|___/\/\___
| _(_@ @)_
| \__\/__/
You can't believe it.  You have been working on getting this date with your dream girl (if your already a 
girl, just add hot water) for months.  And finally, she agreed!  You go all out for this one.  You even IRON 
your shirt.  Oh, she is going to be so impressed with your spy cloak.  Spy cloak?  AHH!  How did you get 
in?!"

"Greetings dear friend.  A spy has means of forcing entry," he said.  He then holds up your house keys.  
"You left them in the lock outside."

You snatch the keys back from him.

"Lucky that I, Code Name D, happened along before some wierdo found them to come inside without even 
knocking.  Which reminds me, I now have the next act to Curse of the Ghost Dance.

"In case you have forgotten, Ranma has gone into Akane's dream world to rescue her, only to have the 
Black Raven attack when they least expected it.  Meanwhile, the Black Raven has also appeared at the 
Mines of Marty, when Ranma's unconscious body is being protected by his companions.  But this battle 
dose not goes well either, and it appears that all is about to be lost.  We can only hope for a miracle."

He hands you a plain manila folder that says, Act 12: Thus Strikes the Raven.

Suddenly, Code Name D sniffs the air.  "Is something burning?"

You look down, and realize that you left the iron on your shirt for far too long, and it has caught fire.  Just 
then, a Japanese Copyright, wearing a firemen's helmet agent runs up, and splashes you with a cold bucket 
of water, effectively dousing the flames, as well as soaking you to the bone, and ruining the rest of your 
suit.

"Moshi moshi," he says with a smile.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me.  Ranma 1/2 is created by Rumiko Takahashi.  And it looks like you didn't take 
my warning very seriously.  She has a way of getting revenge.  See you around."

You are confused at Code Name D's rather cryptic comment, but then again, since when has that sneaky 
spy ever made any sense.  That is until you look down, and see two things on your chest that weren't there 
before.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I'M A GIRL!!!!!!"
  
+-----------------------------------------------+
|             Code Name D presents:             |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|                   Ranma 1/2                   |
|           The Curse of the Ghost Dance        |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|                    Act XII                    |
|             Thus Strikes the Raven            |
+-----------------------------------------------+

A dark fog rolled over every one who had fought so hard only moments before, and now filling the air with 
an unprecedented sense of dread and doom.

Ukyou found herself standing along side her American counterpart, known only to her as The Cajon, as the 
dawn was suddenly plunged into an eerily gray twilight.

Then she saw something.  A shadow in the shape of a man.  A dangerous and dark presence that prompted 
her to raise her battle spatula, and ready it.

The shadow stepped forward, suddenly emerging from the thick fog as a Native American dressed in black 
leather and feathers.

Tarry Clearwater was the one who bravely stepped forward.  Her fists were raised before her in the ever 
American boxing style that she seemed to rely on.

"Well now.  It looks like we finally chased the snake from the grass," she said to the Black Raven, 
"Normally, I would ask you to surrender Redd, but I am not in the habit of wasting my breath on one with 
the brains of a corn cob.  Besides, It wouldn't be any fun other wise."

"Your bravado will prove to be futile against my power."

"She isn't alone, you jerk!" Ukyou shouted as she stepped up next to Tarry.

"You've already tasted my steel, demon!" Bob said, also stepping foreword.

"Area is by your side, Senorita Tarry!"

"Shampoo fight too!"

The Cajun's response was to belt out a bold belly laugh.

Every one stood there, confronting the Black Raven for a few moments, before Tarry began to look around 
her.

"Um. . .  weren't there more of us than this?" Tarry said.

"What happened to your mother, Tarry?" Bob said, "Or the other adults for that matter."

"Mother!!", Tarry said as she slapped herself on her forehead, "I hate it when she skips out on me like that."

"Mr. Tendo and Mr. Saotome seem to have left as well," Ukyou said."

"Where stick boy and ax girl go?" Shampoo said.

Every one's musings were suddenly interrupted by a deafening evil laugh from the Black Raven.  "So, your 
hand against me is not nearly as strong as you had believed, man-girl?"

"Man-girl??  Grrrr!  Me, myself, and I are more than woman enough to trounce your butt, feather breath.  
Let me punch that one way ticket to the happy hunting ground for ya!!  AHHH!!"

Tarry charged, her fist drawn back to strike.  But when she closed the distance, the Black Raven simply fell 
silent, and side stepped each of her punches and kicks, finally back handing her across the face.  And yet 
there was enough impact to send Tarry flying over every one's heads, and against the side of the mine 
entrance, where she landed in a heap, momentarily stunned from the impact.

"Shampoo, let's double team him," Ukyou suggested.

"Shampoo with you!!" she said.  With battle cries, Shampoo and Ukyou were the next to attack the fiend, 
approaching him from either side.  But the Black Raven dodged each of their combined attack with the 
same ease as he dodged Tarry's assault.  Ukyou realized that he was using some sort of technique that was 
unlike any other ether of them had ever seen or heard of.  They couldn't lay a finger on him.

Suddenly, before she even realized what was happening, Ukyou had doubled over with a pain in her gut, 
and then was send flying backwards, her spine colliding with a tree, sending a wave a pain and nausea 
through her system.  Shampoo plowed face fist into the foliage.

Even before they had recovered, Area and Bob charged foreword.  Attacking the Black Raven from either 
side, but with similar success, and were just as quickly beaten away.

"CAJUN GUMBO GLUE!!"  The Cajun shouted, and he tossed a ball of glue at the shadowy figure.  It 
struck him dead center, and splattered all around.  But the Black Raven sloughed the glue off as easily a 
duck sloughed off water.  He then stepped foreword, and began to walk toward the entrance of the mine.

Ukyou tried to force herself back to her feet, but she wouldn't be able to intercept him in time.

"NEWTON'S CRADLE!!"

Tarry charged in with a flying kick attack.  She struck her target, dead center, and passed right through him, 
as if the Black Raven were only a cloud of dark fog.  She collided with a pile of logs that was left over from 
the previous battle, and landed in a tangled heap.

"He's after Ranma," Tarry managed to say with pain in her voice, "We have to stop him before he reaches 
Ranma."

<+++>

Akane could only stare into his face, helpless against the storm.  Again, overwhelmed by Ranma's courage, 
and his dedication.  The fact was that this was always when his was at his best.  She hated to admit it, but in 
time like this, she was as helpless before him, as he was to the storm.

"Akane, I love you," he said as he pulled her more securely onto the deck.

>--------SNAP-------<

He said it wrong.  She didn't know why, she didn't know how, but the real Ranma would never say that, 
that way, at a time like this.  Then a flood of fact washed into her mind.  The fact that Ranma was still a 
boy, despite the ice cold water.  This wasn't Ranma, but one of the Black Raven's elusions.

Once this sunk in, Akane began to struggle out of Ranma's grip, only to have him tighten it.

"Let go of me you pervert!"

"You heard the lady," Ranma-chan suddenly said, jumping the phony  Ranma from behind, "Let her go!  
Akane, you have to drop the doll!  You have to let go!"

"Ranma!  Behind you!!" Akane shouted.

Both Ranmas turned, just in time to see the largest wave yet began to crest over the tiny boat.  Like a 
mountain of angry sea.  "Uh oh," both Ranmas said simultaneously as the wave began to crash down upon 
them.

The ship pitched violently again as the water was thrust onto the tip of the mast, pulling the tattered sail 
along.

Male Ranma tackled Akane to the deck, and under the rail to take cover from the wave.  But Ranma-chan 
was not so swift, and caught the full force of the wave.  Then Akane was submerged under vengeful waters.

Then, as swiftly as it came, the wave passed over the ship, leaving it intact and still up right.

"Akane!" Ranma-chan shouted from some where over the side.

"Ranma!"  Akane forced herself back onto the rolling deck.  Only to be grabbed from behind.

"That's right, Akane," the phony Ranma said as he tightened his grip, "I can't defeat him here.  But I can 
contain him.  Soon the current will take him out of reach for the ship.  But rest assured, if he can't come to 
us, I will come to him!"

Akane watched helplessly as the current and the rising swells in the water played cruelly with Ranma-chan.  
Keeping her just our of reach of the railing, even as she franticly and constantly swam towards the ship.

"Akane, forget her," the phone male-Ranma said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "How can you love 
another woman over..."

Akane's action was swift, as she took Ranma-kun's grip, and tossed him over the railing and into the water.

She then turned her attention to the real Ranma, who was reaching for her.  The rising water threatened to 
overturn the ship, once and for all, but it was brining Ranma closer still to the ship.

"Akane!"

"Ranma!  Take my....."

Akane opened her hand, and the male corn husk doll fell from her grip.

The ship was gone, the raging sea was gone.  Ranma was gone.  Akane now found herself standing atop a 
shallow hill, surrounded by fog enshrouded woods encased in pure silence.

"..hand!  What the?"  Akane finished, realizing that she had indeed waken up.  And that she was now free 
from the doll's influence.  It had worked!

Just then, she saw shadows form in the fog, as a number of figures began walking towards her.  Looking 
around, Akane realized that she was surrounded, and whomever it was closing in on her.

But then a small smile crossed her lips, and she began to pop her knuckles, one by one.

"Okay then boys.  You want a piece of Akane Tendo?  Then you had better come get it!"

Suddenly, the ring of soldiers collapses around her.  But just as quickly, Akane charges foreword at a full 
speed, tearing into their ranks.

<+++>

Kuno found himself forced upon a cat walk that overlooked a deep chasm, with various colored lights 
illuminating the more than significant drop below him.  Even as the Spanish Captain forced him deeper and 
deeper into the mine.  Ranma Saotome lay helpless, just on the other sides of the cat walk.  And at the other 
end of the cat walk, and his opponent was more than determined to force his way past him.

Kuno hardened his resolve, and raised his bokuto, just as the Spanish Captain charged.  Steel again met 
with wood.  Both charged with so much ki energy that they sparked and sputtered with contact.  The steel 
railing of the catwalk was cut like butter as blade and blunt sword danced about each other in violent fury.  
Once more, Kuno was forced to sacrifice ground, or fall victim to the Captain's skill.

Then something happened.  It was barely an instant.  Barely a microscopic sliver of time.  Something 
distracted the Captain.

"Kuno launched foreword, and pressed against this minute change, prying wide open the crack of 
opportunity.  Finally, Kuno executed a series of cuts, then ended with an unchallenged thrust.  The 
Captain's sword was in no position to parry, the Kuno's bokuto found its mark, and plunged strait through 
the Captain's heart.

It was over.  Barely the blink of an eye, and the battle was finished.

Already growing weak, the Captain dropped his sword to the cat walk, and his stance began to falter.

Still governed by profound respect for his foe, Kuno reached under him, and gently lowered him down to 
the walk.

"Samurai," the Captain weekly said, "Thank you for an honorable death, and for releasing me from the 
Black Raven's power.  I return to heaven, to haunt you.. no..... more.........*"

Within that, the Spanish Captain fell completely, and became lifeless.  He then faded away, like smoke 
disturbed by a gentle wind, not even leaving his saber behind.

<+++>

The Black Raven began walking towards the entrance again.  This time, Ukyou stepped into his path.

"You're not going to hurt my fiancée, and I know just how to stop you!  STOCKING THE FIRE 
ATTACK!!"  Ukyou began to rapidly wave her battle specula like a giant fan.  It wasn't an attack per say, 
but it was used to stoke up a cooking fire with a good strong wind.  But it was just the thing to push through 
the Black Raven's defenses.

The wind struck the Black Raven hard, it was like he was fighting a hurricane.  An envelope of fog seemed 
to be washed away from him, leaving the core individual venerable.

"Du Cajun charge!!"

A second later, the Cajun attacked the Black Raven at point blank range, and was managing to get some 
hits through.  But he was still a poor match for the Black Raven, and the tables quickly turned against The 
Cajun.

But The Cajun was a far more resourceful opponent.  He fell back, and pulling ingredients one by one from 
his guerilla spice holder harness, he began to mix something in mid air before him.  "Cajun Gumbo Glue!!"

With his defenses torn away, the substance took hold, and held him securely in place.

"NOW!  DO IT NOW!!" Ukyou ordered!

Area, Shampoo, and Bob all rose back up and surrounded him on three sides, ready to attack.  Tarry 
Clearwater jumped in before the Black Raven, blocking his way into the mine.

"Looks like the tables been turned, leather butt."

The Black Raven's eye's burned with a brilliant fire, and he raised his arms.  Before Area, Shampoo, and 
Bob could attack, a powerful wind rose, swirling about him like a small tornado.  Their attack was spoiled.  
Even Tarry was nearly blown from her feet from the powerful wind.  Ukyou's Stoking Fire attack was 
spoiled as she suddenly found her fighting her own spatula against the wind.  Only her skill prevented her 
from being blown away, and losing her weapon to the wind.

"I am far from beaten!  You have only stoked my wrath, and delayed your end!  Have you forgotten 
already, the army that I command?"

"Nuts," Tarry said under her breath.

<+++>

Ranma-chan's body still continued to flail about during the course of what ever unseen battle that she was 
engaged in.  Ryouga and his dominant strength kept her in check, but only because he had a solid locking 
hold over her.

The Shaman continued to chant, his voice booming inside the tiny chamber.

Then, Ranma-chan stopped struggling.  The Shaman fell silent, and opened his eyes.

"The Black Raven's power has been compromised.  Ranma has done it," The Shaman announced.

"I never had a doubt," Ryouga said.  Just then, Ranma-chan began to come out of her trance.

"Uh.. where am I?", Ranma-chan said, just starting to come out of her trance.  "!!!"  It was then when she 
realized that Ryouga had her in a tight embrace, and as any boy trapped in a girls body, she reacted 
appropriately.

"GET OFF ME YOU PERVERT!!! "

The Shaman winced from the pain inflicted on poor Ryouga.  "Hmmm, remind me not to attempt THAT 
position next time I meditate."

"Jerk," Ranma-chan said.

Suddenly, The Shaman looked to the entrance, then bolted onto his feet, taking his staff in hand.

"It is here."

"Is who here?  Gwaa! " Before Ranma-chan could react, the Shaman's staff had morphed into a 
water cannon, and blasted her with hot water.

"There is no time," the Shaman said, "Quickly, bring your companion.  We must reinforce the others."  
With that, the Shaman stormed from the chamber, clearly ready for battle at any point.

"Come on pig butt," Ranma said as he peeled Ryouga off the chamber walls, leaving the eternally lost boy's 
imprint, permanently etched in stone.

< + + + >

A narrow mountain path.  The only route that lead two, or from, the Mines of Marty.  And at his very 
moment, an horrifyingly large army of Spanish Conquistadors and Mayan Warriors were charging 
headlong towards the raging battle just beyond.  A desperate rush to reinforce their master and animator.

Suddenly, there was a loud whistle behind them.  The soldiers turned to see Kelly Clearwater, cutting off 
their retreat with a wide grin on her face.

"Pay attention fellas.  I am about to introduce you to an old American sport, called bowling for dollars."

Just then, there was a low rumbling sound from atop the path.  All heads turned in time to see a large log 
with four wood wheels role strait down the path.  Kelly Clearwater leapt clear, just as it plowed into them.

"Or the locale version, running over the gringos," Kelly said.  She then looked up the path and waved at 
both Dusty and Cash Darenger.  "Good job boys!  Now make yourself scares before you ma kills me for 
getting you in harms way."

"WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA BRINING MY BOYS INTO HARMS WAY!!"

"Opps, never mind," Kelly said.

The rolling log was devastating to the advancing army.  But it didn't wipe it out entirely, and one by one, 
the hand full of survivors began to pull themselves to their feet, and to progress up the path once more.  
Then, just before the first of them reached the top, two men stepped out, and blocked their path.  None 
other than Soun Tendo, and Genma Saotome.

"Now you must contend with the masters of the Tendo-Saotome School of Any Thing Goes Marshal Arts!"  
Soun said, "Right Saotome."

"You said Tendo!" Genma said with a great deal of bravado, "And I don't think we are going to be gentle."

< + + + >

Ranma lead the charge, with Ryouga having recovered, the Shaman confidently following, and picking up 
Kuno and Marry Lou, on the way out.  All four of them quickly rushed to the entrance of the mine.  
Suddenly, a blasting hot wind howled its way through the tunnel, nearly forcing them from their feet.

"It is the Black Raven!" The Shaman shouted over the din of the wind, "The others must be attempting to 
hold him in check outside.  We must reinforce them, before the Black Raven finds a way to regain control!"

Ranma forced himself to his feet, and tried to force his way up wind.  But the wind suddenly grew stronger, 
and all four were thrown backwards.  Marry Lou produced on of her hatchets, and lodged it into the stone 
tunnel, then grabbed onto Kuno before he was blown back into the mine.  The Shaman held his staff forth, 
and it stretched into a long poll, gripping into either side of the tunnel, just in time for Ranma to grab on.

"It is the Black Raven!", the Shaman was barely able to shout over the wind, "He knows we are here!"

< + + + >

Genma and Soun fought bravely against the turning tide.  More and more solders and warriors were rising 
up from the ruin of the rolling log attack.  Step by step, they were being beaten back.

Suddenly, there was a new battle cry from down the hill.  Soun, Genma, Kelly, and Cindy all looked down 
the path, and saw a swarming army of red and blue uniforms, charging up the mountain, directly for them.

"Holy Alamo!!  It's darn near the entire Mexican Army!!" Kelly shouted, "That monsters done pulled a fifth 
ace from his sleeve."

"We can barley hold back the remnants of the other two!" Cindy shouted.

"Then we will fight to the end!  And hope that fate come to our aid!"  Soun shouted.

"I'm with you to the end Tendo!", Genma said.

< + + + >

"HIY-YAH!!!  HAH!!" Akane was felling attackers left and right.  Much to her relief, they went getting 
back up.  Apparently, escaping from under The Black Raven's spell was enough to compromise his 
strength.  But she was still on the verge of being overwhelmed at any moment.

Akane tumbled left, kicked, and then chopped another out of her way.

She needed an equalizer.  And then she saw it.

Redd Darenger.

He was still at the top of the hill, still in his doll induced trance.

She did a back flip over yet another wave of attackers, kicked the legs out of two more, then rushed the hill.  
If she could get the doll out of Redd's hands, that might completely cut of the Black Raven's power.

But the soldiers quickly reinforced the hill, with more rushing in behind her.  There were two many of them 
to pummel her way through.  But she had an idea.

Akane quickly rushed to the flank of the hill.  Two warriors rushed to block her, but she dove, and tumbled 
beneath them.  Some how, her hand found a rock, and snatched it.  She then tumbled back onto her feet.

"AKANE FAST BALL!!" she shouted as she through the rock.  It raced towards its target with a true aim.  
The doll that Redd was holding in his right hand, and knocking it free from his grip.

<+++>

Tarry and Ukyou could only hold onto a tree as the hurricane only grew stronger.  Every one was 
completely impotent against the Black Raven's latest move.

"What's he doing?" Ukyou shouted.

"He's stalling for his reinforcements!  Ma must be holding back his zombie army, buying us some time!" 
Tarry said, "We got to brake this stalemate before Ma gives out!"

Suddenly, the hurricane collapsed in upon itself, and Tarry and Ukyou fell to the ground.  The Black Raven 
arched backwards, and let out a piercing scream of agony that seemed to echo off the sky itself.

"This will do!", Tarry shouted, jumping back to her feet, and getting ready to attack again.

< + + + >

Genma, Soun, Kelly, and Cindy all bravely stood their ground.  But there were simply too many soldiers, 
and they were starting to simply go around the group of defenders.  A wave of Mexican soldiers had some 
how managed to ferret out the Darenger Brothers, and pulled them into the open.  They were forced to the 
ground, and rifles placed at the back of their necks in preparation for an execution.  And there was nothing 
any of them could do to stop them.

Suddenly, all the soldiers either reared back, or doubled over in pain.  Within seconds, their flesh began to 
split open, and to ooze into dust.

"What in tarnation?", Kelly said, "Not that I am complaining mind you."

"Ranma must have done it!" Tendo shouted, "That means my little girl is safe."

"Not for long, unless we go and help the other young'ens take on that Black Raven feller," Kelly said.

"Then what are we waiting for!"  Genma shouted.

< + + + >

As quickly as the wind rose against them, it subsided.  Ranma Instantly jumped to his feet, and as The 
Shaman pulled back his staff.

"Something has changed in our favor," The Shaman said, "Perhaps the young Akane Tendo has managed to 
free Redd Darenger from the Black Raven's grip was well.  We must move swiftly to place our plan into 
action."

"Then what are we waiting for?"  Ryouga said.

"Indeed," Kuno said, "We wait not, for but a mere pause in wonderment at the fire and power contained 
within the youthful and graceful form of my mistress Akane Tendo.  How can we not stand in awe by that 
bound of.. ite, ite, ite!  Let go of my ear you western wench!  I shall not be dragged into battle in this 
manner!"

<+++>

Akane watched in satisfaction as the female corn husk doll that Redd was holding on to fell to the ground, 
and bounced once off the grass.

The small army that surrounded her began to constrict.  Cutting off all her escape routes, and limiting her 
options.  And yet, not a single one of them managed to reach her.

Even before the doll touched the ground, the soldiers and warriors began to stumble to the ground or to 
double over.  Akane then recoiled in horror as their flesh split open, like spoiled fruit, melting to a 
disgusting ooze, and then disintegrated to dust.  It was as if she had watched a million years take it's toll on 
bone and metal alike.

Then, they were gone, completely gone without a trace.  Then there was a sigh, reminding her that she 
wasn't entirely alone.  Redd was still standing on the hill, but beginning to come out of his trance.

"Where am I?" he said.  He then looked up at her.

"A.. Akane?  What just happened?  Why am I in the middle of the woods?"

"Hey, I can understand you," she said, "The translation amulets are working again.  Looks like I broke the 
Black Raven's spell."

"Last thing I remember, was being back at the Ranch.  But it wasn't the real ranch, but some kind of 
facsimile that was barred inside this cave.  That female doll was there, only much larger, and far more 
dangerous," Redd said.

"We were both hypnotized.  But Ranma some how found a way to break me out of it, allowing me to 
rescue you," Akane said.  Suddenly, the thought was shattered by a powerful thunderous boom that 
emanated from the distant mountains.  Akane looked to the source, and saw that the anger filled sky was 
beginning to shrink.  Indeed, the Black Raven's power was ebbing away.  But he was still very powerful, 
and it looked as if he still held the mountain.

Some how, she knew that Ranma was on that mountain.  Did he have a chance?

"Not to worry," Redd suddenly said, "Tarry's up there.  She will pull through."

<+++>

The Black Raven stood in place, enduring unspeakable pain as his power collapsed in around him.  But he 
still stood.  Slowly, he began to recover, and gathered his remaining strength.

Tarry stood firmly at the point, making herself the first target, the glint in her eye told of a complete focus, 
ready for anything.  The others encircled the Black Raven, though at a some what further distance.  Each of 
them ready for the Black Raven's next move.

Just then, Kelly, Cindy, Genma, and Soun appeared from down the mountain trail.  Even as Ranma, 
Ryouga, and The Shaman rushed from the mine entrance.  Ranma and Ryouga reinforced Ukyou's flank, 
who was still blocking the entrance of the mine.

The Shaman calmly stepped forward, even to step before Tarry, as she stood vigilant. His staff firmly in his 
grip.

"Your power is broken, Black Raven.  Your hold over the ranch, and over the people of Japan has been 
removed.  I will not give you this opportunity to retreat, for my ancestors have told me of your evil.  As I 
have promised, you will not be returned to your prison, but be destroyed here," The Shaman boldly said.

"Evil?!  My, evil!!" the Black Raven hissed, "To here the Shaman of the land talk of evil, then what do you 
know of the spirits of the earth and sky.  No evil force can command them, no more than you could with 
your, goodness.  I seek only vengeance.  Only vengeance!!  And I shall have it yet.  Shaman of the 
Mountain, your wisdom in combat has availed you.  Your wit's armed with the courage and skills of the 
warriors around you have proven to be formidable.  But still, they pale to my power!!!"

With that, the Black Raven raised his arms to the sky, and the ever present lighting suddenly disappeared.  
This fact alarmed The Shaman.

"TAKE COVER AGAINST THE LIGHTING ! ! !"

The sky then split open with raw power, and touched the mountain with raw fury.  If it wasn't for the 
Shaman's warning, every one would have been struck down by lighting.  As it was, every one managed to 
dodge to safety.

The Black Raven gathered his arms before him, and a dreadful wind arose once more.

Ranma, Ukyou, Ryouga, and Tarry all tried to dive into the mouth of the mine for shelter, but the force of 
the wind almost held them in place.

The Black Raven then swept his arm across the ground, and towards the entrance of the mine.  Then 
something large and powerful responded from under the earth, and burrowed its way towards them.

"Incoming!!" Tarry shouted in warning, and all four of them dove back into the open, just as a huge boulder 
smashed the spot where they stood before with an earth shaking crash.

"Everyone!" The Shaman shouted as he fought to stand against the wind, still defying the Black Raven's 
power, "It is time for our plan to be put into motion."

"Right!" Ranma shouted.

"I'm all over it!" Tarry followed.

Area and Shampoo promptly retreated to the edge of the clearing.

With battle cries, Ranma and Tarry charged the Black Raven, for an all out direct assault.  But the Black 
Raven only took two steps back, and became enveloped into his own fog once more, quickly becoming 
little more than a man shaped shadow, and both Tarry and Ranma passed right through him.

Shampoo and Area puled away a shrouded a foliage to reveal the dream catcher that they had made in order 
to form the teeth of the trap. It had the form of a bizarre looking man made spider web, with feathers and 
spirit wards hanging down from the corners.

Ukyou and Bob charged foreword, and took up flanking positions, on either side of the Black Raven, then 
Ukyou charged, her battle specula in hand and at the ready.

"STOKING THE FIRE ATTACK!!", she shouted as she again fanned the villein.  Again, the wind she 
made ripped away the fog armor.

Bob then moved into position, and rearranged his wrench in his grip.  "ULTIMATE MECHANICAL 
ADVANTAGE!!!"

A pricing beam of energy punched through the fog, and grabbed onto the Black Raven.  Bob then clamped 
his wrench onto the beam, and pulled with all his might, with the grip of wrench serving as the fulcrum, the 
Black Raven was thrown into the dream catcher.  Suddenly, sparks and arcs of white hot energy spilled out 
in all directions, as the Black Raven was encased in the grip of the dream catchers power, as Shampoo and 
area looked on.

"Hiya, dream trap is working.  Shampoo not too sure would work." Shampoo said.

Area only beamed back.  "Small Amazon still mighty warrior.  Area glad to fight by your side as equal."

"Shampoo also glad meet big amazon warrior."

"All right," Ranma shouts in victory.

"All right Ranma," Tarry said to Ranma as she recovered from her vain attack," Bad guy down for the 
count.  West and East came to gather and WE and kicked his keaster.  Give me five."

Ranma only looks at Tarry strangely.  "Give you five what?" he said.  Suddenly, a large arm pulled around 
his shoulder.

"Ha ha ha ha, that's my boy," Genma said, "Ouhf!"

"One side panda butt, and give my daughter heroine some air," Kelly said as he pushed Genma over to get 
him out of her way.  "Yes-sir-e-bob.  That girl is a real chip off the old shoulder."

"Hey!" Genma said as he got back into Kelly's face, "She can get her own air.  My boy was here first."

"Oh yeah, that's rich.  My people were here for a hundred years, and you come over in a jet plane and 
suddenly own the place."

Once again, Genma and Kelly launched into a vigorous argument, shouting at each other at point blank 
range.  Tarry and Ranma could only roll their eyes into their heads, when each of them suddenly produced 
a blue colored water balloon.  A moment later, and a wet panda, and a wet albino grisly, were staring each 
other down, when they began to hold up sings to each other.

"A little help.. here!"

Tarry and Ranma turned around to see Bob sill pulling on his wrench.  The Black Raven was still held in 
the dream catcher, but it looked as if the only think keeping him contained, was Bob's spirit lever.

"Something is wrong, the dream catcher is not working as planned," The Shaman announced.

The Black Raven began to push himself away from the dream catcher.  Quickly, Ranma and Tarry ran to 
Bob, and reinforced his strength, pushing the Black Raven back into the dream catcher.  Area and Ryouga 
ran up, and added their strength as well.  But it was only a temporary hold, because Bob's spirit beam began 
to bow and thin from the strain.

"It is sun light," The Shaman said, "The dream catcher will separate the dream from the nightmare, but only 
in the sun light."

"But what about the storm," Ukyou said, and the fog is getting thicker."

"Yes," The Shaman said as he stepped towards the dream catcher, "It is the Black Raven, working to free 
itself.  The fog is still his armor."

The Shaman then raised his staff. "But there is more than one kind of light, Black Raven.  It is the light of 
hope, and it will destroy you!  On to this light, I command to shine onto my foe!"

Suddenly, his staff began to glow, then burst into a brilliant sun that literally tore into the fog enshrouded 
gloom, with a blinding white glare.  The sunlight struck the web of the dream catcher, then burst into a 
blowing beam of energy.  Energy that began to sear into the Black Raven's very being.  Flame began to 
burst from his shadowy flesh, and black smoke bellowed forth.

All at once, the fog dissipated, and the storm cloud above began to thin, allowing more and more daylight 
to force it's way through the dark clouds above.  The Black Raven continued to struggle to escape, even 
under the increasing agony of The Shaman's persistent attack.  Eventually, a ray of sunlight cut it's way 
through the cloud cover, and struck the Black Raven square in the back.  The Black Raven then shook 
violently from the onslaught, his voice shrieked as he continued to burn and smoke in the growing sunlight.  
Even as The Shaman's staff dimmed, and was lowered.

Then, his struggling ceased.  His body slowly began to burn away in the sunlight, the energy from the 
dream catcher still coursing through the ashen corps.  Eventually, even the gentle remaining wind from the 
battle began to blow away the ash that was the Black Raven, leaving only the dream catcher behind.

The Shaman finally let out a long sigh.  "It is finished," he said, "The four generations of my ancestors that 
have done fierce battle with this black vestige, shall finally rest in peace.  As will many generations yet to 
come to be.  It is finally over.

Kelly-grisly then let out a growling yawn, then held up a sign.  [That was fun.  Now lets all go home.]  She 
then turned the sign over.  [Every one back into the Bus.]

"That's just great.  From the frying pan, and into the fire," Tarry said.

Kelly-grisly raised a new sign. [I heard that.]

<+++>

At last, the earthquakes came to a stop, and the volcano was silenced.  But not before half of Nerima, 
Tokyo was cover in a thick blanket of ash and soot.  Particularly hard hit, for some unknown reason, was he 
Tendo residence.

Still taking shelter in the basement, two bizarre looking figures poked there heads up through the pile of ash 
that had flooded in.  One of that of a green/black gas mask and a white and red hard hat.  The other was 
also a green/black gas mask, only with a pink bow tied across the muzzle.

The one without the bow was the first to remove her gas mask, who turned out to be Nabiki, and began to 
survey the damage.  "Thank the gods that all that is over," she said.

"Oh my," Kasumi said when she removed her mask.  She then looked at the devastation in horror, and held 
her hand to her mouth.  "Father is going to be so disappointed in me that I did not take better care of the 
house while he was gone."

"It does look bad, doesn't it, but at least we toughed it out and didn't run away like every one else," Nabiki 
said, "Don't worry sis, they aren't due back for another day.  I'll think of something."

"Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!  Gone! All gone!", Happousai suddenly cried out from the upstairs, "A life time of 
panty stealing, wiped away in the span of a few hours.  Oh, how can the fates be so cruel?"

"Hmm.  It's an ill wind that blows no one any good," Nabiki said with a smile as she continued to listen to 
Happousai's bawling.

"Ahhhhh!  Oh well.  That means I can start my collection all over again," Happousai said, "And I know just 
where to start too.  Nabiki! ! !  Kasumi! ! !"

Suddenly, the eyes of both sisters opened up wide with dread and apprehension.

"Oh no," Kasumi said.

"Head for the hills big sister!"  Nabiki said as she ran from the pile of ash.

"I am right behind you little sister," Kasumi said as she ran after sister.

< + + + >

"Eeeeee haaa!  All right all you cowboys and cowgirls, gather round and help me raise the roof as we watch 
The Cajun try to saw his fiddle in half," Kelly Clearwater said as she stood up in the middle of the of the 
boxing ring.

The Cajun dutifully brought his fiddle to his chin, and started to play a frantic foot stomping tune.  Dusty 
and Cash joined in with an electric guitar and piano. 

The music that they played with the lively everyone around couldn't help but start tapping their feet and 
moving to music.  The group from Japan was far from being immune to the beat.

Tarry Clearwater seemed to be the most venerable to the country music, as she dances and swayed her hips 
with the rhythm, hypnotizing the boys around her.  Then before she knew was happening, Redd Darenger 
had, taking her hand and pulled her onto the floor so that they could dance together.  At first Tarry was 
surprised, than reluctant, but was eventually completely seduced by Redd's graceful movements.

"Ah yes, the seductive beat and rhythm of Western Country Music, truly the universal language of the land 
that speaks to the wealth of color that this great land and its inhabitance," Kuno said.

"Speaking of which, handsome, why don't you and I go cut a rug." Marry Lou said as she took Kuno's 
hand.

"Foolish woman, why would I wish to the cause such Eyyyaa....."

Marry Lou didn't give Kuno a chance before she pulled him onto the dance floor, and proceeded to swing 
him around in time with the music, even as Kuno protested in vain.

Ranma and Akane were sitting down on a bench, and both were flanked by there respective parents.  For 
the moment, all four of them seemed satisfied to simply watch the fun from the side lines, even though 
Akane was clearly allowing her feet to tap out in time with the music.  But apparently, Ranma had 
something else on him mind as he looked at her in a strange way.

"Akane?" Ranma said.

"Yes Ranma," Akane said, not paying a great deal of attention to him.  Ranma seemed to be working up the 
courage to ask Akane out to dance with him on the dance floor.

Suddenly, Ranma was slapped squarely on the back by his father.

"Hey Ranma my boy," Genma said, "why don't you ask Akane to dance with you?"

"Huh?" Akane said.

"Why that's a great idea Saotome," Soun said, "I am sure Akane would love to dance with you Ranma.  Go 
ahead and ask her."

The sudden forcing of the issue did not build any of Ranma confidence and he began to nervously falter in 
front of Akane, even as she looked at Ranma expectantly.

"Go on son, ask her," Soun said.

"Well I, uh..." Ranma said as he nervously thumbed with his thumbs.

Suddenly, the great Soun Demon head emerged and towered over a frightened Akane, and a petrified 
Ranma who was kneeling at her feet and holding Akane's hand as if he was going to pop the question.

"YOU ARE GOING TO ASK AKANE TO DANCE, ARN'T YOU RANMA!!"

"I'm asking!  I'm asking!!" Ranma said.  With that, he nervously pulled Akane out onto the dance floor with 
him, and proceeded to dance with her.  Even though his attention was more directed at avoiding Soun's 
formidable wrath.

"Thanks a lot dad," Akane said under her breath, clearly some what sour at her fathers interference into 
what would have been a memorable moment.

"Don't mention it dear Akane," Soun said, even as Genma was waving Japanese victory fans behind him.

As the music played on, Ranma and Akane actually began to put their fathers interference behind them, and 
began to enjoy each others company for once.

Genma sat back down on the bench, next to Ryouga and Ukyou, who were watching Ranma and Akane 
with long and stunned faces.  Kelly came in and sat down next to Genma's other side, only too look over his 
shoulder at the moping Ukyou and Ryouga.

"What's eating them?" Kelly asked.  Genma only shrugged.

"Hi every one," Cindy said as she came up to them, carrying a pitcher and several glasses. "I thought the 
two of you might like some lemonade," she said to Ryouga and Ukyou.

Ryouga smiled weakly.

"Um, sure."

"Hey, lemonade sounds like a great idea to me," Ukyou said.

"Then it's a good thing I came along, isn't it.  Here you go," Cindy said. With that, she placed a single glass 
in between them, and poured them a serving of lemonade.  "I am sorry, but with some much company and 
all, I don't have enough glasses for every one.  You two will have to share.  But I do have plenty of straws 
though."  And with that, Cindy Darenger dropped in two straws for the both of them.

Ukyou and Ryouga exchanged glances between each other, and the glass of lemonade between them.  All 
they could do was blink in confusion at each other.  But their befuddlement was interrupted by Kelly 
Clearwater laughing at them.

Kelly was laughing so hard that she had to lean against Genma's shoulder to retain her composure.

"Hey!" Ukyou said, "What's so funny?"

"I am sorry, it's just that the two of you have been struck by our resident match maker's love arrows.  Cindy 
is always trying to bring couples together, and it looks like you two are stuck with each other," Kelly said, 
"You might as well as pop the question to her right now."

"And here is a glass for you and Mr. Saotome," Cindy said as she placed a second glass of lemonade 
between Kelly and Genma.

"What the?!" Kelly said as she spied the glass, "Now wait just one cotton pickin' minute.  I am an 
unhappily divorced woman!  You come back here right now and that this glass away, you hear me Ms. 
Cindy Darenger?"  Kelly then got up to peruse Cindy, still protesting.

Tarry and Redd continued to dance with each other, gaily moving around the floor.  But then Marry Lou 
tapped Redd on his shoulder, momentarily stopping their dance.

"Do y'all mind if I cut it?"  Marry Lou said with a wide smile on her face.

Redd and Tarry exchanged glances with each other.

"I suppose not," Tarry reluctantly said.

"Much obliged," Marry Lou said.  She then suddenly produced a blue colored water balloon, and threw it 
into Tarry's face.  The next thing that boy type Tarry knew was that he was being swung around the floor 
by Marry Lou, even as Redd blinked on in dismay.

"Hey," Tarry protested, "Let go of me, stop that.  Hey, touch me there again, Marry Lou, and you will be 
the first girl on the moon.  At least let me lead for crying out loud.  Just who is the guy here any way?"

< + + + >

Once more, as it has done so for all of time, night has settled upon the land, and the dwelling of the 
Darenger Ranch was far from immune from the setting sun. 

Exhausted after a long (and some what more stressful than normal) day, the Darengers and the Clearwaters 
were all fast asleep.  Even all of the guests from Japan were soundly snoozing away, lulled to slumber by 
the constant song of frogs in the pond, just outside the main house.  Or the occasional hooting of a watchful 
owl, keeping his sentry high atop a telephone pole.  Crickets provide the harmony as once again, a wolf 
began his lonely solo.  Filling the night with the opera of the west and...

"Augh!!"

Akane, once again, could stand no more, and bolted up right in her bed.  "No wonder Americans are so 
crazy, they never get any SLEEP!"

"Shampoo go crazy, if Akane not go sleep!" Shampoo said, setting up from her bed role.

"Akane," Ukyou said, setting up from her bed role, and folding her arms across her chest in annoyance. 
"The American's have a saying.  You don't want me going to the post office for you."

"Huh?" Akane said.  

"What spatula girl mean?" Shampoo said.  Both blinked in confusion from Ukyou's comment as a sweat 
drop appeared on Ukyou's head.

"Don't change the subject Akane!" Ukyou snapped, "Are we going to have to go though this every night?"

"Shampoo get very tired.  In more ways than one way!"

"Uh, sorry guys." Akane said, retreating from the hateful gaze of both girls who flanked her.

"I am not a guy!  And go to sleep!" all three then heard Tarry shout from the next room.

Akane continued to take glances from Ukyou and Shampoo, before she was inspired.

"I know, I'll go get some warm milk.  That put me right to sleep last night.  I didn't even remember 
returning to bed.  And I had a great dream about Ranma too."

Ukyou and Shampoo both face vaulted.

Akane got out of bed, and went into the hall, gently closing the door behind her.

An instant later, Ukyou got up, and checked the door as Shampoo pulled out the tape recorder and stopped 
the night time noises.

"Akane make this too too easy." Shampoo said.

"Faze two, take two." Ukyou said, "Do you have that powder stuff that you told me about?"

"Shampoo have" she said as she held up a small leather pouch, "Is special stuff, will make man thirsty for 
milk, and make fall in love with fist girl boy see.  Plan is now fool proof."

"Great." Ukyou said as she opened up the window to the outside. "Hey, wait just one minute.  If this stuff is 
as good as you say, why haven't you tried it on Ranma-honey yet?"

Shampoo sighed.

"Shampoo already try.  Only Ranma see self in mirror before see Shampoo."

"But you said that it would only make a boy fall in love with a ... he wasn't a girl at the time, was he?"

Shampoo replied with only a sigh.

"Hmm," Ukyou said, "That might explain his weirder than normal behavior that one week.  Come on, we 
are wasting time."

With that, Ukyou opened up the window, and Shampoo followed her onto the porch eve.  Quietly, they 
made their way to the window next door, and peeked.  And Ukyou gasped in astonishment.

"What is.  Shampoo see to," Shampoo said as she pushed Ukyou to one side.  Then Shampoo sighed as sell 
as they saw Dusty Darenger, sleeping on top of the covers, and without a shirt.

"Oh wow," Ukyou said.

Shampoo then crouched down on all fours to get a better look as well, then her hand returned covers with a 
thick and slimy substance.

"When do plan ask to cover eve with oil?" Shampoo asked.

Ukyou looked at Shampoo with a start.

"What?  The plan doesn't involve any oil-alllll!"

Suddenly, both Ukyou and Shampoo lost there grip on the eve, fell down on to their rumps, and began to 
slide down the eve and over the edge, and into a barrel of rain water that was waiting for them at the 
bottom.  A moment later, and they both splashed to the surface, only now Shampoo was in cat form, 
dripping wet as she rested on top of Ukyou's head.  Ukyou draped herself over the edge of the barrel, half in 
defeat.

"Shampoo, do you suddenly get the feeling that Americans don't like peeping toms any more than we do?" 
Ukyou said.

"Mowr" Shampoo said.

"Hsssss"

"Huh?" Ukyou said as she looked for the unexplained sound.  Looking down, she realized that the rain 
barrel was placed upon a catapult, and the only thing holding it fast, was a fuse that was rapidly burning 
away.

"Yikes!" was all that Ukyou managed to say before the catapult was released, and thrown through the air.

"Raaanmmmmmaaaaa!"  Ukyou shouted as her voice despaired into the night.

It was at that moment that the Darenger Brother's window was throw open, and Dusty, Cash, and Redd 
searched the night for the source of the scream.

"Yes, we get her!" Cash said as he pulled a victory out of the air.

"Um, some how I doubt it," Dusty said, "We haven't been able too thus far."

"Come to think of it, I don't ever recall Tarry's Grandmother ever having a Japanese accent.  You don't 
think that's one of the guests, do you?"

"Not a chance.  They wouldn't do something like that.  Besides, who is it that is by our window every night 
any way?" Cash said, We got her, I tell you."

 ""

Suddenly, from Tarry's room on the other side of the wall, there heard a male sounding squeal that still had 
a distinct female inflection to it, quickly followed by sounds of all sorts of cursing and ruckus.

"Grandmother!  How many times have I told you not to do that while I'm sleeping!" Tarry-kun shouted.

All three Darenger brothers did a double take, but all were clearly not surprised as well as being 
unimpressed.

"See you in the morning," Cash said to Dusty and Redd.

"Good night you two," Redd said to Dusty and Cash while Dusty simply yawned and stretched.  They each 
then returned to their respective bunks.

< + + + >

Midnight had finally passed over the now abandoned tourist trap that is know as the Mines of Marty.  In the 
corner of the clearing, still stood the primary article of victory, the dream catcher that was used to stop the 
Black Raven's wrath from encircling the globe.

But all is not entirely well.  A few ash remnants were played with the slight wind underneath the dream 
catcher, trapped by the tiny rocks that herded the wind and ashes into a never ending swirl.  A feather that 
was tied to the dream catcher was swaying playfully in the breeze.  Then something heavy oozed from the 
spider web like weaving and onto the feather, and weighed it down.  Small drops of something that might 
be mistaken for the glowing liquid of a rainbow, slowly made it's way down the feather.  It ended at the tip, 
where it collected, then dropped down to the ground, where it was absorb without a trace.  Then another 
drop, and another.  Until a brilliant and beautiful trickle of liquid rainbow could be seen dripping from the 
rest of the feathers as well.

As the ground began to absorb the raining rainbow, a thin vale of gray fog began to form, and rise.  
Suddenly, a pair it tiny blood red and beady eyes peered from the fog, and into the outside world.

The silence of the woods was then broken by the caw, of a black raven.

To be continued…..

_____Closing Credits____________________________
-->Insert the theme to Alley McBeal here!<------
------------------------------------------------
Story by : Douglas E. Kulp
Editing by : Christopher S Martin
Based on stuff by : Rumiko Takahashi
Transportation and lodging by : Code Name D.
       No Officer, they are NOT warring bath robes.

[ ___/\/\___ ]Code Name D.
[  _(_@ @)_  ]code_name_d@my-deja.com
[  \__\/__/  ]Read the rest at:
http://www.tass.org/fanfic/ranma.curse-of-the-ghost-dance
or read it at the Fan Fiction Underground.  At:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Aurora/8484/ghost.html

    Source: geocities.com/code_name_d