Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ or Sacrifice™ or any related characters, terms or concepts.
Author's Notes: Okay, maybe I didn't make this statement clear in an earlier chapter. Ahem: I Will NOT be crossing this story over with Sailor Moon, or indeed with any other series- multi-series crosses ain't my thing. I only suggested the Sailor Moon scenario because one reviewer mentioned it and has been the only one to ask for it. I will not use Sailor Moon because:
A- I don't know anything about it
B- there are enough Ranma/Sailor Moon fics here already
C- I frankly don't really like Sailor Moon anyway
On another topic; I won't be doing any alternaverse stories sprung from this because, as 1 reviewer pointed out, it would just be same old, same old. On my third and final topic; I may or may not use other manga storylines in this. It is set in the Anime continuity, but it is also a Continuation as well as a Crossover. Do not expect Saffron and the Phoenix people though; I'm not that fond of that particular storyline.
Part 10: The Fall of Happosai! Part 1
Ryoga-chan glared at where Ranma and Herb where still talking. Why couldn't they just go out, find that wretched little pervert and pound him!
"Ryoga-chan, it's not lady-like to fume like that."
Nodoka flushed with embarrassment as she remembered that Ryoga-chan shouldn't be lady-like as Ryoga-chan turned a gaze that mixed equal parts confusion, shock and rage upon her. After staring at her long enough to pound her point home, Ryoga-chan turned her attention to a relatively unbroken mirror and sighed.
She was still undecided whether or not her new girl-form was really that big an improvement on her pig-form. She was maybe a few inches taller than Ranma-chan had been, definitely broader shouldered, but with slightly narrower hips and, to her embarrassment, a bust that was at least a size larger than Ranma-chan's had been. Her hair was still black; Ranma-chan's had been red only because she/he carried the red hair genes from her/his mother, but now it was equal in length to Mousse's. Her scowl revealed she still bore the fang-like canines of her male form, though it seemed to her that they were slightly longer and sharper.
Ranma's eyes went to Ryoga-chan and he shook his head and clicked his tongue sympathetically before Herb drew his attention back to their bargaining.
"Why do you act so sorry for her? It was her own fault for being too weak to defend herself."
"So if I overpowered you, turned you into a girl and then tried to grope you, that would be your fault too, huh? We can't all be martial arts prodigies, centuries-old practitioners or have supernatural lineage- yes, don't act so surprised; Cologne told me about what you Musk do, and as a Stormlord I can identify mystical energies. I know you're human only by the most generous definition of the term. Besides, Happosai stole the Locking Ladle from you in the first place, so you're in no position to criticise. Besides, look at it from his view; I finally tell him how to cure himself permanently, without any dangerous quests or other mystic mumbo-jumbo, and then he gets transformed permanently."
"You know how to cure a Jusenkyo curse?"
Ranma blinked in confusion for a second at that outburst, then grinned malevolently. He fixed Herb with an expression of deepest scrutiny, as though he was stripping the flesh from his bones with his gaze alone, prompting Herb to squirm, especially when Ranma laughed aloud.
"So that's why you want the Unlocking Kettle so bad! You got yourself cursed, didn't you?"
"Keep your voice down!"
Herb hissed, frantically glancing towards the others.
"I'll do anything, within reason, if you'll just tell me how to cure myself!"
"Well…"
Ranma paused, obviously savouring this moment.
"Here's the deal; I'll tell you, but only if you help us get revenge on the freak and then let us accompany you on your trip to find the Unlocking Kettle- and, when we find it, you'll uncurse Ryoga. Deal?"
"Deal!"
Herb and Ranma shook hands and then clamped arms in the style of martial artists before nodding and releasing each other.
"With that said and done, we need to figure out a way to lure out the old goat. The only method I can think of is the 'Haruki Manoeuvre', and there's no way that'll work."
"Why's that?"
"The 'Haruki Manoeuvre' is an elaborate take on the simple baited trap; you set up a banquet, with gourmet food, the finest alcohols and numerous scantily-dressed and uninhibited girls, then announce it's all for the one you're trapping. When he comes to partake, you ambush him. Usually you add some sort of poison or disabling agent to the 'goodies' on offer. Like I said, there's no way that'd work."
"Why not? That sounds like it work on any guy with a libido."
Mousse wondered out loud. The girls and Ryoga-chan nodded in agreement; it sounded like the perfect trap, especially for a disgusting lech like Happosai.
"Because this is Happosai we're talking about- he might be a disgusting pervert, but even he's not stupid enough to fail to identify this set-up as a trap."
"Yes son, but remember what the Master himself said; spotting a trap is one thing, resisting it is another."
Ranma jumped, startled, by this sudden insight from his father.
"Where did you come from?"
"You dragged me here, remember?"
"I thought you were dead."
Mused Ryoga-chan. Genma turned to her, clearly intending to say something, but his eyes widened at the sight of her and he simply kept his mouth shut and kept turning straight around. Ranma sighed.
"Well, if that's the trap we're going to use, then lets get going."
"Going? Going where, son-in-law?"
Ranma's eye carefully flicked towards Cologne, who simply returned his stare with her own inscrutably blank gaze.
"To the Tendo Dojo. Happosai is more likely to suspect food he's used to seeing; your ramen, Ukyo's okonomiyaki and Kasumi's home cooking. However, I happen to have a portal direct to a land he knows nothing about, as well as my own personal kingdom. I can get the villages from Dalara Peaks to whip up enough food collectively for a banquet, and pick up some toxins from the market-town of Desecration while I'm at it."
"When are you going to show us this 'kingdom' of yours anyway?"
Ranma blinked in confusion- had that really been Shampoo who spoke? Shaking off his confusion he nodded.
"I guess I can take you now, Ukyo will probably be at the Tendo's already, knowing my life. You two can come with us- just make sure Lime keeps his hands to himself, or the Tendo's will probably declare war."
"We should worry about some city-dwelling family?"
"I never said they'd be an actual threat, just that they'd declare war on you. And trust me, they can be pretty annoying."
Herb nodded his head and spoke quietly but forcefully to Lime in Chinese. Lime's eyes widened in fear and he nodded rapidly. Seeing that everyone was ready, they left the Cat Café, pausing only for Cologne to put up a note saying that it was closed.
Tendo Dojo"Hi auntie Saotome- oh, Ranma, Ukyo is here looking for you. Oh? And who are you?"
"Hey Kasumi, this is Lime and-"
"H-Herb. Prince Herb. Of the Musk."
Ranma turned a curious eye on the stuttering Musk prince, while Kasumi smiled, oblivious as always.
"Oh, hello Herb. Are you one of Ranma's little friends?"
"N-not really, I'm j-just in town on a visit."
Kasumi simply smiled and walked away, with the others following her. All except Herb, who simply stood and stared at Kasumi and Lime and Ranma, who stared at Herb. The moment Kasumi was out of sight, Herb turned to Ranma and hissed.
"Who was that?"
"Kasumi? She's the eldest of the three Tendo daughters, why?"
"She's beautiful…"
The way that sentence trailed off, coupled with the tone of Herb's voice and the general "goofy" posture he adopted caused Ranma to smile. It looked like the prince of the Musk Dynasty was in love with Kasumi! Lime simply looked confused as he directed his stares between the way Kasumi had gone, Herb and Ranma. Ranma shook his head in amazement and headed for the garden and his Altar, with Lime following directly and Herb following once he snapped out of his stupor.
When he got to the garden, Ranma stopped and blinked with surprise. His Guardian Yeti was sitting cross-legged at the Shogi board with Soun, evidently having been playing until recently, while Soun and Genma were apparently arguing about something; the little Ranma bothered to hear made the apparent cause to be how Soun could possibly mistake the Yeti for Genma in his cursed form. And that was something he had to agree with; how could you mistake a Yeti for a Panda? Pandas were black and white for one thing.
Shaking his head clear of such nonsense, he sat down to wait for Ryoga-chan, Akane, the Amazons, Ukyo, Herb, Lime and his mother to show up. It wasn't long before they all came out from the living room, Akane apparently comforting Ryoga-chan about her recently acquired girlhood.
"I can't believe that filthy old man would do that to you Ryoga! I'm gonna get him back for you if it's the last thing I do."
"I, um, thanks Akane, but you really don't have to face him on my account, me and Ranma will get him, don't worry a-hehehum."
Ranma stifled a smile at the sound of Ryoga-chan trying to dissuade Akane from her futile plan to confront Happosai, then stood up and addressed the assembled fighters.
"All right, now, as you all should know, the old freak has somehow managed to get his hands on some Spring of Drowned Girl water. What's more, he's stolen a very powerful magic artefact that allows him to trap a Jusenkyo victim in their cursed form. He's been making our lives a misery for too long- its time we put a stop to him once and for all!"
"Now, now, son, be reasonable."
Quivered Soun Tendo, visibly shaking with fear at the thought of Happosai being roused into battle.
"I admit the Master can be a handful, but do you really think it's wise to antagonize him? Besides, he still has a lot to teach you."
"Teach? Me? Hah! That old freak's never taught me anything! He never teaches anything these days, and he drains more money than he brings in. If there is any martial arts techniques worth getting in his head, then I can save them- I do know a Mnemonaphage who owes me a favour. Besides, do you want me to take him before or after he splashes you?"
"Splashes us?"
Soun was quivering even harder than before.
"You know he's got no real use for guys, and he figures he's got you two so whipped that, once he's changed you, he'll have two women he can grope anytime and anywhere he feels like it."
Soun's hair stood on end just before he fainted in sheer horror at the idea. Ignoring him, and the seemingly also catatonic Genma, Ranma continued.
"I have a plan to lure him out into the open, but it'll take a while to set up and I'll need to head into Otherworld to get what I need. Now, some of you have expressed interest in seeing for yourselves where I was for the past two months, so those of you who want to come, please step forward."
Ryoga-chan, Akane, Nodoka, Shampoo, Ukyo, Herb and Mousse all did so. Ranma nodded and then whistled loudly. Only the people who hadn't been present for their initial appearance were startled as Ranma's Manahoars raced onto the scene and gathered around him.
"My son? What are these… creatures?"
"These? They're called Manahoars; all Mages have them. They're actually one of our most deadly weapons."
"Deadly? These little things?"
As she spoke, Ukyo picked up a Manahoar and cuddled it, whereupon it began to mewl happily. Shampoo also kneeled down and began enthusiastically stroking one.
"I hate to break it to you sugar, but unless you count the ability to over-cute enemies to death, these things are harmless."
"I never said they were warriors, just that they were weapons. But that's need-to-know information, and none of you need to know. Anyway, let's go now."
Ranma turned to his Altar and quickly spoke the invocation, causing the mana-pillar in its center to expand into a gate.
"Just walk into the light."
Having said so, Ranma calmly stepped through, his Manahoars trailing behind him. With some hesitation, those who had wished to follow him trailed in his footsteps.
Sliverspine VillageCold.
That was the first impression the Nerimites received of Dalara Peaks; bitter, biting, freezing cold. As one they wrapped their arms around themselves and shivered as the icy winds whistled around them, somehow failing to dissipate the thick, all-concealing mists. They stared incredulously as Ranma, rather than freezing like the rest of them, actually danced in the wind and the mists like a little kid on as sunny spring day, his Manahoars doing their best to mimic him. He flung his arms open wide, laughed and then turned to face them.
"Ah, I've missed this! Hey, what's wrong? You're all shivering?"
"Are you mad? It's freezing!"
Akane stammered in rage, frantically rubbing her rapidly chilling limbs. Ranma looked puzzled for a second as he swept his gaze across the shivering, trembling Nerima Wrecking Crew (and others). He put one hand behind the back of his head and laughed nervously as a sweatdrop trickled down the back of his head.
"Whoops, I forgot that you aren't adapted to the cold like I am. Come on; Sliverspine Village is close to here, it's the capital of Dalara and thus where I make my home. I've got some spare sakas I can loan you, and a personal hot spring where you can warm up. Make sure you stick close; you get lost up here and you'll freeze to death, if you don't break your neck or fall into the Ether Sea."
The Nerimites didn't know what a saka was, but they understood hot springs and warmth. Nodding and rubbing their limbs they fell into step behind Ranma. Soon enough they could see hints of a rural village through the mist, at which point Ranma began to speed up. When the Nerimites failed to match his speed he stopped and turned back to them.
"Honestly! It's just a little cold weather."
Any comebacks they may have had died as they spotted a massive figure suddenly loom out of the mists behind Ranma.
"Ugrooooah!"
The figure struck downwards with a massive, axe-like weapon, clearly intending to bury it in Ranma's head. Ranma's expression didn't change by so much as a twitch. He simply spun around in a high-arcing kick, effortlessly smashing the axe's handle so that its head flew off into the mist. Facing the giant figure, he smirked.
"Ooh, so close Krag, but just not good enough yet."
The figure, a Storm Giant, simply tossed the broken axe handle away with a causal shrug. Ranma grinned in return, then gestured towards the stunned Nerimites.
"Can you take these poor people to my house before they freeze to death? I gotta go to the Howl Spire, take care of some business there."
Krag nodded, and then beckoned the Nerimites forward. Apparently sensing their reluctance, Ranma turned to them and grinned in reassurance.
"Don't worry, that was just a game we play, Krag will look after you. I'll take care of my business here, then I'll pick you up so we can go to Desecration, all right?"
Having no reason to accompany him, and hearing the siren call of warmth, the Nerimites simply nodded and followed Krag, whilst Ranma and his Manahoars headed in a different direction. Sliverspine bore some resemblance to a rural European-style mountain village, particularly with the large fire burning in the rough center of the town. The group was so cold they paid no attention to the curious stares of the locals, or to the odd appearance of said locals, instead choosing to focus on the building that Krag was directing them to.
It was perhaps the largest building in the village, and rather ramshackle in appearance, constructed so that its back was positioned directly against the spire of rock that jutted behind it. Krag walked up to the door, positioned between two elaborately carved elephantine tusks, and opened it, quickly stepping aside as the Nerimites almost stampeded him trying to get into the warmth inside. Once inside, and the roaring fire within had chased the chill from their bones, the Nerimites looked around at the mass of junk scattered across the floor and piled almost to the ceiling. Without saying a word, they began to rummage through it all, turning up things like weaponry, ivory figurines and a chain of skulls.
"Quite a lot of junk, isn't there?"
Akane dropped what she was examining with a yelp and a clatter, something which was echoed to a degree by all of the others. She turned around at break-neck speed to face Ranma, who simply smiled at the embarrassed blush spreading across her face.
"Most of it's left over from the last owners- no one will tell me anything about them, so I don't know what most of it is. Anyway, I put up the message on the Howline; every hut in Dalara Peaks will get the message. Are you ready to go?"
Seeing they still hadn't found the sakas (not that they'd need them when they got to Bleak Marsh), Ranma dug around and found them for them. Once they pulled them on (even Herb, though he technically didn't need it), he led them out of Sliverspine to a bare plateau of rock overlooking a deep valley.
"Normally, I'd walk to Desecration, but seeing as how we need to get this over with, and some of you aren't used to walking tens to hundreds of miles in a single day, I thought we'd catch a whirlwind."
Ryoga-chan blinked; she couldn't have heard that.
"Excuse me, I think I need to clean out my ears; did you say 'catch a whirlwind'?"
Ranma simply gave her a grin she instantly distrusted, then pursed his lips and whistled several notes. The sky darkened and the wind howled; before their stunned eyes a swirling vortex of black storm clouds formed and roared towards them. Before they could think to flee, the winds gripped them and tore them from the ground, sucking them into its center before screaming away into the sky.
Sorry to cut this chapter off before the promised battle, but I'll try and get it up for the next one okay? There are just a few things I want to ask:
Should I leave Kodachi and Mint together, or break them up the moment she comes out of her drug-induced stupor?
How about Herb and Kasumi? Put them together? Or not?
Finally, Happosai is going to be beaten, count on that, but which fate should he receive?
Ranma spares his life because Happosai promises to change his ways, though Happosai naturally lies through his teeth and simply tones things down.
Ranma kills Happosai and delivers his brain to that Mnemonaphage friend of his.
Ranma drenches Happosai in Nyannichaun and then locks him with the Locking Ladle- unfortunately, he fails to dispose of the tainted water properly and thus a Jusenkyo spring forms in Japan- the Spring of Drowned Young Pervert Girl.