I do not own Gold Digger and its associated characters. They belong to that marvelous fellow Fred Perry. I do not own Ranma 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?
Author's special notes: ~ ~ = speaking through telepathy
Broken Hearts Combined Chapter 36: Reflections of the Past
It is early morning in the Retreat. The place is humming with all sorts of sounds of crickets chirping, the wind gently moving about, and a man moving about, performing katas. He moves about in an open field, moving as gracefully in this ballet of fighting as if it were a real dance, his arms waving, striking with the hands with a deadly accuracy, and his kicks, moving with such power, that he could snap a steel beam in two with the force of the pinky-toe alone. All the while, his cat-like aura dances around him.
When the man is done he wipes sweat off his brow with a small towel. He moves over to a nearby stream with a cup, to get a drink of water. He puts the cup down in the stream and brings it to his lips, drinking from it greedily. After repeating the process a few times he then stops to look at his reflection and we can see his face, slightly obstructed by the bangs of his hair But, we also see that the man is Ranma Saotome, but he is thoroughly changed by the experiences he's been through on this journey, with more than just physical changes
Ranma's face is now more of a man's. Gone is the somewhat cherub-like quality to his face. His jaw is more defined, instead of rounded, and his cocky smile that he gives the lake for a reflection is no longer just one that can piss off an opponent, but now one that has a romantic quality, and can make women swoon!
Ranma's frame is no longer lithe and frail as it was a mere five months ago, months that to Ranma seem like years. His muscles have now become more defined, truly filling out into that of a man. They are muscles that speak of great strength, and control. And he has grown a bit in height as well. Once 5'9", Ranma is now 6' exactly.
Ranma's hair, while still done in a pigtail seems to have a slight orange sheen to it when the light hits it a certain way. The Dragon's Whisker, its power long gone a year ago when used to make soup, had finally snapped, leaving Ranma's hair to fall loosely. To replace it, Britanny plucked out one of her own hairs, and gave it to Ranma. Now, his pigtail is tied with a werecheetah hair.
Ranma's eyes Once a soft blue, which spoke of innocence, virtue, and a caring personality are much more hardened and a bit colder. They still show all that Ranma was before, yet, there is a lot more to them now.
There is now anger behind those eyes, which can freeze a person with a stone-cold sense of dread, hidden deep within him. All the times he spent in Nerima have haunted his dreams from time to time, making him angry with himself But he is no longer afraid.
Behind these eyes is also an inner calm, which Ranma uses to keep the anger in check. The calmness also seem to work as well as attracting people to him, just as his innocence did years and years ago.
The eyes also hold a determination. A determination to become the best, and not let any opponent get in his way A determination to live his life as he wants to, not to be used likes a puppet by others!
Surprisingly, another emotion shows up in his eyes now. Love. Whenever around Britanny or Sheila, his heart seems to skip a beat every-so-often, and he can't help but feel his love for them. He just wishes they weren't so enthusiastic when it came to making love.
To top off the new physical looks, he wears a 'new' outfit now. He still wears the same black Chinese silk kung-fu pants and slippers, but gone are the days of his trademarked Chinese silk shirts Britanny and Sheila have torn all the shirts he had when they've gotten a bit too 'Rambunctious' Instead, he now wears a black muscle shirt, which clings to him like a second skin, as well as the white gi top with the yin-yang printed on the back, which symbolizes the authority of the Grandmaster of 'True' Anything Goes School that Leep had given him months back.
And the final touch, his aura He has stopped depending on emotions for it, so it no longer has a blue coloring True, it may have a slight spark of blue to it when he's feeling cocky, but otherwise, it is now plain. However, a plain or raw ki aura for Ranma is quite different from other fighters. With spending the last month in the Retreat, his aura has changed drastically. It is not a white or clear coloring as an aura without emotion should be, but His is black The Neko-Ken, once thought to be in his control and repressed has resurfaced and shown itself once more When he calls upon his battle-aura, it changes to black Not calling upon all emotions, but just the color black And, stranger to Ranma, it takes on a cat-like shape at times when he really exerts himself, or instead of taking on a red-hue when he gets angry, it also takes on a sinister-looking cat-like shape.
Ranma stands up, letting his aura calm down to nothing All the while he looks at his reflection in the river, and sighs. He has stayed in the Retreat for a month now, but most of these changes had happened to him gradually. An unasked question plays along Ranma's lips. He speaks quietly to himself.
Ranma: Two more months Just two more Then the Tournament of Arms will take place Can I do this? Sigh I'm still not ready for it
Male voice: Then use the rest of your time wisely
Ranma's eyes widen open and he looks around. He doesn't see anyone. He calls out into the early morning air.
Ranma: WHERE ARE YOU? SHOW YOURSELF!
Male voice: With pleasure
Ranma feels a presence behind him, and slowly turns around. What he gets is an unexpected sight. A man, whose stature and frame is similar to that of Ranma's father, Genma Saotome The man is bald, wears some sort of simple wood mask to conceal his face with the exception of his white eyes, wears a Hawaiian grass skirt, feudal Japan-
styled sandals, and carries two pineapples. Ranma blinks in confusion.
Ranma (Shocked): Principal Kuno!?
The man face-faults, landing in front of Ranma's feet. Ranma sweat-drops.
Ranma: Um Are you okay? The man gets off the ground and glares at Ranma.
Man: I FINALLY GET TO TALK TO YOU FACE-TO-FACE, AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS ASSOCIATE ME WITH THAT PSYCHOPATH YOU HAVE FOR A PRINCIPAL!? I'M HURT!
Ranma (Blinks): Um Sorry I was going for best-case scenario.
Man (Blinks): "Best-case"? What's worse case?
Ranma: Well, the way you look, you were either the principal, or my dad And if you were my dad, I was going to beat the living shit out of you, for all the shit you did to me, like binding my soul to a cat demon, selling me to so many families for food and money, all the torture I went through in training, and stuff like that.
Man (Blinks): Your father did all that to you, eh?
Ranma (Nods his head): Yes Anyway Since you aren't my dad, or the principal at my old school, who are you?
Man: Well my loyal scrubject, I am he who rules all of Jade from the shadows. I am he who makes the sunrise and set. I am he who is the light to this, I am
Ranma (Interrupts): Pretty annoying.
Man: NO! I am (Makes a pose). The Great Sabbo! THE HIDDEN EMPEROR OF JADE! AGE FIFTY-EIGHT!
As Sabbo poses, a blue tinted lightning-bolt suddenly strikes the fat Hawaiian, using his upwards-pointed finger as a lightning rod. Sabbo shakes and convulses, as his skeletal structure is visible.
Sabbo (Lit brighter than a Christmas tree): WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
When the electricity stops coursing through his body, Sabbo stands there charred, a surge of energy appearing now and again.
Sabbo (Charred): COUGH! Ouch
Ranma blinks at the sight before him of a charred Hawaiian twitching from time to time.
Ranma (Mutters): So much like Kuno If he truly is Jade's emperor, then they must have some serious problems here
Sabbo (Looks up): I (Convulses). ERK! Heard (Convulses). ACK! That (Convulses). GAH! You scrub (Convulses). OUCHIES!
Ranma sweat-drops as Sabbo continues to twitch for a few minutes, before stopping completely.
Ranma: Are you all right?
A minute passes. No answer. Ranma picks up a nearby stick and pokes Sabbo with it.
Ranma: Hey (Pokes Sabbo with stick). Hey (Pokes Sabbo with stick). Are you dead or what? (Pokes Sabbo with stick).
Suddenly, Sabbo's hand shoots out and grabs the stick, breaking it in half.
Sabbo (Glares): Stop that!
Sabbo then gets off from the ground and starts shaking himself, to get rid of some of the soot that collected on him. Sabbo then narrows his eyes as he looks at Ranma.
Sabbo: So Ranma Saotome We meet face-to-face at last
Ranma (Blinks): Um Yeah, I'm Ranma Saotome
Sabbo: Excellent You are almost a true warrior now
Ranma (Narrows his eyes): Wait "ALMOST a True Warrior"!? Excuse me, but I am a FULL warrior!
Sabbo (Shakes his head): No. You are just a martial artist: a fighter. You have the spirit of a warrior within you, but it has not been released yet!
Ranma: NOT BEEN RELEASED!? Hey pal; I'll have you know that I can defeat anyone in combat!
Sabbo: Oh really? If that is so, why are you so worried? Weren't you the one saying two months isn't enough time?
Ranma: Um Well
Sabbo: And, if you are a warrior that can defeat anyone, then why haven't you defeated Julia Brigand-Diggers in combat yet?
Ranma (Sweats): Well, you see Um
Sabbo: That's right You don't have the discipline yet! You have trained your body and soul, but you have left your mind untouched for the most part. Sure, you learn through experiences, but there are so many things that you do not know about, so many things you haven't learned and can't learn through combat!
Ranma: HEY I CAN LEARN ANYTHING THROUGH COMBAT! I am a warrior! I even beat a Phoenix God!
Sabbo: And was he fully formed?
Ranma (Blinks): Huh?
Sabbo: I know a lot about you Ranma You had beaten Saffron almost a year ago while in China in the Earth Realm
Ranma: And how do you know about that? Sabbo: Believe me, I know Well guess what Ranma? He wasn't fully formed when you fought with him. He did not have access to his full power. Your claim on beating a Phoenix God is FALSE! If he had his true strength you would have been incinerated!
Ranma thinks about that for a moment One of the things Ranma has held as one of his greatest victories, and it goes up in smoke
Ranma: You mean
Sabbo: Yes Saffron was injured from his previous fight with you, and he wasn't fully formed. So, you got lucky To be a true warrior, you need intelligence in other areas BESIDES martial arts!
Ranma: Okay, so he wasn't a god! Look what I'm saying is that I'm not big into studying, so what's the BIG DEAL!
Sabbo then moves with great speed. He grabs Ranma by the collar of his gi and brings Ranma's face to his own.
Sabbo (In Ranma's face): "BIG DEAL"!? LISTEN HEAR BOY! JADE'S FUTURE IS DEPENDING ON YOU, AND ALL YOU DO IS ACT LIKE A HOT SHOT MARTIAL ARTIST! THERE'S MORE TO TRAINING THAN JUST TRAVELLING PHYSICALLY AND FIGHTING! READING A BOOK ALLOWS YOUR MINDS TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE WITH THE FLIP OF A PAGE, TO GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE ON HOW LIFE AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU WORKS! AND, IF THAT STILL SEEMS LIKE NO "BIG DEAL" TO YOU, THEN I AM GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS FROM HERE TO~ACK!
Sabbo then falls to the ground, clutching at his chest, as he loses his grip on Ranma. Landing onto the ground with a rather loud thud.
Ranma (Blinks): Hey, are you okay?
Sabbo (On ground): Gah My heart Shit Knew I shouldn't have had so many poi-roasted boars for dinner last night
Sabbo then gets off the ground and shakes his body a bit.
Sabbo: Okay, better
Ranma: Wow I must admit For a fat man, you're pretty fast. I didn't even notice you were running to me until you were right in my face.
Sabbo: What can I say? I have a lot of experience After all I am (Makes a pose). The Great Sabbo! THE HIDDEN EMPEROR OF JADE! AGE FIFTY-EIGHT!
Sabbo's eyes widen with horror as he realizes the pose he just did.
Sabbo (Wide-eyed): Oh crap
With that, a blue tinted lightning-bolt suddenly strikes the fat Hawaiian, using his upwards-pointed finger as a lightning rod. He shakes and convulses, as his skeletal structure is visible.
Sabbo (Lit brighter than the night sky during the 4th of July): NOT AGAIN! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!
When the electricity stops coursing through his body, Sabbo stands there charred, and a healthy glow is visible.
Sabbo: Ouch I now I know how one of Akane's 'cooking projects' feel
Ranma (Shakes his head): No You're nowhere close to being as bad looking or burnt as some of the stuff that Akane cooked has been.
Sabbo: Okay Before I commit myself to a dermatologist to have my skin fixed, I want you to promise me one thing
Ranma: Oh? And what's that?
Sabbo: For the next two weeks. Try studying at the Magical Observatory
Ranma: Huh? What's that?
Sabbo: You know the Weaponsmaster Brod, correct?
Ranma (Nods his head): Yeah
Sabbo: That is Brod's 'home', where he is when he's not spending his time at the Library in Seer's Hamlet. I am sure he can help you further your knowledge with information of math, languages, histories and magic
Ranma (Blinks): And WHY should I learn all that?
Sabbo: Trust me on this It will do you a world of good Now excuse me
Sabbo then walks over to the nearest patch of shadow. He faints, landing into it and disappearing. Ranma stands there, all the while blinking.
Ranma (Blinks, mutters): What a strange guy He'd fit perfectly in Nerima
Ranma looks around. It is brighter out now. He realizes this is about the time most people are up, so he starts running back to Sheila's home in the Retreat, one thought predominant from others at the moment
Ranma (Thinks as he runs): BREAKFAST!
Britanny, Sheila, and Gar sit at a breakfast table, all the while eating a breakfast of bacon and eggs. Aeila looks up at the three werecats eating from a seat near the stove, sipping from a cup off coffee.
Aeila (Thinks): What is it with kids these days? They eat like an Emerald Dragon, and more ravenously than Wart Ogres.
Suddenly, the door by the kitchen that leads outside opens up and Ranma walks in.
Ranma: Hello. Good morning.
Aeila: Ranma, you should knock before entering.
Ranma: Oops Sorry Aeila.
Aeila: It's okay; just remember next time, all right?
Ranma: Sure Aeila.
Britanny: Hey Ranma! Were you out doing early morning training again?
Ranma (Sitting down at the table): Yes.
Sheila: Cool. So, how was it?
Ranma: Different
Gar (Raises an eyebrow): Different? And what did you do different from katas? You do a bit of running or something?
Ranma thinks about it for a minute, unsure of what to say that they will believe. After all, no way that they'd believe someone as stupid as Sabbo exists, would they? So, Ranma tells them a half-truth.
Ranma: Well You could say I was inspired Am I a warrior?
Britanny: I think so.
Sheila: Yeah.
Ranma: I don't know anymore.
Aeila: And why would you say that?
Ranma: I've always thought myself to be a warrior, but I am just a fighter. I mean I've done nothing special
Britanny: I'd say killing a Phoenix God is special
Ranma (Shakes his head): No I realized today that I was wrong He wasn't a god Saffron didn't get to form fully into one And he was still injured from his previous battle with me If he had his full power, I would have been killed
Gar (Nods his head): Hmm So, what are you saying?
Ranma: I guess that time I got lucky
Britanny: Sorry you feel down Ranma.
Ranma (Shakes his head): It's all right. I'm thinking maybe I should expand my horizons
Aeila (Raises an eyebrow): Oh?
Ranma: Yeah. I'm going to ask Brod if he can help me with my magic and possible a bit of education.
Britanny and Sheila blanch as soon as Ranma said that.
Britanny: Are you serious Ranma? You HATE studying!
Sheila: Maybe he's suffering from heat stroke?
Ranma (Shakes his head): No It's just Look, it sounds crazy to me as well, but I feel I should try to learn something else besides fighting I mean, when I think about it, I'm basically living some sort of kung-fu fantasy that my parents started me on, and that I've continued on my own. There's more to life than fighting
Aeila (Nods her head): Ah I see you're becoming a man Saotome
Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, and Gar then turn the heads towards Aeila's direction to look at her.
Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar (Blink): Huh?
Aeila (Smiles): I see this confuses you But Ranma And the rest of you should understand Growing up is much more besides aging with the years Growing up comes from what you experience Ranma is just trying to add more to his life than he's had before And I must say, I'm impressed
Ranma: Well, thanks
Aeila: I think you should go over to the Library this afternoon to ask Brod to allow you into the Magical Observatory. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you learn more about Jade, as well as magic.
Ranma: That's good to know.
Britanny: Can I go too?
Sheila: Same here. Can I go?
Gar: Now Sheila, you know we have to take care of some files that were sent our way over at the base.
Sheila (Pouts): Shoot
Aeila (Nods her head): Very well Besides with Sheila, I can see no reason that others can't go. So Ranma, Britanny, I suggest you make the most of this trip.
Sheila (Eyes sparkle): Wait! (Looks at Gar). Oh Gar, don't you owe me a favor?
Gar: No I don't
Sheila: Oh? (Smiles viciously). Then what about the time you wanted to have me as your extra set of ears, listening to how a certain person reacted when you beat up on her boyfriend, to see if she really loved him?
Gar pales, as a look of curiosity crosses Ranma, Britanny, and Aeila's faces.
Britanny: What's this about? Sheila (Smiles): Oh, you see that time you came over to the Retreat for a little vacation with your family, Gar here wanted to~MMMPH!
Gar shakes his head violently, his hand over Sheila's mouth.
Gar: OKAY, OKAY! WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR A FAVOR SIS?
Sheila smiles as Gar removes his hand from over her mouth.
Sheila: I want you to take care of my part of the forms, that way; I can go with Ranma and Britanny.
Gar: Fine, I'll do it! But if I find out you tell them Sheila, you're dead!
Aeila (Waves a finger at Gar): Gar, you know it's not nice to threaten your sister.
Gar: Sigh Sorry mom
Aeila: Better. Anyway, Ranma, Britanny, Sheila; I want you three to make the most of your time at the observatory, you hear?
Ranma Britanny: Yes Aeila.
Sheila: Yes mom.
Aeila: Good. Now finish up breakfast. Afterwards you three could get a bit of sparring in before this afternoon.
The three nod their heads and continue eating. Ranma looks at a piece of bacon on his plate, and wonders
Ranma (Thinks): I wonder whatever happened to Ryoga
Back in the Earth Realm, we see Ryoga walking across a deserted landscape, filled with all sorts of sand. Ryoga can think of only one thing. He stops to let the world around him know of his anger.
Ryoga: WHERE THE HELL AM I NOW!? DAMN IT RANMA! THIS IS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT!
Ryoga then starts to take a few deep breathes. He suddenly hears a voice.
Male voice: E, excuse me?
Ryoga looks to his right. He sees a man standing there, wearing many layers of plain brown robes with a hood, brown pants, green shirt, and gold circlets around his ankles, and one that Ryoga can see faintly shining underneath the man's hood. Ryoga glares at him.
Ryoga (Snarls): What do YOU WANT!?
The robed man is taken aback by Ryoga's angry reply. The man then points to a simple, small wooden sign that off to the side of them. Ryoga walks up to the sign and reads it.
Ryoga (Reads): "Sahara Desert, Next Exit Georgia, USA, A Whole Mess O' Miles That Way " Hmm What a convenient sign
Man: I know what you mean I'm trying to get to Georgia myself.
Ryoga: What for?
Man: Not sure I have faint memories, but I feel deep down in me that Georgia is the place where I am supposed to go Besides That's also where the note in my hand said I had to go
Ryoga: Oh Well, I'm trying to get to a district of Tokyo called Nerima right now, and find that jerk Ranma Saotome, so that I can have my revenge.
Man: Revenge? (Shivers). Sounds like it could be dangerous
Ryoga (Nods his head): It will be But, it will be so worth it to finally have revenge on Ranma After all he's done to Akane Grr
Man: Excuse me
Ryoga: What?
Man: I never got your name
Ryoga: Name's Ryoga. Ryoga Hibiki. And you?
The man then pulls back his hood so he can get a better look at Ryoga, revealing that the man is a WERECHEETAH! The werecheetah smiles pleasantly at Ryoga as he extends his hand out to Ryoga.
Werecheetah: Hi. My name is Raphiel Pleased to meet you!
Ryoga stares at the werecheetah before him for a few moments, looking back and forth from his hand to his smiling face.
Ryoga: A Cheetah-man?
Raphiel (Blinks): Me? No, I'm a werecheetah Or at least I think I am
Ryoga: What's a "werecheetah"?
Raphiel: Well, I'm one
Ryoga: I know, but what is a werecheetah specifically?
Raphiel: Well, I think I'm a person with cheetah blood I could be wrong I woke up a month ago alone in some sort of decrepit, run-down church, amongst a flowerbed that was growing in the center through a bunch of broken floorboards. I was covered in all sorts of mud too, with the note in my hand.
Ryoga: Okay You mentioned that note before What is it?
Raphiel: Well, the note said I should go to Georgia in the United States of America and find a female werecheetah named Britanny Elin Diggers.
Ryoga stands completely still and stares at Raphiel for a few moments.
Raphiel: Um Are you okay?
A scene goes through Ryoga's mind as he tries to remember that name, going over the looks of the werecheetah before him at the same time
Ryoga: "Britanny Elin Diggers" Now WHERE have I heard that name!? Wait a minute This guy has blonde hair and spots too!
Then it hits Ryoga like a sack of Bricks The time he met with that tiger-man
-=BEGIN FLASHBACK=-
Ryoga: Grr I lost my love Akane Tendo. She doesn't love anyone anymore. She won't even listen to me when I try to tell her that I love her! And it's that jerk's entire fault! Ever since her evil fianc e cheated on her with some spotted, blonde-haired whore!
Stripe turns around and grabs Ryoga's shoulders. Ryoga flinches at the strength that Stripe has.
Stripe: Did you say, "Spotted"?
Ryoga: Yes. Some blonde haired girl with green eyes, and spots in her hair Come to think of it, her ears were also a little pointy
Stripe lets go of Ryoga. Stripe's face pales to a ghostly white.
Stripe: What Was Her Name?
Ryoga: Huh?
Stripe (Narrows his eyes): WHAT WAS HER NAME!? THE NAME OF THE GIRL WITH THE BOY!?
Ryoga: I don't know I think that jerk Ranma called her, "Britchan".
Stripe the falls to his knees
Stripe: Brit Chan Oh God I missed my chance with Brit
Ryoga: Wait The woman that Ranma cheated on Akane with was your fianc e?
Stripe: I think so
-=END FLASHBACK=-
Ryoga is now steaming with anger, and Raphiel looks on with worry.
Raphiel: Um Are you okay Ryoga?
Ryoga (Screams): RANMA! HOW COULD YOU CHEAT ON AKANE WITH A WERECHEETAH!?
Raphiel (Blinks): Huh?
Ryoga then turns around and glares at Raphiel.
Ryoga: YOU!
Raphiel: M, me? Ryoga: YES! Would you do anything to meet Britanny Diggers!?
Raphiel (Smiles): You bet! If I find her, then I'll know what the heck is going on, possibly even find out who I am!
Ryoga: Then follow me! My enemy Ranma Saotome has captured the heart of the woman you seek!
Raphiel (Blinks): He has?
Ryoga: I AM ONE HUNDRED PERCENT POSITIVE! I've only seen one girl with blonde hair with spots And what I could get from fact, her name was "Brit".
Raphiel: You really know where I can find here?
Ryoga: YES! Follow me! When we find Ranma, we shall both get what we want!
Raphiel: Great! Thanks for being so kind Mr. Hibiki!
Ryoga (Smirks): Call me Ryoga.
Raphiel (Nods his head): Sure thing Ryoga!
Ryoga: Great! Follow me to Japan! And so, Ryoga then heads out, with Raphiel following closely behind, hoping that this Ryoga will take him to meet the mysterious "Britanny". A few minutes of walking, Raphiel notices something out of the ordinary
Raphiel: Hey Ryoga, do deserts usually turn really cold all of a sudden and have weird tuxedo-wearing birds flapping about?
Ryoga: Yeah. Happens all the time.
Raphiel: Oh. Okay.
Ryoga and Raphiel continue walking through snow, a Russian Base in the back round with a couple of signs that say, "South Pole, Antarctica" are posted in front of it in different languages
We see Ranma, Britanny, and Sheila in one of the libraries of the Magic Observatory's. The room they are in is a good three floors high, with bookcases leading from floor to ceiling. A faint scent of mold and dust can be smelt on the air
Britanny currently naps on one of the couches, using a book as an eye-mask. Her snoring easily echoes through a corridor of the library. Her tail hangs off the couch, and occasionally swishes from side to side as Britanny dreams of past adventures with her sister Gina. Specifically, when they tried to break out of their prison-cell in the Dead-
Knight Rook's Castle the first time
Britanny (Sleeping, mumbles): ZZzzzZZZZZZzzzzzz Heh heh That's what happens when you try to lock up three hundred lbs of angry werecheetah! Hang on Gina! Just stand back n' watch me go to town on this joker, Gina ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz .
Sheila sits in a chair, apparently reading a book titled, "Full Histories of Jade Vol. 4, Hardcover Edition". On closer inspection, on sees that Sheila has another book hidden within the history book. The book she is actually reading is a book imported from the Earth Realm, titled, "Relationships For Ninnies".
Sheila (Reads): "So, when the man makes the woman pay for dinner, and he had a steak, and all she had was a salad, it is perfectly acceptable for the woman to take out her mallet off righteous-womanly-rage upon the cheap-skate "
Sheila stares at the book, blinking a bit.
Sheila: Hmm I guess relationships are easier than I though I already know how to kapowie guys when they act like idiots
Ranma sits at a desk, all the while listening to a lecture about a major piece of Jade's history from Brod. The troll-giant was more than happy to oblige to Ranma's request So now Ranma sits at a desk listening to Brod's lecture. Ranma pales at Brod's smile This is Brod's chance for a little 'pay-back'
Brod: Now Ranma, we shall go over the history of Jade from 160 A.S. to 6000 A.S. And then, we can go over this book I have of proper table manners
Ranma (Blinks): "A.S."?
Brod: After Shadows. And feigning ignorance won't let you get out of learning, you asked me for help, and I plan to!
Ranma: Grrrooooooooaaaaaaannnn
Brod: Stop groaning!
Soon, a sound is heard from behind the door to the library. Then, two voices speak up from behind the door.
Male voice: May we come in sir?
Female voice: Yes. Tea and snacks are ready for you and your guests.
With the word of "snacks", Ranma is aware at once, Sheila looks over her book towards the door, and Britanny sits, fully awake.
Ranma, Britanny, Sheila: "Snacks"?
Brod sighs. He's not going to get any work done now
Brod: Okay, okay We'll take a break. You can come in.
The door opens, and we see two Elves, a male and female. The male has light skin, light purple-colored eyes and hair, which is combed back and reaches to the back of his neck, he wears grayish silver colored clothing, and carries a tray of little sandwiches and cookies. The female has slightly reddish pink eyes and hair that has bangs that reach to the top of her eyes and flows down to mid-back, she wears a green dress, and carries a tray with tea things.
Ranma: Hmm Elves
Britanny stays in her seat, blinking a few times. She then smiles warmly.
Britanny: Tark! Mesha! It's good to see you two again!
The Elves smile as they see Britanny remembers them. The male Elf holds the tray of snacks towards Britanny's direction.
Tark: Care for a tuna fish sandwich Britanny.
Britanny (Smiles): HECK YEAH!
Brod sighs. There's no way that he'll be able to get any teaching done for now.
Brod: Well Let's break for lunch
We see Brod, Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Tark, and Mesha sitting around a table, with tea and snacks. Britanny happily munches on a tuna fish sandwich. Ranma pours himself a cup of tea while he looks at the female Elf.
Ranma: Excuse me Mesha was it?
Mesha: Yes, my name is Mesha.
Ranma: I'm just curious. How is it you and Tark know Britanny?
Tark (Smiles): It's a bit of a long story, one you wouldn't want to hear.
Ranma: Well, I'm game.
Sheila: Yeah. Not everyday someone from the Earth Realm is a good friend with Elves.
Britanny at this point finishes her sandwich and begins speaking.
Britanny: Hey Tark, Mesha, you want me to tell?
Tark: Sure.
Mesha: Yes, thank you.
Britanny: Okay. Well Ranma, it's like this. In the earlier days of my adventures with Gina, she took me to the English wilderness with her. After studying for a few months, she found out that the wizard Merlin, from the days of King Arthur And that he left behind, as Gina would put it, "some pretty nifty toys "
Ranma: And what were these 'toys'?
Britanny: Let's see There was the Wand of Alchemy, the Book of Souls, and what Gina was after, the Time Raft.
Sheila (Blinks): "Time Raft"?
Britanny (Nods her head): Yes Apparently, Merlin created the first time machine. Gina wanted that thing so she could go around history, picking up the cutest guys.
Ranma (Blinks): Huh?
Britanny: Yeah Gina is just a nerdy bucket-of-hormones at times. Well, anyway, when we got to a cave that should have had the Time Raft, we had gotten quite a nasty surprise Someone else was studying it An evil dragon named Dreadwing.
Ranma: Okay Well, what happened?
Britanny: Tark and Mesha were slaves to this guy. Gina and I wanted to help them, so Gina was able to reprogram the Time Raft and use it on Dreadwing. The Time Raft was lost, but we managed to incinerate Dreadwing. So, we freed Tark and Mesha.
Ranma: Oh. That's interesting. (Looks at Tark and Mesha). So, you two then came here to live?
Tark (Shakes his head): No. We stayed with the Diggers for a while, sharing some of their adventures with them. On the side, Dr. Diggers was kind enough to get us jobs as clerks for the Conclave of Mages.
Mesha: Yes, we've done so many adventures with the Diggers. Like that time they went searching for the Lost City of Gold, El Dorado in Peru. An Atlantian named Gyphon overtook the place. With the help of El Dorado's prince, Stryyp'Gia, we managed to get him out of there. By the way Britanny, how's your relationship with Stripe going?
Britanny cringes with the question. Mesha gets a look of worry.
Mesha: Bad?
Britanny (Nods her head): Yeah Very bad Look, let's drop the subject of Stripe, okay?
Mesha (Nods her head): Sure. Anyway, besides going with the Girls to Atlantis and El Dorado, we helped them with other adventures. We managed to get to the 'wrap-up' of Brianna as Grave Digger. We were there when a Daemon Mouse invaded the mansion, and Tark and I had to help when the Lich King was causing trouble here in Jade.
Ranma (Blinks): "Lich King"? What's a lich?
Mesha: A lich is an undead magic-user.
Ranma: Oh What did he do?
Tark: He gave a werewolf named Brendan the Crystal Obelisk, or, as it's known to most people on Jade, the "Magic Sapper".
Ranma (Blinks): Magic Sapper?
Brod: Yes The Magic Sapper saps the Etheral Energy and spells from all magic-users for one day, and gives it to the wielder of the Obelisk. Only magical items could be used during that time, since the Magic Sapper cannot drain those.
Ranma: Oh
Ranma then looks towards Britanny. He sees she's slightly snarling. A low growl is rumbling in her throat.
Ranma (Blinks): Britanny? Are you okay?
Britanny then is taken out of her reverie of memories. She then blushes in embarrassment.
Britanny: Sorry.
Ranma: It's okay Brit. What happened?
Britanny: Sigh That werewolf Brendan He was the one that destroyed my clan and killed my mother. During the time he was after the Crystal Obelisk, I fought him I snapped his spine I was willing to kill him But, unfortunately, as I smashed him through a wall, I sent him into a room with the Obelisk He then imprisoned me in a bubble, and after, turned me into a stone statue
Ranma: How did you get out of it?
Britanny: He lost the Obelisk The spell was broken And then I thoroughly kicked his ass But, I still couldn't help it Being around him I couldn't help it I so wanted to kill him
Ranma: And did you?
Britanny: No I couldn't do it And I so wanted to
Ranma: So, what happened to him? Britanny (Smiles): He was disintegrated
Ranma (Blinks): Huh?
Sheila: Disintegrated? How?
Britanny: He tried to use the Obelisk again But apparently, a person can't use it more than once So when he tried to use it Is disintegrated him to nothing
Sheila: Oh Well, that's one less baddie in need of a kapowie in the world.
Ranma: True
Britanny: So Can we just continue eating?
Ranma: Sure.
Sheila: No problem.
Tark: That would be fine. We can talk later.
And so, the six people gathered at the table continue eating Later though, shall be a time of studying
Back in the Earth Realm
We see Ryoga and Raphiel walking through a very crowded street. Raphiel calls out to Ryoga.
Raphiel: Are you sure this is Japan?
Ryoga: Has to be! No other place besides Japan has such busy streets, that are modern in design.
Suddenly a person stops to say something to Raphiel.
Man: Hey, great costume.
Raphiel: Um Thanks.
The man walks off into the crowd. We see that there are a lot of people in costumes and there are some floats going through the streets, with people throwing beads. One sign on a float says, "Mardi Gras". Raphiel then turns to Ryoga again.
Raphiel: Are you SURE this is Japan?
Ryoga: POSITIVE!
Raphiel: Oh. Okay
And so, Raphiel continues to follow Ryoga May God have mercy on him
End Chapter 36
Next Time: Gar catches Ranma, Britanny, and his sister Sheila in the act! Now, trouble's a brewing for Ranma. And what's this? Tirga challenges Ranma to an Anything Goes Girl Catching Race?
Author's note: Sigh Well, it's been quite awhile, hasn't it? What can I say? I wanted to go and finally finish off my other fic, "Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu". Well, I will try to finish the first book of Broken Hearts Combined before summer arrives.
-This is RedPriest17, signing off.
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