Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Twenty Five Nodoka awoke when the air was pushed from her lungs. She opened her eyes to look up into the mischievous blue eyes of her smiling daughter. She heard a rustling and turned to the door of her room to see Cerulean waddle in flapping his wings. Kiri poking her head around the door with a look to say 'I tried to stop her!" Nodoka put her arms around her daughter and held her close, her tears began to flow. Ranko looked at her mother confused at why she was crying. She gently wiped away her mother's tears as Nodoka smiled at her all her love beaming through her smile. "Momma why are you crying?" Ranko asked her mother, as she stared at the warm tear on her fingers. "I sorry dear, but holding you now reminded me how close I came to losing you. Please my darling child; remember always, I will _love_ you forever! Do you understand that dear?" Nodoka explained to her daughter. A tear rolled down Ranko's cheek as she nodded and hugged her mother tightly. Ranko hugged her mother back never wanting to let go of her. When there came a knock on the open door. They both look to the door to see Seran standing there a smile filled with as much love for the two of them as they have for him. Ranko flew to her poppa and he took her in his arms and held her just as tightly as her mother had. "That sentiment goes for me as well my little hurricane don't ever forget that, and _never_ believe anyone that would try to tell you differently, promise!" He told his daughter, she nodded as she looked up at him, tears flowing freely now. "I promise poppa Seran!" She told him giving him another hug. "Now if you too would kindly leave so I can get dressed and we will be on our way." Seran and Ranko turned to see Nodoka standing with a blanket wrapped around her. "Alright dear, but hurry, I have already sent the guards and Kajri on ahead." Nodoka raised and eyebrow at this since they need to fly over orc territory. "Was that wise dear considering what we have to fly over to get back home?" She asked him wondering if she was making a mistake, Seran's laughter caught her off guard. "Dear, considering we are going to be traveling with not one but _two_ full grown dragons. Do you really think anyone will bother us?" He asked with his head tilted slightly as he watched Nodoka's eyes widen. "After all I think they're the only ones that could protect our daughter because they're the only ones who can keep up with her." Seran smiled down at the wide eyed, mischievous face of his daughter. Nodoka smiled at the two of them, and silently berated herself for doubting her future husband. Here was the true man her grandfather always told her about, one that will make her and her daughter's life complete. A golden-orange glow caught her attention and she turned to face the dragon that now looked like her son. She stared at him with a sad smile knowing that she will never have her true child again, and that his appearance will always remind her of what she lost. "It is almost time, my other soul bonded will be awakening soon." Nodoka looked at Cerulean with a shocked look. Seran looked up at the dragon-man, with a confused look, but before he could ask him anything. Ranko tore from his grasp and slammed into her friend. Anyone one else would have been flat on their backs, but Cerulean just looked down at the young Sylph with a look that said "How long have you been there?" She smiled up at her soul bonded. "_WHAT_ other soul bonded? Who is it? Am I gonna meet 'em? Is that my surprise?" Ranko started questioning her dragon friend who for the first time smiled down at her with a gleam of mischief. "That is for me to know and you to find out, my bonded one." Cerulean turned and walked out of the room, with Ranko following him begging for him to tell her. Nodoka and Seran stared at their retreating forms with shocked looks. Then they both busted out laughing. Seran pulled himself together wiping away his tears of laughter. He walked over to Nodoka and gave her a long passionate kiss, then turned and left the room so she could dress. /*\*/*\ Nodoka came to the clearing where the day before she had killed a dragon. She found her daughter, Seran and Raist waiting for her. Along with two dragons. Ranko was sitting on the back of Cerulean holding Kiri and Raist behind her. Seran walked up to her and took her hand in his. "We are going to ride the dragons back to Queen Titiana's realm it will be less tiring for us and faster if the dragons let us ride." He told her as he led Nodoka to Silverfire who waited for them to board her back. Nodoka looked a little uncertain at the idea of riding the back of a dragon. Seran gave her hand a squeeze; she looked at him and felt overwhelming love and safety flow through her. She smiled as she allowed Seran to lift her to the back of Silverfire's neck. Before Seran could board Silverfire a group of elves came forward. They were lead by Ijas and Mieka. Ijas walked up to Seran and handed him a bundle, he smiled at the male Sylph, and his eyes glittering with unshed tears. "This is to help continue Ranko's training as a healer. I hope you allow her to return. We will miss her. He said looking at the redhead. Seran accepted the bundle. He then bowed to the elf, then gave him a hug of thanks. "It was the intervention of you and your wife that saved our daughter. You and your people will always be a member of our house. We will be returning soon Ranko and Nodoka will be training under Silverfire. I can never repay you for saving the life of my most precious daughter. Thank you doesn't seem like enough." Ijas smiled at the Sylph and took his hand in his and shook it firmly. "You and your family are always welcome here! We all love your daughter and will do anything to protect her." Ijas told him honestly, Seran gave Mieka a gentle hug then boarded Silverfire. Standing in a grove of trees were two sets of dark brown eyes watching the dragons take flight. They watch the blue intently as he flew away with the most priceless cargo that ever found its way to their village. Tears fell as they heard the bell like laughter coming from the back of the blue. The taller shadow pulled the smaller one close to it then they both turned and disappeared into the forest. /*\*/*\ "Kasumi, can I go back with you? I mean I want..no I need to see Ranchan for myself. I need to see she is ok. Do you think they will let me come?" Ukyo asked the eldest Tendo daughter. "I don't know Ukyo if you do go you couldn't eat or drink anything from that realm. Then there is the problem you are human and the Faerie folk are human shy." Kasumi told her with a sad smile. "Not to shy if they converted Ranchan to be a messenger for their realm, they want to start relations with earth, and as far as eating or drinking anything from there I can bring my own." Ukyo tried to convince her with a small smile as she waved her hand around the restaurant. "I will check but that is the best I can do. Now if you will excuse me I need to go home and prepare I need to be leaving as soon as I get the word. I will probably stay there for a day or so of our time. Which means I need to pack." Kasumi hugged the okonomiyaki chef and left. Ukyo watched her go her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Well at least she knew Ranchan was ok now. Ukyo then closed her shop and ran upstairs, she pulled out her backpack and began to pack. [Well might as well be prepared, this way if the answer is yes I will be ready!] Ukyo hummed while she packed her clothes and supplies for a stay with her Ranchan. /*\*/*\ Shampoo walked slowly down the street her head hung low, and her hands clasped behind her back. Her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and knowledge. She wanted her Airen back but he was now a woman, and even though she refused to admit it aloud she did miss Mousse, and wondered where he had gone. When Shampoo stopped she looked around and found herself outside Ucchan's she noticed the closed sign and wondered why the chef closed her store, during lunch hour. She went to the door and tested it and found it was not locked. She then slipped inside. Once inside she locked the door, and looked around she didn't see the okonomiyaki chef anywhere. Her head jerked when she heard slamming and humming coming from upstairs. She headed for where she heard the noise coming from. She entered Ukyo's kitchen and spotted the stairs leading up and took them. She followed the slamming draws and happy humming, till she stood outside Ukyo's room. Shampoo peeked inside through the open door and watched while Ukyo happily packed her backpack. Shampoo swallowed hard then looked quickly around the room when she was satisfied that Ukyo didn't have her spatula she stood in front of the door. She took a deep breath, then cleared her throat. Ukyo jumped at the noise. "AAAHHH!" Ukyo turned to face the nervous Amazon, she narrowed her eyes as a frown crossed her face. "_What_ do you want? Didn't you see I am closed?" Ukyo asked her intruder. Shampoo wanted to do nothing more then belt Ukyo with her bonari but she had intruded in her home, and she wanted information. Shampoo sighed heavily and she looked at the angry chef. "Shampoo, want know if spatula-girl hear from Airen?" Ukyo looked at the Amazon with a sneer. "You _have_ no Airen Shampoo, I was there when Cologne canceled your claims against Ranchan." She looked at the Amazon with a small amount of pity as she knew how the girl felt since she too, is no longer engaged to Ranchan. Shampoo turned her head slightly, to hide the hurt she was feeling. She had made no friends here as her only goal was to bring her Airen home. Now when she needed a friend to talk to she had none. Shampoo jumped when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turned and looked into the shy smile of Ukyo. "I understand how you feel Shampoo, it hurts me too, but Ranma Saotome is dead completely. There is no way to bring him back. All we have left to us is Ranko, and even then she is not ours any longer. We are all to blame for what happen to Ranma, if he had a happier life I don't think the Faerie realm would have taken him." Ukyo stared into the purple tear filled eyes of the Amazon, a sad smile on her lips. "All we can hope for now Shampoo is that Ranko will accept us as her friends when she returns. If she does then she will move heaven and earth to see us." Ukyo finished unshed tears glistening in her brown eyes. Shampoo nodded and began to turn to leave when Ukyo stopped her. Shampoo looked back at the girl who sported a friendly smile. Ukyo motioned for Shampoo to wait then went to her room and picked up her backpack. She then led Shampoo to the restaurant. She put her backpack on the floor behind her counter, then motioned Shampoo to sit. Once the purple hair girl was comfortable, Ukyo cooked her, her favorite okonomiyaki, chicken and shrimp with vegetables. "There is something else bothering you, isn't there?" Ukyo surprised Shampoo with her perception, which amazed her since they do not know each other that well. "Yes, Shampoo not see Mousse since Air..Ranma left. Shampoo no want Mousse as husband but Mousse Shampoo's only friend from village." Ukyo suddenly felt depressed, her heart breaking in her chest. [Why am I feeling like this? Mousse wasn't a friend, really, yet I feel as if I lost my brother.] Ukyo thought to herself, she looked up to see Shampoo staring at her quizzically. "I haven't seen him in a while Shampoo, do you know of any places he liked to go to think? Ranchan had many such places when it got to much for her." Shampoo sighed and shook her head. "Shampoo no know of such places. Shampoo never wanted to know to much about stupid duck boy." She hmpft crossing her arms over he chest. "Then why are you worried about him now?" Ukyo asked her, with a wry smile, Shampoo looked at the chef with distaste. "Shampoo tired of doing work at Nekohanten by self!" Ukyo nodded sagely as she put a vegetable okonomiyaki on a plate for herself and then sat at the counter next to the Amazon. "You know Shampoo, your relationship with Mousse is very much like Ranchan's with Akane. You deny your feelings for him and use him as your personal punching bag and you can see where that got her." Ukyo mused in a low voice. Shampoo was about to smash Ukyo into the floor when she realized it would not be honorable to hit someone for telling the truth. Shampoo sat quietly playing with her food. After a few moments she got up to leave. A look of concentration on her pretty face. "Shampoo thank spatula girl for food, but Shampoo have work to do." Ukyo watched the Amazon leave with a small frown. [I wonder what happened to Mousse? It is not like him to stay away from Shampoo for so long. Especially when Ranchan is out of the picture.] Ukyo mused as she prepared to clean the dishes, she hummed along with the little flute playing pixie while she washed up. /*\*/*\ The flight back to Titiana's realm was uneventful, until they flew over her kingdom. Cerulean was causing quite a stir many people were frozen with the dragon fear, the four Faerie folk seemed not to notice. Others were confused as to why Silverfire would fly with a blue dragon. As the dragons flew toward the palace, the queen's guards were expecting them. They had orders not to act against the blue. Many of them were nervous and thought about notching their arrows just in case. Then they saw Kajri on the precipice, they shied away from the angry glare she gave those who started to load their bows. The two dragons landed in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by guards, and the people of the court. Queen Titiana and King Oberon were standing just inside the palace. The riders flew from the back of the dragons, and while they landed the dragons shifted shape to their human forms. The second Ranko was on the ground she was scooped up in Queen Titiana's embrace, showering Ranko with kisses. Ranko giggled and gave her Auntie a hug and kiss. She then squirmed free to go stand by her family and friends. "Welcome home my friends, there is much to do. Nodoka I hope you don't mind but I started your wedding preparations all that must be done now is for you to give your OK on the choices I made or make the necessary changes. The wedding will be in a three days." She finished looking at the matriarch of the Aurora clan. "Now dear don't rush them they may want to wait a little you know." King Oberon scolded his wife with a loving smile. "Oh, no it is fine your majesty the sooner Seran and I are married the happier we will all be." Nodoka told the royal couple with a loving look toward her soon to be husband. "Your majesty the um.._gift_ we brought back for Ranko is it ready?" Nodoka asked the queen. Titiana smiled and nodded her head. They then turned and headed to the throne room, Ranko going from one adult to the other begging to be told what her surprise is. The group is followed by two transformed dragons hot on their heals. The guards in the courtyard breathed a sigh of relief when Cerulean disappeared inside the palace. They entered the throne room, and Nodoka looked for the cocoon but it was missing. She then looked around the room and saw a Sylph with royal blue wings that glittered in the sunlight, looking out the window. She couldn't see much other then his hair was a blackish red, with slightly brighter red highlights. "Oh, Nodoka he took a new name after his crossover." Titiana told the new mother of a Sylph son. "Micca you parents and sister have returned? Are you ready to join your new family?" Queen Titiana asked the boy whose back was still to them. Ranko's excitement was building her momma and poppa brought her back a brother, she peeked around her poppa Seran's hip to get a look at her new brother. Her eyes widened when the Sylph turned to face them. Like her his features had become more elfish with the crossover and much more handsome. She stared into a pair of light gray eyes. "_Momma!_ You brought back Mousse, but he hates me! He will always be trying to _kill_ me!" Ranko pleaded to her mother, her tears threatening to spill. Micca lowered his head and stepped forward. He then looked up as his new sister with a sad and lonely smile. Ranko gasped as she recognized those feelings as ones she used to have when living in Nerima. "I never hated _you_ Ranko, I was angry at Cologne and to some extent Shampoo for casting me aside for you. I really was to be Shampoo's husband, we were to be married the day after the tournament. The day you had beaten her and she gave you the kiss of death." Micca took a deep sigh, and continued. "When she came back to the village she pronounced that she had been challenged and beaten fairly by an outsider male. That took precedence over our _arranged_ marriage." Micca watched as Ranko's eyes widened then narrowed dangerously. "_I_ never challenged Shampoo in Nerima! She attacked Akane and was going to kill her when I kicked her bonari from her hand. It flew up in the air and came back down and hit her in the head. SHE KNOCKED HERSELF OUT!" Ranko shouted the last part. Micca's eyes widened with the revelation then filled with anger causing his light gray eyes to darken to a stormy dark gray, and finally they settled at a medium gray filled with depression. He fell to his knees his head bowed low against his chest. Before anyone could make a move Ranko was beside her new brother, she held him close allowing him to sob into her shoulder. Nodoka smiled sadly as she watched her new family grow larger. Seran watched with pride at his daughter's willingness to help even those that were her enemies. When they were in great pain. He heard his new son begin to mumble something to his sister and he strained to hear it. "Then she lied she knew a win by an outsider male would free her from an arranged marriage. I had hoped when you were transformed into a female Faerie she would willing come back to me because she truly loved me and was only going after you because of Amazon law." Micca held tightly to his new sister her candy apple red hair mingling with his blackish red hair. "What happen to convince you she wasn't truly in love with you Mous..Micca?" Ranko quietly whispered to him while stroking his hair lovingly, she amazed herself at how easy it was to love him as her brother as if it had always been so. "The night you left, I followed her onto the Nekohanten roof, to tell her that since she could no longer marry you our wedding was back on. I watched as she prayed to the goddess of the moon, for her one true love. I knew then that any marriage to her would be loveless and miserable for us both. I left the Nekohanten the next day and hadn't gone back." Micca looked up into the sympathetic eyes of his new sister, as she smiled lovingly at him. "I spotted your mother, I mean our mother when she came to earth. I sensed something was happening to you but I don't understand how or why and I stopped her from returning until they agreed to bring me too. Please Ranko, I wish to find the happiness you have in a family that will love me for who I am not because of skill or won't hate me if I can't see. Will you be that family Ranko?" Micca asked the young Faerie girl. Ranko looked deep into the Micca's gray eyes and saw what he had already figured out, that they are much the same, both abused by the girls they had loved both outcasts and only sought out as prizes. Ranko looked back at her family and friends behind her and saw that the decision was hers alone to make. Ranko stood pulling Micca to his feet with her. Once they were both standing. She turned him to face the assemblage before them. She looked a Micca who stared at her with confusion, and surprise when she took his hand in hers. With a wide smile Ranko turned to her family and friends. "I would like to introduce the best present I ever got! My brother Micca!" Nodoka and Seran rushed forward and pulled their children into a big hug. The room roared with cheers and laughter. The women of the court all cried while the men didn't cry but their eyes did sparkle with unshed tears. All that is except Rohn. Who glared at the new Sylph and his family. The rooms attention was drawn to the clearing of a throat, when they faced the noise Cerulean had stepped forward. Ranko pulled Micca with her as she stepped up to her friend and soul bonded. Micca stared at the Ranma look alike then watched with amazement as he glowed a golden- orange as he sifted to a sapphire blue duck. Then he watched in utter awe as the duck returned to his human form but continues to change. Micca's head tilted back and he would have fallen if his sister had not been there. Micca had never seen a dragon before and he knew blues where evil yet he felt no fear from this one. In fact he felt connected, then he remembered that the dragon looked like Ranma, and his duck form. He looked up at the dragon and jumped a little when the dragon started talking. "I AM CERULEAN, RANKO SAVED MY LIFE DURING A BATTLE WITH A DISHONORABLE GREEN. IN HER ATTEMPT TO SAVE MY LIFE SHE SOUL BONDED WITH ME, BUT IT DID NOT END THERE. THE MAGIC THAT WAS INSIDE HER FROM THE CURSE OF JUSENYKO TRANSFERRED TO ME. THUS I NOW HAVE HER OLD MALE FORM. THE MAGIC REACHED OUT FOR MORE STRENGTH TO SAVE ME AND IT REACHED TO ONE WHO WAS THE CLOSEST LIKE HER. THAT WAS YOU BOY, IT TOOK FROM YOU THE MAGIC OF YOUR CURSE AND PULLED IT INTO ME AS WELL. I AM NOW SOUL BONDED NOT ONLY WITH RANKO BUT WITH MICCA OF AURORA CLAN. KNOW THIS THAT I WILL DEFEND THESE TWO AND THAT OF THEIR FAMILY AGAINST ANY WHO SEEK TO HARM THEM." Cerulean finished looking directly at Rohn, who cringed from the implied threat and the dragon fear. Cerulean began to glow his golden-orange and shift back to human form. He did not notice the smile on Ranko's face. Micca noticed and at first was confused then as if by telepathy he knew what to do. Once Cerulean was human again two blurs one red and green, one blackish-red and white zoomed forward. They both hit Cerulean and with their combined weight and were able to take him down to the floor. The room was first in shock, then amusement while they watched the two youngest members of the Aurora clan give Cerulean hugs and kisses then, a massive groan befell the room as they realized there was another hurricane in their mists. Their shock was cut short by sultry laughter. They all turned to Lady Victoria who just stood there watching the scene before her and could do nothing but laugh.