Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ So Cold ❯ Finding the Balance ( Chapter 3 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: xzero 
Anime/Manga: Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Martial Arts | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.23.2006 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.8K | Visits: 544 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Martial Arts | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.23.2006 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.8K | Visits: 544 | Status: Work In Progress
Within the darkness something changed. Where before the roiling oily darkness had been insubstantial, suddenly it was corporeal, pulsating like a cancerous growth on the Earth's surface. A creature no longer fit to be called human stepped from the mouth of the cave, its twisted grin malignant and awful, spreading wide over wizened cheeks long since sunken. A wheezing breath, bubbled, and eventually formed a cackle like only a banshee could match. When finally the being's laughter ceased words in a voice broken and unsteady issued into the night.
"Finally, the time draws near." After those four words the creature's horrible laughter began anew, this time unbridled. Finally the eyes that glowed sickly yellow in the darkness closed once again.
"Finally, the boy is awakened." The darkness shuddered, and the wildlife quieted as the laughter rose once more.
So Cold
By: XZero
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 3 - Finding the Balance
Royal Gardens - Mount Phoenix
Two weeks had passed, yet nothing seemed to give, his training progressed at its usual phenomenal rate, yet the control he sought was still elusive. He could feel the power, could touch it, could shape it, but he could not restrain it, nor pull it into himself. It was so easy to lose himself to despair, but each time he came close a single thought sobered him. For every minute he let himself go it was another moment that he posed the risk of hurting someone. His emotions were reflected in the aura that surrounded him. Even now he felt nothing but cold. He wouldn't lose, couldn't, he wanted his humanity back.
With a growl he flung himself into another kata, his limbs blurring as he paused to lash out at invisible adversaries. With what seemed to be an invisible signal from the imagined battle, things were taken to the next level. He grunted from exertion as he faded from sight, luminous trails of light flashing throughout the training area. After-images appear two or three at a time and were replaced by others as they began to fade. A gleam of silver indicated that he'd drawn the key tools from their place on his back. Arcs of brilliance swirled around him; they were easily distinguished from his own aura by the opposing trails of energy that followed. With a loud snap the head of the Kinjakan separated from its body and flew outward in a deadly arc, slicing through the air cleanly. Ranma reappeared momentarily, the bent angle of the Gekkaja poised in a clawing attack while the Kinjakan was held at arms length as the ring at its top returned, a neat click signifying the completion of the job. The keys were returned to their position within the leather holsters on his back. She assumed he was pausing a moment for breath, but what followed was something out of a Japanese manga.
His scream was nearly primal as he visibly gathered immense amounts of power into his hands and pushed it forward and upward. Power shot out of his cupped palms and rocketed into the sky. The shaft of power was incredible, but wild, she could see the power spilling over, as the beam became unstable and broke. Several smaller beams tore through the wall before he brought it under reign once more and ended the attack.
She could hear his breathing, and it was shallow and heavy, but to her surprise he started again in what seemed to be a complimentary set of kata.
"Amazing." Kiima muttered in awe as she watched his kata, she'd had twenty years to continue training, and she had done so, thanking the long lifespan of her people for her continued vitality, but this, this was simply amazing. His skill was the same, his body was the same, but he was so much faster, and if the craters he'd left in the training areas within the mountain were any suggestion he was definitely stronger.
She'd thought the first would be the last, but as he continued his training she could see his liberal application of ki techniques in each junction. It was as if he was trying to exhaust himself, but it seemed as if it would never happen. Bursts of life energy filled the air as he threw dozens of small orbs into the sky. He paused for the motion only long enough to take once again to the air in a powerful leap. Shafts of light burned through the air and struck the surrounding mountains. Waves of energy emanated from him as barely restrained power flowed off him in waves. Finally, finished with this expulsion of power he descended from where he'd been held aloft by the force of his blasts.
"Ranma!" She called out, leaping down from her perch atop the wall. As she landed she took up a fighting stance. Her smirk was one he'd become familiar with, as it mirrored the one he himself used to wear during a challenge. His smile though was invisible, hidden largely by the brilliance that surrounded him. The pigtailed fighter had simply turned and acknowledged her offer with a change in his stance. He knew that she'd not fall for his usual "lazy" stance. Maybe it was a change in the wind, or an indistinct nod, something, but at an unspoken signal the two combatants threw themselves forward, locking in the first exchange of their match. Punches and kicks were unloaded with lethal precision and blocked just as expertly. Kiima quickly gained the upper hand; using techniques and ki applications she'd learned over the years to suppress his furious attacks. A lion dance knocked him away long enough for her to draw her sword. Kiima's hand to hand was good, but she was a swordswoman first and foremost. Her draw was matched with his own even as she closed in. The Kinjakan and Gekkaja went inactivated but were employed with as much skill as the displaced artist could manage. He was unsurprised when she held the upper hand here as well.
Twenty years was a lot of time to improve, and his contemporaries, at least, they used to be his contemporaries, would be light-years ahead in their training, if Kiima was any indication of the consensus of their power. Kiima had been a decent challenge then; her skill now though would be overwhelming if not for his tremendous ki reserves. He could augment his body to match her, but it was taxing his endurance greatly. Her blows were precise and measured to maneuver him, and for all he recognized what she was doing, he was powerless to stop it. Anything other than what she was guiding him toward would leave him open to attack. He was caught, and he knew it, but he wouldn't lose now, she was naturally stronger, faster, and years more skilled than he, but he'd not give up. If he was going to lose he was going to give it his all. An instant's concentration and his aura exploded around him, forcing her backward from her assault. He watched as she backed off and studied him again. The following engagement was taxing, but in the end she got him.
A sword stroke found the dragon key and pushed it out wide, just as she drew a short sword, forcing the phoenix tool outward as well. His defenses open she simply stepped forward, crossing her swords into a scissor resting at his throat. She gave him a questioning glance and with a sigh he nodded slightly.
"I yield." He said quietly. He'd lost, but then, he had been expecting to, though she had helped him gauge himself, it would take a great deal of time before he was in a league similar to those he'd once been the best among. He backed up a few steps and bowed. Kiima sheathed her weapons and did the same.
"You've gotten better." He said finally, though his voice was unreadable. She suspected he was upset, she could understand. He had once been the best, unstoppable, now though he was bested by her superior skill.
"I've had a long time to train Ranma. You'll get better, I know it. You are more powerful, but your control is lacking, but you know that. What I mean is that you're strong, frighteningly so, and when you can focus all of that the way you want, you'll be far more powerful than any of us. You know, when we first met, I considered you my inferior, that your lack of phoenix blood made you inherently less than myself. But you beat me, not physically, but every time we fought you dismissed my skills without paying me any real attention. I have to admit, that without that I would never have become as strong as I am now. Thank you." She had bowed her head at some point; she was blushing like a teenager, and for the life of her could not figure out why.
"Well, everyone has it in them to be strong, you just needed a shove." He paused, chuckling slightly as he caught on.
"Thanks." He said as he sobered.
Throne Room - Phoenix Mountain
"Prince Herb of the Musk to see Lord Saffron, Keeper of the Keys, God King of the Sacred Mountain!" The herald called from the doors as Herb strode forward into the grand hall. Saffron was of course hidden behind veils of silk. Herb knew that the Phoenix King was no more than an egg right now; his ki senses were sensitive enough to see his aura which was too small to be humanoid.
'Prince Herb, We are gracious for your company, but We are curious. What brings you here from the lands of the Musk?' Saffron knew, he must've felt the surge of power as Ranma broke free of his prison. He wished this wasn't necessary, but protocol must be followed. He hated the workings, truly, but knew their worth.
Herb felt more than heard the words of the Lord of the Phoenix, and smiled at the air of mystique it granted. This would be more than enough to fool any regular dignitary or commoner who sought an audience with him, but he was no ordinary dignitary. The silver haired royal smirked at the thought; he couldn't be classified as ordinary in any case.
"I must admit, this is little more than a social visit. I felt recently a ki signature that is very distinctive, if much stronger than I remember. Saotome Ranma, the foreigner from across the sea. I was told years ago that he'd perished, yet I feel his power now emanating from the mountain. I have come to see him. He is known to me and my people. I wish to visit with him, that is, if your majesty has no grievances with such." Herb was another who held no love for the language of the court, but so long as he was forced he would follow them.
'It is true that Saotome has escaped the ice prison that trapped him for so long. We owe him a great debt for the life he was robbed of. If he wishes to see you, there is no reason for Us to deny you. A steward will show you to quarters where you may refresh yourself and rest from your journey.' The smile was incorporeal, but relayed nonetheless in his next communication.
"I thank you, majesty. Your graciousness will be remembered. By your leave." Herb bowed, not in difference, but rather, in respect for his equal.
'Go, rest, I will have Kiima bring Saotome to see you later, he is training right now I believe.' The formal speech was no longer required, and Saffron was glad for it. Formality ended when the official conversation between royalties ended, now it was him speaking to Herb.
Joketsuzoku Village of the Amazons
"No! Continued pursuit of Saotome is unwise; you were all present for the report of events my heir submitted. He is simply too powerful for us to control." Ku Lon addressed the other members of the council. She had been greatly disheartened to find that they too felt the surge of power.
"Ku Lon, your actions are out of line, this council will decide our course of action. This, male, Saotome, will submit to our will, since he was declared dead the kiss of marriage that he was under with your heir is noted. But the moment he leaves the lands of the phoenix we will send every available Amazon of age to challenge him. His blood must join ours." It was her greatest rival on the council who'd spoken and with the amount of vehemence in her tone Ku Lon knew that the sheep like members of the council would be with her. Ku Lon had been too secretive and gone too long back then; several of her friends on the council had retired to train their heirs. When she'd returned it had been to a drastically changed council consisting of women she remembered in swaddling clothes.
"Yes, besides, no male can truly be more powerful than an Amazon. Three thousand years of history and tradition shall overcome any power he may hope to possess." Another woman, possibly the youngest among the council members, no older than forty, spoke. The propaganda they fed their youth still strong in her mind.
"Fine, do as you will, but me and mine will not take part in this. Your actions will doom us all. Saotome and the Musk prince destroyed a mountain. That was years ago, and the power I felt was infinitely more powerful. You all may feel secure in your superiority, but as the saying goes. Pride cometh before a fall." Ku Lon rose steadily from her seat and made for the door. These women would be the fall of the Amazons, and she would not see that.
Ku Lon made her way toward her granddaughter's home; she had a task for Mu Tzu.
A Beach Near Fukuoka - Japan
Mint and Lime had finally made landfall, and were grateful for it. They were freezing and hungry. They had come to regret their decision to swim. It had been an arduous task to swim from Shanghai to Korea. It was even more so to do it again, this time from Busan to this tiny beach they had found. The lights in the distance told of a nearby city or town where they would get directions to the dojo.
They resolved to find a boat back.
Tendo Dojo
The raven haired Tendo smiled brightly as she finished another kata, she'd enjoyed the stories her mother had told her of her father and someone called Ranma. The two had apparently been rivals. Her mother had never told her what he looked like, but she knew. She remembered her dreams, could see things. She'd always seen things, but never told anyone. That is, until a couple weeks ago. Her mother had needed to know. She was almost twelve, she realized, it didn't seem that way. She saw things in this dojo especially. She'd read about things like this, and according to what she'd read, she was both a pre- and post-cognizant. It meant that she could see things that were going to happen or had already done so. Ranma would come here; he would return to the Tendo Dojo and with his arrival would come evil.
She wished she could tell them more, tell them what was to come, but she had learned that forewarning of things to come would only make things worse. With a sigh she began again.
To Be Continued...
A/N: I made it, consider this my Christmas present to you all. For anyone wondering, yes, I realize Rei seems a little mature for her age, but seeing images of the past can shatter the innocence of childhood, and her character will be fleshed out more in later chapters. Things will become clearer as the story progresses. Oh, and I realized that I had been using “Cologne” while referring to Shampoo as Xian Pu. I intend to fix that later.
"Finally, the time draws near." After those four words the creature's horrible laughter began anew, this time unbridled. Finally the eyes that glowed sickly yellow in the darkness closed once again.
"Finally, the boy is awakened." The darkness shuddered, and the wildlife quieted as the laughter rose once more.
So Cold
By: XZero
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 3 - Finding the Balance
Royal Gardens - Mount Phoenix
Two weeks had passed, yet nothing seemed to give, his training progressed at its usual phenomenal rate, yet the control he sought was still elusive. He could feel the power, could touch it, could shape it, but he could not restrain it, nor pull it into himself. It was so easy to lose himself to despair, but each time he came close a single thought sobered him. For every minute he let himself go it was another moment that he posed the risk of hurting someone. His emotions were reflected in the aura that surrounded him. Even now he felt nothing but cold. He wouldn't lose, couldn't, he wanted his humanity back.
With a growl he flung himself into another kata, his limbs blurring as he paused to lash out at invisible adversaries. With what seemed to be an invisible signal from the imagined battle, things were taken to the next level. He grunted from exertion as he faded from sight, luminous trails of light flashing throughout the training area. After-images appear two or three at a time and were replaced by others as they began to fade. A gleam of silver indicated that he'd drawn the key tools from their place on his back. Arcs of brilliance swirled around him; they were easily distinguished from his own aura by the opposing trails of energy that followed. With a loud snap the head of the Kinjakan separated from its body and flew outward in a deadly arc, slicing through the air cleanly. Ranma reappeared momentarily, the bent angle of the Gekkaja poised in a clawing attack while the Kinjakan was held at arms length as the ring at its top returned, a neat click signifying the completion of the job. The keys were returned to their position within the leather holsters on his back. She assumed he was pausing a moment for breath, but what followed was something out of a Japanese manga.
His scream was nearly primal as he visibly gathered immense amounts of power into his hands and pushed it forward and upward. Power shot out of his cupped palms and rocketed into the sky. The shaft of power was incredible, but wild, she could see the power spilling over, as the beam became unstable and broke. Several smaller beams tore through the wall before he brought it under reign once more and ended the attack.
She could hear his breathing, and it was shallow and heavy, but to her surprise he started again in what seemed to be a complimentary set of kata.
"Amazing." Kiima muttered in awe as she watched his kata, she'd had twenty years to continue training, and she had done so, thanking the long lifespan of her people for her continued vitality, but this, this was simply amazing. His skill was the same, his body was the same, but he was so much faster, and if the craters he'd left in the training areas within the mountain were any suggestion he was definitely stronger.
She'd thought the first would be the last, but as he continued his training she could see his liberal application of ki techniques in each junction. It was as if he was trying to exhaust himself, but it seemed as if it would never happen. Bursts of life energy filled the air as he threw dozens of small orbs into the sky. He paused for the motion only long enough to take once again to the air in a powerful leap. Shafts of light burned through the air and struck the surrounding mountains. Waves of energy emanated from him as barely restrained power flowed off him in waves. Finally, finished with this expulsion of power he descended from where he'd been held aloft by the force of his blasts.
"Ranma!" She called out, leaping down from her perch atop the wall. As she landed she took up a fighting stance. Her smirk was one he'd become familiar with, as it mirrored the one he himself used to wear during a challenge. His smile though was invisible, hidden largely by the brilliance that surrounded him. The pigtailed fighter had simply turned and acknowledged her offer with a change in his stance. He knew that she'd not fall for his usual "lazy" stance. Maybe it was a change in the wind, or an indistinct nod, something, but at an unspoken signal the two combatants threw themselves forward, locking in the first exchange of their match. Punches and kicks were unloaded with lethal precision and blocked just as expertly. Kiima quickly gained the upper hand; using techniques and ki applications she'd learned over the years to suppress his furious attacks. A lion dance knocked him away long enough for her to draw her sword. Kiima's hand to hand was good, but she was a swordswoman first and foremost. Her draw was matched with his own even as she closed in. The Kinjakan and Gekkaja went inactivated but were employed with as much skill as the displaced artist could manage. He was unsurprised when she held the upper hand here as well.
Twenty years was a lot of time to improve, and his contemporaries, at least, they used to be his contemporaries, would be light-years ahead in their training, if Kiima was any indication of the consensus of their power. Kiima had been a decent challenge then; her skill now though would be overwhelming if not for his tremendous ki reserves. He could augment his body to match her, but it was taxing his endurance greatly. Her blows were precise and measured to maneuver him, and for all he recognized what she was doing, he was powerless to stop it. Anything other than what she was guiding him toward would leave him open to attack. He was caught, and he knew it, but he wouldn't lose now, she was naturally stronger, faster, and years more skilled than he, but he'd not give up. If he was going to lose he was going to give it his all. An instant's concentration and his aura exploded around him, forcing her backward from her assault. He watched as she backed off and studied him again. The following engagement was taxing, but in the end she got him.
A sword stroke found the dragon key and pushed it out wide, just as she drew a short sword, forcing the phoenix tool outward as well. His defenses open she simply stepped forward, crossing her swords into a scissor resting at his throat. She gave him a questioning glance and with a sigh he nodded slightly.
"I yield." He said quietly. He'd lost, but then, he had been expecting to, though she had helped him gauge himself, it would take a great deal of time before he was in a league similar to those he'd once been the best among. He backed up a few steps and bowed. Kiima sheathed her weapons and did the same.
"You've gotten better." He said finally, though his voice was unreadable. She suspected he was upset, she could understand. He had once been the best, unstoppable, now though he was bested by her superior skill.
"I've had a long time to train Ranma. You'll get better, I know it. You are more powerful, but your control is lacking, but you know that. What I mean is that you're strong, frighteningly so, and when you can focus all of that the way you want, you'll be far more powerful than any of us. You know, when we first met, I considered you my inferior, that your lack of phoenix blood made you inherently less than myself. But you beat me, not physically, but every time we fought you dismissed my skills without paying me any real attention. I have to admit, that without that I would never have become as strong as I am now. Thank you." She had bowed her head at some point; she was blushing like a teenager, and for the life of her could not figure out why.
"Well, everyone has it in them to be strong, you just needed a shove." He paused, chuckling slightly as he caught on.
"Thanks." He said as he sobered.
Throne Room - Phoenix Mountain
"Prince Herb of the Musk to see Lord Saffron, Keeper of the Keys, God King of the Sacred Mountain!" The herald called from the doors as Herb strode forward into the grand hall. Saffron was of course hidden behind veils of silk. Herb knew that the Phoenix King was no more than an egg right now; his ki senses were sensitive enough to see his aura which was too small to be humanoid.
'Prince Herb, We are gracious for your company, but We are curious. What brings you here from the lands of the Musk?' Saffron knew, he must've felt the surge of power as Ranma broke free of his prison. He wished this wasn't necessary, but protocol must be followed. He hated the workings, truly, but knew their worth.
Herb felt more than heard the words of the Lord of the Phoenix, and smiled at the air of mystique it granted. This would be more than enough to fool any regular dignitary or commoner who sought an audience with him, but he was no ordinary dignitary. The silver haired royal smirked at the thought; he couldn't be classified as ordinary in any case.
"I must admit, this is little more than a social visit. I felt recently a ki signature that is very distinctive, if much stronger than I remember. Saotome Ranma, the foreigner from across the sea. I was told years ago that he'd perished, yet I feel his power now emanating from the mountain. I have come to see him. He is known to me and my people. I wish to visit with him, that is, if your majesty has no grievances with such." Herb was another who held no love for the language of the court, but so long as he was forced he would follow them.
'It is true that Saotome has escaped the ice prison that trapped him for so long. We owe him a great debt for the life he was robbed of. If he wishes to see you, there is no reason for Us to deny you. A steward will show you to quarters where you may refresh yourself and rest from your journey.' The smile was incorporeal, but relayed nonetheless in his next communication.
"I thank you, majesty. Your graciousness will be remembered. By your leave." Herb bowed, not in difference, but rather, in respect for his equal.
'Go, rest, I will have Kiima bring Saotome to see you later, he is training right now I believe.' The formal speech was no longer required, and Saffron was glad for it. Formality ended when the official conversation between royalties ended, now it was him speaking to Herb.
Joketsuzoku Village of the Amazons
"No! Continued pursuit of Saotome is unwise; you were all present for the report of events my heir submitted. He is simply too powerful for us to control." Ku Lon addressed the other members of the council. She had been greatly disheartened to find that they too felt the surge of power.
"Ku Lon, your actions are out of line, this council will decide our course of action. This, male, Saotome, will submit to our will, since he was declared dead the kiss of marriage that he was under with your heir is noted. But the moment he leaves the lands of the phoenix we will send every available Amazon of age to challenge him. His blood must join ours." It was her greatest rival on the council who'd spoken and with the amount of vehemence in her tone Ku Lon knew that the sheep like members of the council would be with her. Ku Lon had been too secretive and gone too long back then; several of her friends on the council had retired to train their heirs. When she'd returned it had been to a drastically changed council consisting of women she remembered in swaddling clothes.
"Yes, besides, no male can truly be more powerful than an Amazon. Three thousand years of history and tradition shall overcome any power he may hope to possess." Another woman, possibly the youngest among the council members, no older than forty, spoke. The propaganda they fed their youth still strong in her mind.
"Fine, do as you will, but me and mine will not take part in this. Your actions will doom us all. Saotome and the Musk prince destroyed a mountain. That was years ago, and the power I felt was infinitely more powerful. You all may feel secure in your superiority, but as the saying goes. Pride cometh before a fall." Ku Lon rose steadily from her seat and made for the door. These women would be the fall of the Amazons, and she would not see that.
Ku Lon made her way toward her granddaughter's home; she had a task for Mu Tzu.
A Beach Near Fukuoka - Japan
Mint and Lime had finally made landfall, and were grateful for it. They were freezing and hungry. They had come to regret their decision to swim. It had been an arduous task to swim from Shanghai to Korea. It was even more so to do it again, this time from Busan to this tiny beach they had found. The lights in the distance told of a nearby city or town where they would get directions to the dojo.
They resolved to find a boat back.
Tendo Dojo
The raven haired Tendo smiled brightly as she finished another kata, she'd enjoyed the stories her mother had told her of her father and someone called Ranma. The two had apparently been rivals. Her mother had never told her what he looked like, but she knew. She remembered her dreams, could see things. She'd always seen things, but never told anyone. That is, until a couple weeks ago. Her mother had needed to know. She was almost twelve, she realized, it didn't seem that way. She saw things in this dojo especially. She'd read about things like this, and according to what she'd read, she was both a pre- and post-cognizant. It meant that she could see things that were going to happen or had already done so. Ranma would come here; he would return to the Tendo Dojo and with his arrival would come evil.
She wished she could tell them more, tell them what was to come, but she had learned that forewarning of things to come would only make things worse. With a sigh she began again.
To Be Continued...
A/N: I made it, consider this my Christmas present to you all. For anyone wondering, yes, I realize Rei seems a little mature for her age, but seeing images of the past can shatter the innocence of childhood, and her character will be fleshed out more in later chapters. Things will become clearer as the story progresses. Oh, and I realized that I had been using “Cologne” while referring to Shampoo as Xian Pu. I intend to fix that later.