A Ranma ½ King of Fighters fanfiction
Disclaimer: Huh? Oh… I'm not using my Akane-bashing disclaimer right now. Well… you'll find out sooner or later… *ahem* Anyway, I don't own Ranma ½ and King of Fighters.
Flames of Destiny
By Insane Blight
Chapter 8: Old Habits Die Hard
Saotome Garden
"I'll kill you!!!"
Genma stood up and glared at his son. "Boy, stop playing games and do as you're told!"
By this time, Kasumi and Akane got up and made their way towards the Saotome matriarch. Nabiki was still shocked from the events and Soun was whimpering in a corner while saying his 'schools will never be joined' spiel.
Ranma smiled innocently before running towards Genma with the intent of ripping his father's heart out via Yamasenken's Dokuja Tanketsu Sho (1). Genma was not called the creator of such deadly techniques for nothing, he knew the stance the ponytailed boy made before he charged at him so he quickly sidestepped the lunge and instinctively countered with a standing leg sweep that knocked Ranma off of his feet.
The violet-eyed boy landed roughly but he immediately recovered and rolled to the side to prevent any more attacks from his father. He stood up and chuckled darkly once more. "Impressive! And here I thought I was going to fight a lazy panda… oh well… more fun for me!" he exclaimed, launching a ki blast at the bald martial artist. It's not his usual confidence-based blast nor is it Ryoga's Shi Shi Hokodan for that matter, but a blast filled with anger and malice (2).
The ki blast was so fast that Genma didn't even have time to leap to safety so he crossed his arms in front of him and hoped that the impact will not hurt as much. The hit never came; the bald martial artist timidly opened his eyes and saw the ki ball just seemingly float right in front of him. He dropped his arms and was about to sigh in relief when a shadow loomed behind him. He turns around and saw a grinning Ranma standing just a few feet from him.
"Boo!"
Ranma punched his father in the face, he then crouched low and delivered a flurry of Amaguriken punches to Genma's stomach, making him take a few steps back. Unfortunately or fortunately, Genma's back collided with the floating ki ball triggering a huge blast that swallowed the Saotome patriarch whole.
The ponytailed boy closed his eyes and turns around. "Too bad… I soooo wanted to pay him double for the hell he put me through… sigh… heh, who's next?" he asked himself, he looked around the garden before focusing on Nabiki, who was sitting on the ground with her eyes wide from shock. "I guess it's your turn Nabs! You have a HUGE debt that needs to be paid in full!"
Nodoka was watching the fight with a bewildered look. 'He surpassed the Blood Riot and has conscious control over his power…?! How was that possible?! No… was the price he paid for such an act the loss of his humanity? My baby… do you hate them that much?' She was snapped back into reality when she noticed Kasumi and Akane walking towards her. "Are you two okay?"
Kasumi and Akane both nodded albeit hesitantly. "Auntie, what's wrong with Ranma-kun? I've never seen him act like this in his stay in Nerima. He's so… different from the one we know."
"I… I don't know, I think he has awakened… that would explain his sudden vehemence towards his father." She quietly said to the two girls, although knowing that Akane and Kasumi won't understand the meaning behind those words. 'How could my son… a half-breed, awaken?! Only those with pure Orochi blood undergo that stage… so how?'
"What do you mean by that Auntie?" Kasumi asked… only to be ignored by the Saotome matriarch.
Akane was about to repeat her sister's question when she heard Ranma talking to Nabiki. No matter what Nabiki has done in the past, she is still her sister. She ran towards the ponytailed boy hoping to talk some sense into him.
"Ranma stop, please!" Akane pleaded as she blocked the way to her sister.
The Orochi half-breed frowned at first… then smirked like a madman before slapping Akane with enough force that knocked the girl to the side. "Outta the way tomboy, it's between me and the merc." He said to the downed form of his former fiancée. "Now then! What shall I do with you Nabs…? Oho! What's this? Up for seconds old man?" he asked as he sensed his father get up.
"Boy… I'll have to show you your place! Kijin Raishu Dan!"
Ranma smiled, he turns around just in time to perform a crescent slashing motion that promptly split the vacuum blade in two. He looks at his father and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Ahahahaha! Is that it? I know MY place panda; you're the one who doesn't know yours!"
Genma grunted. "I'll show you!" he shouted as he faded from view.
The ponytailed boy looks on with boredom. "And thus, we see a 300 pound panda disappear from sight… only to be caught by the neck!" Ranma extends his left arm and it seems as if it was clamped onto something. Sure enough, his father reappeared; the Orochi warrior's hand was choking the life out of the panda-cursed man. "Pops, when will you ever learn? When you use that move, a well trained opponent can actually sense your movement no matter how hard you try to mask it."
Ranma slammed his father's head to the ground. Ranma was positioned on top of his father while his hand was still gripping the bald man's neck. "It's not perfect old man… come to think of it… with your fat body, I'm not surprised I could sense you that easily at all."
The ponytailed boy's taunts was put to a stop when Genma pushed Ranma's legs apart with his arms, he slid under the half-breed to free himself from the boy's grasp and then he quickly turned around and faced Ranma's back. "Haku Dato Shin Sho! (3)"
Countless number of finger strikes connected to the Orochi warriors exposed back, ripping right through his shirt in the process. The half-breed soon fell hard to the ground. There was an eerie silence that followed the attack, the air was stagnant and the sky was as clear as it can get. Suddenly, Ranma's downed body was engulfed in purple flames. The winds howled furiously causing everyone to shield their eyes, the sky darkened and thunder can be heard from the distance.
The purple flames grew larger and larger until it formed a symbol on the sky. Nodoka gasped as she saw the flaming symbol, the symbol of the Orochi clan. The flames soon retracted and took the shape of a person. The figure clasped his right hand and soon enough, the flames retreated back into the figure's body. "I must say that I underestimated you old man. I never thought that in your old age you can still put up quite a fight… but it ends here…"
Genma frowned at his son's 'disrespect' while being totally oblivious to Ranma's new power; he lunged at his son once more. Ranma crouched low to avoid the punch, he then delivered a hard right hand to his father's midsection, causing the old man to cough up blood. The Orochi half-breed smirked as an idea came to him, he summoned his sacred flame and lit the bald martial artist on fire. Ranma removed his right hand from Genma's stomach and cups it in front of his father's face. "Mouko Takabisha!"
The ki blast sent the Saotome patriarch crashing inside the house. Ranma looks on with hate-filled eyes at the direction his father went. Rain started to fall, triggering the curse of Jusenkyo on Ranma. His female form seemed to have some slight yet noticeable changes as well. Her hair was now an odd mixture of red and violet, she is a few inches taller and her figure is a lot more defined, giving her a more mature look over her former 'kawaii' body.
Ranma-chan bowed her head; she looked at her hands and saw the blood that was still on it. 'Blood… my hands are covered in blood… my so-called father's blood… I did it… I actually did it. And I loved every second of it!' She smiles to herself; the bloodlust inside her grows more and more. She paused and turns to her left. Her cold, uncaring eyes locked onto the terrified middle Tendo girl.
Ranma-chan smirked. "You don't seem so full of yourself now Nabiki…" she couldn't finish her thoughts as she felt something latch onto her chest.
"Hotcha!"
Happosai weaved through the crowded streets of Tokyo, hoping to grope his favorite gender-changing student. Problem is… he doesn't know where the Saotome house was located so he was now searching the Tokyo area in hopes of sensing the ponytailed boy's aura.
The old pervert tilted his head to the left when he felt a massive discharge of ki. 'What power…! Is this Ranma's aura? It's so dark and full of malice… Ranma my boy, what happened to you?' In one of his rare moments of seriousness, the Grandmaster of Anything Goes hastily ran towards the source of the aura, intent on stopping the dark power.
He arrived at the Saotome house a few minutes later; he gaped at the scene in front of him. Sure, the destruction was everywhere… the garden was completely in ruins, the aura of darkness still lingers in the air and the source was in the middle of it. But the one that caught Happosai's attention was the vision of loveliness in front of him; he completely forgot what he came for and allowed his perverted desire to overwhelm him (4).
"Hotcha!"
Ranma-chan looked down and saw the little troll bury his face onto her chest. She smirked. "Haven't seen you since Osaka pervert, come here and let me give you a hug you won't forget!" Ranma-chan wrapped her arms around Happosai's small body; both were then engulfed in purple flames. The two screamed, Happosai yelled in pain while Ranma-chan cried out in glee.
The red-head pried the little gnome off her body and promptly dropped the troll to the ground. Lucky for him, the rain managed to put out most of the flames on his body.
"Humans… do not deserve to live. You only care about yourselves; you only help out when it benefits you. You selfish, insignificant worms!"
Akane got up and faced Ranma-chan. "What are you talking about?"
The rain intensified, as if symbolizing the girl's rage, she pointed towards the house. "That bald piece of human thrash doesn't even care about his own child. He never loved me! He only looked after his key to retirement! He treated me like dirt… he constantly abused me when I was but a mere child… IS THAT HOW A FATHER SHOULD ACT TOWARDS HIS OWN CHILD?!"
She glanced sideways and glared at Nabiki, she raised her arm and small vacuum blades zeroed in on the middle Tendo girl. Nabiki screamed as the blades continuously cut her flesh open, she was sent into another world of pain as Ranma-chan burned her body but only to an extent in which she'll live to feel the pain. "How does it feel to be on the receiving end of an attack Ice queen? I took that kind of punishment everyday… wonder how long you'll last though…?"
The red-head set her eyes on Kasumi. "If it isn't Ms. Nice girl! Don't even think about it! First you dumped me onto your sister like some leftover thrash! You never helped me either! You just ignored the bad things that goes on around you, hoping that it will work out in the end… right?! Sure, there were times when we actually talked but you never really did listen to me huh? You supported Akane all the way even when you knew she is in the wrong!"
Ranma-chan turns around to face Akane. "YOU! You goddamn filth! You say that you care about me yet you never really did trust me! For well over a year I took your abuse, I saved you countless number of times and what did I get? A mallet on the head almost every time!!! You always took P-chan's side, you refuse to accept your faults and you used me as your daily punching bag! Is that how you express your love?!"
The rain stopped, Ranma-chan bowed her head… it wasn't really clear whether they ones falling from her face were tears or just plain water. 'Is this what I really wanted?'
"Sai Dai Kyu! Kijin Raishu Dan!"
Ranma-chan quickly covered her body in flames to protect herself but the vacuum blade was too fast as it struck her before she could complete it, causing her flaming body to crash into a large container which by now was full of water. The male Ranma got up and glared at Genma, who was smirking triumphantly. The ponytailed boy coughed up some blood.
"WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!"
Ranma vanished into thin air via Umisenken but Genma also learns quickly, he jumped backwards to avoid the ponytailed boy's arching swipe but Ranma's newfound speed allowed him to get behind Genma. The bald martial artist screamed as the Orochi half-breed tried to pull one of his arms out of its socket. Soon enough, a popping sound was heard and blood spilled out of the wound, Genma performed a reverse flip that struck the boy in the jaw. The half-breed released the hold before laughing out loud.
"Ahahaha! What a tenacious bastard you are! Why won't you just accept it…? You will die here and now!"
Just before he could attack, Happosai stood up and latched onto the Orochi half-breed's back, the Grandmaster of Anything Goes pressed a couple of shiatsu points that should paralyze the ponytailed boy for quite a while. "Genma! Hurry up! Do it now!"
Genma's face turned serious. "Boy, you leave me with no choice… Dokuja Tanketsu Sho!"
Ranma's eyes widened as his father's ki-charged fingers buried themselves into his chest. The three men were frozen in place for what seemed like an eternity… that is until Ranma vanished in front of the panda-cursed man. Happosai was in shock at what he saw, Ranma actually pulled off an advanced illusion technique!
"Too bad…"
The real Ranma reappeared behind Genma and buried his outstretched arm into his father's side. Genma screamed as his blood gushed out of the wound at an alarming rate. The ponytailed boy was not through, not by a long shot. "This is for making my life a living hell!" he bellowed as he lit his arm on fire, burning the panda-man inside-out.
The Orochi half-breed raised his arm and lifted Genma's body in the air with ease. He smiled as the flames intensified, causing the Saotome patriarch to scream like a little school girl. "Your pain is just beginning!" He released his hold and allowed Genma to fall… straight to his knee. Everybody winced when they heard a loud crack that came from Genma's back.
Genma fell to the ground; his eyes were wide in shock. Happosai threw a Happo-daikairin at Ranma but the half-breed simply swatted it right back to the old pervert, sending him flying away for now.
The Orochi half-breed smirked at the motionless body of his father. "Oh my! Your spine seemed to have been damaged old man… here… let me help you up!" he said in an amused tone. He lifted his father up by his neck, he removed his hold and started punching at Genma with his newfound strength and speed, and the Saotome patriarch's feet hadn't even had the chance to touch the ground during the entire beating.
Kasumi couldn't watch the brutality any longer so she turned her head to the side, hoping that this madness will stop soon. Nabiki already stood up, ignoring the pain as she did so and moved towards her sisters while Ranma was still preoccupied with his father. Soun, if you can believe it, gathered enough courage to attempt an attack towards the crazed warrior.
Ranma stopped his assault on Genma; he then turned and faced Soun. "My, my, my… the coward actually lifting a finger for a friend? How, touching… it breaks my heart… if I had one!" He summoned his sacred flame as he yelled.
The ponytailed boy concentrated, reshaping his flame into some sort of rope. Soun whimpered and began to run away, Ranma launched the flame in the direction of the Tendo patriarch. The flame wrapped itself around the crybaby's body like a snake would to its prey. "Heheh, it actually worked! Now… burn in hell!" he screamed. The sacred flame tightened its hold on Soun until it exploded, burning the crybaby alive.
"Ahahahaha!!! Suffer! Humans should suffer!!! All of you shall die!"
Akane ran towards him once more and grabbed the ponytailed boy by the waist. "Ranma stop! Please! You really don't want to do this! Go back!!! Please go back!!!"
Ranma face actually reverted to normal for a moment before his ire got the better of him. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! How the hell would you know?! Get off of me you miserable filth! GET OFF!!!" he bellowed, he grabbed Akane by her neck and he threw her to the side.
He looks up to the dark sky and spewed blood upwards, he laughs like a man possessed before lifting Genma off of his feet once more. He released his hold and arched back to deliver the final blow.
"This is the end, die old man!"
Time seemed to slow down as my hand went down to deliver the final blow. I closed my eyes; I wanted to forget him… I wanted to forget my father. I felt my fingers pierce through the flesh, I felt warm, human blood come out of the wound… but… it was different. It was not his blood… I slowly opened my hate-filled eyes and I trembled as I saw my worst fear come true… Akane…
Ranma's hand was buried inside his ex-fiancée's chest, blood was everywhere. Akane was bleeding from the mouth as she spoke. "R-Ran…ma… please… go… back…"
I removed my hand; she fell lifelessly to the floor… like a puppet with its strings cut…
The half-breed stared wide-eyed at the downed body of his former fiancée. His hair slowly turned back to its original color and his eyes reverted to its natural hue… those sorrowful, blue eyes.
I felt my heart ache like never before… I cried out, I hoped that this was all a dream. Tears fell freely from my eyes as I knelt down beside her. I gently held her body, my hand instinctively holding onto hers…
Nodoka and Kasumi rushed to their side, crying as they did so.
I knew that it was over… I failed… I have already chosen my path… and the scene in front of me is proof enough… I cried even harder, the pain inside me grows with each passing minute. I gripped her hand tight and I held her close… I lost… I lost…
"Akaaaannnneeeeeeeeeee!!!"
Onboard an Airplane
Chris clutched his chest as he suddenly felt his heart ache for some reason. Yashiro and Shermie were immediately by his side, asking if he's all right. "I… *pant* I'm fine… I *pant* just felt something… some sort of pain…" he answered in between gasps.
"What do you mean kid? What kind of pain?" Yashiro inquired, he really hates it when Chris talks in riddles.
The blue-eyed boy shook his head. "I don't know… I've got no clue as to why this is happening to me but I feel as if that I should know what it is… I'm not really sure…" He trailed off.
Shermie placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't mind it Chris, I'm sure it'll disappear with time. Just don't forget that we are here for you, friend's right?"
Chris looked up and saw the friendly smirk on Yashiro's face and the carefree smile on Shermie's, he smiled at the two. "Yes… friends… thank you…"
Osaka: Hotel Room
Mature was sitting on the sofa while reading a book when she suddenly felt a surge of power. 'Wha?! Such malice and pain… who could be doing this…?' she thought.
"Hey Mature, look at what I got."
Mature looked up from the book she's reading. "KOF invitations…" she breathed out, her face turning into a more cold and calculating look. "Who sent them? It can't be that damn Kagura, she would prefer to have us banned from the tournament because of our nature."
Vice shrugged. "It was sent by the other sponsors for the tournament. It seems to me that they want to attract audiences all over the world, I heard that the incident with the Riot of Blood both freaked and interested the people so they expect to see more of those in this year's tournament."
The blonde laughed. "Oh they'll see more alright! If the plan comes into fruition, this shall be the tournament that they will never, ever forget."
The red-head joined in as well. "Hahaha! Our goal is still the same… our master shall be freed from its prison."
3 days later
Tokyo General Hospital
"H-How is sh-she doctor?"
"She is still in critical condition, the wound she received was deeper than we thought and it punctured part of her lung. We are doing the best we can to save her life so please calm down."
The doctor left Kasumi standing in front of Akane's hospital room, Nodoka hugged the distraught Tendo girl in an attempt to comfort her. "She'll be fine Kasumi-chan, she's a strong girl… she'll pull through…"
Ranma thought that Akane had died so he left the Saotome house; there were no traces of him anywhere since that day. Kasumi tried her best to stop the bleeding as soon as she could and Nodoka immediately called for an ambulance. Akane is currently in a coma-like state, there is no guarantee whether she would recover or not.
Kasumi cried even harder. "Oh Auntie! I can't stand it anymore… I don't want to see anyone getting hurt! I-I just can't take it anymore! I don't want to lose my family… I don't want to go through it again… it hurts so much…"
Nodoka cried along with her. 'Damn you Orochi… is this the misery you promised my tribe?! Damn you… damn you… haven't we suffered enough?! You already took my mother away from me now you're taking my baby as well?! Damn you!'
"What happened…?" a rough, cold voice asked.
The two girls looked up and their eyes widened as they got a good look on the man. "You…"
Saotome Home
Ranma returned to his mother's home, he stood in the middle of the garden ruins once more, his eyes were back to their sad, tearful, blue hue, his hair was a mess and his wounds have not yet been treated although his Orochi heritage was slowly taking care of that. He looked at the bloodstained hand that pierced Akane's chest, tears slowly fell on it.
'Akane… I'm so sorry… I could've stopped it but I didn't… I don't know what to think anymore. I can't control it after all; it's too much to bear alone… I craved for blood, I hunger for it… I can't deny that now. It's in my blood; I was born this way… a bloodthirsty monster.'
He heard a couple of footsteps behind him; he turns and saw some girl trying to hold someone back from attacking him. His eyes widened slightly as the two faced him; the girl had a nervous smile while the man had a scowl on his face.
"Ryoga…"
Tokyo Airport
"Ah! It feels good to be back here!"
Yashiro looked at the brown-haired boy oddly. "Eh? You've been here before? Why didn't you mention it until now?"
Chris looked sheepish. "Um… I forgot…? Yeah that's it! Eheheh…"
The blonde's eyebrow twitched for a brief moment, he then shook his head and began walking towards the airport exit. "I'll never understand you, kid." he muttered.
Shermie on the other hand, had a curious look on her face. "Wow! Chris, can you tell me more about Japan? Please? I'm just dying to know about the people here!"
Yashiro cut off Chris' reply. "Hey! I grew up here so you should ask me about this place!"
The twin ponytailed girl blinked at the statement while Chris had an irritating smirk on his face, not as good as the old Ranma but it'll do. "Ho-hum… someone seems to be jealous of little ol' me." He said innocently.
Yashiro blushed ever so slightly but managed to keep his cool. The blonde glared at Chris while the blue-eyed boy still had the annoying smirk on his face as if daring Yashiro to attack him.
Shermie sighed. "Okay, okay, stop it boys. Remember, we still have a concert to perform. It's our chance to be known all over the world so let's not screw this chance of a lifetime alright?" She asked in an extremely calm tone. The two men flinched at the tone the red-head used; they hung their head low afterwards.
The red-head's frown soon turned into a cheerful smile. "Now then… we still have a couple of weeks until we meet the managers and sponsors so… let's go sightseeing!"
The two men could only groan in response.
Kagura Home
"Lady Chizuru, here are the names of the selected fighters." Reiko said as she handed the list to the priestess.
"Thank you Reiko."
Reiko bowed before she stood behind the priestess. Chizuru was dresses in a casual business suit, she may be a priestess but she is also the owner of several successful business companies. She looked at the list and her eyes widened as she saw the name she thought she would never see there. "Impossible! I didn't send an invitation to him… who…? What?! They're the other sponsors?!" she yelled, causing a few of her servants outside the room to cringe.
"What is the problem my lady?" Reiko asked.
The dark-haired girl sighed; she rubbed her temples as she sat down. "This is not what I had in mind, with them participating behind the scenes; it could spell trouble for the entire tournament. Reiko, can you get the personal data of Saotome Ranma?"
"Right away my lady."
****
Name: Saotome Ranma
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Blood type: Human (AB) + Orochi (Unconfirmed)
Kin: Saotome Genma Wanted for various crimes all over Japan.
Saotome Nodoka (No maiden name) No data has been found.
Info: Resides at a local dojo in the Nerima Ward, he and a few others were called the Nerima Wrecking Crew by the residents for the destruction they cause everyday. His fighting style is called Musabetsu Kakuto Ryu, no other information regarding this art has been found.
Other information: Thought to have died in battle somewhere in China a few months back. His look matches the description given by a local thug who turned himself in a couple of weeks ago. His eyes and hair were said to change colors from time to time and he was rumored to vanish into thin air in a split second, it is also rumored that he wields the Orochi magatama flame.
****
"So they're going to use this information… I hope that he is not like them…"
One month later
A lot has happened this past month, though I'd like to forget most of it. Akane still hasn't regained consciousness but I really don't want to see her anymore, I have written everything I needed to tell to her in the letter I left for her at the Tendo Dojo. Kasumi was frightened by my presence every time I visited her sister, I really couldn't blame her… she saw a sadistic monster pierce her sister's chest. Nabiki is still in the hospital, she is still heavily bandaged from the burns and gashes I gave her… I really don't care what she thinks of me but if she pulls this stunt one more time I will not hesitate to attack her once more.
Genma… yeah, I don't refer to him as my father anymore… his answer a month ago decided that for me. He was sent to a hospital as well but when the doctors got a good look at his scrawny face, they refused to treat his injuries. They said that he stole a lot of medicine and medical supplies that caused the deaths of a lot of patients a few years ago. Mom was able to convince them to a certain degree though… Genma woke up but his spine has been permanently damaged, he can never move his body or his big mouth ever again… a vegetable as most doctors would call it.
Soun, the other pathetic excuse for a father, was the only one who stayed by Genma's side all month after recovering from his burns. The damned fool sulked and whined all month long, I even thought that ol' veggie was starting to get irritated by his friend's constant waterworks.
The Kuno's were treated but soon as they did their samurai wannabee and crazed gymnast act, they were immediately sent to a psychiatric ward for examinations. I really don't know if I should pity them…
Ryoga and I 'talked' a month ago. I was surprised that he didn't yell his 'Ranma, prepare to die!' battle cry, instead he just punched me in the face. Other than that, we actually talked like normal people, like we always do back in junior high if food wasn't involved. He was the one that informed me that Akane was still alive. He said that Kasumi told him everything and he knew it was an accident, I still wondered why he hasn't attacked yet or jumped to conclusions like before, maybe it's because Akari's with him, I don't know.
He calmly declared that we should settle our fight once and for all but I refused, I didn't want it to happen again and I thought that this fight might cause it to happen once more. I offered him a few options and after a lot of arguments, we finally came to an understanding, we will finish it… in due time…
Mom kept asking me about my current condition, I told her what happened and why I brutally attacked Genma. She actually took her husband's condition rather well… meaning she ignored him all month, leaving him to the 'care' of the vengeful doctors and nurses.
After that incident, I felt… different. My mother said that I almost 'awakened'… whatever the hell that means, she also said that I should be back to my normal self because of Akane's interference but I don't think that I went back to my old self. I don't know how to explain it but I do know that I have changed… though I have yet to see if it is for better or for worse.
His musings were cut short when he heard his mother's footsteps coming towards him.
"Son, this letter was sent to you."
"Huh? Me? Who could have…?" he wondered. He opened the letter and began to read it aloud.
****
Mr. Ranma Saotome,
We would like to inform you of the upcoming King of Fighters tournament that will take place in a couple of days. We know that you're probably thinking that it's pointless for you to partake in this tournament so we are offering you several conditions that would definitely interest you in joining. First, we are aware of your crimes in Osaka; those charges will be dropped if you accept this invitation. Second, we are aware of your heritage and we would like to see more of what happened last year for it attracted the worldwide audience even more.
Should you refuse the offer, you will leave us no other choice but to contact the authorities in regards to your current location. You are a criminal Saotome Ranma and you must be punished according to law, your friends and family will be arrested as well, we have footage on some of your fights with your group and the dangers you cause to the public is evident. The Nerima police may not do a thing about it but the rest of Japan will.
As stated above, all of the charges will be dropped if you join the tournament. We hope you make the right choice in the matter so we can benefit from one another.
****
Ranma frowned as he finished reading the letter. "What invitation…? This is nothing more than blackmail…" His blood began to boil as he thought of the similarities of this method to Nabiki's. "Fine, I'd like to talk to these 'sponsors' in person. Wait… King of Fighters Tournament… oh, Mature and Vice."
Nodoka had a puzzled expression when Ranma picked up the phone and called the number written on a piece of paper. 'Who are Vice and Mature? Why do I have the feeling that something big is going to happen soon?'
Osaka: Hotel Room
Mature and Vice were lounging around the hotel room, the blonde was reading yet another book while the red-head was reading a fashion magazine. The phone rang; Mature sighed and got up to see who's calling.
"Who could it be at this time of the day? Yes…? Huh? Ranma, is that you? Uhuh… we have invitations too… yes… no…? I see… well, see you at the tournament."
Vice looked up from the magazine she's reading and smirked. "Your boyfriend?" she teased.
Mature 'humphed' as she sat down on the sofa. "It's Ranma; he asked if we were invited to the King of Fighters tournament too. He's not looking forward to being in a group so he said he'll be entering as a single entry." She said with a shrug.
The red-head thought about it. "Hmmm… come to think of it, I don't think Iori will want to join any team considering what happened the last time…" She flinched as she recalled the incident. "Anyway, I guess we'll have to enter as single entries too huh?" Vice asked.
The blonde nodded. "Yes… by the way, are you fully recovered now? We don't know what will happen so we need all the help we can get. Our goal has not yet changed; we will fulfill it to the end." Mature said, her face turned serious.
Vice sobered up. "Yes, yes… I already recovered my powers from the time I erased that old geezer's memories. I couldn't use it last year but this year is going to be different." She replied, smirking a little as she thought of the chaos she could make with her technique (5).
"Good, I have a few new tricks of my own that I want to try out on a few specific people in the tournament." she said with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
The red-head looked at her partner. "It's the Kagura clan right?" She saw Mature nod in response. "I see… well, just don't get too carried away, our first priority is the revival of our Lord."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Tokyo
"What do you mean it's been cancelled?!" Yashiro screamed in front of the stage manager's face.
"Um… the sponsors thought that the other band would attract more audiences and capture the talent scouts' interest because they're somewhat famous already. I-I really don't know anything else, honest!"
Shermie couldn't take it anymore so she pried Yashiro's hands off of the manager's collar. "Now… who are they? Are they that big of a celebrity for you people to completely ignore us after asking us to come all the way here? It is our spot out there! This should have been CYS' time to be known but that's not going to happen now is it?! You can at least allow us to talk to them, we won't cause any further trouble, I promise."
Chris said nothing but his eyes have gone hard, his stare was completely fixed on the manager. The manager noticed the look; he gulped before nodding in defeat. "I think they are performing right now, you can wait for them to finish at the back."
"Thank you…"
Yashiro and Shermie looked at Chris after he said that, there was a hidden meaning behind those words and if the two heard correctly, Chris will see to it to the end.
Saotome Home
"Well, I'm off…"
Nodoka watched as her son slowly vanish from her sight. "Ranma… what are you thinking right now? Do you believe in our clan? Do you still trust humans? Or have you shunned them from your heart completely?"
Ranma on the other hand, had other things in mind. 'Hakkeshu… am I the Orochi Hakketsu Shuu of the sacred flame? I just don't know if I am… but I think that Mature and Vice can give me the answers that I need. I also recall seeing a cave… a cave marked by dragon heads and a door encircled by a single dragon statue… I don't know where it is but I must find it… and I will find it. I have to…'
Backstage
"See ya later Yagami!"
"Yeah…"
Iori grabbed his guitar and was about to leave when he noticed three people blocking the exit. "Who the hell are you people? You better have a good reason for blocking my way." he demanded.
Chris approached the red-haired man and smiled innocently. "Oh let's see here… we were just the ones that should have performed out there instead of your band so you tell us."
Yashiro walked up to Iori and grabbed him by the shirt. "Listen here pal, I don't know who you are but don't think you can get away with what you did to us! Payback's a bitch!"
The blonde punched Iori in the face, Shermie gasped when the red-haired man smirked as the hit connected while Chris was intently watching the fight.
"That's one powerful punch…" he said, wiping some of the blood from his mouth. "Here! Try mine!!!"
And the battle ensued between the two, Yashiro overpowering Iori on several occasions but he was no match for the red-haired man's magatama no Orochi.
Yashiro's clothes were scorched and ripped, he was breathing heavily as well. "Dammit…"
Iori shook his head and began to walk away. "If you want to challenge me train some more… your pathetic like that. I hope I'll never see you again… weakling. Bah!"
Shermie immediately went to Yashiro's side while Chris looked to where Iori went, he smiled and his blue eyes unnoticeably took a violet hue for a brief moment before reverting back to its natural color…
(1) – Poison Snake Deep Hole Blow, almost the same as Geimon Tetsu Sen Shi but this one aims for the heart.
(2) – A hatred/anger-based ki blast. Don't have a name for it right now, running low on ideas at this point in time.
(3) – White Snake Venom Reliable Fist
(4) – Again…
(5) – Vice exhausted her powers just after messing with Saisyu's brain in '95 and she wasn't even near her full strength in '96 so this year is going to be interesting. What kind of power? Well… I can't tell you yet. ^^
# # #
AN: The first arc finally comes to a close, R&R please. The 'awakening' process, Kagura clan history and more secrets surrounding the Orochi Hakketsu Shuu shall be revealed in the second arc. I changed the CYS story…
**What I did was delay the formation of the band (For potential matchup purposes); they have only participated in a few small concerts on a couple of countries. Then they got shunned in what was supposed to be the breakaway concert for their group (Talent scouts and a few well known managers in the music business were watching the concert), that alone would set anybody off. Then they got their ass handed to them by Iori in front of a few other music groups, thereby embarrassing themselves in public. I think that those incidents were more than enough motivation to get revenge on dog-boy (Sorry, couldn't resist ^^).
The Nerima story has ended (Or has it?). There are a couple of unresolved events; Nabiki and her ways, Ukyou and Shampoo are still around along with a few other Ranma ½ characters (Yeah… expect to see some key KOF characters not shown in the original '97 tournament as well).
I'm gonna finish the first chapter of my other fics first (They're almost done anyway), so till next time, Ja ne!
Next Chapter Hakkeshu Arc: The Beginning of the End
"I want to finish our fight."
Ranma nodded. "Same here, I have improved a lot since the first time we met."
The red-haired man smiled. "So have I…"