Sorry About That.
My computer has decided that it hates me today. It does that a lot.
I'll have to post the final two chapters later.
Once again, sorry.
Moments in Time
By: Paul Sampson
Standard Rumiko Takahashi disclaimer on all. Please don't sue,
you wont get much. I have a nice paperclip if you really want it.
Notes:
Nodoka has not been reunited with her son.
Ryouga has not met Akari.
Pigs can't fly.
Cologne knows about the Musk.
You are not allowed to kill me over this.
The Kunos are nuts (but you knew that right?).
Chapter 1
Shadows
I am a Shadow.
As a Shadow I hide in the background.
In the background I watch the world.
Only watch, never participating.
Never participating till I found more shadows.
More Shadows, like me.
Like me we blend together.
Together in a big group.
A group that participates.
I participate, so now I am a we.
So we will cover the world.
-Hikaru Gosenkugi.
Chapter 2
Machine Head
Am I dead?
These thoughts, are they mine or their's?
When it all started I thought it would be great.
Cybernetic enhancement of the cerebral cortex. A new
age was dawning upon the world. Little did we know it
was an age of darkness.
Ever seen that Star Trek show. The newer one with
the ethnically challenged captain (French with an English
accent?). They had a species called the borg. That's
what happened.
For the first part we were fine. Smarter, faster,
improved. Then the rest of the chip activated. The main
programmers were part of a cult that called themselves
the Shadows. The few without the implants were killed or
went into hiding.
Myself, I was injured in a battle against the free
ones. The chip malfunctioned and thoughts returned to me.
The chip was a conductor of millions of commands and lost
thoughts. There are still voices in the back of my head.
I think I'm Nabiki Tendo. I search for a free one, a
survivor. He's a leader of a resistance cell against the
shadows. His name is Ranma Saotome, and I must find him.
Chapter 3
In Remembrance
We discovered more survivors today. They're weak,
but they can heal. I'll start training them in a
few days. We finally have some black belt level
fighters. If others can progress as quickly we'll
start our actual revenge against those cybernetic
mutations. If only we knew how they worked. We
don't have any people with superior tech knowledge.
That doesn't matter though. All battles thus far
have been deadly. Nothing brought back could have
been used.
I'm sitting here staring at the perminate reminder
of that night. A perminate scar decorates my right
arm. Movement is still a little stiff. I wonder
what happened to the one I saved. Looking back I
should have stayed, but I had a promise to keep. The
emotions running through me made me forget all but
that promise. I'd have given up long ago, if it
wasn't for my promise to her.
***
"Your hurt."
"It's nothing."
"Like every other nothing you've had."
"Yep."
"Stay with me."
"I will, don't you worry."
"Don't go after her."
"After what she did to you and your father."
"It wasn't her fault."
"Then whose?"
"That chip. Tell me you'll get the ones who made it."
"I would have."
"And save her."
"Why?"
"She's my sister, and I love her."
"I'll do what I can."
"Is there any hot water?"
"I have a little, I'll dress your wound."
"No. Use it on yourself."
"Why?"
"I want to see the real you again."
"How's this?"
"Handsome."
"And your beautiful."
"Never give up, promise me you'll never give up."
"I promise. With all my love for you, I promise."
"Thank you. I lov..."
***
So I fight, train, and search. Ranma Saotome
keeps his promises. I must find Nabiki Tendo.
First I need more help, I need Cologne. Many
searches are running though the resistance bases
around the globe. My hopes a low, since I just
received news Jusenkyo and the surrounding area
was destroyed. With it my cure, but the curse
has allowed me to train both the male and females
with little resentment or trouble from either.
Chapter 4
One Left Standing
I walk through the valley, death surrounds me.
Corpses cover the landscape. Armies from both
sides of the war we lost.
Xian Pu, Mu Tsu and myself had returned to
the village to watch the annual tournament. Then
final round was about to begin when they came.
Millions of mindless humans swarmed the valley.
So we fought. It was strict hand to hand combat
since our weapons were left at our homes in honor
of the tournament.
When we could do no more the Musk appeared
through the crowds to help. Our alliance
was born there. We formed a large circle,
giving those in the middle rest. The fight
was glorious, but we were still no match.
Then, like out of a scroll on ancient legends,
the Phoenix Tribe ascended upon the battle. Led
by there God king the tide of the battle turned.
That was until heavy artillery followed the
mindless minions. After three direct hits by
tank shells the God King fell to the earth
defeated. The weapons then laid waste to the
valley in no time.
I woke beneath the body of my
great-granddaughter, her father atop her, Mu Tsu
atop him. After escaping the protective corpses
I saw what wasn't left of the valley. All had been
destroyed. Even the great Phoenix Mountain had
been blown apart from the inside. Fires were
rampant through the valley. Burning buildings
and bodies alike.
I took my family and tossed their bodies into
one such fire to send their souls to the after
life. Then I did something I haven't done in over
a century, I wept. I wept over the loss of my
family, and the destruction of three ancient
nations.
Now I search. Not for son-in-law, who I know
survived,but for Happy. He will help me reap
glorious carnage across the land.
Chapter 5
Legacy Lost
Sweeto.
Hey get back here.
This is fun. Nobody fights back.
Akane, Ranma, nooooooooooooo.
Where'd that come from.
In the middle of lechery I have once again found
my center. I will have revenge for all that was
taken from me.
My nightly raids had been cut short that night
by screams of terror. They came from everywhere.
I thought of the dojo and my treasures. I had to
get back.
Upon reaching my location I found Soun, or
some of Soun. Body parts were located all over
the main house. In one area it looked like
someone had tried to collect them, so to give a
proper burial. The attempt looked to have been
given up for something more important.
I followed the bloody footprints left by the
person. They were small, female. They came to
a large pool of blood where it looked like the
person kneeled down. They then continue and head
outside.
In the dojo I found the foot prints continued.
They led towards the family alter. Before which
lay the body of Akane Tendo. Blood soaked the
blouse.
I deduced Ranma brought her there to be with
her mother. Then left on a suicide run against
who ever did this. I now search for my only
remaining student, Genma.
Chapter 6
Hunter
I am Genma Saotome.
Husband to Nodoka Saotome.
Father to Ranma Saotome.
Hunter of those who call themselves Shadows.
When the disaster struck the dojo my son stayed
behind. I went to find my wife. Though we haven't
spoken in ten years, I hoped she would accept my
help.
I reached to place where our house used to be.
The house I abandoned when I took our son. All
that was left were ashes. I searched the ruins and
discovered many bodies still smoking,but no sword.
It looked as though the house had been over run by
these mindless abominations.
The area in which our son rested his infantile
head was the worst of all. Body upon body lay burnt
beyond recognition. One that I discover was holding
my sons favorite teddy bear. That must have been
my wife.
As I reached for her I was attacked by the drones.
Some missing arms, some with third degree burns
covering their bodies, and others with both. I
fought them, and to this day I still fight. With
my wife gone and the dojo destroyed I am alone. I
put my coweredness behind me and now I fight alone.
Chapter 7
Searching
I am Nodoka Saotome.
My weapon. The Saotome Clan sword, passed down
for generations since feudal times. It had been
presented to me by my husbands mother. I swore to
protect my family and my home. I failed.
I was relaxing after pruning the bushes. I walked
up to my sons room, and picked up his teddy. It's a
nightly ritual for me. It had been since I first
discovered my son and husband were staying with the
Tendos. I try to remember his eyes, face, build,
that little birth mark on his right buttox. Then I
try to imagine what he'd look like now. Probably as
slim and handsome as his father looked at 16.
Then the screaming started. A woman with a blank
expression jumped through the window, knife in hand.
I tossed the bear at her. She dropped the knife and
caught it, but by then my sword was sticking though
her back. They started coming through every orifus
of the house.
I fought and ran, trying to escape the weapons.
Many met there end upon my blade. By the time I made
it outside I had lost an eye, but more importantly I
had lost my soul. Being forced to kill so many would
cost anyone else there's.
I looked back and noticed some I had sliced limbs
off were getting back up and coming my way. I had one
choice, burn the house. The house that held the old
Nodoka hostage.
It took me a long time to fight my way to the
Tendo Dojo. To my dismay only a smoking crater
remained. Body parts were every where. They had to
have belonged to my husband, my son, and the Tendos.
I carry some hope though. In the center of the
crater lay a spotted bandanna. I had only ever seen
it one place before. In a picture in Akane's room.
It was worn by one in the group. So I search for
those I had waited all this time for. Praying with
all my soul that they survived.
Chapter 8
Lost Love
The world is a dark and lonely place. For all, not
just me. There is nothing left. Almost no life.
Only zombies under mind control.
Sometimes I envy them. No thoughts or regrets.
No what could have beens, or what will be. Just
mindlessly following orders.
I keep looking back. Wishing, not for the first
time, I could have found the place I wanted. I
arrived to see Happosai run insanely out of the dojo,
a murderous glint in his eyes. He was yelling about
revenge and the good dying young.
I went to the place he had emerged. Before my eyes
lay a scene I would have given my very being to prevent
it. There the love of my life lay, no sign of life in
her face. I could have died right there.
I almost did. As I approached her, her sister Nabiki
attacked me. At first I thought she was trying to keep
me from hurting Akane, then the others came. Dozens of
them, each with the same blank stare as Nabiki.
I grabbed Akane and tried to make a run for it. There
were too many of them. I though, as I hugged my blood
soaked love, of how awful it would have been to die at
there hands. The thought alone gave me the strength to
fire off the largest Shi Shi Hokodan ever. Upon
completion a smoking crater was all that remained of
the dojo. At the outskirts lay the smoking bodies of
the attackers.
At the center of the crater I buried Akane. Having
no stone to mark her grave I left my bandanna.
Since then I have looked for others, those that are
not zombies, so my revenge could be glorious. I wonder
if that blowheart Kuno still lives after all this time?
If only I could find him.
Chapter 9
Sanity
Whether it is noble to bear the slings and arrows
of outrageous fortune? That is a question that I can
not answer.
The woes that have befallen one such as myself are,
for once, dwarfed by the dealings of the world.
When the Kuno family still had holding we had aquired
a small technological firm. My Sister had used this
resource to have a chip inserted in her mind. My honor
prevented me from using this resource to gain an ill
gotten advantage over my rivals. My victories were to
be my own, no one else's.
The day my sister turned I was visiting the estate.
She forced me to tie her down in the bomb shelter below
the main house. If my sister had turned then others
too. I set out in search of the Pig Tailed Girl and
Akane Tendo.
The traveling was tough. It was as though the whole
world had gone mad. By the time I had reached there
humble abode there was only a crater. My searches
had found nothing but bodies every where. One of
which was Nabiki Tendo, she was badly injured. Nothing
else was left of the rest of the house. The other
bodies were to charred for my eyes to bring about
recognition. In the center of the crater I discovered
a small spatula embedded into the earth. On which was
tied a spotted bandanna.
I carefully lifted the fallen Tendo and began to make
way back to the estate. During the way I heard her
regain bodily control. This momentary distraction was
received with a kick in the gut. Nabiki Tendo flew
from my arms. By the time I had defeated the attackers
she was gone.
I returned to the estate hoping the light of rational
thinking, of which she had possessed little before, would
have returned. Instead I discover she existed no more.
Some how her body functions had ended thanks to that
chip.
I now spend my time guarding my estate, for there is
nothing else left. Nothing in this world is left for
Takiwaki Kuno, and for once I see the truth in all things.
Chapter 10
Luck
I don't know if I should consider myself luck.
My appointment for the implant had been cancelled
in light of Ranma. One of his many adventures were
beginning and I went along with him. I couldn't leave
my Ranma-honey. Though I don't remember who we fought,
just that we fought and Ranma won.
These interruptions of everyday life kept things exciting.
Besides I discover what glorious things we humans can do
without tech, that and I decided I should save the cash.
I was setting up the shop for the supper crowd when the
call came. Kasumi's frightened voice was on the other end.
"Ukyou, please help up. Nabiki's gone crazy. Akane... she
killed Akane. Oh no father, she's going after father.
Please help, Ranma is gone so please help. I don't hear
father, oh no, I don't hear father..." The line went dead.
I tried to rush but the world had gone nuts. Mayhem
ensued all over the city. I tried hard, but try as I might
it was almost impossible to make any head way. I tried the
roofs but the fires made that route impossible. I got
turned around and so lost I could have been Ryouga. Then
like a message the sky lit up with a giant blue light.
Upon reaching the source I discovered Ryouga burying
Akane's body. He was so consumed by grief he didn't notice
the ones attacking from behind. I jumped in and fought
them hoping he'd notice. Much to my dismay he didn't help.
In fact when I turned around next he was gone.
I jumped on the remnants of the wall hoping for some sign
of him. The only one I saw was a woman walking in a Kimono.
The gash of a right eye needed to be looked at, but I was
too depressed to tell her Tofu's was the other way.
I returned to Akane's grave. Ryouga had left a bandanna.
I thought it was a silly gesture because it probably would
blow away. I jammed one of my few remaining throwing
spatulas into the ground, then tied the bandanna to it.
Now I hunt the lost boy. He's probably a man now, but
the only sane person I know still alive. I hope he's
all right, and he has some answers.
Chapter 11
Clueless
She's here. She's here.
Isn't it wonderful Betty?
She's here and I protect her.
She needs me. She needs me.
Yep, that's right. She came to me late that night.
Her clothing soaked in blood. She told me what she had
seen and how it had happened. I don't remember what she
said, but that's not important.
Nothing is as important as her. Her beauty, how it has
grown. She's here and I protect her. Protect her from
those clueless things. Those things that destroyed my
clinic. My beautiful clinic with all my ancient books.
That doesn't matter though. I don't need them now. I
know all the pressure points needed. They can still take
down the clueless things. It allowed me to escape the
clinic and journey through the streets. That's how I
came across K-K-K-Kasumi. We fled together, all the way
to mothers.
Here we stay and hold our ground. I will do anything
for Kasumi, my Kasumi.
Chapter 12
Reunion
"Sir", yelled Hiroshi, "they're behind us."
"I know," replied Ranma, "just keep going, too many
to fight."
"There is a person up ahead," Biggs yelled from the
from.
"Is it one of them?" Hiroshi yelled back.
"Not sure," answered Biggs.
"Get sure," ordered Ranma, "The mission has already
gone to hell. We can't get surrounded."
"It's a woman," Biggs yelled, "she's waring a blood
stained Kimoto."
Ranma got a closer look, "mom..."
"You know her?" asked Hiroshi.
Ignoring him Ranma yelled to Biggs, "is she one of
them?"
"No," replied Biggs, "her back is to us, and I see no
sign of battle readiness."
"Grab her and head for that house on the hill. We can
hold our ground there" Following Ranma's orders the
small troop picked up.
***
"Just great boy you got us lost again," started Genma,
"What is this, the tenth time today."
"If you know a better way to get away from them tell
me," replied Ryouga.
"I knew I should have eaten you," grumbled Genma.
"Stuff it," replied Ryouga, "Where are we staying
toning?"
"How 'bout that house," offered Genma. He missed his
old dry mat.
"Agreed." And so the duo started walking away from
the house 'till Genma noticed.
***
"Kuno-baby, shut up!" ordered Nabiki as they trudged
through the forest.
"You, Nabiki Tendo, have no right to order about one
such as myself," smugly replied Kuno, "If it wasn't
for me you would be dead."
"If it wasn't for me, your sister would have killed
you," Nabiki reminded him of their second reunion.
"You never did tell me how you knew she had escaped."
"A little voice told me."
"Indeed."
"Your sister..."
"...ceased being my sister when the chip activated."
"Kuno."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"Why?"
"You'll give us away again."
"I see a house in the clearing ahead."
"So."
"Let us rest there for the night."
"Better then the mud again."
"Indeed."
"Shut up."
***
"Thanks again Doc. Sorry to hear about your mother."
"It's alright, she lived a long and happy life."
"I still can't believe after all this time you and
Kas... her are still alive."
Entering the little room Kasumi offered, "Cookies
anyone? Ono? Ukyou how 'bout you?"
"K-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k..."
"He's still at it?" asked Ukyou, "I'll have one."
"Here you go," replied Kasumi, "He's not as bad as
he was. Probably since he doesn't have Betty to dance
with."
"He does have that tree outside."
"Oh my."
"So how long have you two lived here."
"Since the beginning. Ono brought me here asap."
"Kasumi, Ukyou," yelled Tofu as he ran back inside,
"to the basement quick, there's movement outside."
"I just heard the back door," Ukyou just hoped she
didn't lead them here.
"Oh my, I hear footsteps upstairs," Kasumi didn't want
it to start again."
"That was the kitchen, now the front door," Tofu and
Ukyou stood back to back with Kasumi between them."
"They're heading this way. 3...2...1...and..."
Chapter 13
Miscommunication
Where are we?
What has happened to the world?
Would you believe it all happened due to a few
words taken wrong?
A frail little boy came up to me while I was pruning
the bushes. He walked up and asked if he could see Akane.
She was in the bath at the time so I told him she was
preoccupied. It seemed to anger him. He began yelling
about how the popular are always too preoccupied to see
people like him. With there sports, clubs, friends, and boy
friends. Then he began to laugh at how the C.E.C.C would
change that.
He took out a little black box and said that all the
Shadows had to do was speak into the box and their dreams
will come true. I was about to attempt to calm this
agitated man but Ranma went screaming out of the house.
Ranma ran right over the little man while yelling C-C-C-CAT
at the top of his lungs. His father was chasing him and
yelling about how he should learn to control his fear.
Akane, clean and changed, came to the door following
Ranma. Nabiki, probably hoping to make a profit somehow,
was behind her. The little man jumped up and said into
the box, "I, Hikaru Gosenkugi, want Akane Tendo's heart."
Nabiki walked away from the door. When she came back
she had a long knife in her hand. We all just stared
as the knife was plunged into Akane's chest. Father came
running from inside the house and pulled Nabiki away
from Akane.
Behind me I could hear the little man screaming about
it wasn't supposed to be like this, why did it happen, and
ripping the world asunder. Then he disappeared.
At that point Nabiki began to slash wildly at father.
I knew father wouldn't hurt her so we needed help.
Ranma was gone, the China gang were gone, Mr. Saotome
was chasing Ranma, the Kunos would be no help, Ryouga
was who knows where, that left Ukyou.
I don't remember what exactly I told her. I was just
saying anything to try to get her to help. The line went
dead. I looked up and saw blood dripping from the knife
Nabiki had used to slice the phone line.
To afraid to do anything I watched as the knife descended
towards me. I was set to die when I felt myself being
pushed away. I looked back to see the knife embedded in
Ranma-chan's right forearm. She cried out in pain, knocked
Nabiki to the ground, then pulled the knife out. She turned
to me and asked what happened.
I told him Akane was dead. She turned to the now
standing Nabiki and tossed her right out the window. As
if by instinct he ran straight to Akane.
I tried to follow him but was stopped by the sight of
father. He'd been sliced to pieces. There were no
signs of struggle anywhere. Not knowing what to do I
began to collect the pieces. I did that for a few minutes
till Ranma called me.
When I reached him he was standing up, a discarded
thermos rolled into the bushes. With teared eyes he
looked at me and asked me to take care of her, he had
revenge that couldn't wait. With one leap he was gone,
never to be seen by these eyes again.
I knelt down in the spot Ranma stood and checked my
little sister. Her body was begining to cool. I picked
her up and walked outside. Looking at my sisters beautiful
face I wondered around. I had no idea what to do till I say
the dojo. A strange force pulled my inside. It wasn't
till that point that I truly saw the family shrine.
As I laid Akane in front of mother it was then that I
truly noticed I was alone. Everyone had left, just like
mother.
Looking back, what I did next was not the smartest thing,
but I had to do it. I ran from the dojo, the house, the
protection of the large white walls, and into the dangers
of this world of chaos.
I ran with out a goal in mind. I kept running till I ran
right into Dr. Tofu. Together we fled from that place to
this one, his mothers house.
To tell you the truth, Ono hasn't changed. Even after
these 10 years of protecting us.
Chapter 14
Preparation
"Attention," the P.A. through the rebel base started,
"This is Ranma Saotome. Due to the recent addition in strength
and intelligence gathering our plans have been stepped up.
Soon we shall begin preparing for the final assault on the main
Shadow compound. It is time to test all we have worked for.
We need all your support in what is to come. I'm proud of all
we have done these last years. Good luck."
***
Rannma: How was that?
Genma: I'm proud of you my son.
Ukyou: Didn't think you had it in you.
Kuno: Thy words...
Nabiki: Kuno shut up.
Biggs: Sir, I have the information needed.
Ranma: Where's Wedge?
Hiroshi: He stayed allowing us to escape.
Ranma: He was a good man. You two go rest.
Biggs: Yes sir!
Hiroshi: See ya later.
Cologne: Well son-in... I mean Ranma, you have some good
troops.
Happy: And pretty ladies.
Cologne: (sternly) Happy...
Happy: Sorry Cologne-chan. Old habits are still hard to
break.
Ryouga: Are you two done?
Ranma: The information we just received tells us the exact
location of the main Shadow compound.
Nabiki: So then...
Ranma: Shut it Ice Queen!
Nodoka: Ranma that wasn't nice. You know it wasn't her
fault.
Ranma: You didn't have to watch the girl you love die in
your arms. I promised Akane I'd forgive her, that's
why she's still alive.
Nabiki: I still don't remember it.
Genma: So what's the plan.
Ranma: The high psonics, that's Ryouga, Cologne and Happosai,
will start the frontal attack drawing their attention.
My troops will then attack from the rear. We have a
list of locations that will then be left vulnerable.
The rest of us will each go in a different spot. Our
mission is to cause as much damage as possible. The
building may be well build, but we can take it down.
Nabiki: Where so I fit in?
Ranma: Your with me. Those voices of yours are the only way
to find the main control room. With it eliminated the
remaining drones should be freed.
Nabiki: Understood.
Tofu: When are we leaving?
Ranma: Your not. You and Kasumi will be needed here. If, I
mean When people come back they'll need you help. As
for the leaving, any time.
Kasumi: How about after we have lunch?
All: AGREED!
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