Last time Bloom and the others arrived at Hykyrian 5, where they dug up the violet colored Stone of Power. The sense of celebration was cut short when Icy, Darcy, Toro, Trabon and Fat-D showed up. Fat-D displayed his skills at stealing life energy when he took Stella and Sky hostage. Bloom was forced to give up the stone, but before Darcy could pick it up, a newcomer interrupted things. On with the show!

Chapter 23: No Need For A Third Party

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you!" said a male voice that sounded like it was digitally altered. Bloom turned her head to see the source of the voice. Standing about thirty feet away was a man in a black tuxedo with a matching cape and top hat. A white mask with red eyes covered his face.

"You!" exclaimed Trabon, "But you're supposed to be dead!" "How true, Trabon," said the man in the tuxedo and mask, "I died, yet here I am." He then turned to face Bloom, "Princess of Sparkx," said the masked man, "At last we meet. I am The Phantom Renegade."

"You're The Phantom Renegade?" asked Icy angrily, "You're the one who slaughtered our ancestors?" The Phantom Renegade turned to look at Icy and Darcy, his mask hiding all emotion. "Yes," said the masked man, "I am he whom you speak of. I can tell you are descended from the foul wenches who desecrated Sparkx; I can smell their genetic stench on you two. I'll deal with you later. But first thing's first…"

Before Bloom could blink, The Phantom Renegade had 'zoomed' over to Fat-D, his movements barely visible as a blur. The masked man delivered a roundhouse kick to the back of Fat-D's head, instantly shattering the warlock's skull and upper spine. Fat-D fell to the ground, apparently dead. Freed from the warlock's energy sapping, Stella and Sky collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

"Son of a bitch!" exclaimed Trabon as he stared in shock at the lifeless form of Fat-D, "You'll pay for that!" "That's what Xallos and Trujon said when I took the bronze stone from them," said The Phantom Renegade, "They ran like the f#ck$ng cowards they are. If you value your lives, I suggest you leave at once."

"Thanks for the suggestion," lied Icy, "Now here's a suggestion for you, Die!" She an Ice Coffin spell at The Phantom Renegade, yet the spell failed to make contact. The masked man dodged the spell, his movements again blurred to Bloom's eyes.

Darcy tried to send a psy-blast at the masked man, but he appeared in front of her, slammed his palm against her torso. His palm barely touched her yet Darcy was sent skidding several feet away. Toro swung a haymaker at the head of The Phantom Renegade, yet he hit only empty air. The masked man slammed his palm into Toro's back. Again his palm barely made contact, and yet Toro was sent skidding to a halt beside Darcy.

The Phantom Renegade then grabbed Icy by her left wrist and applied pressure. She howled in pain as her wrist bones broke. The masked man then turned to face Trabon, who was charging up a bolt of dark lightning in each hand. He launched the bolts at The Phantom Renegade, yet his attacks hit only empty space. He then appeared in front of Trabon and with a snake-like strike, plucked out Trabon's left eye. The warlock screamed in agony as he clutched at the empty socket where his eye was, blood seeping from the newly formed hole in his head.

"This doesn't have to go any further," said the masked man, "You still have the chance to live another day. Perhaps you'll change your evil ways, but that is only wishful thinking. I will now say it again; if you value your lives, I suggest you leave at once."

Darcy and Toro were back on their feet and were helping Icy as she clutched at her mangled wrist. Blood was still flowing from Trabon's assaulted eye socket, hate emanating from his remaining eye as he glared at The Phantom Renegade. With a flash of red light he; Icy; Toro and Darcy teleported out.

Meanwhile Bloom and the others were seeing to Stella and Sky. "A lot of life energy was taken from them," said Tecna as she scanned Stella and Sky, "But the drain isn't fatal. A day or so of rest will restore what was taken from them." "Thank goodness," said Bloom. She then stood up and faced The Phantom Renegade.

"Thank you," said Bloom, "I don't know how I can repay you." "There's no need to repay me," said the masked man, "Since I didn't come here to help your friends." "Then why are you here?" asked Akane.

"Two reasons," said The Phantom Renegade as he walked over to the violet stone, "One, to get a good look at the Princess of Sparkx. And I must say, I am satisfied at what I saw. You, Bloom, value the lives of your friends and loved ones over power; a quality that is both a strength and a weakness."

"And the second reason?" asked Riven. "Why this item here," said The Phantom Renegade as he took the stone from the ground. "That doesn't belong to you," said Tenchi, his energy saber ready for action. Brandon and the other specialists, along with Ranma and the martial artists readied themselves for a fight.

"It doesn't belong to The Shadow Riders either," said the masked man, "Nor does it belong to you." "Then why does thou take it?" asked Tatewaki. "I have my reasons," said The Phantom Renegade, "Why are you collecting The Stones of Power?"

"We only wish to keep them away form the forces of evil," said Helia, "You might just be in that category, despite what you did to help Stella and Sky." "I am here to punish those who abuse power for personal gain," said the masked man, "I understand that your quest is just. Yet I must have the stones."

"But why?" asked Bloom. "My reasons are my business and my business alone," said The Phantom Renegade, "Yet I will respect your cause. Keep the stones you have for now. I shall come for them when I have collected the remaining stones and the ones the enemy have. It would be in your best interest not to resist me. Until then…" With a bright flash he was gone. In his place was a blue rose.

"Am I the only one here who has no idea of what the f#ck just happened here?" asked Ryoga. "You're not alone," said Ukyo.

"What now?" asked Flora as she picked up the blue rose. "We find the remaining stone," said Bloom, "We find them before either The Shadow Riders or The Phantom Renegade does."

"Least we not forget," said Tatewaki, "My sister is still a captive of the enemy." "We'll find her," said Layla, "I promise." "When you say such things, Miss Layla," said Tatewaki, "I cannot help but feel that thou speaks the truth." At that Layla blushed three shades read.

"Could he be the one?" whispered Stella to Musa and Tecna, Stella obviously on the road to recovery, "Is it possible that this Earth boy is the one who'll bring joy to Layla's heart?" "It's a distinct possibility," said Tecna, "We'll have to watch and see."

Bloom was lost in thought as they made their way back to The Night Rider. 'Who is this Phantom Renegade?' She asked herself, 'what does he want with the stones? Which side is he really on? And why did I sense something familiar about him?'

Meanwhile…

"I'll kill that bastard!" raged Icy as two healers attempted to restore her damaged wrist, "I'll kill that f#ck$ng Phantom Renegade!" "You won't be killing anyone if you don't hold still," said one of the healers, "We need to set the bones so they'll mend properly."

"How did this happen?" asked Toro, "How can he be that strong as to deliver such force with so little contact? He barely touched us." "He barely touched you two," said Trabon as a healer packed gauze pads into his empty eye socket, "If only I were so lucky."

Just then Malaketh and Salamei entered the healing room. "Dear Trabon," said Malaketh, "Who did this to you?" "Xallos was right," said Trabon, "The Phantom Renegade is back, and he's collecting the stones."

"Well that's just f#ck$ng great," said Salamei. "At least those dumb fairies and their stupid friends don't have the stone," said Darcy, "That's something." "It's not something," said Salamei, "Because they don't know how to use the stones. The Phantom Renegade does know." "He could use the stones to erase us from existence," said Malaketh, "If he were so inclined."

"I take it that your mission didn't go so well," said Stormy as she entered the room, a hooded figure behind her. "Gee," said Icy, "It must be Obvious Day at Camp Stupid. Ouch! That hurt you idiots!" "It only hurts if you move," said one of the healers, "So hold still if you wish to use that hand again."

"The only thing we can do," said Malaketh, "Is double our efforts to find the remaining stones. There are six left. Once we have them we can take our time in taking the four that our enemies have."

"Leave it to us," said Stormy, "I have a little surprise for Bloom and her stupid friends. Isn't that right, Kodatchi?" The hooded figure stepped forward and lowered the hood of the cloak. There stood Kodatchi, her face covered in fading welts from Stormy's 'electro-whip', her eyes glazed over in a trance.

"By your command, mistress," said Kodatchi in a dull tone. "Groovy," said Stormy, "I can't wait to see the look on Bloom's face when her friend turns out to be her assassin." This caused a roar of laughter from the witches, Toro and The Shadow Riders.

You may have control of my body, bitch, thought Kodatchi, but my mind is still free. When my brother and my friends find you, you'll wish you were never born.

The end of chapter 23. Next chapter, we learn a bit about the curses that afflict Ranma, Ryoga, Shampoo and Mousse. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!