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 Eight The movement of the servants caught the attention of the three guards around the still pulsing pod. Kajri entered the throne room, Kiri close behind her. She was carrying a tray loaded with bowls. She walked purposely and without fear toward the three animals. The servants paused and watched her progression. They were awed at her ability to get so close. She stopped not more then a few inches from them not even afraid of their bravado. She knew they wouldn't hurt her. She smiled down as at them as she placed the tray on the floor in front of them. Even though Cerulean was in truth a dragon his appetite was effected by the form he was in. In his duck form he preferred fish and could not eat more then a bowl of them. The kittens liked milk and fowl but would not eat any kind of fish. Kajri had placed a bowl of fruit and nuts for Kiri to eat with the other protectors. Kiri had arrived that morning with Ejien and Naja. "Good morning and how are the children today?" She asked the guardians as she sat their food in front of them. "Please mother don't embarrass the family any more then you have by thinking you can understand _those_ things." Kajri stiffened at the disgust in her son's voice. The animals watched as Kajri's smile turned into a deep frown. She slowly turned, her audience watching with keen interest as they ate. Their little eyes widened as the wood elf began to glow. Rohn gulped and took a step back from his mother as fear filled his eyes. Kajri's eyes narrowed to tiny slits as her glowing hand raised and came toward her son. Her hand was stopped inches from Rohn's face the heat from her aura causing his hair to smolder. Kajri turned to stare into the steel gray eyes of Seran. "Kajri he isn't worth the trouble. I know he is your son but he is not worth the space he takes up." Seran's voice rang loudly through the throne room. "You and Tuik did your best, but Miya has tainted him. You are lucky their children came out better." Kajri nodded and turned to find herself embraced in the arms of Nodoka. Kajri cried for the loss of her child as Nodoka soothed her. Rohn watched the encounter his eyes widened with shock and awe as Seran held his mother's glowing wrist with no ill effects. The patriarch of the Aurora clan turned and faced the councilor to the queen a sneer on the Sylph's face. "Haven't you and your wife done enough harm to my family!" Seran spit out his body glowing black red. "I am permitted anywhere in the castle it is my duty to check everything." Rohn quipped arrogantly at the winged man. "You were told to stay away from the children Rohn, break my orders again and you will be removed from my service permanently." They all turned to see Queen Titiana as she stood behind them her eyes flashing with anger. /*\*/*\ Black and white light swirled inside the small pod. The energy from Bastet and Sekhmet mixed with the magic of the Faeries. The glow of red and blue mixed and in some spots become purple. While the white and black blended in other areas to become gray. All four of the magic energies blended with the each other causing effects none had expected. As the light moved and shifted forms could be seen. Hair colored dark garnet red wings of red and blue melded into something new. The faces of three sleeping children showed peacefully in the swirled magic. It showed them as they laid next to each other. They appeared in and out of the flowing colors. Around one child a cat shaped glow of blue and red formed. It then spread from the sleeping beauty to the other two. The eye lids of the girl in the center fluttered as the cat aura surrounded her. She shivered as it settled in around her. The other girl moved closer and held her tighter and her shuddering stopped. The boy to her other side twitched as the cat aura moved around him as a lover’s caress. He stiffened and his hand swiped at an imaginary enemy. He then lowered his arm over the other two pulling them closer to him a snarl appearing on his face as a familiar and hated voice reached his new enhanced hearing. The swirling magic covered the children again hiding them deep in its mists. A soft bell like whimper could be heard and a gentle masculine 'shh' followed. Then all was quite and the magic moved slowly seeping into the bodies of the children it surrounded. The walls of the pod around them pulsed softly in time with the breathing of the children. /*\*/*\ Rohn stared at his queen his eyes wide with shock. They then narrowed as he glared at the pod and the Aurora patriarch and matriarch. A snarl appeared on his face at his mother's behavior. He snorted in disgust and turned and left the throne room. The servants watched with surprise and some with small grins hidden behind their hands. Queen Titiana stepped up and petted Kiri as she looked down at the other animals then to the pulsing pod. "I am sorry about that. Kajri are you alright?" Titiana told the adults her face filled with worry for her friend. "Yes I will be fine I just wish Tuik would hurry up and get back. I miss him terribly." She said her head hung low. "He should be back in a few more days. He has finished his negotiations and is returning here." She told her friend, who lit up with happiness. The group turned their head at the commotion located at the entrance to the throne room. A small group of elves, Dwarves, and Faeries pushed their way into the throne room. The queen moved to her throne a nod to the guard to allow the group to enter. The guards did not like it since among the elves was a drow elf. Her dark skin glistening in the sun lit room. Seran and Nodoka moved next to the queen in relaxed ready stances. Aran seeing them allowed for the group to go unescorted to the throne. The group paused by the pod their curiosity evident on their faces. They stared at the pod then to Kiri who stood in front of it glowing with her magic shield. The electricity around of the blue ducks bill got them moving quickly toward the queen. They stopped in front of the throne a tall drow elf female stepped forward. Her skin was a soft warm brown offset by her stark white hair. Her eyes were black and held great wisdom. She was 5' 11" inches tall and built small, yet it was evident she was a female. She wore long mage's robes of black with silver runes around the hems. She carried a six foot staff of white ash carved with runes and stained a dark blue. It was evident to the women present she was with child though early in her pregnancy. She bowed to the queen then stood and stared at Nodoka. "I am Qarie and I speak for our group." She explained with a stately tone. The queen looked over the group of two wood elves, one drow elf, and three high elves. The rest of the party consisted of five Dwarves pulling a large covered cart and several Faeries that bowed to their queen. She smiled at them and nodded her head in recognition of their presence. "We represent a larger group of survivors and families members of those killed by the Great Red slain by Nodoka Aurora. We have heard she has started a new clan and was given the land between the Faerie Realm of Light and the Realm of Shadows." Qarie continued, after a nod from the queen. "We wish to honor the clan of Aurora for the bravery of its matriarch and for finally giving us peace for the deaths of our loved ones." Qarie waved the Dwarves forward. The Dwarves came forward dragging the cart behind them. They stopped next to the Queen and bowed to her in respect. She again acknowledged them with a smile and nod. They then stood back as Qarie stepped forward again. She reached over and removed the tarp from the wagon exposing the contents within. In the wagon were two smaller versions of the Aurora family crest. They were about one third smaller. There was also a large chest which took up most of the cart. It was four feet long by three feet wide and three feet high including the lid. Qarie unlocked the chest and opened it to show it filled to almost over flowing with smaller fob sized versions of the Aurora crest. Each fob was three inches long and an inch and a half wide. They were attached to a heavy pewter chain. Nodoka and Seran looked at the items then up at the dark elf in front of them. She smiled at their confusion. Then turned and closed the lid. She turned to a Faerie behind her who had light green wings and long aqua hair and sea foam eyes. The Faerie handed her a scroll wrapped and tied with a red ribbon sporting a wax seal of the Aurora crest. There was also a black box handed to the elf as well. She turned back toward the adults a smile on her face. "This is a list of the families of victims and the survivors of Blackfire. The box contains the seal with which we used to seal the scroll. You will see next to most of the names a small version of your seal. These are requests by those to join your clan. It is said through out the land that you have opened your valley to those who wish to become a member of your clan. Your family motto even speaks of the strength in differences. Will you accept them? Many have lost every thing to Blackfire's attacks and have no where else to go or to turn to." Qarie told them staring at Nodoka and Seran. Nodoka and Seran looked at each other as he stepped forward to retrieve the scroll and seal. He tucked the seal into his weapon space at the shock of the guests present. He just turned and smiled at them his smile lopsided like his daughter's. He handed the scroll to his wife who opened it. Her eyes widened as she saw all most all the names of the survivors and family members of victims have requested to be a part of the new clan. She handed the list to the queen and stepped forward a warm smile on her face. She froze at the disgusted snort that came from the doors that exited the throne room into the palace. She turned to see Rohn sneering at her with anger and disgust. Her eyes hardened as she stared at him, then she turned her back to him and faced the dark elf before her. "We honor the motto chosen for our family for it speaks true. 'Our differences Make Us Stronger!' We would be honored to welcome those that survived and the remaining families of the victims to our clan." The gagging noise that came from Rohn brought an evil smile to Nodoka's face. She took the hand of the dark elf mage in front of her and clasped it in both her hands. She smiled at the woman and the small group around her. She then pointed to the wagon, with a warm, proud smile. "We are also honored with the gifts you offered but they were not needed to become part of our clan. All you need do was ask." She told the group. "We offered these as a way of thanking you for destroying Blackfire good lady. The two crests are for hanging over the two entrances to the Aurora valley. There is one in the Shadow realm and one here in the Faerie realm." Stated the young Faerie with aqua hair. "I have traveled both realms." She told them at their curious looks. "The fobs are to be handed out to your clan members so all will know us as the Aurora clan." Stated a proud dwarf with long black hair and a black beard that reached his chest. "We made them and are proud to add our artistry to your clan." The same dwarf said as he bowed to the leader of his new clan. "Then take what fobs you need for those on the list and yourselves and welcome to the Clan Aurora." Seran stated as he came up behind his wife a smile shining brightly on his face. Each of those present took a fob. The dark elf handed one each to Seran and Nodoka. They looked at them and smiled as they attached them to their belts. The dark elf then removed two more and looked around the throne room. Nodoka looked at her with curiosity. The elf turned back a worried look on her face. "I was led to believe you had two children?" She stated with slight worry in her voice. "We have three or we will when they are reborn." Seran told the elf as he pointed to the pod they saw when they entered the throne room. The group turned and stared at the pulsing pod and its four guards. The two kittens seemed more intent on playing with Kiri's tail while the blue duck watched the proceedings with interest. Kiri just ignored the kittens or pretended to as she shook her tail for them to play with it. The group watched and all shivered at the strange eyed duck as it watched them. "That is Cerulean, his is bonded with my first two children as long as you do not harm Ranko or Micca he will not bother you." Nodoka told the group before her. They gasped and moved a step away from the duck who glowed orange and changed to his human form. The groups eyes widened with awe and surprise as Cerulean stood before them. His long blue hair going down his back and a perfect match for the blue dragon scale armor he wore. "That is his human form, he guards his bonded well." Seran told them a proud smile on his face. "He is a _blue dragon_!” Qarie gasped as she glowed with a black magical shield. The others with her gasped as they turned toward the man standing next to the pod. His dragon slitted eyes glowing in the magical light of the room. Qarie stepped closer to Seran unconsciously her eyes wide with fear as she placed a hand on her slightly bulging stomach. “Blue's can not change shape!" Whispered Qarie as she stared in awe at the dragon. "It is a long story. We will talk about it later as we get to know our new family members." Seran told her with a wry smile. "YOUR MAJESTY YOU CAN'T ALLOW THIS TRAVESTY!" Rohn shouted finally unable to hold his tongue any longer. "She is a drow elf no doubt there are hundreds more! Not to mention the ogres, orcs, goblins and such that fell victim to that beast. You _can't_ allow them entry to your kingdom they will destroy it.!" Rohn glared at Nodoka for daring to accept such beings into her family. "The drow elves do not wish to become a part of the Aurora Clan nor do the monsters you speak of. The _dark elves_ that are petitioning to join are all that remains of a small group of half drow and half other elves. As you see by my lighter skin I am not full drow elf. We call ourselves dark elves and _will not_ be labeled as drow elf." Qarie told the group ignoring the high elf making him even madder. "There are only fifty of our community left and since we are nether drow elf or a member of our other half we have no place to go no place to belong." Qarie continued her voice breaking slightly. "The Aurora Clan is the servant of Queen Titiana and King Oberon. Our swords are sworn in their protection. Will you and your group abide by this oath of honor I made in the name of Aurora clan?" Nodoka asked her, quietly her eyes hard and cold. Qarie turned to the group with her. They talked for several moments. They then turned back to the leaders of the Aurora clan and the Queen of the Realm of Light. Her eyes dark and fathomless stared at Nodoka then turned red with fire as she stared at Rohn who had moved next to the queen. Rohn gulped but did not move. The elf then turned to the queen and with a slight nod answered Nodoka. "We speak for our groups and as their ambassadors we accept this pledge of honor made by the leaders of the Aurora clan." The small group then lowered to their knees placing their weapons on the floor in front of Titiana. Nodoka turned to the queen who stared in shock at the group before her. She then looked to Nodoka and nodded her consent. Rohn opened his mouth to protest but shut it, at the glare of raging fire that came from his queen. He glared at the Aurora matriarch and down at their newest members. A snarl growing on his face as they continued. "Then rise and welcome to your new family! You may start moving into the valley when ever you want there is plenty of room but be warned Cerulean is not the only dragon living in the valley." The small group looked at her with awe as they rose to their feet. "When you move in we will expect you to start your training. You will train us in your skills as we will train you in ours. Don't worry if not everyone can do magic or not, there is enough training in other things to compensate." Seran explained to the small group. They nodded then bowed respectfully to their new clan leaders and their queen. They then took what fobs they needed and left the room. Rohn glaring at them as they left. Aran watched them as well but for a different reason. Aran's eyes glowed with the burning heat of longing. He turned and stared at the pod of children a soft smile on his face. No one in the group noticed but Kajri she watched him her eyebrow raising. Her attention was soon drawn to the battle between her son and her friend and ruler. No one noticed the entrance of King Oberon as he stepped from the shadows near the throne. "Rohn I realized you were worried for my safety and the safety of the throne and I commend you for that. _HOWEVER_, I have given Nodoka and Seran the right to allow who they wish into their clan! Those becoming a part of the Aurora house know up front what is expected of them as promised by Nodoka and Seran. _Do not_ interfere again." The queen told him her eyes narrowing with anger. "Your majesty I apologize for my outburst, but I could not let you make another mistake that could destroy your throne and plunge Illondra in to civil unrest." Rohn answered her his eyes cold and hard. "What mistakes are you talking about?" The deep voice behind them asked. Rohn turned to see the king standing behind him, his unwanted presence was evident in Rohn's eyes. Rohn however was smart enough not to say anything. Oberon did not miss the look though and silently vowed to keep an eye on the high elf. He watched as Rohn turned toward the pod and pointed with disgust. "ALLOWING THE CAUSE OF YOUR SON'S DEATH TO LIVE! NOT ONLY LIVE BUT TO BECOME A _WELCOMED_ PART OF OUR WORLD!" Rohn's face was distorted into a mask of pure rage. Rohn put all his anger at his queen, all the stupid mistakes she had made into this one mistake. When she married the King of the Shadow Realm. When she brought not only Ranko but Nodoka to this world. When she gave Nodoka the position he coveted. The banishment of his wife and her friends. The list was extensive but mostly all little slights. Such as not agreeing with him when he knew she should. The group turned toward the pod, when a tiny whimper escaped its walls followed by a deep 'shh'. Nodoka and Seran turned back toward Rohn their glares as cold as ice. Rohn ignored them as they were nothing to him. His gaze fell on his queen. He took a step back when he saw she that she glowed a bright blue. Her eyes burned with blue fire. Her magical aura growing so strong a small breeze was moving her hair and ruffling her dress slightly. "It seems this is where I left it years ago!" The voice was deep and booming, it held sadness and anger. "TUIK!" Kajri yelled and ran toward the man that just entered the throne room. Tuik stood 6' 5" tall and had long silver gold hair that went to his waist. He wore it in a tight braid with a jade ring comb locking the braid in place. His eyes were pale sky blue and filled with warmth. His features were hansom with the sharp angular structure of the high elf. His build was muscular like a warrior. He wore black leather pants tucked into calf high hard soled boots of the same color. He wore a light blue satin shirt that was wore loosely and tucked into the pants. Over the shirt he wore a cotton royal blue vest that went down to his ankles and was trimmed in silver. Tuik gathered his wife into his arms and kissed her passionately. He seemed to forget where he was. A cough and a disgusted grunt brought his attention to his best friend Oberon and his angry son Rohn. He stepped forward his arm wrapped around the waist of his wife. When a quacking stopped him up short. He looked down and saw two kittens sniffing at his black leather boots and a sapphire blue duck flapping its wings and glaring at them. To Tuik it looked as if the duck was scolding the two. A sly smile crossed his lips as he watched the duck herd the reluctant kittens back toward a fluttercorn and a conversion pod. His eyes widened at the rare sight of the fluttercorn. The quacking again drew his attention to the blue duck as it _lectured_ the two kittens. Tuik's eyes suddenly narrowed and a dark green magical aura sprang up around him. He pushed his wife behind him and a dark green ball of magical lightning formed in his hand. He drew it back his gaze firmly fixed on the duck. Rohn watched a sardonic smile on his face. "TUIK NO!" Kajri saw what her husband intended and tired to stop him. The two kittens saw and jumped in front of the duck and began to grow into their saber tooth tiger forms their eyes glowed with rage. Kiri joined them trying to protect her friends bonded. Kajri had a hold of Tuik's hand his eyes flashing rage as he tried to pull it free to destroy what his magical senses were telling him was evil. "I would not recommend you harm the bonded of my daughter and son!" Tuik looked at where the voice came from. His eyes fell on a woman of exceptional beauty. Her almond shaped sapphire blue eyes giving her an exotic look. Her bright red hair fell to her ankles and flowed around her body like silk. He dispelled his spell as she and a man he knew as Seran now stood in front of the blue duck. Both took a defensive stance, as if ready to fight for the evil blue behind them. The fact the woman was brandishing a crystal glowing katana did not go unnoticed by Tuik. His eyebrow shot up as he felt the magic of Queen Tatiana coming from the sword in the woman’s hands. He looked to his wife and friends with some confusion. Oberon smirked as if to say ‘a lot has happened old friend’. "Tuik dear this is Nodoka she is _Ranma's_ mother." Tuik's eyes widened in shock then turned to the queen and king. The royal couple nodded at him with a warm smile. Rohn snarled and turned and walked away in an angry huff. The group watched him leave many with looks of anger some with sadness and one with suspicion. Tuik turned his gaze back to Seran and Nodoka confusion still the strongest emotion on his face. "Why do you protect a blue dragon!" It was more of a statement of shock then a question. "I will explain husband come let us walk for a few moments. If we may, your majesties we will return shortly." Titiana and Oberon nodded their consent and watched as the two elves left deep in conversations. The group turned to stare at the blue duck trying to go after Tuik but being held in place by the saber tooth Lava and Frost. A loud deep laugh drew their attention to the exit Kajri and Tuik took. Smile adorning their faces. The next noise caused the group to scowl at Rohn. "ROHN'S WIFE DID WHAT!?" The anger was evident in the shout and Rohn seemed to try to meld into the shadows. "WHERE ARE THEY I'M GOING TO KILL THEM!" The rage in the voice was unmistakable as was the small scuffle to prevent Tuik's return.