Chapter 7

The Trial of Twelve

Though it was hard to tell that morning had arrived in the depths of the Dark Elf village, many Dark Elves were up and going about there daily routines. Even in the cages of the dungeon at least one individual was awake undergoing his own morning routine. Ranma lulled himself into his morning katas, as he had been feeling out his movements gently. Loosening up for a day, which could very well could have two things happen. But, he knew the end result will be pretty much the same... Fighting for his freedom, and be against people who wish to kill him or people that wish to enslave him.

He wasn't thinking of possible third options, because of the dream he shared with Pirotess during the night. He saw things that both concerned him and warmed his heart, in those dreams he saw what the Dark Elves would do to him if they believed him a threat. As he watched this from a third person perspective, he also felt Pirotess' emotions as she played this dream through. He could feel her become empty the moment she watched an axe fall across his neck, or a sense of helplessness coming from her as she watched him get pushed to the point of dying doing tasks about the village. After this he was preparing to make his escape if things went bad if he could kill a god for some one he cared for, then fighting his way out of village would be no problem.

He was so into his morning katas that he failed to notice a gentle pair of golden eyes had appeared from the other side of the cage door. Pirotess had come to see him. The dream had left her unsettled and having come down to the dungeons to make sure he hadn't been killed or in the process of being enslaved. This whole incident with her people had been galvanizing on her feelings toward the pigtailed martial artist, that she had come to realize that Ranma meant more to her than her father and Ashram combined. "Ranma?" she called to him. She watched him go through a dipping ridge hand movement and watched as it slowly arced to the ground then back up into a guard position. She had tried speaking to him before while he did these movements, but could only get silence. She watched him go through several more movements, as Granite awoke.

"Come to gloat elf?" Granite snorted coldly.

Pirotess turned her attention to the huge troll. "I never wanted you to be imprisoned, I...," the troll snarled.

"Yet here we are, you who we have claimed friendship to lock us up like animals!" the huge troll tried to stand but there was so little room for his huge head.

"Leave the Elf alone," a strange voice stated from behind them Pirotess turned to see who was speaking, inside was a creature no more than three feet tall with yellowish skin and a long graying beard. "Can you not see the look of anxiety and torture upon her face, Troll," the creature said softly. "Her affections toward the strange human are quite evident on her face."

"A fine thing coming from a Gnome who is also imprisoned," Granite stated dropping back to the ground

Pirotess stepped closer... the Gnome had ragged looking clothes, furs around the collar of his heavy leather armor, trousers with several holes in them. Yet he seemed to hold himself well, no doubt having just been imprisoned like Ranma and Granite. "What were you doing so far from your home in the West?"

The Gnome shrugged nonchalantly leaning against the wall, his eyes focused on Ranma as the pigtailed martial artist continued his morning routine. "Nothing really, I was on a morning hike one day scouting around when three Dark Elves jumped me. Figured it would be good sport to keep a Chieftain captive and see how long it would take to break me. Don't know the name of the swine's, but one of the councilmen seemed to encourage them. Seemed to have kept it from the High Chancellor, I would of spoken up yesterday when he appeared here but the things that young man said kept me silent," Gesturing toward Ranma.

Pirotess looked bewildered, "My father was here yesterday?" she looked confused. "What did he do?"

"Nothing much asked several questions which the young man answered and that ki energy as it was called was truly a sight. Never in all my years have I seen such a thing, must be something really special," the Gnome stated.

"Thank you," Ranma spoke up as he finished his exercise dropping his foot and doing a brief stretch. His eyes focused on Pirotess and he ran to the cage door. "You okay?" he asked.

The female Dark Elf nodded, closing the distance. "I'm..." she felt his finger touch her lips.

"Don't be sorry, it wasn't your fault," he said softly rubbing the back of his head looking sheepish. "If anything it's my fault. I went for the first bit of shelter I saw without checking it, just because I didn't want to turn into a girl."

Granite snorted, "So what now? If we wait we could easily be put to the sword or axe."

"Not if I can help it. They come trying ta kill or enslave me... I'll fight," Ranma growled softly as his aura started glowing.

The Gnome chuckled softly, "A boy after my own heart," walking up to the cage entrance, "If it comes to that I'll gladly fight along side you."

Ranma smiled brightly, "Um what's your name, little guy."

The Gnome raised an eyebrow for a moment before speaking, sure he was smaller than humans but it was the first time someone had called him that to his face. "Got guts kid, the name is Slader, Warrior Chieftan of the Gnomes, just hope I can get out of here before my people decide I'm dead," he stated with a shrug. Ranma instantly liked the Gnome reminded him a lot of Ryoga without the death threats and getting lost.

"Nice to meet ya Slader, and welcome aboard," Ranma smiled he turned to Pirotess who seemed deep in thought. "What's wrong?" those thoughts worried him whatever she was thinking was torturing to her.

She looked up eyes haunted but she didn't say anything. Instead she stepped closer to the bars reached up sliding her arms around Ranma gently pulling him into an embrace. She buried her head into his shoulder, though it wasn't very comforting as the metal bars reminded her that he was locked up. Ranma was stunned for a few moments but remembering their early talk, he gently put his arms around her. "I will go with you, if it comes down to that. I would rather live an eternity as an outcast than be parted from you," she whispered.

Ranma heard her muffled reply and felt stunned by it. After a few moments he lightly tightened his embrace. "It may not come to that, my daughter," the sudden vocalization caused both to jump in fright. But didn't break the embrace, they turned toward the sound and saw the High Chancellor flanked by the jailer this time. "I have made a plea to the council on your behalf Ranma, and they accepted."

"Ah... What do they want from me?" Ranma asked softly as Pirotess slowly disengaged her embrace.

The High Chancellor looked at his daughter for a moment. His worst fears had been confirmed, the moment he heard her muffled declaration, his ears being far better than the Troll or Gnome. Finding the Gnome in the opposite cage caused him some measure of discomfort, the Gnomes and Dark Elves have had a long standing truce. Who had captured the Gnome did it without his authority, looking back at Ranma gave a soft sigh. "I challenged the council to bring there best warriors forward and you would fight them, win and you get our allegiance, lose and die."

Ranma's face broke out into a huge grin, "Fight for my freedom huh, I was planning on doing that anyway, but this way is much better. I have someone else to add to that."

The Chancellor nodded, "Yes the Gnome," he bowed to the Gnome. "This is most strange, I feel one of the council is trying his hardest to instigate a war. I will see to it that he fails," the Chancellor stated softly. "If Ranma wins his challenge you will also be set free."

"Excellent, Elfish hospitality has lessened somewhat since I was last in the area," Slader stated sarcastically. The Jailer approached the cage opening both cells and stepping back, to allow them to step out. The Troll was last to get out, and having the hardest time doing so. The Chancellor led them out and marched across the village in silence. As they past the village huts Ranma, Pirotess, Slader, and Granite noticed the village was empty except for an occasional straggler who was walking in the same direction they were. As they walked on, Ranma was the first to spot a huge stadium near the far left corner of the cavern. Apparently the council wanted the challenge to be a public affair, that way when Ranma failed, the Chancellor would be exposed as being weak and unfit to rule. Ranma recognized the tactic well enough, having been sabotaged during a fight by Nabiki once, only he doubted whoever was on the council would be that subtle.

The Chancellor stopped at the entrance to the stadium and pointed Ranma to a side entrance while Pirotess, Granite, and Slader followed the Chancellor inside. Ranma quietly walked down the ramp and stood in a small room that led to a steel gate, looking out in front, he saw the arena floor. He looked around and noted the room was bare, save for a table that was loaded with food. Walking up to the food his mouth watering, but as soon as his hand came too close to one of the plates his danger sense went off. Having been in the presence of poisoned food before he knew when it wasn't safe to eat something. 'Probably took cooking lessons from Akane,' he thought and then winced slightly at the memory. He hadn't realized how much he missed her until now. He had long since mourned her passing and had moved on, but every now and then something would cause things to resurface. He pushed himself away from the food with reluctance and waited for the gate to open.

A few minutes later it opened Ranma stepping out to the sound of boos and jeers, as he walked quietly into the middle of the arena. He turned to the council's box and noticed the various Dark Elves sitting in their seats. Three looked at him with open hostility and was probably the ones that were trying to subtly get rid of the High Chancellor. He heard a gate to his right open and out stepped a Dark Elf with a huge battle axe. Seeing as Ranma had no weapons the council probably thought he'd run around until he tired himself out and submitted to his death. Ranma smirked slightly watching the Elf stalk closer towards him. "Begin the trial," he heard the High Chancellor state.

The Elf with the huge axe charged him. While Ranma waited until the last possible second, as the elf swung horizontally trying to decapitate him. Ranma ducked under the swing and lunged forward hitting the Elf with his elbow underneath his diaphragm essentially cutting off his air supply long enough for Ranma to knock him out. The Elf collapsed to the ground in a heap. Ranma casually lifted the axe and tossed it aside shaking his head. "Bigger is not always better."

Two gates suddenly opened up, and this time and two more Dark Elves appeared one female the other male. The female was carrying two short swords while the male was carrying a buster edge blade. The male charged at him blindly only this time he swung vertically, Ranma sidestepped this and with a quick spin, kicked the male Elf in the chin sending him spinning and into unconsciousness. Ranma just shook his head looking at the male Elf briefly before turning his attention on the female who was slowly stalking him.

Pirotess looked intently at the female and was shocked, "Sister?" she stated softly. She looked over at her father who nodded.

"I needed someone to represent my interest and I had a feeling where your heart was, so I couldn't have asked you to do this. Your sister volunteered," the Chancellor sighed with a smirk, "She almost begged me," they watched as another member of the councils strongest warriors appeared. "It seems like she's taking her time before striking. Your friend though seems to take out his opponents almost effortlessly."

Pirotess smiled smugly watching as the next warrior go flying with a solid kick to the stomach after Ranma dodged three strikes from the warriors axe. "That's because the council can't truly grasp Ranma's abilities, if they had seen him two months ago, when we liberated that village from Seth, they would've understood," she whispered.

The High Chancellor chuckled softly, it had been a long while since he and his daughter could see eye to eye on various things. He secretly hoped Ranma won this challenge. The young man had brought his daughter out of her cold malicious phase, back into the sweet young woman she originally was. But what was stranger, was that the young man had not only earned a Trolls respect but now a Gnome, "There truly is something about that boy which is quite remarkable, my dear daughter," he leaned closer to her. "Especially if he's stolen your heart." he added.

Pirotess blushed slightly, "He never stole it. I'm merely waiting for the time to be right before I give it to him," she said softly watching Ranma with rapt attention.

"I see," her father said just as softly as she did while watching the final three gates open. Apparently the council was getting very impatient with Ranma's stubborn refusal to accept death.

Ranma watched the female elf as she slowly stood back apparently waiting for the male Dark Elves to tire him out, but with the way they were doing things he wasn't breaking a sweat. Most were using these overly large weapons that sure could cleave a man in two if he stood around long enough to get in the way. Ranma wasn't about to just stand there and get cut to pieces as two more males came at him. Each sporting Buster blades, "Looks like your the only one takin' me seriously," he stated to the female Elf. Weaving in and out of the swings punching one Elf under the chin, sending him flying and doing a back flip kick on the second one making the Elf drop the sword on his head, butt sticking in the air, making him look funny. Even more so considering he was unconscious, Ranma took pity on him though using his foot to nudge the Elf onto his side. The last male tried to use the distraction to his advantage and came in with his blade raised high. Ranma simply jumped back toward the Elf, cutting the distance between the two and used a backhanded fist. The Elf suddenly stopped, short sword now extended beyond them, and then he collapsed to the ground.

One of the council snarled standing up in his box, "Stop this foolishness send out all of the rest!" he snarled coolly.

Slader caught the High Chancellor's eye, then pointed to the standing council member and mouthed 'him'. The High Chancellor nodded steepling his fingers watching for what Ranma would do next.

Ranma sighed watching six more male Dark Elves run at him close together in a vain hope that at least one would get him. "This is gettin' boring," Ranma cupped his hands together got into a crouch bringing his hands to his waist, "MOKO," he stated loudly. A ball of blue ki appeared and growing in size, "TAKABISHA!" he yelled bringing his hands out, and extending them towards the running Elves. The blast launched hitting them dead center exploding and knocking all of them into the ground, completely KO'ed. Rubbing his hands and grasping his hips turning towards Pirotess' sister. "Well want ta go at it?" he asked a huge smile on his face. Pirotess' sister had other plans in mind, if Ranma bothered to pay attention to her face.

Dropping the two daggers she had in her hands the poor female Elf's eyes rolled back and she fainted dead away. Ranma scratched his head looking confused, "Um, did I do something wrong?" he asked as he turned to look up at gathered crowd. Everyone one in the arena was dead silent. Ranma started to sweat as he focused on faces many held looks like they'd soiled themselves while others had eyes as round as saucers. It wasn't until he reached Pirotess' face did he finally relax, to him her face was all that mattered and what showed was a look of extreme pleasure and joy. He noticed his other two companions were just as shocked as the rest of the people, but they were regaining their wits faster than the Dark Elves.

The High Chancellor had watched Ranma explain to him about the ki yet he was totally unprepared for what had happened. 'We have made a truly remarkable ally this day, and to think he may someday be my son-in-law.' He stood up clapping his hands together as did all but one of the council. Soon after the entire stadium was filled with clapping and cheering Dark Elves, Granite and Slader quickly followed their example and did the same. Ranma on the other hand was blushing like mad scratching his head nervously at the attention he was getting.

In another time more specifically Ranma's home dimension, three women and one man sat around a small table. The funerals had been hard upon them all, none as hard as that of the youngest Tendo. Nodoka looked up at her new daughters, given to her by the government even though both were old enough to live on there own. Yet right now, incapable of it. Kasumi had barely said two words since Soun and Akane's funeral, while Nabiki had spent most of the time in tears. Doctor Tofu thankfully had returned from whatever trip he had been on and helped her with her new grieving family. She tried to mourn her husband during his funeral but nothing came of it, having mourned him twelve years ago and the only thing keeping her going for the girls was the fact that her son was alive albeit misplaced.

"Do you know what happened to him, doctor?" she asked softly.

Tofu nodded reading the scroll that Nodoka found near Cologne's corpse. "It was a banishing spell to seal the demon back into its realm, unfortunately Cologne never got finished with the key phrase, all that was created was a dimensional gateway. When Ranma used his Hiryu Shoten Ha, he was knocked back by the blast and into the portal. Since the portal wasn't set, it probably opened up into a random dimension. The only way to find Ranma now would be the Nanban mirror, are you sure you want to do this?"

Nodoka's eyes closed. "Doctor, My husband, his friend, Akane, that Kunoji girl, the Hibiki boy, and those Amazon's are all dead because of that little perverts grudge against my son. My boy tried to save everyone only to end up kami knows where. He's all that I got left, without him I'll give way to my despair, I'm sure of it," she said softly tears beginning to form.

Tofu nodded softly, "I know someone who can fix magical items she be able to fix the mirror for us to find Ranma. But what if you find him and he's happy where he is?"

Nodoka looked up hands clasps, "Then the girls and I will stay with him, it's as simple as that," she said softly. The doctor quietly nodded getting up and taking the scroll, Nanban mirror shards and all with him. Nodoka turned and looked up at the sky she let out a soft sigh. "Please be safe my son."