Ryoga was wearing his usual outfit to which the school goers thought rather amusing.
    "Don't mind them Ryoga.  They don't know anything, besides I like your cloths."
    He gazed over at Buffy as they walked to the library, and shrugged.  "Everyone has a different sense of style.  My outfit enables me to move freely and easily, it's practicle.  Besides I like the colors."  That earned him a smile.
    The library doors swung open and they were greated by a grim faced Gilles.
    "Woah Gilles, you look as if your favorite suit got stained, or maybe you're just out of tea..."
    "I'm afraid it's far worse then that Buffy."  He took his glasses off and using a tissure cleaned them.  "According to Oz and Willow there appears to be a new Demon on the loosee.  An extremely powerful one."
    Buffy suddenly became serious.  "Will, you okay?"
    "Oh, ya.  We were in Oz's van when we saw it last night but the others that it had..."  Her voice trailed off and Oz finished the sentence.
    "They won't be back."
    "Then I hunt tonight."  She stated as she fixed Gilles with a look.
    "Correction."  Everyone turned towards Ryoga as he spoke.  "We hunt tonight."  Almost everyone seemed ready to argue at that.  "Look, you said it's dangerous..."
    "Malecont is but..."
    "So obviously you've researched it already,now you probably have a plan or are at least working on one and that plan will probably hinge on Buffy.  So until you can impliment it, someone should stay by her in case things get out of hand.  Now, who better than myself, who has nothing to do, to go with her?"
    Gilles seemed to be thinking so it was Willow who spoke, "But Angel..."
    "Is strong but can you honestly say I'm not a match for him, besides, there are things I can do that neither Buffy nor Angel can do."
    "Ki blasts?"
    Ryoga swiveled to face Gilles.  "Yes.  I use a technique called the Shishi Houkadogen."
    He nodded, reaching for a book.  "Then the plan might change a little."
    Buzzzzzzzzzz.
    "Oh, gotta get to class.  Talk to you after school Gilles."
    The room quickly empties, leaving only Gilles and Ryoga.  With a dejected sigh Ryoga met the Librarian's eyes, "Let's get to work."
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    Gilles watched Ryoga rub his eyes again.  They'd been working three hours straight and it was nearly lunch.  Slowly standing he moved over to where the boy sat hunched over a large volume.
    "Ryoga."
    The boy gazed upward, green eyes blinking.  "I'm going to get us some food from the cafeteria.  How does a cheeseburger and fries sound?"
    "It sounds very good Gilles.  Just give me a moment..."  He bent over to retrieve his bag.  "I think I have some money in here somewhere..."
    "Oh no, don't worry about that, consider it my treat.  A type of payment for all the help you're giving me, just keep up the good work and we'll call it even, alright?"
    A tiny smile pulled at Ryoga's mouth.  "Thank-you."
    Returning the smile he nodded, "My pleasure.  I'll be back in a little while."
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    Ranma had gotten off the plane, curteousy of Nibiki, and hour ago still wondering if posing for the pictures like he had was a good idea.
    But Ryoga had sounded troubled and with his way of attracking trouble...
    Sunnydale.  If Ryoga was here like he'd said, the likely place to look would be the highschool, he asked directioons from the desk clerk having a little difficulty because of his limited English and then using the rooftops, made his way there.
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    Ryoga re-read the passage to make certain that he had it locked in memory.  'Maltcont, a type of Demon King, when released will from a gateway to the Demon's World as well as others to enslave the people and rule over all.  His only weakness being his frozen heart, if melted, he will return to his normal state or the body that he stole for his rebirth and any ripes he creates will return to their stable state.'
    Satisfied he had it stored in his mind he set the book aside, stood up and streatched.
    "So what's up Ryoga?"
    Spinning around it was all he could do to keep his face calm, with only the normal confident smirk breaking it.  "Ranma, what are you doing here?"
    "What cha think I'm doing here?  You called me up, soundin' upset and I came ta make sure ya weren't in trouble or notin'."  Ranma's black pig-tail was standing straight out, his hands were on his hips and his face was tainted red.
    Ryoga couldn't believe his ears.  "You came all this way, just because you thought I was in trouble?"
    Ranma's anger seemed to disappear completely and was replaced by uncertain embarassment.  "Well... you know... without ya... well, uh, who would I fight with if ya died, huh?"
    "Yah."
    "Ryoga I brought you a coke because I forgot..."  Both boys turned to see Gilles watching them intently.  "I don't think I've met your friend, Ryoga..."  In the excitement Ryoga forgot to tell Gilles about the passage.
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    Everyone had met once more and Ryoga explained about Ranma again before an argument had begun about who should go with Buffy.  Now that Angel was there everything had gone crazy.
    Leaning against the desk he let them argue, choosing to stay out of it for a while.
    "Enough!  All four of us will go, okay?!"  Buffy ground out, barely in control of her temper.
    "No way.  No girl's gonna fight."
    This time Ryoga stepped in before a war could start.  "Ranma, she's as good as or better then Shampoo, so leave her alone.  Besides if we don't go now we'll never fing this Demon tonight."
    It brought an uneasy truce, but a truce none the less.
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    Ryoga quietly followed Buffy and Angel with Ranma close behind.  As usual it was Ranma who asked, "So where's this Demon, Maltcont?"
    "Behing you."
    The deep guttural voice mementarily froze his heart but it didn't have that effect on Ranma, even before it finished speaking he had launched himself at the creature only to be suspended in mid-air inches from the deformed figure's chest.  "Who's next?"
    Angel and Buffy started forward together and were knocked down by Maltcont who hurled Ranma at them.  "What about you?"
    Knowing he had to buy time, he took a step backward, making sure to fall on his rear.  "P-p-please don't hurt me?"  Maltcont laughed harshly.
    "So be it, you may live long enough to watch your world destroyed."  With a flick of his hand he scooted Ryoga over to the others, who couldn't move.  Ryoga carefully avoided looking at them as he watched the Demon begin opeing small portals.
    "Ryoga.  I know whatcha thinking and don't!  If we defeat him we're gonna have to do it together."
    "Quiet Ranma."  The passage's words rolled through his mind and a plan echoed in his thoughts.
    "Ryoga.  Ranma, as much as I hate to admit it, has a point.  You can't fight it alone."
    "Buffy... everything'll be fine.  Ranma, if I don't... well say goodbye to everyone will ya?"  Without another word he moved, silent as a ghost, up behing Maltcont.  His aura flarred a bright green as he locked his arms around the Demon's chest.
    "What the..."
    Maltcont began struggling and Ryoga wasted no more time.  "Shishi Houkadogen."  The energy was white hot but seemed to have no effect at first.  Ever so slowly the Demon shrunk, then just as he became normal the ki-blast backfired sending Ryoga flying backwards right into a closing portal...