Ranma 1/2: A New Awakening Alternate Continuation (minor crossovers) By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com http://www.mindspring.com/~yanega/index.htm or Visit my Mirror Site at: http://www.ranko.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.htm Co-author & Concept by: "Jerry" starfire@brainerd.net Chapter Thirty Seven Ukyo stood in front of the throne of Illondra, her back straight and her spatula strapped behind her. At her feet played the two gifts from the Egyptian Goddesses Bastet and Sekhmet. Titiana smiled as she watched Ranko keep a nervous eye on the two kittens. She turned to her husband when he started to speak. "Ukyo Kounji you have been asked to join the Aurora Clan as their third child. You have also been told that once you leave the mortal world behind you can not return. Your mortality is forfeit. Do you still wish to join your new family." Ukyo took a deep breath and gave this statement one final thought. She wished her Faerie friends were here she always felt more clear headed since they had been with her. They however returned to Kasumi when she left. Ukyo thought about her life and the remainder of her family. She thought about her father's death and how none of them even showed for the funeral. She weighed her life as a mortal and as a Faerie. She looked at Micca and Ranko as they danced around an exasperated Cerulean. They were given the chance to relive their childhood something the three of them had lost. She looked up and saw the queen and king watching her, both with proud smiles on their faces. She looked at them confused then stepped closer the throne. She bowed deeply, and unsheathed her battle spatula. She knelt before the royal house of Illondra her spatula on the floor in front of her. She bowed down her head touching the ground. "I have made my decision, I like my mother before me, pledge on my honor to protect the royal house of Illondra and to serve King Oberon and Queen Titiana to the best of my ability." Ukyo stayed in her prostrate position until her father helped her to stand. "You did very well Ukyo. We would have been suspect of your decision if you did not think about your choice one more time." King Oberon stepped closer his wife beside him. "It is decided Ukyo Kounji will now begin the crossing over to become the third child of the Honored Clan Aurora." Queen Titiana announced to the court before her. The king and queen raised their hands both glowing with the power of their magic. They reached out and touched Ukyo beginning the process of turning her into a Sylph to join her family. Ranko and Micca stopped torturing their bonded and stared as the blue and black magic began to surround Ukyo. "UCCHAN!" "UKYO!" The two cried and before anyone could stop them ,they ran toward their soon to be sister and glomped her. "RANKO, MICCA NO!" The anguished cry of Nodoka could be heard through out the castle. It was to late to stop the spell, all Titiana and Oberon could do was watch as the other two Aurora children latched onto Ukyo and became caught in the magical cocoon that began to surround Ukyo. When the spell was completed, before them lay the pod which now housed all three of the Aurora children. To the amazement of the royal couple the pod glowed bright white. "We are sorry Nodoka, Seran. We could not stop the spell without injuring the children." Oberon told the frightened parents. "They will be alright, won't they?" Nodoka asked as she knelt next to the pulsing sack that held her children, laying her hand gently on it. Seran knelt next to his wife one arm wrapped around her. He also caressed the cocoon that held his children. The cocoon hummed and chortled as if giggling at the touch of Aurora adults. As if the children inside were letting them know they were fine and happy. The cocoon pulsed with power as the white glow, tendrils of the glow swirled around the arms of the leaders of the Aurora clan. Nodoka gasped and Seran's mouth dropped at the power that surged through them. The room watched as the white glow surrounded the worried parents and then in shock as it seemed to seep into their bodies. Their calm expressions when the glow faded from around them made many of the Faerie folk sweat with nervousness. The white glow slowly faded leaving a very thin line of light around the vein covered sack. The white glow alternated between the white color and blue. The sack would move and shift as if the three inside were vying for room. Seran looked down and noticed a blue duck and two kittens take up a guard position around the Aurora Clan's most treasured assets. A small smile appeared on his face as the three looked to the room daring anyone to come forward. His smile broadened as their hard gaze landed on Rohn. Who looked at them with disdain. "Your majesties may Nodoka and I stay here until the children come out. I think she and I would feel better if we could stay close to them." Seran asked the royal couple, his hand still caressing the pod. "Yes, Seran by all means. We will notify your parents, Ejien and Naja of the events." Titiana told him sending off two sprites to notify the children's grandparents. "Your highness you are _not_ going to allow that _blue_ to remain are you? Not to mention what kind of protection is those flea bitten beasts going to provide." Rohn snarled at the blue duck and the two kittens. Cerulean opened his mouth and instead of a quack, a bolt of lighting had come out. He had finally got his dragon powers to work in his duck form and with a little more practice they will work in his human form as well. The duck form was more important since it was the most vulnerable. Rohn jumped back as the lightning hit the ground just a fraction of an inch from him. He looked up and glared at the deity that laughed heartily. "I believe the ancient blue did not like your comments. Although I am curious how two kittens can be an effective guard. The duck is obvious." Corellon Larethian stated between bouts of laughter. The laughter stopped as the two kittens began to glow. Corellon's eyes widened as he felt the magic of Gods behind the kittens. He and the rest of the court watched in stunned silence as the kittens grew into pony sized Saber toothed tigers. The white kitten's fur shone with a pearlized white and shining silver strips covered his body. His blue eyes glowed red with anger, his tongue licking his lips over the foot long saber tooth fangs that protruded from his mouth. Frost opened his mouth and a stream of ice hit the floor in front of Rohn, just missing freezing his feet. The orange kitten grew to about the same size as her mate only slightly smaller. Her fur darkened to a darker sparkling red like a ruby. Black strips of onyx covered her body. Her saber teeth were not quite a foot long but they didn't miss by much. Her golden eyes glowed with fire as she opened her mouth and a stream of flame thawed the ice that Frost sent toward Rohn. The two tigers took up a guard position on either side of the cocoon, the duck stood in front. They all dared anyone to move toward them. Corellon walked slowly toward the trio of protectors his body glowing an ice blue. The two tigers bowed to him to show their respect for his station as a God but growled when his got to close. "I sense the power of Gods in those two!" He said looking to Nodoka and Seran who nodded in the affirmative. "They were a gift to Ukyo from Bastet and Sekhmet. These two as Ukyo told us were the only two cats in the Neko-ken training not to hurt my son. They tried very hard not to cause him pain. They were killed for their kindness by the other cats. Bastet and Sekhmet decided that they deserved to have a new life and gave them to Ukyo to bring into the Aurora Clan with her." Nodoka told the deity as he stared down at the cocoon and its three guards. /*\*/*\ The Tendo house was quiet, the only noise was the crying of Soun and Akane coming from their respective bedrooms. Kasumi was in the kitchen a small smile on her face as she prepared breakfast, a diamond ring on her finger. That morning Dr. Tof..Ono came by and proposed. She was shocked and ecstatic at the same time, she nearly fainted. ***Flashback*** The sun was barely up as Kasumi stepped out of the furo room dressed and ready to start her day. She headed to the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast her family a sad look on her face as she had to remind herself to prepare less food. She paused in her preparations when she heard a knock at the door. She dried her hands on her apron and went to answer the door. Her face brightened when she opened the door to find Dr. Tofu standing there. A bead of sweat dripped down his face. "Good morning Dr. Tofu, what brings you here so early?" Kasumi smiled brightly at him and she watched as his knees began to buckle. Kasumi was quickly by the nervous doctor's side and helped him into the kitchen. She put him in a chair then went about preparing a pot of tea. She placed some special herbs in the tea to aid in calming down the jumpy doctor. When the tea was finished she served it and a plate of bacon and eggs and toast she had ready. Tofu looked at the food before him his stomach to jumpy to eat anything. He took a sip of the hot tea and let it slide down his throat warming in and his stomach. Kasumi watched with confusion and a soft smile. Tofu looked at her and took a deep breath. "Kasumi after yesterday I have been doing a lot of thinking. I realized I can not let you go without at least telling you how I feel." Ono Tofu reached out and pushed her soft brown hair behind her elfin ear. He rose and knelt on one knee in front of the oldest Tendo daughter. Beads of sweat streaking down his face, but he ignored them. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He opened the box, Kasumi's eyes went wide with surprise. Inside the box sat a diamond ring in a marquis cut set in pink filigree gold. Nestled next to the engagement ring was a wedding band of pink gold with five small diamonds placed in a row across the top of the band. Kasumi stared transfixed at the two rings her mouth slightly opened. "Oh my!" Was all she whispered as she raised her head to look at Tofu. "When I realized that you were out of my reach, I died. There was nothing left for me in this world or any other. Then you told me I could be allowed to cross over and it was like I was re-born and my heart nearly exploded with happiness." Tofu told her staring deep into her soft brown eyes. "Kasumi I watched you grow from a young girl coming to my father's clinic into a vibrant beautiful woman who loved her family so much she gave up her own chances to be happy. I saw you had a life planned for after this one and I want to share that with you if you would let me." Kasumi's eyes filled with tears as she had never hoped to ever be this happy. "Kasumi you are my heart and soul, without you I am a hollow husk. I have no life, no emotions. You are my sun in the morning that brings warmth to my cold existence and light to my darkness. You are my moon that fills my soul with the romance of the ages and brought peace to my lost soul and heart." Kasumi stared deeply into the doctor's brown eyes hers blurred by tears. "Kasumi I humbly ask you to be by bride, my wife, my partner and my friend." Tofu asked as he slipped the engagement ring on her finger. Kasumi stared at her hand the ring catching the early morning sun. She watched as the diamond sparkled and cast a small rainbow on her hand. She looked up at Tofu and saw him waiting his eyes full of love for her. Her tears rolling down her face as she never thought this day would ever come. She thought that she would be her families slave for ever. She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips next to his ear. "I would be honored to be your wife, and you have completed my soul as I have done for your!" She whispered softly in his ear while he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace. Tofu held Kasumi tightly his own tears falling with relief and happiness. He then pushed her gently away from him, putting his hands on either side of her face. His fingers entwining in her silky brown hair. He then leaned forward and kissed her. He gave her their first kiss and definitely not their last. He kissed her hungrily his tongue exploring her mouth and hers returning the favor. They stayed like that until they could take no more and had to come up for air. Tofu stood and pulled Kasumi to her feet he pulled her close and this time kissed her more tenderly. Kasumi responded just as much to this kiss as the last. Her arms wrapping around Tofu's waist and pulling him to her. When they broke there was no need to say anything as the kisses said it all. Kasumi walked her fiancé to the door and before he left he gave her another kiss, his hand laid gently on her cheek. Kasumi leaned weak kneed against the door and watched the man she would send many centuries with leave the Tendo grounds. She stayed at the door her eyes glazed over for several more moments until the whistling of the tea kettle brought her out of her daydreams. Kasumi danced into the kitchen her dishcloth her dancing partner. ***End Flashback*** /*\*/*\ Nabiki laid in bed trying to sleep but the crying coming from Akane and her father's room was nerve wracking. With a scowl she rose from bed her thigh length nightshirt all she was wearing. She stumbled grumpily to the door of her room. She hated getting up this early. For her morning started at noon or later. She headed downstairs for some tea she knew Kasumi would have ready. As she got closer the bottom she could hear her sister humming in the kitchen. She smiled as she was glad Kasumi seemed so happy. When Nabiki reached the kitchen door she stood transfixed as she watched Kasumi dance around the small kitchen with a dishtowel. The site somehow seemed familiar to her but she couldn't remember why. Her eyes caught the glint of light on Kasumi's left hand. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the ring. Slowly a genuine smile appeared on her face. A smile that had long been gone from her life. Ever since she lost her mother to the clutches of death. Although she tired she could not stop the tears from falling as she saw the happiness radiate from her long suffering sister. "Kasumi?" She asked in a low whisper. /*\*/*\ In her mind Kasumi was dancing at Queen Titiana's court on her wedding day. She and Tof..Ono waltzing around the room much like Seran and Nodoka's wedding. Kasumi wearing her mother's wedding kimono which she guarded vehemently and her husband dressed in his kimono. The Aurora children dancing and running around playing tag. Their laughter filling the hall. Since Ono should join a clan so he would have a family on Illondra maybe the Aurora clan would allow him entry to their clan. Kasumi's gaze was unfocused as she danced around the kitchen. Her giggles escaping at an imagined incident during her wedding. "Kasumi?" The soft childlike voice broke through her daydream. Kasumi lowered the towel and her head as reality slipped back in. She turned slowly to find Nabiki standing in the door. The sun giving her a halo of innocence that she had not had for some time. Kasumi looked at her sister and gasped. For the first time in more then a decade she saw the little girl she once played with before the death of their mother. She saw the genuine loving smile and saw her eyes shimmer with tears that finally made their way down her face. Kasumi smiled at Nabiki, and the younger Tendo gasped as it was a true smile not her usual Poly Anna smile. She saw in her older sister the happiness that disappeared when she became the mother of the Tendo house. Nabiki ran to her sister's outstretched arms and hugged her tightly. "I am so happy for you sis! Don't let daddy or Akane or anyone else stop you from marry him!" Nabiki told her as she took Kasumi's hand and looked at the ring. "I won't sister, but I can't leave you and the others alone." She said as the smile faded. Nabiki's smile faded to a frown she looked at the ring on Kasumi's hand. She gently touched the promise of love and commitment. Then with determination she looked up at her older sister her eyes narrowed. "We can get along fine without you! Akane will start taking that training _today_ if I have to drag her there myself." Nabiki hugged her sister tightly then turned at the sound of a bedroom door opening and closing. "And daddy is going to start training again to support us or he will not like the consequences!' The mercenary had come back but this time her talents trained on freeing her older sister. /*\*/*\ The silver light of the moon flooded the room, with eerie lights and shadows. The shafts of silver light poured through the windows meeting in the center of the large room to land on a pulsing pod. On either side of the pod laid two tiny balls one of ghostly white and the other an illuminated red. In the shadows under one of the thrones a pair of red glowing dots stared at the pod. The sounds of flapping can be heard from under the throne as loud quacking soon followed. The little balls on the floor by the pod began to move stretching and standing of four little paws. Two pairs of eyes glared at the red glow under the throne, but quickly changed direction as the cause of the quacking made itself known. The two little kittens turned as a golden glow lit the room. The red glows came from under the throne and a shimmering sapphire blue duck took a stance next to the two kittens. Electricity forming around its bill. Two shapely figures appear in the center of the golden glow. One sensuous, and curvaceous, while the other though no less sensuous, had a more athletic build. The fact a sword hung from her side was enough to tell she was a warrior. When the glow faded the two woman stood before the lone protectors of the Aurora children, loving smiles on their faces. They took a step closer to the pod only to have the taller warrior knock her counterpart to the ground as she jumped out of the way of a lightning bolt. The two kittens grew to their saber tooth tiger forms then bowed to the two woman. The blue duck's eyes widened with surprise then narrowed with anger as he quacked angrily at the two cats. An ice blue glow appeared behind the quacking duck. The two woman rose glaring angrily at the blue duck. Their attention is then drawn to the ice blue glow. Smirks grew on their faces as the figure stepped from the glow behind the duck. Their grins turned to frowns when the new visitor picked up the duck and patted it back to calm it. "I always thought the two of you to be more intelligent then to enter where you weren't wanted." Corellon Larethian told them as he petted the still struggling and quaking duck. "Quiet Cerulean they won't hurt the children." The two Goddesses looked at the duck with narrowed eyes. "So that is the ancient blue." It was more a statement then a question from the warrior. "Yes, Cerulean, let me introduce you to Bastet and Sekhmet. The Egyptian deities responsible for Frost and Lava." Cerulean looked down at the tigers as they were still bowed to the two Goddesses. "What are you doing here, this is not your domain?" Corellon asked them an eyebrow raised with curiosity. The two Goddesses moved closer to the pod their eyes fixed on the blue duck. Neither of them was confused about the outcome if the duck decided to attack in his true form. They stood before the pod and reached out and each placed a clawed hand on the pod. Cerulean began to squirm in the grasp of Corellon, but the deity of the Faeries kept a tight hold on him. The two Goddesses watched the duck as their hands touched the pod. The duck and Corellon watched as the pod began to glow. Cerulean squirmed harder but the vise like grip of the God kept him immobile. Cerulean began to glow orange but it quickly faded as the Godling smiled down at the bonded of Ranko and Micca. "Do not worry ancient one they mean no harm to those inside in fact if I dare say they have blessed the children and selected them as their avatars." Corellon told the blue as he looked up with a grin. "That is correct but Micca and Ukyo needed a little help in that department. Now all three children have our gift and the ability to use it, though they will need more training with the Caiteny." Bastet told them with a soft purring voice. "However, Larethian!" Sekhmet snarled as she and Bastet reached down to the two tigers. Corellon watched with some confusion as the tigers began to glow. He was then stunned when Sekhmet jumped over the pod and landed softly next to him. She grabbed the squirming duck from his hands and returned next to her co-wife a shocked duck looking up at them. She and Bastet placed their hands on the duck. Cerulean glowed like the cats a dark blue. When the glow was gone the Goddesses put the duck down next to them. "What? Did you do?" Corellon asked his confusion evident as none of the animals really changed and the duck seemed calm. "It is simple godling!" Snarled Sekhmet as memories of Ranko's time in the palace without her mother played in her mind. "We have decided to end your voyeurism!" Bastet purred as she petted the head of Frost. Corellon stared at them his ice blue eyes showed even more confusion. He looked at the blue duck and it seemed to be smiling at him. He then looked to the cats Ukyo had brought with her and they also seemed to be grinning and not very nice grins either. "We will allow your watching over the pod but once the children come forth your watching of Ranko stops. These three plus Kiri will have the ability to know you are there and will bring your presence to her attention. How do you think she will feel about you if she knew you were watching her? Not to mention the times you took advantage of her?" Sekhmet growled her lips opened in a vicious snarl. "We are not preventing you from courting her when she is older, as I am sure her mother will demand that. We are preventing you from your previous escapades." Bastet told him as she walked up to him and stroked his taught cheek. "Her life had been a horror before this, I am sure you know that Corellon. Do not add to it by continuing with the way you have. Be her friend Laret and Corellon but don't treat her like the possession, so many had before you. If you do you may find yourself locked in a form and robbed of your humanity as well." Bastet continued as she sashayed back to her co-wife. "We saw where you told Rhiannon you loved her, and she asked if you loved her enough to let her make own decision and choice. Well Corellon now you will find out. If she falls for you of her own volition then your love will be the stronger for it. Force her and you will find yourself against all that cares for her." Bastet explained as she walked toward a golden glow. "Oh one more thing Corellon, it seems that many of the Gods and Goddesses have an interest one way or another in this child and her siblings. So know that my threat carries the weight of _all_ of heaven behind it." Bastet walked into the golden light and disappeared. Sekhmet watched her leave. She then turned to the demi-god and smiled sardonically. As Corellon watched, the Goddess again touched the pod it glowed a dark red black. Sekhmet then turned and followed Bastet into the golden light. "WAIT!" Corellon shouted, Sekhmet turned just before entering the light. "What do you want godling?" She sneered at the young elf deity. "Are they to become Gods?" He asked looking down at the pod of children. Sekhmet looked at the pod and her gaze softened and worry crossed her brow. She then looked back up to the young deity, his gaze never leaving the pod. Her scowl softened slightly then hardened. "They are our avatars and are to be the warriors of the Gods. There is a battle for the lives of billions and they will be the generals through which the Gods will work." With that Sekhmet turned and walked into the gold light. "But why her?" Corellon asked his eyes sad and worry played across his face, Sekhmet paused and looked back at the Godling over her shoulder. "She, and the other two were chosen at birth. Their meeting was preordained. As was their lives for the most part. The Gods did not want what happened to Ranma to happened but they could not interfere. They were linked at birth to each other, and this is their destiny." Sekhmet told him her gaze softened as she looked at the pod. Sekhmet turned and vanished into the golden light which slowly faded away also. Cerulean looked at where the Goddesses left then back at the pod that contained his bonded. He walked over to the pod and laid down beside it the tigers following suit. Corellon knelt next to the pod confusion, anger, and sadness on his face. Corellon reached out and touched the pod lightly with his finger tips. He sighed heavily then stood and walked into the shadows of the room. The silver light of the moons flooded back into the room claiming it as its own leaving only the pod and three animals as the rooms only residences.