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Anime/Manga » Ranma » Dragons, Mages and Martial Artists font: B s : A A A . width: full 3/4 1/2
Author: Jerry Unipeg
Fiction Rated: M - English - Adventure/Fantasy - Reviews: 9 - Published: 04-02-08 - Updated: 04-03-08 - id:4172365
Ranma 1/2:
Dragons, Mages, & Martial Artists Crossover: DragonLance By: Dani Yanega (please respond to this e-mail address)
/yanega/index.htm or Visit my Mirror site at:
www.ranko.pwp./index.htm

Chapter Ten

The growing group finally headed out. Tika had gone to retrieve some water during their delay so Ranma could change back. He thanked her after he had changed. Then headed out, with Sturm and Tanis at the lead. They were followed by Flint then the women and Riverwind. Raistlin and Caramon behind them. The boys from Nerima following them Ryoga and Mousse then Ranma. Tasslehoff was walking with Ranma.

"That was really neat what you did for Raistlin! Can you teach me how to do it?
How long does it take to learn? Can I learn to fight like you do? Will you do that black lightning trick again that was really interesting?" Ranma just smiled at the little kender and nodded or shook his head were needed.

Since they had gotten a late start they decided to travel a couple of more hours after the sun set. Ranma put his senses on full alert as did Ryoga and Mousse.
They then spread out among the others as to be their early warning system.
Raistlin's staff lighting the way.

Ranma let his aura show to help with the lighting but was quickly told to shut it off. He looked at Raistlin with confusion and a little bit of hurt pride as he wanted to help too.

"Ranma although we are heading for a town that caters to mages. We are not the most favorite of people, if you and your friends go walking in town glowing like that they will lynch us all." Ranma nodded his understanding and his aura winked out.

They finally found a camp site three hours outside of town. There were other fires nearby meaning other mages or travelers were headed into Kadesh. Ranma went to gather some wood and water while the others setup camp. He came back twenty minutes later soaking wet, female and cussing up a storm.

"That old crone must live everywhere. Stupid people can't watch where they throw out their water." She dumped the wood next to the fire pit and set the bucket down next it.

She then stormed off to change into dry clothes. Ryoga and Mousse watched and actually felt sympathy for their enemy. For each had, had a run in with the old woman and her never miss ladle.

Dinner that night was light it was left over berries and nuts from breakfast and salted meat jerky. The group went to bed shortly after supper and Ranma changed back into a him before taking first watch.

No one saw the glowing eyes in the trees at the far side of the camp. Its gaze fell on four things. The Staff of Magius, Ranma, Ryoga and Mousse. Its gaze lingering on the male portion of the Nerima wrecking crew.

The eyes watched Ranma most of all. He was sitting on a boulder over looking camp, his legs crossed in a lotus position. His eyes where closed and his face serene. For all intents and purposes he looked a sleep. That however was not the case.

Ranma got comfortable on the boulder and took a meditative position. His back was straight and his legs crossed. He closed his eyes and let his senses stretch out into the surrounding area. No one really knew how far Ranma could detect danger. He of course knew. He practiced pushing them to their limits.
He would push them farther and farther out. He was proud that he could check up to and sometimes past one hundred and sixty yards.

A guy had to protect himself from sneaky fianc?s, crazy gymnasts and idiotic rivals. He didn't get far when he felt the power near where Raistlin and Caramon were.

It felt like the magical power in Raistlin only dark more malevolent. He felt its gaze on him and he let his body relax and his breathing slow. He wanted to and succeeded in giving the impression of being a sleep.

The watcher waited another five minutes to be sure all were a sleep. Ranma figured he wouldn't wait too much longer, after all he wouldn't want a shift change while he was there. The figure stepped out of the shadows and into camp.
Ranma slowly opened his eyes a crack to see what it..he was doing.

All Ranma could see was black mage's robes. The man went to Ryoga and Mousse first and gently touched them for a moment. Ranma snorted quietly as those two above all should have felt this stranger near them. Ranma could tell though they were in deep slumber. He pulled his hand away and though Ranma couldn't be sure because of the light. He could have sworn the man smiled.

The man turned toward him but didn't venture toward him. It would have put him to far into the camp to escape. He stared at Ranma his eyes glowing like burning embers in the moon light, from within his shadowy cowl. The mage then turned and headed for Raistlin.

Ranma had seen enough. He watched while the man tried several times to relieve his friend of his staff. Ranma quietly stood up on the boulder and pushed up and out. His direction took him toward Raistlin and the black mage.

Ranma flipped in the air and then landed softly behind the mage. The mage was so intent on taking the staff he had not noticed the blue light glowing behind him. He had however noticed the angry golden hour glass shaped eyes. Eyes that woke up because of the glow, but instead stared at him.

"Ack!" The mage jumped back into a solid wall he knew was not there before.

He reached back but quickly pulled his hand back as the heat was too much. He next began to sniff the air as something was burning. He looked over his shoulder when a gurgle escaped his lips. For he stared at the angry glowing demon behind him.

He opened his mouth to scream but it died in his throat. He saw the demon kept pointing at something. His curiosity got the better of him and he followed Ranma's jester. It was then he realized it was him that was on fire. He lunged forward, toward the woods and the stream a scream escaping his lips.

The rest of the camp was up and looking around for the commotion that had awakened them. They turned to Ranma who shrugged his shoulders. With a cocky grin he told them.

"Just a mage. He wanted directions to the stream." He returned to his perch and began searching the area for any other visitors.

Raistlin just stared at the martial artist a slight chuckle passed his lips as he shook his head. He rolled over and pulled his staff tighter into his grip before falling a sleep. The rest of the group just stared between Raistlin and Ranma their mouths agape.

When Sturm relieved him, Ranma jumped into a tree near Raistlin and Caramon and went to sleep but after years of traveling with his father he left his senses on wide scale alert.

The group entered Kadesh, and took up residence at a local inn near the exit to the small town. They wanted to stay only long enough to replenish their supplies and to try and help the boys cure their curses. The companions left Ryoga, Mousse and Ranma at the inn to guard their things. Raistlin and Caramon went in search of a cure while the others went to get supplies.

The three boys sat at a table in the corner. Ranma in his element as he teased the two martial artists. A wide cocky smile that had been missing since they arrived.

"If you knew he was there why didn't you big deal martial artists attack him when he touched you?" Ranma asked his eyes twinkled as he was in his element.

"You were on guard duty we were waiting for you to act!" Ryoga growled not liking his skills mocked.

"I figured he wanted sweet and sour pork or maybe roast duck." Ranma said with a shrug of his shoulders as his senses began to warn him.

"RANMA!" Mousse laid a restraining hand on Ryoga's shoulder.

"Not now!" He growled in a barely heard whisper.

Ryoga reluctantly nodded his agreement. Then he noticed Ranma was acting strange. Stranger then normal for him. He let his senses flood through the room though not as strong as Ranma's. Ryoga stiffened as he felt the foul presence.

Mousse tensed next to the lost boy as even he could feel the evil in the room.
The two cohorts kept their eyes pinned on Ranma as he seemed to be the most sensitive to it. They watched as Ranma looked around the room. Then his gaze fell on a man in black robes heading toward them.

The man was 5' 11" with unruly brown hair with deep brown eyes. He looked to be in his mid to late forties, and was heavy set (think FLABBY Genma). He carried an oak staff with an ivory carved skull on top, that had yellowed with age.
There was a black opal in the left eye and a white opal in the right.

"Greetings young ones!" He told them as he arrived at their table with false joviality.

"I am Dargus!" He bowed to them keeping his eyes on them at all times.

"I do not mean to disturb your festivities, but I could not help but sense an aura of magic around you three yet only one of you wears mages robes." He said as he looked at Mousse his eyes narrowing slightly.

"We're not mag..OWW! That hurt!" Growled Ryoga after Ranma kicked him hard under the table with a chi enhanced foot.

"I would ask you to join us, but we are waiting on our friends." Ranma told the man in black.

The mage fidgeted nervously as Ranma's eyes bore into him. His sapphire blue orbs glowing red in the fire light. Dargus then felt another pair of eyes on him and turned to see the boy in the white robes glaring at him as well.

He knew they were not mages and that the magic in them was unique. It was magic he wanted, it was magic he would use to claim what should have been his. The Staff of Magius belonged to him, not that upstart red mage. He was so weak,
without the staff he and his magic were useless.

He smiled at the boys before him, reminding them of Nabiki about to make a deal.
They all shuddered and turned from him. Dargus sat down next to Ranma who inched away from him. He leaned in toward them in a conspiratorial manor.

"I can tell that the magic within you is unfocused and uncontrollable by those such as you." He smiled as the look on their faces told him he hit home.

"I can help you. I can remove that magic from you and with it the problems it brings." Ranma looked at the man with distrust but Ryoga and Mousse saw salvation.

"You can remove our curses?" They both asked, Ranma glaring at them.

"Yes and I will do it for nothing!" Dargus told them smiling to himself as the two across from him ignored the other.

"I need to know all there it to know about the curses before I can help you though. I don't want to do something the might harm you." His insincerity grated on Ranma's nerves.

Ranma sat and glared at Mousse and Ryoga as they told the man in black about the curse. Mousse gave the most information as he lived near Jusenkyo and knew the most about it. Ranma watched Dargus as he listened to them talk, the mage's eyes unfocused and staring.

When they finished Dargus picked up his mug of ale and motioned for the boys to follow him. Ranma grabbed Ryoga's and Mousse's arms. His eyes flashed anger at their gullibility.

"Are you guys stupid? Raistlin is going to remove the curses. We don't know anything about this guy except that there is an aura of evil around him." Ranma snarled in a low tone, Dargus watched from a distance.

"You don't own us Saotome! You may have faith in Raistlin but we're not sure.
This guy says he can do it and we are going to let him try!" Ryoga snarled Mousse nodding his agreement.

"I shouldn't do this but I am going with you. I want to make sure you two don't regret this." Ranma said a sad look in his eyes, but neither Mousse nor Ryoga saw it.

Ranma followed the three out back into an alley. He sat down on some crates his legs crossed and his senses honed for any deception. Dargus stared at the pigtailed martial artist anxious and confused.

"I can not help you if you are over there young man." Dargus told him his eyes narrowed slightly.

"That is because I don't want your help. I will wait for my friend to cure me." Ranma said a sneer on his face.

Dargus scowled, the magic from the two boys in front of him would be enough to get what he wanted. The fact that Ranma would retain his portion of magic did not sit well with him. If Ranma allowed Raistlin to have the magic of his curse it could tip the scales back in the red mage's favor. Dargus smiled as an idea came to him. He walked over to the crate and sat down his ale. He then took a few steps from Ranma. As he expected Mousse and Ryoga stepped closer to him in an effort to be cured.

Dargus begun looking through his pouches for the items he needed. A crystal to hold the magic until he could transfer it to himself. The herbs to weaken the boys so they couldn't fight the withdrawing of the magic or if by chance they changed their minds. Finally a small vial containing a potion that will erase the removal of their magic from their minds. One must cover one's tracks.
Dargus smiled as Ranma and the two boys watched him intently.

He then pulled a small bowl and pestle from his robes. He sat them down near Ranma and began to mix the herbs with a little of the potion. Ranma watched him closely and when he turned his head to try and warn his companions against this folly. Dargus smiled and dropped some of the potion in his ale, when the other two's attention was focused on Ranma. Ranma may not get much but any amount would be helpful. Ranma sneered at the other two boys. His eyes narrowed to tiny slits. Dargus watched him with a smile as he saw his opening coming.

"Look guys why don't you wait for Raistlin, this guy could be a crackpot mage wanna be. Look at him he probably couldn't cast his way out of a paper bag with holes in it!" Ranma smirked as the mage grew angry.

"You don't know anything boy!" Dargus snarled and threw the ale at Ranma's opened mouth as the cursed boy got ready for another tirade.

Ranma sputtered slightly as some of the ale went down her throat. Dargus watched fascinated as Ranma changed into a petite redhead with very nice endowments. He would even have some fun with her before he left. He would show her how to respect her betters.. Dargus then turned to Mousse and Ryoga and handed them the bowl. Neither of the boys noticed that Ranma was no longer moving.

"Each of you needs to place a small amount on your tongues it will deaden any pain that might occur." Dargus then pulled out the crystal and began the gaining of his power.

Raistlin and Caramon were returning to the inn, Caramon trying to aid his brother. Raistlin glared at the gentle giant, his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

"Do not baby me brother I do not need any assistance." He watched as Caramon's shoulders fell and could not understand why he was doing this.

"Yet brother, yet." Caramon perked up slightly then stopped as Raistlin paused at the entryway to the alley.

"I sense black magic down here and I also feel the boys." Raistlin headed down the alley way preparing a fireball spell.

He stopped in shock as before him stood a black mage with Ryoga and Mousse immobile in front of him but excitement on their faces. He then spotted Ranma-
chan trying to move rage on her pretty face. Caramon stood behind him confusion on his face.

"What are they doing Raist?" He looked at his brother and took a step back at the rage he saw there.

Raistlin didn't answer him as he prepared his spell. He saw as the black mage held a crystal out to the three boys and watched fascinated as the magic of their curses were pulled toward the crystal. He saw the pig's silhouette shrouded in a yellow glow. From Mousse he saw the duck surrounded by a light green.

He nearly fumbled his spell when in a blue glow he saw not the curse being pulled from Ranma but that of his male form. He then noticed Ranma had broken what ever magic was used on her. She glowed a bright blue causing the black mage to turn and face her.

Ranma-chan couldn't move she tried to force her body to obey her. She could feel it respond just a bit but not enough to do any good. Ranma-chan started to force her ki through her body in massive amounts. Finally glad for the fact the old ghoul, Shampoo and Kodachi had used so many drugs and potions on her. She had learned how to counteract them enough to break their hold. Ranma stopped struggling when the spell started to pull the curses from Ryoga and Mousse. It was when she saw her curse being pulled from her that her rage broke the last of the spell. For before her in a blue light was not her female form but her male.

Dargus smiled evilly as the curses had begun to leave the three boys. His smile widened even more when he saw it wasn't the female cursed form but Ranma's original form the spell pulled from her. His smile widened as the curses merged and began to coalesce in a large ball in front of him.

He paused and watched transfixed his eyes wide with awe. While the dance before him of yellow, green and blue blended together. He watched as the human curse over powered the other two and absorbed them into it. He was glad to see that,
as he hadn't wanted to turn into a duck or pig.

A blue glow from the side caused him to turn and when he moved the crystal it directed the curses in the same directions. He stood in shock. For there stood Ranma-chan on the crate glowing a bright blue tinged with black. Dargus lifted his staff. He had what he wanted. The black opal in the skulls one eye begun to glow. Dargus aimed his staff at the glowing redhead.

The magical fire slammed into Dargus' arm that held the crystal causing the mage to lose his grip on it. The crystal flew forward and landed at the feet of Ranma-chan. The pull of the crystal still had the Jusenkyo magic and pulled it into Ranma-chan slamming her back against the wall. It encased her in blue,
green and yellow. Her eyes wide and mouth opened in a silent scream.

"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOO!" Dargus screamed, as he tried to race forward but another fireball stopped him.

He watched in horror as his power retreated into the little redhead. He then turned and saw Raistlin behind him another fireball at the ready. A snarl appeared on his lips as he glared at his rival.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS MAJERE!" Dargus shouted enraged and threw a small vial on the ground before them.

Electricity sprang from the ground wrapping around Raistlin, Caramon and the three boys. It held them immobile as Dargus slunk back into the inn. The spell didn't stop there. It opened each of their minds to the other. The group stood in horror as they lived the lives of the others.

They were not just bystanders watching the others lives they actually re-lived the lives as that person. It seemed that Raistlin and Ranma had lived lives that were similar but Ranma's was still worse by far. When the lightning that coursed around their bodies stopped Raistlin collapsed into his brothers waiting arms. He, Ryoga and Mousse where the least effected. Raistlin watched as a weakened Ranma fell from the crates to land roughly on the ground before her enemies.

Ryoga and Mousse stared blankly at the wall across from them their minds frozen in horror at the lives lived by Ranma and Raistlin. They had heard the stories of Ranma's life but to live it was another thing altogether. They both decided they would have died during the Neko-ken training.

The crash at their feet brought their gazes to the body of Ranma-chan unconscious before them. Ryoga looked down Ranma's life still vivid in his mind. They were soon pushed aside by the memories of his own life. He decided that Ranma deserved that hell for what he did to himself and Akane. He then turned and walked away. A sneer of disgust and self satisfaction on his face.
Mousse never took his eyes from the girls sprawled form.

Ryoga stopped when the point of a sword met his throat. He followed the sword up and saw it attached to Caramon. In one arm he held his weakened brother in the other his broadsword its point embedded in Ryoga's throat.

"You will pick her up and help carry her into the inn." Caramon snarled at the fanged boy before him, Caramon's face full of rage at what this fool had done to Ranma.

"She'll wake up on her own, I am not helping her!" Ryoga snarled back his anger growing at the warrior before him.

"Then you don't leave this alley alive!" Caramon growled in a low menacing voice pushing the sword deeper into his soft flesh.

"I still do not like you Saotome, but I now can understand your need to call even your enemies friend." The others attention was pulled to Mousse still standing over Ranma-chan's body.

"Ryoga we took an oath of honor to help each other until we could leave. You leave her here and I will make sure it is known back home how dishonorable you really are." Mousse said not even looking up from Ranma's fallen body,
remembering his shattered heart at finding the picture of Akane and Ryoga.

Mousse bent down and began to lift the limp body of Ranma. He draped her arm over his shoulder and pulled her to a standing position. Mousse soon had help as Ryoga stood on the other side of the unconscious girl. He draped her other arm over his shoulder and then helped to drag her to the Majere's room.



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