Chapter 6: Legacy
Cologne stared in awe at her pupil. Not only had he mastered
the technique she'd showed him, but he had actually mastered a more
advanced form. This in itself was surprising, but what had caused her
jaw to drop was that she'd never seen this variation before and had
only heard of it once. And that had been nearly a century and a half
ago.
As Ryoga's form appeared before her, she composed herself and
gave him a warm smile. "Well, you certainly are full of surprises,
aren't you? How about after your battle, you come back to China with
me? My great-granddaughter Hyacinth would just love to challenge you."
Cologne chuckled and made placating gestures with her hands as Ryoga
blanched and began stammering refusals. "Calm down, Boy. I was only
joking."
Ryoga sighed in relief and wiped his forehead with the back of
his hand.
"I am impressed with your progress in mastering that technique,"
Cologne said, serious once again. "I must ask, though; how did you
learn to improve it like you have? The technique you just demonstrated
has only been mastered by one man in history," Cologne explained. "And
he died almost 150 years ago, taking his secret to the grave with him."
"Well, uh," Ryoga stammered, shocked and somewhat embarrassed
by the compliment, "I really don't know. It just felt like the right
thing to do." With this, he put his hand behind his head, now clad in
a solid black bandanna, and chuckled nervously.
"My, my, you are an interesting young man, aren't you?" Cologne
said, entertaining thoughts of kidnapping him for the tribe before
banishing them under the crushing weight of her memories of Ranma.
"By the way," Ryoga began, disrupting her train of thought and
drawing her back to the situation at hand, "I've been meaning to ask
you about Shampoo and Mousse. How are they? What have they been doing
now that they're back home in China?"
"Well," Cologne started, "because Ranma is dead, Shampoo's
honor before the tribe was restored and, owing to the training she
recieved from fighting everyone here, she remained the undisputed
tribal champion since her return. Mousse was readmitted to the village,
although not many wanted him. Only his mother's tearful plea and a few
words from Shampoo and myself saved him from permanent exile."
"Shampoo?" Ryoga asked quizzically. "I'd have thought she'd be
glad to be rid of him."
"Shampoo may not want to marry Mousse, but neither does she hate
him," Cologne countered. "He is one of her oldest friends and means
much to her." Cologne's eyes darted around quickly and she leaned over
to whisper in Ryoga's ear. "To tell you the truth, I think she'd happily
marry him if he could manage to defeat her in combat."
Cologne straightened herself, then burst into a fit of laughter
at Ryoga's expression. "You- you mean she never really loved Ranma?" he
stammered, in shock.
Cologne's mirth fell like a stone as she smacked Ryoga across
the head with her staff. Her gaze was like ice as she spoke. "My
great-granddaughter was devestated by the loss of Ranma, and it took
quite a bit of effort to keep her from killing herself and to turn her
pain into a reason to excel. I will not have you questioning the honor
of my family and my heir."
"I'm sorry," Ryoga said, head hanging in shame. "I spoke without
thinking again. I'm trying to stop doing that, but it's very hard. I
meant no disrespect."
Cologne's face softened, though the memories of her great-
granddaughter's hardships still burned like acid in her heart. "It's
alright," she said finally. "That was a very trying time for my family
and it still hurts to think about it. This situation you're in isn't
helping my mood, either."
"What about Mousse?" Ryoga asked after a lengthy and uncomforatable
silence. "How does he feel about what happened?"
"When I told him and Shampoo the news, I expected a celebration
out of him, but he simply nodded his understanding and locked himself in
his room. When we were preparing to leave two days later, he emerged
fully packed with a look of peace on his face. Upon our arrival in China,
he told Shampoo that he would end his pursuit of her so that she may
grieve for her loss. I have only caught a few fleeting glimpses of him
since then. Each time, he was watching Shampoo from a distance with
a deep longing in his gaze and his face wrought with determination."
Ryoga looked at the amazon matriarch skeptically. "That doesn't
sound like the Mousse I know."
"I know what you mean," Cologne said, a thoughtful look on her
wisened face. "I asked around the tribe about him, but the only people
who knew anything at all about him simply said that they didn't see him
often and that, when he was around, he kept to himself. Even his mother
said that he would be gone for days or weeks at a time and that he
wouldn't say more than necessary when he came home for supplies."
Ryoga's face became a mask of puzzlement as he contemplated what
he'd just been told. "That doesn't make sense," he muttered to himself.
"He's always been persistant in his quest to win Shampoo..."
Cologne was about to reply when she sensed something, her head
snapping up and her eyes narrowing. "Yes, it is indeed baffling, but
we have no time for that now. Someone's coming."
Ryoga nodded and teacher and student faded from view as two dark
figures approached the makeshift training ground.
------------
"Wow. It looks like Ryoga's really taking his training seriously,"
Ukyo said, noting the various patches of scorched grass and the general
trampled state of the entire area.
"I know," Akane agreed. "It looks like a war zone, here."
"I've been on a completely new training program," Ryoga said,
startling the two girls as he stepped into the clearing from seemingly
nowhere.
"Hey, Ryoga," Akane said, recovering quickly from her initial shock.
"I got a challenge letter the other day from-"
"Saffron," Ryoga interrupted.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
Akane felt something poke into her back, which caused her to jump
fifteen feet into the air. "I told him, child."
Akane nearly facefaulted when she recognized the small figure.
"Cologne. I should have known you'd be back."
"It does not matter now, child. We have little time and must make
haste to the appointed location," Cologne said, feeling more than a little
proud of herself at still being able to sneak up on the girl.
Without further discussion, the group turned with grim determination
toward what may well be thier final stand.
------------
Four silhouetted figures stood motionless as the sun rose over
one of the larger mountains just outside of Tokyo. Tension was thick
in the air as two of the figures fidgetted nervously. Of the other two,
an aura of complete calm radiated from the smaller while the taller, the
only male of the group, gave off an aura of confidence the likes of which
had only been seen once before in the history of the world.
"Where are they?!" Ukyo nearly screamed, nervously gripping her
battle spatula.
Akane and Ryoga started at the sudden outburst and Cologne just
sighed. "Patience, child," the old woman said. "They will arrive soon
enough."
"How very true, Elder," said a strange voice from the nearby forest,
causing the group to start. Even Cologne jumped as she had not felt anyone's
approach.
she thought; her
eyes narrowing.
Bearing looks of grim determination, the small group watched silently
as the subject of countless nightmares stepped out of the shadows and into
the clearing.
Saffron strode toward the group with grace, power, and poise that
spoke of great skill as a fighter. He wore loose fitting pants and soft, light
slippers. He wore no shirt, showing off a well-toned, well-muscled chest,
seemingly custom crafted to enhance both strength and speed. Strong black
wings sprouted from his shoulder blades and were folded neatly against his
back. An ornate headdress covered most of his features without obstructing
his movement or sight. (Author's note: think Houer from Fatal Fury: the
Motion Picture, but covering the top, sides, and back of his head)
"You seem surprised to see me," the Phoenix King said, a smirk tugging
at his lips.
"But Ranma killed you!" Akane exclaimed as she was the first to
recover her voice.
Again a smile tugged at Saffron's lips. "I am a phoenix. It is my
very nature to die and be reborn."
Akane mentally kicked herself for sounding so stupid.
"Anyway," Ryoga interrupted the dialogue, "you issued a challenge and
we are here to accept." Ukyo, Akane, Ryoga, and Cologne all dropped into
fighting stances at this, but Saffron's upraised hand stopped them from
launching an attack.
"My challenge does not include the others. I wish for a duel with
you alone, Ryoga Hibiki." Saffron gestured to the forest behind him. "My
people are watching this fight. If any of the others interfere, there will
be consequences."
Ryoga turned to his companions, who nodded their understanding and
backed away. With a final, wistful look into Akane's eyes, Ryoga turned his
attention back to Saffron and took up a defensive stance.
Saffron grinned as Ryoga stood confidently in front of him. "Let's
dance."
================================================================================
Author's note: First of all, let me apologize for taking so long to get this
chapter written. I got slack and deserve any loss of readers I've suffered.
Second, let me apologize for ending the chapter like this. Obviously, there
will be another chapter before this story is finished. I'm not too good at
writing combat, so I'll need a little time to work on this fight scene. Also, I
just felt like this was a good place to stop for a break. Anyway, thanks for
reading and I hope you've enjoyed the story thus far. As always, feedback is
very welcome and helps to motivate me to write.
Cologne stared in awe at her pupil. Not only had he mastered
the technique she'd showed him, but he had actually mastered a more
advanced form. This in itself was surprising, but what had caused her
jaw to drop was that she'd never seen this variation before and had
only heard of it once. And that had been nearly a century and a half
ago.
As Ryoga's form appeared before her, she composed herself and
gave him a warm smile. "Well, you certainly are full of surprises,
aren't you? How about after your battle, you come back to China with
me? My great-granddaughter Hyacinth would just love to challenge you."
Cologne chuckled and made placating gestures with her hands as Ryoga
blanched and began stammering refusals. "Calm down, Boy. I was only
joking."
Ryoga sighed in relief and wiped his forehead with the back of
his hand.
"I am impressed with your progress in mastering that technique,"
Cologne said, serious once again. "I must ask, though; how did you
learn to improve it like you have? The technique you just demonstrated
has only been mastered by one man in history," Cologne explained. "And
he died almost 150 years ago, taking his secret to the grave with him."
"Well, uh," Ryoga stammered, shocked and somewhat embarrassed
by the compliment, "I really don't know. It just felt like the right
thing to do." With this, he put his hand behind his head, now clad in
a solid black bandanna, and chuckled nervously.
"My, my, you are an interesting young man, aren't you?" Cologne
said, entertaining thoughts of kidnapping him for the tribe before
banishing them under the crushing weight of her memories of Ranma.
"By the way," Ryoga began, disrupting her train of thought and
drawing her back to the situation at hand, "I've been meaning to ask
you about Shampoo and Mousse. How are they? What have they been doing
now that they're back home in China?"
"Well," Cologne started, "because Ranma is dead, Shampoo's
honor before the tribe was restored and, owing to the training she
recieved from fighting everyone here, she remained the undisputed
tribal champion since her return. Mousse was readmitted to the village,
although not many wanted him. Only his mother's tearful plea and a few
words from Shampoo and myself saved him from permanent exile."
"Shampoo?" Ryoga asked quizzically. "I'd have thought she'd be
glad to be rid of him."
"Shampoo may not want to marry Mousse, but neither does she hate
him," Cologne countered. "He is one of her oldest friends and means
much to her." Cologne's eyes darted around quickly and she leaned over
to whisper in Ryoga's ear. "To tell you the truth, I think she'd happily
marry him if he could manage to defeat her in combat."
Cologne straightened herself, then burst into a fit of laughter
at Ryoga's expression. "You- you mean she never really loved Ranma?" he
stammered, in shock.
Cologne's mirth fell like a stone as she smacked Ryoga across
the head with her staff. Her gaze was like ice as she spoke. "My
great-granddaughter was devestated by the loss of Ranma, and it took
quite a bit of effort to keep her from killing herself and to turn her
pain into a reason to excel. I will not have you questioning the honor
of my family and my heir."
"I'm sorry," Ryoga said, head hanging in shame. "I spoke without
thinking again. I'm trying to stop doing that, but it's very hard. I
meant no disrespect."
Cologne's face softened, though the memories of her great-
granddaughter's hardships still burned like acid in her heart. "It's
alright," she said finally. "That was a very trying time for my family
and it still hurts to think about it. This situation you're in isn't
helping my mood, either."
"What about Mousse?" Ryoga asked after a lengthy and uncomforatable
silence. "How does he feel about what happened?"
"When I told him and Shampoo the news, I expected a celebration
out of him, but he simply nodded his understanding and locked himself in
his room. When we were preparing to leave two days later, he emerged
fully packed with a look of peace on his face. Upon our arrival in China,
he told Shampoo that he would end his pursuit of her so that she may
grieve for her loss. I have only caught a few fleeting glimpses of him
since then. Each time, he was watching Shampoo from a distance with
a deep longing in his gaze and his face wrought with determination."
Ryoga looked at the amazon matriarch skeptically. "That doesn't
sound like the Mousse I know."
"I know what you mean," Cologne said, a thoughtful look on her
wisened face. "I asked around the tribe about him, but the only people
who knew anything at all about him simply said that they didn't see him
often and that, when he was around, he kept to himself. Even his mother
said that he would be gone for days or weeks at a time and that he
wouldn't say more than necessary when he came home for supplies."
Ryoga's face became a mask of puzzlement as he contemplated what
he'd just been told. "That doesn't make sense," he muttered to himself.
"He's always been persistant in his quest to win Shampoo..."
Cologne was about to reply when she sensed something, her head
snapping up and her eyes narrowing. "Yes, it is indeed baffling, but
we have no time for that now. Someone's coming."
Ryoga nodded and teacher and student faded from view as two dark
figures approached the makeshift training ground.
------------
"Wow. It looks like Ryoga's really taking his training seriously,"
Ukyo said, noting the various patches of scorched grass and the general
trampled state of the entire area.
"I know," Akane agreed. "It looks like a war zone, here."
"I've been on a completely new training program," Ryoga said,
startling the two girls as he stepped into the clearing from seemingly
nowhere.
"Hey, Ryoga," Akane said, recovering quickly from her initial shock.
"I got a challenge letter the other day from-"
"Saffron," Ryoga interrupted.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
Akane felt something poke into her back, which caused her to jump
fifteen feet into the air. "I told him, child."
Akane nearly facefaulted when she recognized the small figure.
"Cologne. I should have known you'd be back."
"It does not matter now, child. We have little time and must make
haste to the appointed location," Cologne said, feeling more than a little
proud of herself at still being able to sneak up on the girl.
Without further discussion, the group turned with grim determination
toward what may well be thier final stand.
------------
Four silhouetted figures stood motionless as the sun rose over
one of the larger mountains just outside of Tokyo. Tension was thick
in the air as two of the figures fidgetted nervously. Of the other two,
an aura of complete calm radiated from the smaller while the taller, the
only male of the group, gave off an aura of confidence the likes of which
had only been seen once before in the history of the world.
"Where are they?!" Ukyo nearly screamed, nervously gripping her
battle spatula.
Akane and Ryoga started at the sudden outburst and Cologne just
sighed. "Patience, child," the old woman said. "They will arrive soon
enough."
"How very true, Elder," said a strange voice from the nearby forest,
causing the group to start. Even Cologne jumped as she had not felt anyone's
approach.
she thought; her
eyes narrowing.
Bearing looks of grim determination, the small group watched silently
as the subject of countless nightmares stepped out of the shadows and into
the clearing.
Saffron strode toward the group with grace, power, and poise that
spoke of great skill as a fighter. He wore loose fitting pants and soft, light
slippers. He wore no shirt, showing off a well-toned, well-muscled chest,
seemingly custom crafted to enhance both strength and speed. Strong black
wings sprouted from his shoulder blades and were folded neatly against his
back. An ornate headdress covered most of his features without obstructing
his movement or sight. (Author's note: think Houer from Fatal Fury: the
Motion Picture, but covering the top, sides, and back of his head)
"You seem surprised to see me," the Phoenix King said, a smirk tugging
at his lips.
"But Ranma killed you!" Akane exclaimed as she was the first to
recover her voice.
Again a smile tugged at Saffron's lips. "I am a phoenix. It is my
very nature to die and be reborn."
Akane mentally kicked herself for sounding so stupid.
"Anyway," Ryoga interrupted the dialogue, "you issued a challenge and
we are here to accept." Ukyo, Akane, Ryoga, and Cologne all dropped into
fighting stances at this, but Saffron's upraised hand stopped them from
launching an attack.
"My challenge does not include the others. I wish for a duel with
you alone, Ryoga Hibiki." Saffron gestured to the forest behind him. "My
people are watching this fight. If any of the others interfere, there will
be consequences."
Ryoga turned to his companions, who nodded their understanding and
backed away. With a final, wistful look into Akane's eyes, Ryoga turned his
attention back to Saffron and took up a defensive stance.
Saffron grinned as Ryoga stood confidently in front of him. "Let's
dance."
================================================================================
Author's note: First of all, let me apologize for taking so long to get this
chapter written. I got slack and deserve any loss of readers I've suffered.
Second, let me apologize for ending the chapter like this. Obviously, there
will be another chapter before this story is finished. I'm not too good at
writing combat, so I'll need a little time to work on this fight scene. Also, I
just felt like this was a good place to stop for a break. Anyway, thanks for
reading and I hope you've enjoyed the story thus far. As always, feedback is
very welcome and helps to motivate me to write.