The King of Lumeria's story came out in fits and bursts, because after every few seconds, he had to stop to cry.
But from what Ranma could gather, the gist was this…
The night his daughters fled, Soun Tendo had not died. Rather than drain him completely, Hinako had stopped within an inch of his life, and then kept him chained, weak, and out of sight in the dungeons. With him out of the picture, presumed dead, making up a sob story and stealing control of his kingdom with the help of the Amazons had been easy.
"I don't know why she didn't kill me," he admitted, his voice broken and brittle, a stark contrast to the strong, assured tone Ranma remembered from his childhood. "I suppose I got lucky that night when my children witnessed her power and fled. Perhaps I would have died if she hadn't seen them… but after that, I became a bargaining chip, a tool to hold over my daughters in case they ever returned. With them on the loose, her control over the kingdom was tenuous at best."
His voice faltered then, and a pained look crossed his face. Every time he mentioned his daughters, the old king would get sidetracked, overcome with grief, and wail, "Kasumi! Nabiki! A~kane! Oh, how I've failed you! Please forgive your poor, worthless father!"
Genma sighed, his expression softening. He placed a hand on the king's shoulder. "I know it's hard, but we need to know. How did you end up here, my friend?"
Soun wiped at his eyes, his voice shaky. "It was pure luck," he said between broken sniffles. "A few years ago, a strange little creature showed up in my dungeon. His face was covered and he had this big sack with him. He said if I told him where to find more of his 'silky darlings' he'd set me free."
"Silky darlings, you say," Genma mused, thoughtfully rubbing his chin.
"Uh…" Ukyo frowned, her lip curling in confusion. "Is that what I think it is?"
Soun sighed deeply. "I wasn't sure what he meant by 'silky darlings' to be honest. But… I assumed he was starving. So, I pointed back up the stairs and directed him to the kitchens. After thanking me, the hero kept his word. He broke the bars to my prison like they were paper, then ran off without another word.
"Thanks to his timely intervention, I was able to escape through one of the secret passages in the dungeon. I snuck aboard a ship, and that's how I finally made it to Lilias."
"And in all that time, you never—oh, I don't know—bothered to let your kids know you were alive?" Ranko snapped, her hands on her hips, much less forgiving than her father. "That kind of information might have been useful, don't you think?"
Soun's voice dropped to a quiet, almost defeated whisper. "I couldn't find them," he admitted, eyes downcast. "I searched every day, through all eight kingdoms, always careful not to be seen. But they were good at hiding. Too good."
Ranma, despite himself, felt a twinge of sympathy. After all, hadn't they failed to find them too?
Genma's voice was gentle, but firm, mirroring the very question Ranma had asked Akane. "Then why not come to us, Tendo? You know we would've helped—anything we could've done…"
"I know, my friend, but I couldn't take that risk," Soun said, shaking his head. "If I gave myself away, they would have flocked here, and it might have led my demented wife straight to my daughters. And I couldn't bear to put you or your family in danger! Nono, I couldn't chance it."
Genma's face crumpled. "Oh, Tendo! What you've suffered…"
Soun broke down, his voice cracking. "Oh, Saotome!"
And then, together, they both started wailing.
"It's not over yet," Ranma warned, his voice low and cold. "That monster still has Akane, and now—just when we're almost there—this damn ship is about to sink!"
"Yeah, thanks for that," Ranko snapped, glaring at the exiled king. "Look, I'm glad you're alive, but we could've done without the tantrum from this gambling idiot!"
"That's right. You still haven't told us how you ended up on my ship," Kima said, and bluntly gesturing toward the saboteur, added, "and the deal with that fool over there."
"Nothing less than fate brought me here," Soun replied, his voice solemn. "During my travels, I met an old servant—a strange pale boy who used to work in our castle. He recognized me immediately and told me how he'd recently seen Akane in Wistalia, near the Saotome castle. So, I rushed straight here. And what did I find? Two Amazons I recognized at this very port—Cologne's kin!—arguing in their cursed language while they loaded a suspicious crate onto a ship. I'll never forgive myself for not putting the pieces together sooner," he added, sniffling again, "because after the ship left, I heard whispers about a 'Tendo princess' being smuggled aboard. That's when I knew I had to act."
"And this stowaway?" Kima pressed, kicking the bruised and bleeding thief.
"Again, that was by luck," Soun explained, hanging his head. "I didn't mean to lose the Maomaolin—I was trying to win money to secure passage on a Lumeria-bound ship. But I had nothing left to wager. It was a mere coincidence that I noticed this ship on my way to the seedy gambling den, and named it among my assets. I… I never imagined I'd lose. I was quite the card shark back in my day…"
"Indeed, you were!" Genma said, blustering. "Why, remember that time—"
Ukyo cut him off, her voice rising. "CAN YOU TWO PLEASE FOCUS?!" She snapped, throwing her hands up. "We're STILL SINKING, in case you missed that part!"
Ranma didn't need reminding. The ship was already tilting, chaos swirling around him. Yet, ignoring the growing panic, he focused on Akane's father, his eyes sharp. "So, you were planning to rescue her too? That's why you were lurking around the ship?"
Soun gave a determined nod. "I won't let that monster touch a hair on my darling daughter's head! And I can help you. Getting there is only half the battle—you'll need to know how to get in without being seen, and I know my castle better than anyone."
For the first time in what felt like forever, something other than despair sparked inside Ranma. That was the one thing he hadn't figured out yet—how to get into the castle without being seen!
He'd never believed in fate, but everything was starting to fall into place.
Almost.
After all, the ship was still sinking.
"Right," Genma said, having propped himself up against the mast so as not to fall over. "First things first, then, we go with the original plan and abandon ship. Once we reach land, then we can go on foot and storm the castle!"
"To the boats!" Ryoga reiterated, and took off running in the wrong direction. Ukyo grabbed him by the back of his cloak, yanking him back. She pointed towards the water.
"The boats are that way, hon."
Blazing scarlet now, he nodded, and allowed her to drag him towards the right direction. Ranko, Soun, and his father followed after, speaking low while planning their next move.
But still, Ranma hesitated.
Amid the frenzy of scrambling passengers and crew, he felt torn. He still hated the idea of abandoning the ship. Sailing was so much faster than walking, and these lifeboats didn't look like they'd get them very far.
Then again, what choice did he really have?
Before Ranma could take that first awful step towards acceptance, though, Kima grabbed his arm, halting him. Confusion flickered across his face as he turned to her, an eyebrow raised in silent question.
"You're not going with the others," Kima told him, low enough that only he could hear her.
Ranma almost laughed at the absurdity of that statement, and pulled his arm free. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I actually have no intention of going down with this ship."
"Neither do I."
"Great! So, what the heck are you babbling about then?"
"I know a faster way to get you to Lumeria," she told him, her eyes locking on his with intense focus. "If you want, that is.
Ranma's expression was baffled. "You're joking, right?"
"Do I look like the joking type?"
Uh, fair point.
So Ranma's irritation flared. "Alright, let's assume you're not messing with me. If you knew of a faster way, then why the hell are you only telling me about it now?"
Kima glanced over at the crew, still frantically preparing the lifeboats, then turned back to him with a heavy, weary sigh. Her voice was laced with annoyance as she spoke, her gaze distant and resigned.
"It's easier to show you. But first, I'll need some hot water."
…
In no time at all, Korma returned, an old teakettle in hand, steam rising from its spout in steady, rhythmic plumes.
Ranma's patience was already worn thin. The captain had insisted on waiting until everyone had left the ship and were safely on lifeboats before she'd speak a word of her plan.
Although, not everyone had been understanding.
His father had to drag Ranko away with the help of Ukyo when she came back for him, since Kima had insisted, "This requires the utmost secrecy."
But now, Ranma was done waiting.
His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, regarding the teakettle with contempt. "How long do I gotta wait?" he demanded, arms crossed and frustration clear in his voice. "Why don't you just tell me already?"
Just as he finished speaking, Marsala's voice rang out from the deck, carrying over the noise of the lifeboats and other frantic activity. "All the lifeboats, save ours, have been lowered, Captain."
Kima's head snapped toward Marsala, a quick nod of acknowledgment, but there was something more in her eyes now—a flicker of nervousness that seemed completely out of place. She swallowed hard, her usual air of unshakable confidence faltering for a moment.
"What you're about to see, you must never repeat," she warned, her eyes piercing into his, her voice low and harsh. "My people… we are not ones you wish to cross. We've seen kingdoms fall, empires burn, civilizations vanish. We have witnessed far worse than you can fathom. Do. Not. Test. Me."
Ranma swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling deep in his gut. The usual cocky confidence he carried with him seemed to wither under her intense gaze. He had never feared Kima before—she was a sharp, capable leader—but now, he understood that there was more to her than her authority over the ship and its crew.
Something darker, something dangerous.
"I won't," he replied, his voice quieter now, more sincere. "The only thing I care about is getting to Akane."
Korma handed Kima the steaming kettle, his face somber, as though he knew what was coming next. Kima nodded, her grip steady as she accepted the kettle.
"Good," she said with a sharp nod, her tone firm once again. "As I told you before, I'll get you to Lumeria, Your Highness."
And with that, she poured the steaming water directly over her head.
Ranma's breath hitched in his chest, but his confusion quickly turned into outright disbelief. In the span of a heartbeat, Kima's figure seemed to shimmer and blur before his eyes. The change was subtle at first, almost imperceptible, but then—wings. Enormous, sleek, and powerful, the wings unfurled from her back, soaking wet but unfurling nonetheless with a quiet, powerful snap.
Ranma took an instinctive step back, his eyes wide as he gawked at her transformation. His heart skipped a beat.
"What the hell," he muttered, eyes darting up to the now-winged woman before him.
Kima, now dripping wet, let the kettle fall to the floor with a soft thud, her wings catching the light as they flexed with a grace that seemed entirely at odds with her previous demeanor. She flashed him a sharp grin, a flicker of pride in her expression.
"I gave Prince Saffron my word that I would do everything I could to help," she told him, her voice still calm but now carrying an edge of excitement. "So, if the lifeboats aren't fast enough for you… I have another proposition."
Ranma blinked, still reeling, his mouth working to form a response. But it took a beat for his brain to catch up, to process what she was saying—until the first light of dawn caught her wings, casting a soft, golden glow that left him speechless.
"How about we fly?" Kima finished, the last word almost a challenge, the air crackling with promise, as if echoing the coming of a brand new day.
And maybe, just maybe Ranma did believe in fate.
…
Akane's eyes fluttered open, her body heavy and unresponsive, still burdened by the exhaustion from the night before. She was on the hard mat, the room around her faintly lit by the dim glow of early morning light seeping through tall, narrow windows.
And she was still chained to the bedpost, the metal cool and unforgiving against her bare skin.
Her mind swirled with remnants of anger and confusion, a volatile haze clouding her thoughts. The magical reversal jewel had worked its dark magic, keeping her emotions volatile and sharp, every irritation amplified, every slight a personal betrayal. She wanted to scream, to thrash against the chain that held her, but the fatigue in her muscles weighed her down, the remnants of her draining from the night before sapping her strength.
Had her stepmother continued to drain her while she slept?
The door creaked open, and Akane's breath caught as she saw her stepmother standing in the doorway, a cruel smile curving her lips. She hadn't even realized she'd been gone.
"Rise and shine, daughter!" Hinako's voice was sweet, sickeningly so. "It's a beautiful day, and I've arranged another surprise for you."
Akane's throat tightened with a mix of rage. She had no idea what new torment her stepmother had planned, but she already knew it would be unbearable.
Was this her plan all along? To constantly keep her on edge, in a constant state of unease, anger, and fear?
Before she could respond, she was roughly pulled to her feet as one end of her chain was removed from the bedpost. Her knees wobbled, and her head spun as her stepmother led her out of the room, her body barely responding as Hinako used the shackles like a leash.
They moved through the palace's cold corridors, the stone walls looming ominously as if mocking her weakness. Akane could barely focus on her surroundings, her mind too tangled in the raw, heightened anger coursing through her, a fire that flared at the thought of the humiliations she had endured and the ones still to come.
When they reached the throne room, the doors were already flung wide, revealing a scene that made her blood run cold.
The room was teeming with people, mostly men—many of them young and eager, speaking in animated tones, their eyes roving over her as if she were some prized possession to be claimed.
That's when she recalled what she wearing, and Akane's arms instinctively rose, as if she could somehow cover up the exposed skin her dress displayed to their greedy, lecherous eyes.
But it wasn't only strangers in the room. Cologne stood among them, her expression unreadable, while Mousse lingered in the background, eyes narrowed, arms crossed. Shampoo, however, stood at the forefront, a bright, eager smile on her face that only fueled Akane's fury.
The sight of that smug look made Akane's stomach churn with rage. Of course, she thought bitterly. The brat was enjoying this!
Akane clenched her fists, her body trembling with the force of her frustration. She didn't want to give them the satisfaction of seeing her break, but the sheer humiliation of the moment threatened to swallow her whole.
Hinako, clearly oblivious to her thoughts, smiled and ushered her to the ornate throne at the front of the room. The crowd fell silent as Akane reluctantly stood beside her on the raised dais.
"Such a lovely turnout!" Hinako cooed, her voice dripping with sweet malice. "I'm so pleased to see you all here, as eager to welcome the Princess home as I am!"
Akane's lips pressed into a thin line, her entire being screaming with indignation. She had been reduced to nothing more than a spectacle, a prize to be won, and that feeling of helplessness gnawed at her insides.
"I've invited you all here for a very special reason," she began, her tone now carrying an almost reverent quality, "as you can see, my beautiful daughter is now of age. And as her mother, it's my duty to oversee her marriage prospects. So, the bridal competition shall commence!"
Bridal competition?! The ringing in Akane's ears only intensified. What in the world was she talking about?
"And the prize, as always, is the most coveted of all—the lost princess herself. My dearest, precious stepdaughter, Akane Tendo!"
The words hit Akane like a physical blow, her chest tightening with a mixture of rage and disbelief. She wanted to lash out, but the chains of her anger were already too tight around her, too blinding. Her thoughts reeled, but nothing seemed to clear the fury that enveloped her mind.
Hinako's gaze flicked to the gathered men, and she continued, "The rules as explained in the proclamation are simple: Each man will have a chance to compete for the honor of taking our dear Akane as his bride. And the man who first defeats her in combat shall earn the right to marry her."
The murmurs that rippled through the crowd only heightened the disgust roiling in Akane's stomach. She was not a person to these men; she was an object, a prize to be fought over.
She could feel her heart race, the anger building inside her like a storm threatening to break free.
Shampoo's glee was palpable, and Akane's stomach twisted at the sight of the Amazon woman's smug expression. The girl was practically glowing with excitement at the thought of watching her competitor fall.
For a moment, fear overwhelmed fury, as Akane tried to convince herself, This isn't happening. This can't be happening!
Hinako's voice, sharp and almost jovial, cut through her thoughts. "Let the games begin, dear daughter. I've prepared it especially for you."
The crowd erupted in cheers, but to Akane, it sounded like nothing more than a sea of cruel laughter. Her chest tightened, her pulse thundering in her ears as the full weight of her situation settled over her.
There was no getting out of this now.
She was about to face the most important battle of her life, and this time, she couldn't afford to lose.
…
After what seemed like hours, Akane's latest marriage prospect lay on the ground, out cold.
Sweat dripped from her brow, her muscles sore from relentless combat as her dress clung to her body, the ties holding it together having broken a dozen fights back.
But her resolve had only grown stronger with each new challenge.
THIS was what she lived for!
Akane had been through countless duels at this point, one after another—each man more persistent than the last, each blow and strike forcing her to dig deeper into her training. She kept pushing herself, fighting not just for her freedom, but for her pride.
Bent over, hands resting on her knees, Akane struggled again to caught her breath. The burn in her limbs was unbearable, but she wouldn't stop. She couldn't.
"Is that the best you've got?" she taunted, her voice sharp and fearless as she glared over at her stepmother.
Hinako sat on her throne, her eyes glinting with something far darker than amusement. "It's clear I underestimated you, dear," she said, her voice betraying nothing as her lips curled into a predatory smile. "But I think we can do better than that, don't you?"
Before Akane could react, a sudden, draining sensation seized her body. Her vision blurred for an instant as the magic—the very power that had stolen her energy before—struck again.
Akane's knees nearly buckled, but she forced herself to remain standing.
Thankfully, the reversal jewel made that much, much easier. Being drained, right when she needed her energy most, INFURIATED her.
And rage gave her power.
Hinako's smile widened, her eyes glimmering with childlike excitement, as if this was nothing more than a game. "Let's try again, Akane," she said, her voice almost gleeful. "This may make the challenges a bit more fair, don't you think?"
Akane's breath caught in her throat, her body trembling, but the anger inside her refused to die. I won't lose, she told herself, her fists tightening at her sides. I won't let her take everything from me. I WILL WIN!
Her vision flickered, but Akane's mind was as sharp as ever. She refused to let the magic break her spirit.
So as another potential suitor stepped forward, Akane raised her hands, set her feet, and prepared to fight.
…
All night, Kima had flown them through the biting cold, the wind howling as Ranma's mind raced. Planning. Calculating every step needed to reach Akane safely.
He forced himself to concentrate, to run through Soun's hurried instructions once more, mentally ticking off every last detail.
The hidden passageway began at the base of a weathered stone wall, tucked behind some overgrown ivy. Barely visible, a narrow crack in the stone led down into a dark, cool passage beneath. Only those who knew where to look could find it, and even then, it was easy to miss. But once inside, he'd take the third corridor, go up the stairs, turn left, and come out behind a panel in the library near the throne room.
Ranma went over the directions again and again.
He couldn't afford to mess this up.
By the time Kima set him down at the secret entrance, his heart was pounding in his chest, adrenaline surging through him. "This is as far as I go," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "The others will be waiting for me. We'll meet up with you both soon."
Ranma glanced back at her, his throat tight. "Thanks for the ride," he said gruffly, not sure what else to say.
And without another word, Kima took to the sky, her wings cutting through the air, leaving Ranma standing alone.
He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the fight ahead.
As promised, the crack in the wall was right where Soun said it would be. Stepping forward, Ranma squeezed himself into the tiny crevice, turning this way and that, forcing his way in. Once inside, he hurried along the dim corridors, using the walls as a guide in the darkness.
To his relief, everything matched Soun's description. After taking the third passage, Ranma went up the stairs and turned left, his breath sharp as he pushed forward, bursting into the library at last.
He was glad it was empty.
Although it wasn't hard to figure out why.
Ranma heard the commotion before he saw it—before he'd even stepped foot into the hallway. He was greeted by the sound of cheering, shouting, and fighting from somewhere nearby. Several more hurried steps revealed the source of the sound was the throne room.
The doors to that wretched place stood wide open, and as Ranma moved toward them, he instinctively pulled Akane's cloak tighter around his shoulders. Unconsciously, his hand slipped into his pocket, fingers grazing the egg, confirming it was still inside.
And throwing caution to the wind—who needed it anyway?— stepped bravely into the mayhem.
…
It wasn't hard to find the tomboy.
She stood in the center of the dreary room, surrounded by a sea of spectators, many of them battered and bruised. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and blood, the sharp tang of both clinging to the ancient stone walls boxing them in.
But the sight of her—safe, breathing, whole—suddenly released the tight coil of fear in Ranma's chest, and his entire body seemed to relax in an instant, as if a weight he hadn't realized he was carrying had lifted. She was beautiful and formidable. Deadly.
However, as she fought, Ranma saw the briefest tremor in her arms, hesitation in her movements—before she finally threw her opponent to the ground, ending the match. As the crowd went wild, he watched, distraught, as Akane dropped to one knee, the exhaustion seeming to hit her all at once.
For a brief moment, she seemed to falter, but then she raised her head and her eyes met his.
Dark. Piercing. Full of hatred.
It hit him like a punch to the gut.
Ranma froze, his breath caught in his throat as she quickly looked away. That was not the Akane he knew. His relief vanished, replaced by a cold knot of confusion and anger.
What the hell had Hinako done to her?
And what the fuck was she wearing?
Before he could take a step—to demand answers and damn the consequences—Ranma heard Hinako's voice cut through the din, her gaze locking on him from across the room.
"Ah, it appears we have a Prince in our midst!" Her smile was mischievous, her tone almost teasing. "Prince Ranma of Wistalia, is it not? What brings you to our humble shores?" As if she didn't fucking know. "Here to find a bride as well?"
"A bride?" He repeated, looking at her askance.
Akane's head snapped toward the sound of her stepmother's voice, her eyes flashing with fury as she struggled to her feet. "No! Anyone but him!" she shouted, looking terrified. "I'd rather DIE! I DESPISE him!"
Yup. Something was definitely wrong.
Ranma gritted his teeth, fury bubbling inside him like a boiling kettle. Glaring at the smug figure on Soun Tendo's stolen throne, he growled, "What the hell did you do to her?"
Hinako smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "Me? Whatever do you mean?"
Akane's voice cut through the tension, proving he had every right to be concerned. "Go away, you jerk!" She yelled, the words striking like a whip. "I already told you, Ranma—I don't need your help. I can take care of myself!"
His sarcastic reply came easily. "Yeah, sure. Says the dork who can barely stand…" As Akane stomped her foot and seethed, Ranma only needed a second more to take in the scene.
The littered bodies. Hinako's veiled comment. Akane's pale face. Her exhaustion wasn't just from fighting—she'd been drained recently too.
And then there was her unaccountable rage.
Ranma noticed it then—a weird jewel attached to the flimsy material of whatever-the-hell-she-was-wearing, because it sure as hell wasn't a dress.
And these assholes had been watching her fight in that?!
It was like the energy-draining-bitch was going out of her way to make the tomboy mad… like this was all some fucked up battery charge.
Biting back his rage, Ranma tore his gaze away from his fiancée to glare back up the throne-stealer. "So. Anyone can participate, yeah?" He asked, gesturing to Akane, taking a mental leap. "This dumb marriage fight thing?"
Hinako shifted uncomfortably, her fingers twitching at the edge of the armrest. "That's correct," she said, her usual smugness faltering, just for a second, before forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Ha. Maybe because she'd finally found someone who could actually win. "Though I fail to see why you'd be interested, Prince Ranma. With your wealth and stature, I would think you could have any girl you desire. Why settle for my troublesome stepdaughter?"
Ranma returned her question with a lazy shrug. "I'm just a glutton for punishment, I guess."
Hinako's smile widened, cold and predatory. "In that case," she said, her voice casually flippant, "you're more than welcome to try, Your Highness. But I warn you, it won't be an easy win."
No shit. Ranma wouldn't be surprised if they both ended up drained by the end of this. He'd need to tread carefully.
"Great! Guess third time's a charm," he said, eyes gleaming with anticipation as his gaze shifted back to Akane. If the dummy wouldn't come to him, he'd just have to go to her. "Ready to dance, tomboy?"
Akane eyed him with disdain. "Only if it's over your grave," she spat. And then she was rushing forward, determined to strike first and end this quickly.
But Ranma had no intention of making this easy for her.
His stance was loose but ready as he effortlessly evaded her first sloppy strike. "Is that the best you've got?" he teased, his grin sharp. "You've gotta be faster than that, dummy."
"Shut up!" Akane hissed as she struck again, her rage giving her strength. But at a cost. It made her moves easier to predict. Again, Ranma evaded her follow up strike by gently pushing her arm away, then skipped out of range, forcing her to follow.
"Sure you don't want a weapon?" he asked, as the enraged tomboy launched a kick at his head, forcing Ranma to bend at the waist, then quickly sidestep another wild swing. "I've always loved your swordplay."
"I—don't need—a weapon!" Akane growled, her eyes blazing as she threw a series of quick jabs, only for each one to miss, only kissing air.
Still, this was nothing like the last time two times they'd sparred. Akane was holding nothing back. She fought like the idea of marrying him really was abhorrent to her.
Every punch, every kick, was fueled by an almost manic fury.
Ranma ducked and dodged her latest onslaught, his eyes on that strange green jewel. It caught the light in a way that made him pause. "Hey. Don't you get tired of being angry all the time?"
"That's MY business!"
Her breath was quickening, her anger almost tangible, as again, she aimed for his chest. Ranma twisted and spun out of her reach, trying not to enjoy this as much as he was.
But man, fighting with Akane was fun.
"Okay, but y'know…" Ranma's voice was casual, almost playful, despite the tension in the air and the hostility in her eyes. "…You're cute when you smile."
For a split second, just like in the labyrinth, Akane faltered. Her focus slipped as the magic holding her wavered, and the strange reflection in the jewel seemed to shift.
But that brief moment was all the time Ranma needed.
He lunged forward, grabbing the brooch and yanking it off her dress before she could even react. "Gotcha!" He bragged as he triumphantly held up his stolen prize.
Akane staggered, collapsing to the ground, all that anger draining away in a single shocked breath. Finally, the storm in her gaze was gone. Confusion replaced fury as she blinked up at him, her expression softening, and with them, her eyes cleared. In those dark pools flickered something else—shock, relief, surprise.
"R-Ranma?" she whispered, her voice softer now, uncertain.
Before he could respond, Hinako's voice cut through the stony silence of the hall, bitter but amused. "Impressive! That was quite the battle," she said, her tone laced with false sympathy. "But since you removed my precious gift, I'm afraid it was all for nothing. You've been eliminated, Prince of Wistalia. Pity. Next contestant."
She motioned to the gathered throng below, and a thin, odd-looking figure stepped forward. Prepared to battle.
"Yeah, sorry. That doesn't work for me," Ranma said, ignoring the false Queen as he helped Akane to her feet. He yanked off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders, covering that monstrosity of a dress. The gesture was quiet, protective.
And calculated.
"W-w-what are you—?" Akane stared between him and her stepmother, as if afraid she'd turn into a killer viper and strike them down where they stood.
Ranma cut her off with a low, intense whisper. "The magic egg's in the pocket," he replied, pulling her toward her stepmother. As they walked, Akane searched for it within the folds of her cloak, a relieved smile spreading across her face as she clasped her hand around it and released a quiet sigh.
Then they stood before Hinako, hand in hand.
A united front.
"This dumb contest is over," Ranma told her, and then threw a death glare at the jerk who'd stepped forward earlier. Now, he wisely shrank back. "In Wistalia, Akane's already engaged to me."
The atmosphere around them had shifted—there were no smiles or cheers anymore—an oppressive silence had settled over the entirety of the room.
Hinako straightened in her seat. "Then consider it over," she said, and absently toyed with a coin in her hand, causing Akane to visibly recoil. "You'd need my blessing, of course. And after that little tantrum, I'm not inclined to give it." Her expression turned cold as she spun the coin idly between her fingers. "You think I'd let you walk away with my darling daughter after finding her again after all these years? Not a chance, Prince."
Ranma couldn't help but laugh. This bitch was in for a rude awakening, she just didn't know it yet. "Funny, considering your opinion means squat. See, I talked to Akane's father last night, and he's already given his blessing. But you? Yeah. You sure as hell aren't invited."
"Last night?" Hinako blinked in stunned disbelief for a moment before springing to her feet, fire lighting her eyes. "You lie!"
"Heh. Rich, coming from you."
Akane's eyes widened too. "R-Ranma…?"
With a goading smirk that promised pain, Hinako held her coin up in front of her, refusing to be intimidated, as her grip tightened. "We'll see who has the last laugh, you pathetic—"
The Throne-Stealer never finished her sentence. In the blink of an eye, Ranma was gone, having vanished into thin air.
Hinako blinked, eyes wide with shock. Her head whipped around, searching for him, the coin still suspended in the air before her.
But she wouldn't find him no matter how hard she searched.
Using the umi-sen-ken, Ranma silently ascended the dais. Like a ghost, he snatched the coin from Hinako's hand without making a sound, and as the queen stepped back in shock, reeling—
—that's when Akane struck.
"Ranma! Duck!" she shouted, then, after a brief moment, hurled the magical egg directly at her target.
For once, the klutz didn't miss.
Ranma watched, awed, as the golden threads wrapped around Hinako like some twisted cocoon, pulsing with an eerie glow. The air itself seemed to hold her captive, her body constricting as the threads tightened, pulling her in and encasing her inside.
In the end, all that remained was a giant egg.
Of course.
And Akane was already there.
Releasing his technique, Ranma reappeared beside her, ready to stop anyone who tried to interfere.
Then, together they watched as the air split with a sharp, sudden noise, and in moments, the egg began to crack wide open. A flurry of shining shards scattered around them, and there she was—Hinako, once again a child. Like a newborn chick, her eyes were wide and trusting, her expression innocent, like she'd just been reborn.
Akane knelt down before her stepmother and leaned in, her voice cutting through the tense silence. Meeting her wide, trusting eyes, she said, "Hello. I'm your master now."
And again, the throne room went still… as if time itself were holding its breath.
…
Akane had desperately wanted to talk to Ranma alone, but there was no time. Not yet.
The chaos from Hinako's defeat lingered in the air, and the weight of what came next was too important to put off. The Amazons, particularly Cologne, Shampoo, and Mousse—they had needed to be dealt with, and fast.
Luckily, Hinako's abilities were much more useful when they were turned against other people.
"Impressive power, that," Cologne had cackled, choosing to surrender in lieu of being drained. "Who would've guessed you'd gain such powerful allies, girl."
"Hmph. Shampoo not impressed."
Mousse, meanwhile, couldn't contain his glee. Smirking, he'd mused, "I presume this means we won't be returning to Wistalia anytime soon, right? Right?!"
"Of course not," Ranma had told him. "You'll be in the DUNGEONS, stupid!"
And that wasn't even the LEAST of their problems! Akane's lecherous suitors were still lingering around, refusing to take the hint to get lost.
A dark look from Ranma had sent some of them scrambling, but not all. She suspected the rest thought their showdown with the queen had all been an act, and were lingering around in hopes of a lavish dinner afterwards.
But some things remained the same.
"I can help! I can help!" Little Hinako had cried, waving her arm enthusiastically in the air. "I'll put these awful delinquents back in their place! Can I, Akane? Can I? Can I?"
"Absolutely not," she'd replied, her voice firm. "Remember what I said? Draining is wrong."
"I know," she'd pouted. "I remember." It was a relief to learn that this Hinako actually listened and obeyed. She really was like a child again.
Then, there was the small matter of Ranma's army. From what she'd gathered, they were all on the way, forced to travel by foot after their ship had sunk. So of course she'd needed to send carriages and track down attendants to fetch them—which was hard, too, since there were so few remaining after the Amazons had left.
All the dependable servants had been drained or fled.
And yet, Akane refused to let her rescuers hike. After all, her father was among them! And although she was overjoyed that he was alive—and immensely grateful—a part of her still couldn't believe it was true.
Everything had happened so fast. It felt as though she'd woken up in a happy little bubble, and now she was bracing herself for it to burst.
So Akane buried her emotions, pushing everything irrelevant to the side, letting the weight of responsibility take over. It was easier that way, focusing on the things she had to do instead of what she wanted to feel.
And through it all, Ranma was there—a quiet, unwavering presence amidst the unending chaos. With just a look, a touch, she was grounded again.
…
The carriages returned later that evening, carrying the most precious of cargo.
When Soun Tendo stepped out, Akane's world unraveled.
The moment her eyes landed on her father, everything they had suffered, every lost moment, came rushing back. Akane collapsed into his arms, holding on tightly as the weight of those years washed over her once again.
Forgiveness felt a little easier though, with her father holding her, telling her everything would be alright.
Even if he was crying too.
Surrounded by their friends and family, the weight of everything they had endured seemed to lighten. Just a little. It was a moment of reconciliation, of healing—and the promise of a bright new future long overdue.
…
After reassuring everyone she was safe, and updating them on what needed to be done—and then, prying Ranko off her—"Seriously, Akane!" she'd scolded. "Don't you ever do that to me again! I can't take you disappearing on me anymore!"
(As if it were a choice…)
Ranma had saved her. He had grabbed her hand and whisked her away to a quiet part of the castle.
(To his sister's annoyance and shrieks of outrage.)
Maybe that was why, as they stood together, away from all the madness, the weight of everything that had happened recently began to melt away.
Even the silence was comfortable.
Then, Ranma spoke. "I was really worried about you, you know," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "And then I find you in that weird get-up, forced to fight—" He shook his head, clearly trying to control his emotions. "I should've known you wouldn't keep your promise."
Akane blinked, her tone sharper than intended. "Um. What promise?"
"Your promise to never get kidnapped again, dummy!"
Fighting back a laugh, Akane smiled warmly at him. "I'm sorry," she said, trying to sound repentant and failing. "But I tried really, really hard this time. Honest!"
"Hmph. Not hard enough," he muttered, barely looking at her.
It was a small thing, but something about his blunt concern made her heart flutter. With a small smile, Akane shrugged, her voice softening. "Well. Guess I'll have to make it up to you then…"
Ranma pouted. "You can try," he replied, giving her a side-eye. But his frustration quickly faded as Akane stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm, tight hug.
She didn't say anything at first, letting the embrace speak for itself.
Then she pulled back just enough to look him in the eye. "I'm sorry," she murmured, and this time, she meant it. "Thank you for coming for me, Ranma… even though I told you not to."
Ranma didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled her back into his arms, holding her just as tightly, relieved to have her back where she belonged.
He had no intention of letting her go anytime soon. So when he spoke again, his voice took on a teasing edge. "You remember the other promise you made, right?"
Akane's laughter was muffled against the crook of his shoulder as she teased back, "And what promise would that be?"
Ranma's expression flickered with mock indignation, but before he could respond, Akane pulled away and quickly added, "I'm kidding, dummy. I can't imagine my life with anybody else."
Eyes softening, Ranma leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was slow and sweet, and the warmth of the moment lingered, filled with unspoken promises.
Mostly unspoken.
"I remember my promise too," he breathed, his voice low, and in an instant, Akane was transported back to the morning they'd shared in her room, safe in her bed, with only a thin sheet between them. The dummy had left her a blushing, lovestruck mess.
She was blushing now, just remembering.
"Yeah, well," she blustered, determined to make him squirm this time, "that's one promise I intend to collect on."
Ranma leaned his forehead gently against hers. "Then let's go home together, Akane."
"Together," she echoed, because that's what Wistalia was to her now. Home.
They kissed again—with joy, laughter, and everything they'd been forced to hold back. But no more. Everything that had happened faded into nothingness, leaving only the two of them.
And in that perfect, fleeting moment, the world outside finally, blissfully, faded away.
…
The trip back to Wistalia was a blur because Akane slept through most of it. After being kidnapped, brainwashed, drained, and beaten, she was exhausted.
On those few occasions she did make it to the upper deck, though—usually because Ranma or Ranko had dragged her there—the air felt lighter, the sea, calm, as though the world itself was celebrating their return. The horizon stretched endlessly before her, a promise of home drawing ever closer.
And then, at last, it was.
When they arrived at Wistalia's port, Nodoka wasn't the only one waiting. Kasumi, Nabiki, and her brother-in-law had come as well, carrying with them a small bundle swaddled in blue.
"He's beautiful," Akane murmured as she held him, gazing at the baby's tiny, delicate fingers.
Kasumi beamed. "His name is Shinobu."
The word settled in Akane's chest, warm and heavy. To endure.
Her eyes blurred with tears.
But there was still one final task to be done. After gently handing the baby over to Ranko, she gave her sister a soft smile, and with trembling fingers, unclasped the Tendo necklace from around her neck. "I think it's time you keep this safe again, Kasumi," she told her, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat as she placed the necklace back into her eldest sister's care.
Kasumi took it with a gentle smile, but Ranko, ever the tease, added, "And don't ever give it back! In that klutz's hands, it was a disaster!"
She wasn't wrong, but Akane rolled her eyes anyway. "Sure, sure. Easy for you to say when you're hiding behind Shinobu!" Her lips curled into a playful grin as Ranko stuck her tongue out in retaliation.
However, the mood quickly shifted as Akane began recounting everything that had happened. She started with their father, who had stayed behind with King Genma and his army to help restore order to the kingdom. He had requested they return together soon—after all, there was still child-Hinako and the remaining Amazons to deal with—though Akane had ensured their former stepmother, at least, was harmless.
But with her as a child again, unable to drain people thanks to her order, she was at a loss what to do.
Still, there was still a lot of work to be done.
Though news of their father hit Nabiki and Kasumi incredibly hard. Kasumi's eyes had welled up with relieved, happy tears, her stricken face transforming to gentle surprise as she whispered, "Father's alive…?" Nabiki, usually the picture of composure, had frozen. Her confident mask cracked, disbelief washing over her, and for the first time in a long time, her voice wavered. "He's really… back?"
Crying herself now, Akane had assured them he was.
Then, determined to give them happier news, blushing terribly, told them all about her engagement to Ranma and how they planned to marry soon.
Luckily, her fiancé had escorted his mother back to the castle—otherwise, the teasing might never have ended.
"You should see them together," Ranko went on as Ukyo took a turn with the baby. "It's disgusting. They're like newlyweds already!"
"Hey! I think it's sweet," Ukyo protested, and then, speaking to the baby in a high pitched whine, cooed, "Isn't it sweet, Shinobu? Yes, yes, it is!"
"Geez," Nabiki teased, ribbing Akane in the side. "Leave it to my little sister to run away to escape a marriage, only to fall into one for fun!"
Akane rolled her eyes but couldn't help the proud little smile that tugged at her lips.
"Screw all that noise," said General Awesome, grinning widely. "With Blue locked way, do you know what that means? I'm finally a free man again! Women everywhere will once again be able to enjoy a sweet piece of awesome!"
"Oh no. He wasn't looking at me, was he?" Konatsu whispered to Tsubasa, panicked.
"Don't worry, if he was, I'll clobber him!" He whispered back.
As the generals continued to chat and argue among themselves, lightening the mood, Akane watched everything with a quiet, grateful expression.
Then, her mind drifted back. Eight long years—filled with pain, loss, and uncertainty—had passed. But now, as they headed back to the castle, already planning their return trip to Lumeria, the future felt different. Brighter. Their family would soon be whole again, and for the first time in a long while, Akane felt something other than despair stirring in her heart.
Peace. Happiness. And love.
…
Nine months later, in a quiet ceremony surrounded by blooming flowers at the mouth of Wistalia's hedge gardens, Ranma and Akane were married. Joined by their family and friends, they spoke their vows with red cheeks and racing hearts, and by the end, the bride wasn't the only one tearing up.
"Wahhh! My little girl!" Soun had wailed—probably tipsy. "So beautiful! She's glowing! Look at her Saotome—she looks just like her mother!"
"Indeed she does, my friend."
"Daaad," Akane had protested, blushing, afraid that would end up in a verse.
She had reason to worry.
The bards were there too, already weaving a new song—their song—an epic, rousing ballad that would echo across all eight kingdoms. They sang of monsters and magic, of lost princesses and found friends, kingdoms reclaimed, a love reborn, and a future so bright it blinded all who gazed upon it.
It was catchy, but completely ridiculous, in Akane's opinion.
But not everyone shared her sentiment.
"Losers! MY part's brilliant," Ranko boasted and began to sing it again, loud, and off-key.
As Akane covered her ears, laughing, Ranma scrambled to cover his sister's mouth with his hand, desperate to make her stop. "If you deafen me on my wedding day, I'll kill you!" he warned her.
Yet, the smile on his new bride's face wouldn't fade for anything.
This was the kind of chaos Akane could get used to, because nestled underneath every raw, untamed note, was a hard-earned melody that seemed to whisper…
…And they lived happily ever after.
~THE END~
A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who stuck with this story from beginning to end - and to those who joined us along the way! I never would have made it here without your supportive comments and encouragement! I've always been terrible at replying to reviews, but they all meant the world to me! ❤️
I might come back and add a minor epilogue in the future and/or the lemon I mentioned (on AO3)… but no promises lol. Honestly, I need a break for a bit. But thanks again! I hope you see you all in future stories.