Draxon's Review Corner Presents
An In-House Production
Ranma 1/2 : A Demon's Delight
Chapter 5 : Voices
Theme Song: Metallica Black - Track 10 - The God That Failed


"Apsu!"  Akane called out to deaf ears as Apsu continued walking at a steady 
pace.
Ranma walked beside Akane, watching Apsu.  "I think maybe we should leave him 
alone for a while," he said as he shivered from the cold.
"You know we can't do that," Akane said as she continued walking.  She moved 
closer to Ranma as a gust of arctic wind chilled her to the bone.  Ranma 
reached his right arm around Akane and pulled her closer before he could 
freeze.
"Remind me to wear a coat next time," Akane sighed as she kept a steady pace 
with Ranma, maintaining a distance of about ten feet from Apsu.
Apsu walked onward, driven by a burning need to release his anger which cried 
out for expression.  He turned his head to see Ranma and Akane holding each 
other close in the cold, something he would never experience again with his 
fiancee'.  He stopped, harboring his anger until he could accomplish one final 
task.  Emotions flooded him once again as he watched Ranma and Akane's warm 
embrace, but he kept them under a cold resolve of vengeance.
"Your soul is mine..."  Apsu looked to find the source of the whispery voice, 
"I'm going mad," he thought to himself.  Suddenly he screamed and lunged 
forward as a wave of fear and pain washed through his battered and weakened 
mind and body.
Ranma stopped as Apsu screamed.  "Stay back Akane," he said as he walked 
forward.
"Ranma..."  Akane watched as he walked forward.
"Your soul..."  Apsu screamed as the voice began to overlap the hell of 
thoughts in his mind, "...is mine."
"AHHH! Like hell it is!!"  He crossed his wrists in front of his chest and 
shut out as much of the images and feelings as possible.  "Get... OUT!!!"  he 
swung his wrists apart as a massive aura of red chi began to engulf his body.  
"Various Martial Arts Final Attack GENOCIDE CRUSH!"
Ranma ceased his advance, and turned to Akane as he began to run as fast as he 
could. "RUN AKANE---"  The sound of the explosion overpowered his voice as he 
picked Akane off her feet and began to build as much speed as possible.  
Apsu's blast of pure force slammed into him from behind, knocking him forward 
with Akane as pain shot through his body.  He lost his grip on Akane as he 
fell, causing her to hit before him.  He stumbled over her, barely keeping his 
balance as he turned.
"What is THAT?" the thought overpowered the pain in Ranma's body as a haze of 
some sort quickly coalesced into a large figure wearing old style samurai 
armor.  He reached down to Akane to help her up when she began to dim.  
"Akane?"  Ranma asked in shock as the image of Akane completely faded.
Ranma turned to the large figure, which stood only five feet away from him.  
His mind raced with confusion.  "Hey, what did you do with Akane?!"  He 
thundered as he walked toward the large, ominous figure.
"She will be my guest for a while..." the voice faded as the figure once again 
became transparent.
"Hey!  You bring Akane back right NOW!"  He ran forward with both fists drawn 
and swung at the dissipating image.  His fist went through it, like smoke.  A 
deep demonic laughing filled the air.
"Sorry.  Maybe next time..."  The figure and the voice were both gone.  Ranma 
looked to see Apsu barely standing.  He looked to his right and saw a man 
walking toward him and Apsu, he held a staff in his right hand.  His hair was 
neatly cut at the shoulder, with a few strings of gray hair visible.  The man 
walked to Apsu as Ranma watched.
Apsu collapsed to his knees as his head finally began to clear.  His entire 
body racked with convulsions from the strain of using his final attack.
"Apsu."  The voice was stern and even, but with a light tone.  Apsu looked up 
to see his father looking down at him.
Ranma walked to Apsu and stood three feet in front of his father, "What was 
that?"  he asked with a tone of urgency.
The man turned and faced Ranma, "Let's get the introductions out of the way 
first.  I am Haratsu Tetsumi, master of the Tetsumi School of Various Martial 
Arts."
Ranma looked at Haratsu, "Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of Anything-Goes 
Martial Arts.  The girl that thing just took was my fiancee', Akane Tendo."
"Sit," Haratsu said calmly as he sat down in front of Ranma and Apsu, "We will 
speak of that thing shortly, be patient,"  Ranma looked around, then sat on 
what was left of the sidewalk.
"First of all, Apsu, why have you been gone for the past six days?"  He locked 
his gaze between Ranma and Apsu.
Apsu told the story again, including the Sugoiken, the curse, and the 
nightmares.
"... I'm sorry, father, if I have disappointed you." Apsu ended calmly, 
accepting whatever fate his father had in store for him.
"That explains it,"  Haratsu said as he closed his eyes,  "Before we continue 
with anything else, I must tell you of some events that happened nearly twenty 
years ago."
Ranma's eyes narrowed, "Twenty years?"
"Yes," Haratsu nodded, "Twenty years ago my father, Master Sematar, took me on 
a training expedition to complete my training in Various Martial Arts.  We 
trained near Mt. Fuji for nearly three weeks when I noticed him acting 
strangely.  I learned that he hadn't been sleeping, and watched helplessly as 
he slowly degenerated."  he looked at Apsu for a few seconds before 
continuing, "One day, during a training session, he attacked me without 
provocation."  Haratsu paused as he thought back to that day.
"Sounds a lot like Apsu,"  Ranma said, accentuating the obvious.
Haratsu continued, ignoring Ranma's comment, "I killed my father on that day," 
 Apsu, who had been calm until this point, looked at his father in alarm.  "He 
was seemingly insane.  After I had barely managed to defeat my own master he 
began to scream.  I was baffled, the screaming was not directed at me, but a 
presence that I later learned shared my father's mind."
Apsu absorbed everything his father was saying, recounting the similarities 
between the story and his current situation,  "What was it?" he asked softly, 
cautiously.
Haratsu looked at Apsu, then to Ranma,  "A demonlord, whom I learned was known 
by the name of Talarath.  He had caused Master Sematar to attack me, and fail, 
simply to weaken his resistance.  The demonlord... absorbed my father's soul.  
With his newfound energy he looked to me as his next victim.  After the most 
horrible battle I have ever experienced, I was only able to contain his 
presence within Mt. Fuji.  After giving my father the proper honors and 
ceremonies, I found a small clan of monks who had records concerning Talarath. 
 He was known for nearly 2,000 years as the god of pain and fear to their 
clan, and gained power through the absorption of human souls.  Six days ago I 
felt a strong mystic vibration which I now believe freed Talarath."
"The Sugoiken..." Ranma said grimly as he realized the true magnitude of the 
situation.
Haratsu looked at Ranma, his deep blue eyes twinkled slightly, "I am sorry 
that you have gotten caught up in this."
"Hey, don't worry about it,"  Ranma said, his tone once again becoming casual.
Haratsu's eyes narrowed as he looked at Ranma, "Have you ever fought a 
demonlord?"
"No, but if it gets Akane back, I will,"  Ranma said confidently.
"So confident, I wonder how long it will last."  Haratsu looked at Apsu, who 
was looking back at him, worried.  "Apsu, Talarath almost had you tonight," 
his eyes glazed with the flashing glint of headlights as a car passed bye, "I 
won't let him take my son as well as my father, and I need you to hold out as 
long as possible.  Here, this will help..."  He placed his right hand on 
Apsu's left shoulder for a few seconds, summoning a flickering violet light.  
He withdrew his hand.  "Ranma, it is only a matter of time before you become 
effected by Talarath's influence," he stood, helping Apsu up as well, "I need 
to speak with the members of your family as quickly as possible, anyone going 
to Mt. Fuji needs to be ready by tomorrow morning."
Ranma nodded as he stood, "I'll take you there now, we're only a few minutes 
run from the Tendo Dojo."
"Don't run," Haratsu said authoritatively, "If Talarath does to you what he 
has to Apsu, you will need to conserve your energy." 
[...] Tendo Dojo 10:30 P.M.
Ranma entered the dojo, leading Apsu and Haratsu into the living room, where 
Mr. Saotome sat, lazily watching TV.  
"Why hello Ranma," Genma said as Apsu and Haratsu entered behind Ranma, "Who 
are our guests?"
Ranma walked to the center of the room to allow everyone movement space, "Meet 
Apsu and Haratsu Tetsumi of the Tetsumi School of Various Martial Arts.  
Listen, we need to get everyone in here, Akane's been kidnapped, and we have 
to get her back."
Genma stood and walked toward Ranma, "Do you mean to tell me that you let her 
get kidnapped AGAIN?"
"Well it's not like I had a choice!" Ranma said angrily, "That's what they 
came to talk about!"  He motioned to Haratsu.
"He's right," Haratsu said as he sat down, "Demonlords aren't easily beaten."
Genma looked at Haratsu, his face frozen in disbelief, "You... you didn't say 
demon - LORD - by chance, did you?"
Haratsu nodded, "I did."
Genma turned and walked to the kitchen, where Kasumi was busy cleaning dishes.
"Kasumi, could you do me a favor and get everyone together in the living room? 
 Tell them we have guests."
Kasumi rinsed off her hands as she replied, "Why of course, Mr. Saotome."
"Thank you, Kasumi."  Genma said as he turned to walk back to the living room.
Ten Minutes Later
Ranma listened once again to Haratsu's explanation of Talarath, "Akane," he 
thought, "You'd better be okay when I find you... tomboy."  He looked at Soun, 
who had a steady stream of tears flowing down his face.
"We have to go to Mount Fuji and defeat Talarath," Haratsu said, beginning the 
conclusion of his speech, "Or everyone in here is worse than dead."  He looked 
at Soun and Genma, awaiting a reply.
"Well," Genma said, "It doesn't seem like we have much choice."                
                                               
"What are we waiting for?" Ranma asked as he stood, "Lets go get Akane back!"

Nabiki yawned, "You can't expect everyone to go to Mount Fuji at midnight, 
Ranma.  Just how well do you think everyone is going to fight after having no 
sleep, and what about me and Kasumi?  I hope you weren't planning on taking us 
on this little trip."
"You have a point," Haratsu said, "Apsu should be the only person here unable 
to sleep tonight, so I think we should wait until morning to leave.  Apsu and 
I can be making preparations for transportation tonight,"  he looked at Kasumi 
and Nabiki, then to Soun.  "There is no reason to take your daughters, Mister 
Tendo.  Talarath won't directly attack anyone unless he has to, and if they 
are affected by his dream attacks they will be better able to keep control 
over themselves at a distance until we can destroy Talarath."
"Very well," Soun said, wiping the tears from his face as he looked at two of 
his three daughters.  "You'll be alright, won't you?"
"Why of course, father." Kasumi reassured him, smiling warmly.
"It's not like we should be worried about an everyday thing like a demonlord, 
daddy."  Nabiki retorted.
"Ranma,"  Haratsu said as he stood and walked to him, "There is one quick 
thing I want to tell you.  Listen closely, this is very important."
Ranma nodded.
"Emotion, to a martial artist, is another form of energy to be harnessed, 
which I am sure you already know, correct?" 
"Yes," Ranma said as he looked up to Haratsu
"Only through your love for your fiancee will you be able to defeat one who is 
the master of pain and fear."  Haratsu walked toward the hall, motioning Apsu 
to follow.  "I will be back tomorrow morning, then we can depart."  He walked 
out of the room, through the hall that led to the front entrance to the dojo.
Ranma stood, paralyzed by what Haratsu had said.  He felt an arm rest on his 
shoulder as Nabiki stepped in front of him.
"Why, Ranma, I thought it wasn't like that between you and Akane..."  She 
turned and began walking to the stairs.
"Hey! It's not!"  He quickly turned to see his father and Mister Tendo 
congratulating each other, "Give me a break!"
"Ranma my boy, facing demonlords and worse for the sake of his beloved Akane," 
 Genma smiled as he looked at Soun, "That's my boy!"
Soun latched onto Ranma's left leg, tears once again pouring out of his eyes, 
"Son, I'm glad you've finally come to terms with your true feelings!"
Ranma tried to back away from Mister Tendo as his foot became soaked with 
tears.  "Hey come on!  I'm just doing this because... Well, because I have 
to!"  Ranma's heart beat tripled as he tried to nervously defend himself.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of Ranma," Kasumi said, smiling, "I'm happy for 
you."
"I'm glad somebody is," Ranma said as he gave up his struggle to free his leg, 
"Why me?"

[...]15 Minutes Later


Apsu and Haratsu approached the front gate to the Tetsumi house.  The trip 
home had been one of silence.  Haratsu stopped at the gate, and turned to face 
his son.
"Apsu, I didn't want to mention this until we were alone," Apsu's eyebrows 
raised slightly as Haratsu paused, "...but Talarath has Michelle as well as 
Akane, he-"
"No!  I thought she was at home, with you!"  Apsu's eyes became denial as he 
looked at his father.
"She was," Haratsu said softly, "But I couldn't stop Talarath, any more than 
Ranma could when Akane was taken.  I'm sorry, but there was nothing I could 
have done."
Anger engulfed Apsu, "You... you let him take her?"  His face showed the 
conflict of anger and sadness, hatred and depression which tore through his 
mind.
"Don't express it as anger," Haratsu said as he looked deeply into his sons 
eyes, "You will lose control again and become more Talarath's slave."
A single tear began to roll down Apsu's face as he walked past Haratsu and 
opened the front gate.  He began to enter the yard when a hand was placed 
firmly on his left shoulder.  He turned, before being pulled closer to 
Haratsu.  He tensed for a second, before relaxing his tight control over his 
emotions.  Tears flowed.
"I won't hold this against you, son."  Haratsu said as he looked down at an 
image of himself from twenty years ago, quietly sobbing next to a dead body 
that was his father.
Apsu released his hold on Haratsu, and stepped back, through the gate, "I'm... 
sorry for my weakness, I-"
"What weakness?"  Haratsu asked, "I only see my son expressing his emotions 
before they can be used against him."
"What?  I thought-" Haratsu interrupted Apsu, his voice deep and caring.
"You are still my son, and not the slave of a demonlord, because you have 
found expression.  The more despair, fear, anger, and depression you feed your 
mind, the more Talarath has to use against you,"  He nodded softly as he 
continued, "Had you not released your emotions with the Genocide Crush 
technique earlier tonight, you would have been lost forever.  You must 
remember this.  Do not harbor any emotions which will weaken your resistance, 
or you will exist in eternity with them."
"I understand,"  Apsu said as he turned and walked toward the entrance to the 
house.
Haratsu walked behind Apsu as the two entered the two story house.  The 
Tetsumi house was well kept, with swords and staves decorating the right hand 
wall.  Haratsu walked to the wall of weaponry and focused his attention on two 
well-made katanas.  One was blue, while the other was red.  The tips of the 
swords were kept one inch apart, and a small stream of energy arced between 
the edges of the swords.
"Why are you looking at Um and Yang?"  Apsu asked
Um and Yang... For 40 years the enchanted swords had not been moved from their 
present position, each slowly building energy from the conflict of opposites.  
Just before Haratsu had been born his grandfather had found the proper spells 
and metals to enchant the swords.  Had the time finally come to use their 
power?
"Nothing, I was just thinking,"  Haratsu said as he began to walk to the 
kitchen.  He retrieved a cooler from a storage closet, and walked to the 
fridge.  He opened it and began placing rations of food into the cooler.
Apsu sat down on a recliner and looked at the ceiling.  A ceiling fan turned 
slowly, and Apsu followed it with his eyes, tracing its never ending path in a 
complete circle.  His eyes slowly began to close as warm air graced his skin.
Haratsu looked at the half filled cooler.  He needed ice, so he turned to face 
the living room, where he saw Apsu asleep on the recliner.  He waited for Apsu 
to scream and awaken, but as moments passed it became clear that it would not 
happen.
"Impossible... for Talarath to be so close to claiming him, only to give up?"  
The thought sank into Haratsu's mind when his eyebrows raised and his mouth 
opened slightly.  Talarath had Michelle and Akane, fear and anger, easily 
within his grasp!  "If he has changed his focus to them, he did so because it 
is to his advantage, and with the emotional energy they contain... they wont 
be able to resist long..."  The grim realization quickly came to him, and 
pushed him to continue packing equipment and supplies.
"Sleep well, son," he said as he looked at the quietly sleeping Apsu, "Your 
going to  need it."