"Damn you, Ranma!" Ryoga snarled. "You nearly gave us a heart attack!"
Ranma smirked sheepishly. "Oh yeah, sorry 'bout that. It's just that we couldn't find anyone, so we thought..."
"Of course you didn't find anyone!" the Goron grumbled. "So what are you doing here anyway? Don't tell me you got lost on your way."
"Nah, that's your shtick. We were just wondering if there's anyone here who's willing to join our cause... Ya know, beating up Ganondorf's flunkies, making him some trouble, that sort of stuff. "Oh, you already know my fiancee, Shampoo, right?" He stepped aside to make way for the purple-haired Gerudo, who waved with a smile.
'Don't forget about me, boy!' Genma-Moosh signed with a frown.
"Take a look around, Ranma!" Ryoga snarled. "No one's here anymore! Or did you miss that?"
"Yeah, the caves seemed kinda empty..." Ranma nodded. "Where are they all, anyway? At some party?"
"Rrrrraaaaanmaaaaa! That's it!! PREPARE TO DIE!"
Shampoo jumped back in surprise, when suddenly, the bandana-clad Goron rolled at her Airen, and knocked him backwards into the cavern wall.
She just wanted to come to his help, when Genma held her back. 'Let them let off some steam, girl,' he signed. 'Afterwards, they will feel better.'
Shampoo nodded uncertain, while she watched how her fiance and that Goron boy were exchanging blows and kicks.
"Chicken-boy!"
"Enemy of all women!"
Shampoo shrugged, then knelt down in front of the small girl that was crouching in front of her. "Hello, I is Shampoo. Who you?"
"Um... my name's Yoiko. Uh, you're not gonna hurt me, are you?"
Shampoo giggled. "Shampoo is not with Ganondorf, you not worry."
"But... but you ARE a Gerudo, are you?"
"True, but not all Gerudo evil. Most of them just decide to follow king. They think is more easy like this, see? They no can think of other way for tribe to live. But Shampoo no think so." She put her hand down on the scimitar that was hanging from her belt. "Shampoo fight Ganondorf. Together with Airen."
"Um, your friend isn't going to hurt Ryoga, is he?" Yoiko asked.
Shampoo turned around to where the two males were still brawling and smirked. "They do this all the time. Ryoga is going to be all right. They just men, yes?"
"That's true!" Yoiko admitted, and they shared a laugh.
Meanwhile, Ranma and Ryoga were standing in front of each other, panting hardly.
"You..." Ryoga growled. "You always want to make my life a living hell, do you?"
"Man, what are you babbling about? I'm just here to get some help against Ganondorf, and suddenly you are all over me. What gives?"
"WHAT GIVES? I'll tell you what gives: Ganondorf has imprisoned almost every single Goron of my tribe, locked them up in the Fire Temple and plans to sacrifice them to an undead creature, that's what gives!"
"Whoa, man, chill down! I didn't know, okay?"
"You don't know anything!" Ryoga grumbled. "You don't care at all. Just like when you just let me stand there alone, waiting for an eternity for you to come to our battle..."
"Ryoga, I already told you, I was there. It was you who didn't come."
"I did come!" Ryoga yelled. "But you weren't there!"
"Hey, sorry, but what was I supposed to do? Wait a week until you arrive? My Pops still had to take me to those training grounds..."
"Yes, and THAT'S when you really made my life hell. Thanks to you, I fell into that cursed spring and now turn into a Cuc..."
"D-d-don't say the word!" Ranma yelped. "Okay, I get it already. But Ryoga, I'm sorry for all that happened to you. Listen... is there anything we can do to help your people?"
Ryoga calmed down a bit and stared into his rival's eyes. "You would really do that?"
"Sure thing, man!" Ranma grinned and gave the strong Goron the thumbs up. "You can count on us. So, how did that happen?"
"It was that evil man, Ganondorf," Yoiko whimpered.
"Ganondorf?" Shampoo frowned. "He is here?"
"No, not anymore... he gave my Daddy an ultimatum: He told him to surrender to his troops, or else he would set an example."
'I suppose your daddy is the leader of this tribe, correct?' the blue, winged bear asked.
"Yes, Darunia..." Ryoga mumbled. "And of course, he didn't accept. So Ganondorf kept his word... he came back, with all his troops, and attacked our city. We would have been able to fight them back if it weren't for..." He shuddered. "That undead monstrosity."
"What monster?" Shampoo asked.
"A dragon," Ryoga whispered. "An undead dragon from hell, with a flaming mane and eyes made of ember. Its mere sight was filling my people's hearts with terror, and so Ganondorf was able to overpower them. His soldiers then imprisoned them in the Fire Temple, which is situated deep within the crater of Death Mountain. And now... he wants to feed them to that dragon. To Volvagia..."
Yoiko sobbed into Shampoo's arm. Shampoo looked down at the little girl in worry.
Ranma saw how distraught Yoiko was and walked over to Ryoga. "Say..." he whispered. "Is Yoiko's dad among those who, um..."
"Who are going to be sacrificed?" Ryoga asked. "Luckily, not. But he wanted to go and save them. I wanted to come along with him, but he asked me to stay behind and keep an eye on his daughter. I could not disobey my leader and sensei... so I did as I was told. Besides... I could never leave Yoiko by herself. She... She's like a little sister to me, Ranma!" He looked up at his rival with a teary, but angry grimace. "But that's something you'd probably never understand!"
"Trust me, Ryoga, I would!" 'Yes,' he thought. 'I would never bear the thought of losing Ruto...'
"Now, how long was it since Darunia left you two behind?"
"Nearly two hours ago..." Ryoga grumbled. "He told us to be patient, but it couldn't have taken him so long to save everyone. I know he is a strong warrior, but... I fear something might have happened to him."
"You no worry!" Shampoo said with determination. "Shampoo and Airen help you save your people, and your leader. Gerudo's honor!"
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," a calm voice exclaimed from the cave's entrance. "Because I will have to bring your heads to my master, see?"
Ranma and Ryoga turned around in surprise, while Shampoo brandished her weapons.
"Onox..."
The General of Darkness grinned behind his helmet. "Well, small world Hyrule, right? You don't know how happy I am to meet all of you here."
He took his massive sword from his back. "This time... there will be no mercy!"
----
"So, you're leaving?" the sad Sheikah girl asked her friends.
Ukyo nodded. "Yeah. Sorry, but we promised we'd help someone. And I believe we already found the tool we need to go where we have to. So, say Hi to your sisters from us, okay?"
"I will," Akane nodded. "I just... wished you would stay for a little longer."
"They have to follow their own path," Impa said, putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "And if you're lucky, this path will lead them back to Kakariko some time... maybe sooner than you believe."
"Yes..." Akane sighed. She looked up at the two shimmering fairies. "And you two watch their backs, okay?"
"Of course," Navi smiled.
Tatl grinned. "They would be lost without our good advice anyways."
"All right then," Link said as he turned to leave. "We're off!"
"Always believe in your abilities, and you will do fine," Impa shouted after them. "Good luck on your ways!"
"Please come back as soon as you can!" Akane shouted. "You're always welcome here!"
"Bye! And don't forget to tell us when you find a trace of the princess," Ukyo yelled.
And then, they were gone.
Akane wiped her nose. "I cold have gone with them, you know?"
Impa sighed. "And you know pretty well that I need your help here. Who's gonna watch the villagers when I'm away? You wanna leave that to Hiroshi and Daisuke?"
Akane laughed. "No, definitely not! But... say, Mom... don't you think we should have told them about the prin..."
"I believe they will find out by themselves, given time," the older Sheikah woman said. "And she will tell them if she wants them to know. Have patience, Akane! I have the feeling that everything will turn out fine, now that they're back."
"You could be right," Akane smiled and looked at the village exit, where her two best friends had just vanished.
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Sun, 25 Mar 2007 17:13)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.