Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction ❯ Pillars of Strength ❯ Magic 'n Springs ( Chapter 5 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Pillars of Strength
by Afroplex (jwessels@cse.unl.edu)
http://ranko.homelinux.net/

Shadow Tiger helped me make the final decision on Ranma's magic.
Before now I had a rough idea where to go, but couldn't make the
final decision amoung three ideas.

CHAPTER 5 - Magic 'n Springs
==============================================================< br>
----- Edge of the Forest of Silence ------

Ranma rears his hands back, and concentrates the new power flowing
through him. Pushing his hands slowly forward, two words came to
mind to perform the final harnessing of the power, which came out
as a soft whisper.

"Aura of Time."

The cloud of energy that was wrapping around his skin and clothing
flowed out in the direction of the bushes. A bird in the
berry bush screeched and jumped to take flight.

Umi and the others' eyes, except for Clef, grew wide. The bird was
slowly flapping its wings, every movement slowed to impossible levels
for the creature to remain in flight. Ranma smirked and moved his
arms forward, releasing the spell. The bird resumed its flight at
normal speed, not seeming to notice what it had just experienced.

"Very good Ranma. You are gifted with the magic of auras. For now,
you may not have many magical spells but you'll gain more. After
feeling your life strength aura on the beach, I gifted you with
something that would enhance your already strong natural talent." Clef
commented.

Ranma puffed up and crossed his arms in a cocky stance,
getting a groan from Umi. "Great, Mr.Pervert here gets an even bigger
ego. I did't think that was possible."

Clef smiled, "Umi, it is your turn. I would like you all to be
familiar with your powers before we arrive at the legendary
Spring of Eterna."

Umi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Stepping forward to the
place where Ranma once stood, she faced the tree and group of berry
bushes. "Water... DRAGON!"

Starting drop, it expanded quickly and rushed at the tree. Ranma
straightened up and tried to dodge as Umi gave a mental command the
dragon brushed some water in the martial artist's direction.

"What'd you do that for!" Ranma screeched out. Ferio snickered,
while Fuu tried to hide behind him just in case she started laughing
too.

"Sorry Ranma, didn't know that was going to happen," Umi strode
past the redhead.

Hikaru jumped forward, "Hey, its my turn!" Clef's eyes grew wider
as he realized his error, and tried to stop the energized magic
knight.

Umi's water dragon was a good size, enough to topple a tree.
Hikaru's recent successes and showings from Ranma boosted her
confidence, and her magic. Swirling around Hikaru's
body, the flames intensified and flowed into a ball a few inches
above her raised arm. "Flaaaaammme AAARRROOOWWW!"

Throwing her arm down, the ball lengthened into a streak for the
doomed tree. The flame engulfed the tree and continued onward into
the grove igniting others. As Hikaru completed the spell, she
straighted and clapped. Rushing to Ranma, "I did it! Our magic
will surely be able to help us to save Cephiro."

Ranma's eye twitched, mouth agape. "What is it Ranma?" Ranma pointed
behind Hikaru, who turned around and tear dropped at the site.
The grove was on fire, and expanding into the rest of the forest.

"Oops?"

Fuu stepped forward, "Perhaps I can help. My magic may be able to
counteract the damage."

Clef, who was about to yell for Umi to dose the fire whirled when
he felt Fuu's magic taking shape. "NO!!!"

Hands at her sides, she swept them forward in wide arcs, "Sapphire
whirlwind!" Piercing winds, laced with the greenish tint of magic
swept through the forest. Gashes were cut into trunks, while the
fire was entensified.

"Uhmm.... oh my," Fuu stepped back.

Clef didn't want any more damage to be done from something new,
he didn't know and didn't want too know right now if Ferio had
any magical trick of his own to add to the mix. "Umi! Use your
water dragon spell again!"

Umi knodded, "Water dragon!" Larger this time, the dragon
put out about half the raging fire. Umi though was tired from
having to exert herself twice in a short amount of time.
"I'll give it one more try."

"No, you gave your best but I feel it is time we move on," Clef
let her support herself on his shoulder.

Hikaru was of a different mind, "We have to do something! It is
our fault, and it is their homes!"

Fuu scanned the area, and realized what Hikaru was saying. Animals
were running out of the forest, some a little singed from the flames.
"If the forest catches fire, the animals won't have many places
to go except out where the monsters are. They won't last long."

Ranma stood, "I might have a plan, but I don't know if it will work
or make it worst. I'll need you all to try and get the animals clear."
She rushed off toward the edge of the flames without another word.

Ferio snapped the rest out of their speechless state, "What are ya all
waiting for? We have a job to do!"

"Umi, I need to do something. I'll need some room." Umi, a little more
rested now, stepped back from Clef.

"Creature! I summon thee!" Clef's staff orb glowed, and a creature
materialized out before the group. A large bird with golden flowing
feathers, and long neck appeared. Clef spoke up to it, "I require
assistance my friend! The animals in this forest need to be clear
of the fire so we may put it out. This needs to be done quickly!"

Flapping up, the bird rose into the sky and let out a song. All the
animals turned and looked up at the creature. The flowing notes
drowned out the crackle of falling timber, and spoke into the minds
of the animals. Turning toward the bird, they all followed as fast
as they could.

Halfway toward the center of the flames, Ranma reached out with her
magic and slowed the flames as best she could. Ending the spiral, she
let go her hold on the magic and released the attack she had only used
once prior against an opponent - Happosai.

"Hyruu shotan ha!"

The cold air generated by the soul of ice technique around her formed
the spiraling column quickly. Winds picked up and sucked the air
into the tornado. Flames died from the lack of oxygen as they
were snuffed out by their own heat driving off the air.

The others watched as the column of swirling flames engulfed the forest
and put the flames out.

Hikaru rushed forward as silence once again claimed the area. Batting away
blackened dead branches, she rushed called out, "Ranma!"

In the center, a tired but ok redhead lifted her head. "Heya Hikaru!
It worked!"

Hikaru hugged Ranma, "Thanks to you! I was so worried about you!"

Clef walked in and coughed into his fist, "Ehhem... we must be going
now."

Ranma and Hikaru let each other go and followed the mage to join
the other three on the edge. Their next destination, the Spring of
Eterna.


---- Zagato's Citadel ----

Anova was still, quiet, and nervous. His lord was staring into
the magic skrying mirror. While this was normal, Zagato's
fists where clenched tightly with small drops of blood tapping
on the stone floor. Two attacks had failed, with Lafarga
returning exhausted and badly injured from internal injuries
of cause unknown.

"Anova."

"Yes, Lord Zagato."

"Our little invaders have proven more skilled than we gave them
credit for. Furthormore, they are gathering allies," Zagato paused
and released his fists. "And we will use their ease of trust
against them."

"What would you have me do?"

"Accompany Caldina and await the group at the citadel in the Forest
of Silence. There, you will assist them against an attack by
our illusionist. From there, I believe you know what to do." Zagato
turned swiftly, and left a still bowing, but smiling, Anova.


--- Unnamed village midway to Spring of Eterna ---

Ranma's stomach growled. The day had provided plenty of surprises,
and Clef felt that speeding their travels would put the worst
behind them. Especially with magic now free to be used in the
Forest of Silence, Zagato was sure to follow.

Hikaru noticed the growling, and looked up at the angle of
the sun. "Hey, what do you think we take a break and eat?"

Clef nodded, "Indeed. Mokona, would you mind if we had something
to eat?"

Ranma tapped her foot impatiently till the food appeared - above
her head. Crawling out of the moutain of food, "Come back here
you! Dropping stuff on my head, water or food isn't nice!"

As the others sat down to eat around the clearing, Hikaru caught
the fleeing Mokona. "Mokona, that wasn't nice..." She received a
short puu, and she continued in a teasing voice. "But since Ranma
doesn't seem to say thank you or picks on you so much, she
probably deserves it."

Ranma's mouth was gaping, trying to find the words to combat
Hikaru's claims. In the back of her head, several quick insults
tried to come to front but failed as he couldn't see why he should
hurt Hikaru in any way. Ranma hung her head and the final result
came out as, "I'm sorry Mokona."

Hikaru smiled and patted Ranma's head with a light tap and cradled
Mokona to her chest. "Good. Now, let's go eat!"

Ranma sighed and glarred at Mokona, who had a smug smile on his
face. "Alright, but you better be good."

Fuu and Ferio were on the other side of the clearing, under a large
tree for shade. They sat in silence on either side of the tree,
eating their picks from the pile. Fuu was the first to gather the
courage to speak, "So, um, Ferio, what is life like here in
Cephiro for you?"

Ferio closed his eyes, "When do you mean? Before Zagato came or
now?"

"I'd like to know about both please."

He took a deep breath, remembering, and trying to find a way to
express himself in the right way. "Before it was paradise.
I've always been a traveler, doing odd jobs with my sword. When
times got tough, living off the land wasn't a problem and I enjoyed
the quiet. Sure, some monsters were around like in the forest, but
it was fairly safe. I was just looking for a way to get back
at Zagato after he came and protect everyone in the land." Looking
to his side to glance at Fuu,

Fuu blushed. Thoughts of her own knight protecting her deepened the
blush further. Ferio didn't notice as by that time he went back
to eating.

The awkward silence was broken when Clef came up. "Ahead is a small
village. Be on your guard, but I don't think we will run into
trouble. We will be leaving soon."

Clef walked to Umi, who was sulking against another tree. She didn't
eat much and was rolling a small rock on the ground with the tip
of her foot. "What is wrong, Umi, you seem troubled?"

"It is nothing. I'll be fine, I just want to get out of here and go
home," Umi sighed out. Clef wasn't satisfied with her response, as
he could feel the something was troubling her.

"I would appreciate your company, may I sit with you? Perhaps you
can tell me what is bothering you."

Umi nodded and sat, hugging her knees to her chest. Clef sat on a
large dead log a short distance away. "I'm so alone and scared."

Clef leaned forward, but remained silent.

"Ever since we were taken from Tokyo, I've seen more things than I
thought were possible. Ranma and his skills, this magic stuff,
and a whole new world that I never knew existed. I wonder what my
friends are doing back in Tokyo, and I wish I was there with them.
Here, I don't have anything."

Clef could see how hard it was on the young girl's ego to tell him
this. Around the others, he could tell she was putting on a stone
face and attitude to cover something. "What makes you say that Umi?"

Umi turned her head in the direction of Ranma, "Mr.Pervert over
there, that's what."

This wasn't what Clef was expecting, "Explain, I'd like to help if
there is anything I can do."

Umi turned her head back to Clef, "He is pushing the others away
from me. Sure, he will help us in battle, but outside of that,
he is ruining the team! I'm a magic knight, not him." Umi
paused, "Just look at him! He is getting along great with Mokona,
Hikaru, Ferio, Fuu while I'm over here."

"I'm here with you."

Clef stood and extended his hand to help Umi up. "Ranma and the
others are working well together, but not in the way you think
they are out to keep you out of the team." Umi stood up and
dusted herself off, Clef continued, "It takes time to adapt.
Don't worry about your friends in Tokyo, time has been paused
for a short while when the princess brought you here. Now, you
just need to concentrate on communicating with the others.
Perhaps saying hello and working with Mokona and Ranma will help,
I'll be there with you should things get out of hand."

Umi wiped a tear from her eyes that escaped, "Thank you Clef.
I'll try. Knowing my friends in Tokyo are ok helped a lot.
I just hope I can get to know the others better while I'm here."

"Well, should we be going? We should be able to reach the Spring
of Eterna soon," Clef motioned with his hand in the
direction of the village.

Umi knodded and went to get the others, with Clef close behind
her.

On the road once more, the group walked in silence. Umi, by
suggestion from Clef, was carrying softly puuing Mokona.

Ranma was the first to notice the village ahead, and took off
ahead to check it out. Clef shook his head, mumbling about
how some people never learn about jumping into things head
first. Mokona shook herself loose from Umi and bounced after
Ranma. Umi gave chase, resulting in the rest of the group
also running to keep up.

In the village, Ranma wandering around. "Doesn't seem to
be anyone home... maybe I should knock..." Just before she
tapped on the door, a pitchfork stabbed at her head. Ducking,
Ranma swept the feet out from her attacker and kicked up at
the weapon. It flew up and stuck in the ground behind Ranma
ten feet back.

"Now hold on here, I was just wondering if there was anyone
here!" Ranma yelled out. "I wasn't looking for trouble or
nothin."

Umi was panting and tried to catch her breath as she put her
hand on Ranma's shoulder. Ranma heard her coming and so didn't
turn to attack her, and kept her eyes on the villagers gathering.

"I don't think they want us around here Ranma. We better go."

Ranma knodded, and backed off. The others grouped up with him,
weapons at the ready. Ferio was especially nervous and whispered
to the rest of the group, "This is weird, these people shouldn't
be hostile."

"You know them Ferio?" Clef asked.

The group of villagers parted as a large burly man came through,
with a wood axe slung over his shoulder. Pausing, he squinted at the
group, frowning. "Hey! What are you doing here! You remember what
I told you a year ago?"

Ferio smirked, and slung his sword over his shoulder, "Ya, I
remember. I beat ya five times in a card game and you never
paid up, so you kicked me out. Want another game? Double or
nothing?"

"You bet!"

All villagers, magic knights, martial artists and mages
present face vaulted.


----- Citadel in the Forest of Silence -----

Presea shivered in the doorway to the courtyard of the citadel.

"I suppose I should go inside and prepare for their arrival. I hope
that Clef is with them."

Outside, Anova slipped out of the tree silently. Through the
darkness, Caldina seemed to morph out of the solid stone wall.

"Here is where we will spring the trap. Yes, this pond should do
nicely for our purposes. You know what to do Caldina..."

Lights danced throughout the area as magic energies warped the
appearance of reality in the courtyard. "Right on sugar."


----- Morning at the village ----

"Thank you for your hospitality. We'll now be on our way."

Hikaru turned and caught back up with Ranma. As they treked
forward, Ranma began to slow over the hour. Hikaru was
concerned, and stopped him.

"What is wrong Ranma?"

"Something doesn't feel right ahead. I've been trying to figure
out what it is, but this magic stuff is kinda new to me."
Ranma closed his eyes, "Not sure what this feeling is. It doesn't
feel like ki or something living. Compared with everything else
I've felt this past day with magic, it just feels out of place."

Hikaru gripped his hand, "Come on. We'll face it together whatever
it is. Besides, we have Clef with us now."

The main group was starting to grow farther away, but didn't seem
to notice Ranma and Hikaru's absense. The feeling became stronger
and Ranma's grip on Hikaru's hand became stronger.

"Ranma, you are starting to hurt my hand."

He immediately popped out of his trance and cradled the hand. "Sorry!
Sorry! Are you alright?"

Hikaru gripped his shoulders, staring into Ranma's deep blue eyes.
"Don't worry, we will make it. I don't know what it is you feel,
but surely Clef would let us know if it is as bad as you think.
If you don't have a clear head, you won't be able to relax. I know
enough of martial arts to know you need a clear head to face
a challenge."

Ranma's resolve solidfied faster than super quick drying cement.
"You're right! I'm the best martial artist in the world... er...
Cephiro... um... OUT THERE! I can win! Now let's go find out what
this thing is!"

Bending down with his back to Hikaru, Ranma motioned, "Get on. I'll
take a shortcut. Besides, we need to catch up to the others."

Hikaru wrapped her arms around Ranma's neck and he firmly held her
calves.

"WIPE!"

Her ride had leaped to one of the large branches halfway up a tree,
and adjusted his grip to make sure Hikaru is ok. Smirking, "Alright,
here we go!"

Her eyes closed tightly has Ranma jumped to the next tree. She
could her branches whooshing by, never touching.

Ranma's voice soothed her between jumps, "It is ok. It is
perfectly safe with me around."

Peeking an eye over his shoulder, Hikaru was amazed at ths rate they
were traveling. The rest of the party was taking a winding way to their
right around the dense trees. Looking ahead, she could see a pond, and
noticed Ranma giving it a wide birth.

"Heh, not gonna get me this time Jusenkyo. Especially when I have
passengers."

Smirking at the comment, Hikaru began to relax and enjoyed the ride.
A small sparkly caugh her eye ahead. "That must be it! The Spring
of Eterna."

Ranma smirked, his feelings confirmed that this was the place. "Doesn't
look that bad."

Rushing the expanse of land, Ranma's final jump ended them on a cliff
overlooking the spring. He then set Hikaru down. "Alright, well, I
wasn't expecting this - more water."

"It is a spring Ranma."

"Heh, guess you're right." Looking over the area and seeing or feeling
anything else, "This is it. Well, want to get this over with?"

"What? We should wait for the others. They might be worried about us."

"Na, By the time they get here, we could be out with the escudo by
then." Ranma gripped Hikaru's wrist and jumped.

"RANMA!"

As the splashed into the water, Ranma was surprised at the warmth, just
enough to prevent a change. As they slowly sunk, he felt a force
pulling him and Hikaru apart. He fought back, and then applied a little
time barriar to protect them from whatever it was. It somehow worked,
because almost immediately they emerged together in a large chamber.

"I wasn't expecting this," Ranma looked around.

"Neither was I," said a voice behind them.

Ranma and Hikaru whirled and faced the third arrival - that wasn't
there - just some fog. It slowly condensed into one body of a human.
Then colors formed out of the gray mass. The end result was short
black hair, light blue dress, and black shoes.

Ranma was white as a sheet, "A-a-ak-kane!"

"You know her?" Hikaru asked.

He stepped back when Akane's fists clenched, "Whoa! Akane! It's
not what you think!"

Akane ran forward with a speed Ranma had never witnessed in her
before, and slammed him in the chest with a large wooden mallet.
Blood spittle flew out of his mouth and he was tumbled onto the
ground, totally unprepared for the attack.

He coughed once, and got up on his hands and knees. "Akane,
please, stop. Listen to me..."

Again, Akane launched forward. Her momentum took a detour
when Hikaru bodychecked her from the side, "Oh no you don't!
You are not hurting Ranma like that again!" Drawing her
sword from, Hikaru positioned herself between Akane and
Ranma. The sword was struck from the side by another,
forcing Hikaru to parry backward and to the right. Looking
at the face of her attacker, her breath stopped, "Satoru!"

Ranma stood and surveyed the area. Akane was on the floor, but
was motionless. Hikaru was backing off from an unknown attacker
with a sword. Leaping forward, Ranma prepared to deliver the
chestnut fist.

"No Ranma! He is my brother!"

Stumbling, Ranma tried to step around Satoru. In return for his
troubles, the blade whipped around and drew a deep gash down
Ranma's side. Whincing in pain, Ranma limped back to Hikaru.
"That's gonna hurt in the morning... we just can't sit here
and get killed. We can't exactly fight back though, especially
since I don't hit girls - even uncute tomboys."

Hikaru scowled, "Even if they fight you!"

"Well, look at yourself, your own brother is there with a sword
for goodness sakes!"

Looking back at Akane, Ranma noticed she was standing back up.
Hikaru blocked another downward swipe, and was locked in a struggle.
While her back was totally wide open, Akane attacked.

"NO! Hikaru!" Ranma clenched his fists and concentrated, blood dripping
freely from the wound on his side. Feeling out his magic aura, he tried
to trap Akane without actually having to attack her. Surprisingly,
it had now effect on her movement... "Unless this isn't really there!
Gotcha! Katchu tenshin amaguriken!" Akane's form blurred, and turned
into whisps mist.

Exhausted, Ranma fell over, the blood loss from the deep wound
taking its toll. "Well, wake me when its over."

Hikaru glansed over when she heard the thump behind her. "Ranma!"

Satoru growled and broke from the struggle. Leaping over Hikaru
by over ten feet, he pointed the sword down at Ranma's still form.

"No!" Matching trajectories, she dove between Ranma and the sword.
Her eyes closed, waiting for the cold steel to pierce her back.
It never came, and she opened one eye. Ranma was in front of her,
floating in midair - as was she. "Ranma, we're safe!"

"Just let me sleep a little longer pop..."

"RANMA!"

"Wha!! Wait!! I'm awake! Not the pond again! Errr... oh. Hey
Hikaru," looking down Ranma examined his midair state. "I could
get used to this." The magic let up and both landed on their feet.
"Guess I spoke too soon. What just happened?"

Hikaru hugged Ranma, "I was so afraid, I thought I had lost you.
Now aren't hurt. That may have been some sort of test." Pointing
down the cave corridor where a glow was pulsing,
"The escudo is probably down there."

Nodding to each other, they ran down and were surprised to see
Umi and Fuu, with their gloves glowing. Fuu noticed their arrival
first, "Hello! We just retrieved our escudo. We were worried about
you two until Mr.Clef said you already entered the spring, so
we came in after you."

"But... we went in before you!" Ranma was wondering how the
two other knights got ahead of him.

"I don't know, but Mr.Clef might know."

"Enough of that, the escudo is waiting for you two," Umi said,
pointing to the floating yellow and red crystals in the air above
them.

"Oh yea." Reaching up, the escudo was absorbed into their wrist
ornaments. After all the crystals were gone, a bright light enveloped
the group. Their armor changed and covered their shoulders as they
started to levitate into the air, then they teleported to the surface.

"That was way cool!" Hikaru exclamed as they touched back down on
ground a small ways from the spring.

"Alright! Now I have cooler stuff than that old ghoul and freak of
nature put together!"

A round of tear drops was present on everyone else but Ranma.

"Umm... Yes. Glad to have you back," Clef said from side, standing
with Ferio.

"Hey, how did Fuu and Umi beat us to the escudo in there?" Ranma
asked.

Clef shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. The spring uses magic
ages old that even I don't understand. Perhaps your skills
interacted with it somehow. In any case though, everyone is safe
and has what we needed. Now we must hurry back to Presea to
fashion your weapons, then the real quest begins for the mashin."

Mokona hopped from the above cliff on top of Ranma's head, "Puu!"
It quickly jumped into Hikaru's arms, puuing softly.

Ranma's eye twitched, "Just you wait marshmellow, I'll get you
some day..."

Umi laughed, "Looks like you'll need to be faster than that
Ranma. Ten Mokona, zero Ranma!"

"Ahh... shut up." "Puu!!"

---------------

End chapter 5.

I will continue more in chapter 6.... where they recieve their
weapons and Anova goes into action with Caldina.