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 25: Now THAT is one Angry Dwarf…
It has been almost two days of travel north from the Arbron's Spine Mountain Range for Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila. They have finally made it to a city of the Dwarf clan. A city known as…
Sheila (Reading sign): "Welcome to the Dwarven City…"
Britanny: Oooooooooh… Quite an original name…
Ranma: So… This is where G'nolga should be, huh?
Sheila: Yep. Last I recall; G'nolga was not only a Weaponsmaster, but also the champion of Dwarf clan.
Ranma: Okay… Then she should be here… Maybe we should split up?
Sheila (Nods her head): Sure. Dwarves don't have a tendency to attack someone without reason… Well… Except for Giants… But none of us are Giants, so we don't have any reason to worry.
Ranma: If you say so Shechan.
Ranma looks around the village, taking in the surroundings. It is actually a very humble place. Simple two-story wood buildings are all around the town, with cobblestone roads and pathways going between all the buildings. There is a large area of green in the center of the village.
Upon looking further, Ranma can see a lot of hilly region in the distance. That area is definitely used for mining. There's also some larger buildings there, most likely factories of some sort, with black smoke rising into the air.
Ranma: That's odd… From what Master Julia told me, technology isn't used here.
Sheila: Ranchan, lower forms of technology are used her. That is most likely a steel mill, where they 'purify' metals for sale across the two continents.
Ranma (Raises an eyebrow): Oh?
Sheila (Nods her head): Yeah. Dwarven Steel is the most sought-out metal to use in Jade. It's even used to make mage cages.
Ranma: "Mage cages'?
Sheila: Yeah. The Edge Guards use them to hold mages that break the law and await sentencing. They're basically made of solid Dwarven steel, with a few holes for light and air. If you remember what Nali told you, magic-users have a hard time against metal.
Ranma (Nods his head): Yeah. Magic users, especially Aura Mages, have a hard time with metals.
Britanny: Yeah. Dad always said that metals interfered with the Etheral Stream around him, that it would be impossible for him to bend the Etheral Stream to his will so he could cast any spells.
Ranma: Okay… That makes sense… Okay, I got a plan.
Britanny: What is it?
Ranma: Shechan, I want you to check in with this city's Edge Guard and fins out if they know where G'nolga is. Britchan, I want you to go around east side of the city and find out if anyone knows where G'nolga is, or possibly find her yourself. I'll check the west side of the city for G'nolga or if anyone knows where she is. Then we meet here back in an hour and share our findings
Sheila (Nods her head): Sounds like a reasonable plan.
Britanny: I won't let you down Ranchan!
Sheila (Mutters): Like the time you smashed his ribcage trying to perform, as you called it, 'CPR'?
Britanny (Narrows her eyes): That was uncalled for.
Ranma (Sweat-drops): Ladies, please stop bickering…
Sheila: Okay Ranchan.
Britanny: Sure thing Ranchan.
Britanny & Sheila (Think): For now…
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And so the three take off in different directions, with Britanny going to the right, Ranma going left, and Sheila going straight into the Dwarven City.
However, a VERY familiar Hawaiian wearing a Mystic's mask and clutching pineapples in his hands watches them from a shaded spot.
Sabbo: Hmm… Interesting… It seems that the three of them are now working together as a true team…
Suddenly, Britanny and Sheila run back to the outside of the city.
Britanny: Okay Sheila, LISTEN UP! Ranchan in MY best bud. I don't like how you keep throwing yourself at him!
Sheila: Well Ranchan is MY best friend as well.
Britanny (Narrows eyes, grits her teeth): Listen small fry, LEAVE MY RANCHAN ALONE! Or else I'm going to have to kick your spotted tail all across the West Continent and BACK!
Sheila (Narrows eyes, grits her teeth): Oh? Is that so? Well answer me this. Has he ever outright said he loves you?
Britanny (Sweats): Well… Um… You see… WELL HE'S MY BEST BUD!
Sheila: As I see it, Ranchan is up for grabs. If you don't have the courage to take him, then I sure as nine hells will.
Britanny: You had better leave Ranchan alone…
Sheila: Oh? Just because you have that Ark doesn't mean you, you floozy of a werecat, intimidate me!
Britanny (Narrows eyes in anger): WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?
Sheila (Narrows eyes, grits her teeth): YOU HEARD ME!
Britanny lunges at Sheila and the two starts fighting. Pulling at each other's, hair, biting, scratching, and overall making a scene that causes the people around town in the area to stop fighting.
Sabbo stares on at the scene for a bit. He then smacks himself in the face.
Sabbo (Hand on face/mask): Okay… So maybe them working as a 'true team' was too strong a phrasing…
Britanny: DIE YOU WERECAT MIDGET!
Sheila: WERECAT AMAZON BITCH!
The intensity of Britanny and Sheila's fighting increasing.
Sabbo (Sweat-drops): Sigh… Okay… So I was far a ways off with calling those two a 'true team'… Sigh…
Sabbo shakes his head as the two werecats keep fighting.
(-)
Ranma walks around the Dwarven city for a bit, asking a few of the Dwarves if they know the Weaponsmaster of the area. Most of them say that they know of G'nolga, but not personally. Ranma sighs. Finding her may be harder than he thought.
Ranma: Sigh… I hope Britchan and Shechan are having better luck then me.
Ranma walks for a bit, looking for information on G'nolga. He stops when he steps in front of a tavern. He reads the sign by the door.
Ranma (Reading): "The Speckled Stone Tavern"
Ranma shrugs his shoulders. He's gotten used to going into places like this. They're good for looking for information from people, as well as listening to stories from well-traveled people. Plus the food in places like this is really good.
Ranma decides to step inside. Hopefully he'll find what he looking for.
Ranma (Thinks): Well… Here goes nothing…
Ranma looks around once he's inside. The place isn't too bad, with a bar, with many different bottles on the shelves behind the bartender, and different round tables spread about made from granite with at least sic cushioned wooden chairs to a table. However, the floor is completely filthy. The floor is covered in a layer of dirt that is at least three inches high of the floor.
Ranma (Thinks, shudders): Brr… Why the hell's this place so dirty?
Then it hits Ranma. All the patrons of this bar are Dwarves… And by the looks of their clothing, and how dirty they are, they are most likely miners.
Ranma (Thinks): Hmm… Miners… Probably from those mines in those hills past the village…
Ranma walks up to the bar and sits down on a stone stool with a pillow on it. The bartender, a dwarf about 4'7 ft tall in his late sixties, with slate-gray hair, wrinkled skin, and wearing drab brown clothing, an apron, and a black eye-patch over his left eye looks Ranma up and down.
Bartender: What'll it be stranger?
Ranma: I'm not here for anything to drink.
Bartender (Raises an eyebrow): Oh? And what be you here for, pray tell?
Ranma: I am looking for G'nolga.
The place goes dead silent as miners turn around from what they were doing to look at Ranma. Ranma ignores them and continues to look at the Bartender, who stares back at him through his one brown eye.
Bartender: And why are you looking for G'nolga? Only the most fool hardy of people have had 'business' with her…
Ranma: I'm on a quest to fight all ten of the Weaponsmasters.
Most of the Dwarves in the place begin to laugh at him until Ranma says something that shocks all of them to dead-silence once again.
Ranma: I have already defeated six of the Weaponsmasters. The martial arts master, Master Leep, the Troll-Giant Brod, the Dark Elf War Mage Karia, the Ninja Master Tsunami, the master of chi and ki Rhaoton, and a few days ago, I had beaten the Aura Mage Gneiss… And I am on this quest because my master has chosen me to go on it. For I am the student of Julia Brigand-Diggers…
Most Dwarves just look at each other… They don't know if they should take him to G'nolga… They fear for the proud human boy before them…
Bartender: I don't think that's a good idea young one…
Ranma: Oh?
Bartender: Aye… G'nolga HATES Julia… They have always been rivals ever since they themselves were about your age. They have continued to be rivals from some-odd thirty years for the title of the 'Armsmaster'… And every time they fought, Julia had won by the slightest margin… That had kind of embittered G'nolga…
Ranma: So?
Bartender: So, if G'nolga finds out that ye be a student of her rival Julia, she be bound to blow her top…
Ranma: So? I'm not afraid to fight.
The Bartender looks at the determination in Ranma's eyes. He doesn't know where to think of this boy.
Bartender: Listen, either ye be incredibly brave, incredibly stupid or both for wanting to fight with G'nolga… But knowing that ye has beaten six Weaponsmasters already makes me come to a conclusion…
Ranma: And what conclusion is that?
Bartender: That perhaps ye may very well survive the anger that G'nolga will take out on you… Perhaps…
Ranma: Well thanks for the vote of confidence. Where can I find her?
Bartender: Well boy, there be an area with a few waterfalls and such, farther north from this her village. G'nolga goes there all the time to train herself, clearing her mind, and improving her strength.
Ranma: Are you sure?
Bartender (Nods his head): Aye…. She always comes here afterwards for a glass of mulberry wine, to warm her water-chilled bones.
Ranma (Nods his head): Well thanks Barkeep…
Ranma turns around to leave the place, but the bartender calls out.
Bartender: Wait! What be yer name boy?
Ranma: I'm Ranma.
Bartender (Smirks): Wild Horse eh? Well, call me Zaxon. Take care now horsy, and don't let G'nolga take you for a ride, ye hear?
Ranma (Smirks): Don't worry.
With that Ranma runs off. Zaxon shakes his head and closes his eyes.
Zaxon (mutters): Blessed be youth… Which makes one do the damnedest of things…
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Ranma runs back to the entry to the village. He is so excited. He can't wait to tell Britanny and Sheila that he found out where G'nolga is.
Ranma (Thinks as he runs): Yes! Soon I'll be facing off against the seventh Weaponsmaster! This quest is getting closer and closer to being finished.
Ranma comes to a screeching halt when he sees a crowd of dwarves gathered outside the village. Ranma walks up to one of them and taps them on the shoulder.
Ranma: Excuse me sir…
Dwarf (Turns around): Eh? What do you want?
Ranma: What's going on here?
Dwarf: There be two werecats fighting. This is such a great show.
Ranma (left eye twitches): Two… Werecats?
Dwarf: Aye. And get this… One of them is a werecheetah! A werecheetah for crying out loud! Can you believe that? They're supposed to be extinct.
Ranma grits his teeth. There's only one werecheetah he knows of…
Ranma (Growls): Britanny…
Dwarf: What's with…
The Dwarf doesn't get to continue speaking as Ranma pushes him out the way. Ranma continues pushing through the crowd to get to the center. He does indeed find what he was afraid of.
Britanny and Sheila, (now in human form) fighting. Both ladies have cuts, bruises all over their bodies, and their clothes are a bit tattered. Britanny has a swollen right cheek and Sheila has an enormous black left eye. Ranma fumes for a bit and decides to end this useless battle now.
Ranma: BRITANNY! SHEILA! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING!? STOP FIGHTING THIS INSTANT!
Britanny and Sheila stop fighting. Their hair stands on end.
Britanny & Sheila (Think): Uh-oh…
Britanny and Sheila turn to where the voice was coming from. They see a frustrated-looking Ranma, his arms folded across his chest, and he's tapping his foot. Both girls laugh sheepishly for a bit then point to each other.
Britanny & Sheila (Pointing to each other): SHE STARTED IT!
Ranma places his hand over his face and sighs.
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At the Healer's Clinic in the Dwarven Village, Britanny and Sheila, (now a jagwere) are a bit bandaged up, and being treated by the healer. Ranma gives them both a stern look.
Ranma: Okay… Tell me again… How did THIS START!?
Britanny and Sheila blush when they think about it. Ranma shakes his head.
Ranma: Look, I'm not sure why you two are fighting all the time, but it has to stop. The way you two are fighting is worthless for your training. All you two are doing is tearing into each other like savage animals. Is that how you want to be thought of? As vicious, wild beasts?
Britanny and Sheila look at the ground ashamed.
Britanny: Sorry Ranchan…
Sheila: Yeah… I'm really sorry for my actions…
Ranma looks at the two of them and sighs. It's hard for him to stay mad at these two.
Ranma: Look I'm not mad at either of you. I am just getting frustrated by how you two keep going on. I have no need for a repeat of my life in Nerima, once was enough. So please, can you two at least TRY to stop fighting?
Britanny: Okay Ranchan…
Sheila: Sure…
Ranma: Okay… By the way, will you two please tell me what you've been fighting about?
Britanny and Sheila blush deep shades of red. Ranma blinks in confusion.
Ranma: What's wrong?
Britanny: Well… You see… We fight because… Well… We… Um… Er… Help me out here Sheila…
Sheila: Sigh… Let me put it this way… We both have something we're after and we can't come to an agreement on it.
Britanny: Yeah. That sounds good.
Ranma blinks. He then sighs.
Ranma: Okay. Fine. I'll accept that for now. But I expect you two to stop fighting, you understand?
Britanny & Sheila: Yeah Ranchan!
Ranma: Well, when you two feel better, we better get a move on. I found out where G'nolga is.
Britanny: Well heck, let's go now then.
Ranma (Raises an eyebrow): Huh?
Sheila: Yeah. We're werecats. We heal damage easily.
Ranma: But Britchan told me that it takes longer for werecreatures to heal damage they inflict upon each other.
Sheila: Okay… I admit… It will take us a bit longer, but we'll do better.
Britanny: Yeah! Let's go and see you kick some butt Ranchan!
Ranma shakes his head and smiles. These two are very enthusiastic whenever he fights. They must get a kick out of it or something…
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Later Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila trek past the Dwarven village, following a stream they make it to the edge of a cliff.
Sheila (looks down): Hey… Someone's down there…
Ranma: G'nolga.
And so, after going around, Ranma and crew make it to the bottom of the cliff. There is a long river that the water from the waterfall flows into.
Ranma sees a slightly short woman, (5'1 ft.) with long brown hair in a curly ponytail, and wearing a white cotton tunic and dress combination holding out a staff horizontally in front of her while she meditates. She is standing under the waterfall.
Ranma: Is this her?
Britanny (Nods her head): That's G'nolga…
Ranma walks down to the woman… And ends up changing to her female form due to the cold water that is standing on a stone beneath the waterfall.
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G'nolga (Thinks): I can't help but think… Think back to all the times I've been beaten by Julia. Ever time I fought with her it was always so close… Too close for comfort… Julia would never get an easy time with our fights, but she would always manage to beat me… Why? Why!? WHY!?
G'nolga sighs. She wishes Julia was here right now, so she could show here how much she's improved… Suddenly she hear a voice… G'nolga feels an incredible aura in front of her. She opens he eyes and sees a red-haired woman… G'nolga only knows one person with a great aura and red hair…
G'nolga (Wide-eyed): JULIA!
Ranma-chan: Huh?
Britanny & Sheila (Further off): Huh?
With that G'nolga strikes her staff out at Ranma-chan, thinking she's Julia. And so Ranma-chan gets one heck of a fight.
Ranma-chan: GEEZE! WHAT THE HECK'S YOUR PROBLEM LADY!?
G'nolga: JULIA!
G'nolga strikes her staff at Ranma-chan's head but misses.
Ranma-chan (Thinks as she parries blows): Damn it! What is with her!?
Ranma-chan then kicks G'nolga in the stomach, making the Dwarven woman fall into the waters. Ranma-chan takes out her nun-chucks, so she can take on G'nolga and her segmented staff.
G'nolga looks around, she can barely see; her vision blurred due to the water. She manages to make out a head of red hair and snarls.
G'nolga (Gets up): Julia… I don't know what possessed you to come out here to challenge me, but I'm actually glad that you did… I won't let you defeat me in combat this time Julia Brigand… I WON'T LET YOU WIN!
G'nolga then charges at Ranma-chan with her segmented staff, swinging wildly, and with incredible. Ranma-chan blocks the blows with her own nun-chucks, but her eyes widen in shock at the result… Ranma-chan's titanium nun-chucks are actually dented by the blows that G'nolga makes with her wooden segmented staff.
Ranma-chan (Thinks): She… SHE'S DOING THIS MUCH DAMAGE WITH A PIECE OF WOOD!?
Ranma-chan then decides to go onto the offensive; striking out at G'nolga. Ranma-chan is surprised at the speed G'nolga has, and those blow from her staff HURT!
Ranma-chan (Thinks): Shit… I'm gonna be bruised tomorrow…
Ranma-chan fights as fast and as furious as she can. Eventually they make it to the point where they're just sneaking past each other's defenses and trading blows. Ranma-chan can feel her ribs cracking under the pressure… Worse, G'nolga seems to shrug off the blows as if they were nothing…
Ranma-chan (Thinks): Shit… G'nolga is literally on par with Master Julia in fighting ability and potential…
Ranma-chan decides to try blocking and dodging G'nolga's attacks now, so that Ranma-chan can have a chance study G'nolga, see if she has any attack patters, and get a look at her aura, see what type of warrior she is…
Ranma-chan (Thinks): Hmm… She is indeed skilled… The only thing that keeps her from going the full distance is the fact she has a temper that makes Ryoga look mellow… And I never thought that possible! I better finish this before we hurt each other further…
Ranma-chan then concentrates on the Etheral Stream around her. Perhaps a spell will get G'nolga to calm down…
G'nolga grits her teeth in fury. How dare Julia mock her skill by evading her blows!? She gathers her own internal energies to finish off her rival…
Then both warriors release their attacks.
Ranma-chan: SUNBURST!
A huge blast of light comes forth, blinding G'nolga as she lets go of her ki. A huge white ki blast flies wild and hits the top of the waterfall, making large pieces of stone from the cliff come crashing down.
G'nolga (Blinded): WHERE ARE YOU!?
Suddenly, Ranma-chan lets out a world of hurt on G'nolga, using the Katchu Tenshin Amaguriken on her, making G'nolga fall back into the water in defeat.
Ranma-chan: Here let me help you up.
Ranma-chan grabs onto G'nolga's hand and lifts her to her feet. G'nolga stays standing there blinded for a moment, trying calm down enough to see again. When her sight returns she sees that this red-haired girl her ISN'T Julia… G'nolga frowns.
G'nolga: You're not Julia…
Ranma-chan: No duh!
G'nolga: I admit… You aren't whom I wanted to fight… But… (Smirks). I am damn impressed by the skill that you have girl. Not everyday I fight someone that can keep up with me, and deal with the punishment I dish out…
Ranma-chan: Yeah… Well… Thanks… That was a great fight… I must admit G'nolga; you're almost as good as Master Julia.
G'nolga begins to see red again and… Well… After another hour of fighting, G'nolga is calmed down again… (And now the whole waterfall is collapsed). G'nolga now realizes why this girl is so good…
G'nolga: So, you're Julia's student eh?
Ranma-chan: Yup…
G'nolga laughs.
Ranma-chan (Raises an eyebrow): Uh… G'nolga?
G'nolga (Smirks): Heh… I can't seem to catch a break with you Anything Goes martial artists… Hey want to go for dinner? My treat.
Britanny (Eyes widen): DINNER?
Ranma-chan: At the Speckled Stone Tavern?
G'nolga (Blinks): How'd you know?
Ranma-chan: That's where I found out where'd you be.
G'nolga frowns.
G'nolga: They shouldn't speak so freely of my whereabouts…
Ranma-chan: Once I told them how I defeated six other Weaponsmasters, they were more willing to tell me.
G'nolga (Wide-eyed): WHAT!?
Ranma-chan: You heard me.
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Zaxon cleans some glasses as he hums a little tune to himself. He hears the door opens and turns. He sees G'nolga walk in… Except she's a bit bruised up.
Britanny (Looks around): Ew… This place is filthy!
Sheila: What do you expect Britanny? This is where the miners probably come to relax.
Zaxon: Oi! G'nolga! What 'appened to ye?
Suddenly, a red-haired girl, a werecheetah, and jagwere walk in after G'nolga.
Ranma-chan: Hi Zaxon!
Zaxon (Blinks): Do I know you?
G'nolga: Zaxon!
Zaxon: Uh, yeah G'nolga?
G'nolga: The usual please. And get some food and drink for my 'guests' as well.
Zaxon: Sure thing G'nolga.
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Eventually the four sit down and have dinner at one of the tables. Ranma-chan explains what she's doing here, and goes back to being a guy, explaining his curse. G'nolga thinks for some time afterwards then admits defeat…
G'nolga: Okay Ranma… I'll admit to defeat for you… BUT… I'd like to ask you for a favor… When you fights Julia again, give her one for me…
Ranma (Sweat-drops): Um… Okay… I guess…
G'nolga: You better… Or I'll have to fight you again…
Ranma: Okay…
Britanny: Ranchan, you better not hurt my mom!
G'nolga (Raises an eyebrow): "Mom"?
Britanny: Yeah. I'm Julia's daughter.
G'nolga (Smirks): Julia's daughter huh? That's… Interesting…
G'nolga takes a sip from her mug of mulberry wine as the other three continue eating. Place may be filthy, but the food is actually pretty decent.
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The next morning, Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila leave the Dwarven village… And they head towards the west to Durpan City. After all, Gneiss told them to visit the Conclave of Mages…
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End Chapter 25
Next Time: Welcome to the Durpan City; the city of the Conclave of Mages. Balthazar reveals what the 'darkness' that is on earth is revealed… And what's this? Gaja has a little gift for Sheila?
Author's note: Heh heh… Sorry… I just had to put in a fight with G'nolga. (She's one of my favorite 'villains' in Gold Digger).
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
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