My Life's Stranger Than Yours

(A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm back with the first new chapter of 2019, and what better way to kick off the new year than with the long awaited fight between Videl and Shampoo. No review response this time, let's just get straight to it.)

Prove Your Worth! Videl vs. Shampoo

As soon as Cologne gave the word, the two young girls each launched a fierce roundhouse kick at each other, their legs colliding hard. Following their initial attack, they both pulled away and fell back into their respective stances.

While Videl still looked as determined as ever, Shampoo had a more inquisitve look on her face. Shampoo kept her stern glare on Videl as the short haired girl followed up by throwing a hard right cross at the young Amazon. Shampoo deflected and countered Videl's attack by turning her body and spinning into an elbow strike that nailed Videl in the back of the head.

Videl stumbled forward attempting to recover, but Shampoo kept up the offense by throwing a palm strike into Videl's back launching her forward and onto the ground.

A disgruntled Videl rubbed the spot where Shampoo's attack had landed as she picked herself back up. 'Okay...I admit that wasn't bad.'

"Shampoo is willing to let new girl give up," the purple haired girl taunted.

"Hmph, not a chance," Videl replied turning back to face Shampoo. Taking a runner's position, much to the confusion of Shampoo and Cologne, Videl darted forward and launched herself at Shampoo intending to tackle her. Shampoo simply sidestepped Videl's attack, but the raven haired girl was prepared. Landing in a handstand, Videl twisted her body around and struck Shampoo with a spinning kick. Shampoo was briefly caught off guard but managed to block Videl's attack.

Using her arms, Videl vaulted and flipped over Shampoo where she attempted to attack with her own elbow strike which the bouncy Amazon effortlessly caught. Shampoo quickly counterattacked with a swift punch but Videl was able to catch her fist, locking the two girls into a stalemate.

"Shampoo no understand why Great-Grandmother so interested in new girl. So far, Shampoo not impressed."

"I'm just warming up!" Videl snapped back.

Lifting her leg and pressing her foot against Shampoo's abdomen, Videl harshly kicked her away creating some distance between the two combatants. As Shampoo quickly regained her balance, Videl dashed forward and attacked with a roundhouse kick that Shampoo once again narrowly avoided.

As Videl struck with a follow-up kick from her opposite leg, Shampoo dodged by letting her body fall back and back-flipping away from Videl. Not willing to let Shampoo escape, with impressive speed, Videl zipped within striking range and showered Shampoo with a volley of punches, keeping the young Amazon on the deffensive.

As the two girls continued their bout, the two spectators began to voice their current opinions on the match at hand.

"Hmmmm..." Cologne hummed.

"What is it?" asked Akane.

"I'll admit this much, the girl certainly is a vastly more competent fighter than her bumbling father," the elder noted.

"See? I told you."

"Still, nothing I've seen thus far has convinced me that training her would be worth my time," Cologne added.

Akane held her tongue. She didn't want to admit it, but from how things were playing out now, Shampoo definitely seemed to have the edge. Still, she had yet to use her trump card. Akane could only clench her fist in anticipation.

Back in the fight, Videl was beginning to get irritated. No matter what attack she tried, Shampoo was able to dodge, block and/or counter her and it looked like she was hardly trying. Determined to break through Shampoo's guard, Videl lifted both her fists and struck with a powerful overhead attack, but Shampoo was once again able to block the attack, this time parrying her strike with her forearms and lightly knocking Videl back.

"An opening!"

Videl could hardly react as Shampoo closed the gap between them and fired off a fierce palm strike right in the raven-haired girl's face.

"Gaaaaah!"

As Videl held her pained cheek, Shampoo stood poised ready to unleash a string of blows.

"Now it Shampoo's turn to attack!" she said with a victorious grin.

Cartwheeling forward, Shampoo struck Videl with a back hand to the head which she raised her hand to defend against. Shampoo's attack was a feint however, and she actually struck Videl with a chop to the side of the torso. While Videl stumbled from her attack, Shampoo followed up with an uppercut to Videl's gut before finishing her combo with a sweeping leg kick, eliminating Videl's balance.

'Oh no!' Akane internally shrieked.

Videl was able to catch herself with her hands and regain her momentum, but Shampoo wasn't giving her a moment to breathe. As soon as Videl turned to face her opponent, she eyed Shampoo preparing to throw a potentially game ending fist at her. Despite regaining her composure, Videl was not in a favorable position to avoid Shampoo's attack...at least...not conventionally.

'Time for me to take control of this fight!'

With a cocky grin finding it's way to her face, Videl prepared to make her move. Shampoo finally fired off her attack at Videl, who made no effort to dodge it.

'Hmph. Well, I guess that's that,' Cologne mentally sighed.

Before Shampoo's fist struck Videl however, the short haired girl suddenly seemed to vanish from sight and Shampoo wound up striking the ground, creating small cracks in the earth beneath her.

"Eh...!?"

'What!?'

Before Shampoo or Cologne could fully process what had happened, Shampoo was knocked aside by a strong and harsh side kick to the side of the head.

"Aiyyee...!" Shampoo shrieked as she regained her composure.

"Sorry, but this fight isn't over yet!" she could hear Videl say.

Placing a hand where she got hit, Shampoo angrily responded to Videl's proclamation. "Hmph, new girl got lucky shot!" Turning to face her assailanit, Shampoo continued speaking. "Shampoo not know how new girl dodge attack, but she won't let...Aiyyaaaa!"

Shampoo let out a surprised shriek as she laid eyes on her opponent.

"What in...!?" Cologne had an expression of similar if not equal surprise on her face at the sight of Videl as well. Not only was the girl that Shampoo had previously been dominating looking none the worse for wear, she was also floating in midair!

"That's...!?" Cologne stammered.

Akane could only chuckle at the elder Amazon's loss for words. "See, I told you she had a few surprises in store!"

"How...how come New Girl floating!?" Shampoo exclaimed.

"Oh it's just a little technique I learned. Nothing too special," Videl answered, smugly placing her hands on her hips. "Then again, it's also something of a trump card, so I guess you could say it's a little special," Videl added raising her guard once again. "Now let's see how well you defend against THIS!"

Videl zoomed over to Shampoo, closing the gap nigh instantly, and striking with a flying side kick. The surprised young Amazon cartwheeled aside to avoid the attack but was struck from behind and knocked to the ground by Videl flying into Shampoo with a midair tackle before handsprinting off the purple haired girl's back and landing flawlessly back on the ground.

Shampoo quickly picked herself up, a look of extreme irritation on her face. "New girl may be able to fly, but that no mean she can win against Shampoo!" she declared.

"True, but if you wanna win this fight, you'll have to catch me first!" Videl challeneged. Making the classic, 'come at me motion' with her hand, Videl stood poised confident to take on Shampoo's next attack. Sprinting at Videl, Shampoo attacked with a quick jab that Videl simply sidestepped. Shampoo tried to follow up with a palm strike to the chest, but Videl simply levitated off the ground and flipped over Shampoo's head, launching and nailing another flying kick to her head.

Shampoo quickly recovered and darted after Videl throwing blow after blow at her, but the Ki-inclined girl only continued to sway, acrobat, and float away from Shampoo's onslaught.

Cologne continued watching the fight with a newly invigorated interest in Videl's abilities. 'That's bukujutsu, the 'Sky Dancing Technique'!'

Videl continued her aerial onsluaght on Shampoo, striking with a flurry of rapid kicks before quickly zipping away in midair and following up with a more powerful straight kick. Shampoo managed to defend from the first barrage, but when she tried to defend from Videl'

'To be able to use such an advanced technique so effortlessly...this girl may have more talent and skill than I initially thought, but...' Cologne narrowed her eyes. "...to learn that technique in the first place...she has to have trained with...!"

Cologne's eyes snapped wide open as the face of a certain old man with shades and hair resembling a pair of wings flashed in her mind.

"Shampoo! Hold nothing back! Take that girl down at all costs!" Cologne shouted!

"Huh?" Videl could understand Cologne wanting her great-granddaughter to win, but the urgency she heard in her voice was a definite red flag.

A pleased sneer grew on Shampoo's face as she replied, "Of course!"

Shampoo then proceeded to reach into the chest area of her dress and pull out what looked to be a small stick. Shampoo held the stick in front of her face and with a flick off her finger, the stick expanded revealing it to be a metal fan.

"What is-Gyah!"

Videl was cut off by Shampoo tossing her fan at Videl, forcing her to duck under it.

"Hey! Watch the-GAH!"

Videl was once again cut off by the fan circling back around like a boomerang and nailing her in the back of the head, forcing her back to ground level. As Videl shook off the shock from Shampoo's last attack, the hardenened Amazon rushed at Videl with two metal fans in hand, slashing them at Videl.

"Wha-!"

Videl was able to back flip away from Shampoo's attack, but was kept on the evasive when Shampoo hurled both fans at Videl. Videl swiftly dodged the projectiles, watching them get stuck in the ground, but was barely given a moment to rest as Shampoo closed the gap between them and slashed at Videl with a curved sword. Videl was able to avoid a direct hit from the blade, but the front of her shirt had a wide gash in it.

"What the...where the hell did you get that!?" Videl demanded.

Shampoo ignored Videl's inquiry as she simply continued swinging her sword at the stunned, honorary Z-Fighter. Videl could only continuously avoid Shampoo's barrage. With her being so close to her with that sword, if she made a single wrong move, she'd be on the receiving end of a potentially lethal slash, so she couldn't even make an attempt to fly away.

"Who said...you could bring weapons...to this match anyway!?" Videl snapped.

"Amazon use any mean to obtain victory, especially in Anything-Goes-Martial Arts," Shampoo replied.

A bead of sweat ran down the side of Videl's head. 'I know Ranma brought that up before, but with a name like that, that's just begging for every rule in the book to get broken.'

"Wait a second Cologne!" Akane interjected. "I thought this was supposed to be a sparring match! Also, last I checked, the fight's still going on so your 'Kiss of Death' rule isn't in effect either!"

"True, this was intended to be just a simple sparring match, but that technique of your friend..." Cologne trailed off.

"What about it?" Akane asked.

Before Cologne could answer, the two of them paused at the sound of one of the two fighting girls letting out a loud pained scream.

"Videl!" Akane exclaimed.

Back in the fight, Videl had done a great job of avoiding Shampoo's sword...though the current condition of her outfit may suggest otherwise. Despite not getting cut herself, Videl's over and undershirts were both left shredded tatters due to a few too many close calls. Unfortuantely, fatigue also began to take it's toll, and Shampoo finally managed to get a hit on Videl's thigh with her sword. Videl was sick of playing defense, and she couldn't keep it up. If she wanted to win this thing, she had to make her move now.

As Videl retreated away from Shampoo's continued onslaught, she couldn't help but notice the beads of sweat rolling down Shampoo's face, as well as her expression. She was looking pretty winded herself, and judging from the look on her face, she was looking pretty irritated.

'Guess it's now or never,' Videl thought.

Taking a step backwards, Videl uncharacteristically stumbled, landing on her backside.

'An opening!' Shampoo thought. Taking the initiative, Shampoo darted to close the gap between them, her sword raised skyward.

"This the end Flying Girl!" Shampoo declared.

Videl shot her opponent a victorious grin. "Yup...for you!"

Raising both her legs, Videl caught the blade between her feet before using the strength in her arms to twist her body around and fling the sword out of Shampoo's grip and into a nearby fire hydrant with a sign on it that said, 'Please Do Not Fling Sharp Objects At This Hydrant'

"Aiyaaa!"

'I had a feeling she'd leave herself open if she thought she had a definitive win over me. All I had to do was bait her,' Videl thought.

"Hmph, Shampoo no need sword to win, especially with cut in Flying Girl's leg," said Shampoo.

"This is nothing. I've taken worse than a single sword slash sister!" Videl shot back.

The two combatants stood poised ready to continue their fight. They hurriedly rushed at each other as fast as their tired bodies could until...

CLANK!

SPLOOOSSSH!

The Hydrant with the sword in it finally gave out, spraying cold water onto all three girls, in the lot, Cologne pogoing away just in time to avoid the splash.

"Gyaaaa!" Akane shrieked.

"Ughh...why does it feel like I'm always getting wet lately, huh?" Videl thought aloud.

As she wrung her shirt out, she couldn't help but notice that Shampoo was surprisingly silent in all that mess. As she turned back to her opponent, she was stunned to find that she seemed to have disappeared. Expecting Shampoo to launch some kind of sneak attack in the confusion, Videl quickly raised her guard up until she heard a soft sound coming from behind her.

"Meeeow."

"Uhhh...Akane...am I imagining things, or did you just hear a cat?" asked a confused Videl.

Akane merely pointed and Videl's gaze followed until she was looking back at where Shampoo should've been, only this time, she looked down and gasped as she saw a very familiar looking Chinese outfit laying in a crumpled heap. The clothing started to rustle before a furry little head poked out from beneath the discarded cloth, revealing itself to be a small purple kitten. Recalling a similar incident from earlier, Videl finally put all the pieces together.

'Wait...don't tell me...!'

"Shampoo!?"

"Mrroooooww!"

"Her too!?" Videl exclaimed. "Geeze, how many people have this Jusenkyo curse thing anyway!?"

"Well...five off the top of my head, but you'd be better off asking Ranma, since there may be a few I'm just forgetting or he straight up hasn't told me about."

[Elsewhere]

A familiar boy clad in yellow let out a loud hearty sneeze which echoed across the mouth of the cave he was currently about to enter.

'Huh...wonder who's talking about me now?' he thought as a low growl steadily began to emenate from the cave.

[Back with the girls]

"Well, I guess that's one way of ending a fight," Cologne sighed as she pogoed over to the younger girls, a tea kettle in hand.

While Akane and Videl wrung their clothes out, Cologne poured the kettle's contents over the yowling kitten. From the ensuing cloud of steam, Shampoo emerged in human form...completely naked.

"Well...that's gotta be annoying," a lightly blushing Videl commented.

"Fly Girl have no idea," Shampoo replied grabbing her clothes.

"Regardless, I think it's fair we call this match a draw," said Cologne.

"Speaking of the match..." Videl interjected. "What the hell was the deal with the fans and sword!?" she exclaimed. "Wasn't this just supposed to be a sparring match?" Before Cologne could reply, Videl added, "You're not gonna say that was all 'to test my ability in critical situations' or something like that, are you?"

"No, but I will admit, you've shown yourself to be fairly competent in that kind of situation. As for your first question, I'll answer it with one of my own: Where exactly did you learn to use bukujutsu?"

"Boku what?"

"Great Grandmother means how can you fly," Shampoo clarified.

"Why do you need to know that?" Videl replied raising an eyebrow. "What does me being able to fly have to do with you two trying to kill me?"

"Apologies for the excessive force, but it was more or less a precaution, because that technique is an advanced yet signature teaching of an ancient, yet deadly martial arts academy: The Crane School!"

"Crane School? This is the first I've heard of it," Videl testified.

"Nevertheless, the Crane School is infamous amongst the world of serious martial artists for being the academy that birthed one of the world's most deadliest assassins. I figured if you had received their teachings in some form or another, it was best for Shampoo to not hold back," Cologne added.

"Hey Videl, do you think Gohan might know something about it?" asked Akane.

"Probably, but I know he didn't train with em' either," Videl replied.

As Cologne raised a curious eyebrow, Shampoo asked "Akane, why you and Flying Girl talk about rice?"

Akane snickered. "Has Gohan gotten sick of that joke yet, cause I feel like it happens to him a lot?"

Videl couldn't help but chuckle herself. "Not as much as you'd think, but it hasn't gotten old yet."

"What so funny now?" asked Shampoo.

"See, we weren't talking about food earlier, we were referring to my boyfriend. His name is Gohan, and he's actually the one who taught me how to fly," Videl explained. "Like I already said, I've never heard of this 'Crane School', but if I remember right, Gohan's dad was a student of the Turtle School when he was younger."

Cologne's eyes snapped open in utter shock. "Did you say...the Turtle School!?" she asked, an inquisitive look on her face. 'Wait a second...Gohan...!"

"Satan Girl, you said your man's name was Gohan correct? It wouldn't happen to be 'Son' Gohan would it?" asked Cologne.

"Yeah but...how did you...know that?"

"It just so happens that Son Gohan is the name of one of the Turtle School's greatest students. Although from what I've gathered through the grapevine he's long since left this world. I don't think you're other half having the same is just some coincidence."

'Huh, I never knew that. Is that how Gohan got his name?' Videl thought.

"I also heard that when the Son Gohan of old passed on, he was survived by a grandson, so now I ask; Your Gohan, what is his father's name?" Cologne added.

"It's Goku," Akane answered.

As soon as the name had left Akane's mouth, Cologne let out a small snicker. Her snickering soon grew into a much more spirited grin before it evolved into a hearty, yet hysterical laugh.

"Aiyaaa, Great-Grandmother? What so funny?" asked a genuinely concerned looking Shampoo.

Ignoring her Granddaughter, Cologne focused her attention back to Videl. "Young lady?"

"Yes?"

"When you first arrived at the Nekohanten you told me you were well acquainted with some of history's greatest martial artists. Let's just say, I have reason to believe you now. Not only that, but you've also shown your own competence as a fighter. Though you still have a long ways to go before you can even hope to challenge Ryoga," she stated.

"Does that mean...!?"

"Yes, I will train you in preparation for your upcoming battle." Cologne simply stated.

"Alri-AH!" Videl in a burst of exitement threw herself into the air, but quickly landed and took a knee. Unfortunately the resulting sharp pain in her thigh reminded her of her body's less than favorable condition at the time.

"Although I think it's safe to say we should start tomorrow," stated Cologne.

"Fine by me," Videl replied.

"But, let me give you fair warning. The training you'll go through may just be some of the most harshest and grueling trials you've ever had to experience thus far. Every hardship you've faced up till now will look like Kindergarten in comparison. This is the only chance you'll have to change your mind, so I ask you, are you absolutely sure you wish to go through with this training?" Cologne challenged.

Videl stared Cologne dead in the eye, visions of some of her toughest experiences flashing back to her. From battles with criminals, to her battle with Spopovitch, to the whole Majin Buu debacle. It may have been a bit arrogant to think this, but Videl majorly doubted that anything Cologne could throw at her could top those (especially the one where she literally freaking DIES!).

Videl nodded before sternly saying, "I'm sure."

"Well then. Get that leg of yours patched up and get plenty of rest tonight, cause tomorrow after school, you may never be able to rest again! Who knows, by the time you're done, you might actually be level with my Shampoo." Cologne taunted with a grin.

The girl in question let out a dissatisfied grunt as she crossed her arms. "Next time we fight, Flying Girl tricks won't catch Shampoo off guard again," she declared.

"Next time we fight, I won't even have to fly to get a leg up on you!" Videl shot back.

"Oh, one more thing. We'll discuss the terms of my services tomorrow as well. Remember, I'm not doing this for free, but money won't buy this either." Cologne added.

"Meaning?"

"You'll find out tomorrow. Come now Shampoo," on that note, Cologne hopped on her staff and started pogoing away, Shampoo jogging close behind leaving the two friends alone.

Once the Amazon duo was out of sight and earshot, Videl fell flat on the ground, panting hard.

"Videl! Are you alright?" asked a worried looking Akane.

The Furinkan fighter received her answer in the form of a low grumble.

"I think now I understand how Gohan and his family feel after a long, tough fight. I don't think I've ever been this tired or hungry in ages!" Videl playfully groaned.

"Maybe he's just rubbing off on you," Akane giggled.

Videl extended a hand up which Akane heartfully grasped, helping her friend back to her feet. As Videl stood back up, Akane couldn't helpbut notice how shaky she was. Understandable after that fight with Shampoo. She could most likely still walk but it didn't look like she could go very fast

'Hmmm...in that case.'

Akane turned her back to Videl and took a knee. Videl could only look in confusion before Akane said, "Well, get on!"

"Akane you don't have to carry me, I can still wa-AAH!"

Cutting Videl off, Akane took Videl by the arm and forcibly pulled her onto her back. "We're not having this argument. I've done it once with Ranma, and I'm not looking for a repeat. Now come on, let's get you patched up."

With Videl on her back, Akane ran out of the vacant lot and off to the one person she knew would have Videl back fighting fit in no time.

[Meanwhile]

Shampoo and Cologne had returned to the Cat Cafe. While Shampoo stormed off to take a much needed bath, Cologne headed towards the rear of the restaurant, deep in thought.

'That girl, Videl. She's acquainted with one of the Turtle Hermit's greatest students. It's not farfetched to think she may know the Turtle Hermit himself.' Her eyes narrowed. 'I must learn his whereabouts, because if anyone knows where she is, it's him!'

(A/N: Welp that as they say, is that. After an interesting demonstration by Videl, as well as a few info drops being dumped, Cologne has agreed to train Videl. But what exactly is she expecting to get in return, and who could SHE be? As for the fight itself, well, what can I even say, everyone kind of guessed how things would play out right down to the wire: Shampoo initially has the edge, Videl's flight powers turn the tide, etc. [I gotta work on my unpredictability]. Next time we'll slow things down a bit as Videl gets introduced to a couple more of Furinkan's regulars, one of whom should be no surprise, and who knows what Cologne will have in store for Videl? Only one way to find out.)

PS. I REALLY need to find a way to get around my block with my Spidey/MHA fanfic.