And now, for your reading pleasure, Baka No Hune is proud to
present the sequel to Blood of Eden. Viel spass, meine Freunden.
BAKA NO HUNE PRESENTS:
***************************************
A RANMA 1/2 FANFIC BY
LOCHMEADOW
***************************************
RANMA 1/2: FOURTEEN BLACK PAINTINGS
***************************************
All characters created by Rumiko
Takahashi. Copyright 1990
Shogakukan, Kitty Films. Copyright
1993, Viz Communications, Inc.
`Fourteen Black Paintings' and `Blood
of Eden' are song titles from Peter
Gabriel's album _Us_
***************************************
1. INTERIOR - JET AIRLINER - DAY
RYOGA, GENMA, and AKANE are crowded into
three seats in a passenger jet. RANMA
is sitting across the aisle from the
trio. He is in male form. GENMA, also
in his natural form, is asleep and
snoring loudly. RYOGA has taken the
window seat. He is looking out of the
window, trying to ignore AKANE who is
watching RANMA. AKANE quickly glances
at RANMA. He is studying the small scar
running across his hand. A STEWARDESS
walks down the aisle, asking people what
they would like to drink. She stops in
front of AKANE.
STEWARDESS
Excuse me, miss. What would you like to
drink?
AKANE
(close up, distracted)
What? Oh, umm, could you please bring
me some tea?
The STEWARDESS smiles. Close up on
AKANE as she looks back at RANMA.
STEWARDESS
(voice over)
And what will you have sir?
GENMA
(voice over)
I'll have--
AKANE
(voice over)
Ranma ran away...We found him several
days ago at the Cursed Springs in China.
Ranma was all curled up in a ball when
we finally got there. We don't know
how long he had lain there, soaked with
water and coughing up blood. We tried
to get him to talk, but Ranma hasn't
said a thing since we left Jusenkyo. I
don't think he's ever going to tell us.
The STEWARDESS hands AKANE her cup of
hot tea with a smile. AKANE looks down
at the tea for a moment, then looks up
at the STEWARDESS and nods her head.
The STEWARDESS hands GENMA and RYOGA
two other cups, then continues down the
aisle. AKANE takes a sips of her tea
and looks over at RANMA. RANMA is not
drinking anything. He is still sitting
there, looking at the cut on his hand.
CUT TO: close up on RYOGA.
RYOGA looks over at AKANE, then turns
back to the window, disgusted.
CUT TO: close up on RANMA's hand.
2. INTERIOR - AIRPORT TERMINAL - DAY
The airport is busy, like any other day.
People see a passenger jet pull up next
to the terminal. People waiting for the
plane begin to mill about as the
ATTENDANT's voice sounds through the PA
system.
ATTENDANT
Flight 746 now arriving at Gate 23 from
Beijing, China. All passengers on the
next flight must wait for the plane to
deboard. We will start boarding in 20
minutes.
As soon as the ATTENDANT shuts off her
microphone, the doors to the Gate open
up. People start coming down the ramp
as others in the terminal watch the
passengers deboard. Among the crowd are
KASUMI, NABIKI, and SOUN. They look
past the passengers as they walk by,
looking for RANMA, GENMA, AKANE, and
RYOGA. KASUMI is the first one to see
them.
KASUMI's POV
GENMA is the first one down the ramp.
He has a big smile on his face. RYOGA
and AKANE follow behind. The two are
talking about something. RANMA is the
last to get off the ramp. He is
straggling behind, not really watching
anything.
CLOSE UP on KASUMI
KASUMI
(to SOUN)
There they are!
KASUMI walks towards the group, NABIKI
and SOUN follow after her. KASUMI hugs
her sister as SOUN and GENMA shake
hands. SOUN turns to RANMA and
welcomes him home by hugging him and
crying. Several people stop to stare at
the two. NABIKI, KASUMI, and AKANE look
around at the crowd nervously. RANMA
tries to push SOUN away.
NABIKI
(to AKANE)
So what's wrong with him, Akane? What
happened there?
AKANE
(to NABIKI)
. . .
NABIKI shakes her head and walks towards
the exit. The others follow, RANMA
lagging behind the rest, looking around
at the crowds with mild interest. RYOGA
stares impassively at RANMA'S back.
SOUN and GENMA are speaking in low tones,
quiet enough that the others cannot hear
them.
3. EXTERIOR - TENDO DOJO BACKYARD - DAY
SOUN and GENMA are playing Go in the
back and drinking Kirin Ichiban.
SOUN
So you found him in the middle of
Jusenkyo, you said?
GENMA
(his eyes closed as he nods)
Mmm, hmm. Right beside Naniichuan, no
less. He was broken, Tendo. Totally
sad and broken. I've not seen anything
like it.
SOUN
(as he moves another piece)
And he's been like that ever since?
GENMA nods solemnly as he moves two
pieces. The two reach out
simultaneously and take another swig of
their beers, then return to pondering
the board.
4. EXTERIOR - TENDO DOJO FRONT GATE - DAY
KASUMI is sweeping the steps, humming to
herself. COLOGNE hops over the front
gate. She turns to KASUMI.
COLOGNE
I hear my future son-in-law is back in
town. Shampoo told me he and your
family had left for the airport a while
ago. How was his trip?
KASUMI
(smiling sweetly)
Oh, hello Obaasan! Yes, Ranma is back
from his trip to China.
COLOGNE
(her eyes widening slightly)
Ahh, so he was in China, was he?
Perhaps he wouldn't mind telling me
about his travels. . .
KASUMI
(frowning a bit)
I don't think he's up to visitors right
now. He's been a little-
COLOGNE
(interrupting)
Oh, don't worry about it, dearie. He
won't mind talking to me about it.
COLOGNE hops into the Dojo, leaving
KASUMI to her work.
KASUMI
Oh, my. . .
SHAMPOO and MOUSSE walk through the
front gate, arguing.
MOUSSE
But Shampoo, my love, what does Saotome
have that I don't?
SHAMPOO
You not want Shampoo to answer that,
stupid Mousse.
KASUMI
Oh, hello there!
SHAMPOO
Nihao! Shampoo great-grandmother in
house?
SHAMPOO goes inside, leaving MOUSSE
behind. MOUSSE squints at KASUMI for a
moment.
MOUSSE
(blinking rapidly)
Hello, Ukyo. What are you doing here?
KASUMI
Oh, my. . .
CUT TO:
5. EXTERIOR - TENDO DOJO BACKYARD - DAY
COLOGNE hops quietly to the edge of the
yard. She catches a piece of
conversation from GENMA and SOUN, who
are still playing their game.
SOUN
So did he talk at all on your way home,
like on the flight back?
GENMA
No, not a word. He just kept staring at
his hand.
SOUN
Why?
GENMA
He has a small scar across his palm. I
don't know how he got it. My guess is
that he got into a fight.
SOUN nods sagely, then shifts a piece.
COLOGNE hops towards the house with an
expression of mild interest on her face.
As she enters the house, she hears AKANE
yell in frustration.
AKANE
Baka! Why should I even bother!?! If
you're not going to talk to me, why
should I even care? Ooooh! Say
something, dammit!
AKANE storms past COLOGNE, her fists and
jaw clenched. She doesn't notice
COLOGNE'S presence. COLOGNE hops into
the den and finds RANMA on the couch,
sitting with his hands folded, watching
AKANE leave.
COLOGNE
(to RANMA)
Well, now, future son-in-law. Would you
care to explain your venture to China?
RANMA opens and shuts his mouth a couple
of times before answering, putting his
thoughts together.
RANMA
What's there to say? I don't remember
what happened anyway.
COLOGNE gets closer, staring RANMA in
the eyes.
COLOGNE
Are you sure? You must remember
something if you're acting like this.
What's troubling you?
RANMA
I honestly don't know.
COLOGNE stares at him for a few moments,
then leaves RANMA to his thoughts,
satisfied with his answer. As she
leaves, she pats him on the shoulder.
RANMA doesn't respond.
6. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO DINING ROOM - DAY
AKANE storms into the room, mumbling
under her breath. NABIKI looks up with
mild interest at her sister's pacing.
NABIKI
(to AKANE)
What's wrong this time, sis?
AKANE
I HATE him!
NABIKI
Oh, that again.
KASUMI
(bringing in silverware)
Akane, did Ranma do something to you?
AKANE
Nothing, that's what he's doing!! He's
not even talking to me!
NABIKI
Sounds like a dream come true, Akane.
What are you complaining about?
AKANE stamps her foot in anger.
AKANE
He's just a jerk! A stupid,
inconsiderate JERK!!
SHAMPOO
(just entering)
Ai-YAA! You no bad-mouth Shampoo
husband like that, crazy girl!
MOUSSE
(following SHAMPOO)
Sh-Shampoo! Why are you so angry?
SHAMPOO ignores him while AKANE shakes
her head. NABIKI turns a page in the
newspaper and continues to read.
RYOGA is leaning up against the doorway
to the backyard, watching the rain
abate. He has been trying to ignore
everyone else. As the rain dissipates,
RYOGA straightens and turns to the
others.
RYOGA
(angry)
I'm going out for a walk. I'll be back.
KASUMI
Oh, my. . .
7. INTERIOR - NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - AFTERNOON
ANNOUNCER
(on loudspeaker)
Attention! Flight 743 now arriving
Narita International Gate 5 direct from
Manila.
A sudden buzz ripples through the crowd
as the airplane disembarks its
passengers. Many of the passengers are
dressed in shorts and T-shirts, carrying
cameras. A BLONDE-HAIRED WOMAN wearing
sunglasses walks quickly through the
crowd, carrying her shoulderbag. She
doesn't seem to notice her surroundings.
The BLONDE-HARIED WOMAN efficiently
makes her way to the exit and waits for
a cab, watching the rain fall. A few
minutes later, a yellow Toyota pulls up
in front of her.
The CABBIE gets out of the car and puts
her bag into the trunk.
CABBIE
So, miss, where do you want me to take
you?
WOMAN
(in perfect Japanese)
Meziro Hilton, please.
The CABBIE nods and starts the car. The
WOMAN digs into her purse and pulls out
a small black book. Glancing up from
the words, she watches the setting sun,
its light reflecting off her sunglasses.
8. INTERIOR - TAXI CAB - AFTERNOON
CABBIE
(nonchalantly)
You speak pretty good Japanese! So, uh,
what brings you to Tokyo?
WOMAN
(still looking at her book)
Business.
CABBIE
What kind of business are you in?
WOMAN
Antiques.
CABBIE
Something in particular? I've got this
brother who's been wanting to get rid of
some stuff. You interested.
WOMAN
(turning a page in her book)
Not particularly.
OTHER
(voice over)
Should we use this one? Should we take
him? It always helps to be a local, no
matter how inane it may get.
The WOMAN looks up at the rearview
mirror. The CABBIE smiles at her. A
small smile flickers across her face as
she turns back to her book.
OTHER
(voice over)
No, definitely not. At least not THIS
one.
After a few minutes of silence, the
CABBIE turns his car into the driveway
of the Meziro Hilton.
CABBIE
That'll be 2,300 yen, miss.
She nods while getting her bag out of
the trunk. He holds out his hand for
the money and she hands him a piece of
paper.
CABBIE
I'm sorry, miss, but I can't- - -
The CABBIE's eyes widen as he looks at
the paper. He begins to giggle. His
laughter becomes an insane howl as the
CABBIE takes off, driving recklessly.
The WOMAN turns away from the sight as
if it never occurred. She looks down at
a puddle, then stirs the water with the
toe of her shoe. The reflecting sun in
the puddle wavers, then coalesces into a
picture of the Tendo kitchen. AKANE is
verbally attacking slamming RANMA while
KASUMI, NABIKI and SHAMPOO listen.
RYOGA leaves, and the WOMAN raises her
glasses up to her forehead. Her eyes
are mixed, one blue, the other yellow.
WOMAN
(speaking to herself)
Well, I'll be damned. THEY'RE the ones
that have it? They're all so. . .young.
She smiles at the thought, then dashes
the puddle with her foot.The scene in
the water vanishes.
9. EXTERIOR - NERIMA DISTRICT PARK - AFTERNOON
RYOGA wanders through the park, kicking
a rock half-heartedly, thinking of all
that happened back at the Dojo. After a
minute, he picks up the rock and tosses
it around.
RYOGA
(voice over)
Curse Ranma! Akane's tearing herself to
bits trying to help him, and what does
he do? Walk all over her! If I had
half a mind, I'd go back there and beat
the hell out of him! For a guy who we
saved from death halfway across the
world, his way of thanking people sucks!
Why, Akane? Why do you do this to
yourself? Why are you doing anything
for him?
RYOGA shakes his head in disgust. His
fingers tighten, and the rock is crushed
to powder in his hand. RYOGA absently
brushes the rock dust on his pants. He
starts to notice the other people
in the park, and he pays particular
attention to the couples. Each happy
pair RYOGA sees makes his heart crack a
little more, as his dreams of he and
AKANE together fly a little farther away
from him each time. Depressed, he finds
an empty bench and sits, staring into a
fountain.
RYOGA
(voice over)
Why did this have to happen to me? Why
did I have to be cursed like this? Why
does the girl I love have to put up with
the likes of Ranma? Why can't. . .why
can't real life be like a dream? MY
dream.
RYOGA tosses a few rocks into the pool,
watching the ripples flow across the
water. The BLONDE-HAIRED WOMAN was
watching the people in the park. They
all seemed so alive, it brings an
unconscious smile to her face to see so
much life in one place. It was just
so. . .delicious.
OTHER
(voice over)
The Troubled One is here. His presence
is almost intoxicating. We might need
to use him to complete the quest, but we
wonder if his soul might overpower our
control over him. . .We must risk it.
We must measure what we can gain by what
we may lose. His soul is open. Take
him.
The BLONDE-HAIRED WOMAN sits down on the
bench across from the fountain. She
searches through her bag absently to
make herself look inconspicuous. She
makes a few small arcane symbols with
her hand and closes her eyes. . .
AKANE
At least I'm not a jerk, two-timing with
hussies like Shampoo!!
RANMA
Hey! At least Shampoo isn't a total
tomboy like SOME people!
RYOGA's head snaps up, eyes blazing with
fury.
RYOGA
(to himself)
That's Ranma insulting Akane! I've had
enough of this!
RYOGA stands up, yellow *ki* aura
flowing around him.
RYOGA
(to RANMA)
RANMA!! How dare you insult Akane after
all she's done for you, you lout!
RANMA
(turning to face RYOGA)
Buzz off, ham hock. This ain't none of
your business.
RYOGA
(moving at RANMA while speaking)
I just made it my business! Prepare to
DIE!!
RYOGA swings a fist at RANMA, who easily
evades and slips a kick in. The foot
catches RYOGA in the back of the neck
and sends him sprawling.
AKANE
Stop it, both of you! Ranma, stop
hitting Ryoga!
RANMA
(to RYOGA)
Having chicks do your fighting for you,
now, Ryoga? Guess it must be a 'boar'
for you, eh?
RYOGA
(rising to his feet)
Grrrr!! You're MINE!!
RYOGA launches a flying kick at RANMA,
who leaps into the air and smashes his
fist into RYOGA's face as they cross
flight paths. RYOGA's lip splits under
the impact. He lands on his feet, wipes
some blood onto his sleeve, and attacks
again. RANMA slips shot after shot
through RYOGA's defenses, knocking RYOGA
back until he finally collapses,
exhausted and bleeding.
RANMA
(triumphantly)
That was about as hard as writing my
name, Ryoga. You need more practice.
You're getting soft, P-chan.
RYOGA
(sitting up)
Ughhh. . .curse. . .you!
AKANE
Quit picking on Ryoga, Ranma! You
shouldn't fight weaker opponents.
RANMA
He started it! I wish he'd leave US
alone!
AKANE
(sighing)
Oh, grow up, Ranma.
RANMA
(walking away with AKANE)
At least I act my gender, tomboy!
AKANE
WHAT did you say?? BAKA!
RYOGA watches them walk off together.
RYOGA
what. . .? HEY!! This isn't over yet!!
RYOGA scrambles to his feet and takes
off running after the two.
10. EXTERIOR - FURINKAN HIGH - DAY
RYOGA turns the corner after RANMA and
AKANE, intent on killing RANMA. His
feet skid to a halt as he looks around.
He sees that he is in the soccer field
behind Furinkan High School. His eyes
dart around frantically, not seeing
RANMA or AKANE.
RYOGA
Dammit!! I'm lost again! I'll never
find them now!
RYOGA turns to head back in the opposite
direction. A voice makes him pause in
mid-turn.
RANMA
(from behind)
Hey, stupid!
RYOGA
(looking up)
Huh? RANM-!
RANMA's feet slam into RYOGA's face,
sending him to the ground. RANMA uses
the momentum from the impact to catapult
himself into the air.
RANMA
(in midair)
Thanks, Ryoga, ol' pal!!
RYOGA
(groaning)
R-Ranma!! I'm going to-!
Another set of feet walk over RYOGA's
head. KUNO, brandishing his bokken,
doesn't notice RYOGA as he runs after
RANMA.
KUNO
Curse thee, Saotome! Stand and fight
like a man, or art thou afraid of the
Blue Thunder's wrath?
RYOGA
(getting up)
RANMAAA!!! YOU'RE DEAD!!!
The fight rages on, with both KUNO and
RYOGA trying to bash RANMA into
unconsciousness. RANMA ducks under
KUNO's bokken, then nails him with a
sweep kick to the knees, dropping KUNO
to the ground. RYOGA stabs out at RANMA
with his umbrella, but misses. RANMA
kicks RYOGA in the head, then spins and
kicks the rising KUNO with the same
motion. KUNO drops, unconscious, while
RYOGA flies back about five feet from
the impact. He lands hard, stunned.
RANMA
(to RYOGA)
Anyone ever tell you that you're a pain
in the ass, Ryoga? How many times do I
gotta do this to you?
RYOGA
(spitting blood)
You're DEAD MEAT!!!!
Ripping off a half-dozen bandannas,
RYOGA sends them flying towards RANMA.
RANMA leaps into the air, evading the
bandannas. They strike KUNO, who was
just getting to his feet. KUNO goes
down again, and RANMA lands on KUNO's
stomach, hard. KUNO gurgles once, then
passes out again.
RANMA
Not bad for a dead guy, eh, P-chan?
RYOGA
(now standing)
Who're you calling P-CHAN!?!
RYOGA lets another five bandannas go,
then charges. His fist misses RANMA's
head, and RANMA slugs him in the jaw.
One of RYOGA's other swings manages to
crunch into RANMA's face. RANMA steps
back from the blow, then grins.
RANMA
Guess we'll have to do this the hard
way.
RANMA dives for RYOGA's feet, rolls, and
slams both feet into RYOGA's gut,
lifting RYOGA off his feet and into the
air. RYOGA crashes to the ground. He
rises quickly and renews his attack on
RANMA. RANMA slides in under one of
RYOGA's swings and hits him with a
Tenshin Amaguriken, punching RYOGA 200
times under the ribs. RYOGA falls to
the ground, gasping for breath. He
doesn't have the strength to rise and
continue the fight.
RANMA
Do yourself a favor and stay down this
time, Ryoga.
11. EXTERIOR - A VOID - UNKNOWN
RYOGA groans, stirring from his
unconscious state. He didn't know how
long he'd been out since the fight with
RANMA. RYOGA holds a hand to his head
and sits up, shaking his head, trying to
clear it. He looks up and sees AKANE
standing over him.
RYOGA
A-Akane. . .??
AKANE
(pushing him back down)
Just rest, silly. You're not well
enough to get up yet.
AKANE sinks to her knees beside him.
RYOGA feels his face begin to turn red.
AKANE
(leaning closer)
It wouldn't be a good thing to have you
hurt yourself again. I. . .I couldn't
bear it. . .
RYOGA
(shocked)
A-kane, b-but h-how. . .? W-wha. . .?
AKANE leans even closer, seductively.
AKANE
(breathlessly)
Why didn't you ever tell me how you
felt? Why did you try to hide it from
me? Don't you know that I. . .
AKANE's lips brush against RYOGA's, and
his eyes close in bliss. He's
speechless at this sudden turn of
events. He holds his breath, as though
this is all a dream that might suddenly
blow away. . .
AKANE
(still close)
Well, you big silly. . .why did you keep
this to yourself? What were you so
afraid of?
As her lips brush against his again,
RYOGA is still unable to answer. His
mind is bathed in a warm haze.
RANMA
(voice over)
Akane, quit teasing him. You know it
ain't right for you to lead him on like
that.
Hearing RANMA's voice snaps RYOGA's mind
back into focus. AKANE gets to her
feet, now totally aloof to RYOGA.
Confused, RYOGA tries to sit up, but
can't quite manage it.
AKANE
(to RANMA)
Why shouldn't I play with him?
RANMA
Because it's not right to do that to
him. You should just go ahead and tell
him how you really feel.
AKANE
But this was fun!
RYOGA
(confused)
Akane, I. . .what are you. . .?
AKANE
(to RYOGA)
I've never considered you anything more
than just a good friend, Ryoga. I
hardly even see you, anyway. There
could never be anything between the two
of us. It's just. . .
AKANE starts to giggle.
AKANE
Well. . .
AKANE starts laughing in earnest. RYOGA
is dumbfounded, unable to respond.
RANMA
C'mon, get it over with and let's go
already!
AKANE turns to RANMA. RYOGA gets to his
knees and starts to climb to his feet.
RANMA
(to RYOGA)
Don't bother, Ryoga. You've always
belonged on your knees, anyway.
AKANE
(still chuckling)
Just a minute. I can't just leave him
like this.
AKANE tosses a stuffed black pig into
RYOGA's hands. RYOGA stares at the pig
in shock.
AKANE
(to RYOGA)
Here you go, Ryoga. P-Chan's always
been there for me. He'll always be
there for you, too.
RANMA slips an arm around AKANE's waist.
AKANE leans into RANMA's embrace as they
turn and walk away from RYOGA, who is
still on his knees.
RANMA
(to AKANE)
You never let him know that you knew the
whole deal all along, did you?
AKANE
Of course not. That would have been too
cruel.
They look at each other, then start
laughing.
RANMA
(as they walk away)
You're cold, Akane.
AKANE
Thank you.
RYOGA starts to tremble, his shoulders
shaking. He lets out a hysterical
animal-like howl of rage and despair.
His fingers tighten and he unconsciously
rips the head off of the stuffed pig.
He continues to shriek for several
minutes, tears of pain pouring from his
eyes.
OTHER
(voice over)
(smoothly)
It doesn't have to happen like this, you
know. . .
RYOGA
(wildly)
There's nothing LEFT for me now!! All I
want to do is die!!
The BLONDE-HAIRED WOMAN walks over to
RYOGA, who is still on his knees, still
weeping. The WOMAN walks up to him and
places her hand on his head. His tear-
filled eyes stare up at her, glazed with
pain.
WOMAN
There's no need to die. We can end your
suffering, end all your agonies. All
you have to do is surrender to us. Join
us and all your deepest wishes can come
true.
The WOMAN's hand leaves RYOGA's head and
drops to waist level. She then extends
it out to him.
RYOGA
(tearfully)
Yes. . .
WOMAN
You don't have to stay on your knees.
RYOGA slowly reaches out his hand and
takes the WOMAN's. He stands to his
feet. The WOMAN draws him closer to
her.
RYOGA
Yes. . .
12. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO DINING ROOM - EVENING
Dinner time at the Tendo Dojo. TENDO,
GENMA, KASUMI, NABIKI and AKANE are
gathered around the table. SHAMPOO,
MOUSSE and COLOGNE have joined them for
the evening. RANMA is also present,
though still quiet and aloof from the
others. RANMA picks at his foot
absently, not really paying attention.
The others are also quiet, watching him,
worry on their faces. GENMA even
manages to steal a chunk of kung pao
chicken from RANMA's plate without any
of the usual resistance. COLOGNE
watches RANMA pick at his food.
COLOGNE
(to GENMA)
I take it that the trip to China didn't
go. . .well?
GENMA
I just don't understand it. It's like
he's not the same person anymore.
COLOGNE
So, what exactly happened over there?
GENMA
I wish I knew. He was like this when we
found him near the Naniichuan.
COLOGNE
(sharply)
You found him at Jusenkyo??
GENMA
Yes, and he's been like this ever since.
SHAMPOO
And you not know what happen over there?
GENMA
Never in all my travels in China have I
seen its like! But that doesn't matter.
A true martial artist would never let
this happen to him! You'd never see me
in such a sorry state like that.
There's no reaction from RANMA.
COLOGNE
(dryly)
That's because Ranma's growing up,
Genma. . .
KASUMI walks in, carrying a tray of
food. The radio is blaring in the
background, and an announcer's voice can
be heard even in the dining room.
ANNOUNCER
(voice over)
. . .and finally, a report just in from
the Meziro district. A crazed taxi cab
driver went on a high-speed spree
through populated areas of the district
this afternoon. The last report stated
that the police had ended the chase
after the cab went off the road and
slammed into the side of a warehouse.
The driver was killed. There were three
reported dead and four injured in the
chase. . .
KASUMI
Oh, my. . .I wonder where Ryoga is?
NABIKI
Do we honestly care? It's not like he
lives here.
KASUMI
With all that's been happening in the
city today, I'm just worried that he
might have gotten hurt.
RANMA
(quietly)
. . .or lost. Moron.
The table is silent. RANMA's insult is
almost reluctant, not at his usual level
of acidic wit.
AKANE
Be nice, Ranma.
13. EXTERIOR - NERIMA DISTRICT PARK - EVENING
RYOGA's eyes open, and he sits up on the
park bench. He glances over across the
area and sees the WOMAN sleeping on
another bench. His discolored eyes, one
gray-brown, the other yellow, slide to
take in the entire area. They are
alone. RYOGA rises and crosses over to
the sleeping WOMAN. His fingers pry
open her eyelids. Both pupils are
dilated. Her eyes are both blue. She
is breathing heavily, as though in a
deep sleep. RYOGA picks up her bag and
begins rummaging through it, taking out
some powders, a small bag with several
bulges in it, a knife, a mirror, and a
small black book. Placing them on the
ground nearby, he lays the WOMAN out
flat on the bench. He then puts the bag
on her lap. RYOGA dips a finger onto
her head and whispers a strange
incantation. The WOMAN ceases to
breathe. RYOGA opens one of the vials
of powder and begins to scatter it
across her body. The pattern of the
powder is roughly star-shaped. When the
pattern is complete, the WOMAN's body
bursts into flame.
RYOGA
(to the inferno)
A small price for emancipation. . .
RYOGA turns his back on the burning
WOMAN and steps to the fountain. The
blaze sheds enough light so that RYOGA
can see his reflection in the water.
RYOGA gazes at himself in the water's
surface, like he's contemplating his own
appearance.
OTHER
(voice over)
This one will serve nicely, though his
intense fascination with the pig-tailed
male and that female is somewhat
troubling. That is a mystery worth
looking in to. Why are they constantly
in his thoughts?
RYOGA's hand reaches up and touches his
own face.
OTHER
(voice over)
And what is this incessant. . .obsession
with pigs? Is it hate or fear that this
new one feels towards them? If one, or
the other, or both, why? Another
mystery. . .
RYOGA places a pair of sunglasses onto
his face and flashes a fanged grin. He
turns and leaves the park, just as
sirens wail in the distance.
14. EXTERIOR - TENDO DOJO ROOF - EVENING
The moon was a thin crescent in the sky.
RANMA lay on his back, staring up at it,
his mind lost in thought. As he watches
the stars and the moon, his ears listen
to the sounds of the house below. He
slowly sits up, his knees drawn to his
chest. He sees the moon's pale
reflection in the fish pond below. A
noise distracts RANMA from his thoughts.
RANMA glances up and sees AKANE climb
onto the roof.
AKANE
So here you are! I've been looking for
you since dinner.
RANMA
I just needed to get away from
everybody, that's all.
AKANE comes up to sit beside him. RANMA
averts his eyes back to the moon. AKANE
also looks up. They remain silent for a
few minutes.
AKANE
(quietly)
What happened to you over there?
RANMA looks at her, trying to decide
what he wants to say.
RANMA
(looking back at the moon)
I don't know.
AKANE
(angry and confused)
What do you mean, 'you don't know'??
RANMA
I mean, I don't know. I don't remember
anything, OKAY!!??!!
AKANE is taken aback, but recovers. Her
*ki* aura begins to flare as her temper
kicks in. RANMA just sits there, as
though daring her to hit him.
RANMA
Do it. . .
AKANE, shocked, calms down, her temper
back under control. Her fists unclench.
AKANE
(calmer)
Anyway. . .this belongs to you.
AKANE tosses something to RANMA, who
catches it without looking. RANMA
glances at it. It is the Pin they found
him holding in China.
FADE TO WHITE
15. INTERIOR - GALLERY - DAY
RANMA and RANKO are stand in a white
room. There is a gallery of fourteen
paintings covered with black viels
hanging on the walls of the room. A
mirror is located at the end of the
room.
RANKO
(continuing)
I want you to promise me something.
RANMA
(suspicious)
What?
RANKO
Promise me you'll live a full life.
Promise me that you won't waste any of
it!
RANMA nods solemnly.
RANKO
(continuing)
Every moment you have is precious.
RANKO walks to one of the black shrouds
and rips it off of the painting. The
painting is a picture of RANKO and RANMA
curled into a yin/yang symbol, the blue
background in the painting is rippling.
RANKO looks at it for a moment, then
walks over to RANMA. She takes his hand
in hers and leaves him the pin. RANKO
steps backwards and falls into the
painting with a splash. Her body
distorts the picture, destroying the
symmetry in the yin/yang symbol. The
cut on her hand changes the blue
background to a deep red. RANKO looks
one last time at RANMA
RANKO
(whispering)
Live for me.
RANKO lets the blood stained water seep
into her lungs.
FADE TO WHITE
16. EXTERIOR - TENDO DOJO ROOF - EVENING
RANMA looks down at the Pin, his hand
slightly trembling, as though he's
holding a great weight. He stares at it
for a long moment. RANMA's fist closes
over the Pin, then opens again.
RANMA
It's a piece of junk. Take it.
RANMA tosses the Pin back to AKANE, who
catches it out of reflex.
RANMA
What made you think I'd want the thing?
AKANE
Well, fine then! I'll keep it!
RANMA
Okay. I don't care what you do with it.
AKANE
Then just stay up here and rot!!
AKANE storms off the roof, leaving RANMA
alone.
17. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO DINING ROOM - EVENING
RYOGA, still wearing sunglasses despite
the lack of remaining light, arrives at
the Tendo Dojo. Not even bothering to
go through the door, RYOGA leaps over
the wall and into the backyard. He
walks past the pond and onto the back
porch. NABIKI is there, reading a book.
GENMA and TENDO are playing Go. KASUMI
enters the room as RYOGA walks in.
KASUMI
Oh! Hello, Ryoga. I'm sorry, but we've
already had dinner tonight.
RYOGA
(offhandedly)
It's okay. I had a little something on
the way over here.
NABIKI
(looking up from her book)
Hey, Terminator. Nice glasses.
RYOGA
(walking past)
I said I'd be back.
RYOGA walks through the house, taking in
the layout and ignoring the people.
OTHER
(voice over)
Not a very clever bunch. The wench with
the book is obviously mentally impaired.
Who ever heard of a 'Terminator',
anyway? And what is the problem with
those two fools with the Go set? The
one with the glasses is obviously
cheating. As for the nosy housemaid,
she must be a sad case to put up with
this ilk. A waste of good flesh.
RYOGA's wanderings take on a
seek-and-destroy pattern as he hunts
something. The OTHER wants the Pin, and
it will do anything to get it. RYOGA
passes COLOGNE and SHAMPOO in his quest.
SHAMPOO ignores him, but COLOGNE begins
to watch RYOGA carefully, almost
suspiciously.
SHAMPOO
(to COLOGNE)
What time we open Nekohanten,
great-grandmother?
COLOGNE
(watching RYOGA)
The usual time, Shampoo. Just. . .
like. . .normal.
COLOGNE feels her danger sense start to
rise as the presence of the OTHER
manifests. Just as RYOGA starts up the
stairs and COLOGNE picks up her stick to
follow RYOGA, AKANE climbs down from the
roof and starts coming down the stairs.
AKANE
(to herself)
Ranma, you stupid, stupid idiot. . .
OTHER
(voice over)
The Pin! SHE has it! I MUST possess
it!
The OTHER stares into AKANE's eyes,
attempting to make the transfer from
RYOGA to AKANE's mind. For some strange
reason, the OTHER's attempt is deflected
by an unknown resistance from AKANE's
mind. COLOGNE, seeing what's happening,
lets loose a battle cry and attacks
RYOGA. COLOGNE's stick strikes the
stairs near RYOGA, splintering the step.
RYOGA leaps into the air, evading the
blow, and aims a kick at COLOGNE, who
jumps backwards to avoid RYOGA's
counterattack.
RYOGA
(to COLOGNE)
Old bag! You can't stop me now, not
when I'm this close! Return to your
coffin and leave me be!
Before COLOGNE can react, RYOGA leaps at
a horrified AKANE. Before AKANE can
muster the concentration to resist,
RYOGA grabs her in a bear hug and leaps
up the stairs. With COLOGNE in hot
pursuit, RYOGA jumps out of a
second-floor window, the struggling
AKANE still wrapped in his arms. He
touches down in the backyard with a
perfect landing.
RYOGA straightens, AKANE still in his
iron grip. His left arm pins hers to
her sides while his right tries to grab
the Pin from her pocket. AKANE,
fighting for all she's worth, constantly
shifts to keep RYOGA's hand from
eaching it.
AKANE
(shocked and angry)
RYOGA!?! Why are you. . .DOING this???
RYOGA
Shut up and give me what's MINE!!
RYOGA finally succeeds in getting his
fingers into AKANE's pocket. His
fingertips brush against the Pin, but
he doesn't get a grip on it. RANMA,
seeing what's been happening from his
rooftop vantage point, leaps to the
backyard and lands on RYOGA. RYOGA
loses his grip on AKANE, and he and
RANMA crash to the ground, struggling
in each other's grip. RANMA, on top,
smashes a fist across RYOGA's face.
RYOGA's sunglasses fall off in the
struggle. RYOGA, berserk, climbs to his
feet, RANMA also standing and keeping
his grip on RYOGA. RYOGA, roaring in
rage, bodily lifts RANMA off his feet
and slams them both into the wall of the
Dojo at full speed. The wooden wall
splinters and caves in, and RANMA and
RYOGA fall through the hole. They land
on the floor of the Dojo, RYOGA on top
of RANMA, pinning him to the ground.
While RANMA is trapped, RYOGA glares
into RANMA's eyes.
18. INTERIOR - GALLERY - UNKNOWN
RANMA looks around wildly, seeing that
he's in the gallery.
RANMA
(disoriented)
How. . .how'd I get here? I was just at
the Dojo, fighting with Ryoga. What am
I doing here?
A noise makes RANMA turn around. He
gasps as he sees RANKO standing there
with AKANE, holding a knife to AKANE's
throat.
RANMA
Akane!!
AKANE
(scared and hurt)
Ranma! Help me. . .
RANKO sticks the knife point into AKANE
a bit deeper. Blood begins to drip from
AKANE's neck. AKANE whimpers in pain.
RANMA
(screaming)
NOOO!!!!
The fourteen black paintings explode
into bright columns of light. They
ripple and coalesce horizontally into
the air. The force of the released
energy blows RANKO away from AKANE and
into the mirror. RANKO's body shatters
the mirror, and everything goes
white. . .
19. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO - EVENING
A foot catches RYOGA in the head,
knocking him off of the unconscious
RANMA. RYOGA rolls with the blow and
rises to a fighting stance. He sees
TENDO, GENMA, COLOGNE, AKANE, MOUSSE and
SHAMPOO before him, all ready to fight.
TENDO
(to RYOGA)
I don't know what's come over you, but
this has to stop. Right now.
AKANE
Stop this, Ryoga! Why are you acting
like this? We're your friends!!
RYOGA is covered with blood from cuts he
received when he went through the mirror
in RANMA's mind. He glances around,
trying to find a way to escape. The
others notice that RYOGA's eyes are
discolored, one eye gray-brown, the
other yellow. Pulling his umbrella,
RYOGA goes on the offensive, sweeping
his umbrella in a wide arc at his
opponents. AKANE and GENMA, being the
closest, dodge back to avoid the swing.
RYOGA pulls a small vial from a pocket
and throws it to the ground, shattering
it. A yellowish smoke billows from the
remains of the vial, engulfing the Dojo.
The fighters cough violently, trying to
both see and breathe through the smoke.
RYOGA pulls off a bandanna and covers
his mouth, running for the Dojo door.
RYOGA leaps up onto the roof of the
Dojo, then jumps to the roof next door
and runs for it. The others rush out
into the yard, but RYOGA is already half
a block away and increasing speed.
AKANE
Let's get him!
SHAMPOO
Ryoga! I KILL!!!
MOUSSE
No, my precious Shampoo! He's MINE!
They start to head for the roof, but
COLOGNE stops them.
COLOGNE
No! This can't be solved in this way.
All we can do now is wait. Let us take
Ranma inside and plan how we are to
defeat the evil that has appeared among
us. Ryoga will return to find what he
came for. We cannot spend half the
night chasing him, but he will return
for his prize. Then we will be ready
for him.
20. INTERIOR - SAOTOME BEDROOM - EVENING
The group is in the third floor bedroom.
RANMA lays on a futon, unconscious.
KASUMI is dabbing at his forehead with a
wet cloth. COLOGNE examines RANMA with
a seemingly trained eye.
GENMA
Will he be all right?
COLOGNE
He is safe for now. Let us retire to
someplace more. . .cheerful.
The group walks downstairs to the den.
COLOGNE sits on the couch between
SHAMPOO and MOUSSE. The others have
seats wherever they can.
KASUMI
(to TENDO)
Father, I'm going to call Dr. Tofu over.
Maybe he can help Ranma somehow.
TENDO
An excellent idea, Kasumi. Go ahead.
COLOGNE
That would not be a wise thing to do.
NABIKI
Why's that?
COLOGNE
(to everyone)
There is nothing the doctor can do for
my future son-in-law now.
GENMA
Why not? My son needs medical
attention!
COLOGNE
He requires medicine no doctor can
provide, and to bring Dr. Tofu into this
will only put him in great danger.
TENDO
But why? A doctor could. . .
COLOGNE
. . .do nothing for him. You see,
Ranma's physical health is excellent.
He suffers from a trauma of the mind.
His personality has been buried
underneath some form of mental block.
All we can do now is wait for him to
come out of it.
GENMA
But, how did this happen? It was just
another fight. . .
COLOGNE
Ryoga attacked Ranma using an extremely
powerful, very ancient mental assault
technique, similar to something my own
grandmother used to use.
AKANE
How did Ryoga do it?
COLOGNE
Ryoga is no longer the same person that
he was. His mind has been linked to
the soul of another. This 'lost soul'
has linked itself completely with
Ryoga's and they are now as one.
AKANE
Can't you release them?
COLOGNE
(laughing)
Child, I cannot even tell where one ends
and the other begins. As far as I see,
they are now completely inseperable.
Ryoga may be lost to us, but there is
something I can do for Ranma. Shampoo?
SHAMPOO
Yes, great-grandmother?
COLOGNE
Go back to the Nekohanten and fetch me
my Ming Dynasty satchel, would you
please?
MOUSSE
I shall go with my darling Shampoo!
NABIKI
(dryly)
No one here will complain.
MOUSSE and SHAMPOO leave to get the
satchel.
21. EXTERIOR - BUILDING ROOFTOP - EVENING
RYOGA sits like a vulture on top of a
random roof. A pair of circles has been
drawn around him, spanning most of the
roof. A cluster of symbols, both Asian
and European, has been drawn over and
under both circles. RYOGA traces a
pattern in midair. The symbol he traces
bursts into flame as he draws it. When
the symbol is complete, the circles
around RYOGA explode with a white light,
and a high-pitched humming sound can be
heard.
OTHER
(voice over)
How? How did that sniveling worm evict
us from his dull mind in such a fashion?
His young age does not warrant the
ability to have so much power! But
looks can be deceptive. Is he an
Immortal? No, an Immortal would not
have allowed us to even get that close.
He's no Immortal, just a child who got
lucky once.
RYOGA's face breaks into a grin.
OTHER
(voice over)
The old bag of wrinkles may have had a
withered hand in his ability to repel
us, but why would she have anything to
do with it? It would take years for her
to teach that dolt such a technique. It
was not her doing that caused our
failure. So why were we ejected?
RYOGA'S fists clench and unclench
repeatedly.
OTHER
(voice over)
Hmmmm. Is our new body's ability to
relate names as poor as his ability to
travel from one location to another
without managing to pitifully lose
himself along the way? This. . .Ryoga
has equated the name of Ranma with the
one who foiled our attempt to retrieve
the Pin. Yet in the boy's mind, we
found an older name. . .Ranko. we
recognize two of the three people in the
boy's mind: the girl with the Pin and
the boy himself. The other one seems
familiar to us, but we cannot recall
from where. Why was the name Ranko so
prevalent in his thoughts? It is of no
consequence. The Pin is all that
matters in the end.
RYOGA looks down at the back of his
hand. There is a long gash that has
split open, and is bleeding again.
RYOGA brings the cut to his mouth and
licks at it. The gash instantly heals
with no visible scarring.
OTHER
(voice over)
Tomorrow night, we will return to that
place and take back what is rightfully
ours to possess. And this time, no one
will stop us.
RYOGA holds out his hand, palm outward,
and spreads his fingers. The light from
the circles brightens even further, and
the high-pitched hum reaches its peak.
There is a tremendous flare of light,
and then RYOGA, the light and the hum
are gone. All that remains are two
circles charred into the rooftop. The
circles are glazed over with ice, which
slowly steams in the night's air.
22. INTERIOR - SAOTOME BEDROOM - EVENING
While SHAMPOO and MOUSSE are retrieving
COLOGNE's satchel, COLOGNE, AKANE and
NABIKI clear out the room that RANMA is
in.
COLOGNE
For this to work properly, I will need
complete solitude with Ranma. The rest
of you will have to wait in the Dojo.
AKANE
Well, while you're doing that, we'll go
hunt down Ryoga!
COLOGNE
You will never find Ryoga now, no matter
how long or how hard you try.
KASUMI
But with the rest of us looking, it
wouldn't take us that long. . .
COLOGNE
Ryoga was after something in this
house, though I cannot say what it was.
NABIKI
Yeah, he was acting really weird
earlier. It was like he was. . .cold.
Besides, if he's still the same old
Ryoga, he's probably gotten lost again
and we'll never find him.
COLOGNE
(to AKANE)
What I would like to know is why he
attacked you.
AKANE had been toying with the Pin for
some time now, absently turning it in
between her fingers. With COLOGNE's
statement, one of AKANE's fingertips
catches on the point of the Pin.
FADE TO WHITE
23. INTERIOR - GALLERY - DAY
RANKO steps backwards and falls into
the painting with a splash. Her body
distorts the picture, destroying the
symmetry in the yin/yang symbol. The
cut on her hand changes the blue
background to a deep red. RANKO looks
one last time at RANMA
RANKO
(whispering)
Live for me.
RANKO lets the blood stained water seep
into her lungs.
FADE TO WHITE
24. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO - EVENING
AKANE shakes her head to clear the
images from her mind. She blinks and
faces COLOGNE. AKANE debates whether to
tell COLOGNE what she just saw, then
decides against it.
AKANE
I. . .I don't know.
COLOGNE looks at AKANE closely, then
returns to moving furniture out of the
room.
25. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO DEN - EVENING
SHAMPOO returns to the Dojo, carrying
COLOGNE's satchel and her bonbori.
MOUSSE accompanies her inside. COLOGNE
takes the satchel and opens it,
withdrawing some vials of powder and a
yellowed scroll.
SHAMPOO
I never see this before,
great-grandmother.
COLOGNE
I was hoping you would never have to,
Shampoo. What I have to do is
quite. . .interesting.
SHAMPOO
(changing the subject)
You go to bed now, great-grandmother?
You need rest.
COLOGNE
(reading the scroll)
No, Shampoo. This cannot wait until
morning, and this will take the rest of
tonight.
SHAMPOO and COLOGNE climb the stairs to
the bedroom where RANMA lies. GENMA is
there, watching over RANMA.
COLOGNE
Get out.
GENMA
But I want to. . .
COLOGNE
Shampoo, take Mr. Saotome downstairs,
please.
Grumbling under his breath, GENMA walks
downstairs with SHAMPOO. After a few
minutes, SHAMPOO returns.
COLOGNE
Now, go outside and guard the door. We
have to remain uninterrupted.
SHAMPOO
Yes, great-grandmother.
SHAMPOO leaves, closing the door behind
her.
26. INTERIOR - SAOTOME BEDROOM - DAWN
As the sun peeked over the horizon,
COLOGNE completed the last of the ritual
circles for the technique. She has laid
out one large circle around RANMA's
futon, another large one opposite from
the first, then two smaller concentric
circles connecting the two large ones.
It is very similar to RYOGA's circles
except that the symbols for COLOGNE's
are only in Chinese. COLOGNE hops over
to the circle opposite RANMA's and
tosses her stick outside the powder.
COLOGNE glances at the scroll once more
to make sure everything has been done
correctly. COLOGNE rolls up the scroll
and strikes the powder with it. The
scroll flashes into flame and
disintegrates in COLOGNE's hands. The
circles explode in twin sheets of
greenish-white fire and begin to travel
around the circles in opposite
directions. COLOGNE begins to chant in
ancient Chinese. The twin pillars of
flame meet on the opposite side of
RANMA's futon. COLOGNE has already
slipped into a trance, and only the
whites of her eyes can be seen.
27. EXTERIOR - A NEARBY ROOFTOP - DUSK
RYOGA sits on a nearby rooftop, looking
into the backyard of the Tendo Dojo.
RYOGA has been there all day, observing
the house and its happenings. RYOGA
sees KASUMI doing the laundry, TENDO
and a PANDA playing Go, and other such
actions.
OTHER
(voice over)
They seem to be acting in a normal
fashion. We wonder what happened to the
old bag and the boy whose mind we
invaded last night. And why didn't we
notice that panda before? Bah! A
foolish notion that a panda could make
any real difference in the outcome of
this game.
Despite the evidence to the contrary,
RYOGA notes that the house is ready for
his visit.
OTHER
(voice over)
No, killing them would be too blatant.
It is such rampant emotionalism that led
to the previous failure. There will be
no killing unless absolutely necessary.
We will be subtle and methodical this
time. First the wench with the snotty
attitude and the housemaid will go, then
the long-haired one and the cheater with
the glasses. Then the old hag will
fall, along with whomever she has
guarding her walking carcass. Most
likely, they will be the boy in the long
robes and that purple-haired female with
the voice that can cut glass. After
they are dealt with, we will seize what
is mine from the boy Ranma and the
female. . .Akane. How to deal with her?
The power of the Pin protects her.
Handling the old wretch and that Ranko
person will also be difficult.
RYOGA settles back and continues to wait
for darkness to fall.
28. INTERIOR - GALLERY - DAY
COLOGNE blinks her eyes as the flash
subsides. RANMA is sitting on a stool
in front of the shattered Mirror,
staring at its pieces. Narrowing her
eyes, COLOGNE hops forward towards
RANMA. The noise from COLOGNE's stick
makes RANMA look over at her.
RANMA
(to COLOGNE)
Hey, old ghoul.
COLOGNE pauses for a moment, looking at
RANMA in concern.
COLOGNE
Son-in-law.
COLOGNE continues to move forward until
she's right beside RANMA.
COLOGNE
It's time for you to come back,
son-in-law. I will help you come home.
RANMA
No, I don't think so.
Surprised, COLOGNE narrows her eyes even
further.
COLOGNE
Why not? We miss you, and we want you
to come back.
RANMA turns his head and points at a
painting. It is the one of RANKO
drowning in the red Water.
RANMA
That's why. I can't go, not without
doing something I can't live with. Go
ahead without me. I'm staying.
COLOGNE
(puzzled)
I do not understand.
RANMA
(smiling)
I made a promise. To her. I told her
I'd never forget her. If I go, I've
broken my word as a martial artist,
because I know I'd forget it all. I
can't do that.
COLOGNE
But what is there to forget?
RANMA
China. The Blood of Eden. Her.
Everything. Someone back in China gave
me something so good that I just can't
throw it away. She died so I could live
my life. I owe her.
COLOGNE
But what did you promise the girl,
son-in-law?
RANMA
(smiling)
I promised I'd live, and not forget her.
Ever. That's why I can't go.
COLOGNE
But you must. You cannot survive here.
RANMA
Then I die, but I won't forget. I won't
break my promise.
COLOGNE
Son-in-law, do you not see that by
staying, you are already breaking your
promise?
RANMA
How's that?
COLOGNE
You promised her that you would live for
her. By staying, you deny that part of
the promise. You cannot live for her by
living here.
RANMA
But if I go, I break the other part. I
can't do that, not to her.
COLOGNE
Come back with us. Live for her, Ranma.
RANMA
No!! I'm not leaving until I find a way
to remember out there! Now leave me
alone!
RANMA picks up his stool and moves
elsewhere in the Gallery, leaving
COLOGNE alone. COLOGNE begins to pace
the Gallery, fuming.
29. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO DINING ROOM - EVENING
KASUMI gathers another handful of dinner
dishes and takes them back to the
kitchen. NABIKI sits in the dining
room, staring out into the backyard.
NABIKI
It's creepy thinking about him being out
there, all twisted. What do we do if he
shows up again?
KASUMI
(still doing chores)
I'm sure Father and Mr. Saotome will
know what to do.
NABIKI
(putting her hand on her chin)
Yeah, sure, sis.
KASUMI
You need to have a little more faith in
Father, Nabiki. He's doing the best
that he can.
KASUMI takes another load of dishes into
the kitchen.
NABIKI
You're talking about a panda and Father,
sis. I don't think either of them is
quali-
KASUMI puts another dish away, then
stops. She listens, but hears nothing.
KASUMI
(calling out)
Nabiki?
KASUMI, curious and a little frightened,
leaves the kitchen to see what's
happened.
KASUMI
Nabiki?
Entering the dining room slowly, KASUMI
gasps as she sees NABIKI lying
unconscious across the table. KASUMI
kneels and quickly checks NABIKI's
pulse. Satisfied that NABIKI is still
alive, KASUMI begins to back towards the
kitchen. As KASUMI crosses the
threshold, a pressure touches her
lightly on the base of her neck.
30. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO BATHROOM - EVENING
GENMA, now in human form, swipes the
towel across his back once more and
starts to leave the bathroom.
GENMA
(humming the tune to
'Strangers in the Night')
Doobie, doobie, dooo . . .
A small clicking sound comes from behind
GENMA. GENMA whirls around, startled.
SOUN, towel over his shoulder, steps
past GENMA to take his turn in the bath.
They chuckle at each other nervously.
SOUN closes the door behind him. GENMA
dresses quickly and turns to the door.
RYOGA is in front of him, grinning
evilly. GENMA takes a startled step
back, but RYOGA hits him between the
eyes with a strange, two-fingered
attack.
31. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO BATHROOM - EVENING
RYOGA stands over the unconscious body
of SOUN. The discolored eyes stare
down at SOUN, unblinking.
OTHER
(voice over)
Hmmm, what to do now? Most have fallen
as we have planned, but we had not
expected these two to be defeated so
soon. We also expected others to come
to their aid. But where is that panda
these fools keep?
RYOGA looks up with lightning-fast
reflexes as MOUSSE opens the door to the
bath.
MOUSSE
Mr. Saotome? Mr. Tendo? Sorry to-huh?
YOU!
MOUSSE whips his arms out from his
sides, and six katanas extend from the
sleeves.
MOUSSE
Vile fiend! I won't let you touch
Shampoo!
RYOGA
Ah, the blind one. It's about time.
Then come at me, boy, and show me what
your masters have forgotten.
MOUSSE screams and charges, swinging the
katanas at full speed. RYOGA draws his
umbrella and calmly opens it, deflecting
all the katanas with ease. MOUSSE
slashes downward, but RYOGA twirls his
umbrella counter-clockwise, knocking the
katanas out of MOUSSE's hands. Two of
the katanas snap as the edge of the
umbrella shears through their blades.
The end of the umbrella catches MOUSSE
in the gut, knocking him across the
bath. MOUSSE's head hits the edge of
the bathtub, stunning him. MOUSSE rises
and strikes out with his chains.
Surprised, RYOGA gets wound up in the
chains, trapping his arms and the
umbrella. MOUSSE lifts the chains and
their bundle and quickly dumps RYOGA
into the cold bath.
Hearing the noise from the bath, SHAMPOO
smashes into the room, her bonbori held
at the ready. Her eyes glance around
the room, noting the unconscious SOUN
and GENMA. SHAMPOO also notices MOUSSE
standing near the bath, looking into the
water.
MOUSSE
(turning to face SHAMPOO)
Shampoo, my love! I did it! I beat
him! He can't hurt you anymore!
SHAMPOO nods and puts away her bonbori.
She walks closer to MOUSSE and taps the
chains with her foot.
SHAMPOO
Is crazy person in water?
MOUSSE
(puffed up)
Yes, my darling Shampoo! The monster is
inside.
SHAMPOO
(sliding close)
Oh, Mousse! I not know you so brave!
MOUSSE
Ha! I've always been-
The knife is sharp, and MOUSSE barely
feels it enter his stomach. MOUSSE
gasps and looks down at the knife
buried in his gut. SHAMPOO smiles
evilly as she drives it in to the hilt.
The two fall to the floor
simultaneously. MOUSSE looks into
SHAMPOO's eyes. They are cold and dark.
MOUSSE
(gurgling)
Sh-Shampoo? Why. . .?
SHAMPOO
Does Mousse still love Shampoo?
MOUSSE
(teeth gritted)
A-always!!
SHAMPOO twists the knife. MOUSSE's hand
reaches out and grabs SHAMPOO's wrist,
but he doesn't try to remove the knife.
SHAMPOO
Stupid Mousse!!
SHAMPOO twists the knife.
SHAMPOO
Shampoo never love Mousse!
SHAMPOO twists the knife.
SHAMPOO
Shampoo HATE Mousse!
SHAMPOO twists the knife.
SHAMPOO
Shampoo wish Mousse curl up and DIE!!
SHAMPOO twists the knife. MOUSSE cries
out and coughs. Blood sprays into the
air, splattering SHAMPOO's impassive
face. A small smile spreads across
SHAMPOO's face.
32. INTERIOR - SAOTOME BEDROOM - EVENING
AKANE stares at the scorched circle
around RANMA's body. Her face holds a
look of worry and anxiety. Her legs are
pulled up to her chin, her arms wrapped
around her knees. Every now and then,
AKANE glances from RANMA to COLOGNE's
tranced form, then back to RANMA again.
AKANE wonders if RANMA is all right, and
what could be happening. AKANE's
fingers reach into her pocket and feel
the Pin. She pulls it out and looks at
it for a long moment.
AKANE
(voice over)
Why didn't I tell them about this pin?
What stopped me?
AKANE remembers the vision she had when
she pricked her finger on the Pin
earlier.
AKANE
(voice over)
Who was that girl in the dream? She
looked a lot like Ranma's female side.
Why did she die? Dammit, who is she?
Frustrated, AKANE pounds a fist on the
floor.
33. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO BATHROOM - EVENING
MOUSSE rises to his feet shakily. His
hands shake from the shock of the mental
assault. Clenching his fists, he
manages to stop the trembling.
OTHER
(voice over)
This one was most difficult to break.
We had to use a great deal of effort to
take this one for our use. But this
body will serve us adequately for the
time being. And what happened to the
other one? How was he able to eject us
so easily after submission?
MOUSSE staggers to the bath and glances
into the water. P-CHAN floats at the
top of the water, unconscious. With a
disgusted look on his face, MOUSSE
scoops the pig out of the bath and looks
at it closely. MOUSSE's eyes widen in
shock and wonder.
OTHER
(voice over)
How, now, isn't this interesting? We
haven't seen one such as this for quite
some time. No wonder we were so
casually removed. Jusenkyo has
interfered with us once again. We
wonder how many more of these insects
are cursed in such a fashion.
Repulsed, MOUSSE tosses P-CHAN across
the room. P-CHAN hits the far wall
with a dull slap, like a sack of wet
rice. The pig slumps to the floor.
34. INTERIOR - HALLWAY - EVENING
SHAMPOO watches the staircase as she
waits for word on RANMA and COLOGNE.
Her bonbori are at her sides, neutral,
but ready in case of trouble. SHAMPOO
glances down at the sound of the stairs
creaking. She sees MOUSSE coming up the
stairs.
SHAMPOO
(annoyed)
Mousse? What you doing here?
MOUSSE reaches the top of the stairs,
reaching a hand into a sleeve. His face
is still cloaked in shadow.
MOUSSE
(sarcastically)
Just wanted to see your face, my darling
Shampoo.
With a smile on his face, he flings his
hand out, scattering a powder into
SHAMPOO's eyes. SHAMPOO cries out and
stumbles back, eyes streaming with
tears. Her eyes are horribly dilated.
MOUSSE
(taunting)
Who's the blind one now, Shampoo? You
never could see the truth, even when it
was in front of your face.
SHAMPOO braces her back to the wall,
blinking rapidly. The burning of the
powder felt like crushed glass buried in
her eyes.
MOUSSE
(chuckling darkly)
Now let's see how well you fight, Amazon
wench!
35. INTERIOR - THE GALLERY - DAY
COLOGNE hops through the Gallery,
looking at the paintings as they move
under their black veils. Pausing beside
a painting, COLOGNE looks back at RANMA,
who is still sitting on a stool,
unmoving. COLOGNE hops over to the
shattered mirror. She leans over to
look at one of the shards and sees
RANMA's reflection on its surface.
COLOGNE tilts her head for a moment.
COLOGNE
(to RANMA)
Forgive me, son-in-law.
RANMA
(looking up)
Huh?
COLOGNE
I have no choice now. I have to do
this. I hope that you can forgive me for
what I must now do.
RANMA
(puzzled)
W-what are you. . .?
With a violent motion, COLOGNE reaches
out with her stick and tears a painting
off of the wall, smashing it to the
ground. RANMA bolts to his feet in
shock.
RANMA
No!! Don't!
COLOGNE rips through the Gallery like
she's possessed. RANMA moves to stop
her, but suddenly doubles over. Red
water explodes from RANMA's mouth, and
he collapses to his knees. COLOGNE
ignores him and continues to tear down
the paintings.
COLOGNE
(pulling off another painting)
These are not your memories, son-in-law!
These are the memories of the dead! Let
them sleep! You must make your own to
replace these!
COLOGNE rips down the last of the
paintings. Her eyes widen in shock as
white energy bursts from the painting.
The room goes white.
36. INTERIOR - SAOTOME BEDROOM - EVENING
The door to the bedroom shatters into
splinters and torn shoji paper as
SHAMPOO's unconscious form sails through
it. MOUSSE, with a wicked gleam in his
eyes, steps into the bedroom, walking
over SHAMPOO. AKANE stands up and walks
over to RANMA's bed, using her own body
as a shield for RANMA.
MOUSSE
(calmly)
Give me the Pin. It belongs to me.
AKANE looks at MOUSSE's eyes. One is
green, the other is yellow. The yellow
eye gives the OTHER away to AKANE.
AKANE
Who are you? Why do you want this pin?
MOUSSE ignores the questions and marches
forward, his hand reaching out to take
the Pin. MOUSSE stops in mid-step, as
though hitting a wall. His hands move
in midair, but cannot penetrate the
invisible shield around RANMA, AKANE and
COLOGNE. MOUSSE looks down and notices
the circles for the first time. AKANE
moves to RANMA and slips the Pin onto
him, pricking her finger in the process.
AKANE smiles in satisfaction as MOUSSE
shrieks in rage.
37. INTERIOR - VOID - UNKNOWN
AKANE's world goes black. She shivers
in fear as the laughter of the OTHER
echoes through the dark void.
38. INTERIOR - VOID - UNKNOWN
RANMA thrashes out blindly as he floats
in blue-white energy. Not getting any
feedback from his senses, he curls into
a fetal position. RANMA feels confused
and lost. The energy around RANMA
begins to fade, and he cautiously opens
his eyes. The light fades into total
darkness. Reflexively, RANMA curls
tighter, trying to hold the darkness at
bay. Then, RANMA's slitted eyes notice
a green light moving towards him,
pushing the darkness back and away from
him. RANMA begins to move towards it.
39. INTERIOR - SAOTOME BEDROOM - EVENING
RANMA's eyes open slowly. He blinks a
few times to adjust his eyes to the
light. Carefully, RANMA sits up in the
bed. His breathing is shallow and
liquid, as though his lungs are filling
with water. RANMA coughs for a few
minutes, as red water erupts from his
lungs. After about five minutes of
retching, RANMA looks around at the
bedroom. He sees AKANE on the edge of
the bed, unconscious. RANMA's hand
reaches up and reflexively touches the
Pin attached to his shirt. A strange
look passes over RANMA's face for a few
moments, then he stands to his feet.
RANMA leans over and picks up AKANE,
noting to himself how light she seems.
RANMA carries AKANE to her room,
handling her as gently as glass.
40. INTERIOR - AKANE'S BEDROOM - EVENING
RANMA gently lays AKANE on her bed.
Carefully, RANMA takes the Pin off of
his shirt and stares at it silently for
a while. Then, RANMA pricks his finger
with the Pin. A drop of blood wells up
and RANMA touches it to AKANE's lips.
A slight hand reaches out to touch RANMA
on the shoulder. RANMA turns to see
SUSAN standing beside him.
RANMA
(to SUSAN)
Nihao, Siu Shin. How'd you get here?
SUSAN
(surprised)
So how much do you really know? All of
it? Some of it?
RANMA
(nodding slowly)
Uh, all of it, I think.
SUSAN
In case you haven't figured it out,
we're in Akane's mind. If you don't
believe me, look at the bed.
RANMA glances down at the bed. AKANE is
no longer there.
SUSAN
So, how did you learn to use the Pin?
RANMA
(standing)
I think Akane told me how.
SUSAN nods silently and motions for
RANMA to follow her. They leave the
room.
41. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO LIVING ROOM - DAY
RANMA and SUSAN walk downstairs to the
living room. They see AKANE, very
young, playing with a young KASUMI.
AKANE looks about six years in age,
KASUMI about eight. They are chasing
each other around SOUN, laughing. SOUN,
reading a newspaper, ignores them.
NABIKI, about age seven, picks up the
business section of the newspaper and
retreats to another corner of the table
to study it. MRS. TENDO steps into the
living room.
MRS. TENDO
(smiling)
Hey, you two. Would you like to learn
some cooking today?
KASUMI & AKANE
(simultaneously)
Okay!!
KASUMI races past her mother to the
kitchen. MRS. TENDO beckons for AKANE
to follow. AKANE leaves her father's
side to accompany MRS. TENDO. SOUN
sighs and goes back to his paper. AKANE
stops in front of RANMA and SUSAN, her
finger in her mouth.
AKANE
(innocently)
Who're you, mister?
RANMA
I-I'm Ranma.
AKANE stares at RANMA, finger still in
her mouth, as though trying to decide
whether RANMA is lying or not. Then,
AKANE's face breaks out into a wide
smile.
AKANE
Okay! Bye-bye!!
AKANE runs off towards the kitchen,
giggling. SUSAN looks at RANMA with a
sideways glance and a knowing smile.
RANMA sighs and follows SUSAN down the
hallway.
42. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO KITCHEN - DAY
RANMA and SUSAN walk into the kitchen.
AKANE, still six, is talking to KASUMI,
who is at her normal age of 19.
AKANE
Kasumi, where did Mommy go?
KASUMI
(sadly)
Akane. . .Mother is dead. She isn't
coming back.
AKANE is silent, staring at KASUMI.
Tears begin to fall from AKANE's eyes.
AKANE
(tearfully)
LIAR!! You're lying! She'll come back!
AKANE, sobbing, runs out of the kitchen,
past RANMA and SUSAN. KASUMI looks
after her, a tear falling down her own
face, and then turns back to the dishes.
RANMA and SUSAN follow AKANE, silent.
43. INTERIOR - TENDO DOJO - DAY
RANMA and SUSAN walk out of the kitchen
and right into the Dojo itself. They
see AKANE, now sixteen years old,
training. AKANE's hand comes down onto
a brick, shattering it.
RANMA
(to SUSAN)
Why're we seeing this? She's like this
all the time!
SUSAN
(still watching AKANE)
All of what we're seeing has some sort
of special meaning for Akane. It all
comes together to form a picture in her
mind of how things are.
RANMA watches as AKANE starts raining
blows on a punching bag, then kicks on a
wooden post. Exhausted, AKANE grabs a
towel from the floor and starts to pat
herself down, drying off the sweat from
her workout. Akane turns to throw the
towel back across the Dojo, but finds
that it has turned into a handkerchief.
AKANE stares at it for a while, then
turns around.
44. EXTERIOR - NERIMA CEMETARY - DAY
AKANE, dressed in black, stands on a
hilltop, looking down at the graves of
the Tendo and Saotome families. There
are six graves, each bearing the name
of her closest loved ones underneath the
tombstones. AKANE, in despair, weeps in
front of them, falling to her knees.
RANMA, with an expression of sadness on
his face, silently watches AKANE.
RANMA
(quietly)
Is. . .is there anything we can do?
SUSAN
You know what you can do. Go to her.
RANMA leaves SUSAN and walks towards
AKANE, hesitating with each step.
When RANMA reaches AKANE, he slowly
kneels beside her. AKANE, noticing the
shadow, looks over at RANMA. AKANE's
eyes are full of shock. She looks over
at the grave, then back at RANMA.
RANMA
It's okay, Akane. I'm really here.
AKANE, without a word, enfolds RANMA in
a tight hug, as though refusing to
believe, but not wanting to let go to
find out. RANMA wraps his arms gently
around AKANE as she starts to sob into
his chest.
AKANE
(crying)
Don't. . .don't ever leave me again!!
Promise me you won't!
RANMA
I promise. I promise I won't ever leave
you, Akane.
The world shifts around them.
45. EXTERIOR - A FIELD - DAY
The graves have disappeared, to be
replaced by trees. RANMA, AKANE and
SUSAN are in a field. Golden grass is
all around them, waving in the breeze.
RANMA and AKANE stand as SUSAN walks
towards them.
A storm rises, seemingly out of thin
air. The sky darkens as black clouds
move in. RANMA, AKANE and SUSAN look up
to the sky fearfully.
RANMA
Hey, where did this come from?
A circle of golden grass about a meter
in front of the group suddenly bursts
into flame. The pillar of fire
subsides, revealing RANKO standing in
front of them, hatred in her eyes.
RANKO
(looking at SUSAN)
YOU!! I know you! You are the one that
killed your pitiful sister!
(quietly, cruelly)
So this is what it feels like to be
dead. . .
SUSAN, screaming in rage, forms a white
ball of energy in her hands and flings
it at RANKO. RANKO, with an evil smile
on her face, holds out her hands and
catches the ball of energy. The white
energy changes to a black color in
RANKO's hands. With a snarl, RANKO
thrusts the black ball back to SUSAN.
SUSAN catches the full impact of the
dark energy right in the chest. It
blasts SUSAN ten feet backwards, her
energy-engulfed body charring the golden
grass in her path. The energy clears,
and SUSAN lies on the ground, her body
smoking.
RANKO
(turning to RANMA)
You will give me the Pin now, Ranma.
RANMA
No way!! It's not yours!
RANMA, shoving AKANE behind him with his
left hand, fires off a *ki* blast at
RANKO. The blast strikes RANKO, but has
no visible effect.
RANKO
(frustrated)
Don't you learn anything, BOY?
RANKO, casually, stretches out a hand
and fires a *ki* blast back at RANMA.
RANMA crosses his arms and takes the
brunt of the blast on his body. The
force pushes him back a few inches.
RANKO
I've lived for over a thousand years.
RANKO fires off another *ki* blast,
doing the same damage to RANMA.
RANKO
People like you are NOTHING to me!
RANKO fires off another *ki* blast.
RANKO
Do you know how many I have kept in
slavery over all these decades?
RANKO laughs and fires another blast.
RANKO
NOTHING can kill me!
RANKO fires another blast.
RANMA
(bruised)
Do you really want to know what death
feels like?
RANMA's battle aura turns from blue to
red.
RANMA
(whispering)
I'm sorry. . .
Summoning all of the force he can
muster, RANMA reaches into the depths of
the Gallery, taking hold of all the
memories of SUSAN's sister. Pulling all
of them into one blast, RANMA forms a
purple sphere of power between his
hands. With a roar, he fires it at
RANKO. The blast hits RANKO squarely in
the chest.
FADE TO WHITE
46. EXTERIOR - JUSENKYO - DAY
LIN PAI tries to struggle to the surface
under SIU SHIN's grip. The water of
the pool floods into LIN PAI's lungs,
forcing the air out of them with a
searing pain. LIN PAI chokes out her
sister's name twice before she finally
succumbs to the embrace of the pool's
watery Hell.
FADE TO WHITE
47. INTERIOR - GALLERY - DAY
RANKO walks to one of the black shrouds
and rips it off of the painting. The
painting is a picture of RANKO and RANMA
curled into a yin/yang symbol, the blue
background in the painting is rippling.
RANKO looks at it for a moment, then
walks over to RANMA. She takes his hand
in hers and leaves him the pin. RANKO
steps backwards and falls into the
painting with a splash. Her body
distorts the picture, destroying the
symmetry in the yin/yang symbol. The
cut on her hand changes the blue
background to a deep red. RANKO looks
one last time at RANMA
RANKO
(whispering)
Live for me.
RANKO lets the blood stained water seep
into her lungs.
FADE TO WHITE
48. EXTERIOR - A FIELD - DAY
RANKO screams, half in pain, half in
horror. Her hands clutch at her skull,
as though trying to tear the pictures
from her mind. RANKO falls to her
knees, unable to stand through the pain.
She shrieks inhumanly as her
tightly-closed eyes begin to bleed from
underneath the eyelids.
RANKO
(enraged)
Damn you!! DAMN you both!!! You will
live to see what I will not!!
Her howls reach their peak just before
her body disintegrates in a flash of
orange-red fire.
RANMA slowly releases AKANE from their
embrace. They walk, hand-in-hand, to
SUSAN. SUSAN is barely alive, breathing
shallowly, but it is obvious that she is
dying. RANMA and AKANE kneel beside
her, each taking a hand.
SUSAN
(wheezing)
I. . .I'm s-sorry for all. . .this.
None of this. . .would have hap-happened
if it weren't for my. . .sins. . .
RANMA
(kindly)
Rest now, big sister.
RANMA closes SUSAN's eyes while AKANE
squeezes his other hand.
FADE TO WHITE
49. INTERIOR - AKANE'S BEDROOM - EVENING
RANMA's eyes blink open, and he looks
down at AKANE's sleeping form. RANMA's
fingers are still on AKANE's lips, but
the blood is gone. Slowly, RANMA rises
from the futon, watching AKANE as he
backs out of AKANE's bedroom. Closing
the door behind him, RANMA walks down
the stairs, touring the house. RANMA
finds everyone asleep, as though
nothing ever happened. Entering the
bathroom, RANMA sees the crumpled form
of P-CHAN lying in a corner. RANMA
picks the pig up and carefully creeps
back to AKANE's room. Looking down at
AKANE, RANMA turns his attention to the
unconscious pig.
RANMA
You'd better take good care of her while
she's asleep, Ryoga. . .
Carefully, RANMA places P-CHAN beside
AKANE, walks over to a chair, sits down,
and falls asleep.
FINIS
***************************************
Thanks for reading this one, guys...I
hope you enjoyed it. This fanfic was
written to help clear up some questions
from The Blood of Eden...and add a
few more...Creating and using the Other
turned out to be quite a fun experience
while writing this story. If you
haven't already guessed, there's more
to the story of the Other, Lin Pai, and
Siu Shin, if you want more on them, let
us know and we'll sit down and write
it...the next ones we're working on,
however, have nothing to do with `The
Tragic Story'...Be on the lookout for
more Baka No Hune stuff!
BAKA NO HUNE is:
Viper
Motenai
Momo-Kun
Dark Schneider
Lochmeadow
Ryoga Hibiki
Sailor Slacker
and
Argon
Have fun...
***************************************
Okay, one of the bigger points when we first put this one out was
"I didn't know Ranko was so evil." Ranko was the Other, having assumed
her form in Akane's mind when it entered. Justy thought I'd clear that
one up. Any more questions, don't hesitate to write us!