Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Twenty Seven Nodoka, reels from Ku Lon's accusations, while she watches her child disappear, followed by her brother. Her heart twisting in her chest. She realizes what Genma has cost her, and what she has thrown away. She stands with her head bowed, her hands clenched into fists, and her body shaking with pain filled sobs. She then catches movement out of the corner of her eye and turns, to see Genma being helped to his feet by Soun. Her heart burns with such an intense rage, she has never felt this much anger, it overwhelms her, coursing through every part of her being, even deep into her soul. Nodoka wants satisfaction; she wants restitution for her wasted life and that of her son. She turns to walk towards her husband, sword drawn and ready for use. Her eyes burning with the fire of pure rage. Genma starts to sweat as Nodoka draws near, her sword raised for the killing blow. "You _will honor_ the pact you signed, you _BASTARD_, for _destroying_ my son!" Nodoka draws the katana's razor sharp edge back, with tears overflowing, her teeth clenched, and her mouth in a vicious snarl. She brings the katana forward with killing force and speed. There is a collective gasp as the katana heads for a paralyzed Genma's neck. /*\*/*\ Michael arrives at the Nekohanten in time to see a coppery red glow, then a giant lion lands on some fat bald person trying to attack Ran Koh. He watches the scene, taking in the fact that Cy Sin has another man at bay with a large sword. He is to far away to hear what is going on but by the cat shaped aura around Ran Koh and the rage emanating from most everyone in that group, he can guess it isn't good. He then watches while Ran Koh walks up to the downed man, spitting out what he can only guess is a threat, then he watches as he leaves, turning female, and with the lion behind her. Michael watches the lion turn into an eighteen-year- old girl with shoulder length brown hair. He decides dinner can wait and follows the two girls. Michael hears the tapping of a staff behind him and knows one of the Joketsuzoku Elders is following him, he then notices movement and sees Ryoga come up beside him. "What's happening Ryoga? Who is that man, that tried to attack Ran Koh?" Michael inquires while they continue onward. Ryoga looks up to where Ran Koh is leading everyone. Then he glances at Michael. "It is a long story that will need to be discussed when Ran Koh is ready to tell it." Michael looks to the white hair girl as she traverses the stairs, he nods absently, then continues in silence. Michael picks up the sounds of another staff tapping on the tile floor, and a set of heavy footfalls. He glances back to see Ku Lon and a man of about thirty five, bringing up the rear. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh leads the party to the third floor conference room that they use for their living room. She directs everyone into to the room, making sure everybody has a place to sit, once everyone settles in, she shuts the door. Then turns to face a room full of stares, some friendly some confused, and some angry. Bowing her head slightly, Ran Koh sighs then faces to the newest person in the room. "Welcome to the 'Joketsuzoku Village', these two ladies are the Elders of the Amazons, Ku Lon and Mas Cra, they are our advisers during this monk business and yes it is because they _REALLY, REALLY_ are a lot older then they look." She smiles slyly at the too old woman, then a thud is heard when two staffs hit the floor, however, the intended target is no longer standing there. In a blur of motion Ran Koh is now on the other side of the room. She stands giggling behind her uncle; he just sits there shaking his head, while trying to hide the smile on his face. Ran Koh then turns back to her guest to continue the introductions. Placing her hand lovingly on the shoulder of her uncle, he reaches up and gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "Ku Lon is also the head of the Chinese Takashi Clan. This gentleman is Hiroshi Takashi; he is the head of the Japanese Clan. Finally those two gentlemen are Ryoga Hibiki and Michael Sanders; they are a part of what the monks are setting up. I am Ran Koh, I too am part a of this _situation_." Ran Koh finishes with a bow to the young woman, when she straightens she gives the girl a look, which seems to say; 'now it is your turn.' The young girl looks from person to person in the room; she takes a deep breath, and slumps into the sofa. "I am Anna Smyth, I saw you and um..Ryoga, in the park yesterday and followed you back here. I don't know where to go, I know your part of this stuff, I saw your symbols, but I don't know how to find the rest of my group. I am so tired of running, but with a curse where you turn into a lion, and now I am as big as a horse, it kinda makes it hard to live safely in one place for too long." It seems that all her emotions have finally found a release as the tears stream down her face. Ran Koh walks up to her, kneeling in front of the young girl, with a sincere smile of concern. Ran Koh takes the girls hands in hers and gives them a comforting squeeze. Then smiling reassuringly she tells Anna what she needs to hear. "Don't worry Anna, you can stay here, the rest of your group knows where to find you. How long have you been cursed?" Anna looks skeptically at the young woman, then smiles timidly, taking a deep breath, she wipes the tears from her red puffy eyes, she can't seem to help but like this girl. They seem to be kindred spirits although her life is not as bad as Ran Koh's it is still a hardship. Anna then looks up and stares determinedly into Ran Koh's eyes. The Amazons matriarchs and Takashi patriarch look suspiciously at Ran Koh. "That's just the problem I have been cursed for over three years, but this monk business started only a few weeks ago. These changes have been hard to deal with alone, never knowing when those damn monks were going to show up. Then there was that strange dream the other night. It really gave me mixed emotions, I freaked when I began to understand what I will need to do, but I also felt relief because I wouldn't be doing it alone. If it wasn't for that dream though, I would not have known to follow you and him." Anna finishes with a sigh, while pointing to Ryoga. Ran Koh hands Anna a box of tissues which she uses to dry her eyes and blow her nose. Anna sighs deeply, again. Trying to relax then looks to the others in the room still a little nervous. Mas Cra leans over and pats the young girl's hand as she frames her question in her mind. "Anna, child, from what we gather in the dream only those of your team were visible to you, can you tell us who to look for as to your leaders and the other cursed people?" Anna thinks for a moment, then when she is about to describe the others, she freezes as both sides of her Tao symbol flares brightly. Everyone looks away from the bright coppery red light. When the light dims, they look back and Anna is sitting there with her eyes glazed over. Mas Cra is about to shake the child to consciousness when Ran Koh grabs her hand and shakes her head no. /*\*/*\ Anna thinks about her dream getting the faces and cursed forms in her mind when she is ready to tell the others, she freezes and a deep male voice speaks to her in her mind. {Anna, _do not_ tell them anything about us just yet, Ran Koh is correct we are on our way. We will be on the plane arriving from Greece the day after tomorrow. Please bring the three members of the Tiger Sect with you when you come to meet us at the airport.} Anna is vaguely aware of her symbol glowing, while she listens to voice in her head. She tries to digest what is going on when she asks the voice. {Why can't I tell them? I am sure they will tell me of their group. Aren't we suppose to work together?} This time it's a female voice that answers Anna. The voice is soft and has motherly concern laced through it. {Yes Anna, we are suppose to work together, but we were able to sense the great pain and rage from Ran Koh a moment ago and we want to assess her in person before revealing too much.} Anna pauses before responding, she becomes vaguely aware of two bright golden white lights. She sifts in her seat since she understands what is coming next. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh watches Anna, she can sense the communication between Anna and her leaders, and she turns to Ryoga who nods that he feels it as well. They then flare their symbols, while most everyone in the room looks on with confused awe. The two Tiger leaders enter the conversation, they hear Anna being told not to say anything. Ran Koh then offers her opinion of the situation. {Do as your leaders bid you Anna, Ryoga and I will keep the others from pressuring you. Your leaders have a right to be concerned, but you have no fear from me or Ryoga.} {Thank you for understanding Ran Koh, we will see you at the airport in two days, please come with Anna alone, but bring Michael with you also. We know about your elders and we will explain all to them but we need to speak with you and your co- leader alone first.} Ran Koh listens to the deep male voice and contemplates on what needs to be done, while she thinks, she feels Ryoga's supporting strength, taking a deep breath she responds to the invisible voice. {Very well, it won't sit well with them, but we agree.} With that the link is broken and the three come out of their trance, to look at a room of concerned and curious faces. Ran Koh stands, taking a protective stance in front of Anna. She takes a deep breath, trying to get ready to explain what just happened. Ryoga moves next to her, as if drawing an unseen battle line. Anna stands next to them adding her support. Michael although curious and a little confused, feels the empathic emotions of his leaders. He senses their concern and even a little fear. He rises and joins the group of altered Jusenkyo victims. "I am afraid that Anna has been commanded by the leaders of the Phoenix sect not to answer any questions. The four of us will be meeting them in two days at the airport. They request that Ryoga, Michael and I go with Anna alone for the initial meeting." Ran Koh pauses as she watches the faces of the others, she can see the play of emotions across the other's faces. The Takashi patriarch and matriarch, look both disappointed and suspicious. While Mas Cra looks ready to explode in rage. Ran Koh sighs deeply then tries to head the explosion off. "I don't know why they request this, but as Anna's leaders it is their right. The only indication they gave was concern for the rage they sensed when I was confronted by Genma, they did not explain much as to why the private meeting first. However, they did make it clear they will come back to the Nekohanten, for a formal meeting with all of you. I am afraid you will have to settle for that at this time." Before she can say another word there is an urgent knocking at the door. They all turn in surprise, then Ryoga goes to answer the knocking. When he opens the door a harried Che Ri is standing there. She whispers to him and he stands aside to allow her to enter, closing the door behind her. /*\*/*\ While three men and a woman get on a plane in Greece, heading for Japan. Two people at the Ireland airport are also boarding a plane for the same destination. One a redheaded woman and a tall black man. While at that same moment a group of five people are boarding a plane in an airport in South America, also heading for Japan. This group consisting of three women and two men. One of the women a young girl of sixteen seems to be torn between anger, concern and fear. /*\*/*\ Genma stands transfixed while he watches the gleaming sword coming toward his unprotected neck. In Genma's mind everything is happening in slow motion, but try as he might he can not find the strength to move. Sweat is pouring from every pour, Soun stands trembling, his eyes wide and holding his breath. His daughters and Dr. Tofu are frozen with disbelief and fear, while they watch Nodoka swing the katana at her husband, using a decapitating blow. Genma faints when the blade stops just when it touches his neck. The others let out the breath they were holding, and look to see a strong hand on Nodoka's preventing her from fulfilling a decade old promise. The tears never stopping still flow freely down her cheeks. She tries to pull her hand free to finish the task, but the hand won't let go, and she breaks down crying in anguish. "_DON'T STOP ME_ I have the right, I have the right!" Nodoka repeats dropping the katana, her body shaking with sobs, she turns into the waiting embrace of her father Keitaro, and he glares at the unconscious Genma. His son Hayashi throws cold water on him. Genma wakes screaming in pain as he transforms into his panda form, he tries to steady himself, when he hears the purple hair Amazon speak to the group. "Panda-man, has Amazon punishment, we change curse for what he do cousin, only Amazon counsel can remove, but _won't_!" She smiles menacingly, at the now cringing panda. Then she turns back to the group; she smiles sweetly at her new family then turns and leaves, bouncing off to take care of the customers. Dr. Tofu walks up to the panda and examines him; he stands and shakes his head. "She is right I might have been able to remove the pain from the changes but there are shiatsu points that have been triggered I never knew existed." He said looking at the slowly standing panda, they all jump as an angry voice answers behind them. They turn to face an angry Amazon with long orange red hair. "_WHAT_ right do you have to try and end his justified punishment, _outsider_? If _you_ had removed his punishment it would have been tantamount to _declaring_ war on the Amazons to which you, your entire family and any who stand with you would be _killed_!" The whole group looks shocked at the beautiful Amazon, as she continues. "He was justly punished for his crimes against an Amazon. It is _not_ an outsiders right to determine if the punishment has been fulfilled. You would not let loose a criminal your courts convicted, so why would you try to release _him_ from his rightful punishment." Che Ri finishes pointing to the now standing panda. Most of the others contemplate what she has said. When the panda holds up a sign. /Why punish _ME_ I was just trying to fulfill that stupid promise Nodoka made me sign!/ Nodoka screams and tries to lung at the panda, her fingers ready to claw at him, but her father keeps a tight hold on her. Genma cringes and takes a step back. Nodoka cries as she tells her side of what happened ten years ago. "_NNNNOOOOOO!_ I n..never made you sign a t..thing. I w..went shopping for d..dinner when I returned, y..you had s..stolen _my son_, and left that d..damn promise in h..his place. I d..did not want a _man above men_ I w..wanted a happy child." Genma begins to sweat even more looking around for a way to escape, Nodoka turns and buries her face in her father's chest. He glares with rage at the panda before him. Che Ri looks at the crying woman with shock, she turns and leaves the restaurant. The Tendo daughters look on in disgust at the man who could do that to someone. Soun pats his friends back. Genma looks at the expressions of the people in the room, he gulps as he tries to figure a way to turn this to his advantage. Still unsteady on his feet he stumbles slightly as Soun helps to steady him. He then grins a panda grin while he holds up another panda sign. A malicious gleam in his panda eyes and an evil panda smile on his face. /*\*/*\ Che Ri takes the stairs two at a time as she makes her way up to the third floor living space. When she reaches the third floor she heads for where the meeting is being held. She knocks urgently on the door, she waits impatiently for someone to answer. Soon the door opens and Ryoga is standing there. "May I help you Cherr..I mean Che Ri?" Ryoga is still not comfortable with pronouncing the Amazons' names correctly, but he is trying. Che Ri looks at him for moment snorts a mirthless laugh, then asks. "I must speak with the elders it is important." Ryoga looks at her for a moment then stands to the side and allows her to enter. Once inside he shuts the door. He then goes to stand next to Ran Koh while she watches Che Ri talk quietly but franticly with the elders. /*\*/*\ Everyone in the room watches in confusion as Che Ri talks frantically with the Amazon Elders. The people watching take a step back when the auras' of the old women flare brightly. It is the brightest Ran Koh has ever seen Ku Lon's aura. She looks to Ryoga, who just shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head. Finally, the three warriors turn to the assembled group. Ku Lon looks directly at her Japanese counterpart of the Takashi Clan. "I am afraid we must apologize to you and your sister, cousin. It seems that when Genma signed the seppuku pact and tricked Ran Koh into put her handprint on it. His mother knew nothing of it. We now know that Genma _STOLE_ Ran Koh, he left the signed pact, then took his son and disappeared. Nodoka did not know anything about it." Ran Koh looks at her great aunt with a combination of anger and confusion, her aura appearing around her, when she asks her aunt. "Then why did I not get that bit of information from him when I read his mind?" Ku Lon thinks for a moment then tries to explain, to the confused sorceress. "I believe Genma has buried the true events so deep that his own lie has taken its place. When Ra Koh read his mind she still weak from being awoken, and only took his surface memories. She was probably so appalled by what she found, she was unable to dig deeper. _BUT_ cousin Hiroshi as long as Nodoka stays married to Genma _she_ will not be an Amazon..." Ku Lon stops talking when Ran Koh storms out of the door, her aura flaring even brighter, and beginning to darken. Ryoga follows close behind, he feels her anger rising and fears she may reach the levels she had earlier. Close behind them, is the remainder of the party. /*\*/*\ Ran Koh enters the Nekohanten her party following close behind her, Ryoga is getting nervous as he notices her aura is continuing to darken to the same purple black of before only now it is blacker. The restaurant is fairly empty; there is a lull before the next group of dinners begins to show up. She sees her mother being held tightly by her newly found grandfather. She also sees her mother is crying. Ran Koh looks to the panda and notices the sign he is holding. Her eyes narrow while her aura begins to change its shape. /It was _necessary_. _You_ would have made him weak! He is now on his way to being the greatest martial artist of his time! He _owes me_, I am the one who made him great, I made him a _man above men_, and as heir to the Anything Goes Schools. He _must_ marry a Tendo to combine the schools and _HE WILL DO JUST THAT!_/ Ran Koh clenches her fists. Her aura getting even blacker as she immerses herself deep into that black pit of anger she has kept buried. Her aura finally explodes again into her Neko-aura, she then screams at her father. "_NO! I WON'T!_" She then lets loose with a ball of chi that hits the panda in the center of his chest knocking him back into a wall. Ran Koh storms forward in her hand is something that makes Michael shudder. The Tendo daughters watch with wide-eyed fear. Although Nabiki is trying to figure how to use this to her advantage. Ran Koh bends down and grabs the panda by the gi he still wears. She then hauls him to his feet. She shakes the panda vigorously, she wants him awake for his destruction. /*\*/*\ Genma feels himself having the living daylights shaken out of him, he opens his eyes to see he is caught in the vice like grip of his child. When she has his full attention, he notices her bringing her other hand into view. Genma almost passes out again, but Ran Koh is there to keep him awake. "This _old man_ is chifire, it is one of my more lethal attacks. One I save for those that hurt my family and friends. Guess what, _old man_? You fit _both_ categories. This time I am going to finish the job at hand." Ran Koh's eyes glow with lavender fire. Genma tries to break free from Ran Koh but he is unable to move. He feels as if his limbs are bound by heavy chains. Genma can do nothing but watch while he waits for the pain to start. He watches his _son's_ facial features pass from pure rage, to disgust, to unbridled pain, then on to berserker rage. Genma gulps, then sweat begins to pour down his furry face. Everyone watching closely while the pair interacts. When suddenly Ran Koh begins to growl and Ryoga steps forward. He is stopped by the hand of Ku Lon. "No, great nephew, she must handle this, she must show mercy on her own, not that he deserves it." /*\*/*\ Ryoga looks back at Ran Koh with a look of fear and sadness, he knows something Ku Lon does not he knows unless he interferes there will be no mercy. Ryoga calls up his battle aura it's bright forest green with purple and golden white flashes blazing brilliantly. The others around him step back, he then empathetically connects with Ran Koh. He feels the rage, he explores its depths, and it is beyond anything he has ever felt before. He lets the rage wash over him, consume him totally. Those around him watch while Ryoga's aura darkens, and grows. They watch in horror as it changes shape and becomes the shape of a cat. The two matriarchs gasp and start to usher everyone away from the soul mates. Ryoga growls, and leaps for his friend and her torturer. When he enters the dining room a blackish green flash explodes behind him. Nodoka screams and breaks from her fathers grasp running toward her child. Ryoga hits Ran Koh full force pushing her into the panda, knocking the chifire from her hand, the spell flies across the room then explode, filling the room with the with the spell. The room glows and crackles with the power of the spell.