Eternally Retold…
Prologue
A Fateful Decision
A month after the wedding fiasco
Furinkan High
Ranma Saotome, man among men, fiancée to the most desired woman in Furinkan, was sat inside his lesson.
Fast asleep that is.
"Saotome, buckets, now!"
Five minutes later
"Gees… Won't she give me a break, the little midget…" Ranma grumbled to himself. All I wanted was a little nap, so what if I did it during English?
He tensed up, his hearing picking up rapid footsteps ahead of him. It'd better not be Kuno…
The cackling of an old man put shot to his theory. "Him…" They were on the ground floor near the gym, so Ranma figured out what that meant.
"What a haul!" Happosai's voice echoed down the corridor, and soon Ranma saw him bounding down the hall carrying a large bag, a horde of angry girls chasing him.
Ranma dropped the buckets carefully, not wanting his curse to be activated. Cracking his knuckles and neck he grinned arrogantly. "Well, old freak, are you going to return the stuff?" He shouted, mostly to get the attention of the teacher in the class.
"No way, these are my little beauties!"
He got into a stance. "Then you'll have to go through me to escape!" His ki increased slowly, ready for a beating.
"Not if I can help it!" He pulled his hand behind him. "Happo Daikarin!" He lobbed the explosive firework bomb straight at him.
Gritting his teeth, not expecting him to use such a high powered technique in close quarters, especially near civilians, he reacted fast. Skipping back, he kicked one of the punishment buckets forwards, successfully extinguishing the fuse.
"Ranma Saotome!" The door to the classroom opened up. "Stop shouting in the corridors! I'll have to punish you!"
Yes! My lucky day! He smirked, egging her on.
She was already used to him naturally hiding his ki, so she withdrew her large 50 yen coin. "Happo Go Juu En –" Ranma pounced on her, and twirled her around before she even noticed she was facing the wrong way. "-Satsu!"
Sure enough, the ki sucking technique worked, Ranma couldn't help but laugh as Happosai fell to the ground, exhausted and drained of his power. The crowd of girls jumped on him, beating him severely thanks to his lowered defences.
Ranma chuckled. "Heh, serves you right. How could you not see 'that' one coming, eh Master?"
"Mr Saotome…" A sultry voice broke in. "Will you put me down?"
"Ah!" Almost doing it by instinct, instead he gently placed Hinako back on her feet. He blushed and bowed softly. "Sorry about that teach… I borrowed your powers for a moment."
She ran a hand through her hair, jerking her thumb behind her. "Even though we stopped that old man, what you did was inexcusable." She pointed her index finger straight at Ranma. "Since you make a mockery of the buckets, your punishment will be…" She paused and grinned evilly. "… To attend my lesson, and stay awake throughout!"
He groaned loudly. "Oh man! Why do I have to suffer!"
He walked in after her as the class began to laugh, Akane giggling beneath her hand and Ranma slumped into the seat next to her.
"Come on, it's not that bad…" She shoved her desk closer and showed him her notebook. "Here, I'll share notes with you so you can catch up." Her eyes grew sharper. "But just this once, okay?" She mellowed slowly, resuming her cheery demeanour.
Glancing up to see Hinako gazing at him through half-lidded eyes, he gulped. Turning to Akane, he gave a bright smile. "S-sure thing…" He leaned over to see her pages, and started copying them down, while trying to pay attention to what Hinako was saying.
The heat from their bodies made each other feel warmer, they both shared a smile unconsciously.
Meanwhile
Outside the classroom
Happosai was getting up from his bruised self, moaning from his injuries, the lack of ki making him more susceptible to normal attacks.
"Curse you Ranma. I am the Master of Anything Goes… I'll show you who the disciple around here is…"
Speaking foul things to himself, her leaped out the window, only to trip on the sill and falling flat on his face in the soil outside. Muttering to himself, he walked off, painfully, back to the dojo.
After school
Furinkan High playground
As the bell went, Ranma cheered, and jumped straight out of his classroom window, looking forward to the weekend. He even changed his slippers in mid air, always carrying them with him on Friday so that he could make a quick breakaway from school.
As he reached the gates, he paused. Wait, me and Akane have been getting on well today… As he looked up, he mumbled something about stupid rain gods. Well, there goes that nice sun… As the rain started to pour, his curse changed him. Bringing up her umbrella too late, she walked back into the school entrance, as other pupils started running home using their bags or satchels to protect themselves from the rain.
"Hey Ranma!" Daisuke shouted, running from the shoe area. He stopped at seeing the weather, and Ranma's now female form. "Lucked out, eh?"
She grinned sardonically. "Yeah, guess I annoyed some God today…" She shrugged theatrically.
A new voice joined in. "Oh well, never mind…" Hiroshi came over from the same place. "At least you brought an umbrella, we didn't think about it, seeing as it's summer…"
Ranma looked out the window as the spatter spread inwards. "I could tell it would rain, the air was getting moist and the winds were picking up…" She looked back at her somewhat perverted friends. "What are you up to this weekend?"
Hiroshi waved it off. "Nothing much, maybe a movie… Fancy joining us?"
She smiled. "Sounds good, I'd like that… That is, if I'm not attacked or anything…" She added in a lower tone, as an afterthought."
Daisuke raised his heavy satchel. "Man, I'll probably get a cold now, just what I need…"
Hiroshi shifted over and nudged Ranma suggestively, which the female growled at since he hit her breast.
"You an Akane have gotten on well today." He whispered. "Maybe now's the best time, eh?" He winked secretly.
Ranma blushed a tad but waved it off and hit him heartily on the back, sending him out into the rain. "Yeah, yeah, we'll see…" She returned his chuckle and grinned, fully intending to complete it today.
"Have a good weekend Ranma." Daisuke called out.
"We'll see you Monday!" His friend added.
They both ran off together into the downpour, leaving a dripping Ranma alone. She sighed. "Gees, almost two years, and I haven't –"
"Ranma!"
She turned to the shocked voice to see none other than the uncute fiancée. "A-Akane…" She fought back a blush.
She was puzzled. "What are you doing here? Don't you normally run home today?"
Ranma acted awkward, shifting her foot on the floor, self-conscious of herself. "Well, I got hit by rain, so I thought…" Her eyes indicated the umbrella above him. "… Maybe… I don't know…" She turned away, a bit ashamed.
Akane suddenly started to glow again. "Thanks Ranma, I forgot my own one." She scooted over to the shorter red-head. "Do you mind if I share?" Her cute smile brought Ranma mind to a standstill.
"Uh… S-sure!" Holding it over her right side more, she ensured that Akane was covered at all times. It doesn't matter if I get wet again anyway.
She clicked her fingers. "Oh yeah, I forgot…" Before they left the shelter, Ranma rummaged about in her school bag.
"What are you looking for Ranma? Did you leave something upstairs?" She asked, curious.
"Nah, nothing like that." She grinned back.
Ukyo walked up to the entrance and cursed the Gods. "Rain! But it's summer!" My hair will be ruined!
"Hey, Ucchan!" She looked over to see her best friend throw something at her, catching it on instinct. "Use that, you can return it to me whenever you want."
"Huh?" She looked at it, and saw that it was a portable umbrella, in a fairly neutral colour of black. "Ran-chan?"
Her fiancée just grinned back. "Bye!" Grabbing her bag, Ranma and Akane walked out briskly into the rain.
Hand outstretched, she spoke. "R-Ranchan! W-" Wait… Don't you want me under your umbrella?
Fifteen minutes later
Near the dojo
"That was a nice thing you did for Ukyo, Ranma." Akane smiled friendly.
"I guess…" She picked at her wet hair. "She's a friend though, and I didn't want her to complain about her hair again. Girls always talk a lot about their hair."
"Hmph" She crossed her arms. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Ah, come on Akane, you're not like normal girls anyway!" Oops…
Her eyes narrowed. "Care to repeat that Ranma?" she growled.
Stupid, built like a brick, sexless tomboy! Ranma shook her head. I gotta thank Nabiki for those lessons… Before I'd just blurt them out without thinking… "S-sorry Akane." Her eyes got sad, but not overly melodramatic. "I didn't mean it, honestly."
They both relaxed as Akane let the anger seethe away into the wet rain. The blue haired girl breathed out slowly. I should pay sis more, usually I'd just beat Ranma before he gets a chance to say anything…
Ranma watched her cautiously, but was pleased to see that her suspicions had vanished. As they had reached the dojo, the rain let up, the sun peeking over the clouds. She smiled at Akane.
"Yeah…" She continued from her earlier comment. "You're the cutest one when you smile."
"Wh-what?" The doors opened and Ranma strode, shaking off the excess water from the umbrella, leaving a blushing Akane still staring in at the yard.
An hour after dinner
Tendo Dojo
"Hey Akane…" Ranma seemed a bit embarrassed. She was in the dojo performing some light kata. "If it's alright with you, can you meet me on the roof at midnight, I'd like ta ask you something…"
She wiped the sweat off her forehead with her armband. "Sure, what's it about?"
He blushed. "Umm, you'll find out then…" He grinned and waved, walking off to the exit. "See you there…"
Later that evening
"There's no way I hell I'm wearing a bra, let alone a cursed one!"
Everyone rolled their eyes at Happosai's new plan, as the male Ranma was frantically dodging water projectiles from any available source. He found one during his travels, apparently it belonged to some Goddess he happened upon. Genma had long since given up pouring hot water over himself and opted to remain a panda for the duration of the evening.
"This is your punishment for depriving me of my darlings today!" Happosai yelled, somewhere above them on the first floor.
"Oh yeah, well what about this!" A rustling was heard as a bin bag was thrown out of the window, landing in the garden. A red and black bra landed on top of it.
"No, Ranma! Don't do it!"
Soun and Genma stood up, even the Tendo girls were surprised, it was rare that the old man showed fear. Which meant…
"Sorry, old freak, it's for the best." A match fell from above, landing in the opening. The fire began immediately.
"What's burning?" Akane asked, detecting a strange synthetic smell.
Soun and Genma, proud martial artists, puffed out their chests.
"Saotome."
"Tendo."
Within seconds, they had backpacks and ran out the door, sweat drops leaving a moist trail behind them, as they began a week long training trip ahead.
Nabiki already figured it out. "What do you think? Ranma burned his collection."
Kasumi smiled in her oblivious but knowing way. "Oh my, but then he'll just have to start it from the beginning again won't he?"
"RANMA!"
The bellow and ambient ki was heard and felt respectively throughout Nerima, giving fair warning to the nearby homes to renew their household insurance and to contact their local building contractors.
They both stood opposite each other in the back yard, the Tendo sisters watching with various emotions. Ranma was in a fully defensive mode, prepared for anything. Happosai wasn't moving, tears pouring down his face.
"Well, what're you waiting for, 'Master'?" He made a 'come on' gesture with his hand. "Show me what you got!"
Happosai crouched down and wailed in a miserable voice. "M-my precious…!" His eyes narrowed and he stood up. "Ranma, this is the last straw, tonight, the Anything Goes School will forever remain in the winner's hands." He pointed a finger. "I challenge you, Ranma Saotome! Come alone to the park at midnight, and face my greatest ancient artefact! The winner is determined by knockout…" He paused for a second. "…or by death. Do you accept?"
"Wh-what?" Ranma got out of stance. "N-no way! I don't want to fight for that, not yet!"
"SILENCE!" His ki enhanced voice made no argument possible. "If you refuse from this point on, you shall never inherit the School!" He let this sink in. "What is your answer, Ranma Saotome?"
Hundred of emotions danced in front of the pig-tailed martial artist's eyes, realising just how difficult it was going to be to defeat Happosai. Glancing at Akane's worried expression, he grinned and mouthed the words "I'll be back…"
His own expression then became stern and neutral as he faced his adversary. He spoke up confidently. "I, Ranma Saotome, agree to the terms of your challenge, Happosai, Master of the Anything Goes School."
Both of them turned away, walking slowly before retreating to separate parts of the house.
"Ranma…" Akane whispered. Why do I have the feeling something is going to go wrong?
Midnight
The local park
Two figures stood in the dark grass, facing each other across a plain area.
"It's about time you wipe the smirk off your face, young man." Happosai sneered.
Ranma cocked his head at an angle and tensed his muscles, before relaxing into his favourite stance. "Why don't ya make me?"
"Very well." Happosai reached behind him, causing Ranma to step back once.
What is he going to show me?
"I assure you…" Happosai grinned. "I will not hold back this time, you shall experience true suffering!" He brought out a box, covered with thirteen wards. "Once these wards have been removed, you will be cursed to live a life of pain, death, guilt and endless torture on your soul."
He peeled one off, blue electricity covering the connection, before the ward itself turned to ashes.
"What the hell!" Ranma ran in. "I'm not going to let you do that!" He made an unsuccessful attempt at a flying kick, his foot instead burying itself in the earth.
"Unlucky…" Happosai jumped back several metres away. "Try again." Another ward came off.
"Shit…" Moving in close, he couldn't hit the smaller faster person. Two seals were ripped off.
Gritting his teeth, Ranma called out some of his ki for more speed. "Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken!"
He managed to get some solid hits on Happosai, but this only encouraged him further as he pulled off another three more seals.
"You can do better than that, surely?" He seemed to pity the younger man's lack of ability.
Grr, I'll show him who's weak!
He noticed how Happosai seemed to be making no offensive moves whatsoever. He's not luring me in for anything, just teasing me with the seals… At this point, Happosai was very slowly removing one, but not really doing it to take it off, merely to taunt Ranma. The more I attack, the more seals he removes… He looked to his left and frowned. I'd better keep away from there as I begin this… Growing more furious, he starting running towards Happosai, his hot ki starting the spiral.
Meanwhile
20 metres away
Hidden in some bushes, where Ranma detected someone, Akane was watching. "What is that thing that Happosai is holding?" She held her hands to her mouth. "Ranma… Be careful…"
The battle
Happosai smirked knowingly. You will die, Ranma…
The red and black blur finally appeared in front of him, composed and calm.
"HIRYU SHOTEN HA!" The awesome tornado took up the master, as he began laughing.
"My poor boy! You've left me to remove the rest of them, haven't you?" Three came off in quick succession.
"OH NO!" Getting angry, Ranma ascended into the tornado. "Give me that box you old pervert!"
"Never!" Two seals vanished as the winds died down. They started their freefall to Earth. "See you in hell Ranma!"
"Argh!" Giving himself a big ego boost, he screamed. "MOKO TAKABISHA!"
The box flew out of Happosai's hands, as he was crushed by the ki blast. Controlling his breathing, Ranma managed to grab the box before landing safely on the ground. He grinned at seeing the last ward in place.
"Heh, you lose, old freak."
Getting up and dusting down his clothes, Happosai returned the smile. "Lose? The fight has barely begun…"
Ranma stared in shock as the final ward dissipated, melting away into the wind. A white light emanated from the box, causing Akane and Happosai to shield their eyes. When it faded away, Ranma was left standing, confused.
"Huh?" He looked inside the now open box and saw a dulled piece of metal, though it looked leathery. "Is this it?" He picked it up and flicking it in the air like a coin.
"Impossible! It should've worked." Happosai pulled out a scroll, reading it over again, not quite understanding the old writing.
Ranma peered close at it, detecting a faint ki signature, one tinged as evil. "Odd…" The leathery mask opened up half-way, a red eye sleepily looking at him. "Aagh!"
He caught the attention of the two nearby. Mishandling the item from the shock, he cut his hand on the sharp edge of the metal, the blood spreading onto the eye.
Snapping open fully, the eye's iris turned purple, and dilated at seeing Ranma, who began to sweat as the evil ki increased exponentially.
"AAARGH!"
His left hand gripped his right arm, as the veins began to grow visible and move about. He saw the metal sprouting tentacles, which were making their way in through his open wound. Trying desperately to pull it out, he found that his strength was rapidly draining.
More importantly, his mind began to change.
Giving up on his hand, his left hand grabbed his head, his eyes wide and strained, eyes searching for something. In the distance, he saw Akane get up, and about to run towards him.
"AKANE!" He eyes pulsed, as he saw his right mutate into a three fingered claw of sorts. "GET OUT… OF HERE!" He was finding it harder to speak clearly, he voice growing deeper.
"But…!" Her terror was obvious, she didn't know how to help, and concern for Ranma now turned into outright fear, for him and herself.
"GET AWAY! I CAN'T CONTROL IT!"
Tear streaked, Akane ran for her life, back to her safe home, to get help.
Ranma screamed as his eyes turned red, his right arm now fully corrupted. the creature turned to Happosai.
"Finally…" He sighed. "Let's get re-"
Blurring instantly in front of him, a fist in his stomach stopped the old man's words. gasping for breath he looked up at the man, completely in shadow, his eyes burning red.
"Free…" The voice was like Ranma's, but much lower in pitch, completely rage filled and evil. The right claw clenched into a fist. "After all these centuries…" He looked down at Happosai. "You shall be the first to witness my resurrection…" He raised the claw. "Time to die, human!"
Happosai didn't have time to scream.
---
Author's Notes
Hmm, this was one of my random Ranma ideas, which I think has turned out well for a prologue. The next chapter will be set one year from now. Why? Someone has to collect the pieces, and he will return to Nerima in that time.
In case you haven't guessed by now, this is a Ranma/Soul Calibur crossover, but only the two weapons (Soul Edge at this point) have survived from that series.
This mad idea came about from a thought, 'What if Soul Edge survived in the future?' This could certainly be true with Tekken (given that they were in the same universe). I then thought up if Ranma, the only person in the series who doesn't use a weapon, gets one. It would work well as Ryoga has his umbrella, Ukyo has her spatula, Shampoo the bonbori, Mousse the hidden weapons, Kuno his bokken, Kodachi her ribbon. Even Akane uses a mallet (but on rare occasions).
Then it all came together in one fully formed story. Of course, Happosai has no idea what he unleashed, just knowing that it would curse the person it was near. Soul Calibur itself, will also emerge sometime during the story.
Hopefully, the next chapter will be pure action, as Nerima faces Nightmare Ranma (I even have an image in my head of what he would look like with new armour).
Any critiques, reviews, etc are welcome. This is a big leap for me, so it might not work, but I'll give it my best.
- J