(REPOSTED BECAUSE THE OLD ONE GOT KILLED BY THE NEW FORMATTING)
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic Trilogy:
"The True Meaning of Love"
By: s16thunderjet
Story 1
"The Search for Atlantis"
Chapter 9:
The Mountain of Fire
Part 1:
Into the Fiery Pit
"We're here." Artemis said calmly as they materialized in the forest. They started to let go of each other and got a feel of the place.
The sky was blue as the unending sea. The wind was blowing gently, seeming like voices singing lovely tunes. The trees were shading them from the harmful rays of the sun, making them enjoy and relax.
Nature itself was beckoning them.
Then they realized that this beauty taking place before their eyes is being caused by both Mousse and Shampoo, who were obviously in love with each other.
Three people, namely Ranma, Ukyo and Ryoga watched then intently, feeling a bit envious. Suddenly, the three of them sighed simultaneously. They looked at each other and started to blush. Ranma snorted and turned to leave.
"At least you two have each other." he said over his shoulder and approached Artemis. That made Ukyo and Ryoga blush even more.
"Hey Artemis! Wait up!" cried Ranma as he tried to catch up with her.
Artemis, on the other hand, was trying to enjoy herself with the peace that was reigning for the time being. She turned at the sound of someone calling her and paused.
"What would you like to know, Ranma?" she asked as he reached her.
"I just wanted to know if it's true... about that... regeneration thing." he said, apparently not so sure of what he would call it.
"Yes, it's true." she answered. Ranma raised an eyebrow in confusion. Artemis sat down on a boulder, beckoning Ranma to sit beside her.
"We beings of Atlantis are not like you humans. When you humans die, you simply die. May it be an accident or it's your time." she said, looking at Ranma. He, for the moment, was staring into the forest, trying to comprehend what she had just said.
"So..." he said after a while.
"When we die, we don't die easily. If it is not yet our time, we regenerate." she said, earning her another confused face from Ranma.
"Our bodies die but our souls float in subspace, going back to Atlantis to regenerate." she continued, causing Ranma to wrinkle his forehead in thought.
"You mean that you guys can die over and over again." he said, although sounding like a question.
"You could say that." she simply answered.
"Oh." whispered Ranma in amazement. Artemis looked at him, puzzled by his facial expression. He looked so confused and vulnerable, though he would never admit it.
"OK. Thanks." he said and ran back the other way, running to the direction of the others.
Ranma passed by Mousse and Shampoo who were under a tree, happily resting together. He again thought of Akane and when they will be together again. Running sadly, he continued on.
Mousse laughed as his head now lay on Shampoo's lap. They look so happy together, now that they've reached an understanding.
It took Shampoo long enough to realize that Mousse really does love her, she thinking it was only an infatuation. She had to admit that she really liked him the first time they met.
Mousse was very strong and brave even as a kid, always protecting Shampoo and driving away her other suitors. Shampoo kinda liked what he was doing.
It was really nice of him to do that, but that also made Shampoo look weak and inferior in front of the whole tribe. This went on for weeks until she couldn't take it anymore.
She told her great grandmother Cologne who quickly responded by telling Mousse to issue a challenge to Shampoo. If he defeats her, they would wed.
And that was what Shampoo wanted, to have a strong and brave man as her husband. But as they faced each other in battle, Mousse did not fight to the best of his abilities.
He held, back, worrying that he might hurt Shampoo if he fought with everything he's got. Shampoo had defeated him, restoring the respect and honor she thought she had lost.
Along with this restoration was the loss of a loved one. The way Mousse treated her changed forever.
From a strong and brave warrior, he turned into a pathetic person. Doing only what Shampoo tells him or what Shampoo wanted. Professing his love to her every chance he gets.
The tribe envied Shampoo for having a 'slave' like him, but she hated every single moment of it. Shampoo hated Mousse for being that way.
She wanted him for a friend, even a husband, not a slave willing to do her every bid. She had lost what she wanted the most. What she loved the most.
Ranma's entrance into her life gave her hope. Hope at a new life and new love. Having become Ranma's fiancé was like a wish come true. She thought she had left her past behind.
She thought that her forgotten love would never be remembered ever again. But she thought wrong. Mousse had followed her to Japan, and again, professed his love.
He even started attacking anyone who would be in his way. That made Shampoo hate him even more.
Not having the courage to defeat her in combat and slave away for her is one thing, but coming back into her life and attacking the one she thought was the man of her dreams was too much.
She had to take drastic measures again, like what she did before. Treat Mousse like what he wanted to be, a slave. Yes, she had been rude to him since that day, but she hated it.
She hated what she was doing to Mousse but thought that it was the right thing to do, the only thing she could do.
So it began, what Mousse could call courtship to Shampoo. Everyday beating and screaming became a part of Mousse's life.
Not a day passed without getting implanted to the wall; or getting splashed, turning into a duck. Yes, getting mauled by Shampoo became an everyday routine.
Until he realized he can't stay like this forever. That things can't be like this forever. So he stopped being the 'stupid Mousse' Shampoo came to know.
He started to become the Mousse she once knew, the Mousse she once loved. The Mousse that she lost all those years ago. And the same Mousse she's loved all this time.
The smart, brave, and loving Mousse hidden behind the mask. The mask of slavery and inferiority. The mask that blinded him all this time.
Since that day, both had changed gradually. They've become closer than ever before, which both really like. From simple acquaintance, they've become friends, really good friends.
And now...
"Do you think we'll ever get back to China?" asked Mousse as he lay on Shampoo's lap.
"I don't know. Not anytime soon, I hope." she replied, sounding a bit sad. Mousse looked up at her, noticing the melancholy tone of her voice.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"Because I'm scared. You know how harsh the council can be." she said. Mousse slowly rose from his position and sat beside her. Mousse's arms went around her as she lay her head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to lose you again." she said, already close to tears.
"Don't worry. Nothing will ever come between us ever again." he said, kissing her on the forehead, trying to give her support and love. But he knows it's not going to be easy, cause it never was.
"Sorry to disturb you guys, but, have you seen Ryoga?" Ukyo asked as she walked up to them, carrying a small bird in her arms. The small pink bird had a bandage wrapped on one wing, apparently not able to fly.
"What you have?" asked Shampoo.
"Oh, this. I found it lying near the camp." she said.
"Oh, Ryoga hasn't been..." Mousse drifted as they heard a cry from the background.
"Where on earth am I now!" cried Ryoga. From out of the bushes came an exhausted and bewildered Ryoga who had twigs and leaves sticking out from his hair.
"Hey you two, lunch is ready." called Ryoga. Shampoo couldn't help but giggle at the sight, and so did Mousse.
"We already know that." said Mousse.
"Huh?" said Ryoga, scratching his head. He then turned a bit to see Ukyo standing behind them. Ukyo wanted to giggle but kept her rigid posture.
"What happened to you and where have you been?" she asked, trying to sound as irritated as she could.
"I guess I took a wrong turn somewhere." he admitted, blushing with embarrassment. She wanted to stay with that expression, but she knew she couldn't stay mad at him forever.
"Never mind, c'mon." she just said and turned to leave. Ryoga took one last look at Mousse and Shampoo before running after her. This time, he didn't get lost.
"What are you two waiting for?" he asked.
"OK, OK, we're coming." said Mousse and stood. He brushed dust off his clothes and then reached down to help Shampoo up.
The sun shone brightly as Akane reached the top of the hill. The tall, yellow green grass which once covered her line of sight now only reached her waist.
She raised her arms and spun around happily as the wind blew gently at her. She smiled as she looked down at the fields and rivers she could see.
"Ranma." she called, turning around as she did. She could see Ranma struggling to go up the hill, crawling slowly.
"C'mon." she said, reaching out to pull him.
"Thanks." he said as he stood beside her.
"Wow! What a view!" he commented at the sight.
He looked at his watch and gasped as he saw the time. It was 11:55, only five minutes left. He took a deep breath and swallowed hard. He glanced at Akane who was still swirling around, feeling the wind.
She looked so cute and childlike, yet beautiful and exquisite at the same time. He had to do it before it was too late.
*This is it.* he thought nervously.
He then took a step towards her, moving one feet heavily in front of the other. He stopped behind her, nervous with every move he made. Akane slowly stopped from turning, noticing his rigid form behind her.
"What is it?" she asked. He raised his right hand and caressed her cheek.
"Wha..." said Akane as his other hand made its way to her left shoulder.
"Akane." he said softly, smiling handsomely down at her.
"What are you doing, you pervert." she said, batting his hands away. Akane expected a wise crack response from him but nothing came. He just continued looking at her.
"I just want to tell you something before I go." he said calmly, the smile not leaving his face.
"Before you go? What do you mean?" she asked, curiously.
11:58.
"I want to apologize for everything that I've done." he started, taking a step forward. Akane took a step backward, waiting for him to continue.
"I want things to be alright before I leave." he continued, not answering her question.
"Wait! Where are you going? Why?" she asked again, this time taking a step forward.
11:59.
"I hope you'll finally be happy once I'm gone." he said, looking down at his watch.
Only thirty seconds left.
"I have to go." he said and slowly turned away. He walked away from her and into the tall yellow - green grass.
"Ranma, wait!" cried Akane and ran after him. He turned again and smiled the sweetest smile he could.
Fifteen seconds left.
"I love you." he spoke and slowly vanished form his sight.
"Wait! Don't leave me!" she cried, calling him, beckoning him to come back. She saw him turn and say the three beautiful words that she's waited so long to hear. Suddenly, he dissipated into nothing.
"Ranma! Ranma!" she screamed. She dropped to her knees, crying as she did.
Akane slowly opened her eyes, tears flowing continuously as she did. Thoughts floated through her mind as she stared at the wall.
*Again, I had that dream again. The same dream I've been having since Ranma died. But it doesn't matter anymore. Ranma is dead, and I'm sure to follow. I've lost the man I love without even telling him that I love him, too.* she thought again and again.
Akane had been torturing herself since that time. Finding out that Ranma was dead was the worst thing that she ever heard of. Since that day, she hasn't been eating or doing anything, not even sleeping.
When she does sleep, she always has that dream. An endlessly reoccurring dream that keeps on reminding her of how she acted before, how she treated Ranma.
Even unto his last breath, she treated him like dirt, like trash. She even called him a pervert, when he definitely wasn't acting like one.
But instead of reacting violently to her insult, Ranma managed to say the three words, three words that meant so much to her. But she felt even worse after that.
She loves Ranma, only now she would never have the chance to tell him.
Never.
Akane suddenly noticed a body leaning against her bed. Someone was with her. Apparently, this someone was sleeping. She blinked and focused her vision to see Atlas, whose face was almost as pale as hers.
From her stupor, she slowly crawled until she was beside him. He looked so pale and lifeless, almost matching her. She shook him a few times, trying to see if he would wake.
But he didn't. She shook him again and gasped as he slowly slid from the bed and fell to the floor. She leaned over him and shook him again, desperately trying to wake him up.
"Atlas, wake up." were the first words she'd said since going into her one - word 'Ranma' phase. She finally touched a part of his skin and felt the coldness.
"No!" she cried, her cheeks starting to bear color once more, life slowly flowing back into her.
"Merian! Help!" she screamed, then turned immediately back to Atlas.
"Wake up, damn you!" she said in frustration.
"I already lost Ranma, there's no way I'm gonna lose you." she said and pinched his nose.
Pressing her lips against his, she breathe air into him. She rose a bit and pressed her hands onto his chest, initiating CPR. She continued until he heaved air into his lungs.
She smiled as he started to breath again, but collapsed as the tension and stress finally got to her, not to mention almost three day without food and sleep.
Just then, Merian arrived with some helpers, and instantly put Akane and Atlas on separate stretchers, carrying them towards the infirmary.
Herion slammed his hands onto the table in rage. They came so close to defeating them, now they were back to zero.
"Idiots! All of you!" he screamed. His newly regenerated men bowed in fear.
"Lord..." one started.
"What is it?" he asked, irritated.
"They're heading back to Japan." he reported. He sat in his chair, puffing and huffing.
"Go. Find them. Finish them." he commanded. His ten warriors bowed in submission and teleported out of the chamber. Just as they left, Astevaes came into the room.
"Lord." hailed Herion and his men.
"I see you've made quite a mess again, Herion." regarded Astevaes, sitting on Herion's chair.
"Forgive me, my men are going to finish it this time." he said.
"They'd better." he paused looking Herion straight in the eyes. In an instant, Astevaes's hand was gripping Herion's neck.
"Or I'll have your head." he said and with another stare that could scare the devil itself, he let him go, Herion almost suffocating to death.
He and his men continued to bow as Astevaes left the room, slamming the door behind him. Herion stood, his hand reaching to massage his neck.
*When the time comes, I'll be the one to break your neck.* he thought and sat again.
Ranma awoke in cold sweat. He had that dream again. The dream where he tells Akane that he loves her and then he vanishes, or dies.
Apparently, he's the only one having that dream.
None of the others seemed to talk about it and he concluded that was his own dream, or maybe a nightmare. He sat up on the branch of the tree he was sleeping on and looked down at his eating friends.
*It must be lunch.* he thought. He hopped effortlessly down to the ground.
"So you're finally awake." said Ryoga.
"How long was I out?" he asked.
"For about an hour." answered Ukyo.
*I was out for that long?* he asked himself. Before he could answer his own question, he noticed something moving in Ukyo's arms.
"What is that?" he asked, curious.
"Oh, this is my friend Hinotori. Hinotori, say hi to Ranchan." she told the bird.
Ranma looked at his Ucchan in confusion. Suddenly, to his utter surprise, the bird waved the unbandaged wing at him. It took Ranma a few moments to digest what had just happened.
"Did they just talk to each other?" he asked anyone who could answer.
"The bird seems to understand her and vice versa." answered Mousse, who was sitting beside Ranma. Ranma just shrugged as he ate his lunch. Artemis then came to them after a long walk in the forest.
"We'll be leaving in an hour." she announced and sat to take her lunch as well.
"OK." said the others as they happily ate their lunches.
After about an hour, they slowly started their journey to find the fourth power, the power of fire. Artemis and Ukyo, along with Hinotori, have been leading most of the way.
The others were either busy sight - seeing or dreaming of their love life. This had been the main picture as they passed through bushes, crossed rivers and streams, and walked along the forest path.
For the third time during the trip, they had to pause for a break because of Hinotori. Since they left camp, she has not been feeling well, constantly groaning and moaning.
The others asked that Hinotori be left behind, but Ukyo insisted on taking her with them, not wanting Hinotori to be all alone. From Numazu, they traveled on foot until they reached the base of Mt. Fuji.
Just as they were about to continue on their trip, Hinotori ailed again. Artemis then decided that they spend the night there, for it was almost 6:00 P. M..
They all agreed on it, having a lake nearby would be a nice place for a bath. Besides, there were no houses or any sign of civilization from where they were, so staying there for the night wouldn't be a problem.
Ranma was the first to jump into the water, instantly turning into Ranma - chan. Mousse and Ryoga followed, Mousse turning into a duck while Ryoga into P - Chan.
Neither would mind turning into their cursed forms for this was the first time they took a bath ( since the journey ) without people screaming about humans changing into a pig or a duck. This, was relaxation.
After the three had their bath, Ukyo and Shampoo were next. Ukyo entrusted Hinotori to Ryoga while she took a bath, and instructed him to take good care of the bird, or else, face the wrath of Ukyo Kuonji.
Ryoga nodded and took Hinotori from Ukyo, allowing her to lay in his big hands. Artemis watched them closely, amused. When they first agreed on this journey, they almost couldn't stand the sight of the other.
But now, it seems as if they're the best of friends. Actually, they've gradually become the best of friends, and Artemis had to admit some envy.
She never had any friends before, except for the old hermit that raised her. She would miss their company once everything is settled, their constant bickering and laughing, insults being hurled back and forth, along with tears of joy.
She would miss this when all is done, but for now...
Ukyo wakes from an uneasy sleep around one in the morning. After a lot of tossing and turning, she finally sits up. She looks around the tent, seeing Artemis and Ranma sleeping on the other side.
She notices that Ryoga's futon was vacant, only a pillow in its place. Kissing Hinotori on the forehead, she lay the bird on her pillow and slowly stood.
She pulls her blanket around her and catfoots out of the tent. She stands outside of the entrance for a second, looking around the camp. She sees the fire still burning, wondering why it was still there.
She sees a shadow forming in the other tent, suggesting two cuddling shapes. She smiles to herself as she realizes it was Mousse and Shampoo.
She was about to go in and attempt to sleep again when she noticed Ryoga by the fire. He sat quietly by the fire, a blanket loosely draped around his shoulders.
He admired the stars above, as they twinkled and shined in the vast darkness of space. Ukyo walks towards him, shivering violently as she sat.
"Hi." greeted Ryoga as he moved to give her enough space.
"Can't sleep?" he asked.
"Uh huh." she said, sighing as she did. Ryoga looked worried for a second. For the first time, he noticed the distress and worry on Ukyo's face.
"Are you OK, Ukyo?" He asks, concern playing across his features.
"Yeah, just cold, I guess." she answers, pouring herself a cup of tea. She offered some to Ryoga, who quickly took it.
"How about you?" she asked.
"I just wanted to look at the stars, they're so beautiful." he said with amusement.
"What's that?" she asked, eyeing a piece of paper in his lap. Ryoga looked down at the paper and showed it to her.
"It's a poem I wrote." he said. Ukyo took the paper and smiled at him.
"I never thought you were interested in poems." she said.
"It's actually one of my favorite past times, besides martial arts of course." he admitted. She holds the paper against the light and reads the poem.
NEW HOPE, NEW LOVE
Endless weeping, sleepless nights
All because of a constant blight
It's like a curse, that has no end
It's like a broken heart that will never mend
I've given up, time and again
Letting her go, was the right thing then
I think I made the right decision
Her happiness should be given consideration
There were sometimes, I'd breakdown and cry
Emotional times, when I wish I'd just die
I keep thinking of the future, trying to forget the past
Still it hits me, like some big blast
Then when I met you, I thought I had hope
Hope for some happiness, when all I could do is mope
You gave me strength, you gave me life
To cope with my unending strife
My empty heart's now filled with joy
Now around you, I'm uneasy, I'm coy
At first I thought, it was just admiration
But now I know, you're my inspiration
She takes her eyes off the paper and eyes him carefully, noting the sudden embarrassment and despair in his face.
"Did you write this?" she asked. He nodded nervously.
"Was it bad?" he asked.
"Bad? It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. Ryoga gave a sigh of relief as she said this.
"Since when did you start to write?" she asked curiously.
"Just before I came to Nerima. I met this lady who expressed her feelings through her poems. So I thought I'd try it myself." he answered. Beside him was a folder, filled with all the poems he wrote over the past year.
"I actually enjoyed it, writing became my hobby." he continued, noticing Ukyo's amazement as he talked.
"There was one time a monk accidentally read my poems. He said he loved them and bought them, 500 yen each." he added. Ukyo quickly counted the pieces of paper in the folder.
"He bought all?" she asked.
"Yup. I made more copies of the older poems. But some of the poems there are recent..." he paused as she nodded.
"...especially the one you just read." he finished. She looks at the poem again, and shivered as the cold breeze blew.
Ryoga takes one side of his blanket and holds it open, offering to share his body heat, a tentative look on his face.
Ukyo blushes, then shrugs off her blanket, drapes it over Ryoga's and sits in close to him, shoulder to shoulder, each holding one side of the blankets, keeping them held closed between them.
They sit in silence for a few minutes, Ukyo's shivers finally subsiding. She turns her head slightly as she sips her tea, studying Ryoga's profile in the flickering light.
*You know, he really is handsome. And so lonely, just like me.* she thought.
Finishing her tea, she puts the cup down, a hundred different possibilities running through her mind. Well, there's only one way to find out, she thought.
Moving a little, she snuggled close to him, he moving his arm out of the way and encircling her back, making room for her.
She moves her arm and encircles his waist as she angles her head so that her cheek is resting against his shoulder. He becomes very still, and she can hear his heartbeat speed up slightly beneath her ear.
*Well, that's a good sign.* she thought finally.
"Ryoga..." she started, taking a deep breath. Ryoga tilts his head towards her.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Do you love Akane?" she asked. She needed to know his answer.
"Do you love Ranma?" countered Ryoga. They look at each other and then giggle.
"I was just wondering..." she said then turned to look at the camp fire.
"About what?" asked Ryoga.
"If there will ever come a time that you'll love someone else." she said. Ryoga sighed beside her.
"If you asked me that before, I would have answered never." he started. Ukyo turned her head and looked at Ryoga, waiting for him to continue.
"But now... now that I know Ranma loves Akane... and that Akane loves Ranma... I think it is possible." he finished. She smiled to herself secretly at the revelation he just made.
"How about you?" he asked suddenly. Ukyo, though surprised with his question, answered.
"I never really believed that they loved each other, even though it was so obvious." she started. This time, it was Ryoga's turn to look at her, waiting for her to continue.
"I guess I've finally convinced myself that they do love each other." she finished.
"You're saying..." he drifted, she continuing his sentence.
"...it is possible." she said. Ryoga smiled to himself secretly, not knowing Ukyo did the same thing just a moment ago.
"I think I'm scared about tomorrow." She confesses quietly, her face troubled.
"Why?" he asked, curious.
"Because everytime one of us gets his or her power, someone always ends up being hurt." she said.
"Don't worry Ukyo, you can do it. I believe in you, we all believe in you." he said in the most comforting tone he can manage.
*Thank you Ryoga, that was all I needed to know.* she thought to herself and leaned her head on his shoulder, eventually falling asleep.
Noticing her sleeping form, Ryoga carefully stood up and gently carried Ukyo into her tent, walking slowly and quietly so as not to wake the Hinotori, Artemis and Ranma.
He laid her on her futon and pulled the sheets to her chest. He kissed her on the forehead and smiled.
"Good night, Ukyo." he whispered and walked out of the tent.
About fifty meters from their camp, ten Atlantis warriors watched in anticipation.
"C'mon, let's attack." one said.
"No." said their group leader.
"We've always used the direct approach. This time, we'll do it one at a time." he said.
"Alright, he's alone." said one of the watchers.
"Analysis?" asked the leader.
"Hmm... Jusenkyo curse... turns into a pig, ki - blasts, power of the earth, very, very strong." the one with the small computer said.
"The others?" asked the leader.
"One more in the tent, changes into a girl. Two more in the other... a duck and a cat." he finished.
"OK. You, bring two pails of water. You, bring three sacks." he instructed.
Three of them approached Mousse and Shampoo's tent, while the other two, made their way to Ryoga. He, for that matter, was clueless. For some reason his guard was down, not expecting anything or anyone.
Ryoga got a pail of water from the lake and slowly walked over to the fire. He raised the pail and poured the water carefully, so as not to change himself into P - Chan.
Extinguishing the fire, he slowly walked back to the tent. Just as he was about to go in, there was a splash of water and a squeal.
"Gotcha." whispered the group leader. He took one of P - Chan's bandanna.
"Bwee..." P - Chan's squeals was cut - off as they put him in a sack.
There was another splash, along with a 'quack' and a 'meow'. The three of them came out of the tent, Mousse - duck and Shampoo - cat in tow.
He got a dagger and, along with the bandanna and a note, stabbed the dagger into the tree. Grinning, he left with his men, taking with them three helpless Jusenkyo cursed people.
Ranma was awoken by a frantic Ukyo.
"What? What is it?" he asked, still a bit sleepy.
"Ryoga, Shampoo and Mousse are gone." she said.
"What!" he cried, sitting upright on his futon, now fully awake.
"Where's Artemis?" he asked as he started to change, putting on a shirt.
"She and Hinotori went looking for them." said Ukyo, still a worried look on her face. After a couple of minutes, Ukyo and Ranma were out of the tent, also searching for them.
"Shampoo! Mousse! Ryoga! Where are you?" he bellowed. They've been searching for a while now, looking through bushes, forests and all, but still no trace.
"Damn!" he said again.
"Ranchan!" Ukyo suddenly cried. Ranma ran to the source of the voice.
"Ranchan, I found this." she said, showing him the note along with the dagger and bandanna. He read the note, anger rising in him.
If you ever want to see your animal friends again,
surrender Artemis and yourselves to us. Don't
bother to look for us, we'll find you anyway.
Artemis and Hinotori came just as Ranma crumpled the note.
"They got them." he told her.
"How?" asked Artemis, handing Hinotori to Ukyo.
"Jusenkyo curse." muttered Ranma. There was silence for a moment as each thought of what to do.
"Come on, pack up all of your things. We have to find the fourth power." said Artemis. Ukyo looked in surprise.
"How about the others?" she asked. Artemis turned to her and spoke.
"We need to find the power first, then we can save them." she answered.
Ukyo was burning with ire. She could not believe that Artemis would value the power over her friends. She was about to answer back when Ranma spoke.
"She has a point. Without any of the powers, we don't stand a chance." he said.
Ukyo just held what she was going to say. Now she knows why Artemis had said what she said. Ukyo nodded and along with Ranma and Hinotori, ran back to camp.
With an unbelievable speed, all of the things were fixed in less than five minutes. Artemis concentrated and with a wave of her hand, all of the things vanished and a ball of light replaced them.
"Bwee!" squealed P - Chan as one of the men almost stepped on him.
"Shut up! Pig!" cried the group leader.
"You three are nothing in your cursed forms." he said emphasizing the word 'nothing'. Quacks, meows and bwees followed that, the three definitely pissed at what he had just said.
"Quiet!" he screamed.
"Why not just kill them?" asked one of his men.
"We will, when the time comes." he answered. Two of his men suddenly appeared from the bushes one of them reported, while the other showed him a map.
"Where are they?" he asked.
"About fifteen degrees west of Mt. Fuji." answered one.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"We're about five degrees southwest of Mt. Fuji." said the other.
"Good. Take those animals and bring them with us. We'll intercept them." he ordered.
"Yes." answered his men and started putting P- Chan and the others into a sack, and their clothes into another.
Ukyo stopped again to check on Hinotori. For some reason, the bird easily gets tired after flying for just a while.
Ranma and Artemis stopped along with her, Ranma slowly getting irritated by their constant stopping because of the bird.
"Ucchan, I really think that we should leave that bird behind. He's just holding us back." said Ranma.
"I'm not gonna leave him." Ukyo snapped at him.
"Do you even know what you're saying?" Ranma snapped back.
"Hey you two, this is not the time to argue." interrupted Artemis. Ranma and Ukyo bowed in defeat. Ranma slowly approached Ukyo and reached a hand to her shoulder.
"Sorry." he said. Ukyo looked up at him and smiled.
"I'm sorry, too." she said.
"I'm just worried about the others." Ranma admitted.
"Me, too. But I just can't leave her." she said. Artemis came into the picture, wearing a nonchalant expression.
"We're already near the base of the volcano. Can you feel the power anywhere?" she asked. Ukyo closed her eyes. She could feel the power.
It was close, very, very close. She just can't put a finger on it.
"Where is it, Ucchan?" asked Ranma.
"It's very near." answered Ukyo before she gasped in pain.
A dagger brushed past her, wounding her right arm, just missing Hinotori. Ranma and Artemis turned to where it came from, and saw three Atlantis warriors flying towards.
"Snipers! Get down!" cried Artemis.
Ukyo ducked behind a bush, cradling her injured arm. She dropped Hinotori on the ground for a moment, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.
She saw the three hover past her, and then turn to attack once more. Ranma came flying from out of nowhere with a huge log threw it at the men, disabling them for the moment.
He landed beside her and took a look at the wound. Somewhere in his pocket, he found one of Ryoga's bandannas.
"Here." he said and started wrapping the wounded arm with it.
"We have to get you to a safe place." he said worriedly.
"Don't worry about me, save yourself." she said.
"I ain't gonna leave you." he spoke and stood to look for a safe place for Ukyo. Just as he stood, three new Atlantis warriors came flying into him, throwing him into a huge tree.
"Ranchan!" she cried and tried to stand.
Succeeding, she grabbed her battle spatula with her left hand and tried to swing. Somehow, her left arm wasn't quite as strong as her right, and she quickly dropped the spatula in pain.
"Nice try girlie." taunted one of the men. She tried to throw shurikens at him, but her left hand wasn't up to it.
The blood flow on her right arm was increasing at a very fast rate. The blood loss getting to her, Ukyo suddenly collapsed to the ground, like a helpless little child.
The man, along with his other two companions slowly advanced on Ukyo, wearing wicked and malicious grins on their faces. Hinotori looked at his fallen friend and had the determination to protect Ukyo.
But he was too small to help Ukyo.
"Hinotori, please, get away." whispered Ukyo. The bird, who seemed to understand her, shook his head and turned to the approaching men.
"Please Hinotori, save yourself." said Ukyo. But the bird ignored her and faced the three men bravely.
"You're brave, for a bird." said one of the men and kicked Hinotori out of the way.
"No!" cried Ukyo as she saw the little bird's body hit the ground.
"You arrogant bastard!" she said, suddenly finding the strength to stand.
She threw a couple of shurikens at them, but missing them completely. She received a slap and a kick in the gut, before she collapsed to the floor once more.
"Ucchan!" cried Ranma, who was momentarily out of it. He tried to run for her, but was faced with three other Atlantis warriors.
"Get out of my way!" he roared and rushed into a series of punches and kicks, in a speed that would've made 'The Flash' look like an age - old turtle.
The three men fell one by one as Ranma paused to breathe. He was about to help Ukyo when three other warriors came flying towards him.
"Don't you guys ever quit?" he asked.
Without warning, he met the three in the air, hoping to catch them off guard, but failing miserably as he encountered six daggers that ripped through his shirt and his skin as well.
Ranma dropped to the ground like a crushed fly, spluttering blood everywhere.
About fifty meters away from the fight scene, bwees, quacks and meow could be heard. Raising the sack to his face, he growled angrily.
"Shut up or I'll disregard what our leader said and kill you right now." he said. The three animals fell silent, not knowing what else to do.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, came a dagger that slit past the man's throat, rendering him unconscious if not dead. The three sighed as they got out of the sack, and looked up to see Artemis with a kettle.
Separating Shampoo from them, Artemis doused her with hot water first, then threw the remaining to Ryoga and Mousse. After a minute, the three were immediately dressed in their clothes, ready for battle.
"Hurry! We have to help them." cried Ryoga.
Ukyo's vision started to blur. She saw Ranma drop to the ground, blood covering most parts of his body. She could hear the men's laughter even louder as they approached.
Though Ukyo was scared like hell, she could still hear a voice, a very faint voice telling her never to give up. Telling her that she can survive this battle, telling her that she wasn't alone.
"Don't worry, we won't kill you... yet." she heard someone say.
"We'll... play for a while, then kill you." said another.
She felt someone pull her up, a hand passing her waist as it tried to pull off what she was wearing. Ukyo tried to fight back, but couldn't even bring herself to stand properly.
Helpless as it may seem, Ukyo still had hope. She could still hear a certain voice willing her to go on. She recognized the voice and suddenly realized it was Honitori's voice.
The voice she always thought she could hear when she was talking to the bird. She tried to open her eyes to see if the bird was near, but her systems were already malfunctioning, not even permitting her to open an eye.
Just before her shirt got ripped apart, she heard Hinotori's voice again, louder and deeper this time, as if the bird grew and matured in a short span of time.
"Do not worry Ukyo, I am here." said someone.
For some unknown reason, Ukyo managed to open her eyes and saw a ball of flame coming towards her. She squinted to focus her vision and realized it was the phoenix bird.
It looked so majestic and beautiful as it glided through the trees, blazing and flaming as it always did. The fire bird, flew past the three warriors, making them back away as it hovered over Ukyo.
It spread its wings and shone a blinding light. Just as the phoenix disappeared, Ukyo felt heat deep inside her. Heat that fueled her to stand up and fight back.
Heat that gave her back the will to live, the will to fight and survive. She realized that her once wounded arm was now back to normal and she had found renewed strength deep within her.
Though Ukyo was blazing with power, the three Atlantis warriors still attacked her. With a wave of her hand, Ukyo burned them effortlessly.
The six other warriors who mercilessly attacked Ranma, turned to her and started attacking. Ukyo's eyes burned with fury as she realized that these were the men who tried to do away with her Ranchan, these six arrogant bastards.
She raised her hand as they approached, and threw a tornado of fire, the six men sucked into it as the flames swallowed them whole.
Ukyo collapsed as she finished with them, life and ki almost totally drained. Ryoga saw Ukyo fall, and screamed like there was no tomorrow.
"Ukyo!" he cried and he came towards her fallen form, Mousse, Shampoo and Artemis close behind him. He ran to her side, gently lifting her limp body from the ground and holding her in his arms.
Artemis checked on Ukyo, while Mousse and Shampoo checked on the unconscious and bloody Ranma. Shampoo immediately used her powers to at least stop the blood from rushing out of Ranma's body.
Mousse assisted her, pushing Ranma's pressure points to make sure his ki flowed freely and continuously as Shampoo tried to heal him. Ranma instantly fell back into consciousness, air now moving in and out of his lungs with easily.
"Ucchan..." he whispered, opening one eye as he saw a bright light cover Ukyo, before he collapsed back into unconsciousness.
Mousse and Shampoo also noticed the bright light and turned to where Ukyo, Ryoga and Artemis were.
"Ukyo..." Hinotori started.
"Is that you, Hinotori?" she asked, barely having the voice to say the words.
"Yes, it is me. My true name is Ferrion, the spirit of fire. I am grateful for all of the care and love you've showed me in my mortal form." he continued, kneeling down to touch her forehead.
"Sad as it may be, I must leave you now. Fulfill your dreams Ukyo, and keep the spirit of fire burning in your heart. Always remember that you are not alone..." he paused and placed his hand on Ryoga's shoulder who looked at him in confusion. Ferrion just smiled and tapped him on the shoulder. "... you'll never be alone Ukyo." he finished and smiled at them as he vanished, replaced by a very bright light.
"Will she be alright?" asked Ryoga as he cradled an unconscious Ukyo in his arms.
"She will be fine. We have to go back to camp." she said and slowly stood. She turned to the others and called them as well.
"How is Ranma?" she asked. Mousse stood with a shaky Shampoo, who used a bit too much of her powers again.
"He will be alright." said Mousse. He created a small whirlpool of air and directed it to Ranma.
The whirlpool lifted Ranma from the ground, Mousse controlling it, carrying Ranma back to camp with them as he held a still shaky Shampoo in his arms.
With Ukyo now safe in Ryoga's arms, Artemis was the only one left. She looked at the burned remains of the warriors and also remembered the one whose throat she slit.
She wondered if they would regenerate again. She shook her head slightly and made a silent prayer for the dead Atlantis warriors. Something told her that they would not regenerate.
Maybe it was because of the obvious reasons. Or maybe because it was already their time. Whether it was their time or not, Artemis really didn't care.
They've already got four of the powers, only two more to go. There, a problem would arise. She needed to come up with an explanation as to how they will be able to get one of the powers without Akane.
She shook her head in tension. By tonight, they would have the dream about the power of water. Also, Ranma's spirit would be having a special appearance in Akane's subconscious.
*I hope that his spirit can save her life in time.* she prayed to whoever was listening.
With Ranma not knowing Akane's situation, Artemis would have to rely on Ranma's love for Akane to save her from impending death. That part of the plan would be totally experimental, considering the power of Ranma's soul and his love for Akane.
*Akane's life is in his hands, now more than ever.* she thought and followed her friends back to the camp, hoping against hope that her trust in Ranma would prove to be well founded.
The door slammed open and Herion looked in fear. They've lost ten of their finest men and still haven't caught Artemis. Now that made Astevaes very, very mad. His guess was right.
Astevaes walked in, furious and raging with ire, his face promising a good amount of violence and vehemence. He bowed at his feet just before Astevaes managed to speak.
"My lord, forgive me. Please give me one last chance." he pleaded.
Astevaes, who was in the mood to snap someone's neck, stared at the fear stricken Herion and snorted.
"One last chance you futile scoundrel. One last chance." he said and turned to leave. Before he closed the door, he turned back to Herion once more, who was still bowed.
"You fail again, you die for good." he said and slammed the door once more.
Herion stood from total embarrassment and sat once more on his chair. He thought again of his plan, and was only waiting for the right time to put it into action.
*Just wait Astevaes, you're the one who'll die for good.* he thought. His wild and evil laughter echoed once more through the room and the hallway leading to it.
Part 2:
Missing You
Artemis made it back to camp in time to see Ranma being lifted into the tent. Ukyo was already inside and being tended to by Ryoga and Shampoo, while Mousse stood outside as a guard to any uninvited guests.
She looked down at Ukyo and sighed in relief. The okonomiyaki cook would be fine in a couple of days. But with the help of Shampoo, she could be healed in no less than a day.
As she moved on to Ranma, she bumped into Ryoga, who held tightly onto Ukyo's hand. He had a wildly concerned look on his face. She smiled at him and squeezed his shoulder.
"She'll be fine." she said.
"I hope so." said Ryoga.
"Get some rest OK? You need it, too." she said. Ryoga nodded, as he looked at Shampoo start to heal Ukyo.
Satisfied that Ryoga would be fine as well, Artemis moved over to Ranma. Bruises and large wounds covered his body, but she figured that his soul would be strong enough for the task at hand.
*His soul must be strong enough to endure this.* she thought and concentrated.
She placed her left palm on his chest and it started to glow. She then touched her forehead with her right pointer finger, held it there for a second where it started glowing, and then pointed it on his forehead.
With her left hand, she tried to fuel him with as much energy as she could. While with her right finger, she tried to touch his soul behind the pain and sadness that was enveloping his very essence.
*Ranma! For your sake, and for everyone else's, please wake up!* she called mentally.
Feeling his spirit respond to her call, Artemis removed her hand and her finger and collapsed.
*Please Ranma... it's all up to you. Thank you.* she thought one last time before she slipped into an unconscious state.
Ryoga felt her leaning on him, and was surprised to see her unconscious. He lifted her up into his arms and lay her across from Ukyo.
Ranma felt heat flowing all over his body, heat like never before. He opened his eyes, and found that darkness surrounded him. He blinked twice, trying to figure out how he got there.
*Ranma! For your sake, and for everyone else's, please wake up!*
He heard someone call. He turned but found no one. He was so confused and so lost, he didn't know what to do.
Suddenly, there was a small spark of light. A spark so small you won't even think that it exists. He stared at it, and tried to go towards it. Little by little, he closed the gap between him and the light.
As he reached it, he was swallowed by the blinding light. All he could do was cover his eyes with his forearms and wait till his vision has properly adjusted to it.
Moments later, he opened his eyes and found himself in a white room. Everything was white, the furniture, the walls, the floor. Everything. Including the almost pale color of someone lying on a bed.
He walked towards that person, wondering why that person lay there. As he approached the bed, some physical traits of the person became obvious.
The person had short blue hair and has white clothing. Tubes and gadgets were connected to this person. He concluded that, whoever this person was, it has gone through pain.
As he edged closer, he realized that is was a girl, by the sudden rise of her physique over the chest area. He was shocked. What could've possibly happened to her? Who could've possibly done this to her?
Moving even more closer, Ranma's palms started to sweat. His bodily hair was standing on end and something was telling him that finding out who the girl was would be that last thing he would want.
Still, he walked towards her, until he was standing right beside her. He looked down, hoping against hope itself that his senses were failing him, that his instincts were wrong.
But to his surprise, they were correct.
"Akane!" he cried.
She did not move, the only movement was the constant motion of her chest shifting up and down, showing that she was still alive and breathing.
"What happened to you?" he asked, and again, there was no response.
He suddenly felt chills down his spine as some sort of spirit passed through him. Turning, he saw that Akane's soul had left her body, and was slowly floating away.
"Akane!" he called, but it seems that she couldn't hear him.
"Why Akane? Why are you walking away from life?" he asked, though not really expecting her to answer.
Surprisingly, he heard a soft whimper. Hoping that it had come from Akane, Ranma ran towards her, hoping to catch her before she completes her journey into the next world.
"Ranma's dead... and now I'll be joining him." he heard her say.
They both passed through the wall as if they were spirits. Ranma waved his arms wildly to catch her attention, but it didn't seem to be working. She just kept on talking to herself.
"Lady Akane hasn't eaten ever since news of Ranma's death came." Ranma heard someone say.
*I... I'm dead? Akane starving herself because I died?* he thought confused.
"I see the light... wait for me Ranma." she said.
*She... she loves me... she actually loves me... Why else would she do such a horrible thing as to starve herself? Akane loves me!* he rejoiced within.
But something in the current situation told him that he wouldn't be rejoicing at the end of this venture if he didn't stop Akane's soul from leaving her body.
Ranma ran to about ten feet in front of Akane and started to talk, to try and get her attention, to try and make her come back into the land of the living.
"Akane! I'm here! I'm alive!" he said, but Akane again didn't seem to notice him. She walked through him once more.
"Dammit! Akane, why won't you listen? I'm here and I'm alive!" he cried once more. Again, nothing happened.
Ranma turned around to look at where Akane was headed. She was walking towards a never ending source of light. A place filled with love and happiness.
"Shit! What am I gonna do?" he asked himself. Suddenly, there was a voice calling out to him.
"Do you love her Ranma?" it asked.
Ranma looked at her smiling face as she walked towards the light. She looked beautiful though pale, happy though melancholy. If she manages to reach the light, he'll never be able to see her again.
"Yes! Yes I do! I love her!" he admitted.
"Then tell her! Make her feel loved! Make her realize that you are still alive! Give her a reason to live!" said the voice.
Ranma suddenly got a vision of what is happening somewhere to Akane's body in the real world.
(Atlantis)
A bright light suddenly blinded him. As his vision cleared, he saw doctors and nurses hovering over Akane's prone and lifeless form. They were conducting a lot of different things at the same time.
Some were injecting what he would like to think was medicine. Some were connecting the tubes and wires to her body, some were checking her pulse and life signs and all that.
"We're losing her!" cried one of the doctors as he prepared the electric shock machine.
Ranma could only look on in despair as the doctor placed the machine on Akane's chest and pressed the button. Akane's body raised itself from the bed and landed back down as the electricity flowed into her body.
"C'mon! C'mon!" cried the other doctor. They did the same procedure but got the same result. The doctors themselves were losing hope.
(With Ranma)
"Akane! I love you! Come back to me! Please!" he said, but still, nothing happened. He looked on in disbelief.
"Hurry Ranma! There isn't much time." the voice told him.
Ranma ran past Akane once more and stepped in front of her to stop her. She looked into her eyes and saw her own hope and faith slipping away.
*This is it! I hope she doesn't hit me with her mallet!* he thought. He swallowed past the lump on his throat and leaned forward.
As their lips touched, Ranma hoped that this would do it. He felt part of himself flow into Akane. Akane, for her part, felt his love flow into her, powering her and giving her the will to live.
They slowly broke the kiss and looked into each other's eyes.
"Ranma?" she asked. He nodded and they fell into a tight embrace.
"Don't die Akane. Please don't die!" he pleaded.
"Don't do this." he asked. She nodded.
"I thought I'd never see you again." she said and hugged him tighter.
Suddenly, Akane felt something pull at her. Something, some unknown force was pulling her back to the land of the living. Something was pulling her back to her body.
Before they let go, Akane admitted what she never thought she would ever have the chance to say.
"Ranma, I love you!" she said as she slowly drifted away.
"Akane, I love you, too." he said and saw Akane's soul disappear.
He again got a vision of the real world and of Akane's situation.
(Atlantis)
"We've got her! She's back!" they cried in joy.
The doctors and nurses immediately ministered everything she needed to get healed. Ranma smiled and sighed in happiness. He saw Akane's eyes open and look upwards.
"Thank you Ranma... for releasing me..." she said.
"I'll find a way to repay you... I promise..." she muttered and fell asleep once more. Ranma was left staring at her, again, in disbelief.
(With Ranma)
*You don't have to repay me Akane.* he thought and sighed. Seeing Akane alive and well lifted a big load of his shoulders. Until realization dawned upon him.
*Shit! I forgot to tell her that I'm still alive! Now she thinks that I just released her from our engagement and from guilt.* he thought worriedly, mentally berating himself.
He suddenly felt himself being pulled back into reality as well. He tried to fight it, with all of his might, but there was nothing he could do.
*At least she's alive and she loves me. I just hope that she won't fall in love with anyone until I rescue her and she realizes that I'm still alive.* he thought as the last of the light claimed him.
Atlas woke up as he felt a wet towel on his forehead.
He opened his eyes, blinking rapidly as he focused his vision. He noticed that he was lying on a bed, not his bed, and definitely not in his room. He realized he was in the infirmary.
"What am I doing here?" he asked himself. He shook his head, trying to remember how he got into this predicament.
All he could remember was Akane not wanting to eat for days... he not wanting to eat until Akane ate... Akane laying lifeless beside her bed...
"Akane!" he cried as he tried to stand up. His body instantly reacted and made him collapse back into the bed.
"Aww, my head hurts." he said, grimacing in pain. Then he heard a beeping sound. He turned to his right ad gasped at the sight.
Akane was laying on a bed which was similar to his. The only difference between their current states were the two hoses connected to each of Akane's hands, an oxygen mask and another hose connected to it.
She looked so pale and lifeless it made Atlas want to cry. He reached out, trying to feel even for just a moment Akane's skin. He managed to touch her, and almost winced as he felt a sheer coldness, sort of like a blanket, enveloping her body.
He tried to stand up to check on her, but his whole system disagreed with him, making him fall down once more.
Just then, three of the best doctors in Atlantis entered the infirmary along with Merian who had a worried look on her face. Two of the doctors checked on Akane while the remaining doctor checked on Atlas.
"Is she going to be alright?" he asked of the physician.
"Good morning, your majesty. Yes, she will be alright." answered Dr. Krauss. The doctor checked him over, then wrote something on his chart.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Dizzy and drained." answered Atlas. Dr. Krauss checked his dextrose and then reached over one of the medicine cabinets.
"Here, drink this, your highness." he said, handing Atlas an aspirin.
"Thank you." he said as he slowly sat up.
"Here's the water, sire." said Merian as she assisted him.
"In a few hours, you'll be back to normal body conditions." said Dr. Krauss.
"Good morning, your majesty." greeted the other two doctors.
"How is she?" he asked once more.
"Lady Akane will be fine. She just needs a lot of rest." answered Dr. Levice. Atlas swallowed the aspirin and rubbed his forehead a little.
"Why is her body cold?" he asked, curious.
"Sire, we have placed a cold, invisible blanket around Lady Akane." said Dr. Cravix, touching the invisible blanket.
"Since she fell unconscious for a long while and was malnourished, her body became cold." said Dr. Levice, showing Atlas Akane's temperature in her chart. Atlas read it and noticed the sudden drop in Akane's temperature.
"The cold blanket would help ease her body as her temperature returns to normal. It is just like the cold towel we put on your forehead." said Dr. Krauss, pointing towards the wet towel that was previously laid on Atlas's forehead.
"It's the same, the treatment just varies on the condition of the patient." finished Dr. Cravix.
"If she were on the surface, it would take her weeks to recover. But since we have the technology here in Atlantis, it would only be a while before she's back to normal." added Dr. Levice. Atlas could only nod in comprehension.
"Thank you doctors." he said.
"Our pleasure your majesty." they said as they walked out of the room.
Atlas laid down once more, trying to stabilize himself. Merian sat between the two beds with conflicting emotions. Concern for Akane and relief for Atlas. She saw the look Atlas gave Akane and sighed.
"She will be fine, your highness. You must rest as well." she advised. Atlas nodded and slowly closed his eyes, determined to get cured as soon as possible not just for himself, but for Akane as well.
Ranma awoke with a start. He looked around and found himself inside the tent. He felt happy and sad at the same time. Happy that he saved Akane from death, but sad at the turn of events towards the end.
*Well... I hope I can get to her as soon as possible.* he thought.
Though sad and hurt, determination filled Ranma's face. He vowed to save Akane. His energy levels rose and his ki flared up. He looked up at the tent, envisioning the sky and Akane's smiling face.
*Wait for me Akane... please... wait for me...* he thought and once more feel asleep.
Artemis looked at Ranma's sleeping form and smiled. She looked up at the sky through the tent and thanked whoever was listening to her.
*Good job Ranma... very good indeed...* she thought, utterly happy for her friend as she herself fell asleep because of exhaustion.
"Where am I?" whispered Akane as she opened her eyes. She looked around the room, and realized that she wasn't in her room, either in the Tendo dojo or in Atlantis.
The room was filled with the wonderful scent of flowers, as the white curtains shaded her from the light. She tried to stand, or at least to sit up, but found she could not.
Thoughts about her dream suddenly flowed into her mind. Visions of her and Ranma holding each other, kissing and admitting how they felt. She gloried in the feeling of Ranma's love.
*Thank you Ranma. Good-bye.* she thought, a smile across her face.
Her whole body, limp in form, would not follow her commands. It was as if she were paralyzed or something. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep once more, realizing it was the only thing she could do.
Atlas sighed in frustration. He had been pacing back and forth in front of the infirmary since he was released by the doctors. He had woken up in the said room, his head throbbing in pain and his stomach grumbling in fury.
A few moments later, the doctor came out of the room. Merian came out of the room seconds after.
"How is she?" he asked immediately. The doctor adjusted his glasses and smiled at him.
"She's awake." he said.
That was all Atlas needed to know. It took all of his self - control not to rush into the room and crush Akane in a tight embrace. He took deep breaths and followed Merian who beckoned him to come in.
Atlas walked to Akane with slow, even steps. He looked down at her and was so happy to see her cheeks regaining color and life flowing back into her.
Akane blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light. She noticed that she wasn't in her room, and that things were attached to her body. She also noticed that someone else was in the room.
To her surprise, she found herself in the infirmary, and still alive. She looked towards her left to see Merian smiling happily at her, face showing obvious relief.
To her right, Atlas stood.
His face bore a look of gladness and relief. It was as if a big load was lifted off of his shoulders. He smiled, probably for the first time in a long while, as he looked down at her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. Akane looked at herself, or at least tried to.
She strained her neck and bent down to see needles injected to her arms. The needles are plugged in to clear plastic tubes are which connected to bottles carrying her much needed medication.
"Alive... I guess..." she said hoarsely, her throat dry.
Atlas gently took her hand in his, carefully squeezing it so as to avoid the syringe instilled into the top of her delicate hands. He slowly bent down and kissed her hand.
"Please... don't ever do that again..." he asked, pleaded, maybe even begged.
Akane looked to her left, at Merian, and mouthed the words 'Thank you...' to her. Merian nodded and smiled back at her, glad that she was alive and well.
Akane looked back at Atlas and smiled sweetly for him. She forced her limp and frail hand to squeeze his back. She nodded, realizing how much she had made this man, the king of Atlantis, worry about her.
Tears threatened to erupt as her eyes became watery. Atlas was never just the king of Atlantis to her. Though they had just met, she treated him as her friend.
And now, he may become something more.
"Thank you..." she said, her voice still a little hoarse.
"Your welcome... always." he said.
Atlas leaned forward and kissed her forehead, never letting go of her hand. His eyes became watery as tears of joy filled his eye lids. He noticed that Akane was crying.
"Don't cry..." he whispered. With his fingers, Atlas wiped away her tears. Akane giggled and pointed at his face. He realized that he too was crying.
"I'm just so happy to see you well." he said, wiping his own tears. He then noticed that Akane's eyelids were closing.
"Get some rest, OK?" he said. He squeezed her hand one last time and bid her good-bye.
"Merian, please take care of her." he asked.
"I will, your majesty." she said.
Atlas headed for the door. With one last look, he exited the infirmary, relieved and smiling like he never had before.
Ranma and Co. walked about the place. The city, they assumed it so, had a lot of small buildings everywhere, with a number of huge sculptures and statues, most of them made of marble, ivory, bronze and silver.
They took a turn after the last building, and found themselves in the market. Fresh fish and meat were hung from hooks fixed on parallel bars above the vendors' heads.
Green, lush vegetables and fruits of different shapes, colors and sized filled the front of the stands. Others sold tasty treats and sweets with children forming a crowd in front of them.
People were happily buying as they passed by, and they were welcomed and greeted by the vendors and the buyers as well. Ranma and Co. greeted them back with smiles on their faces.
Walking past the market place, they found themselves at the foot of a hill. Laughing and giggling freely, they raced against each other and ran to the top of the hill.
There, they caught a magnificent view of what, they again assumed, as the royal palace of the city. Like all the other infrastructures, the palace was white, marble maybe, and looked very convincing.
Domes surrounded the majestic palace. From their position, they could see walkways and covered pathways connecting the said domes to the entrances of the palace.
After a while, they decided that they can admire the grand royal residence after they have seen the rest of the city. Nodding to each other, they tumbled and ran happily down the side of the hill.
The chill breeze in the early afternoon was enough to keep them comfortable. They enjoyed and adored the remainder of statues that beautified the city even more.
They walked about the lovely city, plants and flowers adorning the pebbled walkway across what they assumed was the city park. Birds were flying above them, some hovering about the lake in the center.
Ranma sat under a huge tree, leaning with his hands behind his head. Ryoga and Ukyo sat a few feet from him, both were admiring the pretty flowers that surrounded them.
Mousse and Shampoo continued to walk along the pathway, coming across children who were playing around the park. The kids were playing with a ball, kicking and bouncing it around themselves.
The place was beautiful, the people were nice and warm. The environment was clean and everything else was fine and in order. One would call this place, paradise. The place was perfect.
Well, too perfect.
The earth suddenly opened up and swallowed what was a part of the park. People started panicking and screaming, running to save their lives. The ground shook, the earth's rifts and clefts getting bigger.
Flames suddenly came from the cracks and grew as if to consume the whole city. The buildings were collapsing, the statues and monuments breaking down and being crushed upon impact with the merciless ground.
Ranma and his friends found that they were the only ones unaffected by the disasters striking the city. They were all together and protected by a transparent ball of energy and light.
Shampoo and Ukyo cried on the shoulder of their respective loves, weeping endlessly as they witnessed the unforgiving catastrophes that the once beautiful city is now experiencing.
The faces of the three men were hard as stone. But behind such toughness was pain and frustration. Emotions concealed behind a mask of strength.
Though they had four of the powers, they couldn't do anything to stop the flames from growing. Shampoo's power was useless at that point. By using Mousse's power, the wind may just scatter the fire more.
Ryoga's power could not be used as well for the flames are coming from the earth itself. Ukyo's powers are definitely out of the question. For Ranma's part, he has yet to find his own power.
So they were all at a loss, their powers seemingly useless at their greatest time of need.
Suddenly, there came a voice. A voice they all knew so well.
"Water, known and believed to be the element of life and death is needed. But where is it now when it is ones greatest necessity?" it asked.
For that, they didn't have an answer.
Surprisingly, there was a bright light coming from behind them. They all turned to see the lake glowing brightly. They looked in awe as the body of water opened up in the middle, revealing someone floating.
It floated high above the lake, and stretched it arms, as if to command the waters. And to their amazement, the water rose from its location and ran in currents over the fire.
In mere seconds, the flames were extinguished, and the city, or what's left of it, was saved. The being who controlled the waters, raised its hand towards the sky.
A moment later, water began falling from the sky in the form of rain. This rain fell onto the ground and replenished the burnt earth. Ranma and Co. gasped as the once dark earth became green.
After a while, everything was back to normal. Back to perfection.
Ranma and his friends smiled and rejoiced, slapping high five's and hugging each other tenderly. They turned back to thank the one controlling the waters, the one who saved all of them.
"Thank you... whoever you are..." said Ranma. They others followed suit.
"We will forever be in your debt." he added. He and the others bowed in appreciation.
"You do not have to put yourself in debt... I'm only repaying you Ranma..." said the voice.
Ranma instantly raised his head to ask, but the being was gone. The others looked on in confusion, utterly bewildered with the being's last statement.
Ranma, for his part, was bewildered himself. Whoever that being was, it was only paying him back. Now her wondered, who owed him anything that would require such a payment as saving his life.
Just as the answer came upon his lips, he and the others were enveloped in a bright light.
Ranma awoke in a cold sweat in his futon, the morning light blinding him temporarily as he opened his eyes and beheld the dawn of a new day.
The flap of the tent was seemingly left open by the person who had just exited through it. He blinked a couple of times more and focused his vision.
*D... damn. It was just a dream.* he thought to himself. He sat up and clutched his forehead in one clammy hand, the other resting on the blanket.
*It felt so real...* he thought, shaking his head.
Beside him, Ukyo lay comfortably, her eyes opened, showing that she was no longer asleep. Her head lay on two pillows as she turned to look at him.
Ukyo noted the look of pure horror and discomfort on Ranma's face. Who wouldn't be scared of what had transpired in the dream? Who wouldn't be shaken up on what it meant? Or on what it was implying?
"Hey..." he started.
"Morning." she greeted.
"Good morning Ucchan." he said and smiled. Just then, Ryoga entered with a bowl of ramen and a glass of water.
"Oh... I didn't know you were awake Ranma... sorry I wasn't able to bring any food for you..." he said.
"That's OK." said Ranma and started to get up.
He stretched for a bit, feeling the tension in his muscles and the knot in his bones. His joints popped as he stretched, and he moaned, part in pain, part in relief.
Ranma fixed his futon and then headed out the tent. He wondered why Ukyo and Ryoga didn't even mention the dream, let alone ask about it. He was pondering that until he reached the small camp fire.
Mousse was serving the ramen for Shampoo and Artemis. Shampoo was leaning heavily on a tree, undoubtedly tired, apparently from healing Ukyo. Mousse saw him coming and prepared a bowl of ramen for him.
"Thanks!" he said, taking the bowl.
He ate in earnest, obviously hungry. While eating, he waited for the others to ask him about the dream. He had already finished eating but no questions came.
*This is weird...* he thought.
Truthfully, he was not ready for any question as of the moment. He was terribly nervous and would not know what to answer. He was definitely clueless himself. Except maybe for a little part.
*No way... not what happened in my first dream...* he thought.
Just then, Ryoga came out of the tent, Ukyo in his arms. He gently placed her beside the resting Shampoo, then sat beside her. Ranma could feel five pairs of eyes staring at him.
Then, came what Ranma had been expecting.
"So... Saotome... have you figured out the dream yet?" asked Mousse.
"Ah... here comes the eternally constant question..." he commented. The looks the others gave him kinda silenced him for a moment.
"No... I haven't." he admitted.
A long period of silence followed.
"What do we do now, Ranchan?" Ukyo asked, breaking the silence.
"I have no idea." he said, shaking his head.
"The dream itself is weird." said Artemis.
"Yeah... we don't even know who's supposed to control the power of water." added Ryoga.
"Also that thing with Ranma... repaying you or something?" said Mousse.
"Ranma know something about that, yes?" asked Shampoo. Ranma looked at him in confusion. The look on his face showed hopelessness and utter loss.
"I guess we're stuck." said Ryoga, placing his hands behind his head and leaning against the tree. Sighs and moans of frustrations followed this display.
"Uh... I do..." whispered Ranma. They all looked at him in puzzlement.
"I've been having these dreams for days now... most of them about me and Akane." he started, getting everyone's attention.
"I figured that I was the only one having them. Last night, I had another dream. It happened before the visions about the power of water." he paused for a moment.
"Akane died last night, in my dream..." he continued, and told them about the whole dream.
They all watched carefully, listening intently to Ranma's words. His face bore different expressions, but had only one emotion. Sadness. One powerful emotion that no one can avoid.
A tear slipped pass as Ranma finished the story. Mousse had his arms around a slightly sobbing Shampoo, while Ukyo's head lay gently on Ryoga's shoulder.
"She almost didn't want to come back... at least I was able to convince her..." he said, wiping the silly tear that escaped him.
"When I held her in my arms, I realized that it wasn't just a dream... it was a vision of what was actually happening to Akane... wherever she was at that time..." he said.
"I can still remember her say it... 'I'll find a way to repay you... I promise...'" he said, laughing a bit.
"You probably think I'm crazy... but I think Akane was the one who saved us in the dream..." he said, trying to make them understand.
"But that would mean that..." Mousse started. Shampoo rose from his embrace and looked at him quizzically.
"...that Akane is the one who controls the power of water." Ryoga concluded. Ukyo got up from leaning on him and held a thinking pose.
"How that possible?" asked Shampoo.
"I agree with Shampoo... Akane was never part of the dreams about the powers." said Ukyo.
Thoughts and ideas and voiced out as the group discussed the possibility of Akane being one of those who can control the powers. They argued and talked about such until a forgotten person spoke.
"She was..." said Artemis. They all looked at her in disbelief.
Mousse was the first one to realize it.
"Six powers..." he started.
"...protected by six spirits..." Ryoga continued.
"...controlled by six people..." finished Ranma.
"SIX?" they all cried out.
"Then Akane is..." Ukyo said.
"... the sixth..." concluded Shampoo.
They all turned to Artemis with looks of disbelief. They all felt betrayed and cheated, fooled and mislead. They put all their trust on her, and now...
"Don't please..." she started.
The look of pure sadness and remorse on her face was enough to silence their complaints as of the moment. They calmed themselves, waiting for her to continue.
"I never wanted to hide the truth from you..." she said.
"Why Artemis? Why didn't you tell us?" asked Ukyo.
"I was afraid... afraid that none of you would agree to help if you knew that the fifth power cannot be found without its sole heir." she said.
"You could've told us, right from the very beginning." said Ryoga.
"I could have! But would any of you have come to help if you knew that we may come up short." she said, tears threatening to flow.
"Still..." said Ryoga.
"I needed help to stop the whole conspiracy in Atlantis. In that way, my people will be saved and so will yours be. I admit, I held on to that fact for so long, I didn't tell you about Akane... and I'm sorry." she said, bowing in front of them.
Now, Ukyo and Ryoga felt a little guilty at snapping at her. Shampoo stood and walked towards her. She lay her hand on Artemis' shoulder. Artemis raised her head to find a smiling Shampoo.
"Shampoo understand you... Shampoo would do the same for Amazon tribe." she said, her smile promising forgiveness and something more important, friendship.
"I would, too." said Mousse.
Artemis met the gazes of Ukyo and Ryoga. They smiled at her and she smiled back. The two girls met in an embrace while Ryoga squeezed Artemis' shoulder.
"Sorry." both Ukyo and Ryoga said.
Artemis just nodded, a look of pure gladness on her face. They held that pose for a moment, then let go. Artemis turned to look at Ranma, suddenly nervous.
"It's OK. I would have done the same thing for any of you..." he said, gesturing to all of them.
"For Akane, I would do anything..." he said.
"Thank you..." said Artemis.
They all laughed and cried for a while. Artemis felt relieved of the big load she had been carrying. They all felt truthfully happy for that short time, as all their problems were momentarily forgotten.
End of Chapter 9
From the author:
The words in UNDERLINE are spoken or thought in Chinese in this chapter.
I don't think Ryoga ever wrote a poem, I just kinda invented that part. All the poems used and mentioned in this chapter are by yours truly. I made them even before this whole fanfic so some modifications to the poem came as I included it in this chapter. You might still see some in the next chapters. If anyone is interested in the original version of the poem, e-mail me. If anyone is interested in other poems or forms of poetry by me, e-mail me, too.
Hinotori
In Japanese, hi means fire while tori means bird. Hinotori would literally mean "fire - of - bird". Well, at least I think it does. Torinohi would mean "bird - of - fire". But I think Hinotori sounds much better than Torinohi. Don't you agree? Anyway, just bear with me. I'm not very good at making kanji.
Something about the Amazon Law...
Yes, I know. Mousse doesn't need to defeat Shampoo for them to be married. That part of the Amazon Law only applies to outsider males. I just revised it a bit to make it a leverage or foundation about Mousse and Shampoo's supposed childhood together which I made up on my own.
'The Flash' as in the superhero with lightning quick speed. Mentioned without permission. Don't sue me, I don't have any money.
Um... Electric Shock Machine... sorry but I don't know what you call that thing doctors use when the patient slips into sort of a death state. The doctors use this electric shock thing-a-ma-jigin which brings back the patient. Um... if anyone knows what it's called, please e-mail me. Thank you.
As usual, my formatting got screwed. So the events that transpired in the real world, specifically in Atlantis and to Akane's body, while her and Ranma's soul traveled had to be broken up using parentheses. Please don't be confused.
About Ranma's dreams/visions...
In this chapter, Ranma first, had a spirit quest of some sort. It wasn't exactly a dream, but Ranma just assumed that it was. So consider that his first dream of the night. The thing with the city and the power of water can be considered the second dream.
All comments, suggestions, criticisms and the like, please click the link below.
All Ranma 1/2 characters copyright to Rumiko Takahashi. They are used without permission. Please do not sue me, I don't have money.
©1999 Shirley Joy Gadia, all poems used, all rights reserved.
©1999 Shirley Joy Gadia, all other characters mentioned above and the story, all rights reserved.
Thank you!