Amazing, it is exactly 1 year ago (in about an hour) that I
release my first fic to the list.
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: rbane9.txt
Disclaimer: What? You want a complete list of who owns what? But that takes the fun out of guessing. Suffice to say, only a small handful of characters are mine, the rest are adapted from one source or another.
Ranma's Bane
Chapter 9: Uprising
The moonlight illuminated three sleeping faces, and one face scrunched up in concentration. Setsuna was forced awake by the moon itself deciding to shine directly into her eyes through the window. Shifting positions with a bit of grumbling, she noticed Zelgadis wide-awake and studying.
"What are you reading?"
Zelgadis held up a finger to silence her, and slowly moved his lips as his eyes scanned a paragraph. Closing the book with a sigh, he tilted his head back, resting his bloodshot eyes.
"It's a book of magic, given to me by an old friend."
"That Rezo you talked about yesterday?"
"No. This one was totally different. I met her in Russia about the time the Americans were dumping tea into one of their harbors. It was a rather backwards area, they didn't even know what gunpowder was, but it also had it's charm. She was powerful, and knew spells that could make an atom bomb look like a mosquito bite."
"You're kidding, right?"
"No."
"And she gave this to you?"
"Not quite. It, and several others, were passed on to me when she died. Her children and grand children were killed in Napoleon's failed invasion, and her husband had died a few years earlier. I was the only person left in the world that she would trust with the knowledge."
"What's in it?"
Zelgadis ran a finger along the binding. It was a rather thick book, easily several hundred pages, and immaculate in it's preservation.
"In this particular book? Two spells."
Setsuna stared at it. "Two. In that?"
Zelgadis nodded. "They are rather powerful ones. One of them I learned almost immediately. The other I've been studying off and on for fifty years, and I think I might have it down."
"Why do you need that much? Aren't your spells just waving your arms and saying words?"
"Are your powers just looking at an object?" Zelgadis countered.
"No, it takes concentration and knowing how to manipulate my power."
"Concentration and power manipulation, that is it exactly. Fully two thirds of this book is how to control the second spell."
"What do they do?"
"The first, and easier, of the spells turns a creature's life energy against them. It only seams to work on supernatural beings, so you're safe, while the rest of us are not. It's called the Ra Tilt, though there is no indication of where the name comes from."
"And the second?"
Zelgadis paused before answering. "There is a power behind the Nightlords. It's known only as the Dark. What is not known is whether it is a force, an entity, or something else. What is known is that it represents darkness, chaos, and destruction. This spell calls upon that power. Most of the text is a description of how to keep control over the power, and detailing what happens if your concentration breaks. Trust me, it's not pretty."
"Summoning such an evil power? For what purpose?"
Zelgadis shrugged. "I guess the power is similar to magic, a tool to be used for good or ill. Or it could be a force of raw destruction, with no redeeming qualities. In either case, I think I can use its power against the Nightlords."
Eager to change the subject, Setsuna ran a finger along the rough stone of Zelgadis' hand. "What does it feel like, having stone skin?"
Zelgadis pulled his hand away. "It feels normal to me, though a little rigid. That's all I really notice these days."
"What was it like before?"
"Before Xelloss trapped me like this? I had something resembling a normal life. I would settle somewhere, stay a few years, and move on when things got boring, or when people got suspicious about how I didn't seem to age."
"Did you ever fall in love?" Setsuna asked hesitantly.
"Fall in love?" Zelgadis asked with an incredulous look. "That's a rather odd question, considering the condition you've been in."
Now it was Setsuna's turn to shrug. "This has been the first time I've been able to relax since I found the staff. I guess everything that I suppressed in order to survive is coming back."
"What do you mean?" Zelgadis asked. When Setsuna shot a nervous glance at the sleeping pair across from them, he chuckled. "Don't worry about them. Unless Ranma gets attacked or offered food, he doesn't wake up."
"How do you know?"
"I had to wake him up two days ago. He didn't even stir when I was shouting in his face."
Setsuna chuckled. "I can believe that."
"And Kasumi isn't subtle enough to fake being asleep," Zelgadis continued. "So what did you mean?"
"Do you know what it's like to have to push aside all your emotions, all your hopes, everything that makes you human, just to survive?"
"More than would believe."
Setsuna nodded. "Then you understand what I went through. I was close to snapping when those two came into the picture, and I latched onto them like a drowning man grabs at a life preserver. It wasn't until later that I realized what I had done, but by that time I had learned more about them, and knew my instincts had been right. Weird, isn't it?"
"Kasumi may have had something to do with it."
That threw Setsuna off. "What do you mean?"
"It's some kind of aura she puts out. No, don't ask me how, or why, because I don't know. For some beings, it dampens hostility, and encourages people to trust her."
"That's... odd."
"No kidding."
"You never answered my question."
Zelgadis paused for a moment. "It's a long story, I'll tell you another time."
"I'll hold you to that."
Setsuna and Zelgadis both settled back into their seats, intent on sleep. Neither noticed Kasumi's smile.
*******
Xelloss walked down the corridors of Ahriman's fortress, once again dressed in his normal attire. Recent events had frustrated his master, and that meant the avatar was also frustrated (to an extent, the mental connection between the two was minimal). The main reason for frustration was the aborted project.
Arriving at the correct door, Xelloss waved his hand, willing the door to open. When it failed to respond, he waved again, and sent a force bolt into the door and shattering it.
"There is a custom among most sentient beings," a relaxed voice said from inside, "it's called 'knocking.' Have you ever though of trying that?"
The figure in question was lounging in a corner, listening to classical music from a stereo that was horribly out of place in the medieval-looking castle. It was another of Ahriman's Greaters, raised from the ranks due to his immense psionic power. He was wearing a black military uniform, black shirt, jacket, pants, boots, even black gloves.
"If you had answered the previous summons," Xelloss replied, "there wouldn't be such a mess."
The doppelganger shrugged. "I have the report. And the explanation. By the time I had gathered them, I knew that the deadline had passed, so I figured I would wait for your visit."
"Really, Bester, the Master does not like such insolence. But give me the report anyway."
"Once again," Bester began, "I must note my objection to the idea of introducing such a powerful psychic to artifact."
"Your objection was ignored. The Master wished to have full access."
"I understand that. But you know as well as I do the more powerful someone's will, the easier it is to break free of whatever influence is placed on them."
"Your programming lasted for twenty years, why did it fail now?"
"A case of too many cooks spoiling the soup. You and Tofu did great work with the theoretical stage, but when Washu was brought in to implement the plans was the beginning of the problem. You know how she overdoes things."
"Of course, but why did the programming fail?"
"Because I had to refresh the programming on a strict schedule. Subduing those bird-people in preparation for the invasion prevented me from getting to her in time. Then the artifact was introduced too early, which put cracks in the barriers."
"And the recovery device shattered those barriers?"
"Not only that, it allowed the artifact to eliminate the safeguards."
"So how is this not your fault?"
Bester did not even break a sweat. "I admit, I did miscalculate. But I did as well as I could with the materials available. Am I to be punished for that?"
"Yes, but not executed. Be thankful that the Master understands that idea."
"Very well," Bester shut off the music. "What is to happen?"
"You are to aid Washu in her experiments for the next week."
Bester's face sagged. "I thought you said I wasn't to be executed?"
*******
"Of course you realize, this is all your fault," Zelgadis fumed.
"Hey!" Ranma protested. "It is *not* my fault."
"You're both right," Kasumi commented.
They were currently under armed guard. While this wasn't very unusual for three of the group (the lesson here is never mention New York to Ranma), the fact that they were supposed to be in friendly territory was a problem.
"How do you figure both of us are right?" Zelgadis asked Kasumi.
Kasumi simply smiled. "I don't, but saying so stopped your bickering, didn't it?"
Several of the guards chuckled at that comment. One of them touched a small device in his ear, then gestured with his rifle.
"The boss is waiting for you. Come on."
The four were escorted though several halls in the nondescript building they had been led to shortly after arriving in Union Station. As they passed more rooms Ranma realized that they were in an abandoned school, though how it came to be abandoned was still a mystery. Soon after completing that though, they arrived at the gym. The large room was occupied by a handful of people scattered around, practicing various forms of exercise.
The guards led the companions to a set of chin-up bars, where a powerful-looking man was wiping sweat from his body with a towel. As they approached, Setsuna gasped in horror. The man's body was covered in hideous burns, making his skin look like ground meat.
"What's the deal?" Ranma asked. "Why were we dragged in here under guard?"
"Always the same," the man replied, chuckling, "I still can't figure out why Kasumi puts up with you."
"Ease off, Burgerface," Zelgadis said. "What's going on here? I thought the lot of you were trying to keep a low profile?"
"We like to," Burgerface replied, shifting into a normal-looking, dark skinned man, "but right now we're getting ready for the big one, so it's necessary to have the smaller cells group together."
"When did you learn guerilla tactics?" Ranma asked.
"About the same time the plans began coming together," Burgerface shot back.
"Brian," Kasumi asked, "why were you in your Morphus when we arrived?"
Burgerface shrugged. "I heard you were bringing in a new person. I needed to see how she would react."
"And did she pass?" Zelgadis asked.
Burgerface turned and studied Setsuna. "Shocked at first, then recovered quickly. And most likely annoyed at us for talking about her when she's right here."
Setsuna made no reply.
"But that's beside the point," Burgerface continued. "It's good to see you three again, though I didn't expect you, Zelgadis, to hook up with these two trouble magnets."
Zelgadis smirked. "Look who's talking. I seem to remember a young man in the middle of a riot who needed a little bailing out."
Burgerface laughed as he threw an arm around Zelgadis' shoulder. "I remember. Now, judging by your new friend's appearance, there should be a good story to tell."
"You have no idea." Ranma said, allowing himself to be led away.
*******
The rest of the day was spent exchanging stories. The next morning, Burgerface showed them a set of maps detailing the central area of Typhoon, the Nightlands double of Chicago.
"The Windy City becomes Typhoon," Setsuna commented, "the Land of the Rising Sun becomes Land of the Dark Sun, Los Angeles becomes Devil's City. What's New York, the Rotten Apple?"
"Doom Harbor," Kasumi corrected, studying the map. "Brian, why is the map so limited?"
"Old fashioned need-to-know," Burgerface replied. "The cell system strikes again. The other maps detail barracks and armories closer to the perimeter. Our objective is Magog's fortress in the center of the city."
"We're going after a Nightlord." Setsuna deadpanned.
"You guessed it, sweetie." Burgerface replied, earning him a (low-powered) mind bolt to the chest.
"Okay," he continued, once the shock to his system went away, "I guess I deserved that. The operation starts in a couple days, so I have the unfortunate task of bringing latecomers like you four up to speed."
"So what's the plan?" Ranma asked. "Some kind of raid?"
"Similar." Burgerface pointed to a spot on the map about a half-mile from the fortress. "We're inserting here, doing a combination of mirror shifts and Nightland portals. Once there, we get into the building and take out Magog. Simple in theory-"
"But not in application," Zelgadis interrupted. "What's the opposition around there look like?"
"Relatively small by the time we get there. Maybe a thousand Hunters and Hound Masters."
Kasumi studied the map for a moment more. "So there are going to be several attacks and raids along the outer perimeter to force Magog's troops out of the inner city. That distraction should allow a few small groups to slip in and cause trouble."
"How many?" Zelgadis asked.
"Two others," Burgerface replied. "The groups are a mix of Nightbane, humans, Guardians, and others."
"What others?"
"Let me guess," Ranma said before Burgerface could answer, "rogue vampires and Wampyrs, Doppelgangers, and probably a few minor demons in the mix."
Burgerface nodded. "They want the Nightlords dead as much as we do. 'Enemy of my enemy' and all that."
"Just don't make any deals with the Devil, alright?"
*******
The briefing went on for most of the day, finally breaking up in the middle of the afternoon. After they broke, Ranma headed to the gym to work off some of his frustration. While it would take more than a couple days without practice for his skills to degrade, sometimes he just had the urge to hit something. The way the operation was planned caused such an urge. He knew enough about tactics to know that you needed to be aware of the entire situation if you wanted to stay alive. But the leaders of the resistance, whoever they were, kept thinking about traitors. It was one of the reasons Ranma and Kasumi never officially joined. Neither of them wanted to work with such close-minded people, and from the looks of it, Zelgadis and Setsuna were of similar mindsets.
About halfway though his routine, Ranma heard someone walking back and forth outside the gym doors. Peeking out, Ranma saw a man wandering the halls.
"Hey, buddy, you lost?"
The man turned, and Ranma though he recognized him. He was large, close to six feet tall and built like an American-style football player. He was wearing black pants and a yellow sweater, and his hair was held back by a striped, orange bandana. Strapped to his backpack was a large, black umbrella.
"Ranma," the man whispered.
"Sorry, do I know you?"
"DIE!" the man screamed, swinging his umbrella. Ranma dodged the strike, the result of which was a loud crash and large hole in the wall.
Ranma ducked back into the gym, and from there made a leap to the ceiling. Hanging from the support beams, he watched the man enlarged the hole he made by bursting through the wall rather than taking the door.
*Why is that guy so familiar? Let's see, bad temper, lost, inhumanly strong, carrying a really heavy umbrella, wanting to kill me... that's it!*
"Long time, no see, Ryoga," Ranma called.
Ryoga let out a long bellow as he pulled a half dozen bandanas from his head a hurled them at Ranma. They were easy to dodge, however, and Ranma dropped to the ground in their wake.
"What is it this time, Pig-boy? And why are you in Chicago?"
Ryoga stopped for moment, the rage fading from his eyes. "They make great hot dogs here." As suddenly as it left, the red-hot anger was back. "I've seen hell because of you, and now you've dragged Akane along with you!"
Ranma effortlessly weaved in and out of Ryoga's punches. "Oh, you mean about her being captured?"
"YES!"
"You're too late, Bacon-breath, Kasumi and I busted her and Nabiki out a couple weeks ago."
That statement stopped Ryoga cold. "You did?"
"Yes, we did," Kasumi said, as her hand delicately (though painfully) gripped several pressure points on Ryoga's neck. As she walked into his view, Ryoga could see her eyes burning with anger.
"Eep," Ryoga squeaked, as Kasumi's skin darkened and her eyes began to glow. He could also feel the claws growing where she gripped his neck.
"Now, Ryoga," Kasumi's voice was calm, despite here eyes' red glow, "what did I say about attacking my husband?"
"It's alright," Ranma assured her, "just a little misunderstanding."
Kasumi released her grip on Ryoga's neck and shifted back to her facade. "You two should keep it down, I'm surprised half the complex isn't here demanding to know what's going on."
"Close enough," Zelgadis said from the doorway. "You'd think that a Greater Hound was attacking, with how much noise you two made."
Ryoga began to sweat. "Um, I'll just be going now." As he backed out through the hole he made in the wall, he was blocked by Setsuna and her staff.
"Is this the infamous Ryoga that you two have told me so much about?"
"Yes, Setsuna, he is," Kasumi replied.
"Um, can I go now?" Ryoga asked.
"No," came the reply from four throats as the quartet put their heads together.
"What should we do?"
"Why not just let him go? It's not like he's a danger."
"We can't risk that. If he's captured it would blow the entire operation."
"You know, we could use some extra firepower when the raid happens."
"Good idea, Ranma. What about you, Setsuna?"
"Fine by me. Zel?"
"Sure."
The huddle was broken, and Kasumi approached Ryoga. "Ryoga, would you like a chance for revenge against the people who hurt Akane?"
Ryoga looked, understandably, skeptical. "What do you mean?"
"The shit is about to hit the fan," Ranma explained, "and we could use another pair of strong arms."
Ryoga smiled. "Asking my help, Ranma?"
Ranma shrugged. "I guess so."
"Then count me in, just so I can see what's got an arrogant prick like you worried."
*******
Zelgadis waited until he was a short distance away before punching the wall. The dent he put in it was smaller than the hole Ryoga created.
"How are you able to keep that anger inside?"
Zelgadis turned to see Setsuna walking up.
"How do you know what I feel?" Zelgadis asked.
Setsuna laughed. "Never lie to a psychic, Zelgadis, I thought you would have learned that by now. Will you at least tell me what's wrong?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
Zelgadis paused, unsure of how to proceed. "If you're psychic, can you tell why I hate Xelloss so much?"
Setsuna shook her head. "I don't probe my friends."
"Friends?" Zelgadis laughed. "This from a woman who didn't know what to believe about the world just last night."
"I trust you," Setsuna said with a shrug.
Zelgadis studied her for a moment. "I guess you do." Turning away, he clenched his fist hard enough that sparks flew from the rubbing stones.
"What is it?" Setsuna asked.
"I can't tell you," Zelgadis replied. "Not yet."
"I'll hold you to that, you know."
"I know."
*******
It was close to midnight before Ranma was finally able to retire. The 'room' he shared with Kasumi was little more than an office, most likely belonging to a teacher back when the school was occupied. It was barely large enough for the hammock that passed for their bed.
"I was wondering when you would get back." Kasumi said, not giving any other indication that she was awake.
"How long have you been practicing that?" Ranma asked.
"Not long."
Ranma settled into the hammock as Kasumi inched over to make room. With a tired sigh he lay back and made his body relax. A well-thrown shoe in the direction of the light switch bathed the room in darkness.
"How long were you sparing with Ryoga?"
"Pretty long. He's gotten better over the years, though so have I. He was also talking about a new technique of his, but refused to show it."
"That's strange."
"No kidding."
Kasumi shifted over to use Ranma's shoulder as a pillow. Of course, in doing so, her knee's became level with Ranma's ankles. It often surprised people that Kasumi almost half a head taller than Ranma, though both attributed the difference to ten years of malnutrition under Genma's 'care.'
"Something's on your mind."
Kasumi shifted a bit. "What makes you say that?"
"I know you too well. What's wrong?"
"Ranma, what's the longest we've ever stayed in one place since the Dark Day?"
Ranma had to think for a moment. "About three months in London. That was a year ago."
"In all that time, has there been any place that you call home?"
"What do you mean?'
"We've lived in all sorts of places, but we never could settle down. We always had to stay on the move because of the situation. Others of our kind have been able to lead relatively normal lives, but not us. We are forced to wander because of the chaos you attract."
Ranma laughed softly, then kissed the top of Kasumi's head. "You, of all people, should know that a home is a state of being, not a place. For me, home is anyplace where I'm with you."
"Why is it you weren't nearly this eloquent when we first met?"
"Every time I tried to say what I really felt, I got splashed, smashed, malleted, poisoned, attacked, or some combination of those."
"You have a point," Kasumi said as they both drifted off to sleep.
End chapter 9