Interface - A Ranma 1/2 / Matrix Fanfic Crossover
Chapter Nine
Authored by XStylus (Troy Alan Williams)
Begun on: 10-25-99
Revisions made on: N/A
Special thanks to prereader Kevin D. Hammel
and to the patient members of the FFML.
Please see Chapter One for disclaimers, all of which
apply to this chapter and all forthcoming chapters
unless otherwise noted.
All previous chapters are archived at www.sofaspud.org.
Got comments? Let's hear em'!
Please visit www.sofaspud.org and send comments to XStylus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm disappointed in you, Morpheus." The oracle
chided. "Why were you encouraging them?"
"Encouraging what?" Morpheus inquired.
"You know what I'm talking about." The oracle
grabbed a cookie from a nearby tray. "Trying to salvage from
their lives what little they brought with them from the matrix.
You know what that does."
Morpheus sighed. "I was on the path to having another
Cipher incident, wasn't I?"
The oracle nodded. "It was in the making. It's painful,
I realize that, but you're supposed to help them let go."
"Yeah... well, she let go alright." Morpheus rested his
chin against his fist in 'the thinker' pose.
The oracle plucked several chocolate chips off of the
freshly baked cookie. "So what do you plan to do now?"
"We'll try to restore her memory." Morpheus answered.
"That's pretty much all we can do."
"Oh really now?" the Oracle took a small nibble of her
cookie. "Do you want to know what -else- I told them?"
"That's for them to know. It's none of my business."
"Well tough cookies because I'm tellin' you anyway."
the Oracle popped one of the plucked chocolate chips in her
mouth. "I told them that Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo
are dead."
"That's supposed to be helpful?" Morpheus questioned.
"Why would you say something like that?"
The oracle would have scowled at Morpheus' objection
had she not seen it coming. She gingerly took another
nibble of her cookie.
"Well, at the moment it ain't far from the truth, dear."
the oracle took a sip from a nearby glass of milk. "Tell me...
you remember Thomas Anderson, don't you?"
"That would be Neo."
The oracle shook her head. "Tommy's dead, ya' know."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. He died in the matrix. I'm sure you
remember it. An agent killed him as you were trying to help
him find an exit."
"Wait wait wait... Neo -survived-." Morpheus
corrected.
"No, Morpheus. That's where Neo was born."
Morpheus conceded the argument. "Okay, but what
does that have to do with Ranma's problem?"
"Think about it." the oracle answered.
Morpheus rubbed his forehead as he contemplated an
answer.
"Well then... if we're going to look at it that way..."In
the construct, you could say Ranma died by her own hand-..."
"-HIS- own hand." The oracle interrupted.
"Whatever. She becomes delirious and-..."
"Try again." the oracle interrupted.
"Alright, HE became delirious and-..."
"Still wrong." the oracle interrupted again. "One more
try."
Morpheus scowled. After taking another moment to
rethink his answer, he came to one that he thought would
sound correct.
"Ranma died by HIS own hand, and a strange young
woman takes his place." Morpheus answered.
"Is -born- in his place." the Oracle corrected. "Her
memory is juuuuust fine, dear. Just sit back. She knows what
she's doing." the oracle added with a sly smile.
Morpheus sighed. "I don't know what I can do to help
her then."
"You're familiar with my sign above my door, aren't
you?" The oracle pointed to a wooden sign which, in latin,
said "Know thyself."
"Know it well." Morpheus answered.
"That poor girl has no idea who she is."
"She's not the only one." Morpheus returned to his
'thinker' pose.
"There's three people who can help her find out." the
oracle took another nibble of her cookie. "Her mother, her
father, and her sister."
"I don't think Ranma has a sister, unless you mean
Akane. She's, uh... a little preoccupied in case you hadn't
heard..." Morpheus shook his head in regret. "...and I doubt
she'll be talking to her dad anytime soon. I don't know about
her mother though..."
"That's Ranma's family, Morpheus. Ranma's dead,
remember?"
"Then what do you-..." Morpheus trailed off as another
streak of inspiration hit him. "Makoto is NOT her mother."
"That depends on your definition of a mother." the
oracle ricocheted one of the plucked chocolate chips off
Morpheus' forehead.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd not do that."
"I'm hoping I can wake up that slab of gray matter in
there." She bounced another off his forehead. "A new soul has
been born from the ashes of an old one. Someone needs to
step forward and raise it."
"She drafted Makoto for that job."
The Oracle shrugged. "Eh. I suppose she'll make a fine
mother." The oracle shot another chocolate chip at Morpheus,
and missed as he dodged. "You, Morpheus, make a fine father
figure, don't you think?" She shot again, and this time
hit him in the eye.
"Ow!" Morpheus winced and rubbed his eye. "What
do you mean 'father figure'?"
"Are you not up to the job?"
"Truthfully? Not really."
"Then why are you commanding a ship if you can't
handle just one child?"
"Wait a minute, let's not confuse issues here! There's a
difference between-..."
"Neo, Trinity, Tank... they're not just crew to you,
Morpheus." The oracle plucked some more chips off of another
cookie.
Morpheus hesitated, then sighed.
"No... they're not, but that doesn't mean-..."
"Will one more really make that much of an impact in
your family?" the oracle inquired.
Morpheus hesitated again, sighed again, and relented.
"No, I suppose not." Morpheus answered. "So what do
you suggest I do? Should I go to her and have a talk or what?"
"Usually that's not a bad idea, but..." The oracle
ominously paused amid sentence. "...I don't think that'll be an
option in the near future."
"Why do you say that?" Morpheus questioned with a
skeptical glance.
"Don't worry." The oracle gave a gentle smile. "When
the right time comes, she'll come to you, and you'll be
glad she did."
The oracle flung another at Morpheus. This time, he
was ready for it. Instead of dodging, he caught it in his
mouth... ...then quickly spit it out.
"Raisins?! I thought they were chocolate chips!"
"You thought?" she questioned as she gave a sly grin.
"You know better than to think." She bounced another
chocolate chip off his forehead.
~~~
"Meditation is a crucial part of the martial arts. It
focuses the mind and creates harmony between it and the
body." Makoto explained as she, Ranma, and Trinity sat cross
legged in a triangular formation.
For this exercise Makoto had used a construct scene of
her own design. They sat under moonlight in the middle of a
small preserve of trees which was not too far away from a
modest, yet modern house.
The house held no real significance aside from scenic
value. Such a building near a preserve of trees stuck out like a
sore thumb, yet at the same time seemed to belong. Trinity
made a mental note to ask Makoto about the house when she
had the opportunity.
"Why do I have to do this?" Ranma protested. "I get
more focus with my katas than I do with this silly crap!"
"The more you protest, the longer we must
concentrate." Makoto cooly replied. "Your mind is focused on
ways to do something other than meditate, which means you
aren't concentrating. So that means we need to meditate
longer."
"What I wouldn't give for a chair or a pillow..."
Trinity muttered.
"Et tu, Trinity?" Makoto questioned.
"Hey, she's MY student. Lay off." Ranma retorted.
Makoto glanced at Trinity, then shot a glare at Ranma.
"Okay then..." She rose from her sitting position, then pulled
off her black belt. "Off with your belt."
Ranma flinched for a moment, yet reluctantly complied
as she too rose, took off her belt, and stood toe to toe
with Makoto. Trinity was handed both belts for safekeeping.
"Here's how we used to handle disputes between the sensei
in MY dojo." Makoto said. "We both currently have no belt. We
stand as equals. I consider your objections to my teaching to
be a challenge. Time for you to back it up."
"Ready whenever you are." Ranma dropped into a defensive
stance.
"One catch." Makoto added. "The winner takes both
belts, and the loser must train under the victor until she deems
that person worthy of receiving their belt again."
"Just warning ya' now mom... I'm a tough teacher."
Ranma wistfully grinned.
"Trinity, call the battle." Makoto instructed.
Trinity shrugged, then shouted "Go for it!"
The two simply stood there for several moments,
waiting for the other to strike.
"You initiated the challenge. Throw the first attack."
Makoto ordered as she tightened her headband in a subtle
taunting fashion. "Or are you afraid to hit your poor, dear ol'
mother?"
"No, I don't hit gir-..." Ranma paused amid sentence
for a moment. "Hmm. Nope, not afraid at all."
Ranma slowly edged closer to Makoto, then threw the
first attack with a kick to the sternum which was easily
blocked and countered with an overhand chop to Ranma's
skull. It was a cheap attack that harbored the brute force of a
mallet. Ranma retreated a few steps back, a careless tactical
move that Makoto could have taken advantage of, but stood
her ground.
"So that's where Akane get's it from..." Ranma
muttered as she rubbed her head.
"Get's what?" Makoto questioned.
"Nevermind." Ranma leapt forward. "Katchu-tenshin-
amaguriken!!"
Makoto hardly saw the attack coming as she was
assaulted with a storm of punches from every angle. The
assault flung her several feet backward, almost hitting a
wooden post. Ranma pressed the attack and leapt into the air,
preparing for an all out final strike.
Ranma watched in slow motion Makoto's next attack.
Simple as it was, it remained effective.
"My turn. FUKIAGE!" Makoto yelled as she thrust her fist
into the air. The attack connected true, the force and speed
of the attack creating a strong rush of wind that propelled
Ranma across the dojo.
Ranma wondered if Makoto had been practicing the
Hiryu-shoten-ha technique. She glanced across the dojo as she
tried to refocus on the fight. There stood Makoto clear across
from her, preparing for another attack.
She blinked. Within that instant, Makoto had moved in
a golden blur from clear across the dojo to right in front of her
with her fist extended and ready to strike.
Ranma wasn't even offered the chance to block. The
attack connected knocking Ranma was knocked out cold.
Makoto glanced at Trinity, the impromptu referee,
waiting for a verdict.
"Looks like you won." Trinity decreed.
Makoto grinned. "Wake up, missy." she said as she
gently nudged Ranma.
"Oog... did I lose?"
"Well, you definitely didn't win..." Makoto sarcastically
answered.
"I never lose..." Ranma mumbled in her blank
delerium. "Wait a-... if this is my first real fight then that
means..." as she thought it out, she came to a disheartening
realization. "I've never won...?!"
"An early lesson in humility, my dear student."
Makoto proudly said.
"Doesn't count." Ranma muttered. "Gimmie back my belt.
That was just training."
"Then you won't mind a little more before you get your
belt back." Makoto replied. "Guess what you get to work on
first."
"Uhm... meditation?" Ranma questioned.
"BINGO." Makoto assertively answered. "And you
ain't getting this belt back until you've mastered it, young
lady."
"Aww c'mon, mom!"
"You will call me sensei while you wear that gi."
Makoto ordered. "Trinity, if you'd like, I will teach you from
here on until Ranma is fit to carry on as your sensei again."
Trinity obediently bowed with a smile. "Yes, sensei.
I'd be honored."
~~~
Ryoga Hibiki stood patiently at the end of an isolated
road in a small farm town outside Tokyo. It wasn't far from
where he worked, or so he believed. It looked rather awkward
to be dressed in formal business attire, the attire befitting an
agent, while standing in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road
nearby several acres of rice fields.
Off in the distance he could see an old but well
maintained classic Lincoln Continental strolling down the
path. To be driving such a prized and difficultly acquired car
down such a poorly maintained road was sheer lunacy, Ryoga
thought.
As the car pulled beside Ryoga, one of the back doors
opened.
"Get in." Neo ordered.
Ryoga quickly complied, delighted to have the
opportunity to ride in such a magnificent vehicle. Ryoga
barely had the chance to shut the door as the car quickly sped
away. Ryoga was amazed at how well the vehicle was
maintained, both inside and out.
His attention was slightly diverted by a .45 aimed right
at him.
"What the hell is this?!" Ryoga questioned.
"It's necessary, Ryoga," Neo answered. "For our
protection."
"From what?"
"From you." Morpheus answered. Ryoga's eyes went
wide as he looked at the man in the driver's seat.
"YOU!!" Ryoga shouted. "You were with Ranma!
You KILLED Akane's family!!"
Morpheus slammed on the brakes, performing a
surprise brake inspection which caused Ryoga to lurch
forward, plastering his face into the seat in front of him.
"Listen to me, Rand McNally," Morpheus bit his
tongue after letting that rare, brief spurt of anger slip. "We
don't have time to throw blame around."
"We need your help." Neo muttered.
"You were in on it too, weren't you?!" Ryoga bitterly
snarled. "Why would I help you?!"
"Because you need ours." Morpheus answered. "You
and I both want to find Akane before those agents you work
for do something to her." Morpheus gently stepped on the gas
and continued down the dirt road.
"They wouldn't dare hurt her!"
"Would they?" Morpheus questioned. "Somehow I
doubt you believe that yourself."
-CRUNCH!-
"What the hell?!" Neo cursed. He looked in the rear
window to find a black Crown Victoria behind them.
Morpheus looked in his rear view mirror and saw the
car tailing him. When he returned his attention to the road
ahead of him, he saw another black Crown Victoria trying to
box them in.
"Where the hell did they come from?!" Morpheus
shouted.
"HA! You guys are screwed now!" Ryoga bellowed.
"So are you." Morpheus muttered. "You have more to
fear from them than from us, believe me."
The car in front of them slammed on it's brakes,
causing Morpheus to rear end the car. Neo lost grip of his gun,
a mistake that Ryoga took advantage of as he successfully
wrestled it from him. The car from behind then rear ended
their Lincoln, creating a nice Continental sandwich as the cars
came to a stop.
"And right now you have more to fear from ME than
from them, and you better believe it." Ryoga muttered with
a victorious smile.
The window on the driver's side shattered as one of the
agents thrust his elbow through it.
"Gentlemen..." the agent said with an ominous smile,
"Please step out of the car and come with me."
Neo looked out the window and saw six agents. He
believed that he could take them, but not while protecting
Morpheus at the same time, and that wasn't taking into
account the gun that Ryoga had pointed straight at his head,
his finger twitching on the trigger.
"This is bad." Neo muttered. "This is very bad."
~~~
I would like to thank you for reading 'Interface'.
It would be greatly appreciated if you would take
a moment to send a comment or two to myself (XStylus)
telling me what you liked or disliked, or any potential
errors or typos.
The archive to this fanfic, as well as my email address,
can be found at www.sofaspud.org.
Thanks for reading!