Here's the first part of Chapter 3. Actually, I can only fit 10 page of plain
text in a single e-mail, so I have to divide the chapter into different parts.
They're not supposed to be separate parts. As always, please read this and any
C & C will be greatly appreciated at <dwang@sprynet.com>. As always, things in
<> are character thought. On a note of clarification, Akane is not being
brain-controlled or anything like that in this chapter. She is just confused,
and that's all.
Chapter 3 Rematch
(One week after the match)
"Ranma! You are awake!" exclaimed Akane, "For a while I thought you
would never wake up! You should be ashamed of yourself for being defeated so
easily!"
"Uh..., I feel terrible," replied Ranma, "Gosh... how long have I been
unconscious?"
"For a week."
"What! They must have cheated! How in the world can my Hiryu Shoten Ha
fail? It is impossible! Oh... Akane! What are you doing here? What do you
mean 'for a while' anyway? Have you been... watching me?"
"Me? I... I was just... passing by and thought I would take a look,"
answered Akane nervously, "You don't think I would do anything stupid like...
um... watch day and night over a jerk like you, right?"
"I guess even you're not that stupid," replied Ranma absent-mindedly, "I
still don't understand how they did it! My attack... it is invincible! It
never failed before!"
"Well, no matter how they won, they won," stated Akane, too tired to hit
Ranma back for that insult. She hasn't been getting much sleep for the last
week. Okay, so she didn't watch Ranma day and night non-stop, but it was close
enough. The first few days she didn't worry, but eventually she became very
nervous. What if Ranma doesn't wake up? Ever since the fourth day Akane
checked on him every hour and hoped that he would wake up soon. The fatigue and
the lack of sleep finally caught up to her now. Akane continued, rather
sleepily, "Oh, that girl, Marle, says she's sorry. They'll be coming back
tomorrow, so if you want a rematch they'll be there."
"Just you watch, Akane!" Ranma said determinedly, "I will defeat these
people. They will not beat me again! Oh... by the way, I was thinking... could
you be our 7th person for the fight tomorrow? Seems like those people are...
you know... pretty good... I guess. I think they will not use all their people
unless we have an equal number. Of course, it is not like I need your help,
but, you know, got to fight fair, so..."
Akane, a bit angry and amused at Ranma's persistence, reluctantly
agreed, "They're pretty good, Ranma? Oh well, I will come, but only so that
your opponents will take you seriously." Despite the uncaring appearance Akane
put on, she was really happy. <It was probably worth it, spending all that time
watching Ranma. At least he shows that he cares! Now that he is all right
again I can finally get some sleep!> thought Akane. Just before drifting off to
sleep, she added, "Just remember, Ranma, I'm not doing this because I like you
or anything like that so don't be getting any funny ideas!"
Ranma watched as Akane drifted to sleep. <What's wrong with her today?>
thought Ranma, <She agreed to my request so easily. She missed one of my insult
completely. Finally, just why is she doing sleeping at NOON? Did something
happened while I was unconscious?>
(Next day at Tendo Dojo)
"Okay everyone," ordered Ranma, "These people we fought last week were
indeed strong, so this time we will have to work together as a team to beat
them. Everyone understand?"
"Yes!" replied everyone.
Unbeknownst to Ranma, everyone had different thoughts toward the fight
today...
Akane: <One thing I'll make sure I do is that I won't help Ranma! It
is already enough that I spend all that time watching him. I don't want him to
start thinking that I'm in love with him or anything. He needs to take care of
himself! Besides, if I continue to act nice, people will start thinking I'm
weird!>
Ryouga: <Akane, I will protect you in this fight. Oh, I won't ruin
Ranma's plans, but I certainly wouldn't help him by fighting together with his
lousy friends! I still haven't forgive what you done to me, Ranma Saotome!>
Kunou: <If Saotome was dispatched by those people, then I would be able
to date the pig-tailed girl and Akane!>
Shampoo: <(She thinks in Chinese) Those people are strong. I will only
pretend to fight them. When they attack Akane, I will help them and finish
Akane. Then Ranma will finally be mine. Ranma will never suspect me because
I'll just say they were too powerful and accidentally killed Akane.>
Ukyou: <Let's see now. Akane's the weakest out of all of us. She is
most likely to get seriously injured in this fight. I'll make sure I don't help
her. I won't go so low as to ambush her, but no reason to help her.>
Mousse: <The confusion of a group battle would give me a good chance to
get rid of Saotome, and then Shampoo will be mine!>
(Meanwhile, aboard the Epoch, somewhere in time)
"Marle," called Lucca, "I just thought of something. You know that
interesting technique we learned, the Poyozo Dance?"
"Yeah," replied Marle, "It was an interesting technique, but that was
all. It has no practical use. By the time we learned it, the confusion-type
technique no longer affect our enemies anymore."
"I know," remarked Lucca, "Well, I got a great idea. Why don't we try
the Poyozo Dance on these people we will be fighting shortly. It would be
interesting to see they hit themselves in confusion. Besides, that way we won't
have to fight too hard and risk killing them."
"Always looking for fun, right? You really think it'll work?" sighed
Marle, "All right, then. Let's try it. I suppose the worse can happen is just
that it will fail. I've yet to see it backfired on us before. So, I guess we
might as well have some fun this time. After all, that's why we chose to fight
them in the first place. Remember, though, don't be so mischievous and
condescending. I'm your friend, so I know you don't mean all the things you
say. However, for other people they can't understand that easily. I know you
just want to have fun, but you got think about other people too. I know you're
thinking for them by using this technique to avoid injury, but don't say
something like 'we're doing this so you won't accidentally get killed' in front
of their face. It's true, I know, but you don't say things like that to other
people. It's too much for anyone's pride to swallow easily. I don't know, but
I had a feeling that there is a reason why we're doing all this. I think these
people need our help, even though I don't know what's wrong yet. So, don't be
too obnoxious, okay? Remember that we're here to make friends, not enemies.
Anyway, I'll go look for the white rock and you can ask Ayla to help us."
"I understand," answered Lucca, "Well, you can't blame me for telling
the truth! Okay, I say they are pretty good, but still I doubt if they'll be
able to stop Lavos from destroying the world like we did. I'm only trying to be
helpful, that's all."
Marle gave up, "All right already! Just don't do anything stupid,
okay?" Turning around, she sighed, <I suppose there are more people that still
need help in this world, starting with Lucca. Lucca is such a klutz sometimes,
though. Always saying things she didn't mean to say. She can fix time machines
and create wondrous invention, but she doesn't know much about other important
aspects of life, like love! I wonder if anyone could be more clumsy at these
kinds of things than her?>
(About an hour later)
The Epoch arrived at the Tendo dojo on time. However, Ranma noticed
that Magus and Frog weren't there.
"Hey, where's that Frog person and the person with the blue hair?" asked
Ranma.
"Oh, Frog challenged Magus to a duel and they're in Magus's castle in
600 AD. Don't worry, though. Crono, Marle, and I will be enough for handle all
of you. Do you know how well we fight together? Our teamwork more than enough
compensates for the lack of manpower," replied Lucca, "Oh, we need Ayla for our
first attack, but that'll be all. So get ready. Here we come!"
Ranma was still mad at the condescending attitude he was being treated
with. <There they go again, underestimating our strength,> thought Ranma, <So
they say they're invincible. Well, better get ready for this fight. They
probably have better teamwork then my friends and me, anyway. At any rate, we
probably do need the extra man advantage to beat them. Well, they can laugh all
they want right now, but they will be sorry when they are defeated!>
Marle sighed also. <At least she didn't say anything too offending or
stupid,> she thought. Realizing it was time to begin, Marle pulled out a
shining white rock and held it high and said, "Special triple technique, POYOZO
DANCE!" Ranma saw that Ayla, Lucca, and Marle circled around him and the others
at great speed. He instinctually jumped out of their circular formation. After
a few seconds, they stopped and Lucca flashed a mischievous smile, "Okay, now
Crono, Marle, and I will take it over from here."
<What was the point of that first attack?> puzzled Ranma, <It sure
didn't deal any damage. As far as he could tell, no one was hurt. They simply
went around us in circles, without evening attempting to attack! Oh well, I can
worry about that later.>
As the battle raged on, Ranma noticed that everyone was fighting
together quite well, contrary to his belief. <That's odd,> thought Ranma,
<There's no way we can work this well. After all, Ryouga and Mousse always
wanted to kill me. Shampoo and Ukyou always wanted to kill Akane. Speaking of
Akane, she hasn't got in my way yet. Could it be my speech on the importance of
teamwork? No, it couldn't be. Don't kid yourself, Ranma. You know that people
like Akane and Ryouga and Kunou will never listen to a word you said. Then...
how can they work together so well? >
Akane was feeling rather strange. She had this buzzing on her head, but
she ignored it. <Must be getting tired because I haven't been working out
lately or maybe it is just the lack of sleep,> she thought, <Strange. I'm
almost sure I was thinking of not helping Ranma just a moment ago, but now I
want to everything I can for him. Strange... oh well.> Akane dismissed her
thoughts and went back to concentrate on the battle. While Ranma was pondering
the course of the events, Marle sent an ice blast toward Ranma's way. Ranma,
lost in thought, was unable to dodge the blast. However, Akane grabbed him and
dived to safety. Embarrassed by being so close to Akane and being saved by her,
Ranma instinctually yelled, "I don't need your help, Akane! You're just getting
in the way!"
Realizing what a stupid mistake he just made, Ranma braced himself to
the impending hammering. Somewhere in Akane's head a little voice told her that
Ranma deserved to get slap for this rude and insensitive remark, but Akane
ignored it. Instead, she simply smiled, "Why don't you ever appreciate my help?
I know your proud... but, can't you be more gentle sometime, Ranma?" These
words seemed so unreal and they startled even Akane herself. <I wonder why I
said that?> thought Akane, <I know I'm supposed to... but... I don't know! I'm
so confused! Why am I acting like this today?>
<What's wrong with Akane?!> thought Ranma, <She took an insult from me
without getting mad. Something is definitely wrong here!>
(Meanwhile, at Crono's side)
"That's weird. I'm sure that the Poyozo Dance worked on everyone. That
Ranma person managed to get out of the way, but it should have worked on
everyone else. I don't believe these normal human beings are capable of
resisting our magical powers." remarked Lucca, "However, they don't seem to be
suffering from the effect of confusion. They are fighting quite well as a
team!"
"I told you the Poyozo Dance would never work," replied Marle while
dodging another punch from Ranma, "It doesn't really take much to block out its
effects, I suppose. I think you just have to concentrate and that's all.
Anyway, that is besides the point. It really doesn't matter, we will beat them
anyway. Better be careful, however, that guy with the pigtail actually hit me
last time. It hurt, too. Remember that we're not that invincible, Lucca. Best
not take chances. Let's proceed with our agreed plan. You and me will
concentrate on one person at a time while Crono covers us. Let's get rid of
Ranma first because he hurt me last time. Best not to take chances. Ready?"
"It is as good an idea as any," agreed Lucca, "Okay, here we go,
ANTIPODE!"
Ranma saw that Marle and Lucca simultaneously fired an ice and fire
blast, respectively, and they joined halfway and created a powerful blast of
energy. Just then, he heard Ryouga yelling, "Get out of the way!" Ranma dived
to the left and then Ryouga used his complete Shishi Hokodan attack and nullify
the power of antipode. <Of course,> thought Ranma, <Let me see. Akane saving
me from an attack and actually being nice to me. That is more than enough to
get Ryouga to be depressed enough use his complete Shishi Hokodan.>
"That was impressive," remarked Marle.
"I believe that was done by focusing something known as chi," remarked
Robo, who has been busy doing calculations, "That attack is quite formidable.
You might want to attack him as he is preparing to use that technique again. He
seems to be vulnerable to any attack while using this technique."
"Okay, let's make sure we finish that person in yellow cloth next time,"
answered Lucca, "Let's use antipode 2 and make sure we don't mess up."
"Getting serious a little bit, aren't we?" smiled Marle, "Robo, it'll be
safe right?"
Robo nodded.
"Okay, then, let's do it!" commanded Marle.
Ryouga continued to use his complete version of Shishi Hokodan. <There
is no meaning of life for me anymore,> he thought, <Akane is being nice to Ranma
and she is ignoring me! It is all these people's faults! I'll take you to the
netherworld with me!> Marle and Lucca followed Robo's advice and blast him
with an antipode 2. The power of antipode 2 knocked Ryouga out for the fight,
but Marle and Lucca too suffered some damage from the complete Shishi Hokodan.
<Akane-san. At least I...> thought Ryouga as he lost his consciousness.
Ranma was surprised to see Ryouga whom he knew to be quite formidable to
be defeated so easily. However, he did noticed that Lucca and Marle are
beginning to show slight signs of fatigue. "Girls are not supposed to fight,
you know. That especially applies to you, Akane." remarked Ranma.
Half-expecting to get hammered by Akane for this insult, Ranma again was
surprise to see no visible outburst of rage from her. Akane knew she was
supposed to hit Ranma for saying that, but somehow she couldn't act normal
today. For the time being, she just wanted to be nice and help Ranma in anyway
she can. Not even Akane herself understood her change, but she felt that this
must be right. She didn't know why, but it seemed right.
Despite the reasonable cooperation among Ranma and his friends, Ranma
realized that their teamwork and leadership were easily outclassed by their
enemies. Crono, Marle, and Lucca obviously worked together in the past and knew
how to cover each other's weaknesses. Crono hasn't even attack yet. Rather, he
wields his wooden sword defensively, covering Lucca and Marle. Lucca and Marle
in turn attacked whoever they considered to be the most dangerous. First it was
Ranma, then they changed to attacking Ryouga when he seemed to be more of a
threat. Ranma also couldn't help but to admit that this plan was working, too.
Crono, obviously the best of the three, had no problem holding Ranma and
everyone else back with his sword. Marle and Lucca's attacks were quite
effective. They would have had a 100% success rate if Akane didn't save Ranma
from their initial attack. Simply put, the battle isn't looking good.
"Everyone, stay together!" warned Ranma, "They're trying to pick us off one by
one! Don't let them do that!"
Marle noticed the change in Ranma's strategy and couldn't help but to
smile. She wanted them to stay close together. "Crono, they're regrouping into
more tightly defensible positions, right? Then, let's end this right now.
Lucca, Crono, on my mark cast Delta Force!" ordered Marle.
Ranma overheard Marle and thought, <They anticipated that? They want us
to be close? Must be a trap of some sort!> He saw that Crono, Marle, and Lucca
moved into a triangular formation and surrounded him and the others. Now it was
clear. They're going to hit everyone simultaneously and try to end this in one
swift blow. Not anxious to find out first hand what exactly Marle had in mind,
he grabbed Akane and prepared to escape from their entrapment formation.
Despite all his claims that he never cared for the kawaikunai tomboy, Ranma
still wanted her to be safe.
"Someone noticed our plan," pointed Marle as Ranma was escaping from
their entrapment formation, "Your friends aren't going anywhere, though. Ready
Crono? Ready Lucca? DELTA FORCE!"
Ranma escaped just in time. He saw that Crono kid used some kind of
lighting attack and it was joined by the fire and ice from Lucca and Marle. The
triad of energy joined each other and became a tangible triangular prism . The
triangular prism surrounding everyone else and it flashed from white to red to
blue and to black. After that, with an iridescent flash, the prism was gone.
All was left was the unconscious bodies of Kunou, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Mousse.
Ranma and Akane gasped at the incredible power of the Delta Force.
"Ranma," said Akane, "Thanks for saving me. See, you do care about me after
all."
"Oh... it was... uhh... nothing, Akane." replied Ranma. <Why is she so
open today? > thought Ranma, <She is so... nice! That's not the tomboy I
remember. I wonder why she is like that? Something must have happened. I just
know it, but I don't know what. There is no way that Akane would just one day
decide to be nice for no reason whatsoever. It isn't possible>
"Good reaction there, Ranma." Marle spoke again, "So you realized our
plan, too? Try to dodge this again! DELTA FORCE!"
<How can they cast these whatever-you-call-it so fast?> thought Ranma.
Again, Crono, Marle, and Lucca simultaneously fired their respective magic
toward Ranma and Akane. Ranma prepared to embrace himself for the impact. Just
then, he noticed that Akane was no longer with him. Searching around the area,
he noticed that Akane was running toward that Crono kid.
"Akane! What do you think you are doing!" shouted Ranma and he
immediately went to save her. But it was too late, Akane had been electrocuted
by the lightning that Crono sent toward where Ranma used to be. Taking a quick
glance, Ranma noticed that the ice and fire had canceled each other out and no
triangular prism was formed this time. He quickly rushed to Akane's side and
asked, "Why did you do that, Akane?"
"Ranma... let me protect you for once. It is always you... that
protects me. Now it is my turn. I... I figured that without the lightning they
cannot complete their attack. I didn't get in your way this time, right? See,
I can be nice and thoughtful if I want to be. I did it for you, Ranma,"
muttered Akane, barely conscious, "I was right, see. The fire and the ice
canceled each other out without the lightning. Just for once I'm the one saving
you."
"Akane, you stupid girl, you didn't have to do that. I could have
blocked by myself." replied Ranma.
"Oh... what a surprise." smiled Akane, "I should have known you would
have said something like that. How do you expect our relationship to go
anywhere if you're always such a jerk? I saved you twice today already, mind
you. You would never... never say you love me, wouldn't you? Can't you... at
least say a little thank you after what I done for you? Still... I know you
love me. Why... why can't you be more gentle sometime, Ranma. Even though you
are such a jerk sometimes, I... I still love you, Ranma." finished Akane as she
slipped into unconscious.
Ranma just stood for a moment, stunned to hear these words. <No! It
better not be...> he thought. He quickly checked her again. <She is all right,
so those couldn't have been her last words,> thought Ranma, <But then.. Akane?
Is that really you? Maybe... maybe she was hurt worse than I thought. Okay,
Akane is not dying or anything, so this can't be her last words. Most likely
the lightning half-shocked her brain and therefore she is talking such nonsense.
Akane would never say these things, whether she actually feels that way or not.
Still, I won't let them getting away for hurting Akane like that!>
"How did she know that we need all three elements to complete the Delta
Force?" commented Marle, "Good thinking there. Still, Crono's lighting attack
must have fried her. Those lightning attacks must have hurt. Oh, don't worry.
She is still alive. We don't kill people, otherwise we would be just as evil
as the evil we've vanquished before. Well, enough is enough. Ranma, let's end
this right now!"
Turning around, Ranma noticed that Crono once again had leapt into the
air with his wooden sword drawn. <Oh no, it is that what-you-call-it sword
attack again!> thought Ranma, a sense of hopeless and failure in him. He
remembered that attack too well. Just then, he heard Marle saying, "Hey Lucca,
why don't you have the honor today?"
Just then, Ranma finally realized why his Hiryu Shoten Ha failed. Even
though there was a lot of heat and energy from Crono's direct attack, when Crono
caught the ice the heat was gone and replaced by coldness. <But, this time it
seems like Lucca will add the finishing touch, that can only mean that it is
going to be a... fire attack!> thought Ranma.
"Okay Crono, here we go. FIRESWORD!" as Lucca cast her flame spell and
Crono caught the flame, similarly to the last battle.
"This time I won't fail," shouted Ranma, "Take this, HIRYU SHOTEN HA!"
Just as Ranma thought, the intense difference of heat between the
firesword and his attack caused a great tornado and blew Crono away. "I did
it!" rejoiced Ranma, "This is for Akane!"
"Wow!" remarked Robo, "Ranma's attack was quite powerful. I haven't
seem him getting hurt for a long time. If Crono can't get out of this tornado,
he will take even more damage!"
Crono drifted of inside the tornado and he too was momentarily
surprised. <I've never seen this kind of attack,> he thought, <Looks like some
kind of counter-attack with tornado energy. Well, I can handle that.> Just as
Ranma rejoiced for what appeared to be a victory, Crono slashed his wooden sword
against the tornado. The sword wave created by the power of Crono's slash cut
through the tornado like a knife through butter. With the tornado sliced in
half, Crono easily escaped from the tornado. Meanwhile, the sword wave
continued its path and was heading straight for Ranma. <It's a little trick
call Slash,> thought Crono as he landed, <That's my counter to your tornado
attack.>
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," remarked Marle, "While Crono's slash attack
is one of his weakest attacks, it has a knock to neutralize tornado energy.
That technique was very helpful when we fought Masa & Mune so long ago... I
would watch out for the sword wave if I were you."
********************************************************************************
"RANMA NO BAKA!" Akane Tendo, Ranma 1/2
"Power only breeds war ... I wish I'd never been born." Celes Chere, Final
Fantasy 3
Don Wang <dwang@sprynet.com>
RPG, strategy game, and Ranma 1/2 fan.