Disclaimer: I own neither Slayers nor Ranma 1/2. If I did, my house would be in shambles.
Okay, first and foremost, I seriously did not mean for this chapter to take a week to write. Between school, dentist appointments, and Soul Guardians, this chapter just kept getting pushed further back. Thankfully, I finally have it finished and here it is, my longest chapter to date.
Second, I've gotten a request to list the pairings, so here they are. Lina/Gourry, Amelia/Zelgadis, Ranma/Akane are the ones that I've confirmed. Maybe some Ryoga/Akari, Mousse/Shampoo, and Ukyo/Konatsu moments. So far, nothing has been confirmed for Xellos. Anyway, here's the chapter. Enjoy!
"..." normal speech
'...' thoughts
Spells/Attack names
Lina collapsed to the ground, sweat building on her forehead. Gourry fell down beside her, trying to gather his wits after the long flight. "Dammit," Lina panted. "Just how tall is this place?"
Apparently, Jusendo was surrounded by a range of mountains, so the only way to get there was to fly over. They had reached the base of the mountains without any troubles. After seeing the height of the alp, Lina took a moment of rest before forcing Gourry to release his grip from the earth. Twenty minutes of flight later and Lina needed a breather, though still a ways off from the peak.
She rolled onto her back, wincing at the intensity of the sun's rays. A hand clapped her shoulder.
"Oi, Lina," Gourry said. "You might want to get up."
"Why should I? I'm tired," she groaned.
"Well, there's some people coming from the other side of the mountain."
Lina grabbed Gourry's hand and he pulled her up. Sure enough, a group of five was making their way to a cabin. Strangely, one seemed to have their arms bound and two others were...naked?
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know I'm going to regret this, but let's see what's going on."
They walked silently, sweating under the high sun. The group had entered long before Lina and Gourry made it to the small house. Just as she was about to knock on the door, a male voice cried out.
"I CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO HOLD IT IN FOREVER, CAN I? OH, AKANE!"
Lina's hand froze, inches away from the door. She attempted to fight back the mad blush that threatened to overtake her face. She made an about-face and began to walk away.
"On second thought, it's better not to pry. Let's go, Gour-urk!" She choked. Gourry had stopped her in her track by grabbing the collar of her cloak. Lina looked over her shoulder to see Gourry's smiling face.
"Nah, its probably nothing. Come on." She wriggled, trying to escape his grip. He calmly knocked on the door, waiting for an answer. Moments passed by and no answer. Lina gave up her struggle as Gourry opened the door.
"Excuse us," he called out. They walked into the first room, Lina ready to leave at any moment. The inhabitants, thankfully, were fully clothed. However, one was trapped under a table with the others staring at Lina and Gourry. The one under the table pushed it off, slowly standing. Lina surveyed the room's occupants. 'Hm, three guys, an old man, and a small girl. Do I really want to know what they're doing?'
Her gaze stopped at the boy who was recently on the floor. He wore a long sleeved red shirt, black pants, and his hair was pulled back into a pigtail. 'Nothing too impressive here,' Lina thought, until she saw his arms. Wrapped around his neck down to his fingertips, a hard crystal-like substance coated his arms.
"No," he whispered. He turned toward the old man, tears streaming down his face. The girl moved away while the others tensed. A sweat broke on the old man's forehead as he rummaged through the clothes in his hands.
"Give those back!" he cried. Bandana Boy and Long Hair sprang into action, holding Pigtail back.
"Ranma, calm down!" Bandana Boy yelled.
Old Man seemed to find what he was looking for and thrust it in, who Lina guessed, Ranma's face. He froze, looking as if he yearned to reach out for the object. It was what looked like a female doll, with short, blue hair and was completely nude, save for the sleeve wrapped around it.
"Akane," Ranma breathed. Long Hair and Bandana Boy released him and stepped back.
"See, honored guest, all hope not lost," Old Man said. He placed the doll in Ranma's hands, careful not to drop it. Silence fell over the room.
Lina stared at the odd people in front of her, waiting for something else to happen. When nothing did, she decided to speak up. "Now that the drama's over, can someone tell us what the hell is going on? Why did the Jusenkyo springs dry up?"
All eyes whipped to Lina and Gourry as if they had only just arrived. They looked at each other, wondering who would speak first. In the end, Bandana Boy took the lead. "Before that, mind giving your names?"
Lina shrugged, saying "Sure, why not. The name's Lina Inverse."
Gourry picked up the introduction. "I'm Gourry Gabriev, I'm her protector."
Bandana Boy nodded, studying their appearances. "I'm Ryoga Hibiki. That's Mousse, Ranma Saotome, Plum, and the Jusenkyo tour guide," he said, pointing to Long Hair, Ranma, Short Stuff, and Old Man. Ryoga blinked and paused at the tour guide. "Actually, you never told us your name, did you?" he asked.
Everyone turned expectantly to the guide. "Simple. My name-"
His voice was drowned out by the roar of an explosion. Lina and Gourry rushed to the window. Faint smoke rose from the ground at the horizon. The rumble calmed, allowing everyone to hear the guide.
"-, but everyone call me 'Jusenkyo Guide,'" he finished. With the exception of Ranma, Plum, and Jusenkyo Guide, all other occupants face-faulted. Lina, the first to recover, got up and rubbed her sore face, glaring out the window.
'Dammit, Zelgadis, I'm trying to help here,' she thought angrily.
"Source of all power," Zel chanted. "Crimson fire burning bright. Gather in my hand and become an inferno. Burst Fl-ACHOO!" The spell backfired and sent the chimera flying back. The beast snorted, amused at the display.
"Zelgadis-san!" Amelia shouted. She cast a quick Levitation, rising up to the creature's eyes. "For harming Zelgadis-san, a good-hearted person, you shall receive swift retribution!" she declared. Amelia lifted her hands up high, as if reaching back to grab something.
"Hammer of Justice!" she cried. A hammer materialized and she gripped its handle. Though it seemed far too large for her to lift, Amelia effortlessly swung it around, planting it on the bull-like face. The force behind the hit caused the brute to stumble back and crash into the ground.
Amelia released the hammer, which immediately disappeared. She flew down to where Zelgadis had landed. He had propped himself up on one hand to sit up. A white light, signifying a Recovery, faded out of existence as Amelia touched down.
"Zelgadis-san! Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
"I've been better, but I'll live," he groaned. The beast stirred, readying itself to continue the battle.
"This thing has a one-track mind," Zelgadis said. "We better move." Amelia nodded in agreement and helped him to his feet.
"All right, why don't we start," Lina offered. After everyone recovered, they gathered at the table. Mousse pulled some shears, needles, and thread out of his sleeves. With some prompting to Ranma, he gave up a section of the discarded clothes. Mousse then went about putting together a fitting outfit for the doll-like Akane, who was currently wrapped up in a small blanket in Ranma's arms.
"It's all very simple," Lina began. "A friend of ours has a, uh...'condition,' you could say. He found out about the Jusenkyo Springs and thought they might cure him."
A collective snort came from the three boys. "Those springs aren't a cure," Ryoga said bitterly.
"They're a curse," Mousse finished. "Should one fall in the pools,-"
"They get turned into the object that's imprinted into the spring. We know. Interrupt me again, I'll blast you into next week," Lina threatened. "As I was saying, he left before we could find out more about the place. I'll spare you the details, but Gourry and I both managed to fall into the Spring of Downed Girl." Ryoga started to snicker, but one glare from Lina quickly shut him up. "I later fell into the Spring of Drowned Cat, becoming a cat-girl," Lina growled.
She noticed that every time she said "cat," Ranma twitched. 'Something to ask about later, no doubt,' Lina noted.
"Yeah, but this morning we found out that hot water changes us back," Gourry added. Lina nodded her agreement, a light blush on her cheeks from remembering what had happened earlier.
"So, was that a permanent cure, or will we keep changing back and forth?" Lina inquired. Several nods around the room confirmed her fear. She sighed, "Alright, now you know what you need to, for now. How about cluing us in on your situation?"
No one spoke as Mousse completed the outfit. He handed it over to Plum, who gently removed Akane from Ranma. Plum got to work and Lina's attention shifted back to the boys.
"Do you want the full story, or the condensed version?" Ryoga asked. Lina looked over to Gourry. A pencil was in his hand, creating doodles on the wooden table.
"Condensed would be better. Trust me," Lina said.
"It's all Saffron's fault," a voice muttered. All eyes shifted towards the end of the table. Ranma, who had kept silent until now, had a look on his face that screamed righteous fury. Plum set the newly dressed Akane in his arms, softening his features. They waited several moments for Ranma to speak again, but nothing came. Mousse took the lead and began their tale.
"Tell us, have you encountered a being who was half-human, half-bird?" A tick formed just above Lina's eye and she gripped the edge of the table, damaging it and creating splinters. Gourry nodded, worried Lina might destroy the table further. "That was a resident of Mount Phoenix. The current leader of the people is Saffron. Now, the water that flows to the Jusenkyo springs is controlled by the Dragon and the Phoenix. The key to the Dragon will, if turned, return the water to Jusenkyo. However, if the key to the Phoenix is inserted, hot water will flow from the Phoenix and the springs are depleted of water."
"Alright, so what does all this have to do with the bird-people?" Lina asked impatiently.
"I was getting to that," Mousse continued calmly. "In the past, the princes of his people have used the water from the Phoenix to bath in and complete their transformation to obtain the throne. The body will create hair-like strands that encase the prince in an egg. Anything that is caught by the strands is used as nutrients to support the transformation. As you can see, Ranma almost became bird food."
Lina gazed at Ranma's bound arms, mulling over Mousse's words at the same time. "Okay, but what's the story on the doll?" she asked. Mousse and Ryoga shot a nervous glance towards Ranma.
"Akane tried to save Ranma," Ryoga said. "The Kinjakan, which controls the Phoenix, radiates immense heat when inserted in the keyhole. She attempted to turn the water off and stop the transformation process. Touching the Kinjakan while it was activated completely dehydrated her body, giving her the form you see now."
A soft voice entered the conversation, capturing everyone's attention.
"Oi, Jusenkyo Guide," Ranma murmured softly. "Is there any way to return Akane back to normal?" Jusenkyo Guide thought for a moment.
"Hai, there is way. Water from Dragon spout rehydrate the body, will make better." Hope re-entered Ranma's eyes, quickly replaced by fierce determination. He pushed away from the table effortlessly, despite the condition of his arms.
"I don't know about you guys," Ranma said, standing. "But I'm going back to Jusendo. There's no way I'm abandoning Akane."
Ryoga and Mousse followed his example. "If you can do it, so can I," Ryoga said firmly.
"I'm not giving up on Shampoo. I'll be right behind you," Mousse added.
Jusenkyo Guide cleared his throat, regaining everyone's attention. "There small problem. Should young miss close eyes completely, she be gone for good."
The occupants of the cabin were swiftly silenced by the statement, apprehension filling the atmosphere. Refusing to let the tension get to her, Lina clapped her hands on the table's surface.
"Well then, let's get her to that water!" she yelled, breaking the silence. The boys looked over to her quizzically.
"You're helping us?" Ryoga questioned. "You only just met us!" His lungs were swiftly depleted of oxygen by a kick from the pigtailed martial artist.
"Shut up for once in your life, P-chan, and be grateful," Ranma retorted.
"Let's just say I have a score to settle with one of those bird-people," she growled, cracking her knuckles. Ranma turned to face Gourry, and asked "What about you? You coming with?"
Gourry simply smiled and said, "Where Lina goes, I go." Ranma nodded and made for the door. The rest of the group followed him out.
'Just hold on, Akane. I'm not going to let you go like this!'
The figure on the roof remained motionless as the group of fighters exited the cabin. His eyes remained closed in deep concentration. He pondered the conversation he had listened in on.
'So, Lina Inverse has made her way out of the border world. She is just as Okaa-sama has said in her story, if not slightly older. Though, that partner of hers...' his thought trailed off as he focused on the weapon the blond swordsman carried. Finally, as if remembering something that had been forgotten, his eyes opened to reveal his surprise. Emerald green irises surrounded piercing red pupils, narrowing his gaze at the group. His features slowly turned to that of amusement, as he let out a quiet chuckle.
'How fitting, the former holder of the Sword of Light now carries the Sword of Souls. Let the upcoming battle be a test to their skill.'
What's this? A new character? And so, the plot thickens. Anyway, please review. Ja ne!