******
I was nervously examining a bubbling and steaming potion
that Urd had place in front of me. "*THAT* is suppose to cure
me?", I asked anxiously.
Urd nodded emphatically, "That's it all right", she said,
"What you're looking at is the result of several nights work".
I stood nervously, "I dunno... Is it really so
important...", I began.
Urd gave me a chill stare, "Do you want me to feed it to
you?", she asked bluntly.
I looked around for some support, but Skuld and Belldandy
had stern expressions on their faces. I sat down again and
picked up the potion, "Well... here goes...", I gulped the
potion in one go.
The taste was everything I'd expected and I gritted my
teeth to keep from gagging, "That's the most vile stuff I've
ever tasted", I muttered.
Skuld leant over, "Now... is the fear potion still
effecting you?", she asked.
I shook my head, "Nope, it appears to be under control",
I said.
Urd raised one eyebrow, "Are you sure?", she asked
stepping nearer.
"I am sure", I replied in a monotone voice. I shook my
head and grinned, "No problem Urd", I said, "It looks like
that your cure has worked".
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, "Now how about we try
and find Ranma and the others?", Belldandy suggested. I
nodded and followed the three goddesses out into the dining
area, where the Tendos and Dr Tofu were waiting. I noticed
that Dr Tofu had a serious expression on his face, but had
also found a seat that wasn't facing Kasumi.
"How are you Brett?", Kasumi asked in a concerned voice.
I smiled, "I'm alright Kasumi", I reassured her, "Urd's
gotten rid of the fear potion".
Akane frowned, "What about the other two?", she asked.
I shrugged, "I don't think the honesty potion is going to
interfear with much", I explained.
"But doesn't that mean you've got to answer any question
put to you truthfully?", Keiichi asked, "that could be a
problem if you're captured or something".
I shook my head, "Don't worry about it", I replied, "It's
targetted on Urd, she's the only one I have to answer
truthfully".
"Really?", Urd asked.
"Yes", I answered bankly. Everyone looked at me
strangely and I frowned, "Must be the potion's effect", I
mused, "I zoned out for a moment.. what'd I say?".
"You answered her question", Nabiki replied, "You really
didn't know what you were saying?".
I shook my head, "No... it must be the potion...", I
said. Then I looked at Urd carefully, "I think you'd better
be careful when asking me questions", I cautioned her, "If
that happens at a critical moment things could become
awkward".
Urd nodded, "So what's the plan?", she asked.
"I don't have one", I replied.
"WHAT!??!?!", Soun wailed, "You don't have a plan?!?!?!".
I gave Urd a frown, "Stop that!", I admonished her.
Urd nodded, "Alright", she said, then she gave me a small
smile, "We'll have to talk later", she promised.
I gave Urd a dubious look and turn back to the
discussion, everyone was talking at once and I held up my
hands, "HEY!", I said, trying to get their attention, "I don't
have a plan yet... I'm still working it out!". I gave a sigh
of relief as they stoped arguing, "Look", I began, "I'm not
really very good at this kind of thing... but I do know
someone who could help".
Urd sighed, "Not him again!", she complained.
******
Chia-Yao, the God of Truth blasted another evil demon
into it's componant atoms and sighed. "This is no fun", he
groaned. He was standing in the middle of a virtural training
area that he'd designed for training. Unfortunately, since
he'd designed the game, he was rather bored because he knew
exactly what the enemies where going to do at any given
moment.
Holstering his pistol, Chia-Yao watched as the scenery
dissolved around him. Unbelting the holster, he dumped it on
a worktable, "I've gotta have someone else recode those
monsters", he mused, "I wonder if Bug's doing anything this
weekend?".
He was just walking towards the kitchen when a loud gong
echoed through his home. He winced reflexively, "I've gotta
get that doorbell fixed", he muttered, turning and walking
towards the front door. He threw the switch that lowered the
drawbridge, before walking out to meet his guests.
"Hey!", he exclaimed, "It's been a while Brett!".
Brett nodded, "I've been a little busy", he admitted.
Then Brett looked around curiously, "What posseses you to live
in a place like this?", he asked.
Chia-Yao shrugged, "Hey, a God's home...", he began.
Brett shook his head, "Yeah, I know... 'is his castle'",
he said, cutting Chia-Yao off, in the middle of his cliche.
"I was just going to have some lunch", Chia-Yao said,
"Would you like to join me?".
Brett nodded and the two gods walked inside. Over lunch,
Brett explained the situtation and Chia-Yao simply listened.
"So do you think you can help us?", Brett asked.
Chia-Yao shrugged, "Nope", he replied.
"WHAT?!?!", Brett asked in disbelief.
Chia-Yao held up his hands, "Hey!", he said defensively,
"I would if I could... but I... well...".
"What's wrong?", Brett asked curiously.
"Err... well...", Chia-Yao began, "I'm sort of.. err...
grounded at the moment...".
"How'd you managed that?", Brett asked.
"I'll show you", Chia-Yao said, leading Brett back into
the castle.
They walked into a huge lab. Everything from computers
to a smithy filled the room. Sitting on a stand in the middle
of the room was a huge oversized rifle. Chia-Yao picked it
up, "Isn't she great?", he asked, "Indepedant tracking and
target identification for over 100 different types of
Demons... laser targetting... all in a package easily
transportable...".
Brett nodded, "Not to interrupt the sale's pitch", he
said, "But how did this get you 'grounded'?".
"Well.. it's not really my fault... you see, some of the
Security Daemons and I figured that it'd be a real help if we
had a weapon that could vapourise demons in one shot", he
explained, "Well.. I designed and built this one... the only
problem is that it blew the rear wall out of the firing
range... and the firing range just happened to back onto the
Lord's private garden...".
"You blew up God's garden?", Brett asked in disbelief.
"It wasn't really my fault", Chia-Yao complained, "I just
overdid the power level a bit".
Brett nodded, "Well.. do you think I could borrow it for
a while?", he asked.
"You've gotta be kidding?!?!", Chia-Yao asked in
disbelief, "Taking it to the mortal world???". Chia-Yao
looked at the gun and shrugged, "It's your funeral", he said,
"I've been told in no uncertian terms that if I use it again
I'll be turned into a cat and given to some blond girl", he
replied.
Brett smiled, "Well.. I was going to have Skuld look at
it first", he admitted as Chia-Yao handed him the huge weapon.
Chia-Yao threw his arms up in dismay, "OH great!", he
huffed, "Now Bug's going to be improving on yet another of my
inventions!".
******
I stepped out of the clock in my room and awkwardly
carried the huge gun over to Skuld's room. I knocked on the
door and received a sleepy, "Come in", from inside.
"What on earth is that?", Skuld asked blinking owlishly,
as I dumped the gun on her workbench.
"This is Chia-Yao's contribution", I explained, "He can't
leave heaven at the moment.. so I figured a little firepower
might be a good idea".
Skuld rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and began checking
the gun over carefully, "If this is your idea of a 'little'
firepower, we've got to have a serious talk", she said, "This
has enough magical energy to wipe out a medium-sized city!".
"Well.. it should be effective against Tupnixua then", I
concluded.
"After I tone it down a little bit", Skuld said, expertly
dissasembling the rifle. I walked back over to the door and
Skuld shouted out to me, "Hey Brett", she said, "Urd wants to
talk to you".
I shuddered, "Oh no", I muttered.
"What do you mean 'oh no'?", Skuld asked in an insulted
voice, "You're not still afraid of her are you?".
I nodded, "Yup, I'm even more scared of her now", I
replied.
Skuld looked confused and I grinned a little sheepishly,
"Well... let's say that she might ask some... awkward
questions...", I explained.
Skuld gave me a blank look and I shrugged, "Never mind",
I said, "I'll go and see her".
******
Urd was lying in bed reading a spellbook when she heard a
quite tap on her door. "Come in", she called, placing the
book on the bed beside her.
An anxious looking Brett peaked around the doorjam, "What
did you want to see me about?", he asked nervously.
Urd smiled at his expression, "Relax", she said, "I just
wanted to talk to you about these last two potions".
Brett nodded and slid the door closed behind him, "What's
up?", he asked, "I don't think there's any particular need for
us to rush... it's more important to get Ranma and the others
back..".
Urd nodded, "You seem to be rather anxious not to have
this particlar potion cured", she said carefully phrasing her
words as a statement, "Anyone would think you're trying to put
something off".
Brett nodded sheepishly, "Well.. if you must know", he
admitted, "I'm more than a little hesitant about that love
potion".
"Why?", Urd asked curiously.
Brett's expression went blank, "Due to the fact that the
fear and hate potions had such a delibitating effect on me,
showing emotions that I've always tried to hide", he answered.
Brett frowned, "I hate that", he said, "It's like someone else
is answering for me...".
"Sorry", Urd apologised, "I'll try not to ask any
embarassing questions while you're like this".
Brett sighed in relief, "Thanks Urd", he said gratefully,
leaning back on a chair.
"I could assume that Chia-Yao isn't going to help us",
Urd said.
Brett nodded and explained what happened during his visit
to Chia-Yao's home. "That kid is always getting into
trouble", Urd said shaking her head.
Brett smiled and nodded, "He seems to be a trouble
magnet", he replied.
"*You* can talk", Urd said, laughing, "You've been
nothing but trouble ever since I met you!".
Brett looked up indignantly, "HEY!", he said, "You're the
one that granted my wish! if you don't like it there's only
one person you can blame!".
Urd grinned, "Oh and I suppose you could have done a
better job?", she asked.
"Yes", Brett replied with a blank expression.
Urd frowned, "You really think you could have handled
that wish better than I did?", she asked curiously.
"Yes", Brett said in a monotone voice.
"Well!", Urd huffed.
Brett looked a little nervous, "Urd.. could you please
not ask me those kind of questions?!?!", he pleaded.
"WHY NOT!?!?!", Urd snapped.
"Because with the potion effecting me I am unable to lie
to satisfy your ego", Brett said blankly.
"MY EGO?!?!?!", Urd growlled.
"A part of your personality", Brett explained
methodically, "In you're case one of the biggest parts of your
makeup".
"Would you care to repeat that?", she asked dangerously.
"Not really", Brett replied.
Belldandy opened the door slightly, "What's going on in
here?", she asked, "You two are being awfully noisy!".
Brett stood, "Maybe we should talk later", he suggested.
Urd stood, "Oh no!", she said turning to Belldandy, "Not
till he explains exactly what he meant by that ego remark".
Luckily for Brett she forgot to phrase it as a question
and he quickly stepped out of the room, "See ya tomorrow", he
said, hurrying towards his own room.
Urd was going to follow but Belldandy placed a hand on
her arm, "Sister", she said seriously, "Don't do this".
"What are you talking about?", Urd asked in an angry
tone, "If you think I'm going to let him get away with
that....".
Belldandy sighed, "Listen Urd...", she said quietly,
"Everyone lies in their daily lives... for the most part they
are small lies or lies of omission, but they enable us to get
along with each other".
"What's your point?", Urd snapped, shaking off
Belldandy's hand.
"Brett isn't in a position to lie to you at the moment",
she said, "So that means if you ask him something he'll give
you his truthful opinion".
Urd frowned, "You mean he really thinks *I've* got a big
ego?", she asked in disbelief.
Belldandy sighed, "If that's what he said then that's
what he truly believes", she said softly.
Urd took a deep breath, "Well he hasn't heard the end of
this... I think I'm going to have to have a nice long
*private* chat with Brett", she said.
******
"Ranma is *where*?", Akane asked in disbelief.
"A mountain range in China", Skuld confirmed, "pretty
close to that 'cursed springs' place you keep telling us
about".
"Why would the Devil take them there?", Soun wondered.
"Who knows?", Nabiki replied, "It's a Devil remember??
we're probably lucky we don't know how it thinks".
"It must be something to do with the curses", I mused
thoughfully, "Now what on earth could that thing be
planning?".
"Well!?!?!", Akane asked, "We know where we're suppose to
be going.. what's the delay?".
"Settle down Akane", Dr Tofu said gently, "Without a good
plan we'd just be throwing our lives away".
I glanced over to Skuld, "How are your modifications to
the BFG going?", I asked.
Skuld looked at me angrily, "It's a Bi-Molecular Force
Generator!", she said, "No nicknames from computer games
please!".
I smiled sheepishly, "Well.. you've gotta admit it fits..
no matter what the acronymn you use...".
Skuld huffed and then picked up the gun and placed it on
the table, "It's ready", she said, "If you hit Tupnixua with
it, that'll be the end of him".
I nodded, "And that little problem with it?", I asked.
"Oh", Skuld said, "It *shouldn't* do any more than
eliminate your target, I'm *hopeful* that my modifications
will work".
I glanced at the gun, "That's reassuring", I said
blankly.
Akane picked up the gun, "So this is the only way to get
rid of that Devil?", she asked, testing it's weight.
I shook my head, "There are a few others", I admitted,
"But they all involved the use of something that we don't
have".
"What's that?", Nabiki asked, frowing.
"Oh, we can banish the Devil if we can get our hands on
it's summoner", Belldandy piped in, "But from what you've said
about this Happosai person.. I doubt he'd be inclined to
help".
Dr Tofu walked over to the door, "I would have thought
that it would be more difficult than just shooting him with an
oversized rifle", he said, glancing out at the early-morning
sky.
"It is!", I insisted, "We've still got to get the others
away from him before he can do anything to them".
Urd took that moment to appear, "And how are you planning
to get them free?", she asked.
"Live bait", I droned.
Everyone looked at me and I shrugged, "He really wants to
get to me", I explained, "Now if I give him that chance I'll
be able to see exactly what we're up against and I might be
able to get everyone else out".
"No!", Skuld said, "Brett... that's much to dangerous and
it gives him another person to keep as a hostage!".
I nodded, "But it also makes the most sense", I insisted,
"There's very little difference in freeing five people than
six".
"Don't count on it!", Urd said firmly, "You really
shouldn't risk yourself like this".
Akane placed the gun back on the table, "I agree with Urd
and Skuld", she said, "Ranma wouldn't want anyone to risk
themselves for him...".
I shook my head, "Do any of you have any better ideas?",
I asked.
Urd looked at me, "Is this the best you could come up
with?", she asked.
"Yes", that monotone voice replied.
I nodded, "See.. I'm telling the truth", I replied,
"Besides.. I think if I surrender to it.. it might buy a
little more time".
Urd stood, "Well.. if you're surrendering.. I'll go with
you", she said firmly, "That means there's two of us to plan
an escape.. besides I'm more experienced than you are with
this kind of Devil".
"Urd", I said carefully, "That would give Tupnixua an
even bigger piece to use against me.. I'd really feel a lot
better if...".
Urd cut me off with a gesture, "No", she said, "Don't you
agree that two of use would be better off facing up to a
Devil?".
"Yes", replied that blank voice.
"NO!", I said, disagreeing, "I don't mean that...".
Urd smiled, "You've caught yourself this time", she said,
"You know that two of us have a better chance".
I tried to dissuade Urd from comming along, but for some
reason she wouldn't listen to my arguments. And to be honest,
deep down I knew that she was right, she was much more
experienced in dealing with Devils than I was. It was early
afternoon when our little 'council of war' broke up and I
still wasn't happy about Urd tagging along.
I should have expected a knock on the door to my room,
"Brett", said Urd, walking into the room, "are you still
upset".
"Yes", I replied.
Urd gave a wry grin, "At least with you this way I know
I'm getting an honest answer", she observed.
I shook my head, "I would have told you 'no' normally", I
admitted sheepishly.
Urd sat down, "Is that because you don't want to alienate
your partner?", she asked.
"Yes", I replied. I smiled and shook my head, "Urd,
you've gotta stop asking direct questions *I* can't answer you
if you keep talking like this".
"I know", Urd said, smiling, "But there's something I've
been wanting to ask you for a while...".
******
Skuld was pushed rudely aside as she walked into Brett's
room to talk to him. "What the!?!?!", she began, seeing Urd
hurrying past.
Brett was sitting, red faced, on the edge of his bed,
holding his head in his hands, "Oh great", he muttered.
Skuld grabbed his hair and jerked his head to face her,
"What did you say to her?", she demanded.
Brett slapped her hand away, "I DON'T BLOODY WELL KNOW!",
he shouted angrily, "The TRUTH I suppose".
Skuld nursed her hand, he'd hit pretty hard, which was
unusual, "What did she ask?", Skuld asked in a more subdued
voice.
Brett sighed, "She asked me to tell her *exactly* what I
thought of her", he said.
"So what's wrong with that?", she asked. Then she
thought for a moment, "oh no", she said quitely, "You would
have answered completely truthfully...".
Brett nodded, "And half the time *I* don't know what I
think about Urd", he admitted, "I've got no idea what I said
to her, but she got out of here real fast".
Skuld sighed, "Well... we've still got to rescue...", she
began.
Brett stood, "Alright, let's get going", he said, "Urd's
going to have to deal with whatever I told her later on".
Skuld nodded and followed him outside, "You know where to
go from the Amazon Village?", Skuld asked.
Brett smiled, "I've studied the map enough", he replied,
"And I'm sure that someone in the village will help us...".
The two walked out into the courtyard, where Urd was
waiting with everyone else. Her expression was carefully
neutral and she refused to meet Brett's gaze. "Everyone
ready?", Belldandy asked.
Brett nodded and offered Urd his hand, "If you're still
comming with me...", he began.
Urd grabbed his hand tightly, "Get on with it", she said
shortly.
The two dissapeared in a flash of light. Akane looked
over at Skuld, "What's wrong with Urd?", she asked.
"Urd found out there are things that Goddesses weren't
meant to know", she replied.
******
I winced reflexively as yet another shower of small
stones dropped down from above, "Hey!", I shouted up to Urd,
"Watch it!".
Urd glanced back down at me, "Hurry up a bit", she
insisted, "That Devil will die of old age before we get
there".
"Look!", I said, "I don't know what I've said to upset
you so much.. but...".
"Never mind that", Urd snapped, "Just pick up the pace a
bit". Then she turned and continued up the steep slope. We'd
been climbing most of the afternoon, after having the route
pointed out to us by one of the Amazons. Actually they had
been quite helpful after Urd explained who she was (by casting
a lighting bolt at one particlarly obnixious young Amazon, who
should probably now change her name to Afro). For some reason
Urd still refused to speak more than two words to me,
obviously I'd said some things that I shouldn't have.
I glance back the way we had come and shuddered, I didn't
like heights at the best of times, and going up the side of a
mountain wasn't even vaguely the 'best of times'. I gritted
my teeth and continued up the slope, trying to avoid the
occasional shower of loose stones that Urd sent down. We
finally made it to the plateu where the cursed springs were,
just as the sun was setting. "Perhaps we should rest until
morning?", I suggested, "It's starting to get a little cold".
Urd gave me a steely glare, "Too tired?", she asked.
"Yes", I replied.
Urd looked at me strangely as I nodded, "Alright then",
she said, "*I* was hoping to make a few more miles before
nightfall, but if you need to rest...".
"If we go much further we're going to be in danger of
falling into one of those cursed springs", I pointed out, "And
I'm not particularly interested in changing species, sex or
whatever else those things can do for you".
"You're right", Urd said. She took off her pack and set
it down. I set my own pack down and pulled out the tent
parts, clipping them together with practiced ease. Urd looked
at me curiously, "You know camping then", she said.
I nodded, thankful that I'd get to answer this one, "The
school I went to was very much into the 'survival-style'
camps... I've put up enough tents to know how it's done", I
explained. It took about fifteen minutes to set up the tent
and get a fire going. I pulled out a pair of foil-wrapped
packages from my backpack and shoved them into the hot coals
of the fire. "That's dinner", I explained. It was a lovely
night, the moon was almost full and it was quite bright in the
little clearing we'd chosen for out campsite.
I waited till I was pretty sure that the food was cooked
and I carefully rolled the little packages out of the fire. I
unwrapped them carefully, trying not to burn myself. "Here ya
go", I said, passing one to Urd.
"What is it?", she asked.
"Damper", I droned.
"It's basically bread", I explained rummaging around in
my pack, "Here, I've got something to go with it if you
like....". I pulled out a few little containers, "Here we go,
you've got a choice of Honey, Apricot Jam or my personal
favourite: Vegemite".
Seeing her blank expression I smiled, "It's an Australian
food topping... it spices up the food a bit", I explained.
Then noticing her still-confused expression, I broke off a bit
of my Damper and smeared some on a piece for her, "Here, try
it".
She gingerly tasted a bit and made a face, "That's
awful!", she said, "It's too salty...".
I grinned at her, "You'd be surprised how many people
tell me that", I said. Smearing another piece in the thick,
black paste, I gobbled it down, much to Urd's disgust. I
passed her the honey and jam, "Here... for your more
*delicate* tastes", I teased her.
Urd gave me a tight grin (the first I'd seen on her face
since we talked in my room), "How about more refined tastes?",
she asked, nibbling on her food.
I was grateful that this potion didn't respond to
retohrical questions. After we finished eating, the two of us
sat in silence for a long while, watching the glowing embers
of the fire. I was in a half-doze when I felt a hand on my
shoulder, I looked up to see Urd standing over me, "Come on",
she said, "We'd better get some sleep".
I nodded and shovelled a pile of stones over the fire and
carefully checked around the campsite, before crawling into
the tent and zipping it up. By the time I slithered into my
sleeping bag, Urd was already asleep. I lay beside her in the
small tent, the moonlight casting a surreal glow through the
tent. I just watched her peaceful expression for a while,
before sleep overcame me as well.
******
I awoke the next morning to a suffocating feeling,
somehow in the middle of the night, Urd had swapped ends
(don't as me how she did it without waking me in a tent near
to 5 foot wide), but for some reason she'd decided that my
face would make a good foot-rest.
I don't know what possessed me, but I tickled her foot
lightly through the sleeping bad. She giggled slightly in her
sleep and I had to hold back laughter at the expression on her
face. I continued to tickle her until she twitched and kicked
me in the nose. At that point I decided to leave off tickling
the Goddess and unzipped myself from my sleeping bag.
Edging myself outside I took a deep breath of air, I love
early morning in a forest, this forest wasn't too different
from where I'd camped back home. I rolled the rocks off of
the fire and tried to coax it back to life. After a few
minutes I had a nice warming blaze going and I gratefully
warmed my hands. After letting the flames die down a bit, I
began breakfast.
It must have been the smell of the food, because no
sooner had I poured out a cup of hot tea, Urd emerged from the
tent. She looked rather rumpled, her hair was a mess and she
was rubbing her eye's sleepily. I stilfed a laugh as she sat
down across the fire from me, sniffing. "Hmmm... breakfast?",
she mumbled curiously.
I looked at her innocently (since that didn't consitiute
a question), "Well.. I've got mine", I said blandly, "What are
you having?".
Urd's eyes narrowed, "You had better be joking", she said
in a chill tone.
I passed her the tea I was about to drink, "Here", I
said, "I'll make myself another".
She mumbled a 'thankyou' and sipped the hot tea
gratefully, "What a horrible night's sleep", she commented, "I
had this weird dream about walking on feathers!". I choked on
my tea.
About half an hour later we were back on the trail to the
cursed springs. However this morning Urd was keeping pace
with me, rather than going out ahead and she was also talking
to me again.
******
Tupnixua and his two Demon cronies were hanging from a
mountain ledge, overlooking the Cursed springs of Jusenkyo.
The BEM (Bug Eyed Monster) on his right retracted most of it's
eye-stalks, "Master, it's cold out here, can we go inside
now?", it whined.
"Listen you stupid creature", Tupnixua snarled, "Do you
want me to tie those eyes of yours in knots?".
The BEM shuddered back, "No master... I just thought that
you might be more comfortable inside...", it began
apologetically. The other Demon, who's nickname was 'Slasher'
chuckled slightly.
Tupnixua sighed, "Look", it said slowly to it's minions,
"We're here because now that I have the cursed ones, all I
need is a drop of water from each of the springs that they
fell into".
"But master?", asked Slasher, "Why would you need that?".
The Devil raised his eyes to the sky, "Why me?", it asked
mournfully, "Is it an unwritten law that I must put up with
stupid henchdemons?".
The two assistants looked at each other and shrugged, "So
master?", BEM asked, "How do we find the right spring?.
Tupnixua smiled viciously, "Well..", it began, picking up
a startled BEM, "THIS IS HOW!". With that, the Devil pitched
BEM into one of the nearer pools. A few moments later a small
lizard crawled out of the pool and hissed angrily.
"Trial and error", Tupnixua announced walking back
towards the cave where they had stashed the prisoners, "Get to
it!".
The little lizard flicked it's tongue spitefully and
proceeded to the next pool. It jumped in, only to come out a
moment later as a large boar. The boar grunted and continued
along. After nearly an hour of jumping into different pools,
BEM finally had a sample of each. The final pool that it
found was the spring of drowned girl and it walked out
muttering angrily.
Slasher grinned at its companion, "You know you look good
enough to eat!", it commented.
"Very funny", the now female BEM replied, "I didn't see
you jumping in any pools!".
Slasher raised one claw, "Ahhh.. but that's because I've
got enough sense not to question the boss", it proclaimed.
Tupnixua was waiting for them when they returned,
"Excellent", it said, taking the potions, "I'm very pleased
with you".
It turned to walk away, "Errr... master?", BEM asked,
"How do I get back to normal?".
Tupnixua gave her a glance, "You don't", it replied, "And
I wouldn't go near any hot water... I don't know which of your
curses would come out".
BEM stood shock-still for a moment, "I'm going to be like
this forever", she asked.
Tupnixua nodded, "Yes.. now I've got a ritual to get
ready for", it said as it strode off.
Slasher placed a friendly claw on it's companion's
shoulder, "Don't worry about it", it said, "Your still the
same evil, corrupted Demon under that cute little exterior".
BEM didn't say anything, she simply walked to where she had
set up her lair, closing the door behind her.
******
"I never realised how much I've come to rely on
teleporting", I observed, as Urd and I trudged through the
forest.
"We're suppose to be sneaking up on that devil", she
reminded me, "Not walking up and announcing ourselves".
"I know, I know", I replied, "That doesn't mean I have to
like it". We'd been walking for most of the morning and after
we'd finally gotten out onto the plateau surrounding the
springs we'd made better time. It was nearly midday when we
reached the springs.
"So", Urd said, wiping the sweat from her brow, "Now
we've just got to find the devil".
"Well it looks like you've come to the right place", a
voice answered.
The two of us spun around to see a large demon facing us,
it's body was covered in greenish scales and it had wicked
looking claws extending from it's hands. "The master was
wondering when you'd get here", it said, running it's tongue
over it's fangs.
I stood a little straighter, "Go and get your master", I
said to it (in what I hoped was a confident voice), "I want to
talk to it!".
The demon sat back on it's haunches, "Well", it said,
scratching it's head with one claw, "That's the first time
anyone's ever actually *wanted* to come with me".
"I didn't say anything about going with you", I snapped,
"I said bring your master here... I want to discuss a deal".
The Demon's eyes opened wide and it nodded, "Wait here",
it said, "I'll see what I can do".
Urd and I exchanged a quick glance, "Well, it looks like
any sneaking up is out of the question", she said resignedly.
A few minutes later a bat-winged shape dropped out of the
sky a few meters from us, "I understand you want to talk to
me?", Tupnixua asked in a mock-curious voice, "Now what could
I possibly interest you in?".
"Let's cut the crap!", I said bluntly, "I want my friends
released".
Tupnixua grinned savagely, "Oh?", it asked, "And what are
you prepared to offer in exchange?".
"Me", I replied bluntly, "You take me and the others go
back with her", I gestured at Urd.
"But...", Urd began angrily, "I thought that...".
"Shut up!", I hissed at her, "This is the best way!".
Urd was fuming and she ground her teeth together, "Very
well", she growled, glancing at the devil warily.
Tupnixua watched our little exchange and smiled, "I sense
a little lack of discussion here", it laughed, "Perhaps you'd
like time to think about it....".
I shook my head, "Me in exchange for the others", I
restated, "Take it or leave it!".
Tupnixua thought for a moment, "Alright", it said, "You
have a deal, I will bring the five cursed ones here". It
extended it's hand and I reluctantly shook hands with it.
Surprisingly it recoiled suddenly and dropped my hand, "In one
hour", it replied (in what I thought was a less-confident
voice). Then it jumped into the air and flapped it's wings,
flying into the distance.
******
Urd grabbed Brett's shoulder and spun him to face her,
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!?!", she demanded dangerously.
"Carrying out my plan", Brett answered in a monotone
voice.
Urd pushed him backwards against a tree, "You stupid,
pig-headed, half-whited..... ", she began.
Brett held up his hands in surrender, "I agree", he said,
"I'm pretty dumb, but I just rescued Ranma and the others,
without having to put anyone else in danger".
Urd clenched her fists, "Listen", she fumed, "That devil
isn't going to just let them go... he's up to something!".
I shrugged, "What's the difference, so long as you get
everyone back to the temple?", he replied.
Urd took a deep breath, "Nothing except I don't have any
way to travel...", she began.
Brett rummaged around in his backpack and brought out a
small pocket-TV, "Here", he said, handing it to her, "Now
you've got a way home".
Urd looked at the small TV in her hand, "You planned this
all along, didn't you?", she asked.
Brett nodded, "Yes", he droned.
"You arrogant bastard!", she shouted angrily, raising her
fist, "I was suppose to be helping! why did you do this!??!".
"I don't want you to get hurt", Brett said blankly.
Urd's fist stopped in mid swing, "You what?", she asked,
blinking slightly.
"I don't want you to get hurt", Brett repeated.
Urd lowered her fist reluctantly, "Alright", she said
quietly, "I won't stop you.....".
Brett nodded, "Thank you Urd", he said smiling.
Urd gave him a steely look, "But if you go and get
yourself killed, I'm never going to talk to you again!", she
said firmly.
******
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E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
-Albert Einstein
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