Dragon's Destiny 

                         Part 7

                           By:

                      The DragonBard
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     When I first read this story for the bet, I knew that this was definitly one I wanted to continue.  So, since it didn't win, I figured I would make a permanent series out of it myself, with MetroAnime's permission.  That is the origin of this story.  There are a few others in the bet that I'm planning on continuing, but if someone else wants to do so, they can.  I want this one for myself though.

     If this story has any problems with the word wrapping, I've talked to the people at Deja News, so it's out of my hands now.
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I can still be reached at dragonbard@hotmail.com as well as dragonbard@my-dejanews.com
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     Shen Long hovered in the Limbo that existed between Heaven and Hell, outside of the various alternate timelines.  When he had heard about the bet that the entity known as Toltiir had set up, and found out how most of them were involved with this Ranma Saotome, he decided to look into things for himself.  What he found, reminded him of those Saiyjin who kept on summoning him with the seven dragonballs.
     "Stupid name that, dragonballs.  Why not Spheres of the Celestial Dragon?  I always hated that name."  Shen Long muttered to himself.  Being one of the most powerful beings in Creation had made him a bit on the overly serious side, as well as giving him a slight ego problem.
     Well, anyway, Shen Long had noticed a number of interesting timeline appear in this bet.  In fact, he had discovered that he was connected to a great deal of them.  In one, Ranma's father, Genma, arrived at the Cave of the Dragon's Fist, which was in fact a portal to the dimension where Shen Long usually lived.  Genma had made a wish, making Ranma a man among men, as well as being greater than that.  As fulfillment of that wish, Shen Long infused Ranma with some of his own essence.  Shen Long had more than enough to spare, and quickly recovered.  However, Shen Long, among other things, was also the embodiment of the force of Yang, of the male principle in the universe.  Thus, Ranma had not only been transformed into a genetically perfect being, but into basically the very pinnacle of manhood.  Of course, as a side effect of the infusion, Ranma had gained superhuman levels of chi and certain mystical/spiritual potentials, but that didn't matter.  Later, Ranma had accidently transfered some of his essence into four young ladies.  They had also gained certain enhancements (not the masculine ones) gaining some of the chi/magical powers of Ranma.  An old rival of Ranma's, named Ryouga, made a wish to be stronger than Ranma, so he was given some of the essence and powers of the demon-dragon Tiamat.  Add to all of this, some of the earth-bound demigods of this dimension, known as the Sailor Scouts, had gotten into the act.  Everything was going crazy.  One thing was certain, it would be interesting.  Shen Long thought to himself.

      *                 *                     *

     Nabiki slid into the hot water of the Tendo family bath.  All of Ranma's fiancees had an interesting few days; with Ranma infusing them with a portion of his dragon-enhanced essence, then Ranma coming back from a near-death coma.  Now, after Kasumi's wish at the Dragon's Cave, even the new fiancee, Ukyou, had a portion of the dragon's power.  Also, they had to add the legendary Sailor Scouts to the mix.  Fortunatly, the Scouts hadn't gained the link to Ranma that the others had from being healed by him.  Nabiki sighed to herself, at least Kasumi's wish had also restored Ranma to full strength.  However, who knew what was going to happen when you involved a spirit capable of doing the things that she had seen?
     Nabiki sank lower into the waters.  As soon as she had recoved from the chi infusion Ranma had given her, and found out about its effects, Nabiki had given her subordinates the job of finding out all info on dragons, especially ones with five heads, each of a different color.  Maybe they could figure this out, some way to help them better understand things.  At the very least they would have some information on Ranma's opponent.
     Also, there was that mysterious phone call that had informed them that Ranma was given a special dispensation to marry multiple women.  <Of course, that part was very nice.>  Nabiki thought to herself, as she mentally calculated where Ranma could get the best deal for multiple engagement rings.  His mother had been adament that, since it was legal now, he would have to marry both Shampoo, Ucchan, and at least one of the Tendo girls.  Though it had been obvious that she was hoping that he would marry them all.  And since he couldn't hurt his mother, Ranma had agreed.  Then all the Tendo sisters had demanded to be his wife.  With his mother looking on happily, Ranma couldn't help be agree to marry them.
     Nabiki slid out of the water, and began to dry herself off.  She stopped in the middle of toweling to look at herself.  While she didn't have the body of Shampoo or Ukyou, she still considered herself a very attractive young woman.
     "I wonder what Ranma thinks of premarital sex?"  She muttered as she put on her clothing. 

     In a subdimension of reality, out of Shen Long's sight, the kami/god/demon/shinma of Chaos, Toltiir (aka Puck/Coyote/Raven/etc) chuckled.  He liked this reality because so many interesting things could happen.  Even though this Ranma was one of those boring paladin types, there was still enough of the old Ranma in him so that things could be very fun.

     "Now, to see where it leads."  Toltiir chuckled.
     Ranma was busily going over the information that Nabiki had provided.  It was mostly legends that may, or may not have some basis in fact.  Ranma then looked at the other bits of information he had, this on the strange dragon tattoo on Ryouga.  Apparently it was a picture of a Chromatic Dragon.  Something created by a 'role-playing game' called Dungeons and Dragons.  Each head came from a race of dragons with its own breath attack.  You could tell what kind of breath attack it had by its color;  blue-lightning, red-fire, white-ice, green-poisonous gas, black-acid.  Ranma pondered this.  He had seen three of these attacks, and noticed that there was a reaction from the appropriately colored head when it was used.  Ranma shuddered.  If Ryouga had used his acid attack instead of the ice one, it was unlikely that the Tendos and Shampoo could have survived, even with Ranma's chi infusion.  There would simply have been too much damage.  The deep freeze had mainly sapped the girls energy.  Being eaten by acid or fire would have killed them, or at least scarred them for life.
     Ranma stopped to listen to the sounds of training coming from the dojo.  Apparently, since bits of his personality had been given to the Tendo sisters, Nabiki and Kasumi had started to take up martial arts.  Kasumi only trained in Tai Chi, 'for her health,' she said, while Nabiki studied kempo.
     "Hey, if I've got these abilities, I might as well learn how to use them."  Nabiki said.  "Besides, it helps the figure, and I still want to pay that jerk Ryouga back for what he did."

     Cologne, the Head Matriarch of the Amazon Village,
sat on the roof of the Tendo Dojo.  It had taken a while, but she had tracked down her great-granddaughter.  However, something was different about her.  Before, Shampoo had been very strong, but now she could almost 'see' the chi aura around her now, even without using her aura seeing technique.  It was almost impossible for anyone to have reached that much of an increase in power in such a short time just from training, no matter how intensly.  Especially considering Shampoo had never mastered any chi techniques.  Cologne had been going to start her on that after the Tournament, but since she had left, there hadn't been time.  The only way for Shampoo to have grown that strong that fast was with the interference of magic, strong magic.  This worried her, as she wondered what power had given her that strength, and why?  That young man, Ranma Saotome, seemed to have an even 'stronger' aura of power about him. Cologne frowned.  The last time she had seen an aura of power like that, she had caught a glimpse of the ruler of the Musk Dynasty, Herb.  <Of course,> Cologne thought to herself, <this young man must be of dragon's get!>  Now, it was obvious to anyone with half a brain, that Cologne's great+-granddaughter, Shampoo, had the hots for Ranma like you wouldn't believe, also, the other four women staying at the house had the same look to them, and also shared the same great aura of power.  <Perhaps this young man may be just what we need.>  Cologne thought as she watched Ranma practice his kata.
     Cologne leaped down into the midsts of the training warriors.  Akane, Ranma, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Nabiki all turned to the new person in their midsts.  Shampoo reacted first.
     "Great-grandmother!"  Seeing as how this person wasn't a threat, Ranma bowed in respect to her.  Shampoo had mentioned her Great-grandmother Cologne to them when he had complimented her on her skills.
     "May I ask what it is that you are doing here?"  Nabiki asked.  These dragon eyes that she had gotten from the chi transfer seemed to work better for her than they did for Ranma.  Probably something to do with what their natures had been like before the transfer of powers.  Cologne, an old woman hardly the size of a child, carrying a large wooden staff, walked around Ranma, seeming to scrutinzie every inch of him.
     "Hmmm.  This young man will be the perfect husband for you, Shampoo."  Cologne said, ignoring Nabiki's question.  Shampoo smiled and nodded quickly.  She was so glad that her Great-grandmother approved of her choice of husband.  Not that it really mattered, since they were married according to Amazon law.  But the fact that Cologne was one of the last of her family alive, and the fact that Shampoo was her chosen successor, made her Great-grandmother's approval all that more important to Shampoo.
     Ukyou, and the Tendo sisters watched this, wondering how Shampoo was going to explain things to her Great-grandmother.  The answer came soon enough.
     {"Elder Matriach Cologne,}  Ranma said, in perfect Amazonian Dialect Chinese.  {"I mean no disrespect, but you are under a mistaken impression.  While I 'am' engaged to marry Shampoo, as according to your laws, I have also engaged myself to these other women."}  Cologne shot a glance at Ranma, then at the young women around him, before her gaze finally settled on Shampoo.
     "If you will excuse me, I believe that my Great-granddaughter and I must have a little talk."  And with that said, She and Shampoo quickly went to Shampoo's room.  Once they were there, Cologne pinned her Heir with 'The Look.'*
     {"Tell me everything.  Now!"}  Shampoo, knowing better than to argue when Cologne took 'that' tone of voice, told her Great-grandmother the entire story, even the parts that Ranma had explained about what had happened before the Amazon Village.  Cologne listend intently, not saying a word.  Once Shampoo was finished with the tale, Cologne commanded her to show the dragon tattoo, and any of the chi techniques that she now possessed.
     {"So, all these young ladies, including you, are life-bound to this young man, and you have no objection to their sharing him with you?"}  Cologne asked.  Shampoo shook her head.
     {"Well then, since I can't see any harm in it, especially since they all hold the power of the dragon's gift in them, and all of them seem like strong young women.  If the Council of Elders doesn't object, and I'll make sure they don't, all that will be required is the ceremony of sisterhood, and the young ladies will join the tribe."  Inwardly, Cologne was giggling like a schoolgirl.  This situation netted her not only a powerful martial artist (after training all of his life he would have to be) as a son-in-law, but also four young ladies with the gifts of the dragon.  Akane and Ukyou would make excellent warriors, with a bit of the proper coaching, while Nabiki had the makings of an excellent Lore Master, and Kasumi a mistress of the healing arts.  Though this enemy of Ranma's concerned her.  If he was as powerful as Ranma, that meant he could be more dangerous than an entire army, especially with the elemental attacks that he had shown so far.  And if what Ranma and Nabiki had discovered of his other powers was correct, he could, and most likely would, easily kill people without meaning to in his drive to kill Ranma.  The fact that Ranma treated the others anger as unreasonable was something that she might be able to use.  With a gesture to her Great-granddaughter, Cologne went into the family room to meet the new in-laws. 

     Ryouga, gifted with the powers of the elder demon-dragon Tiamat, wandered around the island.
     "Damn, I did it again.  I hurt innocent people trying to kill that jerk Ranma.  If only they had stayed out of the way."  Ryouga was, what some would say, a psychologists dream, or nightmare.  Because of his natural tendency to get lost, Ryouga was always depressed.  Add to that the fact that he tended to get obsessive about things, and he was a superstrong martial artist, and you had one 'dangerous' individual.  At the moment, Ryouga was contemplating the mess that his life had gotten into.  Sure, he was now stronger, faster, and tougher than he had been, but these new powers of his just kept getting him into problems.  He tries to kill Ranma, instead he freezes an entire high school, including the students.  It was all Ranma's fault.  If he had just waited the extra day, none of this would have happend.
     These thoughts continued to play, over and over in Ryouga's mind, strengthening his desire to kill Ranma, while conviently forgetting how much of this was his fault. 

     Cologne sat around the Tendo dinner table with the Saotomes, Tendos, Ukyou, and her great-granddaughter.  Needless to say it was a tight squeeze.
     "I am greatful that you have taken such good care of my great-granddaughter."  Cologne said.
     "It was no trouble at all."  Kasumi said.  "She's like part of the family, to us."  The other girls agreed.
     Cologne turned to Ranma.  "I would be interested in seeing just how skilled in the Art you are.  Would you care to spar with me?"
     Ranma bowed from the waist.  "I would be honored, oh Venerable Elder."
     Everyone hurried to the Dojo, and sat against the walls.  If half of what Shampoo had said was true, this would be one amazing match.  Ranma and Cologne bowed to each other, and then went into a flurry of punches and kicks.  Cologne had a slight edge in physical ability, and a much larger one in skill level, though Ranma was holding his own.  Barely. With her greater speed, and smaller body, Ranma couldn't get any blows in, while Cologne could seemingly strike at will.
     Suddenly, Colognes strikes with her staff increased in speed enourmously, and Ranma found himself flying towards one of the dojo walls.  Ranma spun in midair, and bounced of, throwing himself at Cologne.  She dodged, and flew towards Ranma, her staff extended.  Ranma flipped onto his hands, grabbed the staff with his feet, and drove it to the ground.  He quickly writed himself to find Cologne merely standing there.
     "You 'are' good, Son-in-Law.  What do you say we go outside, and raise the level a notch?"  Ranma nodded, and the two cautiously left the dojo, followed by their audience.  Once outside, Ranma lept at Cologne, only to watch as she split in two, and then quickly divide into eighteen versions of herself, all of them surrounding him.
     "Why, that's the legendary, Amazon Splitting Cat Hairs technique!"  Soun cried out.
     Ranma looked at the eighteen spinning images of Cologne.
     "Can you tell which is real?"  Cologne asked, as the spinning increased in speed.  She prodded him a bit with her staff, the spin preventing Ranma from keeping track of which one had done it.
     "I don't have to, when I can get all of you at once."  Ranma called out as he gathered a ball of chi in his hand.  He then drove it into the ground, and a shockwave roared from him, dispelling the illusion, and knocking Cologne to the ground.
     "Not bad, Ranma.  A triffle clumsy, but not bad on the whole."  Cologne said in her rusty voice.
     "Do you wish to continue?"  Ranma asked.  For an answer, Cologne drove her own fist to the ground, causing it to explode in front of her.  Ranma searched through the dust to find her, only to have his feet knocked out from under him, and Cologne land on top of him.
     "I yield."  Ranma said.  Everyone walked up to the two, as Ranma got to his feet, commenting on how well Ranma had done.  It was obvious that Cologne had a HUGE skill advantage over Ranma, but he had still done quite well.
     "I am impressed Ranma."  Cologne said.  "How would you like for me to teach you?"  Ranma was shocked.
     "As my heir, I need to train Shampoo in the more advanced arts of our people, and it might help if she had someone to learn with.  Perhaps give her a bit of competition."  Ranma bowed.
     "I would be honored, Matriarch."  Ranma said.
     
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     Well, how do you like it?  For those of you familiar with 'the bet' and the original Dragon's Destiny series, this diverges just after Kasumi makes her wish.  It had similar effects, but it wasn't identical to what happend originally.  For one thing, Ranma was returned to full strength, and the girls didn't get any power ups from the wish.  Also, as mentioned, the Scouts didn't get the side effects that the others did.  Though they do have a kind of bond with Ranma, it's nothing to what the other girls have.  What is the same however, is that the wish allows Ranma to marry the five girls.  Basically, since he is now able to, he must marry at least one of the Tendo girls, Ukyou, and Shampoo, for honors sake.  As to why he marries the others, he can't hurt them, this is still Ranma after all.
     Also, if your wondering what Cologne is up to, she just wants to get Ranma and the girls back to the Village.  Since they've all agreed to the group marriage, she's not as focused on it as in the manga/anime.  Also, she knows that Ryouga is still a danger to be dealt with, so they have to either get rid of him, or get him to stop attacking Ranma, otherwise he'll cause a lot of problems in the Amazon Village.  So, she's trying to get Ranma to the point where he can finally stop the guy.
     C&C is asked, if not for, if not begged for, and appreciated.  Tell me if you can think of any way to improve this chapter.  I'm stumped for ideas at the moment (about this particular chapter.  I've got plenty of ideas for the series.)


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