Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video and Winx Club belongs to Iginio Straffi and Rai S.p.A (NOT 4Kids!). Song, 'Cruel Angel's Thesis' belongs to Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Note: This follows the Rai version of Winx as the 4Kids version butchered it too much, like with every anime it dubbed.
Chapter 55: Face Facts! The Truth Hurts!
Alfea…
A week had passed since Xander awoke from his coma. The boy had pretty much recovered from his ordeal as he watched an outdoor class session by Palladium. The elven professor was currently teaching some girls the art of shaping magic into a physical form. Some do the basic form of a sphere, others shafts.
'Hmmm… I wonder…' thought Xander as he tried copying the motions Palladium was showing. Holding his hands together, he concentrates and after a few seconds, he separates his hands, revealing a small ball of light. He felt excited until it exploded into a flash, knocking him back. The light explosion caught the attention of Palladium and his class as they stopped what they were doing.
"Xander! Are you all right?" asked Palladium as he and his students went to the fallen boy.
"Ugh… yeah… just took me by surprise is all. Eh heheh…" said an embarrassed Xander.
"Well it's a good thing nothing serious happened." Said Palladium.
From a short distance, Ranma and the Winx witnessed this.
"Guess I shouldn't be surprised he'd be able to use magic." Said Ranma.
"Still, he has some potential." Said Flora.
Bloom couldn't help but nod as she could understand where he's coming from.
Opening (Neon Genesis Evangelion style, 'Cruel Angel's Thesis')
Music starts as it opens on a reddened sky as an image of a dragon appears
Zankoku na tenshi no you ni (Just like a cruel angel's thesis)
Shounen yo shinwa ni nare! (Young boy, become a legend!)
The sky turns to space as it shows what looks like a family tree before zooming in on Ranma's name which then erupts into a flash of ki.
Another flash shows the 'Ranma Club' title
Aoi kaze ga ima (Even though the untested breeze)
Mune no DOA wo tataite mo (Taps at the door to your heart)
Watashi dake wo tada mitsumete (You look solely at me)
Hohoende'ru anata (and just smile)
Ranma is shown before a clear blue sky looking out. Shadow silhouettes of Bloom and Stella rise and fall respectively on either side of him.
Sotto fureru mono (You're so intent on)
Motomeru koto ni muchuu de (Seeking out that gentle touch)
Unmei sae mada shiranai (Through those innocent eyes)
Itaike na hitomi (Ignorant of their destiny)
A shadow silhouette of Flora's hand comes out caressing something before showing her upper body rising and arcing her back. It's replaced by a shadow silhouette of Musa sitting with her face to her knees before looking up. Tecna is then seen from behind a window as if knocking on it. Layla is seen from behind, who turns and summons a water sphere in her hand.
Dakedo itsuka kidzuku deshou (But yomeday you'll soon realize)
Sono senaka ni wa (That upon your back)
Pans up to Ranma in a fighting stance until it comes to his face and his eyes opening. It blacks out, showing a shadow of a cat being with glowing eyes. At the four beats, it shows Nodoka, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Mousse.
Haruka mirai mezasu tame no (You have the wings with which to fly)
Hane ga aru koto! (Towards the distant future!)
Ranma crosses his forearms as he emits his battle aura before bringing them to his side in a kiai just as the Specialist souls come out of him.
Zankoku na tenshi no TE-ZE (The cruel angel's thesis)
Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu (Soon you will take flight from the windowsill)
Flashes of Ranma and his friends' battles in the past in all their glory followed by flashes of Alfea, Red Fountain, Cloud Tower, and Nerima. Flashes of Sasuke, Dr. Tofu, Kiko, and a smiling Kasumi come up.
Hotobashiru atsui PATOSU de (With your torrent of ardent pathos)
Omoide wo uragiru nara (If you are to betray our memories)
Flashes of Ranma in male and Faerie form pop up, followed by Platinum Sky, Diamond Brandon, Gold Helia, Onyx Riven, Silver Timmy, and Amethyst Nabu go by. It's followed by flashes of Ryoga, Happosai, the Trix, and Valtor with a sinister look before ending with a frightened Xander.
Kono sora wo daite kagayaku (You, who embrace these heavens and shine)
Shounen yo shinwa ni nare! (Young boy, become a legend!)
Shots of Ranma and the Winx fighting numerous monsters go by, followed by shots of Shampoo, Mousse, and Ukyou fighting. A shot of Shilly is shown turning, then a shot of all the Specialist souls armed and charging, leaving behind an after image of Ranma. Ranma turns and looks up at the sky before showing a shot of him battleworn, which is then replaced by him smiling happily.
End opening
Alfea courtyard, one month later…
The boy known as Xander sat on one of the benches surrounding the well. He was eating the packed bento Kasumi provided him. As he ate, he thought about his time in Alfea.
'Much has happened since I awoke from my coma..' Xander thought to himself.
Flashback…
Winx dorm…
Flora was tending to her plants in the room she shared with Bloom. She made sure to give them plenty of water and sunlight to optimize their growth.
"There, with this, you'll all grow healthy and strong." Said Flora.
"Hey Flora."
Flora turns to see Xander at the door. "Oh, Xander."
He looks around to see the plants. "Wow, you must really love plants."
"Is it that obvious?" Flora giggled. "You could say they're my life."
"I don't really know much about plants." Said Xander.
"I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised." Said Flora. "Not many people do."
"Still, though, they're very pretty."
"You really think so?"
"I do." Xander looks at a large bud. "This one going to bloom soon?"
"Not for a while, I'm afraid." Replied Flora. "This one will take a while. Plants are like people. They're all different and react to things differently from each other."
"I see." Said Xander as he eyed the bud. "I would like to see it bloom one day."
"In that case, how about helping me care for it?" asked Flora.
"Really, Flora?" asked Xander.
"Sure. I can tell you have a curiosity for it."
"I'll do my best, then!"
End flashback…
'That flower hasn't bloomed just yet, but I have a good feeling about it.' Thought Xander. 'There was also my time with Layla.'
Flashback…
Alfea gymnasium…
"Come on, Xander, you can do this!" said Layla.
She was wearing a small green mid-riff baring t-shirt stopping just under her breasts with a purple sweatband on her head and purple wristbands. She also wore what looked like a black bikini bottom that rode up a bit, purple leg warmers, and workout shoes.
When Xander was well enough to move, Layla thought it would be a good idea to help keep him in shape, so she offered to give him a workout program. Since then, she put him through his paces. Currently, Xander was in the middle of doing some push-ups. He was sweating hard as he did his final one.
"Good job, Xander! You've completed a full set!"
"Huff huff, thanks, Layla…" said Xander. Before, he could barely do even one push-up due to his condition, but now he was able to complete thirty until his arms gave out on him.
"You've come a long way." Said Layla as she put a hand on his shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"Like a new me, honestly."
"That's good to hear. Now then, shall we do more stretches?"
"That would be great."
End flashback…
'I feel stronger than I've ever been.' Xander thought. 'More than since… actually how long has it been?'
He couldn't help but feel like he's forgotten something about his past, but then again, he is amnesiac. Xander then thought about another time he was introduced to fun, something that felt foreign to him.
Flashback…
Winx dorm…
"What are you doing, Tecna?" asked Xander as he watched the techno faerie fiddling with a device.
"Just fine-tuning this VR helmet." Replied Tecna as she continued to work.
"VR?"
"Virtual reality. Basically a world completely computer-generated."
"That must be really something."
"Oh, you've no idea." Tecna then closes the panel on the VR helmet. "Okay! I'm all done! Care to give it a try, Xander?"
"I don't know."
"Oh, it's fine! Just put it on your head like so…" Tecna places the helmet on Xander's head. "Aaaaand… switch on!"
Once it was activated, Xander became flabbergasted when he felt like the room just vanished and found himself in what looked like a big city.
"Wha? Where am I?" asked Xander.
"Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, you're still in the room with me. Your body hasn't left but you are being shown something else." Tecna's voice sounded off in the air.
"It all looks so real."
"That's the idea, isn't it?"
It took Xander a while to get used to the virtual reality simulation. After a while, Tecna showed him other places in VR, which he soon took a liking to.
End flashback…
'It felt good getting out of reality every now and then.' Thought Xander until his expression fell a bit. 'Reality can be cruel, especially mine…'
He shook his head of the thought and focused on something else.
Flashback…
Xander was walking through the halls when he comes across the music room. Inside he finds several instruments laid out. He walks in as if intrigued by the objects. Xander sees some brass, wind, and string instruments, then walks over to one type in particular as if being guided. He didn't know why, but he picks up one of the violins and bows.
"I wonder…."
After a moment, Xander puts the violin to his shoulder and plays.
Walking down the hall was Musa, on her way to the music room to try and make a new song. She was surprised when she heard violin music coming from the area. It sounded hauntingly calm and a bit sorrowful. Musa went to see who was playing, and once she got to the doorway, she was surprised to see Xander was the one. Currently, his back was facing her, and she stood silently as she listened to the music. (1)
After the impromptu concert, Xander relaxed his hands, then was startled when he heard clapping behind him.
"That was very lovely." Said Musa.
"Oh! Uh… Musa…" said Xander. "How long were you standing there?"
"For a while now. You're quite well-versed." Musa walks up to him. "Where'd you learn to play like that?"
"I honestly don't know. It just came to me." Replied Xander.
"Well regardless…" Musa walks over and picks up a flute. "Would you like to play a duet?"
Xander smiles and accepts the offer before they both started playing in harmony.
End flashback…
'I still don't know how I could play that well.' Xander thought. He then blushed as he thought of another time.
Flashback…
Xander was heading to the Winx's dorm room after he was informed by Sasuke that Stella needed to see him. He was a bit confused as to why but decided to go along with it.
"Stella? It's me, Xander. Sasuke said you wanted to see me?" Xander called out as he entered the door. He was confused as he found the place was deserted. All the other girls were out on their own business for the day. "Stella?"
Xander walks in to try and find the blonde faerie. He then noticed a shadow on the door leading to the balcony. Cautiously, Xander goes up to the door and slowly opens it, then blushes at the sight before him.
Out on the balcony lying on a sun chair was a sun-bathing Stella. She was clad in a rather skimpy orange thong bikini that showed off her curves nicely and a pair of shades on her face. Stella was blissfully unaware as she moaned in content from the rays she was soaking in.
"Aaaahh… this is great…" Stella said in a quiet whisper.
"Uh… Stella?" Xander called as he knocked the doorframe.
"Ghuh- wha-" Stella was suddenly up from her sunbathing and turned to see Xander at the door. "Oh! Xander! Sorry for not noticing you before. Oh! I must've lost track of the time!"
"It's no big deal, really."
"Well in any case, let me get ready." Said Stella as she got up off the sunchair and entered the dorm to get to her room. A minute later, she was in her normal attire. "Okay Xander, now as for why I asked you here, I just need your help on something."
"What's that?"
"Oh… just for a fitting…"
Xander gulped at that. "Uh… fitting?"
"I just thought of making a line for younger men such as yourself. Now then…" said Stella with a devious glint in her eye.
End flashback…
Xander couldn't help but blush at the memory. He didn't expect to be acting as a fitting dummy for Stella's fashion whims. Or maybe it was just to mess with him.
Shaking his head, Xander thinks back on something else.
Flashback…
Winx dorm…
Bloom sat at her desk as she drew on her sketchpad. Off to the side was a photo of an angled shot of the City of Magix being used as a reference. The sketch work Bloom was working on showed an incredible likeness to its source material, a testament to her artistic skill.
"Hmmm… I guess it looks good." Said Bloom as she looked over the finished drawing. She turned when she heard a knock on her door. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Xander."
"Oh! Come on in."
Xander enters through the door before greeting the redhead. "Hi, Bloom. What are you doing?"
"Just finishing an artwork."
Bloom shows her sketchpad to him. Xander marveled at the work and the photo she drew from. "Wow, you're good." He looked through the other pages to see other drawings of mostly sceneries accompanied by portraits of her friends and loved ones. "You did all this?"
"That's right. It's kind of a passion of mine." Said Bloom. "Hey Xander, since I've finished, how about I drew your portrait?"
"Really? You'd do that?"
"It would be my pleasure. Here, why don't you just sit on the bed there."
Bloom directed Xander to sit on her bed while looking natural and not move. He had to admit sitting perfectly still was a bit difficult since his nose itched a bit.
End flashback…
Bloom's portrait was a great resemblance to him after it had been finished.
'I never had a portrait done before.' thought Xander. 'At least I don't think I ever did before.'
His stay at Alfea had been very comforting thanks to his rescuers. Then he thought back to another time.
Flashback…
Near the gates of Alfea, Ranma was performing some katas as per his training routine. His movements were fluid as he threw punches and kicks at the open air while leaping around. Sometimes a soul would pop out mimicking his actions before fusing back into himself before being replaced by another.
Sitting nearby was Xander, who observed his workout. "Whoa, you're really good."
Ranma went back into a relaxed stance once he finished his current kata. "It's been my whole life." Said Ranma. "Started when I was six."
"That early? That's insane!"
"You don't know the half of it…"
"But it looks like it all paid off."
"True, but there are some things that I prefer had not happened. I've sacrificed a lot for the art, and sometimes I wondered if it was ever really worth the trouble."
Xander couldn't help but catch the tone in Ranma's voice. "Not easy to talk about, huh?"
"That's putting it mildly." Said Ranma. "It almost makes me wish I was in the same situation you're in, Xander. There are things in my past I would rather forget as they are just too shameful."
Xander was a bit perturbed by this. 'There are things he WANTS to forget? How bad could they be?' "It couldn't be that bad, could it?"
"You have NO idea…"
"Ran-chan!"
"Airen!"
Ranma and Xander turn to see Ukyou and Shampoo with takeout boxes coming up to them.
"Oh! Shampoo and Ukyou." Said Xander.
"Hey there, Xander." Greeted Ukyou. "How are you doing?"
"Well enough."
"Since here, how about some food?" asked Shampoo as she and Ukyou presented their respective foods.
"That would be great!" said Ranma. Training always gave him an appetite.
Xander had to agree. The two girls' cooking had always been delicious to him.
End flashback…
'Ukyou and Shampoo's cooking is great, though Kasumi's is no slouch, either.' Thought Xander.
At the thought of Kasumi's food, he looked down to see the empty bento, having finished eating.
"Huh, never even noticed I ate it all. Time seems to fly."
"Hey Xander!"
Xander turns to see Zing flying towards him. "Zing?"
"So this was where you were, huh? Well come on! Everyone's waiting!"
"Oh! Right!"
Xander packs up the bento and follows Zing into the main building.
Alfea forest outskirts, next day…
Ranma was leaping through the tree branches as he surveyed the area. He had gotten word that there had been a disturbance somewhere out in the wilderness.
'Wonder what it is, this time?' thought Ranma.
As if to answer his mental question, he sees a huge stalagmite jut out of the ground in the distance followed by a familiar yell.
"RANMA! WHERE ARE YOU!? COME OUT AND FACE ME, COWARD!"
Ranma could only sigh. 'Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer…'
He rushes towards the source of the destruction. It was there Ranma saw a sizable crater in the ground, and in the center was a certain lost boy.
"COME OUT YOU COWARD!" shouted Ryoga.
"You don't have to shout, Ryoga." Said Ranma as he stood in a nearby tree.
Ryoga turned to the voice of his hated enemy behind him. "So there you are! I'll put an end to you this time!"
With that said, Ryoga punches the ground, causing a boulder to pop up in front of him before sending it flying right at Ranma, who quickly jumps out of the way. Once Ranma landed on the ground, Ryoga continued to press on his attack. He stomps his foot, causing another stalagmite to spike up near Ranma, barely missing him. Ryoga then levitates via a rock he was standing on and speeds towards his foe. He also summoned more rocks that rotated around himself before launching them at the pigtailed boy. Ranma dodges the rocks and fires a Moko Takabisha at the big rock Ryoga was riding on, causing him to fly over and crash. Angrily getting back up, Ryoga throws his arms up, causing more rocks to shoot up into the sky. Thrusting his hands forward, Ryoga caused the rocks to fall angled right at Ranma like a controlled meteor swarm. Whatever Ranma was unable to dodge, he would deflect away with a light shield. Once the attack finished, Ranma was confused when Ryoga was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, Ryoga's hand broke out of the ground and grabbed his ankle. Cursing under his breath for being careless, Ranma was pulled into the ground up to his neck as Ryoga pops back out. Seeing his enemy unable to move, Ryoga closes in to finish him off with a boulder. Before he could drop it on Ranma, Platinum Sky rises out and decks Ryoga with a hard uppercut, making him stumble back. Fusing back in, Gold Helia and Silver Timmy come out to pull Ranma out of the ground before vanishing back into him.
"I'll admit you've gotten a bit better, P-chan." Said Ranma.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" screamed Ryoga as he charged at Ranma, throwing wild attacks that he dodged.
"So did Valtor send you?"
"He's got nothing to do with this! I just want to beat your brains in!"
"I can't have you destroying the place even more, so I'm going to have to end this." Ranma then seemingly vanished, then was suddenly in Ryoga's face, having gotten past his defense. With a ki-enhanced fist, Ranma sends Ryoga flying upwards with an uppercut. He then jumps up after Ryoga and delivers a Katchu Tenshin Amaguriken right under him. Ranma ends the attack with a bike kick as if kicking an overhead soccerball to a goal. Ryoga gets sent flying deeper into the wilderness away from Alfea, prompting him to get lost again. Ranma was able to make out Ryoga screaming his name while running through the wilderness, completely in the opposite direction of where his intended target is.
"It will be a while until I see him again…" said Ranma as he made his way to Alfea.
Alfea courtyard…
Faerie students were milling about as they were getting to their next classes. At the center of it all sitting at a bench was Xander with the Pixies floating around him.
"So you still haven't remembered anything else of your past yet?" asked Chatta.
"No, not yet." replied Xander.
"I would've thought your sessions with Faragonda would have helped." said Amore.
"That's what I would have thought, too, but even she's stumped on what's blocking my memories."
Since he had been found, Xander had been in sessions with Faragonda to probe his mindscape in an attempt to unlock his past. However, every time, Xander would get a vision of that same horrifying faceless monster. It kept getting worse after every attempt.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, Xander." said Lockette. "Even my portal powers couldn't help." Lockette had also in the past offered to use her powers to try an unlock the secrets of his past, but like Faragonda, her efforts were blocked by the very same monstrous vision, almost as if it were trying to hide something.
"That in itself is a mystery." said Digit.
"Well, don't lose hope, Xander. I'm sure it will come back to you eventually." Tune assured.
Xander could only smile at the Pixies. "Thanks you guys."
Zing looks up and turns as she sensed her bonded Faerie returning. "Oh! Ranma!"
Everyone looked up to see Ranma having returned from the forest.
"Hey Ranma! Where you been?" asked Digit.
"And why are you so filthy?" added Tune.
"Sorry. Just had a run-in with Ryoga." replied Ranma.
"That guy again?" said Zing. "He just won't leave you alone, will he?"
"Unfortunately."
"So what happened to him?" asked Amore.
"What else? The moron got lost. Will be a while until we see him again."
"Oh right, his lousy sense of direction." said Chatta.
Piff could only nod in agreement.
Somewhere in Alfea forest…
"Ranma! Where are you hiding!? Show yourself and fight like a man!" shouted Ryoga, who was once again hopelessly lost. Naturally, he was nowhere near Alfea.
"So here you are."
Ryoga was surprised to hear a voice behind him and turned to see Darcy. "Huh? Darcy?"
"Valtor sent me to find your sorry hide. He's annoyed you went off acting on your own."
"Why? He should be happy I'm trying to hunt Ranma down! The way I see it, I'm doing him a favor by trying to get rid of one of the people opposing him!"
Darcy couldn't help but admire his tenacity of wanting to beat down on his eternal rival. He may be an idiot, but he sure is determined. She might almost find him cute, even.
"You'll get your chance, but for now, we have to follow Valtor's orders. Not like you can find Ranma immediately with your directional sense..." With that said, Darcy envelops the both of them in a globe of darkness before vanishing from view.
City of Magix later that day…
Sitting at an outdoor cafe table, a certain martial artist was looking about. He felt nervous as he waited.
'I don't get it. Why do I feel so nervous? We've known each other for a little while now. This should feel common by this time.'
"Hey there, sorry for keeping you waiting."
He looks up to see a girl standing by him. "Oh, Shilly. No, not at all."
"Just glad to see you again, Mousse." said Shilly as she sat herself down.
"It's weird. I feel so nervous even though we've been seeing each other for a while." said Mousse.
"I know the feeling. It seems so surreal."
A moment later, a waitress comes along to take their orders. She leaves to go get their food ready. They chatted for a bit about what's been going on with them as they ate. After a while, Shilly gets a bit nervous as she thought of what to say next.
"Hey… Mousse?"
"Yes?"
"Well… as you have said before, we've been on these friend outings for some time now..."
"Yes, that is true."
"So tell me, what… do you think about me…?"
Mousse was a bit surprised Shilly asked something like that to him. "Huh? What brought this on?"
"It's just like I asked. What do you think of me?"
"Er… well..." Mousse started nervously as he looked at the Cloud Tower witch with his now crystal clear vision. "I think you're a very beautiful girl..."
Shilly couldn't help but blush when he admitted that.
"You're also great to be around, and you clearly like being with me as well. I'm surprised anyone would want to considering my past. I never thought I was the kind of person anyone could get along with."
"I know the feeling. I'm a witch, after all."
"But that doesn't mean you're a bad person, unlike those three, the Trix."
"And I hope I'll never be like them. I was a fool to ever think they were friends when all they cared about is how they could use me against their enemies." Shilly could only hang her head in shame at the memory. Icy only used her to emotionally harm one of the Winx, Stella in that case.
"Shilly, you're better than you think you are." said Mousse.
"Thanks you. The same can be said about you as well."
Mousse thought about it. Throughout most of his life, he had always met a lot of misfortune in his obsession with trying to win Shampoo's love, only to be rejected at every turn. It didn't help matters that his eyesight was horrible which he'd get constant ridicule for. Then there was the whole incident with Shampoo pining for Ranma due to circumstances. His constant clashes with Ranma in his pursuit to claim Shampoo for his own had always ended badly for him. Since meeting the Winx and becoming part of Nodoka's family, things had started turning around for him for the better.
"I don't know why, but you've helped me begin to open up again." said Mousse.
"Glad I could help. Perhaps it's because we're kind of in the same boat."
"I suppose we are." Mousse then thought back about something. "So what brought this on?"
Shilly fidgeted but gathered herself as she prepared to ask something bold. "Well Mousse… I was just wondering..." She makes an even bolder move by reaching her hand across the table and placing it on top of Mousse's, much to his surprise. "Would you... like to go steady?"
Mousse was shocked and slightly flustered. Did an attractive young woman just ask him if she could be his girlfriend?
Alfea some time later…
Amore was flying by preparing to leave for Pixie Village. Just as she was about to leave, the front gates opened up as Mousse passed through.
"Hmmm? Is that Mousse?" wondered Amore as she looked at the formerly myopic martial artist. She noticed there was a spring in his step as well as a definite smile on his face. Using her love senses, Amore noticed a line connecting Mousse that trailed out of Alfea, specifically in the direction of Cloud Tower. "Oh ho ho! What is this? Did Mousse finally find someone? I knew it would be that one person, too!"
Amore giggled a bit before going on her way.
Next day…
Kiko was taking a stroll through the courtyard to find some plants to snack on. He comes across a tasty looking vegetation and started nibbling on the leaves. Before he could continue his snack, Kiko hears a whistle. Looking off to the side, he sees near the open entrance a rather cute-looking female bunny winking flirtatiously at him. Kiko was instantly hooked as the girl bunny beckoned to him before running out.
He immediately chased after the girl bunny, who went into the woods. Finally catching up, Kiko finds the girl bunny waiting for him in a small clearing. Kiko smiled as he made his way towards the girl bunny, who gave a flirtatious look, just before flashing a toothy sinister grin with glowing eyes.
Kiko immediately became alarmed at this action, the got even more frightened when the female bunny started emitting a black aura, enveloping her form. In her place stood Darcy.
"Gotcha, you little rodent!"
Kiko could only scream as he gets encased in an orb of darkness.
Later that day once classes were over, Bloom was in the empty courtyard trying to find her rabbit friend.
"Kiko? Kiko! It's time to come in!" called Bloom. "Where could he have gone"
"Something wrong, Bloom?"
Bloom turned to see Stella walking up to her. Behind the blonde were the other Winx as well as Ranma-chan, Ukyou, and Shampoo.
"Oh, Stella, everyone, have any of you seen Kiko lately? I can't seem to find him." said Bloom.
"No, sorry, Bloom, I haven't." replied Musa. Everyone else nodded in agreement.
"Where could he have gone? I'm really starting to get worried..." said Bloom.
From the corner of her eye, Ranma-chan noticed a small shadow approaching Bloom from behind.
"Hey! Watch out!"
Bloom and the others were surprised when Ranma-chan shouted then saw the moving shadow. It stopped before them and grew bigger, elongating into a tall shape. From within the wall of darkness showed a live-feed image of the Trix.
"Hello, little faeries!" Icy mockingly greeted.
"Icy! Darcy! Stormy!" said Bloom in anger.
"What the hell do you witches want?" asked Layla in an angered tone.
"Nothing much. Just a moment of your time." replied Darcy.
"You see, we've got something you want." added Stormy.
"Excuse me? What could you possibly have that I want?" asked Bloom.
"I'm glad you asked, Bloom." said Icy. "But before I answer, let me ask you this: do you know where your little bunny is?"
That got Bloom and everyone's attention.
"What?" said Flora.
"Kiko!? What have you done with him!?" demanded Bloom, her worst fears confirmed.
"Nothing much… yet."replied Darcy.
The three smile cruelly as Icy holds up an ice cage with Kiko locked inside, giving Bloom and the others a pleading look.
"Kiko!" screamed Bloom.
"So have we gotten your undivided attention now?" asked Stormy.
"You cowards!" said Tecna.
"I suggest you shut up and listen, or else we won't be held responsible for what happens to the long-eared rat." said Stormy.
Bloom could only hang her head before answering, "What do you want?"
"We're giving you all a little invite to a secret location. We're going to settle things." said Darcy. A shadow portal opens up near the viewing portal. "This portal will take you there. Inform anyone else and we'll dine on rabbit risotto! Better decide fast!"
"All of you are invited to attend." said Icy, before turning her attention to Ranma-chan. "Especially you, you gender-confused freak!"
Ranma-chan growled at the insult that caused her souls to appear momentarily. Her instinct told her this was all a trap, but with the Trix taking a hostage, they had no other choice. They also couldn't risk trying to inform anyone else as they just might carry out their threat. "Just try it, you ice bitch."
With that, everyone walked through the portal, vanishing from view. Moments later, Xander stepped out wondering where everyone was.
"Odd, I could've sworn they came out here..."
Unknown area…
Bloom and the others exit the portal to find themselves in what looked like a dark cavern.
"I don't see them anywhere..." said Ukyou.
"Be on your guard, everyone." said Tecna.
The group walked through the cavern with Stella lighting the way. Unknown to them, shadowy shapes materialized behind them.
Finally, they come across a larger room, where Stella illuminates the place with light orbs.
"Well at least the place is bigger." said Stella.
Shampoo's danger sense went off as she suddenly armed herself with her bonboris. "ENEMIES!"
Everyone turned alarmed at Shampoo's shout as the path they came from suddenly started to pour out numerous black stone golems. More also started to form out of the cavern walls.
"Here comes the welcome wagon." said Musa.
"Quick! Transform!" said Flora.
The six Winx girls took poses and shouted out, "WINX ENCHANTIX!"
Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla turned into their Enchantix modes and braced themselves. Like Shampoo, Ukyou took out her battle spatula and readied herself.
Ranma-chan sees this and held her fist before her. "WINX HENSHIN!" Ranma-chan transformed into her Faerie mode.
"CHARGE!" shouted Bloom as everyone leaped into battle.
Shampoo and Ukyou shattered some golems with their respective weaponry. Tecna struck some golems with a blast of green lightning as Musa shattered more with a focused soundwave. Layla knocks back some golems with a roundhouse kick that fired off an arc of morphix. Flora crouched down and summoned a mess of thorny vines that ensnared the golems and crushed them into pebbles. Stella flew up and dropped a ball of light into another crowd, which exploded into a shockwave of light that shattered the monsters. Bloom blew up any golems coming at her with well-place shots of fire. Faerie-Ranma charged her fists with blue fire and flew through a group of golems, breaking them with every pass.
After a minute of fighting, all the rock monsters were dispatched, allowing the girls to catch their breaths.
"That seems to be all of them." said Flora.
"Not quite, Faeries!"
Everyone looked up to see the Trix hovering above.
"The Trix..." said Stella in a low tone.
"Where's Kiko!?" demanded Bloom.
"He's around somewhere." said Darcy. "You'll have to beat us, first!"
"Then that simplifies things!" said Layla.
Suddenly, the girls were thrown off their feet as an explosion knocked them back. Recovering, they look up to see someone else has entered the fray.
"Hee hee hee! Don't forget about me! This will be fun!"
Faerie-Ranma narrowed her eyes as she recognized the voice. "The old freak..."
Happosai appeared looking proud of his handi-work. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you too bad. Wouldn't want to damage the goods, you know!" he said with a lecherous grin.
"Happosai! Remember our objective here!" Stormy called out.
"Yeah yeah, I know." said Happosai as he readied another spell.
Everyone braced for battle, but known to them, a shadow formed behind Faerie-Ranma, grabbing her from behind and vanishing into the ground. Shampoo turned to notice the pigtailed girl was missing.
"Huh? Where Ranma?"
This caught everyone's attention as they saw Ranma-chan was gone. Icy could only smirk at their confusion. 'Looks like the plan is underway.'
"Hey! Better pay attention!" called Icy as she let loose a barrage of ice, causing everyone to scatter.
Another area…
Faerie-Ranma was dropped unceremoniously to the ground in another part of the cavern.
"What the hell!?" said Faerie-Ranma as she got herself up.
"We meet again, boy, or should I say girl?"
Faerie-Ranma narrowed her eyes at the voice. "Valtor…"
The man in question appeared before Faerie-Ranma with a smirk on his face. "Back and better than before."
"Hasn't been long enough, jerk! I would've thought that earlier pounding would have made you learn, but I guess not!" Faerie-Ranma then flies forth and fires off a flaming arc at Valtor.
The dark wizard dodges and reappears next to the pseudo faerie,holding a hand out at her.
"Quintessence!"
Faerie-Ranma was shocked figuratively and literally as she was struck by the purple lightning attack, sending her sprawling.
"What the hell? That was the same as-"
"Like it? It's a new power I acquired from some witch called Nerissa." Faerie-Ranma was surprised to hear that name. "She wasn't willing to part with it, so I was forced to be a bit more extreme in persuading her."
"So you offed that wrinkle bitch to get her power, huh? Well at least some good came out of that." said Faerie-Ranma.
"True. She won't be missed." said Valtor nonchalantly. "Besides, such power is better suited to me anyway."
"Like hell it is!" said Faerie-Ranma as she went on the offensive again.
"Show me what you're made of, girl!" Valtor inwardly grinned as he puts his strategy in motion. It was also the reason why he didn't involve Ryoga this time as he would've complicated things due to his obsessed insistence on fighting Ranma.
Back with Bloom and the others, they were busy dealing with the Trix and Happosai. The ancient pervert kept the Faeries and martial artists at bay with his explosion spells. Bloom went head to head with Icy as the battle between fire and ice waged again. The rest of the Winx were forced to take on Darcy and Stormy. Darcy created multiple clones of herself to fight them off as Stormy unleashed her tornadoes. Flora managed to block the tornadoes by making a tree jut out of the ground as Layla followed up with a geyser that erupted below Stormy, canceling out her attack.
The Darcy clone army converged on Stella, Musa, and Tecna, firing a barrage of dark blasts. Stella and Musa managed to shield themselves from the onslaught, but Tecna gets knocked out of the air to the ground.
"Tecna!" said Stella and Musa.
In anger, Stella produces a long shaft of light and swings it at a good number of the Darcy clones, causing them to dissipate.
"You all right?" asked Musa.
Tecna give a thumbs up before sensing something. "I'm fine, but right now just keep them busy!"
"Not a problem!" said Stella as she fought against the dark attacks with her light-based magic.
Tecna managed to get to a safe area and cast a scanning spell. Once it was completed, she looked to the cavern ceiling at a certain area. 'Could it be?'
Flying amid the fighting, Tecna gets to the ceiling and uses her scan spell again, noticing there was a heat signature behind the rock. "Tech portal!" A green digital grid formed on the rocky surface, where she reached in and pulled out the ice cage holding Kiko inside of. "Don't worry, Kiko, I've got you!"
During her fight with Icy, Bloom looked to see that Tecna had rescued Kiko. "Oh, thank goodness!"
Icy gets angry that they lost their hostage. "Don't think you've won yet, Bloom!"
Bloom returns her focus on the fight. "Then let me make it official!" With that, she sent Icy flying with a fireball to the gut.
Back with Ranma-chan and Valtor…
Ranma-chan was hard-pressed to dodge Valtor's attacks after he used a powerful shot on her that forced her to revert from Faerie-mode.
"You think that form can stop me, girl?" taunted Valtor.
"Fine then, how about this?" said Ranma-chan as she triggered her transformation to male form. He jumps at Valtor with a flying kick who dodges but gets blind-sided by Platinum Sky's flying kick, sending him flying back. He charges ahead to press on the attack as Diamond Brandon emerged and struck Valtor in the face with his fist. He is replaced by Gold Helia who nails Valtor in the gut with a knee followed by Onyx Riven sending him upwards with an uppercut. Jumping after Valtor, Ranma brings up Silver Timmy who kicks Valtor back down to the ground, where Ranma and Amethyst Nambu drop on him with a synchronized diving stomp before jumping off him.
Ranma stood a distance from Valtor's downed form in a fighting stance. "Well? Had enough?"
To his surprise, Valtor was laughing despite just having been pounded on.
"What the hell's so funny?"
Valtor smirks as he looks up at Ranma with blood coming from his mouth. "Just those souls of yours, they're an interesting thing."
"What?"
"In a way, you should be thanking me. If I hadn't killed those Specialists, you would never have been created and possessing such power, not to mention the love of those Faeries you hang out with."
"What… the hell are you talking about…?"
"Oh please! Don't tell me it never occurred to you, fool?" said Valtor mockingly. "An unassuming boy comes to another world, where he has the fortune of having the love of several girls he practically just met, just like in a fairy tale! Have you not thought that seemed a bit far-fetched?"
Ranma could only stand stunned at what Valtor was saying as his words pierced him like swords.
"Think about it. Bloom and the others had boyfriends: your souls. The only reason they are interested in you is because of them, not you! You're just a vessel! A container! A puppet!"
"Shut up..." Ranma trembled in anger and despair.
"Oh Have I struck a nerve, boy?" taunted Valtor.
"Shut up… you don't know a damn thing…!"
"The truth hurts, doesn't it? The love you think you have for them means nothing. They only care about what you have. You yourself are less than damaged goods! You are nothing!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU BASTARD!"
In rage, Ranma fires a huge ki blast at Valtor, causing a huge explosion. When the dust cleared, Valtor was nowhere to be seen, having already escaped.
"The truth really does hurt, Ranma. Ha ha ha ha ha..." Valtor's voice echoed through the area.
Ranma could only sink to his knees after everything he was told.
Back with the Winx, the Trix get a mental command from Valtor.
'It is done. Hurry on back'
They nodded and Stormy called for Happosai.
"Happosai! We're done here!"
The ancient pervert seemed disappointed. "Aw, already? It was just getting fun!"
"Never mind that! Come on!" said Darcy as they gathered together.
"Next time, you won't be so lucky!" said Icy as she, her sisters, and Happosai teleported away.
"Hmph… how typical, they ran again!" said Stella.
Suddenly, the cavern lights up, catching everyone by surprise.
"What's happening?" asked Flora as she and everyone else got engulfed in the light.
When the light died down, they were shocked to find themselves at Alfea's courtyard during the late hours.
"This… Alfea?" said Shampoo as she looked around.
"You mean that whole place was an illusion?" said Musa.
"That must have been one powerful spell..." said Tecna.
Bloom had melted the ice cage, freeing Kiko from its confines. "Oh Kiko! I'm so happy you're safe!"
Kiko could only nuzzle Bloom happily at being reunited with her.
"Hey, where's Ran-chan at?" asked Ukyou.
They all looked around to find the pseudo-faerie when Layla spots him on his knees near the front entrance, his back to them. "There he is!"
The Faeries reverted to their default state and rushed over to Ranma.
"Ranma! Thank goodness we found you!" said Flora. "We were so worried!"
Ranma didn't respond right away as if he didn't hear her.
"Ranma? Are you all right?" asked Stella.
Still no response.
"Hey Ranma, what's wrong?" asked Bloom as she reached out to him.
To her and everyone else's surprise, Ranma slapped her hand away from him before slowly standing up.
"H-hey… what's gotten into you?" asked Musa with worry.
Ranma said nothing as he looked at the girls with an emotionless expression, then remembered Valtor's words to him.
'The truth hurts, doesn't it? The love you think you have for them means nothing. They only care about what you have. You yourself are less than damaged goods! You are nothing!'
Ranma hung his head, his eyes shaded over by his hair. 'I am… damaged goods...' "I'm going to bed."
Ranma turned and entered the building, leaving the girls in shock at being given the cold shoulder.
"What… was that about?" asked Layla.
"Something must have happened when he got pulled from the fight earlier…" Tecna theorized.
"But what?" asked Stella.
Bloom could only stare at the door Ranma entered through. "Ranma..."
To be continued…
Ending
At Darkhaunt, Valtor was recovering from the beating he took from Ranma.
"So your plan was a success, Valtor?" asked Icy.
"Of course." said Valtor.
"Some plan! You got your butt whooped by Ranma!" said Ryoga. "I don't know why you didn't involve me to have me fight him instead!"
"Because you're a brainless brute who only knows how to fight one way." said Valtor. "Not every fight is won by force alone."
"What do you mean?" asked Darcy.
"You can burn his flesh, you can break his bones, but to break his spirit is to truly destroy him!"
At Alfea, the Winx had a hard time sleeping as they thought about a certain pigtailed boy. Sitting on one of the tower tops was Ranma as he held his knees up to his face as the cold night air blew.
End ending
Preview…
Bloom: Ranma, what has happened to you?
Flora: I'm really starting to get worried about him.
Stella: We won the last battle, so why does it feel like we lost?
Tecna: Something must have happened during that time.
Musa: Ranma, why don't you speak to us?
Layla: This isn't right. This isn't right at all…
Bloom: Next time, on Ranma Club, 'Shattered! The Heart of a Martial Artist'.
Xander: Why is everyone so gloomy?
Author's notes:
Finally! It took me a while to figure out how to write this chapter. Things have taken a serious turn, haven't they? Thank you all for sticking with me!
Imagine the violin music to Richter's theme from Castlevania.