YOU THE MIGHT OF MY MAGATAMA!
Kima: Unhonorable Hakkeshu!
Chizuru: VILE BEING! I SHALL SEAL YOU AWAY!
Chris (Sweats): Um… Can't we talk this out?
All others: NO!
Soon, a beat down proceeds, with Chris at the one being beaten. Suddenly, a huge burst of
fire shoots from Chris. He is enveloped in an aura of his dark violet flame.
Chris: You like? It's a revised version of my Orochi Ball Super Move. Instead of me
losing the ball however, it stays with me as a shield. Now, I'll defeat all of you!
FLAME!!!
Chris holds his hands out, as if he was holding a handgun. His hands jerk back as if he
fired one, and a burst of Orochi fire shoots from it and travels across the air. The fighters
scatter from the initial blast, but Chris keeps shooting at them. The 'coating' Leona made
them is now starting to lose effect, and they literally begin to feel the heat. Chris is raging
with a fire, which rivals that of Saffron…
Ranma: It's like Saffron all over again… (Eyes widen). This is crazy, but it may work…
LECHAN!
Leona (Turns her head towards Ranma): Yeah Ranchan?
Ranma: Hit me with a blast of cold once I get Chris moving in a spiral patter!
Leona: What? Why do you…
Ranma (Cuts her off): Please, trust me. (Turns to Chris). HEY, FIREFLY! TAKE ME
ON! OR ARE YOU AFRAID?
Chris: Foolish master. My flames will burn you to ash if you aren't careful.
Ranma: Less talk, more fighting!
Ranma then does an initial punch at Chris, and backs away. Ranma then starts moving in
an inwards spiral. Chris presses on his attack while Ranma concentrates on defending
himself.
Ranma: NOW LECHAN!
Leona, who had been gathering as much energy as she could, shoots a blast of cold water at
Ranma. The contact of the water is incredibly chilling. It even turns Ranma into a girl.
Kyo: RANKYO MY…
!
Iori removes his fist, and the unconscious Kyo falls to the 'ground'.
Iori: Idiot…
Chris (Tauntingly): FOOLISH MASTER! YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD GET HER
TO HIT ME WITH THAT COLD BLAST? HA! Now I shall have to teach you a
lesson…
Chris begins to press on his attack even more, the fires, burning at Ranko's arms, but, the
cold still keeps its place on her. Finally the make it to the center of the spiral, and Ranko
lets her fist loose…
Ranko: HIRYUU HYUU TOPPA!!!
The extreme amounts of clash between Chris's Orochi fire, and the cold Ranko received
from Leona's blast causes a frill of ice, no more than a fist wide. The drill obliterates
Chris's revised Orochi Ball. The drill makes its way to the top of the volcano and
explodes. The whole volcano becomes covered in ice. The volcano literally shatters. All
the fighters fall to the base of the volcano, its magma frozen into pure ice.
(------)
Goenitz's left eye twitches. This is not good. Ranma has a few tricks up his sleeve. And
who knows how many more he has.
Goenitz (Thinks): DAMN HIM! How is it he always seems to come out on top? Oh
well… Shermie is up next… And, she'll be after Ranma in another 'sense'. Hm hm…
This will be very fun to watch indeed.
Amethyst gems that align the walls of the throne room of Goenitz's castle begin to glow.
The energy he has stolen is starting to react. The Tenth Hakkeshu is getting closer…
(------)
Ranko and crew climb out of the rubble. All are present and accounted for… Except for
Chris… Iori walks up to Ranma and starts shaking him.
Iori (Shakes Ranko): WHAT THE F*CK WAS THAT!?!?
Ranko: It was the Hiryuu Hyuu Toppa. That was the move I used to defeat Saffron.
Kima flinches when Ranko says that.
Iori: … That move is powerful enough to kill a God?
Ranko: Yes…
Iori: TEACH ME HOW TO DO IT!!!
Ranko: Uh, you already now how to do it. It works like the Hiryuu Shoten Ha, except you
need to have extreme temperatures of cold and heat.
Iori (Drops Ranko): Okay
Ranko: Ouch… The jerk…
Leona, although tired from her exertion of energy, warms the water molecules in the air
around Ranko, and she turns back into a guy. Ranma looks at Leona and smiles.
Ranma: Thanks Lechan.
Vice: Master Ranma?
Ranma: Sigh… Please, just call me Ranma…
Vice: Okay… Um… Ranma?
Ranma: Yes?
Vice: You do realize that this means we have cleared 6 of the realms.
Ranma: Yeah. We're almost through this… (Gets up). Well… Let's get a move on…
Kyo (Makes a pose): FIEND! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE BEAUTEOUS
RANKO YAGAMI!
Ranma: … YOU SAW ME TRANSFORM BEFORE YOU, YOU DOLT! DON'T YOU
GET IT!?
Kyo: I do… YOU ARE A FOUL PRACTICIONER OF BLACK MAGIC, AND…
!
Ranma retracts his fist from Kyo's face, and Kyo falls to the ground.
Ranma: You know; he is getting REALLY annoying.
Iori: Amen to that.
Chizuru: Shall we continue? We are getting closer to finally putting an end to all of this.
Terry: Yeah. Should we.
Ranma: Yeah. Come on crew, LET'S GO!
And thus, Ranma and his friends start running off to the bridge to get to the next realm.
(------)
End Chapter 42
Next Time: Welcome to the Thunder Palace! It's a dance contest of the damned! And
Shermie tries to claim Ranma as her own.
Send your questions and comments to either RedPriest17@aol.com or
Ryutsurugi@yahoo.com
Author's note: Sorry it's been awhile since I updated the story. I had so much going on. I
had started my Senior Year of High School and got loaded down with projects, and then
there was the World Trade Center. I had to deal with that in my own way. A moment of
reflection for those that passed on if you will. Well, sorry for keeping you readers waiting.
I dedicate this chapter to all the victims of recent events, and those people I personally
knew, who just aren't coming back. And to Mr. Tanguay, glad you made it out alive.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
Note: Flames will be read and than used to fuel the Orochi fire.