CHAPTER 50

-"ANYTHING-GOES MARTIAL ARTS DANCING! EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING! HYA!!!"-

RED CATS' SECRET BASE – ERICK'S DARK CHAMBER:

Erick is viewing his huge video screen floating in the air. On screen, some of his Zero-Spawn are reporting to him. "Okay boys, your reports. Anything new that I should know?"

Zero-Spawn 1 reports, "Negative, Lord Erick. Sector 1 all normal."

Zero-Spawn 2 reports, "Sector 2, zero activity."

Zero-Spawn 3 reports, "Disturbance in Sector 3, sir."

Erick raises an eyebrow, "Oh? What disturbance?"

"Subject dressed in pink martial artist's gi appeared in Nerima, Japan."

Something the drone reports catches Delia's attention. "A pink gi? Isn't that Dan Hibiki?"

Erick confirms, "Yes it is, my love. That pitiful person who we encountered a while ago." He then asks the drone, "So what about him?"

Zero-Spawn 3 continues its reports. "Subject spotted in many locations. Attempting to defeat R."

Erick chuckles, "And let me guess…he loses?"

Zero-Spawn 2 confirms, "Affirmative. Unable to compute result - requesting additional data. Rephrasing inquiry as (How did you know this?)"

Erick plainly says, "Well, you don't have to be psychic to predict that he would lose against him. That Dan is just a stupid guy with a huge ego."

"Data received and understood. Subject judged as threat to master plan. Requesting immediate disposal of threat, Lord Erick."

Erick laughs, "A THREAT? DAN? Hahahaha…don't bother, leave him be. Besides, the only danger from him would be his stupidity and the fact that he's downright annoying. With his pathetic skills, he's more likely to hurt himself instead of someone else. Keep me posted."

"YES SIR." All the drones report.

Erick logs off from the video screen. "Since there's nothing to see and do, how's about if we go out for pizza De-chan?"

Delia smiles. "Of course."

MEANWHILE... AT A SECRET UNITED NATIONS BASE, SOMEWHERE IN JAPAN - MEETING ROOM:

We see Dhalsim, Rose, Ryu, Sakura, Chun-Li, Ken, Guile, Charlie, and Cammy sitting around an oval table:

Rose begins the meeting. "We thank you for your attendance at this meeting."

"No problem," Ryu says.

Ken Masters, Ryu's best friend and rival, speaks up. "Now would you mind telling why we were asked here in the first place?"

Rose motions to Dhalsim. "Dhalsim, if you please."

Dhalsim explains, "There has been a disturbance here in Japan. I felt a dark power flowing in this place…a power that we must investigate."

"You don't say. What is it?" Sakura wanted to know.

Rose replies, "We do not know child, we are investigating as we speak."

Dhalsim continues, "And…a lot of things have been happening lately, among them…a lot of our enemies are gathering here in Japan. I feel that something big will take place."

Guile confirms what's Dhalsim's just said. "You got that right. Intel found out that M. Bison is here in Japan, and we have a report that Vega appeared at a place named Hinata Inn, where he attacked several resident girls."

"That's awful!" Sakura says.

Then Chun-Li says, "But the weirdest part of that…was that Vega stopped his actions, as an unknown girl ordered him to, and then he went with her."

Ryu can't believe it. "You mean Vega? THE Vega, Shadowloo's bloodthirsty assassin, obeyed a girl? That's…so unbelievable."

Ken agrees, "Tell me about it."

Cammy notes, "It was the same reaction WE had when we heard it, but it was true… Why, we don't know. But whoever this girl is, she must be someone special of great power if she was able to command Vega."

Rose briefly wonders about the identity of the strange girl Chun-Li and Cammy mentioned, and then continues with her findings. "We were also able to find out something very interesting. It seems that Bison has aligned himself with a group called the Red Cat Gang."

Sakura blinks, "That what? Red Cat Gang?"

"That is correct child."

Ken snorts, "Red Cat Gang? Sounds like a group of cats."

Dhalsim answers, "That's because they ARE cats, all led by a cat god they worship called the Cat Ghost King."

Chun-Li's finding this part a little hard to swallow. "Cat Ghost King? This is very weird indeed."

Sakura asks, "So what is this 'Red Cat Gang'?"

Rose prepare the assembled group for what she's about to tell them. "You'd all better sit down and listen closely, for this will take a while."

NERIMA, JAPAN – FURINKAN HIGH SCHOOL:

Classes have ended, and all the students are heading home. Ranma, Akane and Ran are walking together:

Akane suggests, "Hey guys, let's go to the Arcades. There are some new games that I want to play."

Ran likes that idea. "Yeah, I'm in the mood for some fighting type."

Akane's about to ask, "You wanna come with us Ranma? Um… Ranma?"

They turn around and see Ranma looking at a poster in the School Hallway:

Akane calls her fiancé, getting his attention. "RANMA!"

Ranma wakes up. "WHA…!? Oh, sorry 'bout that Akane. Were you calling me?"

"Yes, what were you looking at?"

"Oh that. I was looking at that poster of the school. It says that there's gonna be a dance this Friday in the gym."

Ran remembers, "Oh, I forgot about that. I bet it's gonna great to go there."

Akane nods, agreeing, "It will."

Ranma shyly asks, "Say Akane…I was wondering if you…would…like to go…you know…to the dance with me?"

Akane blinks, surprised. "Why Ranma, are you asking me out on a date?'

"Um…yeah…but if you don't wanna go, I wont force you to do it and…"

Akane sweetly says to her "Ranma no Baka", "I would love to go with you Ranma."

"Really, that's great…um…I'll pick you at 7, is that okay with you?"

Akane giggles, "Ranma, we live together, don't you remember?"

Ranma blushes, realizing, "Ack…you're right, that's stupid of me! Hahaha!"

Ran giggles, "Ranma's Foot-In-Mouth-Technique strikes again!"

Akane can't help but laugh, "You're right! Hee hee hee!"

R was not too far behind them, when he notices the poster about the dance:

"Hmm…- "Furinkan High School Dance, this Friday night, at the Gym." -. Well well, this is interesting - a dance! I'm definitely going…and I know just who to ask to be my date."

LATER, AT THE TENDO RESIDENCE:

When Soun and Genma hear that Ranma asked Akane to go to the dance, they go ballistic with joy…dancing around, saying stuff like the future of the Schools United, and all that crap. So Ranma, Akane and Ran went to Akane's room. Once in there:

Ranma groans, "You' think that our parents would stop doing that every time. It's getting kinda annoying."

Akane nods, "Yea, but what can you do…our dads are ALWAYS like that."

Ran observes, "It's so cool to see you guys going out together to that dance. I wish someone would ask me out."

Mind you, she's saying THIS while looking in Ranma's direction. And Ranma, as before, has NO clue how Ran really feels about him nor does he pick up Ran's subtle hint.

Ranma says encouragingly, "Come on Ran, cheer up, I'm sure that they will be many guys who will ask you out."

Ran softly gasps; Ranma ALMOST got her hopes up there. "You…think so?"

Akane says, "We know so. You're cute and gorgeous; you'll have lines of guys trying to ask you out."

Ranma warns in a serious voice, "But, if they try to make a wrong move on you… then I'll send them to the hospital."

This makes Ran feel a little bit better. She smiles at her dear friends Ranma and Akane. "Geez guys, thank you so much for your kind words."

AND, AT KUNO MANSION:

R steps into the mansion, looking for Kodachi. He then spots her out in her Garden, watering her Black Roses. She sees him; happily, she asks, "R-Darling. What are you doing here?"

R replies, "Just dropping by to see you, and to ask you something."

As she's taking off her apron, Kodachi asks, "Ask me what?"

"Say Kodachi…" R blushes briefly, then says, "…listen, there's gonna be a dance at my school, and I was…you know…," He's twirling his fingers. "…if you would…come with me."

"R…are you asking me to be your date for that dance?"

His face red, R admits, "Yeah…yeah, that's it. I really would like it if you could be my da…"

Next thing R knows, Kodachi glomps him and kisses him on his lips. "YES!…I would be honored to go to with you my darling!"

R blinks, "You will?…wow!…Thanks…so it's a date then."

Kodachi nods, "Yes it is."

This pleases R. "So it's on. It's gonna be this Friday night at 6:00 pm. So…can I pick you at, oh I don't know, 5."

"I will be waiting for you. And I'll put out one of my sexy dresses…just for you."

R blushes, sweatdropping. "Um…That's… nice of you. Okay, I can't wait to see you this Friday."

At that moment…Kuno Tatewaki enters the place. R glares at him, while Kodachi looks at him with fear in her eyes, fearing that her brother would make an awful scene:

Kodachi gasps, "Bro…brother!"

R snorts, "It's you…so you're back."

Kuno simply says, "I am. So…I heard right, that you've asked my sister to go out with you for the Dance at Furinkan this Friday…correct?"

R comes back with, "Yeah I did…and if you're gonna forbid her I won't give a damn, because she WILL go out with me."

Kodachi pleads, "Please, brother dear…I…I want to go out with him."

Kuno just lifts his palm, telling her to stop. Kodachi fears that he'll say no and cause a fight. But…Kuno says something that blows his sister's mind, as well as R's:

"Listen, as I away on my training trip in the mountains…I've been meditating a lot on your situation dear sister, and I've come to a decision…"

Kodachi thought that he was going to forbid her to ever see R again:

Instead, Kuno says, "…I've decided that I will allow you to go out with R."

Kodachi blinks, "You…mean it brother?"

"Yes. Since I can't talk you out of it…" He then sighs, "I might as well support you."

Kodachi then hugs her brother, tears of happiness glintening in her eyes. "Oh brother dear, thank you, thank you!"

Kuno embraces his sister. "No problem. After all… I just want you to be happy."

"And I am…I'm very happy"

R grins at Kuno. "So…you finally came to your senses, eh?"

Kuno looks right at R, and in a serious voice, he says, "Listen well R. I'm entrusting you with my sister. I do hope that you will treat her with the respect that she deserves, and that you will take good care of her."

"No problem."

Kuno finds R's reply acceptable. "Good." Now very serious, he warns, "Because if you don't, you shall be severely punished by me, you understand?"

R WAS going to tell Kuno something else entirely. But for the sake of Kodachi's happiness, he decides to be reasonable, and just says, "Right. You don't need to threaten me, 'cause I'm not scared of you."

ON THE STREETS OF TOKYO:

Erick and Delia walk out from the restaurant. After eating the pizza, they walk in the park, trying to relax a little. "So Delia, did you enjoy the Pizza?"

Delia nods, "Yes, it was very delicious."

"And we sure ate a lot. Five Big Pepperoni Pizzas with Sausages and Mushrooms deluxe."

Delia comments, "These mortals sure know how to make a good meal."

"That they do. So, why don't we go to the Arcades, I'm in the mood for some Fighting Games."

"Then let's go."

Together they walk toward the Arcade …when suddenly:

"Excuse me Sir, would you like to play a game?"

The couple turn to the corner of an alley and see someone there…it was, once again…THE GAMBLING KING:

Erick points to Delia and himself. "Are you talking to us?"

King says, "Yes I did sir. How would you like to play a game with me?"

"A game you say?"

"Yes. It's a game where someone always wins. Go ahead, and win lots of money."

Erick accepts the King's offer. "Very well…I will."

With an evil laugh, the Gambling King thinks, Ha…another couple of idiots for me to take away all their money! Hahaha!

Poor King. He doesn't know he's what's getting himself into. Nor WHO he's dealing with.

Then, as he did before with Dan, the Gambling King began to use his infamous techniques of cheating to win against Erick. Erick's losing money against him, but he doesn't mind. After all…with his vast, mighty fortune he has at his disposal, what he's losing is just worthless pennies, chump change. But unaware to the Gambling King, Erick KNOWS that he's cheating.

King's showing the Joker to Erick. "HA…! You lose again! Ha-ha!"

In a cool voice, Erick says, "That I did. Such bad luck I'm having. I guess it's not my night."

"Sure isn't, hahaha…! Wanna play more?"

Erick decides to asks, "Tell me Mr. Gambling King…you're not…cheating, are you?"

King acts offended. "Wha…how can you say that? Of course I'm not cheating. What kind of accusation is that?"

"It's just that, you're always winning. It's more than luck to me, don't you think so?"

"Well, of course its not…how could I cheat?"

Erick ponders aloud, "Oh I don't know. They are many ways…there's the old – "Switched Hand Card"- routine, the – "Look Behind It" -. They are many ways to cheat someone."

King gasps, thinking, ACK…! How does he know of those moves? "I assure you sir, that I'm playing legitimately."

Erick smiles. "Good, that's good…"

Then, Erick grabs the Gambling King by his throat and picks him up, and then he closes up, so that he's face to face with him:

A scared King chokes up (as he's getting choked!), "ACK…!"

With murderous intent burning in his eyes, Erick threatens, "…because if I find out that you're cheating…" His eyes glow red. "I'll break every bone in your body, then leave you on the ground to die…understand…King?"

King panics, "Yes, yes!!"

Once he releases him, they resume playing. Now the Gambling King was very nervous; he couldn't cheat without getting caught by Erick.

Erick makes a suggestion. "Tell you what King. Why don't we play one last game…a game which I choose?"

King risk asking, "What game?"

"I was thinking about…Chess. And to prove that I'm serious…I'm willingly betting $50,000 dollars."

Needless to say, King's shocked! Dollar signs flash in his eyes; he's practically drooling over the chance of winning that much money! "50…50…$50,000!? ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

Erick confirms, "That's right."

King's thinking, That guy is done for! Hee hee hee…I am a master at Chess. I'm gonna win BIG! HAHAHAHA!!

"So…Are you IN, or OUT?"

"I'm in."

"Then, let's begin."

After three minutes of playing:

Erick says triumphantly, "Check-Mate, King."

King gasps, "HUH!? But how…?"

Four minutes later:

Erick chuckles, having beating the King again. "Check-Mate King."

Now worried, King thinks, What? What's going on here!? I 've been a Chess Champion for 5 Years straight…and this peasant is making look me like an amateur!

Seven minutes later:

"Check-Mate again, King."

Very worried, King's sweating now! NO! I am losing all my money! NOOO! I`VE NEVER LOST A GAME BEFORE IN MY LIFE! AND I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS INFERIOR TO DEFEAT ME. I'VE GOT TO BEAT HIM!

Thrity minutes later, Erick walks away…Leaving a crying naked fat man in the Street…The Gambling King's lost to Erick, and what's worse, Erick's beaten him fair and square, no tricks or underhanded moves whatsoever!

Erick smiles at his defeated and humiliated foe. "Nice playing with you your Highness."

King cries out, "WAIT! I want a rematch!"

Erick flashes King a cocky smile. "And bet what? You have nothing else of value to wager, except your shorts, but I don't want those." He gallantly takes Delia by the hand. "Come, Delia.

As they walk away, King pleads, "PLEASE! YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME OUT HERE LIKE THIS! JUST ONE MORE GAME, PLEASE? PLEASE? WAAAAAAH!!"

"Please. Have some dignity. Let's go back home, Delia." Erick turns to face the Gambling King one more time, "And as for you, your Highness, I suggest that you cover your Royal Butt…people will be disgusted by your royal hygiene."

Three days have passed…and Friday has come. The day of the Furinkan High School dance…

All the students are eager to go.

TENDO RESIDENCE – RANMA'S ROOM:

Ranma is looking at himself at the mirror. He's dressed and ready to go to the dance…he's a little nervous. Nervous cause he's never went to a party in all his life. And never asked a girl out. When he's finished, his mother comes in. "So my son, are you ready for the dance?"

Ranma tells her, "Yeah, kind of."

"What's wrong my son? Are you nervous?"

Ranma admits, "Yeah. I've never went to a dance. Ever. Heck, not even asked someone to go out with me. I'm just…a little afraid that I'll ruin it, or do something to embarrass Akane or…"

Nodoka assures him, "That won't happen my son. I know it because you are a very sweet man, you're very honorable. So stop worrying, and have fun. You'll do just fine."

Ranma sighs, a little relieved. "Thanks a lot mom."

Nodoka smiles. "My pleasure son. Now hurry up. Akane is waiting, and keeping a Lady waiting is very unmanly."

Now Ranma's waiting in the Living Room for Akane. 10 minutes later…Akane and Ran began to walk downstairs.

When Ranma looks up at her, he's so impressed by the sight before him that he's speechless…

Akane's dressed in a short blue skirt, white jacket, red undershirt, a pair of earrings, golden high heel shoes, and make up. Ran's wearing a red and purple cheongsam dress similar to Shampoo's, with silver earrings (Actually, Ran got this stunning ensemble from Ranma (of all people!); she'd discovered a few things Ranma's worn in his girl form that fit her perfectly, accentuating her "curves", if you know what I mean! ^_^

Ran tries not to giggle out loud at Ranma's reaction to her and Akane. She'll never forget that speechless look on his face – it's priceless! – and treasures it with all her heart.)

Akane looks gorgeous in Ranma eyes:

That's…That's Akane? She looks beautiful. Out loud, Ranma barely says, "A…Akane…is that you?"

Akane shyly says, "Yeah…um…do you like…the dress? I've tried to look for the best one and…"

"No no…you look, well…very beautiful in that."

Akane blushes. "Thanks. That means a lot."

"Um…So what do you say…shall we go Akane?"

"Yes, let's go."

Despite her own feelings for Ranma, Ran's cheerful – and just as excited about this evening as her friends are. "Dance, here we come!"

Ranma offers her his arm, and Akane happily takes it. Their parents are, as expected, happy:

Soun crying buckets of tears. "WAAAAAAAAH…OUR CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP FAST SAOTOME! NOW THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY FOR THEIR DANCE!"

Genma likewise wails joyfully, "I KNOW, TENDO! WAAAAAH! HOW FAST TIME GOES BY!"

Nodoka playfully scolds, "Oh cut that out you two." To Ranma and Akane, she says, "Have a great time children's, and don't be late…" She winks slyly at them, "…if you know what I mean."

Ranma blushes. "MOOOOOM!"

Soun grabs Ranma by the shoulders. "Ranma, I hope that you'll take care of my baby girl Akane. Can I trust you with her?"

Ranma tells him, "You bet Mr. Tendo. You know me."

Soun smiles. "That I know. And you have my blessing."

R's MANSION / RED CAT GANG'S HIDEOUT:

R too was ready for the dance, and he was ready to go and pick up Kodachi. Dr. Wily, like Soun, was also crying, "WAAAAAAAAAH!!. MY BABY BOY IS HAVING HIS FIRST DANCE, AND HE'S GOT A DATE! WHERE, OH WHERE DOES THE TIME FLY BY!?"

Irritated by his foster father's hysterics, R yells at him, "WILL YOU CUT THAT OUT DOC! GEEZ!"

FURINKAN HIGH SCHOOL – GYM – 6:00 P.M.:

Inside the Gym the dance is already underway. It's decorated by many lights of every color and artistically-placed flowers. We can see tables with many kinds of food and drink. There's a DJ (no, not the Jamaican kick-boxer – he's not in the story yet!) playing many songs and controlling the lights. It looks fabulous. The place has been decorated by the Furinkan HS's Decorating Team. Many students began to arrive. Lots of the boys came with their dates and friends.

Ranma Saotome, of the Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts came with his fiancée Akane Tendo and his close friend Ran Hayami.

Ran takes in the scenery. "WOW! The Furinkan Decorating Team sure did a great job on this place!"

Akane agrees, "I know. It looks so awesome, right Ranma?"

Ranma admits, "Yeah. Listen, why don't we go to our friends and say hi?"

Akane nods, "Sure."

The three of them are heading to meet up with their friends, when suddenly Ranma bumps into…Kodachi:

Ranma apologizes, "Oh I'm very sorry…" He then sees Kodachi. "Huh!? Kodachi!?"

Kodachi, as everybody remembers from previous chapters, was deeply hurt by the revelation that her "Ranma-darling" and her brother's long-desired Pig-Tailed Girl (that "red harlot", as she called her) were the same person all along. Unlike her brother, who eventually accepted the truth and moved on, Kodachi still hasn't forgiven Ranma for his betrayal. So un-caring, she snorts, "Hmph…it's you Saotome."

Ranma blinks, "Wha…what are you doing here?"

Akane adss, "Yeah…this is Furinkan High School, not St. Hebereke."

Kodachi tells them, "I've come to the dance with my date."

"With who?" Ranma wonders aloud.

Just then, R appears next to her. "With ME, Saotome."

Akane was there when Kuno first told her, Ranma, and Ran that R and Kodachi were dating. Now seeing them together for the first time, she cannot believe it. "R…you mean…Kodachi is your date?"

R just says, "Yeah, is there a problem with that?"

Wanting to prevent a scene between him and R, Ranma says, "Nope, not at all. Listen, I don't want trouble, so if you leave us alone, we'll leave you alone, okay?"

R seems to accept Ranma's call for a truce. "Hmph. THAT's exactly what I was gonna say to you. So be it. Let's go Kodachi."

Then both of them turn around and walk away:

Akane's impressed with the way Ranma's just handled the situation. "Wow Ranma, I'm very impressed. For a minute there I thought that you two were gonna fight."

Ranma looks in her direction. "Not today. Today I just wanna have fun, so let's go Akane…wanna dance with me?"

Akane smiles, nodding, "You bet."

After that, the three of them have a great time. Ranma dances with Akane all the time. Many kinds of music are playing, from Techno, Rap, you name it.

Then, the DJ plays an oldie-but-goodie, a song only for couples…the song's name was…- "I´VE BEEN WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU" –

By Foriergner.

- "SOOO LONG…

I`VE BEEN LOOKING TOO HARD,

I`VE BEEN WAITING TOO LONG

SOMETIMES I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WILL FIND

I ONLY KNOW IT'S A MATTER OF TIME

WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE

WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE

As Ranma and Akane are slowly dancing to the music…they embrace each other, and listen to every word of the music, for every word they hear, was so true.

IT FEELS SO RIGHT, SO WARM AND TRUE

I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU FEEL IT TOO

MAYBE I`M WRONG, WON'T YOU TELL ME IF IM COMING ON TOO STRONG

THIS HEART OF MINE HAS BEEN HURT BEFORE,

THIS TIME I WANT TO BE SURE…

Ranma begins to remember all the times he spent with Akane…from the awful ones, to the lovely ones.

I`VE BEEN WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU

TO COME INTO MY LIFE

I`VE BEEN WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU

TO LOVE AND SURVIVE

I`VE BEEN WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU

TO MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE

YEAAAA

WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU TO COME INTO MY LIFE.

As Akane dances with her fiancé, scenes where Ranma rescued Akane from many evil demons, weird crazy Princes, and everything in-between play back in her mind. She remembers the times when Ranma was fighting against all enemies to protect her. The many times she saw Ranma put his life on the line for her safety.

YOU`RE SOO GOOD

WHEN WE MAKE LOVE, IT'S UNDERSTOOD

IT'S MORE THEN A TOUCH, OR A WORD WE SAID

ONLY IN DREAMS, COULD THIS BE THIS WAY

As she remembered every flashback with Ranma, she was thanking Kami-sama for being with a loyal, caring, strong person like him.

Then…in the light of the music…they share a big kiss. It was their first REAL kiss. To Ranma, it feels like electricity was running all throughout his body the moment his lips touched hers. Akane feels like she was diving in warm water.

WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE, REALLY LOVE SOMEONE

I KNOW ITS RIGHT, FROM THE MOMENT I WAKE UP

TILL BEAT IN THE NIGHT.

CAUSE NOWHERE IN EARTH I WOULD RATHER BE

THEN HOLDING YOU, TENDERLY

-"REPEAT CHORUS"-

When they break from the kiss, they look at each other, and blush.

Surprisingly, the same thing happens to R, when he kisses Kodachi. Of course…Kodachi takes things to the next level…as the Black Rose French Kisses her invincible, gallant, and handsome White Rose hard (with tongue, I might add! Yikes!).

When the music ends…

The DJ announces, "HEEEEEEEEEEEEY FURINKAN DUDES AND DUDETTES! ARE YOU HAVING A GREAT TIME!?"

-"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" everybody in the place cheers.

"BEFORE WE BEGIN, YOUR LOVELY PRINCIPAL WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS …SO HERE HE IS…PRINCIPAL KUNOOOO!!"

Principal Kuno jumps out in the middle of the dance floor. "HEY HEEEEEY MY LITLE KEKIS. THE BIG KAHUNA'S HERE TO INFORM YOU OF DE NEW RULES FOR DE SCHOOL DANCE. GIRLS MUST WEAR HULLA SKIRTS AND BOYS WEAR SHORT, HAWAIIAN PANTS…HAHAHAHA…!!"

-"WHAAAMMMMM!"-

Oh, yeah, the students of Furinkan High just LOOOVE that idea (yeah, right!) They love it so much, that the Principal gets struck with many softballs, basketballs, footballs, and a few bowling balls by the students…

Thirty minutes later, the DJ says, "HEY HEEEEEEEEEEEEEY STUDENTS…HOPE THAT YOU LIKE TO DANCE! CAUSE WE'LL BE HAVING…A DANCE COMPETITION!!"

One Student wonders, "A Dance Competition?"

A female Student's asking the same thing, "Dance Competition?"

The DJ continues, "THAT'S RIGHT. TWO STUDENTS WILL DANCE IN THAT MACHINE…" He points at an Arcade Platform. "…AND THE ONE WHO SCORES MEGA POINTS….WILL BE THE WINNER!"

The students see an Arcade Machine…a well known one world wide:

Akane's excited. "Hey guys, it's Dance Dance Revolution!"

Ranma's like, "What?"

Ran tells him, "It's a special kind of Arcade Game, whose unique action…is dancing."

"Dancing? How's that?"

Akane and Ran explain to Ranma all about how the Game is played; Ranma's digesting all the info. At the end, he's interested. "Hey, that's sounds cool. Kinda like training."

The DJ issues the challenge, "SO WHO WANTS TO ENTER…? THE WINNER SHALL RECEIVE A PRIZE FROM YOUR PRINCIPAL!"

R steps forward. "I will enter it."

Kodachi gasps, "You will?"

R nods, flashing her a confident smile. "Oh yeah."

Seeing that R's entering, Ranma decides, "You know Akane. I think I'll enter. I like the sound of that."

With the challengers in place, the DJ says, "ALRIIIIIIGHT DUDES. WE HAVE TWO PARTICIPANTS WHO'LL DUKE IT OUT IN THE DANCE MACHINE. LET'S HEAR IT FOR 'EM! NOOOOOW…WILL THE TWO GUYS STEP INTO THE MACHINE…AND GET READY TO DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCE!!"

R and Ranma are now in the machine:

R smirks, "HA! Get ready to lose big time Saotome!"

Ranma teases back, "In your dreams Carl! Let's do it!" He quietly chuckles as R almost face-faults from being called "Carl"

The DJ starts the "Dance Battle". "READY…SET…DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCE!!"

The dance floor battle between Ranma and R is on! The Song that the machine plays is – "I'M THE SCATMAN" – By Scatman John.

(Scatting by Scatman John)

I'm the Scatman

(Scatting by Scatman John)

I'm the Scatman

(Scatting by Scatman John)

The Arrows began to appear very fast. It was set on the level of Heavy Crazy, the most difficult level in Dance Dance Revolution.

Ranma and R are stepping on the Marks that the Machine orders…they're both doing great. Ranma begins to love this game…for it's just like he thought…training. Same with R. Ranma then applies his Katchu-Tenshi-Amaguriken, but instead of using his Arms…he uses his Legs, rapidly hitting the arrows at the right time to the beat of the music, and is doing great.

"Everybody stutters one way or the other/

So check out my message to you./

As a matter of fact don't let nothin' hold you back./

If the Scatman can do it so can you./

Everybody's sayin' that the Scatman stutters/

But doesn't ever stutter when he sings./

But what you don't know I'm gonna tell you right now./

That the stutter and the scat is the same thing./

Yo I'm the Scatman./

Where's the Scatman?/

I'm the Scatman."

The in-game announcer yells, "ALL RIGHT! YOU GOT THE MOVES! YOU`RE GETTING HOTTER! YOU`RE THE BEST DANCER EVER! KEEP IT UP!"

Akane's in awe, "WOW, LOOK AT RANMA GO! I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS GOOD AT THIS!"

Ran observes, "It's like he said before. This is like training."

Kodachi cheers R on, "YEAH, GO FOR IT R-DARLING! BEAT THAT NASTY RANMA!"

Hiroshi's cheering for Ranma, "GO RANMA! GO RANMA! GO RANMA!"

In the middle of the Dance, both Ranma and R taunt each other:

Ranma's taunting, "Hey R, you dance like my grandma!"

R taunts back, "HA! You LOOK like my grandma!"

"Then let's finish this!"

"Got it!"

"Why should we be pleasin' all the politician heathens/

Who would try to change the seasons if they could?/

The state of the condition insults my intuition/

And it only makes me crazy and my heart like wood./

Everybody stutters one way or the other/

So check out my message to you./

As a matter of fact don't let nothin' hold you back./

If the Scatman can do it brother so can you./

I'm the Scatman."

(Scatting by Scatman John)

They were on fire…all the students were cheering them on wildly…

"Everybody stutters one way or the other/

So check out my message to you./

As a matter of fact don't let nothin' hold you back./

If the Scatman can do it brother so can you./

I hear you all ask 'bout the meaning of scat./

Well I'm the professor and all I can tell you is/

While you're still sleepin' the saints are still

weepin' cause/

Things you call dead haven't yet had the chance

to be born./

I'm the Scatman."

(Scatting by Scatman John)

"I'm the Scatman…repeat after me

It's a scoobie oobie doobie scoobie doobie melody

I'm the Scatman…sign along with me

It's a scoobie oobie doobie scoobie doobie melody"

(Scatting by Scatman John)

-End of Song-

In the end…it was a tie…

Seeing the results of the "Anything-Goes Dance War" (for that's what one would call this match between Ranma and R), the DJ says, "IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE…A TIE. SO THAT MEANS THAT THE PRIZE WILL HAVE TO BE SHARED. SO HERE HE IS FOLKS, YOUR BELOVED PRINCIPAL TO DELIVER THE PRIZE TO THE WINNERS… PRINCIPAL KUNO!"

Once again…Principal Kuno appears before Ranma and R. "HEY…CONGRATULATIONS MY LITTLE KEKIS! NOW I GIVE YOU DE GOOD REWARD! DE REWARD IS…"

Ranma and R are both happily thinking, I hope it's money!

"… EXTRA HOMEWORK SO THAT YOU KEKIS CAN LEARN MORE! YOU LIKE YOUR REWARD, YES?"

KAPOW!!

Both R and Ranma punch the Principal hard in his face at the same time. The poor Principal is lying on the ground with his face deformed and teeth out. Then they return to their dates:

Ranma's irritated, "Man that really blows. What kind of prize was that?"

Akane calms him down, "Relax Ranma. Why don't you come with me to the table, I'm kinda tired."

"All right."

R's angry about the Principal's latest stunt. "Stupid Principal. Homework as a Prize! That really burns me up, big time."

Kodachi comforts her beloved R, "Don't be mad R darling and let's go out and have a great time…what do you say?"

As they're having a good time:

Akane asks, "Ranma, can you go and get me a steamed pork bun please? I'm kinda hungry."

Ran pipes up, "Yeah, can you get me one too Ranma, please?"

"Alright, I'll be right back." Ranma tells the girls.

When Ranma approached the table where the Buns were, he sees that there was only one left. He reaches out his hand to grab it…when someone else's hand grabs it the same time he did. He then sees R. "R. What are you doing?"

"I was gonna grab that Pork Bun. Gotta problem?"

"Yeah, I do. That's the last one, and I want it"

"Well too bad, cause its mine. So get your hand off it!"

"No way! YOU let go of it!"

"NO, ITS MINE!"

"NO! MINE!"

"MINE!"

"MINE!

"MINE!"

In the middle of the argument, since they both grabbed the bun…they squash it:

Ranma cries, "Noooo…the Bun!"

R shrugs, smiling at Ranma. "You know what Ranma. You're right, it's yours; I don't want it anymore. Hahahaha!"

Oooh, Ranma's mad. "YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE R!"

R's like, "Oh? You wanna take this outside?"

In a cold voice, Ranma says, "You bet!"

Hiroshi comes unglued, getting excited. He rallies the other students. "HEY GUYS. RANMA AND R ARE GONNA FIGHT!"

Daisuke goes, "REALLY!? THIS I CAN'T MISS!"

LOCATION: OUTSIDE THE GYM.

R and Ranma are in the middle of the field…glaring at one other with fierce looks. All the students have left the dance and now they're gonna watch the fight between those two. Akane, Ran and Kodachi were among the students:

Akane's worried for her fiancé. "Oh Ranma. Why did you have to fight R?"

Ran tries to put Akane's mind at ease. "Don't worry Akane. I'm very sure that it's just gonna be a short and harmless fight."

That's what she thinks.

Kodachi's playing her role of R's personal cheerleader VERY well. "GO R. SHOW RANMA WHO`S THE MAN! WOOO-HOOOO!!"

RED CATS' SECRET BASE – CAT GHOST KING'S SHRINE – MAIN CHAMBER:

The Statue of the Cat Ghost King, Dr. Wily and company are there, when Erick enters. "Gentlemen, I believe there's something that all of you must watch."

"What is it?" Dr. Wily asks.

"This…"

Erick then presses a button…next, a giant plasma HDTV appears. Then…Ranma and R appear on the TV screen. Due to the Zero-Spawn (currently disguised as Furinkan's new janitor!) that is recording the action live, they were about to see those two fight:

Dr. Wily gasps! "HUH! That's R…and Ranma. What's going on?"

Erick tells him. "Ranma and R are about to have a fight."

"WHAT!?"

"And, I must say…it's gonna be one interesting match to see."

"And why is that meow?" the Cat Ghost King asks his High Priest.

And Erick explains, "Easy. We're about to see many things in this fight…To see R's fighting capabilities against Ranma's fighting capabilities."

The Cat Statue glows, purring approvingly, "Meow… That will be something I would like to see meow."

BACK TO THE FIGHT…

R asks, "Are you ready Ranma?"

Ranma says, "You bet. Let's do it."

And so it begins:

Ranma and R both yell, "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

Both of them come out fighting. They're trading punches and kicks at a fast rate. The students are going wild.

Ranma kicks R with a fast, roundhouse kick, then R punch him back with a hard hook in his stomach.

5 minutes into the fight…they decids to bring out the special moves:

R flahes a cocky smile, saying, "Hey Ranma! I'm about to show you a Special Move I've been working on!"

Ranma's like, "Oh yeah? Well bring it on!"

"Fine…PURE SILVER METALLIC! KYAAAAA!"

Next thing Ranma sees is R launching lots of punches at him, similar to his Katchu-Tenshi-Amaguriken. Each creates a silver blade of razor sharp-Ki. When he blocks them…some of them strike him…Ranma feels those punches…but also, they're covered in a razor-ki, cutting his clothes:

A shocked Ranma thinks, What the…!? That move looks like my Katchu-Tenshi-Amaguriken. But, his punches are like daggers… how?

R's eager to hear what Ranma thinks of his skill. "How did you like that move Ranma, eh!"

"So I see that you manage to create some neat moves. But it's gonna take more than that to stop me…now it's MY turn!"

Hiroshi's ecstatic. "WOW OH WOW…LOOK AT THEM GO! THIS IS SOOO COOOOOL!!"

Sayurii worries, "I hope that they don't hurt each other seriously."

Yuka groans, "Can't they stop this silly fight?"

MEANWHILE, AT THE CAT GHOST KING'S SHRINE…

Dr. Wily roots for R. "YEAH, THAT'S MY BOY! SHOW THAT RANMA WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!!"

Erick sweatdrops. "Wily…calm down. You look pathetic."

Bubbleman reluctantly cheers, "Um…go R!"

Watching R and Ranma, Bass smirks, thinking, This is very interesting to say at least. Let's see what Dog-Boy is really capable of against Ranma. Hope he loses though.

Ranma prepares to launch his Ki-blast at R. "EAT THIS…MOUKO TAKABISHAAAAAA!!"

But R counters back with, "OH YEAH…ACTIVE RED PEAAAAAAAARL!!"

Both of them launch their Ki balls…exploding on contact…

KABLOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

When the smoke is clear…R and Ranma are a little tired…but that didn't stop them for the fight:

Ranma's panting, "You really have improved since the last time."

R, likewise, says, " I could say the same for you."

Akane, worried for Ranma, is by his side. "Ranma, please, just stop this and let's enjoy the dance."

Kodachi, now concerned for her beloved R, intervenes. "R-Darling. Don't waste your time with Ranma and let's return to the dance."

R won't hear of it. He stops Kodachi from going further. "Sorry Kodachi-Chan. But this fight isn't over."

Ranma appreciates Akane's concern, but now's not the time. "Akane. This will only end when R apologizes for taking away that bun. If not…it's still on!"

Just when they were to re-start their fight… A stray cat walks by…

Ranma sees it and… getting scared, he freaks out!

"What the…a…ca…ca…A CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

Akane notices it, too, "Oh no…not a cat!"

Ranma's now screaming in fear at the sight of the cat, and backs away from the feline…

R laughs at the sight. "What's this! Ranma's afraid of a cat? HAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT'S SO FUNNY!"

Kodachi's laughing, "HAHAHAHA…RANMA IS AFRAID OF A STRAY CAT!"

Un-aware to them…when Ranma gets scared of cats…something REALLY BAD happens:

BACK AT THE RED CATS'…

Dr. Wily's laughing his butt off at the sight of poor Ranma. "HAHAHAHA…I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I`M SEEING HERE! THE MIGHTY RANMA IS AFRAID OF CATS! HAHAHA!"

Erick explains, "It's because of the Neko-Ken training he went through as a child. However Wily, it is nothing to laugh about. Because now the REAL fight shall began between those two. Heh heh heh…"

Wily, still laughing, asks, "WHAT… heh heh… DO YOU MEAN? HAHAHA!"

Brightman thinks, worried, Oh no…does that mean he's going to do... what I'm deadly afraid he's gonna do?

Then Erick takes out a remote control…and clicks it. A giant antenna rises up from the shrine, and emits a signal.

ON THE BATTLEFIELD:

R is laughing his butt off…when suddenly…a noise rings in his head:

"What the…!? What's that noise…!" In pain, he yells out, "HYAAAAAAAAA…!! MAKE IT STOP, MAKE IT STTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!"

Next…R has his hands on his head, as if he has a terrible head-ache, and screaming like Ranma:

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

Ranma's still screaming in fear, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

Kodachi, seeing R's strange behavior, is worried now. "R-DARLING, WHAT`S WRONG!?"

Akane wonders, "What's happening to R? He's acting like Ranma…why?"

Hearing R's cry of pain and anguish, Dr. Wily stops laughing… and witnesses the sight before him. He panics, "R! MY BOY! WHAT`S WRONG WITH HIM!?" He glares at Erick angrily. "WHAT DID YOU DO!?"

Erick innocently says, "Oh nothing. It's just a high-pitched frequency transmission that the Antenna is emitting."

Bass, knowing how Erick's device works, asks, "But why activate it now?"

"Simple…because I want a fair match…Ranm's about to become as wild as a cat…and R…well, you get the idea."

Everyone's then in shock over what's gonna happen next:

Dr. Wily, remembering his own experience dealing with THIS, cowers in fear! "DON'T…DON'T TELL ME THAT…!!"

Erick nods, confirming, "That's right."

Brightman panics to the max! "OH NOOOO! HE DID IT! HE`S GONNA…GONNA…"

"Gentlemen…soon you will all see a match from heaven." An evil smile spreads across Erick's face. "A fight…between two mighty and dangerous beings."

SHADOWLOO H.Q. – M. BISON'S THRONE ROOM:

Bison is in his chair. Tron Bonne's reviewing some projects and B.'s feeding her pet dog Harry…when…

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!

Tron informs, "Sir, incoming message."

"Put it on," Bison orders.

Erick then appears on Screen; Bison seems pleased to see his ally. "Erick, what a surprise. What is the reason for your social call?"

On screen Erick tells him, "Bison…watch this live video of a fight in progress. A fight…which you'll be delighted to see."

MAKAI REALM – CASTLE MAXIMOV:

Dimitri is in his own throne room, recuperating from the injuries he has from his last match with Bison. His Darkstalkers (minus Morrigan) are with him. Hannya-Bishamon stands to the right of Demitri. When suddenly…a hologram of Erick materializes in front of them:

An evil snarl appears on Dimitri's face, as he growls, "YOU…WHAT IN HELL DO YOU WANT?"

Erick just smiles at the irate vampire nobleman. "Easy there Dimitri. I just want you to watch this fight. See it…you're gonna be pleased…I guarantee it. Heh heh heh…!"

Both fighters yell in fear for a couple of minutes….when…

They both stop and are as still as statues. The students are confused by this. Akane, filled with fear, knows what's gonna happen:

Akane yells, urging, "EVERYONE. YOU MUST GET OUT OF HERE! QUICKLY, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!"

Ran, not understanding what's going on, asks, "But why Akane?"

"IT'S BECAUSE OF RANMA! HE`S GONNA GO INTO NEKO-KEN!!"

Ran blinks. "Neko-Ken? The Cat-Fist? What is that?"

Akane's getting desperate here! "PLEASE RAN. TAKE EVERYONE AND LEAVE, BEFORE RANMA SNAPS OUT OF THE TRANCE!"

Kodachi risks asking her beloved White Rose, "R-Darling. Are you okay?"

Then…

Ranma MEOWS. "MYAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOO"

Horrified, Akane cries, "OH NO!! It's too late!"

Neko-Ranma stands on the ground on all fours and yowls like a cat.

But…

Suddenly R gets on all fours too, like Ranma:

Akane blinks. "Huh! What's got into R? Why is he acting like Ranma?"

Then…the un-expected happens…R HOWLS.

"GROUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

Confuse and scared, Akane wonders, "HUH! R JUST ACTED LIKE NEKO-RANMA! BUT…IT SOUNDED LIKE A…WOLF!"

Kodachi's REALLY worried now. "R! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOU!"

Then…

Both R and Ranma stand before each other, hissing and growling angrily…like a cat and a dog.

Watching things unfold, Dr. Wily panics, worried for his son R. "OH NOOOO!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ERICK!?"

Erick silences him, "Quiet, Doc. Now, we're about to see which technique is supreme. R's or Ranma's…" To everyone assembled, he dramatically declares, "Gentlemen…THIS IS THE FIGHT WE WILL ENJOY! BEHOLD…!"

NEKO-RANMA VS. WILD-R!

"HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!"

On the battlefield…a massive battle will soon be unleashed…

As the two warriors face off…

The images of a wolf and a cat can be seen in the background.

How will this fight end?

Stay tuned!

TO BE CONTINUED…