Ranma 1/2: Ranma No More Alternate History By: Dani Yanega yanega@mindspring.com (please respond to this e-mail address) Chapter Thirty Nine The 'Warriors of the Light reach the location they had the first time they came to Ran Koh's lab. Ryoga opens the trucks door, Ran Koh then like the last time cast a levitate spell on the contents, pulling them from the truck. Samuel closes the door and Michael gets ready to leave. He sticks his head out the window of the truck. "I'll be back around lunch time, I'll bring the eats." He tells them then leaves to run his business. Ryoga jumps on the building supplies while the flying animals take shape and collects their passengers. Samuel and Alex cast their levitate spells and all ascend the mountain. In the woods around the mountain a pair of glowing eyes watches them. When they reach the entrance to Ran Koh's lab, she jumps to the landing and then opens the cave. She then starts to glow, while she pulls the still floating supplies into the cave. Once they are in and to the side she lights some of the torches, wondering if there was a magical way they can be lit when they show up. When everyone enters the cave Ran Koh closes the entrance. When she comes back to the main room Ryoga has finished lighting the torches and puts a fire in the hearth. Alex and Samuel where looking over the tomes and the rest where looking over the designs Ryoga and she worked out for the walkways. "Ran Koh I thought you said your tomes were falling apart?" Alex asks while gently removing one of her spell books. "They are. They're over fifteen hundred years old some even older by several thousand years." She tells him coming over to check the tome. "Well then when the monks left us all these books they restored yours to like new." Samuel tells her while looking over Alex's shoulder. Ran Koh comes over and looks at the book a small smile on her face, each mage then takes a tome and sits down to start looking for the spell they need to protect Ran Koh and the 'Joketsuzoku Village'. While they search through the various tomes the others start building the walkway that will connect the upper levels with the main level. While several other of the light warriors begin to build Ran Koh's drying racks and the racks for the larder. Since Alex and Samuel need components for their spells the drying racks are given priority. When lunchtime arrives Ran Koh rises from her desk where she Is currently examining a possible spell. The other two mages watch while she heads for the entrance, when she returns she is being followed by Michael with take out from the Nekohanten. They all sit down for lunch; the mages begin to discuss what they have found. "Well I have found a protection spell, but it is not very strong and won't last for the entire night." Alex tells them going over his notes, while he eats. "I didn't find any spells for protection in the tomes I looked in but there are quite a few battle spells, we should start learning, we are going to need them." Samuel tells the group. "While you three learn the spells Ryoga can start training us we may not all get to his and Ran Koh's level of martial arts but even some training would be better than nothing." Taj mentions as she leans closer to Alex to look at his notes. "What about you Ran Koh did you find a spell of protection?" Ukyo asks her. "I started looking at one but Michael came and I had to let him in. From what I did read it might work but I need to read more on it." She answers with a distracted look. "Ok, Ran Koh spit it out what's up?" Ryoga asks his soul mate. "Its just that request mom asked me, she wants to learn magic, and I really should teach cousin Ku Lon and Mas Cra too, but if I do I lose control over my magic and martial arts techniques because of the Amazon laws." Ran Koh tells them with a furtive scowl. "Why not make the Amazons sign a contract for their training?" Alex asks her, Ran Koh looks at him with confusion. "What I mean is, your right we are going to need as many magic users as we can get. You agree to train them only if they sign a contract for their entire village. That all magic and martial arts techniques are your property and that of your chosen heirs. You will allow the Amazons to use and train their warriors and descendants, _but_ the techniques and magic are yours and will never be the property of the Amazons. I went over those law books you have and this way you and who ever you choose as your heirs will always retain control. This will also prevent them from going after any students you choose to train." Alex finishes with a business air about him, Taj just smiles when he goes business on her. "Could you help me with the contract? Ran Koh asks him with twinkle in her eyes. "Yes, we can work on it later, I will write up a rough draft then we will go over it to make sure all the angles are covered." Alex tells her nodding his head. "This will all hinge on the fact that Cologne and Mascara will be able to agree for the whole tribe." Alex points out to her. "Well if they want the knowledge back in their tribe they will get the ability to sign for the whole tribe, otherwise I won't train them." Ran Koh states to them. "Well I will get something together for you over the next week or so, we can get together when you get out of _school_." Alex tells her with a sly smile. Ran Koh and Ryoga cringe, at the reminder of having to go to school, then she brightens when she looks at Ukyo and Msu Tsu. Ukyo and Msu Tsu begin to get nervous when they sees the smile on Ran Koh's face. "That means you two have to go with us also." Ran Koh says pointing to Ukyo and Msu Tsu. "WHAT?!" Both shout unhappily at a smiling Ran Koh, who shrugs at them. "It's the law, you will have to join Ryoga, La Si, Xian Pu and me when we start school next week." Ran Koh tells them with an evil grin. "It ought to be fun, besides with all of us going there will be enough of us to keep track of Ryoga since we all will be in classes with him at one time or another, especially you Msu Tsu." Ran Koh tells them while receiving a glare from her soul mate. Everyone chuckles while Ran Koh ignores her friend. She gets up and starts to clean away the lunch boxes. When she finishes she and the other two magic users go back to working on locating the spell they will need. Michael gets Ran Koh to let him out since he needs to get back to work, he takes the trash with him. The other sect members work on finishing the projects they started before lunch. With all of them working they figure they should be done by the time Michael comes back to get them in the evening. /*\*/*\ Genma stares at the ceiling of the Dojo, holding the papers close against his chest. He doesn't hear when Soun enters the Dojo to check on him. Soun stands in the doorway the setting sun surrounding him with a brilliant golden halo. Soun looks at his friend worry evident on his face. "Saotome what has happen?" Soun asks his oblivious friend. Genma slowly turns his head to face where the voice has come from, turning towards the door, with tears streaming down his face. He sees a dark shadow surrounded by a golden light. Genma's eyes widen with horror. "I don't want to die, please take my son Ranma instead." Genma cries while cowering on the floor. Soun stares at him with a raised eyebrow. A hint of doubt seeps into his mind, doubt that maybe Genma wasn't as honorable as he claims. Soun quickly pushes that thought away, after all Genma is here and working to unite the families. "It is only me Saotome. You missed breakfast, we need to leave before Akane gets back and prepares lunch." Soun looks frantically back toward the house. Soun's words slowly penetrate Genma's clouded brain. His eyes go wide, while he gathers his papers. They jump with a start when they hear the front door open and close. Genma stuffs his papers inside his gi, he then throws Soun over his shoulder, gasping in pain and bounds over the Tendo wall. Several minutes later Akane enters the Dojo carrying a tray, with two cups of tea and a large platter with a mound of gelatinous pea green goo. She looks around the room angrily then turns to leave. When something catches her eye. She puts the tray down, and walks over to it. On the floor is the envelope that cam that morning for the stupid panda-man. She bends down to retrieve the envelope, when she picks it up she sees something hidden under it. She picks up a folded sheet of paper, then gets the tray of food and heads back into the house. She puts the tray on the table and sits down to have her lunch. She stares at the folded piece of paper laying in front of her plate, while she toys with her food. She is concentrating so hard on the paper she doesn't notice the sizzling noise when her chopsticks touched the food, nor does she notice the noxious gas rising from the plate where the chopsticks touched. She reached for the paper, her curiosity finally overriding Genma's right to privacy. She read the letter from Masaki Hiromi, while slowly eating the food she has prepared as she finishes the letter her eyes widen from shock due to the content of the letter and the sudden realization she needs to get to the bathroom, the letter falling to the floor. /*\*/*\ Genma and Soun walk toward the business district, Genma with a sullen expression. Soun watches his friend out of the corner of his eyes with worry. Genma stops suddenly then turns to face a complex across the street, Soun looks and sees the 'Joketsuzoku Village'. Genma watches as the Amazons unload crates of stock, and put them into the side of the complex they call the 'Amazon Emporium'. He watches one figure in particular, while she helps her cousins. Soun watches his friend with worry then looks to where Genma is staring, he sees Nodoka Saotome helping to unpack crates in the store. He turns back to his friend and sees a tear as it slowly travels down Genma's face. Soun places his hand reassuringly on his old training partners shoulder, Genma doesn't even notice the pain from the touch, nor does he turn when he starts talking. "She has left me old friend, she has returned to her maiden name as if _we_ never happened." Genma sighs but never takes his eyes off his ex-wife. "I thought this is what I wanted, a son but no wife to tend with. I always hoped we would end up divorced but now that it is a reality, *SIGH* I am not so sure." His depression builds and Soun worries for him. "Come Genma lets go get something to eat and we can talk about it." Genma lets Soun drag him away, never noticing a pair of blue tear filled eyes watching him. /*\*/*\ The Amazons and Nodoka begin opening creates sent from the real Joketsuzoku Village. This shipment brings the cabinetmakers endeavors and the leather goods. The clothing, pottery and ceramics came when Mas Cra arrived in Japan. "My these jewelry boxes are beautiful, and some are even musical." Nodoka admires the crafts while she places them on the display shelves, marking them as to who made them. "Yes, cousin, Amazons have many hidden talents." Xian Pu tells her Japanese cousin. "Oh, and do you have a hidden talent Shampoo?" Nodoka asks, the purple hair girl, Xian Pu blushes, then with a sad smile. "Xian Pu no have hidden talent, Xian Pu just warrior." She tells Nodoka with s sad shrug. "Well I am not talking about anything that can be sold necessarily, dear. What about music or maybe you like to write poems or stories?" Xian Pu looks around nervously when she sees they are alone she leans in closer to Nodoka. "Xian Pu like do music, Po Der she make Xian Pu a flute. Xian Pu plays and com..compo..writes own music for." Xian Pu smiles with darting eyes. "Does not Cousin Cologne like you to pursue this interest?" Nodoka looks at her with confusion. "Xian Pu no know if great grandmother not mind never tell her. She wants warrior not mus..musi..ooo, Xian Pu _hate not speak right_!" The purple hair girl growls with clenched fists. "I know what you mean dear, maybe sometime I can get you to play for me, and if you like I can work with you and La Si on your Japanese." Xian Pu looks at her with surprise. Then a small smile crosses her lips. "Xian Pu like that, maybe start first lesson now? Xian Pu want be better for when start school." Nodoka smiles at the girl's enthusiasm and warm embrace then nods her ok. "Then while I give you lessons in Japanese you can teach Ran Koh to play the flute." Nodoka tells Xian Pu, her smile frozen on her lips while she nods slowly. They both turn back to unpacking the stock when Nodoka looks out the window and spots Genma and Soun across the street. They are walking away from the complex. She can see that Genma walks away with Soun his shoulders slumped and the spring in his step is now the shuffle of an old and broken man. Nodoka watches them disappear. Her eyes filling with tears she won't shed. /*\*/*\ Soun sits across from his friend worry etched deeply on his face. In front of Genma sits a plate piled high with food that he has hardly touched. In his hands a thick stack of legal documents that Genma just keeps going through as if he is looking for something. "Saotome what are those?" Soun asks him while pointing the papers Genma holds tightly in front of him. "I thought the beginning of a new life, a life of freedom. I am finding however that it is more the end of it." Genma tells his friend as he hands the papers to his old friend. Soun unlike Genma understands what the papers are saying. He doesn't understand all of the legal jargon but he understands enough. Genma is now divorced, and by law must stay away from all Takashi family members including Ranma, who has been claimed as legally dead. [Well at least they didn't include me I can still tr..oops!] Soun pauses when he sees a document with his name on it. Soun reads the document, it is a restraining order that says he also is to stay away from the Takashi family. He reads the document trying to figure a way around it when his grip on the paper went white knuckle tight. His face drained of blood and his eyes widened in horror. The fear showing in Soun's face is enough to bring Genma out of his stupor for a moment. "Tendo old man, what's wrong?" Genma leans across the table and tries to pry the document from his hands, but with no luck. Genma rises and sits next to Soun and begins to read, as he reads words and phrases begin to make sense. Tendo Soun is here by ordered by the court to stay a minimum of five hundred yards away from any member of the Takashi Clan. As per their request Tendo Kasumi and Tendo Nabiki has requested that Tendo Soun and Tendo Akane stay not less the two hundred and fifty yards from them, until Tendo Soun has placed Tendo Akane in counseling for anger management. That was all Genma could make out before Soun brings his hands together crumpling the document between them. Genma looks up into Soun's worn and haggard face, and sees rage. Genma steps back as Soun slowly turns to face him. "Because of _your_ son, my family is being torn apart! I will not allow your son to marry my daughter, I will _kill_ him!" Soun spits out while rising to leave.