Chapter 4: Elemental Battle

Much to his surprise, Mousse found himself the center of attention. Olaf, Maomolin, Sasuke, Konatsu, and Mausu surrounded him in a circle and hung on his every word while Tofu led them towards Hideo using a roundabout route. While he was not the tactician Ranma was, Mousse was good anticipating sneak attacks (having initiated many in the past). More importantly, he could sense where the three Elementals were. The monsters possessed a powerful Shield that foiled everyone's early-warning system until it was too late. There was almost no way to anticipate their attacks. However, whatever the Elementals used worked little too well – it created blank spaces in their surroundings. Mousse's overly strong Sight could locate and track the null zones despite the slumbering winter landscape.

"Olaf," Mousse said quietly. "We have one circling around to the front. He's going to try and cut us off at the bend two hundred meters ahead."

"Let me know when we're fifty meters away," Olaf responded.

"Any sign of the two missing Elementals," Mausu asked.

Mousse shook his head as he said "No."

Tofu let out a sigh. "I hope those assassins get a clean death."

"You can't save everyone," Mausu responded to the sigh. "Cheer up, if they can capture souls, it means the Elementals are not carrying any of those blasted zombies."

"I think we're a little far away for Henna to be sending zombies," Tofu answered. "It takes a lot of power to do that. That's one of the reasons she doesn't own the world right now – no matter what she claims."

They continued down the path until Mousse said: "We got one coming in at 7 o'clock. Moving fast – 100 meters…75 meters…Crap – the other two are rushing as well: 3 o'clock and noon."

Tofu stepped next to Mousse and said "Fire in the hole!" Everyone faced away from Tofu. "Nova Burst!" the Kitsune yelled. The flash of light raced outward, breaking the Elementals' Shields momentarily.

"Light 'em up!" Olaf roared. He struck the Elemental in front of the group squarely, scattering it. Maomolin managed to wing another, causing the creature to scream briefly. Sasuke and Konatsu threw grenades at the remaining creature, scattering it when the grenades went off.

The monster still standing vanished as it re-established its Shield. "It's still coming it – it's pissed!" Mousse called out. "Clockwise spiral pattern. 5 o'clock at 25 meters…6'clock at 20 meters." Mausu opened fire with an automatic rifle. One of the bullets exploded as it found its target. The Elemental screamed. "It's retreating," Mousse said as he tapped Mausu on the shoulder. It was doubtful the little man heard him, but Mausu understood what the shoulder-tap meant.

"It changed its behavior," Tofu noted. "It tried to keep up the attack."

"These things are sly. They're probably old Elementals," Olaf commented. "Not good."

"All right, let's cross this road and get under cover again," Tofu ordered. The industrial park was set in an otherwise heavily wooded area which allowed the hunted to avoid the water balls the Elementals occasionally threw. "I'll check with Hideo in ten minutes. We need to start working our way to him though."


Hideo worked to finish his Circle in the picnic area he was in. The area was between a local forest and a heavily landscaped industrial park that was empty for the holiday. Unfortunately, this was the worst possible time to build an Earth Circle. The ground was frozen solid and most of the vegetation was dormant. He had told Tofu this was a bad idea, but the Kitsune had given him that trusting look and just said: "I have faith in you." Sigh…

"Yo, Mage!"

"Daran?" Hideo called back. He saw someone coming up through the trees beyond the border of the picnic area, away from all the buildings. "I thought you were with Tofu?"

"I was, but the three of us had to boogie before Henna showed up," Daran answered.

"Henna's here?!" Hideo demanded in alarm.

"No - just a viewing port through a poor guy's Death Fail," Daran answered grimly.

"She Bound the assassins?" the Mage asked.

"At least their leader. He probably took the Binding for an extra bonus figuring he could kill Akari easily," Daran replied.

"Three of you? Do you have Akari? And is Ryoga with you?"

Daran crested the hill and looked around. Then he turned and beckoned to someone back among the trees. "Yeah, I do," he told Hideo. "I was told to get away from the battle, but the battle's not here yet."

"Do you want some help, Master?" Ryoga asked as he walked out of the trees. There was a mocking tone to the last word, but it would take a lot more than that to crack Hideo's demeanor.

"None of your sass, boy," Hideo answered easily, relieved his apprentice was here. "We need a tight Circle against Spiritual intrusion. Start at the south end and start digging in," he instructed. Then he turned to Akari; she was standing just under the trees: "Forget about being in the way, milady," he called. "Bring me evergreen branches and lots of them. Bring anything that isn't dormant."

"Yes, sir," she said quietly.

Hideo watched her move away for a moment. Then he turned to Daran and threw his van keys to him. "She's in shock. There are some blankets in my van. Wrap her in them, but have her keep moving on the task."

"Shouldn't she be lying down?" Daran asked.

"A normal person should, yes. A Martial Artist? No. Her body will run until the danger is completely gone. Then she'll collapse and sleep like the dead until she re-charges, but we aren't out of the woods yet - keep her moving." Daran nodded and ran to the van.

With three people helping him (including two Martial Artists), Hideo had a decent Circle an hour or so later. He could now have them tighten and strengthen it while he thought about some offensive magics. Unfortunately, his phone went off, breaking his concentration. "Jouda," he answered suppressing his frustration.

"Tofu here. How's that Circle doing?" the Kitsune asked.

"How long do I have?" Hideo prompted.

"We got fifteen minutes tops - we need to retreat. These things are crafty - they are very old," Tofu answered. "And I only know where three are right now. Two are missing."

"Crap," Hideo muttered rolling his eyes to the heavens. "Start the retreat, but don't run. I need ten minutes. Is Henna gone?"

"How'd you know about that?"

"Daran's here. He's versed enough to know about Contracts," Hideo said. "Ryoga and Akari are here too - and before you start yelling, they're the reason you have a Circle."

"Ah hell. This could get ugly. I wanted them out of the way."

"And I wanted to be home in bed. Is Henna gone?"

"Yes, tell Ryoga he gets to play. Besides, if they try and leave, they may find the missing Elementals. Gotta go." Tofu hung up.

Hideo closed his phone and turned to see the other three watching him. Daran's face looked grim. "I'm in," he said without preamble.

"It's my fault we're here," Akari stated. She was standing straight and tall wearing the blanket like a cloak. Her Martial Artist metabolism had kicked in and her eyes were bright. "I'm fighting." Ryoga said nothing - he didn't need to.

Hideo didn't waste time. "We've got ten minutes. The Circle will do. Gather as much living branches as possible - the longer, the better." The others nodded as his phone went off. Hideo saw it was Ciren. "Where the hell are you?" he answered.

"I'm thirty minutes away, jackass. The roads are full of people and fireworks - Ojima had to give me a police escort," she answered sharply. "We have a game changer. Can you hold on for thirty minutes?"

"Yes. Don't be late."


Tofu stood in the center of the Circle and nailed one of the Elementals with a Chi blast. It had the effect of throwing the monster back and forcing it to reform again. The potassium RPG's were more effective in that they took a Elemental out for several minutes, but the Chi blasts were faster to fire. The problem was that between the Chi Blasts and the Nova Bursts, Tofu was running down – he had to start to conserve energy. So, he was saving the Blasts and used the rifle whenever possible.

Hideo was not a warrior per se, but as an Earth Mage he could use the evergreen branches strewn about the battlefield to drain the Elementals if they came too close. But like Tofu, all the magic took energy. "How are you holding up?" he asked Tofu during a short respite.

"I've been worse," Tofu admitted. "Our enemies are perplexed though. They can't figure out why we are still holding our own."

"Ryoga," Hideo said as he quietly indicated the young man near the front of the group. At Tofu's nod, Hideo continued: "He's not running down, and we have him blasting all the water balls and water jets away. That's their primary weapons and they can't reach us. How is he keeping up though?"

"Like Ranma and Akane, he's got a large power reserve. He makes the perfect shield…" Tofu started and then stopped. He swore softly and said "Bastard."

"Huh?"

"Happosai," Tofu stated bluntly. "Shield…He hinted to me Ryoga's true purpose and I missed it. I thought he mistranslated a word…the bastard knew exactly what he was saying." (1)

"Did he tell you Ranma's and Akane's purposes?" Hideo asked as an Elemental wandered into one of Hideo's traps and ended up losing half its mass before retreating.

"He told me Ranma's; more to let me know my Elders were keeping secrets," Tofu answered. Tofu shot the Elemental delaying its recovery further.

"Which is?" Hideo prompted.

"Ranma is the 'Defender' – which in the Kitsune tongue also means 'Steel Staff'. He supports everyone. He rallies troops and allies. He can squeeze victory from any 'Last Stand'. The more hopeless the situation, the more he shines. He's the king of the 'Second Wind' and the 'Second Chance'. Even now, I can feel his Power reaching out to us, recharging us and adding to our Strength – Power he pulls from the Nexus."

"And what about Akane?"

"Happosai wanted to keep me in the dark about her, but I figured it out anyway," Tofu grinned tightly. "She is the 'Sword' – the cutting edge that clears away the enemies. And she's on her way to us…Once I hand her one of Kuno's Sunstones, she and her Companion will be able to activate it and drive the Elementals away." Hideo's eyes widened and he started to grin despite the battle. Tofu went on: "Instead of waiting for the Sun to rise, we can end this battle quickly. Then, before the Sun sets, Kuno's Elemental traps will be ready. I swear, that battle will be on our terms - Henna will be very surprised when these three don't come back."


The Maranello pulled away from the cop cars as they slowed down. Ojima had forbidden them to enter the industrial zone unless there were civilians about. The Ferrari sped up as the traffic was now well behind it. Inside, Ciren was punching buttons feverishly as the dashboard lit up with several proximity detectors. A military grade GPS unit guided her toward Hideo's last known location. "See anything?" she asked her passengers,

Ranma and Akane were sharing the sole passenger seat (and its sole seat belt), peering out. They had heard Ciren's conversation with Hideo so both of them were staring out the windows looking for any signs of friends or foes. "Not yet," Akane answered. "It's after midnight. The fireworks are making it hard to tell."

After another minute or so, Ranma burst out: "There - 2 o'clock. That's Ryoga's Chi blast!"

"Got it," Ciren confirmed. She flipped a few switches and two machine gun barrels appeared alongside the edge of the hood. "This will give the bastards something to think about." A military radar screen also came to life.

"What's it fire?" Ranma asked.

"Potassium bullets - not very effective on people, but a clip or two will wreck a Water Elemental's day," she answered.

"You came prep'ed for Water Elementals?" Akane asked stunned.

"And Fire and Earth and Air. I've been in this fight over ten years one way or another," Ciren replied. "I'm still here, you'll notice." Her passengers smiled grimly. She flipped a few more switches and the car seemed to rise up. "We're switching to off-road mode," she answered before the question could be asked. "I'm not ripping up my car's underside."

Ciren steered left down a long corporate driveway. All the buildings off the road looked dark, but end of the road was lit up spectacularly by Hideo's Circle. The area around the Circle was completely blasted, but everyone inside the Circle looked "hale and hearty" – and defiant. The gang was holding their own using assorted Fire and Earth magics, Chi blasts, and standard weaponry firing extraordinary ammo. Hideo was maintaining the Circle and he had a defense of evergreen boughs well outside the Circle. The branches drew enough from the Water Elementals so that the monsters had to stop and restore themselves. Tofu was using blasts of fire fueled by wood that Sasuke brought him. Ryoga was relying mostly on Chi blasts. So was Akari, which surprised everyone in the car. Daran, Mausu, Maomolin, and Olaf were using traditional weapons with non-traditional ammunition. Mousse seemed to be shouting orders to the others and Konatsu had some type of hand grenade that seemed to be very effective.

The radar showed four Elementals attacking from positions of cover around the Circle. Ranma and Akane studied their positions. Looking at the terrain, it was obvious that the enemy had tried a frontal attack and gotten blown apart – there was glowing (now Blessed) water everywhere. Occasionally, one of the creatures was struck by the defenders' range weapons. It didn't retreat though, it just healed itself and tried again. Obviously, the creatures were determined to wear down the defenders and take them eventually.

"Are you two ready to go?" Ciren asked her passengers.

"Set!" the two teenage women replied.

"You're sure about this?!" she demanded. They both just nodded.

Ciren looked battlefield. "All right. We're going in hot - that will take out two temporarily and distract the others. When I put the car broadside, bail out the door, but make sure you tumble upright. Hit 'em hard. After that, heaven only knows!" she told them.


A fourth Elemental had joined the other three. Tofu sighed again knowing at least some of the assassins were now dead. Before he could remark on it, Tofu saw the altered Maranello drive into view. The tires were bigger than normal and the body of the car was raised high enough to clear them. Normally this would make a car top heavy, but the Maranello was *not* normal. Tofu watched the car swing wide off the road and across a lot. "All right!" he called while stepping into middle of the Circle. "Nova Burst on my mark! Then we hit the Elementals as hard as we can to distract them!" Everyone scrambled for position to place their backs to Tofu. The car's engine noise practically vanished and it went around a building to make a run at the Elementals from the side. "As much noise as possible! No magics unless the car is in the clear!" As soon as he heard the screech of turning tires, Tofu cried: "MARK!" The Nova Burst lit up the four Elementals. "NOW!" he roared and let loose a barrage of bullets.

The car flew back into view with tires screaming and a red laser light of a range-finder racing ahead of the car. When the laser settled on the side of an unaware Elemental, immediately the dual machine gun rails shifted to focus on the creature and potassium bullets smashed into the thing's side. Explosions blew bucket size holes in the Elemental until the creature lost cohesion and collapsed into a puddle. Ciren spun the car so that it would strike the next Elemental broadside. Ranma's and Akane's door faced away from the Elemental.

When the car hit, the Elemental splashed apart as the car's enchantments cut it off at the legs. The action made the other two Elementals pause in their attacks, but the car was not in line to hit them. As soon as the car cleared the puddle, the door popped open and the two Martial Artists jumped free from the still moving car. Ranma left almost vertically, so she could land facing the two remaining Elementals.

Akane was diving back at the Elemental that had been run over. It was busy reforming and doing its best to face the blue-black-haired girl tumbling toward it. The creature had risen to match the young woman's height when Akane appeared upright in front of it and shot her arm directly into its center. To Tofu's astonishment, the creature immediately popped like a soap bubble. This had an instantaneous effect on the two remaining Elementals. They spun to face Akane and shot massive jets of water at her, ignoring Ranma completely.

As with every other water attack Tofu had seen, the jets had no effect on Akane. Instead, she focused on the Elemental Ciren's bullets had torn apart. The puddle seethed as if in agony as bits and pieces of raw potassium continued to erupt in small pops and bursts. Flame appeared here and there in the large puddle. She ran into the puddle and immediately the water began to climb her jumpsuit. Akane let it get a few centimeters up and then plunged her hand into the puddle reaching for something only she could see. The water fell off her legs.

Meanwhile, the two remaining Elementals found out that it's never safe to ignore Ranma. The redhead shot Cold at both of them, trying to freeze them solid. That didn't quite work - instead the creatures' insides filled with icy slush, slowing them down. Ranma then created a low windstorm to further slow the monsters. At Hideo's instruction, Mousse and the two ninjas left the Circle and threw evergreen boughs at the trapped Elementals. Hideo and Ryoga joined hands and concentrated. The evergreen branches moved like snakes imprisoning them more and draining water from the Elementals. The creatures could not shift their shape and began to thrash wildly.

Akane walked calmly over to the closest one and somberly said: "This one's got two trapped souls caught inside of it," she told Ranma. "That's going to take a little time to separate. Let me take care of the other one first." Ranma nodded at her and Akane walked over to the other Elemental. The winds holding it did not touch her. The thing began to scream something at her, but she calmly asked: "How much mercy would you have given us? We'd all be dead like those two your friend has." With that, she shot her arm past the evergreen branches into the icy chest. The creature slumped into a pile of slush.

A short time later, everyone was gathered about Akane (and her Companion) as she slowly released two balls of light from the last Elemental. Once they were free, the balls vanished - the souls escaping to whatever Destiny held for them. Immediately, the last Elemental collapsed. "That's four," Tofu said. "There were five."

"That's five, there were six," Ranma corrected. "That's what delayed us."

"So, there's still one about," Ciren concluded.

"It's probably chasing the assassins. There still three of them at large somewhere. Something else to watch out for," Tofu stated.

"Then let's find out who's still about," Mousse said. He held out his hands. Ryoga and Ranma each took one. "Everyone face the other way," Mousse warned.

"On three," Ranma said. "One…two…THREE." The Nova Blast rolled away from them. Mousse watched for a few minutes.

"Nothing until the crowds," the Chinese gentleman answered.

"That's it? It's over?" Akari asked. "Really?"

"Looks that way for now," Maomolin answered.

"Oh good," she mumbled as her eyes closed and she collapsed - Ryoga caught her and lifted her up in his arms.

Tofu checked her quickly and then just smiled gently. "She's fine, just exhausted."

"I got her," Ryoga answered unnecessarily.

"Looks like fun," Akane noted. Then she hopped into Ranma's arms so the redhead had to catch her.

Ranma raised an eyebrow. "Could I at least change back first?" she teased.


Phone calls were made to parental/spousal units who demanded the truants come home. Kuno's people arrived on the scene and immediately confiscated weapons and ammo while cleaning up the scene as fast as possible ("They don't want to advertise their firepower," Tofu explained). Police officers were called in and made happy except for Inspector Ojima who was never happy anyway (Ciren promised to work on him). Sasuke made the phone call to his boss and was yelled at for property damage and then told "good job", "congratulations on surviving," and "go get some rest" - especially since he was suppose to guard Kuno at the wedding tomorrow.

Finally, about 2AM, the Onos, Akane, and Konatsu arrived back at the Tendo dojo with the Unryu farm contingency and Tofu's team. Kasumi, Nodaka, Soun, Nabiki, and Chiyoko were waiting for them with hugs, kisses, and scoldings. The stories were told while everyone ate mochi and toasted the New Year. Finally, Olaf noted: "Good for now, but what about the psychic tags? Those things would have put a tracer on anyone in the room when Henna made her little pronouncement. That Elemental still on the loose can't go home until it has as many souls as it can carry and it could be chasing those surviving assassins for days. We don't know when - or if - it's coming back. How do we break the curse without somehow tracking it down?" Tofu and Hideo shrugged. There were a few sighs here and there. No one was looking forward to a future ambush from a hidden opponent.

Kasumi broke the silence by asking: "Is that what that is?"

"Is what what it is?" Tofu asked curiously.

"The thread leaving you and Olaf," she clarified. "Mausu, Mousse, Maomolim, Sasuke, and Konatsu have one too."

"You can see it?" he questioned stunned.

"Yes, I didn't know what it was though." She reached out and seemed to pull something to herself. Olaf's eyes widened. "Doesn't look all that strong."

"No one's been able to break one yet," Tofu commented. He began to watch his wife carefully.

"Oh my…but I think if I…" She appeared to grasp something firmly with both hands and then yank her hands apart. Something shimmered there for a moment and then vanished.

"Whoa," Olaf said surprised. "I actually felt the connection snap!"

The others murmured in surprise - all except Ciren who waved her had dismissively. "Ah, that's just because you're still a pushover for a pretty girl."

Kasumi gave a small laugh at that and then her serene smile returned. She broke the connections for the other six. As she ended with her husband, Tofu stated: "That's got to be the quickest exorcism on record. Not bad, not bad at all."

Ciren dope-slapped him for the faint praise he gave his wife.


Eventually, Tofu and Kasumi slowly climbed to her - now their - bedroom. Both of them collapsed on top of the covers still dressed. They snuggled into each other and sighed.

"Well, you were right," Kasumi started. "We needed two weddings. At least today's - or rather yesterday's went off without a hitch."

"Excuse me?" Tofu half-laughed. "I was roasted by my Rogue's Gallery."

"You lived," she smiled. "Any chance we can get some of our hotel fees back?" she asked a little more seriously.

"I think so," he answered with a sigh. "I put insurance on the flights too. I think we need to stay put."

"I'm afraid so," she agreed. "You owe me a nice…" She stopped as Light filled the room.

"NO," Lord Jakaro said firmly. "You will be married - again – at noon. You will have a nice formal wedding and you will get on that plane to Hawaii. Life only comes around once."

Maomolin appeared at his side, nodding his head. "Henna just got her nose bloodied. She's going to be confused for at least the next month. I'm here. I'm still not 'brave', but I'm learning 'courage' despite myself. I'll be staying in Nerima at the Clinic while you're gone."

"I'm staying too," Jakaro said. "I'll watch things with Maomolin until you get back. I promise, my Son and Daughter."

"But…" Tofu started.

Jakaro displayed all nine tails. Tofu ducked his head a little. "That's an order, my Son!" the Kitsune Lord commanded.

"Yes, Master," Tofu replied humbly.

"Oh my," Kasumi murmured a little upset. "What am I suppose to call you?" she asked in confusion.

"Try 'Father'," Jakaro suggested.

"Yes, Father," she answered meekly.

"Good. I'll see you in a bit. Sleep well." With that, the two Animal Lords vanished.


Ranma and Akane were sitting up on the roof when Lord Jakaro appeared before them surrounded by an aura of light. In his hands, he held a chalice. Immediately, the two teenagers stood up respectfully. He said: "All right, you were wise to speak to Maomolin. We've convinced them to hold the second wedding. Olaf agrees with your assessment however. We hope for the first possibility and plan for the second."

"Which do you think will happen?" Akane asked him.

"Let me answer that by offering you a drink," he proposed. "Drink half and pass it to Ranma."

"What is it?" the young man asked as Akane took a drink.

"Jusendo Water," Jakaro replied.

"But we've already had that," Akane told him as she passed the chalice to Ranma.

Ranma started to drink as Jakaro said: "Jusendo Water grows the soul and increases natural powers. Both of you have already received that gift and it only works once. But as side effect, it restores strength and energy. It also heals most damage and clears the mind. That effect can be repeated after a few months have passed. You won't need to sleep tonight."

"I don't feel anything," Ranma noted.

"But you don't feel sleepy either – it's nearly 4AM and after a very active day," Jakaro observed. Ranma nodded his head and handed the chalice back to Jakaro. "I will talk to Othan and have him here by first light. Be ready." With that, Jakaro vanished.

Ranma blew out a breath. "Man, he has some presence, doesn't he?"

Akane repeated his gesture. "He speaks, we listen," she agreed. "At least he takes us seriously." Ranma nodded.

They both sat back down on the roof for a few minutes holding hands. The night was very silent about them. Finally, Akane said: "He's right, I can't sleep. I'm getting restless."

"Me too," Ranma admitted. "What do we do?"

She looked over at her fiancé and said coyly: "You know, I can think of a few ways to kill a couple of hours."

Ranma looked surprised for a moment and then a sly grin came across his face. "I can too…" he replied.

Akane stood up and said: "Let me get my gi!" With that she leaped off the roof.

"Meet me in the dojo!" he called out.


A/N: Footnotes:

(1) Tofu's and Happosai's conversation happened in "The Destruction of Ranma Saotome - Detonation", Chapter 3.


A/N: Next up - The Second Wave