Chapter 14

                Ranma had hurried home with the Phoenix feathers. The demon had said that the only thing that could defeat the ninja was an essence of life. And he didn't know a better source of an essence of life then the legendary Phoenix. When he finally got back to the dojo, he jumped down from the roof and ran into the living room. Everyone stared at him, thinking he'd gone mad.  Who was he going to attack next?
                "Kasumi, I need to borrow something from you." He said calmly. Everyone let loose a sigh of relief.

                "Sure Ranma, what do you need?" She asked.

                "I need a small bowl and one of those herb grinders." He said, following her to the kitchen. She nodded and pulled out the two items from a cupboard. Ranma grabbed them and ran to his room. He held the two feathers in his hand. They were as soft as silk, and just as flimsy. He knew they wouldn't work directly, so he placed on of the feathers in a bowl and started grinding it into a fine powder.

*                              *                              *

                "What do you think he's up to Saotome?" Soun asked placing his piece on the Shogi board. They had had a huge argument about the last 'GO' game, so they switched games.

                "I'm not sure Tendo. But he seems to be in a good mood. Let's leave it at that." Genma replied. They both nodded at each other and continued their game.

*                              *                              *

                After hiding the powder, Ranma proceeded back downstairs to the place the shells were hidden. He knew he would need their soulless bodies to help. He also needed them near for when he put his plan into action. He first went up to Ukyo. He had to remember only basic commands and instincts would work.

                "Hey Ukyo, that ninja said he wouldn't feed your cooking to a dog. He said it was disgusting!" Ranma said. Her eyes narrowed and she growled. Then he faced Ryoga.

                "Hey Ryoga, that ninja is going to tell Akane that you're P-chan!" He added. Ranma saw the faint traces of a Shishi Höködan forming.

                "Hey Mousse, that ninja wants to have his way with your Shampoo!" He continued. Mousse prepared a sword. Finally there was one more.

                "Hey Akane, he stole your panties, and said they would fit his pet hippo." He whispered. Akane's shoulders started to heave. All four were in a VERY violent mood. Ranma knew exactly how to piss them off. Then he clapped his hands and they all looked at him.

                "Now listen closely everyone. When I speak the word 'hate', I want you to remember what he has done or is going to do. I want you to unleash your hatred on him. Then I want him held down." The shells simply nodded. Ranma grinned. He finally had a real weapon against the ninja.

*                              *                              *

                "Ranma, it's time for dinner. Please wash up before you come to the table." Kasumi called. Ranma looked up. The sky had already started to darken. The ninja would arrive shortly. He went and had a quick soak in the tub before dressing and heading to dinner. They ate quietly, all knowing the final battle was at hand. Ranma devoured his meal, then went up to his room to retrieve the powder. He placed the powder into three tiny sacs. They wouldn't hold much, but there wasn't much powder to begin with. He tied one to his belt and placed the other two in strategic locations in the dojo. He had them move the four shells into the dojo, one into each corner, and then locked himself into the dojo. The others remained outside, not wanting to interfere. Their interferences last time had possibly cost Ranma the battle. Ranma was meditating, focusing his thoughts. It wasn't long before he could feel DN's presence.

                "I thought you were gonna chicken out." Ranma said dryly.

                "You could only hope that our duel wouldn't take place. I see you've arranged some 'spectators' for our duel." He said, motioning to the shells.

                "By the time this duel is over, I'll have their souls restored and your corpse at my feet!" Ranma growled.

                "Pretty confident aren't you? You still think you can defeat me?" He asked. Ranma looked at him.

                "Well you seem pretty sure that my HATE will aid you!" he said, grinning. The four shells exploded from their corners, weapons, fists and chains all coming to bare on the ninja.

                "What is the meaning of this?!" He cried, the four already on top of him. He fought back with immense strength, but there were four of them. Ranma grinned as they managed to work on his opponent. He then grabbed the sac off his belt and opened it. He quickly sprinkled the powder as best he could onto his knuckles and the rest of his hands. He felt a calm warmth wash over him as the powder was slightly absorbed by his skin. Now it was time for a test, and none too soon. DN stood, even with all four using their strength to pull him down. With a mighty roar, he managed to throw each one off of him and into the four corners of the room. He glared at Ranma.

                "I don't know how you managed to pull that little trick of yours off, but I'll have you know it won't work again. I have regained FULL control over my powers and my slaves." He said, preparing for a fist fight.

"That's it." Ranma thought. "Fight it out man to man. I'll show you who's the real warrior." DN struck out at Ranma with a high-kick, Ranma ducking the blow and coming up for his own attack. DN dodged to the left, delivering a chop to the small of Ranma's back. He went down, but rolled out of the way of the follow up. Ranma knew he had to use his fists before too much of the powder came off.

"Hey you coward! How about I punch your lights out right here and now?" Ranma said, raising his fists.

"Oh please, you're not seriously going to use THAT attack again are you?" He asked. He decided to have some fun with the boy.

"Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken!" Ranma roared, his fists flying into DN. At first the ninja was laughing, that is until he felt the incredibly pain ripping through his chest. Each punch felt like a hand grenade going off at point blank range. He was forced to leap back, out of Ranma's range.

"W-what was that?!" He demanded. Ranma grinned.

"Oh the poor lil ninja isn't afraid of a few measly punches is he?" Ranma called, mocking the ninja.

"Silence fool, I will cut that smile from your face!"" DN growled, pulling his regular sword from its sheath. Ranma had do jump straight up to avoid the sharp edge of the blade.

"Man you're easier to piss off than Akane!" Ranma said, dodging another blow. He ducked a punch and delivered a swift uppercut to DN. The ninja was sent sprawling.

"H-how? How is it possible? Why am I feeling such pain?" he asked himself. Ranma grinned. He was winning. Then the ninja got an evil smirk across his face.

"You fight well boy, but how will you fight with a real challenge facing you?" He asked. Ranma took a step back ready for anything. Anything except Akane coming at him.

"Y-you coward! Using her to fight me?" Ranma gasped. He had to leap back to avoid Akane's attacks. How could he fight her? He refused to hit girls, and he could never hit one he had fallen in love with. DN started laughing.

"Will you kill her to get to me? Or will she kill you before you get the chance. She has no emotions and will finish you off quickly. What will you do Ranma Saotome?" He asked, grinning. Ranma, for once, had no comeback.