Chapter Nineteen: The Wedding Crashers

Shampoo led Mousse throughout the streets of Nerima pulling his hand quite roughly. So much so that he began to wonder if something was up.

"Uh Shampoo" he replied slowly.

"Yes Mousse" she nodded.

"Why are we in such a hurry?"

"I told you back at the Cat Café" she said a little coldly, "I have to help Akane" she added her back still turned.

"But Shampoo" Mousse said again.

"Yes."

"Um stop Shampoo" he pulled her hand, "I mean Pink, Shampoo. Pink" he stood in front of her.

"What?" her eyes became wide with confusion.

"I said Pink."

"Pink what?"

"Well when I say Pink you have to do what I say remember? So Pink. Stop Shampoo. I won't let you go Shampoo."

"Oh Mousse" she shook her head, "You gonna make this so hard."

"Huh?"

In the next second Shampoo splashed a bucket of water that just happened to be sitting near by, all over the baffled boy, turning him into a quacking duck with glasses.

"So sorry Mousse" she grinned holding onto his neck as he quacked, "But Shampoo no can let you ruin the wedding of Akane and Ranma" she pulled out a rope and tied it around his neck and then tied him to a nearby pole, "So you stay here till Shampoo come back okay" she grinned after she had tied him, "Then we go on date yes" she giggled as she ran away.

Mousse quacked some more and then hung his head somberly. "What in the world went wrong?" he thought, "What am I going to do now?"

(Next Scene)

Shampoo arrived at the Tendo dojo just in time to stand guard as sentinel for the wedding. Most of the people who approached the gate were very welcome. But when it was getting closer to the wedding time, Kuno and his sister Kodachi arrived at the gate both very furious.

"I demand you step aside" Kuno said brandishing his sword, "I am going to stop that wedding at all costs."

"You tell her brother dear," Kodachi replied and then laughed annoyingly.

"Step aside woman!" he shouted.

"I'm afraid that you have arrived too late" Shampoo replied cynically with a grin, "Shampoo no let you go through."

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Ryoga and Ukyo ran throughout the crowded streets, slowly approaching the dojo. It seems wherever they ran, there seemed to be obstacles. People with carts appeared out of nowhere. People who wanted to sell them items approached them quite abruptly and even small children played in the way of their path.

"This is crazy!" Ryoga shouted as they continued to run.

"Keep going Ryoga!" Ukyo called back, "We're nearly there!"

"Wait!"

Ukyo and Ryoga looked behind them and saw Cologne approaching them fast hopping on her stick. They stopped abruptly as she arrived.

"It's the old woman" Ryoga replied.

"Thanks for waiting. Are you two by any chance heading to stop the wedding of Akane and my son-in-law?"

"You bet granny" Ukyo said, "We have to stop it, because that Akane he's marrying is an imposter."

"And not only that Ranma's under a spell" Ryoga added, "He has no idea what's going on. If we don't hurry the real Akane is going to die."

"Oh my" Cologne shuddered angrily, "Then let's go. We have to stop that wedding at all costs" she sprung forward and Ryoga and Ukyo nodded, following her.

(Next Scene)

Back at the Tendo's home Ranma stood in his room, looking at the tuxedo he was wearing in the mirror. Someone knocked on the door, and he turned his eyes dully to it.

"Come in!" he called.

"It's just mother dear" Nadoka Saotome replied as she came in, "I came to see how you are doing?"

"Mom" he smiled slightly but them turned back to the mirror, "I'm okay."

"That's good" she beamed with pride, "Oh Ranma" she brushed her hand affectionately down his tux, "Look at you. So grown-up. And now you're getting married. I am so proud of you. My son. A real man."

"Thanks mom" he replied, "But I kind of want to be alone right now."

"Are you nervous?" she pulled away.

"No" he shook his head, "I just want to be alone."

"All right then. I'll see you out there" she said as she walked over to the door.

"Okay" he nodded as he turned back to the mirror and looked down at his feet, "I'm fine," he muttered to himself, "Aren't I?" he asked himself a little uncertain, "If I'm so fine, why do I feel like something is missing?"

"Ranma!" Nabiki stuck her head into the room, "It's almost time."

"I'll be right there" he nodded as she left, "Well Saotome" he told himself, "Time for the big moment. I hope I'm ready for this" he walked over to the door and departed the room himself.

(Next Scene)

"There it is!" Ukyo shouted, "Ranma's street!"

"We're nearly there!" Ryoga yelled back excited, "What the?" he stopped when he heard a loud scream and two figures fell before him and Ukyo stopping them in their tracks.

"What's going on back there?" Cologne asked a bit irritated as she hopped back over.

Ryoga and Ukyo peered down and noticed that Kodachi and her brother were pasted to the pavement.

"Kuno?" Ryoga scratched the back of his head.

"What are you guys doing here?" Ukyo added.

"Oh Akane Tendo" Kuno mumbled.

"Ranma darling" Kodachi said in a whisper.

"Oh let me guess" Ukyo frowned, "They tried to get into the Tendo dojo but they couldn't."

"I wonder why?" Ryoga pondered.

"It was that nasty harlot," Kodachi said as Ukyo helped her up.

"Harlot?" Ukyo replied confused, "A woman you mean."

Suddenly from the left of them they heard loud quacking and Cologne shook her head.

"Oh good grief" she said.

"It's Mousse" Ryoga replied walking over and kneeling down before the duck, "Oh I get it now. Shampoo did this to you didn't she?" he asked him.

Mousse quacked an affirmative and Ryoga nodded and then stood up.

"She's the one who's guarding the gate" he replied as Cologne untied the confused duck.

"Well then we're gonna have to find a way past her" Ukyo said determined, "We only have twenty minutes till the wedding starts Ryoga."

"I didn't realize we wasted that much time" he replied in a panic.

"It was all those people in town. Come on let's hurry."

"We're going with you" Kuno said seriously standing, "My sister and I will assist you."

"If you insist," Ryoga nodded, "Now follow me!" he led the way but then stopped, "Where is it again?"

"Oh" Ukyo huffed, "Follow me instead. You follow him and we'll never get there" she led the way at a run and the four of them as well as the duck followed close behind.

Finally they arrived at the gate where Shampoo was still standing. She looked up when she saw Ukyo and Ryoga approach. Colonge ducked out of the way while Kuno and Kodachi followed behind the other two.

"Ukyo" she replied, "You're late" she said uncrossing her arms.

"Huh?"

"Akane's been waiting for you. What he doing here?" she asked pointing to Ryoga.

"Um. I caught him," Ukyo said playing along.

"What?" Ryoga looked at her confused and she elbowed him in the stomach, "Ow."

"Oh I see. Well take him inside. The ceremony is about to begin. We'll take care of him later" she turned to Kuno and his sister, "Didn't you get enough of punishment?"

Kuno brandished his sword once more and Kodachi pulled out her gymnastics ribbon. Meanwhile Ukyo and Ryoga moved past Shampoo as she faced the two opponents. Cologne appeared and landed in front of the astonished duplicate, making Ukyo and Ryoga stop.

"Ryoga! Ukyo!" she called, "Hurry to stop that wedding!" she called and they nodded.

"What?" the fake said surprised but Cologne stopped, "You're not gonna get the better of me this time you fake" she replied.

"All right grandma" the fake sneered holding out her fists, "Bring it on."

"Do you think they're gonna be okay?" Ryoga asked as they ran for the dojo where the ceremony was to be held.

"Sure" she nodded, "That old woman can handle her. Come on Ryoga. Ten minutes to go!"

"Right!" they ran as fast as they could.

(Next Scene)

In the mirror world a large mirror appeared before Akane. Only moments before Nabiki and Shampoo had been tossed in with the other girls and the two of Kiana's assistants had explained that the girls were a source of nourishment for them and many of their kind back in Jusenkyo. Akane moved towards the mirror slowly and saw the wedding scene begin at the dojo as Nabiki and Shampoo watched helplessly behind the bars.

"Ranma" Akane whispered.

(Next Scene)

Inside of the dojo all the guests watched as Akane walked down the aisle in awe, with her large bouquet. Ranma stood at the front while Soun Tendo in the front cried so much he was hushed by Kasumi to pull it together. Akane arrived at the front and the priest began the ceremony. Finally he reached the part that Kiana had been waiting for.

"Do you Akane Tendo, take Ranma Saotome as your lawful wedded husband?" he asked her and she turned to Ranma with a sneering grin.

"I do," she answered.

"And do you Ranma" he began but the back doors were flung open.

"RANMA!" Ryoga's voice rang above the room as he and Ukyo dashed forward.

The fake Akane stared angrily as they approached. Ranma stared at them blankly at first and then moved forward slightly.

"Ryoga? Ukyo?"

"Ranma stop!" Ryoga demanded out of breath, "You can't do this."

"You have to stop Ranma" Ukyo added, "If you don't you're going to regret it."

"What are you talking about?" Ranma said a bit confused as Akane seethed in the background.

"That's not Akane remember?" Ryoga shouted, "That's not Akane!"

"That's preposterous" Soun Tendo said standing up.

"What are you two up to now?" Genma added.

"We're not up to anything Mr. Saotome" Ukyo protested, "Ryoga is right. This Akane is an imposter."

"What?" Ranma blinked his eyes slightly.

"Don't listen to her Ranma" Akane moved stealthily forward, "She's just jealous. Don't you remember she ruined the last wedding we tried to have?"

"That's not what this is about!" Ukyo shouted.

"That's right" Ranma nodded getting angry and clenching his fist, "You did ruin the last one."

"Wait a minute Ranma honey" she held onto his arm, "This isn't the same. You have to believe me."

"Why should I?" his eyes glowed purple, "I won't let YOU RUIN ANOTHER ONE OF MY WEDDINGS!" he screamed sending out his hand and pushing Ukyo back with a great force.

"Ahh!" she flew back and hit the wall, Ryoga ran over to her side.

"Ukyo. Ranma?" Ryoga looked up at him as he glowed angrily.

"You're not going to interrupt either" Ranma added to his rival.

"Ranma. Listen to me!" he shouted.

"No! Come on Akane" he took her hand, "We're gonna finish this once and for all."

"Whatever you say Ranma" she replied sweetly as Ryoga helped Ukyo to her feet, "You may continue" she said to the priest.

"Uh yes mam" he nodded a bit nervous as Ryoga and Ukyo tried to move forward but Soun and Genma stood in their way, "Do you Ranma Saotome take this woman as your lawful wedded wife?"

Ranma turned to Akane and smiled his eyes still glowing. In the mirror world Nabiki and Shampoo watched in horror as the real Akane sank to her knees and dreaded the worse as she watched.

"I" he began and then looked deep into her eyes which were also glowing, "I do."

"NO!" Ukyo and Ryoga shouted at the same time as in the mirror world Akane shouted out his name.

"RANMA!"

As she screamed Ranma held his head and staggered backwards, while Akane laid her head down, one lone tear falling from her cheek, and whispering his name one last time.

"Ranma."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Don't worry guys this isn't the end. I wouldn't leave it like that. I'll see you all tomorrow for the final three chapters!

Next Chapter: A Choice

Ranma returns to his normal self and demands to see Akane. Kiana sets before him a task that is a race against time and Akane's fading life. Will he make it in time? Find out next time!