This is in response to the two fics just posted, the first by
Brian Randall, the second by DB Sommer.  I wouldn't normally right
something like this, it just seemed to good an opportunity to pass up
though.  Apologies in advance.



------------------------------



  Looking over the railing into the icy abyss below, Ryoga
contemplated his life.  The endless torment had only worsened with the
weather.  The bright blues and greens of spring and summer gave way
relentlessly to the gray bleakness of winter.  Warmth turned chill and
light darkened, all this with the coming of Ranma.  It just wasn't fair,
Ranma had everything and didn't appreciate anything, not to mention the
torment he inflicted.  It just wasn't fair.  But perhaps there was a way
out.  A quick hop over the rail would bring a fast, painless death and
it would all be over, no more pain or suffering, just the coldness of
death, and why worry of the cold when he had felt Ranma's icy fists
inflict far greater pain than any person should suffer.

  He was on top of the rail now looking down, trying to gauge how long
it would take to end.  Most likely it would only be a second before he
hit the water, then without a struggle he would slip under the waves and
bring an end to the misery.

  "You don't really want to do that.  You've so much to live for
still." spoke a strong voice, startling Ryoga and causing him to slip on
the rail, landing with legs on either side of the rail and an
interesting new sensation from parts below.

  "Ahhh! Ohh!  Don't surprise people like that, you could end up
killing someone!"

  "Maybe we can do that later, but for now we just had to stop you
from doing such a wasteful act, you've so much left to do."  The words
were still strong and now Ryoga could see they came from a dark looming
figure on the other side of the bridge. no wonder he didn't notice the
man before.

  "Who are you, and what the heck do you know about me?"

  "The name is Shiz, lesser demon of vengeance; and heck has
everything to with what I know about you.  I'm here to "enlighten" you
regarding how much you've left to live for."

  "So you're supposed to be a demon, right?  I don't see any horns or
tail or pitchforks?"

  Shiz frowned and said "Well you see, that's where you come in to the
picture.  Depending on my success with you, I'll get a promotion, which
comes with those."

  "So what, you want me to sell you my soul?  Do I look stupid?"

  "I want nothing of the sort.  I just want to show you what life
around here would be like without you."

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  Shiz shook his head and snorted, "Not all that bright are you?  Come
on, just remember they can't see or hear you."

  "I don't understand.  What do you mean?"

  Shiz's only reply was "I don't care."  With that simple
pronouncement, Shiz turned around

and everything shifted.



***



  Light filtered in through  the windows bringing a pleasant
atmosphere.  Pictures decorated the wall, knickknacks were placed with
care, and two people sat around a table staring lovingly into each
others eyes.  Ryoga could only stare in wonder at the pair of very
familiar faces.

  "Mom, Dad, I can't believe it, we've never all been home together
before."

  Ryoga's wonderment was soon displaced as he ran to embrace his
parents only to pass on through them and tumble to the floor,  "What
happened?  How did, it's just not possible."

  "I told you it was impossible to interfere.  Anyway, you're looking
at the world as it would exist had you never been born.  Without you
around, your dad never left the house alone to buy diapers for you.  He
and your mother allways stayed together even getting lost together. 
Without you, they were able to share their lives filled with love for
each other."

  "I thought you were trying to convince me to go on living" mumbled
Ryoga.

  "I am, this is just the beginning." With that said, Shiz spun around
again bringing them to a new seen.  "And here you see how Ukyou's life
would've turned out, had you never been."

  Ryoga gawked at the magnificent church in front of them.  The bells
were ringing out joyfully as the chapel doors opened, spilling out a
wondrous celebration.  Konatsu, dressed in a tux came running out while
carrying a Ukyou in white.  It was a beautiful sight, and most
unbelievable.  "Yeah, right.  As if Ukyou would ever give up on Ranma. 
What kind of joke are you trying to pull here?"

  "No tricks you see, without you here, Ukyou never found anyone to
try and hook up with Akane,  She was left without any recourse and
finally gave up on Ranma.  In the following depression, she finally
noticed how much Konatsu loved her and found that she too had feelings
for the kunoichi.  They dated one week and here they are, married and in
love.  Sickening."

  "So what are you saying, everybody would have been better off if I
hadn't been born?"

  "Absolutely, why here's yet another couple this trip wouldn't be
complete without showing."

  Presently, two other figures walked out of the chapel, following
Konatsu and Ukyou.  Ryoga stared in horror as Ranma and Akane walked
hand in hand out the chapel.  "No, they can't be together, she hates him
and the way he treats her."

  Shiz smiled, "Not really, in fact without you to interfere there
were a lot fewer misunderstandings which were eventually straightened
out and they were married.  As you can see, Ranma's the best man and
Akane is the maid of honor.  Why it's down right disgusting how happy
they are without you."

  "How dare he, using my absence to take advantage of Akane.  Poor,
sweet Akane.  She deserves so much better than Ranma.  How dare Ranma be
happy, while I'm so miserable.  In fact." seethed Ryoga, oblivious to
immense grin now sported on Shiz's face.

  "Ranma, this is all your fault, prepare to die!!!  Shi-Shi-Hokoden"
shouted Ryoga sending a swirling mass of green energy at Ranma's shade. 
As it passed neared Ranma, the whole image faded away, leaving Ryoga and
Shiz standing in a black void, the chi bullet whirling away into oblivion.

  "You see now how happy they are without you?  Are you still ready so
eager to end your life now?"  questioned the obviously rejoicing lesser
demon of vengeance.

  "How dare Ranma have joy while I suffer so much!  I'll show him. 
Saotome Ranma, know this:  I swear I'll destroy your happiness!  I swear
it!!"

  "Good, now that we have that out of the way, how would you like me
to provide you with the power to destroy Ranma?"

  "I'll give anything to destroy his happiness, anything!"

  "Really?  Anything..."



***



As Ryoga leaves the bridge, Shiz remains in the shadows grinning
wickedly at his success.  He had known it wouldn't take much, and now he
had taken his first soul and brought further misery and sorrow into the
lives of many others.  Oh it was a good day to be evil.  With that
thought, he turned and stepped through the shadows.



xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



There now, is my first fic posted to the FFML.  Hope everyone enjoyed
it, even though it was rather predictable I think.



Later

-- Mike O.