[Ranma][Continuation][Sci-Fi/Action]


Disclaimer: Ranma, and all characters and concepts
depicted in this story do not belong to me and are the
sole property of Rumiko Takahashi and all other
associated and respective owners and creators. I am
not making a single cent off this story. 


***= Change in setting or POV. Tread carefully.

IMPORTANT: 
Please read Author's Notes at the end of the chapter
for important information. 

Mini-Note:
Despite having said repeatedly that Shadowlands will
be out soon, its becoming obvious that that goal isn't
going to become reality as fleshing out the story is
taking far longer than expected. But since I didn't
want to leave the few people who actually read my
stuff out in the cold, I thought I'd start posting an
idea that's lingered in my head for quite a while and
has been fermented by too much techno/trance and hard
rock music.






Ranma 0.5: Neo
Opening Theme: 'Right Here, Right Now' by Fatboy Slim



Arc 01: Younghunt




Chapter 0: Faded Myths




2:49 AM

So early is the incoming dawn that the world is still
bathed in the darkness of the night. The endless black
void of space is alive with the stars that shine
brightly, celestial beacons of times long past when
the universe was still young.

A zephyr whispers through the night air. The current
within an ocean of air twists and turns, and floats
right by the form of a young man. He stands high atop
one of the many skyscrapers that dot the Tokyo
skyline, and he looks down upon the city and basks at
the number of people still awake at such an hour.
Truly it is a city that never sleeps.

His hair is a deep black, and his tied in a pigtail
that sways lightly in the gentle wind that floats by.
He is dressed in loose black jeans, a jacket of the
same color with the sleeves torn off with a red
short-sleeved shirt underneath, along with black
fingerless gloves. His slate gray eyes slowly scans
the city line stretched out before him, just before
closing and taking a deep breath, letting the cool,
soothing night enter his nostrils and come out through
his mouth.

"What...is this I'm feeling right now?" He murmured to
himself. "Why does everything seem so clear...I've
never felt like this before...."

"It's called freedom, boy. Learn to live with it," A
voice to his right answered. "Because from now on,
it's all you'll ever feel."

Ranma idly glanced sidelong at the man next to him. He
was sitting at the edge, one arm resting on a knee,
and his long silver hair swaying in the breeze. His
eyes were a dull gray, like twin pearls of pure ice.
He was dressed in black slacks and a white
short-sleeved shirt. He had a muscular yet lean build,
much like the younger teenager he was accompanying.

"So...what now, what happens to you?" Ranma asked, a
hint of true uncertainty in his voice.

"Me?" The man grinned as he stood up and slid his
hands into his pockets. "My time has long since been
over. Its time for me to leave this world...forever."

"I suppose so," He replied. "It's a shame though..."

His voice held genuine regret for the man before him,
but he only chuckled in response, not sharing the
morose expression that Ranma had.

"No its not," He answered simply. "As I said, my time
has long since past. This is no longer my world, my
generation ended centuries ago. I and my comrades have
known this for quite some time."

Ranma brought his eyes back to Tokyo. He had been gone
for two weeks, but so much had happened in that short
span of time that he knew he would have trouble
putting it into words when he returned to the Tendo
Dojo.

"There are many, many, facets to this world you live
in. Levels that some people simply are not capable of
comprehending. It's like day...and night, two
completely different spectrums that hold two
completely different walks of life," The man
explained. "Even with all you've been through, you and
those close to you have only just BEGUN to scratch the
surface of the real world."

There was a brief silence between them as he let the
words sink in.

"I have given you all you need, I have given you the
truth. You are His final solution, you were created in
His image and were born a portion of His infinite
wisdom, and now more than any generation you have
begun to tap that knowledge and strength," He said.
"Humanity has evolved far more than you even realize,
you are more powerful than you give yourselves credit.
There are many out there who have discovered this,
those with power greater than anything you have
experienced, and they know how to wield that power."

It was one of those times Ranma had remained silent.
For once, he realized that letting his mouth think for
him was not appropriate at this particular moment.

"It's a life that can be both terrifying, and be as an
enlightening as anything in this world. You've become
part of something grand, part of something that
transcends the existence you've lived for the past
sixteen years," His voice became somewhat distant as
he remembered when he was told the same thing...all
those years ago. "You need not face this alone. Find
those who hold this potential within them and show
them the truth as I have shown you. Enlighten them to
the true power of humanity."

"How will I know? How will I know who has this and who
doesn't?" Ranma asked.

"Everyone holds this power, but it will be your
decision as to who you enlighten. If you want my
advice, consider those you know and trust. Remember,
I'm not asking you to enlighten the entire planet,
just those you think are worth the trouble," He
advised. "But also remember, power always attracts
power. Your awakening was, and of those you choose
will be like a shockwave felt around the world. You
need not find them, they will find you."

"Heh, I've heard people say I live in interesting
times. I guess its gonna get more interesting huh?"
Ranma grinned as he spoke.

"More than you can ever realize," The man chuckled
lightly. He then pulled a hand out of his right
pocket, and then with a flick of his wrist he tossed a
small object to Ranma. "Here."

Ranma caught it easily in one hand. He slowly opened
his fingers and saw that he had caught a small
emerald-green pearl. It shined with an almost mystical
glimmer, even in the darkness of night.

"What is this?"

"Something to remember me by," He answered. "It was
also aid you in the enlightenment. Use it as much as
possible, it will make the transitions easier."

"I see," Ranma murmured as he stared at the small gem.
"So this is it, huh?"

"Yes it is, its been a bit too long since I had a
vacation," He grinned. At that moment, his form began
to fade away into the night air, his body becoming
mere wisps of some ethereal substance. Such an
impossibility was made real by the simple fact that
the being existed solely in Ranma's mind. "If there's
one thing I have ever learned, it's to live a long,
fulfilling, and memorable life. Whether it is through
peace, or war. Only then can you truly die happy."

"Don't worry, I don't expect to die for a good long
while." Ranma said with the cockiness he was known
for.

"You remind me so much of me when I was your age, I
guess that just reminds me of how old I am," He
laughed as he had nearly faded into nothingness.
"Never forget, boy. It's your time, don't screw it
up."

His final words seemed to echo through reality as the
final remnants of his consciousness floated away into
eternity. A deafening silence overcame the world in
that one brief instant, as if all of reality was
giving a moment of silence for his passing.

"My time...," Ranma whispered. "Trust me, I won't
forget."

Then, gingerly, he began to rise into the air. Gravity
loosened its grip on the boy as if by magic. When he
had reached sufficient altitude, he stared up at the
night sky, and took notice of a new star among the
many. Then, after a silent farewell, he turned to the
direction of his home and shot off into night at an
incredible speed.

He would never forget what the man had shown him. He
had shown him what had existed within himself and all
people, but what so few were able to grasp. He showed
him what was held suppressed deep within the soul, and
the infinite possibilities if one reached inside and
tore it loose from its prison.

He was shown a new side of the world that he could
never imagine existed. A level that only the
enlightened could exist, a level made for those people
who woke up to their power and stand poised to hold
the entire world in the palm of their hand.

That man had been where Ranma was only now heading.
That man had been around the world and back again more
times than Ranma could comprehend, and with this
passing, he was making way for a generation that was
more powerful than he could ever hope to be. He was
one of the last of the old making way for the new.

That man was Zeus, King of the Gods.

The old myths had faded away into the realm of
obscurity, and now it is time for humanity to write
some new ones.








To Be Continued......







Ending Theme: "Song of Life" by Leftfield






















 




















  


























 







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