Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video and Winx Club belongs to Iginio Straffi and Rai S.p.A (NOT 4Kids!!!). Songs 'Without Us' belongs to Family Ties and 'Nocturne' belongs to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Note: this follows the Rai version of Winx as the 4Kids version butchered it too much, like with every anime it dubs.
Chapter 34: Look Up! Fun with Festivities!
Saotome complex…
Ranma, Nodoka, Shampoo, Ukyou, Mousse, Kasumi, Sasuke, and Cologne were waiting in the living room.
"Sheesh… what's taking them so long?" said an impatient Ranma.
"Come on, Ran-chan. You cannot rush a woman who's changing." Said Ukyou.
"But it's only yukatas, though." Said Ranma. "How long could it possibly take to put one on?" He looked over to the three young women. Ukyou wore a dark blue yukata with a red sash, Shampoo had on a magenta-colored yukata with a purple sash, and Kasumi wore a light-blue yukata bearing yellow circle prints and a dark blue sash. Everyone else was dressed normally.
"Shampoo saw them bring many up." Said Shampoo. "Maybe they still deciding?"
"Don't worry, Ranma. They'll be down here, soon." Said Kasumi.
"Good things come to those who wait." Added Cologne.
"Just relax, Saotome." Said Mousse.
Ranma sighed as he plopped down on the couch.
"We're ready!"
Ranma immediately stood up after hearing Stella's voice. "Well it's about time! We werrrrrrrrrrrrrr-"
The rest of Ranma's words sunk back into his throat. The six Faeries came down the stairs, wearing modified yukatas. Bloom wore a light blue yukata with a large orange dragon print up the sides and a dark blue sash. Stella had on an orange yukata with yellow prints of stars and crescent moons and a yellow sash. Flora was clad in a magenta yukata with pink rose prints and a pink sash. Musa wore a dark red yukata with white sound notes and a white sash. Tecna wore a purple yukata with a print of green schematic lines and an indigo sash. Finally, Layla was wearing a green yukata with turquoise prints of waves and a dark green sash.
What really got Ranma was that the yukatas they were wearing were cut a bit over the knees, baring their legs and feet. The top flaps were also a bit small, exposing a bit of cleavage.
"Oh my…" said Kasumi, holding a hand over her mouth.
"Sorry it took so long, Ranma." Flora apologized. "Stella wanted to try to improve on these."
"I'd say it worked out just fine!" said a proud Stella.
"A bit airy, but suits the heat." Added Musa.
Ranma could feel another kind of heat affecting him right now.
"Ranma? Is something wrong?" asked Bloom as she took a step forwards, causing her to bounce a bit.
That did it for Ranma as he fell backwards from a severe nosebleed. He wasn't the only one, as he was joined by Mousse and Sasuke. The female members of the house looked at them in worry.
"Stella, methinks you may have enhanced these yukatas a bit TOO good." Said Tecna.
"Well, it got the proper effect, didn't it?" said Stella innocently.
Opening (Family Ties style, 'Without Us')
Music starts as it displays a huge portrait of the main cast of Ranma Club. The title logo appears before it, then goes through several scenes: Ranma doing Whizgiz's transformation lesson, The Winx giving Ranma-chan a makeover, and Nodoka talking with her son in his room.
I bet we've been together for a million years…
Ranma trains with all the Specialists' weapons, then see Nodoka and Kasumi cooking in the kitchen.
And I'll bet we'll be together for a million more…
Ranma gets hugged by all the Winx on the initial meeting, Ranma sits in the living room as the girls take out Nabiki's incriminating dirt on people, then the whole group eating dinner.
Oh, it's like I started breathing on the night we kissed…
Shows Ranma on all his individual dates with Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Layla, and their moments of liplock.
And I can't remember what I ever did before!
Ranma and the Winx fight off the Hentai Horde, Shampoo and Ukyou competing in the Steel Chef contest, Sasuke and Kasumi being invited to stay with the Saotomes, Ranma going brain-dead at the sight of the girls in their Halloween costumes, then goes to the incident with Zing's mistletoe. Finally goes to the portrait and focuses on each person.
What would we do, Baby, without us?
Starring Ranma Saotome
Nodoka Saotome
Bloom Domino
Stella Solaria
What would we do, Baby, without us?
Flora Linphea
Musa Melody
Tecna Zenith
Layla Andros
And there ain't no nothing we can't love each other through… (Ooooo!)
Shampoo
Ukyou Kuonji
Mousse
Cologne
What would we do, Baby, without us?
Kasumi Tendo
and Sasuke Saragakure
It zooms out to show the whole portrait.
Sha-la-la-la!
Fades out and fades into the chapter.
End opening
Somewhere in the mountainous areas of Japan…
Ranma, Nodoka, Shampoo, Ukyou, Mousse, Kasumi, Cologne, and Sasuke were heading up towards the festival entrance.
"Well, we've finally made it!" said Ukyou.
Coming up towards the gate, the group marveled at the set-up beyond. Numerous stands were lined up on either side for a good distance. People dressed in yukatas or normally milled about enjoying the sights and activities.
"It certainly is pretty lively here, isn't it?" said Kasumi.
"Quite so." Said Ukyou.
"I wonder where those girls are at?" asked Mousse.
"They said they left early to set up their stands." Replied Nodoka.
"Still, I wonder why they didn't just want to attend?" asked Ranma.
"They just wanted to take part, I guess." Said Kasumi.
"Well I'm sure we'll see them around once we look about." Said Nodoka. "Why don't we split up? Going as a large group in here may be a bit awkward."
"Hmmm… you may be right…" said Kasumi.
"Ranma, you can go with Kasumi and Sasuke." Said Nodoka. "Elder Cologne, Ukyou, Shampoo, and Mousse can come with me."
"Sounds good to me." Said Ranma.
"We'll meet back up in the central square later on." Said Cologne.
Nodoka walks off with Cologne and the three animal-cursed martial artists in tow.
"Well then, where to?" asked Ranma.
"Let's just walk around and see what we can find." Suggested Kasumi.
"Good idea, Mistress Kasumi!" said Sasuke.
The three had gone through the festival, checking out the stands and activities while taking part in those they showed interest in. Kasumi tried out a ball throw stand and knocked down the bottles. Sasuke played a ring toss stand and won himself a small ninja statue with blonde hair and orange clothes. (1) Ranma participated in a shooting gallery and sniped the targets. In a string lottery draw, Kasumi wins a rose-shaped keychain on the end of her string, while a disappointed Ranma and Sasuke only had small signs reading 'try again' on their strings. Sasuke managed to throw a few targets in the dart throwing stand. Kasumi had caught some goldfish at the fish scooping stand and gave them to a happy child. Ranma defeats an arm wrestling machine on all levels, astonishing the crowds.
Later…
"Oh, that was much fun!" said Sasuke. He doesn't remember the last time he ever experienced having fun since his servitude in the Kuno House.
"I agree!" said Kasumi. It's been a while since the eldest Tendo sister ever enjoyed herself.
"I could use a bite right now…" said Ranma, the Saotome stomach coming to the fore.
It was then that he, Kasumi, and Sasuke saw a certain stand selling caramel apples and cotton candy treats. The stand was crowded immensely with people, mostly teenage boys.
"Come get your caramel apples and cotton candy right here! Hey now, boys, no need to fight, there's plenty for everyone!"
Ranma snapped up as he heard that voice.
"Huh? Isn't that…" started Kasumi.
Pushing through the crowds, they see the source of the voice.
"Stella?" said Ranma.
Said blonde looked up at the party of three. Hovering nearby was Amore. "Oh! Ranma! Kasumi! And Sasuke!"
"You're working as a snack vendor?" asked Kasumi.
"Yep!"
"It's going good!" added Amore.
"Looks like business is booming!" commented Sasuke.
'Yeah, I wonder why?' Ranma inwardly smirked as he looked at Stella in her modified yukata.
"It has! I'm getting a lot of customers here, as you can see." Said Stella as she gestured to the crowds of boys.
"It's true. Since Stella agreed to help me with my stand, my business increased!" said a well-built old man who came up behind Stella. "Truthfully, I'm finding myself hard-pressed to keep the supply steady with the amount of demand here."
"Oh! Mr. Hondo!" said Stella. "Don't worry, I've found a steady supply of apples, so we'll be sure to have some soon!"
"That's good to hear, Stella! Keep up the good work!" said Hondo as he went into the back to prepare more caramel apples.
"He seems nice." Said Kasumi.
"Oh he is. I just thought I could help him out with his business."
"To help is to love…" said Amore.
"You think so, too?"
"Where exactly are you getting the next batch of apples from, Stella?" asked Ranma.
"Heheh… my own personal apple bush!" replied Stella.
"Huh?"
"I've taken a few apple seeds and planted them in the back, and using a growth potion made by Flora, as it is her forte, grew out an instant apple bush. I had to have Flora modify it to be a bush as a tree would've been too impractical."
"Ooooh, that is impressive!" said Sasuke.
"By the way, would you like some?"
"Sounds great!" said Ranma.
Stella handed Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke a caramel apple each. "Don't worry. These are on the house! Considering the crowds, I don't think anyone would notice anyway."
"Thank you so much, Mistress Stella!" said Sasuke as he took a bite from his caramel apple.
"Thank you." Said Kasumi.
"Thanks, Stella. We'll be on our way now. Keep up the good work! You, too, Amore!" said Ranma.
"Oh I will!" said Stella.
"I'll make sure of that!" said Amore.
As the three took a few steps, they managed to hear Stella announce that they currently have one caramel apple left until they could get more. A bunch of boys were already up before her.
"I'LL TAKE IT!"
"NO WAY! I SAW IT FIRST!"
"I'LL BUY IT FOR FIVE HUNDRED YEN!"
"SIX!"
"ONE THOUSAND!"
"TWO THOUSAND!"
Stella sweatdropped at the situation. Somehow, it turned into an auction. The boys also didn't seem to care that Stella had said more apples would be on the way. Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke also sweatdropped at the sight.
"Oh my, I wonder if she'll be all right?" asked Kasumi.
"Stella's handled a bunch of monsters and demons before. A bunch of fanboys should be nothing to her." Said Ranma.
The currently last apple wound up being sold for fifty thousand yen. The lucky buyer held the apple in victory, holding what was touched by Stella and decided to keep it as a memoir of the beautiful gaijin rather than eat it.
A little later, the trio walked down past a few more booths. They come across a shooting gallery that had a sizable group of customers. Curious, the three go over to the booth.
"This gallery seems popular here…" said Kasumi.
Finally getting a clear view, they saw the stand being run by Layla and some of her gymnastics clubmates. In the corner, Piff was taking a snooze as usual.
"Shoot a target and win a prize!"
"Layla?" said Ranma.
Layla turned to see Ranma and his companions. "Hey there, guys!"
"So you're holding a shooting gallery, Mistress Layla?" asked Sasuke.
"You got it!" replied Layla. "We've got a lot of customers here. Never thought managing a booth would be hard yet fun!"
Ranma nods and takes notice of the targets that the customers were shooting down with toy rifles. They were little chibi-figurines of the Trix sisters, Valtor, and for some odd reason, Kodachi and Tatewaki Kuno.
"Fitting targets." Ranma commented.
"I came up with the targets of Valtor and the Trix, for obvious reasons." Said Layla. "Kyoiya and the rest of the gymnastics club came up with targets of the Kuno siblings, for obvious reasons, too."
The four shared a laugh at that one. Ranma also noticed that most of the customers there were fellow Furinkan classmates. They were all crackshots, considering some of the targets were of the bane of their school. The students would line up for second and third cracks just to shoot down the Kuno targets. It was also satisfying seeing them shoot down the Valtor and Trix targets as well.
"The customers are quite good." Said Ranma.
"Considering the target subjects, it's to be expected." Said Layla. "Sometimes when we get the chance, my club members and I try the shoot-out. I have to say, it's pretty refreshing."
"I'll bet. Must be good stress-relievers." Said Ranma. He noticed a free rifle as the targets were set back up. "Think I might give it a whirl."
"Knock yourself out!" said Layla as she prepped the rifle for him.
Taking the rifle, Ranma takes aim and shoots down the targets. His shots were accurate as he sniped the chibi figurines. Most of the time, he shot the figurines in a way so that they knock into the others and take them down. He was drawing a crowd with his sniping as he systematically shot all the targets. With only ten shots, Ranma managed to shoot down all thirty targets.
Layla and everyone else applauded at the display. "Nice shooting, Ranma!"
"The target matter DOES make this game easy and enjoyable!" said Ranma.
He turns and notices Sasuke was already trying out the shooting game. The little ninja immediately shot down all the Kuno sibling targets before going for the others. After using up all his shots, he felt a little surprised over what he did.
'Odd… I should feel guilty and ashamed for doing that, but instead shooting down those dolls of them made me feel… satisfied…'
When he was shooting earlier, he imagined Kuno and Kodachi taunting him, making it easy for Sasuke to shoot the targets dead-on. The action seemed to have been an unconscious reflex.
"Not bad, Sasuke." Said Kasumi.
"Huh? Oh! Er… it was nothing! Ah hahahahaha…"
The gymnastics club members were quick to replace the figurine targets for the next line of customers.
"Looks like I got me a pair of crackshots here!" said Layla.
"So what did we win?" asked Ranma.
Layla presents Sasuke with a small model ship in a bottle. She then presents Ranma a figurine of an Andros Mermaid. "Here're your prizes, guys! Oh, and Ranma, since you managed to knock down all the targets, you get this from me."
She leans over and gives the pigtailed boy a peck on the cheek, causing him to get flustered. The surrounding guys became shocked and jealous of Ranma's fortune and vowed to try and knock down all the targets on their turn in hopes of getting a similar reward.
"Looks like you've got yourself some live ones here, Layla." Said Ranma. "Good luck with them."
"You know me. I can look after myself." Said Layla. "Enjoy the rest of the festival!"
Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke thanked her before leaving to explore again.
Going through the lane, the trio sees Bloom sitting at a stand lined with sketches. With her was Lockette flying about and Kiko eating a carrot. The redhead was just finishing up a sketch for a young couple and hands it to them. Collecting her payment, she waves bye to the satisfied customers, then catches sight of her friends.
"Yo, Bloom!" called Ranma. He gives a nod to Kiko and Lockette.
"Oh, Ranma!" said Bloom. "And Kasumi and Sasuke!"
"You draw, Mistress Bloom?" asked Sasuke.
"It's a little hobby of mine before I came to Alfea." Replied Bloom.
"These are very good!" said Kasumi as she observed the display sketches.
"Thanks. I worked hard on them."
Kasumi looked at the drawings of men, women, children, old folks, and places. Two certain drawings caught her eye. "How beautiful… is this your hometown?" She looked at the sketch of an overhead view of a small city.
"It is. That's Gardenia, the town I grew up in."
"And this?" Kasumi looks at a sketch of a certain school.
"That's Alfea, the School of Faeries. It's where my friends and I attend."
"It's a great place, Kasumi." Added Ranma. "I admit I was a bit skeptical at first, considering I'm a guy and all, but it grew on me, and is a lot better than Furinkan."
"Well, Furinkan is interesting in its own way, too." Said Bloom.
"That's not exactly the word I'd use, Bloom…" said Ranma.
"And you learned magic from there, Ranma?" asked Kasumi.
"That's right. Among faeries, elves, lephrecauns, and the like. Sometimes we get into fights with monsters, but it's nothing we can't handle."
"M-monsters…?" stuttered Sasuke.
"Sounds like such a wonderful place. I'd like to see it someday…"
'You just might.' Ranma and Bloom thought at the same time.
"So, would any of you like a sketch done?" asked Bloom.
"By you, then sure!" replied Ranma.
"How about a group shot?" suggested Kasumi. "You, Sasuke, and myself?"
"Am I included, too?" asked Sasuke.
"Of course! We're all friends here, right?"
"Sounds like a good idea." Said Ranma. "You up for it, Bloom?"
"Sure am! Just go over there." Said Bloom.
Kasumi sat down on a chair with her hands crossed over her lap. Ranma stands behind her left side, leaning on the back of her seat. Sasuke stood by her right.
Taking up her sketch board, Bloom sits down before the trio and begins drawing. Her pencil was rapidly moving around the paper as she looked between it and her subject matter. Kiko hops beside her with his own little sketchpad and started scribbling as if to imitate Bloom. Kasumi giggled at the sight of the little bunny.
"Looks like you got yourself a student." Said Kasumi.
"Oh, he's learning." giggled Bloom.
After a few minutes, the redhead puts her pencil down. "All right then! All done!"
She turns the board around to display her latest sketch to her models. Said models couldn't help but be amazed at the piece of work. The lines were sharp and thick, and the shading gave it a more life-like look. It was well-detailed right down to the hair strands.
"You're very good, Mistress Bloom!" said Sasuke. He looked at the drawing while feeling his own chin. "Hmmm… are my whiskers that protruded?"
"You have quite a talent." Said Kasumi. At that time, Kiko had finished his work. Turning around his pad, he displayed a drawing of Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke, but they were stick figures. Kasumi giggled at this and added, "And you draw good for a little rabbit, Kiko."
Kiko hopped up and down at the praise and went towards the back.
"Do any of you draw?" asked Bloom.
"No, I'm not very good at it." Admitted Kasumi.
"Same here." Added Sasuke. "I never really had the time to learn, either…"
"As for me, I don't really know anymore." Said Ranma. He recalled his own haphazard drawing of the Mark of a God he tried to make from memory when trying to throw off suspicion to Akane that Ryoga and P-chan were the same being. Of course with her, it wasn't that hard to do.
"Really, Ranma? Why don't you give it a shot?" asked Bloom.
"Huh?"
"Try to sketch something." Bloom hands her sketchbook and pencil to him.
Ranma gets really nervous at this. "Huh? Now? But what can I draw?"
"Well, since I drew you three, how about drawing me?" suggested Bloom.
"Now that sounds fair, Ranma." Said Sasuke.
Ranma sighs and takes the book and pencil from Bloom. "Well, since you asked. Just fair warning, I'll probably screw this up bad…"
"Just as long as you give it your best, like with everything else you do, then it's all right." Kasumi assured.
With some resolve, Ranma sits down and opens the book to a blank page. Looking up at Bloom, he blushes as she gives him a wink. His hand with the pencil was shaking a bit, then calmed down as memories came to the fore. All of a sudden, he felt comfortable with the sketchbook in his hands. Bloom noticed that Gold Helia briefly appeared above Ranma's head before switching to Platinum Sky and fading out. Ranma proceeded to sketch rapidly on the paper. A little later, he finished, much to his own surprise.
"Whoa… I can't believe I just drew this…"
He showed it to the others and they looked impressed. It was a small headshot of Bloom, drawn in a way that her face was framed by her waving hair, giving it a more sensuous feeling. His memories as Helia gave him the knowledge of scaling, shading, depth, and edge tones, while his memories as Sky gave him the feeling and resolve to bring out the beauty in Bloom. It was a perfect likeness to the pyro faerie.
"Ranma, I never knew you had it in you." Said Kasumi.
"Same here, Kasumi."
"See? I knew you could do it!" said Bloom, though she was blushing a bit at the way the sketch was done. "Drawing can be pretty fun, right?"
"I'd have to agree."
"Then again, you are a martial ARTIST."
They all chuckled at the joke. "I guess I am!"
After a little more talk, Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke left the stand. Waving to them, Bloom got ready to make another sketch.
"I didn't think he could draw like that." Said Lockette.
"Ranma is full of surprises." Said Bloom.
"He certainly is. By the way, Bloom, you just about finished with that project of yours?" Lockette gestured to the back of the stand, hidden from passer-bys.
"Just about, Lockette."
In the back of the stand, a large sheet of sketch paper was laid out flat on a board. On it was a drawing of a family portrait consisting of the Saotomes, the Winx, and their friends (as seen in the opening song).
Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke walk through the festival and see Tecna sitting before the door of a small hut. Digit was hovering over her shoulder. Suddenly, a couple runs out of the door in fright.
"What the?" said Ranma.
"Hey guys!" Tecna called out.
"Hello, Tecna." greeted Kasumi.
"What you got here?" asked Ranma.
"It's Tecna's House of Horrors!" replied Digit. "Enter if you've got the guts!"
"It's my special House of Horrors." Said Tecna for Kasumi and Sasuke, since they couldn't see or hear Digit.
"It must be scary in there. That last couple looked positively spooked!" said Sasuke.
"Then I'm doing something right!" said Tecna. "Care to give it a whirl?"
"Let's see what this place is like!" said Ranma as he puffed out his chest.
"Don't worry. None of it is real since I used hologram technology in there. It's a good thing because if it were real, you'd probably all die in there." said Tecna.
Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke were a bit perturbed by this.
"Er... so, shall we?" asked Ranma.
"As long as we stick together." replied Kasumi.
"Yes, please let us do that!" said a shaking Sasuke.
The three enter the door after hearing Tecna's farewell. As soon as the three entered, the area had suddenly gone pitch black.
"Hey! Who turned out the lights?" said Ranma.
After a bit of fumbling, Kasumi found the door. When she opened it, she gasped in fright.
"Miss Kasumi? What is it?" asked Sasuke. He peeked through the door and saw... "Oh good Mother of Kami-sama!"
"What is- what the!?"
Ranma peered over Kasumi's shoulder and blanched when they saw the scenery beyond the door: a perfect scene of Hell. The door was elevated in the air above burning brimstone and magma which continually shot upwards. Further down in the sky, they could swear they saw what looked like winged demons.
"What the hell is this!?" said Ranma.
"I think that's exactly what it is, Ranma!" said Kasumi.
They heard a loud screeching noise and looked up in horror to see one of those winged demons flying right at them. Screaming, the elder Tendo sister quickly shuts the door.
"My, that was close!" said a panting Sasuke. "Hey, it seems quiet in there now…"
Ranma and Kasumi also noticed the silence. Daring to open the door, Ranma peers through, to see the scenery changed.
Walking through, they find themselves on board the deck of a large skiff. There was nothing but darkness all around, and the 'water' looked like black sludge. The door suddenly vanished behind the trio.
"Where are we now?" asked a trembling Sasuke. He nearly jumped when he and the others heard distant wailing. They got even more jumpy when they heard a voice.
"This is no place for living souls…"
"Who's there!?" said Ranma.
Suddenly, the front of the skiff took the shape of a large head and turn to look at them. "This is your stop… abandon all hope, ye who enter here…"
As soon as the skiff said this, there was a sudden drop as they fell over a fall. They then landed on the ground, but blanched when they saw a HUGE monster before them. They could only see his upper torso, as his bottom half was just one long tail coiled around the area. His eyes had lines of skin over them, giving the illusion of his eyes being sewn shut. Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke became horrified when the monster grabs a screaming naked human with his tail, sniffed him once, then shouted "Suicide!" before impaling him on the blade of a diabolical wheel, which he rolled downwards. He does this several times to other unfortunate humans, shouting "Lust!", "Heresy!", "Anger!", "Violence!", "Fraud!", "Betrayal!", and other such crimes.
"Oh… my…" said a frightened Kasumi.
The ground suddenly disappears below them, causing them to go in freefall.
"NOW WHAT!?" said Ranma.
He, Kasumi, and Sasuke look about to see a huge purple cyclone before them. Looking further, they were shocked to see countless naked humans being blown about in the strong winds, giving off tormented wails as they go.
They finally came to a stop on a small land formation. Standing up, they looked about to see themselves surrounded by a foul-smelling gel-like water. They also saw human shapes in the 'water' looking like they were trying to get out but couldn't. They became disgusted when they saw in the distance some grotesque fat demons with three mouths messily devouring humans.
"And people tell me I have an eating problem…" said Ranma.
"Err… Ranma…?" Kasumi started.
"What is- oooh…"
Right behind them was a horrifying monster with three heads, and it looked hungry. The center head shot itself towards them.
"GYAAAAAAAAHH!!!!"
The force of the head caused the three festival goers to be thrown backwards, only to crash on another landscape, which resembled a large old-style boiler room. Getting up, they see more humans, this time pushing or pulling huge bags of valuables chained to their ankles while being whipped by a demon. Looking down, they noticed that they were standing on an iron-grating floor. Below them was a large vat of molten gold with more screaming tormented humans in it, trying to get out to no avail.
'Nabiki would hate to be in this part…' thought Ranma off-handedly.
Outside, Nabiki sneezed loudly. 'Must be pollen…'
Back in the House of Horrors…
The scenery changes again, as it placed Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke on a skiff again.
"Ahhh! Oh no! What if that head is back!?" said Sasuke in a panic.
"I don't think that's the problem here, Sasuke…" said Kasumi.
Sasuke peered over the side of the skiff and nearly gagged when he saw numerous dead yet alive human bodies under the water. More wailing was heard as the three saw more tormented humans above the surface and fighting one another. Off to the side on a nearby shore, they cringed when they saw numerous flaming tombs trapping humans inside, the residents screaming in agony. The rest of the shore was just a flaming wasteland.
"Is this what Hell looks like?" asked Ranma.
The skiff stops on shore (which was thankfully not on fire). Ranma and his two companions walk off and down the path, where they see an overflowing river of boiling blood. Kasumi nearly faints at the sight, especially when there were yet more tormented humans being stewed alive in it. They also tried very hard not to look at the impaled humans on stakes which lined the path (nor did they want to know why said impaled humans are still moving). Hurrying along, they come across a barren forest, except the dead trees were transformed frail humans screaming in pain as their branches break.
"I can't take this anymore!" screamed Sasuke. "Where is the exit!?"
Once again, the ground gave way as the three were put into freefall.
"Not agaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiin!"
As they fell, they were horrified to the sights of numerous humans being tortured in terrifying ways they couldn't even imagine. It was like a kaleidoscope of terror. They kept falling into the dark decent, gradually getting darker and colder.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!!!" screamed Sasuke.
Ranma managed to catch sight of a handhold ledge on the side of a cliff or wall. He reached out, but was just out of range. In desperation, he called out his souls. From out of Ranma's chest, Onyx Riven comes out and grabs hold of the ledge. From Ranma's back, Platinum Sky and Gold Helia come out and grab Kasumi and Sasuke respectively, stopping their fall. Platinum Sky held Kasumi around the waist while Gold Helia was holding Sasuke upside down by the back of his belt.
"You two all right?"
"Yes… thanks, Ranma…" replied Kasumi. She wasn't sure how Ranma was holding her and Sasuke up without touching them, or keeping himself aloft without grabbing onto anything, then later just chalks it up to something the pigtailed boy had learned.
"Oh… just fine…" said Sasuke. He looked down and cringed when he saw that his face was mere inches away from the ground. "Oooohhh… that was too close… hm?" The little ninja noticed the ground was actually ice, then screamed when he saw a human face frozen underneath, contorted in a horrified expression. "GYAAAAAAAHHH!!!!"
The sudden scream caused Ranma to recall the souls, causing him and Kasumi to drop to the ground on their feet, and Sasuke on his face. Kasumi gasped in fright when she looked at the icy floor and saw more humans frozen underneath. Ranma was visibly shaken up as he saw all this. Looking about, it looked like a dark frozen cavern, nothing but ice and encased humans. However, something else caught his attention. Further down, he saw a really HUGE horned demon. The demon was black as night with glowing red eyes, and a sinister smile. Flames shot out from his mouth as he flashed his sharp teeth at the festival goers. Normally, Ranma wouldn't show any fear, but looking at this particular demon just sends chills down his spine. It's as if he's staring at the very definition of evil itself.
"I shall reclaim my rightful place in Paradise, and you shall be sacrifices to that goal!"
The huge demon fires out a huge stream of flame at the horrified trio.
"RUN!"
Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke immediately made a break for it. They ran into the darkness, not caring where they went, as long as they didn't get fried. They could actually feel the heat from the fire stream chasing them. Running as fast as their legs could carry them, Kasumi spotted a light before them.
"Look! That must be the exit!" said Kasumi.
"Then let's motor!" said Ranma.
"Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!" said Sasuke as he was trying to outrun the fire.
As the light drew closer and closer, they all quickly jumped through…
… and landed right outside the entrance of the House of Horrors. The door shuts, and they look up to see Tecna.
"So? How was it?" asked Tecna.
Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke got up and dusted themselves off. "Damn… now I know why those previous customers were so freaked…"
"Our House of Horrors was a success!" said Digit with pride.
"I thought it would simply be a haunted house…" said Kasumi.
"Yes! That would've been more bearable!" said Sasuke.
"Yeah, but that would've been too boring." Said Tecna. "I thought this would've been a lot better."
"Exactly how did you even come up with this!?" asked Ranma.
"Oh that. Thing is, I actually got inspired after reading this written work I found in the library. Was quite an interesting read, really." Replied Tecna.
"Oh? What book was that?" asked Kasumi.
"I believe it was called, 'The Divine Comedy'." Replied Tecna. "Quite a misleading title, I must say. The character, Dante, had an interesting take on the afterlife." (2)
It took a while to recover from the shock of experiencing such a horror, but the three were soon on their way again.
"I don't think I've ever been that scared in my whole life…" said Kasumi.
"I'm just glad that it's over!" said Sasuke.
Ranma chose not to say anything, but he was of the same mind.
They then saw a stand surrounded by plants, flowers, and bouquets. Ranma didn't need to guess who the stand runner was. There stood Flora as she handed a mixed bouquet to a man, who bowed in thanks.
"Thank you, young lady!" said the man.
"I know she'll just love them!" said Flora.
The man leaves with a smile. Flora resumed her duties. Behind her were some members of the Furinkan Botany Club assisting in sales to other festival attendees. Chatta was also tending to the plants, of course unseen.
"I just knew it had to be you, Flora." Said Ranma as he, Kasumi, and Sasuke came up to the Faerie of Nature.
The tanned girl turned towards the voice. "Oh! Hey everyone!"
"You look like you're enjoying your work."
"You know me. I'm always at home when it involves plant-life."
"Goodness! This is greenhouse material, Mistress Flora!" said Sasuke as he studied the various plants.
Kasumi took in the fragrance of the flowers. "They smell wonderful, too."
"I'll bet Stella would want you to contain them to make perfume for her." Said Ranma.
"Actually, she has, Ranma." Replied Flora. "I can make something that's natural, not artificial. That way, it's not harmful to the environment."
"Is that it?" asked Kasumi as she pointed to a bottle.
"It is. Care to try it?"
Flora takes Kasumi's hand and sprays a light mist on her wrist. She takes a sniff and says, "Oh my! It is grand!"
"And in Stella's words, 'it might even drive the boys wild'." Said Flora with a bit of a blush. "That may be true, but she didn't have to say it like that."
Kasumi also blushed when she heard her say that. Her, drive boys wild? The thought never occurred to her. The Tendo girl suddenly had a vision of a certain doctor, then quickly shook her head.
"It was a good thing for that super-growth formula you gave to Stella, Flora. She seems to run out of candy apples a lot." Said Ranma.
Flora chuckled at this. "She does, huh? I wonder why? Just trying to help out a friend. We look out for each other, after all."
"Look out for each other…" Sasuke repeated. The Kuno siblings never looked out for him when he was still serving under them, as he was considered expendable or just plain worthless. It still felt like a culture shock to him.
"In any case, it's a nice change of scenery." Said Ranma.
"Huh?"
"We just came from Tecna's house of horrors." Kasumi answered.
"Oooooooh… that explains it." Said Flora. "At least it was all just holograms."
"Even so, it was still scary as Hell, literally." Said Ranma. He then noticed a few bonsai trees. "Heh, of course you'd have bonsai trees here, too."
"I think they're adorable. They're like baby trees!" said Flora.
"It's good that you're adapting to the Earth's environment." Said Kasumi.
"Well, all types of plant-life intrigue me, no matter what planet or plane of existence they come from."
"I take it you've got non-native plants here as well?" asked Ranam.
"That's right! Don't worry, though. I've made sure that these kinds don't do anything that may disrupt the Earth's natural order." Flora didn't want to think what would happen if she had put up a Mimosa Vainatosa on display as she knew people wouldn't be ready for a plant that would suddenly start wearing any clothes it comes across, or Secoya Separifilus Swiftas (triple S's for short) which could entangle a hapless person (3).
"Then they must be very exotic!" said Kasumi as she looked at some of the flowers.
"Not just that, but some may even have medicinal properties. I've heard that such plants could be found in Central American rain forests. Unfortunately, many species have gone extinct. I'm hoping that these can help rectify that problem."
"I hope so, too, Flora. The world can never have too much medicine." Kasumi had a sad thought of her dearly departed mother. She had wondered if there was a medication now that could've saved her mother's life and that she'd still be alive. If not by human means, then by magical means. Kasumi shook her head as she shouldn't think about 'what ifs'.
"Also, it's a good thing Kiko isn't here right now. This would practically be a buffet to him." Said Flora. They all laughed at this. The little rabbit did seem to be a little pudgy.
"It is a good thing, or you'd be out of business!" joked Ranma.
Back at Bloom's sketch stand, Kiko made a little sneeze as he was munching on a carrot.
"Bless you, Kiko." Said Bloom as she was sketching for a customer.
Kiko rubbed his nose as he resumed eating.
Back with Flora, a young man came up and nervously asked for her attention.
"E-e-excuse me, Miss?"
Flora turned to look at the young man. "Hello there! How can I help you?"
"I-I'm looking to buy a bouquet for my girlfriend…" he stuttered.
"Certainly!" she then turns to her three friends. "Well, back to business. I'll have to help this customer here."
"Okay then. We'll see you at the central square later!" said Ranma as he, Kasumi, and Sasuke left.
"You can count on it!" Flora called out before directing her attention back to her customer. She had already started helping the nervous chap in picking out the right flowers for his gift.
The festival goers were walking down the road, then see a large square tent in a clearing. People were heading in.
"What's this?" wondered Sasuke as they came to the tent entrance.
They then see a sign next to the tent opening.
Harmonics Zone: Come see a magical concert live! Starring, Musa Melody!
"Musa?" wondered Ranma aloud.
"She must be performing!" said Sasuke.
"According to this sign, the next performance is the last one, and it starts in one minute!" said Kasumi.
"Well then, we'd better not miss this chance!" said Ranma as he guided them inside.
The inside of the tent was quite packed. Many people were seated before the stage in the darkness. The three were fortunate enough to find some empty space in the middle of the crowd. Sitting down, they waited for the performance to start.
After a minute, a spotlight shone down on Reiko, the head of the Furinkan Music Club.
"Good evening everyone! Welcome to the Harmonics Zone! Thank you for your patience as we are now ready to begin the show!" The people cheered at this news before quieting down to let Reiko speak again. "You've all been waiting for her! She's an exchange student at Furinkan High, and took the school by storm in a school concert! For now, she'll be playing solo for all of us, but that's okay! She's magical with the notes! Let's see what she'll play for us this time! It is my honor to present to you, Musa Melody!"
There was applause again as a curtain pulled up and Reiko immediately left the stage. In the darkness, Ranma was able to make out the silhouette of Musa. The light shone down on her, revealing she was standing before a mic stand. Surrounding her were several types of symphony music instruments. She looked about and smiled when she managed to spot Ranma, Kasumi, and Sasuke in the crowds, who waved at her. Nodding, she held her arms out, sending off purple musical notes towards the instruments. Suddenly, the instruments sprang to life, floating into the air and started to play themselves. The audience was in awe at the spectacle. Ranma noticed Tune hovering above playing a small violin along with the music.
The music played a calm tune that seemed haunting, yet beautifully alluring at the same time. Musa then began to sing.
(Nocturne, from Castlevania Symphony of the Night)
Here a Goddess of Happiness cries,
An endless timeless lullaby…
Sings her song of the dreams she has,
The sadness fills her eyes…
End of love…
Love is gone…
No more dreams to dream about,
So life is done…
If it's so,
Cut the thread,
It's time to let it go…
Ranma and the rest of the audience were captivated by the music as Musa sang. He had also unconsciously thought about the life he had gladly left behind. Musa continued.
Tears they flow to the thirst of the gods,
The oceans roars drowned out by rain…
Blameless wolf carries on alone,
The silence now surrounds him…
Sooner than,
Dreaming ends,
Morning of the dawn will bring another day…
Turn around,
And you have found,
A different place to dream… (4)
By now, most of the audience was moved and teary-eyed from the beauty of the music and lyrics. Kasumi and Sasuke, in particular, as they thought about their past lives before being given another chance at life by the Winx Club. They had definitely found themselves a different place to dream for their futures.
Once the music died down, the instruments floated back down onto the stage, becoming inanimate once again. A few seconds later, the audience applauded her moving performance. Musa gracefully took a bow before the curtain closed.
A little later, the Harmonics Zone tent was closing up. Ranma and company waited outside as Musa came out.
"So did you guys enjoy the show?" asked Musa.
"It was a beautiful song, Musa." Replied Kasumi.
"I was just so moved!" Sasuke blurted out.
"Heheh, thanks." Said Musa.
"You certainly know how to express your feeling through music." Said Ranma.
"What did you expect, Ranma? I am the Faerie of Music after all!"
"Haha! You got that right!"
"Mrs. Saotome, Elder Cologne, Shampoo, Ukyou, and Mousse also saw my performance earlier. Their thoughts of it are quite similar to yours."
"They saw you, too?" Ranma could imagine them being moved, but Cologne?
"Sure did! It was pretty fun. In any case, I'm glad you guys caught the last performance."
"Same here. It's a good thing we came around here in time." Said Kasumi.
A little girl suddenly came up to the group. "Excuse me, Musa-san?"
Musa turned to see the girl. "Hmm?"
"Do you think you can sign my flute?"
"Certainly, sweetie." Musa bent down and took the girl's wooden flute and a sharp-edged marker. "Who do I make this out to?"
"Miyuki, Musa-san."
"All right, then!" Musa autographed the flute and hands it back to Miyuki.
"Thank you, Musa-san! I hope one day I can play as great as you!" said Miyuki.
"If you keep practicing, you will in no time!"
Miyuki bowed to her and leaves while giggling about how she got Musa to sign her flute.
"My, Mistress Musa, it seems you're like a celebrity!" said Sasuke.
"Really? Me and my friends were only here for a short time." Said Musa.
"That makes it even more amazing! In such a short time, you girls have been pretty popular as I've heard."
"I guess we do kinda stand out, being foreigners and all…"
"Not to mention you and the girls don't wear the school uniforms." Ranma added.
"Like you're one to talk, wise-guy!" Musa said as she playfully elbowed Ranma's side.
Kasumi looks at her watch. "Oh! It's almost time for the drum dance at the central square!"
"Well, let's get going!" said Musa.
They weaved through the crowds towards the central square where all the festival goers were congregating. In the center surrounded by hanging paper lanterns was a tall platform with a huge Japanese drum on top. It was then that Ranma's group caught sight of Nodoka's group and the rest of the Winx Club.
"Hey guys! Over here!" Stella called out.
"Looks like you made it in time." Said Ukyou.
"So did you all enjoy yourselves?" asked Nodoka.
"Very much!" said Sasuke. "Thank you for taking us!"
"It really is no problem."
"Now we get to the fun part!" said Musa.
An announcer comes on top of the platform with a mic. "Thank you one and all for attending tonight's festival! I hope you've all had a wonderful time with us! We would like to close this night with our Japanese drum dance performance!"
Two drummers come up on the platform with their thick drumsticks and began to beat on each side of the drum as fireworks shot out into the night sky. Ranma looked towards the platform and noticed Zing, dressed as a drummer, was hovering over the platform and swinging her sticks, mimicking the drummers.
'I was wondering where she was…'
As the beat and rhythm picked up, people started dancing to it. Soon, Ranma's group started to dance in sync with the other people. Everybody continued to dance the night away.
To be continued…
Ending
As the credits are rolling…
Ranma sat in the living room, reading a manga. Shampoo and Ukyou peeked their heads from behind a doorway.
"Hey, Ranma?"
Ranma looked up to see his two fellow martial artists. "Oh, Shampoo, Ukyou. What's up?"
"We thought we could use opinion on new yukatas for next time." Said Shampoo.
"When we saw how Stella modified hers, we figured we could try, too."
"Uh… okay. What do you got?" asked Ranma.
Rather than tell, they decided to show him. Ranma nearly blanched as he saw Ukyou and Shampoo. Their yukatas were like Stella's modified ones, but to an extreme. The bottom flaps were so high above the knees, he could see their panties, the sleeves so short it might as well be sleeve-less, and the top flaps were so small it displayed a LARGE amount of cleavage. Only the sashes around their waists were keeping the yukatas from bursting out.
"What you think?" asked Shampoo
Ranma said nothing, rather he nosebleeds and passes out on the floor.
Shampoo and Ukyou looked down to see him spiral-eyed.
"Well this is no good…" said Ukyou. It was then that Mousse came down and stopped as he caught sight of them. "Hey Mousse, what's your opinion of these yukatas?"
Like Ranma, Mousse also passed out from a nosebleed.
"Sheesh… ask simple question, and this! Boys…" said Shampoo.
End ending
Preview…
Bloom: That was my first festival!
Stella: It was fun, wasn't it? Hmmm? Who's this kid?
Ranma: Damn it all… that twerp's back!?
Musa: A mind-reader? And apparently, he's abusing his ability too much!
Flora: What does he want with Ranma?
Ranma: Careful, girls. He may be a kid, but he's rotten to the core! Next time, on Ranma Club, 'Uninvited! Arrival of the Psychic Pest!' It's time I paid you back in full with interest, Satori…
Author's Notes:
You're not a real otaku if you don't know who this is. One can see the irony in it all.
Inspired by watching video walkthroughs of Dante's Inferno.
The kinds of plants Flora was breeding in "The Monster and the Willow" season 1 episode. The first was trying out Stella's clothes and make-up (much to her chagrin), and the second wrapped Tecna up and pulled her in a closet.
Suggested by Erick Genryusai way back.
Man! This chapter was a lot harder to write down than I thought! The house of horrors part alone took a lot of my time to write. Warning, the next chapter will be entirely revengefic on a certain mind-reader. Then again, that little bleep! doesn't have very many fans to begin with, so I don't think I'll have much complaints.
Sorry for taking so long to update. I've been having to deal with a lot of crap lately. Once again, I'm going out of country for a while to gain some knowledge, so my already strained writing will be cut down again. I'm not certain how long it will be for another update, but I'll try to shell it out soon, so you'll all just have to wait. This applies especially for a certain someone here who keeps sending me emails bugging me to update (you know who you are…), you'll just have to wait like everyone else, so don't act like I've got to meet a deadline!
Firelordeg: Aiming to please.
Dumbledork: I got the school spelling straight from the sub, so I'm sure it's correct.
Hiryo: I admit, Azusa's punishment was planned out. Mikado's was spur of the moment.
God of all: They should be suffering quite enough. Of course, they COULD engage in their favorite past times if the girl was willing to kiss Mikado, and Axusa actually BOUGHT the stuff she considers cute. However, they're too stupid to realize this little loophole in the spell.
Kamen Rider Chrome: I felt Kasumi need much characterization.
Sagitaruis: Hmmm… I forgot Son Goku had that move. I always think of Kamehameha.
PEJP Bengtzone: I'll think of something once I get to that chapter.
AndrewK9000: What can I say? I'm a JoJo fan!
Sonic 1: Not 22 chapters of Nerima. 22 or less of EARTH…
Jimbobob5536: I never liked Azusa's character, either. That's why I did that to her. Ha! Take that, klepto-bitch!
OBSERVER01: I'd say blowing up is too strong a term for Kasumi, but yeah, she did, didn't she?
Ryan L. Spradling: I've already got things lined up for them. After the next chapter, we shall leave Nerima temporarily.
Firemaster101: Welcome, new reader!
TheLordOfPages1692: You're not alone there, friend. And I wish you luck on your holy quest! Purge the net of that abomination!
7 Winds: Wow, a lot of people hate Azusa, huh? LOL
Brayan: Sorry, but mine is the only one I know of.
Angel Cullen Mew Chimera: Oh wow. If that person you speak of is like Azusa, then that must've been hell.
Chm01: More like out of Spiderman…
Cabrera1234: Nah, gotta keep close to the original movie's sub title to stay true to it, so to speak.
DrTempo: Wish I could. I'd have to put out a chapter a week for that to happen, and there's no way I could ever hope to accomplish that. You'll just have to live with the trailer for now. ^_^
Skye Silverwing: No, I got Sky and Brandon on the dot. You haven't gone that far in Winx yet. If you had read my RAI vs. 4Kids rants, you'd know that Sky and Brandon switched identities for royal purposes. As for Ranma fighting the Trix before the ball that first night, I had to have some excuse for him to fight them, and the new school year was up, so that happened. As for "rehashing" the gymnastics battle with Kodachi, it's just a way for the Winx to see Ranma's side of life. The fight with the Golden Pair, I admit, was kinda revengefic chapter on my part. Oh, Ranma WILL have challenges and a need to improve his skills. Once he and the rest return to Magix, Valtor will cause him much grief, some even he cannot fight back against with magic or martial arts, things he'll have to come to terms with. The dark wizard will also be having some new recruits as well.
The Hokage: Thanks! I've other plans for Kasumi…
Today's…
RAI vs. 4Kids RANT!
This deals with Season 1 episode 5, "Date with Disaster", another rare instance where both versions have the same title.
Scene: kitchen duty. This one alone is unexpectedly long.
4Kids:
Flora: "Okey-dokers, five hundred potatoes down." (Taking advantage of off-screen talking…)
Tecna: "So that means five hundred more to go." (Again, taking advantage of off-screen talking…)
Bloom: "You know what? I'll feel like a dork if this doesn't work."
Musa: "Well where did you find the formula?"
Bloom: "It was in Vanity Fairy's new self improvement guide, so I mean it should work! A thousand potatoes, a bushel of flipweed, a magic backflip, and you're making good decisions all the next day! It says good judgement is guaranteed!" (WTF is this crap!?)
Chef: (comes in) "I thought I heard itty bitty voices! What-a are you girls a-doing in my-a kitchen, eh?"
Bloom: "Err… working on an experiment project for potion class?"
Chef: "Look at this place! A mess!"
Tecna: "The potion lab was signed out."
Musa: "Relax, Maestro, have a spud!"
Chef: "My spare potatoes! You're a-using my-a babies! And what is this all about!"
Flora: "That's dinner."
Bloom: "We got hungry."
Chef: "That is not-a how to cook!"
Musa: "Hey! How hard can it be to make an omelette?"
Chef: "You have to show-a love to your food! You cannot neglect it! You must-a put-a passion in your cooking!"
(stupid 4Kids pointless arrangement. First it shows Flora flip hers, then Tecna, then Musa, THEN it shows them catching them in that same order. Why didn't they just leave it alone?)
Chef: (Bloom tossed her omelette on the ceiling fan) "Not-a that much passion!"
(more pointless scene cuts)
Bloom: "Err… I guess I'll get a ladder?"
Flora: "Don't worry, I got it!" (turns fan faster)
Tecna: "I don't think that's it!"
Musa: "Go little omelette! Spinnin' like a DJ! Like it's your birthday! Like it's got your biggest fan! Gonna serve you up with ham now!" (yeah, she was rapping this…)
Chef: "Knock it OOOOOOOOOOFFFFF!!! I see you-a need instruction on singing as well as cooking! In the kitchen, opera is the music of choice! Rap is for leftovers! Whah! (omelette falls on him) Normally, I would-a find this funny, but as I am the one with egg on my face, I do not laugh! Now-a wrap-a this project up. You might want to be done by the time the headmistress gets here!" (leaves) (My God, does this guy EVER shut up in this version!?)
Flora: (looks in oven) "The flipweed's almost done!" (this was supposed to be a roast…)
Stella: (comes in) "So what's the sitch in the kitch, girls?"
Tecna: "The term 'fashionably late' can only be applied to social engagements, you know."
Stella: "Yeah, I know I totally said I'd help, but you're just gonna have to let me play a good excuse card for today!" ('good excuse card'? What's this, a board game?)
Bloom: "Oh yeah? What's the excuse this time?"
Stella: "I just received a last-minute invitation!"
Musa: "Another 'Shoe of the Month' club?"
Stella: "Prince Sky! He invited me to meet him at some place called the Black Lagoon Café tonight!"
Flora: "Cool!"
Musa: "A handwritten note! You go, Stella! Whoo!"
Stella: "I've been trying to figure out what to wear, but I'm in desperate need of second opinions!"
Bloom: "Say no more!"
RAI:
(Note that Flora and Tecna said NOTHING in the beginning)
Bloom: "Oh, I hate doing kitchen duties… I just don't get it."
Musa: "What is it that you don't get, Bloom?"
Bloom: "Why a school for fairies can't use magic to cook dinner? It doesn't make sense! All you've got to do is wave a magic wand, snap your fingers, wiggle your nose a couple of times, and wa-la! Everything is ready without any effort!"
Chef: (comes in) "However, home-cooked-a meals taste a lot better and are-a much-a healthier!"
Bloom: "Um… hi, Maestrofordia."
Chef: "How's-a this side dish coming along?"
Musa: "We're almost finished, sir."
Chef: "These potatoes are too small! Take off less skin! And what about the omelettes!? Don't forget to flip them, eh!?"
Bloom: "Oh! Of course!"
Chef: "Cooking is an art, young lady!"
Musa: "When I graduate from here, I'll eat out every night."
Chef: "Now let us see you flip-a these omelettes. Come on!"
(Flora flips her omelette and catches hers. Tecna flips her omelette and catches hers. Musa flips her omelette, but it takes a little more time for hers to come down, and she barely manages to catch it in time.)
Bloom: (tosses her omelette on the ceiling fan. 4Kids cut: it shows the girls and the Chef look up as the camera pans upwards to see the omelette on the fan blades, then an overhead shot where this dialogue takes place) "Oh, I'm so sorry! I have no idea how it happened!"
Chef: "Well what are you a-waiting for! Somebody turn-a off-a the fan!"
Flora: "Uh… I'll do it!" (turns it faster)
Musa: "Come on down, little omelette! Don't be afraid! Trust me, no one's gonna eat you!"
Chef: "I said turn it OOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFF!!!! (Flora turns off the fan and the omelette splatters on him) Grr… I'll have a-word with the headmistress about granting you a permanent exemption from kitchen duties! Errgg… you young fairies cause more trouble than help! Now I must-a clean up before dinnertime, so keep an eye on the roast!" (leaves)
Flora: (checks oven) "Everything's okay here!"
Stella: (comes in) "Girls, I have some really wild news!"
Tecna: "We know. You've managed to get out of kitchen duties. Congratulations, Stella."
Stella: "Oh, but I have a perfectly valid reason for that, you know! I'm going out tonight! I've got a date! Isn't that exciting?"
Bloom: "Oh, a valid reason indeed…"
Stella: "I've received an invitation! Guess who from?"
Musa: "Oh, we're just DYING to know…"
Stella: "Prince Sky! Can you believe it? An invitation to Black Lagoon! Sounds good, huh?"
Flora: "Wow!"
Musa: "A guy who knows you and STILL wants to see you?"
Stella: "But what am I gonna wear? I'm so confused! Will you help me pick something?"
Bloom: "Well, okay!"
This whole thing was supposed to be just kitchen duty, simple as that. However, 4Kids makes up a stupid crappy subplot here which makes absolutely no sense. I mean, a "good decision" potion? Considering what had happened in this episode, it completely contradicts. Will explain this later in a future RAI vs. 4Kids rant.
Scene: Helping Stella and kitchen aftermath.
4Kids:
(In Stella's walk-in closet)
Bloom: "You've got a whole nother row back there?"
Tecna: "Doesn't this guy lose points because of the short notice?"
Stella: "Yes, but he gets bonus points for the formal invitation! So…"
Flora: (picks out black dress) "This one's beautiful! You think I could borrow this sometime? I don't own much black and I-"
Stella: "Uh, hello? Focus, Flora! We're here to help me!"
Tecna: (looks at weird dress) "I'm guessing there's an excellent story behind this pattern! Where in the Realms did you get that thing, Stella?"
Stella: "I designed it!"
Tecna: "Oh, well, it's very…"
Stella: "Very what?"
Musa: "Uh,-oh…"
Bloom: (picks blue dress) "What about this one?"
Stella: "Perfect, Bloom!"
Bloom: "So will Brandon be there?"
Stella: "No. Sky gave his servants the night off."
Bloom: "Oh! Brandon is not Prince Sky's servant! The correct term is First Royal Squire!"
Stella: "Talk to me about these heels! Too intense?" (another cut in this section)
Tecna: "No, but they're not very practical!"
Stella: "Musa, be a dear and bring me that green chest."
Musa: "Of course, Your Highness. (struggles with chest) Ugh! What's in there!?"
Stella: "Oh, just a few accessories!"
Flora: " 'Just a few?' Uh…"
Stella: "The Ring of Solaria! Hmmm… you know what? Better not. (removes ring) Bloom, could you keep an eye on this for me?"
Bloom: (takes ring) "You're not gonna wear it?"
Stella: "Nah! When I have it, I tend to cast love spells before I even know the guy! Besides, something tells me I won't be needing any magic tonight!"
Tecna: "I don't understand. Why do you let yourself get so charged up about seeing some guy?"
Musa: "Yo! Does anybody else smell that?"
Stella: "Ew! That's stinky!"
Tecna: "The flipweed!"
Musa: (runs down the hall) "Quick! Outta the way! Coming through! Come on, hurry up!"
Stella: "Hello? We're not done!"
Bloom: "Good luck tonight, Stella!"
Musa: "Have a good time!"
Flora: (grabs extinguisher) "We'll need this!"
Bloom: (She, Musa, and Tecna barge into the smoky kitchen) "Guess the flipweed's well done."
Griselda: " 'Well' and 'done' are two words rarely used together whenever you girls are involved! I can't wait to hear the explanation for this one."
Musa: "How's it going, Ms. G?"
Griselda: "Aero-la! (clears out smoke) The Maestro tells me you purloined enough potatoes to feed an entire-" (I'm surprised they kept that foreign word in.)
Flora: (barges in and trips) "Here I've got the- Ooof!"
Griselda: "AAAH! (covered in anti-flame retardant) Since you're having such a good time in the kitchen, you can spend the rest of the night here, cooking dinner for the entire school!"
Musa: "She didn't say that while we're here…"
Bloom: "… we couldn't still finish the potion! Hm?" (There is NO damn potion here!)
RAI:
(In Stella's walk-in closet)
Bloom: "Stella, you've got so many clothes!"
Stella: "Hmmm… that's the problem… I need something really special, romantic!"
Flora: (picks out black dress) "I'd wear this! Pure classic elegance! It's perfect!"
Stella: "For a funeral, yes. For a date, I need a bit more pizzazz."
Tecna: (looks at weird dress) "How about this then? You're sure to make a lasting impression wearing this. How could you have bought something like that?"
Stella: "I didn't buy it."
Tecna: "Someone GAVE it to you?"
Stella: "I designed it!"
Musa: "In the dark?" (this is a LOT funnier than the crappy version!)
Bloom: (picks blue dress) "I like this!"
Stella: "Yeah, that's it!"
Bloom: "Will Brandon be there, too?"
Stella: "No, Sky gave his servants the night off."
Bloom: "Oh come on! Brandon is not his servant! He's his assistant! There's a difference!"
Stella: "Sorry, Bloom. I was just joking, all right?"
(4Kids cut)
Bloom: "Hmph…"
Stella: "You like him, huh?"
Bloom: "Hey!"
Stella: "Yeah I know, don't tell me, it's none of my business."
(end 4Kids cut)
Tecna: "Yeah, well you know, you shouldn't have called him that, Stella."
Stella: "Musa, could you get that box for me, please?"
Musa: "Sure. (struggles with chest) Ugh! What's in there?"
Stella: "Just a few pieces of jewelry."
Flora: " 'A FEW pieces'!?"
Stella: "Here! These are perfect! But, uh… the ring is too much. (removes ring) Now that's better! Here, Bloom, could you keep this for me, please?"
Bloom: (takes ring) "But it's your magic ring!"
Stella: "Oh, I won't need it tonight. Hey, who needs a magic scepter when you've got a real prince to protect you?"
Tecna: "I wouldn't trust that guy. Something is not quite right about this date. I smell a rat!"
Musa: "I smell something, too…"
(4Kids cut)
(scene of Flora, Musa, and Tecna panicking in the closet)
Tecna: "AHH! THE ROAST!"
Flora: "Oh no, the roast!"
(end 4Kids cut)
Musa: "Hurry up! Quick!"
Flora: (grabs extinguisher) "I'll get the extinguisher!"
Bloom: (She, Musa, and Tecna barge into the smoky kitchen) "Uh-oh! What a mess!"
Griselda: " 'Mess' you say? A better word would be disaster! Catastrophe! Calamity! Your unreliability is unforgivable!"
Musa: "Oh no! It's Ms. Griselda!"
Griselda: "Aero-lax! (clears out smoke)"
Flora: "I'm coming, girls!"
Griselda: "I hope you have a good excuse for all of this…"
Flora: (barges in and trips) "Here I- auuugh!"
Griselda: Gasp! (gets covered in flame retardant) "Get back to work immediately! Do you hear me!? Dinner must NOT be delayed! Do your BEST, girls!" (leaves in a huff)
Bloom: "… bread and cheese okay with you guys? Hm?"
Why the hell does 4Kids change these things? There's no point! Speaking of which, I said earlier in the chapters that 4Kids has a bad habit of putting up early spoilers with no respect for plot build-up. Case in point. Soon after the kitchen aftermath scene, it goes to Cloud Tower…
4Kids:
Darcy: "You think she got the invitation?"
Icy: "I know she did. Knut said she jumped up and down squealing."
Darcy: "Actually squealing?"
Stormy: "I would've gagged on the spot! Love is so lame!"
Icy: "Know why this plan rules?" (Oh please enlighten me, Icy…) "Because we get to kill two newts with one footstomp!"
Darcy: "Huh?"
Stormy: "What?"
Icy: "You see, not only is the Ring of Solaria gonna fall right into our hands, but we get to break Stella's precious heart! I can't tell you how much I love watching a little pixie get her heart broken!"
RAI:
None. That scene doesn't even exist in this episode! That scene was actually pulled out of the Miss Magix episode way down the lane! What the hell, 4Kids!? You pluck out a scene, plug it into an episode it doesn't even belong in, and put in your own, plot-destroying lines! 4Kids already flatly tells you that the Stella who came back is an imposter right from the get-go! In RAI, you don't see the Trix until the end of the episode! Just WHAT the hell was 4Kids hoping to accomplish pulling this crap!?
Well got to cut this short.
See you all next chapter!