//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: Where there’s smoke there’s… a lizard? // Story: Finally at Pegasus A MLP: FIM and Ranma ½ X-Over // by Alicornian //------------------------------// Chapter 22: Where there’s smoke there’s… a lizard? Akane/Nightmare sighed as she took her nightly class beside Ryoga. “So it was upon their death that the families had ended their long standing feud yet had both lost what was most important to them, their children. Now, Akane can you explain why Shakespeare wrote this story as a tragedy instead of a romance?” Miss Cheerily asked looking to her and the rest of the one class room class. “It was mainly to due to the ending which held great emotion at the end as both Romeo and Juliet gave their lives for one another out of pure love.” Akane/Nightmare answered gaining a smile from the teacher. “Very good Akane,” Miss Cheerily said before looking to the clock, “Alright, that’s it for tonight class. Remember to Read our next story, Dracula, and be sure to fill out the sheets being passed around now.” Akane/Nightmare sighed again as she took her homework and quickly joined Ryoga in the hallway. “So… that was an interesting class.” Akane/Nightmare said trying to make conversation. “Yeah… look let’s just grab out stuff and go alright?” Ryoga said opening his locker and packing his bag. “Okay Ryoga.” Akane/Nightmare said with yet another sigh. Though it had only been a full week since she was tasked this it still bothered her at how hostile everyone from Nerima was around her. “So… how’s Jackie? I’ve been meaning to…” Akane/Nightmare said before Ryoga closed his locker door. “Come on your escorts are waiting.” Ryoga said leading the way. Growling Akane/Nightmare grabbed her stuff slammed her locker door and ran in front of him. “Okay I’ve had it up to here,” she said placing her hand above her head, “with this hostile attitude from all of you. The least you can do Ryoga is try being friendly with me.” Ryoga just stared at her. “And if we become friendly with you what will you do? Send us into lower Earth orbit if we don’t say hi to you? Thanks but no thanks. I like breathing thank you.” Ryoga then walked around her and led Akane/Nightmare the rest of the way out of the school where Principal Moon was waiting for her. “I’ll take it from here Ryoga. The Escort is running a bit late tonight.” Principal Moon said looking to him smiling kindly. “But Principal Moon she…” Ryoga started till Principal Moon looked right at him. For some reason he felt a chill down his back. “Um alright; see you later Principal Moon.” Ryoga soon walked off in a hurry. “You know you didn’t have to put the fear of the Sun into him.” Akane/Nightmare said watching Ryoga go. “Yes but like you Moon I’m getting quite tired of the hostility they all have for you.” Principal Moon/Celestia said before sighing and smiling to her sister and waving for her to follow. “So how was tonight’s class?” Akane/Nightmare shook her head. “We had to read Romeo and Juliet.” Principal Moon/Celestia looked to her at this. “Not the best of books I see.” Akane/Nightmare nodded to this. “Seriously sister, why would anyone write such a beautiful romance only too ruin it with death at the very end?” Principal Moon/Celestia shrugged at this. “Some writers feel that all good things must come at a price. There is a saying that goes, ‘for every cloud there is a silver lining’. It simply means you must take the good even with the bad.” Akane/Nightmare nodded to this as two guards finally joined them. “So where too ma’am?” one guard asked following. “The Golden Dragon, I believe a nice late night meal is in order.” Principal Moon/Celestia said gaining a smile from Akane/Nightmare. =+=+=+= The next morning Ranko walked to school alongside Summer sighing. “So he’s not going to be home for a week?” Summer asked next to her love. “No, the Embassy needs him there to fully testify yet again against Principal Kuno, our former dad, and Mr. Tendo. Not sure why though I mean I thought all the cases where done with.” Ranko replied sighing. “He’ll be fine, I hope.” Summer said as they entered the school grounds where the others greeted them alongside… “Happosai, what are you doing here?!” Ranko called out the moment she saw him. “Ah greetings Ranko, I see you and your brother are well.” Happosai said smiling. “You better not be here for what I think you are.” Ranko warned angrily. “Bah, perished the thought. I’m here to have a meeting with Principal Moon and explaining to these girls here how we did everything last night, starting with this.” Happosai explain and said as he tossed her a basketball. “Yeah I remember this one. Why is it so heavy?” Ranko asked curious. “Bring it up to your ear and you’ll find out.” Happosai said smiling at her. Both Ranko and Summer looked to each other before listening to the ball and hear a swishing sound. “Is that... water?” Summer asked looking to Ranko. “Yes it is my dear. By adding water to the ball you can gain much more control of its insides by causing the Chi to… ah yes I forgot you don’t know what Chi is.” Happosai said looking to Summer apologetically. “No, we all know.” Summer said pointing to Sparkle. Sparkle came up with Rarity and handed the papers that was printed out some time ago to him. “Ah I see. For a teenager my dear your both quite intelligent.” Happosai said causing Sparkle to blush at the compliment. “So by controlling the Chi in the water filled Basketballs you could make them do music?” Ranko asked now spinning the ball on her finger. “Yes, you can make the ball do anything as long as you control the flow of Chi. Too much and the ball pops. Too little and nothing happens. It was one of my lessons for Akane to learn Chi control.” Happosai replied smiling. “I so need to learn more on this. You mind me interviewing you later on all of this?” Sparkle asked almost begging. “That all depends of your Principal my dear, as we’re still under Town Arrest. And yes there are guards here; they’re by the tree over there.” Happosai replied pointing out the guards. “So what’s this meeting about?” Ranko asked looking at him after she put the ball down. “I'm not sure actually, I was just requested to see her today right after your school starts. Speaking of which I suggest you all get inside before it starts.” Everyone nodded to this and after a few words of good-byes and see you later headed in. “There you are Happosai. I see you in good health.” Principal Moon said finally walking towards the school. “Very well indeed madam. Shall we head to your office?” Happosai said smiling to her. “Yes, let us head in Master Happosai.” Principal Moon replied leading the way. “I wish to speak to you about the hostility everyone has against Akane.” Happosai frowned at this. “Yes, it’s quite concerning. All the progress we’ve gotten seems to just be shoved to the back burner do to this. It’s not helping her ‘recovery’.” Principal Moon nodded to this as she opened the door for them to enter and soon closed. “You may speak freely here Happosai, the room is sound proofed.” “Good,” Happosai said looking to the shadows, “you can come out now you two.” At this Kasumi/Luna came out carrying a very depress looking Akane/Nightmare. “Thank you for meeting us Happosai. I’m quite concerned of Moon’s current condition.” Kasumi/Luna said sitting her sister down. “Let me take a look at her Chi.” Happosai said looking at Akane. After a few hmm and huh Happosai frowned. “Lady Moon’s Chi is being corrupted by the hostile environment she’s been placed in. Thanks to Ranma and the other former NWCs her Chi flows are being altered. I suggest we change her settings a bit, also get her some Dark Chocolate. It’s the best to combat depression Chi.” Kasumi/Luna did as instructed and gave her sister the need chocolate which soon gave them a much happier Nightmare/Akane. “Thank you Sensei.” Akane/Nightmare said as she ate her treat. “You’re quite welcome My Lady. I’ve seen what that Chi can do, it’s not pleasant.” Happosai replied frowning. “So how do we change her environment?” Kasumi/Luna asked worried. “I’ll speak to the Mayor about transferring her to the day classes. She’ll be able to make some friends that way.” Principal Moon/Celestia said picking up her phone. “That is an excellent idea. However keep her out of the classes of the former NWC.” Principal Moon nodded to this as she spoke with the mayor. =+=+=+= The next day at lunch everyone was talking about one person, Akane. “Still I can’t believe she’s in the morning classes. I thought she was meant to be in the night classes.” Rarity said munching away at a salad. “Yeah but… you should see her, she like a whole different person now.” Sparkle said over her mini quiche. “I wouldn’t be so sure Sparkle, back home she would act like this only when she wanted something.” Nabiki said harshly biting into an apple tart. “Shouldn’t we at least give her a chance?” Sparkle asked looking to Nabiki. “To do what Sparkle? Pull out that famous mallet of hers so she can start hitting all those from her former home because we decided to have our own lives without the control of some greedy set of father’s constantly trying to run our lives into the ground and take us with them when they die so they can be happy like the pharaohs of Egypt are? No, I won’t let that happy hammer using psychopath try and fool me and put me six feet under!” Nabiki snapped shaking. “I think we should part ways for now girls. Come now Nabiki, why don’t we head back inside for ice cream?” Rarity said gently taking Nabiki’s hand and guiding her inside. “What was all that about?” Dash asked looking at everyone. “That was just some old scars being reopened.” Ranko said sighing next to Summer who was currently resting on her shoulder. “What do yah mean Ranko?” Jackie asked putting her homemade apple juice down. “Don’t tell Nabiki I told you this but…” Pinkie looked right at Ranko a bit annoyed. “What?” Pinkie just frowned. “Did you promise not to tell?” Ranma and Ranko just blinked at this. “Excuse us?” they both said. “P-pinkie just gets really upset when someone breaks a promise, you know like really angry or if it’s like super important she’ll um cry.” Dash said very quickly. “Oh well… we didn’t promise Pinkie. It’s just we don’t want this leaking out to anyone and upset her.” Ranma said gaining a relaxed then smiling Pinkie. “So what was it?” Jackie asked to them. “Well… back then, Nabiki got a scare, a really bad scare and well. I think it left scars, deep ones.” Ranko replied frowning. “Are you really serious?” Sparkle asked. “Oh dear me Sparkle was she. I’m not sure if I told you girls but before she reviled herself she was quite upset and worried for her life about Akane’s arrival here or of finding her. I had to take her to Pinkie’s home to help calm her down.” Rarity replied returning. “Nabiki’s with Principal Moon, she’ll be fine with her.” =+=+=+= Principal Moon just looked to Nabiki with disappointment. She knew Nabiki would take this change badly but never like this. “Nabiki, you’re here for a very important reason that you need to be made aware of.” Principle Moon said to Nabiki in her office. “And… that would be?” Nabiki asked worried that she had gotten herself in trouble. “It is about your reactions around your sister Akane,” Principal Moon replied leaning forward to place her arms on her deck and putting the tips of her fingers together, “we’ve talked with her doctor and it seems that she may have a relapse if we don’t do something to prevent this.” Nabiki gulped at this. “R-Relapse, y-you don’t mean?” Principal Moon only nodded. “Why? What’s causing this?” Nabiki asked franticly. “What caused this Nabiki… was the way you and the other former NWC treat her,” Principal Moon answered frowning, “and why is because you’re all constantly hostile to her or fearful of what she does or if what she is doing now is just an act which I can tell you is not. We’re unsure what this could do so we called an expert to assess her. I believe you know whom.” Nabiki sat down in one of the room’s chairs hard. “You called in Happosai.” Principal Moon nodded. “That I did. According to him Akane is starting to develop depression Chi. I did not know exactly what he meant by this till he told me what it could do. I rather not have the school or town harmed by this.” Nabiki was about to ask how she knew about Chi when Principal Moon raised her had to stop her. “I was once a student of Cologne and I’m a good friend of hers as well as ally. She taught me many things, some I didn’t believe until I saw it in action. I was quite shocked at what I had seen. I’m still trying to figure out how Cologne made those boulders explode as well as how she was not burnt grabbing those sweet chestnuts.” Nabiki blinked at this and nodded before sighing. “So what are we to do?” Principal Moon smiled at this. “Why not try to being friendly to her and maybe…” The conversation abruptly ended as the fire alarms went off and the two had to quickly leave as the hallway sprinklers went off soaking everyone inside. =+=+=+= Discord just laughed as he read his morning paper upside down and in reverse while drinking the glass of chocolate milk leaving only the milk as he walked on the ceiling of his very… confusing home. He had just sent a personal letter to Princess Celestia through Twilight Sparkle’s assistant Spike during the busiest time in Celestia human school. He was contemplating what to send next when the roof of his home gained a knock. “Oh bother, don’t these human know NOT to disturb an artist as he works?” Snapping his fingers everything in the house returned to normal except for the set of birds that where swimming in the fish tank while the fish where singing in the bird cage. “Oops, almost missed you two.” Going over to the bathroom and flushing the toilet the two oddities returned to normal. “Yes, yes I’m coming! Humans, if they didn’t constantly produce my chaos here I would have made them into cream pies that exploded into pidgins that turned into candy that caused reverse whistles when eaten the moment I had arrived.” Putting on a pleasant face Discord opened his front door only to be greeted by one of his minions, a known rebel rouser by the name of Teddy. “Ah Teddy, what can I do for you this fine day?” Discord asked a bit on the annoyed side. “Issues pop, issues.” Teddy replied walking into the house. “How so, I’m a busy man Teddy.” Discord asked with a huff. “The local cops are getting wise to a few of our little chaos parties. Shut two of them down last night.” Teddy reported sitting down at a chair and propping his legs up on the back of the chair sitting upside down. Discord just grinned at the boy as his life was the same as his own. He was a chaos marker, always causing trouble yet with no reason other than to make life fun. “What ones?” Discord asked looking outside. “The egg filled party balloon trick we were planning on the mayor and the lemon hot-pepper marring pies for the pie eating contest.” Teddy said frowning. “Ah the best ones we planned, anything else?” Discord said also frowning. “Just a few candy store raids that didn’t go right. I told the guys to grab the lemon sours but they got the lemon peppers from the store next door instead.” Teddy said making Discord laugh. =+=+=+= “I just don’t get it!” Twilight said after applying a Bunsen burner to the scroll Spike had received at lunch. “Come on Twi, you’re going to destroy it of you don’t calm down.” Rainbow said rubbing her loves shoulders. “But Celestia has never sent a letter to me that I couldn’t open. And what if it’s from home? Don’t you want to know how they got this letter to us or how we can use this to get home?” Twilight said turning showing the scroll was unharmed. “Well… yeah kind of in ways but look Twi. Not all of us are that eager to just go home you know. I mean, think what would happen to all the families that where created after we got here. We go back we… might have too…” Rainbow just stopped as Twilight hugged her. It was one of the great fears the entire two had. What if they did go back? That was the fear. For those like Twilight it meant going back to a normal life as a pony and constant magic you didn’t have to hide… yet for Rainbow it meant giving up her current mother and little sister. It could even mean they’d have to give up… each other. Looking to the letter she sighed. “You’re right Rainbow we… need to take this to the Princess. Have her look at it; she’ll know what to do… I hope.” =+=+=+= Ranma and Ranko just sighed as their talks with their friends and for Ranko her love interest got interrupted by the stupid fire alarm. “It had to be a short.” Ranma said pulling out his homework for the day. “Or a prank by Blue, you know how he is about us.” Ranko replied already working on her last assignment, history. “Hey, who was it that discovered America again?” Ranma looked up from his music assignment and thought on it. “Didn’t Mr. Armor say it was still debated as to exactly who?” Ranko just shrugged as she closed her book. “Oh well I’m done. I’m going to hit the Cakes before dinner. What me to pick you up something?” Ranma looked at his twin confused. “How can you be done? We have the same classes.” Ranko just rolled her eyes. “Come on, you and I may have been one person in the beginning but I was always the better one when it came to fighting in an area. You just charged on ahead and only thought what to do during a fight while I always planned ahead.” Ranma groaned at this. She was right after all as it was she who learned how to do the Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire Fist not him per say as she was far faster at it that he was. And she was the reason they both learned the Rising Dragon Blast. “Right, right, pick me up a couple of the strawberry glazed donuts for me. A good dozen, we can have them while we watch the show. Oh and you better hurry, it’s starting in twenty.” Ranko gasped at this and quickly ran out of the house with Ranma laughing. “Did I interrupt something?” a familiar voice called causing Ranma to smile. “Hey James, come on in and just brother sister stuff you know.” James just shook his head as he stepped inside. “I still can’t get over you two being separate.” Ranma nodded. “You’re not the only one. I think it took Cliff four times to finally notice me and Ranko where to different people.” James pulled up a chair as he needed at that laughing. “Anyway, I’m not here to talk about the normal stuff.” James said after he stopped laughing. “When have we not talked about My Little Pony?” Ranma asked closing his work book. “I’m serious Ranma.” James said looking right at him. “Alright, alright, what’s on your mind?” Ranma asked leaning back in his chair. “Didn’t you think it was weird for the fire alarms to go off today?” James asked leaning on the kitchen table. “Not really, remember I lived in Nerima and that was normal in school.” Ranma replied sighing. In actuality, it was more of a tsunami than a normal water sprinkler going off but that was Nerima for you. “Oh right. But still think about it. There wasn’t any smoke coming from the cooking rooms, or the cafeteria, and the only set of people that was in the school during the alarm were Principal Moon and Nabiki.” James said pointing a finger at him. Ranma nodded at this. “Maybe it was a short in the system?” James shrugged. “Don’t know, but ever since that girl Akane came, weird stuff has been going on.” Ranma thought it over and nodded. “Yeah your right about that, but…come on, Akane was outside the school with us during the alarm. And that crazy stuff at school was explained by Happosai as Chi manipulation.” James frowned at this. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Still that Chi stuff those two did was pretty creepy don’t you think?” Ranma could only nod at this. =+=+=+= Nightmare/Akane sneezed during her kata with Happosai and instantly fell over. “Are you alright My Lady?” Happosai asked looking to her. “Yes I’m fine Happy. I believe someone is talking about us.” Nightmare/Akane said getting back up. “Let’s take a break for now. Too much work and no play can make one quite board.” Happosai said gaining a musical giggle from Nightmare/Akane. “True. Shall we go have something to eat?” Happosai nodded as they began heading towards one of the local dinners with their entourage of guards. “I’m been quite hungry for something sweet, think we could get a slice of cake with our meal?” Nightmare/Akane asked her Sensei as they all walked. “Normally I’d say no but… I say a treat would be good. One of the town’s apple pies will be fine enough for me, as I’ve heard they are quite good.” Happosai replied after guiding their group to a small outdoor diner. “That they are Sensei,” Nightmare/Akane replied in her once normal Akane Tendo voice, “as they come from that girl Applejack’s farm.” Happosai nodded to this. “I think we have some who may be interested in the Chi arts.” Happosai said after they both made their orders. “Oh? Who Sensei; those girls Ranma and Ranko hang around?” Nightmare/Akane asked sipping her apple juice. “Yes, especially that Sparkle girl since she had many questions for me concerning Chi.” Happosai said as they waited for their food. “Oh, well she quite the studious oomph!” Nightmare/Akane started to say before someone shoved her out of her chair. “What do you and your old man think you’re doing sitting at our table?” a tall young teen with blond hair said with a group of other teens. “We were getting, and it would do you will to respect your elders.” Happosai said still sitting in his seat. “I think not you old fool. I believe you can go eat out of a trashcan as it seems that where you and your tramp came from.” The boy said gaining a round of laughs from his group. Nightmare/Akane got up and brought up her hand causing the guards to get ready to grab her when she did something no one expect, she put her finger on the leader’s chest and looked him right in the eye. “Listen here Blue; that old man you’re talking down to is Master Happosai of the Ninjitsu School of martial arts and if he wanted could have sent you to the hospital for those insults but as you can see he not effected by your words. I on the other hand am and I won’t have you bad mouthing me or my Sensei! Do so again and I’ll see to it that an OP will be on your doorstep as I know you will be coming after me with intent to harm! No leave before I have the guards here arrest you for harassment.” Blue, the leader of the group just scoffed. “It seems you know my name but not who I am.” Happosai just smiled at this. “Oh I know more than you think Blue, I know enough to turn you over to the police forty times over.” Nightmare/Akane said looking right at him. “P-prove it woman, I dare you.” Blue challenged. “Oh I’d be delighted.” Nightmare/Akane said using her nightly powers to see into his fears and nightmares. “Let’s start off with you ‘holier than thou’ attitude of yours. It’s a real turn off and not one girl would like it. I mean serious who wants to be with a guy who constantly thinks his girlfriend is a trophy and constantly treats them like dirt. YOUR supposed to open the door for us Blue, why, because it’s something called Manners you have none of. And you really think your all tough and powerful with your little group here, ha, they only reason they’re with you is because you’d bully them if they didn’t. No one likes a bully Blue, not even Principal Moon.” Nightmare/Akane said as she got on a roll drawing everyone’s attention. Only Summer/Fluttershy had ever spoken to Blue like this but this time it was far more serious. Each word Nightmare/Akane said left its mark and causing more and more realization to come to the front. “I’m going to tell you it straight Blue.” Nightmare/Akane said finally calming down and giving him a sad look. “I know what it’s like to be angry, to feel hated, despised… and lashing out because of it. Yes Blue I’ve lashed and now look where it’s gotten me. My sister hates and fears me, the people I knew from my home want nothing to do with me… and I feel alone. I may have my Sensei to talk to and to spend time with Blue but… not even he can replace the love; of a family or public acceptance.” At this she turns and begins asking for their meal to be on the go till Blue placed a hand her shoulder. “Wait. It seems my group and I made a mistake. Our table is towards the back. Waiter, please have their bill sent to our table. I’ll pay.” Nightmare/Akane was shocked at this. “Wait w…“ Blue held up his hand. “Call it an apology,” he then turned to his group nodding to them to head to the table alone before following with, “and a thank you.” Nightmare/Akane could only sit down with Happosai smiling at her. =+=+=+= Princess Celestia just paced in the closed Golden Dragon before Cologne, Shampoo, Ukyo, James, the girls, Ukyo’s sister and her lover, Happosai, Luna, Nightmare, and Nodoka. “Are you sure this is what caused the alarms to go off Twilight?” Celestia asked holding up the scroll. “Yes Princess, for some reason Spike just belched and out came smoke and that. I can’t even open it.” Twilight replied looking to her. “Yeah Princess, she tried everything to open that and I mean everything.” Rainbow said taking Twilight’s hand. “It must be sealed for only the one it’s intended to can open it.” Cologne observed looking to the scroll. “We have the same system in our old village, however I’m guessing it much different than what you’ve encountered my friend?” Celestia only nodded to Cologne. “Yes, unlike yours which is sealed by Chi, this one is sealed by magic.” “Could it be from Equestria?” Nodoka asked curiously. “Not really Nodoka but… It does have a familiar feel.” Celestia said running her fingers over the wax seal. “May I see Tia?” Luna asked stepping towards her with Celestia nodding until the letter exploded with confetti and candy that turned into doves which landed on a table to become pies that exploded into confetti. “No, it couldn’t be!” Everyone but Nodoka, Ukyo, and Shampoo yelled. “Can’t be what and just what was that?” Ukyo said looking to her sister and her love. “Ukyo, that, was Discord saying hello, to us!” Octavia said holding a hand over her heart. “The one you’ve been searching for?” Shampoo asked shocked. “Yeah Shampoo. That was certainly him.” James replied looking at the letter. Celestia nodded as she read the letter out loud. Princesses! My, my, it has been a while; hope you’re enjoying this world as much as I am. I’m quite sure of that unless our last encounter had causes some mishap, oh wait, it did. HA! Anyway I’m sending this to inform you that I still have some business to attend to before you try to convince me to help send us all back to dull old Equestria. I’ll keep in touch. Tata my dears, till we write again. Discord P.S. I creamed NO. HA! This annoyed everyone that knew of Discord but let it be. “It looks like Discord is going to stubborn again.” Luna said sighing. “He was stubborn the first time Luna. This is out right refusal.” Nightmare said tiredly. “Are we able to track it my lady?” Happosai asked Celestia. “No my dear Happosai as Discord’s magic is far too chaotic for anyone to track.” Celestia said sadly handing it to him. “Hmm, your right, my lady as this paper alone is saturated with chaos energies, both magical and Chi based. There is also chaos mixed in as well as forty to fifty others. Also… it smells of peanut butter. Truly, he is a confusing fellow.” Happosai replied handing it back. “So now what we do now Princesses,” Vinyl asked looking to the Princesses, “I mean without Discord how can we get back?” This caused a few of the group to look worried at this. “And well… what will happen when we do go back?” Celestia, Luna, and Nightmare looked to each other and nodded. “We’ve been thinking of this since Nightmare’s return. She is our sister and we do not wish for the populace to dislike her or ridicule her for her past actions.” Luna said placing a kind hand on Nightmare’s shoulder. “We’ve also been thinking of the families that exist now.” Celestia added causing a few of the group to look up. “So what are you going to do?” Rainbow asked worried. “We’ve talked to the Mayor and found the Equestrian Laws on adoption will easily clear up these issues as long as Luna and Celestia had given their royal seal to the adoption papers, which they have.” Nightmare replied gaining a growing smile from Rainbow. “You mean?” The princesses nodded. “Yes Rainbow. You, Spitfire, Scootaloo, and all the others that where adopted and have families now will still have them and be with them the moment we return.” Celestia said gaining a cheer from the group and an in air back flip from Rainbow. Out of all the bad news, there was still a light at the end of the tunnel. =+=+=+= Throughout the week Ranma, Ranko, and the rest of the former NWC had become more and more irritable due to the constant fire alarm, the most irritable of them being Nabiki. “I’m telling you it has to be Akane’s doing!” Nabiki said as they headed to the cafeteria with the group. “Come on Nabiki, not everything is your sister’s fault.” Sparkle said as they walked. “She’s not my sister! Look I know Principal Moon wants me to try and make friends with her but there’s no way she’ll change. She’s a trouble maker and even worse a bomb ready to go off any minute! I’m surprised Tatewaki isn’t going after her again. You know what I’m talking about you two.” Nabiki said towards the Cloudsdale twins. “Yeah but think about it rationally Nabiki,” Ranko said looking back at Nabiki and soon Akane as she passed by them onto their next class with a pleasant smile on her face along with a few people who were now her true friends, “I mean look her. She hasn’t hit one person while in this school and she’s even making friends.” Ranma nodded to this. “Yeah and she even apologized to us personally remember?” Nabiki just shook her head. “She’s just trying to reel you in Ranma so she can pull that death hammer of hers to nail you and everyone here six feet under.” Jackie frowned at this. “I’m not too sure about that sugar cube, look at her now.” Nabiki looked to see a boy talking to Akane nervously and flinched as Akane brought her hand up only to see Akane placing her hand on the boys shoulder causing him to slump but seems to perk up at something she said and soon walked off in different directions. “She’s just waiting for the right moment to strike. She used to be in drama club back in Nerima.” Nabiki said frowning. It was at this Rarity had enough and gently took Nabiki’s arm. “Excuse me everyone but I some business with Nabiki to talk about. We’ll meet at the usual place right?” Everyone nodded to Rarity as she pulled Nabiki to the side and into an empty class room. “Okay so, what do we need to talk about?” Nabiki asked sitting at a desk. “You and Akane,” Rarity said holding up a hand when Nabiki was about to protest. “Hear me out first. You know of my own sister Belle right?” Nabiki nodded slowly. “Well… we used to be like you and Akane once.” Rarity said recalling the events of the separation. “It was after I had a long night working on a huge order for the school’s play. All Belle wanted to do was spend time with me and make me feel… special. I appreciated what she was doing that day but… I wish she had at least waited till she got permission to do so.” Nabiki looked at her confused. “What was she doing?” Rarity smiled at the memory. “Remember that Kimono in the main window display I don’t ever remove?” Nabiki thought back to the beautiful kimono in the center window. The dress was actually a Japanese Yakuta designed in a calm blue with a purple obi and a set white diamonds gracing the left side of the Yakuta while the bottom right was given a beautiful tiger lily as a finishing touch with the designs lined in fine quartz. “Yeah, the one you said you’d never sell even if you were going broke. What about it?” Nabiki asked. “Belle made that for me. As a gift using the designs from a book she got from the library. It didn’t have the designs it has now on it but it was still beautiful… but Belle used my materials to make it. Materials I had set aside for a special order for the Principal.” Nabiki blinked at this and then understood. “You got into a fight over it didn’t you?” Rarity sat down with a long tired sigh. “The worst kind as… I did something I shouldn’t have. As you know I’m quite good with stitches and well Belle wasn’t.” Nabiki’s eyes widened at this. “You didn’t.” Rarity nodded. “I removed the stitching. Belle didn’t talk to me for a whole school year until mother and father had enough as well as Belle’s friends. They were all right Nabiki. This… silence between us wasn’t good as well as this anger. Nabiki I love my job greatly but… I love my sister more than I do it. As my mother told me as I’m telling you now. ‘You can’t replace your family.’ I hope you understand that. Oh and yes we did repair the Yakuta, together.” Nabiki thought it over and… Rarity was right. The Yakuta showed exactly what Rarity was talking about. If they could fix their mistakes… why couldn’t she? =+=+=+= Spike sighed as he laid next to the science labs Bunsen burners. He really wanted to be in the kitchen of the school but with all the cooks cooking in there and with how he was now he didn’t want to be the way… or get stepped on. “I can’t wait till I can have my usual meals again.” Spike said as he munched away at a piece of fruit. Sure fruit was nice and all but he missed the different flavors of the diamonds, rubies, and sapphires he used to eat. Sighing he went to take another bite of his meal when it started again. Panicking Spike tried to move away from the still hooked up burners before… “BURP!” =+=+=+= “Quickly everyone, don’t push!” Lyra yelled as she guided everyone out of her entrance looking for her love. The whoosh of gas igniting and causing the science lab door to blow open and cause the window of the lab to shatter was enough for her to worry about her students and her love as her class was the closest to the science lab since it too ran off the same gas line. “Bonny!” Lyra called out before someone ran her way. “Miss Lyra you okay?!” a familiar voice called out. “Ranko, why are you still in here I thought I told you to get out!” Lyra yelled over the roaring fire and the running students. “I couldn’t just leave you and Miss Bonny behind!” Ranko yelled finally getting up to her. “Fine, but we’re talking on this later! Help me guide everyone out and search for stragglers!” Lyra said angrily. “Yes ma’am!” Ranko said not wanting to anger her adult friend anymore. “Lyra, Lyra!” a voice yelled out from a room. “That’s Bonny!” Lyra yelled after getting the last straggler. “I got her!” Ranko yelled running to the voice. “Ranko wait,” Lyra yelled but couldn’t stop the brave teenager from jumping into the soon overly raging flames, “RANKO!” Ranko moved through the flames like they were nothing. She and Ranma had faced Saffron before, so these flames were not an issue for her. They even felt as if they were parting a path for her towards her teacher… which they were. “Miss Bonny!” Ranko yelled out. “Over here!” Bonny yelled out gaining a few coughs as well. Ranko ran right up to the injured teacher and quickly ripped off a part of her old red Chinese silk shirt wrapping the burn. “Any breaks?” Ranko asked before gently helping her up. “No, but I found this little guy crawling around, couldn’t leave him behind.” Bonny said hold up Spike who was shaking. “How’d he… never mind let’s get out of here.” Ranko said guiding Bonny out to the hall. “Look Miss Bonny this will be odd but it’s to save our lives.” Drawing one arm back she drew on her Chi reserves. “Miss Lyra, stay out of the way of the debris!” Lyra on her side didn’t know what was going on but moved quickly before Ranko punched forward. “Moko Takabisha!” Unlike her normal Pride of the Fierce Tiger which was normally golden yellow this one was pure ruby red. As it flew it drew in the flames and instead of destroying the debris, it incinerated it. “Let’s move!” Ranko yelled not caring what had happened at the moment carrying her teachers, and the pet lizard out of the burning hall way. =+=+=+= “Come on Rarity get up!” Nabiki yelled as she tried to awake her friend. The blast from across the hall was enough to toss them back into the girl’s restroom. They had gone inside to clean up from a spill on Nabiki’s apron when the blast came after they had opened the door, with Rarity being the closest. “Rarity, please wake up, please! Wake up! I… I… I love you!” Nabiki cried out not caring anymore giving into her denied crush. If she was going to die with her denied crush… then she was going to let her know. “N-Nabiki…” Rarity asked in pain. “Rarity, oh thank Kami.” Nabiki said smiling and holding her. “Are you…” Rarity asked crying. “You’re the one I’m worried about more.” Nabiki said sniffing. “Nabiki, Nabiki where are you?!” a voice yelled out. “In here!” Nabiki yelled out. A second later the bathroom door shatter to a solid hammer blow soon followed by Akane. “Nabiki, Rarity, you guys okay?” Nabiki nearly screamed at the sight of Akane but… “N-no, Rarity’s really hurt. She slammed into the stone entrance near the sinks. I think she might have broken her arm.” Nabiki said worried more for her crush than her formally angry sister. “I don’t have any Chi abilities that can heal. We’ll have to carry her out! The place is burning up fast!” Akane said quickly picking up her hammer. “Get behind the stone wall I’m busting this one!” Nabiki pulled Rarity out of the way but kept her eye on Akane as she saw something odd happen. Her upper hip glowed through her clothing and her hammer became covered in starry night like Chi. “ Meteohanmā!Akane scream swinging her long handled mallet, no, hammer at the outer wall shattering it. “Come on!” Akane yelled before jumping in the way of the door and calling out. “Doragonburasuto!” With a very fast flick of her hand a large gust of wind blew back the soon to be engulfing flames. “Move it you two! I’m already taxing my Chi reserves!” Nabiki only nodded as she carefully carried Rarity out the large hole only to be followed by Akane soon after. “You two okay?” Akane asked worried. “Yeah… yeah we are. We ALL are, Sis.” Nabiki said quickly grabbing and hugging Akane who only cried in happiness. =+=+=+= Princess Celestia sighed at her personal home, only a mile from her once precious school or castle as it once was. Looking at the report the fire brigade and her royal guards, now police officers, gave her the fire was not as bad as it looked. Thanks to the design of the school the fire was well contained and put out quickly after the gas main was shut off. Sadly it still did a large amount of damage and there where injuries. Lyra and Bonbon where currently being tended to for first and second degree burns which would heal over time given the right amount of magic and normal medication. Nabiki and Rarity however where far worse as Rarity’s right arm was broken and only two of her ribs where cracked while Nabiki was given second degree burns on her arms, legs, and had a bruise on her back from the impact of her hitting the wall from the blast. All four were lucky that Ranko and Akane where there to save them. However what Lyra and Bonbon had reported intrigued her. From what she was told by Cologne and Nodoka Ranko’s Chi blast, the Moko Takabisha should have been golden yellow and smashed into the blocking debris not ruby red and incinerating it. Could it have been the separation? She just hoped that was all that was seen. As for what had caused the fire, she did not punish Spike or her student for something they couldn’t control. However she truly wanted to get her hands on Discord for what he had done. To put her friends, her family, her students, and her citizens in such danger… she took a breath to calm down before looking to Shining Armor. “Are you sure this is what Spike received and caused the fire?” Celestia asked tiredly. “Yes Princess.” Shining armor said still amazed that such a large item could have been sent through the use of dragon’s fire. Unlike the other items this was a crate closed with many magical seals in every human language, Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Chinese, Danish, and English just to name a few. “He really went overboard on the seals.” Celestia nodded as she began going over each seal. Removing the ones she could with her magic. “And for good reason, can you not feel the chaotic energies coming off this?” Shining only nodded after the fourth seal was removed. “That’s some power. I think it best we open it fully in a safer place.” Celestia nodded. “The abandoned fair grounds will do. From what I know both Ranko and Ranma have stopped going there to train for the time being.” Shining nodded as his guards quickly removed the crate. “Just what are you doing Discord?” Celestia asked looking to the crate. To be continued