Broken Hearts Combined
(-)
I do not own Gold Digger and its associated characters. They belong to that marvelous fellow Fred Perry. I do not own Ranma ½ and its associated characters. They belong to the wonderful lady Rumiko Takahashi. This production is strictly for entertainment, and I am not making any money off of the writings. I am just a poor student, so please… Don't sue me… Please?
(-)
Broken Hearts Combined Chapter 15: The Edge Guard Deserve a Vacation…
Ranma (Thinks): Great… What did I do now? And why doe's my opponent have to be a werecat of all things!?
It's been a good five minutes since Ranma and Gar have been battling it out in the streets/bridges of the Retreat, which is right above Seer's Hamlet. Ranma hasn't made an attack yet. All he's been doing is dodging every move the werejaguar Gar throws at him for two reasons. One is because, while Ranma is now used to being around cats and such, he still gets a slight fear in the back of his mind whenever he's up against an angry cat… And right now, his opponent is as angry as they come… And the other, (which is what Ranma will say is the only reason he's holding back) is so he can study his style and look for an opening.
However, Ranma notices something interesting about how Gar fights…
Ranma (Thinks): Wait a minute… This guy seems to have the underlying of Anything Goes to his style… I wonder, WHOOPS!
Ranma doesn't get to think much more as he has to suddenly duck under a quick roundhouse-kick that Gar just threw. Ranma thinks maybe he should try blocking one of the attacks, so he can gauge his opponent's strength… However, when Ranma jumps back to avoid a downward punch from Gar, he decides that it's a bad idea… The werejaguar's fist goes through the bridge they were on, and pieces of stone and wood start to fall. Ranma whistles as he watches the rubble fall to the area below.
Ranma: Wow… That's what I call strength.
Gar: Thanks… Well, I hope you go down quickly… I don't want to cause you too much pain…
With that warning, Gar attacks Ranma again. Ranma keeps avoiding all of Gar's punches and kicks. Both are impressed by the speed the other displays. Ranma's impressed with the speed and succession rate, with which Gar can throw a punch or kick, and retract the limb to do another one. Gar is impressed that a human is fast enough to avoid his attacks.
However, Ranma can't keep this up forever… He's still only human… Worse yet, Gar CAN keep it up… Being a werebeast means a lot of stamina and endurance… Now Gar's attacks are hitting Ranma true. Ranma gets smashed right in the face, and goes flying high; landing on and going through the roof of one of the disc-shaped buildings. After a minute, Ranma walks out the front doors of the building, sporting a few bruises…
Ranma: Okay… Now it's for real…
With that Ranma starts running as fast as he can towards Gar. Ranma notices one thing about Gar's style of Anything Goes and smiles… He has the same weakness Ranma himself had…
Ranma, as he runs, makes a motion of a punch to Gar's face. Naturally, Gar goes to block, but Ranma then almost drops to the ground, and does his own sweep kick. Gar falls forward and Ranma swings his fist upwards, smashing Gar in the face, and reversing Gar's momentum, and making Garn now falls backwards instead of forwards. However, Gar falls into a roll, and moves away from Ranma, making some distance between the two of them. Gar wipes some of the blood from his mouth. He smiles… Only one person has ever used that move on him before…
Gar: Well… Looks like you trained under Julia Brigand as well, eh?
Ranma: Yes. Now, who are you!?
Gar: I am Gar!
Ranma (Stares): … Okay… Now, why did you attack me? Are you a friend of that troll I brought with me?
Gar: Don't act so naïve! You know my reasons!
Ranma (Blinks): … Actually… I don't…
Gar face-faults.
Britanny and Nali have been watching this all the while, shocked at what's going on. This reminds Britanny a lot of the day that Gar fought with Stripe, a bit before Stripe proposed to her. Britanny shakes her head to forget the memory. She starts screaming at the two.
Britanny: DAMN IT YOU TWO! STOP FIGHTING!
Ranma: Sorry Britchan… He started this… I aim to finish it…
Gar (Gets up): Funny… I could say the same thing…
With that, Gar gets up fully. He smiles. His excitement now up to the level. He's hasn't fought anyone better than him in a long while… He plans to have some fun with this… He begins to glow with a yellow aura…
Ranma smiles back. He's confident enough that he can beat this werecat. After getting into the battle, his fear of the werecat has receded. Nothing's going to stop him now. He begins to glow a light blue aura…
Now both fighters gather their ki to their sides. Gar's yellow ki of excitement glowing brighter than the sun, and Ranma's blue ki of confidence, shimmering like a ball of water with the sun shining through it… They both release their attacks…
Ranma: MOUKO TAKABISHA!
Gar: KINKAJAGA SUISEI!
And so the ki attacks Rolling Tiger Ball and Golden Jaguar Comet go roaring though the air. When they collide, there is a huge explosion of light, with such a repercussion, that anything not securely fastened, foes flying away from the explosion! That includes Ranma and Gar, who then slam into trees at opposite sides of the Retreat.
Ranma & Gar: … Ow…
Britanny (Still clinging to the doorway of Nali's home): IDIOTS!
Ranma and Gar free themselves from the indentations they made in the tree. They then start running along the bridges that are still there, so they can get to each other to fight some more.
(-)
Meanwhile, the building with the Edge Guard shakes, as light pours into the windows. Onoli looks up from his book. He places a book mark in it to keep his place, closes is, and places it on his desk. He then uses his magic and summons his twin katanas Seraphim.
Onoli (Rubs his temples): Why do I get a really bad feeling about this?
(-)
Thropan, who FINALLY fixed his guitar…
Thropan: … Maybe I'll ignore that explosion…
And, as he said he would, Thropan ignores what's going on…
(-)
Tirga smiles. For the past two months, he has been trying to 'woo' Sheila. And now, he is read to make the final move. He has all sorts of poems, chocolates, flowers, perfumes, and a bottle of champagne with two glasses placed around his room. Now all he has to do is get Sheila in here…
Tirga (Smiles): If this doesn't get her into the sack, nothing will!
Tirga then goes outside his room to see Sheila looking outside one of the windows.
Tirga: Hey Sheila!
Sheila (Turns around, looks at Gar): I think we're needed.
Tirga: So? What's the definition of 'need'? I know what I 'need' though. Sheila, please follow me. I have a surprise for you…
Sheila (Folds her arms across her chest): Why do I not trust you? Oh wait I know… Maybe because when something has to do with you and your room, you're usually bringing some poor girl there so you can have your way with them…
Tirga (Waves his arms): No, no, NO! You got me all wrong Sheila! Look, just follow me to my room. I have a 'special' surprise there for you. (Winks).
Sheila: That's what I'm afraid of…
Tirga, not taking no for an answer, begins pushing Sheila towards his room. Tirga then opens the door and allows Sheila to look around to see all the stuff.
Sheila (Wide-eyed): … Wow… This is a lot of stuff… What's this all for? You planning on holding an orgy or something?
Tirga (Wide-eyed): WHO TOLD YOU… Er… I mean… (Calms down, goes into his 'smooth' voice). What I mean to say Sheila my dear is that all this is for you, and you alone. For it is only you that I love you with all my heart.
Sheila stares at Tirga, her eyes brimming with tears of joy.
Sheila: You, you mean that?
Tirga: Of course I do!
Sheila: OH TIRGA!
Sheila hugs Tirga, and he hugs her back. Tirga does a mental smirk.
Tirga (Thinks): Scored another one for the weretiger! YEAH!
Tirga then starts to lead Sheila over to his bed…
(-)
Onoli is in battle gear. He has been waiting in the lobby for five minutes now. Surely, they would go to action, at the call of something like an explosion… Right? After all, it is their sworn duty to keep the peace… Right?
Onoli decides that maybe they need a bit of incentive…
Onoli (Screams): GAR, SHEILA, THROPAN, TIRGA! GET YOUR HIDES DOWN HERE! WE'RE NEEDED!
(-)
Thropan hears his leader yelling at the top of his lungs, and stops playing.
Thropan: … Sigh… Guess we're needed again…
Thropan then goes over to his bed and puts down his guitar on it. He then uses his magic to summon his weapon Earth Flail.
(-)
Tirga blinks in the midst of taking off his leather pants.
Tirga: Aw hell…
Sheila: Well Tirga… Looks like Onoli is calling.
Tirga: So? He can wait! We got better things to do! Like 'explore' parts of our newfound relationship!
Sheila (Shakes her head): We can do that later Tirga. Now put your shirt back on and let's get going.
Tirga: … F************CK!
(-)
Onoli blinks. He would swear he just heard the loudest explicative ever…
A minute later, Thropan, Sheila, and Tirga, who is trying to stuff his shirt into his pants.
Thropan: What is it Onoli?
Sheila: Yeah! Does this have to do with the explosion?
Tirga (Tries to wrestle with his shirt, which is caught in his pants' fly): This had better be important sir, to disrupt my important 'meeting'.
Onoli and Thropan sweat-drop and Sheila blushes as Tirga continues to wrestle with his clothing. Wanting to change the subject slightly, Onoli decides to find out where Gar is.
Onoli: Does anyone know where Gar is?
Thropan: No sir.
Sheila: Some weirdo of a Hawaiian in a Mystic's mask came by and told Gar, Tirga, and I that Britanny Diggers was at the Healer's Clinic, and… (Eyes widen). Oh hell… GAR!
Onoli: What's wrong!?
Sheila: I have this sudden feeling that that explosion was Gar…
Tirga (Finally fixes his clothing): What makes you so sure?
Sheila: Remember what happened the last time Gar saw Britanny and her fiancé Stripe?
Tirga, Thropan, and Onoli blink. They remember hearing about the fight. They all start running towards the Healer's Clinic.
(-)
Britanny and Nali are at the moment screaming at Ranma and Gar to stop, but they won't listen.
Britanny: DAMN IT YOU TWO! STOP THIS AT ONCE!
Nali: PLEASE! YOU TWO ARE GOING TO DESTROY THE CITY IF YOU DON'T STOP RIGHT NOW!
Ranma and Gar continue to drown out their pleas, as they study each other. They are now worse for wear. Both of them are covered in many bruises and cuts, and their clothes are a bit in tatters. Ranma's gi top is a bit okay though. Not wanting it to get destroyed, he took it off and threw it at Britanny to hold onto while he taught Gar a 'lesson' that he won't forget any time soon.
Ranma and Gar start running at each other again. They are more than prepared to fight all the way through the rest of the day… Soon though, the rest of the Edge Guard find Gar fighting Ranma and stop them. And a voice pierces through the air…
Sheila: DAMMIT GARFIELD! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?
Ranma and Gar stop and turn their heads towards the new voice. They see Sheila and the other members of the Edge Guard standing there. Onoli, Thropan, and Tirga are breathing a bit heavily, from trying to keep up with Sheila. Sheila meanwhile, has her arms folded across her chest, taps her foot, and a pout on her face as she wait for Gar and the guy to stop fighting. She makes an assessment of what's going on.
Sheila (Thinks): Damn it Gar! I can't believe you'd do this! … Actually, I can… Damn it, I am gonna give you such a kapowie! Hmm… At least the human Gar is fighting seems okay… He's pretty cute too… (Blushes). WHAT AM I THINKING!? Hey… Why is that guy shaking?
Gar stands there and mutters a bit. He's in trouble now. He then notices that Ranma seems to be trembling a bit.
Gar (Thinks): What's with him?
Unfortunately for Ranma… He may have gotten over the fear of cats, but he is still awfully uncomfortable around too many cats… And with the Edge Guard there, Ranma has now has six werecats around him. One he was just fighting, the other one is his friend, and the other four seem to know the one he was just fighting, and they are all carrying weapons…
Ranma doesn't like it one bit. Ranma then lets a bit of instinct run it's course.
Ranma (Wide-eyed): C, c, c,
CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTS!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
With that Ranma goes running past Nali and Britanny, and into the clinic. Nali, Gar, Sheila, Onoli, Tirga, and Thropan sweat-drop as Britanny shakes her head in disbelief.
Sheila (Blinks): Did I miss something?
Gar: … He ran… Why did he run?
Onoli: And why was he screaming "cats"?
Nali (Looks at Britanny): Britanny… Do you know why he did that?
Britanny: Sigh… Long story… Maybe after I calm him down, I can get him to explain his actions.
The members of the Edge Guard decide that it would be best to find out what happened. So the Edge Guard goes in to talk with Ranma, and both sides learn about each other.
(-)
Britanny told them it could take her awhile to calm Ranma down. So Britanny tells the Edge Guard to put away their weapons and keep calm, while Nali should try to help Brod. They do that while she tries to coax Ranma from out of the closet.
Britanny: They aren't here to hurt you Ranchan.
Ranma (In closet): LIKE HECK THEY AREN'T! THAT WERECAT ATTACKED ME! AND THERE ARE MORE WITH WEAPONS! I'M NOT STUPID!
Britanny: Relax Ranchan. I got them to put their weapons away. Besides, they're all good people. It's just that Gar was a bit on 'edge' at the moment you walked in.
Ranma (In closet): … Are you sure I can trust them? They're still cats!
Britanny: Well Ranchan, I'm a werecat, and you trust me. Right?
Ranma (In closet): … Yes…
Britanny: And you know I wouldn't lie to you. Right?
Ranma (In closet): … You never told me you were a werecheetah when I first met you…
Britanny: … That wasn't lying. I never denied it, did I? Besides, you didn't ask if I was a werecheetah or not.
Ranma (In closet): Well… Um… I didn't… But I didn't know werecheetahs existed!
Britanny: Sigh… Ranma… Just get out of the closet already. These werecats are the Edge Guard that I was telling you about. They wouldn't attack you without reason.
Ranma (In closet): Gar did!
Britanny: Grr… Fine… Looks like I'll have to do this the old fashioned way. I just hope Nali won't mind…
With that, Britanny breaks through the closet door, picks up Ranma, and brings him to the living room, to talk with the Edge Guard.
Ranma (Lifted by Britanny): I NO WANNA GO!
Britanny: TOO BAD!
(-)
And so, Britanny finally gets Ranma to calm down. As Nali is still helping Brod, Britanny has the members of the Edge Guard explain themselves to Ranma.
Gar talks about his younger days as an odd-jobs man, basically, doing whatever he could for money. And then how he met Julia Brigand when she hired him to be her guide for her trip through the Black Mior Swamps. He goes a bit into detail about how Julia decided after a certain 'incident' that she took him on as her student. (What he doesn't tell them is that Julia took him on as her student because she thought he would be a good boyfriend for Britanny). And later on, how his skills eventually caught the eye of Gaja when he heard about Gar and his sister from Nali. Gaja thought that Gar would be a perfect addition for the new Edge Guard he was creating. Gar then explains that Gaja gave him the magical weapon. The 'Thunder Edge', a lance with the powers of lightning
Sheila talks about her younger days with Gar. When their parents died, and Gar was basically doing everything he could to supports them both. She talks about how she is thankful that Nali was there to help her and her brother out in hard times She also talks about all the shit she went through for being 'different'. (She's referring to the birth defect). However, being 'different' caught the eye of Gaja… He thought she would be perfect for stealth and such, with such a smaller frame. After training her, he gave her a magical weapon as well. The "Ice Fang', a scimitar with the powers of ice.
Onoli explains about how he was an orphan that grew up with the priests in the temple of Apollo, the god of light and truth. He was basically on the road to being a clergyman until the founder of the werecat Edge Guard, Gaja found him. Gaja took Onoli from the temple and trained him to be the leader figure for the Edge Guard, and an upholder of all that is good. Gaja has been training him to use the jewel known as the 'Jasper of Leadership' as well as giving him a set magical weapons, twin katanas with the power of light. 'Seraphim'.
Thropan explains how he grew up with the gypsies. His mother and father were gypsies, and his father was also a werepanther. Thropan admits that he was also trained to be a bit of a pickpocket. He talks about how it must have been fate that led him to try to steal from Gaja… Who grabbed Thropan's hand as he tried to steal his purse. Gaja thought it would be good to have a bit of 'variety' to the new Edge Guard group he was creating, so he took Thropan on as another member. After Gaja trained him, he gave him a magical weapon with the power of stone. The bladed nun-chucks called 'Earth Flail'.
Tirga explains in his younger days he was a bit of a 'player'. He met up with Gaja when he was going through the building of the Conclave of Mages, looking for hot women to hit on. Let's just say Gaja thought he would be good 'cannon fodder'. After a bit of training, he was given the magical weapon 'Fire Claw'. A chained-mace with the element of fire.
Once Nali is done tending to Brod, she goes over to listen. Now it's Ranma and Britanny's turn to speak…
Britanny doesn't talk about her past much since the others already know about her.
Ranma takes up a bit of time telling his tale. Hitting upon everything he considers important for them to understand. Like the whole ten-year trip with his father, the seppuku pledge, the Neko-Ken training, the 'fiancées' Genma got him along the way, the stupid Jusenkyo trip, the Chinese Amazons, the engagement to Akane Tendo, the whole onslaught of 'rivals' and other 'fiancées' soon after, all the Jusenkyo cursed people, all the times Akane was kidnapped by various people, all the failed 'cures' for his curse, the three hundred year old masters, fighting animal people from the Musk Dynasty, going only slightly into detail about the Umi Seiken and Yama Seiken scrolls and how the 'Noisy Thief' Ryu Kumon was after them, the two lost 'Tendo' girls Natsumi and Kurumi, more fights, Prince Herb, Prince, Tomah, and finally, stating the details of his like all the way to Phoenix Mountain, where he fought the Phoenix people, the warrior Kima, and their God, Saffron, eventually killing him.
He even has Britanny get him some cold and hot water, to show them his curse. Let's just say, this turned a few heads…
Gar (Stares): … Woah…
Onoli (Stares): … Oh my…
Sheila (Stares): … Wow…
Thropan (Stares): … Neat trick…
Tirga (Stares): … Lucky bastard… He has his own set to play with!
Ranma-chan punches Tirga in the face. She then pours hot water on herself, turning back to his male form.
Britanny and Ranma then talk about how they've been doing since their respective failed weddings. How they met up with each other over a decade ago, how the re-met, and what they've been doing together since then. (Like the training with Leep, and Ranma becoming Julia's student).
The emotions and thoughts from the Edge Guard are varied.
Gar is surprised and slightly impressed that Ranma is also a student of Julia. (After all, he is Julia's first student. However, she taught him only a bit so he could have confidence in himself, and impress her daughter Britanny). After hearing what each other had to say and coming to an understanding somewhat.
Gar: I promise that I won't attack Ranma anymore… HOWEVER… I'm still going to pursue Britanny…
Everyone groans…
Sheila: Gar you idiot!
Onoli is highly impressed by Ranma. He could tell that there was no point in Ranma's story where he was out-right lying, or even exaggerating a bit… His senses would have told him. But the story Ranma told him is so incredible… Onoli also makes a silent vow that if he ever finds this Genma Saotome or Happosai that he will lock them up and throw away the key… Onoli also makes a general realization after this, with the curses, and all the magical items and techniques…
Onoli: I guess the Earth Realm has quite a bit of magic left to it… More so than we originally thought…
Thropan considers making Ranma's story into a sonnet, or an epic…
Tirga thinks about how Ranma must be the luckiest bastard alive! He has women throwing himself at him, he can turn into a girl, and he had those 'love potion pills' from that bracelet of the Chinese Amazons at one point.
Tirga: Hey Ranma… Think you could get me those love pills if there are any left?
Ranma punches Tirga in the face, as Sheila punches Tirga in the back of the head.
As for Sheila, her heart seems to go out to Ranma. She can't believe his father did all this to him. (When they saw the curse, it was a bit easier to believe). And she is really impressed with the fact that Ranma had killed a Phoenix 'God' in the Earth Realm. She also takes notice that Ranma has all the certain traits she likes. He's cute, he's skilled, he seems quite and shy, he tries to be a gentleman, and he's got a decent personality.
Sheila (Thinks): Mental Note: If Britanny doesn't take him, I sure will! … Where did THAT come from? I got Tirga now… Right?
And so, after dealing with introductions, and other things, everything is a bit cleared up for all of them. However, there is still a matter of the destruction that Gar and Ranma caused…
Onoli thinks about it for a bit, then comes to a de0cision…
Onoli: Well Ranma… We can't really hold this against you… (Glares at Gar). However, after seeing the destruction you two caused, we can't allow you to do training within city limits, unless you are using our training area. Otherwise, you'll have to go outside city-limits.
Ranma (Considers this for a moment): Sure. I'll practice there. Can Britchan and I use it now?
Onoli: Sure. I don't see why not.
Sheila (Thinks, smiles): YES!
Ranma: Hey Britchan, up for a bit of sparring?
Britanny: You bet! I haven't had a bit of exercise in awhile…
Sheila: Hey, if you want, I could help you both train. I mean, you may need to know how to use a weapon around here.
Ranma thinks for a moment. He then accepts her offer.
Ranma and Britanny then give Nali their good-byes saying they'll see her later. They then take off to go to the Edge Guard's training area to do a bit of practicing. Nali decides to check on Brod again.
(-)
After awhile, there are now people outside doing repairs to their homes, and places of work. They can't believe only two people fighting caused so much damage… But at least they have a bit of peace now, since the worst is over…
WRONG!
Some of the people working outside soon turn their heads as they feel a power coming towards them. They see a lone figure walking on one of the bridges… It is a woman with dark skin, black leather cloak with a gold clasp, which allows only her reddish brown eyes, strands of black hair, and her black leather boots to be seen… When they see the aquamarine gemstone with the kanji of 'ten', or 'invincible' on the clasp, they all know whom the stranger is, and run for inside the nearest building…
It is Karia…
Karia (Looks around): Hmm… There's still a trail of energy around here… Whatever it was that kicked Brod's ass isn't so close by now… Wait… Hmm… The trail leads to Nali's clinic… Perhaps I should… Pay her a visit…
And so Karia walks off to Nali's clinic.
(-)
Nali is now cleaning up her office; it's been quite a day. She's seen old friends, and got to meet a new one, as well as swap stories. Soon thought, there is a knocking at her door. A visitor to the Healer's Clinic…
Nali: My, oh my… I have seen more people come into my place today than the past three months combined.
Nali walks over to the door and opens it.
Nali: Hello. Welcome to the Healer's clinic… How may I… (Eyes widen). Karia!
Karia (Waves): Hey! I thought I'd stop by. I heard about the commotion with Brod, and came by to see if the 'dumb' troll is still alive.
Nali: He is.
Karia (Smiles): Good… I'll see how he's doing.
And so, once Karia finds Brod, she just tears into him, saying stuff like how Brod was probably got overconfident again and got his ass kicked…
Karia: Hey dumb troll!
Brod: Grrf muff trff…
Karia: Huh?
Nali: Sorry Karia. Brod can't speak at the moment. His jaw was broken in five places and I had to wire it shut so it would stay together and heal properly, while I use some healing spells on it.
Karia: … Nice… But seriously… (Turns to Brod). Brod, you should have stayed a scholar. I really have no idea how you even got to be a Weaponsmaster with your weak skills…
Brod would retaliate, but he's in too much pain at the moment. All Brod does is grumble some more.
Nali: Oh Karia! Before I forget, I want to tell you that there is someone that wants to see you.
Karia (Raises an eyebrow): Oh? If I may ask, who is that?
Nali: He's Ranma, the boy who defeated Brod.
Karia becomes curious, and allows Nali to lead her to the 'boy'.
Soon, they make it to the Edge Guard's building.
Karia: He's in here?
Nali: Yes. They thought it would be a good idea for him to train here, as to not cause further damage to the area.
Karia: Nice
Karia takes her cloak off and puts it on a hanger in the main waiting room/entrance hall of the Edge Guard building. After walking around a bit they find them in the training area. At the moment, Ranma and Sheila sparring with their respective blades while Britanny watching from the side. Sheila with her Ice Fang and Ranma with his titanium katana. Ranma is not yet the best with his sword wielding skills, but his own ingrained martial arts skills help him use the blade quite effectively; allowing him 'decent' skill with his swordplay. Karia is quite impressed by the boy's skill. He's sparring against one of the Edge Guard and holding his own. She can tell by his movements that he is NOT a weapons user by heart, but… With a bit of time and practice… Karia then makes a startling discovery…
Karia (To Nali): That boy practices Anything Goes, doesn't he?\
Nali: Correct.
Karia: How does he know it?
Nali: From what I can know, he' been learning it since he was very young, and he's trained under both Master Leep, and Julia Brigand. And besides defeating Brod, he's also beaten Leep.
Karia's eyes widen in fascination. The boy is indeed no mere mortal. Karia decides to ask the boy what he wants, and she does it with a bit of an entrance.
Karia holds out her hands and gathers her magical energies. She casts an illusion spell of a large tuna fish.
Karia: Hey! Time for a fish fry!
Naturally Britanny and Sheila stop what they're doing to turn around. They see the biggest tuna fish they've ever seen…
Sheila: Oh my Gods… It's, it's…
Britanny (Tears of joy brimming her eyes): IT'S BEAUTIFUL!
Naturally, the two werecats pounce at the illusion only to find it is not real as it disappears as soon as they land on it.
Britanny (Angry): HEY!
Sheila: Where'd the fishy go?
Karia: Heh… Amateurs…
They then all turn to see the speaker. It is a woman with dark skin, black leather skin-tight outfit, black leather boots, pointed ears, reddish brown eyes, and black hair that flows wildly into a pony-tail standing beside Nali. The woman speaks to Ranma.
Karia (Arms folded across chest): Well, well… It's no wonder you took out Brod so easily. The dumb troll is nowhere near your speed. I suggest you train a bit more before facing me though… Or, put simply… You're going to go down, and you're going to go down hard.
Ranma: Just who are you?
Karia (Does a slight bow): I am Karia, the Dark Elven War Mage, one of the ten Weaponsmasters of Jade. I can see from the way you were sparring with the jagwere just now that you study Anything Goes like I do. I could see it in your grace movements and such… Well, if my old acquaintance Julia can will herself to take the time to teach you, then I can take the time to face you in honorable combat.
Ranma studies Karia with a critical eye as she studies him back. One dominant thought goes through both their heads.
Karia & Ranma (Think): Damn… Such an aura… This person could be a real challenge… And that's just the way I like it…
With that, Karia takes her leave
Karia: Sorry I cannot stay longer, but have some 'errands' to attend to. But I'll be happy to face you Ranma, once you do a bit more training… (Waves). Farewell…
And so Karia walks off. Ranma wants to go after her right there, but Britanny places her hand on Ranma's shoulder and tells him that's not a good idea. Karia is a War Mage; a sorcerer that specializes in attack spells, be it elemental or just power.
Sheila is also in the same mind-set as Britanny. She knows Ranma is skilled, but Karia is a bit out of his league. After all, Ranma can fight with and without weapons, but he has not trained in magic. Sheila then gets an idea…
Sheila: Hey Nali…
Nali: Yes Sheila?
Sheila: Will you teach Ranma some healing magic? He could really use it for when he faces Karia.
Ranma (Raises an eyebrow): Magic?
Nali: Well… I could try, but there's no guarantee…
Ranma: Oh?
Nali: Not everyone can use magic. A person has to have a good connection to the Etheral stream to at least use even the simplest of magical spells. So, let me do a scanning spell on you first. It will help me 'see' how strong a connection you have.
Ranma: Okay…
Nali seriously doubts she can help him, but this way, she figures it will be an easy way to set him down. But… After 'scanning' Ranma, Nali is quite surprised at the Etheral energy reserves in him.
Nali: Incredible…
Ranma: Huh?
Britanny: Is anything wrong with Ranchan?
Nali (Shakes her head): No… Let me ask… Ranma, do you knows how to use your ki and chi in some of the more… 'Orthodox' ways?
Ranma Yeah… You could say that…
Nali (Nods her head): Ah… That makes sense… Well Ranma, I can definitely teach you some magic…
Ranma (Wide-eyed): REALLY!?
Nali: Yes. You see 'ki' and, more specifically 'chi' flow on the same wavelength as magic. All three use Etheral energies in different ways. Ki is your own spirit, summoned to your will through use of tampering the Etheral stream around your body. Chi is using the energies from the sources of Nature, by using the Etheral stream to bring them to you, and magic is using the Etheral stream as the main use.
Ranma: Wait… I'm confused…
Nali: Oh?
Ranma: I mean, if this is so, then why was magic lost to the earth if it is almost the same as ki and chi using?
Nali: Well, you see, once the 'Age of Man' dawned upon the earth, those of magic left and the few being there that still had the knowledge either died off, or just kept the secrets to themselves. The only ones that know the secrets nowadays are the mages of the Jade Realm. That includes the Illusion Mages who can bend light to fool the eyes of men, the Aura Mages who use their soul and their aura to cast magic…
Britanny: Like my daddy!
Nali: Yes… There are also the Psionist Mages, who use their minds, the War Mages who can use the elements and such to do almost any type of attack, and the Healing Mages like myself, who use the energies of nature and themselves to help others as well as themselves.
Britanny: Cool…
Ranma: So, when do we start Nali?
Nali: I think we can start tomorrow. In the meantime, I suggest you use the rest of the day to continue your sword practice.
Ranma: Okay. Come on Shechan, let's go!
Britanny, Nali, and Sheila: "Shechan"?
Ranma (Blushes): Well… I have a habit to make names like that for my friends… And I consider you a friend.
Sheila (Eyes sparkle): REALLY!?
Ranma: Really.
Britanny (Sing-song voice, left eye twitches): Oh Ranchan… I suggest you do some sparring now… Before I want to do some sparring myself…
Ranma gulps. He knows when Britanny starts 'singing' her words, she's mightily pissed off…
(-)
End Chapter 15
Next Time: Ranma does a bit more training. Learning magic under Nali, and sparring with all the Edge Guard members.
Author's note:
Brian Drozd writes…
"Huge, major problems! The male aspect, Yang, is traditionally associated with white, sun, light, north, and good, while female Yin is traditionally black, moon, dark, south, and evil aspects. I have big problems buy your description of the Yang sect focussing on dark emotions while Yin focusses on bright emotions. It goes opposite the very principles of Yin and Yang. This is otherwise a very good story, but the explainations you give from the two Anything Goes Schools are contrived and poorly thought out."
This is my response…
Did I get them mixed up? If so, I am sorry. I thought I had them correct. The little pamphlet I got in the Japanese section of Epcot Center's World Showcase in Disney World last year said what they were. And apparently, they did it reversed.
This is basically, what the Pamphlet describes them as being…
Yin = Woman, Water, Heaven, Sun, Light, North, Stars, and Soul.
Yang = Man, Fire, Earth, Moon, Shadow, South, Sands, and Body.
Basically, it shows the Yin as a heavenly existence, and the Yang as not necessarily evil, but a physical existence.
So since that's what I got, that is what I am going to follow. So please, try to keep that in mind when you read. Thank you.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
Send your questions and comments to Ryutsurugi
Note: Flames will be read and then used as lining for Charlotte's birdcage.