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mancha_samaBreath of Fire ½
By: Dragon-sama
Ryoga catches up to Ranma a little earlier at Jusenkyou, and both gain a different curse than expected. Now with two new traveling companions, they wander the globe in search of answers, as well as the truth behind the war from long ago. A Ranma ½ x Breath of Fire 3 crossover. No pairings planned.
Key-
"...” speech
{...} mental speech
[...] panda signs
'...' thoughts
/.../ Chinese
-
"Hey, wait up Ryoga!" Ranko called, shaking her newly wet bangs out of her face.
They gave up actually trying to avoid water, just carrying a thermos or two of hot water for emergencies. It was amazing how much water there was in China. This latest 'accident' had been caused by a rotting log that had collected water from the rains, finally breaking just over Ranma's head. Ranko didn't bother wondering at the odds of such a thing happening, let alone happening with such impeccable timing.
"Again?" Ryoga asked, turning at the sound of her higher voice.
"Yeah. Anyway, do we have any idea where we are now? I mean, training's good and everything, but what are we gonna do?" she asked, falling back into step with him.
"You're asking me...why?" Ryoga asked sarcastically. "You know I can't tell left from right!"
{Yeah. I'm surprised you've come this far without wandering off,} Ranma sniggered.
"Shut up Ranma!" Ryoga said, 'hitting' Ranma with a mental fist. It wasn't really hitting, just a feeling of what would happen if Ranma had been there.
"Anyway," Ranko said again, interrupting before they could start fighting, "Does anyone have a plan?"
{The only ones who might would be the guys,} Ryoko replied. {We don't really belong to this time, so we wouldn't know what's what.}
{Well, I'll want to head back to Japan eventually,} Ranma said.
"Me too," Ryoga agreed. "I mean, there isn't much on this side of the Inner Sea. Just some sort of religious city and Junktown, which is more for the boat guild members anyway."
{How on earth do you know that?} Ranma asked, incredulous.
"I've been all over the place, you realize. Didn't mean to be there, but I was all the same," Ryoga replied bitterly.
{Sorry man. I didn't mean it like that...} Ranma said apologetically.
"Lighten up Ryoga!" Ranko added brightly. "Even if you do wander off again, we'll just come after you!"
"It's not that...easy," Ryoga mumbled. "My family's curse...isn't just getting lost."
{It's also that he gets into places he shouldn't be able to, right?} Ryoko said, 'nudging' Ryoga.
"What's that mean?" Ranko asked curiously. Ranma also perked up at the odd comment. Ryoga sighed.
"Know how I said I made it to Okinawa after I last met up with my Dad? The only thing on that island is a small fishing village called Parch. And the only way to get to Parch is by boat," he explained, glowering at the ground as they strode along.
"So?" Ranko prodded, still not understanding.
"So, I never crossed any water, I never was on any boat, and I went from Wyndia to Parch. And that's impossible! It's not the only thing that happened either!" Ryoga continued agitatedly. "I've come out of places no one saw me go into when there's only one way in or out! So if I do wander off," he spat, "It's not likely you'll be able to follow."
{Calm down Ryoga,} Ryoko said soothingly. {It's not like they knew.}
Ryoga scowled, but did manage to push the anger to one side.
{But...I used ta lead you around when we were younger,} Ranma said puzzled. {How come you didn't wander off then?}
"That's...you know, I have no idea," Ryoga said after a moment. "Usually it doesn't matter how closely I'm watched, sooner or later I just wander off."
{I wonder...} Ryoko mumbled quietly.
"What?" Ranko asked, wondering what her other self might have figured out that she hadn't.
{It's...ah, never mind. I don't really have a clue,} Ryoko said disgustedly.
"Hm...Anyway, back to what we're gonna do," Ranko said, steering the conversation back on track. "You guys really wanna go back to Japan? That's the other side of the Inner Sea?"
{Yeah,} Ranma said, happy to change the subject as well. {That's where most people live. Japan's pretty big, actually. Lot'sa different areas, but the most well known is Wyndia. It's where the royal family lives too, in Wyndia castle.}
{Okay but how do we get there?} Ryoko asked. {We don't know where we are, after all.}
"Just walk in one direction. We're bound to come across something we recognize," Ryoga suggested.
"And you wonder why you get lost? Yeah right. The likeliness of us comin' across a place we know is..." Ranko began, but trailed off.
"What?" Ryoga asked, looking up from where he'd been carefully placing his feet between the pools of water.
"I don't believe it. It's...." Ranko said, staring around. They were in the middle of a valley filled with pools of water, not having noticed when the forest had ended and the valley began.
"Honored Customers! Here you find legendary springs of Jusenkyou," the guide said, appearing out of nowhere and making the two martial artists jump. "Wait, I knows you! You here few weeks before!" he said, peering curiously at them. "No one ever come back before."
"Ack!" Ryoga said intelligently, stepping further onto the safety of the path. "How did we get here!?"
{I'd say we were following you, but I don't think we were,} Ranma commented, earning another mental blow from Ryoga.
{Then this is all your fault Ranma!} Ryoko snapped, praying their usual tendency to attract water wouldn't kick in.
"Yeah! After all, you can't expect us to know where to go!" Ranko agreed.
"You strange one, yes? No make sense when talk," the guide said, shrugging. You came to expect such things when you lived around as strange a place as Jusenkyou. "You father been waiting for you show up again," he continued, pointing at a small hut further up the trail. It was also his home, and he was hoping that the greedy martial artist would finally leave.
As if the mere mention of him had summoned him, Genma appeared behind Ranko.
"There you are, Ranma!" he exclaimed, gripping Ranko's shoulder. "What happened to you, boy! I searched everywhere after you ran off! You shouldn't be so disrespectful to your father!" Genma said sternly.
{I ran off?} Ranma choked out, though his father couldn't hear him.
"Hey! I didn't run off! And I ain't Ranma!" Ranko said, shrugging Genma's hand off.
"Don't lie, boy! I know it's you. Let's get you some hot water so you can get out of that weak body," Genma continued, oblivious to the steadily growing anger around him.
Ranko's eyebrow twitched. "Weak body?" she asked, dangerously. Genma ignored this as he continued, going into detailed ranting.
"Oh the curse of having my only son turn into something so horrendous! A tragedy for any martial artist, to be so humiliated! What a loss of honor! Boy, you must overcome this obstacle!"
{How dare he say such a thing! Lemme at 'em! I'll pound him into the ground!} Ryoko snarled, trying to shove the suddenly panicked Ryoga aside. He didn't know if she'd actually do anything, but it was best not to find out.
{Let me take care of this guys,} Ranma said, the tone in his voice broking no argument. Ryoko reluctantly ceased her attempt to kill the fat martial artist, and Ranko gave Ranma control without another word.
"...for a martial artist's life is--urk!" Genma's ranting was abruptly cut off as Ranma gripped the front of his gi, pulling him down to stare eye to eye with his parent. No mean feat considering the size of his girl form.
"Now, Oyaji," Ranma growled, and this time Genma couldn't avoid hearing the warning note in his son/daughter's voice. He also nervously noticed Ryoga glaring at him and cracking his knuckles, looking very intimidating indeed. "As you can see, I'm not weak in this form. In fact, I've gotten much stronger the past couple weeks training with...Ryoga. Who is coming with us, I might add, to train as well. This isn't exactly a curse, so leave off with the insults! If you don't like it," and here Ranma lifted Genma a couple inches of the ground, "then be a good panda and LEAVE US ALONE!"
At the last bit, Ranma wound up and kicked his startled parent into LEO (Whether its lower earth orbit or the constellation is up to you).
"Nice form," Ryoga commented, shading his eyes as he watched the form grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared over a hill. "Well he won't be bugging us for a while."
"Hmph," Ranko said, taking back control. "I woulda launched him all the way back to Japan!"
{I still wanna pound him,} Ryoko pouted.
"Honored Customers, you hungry, yes? I have too too delicious stew in house," the guide said, smoothly cutting into the conversation. Having been the guide for so long, such a minor incident of weirdness wasn't enough to phase him.
"Huh? Oh, sure," Ryoga said, becoming aware of his presence again. "And we want to ask you a couple questions."
"Is so? Okay. This way," the guide replied, and led them, carefully, up the path to his house.
* * *
"So we wanted to know why the pools did this," Ranko said, finishing the story as night was falling. She and Ryoga were still seated around the guide's small table, having finished the promised meal.
"Very strange," the guide said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I never know pools do this. You say you create Jusenkyou with battle? Maybe have do with that. If chaos magic, then maybe that why."
"Could be," Ryoga conceded. "But why didn't any of the other pools work like this? And how do we cure the girls?"
"I no know how cure, but Amazon village nearby maybe know," the guide said with a shrug. "I take you there tomorrow."
{What about us becoming Brood. Why did our guy bodies change too?} Ranma asked.
"Yeah, why did the guys become Brood too? Shouldn't it only have been the girl forms?" Ranko asked, relaying the question.
"No know that either. Amazons very wise. Maybe they help you," the guide said.
"Well, then I guess we have to go there," Ryoga said with a sigh. "Well, let's go train then." So saying, both martial artists got up and went into the adjacent room where their stuff was already stashed, and lay down. A few minutes later, slow, even breathing could be heard coming from the two sleeping bags.
/What strange people,/ the guide muttered in Mandarin. /I've never heard anyone call sleeping training before./
* * *
Genma was cold, wet, and furry.
How dare his miserable son do this to his own father! But Ranma had become surprisingly strong in the time they were separated. Genma didn't think Ranma used to be able to kick that hard, even in his male form. And why had the ungrateful boy done that anyway? All Genma'd done was go into his usual criticisms, and for some reason the boy had taken offense this time.
Maybe it was the influence of that Ryoga boy? It had to be. Well, he'd follow them tomorrow and wait for his chance. Then he'd just steal Ranma back and be on his way, as he'd done so many times in the past. The boy may have gotten better, but Genma was confident he could still take Ranma out if he really wanted to.
* * *
"Here we come to Amazon village," the guide said the next day. Thanks to a surprise rain shower, both Ranko and Ryoko were following the guide. They had come across a smallish village, and now found the residents all gathered in the center. "We very lucky. Is martial arts tournament. Best in village fight," the guide said as they sat down next to a table full of food. Ranko was just reaching for a pork bun when Ryoko grabbed her hand.
"Uh uh. Look," Ryoko said, pointing at the sign.
"Huh? Oh. Too bad. I was hungry," Ranko said, pouting.
{First Prize. Huh, how come I can read the sign? It's in Chinese,} Ranma asked.
"Probably cause we knew Chinese before we died. After all, we did live in China," Ryoko replied.
"Yeah. We didn't know Japanese until you fell in our pool," Ranko added with a shrug.
{But everyone speaks Japanese nowadays!} Ryoga protested.
"And we're not from nowadays," Ryoko replied.
{Yeah, but why would this village still use such an' old language?} Ranma pointed out.
"Hmmm..." Ranko gave a quiet hum, but didn't add anything. It's not like they'd know.
None of the observers noticed the furry paw making swift inroads on the food piled behind them.
"Check that girl out!" Ryoko said, pointing to the lavender haired girl who was facing off on the challenge log.
"She's pretty strong," Ranko agreed, watching the fight with interest. "Are you sure it's a woman she's fighting, though?" she added with a snigger.
{I could take her,} Ranma said, despite the fact the girl was fighting at furious speeds.
{Yeah, and? Any of us could take her out. But she's still pretty good,} Ryoga rebuked.
"Well, I don't think the panda could take her," Ranko said, chuckling as the purple haired girl sent her opponent flying. She was very surprised when a wooden sign hit her in the back of the head.
[I could too take her out! But it is not honorable for a man to fight a woman!] Genma-panda signed, while munching contentedly on an ear of corn. Ranko and Ryoko turned disbelieving eyes on him, which he ignored as he reached for a side of ham.
"What are you doing?!" Ryoko snapped, knocking his paw away.
[But I'm hungry,] the panda signed piteously.
"You stupid jerk, why didn't you read the si--" Ranko began, but cut off as she was forced to dodge the bonbori aimed at her head.
/Girl! Why did you let your pet eat my prize?/ the girl demanded, pointing her weapon at Ranko.
/Hey! He ain't my pet! I didn't even know he was there!/ Ranko snapped back.
/Then is it your pet?/ the girl said, swinging her mace to point at Ryoko.
/Nor my relation, thank all that's holy,/ Ryoko said, making a negative gesture. Then she grimaced. "Well, maybe not holy..."
/Then I'll kill the panda as my prize!/ the girl proclaimed, and braced herself to leap at the animal.
{Oh man!} Ranma moaned. Ranko sighed.
/As much as I hate to do this, if I fight you and win, will you not kill the panda?/ she asked, stopping the girl.
/You challenge me, Xian Pu, the village champion?/ Xian Pu asked, incredulous.
/Well, though he isn't my pet, I can't let you kill the panda. I really am sorry about the food though,/ Ranko said, hoping to avoid a fight.
/Very well, then we fight! To the challenge log!/ Xian Pu said, ignoring the comment and leapt back atop the log she had just vacated.
"Your funeral," Ryoko said, dipping a cup into a cauldron of still hot soup.
"Hey! How come you're eating?" Ranko demanded, pouting.
"Well, when you win, the prize becomes ours anyway," Ryoko replied with a shrug.
{Will you just get on with the fight?} Ryoga asked.
"Better save some for me," Ranko said in parting, then leapt onto the log as well.
/You will regret your challenge,/ Xian Pu said, then without another word, charged Ranko.
"Why am I thinking not?" Ranko grumbled, and then snap-kicked the girl in the chin, knocking her off the log. There were gasps from all around, as the entire village witnessed the easily won match.
/T-t-the winner,/ the judge said nervously, holding Ranko's arm aloof. Ranko was looking at Xian Pu as the Amazon got to her feet, wiping her mouth. Then, to her surprise and the horror of the guide, Xian Pu kissed Ranko on the cheek.
"Aiyaa! Is kiss of death! You must run!" the guide cried, grabbing Ranko's arm and dragging her a few feet.
"Huh? Why?" Ranko asked, digging her heels in as they came abreast of Ryoko. The blonde girl had obediently handed the other girl a meat bun, which Ranko happily devoured with her free hand.
"Is promise to hunt you to ends of earth and kill!" the guide replied, trying desperately to drag the now immobile girl away.
"She wouldn--" Ranko began, but was cut off by a 'kiya' from Ryoko. She turned to see the blonde girl still in a snap kick, very like the one Ranko had used to defeat Xian Pu, and a surprised Xian Pu holding what looked like a stick. With a resounding thud, the other end of the bonbori came crashing down on top of the Amazon's head, knocking her out.
"What was that all about?" Ryoko asked, straightening.
{Great. Just great,} Ranma sighed dramatically.
{What happened? I couldn't catch it all,} Ryoga asked impatiently.
"Um, I guess you'll see," Ranko said, gesturing as the Amazon slowly regained conscience. Xian Pu stood up, looking from girl to girl, then gave Ryoko a kiss of death.
/You two must die!/ she cried, then pulled out another pair of bonbori.
"Oh," Ryoko said simply, dodging Xian Pu's strike.
"So, what do we do now?" Ranko asked, still easily dodging the girl's swings.
{...Where did she get those from?} Ranma asked in disbelief as Ranko ducked another swing. The girls pointedly ignored him.
"Is one way she not kill you," the guide said, regaining his composure when it appeared death was not imminent for anyone. "But is no solution. Amazon law say kill outsider women, but not men. Men have to--"
"Well, then hot water it is!" Ranko interrupted, and snatched up the cauldron of soup Ryoko had been eating from earlier. Tossing it into the air, the hot broth splashed on all of them.
/Aiyaa! Hot! What did you do that for you little--/ Xian Pu began, but broke off as she stared at the two boys.
"Surprise!" Ranma said weakly.
"Is...boys. Where girls go?" Xian Pu demanded, looking wildly around.
"Well, I guess we'll be going then," Ryoga said, turning to pick up his pack.
"Wait! Where you hide girl?" Xian Pu asked.
/Hey, we didn't hide them,/ Ranma replied in Chinese, the language strange on his tongue. /We honestly have no idea where they are right now./
/That's enough Xian Pu,/ a new voice said, breaking smoothly in. They turned to see a wizened old woman perched easily atop a wooden staff.
/Great-grandmother Khu Lon! I must kill the outsider girls!/ Xian Pu said, protesting.
/Did you not see the change? No, I suppose you were too busy getting scalded to notice,/ Khu Lon said, then turned to the two boys. "I see you've been to Jusenkyou. That was rather silly of you, considering you obviously know Chinese very well," she said, giving the two boys a piercing gaze. "Which is quite unusual, since I was certain our village was the only one to remember the dead language."
"Um, I guess we didn't know it at the time," Ranma said nervously, trying to edge away.
"Yeah, silly us. But we really should be going now," Ryoga agreed, shouldering his pack.
"Now now, you can't go, not just yet. One of you has to marry my great granddaughter," Khu Lon said mildly. Ranma and Ryoga stared at her.
"Repeat that," Ryoga said slowly.
"One of you has to marry my great granddaughter," the woman obediently repeated.
"...Well, there is one thing I can say," Ranma said, dropping his pack back on the ground.
"What's that?" the woman asked in amusement as Ryoga dropped his pack too.
"OYAJI! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Ranma roared, turning to face the suddenly cowering panda.
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ATE THE STUPID FOOD IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Ryoga shouted, also advancing on the terrified animal.
[Now, boys. A martial artist must take the chance to eat whenever he can!] Genma signed.
"Not when it doesn't belong to you! I thought we've been through this before!" Ranma said angrily.
"Before? Don't tell me he's done this before!" Ryoga said, turning to the other boy. "No, wait, I take that back. How stupid can you be?!" he added, turning back to the panda.
"Boys, boys," Khu Lon said, interrupting the shouting match. "I have informed my great granddaughter of what has happened, and she is most agreeable. One of you needs to choose to marry her."
"Oh no. I ain't marryin' no one!" Ranma said, backing away quickly.
"You're not going to pin this on me!" Ryoga agreed, warding the Amazons off with his hands.
"Hm? Playing hard to catch? Well, you'll come around," Khu Lon said, and hopped off. Both boys stared after her.
"...So I guess..." Ranma began.
"...We can go?" Ryoga finished uncertainly.
"WO DA AILEN!" came the happy cry, and Ranma got the wind knocked out of him as Xian Pu barreled into him.
"Ack! Let go!" Ranma said, struggling to get out of the vice-like grip.
"Getting pretty familiar there, aren't you?" Ryoga asked in annoyance. What, did Ranma think this was a game?
"Hey! I ain't--huh?" Ranma broke off as he staggered, suddenly free of his burden.
"WO DA AILEN!" Xian Pu cried, this time tackling Ryoga.
"Waah!" was all Ryoga could say before he was knocked down.
"Now who's gettin' familiar?" Ranma said, laughing as Ryoga tried vainly to get away from the snuggling Xian Pu.
"Hey! Xian Pu-- I'm not-- ARGH!" Ryoga yelled, leaping to his feet and dragging Xian Pu with him.
{You could always tell Khu Lon about us,} Ryoko suggested, trying not to snigger at the boy's predicament.
{Worth a shot,} Ranko added, not at all liking the thought of Xian Pu glomping on her.
"Alright, fine. KHU LON! WHERE ARE YOU!" Ranma said, beginning to charge off in the direction the old woman had taken.
"Yes son-in-law?" Khu Lon replied, poking him in the back.
"AAHH!!" Ranma said intelligently, jumping away. "What? You! Okay, Khu Lon. We need to talk to you," he said threateningly.
"Oh? Have you already decided to marry my great granddaughter? That was faster than I expected," Khu Lon said in mock surprise.
"NO! We just need to...let GO Xian Pu!...talk to you!" Ryoga said, still struggling with the Amazon. To his surprise, she did let go, and instead jumped back on Ranma.
"AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!" Ranma said, not able to dodge in time.
"Can we talk somewhere more, private?" Ryoga asked quickly, edging away from Xian Pu and the thoroughly annoyed Ranma.
"Very well, follow me. Xian Pu, you need to at least let him walk," Khu Lon said, and Xian Pu reluctantly unwrapped her legs from around Ranma.
Khu Lon led them through the village, Xian Pu managing to hang off both boy's arms at once, until they came to a modest sized hut. Upon entering, the Japanese teens were greeted by the sight of a boy about their age, dressed in a long white robe and black pants.
/Xian Pu my love!/ the boy said, scooping up Khu Lon in a passionate embrace.
Ranma and Ryoga stared at each other in surprise.
/Stupid Mu Tsu!/ Xian Pu said, releasing both boys to hit the Amazon on his head. /That's not me! Put your stupid glasses on!/
Upon doing so, Mu Tsu got a good look at exactly what he was hugging.
/Ahh! A ghoul!/ he said, dropping Khu Lon. He was rewarded with a bop on the head.
/I'm not a ghoul! Lazy boy.../ Khu Lon said, hopping further into the room.
"Um, did I miss somethin'?" Ranma asked, scratching his head in puzzlement.
/Who are you?/ Mu Tsu asked in surprise, finally having noticed the two boys standing there.
/They're the ones who are going to marry Xian Pu. One or both,/ Khu Lon said simply. She was finding far too much enjoyment out of the situation.
/WHAT! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!!!/ Mu Tsu screamed, surprise turning to anger as he launched an assortment of weapons at the two still stunned boys.
"Hey...what?" Ryoga said, leaping over the chains, blades, potted plants, and other miscellaneous missiles. Skipping backwards a few steps, he and Ranma found themselves back outside and quickly split up, giving themselves space.
"Now what?" Ranma asked as the Amazon boy came charging out.
/NEVER! You can't have her, you hear! Xian Pu is mi--/ Mu Tsu began, but broke off as a large, HEAVY table crashed into him.
/I AM NOT YOURS, STUPID MU TSU!/ Xian Pu's voice said, coming from inside the house.
/X...Xian Pu.../ the boy groaned, before slipping into unconsciousness.
"...I definitely missed somethin'," Ranma sighed.
"You and me both," Ryoga replied.
{I'm not much better,} Ranko said, sweat dropping.
{Why don't we ask them?} Ryoko suggested, indicating the hut still in front of them.
"Good idea," Ranma said, and he and Ryoga tramped into the house, over the still out-of-it Amazon.
"Hey, Khu Lon! What was that all about, anyway?" Ranma asked upon entering the hut. Xian Pu huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Mu Tsu is, how you say, obsess with Xian Pu," she replied, looking annoyed.
"Won't take a hint I guess," Ryoga said, raising an eyebrow.
"Is too too bad for stupid Mu Tsu! Wo Ai Ni!" Xian Pu said, brightening up as she latched once again onto each of the boy's arms.
{And she can take a hint?} Ryoko asked sarcastically.
{This is embarrassing. I just hope she doesn't try and come after us in girl form,} Ranko whined miserably.
"Anyway," Ranma said, sliding his arm out of Xian Pu's, "We can't marry ya." He turned to the wizened figure. "Khu Lon, it's not that simple."
"And why is that, son-in-law?" Khu Lon asked, giving all appearances of polite attention.
"Well, because of our curses," Ryoga replied distractedly, blushing as Xian Pu gave up on Ranma and plastered herself against him.
{Hey!} Ranko and Ryoko chorused indignantly.
"That is easily fixed. A bit of Nannichuan and you're back to normal. No, I'm sorry boys, but that's not good enough," Khu Lon said dismissively. "Our laws are very strict in these matters."
"No, we can't just do that! It's not a normal curse!" Ranma protested hastily.
{I wish you'd stop referring to us as a 'curse',} Ryoko sulked.
"What do you mean?" Khu Lon asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, when we fell into the spring, uh, we kind of got mixed up with the soul of the girl that drowned there too," Ryoga said nervously, still tying to detach the clinging Xian Pu from his side without touching anything he shouldn't.
"Go on..." the old lady prompted.
"Well, now we can talk to them, sorta, just mentally or whatever it's called," Ranma replied, grinning faintly at the struggling Ryoga.
"So if we did jump into the spring of drown man, we might kill the girls or something," Ryoga added. He finally gave up, slumping red-faced as the Amazon happily nuzzled into his side.
"What do you mean 'girls'? There would only be one soul in the spring if your story was true," Khu Lon pointed out.
"Well, their soul...split, I guess. I mean, me an' Ryoga both fell in at the same time," Ranma said uncertainly, rubbing the back of his head. "We don't really know what happened. That's one of the reasons we came here, actually."
"Hmm, most interesting. But why am I to believe this story?" Khu Lon asked carefully. "You could be making this up. After all, Jusenkyou pools don't normally work that way."
"Well, if you talked to the girls would that work?" Ryoga asked desperately. He glared at Ranma who was standing as far from the...eh..."happy" pair as he could get in the enclosed space.
"How can I, if, as you say, you can only talk to them telepathically?" Khu Lon countered.
"Oh, we figured out that we can switch control if we want," Ranma replied easily, a little too happy Xian Pu wasn't his current problem. The matriarch studied the two boys for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Very well," she said finally.
"Um, could we have cold water though? We don't like switchin' in the wrong forms," Ranma asked with a grimace.
"Xian Pu, get them some water," Khu Lon ordered, and the girl reluctantly pulled away from Ryoga to fetch it, ignoring the boy's sigh of relief. Xian Pu was a little worried that Khu Lon would break off the arrangement. Now that he'd had a taste of 'rivalry' for her affections, Mu Tsu would bug her worse than ever. Besides, the boys were cute, and strong. She could do much, much worse.
When Xian Pu returned with two buckets of water, Ranma and Ryoga obediently poured them over their heads. Xian Pu watched in fascination as the change took place, leaving two soaked girls.
"That's better," Ryoko said, shaking out her bangs. "Funny, normally we don't go looking for cold water. It finds us."
"I wonder if that has somethin' to do with Jusenkyou ," Ranko pondered, putting the bucket down with a clang. Then the two girls turned to the diminutive woman. "So, how can we convince you we're real?" Khu Lon studied them closely, trying to find something to either confirm or deny their story. After a couple minutes of the intense scrutiny, both girls began to shift nervously. Finally, Khu Lon sighed.
"Hmmm. Well, I find I believe you. There is a subtle, but noticeable, difference in your auras," she said. "But that doesn't change the facts. Once you are cured, Xian Pu has her honor to uphold. And, since it was the girls who defeated her, that means she has to kill them."
"Now wait a minute! We only fought in self defense!" Ranko burst out hotly.
"It doesn't matter. It is part of our laws, for the strength of the village," Khu Lon said dismissively.
"But the guys are off the hook?" Ryoko asked quickly.
"Well, I won't force them to marry Xian Pu, but if she wins them over by herself, who am I to complain?" Khu Lon said with a chuckle.
{No way,} Ranma said, shuddering.
{Marry her? When she's going to try and kill you guys? No way,} Ryoga agreed.
{Besides, she's waaaay too clingy!} Ranma added.
"Well this sucks," Ryoko muttered furiously, beginning to stalk to the doorway. "We come here for help, but instead we get a heap of trouble. I guess the Amazons aren't as wise as we were led to believe!"
/Wait!/ Xian Pu cried, blocking their path. /You can't leave! You must die!/ She'd had a hard time following the conversation, but had gotten the gist of it.
"Uh uh. Not until we get cured. And do ya really think you can defeat us?" Ranko asked, not bothering to be polite anymore.
/How dare you insult me like that! You'll pay for that!/ Xian Pu cried, a sword suddenly appearing in her hands as she swung at the two girls.
{Again, where did she get that from?!} Ranma asked in frustration.
"I give up," Ryoko growled, ducking the weapon. Then, not really knowing why, she added, "You Amazons are almost as bad as the Goddess."
Knocking the surprised Xian Pu across the room, the two girls once again marched toward the doorway, missing the surprised look on the elder Amazon's face.
"Stop!" Khu Lon commanded, bounding forward a step with her hand out raised in protest. Glancing over her shoulder, Ryoko scowled.
"What?" she demanded, Ranko turning slightly as well to glare back at the Amazons.
"What were you called before your...accident?" Khu Lon asked insistently. Ranko narrowed her eyes in confusion, but Ryoko just tugged on her sleeve, dragging the other girl out with her.
"Konara," Ryoko snapped over her shoulder, then she and Ranko left the small hut.
"Konara..." Khu Lon whispered, sliding down her staff to land with a thump. "It can't be...can it?"
* * *
Genma looked up from the now-finished feast. The square had cleared of most people, as everyone figured the panda was not their concern. The only ones left were a couple of small children, who were staring up at him in delight.
"Growf?" Genma said, looking around for Ranma. After the boys had been distracted by that Amazon girl, Genma had gone back to what he did best; eating. But now that there was no more food to be had, he finally became aware of his surroundings again.
/Neat! Panda!/ one of the kids said, hugging Genma's leg.
/Wanna ride!/ another said, arms raised imploringly.
"Growf?"
End Chapter 02
-
Author's notes:
Map Trivia: So it becomes fairly obvious that this story is not situated in the "real world", but rather it is set mostly in the Breath of Fire III world with real world mentions. So I'd like to explain the world my characters are wandering through. It is best if you are familiar with the BoFIII game, but if not, I'll try to explain.
The basic map takes place on a single continent. The checkpoint, Syn City, and Dauna mine in the north west, in the (you guessed it) Dauna region. Continuing down south east you hit Ogre Road, and beyond that is Mt. Levett. Going east by north (in other words, east and a little north), you pass by McNeil village, Cedar Woods, and Mt. Glaus. Further along the road is Mt. Myrneg. So the region between the mountains, including the village and woods, is called the Yraall region. Here's where I start adding in little things.
Normally in the BoFIII game, the next place you come across is Wyndia. In this case, I'm adding in Nerima and Juubun along the way. So from Mt. Myrneg, if you continue eastward, you'll run into Nerima, then Juubun, then Wyndia. South of Wyndia is the Arena town Genmel and Mt. Boumore, and this area is considered the Central Wyndia region.
Continuing east from Wyndia, you pass into the Eastern Wyndia region. Right away you run into the Plant, the dump, and Yggdrassil. Continuing east you run into the Coffee Shop, and south of that is Momo's tower, and the road leading to the other end of Mt. Boumore(road turns back west a bit). Further east of the Coffee Shop is another checkpoint, beyond which is the Rhapala region.
There's not much in the Rhapala region; just an abandoned hut north, Rhapala town/wharf and lighthouse east, and Mt. Zublo to the south and east. There is an inaccessible town in the southern part of the region, called Cliff, which can only be reached from the next region and the Tidal Caves. To the east of the abandoned hut and the north of Rhapala, there's a peninsula on which the small town of Parch rests. However, I made a minor change in my story, and now the peninsula is actually an island, which is considered "Okinawa". And all of the regions discussed so far (Dauna, Yraall, Central and Eastern Wyndia, and Rhapala) are considered "Japan" in my story.
Continuing east over the Inner Sea and Mt. Zublo, we now enter "China", which consist only of the Urkan region. On the other side of the sea from Rhapala is the dock, and a bit further inland is Junktown. To the south east of Junktown and the north east of Mt. Zublo is Urkan Tapa and Angel Tower. In my story, rather than being rather barren, this area is going to be covered in an immense forest, in which the Amazon village and Jusenkyou also reside.
Further north of Junktown is Steel Beach, with a small fisherman's hut further west from that on a peninsula. To the south of Mt. Zublo is the access road to the Tidal Caves and Cliff. I think that about covers it. Beyond the inner sea (and the small islands and reefs enclosing the mouth of it) is what's known as the outer sea. Creative name, huh? It is violent and currently inaccessible to this world's level of technology.
Hopefully that cleared things up, and didn't make them more confusing. To those who've played the game, it should be mostly familiar. To those who haven't...well...sorry? They don't have any good maps or screenshots of the game for me to direct you to. If I ever manage to compile screen shots or draw a map, I'll be sure to point people in that direction.
By: Dragon-sama
Ryoga catches up to Ranma a little earlier at Jusenkyou, and both gain a different curse than expected. Now with two new traveling companions, they wander the globe in search of answers, as well as the truth behind the war from long ago. A Ranma ½ x Breath of Fire 3 crossover. No pairings planned.
Key-
"...” speech
{...} mental speech
[...] panda signs
'...' thoughts
/.../ Chinese
"Hey, wait up Ryoga!" Ranko called, shaking her newly wet bangs out of her face.
They gave up actually trying to avoid water, just carrying a thermos or two of hot water for emergencies. It was amazing how much water there was in China. This latest 'accident' had been caused by a rotting log that had collected water from the rains, finally breaking just over Ranma's head. Ranko didn't bother wondering at the odds of such a thing happening, let alone happening with such impeccable timing.
"Again?" Ryoga asked, turning at the sound of her higher voice.
"Yeah. Anyway, do we have any idea where we are now? I mean, training's good and everything, but what are we gonna do?" she asked, falling back into step with him.
"You're asking me...why?" Ryoga asked sarcastically. "You know I can't tell left from right!"
{Yeah. I'm surprised you've come this far without wandering off,} Ranma sniggered.
"Shut up Ranma!" Ryoga said, 'hitting' Ranma with a mental fist. It wasn't really hitting, just a feeling of what would happen if Ranma had been there.
"Anyway," Ranko said again, interrupting before they could start fighting, "Does anyone have a plan?"
{The only ones who might would be the guys,} Ryoko replied. {We don't really belong to this time, so we wouldn't know what's what.}
{Well, I'll want to head back to Japan eventually,} Ranma said.
"Me too," Ryoga agreed. "I mean, there isn't much on this side of the Inner Sea. Just some sort of religious city and Junktown, which is more for the boat guild members anyway."
{How on earth do you know that?} Ranma asked, incredulous.
"I've been all over the place, you realize. Didn't mean to be there, but I was all the same," Ryoga replied bitterly.
{Sorry man. I didn't mean it like that...} Ranma said apologetically.
"Lighten up Ryoga!" Ranko added brightly. "Even if you do wander off again, we'll just come after you!"
"It's not that...easy," Ryoga mumbled. "My family's curse...isn't just getting lost."
{It's also that he gets into places he shouldn't be able to, right?} Ryoko said, 'nudging' Ryoga.
"What's that mean?" Ranko asked curiously. Ranma also perked up at the odd comment. Ryoga sighed.
"Know how I said I made it to Okinawa after I last met up with my Dad? The only thing on that island is a small fishing village called Parch. And the only way to get to Parch is by boat," he explained, glowering at the ground as they strode along.
"So?" Ranko prodded, still not understanding.
"So, I never crossed any water, I never was on any boat, and I went from Wyndia to Parch. And that's impossible! It's not the only thing that happened either!" Ryoga continued agitatedly. "I've come out of places no one saw me go into when there's only one way in or out! So if I do wander off," he spat, "It's not likely you'll be able to follow."
{Calm down Ryoga,} Ryoko said soothingly. {It's not like they knew.}
Ryoga scowled, but did manage to push the anger to one side.
{But...I used ta lead you around when we were younger,} Ranma said puzzled. {How come you didn't wander off then?}
"That's...you know, I have no idea," Ryoga said after a moment. "Usually it doesn't matter how closely I'm watched, sooner or later I just wander off."
{I wonder...} Ryoko mumbled quietly.
"What?" Ranko asked, wondering what her other self might have figured out that she hadn't.
{It's...ah, never mind. I don't really have a clue,} Ryoko said disgustedly.
"Hm...Anyway, back to what we're gonna do," Ranko said, steering the conversation back on track. "You guys really wanna go back to Japan? That's the other side of the Inner Sea?"
{Yeah,} Ranma said, happy to change the subject as well. {That's where most people live. Japan's pretty big, actually. Lot'sa different areas, but the most well known is Wyndia. It's where the royal family lives too, in Wyndia castle.}
{Okay but how do we get there?} Ryoko asked. {We don't know where we are, after all.}
"Just walk in one direction. We're bound to come across something we recognize," Ryoga suggested.
"And you wonder why you get lost? Yeah right. The likeliness of us comin' across a place we know is..." Ranko began, but trailed off.
"What?" Ryoga asked, looking up from where he'd been carefully placing his feet between the pools of water.
"I don't believe it. It's...." Ranko said, staring around. They were in the middle of a valley filled with pools of water, not having noticed when the forest had ended and the valley began.
"Honored Customers! Here you find legendary springs of Jusenkyou," the guide said, appearing out of nowhere and making the two martial artists jump. "Wait, I knows you! You here few weeks before!" he said, peering curiously at them. "No one ever come back before."
"Ack!" Ryoga said intelligently, stepping further onto the safety of the path. "How did we get here!?"
{I'd say we were following you, but I don't think we were,} Ranma commented, earning another mental blow from Ryoga.
{Then this is all your fault Ranma!} Ryoko snapped, praying their usual tendency to attract water wouldn't kick in.
"Yeah! After all, you can't expect us to know where to go!" Ranko agreed.
"You strange one, yes? No make sense when talk," the guide said, shrugging. You came to expect such things when you lived around as strange a place as Jusenkyou. "You father been waiting for you show up again," he continued, pointing at a small hut further up the trail. It was also his home, and he was hoping that the greedy martial artist would finally leave.
As if the mere mention of him had summoned him, Genma appeared behind Ranko.
"There you are, Ranma!" he exclaimed, gripping Ranko's shoulder. "What happened to you, boy! I searched everywhere after you ran off! You shouldn't be so disrespectful to your father!" Genma said sternly.
{I ran off?} Ranma choked out, though his father couldn't hear him.
"Hey! I didn't run off! And I ain't Ranma!" Ranko said, shrugging Genma's hand off.
"Don't lie, boy! I know it's you. Let's get you some hot water so you can get out of that weak body," Genma continued, oblivious to the steadily growing anger around him.
Ranko's eyebrow twitched. "Weak body?" she asked, dangerously. Genma ignored this as he continued, going into detailed ranting.
"Oh the curse of having my only son turn into something so horrendous! A tragedy for any martial artist, to be so humiliated! What a loss of honor! Boy, you must overcome this obstacle!"
{How dare he say such a thing! Lemme at 'em! I'll pound him into the ground!} Ryoko snarled, trying to shove the suddenly panicked Ryoga aside. He didn't know if she'd actually do anything, but it was best not to find out.
{Let me take care of this guys,} Ranma said, the tone in his voice broking no argument. Ryoko reluctantly ceased her attempt to kill the fat martial artist, and Ranko gave Ranma control without another word.
"...for a martial artist's life is--urk!" Genma's ranting was abruptly cut off as Ranma gripped the front of his gi, pulling him down to stare eye to eye with his parent. No mean feat considering the size of his girl form.
"Now, Oyaji," Ranma growled, and this time Genma couldn't avoid hearing the warning note in his son/daughter's voice. He also nervously noticed Ryoga glaring at him and cracking his knuckles, looking very intimidating indeed. "As you can see, I'm not weak in this form. In fact, I've gotten much stronger the past couple weeks training with...Ryoga. Who is coming with us, I might add, to train as well. This isn't exactly a curse, so leave off with the insults! If you don't like it," and here Ranma lifted Genma a couple inches of the ground, "then be a good panda and LEAVE US ALONE!"
At the last bit, Ranma wound up and kicked his startled parent into LEO (Whether its lower earth orbit or the constellation is up to you).
"Nice form," Ryoga commented, shading his eyes as he watched the form grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared over a hill. "Well he won't be bugging us for a while."
"Hmph," Ranko said, taking back control. "I woulda launched him all the way back to Japan!"
{I still wanna pound him,} Ryoko pouted.
"Honored Customers, you hungry, yes? I have too too delicious stew in house," the guide said, smoothly cutting into the conversation. Having been the guide for so long, such a minor incident of weirdness wasn't enough to phase him.
"Huh? Oh, sure," Ryoga said, becoming aware of his presence again. "And we want to ask you a couple questions."
"Is so? Okay. This way," the guide replied, and led them, carefully, up the path to his house.
* * *
"So we wanted to know why the pools did this," Ranko said, finishing the story as night was falling. She and Ryoga were still seated around the guide's small table, having finished the promised meal.
"Very strange," the guide said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I never know pools do this. You say you create Jusenkyou with battle? Maybe have do with that. If chaos magic, then maybe that why."
"Could be," Ryoga conceded. "But why didn't any of the other pools work like this? And how do we cure the girls?"
"I no know how cure, but Amazon village nearby maybe know," the guide said with a shrug. "I take you there tomorrow."
{What about us becoming Brood. Why did our guy bodies change too?} Ranma asked.
"Yeah, why did the guys become Brood too? Shouldn't it only have been the girl forms?" Ranko asked, relaying the question.
"No know that either. Amazons very wise. Maybe they help you," the guide said.
"Well, then I guess we have to go there," Ryoga said with a sigh. "Well, let's go train then." So saying, both martial artists got up and went into the adjacent room where their stuff was already stashed, and lay down. A few minutes later, slow, even breathing could be heard coming from the two sleeping bags.
/What strange people,/ the guide muttered in Mandarin. /I've never heard anyone call sleeping training before./
* * *
Genma was cold, wet, and furry.
How dare his miserable son do this to his own father! But Ranma had become surprisingly strong in the time they were separated. Genma didn't think Ranma used to be able to kick that hard, even in his male form. And why had the ungrateful boy done that anyway? All Genma'd done was go into his usual criticisms, and for some reason the boy had taken offense this time.
Maybe it was the influence of that Ryoga boy? It had to be. Well, he'd follow them tomorrow and wait for his chance. Then he'd just steal Ranma back and be on his way, as he'd done so many times in the past. The boy may have gotten better, but Genma was confident he could still take Ranma out if he really wanted to.
* * *
"Here we come to Amazon village," the guide said the next day. Thanks to a surprise rain shower, both Ranko and Ryoko were following the guide. They had come across a smallish village, and now found the residents all gathered in the center. "We very lucky. Is martial arts tournament. Best in village fight," the guide said as they sat down next to a table full of food. Ranko was just reaching for a pork bun when Ryoko grabbed her hand.
"Uh uh. Look," Ryoko said, pointing at the sign.
"Huh? Oh. Too bad. I was hungry," Ranko said, pouting.
{First Prize. Huh, how come I can read the sign? It's in Chinese,} Ranma asked.
"Probably cause we knew Chinese before we died. After all, we did live in China," Ryoko replied.
"Yeah. We didn't know Japanese until you fell in our pool," Ranko added with a shrug.
{But everyone speaks Japanese nowadays!} Ryoga protested.
"And we're not from nowadays," Ryoko replied.
{Yeah, but why would this village still use such an' old language?} Ranma pointed out.
"Hmmm..." Ranko gave a quiet hum, but didn't add anything. It's not like they'd know.
None of the observers noticed the furry paw making swift inroads on the food piled behind them.
"Check that girl out!" Ryoko said, pointing to the lavender haired girl who was facing off on the challenge log.
"She's pretty strong," Ranko agreed, watching the fight with interest. "Are you sure it's a woman she's fighting, though?" she added with a snigger.
{I could take her,} Ranma said, despite the fact the girl was fighting at furious speeds.
{Yeah, and? Any of us could take her out. But she's still pretty good,} Ryoga rebuked.
"Well, I don't think the panda could take her," Ranko said, chuckling as the purple haired girl sent her opponent flying. She was very surprised when a wooden sign hit her in the back of the head.
[I could too take her out! But it is not honorable for a man to fight a woman!] Genma-panda signed, while munching contentedly on an ear of corn. Ranko and Ryoko turned disbelieving eyes on him, which he ignored as he reached for a side of ham.
"What are you doing?!" Ryoko snapped, knocking his paw away.
[But I'm hungry,] the panda signed piteously.
"You stupid jerk, why didn't you read the si--" Ranko began, but cut off as she was forced to dodge the bonbori aimed at her head.
/Girl! Why did you let your pet eat my prize?/ the girl demanded, pointing her weapon at Ranko.
/Hey! He ain't my pet! I didn't even know he was there!/ Ranko snapped back.
/Then is it your pet?/ the girl said, swinging her mace to point at Ryoko.
/Nor my relation, thank all that's holy,/ Ryoko said, making a negative gesture. Then she grimaced. "Well, maybe not holy..."
/Then I'll kill the panda as my prize!/ the girl proclaimed, and braced herself to leap at the animal.
{Oh man!} Ranma moaned. Ranko sighed.
/As much as I hate to do this, if I fight you and win, will you not kill the panda?/ she asked, stopping the girl.
/You challenge me, Xian Pu, the village champion?/ Xian Pu asked, incredulous.
/Well, though he isn't my pet, I can't let you kill the panda. I really am sorry about the food though,/ Ranko said, hoping to avoid a fight.
/Very well, then we fight! To the challenge log!/ Xian Pu said, ignoring the comment and leapt back atop the log she had just vacated.
"Your funeral," Ryoko said, dipping a cup into a cauldron of still hot soup.
"Hey! How come you're eating?" Ranko demanded, pouting.
"Well, when you win, the prize becomes ours anyway," Ryoko replied with a shrug.
{Will you just get on with the fight?} Ryoga asked.
"Better save some for me," Ranko said in parting, then leapt onto the log as well.
/You will regret your challenge,/ Xian Pu said, then without another word, charged Ranko.
"Why am I thinking not?" Ranko grumbled, and then snap-kicked the girl in the chin, knocking her off the log. There were gasps from all around, as the entire village witnessed the easily won match.
/T-t-the winner,/ the judge said nervously, holding Ranko's arm aloof. Ranko was looking at Xian Pu as the Amazon got to her feet, wiping her mouth. Then, to her surprise and the horror of the guide, Xian Pu kissed Ranko on the cheek.
"Aiyaa! Is kiss of death! You must run!" the guide cried, grabbing Ranko's arm and dragging her a few feet.
"Huh? Why?" Ranko asked, digging her heels in as they came abreast of Ryoko. The blonde girl had obediently handed the other girl a meat bun, which Ranko happily devoured with her free hand.
"Is promise to hunt you to ends of earth and kill!" the guide replied, trying desperately to drag the now immobile girl away.
"She wouldn--" Ranko began, but was cut off by a 'kiya' from Ryoko. She turned to see the blonde girl still in a snap kick, very like the one Ranko had used to defeat Xian Pu, and a surprised Xian Pu holding what looked like a stick. With a resounding thud, the other end of the bonbori came crashing down on top of the Amazon's head, knocking her out.
"What was that all about?" Ryoko asked, straightening.
{Great. Just great,} Ranma sighed dramatically.
{What happened? I couldn't catch it all,} Ryoga asked impatiently.
"Um, I guess you'll see," Ranko said, gesturing as the Amazon slowly regained conscience. Xian Pu stood up, looking from girl to girl, then gave Ryoko a kiss of death.
/You two must die!/ she cried, then pulled out another pair of bonbori.
"Oh," Ryoko said simply, dodging Xian Pu's strike.
"So, what do we do now?" Ranko asked, still easily dodging the girl's swings.
{...Where did she get those from?} Ranma asked in disbelief as Ranko ducked another swing. The girls pointedly ignored him.
"Is one way she not kill you," the guide said, regaining his composure when it appeared death was not imminent for anyone. "But is no solution. Amazon law say kill outsider women, but not men. Men have to--"
"Well, then hot water it is!" Ranko interrupted, and snatched up the cauldron of soup Ryoko had been eating from earlier. Tossing it into the air, the hot broth splashed on all of them.
/Aiyaa! Hot! What did you do that for you little--/ Xian Pu began, but broke off as she stared at the two boys.
"Surprise!" Ranma said weakly.
"Is...boys. Where girls go?" Xian Pu demanded, looking wildly around.
"Well, I guess we'll be going then," Ryoga said, turning to pick up his pack.
"Wait! Where you hide girl?" Xian Pu asked.
/Hey, we didn't hide them,/ Ranma replied in Chinese, the language strange on his tongue. /We honestly have no idea where they are right now./
/That's enough Xian Pu,/ a new voice said, breaking smoothly in. They turned to see a wizened old woman perched easily atop a wooden staff.
/Great-grandmother Khu Lon! I must kill the outsider girls!/ Xian Pu said, protesting.
/Did you not see the change? No, I suppose you were too busy getting scalded to notice,/ Khu Lon said, then turned to the two boys. "I see you've been to Jusenkyou. That was rather silly of you, considering you obviously know Chinese very well," she said, giving the two boys a piercing gaze. "Which is quite unusual, since I was certain our village was the only one to remember the dead language."
"Um, I guess we didn't know it at the time," Ranma said nervously, trying to edge away.
"Yeah, silly us. But we really should be going now," Ryoga agreed, shouldering his pack.
"Now now, you can't go, not just yet. One of you has to marry my great granddaughter," Khu Lon said mildly. Ranma and Ryoga stared at her.
"Repeat that," Ryoga said slowly.
"One of you has to marry my great granddaughter," the woman obediently repeated.
"...Well, there is one thing I can say," Ranma said, dropping his pack back on the ground.
"What's that?" the woman asked in amusement as Ryoga dropped his pack too.
"OYAJI! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Ranma roared, turning to face the suddenly cowering panda.
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ATE THE STUPID FOOD IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Ryoga shouted, also advancing on the terrified animal.
[Now, boys. A martial artist must take the chance to eat whenever he can!] Genma signed.
"Not when it doesn't belong to you! I thought we've been through this before!" Ranma said angrily.
"Before? Don't tell me he's done this before!" Ryoga said, turning to the other boy. "No, wait, I take that back. How stupid can you be?!" he added, turning back to the panda.
"Boys, boys," Khu Lon said, interrupting the shouting match. "I have informed my great granddaughter of what has happened, and she is most agreeable. One of you needs to choose to marry her."
"Oh no. I ain't marryin' no one!" Ranma said, backing away quickly.
"You're not going to pin this on me!" Ryoga agreed, warding the Amazons off with his hands.
"Hm? Playing hard to catch? Well, you'll come around," Khu Lon said, and hopped off. Both boys stared after her.
"...So I guess..." Ranma began.
"...We can go?" Ryoga finished uncertainly.
"WO DA AILEN!" came the happy cry, and Ranma got the wind knocked out of him as Xian Pu barreled into him.
"Ack! Let go!" Ranma said, struggling to get out of the vice-like grip.
"Getting pretty familiar there, aren't you?" Ryoga asked in annoyance. What, did Ranma think this was a game?
"Hey! I ain't--huh?" Ranma broke off as he staggered, suddenly free of his burden.
"WO DA AILEN!" Xian Pu cried, this time tackling Ryoga.
"Waah!" was all Ryoga could say before he was knocked down.
"Now who's gettin' familiar?" Ranma said, laughing as Ryoga tried vainly to get away from the snuggling Xian Pu.
"Hey! Xian Pu-- I'm not-- ARGH!" Ryoga yelled, leaping to his feet and dragging Xian Pu with him.
{You could always tell Khu Lon about us,} Ryoko suggested, trying not to snigger at the boy's predicament.
{Worth a shot,} Ranko added, not at all liking the thought of Xian Pu glomping on her.
"Alright, fine. KHU LON! WHERE ARE YOU!" Ranma said, beginning to charge off in the direction the old woman had taken.
"Yes son-in-law?" Khu Lon replied, poking him in the back.
"AAHH!!" Ranma said intelligently, jumping away. "What? You! Okay, Khu Lon. We need to talk to you," he said threateningly.
"Oh? Have you already decided to marry my great granddaughter? That was faster than I expected," Khu Lon said in mock surprise.
"NO! We just need to...let GO Xian Pu!...talk to you!" Ryoga said, still struggling with the Amazon. To his surprise, she did let go, and instead jumped back on Ranma.
"AAAARRRRGGGHHH!!!" Ranma said, not able to dodge in time.
"Can we talk somewhere more, private?" Ryoga asked quickly, edging away from Xian Pu and the thoroughly annoyed Ranma.
"Very well, follow me. Xian Pu, you need to at least let him walk," Khu Lon said, and Xian Pu reluctantly unwrapped her legs from around Ranma.
Khu Lon led them through the village, Xian Pu managing to hang off both boy's arms at once, until they came to a modest sized hut. Upon entering, the Japanese teens were greeted by the sight of a boy about their age, dressed in a long white robe and black pants.
/Xian Pu my love!/ the boy said, scooping up Khu Lon in a passionate embrace.
Ranma and Ryoga stared at each other in surprise.
/Stupid Mu Tsu!/ Xian Pu said, releasing both boys to hit the Amazon on his head. /That's not me! Put your stupid glasses on!/
Upon doing so, Mu Tsu got a good look at exactly what he was hugging.
/Ahh! A ghoul!/ he said, dropping Khu Lon. He was rewarded with a bop on the head.
/I'm not a ghoul! Lazy boy.../ Khu Lon said, hopping further into the room.
"Um, did I miss somethin'?" Ranma asked, scratching his head in puzzlement.
/Who are you?/ Mu Tsu asked in surprise, finally having noticed the two boys standing there.
/They're the ones who are going to marry Xian Pu. One or both,/ Khu Lon said simply. She was finding far too much enjoyment out of the situation.
/WHAT! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!!!/ Mu Tsu screamed, surprise turning to anger as he launched an assortment of weapons at the two still stunned boys.
"Hey...what?" Ryoga said, leaping over the chains, blades, potted plants, and other miscellaneous missiles. Skipping backwards a few steps, he and Ranma found themselves back outside and quickly split up, giving themselves space.
"Now what?" Ranma asked as the Amazon boy came charging out.
/NEVER! You can't have her, you hear! Xian Pu is mi--/ Mu Tsu began, but broke off as a large, HEAVY table crashed into him.
/I AM NOT YOURS, STUPID MU TSU!/ Xian Pu's voice said, coming from inside the house.
/X...Xian Pu.../ the boy groaned, before slipping into unconsciousness.
"...I definitely missed somethin'," Ranma sighed.
"You and me both," Ryoga replied.
{I'm not much better,} Ranko said, sweat dropping.
{Why don't we ask them?} Ryoko suggested, indicating the hut still in front of them.
"Good idea," Ranma said, and he and Ryoga tramped into the house, over the still out-of-it Amazon.
"Hey, Khu Lon! What was that all about, anyway?" Ranma asked upon entering the hut. Xian Pu huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Mu Tsu is, how you say, obsess with Xian Pu," she replied, looking annoyed.
"Won't take a hint I guess," Ryoga said, raising an eyebrow.
"Is too too bad for stupid Mu Tsu! Wo Ai Ni!" Xian Pu said, brightening up as she latched once again onto each of the boy's arms.
{And she can take a hint?} Ryoko asked sarcastically.
{This is embarrassing. I just hope she doesn't try and come after us in girl form,} Ranko whined miserably.
"Anyway," Ranma said, sliding his arm out of Xian Pu's, "We can't marry ya." He turned to the wizened figure. "Khu Lon, it's not that simple."
"And why is that, son-in-law?" Khu Lon asked, giving all appearances of polite attention.
"Well, because of our curses," Ryoga replied distractedly, blushing as Xian Pu gave up on Ranma and plastered herself against him.
{Hey!} Ranko and Ryoko chorused indignantly.
"That is easily fixed. A bit of Nannichuan and you're back to normal. No, I'm sorry boys, but that's not good enough," Khu Lon said dismissively. "Our laws are very strict in these matters."
"No, we can't just do that! It's not a normal curse!" Ranma protested hastily.
{I wish you'd stop referring to us as a 'curse',} Ryoko sulked.
"What do you mean?" Khu Lon asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, when we fell into the spring, uh, we kind of got mixed up with the soul of the girl that drowned there too," Ryoga said nervously, still tying to detach the clinging Xian Pu from his side without touching anything he shouldn't.
"Go on..." the old lady prompted.
"Well, now we can talk to them, sorta, just mentally or whatever it's called," Ranma replied, grinning faintly at the struggling Ryoga.
"So if we did jump into the spring of drown man, we might kill the girls or something," Ryoga added. He finally gave up, slumping red-faced as the Amazon happily nuzzled into his side.
"What do you mean 'girls'? There would only be one soul in the spring if your story was true," Khu Lon pointed out.
"Well, their soul...split, I guess. I mean, me an' Ryoga both fell in at the same time," Ranma said uncertainly, rubbing the back of his head. "We don't really know what happened. That's one of the reasons we came here, actually."
"Hmm, most interesting. But why am I to believe this story?" Khu Lon asked carefully. "You could be making this up. After all, Jusenkyou pools don't normally work that way."
"Well, if you talked to the girls would that work?" Ryoga asked desperately. He glared at Ranma who was standing as far from the...eh..."happy" pair as he could get in the enclosed space.
"How can I, if, as you say, you can only talk to them telepathically?" Khu Lon countered.
"Oh, we figured out that we can switch control if we want," Ranma replied easily, a little too happy Xian Pu wasn't his current problem. The matriarch studied the two boys for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Very well," she said finally.
"Um, could we have cold water though? We don't like switchin' in the wrong forms," Ranma asked with a grimace.
"Xian Pu, get them some water," Khu Lon ordered, and the girl reluctantly pulled away from Ryoga to fetch it, ignoring the boy's sigh of relief. Xian Pu was a little worried that Khu Lon would break off the arrangement. Now that he'd had a taste of 'rivalry' for her affections, Mu Tsu would bug her worse than ever. Besides, the boys were cute, and strong. She could do much, much worse.
When Xian Pu returned with two buckets of water, Ranma and Ryoga obediently poured them over their heads. Xian Pu watched in fascination as the change took place, leaving two soaked girls.
"That's better," Ryoko said, shaking out her bangs. "Funny, normally we don't go looking for cold water. It finds us."
"I wonder if that has somethin' to do with Jusenkyou ," Ranko pondered, putting the bucket down with a clang. Then the two girls turned to the diminutive woman. "So, how can we convince you we're real?" Khu Lon studied them closely, trying to find something to either confirm or deny their story. After a couple minutes of the intense scrutiny, both girls began to shift nervously. Finally, Khu Lon sighed.
"Hmmm. Well, I find I believe you. There is a subtle, but noticeable, difference in your auras," she said. "But that doesn't change the facts. Once you are cured, Xian Pu has her honor to uphold. And, since it was the girls who defeated her, that means she has to kill them."
"Now wait a minute! We only fought in self defense!" Ranko burst out hotly.
"It doesn't matter. It is part of our laws, for the strength of the village," Khu Lon said dismissively.
"But the guys are off the hook?" Ryoko asked quickly.
"Well, I won't force them to marry Xian Pu, but if she wins them over by herself, who am I to complain?" Khu Lon said with a chuckle.
{No way,} Ranma said, shuddering.
{Marry her? When she's going to try and kill you guys? No way,} Ryoga agreed.
{Besides, she's waaaay too clingy!} Ranma added.
"Well this sucks," Ryoko muttered furiously, beginning to stalk to the doorway. "We come here for help, but instead we get a heap of trouble. I guess the Amazons aren't as wise as we were led to believe!"
/Wait!/ Xian Pu cried, blocking their path. /You can't leave! You must die!/ She'd had a hard time following the conversation, but had gotten the gist of it.
"Uh uh. Not until we get cured. And do ya really think you can defeat us?" Ranko asked, not bothering to be polite anymore.
/How dare you insult me like that! You'll pay for that!/ Xian Pu cried, a sword suddenly appearing in her hands as she swung at the two girls.
{Again, where did she get that from?!} Ranma asked in frustration.
"I give up," Ryoko growled, ducking the weapon. Then, not really knowing why, she added, "You Amazons are almost as bad as the Goddess."
Knocking the surprised Xian Pu across the room, the two girls once again marched toward the doorway, missing the surprised look on the elder Amazon's face.
"Stop!" Khu Lon commanded, bounding forward a step with her hand out raised in protest. Glancing over her shoulder, Ryoko scowled.
"What?" she demanded, Ranko turning slightly as well to glare back at the Amazons.
"What were you called before your...accident?" Khu Lon asked insistently. Ranko narrowed her eyes in confusion, but Ryoko just tugged on her sleeve, dragging the other girl out with her.
"Konara," Ryoko snapped over her shoulder, then she and Ranko left the small hut.
"Konara..." Khu Lon whispered, sliding down her staff to land with a thump. "It can't be...can it?"
* * *
Genma looked up from the now-finished feast. The square had cleared of most people, as everyone figured the panda was not their concern. The only ones left were a couple of small children, who were staring up at him in delight.
"Growf?" Genma said, looking around for Ranma. After the boys had been distracted by that Amazon girl, Genma had gone back to what he did best; eating. But now that there was no more food to be had, he finally became aware of his surroundings again.
/Neat! Panda!/ one of the kids said, hugging Genma's leg.
/Wanna ride!/ another said, arms raised imploringly.
"Growf?"
End Chapter 02
Author's notes:
Map Trivia: So it becomes fairly obvious that this story is not situated in the "real world", but rather it is set mostly in the Breath of Fire III world with real world mentions. So I'd like to explain the world my characters are wandering through. It is best if you are familiar with the BoFIII game, but if not, I'll try to explain.
The basic map takes place on a single continent. The checkpoint, Syn City, and Dauna mine in the north west, in the (you guessed it) Dauna region. Continuing down south east you hit Ogre Road, and beyond that is Mt. Levett. Going east by north (in other words, east and a little north), you pass by McNeil village, Cedar Woods, and Mt. Glaus. Further along the road is Mt. Myrneg. So the region between the mountains, including the village and woods, is called the Yraall region. Here's where I start adding in little things.
Normally in the BoFIII game, the next place you come across is Wyndia. In this case, I'm adding in Nerima and Juubun along the way. So from Mt. Myrneg, if you continue eastward, you'll run into Nerima, then Juubun, then Wyndia. South of Wyndia is the Arena town Genmel and Mt. Boumore, and this area is considered the Central Wyndia region.
Continuing east from Wyndia, you pass into the Eastern Wyndia region. Right away you run into the Plant, the dump, and Yggdrassil. Continuing east you run into the Coffee Shop, and south of that is Momo's tower, and the road leading to the other end of Mt. Boumore(road turns back west a bit). Further east of the Coffee Shop is another checkpoint, beyond which is the Rhapala region.
There's not much in the Rhapala region; just an abandoned hut north, Rhapala town/wharf and lighthouse east, and Mt. Zublo to the south and east. There is an inaccessible town in the southern part of the region, called Cliff, which can only be reached from the next region and the Tidal Caves. To the east of the abandoned hut and the north of Rhapala, there's a peninsula on which the small town of Parch rests. However, I made a minor change in my story, and now the peninsula is actually an island, which is considered "Okinawa". And all of the regions discussed so far (Dauna, Yraall, Central and Eastern Wyndia, and Rhapala) are considered "Japan" in my story.
Continuing east over the Inner Sea and Mt. Zublo, we now enter "China", which consist only of the Urkan region. On the other side of the sea from Rhapala is the dock, and a bit further inland is Junktown. To the south east of Junktown and the north east of Mt. Zublo is Urkan Tapa and Angel Tower. In my story, rather than being rather barren, this area is going to be covered in an immense forest, in which the Amazon village and Jusenkyou also reside.
Further north of Junktown is Steel Beach, with a small fisherman's hut further west from that on a peninsula. To the south of Mt. Zublo is the access road to the Tidal Caves and Cliff. I think that about covers it. Beyond the inner sea (and the small islands and reefs enclosing the mouth of it) is what's known as the outer sea. Creative name, huh? It is violent and currently inaccessible to this world's level of technology.
Hopefully that cleared things up, and didn't make them more confusing. To those who've played the game, it should be mostly familiar. To those who haven't...well...sorry? They don't have any good maps or screenshots of the game for me to direct you to. If I ever manage to compile screen shots or draw a map, I'll be sure to point people in that direction.