Author's Warning :
This is the final chapter, and as such, it'll be written in a slightly different format. ^_^
Some portions of this chapter may be a little abstract or confusing, but I assure you it'll be explained at the end of each segment of this chapter. Now, read on and thank you for your support! 

An uncharted island in the middle of a great sea, north of Japan.

Seemingly insignificant, it has a millennium long history of demons and spirits.

The wreckage of a downed plane lies in its small lake.

That plane ferried some of Japan's most incredible teens into the most unusual terror.

It galvanised some of the mortal world's most powerful beings into action.

Now, it ends with a mountain rimming the western edge of the island.

Deep within the catacombs of the mountain, is a hive of dark, festering activity.

Within that activity lies the heart of the story.

And at that heart, comes this last chapter.

Akane Tendou, heir to the Tendou Dojo and currently a young-demoness on the side of good, a resurrected creation of one known as Sekki.

Sekki, succubus-demoness sister to Lina, reigning Queen of the Demon World, where all hellspawn come from. The one who brought Akane back from the dead - a demoness.

The two have come together for one last fight to the end.

To determine one's humanity, and the other's dark wish for continuity.

So begins the end.

{The Final Chapters : Part 20 - The Beginning of the End.}

Akane watches as the Priest, Kuriimu and Lina hover above three of the four points about the Trial Arena. Behind each of them, the column of rocks glow a base black or pure white. Sekki stands besides Akane, apparently waiting for something.

Priest : "We shall need a representative from the mortals to represent the mortal's standing in the Trial."

Lina : "Very well. Let the chosen one be taken from those that are here now."

Kuriimu : "Let that chosen one be freed from their prison."

Akane turns around and watches anxiously as to who it will be.

Deep in her heart, she feverently prays for Ranma.

Voice : "Aiyah!"

*thud*

Shampoo falls and lands face first in the dirt floor of the cavern as the wall of maroon light she was leaning on dissipates. Picking herself up from the floor, she stares dumbfoundedly at those who are looking at her.

Priest : "She has been chosen. Let her come forwards now to take her rightful place in the panel of judges."

Shampoo : "Monkey man talking about Shampoo?"
 
The priest bursts a vein as he hears Shampoo's irreverent reference to his lineage.

Priest : "For Goodness' sakes! I am a SIMIAN!"

But, calming down and shaking his head, he beckons to Shampoo.

Priest : "I can see she will not suffice. There is..... prejudice in her heart."

Akane breathes an invisible sigh of relief as the column of light encases an indignant Shampoo once again, and this time.....
This time, Ranma watches as the column disappears around him.

Ranma : "Hey!"

Priest : "Waste not our time now, Saotome Ranma. Step forwards."

Ranma stares for a moment at the scene before him, the takes a step forwards.

Akane doesn't realize she's holding her breath.

However, as soon as Ranma puts his foot forwards, he feels something strange. He immediately withdraws his foot and the feeling disappears. He knows that feeling.

Priest : "Saotome Ranma, step forwards."

But Ranma crosses his arms and shakes his head.

Ranma : "No. Not yet."

Kuriimu : "Hm? Why? It's not me is it?"

The three around the circle chuckle. Even Akane has to do so despite the tense mood in the air.

Ranma : "I know that feeling when I stepped forwards. Why's my curse taking effect now?"

Akane blinks once and finally draws breath, noisily. The priest smiles.

Priest : "Why, look at the circle. We are only one woman and two men of opposing forces. Surely we need one more female to balance the circle."

Ranma : "Why me? Why not Ucchan?"

Akane nearly pops a vein at this statement, but stops herself from losing valuable blood at this point. The priest sighs.

Priest : "Kami-sama has ordained you to be the representative. And after all, she's your fiancee. Now, will you honour your Holy Father and take your place or do we postpone this indefinitely?"

Ranma looks at Akane as he tries to come to terms with himself and this great responsibility. Akane nods. Ranma grins at her and gives her a thumbs up sign. Akane wonders what he meant earlier on by having Ukyo around.

Ranma : "Well then..."

This time, Ranma takes a brave step towards his appointed spot in the circle's rim, and as if stepping through an invisible curtain of water, changes form in mid step. A redheaded pigtailed girl finishes her journey with a short hop into the circle's rim, with legs crossed, in her place. Like the other three, she hovers slightly over her place, in front of a column, this one glowing a throbbing black AND white.

Ranma (C) : "Now we're balanced."

Priest : "Very good. Now, we shall begin."

The four figures at the corners of the compass points close their eyes and begin to meditate. Akane suddenly feels the compulsion to move into the circle as a pillar of blue energy bursts forth from it with a massive shockwave. Sekki moves past her quickly, almost eagerly, and disappears as a silhouette into the pillar of energy. Akane follows soon after.

As soon as she steps in, her world fades into white around her and she opens her mouth to gasp, but nothing comes out.

Outside, Ranma has her eyes closed and is focusing her mind into the column of energy, almost as if she'd known what to do from the start.

Ranma (C) : <Come back safe, Akane, or I'll have to go in after you.>

-=-=-=-=-

{The First Trial - Essence}

Purifying white light.

Putrefying blackness.

What are you?

Who am I? What do you mean, who am I? I'm Akane Tendou, of course! Who are YOU?

What do you mean? I don't understand.

Not my name? What I AM?

I guess I'm a succubus now.... funny though, I don't feel like one. Don't know what one's supposed to feel though.

Evil? No, I'm not evil. At least, I don't think I am.

I am? Evil? What..... I see. I am evil simply because of what I am?

Is that the natural order of things? That something is evil simply because it's supposed to be?

Maybe that's what you say, but I know I'm not evil. Not in the sense we all say I am. Not in way we think evil should be.

I believe we're all evil.

But only evil to those who hate us. To those who fear us. Who refuse to understand us. To those who have no reason to do so.

Are we only evil if we do something defined as evil?

We may actually be helping those without their knowledge. I understand that now. We all have our reasons, but only the truly selfish may be considered evil.

Those who have no reason to help others for their sakes are called evil.

I am not.

-=-=-=-=-
Back in the cavern, the column of light changes from a brilliant bluish-white into a softer hue of purplish-white.

Ranma smiles as she senses a change.

The people in their prisons of lights watch as small orbs of coloured lights dance about their heads.

-=-=-=-=-
{The Second Trial - Truth}

Now what's happening?

A tunnel.

Space.

Everything's going by so fast. I can't stop. Where're my wings?

No.... I don't need them. I've lived long enough without them, why should I grow dependent on them so suddenly?

But.... they've helped me a lot. Haven't they?

I need to stop. I'm getting dizzy. I feel sick.

Maybe if I close my eyes and concentrate.....

Ah. Much better.

You again? Who ARE you?

No, I wouldn't believe you if you said you weren't anyone I should know.

I want to know!

I will know only what I need to know? Fine. Be that way.

What am I seeing now?

My childhood...... mom!

So sweet.... warm.... oh, I miss mother!

What do you mean I don't need her!?

Of course I do! Everyone needs a mother!

Oh? Give me one example.

Right...... point taken.

But..... I've survived long enough without her....

Just like my..... demonesshood? I've lived long enough in it to accept it like I accepted the fact I'd never get mother back, haven't I?

I guess so, I might have to get used.... to this.

But I want to be like Kasumi one-san! I want to cook and clean and sew! I don't want to be a klutz for the rest of my life! What'll Ranma....

What do you mean!?

The set conditions..... what are they?

I would probably never become human again? You're lying!

But.....

Then what is this I'm taking?

No..... I don't believe I will stay like this forever! I will be with Ranma! Nothing can stop me!

Do I believe that? Of course I do!

The spell.... that priest did it. Of course they've been trying to find a way to fix my problem!

Lies! They'll find a way! I know it!

Never! Ranma would never leave me like this!

No! I won't listen! I'll become human again! I know it!

Ah....? I've enjoyed my freedom?

Yes..... I.... did enjoy the abilities I had....

But..... no. I have confidence in myself! I can do these by myself without help!

I... I can do it!

I...... no. You're right. I can't do it by myself. Not like last time....

But.....

No, you're probably right. I can't...... I can't.

-=-=-=-=-

The column quivers slightly and turns a slightly angry red. Ranma's brow creases in a frown as she strains to keep her concentration.

Ranma (C) : <No.... Akane! You can't lose faith in yourself! Believe in yourself!>

The imprisoned group in the prisons of light start to look nervous as strange sounds start up in their prisons.

-=-=-=-=-

{The Third Trial - Love}

So cold......

I feel.... so cold.

Where's the warmth gone to?

Fire? Warmth....

Mother!? What are you doing here?!

Yes..... I.... I missed you. Can I hug you?

Mother! What do you mean!?

No! I still miss you! Come back!

What I said earlier on....? No, mother! That.. that wasn't true....

No.... mother.....

So cold.... mother.....

Who are you?

Sekki?

Why are you here?

Mmm..... yes, that feels good.... warm.....

Protection.... I wish I never have to feel so cold.... protection from the cold....

You'll protect me? You lied to me last time!

But.... true. I.... don't mind this form.... except I miss home.... and Ranma....

No! Stay away! You're not giving me warmth and protection!

You started this in the first place! Stay away!

Ranma! Help!

Huh? Where are you!? Sekki! Come back here!

Shampoo....? Ukyo? Ryouga? Why's everyone here?

You're all here..... why?

No! Don't leave! I didn't mean that! I just.... thought you were all trapped?

Ranma? He helped you all?

See me?

He did this for me? Ranma....

Of course you're all my friends! Yes.... I do. Of course I do.

Of course we have our rivalries! But.... yes....

I understand. You'd all do the same for me, I know. Even though we.... have our differences.

Why? I guess that's because we can't ever imagine life without each other once we met?

Shampoo.... I know. Life'd be boring, huh?

Ryouga.... I know you like me.... more than that.... yes, you understand, don't you? Thank you....

Ukyo? Don't get angry.... yes.... I know you love him, but.....

Not love, is that it? True... you can see yourself.... you'd rather think of him as best soul-friend...?

Naturally. I can't think of him and me in any other way. Who?

I.... I don't hate Sekki. I can't.

Not because I owe her my life..... not just that.

She's just so.... sad..... lonely.

I know. I feel like that sometimes.

But why?

The same reasons, however differently phrased.

Sekki.... I understand now.....

But I just wish to return home.... I'm lonely too.

Yes.... but we all have someone we loved once we lose..... I know.

Thank you for understanding, Sekki. You're giving up a lot for me.

You love me?

I do too.

I don't want to leave, but yet I do.

Of course I will.

-=-=-=-=-

The column's red-white hue softens into a light translucent pink as the aura surrounding each of the "judges" strengthen. The cavern is bathed in a suffuse pink-red, mixed with the natural brown of the rock and rippled with dark shadows with no true source.

Ranma (C) : <Akane..... you understand at last. Just how hard it is to replace a love lost.>

The group of prisoners watch as their prison walls start changing into a light, transparent white.

-=-=-=-=-

{The Fourth Trial - Acceptance}

Why am I talking?

Where am I still?

What am I doing here?

Oh, yeah.... a Trial.

But what's going on here? I thought I'd fight?

You again? Now what?

Mm..... no, I didn't say I wanted to fight.

Surely! If I can become normal again.....

Whatever my idea is, anyway. You're entitled to your opinion.

Why must I listen to you? What's your idea of normal?

What am I? I'm a succubus now, aren't I?

Of course I want to be human again! What-

You asked me this before, and now you're asking it again. I do not want this.... form!

How can I? I'm not supposed to be this! I have a life!

Yes.... I am pretty used to it though, strangely enough. Wonder why?

I was made for this form?! Don't make me laugh!

No way! I'm human!

Clutzy! Me! Well... yes, that's true.

Yeah, well, I AM doing much better in this-

Wait a minute, what are you trying to tell me?

I want to return home....

I'll find a way home even if it kills me! I've died once, I can die again!

I know that.... but isn't it worse if both of us are alive yet we're separated forever? Isn't it easier if we just forget the other somehow? I know how Ranma felt when we were separated-

Yes... I am afraid of dying. We all are.

You're right. I don't want to die. But.....

Yes, I understand. But that means I'll be like.... *this* for the rest of my life, and that's a long time.

I know.... it'll be painful. But... yes, you have a point. Ranma can still visit. He'd be heartbroken if he found out.....

I don't want that.

Yes, of course I'd take a way off this island if I could.

But.... I know. I know I can't die just because I can't stand it.... I still have Ranma to live for.... no matter how I live.

No matter what.

-=-=-=-=-

The column of light shudders. The four figures sitting at its corners open their eyes and stare at the quivering column as it changes from a translucent pink into a clear blue. At the very center are the silhouettes of the two figures who stepped in, their bodies arched backwards, backs facing each other. Ranma focuses intently on Akane's form and watches as the column slowly begins its final phase of transformation.
All around the circle, dirt and small pebbles are caught up in an etheric force which swirls around the central column of light. Slowly, the mini-whirlwind takes form and a white glow appears around the circle and its inhabitants.

Ranma (C) : <Akane..... come back all right!>

The prisons of light at the far end of the cavern shatter, freeing their captive humans. Ryouga, previously leaning on the wall of light waiting for something to happen, falls flat on his back as it suddenly shatters into a thousand fragments of light, each of which begin to head towards the now swirling tornado of energy and take their places around the rim of the tornado.

Picking himself off the floor, Ryouga stares at the phenomenon taking place before him.

Ryouga : "Akane.... what is going on in there!?"

Ukyo shades her eyes as the glare from the tornado stings her eyes. She mutters under her breath.

Ukyo : "Come back safe, Akane-sugar.... I don't want to miss you."

Cologne and Shampoo are also shading their eyes, their hair whipping in the unnatural wind stirring in the cavern. Shampoo yells in cantonese to Cologne.

Shampoo : (translated) "Oh-ba-ba! What's going on!?"

Cologne : "It's the final phase of the trial! The final decision!"

Mousse.... well, all Mousse can see is a white blur, which he takes to be something really bad because he can feel a strong wind and hear lots of depressive moaning in the air, mixed with angelic voices singing. He blinks once, and shields his face with his massive robe.

Mousse : "What's going on!?"

Shampoo yells to him.

Shampoo : "Big storm coming!"

Mousse takes out an umbrella, and is immediately carried off into the nearest stone wall as the wind picks it up and slams him to the wall behind him. Shampoo stares dumbfoundedly at Mousse's naiveté and stupidity. She shrugs and continues watching the event.

-=-=-=-=-

{The Final Trial - There will only be one.}

What's going on now!?!? I feel sick... the world's spinning!

Ahhhh..... I... my mind's cleared. Phew, my head's stopped spinning too.

Where and I?

WHOA!

***

*crash*

The column of energy formerly dominating the cavern's center dissipates as suddenly as lightning, and the previously petrified forms of Akane and Sekki fall to the floor, unconscious. The circle of runes surrounding them now glows a soft grey. The four representatives of Heaven, Hell and Earth open their eyes and look at them.

Ranma (C) : "Akane....."

Priest : "It is time for the final challenge."

Lina : "Combat."

Kuriimu : "To the death."

Priest : "Let them awaken now, the battle of wills is over. Let the battle of the flesh decide the final score."

Ranma watches with concern as Akane's body shivers a little, then moves.

Akane opens her eyes and looks up. Her vision adjusts quickly and the blur mass in front of her quickly resolves into the familiar form of the simian priest. She groans and rubs her head, then picks herself off the ground.

Akane : "Urgh... what hit me?"

Priest : "You have done well, Tendou Akane. You have passed all but one of the trials you've been put through."

Akane looks at the priest for a while, then at herself. Her clothes and form still hasn't changed. Looking back up at him, Akane asks in an unsteady voice.

Akane : "I've failed?"

The priest shakes his head.

Priest : "Nobody's perfect. Except Kami-sama. But, you have proven yourself worthy to take on the final trial."

Lina : "The trial of blood. The oldest trial in all civilizations."

Kuriimu : "Sekki has likewise survived to take part in the trial against you. Now, the two of you must do battle to the death."

Akane looks at Sekki, now getting up and dusting herself off, while she digests the information.

Akane : "Kill.... her?"

The three nod. Ranma simply looks on, her face passive. Akane looks at Ranma, who nods once.

Ranma (C) : "Go for it."

Akane nods.

Sekki walks over to one side of the circle without a word, then turns around and looks at Akane.

Sekki : "You've done well, child. Now it's time to see who'll leave this arena alive."

Akane takes her place in front of Ranma and clenches her fists.

Akane : "We'll see."

-=-=-=-=-

The group of  would-be rescuers consisting of Ryouga, Ukyo, Shampoo, Cologne and Mousse have assembled outside the circular arena as they watch the upcoming battle. Crushing a rock in his hand to a fine powder, Ryouga spits his words out between his clenched teeth.

Ryouga : "All this while, I'm helpless to do anything for Akane-san! What am I here for?! I don't deserve to live if I can't-"

Ukyo puts a reassuring hand on Ryouga's shoulder and Ryouga turns around.

Ukyo : "There now, Ryouga... you know you can't take on Sekki by yourself."

Ryouga nods, but then shakes his head.

Ryouga : "But...."

Besides the two, Cologne looks up. She prods her staff in Ryouga's nose. (No special skills this time, fortunately.)

Cologne : "You there, Ryouga! You don't understand the rules of this Trial. Ordained by heaven, complimented by hell, this is the ultimate challenge of one's own self. Even if you could help Akane, you'd be destroyed for your effort and her along with you."

Cologne turns back to look at Akane and the ring, shaking her head and sighing.

Cologne : "No.... this is a battle of the soul. It's the true test of your own self. She'll succeed or die trying, by her own efforts. Nobody can help her now, not even Kami-sama.... not even Him."

Ryouga stares at Cologne for a moment as he absorbs this along with the rest of the group around her. The weight of the situation finally hits them as they realize what Cologne is saying.

Ryouga : "No.... wonder she.... wouldn't learn. Not from us. By herself."

Ukyo : "Even her cooking."

-=-=-=-=-

Akane studies her opponent. The two combatants watch each other cautiously, rival cats waiting for the other to make the first move.

Akane notes the fluid movement of her enemy, the unwavering concentration of the eyes upon her. Her mind is totally on her enemy and no one else in the room.

Sekki watches Akane, notices her flex her fingers unconsciously while she watches Akane as a whole, while evaluating Akane's fighting abilities.

Akane suddenly drops into a crouch, and Sekki's nerves scream a reflex. Faster than light can catch up with her, Sekki leaps into the air, leaving a shadow image behind her. But she realizes that Akane is up and fast approaching her, and curses herself for falling for such a simple feint.  Immediately she flips in mid air and, her head facing downwards now, reaches out to grab Akane as she comes into attack range.

Akane watches as Sekki flips in the air, and prepares herself for her own flip to put a foot into Sekki's face. However, Sekki reaches out for her and grabs her by the shoulder, her nails digging deep into Akane's flesh. Akane winces as Sekki then spins a complete 360 in the air and ends it by throwing Akane to the ground using the accumulated force of the spin.

As soon as she hits the ground, Akane forces herself to roll aside, and just in time as Sekki comes crashing down, heel first, into the floor. Getting up, Akane grips the wounded shoulder and looks at Sekki. Sekki smiles coyly at Akane as she shows Akane her blood stained fingers, and slowly, luciously licks them clean.

Sekki : "First blood."

Akane nods. She flings the hand she used to grip her shoulder and the unusually large amount of blood on it splatters around the arena.

Akane : "But not last."

A somersault sends Akane into the air again, and as Sekki watches, Akane streamlines her wings into a needle like shape as she comes down at an angle with her own heel extended. Sekki smiles again, and leaps a small distance into the air near the spot where Akane is aiming for. However, as soon as Akane gets near the floor, she extends the other foot and lands lightly on the ground. Immediately, she does a mid-air circle kick with her right foot, followed by a second left. Sekki is caught unprepared for the sudden move and recieves a kick in the ribs, followed by one to her pretty face.

She flies a small distance, propelled by the force of the kicks, but stops and steadies herself at the arena's edge. She smiles as she licks the blood trickling out the side of her mouth with a similarly reddish tongue.

Sekki : "Very good. You've improved."

Akane doesn't respond. Sekki floats in a slight curve, watching her. Akane takes a high leap. Sekki follows. The two clash in mid air, Akane coming in with a fist which Sekki deflects using a tap with two of her fingers. She counters with a quick jab at Akane's throat, which Akane deftly avoids by throwing her head back and somersaulting in the air. Sekki gains a little more altitude as Akane comes out of her mid-air spin with a split kick aimed at her chin.

Backing off quickly, Akane matches Sekki's height at the roof of the cavern and the two watch each other again.

Sekki : "Not bad, you've been practicing haven't you?"

Akane : "A little. Am I enough fight?"

Sekki : "Oh my, yes you are. But I'll have your ungrateful heart still beating in my hand at the end of this fight."

Akane shrugs nonchalantly. Sekki suddenly feels a flare of hot, bitter anger flash through her at this dismissal of her very real threat. She chuckles slightly to cover it though.

Sekki : "Impudent girl, aren't you? Flash Flare!"

Akane drops quickly as soon as Sekki spits out the 'Fla' syllable, and a crackling yellow beam of lightning misses her head by inches. While Sekki recovers from the blast, Akane comes up from under her and appears almost literally in her face.

Akane : "Bad move."

She gives Sekki an uppercut, followed by a 180 degree backhand punch with her other fist, completing the remaining 180 degrees with a circle kick, all to her face. Partially stunned by the assault, Sekki hits the floor with a loud crack. Akane lands a moderate distance away from her, and watches as Sekki picks herself partially off the floor and wipes her cheek clean of blood.

Sekki : "Ungrateful wench. I give you life and you repay me with pain."

Akane : "It's the rule here. If I could, I would never want to fight you."

Sekki : "And I, with you."

Akane : "!?"

But before Akane can ponder this, Sekki dashes off from the floor in a straight winged charge at Akane. Ramming into her midsection, Sekki keeps going until she smashes Akane against the invisible barrier at the edge of the circle. Dazed and winded, Akane is incapicitated temporarily. Sekki uses this chance to batter Akane with an assault of wing slashes and nail jabs. Akane tries to ward off the attacks with her wings and arms, but too many of them get by and nick her painfully. Finally, in a desperate attempt, Akane simply lashes out with her wings and catches Sekki in the shoulder, off guard. She spins a little off to one side and staggers a little, to which Akane quickly escapes and finds some open space to catch her breath.

Akane : <Not.... good.>

Recovering quickly, Sekki turns around to face Akane. Looking at her sorry state, Sekki nearly laughs. Nearly.

Sekki : "Ahhh.... how are you feeling now, my dear child? It's not easy fighting a succubus such as me, no?"

Akane takes a deep, but painful breath and coughs slightly. She spits out some blood. It lands in front of Ranma. Ranma stares at the dark splotch amazedly.

Akane : "Not over yet."

She charges at Sekki. The two collide, and become a blur of action as they parry, dodge, punch, kick and perform both acrobatics and aerobatics that would put Ranma to shame on his best day.

Akane uses a hand to parry Sekki's kick, and pushing Sekki's leg up, she does a 360 degree somersault flip kick, which Sekki deftly avoids by taking to the air as soon as Akane's hand isn't obstructing her leg anymore. Landing, Akane sidesteps several energy shots from Sekki before taking her on in the air.

Suspended in the air, Sekki watches Akane, and vice versa. Sekki is smiling.

Sekki : "I haven't shown you everything yet, girl."

Crossing her arms across her body, Sekki suddenly splits into three copies of herself. Akane watches as they surround her, remembering her "training" spars against Kodachi, Shampoo and Ukyo. She smiles confidently.

Akane : <A nutcase, an obsessive girl, and a normal person. Give me a break, these are nothing!>

Without warning, the three suddenly close in simultaneously. Akane doesn't move, but watches them closely. A flicker of movement, Akane sees it and reacts immediately. A palm to ward off the first kick, the length of her other arm the other, a lightning-speed roundhouse kick to end the third attack. With a slight effort, Akane forces the three away from her by simply pushing, and the three of them evaluate Akane. Smiling, the three of them speak at the same time.

Sekki : "Not bad. You can take on my Shadow Doubles."

Akane : "I'll get better."

Sekki : "No more play."

Akane doesn't even see it this time. In a wink, the three surround her again and Akane catches a fist to her stomach, rib and back at the same time. She gasps in pain, but the attack is immediately followed up by a powerful barrage of sweeps, flips, kicks and uppercuts.

A minute later, Akane falls, bleeding, to the floor after Sekki's expended all the energy she dares to spend on her split forms and returns into a single being. She hits the floor very painfully and is barely conscious as Sekki hovers above her, arms crossed.

Akane : "Not.... yet..."

Sekki : "Give it up, girl. You're dead anyway."

Akane watches her with slightly reddened vision as blood enters her eyes. She ignores the slight trickle going down her cheek and clenches her fist as she considers the sentence. She slowly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, willing her lungs to work even more forcefully. Then her eyes snap open and she shouts.

Akane : "NO!"

Sekki laughs.

Sekki : "My, what strong defiance."

Ranma, in her place watching the fight, helpless to do anything, stares in amazement as Akane, cut, bruised, bleeding and probably suffering from broken bones in a dozen places after the assault, gets up and wipes the blood off her cheek.

Akane : "More than that. I've had worse knocks."

Sekki watches in amusement, then nods.

Sekki : "If you wish to die fighting, then I'll gladly help you!"

Sekki flickers slightly, then appears in front of Akane. Akane doesn't seem fazed at all. She simply stares Sekki down, and the two back off.

Akane : "You don't know what I've been through, Sekki."

Sekki : "Don't I? I suppose losing a love isn't enough?"

Akane : "I know your lie. You use people a lot, don't you? I'd love to learn from you how you play with people, but that's dishonest."

Sekki : "You've been dishonest all your life with Ranma, girl. Why stop now?"

Akane's eyes widen slightly, but she knows Sekki's ploy. She smiles.

Akane : "Well, I've never had the courage to admit it to him in front of so many people who'd bug me.... but well..."

Akane shrugs slightly, almost playfully.

Akane : "There's a second time for everything."

Turning suddenly, back to Sekki, Akane smiles at Ranma. Ranma smiles weakly back, half her mind on what the [insert profanity here] Akane thinks she's doing, and the other half wanting to tell Akane to stop concentrate on living and get those wounds tended to soon.

Akane : "Ranma.... when we get back, I'm gonna make sure we get married. I'm gonna wear the whitest dress I can find, and you'll wear the best suit you can find or I'm gonna make you sew your own. And I'm gonna make sure nobody ruins our wedding.... oh, and one last thing. I'm gonna make sure we have lots of babies together! I've already told you once I loved you, so I'm gonna prove it when we get back!"

Ranma (C) : "..............!"

Ranma can feel her own jaw drop through the floor, followed by those of Ukyo's, Shampoo's, Cologne's (yes, the old crone *bonk!* "Who's an old crone!?" "You are!"), and Ryouga's. Especially Ryouga's. Even Sekki can feel her own jaw just straining to get off its hinges.

Akane just laughs.

Akane : "Don't you all look so shocked at once."

Ryouga : "A......A...ka...."

Akane looks at Ryouga emphatically.

Akane : "Ryouga?"

Ryouga : "Nothing..." <Ranma, I'm going to make you stay in that form for the rest of your life even if I get lost for the rest of my life!!!!!!!!!>

But as Ranma watches Akane, she notices something.

Sekki isn't there.

Ranma (C) : "Akane! Watch-"

Ranma watches as Sekki suddenly comes down, wings shapeshifted into blades, cutting Akane into half.

Ranma (C) : "No....!"

The image if Akane fades.

Sekki : "!?"

Akane : "Watch out behind you next time, Sekki!"

Ranma and Sekki both look for the source of the voice. Behind Sekki, a small distance away, Akane is sitting in mid-air, hovering, legs crossed.

Akane : "I didn't mention I picked up a little something too, did I?"

Dropping to the floor suddenly, Akane smashes a fist into the ground and watches as a huge crack winds its way from her fist towards the center of the arena. Almost lazily, Sekki leaps into the sky to avoid the sudden implosive depression created in the ground with a sonic boom. What she didn't expect was Akane's second guessing that Sekki would do exactly such a thing. Looking downwards amidst the dust for a shadowed form of Akane pursuing her in the sky, Sekki never expected that Akane would also leap in the second she herself leaped.

Looking at the ground, Sekki searches futilely for Akane.

Above her, without sound, without anger, simply a cold calmness, Akane streamlines her wings again.

And she dives at Sekki's head.

Akane :<I'm sorry, Sekki, but this is the only way.>

Without warning, only a whistling sound informs Sekki of the inevitable surprise strike.

Everything to Sekki, in that second, seems as slow as a snail on a dry, hot day.

She turns up to find the source of the sound.

She has no time to react, no time to scream, she can't even widen her eyes.

Sekki : <You're a good girl, Akane. Smart too.>

Akane's heel, dark-blue and glistening, comes down like an arrow of darkness to pierce her.

Sekki twists her head to one side, but recieves a spine cracking blow to the side of her head instead of being pierced through the forehead. The sound is disgusting, the sight worse.

She streaks towards the ground and hits it, face first, with a force so strong it causes a visibly concentric shockwave to appear. Akane lands a second later besides her, and watches as Sekki struggles to stay conscious. Rolling onto her face, Sekki looks up at Akane, blood streaming from her nose and mouth in a steady stream. Blood also streams freely from the massive wound on her head, matting her hair into thick clumps. Sekki smiles weakly at Akane, coughing.

Sekki : "D...amn.....ed.... good.... girl." *cough*

Akane : "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Sekki."

Sekki : "I.... know."

Sekki smiles slightly, her vision already blurring. She struggles for breath to speak.

Sekki : "First....time... I was outsmar...ted."

Akane feels a twinge of sadness welling up in her now, as she watches Sekki on the floor, dying. Tears form at the corners of her eyes, and she can see that Sekki is also feeling the same way.

Sekki : "But.... A...ka...ne...."

Akane : "Sekki?"

Sekki : "I.....'m sorry.... I... did love you.... like a daughter... but..."

Akane : "I... should be the one saying that.... you helped me a lot."

But Sekki shakes her head, painfully and barely, smiling weakly. Struggling to shift her body a little, she tries to get nearer to Akane to whisper her last words. Akane kneels and lets Sekki whisper in her ear.

Sekki : "No... your life force.... mine."

Akane's eyes widen in shock as she realizes what Sekki is trying to tell her. With a vast effort, Sekki reaches a finger out to touch Akane's cheek, gently.

Akane : "No-"

And in the final second, Sekki closes her eyes and dies with a slight, but troubled, smile on her lips. Akane suddenly feels her world go black around her and she crumples to the ground with the word "No" dying on her lips.

In that instant, Ranma realizes the same thing.

The circle of power shatters in a blaze of fire as the Final Trials end.

-=-=-=-=-
{The End.}

White light.

A tunnel.

Again?

When will it end?

I'm dead again.

Has to be.

I'm sorry, Ranma.

I can't be there.

Don't be sad.

I'm here.

I'll watch you.

Huh?

A white mist parts in front of Akane. She expects to see something like maybe a Heaven with clouds everywhere, or her own funeral procession with Ranma in the lead.

Nothing like that.

Another white room, with white light streaming through some indeterminable sources.

Some specks of colour dot the room, a gunmetal grey bed frame with someone in it.

Who is it?

Hold on, isn't that me? Where's this place?

Tofu sensei? What's he doing here?

That IS me! And Ranma.... and Nabiki one-san... and Ryouga, and Shampoo.... they're all there! Even Kuno!

Who's that silver haired... Lina!?

What happened!? Why am I watching myself lie in bed with all of them?

What are they saying....?

***

Tofu : "She's in a very bad state, Ranma."

Ranma looks at Akane, lying in bed, hooked up to several monitoring units. Their readings all look very depressing.

Ranma : "What's going to happen to her, Doctor!?"

Tofu adjusts his spectacles.

Tofu : "I'm afraid that if she doesn't recover soon, she'll either suffer irrepairable brain damage, her brain will die completely, or she'll stay in a coma forever."

Ranma : "No! Isn't there anything I can do!?"

With that, Ryouga and the rest all turn towards Tofu. They nod in agreement at Ranma's question. Tofu looks at them solemnly.

Tofu : "Well, perhaps if you talk to her daily, play her favorite music or read her favorite books, anything that might be familiar with her, she'll wake up. But I wouldn't hold much hope..... it looks too severe, both physically and in her chi."

Lina, now in a human form dressed unusually conservatively, looks at Akane's comatose form sadly. She shakes her head.

Lina : "I'm sorry.... I did all I can to save you without linking you to me."

Tofu looks at Lina, then nods.

Tofu : "I'll..... be off tending to the others. Inform me if there're any.... changes."

Ranma : "Alright....."

When Tofu leaves, Ranma turns to face Akane.

*beep*     *beep*     *beep*

The sounds of the EKG meter, pulse rate meter, even a brainwaves measuring device all bleep mechanically in the suddenly quiet room.

Ranma sniffles a little. Everyone turns to look at him. He smiles slightly and nods at them.

Ranma : "I'll be alright. You guys can go...."

As the rest nod and shuffle out of the ward quietly, Nabiki steps up to Ranma.

Nabiki : "I'll get Kasumi to send some packed lunches over later. You don't want to starve waiting for her to wake up."

Ranma nods.

Ranma : "Sure. Make some for her too...."

Nabiki turns her head to look at Akane, then back at Ranma and gives him a thumbs up signal.

Nabiki : "Got you."

Nabiki steps out the door and closes it quietly behind her. As soon as the door *clicks*, Ranma takes a seat and sits besides Akane's unconscious body.

Ranma : "It was all my fault...... I should never have agreed to Kuno's stupid plan.... Akane.... please wake up..."

*sniffle*

***

Ranma? Don't cry, Ranma! I'm here! I'm here......

Oh, Kami-sama! I want to return home now!

Where am I!? Why am I seeing this!? What's it supposed to mean!?

Someone.... please..... answer me.....

The clouds... covering me...

Dissapating.

Where am I now? A river....

Where the lands of the dead and living are divided by?

(Author : Remember those manga chapters where Ryouga always ended up there somehow?)

*doki* *doki*

???

*doki* *doki*

That sound.... mother's heartbeat?

A baby.... I remember listening to her heartbeat.... my head against her warm, protective chest.

Mother!

Akane-chan.... I've been waiting for you.

Mother?

Akane, listen to me. You aren't dead. Not yet.

I hope not!

But it will be difficult for you to return.

Anything to return!

You must be willing to love, child.

But.... mother.... I...

No, you must love your life.

I... I do!

And Ranma.

Erm....

Do you?

Yes, of course.

Akane, who are you?

Me? Why, I'm your daughter of course!

WHO are you, Akane? Tell me everything.

Me? I... oh, that... I'm Akane Tendou, youngest daughter of the Tendous and the le..le...

Least capable? Akane, you know you aren't.

But....

Akane, listen to me. I know you want to be the best in what you do. But there's no shame in taking lessons for them from those willing to teach. I was like you once.... a long time ago.... but I learned. Slowly, I could do things for myself without help. Kasumi knew this, she was just waiting for you to know this too.

Yes, mother... I will learn.

Good. I love you Akane. Go now, follow your heart and you will awaken, and Kami bless you.

Yes... mother.... I love you too.

Don't worry about me. I'll be waiting here.... I have forever to wait. But don't come back too soon!

I won't, mother! I'll make you proud!

I know. And one more thing...

Yes?

Stop sending Ranma here in your fits of anger.

-=-=-=-=-
Ranma looks at Akane's passive face, unmoving, unfeeling. He strokes it gently.

Ranma : "Damn it, Akane.... you always did love to show off.... but I can't blame you...."

He smiles at the times Akane always tried to show him something she managed to learn after some effort, all the times she failed.

Ranma : "But there were the successes...."

Sweet moments, but for bitter times. It doesn't make it less painful.

Ranma stares at Akane, then at the monitors. He holds Akane's hand and squeezes it gently.

Ranma : "Baka.... baka..... otembe no ko!" (Otembe = tomboy!)

Ranma chuckles a little.

Ranma : "Still calling her that now? Ranma, you're a big fool... but..."

He wipes his eyes but is still smiling.

Ranma  : "I can't help it. I just have to call you uncute, with arms built like bricks and shapeless legs that kick like a mule and....... and....."

He closes his eyes and sniffs as he tries to stop himself from crying.

Ranma : <Be strong..... you can't let your efforts go to waste after saving her from that island!>

The island... yes....

-=-=-=-=-
{Flashback}

After the circle is dispelled, Ranma-chan immediately starts dashing towards Akane's form. Lifting her body off the floor, Ranma feels for a pulse.

There is a pulse. But weak.

Ranma (C) : "Thank goodness.... she's still alive..."

The rest of the group immediately rush over to Ranma's side. Lina and Kuriimu walk over as well, but they tend to Sekki's body. Lina watches Ranma and the group as she lifts her sister's body in her arms.

Lina : "You should be grateful for Sekki, Ranma."

Ranma turns to look at Lina, then at Sekki's body.

Ranma (C) : "Why?"

Lina : "She gave up her fleeting life force to Akane."
 
Ranma considers this for a moment, then gasps.

Ranma (C) : "Won't Akane stay like this then!?"

Lina : "Don't worry. We'll help her.... after.... this."

Ranma nods at Lina's point, and lifts Akane up.

Lina : "Feel free to go back to your... room... I'll tend to you shortly."

***

Another glowing circle, this time white. In their accomodations, Ranma, Lina and the still unconscious Akane are undergoing a small magic ritual. Outside, the Priest and the rest are waiting. Kuriimu is having a talk with the Priest.

Priest : "I always wondered what you demons were up to all the time."

Kuriimu : "None of your monkey business."

Priest : "Monkey!? Please, I'm-"

Kuriimu : "Yeah, yeah, I'm Simian. Whatever. That's what I find disgusting about you 'beings of Heaven'. You're so demanding."

Priest : "And what about you? You've had as many name changes as there've been human religions. And you used to be Kami-sama's right hand man? You're too fickle, if you ask me."

Kuriimu : "You're the stupid innocent fool who got tricked by Sekki into casting that spell on the island."

Priest : "It's kept you out of trouble for quite a while now, hasn't it? And besides, I've made amends."

Kuriimu : "You're still a stupid lovesick fool who can't get a girl to date you 'cuz you're too damned ugly, banana breath."

Priest : "And you've absolutely no taste at all in the forms you take. Grassbreath goats, swillbreath pigs, goodness me, even chickenbreath snakes and now, a tunabreath cat!? How could Lina fall for someone as tasteless as you, I'd like to ask Kami if he knew."

Kuriimu : "It's a cougar, ape-boy."

Priest : "It's still undeniably bad fashion taste. White? Yech, don't kid me!"

Kuriimu : "You wanna take me on on that?"

Priest : "I've got better things to dirty my hands on."

*schiiiiink*

*meowr!* *claw* *thrash* *shriek* *hoohoohaahaaHAAHAA!* *slash* *pound*

Ryouga and the rest of the humans stare at the two as they begin a cat and monkey (SIMIAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!) fight. They shrug.

Shampoo : "Shampoo think cat and monkey stupid."

Ukyo : "My vote there, Shampoo dear."

Ryouga : "That's right."

Mousse : "What's going on?"

***

In the room, Ranma is sitting in a meditative position, eyes closed, inside the circle with Akane. Sitting opposite Ranma in front of the comatose Akane, Lina looks at Ranma, eyes and hair literally glowing silver with reflections.

Lina : "As Akane's female, she'll need your female side to work this. You don't mind?"

Ranma shakes her head.

Ranma (C) : "Be my guest." <Besides, I swore to her myself that I'd do anything to help... didn't I?>

Lina : "I'm going transfer the life force of Sekki out of Akane into myself, but I'll also be siphoning your life force off into Akane. It's a delicate operation, so I hope your friends can keep quiet out there, otherwise I might end up siphoning your curse too."

Ranma (C) : "A moment."

***

Outside, the door creaks open a crack. Ranma pops her red-head out as the dustcloud of fighting cat and monkey pass her by, a mass of fur and claws and noise. Esepcially noise.

Ranma (C) : "HEY! YOU TWO MIND SHUTTING UP FOR A WHILE!?"

*creek* *creek*

Ranma (C) : "Thank you."

***

The ritual is being performed. Lina and Ranma have her eyes closed in concentration as Lina raises her hands above her head.

Lina : "Dance like fire/Rage like the sea/Lust for life listen and bind thy will to me; Make upon mine what is hers and what she needs hers to keep. Energies of life/gather around; I command you : arise, essence of life!"

A few minutes later, Ranma wakes up with one hell of a headache. The room is a total wreck, and the circle is gone, and when Ranma looks, Lina is gasping for breath and sweating.

Ranma (C) : "You all right?"

Lina : *pant* "Yeah.... that just took... a lot out of me." *wheeze*

Ranma looks down at Akane. Her wings are gone and her clothes are finally normal again. Ranma notes with a twinge of guilty hentainess that her figure's also kind of toned down again.

Ranma (C) : <But at least she's normal.>

But Akane doesn't respond when Ranma shakes her and calls her name though. Her skin is cold and clammy, and her breathing shallow.

An examination by the Priest later, it seems her soul has fled the body.

-=-=-=-=-

Yes.... the island. What happened after I.... passed out?

Nevermind that.... return to Ranma now.

Where do I go......? Ranma....?

"Baka..... baka..... otembe no ko!"

Ranma!?

"....uncute, with arms built like bricks and shape...."

Ranma!

I'm here! I'm coming back for you, you..... jerk!

-=-=-=-=-

*cough* *cough*

Looking out the window of Tofu's clinic, Ranma thought he heard something.

Ranma : ".....?"

*cough* *cough*

Ranma : "Not me...."

Turning to look, he sees Akane spasming a little as she coughs.

Ranma : "!"

Running over to her side, Ranma grips her hand in his left hand and shakes her by the shoulder with the other.

Ranma : "Akane! Wake up! Come on, you're there right?!"

Nothing. No reaction. Ranma drops her hand limply. He sighs.

Ranma : "Just a reflex."

Turning around, Ranma thinks about going back to the window.

But he can't. He still can't stop thinking of Akane. He clenches his fists and looks down, trying to get a grip.

He loses.

Spinning around, he starts shouting at Akane's limp form with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Ranma : "BAKA! OTEMBE! Why can't you wake up?!! You were always built like a brick wall! Now's not the time for you to crumble! I always said you were tougher than nails, show me girl! SHOW ME!"

Still nothing. Ranma feels desperately hopeless and just slumps tiredly into the chair, waiting his indeterminable wait.

Ranma : "Baka...."

Akane : "Ran....ma...?"

Ranma : "!"

His head shooting up, Ranma stares at Akane as he sees her smiling weakly at him. Her skin's a horrible pallor, and she looks like a corpse.

But she's awake, and alive.

Akane : "Your insults could wake the dead, you know."

Ranma : "Just did."

Akane : "Baka."

Ranma : "You too."

Holding her cold hand, Ranma and Akane look at each other for a moment.

Ranma : "You look cold. You certainly feel cold."

Akane : "Mind warming me up a little?"

Ranma : "Lips first."

Akane : "Mmm.... sure."

Closer.... closer.... almost touching....

*knock* *knock* *knock*

Ranma looks irritatedly back at the door and backs off from Akane.

Ranma : "Come in!"

The door opens a crack, and Nabiki pokes her head in holding out a cloth-wrapped lunchbox.

Nabiki : "Hi, Ranma. Kasumi just thought...."

Nabiki stares at the bed, with Akane struggling to sit up.

Nabiki : "Akane!?"

Akane smiles and waves at Nabiki.

Akane : "Hi.... Nabiki one-san. Nice timing."

-=-=-=-=-
The End
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed Darkness Fall!
~ The RanMaFan
-=-=-=-=-
 
 
 
 
Why are you still reading this?
This is really the end!
I mean it!
Oh, all right. I'll finish it. (Geez.)
-=-=-=-=-=-

{The true End (To this fic anyway!)}

A week later.....

Ranma is putting on a black satin tuxedo, complete with red bowtie and impeccably creased lapels. Genma is busy tidying it up for him.

Ranma : "You sure this thing fits me right? I mean, I don't want the stupid thing to go all baggy if I get wet."

Genma : "Don't worry, son. I got you the best suit money can buy! It's waterproof, stainproof, fireproof,  acidproof, shockproof, bulletproof, chi-blastproof Happo-daikarinproof... even Akane's-food proof!"

Ranma considers Genma calculatingly as Genma whistles a tune while making sure Ranma's silver-trimmed lapels are perfectly folded and creased.

Ranma : "You didn't sell me off to some manga and anime investors for this, did you?"

Genma looks at Ranma, shocked, and holds out his hands.

Genma : "What made you think that, son!? Of course not!. Cross my heart! Haa haa haa!"

Ranma : "I can see your crossed toes. OYAJII!"

*kapow*

Ranma yells out the hole in the roof to his rapidly diminishing father.

Ranma : "Tell them I'm not for sale and thanks for paying for my suit, oyajii!!"

Soun comes trotting up to Ranma's room and opening the door.

Soun : "What was that rack.... oh."

Shrugging at the hole in his house, Soun looks at Ranma.

Soun : "You look marvellous, Ranma. You ready yet?"

Ranma : "Do I HAVE to wear this? I mean, couldn't I just...."

Soun : "No no, it's your big day. You're NOT disappointing Akane again!"

Ranma : (muttering under his breath) "Wasn't it Nabiki who did that, twice?"

Soun hustles Ranma out of the room.

***

Akane : "You sure this thing fits me, Nabiki one-san?"

Nabiki : "Yes, I'm sure it does. Even Kasumi says so, right?"

Kasumi : "Hai. Akane, you look so sweet in it!"

Akane is looking at herself in the mirror wearing a barebacked golden-white dress with a flowing skirt layered with several thin silk skirts that swirl even in the slightest wind. Lacy and knitted flowing floral designs adorn the dress, and the tight sleeves reach to her wrists, ending with gold and silver bracelets and lady's cuffs. She practically dazzles in the light.

Nabiki : "Now don't get the dress ruined by taking too big steps, that dress cost Genma a fortune...." <I wonder where from?>

Kasumi : "Yes, it was nice of Uncle Saotome to provide us with such a large sum for the tailored dress, wasn't it?"

Akane : "Sure.... but.... does this really look good on me? I mean, really good?"

Nabiki & Kasumi : "Cross my heart, Akane-chan."

Akane nods, then looks out the window.

Akane : "Oh! It's almost time... the sun's in place."

Kasumi : "Then you'd better go down, Akane-chan. Come on."

Akane is led out of the room by Kasumi. In the room, Nabiki is smiling.

Nabiki : "Enjoy it, Akane. It wasn't easy getting these preparations ready."

-=-=-=-=-

Down at the dojo proper, Ranma is pacing back and forth impatiently.

Ranma : "Where is she!? She's late!"

Soun watches as Ranma's spit-shined shoes click impatiently on the newly polished wood floor of the dojo.

Soun : "Don't worry. Kasumi and Nabiki should be done with her right about...."

Akane : "Ranma!"

Soun : "Now."

Turning to look at Akane, Ranma feels a rush of blood in his cheeks as Akane walks, delicately, through the dojo door, accompanied by Kasumi.

Ranma : "Wow."

Akane steps up to Ranma and smiles shyly.

Akane : "Well.... how do I look?"

Ranma : "A whole lot better than that day."

Akane looks at him dryly, and replies in something close to a dessicated (dry) tone.

Akane : "Thanks."

Ranma : "Just joking! You're... well.... you know, great!"

Akane smiles now, the dryness in her tone disappearing.

Akane : "Thanks!"

Then, gesturing to the rest of the dojo, complete with decorations and disco ball, she smiles.

Akane : "Shall we dance? I've been practicing all week."

Ranma : "Poor practice dummy."

*knuckle*

Ranma : "Ouch! Ok, just kidding!"

Cute Voice : "Aiyah! Ranma!"

Ranma and Akane both turn towards the dojo entrance's door. Stepping through it is Shampoo, decked out in her finest (and that is a LOT of finery), followed by Ryouga, Ukyo and Mousse, all dressed in their best.

Ranma & Akane : "...."

Nabiki comes stepping through the door, a wad of bills in her hand.

Nabiki : "Of course I'd earn a little money on the side too.... don't worry, they've sworn not to cause any trouble whatsoever."

A big panda DJ in the corner, wearing shades, *bwoarks* once and starts up the music, a soothing ballad. Everyone starts dancing, Ranma with Akane, Ryouga with Ukyo (Ryouga's still unsure about where to hold her) and well.... Mousse gets one dance with Shampoo, but that's because he promised never to bug her again for the rest of the year.

At the end of the dance, which went beautifully, and Akane and Ranma have seen off the last of their guests, Akane turns to ask Ranma.

Akane : "By the way, Ranma.... what happened to me on the island after I blacked out?"
 
Ranma looks at Akane and winks at her.

Ranma : "Tell you in my room. Privately."

-=-=-=-=-
Now THIS is the REAL end.

Author's notes :
Well now! I finally finished this fic after a long and lengthy delay! I hope this ultra long chapter hasn't been too abstract or boring throughout. If you've stuck till the end reading this, then you have my sincere thanks for putting up with my fic. Thank you!
Well now, I hope there was something refreshingly interesting in this fic, because I was wondering about the feasibility of actually bordering Ranma with a crossover fic without going over. Well, turned out pretty well except for the cheesy idea for an island. Oh, what the heck. The Kunos always have a knack for finding uncharted islands anyway. They should've been cartographers. I'm blabbering. Anyway, thanks! If you've got any inquiries about this or any other works of mine, feel free to email me @
ranmafan@hotmail.com or ranmafan@singnet.com.sg
. Thanks once again for reading this! ^_^