Sword and Sworn

Tsubasa Kurenai sat in the middle of the room while the residents of the Tendo Dojo interoggated her, uh, him. "What are you doing here, and why were you in my room?" demanded Ranma. "Well, I'm here because, um, I'm lost," said Tsubasa quietly. "I was in your room because you're the only one I know around here, and I thought maybe you could help me." "What do you mean you're lost?" asked Soun. "Where are you trying to go?" Tsubasa got up and walked over to a shelf. Pulling out an atlasbook of Japan, he flipped through it and stabbed at a single building on a page. "You know where it is on a map and you're still lost?" said Ranma in disbelief. "I was sure no one could have a worse sense of direction than Ryoga." "That's not it," Tsubasa said, annoyed. "I guess I mean I'm not lost. What I mean is that I can't find this building." Genma pushed his glasses up and inspected the map. "But according to this, the building you're looking for is ten stories tall!" he exclaimed. "I know that!" said Tsubasa. "But I'm telling you, it's not there. I went exactly there and all there is is a drugstore. And the weirdest part is, I was there just yesterday!" For a while they all sat in silence, thinking. "Alright, Tsubasa," said Soun. "I'll take you on my way to the airport. I'll leave you there to look for it for two hours. I'll come back, and if you haven't found it, wait for me at the place I dropped you off, and I'll help you look. Ok?" Tsubasa mulled over this a moment. "Alright," he said at last. "Good," said Soun. "Then let's all get to bed. We've all got big days tomorrow!"

Ranma trudged through the marsh with his face downcast. He wasn't sad; slogging through the mud really takes a toll on you. Eventually Genma called for them to halt, after they were on dry land. Ranma cast his pack off and sank gratefully to the ground, resting his back against a tree. Genma did likewise. After a small meal, they rose and were about to get going again, when there was a great snapping and twisting sound. They turned towards the noise, and saw a mass of leaves fall from the forest canopy about a quarter mile from the base of the cliff they stood on. Ranma turned towards his father and asked, "If a tree falls in the forest, and we're around to hear it, do we check it out?" His father nodded his assent, and they began the descent to the floor. Once there, they could hear the sounds of a fight; yells, thuds, taunts, and the clang of swords. Creeping up to the clearing where it appeared to be taking place, they parted a bush and looked in.

On the left there was a small girl, younger than Akane, with a pair of elbow blades, wearing a green and white outfit. On the right hand there was an enormous man (presumably) in an incomplete suit of navy blue armor trimmed in tarnished gold, with backwards sweeping wings on the helmet. A shock of blood-red hair flowed out of the rear of the helmet and down his bare back. It was impossible to see his face except for two red eyes peering out as if inside an infinite void. He seemed pretty normal otherwise, except for the fact his right arm was a huge, spiked, monsterish claw, in which he wielded an incredibly large sword that seemed to be half covered in some sort of moss. They realized the tree had fallen because his sword had passed through most of it when he attacked. The man and girl attacked and parried for a while, until suddenly the man swept his blade upward powerfully, breaking the girl's guard. Using this oppurtunity, he smashed his fist against her head and drove his sword's hilt into her stomach. Ranma gasped. The man took her head in his hands, raised his sword up high-

"NO!" cried Ranma. Surprised, the man took his kick full in the face. He flew back against a tree, breaking it in half and causing a thunderous noise. Far from being defeated, the man got up, appearing to only have gotten angry. And then, he raised his sword in front of his face. "You are unwise to interfere," he said in a cold, chilling voice. To Ranma's horror, a wrinkle in the sword opened, revealing a single, yellow, reptilian eye. He realized that the sword wasn't covered in moss, but flesh. It stared into his eyes, searching his soul, reading his mind. "Ranma, snap out of it!" yelled his father. Ranma shook his head and cleared his mind. "Come on, we've gotta get out of here!" Ranma shouted to the girl, taking her hand and dragging her off into the trees. Behind him, the man let out an inhuman roar. "I will not forget this, Ranma!" yelled the voice on the wind. As they ran, Ranma felt his heart beat faster than it ever had before.

"I wonder how Ranma's doing right now," said Johnny. It was one of those days in early spring where the weather surprises you by being unusually warm. In fact, most people were wearing just shorts and t-shirts. They had been out shopping for about an hour, and it was only seven in the morning. "I'm sure they're having fun," said Nabiki. "They always do." Johnny lowered his sunglasses and inspected a satellite radio on display. That might work, he thought, tweaking his beard.

The entire family agreed that while in public, Johnny would have to at least wear sunglasses at all times, to prevent any mishaps or any number of bizarre fantasies that they thought might possibly happen. After about the tenth one he managed to stop them and agreed to their request. Johnny counted out the bills in his pocket, did some quick mental math, and concluded he would come back here later if he had enough left to buy that radio. It was the best deal he had seen so far, but then, they hadn't been out too long.

"Oh wow, cool alien costumes!" said Akane. Turning to look, Johnny laughed in amused surprise as an Elite, three Grunts, and two Hunters walked past them. Pulling the girls aside he whispered, "Those aren't costumes. Those are members of the group called the Covenant. You know, the ones trying to destroy Earth?" "Really?" said Akane. Johnny nodded. "How many more are there?" asked Kasumi. He looked uncomfortable. "Well, that's the thing," he said. "I don't really know. Five ships were chasing me down, and there may be more. They are capable of carrying ten troops, plus two pilots. The Covenant always keep as many ships full as possible, so likely, there's probably about sixty troops on Earth, maybe less, maybe more. There's not enough to conquer Earth, if that's what you're worried about," he added quickly. "No, my guess is, they sent their best and brightest to find and chase me, and now that they've traveled back in time, their mission is to find and eliminate me so I can't go back and help the fight. However, they don't know what I look like, so they can't find me that way. They will likely try and find out where I am, and what I'm doing." "What should we do?" asked Akane. "Right now? Let's keep shopping. I'll tell you my plan later."

"My name's Talim. I was looking for the sword that man was carrying. It is said to be the ultimate weapon. I wanted it to save my town from destruction. However, I soon realized that weapon is inherently evil. But by then I was embroiled in the fight. I could not leave, and if it hadn't been for you, I would have been dead now. Thank you, very very much."

Ranma thought for a moment. "Is there anything we can do?" he finally asked her. Talim shook her head. "Not likely. Nightmare can only defeated by a very skilled swordsman, better than me, and I've trained for five years. Is there anyone skilled in the sword in this town?" Ranma thought it through thoroughly, but always came back to one person. He sighed reluctantly. "There is one..."

Ranma hesitantly stepped onto the doorstep. "Mind you," he called behind him, "If there was anyone else, I would chosen him anyday!" That said, he drew in a deep breath and exhaled. He knocked. "Yes?" came a voice from inside. "Come on out, Kuno. I need to talk to you." Kuno opened the door and stepped out into the hot afternoon sun, closing the door behind him. "What's going on, Ranma?" he asked. "Uh," began Ranma, flushing bright red. "Wait! Let me guess!" said Kuno triumphantly. "You, the great Ranma Saotome, are asking me, Tatewaki Kuno, for assistance?! Wahahahaha! I knew this day would come!" "Will you shut up?!" cried Ranma, smacking Kuno over the head. "I'm sorry, it's just, you know," said Kuno. "Yes I know!" said Ranma. "Now listen, I'm only asking you for help because the world is in danger and, sigh, you're the best swordfighter I know. Now will you help me or not?" "You really think so, Ranma?" asked Kuno incredulously. Ranma nodded sheepishly. Kuno turned his back for a moment after a huge smile split his face. When he turned back, he was completely serious. "Ok, I'll help you," he said. "What are we dealing with?" Ranma led him to the others, and explained the situation.

After he heard, he sat and thought a minute. "You really think I have chance?" he asked doubtfully. "I mean, it sounds like he's unstoppable!" "Not totally," said Talim with a spark in her eye. "He may have Soul Edge, but he's really only human. He can be defeated, but you must be very good. From what I've heard, you seem to be up to the challenge." Kuno thought a moment. "What if I fight you?" he asked. "Could you gauge my strength from that?" Talim nodded. Going around the back of the house, Tatewaki led them to his training courtyard. "Wait here," he said, as he went into his house. Coming back out with a sword, he unsheathed it and held it in attack position. "Ready?" he asked. Talim grasped her elbow blades. "Ready!" The two charged.

In two minutes it was all over. Talim was on the ground, Kuno's sword before her face in a signal of defeat. Sweat rolled down her face. "I think you're ready," she gasped. Kuno smiled, put away his sword, and offered his hand to Talim. Grasping it, Talim sprung to her feet. "Now all you need is a disguise," said Ranma. "Huh?" said Kuno as he caught the package Ranma threw at him. Inside were a set of Ranma's clothes and a fake black ponytail. "What's this?" said Kuno. "Nightmare has a grudge against me, remember?" said Ranma. "So you need to look like me." "I suppose," agreed Kuno. Donning the shirt, pants, and shoes, and clipping the hairpiece to the back of his head, Kuno did a fair job of imitating Ranma. "There's still something wrong," said Ranma, examining him. Ranma clucked with his tongue. "No, no," said Ranma. "The attitude is all wrong!" Ranma stepped up to Kuno. He rearranged his hair, upturned his collar, and made Kuno wear the right expression. Finally he handed him contact lenses. "To change your eye color," explained Ranma. Kuno put them in and made the confident smiling expression Ranma taught him. "There we go!" said Ranma, satisfied. "Now let's go find this Nightmare, and bring it to an end!"

They had traveled to the same exact spot where they had encountered Nightmare previously, but there was no sign of him. Ranma hid in the bushes, just in case Nightmare was lurking unseen somewhere. When they were ready for the fight, they waited. And waited. Finally, fed up, Ranma yelled out of the bushes, "Come on Nightmare! I'm waiting for you!" His voice echoed, a whisper caught on the wind. "As was I!" The group turned, surprised at the reply. Underneath a massive tree a piece of shadow seemed to melt off from the rest of the darkness. "You will pay for your interference!" he snarled. "Prepare to die!" Nightmare raised his sword. Kuno unsheathed his and held it at the ready. Genma and Talim shimmied up a tree to watch. They found Ranma up there, as well. "Well, it seemed safer than in the bushes, right? Heh heh?" he said nervously as he rubbed his neck. "Just watch the fight!" said Genma.

For a long time, no one moved. Finally Nightmare charged Kuno. Kuno sidestepped and dealt a blow to his back. Howling in anger, Nightmare turned. He swung his sword in vertical circluar motions on either side of his body as he approached Kuno. Rolling under one swing, Kuno twisted and found himself on Nightmare's right side. He attempted a thrust, but Nightmare blocked too fiercely and Kuno fell, sprawled on the ground. Leaping up, Nightmare brought his sword up from behind him in a huge vertical swing. Kuno rolled to the left just as Soul Edge smashed into the ground where his head just was. In a swift movement Kuno was on his knees and dealt a roundhouse kick to Nightmare's calves. He toppled forward and Kuno copied Nightmare's vertical slice. It struck Nightmare's arm and he howled in pain. He rolled away backwards, jumped up, and pulled Soul Edge out of the ground. In fury he attempted a high horizontal swing, which Kuno easily dodged. Unexpectedly, however, Nightmare executed a forward somersault and attacked with a midsection horizontal swing. Kuno jumped back in surprise, narrowly avoiding being cut in half. Instead, the sword got only a subcutaneous slice on Kuno's abs. It was enough to wet the blade, however.

Kuno eyed the sword contemptuously. Nightmare smiled cruelly, his blood-red eyes narrowing behind the mask. Kuno took a deep breath and lowered his sword. And then all hell broke loose. Kuno sprung forward and attacked relentlessly. He went into his signature spinning attack. He put Nightmare on the defensive continously with repeated attacks. Suddenly he leapt high into the air, landed on Nighmare's shoulder, and shoved off, knocking him to the ground. He had barely gotten up when Kuno attacked again. This time he landed many blows until finally, Nightmare stumbled and and fell forward, catching himself. He stayed on hands and knees, not getting up. His shoulders rose and fell as he gasped for air. Soul Edge was no longer in his grasp. It lay on the ground twenty feet away. Kuno approached him slowly. Nothing happened. "Let's see whose behind this," he whispered to himself. He inserted his blade between the straps that kept Nightmare's helmet on and his neck. He felt Nightmare's body tense. He lifted the sword upward, slicing through the leather. The helmet fell off. Kuno gasped when he saw Nightmare's intense red hair fade to a bright blonde. He put his foot on Nightmare's side and pushed him over, where he lay panting and wheezing.

The man was no more than thirty, and probably much less. He had a kind face which was visible even through the sweat and grime on his face. His eyes, green eyes, looked tired and weary with the weight of many sins. "Come, come here please," he said in a raspy voice. Kuno approached cautiously. "I know Ranma's here somewhere," said Nighmare between breaths. "I know you aren't him, but if he's listening, I want to thank him. You stopped me, Ranma, from adding another soul to my collection, and for that I thank you. And you, Kuno, I thank you for stopping me. I would have surely massacred countless more had you not defeated me now. And Talim, I'm glad that you found out about Soul Edge." He pointed to it and glared at it, tears escaping from his eyes, and anger choking his voice. "I once thought as you did, and as many others do know, that I could do great things with it." He struggled to his knees, and coughed. "Please, cut the ties of this armor for me," he pleaded. "I can't breathe." Kuno snapped the leather cords and the armor clattered to the ground. Nightmare was clothed in only a pair of battered pants. He inhaled deeply a few times, until his breathing normalized.

"I thought I could bring back my dead father with it. It told me I could, and I believed it!" said Nightmare in disgust. "It soon became clear to me that I didn't control the sword; it controlled me. It takes over my body when I sleep, and then it uses me to feed its lust for souls! I eventually found out that, that, that I was the villian who murdered my father in cold blood!" Sobs racked his body. Ranma gasped. How could anyone bear coming face to face with that? "I attempted to isolate myself, but I had to sleep eventually, and I once again killed. I was once defeated by a sword called Soul Calibur and its wielder. I managed to survive, somehow, and regain my sanity, but I also regained the memories of my terrible sins. I tried to be good, but I soon turned to my old ways. My defeat has allowed me to be free, at least for now, and I know what I must do. Follow me!"

The group followed him for hours until the reached the place he was looking for. Inside a vast cave accessed by a small, hidden opening in a mountain, there was a deep crevasse. They followed him to its edge. Steam and heat vented out of it, giving the place a hellish feel. Nightmare turned to them. "Thank you all," he said. "Without you, this would have never been possible." With that he turned back and hurled the sword down into the chasm with all his might. They never heard it hit the bottom. Suddenly, Nightmare clutched his arm and fell to his knees. He moaned in pain. "What's going on?" cried Talim. They all watched in fascinated horror. The great monsterish claw hissed and eroded like sand in the stiff breezes. The powdery smoke that remained snaked and streamed with a mind of its own into the pit, following the sword. Nightmare looked at his arm. It was perfectly normal, with no sign of hurt at all. "Well, would you look at that!" he exclaimed. "I thought I'd never be rid of it!" For the first time in a long time, he smiled.

As they reached the entrance, everyone turned to look at Nightmare. "What's going to happen now, Nightmare?" asked Talim. Nightmare held up a finger and walked to a corner of a the small hallway they were in. He picked up something too dark to see and beckoned them to stand outside. There was a great ka-boom! and Nightmare burst out of the cave entrance just as it collapsed. He produced a sword from out of a large sheath. It was as large as Soul Edge, but it had a blue tinge and emanated a positive feeling. It felt good to stand there. "This is Soul Calibur, which I plundered from the man who defeated me. But now I shall take it up again, in the name of good. With it, I shall guard Soul Edge to the end, so that none shall again find the sword. You must not reveal this place to anyone else, except for your families. They may all come to visit me, which I hope you all do, provided they tell no one else. The secret must remain safe, lest the world be ravaged. Understand?" They all nodded. Finally, they said their goodbyes and began the journey home. As they left tearfully, they heard Nightmare call from behind them, "Until next time! And you may call me Siegfried! Siegfried Schtauffen is back!" And with a smile on their face and a tear in their eyes, they turned and gave one last wave to Siegfried, before heading home.