Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ but I do own Ding.
Author's Notes: So far the vote goes…
Shampoo-1
Kasumi-1
And another vote was for Ding not to get involved with anyone at all. That person should be commended for having his best interests in mind. I sure as hell don't. Well, the fun is just starting as we open up for a new chapter! Let's get on with the show!
Frozen Lake of Hell
Chapter 4
Feint, thrust, parry, slash, feint, thrust, parry, slash, the tempo of strikes and counterstrikes increasing with each repetition of the Dragon's chosen kata. The blade that had once felt so light was now heavy to her feminine arms. She growled in frustration as her focus was suddenly lost before burying the blade in the ground to half its length. The mighty warrior wanted to cry but she had already done that. She stood almost hip deep in the suddenly intensifying snow before a blast of aura burst from the sword, clearing the yard of the frozen whiteness. With a titanic wrench, she whipped the sword from the ground and pointed it to the sky in a silent salute.
"Why did I end up here? World's Emerald, why did you bring me to this place?" Ding asked his sword, more specifically, the emerald set in the pommel. The gem glowed brightly before a voice entered her consciousness, warm and loving with a fair hint of humor.
Why not come here? Besides, you specifically asked me to bring you to where you were most needed. The chaos index of this place is well over four hundred percent higher than normal levels. My senses say that it all surrounds the pigtailed firebrand that you seem to have befriended. the voice told her, definitely female in nature.
"Shit. I knew there was something different about the girl only to find out it's a form changing curse. Now to find out that Ranma's a living chaos indicator? Can my life get any worse?" the green-haired girl asked mournfully. The emerald privately thought that her charge was a stunningly beautiful young woman just as he was a devastatingly handsome young man, but she was sort of biased.
It could. You're old friend Bordox could be here. the emerald replied in her typical fashion, blunt and to the point. Ding rolled her eyes heavenward at "that" idea. Bordox was a dark elf of unbelievable power and dark drive. He was a spell caster and warrior of immense skill. Ding wasn't afraid of his old rival, merely wary. If he was here than it would be a lot worse then a simple blizzard. Realizing it would look suspicious if she merely talked to her sword, she started up once again with her kata while continuing the conversation.
"I need some info on these people from what you've seen. Anything at all would be useful." She said evenly as she brought the sword around in a slow, wide arc before slashing with a powerful downward stroke. The emerald was an ancient, sentient magical artifact and thus had many wielders, but none quite like this one. She was used to dealing with healers and sorcerers whereas her current "master" was a warrior of enormous skill. Unfortunately, the translation to other worlds lessened the Dragon's powers to that of the current world's limits.
You want to know about the Saotomes, the Tendos, and Ryoga Hibiki? Simple enough I suppose. Let's start with the Chaos Indicator himself, Ranma Saotome. That poor child has had entirely too much done to him in his life, but he is all the better for it. Few souls burn as brightly as his despite his idiotic father's examples. He is a martial artist of extraordinary ability whose only rival is Ryoga. He is a master of numerous martial arts forms, blending them all into the Anything Goes Style. Given time he could even become a Chi Sorcerer. However, I wouldn't object if you decided to meddle just this once and teach him a few things. He is already walking the warrior's path to righteousness. He'll be a handful that's for sure.
Genma Saotome. If there was anyone I would suggest using a full powered World's Retribution on, then it's him. (1) That man is a blight on existence and I give you full permission to make his life hell. He took his son away from his mother for ten years and forced the boy to endure unending cruelty for the sake of the Art. At current count he has engaged his son to almost fifty eight women and after the curse nearly thirteen men all for food or some silly nonsense. He lies, he cheats, and he steals to his black heart's content without a thought for those he's hurting. Feh, I think I sullied myself delving in that far into his diseased soul and may God forgive me!
Soun Tendo. Weak, soft, and a terrible father. He once was a strong and noble man but since his wife died he chose to give up. If you ever act like that I'll gut you, how I'll do it I don't know, but I will. He left his dear children to fend for themselves while he retreated into his blissful incompetence. That's not to say he's without redeeming qualities. He engaged his youngest to Ranma. While the boy may not be perfect, at least that's one child with a chance for a healthy relationship. Ah well, can't complain too vigorously since he technically is our host.
Happosai…oh what I wouldn't give to create a miniature sun right next to his wicked and vile heart. It's not for lack of trying that he hasn't progressed further than mere panty filching and groping. The little pervert really would love a girl that won't fight back. The only thing keeping him away from Kasumi is the knowledge that he would bring the world down on his head with that stunt. I think even Satan would not wish to sully her. His training is a farce and he has completely failed as a human being. If I had blood pressure, it would be through the roof. Kill him. Please.
Ryoga Hibiki is one warped customer and that's a fact! He turns into a piglet and has a terrible sense of direction. The entire Hibiki line is descended from noble warriors of virtue renowned for their powers in the way of the Light. The terrible sense of direction also affects his sense of love so he tends to err towards people that aren't right for him. It was an affliction placed on his family by a powerful demon. No Ding, not even you can remove it. Lessen it perhaps, but not remove it. Live allies are better than dead meat. His way of fighting, the Hibiki Ryu, is nothing to sneeze at either. This boy is so strong it would make me shudder if I wasn't a rock. An attractive rock, but a rock nonetheless. His beef with Ranma is largely over but they still have relapses. Nothing like what happened earlier however and that tells me there is dark magic afoot. Keep that in mind.
Kasumi Tendo is a brilliant light that doesn't belong on this wretched planet but here she is. The cool, serene face of this paragon of womanhood is a mask for a more mischievous girl who had to lock up her true self to raise her family. You know, use stuff a Dragon Slayer (2) in her old man's craw for me, okay? If it wasn't for her than this family would have fallen apart a long time ago. If you ever need anything go to her. She would everything she could to help a stranger, but would move heaven and earth to help a loved one. Strangely enough, she's a lot like Ranma in that regard. I'll have to think about this.
Nabiki Tendo is "affectionately" dubbed the Ice Queen of Furinkan High. She is also known as Lil' Yakuza, but call her "that" to her face and she'll kill you. This seemingly cold-hearted bitch has single-handedly supported her family financially while her older sister takes care of the emotional aspects. She was such a sweet child with the most heartwarming smile, now she's forced to hide it behind a wall of ice. I'm making myself sad and I don't want to find out if stones cry so let's move along.
Akane Tendo is certainly a piece of work. With her father non compos mentis she was pretty much left to her own devices growing up. The only thing she had was the Art but she was suffering from flawed training. Too bad if you ask me because there is a girl with talent. Up until a little while ago she was involved in stupid fights designed to force her to date the winner. Tragic really because it made her hate boys and blinded her to what Ranma may have offered if he'd had a true friend. At least that seems to be changing now so I'm not "too" worried. It might be a good idea however if you try to smooth things over with them. Well, as much fun as this has been, you're freezing cold and I'm done talking. We need to meet the other key players before I can gather data on them. the gem said in a tone that brooked no contradiction. The green-haired girl was dismissed, pure and simple. Besides, it was a good time to take a break considering how tired she was feeling.
"Ding! There's hot water in the kitchen for you!" Kasumi called out cheerfully. Her voice could warm a blizzard, the neo-girl thought before slinging her sword over her shoulder and entering the house.
End Chapter
Author's Notes: I realize the chapter is a little short but it really was only to develop Ding's perceptions on some of the people in Nerima. As for the attacks mentioned, here they are:
World's Retribution: A spell born of the elements. Fire, Ice, Water, Lightning, Earth, Holy, and Darkness. The spell is Ding's most powerful magical attack and can be used on multiple targets with no danger to bystanders. However, at full power the spell concludes with the finisher Super Nova, a blast of intense light and heat that tears through the already weakened enemy. Ding expends quite a bit of mana to use it.
Dragon Slayer: A powerful ki attack in the shape of a dragon's head. Can be fired as a short burst or a prolonged wave. The burst is good for maximum penetration power while the wave is excellent for strafing. It uses pure ki untainted by emotion, same strength as the Moko Takabisha, but more draining.
Whew! That's it for the attacks mentioned so far. I wanted to get out a chapter before the holiday so from my home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Ja ne!