Ranma Trilogy Book 1: The True Meaning of Love

by s16thunderjet

Six young men and women. So alike yet so different. Each longing to find their place in the circle of things. With things more uncertain than ever before, they are now face with such a difficult thing to understand. A thing called love.

12. Chapter 11: The Legend of Atlantis

(REPOSTED BECAUSE THE OLD ONE GOT KILLED BY THE NEW FORMATTING)

I don't normally put my notes before my stories. But I know that some people don't read the Author's Notes part. So I decided to put this little part here.

First of all, I would to thank everyone who has supported me and has stayed with me all this time. I am very grateful for the kind words, the constructive criticisms, the curses, the death threats and promises of violence. They all helped, even the bad words and stuff. It's true that I finished this story a few years back. The reason for all the delays is that my computer crashed some time after I started posting my fanfiction here on . I lost the final two chapters of this first book of my trilogy, along with the drafts of the whole second book and the first two chapters of the third book. I know it's taken me forever to update, but I've kept my promise. Now, there's only one more chapter left for this first book of my trilogy.

Secondly, I want to assure everyone that I will finish this story. I've always said that I would post my fanfiction not just because I wanted to share my stories with other people, but because I wanted to achieve something. I wanted to be able to tell myself that I can write, and that I can inspire other people with my stories. That's why everyone can just calm down, I'm not gonna stop writing. I will finish this story.

Lastly, I would like to dedicate this to chibs, my ever loyal reader. She's become my friend over the years. Thanks a lot for everything! And to Mr. Michael McKnight. Here's the update I promised you!

Again, thank you to everyone. I hope you enjoy this one. It's the longest chapter yet. Sorry for all the melodrama. I just felt like thanking everyone and explaining a few things. Thanks again. :)

---

A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic Trilogy:
"The True Meaning of Love"
By: s16thunderjet

Story 1
"The Search for Atlantis"

Chapter 11:
The Legend of Atlantis

Part 1:
The Destined Wedding

Akane smiled to herself in delight as she looked down at the gardens of the palace from the balcony. Tables and chairs have been set - up all over the place, with flowers of all kinds adorning them.

Pillars and arcs were also set - up at different parts of the gardens, also adorned with flowers of all colors. The palace servants were all busy preparing for the festival and the wedding.

*My wedding.* she thought, her smile growing wider and her eyes getting a bit teary.

She looked down at the engagement ring that hugged her ring finger, tears almost welling up as she remembered the moment Atlas proposed.

The king didn't have anything with him then, no ring or jewelry to add to his proposal. He only had the words he'd formed in his mind, words that had come from the bottom of his heart.

The ring followed just this morning, Atlas completely overjoyed when he gave it to her. It was a white gold ring, with a large blue diamond, outlined by smaller diamonds.

She had just accepted Atlas' proposal of marriage the previous day, something she never thought she would do with any man other than Ranma.

The king of Atlantis could not hide his joy at Akane's acceptance, and immediately announced it to the whole city. Everyone shared in their joy and wished the both of them luck with their upcoming nuptials.

Coincidentally, the annual festival of Atlantis was coming up in a week. Akane didn't know if Atlas had planned it all along. She also wondered if he even predicted that she would actually say 'Yes.'

An arm gently curled around her waist and Akane found herself leaning back into someone's body. Without turning her head, she smiled and placed her hands atop the arm holding her.

"You're back early. How were the preparations in the city?" Akane asked.

"Most of the stalls have been set - up already. The only thing delayed was the stage for the play. It'd probably be done by tomorrow. How are things here?" Atlas asked, hugging Akane closer to him and laying his chin on her left shoulder.

Akane leaned back against him, savoring the feel of his well - built body pressing against hers, and the warmth of his skin permeating her own.

"Things are just about done. We've only the food to worry about. But with Merian in charge, we won't be having much problems." Akane replied, then turned her head sideways to kiss Atlas' cheek.

"I missed you." Akane whispered from out of nowhere.

Atlas found this a bit surprising but welcomed it nonetheless. Akane was never this open with their so - called relationship, and he never really asked her to be.

With everything that she had gone through with Ranma, with the loses that she had had and with all the pain that she had endured, Atlas just didn't want to have to pressure her.

"I missed you, too." he murmured, then kissed her on the cheek as well.

They stayed like that for a while, with Atlas' arms hugging Akane protectively and possessively, Akane enjoying being held. They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity.

Everyone in the city felt more than saw the love that had grown between their soon to be King and Queen. Those in the palace gardens stopped for a moment to admire the love that seemed to radiate from them.

They all knew that Akane still loves the man named Ranma Saotome, but they also knew that she had grown to love their King. They all wish, though, that in the future, she'd come to love him much more.

In the depths of the dark ocean, in the coldness of the deep sea, the City of Atlantis shone like a light, bathing the entire area with warmth and love, just like that of Atlas and Akane's love.

---

"Still no response Lord." a warrior said.

Astevaes' brow furrowed in anger. It was evident that Herion and his men had been defeated. There was no sign of them anywhere, no trace of their life essence.

"Inform every man about the situation. Order everyone to stay on the alert. With the festival coming up, I know that Artemis will come here." Astevaes said grimly.

"In any case, we won't have to come for her anymore. She'll definitely come here to try and stop the wedding. And that's when I'll personally dismantle her." he growled.

*Damned Herion! Damned Artemis! Damn you all!* he thought fiercely, then stood up to leave, a trail of dust gently picking up as he walked past.

---

"Hey Ranma."

Ranma looked up from his musings as Ryoga entered the room. The bandanna - clad boy still looked a bit shaken up from last night's encounter.

"How's Ucchan?" Ranma asked.

"She's still asleep. Probably got tired from kicking and screaming at me for that stunt I pulled." Ryoga chuckled slightly, a hand at the back of his head, a goofy smile on his face.

Ranma smiled half - heartedly, then looked down at what he was looking at before Ryoga came in.

"What's that?" Ryoga asked, sitting down beside Ranma.

Ranma's smile widened a bit, running his fingers over the photo. He showed it to Ryoga, who instantly had the goofy look on his face wiped off. The fanged boy tensed a bit, then looked sadly at Ranma.

"Was this..." he drifted, not entirely sure.

"Yup. Taken by Kasumi days before the wedding. We look good together dont'cha think?" Ranma asked.

"Ranma... I..." Ryoga paused, utterly lost.

"Gah! Don't even go there Ryoga. I'm doing fine, I'm not going wacko or something." Ranma affirmed.

Ryoga was silent along with the rest of the room. Not even the sounds of the household broke through their blanket of peace. He stared at Ranma and waited for him to continue.

"I just miss her, ya'know. I miss her so much that it hurts to breathe." Ranma confessed, a single tear escaping his eyes.

Ryoga laid his hand on the other boy's shoulder and squeezed it. He wanted so much to comfort Ranma but didn't know how, and wished that either Ukyo or Shampoo was there to do it in his place.

"We'll be leaving tomorrow. Artemis said the festival will happen some three days from now. We'll get her back Ranma." Ryoga said the only thing he could.

A smile graced Ranma's solemn features. He placed his hand atop Ryoga's on his shoulder, and then squeezed it back. He stayed like that for a moment, Ranma trying to gather his wits.

"Thanks, Ryoga." Ranma said a while after.

"You're welcome." Ryoga replied, proud to have been able to somewhat comfort his distraught friend.

"Ranma! Ryoga! Dinner!" they heard Kasumi call from the bottom of the stairs.

Their stomachs grumbled almost instantaneously. Both of them blushed slightly, then burst out laughing. It was a good kind of laugh, one that brought relief.

"C'mon you! Let's feed that black hole you call a stomach!" Ryoga teased, then jumped out of the way as Ranma angled a punch at him.

"You should talk! P - chan!" Ranma teased him back.

The sounds of two boys roughing it up could be heard as Ryoga chased Ranma out of the room and down the house. But instead of groans of pain, bursts of laughter filled both the house and their hearts.

---

Mousse entered the room in the Tendo home that was occupied by a resting Cologne. With everything that had happened, they decided to stay in one place to keep everyone safe.

Shampoo looked up as the bespectacled man walked into the room with a tray of food in his hands. She smiled at him through the tears that filled her eyes.

Mousse set the tray down on the floor beside Cologne's futon, then proceeded to wrap his arms around the grief - stricken love of his life. Shampoo leaned into his embrace, the tears having begun to flow.

"Don't cry Shampoo. She's Cologne, she'll pull through." Mousse whispered, then kissed Shampoo on the forehead.

"I know. I'm just... I mean... Great - grandmama has taken care of me all this time. I'm supposed to be the tribe's champion! I couldn't even protect her!" Shampoo cried both in pain and guilt.

"It wasn't your fault Shampoo. Don't torture yourself like this. It's over, Cologne's safe. You didn't fail in your duty. You protected her." Mousse said, his arms tightening its hold on Shampoo.

The tears still haven't stopped as Shampoo poured out her grief like there was no tomorrow. Mousse held on to his love and gave her the comfort she needed.

After some time that felt like forever, Shampoo ceased her cries and fell asleep in the arms of the one man whom she entrusted with her life and love.

---

The following night, Ranma and the others prepared themselves for the journey ahead and the imminent battle. They all decided to meet back at the dojo after picking up some things from their respective homes.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Shampoo turned from watching her sleeping great grandmother to see Mousse looking sadly at her through the small opening of the door. He offered her a small smile.

The Amazon warrior smiled back and nodded. It was time to leave for Atlantis to finish their task and to help save Akane and the world. She turned back to Cologne and leaned down to kiss her forehead gently.

"Sleep well, great grandmother. I will make you proud." she whispered, then pulled back to stand up.

She met Mousse by the door, and with one last look at Cologne, she proceeded to exit the room. Just as she walked across the threshold of the door, she heard faint words spoken in Chinese.

"I already am, Shampoo."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and for the first time since Cologne had been hurt, a genuine smile appeared on her forlorn features. She wiped the tears away and took Mousse's hand.

There was confidence in her posture, courage and strength radiating off of her. All doubt and guilt for the kidnap of Cologne was gone from her thoughts.

All that remained was her will to succeed, her desire to defeat the enemy that they were going to face, and her want for a beautiful future to share with her family, friends, and with the man she loves.

---

The six of them stood by the pond outside the Tendo house, ready to teleport to Atlantis.

Shampoo and Mousse were in their traditional robes, while Ryoga and Ukyo wore their battle garbs. Ranma had his favorite red shirt on, while Artemis was clad in her white ensemble.

Soun, Genma, Nabiki and Kasumi looked on as the six of them prepared themselves for the final journey to save Akane. The four of them were very much grateful for everything.

They all stood in a circle, with Mousse standing beside Shampoo, who had Ranma standing beside her. Ukyo was next to Ranma and with Ryoga on her other side. Artemis stood beside Ryoga and completed the circle.

"It's time." Artemis said, grim determination on her face.

They held each other's hands and closed their eyes. Ryoga, Ukyo, Shampoo and Mousse all shared their powers as they prepared to teleport. A bluish - white light surrounded the six of them for a moment.

The rest of the Tendo household covered their eyes as the light became extremely bright. When the light disappeared, they soon found that the others have disappeared with it.

---

*BEEP* *BEEP*

The man looked up from the console he had been watching. He turned up the sonars and the radars and whatever else they had for security to try and identify whatever it was that the alarm picked up.

"That can't be right." he mused.

"What? What can't be right?" his partner asked.

"I thought I heard the alarm a minute ago. But the system's not picking up anything." he said, flicking on a few more switches,

"Nah... the sensors probably picked up a whale again or something." his partner said, going back to the reading a copy of the newspaper.

"You're probably right." he shrugged.

---

Darkness reigned over the forest as its inhabitants went off to slumber. Neither the moon nor the stars were visible, the barrier protecting Atlantis the only source of light during the night.

The forest was silent.

Until a bright light flashed and a group of people materialized from out of nowhere.

"Ow! Hey, Ryoga! Get your elbow out of my face!" Ranma cried, trying to push off the aforementioned boy off of him.

"Shampoo? Are you alright my love?" Mousse asked Ukyo.

"Mousse honey, I think you've got the wrong girl." Ukyo said, replacing Mousse's glasses.

His eyes widened in surprise and embarrassment as he fumbled for an excuse. A struggling Ryoga accidentally kneed him in the back and he ended up sprawled on top of Ukyo.

"Mousse!" Shampoo growled, holding him by the shirt and pulling him off of Ukyo.

"Wha... Shampoo! It wasn't my fault! Dammit Ryoga!" Mousse tried to kick at him but the other boy wasn't near enough.

"Alright, already! Why don't we just announce it to the world huh? We're here! Attack us!" Artemis fumed.

They looked at each other and smiled sheepishly. It was only then that they noticed their surroundings, and stared in awe.

"Is this..." Ukyo wondered.

"Yup. Home sweet home." Artemis said.

They all took a moment to look around and savor the feel of their environment. Soon thereafter, questions followed.

"What's with the dome?"

"Under water? How?"

"Is that a whale?"

"Were not gonna drown are we?"

"What..."

"Ask later. Right now, we have more important things to do." Artemis reminded them.

The five of them instantly wore serious looks as they were reminded of why they were in the middle of a forest hidden somewhere beneath the sea, and in the middle of the night no less.

"Are we going to set - up camp here?" Ryoga asked, looking around.

"No. It's too dangerous. I don't think the sensors have detected anything because if it did, guards would be all over this area looking for us." Artemis answered.

She started to move towards the southern part of the forest and away from the actual city which lays north of the forest. She motioned for them to follow her.

"Where are we going?" Ukyo asked, as they trekked through the jungle.

"It's not far. Just out of these woods and near the lake." she answered.

"Are you sure it's safe there?" Mousse asked.

"It's the only place in the world where I feel completely safe." she replied, smiling sadly to herself.

Some way or another, they were able to detect both sadness and longing in her voice. Silence reigned over them as they made their way through the forest.

---

"Are you sure the sensors didn't pick up anything?" Astevaes asked.

"Yes. We managed to intercept the system before it registered anything. We're looking for them as we speak." one warrior reported.

"Looking? They're here! How can you even lose them?" Astevaes roared at the incompetence of his people.

"Ah... Lord... Sire! Uhm... they've stopped using their powers. We can't get an exact trace because their energy signatures are the same with out people." another warrior said.

Astevaes thought for a moment.

He contemplated between sending warriors to search the forest and rid himself of the pesky Artemis and her companions once and for all, or to just keep all of the warriors ready for any attack.

He decided on the latter.

"Fine! Alert our men of the situation. Don't send anyone out without my permission. But keep on looking anyway. It won't hurt to be on the offensive." he said, then strode out of the room.

---

"Uhm... not that I doubt you or anything. But are you sure we're going the right way?" Ranma asked.

They had reached the end of the forest and were all standing by the edge of a cliff, with a waterfalls nearby. Looking down, they couldn't see the bottom because the water was creating a fog.

The others seemed to echo his sentiment as they looked warily down the side of the cliff. They turned to Artemis who had her back to them, and waited for her directions.

For her part, Artemis had her eyes closed as she tried to concentrate between the flowing waters and Ranma's question. She smiled slightly as she remembered herself as a child, asking the same thing.

She turned back to them with a mischievous grin, then turned around once more to face the cliff and proceeded to jump over the edge. Ranma and the others were stunned for a moment before they could react.

"Artemis!" they cried in unison as they raced past each other to the edge.

They looked over and found that Artemis had been swallowed by the fog and the darkness. They cried a few more times, trying to gauge if she were conscious.

Moments later, the wind blew at them, and with it they felt a tingling sensation creeping up their spine. They all tensed and found themselves in defensive stances, save for Ranma.

"Wait!" Ranma said, racing his right hand to stop them. He was still crouched over the edge of the cliff.

"Jump!"

They all turned in different directions, trying to find the source of the voice. Ranma closed his eyes and listened not with his ears but with his heart.

"Jump!"

Ranma opened his eyes and his smile grew. He stood from his perch, then backtracked a bit, almost bumping into the stationary and dumbfounded Ryoga behind him.

Everyone watched in wonder as Ranma broke into a run and did a double front flip into the air, tucking his legs in before swan diving off the cliff and into the darkness below.

"Ranma!"

"Ranchan!"

Silence reigned for a few moments as they looked down to where Ranma just disappeared to.

"Uhm... maybe we should..." Ukyo offered, looking at the others for their reactions.

"I guess we could..." Mousse added, though still somewhat doubtful.

"Jump!"

They turned to each other, smiles growing on each of their faces as they nodded. Together, they jumped off the edge and into the darkness, and moments later, their feet landed on solid ground.

"What took you guys so long?" Ranma asked, a smug smile on his face.

The four of them were so amazed by what had just happened that none of them even thought of wiping that smug look on Ranma's face. They looked around and found themselves inside some sort of cave.

"Welcome. This is my home." Artemis said from further inside the cavern.

The five of them made their way through the tunnel and over to where Artemis was sitting. That part of the cavern was illuminated by a small bluish white flame that was somehow floating in the center.

The sides of the cave also had paintings of all sorts, some of warriors, some of cities, some of past wars, some of ancient history and still some, of ancient prophecies.

"Welcome. Welcome all." another voice said as they all gathered around the fire.

"Uh... is that...?" Ryoga was interrupted by the voice.

"It's a mystical flame, created by our ancestors. No need for wood or fuel or coal. Just an incantation, and it lasts a lot longer than any other fire."

The man looked to be about five feet tall. He was bald but he had a beard that covered most of his chin, mouth and upper throat areas. His eyes were a dark amber, and in them you can see the weight of all the wisdom, the memories, and the secrets that he carried with him.

"My name is Lucas. But you can all call me Luc." he said, taking a seat on the slightly elevated chair made of stone.

"Do you think he's Artemis' grandfather?" Shampoo whispered to Mousse.

"You could say that." Luc answered, and both Shampoo and Mousse's eyes widened in surprise.

---

Akane smiled as Merian went on about all the hassles of the wedding preparations and all of the other events of the day. She'd come to love this woman who was both servant and friend.

She stared at her own image in the mirror, marveling at how long her hair had gotten. It was back to shoulder length, somewhat like the haircut she had before Ranma came into her life, only a little shorter.

*Ranma...* she sighed, a sad smile on her face.

She was flooded with countless memories of Ranma, of the two of them together, of all of her family and her friends. Of the joys and pains of their everyday lives.

But the sad smile never left her face.

"Akane?"

"Hmmm...?"

"Is something the matter?" Merian asked, pausing her combing of Akane's hair.

"I'm fine. Just a bit tired." she smiled weakly.

Merian smiled back at her in the mirror. She placed the comb on the dresser and smoothed out Akane's hair. She took a step back, then bowed.

"Goodnight, Akane." Merian said, then walked out of the room.

With Merian gone, Akane's thoughts drifted back to Ranma.

She walked over to her bed side table and picked up the framed picture that Ranma gave to her from that summer they spent in Togenkyo. She ran her finger over Ranma's form, a single tear falling upon it.

Memories invaded her mind yet again. This time though, one chosen moment prevailed over the rest.

(Flashback)

Ranma and Akane were falling down towards the Spring of Togenkyo.

"Is that the spring?"

"Now you can be cured Ranma!"

"No way Akane! I gotta blow it up!"

"But you'll never be able to..."

"Hey! Didn't you say that you like me the way I am?"

"I do!"

"Well then the way you are is the way that I... I... I gotta destroy it!"

"Ranma..."

(Present time)

A multitude of tears followed the single one that fell onto the picture. Akane held the frame in her arms, as if wishing that it was Ranma she was holding.

Tomorrow, she would become the Queen of Atlantis.

Tomorrow, she would forever leave her past life and forget because she would never be able to go back.

Tomorrow, she would become another man's wife.

It wasn't that she didn't like Atlas. She actually liked him a lot. She sorta loves him even. Just not in the way that she loved, still loves, and will always love Ranma.

Yes, tomorrow, she would become another man's wife.

Tomorrow, she would be happy.

Tonight though, she would grieve for a love that is forever lost, and a life that would be forever forgotten.

Akane cried for what seemed like forever. She cried until her pillow was soaked through with tears. She cried until she had drifted off to sleep.

Just before sleep claimed her, she felt a tingling sensation. It lasted for a single second. But in that moment, Akane thought she had felt Ranma. She then decided that it was probably just her imagination.

*I miss you Ranma.* she thought, before finally giving in to a dreamless sleep.

---

"Hey there."

Ranma looked up from his perch by the opening of the tunnel to see Artemis walking towards him. She had a smile on her face, one that showed just how happy and safe she felt in this place.

"You OK?" she asked, taking a seat beside him on the boulder.

"Yeah. I'm good. Just thinking about tomorrow, ya'know?" he said, smiling sadly.

Artemis nodded beside him, the bright smile that graced her features a few moments ago somewhat dimming. She had felt the sadness and pain that Ranma was experiencing.

Part of her wanted to reach out and help him overcome the loneliness, or at least ease the hurt that currently resided in his heart. She knew though, that only one person could do that.

"Don't worry Ranma. Tomorrow, it'll all be over." she said, squeezing him on the arm as she stood to retreat into the cave.

"Yeah. Tomorrow." he murmured, looking out the tunnel to gaze at the waterfalls.

For some unknown reason, the waterfalls reminded her of Akane. The sound of the water flowing was like the sound of Akane's voice. He closed his eyes and saw an image of a smiling Akane.

*Tomorrow.*

---

Artemis made her way through the tunnel and passed by Mousse and Shampoo. The Amazon pair were setting up their bedding for the night. They had chosen a secluded part of the cave, set apart from everyone.

Mousse smiled and nodded at her as she passed by, and beneath the almost inch - thick glasses she could see the happiness and contentment that lay in his eyes.

"How's Ranma?" he asked, carefully laying the blankets.

Shampoo had her back to them as she unpacked a few more blankets and their sleeping garments. She turned as she heard Mousse speak and Artemis saw that her eyes reflected the love in Mousse's eyes.

"He's fine. He's just doing some thinking." she answered, studying the couple for a moment.

"Oh. Ranma go to sleep soon, yes?" Shampoo asked, shaking her out of her reverie.

"In a while maybe." she replied.

She watched the couple once more as they continued in preparing for sleep. There were murmurs and whispers and slight teasing going on, and Artemis was glad that they had come this far.

"Have a good night's rest, OK?" she said, then walked further into the cave.

"Good night!" the couple replied, a little too cheerfully.

*We all know what that means.* Artemis chuckled to herself as she made her way towards the center of the cave where the fire was located.

And found Ukyo staring intently into it.

"The fire says it's rude to stare." Artemis teased a moment after, although part of her said that the okonomiyaki chef wasn't really paying much attention to the fire.

Ukyo looked up and found herself blushing slightly. She had been so deep in thought that she hadn't realized that she had been staring for a very long time.

"Where's Ryoga?" Artemis asked slyly, noting that for the first time in a long time, the bandanna - clad boy was not anywhere near the vicinity of the spatula - wielding girl.

"Sleeping, behind that cluster of boulders." she said, pointing to a nearby group of rocks.

"So why are you still up?" Artemis asked, walking around the fire to sit beside Ukyo.

"I dunno. Can't sleep I guess. By the way, Luc's already retired for the night." Ukyo informed her.

The chestnut - haired girl looked at her for a moment, then brought her gaze back to the blue flame in front of her. It was only then that Artemis noticed that Ukyo held something in her grasp.

"I surmised as much..." she drifted, watching the girl out of the corner of her eyes. She then focused on what Ukyo was holding.

"You should get some sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be a big day." Artemis said, then stood to proceed to where she would sleep for the night.

She paused as she reached the entrance to another part of the cave, then looked back at Ukyo. She saw the tension in the other girl's shoulders.

"You don't have to worry about anyone finding us. This cave is cloaked with magic. Now keep Ryoga's gift to you, you won't be needing it tonight." she said softly.

The tension left Ukyo's body, and she sagged a bit forward, a small smile gracing her features. She turned to face Artemis, but found that the woman had already gone.

"Thanks Artemis. Good night." she replied.

She turned back to the fire, watching the way the blue flame flickered. She tightened her grip on the dagger that Ryoga had given her, then slipped it into her bandoleer.

She stood to walk over to where Ryoga lay, but paused as she wondered what to do with the fire. She contemplated getting a bucket of water from the waterfalls when the flame flickered and dimmed.

Ukyo's eyebrows rose high into her forehead, then she relaxed and figured that magic had something to do with it. With one last look at the dimming flame, she walked over to Ryoga and proceeded to sleep.

---

Akane lay quietly on her bed, eyes staring intently at the ceiling like it was the most magnificent thing in the world. She had been awake for hours, sleep having eluded her after waking up at dawn.

She could hear the bustling of people outside her room, everyone getting the final preparations ready for the wedding and the festival. She could make out Merian and Atlas talking outside her door.

The two had been arguing for a good half an hour already, Atlas demanding to enter and wake her up to get ready, while Merian insisting that he shouldn't see her until the ceremony.

"Your Majesty, please! You can't go in there. It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding." Merian pleaded, her hands and arms holding off her King.

"It's nearly nine! The wedding is in two hours. And I'm betting she isn't anywhere near ready, let alone be in her wedding dress!" Atlas cried, intent on pushing past Merian and into the room.

*Merian must think that I'm still asleep.* Akane thought, an amused smile graced Akane's features as she heard the two continue to battle it out.

Deciding on putting them both out of their misery, Akane got out of bed and made her way towards the door. She opened it suddenly, and had to smother a chuckle as both Merian and Atlas tensed.

"Good morning. Is there a problem?" she asked innocently.

"Good morning, Lady Akane." Merian said, then bowed.

"Akane! Uh! Good morning! Problem? There's a problem?" Atlas blabbered on, very much unlike the calm and composed King that he was supposed to be.

Akane had to bite on her lower lip to keep herself from laughing at the expense of the red faced Atlas. Merian shook her head and decided to save her King from further embarrassment.

"We should get you ready for the wedding, Lady Akane. I suggest you yourself get ready, your Majesty." Merian said, gently ushering Akane back into her room.

Atlas stood there, somewhat dumbfounded and embarrassed. Shrugging to himself, he set off to prepare for the ceremony, whistling in excitement and delight, much to the amazement of his subjects.

---

"Luc?" Ranma called, pausing at the entrance of the part of the cave that served as Luc's private room.

"Come in." Luc replied.

Ranma hesitated for a moment, then entered Luc's room. It was as bare as the rest of the cave, only a bed, a small table and chair, and a small chest occupied the room.

What intrigued him were the cave paintings and drawings that filled more than half of the walls. There was something familiar about them, he just couldn't put his finger on what it was at the moment.

There didn't seem to be a lamp or light bulb or even a candle or flame of sorts, and that got Ranma thinking as to where the light in the room was coming from.

Luc's back was turned to him, the old man gazing at the paintings, following a certain line that Ranma concluded was how the story went. He then noticed that the drawings abruptly stopped at some point.

"Uh, Artemis said you wanted to talk to me about something." Ranma said, shaking his head slightly to focus again. Something about the paintings seemed to mesmerize him.

"Ah, yes. Of course." Luc said, taking one last look towards the last of the paintings, then moving over to sit on the lone chair in the room.

He motioned for Ranma to come over and sit by the bed. The pigtailed martial artist proceeded further into the room and found that a small crystal ball was the source of the light.

The two of them faced each other, Ranma sitting on the bed, Luc on the chair, a couple of feet separating them. Luc was studying Ranma intently, while Ranma was busy trying to evade his piercing gaze.

"You do realize, that you do not have your power yet." Luc started, drawing somewhat of a sigh from the boy sitting across from him.

"Yeah. It's hard not to notice with everyone powering up and stuff." muttered Ranma, fixing his gaze on the ground.

"The implications... do you know what that means, though?" Luc asked carefully, knowing that the young man before him seemed to be lacking in confidence.

*Yeah I do. I'm more vulnerable than the others are. And that my powers might not be enough.* he thought worriedly, hands turning into fists on his lap.

"It'll be harder than before. Much, much harder since you would be dealing with an entire platoon of beings more powerful than any you've faced." the old man added when Ranma did not answer.

Ranma continued staring at the ground, hundreds of things running amock in his mind. Worry and doubt was starting to beleaguer him as he sat there with clenched fists.

*I'm sorry for doing this to you Ranma. But I need to know just how far you will go.* Luc thought, then sighed as he went for it.

"Will you still fight?"

That brought Ranma's head up. He stared at Luc with eyes filled with courage and pride. Ranma then realized that he'd been having a pity party for himself.

*Stupid Ranma. You have Akane to fight for. Why are you even thinking of worrying?* he thought angrily, wanting to bop himself on the head.

"I... I know I'm a little short on power compared to the others. But that ain't gonna stop me. I'm gonna get Akane back, no matter what." Ranma said it with so much conviction that it made Luc smile with pride.

Ranma's aura suddenly flared up, a bright blue light surrounding his entire body. There were sparks and flecks of gold that adorned his aura, something visible only to Luc's eyes.

"Then there's no need to worry about your power... right?" Luc said, smiling encouragingly at Ranma.

The boy known as Ranma Saotome stood with clenched fists at his side and a very determined look on his face. His aura became even brighter and Luc saw the gold flecks grow even more.

"Right." Ranma said, nodding as he caught the look Luc was giving him.

There was something awfully familiar about Luc's eyes, and along with the feel of the whole room. Ranma didn't know what it as exactly, and decided to let it remain a mystery.

"Thanks, Luc." Ranma said, then went for the door.

"Ranma..." Luc called.

"Yeah?" Ranma asked, pausing at the door.

"A favor, if it's alright?" Luc asked, his eyes bearing the weight of his request.

Ranma tilted his head to the side, watching the old man with renewed interest. He was somewhat anxious and worried, quite the opposite of his earlier disposition.

"Could you please take care of Artemis for me. I... she may not admit it, but I know this is personal for her, too..." he drifted.

"Sure. No worries, OK Luc?" Ranma replied.

"Thank you, Ranma." Luc said, and for some reason, Ranma felt as though that one had come from a place far deeper than the old man's heart.

"Gotcha covered." Ranma said, nodding his head as he headed out the room.

*Yes. There's no need to worry Dragon God.* Luc smiled warmly as Ranma exited the room.

Luc turned back to the paintings and the crystal ball, and his smile grew even more as he saw the previously missing conclusion of the prophecy glowing the same golden light he saw in Ranma's aura.

"At last, the final act has begun."

---

"My Lord, everyone's in position."

Astevaes looked thoughtful as he listened to the report. He had been in a foul mood the whole night, what with Artemis and her group still not having been found.

He looked over the room, then glanced at the screen to check the locations of his other men. His eyes narrowed as he noticed that some of them were still out looking for the intruders.

"Recall everyone on the hunt. Put additional guards at the perimeter." he ordered.

Once they were contacted, the group of men in the forest south of the city gathered, then teleported out and into the city. Some stationed themselves inside the palace, some just outside the gates.

"Good. You all know the plan. After Atlas and Akane seal their union with a kiss, the prophecy will be fulfilled. That would be the signal to attack." he said.

"Yes, Lord." all of his men answered, including those that were in the field.

Astevaes smiled to himself in satisfaction as he left the hidden room for what he hoped was the last time. If everything worked out according to plan, in a few hours, he would be crowned King of Atlantis.

*'King of Atlantis'... I think 'King of the World' sounds much, much better...* he thought, chuckling to himself as he made his way to the palace gardens for the wedding.

---

"Think it'll work?" Ryoga asked, looking through the crowds as they tried to blend in as much as possible.

Hundreds of people were lined up in front of the palace gates as the guards ushered them into the palace grounds. Today was the wedding of their King and Lady Akane, so everyone was in high spirits.

People from all walks of life were gathered around the palace. There were some animals, food, jewelry, and lots of other things that they assumed were presents for the soon to be King and Queen.

With Luc's help the previous night, they found out most of what was planned for the festival. He had given them all the information he could as to how to at least create a plan of action.

Dressed as merchants and common folk, they had gotten themselves into the city early to have a better chance of getting into the palace and still have time to scout the area.

Mousse was dressed as a jewelry merchant, his traditional white robes adorned with jewels of all kinds. The jewels were of course, just illusions created by Luc's magic.

Beside him were Ukyo and Shampoo, who were to be his companions. Both were dressed in matching long coats to hide their battle garbs and their weapons.

Ryoga wore a long coat over his clothes and was carrying baskets filled with vegetables and fruits. Ranma also wore a robe over his clothes and was also carrying baskets of food.

"I dunno. But we're about to find out." Ranma said, nodding towards the guards.

"Welcome to the palace. You may place your gifts on the long table on the right." one of the guards said, eyeing the baskets Ranma and Ryoga held.

"Thank you." Ryoga replied and made his way to the table. Ranma nodded to the guard and smiled as best he could as he followed Ryoga in.

"Welcome to the palace. You may proceed to the gardens for the ceremony." another guard said to Mousse, Ukyo and Shampoo.

"Thank you very much." Mousse said for all of them as they walked past the guards.

The three of them looked towards the table where Ranma and Ryoga were and made eye contact. Ukyo and Shampoo disentangled themselves from Mousse and proceeded to mingle with the other people present.

Mousse stood by the longest of the food tables which was at the left side of the gardens, facing the seats for the villagers. It served as the look out point for the whole area.

Ryoga positioned himself at the back of the gardens, near the entrance, where a number of guards were stationed, and where only a few civilians stayed.

Shampoo managed to seat herself in the middle of the gathering audience, her seat directly beside the path that led to the platform in front.

The aforementioned platform had an altar made of marble and was laden with precious stones. Atop it was a scroll, a case that contained the wedding rings, and another two cases that contained the crowns.

At the moment, there were four guards lined up affront to prevent anyone from going up the platform. Another set of guards lined each side of the platform for the same purpose.

A band was positioned on one side of the platform, while a group of noble men sat on the other side. Behind the noble men was a door that led to one of the corridors in the palace.

Ranma made his way towards one of the shorter food tables that was nearest to the platform where he assumed the actual ceremony would take place.

Ukyo settled herself somewhere near the front of the rows of seats, having a clear path to and view of the platform. She looked over to where Ranma was, and noticed that he looked a bit worried.

*He's probably thinking about his power.* she thought.

Unbeknownst to Ukyo, Ranma was indeed thinking about his power. He was also thinking about their battle plan, and his long talk with Luc earlier that day.

*That's right. I'm doing this for Akane. Even without my power, there's no way I'm gonna lose!* he thought fiercely.

He was distracted from his thoughts when a man wearing a robe different from the rest of the guards and noble men went past the line of soldiers to inspect the platform.

The guards saluted him as he passed, the man nonchalantly waving a hand as a reply. He eyed the things on the altar, then let his gaze linger on the crown.

Ranma eyed him warily, and figured that he was the man Luc told them to be the chief adviser of the king. After a few moments, the man turned his gaze to the crowds and scanned the gardens.

Ranma looked over to Ukyo and found the okonomiyaki chef looking worriedly at him. He smiled, then nodded his head towards the platform, and Ukyo nodded back in understanding.

He caught Mousse's gaze as he turned, the bespectacled man stoic as he too observed the platform. They nodded to each other, then Ranma looked to Shampoo who winked at him in response.

He scanned the crowds carefully, then chanced a look at Ryoga at the back of the gardens. The fanged martial artist gave him a thumbs up from his position.

With the wedding no doubt about to start, some of the guards had moved up towards the platform and the front where the ceremony would take place. That gave Ryoga less guards to deal with.

All of a sudden, trumpets blared and the band began playing as King Atlas entered the gardens from the palace. He shook hands with the noble men that greeted him.

"His Royal Highness, King Atlas!"

The crowds cheered as the King waved to them, slowly making his way towards the platform. Following behind him was the priest that would no doubt be performing the ceremony.

Ranma suddenly remembered something from earlier that day.

(Flashback with Luc)

"Why don't we just attack up front?" Ryoga asked.

"The King isn't our enemy, and he is very much loved by his people. If you attack him the crowds will definitely turn against you, not to mention the guards that are loyal only to him." Luc answered.

(Present time)

Just then, a hand touched Ranma's shoulder. Ranma tensed for a moment, worrying that he had been caught. He turned his head slowly and sighed when he saw Artemis looking smugly at him.

She wore a robe like that of Mousse's traditional battle garb, except that it had intricate designs and trinkets adorning it. She wore a pink veil over her face like most of the ladies in the crowd.

"Nervous?" she joked, a huge smile on her face.

"Damn straight! What the hell did you... wait a minute! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be..."

"Shhh... keep it down, will you? I didn't have enough time to look for the hidden chamber. The guards told us the ceremony was to begin so we were all ushered here." she replied.

"Still, you shouldn't be here!" Ranma insisted.

(Flashback with Luc)

"And why not? They need my help!" Artemis cried indignantly.

"You're too valuable to be caught Artemis, you know that. If Astevaes finds you he won't hesitate to kill you." Luc pleaded, trying to help her see reason.

Ranma and the others kept silent during the exchange. It was as though they were watching a father plead with his daughter for her own safety and benefit.

"Not if I get to him first!" Artemis vowed.

"That's another thing. You're too emotionally involved in this. You won't be able to think straight." Luc reminded her.

"He murdered my parents. Damn right I'm involved in this." she declared.

(Present time)

"I know what he said. You don't have to remind me." Artemis replied.

Ranma looked at her, a part of him worried for her and another part worried for what might happen if Artemis, or any of them for that matter, lose themselves in the moment and act without thinking.

(Flashback with Luc)

"And the most important thing is to not let your emotions get the best of you. You must stick to the plan. The enemy are well trained, one mistake and you're done for." Luc reminded them as they set out from the cave.

(Present time)

"As long as we follow the plan, we'll be fine." Artemis said.

Ranma was about to argue when the band began to play a softer tune. The crowds started to cheer as an group of women slowly entered the gardens, no doubt paving the way for the bride.

"Well, we'll find out soon enough." Ranma said, his gaze fixed on where he assumed Akane would be entering the gardens.

Six young girls danced their way into the gardens, followed by another group of young girls, throwing rose petals of every color and kind possible. They all wore matching dresses in different colors.

The band then began playing an entirely different tune as the bride entered. Cheers, sighs of contentment, and looks of adoration came from just about everyone as Akane walked down the path.

She had on a simple silver - white spaghetti - strapped gown that hugged her form, decorated with diamonds all over. Her earrings, bracelet and necklace were all white gold, also adorned with diamonds.

She walked down the somewhat stony path with as much grace and elegance as her glass slippers allowed her. She was radiating with happiness, her smile visible through the thin veil covering her face.

"Akane..." Ranma whispered in awe of the beauty before him.

The sight of Akane just nailed him onto his spot. He could not help but stare and hold his breath as he gazed upon her for the first time since she had been taken from him.

He was almost brought to tears as he thanked every and any god listening for keeping the one woman he loved safe. A jubilant smile graced his features, one that spoke volumes of the joy he felt within.

It lasted only for a split second, though, as his world fell apart.

At that same moment, Atlas stepped forward and offered his right hand to Akane. She placed her left hand over his extended one, that happy and loving smile never leaving her face.

Hands balled into fists and teeth ground against each other as the fire began to build in Ranma's eyes. Every part of his being was just raring to go and pummel Atlas into the ground.

He had only been able to take one step towards his target when Artemis grabbed his arm and forced him to face her. He shook him a few times and growled out his name to get his attention.

"Dammit Ranma! You can't lose control now! If you do, you'll lose Akane forever..." Artemis pleaded.

Ranma shook his head a couple of times as he tried to concentrate. His eyes focused on Artemis as he took a moment to collect himself. He unclenched his fists and relaxed as Artemis let go of his arm.

"Geez... And they say I'm the one who's too emotionally involved." she chided.

"I... I'm sorry. I just..." Ranma drifted off, still somewhat disconcerted.

"Just get a grip, OK? We need you... Akane needs you." Artemis reminded him.

The others tensed in their positions as they watched Ranma's stance go back to a relaxed state. They each let go of the breath they hadn't realized they were holding.

Mousse and Shampoo both thanked their ancestors, while Ryoga and Ukyo thanked whoever else was looking down on them that day. Hell would have broken lose had Artemis not been able to restrain Ranma.

Their attention was so concentrated on what had happened that none of them noticed a warrior slowly approach Astevaes. Mousse caught a glimpse of him, but decided that it was just another guest.

Astevaes stared with the rest of the crowds as the bride entered the garden. The music was being drowned out by the cheers of the people for their soon - to - be new Queen.

He watched everyone as they rejoiced, a wry smile on his face. He wondered if these people would still be rejoicing by the end of the ceremony.

"What is it?" he asked suddenly, as he felt a warrior approach him from behind.

"My Lord, the radars have detected an unusually high concentration of energy here in the gardens. They're here." the warrior spoke.

Astevaes had to bite his lower lip to keep himself from growling as he listened. He was thrilled to know that the cause of his problems was just within his grasp, while a part of him felt slightly threatened.

"My Lord, what should we do?" the warrior asked.

He kept silent for a moment as he thought of what to do. The people started taking their seats as the music faded, and Astevaes hurried to send the warrior back before he could be noticed.

"Go back to your post. Scan the area for her energy signature." Astevaes said, his back turned to the warrior.

"But my Lord, the machine can't detect her if she's not using her powers." the warrior replied. He almost had to take a step backwards as Astevaes whirled around to face him.

Most of the people have already sat down, leaving only the guards, the priest and the soon to be married couple, a few guests including Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse and Artemis, and the warrior talking to Astevaes.

"I don't care! Find her and..." the command died on his lips as his gaze landed on a couple of people standing by the shorter food table.

"My lord?" the warrior asked, but to no avail.

Astevaes' attention was focused on the two people standing on the other side of the gardens, his gaze lingering on the woman more than the man. His eyes widened at the sudden realization.

Mousse squinted as he studied the warrior and the nobleman, wondering why they seemed to be arguing just when the ceremony was about to start.

He felt the wind become a bit colder and blow stronger around him as though his power and element was trying warn him of something. He looked worriedly towards Shampoo, but found nothing unusual near her.

Shampoo stared at the couple on the platform, sighing in envy. She wanted her wedding to be as beautiful as Akane's, but knew that the Amazon Council would not approve of her relationship with Mousse.

The thought of her love brought a smile on her face, and she turned to look at him. She found Mousse looking worriedly at her, and somehow felt a wave of danger in the gardens.

Ryoga leaned back against the wall as the vision of Akane filled his head. He could not deny the effect the beautiful woman was having on him, but he realized that it was not as big as before.

*I guess I really am over her.* he thought, smiling slightly as he thought of the reason for his change of heart.

His gaze lingered on Akane for a moment, before turning towards the woman who now occupied his heart. He then felt a slight tremor from the earth, and his stance became defensive as though he was in a fight.

Ukyo was also looking at the two people who looked to be causing some sort of a commotion a few feet near the altar, and thought that they should take it somewhere else.

She suddenly felt her body temperature rising, and wondered how that could be when there was a canopy above the whole area. She tensed as she heard a voice in her head, warning her of imminent danger.

There was a tingling sensation at the back of his neck, and he somehow felt that he was being warned of something. Ranma started to look around, and found what he was being warned of.

"Oh shit." he muttered as he saw Astevaes staring at him and Artemis.

Atlas and Akane had already settled themselves atop the platform and in front of the priest. Smiles could be seen all around as everyone waited in silence.

Just then, all hell broke lose.

"It's her... Guards! Seize them!" Astevaes cried as the guards rushed towards Ranma and Artemis.

Astevaes turned to the warrior he had been talking to and grabbed the front of his robe. The startled warrior swallowed nervously for a moment as he stared at his master.

"I'll get Atlas and Akane into the chamber and finish the ceremony there. You deal with Artemis and her friends. Make sure they don't interrupt me. Go! Now!" he ordered.

Astevaes made his way towards Atlas and Akane, who were being held captive by a group of guards. He gestured towards his men to bring the two into the castle as the garden turned into a fighting arena.

"Astevaes! What's the meaning of this?" Atlas asked, outraged as his beloved people started to panic.

"What's going on?" Akane asked, trying to pull Merian to her side as the guards surrounded them.

"The guards will take care of the intruders, your Majesty. We have to get you to safety." Astevaes insisted, forcing Atlas and Akane into the palace.

"Unhand me this instant!" Atlas fought to free himself from the guards holding him when he suddenly fell forward in the guards arms.

"Atlas!" Akane cried as Atlas got clobbered from behind by one of the guards.

Anger rose within her as she saw the man she was about to marry unconscious and in the arms of one who was supposed to protect him. She felt power growing within her when everything turned black.

Astevaes staggered a bit as he pulled back his hand from hitting Akane. He shook his head a couple of times to clear his mind, though he swore he felt something when he touched her.

"Let go of King Atlas and Lady Akane!" Merian pounded her fists into the guards but she was no match for them.

One of the guards grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up from the ground, her feet about a foot clear of the floor. She fought to let air back into her lungs when she was flung to the wall.

Her diminutive body bounced off the wall as she impacted it, and she landed in a heap on the floor. Blood trickled down the side of her head as she slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"You two. Guard this door. Let anyone in and you will answer to me." Astevaes threatened, then disappeared into the castle as the two guards stationed themselves by the door.

The crowds began to panic and people started to run out of the gardens, screaming and crying in fear. Chairs were turned over as people rushed to get out.

"Dammit! We've been made!" Ranma cried as he moved to fight the guards approaching him and Artemis.

Eight men approached them from the direction of the platform, while another ten men approached from the other side. All looked to be twice their size combined.

Ranma looked worriedly at Artemis and she stared back at him with the same sentiment. Just as they were about to get pummeled, the ground shook beneath the warriors, giving Ranma and Artemis time to jump away.

They landed a few feet from Mousse, Ukyo, Shampoo, who were all fighting a group of warriors. Beside them was Ryoga, who had apparently helped them.

"You guys alright?" Ryoga asked as he came upon them.

"Yeah, thanks man!" Ranma replied.

"There's no time to waste! We have to get to that hidden chamber and stop Astevaes!" Artemis cried, reminding them of their mission.

"A little help here!" Ukyo said, fending off a couple of warriors with her spatula while burning another two to a cinder with a fire ball.

Ryoga them turned his palms towards the ground and closed his eyes as the ground opened up under the two warriors attacking Ukyo. The okonomiyaki chef jumped away from them as they were eaten by the earth.

"Thanks hon!" Ukyo said, then raced off to help Shampoo and Mousse.

"You two go on ahead. We'll catch up with you later." Ryoga said.

"But you don't know where the chamber is!" Ranma argued.

"You don't know where it is either. Don't worry about us. Just go get Akane!" Ryoga insisted, then joined the mess that was their friends and a large number of warriors.

"Ranma! We've got to go!" Artemis pleaded.

The pigtailed martial artist looked on as his friends fought like there was no tomorrow. His heart swelled with pride and he was almost brought to tears had the situation not been dangerous.

"Let's go Artemis!" he roared into action as the two of them ran towards the entrance of the castle.

The two guards standing by the door came into view as they approached. Ranma was preparing to attack them when two spears, one of fire and one of air hit the two warriors through their chests.

They both looked back to see Ukyo and Mousse giving the both of them the thumbs up. Artemis waved a relieved thanks while Ranma returned the thumbs up.

Ranma and Artemis stood in front of the door that led to the palace for a moment. They looked at each other, saw the determination in the other's eyes, then nodded as they plunged into the darkness.

Part 2:
Visions of Darkness

"Put them over there."

Atlas was placed atop a chair, his arms and legs tied to the arms and legs of the chair. A transparent glass came up and trapped him inside some sort of tube, with air filling it to stabilize pressure.

Akane was placed in another chair much like his, but instead of filling the conduit with air, Astevaes filled hers with highly oxygenized liquid, allowing her to breathe.

Astevaes was not about to take any chances. He felt some sort of power from the young woman, one he could not explain at the moment, and one that he did not want to trifle with.

He counted five men inside the chamber with him, three manning the security and communication systems of the palace. He thought for a moment, then proceeded to the warrior controlling the security.

"Take all of your men and make sure that no one gets into this control center. You'll be my last line of defense." he instructed, then set the security to standby.

He looked around the chamber, then at the screens showing just where who was fighting who. His gaze then settled on the two figures making their way into the palace.

"Your move." he said, activating the security system, his eyes turning into slits as he glared at the one woman who stood in his way.

---

"Kyaa! Haaaa!" Ukyo cried, sending a couple of warriors into the far wall. Both of them were engulfed in flames.

She felt energy leaving her body and she staggered forward, leaning on her giant spatula for support. Blood was running down her arm as she gripped the handle as if her life depended on it.

Beside her, Shampoo was on one knee, panting heavily. Her other knee had a few bruises and cuts. The amazon had blood covering he left leg, with two huge lacerations on her upper thigh.

"Gentlemen, I believe we're at an impasse." Mousse stated, both sleeves of his robe torn from the shoulders, showing some shallow cuts. Blood coming from the gash on his forehead covering part of his face.

Ryoga stood behind him, making sure that no one could enter the palace and follow Ranma and Artemis. The bandanna - clad boy already had a broken leg with bruises and cuts covering most of his body.

Mousse looked around the gardens and was thankful that most of the civilians have left. Only a number of warriors were left standing, the others, splattered all over the place.

The canopy that covered the area had already fallen onto the ground, collapsing in a heap and covering some of the already unrecognizable warriors.

The remaining warriors, all twelve of them, snarled and glared at the four people blocking their way. They were ordered to dispose of them, and dispose of them, they shall.

*Ukyo, draw some of them towards you and away from the palace entrance. Shampoo, you and I must push them backwards and out of the gardens. Ryoga, you...* Mousse was interrupted by Ryoga's thoughts.

*I've got it. No one will get through me.* Ryoga vowed.

The four of them nodded to each other, watching their opponents warily as they communicated telepathically. Everything was at a stand still as they all stared each other down.

Time seemed to stop for a moment as silence reigned all over.

It only lasted for a moment, as a bird flew from its perch atop one of the walls, breaking the silence and starting the battle once more.

---

Ranma paused in mid - stride as he felt more than heard the battle cry of his friends as they fought. He and Artemis have been walking all over the palace but they still haven't found the chamber.

They were now in one of the smaller hallways just past the main halls. The hallway was lined with paintings of who Ranma assumed to be the past rulers of the city.

"Where is it? Dammit! If only I had more time to look for it earlier..." Artemis trailed off, her face in anguish as she tried desperately to find anything that would give them a lead.

*Where are you Akane? I need your help, show me where you are. Give me a sign.* Ranma thought, somehow hoping that Akane could hear his thoughts in the same way he and other could communicate.

He prayed to whoever was watching for guidance and courage. He closed his eyes to concentrate, and felt as though a force was pulling him towards one of the walls.

He gently placed his palms against the walls, his eyes closed tightly. He felt along the tiles as his hands searched for something that he had no idea of.

"Ranma? What are you doing?"

"Shhh..."

He continued sliding his palms until he felt a hitch in the tiles. One of it seemed to be loose from the wall, and Ranma tried to pull it. When it wouldn't come off, he pushed it instead.

Artemis braced for anything as Ranma kept his eyes closed. Nothing happened for a moment, when suddenly, part of the wall opened and a well - lit path emerged.

"How'd you..."

"I dunno... I guess I just followed my heart..." Ranma smirked, then entered the newly opened hallway.

Artemis followed him into the hallway, and both were amazed by the simpleness of it. Everything was in white, the walls, the ceiling, and the ground they walked on.

It was very different from the rest of the palace, and both were sure that it was created long after the palace was built, with its inhabitants having no knowledge of it whatsoever.

They walked for what seemed like hours, silence reigning between them. Worry started to fill them as they came to a huge cavern that held entrances to five different paths.

They both stood in the middle of the cavern, trying to gauge which path to take. Ranma closed his eyes again, trying to sense whatever it was that guided him before.

"Where does your heart tell you to go now?" Artemis whispered, trying not to disturb him.

It took Ranma a moment of contemplation before he opened his eyes once more. He tore a piece of his shirt off and tied it around the dagger that Mousse had given him that morning.

Ranma just about refused his offer, saying that he fought better without weapons. Mousse insisted however, and told him to take the dagger with him just in case.

*Just in case, huh?* Ranma smiled. He threw the dagger at the top of the middle entrance where it embedded itself in the wall.

"We'll take the center. Let's go."

Artemis followed after him, wondering to herself what the dagger was for. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't see Ranma stop until she bumped into him.

"Hey, why'd you..."

"We've got company." he said, his gaze fixed on the warrior standing in the way.

Ranma stared the warrior down as he tried to think of a plan of attack. The warrior was at least a foot taller than him and about twice his built.

He contemplated attacking up front since the passageway wasn't wide enough for any other option. He had the advantage in speed, but knew that it wouldn't be enough to offset the enemy's strength.

Behind him, Artemis was studying the corridor, looking for anything from something that could be used as a weapon to a door to escape the warrior.

*Artemis, do you remember what you did to Herion at the warehouse?* Ranma asked telepathically.

*I... I remember it. But I don't remember how I did it. It just happened.* she answered.

*You mean you don't know how to use your powers?* Ranma asked worriedly.

*I can't use them for attacking. I was never trained for that. What happened back then... it was just an accident. I can't just summon it like you do with your chi attacks.* she replied, equally anxious.

Beads of sweat formed on Ranma's forehead as he trashed that idea. He knew that Artemis would not be able to assist him in any way, and that he had to take on this warrior by himself.

For his part, the warrior just maintained his stance. They were never trained to taunt their opponents, so he just stood silent, waiting for the attack.

*Listen up. I'm gonna try and take him out. You find a way to get past him while I have him preoccupied.*

*Got it.* Artemis replied, albeit worried since Ranma doesn't have his powers yet.

Ranma took a step to the right, trying to bait the warrior into copying his movements. He took another couple of steps, one forward, the other to the right again.

He almost smiled as the warrior followed his movements, the both of the starting to circle each other as though they were dancing around something.

They each had just about formed a semi-circle, when the warrior began his attack. Ranma though, was prepared. He was practically waiting for it.

The warrior lunged forward and tried to ram Ranma into the wall with his wide shoulder. The pigtailed martial artist waited until the last moment to jump over the warrior.

The walls shook ever so slightly at the impact. Ranma smiled smugly as he outsmarted the warrior. The smile was wiped off his face when the warrior faced him yet again after shaking off the aftereffects.

*Dammit!* he thought, assuming a fighting stance.

Ranma was a flurry of punches and kicks as he launched himself at his opponent. The warrior was able to block most of them but Ranma was able to get a few shots in.

He was about to pull back and hit him with a mokou takabishya when the warrior caught his left leg and swung him into the wall. Ranma shook his head as he tried to clear the cobwebs.

He flipped himself over the warrior again to keep himself from getting cornered, but was met with a devastating round house in the gut that sent him flying into the other wall.

He found himself on his hands and knees as he tried to pick himself up from the ground. He stood sluggishly, still a little bit dizzy from hitting the wall.

He wiped the blood on his lips with his right arm as he faced the warrior again. He again bombarded the warrior with a plethora of kicks and punches, this time ending with a kachuu tenshin amaguriken.

The warrior blocked most of the punches and kicks, but he was not ready for the faster punches that Ranma threw with the amaguriken technique.

Ranma got a few combinations in, along with a final kick to the solar plexus that hurled the warrior into the other wall. The warrior's form was embedded into the wall, but he just shrugged it off.

*Holy shit! What is he, made of steel?* he thought, partly amazed and partly worried.

He looked towards Artemis, and found the young woman staring anxiously at him. Ranma just nodded for Artemis to continue as he again propelled himself towards the warrior for another attack.

Artemis flinched as he watched Ranma getting battered and beaten by the warrior. She had been inching her way past the two of them since the fight started, but was still a few feet away from getting clear.

Ranma saw this and drove the warrior a little further away from both him and Artemis, kicking at the warrior continuously with the speed of his kachuu tenshin amaguriken.

When Ranma had the warrior backed a few feet from the wall, he did a back flip, then landed on one knee. He mustered up all the energy he could and pulled back.

"MOKOU TAKABISHYA!" he roared, firing the chi blast at the unsuspecting warrior.

The warrior's eyes widened at bit at the chi attack coming his way. He did not have enough time to dodge or deflect it as he was hit squarely in the chest.

The chi blast drove the warrior into the wall once more, this time, parts of the ceiling caving in on him, effectively burying him under the rubble.

"Yeah!" Ranma cried, relieved and overjoyed at the results.

He then slumped in a heap on the ground as his body caught up with him. His breathing was labored as he rested on his back side with his hands behind him, the last chi attack taking its toll on him.

"Ranma... are you alright?" Artemis asked, moving to check on him.

"I'm... I'm good. Just... go on ahead of me... kay? I'll... uh... follow you in a bit." he managed to get out before he completely fell backwards onto the floor.

Artemis nodded, then proceeded to walk further into the pathway. She was more than just a few feet from Ranma when she ran into an invisible barrier.

"Uh... Ranma... you've gotta see this." Artemis said, her palms searching for a break in the barrier.

Ranma, though tired and bruised, pushed himself up as much as he could to see what Artemis was referring to. He was met by the image of the warrior getting up from under the debris.

*You've gotta be kidding me!* he thought, his eyes widening slightly.

"Uh... Artemis... maybe you should see this first..." he replied, getting on his feet as he prepared for another round.

"Oh... my... go..." she drifted off, turning back towards the barrier and doubling her efforts.

"I'll keep him busy! Find a way through that thing!" Ranma cried, then launched himself at the warrior yet again.

He found himself slamming into the wall once more as the warrior pounded endlessly on his body. He slumped down to the ground and only had enough to raise his arms to lessen the impact.

*God... someone... help us...* he thought as he fought to keep from blacking out.

*Akane...* was his last thought as the darkness engulfed him.

---

Akane's eyes opened slowly as she looked around the chamber. She found herself locked in a glass tube filled with some sort of fluid. Her eyes widened as she realized she was breathing through the fluid.

She looked to the left and found Atlas in the same predicament, the only difference was that there was no liquid in his tube, and that he was still unconscious.

The king had his head bent forward, with blood still running down the back of his head, soaking his robes crimson. Akane feared for his life as she tried to free herself.

Astevaes had his back towards them. He was standing in front of the screens, watching what she assumed was going on outside of the room they were in.

She almost didn't believe her eyes when she saw Ryoga, Mousse, Ukyo and Shampoo battling it out with a group of warriors in the garden. They seem to be winning, as the number of warriors was reduced to two.

She smiled in gratitude as she watched them fighting together and for a common cause. The smile faded away as she focused on another monitor, one that showed a battle taking place in one of the halls.

*It can't be!* she thought, one hand coming up to cover her mouth in shock.

*Ranma...* she thought, pressing herself up against the glass to get a clearer view of the screen.

There was no mistake. Ranma was alive. But he was barely hanging on as the warrior pounded him into the ground. He was just about to lose consciousness when Akane heard something in her head.

*Akane...*

*Ranma!* she replied, but only silence answered her.

*I've got to help him!* she thought, looking around the tube for a way out.

When she found none, she looked back at the monitor and decided that she needed to do something. She suddenly felt an awesome amount of power surging through her veins.

*What in the...* she thought, raising her hands as she felt power in them.

She then remembered a man speaking to her about a power that she now possessed. She thought that it had all been a dream, but now she knew better.

She settled herself in the center of the conduit, closing her eyes as she meditated. She grasped the untapped power that was flowing inside of her, the only thought in her mind was saving Ranma.

Just then, the alarms went off as Astevaes scrambled to check the controls. One of the vents had opened up and water was pouring into the city via the tunnels under the palace.

The alarmed man rushed to keep the tunnels from bursting completely open and destroying the palace and the city itself. Just as he was about to lose hope, the vent closed by itself.

He looked on in confusion as the system returned to normal. He searched the tunnels and found the water had disappeared. He scanned the palace and found huge amounts of water appearing just outside the room.

He looked at the screen showing the battle in one of the passageways and saw the place being flooded with water. He found his warrior being held captive by tendrils of water.

Ranma on the other hand, was being surrounded by a ball of water, and was seemingly being protected by it. Artemis, too, was encased in a ball of water as his warrior was drowned to death.

It was only then that he felt a tremendous amount of power building up behind him. He turned to see Akane emitting a bluish - white light as she seemed to be controlling the water.

Akane opened her eyes as she glared venomously at him. Astevaes could not believe what he was witnessing. He almost took a step back in fear of what was happening right in front of him.

"No... It can't be... You can't be one of them!" he roared, turning to the controls.

He found the one he was looking for, and turned it up to maximum. He faced Akane once more, this time, he looked more confident than he did just a few moments ago.

He pushed the button and smiled in satisfaction as Akane writhed in pain inside the tube. The current he sent through the conduit continued electrocuting Akane until she fell unconscious.

Astevaes turned off the machine a while after that, smiling smugly at the inanimate woman. He looked back at the monitors and found his smile widening as he saw Ranma and Artemis moving.

"Yes... just a little more..." he uttered, his smile turning into a vicious grin as his prey walked closer to his trap.

---

"Ugh. Get it off of me..." Shampoo pleaded as the last of the warriors slumped lifelessly on top of her.

They had used up their powers fighting the warriors that even they ended up almost drained of energy. They succeeded though, as bodies of the warriors lay everywhere.

Most were unconscious, while some were dead. Still some, were completely indecipherable.

"I got it Shampoo. Just stay still." Mousse said, carefully pulling the warrior off his beloved.

The four of them looked like they had just gotten trampled by elephants on a rampage. Ryoga was cradling a twisted left arm to go with his broken right leg.

Ukyo was fighting to straighten her giant spatula and to breathe through a few broken ribs. Shampoo was fighting a wave of tears as the wound on her stomach opened up slightly.

Mousse himself was trying to fight off a wave of nausea as the wound at the back of his head teamed up with the gash on his forehead. He sat slowly beside Shampoo as he fought to stay awake.

Ryoga was the first to stand up, albeit a little awkwardly. He looked around and almost winced at the carnage that they had just participated in.

He looked at his worn out and weary comrades, a small smile on his face as he was glad that none of them had shared the same fate as the warriors. He wondered though, if they can get through this alive.

"We can, Ryoga. Just believe in us, in Akane, in Ranchan." Ukyo replied, using her giant spatula as leverage.

"She right. Ranma no lose." Shampoo added, forcing herself to stand up.

"You wouldn't want to hear Saotome bragging to us later would you?" Mousse teased, standing up beside Shampoo.

A smile broke out on his face, showing just a hint of his fangs. The bandanna - clad martial artist nodded he limped steadily into the palace. He felt an arm coming up around his waist, and his smile grew.

"Yeah. We can do this." he said, smiling as Ukyo carried part of his weight for him.

The four friends continued on into the palace, in search of not only their friends, but also a means to end this battle. They only hoped that whatever it was, it would not lead to anymore deaths.

A part of them though, knew otherwise.

---

The water gradually drained out of the passageway as both Ranma and Artemis were slowly lowered onto the ground. She ran to check if he was all right, and was relieved to find out that he was.

"What... about the... the warrior?" Ranma asked through strained breaths.

Artemis looked around the corridor to find the warrior lying face - down on the ground. His eyes were white as water was trickling from his nose, ears, eyes, and just about every orifice.

"He's gone." she said, helping Ranma to lean back against the wall.

*What did this?* she thought, a chill passing through her at the thought of being spared from sharing the same fate as the warrior.

"Akane..." Ranma whispered.

"What?" she gasped in surprise.

"Akane... she did this... She saved us..." he replied, pushing against the ground and the wall to get up.

Ranma stumbled forward as he tried to walk. He was spared from meeting the ground face first as Artemis caught him in her arms. He blushed, embarrassed a bit.

"It's alright. Think nothing of it." Artemis said, smiling at him.

"Have you checked the barrier?" Ranma changed the subject as he tried to stop himself from blushing.

Artemis turned to look at the barrier and found that it had disappeared. She felt relief flood her entire system as she and Ranma proceeded further into the passageway.

They hadn't gotten far when the came upon the end of the hallway. Artemis helped Ranma lean on the side wall for a moment as she went to check on the wall blocking their path.

"It's sealed tight. We must've taken the wrong hall." she said in frustration, her hands sliding over the wall, desperately searching for a way through it.

Ranma huffed in frustration as well as he pushed himself up. He had barely gotten up when he noticed that Artemis was standing on a circular metal object that lay on the floor.

He hobbled forward and squinted his eyes to get a better view when the aforementioned object was suddenly outlined by a bright light. It took all of Ranma's remaining strength to push Artemis out of the way.

Artemis twisted her left wrist as slammed into the opposite wall. She shook her head slightly to relieve herself of a dizzy spell as she turned to berate Ranma for what he did.

"Stay... back..." Ranma hissed, suddenly falling to his knees.

It was only then that Artemis realized that Ranma had been encased in a transparent glass tube, one that was quickly filling with some sort of liquid.

"Ranma!" she took a step forward but stopped almost instantly as Ranma raised one of his arms to stop her.

"Never... mind... me... Get to... Ryoga and oth... others... warn them... uglck..." Ranma choked on the liquid as the entire tube was filled up.

Artemis took a step back as her hands cover her mouth to keep herself from screaming in horror. She felt herself going numb and would've fainted had Ranma not pounded on the glass.

"Go! Now!" Ranma cried as much as he could, his body still adjusting to the liquid he was submerged in.

The startled woman nodded in earnest as she ran back from where they came from. She only hoped that Ryoga and the others would still be alive to heed her warning.

---

"Run... run like the coward you are, Artemis. In the mean time, I will hold Atlas, Akane, and this Ranma Saotome here. Let's see if he can withstand the visions." he taunted.

He pressed a few buttons on the control panel that moved the unconscious Ranma inside and just below the main control room, in the center of the chamber.

"Let the games begin." he murmured as greenish liquid entered the tube encasing Ranma, mixing with the clear liquid.

Ranma's face contorted in pain and anguish as the fluid started taking effect. His muscles clenched and his veins started to show as his mind struggled to fight the visions that invaded his head.

"We'll see how long you can last, Ranma Saotome." he snarled, then broke into a maniacal laugh that echoed in the otherwise silent chamber, one that would've made even the dead shudder in terror.

---

"Is this it?" Mousse asked, cradling the injured Shampoo.

The four of them had met up with Artemis just as she was exiting the passageway. She explained to them what had happened to Ranma, and had lead them into the cavern.

"Good thing Ranma already gave us a lead." Mousse added, pointing at the dagger sticking out from the wall.

"I'd hate for us to split up, but we don't have a choice. Ukyo, you take the far left entrance. Shampoo, you take the one beside it. Mousse, far right entrance. I'll take this one." Ryoga said.

"Be careful love." Mousse whispered as he hugged Shampoo as much as the wound on her stomach would allow.

"I will. Stay safe, Airen." Shampoo kissed her beloved on the cheek.

Mousse pulled back slightly, surprised. He would have been celebrating right now if they weren't in danger. It was the first time Shampoo had called him her husband.

Ukyo looked away as the couple said their good - byes. She found Ryoga staring intently at her, and it took all of her willpower not to blush on the spot.

"Take care in there, OK?" he said, raising his uninjured arm to squeeze her gently in the shoulder.

"You, too, sugar." she replied, her eyes bright.

Everyone had already positioned themselves at their respective entrances when Artemis spoke up.

"Where do I go?"

Ryoga looked worriedly at her, then at Ukyo and the others. The chestnut haired young woman stepped towards her and placed both hands on her shoulders.

"Artemis... you need to go back outside and help the people that are hurt." Ukyo said, looking the other woman in the eyes.

"B... but..."

"We understand that you want to help. But right now, those people need your help more than we do." Mousse supplied, trying to make her understand.

"They need someone heal them. Shampoo no have enough power." Shampoo added.

"I know that you want to avenge your family. I know how that feels, how the darkness can consume you. You have to set it aside for now and help those who are injured and wounded." Ryoga said.

"But I... my family..." she drifted, remembering the pain and the agony of losing her family.

"After all, that's what a real queen would do, right?" Ukyo whispered.

Artemis' attention snapped back to her as realization dawned upon her. She had hidden that part of her past from them, partly to protect them but also to protect herself.

"How did you..."

"We kinda figured it out. What with Akane being mistaken for you and all..." Ukyo answered.

The two women looked each other in the eyes, as if they found all the answers in them. Ukyo had to smile at herself as Artemis nodded at her, eyes filled with courage and determination.

"I... I have to protect my people..." she said, hugging Ukyo tightly but without hurting her broken ribs.

"Thank you... all of you..." she said, then ran back out towards the entrance of the passageway and into the palace.

The okonomiyaki chef's smile grew as she watched Artemis' form slowly disappear in the distance. She was happy for the other woman, as she had found the meaning of her life's purpose.

*I hope that I find mine, too.* she prayed, then turned back to her friends.

---

"So, she managed to get the other four into the cavern." Astevaes muttered, watching each of the four monitors intently.

A warrior was waiting at the end of the passageway for each of them. He flicked a few switches and pushed a few buttons as he set the system on standby.

His gaze moved over to the two tubes behind him and was satisfied when he found Akane and Atlas still unconscious. He looked over below him to see Ranma grimacing in his sleep.

"It won't be long now." he thought, an evil gleam settling in his eyes.

---

Ranma slowly opened his eyes. He found himself in an open field filled with flowers of different kinds. He looked up at the sun and raised his arm to shield himself from the light.

*Where am I?* he thought to himself, trying to remember just how he had gotten there.

*I remember I was with Artemis in the passageway... and then I'm here... where is here?* he wondered, looking around for anyone who could give him an answer.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

Ranma whirled around, but found no one. He looked all over but found that he was still alone. He thought he heard a voice ask something, but figured it was just his imagination.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

He stared forward, then spun around, then looked from his left to his right. Still he found no one. Only this time, he was absolutely sure that he had heard someone talking.

Ranma suddenly felt a little woozy as his surroundings seemed to shift. He closed his eyes for a moment to focus, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself back at the Tendo Dojo.

*Ooookay... that was weird...* he thought, looking around to check if he actually was in the dojo.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?" a voice asked from behind him.

He turned to find a man who looked eerily a lot like Luc, except this man had a golden beard that almost reached his feet. He was dressed in a plain white robe that fell all the way to the floor.

"Are you... I mean... were you referring to me?" Ranma asked in disbelief.

He studied the man carefully, as though he were scrutinizing an opponent. There were no warning bells going off in his mind, and the man had almost the same aura as Luc.

The man nodded slowly, waiting for his answer.

Ranma looked around the dojo and remembered all the lessons that his father, Soun, Happosai, and even Cologne had taught him for that past few years.

He reminisced about all the fights that he had fought in and out of the dojo, and of all the people that he had battled against since he had come to Nerima.

"I fight for glory. I fight to win, to prove to everyone that I am the best." he replied confidently.

The man just shook his head.

Ranma was suddenly filled with visions of all the people he had beaten. Some looked bruised and bloodied, some disfigured and defaced, still some, almost to the brink of death.

"Was it worth all the pain and destruction?"

Ranma was taken aback by the images in his head. He wanted to reply, to take back his answer, but his surroundings shifted yet again. He fell unconscious as the nausea took over.

---

"SHI SHI HOKOUDAN!" Ryoga cried, forcing that last chi blast out of him.

The warrior was hit straight in the chest and was thrown back into the ceiling of the passageway, before landing on the ground and getting buried beneath the debris.

The bandanna - clad martial artist rested against the wall for a second, waiting for the warrior to get back on his feet. A few moments later, he decided that that was the last of that warrior.

He forced himself up even with the broken leg, and stumbled his way forward. His good arm leant against the wall as he struggled to get to the end of the passage.

A few feet later, he paused as he tried to catch his breath. That moment was the last that he spent in the passage as a glass tube came up to surround him, a transparent liquid filling it up afterwards.

He lost consciousness shortly after that.

---

"Achk... shit..." Ukyo cringed as she slid from the wall.

That was the fifth time she had gotten slammed into the wall by the warrior. She knew she was about to lose consciousness any second now so she thought of what to do.

From the corner of her eyes she saw the dagger Ryoga had given her lying a couple of feet from her. Mustering all the strength she had left, she dove for the dagger just as the warrior was reaching for her.

Fire burned in her eyes as she concentrated all her power on the dagger, setting it ablaze. She threw the flaming weapon at the warrior, effectively slicing through his body.

The dagger had somehow managed to come back to her, flames still surrounding it. She could hear the warrior cry in anguish as he was burned alive.

Ukyo had to turn away to keep herself from seeing the gruesome end that she had caused. She shook her head and wiped the tears that fell from her eyes.

*God forgive me.* she thought as exhaustion finally caught up to her.

For this reason, she did not see the clear glass tube that was slowly surrounding her. At that moment, she might not have cared even if she had.

---

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

Ranma suddenly found himself in a moderately sized home. He tried to juggle his memory, but he could not remember just whose house it was. He frowned as he heard voices coming from the other room.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

His brow furrowed as he edged closer to the door. He was about to turn the knob when his hand went right through it. He tried it again just to see if he was seeing things when his hand went through again.

He chalked it up to being part of the dream or whatever it was that he was having. He pushed his body right through the door and found himself staring at a young version of himself.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

"I fight for honor. I fight because I want my mother and father to be proud of me, a man among men." he replied, his eyes glistening with tears as he watched his mother and father cradle him with love.

The scene suddenly shifted and he saw his mother crying over a letter his father wrote, something about training him to become a man among men.

He saw his mother weeping by herself every night, almost crying herself to sleep every time, praying and begging for her son to be returned to her.

He saw himself as a toddler, learning martial arts from his father. The little boy smiled whenever he was praised by his father, but there was a hint of longing in his eyes.

"Was it worth the emptiness?"

The tears fell from his eyes at the realization. He wanted to reach out and touch his mother, to hold her in his arms and give her the one thing she had been missing all her life.

He was alarmed when he went right through his mother. It was only then that he realized that he was dreaming all of this. That none of this was real.

He wondered though, why the tears continued to fall.

---

Mousse scrambled out of the way as the warrior tried to flatten him into the wall. The hidden weapons master looked on, horrified as the warrior just shrugged it off.

He was at a loss for a moment. He was already heavily bruised and bloodied. He only had one lens left, the other already broken when he slammed into the wall earlier.

He was having a hard time seeing his opponent, and his powers were just about gone. He knew that he still had enough for one more attack, and that he had to make it count.

The warrior steadily approached him with the intention of dismembering him right there and then. His hand moved under his robes as he tried to look for a weapon to use.

*Got it!* he thought, his hand grasping the said weapon as he looked around the passage.

He found what he was looking for, and he couldn't help but smile as he realized that he could beat the warrior. He poised himself as he waited for the warrior to come closer.

*Now!* he thought as he sprung into action.

Mousse unleashed a barrage of chains as he tried to bind the warrior. Attached to the ends of the chains were spikes that buried themselves into the crevices that he had seen earlier.

The warrior struggled as the chains tightened themselves around, effectively immobilizing him. His eyes widened in fear as he saw Mousse's posture. He knew then that it was the end.

"Tornado Spear." Mousse said softly, before he bombarded the warrior with spears of air.

Only the cries of the warrior were heard for a long while as he writhed in agony against the chains. Mousse slumped to the ground as all energy left his body.

He was on the verge of losing consciousness when he was surrounded by the transparent glass tube. He tried slamming his hands into them, but to no avail.

*Shampoo...*

He promptly fainted afterwards.

---

Shampoo slowly slid down against the barrier as she watched the warrior being eaten alive by one of her creations. The amazon princess felt sick to her stomach, but was glad that it was over.

She turned her head to the side as she thought she heard Mousse in call her name. She closed her eyes as she tried to sense if he was all right.

The momentary distraction was enough as she was caught in the glass tube. Fatigue finally caught up to her and she fell unconscious as she was immersed in the liquid.

*Mousse...* was her last thought as darkness claimed her.

---

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

Ranma found himself in the mountains, snow covering most of the forest. He watched as some people skied, some made snowmen, still some threw snowballs at each other.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

He heard voices nearby, people shouting at each other. He followed the sound of the voices and saw himself in girl - form. He was on all fours, and Ranma had to shiver as he thought of the technique.

He saw Cologne standing on the other side of the frozen pond, taunting him. He suddenly leapt at the surprised old woman, the Nekoken taking effect almost immediately.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

"I... I fight for respect. I fight to gain the respect of those who witness my abilities." he replied, albeit a little hesitant.

He covered his eyes as a snow blizzard surrounded him. The next moment he was in the Nekohanten, right outside Cologne's room. He peaked inside, and almost threw up at the sight.

The Amazon matriarch removed her robes to reveal gashes and slashes covering her arms, legs, back and stomach. She even had some wounds on her neck.

He saw Shampoo in tears as she dressed her great - grandmother's wounds. The wounds that he had inflicted on her, while he was under the influence of the Nekoken.

"Was it worth all the harm, all agony?"

Ranma had to pull himself away from the door to keep himself from vomiting. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to make himself believe that it was all an illusion.

He stumbled towards the bathroom, and as he wretched, he wondered how it could all be just an illusion.

---

Akane's eyes fluttered open as she slowly regained consciousness.

She almost panicked as she saw that she was being held captive in some sort of tube.

She remembered a few moments later just where she was and who was holding her hostage. She turned to check if Atlas had woken up, but the kings was still dead to the world.

She started looking around for Astevaes to give him a piece of her mind but found her friends encased in a tube much like hers, only they were wounded, bloodied and still unconscious.

She wanted to call out to them, to see if they would wake up, but stopped as Astevaes approached. She snarled at him behind the glass as he just chuckled at her.

"You surprised me earlier. I had no idea that you now bear the power of water." he started, studying her intently.

"Let my friends go!" she demanded.

"Oh, I will. As soon as the show is over." he replied, smiling smuglyat her.

"What are you..." she asked, looking back at her friends.

It was only then that she realized that only Ryoga, Ukyo, Mousse and Shampoo were locked up like her and Atlas. Her eyes widened in realization as she fought to keep calm.

"No..." she whispered, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

"Oh yes... and he's barely hanging on." Astevaes said.

He pushed a few buttons on the panel as he lined up all the tubes close to the edge of the control room. He moved Akane's to the center as he unveiled his accomplishment.

"RANMA!" Akane cried as she saw Ranma's almost lifeless form floating in a tube much like hers, except that the liquid in the tube was colored green.

She sighed in momentary relief as Ranma grimaced, and his face contorted in pain. She was thankful the he was still alive, though she knew that he did not have much time left.

"The green liquid is giving him hallucinations. He's basically living his worst fears in a dream world while the tube absorbs his energy and his life force. The liquid will only become clear again the moment all of his life force has been absorbed. And since he doesn't have mystical powers like you and your other friends, he probably won't last much longer..."

"Let him go! I'll do anything you want me to. Just please... please let him go..." she pleaded, tears mixing with the liquid as she sank onto the floor of the tube.

"Awww... but I know you'll do what I want even if I do kill him. I can get to your sisters, to your father... Besides, I couldn't get Artemis, so I'll kill him instead." he drawled on, amused with himself.

"You... you monster!"

Astevaes' head snapped back in laughter. He was glad that things were now going his way. He had finally been able to capture all the bearers of the powers.

*And with the Dragon God missing, they can't possibly beat me.* he thought, the wheels in his head turning as he pondered how he was gonna deal with Artemis when he finally gets his hands on her.

"And now... for the finale..." he said, pushing a few buttons to send small electric currents through the other tubes.

Ryoga was the first to be awaken, followed by Mousse, then Shampoo, then Ukyo. They had yet to speak as they tried to adjust to liquid they were immersed in.

The four of them, along with Akane and Astevaes, had front row seats to the spectacle that was the death of Ranma Saotome. Atlas was the only one who remained unconscious.

At that moment though, all of Akane's thoughts were centered on one man.

*Ranma... I don't know if you can hear me... but you have to fight this... you can't give up... you can't leave me again... please...* she thought, though a part of her knew that it may be too late.

---

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

Ranma stared at the building before him. This was the place where some of his biggest battles had taken place. The school looked exactly the same as he last saw it.

He walked towards the building, memories flowing through his mind as he looked around.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

He remembered the first time he arrived in school with Akane and saw her fighting off a huge number of boys who wanted to beat her in battle so they could date her.

He remembered all his fights with Kuno, the duels with Ryoga, the attacks from Mousse, the surprise visits from Shampoo and Kodachi, and all the times Nabiki had made money off of him.

He remembered how surprised he was when he found out Ukyo was actually a girl, the everyday struggles with the perverted Happosai and the trysts with the dried up mummy Cologne.

His thoughts drifted a bit as images of a smiling Kasumi came to him. He saw his father and Soun playing shogi at home. He saw a vision of his mother dressed in a kimono, the sword laying on her shoulder.

He smiled as the memories finally faded from his mind. Even after all the fights and the struggles, the Nerima Ward had become a huge part of his life and his heart.

This was his home.

"Why do you fight, Dragon God?"

Ranma paused in the middle of the school yard. He looked ahead of him and found the old man standing in front of him, his hands held behind his back.

The man slowly walked towards him, and Ranma almost tensed as he managed to close the distance in the blink of an eye. The man studied him closely, and Ranma felt the man's eyes boring into his soul.

"Why are you so afraid to admit the real reason why you fight?" the man asked, looking sadly at the boy in front of him.

"I... I..." he tried, but he couldn't get himself to say it.

The man waited for a few more moments. He shook his head with pity as he watched Ranma struggling with himself. He then walked past him and headed out of the school yard.

"Where are you going? Weren't you... weren't you supposed to give me my power?" Ranma managed to get out as he turned to the old man.

"The power belongs only to those who understand where they truly come from." he replied, then continued to walk out of the gates.

Ranma stared, dumbfounded. The visions had already taken a toll on him, and he was starting to lose sight of why he was fighting. He had begun to doubt himself as he tried to understand what the man had said.

He was suddenly bombarded with images of the world being taken over by the warriors from Atlantis. He saw dead bodies lying on top of each other, covering most of the ground.

He saw Mousse and Shampoo holding each other's hands, Ryoga and Ukyo not far away from them. He saw his father and Soun's bodies laying on top of Nabiki, Kasumi, and his mother, Nodoka.

There were hundreds of other dead people surrounding him, most of them his classmates, his teachers, his friends. He turned to look away and fear gripped his heart at what he saw next.

He slowly walked towards her amidst all of the bodies. He lifted up her body as he fell to his knees beside her. He cradled her in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest.

"I'm so sorry Akane... I'm so sorry..." he murmured through the tears.

He gently pulled back and touched her cheek with his fingertips. She looked beautiful even in death, and he berated himself for all the times he had called her an 'uncute tomboy.'

His tears fell onto her cheek as he wept helplessly with grief. He slowly leant forward and closed his eyes as he lay a soft kiss on her cold lips.

He pulled back and held her in his arms once more, his body swaying from side to side, as if the gentle motion would bring her back to life.

"I can't do this without you Akane... I can't fight anymore..." he whispered, his battle weary heart finally giving out.

"I love you..." he said as he felt himself fading from existence.

*I'm coming Akane...*

---

Artemis felt a tremor pass through her. The woman she was healing looked at her curiously. A part of her was telling her that something had gone terribly wrong, and that they needed her help.

She was about to run back into the palace when a hand lay on her shoulder, keeping her in place. She looked up to see Luc standing behind her, grief written all over his features.

"You can't interfere Artemis. He needs to figure it out on his own." Luc said, his hand squeezing her shoulders.

She pulled the magical scroll from underneath her robes and was about to return it to Luc when he just shook his head. He gently pushed the scroll back to her as he sat knelt beside her.

"His friends haven't given up on him. You shouldn't either." he said, looking her in the eyes and just willing her to believe.

---

Ranma's body convulsed horribly inside the tube. Akane and the others called to him, begging him to keep on fighting while Astevaes gloried in his victory.

"Ranchan! Don't give up!"

"Saotome, you have to fight this!"

"Ranma fight. No can lose."

"Dammit Ranma! You promised you wouldn't make her cry."

"Ranma... you can't let go... we can be together now... you have to fight... I love you..."

His body twitched one last time as his head fell forward. His body floated spiritless inside the tube as the green fluid slowly became clear again.

"No..." Akane whispered, all life draining out of her.

Silence reigned for a moment in the hidden chamber as the world bid farewell to the one man who stood between them and total annihilation.

Akane Tendo fell to her knees, her eyes never leaving Ranma's lifeless form. A single tear trailed down her cheek as the one thing she feared the most had become a reality.

Ranma Saotome was dead.

End of Chapter 11

From the Author:

The words in UNDERLINE are spoken or thought in Chinese in this chapter.

About Akane's engagement ring...
I'm not entirely sure if there really is a blue diamond. And I'm too lazy right now to check. :)

I have no knowledge about gymnastics or diving, so the terms I used in this chapter were either invented, or just descriptions of what the characters did.

Flashback #1 is from "Ranma 1/2 The Movie 2: Nihao! My Concubine!" All the lines and scenes borrowed from that are copyright to Viz Video. They are used without permission. Please do not sue me, I don't have money.

What's a bandoleer?
OK. From what I know, it's like a belt that holds Ukyo's shuriken. Kinda like a holster or a sheath, except that it's a belt. I could be wrong though.

Shampoo and Mousse and the secluded part of the cave...
Well, I did leave it open a bit. It's up to you to imagine what Artemis was referring to. ;)

OK... wedding thinga-ma-jigins... I wasn't entirely sure which things would mean bad luck for a wedding. So forgive me for any mistakes.

Flashback Galore in Part 1: The Destined Wedding are from the group's conversation with Luc earlier that morning about their plan of attack.
OK, for anyone who got confused with that Flashback Galore part, just think of it as the current scene alternating with a flashback scene. Read the part again with this in mind. If you still don't get it, e-mail me and I'll try to explain further. The reason for the Flashback Galore part? Well, I couldn't remember every specific thing that I had written down before so I had to improvise with the important ones that I remembered. Read the note below for more on why.

What in the world is highly oxygenized liquid?
It's water that humans can breathe in. Gaah... that sounds lame. Uhm, I kinda invented the meaning of that. If there is such a thing as a highly oxygenized liquid, then my apologies to whoever invented it. I did not mean to steal your term. I did get my idea from the "Sailor Moon R Movie: The Promise of the Rose," where Tuxedo Mask was place in a tube filled with some kind of liquid. If you haven't seen that and would like to see it, then I'll try to get a picture and send it to you. OK?

Why didn't Astevaes just let the wedding ceremony finish?
Well, I attributed that to Astevaes being so mad at having his plans disrupted that the moment he laid eyes on Artemis, he just lost it. He just wanted her eliminated on the spot.

Airen - husband, beloved

The visions that Ranma saw were just that, visions. Some of them actually happened in the anime / manga, while some of them I just invented. I hope you guys already know the one that actually happened and the ones that I just made up. Just thought I'd clear that up.

I know I cut down on the battle scenes in this chapter. I just figured that there wasn't much need to elaborate on the fight scenes when I've already written lots of them in the previous chapters. I also wanted to focus more on the visions that they had when they were encased in those tube thingies. Besides, I'm really not good with fight scenes... so there... :)

Artemis is the queen?
Well, this shouldn't come as a surprise. I had given more than a few hints in the previous chapters.

OK... don't kill me, please? I know it's a cliffhanger, but I just had to end it there. The original chapter really did end like this, and it's one of the few things that I remembered clearly. I'll try to get out the last chapter as soon as possible to avoid anymore death threats.

Note:

This chapter is sorta a rewrite of the original. I've been able to find the final two chapters of this first book and some of the other drafts from the second and third books that have been missing from my old hard disk, the one that crashed, but they've all been corrupted somehow. So I just took whatever parts were salvageable from the old 1999 version of the chapter and just added some parts now, 2003. Hence, the two copyright years below. Just thought I'd mention it. :)

Also... since this and most of the next chapters would be rewrites, I would like to apologize for misspelled words or any grammatical errors. I don't have pre-readers / betas anymore, so any mistakes should be blamed on me.

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 other characters mentioned above and the story, all rights reserved.

©2003 Shirley Joy Gadia, all other characters mentioned above and the story, all rights reserved.

Thank you!