From: "The Eternal Lost Lurker" ACT TWO: Tomaranai mirai o mezashite... Chapter 8: Mahou no usagi da? Arrive Mokona! Everyone watched Hikaru worriedly as she cried herself to sleep in the corner of the Nekohanten. As much as everyone wanted to comfort her, Cologne suggested that with what she'd endured, Hikaru needed to be left alone for a few moments, to release her agony. Quietly, she summed up for the other two Magic Knights just exactly what had happened to Hikaru in China. Needless to say, Umi and Fuu were *very* angry when the tale was finished. "Too bad she didn't get a chance to barbecue the bastards," Umi commented, scowling. Fuu nodded. "Yes, if they were still around, I would not be opposed to extracting a bit of payback." Murmurs of assent ringed the cafe. Hikaru finally cried herself to sleep, and almost immediately, the redhead rose from the corner, blinking and rubbing at her now blue eyes, which were nevertheless red from crying. Everyone turned to her, saw that it was Ranma, and made room for her in the group. Ranma frowned thoughtfully. He'd been privy to Hikaru's tale, and to her anguish, as well as the tale of the other Knights. He wasn't in a particularly pleasant mood after all that. This girl, who he'd barely even realized existed, already felt like a sister, or...or something else to him. He wished he could *do* something, find some reimbursement for her pain. "Old ghoul," Ranma mused, after receiving some hot water, "Those guys who did that to Hikaru...do you know if they're really the ancestors of Herb and his two boneheaded flunkies?" Cologne rubbed her chin thoughtfully, and pogoed over to a cabinet in the back of the restaurant. She produced an ancient scroll, and examined it for a moment. "Yes," she said. "It shows it right here in this scroll. The Musk prince of that time was Rhi Fa," she said, tapping the scroll, "And all rulers of the Musk are produced from the same lineage, given their draconic blood." Ranma made a small noise of comprehension. "I had forgotten about that." He then frowned. "Hey, hold up. I thought they didn't start with that dragon stuff until *after* Nyanniichuan was formed." Cologne frowned. "You're right. I'll have to look into that, and find an explanation. In any case," she continued, "It seems the same two families have been producing warriors to serve the rulers personally for hundreds of years. One family adopts the mantle of the wolf, the other of the tiger. Rhi Fa's warriors were..." She paused to examine the slightly faded writing, and then continued, frowning slightly, "Kho Kain and Ghun Xia." Blinking at that, she muttered, "Where on earth did they come up with names like that?" Ranma frowned. "So, Lime and Mint are their descendants?" Cologne nodded. Ranma slammed his fist into his open palm. "It's settled then. If I see any of them again, when I get through with 'em, they'll make roadkill look pretty." That sentiment was heartily echoed by many of those present. Fuu frowned. "I don't mind the idea of vengeance, but is it really fair to take something that happened fifteen centuries ago out on the descendants of the people who did it?" Shampoo nodded. "It too too fair. Is warrior code." "Yeah," Umi nodded. "It's one of those samurai things." The group continued to talk for a while, Umi and Fuu getting to know everyone, and vice versa. "Well," Umi said, "I'm afraid Fuu and I probably need to be getting home now." Fuu nodded. "It is getting rather late." The girls said their goodbyes, and left Nekohanten, promising to return after school the next day and check in on Hikaru. On the bus ride home, Umi was staring out the window, and thought she saw something familiar on the sidewalk. She did a double-take, but it was gone. "Nah," she thought, "Couldn't be...could it?" She decided to dismiss the thought that she'd seen a fat white rabbit creature bouncing along the sidewalk as a product of her excitement over seeing Hikaru again. The Nekohanten began to clear out, as the Tendous, Ranma, Genma, Tofuu, Ukyou, and Ryouga all went their separate ways. On the walk home, Ranma suddenly froze, and stumbled slightly. Akane, concerned, rushed up to him. She stopped in shock when she saw his eyes were red. Hikaru blinked, and looked down at...himself? "What the--?" Akane stared. "Hikaru? How--?" Hikaru frowned. "I don't know. I'm...this is Ranma's real form, isn't it?" Akane nodded. Hikaru looked upset. "How did I wake up in this body? If what Cologne-san said is right, this shouldn't happen..." A thoughtful, troublesome silence ensued. After a moment, it was shattered by a frantic and insistent sound, which was coming closer. Akane frowned. As the sound drew nearer, she could distinctly make it out. It sounded like, 'puu-puu-puu'. "What on earth is that sound?" Hikaru's head snapped up, and he looked around. "It can't be..." Suddenly, a fat, white rabbit with a jewel on its forehead bounced around the corner, headed right for them. Akane looked at it, and smiled. "How kawaii! I wonder who it belongs to?" Hikaru's reaction was completely different. At first he was shocked, then he grinned happily. "Mokona!" Mokona bounced in front of them. "Puu?" it asked. Hikaru frowned. "You don't recognize me, do you, Mokona?" "Puu..." Akane blinked. "THAT...is Mokona?" Hikaru nodded. "Hai." "What's it doing here in Tokyo?" Hikaru shrugged. "I dunno. Why don't we ask it?" Mokona looked back and forth between them, puzzled. "Puu puu?" Hikaru grinned. "Mokona, it's me! Hikaru!" "PUU!?" At that moment, as if by some grand design, someone's sprinklers went off, spraying Hikaru. Mokona hopped backwards a couple paces, and shook itself. Hikaru smiled, and willed her armor into existence. Mokona bounced up high in surprise, then bounced toward Hikaru excitedly. "PUU! PUUPUUPUU!!!!" Hikaru giggled. "I'm happy to see you too, Mokona!" Akane smiled at the happy scene. "So, Mokona, what are you doing here in Tokyo, hmm?" "Puu! Puupuupuu! Puu..." Akane frowned. "Doesn't make much sense, does it." "Puu!" Mokona told Akane crossly. Akane backed up a step involuntarily, and scowled at it. "I think it's upset about something. Maybe there's trouble in Cephiro?" Hikaru mused. "Puu!" Mokona hopped out of Hikaru's arms. "Puu, puu! Puu puu!" The gem on its forehead flared, and began tracing a pentagram in the air. The pentagram shimmered, and became an image of clouds, and mountains, with a large fish *flying* in circles in the air. Akane gasped. "I think Mokona wants us to go back to Cephiro with it," Hikaru said. "Puuuuuuuu," Mokona announced satisfactorily. "Alright...it must be pretty important, if you came all the way here, but everyone is very tired. Can we find the others in the morning? And maybe we can get our new friends to help out," Hikaru offered. While she was concerned, she was a bit apprehensive about going back to Cephiro. Mokona considered this for a moment, then finally bounced once in a bizarre approximation of a solemn nod. "Puu," it agreed. "Okay then," Hikaru said. "Come on with us, and in the morning we'll get the others and go back to Cephiro." "Puu!" Mokona bounced into Hikaru's arms, and the trio continued on to the Tendou dojo. Akane silently shook her head, wondering if things were destined to get stranger than they'd ever been... Chapter 9: Departure The next morning, Mokona bounced out of the room where Hikaru and a giant panda had been sleeping, and bounced down the stairs. It was fascinated by this household, so different from what it knew. Mokona saw a tall girl with short brown hair in the hall. The girl was eyeing it warily. "Now who are you?" she asked it. "Puu!" Mokona said. It smiled up at her. "Puu, puu!" "Yeah, well if you do, you have to clean it up yourself, because I sure won't," the teenager mumbled. "Puu?" Mokona wondered what this girl's problem was. She seemed even grumpier than Umi! The grumpy girl padded off to the bathroom. Akane came out of her room, and smiled at Mokona. "Good morning, Mokona!" Mokona recognized Akane from the previous evening, and bounced a couple times. "Puu, puu!" it said. Akane giggled, and scooped the fat creature up in her arms. Mokona decided it didn't mind being carried, and the two headed downstairs. A soothing voice called from the kitchen, "Breakfast will be ready soon everyone!" Ranma emerged from the stairs, in male form. Mokona saw him, and inquired, "Puu?" Ranma blinked, then said, "Oh, you're Mokona." Mokona looked confused. Akane explained, "Mokona, this is Ranma." "Puu?" Mokona asked. It leaped to stand before Ranma. Its jewel flickered, and a beam shot forth, connecting to Ranma's forehead. Akane gasped, but Ranma smiled. "It's okay, Akane," Ranma said. "Hikaru said to expect this." He closed his eyes. Mokona held the beam for a moment, then it cut off. "Puuuuuuu," Mokona said. Ranma's eyes saddened. "I'm sorry, Mokona," Ranma said. "I know you're not too happy about this." Brightening, he said, "But, she's still alive in here, and you'll get to see her again pretty soon." "Puu!" Mokona said. Then, it bounced back over to Akane, who scooped it up again, as breakfast was served and the rest of the household gathered. A "buii" was heard as a bleary-looking piglet trudged into the dojo. "P-chan!" Akane called. P-chan looked up at the sound of Akane's voice...and scowled. "Bukii!" he remarked, glaring accusingly at Mokona. "Puu?" Mokona asked. "P-chan, this is Mokona!" Akane called. "Puu," Mokona offered. It sensed something unusual about this piglet. Something which reminded it a lot of a particularly irritating fairy it knew... P-chan didn't like the fact that an intruder was taking his place in Akane's arms. Although in the back of his mind the name "Mokona" registered as being something important, he ignored it for the time being, and made a flying leap at the creature, hoping to scare it away. Mokona opened its mouth wide, and swallowed P-chan in one gulp. Akane gasped, mortified. "Mokona!!" Kasumi covered her mouth with one hand. "Ara..." Ranma snickered, and Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "Puuuuuuuuu," Mokona said smugly. "Mokona! That was bad!" Akane scowled. Mokona opened its mouth again, and P-chan tumbled out. He backed off warily, and glared at the white creature. Mokona, for its part, continued looking smug. Ranma was laughing like crazy at this point. Akane glared at him. "And just WHAT is so funny?" she demanded. "Oh come on Akane, you gotta admit that was good," Ranma said. "Oh yeah? Well so is THIS!" Akane shouted, retrieving her mallet. Ranma was knocked outside, and landed in the pond. "Puu?" Mokona wondered. It certainly hadn't seen any magical jewel on Akane's clothes. Maybe she kept it hidden? The redhead which re-entered the house was Hikaru, and she didn't look particularly happy. "Akane-chan, please don't do that again," Hikaru said. "You're sort of denting two people now, remember?" Akane had the grace to look sheepish as Hikaru ignored her and smiled at Mokona. "Mokona! I'll play with you in a minute, as soon as I get dried off, alright?" "Puu, puu!" Mokona was just happy to have Hikaru back again. It had been so sad when she'd...it didn't want to remember that right now. A few minutes later, Hikaru sat, with Mokona beside her, at the table, eating breakfast. P-chan was being fed by Akane. Hikaru kept casting glances at P-chan, making the pig feel slightly nervous. "Puu," Mokona commented, nudging Hikaru with its head. "Hmm? Oh yeah!" Hikaru wiped her mouth, and cleared her throat. "Everyone, I have to tell you something." She paused, swallowing nervously. "Mokona came here because there's trouble in Cephiro again. I think it wants the Magic Knights to go back with it to Cephiro." Everyone gasped. "You can't be serious? After what happened last time?" Akane said. "Puuuuuuuu...." Mokona replied. "I don't think it would have come here if that was going to happen again. It's got to be something different this time. Isn't it, Mokona?" "Puu, puu!" Mokona bounced in its approximation of a nod. Hikaru idly wondered about that...when she'd seen it last, Mokona could seemingly nod like a normal person. It must have gotten fatter, she decided. Akane frowned. "Are you sure this is a good idea? It's not just you this time, it's Ranma too. What would he have to say about this?" Hikaru closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were blue. Everyone stared. "You're getting really good at that," Nabiki commented. "Puu," Mokona observed, slightly unsettled by the way the two teens interchanged the body like that. "Akane...people are in trouble again over there. We saw a little bit of that when Mokona did that light thing a few minutes ago. I don't think it's the same thing all over again." He sighed. "If people are in trouble, I gotta help. I can't be selfish, not anymore." "Well, if you're going," Akane decided, "then I'm going too." "Indeed," said a new voice, "It would be a good idea if many of us went." Everyone looked up to see Cologne standing in the doorway. She pogoed over to Mokona, and sketched a small bow to it. "Puu!" Mokona said, and smiled at the old woman. Everyone blinked. She looked up, and said, "You have no idea what this creature is, do you?" Everyone shook their heads. Cologne chuckled dryly. "You'll find out." Then she became serious again. "In any case, for now, suffice it to say that if this creature wants us to accompany it to another world, we must go as quickly as possible." "Puu," Mokona agreed. Everyone considered this. Later that morning, Cologne, Mokona, Hikaru, Akane, Shampoo, Ukyou, Mousse, and Ryouga were gathered at the bus stop. A bus pulled up, and Umi and Fuu stepped off. The second Umi saw Mokona, she scowled. "MOKONA!? What the hell are YOU doing here?" "Puu!" Mokona offered, smiling cutely at the blue-haired girl. Umi glared at it. "Mokona-san, how did you come to be in this world?" Fuu asked. "Guys, Cephiro needs us again," Hikaru said. Umi snorted. Fuu looked displeased. "Suuuure, so we can fight a pointless battle again? No way," Umi said. "It would be wise not to take this lightly," Cologne advised. Hikaru nodded. "Mokona showed me a little bit of what's going on. There's a lot of people sick and dying over there. We're not being asked to go after the Pillar again." Mokona bounced. "Puu." Umi frowned. "How can we be sure of that?" "My child," Cologne said, "You were summoned last time by the Pillar of Cephiro. This time, you are being summoned by this creature. That's a very big difference." "Yeah? Well the way I remember it, this baka bunny also led us into a nest of monsters shortly after we met it, AND managed to hide itself while WE did all the hard work!" Umi snapped. "Puuu...." Mokona said dangerously. "Trust me, child. I know exactly what Mokona is. When it guides someone in a particular direction, it has a good reason. And if it wants all of us to go to Cephiro, then we should all go." "Just how do you know so much about Mokona anyway?" Akane asked. Cologne closed her eyes. "I cannot reveal that right now. When the time is right for you to know, Mokona will show you." "Puu!" Mokona confirmed. Umi sighed. "Okay, okay, we'll go." She fixed Mokona with a stern gaze. "But if you're dragging us all over there for something stupid, I promise I'm gonna serve up some rabbit stew, got it?" "Puu?" Mokona said, backing up a bit and trying to look cute. Umi just scowled at it, and it wilted slightly. "Is everyone ready?" Cologne asked. "Sure," Ryouga said. "Ready as I'll ever be," Akane answered. "Same here, sugar," Ukyou chimed in. "Shampoo ready go!" "As am I," Mousse said. "I'm ready!" Hikaru chirped. "I suppose I am also ready," Fuu said. Reluctantly, Umi sighed and said, "Okay, I'm ready too." Mokona bounced three times. Its gem flared yellow. The next thing the group knew, they were in freefall. Chapter 10: Preparations The Magic Knights found themselves bouncing slightly on the back of a familiar flying fish. "Fyula!" Hikaru beamed. Mokona cried out, "Puu! Puu puu, puuuuu!" Its jewel flashed yellow again. A snow-white falcon swooped out of nowhere, just big enough for Mokona to perch on. Once it settled in place on the falcon's back, it cried out, "Puuuuuuu! Puu puu, puuuuuu!" Two creatures which could only be described as giant flying squirrels glided into view. One caught Shampoo, Mousse, and Cologne; the other caught Ukyou, Ryouga, and Akane. Fuu blinked. "Is it just me, or does it seem that Mokona summoned those spirit creatures?" Hikaru nodded. "Yeah," she said softly. "Never knew it could do that." With Mokona's falcon in the lead, the group flew across Cephiro. Everyone marveled at the beauty of the land, and the palace, grand and magnificent, loomed before them. However, off to their right, it was obvious to the entire group that something was amiss in this world. "What's *that*?" Umi asked. Hikaru looked, and gasped. "An area of darkness..." Fuu frowned. "It doesn't seem to be natural. Something is definitely not right in that area." "Hmmm...maybe that's why we were called back here," Umi mused. Soon, the entire group was deposited at the foot of a grand marble walkway which lead to the gates of a majestic palace. "Seijyu raikai!" bellowed a short figure from the entrance to the palace. Fyula became slightly transparent, and stretched into an indistinct grey blur, which vanished into the staff the short figure held. Mokona issued several of its trademark sounds, and the falcon and flying squirrels vanished into the jewel on its forehead. The people unfamiliar with this world stared at the small person standing in the gates. He appeared to be a very young child, wearing voluminous white and grey robes which swallowed his body. Lavender hair framed his youthful face, and a large blue stone adorned his forehead. Various rings adorned his small fingers, all appearing much too extravagant for someone his size. In one hand, he held a staff twice his height, the top of which contained various gemstones and appeared to be covered with an animal hide. As the small man approached the party, he started. He blinked rapidly several times. Hikaru rushed forward. "Guru Clef!" she yelled. Guru Clef stepped backward in shock, almost dropping his staff. "Hi--Hikaru? How?" Hikaru stopped a few feet away. "I wasn't killed! Zagato's spell just sent me away. I'll explain everything, later. Right now I think we have something more important to worry about." Clef blinked, then nodded. "Of course." Then he looked at the assembled group. "And these are--?" "Puu, puu puu puu!" Mokona offered. "They're new friends of ours, from our world," Hikaru said. "They're all highly skilled warriors." She bowed her head. "There's a particular reason they're here, I'll admit. It's because of me." Brightening, she continued, "But they'll be able to help out! They're very strong." "Puu! Puu!" Mokona agreed, bouncing up and down excitedly. "Hmm. Well, all of you, welcome to Cephiro. I am Guru Clef. Please, follow me inside." As he gestured towards the gates with one hand, his expression turned grim. "There is much to discuss, and much you should know." Brightening slightly, he turned to Fuu and said, "And there is someone who will be very excited to see you again." Fuu blushed. Umi and Hikaru giggled. As the group entered the palace, a small troupe of its occupants headed their way. As they drew near enough to distinguish, Fuu let out a small gasp. Leading the party approaching them was a young man, with green hair and a rather battered face, dressed in a gleaming white armor, trimmed in green. A large emerald scabbard hung at his side, with an ornate sword hilt visible. A flowing white cape, with green trim, draped from his shoulders. "What's the commotion here?" he demanded, in a tone that brooked no foolishness. Then he caught sight of Fuu, and inhaled sharply, before running to her. "Ferio?" Fuu asked, staring openly at him. Ferio grinned and took Fuu's hand, kissing it. "Fuu," he said. "I've missed you so much." Fuu blushed. "Hi Ferio," Hikaru said. "Nice armor." Ferio looked up...and did a double-take. "Hikaru? You're alive?" Hikaru smiled. "It's a long story. I'll tell it to everyone later." Ferio nodded, and greeted Umi as well. He then noticed the remaining six people, and asked, "And these are?" "Friends from our world," Fuu said. "They've come to help." Ferio smiled, and gestured expansively. "Welcome, then, friends from the other world, to Cephiro. It is good of you to come here. Our world is in grave peril." Bowing, he continued, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Ferio, brother of Princess Emeraude, who is the Pillar of this land." Fuu, Umi, and Hikaru gaped at each other. "PRINCE Ferio?" they chorused. Clef interjected, with a chuckle, "It's true. Ferio here is Emeraude's brother. He chose not to reveal the fact during your last encounter because he was concerned for the fate of his sister." "So," Fuu said to Ferio, "You're really royalty." Ferio nodded, and grinned. Then, he said, "I'm very glad to see you again, Fuu." Fuu blushed, but smiled. "It is good to see you as well, your highness." Ferio faked a hurt look. "Come on now, none of that! I never liked titles." Everyone laughed. A pretty woman with dark blond hair in a topknot stepped forward. She smiled, and said, "Welcome back, Magic Knights." Looking at Hikaru, she smirked. "You could warn us next time you plan to rise from the grave, young lady." Then, turning on Mokona, she continued, "And YOU, you should warn us next time you plan to go world-hopping like that." Putting her hands on her chin, she mused, "How shall I punish the both of you? Shall I pull your nose to see if it comes off? Maybe I should take a pair of tweezers and pluck you bald one hair at a time." She laughed somewhat insanely, causing everyone to stare at her nervously, sweatdrops forming on their heads. "Puu," Mokona told her derisively. "Same old Presea," Hikaru said, shaking her head and smiling. "Anyway," she continued, ignoring the creature, "Welcome back to Cephiro. I wish I could say things were peaceful here." "We'll help out any way we can, Presea-san," Hikaru vowed. Introductions were made between the Cephiro natives and the new group of warriors from Earth. Finally, Umi got down to business. "So, what's going on now?" she asked Clef bluntly. Clef sighed. "Please follow me," he said, gesturing down one particularly foreboding hallway. They arrived at a large doorway, which Clef opened ominously. The group stepped inside, being careful not to make much noise. Inside, Emeraude lay on a bed, by all appearances sleeping peacefully. Zagato hovered nearby. He looked up in surprise. "Zagato," Clef intoned, "The Magic Knights have returned, and brought warriors from the other world with them." Zagato nodded. He blinked when he saw Hikaru. "So, you survived?" he asked her. She nodded, frowning. "If you can call it that," she said tersely. Clef shot her a glance. He'd never heard Hikaru use that tone of voice before. Judging from the reactions of the others, neither had they. Zagato bowed his head. "I cannot hope to atone for my actions. But I trust you understand why I have done these things." Hikaru nodded once, and said nothing more. The entire group moved over to Emeraude's bed. Despite themselves, they gasped when they saw her. While she appeared to only be asleep, her entire left arm was covered with an ugly, dark purple *splotch*, for lack of a better word to describe it. The mass fairly radiated a menacing aura. "What's wrong with her?" Hikaru asked. Clef sighed. "We are uncertain as to what's causing it. All we know is that this...Blemish, is affecting both the Princess and the land itself." "That area of darkness," Fuu said. Clef nodded. "The darkness is spreading at the same alarming rate as this Blemish. If we do not find a way to stop it, to cure it...the Princess will die, and so will Cephiro." "Okay, let's be clear about something. We're really here to save her this time, right?" Umi asked. Clef nodded emphatically. "That is the intention this time. There will be no repeat of the folly which occured on your last visit to this world." "Good," Umi said. Everyone else nodded agreement with her. "Well," Clef said, "I suggest for now we all gather in the banquet hall. We can discuss matters of importance over a fine meal." This agreed with the rest of the group, so they all headed for the dining hall. Only Zagato remained behind. Clef explained that Zagato was forcing all of his Will into slowing the spread of the Blemish. This explanation confused the bunch from Nerima, but they decided to find out what that meant during the meal. In the banquet hall, Hikaru told her story, which shocked the ones who had not yet heard it. It even stunned Mokona, who already knew the tale from having looked into Hikaru's mind. "That is truly horrible," Clef said. "I cannot apologize enough for what has happened to you." "It's not your fault, Guru Clef," Hikaru said. "None of you could have known that this would happen." Ferio shook his head. "All things considered, it's a miracle you agreed to come back at all." Hikaru looked hurt. "I don't hold grudges," she said. "Despite what happened to me, I have made many friends here. I would hate to see harm come to any of you." Umi and Fuu shared the sentiment. "So," Clef said, at length, "You are occupying the body of a boy from your world, who fell into the same spring you drowned in." Hikaru nodded. Clef rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If it isn't too much to ask, might we be allowed to meet him as well now? I have to admit curiosity." Ferio shared that sentiment, as did Presea. Hikaru nodded, and closed her eyes. A moment later, a pair of bright blue eyes blinked at the assembled crowd. "Ummm, hi," Ranma said, slightly nervous. Clef smiled. "You are Ranma, then?" Ranma nodded. "You must be Clef," she said. Clef nodded. Ranma looked around. "Hmmm...Presea...Ferio...I already know Mokona..." "Puu!" Clef chuckled. "So Ranma, you have no objection to being here in Cephiro?" Ranma shook her head. "Nope. So long as it ain't bogus this time." "We've already assured Hikaru and the others that the danger is very real this time," Clef commented. Ranma nodded. "Okay then." The meal progressed, and small talk was made. Clef spoke of Lafarga, Ascot, and the others who remained in Cephiro. It seemed they had all gone to defend the weakened people in the towns covered by the Blemish. They'd been given special protection against the Blemish, and their own strong Will was enough to ensure their ability to fight the monsters which had begun to appear in the darkened lands. After the meal, Ferio urged the Knights and the warriors to rest. Presea promised to upgrade and return the Knights' armors, including Hikaru's armor, and to create armor and weapons for the others. "Tomorrow," Clef observed, "While the new warriors from the other world remain here to receive special training to prepare them for Cephiro, the Knights must journey to the Shrine of Fire...after all, you have one more Mashin to awaken." The Knights (including a reawakened Hikaru) looked at each other meaningfully. The day's discussions were wrapped up, and everyone went off to rest and prepare for what would definitely be a very busy day. ***interlude: pillow talk*** Ranma asked. Hikaru nodded. Ranma smiled. Hikaru blushed. Ranma said, Hikaru giggled. Chapter 11: Gearing Up Hikaru yawned loudly as she awoke. She padded out of the room she'd slept in, and sought out signs of activity in the palace. She passed by the door to Emeraude's bedchamber, and scowled slightly. She'd not by any means forgiven either her or Zagato for the hell she'd been put through, but she did care about the rest of Cephiro, so she'd help out any way she could. She found Umi and Fuu just leaving the chamber they'd slept in. "Ohayou, Umi-chan! Ohayou, Fuu-chan!" They smiled back at her. "Ohayou, Hikaru-chan," they chorused. "Are you ready to awaken your Mashin, Hikaru?" Umi asked. Hikaru nodded. "More than ready! This'll be great!" "I have to warn you," Fuu said, "The tests aren't exactly easy." Umi nodded. "That's right. You were there when I got Selece, remember?" Hikaru nodded, frowning slightly. "I remember." She'd never felt like *slapping* anyone as much as she had little Ascot, when he claimed the monsters he was sending after them were his dear friends that he cared for very much. Smiling, she said, "I think I can handle it though." "You seem awfully confident," Fuu commented. Hikaru thought about that. "Yeah, I guess I am." Grinning inwardly, she headed for the armory. The others followed her. It's said that some artisans, when possessed of the skill and the technology to ply their trade in a faster, more efficient, and less painful way, often prefer to step away from their conveniences, and get their hands dirty, doing their work in the time-honored way their ancestors did. Inside the armory, Presea was hammering away at Hikaru's armor on a crystal anvil. "Damn stubborn...what the hell happened to this thing in the other world?" she groused. While she was up to a challenge, whatever magic existed in the other world had really done a number on the magical armor Clef had given the fiery girl. The Magic Knights entered. Presea looked up, and smiled, brushing a lock of damp hair out of her face. "Good morning, girls," she said. "Hikaru, I almost have your armor ready. It's taking a little bit longer than I expected. The other world did something to it." Hikaru nodded, and smiled. "Okay, we can wait a bit." "I'll give you all your armors after I finish," she said. The Magic Knights thanked her and left. Presea returned to her anvil. As she grumbled and pounded, she managed to hit herself on the thumb with the magical mallet she was using. "Gah! Dammit that hurt!" She hopped around the room like an insane woman for a few minutes, then calmly returned to her work. Clef briefed everyone over breakfast. "Alright, this is the agenda for today. Magic Knights, you will go to the Shrine of Fire, in a volcano, where you will find the last Mashin." The Knights nodded. "The rest of the warriors from the other world will train with Presea and myself this morning. I'm assuming none of you know much magic, so I'll be teaching you a few things, and Presea will provide you with armor and weapons of this world." The warriors nodded. Presea commented, "Keep in mind, that the weapons are only on loan to you..." The Knights groaned. "You're not going to send THEM after Escudo too, are you Presea-san?" Fuu asked. Presea smiled brightly. "Of course!" "Aiyah! What Escudo?" Shampoo asked. "It's a mineral of this world that makes powerful weapons which grow according to your experience," Ferio said. Hikaru frowned. "Why do they need Escudo weapons? They aren't going to have to awaken Mashins..." Presea grinned. "Because Escudo weapons are so much COOLER, don't you think?" Everyone facefaulted. After breakfast, Presea presented each of the Magic Knights with a felt-wrapped package, in their respective colors. "I upgraded your armor slightly," she noted. "The altered state of Hikaru's armor gave me the idea for it." The girls unwrapped their packages, retrieving the jeweled gauntlets for their left hands. "All you have to do is put those on," Presea noted, "And your armor will appear when you will it to. Remove the gauntlets, and your armor will return to them." "Arigatou, Presea-san!" the girls chorused. "And, of course, your weapons are inside the gems, as always," the master armorer finished. The Nerima bunch entered the vast foyer of the palace at this moment, to bid the Knights farewell and good luck. The Knights slid their gauntlets onto their arms. A pale green body armor with a flowing green cloak, short white boots trimmed in green, and enormous white-trimmed green shoulderguards appeared on Fuu, with a soft breeze rippling her hair and cape. A shimmering green gem flickered into existence on her chestplate, and an obscenely long sabre appeared in her hands. With a watery ripple, a gleaming sapphire armor with dark blue shoulderguards and full-length sky blue boots formed on Umi. A blue gem rippled onto her chestplate, and a jet of water formed in her hand, solidifying into a slim rapier. A bright red flame engulfed Hikaru. When it settled, she was encased in a light scarlet chain mail, with white shoulderguards, and knee-length white boots. An elegant broadsword with golden accents flared into her hands. "Your armor will upgrade to a full plate when you awaken your Mashin, Hikaru," Presea informed her. "Sugoi..." she said. The other Knights were no less impressed with their own armor. The bunch from Nerima was simply astonished. "Aiyah...is magic armor..." "Indeed, child. Isn't it wonderful?" "Wow..." "Ditto on that, sugar." "It's incredible." "Wish I could see it better." After a moment, Clef approached the Knights. "Good luck, Magic Knights. Remember that the will is the strongest force in Cephiro, and let your will guide and protect you." The three Knights nodded. Mokona hopped into the room, and said "Puuuu" appreciatively. Then its gem flared yellow, and a large crimson bird appeared outside the chamber. "Clef-san, when did Mokona learn to use spirit beasts?" Fuu wondered. Clef chuckled. "I don't know. Mokona is still a bit of an enigma to us, to tell the truth." "Puu, puu!" Mokona hopped on the spirit bird. "Puu!" it said insistently. Clef clucked his tongue appreciatively. "I have to admit, this is a great choice of beast. What better way to enter a volcano than riding a Phoenix?" Everyone gasped. "That's a real phoenix?" Umi asked. Clef nodded. Mokona said, "Puu!" "Sugoi!" the three Knights chorused. They hopped on the phoenix, and took off for the shrine of Fire. The warriors from Nerima stood around, in a loose semicircle, in Presea's new armory. "I've developed new and advanced methods of creating armor in the days since the Magic Knights arrived here, and I'm going to test my prototype armor on you guys, okay?" the armorer of Cephiro said. They looked at each other, shrugged, and nodded. Presea smiled and produced a container, which held six fist-sized crystal globes. "Each of you take one of these, and concentrate on it. Think about what you like to wear to fight in, what works best for you in a battle situation. Focus on that image and hold it." The six each took a crystal, and closed their eyes, concentrating. After a few minutes, Presea closed her eyes as well, concentrating on the six orbs. Each began to glow as Presea was surrounded with a barely perceptible aura. The first to be affected was Cologne. Her orb flared dark green, and disappeared into her chest. Her usual green robes were replaced by a dark green chainmail cloak which shrouded her body. A shoulderguard appeared on her left shoulder, trimmed in green. The emblem which had adorned her old robes was still present, but it was encrusted in small gems. Her staff disappeared, and reappeared in an empty rack along one wall. Mousse was next. His robes became white chainmail, again with a shoulderguard on his left shoulder, the same design on the front of the robe, and a gauntlet on his left hand, which had a pair of gleaming white blades protruding from the handguard, surrounding a white crystal. Once the new armor formed, a veritable shower of weapons skitted out of his robes and even from his hair, and flew into the rack next to Cologne's staff. Akane followed. She now wore a variation of her yellow karate gi, with armor replacing the top of the gi, and midcalf white boots. A white bracer appeared on her right wrist, a white shoulderguard appeared on her left shoulder, and a gauntlet with a yellow gem formed on her left arm. Her usual headband was replaced with a small gold circlet resembling the one Presea wore. A large mallet appeared out of nowhere, and flew into the rack with the others' weapons. Ukyou went next. Her bandolier with all of her spatulas flew away and landed in the weapons rack. Her tunic became a light vest of blue armor. Her leggings remained unchanged, but white knee-length boots formed on her legs. The obligatory shoulderguard formed, as well as a bracer and a gauntlet with a dark blue gem. She also gained a metallic weapons harness, where her old bandolier would be. Shampoo's armor formed next: an open-skirted, short purple Chinese dress, with tight white armor on her torso. She also sported knee-high boots; the shoulderguard, bracer, and guantlet formed as well, with a purple gem. A pair of bonbori floated away from her and landed in the weapons rack. Finally, Ryouga had his turn. His yellow tunic was replaced by a light vest of yellow armor, while his trousers remained unchanged. His leather ties and shoes became ankle-length white boots, with leather ties up to the knee. The obligatory shoulderguard, bracer, and gauntlet appeared, with a bright green gem on the gauntlet. His umbrella flew into the weapons rack, and his bandana transformed, becoming a metal band around his head, yellow with black studs. They looked down at themselves and around at each other, and made murmurs of approval. Presea examined their weapons, and blinked. "Pardon me for saying, but a couple of you use some very strange weapons." Clearing her throat, she said, "Alright now. You must choose a weapon to use here in Cephiro." "Why can't we just use our own?" Ukyou asked. Presea closed her eyes. "All weapons and armor in Cephiro are enhanced with magic, and are much stronger than simple weapons. Your weapons, no matter how skilled you are with them, would be destroyed the second you struck anyone's armor here." She smiled. "Don't worry. Your own weapons will be safe here, and when you retrieve the Escudo, I will forge weapons matching the ones you're accustomed to. But for now, close your eyes, and concentrate. Weapons suited to you from my armory will come to you." The six closed their eyes. Cologne chose a shiny staff, three times as tall as she was. A large, extraordinarily heavy cudgel became Ryouga's weapon. He took a few practice swings with it, and grinned. Shampoo selected a pair of studded metal maces. "Aiyah! Is almost like bonbori! Shampoo like!" A gigantic metal mallet flew into Akane's eager grasp. Presea shot a concerned glance at the girl upon seeing her reaction. she thought. The thought gave her a brief, strange mental image, and she had to shake it off before she made a mess herself. Ukyou received a large battleaxe, and looked at it curiously. "Well, I guess I can spatula someone with it," she remarked. She also selected several impressive-looking shuriken, and loaded them into her harness. Finally, Mousse made his selections. Everyone hit the deck in alarm as a swarm of weapons of all shapes and sizes flew towards him and disappeared into his voluminous armored robe. Presea scowled. "What the hell was that?" "Mousse is master of hidden weapons. See big pile of chains and stuff in case? Almost every weapon there is Mousse weapon," Shampoo explained. Presea blinked. she thought. Then she grinned inwardly. With the warriors geared up and ready to go, they left the armory and sought out Guru Clef. Chapter 12: Trials and Tribulations "That must be it, up ahead," Fuu said, pointing. The Magic Knights gaped in awe as the phoenix descended towards a gaping maw of rock, from which smoke and steam belched forth. "Guess I'm ready," Hikaru said. The bird circled around the volcano, and landed near its base. The Shrine of Fire loomed before them. "Are you sure you're ready, Hikaru?" Umi asked. Hikaru gulped nervously, and nodded. Within seconds, she began to slip into a trance... a voice rumbled in their minds. Ranma and Hikaru rose from where they'd slumped to the 'floor' of their shared mind, and blinked at each other. Ranma asked. Hikaru shrugged. Ranma and Hikaru looked around for the source of the voice, and gasped. Something very large, its features and form indistinguishable through a shimmering wall of heat, occupied the boundless void in which Hikaru and Ranma often communed. Hikaru asked. it responded. Ranma asked. A great, hot force bored into Ranma. Hikaru felt it too. Although they could not see Rayearth's eyes, they both somehow knew the Mashin was *glaring* at Ranma. Rayearth informed him. Hikaru stepped forward. A pause. Hikaru pressed on. She was cut off by a bright crimson beam from Rayearth. Ranma moved to intervene, but was also pinned by a beam. They felt memories, thoughts, emotions being torn away from them, consumed in some eager, hungry flame, processed down to the ash of truth. Then, they were released. Rayearth seemed truly astonished when finally he spoke. Another pause. Rayearth said. Hikaru was engulfed in a bright flame, and vanished. Ranma shouted. A pause. Ranma felt searing flames cover his mental 'body'. Then, he too vanished, leaving only Rayearth to occupy the vast greyness. Ryouga cursed himself. He'd gotten separated from the rest of the group, and was now wandering the majestic corridors of the palace, utterly lost. As he rounded one corner, he collided head-on with Ferio, who happened to be carrying a glass of juice. The juice spilled onto Ryouga, and in an instant, a small black piglet looked balefully up at the prince. Instead of the usual spotted bandana, he wore a studded yellow collar, with an emerald tag hanging from it. Ferio smirked. "So you're one of the ones who's cursed?" The entire tale of Jyusenkyou had been spelled out to the Cephirans at the banquet dinner. None of them reacted with much surprise, being used to all sorts of magic. "Bukii." Ferio nodded. "Hot water reverses it, right?" Ryouga nodded. Ferio grinned. "Too bad," he said, and walked off. "BUII! BUKII!" Ryouga squealed as he chased the prince. Ferio laughed as he broke into a run. thought Ryouga. Suddenly, the gem flared. Ryouga felt himself expanding, and armor covering his body. Ferio looked back, and stopped running, grinning. "Well, looks like you're the very first one to figure it out! Congratulations!" Ryouga, now human and fully armored, skidded to a halt and blinked. "Huh? What--?" Ferio chuckled. "Cephiro is dominated by the will. Your will is far stronger than your curse. Therefore--" Ryouga gasped, eyes wide. "Wait...you mean, here in Cephiro, the curses don't work?" Ferio shook his head. "They work, but only if you let them work. You got mad when I took off like that, and I bet you thought about what you were gonna do to me when you turned human again." Ryouga blinked. "Yeah...and then I *did* turn human?" Ferio nodded, grinning. "You got it! As long as you want to be human, you'll be human. If you want to be that pig, you'll be that pig. Even without getting splashed. Go on, try it." Ryouga didn't particularly care for being a pig at the moment, but curiosity won out. He concentrated. he told himself. Gradually, his body reduced to porcine proportions, and his armor collapsed into his gem. Ferio grinned. "See? Nothing to it." Ryouga grunted, and changed back to normal. "Too bad I can't cure my sense of direction like that," he groused. Ferio chuckled, and let him to where the others were gathering. Hikaru blinked, and looked around. "No...NO!" she cried. "NO!" Around her rose the all-too-familiar peaks of Qinghai. She recognized the trail leading into Niichieju, and the trail that led to...the Musk Dynasty. She fell to her knees, and sobbed in anguish. "Not again..." "Do not despair, young one," said a kindly old voice. She looked up, to see Tso Pu standing before her. She wore a scarlet robe unlike her traditional garments. "How...why...I'm..." "You have been given a second chance. A chance to get even with those who tormented you. Who hurt you. My God, child, the men who *raped* you." "How...do you know about all that?" Hikaru gasped. "I know all," Tso Pu said. Something was different about her. She seemed much wiser than usual. Tso Pu pointed at the trail to the Musk. Kho Kain and Ghun Xia stood, sneering at the two women. Hikaru shuddered, disgust, hatred, rage building within her. "Kill them," Tso Pu said in a soft whisper. "They violated you. They deserve to die." Hikaru raised her hand above her head. The magic gathered there, anxious to be released. Zagato appeared on the trail also. "Kill him," Tso Pu suggested. "He sent you here to begin with. It's all his fault." The energy burned brighter. Emeraude appeared on the trail. "Kill her," Tso Pu demanded. "She brought you and Umi and Fuu to Cephiro in the first place. To kill her, because she didn't think she could love Zagato and her world both. Her ignorance caused your suffering. Get your revenge." Hikaru faltered. The magic faded somewhat. "Kill all of them!" Tso Pu hissed. Kho Kain stepped forward. "Kill me now, or I'll rape you again." Ghun Xia stood at his side. "Better do it. We liked you the first time around, we'll like you even more this time." Zagato chuckled evilly. "If you're too weak to take our lives, you deserve what you get." Emeraude snickered. "Weak girl. I can't believe you are one of the Magic Knights. You couldn't kill a fly, much less the Pillar of Cephiro. Why did I even bother with you?" Tears streamed down Hikaru's face, but the magic continued to falter. "No," she whispered hoarsely. "No," she repeated more clearly. "Revenge is wrong. The Princess could not have known what would happen to any of us. Zagato...can't be forgiven, but he can be understood. I respect his reasons, if not his actions." "But the two Musk?" Tso Pu asked. Hikaru considered that, then scowled. She dissipated her spell. "They're not *worth* killing," she hissed. The four people on the trail vanished like smoke. Tso Pu chuckled dryly. "Very good, child," she commented. Her features blurred and shifted. Now it was Cologne standing before Hikaru. "But you have yet to face your true tormentor." The Nerima warriors stood in a loose semicircle, weapons in hand, waiting patiently for whatever wisdom they were about to receive. Clef cleared his throat, and smiled at them. "Well, I believe--" he paused abruptly, and cast a glance at Cologne's staff. "That staff looks very familiar," he noted. Then, he continued, "Anyway. If you wish to help save this world, you must learn some magic first." He closed his eyes, and raised his staff. In an echoing voice, he thundered, "MAHOU DENSHOU!" Brilliant light flared from the ornaments on his staff, engulfing the six martial artists. However, something even Clef could not have prepared for happened then. A broad beam of white light slammed forcefully down onto Cologne, striking the staff she held. Even as the teenagers received their magic, Cologne became a living light show. Clef couldn't see into the whirling cone of light which engulfed her. The light show quickly attracted Ferio and Presea, who watched in awe. Meanwhile, the others received their Magic... A dark, crackling stormcloud descended upon Akane, penetrating into her body. She opened her eyes as the last of the vapor seeped into her, with a crackle of electricity. She felt a power within her. She waved her hand, and a fog bank appeared off to the side. Concentrating, she caused a lightning bolt to strike in the center of it. She laughed megalomaniacally. Mousse was lifted off the ground. He blinked, and opened his eyes, just as a searing light tore into his optic nerves. He felt a strange tingling in his eye sockets, as if something was adjusting itself. When he could see again--he could actually *see*. He remained hovering in the air, watching the others receive their Magic. A wave of silver light descended over Ukyou, and she felt as though she had become one with a steel refinery. She felt the metal of her weapons with every fiber of her being, and discovered she could will them to do whatever she wanted. Trying a small spell, she transformed the dull battleaxe into a giant gleaming spatula, charged with magical energy. She cast a similar spell on her shurikens. "Feels like old home week," she grinned. Presea wasn't too impressed. "She'd better change them back when she returns them," she muttered under her breath. Ryouga felt as if he was encased in stone. Then, it seemed to shatter, but instead of breaking off of his body, it was breaking *into* him. He was keenly aware of the ground beneath him. Not really knowing what he was supposed to do, he tried mentally commanding the earth at his feet to tremble. To his surprise, it did. A darkness descended upon Shampoo. Her body became a living, three-dimensional shadow. She was frightened by the intensity of this magic, but at the same time excited by it. She felt herself become invisible, melting into and even concealing her shadow. She emerged from the darkness, with a gleeful expression on her face. As the new magic users finished discovering what they had been given, they all turned to see the white pillar of light surrounding Cologne. Finally, the whirlwind around the elder Amazon died down. Everyone gasped in shock. Where moments before a withered old woman had stood, now stood a very small, very young-looking woman. About Clef's height, and with the same childlike appearance, and flowing blue hair. Her body was swallowed by her voluminous green robes. She held a thin silver staff, three times her height, in one hand. She looked around, blinking rapidly, then down at herself. "Aiyah!" Shampoo said. "What in the world--?" Akane wondered. Everyone else stared. Then Clef raised a hand, pointing at her. "You..." The now-youthful Cologne blinked, then whispered in awe, "Incredible." Then, assuming her usual dry humor, she chuckled, "Well, this is certainly interesting." Everyone crowded around her. "Great-grandmother, what happen?" "Is this even Cologne?" Ukyou wondered. "Yes, I am Cologne," the small woman said. Then, she flashed a grin at Clef. "It would seem," she informed him, "That we are related." Clef blinked at her. "In...what way?" Cologne chuckled. "Well, it appears that you are my great-great-great uncle." Everyone fell over. "M--mom..." Ranma gaped in shock. His mother stood before him, in front of the Shrine of Fire. She was scowling at him, and held her naked katana in one hand, and a paper-wrapped tanto in the other. "My son. You are not manly. You must commit seppuku." Ranma gasped. "Mom? How can you say that...?" "You turn into a girl. You are pursued by four women and reject each of them. You are a coward, an opportunist, and a liar. You have no honor." As much as it hurt Ranma to hear these things from his mother, something nagged at his mind. Why would his mother say these things? How could she be here on... Wait. That's what this was. It's not real. It's the test. "Mother. The things you say are not true," Ranma said, taking care to use formal speech. Nodoka struck him. He didn't flinch. "You dare to call your mother a liar when it is you who have no honor?" "I have honor. A hell of a lot more than Pop has." "That isn't saying much, Ranma." Ranma sighed. Nodoka's expression became pleading. "Ranma...you can prove to me you're a manly man. Marry one of your fiancees. Take the rest in as concubines." Ranma scowled. "No way. I'm not gonna have four women. I'm gonna marry one, *if* I marry any of them." "Then choose." "I need time." "You've had time. Choose." Ranma sighed. "I'm not even out of high school yet. I'm too young for marriage. Heck, I ain't even gotten to know any of them real well yet. I need to have more time, to decide who I want to be with." "I see. So you intend to string them along?" "It ain't like that! It ain't my fault they're so persistent! I just...need to be sure, that's all." "Or maybe," Nodoka's eyes narrowed, "You'd prefer to be with another man. Unmanly," she pronounced. "Now cut that out!" Ranma was getting *angry* now. "I ain't gay. Even if I was, that wouldn't make me any less manly. Bein' manly ain't got nothin' to do with how many people you take to bed with you and who they are." "Oh?" Nodoka raised an eyebrow. "Then what does it involve, Ranma? Since you're the expert." Ranma faltered a bit. "I--I dunno. Keepin' your promises. Bein' faithful to your friends. Lookin' out for people who can't look out for themselves. Helpin' people that are in trouble." "I see," Nodoka said. "And your bedmates, your spouse, none of that makes a difference then?" "Not a damn bit," Ranma pronounced confidently. "I'd be ten times the man Pop is if I spent *all* my time as a girl, and slept with three different men." Nodoka flinched as if struck, then composed herself. "And will you ever make up your mind about who you want to spend your life with?" Ranma nodded. "Yeah. I will. Let me finish high school first, and then I'll make my decision and stick with it." Nodoka sheathed her katana, and smiled. "Manly." Ranma heaved a sigh of relief. "But you're not through yet, son. You have one more obstacle to overcome." "You're my WHAT?" Clef shouted. Cologne grinned. "That little light show was the spirit of your sister." Everyone looked totally confused, except for the smiling Cologne and the pensive Clef. "My sister...she disappeared when I was very young..." "She, much the same way as young Hikaru, was sent to Earth. And landed in the same place. Qinghai province, China." Clef blinked. Cologne continued, "I saw it all, in the light. She was taken into the village of the Niichieju, and adapted to their ways. She married, and bore strong, healthy children." Cologne closed her eyes. "Five generations of her offspring led our people. Then, I was born, and I too grew to lead." She smiled. "Now, that one of her descendants has returned to Cephiro, your sister's spirit has awoken, to show her descendant her true legacy." Clef chuckled. "This is...remarkable." The teenagers discussed this quietly amongst themselves. "Aiyah...Great-grandmother...and Shampoo...both descendant of woman from Cephiro?" "Well," Ukyou commented, "It'd explain how she's lived three hundred years. Seems to run in the family," she jerked a thumb at Clef. "That's right!" Ryouga said. "He's seven hundred years old, right?" "That's what he told us," Akane said. Mousse chuckled. "I've always said that old fossil wasn't human." Shampoo whacked him upside the head with one of her maces. "Stupid." Hikaru was led to a swirling portal, through which she could see the Shrine of Fire, as well as Ranma and another lady. Tendou Nabiki waited by the portal, arms crossed. "About time you got here," the older teen smirked. "What--?" Nabiki grabbed her arm and led her through the portal. "We're going to face the one who truly torments you," she explained. "Huh?" "What do you mean, 'one more obstacle'?" Ranma asked. Nodoka pointed off to the side. "That," she said flatly. Ranma looked, and gasped. "Hikaru!" he said, starting to rush towards her. He found he couldn't move. His mother was restraining him. Hikaru rushed over, followed by Nabiki. "Ranma-kun! Are you alright?" "Yeah, I'm fine," Ranma said. "How about you?" Hikaru nodded. "I'm fine." "Ranma," Nodoka prompted. "She doesn't belong here." She thrust the tanto at Ranma. "Take this. Kill her. You'll never become a girl again, and her soul will be out of your body." Ranma gasped. "What the HELL are you talkin' about? No way!" Hikaru looked worried. "Ranma? Who's this?" "It's my mom," Ranma said. Hikaru nodded. "Ummm...why does she want me dead?" "Because you compromise my son's manliness and his honor," Nodoka sneered. "Stop that, Mom! She does not!" "Ranma, she doesn't have any right to be here." "Hey, now! Okay, so my falling in that spring was an accident. But what's done is done. I gotta accept it and move on, and so do you." "Then move on. Get rid of her, and move on." Ranma shook his head. "No way. She's got rights too." Hikaru watched the two of them a bit nervously. "She's dead, Ranma. The dead have no place haunting the living." Ranma looked at Hikaru, then back at his mother. "Don't look too dead to me," he remarked. "She drowned, over a thousand years ago. Even after that, she disappeared from Tokyo Tower only two years ago. That makes her twice dead." Ranma shook his head. "I wouldn't call being stuck in a spring fifteen hundred years dead. I'd call that suffering." "End her suffering now." "I already did," Ranma shot back. "She DROWNED, Ranma. Drowning means dying." Ranma shook his head. "Not in her case. She just misplaced her body, is all." Hikaru had to stifle a giggle at that one. "So she stole yours, and that makes it okay?" "She did no such thing!" "No. Not only did she steal it, she...she....*PERVERTED* it! I'm ashamed!" "Nobody asked you," Ranma growled. He was getting fed up with this illusion of his mother. He idly wondered if he'd snap at his real mother this way in the same situation. Nodoka unsheathed her sword dangerously. "Ranma, you are treading dangerous ground. Dispose of her now, or I will dispose of you." Ranma shook his head. "I won't do it." Nodoka suddenly sneered. "Why not? Killing a girl is unmanly?" Ranma shook his head. "Killing *anyone* is wrong. It's murder. I won't be a murderer." "Even at the cost of your manliness." Ranma smirked. "I ain't lost that. I won't ever lose that. Just 'cuz I change into a girl sometimes, it don't change who *I* *AM*." Nodoka smiled, and nodded. "Very well said." She vanished. "Well, so much for that," Nabiki said. "Okay Hikaru, nothing's standing in your way now." "Huh?" Hikaru looked confused. Nabiki grinned, and leaned closer. "Will is everything in Cephiro. You have a strong enough will...you could drive Ranma out, and lock this body in female form. You'd be completely alive again." Hikaru gasped in shock. "No!" she said. "I'm not a killer either! I already proved that!" "That's right. And now you're letting another oppressive male walk all over you." Hikaru slapped Nabiki. "No, I am *not*. I have hope that somehow we'll find a way to become two separate people. Even if we don't, we get along well. Sharing one body isn't a problem." "She's right," Ranma nodded affirmatively. "It incoveniences you both. Surely one of you would like to remedy that?" "NO," they said in unison. Nabiki smirked, nodded, and vanished. There was a blinding red flare, and Hikaru came out of her trance. Fuu and Umi watched Hikaru blink rapidly. "Hikaru-chan?" Fuu asked. Before Hikaru could reply, an explosion thundered from the volcano. A plume of liquid fire shot skyward, and a large red shape streaked towards the ground. As the girls scrambled for distance, a large red lion, with a violet horn, landed on the ground before them. It drew itself up, and announced, "Thine courage is great, thine Heart is pure and strong. Thou art truly a Magic Knight, and thou art worthy to wear me." Rayearth paused. "Thine companion in spirit hath also proven himself worthy. I shall upgrade thine armor and weapon, that both of you may weild them. When thou needst my power, I will appear to thee." Rayearth disappeared into the gem on Hikaru's armor. The armor began to change. The shoulderguards became wider, now with bands of white and scarlet, and gold trim. Light headgear formed on all three Magic Knights, in their respective colors, as their armor and weapons achieved their strongest form. Then, Hikaru's armor continued to change. The chest gem shimmered, and became half-red, and half-white. Insets of the opposite color appeared in each side, and a rim of golden trim seperated the gem in the center. The design twisted, altering the gem itself further, until it became the symbol of Yin and Yang. The jewel on Hikaru's left gauntlet remained red, but with an inset white gem at the very center. A full gauntlet formed on her right hand, and its gem was white with a red inset. The other Knights gasped in awe. Hikaru looked down at herself, and grinned. "Puuuuuu," Mokona said appreciatively. "Let's get back to the palace and tell everyone the good news!" Hikaru suggested. With a triumphant shout, the Knights, Mokona, and the phoenix spirit beast made haste back to the palace. "Alright, Akane, let's see it one more time," Clef said. Akane closed her eyes, then swung her mallet at the wooden dummy in front of her. Arcs of electricity surged along the mallet, and the block of wood exploded violently. Everyone applauded. "You're getting very good at that, Akane-san," Ryouga said. "Thanks! What about that new trick of yours?" Ryouga frowned. "It isn't really working right yet." Presea smiled gently in his direction. "Why don't you give it another shot." Ryouga shrugged, and concentrating, jabbed the ground with one finger. "Bakusai Quake!" At first, nothing happened. Then, about ten meters away, the ground surged violently and exploded upward. "Yoshi!" Ryouga cried. "I did it!" Everyone cheered. The group had been drilling in their weapons and magic in a large, open, deserted area a distance from the palace. So far they'd managed to lay waste to over half of the lot, and they'd only been there a couple of hours. Now, they were learning to combine their magic and weapon skills. Being martial artists, they weren't having any difficulties adapting to the new combat techniques. In fact, Clef and Presea were both extraordinarily impressed with their progress. Cologne had just chuckled at them. She knew that these young warriors could do anything they set their minds to. As Ukyou was helping Shampoo test a Shadow Shield spell (by throwing razor-sharp mithril spatulas at her), a loud commotion drew the group's attention. Everyone looked up as the phoenix landed, and the three Knights disembarked. Mokona hopped down, and the bird vanished into its gem. The entire crowd gaped at the grinning Hikaru. "That's quite some armor," Presea commented. The other Knights giggled, and Hikaru grinned even more broadly. "We passed the test. We awakened Rayearth." "We?" Clef asked. Hikaru nodded. "Watch this," she said. Laughing, she raised her sword, and plunged it into the ground. A plume of flame erupted from beneath her feet, engulfing her. When the flame died down, Ranma, once again male, stood there, in a masculine version of Hikaru's armor. The sword, now pure flame, coiled like a serpent around his leg, traveling up his body, where it split into two and coursed down his arms. The flames covered his gauntlets, and a twin set of long crimson blades appeared on each handguard. Everyone stared, including the other two Magic Knights, who had no idea this was going to happen. "What the--?" Clef asked. Presea stared, then started to cackle. "What a trick!" she enthused. Akane found herself searching for a breath. "R--ranma..." Shampoo was similarly speechless. "Aiyah..." Ranma chuckled. "Hi guys. How d'ya like this, eh?" Clef finally grinned. "Well, it looks like we have two Fire Knights now, and in the same body no less." Then, he looked thoughtful. "But...will you be able to wear the Mashin?" If Hikaru's fiery transformation into Ranma had shocked them, what came next would floor them. The gem on Ranma's chestplate flashed, emitting a fiery scarlet beam. An image of Rayearth appeared before him. "This warrior will not be able to wear me," Rayearth said. "However, he shall be able to wear the other Fire Mashin." Clef blinked. "There's another Mashin?" "There is, Guru Clef. However, it is not here on Cephiro." Clef looked puzzled. "Then where is it?" "My companion Mashin sleeps high in the mountains of a region of the world from which these warriors come." A sinking feeling befell the entire group from Nerima. "Don't tell me..." Ranma began. "Bayankala range..." Mousse continued. "Qinghai province?" Ryouga finished weakly. "Thou art correct. There shalt thou find the second Fire Mashin, deep within the bowels of that which is known as Mount Phoenix." "I'll pass," Ranma said. "He doesn't need to have the other Mashin, does he?" Akane asked. "Not at this time. However, a time of great peril may yet fall upon this world, the likes of which has not been seen." "One already has," Clef commented. "This is known to me," Rayearth said. "However, thou wouldst be wise to remember my advice...once this threat hath been overcome, thou should seek thine Mashin on thine world." With that, Rayearth's image vanished. Everyone was silent for a moment. Finally, Ranma spoke. "Well this sucks." ---end act two--- -- -------Zankoku na tenshi no you ni, shounen yo shinwa ni nare------- The Eternal Lost Lurker EtLostLurker@hotmail.com EternalLostLurker@worldnet.att.net Ittai boku no peiju wa doko nan da!?