-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Triforce Destiny by Darksyn Disclaimer Ranma 1/2, Slayers, Sailor Moon and The Legend of Zelda is owned by their respective creators and is being used without permission. Chapter 1 Link awoke with a start nearly falling off Epona. He quickly reasserted himself and began to look around. "Great. Another forest." He muttered. It always seemed that when he fell asleep he woke up in another forest, and almost always in another dimension. Link yawned as he absently scratched Epona's mane. Suddenly Epona stopped and reared, nearly throwing Link. Link quickly grabbed at Eponas' mane for balance as he realized that something, or rather someone was blocking his path. He looked at the person that stopped him. He was about Links' height, had an unruly mop of black hair kept in check by a yellow and black bandanna. He wore a yellow tunic, and similar clothes fit for traveling that appeared to be well worn and caked with dirt and mud. The young man also carried a backpack that seemed to be liberally stuffed with various objects to the point where it seemed ridiculously heavy. In his hand was an odd looking umbrella, which he had used to stop Epona. "Can you tell me where the Tendo Dojo is?" the young man said. Link then noticed the fangs protruding form his mouth, which gave him an overly odd appearance. "I'm sorry I'm passing through, I have no Idea where we're at. My name's Link, who are you?" Link was again thankful that the Triforce he possessed was so accommodating. Everywhere he went he had always understood the language, and was also equally adept at speaking it. "My name's Ryouga Hibiki. I'm..." The rest of Ryougas' introduction died in his throat as the young man on the horse started looking at his own hand. Following the stranger's gaze he saw that he was looking at an odd glowing mark. Link felt the stirrings of a familiar power. He had felt in only once before, and according to his memories, it would have been only a few weeks ago that it would have happen in Hyrule. The day he first felt the Triforce of power resonating when he neared Ganon to free the princess. He dreaded the feeling. It meant that Ganon had somehow been released and had come to this dimension. Ignoring the youth in front of him he urged Epona forward and gained speed. If he had to fight Ganon again he need to do it before he had the chance to corrupt the power of this new world. If he were paying attention, he would have noticed the man he had met earlier was giving chase easily keeping pace behind him. *** Ranma looked around the table. Each person seemed to be focused on him, yet none had gained the ability to voice their obvious questions. That soon changed as Nabiki found her voice. "Ranma what is that?" she asked. It had been said. Ranma waited a few more seconds to see if anymore questions arose before he decided to answer. As none came he prepared to talk. He suddenly felt something strangely familiar, though he couldn't understand it, he knew something was heading his way. He didn't like the fact that when it arrived, he would have to see if it was friend or an enemy, most likely an enemy. But there were more pressing matters at hand. Nabiki looked as Ranma started to explain only to give a false start as his attention begin to focus on something that only he seemed attuned to. "Well Ranma?" she continued. He abruptly ended his contemplative state and focused instead upon the increasingly annoyed girl in front of him. Ranma sighed and began to mentally edit his story to leave out the worst part. "After Akane punted me to the quarry, some weird looking Gaijin came out of nowhere an' challenged me. After I beat him this showed up on my hand. Musta come from him or somethin'." He explained while showing his hand. While the others openly accepted the answer, Nabiki had seemed to figure out something was missing. Ranma never could explain something that easily, and Nabiki knew it, even though it was almost a daily occurrence. Without missing a beat she inquired further. "What aren't you telling us Saotome." Instead of a question Nabiki had given an outright statement, drawing everyone else's attention back to the resident martial artist. Ranma stifled a sigh. Rule one: Never try to keep a secret from Nabiki. Suddenly an idea struck him. He grinned inwardly before he attacked. Shifting from a semi-defeated look to one of pure calmness. "5000 Yen." He stated simply while holding his hand out towards the Tendo mercenary. Everyone else was treated to a good show as the unflappable Ice Queen of Furinkan High did a very good impression of a fish, unlike her usual impression of a shark going in for the kill. "Did the man have anything to say about your tattoo Ranma-kun?" Kasumi asked politely. Ranmas' mind reeled as the one line of questioning he hoped to avoid came into play and from one of the two people he really hated lying to. Collecting himself, he answered the only way a Saotome could. "He didn't say nuttin'." He said quickly avoiding their gaze upon him. Akane was quick to ask the next obvious question. "Why?" Ranma began to visibly shake trying to contain the answer from coming out. He didn't want them to fear or pity him. "Ranma?" she asked again, worry was quite obvious as the youngest Tendo came closer to him. A sign that if he did anything wrong he would be taking another trip courtesy of her favorite mallet. As she got closer his willpower crumbled and he ceased to shake, allowing his body to droop in defeat. "Because I killed him." He replied softly, only Akane, who had just sat next to him, could hear his words. "Yo...you what?" she asked stunned by his response. Ranma shattered completely under the gentle question and replied again stronger that the first time. "He threatened to kill everyone, an’ I killed him." Again the household radiated chaos as each person reacted in their own way. Soun and Genma were congratulating Ranma for the protection as well as weeping, they quickly started planning another wedding. Nabiki abandoned pursuits of money to try psychology to find out why Ranma believed he had to kill the man. While Nodoka, Kasumi and Akane decided that staying in a state of shock would keep things calmer. Their reasoning failed as Ranma gave them more information on the deceased. He kept a calm tone and spoke with a reasonably loud voice to be heard. "When he showed up I could tell right from when I first saw him that he was evil, not only that, but He was very powerful." Ranma took a deep breath before he continued. "He was using some sorta magic that was more powerful than I've ever seen Cologne use. So when he threatened you guys, I knew he would carry it out if I didn't stop him. I was lucky that He didn't know nutthin’ ’bout me or I would been done for." The Tendos as well as the Saotomes calmed down with the explanation. Each felt that what Ranma did was justified to save those he knew and possibly many more. With the reason for the tattoo explained, Akane then decided to ask about the tattoo itself. "Ranma? Do you know what it's for?" She asked. Akane was still worried, and since Ranma didn't seem to be in such a great mood she decided that her usual anger towards him should remain in check incase the tattoo could be dangerous. Ranma wearily shook his head as he replied. "I don't know Akane, I'm just hopin' it ain't gonna make me like that other guy." The rest of the household began to think deeply on his words. Most of them were worried about how powerful and dangerous Ranma would become if gave in to any dark impulses. The room stayed quiet until Ranma took on a confused but thoughtful complexion. Genma was the first to notice his son's face and quickly inquired. "What is it son? Do you hear something?" Ranma shook his head but kept his expression. "I don't hear nuttin' I can feel somethin's coming. I think that's why the tattoo’s glowing." Ranma then decided to get up and walk outside. Seeing the confused looks on the others faces he gave an explanation. "If somehtin's comin' I'm gonna meet it instead of wait." He explained as he positioned himself in the middle of the yard. Seconds later a clomping could be heard in the distance as it drew near. It didn't take Ranma long to figure out what was making the sound. Since his training took him around Japan and China he knew it could only be a horse. He wondered. He didn't have to wait long as the Horse cleared the surrounding wall and landed next to the koi pond. As the horse landed it's rider dismounted quickly and got in a defensive crouch, drawing his sword and shield. "Where is the man known as Ganondorf?” The stranger asked. Seeing the stranger draw his weapons Ranma took his favorite unassuming stance. “You mean the tall guy, red hair, tan, and the thing on his forehead, threatening to destroy the world?” Ranma questioned. < Better to see what side he’s on before there’s a fight. > He thought as he waited for a response. “Yes, that would be him, I’m here to stop him. Where can he be found?” The stranger asked as he stepped forward. Ranma look the young man before him up and down, using his skills to determine his strengths before he returned the answer. “You’ll find what’s left of ‘em ‘bout 10 or 11 kilometers east of here in the quarry. He’s not gonna bother no one anymore.” The stranger lowered his guard and replaced his weapons as he strode towards Ranma and spoke. “He is dead?” Ranma nodded before he explained. “He showed up a few hours ago in fronta me and started the whole ‘I’m a bad guy and I’m gonna rule the world’ bit and I took ‘em down.” Ranma finished with a shrug. “My name’s Link, I vanquished Ganon from my world several years ago. I didn’t expect him to get free, but you should be proud. In my world he took over most of the land I’m from before I could stop him.” He explained. “But I’m confused. Why was I led here instead of where you killed him, And where’s the Triforce of Power?” Ranma looked around before it dawned on him. “I’m Ranma Saotome. You talkin’ ‘bout this?” He asked as he showed Link the back of his right hand. Link studied the marking quickly and gave a nod of his head acknowledging Ranma’s question. “Yes, that is the Triforce of Power. Ganon took the holy relic with him when he failed to gain the full power of the Triforce.” Unnoticed Ryouga watched the exchange with interest, until he saw both Ranma and Link the man he just met extend their hands and a mark similar to Links glowed on Ranma’s hand. < Ranma has more power than me? No he doesn’t deserve it, not with the way he treats Akane! > With that he jumped from his perch directly at Ranma, screaming his battle cry. “RANMA PREPARE TO DIE!!” Ranma had been so engrossed in the information he had been receiving that he almost missed Ryouga’s war cry, but didn’t miss avoiding the umbrella. He quickly grabbed Link and made a hasty jump towards the horse, depositing its rider then jumping back to the fight with Ryouga. “How DARE you become more powerful than me Ranma you don’t deserve anything you have, not even Akane.” Ryouga spat as Ranma assumed a defensive position opposite his rival and recently discovered half-brother. “If your done now, we need to talk, this ain’t no time to be fightin’ bro.” Responded Ranma trying to sooth the situation. “So the coward want’s to talk? Too bad! You die now Ranma!” With that Ryouga rushed his opponent with a downward strike of his heavy umbrella. Surprise came to the faces of all than knew, or thought they knew Ranma as he held his ground against the Lost Boy’s attack. At the last second, Ranma shot his hand up catching the umbrella in his fist near the end, with Ryouga suspended several feet off the ground, his hand still on the handle. No strain was evident in Ranma’s face or body as he held Ryouga, his umbrella and the Lost Boy’s pack in mid-air. The only thing different was the Triforce of Power throbbed steadily with Ranma’s heartbeat as he drew power from the relic. “You done now Ryouga? I never liked family feuds, let’s end this one ne?” Asked Ranma in a cool and serene tone. “Family feud?” Ryouga asked puzzled. “Since when have we been related?” Ranma lowered Ryouga to his feet as the fight was forgotten. “Since before we met man. Seems your older brother married, Pop’s kid from his first marriage, My half sister.” Ryouga pondered the news as he stood next his friend/rival, and who now appeared to be his brother rage gone from his being. “I haven’t seen Souichi in many years, he had the best sense of direction of all the family. I wonder where he’s at?” “Ryouga, he’s dead, same with my sister, they died in some lab accident a few years back, but their daughter Hotaru survived. She’s livin’ with some guardians in Juuban. Took the Vital Records people a long time to find if she had relatives alive or not, I found out ‘bout half an hour ago myself.” Ranma explained, the tension in Ryouga’s body lessening all the while. After Ranma finished, it took Ryouga a few seconds to speak. “I have a niece?” He asked aloud. Although the question was directed at no one, Ranma responded. “No Ryouga, WE have a niece.” He corrected. “Now to clear up another thing.” Ryouga looked at Ranma puzzlement evident in his eyes. “What other thing?” Ranma responded in a quiet voice so only Ryouga could hear. “You gotta tell her bro. You gotta tell Akane the truth.” Ryouga took on a meek stance and bowed his head as he talked to Ranma. I can’t I don’t want to hurt her Ranma. She’d never forgive me.” “You have to, If you don’t it will get worse. And if you don’t tell her now, I will.” Came Ranma’s response. Ryouga raised his head and searched Ranma’s face for anything that would tell him that he was lying. Seeing none, he steeled himself. “I’ll tell her Ranma, but could you try to keep her from killing me so I can have a chance to make it up to her?” Ranma nodded in response then turned to the rest of the group in the yard. “Akane, come here, Ryouga needs to tell you something.” Akane approached tentatively, She had never seen Ranma and Ryouga talk without fighting unless something serious was at stake. “Yes Ryouga?” She asked, hesitation clear in her voice. Whatever was going to happen it had to be important. Ryouga gulped audibly before he started fearing for the worst. “A-Akane, I r-r-really l-lo-like you . .” Ryouga stuttered, but Akane cut in blushing furiously. “I like you too Ryouga, but . .” “Akane please let me finish.” Ryouga said trying to keep his composure, he took a quick look at Ranma, who gave him an appreciative nod, then looked back to Akane and took a deep breath. “Akane I’ve kept a important secret from you since we met because I was afraid that if you found out that you would hate me. I’m going to share it with you now, I only hope that you will forgive me.” Finished, Ryouga began to take off any dead weight that wasn’t necessary. He unshouldered his pack and took off his tunic and shoes, leaving him clad in only his pants, he took the few remaining steps to the koi pond. Turing to face everyone he had a depressed but determined look on his face. “I’m sorry Akane.” Was all he said before he stepped in and disappeared as the curse took effect. Akane had a bewildered look on her face as she sought an answer from Ranma “What happen Ranma?” She asked before thrashing could be heard from the pond. Stepping over Ranma fished out Ryouga’s clothing as well as Ryouga himself as he answered her. “Jusenkyo Akane.” Those who heard what Ranma said and understood backed away fearfully of what was surely to happen. Each watched in horror and fascination as Akanes’ face reflected each and every emotion she felt each moment in crisp clarity. Each person knowing that she would settle on anger or rage before she acted. All Ryouga did was wait with his head hung for the expected. Only scant moments later the inevitable occurred and she lashed out at the small pig with an over-sized mallet. “YOU PERVERT!!” Akane screamed. But before the mallet impacted the piglet Ranma’s hand lashed out and stopped it inches from killing the cursed lost boy. Confused by Ranma’s reaction Akane searched his face for reasoning, and quickly assumed the truth. “You knew?” Akane asked, her voice like ice, devoid of any emotion. Ranma nodded in reply, but maintained his grip so that he could explain. “I promised him I wouldn’t tell on my honor before you took him as your pet. I also knew that he didn’t want to do what he did ‘cause he knew in a way it would spoil your honor. An’ since you started taking him to bed I’ve tried to either talk him outta it or I’d drop hints hopin’ you’d figure it out, which is why we always fought. Don’t hate ‘em or hurt ‘em Akane. He feels worse about this than either of us. You were one of the first people to not laugh at him cause of his sense of direction. He wanted a friend he didn’t have to fight with. He wanted to be _your_ friend Akane.” After a few moments of letting Ranma’s words sink in Akane responded, and addressed the piglet. “Ryouga, I’m not happy about what you did, I’m going to need time to figure this out. I still want to be your friend, but don’t try to take advantage of me or other girls like that again or not even Ranma can protect you.” The pig looked up to Akane’s sincere brown eyes and nodded vigorously. Looking around Ryouga spotted Link giving the group a quizzical expression. Ryouga nipped lightly at Ranma’s hand and squealed to get his attention. Ranma drew his gaze to the piglet and then to the direction of Ryouga’s own gaze, right to the unexpected guest. “Come on inside, it seems we need to exchange some information. We should at least offer you a meal and a place for the night as well. Is that all right Mr. Tendo?” Ranma said direction his attention first to Link then to the Tendo patriarch. With a firm nod Soun Tendo led the group back inside to the dining room. “I’ll prepare some food for out guest and his horse, Kasumi could you please give me a hand?” Nodoka asked stepping towards the kitchen. “Yes of course, I’d love to help you Auntie, I would also be happy to feed Mr. Links’ horse for him.” Came Kasumi’s response in her happy serene voice. Link having recovered form the odd going-ons responded to Kasumi’s exclamation. “Her name is Epona, and I’m sure she’d love to have something to eat.” Link quickly unsaddled Epona and placed it on the railing outside the living room, relieving the horse of her burden and allowing her free roam of the yard. Just then a ball of white light with gossamer wings flew out from its hiding place inside Links’ hat. From Link’s mouth came a impossibly beautiful singsong language similar to Mandarin and the ball shot off towards the horse. Link turned back to his hosts to answer the question he knew needed to be answered. “Navi is my fairy friend, She’s been with me for most of my life.” Recovering from the new addition to the house they begin to continue their previous routine. Nabiki made herself known when realization came to her. “Since we weren’t prepared for another couple of guests I’ll get some futons, Akane could you give me a hand?” Akane nodded and made her way to the hall. “Ranma why don’t you take Mr. Link and Ryouga to the bath, I’m sure they’d enjoy it.” Ranma began picking up Ryouga’s discarded belongings and stepped over to Link. “Come on, we all should bathe before we get back to dinner. It’ll give me time to tell you about the whole curse thing and you can tell me about this tattoo.” Ranma then set Ryouga’s pack and umbrella on the porch and located another set of clothing for his cursed brother. “Anyway’s a little over a year ago my pop took me to this training ground. Its focus was speed, balance and strategy. To do this they had springs with several bamboo poles sticking out of ‘em. The point was to fight an opponent, or several depending on skill while balanced on the poles. Fall down you loose, Get wet… well needless to say we didn’t know that the springs were cursed. Neither of us knew the language but we started training any ways. After a few exchanges I knocked pop in a spring. But what came out didn’t look like ‘em. Turns out He fell into the Shonmaoniichuan, Spring of drowned panda. So pops comes out a panda. I was surprised and pops got the upper hand and tossed me into the Nyanniichuan, Spring of drowned girl. When I found out what happen I started chasing pops to beat the crap outta him. Along the way we ran across Ryouga here, I accidentally ran into him and knocked him down. The cliff he was standing on didn’t hold and he wound up fallin’ in the Heitouenniichuan, Spring of drowned black piglet. Each of us found out a little later that hot water reverses the curse temporarily until we get hit with enough cold water again. And that’s where my life as well as those who came to know me well had their lives seriously messed up. It seems that only a few days go by before something else weird’ll happen, sorta like this.” Ranma explained while punctuating his last statement with a view of his right hand. Having stood in front of the bathroom for a minute Ranma opened the door. “Okay. This is how it works. You strip down and wash with cold water and soap on the stools. Once you rinse off you sit in the furo till you wanna get out, simple ne?” With that Ranma began taking off his clothes. Link followed suit, when he finished he begin to follow Ranma in. Sensing Link still behind him Ranma turned to face him. “Could you wait here with Ryouga a minute? I been kinda getting uncomfortable having to bathe with other guys since I got this curse.” Ranma asked while handing Ryouga to Link. “I’ll call when I’m done scrubbing down, it’ll only take a sec.” With that Ranma closed the door and proceeded to clean off the dirt from the day. Less than thirty seconds later he called for Link. When Link stepped in he located a stool and begin to follow Ranma’s instructions while Ranma gave Ryouga’s cursed form a quick scrub from the furo so not to change with the little bit of cold water. Soon three boys were relaxing their aching muscles, and Link began his tale. Link began with his first adventures in Hyrule depicting everything he learned of the Triforce along the way. And even told them of his fight with Ganon and sealing him within the void of the Sacred Realm. “So your sayin’ that these tattoos are actually the essence of the goddesses that created your land?” Link nodded his affirmation. “So why did it choose me?” Link shook his head. “ they don’t choose, they are possessed by those who seek them or claim them.” “You said that they are the essence of the goddesses, so they should be able to freely choose who they want to have their power.” Ranma explained. “If they don’t want to be possessed by someone, then I would think that it’s in their power to find a new owner for themselves.” Link contemplated the new logic and found no holes to exploit. “Then if they can choose who it wants to possess them, why hasn’t Fayore’s Triforce left me, I’ve been to many dimensions?” Ryouga having listened quietly throughout the entire story put in his opinion. “Maybe it want’s you to possess it.” Link thought for a moment then turned back to Ranma. “If Fayore’s Triforce wanted me, then why did Din’s Triforce leave Ganon for you?” Ranma shrugged “Maybe I’m the next in line to get it to its next owner. OR maybe it just wants to screw my life up even more by stayin’ with me.” Almost immediately both Ranma and Link stiffened and looked towards the front entrance of the house. Confused Ryouga looked around until he spotted the tattoos glowing steadily. “Zelda?” Link whispered loud enough for the other two to hear. Standing up he began to towel off. Taking their cue Ranma and Ryouga also stood but instead of reaching for a towel they flared their Ki to dry their bodies. Seeing the other two dry quickly with steam coming off their bodies Link shot them a questioning glance. “We’re very good at Martial Arts.” Ranma explained. Seeing his look continue Ranma elaborated. “We are in control of our life force and can manipulate it for attacking, protection, or boosting our abilities, this is just a trick to keep us warm, but it doesn’t work too well over long periods of time, like for rain or the sudden splash.” Still confused but beginning to understand Link nodded and finished dressing in his blue tunic, as Ranma and Ryouga finished dressing they rushed downstairs. Upon entering the living room they were greeted by two new guests just walking in. Before introductions could be made or defenses brought up the two rushed Ranma and Link. Not being prepared, Ranma was glomped by a short red headed girl rather tightly, while Link was given a more manly hug by the tall blond man. Soon the motives behind the two were found out as the Tall blond exclaimed proudly “Hey Dad!” While the short red head squealed loudly with joy. “DADDY!!!” *Authors Notes* Guess who they are? If you don’t know you really should watch more anime. Anyway, it took me long enough to whip this out, I’ve been busy learning enough HTML to start a web sight it’s not up yet, but by the next chapter I should have an address to check for further updates. I will guarantee that the site will be rather primitive to start until I can learn to make it better as I go. Since There’s nothing to explain in this chapter I want to thank those who were curious (but not too curious) to ask about this chapter. It took a while but I’m happy with it. any problems that you wish to voice please send to darksyn @ saw.net