Ranma ½
A Scary Thought:
What happened last time: An attempt to rescue Lemon took a sharp turn for the worst, leaving Kasumi now calling herself Tex.
Author Note: I think for my sanity, I'm going to change my writing style a bit from here on to better match my other stories. In particular thoughts will be marked in single quote like 'this'. Constantly switching styles is rather annoying and I keep forgetting which style to use so this should make it easier.
Chapter 58
XXXXX
"Wait here," Devlin instructed Frost as they came to the entrance of the pocket dimension. The young Magus bristled at being given a command, but obeyed nonetheless, and Devlin walked over to Grenda, who was currently sitting on the floor of the main room.
"You've looked better," Devlin commented as he joined her and peeked into the room nearby through the smashed wall. "Well, some days I'm glad I don't have a stomach anymore."
"And that's just one room," Grenda replied. "I count at least 12 doors."
"Take it you're waiting to get them checked for traps before giving them a look."
"Didn't detect any on quick inspection, but..." Grenda replied before sighing and looking up at the ceiling. "Any survivors?"
"Not a one," Devlin replied. "Sounds like once you entered here, all the rest got drained dry too."
Grenda let out a sad laugh then hung her head once more. "I threw these kids into the meat grinder." Devlin did not argue the point, instead merely remaining quiet. "Think it was worth it?"
"If we didn't have that Ixion fella, definitely not. Sounds like you all would have been wrecked badly. As is... got Lemon out safely, no deaths on our side, although by the looks of it that Ken kid is going to have lasting repercussions... And we certainly hit the organization hard. They are going to be PISSED."
"Which is another can of worms. We were supposed to bloody their nose, not chop off their legs. This is not something they'll let go."
"No, can't imagine they would. Still, no communications got out, we have control of the scene... we can probably keep the details hush hush," Devlin offered.
Grenda nodded and stood up as Devlin moved to the open door nearby and peered in. "Yeah. Someone will have to take credit, and I highly doubt they'll buy me doing it on my own."
"Feel free to toss my name in if you like. They already hate me, so won't change much, and I'm ready for them," Devlin offered. "Should lay our own booby trap and contact the council. We'll need a big team to properly secure the place."
"Good idea, I'll get on that. Can you babysit a bit longer?"
"Yeah, sure," he replied. "What was in here?"
Grenda joined him at the door and frowned. "Oddly, nothing. It is where we found Kasumi before she started acting weird."
"Hmm... something was here. Look at that spot on the ground," Devlin noted, pointing to the slightly lighter concrete in the distinct shape of a perfect rectangle.
XXXXX
Kasumi awoke slowly, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the direct sunlight. Around her she could see a seemingly endless field of perfectly green grass with scattered wildflowers. Under different circumstances it would be a beautiful and comforting sight. Right now, it was lost on her.
"Ah, you're awake," a voice said from behind her, causing her to look over her shoulder and notice she had been resting against the trunk of a tree. That was of little importance though as before her she caught sight of someone that shouldn't be. There, kneeling on a picnic blanket just a few feet away was Kimiko Tendo.
Kasumi's eyes teared up at the sight and in an instant she dashed across the distance to hug her mother. "Woah! My... you've been having a hard time of it, haven't you?" Kimiko said as she gently returned the hug.
'I don't care what this is! A dream! An illusion! The afterlife! Just let me have this!' Kasumi pleaded with whatever powers would listen.
"It's alright. I'm here. Take all the time you need," Kimiko said as Kasumi let herself cry.
XXXXX
"Come on, Pops. Stop trying to sneak out of this!" Ranma complained as he pushed Genma through the front door of the San Cheng Huang.
"I'm telling you, boy, it's probably nothing. He'll go away good enough. Probably already gone," Genma replied as the pair came to a halt in the entryway and they could already see Kasumi rifling behind the bar within the Karaoke section. "See, she's fine."
"Hardly," Ranma replied and called out. "Hey... uh, Tex!"
"Howdy!" Kasumi replied, looking up from her search. "Hey, Genma, you old cattle rustler! How you been?"
Genma cringed before answering. "I've... been fine. You?"
"Not so bad, but can't find myself a drop of alcohol in this place! What kind of bar doesn't serve whiskey?" Kasumi replied.
"We don't serve alcohol here," Makoto, who was nearby, replied.
"Right, right, so you said before," Kasumi said with a sigh. "Say, Genma, you know a good place to get any of that... what was it you called it again... saake?"
"I think it would be better if you remained sober," Herb interjected, who was also present in the room, and looked to Ranma and Genma signaling for them to approach.
"Bah," Kasumi said dismissively. "So, what do you have in this so-called bar to drink?" she asked as she once more went below the counter to search.
"You never mentioned Tex, Pops," Ranma quietly said as the other occupants of the room came together, including Shampoo who was observing Kasumi quietly.
"I... it didn't seem necessary. He's only come out twice before, and both times went away quickly on his own."
"Well, we're on hour two now. That quick?" Herb asked.
"Uh... no, that's bad. Both other times he was around for maybe ten minutes," Genma conceded before asking, "What happened?"
"That's what I want to know," Ranma said, looking at the others.
"It is best if you do not. It involves matters of a sensitive nature," Herb replied calmly. "I will only say it no doubt caused Kasumi considerable mental stress. This appears to be the result. I did briefly sense her enter her... dark form again, but I believe she was knocked unconscious while in it."
"Was there a cat?" Ranma asked to which Herb shook his head.
"No. None of us observed what exactly happened as we were otherwise immobilized at the time. Ever since she has regained consciousness she's been like this," Herb explained.
Ranma growled. "This is stupid. Whatever it was, I would have helped," he said but waved off Herb's further explanation. "Never mind! Doesn't change anything now. Okay, Pops, any suggestions?"
"Not really. Like I said, he went away on his own before, so I have no idea how to snap her out of this one," Genma replied.
The sound of the door chime briefly caused them to turn to the main entrance before turning back to each other. "Maybe if she..." Ranma started before doing a double take back to the door and the newcomer. "Crap! What's she doing here?!" he asked as he rushed to bar the way into the room.
Herb was likewise quick to do similar, although both Shampoo and Makoto just looked on in puzzlement at their actions. Genma was more reserved, holding behind the two boys but did regard the person with suspicion.
"Stay your hand, I am not here as your enemy," the woman said.
"Who this?" Shampoo asked.
"That's Rose," Genma replied over his shoulder. "She's the one that Kasumi fought in the La Bac."
"Oh right," Makoto said. "I heard about her, but never did see her," she noted and Shampoo nodded, having been in the same situation.
The ruckus apparently drew Kasumi's attention as well who looked up over the bar counter. "Well, now that there is one fine looking woman," she commented, getting a frown from Shampoo in response.
"Look, lady, I don't know what your game is, but we're not about to let you at Kasumi!" Ranma declared in challenge.
Rose sighed. "I know you have no reason to trust me, but I mean no harm. I am here to help," she said.
"Help? Like hell!"
A noisy clearing of a throat caused all to turn to another newcomer, one who had come from inside, that being Crystal. She smiled on having everyone's attention. "My apologies for interrupting, but if I might... we are all still within the barrier, and that means no fighting, and even more importantly, she is telling the truth."
Ranma looked uncertain, but looking at Herb he saw the Musk Prince stand down and soon echoed the action. "You sure we can trust her?"
"Crystal is correct. We are within the barrier, and it prevents anyone from entering if they have ill intentions, or acting in a hostile manner within. Kasumi did say Rose was... better, so I suppose her words are genuine" Herb replied and this was enough to drain the remaining fight from the group.
"May I?" Rose asked and reluctantly the group gave way, allowing Rose to approach Kasumi.
"Well, howdy, beautiful lady," Kasumi said as she stood up fully.
"Uh... hello," Rose greeted. "Hmm, what is your name?"
"Tex," Kasumi replied.
"I see," Rose said. "Does the name Kasumi mean anything to you?"
"Can't right say it does. I heard some use it, and even a few confuse me for this Kasumi fella, but don't know any Kasumi."
Rose nodded and looked back at the others. "I take it this new personality is unfamiliar?"
"Pops, here, has seen it a few times, but not anywhere near this long," Ranma said with a frown.
Rose nodded once more and turned back to Kasumi. "Mr... Tex, are you planning on staying?"
"Can't right see why not. Just got here, and still haven't even had a good drink. Besides, I seem to be surrounded by a bunch of beautiful ladies. Who would want to leave that?" Kasumi answered, looking to Shampoo and Makoto.
"Right," Rose replied and went in thought. "I sensed Kasumi would be in some form of deep distress, but this is not what I was expecting. Can you relate what happened?"
Herb sighed and repeated his explanation from before, with the same restrictions, but Rose dug no further, simply nodding in acceptance. "Mr. Saotome, what were the conditions under which Tex appeared the other times?"
"Uh... well, right after the Nekoken training, and after that whole Haruka thing."
"Haruka thing?" Ranma asked.
"When Kasumi believed Haruka had, rather cruelly, dumped Kasumi," Herb explained. Ranma continued looking puzzled. "Oh right, you haven't properly met Haruka either. It is complicated. I believe you saw her once at the beach, when they kissed."
"Oh, right," Ranma said in remembrance. "They had some serious history, I take it?"
"Yes," Herb answered simply.
"Both sound like stressful events as well," Rose concluded and the others nodded in agreement. "Hmm..."
"Excuse me," Kasumi said suddenly in a completely new tone. Everyone turned to her, seeing near everything about her posture had changed. Instead of the confident swagger of Tex, Kasumi was now tightly packed up and meek. "Uh... I don't mean to disturb you, but I seem to have lost sight of my boy. Have you seen him?"
"Pops?" Ranma asked but Genma shook his head.
"This one is totally new to me too," Genma said.
Rose frowned and before anyone could say another word reached out and touched Kasumi on the forehead. Kasumi's eyes quickly glassed over and she began to slowly collapse, Rose grabbing her as she did. "Come, help me take her to her room," Rose instructed and the boys quickly rounded the bar to do exactly that.
XXXXX
"They are taking Kasumi upstairs," Makoto said as she rejoined her fellow senshi in a private room.
"Is she any better?" Usagi asked, to which Makoto shook her head.
"Might be worse, actually," Makoto said with a sigh, causing the other's heads to hang.
"Are you quite alright?" Ixion asked.
"Me? I'm fine... well, close enough. I'll have some bruises to be sure, but nothing I'm not used to," Makoto assured the man. "If you weren't there..."
"Yes, it was fortunate I was present. Your opposition was surprisingly powerful."
"I don't understand," Minako said. "How was a former Dark Kingdom youma so strong?"
Ixion smiled. "I think you misjudge things a bit. The Dark Kingdom was quite possibly your most dangerous opponent. You never personally experienced them at their height, but there is good reason they completely overwhelmed the Moon Kingdom's defenders. I dare say, if you all were to travel back in time to that period, you would be shocked at just how formidable they would be. They did defeat far more experienced versions of yourselves quite easily. Only Galaxia and her direct minions would I say were truly more powerful of the challenges you have faced."
"Wow, I never thought about that," Minako said in shock.
"Yes, and worse still, this one had centuries to build up its power. Even if your entire group was to face it, you would likely have struggled to defeat it," Ixion said then suddenly looked to the side. "Don't you agree?"
A giggle caused the others to turn to see Eris materialize before them. "Oh quite. A very astute analysis. However, getting personally involved, Ixion. Isn't that breaking the rules?"
Ixion crossed his arms. "You of all people know the exact nature of those rules."
"True," Eris replied. "You couldn't break them no matter how hard you tried. Still, I think you did work against their spirit, at least." Ixion gave no argument causing Eris to smile. "Oh well. Not like I'm a stickler for the rules either. I'll let this little affair go forgotten unless someone asks specifically about it."
"My thanks," Ixion replied. "I should be leaving though," he said but Eris pulled him up short with a question.
"Why not simply enspell the creature with your blade?"
Ixion closed his eyes. "A creature such as that. No, death was more than justified in this instance." With that, he disappeared.
"Huh?" Minako remarked in confusion.
"His blade is known as the Dominion Blade. It grants him dominion over anything he cuts with it... well, within certain limits. It wouldn't work on me for example," Eris explained.
"That sounds rather... unnerving," Makoto commented.
"Certainly. Remarkably similar to the power Cosmos once used, although she could use it on a vast scale. Still, we all possess our own powers, as you should all well know. You, Venus, for instance, have a similar ability to induce love in a victim."
Minako blinked. "I... well, I sorta do that I suppose, but not like THAT."
"That is likely because you are still in your pre-ascended state, and only have limited access to your power. My own ability is to disrupt bonds, like the bonds between atoms," Eris explained. "Quite nasty if misused, but I try to avoid that," she joked.
"I will say this, though. This incident should be taken to heart. You all should consider ascending and soon. Currently Usagi's power is so blinding that few have taken notice, but it won't take that long until new enemies come seeking it out," Eris cautioned.
"We are attempting to find a way to... upgrade our armors so they may deal with the ascension process. It would seem best to wait till that is complete before pushing ahead," Ami said.
Eris nodded. "Wise," she said before turning her attention to Usagi. For a moment there was silence, causing Usagi to awkwardly look away. "And you should set about learning to control your powers," Eris said at last.
"I... I don't even know where to begin," Usagi replied, hanging her head.
Eris frowned. "I suppose your situation is rather unique. For us it was obvious how to use them, but you seem different, almost as if the part of you that is Cosmos is still hiding." Usagi looked up in surprise at this, and the other senshi took interest as well. Eris waved them off. "Just idle speculation on my part. Even if true, I do not know how you would go about correcting the situation, but you should be actively trying. Even we Ascended have our limits, and if an enemy at your level appears, we will be unable to fight it. Granted, we have never encountered such an enemy, but it is never wise to assume that trend will continue."
With that, Eris disappeared without a farewell.
XXXXX
"Feeling better?" Kimiko asked as she helped Kasumi dry the last of her tears.
"A little," Kasumi replied.
"Want to talk about it?"
Kasumi hung her head. "They tried to warn me... Herb and Shampoo both, I just didn't really listen." She clenched her teeth as she remembered the last moments. "I may have led us all to our deaths."
"You seem very much alive to me," Kimiko said, causing Kasumi to look up.
'That's right I suppose... or... what is this? A dream...' she started to wonder and shook her head. 'No, just don't worry about that right now. I don't want to leave,' she thought and tried to focus her mind on other things. "Maybe, but I don't know about the others, and what was it all for? So many people died. Maybe they were bad people, but I don't know if all of them were. Maybe they were just desperate, or forced... I just don't know. And it was all for... her, someone who tried to kill me and may be no better than them." Kasumi hung her head once more.
"Hmm, that does sound complicated. Why don't you lead me through it, from the beginning," Kimiko asked, prompting Kasumi to raise her head and nod before beginning the tale.
XXXXX
Ukyo arrived at the top floor, having heard all the commotion upstairs and wondering what was going on. She stepped into Kasumi's room to find Genma, Ranma, Herb, and Shampoo gathered around Kasumi who was lying, sleeping apparently, on the bed, with another woman Ukyo didn't recognize at Kasumi's side, with her hand on Kasumi's forehead, apparently concentrating. Several of the room's occupants took notice of Ukyo's entry but made no comment, prompting Ukyo to simply lean against a wall until an explanation was offered.
Finally the woman opened her eyes and leaned back, releasing Kasumi and frowning. "This is very strange. I can't find Kasumi's normal personality."
Ukyo raised an eyebrow at this, but the others took this particularly badly. "What's that mean?" Ranma demanded. "You mean, Kasumi's gone, like forever?!"
The woman shook her head. "No. If her normal personality were... destroyed, remnants would still remain, and I could potentially rebuild it. If it were absorbed, I would find traces in one of the other personalities, but there is none. No, it is as if she has simply vanished," she explained. "I suppose it is possible, given our history, that Kasumi doesn't trust me and is somehow eluding my detection."
"We have little choice but to assume that. If so, what should we do?" Herb asked.
The woman thought for a moment. "I could put you all into a shared dreamscape, and have you search for her. She should be far more willing to appear to you."
"Right, well, let's do that!" Ranma declared, but Herb interjected.
"Hold! Are there any risks?" Herb asked.
"Yes, but not to you. While your senses would be mostly consumed by the dreamscape, it would ultimately be like a dream to you. Even should you die, you'll merely be awakened with a slight shock. You are all in more than adequate health to handle that," she explained before looking at Kasumi. "The risk is to her. The dreamscape is particularly... unstable, and allows far greater psychological effects than are normally possible. The greatest risk is that her other personalities merge, gaining enough strength to become the dominant personality."
"That's bad," Ranma said with a frown to which the woman nodded.
"Yes, and even worse, Kasumi herself could be consumed by another personality. She's very strong at the moment, or at least should be, but if circumstances change, she may be vulnerable to such. A merger always favors the aggressor, so the Kasumi you know would be basically lost in that case, and I have little chance of repairing that."
Everyone frowned as they considered. Herb asked the obvious question. "And if we do nothing?"
"Then Kasumi's main personality will continue to weaken so long as she does not take back control. We already witnessed one result of this, a new personality forming. Her mind will continue to fracture as her main personality weakens. Unfortunately, with me sensing no signs of her, I doubt she has any intention of coming back on her own. So, while much slower, the result is the same, Kasumi would be inevitably lost. In fact, it may be worse as only a shattered mind of potentially hundreds of personalities would remain," she explained.
Herb closed his eyes and sighed. "Then unless someone has an alternative, I see little choice but to risk it."
Ranma looked at the woman with a skeptical frown. "I'm still not sure I trust you."
"Perhaps wise. If it is any comfort, you may bind me here so I may not escape, and I will accept any punishment you deem fit should things go awry," she replied, causing Ranma to look away and sigh.
"Man... what do you think, Shampoo?"
"Think should do," Shampoo answered.
Ranma sighed and scratched his head. "Fine, I'm in too. Let's do this."
"Very well. First I must find the individuals Kasumi will allow in," the woman said and pulled a deck of cards out. Mystically they began to float and separate, surrounding her in several circles as she closed her eyes and concentrated. After a moment, one moved to land on Kasumi. Shortly after, six more separated and flew to all the occupants of the room and one even left, leaving only the woman herself empty handed. Ukyo grabbed hers, puzzled.
"I think you messed up, lady. No way Kasumi wants me in her mind," Ukyo said.
"There is no mistake," she replied. "You five and one other were the only ones in range that she would allow within. Whatever conflict you have with Kasumi, she apparently does not view it as a disqualifying one."
Ukyo frowned but Ranma just smiled. "Hey, if Pops here is allowed in too, Kasumi must be pretty chill with the whole thing," he said.
Ukyo sighed. "Fine. I suppose if Ranma is going in, I can go in too, for all the good it will do," she muttered.
Just then Makoto stepped into the room holding the sixth card. "Uh... this card just flew into my hand... something happening?" she asked.
XXXXX
A short time later, all six were sitting upon the floor in a circle facing each other with Rose at the center. Mint and Lime were also present in the room, sitting on chairs and simply observing. "Before we begin, let me explain in more detail what will be happening. I will be connecting you to Kasumi's mind, and induce her to create a dreamscape through which you may explore her mind. Just like a dream, it need not follow the regular rules of reality and may be disjoint and quite confused, but does have some logic to it as well.
"I am going to suppress the aspect of her mind that deals with fantasy, so that should make your goings far easier. Still, you will encounter several aspects as you move about. Firstly, the environment itself will of course be important, but not terribly interactive. Still, do be on your guard. While I doubt Kasumi's subconscious is hostile, there may still be some dangerous locations.
"Secondly, you will encounter memories. I will be suppressing these as well, but I cannot completely remove them. As such these will be no more than wisps that you have no ability to interact with. You may witness them, but not alter them, and they may not interact with you. Besides the distraction they may present, they pose no threat for that reason."
"Wait," Ranma interjected. "We aren't going to see... like just any memory, right?" Ranma asked, looking briefly at Shampoo.
"Hmh?" Rose wondered before catching Ranma's meaning. "Oh no. That shouldn't be an issue. Kasumi controls this and will only let you witness that which she feels comfortable with you seeing. Anything of a particularly private nature will be suppressed completely. I should note, however, that because of this, each of your experiences within the dreamscape may be inconsistent with the others as the effect is tailored to the person. One of you may see a memory that another may not."
"Right," Ranma said with a sigh of relief, noticing Ukyo frowning and looking slightly away.
"Lastly, of course, you will encounter the personalities themselves. While they may resemble Kasumi to a degree, they will more resemble Kasumi's mental image of them. These will interact with you and are the most troublesome elements. They may become hostile and eject you from the dream via violence. If you are ejected this way, you may not re-enter. It will be symbolic of Kasumi removing your authorization to enter her mind."
"Logical," Herb said with a nod. "So we should approach and treat them with caution."
"Extra caution, yes. Remember, this is but a dream of Kasumi's. You will be little more than projections in it, and have access to none of your powers within. Thus, I advise, should you get into conflict with a personality, you retreat. Fighting would certainly lead to your inevitable defeat and death in the dream world."
"Death?!" Makoto repeated.
"Don't worry too much. As I said before, you will awaken, just be unable to enter again. Still, it isn't a pleasant experience, so do try to avoid it," Rose explained. "The personalities may also attack each other, and this is what you must avoid. Conflict between them can lead to one absorbing the other, the resulting combination being that much stronger. I suggest, for that reason, you aim to keep the personalities separated as much as possible until Kasumi is found and retakes control."
Everyone nodded at this.
"How do we get her to take control?" Makoto asked.
"There should be a place in the dreamscape, usually a familiar location, that being within gives a personality control of the body. It is usually central to the dreamscape, and within you will find your senses expanded to Kasumi's real world senses. So you will see, hear, smell and so forth what she is seeing, hearing and smelling in the real world. The clock and incense I placed by her bed should be sufficient for you to recognize the smell of the incense, or the clock's ticking."
"Right," Herb said. "Anything else?"
"You may choose to exit at any time, and you may also speak aloud or just in the dreamscape, as you choose. You will continue to hear the real world here, so use this to coordinate with each other."
"Okay, then let's go," Herb directed, getting nods from the others.
"Are you certain you do not wish to bind me?" Rose asked.
Ranma sighed. "Look, lady, I may not trust you that much, but I don't see any real point in it. They'll keep you honest," Ranma said, gesturing to Mint and Lime.
Rose looked at the pair skeptically but shrugged. "Very well. Please, everyone, close your eyes, and I will guide you in."
XXXXX
Ranma opened his eyes to find himself in the same room he should have left. Around him, Shampoo, Makoto, Herb, Genma and Ukyo were likewise looking around in some confusion at this. Ranma smelt the air, noting the strong smell of incense, and soon heard the ticking of a clock.
"Where are you?" Rose's voice came from beyond.
"Uh, looks like we're still in the San Cheng Huang, same room even," Ranma responded as he stood up. "Just us though, no Kasumi or anyone else."
"Yes, and the smell of the incense is strong here, as is the clock ticking," Herb said. "This must be the control area you spoke of."
"Good," Rose said. "That will save you some time finding it and makes sense as this is her home now. What does the outside look like?"
Shampoo led the way out onto the porch walkway and the group stopped in some wonder at the sight outside. "Woah," Makoto commented.
"It's a total chaotic mess!" Ukyo said. "Got bits of all kinds of places all crammed together. Stuff is even floating in the sky, some of it upside down..."
"That is not unusual either," Rose replied. "You should begin your search."
"It's a lot of ground to cover," Ranma noted with a frown to which Herb nodded. "We probably should just split up."
"Yes. We can communicate so it shouldn't be an issue. Being together offers little protection as well since we all are so weak here," Herb replied.
"Is strange," Shampoo said, gaining the others' attention. "Shampoo sense... something."
"Something?" Ranma repeated. "Like, do you sense Kasumi?"
Shampoo frowned but shook her head. "No. Only sense her on bed in real world. Still, feel like sense something here."
Everyone exchanged confused looks at this. "This is nothing more than a dream. You shouldn't sense anything, should you?"
Shampoo nodded with her own confused frown. "Yes, but still sense something. Not even sure where is. Is very strange."
"Hmm... perhaps there is more to this issue than Kasumi merely being unwilling to resurface. Shampoo, you should attempt to find this thing you are sensing. The rest of us, split up and find what you can. If you find a personality, speak up so we can decide how to proceed," Herb directed and jumped off into the twisted cityscape.
The others did as bidden, quickly heading off in various directions.
XXXXX
Makoto continued walking the streets of the city, finding herself in completely unfamiliar territory. It was still modeled on some Japanese city, but not one Makoto knew. She was pulled up short at hearing a scream of panic, that of Kasumi.
Quickly she rushed toward the scream, finding herself in an open lot with a pit to one side and Genma standing at one end holding a rope which was strung through a pulley and which hung over the center of the pit.
"What the hell?" Makoto said, but quickly noticed that this Genma was in fact ghostly and immaterial, unlike the one who had joined her in the dream. Frowning, she approached to see Genma pull up the rope and saw a panicked, sobbing Kasumi tied to the rope. "WHAT THE HELL?!" she yelled, but this seemed to disperse the image.
"What?" came Ranma's voice from the real world.
Makoto reset herself, trying hard to control her anger. "I just saw something... Mr. Saotome... when I get out of here, I'm going to give you a punch to the face!"
"What for?" Genma's voice from the real world asked.
"Because you deserve it, you ass hole!" Makoto practically shouted. "How could you do that to Kasumi?!"
"Do what?" Genma asked in confusion.
"I have a good guess," Ranma said flatly. "Stay on subject, people. We can kick around Pops later. We're here to find Kasumi, remember."
"Yeah, yeah," Makoto said with a growl. 'Okay, maybe there was more context to that, but I don't care!' she thought before leaving the lot but immediately stopped at hearing some worried murmuring around the corner. She quickly made her way to the location and found a new sight before her, that of an older woman... a very Kasumi like woman, looking around the street from doorway to alleyway.
Unlike the previous image, this one was solid. "Guys, I think I found one of the personalities," she said quietly.
"Which one?"
"That last one we saw, I think, judging from the way she's acting and the way she looks. Kinda looks like an older Kasumi, but not quite," Makoto replied.
"The mother like one, looking for her son?" Ranma asked.
"Yeah. Still looks like she is looking," Makoto answered.
"Alright, where are you?" Herb asked.
"I don't really know. Some place in a Japanese city. It isn't too far from where we started, but I don't recognize the place at all. There is a lot nearby with a pit."
"Oh... oh," Genma said at hearing this. "I think I know where you are."
"Yeah," Makoto said harshly.
"Yep, I was right," Ranma commented.
"Enough!" Herb replied sharply. "Try to interact with her and keep her near that location," he quickly instructed.
"Right!" Makoto and decided on the direct approach. "Hey, Miss, you need help?"
XXXXX
Not long after, Herb had likewise ran into Tex in some strange landscape that Genma guessed was an Indian village they had passed through a while back. Like Makoto, Herb was keeping the cowboy busy while the others continued their search.
Herb sighed in the real world. "Kasumi has a very stereotypical idea of this type, I see," he commented.
"Hey, what do you expect?" Ranma commented as he continued his search, currently walking by the old Saotome home. "She probably made that personality up based on some kids' shows of the time, maybe a few cowboy movies if you're lucky."
"I suppose you are correct," Herb replied.
"Ugh!" Ukyo suddenly remarked from the real world.
"What?" Ranma asked.
"Jusenkyo," she replied with a groan.
"It's just a dream version. It's not going to hurt you," Ranma replied.
Ukyo groaned once more. "I got real bad memories of this place."
"Do take some caution," Rose interjected. "Remember the environment can affect you to a degree. If this Jusenkyo is dangerous in the real world, treat it as such now."
"Oh great!" Ukyo replied.
"Just don't trip into any springs," Herb said.
Ranma shook his head. 'Hell of a place to find yourself,' he commented in thought before noticing some movement by the house. Curious, he approached and heard a can fall over. "Hmm, may have something."
Sure enough, as he rounded the corner he found a very oversized brown and white house cat currently pawing through a garbage can it had toppled over. "Think I found the Nekoken personality."
"Thank god!" Genma replied. "That one hates me for sure."
"Can't blame it," Ranma said quietly before approaching. "Here kitty," he said, gaining the animal's attention. Able to see it in full, Ranma could see it barely had any resemblance to Kasumi at all, only a slightly deformed body that looked a bit too human, almost as if it was an old time fur suit that an actor was wearing in a movie, but very realistic. Obviously its size as well was unusual, being closer to the size of a large dog than a house cat.
"Guessing I'll be keeping this one here. I'm at the old house, by the way," Ranma said as he cautiously tempted the cat forward.
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Far away, Ukyo frowned at hearing this. "You going to be alright?" she asked, some of her nervousness seeping through.
"I'm fine. It's pretty tame actually," Ranma replied from the real world. "I'll holler if something happens, don't worry."
'I can't help worrying,' Ukyo thought as she continued looking through the dream Jusenkyo. 'Why did it have to be here of all places?' she wondered in annoyance.
Her travels soon brought her to a particularly familiar locale, that of the very spring that cursed her. Ukyo scowled at the sight and was about to turn away when a wisp walked right through her, startling her. Fortunately, she kept her footing, seeing that the wisp was in fact Kasumi, seemingly moping as she approached another spring.
'Bah, just a memory,' she thought and once more was about to turn away, but then paused. 'Is it... that memory?' she wondered and turned back. 'The scene does look right, mostly. I should be showing up soon.'
However, no wisp of herself appeared. Instead Kasumi remained intent on the spring before her. 'Guess not,' Ukyo thought and started to turn away once again before noticing a new wisp appear, that of a cat. Curious, she watched as it rushed around the spring and jumped at Kasumi. The reaction was near instant as Kasumi yelled out in a panic, tossing the animal into the sky where the wisp vanished. Kasumi was not finished, though, and in her panic bolted in the opposite direction. In that moment, Ukyo saw the wisp of herself appear just for an instant before the collision, then promptly vanished once more.
Soon Kasumi's memory wisp also vanished, leaving only the real Ukyo standing in shock. 'She didn't even know I was there,' she thought. Ukyo hung her head, closing her eyes tightly, soon clenching her fist ever tighter.
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Suddenly, out in the real world, Ukyo awoke and stood up sharply, to Rose, Mint and Lime's surprise. Without a word she rushed out of the room.
Rose frowned. "Ukyo appears to have withdrawn."
"What?" Ranma asked. "Why?"
"She did not say," Rose answered.
"I'll go-" Mint started to say but Herb interrupted.
"No, stay there. Leave her be. She had little interest in this in the first place. We will proceed without her," Herb said, prompting Mint to return to his seat reluctantly.
XXXXX
Kasumi accepted a cup from her mother filled with warm tea. She had finished her tale a few minutes ago, but Kimiko seemed to simply be pondering it rather than replying. Finally though, Kasumi asked, "Do you think I did the wrong thing?"
Kimiko looked up from drinking her own cup of tea, thoughtful. "I think you thought you were doing the right thing."
Kasumi looked down. "That's not good enough. So many people have justified themselves doing horrible things in the name of their own righteous goals."
Kimiko nodded sadly. "Sadly all too true, but I don't think that is the case here. People like that justify themselves with such logic. You question yourself instead. You're not capable of seeing the future. There was no way for you to know the outcome of the attack and everything you did know at the time said it was perhaps risky, but seemed worth that risk. Perhaps you should have listened to the warnings more closely, but I cannot see what you did as a bad thing."
Kasumi considered this. "Maybe... but I don't know if the real result was worth it."
"Yes, and you probably will never know. Countless lives may have been saved by your actions, or many more lost. You can't see the result of all your actions, or inactions. All you can do is take educated guesses. You saw just some of the results of those people's actions, did you not?" Kimiko argued.
Kasumi closed her eyes, the flash of the contents of the room haunting her. "I did."
"And do you think they would just have stopped?"
"No."
Kimiko nodded firmly at this. "Exactly. Now, perhaps you are right. Maybe, just maybe some of those people involved were not the monsters. Maybe it was just that one demon. Even so, you weren't the one to kill them. You did what you could to avoid that. You can't beat yourself up forever over that."
Kasumi thought about this, nodding after a moment. "I suppose you're right."
Kimiko nodded once more before looking off into the distance suddenly. Kasumi took notice of this, and followed her gaze, finding a white marble like structure standing in the field, completely out of place.
Kasumi considered it for a second then shook her head, once more banishing any thought that might disrupt the moment. She turned back to Kimiko and quickly asked, "You never told me you practiced martial arts, why not?"
Kimiko turned back to her in mild confusion, but then smiled. "Oh, I was never that good. It hardly seemed worth mentioning, especially as I wasn't practicing anymore."
XXXXX
In a completely different place, Shampoo was looking at the very same marble door, perplexed. She was currently within a dream recreation of the Amazon village, and this door was standing at the square. It had the same sort of wisp-like appearance of a memory, yet unlike any of them, Shampoo could sense substance to it. Still, even this was confusing. According to her senses, it was there, yet not at the same time.
"Shampoo find... thing," Shampoo announced as she looked it over.
"What is it?" Makoto asked.
Shampoo shook her head, answering, "No know. Is here, yet not."
"Say what?" Ranma asked.
"You say it is part of the dream?" Rose asked.
"Yes," Shampoo replied and reached forward to touch it. "Is like mem-"
XXXXX
"-ory..." Shampoo completed her word just as she touched and found herself in a totally new location. The shock of this caused her to withdraw and look around quickly.
'What happened?' she thought then realized something else and looked down at herself. 'How... I have a body?! I definitely feel this body,' she thought as she gazed at her hands as they moved in response to her commands just as they should... but should not. Just then she noticed that she was not alone.
She darted around the marble structure and saw a welcome sight, that of Kasumi, sitting beneath a tree on a picnic blanket. However, while this was comforting to see, the figure with her caused Shampoo a moment of shock. 'What is going on?'
"Shampoo find Kasumi!" Shampoo announced, but found no response. "Anyone hear?" Again no response.
'What is going on? I... can feel my real body still, and everyone around me, but it's... muddy... it is a bit like I'm spirit walking.' Shampoo shook away the matter for now and decided to focus on the immediate, rushing over to Kasumi.
"Ah, it seems someone has come to collect you," the woman next to Kasumi said, the one that looked just like Kimiko but could not possibly be her.
Kasumi looked back to see Shampoo arrive next to her. "Shampoo?" she asked in surprise.
Shampoo looked at Kimiko in shock for a moment before taking Kasumi's arm insistently. "Kasumi, we go now. Come!"
"Uh..." she said, hesitantly looking back at Kimiko before allowing herself to be brought to her feet. "Okay," she said sadly, but Kimiko smiled.
"You should go, Kasumi. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," Kimiko assured her, making no move to stop them.
Shampoo pulled at Kasumi even more insistently, prompting Kasumi to begin moving. Kasumi focused on Shampoo with a sad look, but followed along as she was led to the marble structure. Shampoo reached out for it, but then stopped. "Kasumi, you touch first," Shampoo directed, and with one last look at Kimiko, Kasumi did as bidden and vanished.
"Take care of her," Kimiko called out.
Shampoo blinked at hearing this and quickly touched the structure as well, leaving the place.
XXXXX
"Shampoo?!" Shampoo heard as she came back to the dream world. It was Ranma calling out.
"I back," Shampoo said quickly, seeing a dream version of Kasumi standing next to her, confused as she looked about. "Shampoo find Kasumi... how long was gone?"
"Just a moment," Rose answered. "You found Kasumi?"
"Yes," Shampoo affirmed.
"Good, good. Take her back to the dream San Cheng Huang quickly, while the other personalities are distracted," Rose directed.
"What happened?" Herb asked as Shampoo took a still confused Kasumi's hand.
"Uh... talk about later," Shampoo said, looking back at the wisp like structure still before her.
"Whatever, just so long as you have Kasumi," Herb replied.
"How did I get back to the village?" Kasumi wondered aloud.
"No mind that, Kasumi," Shampoo said and pulled her along. "We go back home now, yes?"
"Uh... sure," Kasumi agreed and followed obediently behind Shampoo.
XXXXX
'Well, guess I can stop looking then,' Genma thought as he was walking down a street of the dream Nerima, not far from a dream version of Furinkan. Just as he thought this, he heard a loud crash. 'What was that?'
Curiosity getting the better of him, he jumped up onto the wall of the street side only to be greeted by a sight that caused him to go instantly pale.
"Ranma... my boy... you're with the Nekoken personality, right?"
"Yeah," Ranma replied in some confusion. "Why?"
"Then why do I see a house sized cat in front of me, and I don't mean a house cat. I mean it is the size of a house!" Genma said, swallowing nervously as the giant animal in front of him slapped aside a car in the street like it was a toy. Despite its size, the giant black and brown furred animal looked little different than a common house cat.
"What?" Came several replies from the others.
"Uh oh," Ranma said suddenly.
"What do you mean, uh oh?" Genma asked nervously.
"Pops, you better get out of there," Ranma cautioned, but the warning was too late as the giant cat turned and took notice of Genma.
"Too late. It saw me," Genma said with almost a whimper.
"Just... stay perfectly still, maybe it-" Ranma tried to advise but the house sized cat soon bared its teeth at Genma and started to rush towards him.
"AHH!" Genma yelled out as he ran for his life, the giant animal behind him smashing through the wall he was on just seconds behind him.
XXXXX
"Pops?" Ranma asked urgently after hearing his cry.
"IT'S AFTER ME!"
"Try to stay ahead of it!" Ranma advised, noticing his own tension had gained the cat personality in his company's attention. "It's alright," he quickly assured it, and it resumed purring in his lap.
"What is going on? Why are there two Nekokens?" Herb asked.
"There probably always was," Ranma replied. "We just were so focused on them being cat-like that we never noticed the other differences. Think about it, though. One is rather docile, while the other is very aggressive. Oh, I guess you've never seen the docile one, but I have, and I think that's the one I have here."
"YOU REALIZE THIS NOW?!" Genma shouted.
"Oh shut it, Pops! This is ultimately your fault! And you should have noticed first anyway! Now, just run and stay alive!"
"Easy for you to say!" Genma complained. "You're not being chased by a blood thirty cat the size of a house!"
"Lead it away from the San Cheng Huang!" Herb interjected.
"I don't exactly have a whole lot of opt- AH!"
Ranma heard a thud out in the real world. "What happened?"
"Mr. Saotome is awake, if a bit shaken," Rose replied with a sigh.
"Ah hell..." Ranma heard Herb say.
"Don't tell me," Ranma said with a groan.
"Yes, it's right here," Herb replied.
XXXXX
Herb looked up at the indeed house sized cat that had just smashed through a building nearby and slammed the dream version of Genma into the ground. There were no remnants of Genma in the dream, thankfully, but that left the cat with no play thing and it had already turned on Herb and Tex.
"Well, ain't that a sight," Tex said in wonder.
"This is no time to be gawking, RUN!" Herb directed but the Kasumi personality seemed too mesmerized to heed the warning. Before Herb could make a move the cat pounced on Tex. The cowboy barely got out a startled cry before the giant creature bit right into him.
Under normal circumstances, the sight probably should have been horrific. Herb counted it slightly lucky then that instead he was merely treated to Tex's form vanishing into a mist and joining with the giant cat.
"Damn it!" Herb cursed as the cat began growing even larger, its eyes taking on a bit more human-like appearance, but otherwise unchanged.
"What happened?" Ranma asked.
"It ate Tex," Herb replied as he retreated, hoping to go unnoticed as it was distracted with its growth spurt. "And it is growing rapidly."
"Oh... yeah, I... can see it from here," Makoto said.
XXXXX
"Uh, guys, now what?" Makoto asked nervously in the real world.
"Get Kasumi to the restaurant quickly!" Herb said. "I will attempt to... distract this monster."
Shampoo looked up, already knowing that was not going to work. Directly in their path, the now towering cat that looked like something out of a Kaiju movie was looming. Naturally, Kasumi had already caught sight of it and her eyes were so wide Shampoo thought they just might break something.
"AHHH!" Kasumi screamed in a panic and ran off in the opposite direction.
Shampoo sighed and gave chase. "Kasumi see cat," she quietly informed the others.
"Oh damn," Ranma said.
"And it is in way to restaurant," Shampoo added.
"That's even worse," Makoto replied. "Herb, do you think-"
"I will try to move it, but I am not optimistic," Herb replied before Makoto could even finish the question.
XXXXX
"Oh my goodness," Makoto's partnered personality said as she stared up at the enormous cat.
"We... should look for your son elsewhere," Makoto urged, trying to take the woman's hand and lead her away.
"But, what if that monstrous cat has him? He could be in danger."
'Oh no,' Makoto thought as the woman refused to move. "Uh... even if he is, we need help to fight such a monster," Makoto pointed out.
As she did, the giant animal seemed to take notice of something below it and started to turn, crushing a house with its tail as it did. The woman screamed at the sight.
"No! If my son was in that house..." she said before pulling herself free of Makoto and rushing headlong towards the animal.
"You got to be kidding me," Makoto moaned as she gave chase.
"What's happening?" Ranma asked.
"The mother personality is running right into the thick of it!"
"Stop her!" Ranma urged.
"I'm working on it!" Makoto replied just as the enormous cat got to its feet and stomped on two further houses, demolishing them like they were made of thin cardboard. "Miss, please stop! It's too dangerous!" Makoto called out, but just as she did the cat's tail swept the street. The motion of air alone was enough to knock Makoto off her feet, but she was relatively lucky. The mother, who was several house widths ahead was right in the tail's path and instantly crushed.
Makoto cringed at the sight, quickly treated to the same sort of mist effect that Herb had seen, and this mist soon joined the cat as well.
"Sorry guys... it crushed her."
XXXXX
By this point Ranma caught sight of the monster as well. It was now enlarging even more, now towering over all the buildings nearby. "Bloody heck!"
"It's growing even larger!" Herb said.
"Yeah, I can see that," Ranma replied. "Makoto, come to me. I'm taking this personality away from here before things get any worse."
"Yes, you cannot let it consume the last remaining personality. Its strength may already rival Kasumi's main personality," Rose said urgently.
"I hear you. Come on, Kitty, let's find some place safer to hang out," Ranma said as he got up, urging the cat to follow as he retreated in the opposite direction from the monster.
"I'm on my way," Makoto said. "Where are you?"
"Just go to its left side right now. Herb, how's it going?"
"Not well. The larger it gets, it seems, the less interest it has in me, which may be good for me, but bad for me being a distraction," Herb explained.
"Right, well, keep trying. Maybe it won't notice us either now," Ranma suggested.
"So far our luck isn't that good," Makoto replied.
"Yeah," Ranma sadly agreed. "Shampoo, you need to get Kasumi to the San Cheng Huang before this gets any worse!"
"I trying!" Shampoo replied in a mixture of annoyance and urgency.
XXXXX
Out in the real world, Genma regained his senses and sat back up. "I'm back," he announced.
"Not now, Pops! We're sorta busy!" Ranma yelled.
"AH!" Makoto shouted.
"You alright?"
"Yeah. Nearly got hit by debris," Makoto answered. "I think I see you. I'll be there in a minute!"
"This isn't working!" Herb declared. "It just doesn't care about me!"
"Keep trying!"
Genma lifted an eyebrow at the odd sight as the others were still sitting calmly in a circle, in sharp contrast to the urgency of their words. "Is there anything more I can do?" Genma asked.
"Save offer suggestions, no," Rose replied.
"Ranma, it's turning your way," Makoto warned.
"Yeah, I see that. I'm going to hide," he replied.
"I'm going to try helping Herb. Maybe with us both..." Makoto responded.
For a moment the circle went quiet then suddenly Ranma spoke. "SHIT!"
"What happened?" Genma asked.
No one responded for several seconds. Ranma finally spoke up again. "Alright! Good job you two!"
"Just get moving!" Herb replied quickly.
"What's going on?" Genma asked more urgently. "It's like I'm hearing half of a movie..."
"Pops, I have bigger problems than giving you progress reports!" Ranma shot back.
"Right, right, sorry. Keep at it!" Genma said nervously.
XXXXX
Shampoo looked back over her shoulder to see the growing chaos. Herb and Makoto had finally gained the giant cat's attention by literally jumping right into its face. Both were now dodging around the city as it laid waste to it in an attempt to smash them. Fortunately, while their offensive power was useless in this realm, both had retained their agility and speed and this was serving them well at the moment.
Still, it would all be for naught should she not find Kasumi, and that was proving difficult. It wasn't that it was hard to track her, no. Kasumi may have been human sized, but she was smashing through walls and buildings with ease as well, all in an effort to make her escape from the creature of her nightmares behind her. This all left a very clear trail to follow. So, no, the real difficulty was in catching up!
"I have an idea," Herb said suddenly.
"We're listening," Makoto replied quickly.
"Ukyo mentioned Jusenkyo. Perhaps if the springs there do work..."
"Right, I get you," Makoto replied. "But, she up and left. I don't know where it is."
"I'll try to get some elevation and see if I can spot it."
"Good idea, but don't bank on it. Somehow I doubt even if the springs in here do work that they'll work on something that huge!" Ranma cautioned.
"Yes, but it is worth the try," Herb replied.
About then, Shampoo noticed the trail of destruction finally end and stopped to scan her surroundings. There, Kasumi sat, sheltering herself in a shadowy corner, rocking back and forth as she hugged her legs.
"Giant cat. Huge cat. Evil cat!" she muttered to herself as Shampoo approached.
"Hey! Get back here!" Ranma suddenly called out.
"What's happening?"
"It got distracted by a piece of rolling debris and ran off!" Ranma said urgently.
"Get it back, fast!" Herb said.
Shampoo frowned. 'Things are totally out of control,' she thought before kneeling down in front of the near catatonic Kasumi. "Kasumi?"
"Big cat. Big cat. Scary cat."
Shampoo sighed. 'I can't force her to come. What will I do here?' Shampoo pondered. "Kasumi, you have come with Shampoo."
Kasumi finally took notice of Shampoo, her eyes still wide as saucers. "Away from the evil cat?"
Shampoo winced before answering, "No."
Kasumi rapidly shook her head. "Nonono! Cats bad! Giant cats worse!"
"Nonono, not that way you dumb cat!" Ranma shouted, causing Shampoo to sigh once again.
"Kasumi!" Shampoo said more sternly. "You come with Shampoo, now!"
Kasumi's eyes shrunk just a little, but she shook her head again. "No!"
"You have to! This very important!" Shampoo pleaded, but Kasumi shook her head once more.
"Ranma!" Makoto called out.
"I know! I know!" Ranma replied.
Shampoo stood up and looked back at the scene of the monster. It had turned once more and seemed to be searching the ground for something.
"Herb?" Makoto asked.
"It's no good. I see it, but it is too far away. We'll never get it there like this," Herb replied.
Shampoo frowned and kneeled down next to Kasumi once more. "Kasumi, please, you must come," she pleaded.
This seemed to give Kasumi pause, but still she shook her head. "I... can't."
"DAMN IT!" Ranma yelled out.
"What?" Genma asked.
Shampoo shot to her feet to see the giant cat had apparently focused on whatever it was searching for and was now stalking forward.
"Nono Kitty! I don't need protecting! Come with me!" Ranma pleaded and just then the giant cat jumped forward. "AHH!"
"Ranma?!" Makoto called out and got no reply for a moment.
"I'm still here... the neko isn't though," he said quietly.
Shampoo looked on in shock as the already monstrous Neko personality grew even more, now truly being a worthy contender to Godzilla, if a rather absurd one.
"Now what?" Makoto asked in a bit of panic.
"Shampoo, have you found Kasumi?" Herb asked.
"Yes," Shampoo confirmed. "We still fair distance away, but it directly in path still."
"Can you perhaps sneak around?" Ranma asked.
"Kasumi no come. She too scared," Shampoo replied.
"It may not matter at this juncture," Rose interjected somberly. "The other personality has now the combined power of all the others. It may now have greater strength than Kasumi. Even if she took control, she may no longer be able to keep it."
"Well, I'm not just giving up," Ranma shot back.
"Is there nothing else we can do?" Makoto asked.
"If only we could fight," Herb complained.
"You cannot. This is Kasumi's dreamscape. She is the one with control," Rose replied.
Shampoo thought on this a moment before looking back at Kasumi. "If you no come, Shampoo go fight," she said quietly.
"Wait, Shampoo, you can't!" Kasumi called out as Shampoo ran off.
"Shampoo, what are you doing?" Herb asked as Shampoo jumped from rooftop to rooftop towards the towering beast.
"Something stupid," she replied simply.
"Stupid?" Ranma repeated in confusion.
Shampoo did not elaborate, landing on a suitably high and close enough building before yelling with all her might, "OVER HERE!"
This appeared to have the desired effect as the giant animal turned toward her.
"Are you nuts?! And how did you get its attention so easy?" Ranma asked.
Shampoo ignored the questions, simply clenching her teeth as the huge cat stalked forward at her. 'Please let this work,' she thought just as the giant cat started adjusting its weight back in preparation to pounce. Indeed, its next action was to do just that, lunging forward with such force that the wind alone shattered nearby buildings. Shampoo instinctively closed her eye, prepping for the worse, but besides a rush of wind, felt nothing.
"Woah!" Makoto exclaimed, causing Shampoo to open her eyes to see Kasumi, in traditional Japanese grabs and wielding a naginata holding off the enormous cat. Shampoo did a double take at this, realizing quickly that she wasn't wrong, Kasumi too was now of similar proportions to her cat opponent.
Shampoo smiled and leapt onto Kasumi's shoulder. "What take so long?"
"I'm sorry," Kasumi replied in a booming voice.
Shampoo gently rapped Kasumi's cheek. "No apologize, fight!" she ordered.
Kasumi reluctantly nodded and with a grunt tossed the Nekoken back and brought her weapon to bear against it.
XXXXX
Ranma watched on in wonder as Kasumi faced off with the Nekoken. Several times the creature would attempt to advance, but Kasumi held it at bay with her naginata. Herb and Makoto soon joined him, equally awed by the sight.
"It's like something out of one of those movies," Makoto commented.
"Yeah," Ranma replied.
"Perhaps, but it is a stalemate," Herb noted. "Look at Kasumi, she's petrified. If she were not protecting Shampoo right now, she would be too scared to fight. As is, she cannot advance."
Ranma frowned. "Yeah. Maybe we could try and carry some Jusenkyo water here?"
"I've considered that already," Herb replied. "I have seen no containers that are suitable. Minor contact is not enough to induce the curse. We would need something proportional to its size to get it fairly wet."
"Yeah, I haven't seen anything close to that big," Makoto agreed. "A few small buckets, but nothing that large."
"Hmm, yeah, and even transporting that much would be a major pain," Ranma added. "So?"
"I don't know," Herb replied. "With Kasumi as scared as she is, she can only act defensively. I don't think she can move the creature like this," he said as the cat once more lunged, Kasumi responded by evading and bringing her weapon to bear again. However, the action caused Herb's eyes to narrow. "Hmm... something about its pattern of attack... and earlier too, when she drew its attention..."
XXXXX
On Kasumi's shoulder, Shampoo was equally baffled as to how to break the stalemate. As is, Kasumi would destroy the dream version of the restaurant if she approached it, and despite Shampoo's attempts to urge her on, Kasumi just could not will herself onto the attack.
"Shampoo," Herb's voice said from the real world.
"Yes?"
"I have noticed something. Ranma concurs," Herb said.
"What?"
Shampoo listened as they explained, before looking at the giant cat in surprise. "Is you sure?"
"No. But we are as confident as we can be given the situation."
Shampoo frowned. 'Great, I've already taken one huge risk.' "If this no work..."
"We know. It is up to you. We'll keep thinking of ideas, but right now nothing is coming to us."
Shampoo looked at Kasumi. She was oblivious to the whole conversation, being only aware of that which was part of the dream. Shampoo watched her for a moment, uncertain then looked back at the cat. Then, taking in one big breath, Shampoo leapt forward, to Kasumi's shock, right at the cat.
"Shampoo!" Kasumi called out, but as things were she could do little but watch as Shampoo descended on the cat.
Shampoo braced for the worst, but that never came as the cat simply stared at her as she came to rest on its nose. For just a second the two had a stare down before Shampoo back flipped, dropping down in front of its face, but as she did, she snapped out, swatting it across the nose before landing on a nearby building.
XXXXX
Those watching all tensed at the sight, waiting for the reaction, and it was almost immediate as the cat pulled back and whimpered pathetically.
"NO! YOU BAD!" Shampoo shouted. "SHAMPOO LOVE KASUMI, NOT YOU!"
Once more the group cringed but the words had the desired effect as the monster continued to whimper and rapidly began to shrink.
"Yes!" the three said in collective cheer before rushing to join Shampoo.
They arrived as Shampoo returned to street level, the cat already down to the size of a typical lion and collapsed onto the ground, totally demoralized. Kasumi too had shrunk back down, and returned to her regular white gi before joining them, looking puzzled. "You're all here too?" she asked.
"Yeah, we'll explain later, Kasumi," Ranma said
"We should get you to the San Cheng Huang," Herb quickly directed.
Kasumi, however, focused on the cat, strangely calm. "I think I understand what is going on, now, at least a little," she said with a sad look. "Could you all give me a moment?" she asked and walked past the group, towards the cat.
"Woah, Kasumi," Ranma cautioned.
"It's alright," Kasumi said as she continued her approach of the animal.
On seeing Kasumi's approach, the cat lifted its head and glared at her, causing all to cringe. Even Kasumi came up short, swallowing nervously before continuing forward. "You're me... the other me, aren't you?" she said.
Everyone watched tensely as Kasumi knelt down in front of the cat. "You are, aren't you?" Kasumi repeated and finally the cat nodded.
"No fair!" it suddenly said to everyone's shock, its voice deep and almost a growl, but strangely all could hear that it also sounded near tears. "No fair weak Kasumi have Shampoo!"
"I'm sorry," Kasumi replied. "But that's not how it works."
The cat grumbled and looked down. "Why Shampoo love weak Kasumi?"
Kasumi smiled. "I think that is a rather complex question that I cannot answer," she said, regaining the cat's attention. "Please don't be so sad. There is a way you can be with her, even if just a little bit of you," Kasumi said gaining the animal's interest. "You've been protecting me when I got scared. I can't thank you enough for that, but I think I need to move on now... we both do," she said and reached out her hand. "Will you join me?"
The cat looked at Kasumi in uncertainty. It huffed. "Kasumi... not so weak," it said and indeed stretched out its paw.
XXXX
At that moment everyone in the circle snapped awake. "What happened?" Ranma asked in shock as he looked around.
Rose stood up with a smile. "It seems the dreamscape collapsed, because it was no longer needed. Only one personality remains," Rose said, looking over to the bed where Kasumi was already sitting up.
"How did I get here?" Kasumi asked before being bowled over by Shampoo.
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End Chapter 58
Next time in A Scary Thought: With Kasumi back, emotional bruised but not beaten, a new mystery must be considered.
Three chapters in so many weeks?! I know, I know, who am I and what have I done with the original author, right? Don't know. The muse has been with me, apparently, not sure why, so I've been putting it to work. Don't know how much longer it will hold, sadly, but hey.
For those a bit confused on the crossovers: Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna, Luna, and Artemis are all from Sailor Moon. Kitsune has her ties to the X-files, but only in that she's a fanatic of similar interests rather than appearing in said show. Saki and Sampei are from Sukeban Deka. You may also notice Frost borrowing a spell from here or there; in particular Gargoyles and Illusionaries are two prime targets. Speaking of Gargoyles, if you're a fan of the series you may have already figured this out, but La Bac is Cabal spelt backwards. Also Gen-U-Tech is also a business from Gargoyles. Does that mean this is a Gargoyles crossover? At this point, probably not. I have tried to square the circle of Gargoyles time travel mechanics with my story and it just isn't working and unfortunately they are too key to Gargoyles continuity to just ignore so most likely Gargoyles will remain just a shout out kinda crossover but not official. Anyway, besides that we have Chun Li, Rose, Shadow Lady, Shadow, Gill and the previously shown Karin and Sakura which come from Street Fighter series (Rose, Karin and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 3, Shadow and Shadow Lady from Marvel vs Capcom, Chun Li from much of the Street Fighter series, and now Gill from Street Fighter III). As for Ranko, well she's from my other major fanfic, Most Unlikely of Friends, although you can largely consider her standard Ranma trapped in female form for most purposes. And lastly comes dear old Siren who is from Dreiser's story 'Black Rose Blue Thunder'. I won't be using her much but she fits a temporary need. Be Dea comes from D B. Sommers fic Shampoo ½, and if you haven't read it, do so, now! I've also previously mentioned Perfume from same fic (although this story has two Perfumes being mentioned, the other being from my own Most Unlikely of Friends). Garnet was first mentioned by Jim Bader in A Very Scary thought I believe, but whatever the case I don't believe he ever actually appeared in any of Jim's stories, although I could be wrong. As already mentioned, Miku, Neru and Haku are vocaloid character, but just cameo's for them.
On a side note for those crossovers, it recently came to my attention that some believe I am crossed with Negima. I'm actually not, but out of curiosity I checked out Negima and could certainly see the similarities (a lot of them in fact, and was quite surprised seeing as I had never even heard of Negima until it was mentioned). That got the proverbial wheels in my head turning about potential crossovers so... maybe, but don't count on it. As Uq Holder, Negima's continuation, is still in progress and throwing in all kinds of new curve balls, I'll probably be forced to steer clear.
Speaking of things I'm not crossed with, two notable ones are Ah My Goddess and Tenchi! Jim liked to use the latter a great deal, and I believe he might have used the former too, although less sure on that, but either way I have decided both are ultimately incompatible with my vision of my story world.
Website... does my website even exist anymore? Well, I have it on my hard drive still, but that hardly counts. Needless to say, if you do stumble on it, it's hopelessly out of date.
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