Chapter 4	The Future Fulfilled?

(Two days later)

	"Okay, Ranma," said Akane, "Let me get this straight.  You're telling me that I nearly got myself killed two days ago trying to save you and now I am supposed to have forgotten what happened?"

	"For the millionth time, Akane, that's the truth," replied Ranma, "Like I said before, I... I really owe you an apology.  Whether you were or just pretended to be nice, it doesn't matter.  You know, you were actually kind of cute now that I realized it."

	"Ranma, did you ever realize that you have a great sense of humor?" Akane was giggling uncontrollably, "Yeah right, I would nearly get myself killed to save you?  Okay, I admit it, I might actually do something stupid like that.  I guess I can be pretty stupid at time.  But then I'm supposed to totally forget about it?  What kind of idiot do you take me for, Ranma?  Like I would really be nice to a jerk like you, anyway.  Geez, Ranma, you should consider a new career as a comedian!  Ranma... thanks...for the compliment... even if you just made it all up."

	"I'm telling the truth!" retorted Ranma but Akane clearly wasn't listening, "Oh, what's the use.  I give up.  Okay, so you were uncute during the fight.  You were clumsy and only got in my way.  I didn't need you fighting those people two days ago!"

	Ranma expected Akane to become angry, but he noticed that Akane was still laughing too hard that she completely missed the insult.  "Hey Akane, I'm insulting you," yelled Ranma, "Are you deaf?  Aren't you going to hit me back for that?  What's wrong with you!"

	"Ha... I wouldn't... be insulted... over something... that didn't happened!" replied Akane, out of breath from laughing too hard, "I'm not... too patient..., but you can't... make me mad... by things that... didn't happened!  I'm... not that... impatient!  You... got to... do better than... that!  Ranma... this is... too funny!"

	<Maybe none of this ever happened,> thought Ranma, <Akane is right.  I wouldn't believe a word of what I said if I hadn't see it with my own eyes.  Maybe this was just a crazy nightmare I dreamed up.  After all, for Akane to be nice and patient and say that she loves me.  Must be some kind of wild dream.>

(Meanwhile, in Crono's House.)

	"Lucca, I've been thinking about that fight two days ago." said Marle, "I think I finally understand what happened."

	"Of course," replied Lucca, "You mean that tornado-thing he used?  It was pure science, I tell you.  The Ranma person used the difference in temperature to create a mini-tornado.  You need something like a spiral and when cold air goes against hot air it creates a..."

	"That's not what I'm talking about!" shouted Marle, "During our first fight, the girl called Akane whacked Ranma with the mallet, right?"

	"Right."

	"So how come she changed so much that she would risk her life for Ranma?"

	"I don't know.  I don't suppose you have an answer."

	"As a matter of fact, I do," declared Marle, "I figure that the Poyozo Dance must have worked.  That's why she is acting that way."

	"So..." suggested Lucca, "You're saying that Akane didn't like Ranma at all?  Is it only because of the Poyozo Dance that she saved him?"

	"Well, I don't think Poyozo Dance can be so powerful that it will change hate to love.  It only confuses people, remember." answered Marle, "No, it is probably that she already likes him, but just doesn't show it.  That's probably a better explanation.  The Poyozo Dance just helped her to bring her true feelings out."

	"Wow!" remarked Lucca, "How did you figure out all this!?"

	"Oh, it is just a hunch I have," said Marle, "You know, I almost lost Crono once.  After that, I vowed that I'll do everything in my power to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.  I think they love each other... a lot.  I don't want to see a relationship like this get broken up.  I feel that we should try to help them to know each other better and to show their true feelings.  Remember I told you that I thought there was a meaning for us to meet them?  Now I know:  it is to help Ranma and Akane!"

	"I still don't think they're in love.  After all, Akane seems rather hostile to me!" stated Lucca.

	"And since when did you know anything about love, Lucca?" retorted Marle, "You may be a genius and you love machines, but you don't know anything about love between human!"

	"How hard can that stuff be?   Surely it can't be more complicated than making time machines work or saving the world, right?" countered Lucca, "Anyway, I know exactly what I'm going to do.  I will go and fight them myself.  Probably going to hurt that Ranma a little bit and see how Akane reacts to this.  I'll use one of those model RX-9 miniaturized camera from the future on Akane.  It was originally designed for scientific research, but it seems to fit this purpose rather well.  You, I guess the 'love expert', can see her reaction and tell me whether or not they're in love."

	"Great idea.  But you're likely to mess up, Lucca," cautioned Marle, "Maybe I should go along too.  That way I'll make sure you don't mess up."

	"Come on, I can do this by myself," urged Lucca, "Trust me."

	"No way." Marle was adamant.

	"Yes, of course, Princess Nadia!  How can I, Lucca, a common civilian, ever defy Your Highness's wish?  Surely Your Highness may accompany me!" answered Lucca in annoyingly formal tone.

	"Don't call me that!" replied Marle.  Marle hated that title and refused her real name, Nadia.  Her life as a princess was so boring that Marle didn't even want to think about it.  Eventually she managed to settle her problems with her father, but she still doesn't like the confines of the castle.  She loved adventure, and she loved Crono.  The townspeople called her a tomboy because she was always out having fun, but Marle didn't care.  As long as she was with Crono, nothing else mattered.  Lucca knew this too well.  She knew Marle didn't want to be reminded of her royal ancestry.  "All right, Princess Nadia orders you, Lucca, to STOP CALLING ME THAT!" demanded Marle.

	"On one condition, Princess Nadia," smiled Lucca, knowing she finally got Marle.

	"Yeah... let me guess.  You want to go by yourself?  Consider that favor granted." sighed Marle.

	"All right, Marle!  Don't worry, I won't fail you!  Princess..." answered Lucca.

	"LUCCA!" shouted Marle.

	"Just kidding, Marle.  Later." Lucca quickly hopped into her Epoch.

	"Wait," called Marle, "I just thought of something.  What if you lose?  All your plan would definitely fail should you lose."
	
	"It is unlikely, Marle," retorted Lucca, "You're looking at Lucca the genius!  How can I lose!"

	"It's not likely, but still probable," continued Marle, "Remember that we're not that much better than that Ranma person.  Remember what Robo said?  We're all human beings... just because you and I have gone through incredible training in order to save this world doesn't mean we will beat him.  Perhaps some precaution should be taken."

	"All right." consented Lucca, "Best to be prepared.  I don't really think that Ranma can beat me even though he has that counter-fire attack, but I guess one can't be too careful.  Marle, let me borrow one of your PrismDress while I charge up the Wondershot."

	"Now who's the one being careful?" taunted Marle.  Lucca must have realized that her chance of losing was actually quite high.  Marle trusted Lucca's judgment on Ranma's special technique.  Lucca was never wrong on anything remotely related to science and technology.  Then, it must meant that Ranma needed fire to complete his attack.  Of course, Lucca happened to use 100% fire magic, so that would present a challenge.  Lucca was only saying that because she needed to find some excuse to make sure she wouldn't lose.  It has a been a very long time since Lucca had to use her standard weaponry and armor.  Despite Lucca's apparent recklessness and obnoxious personality, her mind was very organized and planned well.  Marle, being one of the few souls that knew Lucca very well, knew that she was really nice, thoughtful, and well-organized beneath that rash and rude exterior.  Marle realized now how competitive Lucca really was, and that she would make all the necessary precaution to make sure she wouldn't lose.  Marle sighed again.  She still couldn't understand Lucca.  Sometimes she seemed to be so immature and rash, yet she could be so well-planned and thoughtful as well.  Maybe Lucca knew more than she appeared, maybe she didn't.

(Couple hours after the conversation)

	With its characteristic entrance, the Epoch appeared in the Tendo dojo once again.  As always, Lucca descended and greeted Ranma, "Hi again!  I was just wondering that if you and Akane would like to fight me."

	That was perfectly fine with Ranma.  "I always accept a challenge anytime, but you're only by yourself!  It won't be fair!" replied Ranma.

	"Oh, don't you worry.  I won't lose.  By now you have got to figure out that we are better than you!  Besides, the Great Lucca has deem you worthy and will actually use some of her true power on you!  Don't worry about having an unfair match." she paused, "Wait the second, it will be unfair for me to beat you up like that.  So I guess it would be an unfair match after all!"

	Ranma was kind of used to the routine now and simply shrugged.  After dealing with likes of Tatewaki Kunou for years, he was used to dealing with rude and senseless people.  <Here we go again,> he thought, <As always, she insults my fighting ability.  She'll learn when I beat her this time!  Maybe this time I will finally knock some sense into that brat!>  Therefore, Ranma replied, "I accept.  However, I don't really need Akane to beat you.  After all, she is so weak and really makes no significance anyway..."

	"Ranma no baka!" Akane heard that and had to give Ranma his usual treatment. as she hammered Ranma for that insensitive remark.  <Either they don't like each other,> thought Lucca, <Or they have some REALLY serious problem with expressing how they feel.  Which one is it, though... I can't really tell.  If only Marle is here, she'll be able to tell.  Marle thinks I don't know anything about love, but I do.  It's just I don't want to think about it too often.  It is much better to love machines.  They're pure and completely innocent.  Unlike people, machines can't be evil.  Guess I just hide my feelings amongst technology and machines, don't I?  Oh well, Marle can decide whether they love each other or not.  On with the plan.>  Lucca decided that she should at least get them to fight her together, "Oh, come on.  So you say she is of no help.  Therefore, how should this affect our battle in anyway?  Unless you think you'll slow yourself down defend for your so-called useless Akane."

	<Since when did I say you can insult Akane?> thought Ranma, <It's my line to say these things, not you!  It is okay for me to insult her because she insults me back and we more or less do this for fun.  However, that doesn't mean you can insult her!  Just for this I'll make you regret it, Lucca!>

	"Fine, then," answered Ranma, "If it is okay with you, Akane, we'll fight you together!"

	"Right," agreed Akane.  She was also slightly angry.  <Why did you insult me?> thought Akane, <I know Ranma does that all the time, but he doesn't count.  For one thing, I insult him back, so that makes us even.  Geez, Robo's friends should vary much in personality.  I thought they would at least be somewhat close to that impeccable and polite Robo, but she, she is just an annoying, pompous, arrogant little brat!  She is even worse than Ranma!  Even though she is probably better than me, I'll still make her learn not to insult me!>

	"Okay, then it is settled," said Lucca, "Oh, by the way, shouldn't we shake hands before the fight?" suggested Lucca.

	Ranma and Akane looked at each other and nodded, "Well, I don't suppose there is a reason why we shouldn't shake hands." replied Ranma.  Akane thought it was kind of odd that Lucca was all the sudden so polite.  <Would she tried to do something sneaky?> thought Akane, <Nah, she's not that evil, I think.>

	While shaking hands with Ranma and Akane, Lucca secretly planted the miniaturized camera she got from the future on Akane.  "Okay, now let's fight!" announced Lucca as she yanked out a dangerous looking gun from her apparently nowhere.

Author's note:  Don't ask me how a camera in the 20th century transmits image to 1000 AD  It just does, okay?

	<That's odd,> thought Ranma, <That gun she pulled was not the same one as the toy gun she used earlier.  Humph.  Maybe this is some really weak obsolete junk that does even less damage than a toy gun!>

	Just as Ranma was pondering over Lucca's action, Lucca quickly charged the Wondershot and blasted Ranma.  Ranma felt a wave of pure energy coming toward him and the power of the Wondershot sent Ranma crashing through the walls.

	<How can that weapon be so powerful?> wondered Ranma as he struggled to move to no avail.  <Is the reason why she always use that useless toy gun?  It is really because her power is too great to be controlled?  I can't believe this, but that shot almost knock me out!  So is this the kind of power she possesses?>  Still dazed from the effect of the Wondershot, Ranma turned and find that Lucca was now pointing the Wondershot at Akane.

	<Akane!> thought Ranma, <Got to help her!  How can she even THINK of using that on her!  If that weapon almost knock me out in one hit, there is no way Akane can take a direct hit from that thing.  It will be as if I try to Hiryu Shoten Ha Akane!  All right.  This time I will save her.  Even though she still denies saving me, I owe her one.  Heck, don't I always to this anyway?>

	Ranma managed to overcome the stunning effects of the Wondershot and quickly ran to Akane's side.  He shoved Akane out of the way just as Lucca fired a second blast from the Wondershot.  Ranma saw the shock wave created by Wondershot coming again.  He closed his eyes, fully knowing that another of those blast will easily knock him into unconsciousness.  He would never give up, but he had no illusions about his strength against something so powerful.  <Well, at least I saved her this time,> thought Ranma, <Now I won't feel guilty anymore.  I saved her this time.>

	The blast scored a direct hit on Ranma.  Strangely, Ranma was still conscious.  Ranma opened his eyes and saw Lucca laughing.  "What did you do?" questioned Ranma, "How come that second blast was so weak?"

	"Oh, I thought you wouldn't help your Akane," giggled Lucca, "Oh, the Wondershot is an amazing weapon.  With some minor modification to my amazing creation, I can focus and decide how powerful each blast will be.  See, I hit you with a strong blast.  However, I used a very weak blast to Akane.  Well, to tell the truth, it was suppose to be just a weak blast, but I still got some bugs in this weapon.  It still cannot work right 100% of the time, you know?  Hmmm... just you do care about her."

	"No way!" replied Ranma, embarrassed, "I... I'm not doing this for Akane!  I... I... I was just... Akane!  I told you don't get in my way!"

	Akane sighed.  There goes Ranma again.  Always denying and finding excuses whenever he did something for her.  Come to think of it, wasn't she the same way too?  Akane was about to retort when she remembered what Robo told her.  Ranma was going to die... soon.  Realizing how hurt Ranma was and that Ranma did do this for her after all, Akane decided to skip the usual hammering for such an insult.  She decided that being a little bit nice wouldn't hurt, especially if Ranma won't be here for long, "If you weren't so hurt, I would have gladly smacked you, Ranma.  I don't need your help either.  Stop worrying about me and think about yourself.  I can take care of myself perfectly well.  But... um... thanks anyway," she replied.

	<Still can't tell.  Even if they do love each other,> determined Lucca, <They're not likely to confess anything in front of me.  If they love each other, it must be the kind of love with mutual understanding.  So, I should hurt Ranma seriously enough and then let Marle determine this.>

	Ranma, still embarrassed for saving Akane, noticed that Lucca put her Wondershot back to her pocket.  "Hey, you are not going use that weapon anymore?" questioned Ranma.

	"Do you think that the great Lucca needs weapons to defeat you?  I only used it for fun!" replied Lucca.

	"Your fire attack can't hit me.  It doesn't even do that much damage.  It looks powerful, but it really isn't anything.  The flames didn't hurt me that bad..." complained Ranma when he was engulfed by a fiery blast of fire and energy.

	"Oh, but did you know that I was never using my magic to full potential?  Feel the difference, Ranma?" retorted Lucca.

	The flame burned around Ranma and sapped his strength.  <It is almost like the time when I got burned by Toma,> thought Ranma, <Only that this time the flame is REAL!  This is not illusion!  Got to get out of here, but I have already lost a lot of strength especially from that first blast.  Got to think of something, fast.>

	Just then, Akane came and booted him out of the fiery circle.

	"Ranma, you baka, you should watch out for yourself.  I can't go around and save you all this time.  You are always getting yourself to trouble.  How did you get hit so easily?" Akane scolded Ranma for his ineptness.

	Ranma barely had time to reply when he noticed that Lucca was preparing for another fire blast.  <This is great!> thought Ranma, <My Hiryu Shoten Ha is most effective against her fire attacks!  Her attacks meets all the conditions: powerful and high temperature.  She can't be stronger than that Crono kid, so a blast from my Hiryu Shoten Ha should knock her out!  Now all I have to do is channel her energy into a spiral pattern, and then it'll be all over.  It hurt Crono, their leader, a lot.  Should be easy to defeat her with a Hiryu Shoten Ha, especially if she is putting more power into that fire.>

	Lucca cast her fire spell once again.  Ranma swerved to one side and Lucca continued to fire her magic toward him.  <Just a few more until the preparation is complete,> thought Ranma as he continued to dodge the fiery blasts.  Just then, Lucca fired another blast of fiery power.  This blast, however, intercepted Ranma's original spiral trajectory.  Ranma noticed this and was forced to dive to another side.  "Think I'll let you complete the pattern this easily?" taunted Lucca, "I don't know what it is, but I know you must focus my energy into a spiral motion.  Nice try, though."

	Ranma couldn't believe this.  How did she figured it out so fast?  "It is all a matter of science and technology.  Oh, don't look so sad.  I'll give you chance," taunted Lucca as she fired consecutive volleys of fiery power in a spiral motion, "Here's what you wanted, right?  Spiral motion fire attack, isn't it?  Give me your best shot!"

	"You're asking for it!" replied Ranma.  Whatever made her to decide to help Ranma, Ranma knew this was his chance.  True to her words, the fire blasts followed a perfect spiral pattern.  "Hiryu Shoten Ha!" Ranma launched his strongest attack, confident that this time it would work.

	The tornado reached Lucca, yet Lucca quickly got into a defensive stance.  Despite the tornado's impressive power, it couldn't sweep Lucca off the ground.  The tornado eventually died away.  Lucca sighed, "That was stronger than I thought!  Good thing the PrismDress protected me.  I see now, the strength of that attacks depends entirely on my attack, doesn't it?  That's why it was more powerful than the one you hit Crono with."

	Ranma couldn't believe it.  Hiryu Shoten Ha failed again.  How did she guard the destructive power of his special attack?  "Very, very good," complemented Lucca, "Not good enough, though.  Don't feel so shocked, PrismDress is the best form of armor known.  Statistic shows that it absorbs 1/3 of all non-physical attack.  Hmmm... you might have won if I wasn't so well-protected.  Well, now that I know your attack, it's my turn.  Fire 2!"

	Ranma saw a fiery circle engulfing Akane and him from all sides.  Lucca obviously learned from her mistake.  There was no way Ranma could set up a Hiryu Shoten Ha from a circular motion of energy.  The circle continued to become smaller and smaller.  Using his remaining strength, Ranma picked up Akane and tossed her to safety.  Then, the fiery power of fire incinerated Ranma.

	"Guess that was too powerful," apologized Lucca as Ranma continued to get burned in the flame, "Well, my fire 2 is just about, say, 20 times the strength of my fire attack.  If Marle was here, she would be able to heal him, but since she is not here... I would start worrying about poor Ranma's funeral.  Sorry about that.  Didn't really mean that, but...  Later!  I'm really sorry!"

	Akane watched in silent stupor as Lucca hopped back to her Epoch and disappeared.  <She is got to be kidding!> thought Akane.  She felt hopeless.  Ranma was still trapped in the fiery circle and there was nothing she could do except to watch.  Finally, the fire dissipated and Akane quickly rushed to Ranma's side.  "Answer me, Ranma.  Come on, don't let such a thing as a little fire stop you!  How stupid can you be, getting defeated this easily?  Ranma, this is not even funny!  I know we get into fights often, but I still care about you!" urged Akane.

	"I know that already," said Ranma, struggling to keep his conscious, "I got to tell you something.  If that brat was right about what she said, then I don't have much time to live.  I got to tell you this, Akane, you're really cute, Akane, especially when you smile and..."  Then unconscious took over him.

	"NO!  Ranma, answer me!  Ranma!  Ranma!  RANMA!"

(Meanwhile, at Crono's House)

	"Lucca, you're back!" yelled Marle angrily, "Why did you do that!  It sure doesn't help anymore now that the guy's dead!  I told you I should have come along."

	"Oh, don't worry." answered Lucca, "It's all part of the strategy of the Lucca the genius.  I lied to them.  I melted an elixir in the fire.  So, the fire and the heat damage probably knocked him into temporarily unconsciousness and he will appear 'dead' for around an hour.  After that, though, the effect of elixir should restore him to perfect health.  Besides, you know it was just a fire 2.  It is not like I used flare or a mega bomb on him.  At least he is still in one piece.  If it was a flare or a mega bomb, then I doubt if that Ranma will even be in remotely recognizable human parts..."

	"Lucca, you got to stop doing things like that!" scolded Marle, "You know these advance form of magic were restricted for that very reason!  We can't control them as well as we would like, and we certainly don't want to kill anyone!  You really had me worried.  We're here to help, not to kill!  Well, at any rate, I was right.  See, they do care about each other, don't they."

	"Yeah right," agreed Lucca, "Wow, she was sorry that Ranma died.  Even inanimate machines could do that!  I don't think that really counts.  I probably would have said something nice if I knew he was going to die."

	"Lucca, do you know anything besides your technology and machines?" sighed Marle, "Anyone should have been able to tell that Akane loves Ranma from that last moment.  It is hard to explain what love is... it is like how I feel to Crono.  It is like how you feel about Robo or Epoch.  They're a part of yourself that you can't lose.  Anyway, I'm convinced that they love each other.  All we have to do is found some way for them to show their true feelings."

	"That's assuming if they love each other," added Lucca.  She knew Marle was right, but she couldn't hold down the urge to add that.

	"Not again!" sighed Marle, "Look.  They love each and that's that, okay?"

(Back at Tendo dojo)

	It has been one hour after Ranma's "death".  <Robo's right, the future is changeable,> thought Akane, <Ranma died before he was supposed to.  Why does he have to die like that?  To throw away his life on a senseless fight?  Why?  I thought I could have stopped this, but I didn't.  I probably did change the future... changed it so that Ranma died earlier...>  Akane was still holding Ranma in her hands.  She could not stop crying and she could not stop muttering Ranma's name.  "Ranma, you stupid boy.  Why did you get killed so easily?  I can't believe you can just die like that.  I should have been nicer to you," muttered Akane to herself, "I shouldn't have been so stubborn and I promise to change only if you're alive.  Oh, Ranma, I miss you.  I will do anything only if you're alive..."

	"I'm glad to hear that, Akane," interrupted Ranma, "So you finally learned to change.  Okay, so from now on you will be nice, right?  Oh, by the way, your cooking has got to improve or else I will die from food poisoning sooner or later."

	"Ranma?  You're alive!" gasped Akane, her face scarlet.

	"Yeah, I feel great.  Oh, could it be, the tomboy is blushing!  Akane, what's wrong with you?  I thought you don't care about whatever that would happen to me?  I heard you crying and all those things you said about me.  Glad to hear that you'll reform, though." teased Ranma.

	"You... are you saying you've been pretending to be dead all this time!" yelled Akane, "Why... why you... you idiot!  How dare you!" Akane smacked Ranma in the face, too embarrassed that Ranma had heard everything.

	"You're so uncute!  I was just teasing!" remarked Ranma.  <Well, if she wants to be so cold, so can I!> thought Ranma.  "You didn't even give me a chance to explain!  By the way, I remember you said that 'I will do anything only you're alive.'  I guess it would be impossible for a tomboy like you to reform after all, isn't it?  Oh yeah, I forgot.  To assume that you will reform means you care about me, but then that's to assume you have feelings, right?  After all, aren't you just a dummy who has no feelings whatsoever?" 

	"Ranma, you ruined everything.  How dare you make fun of my feelings like that!  I was going to reform and apologize for hitting you, but not anymore!  I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!" yelled Akane as she stormed out of the Tendo dojo.

	Ranma silently watched as Akane stormed out of the dojo crying.  <Well, congratulation to you, Ranma Saotome.  You've just ruined another opportunity for you to make up with Akane.  Sometimes I amaze even myself.>

(At Crono's House)

	"See, that just proves how much Akane really loves Ranma!" declared Marle.

	"All that shows was she was sorry for his death," countered Lucca just to annoy Marle, "I would have say something like that too!  That doesn't mean anything.  Besides, didn't you see how angry Akane is at the end?  I say she hates him!"

	Marle almost face-faulted, "LUCCA!  Sometime you're as inhuman as a machine!  She hit him because he was a totally stupid jerk!  Here's a girl who had just promised to do everything in her power and then she got made fun of by the one she loved.  Of course she would be angry!  That Ranma person has no common sense whatsoever!  All he needed to do was saying something like 'Thanks Akane for caring about me'!  That probably would have worked!"

	"Machines are as human as human are human," countered Lucca, "Remember Epoch came looking for us?  What about Robo?"

	"In that case, Lucca.  You're even worse than a machine on these things!" answered Marle, "At any rate, I'm not going to give up!  After Lavos almost took Crono away from me, I'm not going to let anything brake any couple up again!  Just you watch, Lucca.  I'll make them fall in love with each other.  After all, how hard can this be when compared to saving the world?"

	Lucca giggled silently.  That was exactly what she had said earlier.  <There are a lot of things that is a lot harder than saving the world,> Lucca thought, <Love... humanity... all these things.  Good luck, Marle!  You'll need it!>