Ranma 1/2: Ranma of Grayskull Crossover: Masters of the Universe By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Six Cologne follows behind the three fiancées of Ranma Saotome, she watches them closely, and her eyebrow rises as she watches the tense friendship starting between the girls. Maybe there is a way to capitalize on the budding friendship. The group reaches the Saotome home in time to see the electronics van pull away. "I wonder what they were here for?" Akane asks while she watches the van disappear. The small group enters the compound and heads for the front door. Akane knocks and waits for a response. When the door opens a red eyed Nodoka answers. She glares at the three girls then at the old Amazon. She steps back and bids the group to enter. Ukyo and Akane remove their shoes, while Shampoo is about to go into the house when her grandmother stops her. She points with her staff at the young Amazon's shoes, Shampoo looks up embarrassed an removes them. She puts them next to her great grandmothers. Nodoka escorts her guests into the living room then excuses herself. She returns a few moments later with a pot of tea, cups and a plate of cookies. She sits down and serves her guest, Cologne first then Akane, Ukyo, and Shampoo. She finally serves herself some tea then sits back and waits for Cologne to start. /*\*/*\ Cologne looks around the small house while Nodoka serves the tea. She sees the katana Ranma had given her on the mantle a smile crossing her wrinkled face. She then notices the laptop and a large folder sitting next to it. She notices the on the front of the cover the same emblem that was on the van that was pulling away when they arrived. Cologne notices that Nodoka is finishing serving the tea, and she is waiting for the elder to start. Cologne takes a deep breath and pulls out her notes. She looks up at the mother of Ranma and gives her what she hopes is a sincere smile. The scowl told her it wasn't working. "I have some information on what happen to son-in-law and am willing to share information, if you will do the same." Cologne tells the Saotome matriarch. "WHAT!" Come the simultaneous shouts from Ukyo and Akane, Nodoka raises her hand to silence the two girls. "What do you want, elder?" Nodoka asks the ancient Amazon who smiles believing she has won, Ukyo and Akane glare at Ranma's mother. "Son-in-law will marry Shampoo, when he returns and he will come to the village and take his place a her husband." Cologne tells her, with narrowed eyes. Both Ukyo and Akane glow with battle auras, Shampoo looks at her grandmother with a look that crosses between happiness, and disbelief. Nodoka rises from the sofa and heads for her desk to retrieve a large express mail packet. She returns a determined smile on her face. She sits down everyone staring at the packet she holds. She pulls out a scroll wrapped in a red ribbon, with a pendant of cross swords hanging from it. Cologne and Shampoo's eyes widen with surprise. "My son told you he read your law book on the Internet, well he read it before he left for his training trip. When he left he sent his findings to the Amazon village. I can see by your expressions you recognize the seal of the Amazon counsel." She tells them holding up the scroll so the crossed swords dangle in front of the two Amazons. "An amazing thing happened they not only agreed that he is an Amazon but that even if he wanted to he can't marry your granddaughter." Nodoka smiles at the looks of shock on all their faces. "Airen's mother lie, Shampoo only one right for husband!" Shampoo rages getting to her feet, Cologne touches a spot on her back and she falls back into the chair, glaring daggers at her grandmother. "Why would the counsel decree that Mrs. Saotome? _Son-in-law_ has been married to Shampoo since he defeated her all that needs to take place is the signing of a document and consummating the union." She explains with a sly smile. "Well it seems that when Ranma first beat your granddaughter it was as a girl. Her beat her a dozen more times while she tried to fulfill the Kiss of Death. He then beat her again by interfering with her fight with Akane. Now according to the ancient law since he was female when he first won against her in that form that takes precedence. Which means Shampoo should have killed him. However, since he is a Jusenkyo victim, it overrides that 'Kill the Outsider Female' law. You do understand don't you Cologne? Your granddaughter attacked another Amazon, many time which make her unworthy in the eyes of your laws." Everyone face faults and Cologne begins to sweat. "Ahh, I see you do understand. Many on your counsel believe you knew of these ancient laws and where trying to save Shampoo by getting her married to my son before the other counsel members found out. Well it is to late, there is only one way to save your granddaughter and you know it Cologne, and bartering for my son is not one of them." Cologne snatches the scroll from Nodoka's hands and tears off the ribbon. Cologne scans the scroll and she pales as she reads the document. Her granddaughter tries to read the document from her chair where her paralyzed legs refuse to move. Akane and Ukyo just stare dumb founded at what is happening before them. The one thing they know for sure is Shampoo is out of the running for Ranma. "I have no choice, do I? If I go against the counsel both I and my granddaughter will be hunted down and killed." Cologne states with a look of defeat. "WHAT? ARE YOU NUTS THEY WOULDN'T..COULDN'T DO THAT!" Shampoo's new friends scream, while taking up a defensive position around Shampoo. "Yes they would but I won't give them the opportunity. The command says another elder is coming to help us return home. So before she gets here which if I judge right by the date of this missive she will arrive today." Cologne tells them as she looks up from the document. "I Cologne in accordance with Amazon law claim the Jusenkyo cursed victim Ranma Saotome as my daughter/son. I claim Ranma as a female as it was that form that beat an Amazon first." Cologne then pulls a small knife from her sleeve and made a cut in her finger she then signs the missive in her own blood. She then hands the document to Shampoo who looks at her grandmother with stubbornness and defiance. She shakes her head and turns away from her grandmother. Cologne lowers her head and for the first time in Shampoo's memory, her grandmother cries. "Shampoo love Airen grandmother can no give him up." She tells her grandmother with a sad smile. "It seems to me child that you are just getting him in a different way. You will always be a part of his life as his sister, but if you do not sign that contract you will be nothing for the elder coming today will not leave Japan with you alive." Nodoka tells her with icy calmness, that would make Nabiki proud. Shampoo looks at Nodoka then her grandmother a single tear escapes, as she nods. She takes the contract and skims it briefly. Then looks up to those present, she takes a deep sigh, before she speaks. "I Shampoo, in accordance with Amazon law and as my grandmother's only living heir, except the Jusenkyo cursed Ranma Saotome as my sister. She will be my sister in blood, in war, in peace and as part of my family." Shampoo then cuts her finger and signs her name to the document as well. Akane and Ukyo could not contain themselves as they begin to jump up and cheer. The three woman stare at them Shampoo with a betrayal, Cologne with indignation and Nodoka with disgust. "I don't know why you two are so happy Ranma has already told you he will never marry either of you and as his new grandmother, I will not permit it. Girls marrying girls is frowned on in our village even if there is a curse involved." Ukyo and Akane stop cheering and turn to glare at the new voice. /*\*/*\ When the Sorceress returns to Ranma-chan's room Battlecat is awake and peeking into the room. She walks up behind him and looks into the room, she sees her guest sitting up in bed looking around with trepidation and curiosity. She notices the lightening has disappeared. She walks past Battlecat making him jump and enters the room. <"Good, morning dear how did you sleep?"> She asks the young girl, who just looks back at her with a blank stare. <"I am sorry, I forgot you can not understand me."> She continues in a soft gentle voice. The Sorceress reaches into a drawer in a desk that was in the room and removes a choker of white ribbon with an amethyst in the center of it. She walks to the cautious girl and hold the necklace out to her. Ranma-chan looks at it with distaste, and moves away from it. The Sorceress watches with confusion and holds it closer to Ranma-chan. Ranma-chan looks at the necklace then up at the bird woman. "I ain't no girl!" She tells her, only to see the look of confusion on her face. The Sorceress takes Ranma-chan's hand and places the part of the ribbon with the stone attached in her palm. She then closes Ranma- chan's fingers over it. Ranma at first tries to drop the offending object then her eyes widen when she feels the tingle rushing through. Her first thought is that this is her cure from the Jusenkyo curse and that she is now a he. When she looks down she sees it was not, because she is still female. "Are you alright?" Ranma-chan jumps at the sound of the voice and is even more shocked she understood it. "The stone you are holding is imbued with a magical spell that allows you to speak and understand any language spoken to you. It also allows you to read the languages written word. You do however have to wear the gem." The Sorceress explains to the confused girl. Ranma looks down at the choker and shudders slightly, then reluctantly puts the device around her neck. She begins to fumble with the clasp cursing under her breath. When she feels gentle fingers take hold of the devious device and clasp it for her. "Where am I?" Is Ranma-chan's first question, to the bird woman. "You are on Eternia, and this is Castle Grayskull. I am the Sorceress of Grayskull and its protector." Ranma looks at her with shock and confusion, she then stiffens and snaps her head toward the door. "T..That big c..c..cat is outside t..the d..door isn't it?" Ranma- chan asks fear shining in her eyes. "Yes he is. How do you know that?" She asks with surprise. "I went through a training technique, that allows me to sense any cats near me and allows them to seek me out. The problem is that if I can not maintain my calm the cat will take over and I will lose all conscious control of my body." She tells the Sorceress while staring at the door. "I can send him home if you wish?" The Sorceress asks the redhead. "No, I have nearly gained complete control of the Neko-ken, and if I am to be its master I need to be able to control it, even when startled by the appearance of a tiger." The Sorceress, watches her while she tries to pull her fear inside. "Alright c..cat come in I need to get this over with if I am to rule the Neko inside me!" Ranma-chan calls to the tiger on the other side of the door. /*\*/*\ Battlecat pokes his head around the corner, after hearing the conversation, he doesn't want to bring on an attack. He stares directly at the stranger, he can see her fighting to control her fear. He steps into the doorway but goes no farther until the redhead is ready for him. He watches her struggle and he notices the black glow forming around her taking the shape of a cat. The black aura starts lightly then darkens as it gains strength. He does not move and stares at her, his eyes widen when he senses the cat within her. He watches as a golden and a sapphire blue aura begin to fight the black. They start dimmer then the blazing black glow and to Battlecat it looks like they will not win. He looks to the Sorceress who stands with her arms outstretched, her eyes closed. She looks to be casting a spell, but Battlecat does not feel the mystical energies he normally does when the Sorceress uses magic. /*\*/*\ Ranma stares at the armored giant green and gold tiger. She fights to control the fear she wants to push the fear away bury it deep within her, just to get through this, but she knows she can't allow herself to just hide the fear she must conquer it or the fear will sneak back and take over her. She feels the fear rising getting stronger, and with it her determination to win. She watches as the tiger sits and waits for her to make the next move, while she struggles with the Neko. She closes her eyes and meditates on the Neko within her feeling it as it tries to push her panic over the edge. She fights it fear with her confidence, knowing she over came the Neko once to gain her first real control over it, she can do it again and finally be the master over it forever. In her mind she faces off against the Neko, its sleek black body low to the ground crouched ready to spring. Its tail swishing back and forth as it searches for a weakness in her it can exploit. Ranma stands tall, her eyes narrowing as she stares defiantly at the stalking cat. She waits for its next move knowing it will be soon. The Neko lunges at Ranma its claws outstretched ready to rake her soul and push into his power. Ranma feels the fear growing as the cat comes toward her in slow motion, her survival and those of the people she may someday help depends on her winning this final battle against the cat fist. As the cat comes closer Ranma feels her confidence wrap around her like a protective blanket, and she feels something else courage and strength. She faces the cat her eyes glowing with fire. The cat attacks her. She grabs its front paws and then lifts one foot to its stomach, she falls backward. She lifts her arms and pushes with her raised leg throwing the cat behind her. The Neko hits the ground behind Ranma and somersaults several times before it can right itself. The cat spins to face the redhead as she faces it. The cat bares its fangs as Ranma takes a ready stance, she knows if she is to win this battle she must do it on her own without any help, but she is so unsure if she can win. The fear begins to build and her eyes widen as the Neko gets bigger. [WHOA! How did that happen?] She wonders as the cat nearly doubles in size. Ranma's mind begins to work fast, she prides herself on her ability to develop strategies on her feet, but her mind comes up blank. She can not think clearly as her fear grows with the size of the Neko in front of her. /*\*/*\ The Sorceress watches her charge, her magic senses picking up the same evil from the night before. She knows the girl has to over come this evil on her if she is to survive, but maybe she might be able to help someway. The Sorceress closes her eyes and raises her wing covered arms. She calls upon the power of Grayskull to allow her to follow the child into her mind as an observer. In the corner of Ranma's mind a falcon lands on a boulder surrounding the battle field between her and the black cat. The falcon is white with red wings and blue piping. She watches the fight closely using her magically enhanced senses. The fight seems even to the watcher until the cat begins to grow, the Sorceress narrows her eyes and concentrates on the growing black cat. She feels the fear from the young girl, then the birds eyes widen, as she realizes what is making the cat grow. [Child, it is your fear that feeds the cat. The more you fear it the larger it will get, and the larger he gets the more you fear it.] The bird mentally tells the martial artist before her. The girl stops with eyes shut she begins to glow, blue and gold. Her eyes snap open and rage with golden blue fire. A cocky smile appears on her face as she hears the words in her mind, and pulls tightly around her, the power of her confidence, courage and strength. Her fiery gaze falls upon the cat which stands ready to take its prize. The redhead takes a stance ready to meet the cat head on. The glow around her flares even brighter the falcon can feel the power of her confidence filling the void, and she smiles, not being able to help herself feel proud of the girl before her. The cat falters when a third glow starts to from around her one the color of jade. The falcon's eyes go wide when she magically senses it is the same power the girl is fighting, but this time it feeds off the girls confidences, courage and strength and is there to aid her not destroy her. /*\*/*\ Battlecat watches the redhead with eyes wide, he can sense the power of the cat within her, and this cat is not really evil, it just lacks understanding that she is in control not him. Battlecat also knows that if the girl can not reign the cat in she will lose her life to this cat. With the power of Grayskull surging through his veins Battlecat slowly advances on the meditating girl. He moves in closer slowly as not to frighten her any more. He can feel the fear growing in her, he is sure it is because she can sense him coming closer. When he reaches the bed her crawls up next to her and wraps himself around her like armor. He then calls upon the power that makes him Battlecat and forces it into the girl. He smiles when he not only sees but senses her confidence spring to life, with a sapphire blue light. He marvels when a golden light soon follows his smile widens even more when with the gold light comes her courage and strength. He gasps when he sees in the mirror across from her, that her eyes snap open and reveal a golden blue fire raging there. Battlecat sense that the other cat is still much more powerful since it controls her power of the cat, he knows he must give her that power back to win and conquer the cat. Battlecat pushes more of the power of Grayskull that makes him who he is into the girl. He pushes a part of his very soul into her. He stares wide eyed as a green the color of him beings to form around her. He keeps the power flowing into her. He does not notice that he too begins to glow. "Come Neko, be a part of us fight with us, we can not win without you!" Battlecat starts when the girl begins to speak. Battlecat feels the first attack of the cat, as he takes a swipe at the girls soul, trying to tear it apart. He feels the power of the cat he has given her block the attack and fight back. The tiger wishes he can actually see the battle instead of just feeling the conflict. He feels that his donated power has done damage to the other cat. "I don't want to have to destroy you! Together we can live a long happy life for the both of us!" She tries to coax the cat within her. Battlecat feels her power up ready to continue the fight with the cat from within. He then feels the cat's power increasing in her. He watches as the jade green glow darkens to black. Be breaths a sigh of relief as he feels the cat join with his host. He pulls back his power and collapses with exhaustion, not realizing he is no longer Battlecat. /*\*/*\ Ranma comes out of her meditation, a smile on her face as she feels the power of the full Neko-ken a true part of her. She puts her hand down on the bed beside her, trying to stabilize herself since she feels a little weak. She freezes when her hand touches something soft, warm and furry. "AAAGGGGG!" The scream of Ranma-chan brings around the Sorceress and the large cat on the bed. "AAAGGGGG!" The tiger jumps down and crawls under the bed cowering in fear. Ranma-chan looks down to see the cat gone and jumps down from her position clutching the ceiling. The Sorceress didn't know whether to be surprised at the girls ability to cling to the ceiling some thirty feet high or to giggle at the antics of the two of them. "Child, what is your name?" She asks when Ranma-chan lands next to her, Ranma-chan looks at her remember she never did introduce herself. "I am Saotome Ranma, you may call me Ranma." She tells the bird woman while bowing deeply to her, at this point she sees the green and gold striped tail of the big cat under the bed. Ranma-chan smiles when the fear doesn't come and she reaches down and lifts the bed with one hand. The Sorceress watches with surprise when the girl does this. Ranma-chan sees the tiger cowering under the bed his front paws covering his head. Ranma- chan looks to the woman and back to the large tiger, with a confused look. "Why is he so frightened now, and where is all his armor?" The frightened tiger turns in shock to stare at the redhead, as did the Sorceress. "This is Cringer the pet of Prince Adam. Battlecat has left he is the fighting companion of He-Man." The Sorceress tries to cover up the fact somehow Battlecat reverted back to Cringer. "Well actually ma'am they are one and the same!" She tells the Sorceress politely. "How do you know that?" Comes the deep voice from behind the two women.