My Life's Stranger Than Yours
The Awaited Battle, Videl vs. Ryoga! Show the Results of Your Training!
[A/N: The previous chapter was uploaded on April 1st, but I feel compelled to mention that the upload was an honest chapter of the story. If you skipped out on it thinking it was an AFD prank, I implore you to go back and read it because, and I cannot stress this enough, it was NOT an April Fool's Day Prank. Okay back to your regularly scheduled shenanigans]
The Furinkan Student body looked in anticipation as Videl stood defiantly against her taller, burly opponent, shaken but far from deterred.
"Yeah, it's goin' pretty much how I expected," commented Ranma.
"Just wait and see Ranma. Videl hasn't used her new technique yet," Akane added.
"Oh believe me, I ain't turnin' away from this fight. I'm dyin' to see what Videl learnt from the ol' Ghoul."
A cross-armed Gohan silently stared at the battlefield, awaiting the outcome with bated breath. 'Be careful Videl.'
[]
Ryoga let out a disheartened sigh. "Your martial arts skills may be competent, but sadly, you don't have the strength to leave a single dent in me!" he taunted.
Videl grit her teeth in frustration. Despite the bit of 'bulking up' she'd manage to do these past days, her attacks still had little to no effect on the burly lost boy. 'I was kinda hoping my general training would be enough to at least wear him down, but oh well. I guess it's time to bust out the new stuff!'
Videl closed her eyes and took a deep breath before taking a defensive stance with her feet firmly planted on the ground. With an efforted grunt, she began to charge her energy.
"What is she doing?" Ryoga muttered to himself.
[]
'Show us the results of your training Videl!' Gohan inwardly cheered.
Her energy raised to its apex, Videl shot off at Ryoga at an impressive speed, winding up for a punch. Though Ryoga could still very easily dodge or block Videl's attack, he simply stood motionless, wide open as Videl closed in on him. Finally, her attack connected and Ryoga looked completely unfazed.
"It's like I said, you don't have the-!"
DMP-!
"Gah-!?"
The spectators all gasped as Ryoga clutched his stomach and stumbled backwards, seemingly in pain.
"No way!"
"She hurt him!?"
"But her attacks weren't working a minute ago…what happened?"
"That's Mr. Satan's daughter for ya!
[]
"Alright!" cheered Akane. "She pulled it off!"
"Looks pretty damn effective too. Imagine if someone on Ryoga's level did that to him," Ranma added.
Worry was still evident on Gohan's face, but he couldn't help but smile at Videl's current success, no matter how minor. The outcome of the fight was still to be determined, but a newfound confidence in his partner welled up inside the worrywart Saiyan.
[]
Ryoga looked at Videl with a shocked expression plastered on his face, an expression that seemed to match Videl's own.
"It…it worked…she stated softly."
Ryoga growled before his expression softened. "Okay…so you may be stronger than you look. That's the price I pay for being rude and cocky," he shook his head. "Still, after that, don't expect me to give you any more free shots!" he declared.
Videl's stunned expression quickly turned into one of genuine confidence. "I appreciate that last one, but trust me, after that, I won't need any more!" she shot back.
Standing firm, she raised her energy yet again, though this time, the change in the air around her did not go unnoticed by Ryoga.
'That stance again…what is she?'
His thoughts cut out as Videl once again zipped at him poised to attack. Not wanting to repeat their previous exchange, Ryoga brought his forearm up to block her incoming punch. Videl followed up her blocked attack with a second punch that was also guarded. Followed by another and another until she was showering the yellow clad fighter with a barrage of strikes that he was effortlessly guarding against.
"What's wrong? Where'd all your strength from earlier go!?" Ryoga yelled. Parrying one of Videl's punches with his forearm, Ryoga swung his umbrella sideways which Videl avoided by flipping over the long tool in the opposite direction.
'An opening!' Videl inwardly beamed. Landing in a crouched position, Videl launched herself forward and drove her knee into Ryoga's gut with a loud yell.
"Hrrryaaaagh!"
BDMP
"Graaaagh…!"
The impact hit much harder and Ryoga nearly doubled over as Videl retreated, using his umbrella as leverage.
"Gah…you…how are you…landing these big strikes!?" Ryoga demanded. "I've seen my fair share of strong women around these parts, and the last time we met, your strength didn't even come close to any of them!"
"To be honest, they still don't," Videl replied. "But to answer your question, let's just say a little old lady taught me how to use my inner strength."
"A little old…?" Ryoga's narrowed an eyebrow in confusion before realization hit. "I see…now it all makes sense. You…trained with Cologne, didn't you?"
Videl shrugged before playfully winking at Ryoga. "Guilty as charged."
Catching everyone off guard, Ryoga began chuckling.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I'm just feeling relieved that I can take the kid gloves off now," Ryoga replied.
"Kid gloves…? I thought you said you were gonna fight with your full strength from the start!" proclaimed an angered Videl.
"I did, but honestly, in my heart, I just couldn't go all out against someone who was just that much weaker than me," Ryoga melodramatically replied, shaking his fist.
"Excuse you!?" scoffed an offended Videl.
"But, since you went through the trouble of enduring what surely must've been hellish training from that witch, it'd be rude of me to hold back now. Not only that, if you're able to survive any kind of training from her, then you truly must be a fighter worth defeating!" Ryoga added, his voice gaining more and more vigor with each word. "I commend you for pushing me this far, and I must once again apologize if you happen to gain major injuries from this battle, but once again, you have no one to blame but that cowardly man!"
Videl's eyes narrowed sharply at Ryoga's last statement. "Hey, I told you, you don't talk about Gohan like tha-!"
Videl swallowed her words as the looming presence of Ryoga closed the gap between them in an instant and towered over her.
"What the…? How did he-!?
"Hraaaaagh!"
"Gwaaaagh…!"
The one who keeled over in pain this time was Videl as Ryoga swiftly and fiercely buried his fist into her stomach. In the next instance, his attack followed through launching the pained, winded girl away rolling her onto her back.
[]
"Videl no…!" Gohan hastily muttered.
"Ohhhh…that looked like it hurt," Ranma closed an eye, wincing at the scene.
Akane could only clench her fists in frustration. "It's not over yet boys…Videl can still win!"
"Can she though?"
Not even Gohan could've resisted pounding Ranma into the dirt after that one. "I was asking in earnest!" Ranma defended rubbing the two lumps on his head.
Gohan sighed. "Sorry Ranma…I'm just worried…."
"I don't blame ya. Still, you gotta admit it ain't exactly lookin' good for her out there."
'I know…I just hope we don't have a repeat of…that.'
[]
Videl slowly picked herself off the ground as Ryoga held his umbrella over his shoulder. "I don't know what Cologne taught you, but now that I'm aware of it, I won't give you the chance to catch me off guard with it again. I'm going to end this battle now!" he proclaimed.
Opening his umbrella, Ryoga tossed it by the handle and the unorthodox weapon spun like a top towards Videl. Still recovering from Ryoga's last attack, Videl could only somersault away from the dangerous rotator. Sadly for her, that put her right in the path of Ryoga who was darting after her with a finger raised.
"Since you've shown me what you learned from the old' lady, it's only fair that I show you mine! Take this, Bakusai Tenketsu!"
With a startled gasp, Videl managed to launch herself away from Ryoga as his finger struck the ground where she sat. She wasn't granted much if any relief however as the ground beneath her all but erupted in a storm of dust and rock, the debris striking her in midair.
"Agh…!"
As Videl instinctively rubbed dust out of her eye, her leg was grabbed and she found herself getting forcibly pulled out of the air and slammed onto the ground.
[]
"What was that!?" asked Gohan.
"The Breaking-Point Technique," answered a raspy voice.
The trio turned to see Cologne appear out of practically nowhere, mounted on her staff as usual.
"Ms. Cologne? What are you doing here?"
"Do you really think I'd dishonor my student by missing her long awaited fight? This is what I trained her for. I admit, I have little faith in her winning, but I do expect her to put on a good show."
Gohan rubbed the back of his head. "Okay, that makes sense, but could you elaborate on Ryoga's technique a little?" he requested.
"I'd rather not bore the readers with my explanation since they already know how it works, but just know that I taught Ryoga that technique many months ago in preparation for a battle against Ranma and training for that technique is partially responsible for Ryoga's incredible durability, and while it may be responsible for wrecking Mr. Satan's dojo, the technique in itself is non-lethal to people since we have no physical breaking point."
Before Gohan could ask a question, Ranma interjected. "Still, didn't think Ryoga would bust that out in this fight. He wasn't kidding when he said he wasn't gonna hold back anymore."
'I wonder if she's gonna push him to use that technique too…?'
[]
"Gragh-!"
Videl gasped out as Ryoga climed atop her, pinning her hands to the ground.
"You've put up a good fight, but this is where it all ends!" Ryoga proclaimed.
Videl struggled against Ryoga's grip, but to no avail as his strong hands kept her wrists in place. Her well of options running dry, Videl took in a deep breath.
"JUST WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TOUCHING!?"
"Whaaaaaaa-!?"
"WHAT!?"
"HUH-!?"
Instantly, murmurs grew all across the spectator field as all eyes were now plastered on the flustered Ryoga.
"Wait…I didn't…I'm not…!"
[]
With a certain quartet of spectators, a certain red-clad boy was on the ground laughing as a certain black-haired boy's expression went through a quick succession of surprise, embarrassment, and anger as his fist trembled with irritation.
[]
In the span of a few seconds, Ryoga removed himself from Videl's body before clasping his hands together and bowing apologetically. "I'm so sorry! I swear it was an accident! I didn't mean to! It was just supposed to be finishing move, I swear…! Please Akari, Akane,…you…Forgive me!"
"Take it easy already," Videl said casually.
Ryoga looked up from the ground to see Videl standing above him, her arms crossed, looking no better or worse than she was after his last attack. "You didn't actually do anything inappropriate, I just shouted that to get you off of me."
Videl's neutral expression quickly grew into a snort as she could not contain her chortles. "Honestly…I didn't think it'd actually work…!"
"Wish…you'd said that…sooner," came a strained voice.
The two teen fighters looked behind Videl to see Mr. Satan face planted into the dirt.
"Dad?" 'Did he seriously just jump off the roof of the school?'
In the next instance, Shampoo and Mousse appeared and nonchalantly picked Mr. Satan up.
"Now Fly-Girl keep fighting Ryoga, yes?" added Shampoo.
The two combatants simply nodded.
"Well then, enjoy your bout," Mousse added as he and Shampoo carried Mr. Satan's unconscious form away.
Videl sighed in embarrassment. 'I probably shouldn't have done that, but still, that's what he gets for trying to butt into my fights!'
[]
Gohan's angered trembling eased up at her explanation as Ranma's laughter only intensified.
"I…I…I can't believe she actually did that…! And I can't believe that moron fell for it…!"
[]
"I can't believe you did that!" Ryoga boomed. "Have you no honor!?"
In a manner similar to her boyfriend and his family, Videl sheepishly put a hand behind her head as she answered Ryoga. "I'll admit that was a bit skeevy, but I had no other ideas back then. Besides, isn't this 'Anything-Goes Martial Arts?'"
"Don't try to loophole your way outta this! That was dirty! No, that was Ranma level dirty!"
[]
"Ranma, don't tell me you gave her that idea," Akane accused.
Ranma snorted. "I wish. That is totally something I'd do in girl form."
Gohan on the other hand was only breathing sighs of relief.
"Well, if I'm 'Ranma-level', then I guess that means you've already lost this fight, doesn't it?" Videl taunted.
"Why you…!" Ryoga grit his teeth. "I've been facing you with respect due to your friendship with Akane, but if you continue to use such petulant methods to face me, I won't hesitate to end you!"
"Quit making excuses already and fight!" Videl spurred on.
"As you wish!" Charging at Videl, a now enraged Ryoga scooped up his previously discarded umbrella and began to thrust it repeatedly at Videl who raised her guard and swayed aside in midair with her energy.
'This is just like Kuno's attack, but I think it's a bit slower,' she noted. Sure enough, the speed of Ryoga's thrusts were sluggish in comparison to the 'Blue-Thunder', but Videl was conscious of the power behind each strike. She needed to put some distance between the two of them and fast.
Attempting to just fly backwards, Videl put it in reverse and let her energy carry her.
"No you don't!" With great force, Ryoga chucked his umbrella like a javelin at Videl. Though she managed to avoid a direct hit, the projectile caught onto her oversized shirt and managed to pin her to the ground once again.
"Dammit!" Videl swore as she fruitlessly tried to pull her shirt free. Ryoga quickly closed the gap between them and raised both his hands.
"You've put up a good fight, so I'll honor your struggle by ending this with my best technique! I hope that worthless boyfriend of yours is watching cause this is just a small taste of what I have in store for him!"
As Videl continued to struggle to free herself, a red ball of light began to form in between Ryoga's hands.
Videl's eyes widened as a distant memory resurfaced and she realized what Ryoga was intending.
'I knew it…he CAN do it too!'
[]
"That's…a Ki attack!" Gohan exclaimed.
"Why are you surprised? You saw Ranma do the same thing against your brmmmm-!"
The pigtailed fighter quickly put his hand over Akane's mouth as Cologne gave the duo a suspicious look.
Videl continued to pull at her pinned down clothes as Ryoga's attack grew bigger and brighter. That's when a more recent memory struck and an idea hit her.
'Looks like this move is gonna come in handy after all,' With a determined look, Videl put her hands to the sides of her head and closed her eyes.
"This is the end, Shishi Ho-!"
"TAIYOU-KEN[SOLAR FLARE]!
"Dyaaaaaaaagh…!"
Ryoga reeled back as his eyes were assaulted by a blinding flash. Even the spectators had to shield their eyes.
"What…the hell was that?" Ranma asked as he rubbed his eyes.
The group heard a smug chuckle coming from Gohan, who upon closer inspection, could be seen sporting a pair of sunglasses. "I call it, being prepared!"
As Ryoga rubbed the flash out of his eyes Videl finally managed to free herself by tearing the sealed part of her shirt apart. As she ascended into the air out of Ryoga's range, she panted heavily thanking Dende, King Kai, and every other deity she could think of that she'd taken Gohan's advice.
[A couple of days earlier]
Videl and Gohan were together in the forests of Mount Paouzu. After giving an abridged version of her encounter with Kuno, specifically the end of their fight, Gohan intended to gauge Videl's current progress. After a brief sparring session, Gohan was surprised and delighted to discover that Videl had much more control of her energy.
"Impressive Videl. You've really leveled up, and so quickly too," he praised.
"Guess I needed some extra motivation," she giggled with a wink. "Speaking of, you said that you and your dad would teach me one of your moves if I could master Cologne's."
"We did? …Oh yeah, of course we did, I remember now," Gohan shrank beneath Videl's narrowed eyes.
"So, what are you guys gonna show me? The Kamehameha?" 'PLEASE be the Kamehameha!'
"No, it's not the Kamehameha," Gohan quickly quashed her hopes. "We can show you the basics if you really want, but the move we intended to show you actually isn't offensive at all."
Videl crossed her arms. "So…is it a movement type thing like flying?"
"No it's nothing like that, but I can guarantee it's a technique that will probably save your life."
"Really?"
Gohan nodded and explained the Solar Flare to Videl and after a quick demonstration, Videl was visibly less than enthused by the technique. However, after hearing a story of how Krillin used it to save their lives in the past, Videl was more intrigued but still uninterested. It took a promise from Gohan to AT LEAST increase her ki blasts capabilities to convince her to learn the Solar Flare, though she couldn't help but wonder why he was so adamant about teaching it to her.
Fortunately, being such a simple technique, she was able to perform the Solar Flare after merely an hour of practice, and the duo moved on.
'Trust me Videl, it may not be your upcoming fight, but someday, you'll be thankful you know this move,' Gohan stated.
[End Flashback]
Through her recovered panting, Videl smiled. "Well Gohan, you were right…again."
The effects of the Solar Flare finally began to wane and Ryoga slowly regained his eyesight. "What…what the hell was that?" he asked as he rubbed his eyes. To his confusion, Videl all but vanished in that previous flash of light.
"Where'd that girl go?" Ryoga boomed. His question was answered in the form of an announcing whistle. Looking up towards the sound's source, Ryoga was met with a heel to the face followed by the familiar extra impact of energy.
Ryoga spun back at Videl's attack, rubbing his sore spot. "You…you…!" His anger rising, he rushed at Videl and extended a hand attempting to grab her, but the proto Z-Fighter was able to avoid him with great display of aerial maneuverability. This game of 'swat the fly continued' as Ryoga launched fruitless punches that Videl merely levitated away from, managing to land some direct blows of her own with quick agile strikes. Those faster attacks lacked the same impact of her earlier, more focused attacks, but they were effective in wearing down one seriously lost boy.
"What's the matter, can't hit what you can't catch?" Videl taunted as she looked down at her larger opponent.
"Don't screw with me woman!" In a rage, Ryoga ripped his bandana off, revealing another one underneath it.
"Well…it's not white or a towel, but if you throw it now, I'll accept your surrender," Videl smugly proclaimed.
A devilish smirk formed on Ryoga's face. Oh I'll throw them alright, but the one who'll surrender, is YOU!"
True to his words, Ryoga chucked his bandanas at Videl and to the swift flier's surprise, they didn't float down like she anticipated. In fact, they seemed to be coming right for her…at a really fast speed…and they were…spinning? Like frisbees?
Her instincts kicking in, Videl dodged the pair of incoming projectiles, but one managed to nick her in the arm.
"Agh…!"
As she rubbed the sore spot, Videl pulled her hand away as she felt a wet sensation on her fingers. Sure enough, her fingers were stained red and she immediately grasped the weight of the situation. Ryoga flashed a toothy grin as his hands swung forward releasing a large array of his deadly bandanas.
Videl zipped away from the barrage as Ryoga continued to hurl his unorthodox weapons. She was back on the defensive, but her evasive maneuvers were second to none…okay we know that's not true but…you know what I mean.
With midair flips, loops, and a few barrel rolls, Videl was able to survive the onslaught of clothed razors.
"You can fly, but you can't hide!" Ryoga shouted as he sprinted after Videl's soaring form. He continued to hurl bandanas at her and Videl continued to avoid.
'Alright tough guy, you wanna play the ranged game, now it's my turn!' Looping around in midair, Videl flew right at Ryoga rearing her hands back. Outstretching them, her hands were covered with a dim blue aura that burst forth knocking the bandanas away before fizzling out.
Ryoga skidded to a halt, surprise plastered across his face. "Was…was that?"
"An energy blast? Yes. I don't know what you were trying to do earlier, but news flash, I can do it too!" Videl boasted.
"Hmph. If that's the extent of your power then you're only delaying the inevitable."
"Hate to disappoint you, but there's more where that came from!" Cupping her hands together, Videl thrust them forward and released a large, but slow moving blue energy ball.
Ryoga was easily able to withstand the attack and he casually walked forward as Videl fired off more and more shots that seemed to be doing little to no damage.
"Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!" Videl swore as she fired off shot after shot, but to no avail. Even worse, her continued, intense use of her energy was beginning to take its toll for with each successive shot, Videl would begin to breathe heavier and heavier. Finally, Ryoga once again closed the gap between them and Videl decided to respond in kind by throwing a punch.
Her attack was caught by Ryoga who swiftly forced her back with a palm strike to the gut. Videl was able to roll back onto her feet, shaken, but not yet beaten. Though her uneasiness would rise as a familiar red glow surrounded the area.
"You've shown me the extent of your energy, so it's only fair I show you a taste of what I'm made of!"
Ryoga held his outstretched hands in front of him and the deep red glow grew brighter until it finally peaked.
"It's over! SHISHI HOKODON!"
A red beam erupted from Ryoga's palms and hurried towards Videl who managed to roll away from the blast in time, though the ensuing explosion was enough to blow her off her feet.
[]
"Videl!"
"Oh no!"
"Damn, Ryoga's not playing around, is he."
Cologne sighed. "It would seem this battle's been decided. Still, Videl shouldn't feel discouraged. Most other fighters at her level or below would've been utterly trounced by now. The fact that she's managed to survive this long is truly remarkable."
"That's just how stubborn she is," Gohan interjected. "Videl knows when she's outmatched, but if she's in a fight she truly believes she has a chance to win, she won't give it up, no matter the odds. That's probably her biggest flaw to date…"
"Flaw?"
"But…that's also one of the things I really admire about her…" he added with a tint of red in his face.
"Well, that makes two of us," Akane concurred.
[]
"Congratulations, you managed to avoid my attack," Ryoga condescendingly praised. Videl clenched her fist as she quaveringly rose to her feet.
"Next time, I'll do more than just dodge!" Videl proclaimed.
"Is that so? Well then, show me!" Ryoga cupped his hands together and fired off another blast. Videl quickly dashed aside and countered with one of her own. Though it hit it's mark, Ryoga was undeterred.
"Useless."
Videl grunted as she knew he was right. her last attack had virtually no punch behind it. Her energy, both physical and internal was running low. She could NOT afford to take a direct hit of any kind. Weighing her options, Videl decided to beat a strategic retreat and take to the skies.
"That won't save you!" Reacting fast, Ryoga quickly fired off a Lion Blast above Videl's ascending form, forcing her to return to ground level. Not fully recovered from the resulting force of the attack, Videl was ill prepared to defend herself from Ryoga rushing in at her. Barely managing to raise her guard in time, Videl was struck by a hard palm strike that blew her back into a nearby tree.
Shaking off the dizziness from the impact, Videl looked up to see Ryoga looming over her. With callous eyes, he said a simple two words to his opponent. "Stay down."
Videl clutched at the ground in frustration. After being put through the wringer for a whole week, learning more about ki with Cologne AND Gohan, even managing to learn a new move or two, it still wasn't enough?
'Is this really it…?'
Videl was at a loss for what her next move was. She knew she didn't have much left in her to continue, yet somehow, she still had the urge to keep fighting. Unlike other highbrow energy heavy fights, Videl didn't feel hopelessly outmatched against Ryoga. There was still a chance, albeit a very small chance, for her to win.
Steeling herself, Videl slowly rose to her feet in defiance of Ryoga's plea. Clenching her fists tight, she let out a yell as her energy began to rise. Ryoga's eyebrows raised in both shock and curiosity as even he could feel the change in her energy.
'Her ki feels…heavy…' Ryoga noted.
[]
"It's…almost over…" Gohan whispered.
"Go for it Videl!" Akane cheered.
Ranma and Cologne both remained silent and merely continued to await the battle's victor.
[]
Videl had long since accepted that she'd probably never reach the same level as Gohan or the other Saiyans, but somewhere deep down, she'd hoped that she could at least measure up to the likes of Piccolo or at least Krillin and she was not about to be outshone by the cast of a completely different series.
After a few seconds of straining and screaming, Videl's remaining energy finally maxed out and her entire body was bathed in a dim blue aura. Her eyes sharp with determination, she launched, what she hoped to be, her finishing move. Springing into the air, Videl launched a downward axe kick at Ryoga who instantly moved to block it and was successful…or so he thought. Little did he know, Videl anticipated this and with a great deal of agility, bounced her leg off of Ryoga's forearm and sprang into a backwards roll, using her energy to keep in midair.
Straightening herself out, Videl's flip turned into a charged upwards kick. Ryoga instinctively moved to block again, but with ki behind her kick she was finally able to break through his guard and cause Ryoga to stagger. Not missing the opening she was given, Videl quickly followed up with a one-two punch combo to Ryoga's face before pivoting on her heel and launching a flurry of kicks to his midsection.
Ryoga was forced back and Videl rushed in on him immediately with her hands pulled back. Many watched in awe as the aura surrounding her faded before accumulating in her hands. With a hearty yell, Videl thrust her hands forward, striking Ryoga in the chest with all the power she could muster knocking the wind out of him before….
DMP-! BMP-!
The impact shook Ryoga and he was shaken before being brought to his knees. As he recovered from Videl's highly effective attack, he looked up to see her floating just above him with her fists clenched tightly.
"I'm ending this now!" she declared.
Ascending into the air, Videl's body trembled as she gathered as much energy as she could muster into her right leg.
[]
"Videl…please…don't do anything reckless," muttered the spectating Gohan.
"Isn't she your girlfriend!?" Akane reprimanded. "The least you could do is have some faith in her!"
While Gohan had plenty of faith in Videl's abilities, he also had just as much faith in her knack for getting into trouble due to her insistence to fight even when her odds of winning had long since dwindled to zero. This was a rare opportunity where her back was against the wall, but she still had a chance. All she had to do was fight smart.
[]
"What's she doing?" Ryoga asked as Videl's limb began to glow.
Ryoga's eyes widened as he realized she was prepping another ki blast attack, but this one felt much different than her previous ones. With her performing the technique, the ki being used was on full display and Ryoga could grasp the weight of the technique.
"I see…so you've decided to risk it all on your next attack. Fine!" Ryoga placed his hands in front of him and a familiar red glow began to form. To his surprise, Videl began to descend, head first, seemingly wide open. Ignoring her unorthodox actions, Ryoga continued to charge his counterattack as Videl's falling speed increased.
"It's over! Shishi Hokodan!
As Ryoga fired his blast directly at Videl, the athletic young Z-Warrior flipped in midair, creating a crescent of blue light as she brought her foot down in an energy charged axe kick that was able to part through Ryoga's Lion Shot.
"What!?"
Videl strained as she forced her leg through Ryoga's blast, encountering heavy resistence. Her muscles ached while her energy continued to drain. She still persisted, slowly dropping closer and closer to Ryoga. The Lost Boy was hesitant to pour more energy into his blast for he truly didn't wish to severely harm Videl, but given the situation, he was left with little room.
Clenching his hands, Ryoga let out a yell as he extended his palms forward, pushing the resistant Videl back up into the air. With a triumphant yell of her own, Videl poured all the remaining energy she could into her free leg and with a swift flip planted both feet down into the Ryoga's palms.
The moment the two made contact, the area was bathed in a blinding light as the sound of a tremendous explosion shook the entire school.
"What happened?"
"Who won?"
There were many a confused face upon seeing the chaotic scene that lay before them, but the answer was revealed as the light died down and the dust began to clear. To the surprise of many, both combatants were on the ground, though it was obvious who'd taken the brunt of the force.
Ryoga looked like he'd taken a bit of damage, but at worst, he had some scorch marks on his skin and clothes. Videl on the other hand, looked much worse for wear. She was sprawled across the floor, seemingly unconscious with her outfit, also scorched, but also in tatters. To make matters worse, her right leg was covered in scrapes and burns.
[]
"Videl, no!" Gohan sharply gasped. Wasting no time, the concerned Saiyan rushed onto the scene.
As Videl discouragingly fell to the ground, Ranma let out a sigh. "Well, I guess that's that," he said crossing his arms behind his head.
"That may be, but she certainly put up a much more valiant fight than one would've expected from someone at her level." Praised Cologne. 'That girl is tenacious, and certainly a fast learner. With the right guidance, I could see that girl going far in the future.'
The victor was obvious as Ryoga slowly but simply sat up and shook off the resulting dizziness. "What…what happened?" Taking in his surroundings, Ryoga turned to see Videl laying defeated on the ground. Rising to his feet and clutching his sore shoulder, Ryoga trudged over to Videl's still form, but was quickly intercepted by her ever protective boyfriend.
"Don't move…you've already won," Gohan said firmly.
"Calm down, I just wanted to see if she was alright," Ryoga said defensively.
With a sigh, Gohan gave an understanding nod. "Well, as promised, I'll be your next opponent."
"Wait!"
Both boys looked behind Gohan to see Videl rising. She could only manage to get on one knee, but she was certainly determined to get back on both feet.
"Videl, are you alright?" Gohan asked kneeling to her level.
"Get…out of here Gohan…I…I can still fight…!" Videl strained.
"Videl…you can't fight like this. Look at yourself, you can barely stand up!" Gohan argued.
"I'm not gonna lose! Not like this…not again…!" Videl hastily stood up, but her injured leg quickly gave out and she toppled over into Gohan's arms.
"Let…me go…!" she challenged.
Doing the exact opposite, Gohan wrapped his arms around Videl and held her against his chest, eliciting a tint of red to form on her cheeks.
"Videl please…I know how much this fight meant to you, and while it's admirable that you don't want to give in, you also need to accept your limits," Gohan pleaded.
Videl frustratingly grit her teeth, desperately searching for a rebuttal. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Videl finaly eased up and warmly returned Gohan's embrace, burying her face in his chest with a sad sigh.
Meanwhile, the spectating Ryoga shyly turned away from the pair's impromptu fight and make up. They seemed to be having a moment, and his chivalrous side shining through, he decided not to interrupt them. When it looked like Videl had finally calmed down, he decided to interrupt them.
"Hey!"
The two separated before turning to Ryoga as he continued. "I understand that you wanted to fight me for what I did to your father's dojo, but tell me this, why persist this much?"
"Huh?"
"I can't put my finger on it, but why do I have a feeling this goes far beyond simple payback?"
"Videl?"
Videl clenched her fist in irritation, a blush on her face and a tear forming in her eye. With a sharp inhale, she quickly retorted, "You're one to talk. Why do you want to fight Gohan so badly?"
Ryoga froze as Videl continued. "What happened between him and Akane was just an accident, an accident she already forgave him for. I understand wanting to defend her honor…kind of, but why are you going this far for a girl who's just a friend?"
Off to the side, Ranma shot the fanged boy a sly eye-roll as he silently dared him to get out of this one. Clenching his fists, Ryoga's response was simple, "Sometimes, a man's got to do what he truly believes is right. I don't know if a woman will truly be able to get it, but I'm sure he'll understand by the end of our fight."
Gohan nodded to Ryoga before taking Videl in his arms and slowly made his way over to Akane and Cologne.
"I'm sorry things turned out this way," Gohan sheepishly apologized.
"It's not your fault…that just means I still have a long way to go," Videl admitted.
Finally arriving to the two, Gohan set Videl down against the tree they were under. "Keep an eye on her for me okay?"
"Will do," Akane nodded.
Before he returned to the battlefield, Videl called out to him "Gohan!"
Turning back, Gohan could see Videl with her hand outstretched. "Kick his ass."
With a nod, Gohan firmly clasped his hand with Videl's. "Yeah." Finally leaving the girls to their own, Gohan darted back to Ryoga while Akane took a seat beside Videl.
"So, how are you feeling?"
"My body feel's like it's on fire, and I haven't been this mentally drained in like, a year."
"You were warned that Ryoga is not one to be taken so easily. Still, you put up a most admirable fight. Certainly one worthy of Son-In-Law's greatest rival."
"Thanks…" said a discouraged Videl. Surveying the surroundings however, she noticed that the SIL in question was nowhere to be seen. 'Speaking of, where is Ranma?'
Sure enough, the pigtailed Martial Artist had left the spectator group and moved to get a front row seat of the impending battle. A seat between the leaves of a tree in a much closer proximity to the fight. 'Alright Gohan, time to see what you're really made of.'
[]
Gohan finally returned to the field, face to face with Ryoga. As Gohan's expression became notably sterner, Ryoga could only flash a satisfied smile.
"I've been waiting a long time for this," Ryoga proclaimed cracking his knuckles.
"But why?" asked Gohan. "I hadn't really thought about it before, but Videl had a point. Why do you want to fight me so much?"
Ryoga dropped into a defensive stance as he answered. "Come at me, and you might understand."
"NO!"
The scene was interrupted by a flash of lightning coupled with that familiar booming voice. As a second flash shone across the schoolyard, a familiar robed individual wielding a wooden sword appeared between the couple and their would-be opponent.
"You shall do battle with I, Tatewaki Kuno, age 17! Captain of the Kendo Club and the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!"
Kuno performed a series of sword slashes as he spoke his intro before culminating in him thrusting his sword upwards in a victorious pose. As he finished his intro speech, a bead of sweat rolled down the forehead of every spectator…all but one.
'Huh…that wasn't half bad,' thought Gohan.
(A/N: And that as they say is that! Videl vs. Ryoga. It's finally done and it ends…with Ryoga on top. Sorry for those who were looking forward to Videl winning, but it just wasn't in the cards. That being said, Videl may have lost, but the fight isn't quite over yet, only it may not be the fight you were expecting. That's right, Kuno's back and he, like Ryoga has his sights set on Gohan and we're prepared for an epic battle of gargantuan…who am I kidding, we all know Gohan's gonna win, BUT, who's to say there won't be some surprises in store for not just Gohan, but the rest of the cast as well? Stay tuned.)
[P.S. Sorry it took two months but a previous commission not to mention a few other writing endeavors all but drained me in May and took time away from this story. Thankfully, I have nothing else major on the writing side of things going on in life so HOPEFULLY I can get the next Chapter out in LESS than two months. Till next time]
