DYNASTY - CHAPTER EIGHT - PART B
By Sydney Kyle <celenas77@aol.com>
HOMEPAGE: <http://move.to/dynasty>
Author's notes: This was probably one of the hardest chapters I've had to
write--probably because of the long mythological implications that had to be
integrated into it. So unfolds the product of three months of careful research
into Japanese/Chinese legends...
Again, I apologize if this chapter took so long coming out--it _is_ schooltime
and all, y'know.
Anyway, my homepage's two months old now (more or less), and so far it's
gotten 2000+ hits (last time I checked, which was a while). Thanks for your
support! ^_^ Promise me you're gonna check out my Ranma fanart page when it
gets onto the Net, okay? Please? Pretty please? :P
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* * * DYNASTY * * *
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
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* * * * * *
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CHAPTER EIGHT:
Part B
Legends
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"There is a place down below us, deep within the bowels of the Earth--a
place filled with the descendants of gods and warriors of legend. It is a
place long forgotten by many, even though long before it was said to be the
dwelling place of the divine beings.
"It was called Takamagahara.
"A long time ago, it was considered an Olympus of sorts--a kingdom fit for
the gods to dwell in and rule over. Now they are no more, and there is no one
left there in that haven--save for the Dynasty of the Dragon--the celestial
descendants of the gods themselves.
"It is an empire that is unlike any other. In an age when Japan and China's
histories were intertwined and boundaries were not clearly defined, the
Dynasty was the culmination of both China and Japan's systems of monarchy,
fused into a single empire that could not be defied. It has existed for
centuries; long before the Nara period and the Ashikaga period; long before
the feud of the Tairas and the Minamotos; even long before the ancient records
called the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki were ever written.
"Yes, the Dynasty once ruled all of the land. Its warrior clan--more widely
known as the Clan of the Dragon--was unparalleled, possessing an uncanny
strength and skills that kept the armies of would-be challengers at bay.
"When the Ama no Hashidate, the bridge that connected Heaven to Earth,
collapsed, the gods relinquished to the Dynasty authority over the land. They
ruled fairly and justly for decades, until their virtually unlimited power
finally corrupted them. However, legends also state that the Dynasty was
corrupt long before they took control over mankind. In fact, it is rumored
that they deliberately destroyed the great bridge in order to leave the gods
stranded in Heaven. In any circumstance, their rule turned harsh, and in the
end, their ong-suffering subjects found a way for mere mortals to bring down
these 'gods'.
"You see, this Dynasty is composed of supernatural beings--beings with the
abilities to exist in two forms--that of humans, and that of powerful,
serpentine dragons. This was their legacy--one of those signs that showed all
that the members of the Dynasty walked a thin line between human and god. But
although the gods had left humanity under the heel of its progeny, they did
not forsake them completely.
Instead, they left humanity with one weapon against the nigh-
invincible individuals that constituted the Dynasty--the knowledge that these
half-gods, half-dragons would one day be defeated by a handful of humans who
existed in dual forms themselves. Only when these people were found would
deliverance from the Dynasty come, or so it was foretold.
"And then one day, when the humans thought that they could no longer take
the brutality of the Dynasty's reign, a number of rebel individuals appeared
seemingly from out of nowhere. It was strange enough that they appeared at
this time and this place, but what was even more unusual was the fact that
they all had the ability to switch between two separate bodies--their human
ones, and their 'resident' ones.
"Whether it was because the prediction made about the Dynasty's downfall
was correct, or whether the humans themselves were extraordinarily powerful,
the rebels easily infiltrated their stronghold--the haven that was
Takamagahara.
"It was a long, fierce battle. The humans fought past guards, minions,
sorcerers, the Dragon warrior clan itself, and all the entities and beings
that stood in their way until they reached the Emperor and Empress themselves.
And in spite of all the powers and skills the half-god rulers had at their
disposal, the rebel humans defeated them and banished them and their kingdom
deep within the earth.
"But before Takamagahara and the Dynasty of the Dragon disappeared, they
delivered a final warning: before three thousand years passed, they would once
again return to reclaim the land that was so rightfully bequeathed to them.
"Although the reign of the Dynasty was over, the legends of the dragon
people did not cease. In fact, stories tell of exceptional beings like Fu Hsi,
who had the tail of a dragon; Ryujin, who was the Dragon King of the Sea and
possessed the Tide Jewels; Jimmu Tenno, the first emperor of Japan, who was
the son of the daughter of Ryujin, and so forth.
"Throughout the centuries, empires have come and gone. It has been so long
that the tale of the Dragon Dynasty has been all but forgotten. But the Elders
know that somewhere down below us, the Dynasty has patiently lain in wait,
making certain that nothing--absolutely _nothing_--will stand in the way of
their return."
Cologne opened her huge pingpong-ball eyes.
"And so we come to you," she informed the now-quiet room. "This is where
_you_ come in. It seems that the Dynasty has now reawakened, and apparently
they are bent on eliminating any possible opposition. Or more accurately,
oppositions that come in dual forms, much like the humans who proved to be
their downfall so many centuries ago."
"Like those who fell into the Jusenkyo Springs," Mousse volunteered,
comprehension dawning on his bespectacled features. "That's why they took us
in the first place!"
"But there--there were only five of us," observed Ranma, his forehead
crinkling as he reflected on their kidnapping the previous night. "What--what
'bout Taro, an' Rouge--?"
"They already took Rouge," Cologne replied, rather shortly.
The assemblage seemed shocked by this abrupt declaration, and Shampoo's
hand flew to her mouth. "They took Shampoo's cousin, Great-grandmother...?"
The old woman's shoulders slumped a little. "I am afraid so," she responded
wearily. "The villagers found her lying on her back, her eyes open and not
seeing, seemingly dead, and yet still alive. They took her back to
Joketsuzoku, where they take turns watching over her, hoping that she will
someday awaken out of the lifeless trance she has fallen under."
"They weren't after her life," Ryouga announced with certainty. "They were
after the same thing they wanted from me--from us..."
"Exactly. They took her soul." Cologne shook her head, her silvery white
hair swishing from side to side like a cleaver. "That is probably the
Dynasty's way of verifying that she will not be a threat to them. Killing her
would be unsatisfying, at least in their perspective. Death is not as final as
you think."
Genma leaned closer. "So...they singled us five out because we are the last
ones in their way?"
"Yes," replied Cologne. "No doubt they were the real ones to blame for the
destruction of the Jusenkyo Springs. It is safe to assume that they have
watched humanity progress throughout the centuries, taking notice of all those
with the Jusenkyo curse and all those who exist in dual bodies, eradicating
them one by one until it came down to you
five--the last of the line, the ones with the potential to take down the
Dynasty of the Dragon once and for all."
"But this doesn't make sense!" Akane exclaimed. "Exactly _how_ are they
supposed to defeat the Dynasty anyway?! If they're as powerful as you tell us,
then how can they possibly defeat something like that?!"
"Akane's right," Ukyou chimed in. "I fought with them this morning, and
believe me, they were _good_. They knew how to use ki, and they even used
magic to launch those water balls at us." She twisted a lock of silky brown
hair around her finger. "I--I didn't think that we had a chance of getting out
of there...alive."
"Ai-yah. That right. Dragon people very tough," Shampoo declared
vehemently.
"I have a slight idea," Cologne answered. "But mark my word, child: it
_will_ be done. You must understand that possessing two separate identities in
the same body has always held connotations of special powers. In fact, legend
has it that the world was created by the separation of two essences: the Yin,
the heavier and coarser female elements which formed the earth, and the Yang,
the lighter and purer
male elements that formed the heavens above."
Akane, Ukyou, and Shampoo frowned at the interpretation of the yin aspect,
while across from them Ranma pulled down his eyelid and sent an extra-special
'biiih' directed at Akane, who barely restrained herself from seizing her
mallet.
"In Japanese history, the Yin and Yang elements are translated into the In
and Yo, but they nevertheless contain similar implications," continued
Cologne. "The dual forms that have been given to you courtesy of the Jusenkyo
Springs represent this aspect magnificently. The Yin-Yang image is the
resolution of contradictions and the unity of opposites into one. Only by
merging the Yin and Yang can one achieve The Whole."
Ryouga's hand invariably found its way to the back of his neck. Shampoo
glanced at Ranma, who was studying Cologne with a wary expression on his
features. Mousse coughed and removed his glasses.
Cologne went on. "According to the old myths, life exists only ecause of
the interchanges between two opposing forces--day and night, Heaven and Earth,
good and evil, and so forth. The Yin-Yang aspect embodies all these struggles,
divination, and ambiguities of life."
Akari tightened her arm around Ryouga's. Ukyou shot the two of them a look
and scowled. Akane sat transfixed, while Ranma looked increasingly more
distressed as Cologne's narration unfolded.
"There is one last important thing about maintaining the dual bodies. Once
unification between the two essences is achieved, there is a force that will
be released--a force whose sole goal is to eliminate those who seek to disrupt
the balance of life. And in the final analysis, it is a force that will
ultimately put an end to the Dynasty of the Dragon."
The group was quiet, digesting this newest revelation.
Ranma spoke up. "I still don't see how this has anything to do with the
Cave of Yasakami," he declared.
Cologne carefully considered his question. "I will tell you tomorrow," she
replied, turning away.
"WHAT?!" Ranma, Genma, Ryouga, Mousse, Akane, Ukyou, and Soun yelled in a
dismayed chorus.
Ranma shoved a path toward the table, his visage distraught. "Hey, whaddaya
mean, you'll tell us tomorrow?! You said you were gonna tell us tonight!"
"Now is not the time," Cologne told him, her voice maddeningly calm.
"Now is not the time?!" echoed Akane incredulously. "How can now _not_ be
the time?? You _know_ something about the cave they went to, don't you?"
Ryouga backed her up. "There's something else about the Cave of Yasakami,
isn't there?"
"You have to tell us!" Genma pleaded, beginning to panic.
"You do not understand!" Cologne hopped off the tabletop. "There is
_nothing_ I can tell you about the Cave of Yasakami that will be of any use to
you tonight."
"Why not, great-grandmother?" Shampoo queried, hands clasped nervously
together.
Cologne swiveled about and gently patted Shampoo's cheek in a maternal
fashion. "I will explain soon, child, do not worry," she assured the girl.
"For now, it is late, and you have all had a very trying day. I suggest that
all of you get some sleep first, and in the morning I will reveal everything I
know about the Cave of Yasakami."
"But--" Ranma began.
The aged Chinese Amazon woman cut him off with a swipe of her staff. "No
buts, son-in-law. There are some things you have to find out first on your
own."
Ranma, Mousse, Genma, and Ryouga traded suspicious glances.
"'Things we have to find out first', eh?" Ryouga said cautiously.
Cologne darted him an enigmatic look that told him nothing.
Ukyou shifted restlessly on the tatumi mat, glancing now and then at an
apparently oblivious Ranma. "Uhm...so...what now?"
"Now we get some rest," Cologne said carelessly.
They all blinked at that. "Rest?!" Mousse blurted out. "How do you expect
us to rest after leaving us with something like that?!"
"Well, it _is_ getting rather late," Kasumi pointed out delicately.
Akane rubbed her eyes. "But we still don't have--" She struggled valiantly
to stifle a huge yawn. "--all the answers..."
"You will have them tomorrow," affirmed Cologne. "Even you cannot deny that
you do need some sleep..."
The room dissolved into a series of grudging murmurs, but Ranma and Ryouga
were not to be denied.
"You're not going to leave us here without knowing, are you?" muttered
Ryouga.
"Yeah, old ghoul, I ain't gonna get any rest if ya ain't gonna tell me just
what the heck's going on with us," declared Ranma.
Cologne cocked a skeptical eye at him. "You are a stubborn one, aren't you,
son-in-law?"
"Yeah, well, I just don't like not knowin' about things."
"Well, now." Cologne seemed pleased. "This is a rather interesting
proposition. If you really want to know about things, then who am I to refuse?
Hear me well, then. There was once a beautiful, resilient young woman who
rallied against the shackles of society..."
Akane's interest was momentarily sparked. "Really? Who was she?"
Cologne fluttered her lashless eyes, an action that caused Ranma, Ryouga,
and Mousse to rear back in revulsion. "Why, she was _me_, of course," she
gushed.
Ryouga bonked his head on the wall, effectively creating a fair-sized hole,
while the others performed a synchronized face-fault.
* * * * * *
"WHATTA HAUL! WHATTA HAUL!"
These pipsqueaked cries of triumph were being emitted from Nerima's Most
Wanted Lecher, who was none other than Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome's old
teacher, the infamous Master Happosai.
The bag of undergarments strapped to his back was on the verge of exploding
as he leaped from roof to roof, cackling lasciviously all the way.
Tonight had been particularly bountiful. He'd managed to score a couple of
pure silk panties from one of Nerima's finest lingerie stores, and he'd
escaped from Furinkan High girls' locker room with thirty pairs of gym shorts.
Oh happy day--or was it night?
Oh, well.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a hint of a female figure.
He skidded to a halt and spun around, searching greedily for the object of
his lusts.
To his bewilderment, there was no one around.
Happosai conducted one last scrutiny of the locale one more time, just to
make sure, before hesitantly turning away.
<Hmmm, must've been my imagination,> he mused. <Ahh, but what a waste of
such a healthy-looking imaginary cutie!>
It was funny, though; for some reason the pint-sized lech could not place
his finger on, he was certain that he'd seen her before...
* * * * * *
"...in fact, my beauty was so renowned all throughout China that many a
suitor traveled from distant lands to seek my hand. But alas, none of them
could defeat me in glorious combat. Ah, every girl in the village of
Joketsuzoku envied me! Not only because of my glorious beauty, but also
because of my remarkable fighting skills..."
Cologne continued to drone out an autobiographical account of her life,
while Genma, Soun, Nabiki, and Kasumi conferred with each other just out of
her earshot.
"She has quite a way with youngsters--wouldn't you agree, Saotome?" Soun
murmured, visibly awed.
"Indeed," agreed Genma, equally impressed. "See how she drives them to
sleep even in the face of impending chaos."
"Oh, my," said Kasumi. "Do you think that the water Ranma poured on you had
something wrong with it like Cologne says, Mr. Saotome?"
"I seriously hope not, Kasumi," Genma replied, his eyes narrowing. "I
seriously hope not."
Nabiki heaved a patient sigh. "Even so, Mr. Saotome, I wouldn't worry too
much if I were you. I mean, what could possibly be worse than turning into a
panda every time you get drenched with cold water?"
Genma breathed easier. "I suppose you have a point there, Nabiki."
"But still," Nabiki reminded him with a little smirk, "keep in mind that
_anything_ can and will happen in Nerima."
"...and so, after vanquishing the Princess of the Korean Amazons, I found
myself face to face with their queen. Fortunately, my superior abilities
proved to be overwhelming, and she soon fell at my feet, soundly defeated.
Upon seeing this, the prince of the Korean Amazons knelt before me and pledged
to me his undying love--"
*ZZZzzzsnort*
Cologne was shaken out of her reverie by a frightful hacksaw snoring. With
a start, she realized that her literally captive audience had fallen asleep.
"Well!" she huffed. "Of all the nerve--!"
"Maybe it's better if they keep on sleeping," Nabiki observed dryly,
crossing her arms. "There's no telling _what's_ going to happen once they're
all awake." She shuddered.
"But--but what about _them_?" Soun cried, jabbing his finger toward the
seven slumbering forms clustered around the dining table.
"How wonderful!" Kasumi piped up, smiling cheerfully. "We have overnight
guests again!"
"I should be so lucky," Soun moaned.
"Still, this little scene _does_ present some interesting
possibilities--wouldn't you agree, Tendo?"
Soun glanced at him, baffled. "Why, whatever do you mean, Saotome?"
"I'm saying that we could--mmm, say--_help_ Ranma and Akane into a room of
their own..." He was grinning like a madman, his front tooth chipped where one
of the Dragon members had socked him. "So what do you say, Tendo? Shall we
help them 'warm' up to each other?"
Soun began to cackle, his mind starting to spin with the prospects.
"Heheheh...indeed, Tendo. Indeed."
Cologne whapped them both.
*BONK*BONK*
"And you two," she grated. "The very idea, setting up son-in-law and Akane
in a situation like that! What kind of sick mind would be capable of forcing
two people together with such brutal and artificial means?!"
"The kind of sick mind that would use love pills to bag a guy more than two
hundred years her junior," Nabiki whispered to Kasumi as they departed for
their bedrooms.
Soun and Genma deposited Akane and Ranma in their respective rooms, with
Cologne watching them like a hawk all the way. They decided to leave Ryouga,
Akari, Ukyou, and Mousse in the main room, reasoning that there was no point
in rousing them out of their much-needed sleep.
The lights flickered out of the Tendo dojo, while outside several armor-
clad figures continued their relentless surveillance on the house.
=end of Chapter Eight=
Next: The price of Yasakami
<http://move.to/dynasty>