Magical Interludes - December's End
Fanfic by J. K. Hayashi
Chapter 2: Confrontations - Part II
J.D.: "I believe that is the key. You see, I think that there were all
these possible universes that once existed. Most people
think about them as 'what-if' lives; you know, what if I
made this choice of college, or asked that person out, etc..
For some reason ours is a stable reality, and these other
universes are merging with this one. To reconcile the
differences, most people may gain some sort of ability, but
won't remember their 'other' lives. However, for me and
Ranma, the differences were so great that the universe had
to create a vortex to resolve it, and being at the center, we
remember those other lives. As for Ranma being their
father, just imagine that everything that you experienced
happened twenty years ago, then just think about the
changes that made that life more valid than this one."
[sighs at their looks of incredulity] "Ah well, its just a
theory. Now, as to how and why Ranma brought them to
this reality, I don't know."
Ayuki: "But why only us?"
J.D.: "I don't know. Maybe Ranma saw something about the three
of you and subconsciously created a 'rescue' bridge between
your universe and this one. Maybe your abilities will be
needed here."
Keiko: "Do you think so?"
J.D.: "I don't know."
Midori: "You're not very much help."
J.D.: "Look, I'm just like you, stuck in the middle trying to figure
out what happened."
Nodoka: "So how should we handle this?"
J.D.: "Why are you asking me? Just go on with your lives."
Nabiki: "Is that it?"
J.D.: "What else can we do? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to
talk to Ranma in private for a moment."
Ranma and J.D. leave the living room and head toward the dojo.
They sit on the dojo steps. J.D. shivers a bit as the ice-cold wind
blows around them.
J.D.: "So why did you bring those three?"
Ranma: "I don't know."
J.D.: "You are one lucky bastard. Creating that dimensional bridge
almost caused your heart to fail. Your energy levels were
incredibly low after they appeared. If Kasumi and Ono
weren't there, you would have died."
Ranma: "Couldn't you have saved me?"
J.D.: "I didn't know what to do. As it is I still don't understand
what we did to stabilize you."
Ranma: "..."
J.D.: "So, what do you remember?"
Ranma: "I'm not sure... it's all kind of blurry. How do you deal with
all these memories?"
J.D.: "Don't worry, you'll forget them. In fact, you've probably
forgotten the majority of them already."
Ranma: "Have you forgotten your other lives already?"
J.D.: "Almost all. I remember what happened in a objective way,
but I think its for the best."
Ranma: "What do you have left, then?"
J.D.: "Impressions. Feelings mostly. And, of course, the magic."
(laughs, then sober) "I think that if I was able to remember
the good things, I would drive myself crazy."
Ranma: (unconvinced) "I suppose. How do I deal with all the
things I learned?"
J.D.: (shrugging) "Practice and make sure you can do them. If
there is a reason why we've gotten these abilities, then it
won't do to just forget them. In any event, it can't hurt.
Can you access your abilities?"
Ranma attempts to form a chi-blast and yells "Tiger's Roar", but
fails. J.D. looks at him curiously.
J.D.: "What are you trying to do?"
Ranma: "Its not important."
Ranma and J.D. get up and start heading back toward the living
room.
J.D.: "I will give you some advice, though. Don't publicize your
abilities. There are people who'll seek to take advantage of
them. I would never have exposed myself if that guy hadn't
taken those hostages in a public place.
Ranma and J.D. reach the living room, where Dr. Tofu and Kasumi
are waiting to talk to J.D..
Kasumi: "You will come to our wedding, won't you?"
J.D.: "When will it be?"
Dr. Tofu: "New Year's Day."
J.D.: "Next week? Already? Boy, find out that you love each other
and you can't wait, can you?"
Dr. Tofu both blush, knowing that J.D. knows that they spent the
night together.
J.D.: "I'll try... that's the best I can promise. In one week Hawaii
could be in the middle of a civil war. If I don't make it
back... I wish you both every happiness." (to Nabiki) "If
you want some advice, I'd learn to defend myself. Now that
Ranma's unlocked the higher power levels here in Japan,
there'll be a struggle to take advantage of it. Farewell all of
you."
Ranma: "How are you getting home?"
J.D.: "It's a trick you have to learn, Ranma... just ride the gravity
well."
J.D. suddenly runs and jumps off the porch, flying into the sky.
Everyone goes to watch him off, and J.D. rises until he reaches 1000
feet, when he vanishes.
**********************
Ukyou had been startled to see a figure fly out of the Tendo dojo and
vanish into thin air, but such things had become easier to accept as
one stayed near the Tendos. She was confused, and she sometimes
felt like crying, but she knew she had to find out the truth. A few
weeks ago she had wanted to kill Ranma, then she found him and
fell in love with him. She could admit to herself that she loved Ran-
chan, and that she wanted him to be happy, but she had thought that
she would be the one he would finally choose... and then Akane had
said he told her that he loved her. But then there also was Midori,
who was supposed to be her and Ran-chan's daughter...
Ukyou took a moment outside the gate to steel herself, then knocked
and entered the house. Everyone had been in the living room and
looked startled to see her there, except for Ran-chan, who looked sad
and guilty. In that moment, Ukyou knew what was true.
Ukyou: "Ran-chan, can I talk with you and Akane in private?"
Ranma: "Umm... sure, Uk-chan."
Ranma and Akane get up from where they were sitting, and Akane
leads the three of them to her room. In the living room, Kasumi
sighs as Midori asks to talk with Nodoka. In Akane's room, Ukyou
suddenly hugs Ranma to her.
Ukyou: "I hope the two of you are happy together. I suppose... I
knew it would end this way."
Ranma: "Uk-chan..."
Ukyou: (breaking away and hugging Akane) "Congratulations..."
Akane: "What are you going to do now, Ukyou?"
Ukyou: "I don't know... maybe go home. There's no reason to stay
anymore."
Ranma: "Please stay, Uk-chan... all your friends are here. I... we
don't want you to leave."
Ukyou: "Do you mean that, Ranma?"
Ranma: "We'll still be Uk-chan and Ran-chan."
Ukyou: (smiles sadly) "I don't think we can be Uk-chan and Ran-
chan again. I'll have to think about what I'm going to do.
But I promise that you'll be the first to know what I decide."
There is a soft knock at the door. Akane opens the door and sees
Midori standing in the hallway. Midori hesitatingly enters the
room.
Midori: "Mother..."
Ukyou: "I'm not your mother, Midori."
Midori: "But you are... I mean... I never knew my mother because
she died when I was three. I was wondering... maybe we
could get to know each other?"
Ukyou nods and Midori hugs her. Ranma and Akane both look
relieved, and the four of them head out of the room and downstairs
to the living room. Nodoka's face brightens as they enter.
Nodoka: "I haven't seen you for ten years, my son. Let me get a
good look at you. (Ranma sits next to her) "Well, it looks
like your father raised you well. Now, I want you to know
that I would never have allowed your father's stupid
promise" (glares at an uncomfortable Genma) "about your
engagement to continue if you hadn't admitted your love for
each other. And I can't believe" (again glaring at Genma)
"that you almost had to die before he contacted me to tell
where the two of you were. At last, I can consider your
father's promise to make you a 'man among men' fulfilled."
Midori, Keiko, and Ayuki look at each other and start laughing
uncontrollably. Soon Ukyou, Akane, and Nabiki also start laughing
while Kasumi smiles. Soun, and Ranma look uncomfortable while
Genma looks scared. Nodoka looks confused.
Nodoka: "What's so funny?"
Ranma: (lifting Genma by the shirt) "You old goat! This is all
your fault!"
A glass of water goes flying across the room, hitting Ranma in the
back of the head. He turns female and looks around the room to see
who threw it. All the girls sit with innocent expressions on their
faces.
Nodoka: "Genma! What did you do to our son?"
Ranma: "Uh... hi, mom?"
Nodoka: "We have no choice, Ranma." (takes out a crumpled piece
of paper) "The promise your father made when you left
was that the both of you would commit seppuku if you did
not become a 'man among men'." (takes out katana,
everyone is shocked) "You first, Genma..." (Genma has
run out of the room, yelling something about wanting to
live) "I'll have to catch him later. Ranma, please be
honorable..."
Ranma: (in a state of shock) "..."
Akane: "Auntie, you can't!"
Nodoka: "I'm sorry, Akane, but our family honor is at stake."
Akane: "No!"
Nodoka: "Akane... are you still willing to marry Ranma, even
though..."
Akane: (taking Ranma's hand) "Yes. Yes, I am."
Nodoka: (puts away katana, then hugs Akane and Ranma) "I'm
happy that you love each other so much. I'm still
disappointed in the way your father acted, however.
Ranma, what's wrong."
Nabiki: "I think he's still in shock."
Ranma: (regaining his voice) "I... I have to commit seppuku?"
Akane: "No. Auntie said you don't."
Ranma: "Thank you, Akane." (kisses her)
Akane: "Ranma! We're both girls!"
Ranma: "Not to me."
Nodoka watches them for a moment, remembering her own
courtship.
Nodoka: "Now, I think I should have a private talk with Kasumi,
Nabiki, and Akane. And I think that you, Ranma, should
get to know your daughters."
Nodoka leads the Tendo sisters to the kitchen, where they lock the
door behind them to prevent anyone from coming in. Ranma turns
to talk with his 'daughters'.
*****************************End Chapter 2, Part II