Hero's Path

Prologue/Teaser

A Ranma 1/2 - Dragonlance Crossover

*****
Disclaimer:  Ranma 1/2 Belongs to Rumiko Takahashi /
Dragonlance Belongs to TSR Publishing, not to mention
Weiss & Hickman.
*****
Sudden Arrival.

While it could be described as many things, under
normal circumstances, the last thing one could call
the Inn of the Last Home was silent.  Perched high in
the branches of one of Solace's largest vallenwood
trees, the Inn was a social hub in this bustling
community, the sounds of cooking, talking, and general
merriment pervading it through and through.

This night, however, was a different matter entirely,
as silence replaced the general hubbub and the stench
of burned flesh hung heavy in the air as all eyes in
the room focused on the drama in their midst.

The evening had begun quietly enough, Otik's potatoes
being served and washed down with ale as the
townspeople discussed local events, then strangers
arrived.  Warrior, mage, knight, half-elf, and
dwarf...  Those drew a few comments, while the kender
that accompanied them had the patrons securing their
valuables.  The barbarian maid and her companion also
drew their share of attention as well, yet no one
expected trouble.

Then again, who could have guessed that an old man's
stories and a woman's song could cause such chaos? 
Who could have predicted that the Theocrat, in a
drunken rage, would find himself a human torch?  Or
for that matter, that the wooden staff used by the
kender to knock him over in order to douse the flames,
would turn to blue crystal and heal the man instantly?
 Most of all, could ANYBODY have known that the
Theocrat was enough of a fanatic to deliberately stick
his hand back in the hearth, burning it in an effort
to cleanse his own soul?  Now here they all were,
players in this demented affair, frozen in shock,
gazes bouncing between the crystal staff and a
crippled madman.

The silence was broken by the old storyteller's
exclamation of shock, as every head in the room turned
in his direction.  The old man's face showed first
shock, then amusement as, with a "crump" of displaced
air, a figure materialized not three feet in front of
him.  Shaking his head, the old man chuckled, while
reaching into his robes.  "Well...  This is
different."

*****

In another place, another world, another time, Ranma
was just a little nervous.  Before him, blocking his
way into Furinkan High, Kuno stood with the wishing
sword held high.  Wondering what the deranged kendoist
was up to, he fell into a loose ready stance while
Kuno made his speech.

"Saotome!  Time and time again I have tried to rid
this world of you, only to be thwarted by your foul
magics.  I have striven with all my might to free
Akane and the pigtailed one from your sorcerous grip,
yet for all of my unmatched skill, I find myself
helpless before your dark power.  I now know that to
defeat magic, I must use magic, and as demeaning as
that might be, it is a sacrifice I will make to
finally remove you from my life!"  Pausing to catch
his breath, he fixed Ranma with a poisoned glare. 
"Wishing sword!  It is my final wish that I never see
the foul sorcerer Saotome again!"

Shocked, Ranma found himself blinded by an intense
burst of light.  Blinking the spots out of his eyes,
he found his path into the school clear, as Kuno was
nowhere to be seen.

*****

With a nauseating wrench, Kuno suddenly found himself
elsewhere.  Confused, he cast about himself, trying to
identify his surroundings.  He was in a room full of
strangely dressed gaijin, all of whom were staring at
him in surprise.  The nearest one, an old man, looked
him over with obvious amusement before speaking.

"You might get a better reaction if you put your sword
away, me-boy."

It was only then that he realized he was still in his
heroic pose, wishing sword held high.  Feeling
slightly foolish, he took the old man's advice. 
"Where and I, old one?  How did I get here?"

Before the old man could answer, another man, this one
cradling a badly charred hand, began screaming angrily
in a strange language while gesturing in his
direction.  Several of the others began moving towards
him, drawing weapons as they did.

The elder's hand on his arm prevented him from
re-drawing his sword.  In response to his puzzled
look, the old man shook his head.  "They're not after
you, boy."  He gestured to a golden-haired woman and a
top-knotted child holding a glowing blue staff. 
"These folks simply wish to kill her and take the
staff the small one holds."  Handing him and amulet on
a worn leather thong, the old man turned, crossed the
room, and took a seat at an empty table.

Taking up someone's abandoned ale, the oldster favored
him with an amused look.  "The necklace will allow you
to understand what is being said, as you will find
that no one here speaks your tongue, aside from me,
that is.  Everyone has decisions to make in their
lives, Kuno Tatewaki, and your next few will determine
your place in this world...  Good luck!"

Tbc
==========================
While I have every intention of continuing this fic,
it will take a while as I am trying to figure out
where it could go.  Suggestions are more than welcome.




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