Disclaimer: You know the drill it’s all not mine and I’m not pretending it does.

Thanks too all you reviewers out there.

Chapter 16 – What happened while you were in Brazil.

Ranma told Neherenia all about what had happened while she was away. Starting with the team’s arrival at the Neko-Hanten early in the morning. When they arrived they were greeted by Cologne. “Ah, daughter,” Ranma submitted to a hug and then listened as Cologne said, “please come in and tell this old woman what you are doing here so early in the morning and with these warriors in tow.”

Ranma entered with her team following behind and sat at a table. “I need your help.”

“What can I do for you?”

“Well, I have a short period of time to help my friends become ready to face some powerful foes. They almost have the Amaguriken down, and are much better at falling then they were previously. I was wondering if maybe you had some ideas.”

Cologne approached the team members pogoing over on her cane she stared at each one in turn. Then she pogoed back a few steps and said, “Decent chi levels, but how are their skills?”

Ranma said, “Not as good as Shampoo, but I think they’re probably near Uk-chan,” the girl paused and then said, “Well where she was before those freaks got to her.”

“How long do you have?”

“I don’t know maybe a week maybe less. It depends on whether I find Wiseman or if he finds me.”

Cologne nodded and said, “That is not much time. How many are you up against?”

“Five Sailor Girls, maybe six if that Pluto one shows up on one side. Two members of the Black Moon family, plus Ryouga, Uk-chan, Kunou, and his sister on the other. Neherenia also thinks the Black Moon family can create some Droids to help them.”

Cologne contemplating her staff as if it had the answers and then she said, “There is not much time for training. Not enough at all, you will need more than training daughter; you will need additional allies for this battle. Who will you choose?”

Ranma sighed and under her black hat her cat ears twitched. “I will need your son-in-law’s help as well as Shampoo’s. I don’t think I can trust Genma in this and I absolutely do not want Akane and so her boyfriend will have to stay behind as well.”

Ranma stood for another moment and then said, “I would have thought perhaps Mousse, but with Shampoo there he won’t be able to help us. The old pervert would just spend his time groping everyone and…” Ranma paused and a light of imagination came into her eyes as she said, “Where is the old pervert anyway?”

Cologne sniffed in disdain and said, “I do not know and would prefer it to stay that way. Why do you ask?”

“Idea, but it will wait until later, for now my list of potential helpers isn’t that high.”

Cologne slowly drew another breath from the pipe and then let it out. The old woman said, “You forgot two important allies.”

“Yeah who?”

“Nabiki Tendo and,” The old woman lashed out with her pipe quicker and whacked Ranma with it. It was a solid connection to the girl’s head. Ranma yowled in pain and then rubbed the sore spot saying, “Hey what did ya do that for.”

Cologne was back to sitting down on her chair and she said, “That was for insulting your elders. In Amazon society it would be a disastrous insult to forget to invite an elder on such a quest.”

The rest of Ranma’s team was giggling and Ranma rubbed a bit more and said, “Okay, right sorry about that.”

Cologne waved it off and said, “No harm done daughter, you have learned the lesson and now I think it is time to teach your friends some techniques that may help them prevail in this battle,” She stepped off her chair and approached the girls saying, “I am not sure how much you girls know, but I am a matriarch from an Amazon village far away and Ranma has become my adopted daughter. You have all been chosen as her allies in a dangerous battle and as such you will be accorded the status of allies to the Amazon tribe.”

Cologne paused again and then stared at them and said, “As allies of the tribe I can and will train you in some of our techniques much as my daughter has been doing, but you must know that you may not pass on any knowledge of the techniques without express permission from a matriarch,” Cologne paused again and jabbed Ranma saying, “Something my daughter has probably neglected to tell you.”

After another pause Cologne stared at each of the girls and said, “Now, will you give me your solemn vow?”

The girls answered in a chorus and Cologne said, “Very well, you will begin your training right now and will continue until tonight at which point you will take your rest for the day. We will continue training in the morning and hopefully we will have enough time to prepare you for this battle.”

Cologne then called for Shampoo and told the girl that they would not be opening the restaurant for the next two days, and then she left with the girls leaving Ranma and Shampoo alone.

Ranma switched to her bad Chinese and said, “So, Shampoo, how have you been.”

“I am well enough. My husband to be has been thinking about living here for awhile as long as we promise not to ship him off to China. Why would he believe such a silly thing?”

Ranma looked at Shampoo with a bit of confusion the said, “In Japanese please I think I missed that.”

Shampoo repeated herself in Japanese and Ranma continued trying Chinese saying, “You mean you wouldn’t do something like that?”

Shampoo shook her head and said, “Physical force would never work.”

“But magical potions would?”

Shampoo looked down and said, “I have already apologized for those deeds. I now realize that gaining Ranma’s affections through magic would be unsatisfactory.”

“I’m glad to hear that Shampoo, really I am,” Ranma sighed and then pulled her cap off and rubbed her ears. “Look uh Shampoo I should be honest with you. I came here to ask you to help me, not to catch up.”

Shampoos moved closer and Ranma stammered a bit saying, “Not uh that it hasn’t been nice to catch up, but you know,” The girl hid her ears under the cap again and waited.

Shampoo looked at her curiously and said, “Why didn’t you just ask me to begin with. I would gladly help you.”

“Even if it meant fighting a battle with someone who can use your curse against you?”

Shampoo laughed and said, “Even then Tribe sister Ranma, but you should not worry because of my curse. It will be no problem I will just use some water proof soap before the battle. It should last for at least that long.”

“I didn’t think you had any of that stuff left?”

“No, we still have it, but there didn’t seem to be much use for it.”

“Oh,” Ranma paused and then Shampoo said, “You should talk to Male Ranma he would be willing to help you as well,”

Ranma said, “Yeah sure I guess I’ll do that. Where is the bast...” the anger was still there, but she forced it down and changed her words saying, “er I mean where is he now?”

Shampoo looked at the clock and a shocked look came on her face she switched to her Japanese and said, “Aiyha! He be at school right now and Shampoo be late!”

The purple haired girl blurred up the stairs and some thumps and crashes were heard and then she came bounding down the stairs and out the door. Ranma just watched her go and then she said, “Yeah, okay I’ll go meet him there.”

She walked out of the building and passed Cologne training the team in a nearby lot, and then she started to run. She arrived at the high school and as she did she thought to herself, Hey! why did Cologne suggest Nabiki? She’s great at a lot of things, but combat?”

She headed towards Nabiki’s classroom and when she was just outside the door she waited. When the teacher’s attention was to the front of the class she got Nabiki’s attention. The brown haired girl smiled at her and then asked to be excused. The teacher allowed it and Nabiki was soon outside the room standing across from Ranma. “Come on you, the bathroom.”

Ranma followed and when they were in the bathroom Nabiki looked at her with some exasperation, “What is it Neko-chan?”

Ranma smiled and said, “I’m trying to figure something out. How much of the Tendo ryu do you know?”

Nabiki looked at Ranma with a bit of surprise, “Me? I haven’t practiced in years. Akane’s always been the one interested in that not me and Kasumi, well she’s Kasumi.”

“I would have thought the same thing, but Cologne added you to my list of possible allies for the fight against Wiseman.”

Nabiki looked at Ranma closely and said, “You’re serious aren’t you, but really Neko-chan as much as I’d love to help you I’m just not at that skill level,” A smirk came to her face and she said, “Hell Akane’s not even at that level and she’s been at it for years.”

Ranma sighed and said, “I guess you’re right. I’ll go find Saotome now. Thanks for your time Nabiki.”

Ranma started to walk off, but Nabiki grabbed her arm and pulled her back, giving the small girl a hug she said softly, “If I could I would Neko-chan. I promise you that if I had even half your skill I’d be right behind you.”

Ranma’s heart was thundering in her chest as she said, “I know Nabiki I know. Thanks, for being here and being my friend it means a lot to me.”

Nabiki let go and said, “Yeah me to, now go on go find Saotome.”

Ranma started to walk out and Nabiki called after her, “Hey Neko-chan one last thing, no more romance in the bathroom okay!”

Ranma’s blush was with her all the way to her counterpart’s classroom. It started to fade as she peeked in the door and saw him nodding off at his desk. A little smile quirked on her face and she waited just a bit more and when his head finally hit the desk and he was asleep her ears were twitching in anticipation. She proceeded to shred the door in front of her, jump into the air and scream, “Ranma Saotome PREPARE TO DIE!”

The boy’s head shot up and he tried to extricate himself from his desk. The cat girl helped him do so by using her claws to turn it into a pile of kindling. He backed up nervously and she held those claws out in front of her. With an evil grin on her face she said, “Are you prepared to meet your maker Saotome?”

Ranma stuttered and said, “But, what..why did ya do that for? Why me?”

The cat girl grabbed his shirt and threw him through the window and outside. She followed him out and saw that his complete stance had changed in the air. He landed easily and when she landed next to him he said, “Fine, have it your way you stupid un-cute girl!”

The red-head landed and broke out into a fit of laughter at his angry and serious pose. Ranma stepped closer and said seriously, “What the heck has gotten into you?”

The girl saw his confusion and she couldn’t help herself and laughed some more. Holding her side and resting her arms on a nearby tree so that she wouldn’t fall down. It took a bit to get her laughter under control, but when she finally did she looked at the confused Saotome boy and in between pants form breath and giggles she said, “That was so much fun Saotome. Your reaction was just priceless.”

“You were just joking?” The girl nodded and Ranma looked at her and growled as he said, “Hey! I thought you were trying to kill me okay?”

She chuckled again and said, “Yeah well, I’m not. As a matter of fact I need your help.”

He looked at her indignantly and said, “That’s the way you ask for help?”

“Is it any worse than landing on someone’s head?”

“I guess not, but maybe next time you could ask some other way okay?”

“Sure Saotome will do. Does that mean you’ll help?”

He sighed and said, “Yeah sure no problem I’ll help you out.” The school bell rang and he was off saying, “Gotta get lunch, see you later Hito-kun.”

Ranma watched him run off and said, “Hito-kun?” a light went off and then she said, “Oh I get it I call him Saotome and he calls me by my last name. I’ll have to remember that.”

No long after that Ranma wandered back to the Neko-Hanten and watched Cologne training her teammates. She called out, “Hey you need some extra help?”

The matriarch said, “Yes, come over here Ranma.”

Ranma complied and said, “Okay what are we going to do?”

Cologne smiled and said, “The girls are going to attack you, I’d like you to defend yourself.”

Ranma smirked and said, “Sure, let’s go.”

Cologne nodded and said, “Without any special techniques please,” the team came at Ranma in a small semi circle of combined movement. Ranma defended herself for awhile, but soon enough punches and kicks were getting through her guard. She stepped up her activities and threw a mild punch into the group. It struck a girl, but she was replaced by her comrade and they continued to attack. More punches and kicks were coming in and Ranma was able to see that they were each coming from a different girl in the group. It was a coordinated pattern of attack, but it was designed to attack in a way that would overwhelm a single defender.

Ranma slid a kick into the team, but it had little effect and the girls kept coming. More blows were starting to get through and Ranma wondered if she should resort to her added attacks and abilities, but decided against it. The red-head defended herself and tried some more offensive attacks, finally knocking one girl out of the circle, but it was not quite enough the team closed ranks and attacked again.”

Cologne shouted, “Enough!” and the battle was over. Ranma was panting a bit and so were the gymnasts. The ancient Amazon elder came to them and said, “What do you think daughter?”

Ranma looked her teammates over and said, “That was amazing! Without the Neko-ken or Amaguriken I was on my way to losing that one. You taught them that in just a few hours?”

The older woman laughed and said, “No, they are a team Ranma and have been for years. Knowing that, I showed them this combined attack form. They practiced it together for awhile, but in reality it was their team cohesion that allowed them to do so well.”

Ranma looked at the girls still in their semi-circle and replayed the battle in her mind. Each of them had been covering for the weakness in the other for defense and combining their strengths to make the attacks. It was very clever and it allowed one or two of them to take a bit of rest while the others attacked, meaning their opponent’s would tire before they did. Ranma smiled again and said, “Well I’m really proud of you guys, you’ve done real well.”

The girl’s thanked her and then she said, “Come on let’s get some lunch.”

Everyone piled back into the Neko-Hanten and Ranma helped Cologne create a quick meal for the group. As they were eating Ranma looked to cologne and said, “I’m confused, earlier today you suggested Nabiki for the battle tomorrow, but she doesn’t have much in the way of combat skills. Why did you suggest her?”

Cologne chewed on some noodles and then said, “We need a spotter.”

Ranma quirked her eyebrows and said, “What do you mean by that?”

“You are used to battles against few opponents and depending on your ability to sense an attack. Your team mates do not have that ability and even with it there will be such a large melee that we may need someone to call out positions and weaknesses in the enemy. Preferably that person would be cool, level headed, and have an eye for tactics and gathering information.”

Ranma understood the idea and said, “Nabiki.”

“Yes, she has most of those abilities. If we can find a position for her to view the battle without much danger she would be an asset and it would free up our best warriors to fight the enemy.”

“You’ve done this before haven’t you?”

A quiet came to the room as Cologne said, “Of course child, I am over one hundred years old and a Matriarch of the Amazon tribe. I have been in a war before,”

Cologne looked at Ranma very seriously as the cat girl said, “War?”

Cologne nodded seriously and said, “Yes, child War. We are at war against those who would destroy us or try to conquer our world. You are the best and brightest hope for winning this war.”

Ranma saw something in Cologne’s eyes and said, “You know something don’t you? Something more about this.”

Cologne just nodded and Ranma said, “Well what is it, tell me.”

“I am sorry daughter I can not it is forbidden to tell until after the second test has been passed.”

Ranma was angry and her feline spirit was feeding more anger to her as she said “Test, what test? I thought I already passed the thing with Artemis. What more do I have to do here?”

Cologne touched Ranma’s shoulder and looked into her eyes Ranma saw a tear forming in the old woman’s eyes as she said, “Hit me if you must my daughter, but I can not tell you. Please believe me on my honor as an Amazon.”

Ranma’s anger seemed to shut down as a fire splashed by cold water. She stared at Cologne’s sad face and said, “I am sorry mother. I will trust you in this.”

“Thank you for that Ranma,” the old woman came closer and put both of her arms on the taller woman and said, “I also thank you for finally calling me mother and truly meaning it.”

Ranma accepted the embrace and then said, “You are closer to me and have done more for me in the past days than any other member of my family ever has. As for Nodoka Saotome well she is a Saotome and I, I am Ranma Hitoshirenu maybe its best if I let that go, best for both of us I think.”

Cologne could feel Ranma hitch as if about to cry, but the girl controlled it. A few more moments together and Cologne could feel Ranma relaxing and so she released the hug straightened herself out and sat back on her chair. The gymnastics team was staring at them both and the old woman glared back at them saying, “I trust this little display will not go any farther than this room?”

Ranma heard that and blushed a bright red; she had completely forgotten that they had an audience. Kaede spoke first and said, “Of course not Ma’m, wouldn’t want your reputation as a harsh taskmistress to get tarnished.”

Everyone laughed and Cologne gave her a mock glare and said, “Just for that more practice for you. I want to see if we can’t add in a defense for the powerful attacks I have heard the Senshi possess.”

The group groaned, but filed out of the room and went back to practice. Cologne soon had Ranma join in again using low powered Mouko Takabisha’s to replicate Senshi attacks. By the time evening rolled around everyone was tired. Cologne said, “Go home and rest, but be prepared for more practice tomorrow.”

The girl’s nodded and started to leave. Cologne watched them go and called after them, “Ranma do not forget to speak with Nabiki again. We will need her.”

“No problem,” Ranma called back and the girl headed over to the Tendo compound. There she met her male counterpart standing on the wall with his hands in his pockets. She looked at him and said, “What’s with you?”

“Hey Hito-kun,” the boy replied. “Ah nothing, just staring at the stars and thinking.”

“Don’t we er you usually do that on the roof?”

The boy pointed to the roof and said, “It’s occupied right now.”

She looked and saw two figures sitting on the roof and staring up at the sky. “She really seems to have fallen for that boy doesn’t she?”

Saotome kicked a rock and said, “Yeah, it’s better really, I mean he ain’t got nuthin on me in martial arts, but he well you know.”

“Yes I do, I know exactly what you mean, but I thought you were over it and with Shampoo now?”

“We are heading in that direction, but there’s still a little part of me that wants to go up to that roof and rip him apart.”

Hito-kun flexed her hand and popped out her chi claws. She stared at them for a moment and said, “I know exactly how you feel.”

Saotome stared at her claws and said, “I’m not afraid of cats anymore, I can’t even really recall the training. What’s it like?”

She moved her chi claws in a playful swipe towards him that he easily evaded and then made them disappear. “They are a part of me, just like the ears and the instincts. As for the training, well I can’t really remember it much either. It’s probably better that way.”

He nodded and said, “So, what are you here for?”

“I need to tell you about the help I need.” She provided a very brief synopsis of who she was and the Situation with the Black Moon family. Ranma listened closely. She finished by saying, “That’s what I need your help for. I also need to talk to Nabiki. I think she can help us.”

Saotome looked skeptical and said, “Her? Not even Akane and her boyfriend would be good for it; Pop’s might be okay, but Nabiki?”

She shrugged at him and said, “I was given some good advice.”

“You gonna ask Pop’s and the rest too?”

“No, I don’t trust Genma for this and I think Akane would just get in the way or get herself killed. I’d ask Shinnosuke, but I don’t know him well and don’t think he’d be able to do it without telling Akane.”

“I’m in Hito-kun and thanks for not invitin’ Akane as much as we’re drifting apart I still don’t want to see her hurt.” he jumped off the wall as he was departing he said, “See ya tomorrow Hito-kun. I want to save Uk-chan and Ryouga from those bastards just as much as you do.”

She watched him go and said to herself, “Good, now I just need to convince Nabiki to do something dangerous for me.”

She walked up to the house and knocked on the door. Kasumi answered it and she smiled up at the tall girl. “Hi Kasumi.”

“Hello, Ranma how have you been?”

“I’m all right, nice job you did fixing up this place.”

Kasumi smiled and allowed Ranma into the house as she said, “Oh it wasn’t all my work after Nabiki collected those crystal shards and sold them we were able to get some Contractors to come and they did the stone wall and some of the exterior house walls. The Dojo itself is still in the process of being repaired.”

Ranma nodded and said, “I saw it on the way in. The place doesn’t look quite the same without it.”

Kasumi smiled and said, “Please sit and have some tea.”

Ranma sat down and accepted the offer. Kasumi brought some tea and sat next to the girl Ranma looked at her and said, “I suppose you’d like to know what’s going on eh?”

“Only what you are willing to tell me.”

“It’s well, it’s complicated. Did Nabiki tell you anything?”

Kasumi nodded and said, “She told me that this group of evil people is fighting the senshi. I’m still not sure why they would use our house for a staging grounds or why they have your friends fighting for them.”

Ranma didn’t want to lie to Kasumi, but she wasn’t exactly keen on telling her that what had happened was partially her fault. “It’s kinda complicated, but look I’m gonna go get the people who did this Kasumi. They won’t threaten you or the Tendo’s ever again.”

Kasumi became a bit nervous and said, “I couldn’t ask you to do that Ranma. They were very powerful and we, well our family hasn’t treated you very well. I’m sorry”

“Aw Kasumi, there ain’t nothing to apologize for. Old Man Tendo already did that and as for the stupid Panda, well he don’t count.” She inched in closer to Kasumi and said, “Look I want to do this Kasumi. I want to make sure that those people never harm anyone again, so let me do what I’ve been trained to do alright?”

Kasumi nodded and a voice behind her said, “Neko-chan’s right sis.”

Nabiki gave Ranma a wry smile and said, “She’s been right about a lot of things recently, makes you wonder how much it would improve our Ranma if he was a girl full time eh?”

Kasumi gasped and said, “Nabiki! That wasn’t nice at all.”

“I suppose not, but then again I’m not the one with her head on the chopping block am I?”

A confused look came to the eldest girls face. “What do you mean?”

Nabiki pointed to the Dojo and said, “Saotome and Father are out there right now and they aren’t repairing the Dojo. No, instead they are currently deciding on which Tendo daughter Ranma will be engaged to now that he and Akane obviously won’t get along.”

“I thought Ranma had already decided that Shampoo was the one.”

Nabiki smirked and said, “Tell it to the idiot squad out there, but I have it on good authority, that I won’t be chosen.”

“Oh my,” Kasumi stood up and said, “I’m sorry Ranma I have something pressing that I must discuss with father and Mr. Saotome.”

“Yeah sure, go ahead Kasumi.” The tall girl left and Ranma stared at Nabiki saying, “How much of that was true?”

“Enough for them to look real embarrassed when she gives them a piece of her mind. You want to watch?” Ranma nodded eagerly and the two girls went over to see how Kasumi would deal with the two older men.

It was a strange scene as the tall brunette walked very quickly towards the two old men and stood staring at them with a small frown on her face. Soun looked up at her and said, “Daughter, I’m glad to see you here Saotome and I have just been discussing something.”

“Really father is that right?” Kasumi shot him an icy stare and the older man said nothing in return. Genma started to say something and that icy stare descended on him as well. The two men sat there staring at Kasumi. Her voice was sweet and light, but there was steel underneath as she said, “I’m sorry father, but I will not allow you to engage Ranma to any more of your daughters. Instead you will find an honorable solution to the situation that allows him to marry the girl of his choice.”

Soun quaked in fear, but through some stumbling and stuttering was able to say, “How?”

The frown came back to him and he shut up as Kasumi said simply, “You will adopt whichever girl he chooses into the Tendo family,” Kasumi turned around with those words and walked back towards the house. On her way she passed her sister and Ranma who were struggling not to laugh out loud at the still quivering forms of Genma and Soun. When she finally entered the house their laughter lit up for all to hear.

A few moments later the two girls walked back into the house and sat next to Kasumi. “Wow Kasumi, I ain’t never seen the panda that scared except maybe when Nodoka was around.”

Nabiki nodded and said, “I’m impressed sis. You really told them.”

Kasumi smiled slightly and said, “You don’t think I was being too harsh?”

“Nah, they needed a bit of a shove I think.”

Kasumi nodded and then a confused look came to her face as she said, “Ranma did you just refer to your mother as Nodoka?”

“Yeah, I did.”

Kasumi saw some moisture in Ranma’s eyes and said, “Why Ranma? Why would you do that?”

“She has a son a manly son without a curse and that isn’t me. I pretty much told Cologne the same thing. I want her to have that dream that ideal and if it means letting go then that’s what I will do.”

Kasumi had made a number of sacrifices in her life to achieve happiness for her family she smiled at Ranma and said, “I understand Ranma.”

“Thanks Kasumi, besides I have a mother in Cologne now,” Ranma paused and then said, “Wow that sounds real weird, doesn’t it? But then again what isn’t? With everything strange and odd going on around me she’s been there recently and well I guess if I can’t have Nodoka, then why not…”

“You respect her don’t you Ranma?”

“Yeah I do Kasumi, I never thought I would, but looking at what the old bird has done through new eyes I really have to say that I respect her and her abilities. I’m really glad our relationship went this way instead of the other.”

Nabiki and Kasumi looked at Ranma and she just shrugged and said, “Anyway, I came here to ask for your help Nabiki.”

“You need my help for what?”

“Well we need what Cologne called a spotter. A person who can call out positions and weaknesses in the enemy. Preferably that person would be cool, level headed, and have an eye for tactics and gathering information.”

“What you and Cologne can’t do that?”

Ranma shook her head and said, “Not from the middle of the battle we can’t. We just won’t be seeing everything and so we need someone who can.”

Nabiki knew she wanted to do it. She wanted to help get the people who had ruined her house and who had tortured Ranma, but she was hesitant. “Look Ranma that sounds great, but won’t the bad guys just come right for me if I’m doing that?”

Ranma smiled and said, “I have and idea and I have some money to help and I’m sure my mom er Cologne will reimburse you.”

Ranma continued to dissemble about payment, video equipment and other things until Nabiki finally said, “Neko-chan! What’s the idea?”

“Oh, didn’t I say?” Ranma looked sheepish and then said, “Well it’s simple we get more of those video recorders you have and use them.”

“Neko-chan it would be very expensive to buy cameras for everyone on your team.”

Ranma smiled and said, “You can take it from my cut of those crystals you sold.”

Nabiki smiled slyly and said, “What cut?”

Ranma just stared at her until Nabiki sighed and said, “Fine, we can afford one or two and maybe we can add in some cheap radios.”

Kasumi said, “Nabiki are you sure that is safe?”

“Sure sis? Besides after Neko-chan here wins we can sell the footage to all the news stations.” A gleam of pure unadulterated greed came into her eyes.

“But, won’t people recognize her?”

Ranma smiled and said, “Oh no not at all.” She then proceeded to demonstrate why no one would recognize her. More questions and conversation went on until Ranma had to leave.

Ranma finished telling Neherenia the details of that day and continued on into telling her of the Challenge match at St. Hebereke and some more days of practice. Neherenia then told Ranma about her own journey to get the four artifacts she had. Ranma stared at them and said, “Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow balls? What exactly do they do?”

“They connect to the remnants of the moon that orbited my original home world. Those asteroids are named Pallas, Ceres, Juno, and Vesta. These items should give the bearer a connection to those objects and provide them with access to the mana pools. It wouldn’t be anywhere near as powerful as Nemesis, but it would be quite good.”

Ranma nodded and Neherenia said, “In addition I have regained many of my old magical powers.”

“That’s great!”

Neherenia smiled sadly and said, “It is, but it also makes me realize what a fool I was, what I had and threw away. It makes me happy and sad at the same time.”

“Oh,” Ranma didn’t know what else to say and so she changed the subject, “So can one of these things give someone the ability to shield a group from a Senshi attack?”

“I suppose that would be possible. Why?”

“I think we could give it to the gymnastics team. One of the girls in the middle of the formation could use it to put up a shield.”

“What about the other three?”

“Don’t know Neherenia, but I’ll figure it out.”

The two went to bed and as Neherenia lay down three spirit forms once again appeared. Dancing in the air above her they said, “Our Queen, sleep, sleep and dream remember your once beautiful planet and the program before the Lemures. Remember…”

Author’s Notes: Not much to say, but I think I’m about to come to a close on the first story arc on this. The good news is, however, that the story will not end at that point. Instead it will continue on through the SM universe. I hope that makes everyone happy.

P.S. I have some idea about what the program before the Lemures consisted of, but if someone wants to add there two cents in that would be great. The full effects of it won’t be showing up until the next storyline…