Part 5: Antidote
"Let me show you where you may sleep."
The old woman led them all to a small dark, unlit hallway. It was narrow. She stopped in front of a door. She opened it. "Here you are. For the lovely young couple." She motioned for Akane and Ryoga to step inside. Ryoga blushed and Akane did as well.
"No, no, no, we aren't together."
"For an old hag who knows a lot you don't know much," Ranma commented.
"I said I knew a lot, I didn't say I knew everything now did I?" the old woman argued. "I'm sorry. It was my mistake. I forgot that it was Ranma and Akane who were the couple."
"Now! You really don't know much," Ranma said.
"You can have the room Akane," Ryoga offered.
"Ryoga," the woman said. "Take the room. I will put both Ranma and Akane in the other room."
"Hell, no!" Ranma shouted. "Don't you have another room I can stay in?"
"There is one other beside mine."
"Well, then I'll take it."
"The pantry," she answered with a grin. "I'll show you the way."
"Forget it," Ranma replied.
"Have it your way then."
The woman showed Ranma and Akane were they'd be staying. Ranma had allowed Akane the bed while she slept on the floor. When Akane was about to speak, the old woman came in. She walked to Ranma and handed her the antidote. Two small bottles of it. "Drink half of this and give the other to Rahzar. He has to drink the other half. And when he does you must speak these words before day break, 'No longer two, but one as we once were'. And both of you must be together or the potion and the spell won't work. If he has not yet drunken it and day break has come, then you two shall stay as you are with no turning back."
"What's the second one for?" Ranma asked.
"That one is for Shampoo. You have to get Sasami to drink it all and it works on its own after that."
Suddenly the window shattered. Glass had exploded everywhere. Ranma's male form came jumping through the window with Shampoo and Tokka behind him. Ryoga came into the room after hearing the explosion of glass.
"I told you we'd meet again, Ranma," Rahzar said.
"Yeah, I guess so," Ranma replied.
After a long silence, Rahzar commanded, "Now!"
And soon Tokka and Sasami darted across the room. Sasami sent Ryoga flying with one kick while Tokka took a hold of Akane. Akane had been off guard, but when she realized what was going on, she fought back, but Sasami punched her giving herself and Toka some time to take Akane away.
"Akane!" Ranma shouted.
Rahzar stepped in front of Ranma. He blocked her view of Akane.
"Don't worry about her. She's in good hands."
"Good hands my ass!"
Ranma stepped forward. She sent her fist in Rahzar's face. And then she tackled Rahzar to the floor.
"Get off me!"
"Not before you drink this!"
Rahzar squirmed about as Ranma tried to force him to drink the potion. Ryoga ran to her and assisted in holding Rahzar down. Then Ranma forced the potion down Rahzar's throat. After that there seemed to be hesitation. Things seemed to go in slow motion just then. Ryoga let go after feeling a little tremor go through his body as he held Rahzar down. Both Ranma and Rahzar began to glow. Their eyes grew blank and the air seemed to grow colder. Their mouths opened slightly. A glow emanated from their eyes and mouths. And then their spirits floated out of their bodies and circled the air around them and then came floating down into their bodies again.
Ranma's female form shook her head and soon Ranma's other half did as well. The female Ranma stood up as she looked around. Then she looked down.
"Er! You'll pay, Ranma! I'll get you for this!"
She attempted to stand, but Ranma held her down. The female Ranma crashed into the floor. She quickly rolled around and kicked Ranma in the face. It had given her time to get up and run. Sasami and Tokka ran out after her with Akane in their arms. She tried to get free, but to no avail.
"I'm back!" the male Ranma said with glee as he stood.
"Why are you so happy?!" Ryoga yelled.
"Well, if you haven't noticed I got my - "
Ranma cut himself off. "Akane." He turned to the woman. "Thank you."
"Your job is only half finished, Ranma. You forgot to speak the words I told you. You must get Akane back. Rahzar will kill her if he . . . she wants to. She's just extra baggage to him."
And with that he fled with Ryoga behind.