Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu or Ranma's Cousin Iori
(------)
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 near the end of King of Fighters
'98.
(------)
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 45: Orochi Space: Flame Palace
Ranma and Leona sit together amongst the rubble of the Wind Realm. They have cleared a
bit of the area and lined up their friends. They checked them over, so they know they are
fine. So Ranma and Leona just sit there to rest and talk.
Leona: Ranma…
Ranma: Yeah Lechan?
Leona: What are we going to do next? I mean, after we get out of this place?
Ranma takes some time to think before answering.
Ranma: Well Lechan, I know one thing I am definitely going to do. And that is, when I
get back, I want to check on my mom. I want, no, I NEED to know if she's okay…
Leona: … That's right… Yamazaki threw his dagger into her, didn't he?
Ranma just nods his head as he begins to tremble slightly. Leona then grabs Ranma in a
hug.
Leona: It's okay Ranma… She'll be fine… She's a strong person. It will take more than
that to take her down.
Ranma: I hope you're right Lechan… I hope you're right…
Ranma and Leona stay like that for a while, just hugging each other. Sure, the path for
their lives are much clearer, but there will still be troubles ahead in the near future. After a
bit of time passes Ranma smiles.
Ranma: Lechan…
Leona: Yes?
Ranma: There is one other thing that I know I have to do next.
Leona: Oh? What is that?
Ranma: Get you back to Heidern safely. He will probably kill me if I don't bring you back
home safe and sound.
Leona (Shakes her head, smiles): Knowing him, he probably would…
Female voice: IORI-SAMA!!!
Ranma and Leona turn their heads towards the sound of the voice. It turns out Vice is the
first one awake. They see her shaking the unconscious Iori.
Vice (Shaking Iori): COME ON IORI-SAMA! Iori-sama… Iori-sama? Iori-sama, can
you hear me? (Shakes the unconscious Iori a bit, his head lolls to the side). Iori-sama!?
(Looks worried.) IORI-SAMA!!!
Vice then drops Iori on the ground. She smashes Iori in the chest in an impersonation of
CPR.
Vice: Breathe, Iori-sama, BREATHE!!!
Iori folds up around Vice's fist, then collapses again.
Vice: IORI-SAMA! I can't let you die now! Not after we now have the chance to become
lovers again!
Ranma and Leona stare at her.
Ranma: … Excuse me Vice…
Vice turns around.
Vice: Huh? (Eyes widen). OH! Hello master Ranma!
Ranma: Sigh… Please… Stop calling me master…
Vice (Blinks): Oh yeah… Sorry… Old habits die hard you know.
Ranma: Whatever… Hey Vice…
Vice: Yes Mas… Er… I mean… Yes Ranma?
Ranma: What did you mean when you said, "lovers again"?
Vice (Smiles): Oh. That's simple… During the King of Fighters '96 tournament Mature,
Iori-sama, and I had a lot of… 'Down time'… If you catch my drift… (Winks).
Ranma and Leona blink as Vice goes back to smashing Iori's rib cage in… Er…
Performing life-giving CPR…
Vice (Smashes Iori in the chest): COME ON! BREATHE DAMMIT!
Ranma: Vice…
Vice (Turns around): Yes?
Ranma: He was already breathing…
Vice (Blushes): … Oh…
Vice stops pounding on Iori's chest.
Vice: Think Iori-sama will notice?
Ranma & Leona: Probably.
Vice: Shoot… There goes my chance to make Iori-sama mine…
Vice looks around.
Vice: Hey! What happened her? Where's Goenitz?
Ranma: Well… That's kind of a long story… And I'd rather wait for everyone to be
awake.
Vice: … Okay.
(------)
After awhile of waiting, the other fighters start to awaken.
Terry (Gets up): Argh… Oh man my back hurts… (Notices something is odd, puts his
hand on his head). HEY! WHERE'S MY CAP!?
Ranma (Points to the huge pile of rubble): Probably somewhere in there.
Terry (Stares at Rubble): … Aw crap… Oh well… Better get searching…
Terry goes up to the rubble and starts searching.
Kyo (Gets up): … Did I win?
Ranma: No.
Kyo: … Shoot…
Ranma shakes his head in disgust…
Chizuru (Looks at herself): Oh dang… My robes are all dirtied.
Mature (Sarcastic): And I think it looks great on you!
Chizuru (Narrows her eyes at Mature): … Bitch.
Mature: Takes one to know one.
Chizuru and Mature start fighting.
Vice: Hey! YOU CAN'T PICK ON MY PARTNER AND GET AWAY WITH IT!
Vice then joins the fight between Chizuru and Mature.
Ranma (To Leona): Persistent, isn't she?
Leona: Yep…
Ranma: And I thought the Chinese Amazons were bad…
Leona chuckles.
Billy (Looks around frantically): Where's my, WHERE'S MY JEWELS!?!?
Ranma (Points to the huge pile of rubble): They're probably somewhere in there Billy.
Billy looks over at the pile and sees Terry searching through the rubble as well.
Billy: NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I GOT TO FIND THEM! I DON'T WANT TO BE POOR
AGAIN!!!
Billy rushes to one of the piles of rubble and starts searching like a madman.
Kima gets up. She looks around in a daze.
Kima: Argh… My head hurts… I hope Iori-sama is okay…
Kima looks around and sees the unconscious Iori. She lunges at him.
Kima: IORI-SAMA! PLEASE BE ALIVE!
Kima checks Iori over. He is still unconscious. Kima then begins CPR in earnest. After
the third time, Iori's eyes snap open. He looks at the Phoenix warrior who is busily
breathing in his mouth. Iori then breaks away from her.
Iori: Was it good for you too?
Kima blushes the shade of a ripe tomato.
Kima: OH! Well… Um… You were unconscious… So I thought that I should help, you
know?
Suddenly, Vice jumps from the fight between Chizuru and Mature, and glomps Iori.
Vice (Glomps Iori): IORI-SAMA!
Iori: … Hello Vice…
Vice: I WAS SO WORRIED FOR YOU IORI-SAMA! NEVER, EVER WORRY YOUR
VICEY POOH AGAIN!
Iori (Stares at her): … Okay…
Kima: So, how're you feeling Iori?
Iori: … Good I guess… But my ribs are killing me…
Vice blushes a bit.
Vice: Um… That must have been because we got flung around in that huge burst of
energy that destroyed Goenitz's palace.
Iori: I guess so.
Iori looks around and sees Ranma and Leona sitting together.
Iori: Hey, Ranma!
Ranma: Yeah Iori?
Iori: What the heck happened here? Where's Goenitz?
Ranma: I took care of him.
Iori (Raises an eyebrow): Oh?
Ranma points to a bit of charred remains.
Iori (Smiles): … Nice… I'm proud of you Ranma.
Ranma (Shrugs his shoulders): Hey. I know this will sound cruel, but it's true… That
bastard deserved it.
Iori (Nods his head): True…
Vice walks over to the burnt remains and ash of Goenitz. She spits on it.
Vice: Heh. Rest in Piss Gonads.
Ranma: Didn't like him much, did you?
Vice: Damn right. I hated that jerk. Always bossing Mature and me around, and getting
us killed by my dear, sweet Iori-sama. I really hated him. But now, I have a new master to
follow. Iori-sama!
Vice glomps onto Iori. Kima glares at her.
Vice: LET'S NEVER BE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AGAIN IORI-SAMA!
Iori: … I hate my life…
Terry (Jubilant): I FOUND IT!!!
Billy (Looks at him): My jewels?
Terry: No! MY CAP!
Billy: … I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CAP! I WANT MY JEWELS BACK!
Mature (Has Chizuru in a head-lock): I can find 'your' jewels…
Billy: Really? OH PLEASE FIND THEM!
Mature (Smiles evilly): Sure…
Mature tosses Chizuru to the side. She then snaps her fingers. All the jewels that a re
buried underneath the rubble explode.
Mature: And that's where they'd have been if you found them…
Billy (Wide-eyed): My… My… MY JEWELS! I'M POOR AGAIN!!!
Billy breaks down into tears, cursing about how his life sucks.
(------)
After getting ready and making sure they are okay, the fighters make their way to the end
of the Wind Realm so they can pass the trial of the Wind Realm and get to the next one…
However, when they make it to the end of the realm, they get an 'unexpected' surprise…
They see Rugal Bernstein, sitting on a golden throne with skulls carved into it. He sips red
wine from a gold goblet that is trimmed with platinum.
Ranma: … Rugal…
Rugal: AH! Hello Tenth Hakkeshu! I take that since you are here, then Goenitz is
defeated, correct?
Ranma: Rugal… I'm not in the mood… Just get the hell out of our way, so we can pass
this next trial and get one with our lives.
Rugal (Waves his finger): Can't do that. For you see, I AM the trial.
All the fighters stare at Rugal in stunned silence.
Rugal: You see, Goenitz has decided to make the trial for the Wind Realm the "Trial of
Combat"… And, since he gave me some of those jewels which he gathered energy, I can
use them to become more powerful than I am now. That way, you will lose and not be able
to go onto the next realm. Further more…
Ranma, Leona, Iori, Kima, Chizuru, Kyo, Terry, Billy, Vice, and Mature: SHUT UP
RUGAL!!!
With that all thee fighters lunge at Rugal, pushing him to the ground. They then proceed to
give Rugal a thorough beat-down.
Rugal: HEY! ! OUCH! ! OW!!! ! THAT HURTS!
! OWWIES! HAVE MERCY! ! OW! I CAN'T FEEL MY
KNEECAPS!!! ! OW! YOU BIT ME! YOU ACTUALLY BIT ME!!!
! OW! QUIT IT! I BRUISE EASILY! ! ARGH! NOT IN THE
FACE, NOT IN THE FACE! ! SWEET LORD IN HEAVEN IT
HURTS!!! !
The beating goes on for another five minutes. Finally, when they are done, Rugal just lies
on the ground, thoroughly bruised, bloody, and broken. We see a bridge made of gold, and
covered with diamonds now forming between the Wind Realm, and the next one.
Rugal (Dizzy): … I want a pony…
Ranma (Stretches): Ah… That was a good stress-reliever.
Leona (Smiles): Indeed…
Billy starts hefting Rugal's throne onto his back.
Billy: OOF… That's heavy… But I'm rich again!
Mature (Stares at Billy): … I can't believe you… You really are a greedy little bug of a
human being…
Billy (Smiles): True… But, I'm now a RICH greedy little bug of a human being. Besides,
this is going for my sister's college tuition fees.
Mature (Smiles): Well, I guess that's acceptable…
Billy: Damn right it is!
And so, Ranma and grew make their way across the bridge. Billy stops to try to pry some
jewels off of the bridge.
Ranma, Leona, Iori, Kima, Chizuru, Kyo, Terry, Vice, and Mature: BILLY!
Billy (Looks at them): … What?
(------)
After making their way across the bridge the fighters are surprised by their surroundings.
The whole area is like the Fire Realm, except the heat radiating from this place is far more
bearable than the Fire Realm was. There are still black sands and large igneous rocks…
However, there are pieces of coal and diamonds scattered about throughout the black desert
sands as well. And there are a few geysers spewing smoke.
Billy looks up at the sky. He gets down on his knees and clasps his hands in prayer.
Billy: THANK YOU!
Billy then starts going through all the diamond he can find. Billy finds a huge diamond.
Billy (Smiles): Ah… Life is sweet… HEY! This has something on it…
The others walk over to where Billy is… The diamond has the kanji of 'Honoo' in it, or…
Ranma: Flame…
Iori: So this is my realm, correct?
Mature: Correct. This should be your realm…
Vice: YAY! I AM ON THE PROMISED LAND!
All the others stare at Vice.
Iori (Smiles): Wait… Does this mean I have control here?
Mature: Yes you do.
Iori (Smiles wickedly): EXCELLENT!!! Oh Kyo… Come here Kusanagi…
Kyo sees Iori smiling at him and starts running for his life. Suddenly the ground
underneath Iori erupts into flames. Kyo is now running around on fire.
Kyo: GAH!!! IT BURNS, IT BURNS!!!!!!
Iori: Hm hm hm hm, heh heh heh heh, HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA!!!
Kima (Stares at Iori): … Pretty violent, aren't you?
Iori: Yeah…
Vice: Iori-sama is the greatest!
Kyo (Still running around on fire): DEAR KAMI-SAMA IT HURTS! END IT NOW,
END IT NOW!
Chizuru: Quick Kyo! STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!
Kyo does exactly that. However, since there is coal mixed in with the sand, Kyo sets the
whole area around him on fire.
Kyo: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
Iori (Smiles): Burn baby… BURN!
Ranma (Shakes his head): Sigh… Lechan. If you would please be so kind?
Leona: Sure… Mizu Ken REVISED! SAI DAI MIZU KEN!
And so Leona performs her First Rate Water Fist. Unlike her normal attack, which is just
elemental ki, gathered from forms of liquid, this one literally creates a ball of water. Leona
throws it at Kyo, soaking him and his surroundings, but putting out the fire.
Leona: Feel better?
Kyo (Spits out some water): … Yes…
Iori: Sigh… I think I could like it here…
Ranma: Hey, how many realms have we gone through now?
Mature: This would be the ninth realm my lord.
Ranma (Sweat-drops): Vice… Mature… I'm only going to say this one more time. Stop
calling me stuff like, "lord", "master", "sir", and "Orochi", okay? When you two call me
that stuff, it really bugs me.
Mature: Yes Ranma.
Vice: Sure thing Saotome!
Ranma: And DON'T call me Saotome!
Mature & Vice: YES RANMA!
Leona (Looks at Ranma): What's wrong with calling you Saotome?
Ranma: Simple. I hate it. I hate all that Genma has done to the name. I am seriously
considering taking my name off of the Saotome registry, and placing it onto the Yagami.
Iori (Smiles): Ah… And so the Yagami name lives on…
Kyo (Whimpers): M, more Yagamis!? I'm really beginning to hate life… Sigh… If only
those two were more like my dear Rankyo…
Ranma & Iori (Stare at Kyo): … Idiot…
Leona: Hey, does this mean the next one is the final realm?
Mature: I do think so.
Ranma: Hmm… Perhaps we should rest up here before going onto the next realm? Kami-
sama knows what could happen there.
Mature: That's a good idea… I thoroughly agree.
Ranma: Anyone oppose the idea.
Silence follows.
Ranma: Okay. Let's make camp people. We'll stop here for a bit, to catch up on our rest,
and tend to our wounds from when Goenitz blew up his place.
(------)
From what they can tell, it is now night. Iori hasn't really slept though. He feels a strange
tugging sensation all around him. He walks around, as if being guided somehow by the
area.
Kima couldn't sleep either. She just sat around concentrating on what to do after she gets
out of this place. She has no idea what she wants to do. Saffron did order her to teach Iori
in the ways of the Phoenix, but he is such a stubborn, pushy, ungrateful bastard…
But then again, Kima recognizes that he does have his good points. He is very honorable,
and fights fairly in combat. True that he is more than brutal in his fights, but he never
really 'cheats'. He's also saved her from time to time from getting maimed or even killed.
Iori is a true enigma to her. She decides to check on him. She finds him walking farther
into the realm. She decides to follow him.
(------)
Iori finally stops walking. He feels that this is the place that he feels this 'tugging' on him
the strongest. Kima stops a ways from him, and watches what goes on from behind a sand
dune.
Iori: Whatever may be here, show yourself! Do not hide from me!
Voice: Humph…
Iori looks around. He does not see a speaker. All of a sudden, a small cinder of purple fire
floats by his vision. Soon more gather around him, twirling around him like a tornado.
Suddenly, they shoot forth from him and land before him. Suddenly, a form of a person
takes shape.
The form is translucent, and it is of a man in his late twenties. The man is in a dark outfit,
almost like a ninja, with a dark blue scarf wrapped around his neck. He has long red hair
done in a ponytail, and he has cold sapphire eyes. Iori sneers at the ghost before him.
Iori: … Tsuki…
Tsuki: Humph… Ungrateful whelp…
Iori: What are you doing here you old bastard? Shouldn't you be rotting in hell?
Tsuki: Humph… Is it a crime for a father to check on his son?
Iori: In this case, YES! Now go back to your dank crevice of hell from where you came.
Tsuki: … Still angry with me, eh?
Iori: Would I really be any other way? You made my life hell!
Tsuki: Is it my fault you needed the training? No. You were just a weakling. A black
mark on the Yagami name.
Iori: Hmph… I thought we were all 'black marks' once our clan made the pact with the
Orochi father.
Tsuki: BAH! We are not black marks because of our 'blessing' we got from the Orochi.
We are silver linings in a dark cloud of history. You are our disgrace.
Iori (Eyes widen in anger): DISGRACE!? LISTEN HEAR YOU OLD F*CK, I DID
WHAT NEITHER YOU, OR THE OTHERS OF THE YAGAMI CLAN COULD! I
DEFEATED A KUSANAGI! I BEAT HIM DOWN AND CLAIMED VICTORY FOR
OUR CLAN! I DIDN'T JUST ROLL ON MY SIDE AND DIE AFTER BATTLE LIKE
YOU AND THE REST OF OUR ANCESTORS DID!
Tsuki: You let him live!
Iori (Smiles): Better for him to live in disgrace for now… Besides… Once his use for my
cousin is fulfilled, Kyo is as good as fertilizer…
Tsuki: Ah yes… My sister's young whelp. He is a disgrace. Almost as much of a
disgrace as you are.
Iori: Just rot in hell.
Tsuki: Sure… I'll go… Heh… Like I'd really make it easy for you?
Iori: Just leave me alone!
Tsuki: Heh… Leave you alone… Like all the women in your life? As you have no one to
go to after your victory?
Iori: SHUT UP!
Tsuki: Heh… Hit a nerve did I? Face it. Who would love someone like you? You'll end
up alone for the rest of your life… But cheer up… For when you take the Orochi blood in
you into account, it won't be for too long…
Iori glares at the spirit of his father. Iori then turns around and begins to walk away.
Tsuki: WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?
Iori: We have nothing to discuss. You're dead. I'm alive. I did what you couldn't. I
defeated a Kusanagi. 'Live' in the afterlife with your shame.
Tsuki: COME BACK HERE!
Iori continues to walk, and Tsuki begins to fade.
Tsuki: DAMN YOU IORI!!!
Iori (Mutters): I think that's what God already intended with you…
Tsuki disappears from existence, his time spent.
(------)
Iori sits outside the campsite with the others. He thinks to himself. He hates his old man.
Always has, and always will. Kima walks up to him.
Kima: Excuse me…
Iori turns around and sees Kima standing behind him. She has her hands folded in front of
her. And she seems to be a bit unsettled.
Iori: … And what do you want Kima? Shouldn't you be sleeping like the others?
Kima: The same could be asked of you…
Iori (Shrugs): Fair enough…
Iori turns away from Kima, going back to his own thoughts.
Kima: Um… Iori…
Iori doesn't say or do anything to acknowledge Kima.
Kima: Well Iori, I just want to say this. I saw what must have been your father. And
listen to what I have to say. Don't listen to him! You're a good person. I admit you're not
the best, but you are a very good person. And I… Well… I do like you. (Blushes).
You're a decent person, considering what life must have been for you while growing up.
I'm quite impressed.
Iori doesn't say anything. He just continues to sit there. Kima sighs.
Kima: Well, I'll be going back now.
Kima turns to walk away. She takes a few steps until.
Iori: Wait…
Kima turns around. Iori hasn't moved a muscle, still in the same position he was in before
she turned around and started walking.
Kima: Iori.
He doesn't turn around to look at her, but he does acknowledge her.
Iori: I've never said this before, but… Thank you…
Kima just stares wide-eyed at the back of Iori's head. She then smiles.
Kima: You're quite welcome Iori.
Kima then turns around and walks back to camp.
Iori just sits there. He raises his hand and summons his purple flame, his Magatama no
Orochi. He stares at it. He's noticed that the further they get in the 'Orochi Space', the
darker in purple hue his flame gets. He suddenly coughs up a bit of blood. Not a lot, but
it's enough to make him think.
Iori (Thinks): Heh… The poison of my power… My Orochi-given power… I wonder…
Does getting closer to the Orochi Body mean that we of the Orochi blood have our power
increased? Or does it mean, we are dieing faster than before?
Iori closes his hand, snuffing out the fire. He then lets his head fall back and he laughs.
Not his usual, condescending victorious laugh… But a fearful one, it's sound almost like a
sob…
(------)
Back in the real world, Shinnosuke waits outside the pillar of light with the three sacred
treasures of the Shingi Trioca in it. He has been here for well over a week now.
Unfortunately, he doesn't remember WHY he's waiting here… He doesn't know how long
he has to wait, so he went back home and got himself some supplies and such. He's turned
this trip into a bit of a camp-out.
Shinnosuke: Hmm… I wonder why I am here… And I wonder why that old man was
upset because I didn't recognize him when he was in my house…
Suddenly, the pillar of light begins to brighten. A figure steps out of it. It is a large,
muscular male frame covered in bruises and cuts. With blonde hair, and a blood-red right
eye. The figure holds three amethyst gemstones that are glowing with power.
Red-eyed man: How dare they? HOW DARE THEY!? Hurt me will they? Hurt me, the
GREAT RUGAL BERNSTEIN!? THE MODERN PIRATE!? Grr… I'll show them…
I'LL SHOW THEM ALL!!!
Shinnosuke then walks up to Rugal.
Shinnosuke: Excuse me…
Rugal (Sneers at Shinnosuke): WHAT!?
Shinnosuke: Do I know you?
Rugal sweat-drops.
End Chapter 44
Next Time: This is it folks… Next up is the Omega Palace… It's Ranma and crew
against the Orochi body… Who is going to win this one? The mortal heroes, or the
physical body of an immortal god?
Send your questions and comments to either RedPriest17@aol.com or
Ryutsurugi@yahoo.com
Author's note: Sorry that it's been awhile folks. School once again cracks down hard.
And when I got free time, I started work on another fic. Well, at least I'm back to good ol'
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
Note: Flames will be read and then 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 near the end of King of Fighters
'98.
(------)
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 45: Orochi Space: Flame Palace
Ranma and Leona sit together amongst the rubble of the Wind Realm. They have cleared a
bit of the area and lined up their friends. They checked them over, so they know they are
fine. So Ranma and Leona just sit there to rest and talk.
Leona: Ranma…
Ranma: Yeah Lechan?
Leona: What are we going to do next? I mean, after we get out of this place?
Ranma takes some time to think before answering.
Ranma: Well Lechan, I know one thing I am definitely going to do. And that is, when I
get back, I want to check on my mom. I want, no, I NEED to know if she's okay…
Leona: … That's right… Yamazaki threw his dagger into her, didn't he?
Ranma just nods his head as he begins to tremble slightly. Leona then grabs Ranma in a
hug.
Leona: It's okay Ranma… She'll be fine… She's a strong person. It will take more than
that to take her down.
Ranma: I hope you're right Lechan… I hope you're right…
Ranma and Leona stay like that for a while, just hugging each other. Sure, the path for
their lives are much clearer, but there will still be troubles ahead in the near future. After a
bit of time passes Ranma smiles.
Ranma: Lechan…
Leona: Yes?
Ranma: There is one other thing that I know I have to do next.
Leona: Oh? What is that?
Ranma: Get you back to Heidern safely. He will probably kill me if I don't bring you back
home safe and sound.
Leona (Shakes her head, smiles): Knowing him, he probably would…
Female voice: IORI-SAMA!!!
Ranma and Leona turn their heads towards the sound of the voice. It turns out Vice is the
first one awake. They see her shaking the unconscious Iori.
Vice (Shaking Iori): COME ON IORI-SAMA! Iori-sama… Iori-sama? Iori-sama, can
you hear me? (Shakes the unconscious Iori a bit, his head lolls to the side). Iori-sama!?
(Looks worried.) IORI-SAMA!!!
Vice then drops Iori on the ground. She smashes Iori in the chest in an impersonation of
CPR.
Vice: Breathe, Iori-sama, BREATHE!!!
Iori folds up around Vice's fist, then collapses again.
Vice: IORI-SAMA! I can't let you die now! Not after we now have the chance to become
lovers again!
Ranma and Leona stare at her.
Ranma: … Excuse me Vice…
Vice turns around.
Vice: Huh? (Eyes widen). OH! Hello master Ranma!
Ranma: Sigh… Please… Stop calling me master…
Vice (Blinks): Oh yeah… Sorry… Old habits die hard you know.
Ranma: Whatever… Hey Vice…
Vice: Yes Mas… Er… I mean… Yes Ranma?
Ranma: What did you mean when you said, "lovers again"?
Vice (Smiles): Oh. That's simple… During the King of Fighters '96 tournament Mature,
Iori-sama, and I had a lot of… 'Down time'… If you catch my drift… (Winks).
Ranma and Leona blink as Vice goes back to smashing Iori's rib cage in… Er…
Performing life-giving CPR…
Vice (Smashes Iori in the chest): COME ON! BREATHE DAMMIT!
Ranma: Vice…
Vice (Turns around): Yes?
Ranma: He was already breathing…
Vice (Blushes): … Oh…
Vice stops pounding on Iori's chest.
Vice: Think Iori-sama will notice?
Ranma & Leona: Probably.
Vice: Shoot… There goes my chance to make Iori-sama mine…
Vice looks around.
Vice: Hey! What happened her? Where's Goenitz?
Ranma: Well… That's kind of a long story… And I'd rather wait for everyone to be
awake.
Vice: … Okay.
(------)
After awhile of waiting, the other fighters start to awaken.
Terry (Gets up): Argh… Oh man my back hurts… (Notices something is odd, puts his
hand on his head). HEY! WHERE'S MY CAP!?
Ranma (Points to the huge pile of rubble): Probably somewhere in there.
Terry (Stares at Rubble): … Aw crap… Oh well… Better get searching…
Terry goes up to the rubble and starts searching.
Kyo (Gets up): … Did I win?
Ranma: No.
Kyo: … Shoot…
Ranma shakes his head in disgust…
Chizuru (Looks at herself): Oh dang… My robes are all dirtied.
Mature (Sarcastic): And I think it looks great on you!
Chizuru (Narrows her eyes at Mature): … Bitch.
Mature: Takes one to know one.
Chizuru and Mature start fighting.
Vice: Hey! YOU CAN'T PICK ON MY PARTNER AND GET AWAY WITH IT!
Vice then joins the fight between Chizuru and Mature.
Ranma (To Leona): Persistent, isn't she?
Leona: Yep…
Ranma: And I thought the Chinese Amazons were bad…
Leona chuckles.
Billy (Looks around frantically): Where's my, WHERE'S MY JEWELS!?!?
Ranma (Points to the huge pile of rubble): They're probably somewhere in there Billy.
Billy looks over at the pile and sees Terry searching through the rubble as well.
Billy: NOOOOOOOOOO!!! I GOT TO FIND THEM! I DON'T WANT TO BE POOR
AGAIN!!!
Billy rushes to one of the piles of rubble and starts searching like a madman.
Kima gets up. She looks around in a daze.
Kima: Argh… My head hurts… I hope Iori-sama is okay…
Kima looks around and sees the unconscious Iori. She lunges at him.
Kima: IORI-SAMA! PLEASE BE ALIVE!
Kima checks Iori over. He is still unconscious. Kima then begins CPR in earnest. After
the third time, Iori's eyes snap open. He looks at the Phoenix warrior who is busily
breathing in his mouth. Iori then breaks away from her.
Iori: Was it good for you too?
Kima blushes the shade of a ripe tomato.
Kima: OH! Well… Um… You were unconscious… So I thought that I should help, you
know?
Suddenly, Vice jumps from the fight between Chizuru and Mature, and glomps Iori.
Vice (Glomps Iori): IORI-SAMA!
Iori: … Hello Vice…
Vice: I WAS SO WORRIED FOR YOU IORI-SAMA! NEVER, EVER WORRY YOUR
VICEY POOH AGAIN!
Iori (Stares at her): … Okay…
Kima: So, how're you feeling Iori?
Iori: … Good I guess… But my ribs are killing me…
Vice blushes a bit.
Vice: Um… That must have been because we got flung around in that huge burst of
energy that destroyed Goenitz's palace.
Iori: I guess so.
Iori looks around and sees Ranma and Leona sitting together.
Iori: Hey, Ranma!
Ranma: Yeah Iori?
Iori: What the heck happened here? Where's Goenitz?
Ranma: I took care of him.
Iori (Raises an eyebrow): Oh?
Ranma points to a bit of charred remains.
Iori (Smiles): … Nice… I'm proud of you Ranma.
Ranma (Shrugs his shoulders): Hey. I know this will sound cruel, but it's true… That
bastard deserved it.
Iori (Nods his head): True…
Vice walks over to the burnt remains and ash of Goenitz. She spits on it.
Vice: Heh. Rest in Piss Gonads.
Ranma: Didn't like him much, did you?
Vice: Damn right. I hated that jerk. Always bossing Mature and me around, and getting
us killed by my dear, sweet Iori-sama. I really hated him. But now, I have a new master to
follow. Iori-sama!
Vice glomps onto Iori. Kima glares at her.
Vice: LET'S NEVER BE AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AGAIN IORI-SAMA!
Iori: … I hate my life…
Terry (Jubilant): I FOUND IT!!!
Billy (Looks at him): My jewels?
Terry: No! MY CAP!
Billy: … I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CAP! I WANT MY JEWELS BACK!
Mature (Has Chizuru in a head-lock): I can find 'your' jewels…
Billy: Really? OH PLEASE FIND THEM!
Mature (Smiles evilly): Sure…
Mature tosses Chizuru to the side. She then snaps her fingers. All the jewels that a re
buried underneath the rubble explode.
Mature: And that's where they'd have been if you found them…
Billy (Wide-eyed): My… My… MY JEWELS! I'M POOR AGAIN!!!
Billy breaks down into tears, cursing about how his life sucks.
(------)
After getting ready and making sure they are okay, the fighters make their way to the end
of the Wind Realm so they can pass the trial of the Wind Realm and get to the next one…
However, when they make it to the end of the realm, they get an 'unexpected' surprise…
They see Rugal Bernstein, sitting on a golden throne with skulls carved into it. He sips red
wine from a gold goblet that is trimmed with platinum.
Ranma: … Rugal…
Rugal: AH! Hello Tenth Hakkeshu! I take that since you are here, then Goenitz is
defeated, correct?
Ranma: Rugal… I'm not in the mood… Just get the hell out of our way, so we can pass
this next trial and get one with our lives.
Rugal (Waves his finger): Can't do that. For you see, I AM the trial.
All the fighters stare at Rugal in stunned silence.
Rugal: You see, Goenitz has decided to make the trial for the Wind Realm the "Trial of
Combat"… And, since he gave me some of those jewels which he gathered energy, I can
use them to become more powerful than I am now. That way, you will lose and not be able
to go onto the next realm. Further more…
Ranma, Leona, Iori, Kima, Chizuru, Kyo, Terry, Billy, Vice, and Mature: SHUT UP
RUGAL!!!
With that all thee fighters lunge at Rugal, pushing him to the ground. They then proceed to
give Rugal a thorough beat-down.
Rugal: HEY! ! OUCH! ! OW!!! ! THAT HURTS!
! OWWIES! HAVE MERCY! ! OW! I CAN'T FEEL MY
KNEECAPS!!! ! OW! YOU BIT ME! YOU ACTUALLY BIT ME!!!
! OW! QUIT IT! I BRUISE EASILY! ! ARGH! NOT IN THE
FACE, NOT IN THE FACE! ! SWEET LORD IN HEAVEN IT
HURTS!!! !
The beating goes on for another five minutes. Finally, when they are done, Rugal just lies
on the ground, thoroughly bruised, bloody, and broken. We see a bridge made of gold, and
covered with diamonds now forming between the Wind Realm, and the next one.
Rugal (Dizzy): … I want a pony…
Ranma (Stretches): Ah… That was a good stress-reliever.
Leona (Smiles): Indeed…
Billy starts hefting Rugal's throne onto his back.
Billy: OOF… That's heavy… But I'm rich again!
Mature (Stares at Billy): … I can't believe you… You really are a greedy little bug of a
human being…
Billy (Smiles): True… But, I'm now a RICH greedy little bug of a human being. Besides,
this is going for my sister's college tuition fees.
Mature (Smiles): Well, I guess that's acceptable…
Billy: Damn right it is!
And so, Ranma and grew make their way across the bridge. Billy stops to try to pry some
jewels off of the bridge.
Ranma, Leona, Iori, Kima, Chizuru, Kyo, Terry, Vice, and Mature: BILLY!
Billy (Looks at them): … What?
(------)
After making their way across the bridge the fighters are surprised by their surroundings.
The whole area is like the Fire Realm, except the heat radiating from this place is far more
bearable than the Fire Realm was. There are still black sands and large igneous rocks…
However, there are pieces of coal and diamonds scattered about throughout the black desert
sands as well. And there are a few geysers spewing smoke.
Billy looks up at the sky. He gets down on his knees and clasps his hands in prayer.
Billy: THANK YOU!
Billy then starts going through all the diamond he can find. Billy finds a huge diamond.
Billy (Smiles): Ah… Life is sweet… HEY! This has something on it…
The others walk over to where Billy is… The diamond has the kanji of 'Honoo' in it, or…
Ranma: Flame…
Iori: So this is my realm, correct?
Mature: Correct. This should be your realm…
Vice: YAY! I AM ON THE PROMISED LAND!
All the others stare at Vice.
Iori (Smiles): Wait… Does this mean I have control here?
Mature: Yes you do.
Iori (Smiles wickedly): EXCELLENT!!! Oh Kyo… Come here Kusanagi…
Kyo sees Iori smiling at him and starts running for his life. Suddenly the ground
underneath Iori erupts into flames. Kyo is now running around on fire.
Kyo: GAH!!! IT BURNS, IT BURNS!!!!!!
Iori: Hm hm hm hm, heh heh heh heh, HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA!!!
Kima (Stares at Iori): … Pretty violent, aren't you?
Iori: Yeah…
Vice: Iori-sama is the greatest!
Kyo (Still running around on fire): DEAR KAMI-SAMA IT HURTS! END IT NOW,
END IT NOW!
Chizuru: Quick Kyo! STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!
Kyo does exactly that. However, since there is coal mixed in with the sand, Kyo sets the
whole area around him on fire.
Kyo: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
Iori (Smiles): Burn baby… BURN!
Ranma (Shakes his head): Sigh… Lechan. If you would please be so kind?
Leona: Sure… Mizu Ken REVISED! SAI DAI MIZU KEN!
And so Leona performs her First Rate Water Fist. Unlike her normal attack, which is just
elemental ki, gathered from forms of liquid, this one literally creates a ball of water. Leona
throws it at Kyo, soaking him and his surroundings, but putting out the fire.
Leona: Feel better?
Kyo (Spits out some water): … Yes…
Iori: Sigh… I think I could like it here…
Ranma: Hey, how many realms have we gone through now?
Mature: This would be the ninth realm my lord.
Ranma (Sweat-drops): Vice… Mature… I'm only going to say this one more time. Stop
calling me stuff like, "lord", "master", "sir", and "Orochi", okay? When you two call me
that stuff, it really bugs me.
Mature: Yes Ranma.
Vice: Sure thing Saotome!
Ranma: And DON'T call me Saotome!
Mature & Vice: YES RANMA!
Leona (Looks at Ranma): What's wrong with calling you Saotome?
Ranma: Simple. I hate it. I hate all that Genma has done to the name. I am seriously
considering taking my name off of the Saotome registry, and placing it onto the Yagami.
Iori (Smiles): Ah… And so the Yagami name lives on…
Kyo (Whimpers): M, more Yagamis!? I'm really beginning to hate life… Sigh… If only
those two were more like my dear Rankyo…
Ranma & Iori (Stare at Kyo): … Idiot…
Leona: Hey, does this mean the next one is the final realm?
Mature: I do think so.
Ranma: Hmm… Perhaps we should rest up here before going onto the next realm? Kami-
sama knows what could happen there.
Mature: That's a good idea… I thoroughly agree.
Ranma: Anyone oppose the idea.
Silence follows.
Ranma: Okay. Let's make camp people. We'll stop here for a bit, to catch up on our rest,
and tend to our wounds from when Goenitz blew up his place.
(------)
From what they can tell, it is now night. Iori hasn't really slept though. He feels a strange
tugging sensation all around him. He walks around, as if being guided somehow by the
area.
Kima couldn't sleep either. She just sat around concentrating on what to do after she gets
out of this place. She has no idea what she wants to do. Saffron did order her to teach Iori
in the ways of the Phoenix, but he is such a stubborn, pushy, ungrateful bastard…
But then again, Kima recognizes that he does have his good points. He is very honorable,
and fights fairly in combat. True that he is more than brutal in his fights, but he never
really 'cheats'. He's also saved her from time to time from getting maimed or even killed.
Iori is a true enigma to her. She decides to check on him. She finds him walking farther
into the realm. She decides to follow him.
(------)
Iori finally stops walking. He feels that this is the place that he feels this 'tugging' on him
the strongest. Kima stops a ways from him, and watches what goes on from behind a sand
dune.
Iori: Whatever may be here, show yourself! Do not hide from me!
Voice: Humph…
Iori looks around. He does not see a speaker. All of a sudden, a small cinder of purple fire
floats by his vision. Soon more gather around him, twirling around him like a tornado.
Suddenly, they shoot forth from him and land before him. Suddenly, a form of a person
takes shape.
The form is translucent, and it is of a man in his late twenties. The man is in a dark outfit,
almost like a ninja, with a dark blue scarf wrapped around his neck. He has long red hair
done in a ponytail, and he has cold sapphire eyes. Iori sneers at the ghost before him.
Iori: … Tsuki…
Tsuki: Humph… Ungrateful whelp…
Iori: What are you doing here you old bastard? Shouldn't you be rotting in hell?
Tsuki: Humph… Is it a crime for a father to check on his son?
Iori: In this case, YES! Now go back to your dank crevice of hell from where you came.
Tsuki: … Still angry with me, eh?
Iori: Would I really be any other way? You made my life hell!
Tsuki: Is it my fault you needed the training? No. You were just a weakling. A black
mark on the Yagami name.
Iori: Hmph… I thought we were all 'black marks' once our clan made the pact with the
Orochi father.
Tsuki: BAH! We are not black marks because of our 'blessing' we got from the Orochi.
We are silver linings in a dark cloud of history. You are our disgrace.
Iori (Eyes widen in anger): DISGRACE!? LISTEN HEAR YOU OLD F*CK, I DID
WHAT NEITHER YOU, OR THE OTHERS OF THE YAGAMI CLAN COULD! I
DEFEATED A KUSANAGI! I BEAT HIM DOWN AND CLAIMED VICTORY FOR
OUR CLAN! I DIDN'T JUST ROLL ON MY SIDE AND DIE AFTER BATTLE LIKE
YOU AND THE REST OF OUR ANCESTORS DID!
Tsuki: You let him live!
Iori (Smiles): Better for him to live in disgrace for now… Besides… Once his use for my
cousin is fulfilled, Kyo is as good as fertilizer…
Tsuki: Ah yes… My sister's young whelp. He is a disgrace. Almost as much of a
disgrace as you are.
Iori: Just rot in hell.
Tsuki: Sure… I'll go… Heh… Like I'd really make it easy for you?
Iori: Just leave me alone!
Tsuki: Heh… Leave you alone… Like all the women in your life? As you have no one to
go to after your victory?
Iori: SHUT UP!
Tsuki: Heh… Hit a nerve did I? Face it. Who would love someone like you? You'll end
up alone for the rest of your life… But cheer up… For when you take the Orochi blood in
you into account, it won't be for too long…
Iori glares at the spirit of his father. Iori then turns around and begins to walk away.
Tsuki: WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?
Iori: We have nothing to discuss. You're dead. I'm alive. I did what you couldn't. I
defeated a Kusanagi. 'Live' in the afterlife with your shame.
Tsuki: COME BACK HERE!
Iori continues to walk, and Tsuki begins to fade.
Tsuki: DAMN YOU IORI!!!
Iori (Mutters): I think that's what God already intended with you…
Tsuki disappears from existence, his time spent.
(------)
Iori sits outside the campsite with the others. He thinks to himself. He hates his old man.
Always has, and always will. Kima walks up to him.
Kima: Excuse me…
Iori turns around and sees Kima standing behind him. She has her hands folded in front of
her. And she seems to be a bit unsettled.
Iori: … And what do you want Kima? Shouldn't you be sleeping like the others?
Kima: The same could be asked of you…
Iori (Shrugs): Fair enough…
Iori turns away from Kima, going back to his own thoughts.
Kima: Um… Iori…
Iori doesn't say or do anything to acknowledge Kima.
Kima: Well Iori, I just want to say this. I saw what must have been your father. And
listen to what I have to say. Don't listen to him! You're a good person. I admit you're not
the best, but you are a very good person. And I… Well… I do like you. (Blushes).
You're a decent person, considering what life must have been for you while growing up.
I'm quite impressed.
Iori doesn't say anything. He just continues to sit there. Kima sighs.
Kima: Well, I'll be going back now.
Kima turns to walk away. She takes a few steps until.
Iori: Wait…
Kima turns around. Iori hasn't moved a muscle, still in the same position he was in before
she turned around and started walking.
Kima: Iori.
He doesn't turn around to look at her, but he does acknowledge her.
Iori: I've never said this before, but… Thank you…
Kima just stares wide-eyed at the back of Iori's head. She then smiles.
Kima: You're quite welcome Iori.
Kima then turns around and walks back to camp.
Iori just sits there. He raises his hand and summons his purple flame, his Magatama no
Orochi. He stares at it. He's noticed that the further they get in the 'Orochi Space', the
darker in purple hue his flame gets. He suddenly coughs up a bit of blood. Not a lot, but
it's enough to make him think.
Iori (Thinks): Heh… The poison of my power… My Orochi-given power… I wonder…
Does getting closer to the Orochi Body mean that we of the Orochi blood have our power
increased? Or does it mean, we are dieing faster than before?
Iori closes his hand, snuffing out the fire. He then lets his head fall back and he laughs.
Not his usual, condescending victorious laugh… But a fearful one, it's sound almost like a
sob…
(------)
Back in the real world, Shinnosuke waits outside the pillar of light with the three sacred
treasures of the Shingi Trioca in it. He has been here for well over a week now.
Unfortunately, he doesn't remember WHY he's waiting here… He doesn't know how long
he has to wait, so he went back home and got himself some supplies and such. He's turned
this trip into a bit of a camp-out.
Shinnosuke: Hmm… I wonder why I am here… And I wonder why that old man was
upset because I didn't recognize him when he was in my house…
Suddenly, the pillar of light begins to brighten. A figure steps out of it. It is a large,
muscular male frame covered in bruises and cuts. With blonde hair, and a blood-red right
eye. The figure holds three amethyst gemstones that are glowing with power.
Red-eyed man: How dare they? HOW DARE THEY!? Hurt me will they? Hurt me, the
GREAT RUGAL BERNSTEIN!? THE MODERN PIRATE!? Grr… I'll show them…
I'LL SHOW THEM ALL!!!
Shinnosuke then walks up to Rugal.
Shinnosuke: Excuse me…
Rugal (Sneers at Shinnosuke): WHAT!?
Shinnosuke: Do I know you?
Rugal sweat-drops.
End Chapter 44
Next Time: This is it folks… Next up is the Omega Palace… It's Ranma and crew
against the Orochi body… Who is going to win this one? The mortal heroes, or the
physical body of an immortal god?
Send your questions and comments to either RedPriest17@aol.com or
Ryutsurugi@yahoo.com
Author's note: Sorry that it's been awhile folks. School once again cracks down hard.
And when I got free time, I started work on another fic. Well, at least I'm back to good ol'
Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
Note: Flames will be read and then used to fuel the Orochi fire.