On Tue, 6 Aug 1996, Mike W. Loader wrote:

   One of the better fight scenes I've read in quite a while. The Ranma
vs. Ryoga contest is a staple of many fics...but it usually involves Ryoga
picking up a new technique, beating Ranma the first time, and then getting
pounded into paste by Ranma (who has copied the technique, or cheated, or
come up with a counterattack, etc.). This one was different, and exciting.
   Writing fights can be difficult - after all, there's only so many ways
that you can say, "He hit the other guy.". This one was _very_ well
executed - certainly anything but dull.

	Hey, thanks for the positive review!  My ego loved it!

   Question - Is the main difference in the new Ranma, combat-wise, his
attitude towards fighting, or simply a lack of experience? Or is it both?

	Both, really.  Physically, he's in about the same shape as the 
real Ranma.  However, without the same situations to motivate him (the 
Cat Tongue pressure point, overcoming his weekness or Ryoga's endurance 
or chi-blast, etc...) he never had the motivation he needed to fully 
master his techniques.  He'd also never been in a real, life-or-death 
type confrontation before, so this was the first fight he had to take 
seriously.  So, yeah, lack of experience, and also not really wanting to 
hurt anyone - until he had no choice.

   Very good portrayal of Ryoga. (Bullets won't stop it! Argh!)
   Liked how the rest of the dojo's view of the fight compared to Ranma's.
   Overall, a excellent addition to the first two chapters. Keep it up.

	Alrighty!

	-Mike Noakes