Hello everyone! First I'd like to say thank you for your patience
with the continuing of this story. I had hoped it wouldn't have taken so
long to update, but I'll try to be faster with the next chapter! Thank you
everyone who reviewed! That helped me a lot in getting motivated in
continuing the story! Ok! On to the story! ~chibimelie ^_^
Evening had set in as the sky began to blush pink. After hearing Ranma's retelling of the events of the night
before, the Saotomes and the Tendos sat patiently around the dining table in the living room as they expectantly waited
for an explanation from the old Amazon as to Akane's whereabouts.
"Obviously, based on Ranma's account of last night's incident, Akane was kidnapped. By analyzing and
using the powder that I brushed off Ranma, I did some research. Akane was kidnapped by the servants of the ancient
kingdom of Kuwonja," Cologne paused to take a breath. "I had thought that the dynasty no longer existed, but
apparently they have returned. According to the ancient scrolls, Queen Suki, the ruler of the empire, had an enormous
amount of powers. She and her king possessed sovereignty over the universe and ruled with a kind heart. She died at a
young age giving birth to their son, who grew up to be power-obsessed and cold. Because the king feared that his on
would ultimately cause much suffering to the inhabitants in the universe, he locked away the dynasty's powers under a
prophesy. According to the prophesy, Queen Suki would return with her king and once again rule the universe.
Though the source of the queen's powers is unknown, if it is released, it may lead to the beginning of a dominated
universe," the old woman finished. A long silence occupied the room while everyone slowly soaked the information in.
Ranma interrupted the stillness.
"So what does that have to do with Akane?" he asked impatiently. Cologne turned to the young martial artist.
"I figured it would be you to ask that question," she chuckled as she pulled out an old scroll, a rusted yellow
color from age. "Look at this picture. It is an ancient portrait of the Queen Suki before her premature death," the elder
pointed out a portrait after she unraveled the scroll. The picture revealed an enchanting young woman admiring a
beautifully portrayed cherry blossom tree as coral pink petals snowed down around her. Ranma's heart stopped as he
recognized the young woman in the painting. Her alluring chocolate brown eyes and her sweet smile were the same he
loved and admired. Her long, raven-black hair took him back to a time before her hair was axed by Ryouga's razor-like
bandana. The painting was a snapshot of Akane with long hair. His face clearly printed his inner reaction.. Cologne
took notice. "Evidently, Akane is the chosen one," she announced
Again, quiet enveloped the room. Nabiki was the first to recover from shock. "So, what does that mean?" she
asked, her business-like thinly masking her real emotions. Detecting the concern from the normally cold young woman,
Cologne turned to the middle child of Soun. Unable to find the words to subtly comfort the girl, Cologne answered
truthfully.
"It means they will try to get her to tap into her own powers, the same fearsome powers the queen had. They
will marry her to the chosen king. Once united, the Kuwonja dynasty will be unstoppable."
"She ain't marryin nobody!" Ranma jumped up, fists clenched with anger. "We're going to find her and bring
her back here!" He began to breath fiercely with rage.
"Ranma, if they somehow overpower Akane, we'll have to face powerful forces. We'll need as much help as
possible. I'll help you. We can't have the universe ruled over by anyone," the old Amazon said reassuringly.
"Shampoo help too," Shampoo, who had been watching her former fiancé carefully, volunteered.
After listening from the outside, Mousse jumped at the opportunity. "I'll help save Akane as well," Mousse
spoke up. "After all, I must make sure my Shampoo is safe."
P-chan, who had scurried away minutes ago after hearing the news about Akane, reappeared. "I'll rescue
Akane. Don't worry about anything Mr. Tendo!" Ryouga insisted, showing his enthusiasm about rescuing his beloved.
Ranma smiled weakly in gratitude then climbed to his feet in new determination.
"Let's go then."
"Son, I'm counting on you to save my dear Akane!" wailed Soun as Genma and Kasumi tried to reassure
him. After no luck, the older Saotome turned to his son.
"My boy, make me proud. Go and save your fiance. The fate of the school depends on it!"
"Patience Ranma. I said we need all the help we can get and I meant it," Cologne repeated. Hearing the old
ghoul's words, Genma and Soun started to sneak away. Seeing the two tip-toe away, the Amazon shouted with disgust.
"Not you two, you idiots! Both of you would only get in the way!"Turning to Ranma, the old woman continued. "
Someone else will be joining us. Ranma, I hope you can forgive me, but we need anyone skilled enough to accompany
us." The pig-tailed boy stared at the elder slightly confused in the door frame.
"Uh..... Hi Ranch-....I mean, Ranma," Ukyo's voice peeped meekly as she came up beside
Ryouga.
"Ukyo?" Ranma blurted out as Ukyo turned her head down in embarrassment. Thoughts of Akane returned to
mind and he softened his tensed face. " You meant your apologies, right?" he asked with hope. The chef, head still
tilted downward, only nodded. " Then its settled. We need anyone willin' to help," he reassured her. "And don't worry
about facin' Akane. She forgave you a long time ago." Ranma's pained expression returned to his eyes at the mention
of his fiance's name as his voice lost its strength at the last words. After taking a deep breath, maintaining control over
his wildly running emotions, he faced the old woman. "Are we ready now, old ghoul?" he asked Cologne, halfheartedly
smirking.
"Let us go. I have a map of the ancient location of the dynasty's kingdom. For tradition's sake, the Kuwonja
empire should be located there."
Evening had set in as the sky began to blush pink. After hearing Ranma's retelling of the events of the night
before, the Saotomes and the Tendos sat patiently around the dining table in the living room as they expectantly waited
for an explanation from the old Amazon as to Akane's whereabouts.
"Obviously, based on Ranma's account of last night's incident, Akane was kidnapped. By analyzing and
using the powder that I brushed off Ranma, I did some research. Akane was kidnapped by the servants of the ancient
kingdom of Kuwonja," Cologne paused to take a breath. "I had thought that the dynasty no longer existed, but
apparently they have returned. According to the ancient scrolls, Queen Suki, the ruler of the empire, had an enormous
amount of powers. She and her king possessed sovereignty over the universe and ruled with a kind heart. She died at a
young age giving birth to their son, who grew up to be power-obsessed and cold. Because the king feared that his on
would ultimately cause much suffering to the inhabitants in the universe, he locked away the dynasty's powers under a
prophesy. According to the prophesy, Queen Suki would return with her king and once again rule the universe.
Though the source of the queen's powers is unknown, if it is released, it may lead to the beginning of a dominated
universe," the old woman finished. A long silence occupied the room while everyone slowly soaked the information in.
Ranma interrupted the stillness.
"So what does that have to do with Akane?" he asked impatiently. Cologne turned to the young martial artist.
"I figured it would be you to ask that question," she chuckled as she pulled out an old scroll, a rusted yellow
color from age. "Look at this picture. It is an ancient portrait of the Queen Suki before her premature death," the elder
pointed out a portrait after she unraveled the scroll. The picture revealed an enchanting young woman admiring a
beautifully portrayed cherry blossom tree as coral pink petals snowed down around her. Ranma's heart stopped as he
recognized the young woman in the painting. Her alluring chocolate brown eyes and her sweet smile were the same he
loved and admired. Her long, raven-black hair took him back to a time before her hair was axed by Ryouga's razor-like
bandana. The painting was a snapshot of Akane with long hair. His face clearly printed his inner reaction.. Cologne
took notice. "Evidently, Akane is the chosen one," she announced
Again, quiet enveloped the room. Nabiki was the first to recover from shock. "So, what does that mean?" she
asked, her business-like thinly masking her real emotions. Detecting the concern from the normally cold young woman,
Cologne turned to the middle child of Soun. Unable to find the words to subtly comfort the girl, Cologne answered
truthfully.
"It means they will try to get her to tap into her own powers, the same fearsome powers the queen had. They
will marry her to the chosen king. Once united, the Kuwonja dynasty will be unstoppable."
"She ain't marryin nobody!" Ranma jumped up, fists clenched with anger. "We're going to find her and bring
her back here!" He began to breath fiercely with rage.
"Ranma, if they somehow overpower Akane, we'll have to face powerful forces. We'll need as much help as
possible. I'll help you. We can't have the universe ruled over by anyone," the old Amazon said reassuringly.
"Shampoo help too," Shampoo, who had been watching her former fiancé carefully, volunteered.
After listening from the outside, Mousse jumped at the opportunity. "I'll help save Akane as well," Mousse
spoke up. "After all, I must make sure my Shampoo is safe."
P-chan, who had scurried away minutes ago after hearing the news about Akane, reappeared. "I'll rescue
Akane. Don't worry about anything Mr. Tendo!" Ryouga insisted, showing his enthusiasm about rescuing his beloved.
Ranma smiled weakly in gratitude then climbed to his feet in new determination.
"Let's go then."
"Son, I'm counting on you to save my dear Akane!" wailed Soun as Genma and Kasumi tried to reassure
him. After no luck, the older Saotome turned to his son.
"My boy, make me proud. Go and save your fiance. The fate of the school depends on it!"
"Patience Ranma. I said we need all the help we can get and I meant it," Cologne repeated. Hearing the old
ghoul's words, Genma and Soun started to sneak away. Seeing the two tip-toe away, the Amazon shouted with disgust.
"Not you two, you idiots! Both of you would only get in the way!"Turning to Ranma, the old woman continued. "
Someone else will be joining us. Ranma, I hope you can forgive me, but we need anyone skilled enough to accompany
us." The pig-tailed boy stared at the elder slightly confused in the door frame.
"Uh..... Hi Ranch-....I mean, Ranma," Ukyo's voice peeped meekly as she came up beside
Ryouga.
"Ukyo?" Ranma blurted out as Ukyo turned her head down in embarrassment. Thoughts of Akane returned to
mind and he softened his tensed face. " You meant your apologies, right?" he asked with hope. The chef, head still
tilted downward, only nodded. " Then its settled. We need anyone willin' to help," he reassured her. "And don't worry
about facin' Akane. She forgave you a long time ago." Ranma's pained expression returned to his eyes at the mention
of his fiance's name as his voice lost its strength at the last words. After taking a deep breath, maintaining control over
his wildly running emotions, he faced the old woman. "Are we ready now, old ghoul?" he asked Cologne, halfheartedly
smirking.
"Let us go. I have a map of the ancient location of the dynasty's kingdom. For tradition's sake, the Kuwonja
empire should be located there."