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Chapter Three: Memories and Loss
Two days went by, and all in all, things weren't looking too rosy on the global scale. Japan was in a state of emergency, with about 20% of Tokyo destroyed and various scattered small towns and cities razed throughout the Pagoda's path. JSDF/USFJ forces were everywhere, and reinforcements were being sent from Stateside. However, no one knew where the strange black pagoda came from...or went to. That made a bad situation worse, as governments around the world began frantically searching for the black pagoda-ship, lest one of their cities be the next victim. There was some talk by the nuclear powers of retaliatory or preemptive strikes with "special" weapon systems in order to protect the people for what all nations now perceived as a high-level threat. The UN Security Council and the General Assembly were currently arguing about how a global alliance could be successfully achieved to stop this apparent menace to humanity.
China, of course, was the first country blamed. In the wake of the incident in Tiannamen Square the previous week, the PRC was already on bad terms with the global community. This attack on Japan only exacerbated the problem. The US and USSR, in a rare sign of unity, demanded an immediate and full investigation on China's military. China, already reeling from its current problem, authorized it, allowing a quick search by Soviet, British, and US satellites. When they came up with nothing, China was let off the hook--for the attack on Japan. Still, it was tasked with finding the Black Pagoda, since it was obviously based on Chinese architecture. Between the two incidents, history would label 1989 as an extremely unlucky year for the Peoples' Republic.
Meanwhile, in Nerima (with nearly 80 percent of the ward reduced to rubble, it was the district of the Japanese capital hardest hit by the UFO), the Tendo dojo slowly began to calm down from the media circus that had sprung up around the place--the world had camped out on the street in front of the house, and CNN began 24 hour news coverage of their special on the "Pagoda War", with special emphasis on "The Furinkan Fighters", a group of teenagers in Tokyo's Nerima district that fought the enemy in the streets. Government and US and Japanese military officials had gone in to repeatedly question the youths on the potential, alignment and power of the strange item that they had seen--one person in particular, reported by _Newsweek_ magazine as a Ms. Akane Tendo.
In any event, about a day after the initial incident, a spokesman for the family, a Ms. Hinako Minomiya, requested (during an interview shown on NHK, BBC, and Fox) that the media please restrain themselves--there were dozens of casualties or missing within the Nerima area, and in fact the Tendos had one of their own amongst those unaccounted for; that was far more important than the over-blown exploits of a group of teens. The media, for the most part, complied, and with the exception of CNN, AP, and Reuters (who agreed to share their information), the paparazzi left, leaving the Tendo family to their current situation.
There was one odd item, though. One of the neighbors of the family, a Mrs. Nae Suzuki, gave a brief statement to the _Daily Australian_. The eighty-year-old woman was quoted as saying, "For once, there was something stranger in the neighborhood than the people next door."
* * INTERMISSION * *
"I remember hearing about that event in Eighth grade," Tyler said. "My uncle was in the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Ord, and had to be sent over to, um...Camp Zama, I think it's called. He was there with the Reconstruction Forces for about six months."
"Yeah. I think I saw something about that on TV back then. Something to the tune of 2.5 million casualties nationwide, with 760,000 dead and 83,000 injured in Tokyo alone," Ronnie said. "Nerima, Shinjuku, Ginza, and Suginami were the wards most damaged by the thing; Nerima suffering by far the most damage. And you were in the center of that thing, captured by that weird Nguyen guy?"
"No I wasn't," Ranko corrected. "Ranma was."
"Waitaminit," Gil interjected. "You said a redheaded, blue eyed Japanese girl was captured. Last time I checked, your brother's neither red-haired nor female."
"Well, not *all* of the time back then," Mousse said, a faint trace of a smile on his face. "He's gotten better about it now."
"Oh. I think I understand," Maria said.
"For once, Maria, you seem to be *ahead* of the bell curve," Libby said in exasperation.
"Just let Ranko continue," Shampoo explained. "Everything will get clearer, soon enough."
* * STORY * *
The house was silent. There was not a sound to be heard within the confines of the Tendo home. No sounds of Ku-chan on the phone, no sounds of Nabiki watching the stock reports, no sounds of Happosai coming in from his most recent panty raid, no sound of Natsumi kicking his ass over the subject, no sounds of Soun and Hinako playing shoji. No arguments, no fights, no joy, no happiness. Nothing but silence and sadness.
Akari opened her eyes, and quietly got out of the futon she slept in, noticed the one of the other two futons in the very crowded room was empty--Ukyo's; Kodachi was still snoring like the proverbial log. Trying not to disturb the already disturbed Black Rose, she got up and out of Akane's room (where they were staying), then wandered over to the room where the young woman would currently be found in, careful not to trip in the dark. The house was unlit, but all the curtains had been closed, giving the house an empty, nocturnal look...even though Akari's watch read 11:35 in the morning.
She walked the remaining few feet to the door, and tripped over the silent, invisible ninja sitting near the door, katana in his hand. "I'm sorry, Konatsu-san," she said. "I didn't see you there."
"My fault," he replied. "I'm so used to trying to remain unseen when in the dark, being seen when stealth is not needed is something new." He sighed, then asked, "You couldn't sleep, either, could you?"
She nodded slightly. "I'm worried about Akane."
"Take a number." He pointed to the side, where Natsumi, Ryoga, Nabiki, and Hina-chan were. Nabiki and Hina-chan were chatting, trying to keep their minds off the current problem. Ryoga was asleep by the door, his way of admitting his failure; Akari readjusted him a bit more comfortably, then kissed her lover softly on the forehead. Natsumi didn't look too hot either, standing there, windmace at the ready. She gave Akari the slightest of nods to acknowledge the girl's presence, then went back into her focus.
"Who's in there right now?"
"Dr. Tofu, Tendo-san, Uc-chan, and Kasumi. I think the Doc's going to slip her something to put her to sleep."
"Safe to go in?"
He looked at her with an angry glare, then softened up. "Gomen ne. Took it the wrong way."
She patted him on the shoulder. "No offense taken. By the way, I didn't get to say this before, but congratulations--you're the best thing that could've ever happened to Ukyo."
He smiled and softly said, "Hai, domo." She, in turn, winked at him, smiled sweetly (or as much as possible under the circumstances), then turned the knob to the door.
The first thing she noticed about Ranma's room was the little sign on the door. It was a terse, simple sign--not as colorful as Akane's, Natsumi/Kurumi's, or the old one Kasumi used to have on that door; in fact, it looked less ornate than Nabiki's, the previous record holder. There was one lone word on it: RANMA.
Akari opened the door, and peeked in. At first, there was nothing special about the room. It was kind of spartan, really; Ranma, never really having much exposure to material goods until recently, lived fairly monastically, in comparison to the other residents of the house. The western-style bed was covered in simple soft blue sheets and a slate-colored comforter. The open closet contained about two-thirds men's wear (mostly Chinese styles); the remaining third was a wide variety of girl's fashions. The study desk was adorned with a small stereo and a stack of CDs (she could see some works by Ribbon, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pizzicato Five, The Smiths, New Order, The Police, and some Chinese artists), a few manga (mostly _Fist of the North Star_, _Dragon Ball_, and some issues of _X-Men_--in English), and of course, his study materials (books labeled _Gambate! Let's Chinese_ and _English for Busy People_). There were a few posters on the wall (Jacky Chan, Brandon Lee, and one from _Akira_), and what apparently was his most prized possession: a picture of him and Akane in their "Romeo and Juliet" costumes, which sat on the night-stand by his bed.
She fully stepped into the room. In doing so, she bumped into Kasumi, who was talking to her father. The look on Mr. Tendo's face was that of a man who looked like he was about to lose one of the more important things in life. Ryoga had once told her that Mr. Tendo had a flair for melodrama, but the sadness in his eyes told her that this was no simple overreaction. The 21-year-old woman looked completely in distress, helpless to do anything more than watch her sister suffer. That stung a bit; Akari and Akane weren't too close, but she was a nice enough person--and she'd lost her loved one tonight. Akari would be in the same position if she ever lost her dear Ryoga-sama; that's why she came out for Akane.
"Hello, Akari-san," Kasumi said, her voice soft and pleasant, even under the circumstances. You could see the pain in her eyes, and...something else that Akari couldn't identify. Probably motherly concern; she'd heard that Nabiki and Akane were practically raised by the eldest Tendo daughter.
"Kasumi-san, Tendo-san, I wish to thank you for allowing Ryoga and I to stay at your family's home since our apartment was destroyed," she said. "I also hope that Akane is all right."
"Thank you for your concern, Akari-san," Kasumi said, feigning a smile. "I'm so glad that Akane-chan has friends such as you to keep an eye on her. I'm afraid right now she needs it." Tendo-san said nothing, only nodding thanks for her concern.
Akari then trained her eyes on Kasumi's husband, Dr. Ono Tofu, and the other person sitting there as well, putting up a brave front--Ukyo. It was clear to see that the good doctor was not only concerned for his sister-in-law, but also for his patient, as well. Ukyo's bravery was even more transparent, if at all possible. It was clear to see that the young woman in gray was hanging on if only for Akane's sake; otherwise, it'd probably be *her* that everyone was concerned about.
"Akane, please lie down. You'll feel better," the doctor's voice croaked.
"Akane-chan, everything will be fine. We'll get him back." Ukyo's tones sounded as though she were unsure if she was trying to convince the Tendo girl or herself. She brushed the hair out of Akane's eyes, then said, "If anyone can come back to us, you know Ran-chan will. He will, Akane. He'll come back for you, Akane; he loves you."
She finally looked at Akane. What the young woman saw in front of her was something that she couldn't quite describe. It was a testament to love and loss, to hope and hopelessness; the epic of a young woman not even out of her teens becoming a widow of sorts. Reality ceased to exist for Tendo Akane two days ago, and from the haunted look of her face, it might never come back.
* * *
Akane looked like she hadn't slept in two days; the fact that she was still wearing her yellow gi from the other day confirmed it. She sat on Ranma's bed staring into nothingness, her face looking as though she'd cried every last bit of tears left in her, then go for blood if needed. In her arms, tightly wrapped to her body, was her life preserver, her safety blanket, and her link to sanity--Ranma's favorite shirt, his long-sleeve red tang. Without Ranma, she'd become a lost soul, a ship adrift on the sea of memory and loss, thinking only of the past episodes in their life together...
...a longhaired girl meeting a shorter pigtailed redhead with light blue eyes (odd for a Japanese girl), only to find out that she was actually...*taa-daa!* Instant Boy! Just add (hot) water...
...the fights that the girl (now with a bobbed cut) and the guy (still a damn hentai) would constantly have, but in the end, he was always there for her, in his own way, even though neither of them admitted it. He'd go through hell and back for her, though he'd never admit it; she in turn tended to *put* him through hell and back, but she slowly began to uncover the truth in her own heart...
...a life that culminated in a near marriage, followed by this past year by their love for each other beginning to come out of the closet. She could see them, years down the road, living a happy and carefree life, just the two of them, with children to follow someday....
Now, someone had taken that from her. With him gone, she slowly began to realize that she was a less willful than she pretended to be. She always said she needed no one's help, but when push came to shove, *he* was always there for her. Whenever she was in mortal danger, *he* was risking all for her. Even as she risked her life for Shinnosuke, and it looked like she had chosen him (no such deal; she already knew where her heart belonged), *he* stepped into the fray and nearly sacrificed his life for her, and was even willing to leave her just to ensure her happiness....
All along, Ranma had proved that he loved her. He never said it, never voiced the words, but he did--there was the time at the Dragon Tap when she swore Ran-chan'd said it when he thought she was dead; he may have even said it this last time when Shampoo interrupted them this last time...he was even going to kiss her. But that would never happen again. He was gone forever, and with him, she was pretty much gone too.
The girl that would've been Saotome Akane began a new stream of tears.
* * *
There was a knock at the front door. Kuno woke up to the sound of it, not sure of what to do; he and Kodachi were staying at the Tendo residence, like the Hibikis, simply because their home had been destroyed. His father was back on extended vacation in Maui, no one knew where his mother was, and Sasuke left on a month's vacation; this left the pair to their own devices. God, how he loathed being anywhere near his sister, or his father--or most any other member of his family, while you were at it. Possibly the only relative he cared about was his grandfather, but he saw him only sporadically. {{ I don't know where Grandfather screwed up in relation to my father, but at least he tried. I can't say that for my parents.}}
So it was really odd to see the Tendos in their native setting. Sure, he'd met the family on dozens of occasions, but he never *really* met them until two days ago. They were so different from his own; you'd never know the Tendos were related to one another. Sure they were just as bizarre as the Kunos, only with substantially less money. However, they had one thing going for them that his family would never, ever have: happiness. The Tendos, as different people as they were, all loved each other; that love was also extended to Akane's fianc�, Ranma. {{And where in the name of all that is righteous is that wretched fool, anyway? Probably conspiring against the fair Akane to abscond with one of his other fianc�es to some secluded locale. The foul knave. He is undeserving of the love of Akane. By all that is noble, mayhap I should--}}
The door sounded the knocking again, snapping Ham-let out of his soliloquy. Since everybody was otherwise occupied, he got out of his futon and slowly made his way to the door. He slid it open and stared at the people standing outside.
Without further ado, Cologne swatted the guy away from the entry. "Outta my way, sonny. I'm a woman on a mission." As Kuno went flying only to smack against one of the walls, Cologne stepped into the home, flanked by Shampoo and Mousse. The old crone called out, "Happosai! Soun! Get your butts down here! I need to talk to both of you," then sat down on one of the pillows, motioning for Shampoo and Mousse to open some of the curtains--it was much too dark in here.
"By the way, you did bring the videotape, I presume?" Cologne turned to Mousse.
The tall youth flicked his wrist, instantly producing a videotape. "Don't worry. I never forget."
Shampoo remarked. "That right, Grandmother. Mousse not forgetful--just stupid."
"Gee, thanks, Shampoo," he deadpanned. "What'd I do to deserve that?"
"Being stupid and ruining Shampoo life," she reproached...although this last remark was not said with as much heat as the last.
"That's enough, you two," Cologne interrupted. "They may be upstairs. Shampoo, come with me. Mousse, set up the VTR and keep an eye out for that lunatic Happosai. He may be around here somewhere, and I'll need his assistance in this." With no further ado, Mousse went to his assigned task while the Chinese Amazons ascended the stairs to the next story in the Tendo household.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, the two women were met by opposition. Konatsu and Natsumi were already itching for a fight, and the sight of Shampoo made them even more so.
"We knew you'd come to gloat over your little victory, Shampoo," the Tendo girl snarled. "Both of you--get out of my home. You--" she gestured at Shampoo, "--have taken from Akane-chan what was most important to her; you've destroyed my sister's life. You can turn around and go back the way you came, or I send you both flying out the window."
Shampoo went into a defensive stance, saying, "You move out of way, stupid sister of stupid Akane. Shampoo no feel like beating up idiot Tendo girl."
Konatsu said nothing, only maneuvering for a little more room. Nabiki attempted to wake up Ryoga, while Hinako began searching in her pockets for a five yen coin.
Cologne stepped in between the fighters, brandishing her cane and allowing a very wicked light to enter the ancient woman's eyes. "Children, you *don't* want to mess with *me*. Besides, we're not here to fight. If you want to save Ranma, then it is imperative that I see Happosai and Soun *now*."
"And why should I let you?" Natsumi demanded.
Nabiki placed a hand on her younger sister's shoulder. "Natsu-chan, let her by."
"Onnechan?" The suspicion in Natsumi's voice was obvious. "No. Akane doesn't need this."
"Don't you think I know that? Besides, you heard Lao-san. There may be a chance to rescue Ranma."
"No." Natsumi's voice began to crack, as the girl in the sleeveless purple ninja suit debated between listening to her older sister and taking out the Chinese troublemakers. "I...I won't be a party to giving Akane false hopes. I'm shocked that you would be, Nabiki-chan." She gave the Amazons a steel-eyed glare. "I don't trust them farther than my wind strike will toss them."
"Normally, I'd be inclined to agree with you, Natsumi," Nabiki said, moving in front of her sister. "But I think it's a sure bet that there may actually be a chance to save Ranma. This family has had more than enough grief over the years, sis; I'm not going to let it start to tear us apart." She glanced at Shampoo for a second, then turned back to Natsumi. "Plus, look at her eyes. Her *eyes."*
Natsumi peered into Shampoo's deep, expressive violet eyes...and she saw the mirror of Akane's pain and loss. Within the violet orbs, Lao Shan Fu realized that she'd made a terrible mistake that day, and now was paying the price in more ways than one. But that wasn't all--there were other people who now had to suffer right alongside her. {{Ranma, I'm sorry, my love,}} the Chinese girl's eyes seemed to say. {{This is all my fault.}}
That was enough for the Tendo shinobi. "Since you say it's a sure bet, Nabiki-chan, you can't be wrong, I guess. But one false move from them, and I turn 'em into human Frisbees." She moved aside to let the Chinese women pass. Konatsu, noting Natsumi's cue, did so as well. Ryoga, having been awake long enough to have just caught the tail end of the argument, began to feel uncomfortable about this. Hinako was already gone, having wandered into Akane's room to raid the piggybank for 5-yen coins.
As they readied to enter Ranma's room, Cologne turned to Nabiki. "All of you should meet Mousse downstairs. He has something that you may want to know about. Additionally, if you could locate Happosai, he'll be just as informative."
"I'll take it under consideration," Natsumi huffed as she ushered everyone else downstairs.
To Nabiki, as an aside, she whispered, "Nabiki--shrewd move. You are obviously the daughter with the brains."
"Just the businessperson of the family. More importantly, a concerned sister," she replied in a tone that implied she couldn't care less about Cologne's flattery. "I've just seen how skilled you are, and you give Ranma a run for the money at times. I don't want Natsu-chan to be injured."
"Shrewd and cautious. You would have made a good martial artist."
"Who says I'm not? All of Tendo Soun's daughters can fight. It's just the youngest three that are the most fanatical about it."
Cologne laughed off Nabiki's bluff. There was no way that domestic Kasumi or capitalist Nabiki could be fighters. {{However,}} she contemplated, {{both of the elder daughters do move with a grace not attributed to the average person. On the other hand, they've grown up around martial artists all their lives, and it's clear that they work out.}} Since Nabiki's comment was simply too unbelievable, she let it lie.
The Chinese Amazons walked into Ranma's room and shut the door, while the rest of the party moved downstairs to entertain their other guest. {{If we're lucky,}} Nabiki ruminated, {{Kuno-baby and Mousse will be too busy beating each other up to worry about small talk.}}
A minute or so later, Nabiki realized that it was fortunate that Cologne told them all to go downstairs. It had nothing to do with Mousse--he was pleasant enough to talk to as always, but you kinda got the feeling that he was uncomfortable around girls who weren't Chinese Amazons. Kuno was once again sleeping in the arms of Morpheus after Konatsu and Ryoga peeled him off the wall. Kodachi and Kurumi were still asleep, and Hina-chan was busy outside chasing butterflies--{{and Daddy wants *her* to be our stepmother?!?!?}} In any event, taking care of the guests wasn't an issue.
It had nothing to do with Happosai. As the old pervert came racing into the house with his newest hoard of "treasures", Natsumi stopped him and explained for him to wait. This was a mistake, taking into consideration the combination of Natsumi's chest (the only bigger ones in the household were Ranma-chan's and Hinako's) and her somewhat revealing martial wear; Happosai leapt onto her and shouted, *"Home free!"* Natsumi, knowing that they needed him intact, suppressed her usual urge to punch him into the stratosphere. So instead, the Tendo family shinobi simply socked him through the floor. As Happosai lay as a stain on the ground, she sighed, and said, "Now I'm gonna have to fix the floor. Darn."
It had, however, everything to do with the sudden shouting from upstairs, followed by the earth-shaking cry of *"YOU!!!!!!"* What happened next, no one could quite describe. The sudden sound of a door immediately swinging open. The screams of a terrified Chinese Amazon running for her life, having learned a new definition for the word "fear". That new definition was labeled as "Akane in a berserk murderous rage". Akane thundered out of Ranma's room, battle aura at nuclear intensity, screaming, *"I'M GONNA WASTE YOU, YOU AMAZON TWIT!!!!!!"*
Shampoo raced down the stairs, shouting back at Akane, *"Can not Akane be reasonable about this?!?"* {{I'm gonna die! *I'M GONNA DIE!!!!!!*}} The Chinese Amazon began to invoke the name of every god and ancestor she could think of, and probably inventing a few along the way for good measure.
Akane wasn't nearly in the mood to be reasonable. She dived down the stairs, shouting, *"I'LL GIVE YOU REASONABLE!!!!! Denshinryudan!"* The sheer force of the blow from Akane's rushing fist attack dropped Shampoo to the floor. She turned around to look at Akane, who was on the verge of snapping her neck. Akane grabbed the girl by the shoulders and began to repeatedly slam her head onto the wooden floor. *"YOU'VE CAUSED ME ENOUGH PROBLEMS!"* Akane roared into the terrified Chinese girl's face. *"DRY UP AND DIE, ALREADY!!!!"*
"It not...(urk)...Shampoo fault! It...(akkk)...not Shampoo fault!" The other girl rasped, her head being pounded against the floor as though the shotokan fighter playing of a Japanese enoki drum, using the Chinese Amazon as the stick. As her head pounded painfully against the floor time and time again, Shampoo's mind conjured up a fleeting image of this being a fitting punishment for her actions and lies. She was being punished...and this time, it just might cost her life's sweet breath.
Meanwhile everyone else was watching this, totally in shock. Sweet little Akane, a bit tomboyish and not at all feminine except in fashion and the basics, a widow before she'd even gotten married, was about to kill somebody. Not a soul in the house moved or breathed. Certainly no one moved to stop her, Cologne included. No one *could* move, either from the shock that Akane had lost her last link to sanity, or in the fact that Shampoo, a martial artist undeniably better than Akane, was absolutely terrified.
So they all watched as Akane still tried to cave in the other girl's head. Then sighed in a collective breath of semi-relief as Akane simply began to hold the girl, crying and shaking uncontrollably. Sighed even more so as the Chinese Amazon began to cry as well. Then completely relaxed as the two girls held each other closely, sharing the sympathy that the other had in regard to losing a loved one.
"Gomen ne sai, Shampoo. I just...." Through her tears and sobbing, Akane couldn't finish her sentence.
"Shampoo no worry about hurt in back of head. More concern about Ranma...and Akane. That why Shampoo here. Help get Ranma back." The other girl replied in the same tear-struck tones, ignoring the Ricky-Ricardo-samba-level throbbing in the back of her head.
"You'd help me?" she sobbed. Shampoo was a friend, but when it came to Ranma, they were the worst of enemies.
"Grandmother say she and Happosai know how to find Ranma. May still be chance to save him."
From at the top of the steps, Soun asked Cologne, "You can save Ranma?"
"I never said I could save him, Tendo-san," the crone replied. "I'm saying I think I know where he was taken. But I need Happosai in on this."
"We've got him down here, Father," Natsumi stated in response, silently adding, {{When I feel like putting the pieces back together again.}}
"Kasumi, please wake up your sister and our other guest; they may be interested in hearing this. Natsumi, please revive young Kuno, as well. Tofu, if you could please see to Akane and Shampoo." Soun Tendo was contemplative. "I hope you're right about this, Lao-san."
"So do I."
About half an hour later, as Kasumi and Natsumi were setting up a hastily prepared lunch for the group, Mousse turned to them all, and began the topic. "I'm sure you're familiar with the events of the last few days--"
"Of course," Kurumi droned. "We were in the center ring of the whole media circus. Let me tell you--those guys at CNN are *pushy.* I just don't--"
"Anyway," Mousse said, retaking control of the conversation, "you may not be aware of what actually was going on. While you all were slugging it out in the Kunos' backyard, the rest of Tokyo was involved in war. According to several reports there was a sudden eclipse that descended, bringing with it strife and conflict. From what I got from Ryoga and Konatsu, all you guys saw was the blackness from above."
He hit two buttons on the remote control, turning on the TV and playing the tape. "Let me show you what you actually saw. Or rather, the rest, which you didn't see." The tape was a recording of yesterday evening's NHK news broadcast. The newsman reported on what some of them already knew about the epic battle in the Japanese capital. A couple of interviews with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense, as well as a JSDF general or two and a spokesman for US Forces Japan. Everybody watched, their interest piqued--The Chinese trio wouldn't show them something like this unless there was some meaning behind it.
A second later, their curiosity was rewarded. The screen filled with the shot of a huge jet-black Chinese pagoda, magically flying amongst the skyscrapers of Shinjuku, firing beams of energy at military aircraft and the ground below. The caption at the bottom of the screen read in kanji, FOOTAGE COURTESY OF JGSDF. One or two beams came fairly close to where the camera was. A second or two later, the scene switched to another view, the new caption reading: FOOTAGE COURTESY OF USAF. This was a far closer shot of the Chinese pagoda. Cologne instructed Mousse to pause at this point.
"Oh my," Kasumi whispered. "Ranma was abducted by aliens?"
"Our lives may be complicated, but not *that* complicated," Cologne replied. "Isn't that right, Happosai."
The old man wasn't listening to a word that his contemporary had said. He was totally entranced by the dark form on the screen. So out of it, in fact, that if one would've held a pair of Akane's panties in front of his face, he'd simply push them out of the way. "It is, isn't it?" he finally addressed Cologne. "I didn't think we'd see that...place...again. Not certainly like this."
"So I was right then," Cologne commented. "It apparently has changed from a so long ago, hasn't it."
Happosai placed his pipe in his mouth, muttering, "It would appear so. If Ranma's been taken there, then w--"
{{*RANMA!!!!*}} "What are you talking about?" Akane found her voice again. Ripping herself out of Tofu's care, despite obviously being dehydrated, disheveled, and distraught, the mention of her loved one brought her back from the edge. Heedless of the danger factor involved, she picked up both elders and brought them up to face level. "Where's my Ranma? Tell me. *NOW."*
Shampoo, noticing what she was doing, continued to sit while Tofu bandaged the sizable bruise at the back of her head. Akane strikes again, she thought. {{Oh well, it's her funeral....}} Shampoo immediately chided herself for her own disdain. Akane's visually suicidal gesture was a sign why Akane, not Shampoo, had won Ranma's heart. Ranma had always gone the extra mile for his Japanese fianc�e regardless of peril; she would obviously do the same for him.
Cologne ignored Akane's anger and said, "Let me go, child. If you wish to know what happened to him, then pay attention to what we have to say." Akane wordlessly set them back on the floor. In turn, Cologne said to Happosai, "Do you remember much about the Temple?"
"Of course," he snorted. "What do you take me for--a senile old fool? It was only 310 years ago. Would you prefer that I tell the tale?"
"No, I can do it," Cologne said, sagging slightly as if a great weight settled on her shoulders. A rare look of concern crossed Happosai's face, and he stood by his old friend and rival in a gesture of solidarity, which did not go unnoticed by all the others.
"It started about 310 years ago, when Happosai and I were in our early or mid-twenties--about a bit older than Kasumi. We'd already known each other for quite some time, and decided to go on a training trip together. We traveled to the usual places: all across China, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Japan, and Korea. However, for a change, we decided to go to Vietnam.
"Vietnam, at that time, wasn't the Communist state that it is today. It wasn't really even Vietnam, but a part of the Chinese Empire. In any event, we went to that location, in search of martial artists to train our skills against. We should've stayed home, truth be told. It would've been easier.
"In the deep jungles between what are now the borders of Vietnam and China, there lies a very secluded valley. In this valley was a black pagoda, made of the purest and most amazing black geodes that you'd ever seen. The cobblestones leading to the place, the fortifications, the fountains, everything made of various colored crystals. The residents of the nearby villages referred to it simply as the Crystal Temple. It was a sacred site, they said, one that should not be disturbed. In our wild youth, we decided to check the place out for ourselves, to see if we could learn something new in our quest for martial righteousness and perfection.
"What a mistake that turned out to be; one that nearly cost us our lives. We soon discovered that the place was one of the last repositories of true magic left on the planet, a place where the ancients hid the secrets that mankind should not know. It was supposed to be hidden far away from prying eyes. They were wrong. When we arrived there, a local bully by the name of Nguyen Tuyet Ngoc took over the place and learned some of its secrets. His goal was simple: nothing less than total global domination, and enslavement of all that he surveyed. As martial artists, we were honor-bound to use everything in our arsenal to stop him.
"Things unfortunately got more complicated when Nguyen decided he wanted the strongest female martial artist in the world to bear his child--a strong child creates an everlasting dynasty for a man who wishes to be Emperor of the world. As you can guess, at the time, it was me. Fortunately, Happosai came to my rescue. Between the two of us, we managed to barely defeat the man and limp away, leaving him to his own devices. But we did not destroy the place, though we should have. At the time, we both felt that it was not our place to wipe from the earth a repository possibly meant for future generations.
"That error has cost us. Has cost you and Shampoo far more than you can imagine. We should have leveled the Temple; it needs to be erased from existence. I don't know what I can say further." Cologne finally fell silent, her last words coming out as a rasp of one who truly regretted her earlier actions.
After an intense silence, Akane spoke. "What can I do to rescue Ranma?"
Shampoo said, "Shampoo and Akane go to Vietnam to save Ranma. It only way."
"No." Happosai was adamant. "You two are nowhere near strong enough. If the secrets of the Crystal Temple have been discovered again, you two will not stand a chance. You were defeated by the man's henchmen, you all said. There's a reason for that. You are all martial artists, trained to fight for what is right and honorable, and use deadly force only when needed. They, however, are soulless, cold-blooded killers--and I assume you all survived simply because they decided you weren't the effort to kill; you were beneath them, and not worth the energy expense that one would use to crush an ant. But if you go on a rescue mission, that definition will change, and neither of you will survive."
"I don't care," Akane stated, her emotions clearly caught in her voice. "I'm going." Then in a softer voice, she said, "Without Ran-chan, there's nothing."
"Shampoo go, too." She bowed slightly to Akane. "Truce?"
Akane returned the gesture. "Truce."
Natsumi commented, "Akane-chan, I'm not letting you go into that hell alone. Count me in."
Ukyo and Konatsu looked at each other. "You don't even have to ask us. You know the answer, Akane-chan."
Mousse replied with the same words he always said. "If Shampoo's going, then I'm going, too."
Ryoga looked at Akari, then back to Akane. He smiled with a lazy grin, running his hand through his hair, commenting, "Wouldn't be the first time I've gone on one of these half-cocked rescue attempts. Can't stop now."
Kurumi agreed, slamming her left fist into her right palm. "I want payback on that pre-pube brat. More importantly, I'd like Ranma back. Let me at them."
Kuno whispered to Mousse, "What's that lunatic Ranma have to do with this? Wasn't the pigtailed girl the one that was spirited away?"
Mousse, mostly otherwise distracted in his wishful gazing at Shampoo, replied, "I dunno. I guess wherever he goes, she does."
{{So that knave Saotome has gotten himself captured whilst attempting to save the pigtailed maiden,}} Kuno thought, as his brain cells begged for mercy from overuse--more than twice in one day. {{I suppose then that I shall have to save her...and Ranma, too. If I do, that will surely make swoon the heart of the dazzling Tendo Akane.}} "Count me in your epic quest!" he boomed.
Kodachi, who up to this point had been silent, overheard the pair's exchange. {{This could be the perfect way to rid myself of Akane and that redhead shrew,}} she thought, a wicked gleam in her eye. {{With those two gone, the China doll and the okinomiyaki maker can easily be taken out. Then I'll have my Ranma all to myself.}} With that, she stepped forward and enlisted in Akane's army.
"It's good that all of Son-in-Law's friends will go to the rescue, but not good enough," Cologne commented. "Normally, the reason such a small group of you can get through is because of the fact that your opponents aren't trying to kill you. Additionally, Son-in-Law's skills were a major factor. Now you don't have that. What will you do?"
Before Shampoo could answer, a defiant Akane snapped, "I'll raise an army to get him back. I'll get every martial artist I know who'll back me up or who owes Ranma. I want my fianc� back. *And I'll do whatever it takes."* She turned to her friends. "Who can we get? I know a fighter in Ryugenzawa who'll help."
"Shinnosuke? Think he'll remember you?" Ryoga asked.
"He sent me and Ranma a postcard last week. Admittedly, he wrote it about six months ago, but at least he remembered to mail it now. Besides, you know how he is," Akane smiled. "He'd do anything for me or Ranma."
"On that same subject, I'm sure that we can talk Shiratori Azusa and Sanzenin Mikado into it," Ryoga replied. "At least Azusa. She'll be glad to pitch in."
Natsumi thought for a second, then said, "I'll ask my sensei, the Shinobi of the Mist, if she would be willing to assist us in this matter. I don't know if she'll do it, though; we've had another problem recently that I can't tell you about. Clan business, you know."
The Chinese Amazon snapped her finger in memory. "Shampoo call Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung. They on training mission in Hong Kong at moment, but be happy to assist."
Kurumi added, "I'll call the Saotomes in Osaka. I'm pretty sure they're on their way already, but I guess it won't hurt."
"Saotome-san?" Nabiki spat, "Ku-chan, you have *got* to be joking."
"No; I'll call Auntie. That'll take care of that. Especially when it comes to Ranma." Kurumi replied, a smile easily coming to her lips. The girls all knew that Ranma's father was pretty much the bottom of the barrel when it came to parents, but Ranma's mother was an entirely different story. If anybody could get Saotome Genma to move, it would be Saotome Nodoka.
"Okay, then," Akane said, shaking her fist and smiling like a woman on a mission from the Gods. "Now everybody ge--"
"Waitaminit, sis. One question: how are you getting to Vietnam? " Nabiki asked. "China is no problem, since everybody seems to get over there without papers of any kind. Vietnam, however, is much farther away--and do you know if their border and immigrations systems are as lax and porous as the Chinese?. Also, how are you going to transport an entire army? I have no doubt you can raise one, but what about supplying one? You want to be a general, *think* like one."
"Oh." Akane suddenly looked defeated. Shampoo was perplexed, and the rest of the group's enthusiasm was immediately deflated.
Nabiki went up to Akane and hugged her, saying, "Count me in. I'll do whatever I can--contacts, cash flow, anything I can--like the old saying goes, amateurs study tactics, while experts study logistics. If I can get your army moving, I will. I promise you that."
Akane looked at her older sister, a look of stunned wonder on her face. "You'd do that?" Akane and Nabiki never really got along well due to their distinct personalities, but now Nabiki promised everything--*everything*--she had to save Ranma. "Nabiki...I can't repay you." {{What is she up to?}} the younger girl thought. {{There's no way that she can be serious....}}
As if sensing her thoughts, Nabiki clarified. "I said it to Natsu-chan, I'll say it to you. This family has had far too much grief. I won't let this tear us asunder. Akane, remember when I was engaged to Ranma for a while, how I said I loved him? I didn't lie about that; I do--like a brother. He's caused problems and hassles aplenty, and I shudder to think that we'll be related to that father of his, but he's always been there for you, and the rest of us--he's not married to you yet, but he became family in our eyes long ago. Me using everything in my inventory, every yen and every favor and debt owed me, is worth it for our family. I'll join your struggle."
Soun began to cry to tears of joy, as a microphone made its sudden appearance in his hand, fresh from whatever hyperspace it originated. "Thank you, thank you all! It is good to see that my son-in-law--"
*"My* son-in-law," Cologne countered.
Soun ignored her, "--has such friends and family to help him in his time of need." He placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "My Akane, a forceful woman. That's my little girl."
Akane, feeling a surge in her willpower, and without thinking about it, leapt onto the table and struck a comically heroic pose, Napoleon in a lemon yellow gi. "Okay! Let's do it! Everybody meet back here in a week." Multiple teen-aged hands rose in unison, their voices shouting in tandem, *"For Ranma!"*
Ryoga, Ukyo, and Konatsu, who had been towards the far end of the group exchanged looks with one another, and their faces all read the same expression: another disaster in progress.
"Y'know," Ukyo said, her obsidian eyes slyly sliding towards the men whom she was conversing with, "there's just one question that no one has bothered to ask."
"And that question is?" Konatsu queried.
"Why would anybody want to take Ran-chan? I mean, it just doesn't make sense. I just don't see why."
Ryoga shrugged, then smiled impishly. "Beats me, Ukyo. I'm still trying to see why *Akane* wants him."
