Chapter 2 - Elder Horse "Amazon Rectification"
"Let me get this straight: you're going off to Jusenkyo to search for a cure? How in the world do you even expect to do that? I mean, it's not like you've attempted to do so in the past, with less than stellar results," Happosai chided as he accompanied E-Ranma towards the road after their just- concluded Anything Goes Final Test.
While he enjoyed groping Ranma"s female-persona every now and then, Happosai actually sympathized with Ranma with his curse and all in fact he was witness to a lot of failed attempts whenever Ranma tried to cure it. Yet something about this new attempt seemed noteworthy. If the test this Ranma passed was any indication, then this new stab at a cure just might work. As it was, Happosai did feel a substantial difference in this Ranma's aura. It wasn't as noticeable as before when they first met tonight and of course, he wasn't really paying attention as his irritation over the theft of the lingerie was foremost in his mind. Once he focused on their battle however, Happosai started to notice little things about this Ranma that was different. The fighting style, though immediately similar was shifting as the battle progressed. The same amount of confidence was there but there was less of Ranma's ego in it. Happosai now recalled that this Ranma was able to parry and avoid most of his attacks and those that did connect, were received in such a manner that damage was reduced to a minimum. But what was even more surprising was the hits that Ranma got through Happosai's defense and the choice of an open palm attack. Though less lethal, it was quite strong nonetheless and Happosai recalled how he slammed into the wall of the abandoned building after receiving the blow. Even as they walked, he was noting how this Ranma's very gait and stride was different from the Ranma he was accustomed to seeing. As a small test, Happosai threw his pipe at Ranma when he thought that Ranma wasn't looking. Without breaking his stride, this Ranma caught the pipe with his right foot as it was about to lodge itself into his pants which would've caused him to stumble. Flipping it, E-Ranma caught the pipe and returned it to Happosai.
"He-he. I guess you really are a different Ranma, like you say. The Ranma I'm used to would've fallen flat on his face by now as he wouldn't have been aware enough to block it like you did now," stated Happosai.
E-Ranma just gave him an amused look at that last observation and walked on.
"You honestly think that you can find the cure at Jusenkyo now, Ranma?" Happosai queried as he bounded up to Ranma, even while carrying at sack- load of lingerie.
E-Ranma only nodded.
"I think this time I will, sensei. I just have to make one more training session with Elder Cologne and after that, I'm off to the cursed springs," E-Ranma replied.
"Cologne? What can she teach you that you don't already know, my boy? With our stalemate a while ago, you're practically her equal now as well," Happosai argued.
"In fighting skill, yes. But there are some skills which only you know and if I am correct, then the same holds true for her," E-Ranma answered.
"Let's say she does have a skill she can teach you: do you honestly think she'll teach it to you for free? She might ask that you marry Shampoo first before she teaches you anything," Happosai argued further.
"I haven't thought that part out yet but I'm working on it. I need to practice a bit more before I face Cologne. I'm outta here, sensei," E-Ranma replied.
With that, E-Ranma leapt onto a roof as they were back in the city, taking leave of Happosai.
"I wish you luck, Ranma...Back to you, my lovelies! Ha-ha-ha!!!" Happosai muttered to himself as his attention went back to his stolen lingerie.
The Cat Café was not in its usual night-time manner, with customers coming in and out every few minutes as patrons from all over Nerima and the nearby areas came to sample one of the finest Chinese cuisine to be had in the area. What was more surprising however, was the volume of customers tonight: a sheer wall of people. As E-Ranma neared the Café, he saw the reason why it was this way. Ukyou's had joined the Cat Café for tonight and was serving not only the okonamiyaki specialties but also various Japanese and Chinese desserts even as Cologne and co. served up the various main dishes. Even with Ukyo and Konatsu's help however, they were soon being inundated with orders which was getting too much fro them to handle. An idea came to E-Ranma's mind and he entered the Cat Café.
"Airen! Shampoo too too glad to see you visit at this time. Sorry, Shampoo can't make time for you now. Too many customers. I'm coming with your ramen already!!! Aiiyyaa!!" Shampoo finished as she mouthed her greeting in a few milliseconds as she went about distributing various orders.
"Hey there Ran-chan honey! I'd like to stay and chat but I've got my hands full. But don't you worry, I'll have them full of YOU later. Keep your horses down! Here's your order!" Ukyo declared in a way not unlike Shampoo did.
"Saotome, you cad! You shouldn't be here! Don't you see we're all busy here?!! And yet you come to flirt with Shampoo AND Ukyo! Why I oughta....ooooff!" was all that Mousse could say as E-Ranma removed Mousse's glasses which caused the myopic boy to crash into a post while taking the tray of food and drinks that he was carrying.
"Nice to see you too, Mousse," E-Ranma replied.
"Son-in-law. I see you've come to aid Shampoo in her time of need. Here's your uniform," Cologne stated as she threw the uniform after sending a spray of water first in order to trigger his curse. Cologne was in for a surprise as E-Ranma suddenly jumped, distributed the orders that were on the tray he got from Mousse, then deflected the spray of water with what seemed to be a shield of very hot chi and caught the very skimpy uniform as he landed; all in one swift, fluid motion.
"No elder, not exactly. However, I see that you do need help right now especially with the other customers outside who are grumbling already. Maybe we could reach a compromise or deal of some kind, eh elder?" E-Ranma replied.
Cologne was all but flabbergasted at what E-Ranma just did. Even with all the training Ranma had received, Cologne never taught him that much or a technique like that completely. What Ranma accomplished, he did so on his own, often incorporating all those myriad martial arts into his own Anything Goes and often came up with his own version of those techniques. However, Cologne was not one to show surprise that obviously so she composed herself mentally then addressed E-Ranma again.
"Very well, what kind of deal are we talking about here?" Cologne asked.
"Nothing specific, yet. Let's just make it a sort of credit-memo that you can give me which I am free to collect in any form, anytime and anywhere. Sounds fair, won't say?" E-Ranma replied.
Cologne thought for a while as she digested what E-Ranma just stated. Sensing nothing wrong with the proposal immediately, she agreed.
"Okay Son-in-law, we have a deal," Cologne replied.
E=Ranma then took a pitcher of cool water then headed into the restroom. A very female E-Ranma emerged wearing the skimpy waitress' uniform albeit a bit altered so as to show less leg and underwear. E-Ranma wasted no time and soon all the orders were being received promptly. E-Ranma did more than serve, she also went into the kitchens and cooked the short orders and less complex dishes and after 3 hours, each and every customer was satisfied.
E-Ranma then set about cleaning the whole place up even as Cologne tallied the days' sales then gave Ukyo her share.
"It has proven to be a very profitable arrangement that you proposed, Ms. Kounji. I never thought you'd master the Chinese dimsum cuisine in such a short time. Care to do this arrangement again every weekend?" Cologne proposed.
"I was actually thinking of the same thing. Instead of us trying to outdo the other, we end up making more money together. It's fine with me," Ukyo replied.
"But great-grandmother, spatula-girl still rival for Ranma. What do we do about that?" Shampoo added.
"I was hoping you'd say that, Shampoo. Seeing as this business-relationship with Ms. Kounji has proven very good for all of us, I believe a deeper one will do even more. Thus, I offer to make Ukyo a member of our tribe of Chinese Amazons thereby formalizing her claim on Ranma as well. That way, both of you can be his wives in the tribe. Her fighting abilities are also noteworthy so her addition to the tribe will be a good one," Cologne declared.
E-Ranma snickered a bit at Cologne's declaration. He also shook his head mentally and winced at the thought of what the younger Ranma was to face. Shampoo in the meantime was struck speechless at her great-grandmother's declaration.
"Well whatever you do with Ranma is your business but you'll have to coordinate with me first before embarking on any project," E-Ranma declared.
"Eh, son-in-law? What do you mean with "Ranma"?" Cologne asked.
E-Ranma didn't say a word but went to the phone and dialed the Tendo dojo. While they had yet to pick up the phone, he motioned for Ukyo to come to him.
"Look for Ranma once they pick it up," E-Ranma stated.
"What are you saying...uh, hello? Is that you Ran-chan?" Ukyo asked as her query was cut short as Ranma answered the call. Cologne didn't need to read Ukyo's face any more than what was necessary as the look that formed on it was quite obvious. Ukyo then motioned for Shampoo to come over and soon, Shampoo also shared the same dazed look.
"Don't tell me that it was who Ranma answered the call?" Cologne asked the 2 girls who could only nod in assent as disbelief was still evident in their faces.
"How can this be? If you're here and Ranma's at the dojo, who are you?" asked Cologne as she hopped away from E-Ranma and assumed a defensive stance. Cologne thought that this Ranma before here was another demon-form.
"Relax elder, I am not a demon," E-Ranma assured as he noted Cologne's stance and forming battle aura.
"I am Ranma...as well, though I have yet to find out why there isn't just one of me," E-Ranma replied.
"You mean to say there's more than one Ranma?!!!" chorused Cologne and Shampoo.
E-Ranma nodded and related how he felt something had happened to him one stormy day though he wasn't sure exactly what.
"Stormy day you say? Come to think of it, there was such a storm a few days ago." Cologne asked to which E-Ranma nodded in assent.
"Aaaaiiiii-yyyaaa! Shampoo remember she feel quite sick that day!" Shampoo chimed in.
"So-so-did I," groaned Mousse as he was getting up from where he had been lying after E-Ranma took his glasses.
"Hmmm..this is most odd. It would be safe to say that your father and Ryoga experienced something similar that day as well," Cologne remarked as she hopped off towards the stairs. She came back holding a musty old book. Setting it on the table, Cologne leafed through the pages until she came to a specific part.
"Hmm...just as I suspected," she thought out loudly.
"What is it Great-grandmother?" Shampoo asked.
"That stormy day was not ordinary for the clouds were partly made of vapors emanating from Jusenkyo," Cologne declared.
"Jusenkyo?!!!" all three youths chorused.
Cologne nodded. Cursed or magical though they were, the cursed pools were still made of water and it was this water that was still obeyed the laws of Physics. However, their potency would not be totally muted.
"A storm like this is quite rare as the sun doesn't shine long enough in Jusenkyo to create a lot of vapors. But when it does happen, the downpour and lightning would affect anyone who got cursed in the pools. I take it you were caught outside when the storm began, Ranma?" Cologne asked to which E-Ranma assented.
"Not me actually but Ranma was the one who got struck by lightning AND drenched by the rain immediately afterwards," E-Ranma added.
"A double dose of Jusenkyo magic! No wonder you didn't die. Lightning or rain alone may prove harmful to a cursed individual but both could be fatal. Tell me, are there any more 'Ranmas' besides you?" Cologne asked.
"Well there's me, Ranma, Ranko, and an older Ranko. Incidentally, both Ranma and I STILL change into girls when doused with cold water. The girls are not affected," E-Ranma added.
"I see. So what do you want from me then?" Cologne asked.
"Not much, really," E-Ranma replied then knelt on one knee before Cologne.
"I would like to be INSTANTLY taught command of the Chinese language, honored Elder," E-Ranma requested, causing Cologne to almost fall off her staff.
"Let me get this straight: you're going off to Jusenkyo to search for a cure? How in the world do you even expect to do that? I mean, it's not like you've attempted to do so in the past, with less than stellar results," Happosai chided as he accompanied E-Ranma towards the road after their just- concluded Anything Goes Final Test.
While he enjoyed groping Ranma"s female-persona every now and then, Happosai actually sympathized with Ranma with his curse and all in fact he was witness to a lot of failed attempts whenever Ranma tried to cure it. Yet something about this new attempt seemed noteworthy. If the test this Ranma passed was any indication, then this new stab at a cure just might work. As it was, Happosai did feel a substantial difference in this Ranma's aura. It wasn't as noticeable as before when they first met tonight and of course, he wasn't really paying attention as his irritation over the theft of the lingerie was foremost in his mind. Once he focused on their battle however, Happosai started to notice little things about this Ranma that was different. The fighting style, though immediately similar was shifting as the battle progressed. The same amount of confidence was there but there was less of Ranma's ego in it. Happosai now recalled that this Ranma was able to parry and avoid most of his attacks and those that did connect, were received in such a manner that damage was reduced to a minimum. But what was even more surprising was the hits that Ranma got through Happosai's defense and the choice of an open palm attack. Though less lethal, it was quite strong nonetheless and Happosai recalled how he slammed into the wall of the abandoned building after receiving the blow. Even as they walked, he was noting how this Ranma's very gait and stride was different from the Ranma he was accustomed to seeing. As a small test, Happosai threw his pipe at Ranma when he thought that Ranma wasn't looking. Without breaking his stride, this Ranma caught the pipe with his right foot as it was about to lodge itself into his pants which would've caused him to stumble. Flipping it, E-Ranma caught the pipe and returned it to Happosai.
"He-he. I guess you really are a different Ranma, like you say. The Ranma I'm used to would've fallen flat on his face by now as he wouldn't have been aware enough to block it like you did now," stated Happosai.
E-Ranma just gave him an amused look at that last observation and walked on.
"You honestly think that you can find the cure at Jusenkyo now, Ranma?" Happosai queried as he bounded up to Ranma, even while carrying at sack- load of lingerie.
E-Ranma only nodded.
"I think this time I will, sensei. I just have to make one more training session with Elder Cologne and after that, I'm off to the cursed springs," E-Ranma replied.
"Cologne? What can she teach you that you don't already know, my boy? With our stalemate a while ago, you're practically her equal now as well," Happosai argued.
"In fighting skill, yes. But there are some skills which only you know and if I am correct, then the same holds true for her," E-Ranma answered.
"Let's say she does have a skill she can teach you: do you honestly think she'll teach it to you for free? She might ask that you marry Shampoo first before she teaches you anything," Happosai argued further.
"I haven't thought that part out yet but I'm working on it. I need to practice a bit more before I face Cologne. I'm outta here, sensei," E-Ranma replied.
With that, E-Ranma leapt onto a roof as they were back in the city, taking leave of Happosai.
"I wish you luck, Ranma...Back to you, my lovelies! Ha-ha-ha!!!" Happosai muttered to himself as his attention went back to his stolen lingerie.
The Cat Café was not in its usual night-time manner, with customers coming in and out every few minutes as patrons from all over Nerima and the nearby areas came to sample one of the finest Chinese cuisine to be had in the area. What was more surprising however, was the volume of customers tonight: a sheer wall of people. As E-Ranma neared the Café, he saw the reason why it was this way. Ukyou's had joined the Cat Café for tonight and was serving not only the okonamiyaki specialties but also various Japanese and Chinese desserts even as Cologne and co. served up the various main dishes. Even with Ukyo and Konatsu's help however, they were soon being inundated with orders which was getting too much fro them to handle. An idea came to E-Ranma's mind and he entered the Cat Café.
"Airen! Shampoo too too glad to see you visit at this time. Sorry, Shampoo can't make time for you now. Too many customers. I'm coming with your ramen already!!! Aiiyyaa!!" Shampoo finished as she mouthed her greeting in a few milliseconds as she went about distributing various orders.
"Hey there Ran-chan honey! I'd like to stay and chat but I've got my hands full. But don't you worry, I'll have them full of YOU later. Keep your horses down! Here's your order!" Ukyo declared in a way not unlike Shampoo did.
"Saotome, you cad! You shouldn't be here! Don't you see we're all busy here?!! And yet you come to flirt with Shampoo AND Ukyo! Why I oughta....ooooff!" was all that Mousse could say as E-Ranma removed Mousse's glasses which caused the myopic boy to crash into a post while taking the tray of food and drinks that he was carrying.
"Nice to see you too, Mousse," E-Ranma replied.
"Son-in-law. I see you've come to aid Shampoo in her time of need. Here's your uniform," Cologne stated as she threw the uniform after sending a spray of water first in order to trigger his curse. Cologne was in for a surprise as E-Ranma suddenly jumped, distributed the orders that were on the tray he got from Mousse, then deflected the spray of water with what seemed to be a shield of very hot chi and caught the very skimpy uniform as he landed; all in one swift, fluid motion.
"No elder, not exactly. However, I see that you do need help right now especially with the other customers outside who are grumbling already. Maybe we could reach a compromise or deal of some kind, eh elder?" E-Ranma replied.
Cologne was all but flabbergasted at what E-Ranma just did. Even with all the training Ranma had received, Cologne never taught him that much or a technique like that completely. What Ranma accomplished, he did so on his own, often incorporating all those myriad martial arts into his own Anything Goes and often came up with his own version of those techniques. However, Cologne was not one to show surprise that obviously so she composed herself mentally then addressed E-Ranma again.
"Very well, what kind of deal are we talking about here?" Cologne asked.
"Nothing specific, yet. Let's just make it a sort of credit-memo that you can give me which I am free to collect in any form, anytime and anywhere. Sounds fair, won't say?" E-Ranma replied.
Cologne thought for a while as she digested what E-Ranma just stated. Sensing nothing wrong with the proposal immediately, she agreed.
"Okay Son-in-law, we have a deal," Cologne replied.
E=Ranma then took a pitcher of cool water then headed into the restroom. A very female E-Ranma emerged wearing the skimpy waitress' uniform albeit a bit altered so as to show less leg and underwear. E-Ranma wasted no time and soon all the orders were being received promptly. E-Ranma did more than serve, she also went into the kitchens and cooked the short orders and less complex dishes and after 3 hours, each and every customer was satisfied.
E-Ranma then set about cleaning the whole place up even as Cologne tallied the days' sales then gave Ukyo her share.
"It has proven to be a very profitable arrangement that you proposed, Ms. Kounji. I never thought you'd master the Chinese dimsum cuisine in such a short time. Care to do this arrangement again every weekend?" Cologne proposed.
"I was actually thinking of the same thing. Instead of us trying to outdo the other, we end up making more money together. It's fine with me," Ukyo replied.
"But great-grandmother, spatula-girl still rival for Ranma. What do we do about that?" Shampoo added.
"I was hoping you'd say that, Shampoo. Seeing as this business-relationship with Ms. Kounji has proven very good for all of us, I believe a deeper one will do even more. Thus, I offer to make Ukyo a member of our tribe of Chinese Amazons thereby formalizing her claim on Ranma as well. That way, both of you can be his wives in the tribe. Her fighting abilities are also noteworthy so her addition to the tribe will be a good one," Cologne declared.
E-Ranma snickered a bit at Cologne's declaration. He also shook his head mentally and winced at the thought of what the younger Ranma was to face. Shampoo in the meantime was struck speechless at her great-grandmother's declaration.
"Well whatever you do with Ranma is your business but you'll have to coordinate with me first before embarking on any project," E-Ranma declared.
"Eh, son-in-law? What do you mean with "Ranma"?" Cologne asked.
E-Ranma didn't say a word but went to the phone and dialed the Tendo dojo. While they had yet to pick up the phone, he motioned for Ukyo to come to him.
"Look for Ranma once they pick it up," E-Ranma stated.
"What are you saying...uh, hello? Is that you Ran-chan?" Ukyo asked as her query was cut short as Ranma answered the call. Cologne didn't need to read Ukyo's face any more than what was necessary as the look that formed on it was quite obvious. Ukyo then motioned for Shampoo to come over and soon, Shampoo also shared the same dazed look.
"Don't tell me that it was who Ranma answered the call?" Cologne asked the 2 girls who could only nod in assent as disbelief was still evident in their faces.
"How can this be? If you're here and Ranma's at the dojo, who are you?" asked Cologne as she hopped away from E-Ranma and assumed a defensive stance. Cologne thought that this Ranma before here was another demon-form.
"Relax elder, I am not a demon," E-Ranma assured as he noted Cologne's stance and forming battle aura.
"I am Ranma...as well, though I have yet to find out why there isn't just one of me," E-Ranma replied.
"You mean to say there's more than one Ranma?!!!" chorused Cologne and Shampoo.
E-Ranma nodded and related how he felt something had happened to him one stormy day though he wasn't sure exactly what.
"Stormy day you say? Come to think of it, there was such a storm a few days ago." Cologne asked to which E-Ranma nodded in assent.
"Aaaaiiiii-yyyaaa! Shampoo remember she feel quite sick that day!" Shampoo chimed in.
"So-so-did I," groaned Mousse as he was getting up from where he had been lying after E-Ranma took his glasses.
"Hmmm..this is most odd. It would be safe to say that your father and Ryoga experienced something similar that day as well," Cologne remarked as she hopped off towards the stairs. She came back holding a musty old book. Setting it on the table, Cologne leafed through the pages until she came to a specific part.
"Hmm...just as I suspected," she thought out loudly.
"What is it Great-grandmother?" Shampoo asked.
"That stormy day was not ordinary for the clouds were partly made of vapors emanating from Jusenkyo," Cologne declared.
"Jusenkyo?!!!" all three youths chorused.
Cologne nodded. Cursed or magical though they were, the cursed pools were still made of water and it was this water that was still obeyed the laws of Physics. However, their potency would not be totally muted.
"A storm like this is quite rare as the sun doesn't shine long enough in Jusenkyo to create a lot of vapors. But when it does happen, the downpour and lightning would affect anyone who got cursed in the pools. I take it you were caught outside when the storm began, Ranma?" Cologne asked to which E-Ranma assented.
"Not me actually but Ranma was the one who got struck by lightning AND drenched by the rain immediately afterwards," E-Ranma added.
"A double dose of Jusenkyo magic! No wonder you didn't die. Lightning or rain alone may prove harmful to a cursed individual but both could be fatal. Tell me, are there any more 'Ranmas' besides you?" Cologne asked.
"Well there's me, Ranma, Ranko, and an older Ranko. Incidentally, both Ranma and I STILL change into girls when doused with cold water. The girls are not affected," E-Ranma added.
"I see. So what do you want from me then?" Cologne asked.
"Not much, really," E-Ranma replied then knelt on one knee before Cologne.
"I would like to be INSTANTLY taught command of the Chinese language, honored Elder," E-Ranma requested, causing Cologne to almost fall off her staff.