Part Four
Pan was packing for the Dragonball hunt. Warm weather clothes, cold weather clothes, scuba gear capsules, etc you never knew what you needed for these trips. Ranma and Akane were packing similarly. The three of them had made arrangements to miss school for a month. In exchange for studying ahead with Ms. Hinako (she was hanging around the dojo anyway), they got the month off for the hunt. Granted, they had to beat the deal out of Principal Kuno, but that’s beside the point.
“Don’t forget the radar.” Ranma reminded Pan.
Pan held up her wrist, showing the radar already attached. “Got it.” Pan noticed Ranma packing a kettle. “What’s that for?”
“In case I get wet.”
“Oh yeah.” Pan gave her forehead a high-five.
Akane was going over everything they had packed. “We’ve got all our clothes. Kasumi packed us some food. Ranma has the kettle. You have the radar. Is there any thing else we need?”
Pan shook her head. “I think that’s everything.”
“What about tents?” Ranma asked.
Pan pulled a small box out of her bag and opened it. Inside was a series of little capsules with buttons on top. “These are dynocaps. All our housing or vehicle needs are inside. I even have some extra food, just in case.”
Ranma and Akane looked at her with questioning gazes.
Pan removed one of the capsules and pressed the button and tossed it into an empty area on the floor. With a small explosion and a puff of smoke, a little refrigerator appeared.
Ranma and Akane were amazed. They’d seen Mousse pull a similar trick, but that fridge didn’t come out of any clothes.
Pan pressed a button on the side and the fridge shrunk down into capsule form. She then replaced it in the box and put the box back in the bag. “That should cover everything. Let’s say bye to everyone and get going.”
The household gathered in the backyard. Everyone was saying goodbye to the Dragonball hunters, except for Nabiki who was too busy chatting away on the phone.
Genma slapped Ranma on the back. “Now son, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Ranma leered at his father. “I won’t do anything you would do. I intend on paying for my food…and not selling my traveling companions.”
Soun took Akane aside. “Now, make sure to take care of Ranma. A good wife always looks after her husband, making sure he is properly fed and such.”
Akane bared her teeth and started to growl at Soun. Soun took the hint and backed off and went to Ranma. “Now son, make sure you watch out for my little girl. We wouldn’t want anything happening to your future wife, now would we?”
“Yeah I’ll keep an eye on the tomboy. I can’t let anything happen to her or you’ll never stop crying.”
“Wham!” The obligatory mallet flattened Ranma.
Ranma just got back up and brushed himself off. Man, that training really paid off! I can hardly feel that anymore.
Kasumi came over told them to have a nice trip and to be careful. “Nabiki! Aren’t you going to say goodbye to them?”
Nabiki was still chatting on the phone. “Trust me Trunksy, sell that stock and by the Cycorp. You won’t regret it. Oh yeah, thanks for the flowers. They’re lovely. Hold on, the kids are about to leave.” Nabiki covered the receiver of the phone. “Good luck guys. Trunks says have a safe trip.”
Pan laughed to herself. Trunks and Nabiki had been getting along great. Of course Pan had to tell Trunks to send flowers and call her, but what can you expect from a Saiya-Jin male? At least Trunks has an advantage of having a least one normal parent. “Tell Trunks, we will and we might drop by some time and visit.”
Pan, Ranma, and Akane said another round of goodbyes and put on their packs. After checking to make sure everything was secured they took off into the air. Pan checked the radar for the closest Dragonball. It was a few miles to the Southwest. They flew to above cloud level and took off for the first Dragonball.
Along the way, Ranma was doing loop-de-loops and 360s. Pan just flew straight ahead, occasionally looking at her watch. Akane was holding the rear, barely able to maintain the pace that Pan and Ranma had set. She didn’t say anything about it because she didn’t want to admit that Ranma was better than her. She had managed to learn how to control her Ki to some extent. She still had trouble with the blasts, but she could control her flight now. She hadn’t taken to the weighted clothing yet. Pan wanted her to learn more control before she did.
After a while Akane started to lag behind. She was sweating and a vein was stuck out on her head from the concentration and strain of maintaining the flight. Ranma drifted back to fly beside her.
“You okay, Akane?”
“I’m…Fine.”
“You want to take a break or something?”
“No…don’t want …to lose…time.”
“You want some help?”
Akane mustered up a little more strength and scowled at Ranma. “What do you care? Don’t worry I can keep up!”
Ranma just looked at her. He wanted to say how much he cared, but couldn’t.
“Let’s just keep going.” Akane sped up and started to catch up with Pan.
Ranma shrugged and followed her. Ranma watched as Akane started to slow down again and start to descend. Ranma shook his head and dove down to her. He flew down and grabbed her around her waist and pulled her back up.
“What are you doing, you pervert?” Akane was too tired to hit him. She was quietly relieved that Ranma had decided to give her a hand.
“I’m giving you a lift. If I don’t carry you, we’ll lose Pan, you stupid tomboy!” Ranma did notice that she didn’t hit him and that she had automatically put her arms around his neck.
“Just don’t try anything funny.”
“Who’d want to do anything with an uncute, unsexy, macho tomboy like you.”
Akane had an unnatural smile on her face when she looked at Ranma. You would.
Ranma saw the smile. All the sudden a feeling of dread swept through him. He powered up and caught up with Pan.
Pan looked back and saw Ranma carrying Akane. She had noticed Akane lagging behind, but had waited to see what Ranma would do. It’s about time!
“How much further?” Ranma actually had to work now. Not only did he have his weighted clothing and his pack, but now he also had Akane and her pack as well (and you know how women pack).
“About another 50 kilometers. We’ll be there any minute.”
After a while they started to descend to tree level. They didn’t see any towns around so they continued to fly to the Dragonball. About 100 meters from the ball they landed in front of a cave. The cave was crawling with moss and bats could be heard on the inside.
Pan shook her head. How come the Dragonballs can never land in a health spa or a resort?
The three entered the cave. Sure enough, the ceilings were full of bats and other unsavory things. Pan took the lead with the Dragon radar with Akane and Ranma close behind. Akane kept close to Ranma, but no too close.
They walked until they came to where the Dragon Radar said the Dragonball was. They looked around and found no ball. Pan checked the radar again. They were indeed in the right place.
“Hey look! Up there!” Akane pointed up.
Pan and Ranma looked in the direction that Akane pointed out and saw a very large bat holding a stalactite in one claw and the three-stared Dragonball in the other. The bat looked to be sleeping peacefully.
“Well, let’s just grab it and go.” Ranma flew up to the bat and grabbed the ball and tried to wiggle it loose. “This sucker has a tight grip on it.” Ranma started shaking the ball and trying to pry it loose from the bat’s grip. “Leggo you stupid bat!” Ranma pulled hard on the ball and the rock of the stalactite broke off in the bats other claw. Ranma shook the bat back and forth. It still wouldn’t let go! “Damn it!” Ranma started beating the bat against the ceiling to try to make it let go.
Finally the bat flew off the ball. It landed against the wall and transformed! In the bat’s place stood a man in a suit and cape. He looked up and reminded Ranma of Ryoga with his fangs.
The man stood up and shook his head. “Vhy did you Vake me! I vas having good dream!”
Ranma lowered back to the ground. “Sorry man, but we needed the Dragonball. I just thought you were a dumb bat.”
“That’s my Dragonball!”
Ranma cracked his knuckles. “Alright. Then I, Ranma Saotome, challenge you for the Dragonball!”
“Then I, Dorakyu Man <Dracula Man>, accept.”
The combatants squared off, and attacked!
The fight took all of two seconds, leaving Dorakyu Man dazed against a wall. After a bit he stood up and shook his head. “I haven’t felt like that since the last time I worked for Uranai Baba.”
Pan stepped foreward. “You know Uranai Baba? Old Granny?”
“Yes, and Yes. How do you know her?”
“She’s a friend of the family.”
“Vhat is your name little von?”
“Son Pan.”
“Any relation to Son Goku?”
“He’s my grandpa.”
Dorakyu Man breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I von’t have to vorry about the Dragonball being in the vrong hands. You are velcome to it.”
“Thanks. It’s time to head on to the next ball. Goodbye, and thank you!” Pan waved and started flying to the entrance. Akane waved and said goodbye as well.
Ranma walked up and bowed to the vampire. “Thanks, and, uh, sorry about the beating.”
Dorakyu Man rolled his eyes. “Don’t Vorry. Happens all the time these days.”
Ranma and the girls flew out the mouth of the cave. They checked the radar for the next ball and flew towards the next one until sunset. They found a clearing and decided to make camp.
Ranma sat down his pack. “So, what kind of tents do you have in that box?”
Pan pulled out the dynocaps and smiled. “Tents, shments. We’re staying in a house.”
“What?”
Pan depressed the button on the capsule in her hand and tossed it into the clearing. With the usual boom and smoke, a house instantly formed. “All the comforts of home. I sure could use a bath after spelunking through that cave.”
Akane and Ranma still had a hard time believing what they saw. Where does she get those wonderful toys? They both thought.
Akane finally recovered after a second. “I could too. I’m exhausted!”
Ranma turned to Akane. “You’re exhausted! I was the one that had to carry you!”
“Not like I asked you to!” Akane bit back.
“If I hadn’t you would have crashed before you asked! Besides, you didn’t say no!”
“Oh so now I’m supposed to be all thankful and happy for your help. I don’t need help from a pervert like you!”
“Uncute tomboy!”
“Pervert.”
After a few more exchanges, Pan had finally had enough. “Stop it already! You guys are giving me a migraine! How can you guys keep fighting like this?”
Ranma shrugged his shoulders. “Practice.”
Pan shook her head. “Whatever. This is a two bedroom, so Ranma you’ll have to crash on the couch. I got dibs on the bath first.”
They all went into the capsule house and prepared for bed. Pan changed into her usual pajamas. Ranma slept in his boxers and tank top. Akane really wasn’t expecting a house, so she didn’t pack her pajamas. So she decided to just wear her gi. She came out of the bathroom and Ranma was waiting to use it. Ranma saw what she was wearing to bed.
“Are going to wear anything else this trip? Those will start to smell you know.”
Akane started to get mad again. “Stop making fun of me you…you…”
Ranma cocked an eye. “Pervert?”
Akane slapped him and went to her bedroom and slammed the door.
Ranma rubbed the spot on his face where she slapped him. Why do I always do that? Now I’m the bad guy! He shook his head and took his bath.
After his bath Ranma went up and knocked on Akane’s door.
“Yes?”
“It’s
me. Can I come in for a second.”
“No! Go away!”
She’s still mad. “Look…I’m uh, sorry.”
Silence.
She must be REALLY mad. Ranma thought. “Akane, I’m sorry about the smelling crack. I’m even sorry about getting mad about having to carry you. Akane?”
Akane was almost enjoying this. Two apologies in as many sentences. I wonder what I’ll get if I stay quiet?
“Come on Akane! Just talk to me! I said I’m sorry!”
A shout came from Pan’s room. “Akane! Forgive him already so I can get some sleep!”
Akane finally opened her door. She looked at Ranma. She saw that he was really sorry this time. She also sensed a little uneasiness about him. “Okay. I forgive you. Just stop making fun of me.”
Ranma relaxed. “I’ll try.”
Akane lifted an eyebrow at him.
“I’ll try. Really!”
“We’ll talk tomorrow. I need to rest.”
Before she could shut her door, Ranma said, “Goodnight Akane.”
Akane smiled at him. “Goodnight Ranma.”
She shut her door and went to bed. Ranma grabbed a blanket and crashed on the couch. After a minute or two of tossing and turning, Ranma finally gave up and crashed on the floor.
Pan lay in her bed thinking about everything she heard. He first thought was: I really need to talk to Bulma about making these walls thicker. Or at least soundproofing them. Her next thought, however, was: I’ve got to do something about those two. If they keep this up, they’ll keep pushing each other away and someday they’ll push too far. Pan thought about it a little bit more as she drifted off to sleep.
The next day Pan packed up the capsule home and Ranma and Akane packed their stuff. Pan finally had an idea.
“Ranma, Akane, I want to give you guys a challenge.”
Ranma cracked his knuckles. “All right. Bring it on!”
Akane didn’t look too confident. “What is it?”
“I want you two stop fighting for a day. Any time either you want to insult the other, say a compliment.”
Ranma facefaulted. He recovered and stood up. “What kind of stupid challenge is that? It’s impossible!”
“Maybe for you, you can’t control yourself.”
“I can’t control myself…Listen to mallet woman!”
Pan jumped between the two. “Stop it right now! I’m trying to help you two. Last night it was only a slap. Do you two want your fights to come to blows?”
Ranma looked at Akane. He never liked fighting girls. He certainly didn’t want to hurt any of them. After a bit he admitted to himself: Especially Akane.
Akane looked at Ranma. She had been hitting him everyday since she had met him. All the sudden, she had a startling revelation. He has always been stronger and faster than me. When I sparred with him on the first day, he dodged everything I had with hardly any effort. Yesterday he had to carry me. He could have dodged my blows at anytime. He’s been letting me hit him! Why? Unless…
Akane’s voice was barely audible. “I’ll try.”
Pan and Ranma looked at her. “What?”
Akane steeled herself and looked at them. “I’ll take your challenge Pan!”
Ranma was taken aback. What is she thinking? She won’t last an hour! Okay I’ll bite. “I guess I’ll take it as well.”
Pan looked at them. Let’s see if they even know how to compliment each other.
The trio took off toward the next Dragonball. They took a slower pace for Akane. Ranma had decided on a foolproof plan that would win him the challenge: Don’t speak. He wouldn’t lose and he wouldn’t have to think of a compliment for Akane. It was brilliant. Akane had pretty much came up with the same plan, but she had a contingency plan: Stockpiling compliments just in case. Pan was slightly bugged that they weren’t following her plan the way she thought they should, but she was thankful that she had some peace and quiet.
After flying for a while, they decided to eat something. Akane tried her best to hide how tired she was; Ranma was as oblivious as always. Pan reached into her pack and pulled out one of the packages that Kasumi had packed for them. The food was good, or course. Ranma and Akane dug into their packages as well.
After eating their fill, Ranma leaned back and relaxed. “It’s too bad…” he stifled the comment before he could finish.
Akane and Pan looked at him. Akane spoke up, “What’s too bad?”
“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“Does it have to do with the trip?”
“No…Uh…I said forget it.”
“Does it have to do with the Dragonballs?”
“Forget it!” Ranma looked down to the container that formerly held his lunch.
Akane looked down at her container. She looked back up at Ranma with anger. “You were going to make a crack about my cooking, weren’t you?!”
A foolproof plan, yup…but apparently I’m a more than average fool. Think quick Ranma! “I was just going to say it’s too bad, that…uh…we don’t get more quiet time like this. Yeah! Too just sit and enjoy nature!” Damn, I’m good!
Akane shook her head. “And you expect me to believe that! You…” Akane put both hands over her mouth. I almost lost before Ranma! I’m prepared for this…Really I am!
Ranma raised an eyebrow. The challenge is mine! “I what?”
Akane’s face strained from the effort. “You…sensitive…man.”
Ranma was shocked! She actually did it! She spit out a compliment!
Akane saw that the pig-tailed martial artist was off balance. “So what to you have to say about that?”
Ranma was getting a headache from having to think of something. “You not-uncute…not-tomboy…”
It took every ounce of energy that Pan had to keep from rolling on the ground laughing. She may have to excuse herself just so she could let it out.
Encouraged by the success of her first compliment and the faltering response from Ranma, Akane continued, “You’re very modest as well.” She only had to keep saying the opposites of her former insults and victory would be hers.
Ranma didn’t respond as expected. He burst out into laughter. After a couple of seconds, he fell to the ground laughing. Pan couldn’t handle it any more; she had to laugh as well. Akane saw the pair and started to get mad.
“Stop laughing at me!”
Pan brought herself to a reasonable calm, or at least able to make out intelligible speech. “Sorry Akane. But that was so obviously wrong it was hilarious. Even Ranma knows he’s conceited!”
“Yeah!” Ranma managed to get out between snickers.
“You never said the compliments had to be true!”
“You’re right, but that was just too funny Akane! Come on. Think about it. It’s hilarious!”
Akane thought about it a second and laughed at herself. So it wasn’t a perfect scheme. Maybe I should try a different angle…I’ll think of something.
After every one had brought themselves under control, the party broke camp. Pan turned to the others. “The next Dragonball is still over a day away at our current rate. We’ll fly until supper time and then set up for the night.”
“Okay.” The others responded.
After flying for a bit Akane decided to use her new tactic. “You’re…looking…” (again, straining from the effort) “handsome…today…Ranma.” There I’ve done it!
Ranma almost fell out of the sky. After righting himself he thought, She’s just trying to beat me in Pan’s challenge. She’s…She’s not serious. I’ll just keep quiet
“Did you hear me?”
“Yeah I heard you.”
“Do you have anything to say?”
Think! Think! Think! “You’re looking cute yourself.” Waitaminute! That’s not what I was thinking about!
It was Akane’s turn to almost fall out of the sky. Was Ranma turning her own tactic against her? Or was he lying? Her new tactic was to say what she really thought about him. Was he doing the same, or lying? I’ll fix his wagon! “You’re also very strong.”
Ranma was still struggling. “That outfit…looks nice on you.”
Akane took a quick look at herself. She was wearing a red sweater with dark blue pants. Nothing special, he’d seen it before. Nahh…He’s just grasping at straws. Akane knew it was her turn in this tit-for-tat match. She was just not used to coming up with compliments. “I think it’s nice of you to keep watching out for me.”
“Oh it’s nothing. I like that look on your face when I do.” Ranma was starting to speak without thinking. Something he was good at, but this is the first time he wasn’t swallowing his foot because of it.
Not really a compliment. Akane thought. He didn’t stutter on that one. What does that mean?
Ranma finally realized what he had said. I hope she doesn’t take that seriously. Or maybe I want her to? What is wrong with me?
Pan had a smug look on her face. This is working out better than I thought. They might actually start believing each other after a while.
The rest of the flight for the day went the same way, Ranma and Akane trying to best each other and trying to get the other one to react. They found a good place to set up camp and popped out the Capsule home. Again Ranma found himself waiting for Akane to get out of the bathroom. Pan walked by him to go to her room.
“Hey, Pan. How much longer until we get to that ball?”
“We can probably get there tomorrow.”
“We’d make better time if it wasn’t for…”
“WHAM!” The bathroom door flew open and knocked him back. Ranma got back up rubbing his head.
“What’s the big idea? You…” He caught himself.
Akane was glaring at him. “If it wasn’t for? You?”
Ranma was trying to hold back the flow of insults. The day’s not over yet! “If it wasn’t for the…uh…heavy winds. You…You…graceful, woman.” He tried to put as much sarcasm in the last sentence as possible.
Akane caught the sarcasm. “You smart man!” She responded with some of her own.
They continued arguing with compliments. Pan realized that she had not really done much to help them. She took consolation in at least it sounded like she had.
The next morning they Dragonball hunters broke camp and continued on to the next ball. After a while they arrived at a large city. The Dragon Radar showed the ball was ahead of them a short distance. They flew around the city to verify that the ball was indeed there. They searched for a good place to land without being noticed. They found a fairly secluded rooftop and sat down there. After making their way to the street they picked up the trail.
As they approached the Dragonball, the streets seemed to get busier and busier. People all around them were excited and cheerful. After walking a short distance, the trio found out why: a fair. There were rides and game booths. Circus tents were up everywhere with barkers at each of them trying to sell the contents of each.
Pan smiled at the scene. This isn’t so bad. I might have to try some of the rides after we get the ball. This could be fun!
Ranma walked up beside her. “So which way is the ball?”
Pan looked down at the watch and pointed over toward what looked like an arena. “Over there.”
They walked into the arena and took a look around. Ranma spotted something.
“There it is!”
Pan and Akane looked where he was pointing and saw the One-Star Dragonball.
“I’ll just grab it and we can be on our way.” Ranma took a step and Akane grabbed him by the neck of his shirt.
“Not so fast! Look a little lower.”
Ranma looked and realized what the Dragonball was resting atop a trophy labeled ‘First Prize’. “Wonder what that’s for?”
Pan saw a man off to the side giving out flyers. “Excuse me sir, but what is that trophy for?”
The man smiled and handed her a flyer. “The First Annual Martial Arts Beauty Contest.”
Pan took the flyer and looked over it with curiosity. What the…? She walked over and handed the flyer to Ranma. “What do you make of this? Whoever heard of a Martial Arts Beauty Contest?”
“Well, I’ve heard of Martial Arts Tea Ceremony, Martial Arts Ballroom Dancing, Martial Arts Eating, Martial Arts Takeout, Martial Arts cheerleading, Martial Arts flower arranging, Martial Arts cooking…”
“What the heck is all that! You’ve got to be kidding me!” Pan looked at Ranma to see if he was joking. “You’re not kidding, are you?”
“Nope. When we say ‘Anything Goes Martial Arts’, we mean ‘Anything Goes’!” Ranma beamed with pride.
“Okay. I guess.” Pan looked around and saw a sign that said: Contestants sign-in. “Let’s see if me and Akane can get in it then.”
Ranma let out a sigh of relief that she hadn’t volunteered him and followed her and Akane to the sign. When they walked over there they saw a long line of athletic looking and extremely beautiful and quite curvaceous women. Akane and Pan looked at themselves feeling a little inadequate.
Pan shook her head. She knew she had a good body, but not like some of those girls had, especially the fact that she didn’t have the chest that they did. “How can we compete with that?”
Akane was thinking along the same line. Making a decision she pulled out her canteen. “We won’t.”
Pan glanced at Akane with a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”
Akane took the lid off the canteen and splashed Ranma.
“What’dya do that for!” shouted a now female Ranma-Chan.
“You’re the only one who can really compete with those girls over there and you know it!” Akane hated to admit it, but it was true.
“I ain’t competing in no beauty contest!”
Pan grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him hard. “You’re going to participate and your going to win us that Dragonball!” Pan put Ranma down and continued. “Think of it as a final hurrah for your girl form. After all, when you get all the balls you’ll never see her again.”
Ranma-Chan thought about it for a second then nodded her head. “Okay. But this is the last time.”
Ranma-Chan got in line behind a brunette with hair done up in a ponytail. Ranma-Chan could have sworn that she was mumbling something to the effect of: “I’ll show Usagi and the rest that I’m the cutest and the toughest senshi…”
Ranma-Chan puts his hands behind his head and started staring at the ceiling. I wonder what that’s all about? Oh well, none of my business.
Just then another girl got in line behind Ranma-Chan. She had a wild look about her with her cyan hair in a spiky do that reminded Ranma-Chan of Goku. Ranma-Chan could feel an odd power coming from this girl. The new girl noticed Ranma-Chan’s attention.
“What are you looking at?”
Ranma-Chan shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.”
“I know you’re trying to size me up. I’ll just tell you right now, I’m going to be the one to win this contest.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
The girl clenched her fist at Ranma-Chan. “Don’t ‘yeah, whatever’ me little girl. Or I’ll pound you into the ground right now!”
Ranma-Chan rolled her eyes. “We’ll see at the contest.”
The new girl nodded her head. “True. You’ll see when I stomp you into the ground.”
Something about this girl reminded Ranma-Chan a lot of herself. Ranma smiled at that.
After a while the line of contestants were all checked in and shown to their dressing rooms. Pan and Akane caught up with Ranma-Chan in her dressing room.
Ranma-Chan turned to Pan. “So what am I supposed to wear?”
Pan smiled and pulled a capsule out of pocket. She pressed the button and threw it against a wall. A table with a mirror and makeup appeared along with a small cabinet with an assortment of clothes in it. “Instant beauty kit. I only use it for special occasions. Come on Akane! Time to play dress up!”
The two girls played with Ranma-Chan like they would a dolly when they were younger. Trying on several dresses, putting her hair in various hairstyles, and finding a suitable combination of makeup.
Akane remembered the flowing hairstyle that Ranma-Chan had worn when they were trapped on Togenkyo. She made Ranma-Chan’s hair look just like the way Cologne had fixed it then. Pan approved.
After they were all done, they had Ranma dressed in a form fitting emerald evening gown that went to mid-calf and had a long slit on the side that went up to about mid-thigh.
Pan was jealous. That dress never looked that good on me!
Ranma-Chan turned around took a look at herself in the mirror. Ranma-Chan didn’t really like cross dressing, but she had to admit she looked good! It looks like your last hurrah will be a great one, girl-half.
The contestants were gathered in the center of the arena. In the center was a raised stone ring. An announcer stepped into the middle of the ring. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the First Annual Martial Arts Beauty Contest! All the ladies will compete in pairs and will be judged on their beauty as well as their fighting ability! The match is over if one of the girls gets knocked out or knocked out of the ring. The first contestants are Jasmine Lao and Ryoko!”
Its like a sexist Tenkaichi Budoukai, Pan thought to herself.
The girl that stood behind Ranma-Chan in line stepped up to the ring. A Chinese girl with green hair stepped up to the other side of the ring to oppose her. The judges took a moment to admire and score the opponents. They rang the bell and the match was on. The green haired girl charged at Ryoko. Ryoko gathered a ball of energy into her hand and threw it at her opponent’s feet. The ring exploded in front of the other girl and the blast threw her out of the ring at a dangerous rate. Ranma-Chan made it there in time to catch the girl before she could be hurt more.
All the other contestants decided that they had better things to do and took off for the exits. Most of the crowd joined them as well.
Ranma-Chan jumped onto the stage. “What are you trying to do?! Kill her?!”
“What’s a matter little girl? You want some of that as well.” Ryoko formed another ball of energy and threw it at Ranma-Chan.
Ranma formed a shield of Ki around her hand and deflected the blast to the edge of the ring like swatting a fly. The impact blew a few pieces of the ring into the empty stands. “You’re going to have to do better than that to beat me!”
An evil grin played its way across Ryoko’s face. “Okay, little girl. What’s your name, so we can write it on your tombstone?”
Ranma-Chan stood up straight. “Saotome Ranma, heir to the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts.”
“I am the Demon Ryoko!” Ryoko let out an evil laugh. “Let’s go!”
Ryoko threw a larger power ball at Ranma-Chan.
Ranma-Chan dodged with a speed that astounded her. I’m fast, but not this fast. The weighted clothing! I took it off for this stupid contest! So this is what it’s done for me. Ranma-Chan powered up. Round two! Ranma-Chan put her hands together in front of her, palms facing outward. “MOKO TAKABISHA!”
The blast impacted against the other girl. Ranma-Chan thought she was finished, but before the light from the blast could clear out Ryoko flew out at Ranma-Chan slashing at her with a light sword. Ranma-Chan easily dodged all the blows and punched Ryoko a few times. Ryoko, seeing that she was getting nowhere, flew up to try and disengage from her opponent to think of a new tactic. To her surprise, Ranma-Chan followed.
Now you’re in my court! Ranma-Chan thought. Aerial combat is the Saotome School specialty!
The two continued their battle from below. Ranma-Chan noticed that her opponent was very strong, but not very skilled. Ranma also noticed that she wasn’t doing any real damage to her opponent. Time to turn up the heat!
“SUUPA KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!” Ranma poured his full power into the blows.
Sonic booms as well as fists pounded into Ryoko. The onslaught was coming on faster than she could keep up with. She put her arms up to guard her face and torso from the barrage of blows. This day is just full of surprises. These blows are actually starting to hurt!
Ryoko exploded. She threw out energy in all directions and the blast knocked Ranma-Chan down to the ground. She drew her hand back for another blast. She gathered enough energy to level Ranma-Chan.
Just as she was about to loose the bolt, another voice was heard: “Supreme Thunder!” A lightening bolt flew and struck Ryoko.
Ryoko’s energy exploded in her hand and blew her to floor with the others. She looked over to the source of the attack. It was a brown haired girl in what looked like a bathing suit with short skirt around it. “Aren’t you a little old to be wearing a little girl’s bathing suit?”
The girl stamped her foot. “It’s a fuku!” The girl composed herself and continued. “Festivals are not a place for destruction and evil. They are meant to be a place of fun! I am Sailor Jupiter and in the name of Moon I’m here to punish you.”
Ranma-Chan groaned. “What a cheesy speech.”
Ryoko laughed. “Well little girl, I’d like to see you and your bathing suit punish me.”
“She won’t have to do it for alone!” Pan had walked into the arena. I can’t leave Ranma alone for five minutes. That’s the last time I leave to get cotton candy.
“Yeah!” Ranma-Chan was back on her feet.
Ryoko did a quick assessment of her situation. The red-head and the stupid sailor girl are no problem by themselves, but together could be a problem. And if this third girl has anywhere the same amount of power, I could definitely in trouble. Where’s Tenchi when I need him?
Ryoko took to the air again and threw out several energy blasts to keep the other fighters at bay. She then went to take each one of them out individually. She punched Sailor Jupiter in the stomach and sent her crashing into the stands. Ryoko charged over to Ranma-Chan. Ranma-Chan punched out at her. At the last minute, Ryoko disappeared and reappeared behind the red-head and blasted her from behind. The blast knocked the wind out of Ranma-Chan and sent her to the other side of the arena.
“Ranma! Jupiter! Cover your eyes!” Pan put two fingers to each of her temples. “TAIYOUKEN!”
The tent erupted in a blinding light. Ryoko was blinded. She felt herself being knocked out of the air and into the ring. When her vision started to clear, she saw that she was surround and all of her opponents had balls of energy in their hands. This is going to hurt!
Simultaneously three cries were heard.
“MOKO TAKABISHA!”
“KAMEHAMEHA!”
“SUPREME THUNDER!”
The ring exploded! When the smoke cleared a dazed and charred Ryoko was standing in the middle of the rubble. She promptly passed out.
“I think you guys can handle her from here!” With that, Sailor Jupiter took her leave to find a place to change back to normal.
Pan and Ranma-Chan waved goodbye and then walked over to check on the fallen opponent.
“What should we do with her? You can’t put her in jail.”
Pan scratched her head. “I don’t know.”
As they were contemplating Ryoko’s fate, another figure entered. It was a little girl with wild long red hair. Her overall appearance looked like a little crab. She walked up and took a look at the figure at the bottom of the crater.
“There you are Ryoko! We’ve been looking all over for you! Get up! The others are getting ready to leave!”
Pan turned to the new girl. “You know this girl?”
“Yes, unfortunately. She’s my mischievous daughter.”
Pan and Ranma-Chan both looked at the girl in shock. Ranma-Chan finally spoke up. “But, you’re too young to have kids.”
The girl waved her hand at the other redhead. “You’re too kind. Now I need to get her back to the others.” The little girl helped Ryoko to her feet and walked her out of the tent.
Pan and Ranma-Chan just stood in shock and let them go.
One of the judges came out from his hiding place holding the first place trophy. “Well, miss. It looks like you’re the only contestant left. You win by default.” He handed Ranma-Chan the trophy.
“Thanks.” Ranma accepted the trophy and pulled the Dragonball off the top and tossed the rest to the judge. “That’s all we needed. Thanks.”
The judge facefaulted.
In the shadows, Kino Makoto (the un-transformed Sailor Jupiter) stewed. That trophy should be mine, but there is no way I could beat the redhead without turning into Sailor Jupiter. I’ll get you for this!
Pan and Ranma went to the entrance of the arena just as Akane was coming in.
“Where have you been?!” Ranma-Chan shouted at her.
“The bathroom, dummy!” Akane replied. “Why? Anything happen?”
Pan and Ranma-chan facefaulted.
Ryoga was desperately trying to make his way back to Nerima. He had the perfect gift for Akane, a shiny little ball with seven stars on it. Akane will love this! She will be so impressed by it that she will love me!
A daydream filtered in his mind of Akane holding the ball in her hands. “Oh I love it Ryoga.”
“I knew you would. Akane…I was wondering… would you go out with me?” His dream self answered.
“I’d love to!” The dream-Akane threw her arms around the dream-Ryoga.
The real Ryoga was standing in the forest looking into space with a slight trickle of drool coming out from the side of his mouth.
An object crashed into the ground a short distance away. Ryoga went over to investigate.
Android 21 climbed out of the crater cursing his poor sense of direction. He looked up in time to a certain lost boy. “YOU!”
Ryoga pointed a finger to his chest. “Me?”
“DIE!” The android loosed a blast at Ryoga. Ryoga managed to dodge in time. The android then charged the lost boy and begun swinging at him.
“BAKUSAI TENKETSU!” Ryoga poked a finger into the ground beneath the android and it exploded giving Ryoga some distance from the attacker.
Only one thing to do, Ryoga thought. He began to think about all that was wrong with his life. He thought about his poor sense of direction, never being able to find his parents, and many other depressing thoughts. A sickly green aura wound it’s away around him.
The android
recovered from the blast and charged again.
He rained down blows on the lost boy who was doing nothing but evasion
and defense. The android was curious
why he could not defeat the boy easily; I know all of his moves…
Ryoga then thought of the one thing that always brought out the highest depression. A picture of a sad Akane formed in his head and she said, “I’m sorry, Ryoga, but I love Ranma.” The green glow expanded.
The android suddenly figured out what the boy was doing. He barely had enough time to throw up an energy field and prepare for impact.
“SHISHI HOKOUDAN!” Ryoga unleashed his strongest attack at the would-be killer robot.
Android 21’s shield took the brunt of the blast. His body took the rest. He made a quick assessment of himself and found he was undamaged. The android then retaliated be unleashing a return blast at the lost boy.
Ryoga flew back and landed in a small stream. Upon contact with the cool stream water, the lost boy became a little black pig. The unconscious pig floated into a hollow log.
The android tracked down the fallen boy and found no trace of him. He saw the boy’s clothes in the stream. He must have transformed, but where is he? I still need to kill him! The android looked closer and saw something in the clothes. He reached into the stream and sifted through the clothes. He found the Dragonball that the lost boy was so desperately trying to give to his love.
The android considered the seven star ball. There are at least seven of these. These two that I have are not enough to put an adequate coating on my body, but seven would. I would be invincible and I could take on Son Goku! He put the Dragonball away took off for Capital City.
He left the ground and ran into several trees before he finally found his way into the air. Damn you boy! I’ll find you and kill you!
The little lost pig came out of hiding. He went over and dragged the kettle and lighter from his pack. He used his teeth to drag the kettle across the stream to fill it with water. He set up the stand to put the kettle over the fire. He then gathered loose wood and leaves to start a fire. Using his hoofed feet ignited the lighter and started the fire to warm the water. It was all pretty amazing feat for a little black pig, but Ryoga did it all with practiced ease…well practiced ease.
After a few minutes another figure appeared. Piccolo lowered himself over the crater made by the Shishi Hokoudan. He looked around for any trace of what had caused it. Did the android do this? He peered into the forest and saw a little black pig staring at a kettle over a fire. Must be somebody’s pet. The master must be out looking for more firewood. Remarkably well trained pig, though.
As Piccolo watched the pig kicked out one of the pylons of the stand and the kettle fell over the pig. All of the sudden the pig was a boy! Piccolo was astounded!
The boy quickly dressed and Piccolo approached. “You, boy! What made this crater?”
“My name is Ryoga, and I did.”
“How?”
“With my Shishi Hokoudan.”
“Why are you blasting holes in the ground in the middle of nowhere?”
“Something dressed in red attacked me. It looked pretty mad at me, but I’ve never seen it before.”
“Why do you say ‘something’?”
“I couldn’t feel any Ki from it.”
“The android!” Piccolo slammed a fist into an open palm.
“A what?”
Piccolo went on to explain all about the androids in their previous incarnations and about the latest one.
Ryoga just looked shocked. “Why is that thing mad at me?”
Piccolo shook his head. “I don’t know. They usually just attack Son Goku.” Piccolo looked thoughtful for a second. The boy has a lot of power for a human already. He was able to make that crater over there. If it weren’t for the Ki from that blast, I never would have found him. He does have potential. “You’ll need to get stronger if you want to survive another encounter.”
“What?”
“I’ll train you to be a better fighter. Come with me.” Piccolo held out his hand.
Ryoga took his hand and shook it. If I can get stronger, I could beat Ranma! Then I could have Akane!
Piccolo looked at the boy and wondered why he suddenly started to drool.