Last time Bloom and co. encountered Ranma Saotome, a martial artist with a strange curse on his head. Bloom convinced Ranma and his fiancé Akane Tendo to help fight The Shadow Riders. On with the show!
Chapter 15: A New Dark Heart
"Are you sure the fifth stone is here?" asked Stormy as she, Icy, Darcy and Malaketh wandered through a huge forest somewhere to the west of Tokyo, "I mean on this planet." "For the fifth time," said Icy in an annoyed tone, "Yes, we're sure the stone is on planet Earth." "And," said Darcy in an equally annoyed tone, "We're sure it's somewhere on the island nation of Japan. What we don't know is it's exact location as of yet."
"Well we should," said Stormy, "We've been trouncing through these disgusting woods for hours now and haven't found anything that remotely looks like a Stone of Power. I'm f#ck$ng bored!" "Silence!" exclaimed Malaketh, "The locating of a Stone of Power takes time and patience, the latter you can use more of, Stormy. Trust me, we'll find it soon enough. Besides, we may have to leave this planet at a moment's notice; The Galaxy Police patrol this system sometimes."
"Why are you so afraid of the cops?" asked Icy, "I'm sure we can easily take them." "It was the Galaxy Police that nearly wiped out The Shadow Riders fifty years ago," said Malaketh, "If they discover we still exist, they'll never stop hunting us. Remember that I told you that we've spent the last five decades convincing the universe that we no longer exist, I'd like to keep it that way for the time being."
He suddenly tensed, "I'm sensing a dark presence nearby," said Malaketh, "one of tremendous energy." "I feel it too," said Darcy, "A heart full of anger and hatred." Malaketh and Darcy followed their senses to a large clearing in the woods. In the clearing was an attractive looking man of about 21. He had curly black hair and black eyes. He very musculature, wore a sleeveless shirt and black silk pants. Wrapped around his waist was what looked to be a pair of nylon stockings.
"Now that's what I call a man," whispered an amazed Darcy. "You think so?" asked Icy, "Because what with the pantyhose serving as a belt, I would think otherwise." "Shut up!" hissed Darcy, "He'll hear us!"
"Let him," said Malaketh as he pulled out a handful of biot pellets, "This person is brimming with dark energy and I want him for The Shadow Riders. But let's see if he's up to the challenge."
Malaketh tossed the pellets into the clearing, which transformed into full sized biots. The man in the clearing was startled at the appearance of the biots, but when the creatures attacked, he was able to destroy all of them within a minute without breaking a sweat.
"That was just a test," said Malaketh as he entered the clearing with Darcy; Icy, and Stormy right behind them, "And you apparently passed." "Indeed," said the martial artist, "Who are you and what do you want with me?"
"I," said Malaketh, "am Malaketh of The Shadow Riders. We, The Shadow Riders, are an organization bent on ruling all. You, my young fighter, have many qualities we're looking for: physical skills are partly important, but most of all, you have a heart overfull with hate and rage."
"My emotions are of my concern alone," said the fighter, "So get to the point." "Very well," said Malaketh, "I'm offering you a chance to join The Shadow Riders. All that you desire can be yours if you join us in our mission of universal domination."
"Tempting," said the fighter, "But no." "Don't be so hasty," said Malaketh, "Think about it: money, women, dominion over dozens of planets. This and more can be yours if you join The Shadow Riders."
"I have no desire for money," said the fighter, "And I can have any woman I desire with my looks. And as for ruling several planets, I have no stomach for politics, it's boring." "Well there must be something you want," said Darcy, "I'm sure we can accommodate what you desire."
The fighter hesitated for a minute as if pondering over Darcy's words. "There is one thing I want," he said, "Something I've wanted for as long as I can remember. But why should I waste time telling you? I doubt you can give it to me."
"Humor me," said Darcy, "You never know, we might just be able to help you." "Very well," said the fighter, "What I want, more than money, more than women, more than power, more than life itself, is a new name, a more dignified name."
"If you're so unhappy with your name," said Icy, "Why don't you just have it changed?" "It's not that simple," said the fighter, "According to the law of my tribe, the only one who has the authority, the right, to change my name is my idiot godfather, and my godfather is the most selfish, uncaring man on this planet or any other planet in all of existence. He'll never change my name, so it's pointless to keep talking to you people."
"Just what is your name that you're so unhappy with?" asked Malaketh. The fighter muttered something followed by the word, "Toro." "I didn't catch the first part," said Malaketh. The fighter mumbled again, followed by "Toro." "I still didn't hear you right," said Malaketh. "My name is Pantyhose Toro!" exclaimed the fighter, "Are you happy now? My name is Pantyhose Toro!"
There was about five seconds of silence before Icy and Stormy both burst into uncontrolled laughter. Even Malaketh laughed somewhat. Darcy was the only one who wasn't laughing. "You pour tortured soul," said Darcy, "No wonder your heart is overflowing with hate and rage."
Malaketh had stopped laughing, but Icy and Stormy were still rolling on the round in laughter. "Oh shut up you two!" exclaimed Darcy; "You wouldn't be laughing if Dad had his way with our names if Mom hadn't put her foot down!" This caused Icy and Stormy to stop laughing abruptly.
"Now Darcy," said Icy in a slightly nervous tone, "There's no need to go into that." "Is there," said Darcy, "If I remember correctly, Dad wanted to call you Isadorah." This caused Stormy to laugh again. "And you," said Darcy to Stormy, "Dad wanted to name you Sara-Mina." This caused Stormy to stop laughing.
"What did your father wanted to call you?" asked Pantyhose Toro. "Dewberry," said Darcy, "A name unfitting of a witch. My father was a stubborn man, yet Mom was even more stubborn. A man or a woman without a proper name cannot call him or herself a man or a woman."
"You do understand," said Pantyhose Toro, "I've been laughed at for so long, I fear I don't know how to react to such empathy." "I too understand your pain," said Malaketh, "So here's my offer: Join us and I'll do everything in my power to convince your godfather to change your name. For now we'll call you Toro."
"Good luck convincing my godfather," said Toro, "He's a slimy little bastard pervert." "Just who is your godfather anyway?" asked Malaketh. "Happosai of The Anything Goes Martial Arts style," said Toro. "Did you say Happosai?" asked Malaketh whose rage was rapidly rising, "That disgusting, underwear stealing midget is still alive!"
"And jumping," said Toro, "The last time I saw him. How do you know Happosai?" "It has been many years since I've set foot on this planet," said Malaketh, "I've crossed paths with that twisted little excuse for a man fifty years ago, it was not a pleasant experience. It's a long story, but in short, pun intended, Happosai sold The Shadow Riders out to The Galaxy Police. He's the reason we went into hiding. So be it, I'll convince that perverted dwarf to change your name, even if it kills him in the process. In fact, I may just kill the little pervert just for fun. But until then, what would you have us call you?"
"You know what," said Toro, "I have no idea what I want to be called. I've been obsessing over getting my shrimp of a godfather to change my name, I really haven't through about what name I would want."
"Then I shall give you a name," said Darcy, "A name that will strike terror into the hearts of all who stand in your way. You are Toro the Destroyer!" Toro thought for a second or two, "Toro the Destroyer," he said, testing the name, "I like it. Yes, I will join you in your quest for universal domination, and from this day forward, I am Toro the Destroyer."
"Excellent," said Malaketh, "We'll go through the initiation process once we're back home. Right now, I finally sense the location of the next stone." "Finally!" exclaimed Stormy, "Let's get going already!"
"Patience, Stormy," said Malaketh, "We'll get to the stone in due time." "And if there's anyone standing in our way to the stone you seek," said Toro, "Allow me the pleasure of eviscerating and vivisecting them." "No doubt about it," said Darcy to herself, "He's the man for me."
The end of chapter 15. Next chapter we find out what Tenchi's connection to Ranma is. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!
