A. Note:  Ranma is a bit OOC, but this fic takes place after high school
and he is in college.
PM Productions Presents
A Phillip Masters Fanfic
Ranma's Quest
Inspired by:  Richard Lawson
Part One:  The Journey Begins...

     "Oracle."  The word has been on my lips since I left Nerima.
Treking accross the vast wasteland of Syberia, it was the only thing
that kept me going.  The dry hot deserts of the Middle East were no fun
either.  Now, after almost four months I arrive at my destination.
Scotland, where, according to legend, I will find the Oracle.  Somewhere
in the mountain range before me.  I've endured such great hardships to
get here, I seriously hope it is worth it.  
     And next time, I take the plane.
     I sigh and look up at the summit, still a quarter of a mile above
me.  I don't even know what the hunk of rock I'm scaling is called, but
damned if it's not huge.  I would have asked of a local the name, but I
can't understand English.  I really should have paid more attention in
class, instead of sleeping or staring at that tomboy.  
     A sigh passes my lips once more, accenting my barily labored
breathing.  I miss Akane, for all the trouble she causes me, I miss her
a lot.  Such a darn clutz all the time, aggressive, and impatient.  Yet,
Kami save me, I love her.  Why?  Beats me to tears... who understands
love, truly?  Not me, that's for sure.
     My mind comes back into the real world, noting my progress.  The
top of the mountain is now only a couple of hundred feet away.
     They're right, climbing a rock does make you reflective.
     However, before I can continue moving upward, something jumps out
at me.  I quickly leap to the side, carefull of the large precipice only
a meter away.  The something turns out to be a beast of some sort.  It
stands on bulky rear legs that seem geared for jumping, or long distance
running.  They are attached to a body that is very streamlined, shaped
sort of like those Raptors I saw in Jurassic Park.  The coat of fur
keeps me from the conclusion that this is in fact a dinosaur.  
     It growls at me through sharp canines as it attempts to stare me
down with dark eyes.  It has arms set toward the front, I assume to
allow for aerodynamics.  It seems to be at least mildly intelligent, as
it looks to be guaging what I'll do next before striking.  Well, I'm the
human here, time to show this thing who's boss.
     With a feint to the right I jump at the creature, which must weigh
about twice as much as I do.  It falls for the simple distraction and my
foot connects with its upper jaw, almost crushing its nose.  Now, I've
heard that this will deter just about any animal on Earth.  Not this
one, it just seems to get even more pissed off.
     The thing jumps up into the air, confirming my earlier assumption.
It swings around its tail from high above my head.  I throw myself
backward as the appendage flattens the earth where I was just standing
sending up a small cloud of rock dust.  
     Its back is to me, so I press the advantage.  I run at it, crying
out the familiar words that will focus my energies, "Kashu Tenshin
Amiguriken!"  I feel a surge of strength as the move kicks in, sending
my fists out at a blurring speed.  The poor thing doesn't even know what
hits it as I strike it eighty times in the back of the head and neck.  
     I back off, feeling I've done enough.  The monster stumbles forward
a bit, then falls to the ground with a *whump*.  I tap it with my foot a
few times, searching it for even the slightest sign of consciousness.
Other than its steady breathing it is completely still.  
     I sigh again and continue on up the mountain.
     After another half hour I make it to the top of the rock.  I turn
around and look down to where I had begun.  The forested cliffs extend
far down to the mist shrouded plains below.  It was a good climb, and I
feel elated to finally be at my destination.  I look back, and groan.
     It's a cave.  As sure as all hell, it's a stinking cave.  I pulled
myself together, maybe the cave is only a few meters deep.  Yeah, right.
With my luck, coupled with my history, I'll be lucky if it's *only*
long.  Not long, and cursed, and monster filled.
     I took a step toward the entrance, and suddenly found myself
suspended in the air.  I look to my foot and see a length of rope
wrapped around it.  Okay, so I forgot booby traps.  The rope is attached
to a large tree near the edge of the summit.  One of its branches forms
the pulley necessary for a device like this to work.  
     Well, at least the knot is good.  I reach up to undo it while
grabbing onto the rope so I don't fall to the ground in a heap.  It's a
good knot, true, but a simple one.  It easily comes unbound and I drop
gracefully to the dirt.  All in all it seems to be a very idiotic trap.
     "Why would someone put this stupid thing here?"  I ask alloud to no
one while looking up at the tree and rope.
     "So they won't slip by unnoticed."  Came my answer.
     I whirl, falling instinctively into a defensive stance.  To my left
is a small camp, complete with fatigue tent.  So much for my
observational skills.  There is a woman standing before me, looking very
unimpressed.  Can't say I blame her.
     She is very tall with dark hair, seemingly Native American in
appearance.  She's dressed in shorts and a tight shirt that shows the
world just exactly how monumentally stacked she is.  Nabiki looks
miniscule in comparisson.
     "Who are you?"  I ask, not lightening my stance.
     She stares at me for a moment, as if searching me for something
important.  I've only seen a gaze like that on one other person in my
life.  It's the same calculating look Cologne had the first time I met
her.  This does not instill me with any sort of confidence.
     "Croft, Lara Croft,"  She says finally, as if coming to the
conclusion that I was worthy of knowing her name.  
     She speaks pretty fluent Japanese for someone who looks so...
well... not Japanese.  "Saotome Ranma,"  I return, "What are you doing
up here?"  I do have a pretty good idea exactly what she is doing here.
     "Come now, I've answered one of yours.  I think it only fair that
it's your turn now."  The look on her face says that she will not take
no for an answer.  In fact, she continues with her question, "Why are
you looking for the Oracle?"
     That sets me aback slightly.  Obviously, this woman does not beat
around the bush, and has a head on her broad shoulders.  I figure there
is no use lying to this person, as she seems better able to read me than
Nabiki herself.  "I am searching for an answer to a problem that has
plagued my life for a long time..."
END PART ONE
Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I am pressed for time and I have to write
it all at once due to WebTV... well, send all comments my way and thanks
for reading.
PMasters             

"I'm only holding back the rain.  So many raindrops, so many pains.  I
want to find my train someday.  As seasons go past the station." - Tokyo
Babylon OVA 1
/ PM Productions Homepage is in development now!
/ E-mail at:  PhilMasters@webtv.net
Member of the #AAS#, #WASHU#, and the #SAS#.  I'm a very appreciative
person!