11
Note: Hey everyone, sorry this chapter came a bit late I was having some trouble with this one. It was one of those things I kept thinking: 'I can do better.'. I had like three revisions over this, well I hope I picked the right one for your enjoyment. Also a big thanks to those who gave me reviews and has added me, and those who are enjoying the story. You all give me the fuel I need to continue on.
Anyway enough talk, read on :P
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½ period, but Zach is quite mine.
Tumbling…
Falling…
Darkness…
Ryoga was lying on what he felt was glass. His arms were calmly laid at his sides and he could feel the smooth sleek material beneath. At least it felt like glass, he couldn't really be sure for all he could see was nothing short of pitch blackness, he tried to move his head but for some reason his body refused to respond. No matter how much he tried his will alone wasn't be enough to give him the desired result.
After a few moment of vain effort he finally decided to stop and think on how he got into this predicament in the first place. He tunneled through his mind trying to remember all of what happened before he blacked out.
"A note…...A letter"
The Lost boy spoke to himself in the darkness as he remembered that note he received. As Ryoga's focused on the letter it was like a floodgate of information suddenly spilled into his mind. He was remembering now, the letter that contained information about his mother, the man who called himself Z in that letter…that man.
The Lost boy could feel himself let out a growl as he remembered that platinum blonde's twisted smile. Throughout his life he has seen things most people never could even dreamed of, ever sense he has become part of the chaos that surrounded Ranma he has experience things that should be against the law of nature herself, but out of everything he has seen, herd, and done in his life, he will never forget that smiling bastard's face as long as he lived.
"Ranma…."
The name came through Ryoga's lips in a whisper and disappeared just as quickly within the darkness, he wondered if he actually said the name himself or if he just heard it from an unknown source. His mind continued to race as he remembered meeting Ranma or at least a blur that looked like his Rival. He saw him there just before he passed out. That was when the memory of Z sinking his hand…..no those claws into his chest. He remembered the pain he felt as he felt those twisted digits dig into his chest scarping against the bone beneath.
With that realization he half expected for his body to be wracked with pain….but he didn't feel any pain, no bruise, not even numbness. In fact, he felt rather normal, like there was no damage to his body at all but the strange thing was that he could feel no restraints on his person, like he could move if he waited too. That would be great if he COULD actually move.
It was at that point where Ryoga could actually hear footsteps approach him. He couldn't bring himself to say anything or do anything as he herd each step caused by someone slowly approach him. He could only imagine who that person was, It, couldn't have been Ranma because he wore kung fu shoes and these sounded more like heavy boots if anything.
With each step that the Lost boy heard, he could feel his heart beating faster and faster. He truly couldn't believe this, he was in a place that gave off no form of light what's so ever, he couldn't move his body no matter how hard he tried, and he was at the mercy of someone he couldn't even see. The stranger was planning to do 'who knows what' to him and he couldn't even do anything about it. What did he do to deserve this fate?
"My, my, my, you always were a fidgety one Ryoga."
The voice that the Bandana boy herd was defiantly male but wasn't overly deep but was smooth. Ryoga face twisted in confusion. What he expected from his captor actually was for him to be more aggressive perhaps even grab him like a wee babe and toss him around, not to have a calm, friendly voice…but then again, who's to say that he won't. "Who are you? Where am I? Show yourself!"
Ryoga's demands echoed within the darkness. Each one a reasonable request given the circumstances of his situation but, the man who suddenly let his presence known didn't answer any of them right away. Instead once again the lost boy heard those same footsteps; from the sound of each step he judged that the man was slowly walking around him as if he was sizing him up for something. Once the man reached the right side of Ryoga's head the footsteps stopped and the Lost boy could hear him crouch in an effect for him to get closer.
"Why not simply open your eyes."
Ryoga's face twisted in confusion, his eyes were opened, he could feel that they were open and all he saw was darkness. He wanted so badly to cry out against the man for telling him something so stupid. However, his thoughts were interrupted as he felt himself blink for the first time sense this whole thing started and found himself groaning as light hit him in the eyes directly. He groaned as he moved his right hand up to his face to shield himself from the light of the sun so that his eyes could adjust.
Once he was sure he gave his eyes enough time he lowered his hands to look up to get a sense of his surroundings. He saw a beautiful clear blue sky without a single cloud, it was truly a peaceful sight, part of him just wanted to remain where he was and rest knowing that nothing could disturb such a peaceful site.
"What the…" Of course even the sight of something so beautiful couldn't deter the lost boy's thoughts for long. He sat up with widen eyes as he noticed that he was finally able to move his body. He raised his arms and looked at his hands and gently began to flex them. Being paralyze for any amount of time is not a pleasant experience and he wanted to make sure that it was completely over. Once he was finished with flexing his hands arms and his upper body, he quickly got to his feet to check out the rest of his body to make sure everything was in working order.
Once he was sure that his body was back to normal the Lost Boy took the time to finally look at his surroundings. He found himself in a forest clearing; in fact one that looked incredibly similar to the one he fought that strange guy with the silver hair.
His eyes continued to scan the area trying to find something out of the ordinary, or at least find the owner of the voice that was speaking to him earlier. It just didn't make any sense, when he listened to the voice earlier he could clearly hear footstep echo around him as if they were made upon hard floor but there was nothing beneath him but grass and dirt so….
"YOU CAN'T HURT ME!"
The words roared throughout the entire area, enough to scatter the birds that placed themselves within their respective locations, but there was something else about that yell that chilled the Lost Boy to his very core but it couldn't be what he was thinking, it just couldn't. Moving more on instinct than thought, he raced into the forest, going in the direction he believed the yelling was coming from. Normally, he would mentally question as to how exactly he knew where he was going but right now he was too focused on his goal to dwell upon it.
When he finally reached his destination, he found himself shocked at his discovery. Once he was close enough to see, whatt he saw was himself a bit younger but clearly was him, standing with a confident scowl on his face looking down at a fallen Ranma. Ryoga stood dumbfounded trying to figure out exactly what is going on here.
"You can't defeat me Saotome!"
Ryoga watched as his younger self moved forward in an attempt to strike a Ranma who nimbly moved out of the way. The lost boy watched as his doppelganger strike the ground instead of his rival and as he did the ground exploded in his face blanketing his body in gravel and dust. The Lost boy then looked past his double to see Akane, Cologne, and Genma in his panda form watching on. That is when it hit him, he was dreaming about the time he just learned the Bakusai Tenketsu and was fighting Ranma.
"Close Ryoga, Not really a Dream per say. More like a trip down memory lane, a vision if you will." The voice caused the young martial artist to nearly jump as he spun around. Whoever it was, he recognized it as the same voice that spoke to him, telling him to wake up. Of course this leads him to being surprised when he discovered that the owner of the voice was…a little black piglet wearing his yellow and black bandana around his neck like a scarf.
"P-Chan?" The lost boy spoke in a confused tone. There it was, the very symbol in which formed the basis of half his argument that his life was literally a living hell. This was the physical form of the little black piglet that he was cursed to endure whenever a significant amount of cold water splashed his body. Complete with the Yellow and black bandana tied around it's neck. It was enough to make him cringe
"P-Chan…." The little black piglet calmly spoke the name and then gave an oddly cute combination of laughter and a squeal. Clearly, it was finding it all amusing. "Well….considering the circumstances it is as good a name as any for now."
Ryoga looked a P-Chan for a second not really sure on how he could say. It was truly weird to actually see his form right in front of him without the use of a mirror. If he didn't know any better he would figure that he was having one of those out-of-boy experiences that some people go on about. Something seemed to click in his head as he suddenly turned around to continue to watch one of his battles from the past just in time to see Ranma do his Saotome School anything goes martial arts final attack.
"Ready…..Set….RUNAWAY!"
Ryoga brought his hand to his face as he watched his Rival avoid his younger self's attack by running away deeper into the forest. It is said that when a third party is watching two people play a game of some kind he can see things from both perspectives and as such come up with strategies and tactics so that both sides can win. The lost boy looked over at his younger self who was just standing there stunned but in his case all Ryoga could feel was just pure embarrassment. "That…..that is just…"
"Yes I know," P-Chan spoke who was now sitting right next to him watching the battle as well. IT seemed that he didn't really give off the notion of being embarrassed more like amusement.
"Is there any particular reason I am reliving this battle." Ryoga was starting to get a bit annoyed with all of this. He already knew this fight and knew exactly how it was going to end, so why did he have to watch it again. "I know what is going to happen, so why am I watching this?"
P-Chan didn't say anything as he continued watching the battle moving towards the climax with Ranma firing the chestnut fit into Ryoga's abdomen over and over again so that he could actually hurt his opponent. "Maybe because this is one of the events in your life that has been burned forever within your mind no matter how hard you try to forget it."
Ryoga folded his arms as he looked down at P-Chan with more or less a blank expression. He was trying to find the right words to reply to that comment but he really couldn't think of anything to say especially when you talk into consideration that he was right.
"I know Ryoga." Ryoga herd his cursed form continue to speak to him as he looked away and closed his eyes pondering. "I know you constantly think of this battle...no. not just this battle but everything that lead up to this battle."
P-Chan suddenly jumped up and landed on the Lost boy's shoulder and then jumped again to land on his head. As the pig rested himself there, the scenery changed, instead of a forest they were now within the field of Furinkan High school. It was the first official match between Ryoga Hibiki and Ranma Saotome.
Ryoga watched in awe as the two exchange blows, of course the most noteworthy part to him was when they both kicked at each other and blocked at the same time. He remembered that one exchange, he could literally feel the fighting skill off of his opponent and he knew Ranma could feel the same. It was that one moment when both knew to their surprise that they were fighting an equal.
"Seems like another life time ago doesn't it?"
Ryoga blinked as he looked on. He was so engrossed in the moment that he practically forgot that P-Chan was lying down on top of his head. He didn't say anything as he continued watching the fight. He saw as Ranma used the handcuff and wire to his advantage and swing under and subdue his younger self under him.
"True Fighting equals here, no matter what that Pig Tailed boy did, you always had a way around him."
Ryoga could feel himself smirking as he watched his dream clone force himself up with one hand and lift them both into the air in order to escape his situation. His little moment of pride was stopped when P-Chan suddenly clang his hooves on the Lost boy's forehead. Ryoga looked up at annoyance as P-Chan looked back down giving one of those cute smiles that he would give Akane when he still pretended to be her pet.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" As he looked forward again he saw his surroundings have once again changed. This time he was within the Tendo's backyard. It was raining but to his surprise he didn't changed, he then quickly remembered that he was in a dream and wouldn't normally change….unless it was a nightmare, not to mention that his curse form was already on top of his head.
The Bandana boy was jerked out of his thoughts when he suddenly heard a loud splash. He looked up to see Ranma in his girl from standing in the pond with his double holding up his umbrella in order to keep himself dry. He watched as the two exchange words and then proceeded to fight.
"Even here when you were handicapped by having been in the the rain it's self. You still fought on Equal terms with Ranma. In his girl form none the less, the half of him that is said to be faster."
Ryoga quickly grabbed the little black piglet and growled. It was clear that he just about at it with this trip down memory lane and at this point this was working on his last nerve "Listen up Pork chop….." He actually had to pause for a moment after he said that. It was just so surreal calling his own curse form that especially considering that he was the one who was usually called that along with other names. Even P-Chan had to give out a sigh after that.
"Anyway….look this maybe such huge news for you. But I already know all of this and can pretty much guess what happens because I was there. What is the point of all of this?" Ryoga blinked as he watched P-Chan slip out of his grasp easily and jumped kicked in the forehead. The little porker was stronger than he looked, he actually manages to knock Ryoga off his feet….the kick didn't hurt or anything like that but there was just enough force to have the desired effect.
When he opened his eyes again he found that he was upside down, he looked up and he saw Ranma looking down at him with confusion in his eyes. Ranma was holding him by the head so that he wouldn't fall. It was a combination of subduing and helping him at the same time. Ryoga looked down or in his case up and saw that instead of a fountain, he was over a pit of darkness which promised oblivion if he was to fall in. The fanged teenager could feel his heart racing, his body tensing up, and sweat forming on his forehead. He tried desperately to grab onto Ranma's arm, shirt, pants, anything really. He had to get out of this he just had too.
"Wow Ryoga, I thought you were training out in the wilderness getting stronger."
Hearing those words Ryoga growled as he tried one last ditch effort to grab onto Ranma but just when it seemed that he would finally have the reach to grab his rival. Ranma suddenly let go of him and in that one moment Ryoga felt truly lost.
Tumbling….
Falling….
Ranma let go, his only life like to the darkness let him go and now he was plunging into the depth of the abyss. Even in this dream world time cease to exist for him. Within his mind he kept thinking about everyone, His parents, Ranma, Akane, Ukyo, Mousse, Shampoo, Cologne, everyone has a place everyone but him, Someone who even home was just a luxury to him. Perhaps this was an appropriate place for him, Alone and forgotten.
Trapped forever in the darkness.
…..always within the darkness.
After what seemed like an eternity passed. Ryoga found himself once again lying in the same forest clearing when all this started only this time the sky was covered with grey clouds and it was raining. For once in his life the rain was a welcome change as the cool liquid help calm his beating heart.
The lost boy felt something pressed against his chest, his eyes left the sky and looked down to find P-Chan sitting calmly looking right back at him.
"Do you understand now?"
Ryoga didn't say anything but the calm acceptance on his face was a clear indication that he understood perfectly now. This whole thing was almost like a visual representation of his earlier thoughts before he ran into that bastard Z and they were picking up right where he left off.
"It was at that moment in which your TRUE rivalry with Ranma Saotome began. Before, you were always around the same level of Skill with him but you constantly had to follow him and it wasn't just the bread, hell you even gotten over the curse by now. You felt better that you weren't the only one cursed and not to mention that Tendo girl did make it a bit easier."
Ryoga could feel his emotional barrier begin to breakdown within him. Every single image he was shown up to this point was nothing more than a blow to his person. The pig was right…He remembered how he felt when he was placed in that predicament by Ranma, after all his training out in nature only to be defeated so easily and be so helpless at the mercy of his enemy while he looked so casual about it, but nothing hurt him more than what Akane said during that whole chapter in his life. 'Ranma…..you shouldn't bully the weak.' Hearing her say that was worst than taking all the chestnut fits his rival could ever dish out. IT was at that moment when it finally dawned on him that he was back to squared one….back in school, where he had to crawl so hard to gain respect only to have it dashed away by Ranma and it happened all over again. It was at that point where he truly remembered why he had to defeat Ranma in the first place because Ranma was him…a better version of him and as long as he existed he would continue to fade…. but he already accepted it all so why does it still hurt so damn much.
"What do you want from me?" Ryoga asked in a broken voice. He wanted to wake up so badly at this point but had already figured this wasn't a normal dream.
P-Chan calmly jumped off the Lost boy's chest and calmly walked over to sit next to his head. His eyes were of a neutral expression as he began to speak. "Ryoga, The things is as you are now you can never ever defeat Ranma Saotome."
Ryoga's eyes moved over to look over at the black piglet whose expression hasn't changed. He didn't say anything and waited for him to continue on.
"I have been with you far longer than you realize and I can honestly say that when pitted against Ranma Saotome you are destined to fail." The small black piglet began to walk around Ryoga's body as he continued on. "Now don't get me wrong. It is not because you are weaker than Ranma. That is far from the truth, your skills are indeed equal to his and your natural fighting talent and potential is perhaps one of the greatest of this generation and anyone who has seen your fights with him knows that you could have beaten him…so why? Why when the advantage is clearly your does the Pig Tailed boy manage to pull a victory out of his ass?"
Ryoga made sure to follow P-Chan with his eyes never keeping his eyes off of him as he waited for the answer to the question because lord knows he was trying to figure it all out ever sense he first met his friend/rival.
"It is said that everyone when they are born as a place in this world. A purpose if you will. It was decided by the gods, fate, or what have you that Ranma's place was within Nerima. Even though that place was Chaos incarnate even before Ranma got there, the fact that it all shifted focus to Ranma when he arrived speaks volumes. Something could happen all the way on the other side the city while Ranma is sleeping inside the comfort of the Tendo's roof over his head, it will still be connected to him in some way.
You and Ranma are so similar it is borderline disturbing really. If someone actually took the time to analyze the both of you, they would come up with the conclusion that you two are literally two sides of the same coin….a coin that can never land on it's edge."
P-Chan took the time to once again jump up on Ryoga's chest and place himself there.
"With that knowledge think about it this. You two have such presence that everyone else falls into the second fiddle when compared with the exception of the old man and the ghoul. If trees are the symbols that represented a person's existence, then you can be considered the wind, always moving, always wandering, trying to find a place in the forest that is existence, no can see you and or tell what you are but they have enough to know that you are there. It is because you are such an element that you are trapped in this cruel cycle against your will. Whenever, you truly challenged Ranma you wasn't just challenging him, you were challenging his very purpose, his very center and because you are the wind or X factor if you will you actually have the potential to take his center, so through some form or another whether it be skill, luck, trickery, cowardly tactics or whatever, fate has deemed that you will lose the big one.
Kind of depressing thinking that the hands of fate it's self might actually be working against you or maybe I am over complicating things. Maybe it is just some person with a twisted sense of humor sitting behind a desk with a bunch of drawing utensils declared that Ryoga Hibiki despite the fact haven't suffered enough can never win."
Ryoga raised his eyebrow over that last bit and sighed as he heard P-Chan snickering before continuing.
"But, I digress, you will most likely win the smaller skirmishes but when it comes to the true epic duels you will lose every time. Not because of skill but because you are trying desperately to be part of something you have no real business being a part of. It is not your fault, hell I know you would be more grateful to belong to something that most people take for granted but there can't be two Ranmas and there can't be two Ryogas. Do you understand?"
"Yes…." Ryoga's voice was nothing more than a whisper; there was more air than actual voice in the reply. It made sense; he was trying to figure out what it was that truly set Ranma apart from him and why he wanted to defeat him so badly. Sure the pig took the long way around but, in the end he was right. He suddenly remembered those stinging words Z said to him when he was at his mercy. you are DESTINED to fail. YOU lose to a guy whose final attack is just running away like a coward! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TELLING YOU?~
"It is interesting really…"
"What is?..." Ryoga once again spoke in that whisper.
"With a couple of changes, it could have easily been on the reverse. You could have been in Ranma's position and he in yours." P-Chan once again jumped up but this time sat next to Ryoga's head. "Ryoga, I am telling you all of this because I wanted to make things quite clear that there is nothing for you on the current path you are on. You know who your parents are but you never truly knew them. You never really felt a mother's love, or a father's pride, most of the people you know in Nerima just use you in an effort to archive their own ends which almost always involve Ranma and the closest thing you have to a pure friend Akane….well let's face it, friendships are fickle they can range from seeing each other every day, sharing your deepest darkest secret, to a casual greeting at your local food market after not seeing each other for a few months….guess which side of the spectrum your friendship falls under."
Ryoga raised his head a bit. It was the first major movement he did sense arriving at this forest clearing.
"No, Ryoga….I can show you a different path.
A path where you don't have to work so hard trying desperately to archive recognition that some people selfishly piss away.
A path where you won't have to wonder about your purpose in this world or make such an effort to create one.
A path where the happiness that you so desperately seek doesn't have to be a lifetime journey.
A path where you will be able to crush your enemy into a bloody mass if you so desired."
The Lost boy watched with growing amazement at grin grew on P-Chan's lips. He eyes widen as he slowly sat up with his arms behind him to support him, he noticed that the small piglet began to give off an ominous crimson glow and slowly began to grow in size. "W…What are you?"
"What am I?" Ryoga literally jumped to his feet as he listened to P-Chan's voice which was much deeper than it should have been for his taste. With renewed strength he quickly got to his feet never taking his eyes off the piglet. But, as he finally made it on two legs P-Chan jumped passed him and literally dived into his casting shadow much like a swimmer dives into the deep water.
The Bandana boy looked on in surprised over the fact. After a few moments, he looked on as his shadows began to become twisted and shapeless before finally reverting back to Ryoga's shape completely with two glowing red eyes. "What the he-"Before Ryoga could finish that though the shadow began to move and rise off the ground. He looked on dumbstruck as he saw his shadow literally take on a life of it's own.
It wasn't before long that he was staring at a perfect shadow clone of himself only everything the clone was wearing was shadow.
"What am I you say? I could be your conscious, your voice of reason and thought or I could be a figment of your imagination that you came up with while you were here and I was created to lay it all out for you when you couldn't yourself. But both of those are wrong…."
Ryoga could literally feel his heart trying to leap out of his chest in an effort to get away when he heard his shadow clone talk to him. It spoke with both the voice of P-Chan and his own; to say that this was strange would just be putting it mildly. That foulness he felt when he first met Z was there but somehow this was different, this was far greater and more intense.
"I…..am you."
The martial artist saw a huge twisted grin appeared on the shadow face as it reached out with it's darkened hand in an effort to grab him. He couldn't move his body was frozen in fear of this….this thing. All the training in the world and he just wasn't prepared on how to deal with something like this.
"No…NO!" Ryoga shouted to the heavens when suddenly he awakened and quickly sat up from the futon. His eyes were wide, his heart was racing, his breathe was heavy, and he was covered in a cold sweat. It took a bit of time for his mind to follow his body to the waken world but once he did he finally took the time to look at his surroundings.
He was in a room of some kind; this caused confusion as he damn sure remembered not being there before. He wondered if this was just another part of the dream as well when suddenly the wound on his chest finally protested over the fact that he sat up so quickly. With a groan he placed his hand over the wound trying to calm down the pain. At least it was proof enough that he was no longer in that nightmare.
He looked down expecting to see more blood but to his surprised he was bandage up and the serious injury he sustained with his fight against that bastard didn't hurt near as much as it did before. He tried to gather his thoughts trying to piece what happened. He remembered wondering desperately trying to get back home when….
"That right…..Ranma found me." He spoke at the emptiness of the room. He concluded that he must have taken him back to the Tendo dojo and tended to his wounds. As he looked on he could see his traveling pack resting against the wall. He let out a sigh as he lay back down. He would have to take Ranma for his help….hopefully he won't be stuck up about it.
"RANMA!"
Ryoga quickly sat up when he heard the cry of his one-time love interest hit his ears. He knew when Akane was upset and from the way she said the name of her finance the voice was a mixture of fear and concern. He wondered what was going on when suddenly he heard an impact followed by a light rumble against the ground, it was enough to cause the house to slightly shake. There was a battle going on right outside, Ranma was fighting someone….someone who's aura was cold and…..familiar.
The Lost boy's eyes widen as he quickly sprang to his feet. It was him….it was Z, he didn't know how but he found him. He would sooner be damned before he was going to let that bastard harmed his friends. His body was still racked with pain but he wasn't going to let THAT stop him, with determination he raced and opened the door and quickly went through only to find himself into the closet.
"DAMNIT….THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME FOR THIS TO HAPPEN!"
(Earlier)
Within the Tokyo district of Nerima, it is quite common that chaos and destruction went hand in hand and normally at the center of it all was the young man known as Ranma Saotome. The concept of it all evolved around martial arts in some form or another whether it was formal like an honorable duel or something not so formal like a martial arts takeout race, but no matter what was going on everyone knew that a fight of some kind was taking place.
It has been months sense any real chaos was within Nerima but it seemed that it was picking up right where things left off after Saffron. The backyard of the Tendo household two adversaries were about to face each other. While the peace was nice while it lasted, Ranma just knew that it couldn't last forever…but it could have at least lasted one good year.
The Heir to the Saotome School was in his default fighting stance while carefully sizing up Z. He saw his opponent was in a very casual stance, in fact, he looked like someone who was on his way to a corporate board meeting not a fight, hell both of his hands were placed calmly in his pockets and he still had on that damn eerie grin. He wanted to rush in and attack this man but he wasn't stupid. This was the same guy who did the damage to Ryoga so; he was going to have to caution.
He felt that he and this Zach developed a small little audience. Kasumi and Soun was there wanting to see what the commotion was earlier but one they saw it was a fight they decided to just calmly watch, not too much longer after that Nibiki arrived finally coming home after being gone for the day no doubt doing whatever underhanded deed she needed to do in order to get some Yen, but that was irrelevant to him right now. Right now he had someone to defeat, as long as he played it smart and try to find a weakness to this guy's form then he knew he would win after all he was the one who defeated the Phoenix Emperor.
"What's wrong Ranma?"
Ranma eyes narrowed as he heard the man speaking forcing his thoughts back.
"If you are waiting for me, then all you had to do was say so."
Ranma blinked as the man suddenly rushed at him with speed that actually rivaled his Female form. Bring forth all of his agility he just barley manage to dodge the forward open hand strike that was meant for his face. Unlike most attacks that were normally thrown his way he wasn't able to recover his balance for this dodge was more of desperation than skill. As he fell to the ground he quickly flipped backwards to his feet to avoid another strike aimed towards him.
When he landed on his feet he saw the man's hand still placed upon the ground and around the hand was a tiny yet perfectly formed crater. Seeing this, Ranma got an idea of what one of his punches would do to him if they actually connected.
"What's wrong Ranma? Is running away all you are good at?"
Ranma watched as the man stood upright while opening and closing his attacking hand as if to see it was still functioning. The young martial artist of course smirked when he heard the comment. "Don't flatter yourself; I am just sizing up my opponent that is all."
"Good, I would hate to think I came all this way for nothing."
Before Ranma could say anything, Zach was on him again, he wasn't doing any more of those forward thrusts, this time he was actually fighting Ranma with fist instead of that palm strike he started off with and as a result Ranma noticed that Z's speed and agility was lowered to match his own and in this regard he felt he had more of a chance than before.
After avoiding a kick from Zach and hoping to put some distance between them with some back handsprings, he found himself surprised with Z was already on him. With no time to dodge, he quickly blocked the attack, he felt a stinging discomfort every time he actually had to block the guy's attack but it was nothing he couldn't handle. He tried to take the offensive with a couple of punches of his own but they were quickly blocked by Zach. They were exchanging blows to see which who would be on the offensive.
After Ranma's fifth attempt to actually connect a punch to Zach's body, he found that his attack was once again block but what he didn't count on was Z grabbing his wrist and actually pulling him towards the man in black, all he could do was grunt in pain as the man quickly drove his elbow into Ranma's stomach.
Not wanting to leave himself open, Ranma attempted another punch at the silver haired man who just quickly moved out of the poor excuse of an attack and in the next second the pig-tailed martial artist felt Zach giving him a kick to his spine, as he lurched forward he quickly found himself connecting with a spinning hook kick aimed at his chest. The impact was more than enough for him to flip in mid-air before he hit the ground hard.
"Heh, you are not half bad kid..…in 15 to 20 years you might actually be good enough to be in my shadow."
Ranma herd the man taunting him but for the moment decided not to be goaded. His mind raced even through the pain trying to figure out what was going on here. Ranma was no slouch when it came to Strength and endurance, he has done feats of strength that wasn't humanly possible and he has endured attacks that would people most in the world's population in intensive care if they were lucky. But, this guy's attack strength was like the power of a freight train going at maximum speed all compressed into a fist. An almost overwhelming sense of pain was placed in each area that the man's attack's connected; it was even hard to breathe thanks to that kick to the chest he endured.
"What are you doing just laying there Ranma? You can't let that jerk Whip on you like that!" Ranma blinked as he turned towards the doorway to find that his oh so sensitive fiancé standing there with her arms folded and a look of annoyance across her face. It was actually moments like this that he was glad that he didn't make her his official wife yet.
"Well, well, well, helllllooooo Akane"
Ranma felt a shiver down his spine as he looked over at Zach who was now eyeing his fiancé. Summoning his strength he quickly moved to his feet. "Forget her; this fight is far from over." The pig-tailed boy received a kick to his ribs which came so fast that by the time he realized what happened he was already back on the ground.
Zach looked at the oh so luscious Akane Tendo with a sharp eye. Part of him screamed to keep focus on the fight and not to underestimate Ranma playtime could come afterwards, but he quickly silence that part of his mind. His…..playful nature couldn't be denied when an opportunity presented it's self. Besides he actually had a theory he wanted to test.
Moving with the same speed he was using to engage Ranma before he suddenly stood in front of the youngest Tendo. In a swift motion he clasp one of her delicate hands and placed it within both of his own.
"Akane Tendo, We meet at last. I must say that actually being this close to you truly helps me to truly grasp your beauty." Zach gave a gentle smile that actually caused Akane to be stunned and even blush a little bit. He knew very well that she too found him quite handsome but damn if she was going to show it openly.
"What exactly is it with Akane attaching the odd subgroup of the male sex?"
"Ah it is actually quite simple really if one actually breaks it down." Zach's smile seems to grow as he heard the voice of Akane's older Sister Nibiki asking him the question. He gently chuckled before he continued to address her. "Nice creamy skin, great curves, not to tall but clearly in shape, has just a bit of a rough edge to her personally to keep a man on his toes but still quite soft when you get to the center of it all.
Z suddenly shivered as a small laugh escape his lips. "ooooooooo it makes my bones hot." He looked on with amusement as Akane's entire face turned beet red. She quickly removed her hand from his and proceeded to slap him across the face but the only result was that slap was to hurt her hand. "Oh yeah baby, I love it when the chicks give me a nice preview…come on let me have another for good luck."
"…Gladly."
"Huh?"
Z blinked in confusion as the reply was oddly masculine the next thing he knew he felt five knuckles colliding with his face with enough force to send him crashing though the backyard wall. At least one of his theories proved correct, playing with Akane Tendo was the key to get Ranma to take things to the next level.
Ranma rubbed his knuckles calmly as he looked on at the hole in the wall that Zach's body recently created. He had to say that it felt good to finally land a good solid punch on this guy, he never figured the guy as much of a fighter when he first laid eyes on him but, that was a mistake that was costing him dearly. He was truly loathed to admit it but if it wasn't for that little stint he did with Akane he wouldn't have the time to gain his second wind.
The Saotome heir took the time to look over at Akane giving her both a serious and concern look. "Make sure to keep away from him Akane, He is the one who gave Ryoga his injuries." He saw the look of surprise and Horror on her face as it sank in for her.
"You mean…He is the one that -?"
Ranma calmly nodded before she could finish the question, he knew from the way her skin became paler that she was thinking about that twisting wound on their friend's chest. Even though he couldn't blame her he truly hated to see her like this and that MAN was the cause of all of it. Well, he was done playing around, he said he was going to pay him back for what he did for Ryoga and planned to keep his word. No matter what obstacle that was placed in front of him, he always found a way to win and the end, So it was time to take it to the next level.
"Alright!" Ranma called out to Zach as he jumped back into the backyard watching the hole waiting for his opponent to emerge his confidence steadily building. "While, you are good, it is time you find out why I am the best there is. So get ready because now the gloves are off."
With renewed determination Ranma got back into his fighting stand, everyone could hear his knuckles cracked as he closed his hands into his fist. He was ready this time…this guy had monstrous strength that was just like Ryoga….no surpassed Ryoga and his speed matched his own, but he was getting a sense of this guy's way of fighting now. However, the thoughts he was processing in a strategy on how to reengage him in battle was quickly placed aside as he saw the man coming back through the hole all the while laughing.
Ranma watch the place laughed towards the heavens with one gloved hand covering the upper half of his face. "What's so funny?" The man stopped laughing and lowered his hand to look at the Pig-tailed boy but he still had that same damn eerie grin.
"You poor diluted boy…WHAT ISN'T?"
Ranma's eyes narrowed at that little statement but he didn't say anything so the man would continue.
"I never heard such an amusing joke in a long time. 'The best there is' and 'The gloves are off'? Are you kidding me? Then what were you doing all this time while I was beating you down? Huh? Showing off a branch in your 'oh so great' style? The Saotome School of face to feet and fists style of anything goes martial arts?"
A growl slips past the throat of Ranma as he looked at the silver haired jerk. Still, he was mocking him in that same playful manner he did earlier when he was asking him those fake question. All it did was to remind him that he had a THIRD reason for shutting this guy up once and for all. "I've had all I can talk of your crap."
"Then bring it on you Hydro sexual he-bitch!"
With the speed he was known for, the Saotome Heir charged at the Man in black with the impression of launching his punch right at his chest. He saw as the man notice him despite his speed and went up to block his attack but as he raised his arm the young martial artist couldn't help but smirk at Zach. "Kachü Tenshin Amaguriken!"
The Chestnuts fist connected with Zach flawlessly, Ranma was able to land punch after punch after punch into the torso of his opponent. What seemed like one punch to the untrained eye was actually hundreds of punches…hell even those who had a sharper eyes could mostly see only a blur where the young man's arms was suppose to be, but Zach didn't have that problem he could feel each and every one of the impacts.
When Ranma finished with his attack he saw Zach was launched back but his feet was firmly placed on the ground causing the ground to be up heaved but he still didn't leave his feet. Now that Ranma's thought about it, he couldn't remember the man in black being brought down not once. Even he was sent him through the wall he was still on his feet. Just who in the hell was this guy.
His eyes became more focus as he watch Zach quickly recover from his attack. ~This guy has monster stamina…I got to for a way to get him off his feet~ Ranma blinked as he suddenly herd Zach give a dark chuckle. "What's so funny?"
"Ryoga was right…..they do feel like baby punches."
Ranma let out a frustrated growl as he launches himself at Zach again. He saw that man was still stumbling a bit and he didn't want to wait for the silver haired man to fully get his bearing, Ranma once again launched himself to attack, He saw the man raised his arms in an effect of defense but he wasn't going to let that stop him. With a fierce battle cry he prepared to bombard his adversary with the chestnut fist again only this time he was using both hands…..or at least that was the plan.
Within the blink of an eye Zach was right in his face with that cocky grin ever present, it happened so fast that Ranma didn't even realized what was going on until he tried to move his arms. He looked down as saw that Zach had both his wrist grasped tightly around his gloved hands. Ranma was truly shocked, this man so fast that not only he was able to easily outmaneuver the double chest fist; he even took the time to catch both his wrists in mid-attack. He was so surprised he almost didn't notice the man speaking to him.
"Wow….you are just too easy to bait, just like all the other opponents you fight."
Ranma suddenly found himself launched into the air as he was on the receiving end of an uppercut. Everything happened so hard and so fast that he didn't even notice where he was about to land.
"RANMA!"
Ranma could hear Akane's scream in the background just before he found himself submerged in the pound. Once he felt the water he almost immediately felt the change on his male form and mentally cursed himself for not paying more attention to where he was going to land. He or rather she quickly rose out of the pond in order to gasp for air. She shook the water out of her red hair before she gave Zach a scowl.
"Now that's an appropriate form for you Ranma my boy…oh sorry, girl."
Ranma-chan quickly jumped out of the pound fully intending to continue the fight but her eyes widen as she suddenly realize that she was unable to move. With just her eyes she looked down and saw she struggling but her body didn't want to complete it was like her very skin was made out weigh over 100 tons. She some effect she looked back up and saw Zach with his hands in his pocket the same damn grin on his face but those snake like eyes were glowing this time. It didn't take the now pig-tailed girl to put two and two together. "What's wrong? Can't beat me fair and square?"
The pig-tailed girl was a little surprised she was able to talk considering that everything else wasn't working when it came to body movement but she wasn't complaining in face if anything she was a little confused. She got a reaction out of him but not the reaction she was looking for, in fact he was downright laughing that she just said the best joke ever.
"'fair and square'…..oh I hope you are joking Ranma."
"Why don't you release me and find out if I am kidding or not." The Pig tailed girl growled as she tried another vain attempt to get free. When she realized that it was useless to force herself from her situation, she heard Zach speaking.
"Ranma, Ranma, Ranma….You are literally one of the LAST people on this planet who should be talking about doing things fair and square."
Ranma growled once again as she saw that playful look in the man's eye but she didn't say anything but just listened as he continued.
"Ranma what you are experiencing now is nothing short of reality. You see, I have been watching you for a very long time now and I can honestly say that there is no real reason why you should even attempt to call yourself a martial artist that would be an insult to martial artists everywhere…no you are more along the lines of a street fighter. Martial Artist actually have honor."
"What the hell do you know about honor?" Ranma growled as she tried to move.
"What I have forgotten about honor is more than you will ever know of it boy. You see in truth we are a lot alike, you and I."
"We are nothing alike!" Ranma fiercely interrupted, but mostly Z ignored the outburst and continued
"Ah still don't understand let me break it down for you. Ranma Saotome, you have been raised by your father in his efforts to turn you into a man among men. Someone to give an example to young males, anyway any five year old can tell you that a real man is brave, tough, stand up and faces up to even the toughest challenge."
Ranma looked on with a curious eye as he saw Zach with his hand on his chin and is index finger tapping his cheek, he could feel a tingle in his spine. She didn't like where he was going with this.
"Let's take a trip down memory lane. When you were out in the woods facing Ryoga right after he completed that stupid breaking point technique. What did you do when you found yourself being overwhelmed by Ryoga's offense what did you do?...You tuck your pig tail in between your legs and you ran like a coward. Of course, I don't know whether I find it either amusing or just plain embarrassing that you actually call running away your final attack.
Ranma…here is a newsflash for you. Running away is not manly. REAL men stand their ground and fight on even when things are overwhelming for them. REAL martial artist knows that when their opponent's runs away that means they FORFEIT the match. In that one little moment of that so called 'Final Attack' you failed yourself as a martial artist and you failed yourself as a man.
Now I know you try to justify it with that your styles name sake 'anything goes' martial arts…..seriously that is just stupid. I mean according the logic of 'anything goes' martial arts, you can train for 16 years in the style and challenge someone to a martial arts duel only for your opponent to pull out a gun and shoot you dead but even though he used a gun he has won the duel through martial arts..after all it is 'anything goes', this is why you should call yourself a street fighter rather than a martial artist because unlike martial art duels a real street fight has NO rules.
Not to mention I can't believe you proudly state what your style you use knowing full well that your origin of your whole martial art is from a perverted little old man who spends his time stealing women's underwear. Seriously if I were you, I would be downright embarrassing."
Ranma-chan lowered her eyes as she listened to Zach plow into her, she really couldn't do much else but what was getting to her the most was that he actually had a point. But, what really disturbed her was that this Zach guy knew about that. The forest wasn't exactly as place to run into people at random. Of course, she couldn't dwell on it any more as he continued on.
"Oh but the most entertaining part about you, is your phobia of losing. Oh, man it is so crazy it is borderline disturbing. I mean, Ranma you have such a fear of losing that you will do whatever cheap, underhanded trick you can thick of in an effect so that you will get your way.
When Ryoga defeated you the first time he used the Shi Shi Hokudan. You were trying desperately to learn the move but, when you just couldn't manage, you whined like a little girl screaming saying. 'it wasn't a real duel.'
I swear to all that is holy, you are like a little kid crying when things don't go your way or when he failed to be someone at a video game. You are so desperate not to lose that you will do anything and everything in order not to. For example, when Ryoga was doing that dumb ki blast, once again you knew that you couldn't beat him with actual skill so you have to trick and deceive him to win those couple of battles. Not very honorable Ranma….and hell it isn't just Ryoga, Happosai you have to use women's panties, When the Kuno boy had that wishing sword instead of challenging him for it, you thought you just deceive him by pretending to be the 'prettiest girl in the world' and take it that way. I mean heaven for bit you would actual use SKILL to archive victory.
I mean hell, Ryoga is an idiot but at least he attempts to fight fair and square. Despite knowing your weakness of cats, he has never EVER used it against you….YOU? You take everything you know about Ryoga and you go right for the jugular if it means that you will win.
This is what you are Ranma, when you can't win by skill, you are tricks, you are deception, sometimes you are cruelty...Oh yes we are a lot alike Ranma. We are most charismatic evil bastards. The real difference is that I am not afraid to admit it."
"Evil?" Was all Ranma-chan could say before she felt Z's hand on her throat and with one quick motion lifted her up into the air, her body was still under that damn paralysis so she was unable to move.
"That right Ranma, You see….evil cheats, that's it's nature. It does whatever unscrupulous or immoral thing it has to do in order to WIN. That's why it is called evil." The Pig-tailed girl was brought closer to Zach whose face was mere inches away from her own. "And I have say, considering how, shapely your female form is, the fact that you are an evil little vixen makes you that much hotter.
I am going to have lots of fun playing with you"
Ranma-chan eyes widen with surprise as Zach's voice changed a bit from a deep masculine voice to being smooth and almost soothing in a dark kind of way. She then cried out in both surprise and disgust as she felt Zach's tongue run it's self across her cheek, the most disturbing part that it wasn't normal…it was long and slender with a forked end like a serpent's It was enough to cause Ranma-chan to shiver down to her very core. ~He truly isn't human!~
"Hum…I wonder if you are able to convince children."
Ranma-chan's gave a look of shock and horror as she looked at the smiling face of Zach. She could feel his hand gently rubbing her abdomen and she was downright terrified of what his possible plans with her consist of, oh if only she could move.
"SHI SHI HOKODAN!"
The sound of Ryoga's voice filled her ears, and when she saw the Green light impact the bastard's back she could actually bring herself to move again. It seemed that attack caused him to lose concentration thus weakening his paralyzing technique.
"Now Ranma!"
Hearing encouragement from her friend/Rival, the Pig-tailed girl grabbed the man in black's arm with her hands and wrapped her legs around the rest of his arm and with all the strength she could muster in her female formed quickly flipped him over causing him to finally hit the ground sense the whole fight began.
Ranma-chan not wasting any time flipped back to her feet and moved away to the other side of the yard. She need some time to collect herself…her muscle felt incredible sore and whatever adrenaline she had in order to withstand Zach's punches was long gone as she felt her body wracked with near crippling pain, the fact that she was on one knee instead of laying on the ground passed out was nothing short of a miracle. It must have been an effect to that damn technique Zach used on her. She looked over and saw Ryoga standing there, his hands still clasp before him reeling from executing the Shi Shi Hokodan, it seemed that he hadn't fully recovered yet but he was better than he was when she first found him. She was truly thankful that Ryoga intervene when he did.
"You got to use Ki-blasts on him Ranma. That bastard's too tough for mere physical attacks to work, no matter how much you beat him down."
Ranma-chan nodded to her friends advice, she just wish she had the energy to summon the Mökö Takabisha. Things were looking very bleak, she was seconds away from being down for the count and she knew it and Ryoga wasn't much better, he looked practically on his death bed a few hours ago aside for helping her out earlier she didn't know if he was going to be of any help, and the fact that Z was already up didn't help matters.
"If it isn't one thing it is another." Z calmly dusted himself off and felt his shoulder. Considering that is where the ki attack hit him it would make sense it would tingle a bit. It seemed that he was glad that it wasn't big enough to do any real damage. "Well well well, I was wondering how long it would take you to come back into the world of the living. Welcome back Ryoga….it seems I didn't 'gift wrap' you tight enough…well that's ok you know what they say. The more the merrier. But, sense now it is two on one I think it s time for me to stop playing around now. "
Both Ranma-chan and Ryoga got into a ready stance….well at least they attempted to anyway. They both watch as Z was giving them a crazed grin and for the first time they could actually see his aura…it was seeping out from his body like a yellow mist. They both tried not to show it but they felt overwhelmed now by his mere presence.
"Get ready boys…"
Before Zach could take a single step everyone who was watching the fight suddenly saw a small shadow come out of nowhere, striking the ground at the center of the Tendo back yard causing a shockwave bringing everyone off their feet with the exception of Zach. Ranma-chan and Ryoga along with the Tendos found themselves both surprised and relieved once she found out what hit the ground. "Old Ghoul?…."
"Granny?"
Zach on the other hand had an annoyed look on his face, perhaps for the first time sense this whole thing began. "Step aside old woman; this is not your business."
Cologne was place on top of her Staff looking directly at Zach with large fierce eyes. "That is where you are wrong Zach, whenever you are involved with anything it instantly becomes my business. This fight is over snake, that is unless you believe that even you can take on all three of us."
Zach growled his frustration becoming more apparent. "Of course, they are going to have to prepare three urns because when I-"
The silver haired man stopped for a second and with a curious glance his eyes glanced over to Ryoga. As if looking at the lost boy under a magnifying glass his frustration was replaced by a tiny smirk, his eyes moved and back over to the female form of Ranma and looking at her his smirk grew wider. In fluid motion, Z calmly jumped up and landed on the roof the Tendo house. "Alright, You will get your wish old crone….but don't worry boys, we WILL pick this up on a later date…I will make sure 'deliver' of when and where our continuation will take place. Until we meet again."
"Hey wait!" Ranma yelled out to the retreating Zach but it was too late as he already disappeared. She cursed under her breath as she finally felt the pain her body was wracked with over take her and as she hit the ground she finally let the darkness take her.
Well there it is, Chapter 4. Make sure to send me feedback about the fight scene I am not really sure it turned out all right. You know what they say about being your own worst critic? Well that is defiantly the case with me. Let me know what you all think, be gentle. ;p
Anyway, I hope you are enjoying the story and I hope to have chapter 5 up not to long after turkey day. :)
- Xul
