CHAPTER 22

-"LOVERS REUNITED, PROPHECIES REVEALED; R's (and KODACHI's) FIRST DATE!"-

7:30 pm, Belldandy and her sisters were staying in a hotel room in Nerima; they were resting after a long day, and a good meal. Urd and Skuld were relaxing on the sofa, but Belldandy was worried…her sisters notice that:

Urd asks, "Hey Belldandy, what's up with you? You've being acting kinda weird."

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Yeah, right…come on Bell, you know you're a terrible liar, you can tell us!"

"Well…you see, when we were in that restaurant this afternoon, I began to sense a very strong life energy…a familiar one."

Skuld blinks. "What do you mean?"

Belldandy tries to explain, "I really do not know why, but, somehow this aura was very familiar to me."

Urd whistles, "Damn, you don't say?"

Meanwhile, at THE MCD's house. The MCD was still thinking about the girl named Belldandy…why was this girl so important to him?

After all these years…could it be her? I mean, she's supposed to be in heaven, same as me if it weren't for that damned Cat Ghost King. I must find out if 'she's' the one."

Meanwhile…at the RED CATS' Secret Base…

Erick is with his beloved assistant Delia in his dark chamber, having a nice conversation about his plans. "Ah Delia…everything is going according to my plans, soon, the show will begin."

"That's good Erick, you sure are doing a great job."

"Yes…but I have you to thank, Delia-chan…you're always with me in everything, keeping me company, giving me your support. I mean, I couldn't have done it without you, Delia."

Delia blushes, the look of happiness obvious on her face. "Erick, do you really mean that? That's so sweet of you!"

"It is…for it was you who gave me what that miserable woman –(Cassandra)- didn't give me…LOVE… You've made me into a happy man. I'm so lucky to have you."

Delia blushes a deeper shade of red. "Well…you've also made me happy, for you are the first and only mortal who taught me what love is, and for that, I am lucky to have you."

Erick hmph's, "Guess we're both lucky to have each other...right Delia-chan?"

"Right Erick, my love."

Then, Erick puts his hand on her shoulder. Then, their faces slowly draw closer and closer. They're only inches away from each other…when…

TOCK TOCK TOCK TOCK!

Someone just knocked on the door…Erick and Delia wake up and open their eyes:

Mad, Erick says through clenched teeth, "No…it couldn't be!"

Delia tells him, "Ignore it Erick, maybe they'll go away."

Then they try again to have a kiss…when…

TOCK TOCK TOCK TOCK TOCK TOCK!!

Erick's angry now. "Dammit…WHO IS IT?"

Bass' voice can be heard behind the door. "It's me, Bass!"

"What do you want Bass? I'm…busy here!"

"The Cat Ghost King wants to see you."

"That so? Alright, tell him I'll be right there."

Once Bass leaves, Erick grumbles, "I wonder what that fur-ball wants this time?"

Delia shrugs. "Who knows…but we'd better go before he starts to get desperate."

"Afraid so…," Erick sighs. "Guess we'll have to take a rain check on that kiss Delia."

Delia giggles, "Don't worry about it Erick. After all, we have all the time in the world!"

Then, Erick and Delia head for the Cat Ghost King's chamber. Once they arrive:

"Ah Erick, glad that you came meow."

"Thank you…so you wanted to see me sir?"

"Indeed I have meow…Erick, I have some doubts about M. Bison."

"Oh! Doubts of what?"

The Cat Ghost King reveals his concern to his High Priest. "We'd better not lay down our guard with him…I have the feeling that M. Bison's joined us cause he wants to get a hold on the Phoenix Stone."

"You don't say, oh great Cat Ghost King?" Well Duh! You stupid cat! Erick thinks rudely of his lord and master.

"It is…so we better not trust them too much…and be on alert."

"We will…Oh! Before I forget…Cat Ghost King, I want a meeting this afternoon. I'll contact M. Bison; everyone must be there."

"Why meow?"

"Cause it involves the riddles I unlocked."

"But meow, I thought you already told us that you finished them meow."

"No, I've only revealed part of the stones…but there's more."

The next day…Belldandy and her sisters wake up in their hotel room, and Skuld begins to make breakfast. Once they finish eating, Urd wanted to know, So Bell…what are today's plans?"

"To try to find out about that weird energy that father asked us to do."

Skuld wonders aloud, " Now the question is…how do we find it?"

Then, someone knocks on the door. When Belldandy opens it, she sees the bellhop with a letter in his hand. "Yes?"

"Miss. Belldandy?"

"Yes, I'm Belldandy."

"Good…I have a letter for you…just sign here please."

Once Belldandy signs and gives the Bellhop a tip and he leaves, Belldandy opens the letter and begins to read it:

"What is it, Belldandy?" Urd asks her.

"It's a letter…from the owner of the restaurant we went to yesterday."

"Really…what does it say?"

"He said that he wants to meet us this afternoon at this place."

Urd blinks. "Wonder why he wants to see us?"

Skuld, excited, says, "Maybe we won a prize and he wants to give it to us!"

Urd snorts, "Yeah right…Bell, are we gonna go? I mean, we do have an assignment you know."

"I know, but it would be rude of me not to attend."

Urd nods, "I suppose…well, I'm gonna go and have something to eat, Skuld, you wanna come?"

Skuld says, "You bet, let's go!"

Urd and Skuld went to get something to eat. Belldandy, now alone, wonders, "I wonder why the restaurant owner wants to see me?"

RED CATS SECRET BASE:

There was a meeting in the Cat Ghost King's shrine …Erick and Delia are seated at the center of a large table…the other people there are…Adon, Sagat, Rolento, Birdie, Vega, their Leader M. Bison and his assistant Tron Bonne, also Dr. Wily, Bass with his canine robot dog Treble, Bubbleman, along with some of Dr. Wily's robots…

Erick starts the meeting. "Welcome gentlemen, and thank you all for coming."

"Happy to be here…but tell us…why did you call us?" M. Bison wants to know.

"I'll tell you all…I found out some more inscriptions on those stones…which you all will find very fascinating…especially you, Cat Ghost King."

The Cat Statue blinks (c'mon already, he's a friggin STATUE for cryin' out loud!). "Me!…Why?"

"You'll soon find out…now, as I was saying…aside from the riddles that I uncovered…"

Now it's Bison's turn to blink. "Riddles?"

Erick remembers, "Oh, I forgot that you guys don't know them. Allow me to tell it, so M. Bison listen well…-" To find that which cannot be seen, it will appear when that heart is free, only then, the Phoenix Stone lies waiting. Look closer and you'll find it in…"-

All of M. Bison's men look at Erick as if to say –"What in the world did he just say?"-

M. Bison ahem's before saying, "Excuse my rudeness, but, what does that mean?"

Tron Bonne takes a wild guess. "Sounds to me like clues to find that stone."

Erick confirms, "And you're right, Miss. Bonne…that's exactly what they are…clues to find the Phoenix Stone."

Bass isn't convinced. "But…it didn't sound like a clue to me…I mean, that doesn't make any sense!"

Erick's thinking: Always an idiot. Out loud, he says, "Bass…in order to know the answer, you must first look for the question, if not, you'll be confused."

"HUH?"

"And, I found more on it…listen carefully…

-" When the black moon appeared on the sky, and the sky turned dark, the evil one will arise, and it will become very big and very strong…"

The Cat Statue likes that one. "Meow, I like those words!" he purrs

Erick notices this. "That's good, however, Oh Cat Ghost King, there's more…"

-"…however…the evil one will fall, when Fire and Lightning become a Thunderstorm…"

M. Bison rubs his chin in thought, pondering what this could mean. "Fascinating."

Erick smiles. "It is…"

Tron says, "Wow, they sound cool, kinda like prophecies!"

"Right again Tron Bonne, that's what they are…a prophecy, written by Nostradamus himself.

Dr. Wily asks, "Who…Nostratus?"

Erick corrects him. "No, Dr. Wily, Nostradamus."

M. Bison (who we would have thought would know who Nostradamus is) asks, "Who is this "Nostradamus"?-

Erick explains, "Nostradamus was a predictor from long ago. It is said that he had visions of the future, and he wrote down all those predictions down, all those prophesies he wrote down, began to happen over the course of time."

Dr. Wily ventures, "You mean…"

Erick nods. "Oh yeah, Doctor. All the disasters and wonders that this world's had over the years, Nostradamus told it in his Prophesies…"

Bison's intrigued. "So that means that…"

"He revealed the two World Wars, Hitler's rise and fall, the men walking on the moon, etc…even, your rising M. Bison and your resurrection Cat Ghost King."

The Cat Statue lets out a huge gasp. "WHAAAAAAT?"

Even Bison is shocked. "ME?"

"That's right comrades…amazing, wasn't he!"

M. Bison and the Cat Statue can't believe it. That Nostradamus guy (who, they both reasoned, was obviously around a LONG time before the Red Cat Gang and Shadowloo were even formed) knew about them:

Erick changes the subject, there are other matters to discuss. "But enough about that my friends…we have to know what those riddles mean, for once we solve them, we will find the Phoenix Stone."

The Cat Statue agrees. "Meow…you're right, we must find that stone and we must do it fast."

"One more thing guys…it appeared that we have some competition for the Stone."

"Competition? What do you mean Erick meow?" the Cat Statue asks.

"What I mean is…There are 'others' who've found out about the Phoenix Stone, and now they're trying to find it and claim it for themselves."

This does NOT sit too well with the Cat Ghost King. Mad, he yells, "WHAT!? WHO ARE THIS STUPID HUMANS WHO DARE TO FIND MY STONE!?"

M. Bison nods. "That's right…who are these persons who you speak of so that my men can find them and destroy them?" Thinking to himself, Bison says: After all, it will be 'my' stone!

Erick tells them both, "If you must know I'll tell you, but, they're not quite human…they're Darkstalkers."

"Darkstalkers?" Bison asks.

"Yep, they're supernatural beings…" Erick motions to Delia, who waves her hand and a holographic image of Dimitri appears. "…This guy is a Vampire called Dimitri Maximov, a self-proclaimed "Prince of Darkness"," Erick laughs to himself, ridiculing THAT notion. Next, a picture of Morrigan appears. "This lovely lady is Morrigan, she's a Succubus from Makai…" The image changes to a picture of Bishamon. "And this warrior is Bishamon, a cursed Samurai…these are the people who are seeking the Phoenix Stone, oh great Cat Ghost King."

The Cat Ghost King was angry at them for trying to get what he thinks is his…Vega however, gets a VERY good look at Morrigan, and a spark shines in his eye… he's thinking: My oh my, such a beautiful woman! Such radiance from her! I like her!

It seems that Morrigan is now Vega's 'new' prey.

The Statue of the Cat Ghost King angrily hisses, "I DON'T CARE WHO THEY ARE! NO ONE SHALL GET MY STONE…I WANT THEM ELIMINATED!"

Delia sweetly asks, "M. Bison, would you do us the honor of helping us get rid of them please?"

Bison says, "Very well, we will take care of the problem."

Delia happily says, "Thank you so much, Bison!"

Satisfied (for now, anyway), Erick concludes the meeting. "Now that that's taken care of…anyone for Chinese Food?"

It's afternoon; Belldandy and her sisters arrive at the place where the MCD asked to meet them. It was in Nerima Park. Belldandy's still wondering why he asked her to meet him. They wait for him for a couple of minutes when…

"Good, you made it," a man's voice says.

Belldandy and her sisters turn around and see the MCD. He was wearing a black jacket, short white coat, white pants, white and dark shoes:

The MCD smiles. "So good you came."

Belldandy's unsure. "Well, I'm here. What is it that you wanted to see me about?"

Urd steps toward the MCD. "Yeah, why did you want to see her?"

The MCD tells them, "I'll explain it all to you, but first, you must allow me to explain it to you gals. Then you can ask me all the questions you want…okay?"

"Well…okay." Belldandy says, a little nervous.

Urd: snorts, "Whatever." But I still don't trust this guy; I'd better keep an eye on him.

Skuld's thinking: I just hope that this guy doesn't try to make a pass at Belldandy, or I'll mallet him with my hammer!

"Okay…what I'm about to say, you must listen and believe and not be afraid, please..." Belldandy and her sisters nod yes. The MCD sighs, relieved, "Thank you…"

Urd stops him before he can even start talking. "Listen, no offense, but, why did you want to see Bell? I mean, she doesn't know you."

"But I know who 'you' really are."

Urd, raises an eyebrow, sarcastically asking, "Oh really?" This must be one wacko guy or an enemy. If he tries to harm my sister, he'll be in a world of trouble!"

"I know that your names are Belldandy, Urd and Skuld, and that you're sisters."

"So? That doesn't prove anything."

"And…that you're all Goddesses."

This takes the sisters by surprise…

Belldandy, shocked, thinks: No, he knows what we are…but that's impossible!

Urd, startled, thinks: No way…how does he know that? No mortal can do that!

Skuld, worried, thinks: He…he knows us, but, there's no way! How did he do that?

Then, they try to deny it:

Urd gets serious, hands on her hips. "Listen buster, I think you're mistaken. We're not what you say we are!"

Belldandy laughs nervously, "That's right mister, I think that there's a misunderstanding."

Well, the MCD is pretty certain. "No there isn't…You, Belldandy are the Goddess of the Present, First Class, unlimited, and also…the daughter of God -(Kami)-…"

Belldandy, like her sisters, is beginning to get scared of him…

THE MCD continues, looking in Urd's direction, "…you Urd, are the Goddess of the Past, also known as the Goddess of Love…

Now Urd's scared, thinking: NO! HOW DOES HE KNOW? WHO IS HE?

THE MCD then says to Skuld, "…and you Skuld, are the Goddess of the Future, who likes to build machines, and likes ice cream a lot."

The sisters are now scared of him; they think he is an enemy. Urd with a defiant look in her eyes faces him. "Okay buster…who are you? How is it that you know who we are? ANSWER ME!"

THE MCD: calmly says, "Very well then…my name is THE MCD, but my real name and self is…"

Then, the MCD closes his eyes and concentrates and changes in front of Belldandy and her sisters. When they look up, they see an Angel…

"…Michael Angelus…General of the Armies of Heaven and loyal Angel of God, but also…your fiancée, Belldandy."

THE MCD has just revealed himself to Belldandy and her sisters as Michael Angelus, the General of the Armies of Heaven…but most of all…As Belldandy's fiancée!

Belldandy is shocked after hearing this…Urd and Skuld were just as shocked.

Belldandy couldn't believe this…Her fiancée! And he knows her! then, something came to Belldandy's mind. Frightened, she thinks: No, my fiancé? Wait a minute…Michael Angelus…?

Angelus risks taking a step towards her. "I see that you might have forgotten about me…but it's me, Belldandy."

Belldandy wakes up, and then she looks at him with a scared look in her eyes and walking back. It's as if she's seen a ghost. "No, you can't be him…it's impossible…"

Angelus blinks. "Why do you say that, Bell-chan?"

"You can't be him…he disappeared a long time ago."

Angelus grimly thinks: Hmm, that must have been due to the accident I had thanks to that damn Cat Ghost King… Aloud, he tries to persuade her that he's telling the truth – after all, why would he lie? "Look Belldandy, it's me, Michael Angelus, your fiancé and…"

Belldandy angrily yells, "SHUT UP!"

Urd and Skuld tense up. In all the times they've known her, Belldandy never yelled at anyone. She was always a warm, loving girl (Reminds me of Kasumi Tendo). Now, for the first time in her life…she's angry:

Urd's thinking, worried: Oh man, I've never seen Belldandy like this since…well, never!

Skuld likewise thinks: I'm scared…Belldandy's mad…I didn't think that Belldandy could get mad!

Belldandy continues, upset, "HOW DARE YOU TO TAKE THE FORM OF MY LOST FIANCEE! I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, BUT YOU CAN'T, YOU WONT, YOU WILL NOT FOOL ME!", She starts to cry, "HE IS DEAD!! I DON'T BELIEVE YOU, YOU IMPOSTOR!"

Then, she begins to walk away, when Angelus says, "Wait Belldandy…I can prove it! Please listen to me…!"

Belldandy stops, but she didn't look at him:

Angelus goes on. "…Look, you like to play the harp for your father, and you love animals, little ones you love the most…"

Belldandy gasps when she hears this…

"And, this…!" Then Angelus takes out a medallion and throws it to Belldandy. When she grabs it, her eyes go wide when she sees it, it was a blue crystal with rubies, in the shape of a flower… Shocked, she thinks: Oh my…this, this was my Medallion, but…how?

Angelus tells her, "… That Medallion, you gave it to me on the day of the ceremony in heaven, the day I was made General by your father…"

Belldandy turns around slowly to face him. Angelus sees her, and the tears in her eyes, but he continues, "…and, remember at the dance? We were on the balcony, and I recited a poem that I wrote for you. I said to you…-"You are my world, you are my light, you are my inspiration of life, your heart is a mighty star that will never fade out, your kindness is a light that illuminates the night, forever I'll be grateful for being yours…"

Belldandy finishes it, "…just as I am grateful for being yours."

Belldandy then looks at Michael Angelus, the look of happiness and joy in her eyes obvious, tears streaming down her face.

She whispers, "Michael…it is you…!" Then, she yells, "MICHAEL!"

Belldandy rushes to him and embraces him, she was crying on his shoulder, but she's happy. "Michael, I'm so happy,! You are alive! I thought that you died, I missed you so much!"

Angelus hugs her back. "And I missed you a lot Belldandy, more that you can ever imagine."

Urd and Skuld are happy as well. Urd hmph's, smiling. "So it IS him. He's alive. I don't believe it. This is great!"

Skuld agrees, "You're right, I sure missed him a lot. But he's back! I'm so happy."

Then, when Belldandy calms down a little. "Oh Michael, I'm so sorry for treating you awful and yelling at you, I thought that you were an impostor."

Angelus is not even worried about it – he's just happy to see her again. "That's okay Belldandy, no harm's done."

"But, what happened to you? I thought that you died."

Angelus chuckles, "Well, I'm not, although I hadn't got that chance."

"So, where were you all this time Michael? Why didn't you come back to heaven? Why didn't you contact me, or my sisters?"

"Belldandy, guys, why don't you all come to my restaurant, I'll explain it there, okay?"

"Very well."

"Okay." Urd agrees.

Skuld nods. "Sure, and while we're there, can we have something to eat? I'm kinda hungry."

Urd, frustrated, groans, "You're always hungry, Skuld!"

NERIMA WARD OF TOKYO:

Meanwhile, R was at his house, preparing for his romantic date plan with Kodachi. He picks up the phone and begins to dial… "It's a good thing I paid some girls at St. Hebereke to get Kodachi's phone number", R says to himself while dialing.

At the Kuno Estate, Sasuke answers the phone: Hello, Kuno residence?

"Hello, I'm looking for Kodachi Kuno. Can you page her?"

Sasuke questions the person on the other end of the line, Who is this? And what business do you have with Mistress Kodachi?

"Just get her would you? Tell her it's R…GO!"

Then, minutes later, Kodachi answers: Hello?

R smiles. "Hey Kodachi, how you doing girl? It's me, R."

R, so glad to hear from you, so what do I have the pleasure of your call?

"I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me tonight?"

This takes Kodachi by surprise:

Going out, with you…? As in…a date?

"Well…yeah, I mean, if you want to…. Course if you don't want to go, I'll understand."

Kodachi's thinking: He's asking me out on a date! I don't believe it; no one has ever asked me out!"

The silence on the other end causes R to worry. "Um…Kodachi, are you there, hello?"

Kodachi wakes up and answers the phone. "Yes, yes I'm here!"

"So, what's it gonna be, would you like to go out with me?"

Yes, yes I'll go out with you!

"Great, can I pick you up at, 6 pm?"

Sure.

"Then it's settled. I'll come to your house at six. Wear something pretty."

Okay, see you at six, R.

When Kodachi hangs up the phone, she's blushing. Kodachi says to herself, "Wow, this is…wonderful, I've never gone out on a date…I was always hoping that Ranma would ask me out, but, that will never happen. R is rather sweet; perhaps I'll be able to like him…after he defeats Ranma."

When Sasuke enters, he sees Kodachi's ACTUALLY happy. This gets him kinda scared.

Meanwhile…R's just finished his first part of his plan. "Well, that went well. Now to take Kodachi on a date, give her a good time, and then, she'll hand over all her secrets, then Ranma will fall…but, I can't deny that I will have a good time with her…I mean, I've never been on a date before…guess I'll have to ask Dr. Wily for some dating tips."

AT THE REAL BOUT MARTIAL ARTS BAR AND GRILL:

Angelus, Belldandy and her sisters are having a good meal. When they finish eating, Angelus takes them to his office for a lot of explanations:

Skuld says, patting her full stomach, "That was a gooood meal, I'm stuffed!"

Urd nods. "Tell me about it, I don't think I can eat another bite."

Angelus smiles. "I'm glad that you enjoyed that meal...now, I think I have some explanations for you, and most of all, to you Bell-chan."

Then, he begins to tell his tale of his tragedy. "We had a report of an evil demon cat known as the Cat Ghost King, causing lots of trouble on Earth. So God asked me to go and stop it. You remember that, Belldandy, don't you?"

Belldandy nods. "Yeah, I remember. It was three days after the dance."

"Right. Anyway, my squad and I went there to stop him. When we arrived we fought him and his servants…we defeated them all, but, before we returned, the Cat Ghost launched one last attack against us…I faced him and destroyed him, however…before disappearing, the Cat Ghost King knocked me out and I landed in a spring…however, this was a cursed spring. Next thing I knew, my wings disappeared, I just transformed into a mortal, and, I don't know, but somehow, my powers were reduced…"

"That explains why I lost contact with you, I was trying to find your energy, but the feeling was almost gone…," Belldandy sadly remembers. "When the soldiers arrived, I asked them where you were, but they didn't know, they said that you went down fighting the evil cat, but they lost contact with you."

Urd adds, "That's right, later they sent a search group to find you, but they couldn't track you, your energy reading was nowhere to be found, after many search…well…"

Skuld finishes. "They gave up and returned home. They came to the conclusion that you'd died with the evil cat."

"I…see…so what happened then?" Angelus decides to ask, having heard from the sisters what happened after the battle at Jusenkyo.

Urd goes, "Well…first of all, we where all shocked to hear the news, but Belldandy…"

Angelus is worried now. "What was her reaction?"

Skuld sadly tell him, "She was heartbroken when she thought she lost you. She cried for almost three days. We tried to comfort her, but she was really devastated. Even our Father had to intervene."

Angelus looks directly at Belldandy. "Really Bell-chan?"

Belldandy nods, teary-eyed. "Yes…when I heard that you died, I was crushed. I thought that I lost my love. Part of me had died that day. I was nearly from dying in my mind. I was so sad that, I almost gave up my hope and my love for myself and others…"

Hearing this makes Angelus sad. "Geez…I don't know how sorry I am, Belldandy. I didn't know what happened; I was trapped here. If I had known that would happen, I would never have accepted that mission. I'm so sorry Belldandy, really I am."

"No, it's okay, it wasn't your fault. You did what you had to do, it was your mission and job, and you knew the consequences."

"But still…"

Belldandy's cheerful. " Don't worry, what's important is that you're alive, and I'm so happy that you're here."

Angelus smiles. "Me too."

When the conversation ends, all doubts were cleared up, and Belldandy and her sisters are happy, especially Belldandy. The love she thought she lost, has returned to her. When they have to return to their hotel, Belldandy turns to face Angelus. "Um, Michael?"

"Yes, Belldandy?"

"Do you…still have the ring that I…gave you, you know…that ring?"

Then Angelus put his hand inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out a golden ring. It had the form of a star on it.

"You mean THIS one Bell-chan…?" he says, surprising her, showing the ring. "Of course I have it. Always did. When I couldn't go to heaven and see you, I held onto it and always remembered you, hoping that one day I could see you again."

Belldandy's about to cry. "Michael…"

"Just as my love for you hasn't, nor will ever fade away…I love you Belldandy, as before, as of now, and always for ever."

Belldandy cries happily, "Me too Michael, me too."

Then, Angelus grabs Belldandy's shoulders, and then they share a big, passionate, kiss. Many things are racing around in their minds:

Belldandy thinks: Oh my, oh my, his kiss, so warm, I almost forgot this feeling, I haven't felt like this in so many years!

Angelus is thinking: Her lips, are so warm, like the rays of the sun. How I missed those warm feeling; I'm so happy.

When they break the kiss, their faces were red as tomatoes. Angelus, for the first time in a LONG time, ACTUALLY blushes. "Gosh, that was…incredible Bell-chan."

Belldandy also blushes, nodding, "Yes…it was…cool…well, I'd better go. my sisters are waiting. We'll be back later on."

"I was wondering Bell-chan…why are you here anyway?"

"Oh we forgot…you see, Father asked us to come to Nerima, caused he sensed a disturbance of energy flowing here, so he asked us to investigate."

"A disturbance of energy flowing here! What could it be?"

"We don't know, that's why we're here."

Angelus thinks about what Belldandy's just told him. It would not surprise him at all if the disturbance she and her sisters were sent to investigate has something to do with his old nemesis the Cat Ghost King and his High Priest Erick Genryusai. He finally says, "Well, if you want my help Bell-chan, I'll gladly help you. I might have my powers reduced by half, but I've still got my powers."

Belldandy's happy. "That's so sweet of you! Of course we'll need your help."

"Then it's settled, together we'll look for this problem, okay"

"You got it, and thanks Michael, that means a lot to us."

NERIMA WARD OF TOKYO – KUNO RESIDENCE:

Its 6 pm. R arrives at Kodachi's mansion. He's wearing a black and white jacket, gray shirt, black pants, white shoes, with a little red scarf around his neck, and, to finish his wardrobe, he has a white rose in the left breast pocket of his jacket. He's standing at the door. "Well, this is it…time to play my cards right…it's a good thing that Erick gave me dating tips. Wily sure didn't know anything about it.'

R remembers his tutoring from them:

-(BEGIN FLASHBACK)-

R sees his creator Dr. Wily. He sees him in the lab where he was working on his latest creation. "Hey, Wily."

Dr. Wily greets his boy. "Hey R my boy, how're you doing?"

"I'm fine. I came here for a little advice from you."

Dr. Wily blinks "Advice…? What kind of advice my boy? Are you having trouble with school, or do you need some weapons?"

"No, you see, I have this date with this girl and…"

Wily gasps, "You have a date…? With a girl?" He starts crying Soun Tendo-style, "Oh, my boy is growing up and now he's having his first date! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH…!! Where does the time fly…? It feels like it was only yesterday when you were only a little baby."

R, embarrassed, sweatdrops. "Come on, Doc. Cut that out, it's kinda embarrassing."

Dr. Wily, after he shuts off the waterworks, calms down and apologizes. "Sorry, it's just that, you're having a date with a girl and…"

R blushes, "It's not like that, Wily! I really don't like this girl! Well… I do… a little, but the only reason I'm going out with her is so that I can ask her for her secrets."

"Secrets?"

"Yeah, her name is Kodachi Kuno, and she specializes in drug-type weaponry, paralysis powders and all, and I need her knowledge. Once I know her techniques, Ranma will be defeated!"

Dr. Wily likes R's plan. "I see, that's very clever of you R…like me…!"

"The reason I wanted to talk to you is…if you could, like, give me some dating tips."

Dr. Wily starts sweating. When it comes to building super robot warriors, he's a genius. His recent dabbling in genetic engineering has borne fruit, the result of which is currently seeking some fatherly counsel. But dealing with the opposite sex? Uhh… Wily may be in over his head here. "Um…Dating tips…? Um, well, the thing is…"

"Come on Wily, haven't you ever gone out with a girl before?"

"I…of course I have!" Wily says, sweating nervously. He's never had this type of discussion before, not even with his robots (Cause they're ROBOTS! Why would they need to know about male-female relationships for anyway!) And don't even get him started about the birds and the bees – Wily can't even talk about it without blushing! But being Wily, he tries anyway. Here goes…um…something? He clears his throat and starts to explain, "Well, now where to begin…a woman is like…uh…um…a car."

R sweatdrops. "A car…? How the heck a girl is like a car?"

"Well, you have to treat them and look inside and…" Wily shakes his head and tries again. "No no nooo! It's more like this…uh…"

"Why don't I help you with this, R." a mysterious voice says out of nowhere.

R and Dr. Wily turn around and see Erick and his beloved Delia.

R briefly startled, shouts, "You!"

Erick smiles. "Yes. You wanted to learn about dating tips right, R?" R nods yes. "I can help you. Besides, it's a lot better than listening to 'Dr. Love's' advice," he points to Dr. Wily, who looks all confused and stuff.

R shrugs, "I suppose."

Then R follows Erick and Delia to Erick's dark chamber. Once there Erick sits on his throne and explains to R the basics of dating. "Okay R, first lesson in dating a girl is…you must always be charming and polite with her, and always be on time for her."

R nods. "Okay."

Erick continues, "Listen well. On a date, you mustn't allow a girl to pay. NEVER. It's against all that a gentleman is… and, never use foul language around her, and never disagree with her opinion, because it can get kinda ugly…"

R makes careful notes, writing down what Erick says. "Okay, got it."

"When on a date, take her to a nice place, like a park, or a movie, the kind of places couples usually go…And most important R…Be yourself…don't try to be something or someone you're not for her, 'cause its not worth it."

"Be yourself…got it."

Delia smiles at R, taking the opportunity to add her feminine perspective to Erick's wise advice. "And remember R, we girls like it when they give us flowers or candy."

"Flowers and Candy…I think I can handle that."

Erick concludes, "Well R, we've given you the knowledge; now it's up to you to put it to the test…good luck."

R bows to Erick and Delia. "Thanks."

-(END FLASHBACK)-

Well…now it's time to put my plan into action. R rings the doorbell; Sasuke then opens the door:

"Yes, who are you?"

R tells the Kunos' loyal servant, "It's R. I've come here to pick up Kodachi."

Sasuke nods, remembering, "Ah yes, Mistress Kodachi is expecting you. Do come in please."

R bows. "Thanks."

Then R enters the Kuno Mansion; walking across the grounds of the estate, he sees the pond and some bonsai trees. When he enters the house proper, he sits down on the sofa. Fifteen minutes later, Kodachi arrives. R is speechless at the sight of her; she was wearing a short black skirt, black panties (Hmm... Now how would R know that?), black boots, and black jacket. Somebody in some funny movie once asked, "Is she hot?" This narrator says oh yes. OH GOD, YES!

Somewhere out there, the author shakes his head in disbelief. The narrator's being a pervert.

Kodachi is delighted to see R. "R, I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too," R replies. Then, he looks her over, and whistles, "Damn, Kodachi, you look cute."

Kodachi blushes, gracefully accepting his compliment. "Thank you…you look rather dashing yourself."

"Thanks…now, shall we go?"

"Yes, let's go."

Then R takes Kodachi's hand and they walk out.

Kuno was out practicing with his Bokken Sword when he sees her sister along with R. Angered by R's presence, Kuno shouts, "YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE YOU FIEND?"

Kodachi cheerfully says, "Oh hello brother dear, R is here to take me out on a date."

Kuno flips. "HE'S WHAAAAT?"

R covers his ears from the near-legendary volume of Kuno's shouting. "She said that I'm taking her on a date…you have a hearing problem?"

"NO, SHE WON'T! I REFUSE TO ALLOW HER TO GO OUT WITH A SCUMBAG LIKE YOU!"

Kodachi pleads, tears starting to form in her eyes. "But brother dear…"

Kuno puts his foot down. "NO. I WILL NOT ALLOW HER TO GO OUT WITH YOU! SHE WILL NOT HAVE MY PERMISSION AND THAT IS FINAL!"

Kodachi starts to cry.

R gallantly comes to her defense. Mad, he now faces Kuno. "Listen here jerk, she WILL go out with me!"

Kuno's firm – firmly stubborn, is more like it. "I SAID NO!"

"Just who the hell do you think you are, huh? You're not her boss. You do not own her. She can go out with whoever she wants to, and she doesn't need your stupid permission for that!"

Kuno's red with rage. The nerve of this knave! "HOW DARE YOU?"

Kodachi thinks: R is defending me against my brother, how noble of him!"

R takes her by the hand. "Kodachi, let's go."

Kuno fiercely objects, "YOU WILL NOT TAKE HER!"

"Oh, and who's gonna stop me? YOU? Please. Tell you what, Kuno, how about if we have a duel here, right here, right now. We'll fight for her; if I win, she goes out with me, but if I lose, I will never return here…so Kuno, do you accept my challenge?"

Kuno smirks, confident that he can defeat this audacious scoundrel. "Very well, I accept…prepare to lose at the hands of Tatewaki Kuno, the Invincible Blue Thunder of Furinkan High!" He takes out his bokken and assumes his fighting stance.

R snorts, "Whatever" while cracking his knuckles.

Kuno charges at R. "EN GARDE YOU EVIL DE…UGN!"

But Kuno couldn't finish his sentence because R, in a blink of an eye, nails Kuno with a mighty blow in his stomach. Kuno goes flying toward a wall, crashing into it hard, and then he falls down, rendered blissfully unconscious. Kodachi's impressed with him. "Wow R! That was fabulous!"

R smiles back at her. "Thanks, not that that's outta of the way…let's go, Kodachi." He gentlemanly offers her his arm, and she takes it.

Seeing that the evening's gotten off to an… interesting start, Kodachi's curious as to what her date has planned. "Where are we going R?"

"Why tell you now, when it could be a lot cooler if I just show it to you?" R says with a wink.

TO BE CONTINUED...