Chapter VII: Hotaru's First Duel! Attack of the Mighty Maha Vailo!

Nermia. The ward of Japan infamous for a bi-monthly demon, the quarter-monthly Prince-Seeking Brides, martial art duels fought on a ridiculous level of skill and power, school personal with flora growing from their heads and being able to suck away energy, styles of combat that make NO sense what-so-ever, and really wacky people.

It was also home to Akane Tendo, Nermia's greatest fighter.

However that title was dropped onto her by default. Ryoga only showed up once in while (Yesterday he came in with some odd story about a woman trying to rape him and being hit by a 'Kill the Pervert' parade), The Amazons left town (Cologne and Shampoo because Ranma couldn't be found. Moose followed, proclaiming his love to several imamate objects along the way), Ukyou's Father dragged her away after he learned Ranma was one of 'them', and Kuno and the 'We Want to Date You' crowd still held back. No one had heard from Kodachi for a long while, and everyone was thankful to be rid of 'Laughs-Real-Bad'.

So hence with everyone better gone or holding back Akane was once more Queen of Fighters in Nermia, by default.

Others wouldn't want the title by default, but Akane didn't much care. She was happy.

She was also doing something dangerous. Cooking.

To many cooking isn't very dangerous. Even the use of hot oil is safe if one is mindful of the oil. And while some people don't cook, or disliked to cook, many can cook by simply buying a cookbook and following the printed instructions. This falls under the category of 'Common Sense.'

In Nermia, Common Sense is more like Uncommon Sense.

So with the cookbook open and ignored Akane prepared a feast fit for nothing that was alive. Even maggots and vultures went AWAY from her dishes. Some may take this as a sign one's cooking isn't very well made.

But not Akane and her Uncommon Sense. Of course the 'Happi Dish' three days ago would be a good warning of poorly cooked food. The Happi Dish was named because when it was taken out of the oven it proceeded to molest Akane. Then it ran/slid/plopped/crawled/whatever around the house attaching itself to both Akane's and Kasumi's breasts as well as Soun's groin area. Soun Tendo responded the way he faced all challenges in life.

He broke down and bawled like a baby. He then decided to let the world, or anyone who didn't tune him out, know that only his late wife could do that to him. After an hour Akane proved her talent in the art of war by defeating the cooked demon in single combat. (Or in other words kept malleting it over and over until it stopped moving and looked dead)

Let it be known Akane's talent to create life forms from cooking ingredients was matched only by a red-haired scientist.

May the hungry be wary. Akane cooks a feast tonight.

---

Jokokona. A small city with a town square where duelists spent time practicing, dueling and making bets and wagers. Cards were bought and traded in specialty stores nearby, and was the current location of the bearer of the Millennium Puzzle and a young girl excited by the new potential of dueling.

When she got home to earth she could use her cards along side her normal attacks. And since most of her cards lacked the power to lay waste to large areas at a time she felt she would have to worry less of friendly- fire problems among the Senshi.

Let it be known that the Moon Kingdom's dislike of the Shadow Games was currently unknown to she who is called 'The Bringer of the Silence'.

Ranma took the lead as they made their way to the square. Soon he figured Hotaru would be ready for her first duel. He wasn't sure how she would fare, but Hotaru proved to be a smart and mature girl. She learned the rules and her cards quickly enough, although she had yet to memorize every card in her deck.

But even Yami was pleased with her progress, as he and Ranma looked at people that might be suitable as Hotaru's first opponent. He wanted Hotaru to play a friendly game (Non-life Threatening by a maniacal duelist) or two before they went out to look for the items to free Exodia. He was sure he'd find someone friendly for her to face off with around here in Jokokona.

Then Murphy, book of laws in hand, gave him a Japanese Raspberry.

"AARRRGG! DANG IT!"

"That sounded... familiar." Ranma noted as he ran towards the shout. Hotaru followed as quickly as she could.

Ranma got to a section of the square as the one and only Mai Valentine lost a duel. To a man with an angular face and long nose. He wore a dark blue cloak and stood around 5'6.

"Ha! Your Harpies aren't so tough, eh? The Psychic Teak has foreseen this."

"Shut up you dork!"

Mai quickly stormed away as she stomped away from the disappointed people of her hometown. To return after being freed from Panik, only to lose to that JERK! Nothing was going right today.

"Hey Mai!" Or almost nothing.

She turned to see Mister Save-The-Day himself, Ranma Yu-Gi-Oh. Beside him stood a girl, maybe a year younger than him. She walked over to them.

"Hey Ranma, guess you saw my embarrassing loss, huh?"

"No only heard your shout of losing in an embarrassing fashion."

"Gee, that SO boosts my self-esteem."

"Nothing valuable betted?"

"Just some cash, no problems. So, who's your friend?"

Hotaru looked towards to blonde duelist and Ranma as they chatted, wondering how they could know each other if he hadn't been on this world long as he said.

"I suppose introductions need to be made. Hotaru, this is Mai Valentine a duelist and former slave of Panik." Both women flinched at the name. "Mai, this is Hotaru Tomoe, one of Panik's goons caught her."

"Sorry Kiddo, I know first hand what he's like."

"I know..."

"So Mai," Ranma began. "Who was that?"

Mai sighed. "Psychic Teak. He claims he can foresee the future and uses it in dueling. He's a jerk, but he seems to know what card he'll get before he draws it."

Ranma frowned in thought. "How can he do that, I don't think psychic powers exist."

"Me either, but he is convincing. He's beaten most of the resident duelists and took their money. But maybe you could take him on."

Ranma arched an eyebrow as she continued. "News travels fast. Someone saw a man and girl walk away from the Tower and Panik has vanished of the face of Celadon. You beat him didn't you?"

"Of course. Told ya not to worry."

Mai smiled warmly at the two and started walking, gesturing the two people to follow. "Why don't I buy you two lunch, I know a good spot."

---

"Where is everyone?"

Akane sighed as she turned to the (not) well-cooked food on a plate, placed upon the table. Many would consider it odd that a food would not only look like mutated moss mixed with slime, but keep bubbling and spewing gas while almost at room temperature. Many would consider this a valuable warning sign, but Akane was not among the many.

She was the proud. The few. A member of the 'completely-oblivious- to-the-obvious' club.

Of course she went to find someone to eat her creation. To her dismay no one was in the house. Ryoga was lost (What else is new?), Nabiki left ever since 'He' was kicked out, Kasumi was shopping (And later returned to the store to buy cleaning products when the smell of not-really- food food was found in the air) and Soun was somewhere. (IE: Hiding until the thing-called-food-that-really-wasn't-food-but-maybe-toxic-waste was gone)

So with much disappointment Akane found a spoon and ate her creation.

Upon returning to the house, Soun Tendo used the stomach pump on his comatose daughter.

---

Lunch was eaten at a small inn that specialized in chicken. Taking some advice from Yami, Ranma did not display the Saotome Eating Techniques and ate at a respectable pace. He still ate far more than his female companions.

The three duelists engaged in some small talk, Hotaru and Mai getting on surprisingly well. Eventually Mai paid for the food, but they hung around the inn for a bit. After some time Hotaru excused herself, saying she would take a short walk.

"She a nice person Ranma, ya know?"

"I know, it's a shame that Panik..."

"Say no more, say no more."

"So what do you know about Teak?"

"Not much, he's been making winnings around town like a madman. No one likes him though; he's an arrogant bastard. He hangs around the square a lot. You going to try him?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you want to clean his clock."

In truth that was the plan of Ranma Yu-Gi-Oh. Enter Murphy's Law.

---

"How long could it take to find one person?"

Hotaru looked about the Town Square for this Psychic Teak. In a way Teak was much like Panik, someone who liked to bully others, or in this case take their money. Dueling was a legal way to do this, but to her he was still bullying.

And now she could stand up to them. Placing a hand on her deck she smiled at her newfound power.

Let it be known that back on Earth Hotaru was bullied for being weaker than others, and having her ability to heal other people. She had dealt with bullies before. Never very well, as the best she could hope for was to not be found or not really hurt. Then there was Panik, who didn't just do it to feel strong, but for his own pleasure.

Hotaru understandably hated bullies. But for once she had the power to stand up to them without the need of others, so she asked about Teak and where she could find him, hence why she was in the town square.

She understood the rules and had enough money (Given to her by Ranma) to make a bet, and she had a deck that could win.

However she was acting surprisingly like the lost fighter Ryoga. When Ryoga learned a new technique he would then firmly believe in it's ability to beat Ranma. He would think there was no flaw.

Hotaru believed even without actual experience that she too could win, and saw no reason she could lose. She was on an equal footing with the bullies and could defend herself and others from those same bullies.

Once she found the bully that is.

---

"So there she is, huh?" Teak looked at his next victim. Young girl. Hand on deck. Dark clothing. Name: Hotaru Tomoe. According to a hired hand she was looking to duel him.

He smiled. She looked eager. Too eager.

'She's inexperienced in dueling! Perfect! I can beat her with ease'

And The Psychic Teak stalked his target, with greedy intent.

---

Many people looked on with sad looks. Today was a day to be mourned. A day to remember for the loss all have suffered. This from a simple sight.

Mai Valentine, Jokokona's favorite single woman, was walking beside a very handsome man.

Meanwhile, Ranma and Mai ignored the fact all the men looked like a funeral took place and asked about where Teak was. No one had seen him really. He liked to keep a low profile, a good idea when you piss people off a lot. Eventually they approached an old man.

"Excuse us sir," Ranma began. "We're looking for Teak, you know where to find him?"

"Teak eh?" The man looked thoughtful for a moment. "Kinda funny really. A little lass been askin' for him too."

"Really."

"Yup. Cute little purple haired girl too. Dun knows what she wants with a creep like that."

"Cute little..."

"Purple haired girl..."

Ranma and Mai looked at each other almost knowing the answer.

"Yap, said her name was... Ortarlo? No... Oh! Hotaru, that's... Hey, where ya goin'? People got no respect for the elderly these days."

---

"Good day little girl."

Hotaru let out a yelp as she turned around. The cloak was easily recognizable as Teak stepped onto the pathway. People began to gather around, knowing Teak was about to duel, and all hoping he'd lose.

"Teak, right?"

"Yes. I have... foreseen your arrival. You wish do duel me do you not? Do not answer, I already know. State your wager!"

"One hundred twenty five silver."

"What's the matter, parents do not give you enough of an allowance?" Seeing Hotaru's face turn to anger he continued. "Very well. That amount suits the time I will spend here. Shuffle your deck, and prepare to learn the power of a Psychic!"

---

In the distance the arena began to form and Ranma already knew what was happening. He and Mai ran towards it. The Puzzle glowed for a moment.

"She wouldn't challenge Teak, would she?"

"I wouldn't think so, but I didn't think she left for a walk."

"Why's that?"

"Hotaru isn't that healthy. She's tried to stay near me ever since we hit town in case she started to feel tired. I gotta make sure she doesn't get herself in trouble. She's never dueled before!"

"You serious?"

"Yes. I was teaching her how, but she never faced an opponent before."

"Then she's in trouble, Teak maybe a jerk, but he's good!"

---

"LET'S DUEL!"

------------ Hotaru: 2000 Teak: 2000 ------------

Each player drew five cards as the duel began.

"OK my dear." Teak began. "My game starts with Psychic Kappa (400/1000) in defence mode."

The monster that rose up kneeling looked like a weird frog with a turtle's shell.

"Your move."

Hotaru looked at her hand and started to think of her next move.

"Hotaru!"

She lifted her head up to look outside the arena as Ranma and Mai broke through the crowd. 'Oh no! He's going to be so upset that I ran off like this!'

Ranma stopped a few feet from the field and looked at Hotaru. She looked like she had her hand in the cookie jar. 'Well, I can't stop this. Guess I should help her in whatever way I can.'

"Hotaru-Chan... be careful. And trust in your deck."

Hotaru looked surprised for a moment then smiled and turned back to her hand. She took a card from it and played it. "Kanan, The Swordsmistress in attack mode!"

The warrior woman rose up, blonde hair covering half her face, and with scarce green armour for protection. One hand held a shield, the other a sword.

"Attack!"

The Lady-Warrior ran forward and swung her sword, dispatching the amphibian.

"Predictable. But my next card will change that. Ill Witch (1600/1500), Attack Mode."

What happened next shocked Hotaru and Ranma, as well as many in the crowd. Teak drew the top card from his deck and played it, revealing the greenish sick female card, Ill Witch.

"How in the world?"

"I am the Teak, a psychic after all. Ill Witch, Virus Wind!"

The sickened Witch blew forth a stream of green gas, causing Kanan to fall over coughing and causing death.

------------ Hotaru: 1800 Teak: 2000 ------------

"Go ahead, bring out your next card."

Hotaru drew from her deck and played a card from her hand. "Beautiful Headhuntress, Attack Mode!"

Hotaru's second card was a Japanese-like woman in a grey kimono. Her hair was elegantly done, but was a contrast to the foot thick, five feet tall, butcher knife style handle sword she handled. (1600/800)"

"That's all I can do for this turn."

Teak nodded as he drew his next card, but placed it without looking at it. "One card, face down."

Hotaru blinked at his action, but thought nothing of it. She drew a new card and smiled as she saw it.

"I'll play Legendary Sword, and use it to boost Headhuntress' attack power! (1900/1100) Attack! Beautiful Executioner's Strike!"

The warrior woman charged forward as Teak flipped over his card. "I counter with the magic card Sword of the Deep-Seated. It will boost Ill Witch, beyond your monster's power. (2100/2000) Counter Attack Ill Witch, Virus Wind!"

The Ill Witch coughed green gas in a counter attack. Gas met sword, and to Hotaru's horror, sword lost. The elegant warrior was killed.

------------ Hotaru: 1600 Teak: 2000 ------------

"She's getting creamed in there!"

Ranma could only agree with Mai as Hotaru shakily drew her next card.

"Your right, but Teak is up to something. There must be a trick to his 'psychic powers'."

Inside the arena Hotaru fished her move with a defence monster.

"My next card will also be played face down." And like Ill Witch and the Sword, he played the card from the top of his deck face down. "Now Ill Witch, destroy the defence monster."

Ill Witch sent out the gas and killed off another monster. Hotaru drew a new card and played it. "Judge Man, Attack Mode!" (2200/1500)

The bearded warrior with a deep blue judge's cloak arose, club held in one hand. "Attack, Heavy Club Bash!"

Judge Man charged in as Teak flipped his down card. "As I have foreseen, I counter with my down card, Rush Recklessly. I can boost my monster's power for a single turn, and destroy Judge Man. (2800/2000) Virus Wind!"

The gas was sent out once more, and the mighty judge fell, gasping for air before he shattered. Ill Witch then lost the power of Teak's Quick Play Magic Card. (2100/2000)

------------ Hotaru: 1000 Teak: 2000 ------------

'How is this happening!? He knows what will happen before I do!' Hotaru tried to come up with a plan as she drew a new card. Her face-hardened as she saw her card. She played it onto the field.

"Attack Mode, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

"WHAT!? Your deck contains that rare a card?!"

Bursting from the light the large black dragon arose. With a slim torso and arms, long neck and wide wings it hovered before landing on the ground, standing tall above Ill Witch. (2400/2000)

"Inferno Fireblast, destroy Ill Witch!"

Rearing back it's head the dragon gathered it's power into it's mouth, before sending it at the sickened woman.

------------ Hotaru: 1000 Teak: 1700 ------------

The crowd quickly roared in approval. Ranma frowned in thought.

Teak quickly got over his shock. Damn his outburst, he needed to remain in control. He drew a card and smiled. Then he turned to his deck for a moment.

"I'll admit, your dragon is a sight to see. I never saw a Red-Eyes before. But I will beat it. Next turn, I will draw the card I need!"

Hotaru frowned at this. 'No way, he's trying to scare me, like Panik tried to do with Ranma.'

"One card in defence mode, your turn little girl."

"Red-Eyes, attack!"

The dragon once more sent a fireball into a monster, destroying it. Teak drew his next card and played it to the field.

"For all your dragon's power, he cannot stand up to the might... Of Maha Vailo! Attack Mode!" (1550/1400)

The monster that rose was feminine, dressed in a deep blue cloak with wing-like extensions. An elaborate headdress finished the look.

"But... that is way weaker than my dragon."

"Yes, but now I add my magic card, the Axe of Despair to it. And you will despair at the thousand attack boost it gives Maha Vailo." (2550/1400)

He kept going even with Hotaru's shocked look. "Even better is Vailo's power. For every card equipped to her she gains another five hundred attack points! (3050/1400) Now Maha Vailo, attack! Powered Energy Burst!"

The sorceress gathered a powerful force of energy in her hands and then fired it at the dragon in a beam. The Red-Eyes Black Dragon valiantly fought the blast, but was shattered from the blow.

------------ Hotaru: 350 Teak: 1700 ------------

"Can you stand up to my mighty Maha Vailo?"

Hotaru looked at where her dragon once stood in shock. "How... how did he know..." Then nearly breaking down she shouted to the world, "WHAT CAN I DO NOW!?"

"HOTARU!"

Quickly her head looked towards Ranma, eyes filled with... confidence? Arrogance?

Or... trust?

"Calm yourself Hotaru-Chan, or you will only help him. You can take him."

"But HOW!? He knows what I'm going to do before I do! He knows what he'll draw before he draws it! How can I beat that!?"

"Because he is a fraud."

The crowd, Teak, Hotaru and Mai as one turned to him. Teak spoke first.

"Me? A fraud? Have I not proven my powers? I knew every card I had before I drew them. And I know what she'll do before she completes her move."

"Is that so? What about the dragon?" The crowd mumbled for a moment. "If you were a true psychic you would not have only known of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon in her deck, but you have not been surprised at it's appearance."

"Lies! Lies I say!"

Hotaru closed her eyes as she thought on this.

'OK, so he isn't a psychic... but then how does he know what he's drawing? How could he predict what card is at the top of his deck? And... What is that smell?'

Hotaru lifted her head and sniffed the air. Ranma looked at her confused.

"I... smell something... Like... Perfume?"

"Perfume?" The crowd blinked in unison.

"Perfume?" Mai blinked. "What does perfume have to do with anything?"

"Nothing at all, she's just... Yes! Just smelling things! Like the flowers!"

"Oh really Teak?" Ranma smirked as the 'psychic' began to sweat. "Why are you so worried about perfume? Allergies acting up?" The crowd laughed at that, as Hotaru kept smelling the air.

"Lilac, Vanilla, Pepper, there's a LOT of smells, maybe, I can't count... them... I GET IT NOW!"

Everyone in the area turned to the duelling girl. "You ARE a fake! You covered your cards with PERFUME!"

"What! Lies! You're just stalling! Yes, that's it!"

"Then why are you denying it like THAT! You are the one lying, 'Psychic' Teak!"

"FRAUD!"

"LIER!"

"I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASS TEAK!"

"KICK HIS BUTT HOTARU!"

Teak looked about as the crowd began to change into a mob. Ranma could only smile as the crowd started to chant for his friend.

"Very well. Even with my 'Psychic' Strategy uncovered, I will still win! Maha Vailo is too strong for you to attack!"

'I hate to face facts, but he's right. Right now Battle Warrior is my only monster, and he's not even in Maha's league! Ranma told me to trust my deck. Well, here we go.'

Hotaru drew her card. Her face hardened in determination.

"Battle Warrior, Attack Mode! (700/1000)"

The monster that rose up was a blue armored warrior with braced knuckles and a visor. It took a basic martial arts stance.

"Bah! Far too weak..."

"And I also play Tailor of the Fickle!"

Teak blinked. "Tailor of the Fickle? What does THAT do?"

Hotaru smiled. Not, Ranma noted her cute smile but an I'm-Gonna-Love- This-And-Your-Not smile. "Tailor of the Fickle lets me move an equipment card to another monster that can use it. So I can now take the Axe of Despair from your Maha Vailo and give it to Battle Warrior!"

As soon as she played it the dynamics of power shifted. Maha Vailo lost both the Axe and with her equip bonus. (1550/1400) Meanwhile Battle Warrior grew in power from Teak's Axe of Despair. (1700/1000)/

"Battle Warrior Attack with Ultimate Battle Fist!"

The unarmed warrior charged, rearing back his fist only to throw it into Maha Vailo, shattering it to the graveyard.

------------ Hotaru: 350 Teak: 1550 ------------

Teak gritted his teeth. "My Maha Vailo... You will PAY!"

The crowd on the other hand... began to chant.

"HO-TA-RU!" Clap-Clap-Clap. "HO-TA-RU!" Clap-Clap-Clap "HO-TA-RU!"

Even Ranma and Mai got in on the chant, causing Hotaru to beam at everyone, and Teak to get angrier. He was a seasoned duellist however, and kept in control.

"Very well. Have your small victory, but know this. I have another two Axes of Despair, as WELL as another two Maha Vailo monster cards... I will draw them and END your life points. For now, I place a monster card in defence mode."

Hotaru drew a card, and placed it to the field. "One card, face down. Battle Warrior Attack!"

The warrior attacked the hidden monster. It rose to meet the attack and was shattered for the trouble.

Teak drew a new card. 'My Maha Vailo, as predicted. And... Yes, that smell means a second Axe of Despair... Excellent, next turn I will crush her.' "I place another monster in defence mode."

Once more the warrior charged. When it hit another defence monster was gone. But Teak could only smile as he drew his next card.

"Say goodbye girl! Maha Vailo in attack mode! (1550/1400) And I will boost her with Axe of Despair! (3050/1400)"

'I have her now!' "Attack Maha Vailo, Powered Energy Burst!"

"Trap Card Activate!"

As Maha Vailo glowed with power Hotaru flipped over her trap card. Instantly the glow began to disappear.

"WHAT!? My Maha Vailo is loosing power! How is this possible?"

Hotaru gave a smiled. "My Trap Card, Reverse Trap!"

"Reverse WHAT?"

"Reverse Trap lets me switch any newly equipped card of yours from an increase in power to a decrease in power! And not just the boost Maha gets from the Axe, but from herself as well!"

"IMPOSSIBLE! MY MAHA VAILO!" (50/1400)

"Battle Warrior, Ultimate Battle Fist!"

As the Maha Vailo began to stumble Battle Warrior charged in with a fist. Maha Vailo was on the wrong end of the 'One Hit Wonder'.

------------ Hotaru: 350 Teak: 0 ------------

The cards returned to their owners and a total of two hundred and fifty silver coins were placed in Hotaru's hand inside a pouch. As it was a 'friendly' duel no choices of 'fate' was allowed. Hotaru walked to Ranma head held a little low.

"I'm sorry I ran off like that, I just wanted to stand up for everyone he picked on."

Ranma placed a hand under her chin and lifted her head, smiling down at her.

"It's OK Hotaru, but next time let me be there with you."

Hotaru smiled and nodded as Mai placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Besides, you did good kid. You kicked his ASS!"

"NOT IN THE FACE! NOT IN THE FACE!"

The trio turned to the sound to find Teak running from several of the locals. Items were being tossed as he made a break for town, vowing to get a cloak that he could RUN in!

The rest of the crowd...

"Let's here it for Hotaru!"

"Hip-Hip-HORAY! Hip-Hip-HORAY! Hip-Hip-HORAY!"

And the subject of the attention blushed as for once she was not feared or persecuted but cheered on by many.

And many would remember the little girl that they could look up to.

---

"WHERE ON EARTH AM I NOW!?"

Ryoga was in the desert. A hot, dry place that was harsh on life.

Strangely he got there from a place wherever that strange Steve person was rounding up a crocodile.

He turned as his scenery changed again as he entered a realm rather close to hell.

He then saw the four most feared creatures ever devised by anyone. The Telletubbies.

"RANMA! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

---

Duellist Profiles

Name: Hotaru Tomoe

Deck Style: Warrior's Sword Deck (With a splash of dragon)

Favourite/Best Monster: Buster Blader

Other Monsters: Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Judge Man, Axe Raider

Info: Transported suddenly into Celadon, Hotaru was caught by 'Bandit' Keith Howard and forced into slavery by Lord Benjamin Panik. She was later freed by Ranma, who gave her the second deck from his pack. She despises bullies, and wants to stop them from hurting other people. Even if her body is weak she makes up for it with her strong heart.

Name: 'Psychic' Teak Gordon

Deck Style: Maha Vailo Psycho Deck

Favourite/Best Monster: Maha Vailo

Other Monsters: Ill Witch, Psychic Kappa

Info: An expert on smells and perfumes, Teak Gordon got the idea of identifying his cards with scents. Since he has a larger than average nose, he found his sense of smell was quite good. To intimidate opponents he created his 'Psychic Scam' using the smells to announce the cards as he played them from his deck, not his hand.

Author's Notes: Yes, Hotaru was given her chance, not only to duel, but to shine as well. Now that Hotaru has a needed confidence boost (Although still rather low) she can really help Ranma out. As for Teak, YES he is my first opponent in the series that was NOT in the show, but I was inspired to make this duel and character from the duellist 'Esper Roba' a 'psychic' himself, and Joey's duel with Mai in the anime. (Hence the smell thing) OK, so I ripped that from the anime, but I liked the scene too much. As for Ryoga... I suppose we should feel sorry for him, eh? And Akane... well she's not going to have fun either. We won't see her as much as we see P- Chan, but it'll be plenty bad still. Knights of the True Fiancée need not read.

Next Chapter: Got Exodia?