Disclaimer: Ranma ½ belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video and Winx Club belongs to Iginio Straffi and Rai S.p.A (NOT 4Kids!). Song 'FIRE!' belongs to Digimon.
Note: this follows the Rai version of Winx as the 4Kids version butchered it too much, like with every anime it dubs.
Chapter 51: Sayonara! The Return to Alfea!
Somewhere in the outskirts of Tokyo…
"WHERE ON EARTH AM I NOOOOOOOOOOOW!?"
Guess who's still lost?
Ryoga continued to fume as he trekked through the deep forests of Japan, trying in vain to find Tokyo.
"Damn you, Ranma! You'll pay for all the hell you put me through! When I find you, I guarantee I'll send you to the real thing! Now where is Tokyo?"
Once again, Ryoga didn't watch where he was going and slid down a cliff, crashing into the stream below. An angry black piglet emerged and squealed in indignity.
Saotome complex…
Ranma sat up from his bed and sneezed.
"Hmmm… where did that come from?"
Neko-Shampoo and Kitsune-Ukyou came into his room and jumped on his bed. Both cursed girls yowled at him.
"Oh, Shampoo, Ucchan, morning." Said Ranma. "Guess I'd better get up, too."
The cat and fox jump off and left the room, with the pigtailed boy soon following.
Opening (Digimon Frontier style, 'FIRE!')
The music starts as shots of the cast flash by, int the backgrounds of each was the close-ups of the Enchantix forms of the Winx. For Ranma was his Faerie form, for Shampoo and Ukyou, their wereforms, and for Mousse and Kasumi, were shaded in. Zooms out from Ranma as the Specialist Souls rise out and fade as the Ranma Club logo appears. It is obscured in a flash of light.
Kusubutteta mune ni nage irero fire! (Let in that ticklish feeling of the fire in your chest)
Chiheisen e kokoro tobasu nda (My heart carries me towards the horizon)
Ranma walks forth on the streets of Nerima, then gets flanked by the Winx on either side of him along with Shampoo and Ukyou. It cuts to a split screen of each of the Specialists in a background of their homeworlds, all in statis before they slowly look upwards.
Kara mawari no kimochi o keri agetara (Kicking away these entangled feelings)
Saki ni iku ze Tsugi no furontia (Let's go ahead to the next frontier!)
Ranma and the cast flash by. It cuts to their backs as they all face a growing portal before them before reaching out towards it.
Kanau sa Kanau Hakkaten wa mou sugu da ze (Strongly hoping that wishes will come true, they're already near the point of ignition)
Dekiru Dekiru sa Bakuhatsu shite miseru nda (We will accomplish the impossible and watch it explode)
Burn up'n go!
A shot of the cast voicing "Kanau sa", then cuts to a scene of them facing Shadow Valtor and two shaded figures in the distance.
Goes back to the cast, voicing "Dekiru", then cuts to them transforming.
It then shows the Earth, before it gets replaced by the Magix Dimension. Flashes of the Ranma group as they shield their eyes from a bright flash.
Gomibako o tobi koeta saki ni aru mirai (Get over what's useless and into a new future)
Hikari o matotte get a fire power! (Together in light we'll get a fire power!)
In their transformed states, the Winx come up one by one throwing off attacks, followed by Were-Ukyou and Were-Shampoo.
Giragira to moe agare Hitomi no chikara (Dazzle as these eyes of power burst into flames)
Kesenai yuuki de get a fire power! (This power will never be extinguished and get a fire power!)
It then shows Ranma in male form as he throws out attacks, then his souls emerge to do attacks of their own. He is followed by Nodoka in Enchantix form doing her own attacks, then Cologne, then finally followed by four shaded figures.
Michi ga michiteru furontia e (Traveling an unknown road to a new frontier)
Hashiri tsuzukeru nda "Kimi o tsurete" (Running along, "you can come, too")
It then shows the cast pass through the portal, and wind up on Magix, near the outskirts of Alfea.
End opening
Furinkan High schoolyard…
Ranma sat with the Winx, Shampoo. Mousse, and Ukyou under a tree during the lunch period. Bloom had Kiko in her lap as she feeds him a carrot. She noticed that Ranma had a distant look as he slowly ate his food.
"Ranma? You okay?" asked Bloom.
Ranma was snapped out of his daze at the redhead's voice. "Oh, Bloom, just thinking about all that's happened so far."
Flora nods in understanding. "I suppose we can't blame you for that."
"But you have to admit, there has never been a dull moment!" added Stella, which everyone laughed at.
Ranma smiled. It had been nearly a month since Kasumi finally had an actual talk with Dr. Tofu. A lot of things have happened since the lycanthrope incident with Shampoo and Ukyou. It was definitely a surprise to the pigtailed boy that he reevaluated his feelings for the two weregirls, discovering he did harbor some feeling for them as well, mostly due to his not being cooped up in the Tendo home where his feelings were dictated to be focused solely on Akane and damn everything else. Like with the Winx, he had gone on separate dates with them. Ranma had taken Shampoo to a Chinese circus that was in town again, which brought back memories of the Yazuniichuan incident. Then he took Ukyou for a time out on the Tokyo boardwalk.
Typically, both times he had been seen by the current Tendo Dojo residents, who happened to be in the same area. However, before the violent tomboy or the fathers could attack them, they would get forcibly knocked out by one of the Winx girls before giving a warning to Nabiki to drag the conspirators away and leave Ranma alone since whatever he does is no longer any of their business anyway. Then again, when Ranma was living in the Tendo Dojo, everybody kept butting into his business.
They've also had other unexpected adventures in that time as well, one concerning a certain island, but that is a story for another time…(1)
Ranma smirked at the memories until Tecna's voice brought him back to reality.
"I also couldn't believe what happened yesterday, too. Getting a notification from Ms. Faragonda!"
"We're going back!" said Musa.
"It will be great to see everyone again, too." Added Layla.
Flashback…
Nodoka had entered the main quarters of the house after picking up the mail. One envelope in particular glowed as soon as she held it, realizing its origin. Opening it up, she read the letter and her eyes widened.
"Everyone! Come down to the main hall!"
Soon, all the house inhabitants were gathered around Nodoka.
"What's going on, Mom?" asked Ranma.
"It's a letter from Headmistress Faragonda." Replied Nodoka as she held the glowing letter.
This got the Faeries' attention.
"What? What did she say?" asked Flora.
Nodoka reads the letter. "My dear Faeries, new and returning students, I am pleased to announce that after the ordeal with the Crystal Demon Army that had wrecked the three schools of Magix, including our own Alfea, the damage has all been fixed and the schools are as good as new. Just in time for the new semester as well. I welcome you all back to Alfea and continue to unlock your full potentials not as just Faeries, but as people as well. Classes will resume in a week. Here's to looking forward to a great year! Sincerely, Headmistress Faragonda."
Ranma, Shampoo, Ukyou, and the Winx cringed at the memory of the Crystal Demon Army, which had been unleashed upon the schools by Valtor and the Trix. Then the part about Alfea being repaired got to them.
"Alfea is back up? That's certainly great news!" said Tecna.
"I hate to admit it, but I almost forgot about it." Said Stella. "We've been in Nerima for so long."
"We have, haven't we?" added Layla. "Still, it was quite enjoyable."
"Even the jumps between dimensions?" asked Lockette.
"Yeah, even those."
"It was good workout!" said Shampoo.
"There was danger, action, and glory around every corner!" added Chatta.
"And don't forget character building, too!" Tune commented.
"Yeah, whatever."
The Pixie of Manners huffed in indignation at her comrade's blow-off.
"And love was rediscovered…" said Amore, causing Ukyou and Shampoo to blush, followed by Ranma.
"Ahem, let's not get into that right now, okay?" said Ranma.
"Excuse me, but what is this about?" asked Kasumi.
"I'd like to know, too, if you don't mind…" added Sasuke.
Mousse also showed his curiosity about the meaning of the letter.
Nodoka nodded in understanding as the three in question have not gone to Magix yet. "Magix exists in a separate magical dimension, which is the home of all magical beings, like the Winx here. It is also where the college of Faeries, Alfea, resides. Faragonda is the headmistress of the college, and she had sent us news that it is now reconstructed and ready to take back the students."
"Reconstructed? What happened to it before?" asked Kasumi.
"It got wrecked by an army of demons." Stella replied bluntly.
Kasumi and Sasuke were a bit perturbed at this.
"This is Magix." Said Nodoka as she materialized an orb of light in her hands. The light orb expanded to produce a scene of the magical dimension. Kasumi, Mousse, and Sasuke marveled at the scene before them. It displayed the cities of the Magix Dimension, then the schools of Cloud Tower, Red Fountain, and finally Alfea College.
"It looks wonderful…" said Kasumi.
"Indeed! Like out of a fairy tale! Pardon the pun." Added Sasuke.
"This is where you all come from?" asked Kasumi.
"Well, we go to school there, but we each come from different planets in that same dimension." Replied Flora.
"It must be an amazing place…"
"Oh it is, Kasumi." Ranma affirmed.
"And we're finally going to go back." Said Bloom. "So in a week, we'll be back at Alfea."
"From one school to another…" said Stella.
"Oh come on, Stella, it wasn't all that bad." Said Musa. "Well aside from that idiot with the stick."
"Heh, you may have a point."
Kasumi, Sasuke, and Mousse looked a bit nervous, which was noticed by Nodoka. "Something wrong?"
"Well, you're going to leave Nerima soon…" said Kasumi sadly.
"Hmmm… you speak as if we're leaving you behind." Said Ranma.
Kasumi looked up in shock. "What?"
"Remember Kasumi, we're family now, and we don't abandon each other." Said Nodoka. "You've all been given a chance to live life the way you want it, not how others dictate how you should."
"You mean…" started Sasuke.
"That's right. How would you like to come with us?"
End flashback…
"Earth is nice and all, but I've missed being in Magix." Said Stella.
"And we've got more guests to bring along." Said Musa.
"I will miss this place, though." Said Flora.
A blur suddenly streaks towards them.
"COME TO ME, MY LOVELIES!" shouted Happosai as he launched himself at the group for some groping.
Layla raised an arm and encased the ancient pervert in a globe of morphix, stopping him in his tracks. Amethyst Nabu then emerges from Ranma armed with his staff, and grand-slammed the encased Happosai away.
"That's one of the things I definitely won't miss here." Said Layla.
Everyone laughed and resumed eating.
Off to the side, Akane only glared at the group. She hated how happy they were being. She hated how Ranma acted so familiar with them. She hated how everyone around her liked them. Couldn't everyone see that they're nothing but attention-hungry sluts? Well she was different and wouldn't fall for it. It just galled her that everyone was too blind to see that. Akane had already felt betrayed that her two friends Yuka and Sayuri wanted to hang out with them and she yelled at them about it, causing a rift to form between them. Well if they wanted to hang with a bunch of gaijin whores, then that's their problem.
Saotome Complex…
"Would you like another cup, Dr. Tofu?" asked Kasumi.
"I'd like that very much, thank you Kasumi." Replied Tofu.
Kasumi nodded and refilled the young physician's cup with green tea. Tofu was glad for the company, but couldn't help but think back to the moment that lead him to his current position. After training to rid himself of his self-induced nervousness around the elder Tendo girl, he finally managed to have some normal conversations with his crush. He had been appalled at what Kasumi had told him of the recent events that lead her to leave her home and live with the Saotomes. Tofu had been unaware of just how Kasumi had been treated when at home, not to mention the behaviors of the tenants, especially Soun, Genma, and Akane.
"Is something the matter?" asked Kasumi.
"Oh, I'm just recalling my clinic…"
Flashback, one week after Tofu cured himself…
The Ono Clinic had been getting frequent visits from the current tenants of the Tendo and Genma would keep trying to ambush Ranma to forcibly drag him back to the Tendo Dojo, but they would get violently rejected by the person in question or by the girls. The same would happen with Akane, who would try to attack Ranma and the Winx at any given opportunity, but would also suffer severe magical consequences.
Tofu got his latest visit from Akane, who had been on the receiving end of a Dragonfire ball, courtesy of Bloom, when she tried to attack Ranma during his date. The good doctor sighed as this was the umpteenth time he had to treat her injuries. She had been too busy ranting about the Winx and how they don't deserve to be in Nerima she failed to notice the cold efficiency Dr. Tofu had used in treating her injuries.
"Everything had been just fine until those stupid whores showed up! They should just go back to where they belong! Because of them, we've fallen on hard times and they took away my sister!"
Akane was brought out of her rant when Tofu suddenly stood up and walked to his desk, back turned to her. He then spoke in a tone devoid of emotion.
"Akane... that's enough. The hole you've dug is already deeper than the Marianas Trench. This has got to stop. To be honest, I'm very ashamed of myself for letting this go on for so long."
"What? What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that your temper tantrums are no longer going to be tolerated. It's time for you to grow up."
"What? Are you actually siding with that pervert Ranma and those gaijin sluts...? You don't even know them!"
"Stop it right there Akane. It's this kind of behavior which drove Ranma away from you in the first place. The same with Kasumi."
"How could you say that!?" It was then Akane realized something. 'Wait… he said Kasumi's name and didn't go crazy?'
Tofu noticed Akane's moment of confusion. "Yes, I had a little chat with Kasumi. And yes, I was sane the whole way through. Ranma and his friends helped me deal with that problem. For that, I'm grateful."
"You… you met with them…?"
"Kasumi had told me about the recent happenings that have gone on and her situation that made her leave in the first place. Hearing how she had been treated at home and how she was viewed, I just couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. You all never bothered to notice how much she had been hurting inside if you had just taken the time to observe. Also, those 'sluts', as you call them, are not as horrible as you make them out to be if you had also just taken the time to get to know them."
"No! You're wrong! Kasumi's been brainwashed and kidnapped by those gaijin sluts! She doesn't know what she's saying!"
"Wrong, Akane. For once, she finally knows what she's saying. From what I've heard, Kasumi's happier than she could remember where she is now compared to previously. She also began to realize how Ranma had been treated when he stayed at your place. They finally have people who actually care about them. As a doctor, it is my duty to see to the physical and mental health of my patients. However, I can no longer turn a blind eye to both the physical and emotional abuse you've inflicted on Ranma in the past, nor can I ignore the fact that you intend to inflict more abuse if given the chance. This by itself puts all my other patients at risk. By all rights, I SHOULD have reported this to the authorities, but it was because of my foolish hope that you would change that I have not done so."
Akane just couldn't believe what she was hearing and felt that she had been subjected to the final betrayal. She acted accordingly when anything disrupted her world, with anger.
"I thought you of all people would understand the crap I had to go through, but I was wrong… you're just like the rest! You're against me like the others!" In her blind rage, she got up and picked up the nearest object to throw at Dr. Tofu, which happened to be a flask filled with a chemical. Tofu managed to dodge it, but then immediately wished it had hit him because now the flask was now flying towards a Bunsen burner still in use, which was currently heating up some water in a beaker for herbal extraction. The force of the throw caused the flask to smash into pieces, spilling the chemical. Unfortunately, some of the shards had managed to scratch through the rubber tubing of the Bunsen burner that diverts the gas powering it. Even more unfortunately, the chemical in the flask was acetone, a cleaning solvent used for cleaning the laboratory area, which was also HIGHLY flammable. The liquid burst into flame and some fell on the rubber tubing, catching it on fire.
Dr. Tofu's eyes widened as he realized what will come next. Akane had also showed some fear after realizing what she had done.
"RUN!" shouted Tofu.
He and Akane quickly ran out of the clinic. Just as they got past the gate…
KA-BOOOOM!
The small building exploded into flames, the explosion slightly shaking the foundations.
Some time later, the fire department arrived to put out the fire. Dr. Tofu could only look on devoid of emotion as he looked at where his clinic once stood, which was nothing more than a flaming wreckage.
Akane slowly approached him from behind. "Uh… Dr. Tofu…? I… uh…"
"Save it, Akane." Tofu interrupted without even turning to look at her. "What are you going to say about this? What COULD you say about this? That it's all Ranma's fault? Is that it? Are you just going to go back to your old standby and blame this on him?"
"But..."
"No more, Akane. I've had enough. No, I've had too much! I'm no longer going to defend you. I'm not going to make any more excuses. Kasumi and Ranma were right. It's well-past the time that you face the CONSEQUENCES of your actions! We were lucky that we were the only ones in the building at the time. What if any of my patients had been there? What if they got hurt or worse? Well Akane? Do you STILL think that it would have been Ranma's fault?"
"I..."
"Time and time again I've overlooked your temper tantrums, but not this time! This was the final straw! From this moment on, I'm no longer your or your family's physician. The fire destroyed my computer files, but fortunately I keep the hard copies in a fireproof cabinet. I will be mailing all of your family's medical records to you. Any outstanding bills will be waived. Go find someone else who is willing to be your new family doctor, and I seriously suggest you start growing up. Push me any further and I WILL have you arrested for ARSON!"
Tofu then walks off, leaving Akane standing blankly on the street.
End flashback…
Tofu sighed at the memory. His entire clinic, his livelihood, was completely destroyed because of Akane's anger problem. Kasumi had taken pity on him and talked with Nodoka to allow him lodgings. It was how Tofu had gotten to know the Winx and learned of Ranma's time away from Nerima in Magix as well as from their unscheduled trips in worldly locations. Even if this was Ranma, this was still unbelievable.
"I'm so sorry about your loss, Dr. Tofu…" said Kasumi. "If only I had been firm with Akane and her behavior…"
"I guess we both share the blame as well." Added Tofu. "It's all in the past now, though."
"And I hope Akane learns from this for her sake…"
"By the way, thanks for taking me in. I am grateful."
"Don't mention it. It was only fair since it was my sister who wronged you."
"But I'm grateful all the same."
Kasumi nods and sips her own green tea as they both look out from the patio.
Next day…
It was time for P.E. class as the Winx were heading for the girls' locker room. Shampoo and Ukyou had exited to get to the field.
"Hard to believe that our time in Furinkan is almost over." Said Layla.
"No kidding! Nerima almost feels like a second home!" added Stella.
"Maybe so, but I miss Magix greatly." Said Flora.
"Yeah. Even though it's been crazy here, it was still quite a time we've had." Musa commented.
"If you can call it that…" said Tecna.
"Oh admit it, Tecna! You enjoyed it, too!" said Layla.
"Perhaps…"
"I have to say, our stay was anything except uneventful." Said Bloom.
"Well we're here, girls. Time to get physical!" said Stella as she approached the locker room door.
Just as the blonde Faerie opened the door, she was taken by surprise as a large amount of fresh mud fell on her head. Stella screamed at the impromptu mud bath, and even more when she found an earthworm in her hair. Bloom and the others were shocked at what happened as well as the girls who were in the midst of changing into their P.E. uniforms.
"Stella!" said Bloom with worry.
"Argh! What is this!?" shouted Stella.
Everyone stopped to hear the laughing of one person in the room, who turned out to be Akane.
"Ha! Mud is a good look for you!" Akane mocked before resuming her chortling.
She stopped when she realized she was the only one laughing in the room and that everyone was giving her disapproving looks. It was apparent they did not share in her humor.
"What? I thought it was pretty funny!"
"Akane, that was really mean." Said a girl nearby.
Akane was shocked at this, then quickly recovers and with an indifferent air, says, "Pft… whatever…" before leaving the locker room.
After she left, Stella used a spell to remove the mud from her person. "I swear, she is going to get hers…"
"Not now, Stella. She's not worth it." said Layla.
At P.E. class, the girls were playing volleyball. They were all split up to cover the multiple courts for games of six on six. In one, Flora and Layla were on one team while they faced a team Akane was on. The match seemed a bit awkward. It started out normally enough, but whenever Akane spikes for her team, she seemed to be spiking the ball hard, and directing it at either Layla or Flora. At one point, Akane spikes the ball especially hard at Flora, enough to knock her down. The ball bounce back over her side and Akane spikes it again at Flora while she was still recovering. Fortunately, Layla quickly intercepted the ball before it could hit, passing it to another player before jumping and spiking it back, scoring for her side.
"Flora, you okay?" asked Layla as she helped the girl up.
"Yes, I'm fine, Layla…" replied Flora.
Layla smiled, then turned to glare at Akane. "What the hell was that!?"
Akane looked away while sticking her nose up. "Hmph! It was a valid strategy. Not my fault she's not athletic."
Layla's eyes narrowed. She knew that wasn't the case at all. She had picked up that Akane would target either herself or Flora when she did her spikes, even if they weren't strategic. This also wasn't lost on the rest of the Winx, who also glared at the short-tempered tomboy. Nabiki, who had observed from a distance, could only shake her head. 'Sis, please don't do anything else stupid…'
Once the P.E. class was over, they all headed toward the locker room to clean up and change.
"Sheesh, that girl is seriously vindictive and petty…" said Musa.
"I swear, if she tries anything else…" Stella muttered.
"Come, girls. Let's just wash up." Said Flora.
The girls entered the locker room. Just as Tecna was about to head to her locker, she tripped and fell, courtesy of Akane sticking her foot out before her. Tecna glared at Akane.
"Hey!"
"What? Don't blame me for you being a clumsy geek who trips over her own feet." Said Akane condescendingly. She turned her nose up before heading for the showers.
Tecna was helped up by Flora and Musa while the others glared in Akane's direction. Shampoo and Ukyou had also caught what had happened and had half a mind to go over and pound the violent girl into pulp.
"Shampoo go smash violent girl's head in!" said Shampoo.
"Not before I do!" added Ukyou.
"Hold on, you two. I have a much better idea…" said Stella, stopping the two girls in their tracks.
"What are you planning?" asked Bloom.
Stella smiled and said nothing as she made her way towards the showers. She stealthily made her way to the stall Akane was in. Stella levitated to see Akane washing, unaware of her presence. The blonde Faerie then spots her target, a shampoo bottle. Silently chanting a spell, Stella fires a beam of sparkles at the shampoo bottle while Akane was washing her face, then quickly exited to rejoin the others.
"So what did you do, Stella?" asked Ukyou.
"Oh, I just changed the contents of her shampoo bottle." Replied Stella.
"With what? Paint?" asked Musa.
"No, but she'll wish it was."
"What then?" asked Bloom.
Stella smirked as she mentally counted down. Soon, the shower room echoed with the screams of a certain tomboy.
"Hey… hey! HEY! HEY WAIT A MIN- MY HA- MY HANDS ARE STUCK TO MY HE- WHAT'S GOING ON!? WHO'S FOOLING AROUND!? WHAT THE bleep! !?"
Stella smirked as she says to the girls, "I changed her shampoo into epoxy resin." (2)
Their eyes widened.
"Wait, when that stuff hardens, it turns into…" started Bloom.
"It turns into plastic." Tecna finished. "Epoxy resin is like a fast-acting super-glue. It only takes a few seconds to harden, and can last up to at least two years." She looks to Stella with a smirk. "I have to say, Stella, that was a nice choice."
"Oh my… you replaced her shampoo with that?" asked Flora.
Akane suddenly came into the locker room naked and slightly covered in soap suds, much to the shock of everyone there. Her hands were on her head, stuck in her hair, and she was partially blinded by the soap in her face.
"Alright, no fooling around! SOMEONE GET THIS STUFF OFF OUT OF- MY HE-!" shouted Akane.
The Winx, Shampoo, Ukyou, and some of the other girls were struggling not to laugh at the sight.
"I'M NOT KIDDING AROUND HERE! GIVE ME A HAND!"
Everyone in the room began clapping their hands in response.
"Oh ha ha. Real funny! CUT IT OUT!" Akane yelled angrily. "You sluts! I know you're behind this! When I get my hands on you, YOU'RE DEAD! You hear me!? DEAD! D-E-A-D!"
Unfortunately for her, her threat was quite empty due to her hands stuck to her head and her eyes blinded by soap. Akane walked around blindly while everyone nearby gave her space until she wound up bumping into the wall.
"GET ME OUT OF THIS RIGHT NOW!"
Stella decides to grant Akane's wish and uses her lucid warp on her, teleporting the girl away, specifically outside the locker room building. The Winx and the others got outside to see what was happening.
Akane became horrified when she saw that she was outside while the next period class was out. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the naked girl. She didn't even have the luxury to cover herself with her arms since her hands were stuck in her hair. It got even worse when Kuno came into the scene.
"Oh my darling Akane Tendo! To appear before me au naturale like Aphrodite is like a sign from the heavens! Allow me to date with thee!"
Akane screamed in horror and indignity as she made a run for it, streaking through the school grounds and tumbling through the surrounding foliage.
Ranma, who had been in the next period class, had witnessed the entire scene and struggled not to burst out laughing. He had a good idea who was responsible.
'Hmph… let's see how she likes being caught in an embarrassing predicament.' He recalled the times when he was caught male in girl's gym shorts and later in a dress all because of her.
Nearby, Nabiki sighed and gave chase to where her little sister went. 'I should have known better than to hope…'
The Faeries, Shampoo, Ukyou, and the other girls couldn't help but laugh within the locker room building.
Some time later, Akane somehow managed to lose Kuno and was found by Nabiki, who brought them inside a gym storage shed. Currently, Akane was seated on a small stool and had a blanket draped over her, the soap suds finally rinsed off.
"Just hold still, Akane." Said Nabiki as she held a pair of scissors. This was the only method she could think of to free Akane's hands from her head.
"Isn't there another way, Nabiki?" whined Akane.
"Sorry, sis, but no. Your hands are thickly glued to your hair. Unless you want to wait for two whole years for it to wear off or have the glue melted, this is the only way."
"I will get those skanks back for this!"
"You should forget it, Akane. From what I saw, you were the one who instigated it. Unlike you, they only take action when provoked, and you did plenty of that. It's called consequence. You're lucky this is all they did."
"I don't need to hear that right now, Nabiki!"
Nabiki sighed as she continued to free Akane's hands.
The end of the day…
Ranma and his group were the last to leave the school.
"Soon, we'll all be saying goodbye to this place.." Said Musa.
"By the way, Stella, I saw your little handiwork back at P.E. class." Ranma said.
Stella could only giggle in response before saying, "Well, she had it coming. Her cheap shots were getting annoying."
"I kind of wonder what happened afterward." Flora started.
"YOU SLUTTY BITCHES!"
The group turned towards the voice once they had reached the school gate. Standing there was an angry Akane, but what stood out was the state of her hair. It was a complete frazzled mess, and looked like patches of it had been ripped from her head or had gotten a haircut with a weed-eater. It almost looked like she had two big near-bald spots on the top of her head.(3) Not only that, Akane still had remnants of her hair glued to her hands, giving the look that she had hairy palms.
Everyone struggled not to laugh at the sight. Their muffled chortling only angered Akane even more.
"Oh my… love what you've done with the hair." Musa commented from her giggling.
"Now violent-as-gorilla girl actually be gorilla girl." Added Shampoo after seeing the state of her palms.
"Or could be a hygiene problem…" chuckled Ukyou.
"STOP LAUGHING! YOU DID THIS TO ME!"
The group finally managed to calm down before Stella spoke up. "It's cause and effect, my dear. You think we'd take your immature bullying lying down? I don't think so. If anything, you caused it."
"We don't start fights, but we definitely finish them." Said Bloom.
Akane was livid. "You… you…"
Nabiki shows up at that moment behind Akane. "Akane! Don't do anything foolish!"
"STAY OUT OF THIS, NABIKI!" Akane shouted.
"You should really listen to your sister this time, Akane." Said Tecna.
"Yeah. We heard about that little incident with the Ono Clinic some time ago." Said Layla. "Your anger problem is a hazard in itself."
"Seriously, you've got an anger problem." Added Bloom.
"I DON'T NEED TO HEAR THIS FROM SOME GAIJIN TRASH!" Akane screamed. "I heard you're finally going to go back to where you belong, but before that, I'm going to beat you all to pulps!"
"Akane! Stop!" shouted Nabiki.
Nabiki's words fell on deaf ears as Akane charged at the group with a full head of steam. Layla suddenly stepped forth and threw a water projectile shaped like a fist right in the angry girl's face, knocking her back and drenching her in the process. Akane sputters and immediately gets up, brandishing her mallet, eyes blazing.
"YOU TRASHY BITCH!"
She charged with mallet raised, but then it gets burned to ashes by Bloom shooting a fire stream at it. Stella follows up by firing a light beam at her face, knocking her down again.
"Akane!" Nabiki rushed to her downed sister's side, seeing she was relatively fine.
Stella took a step forward and addressed the short-tempered girl. "You really should've listened to your sister. And here I was thinking about restoring your hair since it's a crime of style."
"W-what!?"
"Yeah, I can restore your hair. However, I won't do that since you wouldn't really learn anything. Think of it as a reminder that actions can have consequences."
"RESTORE MY HAIR RIGHT NOW YOU STUPID BIMBO!"
"Well! You certainly won't get anything if you're going to demand like that, so I'll have to decline."
Akane screamed and charged again. Before she could launch herself at the group, Stella used her lucid warp to teleport them all away, leaving Akane to jump and crash through empty air. She punches her fist into the ground in frustration.
Behind her, Nabiki could only shake her head. After everything that had happened, she was the only person in the house who wised up and not risked taking any action against Ranma and his group in fear of a reprisal. Since they are magic-users, they are capable of anything. She could only hope Kasumi and Dr. Tofu were okay, as she had heard about the Ono Clinic incident as well. The middle Tendo sister had been disappointed in what Akane had caused that time.
Next day…
"RANMA! PREPARE TO DIE!"
Ranma simply dodged the downward umbrella stab from Ryoga, which formed a crater where he once stood. He took a bored expression as he looked at the lost boy.
"Again, it's been a while since you've shown up last. What is it this time?" Ranma asked uncaringly.
"You'll pay for what happened to Akane!" Ryoga swung wildly at his rival, who simply weaved in and out of his attacks.
"Excuse me? What exactly did I do?"
"Don't give me that, you bastard! Akane's hair is ruined because of you! This insult will be avenged!"
"Please, I had nothing to do with that. If anything, it's a consequence of her own actions."
"I'LL SEND YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL!"
Gold Helia suddenly shot forth from Ranma with a side kick into Ryoga's solar plexus, then gets replaced by Onyx Riven, who sends Ryoga up with a hard uppercut to the chin. Platinum Sky then jumps up after Ryoga and sends him back down with an axe kick. Finally, Diamond Brandon pops out and throws a hard punch alongside Ranma on Ryoga before he hit the ground, sending him flying and crashing right into the wall. The lost boy collapsed to the ground unceremoniously.
"If you don't have any new strategies, don't bother trying to fight me again, especially over something pointless. I'm afraid my own skills will dwindle if I continue fighting you with the same patterns." Ranma then walks off to run his errands before he had been sidetracked.
Ryoga slowly propped himself onto his hands and glared at Ranma's retreating form, who disappeared into the distance. "D-damn you… Ranma…! I swear… I'll give you what you deserve…!"
"Ryoga…"
Ryoga's eyes widened when he heard his name and turned toward the source of the voice. He was surprised to see Akane behind him. "A-A-Akane…?"
Akane stood over him angrily. Her palms still had bits of her hair glued to them, and she was currently wearing a small black afro wig over her ruined hair. She had managed to catch sight of the one-sided fight between Ryoga and Ranma. Although Akane was still angry for the fact Ryoga had been her former pet, P-Chan, she was at least hoping that he would take Ranma down a peg or two. Needless to say, she was more than disappointed with the outcome of the fight.
"It's bad enough that you lied to me about your curse, but you can't even back up your talk…"
"But… but I was trying to defend your honor…"
"And you did a great job of that, didn't you!?" Akane interrupted. "And here I was thinking about forgiving you if you had beaten Ranma, but you're completely useless! I don't know why I would even think of giving you a chance to redeem yourself!"
Akane left in anger for home.
"Akane! Please wait!" Ryoga pleaded, but the angry girl ignored him and was already gone. Ryoga was too beaten to follow, and even if he weren't he'd just get lost trying to follow anyway. All he could do was prop himself against the wall. 'Damn you, Ranma!'
The rest of the week seemed to have passed without too much of a hassle, and certainly wasn't uneventful. Ranma went on a few more outings with everyone, one of those times was visiting the secret hidden garden of Ryukumon and Jinko (4). The two ghosts were happy to see Ranma and Flora again, this time with friends. The first-time visitors couldn't help but marvel at the garden. Afterwards, they offered a way to make sure the garden is protected via a spell of concealment from the outside that would prevent it from being built upon. Also, since the two are ghosts, they were told of an ability to be able to travel to Magix via a talisman from Stella, who is well-traveled in dimensions. Ryokumon and Jinko had been alone for many years, and being able to see others again was a welcome change. Seeing the two ghosts, Bloom couldn't help but think about her older sister, Daphne.
At Furinkan, an after-school party was held for the Winx when news of their departure was known. To leave a lasting impression, the girls went in their Enchantix forms while Shampoo and Ukyou went in their were-forms. A good majority of the students, especially the boys, were saddened to see the Faeries of Alfea leave. Among the ones were Hiroshi, Daisuke, Yuka, and Sayuri. Kuno had once again tried to lay claim to the girls, but gets painfully ejected thanks to Hinako, who drained him, leaving him to float away in the wind.
Other than the interruptions, it went without a hitch.
Ranma and the others had also been greatly surprised to see Nabiki also attending. All the other participants were also surprised and not happy to see her there due to her past dealings. The mercenary Tendo pleaded to have come in peace. Due to Bloom's aura sight, she was able to tell that Nabiki was being sincere. After all, Nabiki was now the only resident of the Tendo Dojo to have any kind of common sense. She had learned the hard way not to go against a group of magic-users, for the reprucussions would overweigh what benefits she could get out of it. In short, it was pointless to try and start anything. Bloom and the others convinced everyone to allow Nabiki to attend. The students figured if the group approved, it was fine, but they would still be wary. Nabiki was glad, and she had seen how her past misgivings had cost her socially. Still, she was going to try and fix this.
From a distance, Akane witnessed the party and growled angrily. The girl was even more angry to see Nabiki attending it as well. She stomps off in a huff towards home. One thing's for sure, Akane planned to give Nabiki an earful for her "betrayal".
'When those sluts leave, things should go back to the way they were.'
The day…
Earlier in the week, both the Neko Haten and Ucchan's had going-out-of-business sales at their places. Both establishments had been packed and were quite busy, what with the discounts and specials, not to mention loyal patrons who wanted a taste of the food before both eateries closed their doors. Shampoo, Mousse, and Cologne tended to their restaurant with the help of Bloom, Stella, and Nodoka. Ukyou had help from Flora, Musa, Tecna, Layla, Kasumi, Dr. Tofu and Sasuke. Ranma used the opportunity to work out his double technique, splitting himself into two separate beings so as to help out in both establishments. To say it had been busy would have been an understatement.
Now, the day had finally come.
In an abandoned lot, the Saotome Family and friends stood with their belongings. Among them was Cologne on her staff. She had sent a letter to the Joketsuzoku about the current situation and that they will be joining their "honorary Amazons" to their realm to broaden the pride of the Chinese Amazons.
"Well, this is it…" said Zing.
"It is time we returned to Magix." Said Nodoka. Before they had gotten to the lot, she had caused the family home to vanish into her pack in order to keep a part of her close. "I trust you've handled all your affairs?"
Everyone looked towards each other for a moment before nodding. "We have." Replied Bloom.
Ranma nodded as he thought back to a time with a certain gymnast.
Flashback…
Ranma had been walking through the park with Musa and Layla. Black rose petals suddenly blew by.
"Oh no… not her…" said Ranma.
"OOOOOH HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"Whoa!" said Musa as she and Layla quickly jumped away before the ground they were on gets lashed by a ribbon.
"Ranma Darling is mine! Mine!" announced Kodachi as she attacked the two Faeries.
"What do you think you're doing, you psycho!?" shouted Layla.
"What does it look like, you harridan? I'm reclaiming my love from his captors!"
"Excuse me?" said Musa.
"Have you forgotten our fight long ago?" Layla asked angrily.
"I abandoned my passion for Ranma Darling at the time, and now I burn anew with a new passion for him!" replied Kodachi in a matter of fact tone. "And now, I will take you down and your floozy friends so as to free him of your wiles! OH OHOHOHOHO!"
She lashed out with her ribbon again at the two with intent for big damage, but it was caught in a vice-like grip from Ranma.
"That's enough." Ranma said coldly.
The message wasn't received as Kodachi immediately began prancing towards him with affection. "Oh Ranma Darling! Your beloved Kodachi is here to-"
WHAP!
Kodachi fell hard to the ground and looked up at Ranma with shock as she held her stinging cheek. She couldn't believe it! Ranma had actually slapped her!
"Ranma Darling?"
"DON'T call me that…" Ranma interrupted angrily.
"But Ranma Dar-"
Kodachi was cut off as Onyx Riven emerged and gripped her by the throat and lifted her up. She was confused as to how she was being lifted, but was forced to listen to Ranma.
"Listen and listen good, Kodachi. I've had it up to here with your nonsense! I didn't want to do this, but you left me with no choice! Let me make it perfectly clear to you: I DON'T LOVE YOU! I never loved you! In fact, I don't even like you! You think after everything you've pulled, attacking those I care about, that I would feel anything remotely romantic towards you? Get real!"
Kodachi couldn't believe what she was hearing from Ranma.
"You've done nothing but try to drug me and blackmail me. Who the hell in their right mind would fall for someone who does those things to them? You treated me like a possession! I was never yours to begin with and I never will be! Your fantasy of me loving you is nothing but that! A fantasy! Well it's time to wake up! This latest stunt you pulled had finally pissed me off!"
He came closer to Kodachi with eyes filled with anger, which scared the girl.
"If you EVER attack anyone I care about ever again, I promise I will beat you to a pulp myself, and I honor my promises, unlike you."
Onyx Riven dropped Kodachi to the ground, causing the girl to gasp for much needed air.
"Now for the last time, Kodachi, I. Don't. Love. You. Leave me and my friends alone."
Ranma waited for Kodachi to recover. She had clearly become more tearful with each word Ranma had said to her. The last statements struck her to her very soul. As she stood up, she bowed her head quietly and sobbed. After a few moments, she ran off with her face in her hands.
The pigtailed boy could only sigh as he watched the fleeing gymnast. Layla and Musa approached him from behind.
"You okay, Ranma?" asked Musa with worry.
"Somewhat, Musa." Replied Ranma. "I could have handled that better."
"There was nothing more you could've said to her." Added Layla. "If she couldn't understand straight off, then I guess there isn't anything else that can be done."
"I suppose you're right. In any case, you two aren't hurt, are you?"
"Oh you know us. We're good." Said Musa.
Above, Amore had witnessed the scene. She had seen the one-sided infatuation of Kodachi towards Ranma in the form of a frayed, unstable string, and that string had been effectively cut after Ranma had told the girl off.
"It wasn't really love, it was more an obsession…" Amore said sympathetically.
End flashback…
Ranma was shaken to reality when he heard his mom's voice.
"Then it is time we say goodbye to Nerima."
Nodoka turns and holds up a hand. Before she could start her transport spell, there was a shout.
"HOLD IT!"
Everyone groaned when they heard the voice as they recognized the owner. Turning, they saw the residents of the Tendo Dojo: Genma, Soun, Nabiki, and Akane.
"Boy, you will return and fulfill your obligations!" said Genma.
"It is a matter of honor!" added Soun.
"I said it a hundred times, I'M NOT MARRYING THAT STUPID PERVERT!" screamed Akane. "Just return Kasumi and restore my hair!"
Nabiki could only shake her head at her family's behavior.
The group just glared at the trio. They just couldn't believe how persistent they are.
"Are you guys suffering from memory loss or something? I'm no longer engaged, so the pledge means absolutely NOTHING to me! I'm not obligated to follow your wishes!" said Ranma angrily.
"You WILL do it, boy! For the sake of the family name! It is what I planned for you!" said Genma.
"Is that right?" asked Nodoka, who stepped forward. Genma cringed at the sight of his wife, but tried to hold up a brave front. He will not be denied. "Then it's a good thing I did this."
She pulled out an envelope and tossed it to Genma, who caught it. He looked in confusion at her, who motioned for him to look inside. He does, and what he finds caused his eyes to widen.
"No-Nodoka!? These…! These are…!"
"That's right, Genma. They're divorce papers. I'm no longer your wife, and you no longer have custody of Ranma."
Genma sank to his knees as the realization hit him. "No… no…"
Soun was hysterical and began bawling about how the schools will no longer be joined.
"And with this, the agreement of the joining of the schools is now officially null and void." Said Nodoka. "You will never darken our lives with your presence again."
"I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!" shouted Genma as he made a charge at Ranma in a last ditch effort.
He never got the chance to get close as Platinum Sky emerged from his host and punted Genma into LEO. The remaining three were confused as to how that happened.
"He could easily be tried for attempted kidnapping from that action." Said Cologne in a nonchalant tone.
It was then Soun noticed Kasumi standing with the group. "Kasumi dear! Please come back home with us!"
Kasumi shook her head. "I'm sorry, Father, but I am home."
"And she likes it." Dr. Tofu added, standing next to her.
"But… but…" Soun started. He looked to Nabiki and Akane for help.
"But we're your family, Kasumi! Not them!" said Akane.
"They are more of a family than you could ever hope to be." Kasumi countered.
Akane couldn't believe it. She looked to Nabiki. "Nabiki! Help me out here!"
Nabiki only walked forward and stopped. Kasumi walked over to her before stopping four feet away. The middle Tendo pulled something out of her pocket and presented it to the former house caretaker. Kasumi was shocked at what it was.
"Nabiki… is that…?" Kasumi started.
"Yeah. It's Mom's diary." Said Nabiki. The book was the last remnant of the deceased Tendo matriarch. "If you're going to leave, I thought it would be right for you to have it. If anything, we're not in any position to hold anything of hers with the way we've been. You were right. Mom would be ashamed if she saw us now. But you, she would be proud to see you taking control of your life. Maybe it's time I did the same."
Nabiki placed the diary in Kasumi's hands before backing away a step.
Akane was shocked at what happened. "Hey Nabiki! That was given to me! What are you-"
"SHUT UP, AKANE!" shouted Nabiki, stunning the girl. She turned her attention towards the group before her. "I know this is late, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry for everything…" She looked at Kasumi. "And Kasumi, I can understand if you don't believe me, but-"
She was cut off when the elder Tendo girl suddenly hugged her, surprising the mercenary.
"Thank you, Nabiki…"
Nabiki overcame her shock as she felt like she was going to cry. She embraced Kasumi back. "Take care of yourself, Big Sis."
Once they separated, Nabiki addressed the group. "Please take good care of my sister."
Ranma and friends nodded.
"Nabiki! What are you doing!?" Akane demanded.
"I'm seeing my sister off." Nabiki replied.
"But you can't!"
"Says who? Kasumi is happy where she is, and we are in no position to get in her way."
Nodoka then holds out her hand and formed a glowing portal of light in the air above. "It is time to go."
The group is surrounded in light and levitated to the portal.
"NO! I WON'T ALLOW THIS!" shouted Soun as he ran for them. He was struck down with a small Moko Takabisha to the face, courtesy of Ranma.
The group had levitated up through the portal and vanished before it closed itself up. The lot was once again empty.
'Have a safe trip…' thought Nabiki.
"Nabiki! How could you let her go like that!?" shouted Akane.
Nabiki turned and headed for home, ignoring her little sister. Akane could only shout in frustration with Soun laying prone nearby.
Outskirts of Alfea…
Ranma and the others had arrived on grounds near Alfea College. Kasumi, Mousse, Sasuke, and Dr. Tofu marveled at the sight of the scenery.
"It's so beautiful…" said Kasumi in awe.
"That was our first reaction, too." Said Ukyou.
"There's the school up ahead!" said Lockette.
"Well let's get going." Said Flora.
"Hold on, Flora. There's still one more matter to attend to." Said Nodoka before addressing Kasumi, Sasuke, and Dr. Tofu. "Now, I had talked to you about this before. In order for you to enter, you need to do something first."
The three nodded in understanding. It was a choice they made.
"I understand, Mistress." Said Sasuke.
"As do I." added Kasumi.
"Me, too." Tofu finished.
Nodoka nodded and produced three small bottles of water.
To be continued…
Ending
As the credits roll, within a deep forest, Ryoga walked aimlessly.
"That damn Ranma…! I will make him pay if it's the last thing I do!"
"Oh? Is that a fact?"
Ryoga was startled at the new voice. "Who's there!?"
"Relax, I'm a friend."
"How do I know that!?"
"Because we share a common enemy, you and I."
"What?"
"You want to defeat Ranma, I want him out of the way. Perhaps we can help each other out. Just how badly do you want to beat him?"
"I'll do whatever it takes!"
"Then join us."
Ryoga saw a shadowy figure before him, then heard a familiar voice.
"You're asking him? This my either be entertaining or just a big headache."
Ryoga snarled at hearing the voice. "YOU!"
Happosai made himself known. "Relax, punk. I'm in the same boat as you. He gave me an offer I couldn't refuse."
"And what did he promise you anyway?" asked Ryoga suspiciously.
"Oh, you know… heheheh…" Happosai said with a lecherous grin.
Ryoga recognized the look. "On second thought, forget I asked."
"Then let us go." Said the shadow before opening up a portal.
"Wait. Who are you?" asked Ryoga.
The shadow turned to him, his features finally seen. "You can call me… Valtor."
End ending
Preview…
Flora: After our time in Tokyo, we've returned back to Alfea!
Tecna: The schools are finally repaired after that horrible incident.
Bloom: Meanwhile, our newest guests begin to adjust to their new lives.
Stella: Oho? What's going on with Mousse?
Layla: It will be another crazy semester, I know that much.
Ranma: Next time, on Ranma Club, 'We're Back! The New Semester!' Something tells me that our troubles are far from over. Just my luck…
Author's notes:
FINALLY! It took a while but I did it. I wanted to make sure I effectively tied up any loose ends. Still, I feel as though I rushed this chapter. What do you all think? Again, see you all next chapter!
(1):You know which island…
(2):Taken from the prank Mahoney pulled on Mauser in Police Academy 2.
(3):I always thought Akane's hair looked ugly and stupid, so honestly, I don't think I made it look any worse.
(4):Back in Chapter 27 on Flora's date.
mrstardust89: Doubt it, sorry. That series has made me pissed off with how it's written lately.
cyddiddhfbsy: Huh?
dcuvgbh: You got it.
rosewillow narusasufangirl: Well this way solves everything.
god of all: Indeed.
wolf master97: When I think of how.
RHatch89: What you think now?
kellym01: Nice guess, but who? You'll have to wait...
Ryan L. Spradling: That will be dealt with next time.
El Irrespondible: Don't share that mental image, please...
Erick-Genryusai: Oh you'll be surprised...
eddog2323: It would just be the Fairy Hunters.