The Second Breaking Point
"Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance." Samuel Johnson
Foreword
First and foremost this story is a failure, not a great work by any means but certainly one of perseverance. This was my first attempt at a Ranma based story and I can safely say it is lacking on some fundamental levels despite my best attempts at editing. It feels contrived and character development is weak and rigid.
Criticism is encouraged provided it's qualified. Don't tell me Ryoga is out of character without telling me why he is so for example. Useful criticism let's me know what to be careful of in the future and yes ideally improve.
Disclaimer
I had no part in the creation of the characters used in the story. I am in awe of the talent that created them. In writing this I don't seek profit or make any claim on the genius that created this work; I only hope to mirror the enjoyment to others that I have received from the series.
Purpose
One of the most interesting aspects of the series is how things are so careful balanced. It's like a huge clock with dozens of gears all swinging in a seeming random fashion, but somehow the clock continues to function. If but one character was to change his or her course then the carefully balanced interplay would all come tumbling down. My story is about one character finding this breaking point.
Notes about Characters and Themes
Attempting to be mostly true to the themes of this series Ranma and Akane are destined to be together, if you don't agree with that pairing, turn back now or forever hold your peace. I haven't actually read the manga, (This particular problem is slowly being remedied) and thus I don't feel including characters or events in my story that I only know alittle about for fear I'd portray them starkly out of character. The major characters in this story will be Ryoga (as if you hadn't guessed from the title), Ranma, and Akane, though most of the other major characters will also show up in some form (Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Happousai, Cologne, Dr. Tofu, Genma, Soun, Kasumi, Nabiki, Kuno, Sasuke, and Kodachi). The setting will be the day of the Christmas OVA (Ova 2), and it will assume all events in the anime, movies, and OVAs have occurred with the exception of that OVA (which occurs during the story). The events of OVA 2 are heavily drawn upon in the first chapter, but I recreate the story from Ryoga's eyes, any changes will be additive in nature; I won't remove anything that's already occurred. The rating of the story should match the original series, sometimes dark, sometimes waffy, and everything in between.
Lastly I'd like to reiterate my goal is primarily to allow others to receive an extension of the enjoyment I have received from the series itself.
Prologue
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"Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." - James Baldwin
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Ryoga Hibiki cursed his destiny. Of all the weeks, even months, he had spent searching for the Tendo Dojo during his life; the one time he truly didn't want to find it, he had found it without any difficulty. The bitter irony gnawed at his soul. He darkly mused, Much like my entire life.
He slowly put one foot in the front over the other, and worked his way around the house. The weariness in his body mirrored that in his soul. You knew this wasn't going to be easy. You have no one to blame now but yourself. No more hiding. As he reached the backyard he came to see his own reflection in the koi pond.
The thing that caught him most about himself were his eyes. They seemed so dark even in the early morning light. The bags under them were the only part of him that hinted that the suffering he had went through. The rest of his body was almost like in a zombie, crushed by his worn leather shoulder pads.
Slowly he gazed over to the house, and was greeted with an almost typical scene. Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome were deep in another game of shoji, as they always seemed to be. Neither even noticed his presence as they focused on watching the board so their opponent couldn't use nonstandard tactics. A slight smile almost formed on his face but failed to materialize. By nonstandard of course he meant cheat, but this was to be excepted from them; they didn't seem to change as time passed. Nabiki was reading a magazine, most likely business from his experience with her, but Ryoga couldn't truly see it to confirm his suspicion. She looked up as he arrived, doubtlessly plotting how she could turn the situation to her advantage. Her face was as emotionless as stone, save a faint smirk. How many times had he seen this scene before? Kasumi was busy cooking breakfast, and Ryoga could already tell she was thinking of asking him to stay by the look in her eye. Kindness incarnate indeed. But what of...
Ranma's taunting voice shattered his reverie. "Heya Pchan, how'd you find your way here? It's been quite some time. Where'd you get the funny looking shoulder pads?" The smirk on Ranma's face pained Ryoga.
At first Ryoga struggled to even respond at all. He stood their motionless for a moment, a moment that seemed like an eternity. He looked at the young man standing before him and finally saw Ranma as if for the first time. Ranma was his oldest friend, maybe even his closest. Why so much spite...no, no more games—not with myself. I know why.
Finally overcoming this wave of lassitude Ryoga managed to murmur as if in a trance "Ranma Saotome..." Ryoga slowly, wearily raised bamboo umbrella and he watched with some despair as Ranma crouched into a defense stance. Predictable as I was myself.
Letting out a sigh, Ryoga simply stated, "Ranma, we need to talk. Just me, you, and Akane."