Chapter 8…Falls and Rises

I apologize to my writers. I really don't have as much time as I'd like and I'm not as good as some writers out there. I'll try to update more, like maybe each 2 weeks or something. BUT REMIND ME!
---------------------------------------------------------

The silence filled the air. The last thing Akane remember was opening and she Ranma disappear into darkness. But as quick as Ranma disappeared, the world itself, changed.

"The key to understand lies in the shadows of the past. Step forward if the darkness does not scare you, little one."

Akane, without even a seconds notice, moved forward. Nothing would stand in her way. She had to understand, she didn't wanna be left in the darkness. She wanted to she his past, for then perhaps, she may understand the martial artist.

As she stepped forward, the lights went off, as if like a drama play. Akane found herself in a meadow. The left of her was nothing but a field, to the right the same time. Akane just stared into the vast field, there wasn't anything there, and at least that's what she thought. She would of kept staring if she didn't here a little high pitched boy voice.

"HEY DAD! Whas the newest move Imma gonna learn!"

"Calm down, boy. You're gonna learn a technique so terrifying, it will make you unstoppable. It will be your greatest technique, boy, THE DREADED CAT FUU!"

Chibi Ranma's eye lit up shining his blue eyes. He was always ready to learn a new move. And if this was on that would make him the best, then he would do it. He wanted to grow up strong like his father.

Akane looked at Chibi Ranma. Her eye's melted at the site at the little boy. She never seen Ranma and now she was seeing him. She promptly tried to grab and squeeze the little boy. He hand went through Ranma and she fell on the ground. Aken appeared right next to her.

"You can't touch nor talk nor do anything here. This is one of Ranma's memories. As the saying goes 'Look with you eye, not with your hands.'"

"Why are you here? Didn't I beat your illusion move?" Akane looked at Aken loathingly. She really didn't like this version of herself. She was too...well… too mean. Aken looked at Akane with disgust.

Ignorant, arrogant lil wrench. I'll never understand what Ranma sees in her. I would destroy her where she stands but Ranma cares too much for anything to happen to her. I'll just make things difficult on her. Nothing says that was against the rules.

"Let us flash more forward in time, Gemna will explain the cat-fu to Ranma, and that is very boring." Aken smirked a false smile to Akane and quickly the lights went to darkness.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ranma…Ranma…awake, how can you rest right now?

Ranma's face began to show up, puzzled and dazed. Neko-Shampoo was gone and no where in sight. In fact, he was somewhere else. Ranma looked around. He was firm on the ground. And the sky was around him.

"Where…Where am I?"

Over here, Ranma.

Before Ranma was dark figure. Jet black hair flowing as if the air was moving, a dark martial artist suit, similar to Ranma's, but his features were unlike anyone's Ranma has ever seen. Pale black eyes, a stout nose, and two scars upon his right cheek, almost like a cross scar was on his face. His face was lightly tanned; he had a scar as well on his lip. Where his sleeves would have been, there were two silver metal sheets. Each of them reaching to the fists. He legs were covered with the same material. His shirt was night black, along with his shorts. The only other thing about him was the scarf on his neck.

Ranma, don't look at me like that. Don't you know who I am? It is me…

Ranma looked at young man with concern. He never had seen someone like him. Moreover, He couldn't understand the last part.

I see. How many times must I try to reach you before you look at me. And the funny thing is, I know you completely.

"What the heck are you talking bout. I don't know anyone as weird as you."

Ohh.. and this comes from a person with a water curse. You surprise me Ranma. How can you rest still like this, when your world is crumbling.

The ground beneath Ranma, crumpled, and Ranma was falling into the dark abyss.

"No, damn it. I'm not going out like this."

You're yelling, that's good. A powerful martial artist is one who can never give up. He can rule over many fears.

"But, right now. I'm in this world because I have problems."

Then face them. Remember that you are Ranma. Don't become dependant on Soul of Ice. Control things with power Ranma. The shadows keep coming as well as the light. Follow your path. Control your fears. Look at you. Your world is crumbling because of your fear of cats. Soon you'll become your fear. Your father taught you the Neko improperly, so you must correct that.

Thousands of boxes appeared before Ranma. Some of them were already disappearing into the darkness.

Find the box of your Neko-side. And become one with it. Only then can you stop this transformation. If you don't everything will the same. You'll lose control, at only the tip of the power of neko.

Great, either way I lose. I turn into a ca…feline…or I try to become one with it. How can I find that box. What did Tofu tell me one day about my Neko self? It was something smart. Something about my chi being different. WAIT! I have it.

Ranma closed his close and focused deeply. He took three deep breathes until he felt the twinge of familiar cat chi. He rapidly grasped for that box. As him and the box was disappearing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Nermia

---------------------------

A massive Chi appeared over a nearby clinic. The sky turned light blue as the chi raised into the sky overhead.

---------------------------------------------------

Ok, this is a short chapter. But I had to post so you guys can stay awake. How do you like the suspense, cool huh. Kudos to anyone who can tell this familiar scene. I am open to ideas on how the story should develop. Well, good night and I'll try to continue to keep on writing but I need REVIEWS!