**************************************************
Fall Into the Light
By Darken0ne

Chapter 1: Curses, a wrongful application of Cologne.
**************************************************

    The redheaded girl known as Alexia sprinted towards the springs, a smile 
plastered upon her features.  Stopping at a random pool, she knelt down and 
shrugged her backpack off her shoulders.  "This be a good enough spring as 
any other... what be this?" she asked herself as she noticed a sign next to 
the spring.  "Nannichuan..." she read from the sign and shrugs it off.  "Why 
would anyone wish tae name a spring 'Drowned Boy', it makes hardly any sense."
    Alexia began to dig into her backpack, soon digging out a glass bottle.  
"What you do at spring?" a voice cut through Alexia's concentration.  "You 
know what spring do?" the voice came from a small woman, fairly young, or so 
it would seem, speaking in Japanese.  Her voice was high-pitched (AKA similar 
to Shampoo) and her hair pulled back into a pigtail.  She wore a purplish 
bikini and the tan she supported suggested she had been out sunbathing for 
quite some time.
    "I be much in need of refreshment milady." Alexia replied, filling the 
bottle with the water, carefully, not knowing if there was something wrong 
with the water.  "There be a problem with the water?"
    "Maybe I just show you...," the younger girl said, then with a fluid 
motion she dipped a bucket into the nannichuan and hurled the water at the 
unsuspecting Alexia.  Now we all know that in the Ranmaverse, one can not 
avoid water for long, especially at Jusenkyo.  So, just as the water flying 
at Alexia registered in her mind, it hit her dead on.
    "Why did ye have tae do that!" Alexia yelled in a voice an octave lower 
than her original.  Her eyes, or should I say his eyes widened at this.  She 
should have a higher voice than this voice, which means... she finally 
ventured to look down at her/himself to find...
"Ahhhhhhh!" he screamed as he began to sprint off into the forest, his eyes 
burning in fear and fury, but unable to cope with this huge change.  He 
couldn't concentrate enough to kill the girl for changing her into this new 
person, but she knew, just knew that she will get her chance later.
    "Maybe should just tell..." the pig-tailed girl stated flatly as she went 
back to her lawn chair that was not far off in the distance.

    Two days had past and Alexia was still in the woods.  He took to running 
in a circular pattern, returning to the edge near Jusenkyo twice each day.  
He hoped he would find someone, anyone other than that stupid pig-tailed girl 
that stuck him in this cursed body.
    Soon he found himself in a small camp, a soft fire burning next to a 
small pup tent.  A soft smile escaped Alexia's lips as he began to move 
towards the camp.  "Hold there male, or it will be your last step." An old 
woman's voice echoed through the night air, sending a shiver down Alexia's 
spine.
    "I be just in need of a rest elder, and maybe some magical aid..." Alexia 
replied to the elder voice, hoping she would help.
    "And, why pray tell, would I help an outsider?  A male one at that?" the 
elder voice replied, venturing into the firelight.  The woman was small, with 
long white hair.  She stood on a small oak staff, and her visage would have 
marked her a goblin or troll had Alexia not known that such creatures were 
rare in the Earth realm.
    "I be not male, at least not in mind... I had journeyed to this place 
with this spring that turns creatures male and human..." Alexia grumbled out, 
hating what had happened.
    The old woman's eyes widened at this.  "If what you say is true, 
outsider, then wait there while I heat some water..." When Alexia nodded his 
response, the old woman moved to the fire and set a pot in the hot embers.  
Taking out a canteen, she filled the pot with water.  "I am known as Khu-Lon, 
or simply Cologne to most outsiders." The old woman said plainly.
    Alexia nodded to her, "I am Alexia Sivad, though I guess I have tae 
change my name due to this curse..." she stated a bit dejected.  Then with a 
sigh she continued, "it be good tae meet ye."
    Cologne laughed a bit at Alexia; "You do not know the secret of 
Jusenkyo?" the old woman began as she moved towards Alexia with the heated 
water.  With a quick motion, Cologne dumped the water on top of Alexia.  
"Hey!  Why did you do that!!!" Alexia screeched, her original voice returning 
to her.  Cologne just simply smiled to her.  "I see you were telling the 
truth, Alexia."
    Alexia was more than a little perturbed; she noticed her gender and for 
that she was thankful for was, but to be splashed like that without warning, 
which was a little too much for her.  Her mind began to focus to the plants 
surrounding her.  Then, as she raised her arms over her head, she casts her 
magic spell.  Literally dozens of vines flew from the undergrowth, grappling 
the old woman and tying her up.  To say Cologne was a little surprised would 
be an understatement.  "Ye, at least, could have warned me!" Alexia spat as 
her hands began to drip with magic.
    "Such power" Cologne thought as a smile crept to her face.  "Alexia 
child, I am truly sorry for upsetting you like that." She said sincerely, 
taking her first look at the real Alexia surprised her more.  "The storied be 
real of elves and orcs, she would be of great asset to the Amazon people." 
Cologne thought as she thought of ways to bring her into their society.  
"Where are you from, Alexia?" she finally asked after a few minutes of 
introspection.
    Alexia took a long time in thinking.  "It does nae matter at this moment, 
I do nae know how tae return to the portal where I am from.  All I know is 
that it be somewhere in Jusenkyo." Alexia then sighed deeply as she dispelled 
the vines about Cologne.  A giddy smile wound its way onto the old woman's 
features as she bounced to Alexia's position.
    "Then you would be welcomed here, my dear Alexia, as a fellow Amazon 
warrior." Cologne smiled as she said this, emphasizing her point.  Alexia 
tilted her head to see Cologne.  "I be not a warrior, but I will always fight 
for what be truly right.  I may as well join ye ranks, so I can learn more of 
this world..."
    "We will train you in our fighting styles, but first let us have a small 
spar to see how you are at this time.  What weapon would be your favorite?" 
Cologne asked inquisitively to her new pupil.
    "Well, I be partial to the staff, I am sufficient in its use.  Also I 
know a bit of the rapier, though I much less prefer it.  Then there be the 
bow, I be verrae accurate and fast with It." she stated plainly, drawing a 
staff seemingly from nowhere into her hands.  "If ye wish a match, then I 
would be verrae happy tae oblige, I be in the mood to further mine skills to 
teach that lass a lesson." She began to deftly spin her staff between her 
fingers as she sauntered towards the smaller and much older woman.
    Cologne gave out a laugh, "very well then child, defend yourself" with 
that the battle began.  Cologne pressed the first attack, meeting nothing but 
air as alexia swiftly ducked aside and arched her staff's swing to catch a 
hold of Cologne's own staff.  Giving a little more force, she was able to 
knock the staff out from under the elder amazon and knock her to the ground.  
A slight smile crossed the elder's face as she stood up quickly.  "Well done 
Alexia, you have some potential." She said and began to sail towards Alexia 
with a yell, sending her staff almost in a blurred manner towards Alexia's 
head.
    Spinning her staff, Alexia was able to block most of the attacks, then 
when the attacks finally ceased she countered with a thrust, which hit 
nothing but air as Cologne pushed herself up into the air with her own staff. 
 "She be verrae good Alexia old lass, ye may have tae use ye special 
abilities for this match." Alexia thought to herself as she leapt to meet 
with Cologne.
    Cologne spun around, with a sweep with her staff, almost hitting Alexia 
out of the sky, but with a bit of contortion Alexia was able to dodge the 
strike.  Then as Alexia began to fall back to earth, her form slowly began to 
change.  Her arms began to stretch and contort, beginning in ways it was 
never meant.  Her hair began to change into feathers and her nose and mouth 
began to form a beak.  Soon, Alexia's form represented a giant creature that 
most fantasy people would aptly name a Roc.
    Cologne stepped back a few paces.  "Oh this is marvelous." She thought to 
herself as she began to smile.  "You are indeed talented, yet this ends our 
match... I start training you tomorrow evening."  With that said, Cologne 
hopped to her tent.
    Alexia's form slowly returned to her as she lost her concentration.  "I 
guess I be in need of some training if she could defend against mine physical 
attacks so long." She sighed softly to herself.  At least she is nae evil, at 
least not that I can see anyway, I will keep mine eye on her.  First sign of 
corrupt action, I be out of here." With that she sat up against a tree 
falling quickly to sleep.

    The arrival of the sun had cast away the darkness that had crept around 
the camp's dwindling fire.  With this newfound light, so awoke the denizens 
of the forest, the chirps of the birds created a good enough alarm clock for 
the elfess known as Alexia.
    She began to stir slowly at first, not really wishing to awaken.  Her 
muscles screamed at her with senses of pain and numbness in the same 
instance.  Then suddenly her green eyes opened wide.  With a quick and 
frantic search, she had hoped she was back in Cavalyn alongside her mother, 
but then the tale of few nights passed struck down her hopes like led 
strapped to a balloon.
    "I be hating this place already and I have nae been here 5 days.  I guess 
I be making the best of it, at least until I can find a spell tae get me 
home.  Or find another gate..." she said softly to herself s she struggled 
into a standing position, trying to keep her leg muscles from collapsing 
because of the sudden strain.  Then she brought her hands down upon her 
thighs and spoke the word "Este", the weave of yellow magic that suddenly 
came from her hands acted as a magnet to draw out the weariness, then as the 
glow died, so did all the pain and muscle fatigue.
    "Very good child..." came the musings of the old woman, finally leaving 
her tent.  "What else can such a talented one as yourself do?"
    Alexia shrugged, getting over her initial surprise as she began to flex 
her now refreshed muscles.  "I can do a bit more, but I really should nae 
bring so much attention to mineself.  I am nae well endowed with the wisdom 
of this world.  At least not enough tae keep mineself afloat, so to speak." 
Alexia said plainly, without much emotion to it.  "Why do you ask Elder?"
    "Oh, tis nothing child.  Just the curiosity of the elderly." Cologne 
smiled as she thought to herself 'What secrets could you teach me my dear.  
Such power would surely benefit my people.  And myself.'
    Alexia slowly moved towards the dwindled fire, casting a weary glance 
about.  "Elder, what supplies might you have?  I have not eaten for days and 
could use a bit of nourishment." She said as her stomach grumbled its 
agreement, forcing a blush to the young elf's face.  "Excuse mine stomach, it 
knows not what it does." She stated with a half mirthful smile.
    A laugh came from the elder woman's mouth, which strangely would be 
considered a maniacal laughter.  One an evil vampire or a mad scientist would 
emit.  This laugh did more than send a few shivers down Alexia's spine, but 
the young woman just passed it off as a joke and laughed as well.
    "I have a bit of rabbit and some ramen noodles, but not much.  "It should 
though, be enough for a breakfast." Cologne stated after the seemingly 
endless laugh she brought forth.  A nod from Alexia was the only response.

    After a breakfast of 'rabbit soup', the two gathered up their supplies, 
readying for the trip ahead of them.  Cologne was literally bouncing about; a 
slight smile to her features all the way.  Most the time, Alexia stayed 
silent as she worked on putting the tent into its sack.
    "Are you almost done child?" the old woman asked, her good humor 
denouncing her rush.  "I would like to get back by dinner time."
    "Aye Elder, it be all set." Alexia flatly stated as she placed the few 
remaining pegs into the sack.  Hoisting it, she quickly placed it into her 
small pack, which didn't seem to bulge at all from the abundant amount of 
tent supplies.  This bought an inquisitive brow from Cologne.
    With a sigh, Alexia spoke before Cologne got the chance to speak.  "It be 
a dimensional pocket, Elder, it allows the storage of a large amount of 
items."
    With a nod, Cologne turned.  "Then lets get going child, there is much we 
must do." With that, the two ventured northwest, towards Joketsuzoku.
    The trip itself had little in the way to tell.  The two were silent the 
whole way, Cologne in barely contained glee while Alexia sulking silently.  
When they finally reached the village, things began to change.  "Who is that 
girl behind the matriarch?" a villager asked.
    "I don't know, but she looks like that outsider who defeated Xian Pu." 
Another villager added.  "Then why is she walking with the Matriarch?" the 
first villager added in confusion.
    Cologne paid the voices no mind as she headed to the center of the 
village.  Yet, the local gossip did not go unheard by Alexia's elven ear.  
She listened to the villager's conversation until one villager spoke out loud.
    "Go away outsider, we don't like your kind here!" a browned hair girl 
yelled, throwing a stone at Alexia.  Alexia, thankfully, was able to dodge 
the thrown projectile, but not without a mark on her mental state.  
"Aikanaro!" Alexia yelled as she brought her hands in front of her, letting 
lose a stream of deep red fire towards the offender, searing her clothes and 
skin, but little else.  The brown haired figure jumped back, half in 
surprise, half in fear.  The act also brought many gasps from the other 
inhabitants of the town.  "If ye all would not mind, I would like tae be left 
alone!" Alexia yelled.  No one had the wits to contest her request.
    Cologne during the whole exchanged chuckled lightly to herself, this was 
until she made it to the Town Square.  At that point she met with the fellow 
member of the elder council.  "Child, please wait outside.  I must speak with 
the Elders about your admittance into the tribe.  It should not take too 
long."  When Alexia nodded, Cologne followed the other elders into the 
largest hut in the village.

    The inside of the hut was not very elaborate.  The only furniture around 
was a large round table, housing a total of fifteen chairs.  The elders filed 
around the table quickly, and took their seat.  At length, an old woman 
spoke.  "What is the meaning of this Cologne?  You bring the same outsider to 
this village, the very same one that defeated your own great grand daughter!"
    Cologne brought forth an angry scowl.  "She be nae the same child that 
defeated my great grand daughter.  This one was able to fight toe to toe with 
me, even though she is a bit ridged with the staff."  This statement brought 
a few gasps from the rest of the elders.  "She also agreed to become part of 
this tribe.  Where she lacks in skill with physical combat, she is very, very 
adept with the ways of magic."
    The many elders thought hard about Colognes words.  Such a being could 
teach them of powerful magics.  Magics that would most likely easily overcome 
their enemies and allow them to take over Mount Phoenix and the Musk Dynasty. 
 With a bit of whispering, again the first elder spoke.  "We understand your 
offer, yet we don't know if she will share her knowledge with us."
    Cologne nodded,  "Yes, you have a point.  I believe a mutual trade may 
work.  We train her in our fighting style, while she teaches us her magic.  
Of course, before we even come near such an agreement, we must first admit 
her into the tribe.  This will give us new, stronger blood into our tribe." 
Cologne's statement brought smiles to all of the Elder's faces.
    "Very well then, this newcomer is to be accepted into the Joketsuzoku 
tribe.  But as another great grand daughter to you, Cologne.  You must 
prepare her as Xian Pu's replacement, if she has too many Difficulties in 
killing that outsider, Ranma Saotome." With the nodding approval of the other 
Elders, Cologne gulped.  "Saotome," Cologne thought, "There is something 
strange about that outsider." Her thoughts ended as she nodded her response 
to those at the table.  "To late for those thoughts, there is a new student 
to prepare." With that, the meeting of the elders concluded.

******************************************************************************
*******************
Disclaimer:
    Ranma is not my creation nor is the Jusenkyo guide, Ryoga and all the 
rest of the cast of Ranma 1/2.  I did however create Alexia, so I would like 
someone to ask before using her in a fic.  You will be able to find this fic 
at http://members.tripod.com/Darken0ne/Fanfic.html when i get the chance to 
post it.  Any C&C please mail me.  Thank you for spending the time reading 
this fic, and see you all later.
******************************************************************************
*******************