I really have no idea where this came from.  I was watching MTV, and 
this hit me...

********

	"Ranma!  Prepare to die!" Ryoga shouted as he flew at Ranma, his 
umbrella leveled at his most hated rival's head.

	Ranma ducked with ease, and returned with two quick kidney 
punches that had no effect on the Lost Boy.

	As Ranma was ducking, Kuno took the moment to attack.  "Ranma 
Saotome, for your crimes against the beautious Akane Tendo, and the 
vibrant Pig-Tailed One, I, Tatewaki Kuno, Blue Thunder of Furinkan High 
School and Rising Star in the High School Kendo World, will punish you!"

	Kuno lost the perfect opportuninty to strike, as he was too busy 
waving his Pointy Stick around, and posing.

	Ranma pivoted from his squatting posistion, and launched a 
rising crescent kick (Not a special move.  He stood as he did a crescent 
kick is all.), that he followed with a falling heel strike to Kuno's 
collarbone.  A clatter was heard as a bokken fell to the ground, the 
pressure point paralyzing Tatewaki's arm.

	<One down, one to go.> Ranma thought to himself.  He closed in 
for a long battle with Ryoga.

	Just then, Ranma felt a presence.  A powerful presence.  It 
could only be one of two people, and because Ranma was still male, he 
figured it had to be...

	"Old Ghoul.  What do-*dodge*-you-*punchpunch*-want?" Ranma 
asked, not missing a beat in his and Ryoga's beautiful dance.

	"It is time, Ranma Saotome, heir of the Saotome School of 
Indiscriminate Grappling." Khu Lon intoned.

	Ranma stopped.  She didn't call him son-in-law.  That could only 
mean one thing.  And he didn't like to think of that one thing.

	Ranma turned to Kuno, touched a spot on his arm, and handed him 
back his bokken.  He looked the kendoist in the eye with a solemn glare, 
and bowed formally to him.  "It has been an experience knowing you, 
Tatewaki Kuno-sempai.  I would be honored if you would not forget me 
should I fail."

	Surprisingly, Kuno returned the bow just as deeply.  "Truly, the 
honor is mine, Saotome-kohai.  The world would be a sadder place, should 
we lose you.  You must endeavor to come back."  With that, Kuno turned, 
bowed to Khu Lon and Ryoga in turn, and left.

	Ranma turned to Ryoga.  "You know what this means." Ranma 
stated.

	"Yeah.  A victory party when you get back.  They won't have 
anything on you, Ranma.  I've been fighting with you for a year now, and 
I know that you are better then Aiji ever was."  Ryoga took a few steps 
toward Ranma, and looked him in the eyes, with a sad yet hopeful 
expression.  Ryoga knew that this was going to be difficult, but he 
didn't want to lose Ranma.

	Ranma felt the same way.

	The pair threw their arms around each other, and embraced like 
brothers that knew it would be a long time until they saw each other 
again.

	For that is what they were.  Brothers.

	Ranma broke the hug, and bowed deeply to his Art-Brother.  
"Ryoga Hibiki, I name you my Art Childe.  Should I fail, all that I 
know... all that I am, shall be passed unto you.  As it is written..." 
Ranma stated, speaking the ancient words to the ritual, to ensure that 
what he knew would never be lost.

	"So shall it be." Ryoga intoned, accepting this honor.  With 
that, the pair strode towards the Amazon Matriarch.  As he walked, Ranma 
spoke to the night.

	"I have been chosen.  I have named Ryoga my Art Childe.  I name 
Akane Tendo as my Soul Bearer.  For the sake of us all, I go."

	Ranma and Ryoga followed Khu Lon, and vanished.

*******

	Shampoo and Ukyo held each other as they sobbed.  Even though 
they knew how good Ranma was, they were afraid.  There were penalties 
for this, if he lost.  Being killed was the least of it.  What was 
worse, all memory of his ever existing would be wiped out.  Only two 
people would ever remember him, his Art Childe, and his Soul Bearer.

	They were neither.  If he lost, they would forget that they ever 
knew him.

	They didn't want that.

	Ukyo and Shampoo looked at each other, and cried harder.

*******

	Mousse sat in quiet contemplation on the rooftop of the 
Nekohanten.  He didn't understand why he was feeling this way.  He 
should be happy that Ranma was going to fight this impossible fight.  He 
should be happy that all knowledge that Ranma ever existed was going to 
be stricken from the minds of everyone on the planet.  He should be 
happy that Shampoo would forget all about that wretch, and be his.

	He should be ecstatic that Ranma would soon be out of his way 
completly, but he wasn't.

	Mousse couldn't put a finger on it, but something inside him 
made him say "Hurry back, Saotome.  You are an interesting time."

*******

	Deep in the forests of China, a minotaur raised his head, and 
gave honor to one that he would never honor otherwise.  But Taro knew 
the legends, and any chosen should be honored for their bravery.

*******

	Elsewhere in China, Herb sat on his throne lost in thought when 
the sending hit him.  He, Lime, and Mint all looked at each other, then 
murmured their best wishes to Ranma.  Herb, Soul Bearer of Spice, 
muttered "You're going to need it, Saotome."

*******

	The Tendo Dojo was hit hardest by the sending.  Four Martial 
Artists sat, staring at each other, lost deep in thought.  Akane was the 
only one that could speak.  "Ranma.  Come back to us.  Please."

	Soun, Genma, and Happosai could only nod as Akane broke into 
tears.  Her words summed it up for them, as well.

*******

	Ranma, Ryoga, and Khu Lon entered a black stone hallway, lit by 
torches in wall sconces.  As they walked, Ranma looked at the walls.

	Written in various languages, was the same passage, over and 
over again.  As it was written wherever Martial Arts was taught.  It was 
the first thing taught to a student, when they passed the threshold from 
martial arts, to the pure Martial Arts.
-- 
JD Farber
email: sabreb@erols.com
ICQ: 3378089
Phone#: Like I'm gonna give _THAT_ to you perverts...

Scream 'Love' to someone
In your own way
Swear 'Peace' to someone
This is Bravery

-Akuma to Tenshi no Kiss