Chapter 3: The Seeds of Chaos are Sown
9:35 AM JST
Nerima Park
The Tendo sisters stood there at the park staring at Ranma who was currently engaged in his celebratory "I'm never gonna to be a girl again!" dance. This dance is so random and spasmodic that it makes someone who is having a tonic-clonic seizure look like a ballroom dancer.
"I'm never gonna be a girl again! I'm never gonna be a girl again! I'M NEVER GONNA BE A GIRL AGAIN! HAHAHAHAHA!"
"This... This just can't be! He... He can't have control over the Great Will of the Macrocosm! His curse must have been lifted some other way. Yeah that's it! It has to be!" Nabiki thought outloud. "Hey Saotome! If you really do have the Great Will within you, why don't you give me a ton of platinum bricks. Do that and I'll wipe all of your debts to me clean."
Akane looked at her older sister quite puzzled. "Don't you mean gold?"
"Nope, platinum is much more expensive than gold."
"Hmmm... A ton of platinum and you will wipe ALL of my debts clean." Ranma grinned widely. "Okaaaaaay Nabiki, you can have it!"
Heh Heh Heh It's payback time. Thought Ranma as his arm began to fluoresce. Suddenly out of nowhere, a 12" x 6" x 6" brick of platinum bullion fell onto Nabiki's head.
"Itai!" The girl screamed as she grabbed her head in pain. When she looked down to see what hit her, her eyes got little platinum-colored yen signs where her pupils should have been. Then it occurred to her.
"Hey! Where's the rest of it! I asked for a ton! Huh? Where?"
Seeing as everyone else had their necks craned up to the sky looking above her, she looked up to see the other 99 bricks falling very rapidly.
"Oh... kami-sama..."
The next thing everyone knew was the sound of approximately 5128 moles, 980,000 g, 98 percent of a metric ton of platinum squashing the mercenary. The only recognizable part of her body was her arms and legs sprawled out from under the pile of the priceless heavy metal.
"Oh my." Kasumi said non-chalantly.
"Ra... RANMA! You... YOU KILLED MY SISTER! NOW YOU'RE GOING. TO. DIE!" Howled Akane as her bright blue battle aura flared like that of supergiant star while wielding Mallet-sama. People in the nearby area began to flee for their safety. Animals ran from the forests for the outskirts of the city. And Dr. Tofu sat in his office with a patient having an ominous feeling that he's going to be seeing Ranma again very soon.
"Ah... Akane... Just.. Just... Just hold on for a second!" The pigtailed martial artist pleaded as he watch Akane inch closer towards him. "I can revive her! Seriously! I can bring her back from the dead! And not just as a mindless zombie... A full restoration of how she use to be! Just don't kill me before I can!"
"Well... What are you waiting for? Ryoga to show up! DO IT!" Screamed Akane.
Not wanting to meet his maker just yet, Ranma concentrated all of his ki into the chakara. His whole body began to glow with a soft blue aura which transferred over to Nabiki's still body underneath the pile of metal. Her body was teleported from the pile to in front of everyone and was floating in the air with the aura getting stronger around her. Kasumi looked over at Ranma and started to watch him begin to fade in energy, aura just as strong as before. Right before everyone's eyes, Nabiki opened her eyes slowly and landed on her own two feet on the park soil while the aura faded.
"I'm back! And boy am I glad! That blonde lady was crazy claiming that I have come home to be with her for the rest of eternity! Hey, what's wrong with Saotome?"
Nabiki inquired.
Just as she said that, Ranma's body collapsed to the ground twitching.
"We need to get him back to the dojo so he can rest." Kasumi stated. "He has used up a lot of his energy today and needs to recharge. Invoking the powers of the Great Will is like that of the legendary Ginzoushou, it runs off the person's own life energy."
"Umm... Sis, how do you know that?" Asked Akane and Nabiki in unison as they lifted Ranma up off the ground.
"Oh, I just read it in one of Dr. Tofu's books." Kasumi replied while smiling sweetly.
9:50 AM JST
Sea of Chaos, End of the Universe
Out in the vastness of space is another realm that humans dare not explore. What we believe to be the end of the universe is in fact the beginning of another, greater existence. Our universe sits inside of a realm of chaos and creation. The Ancients have spoken of this place many times as The Sea of Chaos. Within it is the creator and the destroyer. Good and Evil. To give this existence a human personification, we call it, The Lord of Nightmares or L-Sama.
L-sama has no shape or form but does prefer that of a 5' 8" tall, long golden blonde-haired woman in a sleeveless black dress. Her eyes are covered by her bangs enhancing the air of mystery around her. Her body is pure, unadulterated perfection from her full, cherry red lips, full bosom, slender arms, and hourglass body clear down to her long, slender legs. She walks with gracefulness and elegance in every step she makes in her black high-heels as she traverses her mansion deep at the center of the Sea of Chaos. Everything would be perfect if not for one thing...
"There is absolutely NOTHING to do around here when you have done everything!"
She was constantly bored.
"Oh well, at least I find enjoyment in watching my children cope with chaos." L-Sama sighed. "Especially the ones in Nerima. They always bring a big smile to my face when I watch them. And one of them almost came home but I didn't catch her in time!"
Now most of you may be thinking that she has many people who have died over the years with her. If you remember, life is a circle, you're born, you live, you die, then the process begins anew. So when a new person is born into the world, L-sama places a previous soul inside them to begin their life. Due to the different experiences, each life is unique. Not to mention it saves L-sama a whole lot of work in creating a new soul. There are some though that stay behind with her, and Nabiki wasn't one of them.
L-sama sat down in her golden throne with a glass of fine Zephilia wine beside her and watched the previous events in Nerima all centered around one Ranma Saotome.
"Hmm... That's interesting, he shouldn't be wielding sis's powers... Unless..." She examined the surrounding area around Nerima and spotted the soul signature of That Man. "I don't remember sending him back. In fact, he was to be dissolved because of just how evil he was. He's just like Phibrizzo. Oh that kid was annoying me all the time to destroy the world! I showed him a thing or two of what happens when you push L-sama too far." A little smirk came across her face. "But what worries me more is how did he get revived and who performed it. And also, how did he know sis's weakness? Looks like the clean up crew is needed for this one."
L-sama got up from her throne and began walking down the corridor.
"But, if I just send her down, it'll be too easy and not fun at all. Hmm... I wonder..." L-sama pulled up a sphere in front of her and looked in to see Excel and Hyatt, another duo that she loves to watch and toy with, climbing through the forests towards her most favorite place in the world, Jusenkyo, and smirked. "Ah, nice. She's already there. That's one step I don't have to do. I'm glad I thought of giving humans free will, they make some of the dumbest mistakes and I so enjoy watching them hehehe. Now, just to call in the one-woman clean up crew." The sphere shrank and zoomed off in a golden blast looking for the person in question. L-sama returned back to her throne and drank her glass of wine while waiting.
Few minutes later, a womanly figure is seen walking with an eagerness in her stride towards the throne room. The girl stood around 5' 8" with a figure not unlike L-sama's herself. She would almost be a perfect copy if not for her crimson eyes and fiery red-orange hair that went down her back in clumps.
She wore a magenta tunic with off-white trim that is cut into two pieces at the breast to expose her yellow sports bra. An ornate black belt went around her waist with a short sword attatched for fighting when that time of the month comes around. Her yellow panties are accented by magenta leggings which extend down her legs to her gray knee-high boots. Off-white gloves cover her hands up to her elbows. Around her neck, wrists and waist are the legendary Demon Blood Talismans. Black shoulder guards are decorated with a gold trim and big, ruby red jewels embedded into the sides to connect her black and magenta mantle. On her ears were large gold earrings and around her head, a black enchanted headband to hide two moles on her forehead.
This girl had a very famous reputation back in her time and even to the present among magic users. She was called many names like "Enemy of All Things Living" for leaving destruction in her wake whenever she passed.; "Dragon Spooker" due to her short stature and underdeveloped figure back when she was living.; or "Bandit Killer" for her tendencies to rob bandits of their loot. To everyone else, she was the world's most powerful black sorceress, whose name struck fear into every bandit's as well as any person whom evil filled their soul's hearts. Her name, is Lina Inverse.
Lina walked down the corridor with haste and a bit of annoyance spread across her face. Drops of water could be seen making a trail where she walked.
"What is it that you need okaa-san? I was TRYING to take a shower after that cursed mazoku priest decided it would be just hilarious to drop me into a vat of slugs! HOW DOES HE KNOW THAT I HATE SLUGS! Icky. Icky. Icky. Icky!" Lina screamed and shook in disgust. "Why won't you let me just kill him with the Raguna Blade and make everyone else's life better!" The red-haired sorceress asked forcefully.
L-sama couldn't help but chuckle at Lina's tale.
"I'm sorry, but he just livens the place up a bit once in a while. Anyways, why I summoned for you. It seems that my sister has gotten into trouble..." L-sama began to give the details of Lina's mission when she was interrupted by Lina.
"Excuse me okaa-san, but, how do you have a sister when you are the original creator of all?"
"Sigh. It's that whole everything has to be equal and balanced stuff." L-sama explained."Yin and Yang. Chaos and Creation. While I represent Chaos to most, my sister, Daiuchuu no Ooinaru Ishi or I'z-chan represents Creation. Just a simple technicality so that people don't go insane trying to figure out how Chaos can be Creation."
"Ahhh... Okay. I get it now..."
"Back to the briefing. She has been kidnapped yet again by a most evil scoundrel named That Man. Someone has resurrected him and now he is working with them to capture I'z-chan's power yet again."
"I think I see where this is going." Lina smirked. "You want me to go down and destroy That Man and rescue I'z-chan if I'm not mistaken." She finished while rubbing her hands together in eagerness. Heck, she was bored too not doing anything else rather than just sitting around and waiting.
"Correct my child. Although things are going to be a bit different this time. It could be possible that the person whom resurrected him could be anticipating someone like you trying to stop them." L-sama lied straight through her teeth. "You are going to be possessing a vessel of unlimited energy that can fuel your powerful magic. Her name is Excel Excel." L-sama showed Lina Excel wandering in the forest. "She is currently on her way to Jusenkyo on a mission sent by her leader Ilpalazzo."
Lina cringed. "Jusenkyo... As in, the place where both me and Naga died? THAT Jusenkyo!"
"Yes, and you will be using the pool where you drowned to possess Excel. Remember, the fate of the world rests in your hands yet again my child. Go and begin your journey."
Lina stood uneasy about the idea of returning to Jusenkyo. Especially after her battle with Naga there and of course, dying.
"I still don't know why I just can't go down as myself..."
"You complete this task as I have stated and you can come back and blast Xelloss to kingdom come. I will neutralize his abilities for the time being and you can have your 'fun' with him." L-sama smirked.
Lina's crimson eyes brightened up as she grinned a big, sharp, toothy grin. Scenes of destruction filled her mind with Xelloss' screams and pleas. "ALRIGHT! I'LL DO IT! Just you wait Xelloss, judgement day is coming! Hehhehehehhe. Ray Wing!" She flew off towards Earth to Jusenkyo and waited for Excel to appear.
L-sama watched as Lina flew off and began to chuckle.
"Let the fun begin."
10:20 AM JST
Bayankala Mountain Range, China
Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo
Lina laid in the "Spring of the Drowned Red-Haired, Foul-Tempered Sorceress" waiting of Excel to fall in. If there is one thing she hates, this is it.
"C'mon... Where is this blonde ditz? I don't want to be here any much longer than needed. While I'm thinking about it, might as well stash away the Demon Blood Talismans for later use."
Lina looked around the pool for a secret alcove to stash the magical amplifiers away and found a nice hole inside a rock.
"Hey! I remember this rock! That's where I hit my head!" Lina shuddered. "I pray to L-sama that I'm going to keep my improved, perfect body when I possess Excel."
Just a few ponds away was Lina's target. Excel and Hyatt perused through the springs trying to look for any sign of the living. They saw the different signs near the ponds but could not read them because they were in Chinese.
"Hy-chan, it seems that there is no sign of life around these here ponds for as far as the eye can see! Excel is quite puzzled as there should be savage natives around using these various ponds for bathing purposes. Is this their version of a public bath not unlike where I would want to corner Ilpalazzo one day and make him confess his undying love for me as I have for him! Then after proclaiming our passion we would..." Excel stood there in a daze and was only interrupted back to reality by hearing a torrent of bright red blood hemorrhage from Hyatt's mouth. "Ehhhh.. Maybe that was a little too stimulating for Hy-chan. Not to worry! Excel shall complete the mission without fail! A change in view should help as I jump up to the top of these large bamboo poles which extend from the center of the bathing ponds!"
Excel leaped up to the top of the highest pole in which was directly above the "Spring of the Drowned Red-Haired, Foul-Tempered Sorceress". For protection, she laid Hyatt up next to the pole to revive.
The happy-go-lucky watcher of the Jusenkyo springs was walking around making inspections making sure no one has fell into the cursed springs. He was a portly fellow of short stature carrying around a kettle of hot water. Nearing closer to the center he heard a most loud voice rambling on upon nonsense. This made him laugh a bit until he saw a figure jump up to the top of the highest pole in the region.
"Oh no no no! She above most dangerous spring in area! Oh no no no! Miss!" The guide screamed out to get Excel's attention.
"Ah! A small, round individual is running this way! Now, Excel can figure out what these ponds are suppose to be... WHOA! Excel almost fell off her perch! I need to be more careful or I'll fall to my death and I'z-chan will have to reset the storyline yet again and... Oh! Hy-chan is starting to wake up! Hy-chan! I'm up HEEREEE! KYYYYYYAAAAaaaaaaaaa..."
Unnoticed by Excel was that Hyatt had accidentally bumped the bamboo pole when she awoke from her anemic state. Now Excel was falling through the air with the gracefulness of a lead brick with her ponytail flying straight up behind her.
"Oh Ilpalazzo-sama! Excel is sorry for the predicament that has befallen her! How was I suppose to know that I could have... SPLASH!"
Lina grabbed a hold of Excel and entered her body as the magic of the spring began to take effect. Excel's dirty blonde hair became redder and lighter until it shone with a red-orange glow. Her emerald green eyes widened and became deep crimson. Her oblique tooth receded back into her mouth as her face became more child-like. Her stature got smaller and smaller until she was around 5' 0". Her figure shrank causing her her bra camisole to hang off of her body. Her jacket and shorts which were already one size too small became a perfect fit to her new body. Her gloves and boots became bigger as her hands a feet shrank with her stature. When the transformation was complete, Excel awoke to consciousness and gasped for air. She swam to the top of the spring and jumped out like a torpedo.
"GASSP! Hy-chan! What.. what happened! I'm still alive! Yes! Excel lives through another life-or-death experience to serve Ilpalazzo-sama yet another day! Funny, I don't remember my clothes being so big before? Or having red-orange hair... Or my voice being this high. Why do you look puzzled Hy-chan? Is something wrong?"
The Guide appeared out of nowhere out of breath. "Oh no! I'm too late! You fall into most dangerous spring. 'Spring of the Drowned Red-Haired, Foul-Tempered Sorceress'. Very tragic story about sorceress Lina Inverse who fell in after drowning Naga the Serpent in adjacent spring."
The hell I drowned her! How was I suppose to know that she raided a bunch of Amazon bandits prior to our battle! Had I known, I'd taken them off of her for myself! Only one question, where in the world did she hide it! Lina explained but Excel was not listening.
"Whoever fall in spring take cursed form of her. See." The guide pointed to X/Lina's (Excel/Lina) reflection in the water. She looked at her reflection. Where a tall, 5' 8", blonde, young adult should have stood was a petite, 5' 0", red-haired child. There was only one reaction that was appropriate at this time.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! My sexy body! Ilpalazzo-sama is not going to want to be in love with a child who has yet to experience the joys of puberty yet!" X/Lina wailed.
Wait a minute, child who has yet to... OH NO! IT CAN'T BE!
Lina also looked at her reflection.
GAH! I'M BACK IN MY ORIGINAL BODY! OKAAA-SAAANN! Lina screamed as she heard L-sama laughing. Again, Excel was not listening.
"Ah, so that's what these ponds are for senpai. Senpai?" Hyatt looked at X/Lina pitching a royal fit.
X/Lina pounded the ground while waterfalls of tears sprang from her eyes a la Usagi. When she stopped whining, an idea came to her. "I got it! I'Z-CHANNN! CHANGE ME BACK PLEASE!"
A tumbleweed blew by while the group was waiting.
"No dice there, AHH! Atsui atsui atsui! Huh!" Excel stood there back to normal as The Guide poured his kettle of boiling water over the cursed blonde."I'm back! Excel is back in her sexy body! But, where is I'z-chan? Normally she shows up by now? Unless she's busy with Pedro."
"Cold water activate curse, hot water deactivate." The Guide explained.
"I see. I shall remember that for when senpai comes in contact with cold water. Which is fairly often." Hyatt stated.
It's going to be a looooooong day Lina sighed.
"Hunh? Who said that to Excel? Who's there inside Excel's head!" Excel inquired. "No one... So, anyways. Thank you dear member of the ignorant masses. We shall be off now to keep with our great leader's agenda for which the domination of the City of F is near! And Excel will be at Ilpalazzo-sama's right side praising him with joy and jubilation and passionate love! Goodbye! C'mon Hy-chan before you pass out again which according to the position of the sun maybe really soon."
Excel grabbed Hyatt and ran through the forest as is there were no trees in the way at 50 mph.
"Ho Ho Ho! She funny girl."
"AAAAHHH! SPLASH" A distant voice cried out.
"Oop! Back to work!" The Guide walked over to the latest victim of the Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo.
AN: Whew! Another chapter hot off the keyboard! Just think of what craziness is about to occur in the next chapters XD Huh? looks back to see a mob of lawyers! AHHH! LAWYERS! I FORGOT TO GIVE OUT A DISCLAIMER! OoO;;;
Excel Saga and characters thereof are property of Rikudo Koushi and J.C. Staff.
Ranma 1/2 and characters belong to Takahashi Rumiko.
Slayers is the work of Kanzaka Hajime, Araizumi Rui and Kadokawa Shoten.
Sailor Moon is copyright Takeuchi Naoko, Toei and Kodansha
Whew, that should cover everything. Now back off vicious lawyers! Raichu growls and charges up to shock the mob BACK BACK! Go chase an ambulance or something!
Raichu: RAIIICHUUUUUU! shocks the mob
Lawyer Mob: We'll sue agaaaiiiinnnnn! insert obligatory ping.
Until next time!
Ja ne,
-Rai