Legal: The characters of Ranma � were created by the great Rumiko Takahashi.
I am using them without permission, hopefully for the purpose of
entertaining someone.  If anyone who has a right to sue me has that desire,
I have almost no money.
 C&C is appreciated, you can contact me at brendan@wiltonnewyork.com.  And
if you want to see the earlier parts of this and my other stories, you can
find them at http://www.wiltonnewyork.com/Brendan
--------

Ranma Saotome: Master of the Mystic Arts
By Brendan O�Donnell
Chapter 6

 Ranma lay on her futon, shaking her head as she dreamed.  She could see Dr.
Strange standing in the mountains, watched as the Eye of agamotto grew and
opened revealing a brightly glowing gateway.
 Dr. Strange stepped through, and the portal vanished behind him.  Stepping
onto a spiderweb thin pathway with determination, Dr. Strange began to walk,
following a glowing speck of light.  As the light vanished, he saw a gateway
resembling the amulet and stepped through.
 Into a vast space, empty except for a point just before Strange, where it
seemed like a galaxy had been shrunk to the size of a dot.  The dot suddenly
began to change, growing, and reforming into a manlike shape.  Or rather the
shape of a man used as a mold into which the entire universe was poured.
 I AM ETERNITY

 Ranma�s eyes opened and she rose into a siting position, sweat pouring down
her face as she gasped for air.  She reached up to rub her forehead.  �Woah,
that was. . .� wiping off the sweat she pulled herself to her feet. And
looked around.  Her father was sleeping beside her in panda form.  And
outside the window the sun had almost half cleared the horizon.
 Ranma paused and looked at her hands a moment.  Rising to her feet she
quickly made her way to the bathroom.  She ran a bucket of hot water, and
poured it over her head.
 A smile blossomed on Ranma�s face as he clenched his larger masculine
hands.  �Back to Normal.�  He frowned.  �Assuming that normal will mean
anything with what�s on the horizon.�

 �You ok, Ranma?�  Akane asked as she, Ranma and her sister walked along the
canal.  �You don�t seem all there.�
 �I�m fine, just this morning, I had a dream.�
 �Must have been some dream.�  Nabiki commented.  She glanced at Ranma�s
masculine figure.  "I'd expect you to be a little excited about turning
back."
 �It was more than just a dream.  That I�m sure of.�  Ranma said simply.
 �So what happened?�  Nabiki asked.
 �Something incredible.�  Ranma replied.  He looked down the street, and his
gate shifted a moment as he stared.  �Wow, I didn�t expect him back so
 soon.�
 Standing before the gates was the ragged looking figure of Ryouga Hibiki.
 �Yo!  Ryouga!�
 Ryouga blinked and looked forward.  He smirked.  "I didn't think you had
the courage to face me after you ran out on our last fight."
 With a scowl Ranma accelerated his walking toward the school.  "In case
you've forgotten, you got lost in the middle of our fight!"  *I helped you
get lost, but it wasn't cowardice, I just had a higher responsibility.*
 "SHUT UP!"  Ryouga screamed angrily.  "Do you think I was just taking a run
for my health?!  I suffered to get back here!"  Shifting his grip on his
umbrella, he jumped forward with the yell �Prepare to die Ranma!�
 Ranma casually dodged the incoming blow.  Twisting around he stepped past
Ryouga, raising his hands in a casual defensive stance.
 Ryouga pivoted, snapped open the umbrella, and threw it at Ranma.  Ranma
leaned away from the spinning weapon.  Eyes narrowing Ryouga pulled off a
bandana, and jumping forward, snapped one end around Ranma�s wrist.
 �No running away now, Ranma!�  Ryouga proclaimed as he stepped in, kicking
at Ranma.  Who casually ducked under the attack, yanking Ryouga�s arm down
between his legs.  A kick to the back of his knee forced Ryouga to the
ground, with one arm still in Ranma's tight grasp.
 �So who wants to run?�  He commented with a smirk as he adjusted his
position on Ryouga's back.
 Ryouga�s eyes tightened angrily.  �You dare.�  He grasped the earth with
his free hand.  �Try to force me.�  With a quick motion he raised both legs
straight off the ground, supporting his and Ranma�s weight with the one arm.
�TO MY KNEES!?�  Straightening his arm he threw the pair into the air.
 With a twist of his body he shifted his arm back to a forward stance.  As
he and Ranma fell they traded blows.  As the pair hit the ground a quick
motion of Ranma�s snapped the Bandana tying him to Ryouga.  He leaped away
and landed in a defensive stance.
 Ryouga snarled angrily.  Reaching up he pulled off his bandana, then a
dozen more.  Spinning them he took a step forward.  �Try dodging this!�
Suddenly the air was filled with bandanas.
 Ranma glided back, bobbing and moving to avoid the bandannas.
 �Look out!�
 Ranma looked at the wall where Akane was crouching over her sister who was
lying face down on the ground.  His eyes narrowed.
 �AN OPENING!� Ryouga screamed as he charged in at Ranma.
 Ranma raised one hand above his head and gestured.  The bandannas were all
suddenly drawn to crash together to form a yellow and black ball overhead.
With his other hand he gestured at Ryouga.  Who suddenly found the air he
was charging through thickening.  Like water.  Like honey.  Like setting
concrete.
 Ranma turned toward Akane who was helping her sister to her feet.  �How�s
Nabiki?�
 �I�m fine,�  Nabiki replied.  �Akane just decided that it�d be fun to knock
me flat on my face.�
 �Well maybe I should have let one of those bandannas cut your head off!�
 Ranma turned back to Ryouga.  He raised a hand, and the lost boy stumbled
forward as the bindings evaporated.  �What were you thinking!?�  Ranma
commented as He walked toward his opponent.  �That Bandanna trick could have
killed someone.  And I don�t mean me.�
 Ryouga was standing there looking at his hands.  With eyes filled with
uncertainty he looked at Ranma.  �What? . . .  How? . . .�
Ranma gestured dismissively.  �Sorcery.  I�ve been studying for the past
year.  But that has nothing to do with our fight.�
 �Our fight.�
 �Yeah, do you want to start over?  And don�t worry I never use magic in a
straight fight.�
 �Never use. . . Don�t patronize me!�  Ryouga replied angrily.  �I don�t
want your pity!  And I don�t want your charity!�
 Ranma shook her head.  �What are you talking about.  Magic has nothing to
do with a man to man duel, so I don�t use it!"
 �This isn�t some game, this is a battle of honor!  I�m not here to pretend
to fight you while you pretend to fight back!�
 �All right.�  Ranma said angrily.  Ryouga blinked as Ranma raised his right
hand to his mouth, and bit down hard.
 �Rrr,� Ranma extended his hand, let the blood flow to pool in the center of
his palm a moment, then tilted his hand so the blood could drip to the
earth.
 �By my eternal honor.�
 Drip.
 �By the Art I wield.�
 Drip.
 �I vow never to use magic in any one on one fight between Ryouga Hibiki and
myself.�
 Drip Drip
 �Earth, Sky and all powers that be, witness this compact, bound by my
living blood.�
 Drip Drip Drip.

 Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small bandage and deftly tied up
his palm.  �There.  No magic as long as the fights one on one.�
 Ryouga blinked, and looked at the blood on the ground.  �No magic.�  He
grinned.  �Your gonna regret that, you know.  I haven�t stopped training,
and I�ve even picked up a few new tricks.�
 �You want your umbrella?�  Ranma replied with a smile
 With a smirk Ryouga walked to where his umbrella lay.  �Hah, you�re going
to regret being so generous after I�m done with you.�
 As Ryouga squatted down to pick up his umbrella, space suddenly folded in
on itself and tore open besides Ranma. He stared at the vortex, then a great
force with a vaguely familiar feel reached out and pulled him into the
portal.
 �Ranma!�  Akane called as she ran into the field and jumped into the
closing vortex after him.
 Ryouga pivoted as he heard Akane�s cry, then stared at the closing hole in
space.  �He just. . .  Damn you Ranma!  That�s the last time I let you run
away from me!�  He ran at the vanishing rift in the fabric of reality, and
passed through the spot it had been at full speed.  The wall beyond didn�t
slow him down any more than the empty air.

 Ranma looked around himself.  He realized that he was floating in a pocket
realm between several dimensions. Decided on a direction to think of as
down, he drifted to a standing position on the unreal ground he envisioned
beneath his feet.
 �AAAA!� Came a cry from behind him.  Turning he looked at Akane who was
sprawled on the pseudo ground.
 �Akane?�  Ranma walked over and extended a hand down.  �What are you doing
here?�
 �I saw that whirling thing and I thought you were in trouble so. . .�
 �Jumped in after me?  That was stupid.�
 �Well excuse me for trying to help!�
 �What could you do too help?�
 �I. . .  Well. . . I�m a martial artist too!�
 �You can�t punch anything strong enough to create that kind of portal.�
 �Well, didn�t you say I had . . . potential?�
 �That means that you might be able to do something in a few months with
intense training.�  Ranma shook his head, and looked around.  Seeing three
figures nearby, he started walking toward them.
 �Hey, where are you going?�
 Ranma glanced back.  �I had to have been called here for a reason, and they
probably have something to do with it.�
 Akane scowled, then ran after Ranma.

 �Ancient One!�  Ranma called as he recognized the eldest of the three
figures.
 Raising a hand to touch his forehead, the ancient one looked at his newest
pupil.  �Ranma.�
 �Ancient one.�  One of the other figures muttered as he stirred from
unconsciousness.  Shaking his head briefly, Dr. Strange instantly willed
himself to an upright stance and floated to the Ancient one.
 Ranma looked at Dr. Strange, then at the third floating figure.  �Is Mordo
still a threat?�
 �No, Mordo is harmless now.�  Dr. Strange replied simply.
 �Harmless?�  Mordo responded, as he floated to a standing position and
gathered his power.  �Do not dismiss me so easily!�
 Raising one hand Dr. Strange lashed out, imprisoning Mordo in a simple
mystic restraint.  �Without Dormammu�s support you are nothing.�
 �Do not waste any energy!�  The ancient one looked at Dr. Strange.  �Now
that Dormammu has chosen to act directly, you must be prepared.�
 Akane looked at the four sorcerers.  She sighed, then blinked in surprise
as they suddenly stiffened defensively.  Glancing around she saw nothing.
�What�s wrong.�
 �Something�s about to happen.�  Ranma said.
 Suddenly the fabric of reality began to buckle and shift.  About fifty feet
away from the quintet a tear opened in space, and through stepped what
seemed to be a man dressed in strange red armor.  A few feet from him,
another tear opened, and a small wave crashed through.  It quickly elongated
and reshaped, pouring into a vaguely humanlike shape.  A third portal
allowed a great snake with two arms and long blue hair to slither through.
A fourth and a fifth portal opened, then a dozen more each allowing another
alien being to enter the place.  The only common factor of the creatures was
a palpable aura of power and menace that surrounded each and every one of
them.
 �I have heard of some of them.�  Dr. Strange said quietly.
 The Ancient One nodded �Each the dread lord of a different dimension, their
names are only spoken in whispers.  Only a command from Dormammu could have
brought them all here.�
 "Who are the humans?"  Asked a muscular figure in red golden armor, toped
by a red helmet.
 "The old one is the ancient one."  Replied another of the entrants.  "I do
not know the others."
 "I am one of the disciples of the Ancient One."  Dr. Strange said with a
confidence filled voice.
 "I am another."  Ranma said, stepping between the growing hoard and his
teacher.
 Mordo pulled himself straight.  "Tremble in my presence, for I serve the
Dread Dormammu!"
 "Silence Mordo!"  Dormammu's voice rang through the space.  A great light
suddenly ignited, and a blazing portal opened, extending a walkway of solid
light.  "Is there no limit to your false bravado . . . Your shameless,
unjustified boasting??"
 "Dormammu!!!"  Mordo cowered back from the newly created path.
 From the great light, stepped Dormammu, who walked purposefully into the
pocket dimension.  "Stand aside bungler!  The very sight of you merely
reminds me how worthless you have proven to be!"  He declared as he passed
Mordo.
 Dormammu came to a halt a few feet from Dr. Strange.  "Now, before this
gathered assemblage," He raised a hand and pointed.  "I challenge the mortal
Dr. Strange to engage in combat with me!"  Letting his gaze begin to fall
upon the fearful crowd, he continued.  "And to the victor, shall go the
prize of prizes . . . the most coveted treasure of all. . .  He who emerges
triumphant, shall claim the total mastery of all the Earth, and the supreme
voice in the highest council of the known dimensions!
 "Thus speaks Dormammu!"
 Once again, Dormammu acknowledged the presence of the other dimensional
lords.  "How speak you all?"
 From many a cry of approval rang out.  Many of the assembly had failed in
their own attempts to defeat the Ancient One and enslave the earth.
 Other's however were filled with a sense of eventual doom.  They knew that
earth's fall would be soon followed by Dormammu's continued expansion by
claiming their own realms as well.
 *I must accept!  I have no other choice!  If he is not vanquished now,
there may never be another opportunity!*  "I accept the challenge!" Dr.
Strange proclaimed.
 "Then heed my terms. . . And prepare to abide by them, doomed one!"  He
raised his clenched hands, showing the small disks attached to the backs of
both.  "Our only weapons shall be our mystic minds. . . and these enchanted
Pincers of Power!"  From the two circles on the edge of one disk, extended
two appendages of solid light, curving together, to almost meet at their
ends.  "Neither you nor I shall use any other spells or incantations!  Is it
agreed, accursed human?"
 Dr. Strange began to remove his cloak of levitation.  "Hand me my pincers!
I do hereby agree!"

 Dr. Strange handed his cloak and amulet to the Ancient One.  �No matter
what befalls, I shall bring no dishonor to my calling, to my trust, or to
the faith you have placed in me!�
 The Ancient One nodded.  �May the Hoary hand of Hoggoth rest lightly on thy
brow, my son!  May the Eternal eye of Agamotto ne�er turn away from thee!�
 Two of the Pincers of Power floated to Dr. Strange, who took them and
placed them on the backs of his gloved hands.  Curving rays of power emerged
from the discs at a thought, a moment of focus caused the rays from his
right hand to meet, forming a circle.  *According to his own terms, it is
not power, but skill that will decide the outcome, for we shall be evenly
matched!  Then, let the battle begin!*

 In the Dark Dimension the girl who had risked everything to aid Dr. Strange
was kneeling before a portal showing the fight.  Wrapped in Dormammu�s
spell, she couldn�t even turn her head or close her eyes longer than a
blink.

 Dr. Strange stepped into the clear area where Dormammu stood alone.  �Face
me, Mortal!�  Dormammu declared.  �Stand ready to meet your deadly destiny!�
 Dr. Strange extended his pincers to a half-moon shape.  Hands moving before
him, he advanced on Dormammu, who had half extended his own pincers and
moved toward him.
 Dormammu struck with a low right, which Dr. Strange avoided, while guarding
against his raised left hand.  A quick testing attack was blocked by
Dormammu�s pincer, the two mystic weapons crackling as they commingled.
Then Dr. Strange attacked with his other hand.
 Dormammu�s free pincer rose to catch Dr. Strange�s attacking hand at the
wrist.  Its energy cut off, the pincer went inert.
*My hand will soon be paralyzed if I do not quickly break free!*  Dr.
Strange pushed back for a moment, then suddenly fell back on one leg,
twisting his arms as he kicked his front at Dormammu�s legs.  *I did it!*
 Releasing one pincers grip, Dormammu extended one hand to catch the ground.
While pulling with his other hand at Strange�s entangled pincer, he lashed
out with a low kick.
 *I relaxed too soon!*  Dr. Strange thought as he tried to control his fall.
 A moment later, Dormammu struck again at his downed adversary with both
hands.  �Hah!  Now I�ve trapped both your pincers!�
 *He�s been toying with me till now!*

 One of the watching powers commented quietly, �Strange is as good as
beaten!�
 Akane swallowed nervously.  �W-what�s going to happen?�
 Ranma simply looked at the pair.  �The fight�s not decided yet.�  *I didn�t
get much chance to spar with Dr. Strange, but I do know that he�s a decent
fighter.  He still might get out of this.*

 Dormammu began to slowly pull at Dr. Strange�s entrapped wrist.  �Once I
touch your head, your brain will be stupefied!  Your will shall become my
will!�
 Dr. Strange pushed, resisting Dormammu�s greater strength.  Then as the
hand was inches from his face, he suddenly pulled it past his head, into
Dormammu�s other hand.
 �No!�
 *The pain of his two pincers clashing made him release his hold on me!*
His just freed hand reached up to grab Dormammu by the shoulder.  �Why do I
no longer hear you gloating, Dreaded One?�  Dr. Strange said as he hurled
Dormammu away from himself.  �Is it because one cannot crow while being
tossed about like the humblest, most lowly of creatures?!!�
 Dormammu instantly rose to his feet and advanced back toward where Dr.
Strange again stood.  �For untold ages, none have ever dared taunt Dormammu!
And now I shall show you why!�
 Both pincers extended, Dormammu began another attack.  �I have had
centuries in which to study the art of combat!  No one that lives can be my
equal!�
 While dodging and blocking, Dr. Strange responded.  �Speak not to me of
equals, Dormammu!�  He stopped a retreat, striking with blows that Dormammu
had to block.  �I have pledged my very lift to prove I am your superior!�
 �Never!�  Dormammu extended his pincers to lock both weapons onto the pair
strange wielded.  �No mere mortal can overcome Dormammu!
 �Yield, Human!  Yield I command you!�
 �Not while life flickers within me!�

 Ranma looked on, pushing aside his worry and making himself think
analytically.  *Dormammu�s more familiar with the weapons, and he does know
how to fight, but if he�s ever had to fight seriously it was long ago.  That
�s Dr. Strange�s advantage.*
 One of the witnesses commented, �The human fight�s has the courage of an
enchanted one!  But his cause is hopeless!�
 �Only to those without faith can there be no hope!�  The ancient one
responded, not taking his eyes from the fight.

 �Enough!� Dormammu declared, forcing Dr. Strange�s arms down.  �It is time
to end this tiresome parrying!�  He kicked out a blow which Dr. Strange
moved his leg to avoid.  Shifting his stance, he struck again, pushing at
the back of Dr. Strange�s leg while forcing his arms down.  �You shall not
escape by twisting about again!  Not while I keep your arms pinned back!�
 *His strength is beyond any humans!*  Dr. Strange thought, as he tried to
find a way to throw off Dormammu�s grip.  Suddenly his hands came together,
and Dormammu shifted his pincers grips.  *He�s pinned both my hands with one
pincer, and his other hand is free!*
 Dormammu pulled the hand holding Strange�s arms downward, while holding his
other hand, pincers extended a foot away from his opponents face.  �The game
is ended, Strange!  The victory is mine!
 �Now beg!  Beg for mercy to your conqueror!�
 Dr. Strange suddenly shifted his legs, pushing himself back into Dormammu�s
chest with all his strength.  �Though a thousand deaths be in store,�
twisting his body he set down one foot and swung his trapped hands.  �A
disciple of the Ancient one will never beg!�  Dormammu�s grip dissipated as
he was thrown to the ground, and Dr. Strange leapt after him, his pincers
striking to seal Dormammu�s power at the wrists.
 �And now Dormammu, it is I who have your hands pinned beneath me!�

 The crowd was silent, most shocked by this turn around.
 *My deadliest enemy is actually winning!  Strange is defeating Dormammu?!*
Baron Mordo thought as he looked at the fight.  *It cannot be!  It must not
be!!*  He raised his hands gathering his power.  *At last I have a chance to
redeem myself in the eyes of Dormammu!*

 Beside the Ancient One, Ranma�s gaze swept along the crowd.  *This is just
the time when someone would interfere.*  His gaze stopped on Mordo�s raised
hands, the mage�s just completed spell erupting forward.  *NO!*  Ranma
raised his hands, channeling as much of his strength as he could into a
shield between Mordo and Dr. Strange.
 Shattering Ranma�s shield like glass, Mordo�s attack struck Dr. Strange
from behind, throwing him to the ground.

 Dormammu rose to his feet and looked down at his adversaries still form.
�You shall pay for that Mordo!  By the Seven Rings of Raggador how you shall
pay!�
 Mordo cringed back in terror as Dormammu advanced on him.  �But Master, I
thought I was helping you!�
 �You. . . A bungling, talentless, powerless mortal. . .  you dared to
presume to think you could help Dormammu??!!
 �You were merely a tool of mine, a hireling!  But you dared go over my
head, you dared act on your own, without a command from me!�
 �I meant no harm!  I wanted to help!. . .�
 �SILENCE!!!�  Raising his hands Dormammu crafted a spell.  �I shall
transport you to the Dimension of Demons where you will pay for your folly
until it suits me to return you again!�  Releasing his magic, Dormammu
caused a portal to open like a scroll beneath Mordo�s Feet.
 �No Dormammu. . .  NO!  Have mercy, I beg you! Mercy. . .!�
 Dormammu released his spell and looked at the closing portal.  �Mercy?
Bah!  That is a word for humans, not for The Dread Dormammu!�
 Dormammu turned back toward the assembled spectators.  �Though I did not
win in the manner I would have chosen, still am I the sole survivor!
Therefore I demand my prize!  I must be crowned master of all dimensions!�
 �Never evil one!  The battle is not yet ended!�

 All heads turned to where Dr. Strange had pushed himself into a seated
position, and was now slowly rising.  �Mordo�s cowardly attack merely
stunned me!  I heard what you told him, and now I give you another chance. .
. to try for the victory you seek!�
 Dormammu hesitated.  �You are wounded, weak!  I could win too easily!�
 �I declare myself strong enough to continue!  If you refuse it means you
fear me, it means you wanted Mordo to attack me from behind!�  *If I
challenge his pride, and his honor. . .*
 Dormammu stepped forward angrily.  �Those rash words have sealed you doom!
Now, you shall surely die!�  He raised a hand and extended its pincers.
�Though I posses enough magical power to erase you from existence in an
instant, I prefer to continue our battle as before. . . using only physical
weapons!�


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