Project A-Ko Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Slayers Fan Fiction / Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ cHaOs Energy Times Infinity ❯ Reawakening Memories ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

########### CHAPTER 9 - REAWAKENING MEMORIES ########################

cHaOs Energy Times Infinity
Crossover Bid For Power/Ranma/Sailor Moon/Slayers/
Project A-Ko/DBZ/Tenchi
By Afroplex - jwessels@cse.unl.edu
http://cse.unl.edu/~jwessels

Disclaimer - Same as previous chapters.

################## FEN SYSTEM - TRAINING ASTEROID ###################

Akane stirred the food on the tray idly with her fork. Although she
knew she would need the energy for her first official day of training,
her mind was still in a daze from the fact she was kidnapped. Not
only that, but her mind was tampered with. The others had no idea,
and were talking about their new abilities, even laughing.

Ryoga leaned over to her right. In a low voice, "What's wrong Akane? I
figured you'd be happy to have your new strength, and anxious to try it
out today."

She didn't answer him. Thinking, 'I can't say anything that would let
them suspect I'm free. I remember how loyal the fake memories made me
to the queen. Ryoga probably wouldn't turn me over, but the others
surely would.'

Finally noticing Ryoga looking at her concerned, she put on a smile,
"Don't worry about me. I'm just thinking about home."

Ryoga and the others suddenly locked up for a second. A second later
they continued about their business. Tapping the lost boy's shoulder,
"You ok? You locked up for moment there."

Giving Akane a confused look, "I did? Guess I didn't notice it." He then
delved back into his food.

'Funny, he doesn't seem to even remember talking to me a moment ago...'

Captain Faro stood up from the dining area and stretched his arms. Patting
his stomach, "That was great! Now, to finish up some quick paperwork."
Raising his voice so everyone would be sure to hear, "I'll see you all in
the gym in fifteen minutes to do some tests."

After the door slid down with a Star Trek shirk behind Faro, Akane burst up
and dragged Ryoga to the door on the other side of the small cafeteria.
"Come on Ryoga, lets warm up first. We have some stuff to discuss."

Ryoga struggled to his feet and walked briskly behind her. Entering
the training area, Akane was still awed at it's size. Roughly a two
kilometers in diameter, the sphere shaped room as the core of the asteroid.
The gravity machines in the base all centered their power on its center.
At the walls, various markings were shown to give the gravity readings
varying from dull metal colored normal gravity, to the bright red
painted areas showing fifty times gravity. According to their briefing,
in the center of the room, it is weightless, allowing those that can't
fly to experience the feeling, and get some feel for fighting in midair.
Those that could fly were given tags on their wrists, so the gravity
machines could get a lock and exert a pull.

Tapping some buttons on a panel near the door, Akane told the system
to bring out some mats. Sitting down, Akane motioned to Ryoga.
"Mind helping me do some stretches?"

"Str-stretches?" the lost boy stammered out. 'I helped Akane
train for the that Kodachi match, but that was with Ranma there. Now
we're alone.... ARG! I shouldn't think things like that!' Feeling
a warmth developing in his nose, he shook his head of thoughts and
mechanically walked toward Akane and gently took her hands. Using the
lightest of touches, he helped pull her arms back.

While they were working on her upper body, Akane spoke up, "Ryoga, do
you think its odd how we ended up here?"

"Odd? What do you mean? Did Ranma do something again?!"

"No. Not that, but how one minute we were in Tokyo, and then the next
we were training to support a queen we never met."

Ryoga thought for a moment, "No idea. Don't know why I thought of that
before." He then froze up and his eyes glazed over. His grip loosed on
Akane's arms and she turned around.

'Wow, this memory thing must really put them out of it.' Waving her
hands in front of his face, she tried to snap him out of it. "Ryoga?"

He finally came to. Blushing, he scratched the back of his head, "Hehe,
sorry Akane, I must of dazed off there, what were we just talking about?"

Before she could continue there conversation, Shilo floated up behind them
and broke in. "You were discussing your training. Akane, after the
performance evaluations today, I would like to speak with you. Don't
worry, you're safe." Akane was wide eyed, while Ryoga missed the
final comment. Shilo then winked behind his long black hair and smirked
at her.

The rest of the group came in shortly after. Gart and Fen were in the lead,
followed by a chattering B-Ko and Naga, with Naga in the rear putting on
her serious battle frown.

Seeing everyone present, Fen got the attention of the group, "Listen up
everyone! We are going to see what you are made of. You've gone through
some basic routines these past couple of days, but we still don't know
how you measure up against each other. So, we are going to have a little
informal tournament. This room is your battleground. Don't worry about
damaging the walls, as the gravity repulsers can turn the attacks away
if needed. Also, the walls are special in that they can retract,
unveiling water below. The rules are you win if you knockout your opponent,
or knock the opponent into the water. No killing - is that clear?"

The group nodded. Ryoga was starting to sweat slightly.

Gart held up a clipboard he brought in. "These are the pairings. Since
there are an odd number of people, Shilo will fill in the last spot. Don't
worry, he will make you work for the victory, but will not go all out.
The three winners of the first round will fight each other all at once."
Looking down at the clipboard, he pointed B-Ko and Naga. "You two will
go first. Next will be Mari and Akane, and finally Ryoga and Shilo.
Pay close attention to the fights, as we will be using playbacks of these
in the future to try and improve your techniques."

Typing some commands into the command console, Fen raised two platforms
out to the center of the spherical room. The some of the walls slid back
to reveal the water. Ryoga started to fidget, which Shilo noticed and
raised an eyebrow at.

Gart shoved B-Ko and Naga upward. The gravity repulsers finished the job
and pulled the two onto the two platforms. "Ok you two! The gravity will be
mostly centered around the center, pulling you toward the platforms.
However, the gravity at the edges will be less so keep that in mind
when trying to fling the other into the water. Go!"

B-Ko let a volley of Akagiyama missiles off, impacting at the spot where
Naga stood a moment before. Her target leaped into the air and cast a
raywing spell to keep her mobile.

"Ho ho! You think that will stop Naga the Serpent? You underestimated
me!"

B-Ko growled and engaged the jet wings on her suit. These were more
powerful, and had an unlimited energy supply with the enhancements
the scientists made. "Ha! You only witnessed my earlier missile types.
Try this on! ODORI TORPEDOES!"

Energy balls came out, glowing a bright blue. The pull by the gravity on the
pools cause the surface to be perfectly smooth, even a large stone thrown in
would only cause a slight splash with no ripples. With the water in the
spherical room, the glare was amplified and nearly blinded everyone.
This wasn't the effect B-Ko desired, and she covered her eyes. The
mental control link she had been exerting on the torpedoes to
control their trajectory was lost, and they exploded harmlessly in one
of the water pools.

Naga recovered, and narrowed her eyes at B-Ko. 'I'll show her. She has
no right to where such an outfit like mine.' Rearing her arm back,
she cast out "BOMB DI WIND!"

The tunnel of wind created blasted forward and hit B-Ko squarely
unprepared in her back. She blew into one of the water ponds and
did one of the most painful belly flops ever witnessed. Naga, being
airborne herself, and without a strong foothold, was thrown backward and
hit the platforms in the center of the room. Getting up, she felt a pain
on her elbow and looked, then promptly fainted at the sight of a drop of
crimson.

Shilo flew up to Naga and shook his head in disgust. 'Really, this is just
ridiculous.' He grasped Naga's slender wrist and floated down to a
sputtering, fussy B-Ko. "Want some help?"

"NO!"

"Fine then. Oh, by the way, you both lost." He then shoved B-Ko's head
under the water and flew off toward the rest of the trainees. Chuckling to
himself, he thought, 'Heh, that'll rile her up. I always wanted to do that
to a stuck-up bitch like her and get away with it. Kyah wouldn't have been
the best to do that too.'

Checking off the list off fighters, Fen motioned toward Akane. "Alright,
you're up. Try not to beat Mari too bad eh?"

Since neither could fly and felt threatened by anyone forcing something
upon them, the two fighters gave everyone one of 'those'
female looks meaning don't throw me up there or I will personally see
to it you will be unable to able to bear offspring. Shilo did so anyhow.

Ryoga leaned toward him and whispered, "You sure that was a good idea?"

"I'll be alright. I'm a shape shifter, any physical damage they dish
out, or cut off, is easily fixed. Painful, but repairable none the less."

As Ryoga contemplated this, he looked up at the two fighters. They still
hadn't moved ever since landing on the platforms. 'Mari looks strong,
but I'm getting Akane would still give her a run for her money.'
Cupping his hands over his mouth, he cheered, "Go get her Akane! You
can do it!"

Akane briefly looked over at Ryoga, and broke eye contact with Mari.
Mari, seeing the opening, leaped forward and prepared her own one handed
speed punch. Akane's new found power also gave her the ability to sense
ki thankfully, and looked up in time to block the attack.

Mari's one armed amaguriken attack, devised by herself while studying
the arts with some monks, could only be blocked half the time by Akane.
Akane's new speed and power she was given was still fresh and untrained,
so she was hammered mercilessly. Ryoga tried to leap forward to assist
her, but was held fast by Shilo's hand on the lost boy's shoulder.
Ryoga looked up from the hand and observed the battle, only to be shocked.
Akane was still standing, and didn't have a bruise on her. Both combatants
were shocked at this. Mari had expected the fight to be over after sending
over three hundred punches at the smaller girl. Akane was amazed she was
only knocked around, but received no injuries.

When reality finally set in, Akane got a smirk on her face and looked
up. Shaking her finger in front of her face, she said, "Now now Mari,
I don't think you should have done that."

Mari, took a defensive stance, and prepared for the attack. Akane leaped
forward, and struck. After several battles with A-Ko, Mari went off
many times during the summer breaks to train in martial arts designed
to use your opponents strength against them. This knowledge bore fruit
when she sidestepped the attack and rotated in a powerful roundhouse kick.
It connected with Akane's back, and gave her that extra momentum forward.
Akane's mass compared to Mari was small, and she hadn't learned to use ki
to control her movement, so the result was just like a baseball bat hitting
a softball. She went headfirst into the water, a hundred meters from the
platforms, and stayed under for a minute.

Mari let out a cheer and held her arm high in triumph.

Akane was glad that she was beat this time by a real girl. A big, high
pitched voiced, muscular girl, but a girl none the less. Then, she remembered,
she couldn't swim. Her arms were flailing around wildly in the water,
desperately trying to keep her breath underwater. Again, like before in the
fight, she was surprised. The ki within her gave needed energy to her cells,
and prolonged to the need to inhale.

'Hopefully someone comes to help me out. I don't know how much longer I can
stand!'

As an answer to her thoughts, Shilo once again came to pull the defeated
from the depths. On the way back, she looked up at his face. "Uh, Shilo?"

"Yes?" he said, but kept his face straight ahead toward the rest of the group.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Remember, I need to talk with you after this is over."

"Yes sir." Akane's head drooped. 'Great, he probably thinks I'm some
sort of loser.'

When they finally touched down, Shilo calmly walked over to Ryoga and
held out his hand, "Please accept my apology Ryoga."

The lost boy shook his hand, and in a confused tone, "What for?"

"THIS!" Shilo, with his grip still on Ryoga, began to turn around in
midair. After the fifth rapid rotation, he arched the rotation upward
and let go. Ryoga, having been spun so fast was too dizzy to let out
a yell. The velocity was high enough that the gravity couldn't slow
him down enough to stop in the middle of the training area. Going through
one of the platforms didn't stop his trajectory either. Only when hitting
the water on the other side of the sphere did he stop.

The group, except Shilo, wasn't prepared for the sight that beheld them.
Instead of Ryoga coming to the surface, Ryoga's body suit and a bandana
collared black piglet came up. Naga burst out laughing when she realized
what happened, while the others stood in silence.

Akane broke everyone out of their stupor when she thudded to the floor face
first.

When Akane finally woke up, she was lying on a couch in Shilo's personal
living area. Ryoga was sitting across the room, looking down at the
floor.

Shilo peered in through the doorway to the kitchen area, "Ah, I thought
I felt your ki perk up a little. You're finally awake, been out
for nearly thirty minutes. I'll be right with you soon as I finish up
these scrambled eggs for dinner. The permanent residents here get our own
kitchen areas." He then quickly ducked back to flip some pancakes.

Holding her head, Akane tried to recall the events that lead up to her
blacking out. First there was the fights between Naga, B-Ko, Mari and
her... then Ryoga hit the water and turned into P-Cha...

"RYOGA!!! YOU PERVERT!"

Ryoga looked up and turned pale with fear. Akane launched herself across the
room and proceeded to give Ryoga the worst beating of his life. Grabbing
his collar, she threw him into the ceiling. The action didn't stop there,
when she grabbed hold both legs and pounded him into the wall, giving
a nice view into the bathroom. When he hit the ground twin mallets in
both hands pounded on him at an alarming rate of speed. During this,
Akane yelled out at him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were, were - P-CHAN!" A particularly strong
blow accompanied the name of her former pet. "I told you all my secrets!
You had to be in cahoots with Ranma. RYOGA NO BAKA!"

Before her extra large sized mallet could finish the twitching lost boy,
Shilo had hold of Akane's wrist. "That's enough young lady. I won't see
any more damage done to my apartment, and I need you both alive to undo
the damage Queen Kyah has done. I had to reveal Ryoga's secret to you now,
else in the future you would have killed him, and nobody would have
been able to stop you."

Seeing the blue glow in Shilo's eyes, Akane put her weaponry away in their
subspace pockets and shrank back to the couch. "I'm sorry." Pointing to
Ryoga, she added, "BUT NOT TO THAT!"

"Well then, I'll be finishing up dinner. You're lucky Ryoga is so tough,
else there would be nothing but the guilt of murder on your hands."

This comment shook Akane up especially. Holding her hands up to her face,
she contemplated the meaning of what she might have done. "Murder?"
She then rushed over to Ryoga and held him up, "What have I done, Ryoga?
I'm so sorry."

He tilted his head, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I loove -cough- you
so," he blanked out and slept on Akane's lap, tears trickling down her face.

"Dinner's ready!" Shilo walked over to Akane and Ryoga and tapped her
on the shoulder. "He'll be alright. I have just the thing to fix him up.
There's this nice little plant I found a few decades ago. Makes excellent
chili, but one bean also cures you of all your physical injuries.
Unfortunately, this is my last one, and I lost the coordinates of the planet
long ago."

Pulling a small capsule out of his pocket, he opened it to reveal a small,
yellow-green bean. Whispering in Ryoga's ear, he said something that
woke him from his sleep real quick. Seeing his wasn't in danger, Ryoga relaxed
and looked up at the two. Shilo then put the bean in Ryoga's mouth, and
encouraged him to chew.

A moment later, Akane jumped back in amazement, seeing all of Ryoga's
wounds heal. The bones mended, broken skin healed, strength returned.
Getting up, Ryoga flexed his arm in awe. "Thanks! Dr.Tofu would love to
get hold of those back home."

Akane noticed his comment of back home and hugged him, "You're free!"

Shilo smirked, "Of course. I kind of hoped that his transformation would
destroy the memory chip in his mind, just like your powers overloaded
the circuits in your mind. Come now, let's eat before getting down
to business."

"Alright!" Ryoga was starving from his rejuvenation. Akane didn't say
anything, still remembering why she beat Ryoga up. The two guys ate
at a good pace, but still nothing compared to Ranma or Genma.

Letting out a belch, Shilo leaned back, "That hit the spot! If there
is one thing my student Komosauro taught me, it was how to make a good
breakfast for dinner."

"Komosauro? Who's that?" Ryoga asked.

"Oh, he's a student of mine in the dark arts." At the mention of dark arts,
Akane and Ryoga raised their eyebrows. "Don't worry. It's not like it
sounds. What it deals with is controlling ki of another, and drawing it
in from your environment. With such good control, people that practice
this art don't usually concentrate on their physical attack skills.
Being a master of the art, I easily could detect your curse without seeing
you transform. It leaves a 'special' signature in your ki."

"Oh," the two listeners said in unison.

"Now on to business. As you could probably figure out from me trying to
free up your memory from Kyah's control, I'm not on her side. I'm trying
to work from the inside to figure out how Kyah intends to complete her
goal of vengeance against Emperor Gothax. Long ago, the two were to be
married, but someone tricked their families, and the result was
genocide on a horrible scale to an entire planet. With Komosauro working
on the outside, and me on the inside, hopefully the damage done can
be lessened."

"Where does that leave us, how do we get home?" Akane asked.

"Well, I would like you to help me get your friends back. If I remember,
your sister Nabiki was also taken." Akane gasped. "As soon as we get them,
then we can worry about getting back home. If you return now,
there would be nothing you could do back the--" Shilo's eye's glazed over
and he gripped the table, "Oh no."

Akane then felt the power coming from far way, "What is that?"

"The fight has begun, and I fear billions of lives are at stake."

################## COLONY 941A ###########################################
--- Kieche Academic Center, courtyard during lunch ----

Sasami stepped out onto the grass, looking for someone to eat with. Most
everyone was in groups of five, chattering in ways to make you thing they
were at a tea party. Ayeka was fitting in nicely with the older crowd.
In the corner, she spotted one of the guards.

"Hello sir. What's your name?"

"Pyrate."

Sasami smiled up at him, "You seem bored, would you like some company?"

"No. I'm busy now."

Not one to be deterred, Sasami sat down on the bench next to him, and
opened her lunch.

He glanced over to her and commented, "You know, there are caterers here.
That's what your parents paid for."

"Na, I like to make my own lunches. It's healthier than eating that stuff,
and I like to know what is in it."

Pyrate's left eyebrow lifted, "That's odd. Never fancied anyone in this
crowd would do that. Most think they are too important to do cook."

Sasami let out a sigh, "I know, I like to make friends with everyone, but
sometimes it's hard when the other person mean to everyone around them."
Seeing she was making progress with the guard, Sasami moved a little closer.
"Still don't want a taste?"

Smirking, "Sure kid, I'll take a bite-GET DOWN!" Pyrate picked up Sasami and
jumped into the air. A split second later, an explosion took out the bench
they were sitting on. Hovering in the air with Sasami under his arm,
Pyrate looked around for any attackers. To his dismay, on the other side
of the compound, mini missiles were streaming in toward the older students.
"Shit, I'm not going to make it in time." Looking down at his luggage,
"I'm going to put you down over there by the pool. Try to stay down."
He rocketed down to the pool and gently put her down, and took off toward
what he believed would be a bloody scene.

Arriving, he saw Ayeka being congratulated by the students and instructors.

"What happened?" Pyrate demanded.

Ayeka turned to see the guard, and fumed, "Oh, something that I had to
take care of that obviously you guards couldn't do!"

"Hey, I was on the other side. So lay off! I saved a little girl over
there. So you should be laying into the other guards here, not me.
Now explain what happened."

"Some missiles came in, and I stopped them."

"Uh? How?"

"Like this," logs appeared around in the air, and gave off an energy
shield.

"Oh... well then, carry on. I'm going to investigate."

Ayeka then stormed off into the administration office, intent on rolling
a few heads. Throwing back the head regent's office door, she caught
the woman unawares. "Miss, may I help you?"

"Yes! As you probably heard, there was an attack on the students just
a few minutes ago. Your paid guards, paid with our tuition, did nothing
to prevent the attack. I had to defend most everyone myself!" Ayeka leaned
over the desk, while the regent leaned back to get some space. "I would
like to make an offer. You allow the me and the students to hire our own
bodyguards, and have them on the grounds, and we don't sue you for every
penny this institution owns."

Lawsuits are the bain of any institution in charge of the welfare of people.
Hospitals, schools, restaurants - all have a common enemy in the courts.
Just one could spell disaster. Financially in fighting and paying off the
people seeking action, but also in reputation. If something could be
agreed upon outside of courts, before the media finds out, the opportunity
to save face must be taken. So, her answer was simple.

"Ok."

"Thank you. I will enjoy the fine education your institution has to offer
dear regent. Have a nice day," the door then slammed behind Ayeka.
Outside the door, she did a little skip. "Yes! It worked!"

After classes, the captain and lieutenant, with Ayeka and Sasami returned
to the apartment where Shampoo and A-Ko where just finishing their
discussion on the details of curses from Jusenkyo.

"So your saying that back home there is this guy named Ranma that
turns into a girl!?"

Shampoo nodded. A-Ko burst out in laughter and collapsed on the couch.
"That has got to be nuts! Now, don't tell me, some of the guys go after him
too?"

Again, Shampoo gave the affirmative. "Yes, Kuno is not right in head.
I call him stick boy."

A-Ko couldn't take it and rolled off the couch and started to hiccup.
The door opened and the four from school came in to witness A-Ko
keeling over on the floor, with all teardropping in the process.
When A-Ko finally noticed the new arrivals, she quickly recovered and
stood up. "Welcome back. How was class?"

Captain Nugent answered, "Very well. Except for a rouge missile, the
plan went well."

Ayeka fumed at this and yelled in his right ear, "You call almost killing
my little sister going well!?"

While the captain recovered his hearing, Lieutenant Ewwn countered, "Ayeka,
we already said we're sorry. The mission was accomplished though. We will
be able to get Shampoo and A-Ko on campus as your bodyguards and not
have to worry about them breaking our cover."

Although A-Ko was relieved to get out of the apartment and do something
in the future, she wasn't looking forward to doing it in school.
Shampoo wasn't too thrilled either.

"Well, at least Shampoo not be too bored tomorrow," Shampoo moaned out.

A-Ko looked to her side at Shampoo, "Speak for yourself, I've been to
school. The only thing I have be grateful for is I don't have to worry
about someone's cooking killing me, or mecha to fight each morning."

Shampoo blinked, "What? Now you have some explaining to do."

"Alright, everyone have a seat." Everyone but Sasami and Captain Nugent
found a spot, so they sat on the floor. After such a draining day,
no one was in a hurry to get the real briefing underway. The rest of
the night was still ahead of them.

A-Ko cleared her throat and when she was about to speak, her mind drew
a blank. "What the? What were we just talking about?"

The captain and the lieutenant nodded toward each other. They knew
exactly what was going on, but couldn't say anything about the
real cause. Instead, Ewwn changed the subject, "Don't worry about it
A-Ko, it'll come back to you eventually. I suppose we could talk about
the mission tomorrow. As you all know, we are here to try and get support
from the individuals there in the school. They could help us gain access
to some of the higher political figures in this side of the galaxy.
After that, we can put the final pieces of the plan into play. With you
two there on campus, you can support Ayeka and Sasami by being free in
your movements. Being able to move around campus, planting bugs and such
will help learn some of the secrets. If need be, you can also provide
the needed muscle to stand up to the other guards if they get in our
way."

Nugent continued the briefing, "One of you will be the girls at all times
to provide the needed cover. The other will meet up with Ewwn and I,
which will be the janitors on the campus, for the small missions around
and to give us info on what is happening. Both of us has a cart we take
around with our cleaning supplies. Don't talk to us directly, just leave
notes in the cart, and pick up your missions by taking the green rag on the
second shelf. If you see that rag, that means you have something to do."

Shampoo nodded. Thinking, 'This is just the evidence I need to get rid of
these goons for kidnapping me, I'll get the help of the guards. A-Ko
is a good friend, and I must help her get free of these kidnappers.
I'll make my move tomorrow.'

################# UNKNOWN PLANET, 5 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF COLONY ##########

"Mihoshi! Be quiet!"

"But I'm tired," the blond galaxy police detective whined. "We've been
walking all day."

Nabiki let out a frustrated sigh. For five days, the group has been
trudging along to the north. They probably could have made better time,
but Kuno, Mihoshi and Gourry would slow them down considerably. First
Mihoshi complains about being tired. After about the third complaint,
Kuno insists that the group stop to rest for her because a 'Fair maiden
in such a high position as a first class detective should be given
her rest to be ready for any criminals that get past the Blue Thunder of
Furinken High.' Lina learned early from Nabiki a fireball could be easily
lived through by the thickheaded kendoist, so she would let the fireworks
begin. Mihoshi would try to tend to him, and get singed in the process.
Gourry would then try to be the hero and lend any medical attention he
could. He would then carry Mihoshi, while Lina and Nabiki tried to drag
an unconscious Kuno behind them, letting his head hit the ground and rocks
to keep him quiet.

It was in this position they were ambushed. An energy net dropped on top
of them, shocking the group when it came in contact. Before Lina blacked
out, she saw a figure drop down from the trees holding blue tinted sword.

When Lina awoke, they were gagged and tied down in a pit. She tried to use
her magic, but found something was draining her mana reserves. The others
in the group were in the same position, and had still to wake up. Leaning
against the dirt wall, she struggled to her feet and hopped over to Gourry.

'Darn, they took his sword.' Glancing over to Kuno, she noticed he was
missing his bokken. Mihoshi's blaster was also missing, with her cube.

Dropping to her knees in front of Nabiki, she tried to nudge her awake,
and was successful. Blinking, Nabiki slowly took in their situation and
struggled with her rope bonds. Wriggling around, Lina was amazed to
see her finally break free and drop the severed ropes that were around
her hands on the ground. She quickly untied her gag and held up a razor
blade to Lina.

Whispering to the sorceress, "I've been in situations like this before.
I keep a specially made one stashed in my watch just for occasions like
this."

Working quickly, she cut the bonds on Lina and her feet. The two then
worked on the rest of the group, waking them in the process except Kuno.
They didn't need that loud mouth spoiling the escape yet.

"I figured you'd find a way out. Mind explaining who you are?" came a voice
from above.

Nabiki nearly jumped out of her skin, and looked up to the top of the pit
to see a middle aged warrior. He had on black armored boots, with metal
plating over the knees. On his back, were two swords. The rest of his
outfit was a loose fitting gray, almost medieval. She was at a loss, having
no information on who their captors were, except they could be colonists,
what or who they wanted, and what she had that they didn't. Best course
of action: make them think you know more than they do.

"Now, I don't think that would be a good idea. Especially when it may
be in your best interest to help us," Nabiki said, putting on her best
stone face - her life rarely depended on these skills so her performance
had to go off without a hitch.

Their captor smirked, "Heh, I'll call your bluff. I think you have
no clue what is going on here. I'm smarter than you think little girl."

Her jaw muscles tightened shut. The man continued, "I know exactly when
someone is lying to me. It's one of my many, gifts. NOW TELL ME WHO
YOU ARE!"

Lina decided to take over from there, if the guy was going to torture
them, she'd rather get their faster. There may be an opening during
their transportation - at least it would be better than sitting in a
musty old hole. "We crashed on this planet trying to escape some
craft that shot us down. We were fleeing for over three days in space,
and now we traveled about a hundred kilometers from the south to this
place. We ask for your help."

The man nodded, "YOU are telling the truth." Turning his gaze to Nabiki,
"YOU were not. It would be wise in the future to be more honest with
me."

Returning his attention to Lina, "My name is Ryuujin. I'm the leader
of this colony. I would like to extend my apologies, but we are wary
of outsiders." Tossing a rope ladder over the side, he held out his hand,
"Come on up, I may have a deal for you to get off this planet."

The group climbed up, and were amazed at the view they saw. The dirt hole
for their prison hinted at what was above them before. Mounds of dirt
consisted of the entire colony. Each one had a doorway of metal to
an underground housing or complex.

Ryuujin spread his right arm to take in the sight. "Welcome to Narafa
Colony. We like to live in simplicity, but we aren't barbarians. We
utilize technology, and still make voyages into space. It would
have been easier to build above ground, but with so many enemies,
living underground hides from sensors and the natural predators of this
world. Dragons can make such a mess if you aren't careful."

Gourry smelled food coming from one of the open doors, and slowly edged
his way toward it. Ryuujin, still not totally trusting of his guests,
noticed and called out, "Halt!" Gourry stiffened and turned around.
"You will eat with me. I have business with all of you."

When the swordsman returned to the group, Lina slapped him on the head.
"What were you thinking!? I don't want to lose you on some weird world."
Rethinking, she then rephrased, "Na forget that. Gourry, I would like
to encourage you to run off as the first chance you get - and take
Kuno and Mihoshi with you."

This confused Gourry entirely, so as the group was going to the center
mound of Ryuujin's residence, Lina was getting a splitting headache
trying to keep calm. Not having access to her magic also was getting
on her nerves.

When entering the doorway, the atmosphere changed entirely. A modern
living area with electricity, pictures, and numerous weapons as
decoration. Kuno was interested especially in some of the swords,
many very delicately embroidered in gems and gold, and some with writings
on their blades. Nabiki just looked at the gems. Ryuujin and Lina had
a difficult time trying to keep the other four - Kuno, Nabiki, Mihoshi,
and Gourry - from going their separate ways. In the end, they did finally
arrive at a large wooden table, with candle light. The feast before
them was extravagant. When Mihoshi tried to dive in to the curry,
an energy shield smashed into her face and bounced her back.

"Oh... my face." she then started to sniffle a little bit.

Ryuujin chuckled, thinking, 'Serves you right for being greedy.' He then
turned the main group. "You have a decision to make. Up to this point I
have been very lax with you. Now is a fork in the road."

Opening a pouch, he drew five pills. "You can either eat this pill, and
I will help you. Else, you will leave this colony and find other means
of getting off this world."

Nabiki blinked. Murmuring to herself, "This guy watches too many movies."

Gourry snatched a pill out of his hands, "I'm in. That food looks great!"

Lina made a grab at his hands to stop him, but was too late. The pill was
swallowed up and on a tour of the digestive system. They waited for a
few minutes to see if he would keel over, but nothing happened except for
Gourry asking if he could eat now.

Ryuujin nodded, and he jumped at the food, eating at his usual restaurant
pace. Lina, not wanting to see everything devoured before her eyes,
shrugged, "Why not? I'm a goner anyhow if I don't get off this rock."
Passing their host, she picked up a pill, threw it in her mouth, and
dug into the feast.

Nabiki handed one to Mihoshi and Kuno, and the they joined in. Ryuujin
grabbed a few drumsticks when he felt he wouldn't be in danger of
Lina's and Gourry's assault.

The feasting didn't last long, and was finished in less than ten minutes.
When they all laid back in the chairs around the banquet table, they rested
for a minute, and collapsed in a slumber. Ryuujin walked to each of the
guests and put his hand on their heads. Energy seeped into their minds,
and disabled the memory implants he had detected. "There, no one should
have to be a slave. Their allegiance shall be to whoever they choose,
but it should never be forced."

Taking his seat, he waited for his guests to wake. Mihoshi did so first,
"My head. Feels like I've been up for a week."

Kuno was next, but wasn't so cooperative. "What is this? I have been
foiled by sorcery to do the bidding of a queen I have no allegiance to!?"
Turning toward Ryuujin, he pulled a bokken out of thin air. You must
be a slave to this evil! Prepare to meet thy death at the hands
of I, Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkun High!"

Ryuujin disappeared, and then reappeared in front of Kuno. Again,
Kuno's hard headedness saved him when Ryuujin's fist impacted, sending him
across the room into a stone column unconscious for the fourth time that
day.

Clapping was heard. Turning to the sound, Ryuujin saw Lina and Nabiki
giving the applause. Nabiki congratulated him. "Good job. That's a faster
job that we've ever accomplished." Her voice then got down to business,
"Thank you for helping us out with Kyah. Now I want to get even. Is this
the help you were needing?"

Ryuujin shook his head, "Nope. I need help getting supplies in from the
outside world. Those ships you mentioned may be the cause of the problems.
If you all help me track the source of the ships and destroy them,
I will help you get transportation anywhere in the galaxy, with weapons
and supplies. If that place means Kyah's home base, I'll see what I can
do. However, I won't help fight her. There you are on your own.
My people don't wish to get too involved in galactic struggles, and I
will help them keep it that way. We only get involved enough to insure
our own free survival."

In stereo, the two girls nodded, "Agreed."

------------ END CHAPTER 9 -----------------