Disclaimer: Broken Hearts Combined is the work of RedPriest17. Who by the way is using characters and concepts that may or may not even belong to him, but it is for completely non-profit entertainment. Well we can't fault him and myself for that. So you can't him. Besides we're poor people. You won't get much out of us, unless you like to crush the hopes and dreams of young aspiring writers. You evil lawyers you
Characters affiliated to "Gold Digger" are trademarked to Fred Perry and Antarctic Press.
Character affiliated to "Ranma " are trademarked to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Communications.
Anyway, enjoy.
A Love We Shared
Chapter 3: Love Lost
(-)
Within the house of the village alchemist some time ago Voice: Thyme, heir to the Musk throne, I presume.
Thyme: H, How do you know me?
An elder woman wearing a green and red robe stepped out of the shadows.
Elder woman: You have an unusual aura. I know who you are through your brother.
Thyme: Ryuu Who are you?
Cologne: I am Cologne, matriarch of Joketsuzoku village. We aren't too thrilled to have a resident of the Musk Dynasty roaming around our lands. Your brother has put us in compromising position.
Thyme: I don't have anything to him being here. I can tell you he created that snowstorm Cologne: I believe you . But why is he after you?
Thyme: I don't have the time to explain. I need herbs and medicine, a friend mine is sick, please.
Cologne: You can either tell me what's going on or I'll let the Musk know you are here.
Thyme: I All right. I'm the oldest son of Musk. And because I'm the oldest, I should have been Emperor...
Thyme sighed.
Thyme: I was taking a scroll around the courtyard And I Decided to go out for some sight seeing. I returned during the night, and my brother accuses me of killing my father and I get arrested. Turns out, someone torched my father while he was asleep.
Cologne: Now everything makes sense. That's why your brother is after you. That snowstorm was really a spell wasn't it?
Thyme: It was effort to slow me down. A woman was caught up in the snowstorm and she's ill now.
Cologne: I see The elder woman walked towards Thyme. She handed him a large coin with an eagle on it.
Cologne: Go through the back window. Amazon guards are back there. Show them this crest and they'll let you pass.
Thyme: T, thanks.
The young prince disappeared in the back room. Out of the shadows behind Cologne, Lotion emerged, sword ready in her hand.
Lotion: Grandmother, why did you let him go?
Cologne: First, off he has a strong aura. It would take a hundred Amazon to take him down. I don't want to loose any good women trying to apprehend to him. I know lord Ryuu wouldn't mind that. Besides, I know good and well he won't keep his promise to us. His offer to become allies is lie.
Lotion wanted to reply, but didn't know what to say. She just stared at ground. A few moments passed and a knock could heard at the door. Two women clad in red oriental robes come walk in.
Cologne: Jan and Yin.
Jan: Sorry mistress Cologne. We spotted a man in the woods. When we stopped him to identify him, he held this She returned the coin to Cologne.
Yin: We were wondering if you were truly allowed him authorization to travel down the trail to Canton.
Cologne (Nods her head): Yes, I did Did you say Canton?
Cologne paused for a moment as Yin nodded in response. She remembered G'nolga was traveling down the road to Canton a day ago. And this man had mention a companion of his had gotten caught within the snowstorm and was ill. Could it be?
Jan: Is something wrong, mistress Cologne.
Cologne: No Nothing. It's nothing.
Sixteen years later within unknown forest in Japan, a black striped-bandanna boy gave sincere look at the oncoming boulder tied around with rope as he hung from the tree, bound by rope, his hand wrapped in cloth except for his fore-finger. A green aura surrounded him as the boulder came in a few yards of him. Cologne eyes widen as she felt his aura.
Cologne (Thinks): That aura. No, it couldn't be! The aura almost matches Thyme's and G'nolga's.
Soon, the forest was filled with the cry of, "Bakusei Tenketsu!"
Fifteen years ago, within the world of Jade in Seeker's Hamlet The harsh rays of the noon sun pierced Thyme's vision as he walked through the marketplace of this small town of Seeker's Hamlet. He no longer dressed in the rags he wore years back But now wearing a metal chest plate with a red scarf cladding his neck, blue pants, boots, and traveling pack on his back. He almost fitted in the medieval scenario of Jade. He held two boys with white bandannas on their heads in each hand. The boy walking to his right was a lot older and had a mop of hair black hair. The young man wore a tan mail with red pants and boots. To Thyme's left, a younger boy with brunette hair wearing an all blue oriental robe and slippers.
Behind him walked G'nolga wearing a green oriental dress. Instead of wielding her usual double-stick morning star, she now held a wooden staff, with seams in the middle near the end of right and left end of the staff. Holding her left hand was a boy with a mane of black hair being held up by a yellow bandanna. Out of the three boys, the yellow bandanna boy resembled Thyme the most. The five of them had been staying in Jade for the past couple of month, living on the outskirts of Seeker's Hamlet, avoiding contact of others until now. The young boy couldn't take their eyes off the different race and people of Jade, towering about. Eventually, they find themselves at the base of a house. They all take the stairs up to the entrance. Within the tree, was an old, bald, long white-bearded Asian man wearing a red hooded cape sat on a green rug, smoking a pipe. Not much was in the room except for a dresser to his left and desk to the end of the room.
Oldest Son: Dad, I thought you said he had toys to play with.
Thyme: That's what I thought. Your mother said he did.
G'nolga rolled her eyes.
G'nolga: Uh... Honey, I said that to convince our children to come with us.
Thyme (Blinks): Oh.
The elder man glanced up at couple Agath: Long no see, G'nolga. I see you are babysitting And is that you boyfriend?
A sweat-drop appeared at the top of her brow.
G'nolga: This is my husband Thyme and these are my children.
Agath fell forward. G'nolga smirked and had to suppress a giggle.
Agath (Gets off from the floor): Your husband and your children, you say?
G'nolga: My oldest son, Ryuu is five. He was named after his father's brother.
Thyme: It was a promise I made to my brother when we kids. Even though we are on bad terms, I still fulfilled my promise. The middle child in my arms is Ryoga, he's 4 and the youngest is Shinnosuke is six month behind him.
Agath: Ah, in record time, too. Six month is all it takes for a dwarf to have child.
Thyme: So you must be, Agath.
He shook the old man's hand. With his right hand, he held the former Musk prince's hand. For a moment he made a few goofy faces before frowning then opened his eyes.
Agath (Smiles): Ah, you're very strong. Are you martial artist?
Thyme: Y, yes Ryuu: Yeah, my dad's stronger than my mom, but she can still kick his butt though!
G'nolga slightly slapped him on the back of his head. Ryuu reacted by covering his head with hands.
G'nolga: I'll be right back.
She took a hold of Ryuu and Shinnosuke, and the three of them along with Ryoga headed outside the hut.
Agath: Thought so, but you're strength isn't the result of your martial training. You're aura is very familiar. I believe I've run across it somewhere... Might you be a member of the Musk Dynasty?
Thyme (Shocked) : I was the prince, as a matter of fact. How do you know all of this?
Agath (Strokes his beard): I've lived for a long time and been to a lot of places in my life. If you're the prince of the Musk family, you the one of the Dragon lineage, I've been hearing about.
Thyme: No, I'm of the Lion lineage.
Agath's eyes popped open.
Agath: That why's why you're so strong, both in strength and in ki?
Thyme: Huh?
Agath (Laughs): HahahahaHAAAAAA! You don't know anything about your background, do you?
Thyme: Of course, our family goes all the way back from the Bei Dynasty. My ancestor is Guan Yu.
Agath (Rolls his eyes): I'm not talking about HIM! I'm talking about your Lion's blood. You're aura matches that of Leo the lion.
G'nolga stepped forward, putting a hand on his shoulder.
G'nolga: Thyme, honey, Agath is thousands of years old. He's responsible for helping a lot of historical heroes who are thought to be myths on Earth.
Agath: That's right. I helped Hercules and Achilles become invincible warriors. Which reminds me, G'nolga, do you want to help you gain an edge over Julia for the next Tournament of Arms?
G'nolga (Shakes her head): No thank you. I would rather not be cursed with the "Mark of the Battling God." (Mutters). Besides, it looks incredibly stupid Agath (Huffs): Fine, have it your way. Just don't come crying to me when you get your butt kicked again.
G'nolga snarled at the old man. Thyme laughed.
Thyme: What's this Mark of the Battling God?
Agath: It's a mark, or should I say a curse, which allows a person to be invincible fighter. No one can touch you with this mark.
G'nolga: Yeah, but you have to wear that silly mark until the mark becomes distorted.
Agath: Achilles was invincible until he smudged his mark on his Achilles' heel. Hercules, the son of Zeus also bore my mark too. He was the one who slew your ancestor. But he was poisoned. Unfortunately, my mark doesn't protect a person from everything.
Agath sighed. G'nolga took a hold of Thyme hand as he led him to the doorway.
G'nolga: I think we better go now.
Agath: Where are you going?
G'nolga: To an inn so we can rest.
Agath: Before you go, let me talk to your husband. There is something I have to talk to him about.
G'nolga: But he doesn't know his way around this place. Who is going to prevent from getting lost?
Agath: Don't worry I'll bring him to the inn later on. Go on, now and let me speak with your husband.
G'nolga walked outside wield a cocky smile as bobbed her hips seductively at her husband. She walked up to him, putting her hands on his waist as she jump up to lightly kiss him on his lips. Thyme held her within his arm and cradle.
G'nolga (Smirks): It seems the old man has something important to tell you. I'll take the kids to the inn. Agath will bring you back there.
Thyme returned the seductive smile she was giving him.
Thyme: You think when I get back we can He winked at her, cause her to blush and giggle. She pushed him towards the door.
G'nolga: We'll see. Take care.
Thyme watched G'nolga and his children off as they made it down and disappeared into the marketplace. He turned around and walked back into the room.
Thyme: Is there something you have to tell me?
Agath (Depressed): Sit down son. There is something I have to tell you.
He took a puff his pipe before and blew the smoke above his head from out his mouth. The mingling threads of gray-colored smoke formed into a dragon's head.
Agath: Have you heard the story of the dragon and the tiger?
Thyme: No Agath: The dragon as you know is a defensive fighter, noble and intelligent and tiger is very aggressive, strong and full-headed. Both the tiger and dragon are eternal rivals. It was said many thousands of years ago, they fought, only to come to a stalemate.
Thyme: I see, but what does have to-
He bopped him over the head with his metal staff.
Agath: I'll get to you in a minute. Let me finish this story So as they fought, their blood was spilt and mingled. The fusion of their blood created a whole different being called the lion. The lion had both the features and strength of it parents. The lion had strength and intelligence; it was defensive and aggressive, noble and full-headed. It wasn't as strong as the tiger nor as intelligent as the dragon, but the blend of its attributes made it balanced. Unfortunately, its make-up made it unbalanced, causing the lion to be torn in his objectives. He was confused Just like you're confused when deciding a new direction.
Thyme: What? How did you Agath (Smirks): I know everything about you. The Musk, how you accidentally left the Musk castle and was later accused of being your father's murderer. I found out everything about you when I shook your hand. Here's something you didn't know. Dwarves can't have children easily with any normal human. Fortunately, with your lineage, you are more than just human blood within you. Which brings me to my point: about the lion, Leo and you. Your heritage has made you incredible warrior; unfortunately, not every warrior is invincible. The lion's weakness was not its nature, but his aggressive enemy the tiger.
Thyme began to think about his brother's tenant Salt.
Agath: The dragon and the lion never really clashed since both creatures were always noble towards each other. But the tiger is your eternal rival as it is to the dragon and the only one who can beat you while you will always come to a stalemate with the dragon or not even cross paths at all. Then there is the legendary beast Leo, who Hercules killed. Leo could not be harmed by any normal man or creature, only a divine being or weapon could kill it.
Thyme: So I can only be beaten in true combat as long as I'm not going up against the "tiger" or someone of divinity.
Agath: You won't always lose to the tiger it's just he's the only one who can beat you if the balance of power is shifted. Otherwise, the tiger is exactly like the dragon in terms of power. But ultimately, you can only be defeated by one of divine blood, which brings me to you. I've seen your future, Thyme Thyme frowned as he noticed the old man's voice becoming sincere as he spoke the last few words.
Agath (Depressed): After you leave Jade, your path WILL cross with the dragon Thyme didn't have to guess what that meant. He already took in account at whom he was referring too.
Agath: And I'm afraid you won't survive the meeting. You can avoid this, but the Musk Dynasty will be divided and crumble, killing many people in the process.
Thyme (Shocked): What about my wife G'nolga and my children?
Agath: If you choose to run away, G'nolga won't return to her children and your children will be caught in your family's violent bloodshed for power, which they too will not survive.
Thyme swallowed hard. Agath took another puff of his pipe.
Agath: Anyway, how the future turns out is up to you. Well, what do you know it's getting late? I better take you to your wife before she worries herself to death.
Later that within the inn, G'nolga stood near the doorway, her backpack on her back. A few feet from him stood her three children. Her middle child, Ryoga, eyes began to water as his mother placed her final item within the bag. He ran up to her, wrapped his arms around her waist and began sobbing into her shoulder.
Ryoga: Mommy don't leave Shinnosuke: Please don't go.
Ryuu turned his head away in an effort to not look her mother directly in her eyes. She gave a weak smile as a guilty-lump began to throb within her throat.
G'nolga: I'll only be gone a little while I should return by next year If I don't then I'll find you.
Ryuu and Shinnosuke ran up beside her and hugged her tightly too. Their grips were indeed strong, enough to pin her arms to her sides. She knew when they get older they be twice as strong their father and probably twice as skilled her, as if they continue to train under their father. There was no doubt she was good, but her husband showed signs that he could be better. She had taught him every form of martial artist she knew and including a martial technique passed among the Dwarf race; a move, which could turn simple, objects into a deadly capable of tear up other objects as hard as solid stone. But now he had perfected the move to the point he dish the same effect by merely throwing an object.
She couldn't allow him to surpass him. It meant too much to her pride. First, Julia and now her husband were becoming better than in martial arts. She couldn't bare humiliation any longer. She loved her husband and her children, but she cannot or will not give up her joy. Suddenly, she heard the door open and close behind her. The three of them release their grip as their mother turn and ran into her husband's arms. He leaned down and kissed her on the head.
G'nolga (Whispers): I love you Thyme (Whispers): Will you return Their children giggled at them. G'nolga brushed back the bang of hair from his face.
G'nolga (Whispers): I will I promise you.
He smiled before kissing her passionately.
Thyme: Anyhow Think we can get a quickie in before you go?
End Part 3
Author's Notes:
Hey, just wanted to explain one thing. If you cannot tell, Agath IS the man from Ranma , whom gave Ryoga the Mark of the Battling God. The only thing was, his name was not given in the manga, so some liberty had to be taken.
Hope you enjoyed.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off!/pre