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The characters depicted in this story are not mine. Sue me and you get nada, cuz that's how much I own. Blah.
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Unlikely Companions
A fiction novella by Dave Zhang (dzhang@its.caltech.edu). Comments and criticisms welcomed. Copyright 2003.
"This text is spoken." 'This text is thought.' [This text is English.]
Chapter 4: And here we go again
"So, uh... you guys said we're going for ice cream after school?" asked Ranma-chan. Maybe they'd run into Yuu, and Ranma-chan could get a couple free extra scoops from his fellow dimensional traveller.
"Yeah! That's sounds like a great idea Ranko-chan!" exclaimed Usagi, despite the fact that it was actually her idea.
At that point, Ami's communicator beeped, as Rei tried to contact her from the restaurant. Ami excused herself for a moment to talk to Rei, and then the monster alarm on her computer went off.
Usagi and Makoto immediately realized what that meant, and excused themselves as well, leaving only Ranma-chan staring at her new-found friends' departing forms.
Ami had transformed into Sailor Mercury and was about to head to the scene of action with Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon when she remembered Ranma. "You guys go ahead; I'll be right there."
"OK!" shouted Usagi as she headed off.
"You're going back to Ranko?" asked Makoto.
Ami nodded. "Yeah, I should go apologize to her. Don't worry, I won't be long."
Makoto looked at the retreating figure of Ami with a touch of concern and discomfort. Haruka and Michiru had long turned to lesbians, and now Ami looks like she might be headed in the same direction. That did not bode well for the rest of the Senshi.
***
"I'm sorry, Ranma. It's just a little problem we have to take care of. I really have to go."
"Oh... all right," said Ranma-chan, a little saddened. "See you at school tomorrow then, Ami-chan."
Ami gave Ranma her most disarming smile. "We'll make it up to you tomorrow, Ran-chan!" And then she ran off.
Ranma stood there, stunned. Since it was impossible for Ami to have known Ukyo, she must have stumbled upon that pet name completely accidentally. Well, it figures that someone with a logical mind like Ami's would decide to just call her Ran-chan, since then it would apply to both Ranko and Ranma. But still, it endeared her to Ranma greatly.
'Wait, they looked serious... I wonder if they'll be in danger? I can't let anyone hurt Ami-chan!' with that decided, Ranma dashed off after Ami, using a few stealth techniques to make sure she didn't notice Ranma following her.
Ami waited until she had walked quite a distance from where she thought Ranma was, before turning into an alley to transform. Of course, right after she transformed, her Senshi perception immediately informed her of a nearby presence, and turned to see Ranma on top of the roof, who watched her transform.
"Ami?"
Ami sighed. Her identity had been found out. At least it was by Ranma instead of someone else. "Ranma... I'll tell you everything tomorrow, okay? I have to go help my friends now."
"I'll go with you! I'm a martial artist, after all. That could come in handy."
"Thank you for the thought, but you could get hurt. Trust me, we'll be fine."
"But..."
"Please?"
Ranma sighed. On one hand, he really did want to accompany Ami to make sure she didn't get hurt. On the other, her new form did seem to radiate substantial power, and she did ask him as a friend to believe in her... "All right."
"Could you also not tell anyone about my secret identity?"
"What secret identity?"
Ami smirked as she took off. Of course, she didn't know that Ranma really was ignorant about the Sailor Senshi.
***
Nearby, a very similar episode occured with Miroku and Minako. Succumbing to the Cute-Girl-Pleading Attack, Miroku also gave his word to not interfere with Sailor business. Not long after, Ranma-chan encountered Miroku again, and they set out to search for Yuu. Since Ranma-chan and Miroku searched in ice cream shops , while Yuu was at that moment washing dishes at a fancy restaurant, they obviously did not find Yuu.
After a couple hours of futile searching, Ranma-chan decided for duo that they should work as well to pay their lodging and board. And thus Miroku and Ranma-chan worked at an ice cream shop for several hours. Fortunately, no Tomobiki students visited that shop.
***
Ranma-chan and Miroku encountered Yuu late that night as they walked back to Cherry Hill Temple. Ranma-chan and Miroku chuckled as Yuu told them about his misfortunes, before relating their own experiences in the past day, with Ranma leaving out the encounter with Sailor Mercury and Miroku leaving out the encounter with Sailor Venus. The merriment, however, died as they approached the temple.
"Hm... A tarrasque, eh? Pretty impressive; I didn't think any grew to be fifty-three feet tall. Ok, my turn."
Ranma immediately dove forward to try to prevent Cherry from summoning an even larger demon. But in his haste, Ranma knocked over a ceremonial candle on the table where Cherry performed. Cherry, however, had not noticed this until too late--after he mystically lit the charm. A portal opened, and instead of pulling a monster into this realm, started emitting a vaccuum-like force, pulling Cherry, Ranma, Yuu, and Miroku into the alternate dimension. Seconds later, after all four were pulled into the portal, the charm stopped burning as it had been reduced to ashes, and the portal closed.
*****
Ranma shook his head free of the dizziness, and then surveyed his surrounding. They were definitely not in Juuban anymore.
"Ah!!! You stupid old man! What the hell did you do now?" Ranma was upset. Very upset. Just when he was beginning to really like Juuban and Ami-chan in particular, Cherry had to do something to drag the four of them away. And so he did what he usually did after a short old man ruins his life in some way or other--he punted Cherry off into the horizon again.
"Um, Ranma?" said Yuu, recovering. "We might need him to take us back." Not that he particularly wanted to return to the world of that drunken schoolgirl harbinger of bad luck, but Ranma seemed to like it now.
"Ah..." said Ranma, scratching his head in embarassment. "So where are we? We'll go look for Cherry after we figure out where this is."
"It was night in Juuban when we left, but it's noon here," said Miroku thoughtfully. "We seem to be in some countryside, and there doesn't seem to be a big city anywhere near here. It doesn't quite look like where I was when I left my world, but it could be."
Just then, a figure dressed in rusty armor rode in on a horse with equally rusted armor and spoke something Ranma-chan couldn't make out.
"Say," said Miroku. "That sounds kind of like the 'Engrish' that I heard at the temple training... er, school."
Yuu, the brightest of the group, who actually understood English, grew very uncomfortable at the man's words, and translated for his friends. "This knight thinks Miroku and I are foul sorcerors who have enslaved Ranma-chan, and he vows to destroy us to free his maiden. I think maybe we should run now." Yuu followed his own advice before he even finished speaking.
"Ah! Perfect! A fight is just what I need right now to unwind." With that said, Ranma-chan joined Miroku in bashing the knight.
***
"Yuu, we really have to start training you in martial arts soon," said Ranma-chan. "It just doesn't do to have our friend running at the sight of a mere fool like him."
"Mm," said Miroku, nodding. "I agree with Ranma. Ranma and I will try our best to protect you when we're around, but we may get separated with all this teleporting. I can tell you're a fast learner."
"That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea," said Yuu. 'If that drunk girl ever lands me in prison again, at least I won't get beat up by the thugs again.'
Miroku rummaged through the fallen knight's stuff and found a crude map. "Hey, Yuu. Read this and tell us how to get to the nearest city."
Yuu read the English on the map, and translated for his companions, "Come Hither to King Arthur's Tournament in Camelot! It seems to be directions to a fighting competition at this city called Camelot." Yuu's brows creased in concentration. 'Camelot and Arthur. I've heard those names before. Think it was something Meiko said at some point.'
Ranma-chan perked. "A martial arts competitions! Great! We gotta go! Might as well pick up some special techniques while we're wandering from world to world."
"Maybe we should go look for Cherry?"
"Na, that old man can take care of himself," said Ranma-chan. "Besides, this has got to be much more fun that looking for an old man."
"Well, I still don't know where on this map we are."
"Easily solved," said Miroku as he splashed their prisoner with some water from the knight's canteen. "Hey, samurai-boy! Where are we on this map right now?"
Yuu translated their query to the knight. The knight, thinking that the warrior before him must be demons, was too scared to lie.
***
By dusk, the trio had reached the outskirts of Camelot. Ranma had turned back into boy-form, now that he no longer had to appease any dimunitive head priests. They settled themselves at an inn, and ate a small feast, all paid for with the money taken by Miroku from their earlier foe.
Since Yuu was the only one of the trio who spoke English, and modern English at that, they had much trouble communicating with the locals, but Yuu was finally able to convey their meanings, and find out some basic information.
"Well, guys, it looks like we're now in twelfth-century England. There seem to be a number of monsters and dragons around here, as well as princesses worth rescuing, and then there's that tournament coming up in about two months. Sorry, Ranma, but it looks like it's only a very formalized mounted combat called jousting."
"I'll just go up against them with my bare hands! If they're anything like that last guy, it won't be a challenge at all," averred Ranma.
"I heard from the locals that many of the knights seem be to highly esteemed, and many of them possess enchanted weapons. Sir Lancelot and his Joyeaux blade seem especially respected around here."
"So, what's the reward for winning? Gold? Beautiful women? Kingship?" asked Miroku.
"I'm not sure. In any case, the tournament isn't for another two months. If the length of our stay in Juuban is any indicator, we probably won't be here that long."
"Well, in that case we're starting your tonight, Yuu!"
***
The past two months have been pure pain for Yuu. Sure, Yuu had been in a lot of pain before, the worst at finding out the one woman he truly loved romantically turned out to be his half-sister. And in some ways that hurt more. But in many others, his nerves screamed, it was nothing compared to the physical pain being dished out to him by Ranma and Miroku while training him.
The only thing that had prevented Yuu from calling it quits after two days was the fact that Yuu was changing, and he felt it. No longer the weak bishonen that he had been for the past seventeen years of his life (something he was always not too comfortable with), he was gaining a more rugged look, because of both the primitive living conditions of Arthurian Camelot and the increased muscle mass.
From what he saw he could do to trees and practice dummies, Yuu felt relieved... and confident. He was becoming a martial artist. He wouldn't reach Ranma or even Miroku's caliber for a long time hence, if ever, but that was all right. A rational part of his mind had been trying to remind him for the past few weeks that he was now strong enough to protect his Miki, but with Miroku and Ranma's constant badgering and encouragement, Yuu pressed on in his training.
From what Yuu could tell, Ranma's claim that he was the best Martial Artist in the world was no idle brag. Remembering some of Ranma's more powerful chi-based attack demonstrations, Yuu found himself with a goal. As with everything, improvement comes fastest when there existed a tangible goal at the end of the marathon.
Miroku was weaker in raw fighting ability; by exactly how much Yuu could not tell. Of course, Miroku had the Kazaana attack that could override anything else, but Miroku revealed to them his weakness with poison bugs and the like.
All in all though, other than the physical pain, Yuu found it actually satisfactory. He and his two present companions also got to know each other very much better, having traded abridged life stories early on, but always sharing some antics over dinner.
At last, it was time for King Arthur's tournament. Since none of the three had horses, armor, or lances, the trio stayed in the crowds to watch the fights.
The style of the tournament was fairly standard single elimination. Ranma commented several times that he felt there was very little skill involved in jousting, and that the steeds were doing most of the work. It was fortunate that Ranma complained in Japanese, otherwise the group would probably have been attacked by several hundred knights simultaneously.
Finally, after many rounds of jousting, it was time for the final match between Lancelot and Gawain, two of the more famous knights of the Round Table. After many bouts and broken lances, Lancelot finally emerged winner.
"Ooh... Wonder what he gets for winning. Must be some prize, being such a big tournament and all."
At this point, Lancelot was above to be declared victor to the masses, when suddenly a page announced that a new challenger had just arrived, after finishing a quest, and requested to challenge Sir Lancelot. Yuu translated for his companions.
Arthur stood up and addressed Lancelot publically, asking if he wished to fight the newcomer. [Even if you refuse, the title of the victor of the day is still yours, good Lancelot.]
[Nay, how could I turn down this and still consider myself victor of the day? Come, let us be joined for one more battle!]
"That's pretty smart," commented Miroku. "Waiting until the tournament is almost over to make a late entry. At the very least, it saves him from having to go through all those lower level matches, and his opponent is probably also tired now."
A knight clad in dazzling red armor and a fiery steed covered in the same entered the jousting area with lance in hand. He was tall and broad-shouldered, but his visage was blocked by his helm.
[Good sir, I am Lancelot. Whom do I have the honor of jousting?]
The red knight bowed on his steed and answered, [Good sir Lancelot, it is indeed an honor to meet and joust thou. I am but a fledgling knight who has completed his first quest, and am much to ashamed to mention mine own humble name in thy presence.]
[It seems thou has reasons for anonymity, thus I shall not press thee. Let us joust!]
Lancelot mounted, and rode over to his end of the lane. At Arthur's signal, the two charged toward each other. In the first round, both only scored glancing blows that deflected off each others' shields, netting one point for each contestant. Both knights quickly turned their steeds around, and charged one another a second time, and the result was same as the first round.
In the third bout, the red knight missed completely, while Lancelot scored a solid hit with his wooden sparring lance that broke on impact at the direct hit. Score 4-2 in favor of Lancelot.
"Though it looks like the ruse can't replace skill," commented Miroku.
After another three rounds, the score had come to favor Lancelot highly, at 9-5. King Arthur then raised a flag, signalling the bout to be the last. Both knights charged one last time, and again Lancelot scored a clean hit, breaking his lance. However, the red knight struck so well (or perhaps luckily) that Lancelot was dismounted.
And thus, the battle was over, in a last second upset by the red knight.
Lancelot got up, breathing heavily, and removed his helm. He smiled companionably and said, [Truly thou art a superior warrior and tactician, fellow knight! I acknowledge my defeat! Come, now willst thou reveal thy identity?]
The red knight nodded, and dismounted, revealing himself to be about six foot tall. He likewise took off his helm, and addressed the crowd, in choppy, accented English. [I am often known as the Red Knight. My true name is... Cherry.]
Sure enough, it was the ugly face of their companion looking back.
"Wow, that's really Cherry! Isn't that a surprise, guys? Guys?" Yuu turned and saw that Ranma and Miroku had in shock of relevation of the red knight's identity.
Ranma and Miroku finally recovered after Arthur declared Cherry to be the winner of the tournament, and the other knights participating came by to congratulate him.
"How did Cherry get so tall!?" demanded Ranma. Since there was no way for a peasant observer to approach the winner of the day normally, Ranma decided to leap above the crowds, and hopped next to Cherry in several jumps.
Several hundred knights drew their swords simultaneously.
Fortunately, Cherry immediately recognized Ranma, and signaled for the other knights to lower their arms.
"Where the hell ya been? Oh yeah, Miroku and Yuu are waiting over there."
Cherry nodded, and followed Ranma to where where Miroku and Yuu stood. Afterwards, the four companions walked back to King Arthur, where Cherry explained them to be very good friends of his, and introduced them. He then asked for them to be included in the feast as well, despite their commoner status.
[Very well,] said Arthur. ['Tis a pity they are not knighted; I can tell your friend Ranma who leapt here would make a fine warrior. Tell me though, in what language dost thou speak with them?]
[We hail from lands afar, and thus speak in our native language to each other,] offered Cherry.
[Lands afar? Do you speak of the mythical lands of Gaul?]
[I...] said Cherry, not really sure what Gaul was.
[No, good King Arthur, we hail from lands even farther than Gaul,] said Yu,u who realized Gaul was the ancient name for France. [Beyond the plains of Gaul, and the marshs of Prussia, over the mountains of Ural and across the icy tundra of Siberia, on the far side of the Sea of China, lies the islands of Japan from which we hail.]
[But Prussia is a legend! Not to be believed!] exclaimed some no-name knight. [And no one has ever heard of the other lands of which you speak!]
Arthur raised his hand to silence the knight, and spoke again, [Verily, I would not have believed it either. But in face of our esteemed guested, with such prowess as Sir Cherry and Ranma, who are we to doubt their claims? Let us feast! Good sirs from the lands of Japan, thou must tell us all about thy home tonight.]
And so through the night, Cherry and Yuu gave the King and the members of his court a lesson in geography, while Ranma and Miroku pigged out, happily free from responsibilities since they did not know English. And so through the night they feasted and drank (Ranma and Yuu initially hesitated, but at the insistence of Arthur, also imbibed heavily).
Suddenly, late into the night, lightning flashed and thunder rolled despite lack of clouds.
[Oh...] said a very drunken Cherry, [It is our time to leave. We thank you, good King Arthur, for thy hospitality, and we will try to visit again soon.]
"Huh?" mutted Ranma. "Ya old man, what the hell ya talking about?"
Moments later, a portal opened and dragged our four heroes into it before closing again.
When the other members of the court realize that it was real, and not some alcohol-induced hallucination, they were already gone.
Guinevere gasped. [Where is good sir Lancelot!?]
--End Chapter 4--