Author's Notes: Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews! Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it as much as the last few. And yes, Aledeth, I did pull some inspiration from BG2. Actually, you might recognize some elements in here, as well. Anyway, you came here to read, so...enjoy!
Chapter Four: Divine Challenge
Curiously, Ranma picked up a pebble and tossed it over the edge of the walkway. He paled when it continued to fall after a good minute. "I don't think we wanna fall down there," he noted shakily. The five of them carefully made their way towards the center of the platform, trying to avoid looking down over the side of the bridge into the dark abyss below.
A surprise was waiting for them when they reached the central platform. A shimmering silver form coalesced from motes of light, revealing a young woman with long, flowing hair that seemed to sway in an imaginary breeze. "Greetings, amazon sisters. You have come to the temple of light in a time of darkness. We are guardians of our goddess's treasure, yet you will find no wealth. We hold her knowledge, yet you shall find yourself wiser than any of us. Those who look for guidance, shall find it after passing the trials."
When the apparition fell silent, a kanji on each of the pillars glowed for a brief moment, enough for them to read. "Heart," Nodoka read, "pride, honor, soul." Ranma walked up to one of the pedestals. "What do you think this is? Some sort of test?" Shrugging, Shampoo inspected the one next to the pig-tailed martial artist. "Shampoo no know. But maybe put sungem in here?" She indicated a slot that sat above the kanji. Lotion pulled out the weathered piece of scroll and scanned through it. "This only say we pass tests, we get blessing of goddess," she told the others, before reached into her pouch and withdrawing one of the small, yellow gemstones, placing it in one of the pillars.
All of the shied back reflexively when a hoarse female voice echoed through the cavern, different from the gentle and soothing voice of the apparition that had spoken before. "The trial of the soul has begun." "What the-" Ranma's cry of surprise was cut off abruptly as he vanished in a flash of light.
"Ranma!" The remaining four could only stare as the pillar glowed once more, it's kanji reading "Soul."
V-------------------V
"Meow."
Ranma spun around, searching for the source of the sound, but only darkness met his eyes.
"Meow." There it was again.
"Meow." And again.
"Meow."
The single cat turned into many, and the single yowl became a cacophony of growls and hisses. Ranma opened his eyes, only to find a pair of glowing yellow eyes. Pain blossomed across his body, and he could feel blood run down his cheeks as cuts opened and claws tore into him.
"No," he whispered as he realized where he was. "No, not again…"
The claws burrowed into his arms, and he screamed in pain as they refused to let go, grinding into the bone. He hissed in anger, trying to raise his battle-aura to shed some light into the darkness, to feel the comfort of his ki around him, to banish the creatures that seemed intent on torturing him, to bury the growing fear under his confidence.
And for once, it didn't heed his call.
Something he hadn't felt in years stirred, something he had thought he left behind. The insanity of the Neko-Ken flashed through his mind, and he could feel his conscious control slipping away as the fear and pain grew to be too much to bear. Without a way to control his ki, without a release for the fear, he fell back into the cold madness of the technique.
His eyes clenched shut as the light hit him, blindingly bright after the darkness that had surrounded him for what seemed like an eternity. He felt a hand take hold of the collar of his shirt, hauling him out of the darkness and into the light. It took his befuddled brain several long moments to realize he wasn't in the pit with those nightmarish creatures anymore, but when his thoughts caught up to the situation, he breathed a sigh of relief.
That is, until a hard kick impacted his abused ribcage, drawing fresh blood from the cuts in his side. The same hand hauled him up, and a punch doubled him over. The stench of sake wafted into his face as he stared into the face of a ten-year younger Genma. His father was drunk, again, and Ranma closed his eyes in resignation. He knew what was coming.
"Stupid, worthless boy! After all I did for you, the least you could do is pay me back by learning the Neko-Ken, but no, you're as weak as your mother. I've seen girls who are stronger than you are. You hear me?" His father was screaming into his face now. "You're worthless! A failure! You can't even learn a simple technique! I'm ashamed to have a son like you – you're not a son at all, you're weaker than a girl!"
He should be used to them by now. After all, at this stage in his life, incidents like this and the insults that followed occurred almost daily. He really should know better than to listen to his old man and his twisted ideas. But he had gone almost six years without them; he had shut his father up for good the day he finally beat him during their spars, and the man had not dared utter a word about his son being worthless since them.
But that also meant he had forgotten how to deal with them. Had forgotten how to ignore them, take the sting out of the drunken slurs. Quite the opposite, in fact. Under Kasumi's careful tutelage, he had learned to listen, and listen carefully, to what others said. And listen he did.
And it hurt.
"You're a disgrace to the Art, you're a disgrace to our family, and you're a disgrace as a human being! You don't even deserve to live, as weak as you are!"
Ranma tuned him out. He was miserable enough as it was, terrified of the pit, hurt at his father's words, and in pain from the cuts and bruises all over his body.
It hurt. Despite the fact that he knew his father was a harebrained idiot, and that he now knew what the Neko-Ken truly was, it hurt. He had come to terms with his pride and arrogance, but the accusation of being weak hurt more than he cared to admit. It meant he was unable to protect those he cared for, meant that he couldn't protect Kasumi when push came to shove. It was something he was especially loathe to admit after the last battle at Jusendo.
"He's right, you know," a new voice added, and he suddenly found himself huddling in the corner of the living room of the Tendo dojo. Akane smirked as she stood before him, her eyes showing her disgust for the pigtailed martial artist. "All you can do is break girls' hearts and get into trouble. You never clean up after yourself, either, do you?"
He tried to protest, he really did. But before he could find the words to refute his accuser, the youngest Tendo continued. "Remember what you did to Ryoga? You only thought of yourself. If you had shown the least bit of concern for those around you, you'd never have pushed him into that spring. And what about Ukyo? You chose food over her. She's right, you're an egotistical jackass. And Shampoo? She lost her honor because you were thinking with your stomach first and then couldn't help but show off and show them all how great you were."
She snorted derisively. "The great Saotome Ranma. The only thing you're great at is ruining people's lives!" She leaned in, whispering conspirationally. "Like mine. My life was just fine before you showed up, and what happened? You screwed me over! I got kidnapped at least once a week, Kuno got so bad most mental hospitals refused to take him, and my family is on the verge of ruin. You almost got me killed more times than I bet even Nabiki can count, and because of a mess you got us all involved in that almost got us all killed, I killed someone!" She pulled back. "Ryoga was right. This is all your fault!"
"Don't forget, little sister, he brought us financial ruin. He eats more than his father, and never does a thing to pay for it, either." Nabiki wore her trademark smirk as she joined Akane. "With all the damage he causes the contractors love him. Tell me, Ranma-kun," she hissed, twisting the affectionate nickname into an expression of disgust, "did you ever even try to save us some money? Did you ever try not to get the house damaged?"
When he didn't reply, she continued, sneering as he curled up into a corner of the room, wrapping his arms around his legs as tightly as he could, trying to block out their voices. "And then you kept giving me so much trouble when all I asked of you was some photos so I could make some money to support my family. Have you ever thought of how hard it is for a girl my age to find a job?" She pulled out a ledger. "And then I was even so nice and cancelled your entire debt – which was rather considerable – after you came back from Jusendo the first time. Despite the fact that you almost got my little sister killed. And how did you repay us? You pulled the same spiel over and over, never caring how much you cost us."
"Because of you, Saotome, my home is no more," Mousse added from the sidelines. "Your stupidity brought devastation to Joketsuzoku, and nearly destroyed our way of life. You nearly destroyed 3000 years of Amazon culture and history – did you ever show the slightest regret? Any remorse? You're also responsible for Shampoo's curse, and mine, you know. Oh, you didn't push us into the springs at Jusenkyo like you did Ryoga, no, you did it in a much more subtle way. You disgraced Shampoo so that she would be punished by the Council. You caused her curse, because you only thought of yourself! If you ever thought of her, cared for her, you would've come back with her the first time and accepted responsibility for your actions like a man!"
The myoptic martial artist snorted. "But your little egotistical mind only revolves around yourself, doesn't it? Shampoo didn't fit in, so you pushed her aside, damn the consequences. That's just like you, Saotome."
The pigtailed boy shrank away from the accusations, trying to sink into the ground, hoping that the hurting would stop. He hardly even noticed the pain from his wounds anymore as old emotional scars he had thought long healed tore open again. He couldn't even muster the strength to rise and get angry anymore.
The only feeling left in him was despair. So, he absently mused, this is how Ryoga feels all the time? He opened his mouth, but before any words could come out, he heard a new voice, a voice he would recognize anywhere.
A voice that was usually warm and soothing, and now sounded cold and unforgiving. A voice he knew he loved, and a voice he could bear to hear words of anger from least.
"And let's not forget, Ranma-kun," Kasumi noted as she entered from the kitchen, "you're no stranger to killing, yourself. You claim you are a martial artist, yet you don't have the discipline to control your own actions. You killed someone because you lost control of your actions in anger. You always tell Akane-chan she needs to control her anger, but what about yourself?"
The eldest Tendo daughter stared at him expressionlessly, something that seemed just wrong on her perpetually happy face. "You're no better than that Kuno boy, you know. No control and living in a world of your own, drowning in your own ego." She sneered. Ranma didn't see her, but he could feel it nonetheless.
He could almost feel her words cut into his soul, shattering the little peace he had found for himself, the little solace he had found in thinking about the young woman who held his heart.
"I was a fool to even think I could care for someone like you. Someone who thinks he is a martial artist, but in truth is nothing more than a danger to himself and those around him. And that's all you are. It's just a matter of time until you loose control yet again and kill someone again. I will never tolerate a killer in my home. Leave, Ranma-kun, and never come back. You are no longer welcome in my home."
"Kasumi," he finally managed to whisper, his voice shaky and hoarse. "Kasumi," he repeated, finally mustering the strength to look up and into her accusing face. She smiled, but that smile was devoid of the warmth he was used to, instead, her eyes blazed with a hatred for him that made him cringe.
"You heard me, Ranma-kun. You're no longer welcome here." The eldest Tendo sister turned her back on him and walked away, joining the others as they lined up at the walls.
"You're not welcome at my home, either, Ranma." The new voice spat his name with disgust. "I no longer call you my son. If it weren't for the dishonor it would bring my clan to have someone such as you, I would demand you commit seppuku. But not even that can bring back our family's honor." Nodoka hefted the Saotome blade. "But it never was any concern of yours, was it?"
She snorted. "Of course it wasn't. After all your father did for you, after I gave birth to you, you repay us by not honoring our wishes and defying the ancient traditions. I would have your head, but it'll only bring more shame to me to have taken the life of a worthless and honorless ronin. All it ever was for you was what you could do for yourself. I'm ashamed to have given birth to someone like you."
The pigtailed boy's eyes snapped open. "No. That's not true," he whispered. "It's not true." Nodoka chuckled grimly. "Isn't it?"
Not Kasumi…not mother…please, anyone but them, he mentally screamed as his world collapsed around him. He glanced over at Kasumi, only to see her cold brown eyes. His gaze returned to his mother, only to have a tanto thrust in his face.
"It would be better for everyone if you spared us all much grief and ended your miserable existence right now." Nodoka dropped the ceremonial knife and turned.
Ranma's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the weapon. Not now…not ever. I'll never take my own life. He stood, catching the tanto before it hit the ground.
"No," he said, his voice still wavering, but a bit of its old strength returning. Nodoka turned to look at him, one eyebrow arched inquisitively.
"Oh? So you're going to be egotistical even to the end?"
He took a deep breath, sorting through his jumbled thoughts. "I have done what I can to keep true to myself. I refuse to stain my honor with something so…stupid," he spat. "I have done what I could, bound in an untenable position. I have finally found acceptance, and someone who loves me." A pointed look at Kasumi was ignored, even as he continued. "I have always tried to protect those around me, and whatever honor demanded, I fulfilled." Everything. I did everything they ever wanted. I fought chanllengers, and won. I fought to protect them, and won. I saved their lives and their honor, I resolved every piece of trouble oyaji created for me, and I came out on top. I managed to tell Kasumi I love her. I did everything. I will do everything. But I won't do this. I don't care what they're saying, but I'll never do it.
Ranma threw the dagger back at his mother angrily. "Anything but this. I will not commit seppuku." Unknown to him, his aura flared around him, tinged a deep red with his anger as he spoke, his words quiet, almost a whisper, yet holding his audience at rapt attention. His anger finally overriding his misery, he spun to face his father.
"You're a stupid moron who never considered anything except your own well-being! If you believe I have no skill in the Art, then face me, here, now, and I'll show you just how worthless I am!" He turned to Akane.
"And you – have you ever thought that your problems were of your own making? And Nabiki, do you realize what would have happened if I truly hadn't cared if your family lived or died? Cologne could have torn down your home and burned it to cinders, and she would have done it without a second thought if I had told her that it was the only thing holding me there!"
Not giving them a chance to reply, he turned on the others. "The destruction of Joketzusoku is no one's fault but your own, Mousse. If your people weren't so stuck in their ways, if your elders hadn't been so blinded by their arrogance, they would all still be alive, instead of being a pathetic little group of survivors struggling to keep what's left of their culture alive!"
"And you, Kasumi," Ranma's voice softened as he addressed the brunette. "You showed me kindness. You were the first to care for me. I would walk through hell and back if you asked it of me. Even if you say you despise me, even if you tell me that you hate me…I would do it still. It hurts to hear those words from you, but I love you anyway." He sighed as he faced his mother.
"Mother, I will do anything you ask of me, except this. I will not take my own life. That has always been a decision that has truly been my own. In taking my life I would admit defeat. Defeat to life, defeat to anything and everything I've accomplished. I refuse to let it have been in vain. Cast me from your clan, declare a blood feud, hunt me down, but never," his eyes flashed dangerously, "never, ask this of me."
He whirled around to face the rest of the crowd, and with a thunderous roar let his aura spring to life, letting out all his anger and depression. The flame of his ki burned high, scorching the ceiling as it flickered and writhed around him in an ethereal dance.
"I am Saotome Ranma, and I never loose!"
V-------------------V
His aura was still burning, and his voice still echoing around the cavern as he landed back on the stone platform, causing Ryoga and Shampoo, who were closest to him, to scramble back. By the time the shout had faded and Ranma had regained control over his emotions and reigned in his aura, they were staring at him fearfully.
The pigtailed young man, however, just collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, causing Nodoka to hurry over.
"Mom?" he asked weakly as she fussed over him, and the Saotome matriarch smiled. "How are you feeling, son?"
Ranma closed his eyes at the sight of her smile. She loves me. She really does. It was all just a bad dream…He wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, mom," he whispered.
"I love you, too, my son." Nodoka smiled down as Ranma was soon fast asleep.
Lotion and Ryoga were looking around the pillars, keeping a good distance from the first, whose kanji still glowed a pure white. Suddenly, a second pillar lit up, it's kanji reading "Pride." With a startled shout, Shampoo vanished.
V-------------------V
Shampoo took a deep breath and opened her eyes, not really knowing what to expect. To her surprise, she was standing on a platform that seemed to float high in the sky, amidst the clouds. She glanced over the edge and couldn't see the ground; the vast expanse of blue stretched every way she looked. For a moment, Shampoo allowed herself a smile. If this was indeed up in the sky, then no one, not even Ranma, had ever been up this high. From the central platform led four bridges, each leading through an arch towards another platform.
Carefully, she crossed the first bridge. As soon as she approached the arch, specks of light began swirling before her very eyes, condensing into the form of a young woman. Shampoo was startled when she began to speak, her voice a deep rumble that echoed around her. "You are a warrior, are you not?" She nodded, slowly. "You have always used the right weapons to be rid of your enemies, and those that would do you harm, have you not?" Again, the young amazon nodded. "I give you the tool to fulfill this quest. Bring me the sungem that is inside. Here is the sword you shall need, use it well."
When nothing more seemed forthcoming, Shampoo gingerly took the pro-offered blade, inspecting it carefully; the blade was forged from a black metal that had been chipped until the edge was as ragged as a very fine saw; still, she could tell it was extremely sharp. Shampoo shuddered as she felt its unsettling aura. She stepped through the arch, adopting a defensive stance as soon as she was through. If she had been handed a weapon, then there must surely be something dangerous here.
What awaited her, was, again, something unexpected. She found herself face to face with a young girl, who was toying with a small, glowing yellow gem. For a moment, the lavender-haired young woman was unsure of what to do – she knew she had to get the crystal somehow, so she knelt down before the girl, her senses alert. "Hello," Shampoo spoke, slowly. The girl looked up. "I need the gem," the amazon told the girl in her native tongue, extending her palm.
Instead of placing the small stone in her hand as Shampoo had expected, the girl clutched it tighter, whispering, "I can't give it to you. I hold this stone with my life." Shampoo's face fell, but before she could say anything, the girl spoke again.
"Ye who hold the razor's blade,
forged of darkest iron,
quenched by blood and fear,
know that ye hold the key
to the one who holds
the goddess's tear."
It took a while for Shampoo to digest these words. "This sword is the key?" Eyes wide in shock and disbelief, Shampoo almost tossed the sword aside. Anything but this. I won't kill a child. I can't do this, not even if the goddess asked it of me. "I won't murder you for the stone," she whispered. "I can't kill you. There has to be another way." The girl continued to look at her, her unsettling red eyes boring deep into Shampoo's being, but she remained silent.
Meanwhile, the young amazon warred with her conscience. She refused to take a life in cold blood, yet wasn't that what was required of her? Now, at last, she knew how Ranma had felt when he had been the one who was confronted with this dilemma. She couldn't, wouldn't strike down an unarmed, innocent child. It went against everything she had been taught, against her personal code of honor as a warrior. A few years ago she would have killed the girl without hesitation; back then, she would have simply considered her an obstacle to another victory, but the years and battle had taught her that life was too valuable for needless death. Shampoo didn't like to admit it, but it had been a lost cause from the start. With a regretful sigh, she knelt and placed the sword before the girl. "I cannot kill you," she told her slowly. "I refuse to do so. Take this sword back, and send me to my friends."
Instead of the expected reaction, though, the girl smiled, one hand reaching for the hilt of the sword. As soon as she touched it, the blade shifted color from its midnight black to an ivory white, and Shampoo felt its aura dissipate, almost as if a curse upon the sword had been dispelled. With her other hand, the girl grasped Shampoo's, and pushed the gem into her hands, closing her fingers around it. And then, in a silver flash, Shampoo found herself back on the central platform.
The young amazon stared in wonder at the small crystal in her palm, and smiled. Admitting defeat hadn't been an easy thing to do, but it had been worth it. With a more confident spring in her step, Shampoo approached the next arch. Again, the apparition coalesced before her. "Know, child, there is a stone before us. Two paths, two doors, yet both lead to our goal, yes? You have made many choices during your life, walked many paths, and affected many lives, even if that was not your intention. Such is the fate of all humans; all those who live with choices. Maybe others concern you little, perhaps it consumes your soul. That, too, is a choice."
Shampoo nodded. "What does this have to do with the gem?"
"The path you take shall affect another this day. Another who is innocent of the action you take, yet affected by it just the same. One of those who travel with you, who is yet innocent of your ancestor's wrongdoings…will do nicely." The young woman snapped her fingers, and Shampoo froze in abject horror. She smiled humorlessly. "Remember, child, a choice must be made; and it is you who must live with the consequences of that choice. Go to my left, and sacrifice for the innocent. Go to my right…and save yourself."
On shaky legs, Shampoo strode past the apparition, to stare into the room beyond. A transparent wall separated her from the small alter on which the sungem lay, and to her horror she could see Ranma, in female form, frozen above the altar. For a moment, she caught Ranma's eye, and the fear and despair that went through her friend's eyes nearly drove the young amazon to tears. She could see he was reliving his memories of the Neko-Ken, and knew what it was doing to his sanity.
Swallowing hard, Shampoo opened the door to the left. There wasn't really a choice. No matter what she said, she mused, she was still to some extent in love with him. Almost immediately after stepping into the room, she collapsed to her knees as a searing pain shot through her mind. She clutched her head as memories began flooding into her mind, flashing before her eyes.
A dark pit.
Glowing eyes.
Scratching, screeching, clawing, biting.
The pain. The fear. The anger.
The screams.
She couldn't avert her eyes, couldn't close them, couldn't shut out the terrifying images that raced past her, knowing this was what Ranma dreamt of. Shampoo let out an almost inhuman wail of despair and fear as the memories came faster and faster, flashing by her so fast she had trouble keeping them apart.
Finally, the only things that penetrated through the haze that clouded her thoughts were the emotions that carried over from the memories.
Pain. Fear. Anger. Fear. Hatred. Fear. Pain. Fear. Desperation. Fear. Pain. Despair. Fear. Anguish. Pain. Fear.
It was something she never wanted to relive again; and now that she finally knew the full extent of what had been done to Ranma, she felt that maybe she should have hit Genma when she had the chance. It seemed like an eternity for her, but finally, the memories subsided, leaving her drained and exhausted on the floor. Heaving deep, shuddering breaths, Shampoo tried to calm her nerves, tried to tell herself it hadn't been real, that it hadn't been her going through that; she even tried to distract herself by thinking of numerous ways to torture Genma for what he had done to his son.
Unfortunately, neither worked. She could still feel the lingering of claws on her skin, could feel the hot breath of dozens of starving cats on her neck, could still see the golden eyes glowing in the dark whenever she closed her eyes. Shakily, she stood and made her way across the room, using the wall to support herself. In time, she hoped, the memory would fade; but for now, she had a newfound respect for Ranma. Talking about the Neko-Ken and being forced to remember this would have broken another person a dozen times over.
When she reached the final chamber, she snatched the small gem from the altar and quickly hurried out of the room.
Once outside, Shampoo collapsed to her hands and knees. Crawling over to the edge of the platform, she spent the next several minutes emptying the contents of her stomach over said edge. She didn't know how long it took for her to compose herself, and the sky didn't show any signs of dimming, but Shampoo decided she had to continue with this trial. She still shuddered whenever she thought about the memories she had been shown, but was able to walk, albeit a bit shakily.
Once more the young woman who seemed to be the guardian of this trial appeared before her. "One of the stones is very near, just beyond either of these two rooms. You have encountered many times in your life where you have been forced to swallow your fear, have you not? You have fought off terror that would have overwhelmed a lesser being and shown courage, instead. Pass through either of these rooms, and your courage shall be challenged." A cloak suddenly appeared in her hand, and if Shampoo hadn't already emptied her stomach, she would have done so again as she realized what it had been made out of.
Human skin.
The spectre continued. "I have something, however, that will make things much easier for you. You know that items of magic can do so much an ordinary person cannot…such as this cloak. Stitched together from the flayed skins of our mortal enemies, the Musk and Phoenix, it's powerful magic shall soothe your fears, and panic shall never overcome you."
Shampoo snorted in disgust. "Out of my way. I don't need something that evil. I can sense it from here." She marched past her through the ark, and found herself before two corridors. Shrugging, she picked the left one, and walked through, wondering what this challenge had in store for her.
When it began, however, Shampoo almost wished she had accepted the cloak. The corridor turned several times, cutting off any light that came from the entrance, leaving her to navigate her path in complete darkness just by touch. That was when she first heard the sound, a quiet, low, cat-like hiss. Suppressing a shudder, she turned around, only to stare right into a pair of glowing amber eyes. With a frightened yell, Shampoo began sprinting away from it, the Neko-Ken not forgotten.
Behind her she could hear a growing number of cats yowling, hissing, screeching, and each time she glanced over her shoulder, she could see more yellow eyes in the darkness. It was bound to happen; Shampoo stumbled over a small rock on the ground and fell, slamming hard into a wall. She tried to scramble to her feet, but by the time she managed that the cats had caught up with her.
Breathing heavily, the young warrior forced her breathing to calm down and tried to soothe her nerves. After all, she hadn't really gone through the Neko-Ken herself. Ranma had had much more reason to be scared of cats; she could understand his overwhelming terror now, could understand the psychological harm she and Akane had done to him when she had jumped into his arms as a cat, or had been pushed there by Akane. It also made his courage even more impressive; the time he had intentionally driven himself into the Neko-Ken to defeat her great-grandmother came to mind.
Shampoo suppressed a shiver as the cat-like noises around her continued. It wasn't the Neko-Ken, I never went through the training. It's just a memory, I didn't really go through that. A warrior should be strong. I shouldn't be scared of them. I didn't go through that, she mentally chanted. It took her a long time, but she finally managed to control herself and move. Eyes still clenched shut and breathing shallow, Shampoo hurried through the corridor, trying to ignore the yowling and scratching behind her. She idly wondered if the memory would ever fade.
The sungem gave off a soft golden glow, and Shampoo was glad it did, making it much easier to find. Quickly snatching it off its pedestal, she hurried out, the light from the gem lighting the way enough for her to make it out in a rush. She didn't spare the arch a second glance as she passed through it, didn't stop running until she stood on the central platform again.
She eyed the last bridge warily. The first one hadn't been too bad, but the last two trials had been an experience she could have done without. With a sigh Shampoo realized that to leave this place and return to the other she would have to complete the test – failure was, for her, not an option. Now that Ranma had completed his, there was no way she would be coming back empty-handed. With a determined huff, she strode off towards the last arch.
The by now familiar form of the guardian appeared. "So, you have come, for the last of the celestial stones. You have come a long way, and now are close to the end, yes indeed you are. But only you hold the power to vanquish the terrible creature that guards it." As if possible, the spectre looked pleased, "Your battle prowess is known amongst the ancestors! Phoenix and Musk amd demons alike, thrown aside, your glorious battles with them unforgotten. Creatures others would quake before in terror you have fought valiantly, and brought honor to the tribe! Now, go, child of the Joketsuzoku, and claim your latest victory! Defeat the creature that lays beyond, and end your quest."
Eyebrow arched, Shampoo leaned sideways, trying to catch a glimpse of the inside cavern. She smirked when the spectre had acknowledged her skill, and mentally grinned at what her great-grandmother would say that even their ancestors' spirits knew about her. Evening her breathing, the young amazon readied herself for the coming battle, when a stray thought crossed her mind. "Say," she asked the guardian in Mandarin, "what kind of creature is it? Musk? Phoenix?"
"It is a powerful one! One only you can destroy, I am sure of it. You are the only one with the ability to deal its death, young child." Something is wrong here, Shampoo thought. She's not giving a straight answer. "Okay," she said slowly, "it's strong, but what is it?"
The spectre seemed oblivious to her question, instead talking itself into a frenzy. "One that deserves death! Only you can succeed where others have failed."
"Yes, yes, that's all well and good, but why does it deserve death, and what the hell is it!" The young woman was on the verge of shouting. Never having had much patience outside of combat – and even in combat situations, Cologne had always admonished her that she was too aggressive – the spectre's cryptic answers were beginning to strain her nerves.
"Well…because…because it's in your way!" The guardian seemed to fumble for the right words now. "It exists, therefore it must be vanquished!"
Shampoo grimaced. "I don't just kill things because they're in my way," she told the guardian; images of her chasing a female Ranma through China and Japan came to mind, and of the Kiss of Death. "Anymore," she amended.
"You do not?" The guardian almost seemed to smile at that realization. "Then perhaps you have learned your lesson, child. Great deeds do not always make great people. Perhaps now you consider the reasons behind every blow and the consequences of every strike. Despite your deeds, worthy of the ancient ones, you carry little pride in you. Humility serves well those who wield it well." It stepped aside, letting her pass.
When she entered the cavern, Shampoo could only gape at the sight that presented itself to her. A massive dragon was coiled up in the center, its silver scales glittering in the faint light. The elongated head rested on two short arms that ended in three claws each, and its long body seemed to writhe even though it was clearly asleep. Its eyes opened when she took her first step into the room, and Shampoo nearly took an involuntary step back when she felt the dragon's onyx eyes focusing on her. It opened its jaws, the teeth longer than most swords, and spoke in a deep, rumbling voice that seemed to come from everywhere around them and shook the cavern.
"You have mastered your pride, child. Take your prize." With that, it uncoiled, leaving behind a small, glittering gem in the center of the room where its body had hidden it from view. Without another words, it stretched itself to its full, imposing length, and took to the skies. As soon as Shampoo touched the sungem, she was transported back to the others.
V-------------------V
As soon as Shampoo appeared back on the platform, she rushed over to where Nodoka was cradling her son. Ranma was shivering, and it wasn't from the cold, but as he caught sight of Shampoo, he managed a weak smile and sat up. "Thanks, Shampoo. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
The amazon shrugged. "No problem. Just another scary, scary memory." Her voice took a dangerous undertone. "But Shampoo think of several ways to make panda-rug for it."
Ranma chuckled, a sound that made both women smile. "Yeah, that's pops for you. An idiot if there ever was one."
"Ranma! You shouldn't talk about your father like that!" Nodoka scolded him, and Ranma winced until he saw the grin on his mother's face. "Especially when it's not true. He is much more than an idiot. One might even call him a moron."
The three broke out into laughter at that, while Ryoga clapped the pigtailed martial artist on his shoulder. "What happened, anyway? We were getting worried when you disappeared again."
"You don't want to know, Ryoga, you don't want to know." Ranma shuddered, and the lost boy cringed at the haunted look in his friend's eyes. Ryoga opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, he vanished in a flash of silver fire. Behind him, Lotion ducked her head sheepishly as the group stared at the hand she still had on the third pillar.
"Sorry," she said.
V-------------------V
Ryoga grunted as he fell on his face. If it hadn't been for the breaking point training, he was sure he would have broken his nose. As it was, he rubbed said appendage in mild annoyance and looked around himself. He turned around when he heard a rasp behind him, and almost wished he hadn't as rocks and boulders of all sizes and shapes came thundering down from above.
"You've gotta be kidding me! Ranma, this is all your fault!" With his familiar warcry, the lost boy launched himself into the mass of oncoming rocks, his hands extended before him. "Hinokuruma!" The angry red ki-blast tore through the rocks with ease as he continued fuelling the beam. The rockslide continued for another minute before subsiding, leaving Ryoga to collapse in exhaustion. The ki-blast in itself wasn't all that draining, but keeping it focused so that it didn't bring down more of the roof and sustaining it for over a minute had taken its toll on him.
"Help! Someone help me!" the faint voice echoed through the tunnel, and the lost boy froze. That had sounded like…"Akari!" Without a second thought, Ryoga sprinted off in the direction the voice had come from, for once not being mislead by his sense of direction. He skidded to a stop a few feet from a solid wall where a rockslide had most likely caused the ceiling to cave in. He could hear Akari's voice again, louder this time. "Help! Please, get me out of here!"
Ryoga reached forward and, sinking his hands to the elbows into the pile of rocks, pulled back, causing a rush of rocks and debris to wash over him. Extracting himself from the mess on the ground, he took a hold of the largest boulder he could find and pulled, wrenching it free from the wall the rockslide had formed and tossing it behind him. Minutes passed, and his frantic work slowly began wearing down on the lost boy's monstrous strength. The tunnel behind him filled up with boulders of all sizes and shapes, and yet more were before him.
He continued with his work, adrenaline providing his failing muscles with the strength he needed, but the more he dug, the thicker the wall separating him from Akari seemed to get. At one instant he considered using the Breaking Point to detonate the wall, but quickly dismissed that idea as too dangerous; it could easily bring down the rest of the ceiling down on him and the shrapnel might blow through to the other side and hit Akari.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Ryoga could feel his hands break through to the other side; he could hear Akari's elated shout, but that was when, despite his considerable willpower, despite all the adrenaline pumping through his veins, his arms and legs gave out, forcing him to collapse onto the ground, where he lay, breathing heavily. "Hang on," he shouted between breaths, "I'm coming, Akari-san!"
Grunting in pain and exertion, Ryoga pushed himself to his feet, leaning against the wall as he did. "Akari-san, get clear!" Not waiting for any reply, Ryoga hauled back and slammed a double palmstrike into the remainder of the wall, putting all of his strength into the one blow.
The wall crumbled around him and he staggered through, only to pull back into a defensive stance at the sight before him. A young woman stood between three pillars, and hanging from each one, was a girl.
To his left, Akari cast him an expectant look, while Akane struggled with her bonds in the center, but stopped to smile in relief. But what really scared Ryoga was that Ranma was hanging from the last support, to his right, in girl-form, her head hanging and a defeated look in her eyes.
The young woman turned to face him, a sneer her only expression. "So, you have made it here, outsider. I would not have thought anyone, least of all a male, to manage to pass. But passed you have, and now you face a choice." She gestured to the three above them.
"Your task is simple. Choose one to live, and two to die. Choose neither, and they all shall perish."
Ryoga stood in shocked silence. "What?" He finally managed to utter. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm not gonna choose someone and let the others die!" He frowned. This isn't even real. I mean, Akari and Akane are back home, and Ranma is…wait a moment. They took Ranma to Shampoo's trial, so he might actually be…
"What's going on here?" The lost boy glared at the woman guarding the three captived, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"It's simple, is it not? Choose the person you want to live the most. It is a choice that has to be made from the heart." She smirked. "Know that you cannot save all three. Two of them will die this day."
Ryoga stared at the three girls, his eyes searching for something, anything that would help him get out of this mess alive along with all three of them. His eyes caught a glimmer of gold at Ranma's throat that wasn't obscured by her red hair. It was a golden choker that, upon closer inspection, found itself on all three, a dark yellow stone pulsing in the center.
There has to be a way…He started towards the woman on the ground, but his fist simply passed through the apparition. She laughed. "I shall let your transgression pass once, but know that if you strike at me again, I shall kill them all."
"I…I can't." Ryoga's eyes wandered from Akari to Akane to Ranma, and back, over and over, searching for anything to help him make the choice. Nothing was forthcoming.
"Pick one, Ryoga," Ranma whispered from her perch in the air. "I don't care which, just pick one of them." Her low voice carried through the air down to the ground, causing Ryoga to look up in surprise.
Green eyes met blue, and he reflexively shied back from the dullness in his friend's eyes. There was no fire in them, no life, as if Ranma had given up already and was prepared to accept death. Ryoga growled. This isn't like him. This isn't Ranma. Ranma would fight tooth and nail before they'd catch him, and then he'd move heaven and earth to get all of us out here alive.
Seemingly reading his thoughts, the pigtailed girl shrugged. "I can't fight anymore, Ryoga. I don't have anything left to give. So just pick one of them and get the hell outta here."
"Shut up!" The lost boy roared, his voice echoing around the cavern. "Shut up!" he repeated, satisfied at the shocked look in his rival's eyes. "Now listen, Ranma, and listen good," he snarled. "We're all getting out of here. All four of us. You've never given up, and neither will I, so shut up about me picking one of them! Either we all leave, or none of us leaves!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryoga could see the apparition smirk in amusement. He growled, baring his fangs at her, before returning his attention to Ranma. "You hear me! Now get off your lazy ass and help me figure this out!"
"Ryoga-san! Please, I don't want to die!" Akari's voice turned him over. The girl had tears streaking down her face as she hung suspended in the air.
"Come on, Ryoga-kun. We've all stood by you, now you've got to pick one of us." Akane sounded sad, as if knowing already she wouldn't be chosen.
"How? How can I choose one and let the others die?" Ryoga threw a ki-blast at the ceiling in frustration. There had to be some way; if need be he'd stay and find one, even if it took forever. He refused to let any of them die.
The apparition chose that moment to snap her fingers, an hourglass appearing before her. "I may have all of eternity at my disposal, outsider, but you do not. You have time to decide until the sands have run their course."
The lost boy stared as the sand began flowing through the hourglass. Which? Which do I choose? He stared around, looking at the three above him in turn. Do I love Akari? Or Akane? And what about Ranma?
"What do I do?" He whispered, staring down at his hands. For all his strength and skill, he was unable to choose when it mattered. It is a choice that has to be made from the heart. But what does my heart say?
He looked at each of the girls' faces, trying to sort out his feelings in the few precious seconds that remained. Is it love? Friendship? Loyalty? I don't know…I don't know!
"Time." The woman snapped her fingers again, and appeared before Ryoga. "Your decision?"
The lost boy hissed angrily as he came to a decision. I'm not giving up on any of them. Not even once I figure out what they mean to me. Not now, not ever. "We all leave, or we all die here today. I'm not leaving any of them behind."
"Ryoga, you idiot!" Ranma shouted from up above; the lost boy turned a solemn look at her. "You always fought with all you had to keep all of us safe. I'm not letting any of you behind, even if it means I die. After all, no greater man than one who gives his life for his friends, right?" The redhead's eyes flashed briefly in recognition, but Ryoga had already turned away.
"As you wish." The apparition smiled, and the three stones on the three matched chokers began to glow. Three silmultaneous gasps for air resounded in the chamber, and Ryoga looked on in horror as all three girls began choking as the collars contracted.
No…I'm not gonna let them die. I'm not! Before the lost boy could do anything Ranma's voice echoed around the cavern as the pigtailed girl lashed out, once, the brief distortion of air barely visible to the naked eye as the vacuum blades traversed the air, breaking the stones on the other two girls' collars neatly in half.
Akane and Akari screamed as they fell, but Ryoga had already moved under Akari, seeing that Ranma was angling down to catch the youngest Tendo before she hit the ground. He caught Akari with ease, and turned around to check on Akane. When he did, he almost dropped Akari. He set her on her feet and sprinted over, pushing past Akane to reach Ranma.
The redhead was on her back, her breathing almost entirely stopped. Ryoga pulled her head into his lap, clawing at the collar, frantically trying to rid his friend of the infernal device, but despite his strength, it wouldn't budge.
Ranma's hand atop his stopped him briefly, and the redhead opened her eyes. Ryoga almost smiled as they cleared, determination shining in them. "Got them down," Ranma wheezed. "Now you get them out."
"You're coming with us. No way am I leaving you here – Kasumi would have my head if I let anything happen to you." Ryoga resumed his futile struggle with the collar, stopping short of using the breaking point to shatter it. "I'll get this thing off of you," he muttered grimly, "and then we'll all go home and eat Kasumi's dinner, and you can get all lovey-dovey with her again, you hear me? Don't quit on me!"
The redhead's grip slackened slightly, and her eyes started to close. Panicking, Ryoga heaved at the collar with all his might. "I-I can't. I can't even dent it…" he whispered.
"Get them out, Ryoga." Ranma's words faded along with her strength. "I'll be fine. After all, 'no better man than one who gives his life for his friends,' right?" The redhead smiled at the quote, and Ryoga wiped at a lone tear angrily. The lost boy shook the small frame of the still girl. "Come on! You're Ranma, you're undefeated! You're invincible! You've got to live…you were my only friend…"
With a roar, the lost boy gathered his ki and thrust his anger and depression at the source of it all. With a small, almost inaudible crack, the crystal splintered into fragments, and Ryoga found himself falling into darkness.
V-------------------V
"Oy, Mr. P. Wake up. Nap time's over." Ryoga groggily opened his eyes at the familiar voice, and jumped up when he saw his rival and friend's face. "Ranma! You're alive! And Akane, and Akari-" he lunged at the pigtailed boy, only to have him sidestep. Once again, Ryoga landed on the ground nose-first. At any other time, this would have incensed the lost boy, but right now, he was simply too happy it had all been a bad dream.
"Sorry, Ryoga. Not into guys." Ranma grinned. "Anyway, now that you're back in the land of the living…"
"Lost boy tell all juicy details, yes?" Shampoo grinned, as well. "Shampoo hear lost boy talk about Akane and pig-farmer girlfriend. Maybe do too too pigsy things, yes?"
Ryoga did what he always did. He fainted.
"Last trial," Nodoka pronounced from where she crouched next to the last pillar, and Lotion exchanged a glance with eldest Saotome before she read the last inscription. "Honor."
With the one word, Nodoka flashed out of existence, leaving a wide-eyed Ranma to stare at the space his mother had occupied moments before.
V-------------------V
Saotome Nodoka was a very well-trained martial artist; she prided herself on her ability in battle and calm in combat. And, being a very traditional person, she was also well versed in the traditional rituals. And still, despite the fact that the scene was nothing new to her, and despite the fact that she had lived through what could only be described as a small war several years prior, the scene she found herself staring at made the woman want to retch.
Only the fact that she knew what was expected of her and the iron control she exuded over her body at that moment kept her standing upright, with her arms raised high above her head and the familiar weight of the Saotome honor blade in her hands. She blinked, staring down at the person kneeling below her clad in a white kimono and clutching a tanto as he recited the short haiko that the one performing the ceremony usually prepared.
Then, he looked up, and blue eyes met blue as she stared into eyes that held an almost infinite sadness, and Nodoka stifled a sob, knowing her duty. The worst thing was that they held no recriminination, no anger, only regret. She felt herself opening her mouth to speak. "Saotome Ranma, for the transgression against the family honor of the clan Kuonji, the clan Daikkoku, the clan Shura, the clan Hino, the clan Eboshi, the clan Mori, the clan Ise, the clan Harada, the clan Ishikawa, the clan Ienari, the clan Katsumata, the clan Nishio, the clan Takamura, and the clan Kogara, and for your inability to fulfill all the contracts pledged in your name, you have chosen to commit seppuku, to restore the honor of clan Saotome."
She watched, unable to cry, as her son nodded, slowly inching the blade towards his abdomen. She wanted to cry out, to stop him from this madness, but found that an overwhelming part of her mind seemed delighted – not only at the fact that the stain on her family's honor was finally gone, but also at the fact that she would no longer have to bear any responsibility for a son, and could once more live the way she wanted to. The small part of her mind that protested this situation found itself appalled at that line of thought.
Do I really want this? Nodoka asked herself as she watched Ranma stab the tanto towards him seemingly in slow motion. Is this what I really wanted? No! I accepted Ranma, curse and all, and I promised I would love him no matter what. This cannot be true – I would never ask this of him…would I? She watched impassively as the dagger pierced the skin, leaving a fine trickle of blood to run down the silver blade.
I love my son! I'd never ask this of him, not even for the sake of honor…I'd rather sacrifice myself than be his second! With a sickening rasp, the blade slid to the hilt into her son's body, and still his expression remained unchanged as he dragged it across his torso. Is this how he sees me? Is this how much he feared this would happen?
By now Nodoka was screaming at her body to deliver the mercy stroke, to end her son's suffering at his own hands, but her body wouldn't comply. I can't…I can't watch this…why can't I stop it? I can't move, I can't think. I –
Her thoughts were violently interrupted when the body slumped to the ground, and Ranma's blue eyes closed slowly. It was then that Nodoka realized she had not performed her duty as she should have. It was up to the second to decide when the person committing seppuku had suffered enough, and end their pain swiftly – and she had let him sit there, beneath her, to bleed to a painful death, the tanto in his hands, its blade and hilt drenched in his blood and his white haori stained a deep crimson.
Nodoka opened her mouth, but to her horror the only sound that emerged was laughter. No! she mentally screamed, this is not me! I wouldn't do this, wouldn't laugh at my son's death! This isn't me! A tiny voice in her mind nagged, though. Isn't it? Maybe this is not you, but maybe this is how he saw you when he was hiding from you. Did you ever give "Ranko" any other idea than that you were the nice, neighborhood, katana-wielding and honor-obsessed lady? You did let Genma have him for ten years.
With an unearthly shriek, Nodoka spasmed, tossing the sword aside and kneeling next to her son's corpse. It didn't register that she finally had control over her body again as she sat there and wept for a long time. The tears were still flowing when her hand found the tanto he had used to take his life, and she clutched it tightly against her. "I'll be with you soon, my son. Maybe this way I can atone for my own sins against you."
Do you really want to do this? She frowned despite her tears at the inner voice. He loved you. Would he want you to throw your life away? Would you serve him by doing this in any way? Her gaze wandered to the dagger in her hands as she knelt next to his corpse, and slowly raised the blade to her neck, ignoring the voice.
Are you that much of a coward, Saotome Nodoka, that you cannot live with the knowledge of what you have done? You speak of atonement, but how can you truly pay penance for your actions? "I'll pay with my death. The life I have taken will be paid for with my own life. I do not deserve to live anymore, not after driving my only son to this."
You are taking the easy way out, then. In death, there is no peace, there is no consolation. You are just trying to prevent yourself from feeling the grief and guilt. That is the real reason, isn't it? Nodoka paused, her resolve faltering for a moment. "There is nothing I can do. I cannot bring him back to life, and I can never make up for what I have taken from him. This is the only way to repay my own debt of honor."
You know that is not true. He needs to be remembered. And no one, not a single person, except Kasumi and you, knows how he truly lived. You can make sure he is remembered by those left behind. "I - " Tears dripped off her chin, splattering onto the blade and mixing with the blood there. "I – " The auburn-haired woman sobbed and threw the tanto aside, clutching at her son's body in a death grip as she cried in earnest once more.
V-------------------V
"Mom? Mom!" Someone was shaking her, a small part of her brain registered between the tears. "Mom, you all right? What's wrong, Mom?" Slowly, carefully, she opened her eyes and stared into a pair of sky blue eyes that shone with relief. She sobbed as she engulfed her son in a crushing hug and cried into his shoulder.