When Akane and Ranma came back to the Tendo residence, the inn was bustling with customers of all sizes and species. A group of dwarves laid siege to the bar and kept Soun very busy, while Kasumi had a lot of trouble keeping up with the many orders from the tables. But for all of that, she still kept her usual poise, charm and friendliness. She was such a charming host that none of the customers ever thought about making rude or inappropriate comments towards her. And if one ever did get out of line, he'd have the wrath of all the regulars against him.
Ranma and Akane decided not to bother Kasumi at the moment and quickly made their way past the kitchen, where they heard Ranma's parents having an argument.
"It is out of the question, husband," Nodoka said sternly. "Poor Kasumi can't take care of this many customers all by herself, even with Yuka-chan's help."
"Woman, do you know what you are demanding?" Genma shouted. "Getting out there and serving those people like… THAT… is an insult to every man's dignity."
"As if you have any left, pops," Ranma snidely commented as he entered the room. "What's your problem now? Lemme guess… trying to weasel out of work, again?"
"Yes, he is," Nodoka frowned. "Genma, just splash yourself with some water and get out of there. Some customers asked for little 'Genko-chan' specifically."
"Those are the worst!" Genma protested. "Do you know what they did to my backside, last time they were here? And my foolish cursed half just doesn't have the guts to stand up for herself."
"Well, if you fail as a man, maybe you can at least get some work done as a shy, demure girl," Nodoka said. "I'm still hoping that curse of yours will teach you some sort of humility some day."
"I am still your husband and the head of this family," Genma proclaimed. "And I will not be running around in some frilly dress and…"
"Oh, give it a rest, Genko-chan," Ranma muttered and splashed his father with cold water.
Where Genma's male, portly, balding form once stood, suddenly was a smaller, of still slightly chubby girl with paw-like hands and feet, a cute muzzle and black and white fur that covered all of her body. Instead of Genma's usual clothing, she was wearing a traditional maid's outfit. Confused, she blinked a few times. "Oh my…" she said in a very quiet and sweet-sounding voice, very similar to Kasumi. "What am I doing, standing around when there's work to be done?"
The panda girl quickly turned around to face Nodoka and gave her a quick bow. "I'm so sorry, mistress. I didn't mean to slack off… it will never happen again, I promise."
"That's all right, Genko-chan," Nodoka smiled. "Now, run along and help Kasumi with the customers. Your favorite regulars have already asked for you."
"Oh, then I better not keep them waiting," Genko said. "Please excuse me, mistress, young master, young mistress…" She quickly bowed in succession before Nodoka, Ranma and Akane, then she hurried to the regulars' table on her fluffy, padded feet.
Akane looked after her in amusement. "Uncle Saotome is a much bigger help in this form. Why don't you always keep him like that, auntie?"
Nodoka sighed. "Because he is still the man I married and love. And I'm only urging him to transform because I hope that he will learn something from Genko-chan's humility, diligence and eagerness to please other people."
"Fat chance that'll ever happen," Ranma muttered. "But you're right, he's been a lot mire helpful ever since he fell into the 'Spring of Drowned Pandaren Maid' at Jusenkyo. At least I wasn't the only one who received a cursed female form."
"But that didn't stop him from making horrible decisions," Akane pointed out. "He's still the worst father I've ever seen."
Somewhere across the multiverse, Fire Lord Ozai sneezed.
"By the way, your friends from school are here," Nodoka said. "Yuka-chan's helping Kasumi with the customers and the others are sitting at table 4."
"Wait, what?" Ranma looked over to the table where he indeed saw Hiroshi, Daisuke and Yuka sitting together with that green-haired girl he fought earlier. "All that mess earlier, and now they just came here?"
"Well, I guess now's the best chance to talk to them," Akane said. "It's not like Auntie Nodoka would allow any of us to fight in here."
"I most certainly would not," Nodoka frowned. "That's what the dojo is for. Oh, and while you're going to greet them… their sautéed salamander tails are ready. Can you please serve them?"
"Fine, I'll do it," Akane sighed. "Even though I'm a ranger, not a waitress."
Ranma and Akane took the plates with food and brought them over to table 4, where Hiroshi was just laughing at a joke Daisuke told him. Sayuri snickered a bit while June at least had a small smile on her face.
Akane just walked up to Hiroshi from behind and put the food in front of him.
With a smile on his face, he turned around. "Oh thanks, that looks deli… cious…" His smile turned into an expression of worry, when he saw Akane looking at him. "Oh… Akane… it's you…"
"Yeah, it's me. I live here, you know?" she frowned.
"Oh yeah, we should've probably thought of that," Daisuke nervously chuckled.
June took another sip of her drink. "Relax. They're not here to fight and neither are we. So let's just enjoy our meal, okay?"
"Who are you anyway?" Ranma asked her. "And for someone who threw dirt walls at me earlier, you're taking this pretty well."
"I'm June the dryad, pleased to meet you," she smiled. "And I had a good reason to fight. Two, actually."
"Oh yeah?" Ranma frowned. "And what reasons are those?"
"First of all, you had something that belonged to me," June explained. "I just gave it to Daisuke. You and your little unicorn friend took it from us. And I'm not really too happy if someone takes something I gave to a friend."
"Wait… you are friends with each other?" Akane asked and looked at Sayuri.
"Um… yes, we first met her a couple of days ago," the pony-tailed girl admitted.
"So what? Does that mean you wanna tell us what those orbs and bottles are about after all?" Ranma asked.
"Um… do we?" Hiroshi turned to look at June.
"We might as well," June shrugged. "You see, all these orbs and bottles are mine. I'm opening a new store here in Nerima. A place where adventurers can buy the opportunity to change their class. From martial artist to wizard, from barbarian to thief, however they feel like. As long as they got the cash."
Hiroshi and Daisuke stared at June. That cover-up story was ingenious! Why didn't they think of that?
"And what's with the bottles?" Akane inquired.
"Just a couple of different refreshment drinks I also offer at my store," June smiled. "It's just good business… adventurers tend to get thirsty after a day of defeating monsters and gathering loot."
"If that's the truth, why did they put something in the drinks of Ukyo and Nabiki?" Ranma wondered.
"That's my fault, actually," Hiroshi spoke up. "I really wanted to give Kuonji-san a refreshing drink and took the wrong bottle by accident. As for Nabiki, well… that was just a prank."
"Y-yeah," Daisuke quickly nodded. "I really wanted to get back at her because of the DVD."
June looked at Hiroshi and Daisuke with satisfaction. She was glad the boys caught on so quickly.
"But if that's the whole story, then most of that big brawl was absolutely unnecessary," Ranma groaned. "Why didn't you say something in the first place?"
"Because we promised June not to tell anyone about her new store," Sayuri said. "She wanted to keep it a secret until the grand opening."
"That's true," June nodded. "But now that I know you are all friends, it's fine to tell you everything."
"You said you had two reasons for the fight," Ranma said. "What was the second reason?"
"Ah, you see, it's been a long time since I've had a really good fight," June smirked. "And with such an formidable opponent as yourself, I was really able to let loose for once. I had a lot of fun, I must admit."
"Oh… hehehe…" Ranma sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Thanks. You weren't half bad either. And as a martial artist, it's really not my style to hold back. Well, I guess my Amazon self is similar that way."
"So that means the reason Ranma and I have these new abilities is that Hiroshi and Daisuke got them from you?" Akane asked.
"That's it," June confirmed. "I didn't really ask them why they needed them. I never ask my clients for their reasons, that's one of my business principles."
"We really wanted to help," Hiroshi asserted. "They were supposed to be gifts, surprises. And after all, they did give you the opportunity to choose."
"Yeah, and in Ranma's case, June told us that the class change would only affect his female form," Daisuke added.
"Huh. Well… I guess I can't be too mad at you, then," Ranma said. "It certainly would've helped if you told us everything from the start, but I guess it worked out okay. Thanks, buddies."
Hiroshi smiled. "No problem, pal."
Inwardly, June couldn't help but triumphantly cheer. So far, her plan had worked and nothing about the Vault itself had been revealed to any outsider. Sure, she would gave to actually set up shop in this new version of Nerima, but if she was honest with herself, she was actually looking forward to it. She had been on her own for a very long time, and this new Nerima was filled with magic, monsters and adventures, just like her own world. She would feel right at home and could push the new Vault Keepers, as well as the inhabitants of the world itself, in the right direction. Also, selling the orbs and bottles in a shop would be the perfect cover for any plan Daisuke and Hiroshi would come up with in the future.
'Look out, Nerima!' she thought to herself. 'Here comes June!'
Meanwhile, deep within Kuno Castle, Kodachi was pacing through her private quarters. She was contemplating her next plans.
Groups of adventurers came into her lair on a regular, almost daily basis now. Sometimes, she was able to fight them back or even defeat them, converting the self-proclaimed 'heroes' into servants, putting them in prison or letting them work as slaves. Sometimes, they even had valuable items and equipment with them, which she happily placed within her treasury. But sometimes, the heroes were able to escape with their lives. None actually managed to reach her innermost quarters, of course… but it happened several times that they were able to steal some of her personal belongings, defeat some of her favorite minions or even raid her treasure rooms. Such occurrences always put her in a disappointed mood, and her servants knew that it would be best to avoid her in such a state of mind.
"I think it's time to plan my own next raid on Nerima," the vampiress pondered. "That last group of wretched 'adventurers' really made a mess of my beautiful dining room… and they stole ALL of the silverware!" She angrily clenched her fist. "It is overdue that the citizens of Nerima are reminded just WHO the master of this place is." She let out an evil laugh. "Oh yes, those peasants will be put in their place, they will come crawling to my feet to plead for mercy, once my minions are done raiding and pillaging their pathetic little town… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
After she decided that she had reached her daily quota of evil laughter, she went into the castle's library. It was positioned in-between the alchemy lab and the sacrifice pit, naturally, and was guarded by a pair of patrolling beholders. When Kodachi approached the library doors, one of the spherical, eyeball-covered creatures made slight adjustments in its path to avoid her. Satisfied with her creature's loyal behavior, she opened the door and went inside.
The towering walls of shelves, filled to the brim with tomes of ancient and dark magic were a sight to behold, but today, she was not interested in them in the slightest. She ventured further on and shouted: "Warlock! Show yourself this instant!"
A pale head with candles attached to it rose up behind an enormous writing desk. "Oh M-m-mistress Kodachi… wh-what an honor to welcome you here in the library. P-please, let me pull up a chair for you."
"That will not be necessary," Kodachi dismissed his offer with a wave of her hand. "Hikaru Gosunkugi, in all the years you've been in my employment, you have proven yourself to be my most capable… if only… warlock servant. Today, I require your services."
"Oh, th-that's too noble of you, my dark mistress," the pale boy stuttered, bowing his head. "What can this lowly caster of dark magic do for you?"
"Prepare a summoning ritual!" Kodachi shouted. "I have planned a new raid on Nerima… and this time, I want my forces to be lead by a capable commander. He must be strong… dependable… terrifying to behold… and without question loyal to my cause."
"Oh, most certainly, esteemed mistress of all things evil," Gosunkugi groveled in front of her. "If I may make a suggestion… how about a hobgoblin?"
"Hobgoblins are too wimpy and not nearly as intimidating enough," Kodachi scoffed.
"The how about an ogre?"
"Too stupid."
"A bile demon?"
"Too disgusting and foul-smelling."
"A minotaur?"
"Don't get me started with minotaurs!" Kodachi groaned. "The last one you summoned refused to obey me and I had to lock him away. Imagine, he wanted to CRUSH Ranma-darling instead of bringing him to me. The nerve of that beast!"
"W-well… what would you suggest, my mistress?" Gosunkugi asked.
The Dungeon Keeper gave her warlock minion a sly smile. "There is one creature I've always wanted to summon. For eons, these demons have been the personal servants of only the most powerful keepers… their proficiency in battle is unrivaled, and their blood lust is legendary!"
Gosunkugi paled even more than usual. "Oh n-n-n-no, mistress… y-you're not thinking of…"
"Yes!" Kodachi proclaimed and raised a hand. "I command you… to summon the HORNED REAPER!"
A small voice in the back of Gosunkugi warned him that this would be a good time to voice his doubts about this plan… but at the same time, another voice warned him that disobeying Kodachi wasn't a good idea either.
What was more terrifying? A rampaging, powerful, red demon… or the wrath of his mistress?
"I'll prepare the summoning circle…" he finally said with a sigh.
As soon as the preparations were complete, Gosunkugi's doubts came back to him. The circle was drawn, the candles were lit and he was wearing his summoning robes. He didn't feel ready… at all.
"M… mistress?" He gathered up all of his courage to speak up. "Don't the old writing warn from rashly summoning a grim reaper? After all, they belong to a species of demons that really don't like taking orders, are difficult to control and are infamous for going on murderous rampages…"
The response was just like he predicted. "What are you implying, minion?" Kodachi snapped. "These writings only advise INEXPERIENCED Dungeon Keepers against summoning a reaper. Are you saying that I am inexperienced, Gosunkugi? Do you dare to imply that I am INCAPABLE of keeping the creatures under my command under control?"
The warlock quickly bowed his head. "N-n-n-no, mistress, that wasn't my intention at all! Please forgive this foolish servant his blunder…"
Satisfied for now, if still a bit miffed, Kodachi snorted and nodded towards the cowering warlock. "That's better. And now… get on with the summoning ritual already!"
And Gosunkugi had no choice but to follow his mistress' orders. He carefully stepped next to the circle, making sure not to knock over any of the candles, put his hands together and started chanting an ancient, forgotten language.
When his incantations were complete… the room was silent for a moment. For a while, Kodachi wondered if the ritual had failed… but then, a pillar of roaring flames came shooting forth from the circle, and in its midst, an enormous, shadowy figure started rising up. A pair of long, straight horns came jutting out of its hairless skull, its body was bulging with muscles and in its hands, the creature was carrying a huge, nasty-looking scythe. When the demon had completely risen out of the ground, it was much taller than each of the other two occupants of the room. The flames dissipated as he spread his arms with a bellowing roar.
"WHO DARED SUMMON THE HORNED REAPER?" the demon bellowed. "PUNY DUNGEON KEEPER, YOU SHALL KNOW MY NEVERENDING FL…"
The Horned Reaper interrupted itself and looked around. "What? What is this? Am I… alone?"
"Down here, demon!" Kodachi shouted. "I am your new mistress. Kneel before me, and obey!"
The Reaper looked down at Kodachi's slender form, which looked much less impressive than his own, towering appearance. "You… YOU are the new Dungeon Keeper?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes, I am," Kodachi nodded, not noticing the disbelief in his voice. "I am Kodachi Kuno, the Black Rose, mistress of all evil and Keeper of this dungeon!"
The Horned Reaper squinted his eyes. "YOU are the new Keeper?" he repeated his question. "Oh, for hell's sake… you can't be serious, can you? You're not a real Dungeon Keeper!" He angrily put down his scythe on the floor with a thundering boom. "In thousands of years, I have seen dozens of Keepers that are more intimidating, more powerful and more respect-commanding than you could ever hope to be. You are a little girl, nothing more!"
"How dare you?" Kodachi screeched. "I summoned you, and you have to follow my orders. And I command you to lead my battalion of orcs into town and raid it."
"An ordinary town raid?" the Reaper dismissively snorted. "I have fought champions of the forces of good, knights, paladins, angels… and you want me to do the job of a common bandit leader?" He gritted his teeth. "Is it at least a well-defended kingdom with an army? In that case, I might lower myself to your standards and burn it to the ground, just to have some fun."
"What? No! I don't want you to burn Nerima to the ground," Kodachi protested. "My school is down there. I just want to teach them some respect. Just pillage a couple of homes, take one or two prisoners and return here. That should be enough for them to once again fear the name of the Black Rose! Hahahaha!"
"N… no burning? No carnage? Are you… are you mocking me?" the Reaper roared.
"Not in the slightest," Kodachi said. "Now, you have your mission. Report to the barracks, get your troops and see that it is done."
"She's not joking…" the Horned Reaper muttered as he slowly sank down to the ground, sat down in the middle of the summoning circle (knocking over a few of the candles in the process) and shook his head with a heavy sigh. "Oh, by all the forces of hell, she's not joking. What have I done to deserve this?" He groaned. "A novice… I've been summoned by a freaking novice Keeper!"
"T-t-t-technically…" Gosunkugi nervously raised a hand. "I did the summoning."
The Horned Reaper glared at Gosunkugi, who looked ready to soil his robes, then at Kodachi. "Are. You. KIDDING ME? You didn't even do the summoning yourself? What kind of Keeper summons a greater demon with the help of a MINION?"
"Well, he is the best warlock I have," Kodachi pointed out. "I agree that's not saying much, but…"
The Reaper let out another groan. For some reason, Kodachi decided not to finish her speech.
"All right," he finally said. "All right. Maybe this isn't so bad. Maybe I can still salvage this. A novice Keeper can still be put on the right path, after all." He stood back up to his cloven hooves. "Very well then… mistress!" He said the last word as mockingly as he could. "Before I decide to… do your bidding, let's hear about your plans for this… Nerima. What is your main goal? Absolute power? Chaos and destruction? Or at least riches and depravity?"
Kodachi replied with a blissful smile on her face. "I am pursuing the heart of my only love, my darling Ranma, the most wonderful man in existence!"
If he wasn't a demon of war and destruction, the Horned Reaper would have started to cry.
Love. His Dungeon Keeper's main motivation was LOVE, of all things. Who had ever heard of a master of evil who put something as feeble and fleeting as that over everything else? Revenge he could understand, hatred, greed and envy. But light-condemned LOVE?
"This is going to take a lot more work than I had imagined," he grumbled. "If I am supposed to do this realm any favor, I need to take a closer look at this castle, this dungeon and its management. Let's start here and work our way to the bottom…"
"You are forgetting your place, demon!" Kodachi shouted. "I summoned you. That means you only do what I tell you to do. Got it?"
The Reaper grimaced as he turned to face the vampiress. "Of course… mistress." He even lowered his head an inch when he said that. "I understand completely… you want this town raid to be accomplished as soon as possible. But if I may be so bold and make a suggestion… I am very experienced when it comes to the design, management and control of a dungeon. And if you'd consider listening to a few of my suggestions, I could ensure that this place runs a lot smoother and more efficient in the near future. Including the attack on the town."
"Hmmmm." Kodachi pondered his words for a while. "Very well… I will allow it, minion. I will show you around my domain and you will tell me your thoughts about it. Then I will consider making the necessary changes. Now, follow me!"
The demon smirked. "Your wish is my command, mistress."
Inwardly, he could only seethe at the fledgling Keeper's audacity and idiocy. The young upstart honestly believed that she had him under her control. Not nearly half of the needed paraphernalia were used in the ritual. There was no sacrifice, the summoning circle was not nearly as big enough as it should… it was a mystery to him how she even managed to summon him at all. It was probably dumb luck.
But now that he was here, he could use the situation for his own gain. It had been a long time since he had the chance to manipulate a Dungeon Keeper. And if the vampiress was as ego-driven… and stupid… as he hoped, she would be an easy one to control. And in the end, if he played his cards right, he could even turn her into the tool he needed to turn this town into a place where chaos and destruction reigned.
'Look out, Nerima,' he thought. 'Here comes your doom!'
Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
The Dryad (NPC) and everything Terraria belongs to Re-Logic.
My little Pony belongs to Hasbro.
Wonder Woman belongs to DC Comics.
World of Warcraft belongs to Blizzard.
The Legend of Zelda belongs to Nintendo.
The Horned Reaper and Dungeon Keeper belong to Bullfrog Productions.
Dungeons and Dragons belongs to Wizards of the Coast.
