Subject: [FFML] [draft][fanfic][Ranma] The Life of King Ranma
From: Adrian Wong <7ahw@qlink.queensu.ca>
Date: 9/30/1998, 11:45 PM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com

Nihao!

This is finished in a short time.  PLEASE C&C to let me know if anything is
wrong with it. Thanks guys!

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The Life of King Ranma

By Adrian Wong

All relevant characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.  The lyrics are adapted
from those written by Tim Rice.  The story belongs to me.  The inspiration
for this story is from the Bibical Story of King David.

BTW, just to clear things up. Ranma, Konatsu, Akane, Nabiki, Kasumi,
Shinnosuke and Soun are all Chinese in this story, and are part of the Musk
Dynasty.    

Cast of major Characters:

Musk Dynasty -

Soun: King of Musk Dynasty.  Suffers mental illness.

Konatsu: Soun's son.  His mother a captured Kunoichi from the enemy side.

Shampoo: Soun's daugther.  Her mother a jungle cat dunked into the Spring
of Drowned Woman.

Ranma : A peasant, human musk boy at the beginning of the tale.  Eventually
become the king of all of Jusenkyo.

Rouge, Kilma, Kasumi, Nabiki, Pink, Link: Ranma's six concubines.

Shinnosuke : A general under Ranma's army 

Akane: Shinnosuke's wife, later to become Ranma's.

Saffron: Kilma and Ranma's son.

Plum: Kilma and Ranma's daughter

Tarou: Rogue and Ranma's son.

Kirin: Ranma and Akane's son.

Amazon Village -

Cologne: The wise woman who can communicate with the God of Jusenkyo.

Mousse:  A man that Shampoo was forcibly given to for a time. 
 
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[This is a story taken in an alternate universe in periodic times, where
Jusenkyo was a blessed land given to the people by their God, "He who
creates all".   However, it was constantly under siege from a group of
invading Japanese Ninjas and Kunoichis  under the Kenzan clan.  In hopes of
 having someone to defend them as a whole, they elected a King among
themselves.  

The Holy Woman of Jusenkyo, Cologne, knew that it would upset God for them
to set up a king, for all men were created equal.  But the people were
getting restless, and Cologne had no choice but to plead for God's advice
on this issue.  Eventually, God showed her a man to be anointed as a King:
Soun of the Musks.   This gave him the authority to control all of the Musk
area, thus creating the Musk Dynasty. 

However, he had disobeyed God's orders in abusing the powers of the
Jusenkyo springs to gave him a race of soldiers with powers of various
animals and demons.  As a punishment, God stopped loving him, thus allowed
demons to torment his soul.  He then sent Cologne to the peasants of the
Musk Dynasty to elect a new King for not only the Musk Dynasty, but all of
Jusenkyo as well . . .]   

[Opening scene: Musk Dynasty, Jusenkyo.  Everyone was cheering frantically
as King Soun returned from yet another triumphant battle.]

Musk: Soun . . .

	Soun . . .

	Jusenkyo and Soun
	What a combination
	Cologne's a relic from a
	Dreadful past!

	Soun will bring us peace
	Power and elation
	All we ever needed was 
	A change of cast
	Now we have a King
	Now we are competing
	Enemies retreating;
	We are free at last!

Cut to another scene at a quieter part of the kingdom.  Walking through the
neighborhood, now mostly empty after everyone had gone to see Soun's
return, the holy woman sighed as she muttered to herself.

Cologne [disgustedly]: Make them a king!
				Calm their hysteria!
				Thus said the lord and
				I obeyed His call
				Now see them cling
				To someone so inferior
				Mad capricious
				Sad Ambitious
				Soun!

[Back to the crowd scene, the people were cheering madly as they surrounded
their triumphat king.]

Musks: Kings are making sense
	Dynasty ascendant
	Holy women failed us
	At the barricade
	Let us praise our king
	Practical, pragmatic
	Victories emphatic now
	The change is made!

Soun [growling]: We were oppressed
			Failed by theocracy
			Failed by this prophets who had
			Lost their nerve
			Now they protest
			Oh, such hypocrisy!
			If allowed to
			I am proud to serve!!

Musks: Soun is in his pomp
		Soun is our redeemer
		Soun has brought his people 
Back to life again! 
		Glory as we swamp
		Every vile blasphemer
		Every single enemy we hold profane
		Glory to King Soun
		All we ever prayed for
		Finally we've paid for all the years
Of pain!

All:		Finally we've paid for all the years
OF PAIN ~!!

[Finally, Cologne arrived at a modest household in the Musk Kingdom, and
asked to inspect the sons of the family.  Glowing with an unearthy aura,
she looked over the handsome and regal looking young men one by one.  Two
of the boys, Hiroshi and Daisuke sweated at the weirdness of it all.]

Cologne [thinking to herself]: No, none of them is the chosen one.  Oh, my
Lord, please guide me to him with your wisdom!

[A flash of light passed by her eyes, and she spotted a lad of about 16
through the window to the field outside.  He was a very down-to-earth
looking boy with his hair tied in a pigtail, who was chuckling as he played
with the herd of sheep that he was leading.  The girls of the neighborhood,
obviously very familiar with him, jocularly called him names like jerk and
baka.  And he returned the favor by calling them uncute tomboys, thus
earning him a swat of mud cake across his face.  Seeing Cologne's gaze out
the window, the woman of the house spoke up.]

Woman: That's my youngest lad, Ranma, honored elder.  

Cologne [exclaiming]: By the Lord . . . he's the one who shall topple King
Soun, unite Jusenkyo and rule over all its land!!!

Woman [alarmed]: Elder!  Please don't say things like that!  You'll get us
convicted of treason!

[Pardoning herself, Cologne skipped out of the window and towards the
startled boy. ]

Ranma [in fright]: AHHH!!! An old ghoul!

[Casually flattering him with her staff, the holy women took out a vial of
sacred water from within her robes and began the anointing process by
spreading it on him.]

Cologne [singing]: Vayaomer Adonai: koon m'shacheihu ki-zeh hu!!
 
And the Lord said to me
 	this is he I shall anoint him!
			
			Vayaomer Adonai: koon m'shacheihu ki-zeh hu!!
			
Cologne [together with chorus of spiritual voices]: Vayaomer Adonai: koon
m'shacheihu ki-zeh hu!!

[Waking up, the boy stared at Cologne (who he now recognizes) with a
suspicious look in his eyes.]

Ranma [singing]: Um . . . Cold you explain what you've done?  
	Oh, I know it's a serious thing.

Cologne [smiling gently at the future hope of Jusenkyo]: Serious?

Ranma [hesitantly]: Very.
	
Cologne [supporting herself on her staff and petted him on his head and
sang]: 
All in good time there'll be
Mountains to move
There'll be battles to fight
Bodies to bury 

	Don't hurry to change your life,
	Stay on the hills and plain
Turn to your flocks again -
Back to the field
God has some plans for you ~

Ranma [with a glint of anticipation in his young eyes and sang]: 
And I've some ideas too .  . .

Cologne: All in good time His word
	Will be revealed

Ranma [taking Cologne's hand in his excitedly] : 
I'm taking it as it comes
					And watching it as it goes . . .

Cologne [smiling]: Perfect . . . you'll do well in His plans.

[Ranma beamed as he heard that.  Some distance away, a feminine figure with
strands of purple hair spilling out of the opening of her cloak was
watching Ranma with much interest.  But neither noticed her as she kept on
walking once Cologne's gaze turned her way.  The old woman smiled
secretively to herself at seeing that.]

*		*		*		*		*		*		
		
[Scene opens again at the Royal House of Musk Dynasty, where a distressed
Soun is having a nightmare in bed.]

Soun [mumbling/singing as he slept]: The terrors of the filed
			The horrors of the battles
			The ruthless and the bloody sword, 
All these I can allow . . .
			
	No form, no shape, no light
			The enemy is hidden
			I have no will to fight,
			Yet surrender is forbidden . . .

			My crime is unexplained
			So cannot be forgiven
			The judge and executioner
			Close in upon the throne . . .

Soun [whimpering]: Konatsu . . . child . . . help me . . .

[A long-haired youth awoken by the noises that the king is making, came in
to fix his blankets for him.]

Long-haired youth [speaking sadly]: If only there is a way to redeem you in
the eyes of God and end your torment, I shall not hesitate in doing it.
But you've gone too far.  By using the powers of the Jusenkyo spring
without His permission, spawning my inhumanly sister through the use of the
Spring of Drowned Woman, you've sealed your own damnation.   If I could
help you, father, I will.  Right now, the only thing that I can do is to
help in the battles against the Kenzan Ninja Clan.  I can only hope that
your sanity will hold out long enough to last through this.

[With that, the figure left the room again, leaving the king to moan and
struggle in his troubled sleep.]

*		*		*		*		*		*	

[Scene opens again sometime later at the battle field at the outskirts of
Jusenkyo.  The Musks warriors are all trembling in fear as they faced a
GIANTIC old man who somehow still managed to looked short, wrinkled,
shrunken, and balding.  Behind the old man were a troop of ninjas, all
laughing at the Musks' fear and impotence.  The old man began to laugh
evilly as the ninjas cheer him on.] 

Ninjas: Happosai the ogre ~
		Happosai the orge ~	

Happosai: HEHEHEHEHEHE!!!!  So these are the best martial artists of China?
  Why, once I beat up all your pussy behinds and spread the word around
Japan, this piece of land will belong to us ninjas for sure!   You can kiss
your sorry springs goodbye!

Voice: No, you won't.  You won't ever get back to Japan, old freak.  In
fact, you won't even get back to your tent.  With the power of our God
behind me, I shall challenge you!

Happosai: [Narrowing his eyes] Show yourself, insolent one!

[With that, a young, pigtailed boy wearing a cloak stepped out from among
the men around him and looked up at the giant old man crossly.  Two older
boys immediate came to stop him.]

Hiroshi:  Are you crazy, little brother?!  You got him pissed!!

Daisuke: Yeah!  Now we're all gonna be dead, all thanks to you.


Ranma:  Oh, be quiet, you faithless chickens!  God is on our side,
remember?  Just let me handle this.  						[began to sing] 
You can hid yourself
		Behind evil-chi
		With power, experience,
		And ruthlessness
		But the power of the 
		Godless have to yield
		TO GOD!

[Happosai cackled arrogantly at the cocky boy.]

Ranma [still singing as he reached into his cloak]: 
I have never yet killed 
Any man on this earth
Can imagine no cause
To be worth such a terrible measure

But the Blood never spilled
And the deaths never seen
In my innocent past do not mean
That if I am the one
Through whom God's will is done
That I
Shall not kill, and with pleasure!

[Abruptly the boy flung his cloak aside, revealing chains of women's
underwear around his body.    Twirling them around like ribbons, he sent
them slashing at Happosai, who had sunken back into the tiny dwarf that he
really was.]

Happosai: SWEETO!!!!

[Immediately, the chains of underwear snapped around him like whips.
Seizing the opportunity, the Musk warriors shot the dwarf with their
arrows, killing him instantly.  The tables were turned immediately, as the
Musks gave chase after the frightened Kenzan ninjas.  After scenes of
unimaginable violence, the Musks managed to drive them back out of
Jusenkyo.]  

[At night, in the aftermath of the battle, the troop was taking a quick
bath in the hot springs at the out-skirt of the Amazon forest.  Ranma,
self-conscious as all teenage boys are at that age, lowered himself in a
spot further away from the main pool where the troop of Musks were merrily
splashing each other like kids.  It was then he saw a vision in front of
him that made his heart stop momentarily.]

[A girl, sitting on a rock and facing away from him, was slipping off her
scarlet robe.  Her long hair was tossed over one shoulder, revealing the
back of her well-shaped shoulders and narrow waist.  Ranma's eyes lit up
instantly]

Ranma [singing softly]: Who or what is keeping
	Half the world from blinking	
	Me for one
	Night oppressive stealing
	Through my body's feeling
Hot as sun
Well I think I might 
Taste the warm spring night.

	And the moon was high and you
	Never knew that I was there
	There was nothing I could do
	Even if you've been aware
I could never close my eyes
Nor disguise
Feelings you excite
On a warm spring night.

[As if realizing somebody's eyes upon her, the girl pulled her robe back up
her shoulders and turned around, allowing him to see her breath-taking
profile.  Strangely enough, she didn't seem bothered by the sight of a
naked boy at all, as she smiled and walked over, causing Ranma to dive for
his cloak and made himself decent.  Extending a delicate hand, she held out
a fresh lily towards the blushing boy.]

Girl [smiling]: You were amazing, fellow warrior.  May I have the pleasure
to know your name?

Ranma [blushing as he took the flower]: Ranma . . . my name is Ranma.
Ranma of the western Musk Dynasty

Girl [smiling]: Well then Ranma, you shall be honored for your achievement!
 [raising her voice, she called to the other warriors, most of whom had
already finished bathing.] Everyone, here is the HERO who has saved our
day: RANMA OF THE WESTERN MUSK DYNASTY!!!

[Immediately, the other Musks gathered around them and began to sing.]

Musks: God has loved us well
	Ranma our redeemer
	Who'd have ever thought
	Happosai could be slain?!

Soun [dressing as he came over]: You can never tell
			This boy didn't not seem a
			Man of such potential

Girl [excitedly]: But he used his brains!!

[All except Ranma and Soun]: 
Ranma and King Soun
Hero and supporter
As a team they fought 
A very great campaign		Musks [mockingly]: Happosai the perv ~
Finally we've paid for		Musks [mockingly]: Happosai the perv ~
All the years ~ 
OF PAIN ~!!!			Musks [mockingly]: Happosai the perv ~ !

[The crowd all cheered as Ranma beamed with childish arrogance.]

Soun  [Patting Ranma's shoulder]: Now, son.  What do you say if I appoint
you as a young lord of my court, as well as the general of one of my
troops?  You've certainly proven yourself to be more than worthy.

Ranma: I'll be honored, my King. [Turning to the girl who gave him the
flower, he said in what he hoped was a charming voice]  Thank you, my lady.
 I shall cherish this flower for as long as I am capable of.

[Abruptly, the people around him turned dead silent as Soun's expression
darkened.  The girl, meanwhile, was blushing with embarrassment.  Grabbing
the girl somewhat roughly, Soun tore open her top and shoved her in front
of Ranma.]

Soun: Take a good look, boy!  Does this look like a lady to you?!

Ranma [as he stared at the FLAT chest in front of him]: GYAH!!  You're a boy! 

'Girl' [as he blushed furiously]: I am Konatsu . . . the eldest son to our
King.

Soun [swearing under his breath]: Damned effeminate boy . . . should have
known that unworthy Kunoichi could have only given me such an unbecoming
heir. [Speaking aloud] If you interested in having a woman of your own, I'd
gladly give you my daughter as a present for your victory in today's battle.

Ranma [stunned]: To be a princess' consort . . . my King, I'd be eternally
honored and grateful! 

Soun: Then it shall be done.  On behalf of my honor, you shall have my
daughter as your bride. 

[Turning to the prince, he mock whispered mischievously.]     

Ranma: And if she look anything like her brother, I'd be the happiest man
in the world!  Haha . . .

[Together with Ranma, the troop of Musk men laughed good-naturedly while
the androgynous prince blushed.  Soun, however, was frowning in a much too
serious manner for the occasion . . .] 
 
*		*		*		*		*		*		

[Scene opens a month afterwards in the Grand hall of the Musk Palace, which
was decorated with flowers and lanterns.  The people were cheering as the
gloom came into the view.  Wearing a regal gloom's getup, and with his hair
set up in a proper Chinese bun, the boy looked absolutely dashing.  Beside
him was Konatsu, acting as the best man.  King Soun was sitting on a grand
throne as he watched the proceedings of the ceremony.]

Ranma [to Konatsu]: Is your sister really as beautiful as you, noble Konatsu?

Konatsu: More so than myself, Ranma my friend, as I've said a thousand
times before.  You should have known me long enough by now to realize that
I wouldn't lie to you.  

Ranma [sighing]: It's just hard to imagine someone even more beautiful than
yourself . . .

Konatsu [rather exasperatedly]: If you're this skeptical, you can always
skip the wedding and have me instead.

Ranma [with utter seriousness]: If I can, I would. 

[After staring at each other rather dramatically for a while, the boys both
broke out laughing, startling the other guests.  Soun held a hand to his
forehead and sighed.]

Soun [to himself]: Damned boy . . . he's worse than his mother . . .

[Just then, the royal musicians began to play a soothing, seductive music,
as an incredibly pretty girl walked out from behind a layer of silk
curtains.  She was dressed in a regal looking red Chinese skirt with slits
on the side.  Her purple hair fell all over her shapely form in luscious
curls, trailing down past her thighs.  Her face, with its dramatic starlit
eyes and rosy lips, practically stopped the hearts of every young lord of
the court.  Ranma too, was surprised at the beauty that she processed.  But
what really caught his attention was the peculiar combination of femininity
and power of her smug, feline-like expression as she stared at him.
Walking up to Ranma in certain, unabashed steps, she sang:]

Shampoo: I do not come to you reluctant or protesting,
I'm not a trophy like so many are suggesting 
		I give myself because I choose to
		Could walk out but I refuse to
		I wanted you since you were a peasant
		I wanted you in simple ways
		But I'll accept you in your
		Glory days.

[Leaning over Ranma with a sultry expression, she whispered:]

Shampoo: You're all I'll ever want
		You have my innocence . . .

[With that, she kissed him lightly on his ear lope, causing him to blush.]

Ranma [singing as he stroked Shampoo's hair]: 
There's more than beauty here
					There's more than innocence, 

Shampoo [purring]: I know exactly what I'm doing.

Ranma: I'll take her on her terms
	She has the aggressiveness
	To take the lead and do her pursuing.
	
She believes she knows it all
	Who am I to contradict her?
	She made all the rules,

Shampoo [playfully but arrogantly]: Men are merely fools
						If they think they run the game ~!

[Ranma studied everything about her, her beauty and her aura, with a hint
of resignation as he sighed.]

Ranma: Sheer perfection is to blame ~!


[With that, the two sealed their fates with a kiss as the entire hall burst
into thunderous applauds.  Much later, after the ceremony was over, and
Shampoo had gone to wait for Ranma at their bedchamber, Konatsu was helping
the servants in cleaning up the place.  Suddenly, he felt something poking
at his back.  Turning around, he saw Ranma smiling at him.]

Ranma: You're too humble, noble Konatsu.  At most, I'd say your sister's
beauty is that of your equal. [whispering] And just between the two of us,
you are a lot less pushy than her.  Sweet dreams, fair prince.  

[With that, he walked away to the waiting bride in his bedchamber, leaving
Konatsu to stare after him with a wondrous glint in his watery dark eyes.
Slowly, he began to sing.]

Konatsu [lightly]: You made splendid praises of what once 
was my shame
		You are the most supportive friend  
		I've ever known 	
		By far the best, most overwhelming
		The die is cast
		The birds have flown
		Defenses fall
		You have it all
		You've changed my life.

[He sang louder as he walked out to the garden and looked up to the full
moon.  Pretending it was Ranma's winsome face, he sang to it passionately.]

Konatsu: And now it seems
	Never will I fear the jeers
	Since I know you are here
	Giving me all my cheers 	 

I once believe, 
I never could befriend
A boy more rugged than me
And have him like me back.
But you do,
And for this
My life is yours.

[With that, he turned away and walked back to his own bedchamber with a
wistful smile on his face.]

*		*		*		*		*		*		

[Week flies by, as Ranma won even more victories against the Kenzan clan as
he lead the Musks in battle.  The warrior and the prince worked like a
dream together.  Yet it was Ranma, with his masculine radiance and playful
wits, that got everybody's attention.  The women of the Musks made a song
to praise him with . . . a song that enraged the already unstable King Soun
to no end.]

Women of the streets: Soun has slain his thousands
		And Ranma his ten thousands
		One who gave us daylight
		And one the very sun ~

[Ranma, coming back from a battle, raised his fist in triumph as the crowd
sang on.]


Crowd: Soun has slain his thousands
	And Ranma his ten thousands
	The Kenzan Clan is scattered
	A sad and broken crew ~

	Soun has slain his thousands
	And Ranma his ten thousands
	One who made us realize
	No battle cannot be won ~
		

 [Suddenly, Konatsu jumped out of the palace's window in an agile leap and
dragged him away from the crowd.  Running towards a secluded spot, where
Shampoo was already waiting for them, he stopped and turned to the clueless
boy with a desperate look in his eyes.]

Ranma [scratching the back of his head]: What is all this about?

[Before Konatsu could speak, Shampoo beat him to it with a song.]

Shampoo [urgently]: Soun's going mad because your 
every move outshines him
			He sees the multitude 
				Embrace you!


Konatsu: His people love you but your		 
	 	Triumph undermines him
	He loves you too but cannot
		Face you!
	You're that uncommon thing -
	a hero,

Shampoo [hugging him passionately]: Which gave you all the love 								you
need!

Konatsu [hugging him gently]: And how it must destroy him to conceive ~

Konatsu and Shampoo: This is the time for you
				You had it all!
			You can do anything
				You're standing tall!
			This is you golden age, 
				You will recall
			In quieter times than these
				That you once had it all!

Ranma: Konatsu . . . Shampoo . . .
	
Konatsu: O lucky man!
	The world is yours 
	Embracing you
	And all you hear 
Are people saying
"Yes"!	 

Shampoo: The pace is hot:
		The power brokers chasing you	 
	And lesser mortals clamor too
		All of these and glamor too,

Shampoo and Konatsu: That's happiness I guess!!

Ranma [gratefully hugging them back]: I love you both as I love life
						And both I cherish
						  Uncompromising and unfailing
						I swear this covenant we 
  Will never perish
In any circumstance prevailing!

Konatsu: It's very hard when things come easy,

Shampoo: You start to fear a bitter end,

Konatsu: I promise you 
		You have a friend!!

Konatsu, Shampoo: This is the time for you
				You had it all!
				You can do anything
				You're standing tall!
 
All three: This is our golden age
		We will recall
		In safer times than these
		That we once had it all!!

Konatsu: In better times than these
		That you once had it ~ ALL~

[With that, all three of them tightened their holds against each other, as
if in desperation.  Meanwhile, back at the palace, Soun was sitting alone
on his throne as he stared heatedly at the vacant space in front of him.]

Soun [growling from between his teeth] Soun has slain his thousands
						And Ranma his ten thousands?
						Soun has slain his thousands
						And Ranma his ten thousands?!

*		*		*		*		*		*		

[Soon afterwards, Soun's lunacy had surfaced up to the point that he was
openly attacking Ranma at every turn of their encounters.  Fearing the
King, Ranma had retreated from court duties so as to avoid Soun.  In his
madness, Soun had led a troop of his best warriors to surround Ranma's
house in hopes of slaying him . . .]

Soun [singing]: Ranma has betrayed
			Privilege and high position
			Every move I made
			To ensure his recognition . . .

[Just then, two figures abruptly leapt out of the top window of the house,
and began to escape via the rooftops of the palace.  One of them was
unarmed, while the other was carrying a giant bonbori in each hand.
Immediately, Soun's men shot a hail of arrows at the figures, which the
bonbori carrying figure blocked with his/her weapons.  However, in an
effort to block an arrow meant for the unarmed figure, he/she got hit by an
arrow to the leg.  Immediately, the armed figure got slowed down, screaming
in a feminine voice as she did so.]

Armed figure: GO, Ranma!!  Don't turn back least you be slain!

Unarmed figure: No! I won't leave a wounded girl-

[Before he could have finished his sentence, the armed figured struck him
with her bonbori as if he was a baseball, sending him flying skyward until
he disappeared into the night.  With her strength spent, she fell off the
rooftop and down into the alley.  Immediately, Soun's men surrounded her,
and were surprised to see Shampoo lying in a heap on the floor from a
particularly bad fall.   Striding up to her, Soun dragged her up by the
front of her Chinese shirt and shook her like a rag doll.]

Soun [in his demon form]: Betrayed by my own daughter!!

Shampoo [holding back the tears that the pain is causing her]: I love him!
Not even YOU can make me betray my heart!

Soun [throwing her roughly against a wall as he sang]:  
		May he rot in hell
		Or at least in barren places!
		Daughter, can't you tell?
		Every breath he takes debases 
		You and me as well!
		Shames, humiliates, disgraces -
		But I can
		Humiliate him too
		For I am giving you
		TO ANOTHER MAN!!

Shampoo [defiantly]: Do what you like with me
				What difference could it make?!
				In my wounded state
				You know I can't resist!
				He loves me very much
				As such he'll understand
				I'm not part of your disaster!!

Konatsu [who had hurried to the scene]: Father, stop it now!  What has
Ranma ever done to you to deserve your hatred?!
 								
[Growling, Soun slapped his son hard across the face, causing him to
stumble backwards and fell.]

Soun [growling]: You ignoramus! Don't you realize that as long as Ranma is
alive, you shall NEVER be seated on the throne?!

Konatsu [shouting back]: I'd gladly let him have my throne!  He deserves it
more than I do!

Soun [Angrily as he unsheathed his sword]: Oh, how worthless you've proven
yourself to be, non-ambitious one!  All this loyalty to a man who treats
you like a woman . . . how perverse, how vile!   How unfaithful you are to
me, just as unfaithful as your kunoichi-trash of a mother!!

[With that, he charged Konatsu, seemingly intended on killing him.
Stunned, Konatsu froze in place, and was saved only by Shampoo's
interference as she held back her deranged father with all the strength
remaining in her wounded body.  Konatsu looked on dumbly as his father
spewed more vile curses at him.  A series of scenes passed by, showing Soun
giving orders to his troops to search for Ranma and kill him at the spot.
It also showed Shampoo dragged to the marriage hall in chains, where she
was forcibly married to Mousse, the son of the Amazon village chief.
Looking out at the stars from his window, Konatsu sang with tears in his
eyes.]

Konatsu: Soun in his court, breathing fire
	Losing touch with reality
	David forced out to the jungles
	Beyond Soun's control
	Slowly supporters moved in to this bleakest locality
	By they're few, they're wild 
He is still
	Like the hunted partridge on the hill
	Like the hunted partridge on the hill!!		

[Scene showed Ranma gattering a group of supporters at his hideout in the
jungles outside of Jusenkyo.]

Ranma [to his men]: Lunacy prevails
			Melancholy voices crying
			Rumors, stories, tales
			News of Soun is terrifying!	
			
			Flying off the rails,
Israel you soul is dying!
If I am accused
By a manic king of treason
If I am abused
If the madman made a squeeze on
If I am refused
Justice then there is no reason
To lie low

			Might as well commit
			The crime, be done with it
			Nothing left to lose . . .!

			Come with me, fight with me, rescue
			Our race from insanity
			Cousins and brothers and 
			Strangers, my saviors are found
			Join the hunted partridge on the Hill

His men: Join the hunted partridge on the Hill!!	
    	
	Soun is now merely a shadow
Of the man that he was in his prime
Distracted confused 
And uncertain, he should not
Concern us at all! 					

Ranma [with a look of anguish on his face]: If only the lion in the path 
				Were anyone but Soun!!
				Soun!  Soun!

[The scene switched to Soun's bedchamber, with Ranma standing beside his bed.]
		
Ranma: I came to your room as you 
Dreamed and incompetent 
Guardians slept
	I could have destroyed you in 
Moments but plundered no booty
Except
Your sword and your helmut
A trifling, unbloody and 
Merciful haul
If only the lion in the path 
	Were anyone but Soun!!
Soun!  Soun!		
	Why do you 
Persecute me?  
		
Soun [waking up]: Ranma - is this my son, Ranma?
			Why spare the life of the one 
			Who's all that preventing you	
			Claiming the crown that you've 
			Craved since I first took you in?
			The man who has given Shampoo to
			Another, tormenting you . . .

Ranma [stunned]: Shampoo, Shampoo, given to another . . .

Soun [satisfied at his stunned look]: Surely you have by now 
	Had your fill

Ranma [outraged]: You gave her to another!!

Soun [gloating]: As the hunted partridge on the hill
	
Ranma [crazed]: I'm the hunted partridge on the hill!!		

[Scene changes to Shampoo's bedchamber, where Ranma had burst in like a
whirlwind.]

Ranma [wildly]: Oh SHAMPOO!

Shampoo [excitedly]: Ranma!

Ranma [accusingly]:How could you agree
			To be given to another?!

[Stunned at his lack of trust in her love for her, Shampoo 's excitement
vanished as she whispered back with tears in her eyes . . .]

Shampoo [sniffing]: Think what you will of me . . .

Ranma [ignoring her tears and shouted]: Does no woman see
						Whether daughter
						Mistress, mother?!

Shampoo[in tears and shouting back]: What difference could it make?! 	
   
Ranma [ranting on]: Man is on the run
	Every day of his existence 
Every single one
	Has to keep a little distance,
	Tell me what I've done
	To deserve your inconsistance?!

Shampoo [snaring like a mad cat]: Why?  I think
					YOU DON'T HAVE A HEART!!!	

Ranma [screaming in agony]: Hunted like the partridge on the hill!

Shampoo: You don't have a heart!

Ranma: Hunted like the partridge on the hill!

Shampoo: You don't have a heart!

Ranma: Hunted like the partridge on the hill!

Ranma, Shampoo and Ranma's allies: Hunted like the partridge 						 		<You
don't have a heart!>
						On the hill!
HUNTED LIKE THE PARTRIDGE ON ~ 
THE HILL!!!	

*		*		*		*		*		*		

[Back at Ranma's base in the jungle, he was surrounded by six beautiful
women (Rouge, Kilma, Kasumi, Nabiki, Pink and Link) as he and his men drink
and tossed each other like it was the end of the world.]

Men:  Finally, our future king, you've seen the necessity for an heir and
did the right thing.

Men: I wonder what is Soun's daughter going to think if she knows that you
have agreed to take in these concubines in reinforcing your coming dynasty?

Ranma [somewhat drunkenly]: Think what she will of me
					What difference could it make?
 					She has been given to another!
					I love her very much
					But I have more at stake
					I can't wait for her forever!

Concubines: Soun has slain his thousands
	And Ranma his ten thousands
		One whose time is long past
		The other's still bright as noon ~
  					
Ranma's men: Ranma's in his prime
		Ranma's our redeemer
		Ranma brought his people 
Back to life again! 
		Glory as we swamp
		Every vile blasphemer
		Every single enemy we hold profane
		Glory to Ranma
		All we ever prayed for

[Ranma collapsed after his tenth drink, and ended up in a sobbing mess on
the ground.  None of the other noticed as they sang on.] 

All but Ranma:	Finally we've paid for all the years
OF PAIN ~!!

Concubines: Hai Ranma the King! 
Hai Ranma the King! 
Hai Ranma the King! 

[Some time afterwards, there came another war between the Kenzan Clan and
the Musks.  Soun was losing badly, since Ranma and his men too were
fighting him, and he and his men were stranded in the forested near the
battlefield.  Inside his tent, facing the crane of the holy woman (who had
passed away some time ago), he prayed. 
							
Soun [desperately]: The terrors of the filed
			The horrors of the battles
			The ruthless and the bloody sword, 
All these I can allow . . .
			
			My crime is unexplained
			So cannot be forgiven
			The peasant and the Kenzan Clan
			Close in . . .
			
			Why had the Lord deserted me?
			Cologne talk to me . . .
			Cologne talk to me . . .

[Just then, Cologne's ghost appeared in front of him.  She wasn't the old
woman that he knew, but a stunning beautiful young girl with eyes like the
stars and hair like the night.  Regarding him with a neutral expression,
she replied.]

Ghost of Cologne: What can you want of me?
			You from whom the Lord has
			Departed?
			He has taken the kingdom
			And given it to Ranma
			Because you did not obey 
			The word of the Lord
			He will deliver Jusenkyo
			To its enemies
			And tomorrow you and
			You son will die
			On the fields of Jusenkyo!! 

[And true to her words, the battle the next day was almost one-sided, as
the Musks under Soun's leadership were being crushed like bugs.  Konatsu,
exceptional as his skills were, still got swarmed over by the multitudes of
enemies. Soon he was disarmed by a viscious Kunoichi, who hit the sword off
his hand at the cost of losing her arm.  As Soun watched in horror, three
ninjas closed in on him, stabbing him through his torso with their katanas.]

Soun [screaming]: SON!!

[Konatsu, however, had a look of wonder on his face as he slowly closed his
eyes.]

Konatsu [lightly]: What place is this?  It's so beautiful . . .

[With that, his body fell limply onto the ground, and was soon forgotten as
the Kenzan ninjas continued their slaying of the Musks.]    

[Some miles away, at Ranma's base in the jungle, the young man suddenly
have a vision of Konatsu, standing on a plain of striking flowers more
beautiful that those he had ever seen before.  Smiling nostalgically at
him, the prince sang in his sweet voice.]

Konatsu: Somehow I'm not afraid
		A kind of peace is made
		Forgiven, I am happy to be called
	
Sweet friend you must be brave
And when that darkness falls
Remember we do not need
To know God's reasons why ~ 	

Ranma: Konatsu . . .

Konatsu [turning away]: Till we meet again, gentle friend.

Ranma [alarmed]: Konatsu!

Konatsu [with tears trailing down his beautiful profile]: . . . farewell.

[Abruptly, the vision disappeared, as Ranma found himself lying naked in
his own tent, his concubines sleeping contently around him.  Calming his
breath, he whispered to himself.]
	
Ranma: Konatsu . . . no, it can't be . . .

Voice from outside: Ranma!  Ranma!

[Putting on a robe, he walked out of his tent.  Standing outside was a
messenger, who spoke urgently to his leader.]

Messenger: My Lord!  Soun and his followers were slain in battle! Now
you're the only one to lead us in out fight against the Kenzan ninjas!

Ranma [frantically]: What about Konatsu?!

Messenger: Aye, he was slain.  None of Saul's children survived.

Ranma [his eyes tearing up]: Konatsu . . .

[Wondering into the woods, he silently allows scenes of the past to come
back to him as he mourns in secret, afraid to have anyone seen his tears.]

Ranma [singing]: The beauty and power of Jusenkyo
			Are senselessly slain, are surely
Destroyed
Cut down in the mountains
The noblest of dragons
His sword far too
Swiftly employed
How are the mighty fallen!
How are the mighty fallen!			
   

			The many who persecute Jusenkyo
			Must never rejoice, take heart
			must not earn
			One fragment of comfort
			From knowing the kirins
			Have stumbled and
			Will not return
How are the mighty fallen!
How are the mighty fallen!			
   
Ranma [as he sobbed louder and louder] Konatsu - Konatsu
					Who loved me more bravely
					Than you, whether concubines								Or wives
		How are the mighty fallen!
How are the mighty fallen!	
HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN!!! 

*		*		*		*		*		*		

[After five years of continuing war, Ranma had finally destroyed all of the
Kenzan Clan, and united all of Jusenkyo: Amazon Kingdom and Musk Dynasty.
Once a cute-looking boy, he was now a handsome man with all the qualities
of a hardened warrior.  Even his pigtail was gone, replaced by an unruly
short cut.  At the day that he was entering Amazonia together with his
relatives and his troops, the crowd cheered him on as he matched in
majestically with his troops.]

Ranma [singing trimphatly]: I shall praise you, Lord
	For brining me up to this place
	As I move toward
	The city and hope of my race
	As I dare recall
	The deeds of our ancestors, their
	Supplication and prayer
	Never once
	Losing their faith in their God
	Through the years of despair ~!

	I one of the Dragon clan
	The seed of an immortal line
	Their lives are given to this God
	Their promise to this God is mine
	And to this new Amazonia
	Our fathers come at last
	The sons of Confucius live again
	The glories of our sacred past ~!  
	
	Jusenkyo, Jusenkyo
	Though palaces may rise within 
Your walls 
	Your dust, your stones
	Are prize enough for these contended 
Eyes ~!

[Turning to his son, a cute-looking little boy with two buns on his head,
he whispered with emotions straining his words.]

Ranma: Saffron, my son  
	I am now the king of all Israel
	A long journey completed
	But yours has barely begun . . .

Amazons: Never believe I would see Jusenkyo
	United under one man ~

Musks: Never believe I would see Amazonia
	As our capital ~!! 

Saffron [in his childish voice]: I one of the Dragon clan
	The seed of an immortal line
	Their lives are given to this God
	Their promise to this God is mine
	And to this new Amazonia
	Our fathers come at last
	The sons of Confucius live again
	The glories of our sacred past ~!  

Saffron, Ranma, and chorus:   Jusenkyo, Jusenkyo
					Though palaces may rise within 
Your walls 
					Your dust, your stones
					Are prize enough for these contented 
Eyes ~!
  
[Standing in front of the Amazon palace were Soun's former court, all of
whom had now sworn eternal loyalty to Ranma.  Standing behind all of them
were Mousse, now the chief lord of the capital, and his soon to be ex-wife,
Shampoo.  She had changed a great deal since Ranma had last saw her.  She
had gotten taller, and her body had filled out even more.  The adorable
prettiness of her face was now replaced by refined beauty.  The eyes that
once sparked of unworldly arrogance were now displaying a sense of subtle
weariness that gave a vulnerable quality to her sophistication.  No longer
was her hair flowing and free, but was braided into a graceful, modest bun
at the back of her head.  Standing beside him was a handsome,
refined-looking man who spoke up in a rather bitter tone without looking at
her.]

Mousse:  Well, it seems like you've got your wish after all.  Ranma is now
the king, and had demanded that you be returned to him. 

[Shampoo remained silent as she studied the man that she used to love . . .
together with his six wives and his numerous children with a look of
melancholy that stopped Mousse before he could sting her anymore with his
words.  Instead, he simply whispered.]

Mousse: I would never have whored myself with other women like he did, you
know that.  I'm Amazon.  I have been trained to love one and only one woman
since the beginning of my existence.  I would have cherished you and loved
you like no other man could, if only you'd give me a chance.

Shampoo [without taking her eyes off Ranma]: I know.

Mousse [frustratedly]: Then why have you neglected your wifely duties for
the past five year?!

[Shampoo finally turned back towards him with a look of pity in her eyes.]

Shampoo: Because I don't love you.  I told you this long ago.

Mousse [pained]: Why do you love a man who willingly slept with another woman?

Shampoo: Of course not.  How could I fall so low?

Mousse: Then why -

Shampoo [cutting him off]: I loved the little peasant boy who used to love
me like I'm a woman, treat me like I'm a queen, cherish me like I'm a
jewel.  I feel nothing for this stranger matching in with his herd of women
and litters.     

[A moment of silence followed, before Mousse could find his voice again and
ask the obvious question.]

Mousse: What are you going to do now?

[Without answering him, Shampoo turned back to stare at Ranma's triumphant
entrance into the city.  Softly, she began to sing]

Shampoo: Why did he change so
		No real explanation
		Still unaware of 
		My humiliation
		Calmly expecting
		Life to go on
		
[hardening her eyes]

		Never again will I be ashamed
		Never again put upon
		Never again will I turn and he's gone

		I'd give the world to 
Believe nothing has happened!
I'd give my heart 
To the man I once love!
 	
		Oh, how he loved me!
		Strong, passionate, gentle
		Now he perceive me
		All but incidental
		Words count for nothing
		Only for show
		
[with tears in her eyes]

Never again will I suffer this
		Never again fall so low
		Never again but there's one 
Thing I know
Never again, never again
		Never again ~ will I love a man so.

{Wiping off the tears in her eyes and taking a breath, she walked down the
stairs and greeted the returning king with alienating formality as Mousse
stared after her sadly.]

Mousse: Never again ~ will I love a girl so.

*		*		*		*		*		*		

[Later that night, in Ranma's bedchamber, he and Shampoo were lying fully
clothed on the same bed.  An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, which
proved too much for Ranma, as he turned towards Shampoo and spoke up in an
accusing tone of voice.]

Ranma: Why did you agree to be given to another?

Shampoo [without looking at him]: I didn't.  Soun had his servants chained
me up and dragged me to the marriage hall.

Ranma [frustrated]: At least you could . . . at least you could . . . 		 
Shampoo [flatly]: Kill myself?  Is that what you want me to do, my King?
Sacrifice my life for the sake of your husbandly pride?

Ranma: . . . are you unwilling to?

Shampoo [turning towards him with pain in her eyes]: I would have.  I
really would have.  Then you came to me that night, assuming the worst of
me, and I suddenly realize that it isn't worth it.  Not for a husband who
doesn't trust his wife, not for a man who had gathered six concubines for
himself, while his lover had remained celibate for five years under the
hostility of everyone in Mousse's household! 

Ranma [startled]: You and Mousse . . . never . . .?!

Shampoo [evenly]: For five years, we slept in separate rooms.  His mother
doesn't like it, but there isn't anything that she could have done to make
me love a man that I have no feelings for.

Ranma [guiltily]: I . . . I'm sorry.

Shampoo [neutrally]: . . . why did get yourself concubines?

Ranma [uneasily]: Well, I need a heir . . . and you were given to another.

Shampoo [raising an eyebrow]: A heir? You need six different woman to give
you one single heir?

Ranma: . . . I had to be certain that my bloodline will prosper, so that
when the time comes, I'm certain that there will be someone to succeed me
as a king.  That is my first priority.

Shampoo: How many sons do you have?

Ranma: Three at this point . . . though Kilma is expecting another child in
the winter.

Shampoo [looking up the ceiling]: I see.  Hmmm . . . I wonder what will
happen when they realize that only one of them shall get to rule over
Jusenkyo?

Ranma [blanching at what Shampoo's hinting at]: They're siblings, they
won't do anything drastic to each other. 

Shampoo: Won't they?

[With that, she got off the bed and headed towards the door, leaving a
startled Ranma behind on the bed.]

Shampoo [looking back at him sincerely]: Teach your children well, my king.
 No matter how little time you have, make sure that each and every one of
them have enough attention.  I do not want to hear the news of this
beautiful Kingdom destroyed by a battle between its own princes.

Ranma: Shampoo?

Shampoo [turning away as she walked out of the door]: . . . farewell.  

[Quizzical at the strangeness of Shampoo's tone of voice, he got out of the
room and tried to go after her.  But just then, his horde of concubines
ambushed him together with their children, each demanding him to pay more
attention to their own children.   By the time that he had regained his
wits, Shampoo was already gone.]

[Later that night, up on a cliff overlooking the entire Jusenkyo, Shampoo's
eyes were tearing up as she stared down at the thousand pools of starlight
from beneath her.  She looked long and hard, hoping to burn the scene into
her memory: for she knew that she won't likely see its beauty again for the
rest of her life.]  
  
Shampoo [with tears steaming down her ivory pale cheeks]:

					Never believe I would see Jusenkyo
					United under one man ~

Never believe I would see Amazonia
					As its capital ~!! 

					I one of the Dragon clan
					The seed of an immortal line
					Their lives are given to this God
					Their promise to this God is mine
					And to this new Amazonia
					Our fathers come at last
					The sons of Confucius live again
					The glories of our sacred past ~!

					Jusenkyo, Jusenkyo
					Though palaces may rise within 
Your walls 
					Your dust, your stones
					Are prize enough for these contented 
Eyes ~!
 
[With that, she turned away from the cliff, got onto her luggage-loaded
horse, and away from her homeland.  Ranma, meanwhile, found a note on the
table in Shampoo's bedchamber.]


My King:

	By the time you've seen this letter, I should already be out of the
Jusenkyo area, heading towards the strange new land of the outside world. 

	I'm not a trophy of a hard-won battle, nor am I a mere decoration of an
oversized harem.  I mean what I said on our wedding day: I would  walk out
on you shall treat me at either of the above.  Shall the others inquire
about my whereabouts, tell them that Shampoo is no more.  She has died of a
broken heart.

	May you lead this kingdom to its glory, and its people to their triumph.

	Farewell.
									
									Lee Lai Xian


Ranma [singing with a lost look on his face]: 
				She makes all the rules
				Men are merely fools
				If they think they run the game!
				Sheer perfection is to ~ blame ~ !
	
[Sighing, he decided to take a walk around the palace in hopes of calming
his nerves.  Leaping onto the rooftop of the palace, he began to
contemplate about all that had happened in the last five years, of how he
has forced away the only woman who had ever loved him, only to gain a horde
of mindless women with no distinctive personalities.  He had also gain
himself a herd of children who, aside from the stunning Saffron, where but
vague shadows to their father.  He couldn't even tell which woman were they
spawned from.  But everybody said that a King need many wives to ensure a
strong dynasty, so he guessed he would have to accept that.]

[Just then, he looked down and saw something that he was sure to have been
an illusion.  Shaking his head, he looked again, and was stunned to see the
vision remaining right where it was: A girl, sitting on a rock beside a
pool and facing away from him, was slipping off her scarlet robe.  Her long
hair was tossed over one shoulder, revealing the back of her well-shaped
shoulders and narrow waist.  Ranma's eyes teared up as he recited the song
that he had sung from so long ago while old memories flashed by his mind.]

Ranma:Who or what is keeping
	Half the world from blinking	
	Me for one
	Night oppressive stealing
	Through my body's feeling
Hot as sun
Well I think I might 
Taste the warm spring night.

	And the moon was high and you
	Never knew that I was there
	There was nothing I could do
	Even if you've been aware
I could never close my eyes
Nor disguise
Feelings you excite
On a warm spring night.

	Konatsu . . .

[The girl twist around slightly as she entered the water, allowing him a
glimpse of her subtle but apparent curves: curves that could only belong on
a woman.  Ranma's eyes widened even further at the sight of his friend's
face on the body of an actual woman.]

Ranma: My fair prince, his ghost taking on the form of an actual woman to
satisfy the longing in my heart . . . such extraordinary kindness.   								
[Abruptly, the girl's body tensed up as she glared his way.  A split second
later, a gigantic mallet came out of nowhere and flew towards him, which he
narrowly dodged.  However, a second mallet was flying just right where he
was dodging, nailing him instantly.  He dropped limply to the ground as the
strange girl put the robe around herself again and strode up angrily.]

Girl:  That's it!  No one peeps at Akane of the eastern Musk Dynasty and
lives!  Prepare to die, you . . . YOUR MAJESTY?!

[Immedialty, Akane woke him up, and prostrate herself in front of the man
begging for forgiveness.  Ranma was, of course, extremely gracious about it
(due to her resemblance to the one that loved him more than all the world).
 One thing led to another, and eventually, they found themselves in the
same bed at the girl's place.]

[The morning afterwards, Akane revealed something rather shocking as she
shyly dressed herself.]   

Akane: Um . . . your Majesty, there is something you might want to know.
I'm actually married to general in your court: Shinnosuke of the Musks.  It
won't be till two months later till he arrive home, but . . .

Ranma [paling]: If you . . . um . . . ended up carrying my seed . . .

Akane: . . . then everyone will know that the baby isn't his.  But I've
been with Shinnosuke for two years now, and nothing had happened.  So this
time won't be any different . . . I suppose.  Even though I don't love him,
he's a nice man.  I will not hurt him with the knowledge of my infidelity .
. . [smiling at Ranma] even if it is out of true love. 
 
[With that, she kissed Ranma, who had become very still at hearing that.
>From past experiences, he almost always did manage to impregnate a woman on
their first night.  Shampoo was the only exception . . . and that was only
because she had been taking birth control herbs.]  

[True to his fear, Akane was proven to be pregnant soon afterwards.
Fearing for her reputation and safety, Ranma did the only thing that he
could think of: sending Shinnosuke to the front line against the invading
Japanese Kumon clan army and leave his life at God's mercy.  He died in
battle, before he could have returned and discover Akane's untimely
pregnancy.  After her mourning period is over, Akane was summoned into
Ranma's husband and became one of hid concubines.  On the day of their
wedding, Shinnosuke's grandfather matched up to the King as if to
congratulate him as he whispered in his ear.]

Grandfather: You who have a harem, and killed my son in your lust after my
son's only wife, may God do with you what he did to King Soun!     

[Stunned, Ranma's good mood vanished as he began to spent day and night at
the Lord's chapel, begging for forgiveness of his hideous crime.  None was
given to him, as his armies began to lose consistently at battles.  The
worst blow came to him when Akane suffered a miscarriage, failing to
deliver their son.  Broken and lost, the two of them slept together again.
This time, she successfully give birth to a boy.  God apparently loved the
child very much, for on the day of his birth, Ranma's troops successfully
destroyed the Kumon clan for good.  He named the boy Kirin due to the good
fortune that he brought him, and cherished him with love like he did with
Saffron in the past.]

[The years continue to fly by.  Saffron had grown up into a BEAUTIFUL
prince, fairer than any man or woman of Jusenkyo.  His luscious hair was
the envy off the entire nation.  Despite his beauty, however, he was a
spoiled prince with a quick temper.  This temper was shown in it full fiery
as he killed Tarou, his half-brother, for raping his little sister, Plum.
According to Jusenkyo law, whoever that slain one of the King's child shall
be convicted of treason.  Somehow seeing this as an opportunity, he used
his beauty to gather for himself a troop of male and female fighters and
decided to revolt against the King.  Back at his court, the king was
suffering a headach as his head general spoke firmly to him.]

Head General [to Ranma]: You must cut Saffron down . . .

[Back to outside the capital, where Saffron and his men were trying to
break down the gates and seize the throne.]

Saffron: There is a time for alteration
	There is a time to grow
	Dreaming becomes an obligation
	To overthrow, 
The status quo
Though the son may
Love his father
Father loves his son
Nothing should stop them 
Both from knowing
When the father's work is done!

Ranma [exasperatedly]: I shall never be free of the 
Despair my children cause me
Death  . . . rebellion
Endless punishment from a God
Who never speaks to me

[Speaking]
Oh, Shampoo, why didn't I listen you?!

[Singing again]
Sometimes I think I've archived
What I have despite God!
I have only heard him through 
Others, like Cologne
And have she always
Told the truth?
And now, my beloved Saffron
Has turned against me

Saffron, my son
Is God speaking to him?

Saffron and his troop: Time to turn the pages
                           Time to turn the screw
                         The tyrants down the ages
                         Are simply passing through!
                           No one's good or evil
                         When they're dead and gone
                           The caravan moves on ~  

[At this point, ghostly voices echoed in the air as well, heightening the
drama of the moment]  

Ghost of Soun: The caravan moves on ~  

Ghost of Cologne: The caravan moves on ~  

Ghost of Shinnosuke: The caravan moves on ~  

Saffron: The caravan moves on !!

Saffron and his troop: Time for an admission
                          The king is good as dead
                         The height of his ambition
                          Should be to die in bed!
                            Feverish, corrosive
                         The fickle crowds are gone
                           The caravan moves on ~!  

Ghost of Soun: The caravan moves on ~  

Ghost of Cologne: The caravan moves on ~  

Ghost of Shinnosuke: The caravan moves on ~  

Saffron: The caravan moves on !!
 
[Just then, the gates were opened up as they charged in, meeting head on
with the head general and his army.  The two sides fought ferociously, but
Saffron's mile long hair proved to be his undoing, as the head general
grabbed his long tresses and pulled him off his horse.  Smiling grimly, the
man raised his sword.]

Head General: I must cut Saffron down . . .

Ranma [darting up as fast as he could]: NO~!!!
  
[Too late, his beloved son had been slain for his rebellion.  Saffron's
death had extinguished something within Ranma, turning him into an old man
overnight.  No longer did he long for anything: not even Akane's beauty
could rouse him again.  Only his love for his son Kirin was keeping him
alive . . . barely.]  

[Finally, on Kirin's 17th birthday, King Ranma stepped down form his
throne, and formally anointed him as the new king in front of the entire
Jusenkyo empire.]

Ranma [singing in a voice crackling with age]: 

The voices that I hear
Are too respectful
The arguments a little too
Profound
I only want a gentle hand
To stay me
As they lay me in the ground~

[With tears in his eyes as the vision of Konatsu from ages ago came back to
his eyes again.]
 
Somehow I'm not afraid
A kind of peace is made
Forgiven, I am happy to be called
	
And when that darkness falls
The thought that gets us by
Is knowing that we do not need
To know God's reasons 
WHY ~ !	 

Kirin: I one of the Dragon clan
	The seed of an immortal line
	Their lives are given to this God
	Their promise to this God is mine
	And to this new Amazonia
	Our fathers come at last
	
Akane: The sons of Confucius live again ~
	
All: The glories of our sacred past ~!
	Jusenkyo, Jusenkyo
	Though palaces may rise within 
Your walls 
	Your dust, your stones
	Are prize enough for these contented 
Eyes ~!
 

THE END

Adrian Wong

Sept 30, 1998.