Hey all,
I am, as you can probably tell, a new wannabe fanfic author. For my first attempt at a story I've chosen to go the unoriginal route and try my hand at a Ranma tale... One in which he's split from his cursed form. These stories have always been among my favorites in Ranma fanfiction, and I have what I think is a pretty cool idea for a story in this particular setting, so... Why not give it a try eh? I posted the start of this story once, about a year ago I think, but was forced to leave the list (don't ask) for quite a while shortly after. Since then, I've learned a lot more about Ranma, tried to fix up the story, and decided to join the list again and see if I could get some useful commentary on it. So... Here's the first part of my first real attempt at a piece of anime fanfiction. C&C is MORE than welcome, as I know I've got a lot of work ahead of me before this thing can really be called presentable.
Okay, we all know the standard disclaimer by now I'm sure, and some people feel that it's not necessary... But better safe than sorry right? So here goes:
Ranma 1/2 and all its colorful cast are the legal property of the illustrious Rumiko Takahashi (may she live forever), Shogakukan entertainment, Viz Video, Kitty Fil and several other organizations whose names I only vaguely remember. This story is purely for entertainment, and is in no way intended for profit. If this story ever earns me a penny, may I be thwacked with a thousand mallets of justice.
And now, on with the show. :)
The complex and terrifylingly large mechanism that is our universe is a wondrous thing to behold, when one bothers to stop and look at it. So many tiny, seemingly insignificant rules detailing what can and cannot be. So many, that no human could possibly list them all in his natural lifespan if he began at the moment of birth and continued ceaselessly until death arrived to claim him.
"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
A very easy thing to take for granted most of the time. But when one sits back and looks... really looks... and is able to catch a glimpse of the machine that keeps it all running, it is a fantastic and frightening experience. What if two plus two did not equal four? What if you pressed a key on a typewriter and the moon exploded? What if you rang someone's doorbell and the sun grew cold? What if a trumpet sounded like a chainsaw, then a motorboat, then an eagle? Backing every breath, every sound and every movement, is a strict and unbendable law. Even at its cruelest, the whole of creation is the most amazingly perfect work of art that has ever been and will ever be. Everywhere, the rules hold sway. From the barren surface of the moon to the living jungles of Africa; From the smallest third-world village to the largest and most prosperous city, they govern nearly every aspect of human existence.
And then, there is Nerima.
A typical Japanese neighborhood at first glance; nothing too special about it. But if ever there were a more likely place for the laws of the universe to be scoffed at, disregarded, trampled, and broken like brittle twigs under a hiker's boot, it has not yet been found.
Nerima had seen more than its fair share of mayhem since the boy called Ranma Saotome had arrived in town. It just so happened that Akane, the fiancee his father and hers had practically forced on him, was the most sought-after girl in Nerima and not a week went by that some insanely powerful martial-artist, demented kendoist, or bumbling magician didn't try to steal her from Ranma somehow. Not, as he would often protest when confronted, that he even wanted her to begin with.
Dozens of lives and destinies seemed to be bound to him, and he seemed to pick up enemies and love interests like a a magnet picks up a chain of paperclips. From the way he was pursued, however, it was often hard to distinguish the ones who were trying to kill him from the ones who were trying to force upon him their own twisted versions of wedded bliss. He was made the center of a lot of lives for quite a while, so when he had finally decided that he did not hate Akane, the earth had almost shuddered. When he decided that he actually might kinda-sorta-maybe even *like* her just a little bit, the town held its breath. They knew what was coming. When he officially proposed to her, all hell broke loose.
An all-out fight to the finish broke out, involving nearly all of the people who were either romantically interested in Ranma or Akane, or wanted to kill Ranma for one reason or another. No one really knew who was on whos side, which fists were aimed where, or what the suitors thought they would accomplish by pounding everyone flat.
It was pure mayhem, but after nearly a month it ended. Ranma came out on top, as he always seemed to, and either drove away, or made peace with nearly all of his enemies, and some semblance of normality had returned. This time, the weary Nerimites hope that it was here to stay.
Now, a few weeks after the war (and no one dared call it anything less than a war) had ended, Ranma sought to banish one of his last remaining troubles. Something that he had almost learned to live with, but could never completely accept.
His Jusenkyo curse.
And so, in a certain household in the Nerima ward of Tokyo, Japan; admittedly the site of many tales of romance, epic heroism, revenge, and unrequited love, our story begins. And though it begins with a familiar pigtailed martial artist, he is not the true hero of this tale. No, this is the story of the newest Saotome: Ranma's other half.
Or perhaps not.
Perhaps the real hero is one who was born, lived, and died hundreds of years before Ranma was even concieved of in thought, let alone in body. Perhaps this is in truth the tale of a brother, a sister, a jealous husband, and a curse spanning centuries.
It is often said that the best place to begin is at the beginning. As with nearly any rule, however, there are exceptions. And so for now, this is the story of the end of Ranma's curse, and how his other half came to be. Where it goes from there, time will tell soon enough.
Divided We Stand
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction by Algerhorn the Inadequate
Chapter 1
The Great Divide
It was a chilly night in late Autumn and Nerima was quiet for once. No martial-artists leapt across the rooftops battling for the hand of one lady or another, no chi blasts lit up the night sky, the buildings in the surrounding area were pretty much intact, and there was not a single battle-cry to be heard anywhere in the immediate vicinity. A welcome respite, though no one was really certain if it would last. Most just tried to enjoy it while it did.
A small group had gathered in the dining room of the Tendo household to witness an event few thought would ever come to pass. And some weren't completely certain even now.
Another day, another spell.
This was the thought that echoed in the minds of most of those gathered here tonight, and Ranma knew it. Anyone could tell by the way his jaw was set and his gaze locked on the center of the room that he was mentaly daring anyone to tell him not to go through with it. His father, mother, Mr. Tendo, Akane, Kasumi, Nabiki, Dr. Tofu (Who, for once, had managed to compose himself in Kasumi's presence), and Cologne, had all come to either witness or take part in the latest attempt to banish Ranma's curse.
When Cologne had come from China a few days ago with a spell that would supposedly cure him, it was very unexpected as none of them had really thought to see her again. After Ranma and Akane had decided to formalize their engagement, Cologne had, quite surprisingly, put up no fuss. A few days later the Nekohanten was closed and Cologne, Shampoo, and Mousse were gone. No one had really expected to hear from any of them again. Then suddenly, nearly a month later, Cologne had arrived at the Tendo household unexpectedly, announcing that she had brought a spell to cure Ranma's curse.
This was something of a surprise for several reasons.
First of all, an attempt had already been made some time ago to cure Ranma by the one means that everyone had been almost positive would work: The Nannichuan.
Taking a cue from Soun after the failed wedding attempt, Cologne had sent to China for a flask of water from the spring of drowned man in hopes of bribing Ranma. Unfortunately Shampoo, still certain that Ranma loved her and would choose her over any other under the right circumstances, had taken the water and offered it, and herself, to Ranma in person. Ranma, in a frenzy of joy, had snatched the water, upended it over his head, and actualy hugged her when he failed to change into a girl. Shampoo took this the wrong way of course, and it resulted in several weeks worth of trouble as she began insisting that Ranma had officialy accepted their marriage and Akane chased Ranma around the house swatting him with whatever objects were within easy reach. When Akane wasn't busy with him, Mousse chased him around town hurling knives, chains, swords, and the occasional rubber chicken; Ryoga reverted temporarily to 'kill Ranma' mode and chased him around for being unfaithful to Akane; and Kuno chased him on general principle, and because everyone else seemed to be doing it. And because he was Kuno.
To make matters worse, the cure hadn't even worked. Though the Nannichuan water itself had failed to change him, the curse seemed to be in perfect working order when it came to normal cold water.
The second thing that made Cologne's offer of a cure surprising was that she really had no reason to do it. In fact, she had a whole slew of reasons not to. The big one, of course, being that all of the time she'd spent away from her responsibilities in the village trying to get Ranma wed to Shampoo had come to naught.
Or had it?
Cologne was a crafty old woman, and the fact that she had not put up any resistance to Ranma and Akane's newly formalized engagement was reason enough to believe that maybe she wasn't through. Who knew what this spell would do to Ranma? It wouldn't be the first time she'd used magic in an attempt to somehow take control of him. None of them really believed she'd harm Ranma, but then you could never be too sure when it came to the Amazons. In fact, Ranma still remembered the conversation he'de had with Cologne in this very room shortly after her arrival.
"Why should I trust you old ghoul?" he asked, glaring at her across the low table with narrowed eyes. "How do I know this aint some crazy scheme to somehow drag me off to China and marry Shampoo? How do I know that spell aint gonna turn me into a zombie or somethin'?"
Cologne's voice was incredibly patient as she answered him. "Do you really think I'd do something so blatantly obvious Ranma? Besides, you'd be of very little use to me as a zombie."
Ranma crossed his arms and continued to stare at the old woman, not in the least convinced.
"Uh huh. Like you aint never tried to get me with some kinda mind control before. Why would you want to help me get rid of my curse anyway?"
Cologne sighed.
"Ranma, I know how you see me, but you must know that I do respect you. You are a very talented martial artist, which is why I wanted you to begin with. Everything I ever did, I did because it was what I thought best." A slow smile appeared on the old woman's face. "Well... Most of it. I must admit, it was a nice vacation. Being an Amazon elder is hard and often unrewarding work. The things you children got yourselves involved in reminded me so much of my own youth... Being here has done this old heart a world of good." She picked up the teacup sitting in front of her and took a long slow sip before continuing. "I know that these may not seem valid reasons to you or any of the others in this household, but there is nothing I can do to change the past."
Ranma frowned at her and was about to say something but she didn't even allow him to open his mouth.
"There is nothing I can do Ranma."
It was clear by the tone of her voice that this was the final word on the subject.
"I doubt there is much I can do that will cause you to come with me of your own free will either. And the few things that I could possibly do to convince you would be far less than honorable."
Ranma actualy managed to open his mouth this time before he was interrupted.
"I know what you're going to say. Spells... Charms... Mind control..." Cologne smiled slightly. "Maybe I didn't always play fair. But there are some things that I simply will not stoop to. Or at least, not in this case. I too can remember a time when love was all that mattered. If nothing else, being here has done at least that much for me."
"The only thing I could hope to accomplish by bringing you a spell that would harm you or any other is personal revenge. Revenge in combat is one thing, but hurting you merely because I lost this little game of ours fair and square would be childish and stupid. It would in no way serve the Amazons or myself. And... Obedient as she is to me, I don't believe Shampoo would ever completely forgive me."
Cologne stopped speaking for a moment and looked up at Ranma.
"She still loves you."
Ranma's harsh and distrustful expression softened a bit and he frowned uncomfortably.
"I know" he whispered, staring over Cologne's head into empty space.
"I'm sorry" Cologne said, and her voice told Ranma that she meant it. "I shouldn't have said that, but old habits die hard. Those days are passed. You belong to Akane now. Perhaps you always did."
"It's okay." Ranma said quietly.
Cologne sighed again and shook her head.
"Ranma, You are only a child, and often a foolish one at that, but you have it inside of you to become a great man." As she said this, she couldn't help but give a little mental chuckle. She could not remember a time in many many years when she had admitted that there was even such a thing as a great man. "I bring you this spell in friendship. Believe me or don't, it doesn't matter much to me. If you wish it, I'll be gone tomorrow. I'll leave the spell, the written incantation, and the instructions for performing it here with you. As long as you're able to find someone who can read Chinese and properly pronounce the words, you can use it at any time."
It was a nice speech, Cologne thought. Much of it was even true. It was tailored to suit the occasion of course, but that didn't mean that a good deal of it was not heartfelt. It was not entirely true that the spell was brought as a simple peace offering, but bad times forgotten; or at least somewhat forgiven; would be a nice benefit. She just hoped the boy would buy it.
Ranma had closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and looked at Cologne long and hard. Cologne didn't quite know what to make of this. Ranma was not a thinker, that was for certain. He had a good heart, and while it was often clouded with pride, it caused him to shine nonetheless. But this appraising look he was giving her now was something she had never seen before. It did not make her nervous; she'd seen far too much in her many years of life for something like this to cause her anxiety. What it did was cause her to think that maybe he was finally starting to grow up, even if only a little.
"All right" he said. "Let's give this thing a try."
"There's one more thing" she said, looking Ranma in the eye. "As with all ancient magic, I can't guarantee that this spell is completely safe. It's purpose is clear enough, but there is always a risk involved when tapping into the ancient powers. Are you still certain that you want to do this?"
"Yeah, I'm sure" he answered. "I've had this curse for too long and I aint gonna live with it for the rest of my life. If this spell can get rid of it then let's do it."
That had been yesterday morning. Tonight, Ranma's friends and family were gathered in the Tendo dining room to witness the cure that Ranma had wanted for so long. His father, surprisingly, had offered to try it first. Despite this uncharacteristic show of bravery, Ranma had simply shaken his head. Genma had been visibly relieved.
The preparations and procedures for the spell were surprisingly simple. A symbol resembling a mobius within a triangle was drawn in chalk on the dining room floor (Kasumi didn't much like this but of course she said nothing), some sort of incense was lit and allowed to burn to the left and right sides of the symbol, five candles were lit and placed at various points around it, and a few incantations were spoken over the whole setup. Last of all a small glass of cold water was placed on the table, which had been moved aside to make room for the spell.
Ranma had held Akane's hand as he watched Dr. Tofu and Cologne prepare all of this. Now he looked over at her and she returned his gaze.
"Akane if this works..."
Akane smiled. "I know."
She continued to look at him for a few moments.
"Are you scared?"
Ranma gave her a confident grin. "Me? Scared? 'Course not."
Akane rested her head on his shoulder. "Baka" she whispered. "Don't lie to me."
Ranma looked just the tiniest bit flustered and awkwardly put his arm around her.
"It'll be okay Akane. I promise."
He continued to hold her, everything fading from his mind but the feel of her body against his and the scent of her hair until suddenly Cologne's voice caused him to look to the center of the room where she stood beside the symbol, staff in hand.
"It's time Ranma. The sooner we get this over with the sooner you'll be rid of this curse."
Ranma nodded and released Akane as he walked toward the symbol. He felt her hand squeeze his briefly and he did the same before letting go. Akane stepped back and clasped her hands in front of her, looking on anxiously.
"Step inside and sit down Ranma" Cologne said, motioning to the symbol with her staff and causing thin wisps of smoke from the incense to swirl eerily around it's tip.
Ranma nodded, stepped into the symbol, and sat down cross legged, his face expressionless but the apprehension clear in his eyes. He looked around the room at all of the people gathered there and tried his best to give them a confident smile. Nodoka was visibly worried but said nothing, merely standing and gazing at her son. She clutched her wrapped sword tightly in both hands as if for support. Nabiki's face was, as usual, unreadable. She stood beside Kasumi watching Ranma closely. When she saw him look at her she smiled slightly and gave him the 'victory' sign. Kasumi fidgeted with the sash on her apron and watched with motherly concern. Soun, not surprisingly, looked close to tears. He appeared to be holding them back though, which was good. One of his outbursts would not help at all. Akane also appeared to be near tears but she blinked them back when she saw Ranma looking at her and flashed him one of her radiant smiles which, despite the obvious tension behind it, was beautiful nonetheless. It was difficult to tell what Genma was thinking. He was gazing thoughtfully at his son, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his eyes hidden behind his glasses. At Ranma's glance he nodded once.
"Good luck boy" he said.
Cologne turned to face Ranma, raised her staff, and said a few words in Chinese. She then lay her staff at her feet, reached into the folds of her robe, and drew out a crisp white sheet of paper on which she had copied the words of the spell, the scroll being too old and too valuable to risk taking to Japan. She motioned for Dr. Tofu to bring her the glass of water which was still sitting on the table. He did so, and she placed it on the floor beside her staff. Then, slowly and carefully, she began to recite the words of the spell.
As Cologne read, the entire room help it's breath. The smoke from the incense slowly began to bend toward Ranma, the thin wisps circling him lazily. Cologne's voice began to rise gradually and as it did the chalk outline of the magic symbol on the floor began to glow a soft green color. As Cologne's voice continued to rise the glow grew brighter. The two gray wisps of smoke suddenly adjusted course and entered Ranma's ears. Two more rose up from the incense and after pausing for a moment as if to regard the young man before them, entered his nose. Another two rose, paused, and drifted toward his mouth.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Within the symbol Ranma sat, his eyes closed, his breathing even. When the smoke had begun to circle him he had definitely felt something. He didn't feel any magic within himself just yet but the air had somehow begun to seem charged, as if with electricity. He almost expected to feel a shock on his arm or leg at any moment.
And then he felt as if he were being watched.
He couldn't tell if what was watching him was intelligent or not but he knew that feeling. As a martial artist he had come to recognize it. Something was definitely watching him. And it was close.
Then suddenly he felt a tickling in his ears. At first he thought that he must be imagining it, but it didn't go away and after a few moments he realized that something was entering his body through them. He stiffened but remained still. Although he knew that this was probably just part of the spell he couldn't help but tense up a little. Then he felt the same thing at his nose. A faint tickling, and then the feeling of something long, thin, and soft sliding down it and into his throat. He tried hard to remain calm as whatever it was continued to do whatever it was doing. And then he felt it at his mouth. His mouth was closed though, and it couldn't get in. The thing tickled his lips, then waited. It almost seemed to be knocking, and waiting for permission to enter. Ranma hesitated; Surely this was only part of the spell. Anyway, the others had already gone in right? If he didn't let the spell do what it was supposed to do it might not work. Slowly and reluctantly he opened his mouth just a crack. Whatever it was entered immediately, moving over his lips and tongue, and down his throat.
The wispy tendrils moved about, tickling his insides. He could feel them all throughout his body now. They were everywhere inside of him, coiling about and winding themselves through his system. It felt as if spirits were probing his insides with soft fingers, finding out exactly what was there and what made him work. It wasn't exactly uncomfortable but Ranma didn't like it one bit. He had a feeling that these things were preparing to do something and that whatever that something was, he wasn't going to like it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Still chanting, Cologne reached for the vial of water at her feet. She picked it up, raised it slowly, and released its contents, splashing Ranma full in the face.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Ranma felt cold water splash him and the wispy fingers suddenly ceased to be gentle. They stopped their probing and tightened around a hundred different places inside him, holding his innards in a steely grip. Ranma waited, trying to keep his breathing even, telling himself that it couldn't last forever. Whether this thing cured him or killed him it would have to end sometime.
And then the fingers pulled.
They pulled from many directions, all outward. Sharp pain coursed through Ranma's body. He tried to keep his breathing even but it was getting difficult. The fingers pulled harder and then suddenly doubled in strength. The pain grew and grew and Ranma suddenly realized that these things, whatever the hell they were, were trying to pull him apart.
So Cologne had lied.
She had been out for revenge after all and now she was going to kill him in front of his friends and all of his family. Rage and fear surged within him and he tried to rise but for some reason he couldn't. The pain continued to grow and the fingers continued to pull and Ranma was losing the ability to think.
The strength of the pulling doubled again, and Ranma's eyes shot open. He opened his mouth and at first nothing would come out. Slowly, a hoarse scream rose from his throat. He could no longer think. He barely knew who he was. All he knew was this terrible pain that had become his world. He felt his flesh being torn but there was nothing he could do. It was too late. The blackness was rushing up to claim him and he accepted it gratefully. His last thought before he slipped into oblivion was of a smiling face framed in short blue-black hair. He tried to scream her name but he didn't know if he succeeded. He didn't even know what to scream with. His body was being slowly ripped apart. Despairingly, he plunged into darkness.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Everyone watched nervously as Ranma opened his mouth slightly to allow the smoke to enter. None of them liked this but no one dared interfere. Cologne's voice continued to drone on in Chinese and the smoky tendrils pushed themselves deeper into Ranma's ears, nose, and throat.
Cologne's voice rose sharply as she picked up the glass of water at her feet and tossed it on Ranma. He tensed visibly and so did the tendrils. They were no longer lazy, but taught and looked as if they were pulling. Ranma's breath was becoming labored and from the sweat beading on his face it was obvious that he was in pain. Still, no one attempted to interfere. The tendrils began to pull harder and Ranma was gasping now, his face showing something bordering on panic. And then suddenly the wisps doubled their efforts and Ranma's eyes snapped open. His mouth opened wider and he began to emit a hoarse choking sound. The sound soon rose into a tortured scream that was so filled with pain that it barely seemed human. Ranma's body began to convulse slightly, and then everyone realized with horror that he was not convulsing, but the tendrils were pulling in short but strong jerks. They were pulling away from each other and Ranma's body was slowly being torn in two. Everyone continued to stare, too stunned to act, when suddenly Ranma's scream took shape.
"Akane!!" he screeched, his voice sounding nothing like his own. It was high and inhuman and reminded one of a car's tires squealing, only much higher and louder and full of unbelievable pain. It could have been the voice of a demon.
Akane suddenly shook her head, finally snapping out of the daze, and leapt toward the center of the room.
"Ranma!" she cried.
She felt a hand catch her arm and turn her around.
"Akane" Dr. Tofu said, "Don't. We don't know what will happen if you try to disrupt the spell. Most likely it will take hold of you as well."
Tears were streaming down Akane's face and she struggled against Tofu's grip.
"I don't care! It's killing him!"
"We don't know that" Tofu said, raising his eyes to Ranma for a moment.
The boy had stopped screaming but the sight of him was terrible. He was now visibly stretched, the wisps slowly tearing him in half. There was no blood though, and bones should have started to snap by now. Whatever this spell was doing to Ranma may be painful, but it wasn't killing him. God, he hoped it wasn't killing him.
"What do you mean we don't know that?!" Akane screamed. "Look what it's doing to him! He'll die if I don't help him! Doctor please, I have to help him, let me go!"
Akane was writhing violently now and obviously in no condition to listen to him, so Tofu gently tapped a point on her neck and she went limp. He turned her face so that she was looking at him.
"Listen to me Akane. Whatever this spell is doing to Ranma, I don't think it's killing him. It's causing him a great deal of pain but some spells do that. Magic is often not a pretty thing. If this thing was killing him there would be blood by now. You need to stay calm. If I release you will you stay calm?"
Akane managed to nod.
"Good."
Tofu tapped another point on her neck and Akane stood as she regained her mobility, then turned to face the symbol.
Cologne's chant had risen in volume so that she was almost shouting now. Ranma was a strange and gruesome sight indeed. He looked as if he were made of putty and was slowly being stretched. Akane choked back a sob and turned away.
*If this spell kills Ranma* she thought to herself, *I'm never going to forgive her. I don't care if she brings the entire amazon treasury as a 'peace offering'.*
Most of those in the room had turned away from the sight of Ranma. Only Genma and Tofu still stared in horror. And then suddenly there was a flash of greenish light and a loud sharp snap. Cologne's chanting ceased and she collapsed, apparently unconscious. The spell was completed.
Smoke now covered the center of the room. As it began to clear, everyone knew what they would see. The two mangled pieces of what had once been Ranma.
But it was nothing of the sort.
The smoke cleared slowly. The symbol had vanished and two forms could be seen lying on the floor. Akane was the first to approach them. Fearfully she whispered, "Ranma?" There was no answer. More smoke cleared and she recognized the two forms lying there, still and silent. One was Ranma. The other, lying so close that she was almost touching him, was a familiar red-headed girl. Ranma's clothes lay scattered in shreds and the two were completely naked, but that didn't matter at the moment. Akane knelt down beside Ranma and fumbled for a pulse, breathing a sigh of relief as she found it.
"Is he all right?" Nodoka's voice came to her from across the room.