CHAPTER 52
-"THE LONGEST NIGHT"-
(PART I – THE AFTERMATH)
It's nighttime, and we can see a full moon out in the sky. We see Wild-R as he leaps from rooftop to rooftop with total abandon and a sense of fun he previously thought had been denied him. At the peak of one of his highest jumps, just for amusement, he holds his arms outstretched as if he's a surfer riding a major wave. The silhouette of "The Howling Blood, Filled with Murderous Intent" (for that's what one would nickname Wild-R) can be seen against the light of the moon. The rational part of R's mind was screaming this is impossible, you can't be doing this, and you're flying through the air like a trapeze artist without a net, holding on to nothing at all!
But in his current state of mind, did he care? Nope. There was nothing but the heady sensation of flight, of the city speeding below him. He'd never felt this alive before, as if every part of him, body, mind, and soul was wide-open and receptive to everything it could possibly experience. He felt bigger, stronger than his body, as if it couldn't contain the amazing sensations that were raging through it now.
It wasn't all fun and games though, because just hours ago Wild-R had fled the scene where an awesome battle took place. What had started out as a fight between Ranma Saotome and R over a steamed pork bun had taken an unexpected turn when a stray cat walking by sets off Ranma's fear of cats, causing him to go into the Neko-Ken (Cat-Fist)! R gets a good laugh at poor Ranma's expense, but not for long. With a little prodding from High Priest Erick Genryusai and his latest creation, the EG-K9 Trancemitter, R is forced into unleashing the terrible power of the Kyoujuu-Urufuken (Insane Beast Wolf Fist)! Neko-Ranma and Wild-R fight, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction throughout Nerima, into Juuban, all the way into Tokyo. The battle rages on until both fighters take each other out with their final ki-charged blows.
Now at this point you'd think "Double K.O", right? WRONG!
When Ran, Akane, and Kodachi finally catch up to them, they find Ranma and R unconscious, battered, bloodied, and bruised. It looks as if they'd literally beaten each other to death. But to everyone's shock, Wild-R slowly gets up and prepares to finish Ranma off, oh, and while he's at it, kill Akane too! And he might have done it, had Ran not bravely stepped in front of him, to reason with him, to get him to come to his senses. When that doesn't work, she slaps him in the face. This stops Wild-R cold in his tracks and when he sees Ran crying he howls in shame and runs away, taking to the rooftops of the city. He wanted to get as far away as possible from the sight of that girl's tears. Something about them upsets him.
But all that was behind him now as he leaps his way through Tokyo. That was when he heard a familiar voice calling out to him from far, far away thanks to his keen animal-like hearing (yet another one of the ability-enhancing side-effects of the Wolf-Fist state).
"COME BACK, R-DARLING!! ALLOW MY CHARMS TO SOOTH THE SAVAGE BEAST WITHIN YOU!"
Wild-R glances behind him to see Kodachi still trying to keep up with him and doesn't care in the slightest. He has other things on his mind at the moment. Kodachi's not one to be left behind, and follows him on a wild chase across town, bouncing along from roof to roof as only she could. So with his heightened agility, Wild-R increases the distance between him and his persistent date, clearing two (sometimes even three!) rooftops with each jump, moving faster and farther until he's left her way behind. Wild-R leads her around the city, up one street and down another, until she was finally left gasping for breath at the edge of town after chasing him for nearly an hour.
Wild-R lets out a soft growl of relief as he balances on a tree branch, watching and waiting for Kodachi to give up and go home. She had been the most determined pursuer so far, and he wasn't sure he would be able to lose her. Unfortunately, he can smell her from far away, and she's getting close to his current location.
Wild-R's heightened danger senses flare up; he leaps straight up as several gymnasts' clubs hit the ground under him, exploding on contact. Landing, he turns around and sees the last person he'd expected to face out here, Kodachi.
"R darling!" she cries as she runs toward him. "At last I've found you! You have no idea how my heart cried when you left so suddenly! Please don't ever leave me again!"
"Grrh….?" was all R could say. He keeps his eye on Kodachi, shifting his weight back and forth, alert, waiting for his prey to make a move.
"Yes, my love. It is I," Kodachi says, as if answering R's question. "Kodachi the Black Rose of the esteemed Kuno clan... Your one true love and future bride-to-be..."
When he doesn't move, Kodachi then takes a few tentative steps forward. R does NOT appreciate the intrusion. His eyes narrow and he growls a soft warning. "Grrrgh….!!"
Kodachi turned pale as he gives her a cold, wary stare. Whatever lay between her and R -- love, fear, whatever -- she knew that she meant nothing to the creature now staring out of her beloved's eyes.
Still, she has to try! Somehow, she has to reach him, get through to him!
She gazes worriedly at R. His rage has cooled down somewhat but he's not calm. Not caring that her words mean nothing to him while he's like this, Kodachi comes closer, trying to ignore the sight of blood and the smell of bloodlust on R. She quietly says her voice both firm and soothing, "There's no need to fight any more. You've won against Ranma, R. Please stop this and come back to me."
Thinking she means to harm him, R roars, "GYAAOOOOOOHHHHH….!!" and charges.
"Very well, my darling," the Black Rose sadly admits. "If I must battle this beast you've become in order to restore you to the man I adore… then, so be it." She throws off her designer evening gown to reveal her fighting costume, a black gymnast's leotard emblazoned with roses. Though she's ready to battle her beloved to save him, the look of sadness on her face clearly shows.
Then Kodachi attacks! She lashes out with her gymnast's ribbon.
"Gyaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" R screams, and then counters by swinging his clawed hand, sending out a wave of scorching purple flames, setting the ribbon ablaze!
With a cry of pain, Kodachi drops the handle and leaps at R. R jumps to meet her in mid-air. Kodachi throws a punch, but it's in vain. R's ready for the blow; tightening his abdominal muscles, he absorbes the punch, and strikes Kodachi back with a headbutt. Kodachi cries out and falls to the ground. R lands on all fours, crouched like a jungle predator, waiting for Kodachi's next attack.
It was slow in coming, for Kodachi had difficulty regaining her feet. Their eyes met, and they shared a complete understanding of what this fight meant to each other. For different reasons, they staked their lives on the outcome of this match – R, for his own survival; Kodachi, for her love for him - and no holds would be barred.
Kodachi takes out some clubs and stalks towards R. Wild-R eagerly met her advance, his answer is a quick claw slash towards Kodachi, who manages to avoid it then counters, taking a quick kick at him. R doesn't feel a thing. Kodachi then swings her arms downward, throwing out two clubs at R, who blasts an Active Red Pearl at them, and cancels out her attack. Kodachi is grimly impressed by the skill R possesses now.
R leaps into the air again to avoid another strike from a mallet Kodachi just pulled out that was aimed at his head, then lashes out with a kick to the body that would knock a normal person down. Unfortunately, Kodachi was far from normal, and the kick only left her dazed for a moment before she shook it off. With a cry of "For you my love, I fight on!" she resumes her fierce attack.
R lets out a growl of frustration as he continues to dodge and counter Kodachi's attacks. But it's the Black Rose who makes a rather surprising move. She whips out her gymnastics ribbon again, snapping it forward like a whip, intending to either strike or bind him with it.
Big mistake. R rushes towards Kodachi, grabs her incoming ribbon, and whirls it (and her!) rapidly around and around until he lets go of the ribbon sending Kodachi flying away!
"R-DARLING! WHYyyyyyyyyy………………!?" a defeated Kodachi wails as she is sent hurtling away into the night sky. Later on, she'd realize how lucky she was to be alive that night, for in his current savage, feral state of mind R COULD have killed her.
After a moment, Wild-R sniffs the air for her scent, using his animal-like sense of smell…
The Author decides to interrupt the narration. "OK, the readers get it already! Wild-R's five senses (or six, if you prefer) have all been juiced up by the Wolf-Fist! GET ON WITH IT!! GEEZ!"
ANYWAY, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by the author, Wild-R is using his heightened sense of smell to make sure that Kodachi's no longer following him. Not picking up her scent and now satisfied that he's no longer being pursued, Wild-R surprisingly lets out a sound that's somewhere between a bark and a laugh of mad joy.
Of course, in his present state, he would have no idea how he had gotten from Furinkan High School all the way into the heart of Tokyo. Right now, he felt as if his mind were splitting in two. On one level, he was fully aware that he somehow hurt Ran's feelings, and ditched Kodachi, his date, and the aspect of R that realized it recoiled in shock. But there was another part of him that not only didn't care, it reveled in it. That he'd beaten Ranma Saotome was an added bonus.
((Yeah! Now THAT's what I'm talking about! You finally went wild! Look at the all the mayhem, chaos and destruction you caused! And, you gave Ranma a good thrashing too! Feh... It'll do for now. But next time, we KILL his pig-tailed ass, and his little fiancée too! And when the hell do you let little girls slap YOU around!))
A eerily familiar voice makes itself known in Wild-R's head. Before, it was a MAJOR annoyance; now, it seemed perfectly natural to hear that inner voice. In fact, it seemed like it was always there, somewhere back in R's mind. He'd never thought about it before, never paid it any heed, up until recently (About what, six chapters ago in fact? Y'know, for those of you who've been reading this story since the beginning?)
But of course, THAT was back when he was in his right mind.
Now, while R's still in the ferocious grip of the Wolf-Fist, his darker side is now calling the shots! Or so it seems, until…
A brief flash of memory, of a beautiful pig-tailed girl and her tears…
And that jolts the part of R's brain that's been out to lunch the last couple of episodes. Blurry memories of tonight's events were starting to come back to him in quick, confusing flashes. Caught in that twilight area between sleep and wakefulness, he fights his way back to consciousness.
Wild-R thinks, Huh? Wha…? What's happened to me? Where's… my date? What… did I do... to make Ran cry?
((Hoo boy, looks like the little puppy's waking up.))
That… that voice… I remember…
((Oh, this is great. NOW, he remembers me! Look, don't think about Ran right now. That'll just make you all depressed and stuff. Nor do you need that psycho chick with the black roses and freaky laugh. She's kinda hot, though…Anyway, you got ME now! You're weak, R. You're weak and you need my help. So shaddup and lemme help ya already!))
Y-yeah… I'd appreciate that… HEY! Wait a minute…! When did I…
It took Wild-R long moments to realize that he was having an entire conversation in his head. He wonders if this is how psychotics start out, hearing voices that no one else can hear.
((HEY! You idiot!! Don't you DARE turn against me now!))
Who...
((No, no, NO! No thinking! Bad dog! Thinking bad! Instinct good!))
...are you... what are...what did you do to me...?
((R, you KNOW me!))
Oh, God...What have you...
((SHADDUP!! Don't talk like that!))
...done...to me...to...
((I did what you wanted! I made you what you are right now, you ungrateful whelp! Take a good look around you, and see for yourself!))
R looks around at an area of the city that had been completely destroyed. And somehow, he knew he was the one who did it. Did I… do this?
((Not you. US. WE are responsible. Yeah, I did it for you, to show off our real power. With it you can cut loose and fight to your heart's desire! You're finally free! You can do whatever you want now! Nothing can… ))
It was at that point, that R's mind recoiled against itself, bewildered and uncertain of what was happening. He was talking to himself, as if his mind had somehow split right down the middle. Even while in the Wolf-Fist, he wonders if he's somehow losing control of himself. Ranma's gone, the battle site's gone, his date Kodachi's gone, and Ran… Ran is…
((Hey! I told you! No thinking about Ran now!))
And instead the city spins dizzily beneath him, skyscrapers whipping past, the chill air permeating him, and he felt giddy reveling in his power, enjoying it in a way not before experienced since this all began. It was all new and liberating and he couldn't understand why. He heard the distant sounds of car horns honking, and sirens yowling. In his haze, he didn't associate them with himself anymore. They were just noise, something he could join if he so chose. And he does, screaming louder, matching them in pitch and taking an insane delight in doing so….
Later, he would have no idea how he had gotten down from the rooftops to the streets. Perhaps he had leaped down gradually from the bigger rooftops to the smaller ones, maybe with a few acrobatic flips in the process. He had no idea that while in the Wolf-Fist he was moving and acting on raw animal instinct.
Wild-R lands safely, squatting on the sidewalk, on all fours no less. Then he sits upright (well, like a wolf would anyway). The battered and bloodied young fighter immediately felt as if he were being assaulted with the sights and sounds of Tokyo. It was more than he could take. Wild-R makes a desperate attempt to center himself and avoid being overwhelmed by the immensity of what he's now seeing and hearing and smelling.
Lightning was flashing overhead. Rain clouds were moving in. They barely registered upon him.
Illumination enveloped him. His mind was too addled to realize that he was standing in the middle of the street, a car bearing down on him. He heard the brakes squealing, realized on a primal level that he was about to die, because the car was practically on top of him. And that core fear for his survival triggered his basic fight-or-flight instinct. No time to flee, so what else could he do but fight back? Thought became deed; he draws back, gathers his ki, and cuts loose with a blast of his Active Red Pearl. The huge flash of red-and-purple-tinted energy screams forward and slams into the car. It flips over onto its side and lay still, save for its spinning wheels. The driver inside cries out for help. Wild-R just ignores him. Instead, he just stands there, taking it all in.
((You know, I protected you, just now. You'd have been dead if not for me.))
Wild-R thinks, Yeah. Not bad ...not bad at all.
The thoughts came from him, but he was disconnected from them, as if different parts of his brain were talking to one another, and he was simply an interested bystander. Lightning cracked once more across the heavens, and rain began to cascade down upon him in torrents. Within seconds what was left of the clothes he was wearing was soaked through.
Certainly what he'd just done (not to mention all the destruction he and Neko-Ranma caused earlier) had to draw the attention of the authorities. Surely they'd be on the lookout for a wild man-beast, perhaps?
((Oh yeah, let 'em come. We can take 'em. Compared to Ranma, these chumps will be easy kills!))
Wild-R thinks back in reply, No. You've caused enough trouble tonight. Enough, okay!? Let's just get the hell out of here.
((Feh. Yeah, maybe you're right. THIS time.))
Wild-R leaves the area quickly. By the time sirens were converging on the scene, he was already several blocks away from the city.
MEANWHILE, AT THE HOSPTIAL:
Having to hold back her true feelings for the one she really loved was the toughest thing for Ran Hayami, now more than ever, but she had to. She had never known tonight would come to this, she just never saw things going this far. She never meant anything like this to happen. She hadn't planned on this at all.
The hospital had naturally called the police when the girls had informed them that Ranma was the target of a violent attack.
As she sat in the waiting room with Akane, wondering if Ranma would make it through, wondering if she'd ever get to see him again, it finally dawned on her just how tough it was going to be. She was still so shaken after the night's events that it had come across to the policeman as genuine shock. The cop had sat opposite the girls, notepad in hand, and asked them to recall everything they could.
His expression had appeared neutral, but Ran could tell that the cop, an older uniformed officer with a lined face who had seen far too many innocent people hurt in his career, was eyeing her closely, looking for some indication of drug or alcohol influence. Was this really a case of assault and battery, or a bunch of doped-up young kids who got themselves in big trouble?
In R's case, of course, it really was closer to the latter. All the psychologists in Japan would have had a field day figuring out what was going through R's head. The doctors could run all the drug/alcohol tests on R's blood they wanted, and they still weren't going to detect whatever the hell it was that he'd put into his system that had transformed him into the wild beast that attacked Ranma. As for Ran, clearly articulate and earnest as the day was long, she was so obviously not under the influence of anything that the cop relaxed in short order and simply listened.
What the officer heard was pretty much everything that'd happened that evening with one major detail left out. Earlier, while Ran and Akane rode with Ranma to the hospital, the two girls had made a silent agreement: If anyone asked for details they'd leave out the part about Ranma going into Neko-Ken as well as R's bizarre beastly behavior during the battle. Ran was looking down at her hands in her lap, as she had been much of the time. When she finishes telling the policeman her story, she finally looks up at the officer and says with absolute sincerity, "I… I just hope and pray that he's all right."
Hmm… now who could she be talking about – Ranma or R?
The cop allowed a gentle, almost paternal smile and said, "Don't worry, young lady. You've got the best doctors in the world right here at this hospital. If anyone can help your friend, they can."
Ran suspected that they said that at every hospital, but she accepted the reassurance for what it was worth.
The cop was now long gone, after giving them his card and asking them to contact him if they remembered any more details. Ran continues to pace nervously. She glances at the clock on the wall to see how much time had passed and realizes it's getting really late. Akane had gone to the nearest phone and called home. Kasumi had picked up the phone and Akane in turn told her a condensed version of what had happened tonight.
Akane says on the phone, "No, we haven't heard yet… So that's what's going on…. Please tell Dad and Mr. Saotome not to worry. We'll be home as soon as we can… Yeah, we'll let you know how he's doing. Okay. Bye, Kasumi." She then hangs up.
Akane lets out a sigh and goes back to check on Ran. On her way back she runs into Dr. Tofu(!), who's exiting the intensive care unit.. "Oh! Dr. Tofu! I didn't know you were working here."
Dr. Tofu replies, "Actually, Akane, I was here to check on one my other patients. Then I heard that Ranma had been brought in. So, I've been assisting the doctors who've been working on him in the emergency room. Just what happened to him?
"Ranma and R got into a fight, and then a cat showed up. So…" And Akane tells Dr. Tofu the whole story from the beginning. When she's finished…
Dr. Tofu says, "Well, that would explain the cuts and slash marks all over Ranma's body. The bruises and burns were obviously from the punches, kicks, and ki-blasts he took during the battle. Sigh… you know, I still wonder what Mr. Saotome was drinking that day he'd decided to teach Ranma that technique."
Then it was back to waiting, until finally Ran sees Dr. Tofu and Akane coming towards her. She rushes over to them, moving so quickly that they were startled and stepped back in surprise. "How… How is he?"
Dr. Tofu chuckles, "Ranma's Ranma, of course." Then, serious, he says, "I was telling Akane earlier that while he did sustain several injuries, he'll be all right. But he'll have to stay here for a while until we can be sure that he will make a full recovery. He's been moved out of the ICU; you can see him now if you like."
" understand. Thank you, Doctor."
"If you'll excuse me, I've got to see my other patient. Tell everyone I said hi, especially…*gulp*….Kasumi." Tofu's cheeks turn a deep shade of red, blushing at the thought of Kasumi Tendo.
Akane and Ran notice him blush and they giggle; they both know how Dr. Tofu feels about Kasumi. He leaves to go check on the patient he originally came to see. As an afterthought he calls them over his shoulder, "Keep it short. I want Ranma to rest, OK?"
They watch him go and ask an orderly to point them in the direction of Ranma's room. Once they get there, Ran pauses for a moment, expecting the worst. She doesn't want to see this, but she blames herself for him being here. Maybe I'm just overreacting. He might be okay, and that's why I have to see him.
She reaches for the handle and opens the door. Peering inside, Akane and Ran see Ranma, lying in bed, still unconscious. Tubes were running in and out of him, his chest rising and falling slowly, with a steady beep from the various monitors. Ran gasps, trying to keep her composure, to hold it all together. They'd seen him earlier that night, fighting with feline fury against R's berserker rage, seen him struggle, seen him bleed. But now laying there, with his eyes closed, his breathing shallow but constant, he looks so calm and peaceful. The fact that Ranma's alive brings warmth to Ran's aching heart. She's almost about to cry just looking at him. She kneels at the side of his bed.
Why, you ask? Simply because she cared about him, loved him. Loves him. Loves him just as much as Akane does if not more. And the bottom line was she wanted to be there for him.
Cold. That is all Ranma Saotome can feel at the moment. A pure, all engulfing, bone-chilling sensation. A feeling that he is not whole, that something important is missing. Ranma then realizes he is actually thinking again. So he wills himself to open his eyes. A blur of light is the first thing Ranma sees. A light that is too painful to look at. He tries to focus his vision, and the intensity of the light decreases; soon, he can make out shapes. He realizes that he's no longer in Furinkan High's gymnasium, or even at the dance, but in a room. Ranma tries to move around but a sharp sting of pain rushes through his entire body, a pain so great that he actually yelps out. Ranma stills himself, to ease the pain. His ears register a beeping sound. The beep was going at a very fast repetition and is now continuing at a steady pace. He lets his eyes gaze to the side where he heard the noise. He sees a heart monitor. He lets his eyes trail across the room. The room is white, and there is a lot of mechanical equipment strewn all about. Ranma sees he has an IV in his arm. He knows where he is automatically, thinking, A hospital... I'm in a hospital...... Why am I in a hospital? ...... That's right... R and I were fighting, and then a cat showed up...Oh boy, that must mean I…
It was at that moment he became aware that someone else was in the room with him. He turns his head to face this person… and it's Ran Hayami, the look of relief on her face so obvious. And beside her, his fiancée, Akane Tendo.
A moment of silence passes between everyone gathered here. Akane, having seen Ranma in Neko-Ken before, doesn't seem fazed at all – though Ranma can clearly see the care and concern for him in her eyes. He thinks to himself how very different THIS time around is compared to the first time she'd seen him after he used the Cat-Fist long ago – and what happened afterwards (see volume 4 of the Ranma 1/2 manga). Ran was about to turn away and leave when he saw Ranma's eyes open. At first they didn't seem to focus on her or Akane at all. Then his gaze latches onto them, and there is a moment of confusion. Ran is certain at that point that Ranma has no idea who his visitors are. But to their surprise, Ranma smiles back slightly, although in a pained manner, and he says softly, "Hey, guys." It makes Ran's heart break that he can smile at her after all that's happened.
Ran is obviously relieved. "Oh Ranma! You're okay!"
Ranma nods, "Yeah." He then notices his fiancée, and teases her. "Yo, tomboy."
Akane catches on, proof of the change that's taken place in their relationship lately, and smiles back at him. Then she counters with, "Hmph. You jerk. So tell me. Just how long you plan on playing dead?"
"Playing isn't the right word, Akane," Ranma says. "For a moment there, I almost thought I was." The verbal sparring over, Akane sighs, then reaches out for his hand and takes it gently.
It was all Ran could do not to open her mouth at this point. Seeing Ranma and Akane together again makes her happy. But it also makes her a little sad, because of her own growing feelings toward Ranma. And so her personal struggle goes on. Reining in her true emotions, Ran remains cautious, not wanting to say too much, fearful of triggering some emotion or recollection that could shred the moment. She feels as if she's watching slowly hardening concrete. If she does nothing to disturb it, then it would dry smooth and flat. The last thing she wants to do is make things worse.
Which they already were, since R now knows how she feels about Ranma.
Anyway, Akane says, "But seriously, Ranma, how are you doing?"
Ranma shrughs, admitting, "Feh. Oh, you know - the same old song and dance. You, me, and Ran are having a good time at the dance. Then R and I get into a fight and a cat shows up. Next thing I know, I'm here with you guys in a hospital room. Which means I was acting like a cat again." Realizing that makes him rather upset. "Grr… Stupid Neko-Ken training."
Feeling it's safe to do so, Ran chooses to speak up at this point. "Ranma, if you don't mind me asking... This "Neko-Ken"… How did you learn such a terrible technique?"
Ranma gets defensive here. "Hey, it's not my fault. I didn't want to train in it. First off, it was my pop's "brilliant" idea."
Ran blinks. "Your father? I don't get it."
Ranma tries to recall, "I think was ten when it all happened. Pop had bought this so-called "Advanced Combat" book and read about this technique he'd seen. So he tries to teach it to me."
"Okay, go on."
"The training for Neko-Ken is rather simple. You take the trainee, wrap him or her in fish sausages, and throw the trainee into a pit of starving cats."
Ran gasps. "Wh-what!? That's insane!"
Ranma agrees, "Yeah, tell me about it."
Now upset, Ran groans, "Geez, Ranma! What was your father thinking!?" She calms down, sighing, "Oh well, at least he only did it to you once.
Without emotion, Ranma just says, "Who said anything about once?"
Ran's jaw drops. "You mean..."
Ranma answers, "Yup. When I didn't learn it the first time, Pops threw me in again, tied up with dry sardines. When that didn't work, then he did it to me with salted salmon, then mackerel jerky, then fish sticks, then crab cakes, then...
As Ranma continues on and on with his list of stuff Genma threw him into the pit with, Ran is stunned. Apparently this story Ranma tells, recapping his Neko-Ken training has dredged up some bad memories from her own clouded past. She is confronted by brief flashbacks of the physical and psychological abuse she suffered under Dr. Wily in his attempts to mold her into a living weapon.
Looking pale as a sheet, Ran shakes her head. "No. Please. Enough. What your father did, Ranma... just brought up some stuff I'd rather not remember again…"
Ranma looks at Ran, and knows what she means. He remembers what she told him about the strange old guy in her nightmares. So does Akane. She gives her fiancée a look that says that maybe he'd crossed a line just then; she sees how it's upsetting Ran. Akane warns, "Ranma…"
"Yeah, you're right. Remind me to smack that dumb old man around a few times when I get out of here, will ya? And if I ever find that "Advanced Combat" book again, I'm burning it." After a moment, Ranma then says, " …So, do ya mind filling me in on what I missed?"
And the girls tell Ranma how after he freaked out at the sight of that cat, that R began to do the same thing. Then Ranma goes into Neko-Ken while R begins howling like a wild dog or wolf and the terrible battle that took place. As they tell their story, he takes it in with the air of a tourist who just had some interesting sights pointed out to him. Afterwards, Ranma finally says:
"Now it all makes sense. The very last thing I remember before the moment I lost control and the Neko-Ken took over, was R acting just like you said. Man… So, that's what happened to R after I snapped, huh?"
Ran replies, "Yeah, that's what happened. We tried to stop you, but you wouldn't listen to us. And R wouldn't listen to Kodachi either. Then you both tried to take each other out with a killing blow. You were unconscious when we caught up to you and we thought we were too late. But R got back up and he would have killed you if…"
"If what, Ran?"
If I hadn't slapped some sense into him, R would have killed you, and I would never get the chance to tell you how I feel about you, Ranma is what Ran wants to say but can't - especially not with Akane around. It tears her up inside that she can't be honest and share her true feelings with her friends. So once more, Ran has to bury them within her heart. Just how long can she continue to grin and bear it, to smile only to keep from crying? Something's got to give folks.
But before she can answer, Akane steps in. "If Ran hadn't stepped up to him, we might not even be here tonight. The last we saw of R, he turned tail and fled with Kodachi chasing after him. He's probably long gone by now."
Thank you, Akane, Ran thinks. She remembers what Akane said when they went after Neko-Ranma and Wild-R: "When Ranma goes into Neko-Ken, only I can get him out of there, cause of the trust he has in me!" Maybe that's why R didn't attack us. Maybe he does trust me? DOES he trust me? Even after he'd found out that it's Ranma I'm in love with? Out loud, Ran says, "But it's over now, and we're here, together. And you're okay now, right Ranma? You're yourself again. And R… will do the same thing, too, right? Right?"
Ranma notices the hope in Ran eyes. He wants to tell her that R will be fine. But he can't. Problem is, as strong as R is, he's not Ranma Saotome. Not by a long shot. And Ran is his friend. He feels he should be honest with her. Sadly, he sighs, "I… I'm sorry, Ran."
"What? Why?" Ran wanted to know.
"See, when I snap, and turn into a cat, I usually have no idea what's going on. And if R's "wolf-state" is anything like the Neko-Ken, then chances are if you saw him again and asked him about it, he probably wouldn't remember anything at all about what he did."
Ran considers what Ranma's said. Well, that might not be too bad… he might forget about trying to kill Ranma for a while.
But then Ran remembers the last time she and R talked…when R told her he was going to fight Ranma… and before R discovered how she really feels about him.
-(BEGIN FLASHBACK)-
Ran apologizes, "Sorry I'm late! I was talking with Ranma and Akane."
"Geez…." R says under his breath.
Sensing his emotional state, Ran says, "Um…. I got your message, and I came as soon as I could. What's so important?"
"………………………."
Now worried, Ran asks her friend, "R? What's wrong? Please, tell me."
R finally speaks. "Look, kid, I thought you should know this… I'm going to fight Ranma soon."
Ran gasps, "…………….!!"
R notices this, but keeps on going. "Don't tell me you're surprised? We've already discussed this before. You KNOW why I'm doing this."
A hurt Ran says, "Yes… yes, I know. But…"
Ran can't describe it, but she feels what R's feeling right now. He's saying it, but in his heart he feels otherwise. He wants to fight Ranma, but something's making him hold back. But what? Or who? Could it be…?
"Yeah. But that's not the only reason I wanted you to come…"
That gets Ran's attention. "Oh? Then….what?"
Then, and only then, does R turn around from behind the tree and face Ran.
"Ran…. You're a sweet kid. Really. I wasn't going to tell you my plans… but I felt…that I had to. And you're right. There is something bothering me. I remembered you said it helps to talk things out, so …And I feel like I can trust you…
-( END FLASHBACK)-
Now sad, Ran thinks, But does that mean you won't remember… Oh, R…
A nurse stepped in, mastering an expression that allowed her to look both compassionate and yet firm. "I'm sorry, ladies, but I have to scoot you out. He needs to rest."
She certainly had good timing. Ran had ascertained everything she needed to know, at least for the time being.
"We'll see you tomorrow. Get some sleep." Akane gives her fiancée a gentle peck on the cheek. Ranma nods slightly, sinking toward sleep, and half-raises his hand in farewell. As Akane and Ran step out through the door, Ran could hear the nurse say to Ranma, "You have such good friends."
A tired Ranma says, "Yeah. My best friends. I'd...give my. ..life for them."
Ran refrained from breaking down and sobbing right then and there, but it was difficult. It wasn't really the fear of losing her best friend that frightened her; it was the reminder of her failure and shame only a few days ago. She closes her eyes tightly against the sting of tears she can feel welling up in them. For the life of her, she doesn't know whether she wants to cry out of sympathy or relief and decides that this had to be the longest night of her life. She briefly wonders if anyone else was having a worse night than she was.
AROUND THE SAME TIME, AT THE REAL BOUT:
THE MCD (a.k.a. Michael Angelus) had a feeling that something bad was going to happen today.
It had all started this morning. He woke up earlier than usual. Normally, he would do so if he either 1) wanted to get to the REAL BOUT and do a little work in his office before opening the restaurant or 2) wanted to stretch his wings and go for a morning flight throughout the city before going to work. After all, why walk or jog when you can fly, right?
Seeing that he was already up, he opted for the latter. Taking to the skies, he could enjoy the early morning air, the gentle motion of flight. Sometimes he could see the rays of sunlight through the clouds. And when the sun rose up, wooo-whee! What a beautiful sight. At first, so many, many, many years ago, being up here like this would have made him a little homesick. Nowadays, he appreciated moments like this – it was about as close as he could get to being home without actually being there. And the rest of the day just seemed to go so well afterwards, too, even on days when it could get real busy at the REAL BOUT.
But what was up with this bad feeling he had today? His "Angel Sense" hadn't kicked in warning him of any danger, so he'd chalked it up to his cursed form feeling some unnamed concern. That's why he'd changed to his true form, thinking he'd go for a flight and maybe take his (and maybe THE MCD's) mind off whatever it was that was nagging at him. Even while flying, it wouldn't go away. Angelus began to wonder if it had something to do with the two souls who needed his help.
He had no idea how right he was, and more.
So, he went and flew on to work, landing on the rooftop of the REAL BOUT, changed into his alter-ego THE MCD, leapt down from the rooftop, and entered through the back door. After that, it was just another busy day at the office. One thing you notice that's true about work, no matter where you work at, when you're busy on the job time tends to go by quickly. Especially if you happen to like what you're doing. For the staff of the REAL BOUT, it's business as usual.
The place is packed tonight, more so than usual. There were lots of hungry customers, good food, and live music - THE MCD had turned the indoor arena into a stage and invited a local jazz band to play for the guests. He's working with his staff of waiters, waitresses, and cooks, giving and taking orders in both Japanese and English, and even running the bar, serving drinks – It's like the saying goes "More hands make for less work". It was hard work, but he knew that, especially tonight, it would pay off big time.
We can see THE MCD carrying an empty serving tray. He's just finished delivering a big order to one of the tables and is on his way to check in with Yukime and the other employees. As he makes his way there, he overhears a conversation between some customers…
One customer's saying, "…and the traffic was really bad, worse than usual. The police had a couple of major streets blocked off, where there was a lot of damage. It was like a war zone, man."
His companion nods, agreeing, "Tell me about it, bro. Me and my girl were doing some shopping up in Juuban, when…"
Customer 1 stops him. "Yo. Hold up. Waitaminute. YOU shop with your girlfriend?"
Customer 2 says, "Nope. More like SHE did all the shopping and left ME to hold all HER stuff. Mostly girly-type things, y'know? We were in Victoria's Secret for cryin' out loud man! Made me feel kinda uncomfortable being up in there. Then I saw Dan Hibiki…."
Customer 1 blinks. "Dan? You mean that guy who got whomped by THE MCD the first day this place opened? I heard he'd came out of the closet. Y'know, I always thought that guy was gay. NO fighter in his right mind would world THAT shade of pink in battle!"
Somewhere in Japan, Dan lets out a pained cry of "D'OH!" and facefaults.
Back at the restaurant, Customer 1 realizes something. "Hey, did somebody somewhere yell "D'OH!"?"
Customer 2 shrugs. "Naw, bro. You must be hearing things.
Listening to the two guys talking, THE MCD starts to feels bad for Dan. Maybe he shouldn't have defeated Dan that day he opened the REAL BOUT. Since then, it seemed like that self-proclaimed master of Saikyo-ryu just couldn't catch a break. It was like Dan's life was one big downward spiral of defeat after defeat. One day, THE MCD read an article in BLACK BELT Magazine that Dan had gone bankrupt and was forced to close down some of his Saikyo-ryu dojos. The members of his fan club had publicly turned their backs on him. People were making jokes (some of them really, REALLY bad – a few even got posted online!) about his supposed perverted (or sexual, depending on who you talked to) encounter with Mai Shiranui. THE MCD starts to think that people were taking things and blowing (No, no, no! Not THAT kind of blowing!) them totally out of proportion. And now folks these days were saying that Dan was gay, or at least that he might have possible homosexual tendencies. (And THOSE were the nicer comments!)
Meanwhile, while still flat on the ground from the previous facefault, Dan yells "D'OH!" again.
Customer 1's hearing things again. "Man, there it is again! Somebody somewhere's yelling "D'OH!"!"
THE MCD wonders what all this trash talking and joking is doing to Dan. Sure, the poor guy's reputation's already been crushed to pieces but all this has got to be ruining his warrior's spirit.
With some regret, he thinks, And in some way, I helped by defeating him in front of all my customers, including R. I did it to show R that you can defeat an opponent without killing him. Looks like my lesson backfired and cost Dan his chance for redemption. Maybe… I should offer him a rematch. Give him a chance to fight me fair and square. If he were to win, it might give him back his confidence and maybe the public might stop picking on him so much…
But just then…
Customer 2 corrects his buddy. "But look, bro, I can tell you right now. Dan Hibiki ain't gay. That's for sure. So, as I was saying, Dan was in the store hitting on every girl in the place."
Customer 1 laughs, "Probably trying to prove he's NOT gay."
"And then, he had the nerve to flirt with MY girl. So I confronted him."
Customer 1's in awe. "Really? Whoa, man. Gay or not, Dan Hibiki – supposedly – is a martial artist. What if he had some sort of super-secret technique that could kill you with one hit?"
"Man, please! This is DAN we're talking about here! He's more likely to hurt himself than hurt anybody with his skills. Now, true, I ain't no martial artist or no street fighter by any means. But then he's trying to glomp her. In front of me. I don't know what came over me at that point, but that's when I cracked a bottle of scented bath oil over his head."
At that point, THE MCD changes his mind about Dan. On second thought, maybe not… Dan's brought this mess on himself.
Customer 1's reaction is a mix of disbelief and surprise. He chuckles, "Ouch! I bet THAT knocked some sense into him."
Customer 2 admits, "Well… not really. But it did make him smell clean and springtime fresh."
Customer 1's like, "Ooookay… then what?"
"Since that didn't work, I…" Customer 2 seems embarrassed at this point. "I shoved him into a wall of lingerie then clocked him with a roundhouse kick to the spleen. Went down like a sack of potatoes. My girl and all the ladies in the place think I'm a hero now 'cause I saved them from "that awful pervert"."
Customer 1 can't believe it. "Wow… I mean, wow. You took on Dan and WON? I didn't think he was THAT easy to whup."
"Me neither. And THAT was when we saw the real fight that broke out..."
And wouldn't you know it, THAT's when THE MCD's "Angel Sense" decides to kick in. Without a second thought, he hurries to meet with Yukime and Satoro.
Satoro spots his boss. "Whoa, D! Where's the fire?"
Hopefully, not in the city, if I can get there in time. Out loud, THE MCD says to his two employees, "Listen, I need you guys to hold down the fort a little while. Something just came up, and I need to make sure everything's OK. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Satoro complies, "Uh… okay, boss. Will do."
Unaware to Satoro, Yukime also senses something evil headed toward the city. What she feels is not unlike the time she shook hands with Erick after his match with THE MCD about, oh, ten episodes ago (see chapter 42). She suspects that her boss is going out to confront it. And it bothers her a little. She'd only been working at the REAL BOUT for about a couple of months now, and she'd gotten to know most everyone who worked there since then. Except for one person, THE MCD himself.
Aside from what Satoro and her coworkers told her about THE MCD, and the little bit he would share about himself once in a while, there seemed to be an aura of mystery and secrecy around him. Outside of the workplace, who was THE MCD really? Was he using his skills as a martial artist to fight crime, like some costumed vigilante? She jokingly wondered if she were to enter his office one day and find a cape and a pointed cowl in his closet. Or an all white jumpsuit with full helmet and a black and gold chestplate, like something out of one of those sentai shows. But she's seen THE MCD fight before, watched him take on all those fighters that day, and that reassures her. After all, he's a big boy, he can take care of himself, right? Still, she can't help but worry about him, for his safety. She calls out to him, "D, wait!"
THE MCD stops briefly to turn and face Yukime.
"Be careful, okay?"
THE MCD winks at her, then calmly, but quickly, rushes to his office and goes over to a nearby closet. Rummaging through the clothes and other miscellaneous stuff inside, he slides them to his left and right, out of his way to reveal a second concealed cabinet inside. Inside this cabinet is a small arsenal of weapons – rows of kunai (razor sharp throwing daggers favored and used by ninja), smoke grenades, and a katana wrapped in a blue cloth made out of fine silk.
THE MCD sighs and stretches, drawing back blood into his body.
This was his time. What he was born to do.
Centuries of study and training and meditation, all now focused, and refined, and resolved into this single moment; the sole purpose of his existence had been to prepare him for battles like this, to go forth and shine his light against the darkness.
With one quick motion, the blue cloth his sword was wrapped in is folded neatly into a sash and around his waist like a belt.
He takes a dozen kunai, mounts them in a holster strap, and slings them across his torso.
He takes two of his smoke grenades and stuffs them into his pockets.
He adjusts the angle of his blade against his sash.
With reverence, with gratitude, without fear, and without anger, THE MCD, Michael Angelus, goes forth to do battle.
Taking a running start, he rushes forward; then with a leap, he takes to the rooftops. At this hour of night, there were still people out and about – it'd be too risky for THE MCD to transform into Michael Angelus. Although, he'd think, flying would have been a LOT faster. And if the threat was real enough, he needed to take the fight someplace away from civilians, so innocents wouldn't get hurt.
And all the while his angelic intuition kept buzzing. It seems to get stronger as THE MCD makes his way into the heart of the city. Using the momentum he's generated from his last series of jumps, he makes one final leap upward toward one of the highest rooftops in the immediate area. From this strategic perch, he can see miles worth of hotels, streets, shops, apartments, and parks that made up one of the busiest districts of Tokyo. With a keen eye, he surveys his domain, watching, waiting.
"Oh, don't worry," he hears someone laughing evilly. "You won't have long to wait for me!"
THE MCD closes his eyes and assumes a meditative stance, remaining totally aware and alert. While he's doing this, he's gathering his power, focusing it in preparation to attack, bringing himself in tune with his surroundings. His "Angel Sense", amplified by his intense concentration and focus, now acts as a sort of radar, picking up his enemy's presence. A moment or two passes, and then he finally says to no one in particular, "You might as well come out."
A figure leaps into sight and THE MCD initially makes no move. A flash of steel whips out toward him. With split-second timing that only an individual with THE MCD's superhuman / supernatural skill could have, the incoming sword slash is blocked by his own quickly-drawn blade. The figure emerges from the shadows into the moonlight and faces THE MCD with his sword drawn out ready to attack.
Gogandantess greets his enemy, "Well, well, if it isn't the great heavenly warrior Michael Angelus…it's been a long time."
THE MCD instantly recognizes his attacker. "Gogandantess! I THOUGHT I'd smelled something evil. Who let you loose!?"
"A long story, I'm afraid. These days the greatest demon swordsman in the world…" Gogandantess says, pointing to himself, "…serves a new lord! But suppose I tell you he's an "old friend" of yours? I wonder what would you do about it, hm?"
THE MCD doesn't need to figure out who Gogandantess is talking about. Who else could it be but his former friend Erick who'd have someone like THAT working for him? "Grrr....!! Y'know, you and Nobunaga should have been utterly exterminated by that Yagyu Jubei fellow back in the day. But you're here now, so I'll get right to the point. What does Erick want?"
Gogandantess admits, "Fair enough. My lord has asked me to deliver you a message… and, I want to see for myself if what he says about your skills is true... if living among these mortals has slowed you down."
THE MCD sarcastically replies, "Oh gee, and THAT would be….? Heh, heh… oh, that's funny. Here you are, talking smack about how I'VE gotten slow and yet, YOU, on the other hand, are the one's who sunk low, reduced to being Erick's messenger boy. Don't bother giving the message – I have a pretty good idea of what he wants. And I'm telling you both right here and now that whatever scheme Erick's got planned he will never, EVER get his way with R OR his sister! So you can tell him that for me on your way back to hell, which, coincidentally, is where I'm going to send you. How's THAT for a reply?"
"Well, in that case, draw your sword, and prepare to defend yourself!"
"Get ready for a REALLY close shave. Here I come!"
Then both warriors leap into the air, weapons drawn, flashes of steel as their blades clash against each other. The battle is on!
MEANWHILE, AT THE RED CATS' HIDEOUT …
Having "fixed" things in the South Pole (see the previous chapter!), Erick returns home. Once he's back, he enters his dark chamber, and sits on his throne. His beloved Delia pours him a glass of wine. He takes the glass from her, and sips from it. Holding that one sip in his mouth he allows it to roll around, teasing every one of his taste buds with the wine's fruity flavor, rich warmth, and sharp bite before he swallows it.
Satisfied, Erick sighs, "Ahhh… delicious. I can't imagine a better way to end my day than with a tall glass of fine wine, especially when one of my plans succeeds."
Delia smiles, "So how did it go with Beryl?"
"Quite well, if I do say so myself. There'll be no future interference from the so-called "Queen of the Negaverse". Besides, she has enough on her plate dealing with those Sailor Scouts. So, anything interesting happen while I was out?"
"We've been tracking R since his fight with Ranma ended. He's more or less taken a roundabout path through Tokyo and the surrounding area, heading nowhere in particular."
Erick hmphs at this. "Not surprising at all. In his current mental state, R's operating somewhere between total instinct and irrational thought. Clearly he's on the run, wanting to be anywhere but where he's been and what he's done for us tonight." He thinks about Wild-R's reaction when Ran slapped him. And away from those who are close to him who he's hurt while in his Wolf-fist trance. Erick grins evilly, remembering the pleasure he felt from hearing Wild-R's howl of shame and seeing Ran's tears of sadness and pain over R's violent behavior as he watched tonight's events unfold.
"So it would seem, darling. Coincidentally, R's route through the city passed through the general area where Michael Angelus' restaurant is located. I've sent Gogandantess to keep Angelus from interfering."
This bit of news delights Erick. "Wonderful! I needed him to deliver a message to my "old friend" for me, anyway. I'm sure he's having a great time as we speak."
"There's something else. Just before you returned, those two Maverick Hunters X and Zero were recently spotted not far from the Hinata Inn."
Ah yes, THOSE two. Aside from sending Bass and several squads of RED CAT Soldiers against them, Erick left X and Zero alone for the most part. Although his interest in Zero bore fruit – he was intrigued by Zero's power, which was not unlike those of Erick's DVL Cells. Plus, the DNA data extracted from Zero's blood allowed him to create his mechanized minions, the Zero Spawn. But they'd let slip certain things pertaining to their reason for being here – in particular, their intent to destroy the Cells and eliminate the one who created them. Up until now, he'd allowed them to conduct their little investigation.
But now they were in the town where the Hinata Inn is located, within the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan….
Right below Tokyo itself.
Uh oh. At this prime location, the Maverick Hunters could enter Tokyo, and from there travel to Nerima…
And should they enter Nerima, if X and Zero make contact with anyone on the RED CATS' hit list – a list on which Ranma Saotome, his friends, and family were on the very top followed by the traitor Ran Hayami, and Michael Angelus - and reveal what they know, the lid would be blown on Erick's plans. Furthermore, Nerima was the very center of his plans, because that's where the Phoenix Stone was located. All of his plots and schemes up to this point were just to buy time. When the moment was right, he would swoop into Nerima, kill the one who took the stone, and claim its power. The RED CAT GANG and its allies would finally achieve their goals. As well as my own, he mentally added.
"So what are we going to do, Erick-darling?" Delia asks.
"This," is all Erick says. Using his powers, he sends a telepathic summons to the Zero-Spawn units he's placed there. Several video screens materialize out of thin air in response to his mental command.
"YES SIR," every drone in the Kanagawa area responds at once.
Erick then orders, "Hear me, my drones, you are to keep a VERY close eye on the Maverick Hunters Megaman X and Zero. Inform me the moment they attempt to leave your area. They are NOT to enter Tokyo, so use force if necessary. Is that clear?"
"Message received and understood, Lord Erick," they respond back.
"Good."
GREATER TOKYO AREA – SOMEWHERE IN THE KANAGAWA PREFECTURE:
Since their first battle with Bass and those Red Cat soldiers, Megaman X and Zero have spent their time finding out as much as they could about their enemy while exploring 21st-century Japan.. Using the Internet, they've run searches (Google has since become X and Zero's best friend), looked up all forms of electronic media, but other than what they've been able to pull up on the Red Cat Gang, the little bit of knowledge that 21st-century Earth has on nanotechnology, and (to better familiarize themselves with the time period they're in) present-day Earth culture, popular, historical, and / or otherwise… so far they haven't found out any more about the mystery of the "Cell Virus" and the identity of this "Deimos".
Remembering that the leader of the RED CATS, the Cat Ghost King, was beaten by martial artists from Nerima, X and Zero decide to check out of the hotel they've been staying in and move close as possible to Tokyo, perhaps in one of the neighboring cities, and once in town set up a new base of operations there. From there, they would continue their investigation and maybe even make a side-trip to Nerima, see if they can get some more info on those Nerima fighters.
Now, the Maverick Hunters are out and about walking in the crowd, in their civilian disguises:
Zero sighs, "Boy X. Never knew this mission would turn out to be hard. So far, we haven't found out anything."
X agrees, "Tell me about Zero. But we can't give up, we mustn't. This mission is very important; our whole future depends on completing it."
"Easier said then done. But you're right X, everybody is counting on us. Hate to say it, but this has to be one of our most difficult missions."
"Yeah. We better find a hotel. I don't know about you, but I could really use a little time off to cool down. How about you?"
"My thoughts exactly X. Now, where to find one…"
"Hey Zero, look at this..."
As if drawn by fate or by accident...they were standing in front of an inn. Not just any Inn, but...
"Well, what does it say X???" Zero asks.
X looks closer at the wooden sign that says... "Um...it says...Hinata Inn."
Zero comments, "Funny name for an Inn if you ask me. But, right now, I'm so tired that I don't care what they call it. Let's just go and rent a room."
"I agree. Let's go."
Grabbing their luggage, they head for the entrance. Once they reach the door, Zero rings the bell. A half-hour later, the manager of the Inn, namely Keitaro, opens up and greets them. "Um...hello. What can I do for you?"
Zero replies, "Yes, hello. Listen, my friend and I want to rent a room here. Are there any available?"
Keitaro gasps, a startled look on his face. "WHA...Rent a room here!? Buddy, trust me; you don't want to stay in this Inn."
X questions, "And why not? Listen, if it's about the rent, we have more then enough money to pay for it."
Keitaro's frantic now, waving his arms like crazy. "No no noooo! It's not that. It's just that...well...this is actually...um...a girls dormitory."
Zero blinks. "A GIRLS dormitory!!?"
Keitaro nods. "Yeah. And some of them are not very friendly towards male roommates." He's thinking about Naru and Motoko...especially Motoko, with her Male-Complex.
X assures Keitaro, "Dont worry. Listen, we won't bother any of the girls here. You can trust us."
"I know that." But Keitaro shudders. "It's the GIRLS I'm more worried about. If I let you in, they'll bake my butt and you'll BOTH be in trouble!"
Zero chuckles, "I'm sure we can handle those girls. So don't make such a fuss over us. We'll be fine. Look, we'll talk to them. But...in the meantime...how's about a room? After all...we ARE customers, and as the manager, you cannot refuse customers, right?"
With a defeated sigh, Keitaro says finally, "Oh very well. It's your funeral." As well as mine!
X bows respectfully. "We thank you. Let's go Zero. Don't know about you, but a rest is what I'm waiting for."
So they enter the Inn...
Once they're inside, Keitaro's still outside. Worried about the situation at hand right now, he whines pitifully, "Why do I have the BIG feeling that BIG TROUBLE is gonna appear soon? Why meeeeee…..!?"
Above the usual hustle and bustle of an evening on the streets of Tokyo, an awesome battle between two master swordmen was currently in progress.
One, Michael Angelus (currently in his Jusenkyo-cursed form as THE MCD) was one of the most able swordsmen in Heaven, a dedicated soldier, loyal to his Lord. He's fought in conflicts all across the universe in the span of his life and against odds so great that many others would not have stood a chance. He's survived battles that have tested his skill and resolve in every conceivable way.
The other, Angelus' opponent, is Gogandantess, formerly a minion of the evil warlord Nobunaga in Japan's past – and now one of Erick Genryusai's henchmen in the present day. Due in part to his massive ego, he's a warrior in his prime, never to be any better, his powers at their apex. He's worked and trained all his life for this moment, for a chance to meet a warrior as skilled as himself in combat. It was an added bonus that he was able to engage Angelus. He has no fear for himself, no doubt that he would win. He would use his mastery of the sword and his speed and this fight would be over and done…
But apparently his master hadn't given him all the details.
On this day, he thought had met his match. His opponent was more than his equal in weapons training. Though he had the advantage of being MUCH faster than his foe, Michael Angelus met his speed with strength. It begins to dawn on Gogandantess that his foe is strong – freakishly strong – for a half-mortal. His efforts at attacking Angelus, at assuming the offensive against this formidable foe, while in no way inadequate, were middle of the road – average - at best. He was focused in a way that Gogandatess recognizes at once - a true warrior's focus, mindful of the present, locked in on what was needed in the here and now. He can see it in the look on Angelus' face.
Hmm… I might be in over my head here, Gogandatess thinks after the fact. But no matter – I will defeat Angelus and prevent his further interference in my lord's plans!
Angelus, on the other hand, is spending most of the battle blocking the demon swordsman's fast strikes. When he does attack, his powerful slashes and thrusts go through the hailstorm of his enemy's assault, delivering serious damage. His edge in a battle now, as it was even back then, came from his long battle experience and intuitive grasp of how an adversary might employ a weapon or technique against him. As soon as that goon attacked him Angelus immediately sized his opponent up as someone who goes straight on the offensive, furiously attacking so that whoever facing him has no chance to retaliate. Fool, Angelus thinks of his foe, that strategy only works IF you have the defensive capabilities to back it up! And you've got holes in your defense so big a truck could drive through them. By exploiting those holes, Angelus is able to hold his own in combat against this fast-moving lackey of Erick's.
If anyone were watching the action right now, they could tell from the angry clashes of their blades that the duel was fast and furious.
Gogandantess is a skilled duelist, and so he attempts to alter his style, but Angelus has an answer for every lunge, parry, and slash. His style borrows elements from all techniques of swordsmanship, and his moves are crisp and unpredictable. In addition, his "Angel's Sense" allows him to anticipate Gogandantess's strategies and maneuvers, his blade always one step ahead of his.
But Gogandantess manages to get in a cheap shot! Toying with his foe, he grazes Angelus on his left shoulder, then on the right thigh; dashing in close, he then strikes with a hard elbow into Angelus's chest, which knocks him away and puts some distance between the two combatants.
Seeing Angelus stagger to his feet, briefly wincing in pain, Gogandantess seizes the opportunity and moves in for the kill!
But Angelus is ready for him. As soon as his enemy gets in range, he sidesteps at the last second, then whirls on Gogandantess and lashes out with a tremendous slash of his sword. Gogandantess snaps aside in the nick of time, but his opponent presses his attack, answering the demonic swordsman's increasingly frantic strikes with harsher, direct ones and driving him inexorably toward the edge of the rooftop. He flicks his blade, precisely, economically, forcing him back and back...
But Gogandantess, grinning evilly, scarcely reacts to the finishing strike, and instead of seeing his foe cleaved in two, THE MCD heard the sound of his blade making contact with the fiend's ace-in-the-hole - a magic shield he uses to become invulnerable to attacks. THIS is why (except for that one time he went up against Yagyu Jubei) he's been almost impossible to defeat.
THE MCD snorts "Feh!" in disgust – umipressed, and not at all surprised by his oppenent's underhanded manuerver.
"And now, it's MY turn!" Gogandantess says, as he charges (literally dashing) at THE MCD. He falls on him in a fury, striking wildly and repeatedly, and now it's THE MCD being driven back. As he's defending himself, THE MCD thinks, Hmm… I see it now… by pushing me back with these rushing attacks of his, Gogandantess intends to get me against the edge, then force me off this rooftop with one final strike. Pathetic. Elementary. Futile! Won't HE be surprised when he thinks he's finished me off!
And, lo did THE MCD smile. Of course, his opponent's too busy trying to slice him up.
Closer and closer to the edge the two combatants reach until…
With a loud cry, Gogandantess yells "IT'S OVER!!" and with a flick of his blade, he delivers the slash that will either decapitate THE MCD or send him falling to his death…
And ends up slicing at nothing… perhaps his foe has already been killed?
"HA HA! I've done great Angelus is no more! With him out of the way, my lord's plans will be unhindered!" Gogandantess laughs triumphantly.
"Heh, heh, heh… not quite." A voice that seemed to come from everywhere laughs.
He freezes in place as he feels an incredible presence around him. "Grrr… Where are you, Angelus!? How dare you mock ME, the greatest swordsman of all demons!" Gogandantess demands.
"I dare because of the simple undeniable, unchangeable, and totally OBVIOUS FACT that good ALWAYS triumphs over evil."
Behind Gogandantess, something swooped overhead as if flying above him. He jerks around, his sword drawn, ready to attack. His gaze goes past his surroundings and over to the next rooftop, which is a couple of stories higher than the one he's on. And standing there is a figure dressed in the THE MCD's black dress shirt and white pants. But only for a moment, for as soon as Gogandantess gets his bearings on him, the figure vanishes out of sight.
"Hm, hm, hm… Heh, heh, heh…"
"When I find you, Angelus, you shall laugh no more! Come out and FIGHT ME!" Gogandantess growls.
No answer, then something or something whistled (rather loudly) off in the distance. With all the noise and bustle and activity down on the streets below, its pure sound can be heard loud and clear. Gogandantess, however, recognizes THAT sound – and is shocked! Only one object could nullfy his protective aura, and it's…. "A Sacred Flute? HERE, in this modern age!? Impossible!!"
"You got it. THAT was for that lousy shield of yours."
Before he can even make a move, something dives toward Gogandantess at near-supersonic speed. In a blink of an eye it drops to the ground, passes through him, and appears on the other side, with its sword outstretched. Gogandantess is shocked and doesn't move, then, he looks down at himself and sees his blood (or whatever it is demons bleed) pouring onto the floor. He drops to his knees, a thin line of blood trickling down his chin. He turns to face his attacker.
And now we get a good look at the figure dressed in the THE MCD's clothes. But he's different from before. His sun-tanned, golden brown skin is now a sort of a light olive color. His hair's changed from dark and curly to white and loose bangs, worn in a short-cut hairstyle. His outstretched wings relax and fold behind his back. He takes the long katana he wields, flicks away the blood on it, and then slowly draws it back into its sheath.
"And THAT was for underestimating me. Living among human beings hasn't slowed me down at all. It's made me a LOT stronger. Go and tell Erick that on your way back to hell." And with that, Michael Angelus, now in his true form, turns to face his slain foe.
Gogandantess, despite the fact that he's evil, does have a sense of honor. He knows he's been beaten, this time. So, maintaining his honor, he doesn't just fall over and drop dead. Rather, he admits, "Heh, heh… the victory indeed goes to you, Angelus. But you're too late…! Already, one of my lord's plans has succeeded!"
"Wh-what!?"
"That's right." Gogandantess confirms. "During our impromptu duel, my lord was testing a new weapon. My task was to prevent you from interfering as its path of destruction has already passed through this area."
For some reason, that bad feeling THE MCD had this morning comes back as Angelus listens to Gogandantess let slip some info about Erick's latest scheme.
"Oh come now, Angelus. We shall lock swords again another time. Until then, be fortunate that my lord has not chosen to send the weapon after YOU. Ha ha ha….!" And with this, Gogandantess falls to the ground then explodes in a violent burst of dark-bluish flames, vanishing from sight.
After the flames die down, Michael Angelus thinks about what he'd just heard. A new weapon, eh? Just what are you up to now, my EX-friend? Then, a thought occurred to him. And why do I get the feeling R's somehow mixed up in this?
First, he thinks about the time Erick visted him at the REAL BOUT and basically told him R was being groomed to lead the RED CAT GANG in their evil ambition to rule the world. He remembers Erick telling him (rather vaguely, without revealing the plot of this epic tale) – More like intentionally, Angelus thinks – how R would become the RED CAT GANG's new leader through becoming one with the Cat Ghost King. Now THAT did NOT sit too well with Angelus. He'd fought a few secret organizations that dealt in the occult over the years; groups like that usually had some fiendish plan in place to achieve that kind of unholy goal, and more often than not it usually spelled a tragic end for the person the group believed was their "chosen one". So Erick, with the Cat Ghost King's approval, no less, has led the RED CATS to believe that R is some kind of soon-to-be cat-messiah, an embodiement of the Cat Ghost King's power. Oh yeah, THIS TIME they've gone too far!
Then, he remembers the conversation THE MCD overhead between those two guys at the REAL BOUT – skipping over the part where Dan Hibiki gets beat up (by a non-martial artist, no less!) for his perverted antics, since it has no relevance to Angelus' current train of thought – and from what he is able to piece together something, probably Erick's new weapon, had recently came out of the Juuban district and passed through the area leaving a trail of destruction. It had to have been that bad for the authorities to be out and about. And if my guess is correct, prior to all this, it probably was unleashed in Nerima Ward, where R lives.
His thoughts return to that bad feeling THE MCD had this morning. And my "Angel Sense" didn't warn me of any danger until recently, before I fought with Gogandantess. And if he wasn't the threat, then that means…
Angelus says something that would have surprised himself a long time ago, apparently stemming from his human side's fustration upon realizing that tonight he'd been duped. "Aw, CRAP!!"
This whole thing's got Erick Genryusai's fingerpints ALL over it. Angelus' fight with Gogandantess was just a cheap diversion tactic. It had all the features:
First, an irresistible enemy to defeat. A formidable swordsman formerly in the service of an evil warlord, now working for the target's arch-rival, personally responsible for many deaths in his own time, is ideal.
The second is an out of the way location away from the real action currently happening.
Third, since it is always a good idea to remain well out of reach when plotting against the target of the diversionary tactic - somewhere within Japan, no doubt, but definently not where one could be easily found, of course - one should have a reliable proxy to carry out the actual attack. Such a reliable proxy would be, for example, the aforementioned self-proclaimed greatest demon swordsman working for said archnemesis. This ensures that the target will place himself in contact with the enemy out of devotion to duty and a burning sense of justice to defeat the enemy AND ensures that the target in question is sufficiently occupied.
After all, in a scheme like this one, the best way to arrange matters is to create a win-win situation.
For example, one might use as one's proxy a creature that, though loyal, is expendable. Thus, if one's proxy fails and is defeated, it's no loss— in fact, the target has actually done one a favor, by taking care of a bit of dirty work one would otherwise have to do oneself.
And the final stroke of perfection is to organize the diversion so that by walking into it at all, even if he wins, the target has already lost.
That is to say, an Erick Genryusai-engineered diversion works best when one's true goal is merely to make sure that the target is busy somewhere else. So that he won't be around to interfere with one's real plans.
So that by the time he can return, it will be already too late.
A classic textbook example of one of Erick's dirty tricks. It worked perfectly.
And Angelus walked right into it.
With a hint of righteous anger in his voice, Michael Angelus quietly says, "That's TWICE you've beaten me. Whatever your twisted mind has come up with now, you won't get away with it. I WILL stop you and save those two souls!!"
And when he can hold his peace no more, he screams, outraged, "AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGH!! ERICK…YOU'LL PAY!!"
AN ABANDONED TEMPLE IN THE WOODS – SOMEWHERE BETWEEN TOKYO AND OSAKA:
It's early in the morning. At some time in Japan's distant past this particular temple had been a center of peace and spirituality. But as time marched on, it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. It had been great and proud, and now it was just a stinking shell of itself, partly sunk into the ground. Some people said that spirits, lost souls, hung around it. The clouds of fog that always seemed to linger had earned it the nickname of the "ghost temple".
And Wild-R, walking along the crumbling stone path that led to a decaying structure, couldn't help but feel a kinship to the place. Once great, now fallen on hard times, with no hope of returning to the life he once knew, and little care of what happened to him. Oh, yes, a great deal alike. In the rolling mist that hovered over and around the temple grounds, he thought saw Ran's sad face coalescing, and then drifting apart.
He entered the run-down building. Rats eyed him from the darkness and advanced tentatively, eagerly, their lips drawn back. Wild-R was briefly repelled. Then he lashed out with one clawed hand, striking the creatures with unerring ease and stomping on them under his merciless heels. The remaining vermin scurried away.
Slumping into a corner, Wild-R tried to sleep. He had no success. Images kept flashing at him, and the events of the previous hours began to blur. He lost track of what had happened and hadn't happened, what he'd dreamed and what had haunted his waking moments, turning them into a living nightmare. He thought he'd heard voices, but that had to have been from the dream state. Fears and uncertainties taking root, manifesting themselves, whispering and confusing him. And over all of it, the haunting face of Ran coming at him again and again. Disappointed, sad…
R's eyes slowly open. His clothes are torn and wet and he's in a strange place that was unfamiliar to him.
R looks confused. Well, okay, maybe not THAT confused. Sure, he could remember his name and his fighting skills seemed to be intact. As for what had happened earlier tonight, well…. He tries to conjure up an image of some sort of memory but his recollection of events is downright spotty right now. "Okay. The last thing I recall was fighting with Ranma over a steamed bun. Then, Ranma suddenly acts like a cat, and then Ran's looking upset for some reason."
But between then and now, R can't remember anything at all. This, however, terrifies him and he shivers. He doesn't know know why or how he remembered Ran was crying but it concerns him even more than waking up here in this unfamiliar place had.
"Other than that, I can't remember a damn thing. What…what happened to me? What have I been doing?"
But something was missing... some element of danger, uncertainty, and yes, a hint of terror. Maybe, truly, he was mad - mentally unbalanced in some way.
It was something R had secretly always considered.
Too much time alone, driven by rage and anger.
Dreaming of what he knew, or even hoped, he could never have.
Too much time spent being more an animal than a man.
Up until now, R's managed to hide his bestial side within, behind a curtain of cool aloofness, controlled aggression, and indifference. Or so he thought. The more he thinks about it, the more likely it seems that, sooner or later, the beast will break out, and cause more damage than he liked to think about.
Tonight, a man was nearly killed.
By his hand.
Whether he deserved it or not, R didn't care, not from a moral point of view. He had almost killed someone, and at the time, not only had he not cared that he was extinguishing a human life; he had enjoyed it... he had reveled in the revenge, and the passion of the moment. The time he'd tried to kill Ranma sprung to mind immediately, and passed through his thoughts like a series of photographs. Had he been beast or man when he'd done that? He wasn't sure.
Only seventeen years old, and already a killer.
A killer... how deserving of happiness, of a girlfriend, was an animal like himself? Really, who could ever want to be around him? He was dangerous, brooding, vengeful, angry, and had no close family. A normal life? Who was he kidding? And yet... he wasn't always angry, or seeking vengeance or brooding – there were precious moments of happiness, of closeness and warmth. An alien feeling of caring, actual mutual caring, every time unexpected, and every time a small miracle in and of itself.
R had focused all his efforts into mastering Saotome-ryu Anything-Goes Martial Arts, a discipline at which he excelled. He was the best there was at it (Next to Ranma Saotome, that is), and worked hard to maintain his position. No one ever thought to ask what he had to do to be the best; they all seemed to assume that it came naturally to him, which it did. No one ever saw him practicing long hours every evening in his private gym to hold to the edge that made him as good as he was. He was simply a man driven by his need to eliminate a strong opponent. With his exceptional fighting skills, he easily won against every opponent he'd faced (Up until Ranma that is).
The one thing that R lacked was affection. His family life had no trace of it. His affection for Ran was genuine; aside from Kodachi, she was the only person ever to show him any kindness at all, so it was only to be expected (in spite of the fact he currently has a girlfriend) that he might fixate on her as the object of his repressed emotions. He had grown up without anyone or anything that he could love wholeheartedly, but Ran in a very real sense represented his chance at redemption. If he could get her to love him, then maybe his life would be worthwhile after all.
"I need time to think," he whispers to himself.
Just then, from the dense fog, five men in black suits (no, not THOSE men in black!) wearing red cat ears and dark red-tinted sunglasses appear. They besiege the temple. R exits through the huge double doors and faces one of them.
One of the men in black speaks up. "Lord R?"
"Uh… Yeah, that's me," R replies.
"We are from the Red Cat Gang's Intelligence Division. By orders of our exalted leader, the Cat Ghost King, and his High Priest Erick Genryusai, we will now take you back to headquarters. Understand?"
"Yeah, I guess."
The others stand aside as R is escorted by one of the RED CAT Intelligence Agents to a waiting black luxury sedan [AUTHOR's NOTE: Or VIP Car, as luxury sedans and coupes are so called in Japan]. The car, a Nissan Cima 450VIP, is decked out with a full Junction Produce body kit and 19-inch Scara wheels (also from Junction Produce). The remaining four agents get into a second car, a Nissan Gloria Gran Turismo Ultima, also outfitted with the same brand of body kit and wheels. Both cars' windows are heavily tinted. One could not see inside, nor even peek through such dark glass. And if someone did peek without permission into either of these particular vehicles, BAD things would happen to that person big time.
Once everybody's inside, the two cars pull out from the grounds, maneuvering carefully, as if to remain unseen. The black Cima moves at a steady pace – basically crusing down the highway. It was night, around midnight and the full moon was shining in its entire splendor, its bright glow illuminating the sedan as it smoothly speeds towards its destination.
Inside the luxuriously decked vehicle, R leans back in his seat, trying to make sense of everything that's happening tonight.
The sound of the engine almost lulls him into a state of some peacefulness, but the nagging feeling was still there. Something is very wrong..., he thinks. But what? What have I been doing tonight? And why do I ache? Did they do something to me? A flash of pain thrummed in his head. Why can't I remember anything!? It's so difficult to think...
R concentrates and tries to pull up something, anything, but his memories of tonight are mostly a blur. Images here and there but nothing concrete. Damn! I... I can't remember anything! Why can't I remember! What's going on!?
And yet in the back of his mind, R recalls the heat of rage that flowed through his blood tonight. Now that it's gone, his whole body seems to be attacked by an indescribable feeling of lassitude. For a few minutes he sits there waiting for further symptoms. After a while the feeling loses its initial severity and becomes refined, diffusing itself into all the nooks and crannies of his body. Somehow his forehead's heavy and he feels cool and clammy, rather nauseous. But it's hard to tell.
Already worn out by the events of this evening, he reaches into a mini–fridge custom-mounted in the backseat's center console and pulls out a small bottle of champagne. After popping the little cork on the bottle, instead of pouring it into one of the provided crystal glasses, R decides to drink it straight out the bottle. But no amount of alcohol could wash away what's happened tonight.
The steady hum of the car's engine is penetrated from time to time by the trucks and souped-up sports cars that rumble by, making the car shake slightly. As R sits deep in his seat, the shining black flow of asphalt sliding silently backwards under him, he tries closing his eyes…
And a single rememberance, a memory, of that beautiful pig-tailed girl and her tears appears…
Why are you doing this R!? What happened to you? Tell me, please! He can remember her saying.
And the world slowly starts to haze out around him, and then Ran is there, her presence filling the entirety of his mind's eye. He remembers seeing the fear, sadness, and anger in her eyes. But he does not recall why she's crying.
Shrugging it off momentarily, he then glances over at his reflection in the window…. and notices the bruise on his cheek. It's swollen as if someone slapped him REALLY hard. Ah ha! Now we're getting somewhere, he thinks. But who did it?
For some reason, R somehow manages to connect the slap with Ran. But the very idea of such a girly-girl like her doing such a thing to him is unheard of.
And there's something else too…
He remembers the last time they talked. How he told her of his intent to fight Ranma Saotome. Yes! He remembers something now! How he confided in her, how he trusted her…. He'd hoped to gain some information from her on Ranma's weakness. And how betrayed he felt on finding out that it was RANMA of all people that she'd had a secret crush on. On recalling this, he feels the beginning of a purple haze settle upon him. He can see it, floating there, bringing with it fury and release and the ability to avenge this wrong, to strike back at Ranma and take his revenge on him right then and there. And maybe allow him to forget the hurt Ran's caused him.
And yet, R's strangely satisfied for some reason. It's as if he unconsciously remembers having taken care of it already. But how? In any case, the purple haze that clouds his thoughts earlier begins to dissipate. Once it fades, he calms down.
But now he's back to square one. Just what was he doing tonight? What did he do to make Ran cry? Why did he ditch his date Kodachi? And why's Ranma's mixed up in all this?
Ah well, I guess it was just one of those nights, is R's last conscious thought as sleep finally claims him.
But somewhere in the darkest recesses of his mind, within that purple haze, a pair of eyes is staring right back at him. Were they his own, or another's?
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RED CATS' SECRET BASE – CAT GHOST KING'S SHRINE:
Two of the RED CAT Intelligence Agents are standing before Erick, Delia, Dr. Wily, and the statue of the Cat Ghost King. They bow and give their report to the group.
Dr. Wily wants to know, "Well, how is my boy?"
The first Agent reports, "Lord R appears to be physically fine, Dr. Wily, but his memory is somewhat confused."
"Really meow?" the Cat Statue asks. "Be more specific meow."
The second Agent proceeds to explain, "Yes, my lord. When we questioned him, he appeared to have no memory of his actions while using the Wolf-Fist."
"It can't be... Was it a possible side effect perhaps?" Dr. Wily wonders aloud.
Erick snorts, "Hmph. There's no need to worry about it, Doctor. After all, R is no longer in the Wolf-Fist state."
Dr. Wily nods, frowing in disappointment. "I see... It's like that. Because it happened so suddenly... It's no wonder. A severe burden was imposed on his mind."
Satistied with their report, the Cat Statue says, "Good. I am pleased. Now be gone. We will handle things from here meow."
"Your will be done, oh great Cat Ghost King," the RED CAT Intelligence Agents respond in unison.
The two agents leave the room. Erick is watching the footage of the fight between Ranma and R again; he is soon joined by the others. As he's watching the replay, at the part where R seems to be losing his mind, transforming into Wild-R; then, after his transformation and subsequent display of violent rage unleashed on Neko-Ranma, he's paying close attention to R during the fight.
And so is the Cat Ghost King. Of course, he greatly enjoys the part where Ranma then gets thrashed by R. But as he's watching it, he notices something and brings it to his High Priest's attention. "Meow! What is going on here Erick? R's mind, his psyche… it's completely different now…"
Realizing that they've noticed the exact same thing, Erick turns to face his boss and confirms, "You sensed it, didn't you? That one moment during that battle… In spite of R's rage, there was no sadness, fear, or uncertainty. There was only joy. Pure unadulterated joy. Joy at being able to kill his prey."
Now that he has everyone's attention, Erick dramatically reveals, "Everyone, do you realize the implications of the weapon that has been placed at our disposal?... Behold! A normally conditioned fighter, who has been trained to kill and then to have no memory of having killed. Without memory of his deeds, he cannot possibly feel guilt. Nobody, of course, has any reason to fear being caught. Having been relieved of those uniquely human symptoms, guilt and fear, he cannot possibly give himself away or expose our plans. And once the Wolf-Fist state passes, R will remain an outwardly normal, intelligent, sober, and productive high-school student with exceptional martial arts skills. And I should say, if properly used, entirely police-proof.
The Cat Ghost King's statue frowns at the idea – it continues to amaze this narrator that he can do that, y'know, being that he's a STATUE and all. "Phooey, meow. A weapon without control is insane. It's like a hysterical woman – nobody can deal with one."
Erick assures him, "Our technology is more than adequate to handle this."
The Cat Ghost King's still not convinced. "Do you really think that your science and the human mind are able to control that monster meow? Are you serious?
Erick confidently says, "Yes, I am absolutely serious. As for the Wolf-Fist, it's only a matter of time. We WILL control R. And besides, this is just one step in the fulfillment of your master plan, your Excellency." And your so-called "master plan" is only the climax - the grand finale - of all MY centuries of work!
Unaware to the others, SOMEONE else has been watching the fight. Within the shadows, his red eyes glow with anticipation. Erick briefly glances over his shoulder, recognizing the figure in the darkness; it seems he's the ONLY one who's aware of its presence. He gives a silent nod in its direction, and in response, the mystery person vanishes, leaving a trail of afterimages behind him.
"If this results in the end of Ranma Saotome, then I will allow it meow. Very well, meow, you and Dr. Wily may continue to perfect R's control of the Wolf-Fist, Erick. And once Ranma and the traitor Ran are no more and the Phoenix Stone is in our possession, the world will be ours," the Cat Ghost King says, oblivious to the shadow's presence.
Erick dramatically bows to the Cat Statue. "Of course, oh great one. Your will be done."
But unknown to Dr. Wily and the Cat Statue, a sinister smile appears on Erick's lips as his powerful mind secretly devises yet another diabolical plan. With things as they are now, he's in prime position to make his next move.
TO BE CONTINUED…