My BAKA Gaidin

                      Wheel of Time Series

                           Ranma 1/2

 

Keys

*(thoughts)*

 

Chapter 7

 

             Something was wrong, she just knew it was so. She felt detached, lightheaded, like she was in a dream, or waking up from a dream. Thoughts and images buzzed around her, but she couldn't make anything out. Then images started to form. Voices started coming from all directions. It was strangely familiar, but not registering with anything that she can remember. She tried to latch on to a single voice, trying to make sense from it...

 

              "RANma!"

             "Ranma no baka!"

             "Ranma you idiot!"

            

             She knew could hear it quite clearly, felt the anger in that female's voice, yet she did not understand why. More voices followed...

 

             "Uncute tomboy!"

             "Whadidja do that for!?"

             "Why me..."

            

             Still she did not understand. It was a male voice this time. Why was she hearing this, who were they, what was going on?

 

             "I'll protect you"

             "I can take care of myself"

             "You'll just get yourself killed, stupid tomboy"

             "I don't need your help, I'm a martial artist too!"

             "Siuan..."

             "Siuan"

 

             Groggily Siuan Sanche lifted her eyes slowly, wincing from the newly observed light. She felt tired, sleepy, weak, and hungry, but most of all confused. Something had happened, but for the light she could not figured out what.

 

             "Siuan, I'm glad you are finally awake, you were mumbling and turning feverishly."

 

             Slowly gaining back her sight, she finally made sense of the burs that were her surroundings. "Egwene...Mother...where am I? What happened?"

 

             "Try to save your strength Siuan, I'm sending for Nisao and something to eat. You've been out for a week, Siuan, since we found you face down on the ground, unconscious. We thought you were dead, and you very nearly were." Siuan could see Ewgene clearly now, still young, and still wearing her stole that deemed her the Amyrlin. Her dark hair tied back, just as Siuan had remembered her last.

 

             "What happened mother? My mind... it feels like a boat with the best catch a fisherman ever caught had slammed into me...and then dropped the load on me afterwards."

 

             Egwene had to chuckle at the comment. It would be like Siuan to make one of her fish comments, but this one was actually funny, very rare for her. "Just try to relax Siuan, don't strain yourself."

 

             Just then Nisao came in, a yellow and one bound to the Amyrlin by her own oath. One they could trust. Siuan remembered that, her mind was slowly working as it should again. With a quick bow and an acknowledgment of "Mother" she quickly came up to Siuan already embracing the one power, probing her for any injuries. 

 

             After a brief moment, Nisao told her she was fine and just needed to regain her strength. Then Egwene quickly dismissed her. What ever was going to be said was for her ear's only.

 

             "Food will be here soon, but right now I want to know what happened. What happened in Caemlyn that you would later arrive unexpectedly in Ebou Dar? Then we finding you near death on the ground with everything within miles desolated."

 

             Siuan was startled by the claims. *What happened? I can't remember any of this* Slowly she retraced her memories, but nothing came.

 

             "I can't remember Mother, everything is just blank, I can't remember anything of what you said. Why would I go to Caemlyn, even more, then travel to Ebou Dar?" Siuan rubbed her forehead, as if it would help force herself to remember.

 

             "You can remember nothing? What was the last thing you remember? Try Siuan."

 

             "I...I can't even be sure what is the last thing I remember...I think I went to sleep...right after the after the last of the merchant train. After that it's just a blur. Fish guts! I wish I could remember anything after that, I can feel that something happened, but nothing as to tell me what I did or if I was even awake."

 

             "It's alright Siuan, you can't expect everything to be back to normal right after a near death experience. It will all come back in time," Ewgene was obviously comforting her, but there was reason to what she said. Her mind was buzzing, and time and rest would clear it.

 

             "Also we found someone near you in a similar condition. Hopefully she'll wake up as well and we will know more then."

 

             *Someone else?* Just before Siuan could ask who that someone was, Nisao came in with a tray of food.

 

             "Mother, the girl with Siuan has awakened."

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Images flashed before Ranma's unconscious mind. He could barely recognize it. It kept changing. Sometimes it was Akane, and then it was his mother, and still more. But two where distinct, unchanging, yet changing... A smooth face, a cool and serene face. He couldn't tell what age she was. The reason he saw two was because another...hooded and mysterious, replaced it. She morphed into it...something, but he could sense it was two different presence. Ranma called out to them, but they didn't answer.

 

             Suddenly, Ranma bolted upright, wide-awake as if some hand had grabbed him and yanked him from his slumber. The light blinded Ranma, but slowly his eyes began to adapt. He saw the image of a girl scrambled out and quickly came back in again.

 

             "Who--wha...?" The girl slowly helped him back onto the cot, giving soothing words to comfort him, telling him to lie back down. He did so, feeling faint already. He felt hunger and all the other symptoms of a long slumber. "Who are you...where am I?"

 

             "Just relax, I already called Nisao Sedai." The girl replied in a soothing voice.

 

             *Who?* Ranma was about to get up when he noticed, he was a she. Finally she, Ranma, realized that she was in her transformed state and wearing... She couldn't finish the thought, it would have to be female clothing. *I hate this curse!*

 

             Looking around she wondered where she was. It was a tent and a drab tent. It felt cold, even under her covers, meaning it was winter. *Where am I?* She felt as if Akane had hit her with a deluxe version of her mallet. Everything was a blur. She couldn't seem to recalled what happened. Back to scouting, Ranma took a look at the girl looking after her. She was fairly young and her clothes looked a little crude, and worn.

 

             Moments later, someone came in, then a whole group of them. The girl watching her curtsied and quickly scurried outside. The first one was odd; her face was unnatural, ageless came to Ranma's mind. The next was young, close to her age, dark haired tied back and even with the heavy clothes a multi-colored stole could be seen. That girl perhaps was the best dressed of them all. The third looked strangely familiar, but she couldn't tell how. Young, but strangely Ranma felt she was older than that.

 

             The first one put a hand on Ranma, and it felt tingly, like a cold towel. She almost jerked back from it.

 

             "She seems fine, Mother, much like Siuan, all she needs is a food and rest." Ranma did feel tired, and hungry as a matter of fact.

 

             "Who are you? Where am I?" blurred out the patient. *Why can't I remember!*

 

             "You are at the camp of the Aes Sedai. I'm the Amyrlin. We found you lying on the ground near death, and took care of you. This over here, is Nisao Sedai, and this is Siuan Sedai. She was with you when we found you."

 

             Ranma glanced at Siuan, she was staring at him, intensely. *Creepy...*

 

             "Who may you be, and how did you come to be out in such condition?" the Amyrlin continued. Ranma had no idea what was an Amyrlin, but it probably had some authority, though for someone so young it was odd.

 

             "Ranma Saotome," *Why is she staring at me? Do I know her?* "Last thing I remember was..." Ranma trailed off unable to complete her thoughts. *What happened...? I can't seem to remember the last thing I did* "I... I remember sleeping... then I woke up here...maybe Akane hit me while I was sleeping this time."

 

             The girl, Siuan seem to blink at that. "Mother may I speak to you about something?"

 

             Ranma blinked also, was it something she said? *Why did she call her mother?* Questions kept running thought her mind, but one came out of her mouth. "So...um--Nisao, got anything to eat?" Nisao's lips tightened, Ranma knew she said something wrong.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

            

             Outside the tent, Siuan was in a mist of thoughts.

 

             "What's wrong Siuan? Some of you memories have come back?"

 

             "Yes, I mean no Mother... I don't know her, but she reminds me of someone, I just can't remember who. The important thing I want to tell you is, she's a Tav'eren." Siuan let the words sink in, unable to believe it herself. But she had the talent and she could tell the young red haired girl was a Tav'eren.

 

             "Are--are you sure Siuan? Maybe you haven't fully rested yet. You didn't even eat to regain some strength before you came here."

 

 

             "I am, Mother. She is very weak, nothing like the three we know, but a Ta'veren notheless."

 

             Ewgene's lips pursed, and pondered for a second. "Alright then, you remember still nothing though?" Siuan shook her head. "Then you can get some rest now. I don't want to hear excuses, you just woke, you need to get your strength back."

 

             "Yes Mother."

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             It was a good time to rest, not that they could do anything about it. Ever since the Bowl of Winds was used the weather was a severe annoyance. A big snow storm suddenly came in halting the camp of any movement. Though it did have its good points for Siuan, Egwene thought. She needed Siuan's help, and the pass week that she wasn't there to help had hinder her very much. She needed Siuan at full strength, and with the stop, it also gave Siuan some time to rest.

 

             Nisao suddenly came in, shuddering from the still moderate storm, while giving her the respectable greeting.

 

             "How is the girl?"

 

             "She is fine Mother, it's also amazing how fast she heals. She had quite an appetite, for such a small figure. She ate, or should I say gobble down three trays and wanted more. After she was finally filled, it was like she had three days rest."

 

             Egwene pondered on that, but it was nothing that was truly suspicious. "How is she like?"

 

             "She's crude Mother. Not raised properly I would say. She has no manners at all! But she's still a child, Mother."

 

             "Can she channel?"

 

             "I don't think so Mother..."

             "Don't think so?" That got Egwene's attention.

 

             "It was odd Mother. I can't sense any ability, but... I can't explain it mother, but for a moment something burred my senses, as if it had been blocked. I can't make anything of it mother, could be just a mistake."

 

             Egwene blinked at that, mysteries covered with more mysteries. "Anything else odd that you have noticed?"

 

             "Well, there was this one thing when I was probing her. There was a slight shift, as if something was distorted inside the girl. A little like what happens when a warder loses his Aes Sedai."

 

             Egwene mentally shuddered at the thought of a rampaging warder or anything close to it. But she also knew Nisao knew what she was talking about. It had been a personal interest of the yellow sister to study the illness of the mind, especially an ill warder's mind. "Tell Faolain to come to me"

 

             "Yes Mother," and she went out of the tent.

 

             *Something is amiss here, I just know it. First Siuan had a panic about her dead warder, then a mysterious voyage to Caemlyn. Then she ends up with Elayne, and now found near death on a desolated plain, above all remembers nothing. I wish I knew what the link was*

 

             A few moments later, the newly raised Aes Sedai came in.

 

             "You call for me, Mother?"

 

             "The red haired girl that we found with Siuan, her name is Ranma. I want you look after her, keep an eye on her, and keep her from leaving."

 

             Without question, Faolain replied, "Yes Mother."

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Rand stood on the balcony of one of the quarters in the royal palace of Illian. Rain, there was a downpour of rain all over the city. Rand could remember the feeling of it every time he had to go out into the city. He also had many other things to do as the new king of this kingdom, but even with all his priorities, he kept coming back here.

 

             Walking back inside the room, he glanced longingly again at the person sitting calmly on the chair. Moiraine, the slender, calm, serene, and beautiful Aes Sedai. It was the first Aes Sedai he had met, but she had been more. She had been there to save his father, and his own life. She had stood by his side till the end, even as they argued, she was right behind him to the end. Moiraine was a friend he supposed, what little he had.

            

             Now she was back, but something was different. The first time they talked, she was as Rand had remembered, serene, mysterious, and Aes Sedai, but something was wrong, he had felt it. It was a little gesture there, or phrase here, it was just different. Then it changed more drastically; it was as if she was a completely different person. He thought it was another trick, a plan maybe, Moiraine would always have one up her sleeve. But this time, something was really wrong.

 

             Moiraine sat on the chair, painting. Where she had found so much paint, he didn't know, but ever since she had woke up after her faint-spell, she just painted. Since that time, she was distant, not speaking a word. Even now she had not spoken a word the he knew of, she just sat there painting. It had been days now, and yet Moiraine continued, without sleep, without food, and not responding to anything, even him, nor did she slouch, or yawn, not that she ever did. Though something was definitely wrong.

 

             Studying the paintings, there were numerous ones, lying all over the room. Each one was masterful, a work of art. He never knew Moiraine was capable of such a feat. Her health was one of the reasons Rand visited often, but these paintings were also another.

 

             Some were sceneries, but others where of people. Siuan Sanche stood at one of them, A luminous glow surrounding her. Another was a pig-tailed youth, in mid flight, a position for a flying kick. He didn't look Aiel. Yet on more paintings these two were portrayed, some with both Sanche, and the youth together in one scene. In one, Moiraine herself, was there with them, in her new garb. The odd clothing that she had worn to meet him, he also had yet puzzled out. But it was another pebble on the hill for him.

 

             The painting Moiraine was working on now had startled Rand the most. It was him welding Callandor, standing on a cliff with a battle raging in the background. Lightning split and fires blazed. Armies were clashing. But it was focused on him and the youth. The young boy looked as if he was barely old enough to be a man. His was hair braided in a pig-tail fashion, a fierce look on him, one of a warrior. He held no visible weapons, but a darken blue aura sprang around him. His hand was outstretched, a beam of sort was shooting out from the boy, and into him. Rand's figure stood on the receiving end, driving through his chest, an image of surprise on his face, Callandor slipping from his hands.

 

             Callandor, a crystal sword, but not only a sword, it was a san'angreal. One that only a male channeler could weld, one fated for him, the Dragon Reborn. With its power he could destroy cities, crush armies with a thought. And he was powerless in this painting.

 

             It was only a painting he told himself, but his instinct told him otherwise. Something from the very core of his being, warned him this was his fate, or possible fate. He had asked Moiraine, but there was no response. Somehow this youth would kill him.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Lan al'Mandragoran, uncrowned king of a destroyed city, hardened warrior, and warder, looked out into the white, snow-filled trail. A simple sword lay on top of one of the supply packs. The sword that he gave to the promising boy, and had received it back afterwards.

 

             Lan knew the meaning of the act, perhaps better then the boy himself did. He wanted no part in what the sword offered. It was a weapon, a thing used to kill, something that Ranma didn't want. He knew that having the sword would eventually lead to using it, killing, that with all his skill, he still shunned. The boy also knew what a warder was supposed to do and the reality of it. *Would he embrace it, or run from it* Lan knew the boy was a prize for any Aes Sedai, the question remained though if he will truly become one. Lan knew Siuan Sanche would need every bit of help she can.

            

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Sleep came easier than Siuan had expected. She was tired, but most of all, she was confused. A piece of her memory had been closed off and she had tried hard to open them again. Nothing much came from it except a bigger headache, so she slept.

 

             She saw something, a boy, an arrogant looking boy from his features. Lean and handsome with black hair braided down his shoulder. He looked familiar, but Siuan could not pinpoint it. *Who is he?* She knew him, she was sure of it. *Why can't I remember!?* There was no response.

 

             "You were afraid back there. I am your protector or something right? I'll protect ya."

 

             "Who are you?" Siuan yelled out. There was no response as the boy just smirked at her with that arrogant face. She knew him, she could not remember how or when, but she just knew she did. *Afraid of what?* Then she felt something, a presence behind her. Turning around she just had time to see a massive dark hand grab her.

 

             The Aes Sedai shot up from her cot. Gasping for breath as she realized it was only a dream. A wave of dizziness immediately assaulted her, causing her to fall back onto the cot. *Who was he? The dream, it felt too real...* Thinking a bit, she could guess it had something to do with her missing memory. *It could be that my memory is resurfacing in my dreams*

 

             The tent flap flew open stopping her thoughts and Egwene came in.

 

             "Siuan, are you alright, you don't look very well. Should I call Nisao?"

 

             "No, Mother, I'm alright, I just had a bad dream."

 

             "Do you remember anything more?"

 

             Siuan tighten her lips briefly in deep thought. "Fish guts! Not a single thing, just a headache."

 

             "It's alright, you'll remember in time," Egwene tried to sooth her. "Maybe what I have to tell you will help your memories return. And maybe you can even help me solve this mystery."

 

             After Egwene was finished telling her the passing events leading to how she became found unconscious on the desolated ground, Siuan was sitting and staring at Egwene wide eyed.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Ranma got up from a good night's rest. It was good until something suddenly woke her up, as if someone had stuck her with a mental needle. She grumbled because of her still female form. *At least I have my clothes* She had fallen asleep trying to think about her present situation. Her backpack was remarkably there, fully packed. She hadn't remembered packing for a long trip, making her missing memories even more puzzling.

 

             She saw it had stopped snowing outside the tent she was in yesterday. Surprisingly she also found her pack was prepared for this cold weather. *Who ever packed it, it was for a very long trip...* Also from the snow she knew something was not right. She was definitely not in Nerima anymore, or was she even anywhere near Tokyo probably. There was also the probability of not being in the same time period. She knew too many things were possible in her life.

 

             Getting up she got dressed in the heaviest clothes she had. It was cold out there. Moments later, Someone came in.

 

             "Hello there, I'm Faolain Sedai. How are you feeling?" She looked friendly, but Ranma could feel her calculating eyes on her.

 

             "Umm... Hi. I'm Ranma. Umm is that for me?" Faolain was holding a covered tray in her hands. The smell had already registered as food and she was hungry.

 

             "Yes it is, you must be hungry," Faolain remarked while putting down the tray. "Are those the only clothes you have? They definitely don't suit a pretty girl like you."

 

             Ranma's snorted and was about to correct her, but thought better than to foolishly humiliate herself saying she was a guy. "I like it. Ahh where am I. I need to get back home. Do you know where Nerima is?" *Never hurts to ask*

            

             "I don't know where this Nerima is, but you really should stay, at least until we know you are fit."

 

             "I'm fine Faolain. If you don't mind I can go myself, no worries at all." Faolain's lips tighten, and Ranma could swear she shot her a death glare. *I did it again...*

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Rand surveyed the room. It was a wreck. He came as soon as he felt it. There had been channeling done here. Sadiar, the female half of the One Power; it must have been powerful for him to feel it so far from this room, Moiraine's room. Something had happened here. Furniture was burnt and blacken all over the room, but the odd thing was, the paintings remained untouched. Every single one was in their rightful place.

 

             Peering at the painting that Moiraine would have been working on, it was nearly finished. All but one uncolored spot; it was an image of Moiraine... locked in combat with Siuan Sanche, and the boy who would kill him.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             The big Aes Sedai camp was packing up. Servants ran all over the place, each one had a duty they had to hastily perform. Everyone was moving, even the Aes Sedai had to prepare to move onward. Ranma, who was moving hastily, had a different reason at the moment.

 

             She was ducking a particular person, one Faolain Sedai. *Ack, why is she so intent on keeping me here!?* Running pass more people, she saw what she needed, a kettle. Quickly she snatched it, much to the holder's surprise, but Ranma quickly sped out of sight.

 

             A now male Ranma sighed. He was back to normal. That's when Faolain stood next to him. She gave him a calculating look, and then shook her head.

 

             "Where did that girl go? Blast her," he heard her mutter and quickly moved on.

 

             Chuckling to himself, Ranma moved a bit more slowly then before and without looking bumped into to someone.

 

             "Oh sorry Siuan," Ranma quickly blurted out before realizing his mistake. She looked very surprised.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Siuan was busy with all of Gareth Bryne's belongings, and was deeply angry about it. *Blast that man! I come out of near death, and he has me walking on my hand and feet again! If we didn't need the fool mule of a man, I would gut him!* That's when someone bumped into her.

 

             Whirling around, prepared to make that person's life miserable, she gasped. *It's him! The one from the dream!* A name flew out of her mouth. "Ranma..."

 

             Ranma jumped at the mention of his name.

 

             "You! I know you. You have something to do with my memories. Ranma--" Siuan caught herself. *But Ranma was that girl's name*

 

             "Ahh...excuse me, I have to get going now,"

 

             Siuan had other ideas as she quickly latched on to his arm. "Oh no you don't, you're going to answer my questions if I have to throw a net and drag you in."

 

             "Hey, ahh... you're Siuan, right? Look, I can see your busy with that stuff, I mean you're all in a rush right, so you better finish that first."

 

             *How dare he!* Siuan shot him a cool deadly glare, "It's Siuan Sedai to you."

 

             Ranma thought he knew her from somewhere, but shook it off. He felt a sudden annoyance towards Siuan, which he couldn't figure out why. "Err... yea, sure, Siuan _Sedai_," The conversation has a nagging familiarity from somewhere. *Have to get away, she could figure out my curse, better to find a way fast*

 

             "Oi, I don't know where you seen me from, but I bet you're mistaken. I mean you must be tired,"

                  --Twitch--

             "I can see some bags under you eyes and you don't look to hot."

                  --Twitch--

"I mean...err... it just that maybe you didn't get enough of your beauty sleep and all..."

 

             A deep hidden rage flared from Siuan's mind. It felt almost foreign to her. She was suppose to be an Aes Sedai, one of calm and understanding. That wasn't Siuan now though, and she embraced the emotions burning with rage. *HOW--HOW DARE HE!*

 

             "RANMA NO BAKA!"

 

             From movements she had not known how to make, she pulled out a large mallet and gracefully connected it with Ranma's head. The impact was so powerful, he flew up, soaring into the sky. A faint yell of "Uncute tomboy!" could be heard.

 

             Siuan slumped to the ground in shock. *How?What? That was...impossible* "What happened..." she mumbled. Staring at the distant, tiny figure, that could of been Ranma. Then she gasped. Quickly getting up, she ran after him, hoping he was still alive and prepared to answer some questions.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             Ranma slowly peeled himself out of the hard ground.

*Oh man! I could of sworn that was Akane* Glancing around, he saw that he was clear of the camp. *At least I got away. Who knew that girl could be as violent as Akane*

 

As Ranma turned around to start his trek home, he gasped. A woman sat on a fairly large rock, she was cloaked in white, embroiled with tiny red triangles. The hood was pulled back. The face was one he knew, the one in his dreams, staring at him, cool and distance as if waiting for him to show up. Slowly she got up and raised her hands towards him.

 

             There wasn't time to act before an invisible force had hit him, throwing the surprised Ranma onto the ground several feet away.

 

             Scrambling up, Ranma leaped back a few steps, more prepared then before. "Who are you? Why are you doing this!?" *Ahh great another girl coming to kill me. With my luck she's another engagement pop rigged up*

 

             But no answer came; she walked calmly towards him. Another wave of invisible force stuck him, he tried to move out of the way as her hands rose up, but it was no use. Falling back onto the ground he struggled to get up again, but this time more pressure slammed into him, pinning him onto the ground. Ranma grunted trying to press his way up, but it was stronger. *Arrgghh! What is she doing to me!?*

 

             His opponent just kept walking towards him, calm and steady.  She didn't smile, didn't speak, never once changing that serene feature. *Have to get up, have to stop her* Putting his full strength to get up, his power level rose as a bright glowing aura flared up. Instantly, he felt the force gone, as if she just stopped.

 

             Springing up, Ranma has just enough warning to see a massive fireball hurling his way. He flung himself out of the way barely avoiding the attack, but still close enough to feel the scorching heat. *She really is out to kill me!*

 

             "Why do you want to kill me!?" Still no answer.

 

             He had to move quickly as more rapid blasts were thrown at him. *Shit! She's throwing them like it was nothing! Have to find a way to stop her* Another volley of flaming shards sped at him, but he jumped up avoiding them. When he landed he could noticed the scorched land around him. They were powerful blasts.

 

             Then Ranma noticed it. *Her hands! Every time she shot at me, she had to put up her hands!* Ranma figured if he could bind his opponent's hands, then she would be helpless.

 

             Rushing towards the woman now with a plan, he narrowly escaped the incoming volley. But just as he was about to reach her, his plan fell apart. Ranma was just about to grab her, when a kick came out of nowhere, nailing a surprised Ranma's the mid-section.

 

             Suddenly the magical barrage stopped. And in its place, a volley of physical attacks came. She was a martial artist also it seems to Ranma's annoyance.* She had to be a martial artist didn't she, and a decent one too* His opponent features never changed even with her unrelenting assault. Ranma gave up ground in a hurry, dodging and blocking furiously.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

             "What's going on here?" Siuan, finally reached the battleground, huffing and puffing from exhaustion. That's when she felt a powerful source of Sadiar. It came from the person that was cloaked in white with red triangle embroidery. A power like Siuan never seen before, radiated from her, and the face, one that Siuan never expected to see again. It was Moiraine Damodred, her long time friend, also known to be dead.

 

             Ranma was caught surprised by the new arrival, and the halt had cost him another kick to his chest. Moiraine hand's whirled and rose towards a surprised Siuan; a blazing fireball shot out towards her. He leaped up in front of the fireball, almost unconscious of his actions, and it stuck.

 

             Siuan watched in horror as cloud a black smoke exploded on the boy who had tried to save her. *The power...* The glow around Moiraine was impossibly bright, as if she held a san'angreal. Fear stuck up in her mind, and she grabbed for the source. It came as a torrent, more power that she could of hoped rushed into her, filling her to near ecstasy. She had just enough time to slice Moiraine's incoming weave from reaching her. She knew that weave, one meant to permanently sever her link from the source. There was no emotion from the supposedly dead Moiraine, but she wasn't trying to just capture.

 

             "Moiraine! What are you doing!?" There was no response; it was almost as if her attacker was a shell of the real thing.  More incoming assaults of deadly weaves came at her, each one meant to do something horrible. Franticly Siuan rushed to meet every single one, slicing one after another, knowing if she missed one, it would be her last. She had no opportunity to attack back, it was all she could do to defend.

 

             *Something is different* She knew her power was mysteriously much more powerful then anything she could normally handle, but it was her only hope of surviving right now. Something else was different. *Her power, it smaller now. Fish guts! We're dead even!* Her senses told her they were in a dead match of equally powerful One Power. Sweat trickled down her face, but nothing appeared on Moiraine's. *Blast her, if she had the power I've seen before, why doesn't she use it. Is she playing with me!?*

 

             Ranma rose up from the pain. He could still feel the massive heat that had hit him. Glancing over, he saw the two women, staring at each other. Siuan's face was determined and deep in concentration, but the other's facial feature had never changed. *Something is happening*

 

             Sprinting towards the woman, Ranma tried to take advantage of the battle, and tried to reach Moiraine yet again, but at the last moment, she twisted, and a kick went for his face. He ducked just in time and had to block and evade another series of moves. Then something flashed from her hands and he felt more pain as he flew back once more.

 

             Siuan barely recognized the opening before she launched her first attack, but it was too late as Moiraine did something she didn't recognize and her head spun with pain. Struggling for recovery, she saw a bright light launched towards her. Desperately she wove a barrier of air to stop it, but it was all she could manage to do, as the blast was relentless, and she felt herself getting weaker.

 

             That was when she saw something and she knew.

 

             *The power, she's getting stronger again! My power is getting weaker. We're sharing the power like tugging for supremacy with a giant razor-fish. And I'm losing!* She could feel her power slowly fading. Siuan struggled to pull for more, but it was no use as Moiraine's glow slowly brightened, and her attack was still unrelenting.

 

             Ranma saw in horror as Siuan was starting to buckle from the magical assault. He felt a great need to save her, but he still couldn't bear to hurt a girl still. There was a nagging thought to keep his asaultant from harm as a matter of fact. *I can still stop her!*

 

             Jumping up high into the air, he flew straight towards his opponent.

 

                 "Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken Revised!"

             "Speeding pressure points!"

 

             Moiraine's attack stopped and her hands tried to block him, but it was too fast, too late. Numerous pressure points he knew to sleep were touched and she fell onto the ground eyes closed.

 

             Suddenly Ranma felt a rush of emotions assaulting him, and he felt it. *What's happening to me!?* Ranma felt a new presence inside him. *It's feels almost like...a bond...* Glancing around his eyes focused on Siuan, and he knew. *It's her...I can feel her--and...* Glancing back, he looked at the fallen attacker. *And her...*

 

             Siuan suddenly felt a link, it was as if it had been hidden, and then suddenly springing fully out into the open. Looking at the boy she knew. *A bond. He's my warder...Ranma...*

 

             The two stared at each other, for a long time.

 

                                    < OH MY! >

 

A SD figure clasped in a cloak of pure white, with some red decorations along the edges walks out. SD fumbles with a heavy book in her hands.

 

             "Quit poking me!"--"Alright, alright, I'll do this already."

 

             "Hello there, I'm here holding this big book here to give you some worthless information--hey I told you to quit poking me!"

 

             "Nisao Dachen, of the Yellow Ajah. Basically one of the more loonier doctors who got caught in the cookie jar by Egwene. So she swore her oath and now has a ball and chain to lag around."

 

             "Faolain Orande. She's not very interesting to talk about. She was newly raised to become a blue in a little dead town call Salidar. Basically, she choose to lug around the ball and chain for Egwene."

 

             "Rebel Aes Sedai Camp. Because the women couldn't agree on who gets the guy, (Rand) they broke up. Now, Egwene being the new leader wants to put it back together, and she has an army to do it."

 

             "Snow storms...what!? Why would I need to explain a thing like that!-- Hey watch were you're sticking that thing! Okay, so someone screwed around with the Bowl of Winds, and poof."

 

             "San'angreal, a more powerful form of an angreal, which increase power."

 

             "Gareth Bryne, tee-hee, you'll find out."

 

             SD flings the big book at something off screen followed by an impact.