*Author's note: This'll be a quick one. The very beginning has the opening part of Carrotglace's "Insertion" story, with his permission to use it here. A good read, I highly recommend it, just be prepared to be reading it for a couple of days if you haven't started to read it yet.
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M1A2Tanker
DBZR ½
Chapter 8: The Training Continues…
In an alternate dimension…
"A familiar scene, Jusenkyo, in the Bayankala mountain range of China. Ranma Saotome trading blows with his father over the quiet pools of water, atop bamboo chutes that jut from the small ponds.
Two fanfic writers, typing the exact same opening, to two different stories. They moved in tandem, their hands working on the keys in perfect unison, even though neither of them knows who the other is. Things like this happen on occasion, it is rare indeed. The chances are similar to those of a monkey writing out the complete works of Shakespeare.
Few people realize it, but almost all works of fiction are self-insertions on some level. Whether it is a wish for a better world, or a craving for a life of adventure that the author will never have, is uncertain. It is possible that it is just the venting of frustrations, played out upon someone who cannot retaliate in any way, no one person has the same motivation.
On some level, a small portion of the author's soul is taken and placed into the story, perhaps becoming a reality in some distant universe. The mechanics of such things is uncertain, however, this time, something different happened.
As Ranma fell into the pool that would change his destiny forever, two souls attempted to merge with his own, in order to exact the changes that would carry their tales.
Inside Ranma's head, a sound echoed for a moment. It was almost like the sound of two coconuts colliding together on some astral level. How the astral coconuts had arrived at their destination is uncertain as well. Whether they were carried by two astral swallows could remain in debate for eons to come, as well as whether said swallows were of the African variety, or the European kind. Such things are best left to philosophers anyway…naaaah, this answer is far too simple for them to figure out.
Toltiir laughed uproariously at the mischief he had just created. "I'm sure that the Lord of Chaos won't mind. Knowing him, he'd probably go for this anyways." The god felt a presence over him, but it passed quickly, and he knew then and there that his hunch was right.
"Yes yes…what great fun. Why didn't I look into the alternate realities before?" A note fluttered to the floor before him, interrupting his musings. He reached down and quickly picked it up. It read, "Because that's my area. Keep your hands to yourself. This is your one warning. Oh yea, while I'm thinking about it, thanks for the distraction. This should keep me entertained for awhile." A smiley face with a carrot impaling it finished the note, the symbol of L-Sama, or the Lord of Chaos, god boss of all gods.
"Awww...common. It was just a little harmless fun!" Toltiir pouted. He got over it quickly though as he went back to playing in the worlds and dimensions he could mess with. "Gee me…what will I do tonight?" He mused aloud.
"Same thing you do every night my lord." A servant called from afar.
"Try to take over the world?" The god asked.
"You've done that sire, several times, and on several worlds."
"Oh yea. Uh…get stuck in a closet with Vanna White?
"Last time you did that, she nearly castrated you sire."
He shuddered. "I'd forgotten about that. I did get her back for that right?"
"Yes sire. She's still stuck with the lesbian biker gang."
"Good." He thought for a bit more, then finally sighed. "Oh just tell me, I forgot what it was I do every night."
"You watch Ren and Stimpy reruns my liege."
"That's it!" With that the god bounds away, leaving the servants to wipe the sweat from their brows in relief.
In the Tendo Dojo…
Ranma didn't know how long she had been imbedded in the wall. It could have been days, weeks, minutes, even seconds. All she knew was that she was in major pain when she woke several hours later. She peeled herself out of the concrete wall slowly, still feeling the effects of Akane's Mallet Whack Attack. "Where the hell did she get such a crazy attack anyways? Damn, that hurt!" She rubbed the bruises on her body as she walked back to where the others were training. Goten and Trunks had gone back to sparring, with neither one really dominating the other. Genma was out cold, floating in the pond. Goku was talking with Akane, and Cologne sat on the porch, watching, or more likely eavesdropping on the conversation. As Ranma approached, she picked up parts of what Goku was saying.
"…once you do that, flying is really pretty simple." Ranma's ears perked up. "Flying? You taught her how to fly?" Goku looked over, blinking his eyes.
"Ahh, just the basics. We haven't practiced yet though."
"I thought you were going to teach me something!" Ranma was jealous for certain now. "How could he show her how to fly and not show me?"
"Well yea. I can teach you both how to do it. It's easy!" He grinned. He motioned the redheaded fighter over to Akane. Ranma looked over to Akane and quickly asked, "Before we do this, I have to know something."
"Umm…what's that?" Goku replied.
The red haired fighter turned to her finance and asked, "Akane, where did you come up with that crazy attack from?" Ranma flinched as a recently returned memory triggered a pain spasm in her head. For her part, Akane just smiled.
"You know that new foreign restaurant from America? Mobsters Pizza?" Ranma nodded dimly, not sure how a pizza place figured into the scheme of things. "I went there with some friends a couple times. I guess it's modeled after some gang thing in America, because there's an arcade section in there, and they have all these games that have something to do with running alcohol, shooting stuff, and keeping away from police." Ranma became more and more confused.
"I thought you hated arcades?"
"I do, but I found game that I like. I'm really very good at it." The youngest Tendo was quite proud of this. "It's called Whack a Kennedy. It has these little figures that pop up and down, and you have to hit them with a hammer to get points. I hold the highest score there, but I still haven't gotten the one called Ted. It's the fattest figure in the game, but I swear it's the fastest!"
Ranma dropped her head, shaking it. "I guess I shoulda known, seeing as how you use that mallet so much. Bout time you were good at something."
"What was that?" Akane said angrily.
"What? I just said that it's about time you were good at something….aaack!!" Ranma found in increasingly hard to breath with her finance's hands around her throat. Alarmed, Goku quickly jumped in to separate them, before Ranma changed hair color from red to blue.
"That's enough. I can't teach you anything if you're trying to kill each other." He said sternly, hands on his hips.
Her head bowed slightly, Akane said, "I'm sorry Goku." Ranma took in some breaths before she spoke.
"Geez Akane, I was trying to compliment you!" Before Akane or Goku could do anything, Ranma was hit on the head by knob part of Cologne's cane.
"What was that for?" She cried, rubbing her head again. Cologne chuckled as she answered, "Training you to learn some manners Son-in-Law. You'll need them once you come to your senses and finally marry Shampoo."
"I ain't marring anybody!" The cursed martial artist cried.
Suddenly, a call from the front of the dojo is heard. "Hey! Where's that tough guy dressed in orange baggy pants! We've come for our toll fees!"
Everyone looked to Goku, who scratched his head in confusion. "Toll fees? Oh yea! Those kids. I forgot about them." He chuckled.
"Daddy, what are you talking about?" Goten asked, worried.
"It's nothing son, I just ran into some kids on the way here yesterday. Kept saying something about paying a toll for being on their road. But I didn't see a toll booth." A crash interrupts the explanation, as a window was broken.
"Send the bastard out! We brought someone here to enforce the toll, and we're collecting interest!"
Everyone quickly rushes to the front of the house. Akane, Ranma and Soun step onto the front porch, while Goten, Trunks and Goku stayed inside. Goten looked up at Goku, "Why are we staying in here?"
Goku replied, "Let's see what they have first. Besides, this is their home, they should defend it if necessary."
The answer seemed to mollify the lad, and they went back to listening in.
On the porch, Akane, Ranma and Soun look on at the small group. It was the same kids that attacked Goku before, along with several strong looking street thugs. Near the leader of the gang stood a large, stocky man wearing a pink karate fighter's uniform. His hands wore brown sparring gloves, and his eyes glared at the residents.
"This is what you brought me here for? These three? A waste of my time. I'll take my money now." Dan Hibiki, a self-taught martial artist turned street fighter declared.
"Now now Dan. None of these people are the ones. The one we brought you for is hiding like the coward he is."
"Cousin?"
Everyone turned in the direction of the voice.
Ranma spoke first. "Ryoga? What are you doing here?" The Lost Boy spat as he answered.
"I came here to finish you off, but it looks like someone else has dibs first." At that moment Dan spoke up.
"Cousin Ryoga? You have beef with the chick?" He thrust a thumb at the red-haired fighter, who just realized that she was still female.
"Yea, but I won't mind waiting my turn." Ryoga smirked. Dan nodded. "Ok cousin." He turned back to the residents.
"Send out the guy I'm supposed to fight already. I know he's afraid of me, but at least he will have the honor of fighting Dan, the strongest fighter in the world!" Ranma and Akane both burst out laughing at the statement. Even Ryoga chuckled a little. Dan glared at him, and the Lost Boy regained his composure, although he couldn't hide the smirk.
"You? The strongest? Please. I could take you easy." Ranma smirked confidently.
"Then why don't you little girl?" Ranma growled at the comment as the other gang members cleared away from Dan, who held his hands out to the sides, palms out, submissive.
"Fine then, I will!" The red head charged at Dan, intent on finishing the fight quickly. A foot slammed into her face, sending her sprawling, but not before she was kicked two more times in mid air. She landed at the bottom of the porch steps, her ample chest heaving. "Damn, what the hell did he hit me with?" She thought to herself as she quickly rose to her feet. Catching site of the pink fighter, who was in combat stance now, she attacked again. From the roof Cologne watched with interest. "Let's see if you can handle him Son-in-Law." She muttered.
Ranma leapt into the air, dropping down at Dan from above with a sharp snap kick. He replied with a spinning uppercut. "Koryu Ken!" It nailed her right in the crotch, sending her flying a short distance away, and in great pain. "Ahhh!! He fights dirty!" She glared in pain at the street fighter, who shrugged, "In a street fight, anything goes girly. You should have thought of that before challenging me." He quickly rolled on the ground towards her now crouched form, and crouched himself before her, thrusting his muscled arm up in an L shape. The fist nailed her under her chin, and she flew backwards, as he called out, "Namen Je Ne Dou!"
She flipped in mid air, and landed on her feet, her pain now mostly forgotten. She eyed the street fighter warily as he rose, still in a combat stance. She smirked, "Ok, I'll admit it. I underestimated you. But this fight is about to end." Dan cocked an eyebrow at this. "Moko Takabisha!" She launches her Tiger energy attack at Dan. Just before the blast hits, he extends an arm, palm out with his own attack, "Gado Ken!" A weak attack, with no distance, it was still strong enough to cancel out her blast.
She nods appreciatively. "Not bad. But I'm afraid the fight is still over for you." Before she could attack, the front door slide open. Goku steps out into the now late morning sunshine, his features cool. Upon his lips, a slight smirk. His hands fists, down at his sides. He stood between Soun and Akane, who had been watching the fight closely. The gang leader sees him and pointing at Goku he calls out, "Dan! That's him! That's the bastard there!" Dan looks away from his opponent and sizes Goku up. He turns back to Ranma, and relaxes his stance.
"Sorry girl, but I have to conclude this other deal first before we can finish our fight." He walked away from Ranma, and stood before Goku. "Nothing personal buddy, but I got some money coming my way when I take you down." He takes up his stance again, legs slightly wider than shoulder width, fists close to the chest with one above the other. He lightly bounces back and forth on the balls of his feet.
Goku's smirk grows a little as he steps off the porch. He looks at the pink clad fighter, and then crosses his arms across his chest. "I suggest you leave. There's no need for this. These two could take you just fine," he gestures his head to Akane and Ranma, "I only came out to warn you off before it got ugly." Akane started. "What? Me beat him? How can I? There's no way…" her musings were cut shorts as the stocky fighter laughed.
"What? Those two children? I don't think so." He smirked, eyes twinkled dangerously. "I've fought the strongest fighters in the world, and these two don't come close to them. I was taking it easy on the girl." Ranma cocked an eyebrow, thinking to herself, "Funny…that's what I thought I was doing to him."
Goku shook his head, and then said, "Leave now. There's no need for any of this, it's nothing more than a waste of time and energy." Dan scowled.
"I see that the gang was right. You are a coward." Goku's eyes went hard, but the smirk didn't leave. It did seem to change from being a joking smirk, to something far more dangerous. From the roof Cologne watched, highly interested in what might transpire.
Goten and Trunks had by now stepped onto the porch. They were quaking slightly though, and sweat beaded from their foreheads. Akane noticed and whispered to Goten. "What's wrong? Is this guy that strong?"
Goten shook his head, taking a slight step back. Frowning, Akane asked again, "Then what's wrong?"
"Dad's mad…" He whispered.
"Very mad. I think we should go now." Trunks also whispered, taking a couple steps away from the porches edge. Before they could do anything else, Goku spoke, his voice now hard.
"Very well. Have it your way. I gave you an out, but if you don't want to take it, then so be it." Goku took up his tiger stance; torso bent over his right leg, left leg back, arms held horizontal to his shoulders. His hands were formed into claws, his gaze as hard as steel.
Dan cocked his head slightly at the stance. "What kind of posture is this?" He had noticed the mood shift in his opponent, and was playing it cautious. "This man is no weakling. He's seen more than his share of fights." A bead of sweat slowly trickled down his temple. "Maybe it would have been a good idea to have left…no, Dan Hibiki never leaves a fight!" He hardened his gaze, but it was weak compared to Goku's.
For a couple of minutes they stood there, eyeing one another. Cologne analyzed both fighters from her perch. "Hmm. Goku's form is flawless. Good for attack and defense. Dan's is also well polished, yet he is having second thoughts. He's losing the battle of wills. I must see Goku's face." Leaping off the roof on her cane, she lands on the concrete wall facing opposite of the Saiyan without anyone noticing. She gazed at the orange clad fighter, and her heart nearly stopped. Her eyes became wide as saucers, and her aged body slightly trembled. "By the Elders! The intensity, the focus! His soul is still pure, but he could kill without a second thought. This is a warrior beyond any that I've encountered before."
Across from Goku, Ranma also gazed at the Saiyan in shock. "My god…he didn't have that kind of focus before. And he can transform into a Super Saiyan…he wasn't kidding. He was holding back a lot." She noticed the man's arms, and realized that they were more defined than before. Cords of muscle bunched up tighter than bridge cables under the skin as both fighters waited to see what the other would do. She looked at Dan, and saw that he was also highly focused…yet it seemed greatly weak in comparison. "So Dan was going easy. He has to know that he can't win!"
Finally, Goku broke the silence. "I give you one last chance. There is no dishonor in conceding the fight over before it begins." Dan shook his head.
"I have given my word. Besides, that money is mine." The last comment sounded weak, even to the gang members, who had realized that maybe they were in over their heads.
Ryoga watched from across the street, enthralled. "This man has seen hell like me, yet I would have left the fight rather than face that. You always were a fool cousin."
Goku replied, "Then I'll make this quick." A blur marked the spot where he stood. Dan started to cry out in surprise, but a fist suddenly doubled him over. Goku pulled his left fist out of the street fighters gut, then spun around and landed his left elbow in the mans head hard. Dan's body collapsed like a sack of grain, and didn't get up.
The Saiyan warrior rose, took a deep breath and exhaled. "No one calls me a coward. Not in a fight. Not even Vegeta." He gazed down at the unconscious man. "I respect you for seeing it through though. Maybe you'll learn something from this." He now turned his gaze at the gang members, all of whom trembled where they stood.
The gang leader looked around him unsurely. He knew he was in deep hock now. Dan was the strongest fighter they could get on short notice. He turned to Ryoga, and cried out hopefully, "You! How would you like to make some…" he stopped speaking as Ryoga shook his head.
"No way. Find someone else." The Lost Boy said.
"Not even for family honor?" The leader was grasping at straws, but then he was getting desperate.
"Not even for that. Dan always was considered a fool by most of the family."
From the bushes behind Ranma, a small figure leapt out. A foot lashed out, hitting the cursed girl hard in the back. Crying out in pain, Ranma rolled forward, turning to face the new threat. Standing before her, was a red haired, ample chested girl in a sleevless red silk shirt and gray pants…just like her. Everyone had turned to face Ranma when she had cried out, and now all looked on in confusion between the two petite women.
Goten scratched his head, asking aloud, "Ahh…which one is which?"
"That's what I want to know." Akane said.
"I'm the real Ranma, this one is an imposter!" Ranma cried.
"No, I'm the real Ranma, that one is the copy!" The other Ranma said, pointing at her double.
Goku looked intently at the two, using his senses to pick up on their energy…and picked up on the real and the fake. "This one is Ranma." He pointed to the nearest redhead. "That one is a copier."
The other Ranma smirked, "Bingo." She pulled out a large handkerchief and fluttered it before herself, hiding her body from view. When it passed, a young male teen stood in her place, dressed in a red and white striped T-shirt, gray sweat pants held up by suspenders, and a red handkerchief on his head. "And today is the day that I beat you Ranma Saotome."
Soun Tendo cried out in terror, "No! Not the dreaded Copycat Ken!"
"Copycat Ken?" Ranma said, eyebrow cocked in confusion.
"Yes, Copycat Ken! He copies a martial artist moves and makes them his own, to the point of becoming the martial artist he copied! He's terrible, you must stay away from him Ranma!"
"No way, I'm going to beat this guy. I owe him now for hitting me from behind." She took up a fighting stance, face scowling.
Copycat Ken shook a finger at her though. "Not so fast Saotome. I've also got all the moves of all your friends, and your enemies." He fluttered the handkerchief again, and this time Ryoga stood before her, then Mousse, then Happosai, then Kuno. Ranma surprise was evident, but her stance didn't drop.
"Yea, looks like you got them alright. Won't help you any." She charged the boy as he fluttered the kerchief again. Before she got to him, it had fluttered away, leaving…
"Ranma watch out!" Goku cried out in surprise as Goten and Trunks's glowing fused version stood before a now shocked Ranma. The Super Saiyan child smirked maliciously as the pig-tailed girl nearly plowed into him. With a blur, the boy vanished, only to reappear behind her to kick the girl high into the sky. Before she got far he had appeared behind her again, and landed a hard double-fisted blow to her back. She screamed in pain from the attack. The girl landed into the ground with a slam, leaving a deep imprint in the ground.
"Man…how did he manage to copy Gotenk's moves!" She tried to pick herself up, but her body screamed in protest. Ken landed on the concrete wall, and the kerchief fluttered again, this time leaving the real Ken in place.
"You! How you like to make some easy money! One hundred-thousand yen to be exact!" The gang leader now felt he had a clincher, someone stronger than the pathetic Dan.
"I don't want money, I only want the love of Akane…wait a sec, did you say one hundred-thousand yen?" Ken looked at the leader, who shook his head enthusiastically.
"All you have to do is beat him, and the money is yours!" The leader pointed at Goku, who looked more than slightly annoyed.
Copycat Ken looked down at Goku thoughtfully then fluttered the kerchief again. When it cleared, Goku gazed up himself.
Taking up Goku's trademark tiger stance on the wall, Ken said in Goku's voice, "Alright. This shouldn't take long at all."
To be continued….