Disclaimer: I hate these things. Ah well you know the drill it’s all not mine and I’m not pretending it does.

Chapter 4 –

Ranma Hitoshirenu was not happy. She was wearing the white and blue uniform of Juuban high and was wearing female undergarments as well. Her face had just a touch of makeup. Her shoes had been changed into simple black leather shoes with a small heel and to her own horror she was wearing ankle socks with little white puff balls on them. The Red haired girl grimaced at the little puff balls again and made a decision. She knelt down and used the power of the Neko-Ken to slice the offending puff balls off her socks. She then stood up with a smile and placed her Nemesis powered cap on her head.

After she finished dressing Ranma walked down the stairs and a tall black haired lady with dark and brooding eyes looked at her and said, “Very good Ranma this time you seem to be wearing all the required clothing..” Neherenia paused at that point and then said, “Except for the hat. You can’t wear it.”

“Love to comply sis, but I’d rather be looked at funny for a black baseball cap than red and black cat ears. So the cap stays.”

“Isn’t it uncomfortable though?”

“Nah, it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing it. Maybe because I made it from my Nemesis power. It gives me a small link to the planet in my regular identity cool huh?”

Neherenia sighed and said, “Fine keep the damn thing then, but if a teacher asks you must take it off understood?”

Ranma nodded and Neherenia opened the apartment door and said, “Alright let’s go.”

Twenty minutes Neherenia was in the principal’s office filling out paper work while Ranma was walking into her new classroom with a bag full of books just as the final bell rang. She handed the teacher a piece of paper and the teacher said, “Class I would like to introduce you our new student.”

Ranma continued to stand in front of the class as the teacher finished speaking and gestured for Ranma to say something. She said, “Hi, I’m Ranma Hitoshirenu, but everyone just calls me Ranma. I practice martial arts and plan to join the rhythmic gymnastics team.”

The teacher said, “Very well Ranma you can take a seat behind Ami Mizuno.”

Ranma walked over and sat down behind Ami. She had been surprised when she first entered the room and her senses could feel some similar chi signatures as from the night before. She was even more confused as she sat behind Ami and said, “Hey Ami shouldn’t you guys hide your identities better or something? Maybe masks would help?”

Ami looked at her with astonishment and then said, “Shh, we don’t talk about that at school. We can discuss it some other time.”

Ranma realized that she had made a mistake and stopped speaking. Then as the teacher began to teach Ranma tried to stay awake for class. She tried very hard, but she failed. She was prompted to wakefulness when the teacher yelled at one Usagi Tsukino and sent her to the hall. The teacher then looked in Ranma’s direction and with some anger in her voice said, “Ranma would you care to come up here and show us the answer?”

Ranma stood up and walked to the teacher. The teacher then directed Ranma to the board and Ranma stood in front of it staring at it as if it were and alien thing. Right in front of her was the most complex algebraic equation she had ever seen. Great! Now what? An eternity of time seemed to pass in just a few seconds as Ranma brought the chalk up and scrawled a few lines and tried desperately to figure out the equation on the board. The teacher looked at Ranma and her futile efforts. “Come now Ranma I just spent the last thirty minutes explaining the new principles and if you use those and the ones you learned at your previous school you should be able to do this.”

Ranma looked at the board and thought to herself. Yeah I suppose I could if I hadn’t been sleeping through the class or if I hadn’t missed a lot of others because of stupid challengers or even if I had stayed awake through the few classes I have been in. Giving a small sigh of frustration Ranma tried her best to work through the problem with her limited knowledge of math when suddenly the cap she was wearing trickled the energy of Nemesis directly into her brain, forcefully opening up neural pathways, and allowing Ranma to see all he subconscious memories from all those days she had slept in class. The information had been there, but inaccessible until now. The pain of breaching the barrier between waking and sleeping mind was immense and Ranma almost passed out, but she held on, gritted her teeth to avoid screaming in agony and then looked at the problem again. The answer was almost there.

The teacher cleared her throat and said, “It would be nice if you began sometime soon Ranma.”

Ranma smiled sheepishly at the teacher and hesitantly put the chalk up to the board. It took her a few minutes, but using her memories of classes slept through she was able to solve the problem and walk back to her seat.

The teacher walked over and pointed to board where Ranma had been. “As you can see by using the simple principles that I just explained anyone can simplify the problem and then calculate the answer. The teacher began to write down another problem and said, “Alright let’s try this one next.”

When Math was over Usagi came back in the classroom and then the next class started. Ranma was getting sleepy again, but this time before she actually closed her eyes the teacher asked her to read from a Text in English. Ranma stood up and stared at the unfamiliar text and tried to piece it together from the limited learning she had and the few times she had actually seen something in English. It was to no avail, even after she was assaulted by memories of all the times she had heard the language it still left gaping holes in her abilities. Still she tried her best and was corrected only a few times.

All throughout English Ranma continued to sit at her desk and follow the lesson. She stayed awake due to her pain and tried to actually read the other sections that she was required to read. As class was winding down Ranma tried to meditate to make her headache go away, but the bell rang and classes changed. After the classes changed Usagi once again walked back into the room and another new teacher came in behind her. He stopped to introduce himself to Ranma and then went to the front of the classroom and began teaching Biology. The class passed and Ranma tried to stay as unobtrusive as possible. She stayed awake and listened in hoping that she was not called on to answer any questions and could learn the material without pain, but it was to no avail.

This time the teacher did not even have to ask a question, instead the moment that Ranma started to get lost in the complex lesson she was assailed by the power of Nemesis once again. Few memories surfaced, but it certainly made her pay attention more hoping to avoid the pain of remembering lessons that were given to her while she was sleeping.

It wasn’t quite enough as her powers painfully reminded her of the frog dissection she had slept through and thus gave her an answer for another question. Deciding that she had quite enough pain for one day she raised her hand and said, “Sensei may I please be excused. I have a horrible headache.”

The teacher nodded and seemed to understand. “Very well Miss Hitoshirenu, we understand how stressful it must be to change schools. Please go and get something to ease your headache.”

“Thank you.” Ranma nodded and even that movement of her head made then the pain swim through her. She concentrated hard and kept herself from passing out and then using pure force of will she grit her teeth, stood up, and slowly walked out of the room clutching her head. After that she gingerly walked down the stairs and into the nurse’s office wishing that someone would remove the metal spike that seemed to have been driven through her head and wondering what was going on. She knew it had something to do with Nemesis, but the Nurse surely wouldn’t know that and Ranma didn’t plan on telling her.

The nurse greeted Ranma and gave her a cold washcloth to put on her forehead and some pain killers. Ranma gladly took both and then as instructed she lay down on a bed. “Do you get headaches like this often?”

Ranma rolled her eyes. “No.”

“Hmm, well let’s check your eyesight anyway.”

Ranma read the eye chart and the nurse performed a few other simple tests. “I’m not sure, but I bet it’s just stress. Coming to a new school can be quite stressful, but don’t worry you’ll make friends in no time. Now you lie down with that cloth and I’ll write you a note.”

“Thanks.” Ranma sat back in bed and the cool washcloth seemed to erase some of the pain, so she closed her eyes and meditated. The pain ebbed and then slowly went away and she drifted off to sleep.

It seemed like moments later that Ranma opened her eyes. She was floating in the darkness of outer space. The stars around her gave bare illumination to a dark black object in the distance. She felt a pull coming from it and so she hesitantly approached it and it became larger and larger. It was a gigantic black planet. Her feet seemed to land gently on its surface and A voice seemed to speak to her, “In millions of years none have ever understood, not one single being. The foolish one that calls itself Wiseman thinks that we are dark and evil power to be used for his own ends. The rest of your Black Moon family does not understand either. Oh they have learned to use our power for their own ends. They have taken it and perverted it, but the true essence of Nemesis is beyond them. You are the one that we can turn to. You are the one who has the correct duality of being.”

Ranma looked chagrined and said, “Me?”

“Your primal self understands the wild and chaotic power that we can provide, but your other self knows more. It understands when and why to use power. So it must be you, because no other being will be able to use the power and understand what Nemesis means.”

Ranma seemed confused. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure that I understand.”

“You see, the other planets in this system are regular matter and are powerful sources of magical power. The humans called senshi can harness the magical energy of those planets through a process created millennia ago in the moon kingdom, but I am not like the other planets. I am the physical embodiment of a single concept created and formed from dark matter and dark energy. I am retribution. I am darkness against the light and the destruction of shadows. I am true freedom and a balancing of the scales that must always exist. I am Nemesis!”

The power of the final statement washed through Ranma and she thought she almost understood and then she wondered for a moment. “Wait I’m confused. If that is what you are then how can Wiseman and the Black Moon family use your power?”

“Far in the future there was a time when the scales were completely unbalanced. In that future things have gone horribly wrong and a vast hardship has been placed upon a populace. Wiseman and the Black Moon family were exiled on the surface of my being and they were able to use part of my inherent nature for their own evil purposes and once they were able to access that power it could not be taken away. In fact it is my own power which binds you into a contract with them”

Ranma said, “Well that’s going to be a problem then huh?”

“Yes, but despite the problem and the irony I will need someone to wield my power appropriately and so I choose you. You must learn to understand and represent me. You must be given knowledge and you must learn because only through knowledge and understanding will you be able to escape your contract and become the one and only true avatar of Nemesis.”

Ranma was still confused and was about to ask more questions when the bell rang. She woke up in the Nurses office and looked at the clock. It was lunch time and her head no longer hurt so she decided to forget about strange dreams, weird planets, weird powers, and stupid contracts. She just rushed out of the room and towards food.

She quickly arrived at the cafeteria and purchased some food. When she was done she walked outside a voice called to her, “Hey Ranma over here!” Ranma looked over and saw the Juuban high gymnastics team. She walked towards them and sat down. She pointed over to the group of civilian clad sailor senshi and said, “Hey Kaede what do you know about those girls? They’re in my class.”

“Oh that’s Usagi Tsukino and her friends. We hang with them sometimes. If you want we can come over with you, say hi and all that.”

“Sure.”

The group of gymnasts brought Ranma over to Usagi and her friends. Everyone said, “Hi” and introduced themselves. Then they all began to eat. Ranma wolfed down her food and was done in mere moments. Rei said, “Wow! I didn’t think anyone could beat you out Usagi.”

Usagi mumbled something between bites, but it was garbled beyond comprehension. The rest of the girls ate at normal speeds and the two groups chatted happily with each other. Their conversation was interrupted when a small pink haired girl climbed over the school wall and ran up to Usagi yelling, “They’re after me! You’ve got to help me!”

Moments later two large black creatures smashed through the wall and walked towards the pink haired girl. Ranma yelled out, “Everybody Run! I’ll try and delay them.” She quickly intercepted the creatures and attacked. The power of the Neko-Ken sliced into their dark flesh, but did not leave a lasting impression. Ranma dodged a gigantic black fist and continued to fight the two creatures. She attacked again and again without much effect and then she heard a voice say, “School is a place for learning not attacking young girls.”

Ranma groaned to herself and said, “That’s gonna get her killed some day.” Moments later the blonde haired senshi was sent flying by a black fist and Ranma said, “I knew it.” Still her comrades were protecting her and the Black Tuxedo guy had arrived providing a convenient distraction for the huge creatures and so Ranma exited the battle through the smashed wall. Once on the other side of the wall Ranma checked to make sure no one was watching transformed.

With her transformation complete Sailor Angerona jumped up onto the school wall saying, “I’ve got to figure out a way to make that quicker.” Then she surveyed the scene. While she had been gone for a few brief moments it was more than enough time for the two creatures to do significant damage to the school grounds. Sailor Moon was apparently standing again supported by the Tuxedo guy and the other sailor girls were fighting the giant black creatures. As Ranma watched the battle one of the creatures went up in flames, but it was not stopping. In fact if anything the flames just seemed to make it angry. It flailed about with its flaming limbs endangering lives and property, so Ranma quickly ran over to the battle and added her own power to the fight.

The first thing she did was to leap at the creature that was not on fire with her claws extended. When she hit the thing she enhanced her claws with the power of Nemesis and then slid down. When her feet touched the ground the creature fell into ten strips and faded into dust. She looked for the second creature and then her view was suddenly obscured by a thick impenetrable mist. Ranma cursed aloud and said, “Can’t she do something that doesn’t impede my ability to fight these things?”

After speaking Ranma’s sense of smell told her that something was burning nearby and then rushed into the mist and followed the scent towards the burning creature. When Ranma found it the creature was standing still and staring at its own flaming hand. She walked towards it with her claws outstretched, when it suddenly produced a large fireball from its burning hands and shot it towards her.

Ranma dodged backwards and dropped to the ground. The flaming projectile went over her and she could feel its flame as it passed by. After it passed the mist started to clear and Ranma stood back up and started towards the creature again. This time she was prepared for a fireball and easily dodged it. As the creature was preparing to fire again it was hit by a blast of lightning and a large heart knocking it over.

Unfortunately, the grass it landed on started to ignite as well. The burning creature was flailing on the ground and the school lawn was starting to go up in flames. Sailor Venus stood next to the creature hitting it with a chain that seemed to be made of hearts and the other sailors were firing their attacks as well, but the fire was going to rage out of control.

Ranma yelled out, “Alright get back! I’ve got an idea!” She tapped into her chi and made it as cool as possible adding a bit of Nemesis power to make herself even colder. Hoping that the extreme cold would protect her and that her idea would work she ran towards the creature in a spiral pattern. She dodged fireballs and continued in the pattern and when Ranma finished the spiral she had successfully contained the fire and brought it back to its point of origin. At that point Ranma was about to yell out the wrong thing, but with a quick change she instead yelled out, “Angerona whirlwind!”

The Hiryu Shoten Ha by another name was enhanced by Nemesis energies and created a giant vortex that put out the flames and sent the creature high into the air. Moments later the vortex was gone and the creature came plummeting towards the ground. When the creature hit the ground all of the sailors present directed their powers onto it and destroyed it utterly.

After that Ranma looked at the rest of the scouts and said, “So who was that pink haired girl?”

The scouts explained that they thought she was from the future and was currently staying with Usagi. Then they explained that the two black creatures were called Droids and had been created by a person named Cooan to hunt the girl named Usagi or Chibi-Usa down. Ranma’s voice dripped with Sarcasm as she said, “Right, well that just makes tons of sense.”

The sailors started to explain again when a small black cat came up to the group and said, “Perhaps this is not the appropriate time or place?”

Ranma responded to the statement and said, “Yeah well I suppose our work is done, but if I’m going to be part of the group someone really ought to clue me in on more of this information.”

Mercury looked at her and said, “Perhaps I could come to your house tonight. You could tell your parents that it is a study session and I can answer any questions at that time.”

“That sounds good. How about around seven?” Ami nodded and the group dispersed from the area.

A little while later Ranma found out that school would be canceled for the rest of the day, due to the battle, and so she had returned to her apartment and called up the Neko-Hanten. Cologne answered the phone and told her to come by and visit. Once at the Neko-Hanten she would find out how the Amazons and she could be friends and possibly even more. Ranma had decided to get it over with and go on over. She figured that after the conversation with Cologne she could catch up with Nabiki and see how project Ninomiya was going.

So Ranma changed her school clothes into her black jeans and T-shirt and then bid farewell to Neherenia. After that she tapped into some of the Nemesis power in her cap and sped towards Nerima. A very short period of time later and Ranma was walking up to the front of the Neko-Hanten and slowly entering the building. Inside she saw a small crowd with Mousse and Shampoo serving the patrons. Both young Amazons barely even glanced in Ranma’s direction before they continued with their jobs. Hmm, the old ghoul musta really cracked down on them. I wonder why? Ah well I’ll find out soon enough. She shrugged her shoulders and walked towards the kitchen.

Entering the kitchen Ranma’s enhanced feline senses were assaulted by the smells of various delectable dishes. Her mouth watered and for one moment she barely registered anything other than hunger and delicious smells. A voice came from the back of the room and broke Ranma’s trance. “Ahh former Son In-law I see you have arrived. Come over here and help me with the preparation of these dishes and I will begin to explain.”

Ranma walked to the stove grabbed an apron and started chopping vegetables and handing them to Cologne. Cologne accepted the help and without introduction she said, “The only way to nullify the Kiss of death is for you to become an Amazon.”

Ranma interrupted, “I have to become an Amazon! Isn’t it birth or something it…”

Cologne rapped Ranma with her staff and said, “Allow me to continue.” Then she waited to see if Ranma would interrupt again. She did not and so Cologne continued, “It would have been easy to make you an Amazon tribe member if you were male, but since you are not there is only one way.”

Cologne stopped for a moment and prepared food in silence allowing Ranma to digest the information and then she waited a little bit more to see how long Ranma’s patience would last. Amazingly enough Ranma was able to hold her tongue for an entire minute and then she could not help herself and said, “So spit it out what is it?”

“The Amazons can allow an outsider to join the tribe in one way and one way only. The inductee must perform the right of Artemis and then they will be recognized as a full fledged Amazon Warrior. This would nullify the kiss of death and allow us to be friends. More than friends actually more like family, because you will be an official member of the tribe.”

“Does that mean I gotta worry about marryin’ guys who defeat me or killing girls?”

“No child. Those rules only apply within Amazon lands.”

Ranma looked a little annoyed and said, “What! But I beat Shampoo in Japan not China!”

Cologne rapped Ranma again and said, “Allow me to finish! Outside of Amazon lands the warrior has a choice to implement them or not as she desires. When you defeated Shampoo in Japan she chose to implement the marriage law.”

“Okay. So, why not tell me about this earlier when I was a guy?”

Cologne said, “Think about it Ranma you know the answer already.”

Ranma thought about it and said, “Because you wanted me to come into the tribe as a guy. For Shampoo and for the um other things.” Ranma looked a bit embarrassed as she finished that sentence and then rushed on saying, “By passing this right of Artemis I’d be a full fledged Amazon warrior and I’d be officially a girl right? Then as Shampoo said it is not allowed for Amazon women to be together.”

Cologne corrected Ranma saying, “Actually that only applies to female warriors not healers or mages…”

Ranma looked confused and Cologne just smiled and said, “You’ll figure that part out, but as I have suspected for some time you do have something in that thick head of yours other than martial arts.” She then yelled “Order up!” and threw two bowls outside towards Mousse. After that she said, “Shampoo come in here please.” She finished one other dish and looked toward Ranma. “The right of Artemis is a grueling and ancient test that may kill you or you if you prefer we can be enemies and try to kill each other here and now. Which do you prefer?”

Ranma stared at Cologne the old woman had turned from the stove and was bearing her ancient breast. “Let me make it easy for you Ranma. My great granddaughter will come through that door in mere moments and you are a young and powerful warrior with conscious control of the dreaded Neko-Ken. In my youth I might have prevailed, but I hold no illusions as to how a fight between us would end. Why prolong my suffering or that of my great granddaughter?”

Ranma’s conscience pinged and she knew she would not be able to attack and so she just sighed and said, “Alright old ghoul I’ll participate in the right of Artemis.”

“Excellent, juts one more thing Ranma the information Nabiki provided to my granddaughter and various others says that when Son in-law was cured of his curse you were created, but it says nothing about what happened to you afterwards. I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me?”

“Let’s just say that I entered into a contract with a new family. My name is now Ranma Hitoshirenu and let’s leave it at that for now?”

“Very well I understand that some things must be secret.”

Shampoo entered the kitchen and looked at Ranma with what seemed to be pity and then Cologne spoke to her in Chinese. Only a few sentences of conversation were spoken when Ranma suddenly felt the power of Nemesis build up in her head, but as with English her memories were not enough to give her much proficiency in the language. Still she thought she understood the gist of it. Shampoo was worried and Cologne was determined. The conversation ended with Cologne pointing and saying in Japanese, “Now make the food and keep young Mu Tsu in line while Girl-Ranma and I go upstairs.”

Shampoo looked sullen and said, “Shampoo still think is bad idea, but will allow anyway.”

Cologne smiled and said, “Protest noted and I’m glad our previous conversation has sparked your mind grand daughter…” Then Cologne moved aside and Shampoo took her place and working on the meals.

Cologne turned towards Ranma and spoke in Japanese again, “My apologies Ranma. Come now we will go.”

Ranma held her throbbing head and walked up the stairs with Cologne who said, “Child are you alright? If you are not well perhaps we should do this some other time.”

Ranma shook off the pain and said, “Nah, it’s just my mind trying to remind me of all the times I’ve heard Mandarin, now let’s get this thing over with.”

The two entered Colognes room and the ancient Amazon sat in a small chair next to a small table. She then gestured to the floor across from her and Ranma sat there. Cologne opened a drawer in the table and Ranma could feel power pulsing from the item. “This child is the key. Every Amazon in the council of matriarchs is given one. They are ancient relics created to hold and contain chi power and each one has received many generations worth of chi power. However, the keys have only three uses: The first is to open the Amazon treasury. The second is to open the door so that an outsider may go through the right of Artemis. The Third and final use is for dire emergencies. If such an emergency occurs an Amazon matriarch will break the key and release the stored energy destroying herself and any attackers.”

Ranma stared at it for a moment and then said, “You could have used this against me. The power of the Neko-Ken would have been useless against that amount of stored energy. Why not just do that?”

Cologne nodded and said, “Yes that would have been possible, but I would have destroyed myself in the process something I am not personally keen on. I value my life and I knew that your honor would make you take this course besides which, I would not have wanted to destroy the only person in a thousand years who had broken the curse of the Neko-Ken.”

“Curse?” Ranma looked confused and realized that is must have been true. She listened intently as Cologne said, “Yes Child. The Neko-Ken is a curse. It is not a true martial arts technique or at least not until you came around. The Neko-Ken was created thousands of years ago by a group of warrior Monks. They had grown tired of people seeking power without regard to effort or training; tired of people using magic to become more powerful than those who had spent their lives training. So, they sought out a powerful magic user some even say that the magic user was Merlin himself.”

Cologne paused and took a sip of water from a glass on the table. She looked back at Ranma’s rapt gaze and said, “In any case the magician used ancient magics to create training manual. That training manual was given the curse of the Neko-Ken and the power to copy itself into any other manual that provided a quick and easy route to power without regard to true effort or training. Thus was the curse of the Neko-Ken unleashed.

“Greedy fighters would come into possession of the manual and use it to train themselves and then they would activate the curse. The curse gave them a feline spirit in addition to their own. This feline spirit would take over their bodies and control them. The irony of the situation was that while the feline spirit controlled them they had exactly what they always wanted, extraordinary strength, chi control, and amazing abilities. However, their minds would be gone and in most cases the cat spirit would dominate them forever.”

Ranma muttered, “Stupid Panda!” Then a thought came to her mind and a light of understanding came to Ranma’s face. She then looked up at Cologne and said, “You didn’t want to destroy me because when Ranma Saotome lost his curse and created me I was given the powers of the Neko-Ken without the main drawback. I don’t lose my self because I am that cat spirit given human form and human memories.”

Cologne nodded and said, “Yes, child you are a rare jewel and if you can complete this ritual you will be the most valuable addition to the tribe in centuries.”

Ranma smiled at the thought and then said, “What about Ranma Saotome?”

“He would be a valuable husband to Shampoo.”

Ranma just laughed and then she calmed herself and thought about her revenge and how this could be used against Ranma Saotome for fun and profit and said, “Alright old-ghoul er I mean uh..um..” She sputtered and said, “Sensei?”

Cologne looked at Ranma and said, “Hmm perhaps just for now Ranma. For now I will be your teacher and you will be my student, but there may be even more if you pass the rite.”

“Alright then, let’s get this thing started.”

Cologne accepted the answer and said, “Very well we will begin.”

Ranma just thought Hmm, well if I’m a student she can teach me some more of the Amazon techniques, but where will all my time go? I need to make some more money and have a bit more revenge on Ranma Saotome; I need to get comfy with the Sailor Senshi and find the Ginzuishou; I want to teach those Juuban girls some rhythmic gymnastics and martial arts; and I’ll definitely want to learn whatever Cologne here has to teach me on Amazon Techniques. Well at least I don’t gotta worry about any fiancées anymore.

Cologne drew power from the Chi infused Key and combined it with her own power while Ranma was still thinking about how hectic her life was becoming even with the loss of her fiancées. As power surged from the Key and opened a glowing portal in the room Ranma broke off her train of thought to stare in awe. Cologne said, “Enter the portal Ranma and begin the ritual of Artemis.”

Ranma stood up slowly and examined the glowing portal. It was dark gray mass with a pulsing center of pinkish energy. She continued to stare at it for a moment and then said, “What the hell I’m already having a bad day how much worse can it get?” Then she stepped through the portal.

---

Some unknown time later Ranma appeared at the bottom of a large mountain. She looked at the mountain and it looked almost like any other mountain. It was green at the bottom rising up towards gray rocks and a snowy peak topped with a cloud. The jarring difference between this mountain and others was the small marble city that was resting on its top. She looked at the city again and noted that the walls extended out into the mountain’s cloud cover.

“What the hell is that?”

A large fur covered hand grabbed Ranma’s shoulder and a voice said, “That is Olympus and you must be here for the rite of Artemis?”

Ranma turned and stared at the creature. It was at least twelve feet tall, had the head of a bull and the body of a man, but this body was immense and completely covered with muscles as well as a think coat of brown fur. Its red eyes stared at Ranma with barely repressed anger a keen intelligence. Ranma moved its massive paw off her shoulder and said, “Yeah I’m here for the rite. Ya got a problem with that?”

The Minotaur hefted a gigantic battleaxe and almost ignored Ranma’s statement to say “If you survive my challenge you can climb the mountain and face the other challenges. Once at the top you will have to pass the final test and then you will meet Artemis, she will decide if you are worthy.” Once it finished speaking the Minotaur swung its battle axe with surprising speed.

Ranma barely dodged out of the way and then she grinned a cocky grin and said, “That all you got cow breath?” Then she promptly dodged under another attack and sent a powerful right cross into the creature’s chin. The Minotaur barely acknowledged the hit and kicked out with its massive leg.

Ranma just grabbed the creatures foot as it passed and jumped into the air with it. The motion sent the Minotaur crashing to the ground and then Ranma closed in for an attack on the fallen creature. She started to punch at its chest using the speed of the Amaguriken, but had to move quickly when it once again swung its axe.

The Minotaur quickly regained its footing and swung its axe again and again in multiple arcs while Ranma dodged each blow. This time she was unable to find an opening and just said, “I’m getting real tired of that axe bull face. So what say we even the odds a bit?” The Minotaur didn’t acknowledge and swung its axe again. This time Ranma unsheathed her chi claws and the blade ricocheted off of them, but it was undamaged.

Ranma was surprised by the ricochet and so was unable to press her attack. The axe came for her again and she blocked it with her claws again. She jumped forward to press her attack, but the Minotaur was expecting the block and pulled his axe into position for a quick strike. Ranma saw it coming though and tried to dodge out of the way. The axe sliced through her shirt and left a thin trail of blood across her stomach.

Ranma growled and prepared her next strategy. This time when the axe came she dodged out of the way and attacked its wooden hilt. Her chi claws severed the wood and sent the blade flying. After that she jumped directly into the Minotaur's torso and sent it falling into the ground. It fell to the ground and she landed on its chest knocking the wind out of it. There she placed a single chi claw on its neck and said, “Surrender?”

The creature said, “Yes, I yield warrior!”

Ranma stood up and sheathed her chi claws. The Minotaur said, “Excellent fight young warrior. Continue up the mountain for the rest of the rite.” Then, the creature faded away.

Ranma sighed and started up the mountain. The first thing along her path was a small group of centaurs. The three half horses charged Ranma with lances extended. The cat girl easily avoided the first charge and landed on one of the creature’s backs.

The female horse person couldn’t reach behind her and moments later a single punch knocked her unconscious. Ranma saw movement and just barely jumped into the air as a steel lance occupied the place where her rib cage used to be. In the air she sent a chi infused bolt of Nemesis power at her attacker and blew the male horse person back a few paces and into unconsciousness. She landed on the ground in time to see the third horse person bearing down on her. She stood still and waited and as he came close she leapt into the air and right onto his lance. The weapon dug into the ground and the force of impact made him fall to the ground where Ranma easily knocked him out as well.

The cat girl dusted off her hands and continued climbing up the mountain until she came upon three large Cyclops at least 15 feet tall. The trio didn’t notice her and she snuck past their encampment. Only to find herself back at the encampment after more climbing. Ranma sighed and silently snuck up to the large one eyed men. As she snuck just a bit closer she noticed that they were all standing on a large flat boulder and wondered, If pig boy can do it so can I right? What was it the Old Ghoul was saying at the time? Damn if I know, but lets see what I can do.

Ranma remained silent and snuck up to the three Cyclops slowly and carefully. When she was near the large rock they were on she slowed her breathing and concentrated. Just then one of the large creatures said, “Brothers I smell something tasty nearby don’t you?”

Another answered and said, “Yes indeed it smells like the flesh of a young girl.” He sniffed deeply and continued, “She is nearby perhaps in hiding?”

The third sniffed as well and then shouted, “She is there right there I can see her!”

Ranma’s concentration was fading, but she held onto it and then jumped into the middle of the group of Cyclops, touched the boulder underneath them with her finger and channeled a large amount of Chi and Nemesis power into the rock and jumped away at the same time. The resulting explosion was immense and the shockwave sent her flying higher into the air. She lost conscious momentarily, but woke just as she was starting her downward descent. Some quick reflexes allowed her to barely grab onto a small rock outcropping and look below.

She couldn’t see much of anything due to the amount of dust and debris in the air. She thought about waiting for it to clear, but then decided that she was well out of reach for possible Cyclops retaliation and continued her upward ascent.

Some time later as she was on very precarious footing and a small goat like creature came close to her and nudged her a bit almost causing her to loose her footing. “Stupid Goat what are you doing up here anyway?”

The goat looked at her and said, “Trying to make you fall of course. Sadly you have better reflexes than most…”

Ranma stared at the creature and said, “Uh uh no way! One eyed monsters, cow monsters, and even horse monsters, but a full fledged talking goat! What moron made this place?”

“Artemis I do believe and I am not a goat!”

“Yeah what are you then?”

“A satyr! Lover of fine food, fine wine, and fine women!” The thing jumped at her and years of ingrained anti-Happosai defenses came online as she sent the thing flying. As it went soaring away she heard a voice say, “What was that?”

Another answered, “It was Thenrikus and he must have found a nymph, come brothers we frolic tonight!”

The sounds of at least one hundred goat hooves hopping on rocks and towards her made the cat girl get up and start climbing even harder. She heard the sounds getting closer and decided to abandon caution as the beasts came even closer. She jumped from perch to perch and batted away the gropes and grabs of fifty Happosai wannabes. It didn’t last too long though because one of the rocks she grabbed loose and sent her falling into the arms of one of the perverted creatures.

He held her close and said, “Look brothers I have caught the nymph. Now we can have our way with her!”

The goat men came closer and the one holder her was getting much too personal for Ranma’s taste. She broke free of its grasp feeling almost violated and said, “Enough! This ends here! Nemesis dark energy blast!”

The power of Ranma’s righteous anger flew from her hands in a dark wave of destruction leaving nothing alive in its wake. When it was over Ranma stood there panting and then noting that none of the perverted goats was left alive she passed out from exhaustion.

She woke up as pain traveled through her arm. She yanked her arm away from the source of the pain and heard the screech of a Raven. She looked at the black bird and said, “I ain’t dead yet bird, now get out of here!”

The bird screeched again and Ranma saw an entire flock of the things coming for her. She sighed and got into a battle stance waiting for them to come. Come they did bird after bird forcing Ranma to retreat up the mountain and away from their assault. She climbed and fought and then fought and climbed against an unending army of birds as they ripped the flesh from her arms and squawked their high pitched squawks. To Ranma it seemed like an endless haze of pain and frustration as she climbed and battled, hitting bird after bird, only to have more take their place.

She didn’t know how long she fought or where her reserves came from, but some time later it was finally over the last black bird went plummeting down and she pulled herself up onto a gigantic rocky ledge where she could see the cloud city and a small stairway that led up into it. The only problem was that between her and the door was yet another bird. A single gigantic thing. Ranma stared at it and said, “You’ve got to be kidding me! That thing is like the size of Godzilla or something. Come on!”

In fact the giant bird was at least two hundred feet long from tip to tail. Ranma stared at it again said, “Maybe I can just sneak past it?”

Ranma slinked to the ground and slowly pulled herself forward inch by inch. She took time to check and see if the bird was watching, but it never even seemed to glance in her direction. She inched slowly past its gigantic nest and continued towards the stair. Slowly, but surely she moved closer and closer to the stairway.

When Ranma reached the halfway point the bird turned its head and stared directly at her. It let out an earsplitting scream and started straight towards her. Its beak was open wide and she was about to run for the stairs when she suddenly changed her mind. Instead she turned towards the creature and looked into its gigantic beak. There was no place to dodge and she knew that running wouldn’t have solved anything. So, she unsheathed her chi claws and faced the prospect of instant death determined to fight until the end.

The giant beak closed over her and then it was gone. The creature dissipated into mist leaving Ranma there staring in defiance at nothing at all. The cat girl shook herself out of the stupor she was in and smiled to herself, then walked slowly up the stairs towards the city. When she reached the top she was greeted by a Black Haired woman wearing leather hunting skins, holding a beautiful golden bow and wearing a quiver of arrows. The woman spoke and said, “Well done warrior, you have passed the rite of Artemis.”

The woman continued on about honor and tradition, but Ranma just ignored her and said, “Yeah, yeah I get the idea. I passed your stupid test so why don’t you just bring me back home. I’m tired.”

The woman seemed to take no note of Ranma’s statement and continued speaking. She went on and on while Ranma just rolled her eyes and thought to herself It’s like a recording or something. She sighed and then waited for the goddess to finish.

Finally after what seemed like hours the goddess said, “Take my hand and you shall be a full fledged Amazon Warrior.” Ranma reached out her own right hand and eagerly took hold of Artemis’ proffered hand. Then she felt a powerful burning sensation on the back of her hand. She tried to let go, but the grip was too powerful. She stood and screamed in pain as the back of her hand completely burst into flame. Ranma’s last though before she passed out from the pain was Maybe I should have listened to her stupid speech.

Not long afterwards she woke in the Neko-Hanten with Cologne by her side. “Ah young Ranma I see you are awake and successful. Rest for a moment and then look at the back of your right hand. There you will see the mark of Artemis.”

Ranma looked at her hand and on the back she could see a beautiful golden bow strung with a silver arrow pointing towards her middle knuckle. “Great, Now I’m going to have to wear a glove or something” Ranma complained.

Cologne just laughed and said, “So like you Ranma, but the mark can only be seen by Amazon tribe members no other will be able to see it.”

“Oh, well that’s good.”

Cologne stepped close to Ranma and took the hand with the mark of Artemis and said, “Now, Ranma Hitoshirenu you have passed the rite of Artemis and I welcome you into the Amazon tribe as my adopted daughter.”

“Your what!” Ranma yelled.

“Come now I have given you an honor. If you are to join the tribe you must be part of someone’s family and whose family would be more appropriate than mine? When you passed my first challenge and learned the Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken in record time you gained my respect. Since that time I have taught you and mentored you. I have challenged you and helped you to grow. Over time I have grown to love you as if you were my own child. Your honor, dignity, and strength of spirit are a shining example and I would be proud to have you as part of my family Ranma.”

Ranma was overwhelmed with emotion at Cologne’s revelation. A tear came to her eye and she said silently, “I never...knew. I always respected you as a fighter and maybe as a trainer, but I” words failed the young girl.

Cologne looked on and touched Ranma’s shoulder saying, “It is okay child. You were not meant to have known. I could not very well be a wise and mysterious matriarch if my feelings were always shown.”

Ranma smiled at that and said, “Look um Cologne. I’m honored and all, but like I said earlier when I or when Ranma Saotome got rid of his curse he signed a contract giving it to some other people. As that curse I’m theirs now; part of their family. So as much as I’m grateful to you and appreciate your gesture I’m just not sure how much I can follow through on being an Amazon.”

“Yes, I knew that before the Rite. I knew that there was more to you than met the eye, but it is worth the risk. You will be a valuable addition to the tribe regardless and perhaps there is a way out. Perhaps this contract can be broken?”

Ranma nodded, “Yeah that’s what Nabiki and I are looking into.”

Cologne laughed and said, “Well then, by joining the tribe you have gained access to resources that may help you and as my adopted daughter I will help you and young Nabiki figure out a way to break this contract.”

Ranma stared at Cologne and said reverently, “Thanks can't even cover my appreciation for what you're offering and I'd like to tell you more, but for the moment that may be counter to one of my assigned duties okay?”

Cologne just said, “Yes, I know you must leave things out, but I understand. This magical contract must be quite powerful indeed. Perhaps you will come again soon and I will teach you an Amazon technique?” At the end of her statement Cologne winked and the red haired girl nodded back in understanding.

“Yeah training would be useful and within the guidelines of what I'm supposed to be doing. Look I gotta go see how Nabiki’s doing and work on some other stuff okay? I’ll give you a call later and arrange a time to come by.”

Cologne nodded and said her goodbyes. Then Ranma exited the ancient Amazon's room and walked down stairs. When she reached the bottom step she was greeted by an entirely changed Shampoo. “Aiyah! Ranma do impossible and complete rite of Artemis! You are now tribe sister to Shampoo.” After the loud shout Ranma received a full force glomp. She felt something soft pressing against her and fought against the emotions that presented as she said, “Um, Shampoo could you let go?”

Shampoo nodded and then said, “Maybe tribe sister Ranma can help Shampoo get boy type Ranma as husband?”

An evil smile came to Ranma's face Now there is an idea that can help me complete my obligations. “Oh I can think of a few ideas. No guarantees of course, but definitely a few ideas.”

Another voice shouted, “Ranma how could you!” and then Mousse attacked, but he didn't even get close as he was silenced by Shampoo who had picked up a nearby glass of water and doused the young boy. “Mousse should know better than to try and attack Amazon warrior. Now you be good duck or I feed you to next customer.”

The white duck just quacked in outrage. Ranma picked it up and it struggled in her powerful grip to no avail. She brought it close and whispered, “Look Mousse I have a deal for you. First I’m going to let you live and then you are going to help me make Ranma Saotome’s life just a bit more hectic. In return I’ll put in a good word for you with Shampoo every now and again. Understand?”

The white duck nodded and Ranma set it down. She then checked the clock and saw that it was barely even 2:00 PM. More than enough time to go talk to Nabiki. “Now, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later tribe sister Shampoo. You too duck boy.” The duck quacked and Shampoo said, “Bye bye Tribe Sister Ranma. I call you later okay?” Ranma nodded and walked off.

Author’s Note: I expanded the description of the challenges Ranma faces in the Rite of Artemis…