“So I don’t have to come-it sue-it-slide?” Ranma asked nervously.

Ranko slapped a claw to her face and mumbled, “I knew I forgot something.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Luna asked in a calm voice. Everyone in the room even Celestia had a chill run down there spine.

Hesitantly Ranko responded, “well… you see… there was a… contract.”

“Why the hell would my child, everything she need commit suicide,” demand Luna in a tone that promise pain, if not death, if the answer was below satisfactory.

“What’s suicide? Does it taste good? From Luna’s reaction, probably not but I’d like to try it myself,” Pinkie Pie started bouncing up and down excitedly.

“I’ll tell you about it later, just not now,” whispered Twilight as everyone else just gave Pinkie a asinine look of disbelief.

“Ahem,” Luna cleared her throat. “Well I’m waiting.”

“Well you see, there was a contract that stated, ‘if Genma Saotome did not raise Ranma Saotome to be a man among men, then they would commit seppuku.’ Genma Saotome being the man that thought Ranma his son,” admitted Ranko.

“And, what does seppuku have to do with my daughter and suicide,” demanded Luna not familiar ith the word.

Ranko cleared her throat, “um, seppuku is ritual suicide from the country she ended up in,” she gulped hard.

“What kind of stupid, backwards, and monstrous place would celebrate such a cowardly act,” shouted Luna.

“Calm down sister, I know your upset, but you shouldn’t insult another’s beliefs and traditions,” Celestia tried to soothe her sister.

“Calm down, CALM DOWN, THOSE MONSTERS NEARLY STOLE MY BABY FROM ME FOREVER!” Luna bellowed as her royal mask shattered and she hugged her daughter for dear live.

“Um, I might be able to provide you some solace on the matter,” Ranko began.

“And, what would you know? You, who were to protect her and instead abandoned her,” Luna unleashed with as much venom as she could. Immediately afterward, she regretted her words at the heart broken look on Ranko’s face. The other’s gasped at what Luna just said.

Sobbing Ranko began, “I know the creature that called itself a father was a monster, but it wasn’t the mother fault in the least. She truly loved her child,” she began to shake. “But that bastard, that fucking bastard,” even Luna was taken back by the share hate and venom in her voice.

“What did he do?” asked a hesitant Luna, who was beginning to fear the full extent of his depravity.

“The contract, the seppuku contract itself. The seppuku contract was a dark magic that blinds the soul of the second party to the agreement. Requiring a death clause for the first party should the conditions not be fulfilled. The second party’s soul would be trapped within the contract forever and force them to carry out the contract as it suppresses their will. As long as The Contract ritual is carried out perfectly, the first party can demand anything of the second party. Marriage, wealth, or even the first born child of the second party. The worst part by and far is what happens to the second party. For in death the first party’s soul is deemed guilty but the second party’s soul, from the moment the ritual is complete, is sealed in the contract even after death. This means that upon death when the soul takes over the duties of the form, to protect the consciousness they are forever separated from each other. The result is pain beyond comprehension,” Ranko shivered, as realization dawned on everyone else.

“What… what happened to the mother?” Luna asked fearing the answer as Ranma began to shake violently in her embrace.

“She is fine,” Ranko reassured. “Thanks to help of a few friends, and a few others that owed a favor or two the spell was undone. So she is fine. But, she’ll require sometime to recover and come to terms with what she’s done.”

“Pinkie Pie, would you please escort Ranma to the kitchens to get something to eat?” Ranko asked just as Ranma’s stomach growled. Everyone laughed as Ranma dragged Pinkie away on her hunt for food.

Ranko turned to Celestia, Luna, and Discord, “okay that should give you some time.”

Luna looked a little confused, but Celestia had a determined look on her face, “thank you. Now while this spell runs its coarse,” she started as she cast a spell of such complexity it took her a moment.

“What spell was that?” Twilight interrupted her after the spell but before she could continue, her curiosity at new overriding her manners.

“A multi-maternal parental testing spell,” Celestia said to almost everyone’s surprise. “This is not the first time an unborn child has been magical transferred to a surrogate. Or, even the first time that it has been required to merge the embryo with a stable egg of the surrogate. The primary reason for such a procedure was mostly from accidents of a magical nature or caused excessive damage to the embryo or womb. This spell along with the other battery of tests were developed to prove the parentage of the first mother if the surrogate tried to steal the baby,” she explained to the shock of the elements.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Because my sister doesn’t believe that was my child,” Luna answered a little annoyed and quite worried.

“Sister, you must realize the implications and ramifications.”

“Um, I’m mite confused on that. Family is family,” stated Applejack.

“Applejack it’s not that simply. First, she has no proof ,” Celestia indicated Ranko, “of her claims. Second, there is significant proof against her claims. Primarily, the lack of certain things she claims exist which are fundamental for her testimony. Secondly, the historical records disagree with her testimony. Third, the only one she claims who could verify her story is a formally reformed criminal, who has recently broke his parole in the worst way possible and is only still free and not pursued because while betraying his closest friends he managed to learn his lesson, provide crucial assistance, and earned another chance. All this boiling down to him being on thin ice, not the most accountable witness, and of course her own testimony states, he had lost his mind prior to his first stay in stone which couldn’t of helped, no offense Discord. Fourth, my sister and I have been sterile since birth and have tried nearly everything. So, how did Discord cure us without either of us noticing? Fifth, if what she claims is true, even if Discord acted of his own accord, the other dragons having no direct involvement, he assaulted every being in the world before going mad. Sixth, even if he did it to save her daughter, he indirectly assaulted Luna. And finally, there is the political fallout and ramifications. The nobles still don’t fully trust Luna and now she has a child with a mad criminal. Those backstabbing bastards would use this anyway they can.”

“Princess,” gasped Twilight at hearing her former mentor’s profanity.

“If they are like the Blue Blunder I have no like for them either,” stated Luna firmly.

Ranko gasped, “you know a Kuno?”

“Who?” Luna asked.

“Never mind. Is there anything else you wanted of me Princess Celestia?”

“Yes do you know the structure the memory spell that was used?” questioned Celestia.

“Discord explained it like this, ‘in order to make them stick I had to suppress the originals while distorting the distance of the memories. So it will fit in the same spots like a puzzle piece that sort of fits into the wrong spot. So long as no one thought to hard about that week it would stick.’ As for the historical records the ones you have sealed and only bring out to confirm the official ones those should still be intact,” Ranko mentioned.

“That’s brilliant,” exclaimed Twilight, “no one would check on such an ancient event unless they found something new of historical importance relevant to ‘Discord reign’ which they wouldn’t because there was none. Plus since he didn‘t attempt to tamper with them there would be no alteration alert.”

Her train of thought was interrupted by Celestia, “we will have to verify that as well as the tests. But, this will undoubtedly cause some strenuous days ahead. Not to mention taking care of the messes afterward,” she let out a long suffering sigh.

“But sister, don’t see the bright side. Not only do you have a niece but you can finally have a child of your own.”

“Anyone else see the irony of the Princess of the Night pointing out the ‘bright side’ of anything to the Princess of the Day?” asked Spike to everyone else’s laughter.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing?” came a shout from the palace’s kitchen as two blurs ran from the doors.

“Anything Goes Martial Arts Speed Cooking. Thank you for the ingredients,” shouted the smaller blur.

As they approached their destination they heard laughter. Entering Pinkie asked, “what we miss?”

“You’re back,” Luna said before joining everyone else in gawking at the sight.

Standing in the doorway was Pinkie and next to her was Ranma. Both of whom were precariously balancing eight dishes each.

“Yep, is it alright if we eat in here? I’m starving,” squeaked Ranma.

Even Discord was dumbfounded how they could ask that, bounce on their hoofs, and balance that much food. Everyone just numbly nodded.

“Yay, watch this Pinkie,” Ranma laughed. The next thing everyone else knew was that Ranma and Pinkie were on the other side of the group. The dishes were gone except two in front of Pinkie. When they looked down they saw a dish in front of each of them. Luna and Ranko each had three.

Luna, still a little stunned, notice something, “Ranma where’s yours? Did you already eat?”

Ranma franticly shook her head.

“Is something wrong?” both Luna and Ranko asked at the same time.

Another frantic head shake.

Then it struck Ranko, “no!” she whispered before turning to Luna. “Princess, will you be eating these two?” she indicated the two extra servings.

“No, that would be far too much for me. What’s wrong?” she asked worried.

Ranko immediately picked up one of her servings and along with Luna's placed them in front of Ranma. “It’s okay Ranma, you don’t have to wait for everyone else to eat. You can eat as much as want. No one will harm you for eating,” she soothed as Ranma looked somewhere between terrified and desperate. As everyone else could only look on speechlessly. Finally Ranma removed the first lid and ate hesitantly at first. When no strike came she finished her food before anyone could change their mind.

“What was that?” Luna demanded.

Sighing heavily as she began her meal, Ranko did not have the courage to look Luna in the eye as she answered, “in the early part of the training trip, to train Ranma in discipline he wasn’t allowed to eat before Genma and only the scraps that he deemed good enough for him. This generally amounted to Ranma training through meals that Genma deemed unimportant, which was usually all but one a day. The one he was allowed to eat he had to wait till Genma was done before eating the crumbs that were left. Later when he realized that Ranma could start winning matches and he feared retaliation Genma changed the rules to Ranma could eat what ever he could steal of Genma’s plate or protect on his own.”

If she could have looked up and seen the faces of the others’ she would have flinched from guilty. Luna didn’t hesitate, the conversation earlier didn’t matter, this child had truly suffer and regardless if this was her own or not she needed comfort. “It’s alright, you’re safe now,” she kept repeating as she continued to hug and nuzzle Ranma.

No one said anything else nor did they find themselves very hungry afterward. Pinkie and Fluttershy were trying and failing to hold back their tears.

As Luna took the child to her room, having decide that she would not leave the child alone for the night, Celestia had the kitchen staff summoned. Upon their arrival the head chef stated, “I’m sorry if the meal was dissatisfactory. There was a complication. A child escorted by Pinkie Pie prepared the food.”

Celestia just sat there dumbfounded the food had been amongst the best she ever had. And then the ramifications hit her and a few of the others as their faces turned from shock to horrid realization. “He made the child prepare the food, then refused to let her eat, that monster,“ Celestia thought. “Do not worry I am not upset. But, the child is a personal guest of ours and we would like you to make sure that should she be hungry that there is plenty of food. And, please make sure any leftovers are not wasted. You may leave.” She let out a sigh, “what has that child endured.”

As they lay in bed, Luna couldn’t help but think, “I should thank Celestia tomorrow for raising the moon. This will be a bit uncomfortable when I dream walk.” She couldn’t help but smile as Ranma snuggled up next to her. Maybe, if she is not my child, maybe I’ll adopt her.

A few hours into her duty…

“No nightmares… how odd…, maybe I can grab me something to eat,” Luna thought. As she left the Realm of Dreams she immediately realized that something was wrong. As her conscious mind returned to her body she noticed something moving in her bed and she began to panic. Then it occurred to her what was happening. She immediately opened her eyes and sat up.

Ranma was shaking in her sleep while she tossed and turned. She would mumble something then scream and shout. This restless sleep tore at Luna more than any other. Luna tried hold her and soothe her dreams. But, her attempts were futile. She shouted once more, “NO! PLEASE, I DID NOTHING WRONG! IT WAS HIM HE TRIED TO KILL HER! …PLEASE DON’T GO! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME!”

“How did I miss this? Such a close dreamer and such a torturous dream,” thought Luna as she franticly tried to reach the child or even sense the darkness that plagued her. “It’s impossible! She’s not there.” She was in a near panic. Here was a child who needed her more than any other in centuries and she was powerless. Then it occurred to her. She hadn’t had to do this since she was foal just learning how to raise the moon and dream walk.

Lighting her horn with an ethereal glow that made her horn waver as if it was nothing more than a mirage. She slowly lowered her head until it touched her charges. “Visions of the mind, reveal yourselves to me. Stories of the soul, whisper your secrets to me. Walker of the Plains, and guardian of the Night’s Sky.” With a flash the room was silent and but for a small tremble Ranma was still.

Luna found herself in a sparse room with polished wooden floors and white walls. On the far side of the room were what looked like training dummies but something was off. They stood up right but were to small to be of minotaurs, diamond dogs, or dragons, unless they were targeting children. Luna’s blood ran cold.

“Now wait just a minute I would never harm a child. Those are human dummies,” spoke a voice she had never heard before, even though the presence seem familiar.

When she turned towards the voice what she saw surprised her. Stand there was a bipedal being wearing black and red clothes she was unfamiliar with, with black hair, alabaster white skin, and… Luna stopped at the eyes they were less joyous and innocent filled with pain and loss but they were Ranma’s eyes. “Is this what she use to look like?”

“Look if you’re here to take over my mind and use my body for some nefarious purpose, I’d much rather not. I just recently got the cat to go back in it’s dark corner and I’m kinda dealing with a lot of stuff. So if we just skip the fight and admit defeat I’d appreciate it. If not can we at least make this quick. Though I have to admit this will be my first mind fight with a winged unicorn,” replied the creature.

“I am Princess Luna…”

“Oh great more royalty,” the creature let out a long suffering sigh. “Let me guess ruling a kingdom no longer enough for you, you want to conquer the world instead. And, you need my power for some stupid reason. But, that won’t be enough you’ll use some cheap short cut to power yourself up and make our fight to the death take long, am I close?”

It took what Luna presumed was a battle stance.

“It might be to late for talk but…” Luna thought. “Um, actually I’m the guardian of dreams in this realm. I came here because Ranma seemed to be having a nightmare.”

The creature fell over hit its face against the floor. “Seriously, you came in here to help… Ranma? Why? What’s the catch?”

“Um, well it’s my duty as Princess of the Night, but also because Ranma is suppose to be my daughter.”

This was met with another face plant. As the creature sat up once more it began to laugh nervously, “really so that little dragon wasn’t lying. Here I been thinking that it had all been a ruse to unleash the neko-ken and I only just managed to suppress it. But, she was tell the truth, ha ha. Though she never mentioned the part about my mother being a horse or royalty before. Hahahaha.”

“Pony,” Luna corrected though only half heartedly.

“Pony what?”

“I’m a pony.”

“Sorry about that,” he said abashed as he scratched behind his head. “So your royalty, huh?”

“Yes, so what exactly are you,” Luna asked with more than a hint of curiosity.

“A subconscious construct, created as a defense mechanism used and to represent the former personality that had developed while it is suppressed by the memory spell.”

“I know that already, I mean what kind of creature are you?” Luna clarified in an annoyed tone.

“I know you know, where did you think I got. You’ve been broadcasting your thoughts since you got here,” Ranma responded with a smirk. “And, sorry about that kinda an old habit which is the reason for the spell in the first place. Fix my bad habits while leaving as minimal a bad impression as possible. To answer your question my form is that of a human. And, if you’re here to try fix my nightmares, then good luck. You’re gonna need it.”

“Since you kind of run the place any idea were I should begin?” Luna hoped to narrow down her search. She did not get a helpful answer.

“Well this place is chalked full of nightmares so good luck. They’re over there for the most part,” he indicated the dummies. “But a word of warning, if you value your sanity avoid the neko-ken. That way lies madness.”

As she approached the dummies one in particular screamed out with undiluted malice. Begging her to open it and perish. She attempted to enter it and take on the most sever of his traumas first and foremost. But, the chains would not yield and the seals would not release. The visage of a kind and elderly lady appeared and spoke, “Honey, I now your heart is in the right place. But, this is the heart of the problem and you are ill prepared. I will not let one, who only wishes to help, enter so lacking. Go and visit the young ones other miseries, first. Only then, when you have the rest of the picture, will I grant entry.” Luna heeding the guardians advise, instead chose the one marked honorary obligations. But, before she could enter she was interrupted, “oh, and one more thing dearie. Do not believe you can finish in one night. For each these issues are deep seeded in the mind, body, and soul. So I’ll see you again,” the guardian waved at a dumbstruck Luna, before fading.

(this is a warning. the next part of the story is extremely dark. if that doesn't suit your tastes, I recommend skipping to the last section. you have been warned.)

As Luna entered the first dummy, there was a pull she could describe. Something was reaching out to her, calling for her, and then it was silenced. Her breathe left her as she was consumed by silence and darkness. She could no longer see or even hear her own thoughts. Somehow the darkness became even thicker and it felt as if she was walk through molasses. The more she struggled forward the more it resisted. Hours could have passed with her struggling and yet not moving. She could not see, she could not hear, and all she felt was the overwhelming pressure. She dare not smell for she could taste the darkness that surrounded her and the taste alone broke her heart and stole her strength.

But, she would not yield. With a final push there was a pop and a burst of light.

As she took in her surroundings once more she noticed it was similar to the room she had just left. Looking back at where she came, she bore witness to the inky blackness slithering like a snake back to burrow. And, as it returned to the dark hole from which Luna could only guess she had just arrived through, the portal shimmered, wavered, and finally resolved into a wall.

Taking another look at where she was she notice rows of white benches leading to a simple white alter under a white arch decorated with pure white lilies. “Why is such a beautiful dream wrapped in such darkness?”

Within the rows of benches figures began to form from the shadows. Most appeared to be about the same age as the creature she met earlier. She assumed that the ones with lumps on their front were probably females. She wondered why they were all wearing roughly the same outfit. They appeared to all be facing the alter. That’s when it occurred to her, the faces, they were blurred and indistinguishable.

In the front pews were a group of people all of whom were wearing unique outfits and appeared to be more than just mental filler. To highlight this the front was shrouded in light while the back pews felt distant and shaded. Figuring this play would take place in the spotlight she stepped forward into the light.

Within the light there was only the alter, the archway, the bride, and the groom. It was warm and joyous. It had been centuries since Luna last looked into a dream like this. A warm and serene smile found its way onto Luna muzzle.

The groom was the young man she first met. His hair comb and neat with a pigtail. The strange clothes from earlier were gone replaced fine black clothes covering him from the neck down. It resembled something the ponies of this era wore when they want to look fancy.

The bride was quite a bit taller than the groom. She wore a beautiful white silk gown and stood with graceful poise. Her head and face were covered by the veil which flowed down her back and the aisle. A tear forming in her eye.

A disembodied voice began, “dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to bare witness the joining of these two souls,” there was a scratchy cry of “schools.” Luna almost missed it. The voice continued, “in holy matrimony and the bonds of love,” the voice whispered “hate.” Luna wasn’t sure what was going on. The groom began to shift uncomfortably. The ceremony continued in that fashion, key words echoed in dark reflections. The groom becoming more and more nervous.

Finally the crucial moment arrived. “Should anyone here have reason these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace,” and again “speak now and forever rest in peace.” This last rephrase sent a shiver down her spine. “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded,” the whisper, “imprisoned,” echoed, “husband?”

“I do,” the bride practically squealed.

“And, do you take this women to be your wife,” the minister of the peace continued.

“He does… I mean, I do,” came a voice that didn’t belong to the young man she met earlier. Instead it was the voice that has been making a mockery of this ceremony.

“Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

The audience from earlier had gradually returned and were currently voicing their opinions. The males making vicious remarks about the groom from him being a backstabber to out right calling him a bastard. The females laughing and calling the groom a pervert.

As they turned to each other, the groom appearing to be forced by something unseen, Luna gasped in shock. There on his face where his mouth should be, was nothing and his eyes shone with absolute horror. The unseen puppeteer forced him to lift the bride’s veil. As the veil fell, the bride lost height and composure. What was revealed was blue-haired child with a truly malice grin on her face.

“Finally,” she sheered. In an instant the biggest mallet Luna had every seen materialized in her hands. Luna had only a second to read the ‘100t’ on the side before the bride hefted over her shoulder and swung it down. The look of horror never left the groom’s face. The sicken smash as he was slammed through the floor retched Luna‘s stomach. “Now I am the successor of the schools you dumb hentai. Kuno, Ryouga if you would,” she called as she turned to a black and white bear in the front pews. Two of the of the forms in the front pews leapt into action. The first had black hair and wore a blue and white outfit while carrying a polished stick. The other had black hair and wore black and yellow outfit with a black and yellow spotted bandana. The one with the bandana carried a large boulder. The stick wielder started slashing into the pit. Luna nearly emptied her metaphoric stomach as she heard the wet smacks of the air blades. Then the other slammed the boulder into the hole sealing it. “Genma I am the only heiress of the united schools you will teach me in place of that hentai,” the bride demanded of the bear.

Luna ignored it as she entered the hole through the rock.

When she entered she expected to see the bloody remains of the child at the bottom of the sealed pit. Instead she found herself in what appeared to be a box with just enough room for the two of them. What few cracks there were, allowed just enough light to see the heavy solid chains that held him. Luna could tell they were being moved and hear voices outside.

“What we do now that we have husband, Grandmother?”

Whack, “there is no need to talk in this barbaric language anymore,” the second voice spoke in a slightly distorted voice.

“I am sorry grandmother,” the grandduagther started before being whacked again.

“Mind your respect. We are no longer in those primitive lands,” reprimanded the grandmother.

“Sorry, elder,” apologized the granddaughter.

“We will take this one and make the blood of the village stronger,” declared the elder.

“I won’t have to sleep with him will I?”

“Of coarse not, the first thing we’ll do is make a spring just for him and for her,” cackled the elder, it was not a pleasant sound.

“How we make one for him when the curse changes him?”

“Simple, we use instant powder. It should last long enough to make a spring. Then we’ll make instant powders of the two springs. Prizes for the future champions, first born children from the god-slayer‘s own line. The springs are already prepared,” the elder cackled again and Luna could see the fear in the child’s eyes as they joked about the horrid fate that awaited him. Luna wanted nothing more to exit this box and banish the apparitions but found the whole of the world consisted of the box.

“What could these people have done to you to illicit such a sense of dread and hopelessness?” Luna couldn’t help but think. Before she could even think of anything else, they and the box they were in were submerged and flooded. Coughing in the air as they resurfaced, Luna stared wide eyed at the red-head before her. Until that moment, Luna had not completely accepted this was Ranma.

“Now to begin with the girl,” rasped the elder’s voice.

Panicking Luna took a deep breath as did Ranma. A second later they were submerged, again. This time they were not resurfacing. Luna realizing that it was only a dream eased herself into breathing normally. Ranma on the other hand began thrashing despite the restriction of the chains. Luna went to give her air when the box they were in constricted and shrank. She could barely move as the world around her continued to get smaller and darker, and smaller and darker. She could hear something. thump, thump. And again. thump, thump. With horror she realized what it was as it came slower and slower. thump, thump… thump, thump… …thump, thump… …thump… thump… And then, …thu…mp…thu… …mp.

Luna’s heart stop in fear as she tried to reach Ranma and resuscitate her. Unfortunately, the box they were in now completely restricted her movement and she could only watch on in horror as Ranma slipped away. Darkness claiming all.

And, then they were back where it began.

“One down, one to go. Now for the lesser of the two,” came the command of the elder.

Luna held her breath and waited for the next submerging. Or, so she thought until the scolding hot water forced her to scream into the abyss. She was still screaming as they made surface.

“Now that he’s locked in his male form for one change, let’s begin,” the elder once more cackled.

It was worst, for the second time in mere minutes she was forced to watch the life drain from Ranma’s face as she listened to his heart slowly stopping.

Luna awoke in a small restaurant. It was cozy little eatery with a few tables and a grill counter combo.

A young brown-haired waitress approached in a uniform Luna was unfamiliar with. “Would you like something. Sorry about the wait. We don’t usually get customers in the main facility anymore,” the waitress greeted, and apologized while bowing.

Luna looked around nervously. If the rest had been any indication she worried what horror awaited. She gulped and replied, “I’d like to see a menu if you don’t mind.”

“Of coarse,” she handed Luna a menu before disappear into the backroom.

Luna put down the menu and instead decided to follow the waitress while looking for Ranma. As she entered the backroom she noticed it was a hallway branching off into a larger facility. Hearing noises coming from one room she approached it quietly.

“Thank you, elder Cologne for your business thus far,” a feminine voice Luna did not recognize. “I am planning a twenty-two percent expansion and will require at least a thirty to thirty-five percent increase in instant powder. Shall we discuss the terms of the next shipment?”

“Why yes, child,” responded the voice of the elder from the coffin earlier. This sent a chill down Luna’s spine. “I can’t believe what an inventive means you come up with for that usually useless powder. I take it all you have to pay for is employment?” she started laughing in equal parts mirth and malice.

“Actually not as much as you would think. I use the extra doses of twin on Konatsu and that keeps the costs low.”

“How nice to have such loyal help,” complemented the elder.

“It wouldn’t be possible without Ranma. Thank you again for giving me that fine piece of meat. I honestly never thought you‘d give him up.”

“We are done with the foolish male. He was to defiant to keep for our needs. And, if it helps a young, strong women along, who are we to deny her,” her laughter turned into cackling.

As they began there negotiations, Luna realized that she had learned all that she could from them. Searching the other doors revealed them to be locked. Eventually she came upon a large steal door. She feared this would be as fruitless as all the others. Still, she pushed and found it gave with the slightest of efforts.

What she saw would give her nightmares for decades to come. Especially when she realized the full implications.

There in the center of the room on hooks was a female Ranma, naked. If not for the rest of this nightmare, Luna would make a joke about her being a natural red-head. As it were, seeing the child with hooks piercing all the way through both shoulders she tried to lung to her aid. Luna was once more stopped from helping and could only look on and watch. Behind Ranma a giant waterwheel continuously splashed him the water draining back into a large reservoir through a drain in the floor. Every time she was splashed a duplicate was produce. The duplicate was immediately attached to a conveyor belt which branched off toward either side of the room before branching again and again. On one side, the rooms the conveyor belts branched to were labeled pork, chicken, fish, beef, and etc.. On the other were all names of vegetables, fruits, plants, fungi, and etc..

Unable to help and not certain what was going on, Luna decided to return to the first room.

Shortly after she arrived, she picked up the menu. “Have you made your decision?” asked the waitress nearly scaring Luna to death.

“Um, yes,” Luna lied and picked one choice at random. “I’ll have the pork special.”

“Coming right up,” she took the menu and disappeared again into the backroom.

A few moments later another brown-haired boy, wearing a blue and white outfit with a giant spatula on her back, entered carrying a small reddish-black piglet. “What does she need a pig for?” Luna wondered.

“The pork Special, correct?” asked the feminine voice from earlier. Luna simply nodded. As the cook placed the pig on a cutting board, Luna noticed the pleading crystal blue eyes. She immediately recognized it as Ranma. The chef swung the cleaver down.

Luna a woke with a bloodcurdling scream, and drenched in sweat. The two thersal guards that barged into her room were quickly dismissed. And luckily, neither the manner she woke up in nor the decisive action of the guards woke her charge.

As she notice Ranma finally in a restful night sleep, she held and nuzzled her comfortably.

“What have you endured, little one?” Luna whispered into the night, as tears ran down her face and onto Ranma’s cheek.

Author's Note

A. n. Was going to do a few more of these in a row but I think that might be a bit much. So we’ll take them in steps.