Chapter 8: Deathmatch?
A/N: Small note on the EVA continuity. When I referrenced 'Dr. Akagi,' I'm talking about Ritsuko's mother. Some people don't know enough of Evangelion to get that right away.
********
The day had arrived, and Muu Tsu was tired from the long night of work. He told himself that he should be taking the fight more seriously, but it really wasn't that important to him. The momentary heat that flared in his veins the previous day had long since cooled, and he was going to perform to merely go through the motions. He was confident of his inevitable victory. At least, he knew he would be after the coffee kicked in.
"Where is Xian Fu?" he asked Ko Lon, as he prepared to depart for the event. Ko Lon turned her eyes skyward, to the apartments above and the bath where Xian Fu was doing some personal 'cleansing.'
"She is...otherwise occupied," she answered. "It is no matter, we should depart for the meeting place now. It is time to prove your mettle, Muu Tsu," she said, leaving a long pause in her wake.
"...Son-in-law," she finally finished. A slight grin spread its way across Muu Tsu's face at hearing those words. In some way, it meant that he was finally accepted by his own. That kind of thing really does wonders for self-esteem, he had been told. Now he knew that fact firsthand, and he stepped out on the street with determination and purpose.
**
This is it, thought Ranma as he began his opening streaches. Whatever's happened to Muu Tsu, he's grown at least ten times in strength and speed. I've got to find some way around all that.
A sizable crowd had turned out for the event, courtesy of the best publicist money could buy. Nabiki was making a killing on tickets, as people had begun to bring their cousins and freinds from neighboring wards to witness the brawls that made up daily life in Nerima. It was the closest thing to 'extreme wrestling' exhibitions that they could get in Japan. Akane watched Ranma streach, and thought of how Muu Tsu had changed in recent days.
The way that Muu Tsu had gotten so angry, and vicious, she thought. I sure hope that Ranma can handle him; he's humiliated him so many times, I hope it doesn't all come back on him today.
It seemed as if the entirety of the Nerima regulars had turned out to witness the brawl. Through each of the times Ranma had been weakened, bested, or challenged, none seemed as imposing as this. He was facing someone that had nearly been an equal at one time, but now had undergone an amazing change. They were all curious to see how this would turn out, with more then a few rivals wishing for a public beating for their most hated martial artist. Gosunkugi even had an extra-special Voodoo doll for the occation.
Good luck, son, thought Genma from the sidelines. Show that kid who's boss!
*/If he doesn't kill him, I will!/* vowed the darkness.
The crowd milled about, their attention divided between the streaching martial artist, and the various stands and yokai carts scattered around the athletic field of Furinkan high. Uyko had a cart set up, as always, and was making a killing, as always. The time was right, and all that was lacking was the opponent.
Muu Tsu crested the hill solemnly, followed close by the hobbling form of Ko Lon as she strode forward, using the cane to actually walk. The rising sun was framed against their backs as they closed in on the fighting grounds. Ranma had just come out of a spinning kick excersize, and looked up just in time to catch the crowd parting to allow Muu Tsu's entrance. He nodded once, and the Chinese martial artist nodded back.
A neutral third party had been chosen for referee, and that was Sasuke. He stepped forward between the two combatants to read off the modified terms of the bout. Unrolling a scroll, the diminuative ninja began to speak.
"This is a fight of honor between Ranma Saotome and Muu Tsu Jiang," he began. "It has already been agreed upon by both parties that this will be the final battle between the two fighters. There will be no rematch. Both parties agree that any and all means of attack are permissible, and knockout wins," he stated, rolling up the scroll and taking position to begin the match.
"Both of you ready?" he asked, looking at each in turn. They both nodded, eyes locked apon each other as they awaited the signal to begin. Facing center, Sasuke crossed his arms, flattening his hands and swinging them to the sides in one fluid motion. "Begin!" he cried, performing backwards summersaults until he was clear of the area.
To this day, that fight is still spoken of in whispers.
Ranma swung in with a quick right jab, which Muu Tsu practically evaporated to dodge. The jab was a feint, which was followed up by a low sweep, which Muu Tsu performed a back handspring to avoid, planting his foot in Ranma's chin in the process. When Muu Tsu was back on his feet, he started on the attack, hands only. He struck for Ranma's midsection, his punches only meant to test the martial artist's defenses. Ranma found himself backing away, blocking with both hands to avoid Muu Tsu's jabs.
With the attention drawn to the fists, Muu Tsu decided to attempt a few kicks. With a smirk, he dropped to one hand, and leveled two powerful front kicks directly into Ranma's side. The pigtailed martial artist was propelled across the field, and left a gouge in the ground as he slid to a stop. Getting to his feet, Ranma grit his teeth and flared his aura, preparing to deliver a Chi burst that was sure to do more to the Chinese martial artist then give him a sunburn. With a scream of fury, Ranma delivered the strike.
"Moku Takabisha!" announced the pigtailed boy, as the superheated ball of air raced towards the Chinese youth. Muu Tsu watched the approaching energy attack with amusement, as time slowed to his comprehension. At the last possible second, Muu Tsu leapt high into the air, performing the white crane stance at the apex of the fifty-foot leap. Ranma reacted quickly, dashing underneath the form of the Amazon youth. Using the heat left in the wake of his chi attack, Ranma performed a quick spiral and gathered his strength for his second major attack.
"Hiruu Shoten HA!" He exclaimed, as the whirlwind of enormous energy leapt into the sky to embrace the form of the airborne Chinese youth. As the cyclone whipped into the heavens, Ranma was greeted with the shock of his life as Muu Tsu crashed down the center of it, chains in tow. Landing a forceful kick into Ranma's cheast, Muu Tsu made a graceful landing, and retracted the chains he had embedded into both a nearby fence, and the school building itself. Ranma got to his feet in a rage.
"That's it!" he exclaimed. "No more tricks, no more games. Just you and me," he stated, removing his bracers and shirt. Muu Tsu looked him dead-on and removed his robe, free from all hidden tools. This was enough for him. Both fighters took only half a second to gauge each other before leaping into the offensive. Ranma jumped in with a cross, and Muu Tsu ducked to the side, deflecting the blow and countering it with a jab. His spider- senses were working overtime, giving him answers to where the next hit was coming from. Ranma took the jab, and countered with an uppercut, following through with a back spin kick. Muu Tsu ducked the kick and swept low with a kick of his own.
Leaping over the sweep, Ranma turned the arial motion to his advantage, tucking forward and executing a drop-kick with his right leg. Muu Tsu reached up to grab the offending appendage, using it as a brace to launch a springing kick of his own from the ground. The strike flew past Ranma's face, and in the split second between the air hitting his face and Muu Tsu's foot ramming into his shoulder, he actually believed the Amazon had missed. Catching the force of the kick into a spin, Ranma spun and embraced the ground, only to handspring himself upright again, ready to face his opponent again.
Muu Tsu decided to go on the offensive, launching a series of leaping kicks at Ranma's head while the Pigtailed Martial artist furiously went to block them. Landing again on his feet, Muu Tsu delivered a Pak-sao overhanded punch combination, catching both of Ranma's arms as he went to block the strike. Ranma countered by latching onto Muu Tsu's arms and leaping into the air to make the fight an arial battle. After reaching a decent height, Ranma smirked and broke from the hold, ready to unleash upon the young Amazon. Muu Tsu remained calm faced as he flared his arms and performed a perfect front arial somersault onto the young Saotome's shoulders. Having locked himself onto the boy's body, Muu Tsu hammered Ranma's face with both hands, delivering right and left hooks like they were going out of style. When they reached the ground, Muu Tsu leapt from the pigtailed boy's shoulders, executing a double back tuck while his opponent caused a small crater in the earth.
Pulling himself to his feet yet one more time, Ranma had had enough. "Kacchu Tenshin Amagoriken!" he exclaimed, flying at Muu Tsu with all the strength he had left. Again, Muu Tsu found his senses ramping as all motion slowed to a crawl. He felt the breeze off of the first strike sail past his left ear, then deflected one aimed straight for his adam's apple. Left, right, left, right. The fight of the previous week repeated itself, as each strike in turn was deflected by the hyped-up nervous system of the superpowered martial artist. Muu Tsu seemed lost in a different world as he once again left the defense of his body to one hand, resting the other on his hip as he turned to the side, not even watching as the punches flew toward his body.
That's it! thought Ko Lon with excitement. There is no mistaking it. He is the one foretold of in the prophesy, the one who will stop the great catyclism, the one we have searched for all these centuries...Muu Tsu, you _are_ the one.
Muu Tsu again brought himself into sharp focus after nearly a full minute of hyperspeed lon-sao/pak-sao countering. Whirling his arm about, he caught Ranma's right wrist and spun it forward, hunching the pigtailed martial artist over and causing a painful sound to emerge from his forearm. To his credit, Ranma seemed ready for this maneuver, and attempted a stop- hit with his right leg, only to have his stop-hit countered in much the same manner, following through with a mighty sidekick that carried Ranma fully across the field into the goalpost, where the young Saotome lay still. Muu Tsu held that leg in place midair for a moment before drawing it back and performing a slight bow.
The crowd went wild, both apprehensive at their supreme champion's defeat, and absolutely dazzled at the perfomance they had witnessed. Sasuke rushed forward, panting with excitement, to hold Muu Tsu's arm up as far as he could.
"Knockout! We have a knockout, Ladies and gentlemen! I hereby declare Muu Tsu the winner!" he declared. Muu Tsu strode evenly to where his robe lay, and bent to retrieve it. Only then did Ko Lon detect the smile that began to spread across his face.
I know you dissapproved sensei, but that was for you. I fought well, and I fought fair, he thought to the heavens, donning his robe again. He then strode down the length of the field to check on the condition of his opponent. Ranma had indeed been knocked out, but as Muu Tsu approached the goalpost, he looked no worse for wear. A crowd of his closest compadres had already massed around their fallen hero, and were worredly checking on his condition.
"Ranma-honey, are you alright?" asked a concerned Ukyo, very much afraid of serious injury on the seemingly invincible martial artist. "Talk to me, sugar!"
"Hey, enough, willya?" Ranma mumbled, rubbing his head as Muu Tsu approached. The pigtailed boy furrowed his brows and went defensive, only to be met with a smile and an offered hand. Ranma's face relaxed, and he took that hand to rise to his feet.
"You gave me the fight of my life, Saotome," Muu Tsu affirmed, keeping the hand for a firm handshake before releasing it. "No bad feelings, I hope?" he asked. Ranma had some trouble sorting out what he felt at that moment. He had just lost another fight, but for some reason as he looked around to see all of his friends around him, concerned for his well being and not being the least bit judgemental, it just didn't seem to mean anything.
"Man, I think we both gave each other a good beating," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "And a good lesson, too," he added, looking sidelong into the eyes of first Ukyo to one side, and Akane on the other. Clapping Muu Tsu on the back with his left hand, he painfully felt his right arm, tenderly feeling for any breaks.
"You did your best, sugar," beamed Ukyo. "That's all anybody can ever ask."
"Yeah, and I'm going to be feeling this one for a while, too," he replied, looking upward to the sky. "Y'know, it's funny," he stated.
"What's that, Ranma?" asked Akane.
"The world didn't end after all," he said, feeling suddenly profound. He took a deep breath, and he walked to where his shirt and bracers lay, replacing the garments. "I guess I'm growin' up in spite of myself," said Ranma, throwing a wink back at the girls. Both refused to give any ground to the boy's smarm, but showed a slight blush despite their best attempts. After a moment of self-deprevation, Ukyo just gave in and would have glomped Ranma then and there if it weren't for the immediate outburst.
"Ranma, you have disgraced your name!" roared an outraged Genma. Upon his face was a visible struggle, as the man's face transitioned from rage to terror and back again. "No son of mine could loose and be so happy about it!"
"Lay off it, old man!" came back the reply from the younger Saotome. "I lost fair and square. I gave it my best, and I'm gonna get better. I don't have to defeat everyone I know to be a great martial artist," he affirmed, looking down at his hands. "I'm starting to realize...to really know the art is not to squander it."
Ranma's words of youthful wisdom were met with cackling laughter from his elder, as Genma proceeded to laugh his ass off.
"What a load!" exclaimed the elder martial artist. "If you belive that, then you are no son of mine!"
"_Back off_ him, Saotome!" growled a defensive Ukyo, brandishing her B.A.S. in anger. She felt a sore spot in her heart for Genma, and always had. "He's twice the man you'll ever be," she affirmed. The older Saotome narrowed his eyes at her, then turned to leave.
"We'll see about that," he answered cryptically. Soon, he was gone and with him the mood that he had generated. The crowd was still gathered in the general vicinity, purchasing merchandise and milling about. These affairs had grown to be quite the local attraction, quite nearly paying for the damage incurred in the ward. A few patrons here and there congratulated Muu Tsu on his victory, even asking him for his autograph a few times. Unused to the attention, the Chinese youth complied hesitantly but warmly. As Ranma and his entorage departed for some well-deserved recouperation, Muu Tsu gave a deep bow to the departing opponent, wishing for his speedy recovery.
"Muu Tsu, that was an excellent performance," said Ko Lon as the crowd began to thin around the young Amazon. She still remained on the ground, using her own legs to get around. Muu Tsu had already decided to let a lot of old scars heal that day, so he bowed deeply to the elder and accepted her praise with thanks.
"I am honored by your praise, Elder Ko Lon," he said, and meant it. "I could not be happier to hear those words."
"I know you still don't agree with some of the ways we work," Ko Lon continued. "Perhaps someday you'll understand some of the neccessities we have had to work under," she said cryptically. "For the record, though, I am hereby granting you full membership and recognition in the tribe. You have earned it, Brother Muu Tsu."
Muu Tsu couldn't believe his ears. He had just been granted the highest honor a male could recieve in the Chinese Amazon tribe. Equality. To call a male 'Brother,' was to make him an honored member of the warrior populace, to be counciled and to take council from. Muu Tsu went to one knee, as a knight would in the kingdom of Great Briton for a dubbing, overcome with gratitude.
"I stand corrected, Ko Lon," he said. "I am grateful beyond words for this honor that you have placed upon me. From this moment on, I am as your own decendant, and I will defend your name and honor as such."
"Hopefully not too much like my own decendant, son-in-law," the old Amazon cackled. "Or else, you wouldn't be able to marry the young lady that managed to catch your perfomance," she continued, motioning in a direction as the crowd parted.
And Muu Tsu's jaw hit the floor.
Xian Fu walked in the midst of the way the crowd had made for her, like a queen before her subjects. She was dressed in a simple Chinese dress, black with golden dragons emblazoned upon the cloth. She walked with a simple gait, crossing the distance without any undue hesitation, her eyes locked into the young man's. And her hair...
Her hair was the color of brightest copper. Red, but not like what the locals had gotten used to seeing in Ranma-chan's fire-engine red pigtail. No, this red was natural and hung somewhere between a dark golden and a rich strawberry. Upon the removal of the Amazon coloring, the hair even regained a small portion of its curly nature, causing Muu Tsu to become weak-kneed to merely behold the vision. As the Amazon beauty approached him, Muu Tsu stayed on one knee, and dug furiously within his robe for what he needed most right now.
The Chinese youth drew fourth a black velvet case, and held it for Xian Fu to see clearly.
"I see you are not properly dressed for the challenge, but I will allow for time to change," he stated, his voice breaking for the first time in nearly four or five years. Xian Fu merely smiled, and shook her head.
{No,} she said simply. {No more challenges, no more fights for my hand. I will no longer abide by that law.}
Muu Tsu's jaw hit the ground a second time, now shocked and heartbroken at hearing those words. Have I just lost my chance? he asked himself, rising to his feet and reguarding the tiny box in his hands. Xian Fu answered his thoughts by leaning in for a quick peck on the cheek.
{That wasn't a no,} she whispered into his ear in Mandarin. She then turned to leave, tossing back a smile that spoke volumes. Come hither...step into my parlor...rrowr.
Muu Tsu was tired of being shocked that day. As the vision of beauty dissapeared into the crowd to see how her other main attraction fared, Muu Tsu mused over this change in circumstance.
This is certainly different, he thought. The first main truth to understand about XF was that she worked in dialectics. Her life was one through nine, no ifs, no maybes. Yes, or no. She either loved someone, or she hated them. As long as he had known the young woman, this was the first indefinite she had ever allowed herself, or outwardly shown. This was her first maybe.
"This has been one hell of a day," he said aloud, wiping the sweat from his brow. It was not even yet noon.
"You can say that again, son-in-law," remarked Ko Lon, climbing atop her cane. Muu Tsu eyed her suspiciously at the mention of the title.
"What makes you so sure of that? You just heard her, she doesn't work in the laws anymore," the Amazon youth asked. The Elder merely merely smiled, and watched in the direction her heir had retreated to.
"I have my ways, boy. Believe me," she replied, before suddenly looking skyward. Muu Tsu's spider-senses went off the charts at that exact moment, before they both caught the sight of something airborne approaching from the east at a fast clip. Everything in Muu Tsu's heart told him to watch out, that whatever it was meant trouble. "I feel an ill wind," remarked Ko Lon.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Muu Tsu answered, feeling the urge to find a cart, revolving door, phonebooth...anything. It was time to bring out his full power, and he couldn't do that just as himself. He needed to introduce someone else to the people of Nerima.
He needed to unveil the spider...
The sound of cackling laughter reached Muu Tsu's ears as he ducked behind a yokai to change...
**********
A/N: I hope you readers appreciated this fight better. It presents both fighters in more equal footing, but it just goes without saying that Muu Tsu has just become too powerful for regular human beings to tangle with. With that in mind, next chapter we'll give him a worthy adversary...
C and C welcome. Please review!!
Brief note on Shampoo's hair: This was not because of Mary Jane in any way. I'm just an absolute sucker for redheads, and I wanted to envision a natrually-redheaded Shampoo for at least one of my stories.
Next Chapter: The Green Panda Strikes!
A/N: Small note on the EVA continuity. When I referrenced 'Dr. Akagi,' I'm talking about Ritsuko's mother. Some people don't know enough of Evangelion to get that right away.
********
The day had arrived, and Muu Tsu was tired from the long night of work. He told himself that he should be taking the fight more seriously, but it really wasn't that important to him. The momentary heat that flared in his veins the previous day had long since cooled, and he was going to perform to merely go through the motions. He was confident of his inevitable victory. At least, he knew he would be after the coffee kicked in.
"Where is Xian Fu?" he asked Ko Lon, as he prepared to depart for the event. Ko Lon turned her eyes skyward, to the apartments above and the bath where Xian Fu was doing some personal 'cleansing.'
"She is...otherwise occupied," she answered. "It is no matter, we should depart for the meeting place now. It is time to prove your mettle, Muu Tsu," she said, leaving a long pause in her wake.
"...Son-in-law," she finally finished. A slight grin spread its way across Muu Tsu's face at hearing those words. In some way, it meant that he was finally accepted by his own. That kind of thing really does wonders for self-esteem, he had been told. Now he knew that fact firsthand, and he stepped out on the street with determination and purpose.
**
This is it, thought Ranma as he began his opening streaches. Whatever's happened to Muu Tsu, he's grown at least ten times in strength and speed. I've got to find some way around all that.
A sizable crowd had turned out for the event, courtesy of the best publicist money could buy. Nabiki was making a killing on tickets, as people had begun to bring their cousins and freinds from neighboring wards to witness the brawls that made up daily life in Nerima. It was the closest thing to 'extreme wrestling' exhibitions that they could get in Japan. Akane watched Ranma streach, and thought of how Muu Tsu had changed in recent days.
The way that Muu Tsu had gotten so angry, and vicious, she thought. I sure hope that Ranma can handle him; he's humiliated him so many times, I hope it doesn't all come back on him today.
It seemed as if the entirety of the Nerima regulars had turned out to witness the brawl. Through each of the times Ranma had been weakened, bested, or challenged, none seemed as imposing as this. He was facing someone that had nearly been an equal at one time, but now had undergone an amazing change. They were all curious to see how this would turn out, with more then a few rivals wishing for a public beating for their most hated martial artist. Gosunkugi even had an extra-special Voodoo doll for the occation.
Good luck, son, thought Genma from the sidelines. Show that kid who's boss!
*/If he doesn't kill him, I will!/* vowed the darkness.
The crowd milled about, their attention divided between the streaching martial artist, and the various stands and yokai carts scattered around the athletic field of Furinkan high. Uyko had a cart set up, as always, and was making a killing, as always. The time was right, and all that was lacking was the opponent.
Muu Tsu crested the hill solemnly, followed close by the hobbling form of Ko Lon as she strode forward, using the cane to actually walk. The rising sun was framed against their backs as they closed in on the fighting grounds. Ranma had just come out of a spinning kick excersize, and looked up just in time to catch the crowd parting to allow Muu Tsu's entrance. He nodded once, and the Chinese martial artist nodded back.
A neutral third party had been chosen for referee, and that was Sasuke. He stepped forward between the two combatants to read off the modified terms of the bout. Unrolling a scroll, the diminuative ninja began to speak.
"This is a fight of honor between Ranma Saotome and Muu Tsu Jiang," he began. "It has already been agreed upon by both parties that this will be the final battle between the two fighters. There will be no rematch. Both parties agree that any and all means of attack are permissible, and knockout wins," he stated, rolling up the scroll and taking position to begin the match.
"Both of you ready?" he asked, looking at each in turn. They both nodded, eyes locked apon each other as they awaited the signal to begin. Facing center, Sasuke crossed his arms, flattening his hands and swinging them to the sides in one fluid motion. "Begin!" he cried, performing backwards summersaults until he was clear of the area.
To this day, that fight is still spoken of in whispers.
Ranma swung in with a quick right jab, which Muu Tsu practically evaporated to dodge. The jab was a feint, which was followed up by a low sweep, which Muu Tsu performed a back handspring to avoid, planting his foot in Ranma's chin in the process. When Muu Tsu was back on his feet, he started on the attack, hands only. He struck for Ranma's midsection, his punches only meant to test the martial artist's defenses. Ranma found himself backing away, blocking with both hands to avoid Muu Tsu's jabs.
With the attention drawn to the fists, Muu Tsu decided to attempt a few kicks. With a smirk, he dropped to one hand, and leveled two powerful front kicks directly into Ranma's side. The pigtailed martial artist was propelled across the field, and left a gouge in the ground as he slid to a stop. Getting to his feet, Ranma grit his teeth and flared his aura, preparing to deliver a Chi burst that was sure to do more to the Chinese martial artist then give him a sunburn. With a scream of fury, Ranma delivered the strike.
"Moku Takabisha!" announced the pigtailed boy, as the superheated ball of air raced towards the Chinese youth. Muu Tsu watched the approaching energy attack with amusement, as time slowed to his comprehension. At the last possible second, Muu Tsu leapt high into the air, performing the white crane stance at the apex of the fifty-foot leap. Ranma reacted quickly, dashing underneath the form of the Amazon youth. Using the heat left in the wake of his chi attack, Ranma performed a quick spiral and gathered his strength for his second major attack.
"Hiruu Shoten HA!" He exclaimed, as the whirlwind of enormous energy leapt into the sky to embrace the form of the airborne Chinese youth. As the cyclone whipped into the heavens, Ranma was greeted with the shock of his life as Muu Tsu crashed down the center of it, chains in tow. Landing a forceful kick into Ranma's cheast, Muu Tsu made a graceful landing, and retracted the chains he had embedded into both a nearby fence, and the school building itself. Ranma got to his feet in a rage.
"That's it!" he exclaimed. "No more tricks, no more games. Just you and me," he stated, removing his bracers and shirt. Muu Tsu looked him dead-on and removed his robe, free from all hidden tools. This was enough for him. Both fighters took only half a second to gauge each other before leaping into the offensive. Ranma jumped in with a cross, and Muu Tsu ducked to the side, deflecting the blow and countering it with a jab. His spider- senses were working overtime, giving him answers to where the next hit was coming from. Ranma took the jab, and countered with an uppercut, following through with a back spin kick. Muu Tsu ducked the kick and swept low with a kick of his own.
Leaping over the sweep, Ranma turned the arial motion to his advantage, tucking forward and executing a drop-kick with his right leg. Muu Tsu reached up to grab the offending appendage, using it as a brace to launch a springing kick of his own from the ground. The strike flew past Ranma's face, and in the split second between the air hitting his face and Muu Tsu's foot ramming into his shoulder, he actually believed the Amazon had missed. Catching the force of the kick into a spin, Ranma spun and embraced the ground, only to handspring himself upright again, ready to face his opponent again.
Muu Tsu decided to go on the offensive, launching a series of leaping kicks at Ranma's head while the Pigtailed Martial artist furiously went to block them. Landing again on his feet, Muu Tsu delivered a Pak-sao overhanded punch combination, catching both of Ranma's arms as he went to block the strike. Ranma countered by latching onto Muu Tsu's arms and leaping into the air to make the fight an arial battle. After reaching a decent height, Ranma smirked and broke from the hold, ready to unleash upon the young Amazon. Muu Tsu remained calm faced as he flared his arms and performed a perfect front arial somersault onto the young Saotome's shoulders. Having locked himself onto the boy's body, Muu Tsu hammered Ranma's face with both hands, delivering right and left hooks like they were going out of style. When they reached the ground, Muu Tsu leapt from the pigtailed boy's shoulders, executing a double back tuck while his opponent caused a small crater in the earth.
Pulling himself to his feet yet one more time, Ranma had had enough. "Kacchu Tenshin Amagoriken!" he exclaimed, flying at Muu Tsu with all the strength he had left. Again, Muu Tsu found his senses ramping as all motion slowed to a crawl. He felt the breeze off of the first strike sail past his left ear, then deflected one aimed straight for his adam's apple. Left, right, left, right. The fight of the previous week repeated itself, as each strike in turn was deflected by the hyped-up nervous system of the superpowered martial artist. Muu Tsu seemed lost in a different world as he once again left the defense of his body to one hand, resting the other on his hip as he turned to the side, not even watching as the punches flew toward his body.
That's it! thought Ko Lon with excitement. There is no mistaking it. He is the one foretold of in the prophesy, the one who will stop the great catyclism, the one we have searched for all these centuries...Muu Tsu, you _are_ the one.
Muu Tsu again brought himself into sharp focus after nearly a full minute of hyperspeed lon-sao/pak-sao countering. Whirling his arm about, he caught Ranma's right wrist and spun it forward, hunching the pigtailed martial artist over and causing a painful sound to emerge from his forearm. To his credit, Ranma seemed ready for this maneuver, and attempted a stop- hit with his right leg, only to have his stop-hit countered in much the same manner, following through with a mighty sidekick that carried Ranma fully across the field into the goalpost, where the young Saotome lay still. Muu Tsu held that leg in place midair for a moment before drawing it back and performing a slight bow.
The crowd went wild, both apprehensive at their supreme champion's defeat, and absolutely dazzled at the perfomance they had witnessed. Sasuke rushed forward, panting with excitement, to hold Muu Tsu's arm up as far as he could.
"Knockout! We have a knockout, Ladies and gentlemen! I hereby declare Muu Tsu the winner!" he declared. Muu Tsu strode evenly to where his robe lay, and bent to retrieve it. Only then did Ko Lon detect the smile that began to spread across his face.
I know you dissapproved sensei, but that was for you. I fought well, and I fought fair, he thought to the heavens, donning his robe again. He then strode down the length of the field to check on the condition of his opponent. Ranma had indeed been knocked out, but as Muu Tsu approached the goalpost, he looked no worse for wear. A crowd of his closest compadres had already massed around their fallen hero, and were worredly checking on his condition.
"Ranma-honey, are you alright?" asked a concerned Ukyo, very much afraid of serious injury on the seemingly invincible martial artist. "Talk to me, sugar!"
"Hey, enough, willya?" Ranma mumbled, rubbing his head as Muu Tsu approached. The pigtailed boy furrowed his brows and went defensive, only to be met with a smile and an offered hand. Ranma's face relaxed, and he took that hand to rise to his feet.
"You gave me the fight of my life, Saotome," Muu Tsu affirmed, keeping the hand for a firm handshake before releasing it. "No bad feelings, I hope?" he asked. Ranma had some trouble sorting out what he felt at that moment. He had just lost another fight, but for some reason as he looked around to see all of his friends around him, concerned for his well being and not being the least bit judgemental, it just didn't seem to mean anything.
"Man, I think we both gave each other a good beating," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "And a good lesson, too," he added, looking sidelong into the eyes of first Ukyo to one side, and Akane on the other. Clapping Muu Tsu on the back with his left hand, he painfully felt his right arm, tenderly feeling for any breaks.
"You did your best, sugar," beamed Ukyo. "That's all anybody can ever ask."
"Yeah, and I'm going to be feeling this one for a while, too," he replied, looking upward to the sky. "Y'know, it's funny," he stated.
"What's that, Ranma?" asked Akane.
"The world didn't end after all," he said, feeling suddenly profound. He took a deep breath, and he walked to where his shirt and bracers lay, replacing the garments. "I guess I'm growin' up in spite of myself," said Ranma, throwing a wink back at the girls. Both refused to give any ground to the boy's smarm, but showed a slight blush despite their best attempts. After a moment of self-deprevation, Ukyo just gave in and would have glomped Ranma then and there if it weren't for the immediate outburst.
"Ranma, you have disgraced your name!" roared an outraged Genma. Upon his face was a visible struggle, as the man's face transitioned from rage to terror and back again. "No son of mine could loose and be so happy about it!"
"Lay off it, old man!" came back the reply from the younger Saotome. "I lost fair and square. I gave it my best, and I'm gonna get better. I don't have to defeat everyone I know to be a great martial artist," he affirmed, looking down at his hands. "I'm starting to realize...to really know the art is not to squander it."
Ranma's words of youthful wisdom were met with cackling laughter from his elder, as Genma proceeded to laugh his ass off.
"What a load!" exclaimed the elder martial artist. "If you belive that, then you are no son of mine!"
"_Back off_ him, Saotome!" growled a defensive Ukyo, brandishing her B.A.S. in anger. She felt a sore spot in her heart for Genma, and always had. "He's twice the man you'll ever be," she affirmed. The older Saotome narrowed his eyes at her, then turned to leave.
"We'll see about that," he answered cryptically. Soon, he was gone and with him the mood that he had generated. The crowd was still gathered in the general vicinity, purchasing merchandise and milling about. These affairs had grown to be quite the local attraction, quite nearly paying for the damage incurred in the ward. A few patrons here and there congratulated Muu Tsu on his victory, even asking him for his autograph a few times. Unused to the attention, the Chinese youth complied hesitantly but warmly. As Ranma and his entorage departed for some well-deserved recouperation, Muu Tsu gave a deep bow to the departing opponent, wishing for his speedy recovery.
"Muu Tsu, that was an excellent performance," said Ko Lon as the crowd began to thin around the young Amazon. She still remained on the ground, using her own legs to get around. Muu Tsu had already decided to let a lot of old scars heal that day, so he bowed deeply to the elder and accepted her praise with thanks.
"I am honored by your praise, Elder Ko Lon," he said, and meant it. "I could not be happier to hear those words."
"I know you still don't agree with some of the ways we work," Ko Lon continued. "Perhaps someday you'll understand some of the neccessities we have had to work under," she said cryptically. "For the record, though, I am hereby granting you full membership and recognition in the tribe. You have earned it, Brother Muu Tsu."
Muu Tsu couldn't believe his ears. He had just been granted the highest honor a male could recieve in the Chinese Amazon tribe. Equality. To call a male 'Brother,' was to make him an honored member of the warrior populace, to be counciled and to take council from. Muu Tsu went to one knee, as a knight would in the kingdom of Great Briton for a dubbing, overcome with gratitude.
"I stand corrected, Ko Lon," he said. "I am grateful beyond words for this honor that you have placed upon me. From this moment on, I am as your own decendant, and I will defend your name and honor as such."
"Hopefully not too much like my own decendant, son-in-law," the old Amazon cackled. "Or else, you wouldn't be able to marry the young lady that managed to catch your perfomance," she continued, motioning in a direction as the crowd parted.
And Muu Tsu's jaw hit the floor.
Xian Fu walked in the midst of the way the crowd had made for her, like a queen before her subjects. She was dressed in a simple Chinese dress, black with golden dragons emblazoned upon the cloth. She walked with a simple gait, crossing the distance without any undue hesitation, her eyes locked into the young man's. And her hair...
Her hair was the color of brightest copper. Red, but not like what the locals had gotten used to seeing in Ranma-chan's fire-engine red pigtail. No, this red was natural and hung somewhere between a dark golden and a rich strawberry. Upon the removal of the Amazon coloring, the hair even regained a small portion of its curly nature, causing Muu Tsu to become weak-kneed to merely behold the vision. As the Amazon beauty approached him, Muu Tsu stayed on one knee, and dug furiously within his robe for what he needed most right now.
The Chinese youth drew fourth a black velvet case, and held it for Xian Fu to see clearly.
"I see you are not properly dressed for the challenge, but I will allow for time to change," he stated, his voice breaking for the first time in nearly four or five years. Xian Fu merely smiled, and shook her head.
{No,} she said simply. {No more challenges, no more fights for my hand. I will no longer abide by that law.}
Muu Tsu's jaw hit the ground a second time, now shocked and heartbroken at hearing those words. Have I just lost my chance? he asked himself, rising to his feet and reguarding the tiny box in his hands. Xian Fu answered his thoughts by leaning in for a quick peck on the cheek.
{That wasn't a no,} she whispered into his ear in Mandarin. She then turned to leave, tossing back a smile that spoke volumes. Come hither...step into my parlor...rrowr.
Muu Tsu was tired of being shocked that day. As the vision of beauty dissapeared into the crowd to see how her other main attraction fared, Muu Tsu mused over this change in circumstance.
This is certainly different, he thought. The first main truth to understand about XF was that she worked in dialectics. Her life was one through nine, no ifs, no maybes. Yes, or no. She either loved someone, or she hated them. As long as he had known the young woman, this was the first indefinite she had ever allowed herself, or outwardly shown. This was her first maybe.
"This has been one hell of a day," he said aloud, wiping the sweat from his brow. It was not even yet noon.
"You can say that again, son-in-law," remarked Ko Lon, climbing atop her cane. Muu Tsu eyed her suspiciously at the mention of the title.
"What makes you so sure of that? You just heard her, she doesn't work in the laws anymore," the Amazon youth asked. The Elder merely merely smiled, and watched in the direction her heir had retreated to.
"I have my ways, boy. Believe me," she replied, before suddenly looking skyward. Muu Tsu's spider-senses went off the charts at that exact moment, before they both caught the sight of something airborne approaching from the east at a fast clip. Everything in Muu Tsu's heart told him to watch out, that whatever it was meant trouble. "I feel an ill wind," remarked Ko Lon.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Muu Tsu answered, feeling the urge to find a cart, revolving door, phonebooth...anything. It was time to bring out his full power, and he couldn't do that just as himself. He needed to introduce someone else to the people of Nerima.
He needed to unveil the spider...
The sound of cackling laughter reached Muu Tsu's ears as he ducked behind a yokai to change...
**********
A/N: I hope you readers appreciated this fight better. It presents both fighters in more equal footing, but it just goes without saying that Muu Tsu has just become too powerful for regular human beings to tangle with. With that in mind, next chapter we'll give him a worthy adversary...
C and C welcome. Please review!!
Brief note on Shampoo's hair: This was not because of Mary Jane in any way. I'm just an absolute sucker for redheads, and I wanted to envision a natrually-redheaded Shampoo for at least one of my stories.
Next Chapter: The Green Panda Strikes!