From: John C. [ryutsurugi@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 18:35 To: cognjo@midsouth.rr.com Subject: Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu, Chapter 29 Ranma: The Tenth Hakkeshu or Ranmas Cousin Iori (------) Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma =. That is property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own The King of Fighters, that is property of SNK. I do however suggest you look up information on these two properties. You wont be disappointed. (------) Note: This takes place well after the Ranma = manga and during the King of Fighters 98. (------) Ranma the Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 29: Wings of Silver, Nerves of Steel; Iori Vs. Kima. The Legend of The Violet Phoenix After Ranmas meeting with Saffron, the fighters are allowed to travel around the non-restricted areas of the fortress on Mount Phoenix. Ranma gathers his family and those he considers his friends and tells them about what Saffron told him. Of course, others listened to find out what happened with Ranma when he went into Saffrons throne room. The reactions are varied Kyo: LIAR! THE KUSANAGI WOULD NEVER STOOP SO LOW! Terry: Wow Mai: Oooooh So, you basically hold the soul of a fallen God Andy: WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! WHY DO ALL THESE SUPER POWERED FIGHTERS COMEW OUT DURING THE TOURNAMENTS!? Iori: Interesting Leona: Ranma Genma: MY BOY IS THE SOUL FRAGMENT OF A FALLEN GOD! THIS IS GONNA MAKE ME RICH!!! ! Ranmas punch sends Genma flying far away from Mount Phoenix. Kasumi: Oh my Ranma, violence is not always the answer. Joe (Glomps Kasumi): KASUMI IS SO CARING!!! Kasumi (Looks down at Joe):  Oh my Mary (Slams Joe in the back of his head): DAMN IT! WHY DO YOU KEEP HARASSING KASUMI!?!? Joe: Because I LIKE HER! Kasumi: You like me Mr. Higashi? Joe: YES INDEEDY! ORA ORA! Mary than kicks Joe in his ass, and he goes flying off of Mount Phoenix. Ranma (Looks to where Joe went flying off): Okay Anyway, Saffron said that, if Im to go free, I have to choose my strongest warrior to fight his strongest warrior. If my warrior wins, Ill be okay. If his warrior wins, than, put simply, Im screwed The New Face Team walks up to Ranma. Yashiro: SAOTOME!!! Ranma (Looks over to the New Face Team): What do you three want? Shermie: We want to ask one thing. Ranma: And what is it? Chris: Are you the Soul Fragment of Orochi? Ranma: Um Yes Why do you ask? The New Face Team looks at each other. The get on their hands and knees, and they start bowing to Ranma. Yashiro, Shermie, & Chris (While bowing): Orochi-sama, Orochi-sama, Orochi-sama, Orochi-sama Ranma: Um Could you stop that please? Iori: Whats wrong? Dont like having followers. Ranma (Smirks): You would now. Iori is confused by what he said. Ranma points downward. Iori sees Vice bowing and scraping before him. Vice: Iori-sama, Iori-sama, Iori-sama, Iori-sama Iori sweat-drops. (------) Wolfgang Krauser stands off to the side. He was listening to what Ranma told the fighters what Saffron told him. Krauser is delighted by what he hears. Krauser (Thinks): So Ranma, in essence, is a Godling himself, due to being the Soul Fragment of the Orochi Well I guess you are the Tenth Hakkeshu. But As Rugal was saying before, who is this Him, and what does he mean guaranteeing his life? Oh well. That can wait. After this little fight, I shall step forth into the arena. Krauser smiles as he thinks about whats to come. (------) It is nightfall. By now, Ranma has chosen his warrior. His cousin Iori. Leona wanted to fight for him, but Ranma did not want here to get hurt, and he figured Iori has the best chance of beating whoever Saffron may choose. Cologne sits on top of one of the towers within the Phoenix fortress. She looks up to the sky and a wicked smile curls on her face when she sees a bird. She holds out her staff, and the bird lands on it. Cologne takes the bird in her arms and she looks at its leg. Indeed, she has a reply from her earlier message to the other Amazons. Cologne reads the letter quietly to herself. TO ELDER KU-LONG WE HAVE GOTTEN YOUR MESSAGE THAT THE OUTSIDER MALE THAT INSULTED US HAS STOPPED IN THE PHOENIX FORTRESS. WE ARE PREPARED TO ATTACK BY DAWN IF NECESSARY. WE WILL KILL THE OUTSIDER AND ANYONE WHO STANDS IN OUR WAY. REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AWAITING YOUR ORDERS, WARRIOR 2ND CLASS LIMITED, DOW-EL Cologne chuckles to herself. She shall show that impertinent Ranma who is in charge. She knows hes strong-willed when against her, but she knows his weaknesses. Anyone he cares for, and innocents are his downfall. If they cant protect themselves, than Ranma will do whatever it takes to protect them. So, she decides she is going to make it impossible for Ranma to fight them. Cologne takes out a piece of paper and pencil she carries on her. Cologne then writes down her message/reply to Dow-el. She ties it to the bird and sends it off flying. Cologne: Now demon Your power will be mine (------) The bird flies back to the camp of twelve thousand warrior Amazons. Dow-el catches the bird, and reads the note the Ku-long wrote her. TO WARRIOR 2ND CLASS LIMITED, DOW-EL THE OUTSIDER MALE IS INDEED HERE. I WANT YOU TO ATTACK AFTER HIS TRIAL GOES ON. AFTER THE FIGHT, YOU SHOULD COME UPON MOUNT PHOENIX. YOU WILL NOT ATTACK UNLESS I SAY SO. YOU ARE TO BE USED TO FLUSH THE OUTSIDER MALE OUT, FOR HE WILL NOT WANT OTHERS INVOLVED. SHOULD HE IGNORE US, WE WILL ATTACK THEM WITH EVERYTHING WEVE GOT, AND WE SHALL GAIN NEW TERRITORY BY GAINING MOUNT PHOENIX, AND NEW POWER AS WELL. DO NOT DISSAPOINT ME. BE HERE WHEN I NEED YOU! FROM, ELDER KU-LONG Dow-el crumples the note and smiles, she gathers her warriors. She says they shall take down camp in the morning and head to Mount Phoenix. They may get the chance to make the infidel pay for challenging them. (------) It is morning, but it is dark out. Theres an overcast of dark clouds, threatening to rain. Ranma is placed on a pedestal within a three-sided tent. He hates sitting on the pedestal. It makes him feel like hes some sort of prize. Saffron says this is part of the trial, for in a way, he IS a prize. And the winner shall determine his fate. Saffron than walk up to the center of raised stone platform. It is obviously used for tournaments and such. Saffron clears his voice, and speaks out to the people. Saffron: My people, and guests. Today we are to decide the fate of Ranma Saotome, the only man to defeat me. His crime. He has damned us to slow extinction by defeating me, and destroying what we needed to continue to prosper. But, I also owe him, for a service he has done in the past, or a past life. So, We are having a tournament. His has chosen his best warrior, and I have chosen mine. They will fight it out to determine what Ranmas fate is. If his warrior wins, then he will be our guest and treated as one of us. If my warrior wins, than Ranma will be executed for his crime. NOW, BEGIN! Iori steps up to the platform, there is quite a lot of booing from the peoples of the Phoenix tribe. Kima steps up to the platform at the other end, she gets a good amount of cheering from her people. They to look each other over, trying to assess each others strengths and weaknesses. After two minutes of this, they get into their battle stances. Iori gets into his relaxed stance, rocking back and forth, while his finger slightly clench and unclench. His smug smile of his never leaving his face. Kima spreads her feet apart her right foot in from of her left, her right arm outstretched, and her left hand grasping the hilt of her sword. They circle each other for a bit. Than it happens. Iori shots forward, attempting to perform his Dark Crescent Slice attack. Kima jumps backwards, using her wings to gain lift to the jump and Iori misses. While in the air, Kima unsheathes her sword and dives down at Iori. Iori sidesteps the attack and does a roundhouse kick, which Kima narrowly avoids. Kima rolls on the ground and Iori shoots a Dark Thrust at her, Kima just uses her wings to glide over it, and she head buts Iori while gliding at a good speed, sending Iori rolling backwards. (------) A certain fighter watching this does not take well to Iori receiving the first hit. Vice: YOU BIRD BITCH! HOW DARE YOU WRECK MY PRECIOUS IORI-SAMAS BEAUTIFUL FACE!? ILL KICK YOUR ASS Mature (Trying to restrain Vice): HOLD STILL DAMN IT! YOU WANT TO GET US IN TROUBLE!? Vice: I DONT CARE! THAT BITCH HURT IORI!!! ILL KICK HER SCRAWNY WINGED ASS IF I HAVE TO! A small group of Phoenix soldiers fly to Vice and Mature. Phoenix Guard 1: Will you people quiet down? Phoenix Guard 2: Who dares to mock our General Kima? Vice & Mature turn around and point at Rugal. Vice & Mature (While pointing): IT WAS HIM! Rugal (Shocked): WHAT!? YOU CANT BE SERIOUS!? Phoenix Guards 1-12: YOU SHALL PAY FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST LADY KIMA! ! One of the Guards punches Rugal across the face and Rugal falls to the ground. Rugal than proceeds to receive a beat down hell never forget, given to him by a dozen Phoenix soldiers. Vice and Mature arent sure what to do. Vice: THIS SUCKS! Mature: I know. I cant decide either. Vice: I want to watch Iori-sama fight, but I also want to get Rugal get his ass kicked. Rugal (Screaming between receiving punches and kicks): YOU TRAITORS!!! Vice (To Mature): Mature. Mature: Yes Vice? Vice: Are we betraying him? Mature: No we arent. We were never in his side to begin with. Vice and Mature proceed to laugh at Rugals plight, than they turn back to continue watch Iori fighting Kima. (------) Iori is secretly impressed by his opponents skill. So far, she has gotten the first hit, and she has avoided all of his attacks so far, not an easy task indeed. Iori smirks and looks directly at Kima. Iori: I think its time we finish this warrior of the Phoenix. Kima: I was thinking the same thing warrior of the Orochi. Iori (Smiles evilly): Youre about to find out exactly WHY I am called the Insane Orochi Warrior. Iori than narrows his eyes, and lunges toward Kima with his hand outstretched. He claws at her and manages to leave deep scraps in the right shoulder guard of her armor. Kima (Thinks): BY THE PHOENIX! He wasnt kidding around with that one. Okay, fine. If he wants to play rough, fine. I can handle myself. Kima changes her battle stance. She has both her hands on her swords hilt; she has her wings spread out farther, for easier access to flight. Kima (Shouts): YOU WANT TO PLAY ROUGH HAKKESHU? THEN SO BE IT! Kima then traces a circle in the air using her sword. A small ring of fire forms mid air, and she puts her sword in the center of is. Kima: PHOENIX FIRE STRIKE! With that said, the fire than gathers onto her sword and shoots out in a stream of fire. Iori fires off a Mouko Takabisha no Orochi at Kima, but her Phoenix Fire Strike just tears through his attack, and smashes Iori in the chest. (------) Ranma looks from above his pedestal shocked. Iori is losing. And that means Well Best not to think about it. Suddenly lightning strikes in the back round. The dark clouds start to release raindrops. Ranma feels lucky about having the tent/tarp over his pedestal. His eyes widen with realization. Ranma: Ioris curse (------) Kima walks to her downed opponent. Lightning strikes, and raindrops start to fall. Kima isnt worried about this. After all, even though Kima had dunked herself in the Spring of Nearly Drowned Akane, the curse she received wasnt permanent. After all, Akane didnt actually drown. She steps forward to Iori to end the fight as the rain begins to fall harder, only to get the shock of her life from what she sees before her. Iori stands straight up, and screams out in pain. Violet tinted Phoenix wings sprout out from Ioris back, obliterating the back of his shirt and jacket. She can feel his strength has risen with the change. She cant think of anything to explain for this. Except for one thing. Kima: Jusenkyo Iori (Smiles): You got it Iori than lunges towards her again, with his hand outstretched. Shes ready for this attack, and slashes downward as his fingers with her sword. She feels her sword connect, but Iori smirks. She wonders why for a moment, but her eyes widen with realization. Her sword falls apart into five pieces. She than winces when she feels four cuts open on her right arm. Kima (Thinks): Shit! I am way outclassed by this guy now. I got to do something before Kima never gets to finish that trail of though. Ioris aura flares lo life, enveloping him in Magatama no Orochi. Kima stares at this in wide-eyed horror. She, along with others of the Phoenix Tribe, realizes this is a lot like a legend of long ago. Kima (in wide-eyed horror): The Violet Phoenix HES THE VIOLET PHOENIX!? Kima doesnt get an answer. Instead, Iori performs his Maiden Masher super move. He grabs Kima and starts slashing at her with his hands, tearing up her armor. He than grabs her by her throat, and crushes his hands on her collarbone, igniting her in the purple flames of Orochi. Kima rolls backwards from the attack, and doesnt get up. She is in too much pain to even think of continuing the fight. Shes glad its raining hard. Now they wont have to see her tears. Kima: I lost I am so sorry Lord Saffron I lost (------) Iori stands triumphantly. He has to give this Kima credit. She is one of the toughest opponents hes faced. He notices the flame covering his body doesnt die out, even though its raining hard. He tries to calm himself, and soon it goes out. He picks up Kima and brings her before Saffron. Iori: I have defeated your warrior Lord of the Mountain. Now, I believe it will be wise for you to keep to your part of the trial. Saffron: Indeed. Come with me and bring Kima inside. We have much to talk about Iori. (------) In Saffrons throne room Iori (Now human), Ranma, and Leona stand before Saffron, and a bandaged Kima. This is very frustrating to Ranma. As soon as the fight was over, Saffron had them rushed to the throne room. They waited for Kima to be bandaged, and than Saffron had her sent to his throne room as well. Ranma cant take it anymore, and asks Saffron just whats going on. Ranma: Saffron WHAT IS IT NOW!? Saffron ignores Ranma, but looks at Iori. Saffron: You. Iori: Me? Saffron: Yes. That curse you have is from Jusenkyo, correct? Iori: No. I got it at Pismo beach. YES I GOT IT AT JUSENKYO! Saffron: Iori, you are our last hope. You are the Violet Phoenix. Iori: Violet Phoenix? Saffron: Orochi had told me about this. It became a legend that is our hope in our darkest times. As the Orochi said, When the light of the Phoenix dims, my power will be bestowed upon your people, and there will come a Violet Phoenix. A Phoenix born amongst an inferno of my Orochi fire. He shall be the one to bring the peoples the Phoenix to glory. So you Iori are our chance for survival. Iori (Stares at Saffron): And what exactly am I supposed to do? Saffron: Im not sure exactly. Iori, Ranma, and Leona face-fault. Leona (Gets up): What is it you want Iori to do again? Saffron: To save our people. We are not a very versatile race. And so, our numbers have dwindled over time. All I really know is, the Orochi told us that the Violet Phoenix could save us in our darkest time. And I believe we have him here with us. So please, Iori. Will you help us? Iori looks at Saffron. The man is a Godling, yet Saffron is begging him for help. Iori wants to say know, but theres something inside him that says, Go for it. Iori grumbles to himself. Iori: Ill do it Saffron: YOU WILL!? OH THANK YOU MR. YAGAMI! Saffron gets on his hands and knees and bows to Iori. The sight actually disgusts him. Iori:  Could you stop doing that? Saffron (Gets up): Yes. Sorry. Iori, I must tell you, that if you are to help us, you need to learn our ways, and know what is going on here. I want you to stay here and get to know the people, to understand our plight. Iori: HECK NO! I HAVE A TOURNAMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN! Something big is going down this year in the King of Fighters Tournament, something that involves this whole damn planet. Im not staying cooped up here, while Ranma gets to have all the fun. So sorry, but I AM NOT STAYYING! Saffron: I understand you have a free spirit, and have other matters to deal with. So please. I want you three to allow Kima to travel with you. Ranma, Iori, Leona, and Kima (Shocked): WHAT!?!?!? Saffron: Listen, Iori needs to know whats going on. He needs to learn of the Phoenix culture. Kima, I want you to go along with Iori, to teach him the ways of the Phoenix. He will benefit from your teachings and become stronger. Iori is about to tell Saffron to stuff it, when Choler comes running in, screaming his head off. Choler: LORD SAFFRON! WERE UNDER ATTACK! Saffron: WHAT!? WHO ATTACKS US? AND WHY ATTACK US? Choler: ITS THE AMAZONS! THEY WANT RANMA! Ranma clenches his fists, his anger boils. Leona: Ranma, you cant possibly be thinking Ranma: I am. Lechan, I will come back to you. Ranma walks out of the throne room, prepared to face the Amazons. As Ranma walks, his anger rises with his strength. How dare they attack the Phoenix to get to him? Though he hasnt been a friend with Saffron for long, he feels he has to protect them. And teach Cologne her lesson, once and for all (------) Cologne looks over her troops and smiles. Even with all the fighters from the tournament there at the fortress, theyll be no match for the greatest warriors of the Amazons. After all, the Amazons are the strongest fighters ever. And she also knows Ranma will give himself up, not wanting to let innocents sacrifice themselves. Her eyes widen when she sees the Gates to the fortress open, and Ranma walks out towards her. Cologne: I believe you know why Im here. Ranma: I do Old Ghoul. Cologne (Angry): That is Elder Cologne to you Demon! Ranma (Smirks): I may have the soul of a fallen God within me, but Im more human than you can ever hope to be Ghoul. Cologne (Smiles): If you are indeed human, than are you going to give yourself up to save everyone here? Ranma looks Cologne directly in the eyes. The penetrating glare he gives Cologne chills her to the bone. A wicked smile spreads across Ranmas face. Ranma: You dont get it, do you? You have been after my power for so long now, a power that no one outside of the bloodline can even hope to control. You take my power, and it will destroy you. Cologne: HA! Stupid male! Your power IS OUR POWER! Once you had beaten Shampoo, you belonged to her, YOU BELONGED TO US! So your power if rightfully ours! As for control, I SHALL USE THIS! Cologne pulls out a talisman. It is a simple gold circle, with a Chinese seal on it. Ranma eyes it carefully. Ranma: And whats that supposed to do? Cologne: Contain your power of course. Now, do you want to do this the easy way, or the hard way? Ranma (Smiles): The hard way of course. Cologne takes her staff. Turns out, it is actually a sword, with the knot of the wood as a handle, and the rest of the staff the sheath. Ranma frowns. There is nothing short of killing her that will get her to stop. Ranma prepares to battle her, when a man jumps from one of the towers of the Phoenix fortress and land directly in front of Ranma. The man is Wolfgang Krauser. Cologne: And what do you think you are? Krauser (Stares at Cologne, and her army with disgust): And you have the nerve to call yourselves warriors You attack innocents, you go after power that is not yours, and you pester a true warrior, because you THINK he belongs to you. Well, I am here to tell you, that you are all NOTHING! You are just the mud on the bottom of societys heel. Cologne (Infuriated): HOW DARE YOU STAND IN MY WAY!? JUST WHO ARE YOU!?!? Krauser smiles evilly. He lifts his hand and gathers a glowing gold ki within it. Krauser: BLITZ BALL! Krauser shoots of a ball of golden ki right at Cologne. Cologne jumps out of the way, and lets the warriors standing behind her take the attack. Ten of them are incinerated by the incredibly powerful blast, while fourteen warriors that were in the area are thrown high in the air, and are wounded. Cologne looks with fear at the 12 ft wide and 7 ft deep crater that was formed. She turns to Krauser with newfound fear. Cologne: Who Are YOU!? Krauser (Smiles): If you must know, I am a TRUE WARRIOR! I am the 34th Clans master of the Strolheim family! I AM WOLFGANG KRAUSER, THE EMPEROR OF DARKNESS!! And you Amazon, are nothing compared to me! Krauser wastes no more time. He flexes his muscles and his cape and armor fall off of him. He than gathers a glowing silver ki on his right hand. Krauser: KAISER KLAW! Krauser flashes forward in a flash of silver light. Forty-eight Amazons that stood in his path are cut open, their blood spilling to the ground. They are dead. The other Amazon warriors back away to give this man, no, this WARRIOR room so they can try to get away. This is the first time in history the Amazons question their skills. As they run, they wonder, Are we truly as strong as we have always believed? Most wont get to ponder this, as Krauser spreads his arms apart, gathering energy from within, that sparkles around him as he calls upon it. Soon, he lets it all loose in a huge raw ki blast. Krauser: YOU COWARDS! RUNNING AWAY? KAISER WAVE!!! Ranma had to turn his vision away from the blast of Krausers Kaiser Wave. The insanely powerful Ki blast had at least killed another fifty Amazon warriors at the very least. Suddenly, Ranma feels a sharp pain. Cologne has stabbed him through the shoulder with her sword. She removes her blade, and smashes her talisman into the wound. Ranma screams as he feels a burning pain. He punches forward, and sends Cologne flying off of him. He sees that she is covered in his blood. In her right hand her sword is dripping with his blood, and he left hand holds the bloodied talisman, glowing with crackling violet energy. She is insane; possessed by the energy she stole from Ranma. Cologne: ITS MINE! THE OROCHI POWER IS MINE! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA!!! Ranma (As he clutches at his shoulder): Cologne! Let go of that energy now! For you do not know what you are doing! Cologne (Scoffs at him): I dont know what Im doing? I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING!? I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING! Allow me to demonstrate. Cologne holds her talisman forwards and shoots off blasts of violet colored energy at Ranma and Krauser. They are able to dodge the blasts from Cologne with ease. This infuriates her further, and she gathers as much of the power within her and the talisman as she can. She releases it, along with her fury. Cologne: DEATH FROM EIGHT GODS! The attack that followed was a beam of violet colored energy that erupted into eight beams of energy, and all seemed to flow at Ranma. Ranma smiles, and allows the blast to connect to him. The energy hits him, and flows back into him, his wound heals. Cologne (Shocked): HOW!?!? Ranma: It was my energy to begin with Old Ghoul. Now. I suggest you let go of the power, before you regret it. Cologne: NEVER! I HAVE LIVED FOR OVER THREE HUNDRED YEARS! I AM THE GREATEST FIGHTER OF MY GENERATION! YOU OR ANYONE WILL NOT BEAT ME NOW OR EVER!!! Cologne raises the talisman high in the air. Nothing happens. Soon, the talisman glows white, and becomes boiling hot. The skin on Colognes hand is now fused to the talisman. She tries to shake it free, but to no avail. She screams out in pain, here body is being torn apart. Her muscles expand and contract, and a pillar of white energy surrounds her. Cologne, for once, is truly afraid. She is facing the only thing she has ever truly feared all her life. Death. Cologne (Scared, confused): WHATS GOING ON!?!?!?!? Ranma: As my cousin Iori once said, Fool, only those of the bloodline can control the power the Orochi blood produces. And you Old Ghoul, ARE NOT of the bloodline. Cologne looks at Ranmas face. It is cold. He feels nothing for her. She is better off dead to him. Soon, Cologne feels it, her end. Cologne: GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! Colognes body is obliterated within a burst of energy, and a screaming skull appears, and flies up into the air. Elder Ku-long, Elder of the Chinese Amazons, and greatest warrior of her generation, has finally died. She had died by her own lust for power. Ranma walks up to the spot where she left this world. The talisman is all thats left in the burnt patch of land. Soon the talisman cracks, and turns to dust. The winds pick up, and carry the particles away. Leona comes running up to Ranma and hugs him tightly. Leona: RANMA, YOU DID IT! I WAS SO WORRIED! Ranma smiles with Leonas joy. He hugs her back fiercely and kisses her on the forehead. Ranma: I said I would come back to you. And that was a promise. As Ranma hugs Leona, Krauser walks up to them. Krauser: Ranma Saotome. The Tenth Hakkeshu, I presume? Ranma (Startled): Uh, yes. Why do you ask? Krauser (Smiles): I challenge you. (------) End Chapter 29 Next Time: Ranma faces off against Wolfgang Krauser. And, Geese starts to reveal his own intentions Send your questions and comments to either RedPriest17@aol.com or Ryutsurugi@yahoo.com Note: Flames will be read and than used to fuel the Orochi fire. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/