I do not own Gold Digger and its associated characters. They belong to that marvelous fellow Fred Perry. I do not own Ranma and its associated characters. They belong to the wonderful lady Rumiko Takahashi. This production is strictly for entertainment, and I am not making any money off of the writings. I am just a poor student, so please Don't sue me Please?
Broken Hearts Combined Chapter 7: The Secret of Neko-Ken
Ranma wakes up slowly. His vision is slightly blurry and pink tinted, his body aches all over, and his head feels like it had a semi-truck run over it, back up, and run over it again. He looks around and sees the room is some sort of lab And there appear to be papers with print that keep coming out of one of the machines to the left of where he floating
Ranma (Thinks): FLOATING!?
Ranma places his hands forward, and touches a glass-like substance. He realizes he has an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. And he looks downwards At least he's still in his underwear Ranma then notices something to the right of him. A large computer screen with stats Apparently Stats on him
PATIENT NAME: RANMA.
NATIONALITY: JAPAN SEX: MALE
HEAL STATUS ARM, RIGHT: 95.357%
ARM, LEFT: 96.98%
LEG, RIGHT: 92.8884%
LEG, LEFT: 94.049%
SPINAL COLUMN: 90.0006%
RIB CAGE: 93.9007%
SKULL: 97.98%
ORGANS: 91.0967%
TOTAL HEAL: 94.0316%
Ranma (Thinks): Okay But where am I?
Soon Gina walks into the room. She sees Ranma is awake. She looks over his form for a minute with a lecherous grin and she then waves at him. Ranma starts pounding on the inside of the tube he's in. Gina has an 'understanding' of what Ranma wants and she turns to look at the computer screen with the stats. Gina then shakes her head.
Gina: Sorry Ranma. The stats for the Regenerator Tube say you're not up to 100% yet.
Ranma continues to pound on the inside of the tube.
Gina: Sorry Ranma. Brit would kill me if I let you out without being fully healed.
Ranma starts kicking the inside of the tube.
Gina: Hey! Are you trying to break that?
Ranma nods his head.
Gina (Puts her hand over her face): Oh boy You want me to call up Brit and see what she thinks?
Ranma nods his head energetically.
Gina: Okay. (Moves over to an intercom on the wall and presses a button). Brit
Britanny (Voice): Yes Gina? How's Ranma.
Gina: Well, he's awake. What do you
Britanny (Interrupts, voice): I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!
Exactly one minute later. Britanny, in her werecheetah form comes to a screeching halt Plowing through a lot of Gina's equipment
Gina (Teary-eyed): My equipment
Britanny (Looks at the tube, smile on her face): RANCHAN!
Ranma moves to the farther end of the tube and appears to be screaming. Britanny blinks.
Britanny (Confused): Huh? OH YEAH! The Neko-Ken Sorry Ranchan
Britanny then transforms back to her human form. Ranma calms down. Gina then turns to talk to Britanny.
Gina: Hey Brit.
Britanny: Yeah Sis?
Gina: Ranma wants out, but he's not fully healed yet. I thought to get your okay before I let him loose. After all, you were the one that told me not to let him out until he was fully healed.
Britanny: And what is it now?
Gina: Last I checked, his body had healed to a bit over 90% proficiency.
Britanny: Then good lord Gina! Let the poor boy out!
Gina sighs. She moves over to a larger console and starts pressing some buttons. Suddenly, the gelatinous pink goop drains through the bottom of the tube, letting Ranma's feet touch the floor. As soon as the majority of the goop in the tube is gone, it's filled up with warm water, and it drains yet again, taking the rest of the goop with it. The tube suddenly forms into the floor. Ranma then steps out of the tube, and shakes his head, getting the excess water out of it. Britanny then tosses Ranma a towel.
Britanny: How do you feel Ranchan?
Ranma: To be honest, I still feel like crap, but hey I've survived mush worse than this I've survived Akane's cooking.
Britanny giggles at Ranma's and then glomps onto him, relieved that he's alive.
Gina (Stares at all this): Uh
Ranma just stands still. The contact with Britanny on his mostly nude form giving him a new sensation A tingling one Ranma just pushes Britanny off of him gently.
Ranma: Britanny
Britanny (Blushes): Yes Ranchan?
Ranma: If I may ask What happened?
Britanny: Huh?
Gina: Why do you ask?
Ranma: Well, because Britchan seems awfully worried about me
Britanny (Eyes sparkle): You can? How?
Ranma: Yes I can tell by the way you were hugging onto me with all your strength Britchan.
Britanny (Blush deepens, scratches back of her neck): Heh heh Sorry
Gina: Well Ranma, I can honestly tell you she's been worried because you've been unconscious for three days since your fight with mom.
Ranma stares at Gina in total shock. He is surprised that someone beat him Even more so since it was a WOMAN that beat HIM! Ranma feels his face blush with embarrassment, since he wasn't expecting to fight anyone THAT good and that he LOST!
Ranma: Can I ask you two another question?
Britanny: Sure.
Gina: What is it Ranma?
Ranma: How'd your mom get to be so good? I can honestly say that I have never fought anyone as skilled as her.
Gina looks at Britanny, and Britanny nods her head. They then go into a bit of an explanation about the Jade Realm, and how their mom is the strongest warrior of that realm. Ranma is a bit surprised, but hey This is a chance to learn something new.
Ranma: May I ask if you two will take me to see your mother Julia? I want to ask her a few questions
Gina: Sure. I don't think she'll mind. However, you may want to get dressed Not that 'I' mind of course.
Ranma blinks then looks down at himself. He sighs He's still in his underwear And now Gina and Britanny are looking at him in ways that his old 'fianc es' used too Poor guy can't seem to catch a break
Ranma: Britchan
Britanny: Yes?
Ranma: Can I get some clothes?
Britanny (Smiles): Sure Just follow me and I'll get you all dressed up (Winks).
Ranma shivers. He'd know THAT look Britanny is giving him from a mile away. Ranma sighs and follows Britanny to her room. Gina then looks around the lab to make sure no one is around. She then goes up to one of her security cameras and takes out the tape. She sticks it into a VHS add-on she made for her computer She sticks in the tape, and watches the replay of Ranma floating unconscious in the Regenerator Tube while in his boxers.
Gina (Smiles): Yum!
In Britanny's room
Ranma (Running): Come on Britchan! You can stop chasing me! I can dress myself!
Britanny (Running after Ranma): Ranma! Hold still! I said I'd dress you, and I mean it!
Finally after doing what they had to get done, the girls take Ranma to the library, where they are sure to find Julia. They stop at a huge set of oak wood doors, with leaf designs carved into it. When they open the door, Ranma is, once again impressed by the Diggers Mansion. The library is huge, and it looks like it connects into three floors. There are huge bookcases that reach from the floor, all the way up to the ceiling. Ranma has never seen so many books in his entire life!
Ranma (Wide-eyed): Woah
After looking around, they find Julia sitting in a plush red-leather armchair, which is part of a set of redwood oak table and other pieces of leather furniture. Julia appears to be looking over texts of some sort.
Ranma: Hello!
As soon as Ranma calls out to Julia, she looks up from her book towards Ranma, surprised to see him up so soon. Julia smiles softly at him.
Julia: Hello young one. It is good to see you are all right from our bout.
Ranma: Yeah Um. Julia if I may ask a question?
Julia: Go right ahead.
Ranma: Um Well You see I was really impressed by how well you fought me, and Um (Mumbles incoherently)
Ranma's actions surprise Britanny. She's never known Ranma to admit someone is better than him Sure, it may seem like he is complimenting Julia, but he seems to have a deeper meaning to what he's saying (Even when it's incoherent)
Julia smiles, as she was hoping to ask Ranma about what he would want to do next when he would wake up. But before she can start asking him anything, she remembers what Theo told her yesterday.
Julia: Ranma, before we do anything, we have to talk to Theo first about your Neko-Ken.
Ranma (Surprised): You know about that?
Julia: It's all right Ranma. We had Britanny explain to us about your life that you told her while you were unconscious so that we could have a netter understanding of you.
Ranma nods his head, and thinks that's okay He does get tired of having to repeat his story over and over again, and Britanny has apparently taken it into her own hands.
Julia then gets up from her seat and motions for the others to follow her. Ranma, Britanny, and Gina look at each other and then follow Julia out of the library.
After walking from one end of the mansion to another, (which takes a good forty minutes) Julia, Ranma, Britanny, and Gina finally make it to Theo's study. They see that Theo was working on some magical items, and there's a magical pentagram adorning the floor.
Ranma: Hello! Dr. Diggers What's all this is for?
Theo turns around. Slightly startled by Ranma calling out to him since he was just thinking about what he should be doing next. Theo then answers Ranma.
Theo: Well Ranma, after doing some studying, I realized why you are so afraid with cats And it's because of the Neko-Ken's influence
Julia, Ranma, Britanny, and Gina just stare at Theodore. Ranma is confused.
Ranma: Hey, I told you it's because of the Neko-Ken already
Theo (Shakes his head): True, but that is only part of it. Listen to what I have to tell you Ranma
Ranma: Okay
Theo: After studying a copy of the Neko-Ken manual, and referring to the history of Jade, I have discovered something about Neko-Ken.
Ranma (Starts sweating): What is it?
Britanny: Daddy Is something wrong?
Theo: You should know this The Neko-Ken actually binds the child's soul to a cat demon. The pain and horrors inflicted on the trainee actually tear away at their soul, so that a demon can enter
Ranma is horrified. He doesn't know what to think about that.
Britanny (Puts her hand on Ranma's shoulder): Are you okay Ranma?
Ranma shakes his head For the first time in his life, he is truly afraid
Theo: Do not to worry Ranma. After doing some further study about the Neko-Ken, I have discovered how to get rid of the fear it induces into you whenever you see a cat. So, with your permission, I am going to try to exorcise the demon from you.
Ranma: Do it
Theo: Very well
Theo asks Ranma to stand in the center of the pentagram and for the others to stand off to one side of the room. Theodore stars chanting a spell in an unknown language Ranma begins to glow, light pouring from his eyes and mouth And the most amazing thing happens
Ranma starts fighting with himself, his aura shifting into two shades at once. One aura is a shimmering, crystal-clear blue and the other a complete, bubbling black. Ranma clutches his stomach, trying to cope with the sudden pain he's in, as his body tries to reject the dark power that has been growing inside of him for over a decade Ranma's blue aura eventually rejects the blackness from it. The darkness then begins to roll around on the ground and takes shape
Britanny (Wide-eyed): Oh my God
Julia (Stares): What on Jade
Gina: Dear Lord
Theo begins chanting some more, his eyes now glowing with a golden light. He points at the bubbling black ooze on the ground and shoots a beam of light into it, making it explode But then the ooze forms back together And then it takes form It looks like a panther, but seems larger and more muscular.
Ranma (Stares): It is a cat demon
Theo then holds up a spirit ward and chants again, his eyes now glowing a pale white light as he tries to send the demon cat back to the Nether Realm, but It just laughs
Demon Cat: GYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA! What a foolish mortal thou art! What dost thou think to do in the predicament I have put thine into?
Theo (Sweats as he begins concentrating his energies into the ward): You Shall Be Gone!
Demon Cat (Looks at Ranma): Listen and listen well child of the wild cat Even though I have been ejected from thine body, mine influence has not Thou shalt always have the demon art Neko-Ken to thou
Ranma (Wide-eyed): WHAT!?
Britanny: Hey! I'll show you! I'll help Ranma get over his fear!
Demon Cat: Heh heh Foolish child of the werecheetahs I admit that thine fear may be possible to erode over time, but the darkness of the Neko-Ken shall forever stain thy immortal soul Enjoy (Smiles). My 'son'
The demonic cat then just dissipates into nothingness as Theo finishes his enchantment The demon cat's laughter hisses on the air. Theo, having actually performed the exorcism is tired, and literally falls into his chair. After all, separating Ranma from the demon cat took quite a bit out of him, but it was successful For the most part
Theo: Ranma I'm sorry I couldn't do better But now you should no longer have a fear of cats to you
Ranma (Stares at him): Fear I still have it
Theo: Eh?
Ranma (Shakes his head sadly): I thank you for your efforts Dr. Diggers Unfortunately Now I have another fear
Britanny (Worried): Ranchan?
Ranma: My soul
Gina: Ranma?
Ranma: The cat said it himself I still have this darkness to my soul Do you have any idea what that means?
Julia: No. What does it mean to you?
Ranma: I can't fight anymore
Britanny (Wide-eyed): Huh? What do you mean!? You're one of the greatest fighters ever!
Ranma doesn't say anything. Instead he just turns around, and walks out of Theo's study.
Britanny (Looks towards Theo): Daddy? What's wrong with Ranchan? Theo: Sigh Britanny Perhaps it is best to leave him alone for now
Britanny (Looks towards Julia): Mom?
Julia (Nods her head): Go to him daughter He may need someone to talk to.
Gina: Good luck sis
Britanny nods her head and then starts running out of the room
Ranma stands on one of the balconies overlooking the backyard. He stares at the sky and wonders What is in store for him now?
Ranma (Thinks): Damn it! I didn't want this I didn't want to be damned! DAMN IT ALL!
Ranma then just slams his hands on the balcony railing Ranma then does something unexpected He begins to cry Ranma curses himself for being weak He was brought up to believe that 'manly men' don't cry Ranma stops crying when he suddenly feels a hand on his shoulder. Ranma turns around and sees Britanny, tears in her eyes as well
Britanny: Ranma What's wrong? Are you going to be okay?
Ranma (Looks towards the ground): I I honestly don't know anymore I can't be a martial artist anymore
Britanny: You said that before Why do you have to stop fighting?
Ranma: I could be killed
Britanny (Blinks): That didn't stop you before
Ranma: Britchan I'm afraid
Britanny: But why? (Hugs Ranma to her). Please answer me. I hate seeing you suffer Please Tell me
Ranma: Britanny My soul is now tainted When I die I know I'm going to hell.
Britanny (Hugs him tightly): Now you're not! You're a good person!
Ranma (Shakes his head): Britchan I've done a lot of crazy stuff in my time Made a lot of stupid mistakes And I've caused a lot of chaos wherever I go And now I finally understand why My soul has a dark energy to it If I can't get rid of it before I die I'm literally damned
Britanny and Ranma are then silent. Neither one knows what to do Britanny just keeps hugging Ranma, hoping to at least reassure him that he'll be all right
Female Voice: I can help you
Ranma and Britanny then break apart in shock and turns towards the voice. It's Julia.
Britanny: Mom?
Ranma: Hello Mrs. Diggers
Julia: So What's bothering you is this idea that you are tainted?
Ranma (Nods his head slowly): I know it sounds stupid, but I don't want myself or others to have to suffer because of something I never even wanted to do
Britanny (Places her hand on Ranma's shoulder): It'll be okay Ranchan I know it will
The only one that doesn't appear upset by this is Julia.
Julia: Ranma So you think you should quit fighting because you're afraid that you're going to go to hell when you die?
Ranma: I don't want to quit fighting But If I somehow lose And get killed Then what?
Julia (Shakes her head): Sigh Ranma We will all die at some point of our lives But I don't think you should quit your fighting because of that. After all the Neko-Ken can be used both ways.
Ranma (Eyes Julia): Both ways?
Britanny: Mom?
Julia: If used properly, the Neko-Ken can become a useful style of fighting for a warrior You may literally become one of the greatest
Ranma: Sign The greatest I used to think I was the greatest But with everything that's been going on in my life I'm just not sure anymore The failed wedding You kicking my ass And Now this I just don't know what to do anymore
Julia (Walks closer to Ranma): Ranma
Ranma (Looks up at Julia): Yes? !
The world seems to go still to everyone Julia has just slapped Ranma across the face, and Britanny just looks on, not knowing what to do Ranma is just surprised by the actions. Finally Julia breaks the tension when she begins to talk.
Julia: Ranma You are afraid that you have been 'tainted' Well, how would you like to be 'cleansed'?
Ranma (Eyes widen in hope): Cleansed? Is it possible?
Julia (Nods her head): Yes I can help you train yourself Become stronger not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well That will help 'cleanse' you of all doubts And listen carefully to what I have to say Ranma
Ranma: What is it?
Julia: This will be the first time I do this It will be a great honor upon you Though I have 'trained' a few people in fighting, like Gar, I have never taken on an actual student After fighting with you I know you are the one Ranma I offer you the chance to become my student I will teach you everything I know about the Art of war and battle Do you accept?
Ranma (Nods his head energetically): YES!
Julia (Smiles): Very well I expect you up at sunrise BOTH of you!
Britanny (Surprised): Me too?
Julia: Yes. I will need you there in the beginning. Ranma will now be able to get over his fear of cats And your werecheetah form will be a good steppingstone for him Britanny.
Britanny: Oh Okay
Julia: Well You two better get to bed We're going to be up real early tomorrow
Ranma: What time is it?
Julia: 7 pm.
Ranma: And you say we should go to bed now?
Julia: Yes You are going to get up EARLY!
Ranma Britanny: Grooooooooaaaaaaaaaannnnn
Julia (Thinks): Kids these days I never groaned when I was growing up training
Ranma: Well If I may ask Where am I going to sleep in this place?
Britanny (Eyes light up): I KNOW THE PERFECT PLACE!
Britanny then grabs Ranma's wrist and drags him down the hall.
Britanny: Come on Ranchan! You're sleeping in my room!
Ranma (Eyes widen): HUH!? NO! Wait Britchan! I'll sleep in the living room Or the kitchen Or the bathroom Hell, I'll sleep in the laundry room!
Britanny: Nuh uh! You're the guest, and I plan to make this an enjoyable visit for you.
Ranma: Eep
Julia just shakes her head and smiles.
Julia (Thinks as she watches the two leave): Ah Young love I'm glad they both get along well together And I can tell by Ranma's actions that he would never try to do anything to Britanny (Smiles). Even if he did, I'd just take it out on him in his training tomorrow morning
End Chapter 7
Next Time: Ranma begins his training with Julia Poor, poor guy
Author's note: Hmm I had gotten this as a review from RomulusLoneWolf23. Yet, he didn't have an e-mail address for me to reply to him through. So I am going to bring up the good point RomulusLoneWolf23 had, and try to answer some very common questions I have received on Broken Hearts Combined
RomulusLoneWolf23 writes
"Ok... I couldn't even finish Chapter One without getting disgusted... That's how much Out of Character this fic is. You're messing with both Ranma 1/2's characters AND Gold Digger's own characters, and I can't stand that! -Ranma 1/2: Ranma and Akane LOVE each other... Maybe if you'd bothered with actually reading the Manga series, you'd have realized that. I don't know who those two people pretending to be Ranma and Akane were, but those AREN'T Ranma and Akane. Ranma fought the god-like Saffron to save Akane's life, and confessed his love for her when he believed he'd lost her for good. And Akane wanted to go through with the wedding because SHE LOVED HIM... In any case, I think Ranma would like a word with you about the OOC treatment... If there's anything left when Akane's through... -Gold Digger: You have a lot of nerve claiming you'll use flames to line Charlotte's Birdcage, seeing how this Fic messed up her beloved Best Friend/Sensei. Charlotte would like to show you her new Gnucci Butt-kickin' Gloves for that. And that's not even saying what Brit' would do to you for ruining her relationship with Strype... ...The guy who gave up a planetary kingdom to be with her, the guy she traveled a few lightyears to find, on who's side she fought against the Dynasty, for whom she brushed off a Were-Jaguar who was madly in love with her... Do I even need to go on how many ways this Fic is just plain Wrong? Do yourself a favor and end it here and apologize to us REAL Ranma 1/2 and Gold Digger fans..."
It is as you say RomulusLoneWolf23. The characters are different, in fact, quite a bit OOC. And I meant it to be that way. I admit that I made them a bit different from how they usually act. But I did that because my stories tend to 'evolve' the characters, making them better AND worse in certain aspects...
And yes, I am an avid fan of Gold Digger. Have all of the comics, except the first limited-series, the Cheetah Asrial Crossover, and issues #1, 2, and 4 of the Annuals. Ranma comics however, I have only seen up to the part with the Umi Seiken and Yama Seiken scrolls, so I have to read web-sites to get info on how the rest of the series went.
Also, I take it from your 'angry' reply that you're a Stripe fan? To be honest, I am a fan of a lot of the characters I have really OOC. However, it's because I LIKE Stripe that I did that to him... I needed Britanny freed up for 'other possibilities'... So it was either get rid of him by killing him off... Which I DO NOT want to do... Or, find some way to break them up that they won't want to be together. Don't worry. He'll become more matured by the experience, and will show a brighter side later on, so bare with me for a while...
Also, I notice one thing... A lot of people comment on chapter two. They either want me to have Ranma killing Ryoga, or mad that Ryoga did that to Ranma, or think that the chapter was way out there. What is up with that!? Oh well... Ryoga will mature over time as well Get a bit angrier about certain aspects of life, but he will mature and become wiser.
But, overall, I have to say this. My stories tend to change the way the character is. If you don't like it, that is your opinion, and I am sorry you cannot find enjoyment from my writings.
And final note... I just have a tiny bit of trouble swallowing the idea Ranma loves Akane. I think if Akane were conscious through most of the Jusendo incident, she would be head-over-heels for Ranma. That kind of thing brings people together... But alas... She 'wasn't there' in mind to really understand what was going on.
But as for Charlotte...
Charlotte (Puts on her new Gnucci Butt-kicking Gloves that Brit gave her in issue #22 of color series): What you doing putting nasty letters at bottom of my cage?
RedPriest17: Um... I thought they would be a lovely addition to your surroundings...
Charlotte (Grabs Red by neck and waist, lifts up in air): CHEETAH SECRET MOVE: QUEEN-DOME-BUSTER! (Pile-drives Red into floor). !
RedPriest17 (Sprawled on ground like a cracked clam): ... Ow...
-This is RedPriest17, signing off. (Anyone have an aspirin? Owwies )
Send your questions and comments to Ryutsurugi
Note: Flames will be read and then used as lining for Charlotte's birdcage./pre