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 40: The Three B's: Booze, Babes, and Bar-Fights!
We see Julia sitting at a wooden desk in the middle of a room lines with stacks of scrolls. This is where she reviews information on the fighters. She has been rereading reviews and profiles of warriors for the past hour She can only think of one thing
Julia (Mutters): By the gods, this is boring Why did they have me reread these? They know if I read too many words in a row I get sleepy
Julia yawns. She then looks around and sees the unopened letter on her desk with "Open and read ASAP. Giant Clan Law #356B" written on the outside.
Julia: Might as well find out what this is about
Julia takes a dagger from the side of her right boot and uses it as a letter opener. She reads over the letter that is inside the envelope. She reads aloud.
Julia (Reads): "My Dear daughter Julia. I am sure you know about Law #356B; which states that when an outsider male warrior beats a female warrior of the Giant Clan, she has to marry him. Well, Ranma and Britanny had battled to show me how well Britanny has been going with her training and the boy Ranma defeated her. Well, to the point. Since Britanny IS adopted by as your daughter, Julia, she is also a member of the Giant Clan. And so that means the laws apply to her as well. And, then Aeila made a deal with me that Sheila would also be Ranma's mate. So congratulations on your new son-in-law and daughter-in-law! And make sure that Ranma, your daughter Britanny, and Sheila have a lot of offspring! Love, Your Mumsey, Brunhildagard "
Julia slowly drops the note he has received from her mother onto the desk. She has a total look of shock on her face. The only thing letting us know she is alive is the fact that her left eye keeps twitching. Finally, after many long moments, Julia regains her wits, and says the first thing that comes to mind.
Julia: Ranma is so dead Theo is going to blow his top when he finds out
Then, Julia's face brightens in joy as another thought goes through her mind The idea of what will come from the union of her daughter Britanny and Ranma.
Julia (Smiles): GRANDCHILDREN!
We see Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar, Thropan, Luan, and Carla standing outside a large tavern inn. It is a three story wooden building, and a hanging metal sign by the door. The sign is a carving of a dragon from the left side, and it has "Gemstone Dragon Tavern and Inn" carved into the main body of the Dragon. Above that sign is another sign, made from cloth with the words "warriors of the tournament eat 25% off". Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar, Luan, and Carla's eyes sparkle with joy.
Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar, Luan, Carla: FOOD! CHEAP! YAY!
Thropan (Sweat-drops): What is it with you guys? You eat, you sleep, you fight, you have sex IS THAT ALL THERE IS TO LIFE WITH YOU!?
Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar, Luan, Carla: Yes.
Thropan face-faults as the others start running inside to get good and cheap food. The bartender, Lu looks at the force coming in through the door of his establishment. He is in his late twenties. He has short dark brown hair, tanned skin, and stands at a full six feet in height with a muscular build, without being too bulky. He wears a body-hugging black leather tunic, with a black vest atop it, black pants held up by a black leather belt with gold buckle, short black leather boots, gold arm bracers, and a gold ring on each finger. Lu sighs heavily.
Lu: Why is it I always get the gluttonous ones? Oh well They probably won't be as bad as that Inverse girl She ate me out of house and home And then blew it up
Thropan (Looks at others who are stuck in door): Do you guys need help?
Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar, Luan, Carla: No!
Thropan sighs His vision is then attracted to what seems to be a parade of people coming down the street and towards the tavern. Upon closer inspection, he sees that the one leading the group is a somewhat young-looking weretigress with long red hair that is tied into a very intricate braid; it reaches all the way to her waist, and sweet, tender green eyes, very thin and very voluptuous, (a bit bigger than Brittany in the breast area). She wears three golden earrings in each ear and has diverse strange and very complex tattoos all over her body, including two, beneath her eyes, just above her cheeks, with the sign of "RA", (Egyptian God).
At the moment she is also wears a very long black tunic that covers her from shoulder to feet, with a hood covering all her head and most of her face, only allowing her eyes to be seen. Under it she wears an "itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny leopard spotted print g-string bikini" that only covers the strictly necessary parts of her female/feline body. She also wears black combat boots with retractable blades in the tip and heel, and fingerless Cestus type combat gloves, so that she can use her claws.
And to top it all off, surrounding the weretigress are four werelions, each over eight feet in height, with muscle that shows they could deal with anything that may get in their way, and wearing dense brown clothing, that has a few intricate details like a crest on the left breast, and shoulder guards.. Thropan can only think to do one thing.
Thropan: Uh Guys
Ranma (Stuck): What is it Thropan?
Britanny (Stuck, struggling): Yeah, we're a bit busy at the moment!
Thropan: Well We have some company
The weretigress looks at the people stuck in the door, and smiles in a playful way. She looks towards Thropan.
Weretigress: Problems?
Thropan: Uh Slight problem
Weretigress: Maybe I can help?
The weretigress snaps her fingers, and her werelions stand at attention.
Weretigress: Okay boys, help get that group get unstuck!
Werelion #1: Uh Technically, "unstuck" isn't a real word.
Weretigress (Pouts): You know what I mean!
The weretigress points to the stuck crew of fighters and werecats. Her werelions go and pull Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, and Gar out of the door, leaving Carla and Luan to fall forwards into the tavern. The werelions then put Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, and Gar back onto their feet. Gar goes over to help Carla and Luan back onto their feet while the werelions move back to surround the weretigress.
Ranma (Looks at the weretigress): Thanks.
Britanny: Yeah. Getting stuck wasn't fun.
Sheila: I'll second that.
Weretigress. Don't mention it. (Eyes widen). Hey! Are you Ranma Saotome?
Ranma: Uh, yeah. Why? Weretigress: COOL! I was in the Tournament of Arms too! I was hoping top talk to you afterwards! Say, would you like to sit at the same table and talk?
Ranma: Um Uh
Britanny Sheila: No-
Weretigress (Interrupts): I'll pay for the food.
Britanny Sheila (Eyes brighten): -way we'll pass up a deal like that!
Ranma: Yeah!
Gar: Are you sure you want to do that? We can eat a lot.
Weretigress: No worries I'm sure I can get it put on my father's tab.
Ranma (Blinks): Won't your father be mad?
Weretigress (Smiles genuinely): Trust me. This won't be anything my daddy can't handle And, while we eat, we can talk about ourselves and get better acquainted perhaps?
Ranma: Sure. You're footing the bill; it's the least we could do.
Weretigress: Thanks Ranma.
Britanny: Well, come one! Time's a wasting.
And so, the large group containing mostly werecats walks into the Gemstone Dragon Tavern and Inn. The owner, Lu, can only think one thing
Lu (Dollar signs in eyes): CHA-CHING!
Lu then goes back inside to tend to his customers. After all, a happy customer is one that buys a lot of goods
We now see a large forested area, one connected to Seer's Hamlet. It would be like any forest at night, except there are many red lights wafting through the air Closer inspection shows these to be the eyes of the Ghost Knights and Rook. Rook steps out of the forest and looks around, spanning his vision over the city of Seer's Hamlet. His army lines up behind him; they are ready to ransack, pillage, and basically destroy as much of the village as they possibly can. All they need is the word from their master Rook.
Rook: This is the place This is where we'll find the Arks
Hanzo (Stepping out of the woods): Are you sure?
Rook: Positive I can feel her presence here in this city
Hanzo: The werecheetah's?
Rook: Yes Just one problem
Hanzo: What's that?
Rook: I have no clue exactly where in the city she'd be!
All of Rook's Ghost Knights and Hanzo face-fault. Hanzo then gets off the ground and glares at Rook.
Hanzo: YOU IDIOT! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT US TO DO NOW!?
Rook: Simple. You all wait here When you get my signal, I want you to head towards where I'll be, got that!?
Hanzo: And what, pray-tell, will your signal be? Rook: You'll recognize it when you see it.
With that, Rook disappears into a puff of smoke, leaving Hanzo there to stand guard with the fifty Ghost Knights. Hanzo then turns around to look at the Ghost Knights.
Hanzo: So Anyone up for a game of Poker?
Ghost Knight #1: I'll deal in.
Ghost Knight #2: Me too.
Ghost Knight #3: Same here.
Ghost Knight #4: I love that game.
Ghost Knight #5: I will beat your ass!
And so Hanzo uses five decks of cards to play a fifty-one way game of poker with the Ghost Knights
On the hills on the other side of the city, we see Sabbo standing there, his eyes narrowed in thought.
Sabbo (Thinks): Hmm This is not good Ranma made it to the Tournament of Arms like I wanted, but now Rook How did he get free!?
Sabbo then stands up, ready to go on to help Ranma.
Sabbo (Poses): DON'T WORRY RANMA! I'M COMING!
Male voice: You'll do no such thing, oh great "Hidden Emperor of Jade"
Sabbo's eyes widen in shock. Someone managed to sneak up on him?
Sabbo (Looks around): Impressive Sneaking up on me No one's ever done that
Sabbo continues to look around. He feels a strange energy pattern coming up from one of the trees.
Sabbo (Looks towards pattern): There you are
With that the energy pattern drops from the tree and falls to the ground beside Sabbo. Suddenly the energy pattern fades away, leaving an armored man with pale skin, dark brown hair that falls to his shoulders, and cold sapphire eyes. His armor is midnight-
black in color, with spikes on the shoulders, complimented cape that is black in coloring with a silver shape of a crushed skull on it. He also wields a shield on his left arm that has the same logo as the cape, and to his right is sheathed sword. Sabbo recognizes the man instantly and jumps back in shock
Sabbo (Wide-eyed): D, Drakuzz!
Rippen (Smirks): That's "Rippen Drakuzz" to you!
Sabbo (Calms down): Whatever Just go away Dark Lord You lost to Ranma in the Tournament of Arms; there's no reason for you to be here!
Rippen: Oh, on the contrary my fat 'friend' I have a lot of reason to be here
Sabbo: Like what?
Rippen: Ranma Saotome and Julia Brigand-Diggers
Sabbo: What about them?
Rippen: I find them Interesting They would make perfect generals for me if it weren't for a few certain ideals they hold
Sabbo: Which is?
Rippen: Optimism, a sense of "fair-play", and They have the one thing that my generals cannot have
Sabbo: Love? Rippen: Exactly Julia has her husband and a loving family Ranma has the two werecats For you see, my generals need to have nothing left to lose And Ranma and Julia still have things they treasure above their own lives.
Sabbo: I see So why are you still here then.
Rippen (Points across to the other side of town): You feel that energy there? Sabbo: Of course Somehow, Rook is back And he brought some friends with him You planning to fight him?
Rippen: Heavens no! I have no use for undead! They have no use to me; they don't even have souls for me to take for my sword!
Sabbo: Okay Then WHY are you still here!?
Rippen: I'm here because my general I-chan wants to have some fun.
Sabbo (Blinks): "I-chan?"
Female voice: Don't call me I-chan, Rippen!
Sabbo blinks. He turns to see a woman standing behind him. She is tall, with red eyes and long blue-gray hair neatly tied back in a ponytail. She wears a long dark violet skirt with an opening on one side, which reveals she wears high boots that go above her knees. She wears a black bra so small that it shows just about everything, and there was a lot to show Red markings are all over her chest and face, and wings sprout out from her back, white wings like the ones of an angel. To top it off; two Yin-yang styled balls float around her. Sabbo jumps back from her, and falls on his butt as he then begins to back-
peddle away from her.
Sabbo: I, I, IHADURCA!
Ihadurca: Yes it is I. Long time no see, Sabbo
Sabbo begins to sweat bullets. This is not good.
Sabbo: R, Rippen How did you
Rippen: Get the "Absolute Existence" as my general? Simple When that Danzaiver fellow struck her down while in the Evil Zone, she managed to break a piece of herself off and sent it to flow into the Sea of Chaos, rather than be destroyed completely. I saved that smaller fragment of her, and restored her to her former glory
Sabbo: Okay So now what?
Ihadurca: It's hunting season I know you were one of the ones to tell Kakurine that the seal on the Evil Zone was breaking, and I know it was you who suggested to her to get those warriors from different planes of existence to attack me
Sabbo: Y, you did?
Ihadurca: Yes In other words
Ihadurca then aims her staff at Sabbo like a rifle.
Ihadurca: It's Sabbo Season! VALGANDO!
(-) Hanzo and the Ghost Knights look up from their card game when they see the huge explosion.
Hanzo: Well, that must be Rook's signal. Okay men Er Ghosts! Let's go!
Ghost Knights #1 50: YEAH!
And so, Hanzo and the fifty Ghost Knights start marching down from the forest and towards the city.
We see the inside of the crowded tavern; the Gemstone Dragon Tavern Inn. In the center of the dining room, we see Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, Gar, Thropan, Luan, Carla, the weretigress, and the four werelions sitting at a large table, which is covered in all sorts of food and drink. They've spent the time getting acquainted and eating.
Ranma (Looking to the weretigress): Okay, your name's Kitzia, right?
Kitzia: It's Princess Kitzia 'Mussette' Felinia, but I prefer Kitzia while traveling.
Ranma (Talks around a mouthful of food): Okay, let me gets this straight You're sixteen and the princess of this secret Empire of the Sun, a kingdom that has inherited the culture, magic, and wisdom of the Ancient Egyptian culture
Kitzia (Nods her head): Correct.
Ranma: And that you are the only daughter of the Pharaoh Tetmez and High Priestess Selmiz; and that your mother is a weretigress and your father is Pharaoh and warrior supreme of the kingdom.
Kitzia (Smiles): Correct again!
Ranma (Smiles): Cool.
Britanny (Finishes a turkey leg): That's cool. I'm sure my sister Gina would love to ask you some questions about your culture.
Kitzia: She can try. I have no problems.
Sheila: So, why did you want to talk to Ranchan here?
Kitzia: Well Since I was young I've been used to being pampered and treated with extreme respect, besides getting everything in a "silver" platter
Britanny (Smiles): Sounds like my kind of life Except the silver part
Kitzia: Indeed I preferred gold plates.
Ranma: Okay, so you had a good life. What does that have to do with me?
Kitzia: Well, even though I have a great deal of potential, I Well (Blushes). I admit that I've neglected my training because I'm not very interested in training I've learned a few things about my family's style but my skill is mostly deficient because of my lack of interest I care more about fashion and appearance than any other thing
Britanny (Smiles): You know, I could really get along well with you.
Kitzia: Oh?
Britanny: Sounds a lot like my life. I love to do training, but I prefer lounging around, fashion, and how I look above it But, I also like spending my time with Ranma
Britanny then glomps onto Ranma, who is now blushing furiously.
Gar: So you don't spend so much time training All you have to do is train some more, and you will become a more proficient fighter.
Kitzia (Nods her head): I know
Sheila: If it's not too much, can we stop bothering her, and finally have her tell us why she's here?
Kitzia: Okay, Well I am on a royal vacation through the all of Jade. I've been challenging anyone I want just for fun, and I recently learned about the Tournament of Arms, and since she couldn't buy the title of Armsmaster or Weaponsmaster I decided to enter and compete
Ranma: Yeah I remember you being in the tournament Sorry you lost
Then one of the werelions walks up to Ranma. He then begins to speak.
Werelion: Mr. Saotome, what Princess Kitzia needs is someone to teach her to be responsible, not so egocentric, and vain. For all her "powers" just a slap would do to make her start crying. After all she is just a little spoiled brat that needs a firm hand to guide her. We are hoping that you could teach her some discipline and teach her how to be responsible, (after she will inherit a kingdom) with her future and present duties. She is just a little girl that needs to grow up and mature emotionally.
Kitzia: HEY! I AM NOT THAT BAD!
Werelion (Bows low): Sorry your highness!
The werelion then moves back into the row with the other werelion bodyguards for Kitzia. Thropan, who is sitting with them, looks over at Lu, who is walking over to their table.
Thropan: Is anything wrong?
Lu: Yeah We're low on seating at the moment, and I'm wondering if I can sit a few people here at the moment. This is the only table we have with some room at the moment. So, could the few extra customers sit here?
Ranma: I don't see why not. This is a big table, and there's still quite a bit of room left.
Lu: Thank you.
Lu walks back to the main door of the tavern and talks to some people waiting outside. The four travellers walk in, raising the eyebrows of the group at the table.
The first is a male elf, only 5'6" in height. His skin is dark from dirt and grime, and he has pale blonde hair and dark green eyes. He wears black leather pants leggings over brown pants, a black vest with no shirt, and Buddhist monk prayer beads around his neck.
The second person is a male werejaguar about 6'7" in height. He wears simple farming clothes, all different shades of brown. The only things about him that stand out is the short-sword to his right side, sheathed in a brown weapons' belt, and a slight vertical scar off to the right side of his right side.
Ranma and Britanny recognize the third person easily. She was a student of Anything Goes Yin Sect under Master Leep by the name of Shi Hanna. Shi is a female Half-Elf, standing at 5'9" in height. She wears green lose pants, tied with orange cord around the ankles and shins, a white Chinese-styled robe, tied at the waist with a brown leather weapons belt, and a dark green hooded cloak with light-green leaf pattern designs. She has short swords to either sides of her.
Ranma: Hi Shi!
Britanny: How're you doing Shi?
Shi: Hi Ranma, Hi Britanny. Good to see you again. I'm, doing fine.
The fourth person however makes Britanny very, VERY angry
Britanny: WERERAT!
Wererat (Blinks): Yes?
The wererat has a bit of an odd appearance for one, but he definitely is one. He is 5'7" in height, a lithe frame, light-gray fur, short brown hair, blue eyes, wears a dark blue body suit with black chest-plate armor and shoulder-guards, and he has a broadsword strapped to his back.
The wererat is swept off his feet and is slammed into a wall by Britanny, who is glaring daggers at him, while she growls Everyone is staring at her like she's crazy
Britanny (Holds wererat by throat): You
Wererat: Guh Wha C, can't breathe!
Britanny has some people shake her, but she will not let go of the wererat, who is starting to turn blue in the face, which is quite a feat considering he's covered in a good layer of fur. Britanny loosens her grip ever so slightly so he can breathe.
Britanny (Loosens grip slightly): Okay wererat I'm going to ask this once
Wererat: A, ask what?
Britanny: Why were my people killed?
Wererat (Blinks): Wha?
Britanny (Glares, tightens grip): WHY!? WHY WERE THE WERECHEETAHS SET UP FOR DEATH BY YOU WERERATS!?
By now, all this commotion has gotten the attention of everyone in the tavern. Britanny's friends; Ranma, Sheila, and Gar try shaking her shoulders, so get her to drop the wererat.
Ranma: BRIT STOP! You're going to kill him!
Britanny: That may be the idea (Looks wererat in the eyes). Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn't help have my people killed Go ahead Just try
The wererat sweats under the werecheetah's scrutinizing glare. He never thought that there were still any werecheetahs left. And he knows that his people did have a hand in their destruction He can't seem to say anything for a few moments, but finally gives
Wererat: I'm a deserter I left my clan years ago I'm sorry we had your people killed off But it was not my fault The Seer caste, the ones that govern us They told us that either you werecheetahs die, or we did. I, I'm sorry
Britanny's anger seems to grow to a point where her face is in a snarl and all her teeth are bared. She is pissed.
Wererat: Please Don't kill me
Britanny drops the wererat to the ground. She then calmly sits back into her seat, leaving everyone in the room dumbfounded.
Britanny (Looks at the wererat): I won't I'm not a murderer like you
All is silent for a few moments until Ranma breaks the silence.
Ranma: Brit?
Britanny: Yes?
Ranma: W, what brought that on?
Britanny: Sigh Ranchan Let me tell you about a 'dream' I had
We see Julia in that same room of the coliseum. She puts away some scrolls into one of the holding stacks; all the while she smiles brightly.
Julia: Done Now to go eat dinner with my daughter and possible family
Julia whistles as she leaves the office. She is really in a good mood.
Julia (Mutters): Grandchildren, grandchildren, GRANDCHILDREN! YAHOO!
We see Hanzo leading the Ghost Knights. They are now at the Edge of the city. Hanzo looks around The place is mostly deserted. There are only two places with lights on. Those are the coliseum and one rather large building.
Hanzo: Rook must be in there (Points to the building). I mean, if not there, then where else could he be?
Ghost Knight #1: So, now what Hanzo?
Hanzo: That's simple. Now we go and get us some Arks!
All the Ghost Knights raise their weapons high and start charging into the city.
(-) We are once again at the tavern. Some time has passed, and more introductions made. Ranma and crew have found out the names and slight bits of story behind the three that were brought over to sit at their table.
The Elf was mostly quiet. All they could get from him was that his name is Ningai and that he is a monk Seems very dark for a monk though
The werejaguar's name is Wind Song. He is just a local farmer in the area, and he just came over to watch the Tournament of Arms, and came to the Gemstone Dragon Bar to get a bite to eat.
The wererat introduced himself as Ashaton Chaos. He says he is a fighter in the Tournament of Arms. He is not representing the Wererat Clan, but he is the representative for his school: the Chaos Wind Style.
Overall, there is a slight bit of tension in the room. Britanny is not happy having the wererat Ashaton there, and it clearly shows. Ashaton currently sits at the end of the table farthest away from Britanny.
Ashaton (Thinks): Gonna die I'm gonna die The werecheetah is going to kill me, and I'm gonna die Damn I so wanted to become the new Armsmaster
Ningai (Thinks): The scent of death is in the air It is truly Invigorating
Ranma decides to move over to Britanny and shakes her shoulder slightly.
Ranma: Are you okay Britchan?
Britanny: I'm fine Really
Britanny then gets up from her seat and takes her mug with her. She moves over to one wall of the room that is has wine barrels with taps in them stacked from the floor to the ceiling. Britanny waits in line to get a refill, taking the time to try to cool down and clear her mind
Britanny (Thinks): Damn I shouldn't have blown up like that I probably scared the shit out of that poor wererat I didn't know he was no longer part of the wererat clan, that he was a deserter Sigh Maybe I should apologize to him?
Britanny then blinks as she realizes that the line is gone, and it is her turn. She turns the tap, and some mulberry wine begins to pour from the barrel and into her mug. Britanny's eyes widen, as she feels a sword against her neck. She turns her head slightly to see a man, covered in all sorts of robes.
Man (Whispers): Give me the Ark werecheetah
Britanny's eyes widen in shock and a bit of fear. This man knows she has the Arm Worse, he's threatening her life for it.
Britanny: No one threatens me
Britanny then moves faster than the man can move her sword, thanks to her training with Ranma. She goes to punch the man, but He vanishes into thin air. Britanny looks around in shock.
Britanny (Blinks): Where'd he go?
Bunches of the people that were waiting in line to get refills, but dared not move shake their heads. The man just disappeared
Britanny: I don't like this.
Britanny's ear twitches, and she gets a feeling in the pit of her stomach. She acts on instinct and ducks, just as a sword then juts out of the barrel of wine, and stabs where her head would have been. Britanny rolls away from the wine barrels, as wine begins to flow from the hole made by the sword. Britanny's friends Ranma, Sheila, and Gar run up to join her.
Ranma: What's going on here Britchan?
Britanny (Whispers so only Ranma, Sheila, and Gar can hear): He knows I have one of the Arks and he tried to mug me!
Soon, the barrel bursts apart in splinters and liquid. They see the robed man standing there, dripping wet.
Man: Do you know how HARD it is to get mulberry wine out of robes and armor!?
Britanny: Well you were trying to mug me!
Man: Wrong I'm here to kill you
The man throws off his wet robes to the side, to reveal that he is an Undead Knight Or, more precisely
Britanny: ROOK!?
Rook: In the flesh Or what's left of it anyway
Sheila, Gar, and Thropan summon their weapons and aim them at Rook.
Gar (Aims Thunder Edge at Rook): Rook! We place you under arrest in the name of the Edge Guard!
Sheila (Aims Ice Fang at Rook): Anything you say can, and will be used against you in a court of law!
Thropan (Aims Earth Flail at Rook): Now come along quietly, and you won't get hurt.
Rook: Why am I not impressed?
Rook lets his eyes wander around. Everyone in the vicinity is starting to take out weapons; getting ready for battle. That doesn't bother him at all. He's taken on far larger numbers of opponents at once and come out with flying colors It isn't until he sees Ranma summon the katana 'Shadow Strike' that he gets nervous.
Rook (Thinks): Hmm Not good He has the sword of the Ninja Clan
Rook seems to be in a bind, until the doors to the tavern burst open when Hanzo kicks them off their hinges. He holds his broadsword up high and looks around.
Hanzo: We got your signal Rook; where the werecheetah!?
Rook smiles. He doesn't know why Hanzo came here yet, but his timing is just perfect.
Rook (Points one of his swords at Britanny): She's right there. Now, are you going to help me pry the Ark from her corpse, or not?
Ranma: WHAT!? NO ONE THREATENS BRITANNY!
Ranma charges at Rook, and with that, all hell breaks loose
Lu (Thinks, watches all the ensuing carnage): Sigh This is gonna cost me
We see Sabbo running as fast as his short, fat, and overall stubby legs can carry him. Ihadurca is chasing him with a vengeance.
Ihadurca (Flying after Sabbo): See Sabbo. See Sabbo run. Run Sabbo, RUN! HA HA!
Ihadurca's balls Bendis, (Blessing) and Meltis, (Curse) fly around Sabbo, trying to shoot little lasers at him all the while.
Sabbo: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! MY ASS! IT'S TRYING TO SHOOT MY ASS! HELP!
Sabbo runs, and notices he's heading into the city.
Sabbo (Thinks): YES! If I can make it to the bunch of people, I'll be home free! No way Ihadurca will want to be seen.
And so, Sabbo puts it into fourth gear and begins to run faster than he has ever run before!
Sabbo (Sings, runs): "Born free As free as the wind blows As free as the grass grows "
Ihadurca (Shoots at him, sweat-drops): What is it with him and singing?
We see Ranma, Britanny, Sheila, and basically every warrior outside in the streets. Put simply, it is total chaos. Every fighter and ghost is clashing in what has turned into a "Mega Multiple Martial Artists' Melee"! (Dare you to say THAT three times fast!)
What one can notice from all that's going on is Rook seems to keep trying to go for Britanny and Sheila, but mostly for Britanny. Britanny has to use her cheetah speed at every which way to keep from being be-headed, run through with Rook's swords, or worse
Britanny (Dodges sword strike from Rook): DAMN IT! WHY DO YOU KEEP GOING AFTER ME!?
Rook: Two reasons One You have one of the Arks!
Britanny punches at Rook, but he disappears behind her. Britanny once again dodges and rolls forward and away from Rook as he slashes at where she was standing. Britanny jumps back onto her feet and stands guard.
Britanny: And the other?
Rook: REVENGE!
Rook and Britanny continue to fight more. We see Ranma and Gar double-teaming one Ghost Knight with two swords and spiked armor. Both gather their ki to them and fire it at the huge Ghost.
Gar: Kinkajaga Suisei!
Ranma: Ginka Genki Gan!
Gar's Golden Jaguar Comet and Ranma's Silver Energy Bang both impact with the Ghost Knight, making it fall to pieces of rusted armor.
Ranma (Blinks): How'd we manage that?
Gar: No clue Usually only Holy magic works that well
Shi: Hey Ranma! Gar! I have an idea!
Ranma: What is it Shi?
Shi: Holy Magic works as a form of Healing Magic. That's why the Ghosts can be defeated by it. The life energy tears through their undead bodies like a sandworm through a desert.
Ranma: Ah Makes sense
Gar: Ready to kick some ghost butt?
Ranma: Indeed.
Ranma and Gar are now glowing like the fourth off July as they prepare to fir off ki. Battle continue for a bit, until the strangest sight happens
Sheila: Hey! What's that in the distance?
Thropan: Whatever it is, it's heading in fast.
As what they see gets closer, it is revealed to be Sabbo, being chased by a winged woman.
Sabbo (Running): HELP ME, SAVE ME! HELP ME, SAVE ME! HELP ME, SAVE ME! HELP ME, SAVE ME! HELP ME, SAVE ME! HELP ME, SAVE ME!
Ranma Gar (Blink): Sabbo? Hey wait (Look at each other). How do you know Sabbo? Me? That weirdo's followed me from time to time.
Sabbo: SOMEONE HELP ME GODS DAMN IT!
Sabbo keeps on running. He manages to run over Rook, smashing him into the ground. Sabbo doesn't stop to check on Rook, but keeps on running.
Ihadurca: COME BACK HERE!
Ihadurca shoots another blast of energy at Sabbo, which misses, but hits Rook instead. Now, Rook's armor is charred, and his eyes glow with a yellow color.
Rook: Ow
As Sabbo and Ihadurca head into the night, Ranma and Gar take advantage of the situation; releasing their auras at such a large area, that they engulf all the Ghosts Knights within it, and end up destroying them.
Ranma: That was easy
Gar: No kidding
Hanzo looks around. He sweat-drops as he is the only one of his crew still standing.
Hanzo: Um Rook?
Rook (On ground): What?
Hanzo: Are we in deep shit?
Rook: Yes
Hanzo: Crap
Thropan (Aims Earth Flail at Rook): Now, we're going to do this again!
Gar (Aims Thunder Edge at Rook): Rook! Hanzo! We place you both under arrest in the name of the Edge Guard!
Sheila (Aims Ice Fang at Rook): Anything either of you say can, and will be used against you in a court of law!
Hanzo (Teary-eyed): Craaaaaaaaaaap
Rook stands shakily. He raises one of his swords towards Britanny.
Rook: I will not stop yet I will get that Ark!
Female voice: And you shall do nothing of the sort!
Rook feels a sword against his neck A sword that is being powered by someone's life force And that voice is very recognizable. Rook turns his head a little and sees the one person he hates the most.
Rook: Julia
Julia (Presses sword into his neck): So Rook Attacking my daughter Causing mass property damage You've got a lot to answer for And this time I'll make sure more is done than just having you sealed inside solid rock
Britanny: MOM!
Ranma: Thanks Master Julia.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake. From the ground bursts a huge violet-colored snake-like creature
Sheila: A WYRM!?
Ranma: A what!?
Gar: A Wyrm! It's a type of Pseudo Dragon!
With that, the violet snake-like dragon lets out a loud roar, and moves at incredible speeds, sliding along faster than a werecheetah could hope to run. It manages to get Rook and Hanzo in its jaws and brings them underground with it.
Ningai: So, they're dead?
Julia: I don't think so They weren't too afraid to see it
Thropan: So, they got away
Gar: Damn it!
Julia: Do not fret. Knowing Rook, he will be back. For now I have much more pressing matters to attend to
Julia then moves over to Ranma and Britanny. She puts her right hand on Ranma's left shoulder, and her left hand on Britanny's right shoulder. Julia face has a smile that goes ear-to-ear on her.
Julia: So tell me Ranma, Britanny What's this that I keep hearing about you two and Sheila with Giant Clan Law #356B?
Ranma and Britanny pale in color and Sheila laughs.
Back in the Earth Realm, we see Ryoga and Raphiel sitting by a campfire. It is night where they are. Raphiel looks around and then turns to Ryoga.
Raphiel: Hey Ryoga We are in Massachusetts, right?
Ryoga: Of course!
Raphiel: Well Is there supposed to be alligator-filled swampland in Massachusetts?
Ryoga: Of course! I come through here all the time!
Ryoga and Raphiel continue cooking their meal. Near them is a sign that is half-sunken into the swamp. Written on the sigh is the words, "Florida Everglades".
We see a lone figure standing in an area of darkness. He breathes heavily
Man: Is Is this death?
Suddenly there is a blaring flash of light. The man's features are illuminated We see that the man is the Prince of the Musk, Herb. Herb looks around. He sees the visage of what happened before He sees himself The day Fauntleroy had shown up
Herb (Mutters): No
Herb watches the flashes of Memory before him. It was like any other day Herb was going over plans to rebuild the aqueduct system after an attempted raid by the Amazons a few months back destroyed them so we could once again have water reserves Then two women showed up. These two had almost godly amounts of power to them, almost as powerful as Saffron. Herb could tell by their eyes that they had dragon blood to them as well. One had short brown hair, blue eyes, dark skin, a yellow dress-shirt, red bow tie, red loose pants, red shoes, and red gloves with yellow hearts on the back. The other had long dark blue hair, violet eyes, pale skin, and the same outfit as the other woman, but in different shades of violet. They came speaking of a 'deal' their 'master' wanted to make with the ruling dragon of the area, which was him Herb had met the women and agreed to meet with their 'master'. That's when he met him
Herb (Mutters): That's when we met Fauntleroy
Fauntleroy demanded that Herb help him to regain his lost power That they would go to Uhm Di Turrok and find the lost "Onyx Tablet", or that the two of them could dig up the Jusenkyo area of China, looking for a "tool". A special item left by an ancient race A tool that would allow them to either create life, or destroy it!
Of course, Herb refused, saying he could see the light of insanity and in Fauntleroy's eyes Fauntleroy did not take it well Before h knew it, Fauntleroy unleashed his Dragon powers that he still had connection to and started sending wave after wave of attacks at Herb from his hand and there were other dragon-life forms there as well, assisting him . Attacking Herb at any, which way they can.
Basically, it ended with the Musk Dynasty, after forty thousand years of existence, came to an end in a burning fire of anguish and fear
Herb jerks his body up as he wakes up. He breathes heavily and is covered in a cold sweat. He looks around. He does not recognize where he is But, that's not surprising as his vision is incredibly blurry and he cannot see well.
Herb: W, where am I?
Female voice: You are in the village of the Amazons 'Prince' Herb
Herb looks around for the speaker. Since his eyes are fogged, he can only see shapes and blurs But even with his impended sight, he recognizes the speaker easily by her voice alone
Herb: Elder Ku-Long
Even though Herb cannot see her at the moment, he can tell she is nodding his head.
Herb: What am I doing here? Where are my people!? WHY CAN I NOT SEE!?
Cologne: Easy warrior of the Musk Easy For now you must rest
Herb: But my people
Cologne: Your people are as good as dead. For now, you must rest. There is much that you will need to know, and we shall tell you after you are rested.
Cologne leaves Herb alone in the room. He collapses back onto the bed and sighs heavily.
Herb: Spice I hope you are okay
Herb then closes his eyes and tries to go back to sleep.
Outside Cologne's hut, we see the Matriarch looking at the rising sun. It is early in the morning here.
Cologne (Mutters): A new day A new sunrise And possibly one of the last we might have
Cologne concentrates on the current events They have six days until Fauntleroy comes back for their answer
Matriarch: Six days Six more days And then we will be doomed Is there nothing we can do Ku-Long?
Cologne: There is After all, why do you think I saved Herb?
Matriarch: But the former prince is not powerful enough to fight the dragon-man!
Cologne: Of course he is not! And I do not plan to have him go out to fight Fauntleroy. That would be a waste of time and effort.
Matriarch: Then what is the point Ku-Long!? What is there to gain for helping the former prince of the Musk survive!?
Cologne: The Musk's law of "Life Debt".
Matriarch: What about it?
Cologne: Simple We will tell Herb that we saved him He will owe us a favor It will be on his honor to repay us
Matriarch: And how will he do that?
Cologne then turns to face the other matriarch and gives her a wry smile.
Cologne: He will go out with 1/3 of our warriors And he will go to find and bring back the lost one Herd will find Ranma Saotome
End Chapter 40
Next Time: The Second day of fighting begins! More fights! YAY!
Author's note: Yes! The Tournament is now in action!
And, I would like to share a little information. This chapter and the next two chapters will have authors and fans that are friends of mine in it, as a way to say, "Thanks for all of your support." Here is which characters are who was in this chapter.
Lu = Dragonlord Lu. A great fan of mine, and lover of the story Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu. Helped me with a listing of all of Ranma's moves, so I would have a better idea of what is in Ranma's repertoire of attacks.
Ningai = Zell. A very good fan of mine, and sometimes fanfic writer. One of the first fans of my fic "Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu".
Shi Hanna = Cory D. Rose. He is fellow author, whom I like to consider a good friend. He's the writer of the "Uncles" idea proposed by Nighthawk sometime ago, the Ranma and Sailor Moon fic, "Replacement", and another great Ranma and Gold Digger fic, which is a personal favorite of mine, "Golden Opportunity".
Kitzia 'Mussette' Felinia = Kitty. She's a good fan of "Broken Hearts Combined", a lover of cats, and a member of a Gold Digger RP group. She deserved a spot in this.
Wind Song = Wind Song. A great fan of Broken Hearts Combined, and aspiring writer. Currently working on his own Ranma Gold Digger fic. He deserves a spot as a way to say, "Hey, welcome to the club!"
Ashaton Chaos = Teamrocket251. A great fan of Broken Hearts Combined, and a great person to RP Gold Digger and Ranma stories. Guy acts as a good source of inspiration from time to time.
Rippen Drakuzz = Rippen Drakuzz. He is the Author of such great Ranma 1/2 fics as "Dark Present, No Regrets", "The Warrior that Returned", "The New Order", and "Life After Battle". This man was the person who inspired me to write fanfiction in the first place. God bless Rippen and all his works!
And you can expect a whole lot more people to appear in the next chapter, I promise you that!
-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./pre