Ok... I brushed this up a little bit before posting. If you have C&Cs send
'em to me I'll take what I get and do my best to fix any problems in here.
I'm posting all of the remaining Dragon's Dawning fics up here, I have more
fanfics to complete the series, and they'll be posted next.
If you want all the fics before this episode, you may get them at:
http://members.xoom.com/Souldrake/ranmadrag.htm
Thanks to all of you who read, comment, and criticise so I can make my
fanfic better!
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Ranma 1/2: The Dragon's Dawning Series
By Wesley Bridges
Based on the characters by Rumiko Takahashi
Episode 10: Hark, the Dragons of Night
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Warning: This fic may contain some scenes that are a little
bloody. To ensure you do not loose your lunch, please wait
about 30 minutes after you eat before reading this fanfic.
Thanks. ^_^
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Three days later...
Kipp woke in the middle of the night as the window to his
room burst open. He put on his clothes and closed it. Something
gave him the sense that something wrong was about to happen, or
was happening. He quickly grabbed his katanas and rushed outside.
As soon as Kipp hit the street he knew what was wrong. He ran
as fast as he could to Ucchans. When he got there, his fears
were confirmed. Two massive dragons loomed overhead as Ukyo was
being carried off by a shadowy figure.
Kipp: Oh, no you don't!
Kipp's battle aura flared as he projected his Ryuuko Ryuu Hokodan
onto one of the dragons. It reeled in pain then lurched at Kipp
to engage him. Kipp fought harder than ever, but with a few
swipes, Kipp was sent to the ground, his head gushing with
blood.
Picking himself up, Kipp ran pushing himself onward with only
his willpower. He had one destination, the Tendo Dojo, and he
had little time to get there. He rounded the corner of the
block as the world began to spin and become blurry. The scratches
on his head throbbed, and blood flowed from them. Kipp made it
to the door step and pounded on the door for all he was worth,
but his will ran out, his world turned black, and he hit the
ground.
When Kipp's eyes finally opened, he looked into the concerned
eyes of Kasumi, bandaging and cleaning his wounds.
Kasumi: Oh, you're awake. I'm relieved.
Kipp: Ow... my head...
Kasumi: We found you on the doorstep. You have some deep scratches. Its
a wonder how you even managed to get here. You surely didn't
get these cuts around here.
Kipp: (trying to sit up, but stopped by Kasumi) Ranma, where's Ranma?
Kasumi: He and Akane are waiting to hear the news on you. I'll go get
them. You stay here and rest.
Kipp: Thanks...
Kasumi leaves, Akane and Ranma rush in soon afterward.
Ranma: What happened?
Akane: What did that to you?
Kipp: Ukyo... ugh...
Akane: What about Ukyo?
Kipp: She... got kidnapped... by the dragons of night. One of the
dragons got me pretty bad.
Ranma: You mean some guy did this to you?
Kipp: No, a real dragon.
Akane: A REAL dragon? I thought they no longer existed.
Kipp: They do. Only... the higher members of the... schools know where.
Someone must have... brought them.
Kasumi re-enters the room.
Kasumi: Fujiko and Kuno are...
Fujiko and Kuno burst into the room.
Fujiko: Alright, we need backup.
Ranma: What for?
Fujiko: Kodachi has been killed by my evil brother, Reiji. He said
to meet him at Mount Kakiyawa.
Kipp: Reiji... he's a member of the Dark Dragons... he's probably with
them... and Ukyo.
Fujiko: What? Ukyo got kidnapped.
Kipp nodded.
Fujiko: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!
Kuno: Ranma Saotome, this is not easy for me, but I shall need your
assistance in this matter. Willst thou accompany me?
Ranma: Sure.
Akane: I'm going to!
Kipp: (trying to rise, but stopped by Kasumi) I'll go!
Kasumi: No! You need to stay and heal! You're in no condition to fight.
Kipp: But...
Ranma: I hate to say it, Kipp, but she's right.
Kipp: But...
Fujiko: You'll do us no good with that gash in your head. When you're
ready... when KASUMI thinks your ready, that is, you can join
us. But for now, get rest. We don't need another friend dead
by these bastards!
Kipp: (defeated) Alright...
Kuno: Then let us depart. Vengence shall be mine!
Fujiko: Ours, dear. Ours.
Akane and Ranma pack up and join Fujiko and Kuno as they head
for Mount Kakiyawa.
The three day journey to Mount Kakiyawa was trying for all of
them. Fujiko and Kuno told them of the note Fujiko recieved from
her brother, Ranma and Akane recapped what Kipp told them about
the Dragons of Night and Ukyo's capture. Each member of the
group had their own determinations. Ranma and Akane wanted their
friend back, Fujiko and Kuno wanted vengence on a blood leaden
platter.
As they approached the pass leading higher into Mount Kakiyawa,
they saw a small temple-like building in the middle of the pass.
When they drew nearer, Reiji emerged with several consorts.
Reiji: Well, well, well. If it isn't my dear sister. How was your trip?
Fujiko: Reiji... PREPARE TO DIE!!!
Fujiko bagan charging Reiji, Kuno seeing Fujiko, joined the
charge. Reiji's consorts prepared for a battle.
Reiji: No, I can handle these two. (forming a circle with his index
and thum on both hands, like Happo-No Coin Return) Flaring
Sun!
All for friends' eyes widened as an enormous blast of fiery
energy erupted from Reiji. Kuno and Fujiko were sent flying back
into the rock walls of the pass. Their clothes singed, and their
well being questionable. They got up and shook it off.
Reiji: Impressive. I do wish your sister in law would have survived
that. She would have made a lovely, and wicked wife...
Kuno: Vile demon... I SHALL SLAY THEE.
Kuno began charging.
Reiji: (unimpressed) No, I don't think so.
With a wave of his hand, a breeze came forth knocking Kuno
back into the rock wall.
Reiji: Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wedding to attend. Should you
want to attand, you'll need to defeat our guardians in order to
reach the summit.
Ranma: I'm not going to let that happen!
Reiji: Oh, we'll see about that. You have some time, the wedding really
doesn't start until sunset tomorrow, but we need to prepare, of
course. Ta-Ta.
Reiji goes back in the temple-like structure. One of his consorts
stays outside to guard it. The guard is large and appears to
have stone skin. He is much taller that any of the party members,
but he doesn't appear to be a challenge for four people.
Fujiko: One guard?
Ranma: Against the four of us?
Kuno: Let us fight then!
Guard.: Bwahahaha. Fools! I am Gumaru, Guardian from the GeoDragon
subschool of the Dragons of Night, and I am not just going to
let you pass.
Gumaru concentrates and splits into three more exact replicas
of himself making a total of four.
Ranma: This is like the old ghoul's Splitting Cat Hair technique. Only
one is real...
Gumaru: Sorry to disappoint you, but each of these copies are perfectly
capable of harming you, and stopping you from passing on. You've
got to defeat all four to get by.
Fujiko: Looks like we all get one. Let's go!
The four charge into the four copies of Gumaru. Ranma launches
into the chestnut fist sending hundereds of punches into one
of the copies, but none seem to do any good. Fujiko splits her
staff and performs her spiral dance attack, with similar results.
Kuno drives his bokken to his copy and the same applies. All
four Gumarus punch their corresponding attacker and send them
flying.
Ranma: No effect.
Fujiko: How could that... be?
Kuno: I have just begun to FIGHT!
Fujiko: I'm with you Kuno!
Gumaru: Bwahahaha! Foolish mortals, to think I could be so easily
defeated by mere punches. It will take more than that. Feel
the power of the GeoDragon Subschool Final Attack: GEO CRUSHER!
The ground produced massive waves of Earth that rumbled toward
the four challengers. Each was tossed aside like a rag doll and
covered with earth and rock debris from the bulging waves of
earth. Everyone lay stunned for the time being, then pushed
their way out of the rock bruised and battered, but ready for
more.
Gumaru: Ready for some more? Gimme your best shot.
Ranma: He may be able to withstand our punches, but how can he stand
against a ki blast?
Fujiko: You're right. Ready?
Ranma: Whenever you are.
Akane: What are you two doing?
Ranma: Mouko Takabisha!
Fujiko: Volcanic Wrath!
Akane: (thinking) Well, let's see if I can do this...
Akane tries to think of something that'll make her mad. She
invisions Ranma kissing Shampoo in a revealing garb. Her battle
aura flares, and her green Ki blast joins the yellow Mouko
Takabisha and the Black Volcanic Wrath. The three blasts crush
the Gumarus into the rock wall and cover them with rock. One
remains standing.
Ranma: (impressed, but trying to hide it) When'd you learn that,
Akane?
Akane: Kipp taught me when we went training.
Fujiko: He does a good job, doesn't he?
Akane: Yeah...
Gumaru4: I'm not defeated yet...
The four copies of Gumaru merge together forming a larger
Gumaru.
Gumaru: Now, prepare to die!
Fujiko: (launching a barrage of compacts) Not so fast!
The compacts embed themselves onto the stony Gumaru and explode
sending him flying away.
Fujiko: That takes care of him. Let's go!
The party opens the door to the temple-like building only to
find it is a gate to the other side of the wall. From here the
path splits into a fork, one to the left, one to the right.
Ranma: Which way?
Fujiko looks at the right path and finds a carving in the
wall Reiji left for her. She fills with rage, but tries to
calm herself.
Fujiko: Kuno and I will take the right path and go after Reiji. He's
probably distracting us from upsetting the wedding, so you two
take the left path and go for Ukyo. We'll meet you.
Ranma: Ok...
Before Ranma could finish, Fujiko and Kuno darted down the right
fork. Ranma and Akane exchanged glances, then continued up the
left fork.
As Ranma and Akane wrapped around the other side of the mountain
they came to a cave entrance guarded by two lightly armored
men, one it red, the other in blue. Each carred swords and some
sort of strange device.
Before they began their approach, a winged minion of Reiji's
swooped down and grabbed Akane.
Akane: RANMA!
Ranma: (chasing it towards the guards) You come back here!
W-Man: Hahaha, I don't think so...
Ranma: AKANE!
B-Man: Halt!
Ranma: Huh?
R-Man: I am Hiken
B-Man: and I am Koriken.
Both: and we cannot let you impede the wedding of our master!
Ranma: Well that's too bad!
Both: Then you leave us no choice!
Ranma: If it's a fight you want, then come and get it. I've already
beaten that Gamuru whats-his-face!
Koriken: Gamuru is nothing compared to us.
Hiken: As always, you are right. Feel our power!
Ranma charged and flared the Chestnut fist landing several
hundreds of punches into Koriken's stomach. Hiken countered
with a punch causing a flaming tongue to throw Ranma back with
searing pain. Koriken flew back into the rock wall, but got up.
Koriken: Impressive, but now we will finish you. Freezing Dragon
Subschool Special Attack: Kori Kaze Ken!
Blue energy streamed from Koriken as he spoke. The energy
wrapped around Ranma chilling his body, then encasing him
from the waist down in solid ice.
Ranma: Hey, fight fair!
Hiken: Our master has taught us well. As for his orders, we shall now
kill you.
Hiken and Koriken begin concentrating. Their battle auras flare
around them. Ranma struggles to free himself of the ice, but to
no avail.
Koruken: Behold a technique of the Dragons of Night subschools of the
Flaming and Freezing Dragons. The Final Attack: Iceblaze!
Hiken: Countdown... 3
Koruken: 2...
Hiken: 1...
Voice: Solar Dragon's Awakening!
From a high ledge, a sphere of flames appeared. From them, a
dragon-shaped tongue of flame. The flaming dragon spread its
wings then soared high into the air, dived at Ranma, wrapped
itself around him and melted the ice. At the last moment possible,
Ranma dove away as the ice and fire blast of the Final Attack
missed him by a few inches.
A figure dressed in black jumped down wearing two katanas
strapped to his back.
Kipp: Good. I thought I was going to miss out on all the fun
Ranma: Kipp?!
Kipp: You expected someone else?
Ranma: I thought you were...
Kipp: Dr. Tofu... wonderful doctor isn't he?
Koriken: Enough of this! Who are you?
Kipp: My name is Kipp Hoshiryuu. I have an old score to settle with
your master. Stand in my way, and you'll be sorry.
Hiken: Hoshiryuu... the young juvinile that escaped our master's
assaults...
Kipp: I have advanced further since then!
Ranma: What is he talking about?
Kipp: Rank in the dragon schools. The older, the more latent powers
have been released. I'll explain more later, right now let's
get rid of the two clowns.
Ranma: Right. I'll take red, you take blue.
Kipp: Sounds good to me.
Ranma focused his confidence into the yellow energy of the
Mouko Takabisha aimed at Hiken. The blast propelled him into
the rocks leaving a deep impression when he fell out. Kipp
focused energy into his sword causing it to glow green. When
he released it, a green dragon spiraled to Koriken and wrapped
around him. It lifted him high into the air then pounded him
into the ground nearby.
Ranma: What was that?
Kipp: The Serpent's Blade. A trick I picked up at the Dragon school.
As Koriken and Hiken lay knocked out, Kipp approached and drew
a metal blade, and held it to Koriken's throat.
Ranma: What are you doing?!
Kipp: He does not deserve to live. I must bring honor to all those
he killed in cold blood!
Ranma: What are you talkin' about?
Kipp: They are memories like those of my parents. Doomed to dwell in
my mind for all eternity. All of the lives I tried to save from
their attacks... all the failures for not being strong enough.
You don't know what it's like.
Ranma: Well don't KILL them!
Kipp: Why not? A life for the hundreds they killed.
Ranma: It's what he wants, though!
Kipp: (trying to keep from cutting Koriken's head off) But... I...
Ranma: Let it go.
Kipp: No! I can't. I'll give them the same chance they gave all of
their victims. If they're strong, they'll survive it.
Ranma: What are you going to do?
Kipp made Ranma stand back as he tried hard not to sever the
heads of the two before him. Instead he found a worse fate. He
cut off a hand from both Koriken and Hiken and placed them in
a bag. Blood seeped into the ground staining in red. As red as
Kipp's battle aura, as red as the blood spilled from all the
members of the Dragons of Light.
Kipp did not stop there. Using the tip of each sword, Kipp
carved the names of each member of the Dragons of Light he
tried to defend, but failed. Each member he witnessed killed.
The list went all along their bodies, and Kipp was sure to
wash the blood off so all could read the names. Ranma tried not
to look, but found himself counting the names. He stopped at
fifty before he could no longer take the sight.
Ranma: Oh Yeah, Akane!
Kipp: Your winged friend took her to the ledge on the other side of
the cave. Let's go.
Ranma rushed through the caves and to the other side. Kipp stayed
back for a moment paying a final tribute to those in which he
carved names. A scene flashed in his mind.
Kipp and a few other members of his school were hiking on their
way to train in the mountains. The scene jumped as boulders
came crashing down from the ledges above. It jumped again as
Kipp opened his eyes to find a friend he swore to protect in
front of him, who sacrificed himself to save Kipp. Kipp broke
through the rock to see five men above him walking away. All
around the ground was red. He was the only one to survive...
Kipp suddenly came into reality when Ranma tapped him on the
shoulder.
Ranma: Are you coming, or what?
Kipp: Yeah... sorry.
The winged man, or creature, paced back and forth, its batlike
wings folded behind its back. There were no obvious signs of
Akane, but one expected her to be close.
Kipp: Good Afternoon, do you know where we could find a girl about
yea high...
W-Man: Who are you!
Akane: (muffled, from above) Kipp, Ranma!
Kipp: (looking up seeing Akane in a cage) Oh, there she is.
W-Man: You are not taking master Reiji's potential replacement bride.
Ranma: You have got to be kidding!
Kipp: (to Akane) Seems like you're moving up already. How's your
cooking coming along?
Ranma: Don't eat anything she makes other than soup.
W-Man: Silence!
Kipp: Sheesh, you don't need to be so pushy.
W-Man: I am Kazenu, Guardian from the Wind Dragon subschool of the
Dragons of Night!
Ranma: (to Kipp) One of those full of hot air?
Kipp: Couldn't have said it better myself.
Kazenu: Grrr.. You'll pay for that! Take this Uchuu Kazedan!
A fiery gust of wind swept Ranma and Kipp up and rammed them
into the wall rendering them immobile. Kipp brushed the attack
off just enough to correct the error with the pressure point
remedy, then worked on Ranma. Both got up with moderate injury.
Kipp: You'll have to do better than that. If it's wind you want, we'll
give it to you. Ready Ranma?
Ranma: Let's do it.
Kipp powered his battle aura to produce as much hot, angry
Ki as he could muster. Ranma threw a spiriling punch causing
a smaller version of the Hiyruu Shoutenha to send Kipp high
into the air. As Kipp began his decent preperation was complete
Ranma & Kipp: Anything Goes Martial Arts Final Attack: Dual Dragons
Ascent to Heaven Strike!
Kipp blasted Ranma with his Ki as a giant tornado formed from
Ranma's colder Ki energy. Kipp landed a kick causing a second
tornado. Both converged on Kazenu sending him flying over the
edge of the mountain and to the valley floor far below. Kipp
and Ranma caught their breath then got Akane out of the cage.
Akane: When did you...
Kipp: A while ago. I'm glad we remembered it. Come on, let's go after
Ukyo.
Fujiko and Kuno wandered downward a bit on the right path, but
steadily began an ascent. Soon the path dipped into the mountian
where it was lit by torches. The path soon opened up into a
decent sized cavern with two guards waiting by another small
tunnel.
Fujiko: Alright, Tatewaki, we should be getting closer.
Kuno: Only two guards? I would have hoped your brother would have
offered up more of a challenge.
Fujiko: Don't underestimate them, remember that last guard.
Kuno: A mere surprize, but the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High shall
be prepared more for this fight!
Fujiko: (thinking) Wish I could be that cocky. Geez, Kuno that's
what my....brother wants us to think.
Fujiko and Kuno continued down the path. Fujiko at least tried
to be casual, while Kuno pranced in a pleasant, yet ready to
fight mood.
Guards: Halt. Those who wish to see master Reiji must show the seal of
the Dragons of Night's most supreme leader.
Fujiko: (Tossing one of them a compact) Will this do?
The guard caught it and eyed it as Fujiko and Kuno hit the deck.
The compact exploded sending a large group of stalactites down
on the unfortunate guard.
Guard: I, Inazuchi, shall not allow you to continue, not for you to
mock the Dragons of Night. PREPARE TO DIE!
Fujiko: Relax, before you have a migrane.
Inazuchi: I will not! Inazuma Odori!
Inazuchi grabbed a metal staff hung on his back and spun it
in front of him. Bolts of lightning arched out from the staff
reaching at Fujiko. Kuno used himself as a shield to protect her
and became badly singed, his hair standing on end.
Fujiko: Oh, Kuno... (to Inazuchi) Now you've made me mad!
Fujiko's black aura flared violently as she blasted a massive
Volcanic Wrath attack at the Inazuchi. The blast tore him through
the cavern wall making the current passage almost twice as wide.
Fujiko helped Kuno up and they continued. At the end of the
cavern they found steps leading to a building carved into the
mountian. On the door was the same symbol as by Reiji's name on
her letter. Kuno received a new wind from the anger welling
within.
Fujiko: Let's pay my brother a little visit.
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End Episode 10.
Preview Episode 11: So Fujiko's brother lied. The wedding is taking
place at Sundown! Oh no! Ukyo fell off the summit ledge, and Kipp went
after her!!! Will team Ranma lose two of its members? Next time on
Ranma 1/2: The Dragon of the Sun Must Set! See you there!
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Souldrake