Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen One ❯ The Powers ( Chapter 1 )

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

The Chosen One

Chapter one

By- Angel Princess of Heavens

Disclaimers: I don't own Ranma . Somebody in Japan does~ ^_^

Author's Notes: My previous readers will have to read this new chapter
again, because following the advice of a reader who reviewed (oh thank
you, thank you), I have corrected and made my first chapter and
prologue better and cleaner. I'm pleased by the revisions and I hope
you guys enjoy it.

"Mommy, mommy, look!" A tiny girl with blue hair ran toward her mother
in glee. A taller and sturdier boy ran right behind her, as if he were
afraid she was going to fall and hurt herself.

"Look at what Ryo-chan can do!" Ryouga scratched his head, slightly
embarrassed by what his little sister was making a big deal of.

"It's nothing special, mama."

"I want to see, dear. Why, can't your mama see?" Ryouga blushed
slightly and shook his head.

"Of course you can see, mama."

Then he closed his eyes and focused on his hand. Suddenly flames
started to gather around his fingers and a tiny firestorm appeared on
his palm. As soon as he opened his eyes, the flames disappeared. Akane
happily clapped her hands, awed by this magnificent display. Ryouga
cast a shy glance at his mother.

"Mama, are you okay?"

"Yes, of course darling."

Naomi was white with fear. Fear that if the villagers knew that her
children were Gifted they would take them away from her.

"Darling, you have to promise me that you'll never ever show other
people this. Now you can play with the fire by yourself and with
Akane, but never show it to other people, okay? You have to promise
mama this. This is very important."

Ryouga nodded, a bewildered expression in his eyes, but he obediently
listened to his mother. Akane looked at the exchange with bright
interest.

"Mommy, why can't I do things that Ryo-chan does?"

"Because Hime-chan, I'm better than you."

"NO YOU'RE NOT!!" Akane yelled, pouting at her twin.

"Yes I am. I'm older, I'm stronger, I can play with the fire, too!"

"You're only a minute older. And you're only stronger because you're a
boy!"

"Either way, you still can't play with the fire."

"It doesn't matter! I'm a girl, that makes me automatically better
than you!" Akane retorted bravely, but tears of envy welled up in her
eyes.

"Mommy, I want to play with the fire, too!"

Naomi gently cut into the heated argument to save Akane from bawling.

"Now Ryouga, apologize to your sister. You're special to have a gift
of the fire, but that doesn't mean that she isn't unique too."

"Oh, but mama, I know we are special. More special than anybody can
imagine."

Naomi whirled around and stared into Ryouga's face, stunned by the
sudden change of his voice. For an instance, it sounded so wise and so
old... She shook her head.

"Of course, you two are my angels."

She lovingly gazed at her two children. They weren't born from her
womb, yet they were so very precious to her and her husband. Their
beautiful twin babies. Those two were so close to each other. Somehow,
Naomi realized that their bond was linked together in heart, soul and
mind. They truly were best friends and they shared a bond deeper than
death, stronger than life and it was as if they were two parts of one
soul. But behind her joy of having her babies was a lurking fear that
the villagers would accuse them of being devil's spawn because of
their rather unique talents. She lovingly gazed at her daughter's
face.

Suddenly Akane's eyes brightened and she happily turned around to face
her brother.

"Ryo-chan! Let's go to the river! I want to play in the river!"

Naomi frowned slightly.

"Now Akane, what did I tell you about water safety?"

"But mommy, the river is my friend."

Akane innocently gazed up at her mother, speaking the truth. To her,
the river was alive and it sang to her in soothing tones. She felt
alive when she was encased in the calming waves of the river. She felt
as if every pore of her existence suddenly flared into life by the
cool substance that surrounded her. She didn't understand why mommy
wouldn't let her too near it. Akane loved the river, and she knew that
the river adored her for some reason. It would never harm her.

"Of course Akane, I understand that you are a wonderful swimmer, but
that doesn't make you a fish."

"Oh mama, don't worry. I'll take good care of Hime-chan."

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much!"

"No you can't! You need a man like me to protect you."

"You're not a man! You're just seven years old, just like me!"

"Now children. I'll give you permission to go to the river, please
calm down."

"Okay, Mama," the two children chorused and then took off in the
direction of the forest. Naomi stared after her two darlings trying to
ignore the nagging sense of dread in her heart.

~*~

"Ryo-chan! There's Shadow!"

Ryouga paused and then he whistled sharply. A gray wolf emerged from
the shadows of the forest and crouched at Ryouga's side. Ever since
the time they had first entered the forest this wolf had followed them
faithfully, until Ryouga had finally turned around and faced the wolf.
He had stared into the wolf's pale blue eyes and had asked, "What do
you want?" The wolf had bowed its head and then Ryouga had gently
stroked its fur.

"You're a magnificent creature. Are you sure you want to be bound to
me?"

Somehow, Akane had known that an old ritual had taken place. The
submission of the knowing to the ultimate power. The connection
between Master and servant. From that day on, Shadow became Ryouga's
loyal friend and guardian. Ryouga tenderly patted Shadow's head. Akane
smiled at the traditional exchange then she stared up at the sky. She
loved Shadow as well, but her favorite animals were the hawks that
flew over her head. She could feel the joy of the wind, of dancing
amidst the clouds, and the wild beauty of being free. To be unbound
from earth and to roam free among the wind, that was her way of life.
The pure yet savage beauty of it fascinated her. Suddenly a golden
hawk plunged toward their direction. Ryouga ducked and it seemed as if
the hawk were going to plunge beak first into Akane. Akane, in
surprise rather than fear, threw up her hand, summoning and awakening
a long Forgotten Power she had. A windblast suddenly shot out and
enclosed the winged predator. The hawk struggled against the chains
that bound it. Akane reached out and took the hawk in her hands.

"My poor beautiful beast. Your fate is to roam wild in this untamed
realm. Go."

Akane freed the hawk from its bonds, but the hawk silently turned
around. Akane found herself gazing into the palest yellow eyes. Then
she felt as if the hawk recognized her. As if the hawk accepted Akane
as a Child of the Wind. It bowed its head and latched itself onto
Akane's shoulder. Akane understood the meaning of the actions and then
stroked the hawk's head.

"Ahh, my beauty. You and I shall one day fly in the skies together,
free from the chains that trap our existence to this land. I shall
name you Aeril, after the Skies."

The hawk seemed to nod yes. Ryouga then spoke quietly.

"So you have finally uncovered your guardian, Hime-chan."

"I believe so, Ryo-chan. I think, soon, it is our time."

Akane's golden eyes turned wistful, somehow sensing that her life was
about to change and that she would uncover her true nature, one that
would not be accepted by these mountain villagers. She understood
everything and nothing of her discovery. Then suddenly they heard loud
noises. Shouts and screams of unruly mortal children broke the peace
and holiness of the forest. Ryouga and Akane's eyes narrowed slightly
and they both sprang up gracefully. A group of kids came into view.
They were dressed in the common clothes of their mountain village and
they stopped when they saw the twins. The air was crackling with
tension, hostility and fear.

"What are you people doing here?" Ryouga angrily asked, his hand
unconsciously curling into a fist. Akane felt his anger and put a
restraining hand on his shoulder.

"Why? This isn't your forest, Hibiki," the leader of the crowd boldly
challenged.

"Get out! All you pitiful kids do is destroy and harm the forest. Get
out!" Ryouga yelled, crouching low. Shadow's actions corresponded to
his master, a low growl emanating from his throat and his teeth bared
warningly. The children backed away slowly. Akane stood by her
brother, her tiny figure strong and defiant.

"Well, Hibiki. If it isn't your little sister," the boy said
tauntingly.

"Why are you hanging out with a girl, Hibiki? Are you afraid you'll
break a nail if you hang out with guys?"

Akane, in rage, stepped up.

"Shut up!!!"

"Or what, little girl? Are you going to throw your dollies at me?
Freak. Or should I say Devil's Spawn?"

Suddenly Aeril soared up in the air and threateningly brandished her
talons. Before she could attack, though, Ryouga yelled.

"DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT MY SISTER THAT WAY! You're not even worthy of
her."

His eyes flared with wrath and he straightened, his young body tense
and predator-like. The children cringed slightly and gathered more
tightly around each other. The leader taunted, goaded by the fact that
one yell from a Hibiki could subdue his comrades.

"Ooh, look. I'm really scared now."

"You should be..."

With that, Ryouga instinctively held out a hand, focusing within to
stir his Forgotten Power, spurred on by his anger. Soon the ground
began to rumble.

"...Because," Ryouga said through clenched teeth, "you just made me
very very angry."

As Ryouga flicked his wrists, the ground suddenly opened around the
now frightened group and it shook furiously, mirroring Ryouga's
emotions. He was going to bury those worthless insects alive until
Akane placed a warning hand on her twin.

"Now, Ryo-chan. I think we scared them enough."

"Never! They'll never be forgiven for degrading you!"

Ryouga, wild with rage, had lost all sensible thinking. Akane calmly
smiled, attempting to soothe Ryouga.

"Calm down, onii-chan. They aren't worth your time."

The huddled group of children watched the exchange fearfully. And they
all flinched and drew in together when Akane pinned them with a cool,
golden gaze.

"I'm very sure that they won't bother us now. And they won't talk
about this little incident with anyone. Will you, Kuno-san?" she
sweetly addressed the terrified leader.

"Of-of course not, Hibiki-sama. We will never ever speak a word about
this to anybody. And we'll never bother this forest again. Ne, guys?"

All the kids frantically nodded. Akane gazed into her brother eyes and
waited until his eyes became focused and clear again. He slowly
lowered his arm and the earth began to close up. The children breathed
a sigh of relief and then all hightailed out of the forest, never
turning back to see the twins, the twins that were sent to help... and
destroy mankind.

*~*

"Mommy!"

"Oh, Akane dear."

It was now the dark night. As always, Akane and Ryouga relaxed.
Somehow they always felt at peace when it became night. It was as if
they were one with the deep velvet darkness that surrounded them.

"Where's daddy?"

Akane asked, looking for her large, comforting father. Her mother
frowned slightly.

"I don't know, dear. He should be here soon. I think I'm going to look
for him."

"I'll go with you, Mama."

"No, Ryouga. Don't you want to stay and protect your sister?"

"We'll both go with you, then. Mommy. Besides I can take care of
myself. I don't need Ryo-chan to protect me."

"Well, sweetheart. Who's going to protect our house, then?"

"Oh."

"It's all right. Don' t you two worry. I'll find your father and we
can finally have dinner then."

Ryouga and Akane still looked skeptical. They looked at each other,
silently communicating. Watching their expression, Naomi realized
their worry and grinned.

"It's okay. I'll be fine, don't worry."

Ryouga and Akane hesitantly answered,

"Hai, okaa-san."

Naomi smiled reassuringly and patted her pocket.

"If anything happens, I have my daggers with me."

Ryouga and Akane grinned in relief, remembering their mother's martial
arts skills. Their father and mother were well-trained in the martial
arts and her mother's specialty were her two daggers that were passed
down in the women side of her family. Ryouga's father trained with a
long spear. He was very efficient at wielding it with the maximum
power and strength. Their mother turned and stepped toward the forest.

"Now take good care of the house, you two."

That was the last time they ever saw her alive.

~*~

"It's been two hours, Ryo-chan. Let's go and find them."

Akane worriedly glanced at her brother's frown. He stood up and
grasped his heavy red umbrella.

"Let's go, Hime-chan."

He whistled sharply and out of nowhere, Shadow appeared.

"Shadow, I want you to guard our home, okay?"

Shadow whined softly, acknowledging Ryouga's command and he sat on the
floor of the house. Akane took out a small whistle and played a high
note. Aeril flew into the house and perched on top of Akane's small
hand.

"Aeril, help us find our mother."

Aeril tossed her head and her eyes glittered pale yellow. The two
children stepped out into the harsh rain.

~*~

Naomi gasped. It was raining too hard to see anything.

"TENCHI!"

She called out again. Suddenly, she heard strains of her name being
called by her beloved husband.

"I'm coming, Tenchi."

She followed the voice and reached a small cave.

"Tenchi, are you here?"

"Yes, Naomi. No, Naomi! Don't come in!"

It was too late. Naomi had already stepped in. Tenchi was leaning
against the cave wall, exhausted and resigned.

"Dear, what happened?"

"The storm was too hard to walk through and I was too tired. I decided
to step inside the cave but I couldn't get out."

"NANI?!"

Naomi reached out toward the opening of the cave, and indeed, there
seemed to be a sort of an invisible barrier.

"Oh, Kami-sama!"

She beat against the invisible wall with her fists.

"No use. I've been at it with my spear for the past two hours."

She looked around fearfully.

"What's happening, Tenchi?"

"I don't know. The cave doesn't want me to leave or something."

"But the children..."

Suddenly a deep laugh filled the air. Tenchi sprang up and faced the
voice, putting Naomi behind him.

"Who's there?"

"Well, well. Finally all the players have come into the game."

A person came into view. He was a distinguished looking man with
shoulder-length black hair and a mustache. He was wearing a well-worn
brown ki and he was carrying a sword.

"Who are you?"

"Are names really that important? Sometimes what you call the person
is more important than a mere name, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

Tenchi's eyes narrowed.

"To act as someone who you aren't... you know what I mean. Anyway, you
may call me Soun. That's what many people call me."

"I am --"

"I know who you two are. What kind of father would I be if I didn't
know who were taking care of my children."

"Father? Children?"

"Yes, the two children you've been taking care for the past seven
years. They're my children borne from my beloved wife's womb."

"It doesn't matter. They are our children! You can't take them away
from us."

Naomi cried out.

"Their true nature proves otherwise. Aren't they different from an
average human child? It's proof that they are my children."

"We raised them and we loved them."

"Are you saying I don't love them?"

Soun's calm expression suddenly turned dark.

"Oh, Naomi, m'dear. You don't understand how much I love them. You
don't understand how much I longed to hold them and raise them. Do you
know how hard my wife cried when we left them at your care? Did you
know she died of heartbreak afterwards? Yet we had to. We had to leave
our children. We loved them desperately, but we couldn't keep them."

"Why?"

"Why? It is not for you to know. Not yet, anyways."

"Why do you come to us now?"

"Because your two roles are over. You have no more purpose in this
destiny. Destiny has to be fulfilled and sadly, you two played a role
in it. You two had to raise my children and then...die."

Tenchi and Naomi stiffened.

"Die?"

"Yes, as in go to the other world."

"Why?"

"Ah, so many why's... I cannot answer now but soon you'll understand.
Let's just say it's all in Fate's orders."

Tenchi brandished his spear.

"We can't die yet. We have our children to raise."

Suddenly, Soun looked very sorrowful.

"I know," he said softly. "That's why I objected to this, but it's way
the Legend goes. I'm sorry. I'm afraid my--our children will have to
be left alone in this world. Don't worry, though. I always look after
them from my realm."

"Realm?"

"Yes, I have also sent them their animal guardians. Of course, they
had to be approved by these animals first."

"Animals?"

"Yes, oh dear. I'm afraid we don't have much time. Well, let's get on
with it then."

With a flicker of his wrist, Soun drew his sword out. Tenchi tensed
waiting for the attack. He never even felt the swipe. His body fell to
the ground, the crimson blood staining the brown earth. Soun calmly
swung his sword again at Naomi. Naomi, prepared, blocked the swipe.
Her eyes were glistening with tears from the death of her much loved
husband.

"He was your soulmate?"

Soun asked softly, his sword moving rapidly. Naomi nodded, tears
finally streaming down her cheeks. Her two daggers glittered from the
unnatural speed.

"Kimiko was my soulmate, too. Until she died from grief. This Legend
causes too much sorrow. Yet it is meant to be."

Soun's sword went pass Naomi's careful guard and hit her heart. When
the living light started to fade from Naomi's eyes, he carefully
gathered her in his arms and whispered,

"Thank you for taking care of my children. You have my gratitude."

Understanding passed through Naomi before she settled into darkness.
Soun lifted her up and placed her near her husband. He looked up
toward the sky.

"Ah... These are the ones who took care of our babies, Kimiko. It
seems as if we do nothing for them but to cause them pain. And we call
ourselves parents. Did you see them Kimiko? I saw them. They are so
beautiful. I love you so much, darling. And I love them so much."

With a sigh, he turned around and disappeared into the shadows. Back
to his world, where he will be able to see his children. And try to
comfort them in their grief of the deaths of their "parents." As soon
as he left, a light filled the cave. A woman dressed in white appeared
and she brushed Naomi's face. The wound and the blood disappeared from
her body. Next, she touched Tenchi's face. His wounds, too,
disappeared. Gently she put their hands together and clasped them.

"Thank you."

With that, she bowed and turned her eyes toward the place her husband
had been.

"I love you, too, Soun. One day, all four of us will be together. One
day."

She faded back into the light and the darkness overwhelmed the cave
again. And the two bodies were alone in the night, eternally together.

~*~

"Akane, do you see them?"

"Nope, Aeril doesn't see them either."

"Kuso! Where can they be?"

Akane bit her lips. She was feeling a sense of dread now. There was
this nagging sense of knowing that something bad had happened. She
shook her head. No way! She concentrated on locating her parents. She
ran to the river.

`Please, Kami-sama. Please. Let me find them.'

Suddenly, something shifted within her. As if this sense of knowledge
dawned inside her.

`Huh?'

And she found her eyes focusing in the turbulent river. Then she
noticed a lithe figure standing on top of the river? She cautiously
approached the girl.

"Who are you?"

The girl, startled, faced her. Akane gasped. This girl was beautiful
in this otherworldly way. Her skin was a pale blue and her eyes were a
piercing ice blue. Her long dark blue hair streamed around in the
water and her impish, unnatural beauty was graceful and unattainable.
The girl's eyes widened, recognizing Akane.

"You are her!"

The water nymph squealed with delight.

"You are the Chosen Angel!"

Akane frowned with bewilderment.

"Oh, finally. Finally you were enlightened. Now you are complete like
your twin brother.

"Nani? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you'll find out later. May I be your chosen Guardian?"

"Huh?"

"Just say yes!"

"Okay..."

"Yippee! I've always wanted to be your chosen Guardian, ever since I
heard the Legend."

"What?"

"You see, you, your twin, and HE has two chosen Guardians. One in the
form of an animal and the other in form of a creature like me."

"Oh. "

"Don't worry. I'll explain later. My name's Morning Dew."

"Oh, I'm Akane. Just a minute, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure!"

"I'm looking for my parents, do you know where they are?"

"Your parents, but they are--Oh. Sometimes names don't matter. There
is a hidden truth."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. But Akane... The Legend is in motion."

"What do you mean?"

"It's too late. I'll lead you to their bodies."

"What... What did you mean by It's too late?"

Akane's golden eyes widened in disbelief. She slowly backed away.

"Gomen, Akane. It's the Legend."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Akane howled with pain. Ryouga came running toward her and when he
felt her sorrow and grief through their connection, he knew. He closed
his eyes and tears started to fall.

"Akane." Morning Dew gently said. "Stop the rain. You should bring
their bodies home."

Still choking on sobs, Akane unleashed her Power. The rain stopped.
Dewdrops led the way to the cave. Akane and Ryouga stepped in,
supporting each other. They saw the two bodies and slowly walked
toward them. Akane and Ryouga silently picked up the bodies and left
the cave. Morning Dew was waiting outside. Akane looked at her and
murmured,

"Thank you."

"It was nothing. I'll see you soon."

And she disappeared. Akane and Ryouga began the journey home. Tears
still silently falling down their faces. Akane whispered brokenly,

"Do you think they were happy when they died?"

Ryouga glanced down at their parents' faces. An expression of relief
and understanding mirrored their faces.

"Yes."

And all was silent until they reached their cottage. The whole forest
bowed down in solemnity of the two deaths.

~*~

"Ahhh... The Legend's next step had been taken. It will be soon. Very
soon."

The old crone looked up to pale moon glowing in the black, black
night.

~*~

That was one huge revision! Anywayz, I hope you guys like my re-edited
first chapter. Soon, my second chapter is going to be up and you'll
meet Akane and Ryouga as adults. R+R!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't forget!!!