Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Thirty Six The family of Ran Koh and Ryoga are still waiting at the Nekohanten. Ku Lon looks up at a nearby clock it is nearly midnight. They know they were told not to wait up, but no one wants to leave. The Takashi's and Dr. Cassia found some rooms at a nearby hotel, for the next few days, but they are still waiting with the rest for the sect members to return. Mas Cra goes to La Si and Xian Pu who have fallen a sleep sitting at the table, she tries to get them to go on to bed but they refuse, they want to be there too. She was about to insist when, Mirako screams and jumps out of her seat. "AAAAAHHHHH!" Mirako jumps on top of her chair looking around on the floor. "A MOUSE! A MOUSE JUST RAN OVER MY FEET!" She screams while holding on to the chair and looking for the little vermin. "We _do not_ have mice, young lady!" Mas Cra states with a twinge of anger. Just then Taji jumps and screams then was soon followed by her eldest daughter. Taji like Mirako was on top of her chair. Nodoka however was use to the little critters since she was the one to take care of them in Genma's absent. She never could bring herself to kill them so she would catch them, then release them in a field near her home. Nodoka looks under the table for the unwanted visitor when something jumps on her back, with sharp claws. Standing up quickly with a screech the intruder goes flying back toward the kitchen. "KEEP THAT VARMINT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!" Screams both of the Joketsuzoku elders as they follow the flying invader. The two old women stop short when a hand reaches out and catches the flying animal, then Ryoga steps into the dinning room holding a wide-eyed Cali. He can feel her heart pounding rapidly in her chest. She looks at the people in the room who just stare at her dumb founded. "Sorry about that she got away from me, she was just so excited to home." Ryoga explains while petting the kitten. {Ooo, poppa Ryoga can I do that again, that was fun!} Cali asks Ryoga as she looks around the room at all the people staring strangely at her. {Maybe later Cali.} Ryoga chuckles while he pets the small kitten. He enters the restaurant followed closely by fourteen others three of which are being supported into the room. Michael helping Ran Koh, Ukyo helps Samuel and Taj helping Alex. Nodoka runs to her daughter taking her other side and helping Michael get her to an empty table. All the other Light Warriors join her. Everyone notices the pendants hanging from the weaken people, Dr. Tofu, Mirako, and Cassia each take one of the seemingly injured people and began to examine them. Mirako and Tofu know write away that the problem was not a physical one. Dr. Cassia is confused as to how they know this with out x-rays and a host of other tests. "Doctor, there are other ways in diagnosing a patient, ways that modern medicine would rather forget. You may want to train with Mirako and Tofu starting today, you may not get as proficient as they are but it should help a great deal." Elder Mas Cra tells the MD, who looks at her with a scowl. "They have all received a magical overload, but it seems to be settling down, though I think the three of them will be more powerful now." Mirako tells the group of worried friends and family. "What do you mean 'magical overload' there is no such thing as magic!" Cassia growls out at the young female doctor. Five people in the room begin to laugh; Cassia looks to Ku Lon, Mas Cra, Alex, Samuel and Ran Koh. Ku Lon steps up to the confused doctor. She points to the burnt out husk of the private dining room. "That was caused by a fireball spell gone wrong. After what you went through on the plane you are going to deny that magic exists." Cassia opens his mouth to make a retort when he slams it shut. His eyes' going wide when he looks down and sees himself rising off the floor by about ten inches and then lowered again. The exertion for Alex who cast the spell is evident while he switches back to his true form. "I think we need to get these three some rest, elder may we borrow two rooms for Alex and Samuel? We will get them settled then answer all your questions." Ryoga asks while raising his hand to stem the flow of questions. "Very well nephew, you can show them to the suites on your floor, we will be waiting anxiously for your return." The entire party tries to lead the three wizards out. "_No_!" We are not going; we have too much to do to worry about us feeling a little tired. We will be fine, now lets get started." Samuel says slamming his hand down on the table. "I agree, we first need to be introduced to our new allies, but we are not invalids." Alex agreeing, gives Ryoga a don't baby me look. "What do you say Ran Koh we heard from the other two mages what is your opinion." Ryoga asks his soul mate as she stares at the pendant around her neck, slowly raising her head she answers. "Ryoga when have you ever known me to allow something to stop me? I know it has been a long time between when we knew each other and Jusenkyo but you have shared my thoughts, my..grandmother's thoughts. There is too much we need to do and time is short, you know that. I am afraid I must agree with the other magic wielders and if you think about it you will too." She finishes with a single tear stream down her face. Ryoga was about to complain when he remembers what they learned at Ran Koh's laboratory. The scare the three magic users gave the other light warriors still vivid, and still it is because of those damn monks. ***Flashback*** The 'Warrior's of the Light' rush to the sides of their fallen comrades glad to be released from their chairs. They gather around the unconscious forms of their friends, turning them over. They stare at what is around each of their necks. All three wore almost identical pendants on a thirty-six inch braided chain of copper, gold and silver. The pendant is formed from the same braided material and was in the shape of a round edged triangle. Each side of the pendant is three inches long and about a half an inch from the top on the inside is an unknown stone a half inch across. It is held into the open design only by a series of braid strands giving it a starburst look. At the top are three short stands one attaching to the center of the top point, and one each connecting the sides. On the bottom portion there are five braided strands. One goes from the center bottom of the stone to the center of the bottom of the triangle. Two more strands stretch to the two lower corners and the final two strands attach a third of the way up from the bottom on each of the sides. The gems measure a half an inch across and they continually flash coppery red, golden white, and slivery black. The only differences between the amulets are at the top point is a small circle of the braided metals, which surround a Tao symbol a quarter inch across. Attached to the back of the symbol is a loop of the same metal as the rest of the amulet for the thirty-six inch chain to go through. The Tao symbol matches the sect that the wizard is a part of. The three unconscious leaders begin to stir and their teammates help them too shaky feet. They pause when they hear the chanting, it sounds so far away, then the three leaders of the monks can be heard. "The Amulets are a gift from the original three warriors, they carry in them the essence that was them. As long as the mages wear the amulet the 'Warrior's of the Light' will continue to stay young and fight the evil about to come. The pendants will also increase the wizards magical powers but only when fighting 'He who Devours the Light'." Then the chanting and voices stop. ***End Flashback*** The warriors gather around the three mages and Ryoga begins the introductions. All but Hiroshi and Mirako raise an eyebrow when Ukyo Kounji is introduced. When the last member is about to be introduced the Phoenix warriors surround him protectively. Ryoga looks at this with some confusion, but Ran Koh understands. Ran Koh stands and although shaky takes a formal air in her stance. She bows deeply to the two matriarchs then to her Uncle Hiroshi. She next bows to her grandparents then her mother following with Hayashi and Mirako. "I Ran Koh as an Amazon daughter, may request the induction of others into the tribe, is that not so Elder Ku Lon?." She looks at the elder and sees the confusion cross her face. Then Ku Lon reluctantly nods. "I am also permitted to choose the tribe they will belong to since the Chinese Amazons have acknowledged their Japanese cousins, is that correct as well?" Now both elders are showing signs of confusion and suspicion. "Yes, child that is true. Where are you going with this line of questioning?" Mas Cra answers, then asks her own question. "I ask because in order to fight what we must I must train the martial artists in this group and that includes using Amazon techniques. Please let me finish." Ran Koh holds up her had to stem the protests forming on the lips of the old women. "We are fighting an evil eons old that comes back time and again to try and destroy our world any advantage we can have will possibly save our entire world. Will you deny us this ability?" Ran Koh asks them with a raised eyebrow. The Chinese Amazons look at the young girl with contemplative looks. Ku Lon can since something is off about this confrontation. She knows they are trying to hide something from her until they get the answer they want. She also knows that the Amazon counsel has given her control of what happens here in Japan. "Very well Ran Koh, I am sure you will tell us what you have learned, but yes your companions will now be part of the Amazons." She states with a shocked glare from Mas Cra. "That is not enough Elder." Ran Koh answers with a shake of her head, both elders look at her with icy stares. "I want the 'Warrior's of the Light under the Japanese Amazon tribe. After all we can't just be one clan." She says with a disarming smile, she hopes. "It is alright with us, if they so choose, they may be a part of the Japanese tribe." Taji spoke for her family, knowing that as a matriarchal society it would be her decision the Amazons would want. Ku Lon and Mas Cra look from Ran Koh and the Phoenix sect, they know that somehow they are pulling something over on them. They just don't know what it could be. They were tempted to say no, but then that would leave the Amazons without access to this group of powerful warriors. Some of which has already shown interest in some of their warriors. The matriarchs watch while Ran Koh works hard to maintain her formal stance and they both know she can't last too much longer. They then spot the other two mages each flank the weakening Ran Koh and start to glow gently their coppery red and silvery black. They each place a glowing hand on the girl, and the Amazons sit up with surprise as Ran Koh visibly gets stronger and begins to glow golden white. Their Tao symbols glowing brightly. Ku Lon looks to Mas Cra who nods her consent, then Ku Lon turns back to the warriors. "We feel we are over a barrel here child, but the Chinese Amazons agree to your terms, the "Warrior's of the Light' are now Amazons and members of the Japanese tribe." Ku Lon finishes with a bow, Mas Cra also bows, they notice many of the members breath a sigh of relief. "All of them!" Ran Koh states emphatically, her eyes blazing with lavender fire, as she stares at the elders. "All of them." Mas Cra answers her with a slight shutter, Ran Koh finally relaxes and her counter parts sit back down. "Then to introduce the last member of the Phoenix sect." The Amazons gape for they knew they had been had. "AAIIYAA! It be Msu Tsu!" Xian Pu shouts while raising a bonari and lunges for the final member. She never makes it, a sword is placed at her throat and she looks into the fiery ice blue eyes of Keitaro at the other end of said sword. She gulps, then lets her temper flare at the _male'_ audacity to pull a weapon on her. "_Do not_ even think it girl." Keitaro tells her with a look that says you'd be dead before you even move. The elders glare straight at Ran Koh then to Msu Tsu. They both smile sweetly, while the light warriors gather tightly around them. The Takashi clan and new allies look back and forth between Ran Koh, Msu Tsu and the elders. The other Amazon warriors although are angry their leaders have been trick are inwardly cheering for the light warriors. "You _tricked us_ girl, you knew he was outcast!" Mas Cra spit venomously at the sorceress. "Which does not alter the fact that he is a 'Warrior of the Light" and needed if we are to win against 'He Who Devours the Light"!" Ran Koh argues while slamming her hand on the table, stumbling slightly in her weaken state. "What are you talking about child?" Ku Lon questions cutting of Mas Cra who glares daggers at her counter part. Ran Koh sighs she turns to Msu Tsu with a small victory smile. Then she turns to the non magical leaders for aid. She slowly falls into her chair, as her legs started to give out. Ryoga starts, he tells them what happen at the laboratory. The leaders take turns telling the story of how it all happened eight thousand five hundred years ago, and why there is a Jusenkyo. They all listen in shock especially the Amazons. They finish with the creation of the amulets the wizards are wearing and their significance. This elicits gasps from everyone. "Y..you mean your immortals!" Nodoka asks with sadness in her voice. "The pendants will keep us as we are now until we have banished 'He Who Devours the Light' at the end of the war the amulets will disappear and we will age normally again." Samuel tells them with a slowly strengthening voice. "W..Why is that necessary?" Nodoka continues feeling she is losing her child to a life she will have no part in. "The wars usually last for decades sometimes it has last centuries. It is not prudent to have to create new 'Warriors of the Light during a war." Msu Tsu answers her with a reassuring smile. Msu Tsu shudders as he has brought his presence back to the attention of the warriors. Ku Lon in side is happy to see the boy and notices he is not wearing glasses. Mas Cra scowls at the _blind_ boy with open hostility. [We should have killed him when we had the chance.] She thinks while watching him closely. "If you try Elder Mas Cra then you will bring the wrath of the 'Warrior of the Light' down on you and the Chinese Amazons, Msu Tsu is part of us we are a family unit now and we will protect our own." Ran Koh tells the elder with lavender fire glowing in her eyes. "Why are you so angry with the boy cousin, what has he done?" Hiroshi asks his Cousin Ku Lon. "HE LIVES! THAT IS WHAT HE HAS DONE!" Mas Cra screams, Xian Pu nodding her agreement, the other Amazons looking sadly at the young warrior. "I am afraid that because of Msu Tsu's poor eyesight he is not considered worthy to an Amazon, but because his great grandmother is head of the Amazon counsel she was able to get him banishment instead of death. A decision I still feel was unnecessary his skills as a Hidden Weapons Master would have strengthened the skills of our warriors, but I was out voted." Ku Lon said giving Msu Tsu a sad smile. "_Great grandmother_ you vote keep stupid Msu Tsu in tribe to continue bother Xian Pu?" Xian Pu asks in shock. "You do not have to worry about that any longer Xian Pu, although I still love you, I now know there is no love in you for me, I have moved on. My new family has helped me not only with my eyes but with my pain." Msu Tsu tells the purple hair Amazon with a sad look. Xian Pu looks at him disbelieving, and is about to retort when Keitaro holds up a hand to stop her. He then turns to the young Chinese boy, ice blue eyes meet sad gray ones. "This is getting us no where, Mousse is now under our jurisdiction he is a Japanese Amazon, and he is now a Takashi. We will not follow an out dated law that demands expulsion or death because of a handicap." Keitaro finishes looking at his wife, who nods her ok. "Hey now I have two brothers, ooh I'm in trouble when I start to date!" Ran Koh complains with a cheeky grin, the others in the room save Mas Cra and Xian Pu start to laugh. "You all fail to notice that Mousse no longer has a handicap." Taj tells them while putting a reassuring hand on Msu Tsu's shoulder. "_What_?" The Amazon elders ask with shock. "_Huh?_" Comes a myriad of responses from the other Amazons as they all stare at the Chinese boy. "My family is a wealthy Greek Import/Export company maybe you heard of it, Baccus International? I paid to have Mousse's eyesight repaired, and although we thank you Mr. Takashi for your offer but Mousse was adopted by my family about a year ago. He is my brother, and one I am proud to have." Alex tells them with a smug grin. Mas Cra stares at the boy in question with surprise then she narrows her eyes and lashes out with her staff, knowing that he will not be able to stop what she knows he can not see. Her staff is met by a set of crossed claw blades attached to Msu Tsu's own hands. Msu Tsu smiles at the old woman his eyes flashing with a burning fire. "Since my eyesight has improved I have been better able to utilize my Amazon training and increase my efficiency with them." Msu Tsu snarls at the old woman across from him. Mas Cra leans back with a sly grin on her face. She then turns to Ku Lon and speaks with deliberate malice in her voice. The other Amazons are shocked at what she says. "We have expelled him from our tribe we will not allow him the rights of the Amazons. His eyesight may have been repaired but the tainted genes are still present." She finishes looking back at the Chinese boy. "It is to late elder, _you_ and Ku Lon have already agreed that the 'Warriors of the Light' are _ALL_ Amazons under the Japanese tribe. We need to get past this Elder Mas Cra, there is a being coming who will destroy us all whether we can see or not, and your isolation in China will not protect you. You can be sure that he knows of your tribe, the Musk, and Mt. Phoenix, and he will eliminate you all quickly to prevent your involvement in this war." Ran Koh states with a solemn expression; mixed with the pain they all felt for the lives that will be lost. Mas Cra is about to respond when she stops and thinks about everything that they have learned and what Ran Koh has just said. Although she didn't want to she must agree with the re-born sorceress. She would never be able to forgive herself if she is the cause of the destruction of her beloved Amazon tribe. Her eyes widen with realization when the rest of Ran Koh's words form in her mind. She looks to the white hair girl with disbelief, and receives a confirming nod. "You are not saying that we must...!" Mas Cra can not complete the sentence, it is two frightening to believe. "Yes I am, we need to build an army the 'Warriors of the Light' can not do this alone, and as much as grandmother Ra Koh is hating this idea, we must contact the Musk and Phoenix mountain for warriors. The other races will no longer aid us." Ran Koh continues with determination, causing gasps of shock from all the Amazons present. /*\*/*\ Nabiki lays on the sofa in the small apartment she is now staying in, sleep evading her every attempt. She will now have to give over control of her business to her second in command. She can no longer afford to be a part of that life. Nabiki sighs deeply, she does not like being manipulated this way. Her life has changed so drastically since the day she first met the Amazons, but is this for the better or the worst. She thinks back to when her life first changed. ***Flashback*** "Poppa where is momma?" A seven-year-old Nabiki asks while her father holding her hand tightly leads her and Kasumi down a long corridor, Akane being carried in his arms. Nabiki looks around the stark white halls, she wrinkles her nose at the smell of disinfectant. A younger Soun takes them to the far end of the hallway to a closed door. Nabiki looks up at her father and sees a tear slowly roll down his face. Her father sees her looking at him and smiles brightly for her, the smile never reaches his eyes. "We're going to visit your momma, so be on your best behavior, ok?" He tells his daughters. "We will father." Responds Kasumi from behind him, he turns slightly and smiles at her. They then enter the room, it is dark, the only light coming from the windows at the far end. Much of that light is blocked by half drawn shades. The whirring, buzzing and beeping of machines can be heard. The last half of a bed sticks out from a partially pulled curtain. "Kimeko? You a..awake d..dear?" Soun asks through halting breaths. "Yes, dear I am." Soun can barely hear the reply of his dying wife. Soun pushes Nabiki and Kasumi toward the bed, Akane still in his arms her arms wrapped tightly around his neck while she buries her face in his shoulder. He slowly strokes her back, in a gesture to reassure her. The family rounds the curtain and sees a very gaunt, pale woman. Her once lustrous black blue hair now limp and lifeless. Her once bright expressive eyes now dull, and expressing emotions of sadness, despair, and guilt. When she sees her daughters the missing light returns to her eyes as she holds out her arms to her children. Nabiki and Kasumi run to their mother and Soun puts Akane down on the bed to be with her mother. They all hold on to her crying. They don't know why but they know that this will be the last time they see her. They don't understand it, but they sense the finality of this moment. Kimeko hugs her daughters and kisses each of them tenderly. She strokes their faces and hair, making sure she remembers every detail of them. The face which a moment before was pale and gaunt now seems so full of life and love while she holds her children close to her. "Oh, my babies you have grown so much. I am so proud of you, my three little angels." She tells them as she begins to kiss them all over again. One of the monitors starts to beep frantically, soon several nurses and a doctor enter the room, they usher the family out but Soun refuses to leave. One of the nurses takes the girls to the waiting room and has a volunteer stay with them. Soun finally comes to the waiting room after about a half-hour, he his pale, his eyes full of tears. "Can we go see momma again poppa?" Nabiki asks worry creasing her brow, Soun takes a deep breath. "No biki-chan, momma has gone to visit the angels, come we must go home now." The girls follow their father out, all three in tears, but only Kasumi is old enough to understand. Days later the family gathers at a grave site, the rain pouring down drenching everything. They say their final good-byes to the mother and wife they loved. Nabiki stares coldly at the granite tombstone, her emotions buried deep inside her. When they leave she is the only one that does not look back. ***End Flashback*** Nabiki sighs while a tear slowly travels down her face, that was the first major change in her and in her life. While she slowly closes her eyes she hopes this new change will be better than the first. She silently whispers as sleep takes her. "Forgive me momma, I love you!" She then falls into deep sleep.