Disclaimer - This crossover story is not for profit.  All characters within are property of their respective owners.  Please don't sue me, you won't get anything out of it since I'm but a poor college student.

Shadow Tiger helped me make the final decision on Ranma's magic. Before now I had a rough idea where to go, but couldn't make the final decision amoung three ideas.

11-17-2002 - Corrected the spelling of Innova's name. :P

Edge of the Forest of Silence

Ranma rears his hands back, and concentrates the new power flowing through him.  Pushing his hands slowly forward, two words came to mind to perform the final harnessing of the power, which came out as a soft whisper.

"Aura of Time."

The cloud of energy that was wrapping around his skin and clothing flowed out in the direction of the bushes.  A bird in the berry bush screeched and jumped to take flight.

Umi and the others' eyes, except for Clef, grew wide.  The bird was slowly flapping its wings, every movement slowed to impossible levels for the creature to remain in flight.  Ranma smirked and moved his arms forward, releasing the spell.  The bird resumed its flight at normal speed, not seeming to notice what it had just experienced.

"Very good Ranma. You are gifted with the magic of auras.  For now, you may not have many magical spells but you'll gain more. After feeling your life strength aura on the beach, I gifted you with something that would enhance your already strong natural talent." Clef commented.

Ranma puffed up and crossed his arms in a cocky stance, getting a groan from Umi. "Great, Mr.Pervert here gets an even bigger ego.  I did't think that was possible."

Clef smiled, "Umi, it is your turn.  I would like you all to be familiar with your powers before we arrive at the legendary Spring of Eterna."

Umi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  Stepping forward to the place where Ranma once stood, she faced the tree and group of berry bushes. "Water... DRAGON!"

Starting drop, it expanded quickly and rushed at the tree. Ranma straightened up and tried to dodge as Umi gave a mental command the dragon brushed some water in the martial artist's direction.

"What'd you do that for!" Ranma screeched out.  Ferio snickered, while Fuu tried to hide behind him just in case she started laughing too.

"Sorry Ranma, didn't know that was going to happen," Umi strode past the redhead.

Hikaru jumped forward, "Hey, its my turn!" Clef's eyes grew wider as he realized his error, and tried to stop the energized magic knight.

Umi's water dragon was a good size, enough to topple a tree. Hikaru's recent successes and showings from Ranma boosted her confidence, and her magic. Swirling around Hikaru's body, the flames intensified and flowed into a ball a few inches above her raised arm. "Flaaaaammme AAARRROOOWWW!"

Throwing her arm down, the ball lengthened into a streak for the doomed tree.  The flame engulfed the tree and continued onward into the grove igniting others.  As Hikaru completed the spell, she straighted and clapped.  Rushing to Ranma, "I did it!  Our magic will surely be able to help us to save Cephiro."

Ranma's eye twitched, mouth agape. "What is it Ranma?"  Ranma pointed behind Hikaru, who turned around and tear dropped at the site. The grove was on fire, and expanding into the rest of the forest.

"Oops?"

Fuu stepped forward, "Perhaps I can help. My magic may be able to counteract the damage."

Clef, who was about to yell for Umi to dose the fire whirled when he felt Fuu's magic taking shape. "NO!!!"

Hands at her sides, she swept them forward in wide arcs, "Sapphire whirlwind!"  Piercing winds, laced with the greenish tint of magic swept through the forest.  Gashes were cut into trunks, while the fire was entensified.

"Uhmm.... oh my," Fuu stepped back.

Clef didn't want any more damage to be done from something new, he didn't know and didn't want too know right now if Ferio had any magical trick of his own to add to the mix. "Umi! Use your water dragon spell again!"

Umi knodded, "Water dragon!"  Larger this time, the dragon put out about half the raging fire. Umi though was tired from having to exert herself twice in a short amount of time. "I'll give it one more try."

"No, you gave your best but I feel it is time we move on," Clef let her support herself on his shoulder.

Hikaru was of a different mind, "We have to do something! It is our fault, and it is their homes!"

Fuu scanned the area, and realized what Hikaru was saying. Animals were running out of the forest, some a little singed from the flames. "If the forest catches fire, the animals won't have many places to go except out where the monsters are. They won't last long."

Ranma stood, "I might have a plan, but I don't know if it will work or make it worst. I'll need you all to try and get the animals clear." She rushed off toward the edge of the flames without another word.

Ferio snapped the rest out of their speechless state, "What are ya all waiting for? We have a job to do!"

"Umi, I need to do something. I'll need some room." Umi, a little more rested now, stepped back from Clef.

"Creature! I summon thee!"  Clef's staff orb glowed, and a creature materialized out before the group.  A large bird with golden flowing feathers, and long neck appeared. Clef spoke up to it, "I require assistance my friend! The animals in this forest need to be clear of the fire so we may put it out.  This needs to be done quickly!"

Flapping up, the bird rose into the sky and let out a song.  All the animals turned and looked up at the creature.  The flowing notes drowned out the crackle of falling timber, and spoke into the minds of the animals.  Turning toward the bird, they all followed as fast as they could.

Halfway toward the center of the flames, Ranma reached out with her magic and slowed the flames as best she could. Ending the spiral, she let go her hold on the magic and released the attack she had only used once prior against an opponent - Happosai.

"Hyruu shotan ha!"

The cold air generated by the soul of ice technique around her formed the spiraling column quickly.  Winds picked up and sucked the air into the tornado.  Flames died from the lack of oxygen as they were snuffed out by their own heat driving off the air.

The others watched as the column of swirling flames engulfed the forest and put the flames out.

Hikaru rushed forward as silence once again claimed the area. Batting away blackened dead branches, she rushed called out, "Ranma!"

In the center, a tired but ok redhead lifted her head. "Heya Hikaru! It worked!"

Hikaru hugged Ranma, "Thanks to you! I was so worried about you!"

Clef walked in and coughed into his fist, "Ehhem... we must be going now."

Ranma and Hikaru let each other go and followed the mage to join the other three on the edge.  Their next destination, the Spring of Eterna.

Zagato's Citadel

Innova was still, quiet, and nervous. His lord was staring into the magic skrying mirror.  While this was normal, Zagato's fists where clenched tightly with small drops of blood tapping on the stone floor.  Two attacks had failed, with Lafarga returning exhausted and badly injured from internal injuries of cause unknown.

"Innova."

"Yes, Lord Zagato."

"Our little invaders have proven more skilled than we gave them credit for.  Furthormore, they are gathering allies," Zagato paused and released his fists. "And we will use their ease of trust against them."

"What would you have me do?"

"Accompany Caldina and await the group at the citadel in the Forest of Silence. There, you will assist them against an attack by our illusionist.  From there, I believe you know what to do." Zagato turned swiftly, and left a still bowing, but smiling, Innova.

Unnamed village midway to Spring of Eterna

Ranma's stomach growled. The day had provided plenty of surprises, and Clef felt that speeding their travels would put the worst behind them.  Especially with magic now free to be used in the Forest of Silence, Zagato was sure to follow.

Hikaru noticed the growling, and looked up at the angle of the sun.  "Hey, what do you think we take a break and eat?"

Clef nodded, "Indeed. Mokona, would you mind if we had something to eat?"

Ranma tapped her foot impatiently till the food appeared - above her head.  Crawling out of the moutain of food, "Come back here you! Dropping stuff on my head, water or food isn't nice!"

As the others sat down to eat around the clearing, Hikaru caught the fleeing Mokona. "Mokona, that wasn't nice..." She received a short puu, and she continued in a teasing voice. "But since Ranma doesn't seem to say thank you or picks on you so much, she probably deserves it."

Ranma's mouth was gaping, trying to find the words to combat Hikaru's claims. In the back of her head, several quick insults tried to come to front but failed as he couldn't see why he should hurt Hikaru in any way.  Ranma hung her head and the final result came out as, "I'm sorry Mokona."

Hikaru smiled and patted Ranma's head with a light tap and cradled Mokona to her chest. "Good.  Now, let's go eat!"

Ranma sighed and glarred at Mokona, who had a smug smile on his face.  "Alright, but you better be good."

Fuu and Ferio were on the other side of the clearing, under a large tree for shade. They sat in silence on either side of the tree, eating their picks from the pile.  Fuu was the first to gather the courage to speak, "So, um, Ferio, what is life like here in Cephiro for you?"

Ferio closed his eyes, "When do you mean? Before Zagato came or now?"

"I'd like to know about both please."

He took a deep breath, remembering, and trying to find a way to express himself in the right way. "Before it was paradise. I've always been a traveler, doing odd jobs with my sword. When times got tough, living off the land wasn't a problem and I enjoyed the quiet.  Sure, some monsters were around like in the forest, but it was fairly safe.  I was just looking for a way to get back at Zagato after he came and protect everyone in the land."  Looking to his side to glance at Fuu,

Fuu blushed. Thoughts of her own knight protecting her deepened the blush further.  Ferio didn't notice as by that time he went back to eating.

The awkward silence was broken when Clef came up. "Ahead is a small village.  Be on your guard, but I don't think we will run into trouble.  We will be leaving soon."

Clef walked to Umi, who was sulking against another tree. She didn't eat much and was rolling a small rock on the ground with the tip of her foot. "What is wrong, Umi, you seem troubled?"

"It is nothing. I'll be fine, I just want to get out of here and go home," Umi sighed out.  Clef wasn't satisfied with her response, as he could feel the something was troubling her.

"I would appreciate your company, may I sit with you?  Perhaps you can tell me what is bothering you."

Umi nodded and sat, hugging her knees to her chest.  Clef sat on a large dead log a short distance away. "I'm so alone and scared."

Clef leaned forward, but remained silent.

"Ever since we were taken from Tokyo, I've seen more things than I thought were possible.  Ranma and his skills, this magic stuff, and a whole new world that I never knew existed. I wonder what my friends are doing back in Tokyo, and I wish I was there with them. Here, I don't have anything."

Clef could see how hard it was on the young girl's ego to tell him this.  Around the others, he could tell she was putting on a stone face and attitude to cover something.  "What makes you say that Umi?"

Umi turned her head in the direction of Ranma, "Mr.Pervert over there, that's what."

This wasn't what Clef was expecting, "Explain, I'd like to help if there is anything I can do."

Umi turned her head back to Clef, "He is pushing the others away from me.  Sure, he will help us in battle, but outside of that, he is ruining the team!  I'm a magic knight, not him."  Umi paused, "Just look at him!  He is getting along great with Mokona, Hikaru, Ferio, Fuu while I'm over here."

"I'm here with you."

Clef stood and extended his hand to help Umi up. "Ranma and the others are working well together, but not in the way you think they are out to keep you out of the team."  Umi stood up and dusted herself off, Clef continued, "It takes time to adapt. Don't worry about your friends in Tokyo, time has been paused for a short while when the princess brought you here. Now, you just need to concentrate on communicating with the others. Perhaps saying hello and working with Mokona and Ranma will help, I'll be there with you should things get out of hand."

Umi wiped a tear from her eyes that escaped, "Thank you Clef. I'll try.  Knowing my friends in Tokyo are ok helped a lot. I just hope I can get to know the others better while I'm here."

"Well, should we be going? We should be able to reach the Spring of Eterna soon," Clef motioned with his hand in the direction of the village.

Umi knodded and went to get the others, with Clef close behind her.

On the road once more, the group walked in silence.  Umi, by suggestion from Clef, was carrying softly puuing Mokona.

Ranma was the first to notice the village ahead, and took off ahead to check it out.  Clef shook his head, mumbling about how some people never learn about jumping into things head first.  Mokona shook herself loose from Umi and bounced after Ranma.  Umi gave chase, resulting in the rest of the group also running to keep up.

In the village, Ranma wandering around. "Doesn't seem to be anyone home... maybe I should knock..."  Just before she tapped on the door, a pitchfork stabbed at her head. Ducking, Ranma swept the feet out from her attacker and kicked up at the weapon. It flew up and stuck in the ground behind Ranma ten feet back.

"Now hold on here, I was just wondering if there was anyone here!" Ranma yelled out. "I wasn't looking for trouble or nothin."

Umi was panting and tried to catch her breath as she put her hand on Ranma's shoulder. Ranma heard her coming and so didn't turn to attack her, and kept her eyes on the villagers gathering.

"I don't think they want us around here Ranma. We better go."

Ranma knodded, and backed off.  The others grouped up with him, weapons at the ready.  Ferio was especially nervous and whispered to the rest of the group, "This is weird, these people shouldn't be hostile."

"You know them Ferio?" Clef asked.

The group of villagers parted as a large burly man came through, with a wood axe slung over his shoulder.  Pausing, he squinted at the group, frowning.  "Hey! What are you doing here! You remember what I told you a year ago?"

Ferio smirked, and slung his sword over his shoulder, "Ya, I remember.  I beat ya five times in a card game and you never paid up, so you kicked me out.  Want another game? Double or nothing?"

"You bet!"

All villagers, magic knights, martial artists and mages present face vaulted.

Citadel in the Forest of Silence

Presea shivered in the doorway to the courtyard of the citadel.

"I suppose I should go inside and prepare for their arrival. I hope that Clef is with them."

Outside, Innova slipped out of the tree silently.  Through the darkness, Caldina seemed to morph out of the solid stone wall.

"Here is where we will spring the trap. Yes, this pond should do nicely for our purposes.  You know what to do Caldina..."

Lights danced throughout the area as magic energies warped the appearance of reality in the courtyard. "Right on sugar."

Morning at the village

"Thank you for your hospitality.  We'll now be on our way."

Hikaru turned and caught back up with Ranma. As they treked forward, Ranma began to slow over the hour.  Hikaru was concerned, and stopped him.

"What is wrong Ranma?"

"Something doesn't feel right ahead.  I've been trying to figure out what it is, but this magic stuff is kinda new to me." Ranma closed his eyes, "Not sure what this feeling is. It doesn't feel like ki or something living.  Compared with everything else I've felt this past day with magic, it just feels out of place."

Hikaru gripped his hand, "Come on.  We'll face it together whatever it is.  Besides, we have Clef with us now."

The main group was starting to grow farther away, but didn't seem to notice Ranma and Hikaru's absense.  The feeling became stronger and Ranma's grip on Hikaru's hand became stronger.

"Ranma, you are starting to hurt my hand."

He immediately popped out of his trance and cradled the hand.  "Sorry! Sorry!  Are you alright?"

Hikaru gripped his shoulders, staring into Ranma's deep blue eyes. "Don't worry, we will make it.  I don't know what it is you feel, but surely Clef would let us know if it is as bad as you think. If you don't have a clear head, you won't be able to relax.  I know enough of martial arts to know you need a clear head to face a challenge."

Ranma's resolve solidfied faster than super quick drying cement. "You're right! I'm the best martial artist in the world... er... Cephiro... um... OUT THERE!  I can win! Now let's go find out what this thing is!"

Bending down with his back to Hikaru, Ranma motioned, "Get on.  I'll take a shortcut.  Besides, we need to catch up to the others."

Hikaru wrapped her arms around Ranma's neck and he firmly held her calves.

"YIPE!"

Her ride had leaped to one of the large branches halfway up a tree, and adjusted his grip to make sure Hikaru is ok. Smirking, "Alright, here we go!"

Her eyes closed tightly has Ranma jumped to the next tree. She could her branches whooshing by, never touching.

Ranma's voice soothed her between jumps, "It is ok. It is perfectly safe with me around."

Peeking an eye over his shoulder, Hikaru was amazed at ths rate they were traveling.  The rest of the party was taking a winding way to their right around the dense trees.  Looking ahead, she could see a pond, and noticed Ranma giving it a wide birth.

"Heh, not gonna get me this time Jusenkyo. Especially when I have passengers."

Smirking at the comment, Hikaru began to relax and enjoyed the ride. A small sparkly caugh her eye ahead. "That must be it! The Spring of Eterna."

Ranma smirked, his feelings confirmed that this was the place. "Doesn't look that bad."

Rushing the expanse of land, Ranma's final jump ended them on a cliff overlooking the spring. He then set Hikaru down.  "Alright, well, I wasn't expecting this - more water."

"It is a spring Ranma."

"Heh, guess you're right."  Looking over the area and seeing or feeling anything else, "This is it.  Well, want to get this over with?"

"What?  We should wait for the others.  They might be worried about us."

"Na, By the time they get here, we could be out with the escudo by then." Ranma gripped Hikaru's wrist and jumped.

"RANMA!"

As they splashed into the water, Ranma was surprised at the warmth, just enough to prevent a change.  As they slowly sunk, he felt a force pulling him and Hikaru apart.  He fought back, and then applied a little time barriar to protect them from whatever it was. It somehow worked, because almost immediately they emerged together in a large chamber.

"I wasn't expecting this," Ranma looked around.

"Neither was I," said a voice behind them.

Ranma and Hikaru whirled and faced the third arrival - that wasn't there - just some fog.  It slowly condensed into one body of a human. Then colors formed out of the gray mass.  The end result was short black hair, light blue dress, and black shoes.

Ranma was white as a sheet, "A-a-ak-kane!"

"You know her?" Hikaru asked.

He stepped back when Akane's fists clenched, "Whoa! Akane! It's not what you think!"

Akane ran forward with a speed Ranma had never witnessed in her before, and slammed him in the chest with a large wooden mallet. Blood spittle flew out of his mouth and he was tumbled onto the ground, totally unprepared for the attack.

He coughed once, and got up on his hands and knees. "Akane, please, stop.  Listen to me..."

Again, Akane launched forward.  Her momentum took a detour when Hikaru bodychecked her from the side, "Oh no you don't! You are not hurting Ranma like that again!" Drawing her sword from, Hikaru positioned herself between Akane and Ranma.  The sword was struck from the side by another, forcing Hikaru to parry backward and to the right. Looking at the face of her attacker, her breath stopped, "Satoru!"

Ranma stood and surveyed the area.  Akane was on the floor, but was motionless.  Hikaru was backing off from an unknown attacker with a sword. Leaping forward, Ranma prepared to deliver the chestnut fist.

"No Ranma! He is my brother!"

Stumbling, Ranma tried to step around Satoru.  In return for his troubles, the blade whipped around and drew a deep gash down Ranma's side.  Whincing in pain, Ranma limped back to Hikaru. "That's gonna hurt in the morning... we just can't sit here and get killed. We can't exactly fight back though, especially since I don't hit girls - even uncute tomboys."

Hikaru scowled, "Even if they fight you?!"

"Well, look at yourself, your own brother is there with a sword for goodness sakes!"

Looking back at Akane, Ranma noticed she was standing back up. Hikaru blocked another downward swipe, and was locked in a struggle. While her back was totally wide open, Akane attacked.

"NO! Hikaru!" Ranma clenched his fists and concentrated, blood dripping freely from the wound on his side. Feeling out his magic aura, he tried to trap Akane without actually having to attack her.  Surprisingly, it had now effect on her movement... "Unless this isn't really there! Gotcha! Katchu tenshin amaguriken!"  Akane's form blurred, and turned into whisps mist.

Exhausted, Ranma fell over, the blood loss from the deep wound taking its toll. "Well, wake me when its over."

Hikaru glansed over when she heard the thump behind her. "Ranma!"

Satoru growled and broke from the struggle. Leaping over Hikaru by over ten feet, he pointed the sword down at Ranma's still form.

"No!" Matching trajectories, she dove between Ranma and the sword. Her eyes closed, waiting for the cold steel to pierce her back. It never came, and she opened one eye. Ranma was in front of her, floating in midair - as was she. "Ranma, we're safe!"

"Just let me sleep a little longer pop..."

"RANMA!"

"Wha!!  Wait!! I'm awake! Not the pond again! Errr... oh.  Hey Hikaru," looking down Ranma examined his midair state. "I could get used to this." The magic let up and both landed on their feet. "Guess I spoke too soon. What just happened?"

Hikaru hugged Ranma, "I was so afraid, I thought I had lost you. Now aren't hurt.  That may have been some sort of test." Pointing down the cave corridor where a glow was pulsing, "The escudo is probably down there."

Nodding to each other, they ran down and were surprised to see Umi and Fuu, with their gloves glowing. Fuu noticed their arrival first, "Hello! We just retrieved our escudo. We were worried about you two until Mr.Clef said you already entered the spring, so we came in after you."

"But... we went in before you!" Ranma was wondering how the two other knights got ahead of him.

"I don't know, but Mr.Clef might know."

"Enough of that, the escudo is waiting for you two," Umi said, pointing to the floating yellow and red crystals in the air above them.

"Oh yea." Reaching up, the escudo was absorbed into their wrist ornaments. After all the crystals were gone, a bright light enveloped the group.  Their armor changed and covered their shoulders as they started to levitate into the air, then they teleported to the surface.

"That was way cool!" Hikaru exclamed as they touched back down on ground a small ways from the spring.

"Alright! Now I have cooler stuff than that old ghoul and freak of nature put together!"

A round of tear drops was present on everyone else but Ranma.

"Umm... Yes.  Glad to have you back," Clef said from side, standing with Ferio.

"Hey, how did Fuu and Umi beat us to the escudo in there?" Ranma asked.

Clef shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. The spring uses magic ages old that even I don't understand.  Perhaps your skills interacted with it somehow. In any case though, everyone is safe and has what we needed.  Now we must hurry back to Presea to fashion your weapons, then the real quest begins for the mashin."

Mokona hopped from the above cliff on top of Ranma's head, "Puu!" It quickly jumped into Hikaru's arms, puuing softly.

Ranma's eye twitched, "Just you wait marshmellow, I'll get you some day..."

Umi laughed, "Looks like you'll need to be faster than that Ranma.  Ten Mokona, zero Ranma!"

"Ahh... shut up."  "Puu!!"