Retro's thoughts: On to the first chapter. Level 2 (violence)
Chapter 1
While Ranma slept in his bed, a man over fifteen hundred miles away searched relentlessly for a glittering band of gold. He had been searching for three days, and his lack of direction was getting him no where. Already he had wound up in several countries he had never heard of and now he was in the endless and trackless forests of China.
He observed his surroundings and saw a small stream with a large rock next to it. A nearby waterfall provided the stream with running water. The view of the waterfall was obscured by large trees. He had already seen several pandas on his travels, pandas which curiously reminded him of someone. He put it out of his mind and sat down on the nearby rock and started to think about the current situation.
Ryouga Hibiki had never found what he was looking for in his life. It always stumbled upon him by dumb luck. He was always the butt of every joke, and always had the short end of every straw. He felt like life had no place for him anywhere in its folds.
He couldn't forget the fact that of all curses he was the one to get the piglet's body. Ranma got a gorgeous girl. Even Shampoo and Mousse got better animals. Ranma always won. It was always Ranma, Ranma, and more Ranma.
But things were about to change. That crazy old man said that this ring can enslave the world, he thought. With that power I can overthrow Ranma with shear numbers and win Akane's hand away from him. He stopped for a moment to think of his treasured love, and how she was always out of his grasp because of Ranma.
He continued to pout when a loud *sploosh* sounded behind him. He turned around and brought up a defensive stance, but, seeing no visible enemies, brought it down. He looked down to the water and looked at the ripples as they sailed across it's calm surface. He peered closer and spied a glint of something in the water. He got down on all fours for a better look.
His eyes shot open at the small piece of jewelry resting in the water beneath him. He couldn't believe his luck. Again chance smiled upon him. In his frenzied excitement he leaped into the pool and swam down in a much smaller body to the very bottom. He tried in vain to pick it up with his small pig feet, but found that they just couldn't grasp it. He therefore snatched it with his teeth and swam back to the top. He spat the ring on the ground and prepared a kettle of warm water as best he could, waiting in glee for the moment that would soon come.
When the water was warm enough he poured it on himself and changed back into his human form. He picked some clean clothes out of his pack and got dressed. Picking up the ring, he sat down and scrutinized it carefully. The memory of Ranma's aggression was still fresh in his mind. He had attacked Akane Tendo in his rage. That's why I should wear it, Ryouga thought. It's mine now and I should wield its power to protect Akane against Ranma.
Now came the time to put it on. Ryouga looked down at his newfound ring contemplating the possibilities. When his decision was made he moved the ring towards his pointer finger. He slipped it on without hesitation and a new world opened to him. He looked down to his body but felt no change. Angered at the lack of such quick results he got up and walked over to a nearby tree. He chopped it in half with ease.
The old man was lying; he thought to himself, no special power exists in this ring. Nothing new has come from this ring. He was about to take it off when a power unknown to him stopped him. He stood there, him and his ring, in complete stillness. The ring called to him, begged him, and commanded him. He couldn't remove it. He didn't even make an effort to take it off. It remained there on his finger. He let his hands fall to his sides.
Packed and ready to move, Ryouga set out on his way with a clear purpose and an even clearer resolve in his mind. Ranma. The bane of all he was, and all that he would ever hope to be.
"Ranma will fall," he said to himself, "and he will fall by my hands."
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(The Tendo Residence)
"Ranma it's time to wake up." The distant voice of Kasumi could be heard from downstairs. Ranma grumbled and awoke from bed. His body still ached a little from..the fight. He opened his closet door and looked at his favorite shirt and pants waiting for him. He pushed them aside looking for something else to wear and found a normal T-shirt and some ordinary jeans. He put those on instead and walked downstairs.
He walked into the living room to see much hustle and bustle. Cologne, Happosai, and that wizard guy were arguing outside over something. When Ranma caught their eye they quieted down and moved closer into a group stealing glances at him every so often. Nabiki and Soun ignored him harshly as they read their newspapers while Akane smiled at him weakly. Kasumi walked in with a genuine smile and placed his food at his usual place.
"There you are Ranma," she said with her usual cheerfulness. Ranma grunted in response and Nabiki mumbled something about ungrateful she-males. Ranma looked up from his bowl for a second, and returned to his food resting his head on his hand as he ate.
"Kasumi asked me to go to the store today," Akane told Ranma with cheerful and sympathetic eyes. "Would you like to come with me?"
Ranma shook his head not even looking up from his food. He glanced over at the place where his father usually is. I would usually be fighting with pop over food right about now, he thought.
"Too good for my sister now?" Nabiki asked rhetorically to herself barely whispering.
Ranma heard her clear as day and lost his temper. "What is your problem? Okay so I made a mistake. I begged for forgiveness from all of you. Don't you think I've paid for my crimes enough already? Can't you leave me alone?" Ranma had attracted the attention of everyone. Radagast walked towards him from outside and placed a hand on his shoulder. Startled, Ranma jerked away. He turned around and looked up into the sages wise and caring eyes. Calm returned to Ranma, and he relaxed his mind a little.
"I'm going upstairs," he said to everyone in the room. Kasumi, standing in the middle of the doorway holding several dishes, moved out of the way. She gave Nabiki a reprimanding look and returned to the kitchen to finish her chores.
"Real cute Nabiki," Akane said as she got up and followed after Ranma upstairs. Nabiki shrugged and continued to read the newspaper.
Radagast sighed and returned outside to Cologne and Happosai. The three had been arguing for three days now on how to deal with the missing ring and the coincidental disappearance of Ryouga.
"Well it's settled then, we have to find Ryouga and the ring. I have no doubts in my mind that both are connected to each other in one way or another. The question is who will go to bring him back?" Happosai said sitting cross legged on the ground sucking on his pipe. His eyes were closed deep in thought pondering recent events. Radagast exchanged glances between the two all the while remaining silent.
"I will send Shampoo and Mousse to go. They must redeem themselves for earlier failures. The pride of the Amazon village won't let them sit idle while this occurs," Cologne said matching Happosai's calm demeanor. She rested upon her staff contemplating similar matters as well.
"That won't do Cologne. If Ryouga has indeed found the ring then he will be very powerful. The power of the Shi Shi Hokodan will be unmatched."
"IF he's related to it, IF he's found it, and IF he's put it on. It's all speculation Happosai. That boy couldn't find Japan even if he was in it."
"If he is indeed one of the three that Radagast mentioned then it is likely that the ring has found him instead. He will be invincible."
"Again speculation. Even as such, I know of one who could match his power. One who could fight the power of the ring."
"He is in no shape to go on a journey Cologne. With Genma's death still on his mind and the withdrawal of the ring's power, he would be consumed by the ring if he ever claimed it from Ryouga."
"Then what choices have we Happosai? Everyone is reeling from Genma's death. They are expecting results and an end to all this disaster. We have already put this off long enough and everyone is getting suspicious."
"Let them be suspicious. They have no clue as to the power they're dealing with."
"Suspicion will lead to rash actions. They might go off on their own and then where would we be. The power of the ring would have consumed us all and we-"
"Enough of this bickering," Radagast said. "Cologne will send Mousse and Shampoo and I will accompany them as well as one other. One, who I think, has the closest bond to Ryouga."
"Akane Tendo?" Both Happosaid and Cologne said in unison.
"No," he said his eyes looking up to the sky to see a flock of birds flying south for the winter. "Ukyou Kounji will accompany us."
Happosai nodded soaking it all in. "And what of Cologne and I?"
"You two must go observe the movements of our enemy the Illuminati. They will undoubtedly be hunting Ryouga as well, and that is why we must find him quickly. If I know Ryouga Hibiki he'll most likely be in China so we'll start there first. My party will leave tonight, but you two must leave immediately. Our enemy's plans must be known as soon as possible."
"And Ranma? Who will watch over him?" Cologne asked worrying for the young boy.
"We must place our trust in Akane. She must watch over Ranma with all her heart and all of our hopes. I will go inform Ms. Kounji of her job. Cologne, you and Happosai are to go tell Shampoo and Mousse to get ready." Radagast adorned his hat and transformed into a small man again, but as he did so he fell to the ground.
"Are you okay?" asked Happosai genuinely worried.
"Yes, yes I'm fine. I'm a clumsy old man. I just lost my footing," said Radagast as he got back up and brushed the dirt off of him.
The three all left for their assignments, and Akane went to the grocery store, her head full of worry for Ranma. Ranma sat in his room staring outside at the fading sun. The days are getting shorter, he thought. His mind was a blaze of activity as he thought about the past. He shook himself from it and went downstairs to the dojo. He changed into a clean gi and began to practice his swordsmanship.
He noticed that when he was fighting several days ago, he showed marvelous skill with it. Although a lot of that was attributed to the ring. He knew that his mother's precision with the blade was definitely genetic. He practiced his basic movements for a while until he got tired. Toweling off, he took a sip of water from his canteen and walked over to the doorway. His mind drifted as he leaned his head against the door frame. His skill was diminishing. His martial arts, though still formidable in all respects, were beginning to fade. He owed it to many things. His father's departure, the after effects the ring left on his body, and his own recent lack of interest in the art.
He watched as Ukyou, Mousse, and Shampoo packed some of their bags obviously leaving for that journey everyone was talking about. He walked over to them and they all stopped packing, and looked up at him. Silence ensued until, growing uneasy with the stairs they gave him, he broke it.
"So you guys leaving tonight huh?" he asked weakly looking for an excuse to start conversation.
"Yeah," said Ukyou, "Radagast is leaving with us. We're going to go find the ring and also find out where Ryouga ran off to." Ukyou looked down for a second and looked back up at Ranma. Their eyes met and locked for a second until they both looked away.
Ranma ignored the others there and put his hand on Ukyou's shoulder. "You be careful okay? I just have a bad feeling about this trip that all of you are going to take."
"Ranma what could possibly happen? I'm sure we'll find it, and Ryouga is probably lost in Nerima somewhere." Ukyou chuckled lightly. Ukyou's smile faded as she saw the seriousness with which he was speaking. She took Ranma's hand off her shoulder. Squeezing his hand, she gave him a look which said I'll be fine.
Shampoo looked at this with rage, but knew that she could not make a move on Ranma. Her honor was torn due to the destruction of the ramen shop. Even though Cologne didn't hold her responsible for that she still felt that it was her fault. Shampoo won't fail again, she thought.*
Mousse finished packing and motioned for the three of them to leave with Radagast. They all followed him with their packs on their backs to the front gate where Radagast stood, a large brown pole in his right hand. He was wearing his usual brown robes with his complementary brown wizard hat. To the common eye he looked like nothing more than a simple hermit, but all of them knew he was much more. His staff had several grooves in it for better handling and the tip was adorned with a ruby which had a crack in it the same size of Akane's necklace jewel. The ruby was wrapped with four thin pieces of the staff holding it in place. Whoever designed the staff had obvious craftsmanship skills.
He gave them all a cheery smile and led them out of the yard and soon the street and eventually the neighborhood. Ranma looked on as they went watching until they vanished out of his sight, and even then he did not look away. A movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention away from the street.
Nabiki walked across the courtyard with no place to go. She walked across the grass with her mind deep in thought, and her eyes on the ground. She was barely a yard away when she noticed Ranma. She gasped for a second then her face turned sour. She did an about face and began to march back towards the house.
"Wait," said Ranma as he walked up to her. "Please let me talk to you. I just want to talk Nabiki, nothing else."
"I don't think I'm in the talking mood Ranma. For you, I don't think I'll ever be in the talking mood." She stormed past him and ran upstairs and into her room. Ranma stood there for several seconds and finally punched one of the support beams. His anger flared up at Nabiki's insolence. All I want to do is apologize, he thought to himself, and she won't give me the time of day. Ranma exhaled all his frustration and went inside and up to his room. He sat there tired and stiff from the workout, but too afraid to face his bed. He instead went downstairs to the couch and lied down on it. He turned on the T.V. but soon his drowsiness got to him and he finally fell asleep.
(Ranma opened his eyes to a barren wasteland. All around him death was evident and rampant. Dead bodies were strewn across the ground in some of the vilest ways he'd ever seen. Puddles of blood had formed their own stream which flowed into a lake already stained scarlet. He looked over the carnage with terror struck eyes. He ran to one of the bodies and turned it over to see a scorched face that held much anger, but also had sorrow written across its gently chiseled features. The body was that of a beautiful young woman which was well built. He instantly recognized the body to be one of the Amazon warriors. Now looking up Ranma saw the field filled with them. Other bodies existed, but the Amazons were the only ones that he could identify. The others were that of men, women, and even children, some as little as what must have been seven years old. The bodies were sunken and frail like that of some ones who haven't eaten for a month. Ranma couldn't believe the chaos that had probably once been a clear opening with bright green grass and exotic flowers. He looked to the sky to see dark clouds form. A crack of thunder startled him and soon after, it began to rain in the small valley of death. He looked around himself one last time and saw a figure distant in his eyes, but one discernable feature pointed itself out. The figures hair was braided rather daintily in a pigtail. The character's back was to him when he started walking away. Ranma could only watch him. Watch the pig-tailed man leave without a trace.)
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(Rome, Italy)
America opened the door to an empty chamber hall. The fire was out and all 187 seats were vacant. He walked to the end of the hall tracing his hand across the fine marble table which made up one of the three. The halls in Rome were much more beautiful than the ones in Baghdad, or even anywhere else for that matter. He was most displeased that his personal airline pilot came down with a cold the last second and couldn't fly. America was forced to fly on a commercial airliner. He arrived in Rome late that night and decided to go to a hotel room for the night and rest.
The next day he had taken a taxi to an old chapel far on the outskirts on town. The chapel had several crumbling marble statues, and much history to it. He walked across the courtyard, images playing through his mind, memories that were not his own, but of someone else's. He ran his hand across a slab of stone as he walked the sullen and dark path that led to the chapel. More memories flashed, both delightful and malicious. He knew not why he had to come here for answers. It was as if it was inbred in him to come, almost as a natural reaction.
He was afraid to tell any of the other council members he came alone. They wouldn't understand his problem. They would capitalize on his weakness and force him from his seat of power. He wouldn't let that happen though. He would fight to the very end. The image of him killing that young innocent man from Switzerland was still fresh in his mind. It felt as if his body was not his and his actions were of some other being. He could not explain it, even to himself.
The path ended at the front of the chapel, and a new path began beyond it. He stepped through the crumbling door and looked to the ceiling noticing that none was present. The sunlight filtered through the small chapel ruins elegantly casting its glow across the rocks which sported algae, plants, and even small animals on them. He looked across the small area to a beautiful statue. It was a statue of the Blessed Mother. Her gaze was cast downwards on a small piece of stone. She bore a face of deep sadness, and her eyes gave the impression that she was on the verge of tears, weeping for a lost soul.
He followed her eyes down to the stone and read the writing on it. "Jonathon S. Basser II." Tracing his fingers over it, he received the same feelings he had before from outside. More memories came flooding back to him. Memories that he knew were his, but didn't feel right.
He stood up and looked into the virgin's eyes once more. He studied the features trying to find an answer to this puzzle. "What does this all mean?" he asked putting his hands on the shoulders of the statue. He dropped to his knees, his mind a swirl of thoughts. "Who am I?" he asked to himself half surprised that his mind went blank, and he didn't know. Sitting on the ground he looked up to Mary once more and caught a glimpse of her hand pointing at something to his left.
Getting up he walked over to a piece of wall and looked it over carefully. He noticed several bricks lose, and touched them gently with his fingers. The feelings came back and with determination he pushed all the bricks in and felt a rumbling beneath his feet. He looked down and noticed too late that the floor had slid from underneath him.
He fell and, trying to catch on to anything that might stop his decent, could not slow himself down. His mind swirled into a haze as he fell deeper and deeper into the abyss.
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(Nerima)
Akane rolled the orange in her hands feeling for any mushy parts. Her eyes were intent on something else, as she allowed herself to be lost in a daze. Ranma, she thought. Who are you? She returned her eyes to the orange and now seeing a mushy part she put it back. She picked up another one and returned her eyes to nowhere. Things have changed so drastically since you came into our life two years ago. You swept the simple life of what was once the Tendo home into a roller coaster of a ride. Challenges, fiancés, villains, monsters, and demi-gods were but a few of our many adventures.
A loud yell brought her attention away from the orange. She looked to the source of the noise and saw that it was someone she didn't know calling to another someone she didn't know therefore she didn't care. Grabbing yet another orange her mind wandered even further.
Now all that you've worked so hard to establish is on the verge of collapsing Ranma. Will you sit idle while this happens, or will you take an active roll? She remembered his face when he relinquished his power from the ring. She held him closely then, afraid of losing him. She couldn't bear the idea of a life without Ranma. It would be dull, and empty of... love. Maybe she did love Ranma. Maybe. Looking at the condition Ranma is in now she noticed how useless she's been to him. A loved one wouldn't ignore another loved ones feelings, she told herself, and a loved sure as hell wouldn't be useless to him. That settles it. I'm going to go home and help Ranma through this. You'll be fine Ranma, I promise.
"You gonna buy that lady?" Akane stirred from her day dreaming and looked at the man who spoke to her. She stared at him blankly until he spoke again. "I said, you gonna buy that lady?" he repeated pointing to the orange that Akane had in her hands.
"Oh..oh yes. Yes I will," said Akane as she paid for the orange and a few others. She scanned the grocery list and began her trek home, content that she had everything on it. She passed by the canal watching the last few seconds of the lovely sunset. I will help you Ranma, and that's a promise.
* I wonder if people who talk in third person think in third person. hmmm...
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Retro's thoughts: Wow this story is gonna be good. I've been coming up with some good stuff, and I just can't wait to get to it. Peace all you homedawgs.
PS- look up the Korean game Boonga Boonga on the internet. *snicker*
Chapter 1
While Ranma slept in his bed, a man over fifteen hundred miles away searched relentlessly for a glittering band of gold. He had been searching for three days, and his lack of direction was getting him no where. Already he had wound up in several countries he had never heard of and now he was in the endless and trackless forests of China.
He observed his surroundings and saw a small stream with a large rock next to it. A nearby waterfall provided the stream with running water. The view of the waterfall was obscured by large trees. He had already seen several pandas on his travels, pandas which curiously reminded him of someone. He put it out of his mind and sat down on the nearby rock and started to think about the current situation.
Ryouga Hibiki had never found what he was looking for in his life. It always stumbled upon him by dumb luck. He was always the butt of every joke, and always had the short end of every straw. He felt like life had no place for him anywhere in its folds.
He couldn't forget the fact that of all curses he was the one to get the piglet's body. Ranma got a gorgeous girl. Even Shampoo and Mousse got better animals. Ranma always won. It was always Ranma, Ranma, and more Ranma.
But things were about to change. That crazy old man said that this ring can enslave the world, he thought. With that power I can overthrow Ranma with shear numbers and win Akane's hand away from him. He stopped for a moment to think of his treasured love, and how she was always out of his grasp because of Ranma.
He continued to pout when a loud *sploosh* sounded behind him. He turned around and brought up a defensive stance, but, seeing no visible enemies, brought it down. He looked down to the water and looked at the ripples as they sailed across it's calm surface. He peered closer and spied a glint of something in the water. He got down on all fours for a better look.
His eyes shot open at the small piece of jewelry resting in the water beneath him. He couldn't believe his luck. Again chance smiled upon him. In his frenzied excitement he leaped into the pool and swam down in a much smaller body to the very bottom. He tried in vain to pick it up with his small pig feet, but found that they just couldn't grasp it. He therefore snatched it with his teeth and swam back to the top. He spat the ring on the ground and prepared a kettle of warm water as best he could, waiting in glee for the moment that would soon come.
When the water was warm enough he poured it on himself and changed back into his human form. He picked some clean clothes out of his pack and got dressed. Picking up the ring, he sat down and scrutinized it carefully. The memory of Ranma's aggression was still fresh in his mind. He had attacked Akane Tendo in his rage. That's why I should wear it, Ryouga thought. It's mine now and I should wield its power to protect Akane against Ranma.
Now came the time to put it on. Ryouga looked down at his newfound ring contemplating the possibilities. When his decision was made he moved the ring towards his pointer finger. He slipped it on without hesitation and a new world opened to him. He looked down to his body but felt no change. Angered at the lack of such quick results he got up and walked over to a nearby tree. He chopped it in half with ease.
The old man was lying; he thought to himself, no special power exists in this ring. Nothing new has come from this ring. He was about to take it off when a power unknown to him stopped him. He stood there, him and his ring, in complete stillness. The ring called to him, begged him, and commanded him. He couldn't remove it. He didn't even make an effort to take it off. It remained there on his finger. He let his hands fall to his sides.
Packed and ready to move, Ryouga set out on his way with a clear purpose and an even clearer resolve in his mind. Ranma. The bane of all he was, and all that he would ever hope to be.
"Ranma will fall," he said to himself, "and he will fall by my hands."
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(The Tendo Residence)
"Ranma it's time to wake up." The distant voice of Kasumi could be heard from downstairs. Ranma grumbled and awoke from bed. His body still ached a little from..the fight. He opened his closet door and looked at his favorite shirt and pants waiting for him. He pushed them aside looking for something else to wear and found a normal T-shirt and some ordinary jeans. He put those on instead and walked downstairs.
He walked into the living room to see much hustle and bustle. Cologne, Happosai, and that wizard guy were arguing outside over something. When Ranma caught their eye they quieted down and moved closer into a group stealing glances at him every so often. Nabiki and Soun ignored him harshly as they read their newspapers while Akane smiled at him weakly. Kasumi walked in with a genuine smile and placed his food at his usual place.
"There you are Ranma," she said with her usual cheerfulness. Ranma grunted in response and Nabiki mumbled something about ungrateful she-males. Ranma looked up from his bowl for a second, and returned to his food resting his head on his hand as he ate.
"Kasumi asked me to go to the store today," Akane told Ranma with cheerful and sympathetic eyes. "Would you like to come with me?"
Ranma shook his head not even looking up from his food. He glanced over at the place where his father usually is. I would usually be fighting with pop over food right about now, he thought.
"Too good for my sister now?" Nabiki asked rhetorically to herself barely whispering.
Ranma heard her clear as day and lost his temper. "What is your problem? Okay so I made a mistake. I begged for forgiveness from all of you. Don't you think I've paid for my crimes enough already? Can't you leave me alone?" Ranma had attracted the attention of everyone. Radagast walked towards him from outside and placed a hand on his shoulder. Startled, Ranma jerked away. He turned around and looked up into the sages wise and caring eyes. Calm returned to Ranma, and he relaxed his mind a little.
"I'm going upstairs," he said to everyone in the room. Kasumi, standing in the middle of the doorway holding several dishes, moved out of the way. She gave Nabiki a reprimanding look and returned to the kitchen to finish her chores.
"Real cute Nabiki," Akane said as she got up and followed after Ranma upstairs. Nabiki shrugged and continued to read the newspaper.
Radagast sighed and returned outside to Cologne and Happosai. The three had been arguing for three days now on how to deal with the missing ring and the coincidental disappearance of Ryouga.
"Well it's settled then, we have to find Ryouga and the ring. I have no doubts in my mind that both are connected to each other in one way or another. The question is who will go to bring him back?" Happosai said sitting cross legged on the ground sucking on his pipe. His eyes were closed deep in thought pondering recent events. Radagast exchanged glances between the two all the while remaining silent.
"I will send Shampoo and Mousse to go. They must redeem themselves for earlier failures. The pride of the Amazon village won't let them sit idle while this occurs," Cologne said matching Happosai's calm demeanor. She rested upon her staff contemplating similar matters as well.
"That won't do Cologne. If Ryouga has indeed found the ring then he will be very powerful. The power of the Shi Shi Hokodan will be unmatched."
"IF he's related to it, IF he's found it, and IF he's put it on. It's all speculation Happosai. That boy couldn't find Japan even if he was in it."
"If he is indeed one of the three that Radagast mentioned then it is likely that the ring has found him instead. He will be invincible."
"Again speculation. Even as such, I know of one who could match his power. One who could fight the power of the ring."
"He is in no shape to go on a journey Cologne. With Genma's death still on his mind and the withdrawal of the ring's power, he would be consumed by the ring if he ever claimed it from Ryouga."
"Then what choices have we Happosai? Everyone is reeling from Genma's death. They are expecting results and an end to all this disaster. We have already put this off long enough and everyone is getting suspicious."
"Let them be suspicious. They have no clue as to the power they're dealing with."
"Suspicion will lead to rash actions. They might go off on their own and then where would we be. The power of the ring would have consumed us all and we-"
"Enough of this bickering," Radagast said. "Cologne will send Mousse and Shampoo and I will accompany them as well as one other. One, who I think, has the closest bond to Ryouga."
"Akane Tendo?" Both Happosaid and Cologne said in unison.
"No," he said his eyes looking up to the sky to see a flock of birds flying south for the winter. "Ukyou Kounji will accompany us."
Happosai nodded soaking it all in. "And what of Cologne and I?"
"You two must go observe the movements of our enemy the Illuminati. They will undoubtedly be hunting Ryouga as well, and that is why we must find him quickly. If I know Ryouga Hibiki he'll most likely be in China so we'll start there first. My party will leave tonight, but you two must leave immediately. Our enemy's plans must be known as soon as possible."
"And Ranma? Who will watch over him?" Cologne asked worrying for the young boy.
"We must place our trust in Akane. She must watch over Ranma with all her heart and all of our hopes. I will go inform Ms. Kounji of her job. Cologne, you and Happosai are to go tell Shampoo and Mousse to get ready." Radagast adorned his hat and transformed into a small man again, but as he did so he fell to the ground.
"Are you okay?" asked Happosai genuinely worried.
"Yes, yes I'm fine. I'm a clumsy old man. I just lost my footing," said Radagast as he got back up and brushed the dirt off of him.
The three all left for their assignments, and Akane went to the grocery store, her head full of worry for Ranma. Ranma sat in his room staring outside at the fading sun. The days are getting shorter, he thought. His mind was a blaze of activity as he thought about the past. He shook himself from it and went downstairs to the dojo. He changed into a clean gi and began to practice his swordsmanship.
He noticed that when he was fighting several days ago, he showed marvelous skill with it. Although a lot of that was attributed to the ring. He knew that his mother's precision with the blade was definitely genetic. He practiced his basic movements for a while until he got tired. Toweling off, he took a sip of water from his canteen and walked over to the doorway. His mind drifted as he leaned his head against the door frame. His skill was diminishing. His martial arts, though still formidable in all respects, were beginning to fade. He owed it to many things. His father's departure, the after effects the ring left on his body, and his own recent lack of interest in the art.
He watched as Ukyou, Mousse, and Shampoo packed some of their bags obviously leaving for that journey everyone was talking about. He walked over to them and they all stopped packing, and looked up at him. Silence ensued until, growing uneasy with the stairs they gave him, he broke it.
"So you guys leaving tonight huh?" he asked weakly looking for an excuse to start conversation.
"Yeah," said Ukyou, "Radagast is leaving with us. We're going to go find the ring and also find out where Ryouga ran off to." Ukyou looked down for a second and looked back up at Ranma. Their eyes met and locked for a second until they both looked away.
Ranma ignored the others there and put his hand on Ukyou's shoulder. "You be careful okay? I just have a bad feeling about this trip that all of you are going to take."
"Ranma what could possibly happen? I'm sure we'll find it, and Ryouga is probably lost in Nerima somewhere." Ukyou chuckled lightly. Ukyou's smile faded as she saw the seriousness with which he was speaking. She took Ranma's hand off her shoulder. Squeezing his hand, she gave him a look which said I'll be fine.
Shampoo looked at this with rage, but knew that she could not make a move on Ranma. Her honor was torn due to the destruction of the ramen shop. Even though Cologne didn't hold her responsible for that she still felt that it was her fault. Shampoo won't fail again, she thought.*
Mousse finished packing and motioned for the three of them to leave with Radagast. They all followed him with their packs on their backs to the front gate where Radagast stood, a large brown pole in his right hand. He was wearing his usual brown robes with his complementary brown wizard hat. To the common eye he looked like nothing more than a simple hermit, but all of them knew he was much more. His staff had several grooves in it for better handling and the tip was adorned with a ruby which had a crack in it the same size of Akane's necklace jewel. The ruby was wrapped with four thin pieces of the staff holding it in place. Whoever designed the staff had obvious craftsmanship skills.
He gave them all a cheery smile and led them out of the yard and soon the street and eventually the neighborhood. Ranma looked on as they went watching until they vanished out of his sight, and even then he did not look away. A movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention away from the street.
Nabiki walked across the courtyard with no place to go. She walked across the grass with her mind deep in thought, and her eyes on the ground. She was barely a yard away when she noticed Ranma. She gasped for a second then her face turned sour. She did an about face and began to march back towards the house.
"Wait," said Ranma as he walked up to her. "Please let me talk to you. I just want to talk Nabiki, nothing else."
"I don't think I'm in the talking mood Ranma. For you, I don't think I'll ever be in the talking mood." She stormed past him and ran upstairs and into her room. Ranma stood there for several seconds and finally punched one of the support beams. His anger flared up at Nabiki's insolence. All I want to do is apologize, he thought to himself, and she won't give me the time of day. Ranma exhaled all his frustration and went inside and up to his room. He sat there tired and stiff from the workout, but too afraid to face his bed. He instead went downstairs to the couch and lied down on it. He turned on the T.V. but soon his drowsiness got to him and he finally fell asleep.
(Ranma opened his eyes to a barren wasteland. All around him death was evident and rampant. Dead bodies were strewn across the ground in some of the vilest ways he'd ever seen. Puddles of blood had formed their own stream which flowed into a lake already stained scarlet. He looked over the carnage with terror struck eyes. He ran to one of the bodies and turned it over to see a scorched face that held much anger, but also had sorrow written across its gently chiseled features. The body was that of a beautiful young woman which was well built. He instantly recognized the body to be one of the Amazon warriors. Now looking up Ranma saw the field filled with them. Other bodies existed, but the Amazons were the only ones that he could identify. The others were that of men, women, and even children, some as little as what must have been seven years old. The bodies were sunken and frail like that of some ones who haven't eaten for a month. Ranma couldn't believe the chaos that had probably once been a clear opening with bright green grass and exotic flowers. He looked to the sky to see dark clouds form. A crack of thunder startled him and soon after, it began to rain in the small valley of death. He looked around himself one last time and saw a figure distant in his eyes, but one discernable feature pointed itself out. The figures hair was braided rather daintily in a pigtail. The character's back was to him when he started walking away. Ranma could only watch him. Watch the pig-tailed man leave without a trace.)
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(Rome, Italy)
America opened the door to an empty chamber hall. The fire was out and all 187 seats were vacant. He walked to the end of the hall tracing his hand across the fine marble table which made up one of the three. The halls in Rome were much more beautiful than the ones in Baghdad, or even anywhere else for that matter. He was most displeased that his personal airline pilot came down with a cold the last second and couldn't fly. America was forced to fly on a commercial airliner. He arrived in Rome late that night and decided to go to a hotel room for the night and rest.
The next day he had taken a taxi to an old chapel far on the outskirts on town. The chapel had several crumbling marble statues, and much history to it. He walked across the courtyard, images playing through his mind, memories that were not his own, but of someone else's. He ran his hand across a slab of stone as he walked the sullen and dark path that led to the chapel. More memories flashed, both delightful and malicious. He knew not why he had to come here for answers. It was as if it was inbred in him to come, almost as a natural reaction.
He was afraid to tell any of the other council members he came alone. They wouldn't understand his problem. They would capitalize on his weakness and force him from his seat of power. He wouldn't let that happen though. He would fight to the very end. The image of him killing that young innocent man from Switzerland was still fresh in his mind. It felt as if his body was not his and his actions were of some other being. He could not explain it, even to himself.
The path ended at the front of the chapel, and a new path began beyond it. He stepped through the crumbling door and looked to the ceiling noticing that none was present. The sunlight filtered through the small chapel ruins elegantly casting its glow across the rocks which sported algae, plants, and even small animals on them. He looked across the small area to a beautiful statue. It was a statue of the Blessed Mother. Her gaze was cast downwards on a small piece of stone. She bore a face of deep sadness, and her eyes gave the impression that she was on the verge of tears, weeping for a lost soul.
He followed her eyes down to the stone and read the writing on it. "Jonathon S. Basser II." Tracing his fingers over it, he received the same feelings he had before from outside. More memories came flooding back to him. Memories that he knew were his, but didn't feel right.
He stood up and looked into the virgin's eyes once more. He studied the features trying to find an answer to this puzzle. "What does this all mean?" he asked putting his hands on the shoulders of the statue. He dropped to his knees, his mind a swirl of thoughts. "Who am I?" he asked to himself half surprised that his mind went blank, and he didn't know. Sitting on the ground he looked up to Mary once more and caught a glimpse of her hand pointing at something to his left.
Getting up he walked over to a piece of wall and looked it over carefully. He noticed several bricks lose, and touched them gently with his fingers. The feelings came back and with determination he pushed all the bricks in and felt a rumbling beneath his feet. He looked down and noticed too late that the floor had slid from underneath him.
He fell and, trying to catch on to anything that might stop his decent, could not slow himself down. His mind swirled into a haze as he fell deeper and deeper into the abyss.
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(Nerima)
Akane rolled the orange in her hands feeling for any mushy parts. Her eyes were intent on something else, as she allowed herself to be lost in a daze. Ranma, she thought. Who are you? She returned her eyes to the orange and now seeing a mushy part she put it back. She picked up another one and returned her eyes to nowhere. Things have changed so drastically since you came into our life two years ago. You swept the simple life of what was once the Tendo home into a roller coaster of a ride. Challenges, fiancés, villains, monsters, and demi-gods were but a few of our many adventures.
A loud yell brought her attention away from the orange. She looked to the source of the noise and saw that it was someone she didn't know calling to another someone she didn't know therefore she didn't care. Grabbing yet another orange her mind wandered even further.
Now all that you've worked so hard to establish is on the verge of collapsing Ranma. Will you sit idle while this happens, or will you take an active roll? She remembered his face when he relinquished his power from the ring. She held him closely then, afraid of losing him. She couldn't bear the idea of a life without Ranma. It would be dull, and empty of... love. Maybe she did love Ranma. Maybe. Looking at the condition Ranma is in now she noticed how useless she's been to him. A loved one wouldn't ignore another loved ones feelings, she told herself, and a loved sure as hell wouldn't be useless to him. That settles it. I'm going to go home and help Ranma through this. You'll be fine Ranma, I promise.
"You gonna buy that lady?" Akane stirred from her day dreaming and looked at the man who spoke to her. She stared at him blankly until he spoke again. "I said, you gonna buy that lady?" he repeated pointing to the orange that Akane had in her hands.
"Oh..oh yes. Yes I will," said Akane as she paid for the orange and a few others. She scanned the grocery list and began her trek home, content that she had everything on it. She passed by the canal watching the last few seconds of the lovely sunset. I will help you Ranma, and that's a promise.
* I wonder if people who talk in third person think in third person. hmmm...
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Retro's thoughts: Wow this story is gonna be good. I've been coming up with some good stuff, and I just can't wait to get to it. Peace all you homedawgs.
PS- look up the Korean game Boonga Boonga on the internet. *snicker*