Subject: [FFML] [FFML][[Ranma/Rift]The Journey Part 3, Chapters 1-5
From: "Daniel Ruth" <danielfruth@home.com>
Date: 7/7/2001, 11:24 PM
To:

I wasn't going to post this until I had finished all of Part 3 ...but
considering how slowly I'm writing this as well as the size this will most
likely be I decided to send this off.  I have also updated my web page to
include some pictures of the characters involved, just in case my
descriptions aren't conveying an image to you.  The address is at the end of
post.

Ranma 1/2 is the property and invention of Rumiko Takahashi. The following
story is not produced for any monetary or personal gain.

          Keep in mind the journey is almost always more interesting than
the destination.

Journey

Part Three: Tea With Splynncryth

          Chapter 1

          Ranma could attest to the fact that the transition was much
smoother than his previous jaunts using circles and spells.  It was almost
like stepping into another room.  Actually it was more like falling.
Exhaustion fell around him like a shroud.  Dimming his thoughts and even
making it difficult to move his muscles.  All he could really appreciate was
how good it felt to force air into his lungs one breath at a time.  Off to
his right he heard a sibilant voice.
          "Hey!  What happened to the gate?  Move the human trash off to the
side.  I need to check the interface."  A moment later something like
tentacles wrapped themselves around Ranma's leg and he found himself
unceremoniously thrown against a wall.
          Through his mental haze thoughts of chi techniques gone wrong
drifted through his mind.  As he had told Komar earlier the risk with
experimenting with new techniques was the danger of reducing your life force
to below critical levels.  He vaguely realized that he was closer to death
than he had been since his father's attempt to teach him the neko-ken.  A
sense of disconnection followed.  He was Ranma Saotome, how had that
happened to him?  He had known the dangers but had always had such a firm
grasp on his chi that it had seemed merely a distant possibility.
          Gradually as he lay on the floor contemplating this another
thought occurred to him.  What the hell had he done.  Objectively he knew
that he had seen an opportunity to cripple the Shogunate's plans with its
allies.  Looking back upon his actions he couldn't understand how he had
unleashed such a completely uncontrolled lethal maneuver.  He had been
thinking of variations of the Breaking Point for quite some time.  After all
combined with the Heavenly Dragon it was one of the most versatile
techniques he knew.  However this particular move he had promised himself to
restrict to less inhabited areas.  Which was one of the reasons he hadn't
tested it out in a more controlled situation.
          While he was deliberating over his actions a small part of his
mind gloated with satisfaction.  It imagined the likely consequences and
deathtoll with satisfaction.  This was how power was to be exercised.  After
all if you didn't flaunt it people might never know how great you were.  He
couldn't understand why he was upset at unleashing the vacuum blades at
those ninja losers that had been attacking the Emperor.  They pretty much
deserved death for getting in his way.  He had been avoiding thinking about
those deaths when in reality there was nothing wrong with ridding himself of
a few obstacles.  His father had been an idiot to hide such efficient
techniques.  Especially considering it was the most useful thing the moron
had ever come up with.
          "What the heck happened?   The whole interface is just gone!  It's
like the other circle just isn't there."  The sound of scales on stone was
heard as something large moved itself.  "Is the human awake yet?  Maybe it
knows what's going on."
          Another set of tentacles wrapped themselves around the drained
martial artist, lifting him into the air and shaking him like an oversized
rag doll.  "No.  It is unresponsive.  I suppose we could heal it, but
considering it's due for augmentation anyway, it may be best that it's
unconscious.  Most of the losses occur when the subject resists the
process."
          "Yeah, I know.  But I kinda like how humans sound when they
scream.  It's very restful, you know."
          "Never mind.  Send him to the artist.  We'll contact the mage
through mechanical means.  No one else is due through for a while."  The
tentacled thing dragged the inert form of Ranma out of the room.
          Ranma was lost in a world of horror as conflicting emotions and
viewpoints poured through his mind.  His first reaction was that he had
somehow turned into an amoral, honorless, monster.  Logic quickly came to
fore despite his blurred thoughts and he drew a conclusion.  Hashimoto.
          Somehow the transferred memories had affected his fundamental
beliefs and attitudes.  He may not have absorbed the ninja's personality but
the reflexes Hashimoto had developed, involving taking advantage of every
opportunity and damn the moral consequences had somehow infected him.
Groaning in dismay Ranma held on the promise the priest had made, hoping
that the situation would go away within two days.  The vague thought crossed
his mind that he now in all likelihood had more blood on his hands.  More
actions that he couldn't let himself think about.
          He was beginning to loathe this new world he was in.  While it was
true that he had learned more than he had ever dreamed of, he also had more
responsibility than he had ever expected or wanted.  Back before his
dimensional romps he had only fought his opponents with a fraction of his
skill.  If that proved insufficient he would gradually increase the ability
he brought to bear.  Meanwhile he took advantage of the drawn out conflict
to analyze his enemy, examining every move they made so that he could make
their techniques his.  This occasionally resulted in a few embarrassing
losses when he miscalculated the skill level of his sparing partner, but was
usually quickly corrected.  Ranma Saotome never lost twice in a row.  On the
second round he usually either used their own attack against them or simply
negated the specific maneuver they relied upon and brought the combat to a
quick end.
          Since he'd come to this world all that had changed.  He'd
constantly been challenged by demons, gods and Robot Vehicles.  Each one
forcing him to fight at his highest level or face defeat.  Losing even one
battle in this world would mean more than simply his life.  It would mean
the end of countless worlds.  Assuming Thoth spoke the truth, a newly
hatched sinister thought echoed in his mind.  Exhausted he let go of
consciousness.  He couldn't bear the idea that Thoth had lied.  If the deity
had deceived him then the lives he had taken could never be redeemed.
Hopefully when he awoke again the small alien portion that didn't give a
damn would be gone.



          "Damn this human's hide is tough!  I'm going to have to use the
equipment meant for our real clients.  Pity to waste it on human trash..." a
sibilant voice spoke out from where a Highlord sat hunched over the human in
question.  The skull-like visage was drawn tight with concentration,
accentuating the interlocking that give his race such a deadly grin.  The
web-like mottling that covered the top of the skull furrowed in dismay.
          "Hey!  If he's already enhanced why do they want the normal
stuff?" a small bipedal creature spoke out from the door's archway.
          "Well...I suppose we'll use the second set.  The Eye is
experimental but... the first set does seem redundant if it's already
modified.  Must have been Bio-Wizardry type augmentation.  I don't see any
other tattoos."
          "He might be a human mutant!  I've seen them in the Arena!  Some
of them take a lot to kill!" the little one squealed in merriment, clapping
taloned hands together.
          "Well I suppose the master must have allied with the scum for some
reason.  Never mind.  Bring me the inks.  I'll set up the equipment," he
stated, running sharp claws over the unconscious figure's exposed skin.
Damn frustrating how thick the skin was.  Difficult to cause real pain
without almost killing the subject.  Of course the augmentation process was
said to be the most excruciation experience possible.  "With any luck the
human will wake up and we'll get some entertainment from his pain.  Either
way I suppose I'll be wasting the next few days with this one."
          "Yes sir," the robed figure scurried away on his errand.



          Ryouga sat in the destroyed waiting room watching the retreating
backs of the technicians.  For the past hour he had patiently waited while
engineers and other knowledgeable men walked in and out carrying sonic
cutters, fusion torches and other gadgets.  Nothing had worked.  Of course.
The thing didn't have a breaking point so it was only logical for it to be
indestructible.  These science types just snorted in disgust when he told
them that, but he knew.  The martial arts wasn't just about smashing things
indiscriminately.  That was just a lucky coincidence.  No the Breaking Point
had refined his chi senses so that he perceived a layer of reality only the
most advanced beings knew about.  Even humans and other biological
structures had Breaking Points.  The technique only worked on substances
with a rigid, crystalline form, but everything had weak points.  Except the
thing holding on to his ankle.
          Deep in thought Ryouga absently tapped his umbrella against the
back of the creatures head.  Although the monster was unaffected, each blow
drove the thing's face into the ground by a few millimeters.  This had
disturbed the people who came to try to remove the thing on his leg.  Not
that Ryouga noticed.  When he concentrated on something specific the rest of
the world faded from existence.  This careless habit contributed to his
involuntary spatial dislocations to keep him unsure where he was at any
given time.  Of course it also allowed him to learn at a rate that could
rival his nemesis.
          "Damn you Ranma!" he shouted, a dim glow visible around his body.
Each tap on the motionless being before him coming more forcefully.  He
didn't know how, but this whole farce centered around the pig-tailed martial
artist.  Somehow he had to be involved in this humiliating situation.
          "Excuse me, I think I hear the PA calling for me.  B..be right
back," the last man in the room stuttered, turning off his torch and backing
away from the seated figure.  He really didn't want to be in the room if the
floor collapsed.  He had heard in history class about the abilities of the
ancient martial artists.  At the time he had scoffed at the thought of an
unmodified human coming close to equaling the power of even a non-military
cyborg.  He still wasn't completely convinced, but one thing he was sure of.
Magic and martial arts was baffling and scary.  He'd come back later when
the dour faced young man stopped making the room shudder.  The martial
artist didn't even acknowledge his retreat.
          The thing seemed impervious to physical force.  Ryouga had met few
entities stronger than himself and Ryouga doubted that even that freak from
the Musk Dynasty would be any more successful than himself.  Ryouga's
thoughts grew darker as he was slowly forced to face a very unpleasant
truth.  There really was only one way to get this thing off him.
          "Get me a glass of cold water and a cup of tea..." he demanded in
a commanding voice.  The tone immediately faded away as he noticed that he
was the only one remaining in the room.  "Hey, where'd everyone go?  Come on
a little bit of hospitality would be nice!" Ryouga shouted indignation
edging into his voice.
            A sudden flash of light and an odd sensation from the new sense
Anhur had awoken within him told him that something had come into existence
behind him.  Spinning around, he ignored the destructive sounds caused by
the prone statue smashing through various objects.
          "Ah!  I have finally found you.  Do you realize how difficult it
is to follow that devious device.  I think it may have shuffled a few
dimensions to try to throw me off course.  At least I'm fairly sure leading
me through Hades was a trick."  The figure's voice continued to trail off
muttering to himself.
          Ryouga was caught slightly off guard by the dark haired, six foot
figure dressed in a humble combination of gray cloth and leather.  His
senses told him that despite his appearances he was more than human, a fact
that was countered by the rather ordinary facial features that seemed an odd
mix of Asian and Indian.  If his senses hadn't told him differently he would
have said that he looked like an ordinary peasant farmer.  An extremely
healthy, and well built farmer but none the less...
          "Excuse me...er...who are you," Ryouga asked in a slightly
uncertain voice.  He had expected to be attacked.  Lacking the normal flow
of violence to follow, he was momentarily caught off balance.
          "Eh?  Oh!  Well I'm your Grandfather.  Well...not really your
Grandfather, more like your Great...dang, how many generations would that
be?"  The man shook himself out of the musing and began again.  "Never mind.
I'm your ancestor.  I'm not sure if you're up on your genealogy but I think
you're descended from Mariko Hibiki."
          "You?  You're the god that Anhur mentioned?  Because of you my
whole family is lost!  I haven't seen my parents in over five years!
Because of you I've seen Hell!" The outraged martial artist started
shouting, building up a head of steam.
          "Eh?  You too?  It's actually kind of nice this time of year.
Though the neighbors are kinda rowdy.  First time I was there they asked to
leave just a few months after I got there," the deity frowned and shook his
head sadly.  "Can you believe they didn't like orange groves?  Now I ask
you, what kind of sicko doesn't like a few thousand acres of oranges.  It
took a lot of work to get them to grow in the magma too.  Damn ungrateful
demons."
          "Er...yeah.  That wasn't very nice..." a slightly dazed Ryouga
stated, eyes slightly unfocused as he tried to process the new information.
He'd never been taken literally before and it had completely distracted him
from his anger.
          "Now I'm no fan of humans...messy things, always paving over a
perfectly good forest...but most of them appreciate a bit of green if they
can get their attention away from all that metal and ceramic they seem to
like so much," he sighed, "Mariko was like that.  That woman was a mortal
after my own heart..."
          "Um...that's...nice.  Why are you here," Ryouga asked, attempting
to steer the conversation in some sort of direction so he could get a handle
on it.
          "Oh.  Right.  Sorry.  I really don't get to talk that often with
humans...or anyone, now that I think of it," pausing to collect his thoughts
he continued, "This old servitor attacked me, thinking that I was you.  I
wanted to meet any kids Mariko might have had, so I explained that I wasn't
you and followed it."
          "Well, as you can see I took care of the thing.  It won't be
bothering anyone very soon," Ryouga stated with some satisfaction.
          The deity looked at the thing attached to his descendant's leg and
shook his head.  "I don't think you understand.  These things are sort of
weak by themselves.  Which makes sense since most of the original models
were basically servants of the Old Ones and their successors.  But they are
indestructible without large amounts of time and resources.  One of their
main drawbacks was the time limit."
          "Time limit?" Ryouga prodded his newfound ancestor uneasily.  He
had the feeling he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
          "It varied slightly, depending on who constructed them, but they
could usually only work for a maximum of three hours before they ran out of
power and had to wait for a day to finish what they had to do."
          "You mean..."
          "Yep.  That thing is going to activate any minute and probably
either try to kill you or teleport you wherever it came from," the god
clucked to himself at the foolish mortals who had sent the construct herring
across the dimension.
          "Hey!  You said it took a day to reactivate," Ryouga snarled in
anger and began to pound the immobile form in frustration.
          "Well there are several models.  One version was on for three
hours, off a day.  Another creator made his on one hour, off one hour, one
hour on, etc., for a total of three hours on and then off for a day.  I
think it had to do with spreading the required activity over a wider
period."
          "Shit!" Ryouga exclaimed, upset at the unexpected turn of events.
He quickly dragged the construct over to the entrance to the chamber and
poked his head out the door.  "Hey!  I need some hot and cold water!  Now!
Where the hell is everyone?  Get in here!"  Ryouga bellowed.
          "Now calm down," the nature god said in a low soothing tone.
"These things usually aren't that powerful.  The only reason this one can
teleport and do all its other tricks are the little gems affixed to the
surface.  Those were added by mortals to make this thing a bit more
flexible..."
          "Oh!  Of course!  Without those I can just grapple it..." looking
down at the indestructible, immobile thing attached to his ankle he
reconsidered.  "I mean toss it out the window or bury it."
          "Yes!  See? No problem...what are you doing?  Stop that!  Don't
you know anything about magic?" the god said worry beginning to tinge his
voice, as he raised his voice over the loud cracking noises.
          Ryouga had begun to apply the Breaking Point to the jewels and
stones affixed to the body of the creature.  Each blow only took a second,
shattering the talisman and releasing flashes of light and energy.  Several
times his hand went numb, but he persevered, systematically removing the
magical devices.  He naturally was so intent on his goal that he failed to
pay attention to the mouthings of his ancestor.  He knew what he had to do
and he could talk to the odd fellow who said he was his ancestor after he
was done.
          "Stop that!  The more powerful the talisman the more unpredictable
the effects when the energy is released!  No!  That's the stone used for
telep..." a sudden bright release of magic and a loud implosion of air and
both martial artist and construct was gone.
          The deity just stared at the space where his great grandson had
disappeared.  "What a stubborn, single minded human!  Just like Mariko..." A
fleeting smile passed over his face before being replaced with a frown.
"That trait was much more attractive in a woman."
          Without further words the god teleported away.  Tracking people
was not his strong point.  He was a god of nature agriculture, not hunting.
Maybe he'd stop by Hell again.  It always seemed to be on the way to where
he was going.  It was such a pain how the dimensions always reshuffled
themselves.
          The room was very quiet within occupants.  Only holes in the
floors, ceiling and walls gave evidence that it had held several being of
immense destructive potential.



          A few minutes later a nervous young girl cautiously, peeked in
through the doorway holding a tray with a glass of ice water, an empty cup,
and a tea pot.
          "Sir?  Sir?  Excuse me sir, I have your water," the girl's voice
quivered in fear as she looked around the empty room.



Chapter 2

          Ranma found himself writhing in pain.  Around him were sinister
crimson skinned demons slowly circling him and poking him with sharp
oversized forks.  At random intervals they would reach out and pierce his
flesh with their weapons causing a continuation of the agony.  Try as he
might he couldn't reach out to stop them or gather any energy for attack or
defense.  All he could do is lay on the ground glaring the surrounding mob
and growling his defiance.  Not that it made any deference to the fiends
rotating in and out of his sight.
          As an indeterminate amount of time passed, he sensed some sort of
force insinuating itself within him.  Despite attempts to gather his
tattered chi around him, the energy began to weave around and into him.
Binding itself in some unfathomable way to his life and energies.  Somehow
the sharp prongs of the devils weapons directed the structure that seemed to
starting to become one with his very soul.
          An eternity of torture came and went and then without warning the
creatures and their odd weapons were gone, leaving him still with shock as
the all pervading pain slowly subsided.  Ranma lay exhausted and dazed as
slowly it dawned on him that whatever the energies were that had been
coiling around him were still there.  It even seemed to be settling itself
closer.
          "No, get off, get off, damn you," shouted Ranma, noticing with
horror that no sound was coming from his voice.
          "...Off!" screamed Ranma sitting up and staring wildly around the
room he was in.  "Whoa.  That was one freaky dream!  I'm not even Christian,
why would I dream about Hell?" Ranma shook his head in puzzlement, trying to
rid himself of the haze that still hovered over his mind and weighed down
his limbs.  "I'll ask Kasumi about it when I get back.  She wears that
cross.  She might knew something."
          Putting the odd experience out of his mind he began to examine the
room he was in.  It was a small chamber, if he extended his arms to either
side he would be able to touch the sickly pale walls.  A thin thread of
sunlight was the only illumination in the room, coming from a narrow window
in the upper part of the wall.  The entrance was an odd looking door that
seemed to be made from stone rather than the wood he had expected to see.
Once he had noticed this oddity he realized the whole room was stone, with
the exception of the thin pallet he lay on.
          Shrugging he stood up, staggered slightly and walked over to the
door.  He supposed he was feeling pretty good for a man lucky to be alive.
Most people didn't walk away from such a massive uncontrolled use of chi.
He winced as he thought of the likely consequences of the technique.
Suppressing a shudder he pushed the memory to the back of his mind where he
had already stored feeling concerning a fatal encounter with the Emperor's
would-be assassins and his encounter with Saffron.  Some things were too
uncomfortable to view without a good amount of time to cushion the memory.
          His chi reserves were low but a few hours of concentration would
cure that.  The Hadou Ken technique would also help him cull ambient chi
from the area around him even if he hadn't fully mastered it as yet.  Ranma
was about to settle down on the floor for a relaxing session of meditation
when he stopped himself.
          What the heck am I thinking?  I'm trapped in a stone closet and
I'm taking a nap?  Ranma snorted in disgust, he didn't know what had
happened since he fell through the portal but sitting in a cell certainly
wouldn't get him more information.  He still ached all over from strain of
attempting to control the chi energy for the final technique he had used but
obviously he wasn't thinking clearly either.
          "First lets get out, then make a plan," Ranma stated, confident he
now knew what he needed to do.  Walking over to the door he verified it was
locked from the outside, nodding to himself he briefly checked the walls and
ceiling with a series of sharp taps.  Since the borders of his prison proved
to be as solid as the stone they appear to be he moved to the window noting
the narrow dimension.  Examining it closely he noted that the opening was
more of a shaft that window, extending forward more than ten feet before
opening into sunlight.
          Ranma grunted to himself.  The opening was very narrow, far too
wide for his male form and it would be close in his female form as well.  If
he had enough energy he would have had the option of using Happossai's
Dimensional Cloak.  The breaking point was probably the least expensive
technique he knew in terms of chi, but it was also extremely loud and showy.
Not ideal for a quiet escape.
          Well, first things first.  Seeing no convenient cup of water in
the room, Ranma reached into subspace to pull out a canteen of water.  It
seemed far more difficult than normal to pull off this simple maneuver.  The
first time he accidentally pulled a set of throwing stars out he shrugged
and tried again.  He was tired after all.  The second time he grabbed out a
dress he frowned in thought.  He hadn't screwed up this often since he first
learned the technique.  There was no way he could possibly be that tired.
Reaching out his spiritual senses he caught a sense of distortion at the
edge of his range.  He didn't think much of it until he realized the sheer
amount of energy required to be detectable at that range.
          Chi senses could certainly detect a large variety of energy
signatures, but the fact remained that it was best used to sense the
spiritual force and life energy used by other martial artists and priests.
Everything else was there if you were good enough to see it, but it was much
like seeing objects by the shadows they left.  If there was a dimensional
distortion that large in the area he didn't wonder that he was having a
difficult time accessing his pockets.  He was grateful he hadn't been able
to use the cloaking technique, who knows how it would have been affected.
The image of himself coming out of the Cloak in the middle of the stone wall
before him sent shivers of horror down his spine.  He would have to work on
his control if this kind of interference was common in the area.  Absently,
he scratched a faint itch on his forehead, then rubbed his temples to ease
slight foreshadowing of a headache.
          Despite a faint concern that he might lose a hand, he reached into
subspace for a third time, bearing down with his available will power.  He
sighed with relief when he saw the steel canteen in his grasp.  Quickly
removing his bracers he splashed himself and crawled into the window shaft.
Grunting with effort she pulled herself along by her fingers and pushed with
her toes.  About halfway through she became frustrated with the slow
progress the lack of purchase on the smooth stone was causing.  Exerting her
full strength Ranma-chan fully expected to see her fingers sink deeply into
powdered grooves of her own making.  In her own world she could easily crush
rocks in her grasp, and the ambient energy coursing through her body in this
new world increased her strength to truly ridiculous levels.  She was
therefore shocked when all that came from her effort were thin scratches on
the surface of the rock and a tingling in her hands.
          "Oh man!  I can't believe I'm this wiped out.  I mean I'm tired,
but I thought it was just a simple lack of chi.  I mean either that or this
is magic stone," Ranma-chan snorted to herself at the idea of building a
prison of glowing stone.  Then she froze shock as she noticed a low level
tingling coming from her hands and feet and even more faintly from the
length of her body pressed against the stony surface.  "No way!  A whole
room with enchanted stone for walls?  Damn, the walls alone are ten feet
wide.  Are they paranoid or what?"
          Shaking her head in disgust she sighed and continued her slow pace
through the crawlway.  After ten minutes of sweating effort she was rewarded
by being able to reach to outer edge with her hands.  With this leverage she
was able to easily pull her body forward until her head poked outside.
Looking around she smiled in relief.  The smile quickly faded as it
registered on her mind what she was seeing.
          "Holy...good Lord!  I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore," looking
around again she continued muttering to herself.  "Or Japan, or even the
freaking earth."  Pausing another moment to try to comprehend what she was
seeing.  "Looks more like Hell if the property values were better."



          It had taken a few days to heal the injuries and burns caused by
the treachery of the human but it was time to take up the hunt once more.
Flexing his scaly talon before his face he nodded to himself.  The scales
might take a few weeks to regain their luster but he was functional once
more.  He winced as he recalled the burned limb with the scales and flesh
peeling away to expose the muscle beneath.  He had not felt such pain for
almost a millennium.
          Not since an old rival of his had challenged him to mortal combat.
It had been a close battle but he had finally won.  He chuckled to himself
as he called up the cherished memory.  The pain he suffered was nothing
compared to the agony he had inflicted on his foe.  He had lasted for weeks
before he had permitted his death.  He frowned to himself.  If he wanted to
ensure the same level of pain on his new opponent he would have to brush up
on the anatomy of humans.  It wouldn't do to have the mortal worm die too
soon.  Not after the pain and the fire he had endured.
          It was odd that the human had decided to flee here.  This didn't
seem to be the kind of place that would welcome the common mortal, he mused
to himself as he walked down the streets.  Even at his full size he only
took up a fraction of the thoroughfare.  The various races that made up the
crowd surrounding him scurried out of his way, bowing and scraping as if
their lives depended on it.
          Yes, this was a good place.  Who knew such an area existed.  A
whole continent where supernatural beasts ruled.  Where the only humans and
mortals in sight were dragged along behind their owners in chains.  The next
step brought an odd sensation under his rear leg, accompanied by a shrill
cry of pain.  He simply continued walking down the avenue, enjoying the
sights and smells.  Sure he could have flown, it was actually far easier to
fly, letting the winds support the massive weight of his body.  But it was
far more entertaining to walk.  Yes, here was a place that knew how to give
a dragon the respect he deserved.  There would be time to track down his
enemy in the days to come.


          Ranma-chan looked out of the opening in amazement.  She found that
she wasn't in a prison of stone.  No, she was in some sort of Egyptian
monument that seemed to tower several hundred feet in the air.  The shaft
itself emerged about halfway up the side of the edifice giving her an
excellent view of exactly where she was.  Easily enough to thoroughly wish
to be almost anywhere else.
          A closer inspection showed the monument to actually be a pyramid.
The sides created a gradual slope that seemed to stretch out below her,
craning her neck around she found that it likewise rose an equal distance
above her.  She was not in some dead city however, in fact far below her the
wide streets that began at the huge plaza surrounding the base of the
structure stretched far into a sprawling city.  Large buildings and weirdly
shaped structures lined the avenue and only stopped by the barrier of a
slightly narrower cross street.
          The streets themselves teemed with life, though it was with a
strong sense of trepidation that Ranma-chan realized that most of it was not
human.  Creatures of all descriptions slithered, thumped, waddled and
crawled through the thoroughfare.  They ranged from tentacled creatures out
of a hentai anime, to scaled and horned demons.  In fact once she grew
accustomed to the teeming masses below her she was able to distinguish that
some were indeed the demons she had studied in the tomes Thoth had given
her.
          "...Baalrog, Fenry and ...what is that?  I know some of those
things are racial enemies...why aren't they trying to kill each other?"  Not
all of the mob surrounding her were demons, some she recognized as those
humans considered the monster races.  The vast majority of them were simply
unknown.  It was only after some minutes of staring somewhat blankly at the
scene it occurred to her, where were the humans?  Even after a time of
specifically looking for some sign of humans she found nothing.  Oh, a many
creatures were biped humanoids, but that was all they had in common.
          She was wondering exactly how she was going to fit in when an
unusual motion caught her eyes.  Coming around the corner was what at first
appeared to be a large troop of humans led by an heavily armored humanoid
figure.  The relief Ranma-chan felt quickly drained away as she abruptly
noticed that the all had an odd gait to there walk.
          "Chains...they're wearing chains.  What kind of hellhole is this
place," a rather upset martial artist wondered.  The only free human seemed
to be the armored one in the lead, and considering the various threatening
gestures he was making with the metal shod staff he wielded he seemed to be
more of an enforcer than anything else.
          Sighing, she summoned the Way of the Silent Thief to hide his
presence.  This place didn't seem to be an area that humans were
appreciated.  Pulling herself fully out of the shaft she stood, confident
that she was undetected.  She was leaping down the slope towards the plaza
below, when she had an odd feeling that she was being watched.  Pausing, she
quickly glanced around.
          Ranma-chan suddenly felt that she was on stage and no-one had told
her the lines to speak.  This was a familiar feeling, but not a comforting
one.  A good one third of the inhuman crowd beneath her had paused and was
staring directly at her.  With growing trepidation she slowly looked behind
her, vainly hoping there was a dancing clown or other spectacle that might
explain the attention.  The only thing she noticed was a caped, burly nine
foot tall creature with a set of upthrust tusks from it's mouth, another
pair to either side of it's chin and an obviously mean disposition.  It wore
breastplate and some sort of armor covering most of it's arms and legs.  A
large sword was slug over it's back but in it's hand was held a large rifle
of clearly high technology.  The one part that grabbed her attention was a
faintly glowing visor that seemed built into the oddly shaped helmet the
being wore.
          "You," it growled in a loud hostile tone.  Having just glanced
around Ranma-chan knew there was nothing but herself on this part of the
sloping surface.  "What's a human like you doing crawling around our Lord's
home?  Obviously only a pathetically stupid human would cloak himself in
Atlantis!"  The creature let loose with a hacking sound that Ranma-chan
assumed to be laughter.  "You may have just as well shot off a load of
fireworks to announce your presence."
          Ranma-chan cursed herself, the anatomy texts she had read seemed
to indicate that most supernatural entities could perceive the invisible,
she just hadn't considered that her father's chi technique counted.  Or even
that attempting invisibility would be that obvious.  Ranma-chan stopped
berating herself when the armored being started insulting her.  She
immediately stopped hiding her chi and an ominous red glow shimmered around
her.
          "Pathetic?  Why I..." growled an angry Ranma-chan while cracking
her knuckles, completely ignoring the hundreds of witnesses some distance
below her.
          "Watch your attitude, you tattooed slave.  You may be someone
valued property, but give me an excuse and your just another piece of meat."
          Ranma-chan breathed rapidly through her nose trying to keep her
anger contained.  The odd references distracted her with their irrelevance,
making slightly easier to ignore the slights without resorting to the Soul
of Ice technique.
          "I'm nobody's slave, creep.  If you don't give me a little bit
more respect..."  Ranma-chan threat trailed of as she saw ten more creatures
like the first rapidly marching towards her from the central steps of the
pyramid.  "...or I'll leave.  Very quickly."
          "Yeah...sure you will.  You'll stay where you are, meat."  Raising
his weapon to point at the martial artist.
          "Oh...sure..." Ranma paused in his speech to leap into an
acrobatic flip that brought him within striking range of the thing.  The
rifle shot several bursts where Ranma-chan had just been.  Ranma snapped a
few punches in the monster's face, then a snap kick which spun it slightly
in the air.  Grabbing the wildly flapping cape of the creature she unloaded
a final full strength kick while it was still rotating before her.
          The ripping sound of the cape covered the grunt of pain from the
pigtailed martial artist as she recovered from the one blow the thing had
landed on her face before her final attack.  "Damn thing's almost as strong
as I am," she muttered to herself as spun around to face the approaching
group, ignoring a trickle of blood running down her face.
          Ranma-chan's chi senses stretched out to there most sensitive,
attempting to gather as may clues from her attacker's as possible.  Her
concentration was disrupted as a slight tingling was felt from her forehead.
Then the world changed.
          Her chi senses, combined with the Breaking Point training had
always allowed her to see the world more clearly than most, but this
abruptly changed.  Everything suddenly came into an unreal focus, as if she
could place everything's location to the fraction of a millimeter.  As odd
as this was, it was only the least of the changes.  Everything she saw held
a deeper meaning than she had ever realized.  Before she had merely sensed
enchantment, perceiving a shadow of a shadow, now it was displayed before
her in a glory and detail she had never expected.  The whole pyramid she
stood on radiated a strong magic that she intuitively knew was connected to
the dimensional perturbations she had earlier detected.  Inside she knew
would be found gates to a hundred worlds.  The very structure was
constructed to tame and focus the ambient energy to it's creator's will.
Powerful lines of energy, rising hundreds of feet in the air swept down the
wide avenues as far as the eyes could see, each line entering the stone
pyramid to be added to the reservoirs inside.
          The creatures below her were almost as fascinating, each glowed
with there own aura, telling a tale of power, revealing a glimpse of the
being true nature.  The one with the horns over there had a weapon that
generated a protective envelope.  A lizard like creature that was a
shapechanged dragon argued with a merchant over an enchanted lyre whose song
had the power to...
          She was shocked out of her daze by the searing pain that peppered
her body.  The clarity of vision and knowledge that had mesmerized her was
shattered, replaced once more with the more mundane but reliable senses she
had trained all her life to use,
          Rolling on the ground to avoid the fire from the group, she took
stock of the damage, gratified that although painful, the strikes she had
withstood were not life threatening.  Putting the surreal experience behind
her she focused on the combat at hand.
          Leaping to her feet she spread the cape in front of her, imbuing
it with a portion of her chi.  Her father's last technique had failed her,
hopefully this one would be more successful.  Genma may be an idiot but he
had crafted an amazing slue of chi attacks...and defenses.  A monument that
even greed could inspire moments of genius.
          Ranma felt the shivering in the fabric as the energy spewing from
the rifles struck the cape.  Spinning around she folded the material to
better receive the next barrage.  After several seconds of futile efforts
the creatures seems realize the singular lack of effect the weapons were
having and Ranma-chan's senses detected the weapons being dropped to hang by
their slings, and the unmistakable sound of swords being drawn.
          Removing the now bulging shielding cloak from before her she
smiled sweetly at the ten monstrous creatures running swiftly towards her.
"Well, since you're so anxious to meet me I think you should have a gift.
Well actually it's yours.  I'm just returning it."
          With this last taunt she unfolded the cloak releasing a rain of
energy that lasted for several seconds.  Although most of the advancing
troops were bowled over, few stayed down long, growling with fury and pain
as they scrambled upright again.
          Ranma-chan was just about to jump into the pack to follow up with
a more physical attack when she saw a group of over fifty creatures of the
same type bubbling out one of the entrances to the pyramid.  The gesturing
of the lagging few hinted that this was merely the front guard.
          "Geez..." mumbled a slightly overwhelmed Ranma-chan, while rubbing
the slight bruise caused by the first creature.
          "Fool.  You should have begged for mercy when I first approached.
Now your death will be long and agonizing!" coughed the original creature,
who was just then staggering to it's feet from where it had been thrown
twenty yards away.
          Ranma-chan looked from the horde to the single monster.  "If you
want slow and agonizing I think you better mention it quick.  I think
they're going to try for quick and sure."
          "Just die you useless human!"
          Ranma-chan was breaking into a sprint away from the onrushing
horde when a large explosion behind her completely knocked her off her feet.
Rolling several yards away she came to her feet facing the enemy in a ready
stance.
          Expecting to see some energy wielding fiend of the Saffron ilk she
was completely shocked to see a huge burnt shadow behind her on the
pyramid's stone surface and the creatures that had been following her either
dead or unconscious.  Shaking her head in bewilderment she heard another
series of explosions behind her.
          Spinning around yet again she saw the huge courtyard surrounding
the pyramid in a frenzy of violent activity.  Where before most of the
creatures had been watching her confrontation, laughing and jeering at the
stupid human, now most of them were running quickly out of the plaza.
Apparently trying to avoid a chain of explosions that seemed to be centered
around the group of humans that had been led in fetters up to the base of
the huge structure.
          Most of the non-humans scrambled away, not wishing to get involved
with the dangerous turn of events.  Those that stayed, trying to find
something to confront, were either shot with some sort of high-powered
weapon coming from several sniper sources in the surrounding buildings or
blown up by the steady stream of explosives.  These seemed to appear
randomly about ten feet above the ground before dropping to the ground with
light tinkling sounds then triggering in a fierce, though localized
explosion.
          When a wide clearing had formed around the terrified humans a
glittering portal formed in front of them.  A young blond haired man in
garments more resembling a baseball player than a wizard's dress, a small
lizard perched on his shoulder stepped out arms spread wide, as if to keep
the gate open.  From behind him a dark tressed, well built woman walked,
gesturing to the humans in front of them.  Ranma-chan couldn't make out what
she was saying but it was clear that it convinced the cringing mass of
humanity.  With a loud cry they rushed forward pushing past the mage and the
woman.
          Ranma-chan noticed that she must have been significantly stronger
than she looked, since the throng merely swayed her on her feet rather than
bowling her over.  Within moments the last human had stepped through leaving
the man and the woman limed in the glow from the portal.  The woman's eyes
swept the battlefield one last time before her eyes caught on the very
confused pigtailed martial artist.  Giving Ranma-chan a jaunty wave she
turned to go through the portal.  The mage also glanced in her direction
before giving her a wink and slowly stepping backward through his own gate.
          Ranma-chan came to her senses a few seconds later finding herself
weakly waving goodbye.  Grabbing her arm to stop the silly gesture, she
shook her head.  "What just happened?"
          "That is what you are going to tell us little human," a sibilant
hiss came from behind her.
          "Geez, not another one of you gorillas..." Ranma-chan started to
say while turning around, readying herself for another fight.  Unfortunately
behind her was not a one of the "gorilla" creatures.  There were about two
hundred.  The one that had spoken was different from the troops.  It was a
merely seven feet tall, spindly creature that had a mouth ridiculously full
of large interlocking sharp teeth with two small tusks jutting out from
either side of the chin. There was no nose to speak of and the head was
shaped more like a skull that anything else, topped with a web-like lattice
of something resembling scar tissue.  In one hand it held a staff that
seemed to hold a jar full of liquid on one end.  Ranma-chan blinked a moment
when she realized that inside the jar peacefully floated what seemed to be
an eye.  It didn't really look very impressive all in all, however it is
remarkable what an army can do to bolster one's image.
          "I think we can kill her and have one of the necromancers question
her," offered the leader's companion.  This stalwart fellow was of the same
race as the original attackers he had encountered.  Unfortunately that's
where the resemblance ended.  The thing towered over the martial artist at
ten feet and must have been twice the mass of the first group, all of it
muscle.  He also sported an extra pair of arms and bore a huge club-like
mace which resembled the skeletal creature's staff in that it too bore a
glass jar. Instead of an eye a large worm-like creature could be seen
floating in the liquid.  An energy blade of some sort protruded from the end
of the club, transforming the overall appearance of the weapon into that of
a monstrous flamberge.
          "I don't suppose I can convince you that I have no clue as to what
just happened," Ranma-chan asked hopefully.
          "No," the smaller one confirmed the pig tailed girl's fears.
          "Darn.  Hey...is that a five yen coin behind you?" the red head
craned her neck and pointed.


           Chapter 3

          Ranma-chan leaned against the wall of the alley, panting from the
last few hours of exertion.  "I can't believe how persistent those guys
were," she gasped.  "This is worse than anything the fianc�e squad ever put
me through."
          "Who's persistent, Ranma?" a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
          "Nabiki?" a startled martial artist squeaked while turning around.
She was further surprised to see a transparent image of the Tendo sister
sitting cross-legged in the air in front of her.
          "Hey, I can see you!  Did you just learn that," questioned the
pig-tailed girl, moderately impressed.  It sure beat the telephone.
          "Yes.  It's very draining ...but I haven't been able to contact
you over a week," Nabiki said with a blank expression.  Perhaps a little too
blank.
          "A week?  Darn!  I hope I never have to do that again."  Pausing
she assessed the reaction of her audience.  Nothing.  Nabiki was rarely
without a sardonic grin.  "Were you worried about me?"
          An almost imperceptible wince flickered across the ghostly visage.
"Of course not.  But... I've found out how ... dangerous Atlantis could be."
A grimace of distaste hovered over her features.  "It's hard to believe such
a place exists."
          Ranma-chan paused in thought, a mocking snicker poised on her
lips, before the humor of the situation grew stale.  "Yeah.  Probably
whatever you scried in your magic mirror thingy is just the tip of the
iceberg."  Images of a line of desolate humans being led into the square
before the pyramid flashed before her.
          "Well?  What happened and ...what's that on your forehead?" Nabiki
asked, returning to her original line of questioning.
          Ranma-chan frowned and rubbed her sleeve across her face.  "What
do you expect?  Geez, I just woke up in a cell a few hours ago... you expect
me to clean and well groomed.  I'm lucky to be alive!"
          A smirk had finally made its way onto Nabiki's face, once she had
verified that Ranma was in good health.  "Surely the great Ranma hasn't run
into something he can't handle?  Besides I wasn't talking about a smudge of
dirt.  You should take a look in the mirror when you find the time.
Meanwhile, report!" barked the floating image.
          "Hmph.  Whatever," grumbled a disconcerted martial artist as she
felt around her face with one of her hands.  "I had some trouble leaving
Japan," seeing a questioning look in Nabiki's eyes she just shook her head,
"I don't want to talk about it.  It has to do with really nasty side effects
of some psychic thing a priest pulled.  But it caused me to overextend my
chi reserves."
          Nabiki's eyes widened in surprise.  She was no martial artist, but
except for maybe Herb, Ranma had the best control over her chi she had ever
heard of.
          "I know!  I know!  There were...circumstances.  Anyhow, when I
arrived I think I was unconscious till a few hours ago.  When I escaped I
had a whole bunch of guards after me,"  Ranma-chan paused in thought, "Did
you know most things in this city can see the invisible?  Funny, my most
useful stealth technique is like a big banner saying 'Here is the guy hiding
from you!'  It really sucks."
          Nabiki opened her mouth as if to say something but was overridden
by a venting pig-tailed girl.
          "Well at least that's what happens when I'm in line of sight.  The
chi suppression part still works ...as long as they don't see me they can't
track me.  Let me tell you..." Ranma-chan continued to ramble before Nabiki
finally interrupted him.
          "Ranma!  Shut-up!"  a strange look had come into her eyes and
although her face was calm, a tense quiver had crept into her voice.  "Let
me get this straight.  You were in the clutches of our villain and you
miraculously broke loose.  Right?"
          "Yep," Ranma-chan boasted, buffing her nails on her shirt.  "They
couldn't keep me.  Oh they had a few surprises but the never had a
chance..." her strutting was once more overridden by the controlled voice of
Nabiki.
          "My it's sure lucky you escaped," Ranma-chan nodded happily to
herself.  "After all if you had stayed you might have actually found out who
was behind all this," Nabiki's voice had risen to an unpleasant volume as
her frustration finally became plainly visible.  Ranma-chan had frozen in
mid-buff a look of bewilderment on her face.
          "Heaven forbid you actually go along with the freakin plan and
play along.  No, the great Saotome has to be the big man and prove no one
can keep him..." by this time Ranma-chan had unfrozen and was making
shushing gestures and frantically glancing around.  Her activity was
completely ignored by an enraged Nabiki who continued even more loudly on
her tirade, going on about the stupidity of martial artists in general and
Ranma in specific.  She also went into some detail regarding the sheer money
she had lost while allowing these dimwits to represent her.  She was still
cursing as her image began to fade and thundering footsteps could be heard
approaching the alley's entrance.
          Moments later a group of ten hulking brutes obstructed the opening
as they peered cautiously into the alley, plasma rifles in one hand, the
other resting alertly on the hilts of their blades.
          "I could have sworn the human was here.  It sounded like a human,"
the largest grunted in annoyance.
          "I still say the human is long gone.  She'd be stupid to stay
around and if she's a part of the underground she's long gone by now,"
opinioned the second in the group
          "I don't know we found some humans.  She could still be here."
          "The first one you shot was a male slave.  The second one was a
female pedestrian.  One of the few free humans in the city."
          "Eh.  Well humans kinda look the same.  No real loss.  Free or
slave, no one cares."
          "Well, the free one was no loss, but the slave has an owner that
needs to be reimbursed," contradicted the second.
          "Bah, we were on official business.  If that demon complains about
his property our captain will back us.  If he tries to go higher up he knows
he could be told he's unwelcome in Atlantis," scoffed the first.
          "Well...alright.  No harm done.  No one important was
inconvenienced."  The voices and general grunts of agreement from the other
guards faded into the distance as they walked past.
          Seconds after they left a pig tailed martial artist faded into
view.  A light sheen of sweat covered her face and a disgruntled red head
could barely be heard muttering to herself.
          "Yeah, well this is one human you're going to recognize one day
when I feed you your liver.  If there weren't a thousand of you goons right
behind you it could have been today."  Shoulders slumped she stared at the
ground.  "I can't believe I forgot the plan.  Of course I was unconscious
for a week, but still..."  Leaning against the wall again she slowly slid to
the ground, ignoring the unidentified residues clinging to the wall.
          "Still not too late to find out who owned that place.  I'll just
have to find another way into the...well whoever owns the place... good
graces."


          Ranma growled in frustration as he walked down one of the lesser
roads that ran through the heart of Splynn.  Although smaller than the main
thoroughfare it was none the less seventy feet wide.  This seemed large at
first until Ranma found himself needing to move quickly in order to get out
of the way of some of the huge land barges that moved implacably to and from
the center of trade.  The vehicles he shrugged off.  They were large, but
he'd seen huge transports at home, even stowed away on many when his father
was feeling too lazy to justify walking as training.  The air barges were
slightly more disconcerting.  Most of these were too high up to really make
a visual impact.  It was when they slowly descended to the top of nearby
buildings and the humming of whatever otherworldly engines they used filled
the air, making the bones of your skull vibrate in sympathy that the scale
of the city truly became apparent.  The other disconcerting fact was the
huge slugs, lizards, and snail like creatures the also made their way
through the streets.  It would be amusing except that forty foot long snails
no longer seemed humorous when they towered over you.  Then of course there
were those obnoxious aliens.
          "Hey! Scum!  Out of way of Gornex the Devourer," a deep growling
voice bellowed from in front of the martial artist, quickly followed by a
paw the size of a serving plate.  Ranma absently ducked the few inches
required for the somewhat sloppy roundhouse the fly over his head.  In his
male form the authorities weren't actively chasing him but humans seemed to
be fair game for everyone and his brother to torment.  The slaves he saw on
the street were relatively safe since destroying someone's property carried
a heavy fine, however a free human needed to prove himself frequently if he
chose to brave the streets.
          "I'll give you one warning to get out of my way," Ranma stated
hiding his impatience.  This was the fifth time this afternoon he had to
defend his rights and it had changed from exciting to monotonous very
quickly.  Initially he had tried to avoid attention by giving ground, but
that not only chafed his pride but proved ineffective as it seemed to
encourage the annoying pedestrians.
          "Looks like human needs to learn place," the eleven foot shaggy
creature loomed over him in a threatening manner.
          "Looks like teddy bear needs to learn grammar," Ranma mocked in a
deliberately broken manner while bringing the staff he had started to carry
around with him to bear.  It never ceased to amaze him how stupid many of
these creatures sounded even when the translation affect assured him they
were speaking their own tongue.
          Roaring in outrage the quivering mound of fur and muscles lunged
at the smaller human only to search around in a bewildered fashion when the
human disappeared from view.
          "Where human go?"  The confused creature grumbled to itself as it
peered through the slowly milling crowds, many of whom had stopped to view
the altercation.  Never a shortage to see a human dead or mangled in this
city.
          "Human here behind you, dimwit," Ranma sneered.  Infusing the
staff with chi he tapped the creature on the arm, spinning it around as if
struck by some huge force.  Once he was facing Ranma another deceptive tap
from the staff to the chin caused the creature to shoot like a rocket into
the sky.  The pigtailed martial artist shaded his eyes while looking up into
the sky, chortling softly to himself.
          "Geez, I never get tired of that trick.  Now I know why Happosai
kept doing that.  Takes the pest out of your hair...and is so darn fun to
watch!"  Looking around he found himself the center of some obviously
unfavorable attention.  Lazily spinning the staff he gave a fake growl and
glared at the crowd.  "Anybody else have a problem with the little human?"
          As most started to drift off he nodded to himself.  Most of these
weren't the powerhouses of the city.  The creatures with the power and spine
to deal with someone like Ranma had better things to do than waste time with
a uppity human.  The city enforcers didn't care unless they witnessed him
breaking the law.  It also helped that any non-human that complained about
being harassed by a human would lose any respect he could possibly have.  In
a way it almost made up for being the target for anything with a bug up its
ass.
          "Verry entertaining," a high pitched humm broke into his thoughts.
A creature that looked like a refugee from The Fly was next to buzzing...or
rather communicating to him.
          "I have my moments," Ranma stated tersely, on guard for the snub
that seemed inherent in every conversation he had yet to have since he woke
up in the city.
          "You have impressive powers for a tattoo warrior.  Have you given
thought to the Arena?  You could make some very impressive money."
          "Well no ...I have other things to do in the city.  I hadn't
planned on any...Arena...activity."  Ranma cautiously stated.  Ever since he
had weathered Nabiki's tirade he had been walking the streets in his less
wanted male form.  He had really screwed things up when he had initiated his
'escape'.  Sure he hadn't been in his right mind at the time, but he'd
really fouled up any plans he might have made.  It would take some heavy
improvising to get back on the proper trail.
          "Tattoo warrior?  Nah...I just have some martial arts tricks,"
Ranma brushed off the bug's assumption.  Probably the only humans that had
any power around here were the ones that wore tattoos like the Shogunates
ninja's.  Tattoos...
          "Hey...do you know much about tattoos?  The magical kind, not the
artsy stuff," the martial artist inquired hopefully.  The creature he was
talking to was the only thing that seemed willing to do more that spit in
his direction since he'd arrived.  It seemed a shame to waste its apparent
generosity.
          "Ah...you wish to have more.  Understandable, but difficult.
Humans only get tattoos if they are the personal servants of the Highlords.
>From your demeanor I must assume you are no one's servant and cannot
therefore receive any more such gifts of power.  Only Splynncryth's personal
Highlords have the authority to authorize this for a free human."
          "Shoot.  Oh well, I'll find another..." Ranma paused as the
meaning of the being's words struck him.  "Only Spynncryth's personal
Highlord's you say?  How many of them are they?"
          "Only a handful.  Five, I think, though I am not an expert on such
things.  They never give out new tattoos to any human that does not belong
to them."
          "Never?  I could use new...tattoos.  Yeah, the er...stuff I have
now is getting old.  Same thing over and over.  Sure would be good to get
some new," Ranma's brow wrinkled in concentration as he thought of words to
say to show he was into the tattoo scene, "...ink done."
          "Too bad.  The only exception would be a personal favor.  If one
was your patron they may make an exception but...that's hard to imagine.
You just don't seem the servant type.  Although..." the creature grew
silent, lost in thought.  "I suppose if you won in the Arena and dedicated
your win to one of the Highlord's...well even they appreciate that kind of
flattery and recognition.  Though relying on a Highlord's goodwill is
somewhat of an oxymoron."  A slight chittering seemed to mark an alien
laugh.
          "Do you know the names of these Highlord's?" Ranma requested
hopefully.
          "Hmm.  Yes.  They are..." The insectile creature then broke into a
fit of chittering, coughing and grunts.  The martial artist looked on
wide-eyed afraid that the only source of information he had found in the
city was about to expire in front of him.
          "Are you okay?  Should I get you a doctor?" he shouted, poised to
run in any direction if necessary.
          "Eh?  Of course I am.  Why do you ask," the creature asked, fully
recovered from the fit.
          "The coughing and choking.  I thought..." Ranma's voice faded away
in puzzlement.
          "Ah...that.  That was simply the names of the Highlord's.  I
suppose they wouldn't make sense to most humans.  Most probably can't even
pronounce them.  Well.  Let's see.  How about I write up the names and
titles of the Highlords in question.  I have a magic around here somewhere
that should give me literacy in your tongue somewhere around here."  After a
slight ruffling of robes and a small flash of magic the creature handed
Ranma a list that seemed to phonetically spell out the name of the persons
in question.
          "I, well, thanks.  You've been really helpful.  If you need
anything just..." Ranma rambled on somewhat bewildered by an act of kindness
in what was otherwise a city of nightmares.
          "Well I'm not just doing this for you.  I can see you are on a
course which may lead me to many profits.  If it does turn out that you
decide to go to the Arena contact me and I will be overjoyed to act as your
agent.  Simply ask for Syushra of the Bloody Grubs Plaza.  Here I'll write
the address down for you."
          "Thanks...I guess."
          "Good luck on your mission.  Remember me if you change your mind.
I think you could be very popular."  With those words the creature skittered
away on multi-jointed legs.
          Meanwhile Ranma was once more lost in thought.  He now had a
starting place.  Apparently only five of these Highlords had permission to
give out these tattoo things.  All he had to do was find out which of them
owned that prison he had escaped from and ...well there was more to it than
that, but it would be a good start.


          A dark haired attractive woman stood in a large room.  Spread out
in a semi-circle around her were twenty people armed and armored in various
styles from the medieval to armor that appeared to be straight out of the
twenty fifth century.  Almost half were glowing in various shades and
colors.  The woman herself wore the strangest clothing in the group
seemingly nothing more than several green leaves wrapped around her along
with several weapon harnesses consisting of a sword and two oversized guns.
          "Alright people, make sure your protective enchantments and force
fields are up.  This raid is close enough to the last one that we hope they
won't be expecting it."  The woman's strong voice easily cut through the
soft murmurs that the crowd had been exchanging, bringing the group's
attention to center around the raven haired warrior.
          "Skippy, open the gate," she quietly requested of the young blond
teen that stood near her, leaning nonchalantly against the wall feeding
dried tidbits to a odd lizard that perched on his shoulder.  Occasionally
the small dinosaur would take a small playful nip at the baseball cap the
boy wore.  "Remember on the other side you're just the backup and the escape
portal.  I don't want your usual silly heroics.  Your place is getting us
out again and getting anything that gets past our defenses."
          "Have no fear, our brave White Raven.  Your flock is as good as
there.  My batteries are juiced up and I'm ready to kick some Splugorthian
Minion butt."  The young man gave a confident grin to his audience, some of
whom gave an appreciative snicker, most of which simply waited patiently for
him to finish his posturing.  Shrugging he waved his hands in a complex
gesture and began chanting.  As a shimmering circle of light formed on the
wall he was next to, he paused to address the group behind him.
          "The doorway to adventure awaits...also death, violence and other
stuff, but..."
          "Enough Skippy!  Joke later, we have a job to do.  Move out!"  The
woman fingered her weapons, checking one last time that the harness didn't
snag any of her weapons.  It was a dangerous world out there and a woman
needed the proper tools for the job of changing the world.


          Ranma was shaking in a mixture of horror and rage.  Never had he
been as angry and horrified as he presently was.  If he had the power he
would have happily allowed the ocean to reclaim this cursed place.  It had
started innocently enough, he had asked one of the creatures on the road for
directions for a place to eat.  While the question had seemed harmless, the
shambling thing he had asked had coughed out a laugh and directed him to an
open air tent several blocks away.
          When he had arrived he had only noted a huge giant standing in
front of an enormous scarred wooden block, butcher knife in hand and in a
good natured conversation with one of the more obscure demons Ranma had
studied.  Nodding in final agreement the giant had reached behind him and
swung some sort of wriggling figure from some sort of scaffolding or rack
and brought the butcher knife to bear.
          "A good selection of meat.  As tender a piece as you'll ever find.
I've been saving it fir my own meal but...the price is right and this bit is
yours," with these words a muffled shrieking had begun.  The shrieking had
risen in pitch and volume as the knife sliced efficiently upward,
eviscerating the bound figure.  The giant paused a moment, blood covering
his hands, "I could tell you that they don't feel anything...but we both
know that the screaming is half the reason you're here, eh?"  With a toothy
grin the knife flashed in a elaborate pattern and the screaming which had
reached a high point was abruptly cut off.  "Damn.  That was too quick.
I'll give you a discount on the next one."
          Ranma had stared blankly at the tableau, finally realizing just
what he had seen.  The figure on the table which had moments ago been a
captive female was now nothing more than a bloody piece of flesh.  The
flashing knife signaled the continuing butchering of the hapless victim.
          For a moment absolute emptiness filled Ranma, quickly followed by
a boiling rage that seemed to hold no limit.  It filled his mind, reducing
his thoughts to a single focus.  Something was going to die.  It might
eventually be him but before the he had drawn another breath the monster
holding that knife was going to die.  Thoroughly.
          He was about to proceed on a path of destruction that would have
ensured the death of most creatures in the area, most likely eventually
leading to his own end, when a brilliant light enveloped the area.  Pausing
to evaluate this new threat he witnessed a glowing blue oval wink into
existence behind the butcher block in front of the scaffolding and tent.  A
moment later humans limned in glowing auras poured out of the light shooting
a variety of weapons at the non-humans in the plaza.
          Instant mayhem ensued as the butcher attempted to bring his knife
around to defend himself from the unexpected onslaught.  He stood for
seconds before the massed fire overcame what durability the creature might
have possessed and limbs began to char and burn under the massed fire.
          "Anyone who wishes to survive the day should step back and don't
be a hero.  The Liberation Front is here to free the slaves.  Don't get in
the way and you won't die." The voice of familiar black haired woman easily
reached the edges of the plaza as the woman herself stepped to the front of
the crowd.  A quick look at the huge wooden block assured her that the she
had been too late to free one of her targets.  Her expression of regret was
quickly replaced by determination.  "Fan out.  Remember the plan, group A
inside the tent, Group B get the people on the rack,  C and B set up the
defenses."
          The crowd of non-humans appeared as if they might contest the
woman's claim, shuffling and fingering the various lethal instruments most
carried on their persons.  This hostility was quickly redirected as the ten
soldiers behind the woman pointed their own oversized rifles and shoulder
launchers at the crowd in unison.  After several seconds of complete silence
the shapes in the crowd slowly backed away.  The evil glares sent their way
before they exited the plaza left no doubt that they would remember this
humiliation the next time they met a human that possessed less firepower
          "Since you don't seem to be using that one, would you mind if I
brought that one home?  It seems a shame to let a perfectly good bit of meat
go to waste," the demon that had originally conversed with the butcher
genially inquired.
          White Raven stood shock for a moment before answering with anger
clearly evident in her voice.  "You are either an incredibly overconfident
fool or ...never mind.  I have no time to waste on you.  Back away
immediately or I'll have my people cut you down."
          "You humans are such a prickly lot.  If you didn't make such
delicious meals and adequate slaves Lord Splynncryth would have expunged you
from the continent long ago," the demon hissed while slowly backing away
from the counter.
          "Hmm.  I changed my mind.  Team B fire on my order..." her command
trailed off as she saw the demon turn tail and lumber off around a nearby
building.  Her satisfaction was short lived as a low humming was heard in
the distance.
          "Damn.  I thought for sure we'd have more time," the woman
muttered to herself a frown of concentration marring her youthful features.
"Team C and D prepare to receive at least three assault carriers...or the
D-Squad if the gods are in one of their moods.  The authorities are more on
the ball than we expected today."  She paused briefly in thought, making
decisions.  "Break out the big guns.  It looks like we'll need them to get
out of here.  Skippy, shield them while they set up.  Then prepare our
exit."
          Ranma was resisting the urge to cheer.  It was a huge relief to
find that even in this morass of pain and suffering there were humans...and
not so human creatures that were fighting to make this hell hole a better
place.  It was difficult not to go over and help.  Only the thought of what
Nabiki would do to him if he compromised his only other identity a few hours
after screwing up his female identity kept him silent.  The butcher was dead
and with its life had gone the unreasoning rage that had embraced him.  They
didn't seem to need his help anyway.
          The dark haired girl had given him a brief questioning look when
she had first arrived, but he'd simply returned it with a cautious nod.
Since then she had apparently dismissed him as relatively harmless and was
presently directing the activity in and around the scaffolding and tent.  He
could feel that he had not been forgotten and any movement on his part would
bring her full attention back to him.  Turning his senses onto the group
hurrying around before him on prearranged tasks he attempted to get a feel
for what kind of people formed the resistance in this city of evil.
          The dark haired woman was a trained fighter, not up to a real
martial artist's standards, but from the way she moved and the limited
control of her chi he sensed that in a straight fight she might be on par
with Akane.  The tingling that he felt when his senses examined her told him
that there was far more to her than a mere human's aura.  What it was he
didn't know enough about magic to identify.  Her general aura was far
stronger than a humans should be, but unfocused enough to show that she not
only wasn't what he would consider a dedicated martial artist but probably
not a mage, despite the magic energy he sensed as part of her.
          The young man was so obviously a mage that it elicited an
involuntary growl from Ranma.  So far all the mages he had met had been
insane or evil.  He wasn't sure what category Nabiki would fit in when her
training was done but considering her present morals he feared it would be
irritating to find out.  The male's aura had the strong tingle of
enchantment like the girl, but the focused aura demonstrated him to be a
magician.  Of course the fact that he had waved his hands and formed a large
shimmering blue dome surrounding the tent and adjacent area also helped make
clear exactly what he was.
          The others in the group seemed to be mostly humans with a
smattering of magic, but the majority seemed to rely on the armor and
weapons they bore.  Ranma frowned at this.  Most of the technology he had
been witness to had not filled him with much respect for advanced science.
Sure the giant robots had him on the ropes for a short time in the Imperial
Palace, but he didn't see anything among the freedom fighters more
substantial than body armor and rifles.
          Ranma quickly corrected this observation as the woman gave a
command and several large containers the group had carried in unfolded to
reveal some sort of rack with multiple tubes jutting at a forty five degree
angle into the air.
          Another flash of light showed that the wizard with the silly
baseball cap had opened up another portal while the group that had gone into
the tent was leading a impressive line of humans of all ages, as well as a
few non-humans of varying races out and towards the light of freedom.  Up in
the scaffolding the people were using a mixture of skill, brute force and
specialized climbing tools to make their way through the metal maze and
extract the people that had been crudely tied to the framework.
          Ranma just shook his head.  He couldn't believe he had been so
wrapped up in his own concerns that he had been completely oblivious to the
monument to human suffering towering behind the wooden block.  A pang of
regret shot through him as he thought about the poor woman.  If he had been
paying more attention he might have realized what was happening in front of
him.  From that moment on he resolved to try to treat every moment in this
city as a combat situation.
          Of course even as he thought this a voice in the back of his head
told him it was impossible to be that alert.  His danger sense was finely
honed, but it would only alert him to hazards that affected him directly.
He had often been surprised by non-lethal attacks, whether from an over
enthusiastic Amazon or an inconvenient banana skin.  Attempting to focus on
his surrounding to the exclusion of everything else might keep him on his
toes but it would also quickly mentally fatigue him, prevent him from
thinking of strategies and most likely eventually blunt his reactions in
battle.  At best he might succeed in a compromise.  It was certainly true
that he had been doing some monumentally stupid things since he taken the
place of the ninja candidate.
          A high pitched humming sound drew his attention away from the
activity in the plaza.  Looking around he noted the sound was coming from
the air.  Stretching his senses he found that there where hundreds of
independent, powerful entities approaching from the air.  Turning back
towards the woman he was about to shout a warning, but noticed she was
already giving orders to those left under the dome.
          Less than a minute later the first creature flew into view over
the surrounding buildings.  It was almost identical to the creatures Ranma
had seen on the pyramid.  Since he had the luxury of wandering the city for
the last day he now knew they were known as Powerlords, a pretentious title
for the more common members of Atlantis' army.  This one rode a machine
similar in function to the sky cycle he had used in Japan with a more
segmented shell that was obviously armor of some sort.  Metal appendages
pointed outward, giving it a shape akin to a star.  On one of the jutting
points, aligned to one side asymmetrically was a huge eye which glowed as it
powered the device.
          As it approached the field that enclosed the freedom fighters two
forward pointing prongs emitted bursts of energy which seemed to splash
against the dome's surface to no effect.  Undeterred by this it began
circling several hundred feet above the ground laying down a constant
barrage of light across the shield.  Within moments of the first shot dozens
more of flyers on similar vehicles flew into the clearing and joined the
assault.
          The attackers swarmed in evasive patterns, bombarding the dome it
began to pulse and flicker at various places.  Ranma's senses informed him
the energy within the barrier was weakening.  Frowning in concern he noted
that all of the freed slaves had moved through the portal as well as the two
groups designated as their escorts.  The two remaining groups were tense as
they waited stationed around the individual missile launchers.
          Ranma slowly backed away to the cover of a nearby building.  He
felt somewhat torn, wanting to help when the barrier finally inevitably
failed, but not wanting to sacrifice his male identity or engage in another
tiring, pointless chase through the city unless absolutely necessary.  These
newcomers looked far more prepared that those he had battled at the pyramid.
There also seemed to be a large number of them.  Over a hundred now swarmed
in the air and more arrived every minute.
          Suddenly the glowing barrier dissipated apparently leaving the
defenders helpless.  Before the monstrous air force could fire at the ground
based fighters, the missile racks simultaneously launched a huge volley at
the targets flying above them.  Despite the evasion patterns they had been
flying in, the sheer numbers of the attackers kept them from keeping out of
the way of the initial salvo.  Some of the Powerlords were overly
enthusiastic in their attempts to get out of the way and ended up crashing
into their comrades.  These incidents did no more than knock the flyers into
an uncontrolled spin for several hundred feet, however it did sow
considerable confusion.  The missiles themselves each exploded into huge
masses of plasma that usually engulfed three or more flyers in their blast
radius continued this trend, sending the majority careening out of control.
          Few except the truly unfortunate were destroyed but for a moment
the sky was almost completely clear.  The defenders took advantage of this
to make a break towards the gate at a prearranged signal from the raven
haired woman.  She herself stayed slightly behind the others, firing at the
few remaining who were remained a threat.  A loud roar of approaching jets
caused her brow to crease in concern as she hurried towards the portal to
follow her troops to safety.
          White Raven's run towards the gateway was temporarily halted by
fire from above.  This forced her to dive out of the way as some of the
flyers that had recovered laid down a steady stream of fire.  Although she
escaped the assault the sound of thrusters followed by a thump in the
direction of the portal told her things had just gotten much worse.
          Ranma cursed under his breath as he saw from his perspective the
woman hurl herself out of the way of the strafing attacks.  His cursing
became much louder as he saw eight huge metal gargoyles streak down from the
sky, turning at the last second to halt their descend with a powerful burst
of some kind of jet that projected from their back.  Ranma almost mistook
them for Balrogs in armor.  The batlike wings and hulking figure certainly
looked familiar, however his senses told him it was merely more Splugorth
minions.   Admittedly they were minions in impressive power armor, but
nothing demonic.
          This was somewhat less than reassuring as he saw that the eight
armored figures were gathered around the woman and the fleet which had been
scattered a moment ago was now starting to re-gather itself in the air above
once more.  The one fortunate part of the situation was that they weren't
firing anymore, seemingly content to let the armored fellows on the ground
deal with the one remaining invader.
          The woman herself seemed startled by the turn of events but did
not hesitate in the slightest.  Dropping her rifle to the ground she drew
the two swords crossed at her back and leaped to attack the armored suit
closest to her.  The attack was swift and well executed, easily overwhelming
the relatively slow defenses of the larger foe to deliver a strike that
completely removed the head of the armor.
          This was gratifying to see until Ranma realized that the mechanism
was still moving.  The lack of blood or weakening in the creature aura told
him that the controller was safe inside the main body of the armor.
Suddenly slower and less sure of itself it still moved to bring its wings
into play, sweeping them through the space that had been occupied by the
woman and leaving a trough a foot deep in the ground.
          Although she had gotten in the first blow White Raven found it
nearly impossible to land a second.  Despite the size, the powered armor
moved swiftly and with eight foes she had all she could do to avoid the
wings, the plasma sword and axe that seemed to be standard issue for each
mechanism.
          From where he stood Ranma nodded to himself.  He couldn't stand
and do nothing yet he couldn't rush in himself.  Cologne had a trick that he
had been working to modify to other situations.  Like many of the matriarchs
technique it looked much more impressive than it was.  Still, considering
all he needed to do was give the woman time to make it to the portal before
whoever was on the other side decided it was too dangerous to leave it open
with an army on the other side.  Entering a light meditative state he
focussed his chi on the earth and rocks under the plaza.
          White Raven was getting desperate.  The constant evasion left no
time to counterattack and the group continued to maneuver between her and
the portal.  The gateway itself should have already been closed.  Skippy had
specific orders to close the gate if a member of the team was trapped on the
other side.  If she lived through this she'd give him a kiss and then kick
his sorry ass for endangering the underground.
          The odd thing that stuck in her mind during those hectic moments
of dodging and parrying for her life was the black haired human who stood
partially obscured behind the buildings over a hundred feet away.  She had
noticed him and the rage that was evident on his face when she had entered
the plaza during the initial strike.  As the operation progressed she saw
that the rage had left and she had the distinct feeling that he approved of
what was happening.  This was not surprising, although obviously not a
slave, he lacked the hard bitten look that most minions possessed.
Considering the tattoos he wore he might have even been a freed slave or a
hired bodyguard.  Unless you worked for the Atlantian system a human
couldn't help but approve of an attack on it.  Now the youth looked on with
a slightly detached expression and she couldn't help but feel that there was
an energy gathering in the area around him.  It wasn't magic but it caused
sympathetic tingles to tease her skin.   She hoped he wouldn't get himself
killed doing something stupid.  With several hundred minions of Splynncryth
buzzing around the air like an angry swarm any overt action would be an act
of suicide.
          Despite her awareness of an odd energy she was still completely
surprised when the ground behind one of the armored figures deformed like a
bubbling cauldron and a huge stone hand reached up from the disturbance and
grasped the closest fighter.  Once the hand closed on its victim it
instantly shot up into the air forming a pillar as its base fifty feet high.
There was a moment of silence as the comrades of the trapped creature gaped
at the column that now held a trapped and struggling metal gargoyle.  Then
the frozen tableau moved as the flying Powerlords began to fire at the stone
prison, blasting large chunks of now immobile stone from the prison.
          The woman was as surprised as her foes but was able to overcome
her shock soon enough to run halfway to the portal before she once more had
to avoid the renewed attacks of the armor clad minions.  When another stone
fist emerged from the ground to sweep two of her tormentors away like a
battering ram or an angry child with a toy, she was prepared to leap over
the two remaining minions that stood between her and the portal.
          Unfortunately, this left her open to the other four behind her who
took advantage of this reckless move to attack her from behind with their
various weapons in an almost coordinated strike.  Thrown through the air she
landed within ten feet of the glowing portal but found herself too stunned
to do more than inch her way to freedom.
          Groaning in frustration White Raven struggled to her feet hearing
the heavy steps of the armored minion closing in around her.  Through the
thick light of the gate she saw a worried Skippy, arms held out to brace the
gateway, mouthing silent encouragement.
          Ranma looked on in frustration.  The modified Shark Fist had
proved to be a useful tool of distraction.  Although it did little real
damage, the Stone Fist looked large and terrifying if you didn't know it
lacked mobility for more than sweeps and lunges.  However despite the woman
being within feet of the gate it was obvious she was too stunned to do more
than stagger to her feet.  The last series of blows the enemy had delivered
to her back had looked devastating.  The leaf armor that she wore had been
almost instantly shredded leaving the warrior to absorb the blows of the
swords and axes on her own merits.  Ranma was frankly amazed she was still
in one piece.  Obviously she was more than human, as he had surmised when he
had examined her aura.  In fact she would probably be almost unhurt ...if
she survived the next few seconds.
          Her very durability gave him an idea.  A normal human wouldn't
survive, but she appeared almost tough as himself.  Without further thought
he reached forth his chi once more into the ground.
          White Raven looked around drunkenly, trying to force herself to
either defend herself or dash towards the portal that was so close.  The
minions appeared to be rushing at her, their intent obviously to knock her
away from only escape within reach.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw
the human male was staring at her with a grimace of concentration and a
light layer of perspiration shown on his brow.  Abruptly odd roiling
sensation at her feet drew her attention to the ground under her.  Looking
down she felt a huge force erupt beneath her as if the very earth had rushed
up to meet her.
          Observing the scene from around the building Ranma looked on with
a mixture of satisfaction and worry as a stone fist formed beneath the woman
and catapulted her through the gate.  He had tried to be gentle, but there
is a limit to how softly you can manipulate several tons of stone.
          The gateway dissolved into a sparkle of random energy as he
pondered the situation.  Glancing at the plaza that was deserted except for
several hundred flying Powerlords, seven milling armored minions and three
scattered columns of stone that varied in length from ten feet to fifty feet
in length he shook his head.  Nerima may have been hectic but he was
beginning to appreciate its rustic charm.
          Wrapping himself in the Dimensional Cloak he glided away from the
scene of the battle back towards the pyramid.  With any luck the remnants of
the dimensional energies from the gate would prevent detection of his use of
the technique and he could get on with his mission.  He was getting more
eager to get back home all the time.  He never thought he would look forward
to the madness of home or long for the peace of the fianc�e brigade but...
it was time to get on with things.



Chapter 4

          Leviathan lounged in her apartment on the huge cushioned that she
preferred to rest on.  Absently she reached over to an ornate golden hued
bowl and grabbed a dozen peeled oranges.  Mulling over her plans and letting
her rage simmer in the back of her mind she ate the fruits as lesser mortals
might eat berries or grapes.
          Now that she was in Atlantis she could continue her plans.  It was
a bitter irony that she was so limited in her own realm.  Since her captive
had escaped she had been the butt of the jokes among the other deevil lords.
Oh, not to her face, but their insincere condolences at her humiliation
combined with the restrictions of no overt retaliations only thinly veiled
the enjoyment they hid at her fall.
          Mephisto should have shared her shame but the ancient deevil lord
seemed not to care.  So engrossed was he in his own plots to grab on to the
reins of power in their dimension that after an initial temper tantrum he
had subsided into a pouting silence.  To tell the truth she was almost glad
that the deevil lord had decided to stay out of the plans she was making for
her retribution.  Mephisto had was been lauded as the most subtle and
dangerous of the Lords, but over the last several centuries something had
changed within the deevil lord.
          Almost all deevil lords were power crazed megalomaniacs, but they
were successful power crazed megalomaniacs.  This meant that they worked
together against outsiders and kept their backstabbing to quick efficient
moves that succeeded or failed before their enemies noticed.  Above all they
kept up the fa�ade that they were one large happily dysfunctional family.
Lately Mephisto hid his plans less and less.  He would even engage in
ranting against the Lord of their plane where others might hear.  She had
the sneaking suspicion that his ambitions and most his plans were known and
mocked at by the other lords.  In other words Mephisto was no longer the
master of deception he once was and it might be time to disassociate herself
from him.  He was so wrapped up in his own little world he might not even
notice.
          A loud screeching wail arose from the entrance, bringing a small
smile the giantess's face.  It wasn't quite the souls in torment that
regularly chimed the time away in her own domain but it was a small taste of
home.   A discrete flapping of wings told her that her servitor dire harpies
had answered the summons and a moment later she landed by the deevil lord's
side.
          "The Sunaj you summoned is at the door mistress.  Shall I lead him
in?" the harpy screeched in a disharmonious rattle only another harpy could
admire.
          "Yes.  No...wait.  He and his ilk have kept me waiting over a
week.  I need his services so I can't kill him... make him wait outside for
a half-hour.  And bring me some peeled melons to go with these oranges.
Some lemons too."
          Leviathan whiled away the time savoring the contrasting fruits and
thinking of various plans of carnage.  When a subdued screech announced the
presence of company she was in a fine mood to do business in.
          "Hail Lady Leviathan.  I am honored that you wish to retain the
services of my clan," a male voice, sounding partly synthesized came from
the figure kneeling before her.  The male was clad in armor whose helmet was
formed to resemble that of an insect, a cockroach.
          "You have kept me waiting for some time.  Do you treat all your
prospective clients this way?" the deevil lady asked in a dangerously quiet
voice.
          "Of course not, some of our clients must wait for months.  Our
services are frequently in demand.  Lord Splynncryth is our favored patron,
and since we are in his country his wishes take precedence over all others,"
Leviathan's brow wrinkled in dismay at the blatant reminder of who their
main employer was.  Of course she might have slain the mortal worm out of
hand if he hadn't brought it to the forefront of her mind, so perhaps he was
wise in ways of dealing with her kind.  It was just as well really, it would
have delayed her plans further if she had to look for helpers elsewhere.
          "Yes.  Convenient.  Since you are finally here I'll get to the
point.  I need an assassin.  Probably even a legion of assassins," she
paused in thought before continuing.  "I don't suppose you would take on
Rhada as a target?"
          The kneeling man broke into a spontaneous fit of coughing, before
speaking in a strained voice.  "I'm afraid that would not be... possible.
Entities of her stature... and yours as well enjoy a certain position of
power in the Universe.  It would be folly to try to eliminate one such as
you...your fellow lords would simply reincarnate your essence into a new
body and your whole ... pantheon... would hunt down the perpetrator."
          "Rhada no longer enjoys the protection of our pantheon.  She has
betrayed us.  There is a possibility that she would stay dead.  She also
does not have access to her normal resources and forces."  Leviathan's voice
trailed away into silence as she waited for a response.
          "I am somewhat aware of the politics behind this situation."  The
man slowly stated, carefully choosing his words.  "Rhada is under the
protection of Abdul-Ra.  He has the resources Rhada presently lacks, and
seems willing to exercise them.  Vigorously."  A slow, measured breath
followed, "There is also the issue that both Abdul-Ra and Rhada presently
enjoy a certain protected status, as declared by Lord Splynncryth.  Our clan
cannot act against our patron's favored guest.  He would be very
displeased."
          "Well..." Leviathan sighed, "I suppose it was a bit much to hope
for.  Probably would have been too obvious anyway," she muttered absently to
herself.
          "Is there anything we can do to serve you?" the armored man asked
anxiously, Leviathan would be unwise to vent her frustration on his person,
but entities of her type weren't known for possessing many of the virtues
lesser being developed as survival traits.
          "Hmmm.  Yes.  I think there is.  A mortal human has grievously
offended me.  I would like him eliminated, preferably with as painful and
messy a process as possible."
          "Mortals are much simpler to deal with.  Consider our clan at your
 service for this purpose."  The man smiled under his mask.  This was much
safer territory.  Humans were easy prey.  He would be able to expand the
influence of his clan with the Deevil Lords for almost no effort.


          Ryouga wandered around in a thorough state of depression.  He was
unsure where he was and fortunately hadn't seen the rune statue since his
accidental release of the magical energies had flung him through a portal.
Despite his emotions the peripheral of his consciousness registered
odd-looking creatures and monsters walking down the wide road next to him.
Most of them glared warily at the human with a dark green corona oscillating
around, the others simply ignored him.
          As the strange parade slowly trickled into his consciousness he
sighed sadly to himself.  It was Halloween already and he was still
searching for Ranma.  Would he ever satisfy this inner longing and rage and
make his way back to his one true love.  Akane...no not her...Akari.  He had
given up on Akane, hadn't he?  How long would he wander this city.  With his
luck it would probably be New York.  That would explain the powerful auras
he sensed surrounding him.
          There was so much to think about.  The man who had claimed to be
his great grandfather, the rune statue, and of course how to defeat and
humiliate Ranma.  Still lost in his thoughts he absentmindedly batted one of
the trick or treaters out of his way with his umbrella.  He had heard that
New Yorkers were rude but these people were almost hostile.  More
importantly they were slow to move out of the way.
          A humming sound accompanied with a slight stinging sensation on
the back of his head and a flash brought his thoughts to an abrupt halt.
Looking around he found the last idiot he had booted out of the way had
drawn a gun.  A grimace of distaste crossed Ryouga's features as he faced
the wielder.  Martial artist's in general held firearms in very poor esteem.
For the less skilled they could be deadly, for those on the level of Ryouga
and his rival they were crutches for the incompetent.  Toys that should be
taken away.  He growled at the thought that if he hadn't undergone training
from the old goul that he would probably be dead by now.  These New Yorkers
were beyond rude, they were barbarians.  With his standard battlecry he
leaped towards his attacker.
          "Die Ranma!"  Ryouga paused as his instinctive shout registered.
"I mean...I will punish you in the name of...of...the Hibiki Clan!"
          Frowning at his faux pas Ryouga shattered the weapon and battered
the costumed freak around the head and shoulders.  His blows gradually
increasing in strength as he established the endurance of his foe.  As his
final strike propelled the costumed alien over the buildings he began
muttering to himself.
          "Well the people in this town may be cowards and freaks, but they
all seem to be pretty durable," shaking his head at the thought of a whole
town that had undergone endurance training, be continued walking.  "I really
need to get a new battlecry.  It is so embarrassing to call out the name of
another rival during battle.  Unprofessional.  What I need is something
generic.  Spoon?  No.  Sounds cool but it just doesn't make sense."
          Ryouga continued down the wide avenue, never noticing the way the
path seemed to clear ahead of him.
          "In the name of the Moon?  Now that's just plain silly..."



          Ranma stood in the huge plaza before the pyramid.  The carnage
that had been wrought a few hours before was still evident.  Several large
holes decorated the surface of the stones around the base, although only
small chips were missing from the great monument itself.  Ranma snorted, the
battles in Nerima devastated whole blocks, obviously this didn't count as
more than a skirmish.  Looking around the promenade he spotted a likely
temporary stall and walked over.
          The vendor was some sort of furred humanoid, he couldn't quite
tell what race it was since most of the upper part was hidden in the large
wardrobe it was rummaging through.  Ranma gave a small cough to draw
attention to the fact that he wasn't alone.  Several moments later he
coughed again since the merchant's attention hadn't wavered a moment from
the contents he was searching.
          "Ahem..."
          "Listen you human smuck, if you get phlegm over my merchandise
I'll get reimbursed from your hide," a low-pitched growl emanated from the
cabinet.
          Ranma shook his head.  This town seemed only to be impressed with
flash and raw power.  That was okay, all of his weaker techniques were
ridiculously showy.  It was his more powerful abilities that had more
content than display.  With a moments concentration Ranma lit up like a
bonfire.  The small amount of litter and dust scattered at his feet began to
slowly lift up as if released from the constraints of gravity.  Chairs
strategically laid out in front of the stall began to scrape back along the
floor as if pushed by an unseen force.
          The merchant spun around with alacrity upon feeling the energies
mounting at his back.  "Ah... I apologize.  I mistook you for a human ape.
I sometimes rely too much on my sense of smell.  The disguise is really very
good.  I especially like the tattoos, it adds a real dash of
authenticity..."
          "C...Cat!" shouted a startled Ranma, jumping back a dozen feet
before stopping and desperately starting to chant.
          "Cat?  Where?" The cat man looked around at his feet, then back
and the chanting martial artist.  "Hey!  No need to cast spells!  I
apologized already.  If you don't want to be mistaken for a human you should
change your disguise.  Although why you'd want to do that I don't know," he
rambled.
          "Y...you're a Raksasha," Ranma stated with only a slight quiver in
his voice, fixedly staring off to the side, as if carefully examining a work
of art.
          "Correct.  Now that we've given over with the spell casting, what
can I do for you?"
          "Could you change into a different form.  I find that one
very...er...distracting," Ranma tried to ask nonchalantly, his eyes slightly
too wide to pull it off.
          "Sure, no problem.  How's this?" stating with a chuckle he
transformed in a quite glow into a fifteen feet tall, scaly monstrosity with
eight tentacles.
          "Ah, much better," the martial artist visibly relaxed.  Monsters
good.  Cats bad.
          "Yes...well," the demon started, obviously not used to people
being calmer in the face of a monstrosity.  "What can I do for you?"
          "You set up camp around here on a regular basis, right?"
          "For the last few decades.  I pride myself as the best enchanted
garment maker this side of Splynn." The mound of scales and tentacles took
an almost heroic pose.
          "Great!  See that window over there, in the side the pyramid?  I
need to know the owner."
          The mass of scales slumped from its pose.  Its single eyes seemed
to bore into Ranma.  "So you're not here for the clothes."
          "No.  I'm sure they're nice an all but..."
          "Go away."
          "Hey it's just a question.  No need to be rude."
          "I am not a spy, I am an artist of cloth!" the mound gyrated
energetically.  "If you can't appreciate this, then I have no wish to deal
with the likes of you.  Even if you're not a mortal."
          "I never said you were a spy," Ranma gestured frantically to
appease the irate demon.  As an afterthought he rambled on, "Though it sure
would make sense.  I mean the center of government is right over there," the
martial artist pointed at the huge structure overshadowing the city.  "Why I
bet you can see the coming and goings of every important event or person
that happens around here."  He chuckled to himself, "Now that I think about
it, it would be stupid not to be a spy.  I bet everyone in the plaza is a
spy of some sort eh?" Letting out a final gawfaw, Ranma turned his attention
back to the demon, intent on convincing him to talk using every subtle
tactic in the Saotome book.
          "Why is everyone staring at me?" Ranma asked conversationally as
he noticed that all the venders and storeowners in a large radius about him
were glaring evilly at him.  "I was just kidding!  I'm sure you're all just
perfectly ordinary demons and monsters who are interested in making an
honest dollar."  Ranma paused for a minute.  That last bit had sounded
stupid even for his normal foot in the mouth banter.  "Geez!  You guys are
spies!  Wouldn't want to be in your shoes when the big guy finds out.  Sure
would be ugly."
          "I suggest you leave before you find you have a mob to deal with.
The various races here are incredibly difficult to get acting towards a
common goal, but you may be the first being to be unanimously lynched here
in centuries."
          Ranma shuddered as visions of less than pleasant memories cropped
up from his days in Nerima.  "Hey, you're a Raksasha, right?"
          "Yes.  You know you're a suicidal idiot, right?" The scaly blob
stated while glaring down at the smaller figure.
          "Did know Abdul-Ra and I are good friends?" attempting a different
track.
          The scaly mass of tentacles stood quivering in rage at the insult,
"How dare you even speak the great Lord's name..." the demon froze as it saw
the ring on the martial artist's finger.  "Is that his ring?"
          "Er... yeah, he gave it to me the last time we met.  Best buddies.
Almost the brother I never had" Ranma was getting into his role and was
about to expound on this when the demon continued.
          "Then invoke it.  Only the original owner may invoke its power.
If you cannot do so I shall take great pleasure in taking your torn body to
him where he resides in the city and laying it at his feet."  A previously
unknown orifice gaped open revealing a set of five-inch long teeth.
          Ranma may not have been comfortable with guile, but threats he
knew.  Flaring his aura he stared imperiously up at the demon, purposely
ignoring the ring of enraged demonic vendors slowly encircling him.  "Invoke
it?  Of course I can invoke it," he didn't remember Abdul-Ra giving any
instructions with the ring or for that matter even saying it was more than
just a ring.  "Um... just on the off chance it's been a long time since I
spoke with him and my memory ain't so great... exactly how do I invoke it?"
          "Hah!  Fool, you have overstepped yourself!  Everyone knows you
simply will the ring to activate..." The demon grew silent as whiskers grew
on the martial artist's face and his skin slowly took on a velvety texture.
          "Strrange... arre you surre that's how it worrks? I don't feel
anything happening," Ranma said with his hands on his hips and a distracted
air of concentration.
          "Well, it's so good to meet a friend of my master," the demon
whispered as the fang filled mouth reformed in an odd parody of a smile.
"I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have."  The ring of evil
vendors and salesmen was rapidly closing, leaving the Raksasha to wonder how
he was going to explain a dead personal acquaintance to his master.  Maybe
if he said that he fell into a pit of ravenous sharks.  It certainly had the
benefit of being almost true.
          "Hey, this is odd.  My back hurts" Ranma tried to massage his back
only to find he couldn't bend his arm in that fashion.  Looking down he
noticed that his clothed were retreating to form a collar around his neck
and his exposed skin had a thick layer of fur on it.  His first thought was
that his Jusenkyo curse had gone mad and he really should have put his curse
locking bracers back on when he had last changed from his girl form.  His
second thought was that 'oh cool the ring allows me to change shape.  Boy
that Abdul-Ra is a nicer guy than I thought.'  His third thought was 'gee,
what would a ring from the lord of demonic cats allow a user to shapeshift
to'.  A flash of inspiration was immediately followed by a raging panic.
The roar the cat form of the martial artist let loose was the last straw for
Ranma's already strained psyche.  In a moment there was no Ranma, there was
only an irritated cat that was rapidly getting crowded by unruly prey.
          The cat form of Ranma was truly impressive.  Ten feet at the
shoulder he resembled a smilodon more than a modern cat.  The glowing aura
he had in his human form was replaced by a red, vaguely cat shaped, aura
that crackled in the air about the creature.  It turned on the crowd and let
out a roar to show that this pussycat was not a happy camper.
          This was enough to send most of the smaller vendors running for
cover, however about one fifth remained, bravely standing their ground.
These were the more impressive physical specimens most over ten feet
themselves.  A glowing cat wasn't going to scare them.
          When the first lazy swipe of it's paw created a ravine ten feet
deep and thirty feet long in the stone of the plaza even the dimmest got the
idea that maybe something strange was happening.  Perhaps the obnoxious
human was really an obnoxious greater entity.  Greater entities are allowed
to be obnoxious.  It's in their charter.  They wrote and signed the damn
thing and who's going to argue?
          When the remaining salesmen and spies had broken ranks and run,
Ranma-neko gave a low snarl of disappointment.  The crowd was gone but so
were his toys.
          With an easy leap over the trench he began a pleasant game of cat
and mouse.



          The scaly blob shimmered and in its place stood the Raksasha in
its humanoid form.  Looking around at the plaza, with its criss-crossed
scarring, ploughed stone and the remnants of his own small shop he sighed.
It wasn't much but it had been pleasant to play the merchant.  It was
especially nice to sit down with the other spies during lunch and scheme.
He'd probably be reassigned now.  Another merchant, or more likely another
spy would take his place on the promenade.  Whatever the outcome, he had
better go to his lord and report.
          Looking up into the sky at the huge eye that was monitoring the
area, and had in fact been there since the earlier attack by the rebels, he
wondered.  The Atlantian forces were remarkable in their absence yet not
only were the within spitting distance of Splynncryth's citadel of power,
but everyone knew that what the eyes of Eylor saw, Splynncryth saw.
Shrugging he dipped his mind into the fabric of space and teleported himself
away.



          "My Lord, I still don't understand why we stood by and did
nothing.  Within minutes I could have flooded the area with a thousand
guards.  As it is it will take days for our Stone Masters to smooth the
plaza back to its original state."  The pale spindly figure was obviously
agitated.  Its interlocking teeth clenched and the wormlike wrinkles and
veins pulsed rhythmically.
          Within the huge pool of slime an enormous eye surrounded by spikes
and tentacles stirred in the ooze.  "You have no sense of theatrics.  And
obviously you can't keep track of the cast.   That human was the 'pet' Rhada
wanted.  Not the run of the mill mortal."  The mental voice of his master
made the Highlord shiver.
          The thick liquid churned and the bulk of the Intellegence changed
position.  "Hundreds of our troops would have died attempting to take the
human down.  They would have eventually won, however the very fact that a
human could do that well against me would have made them wonder... exactly
how strong can I be if a mere human could come so close..."
          "But they would be foolish to think that.  Anyone who knows your
might..."
          "Oh yes.  That is the trick of it.  They hear of my might, of my
billions of minions and half dozen of inhabited worlds... but what do they
see?"  Bubbles burbled up out of the ooze as the creature paused in thought.
"This planet is filled with beings of immense power.  If I brought my full
force to bear, so would they, and we would tear this planet apart.  And more
importantly it might carry over to my other enterprises.  So we must
consider what the people see.
          "What they saw today was that the merchants we thought were so
loyal, were revealed as spies for the various interests around us.  They
were immediately and viciously destroyed by my agent while I watched from
about.  The doubt is turned into respect."
          "But the next group of merchants will be spies as well," pointed
out the servitor.
          "So what.  I never cared if they spy for their petty interests.
What I want kept secret will be hidden from their eyes.  My competitors
think they have an edge and I simply feed them want they should know.  My
'discovery' is simply an excuse not to destroy Rhada's toy.  There is a
deeper game here.  A human doesn't get that powerful by accident.  As much
as I respect Abdul-Ra I doubt he did more that supply a simple enchanted
ring.  No, what we saw is a greater mystery than it first appears."
          "Ah, so we are simply looking out for possible threats."
          "Of course not.  I love mysteries.  I can't wait for the next act.
Did you see the looks on the merchants' faces?  I might have let Rhada's pet
get away with its mayhem on that alone," the entity gurgled in its
contentment.



          Chapter 5

          The sight of monstrous creatures roaming the streets of Atlantis
was a common one.  The factor that drew the attention of the local denizens
was that usually the wandering things were a little more civilized.  Oh
sure, the demons could be crude to those they considered their inferiors,
but rarely were they rude enough to sniff the pedestrians as the walked
along, minding their own business.  Or prowl behind some of the more
impressive demons slowly pacing them, body low to the ground...and utterly
failing to be stealthy.  The creature being stalked would eventually have
his nerves shattered and make a break for freedom and then the huge cat
creature would leap onto the poor innocent demon and ...simply sit on it
until its futile struggles stopped and only whimpering could be heard.  Then
it would stand up and bound away looking for the next playmate.  There were
many traumatized minor supernatural entities littering the street on that
dark day.
          Some victims retained the presence of mind to find a patrol of
Overlords, the number of which seemed amazingly numerous for the past
several days.  The huge armored beings would simply look at the large
floating eye hanging several hundred feet above the cat and tell them to go
away, their Lord was aware of the issue and would deal with the problem when
he got around to it.
          It was in this fashion that a wandering lost boy began to have the
odd sensation that he was being followed.  A familiar, yet oddly different
chi signature was following him.  He would whirl around to catch sight of
this...yet find nothing.  He was beginning to get slightly spooked.  The
obnoxious Trick or Treaters he could handle but this was almost
...supernatural.
          The cat for his part was thoroughly enjoying himself.  The other
playthings all acted boring and predictable.  Obviously they had no concept
of proper play.  His new toy was different.  He really knew how to how to
tease.  He would pause, turn to look around but never quite in his direction
and the head off in a random direction away from him.  The cat would hunker
down to a low profile in the middle of the street and his heart would fill
with pride at his evident stealth skills.
          Ryouga was starting to become irritated, whatever was following
him was a master of the ninja skills.  No matter where he looked he could
see no clues as to the strange chi he sensed around him.  He had to admire
their skills, but none got the better of a Hibiki for long.  He would root
out the coward that was tracking him and show him the error of tormenting a
true master of the martial arts.
          The playmate had paused in the middle of street.  Thinking the boy
would initiate another one of those entertaining sudden change in direction
the cat hunkered done and thought sneaky feline things.  He was surprised
when his toy broke into maniacal laughter and raised his umbrella in one
hand as if in victory.
          "Hah, ha!  A true martial artist will never give up!  Spoon,
"Ryouga shouted his battle cry in challenge.  Okay, it would be his
temporary battle cry until he thought of something more relevant.
          Upon finishing his challenge he immediately walked over to one of
the scaled pedestrians that had been giving him wide birth.  Seeing the
approaching martial artist with his huge entourage of one, the humanoid
quickly began to walk in the opposite direction.
          "Hey!  Hold on!  I want to ask you something," the bandana clad
boy yelled in exasperation.  After ten minutes of futile chasing various
costume clad idiots only to have them turn away screaming about cats he was
in a foul mood and quite ready to hit the next thing he saw with his
umbrella to help him relief some tension.  It was at this point the Hibiki
sense of direction finally gave in to shear random chance and Ryouga found
himself face to face with the largest cat he had ever seen since the damned
ghost cat showed up in Furinken.
          Looking back on his actions later he admitted to himself that
whacking the cat across his nose with his umbrella was perhaps one of his
less brilliants ideas.  He should have wound up for a full swing or simply
chi blasted the damn thing.
          The cat sat on his haunches in shock.  This wasn't part of the
game.  That had actually stung.  The cat in turn had its own instinctive
reaction very similar to Ryouga's.  He batted his plaything away.  As he
watched the figure fly into the air to disappear over a building silhouetted
in the sun he had a second thought.  He had just gotten rid of his best toy
of the day.  Huffing in dejection the cat sadly wandered down the street.



          The black metal figure stood in the alleyway hidden in the shadows
of the building.  This town had turned out to be remarkably dangerous for
one of his kind.  Oh, certainly he was in no physical danger but
interference would reduce his chances to capture the lost one significantly.
There were also things worse than death when you were an indestructible
ex-servitor of the Old Ones.
          "Well Zeek?  Did he come this way?" a grunting voice broke the
silence just outside the alley.
          "I think so.  I still don't believe it." Another low, rough voice
answered.  "What are the chances?"
          "Well the chances don't matter, cause we just hit the jackpot,"
chuckled Zeek.  "Those rune statues are worth a damn fortune.  I saw a
collector buy one from this high-class merchant for four billion credits.  I
almost pissed myself when I saw one walking around without a guard."
          "Can't figure out why it was wearing jewelry though.  Who knows
why the rich do things though."
          "Maybe it was on the way to a party," the one creature guffawed,
slapping the other on the back in humor.
          "Hold on.  I think I see it!" the sound of breathing became
apparent as the voices approached.  "Yeah, get it!"
          Cursing its luck the metal form broke from cover, lumbering into
the street attempting to find somewhere to hide before it became inactive in
a half hour.  Behind it came two gorilla like creatures with huge balding
heads, intent on making their fortune.
          "Er...Zeek?" one gasped as it struggled to catch up the untiring
servitor.
          "Yeah?"
          "Why is there a huge cat following us?"
          "Shut up and run, idiot," grunted the other, fully intent on
outpacing his companion.  He didn't have to be faster than the cat, just
faster than his ex-friend.  There would be more to go around when he finally
sold the artifact anyway.


          The raven-haired woman sat at the head of the table.   Posture
straight and hands flat on the surface before her, she radiated confidence
and power.  Before her sat a slightly guilty appearing youth and seven other
humanoid figures sitting somewhat defiantly in front of her.  The chamber
was not spacious but the one way window on one wall gave the room natural
light and helped alleviate the cramped feeling.
          "What you did was reckless!  If the gate had been open much longer
Splynncryth's temporal investigators might have arrived and been able to
track us down," pointing a accusing finger at the baseball cap wearing youth
the woman once again stated her argument.
          "Awe...come on!  It didn't happen, everything worked out so what's
the problem?" the youth whined.
          "The problem is that more than one woman's life was at stake.  In
fact..." the woman's tirade was interrupted by another male sitting at the
table.
          "Raven, just end it already!  You out of all of us should know
that I am the least likely to champion that irresponsible idiot...but he did
the right thing this time," the man's deep voice cut across hers.
          "But Max.."
          "He's right," another woman spoke up, "Without you our movement
would rudderless and our chances would be...less," she ended the sentence on
a low note, obviously not wanting to dwell on how low their chances of long
term success were in the first place.
          "But there's..." Raven began.
          "Yes, I would have taken over," Max overrode her sentence.  "But I
admit I don't have your charisma...or luck."
          "Well.  I never thought I'd hear you factor in luck to our plans,"
Raven stated.  "Alright, I'm not going to win this one," pausing to gather
her thoughts she continued.  "The next thing I wanted to talk about was the
aid we...I, received during the last debacle."
          "Debacle?  Some thanks..." the boy started.
          "Drop it lizard boy.  It ended well, but you still disobeyed
orders.  Don't expect thanks too," the man growled, tired of the boy's
whining demeanor.  The mage subsided with a sullen look.
          "Anyway, as I'm sure you all saw from the other side of the
portal, we had help.  I didn't sense magic, but I think we had a warlock of
some sort helping us."
          "The stone fists?  Yes, we saw.  Crude but effective," the youth
stated in interest, suddenly over his previous fit of pique.
          "They bruised my ribs, but I have to say that they saved my life.
I think I saw who did it."
          "That would be convenient.  Assuming it wasn't a setup, another
magic user would be valuable addition," the man rumbled in interest.
          "Unlikely.  I saw him there when we arrived.  Long before any of
Splynncryth's forces knew we were there.  He seemed very angry.  I'd be
willing to bet that he just arrived in Atlantis."
          "He was a human you say?"
          "I didn't say that, but he did appear to be," she stated forcibly.
          "He must be fairly powerful to wander the city openly.  We can
send out feelers and find out more.  How many powerful humans could possibly
have arrived in the last few days?"
          "Sounds acceptable, let's move carefully on this one.  If he's
powerful he may have already drawn attention to himself," as she paused to
continue she noticed that the young mage was staring intently out the
window.  "Skippy?  Hello?  I would appreciate your attention at these
meetings.  It might be important later."  Thinking of the irresponsible
youth she didn't notice the other members seated on his side of the table
looking at the window with a slightly glazed look in their eyes.
          "Yes ma'am," Skippy whispered quietly.  He still wasn't really
listening.  He and the others on his end of the table were busy watching a
black metal statue being chased by two of the ape like Kittani, closely
followed by a huge cat monster who was in turn being chased by a young man
wearing a backpack as large as he was, waiving a large bamboo umbrella over
his head followed by a giant floating eye.
          The room was sound proofed, so they were spared the accompanying
shouts, screams, roars and curses.



          Rhada sat at a huge oak table, a thoughtful expression on her
forehead.  Her life had certainly changed since she had fallen in love with
Abdul-Ra.  Oh sure the initial three centuries of captivity were extremely
unpleasant, but the last few weeks she had spent with her paramour had been
very satisfying.  Atlantis was also a very metropolitan city with so many
more experiences available than her own infernal domain.  The shopping alone
almost made up for the wasted years.
          There was one small nagging lack that she felt regarding her
current situation.  Abdul-Ra was her one true love and she would never
regret her decision, but she did feel the need for a pet.  Abdul-Ra kept the
little psychotic human to amuse him, for a short time she had felt a similar
thrill as the pig-tailed martial artist had filled her spare time with his
amusing antics.  Alas, she owed her freedom to the human youth and it would
have been poor repayment to keep him against his will, but ...it had been
tempting.
          She had spent much time at the slave auctions in Splynn, but none
of them had the same fire.  It probably couldn't be helped, most demonic
entities and Intellegences fed off human misery and suffering.  Those
mortals that were enslaved and rebelled were usually eaten or tortured to
death or until their spirit had been broken.  She didn't begrudge other
entities their pleasures but it did mean that the type of slave she was
looking for was in very short supply.
          At that moment, still tracing the intricate designs in the surface
of the table, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rending wood.  A
moment afterward was heard a chorus of yowling cats.  Frowning in puzzlement
Rhada concentrated on the screams of pain.  She thought she recognized as
the doorman and the guards.  The other growls were unfamiliar.  Abdul-Ra
might be upset if he had to replace his minions.  She had no idea why he
felt bonds of loyalty and honor towards his treacherous people but she had
to admit it was one of the things she loved about him.  How he did it she
couldn't comprehend, it wasn't as if they were worthy of respect, unlike her
own people, the Fenry.
          She was just standing with the intention to head towards the front
entrance when a raksasha franticly fled through the doorway.  The demon got
about two steps into the room before a gigantic paw reached through the
doorway to slam the poor doorman to the ground.  Slumping unconscious the
fortunate demon didn't notice as an incredibly large feline walked over him,
pausing only momentarily to lazily stretch and retract his claws into the
back of his sleeping playmate.
          Rhada took one look at the huge cat creature that came up to her
shoulder and let out a huge smile.  "Ranma-chan!  How nice of you to visit.
I see you finally made use of darling's gift.  I was worried you might have
problems with it.  I'm so pleased that I was worried over nothing," she
burbled while walking over to the feline.
          "Oh what a good kitty!  You brought me a gift!"  Scratching the
cat behind his ears she continued to croon.   "What a sweet thing you are."
With a thump the feline dropped the limb he had been holding in his mouth
and stood proudly over his present.  "Now why don't you sit over there while
Mommy takes care of this wonderful...thing...you brought me."
          Gingerly reaching down she picked up the inert form of a metal
figure.  Only then did she notice that it seemed to be holding onto an
unconscious human boy in a viselike grip.  Grimacing in distaste she lifted
the whole saliva covered mess with two fingers and holding it straight out
from her body as far away from her as possible, she walked to the rear
entrance and threw both humanoid figures into the rear alleyway.
          As she was about to go back into her residence she paused, then
looked up into the sky.  "While I appreciate the return of my pet, I would
appreciate removing your eye a little further away from our home."  With
another nod at the floating eye she closed the door.


          Abdul-Ra came home to a strange scene.  Rhada sat in the sprawling
sofa with a large cat draped over her lap, contentedly petting the purring
creature with one hand, an over sized tome floating at eye level.  The sight
would not have been odd if it wasn't the scale.  Rhada was a healthy,
well-proportioned female of fourteen feet when standing.  Sitting in a couch
with a feline ten feet at the shoulder and about twenty feet head to tail on
her lap.  The cat was still huge even considering her own height.
          "Did you consider simply growing larger?  That boy is enormous in
cat form," the demon asked his mate.
          "It crossed my mind, but the couch wouldn't fit.  Besides he's
very comforting.  Well?  Can I keep him?" the Deevil Lady teased.
          "You know we owe him too much ...oh.  That was a joke," the tiger
headed demon shook his head.  "Sometimes I think I spend too much time with
my people.  Well, should I change him now or do you want to spend some
quality time with him," he teased, utterly confident in her answer.
          "Now that your back from your conferences I'd much rather spend
quality time with you," she replied with a wink.  "One thing I don't miss
about ruling a realm is the endless meetings and haggling.  Not that I've
had to deal with that for centuries anyway ...but I hated it when I did."
          "Hmm ...it's just as well.  Outright war would be bad for both our
dimensions.  Although we would win."
          "And how can you be so sure.  Deevils aren't pushovers," Rhada
replied, pride placing a slight edge into her voice.
          Abdul-Ra simply gave a confident smile, "Simple my dear.  We have
you."  Rhada immediately relaxed a smile growing on her face.  "With you and
your minions, as well as that insane Deevil Lord you have loose we'd
eventually win.  Besides our Lord Modeus has been preparing for this war for
ages, while the Dyval Lords bicker among themselves."
          "It's good to be gone.  Mephisto is merely one symptom.  The
Deevil nation has become self destructive of late," she said with an
introspective tone.
          "Hmmph.  Let's not get too maudlin.  The Demon and Deevil nations
are not, nor have ever been one large happy family.  If the other Lords
didn't plot to stab each other in the back they wouldn't be the supernatural
menaces we grown to know and love," he said while emitting a low growling
laugh.
          Padding over to his seated mistress he reached out to touch the
paw of the feline reclining over most of the sofa.  The feline playfully
batted his hand away the first few times, but eventually the Lord's own
catlike reflexes enabled him to touch the paw adorned by the ring.  This
touch initiated a cascading change that finally resulted in a young human
lying in the lap of the Deevil Lady.
          "Oh geez.  That was nasty," the pig tailed youth firmly emoted.
          "I trust you are in good health," the raksasha lord inquired.
          "Sure.  Dandy.  That was weird.  I think I remember some of it.
Do you think..." he was about to continue when he noticed his host was in
his half feline form and immediately turned away again, trying to pretend to
himself that he hadn't seen it. "...It's due to the desensitizing stuff?"
          "I am not aware of any desensitizing 'stuff' you are going
through.  I've only heard legends of the Neko-ken.  You are the first
practitioner of the art I have ever met.  I see you found out about the
special properties of my gift.  It combines remarkably well with the
Neko-ken."
          "Er...right," Ranma mumbled, kicking himself for confusing Anhur
with Abdul-Ra.  He was sure his patron wouldn't appreciate that kind of slip
of the tongue regardless of how confused Ranma felt, fresh from his altered
state.  As the comment about the ring gradually settled into his
consciousness he momentarily considered tearing the ring from his hand.
Sanity reasserted itself as he reached for the band and Ranma's hand slipped
into subspace to pluck out his bracer.  It had been beyond foolish to not
replace it on his wrist.  Especially with most of the city searching for his
female half.
          "Did I dream that part about chasing some statue around the city?"
Ranma asked still trying to get a grip on his vague memories.
          "No.  I hope you don't mind that I threw it out.  It doesn't fit
the d�cor," Rhada answered.
          "That's fine.  This city is really messing with my sense of
reality," Ranma sentence trailed off.
          Ranma sighed and had to resist the urge to purr.  Puzzled at this,
he belatedly realized that Rhada had been gently petting his head throughout
his conversation.  This was odd enough that it took him another moment to
register that he was still in the woman's lap.  Immediately after this he
almost reinvented teleportation as he leaped down to the floor, hands in his
pockets and tunelessly whistling as he nonchalantly examined the ceiling.  A
side-glance at his hosts showed him that there were no furious men or women
wanting his head for being in an intimate position with their mates.
          "I understand you wanted some information regarding certain High
Lords in Splynncryth's service?" Abdul-Ra asked, amusement from antics of
his mate's pet barely evident in his voice.
          "Wow, how'd you know," Ranma asked, glad to be distracted from his
embarrassment, still looking off to the side to avoid staring directly at
his feline host.
          "One of my minions came to me with an interesting story," the
Demon Lord continued with a huffing sound of amusement.  "I suppose I should
be angry at having to have his position replaced.  However you did amuse
Splynncryth, so no real harm ...to me at least."
          "How was I to know they were all spies?" Ranma cried in
indignation.  "It's ridiculous!  Er ...what did you mean no harm to you?"
          "I would guess that only half of those in the plaza were spies,
the others were merely offended by your insinuation.  Probably fearful that
such accusation might be taken seriously."  Ranma mouthed 'half' in silent
wonder.  "Fortunately Splynncryth was watching and found your antics
amusing."  Shaking his head in disdain he continued, "I hope you can live
with your good fortune."
          "Okay, so how bad could it possibly be," the martial artist asked.
          "Not so bad if you don't mind being followed by his minions and
being recorded by a giant floating eye.  You can take comfort in the fact
that your triumphs, failures and mishaps will be recorded and stored for
some supernatural creatures amusement."
          "That stinks!" Ranma groused.  "How do I get out of it?"
          "You don't.  I wouldn't go back to your loved ones unless you wish
to get them involved in the inner workings of Atlantis," Abdul-Ra's low
voice picked up at he continued.  "On the other hand as long as that Eye of
Eylor is following you no guards will bother you without Splynncryth's
direct orders."
          "I've just become a supernatural slug's favorite television show?"
Ranma asked in distaste.
          "Congratulations," Abdul-Ra offered.
          "If you ever get tired of fame you can always come back to us,"
Rhada slyly stated.  "Your always welcome.  You're already almost part of
the family."
          Yeah ...Fido, Ranma thought bitterly.  "So he's not watching me
now?"
          "No, of course not.  I am a Lord of Hades.  As long as you are on
my land ...or in my home your privacy is inviolate," or at least violated
with more circumspection, Abdul-Ra continued his train of thought.
          "Great.  So this is show business.  Seems a lot like my normal
life," the youth sighed in disgust.  "You said something about having the
answers I wanted?"
          "Yes.  The High Lord you expressed interest in is called Nagrath
Rak.  Or at least what he is known as by most humanoids.  His actual name is
difficult to pronounce."
          "He owns the chamber I pointed to?  And he is one of the few that
are allowed to tattoo outsiders?" Ranma eager questioned.
          "Yes.  I assume that would explain your new fashion statement?"
the tiger headed being asked.
          "Huh?" a confused pig tailed elucidated.  "I don't get it."
          Rhada gave the Demon Lord an amused sideward smile, "Allow me to
show you."  She immediately gestured with her hand and a large hand mirror
appeared in it.  Raising it up before the youth she waited.
          "Yep that's me alright.  Damn I look good," Ranma preened slightly
at his image before he noticed something dark on his forehead.  Reaching up
he vigorously rubbed the mark away with his sleeve.  "Shoot, I think I need
a bath.  You should have said so sooner."
          "Take a closer look, my little warrior," Rhada urged.
          "Hey!  Who's the wise guy who doodled on my face?" shouted an
irate Ranma.
          "I am guessing that would be Nagrath Rak," Abdul-Ra said, not
bothering to hide his own amusement.
          "Why that ...and Nabiki knew!"  I must have been running all over
this damn town with this weird eye on my forehead!  No wonder people were
staring at me."
          "They were probably staring because you were a loose human.
Tattoos and the power associated with them are a well known phenomenon here
in Atlantis."
          "Geez, how do I get the things off?  I heard they use lasers or
something."
          "These are somewhat magical tattoos.  They bond to your soul, I
understand they simply reappear unless you remove the limb they are attached
to."
          "That's idiotic!  It's on my head, I'd have to..." Ranma trailed
off, turning slightly green at the thought.  "All right.  It doesn't look so
...bad.  Much better than Ryouga's old God mark.  Almost dashing...yeah,"
Ranma continued, seeming more to try to convince himself than any others in
the room.
          "You look adorable.  Trust me," Rhada shared, ignoring Ranma's
return glare.
          "So, what does it do?  It is magical, right," the pig tailed youth
asked.
          "I'm not a Tattoo Master but it is an stylized eye.  Probably
allowed some type of vision.  See auras, magic, maybe read, speak and write
all languages," The Demon Lord theorized.
          Ranma remembered the moment of clarity he experienced in the
pyramid.  When all the world came into focus and everything he saw seemed
obvious in it's function and history.  He had been extremely busy since then
and so hadn't thought of the incident since, but it certainly made sense
now.
          "I'm just surprised the High Lord only gave you one.  I had heard
that you could receive two at once," the cat demon pondered.
          "Why two?"
          "Well if you get three it puts a strain on the spirit or soul.
People tend to just drop dead at that point.  After about a half a year you
can get more."
          "I don't want more!  I don't even want this one," Ranma exclaimed.
A sudden thought occurred to him and he frantically pulled up his sleeves
and examined his arms.  Not finding anything he continued to pull away the
front of his shirt.
          A muffled cough interrupted him for a moment, "Perhaps you'd like
to continue your self exploration in your own chambers," the demon suggested
in amusement.
          Only a groan met his joking offer.  Ranma had found a second mark
on his chest.  A heart encircled with chains with a outline of a skull
surrounding the heart.
          "Ah darn.  You were right.  There are two of them," Ranma said
dejectedly.  "What is this one for?" a mental command and part of his shirt
opened just enough to reveal the mark to the others.
          "Protection.  I think a force field.  There's another element too.
That is a very talented patron you found.  I think he's mixed the effects of
several tattoos.  That might be physical and mental protection.  He must
have really liked you to go to so much trouble for you."
          Ranma gave his companions a sickly grin, "You know me.  The old
Saotome charm."  The demon gave a noncommittal grunt in reply.  Thinking a
bit on his problem the martial artist came to the conclusion that he needed
help.  Better to give information to people that believed they were
obligated to him in some way than a stranger.  "So ...say I, you know,
wanted to get into this fellows favor.  Maybe hang out with him for a
while," Ranma awkwardly stumbled his way into his request. "Do you know a
way to get to him?"
          Abdul-Ra leveled a measuring look at the youth before him.  "That
is an odd thing to ask considering that he has already invested considerable
time applying those marks to you.  Doesn't he already know you?"
          "Well ...it's odd that you ask that.  I was kinda ...unconscious
during our time together.  I woke up and ...wandered away before I actually
met him," Ranma sweated nervously, trying to think of the best way to
describe the events without really describing them.  "I guess it's probably
best, he might connect me to things, well things that might have...er
happened to an ally of his."
          "So you want to be near him, but not as the human that he spent a
week working his enchantments on.  That ...is difficult," Abdul-Ra pondered.
"It's not as if he merely met you in passing.  He must have spent much time
and resources on you to give you two such complex tattoos."
          "Perhaps not as difficult as you think," Rhada volunteered.  "Most
of Splynncryth's High Lords don't pay any attention to human appearances.
To them they all look alike.  The tattoos are the real issue.  He's bound to
recognize his own work."
          "You have a point.  If you change your aura slightly," the demon
Lord paused and looked questioning at Ranma.  The martial artist didn't
really notice, since he was making an effort not to look at the tiger headed
demon.  "Ahem!  Would you mind paying a little more attention when we're
talking to you?" the demon asked in acidic tones.
          "Could you ...you know.  Get rid of the cat head, please," a
hesitant Ranma finally blurted out in a rush.
          "Oh.  Certainly.  Forgot about your problem," the now placated
human continued, "Well, can you?"
          "I usually just increase or decrease it.  I think I can.  It might
take a few hours of practice though," the youth mumbled still somewhat
embarrassed having his phobia shoved in his face.
          "Good, if you do that you can just walk straight up to him."
          "Whereupon the High Lord will order his minions to slay the
impudent human," Rhada finished.  "I think we need to work on the details."
          "Hmm.  Good point," Abdul-Ra admitted to his mate.
          "You know I met someone earlier who suggested that if I win in the
arena and dedicate my win to the High Lord, he might accept me in his
household," Ranma offered.
          The two infernal entities stared at the martial artist in
surprise.  After a moment Rhada said, "Then why did you ask us?"
          "Um...I was hoping you had a better ...I mean faster why to do
it," Ranma said, not wanting to admit that it had actually completely
slipped his mind.
          "I suppose that makes sense.  Well whoever told you that was
probably correct.  A human going up to him out of the blue would be killed.
If you prove you competency and stroke his ego as well, I think that might
work."
          "Do you have any connections in the arena?  Some guy called
Syushra of the Bloody Grubs Plaza said to contact him if I wanted to
compete.  But if you have something better..." Ranma left the sentence
hanging.
          "I haven't been here in years.  You know of course Rhada hasn't
either," the Demon Lord quietly paced the boundaries of the room.  "I'll
have my people look into this Syushra's credentials.  If they are adequate
they will contact him on your behalf."  Coming to a stop he turned towards
Ranma, "Your not an agent of Ammit, are you," he stated.
          "W ...why do you say that?  I love crocodile monsters.  Why some
of my best friends are crocodiles," Ranma nervously answered.
          "I should have seen it immediately.  Ammit hates humans.  He'd
never have one as a minion, regardless of its talents.  He also has no
patience or talent for stealth.  You're not very skilled either, but you're
making an attempt."
          "I was with Ammit when he went in to rescue Rhada," Ranma
frantically reminded the demon.  The last thing he wanted was to be trapped
in a room with two deity class entities out for his hide.
          "Yes.  Very strange.  But never the less, meaningless.  I would
have seen it if I hadn't been distracted by Rhada's return.  Ammit's allies
can be counted on one hand, he usually only deals with those of his
pantheon.  Should I continue or do you feel like volunteering anything yet?"
          "Anhur," Ranma mumbled.  "I really need you not to mention this to
anyone," Ranma admitted dejectedly.  "It's very important."
          "Anhur?  That is ...unexpected.  Still, I'm not at odds with him,"
Abdul-Ra muttered to himself.  "I suppose if Ammit asked for his help..."
          "I have no issues with Anhur," Rhada added.  "If he helped in my
rescue, he has my gratitude.  Ammit however ...do you realize he still has
several thousand of my Fenry in his service?"
          "Really?  I hadn't realized," Abdul-Ra said in surprise.  "Well
I'm sure he'll give them back.  Actually, I'm not positive, but with some
prodding..."  Thinking out loud, he continued, "You know I haven't heard
from him since your rescue."
          "Anyway.  I have no problem with you being a servant of Anhur,"
Rhada declared.  "I'm sure we'll get along famously once we meet.  He has a
reputation of being a fine war god and a entity of his word.  Even if he is
also the god of assassins," she ended in a mutter.
          "He's the god of what?" Ranma screeched in surprise.
          "Well what did you expect?  He is part of the pantheon of Taut,"
Abdul-Ra offered.
          "Which means ...what?"
          "Well ...he doesn't suffer the ridiculous morals and mindless
rules that govern Taut's brother pantheon, the pantheon of Light."
          Ranma remained silent.  He had known his patron wasn't a fount of
goodness but knowing he was the god of assassins was disturbing.  Maybe
Nabiki had been right in her warnings.  He had been assured by Anhur himself
that his missions wouldn't go against his own moral code.  Whether it was
possible to do the right thing under the direction of an evil entity, even
an evil entity with his own moral code, was a question he would have to
carefully consider.  Later.
          "Getting back to the original subject," Abdul-Ra prompted when it
became apparent the human was lost in thought.  "If you win the games you
will be in an excellent position.  You won't be able to use your new tattoos
while the High Lord watches, but other than that I don't see any problems."
          "So what about the big eyeball you said is floating behind me all
the time now," Ranma asked.
          "When, that will be a little awkward, but shouldn't really impact
things.  It will stay invisible or hidden most of the time."
          "So the Highlord won't mind a spy camera from his boss looking
over his shoulder all the time?" he prompted.
          "Well a Highlord should never be doing anything Splynncryth would
find objectionable.  They are linked to their Lord and treason would mean
instant death.  Splynncryth will probably honor their privacy as he does
ours.  Which means he won't enter the homes unless invited."
          "Okay, I just don't want to go through all this only to find out
the Highlord don't want a pet eye following him around."
          "I don't think it will be a problem.  If you make a good enough
showing he'll have to explain to Splynncryth the reason he doesn't want
you."
          "This seems to be working out pretty well," Ranma said, confidence
in their plan beginning to take hold.  "Thanks for your help."
          "There are some minor issues I'd like to bring up at the moment.
I would like to add some stipulations to the aid we will be providing," the
Demon Lord smiled slightly while addressing the martial artist.
          "Stipulations?  You mean conditions," Ranma warily inquired.  He
didn't want to lose his only allies, but official deals with demons was a
risky proposition from all that he'd heard.
          "I don't think you'll find these too restrictive," Abdul-Ra
purred, forcing a flinch from Ranma.  "The first is common courtesy.  I
don't want any assassination attempts to be linked back to me."
          "Hey I'm no assassin!  My fights are all face to face.  Besides
from what you said Splynncryth will want Nagrath Rak's head more than I ever
will," Ranma said without really thinking.  He immediately worried that he'd
said too much, but shrugged it off.  His allies must already know that he
was there to spy on the Highlord.  His actions pretty much spoke for
themselves.
          "Good.  That makes our involvement much less politically awkward,"
the demon nodded.  "Our next condition involves payment," he watched the
martial artist squirm uncomfortably and smiled.  "Oh, nothing too onerous.
We do owe you quite a bit.  However Rhada seems to have taken a liking to
you.  We've tried to find her a replacement, but all of them seem to lack
your spirit," the Deevil Lady in question took this opportunity to run a
large, though delicately proportioned, hand through Ranma's hair, which in
turn made the martial artist jerk in surprise.
          "Yeah ...I'm one of a kind," Ranma faintly said.  He wasn't very
grateful for his charisma at the moment.
          "I was thinking maybe twice a year, a month each visit for the
next twenty years," the demon lord casually stated.
          "Twenty years?" Ranma exclaimed.  That was a long time, immortal
or not.
          "Now, calm down, little dear," Rhada soothed.  "Think of it as a
vacation.  You've been to Abdul-Ra's realm already.  It's a very nice place
by any mortal standard.  Your every whim will be catered to."
          "But ...but it's full of cats!" Ranma cried out desperately.
          "They are all shapeshifters," Abdul-Ra offered.  "I'll command
them to take human form in your presence."
          "Two months is a long time.  How am I going to explain this to the
others," Ranma mumbled to himself.  Anhur's mission's were already promised
by his contract with the deity.  Additional time away would have to be
explained.  He was sure that telling his friends that he was offered an
official position as a Deevil Lady's pet would not really go over very well.
"Wait a minute.  Do you trade?" the pig tailed youth asked.
          "Well, yes.  I am technically a sovereign of a nation, though it's
a actually sub realm of Hades," Abdul-Ra explained.
          "If I could open up trade agreements between you and Nabiki I
could explain my presence here as the negotiator," Ranma nodded to himself
eagerly as the beginning of a plan started to come together.  "That way
Nabiki would explain to the others why I was gone.  She always had much
better at people management than me anyway."
          "Do you think that she'd mind dealing with demons?" the raksasha
asked.
          Ranma thought for a moment, "Nah, she'll deal with anyone as long
as their words good.  I don't think she'll mind if I'm the only contact
though.  I somehow doubt that Hades is on her vacation list."
          "I think my realm is the one of the few that has regions that
aren't inimical to human life.  She doesn't need to know that it doesn't
just contain deserts and lava flows."
          "For her own peace of mind then. Alright, I'll do it," Ranma gave
a triumphant grin.  Guaranteed vacation for twenty years was an acceptable
price.  He might have been less sure of himself if he had seen the Deevil
Lady possessive smile as she again started to pet the martial artist's hair.
The pigtailed youth grimaced, uncomfortable with the touch but understanding
that the feelings behind it were very different than when his fianc�es
touched him.  He even vaguely recalled enjoying the sensation while in cat
form.

















          Revision 1.0
          Please send any question or comments to danielfruth@home.com
          The newest version of this story can be found at
http://members.home.net/danielfruth/





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