Broken Hearts Combined
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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?
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Broken Hearts Combined Chapter 24: Receiving Blessings…
It is a peaceful day in the city of Lrith. The sky is clear, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and an overall sense of 'peace' fills the area. It seems that nothing can break the monotony of the place.
And fortunately, it doesn't.
The teleportation spell that Ecko had cast was slightly off. So the portal reappears a mile outside of Lrith. Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila fall out of it, and land in an unsightly pile with a loud thud.
Britanny (Rubs her back): Ow… I'm really beginning to hate those things.
Sheila: Well… At least we made it to where Ecko said he was going to send us, and we're on the West Continent now…
Britanny (Nods her head): True.
Ranma: Excuse me…
Britanny and Sheila look down and blush. They are once again sitting on top of Ranma. They once again move out of the way and help Ranma to his feet. The two werecats brush Ranma off, and smile sheepishly.
Britanny: Sorry about that Ranchan.
Sheila: Yeah. Sorry.
Ranma: It's okay.
Ranma then looks around and sees the city of Lrith behind him. He smiles.
Ranma: So, who wants to get something to eat?
Britanny and Sheila smile. Eating is something neither of them minds. And since Lrith is also a port town, which means they can once again indulge in feasting upon their favorite food of all time…
Britanny and Sheila: FISH!
Britanny and Sheila start running towards the city. Ranma shakes his head and smiles.
Ranma (To no one in particular): How is it that those two can eat so much fish?
Ranma then takes off after them. After all, Ranma Saotome is never one to miss a meal… Unless it's cooked by Akane Tendo… And even then, calling it 'cooking' is an inaccurate a term as calling toxic-waste 'popery'.
(-)
However, as the three run towards Lrith a familiar man watches from the shadows. He wears a Mystic's mask with a crack in it, his right arm and left leg in casts, and he holds onto a crutch with a pineapple tied to it. He is crying tears of joy.
Sabbo: Yes… Excellent… They have finally made true progress… They have the first of the Arks… Everything is going according to plan, and actually on schedule… Now to go get my painkillers from the Earth Realm…
Sabbo lets out a sigh of relief then once again disappears into the shadows between two trees, the phrase of "that's some good Tylenol" can be heard on the breeze…
(-)
Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila sit at a table in an open-area café. A small mountain of empty dishes surrounds them.
Britanny (Smiles): Ah… I always liked eating 'al fresco'…
Ranma (Blinks): "Al fresco"?
Britanny: Outside.
Ranma: Ohhhhhh…
Sheila: I just love eating in areas with lots and lots of fishies!
Ranma smirks. Sheila's child-like antics are always enough to warm his heart. Ranma turns his head when Britanny taps him on the shoulder.
Britanny: Hey Ranchan…
Ranma: Yeah Britchan?
Britanny: What am I supposed to do with this? (Points to 'Dain' on her left wrist). I mean, I know we're supposed to protect it, but… WHY DOES THIS HAFTA' BE ON MY WRIST!? IT TOTALLY CLASHES!
Ranma: I don't think so Britchan.
Britanny (Stops tearing at the Dain with her right hand): … Oh?
Ranma: Yeah. I think blue goes well with your yellowish orange coating.
Britanny stares at Ranma for a few minutes. Her eyes then sparkle.
Britanny: You mean that?
Ranma (Nods his head): Yup.
Britanny: YAY!
Britanny then glomps onto Ranma's right side, purring slightly. Ranma sweat-drops as Sheila begins to growl.
Britanny smirks at how Sheila is reacting. She then whispers low enough for only Sheila's enhanced jagwere hearing to hear.
Britanny (Whispers): Tough break kitty…
Sheila glares, a fiery aura of anger begins to amass itself around Sheila.
Sheila (Thinks, aura grows): Darn it! Look how she's throwing herself all over him! Grr… Well two can play THAT game!
Sheila then smirks as her aura dies down. She then concentrates and takes her human form, growing in height, muscle mass, and breast department, her yellowish tanned fur shrinking back, and her hair turning a bright red, as her eyes change from blue feline slits to green human ovals. The now human Sheila then pouts her lips.
Sheila: Oh Ranchan…
Ranma turns to Sheila and his eyes widen. Britanny frowns as Sheila moves over to Ranma's left side.
Sheila: Hey Ranchan… I have a question…
Ranma (Sweats): Um… Yes?
Sheila: You've been training me so much in my jagwere form… And I'm hoping that you'll help me learn to fight in my human form too. Please?
Ranma thinks about it for a moment. Then nods his head.
Ranma: Sure Shechan.
Sheila: YAY! Oh thank you Ranchan!
Sheila then glomps onto Ranma's left side. The cook in a nearby tent that was cooking all the fish for them shakes his head.
Cook: Why can't I ever get that lucky?
Britanny begins to glare at Sheila as Sheila smirks back at her confidently.
Sheila: What's wrong Brit? Jealous?
Britanny: And why should I be jealous of a 'shrimp' like you?
Sheila (Smirks): Hmph… Not like this I'm not… In fact…
Britanny (Grits her teeth): "In fact"? …
Sheila: I think I 'dwarf' you.
Britanny (Eyes widen, tightens her grip on Ranma): WHAT!?
Ranma (Eyes bulge in pain): ERK!
Sheila (Narrows her eyes, tightens her grip on Ranma): YOU HEARD ME!
Ranma (Eyes bulge out even further, begins to pale): ACK!
Britanny continue to glare at each other as they further tighten their grips on Ranma. The nearby cook clears his throat.
Cook: AHEM!
Britanny and Sheila turn to the cook slowly he almost jumps back from the scary looks on their faces.
Cook: WAH! THAT'S SCARY!
Britanny & Sheila: WHAT DO YOU WANT!?
The Cook then gnaws on his lower lip for a few minutes as he figures out the best way to say this without having the two dangerous ladies after him.
Cook: Well… Um…
Britanny & Sheila: WHAT!?
Cook: I think your friend is dead…
Britanny & Sheila (Eyes widen): WHAAAAAAAAAAT!?
The two ladies turn to look at Ranma. His eyes are rolled back into head and skin pale. His head then lolls to the side, tongue hanging out.
Britanny: LOOK WHAT YOU DID!
Sheila: ME!? YOU THE ONE WITH SUPER STRENGTH!
Britanny: LIKE THAT YOU GOT IT TOO!
Sheila: WELL YOU STARTED IT!
Britanny: NO I DIDN'T!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID… Look… Just get off of MY Ranchan and let me help him!
Sheila stares at Britanny, unsure if she should trust the werecheetah or not.
Britanny: … Please?
Sheila: Fine… But you BETTER help him!
Sheila lets go and Ranma then falls into Britanny's arms. Britanny places Ranma gently on the floor.
Britanny (Cracks her knuckles): It's a good thing mom taught me first aid…
Britanny than smashes Ranma in the chest in an impersonation of CPR.
Britanny: Breathe, Ranchan, BREATHE!
Ranma folds up around Britanny's fist, but collapses again.
Sheila: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? ARE YOU TRYING TO FINISH HIM OFF!?
Britanny (Blinks): … I'm just performing CPR…
Sheila: THAT'S NOT CPR! THAT'S BREAKING HIS RIBCAGE APART FOR OPEN-HEART SURGERY!
Sheila then pushes Britanny out of the way and gets close to Ranma.
Sheila: Ranchan! I can't let you die!
Sheila begins CPR in earnest, places her mouth over his, holding his nose shut, and breathing in then pushes a few times lightly on his chest. After the third time, Ranma's eyes slowly open. He looks at Sheila who is busily breathing in his mouth. With a cry of shock he jumps to his feet away from Sheila and assumes a defensive stance.
Ranma: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE!? … What happened?
Sheila (Points at Britanny): She tried to kill you.
Britanny: I DID NOT!
Sheila: YOU DID SO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Sheila: DID TO!
Britanny: DID NOT!
Ranma: ENOUGH!
Britanny and Sheila turn to Ranma, both slightly startled.
Ranma: Look… I'm not sure what's with you two, but I DO NOT NEED A REPEAT OF MY LIFE IN NERIMA! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?
Britanny and Sheila look at Ranma, then at each other. They nod their heads.
Britanny: Sorry Ranchan.
Sheila: I'm really sorry about that.
Ranma calms down then shakes his head.
Ranma: Look… Sorry about blowing up on you two like that, but I really don't need people fighting over me… It just reminds me too much of my life in Nerima… So let's concentrate on the present, okay?
Britanny & Sheila (Nod their heads): Okay.
Ranma: Hmm… Either you have any ideas of where we should go next?
Sheila: I DO! I happen to know where the Weaponsmaster closest to here is… Or, to say… Weaponsmasters…
Ranma: Oh?
Sheila: If we keep heading north we can make to the Arbron's Spine Mountain Range… Up there is the Tower of one of the Weaponsmasters; Gneiss…
Britanny (Blinks): Gneiss?
Ranma: You know that Gneiss person?
Britanny: … I can't recall off the top of my head… But that name sounds so familiar…
Suddenly Dain starts glowing on Britanny's wrist and her eyes start glowing with the same blue light shortly after. Britanny then closes her eyes. She reopens them when Dain stops glowing. Likewise, her eyes have stopped glowing.
Britanny: Gneiss… My father and my grandfather's teacher in the art of aura magic…
Sheila (Blinks): Interesting…
Ranma: Britchan… What happened?
Britanny: I'm not sure… But I think this little gem on the back of my wrist helped me remember…
Sheila: Wait… I think I understand…
Ranma: What do you mean?
Sheila: Didn't that Shadow Elf Master Ecko say that Dain was the Ark that corresponded to shadows and intelligence?
Britanny: Yeah… He did… (Eyes widen). OH! I get it… You mean I'm actually going to be smarter than I am now?
Sheila: I think so.
Britanny: COOL! I'LL BE SMARTER THAN GINA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA! SWEET VENGEANCE IS MINE OH BIG SISTER! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Ranma and Sheila sweat-drop. Ranma then turns to Sheila.
Ranma: Wait Shechan… You said "Weaponsmasters" before. Who are the other ones we can meet heading north from here?
Sheila: One other… A very angry dwarf by the name of G'nolga…
The Ark Dain and Britanny's eyes begin to glow again for a few seconds. When it stops Britanny speaks.
Britanny: G'nolga… Champion of the Dwarf Clan and the main rival to my mom Julia… She's been fighting mom for the title of Armsmaster for years…
Ranma (Blinks): Wow… You did it again Britchan…
Britanny (Smirks): Eh heh… I got the good stuff!
Sheila then frowns.
Sheila: Can you tell us anything about any of the other Weaponsmasters Ranchan will face… Like the Rakshasa Gamadore?
Britanny (Blinks): … Who?
Sheila (Sweat-drops): Can you tell us any of Jade's traditions?
Britanny sweat-drops and shakes her head.
Sheila (Smirks): I get it now… That Ark didn't make Brit any smarter. It just made it easier to access information she already knew.
Britanny: D'OH! I was hoping I got smarter…
Ranma: Well Britchan… You could get smarter…
Britanny: Oh?
Ranma: If that Ark lets you recall anything you learn… Well… All you have to do is study books and stuff and you'll be smart in no time.
Britanny (Teary-eyed): BUT I NO WANNA STUDY!
Ranma: Well… I can't blame you much there… (Turns to look at both Britanny and Sheila). So, shall we head off?
Sheila: Sure!
Britanny: I got no problem with that!
And so Ranma, and the girls go north… The head through the Mior Woods, coming across a Bog Monster (think BIG snake)… Destroying it… And eating it. As Sheila would put it…
Sheila: YUM! These Bog Monsters are good eating!
(-)
Once through the Mior Woods they finally reach one of their destinations. A mountain range that they have… The Arbron's Spine Mountains.
Britanny: Ugh… More rugged travel…
Ranma: Hey Shechan, do you know where this Gneiss guy would be?
Sheila (Nods her head): Yeah… This mountain range has a taller mountain within it called 'Twisted Peak'… After being hollowed out, it was turned into the Tower of Gneiss…
After a bit more rugged travel through the mountainous region, Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila finally arrive at the bottom of Twisted Peak.
Britanny (Breathing heavily): Finally…
Sheila: We made it to this place… Good thing I took human form. I don't think I would have had all the strength and endurance to do all that climbing as a jagwere.
Ranma (Calls out): HEY GNEISS! ARE YOU THEIR?
There is silence for a long while.
Ranma: I AM HERE TO CHALLENEGE YOU WEAPONSMASTER! PLEASE FACE ME IN HONORABLE COMBAT!
Ranma's answer this time? The twin set of 30 ft granite doors to the tower open up and a 26 ft war golem, shaped of basic human form out of onyx steps out.
Golem: WHO DISTURBS THE GREAT GNEISS!?
Sheila (Wide-eyed): Brit… Do you remember anything about Gneiss having a War Golem?
Britanny (Shakes her head): Nuh uh…
Ranma: Um… Who are you?
Golem: I am 'Sentinel'!
Ranma (Blinks): … Okay… Look Sentinel, can I fight with your master Gneiss? It's important that I fight all ten Weaponsmasters.
Sentinel: Defeat me and you shall face my master!
Ranma: Is that a challenge?
Sentinel: DAMN RIGHT IT IS!
Ranma (Smirks): I accept
Ranma makes short work of the Sentinel… He shoots a Mouko Takabisha at its right knee, and it's leg breaks in half.
Sentinel (Flails it's arms, falls): OH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~CRASH!
Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila wince. That would have hurt had the golem been a real person.
Ranma: That was kind of easy.
Male voice: Ow…
Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila stare at the rubble of the golem. A voice was heard from it.
Ranma: Oops… Looks like someone was in it…
After digging through the rubble a bit, Ranma finds the unconscious form of an older man, in blue robes, long white beard, and slightly pointed ears…
Ranma: Who's this guy?
Britanny: Ranchan… That's Gneiss…
Sheila: Don't you mean 'was'? I think he's dead now.
Ranma is surprised. He hopes he didn't kill the old man. The three bring Gneiss inside the tower to rest. A while later, Gneiss wakes up.
Gneiss: Ugh… My head…
Ranma: Are you okay old man?
Gneiss (Narrows eyes): Who're you calling "old man"? I'll have you know I am the greatest Aura Mage in all of Jade!
Gneiss gets up, but his back protests with a loud crack. Gneiss gets teary-eyes while Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila sweat-drop.
Gneiss: Okay… Okay… I admit defeat… Happy now?
Ranma: Very… Now I'm over halfway done with this quest Master Julia put me on…
Gneiss (Eyes widen): "Master Julia"? As in the Armsmaster Julia Brigand?
Britanny: Armsmaster Julia Brigand-DIGGERS! Why is it almost everyone here forgets to include dad's name. He married her and she did take on his name…
Gneiss turns to the voice. He is slightly surprised to see a werecheetah. Not that werecats aren't uncommon on Jade, but werecheetahs… It's easier to find a vegetarian vampire in the Undead Realm than a werecheetah anywhere! Then it hits him…
Gneiss: … Britanny? Is that you? I haven't seen you in a good 17 years! My, look how you've grown! Theodore and Julia must be proud of you.
Britanny (Smiles): Thanks Gneiss. They are.
Gneiss smiles. Sure, he got his butt kicked, but he's getting to meet his student Theo's daughter, who he hasn't seen in well over a decade. His eyes then widen in when he sees the gem on Britanny's wrist; that Britanny has 'Dain'. (The Conclave knows of the Arks, but not the full truth).
Gneiss (Points at Britanny's wrist): W, WHERE DID YOU GET THAT!? WHERE DID YOU GET DAIN!?
Britanny: This? Well, I got it a day or so ago, when we went to the Grand Cavern. Ranchan fought and defeated Rhaoton, and then the leader of the Shadow Elves master Ecko asked us to follow him. He told us about the legend of Jade and then 'gave' Dain to us. And, it chose me I guess…
Gneiss (Left eye twitches): You "guess"?
Britanny: Well… Ecko said something about us being the protectors of the Arks and having to get all three of them…
Gneiss (Wide-eyed): WHAT!?
Ranma: Can you stop screaming old man?
Sheila: Yeah. Are you trying to give yourself a hemorrhage?
Gneiss doesn't say anything. He just closes his eyes.
Ranma: Uh oh… Did he die?
Britanny: Oh no! The poor man!
Sheila: Well that happens when they get old.
Gneiss's eyes snap wide open.
Gneiss: I AM NOT 'THAT' OLD!
The force of Gneiss's shout pushes the Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila onto their backs.
Britanny: … Owwies…
Ranma: Argh… Stupid old man…
When the three get back onto their feet Gneiss gives them a bit of 'advice'.
Gneiss: Listen… I suggest that once you three get further north, that you all go head in an eastern direction to see the Conclave of Mages. But first… You three may want to head straight north from here. There is another Weaponsmaster is VERY close to where they are… G'nolga… Julia's main rival…
Ranma, Britanny, & Sheila: We know about G'nolga.
Gneiss (Sweat-drops): … Oh… Well, at least let me give you a blessing of the sixteen gods of Jade.
Ranma: Sixteen gods?
Sheila: I thought there were more…
Gneiss: Well… The sixteen more 'popular' ones…
Ranma (Whispers to Britanny): Are you sure this guy has all his marbles?
Britanny (Whispers back): Positive… Or… At least 90% positive…
Ranma sighs. This is getting to be very strange…
Gneiss takes out a bejeweled staff from a nearby cupboard and starts waving it around in the air.
Ranma (Whispers to Sheila): Are you SURE this guy's a Weaponsmaster?
Sheila (Nods her head, whispers back): Positive.
Ranma (Whispers): How the heck did HE get to be a Weaponsmaster?
Sheila (Whispers): Well being a Weaponsmaster doesn't mean being incredibly powerful just physically. Being mentally powerful can also help one gain the status of Weaponsmaster.
Ranma (Whispers): Not really useful in fights though…
Sheila (Whispers, shrugs shoulders): True…
Suddenly Gneiss starts chanting…
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of the High Dragon King Ryu-O on these three. God of the Dragons and the eternal spirit of Jade; who lives in the crystal spite the Dragoon's Eye, heed our prayer!
A peridot gem on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Gaia on these three. Goddess of the planet and life, heed our prayer!
An emerald on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Zeus on these three. Oh Ruler of the gods, lord of the sky, commander of lightning who dwells in the heavens, heed our prayer!
A diamond on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Poseidon on these three. Oh brother of Zeus, god of the sea, fisherman, and horses, heed our prayer!
A pearl on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Hades on these three. Oh brother of Zeus, god of the Undead Realm, gold, and bearer of the helm of invisibility, let us talk to you without a formal appointment and heed out prayer!
A tanzanite gem on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Ares on these three. Oh god of war and bloodshed, heed our prayer!
A ruby on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Athena on these three. Oh goddess of prudicial warfare, civilization, and bearer of the Aegis Shield, heed our prayer!
A sapphire stone on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Apollo on these three. Oh God of light and truth, who cannot lie, heed our prayer!
A clear crystal on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Artemis on these three. Oh twin sister to Apollo, goddess of wild things and hunting, heed our prayer!
A piece of geode on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Bacchus. Oh god of wine and partying, heed our prayers!
An amethyst gem on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Aphrodite. Oh goddess of love, grant, heed out prayer!
A piece of amber on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Bast. Oh Goddess of cats and pleasure, protector of men, children, and pregnant women, heed our prayer!
A piece of platinum on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Hermes! Oh messenger of the gods and god of speed, heed our prayer!
A piece of silver on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of the Daimon. Oh Demons of good and evil, torturers of physical life and protectors of their followers, heed our prayer!
An onyx stone on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Charon. Oh boatman of the River Styx, and carrier of dead souls in the Undead Realm, heed our prayer!
A piece of ivory on the staff glows.
Gneiss: I invoke the blessing of Mammon. Oh god of riches, greed, and indulgence, heed our prayer!
A piece of gold on the staff glows.
Gneiss then lets go of the staff and it floats into the air. It begins to spin as it floats. After a moment a loud pop is heard, and the staff explodes. Sixteen swirls of different colored light then move around the room at a rapid pace. Soon the lights begin to specifically swirl around Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila. Each light then seemingly passes through each one of them, and then all head towards each other at the ceiling. When the sixteen lights hit, the staff is reformed, and it falls back down. Gneiss catches it in his hand, a mischievous smirk on his face.
Gneiss: How was that for an "old man"?
Ranma: … I take back everything I said…
Gneiss (Smirks): It's good to see you actually got a brain in that head boy. You'll need it. Oh you'll need it.
With that Gneiss and the area around Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila begins to fade. After a few moments, the area begins to go back into 'focus' they realize they are now on the other side of where they started on the Arbron's Spine Mountain Range.
Ranma: What the heck?
Sheila: I think he used a teleportation spell…
Britanny: Well… That was nice of him…
Ranma: Heh… There really is a lot more to that old man than he lets on…
Britanny: Well… I guess that's why he was my dad and grandfather's teacher…
Ranma (Nods his head): Mmm hmm… Hey Britchan, Shechan…
Britanny & Sheila: Yeah?
Ranma: It's still light out, how about we try to cover a bit more ground before we retire for the evening?
Britanny: Sure!
Sheila: We'll be behind ya' all the way Ranchan.
And so Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila start running off to the north as fast as they possibly can. (Except Brit, who is going slowly as to not lose the others).
(-)
Back in the Tower of Gneiss, Sabbo appears from a dark corner. He is in much better condition too, looking as good as new.
Sabbo: You gave them the blessings of our 'gods'. Why?
Gneiss, who was reading a text, closes it and looks at Sabbo with a mischievous.
Gneiss: If you have to ask, then you don't deserve to know…
Sabbo (Sweat-drops): Look at you… You're already 180-years-old and you're still acting like a teenager…
Gneiss (Smirks): It's a gift… Now don't you have better things to be doing?
Sabbo (Nods his head): Aye… I have to make sure they stay on course… I don't want to lose the greatest thing that's ever happened to Jade since… Well… Julia!
Gneiss (Nods his head): Indeed…
With that Sabbo disappears back into the shadows, leaving Gneiss alone in his tower.
Gneiss: Yes… Make sure he stays on course Sabbo… For we need him… Jade needs him… More than any of us may truly realize…
(-)
End Chapter 24
Next Time: Welcome to the Dwarven Village Ranma and crew! Just make sure to avoid pissing off a certain Dwarf, okay? … Too late…
Author's note: Hmm… Well, I threw in that part with the 'gods' to give you readers an idea of what I believe is worshipped by the peoples of Jade. (Fred Perry doesn't really go over it, so I decided to take some liberties…)
And I'd like to thank my friend Stardreamer for the idea of Ryu-O. Thanks a bunch.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
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