Yes, this is yet another series I'm working on right now. Again, I don't
know when it'll be finished, but I wouldn't mind some commentary on what
I've got so far....
-----------------------
(Kolkhoz high, in the change areas behind the skating rink. A bruised Mikado
is pacing a room, clenching and unclenching his hands. In the room with him
is Chance, who looks a little concerned.)
Commentator: (his voice coming from a radio set) What a night this has been
folks! The first loss of the Golden Pair, and to an unknown team from
Furinkan High! And so close to the 300 mark for their unbeaten streak..
(Mikado lets out a scream, and smashes the radio to peices.)
Mikado: Blast! I don't need to be hearing this! (Seething) Oh, this is..
Aurgh!
(Mikado punches a wall, letting off some steam. The purple-haired man takes a
step forward.)
Chance: Don't worry boss. You'll get them next time for sure.
Mikado: (waves the man away, and shakes his head) No, you don't understand
Chance, this is just represents my problem all along.. Damn Azusa and her
cuteness fixation! If she'd only pay attention to the ice, we would have won!
Chance: (raises an eyebrow) You really think so?
Mikado: I know so!
Chance: (ponders a few moments, and then fingers something in his pocket) So..
You're saying that you wish Azusa never had her problem with stealing things?
Mikado: Didn't I just say that? Of course that's what I mean!
(Chance tosses a rock at Mikado, who catches it, and looks at it curioiusly.
Aside from it being blue, it looks like an ordinary stone.)
Mikado: What's this?
Chance: (starts walking out of the room) Make a wish on it, who knows, it
might come true.. (Thought to himself) The destiny stone.. Damn, I hope he
appreciates this.
Mikado: (looks at Chance curioiusly, and then down at the stone) Whatever,
sure.. *Ahem* I wish that Azusa never had...
(As Mikado continues, Chance turns away, and walks out the doorway.)
Chance: (whispering quietly) Been nice knowing you, boss..
(Simutaneously)
Mikado: her cuteness obcession!
(Chance walks completely out of the room, just as a pale light begins to emit
from the stone, which eventually envelops the room. Fade to white.)
************
(A place of shadows, nothing can be seen clearly. A being in purple robes
watches the events through a crystal ball.)
Purple robe: Yes, this looks acceptable. Now let the lines of fate lead where
they may..
************
(Nerima public ice rink. Akane and two other girls are sitting at a table
just beside the ice. Akane looks up from a chocolate sundae, curiously
peering at one of her friends.
Akane: Me? You don't really think I could make the skating team, do you?
Makiko: Are you kidding Akane? You're really good, you could become team
captain by the end of the season!
Akane: Oh, I don't know.. (She sits there pondering for a few moments, and
then jumps up in realization.) Oh no! I forgot P-chan on the rink!
Makiko: P-chan?
Other female: Oh, your pet pig?
Akane: We have to find him!
(Akane and co. get up from their table, heading for the ice. Meanwhile, on
the rink, P-chan is nervously skittering about the ice, looking left and
right, oinking noisily.)
P-chan: Bwee! Bwee!
(P-chan jumps back suddenly, as a pair of skates nearly run him over. The
skates are pink, with little bows on them. These skates are attached to a
short, pretty girl's feet. Her hair is brown, and curly, reaching down
to her shoulders. She looks down at P-chan with mild curiosity.)
Brown-haired girl: Oh! What's this? (She picks up the pig, and strokes
it gently.) You poor dear, all alone out here..
(The brown-haired girl skates off to one exit, cuddling P-chan tight. At the
entrance to the ice on the opposite end of the rink, Akane is just getting
onto the ice.)
Akane: P-chan? P-chan, where are you? (She gasps) He must be lost again, oh
no..
(Back to the brown-haired girl, who is in a change room. P-chan is
desperately trying to claw his way through the door, while the brown-haired
girl is behind a change curtain, talking to him.)
Brown-haired girl: I don't know how you got onto the ice, little piggy, the
rules expressedly say no pets! But don't worry, I'll find you a good home!
(P-chan bwee!s loudly, and claws the door some more. The brown-haired girl
walks out from behind the curtain, dressed in a pair of black slacks, a purple
blazer, and rollerblades. She looks disdainfully at her ice skates, and
tosses them in her bag. She smiles when she looks down at P-chan's attempts
to move the door.)
Brown-haired girl: Silly pig, you can't move that door by yourself! (She
scoops P-chan up in one hand, holding her bag in the other. P-chan is
struggling wildly. Azusa laughs, and brings P-chan face to face with her.)
Now aren't you a wild one! (She kisses P-chan on the nose. P-chan stops
fighting, and goes wide-eyed) Just the way I like it!
(The brown-haired girl walks out of the room, with a now peaceful and quite
dazed P-chan with her.)
Brown-haired girl: (grins) I can see this is going to be the start of some fun
times, ne, piggy?
(She walks out of the room, Ryouga is now all googly-eyed, and taking in the
girl's embrace almost.. Joyfully? The girl shuts the door behind her. On
the door, is a poster, which shows the girl and a black-haired teenager of
similar height skating together on the ice. The caption above it reads,
See! The golden pair of martial skating,
Azusa & Ryuuken!
Live at a rink near you!)
---
Cire productions presents
A Ranma 1/2 -What if?- story,
(*inspired greatly by the Alterverse stories by John Biles - AKA god*)
Ranma 1/2: Pared bliss
chapter 1: Same problem; different victims
---
(A Ramen noodle shop somewhere in Nerima. Ranma is sitting at a table, with a
few of his school friends. He's eating noodles, and leafing through a
collection of pictures they have, of Ranma-chan. He is looking less and less
impressed as he continues looking through them.)
Ranma: So what you're asking.. Is what this girl is to me?
Hiroshi: Don't play dumb Ranma, you can't pretend there isn't a connection.
Random student #1: Yeah, she even calls herself Ranma Saotome.
Ranma: Sorry, don't know her. (eats his noodles nonchalantly)
RS #2: Ya right.. She has your pigtail.. And she's as good at fighting as
you are..
Ranma: So?
Hiroshi: She's your cousin right? Or your twin sister?
RS #1: We don't care. C'mon, just introduce us to her..
(Ranma is just finishing up his noodles. He leaps out of his chair, and moves
to leave the restaurant.)
Ranma: Sorry, no can do.
(All the other threee students get out of their chairs, and face off with
Ranma.)
RS #2: Hey! You can't just walk out!
Hiroshi: Yeah, you've already got one fiancee, what do you neeed with another
girl?
RS #1: C'mon, don't hog all the fun!
Ranma: (taken aback) What?! Tha... That's idiotic! First off, who'd want to
"get" a girl like Akane, who's an utter zero in sex appeal?!
(Ranma is backing away towards the exit of the shop, when the door is flung
open by Akane.)
Akane: Ranma!!
Ranma: (Jumping away a bit) Woah!
(Ranma drops into a battle stance, shuffling back as Akane steps forward. He
stops when he notices that Akane is crying.)
Ranma: Aww, Akane, there's no reason to cry.. I mean really, who'm I to
judge if you have any sex..
Akane: (cutting him off) P-chan's missing!!
Ranma: Ap.. P-chan?
(Akane's two friends step in behind Akane, and nod.)
Makiko: We left him on the ice by mistake, and when we came back, he couldn't
be found anywhere.
Ranma: (mumbling) Probably got lost again..
Akane's 2nd friend: No way, we have witnesses who say he was kidnapped!
Makiko: (nodding) Yeah, one person said they saw p-chan taken away by some
short, brown-haired girl..
(As the trio of Akane, Makiko and the other girl crowd around Ranma, Azusa
opens the door to the shop, and skates over to a table. Ryuuken, the boy from
the poster, walks in behind her, and sits down at the same table. Ranma
blinks a couple of times.)
Akane: And the girl is supposedly a professional skater... Ranma, are you
even listening?
Ranma: (points over at Azusa's table) Do you think that might be her?
(Akane turns around, and gasps.)
Makiko: She's the one.. But where's P-chan?
Akane: (rushing towards the table, almost screaming) You! What'd you do
to my P-chan?
(Azusa looks up casually, if not a little confused.)
Azusa: Nani? P-chan?
Akane: (slamming her fist on the table) P-chan! My pet pig... The one you
stole?
Azusa: (slowly) Ohhh... I did see a little pig today.. And I did rescue it
from being run over.. But I don't recall stealing any pigs..
(Akane twitches slightly, looking her usual cross self)
Akane: What.. Did you.. (Leaning forward) Do with him?!
Azusa: (grinning a little) Hmm.. Now what *did* I do with it..
(Ryuuken, who has been sitting idly by most of this conversation, shakes his
head, and sits up.)
Ryuuken: I believe you'll find your little pet at the local pound. We
dropped him off there on the way over..
(Azusa looks annoyed that Ryuuken has given away P-chan's location, while
Akane looks a little less annoyed, almost grateful.)
Akane: Thanks.. (Pointedly looking at Ryuuken and not Azusa) Thank you very
much.
Ryuuken: (nods, and smiles a little arrogantly) It's my pleasure.
(At this point, Azusa has moved her seat over beside Ryuuken, and starts
hitting him over the head with an ashtray.)
Ryuuken: (ignoring the blows, mostly) You must excuse my partner, she likes to
toy with people.. She enjoys having the upper hand.. In fact.. (The ashtray
is replaced with a chair, and cries of 'you always ruin my fun!', 'baka!', and
the like) She gets.. (He starts to notice the blows) quite upset when she
loses that superiority..
(The blows to the head continue, as Ranma, Akane, and the rest of the gang
watch on with increasing sympathy pain. Finally, Azusa brings out a table,
and slams it over Ryuuken, crying out 'BAKA!' one last time. He falls
unconscious to the floor. Azusa looks over at Akane, and sneers.)
Azusa: You won this time girl, but be careful not to cross me again.. (Grabs
Ryuuken by the collar, and walks out of the building. She mutters quietly) P-
chan. What a stupid name.
(Azusa exits, leaving everyone else to blink in confusion.)
Akane: What did I win?
(Everyone else shrugs)
Hiroshi: Oh man, that poor guy.
RS #2: No kidding, who were those two?
Makiko: They're from Kolkhoz High, I think.. They call themselves 'The
Golden Pair'.
Ranma: (snorts) Yah right, some pair they make.
Makiko: Of skating.. You haven't seen them on the ice.. They're downright
deadly!
2nd female: She's right. You better be careful if you see her again, Akane.
Akane: Huh. I can take care of myself. Besides, I doubt if I'll see her
again anyways.
Makiko: But Akane... Does that mean that you won't join the skating team?
(Makiko and the 2nd female close in on Akane, giving her guilt looks. She
backs off, doing the demon-ward-hand-thingy.)
Ranma: (thought, to himself) Skating team?
(Later, Akane and Ranma are running down a side road. Ranma, as usual, is
running along the gate, while Akane is down on the road.)
Ranma: So what's this about joining the skating club?
Akane: Oh never mind. It's not important.
Ranma: (shrugs, jumping down to ground level. He grins.) Like a graceless
chick like you could skate anyways. (Ranma winks, and his face is greeted
with Akane's fist)
Akane: Baka! (She runs off, and sticks her toungue at him.) Like you could do
any better!
Ranma: (Recovering from the blow, and chasing after her) Hey, I'm a martial
artist, I can do anything!
(Chasing after her, they end up at the local pound, and check in at the
counter.)
Clerk: A small black pig? We had one an hour ago, but it escaped.. Must've
pulled quite a job too! Scared the bejeezus out of one of my helpers when he
tried to give the pig a bath... So scared, he said..
(Ranma looks about nervously, and grabs Akane by the wrist)
Ranma: Okaythanksforyourhelpwe'llfinditourselvesbye!
(Ranma zooms out of the building, Akane in tow)
Akane: Ranma! Where are you going?
Ranma: (nervously) Uhh, P-chan escaped right? We've got to go find him..
(Thought) Damn you Ryouga, can't you be more careful?
Akane: (slanting her eyes) And why are you so concerned all of a sudden?
Ranma: Uhh...
(Ranma and Akane zoom down a street, and turn a corner. Up above, on the top
of one of the buildings, Ryouga is sitting. He sees the pair of them, and
looks to go even deeper into thought.)
Ryouga: The brown-haired girl.. She too has shown me love.. Dear Akane,
how can I leave you?! But it hurts so much to stay.. Either way I
lose! (He stands up, looking pensive as the wind blows across his face)
The brown-haired girl hasn't really met me yet- I shall leave it up to her.
Akane... forgive me!
(Ryouga leaps off, leaving Akane and Ranma searching through some bushes down
below.)
************
(A beautiful spring morning at Furinkan High. Mikado, dressed in a standard
school uniform, stands at the entrance to the school, a bag slung over his
shoulder. He breathes in deeply, and looks all around him. Students mill
about and around him, some looking curiously at him, and a few others
blatantly oggling.)
Mikado: (thought) Ah, the joys that come to me with a new school. Perhaps
here I shall have more peace..
Kunou: (from somewhere off to the side) Saotome! There you are! Face me like
a true warrior, you fiend!
Ranma: Just give it up, Kunou..
(Mikado turns to face the action. He sees Kunou, bokken in hand, wind blowing
dramatically around him, facing off against Ranma, who looks extremely bored.
Kunou swings, but Ranma simply rolls underneath the blow, and comes up in
front of Kunou's face, and seems to waves his hand at Kunou, who subsequently
falls down, a barrage of bruises on his body.)
Mikado: (blinking a few times) Or perhaps not..
(Mikado walks into the school, passing by a dark-eyed boy running around with
candles on his head, who is pounding dolls into the walls. A girl in a
gymnastic outfit runs by, with a bag in her hand, calling out for her 'Ranma-
sama'. Mikado just looks around with increasing dismay.)
Mikado: Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all...
(Behind him, Nabiki is looking him over appraisingly. She is staring at him,
tapping a pencil on her lips. She smiles wide at his comment. She assumes a
more innocent look, and steps up.)
Nabiki: (thought) A new student; looks well off.. And handsome too..
(speaking up) Hey, what's the problem here? Do you need any help?
(Mikado turns around, a little curious. He smiles lightly at seeing Nabiki.)
Mikado: Not exactly, the problem is more the school itself..
(In the background, cries of "Saotome! This is your end!", and breaking..
objects... Nabiki smirks.)
Nabiki: Believe me, you get used to it..
Mikado: I hope so.. (He shrugs, and gazes at Nabiki.) Now, about that offer
of help.. I would really appreciate a tour of the school.. (smiles amidst
twinkly background effects)
Nabiki: S.. Sure.. (thought) He *is* handsome.. (continuing to think, as her
eyes drift to his pockets.) And with a wallet that big, he must be loaded..
This could have possibilities.
Mikado: (sighs inwardly, thinking to himself) Always they look me over like
this.. Don't they know what really matters? But no matter.. She is cute,
after all.. (Mikado bows extravagantly, and speaks up) Well then fair lady,
I am yours to lead..
Nabiki: (smirks, or is she smiling? She offers Mikado her arm.) Well, since
you put it so aptly..
(Mikado takes her arm, and they walk off down the hall, Nabiki chattering
about different parts of the school.)
Nabiki: (as they walk off, thought) This could be my best investment yet..
************
(Outside the school, Ranma is running away from Kunou, who still hasn't gotten
the idea, and continues to chase Ranma.)
Kunou: Defiler! Black magician! You shall pay for stealing the
pony-tailed girl from me!
(Ranma is jumping away from all his blows casually, looking more irritated
than anything else.)
Ranma: (thought) Can't people just dump water down drains instead of out
windows? Huh?
(Ranma's last question is brought on by the sudden appearance of Ryouga on the
scene.)
Ranma: (thought) What's Ryouga doing here?
(Ranma jumps over him, twisting around while in the air, landing on his feet
facing off against Ryouga in a battle stance. Kunou is a good twenty feet
away. Ryouga is looking around blankly.)
Ryouga: (whispering) No, not Furinkan High...
Ranma: (tightens his stance) Yo Ryouga! I'm over here!
(Ryouga turns to face Ranma, blinking. His mouth twitches nervously, and is
about to drop into a battle stance, but stops. Ranma blinks at him in
confusion.)
Ranma: Well c'mon Ryouga, you are here to fight, aren't you?
Ryouga: (agitated) I didn't even mean to come here...
Ranma: Huh? That's a first..
Ryouga: (sneers, but calms himself) It's just as well that I came here..
Ranma.. Take.. Take good care of Akane.. Be good to her..
Ranma: Huh?
Ryouga: (steps back, shivering a bit.) Akane is yours Ranma.. Don't waste
her..
(Ryouga tries to look tough about saying this, but is failing. Especially
since right afterwards, Kunou finally appears on the scene.)
Kunou: Mere ruffian! Who do you think you are to give away the hand of my
fair maiden Akane?!
Ryouga: (turning do Kunou, blowing up finally) And WHO do you think YOU
are?!!
(Ryouga knocks Kunou into a low Earth orbit. He turns back to Ranma.)
Ryouga: (hushed) Just promise me you'll be good to her.
Ranma: (just blinking. His brain is obviously still not registering above
'pummel' mode) Uhh.. Sure.
Ryouga: That's all I can ask..
(Ryouga runs off, away from the school.)
Ranma: (still just blinking) What's gotten into him...
************
(Back at Furikan, Nabiki has finished giving Mikado a tour of the school.
Mikado is chatting with her about a few questions as they head towards their
home rooms.)
Nabiki: That's the general layout of the school, there's not much too it
really, just like most other schools in Tokyo..
Mikado: (smiles.) Thanks for the help. Though, I have to ask.. Who were
those two people fighting in the front court?
Nabiki: It's.. A daily ritual. Don't ask. Just trust me when I say, you get
used to it.. (Thought) Or at least, parts of it..
Mikado: (nods) I hope so.. (Checks his watch) Class is about to start..
Could I just ask you one last favour?
Nabiki: Hmm? What is it?
Mikado: (holds out a piece of paper) Could you tell me where this classroom
is?
Nabiki: (peers at the paper, her trademark grin appearing on her face) Well,
isn't that a coincidence.. We're in the same class!
Mikado: R.. Really? This might not be so bad after all...
Nabiki: (looks a little shocked at his comment, but recovers.) Indeed.. Come
on, it's just down this hall...
************
(Another high school, which looks slightly different than Furinkan High. The
main difference is a large building off to the left; a skating rink. Cut in
further, into a class room. Azusa is bored, doodling little cartoons into her
notebook. The teacher drones on, but she doesn't notice. Ryuuken looks over
at her, and smiles. She sees this, but quickly turns away from him, pouting.
Ryuuken looks down at his desk, shoulders slumped.)
Teacher: So from yesterdays readings on the basics of Steamology, you should
all know just how the world can.. And *will* be saved by steam!! (Calms
himself down)
Azusa: (doodling a cariacture of the teacher, being flattened by a large steam
iron.) Don't get too boiled over on the subject, teach.
(A few titters of laughter can be heard from around the classroom, but the
teacher does not look impressed.)
Teacher: Of course not. Since you seem so willing to talk, miss Shiratori,
perhaps you could tell me the basic, fundamental principle behind steamology?
Azusa: (looks up, tapping her pencil against her lips.) Why yes, I could...
(Silence. The teacher folds his arms together, and leans against the chalk
board, waiting.)
Teacher: (impatiently) And the principle is...?
Azusa: (innocently) Ohh! You actually want to know? You only asked me if I
*could* tell you... (Sweetly) But I'm sure you already know the answer
anyways!
Teacher: That is not the poi...
(The teacher gets cut off by Azusa, who has stood up, slapping her hands down
on her desk.)
Azusa: This class is too boring! (Leaps over to Ryuuken's desk, and grabs him
by the arms.) C'mon Ryuuken, let's go do something useful!!
(Azusa drags Ryuuken along with her, as she runs through the classroom door,
ignoring that little detail known as opening to door. The teacher stares on
grimly.)
Teacher: (thought) I hate this job...
************
(Furikan High, around lunch time. Ranma and Akane are under a tree, munching
on their lunches, Ranma peering suspiciously at every item before he wolfs it
down. Akane notices this, and GLARES.)
Akane: Baka! I didn't have time to help make lunch this morning.
Ranma: Hey really? (Starts to wolf down his meal unimpeded. Akane gets an
even more agitated look on her face. That turns to satisfaction as He keeps
on eating, even a few blackened, charred objects, which may at one point in
time have been some vegetables..)
Akane: (smugly) I knew it was all in your head.
Ranma: (looks over at Akane, fear in his eyes.) N.. Nani?
Akane: (bidee's Ranma) You ate my stir fry without even blinking.
Ranma: (sticks his tounge out at Akane) Yeah, well you must have had lots of
help then! (Looks down at the remainder of his lunch) Hey, what's this piece
of charcoal doing in here?
Akane: (agitated again) That's a carrot! (Closes in on Ranma..)
(From afar, Mikado watches this, and shakes his head in bemusement.)
Mikado: So this is the norm? (Narrows his eyes) And that pig-tailed boy seems
to be at the center of it all...
Nabiki: It *was* a bit quieter before he came..
(Suddenly, Kunou runs by, chastising a younger student for not paying his
proper respects.. Off in a corner, a black-eyed boy, the same as before, is
mumbling chants, and burning candles in a circle around him.)
Nabiki: ..But not much.
Mikado: (shaking his head) This is too insane around here for me.. (Offers
Nabiki his hand.) Would you care to go out for some food?
Nabiki: (Ponders a few moments) I don't know, I'm a little short on funds
these days...
Mikado: (waves his hand) Not a problem, I'll buy.
Nabiki: (shrugs) If that's the case, why not?
(The pair of them walk out the school gates, followed only by the curious gaze
of Ranma...)
Ranma: Did you just see that?
Akane: (putting away a hammer) See what?
Ranma: Nabiki. She just walked off the school grounds with some guy, smiling.
Akane: Probably another scam of hers. What's the big deal?
Ranma: I dunno, she was smiling, and it looked... It looked... (Struggling
with the word, like he just couldn't place it with the person he's talking
about..) It looked honest.
Akane: Feh, it's just in your head, baka. (Glances at Ranma suspiciously) Why
are you so protective of her suddenly, anyways?
Ranma: Uhh, err... (Thought) Uh oh...
************
(A small restaurant. Nabiki and Mikado are sitting down at a table in one
corner, Mikado sipping at a drink, while Nabiki is dealing with a rather large
parfait. Mikado looks distant, not really there..)
Nabiki: (looking up from her parfait, notices Mikado's far-off look) Hello?
(Waves her hand in front of Mikado's face) Earth to Mikado.... (Smirks, sits
back down in her seat, thought) Free food, can't say much for conversation,
though.. Oh well, it's free..
Mikado: (snaps into consciouness, shaking his head. He smiles absently) I'm
sorry, did you say something?
Nabiki: Just wondering why you've seemed so out of it since we got here..
Mikado: (looks around the place) This place has.. Memories to it.. When I
went to my old school, I came here often..
Nabiki: I thought it was a bit out of the way. But it's still really close to
Furikan.. Why'd you leave your last school?
Mikado: (shifts in his seat, nervously) Well, I don't like to get into that..
Nabiki: (thought) Hmm. Potential bribing information.. (Spoken) Go on, I can
see you really want to tell someone..
Mikado: (relaxing, slightly) I suppose it would be best to talk about it with
someone.. (Gazes over at Nabiki) And I feel that I can trust you..
Nabiki: (starts, as the kanji for 'guilt' loom over her head..) Uhh, thanks..
Mikado: (reminising) It all started at the end of my last school year..
(Flashback sequence!!)
(A shot of Kolkhoz High, Mikado's former high school. A far more grandly
dressed Mikado is standing at the front steps of Kolkhoz's ice rink. He is
facing an older, tall female, with silky black hair.)
Mikado: (voice over) I was in grade nine, and I'd been the co-captain of the
skating club for almost a year, skating by the side of Kazuko, my.. Sempai..
We'd been sucessful together, and our victories on the ice were numerous. I
respected her highly.. Unfortunately, it was her graduating year.. She was
leaving school early, she had decided to go over to a North American school as
a transfer student, and had to leave during the summer break...
Mikado: I see... So you're really leaving?
Female voice: Yes. I've graduated now, and it's time to move on...
Sanzenin..?
Mikado: (turning around) Yes?
Female voice: Sanzenin.. I know it's hard for you, my leaving, but you'll
find someone else, I'm sure of it!
Mikado: (sadly) No... There's no one who could ever replace you Kageko..
Kageko: Don't worry Mikado, I know you can do it.. (leans forward, and kisses
Mikado gently) I'll never forget our times together, Mikado...
Mikado: K.. Kageko-chan....
Kageko: I'm.. I'm sorry! (runs off past Mikado, leaving him staring off
where she ran)
Mikado: (thought) Kageko, none shall ever compare to you... (walks outside,
looking out into the sunny skies. ) Another year has gone by.. Next year I'll
be a senior.. But what joy will there be without the success of a great
partner by my side? (sighs) I'll probably never find a suitable
replacement....
(Fade out to gray, on Mikado's sorrowful figure.)
Mikado: (voice over) I couldn't have been more wrong, really. There was a new
skater on the circuit, going to enter high school in the next year. Her name
was Azusa Shiratori, brilliant on the ice.. Though a little less talented
than myself. Unfortunately, Azusa definately isn't one who lets others be
above her..
(Scenes of Azusa screaming at Mikado, bashing Mikado over the head with
various objects.. Berating the coach, whining, crying...)
Mikado: (voice over) In fact, she was so jealous of my talent, that she
basically beat myself and the skating coach into submission. It just wasn't
worth it, my remaining male captain of the club. Afterwards, they found a
suitable partner for Azusa, appropriately less talented than herself, but
still quite competent.
(A close up of Ryuuken's smirking face. Fade to black.)
(** end flashback **)
Mikado: (sighs) After that, I gave up skating for a while. I couldn't go on
with Azusa watching over me like that... And even that wasn't enough. She
kept a watch on me, occasionally finding it necessary to.. (Grimaces) remind
me of who the 'better' of the two of us were.
Nabiki: (looking vaguely bored) Which brings you here.
Mikado: (nods) Yes. I'm hoping that I can take up skating again, and perhaps
gain back my old skill.
Nabiki: (mentally) Another team means more business for betting.. (Spoken)
Oh, I think you should, I think our team needs a few more male skaters.. Any
male skaters, in fact.
Mikado: (bemused smile) I'm sure I could attempt to fill that gap..
Nabiki: (smiling back slyly) I'm sure you could.
*************
(A public ice rink, the same one Akane had been at earlier. Akane and Ranma
are both on the ice, some with more of their body on the ice than others.)
Ranma: (sprawled across the ice) This isn't funny!
Akane: Hahh haha!! (in a mocking tone) "I'm a martial artist, I can do
anything!" he says. Baka! (Akane skates away.)
Ranma: Hey! Get back here! I look ridiculous like this!
(Ranma stops his protests, momentarily, as soon as he realizes he's being
lifted to his feet. He manages to turn around enough to see Mikado.)
Ranma: Who...? Get your hands off of me! (leaps away.)
Mikado: A thousand apologies, I simply noticed that you were in need of
help.
Ranma: I can do fine by myself!
Mikado: (shrugs) If you insist...
(Mikado skates off, leaving Ranma to his lonesome.)
Ranma: In need of help. Feh. I can do this....
(Ranma starts to skate forward, and actually succeeds. He flies forward
on this momentum, quite unable to stop.)
Ranma: Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!
(Ranma flies right across the rink, and right into the side wall, making
a nice impression. Meanwhile, Mikado is skating around the rink,
looking like he's simply trying to get up to a certain speed. He weaves
between other skaters, zipping by them so quickly some don't even notice.
The people that do notice, are the ones standing at the sidelines.)
Female 1: Oh wow, what a hunk!
Female 2: Isn't that Mikado?
Female 3: I hear he moved to Furikan just today. Gawd, I get to share
a school with that babe!
(Behind this trio of babbling women is Nabiki, who is looking at them
all with an appraising eye.)
Nabiki: (interjecting into their conversation) I couldn't help but
overhear.. You were all interested in the blonde skating on the
ice? (they all nod. Nabiki smiles.) Well, it just so happens..
(pulling out some photos from her purse) That I have some items
you might be interested in....
(The females around Nabiki all go wide-eyed. Moments later,
Nabiki is walking away from the group, less a few photos, but
holding a large sum in yen bills instead.)
Nabiki: This could be the start of something wonderful...
(Meanwhile, back on the ice, Akane has skated over to where Ranma is,
and is working on removing him from the wall of the ice rink.)
Akane: And you say I'm the clutz!
Ranma: (weakly) And.. the.. uncute.. tomboy..
Akane: (steaming up) Fine! Let's just see how you like staying like
that!
(Akane skates off, leaving Ranma still a part of the wall. Mikado
skates by Ranma, and notices his predicament.)
Mikado: Excuse me.. Are you sure you don't need help?
Ranma: Maybe.. Just this.. Once
(Mikado tries to supress a grin, and pulls Ranma apart from the wall.
Both look far worse for wear.)
Mikado: I'd think it best if *someone* gave you some lessons. Before
the rink suffers anymore.
Ranma: (pushing away) Yeah right! This skating thing is easy! (to
exemplify this, Ranma skates away for a few meters, and falls down.)
Mikado: (fully failing to hide his grin.) Can I at least get you
over to the entrance?
(Mikado picks up Ranma, regardless of what Ranma is attempting to
say, and skates over to the rink entrance. He sets him down, and
pulls out a packet of smelling salts. He runs them underneath
Ranma's nose, who snaps into consciousness. He looks up at
Mikado with an angry glare.)
Mikado: (putting his hand out) Sanzenin Mikado.
Ranma: (grasps Mikado's hand) Saotome Ranma.
(Mikado helps Ranma to his feet, who is still giving him a nasty
look)
Ranma: I told you I could do it by myself.
Mikado: (smiling) For the sake of the rink, I thought I'd save
you the trouble.
Akane: Ranma! There you are!
(Both Mikado and Ranma turn to face Akane, who does a quick stop
in front of them.)
Akane: Where'd you get to, you baka?
Mikado: (thinking) Oh dear, it is these two...
Ranma: Hey! I would've been fine if he (pointing to Mikado)
hadn't got in my way!
(Mikado only responds with a raised eyebrow. Akane turns to
face him.)
Akane: Well?
Mikado: I simply thought it best for the rink if he wasn't on
it..
Akane: Well, you thought wrong! I need him to help me practice!
Mikado: Practice for what?
Akane: To get on the Furikan Skating Club, you idiot!
Mikado: Really? I could help you - I'm trying to get in as
well..
(Akane looks dubious, and is about to reply, when Ranma steps in.)
Ranma: She doesn't need your help, pal.
Akane: Ranma! If he's trying to get on the team, we might as
well help each other.. It means I won't have to *train* anybody
first.. (to Mikado) I'd be happy for any help you could give
me.
Mikado: And I'd be happy to help. (Mikado skates out onto the ice)
Follow my lead. I'll see what level you're at right now..
(Akane and Mikado skate out onto the ice, leaving behind a fuming
Ranma.)
Ranma: "I'd be happy to help." What an obvious line...
(Ranma looks up to see Nabiki watching from the sidelines. She's
watching Mikado and Akane, arms crossed, and her face set in a
frown.)
Ranma: (thinking) What's with her...
(On the ice, Mikado and Akane are skating along, Mikado performing
a few spins, and a double axel. Akane follows along shakily,
pulling off a spin, but falls down after a failed axel. Mikado
skates over to her quickly, and helps her up.)
Mikado: Are you all right?
Akane: Y.. Yes.. Thanks..
Mikado: It's my pleasure, of course..
(Mikado would have gone on, if a leg hadn't connected with his
face. Mikado falls to the ice, sliding away from a suprised
Akane. She turns around to see Mikado's assailiant..)
Akane: Azusa?
Azusa: (landing on the ice, and drawing herself up beside
Ryuuken) Well well, look who's here.. I thought I told you
not to cross me again..
Akane: What? What did I do?!
(Azusa points down to Mikado, who is just now sitting up.)
Azusa: Stay away from him, if you know what's good for you.
(Azusa skates away, while Ryuuken stays behind, skating over
to Mikado.)
Ryuuken: Well Mikado, here's a situation I *always*
wanted to see.
Mikado: (rubbing his face, trying to stand up) Ryuuken..
You're the last person I want to see today.
Ryuuken: (smiles, pushing Mikado back down to the ice)
Too bad, isn't it? How does it feel, Sanzenin, being
the second best now? I knew you weren't a good enough
skat...
(This time Ryuuken is cut short, but Mikado's sweeping
him off his feet. Mikado stands up, a cold look in his
eyes. He grabs Ryuken by the arm, bringing him up to
his feet.)
Mikado: I think I hear your master.. Oh sorry, partner,
calling..
(Mikado starts spinning around in one place, dragging
Ryuuken around with him. Soon, the pair of them become
a blur. Ryuuken flies off, screaming, across the rink,
while Mikado stops spinning suddenly, and flips his
hair back. His face drops from it's serious expression
to one of pleasure.)
Mikado: I've wanted to do that for a while..
(Mikado skates over to Akane)
Mikado: Have you met her before?
Akane: Once.. What's her problem with you?
Mikado: Long story.
Azusa: (breaking into the conversation) A rather
short story, actually..
(Mikado and Akane turn around to see Azusa and
Ryuuken standing beside each other. Ryuuken looks
ruffled, but otherwise okay. Azusa is stewing silently,
a cold look in her eyes.)
Azusa: A story that's going to END, Mikado.. Soon! I
challenge you two!
Mikado and Akane: What?
Mikado: We're not actually a pair..
Azusa: Hmph. You could have fooled me! But it doesn't
matter- I can't continue skating if you insist on
insulting the ice with your presence! So here's
the deal - the loser of the match doesn't skate,
ever again!
Mikado: I... Agree to your terms.
Akane: (steps forward) I don't let any bimbo push me
around! You're on!
Azusa: (letting out a little laugh) Well, I'm glad we're
so agreeable! Next Friday, at the Kolkhoz High
rink.. Be there.. I'm so looking forward to
your funeral!
Mikado: (looking over at Akane) Sorry for getting you
into this..
Akane: (Blinking a bit) What are we 'into' anyways?
Mikado: A lot of practice, if we're to have any chance..
*************
end of chapter 1
*************
I basically segmented this one, because i wanted commentary on what I had
so far. :) Any comments and criticism are welcome. Mr. Biles, hopefully I
didn't offend you by using purple robes. If you want, I can cut that
scene out..
- Eric