Disclaimer: This is a fan-fiction and not an official Ranma 1/2 Storyline. All rights to the official name and official characters are reserved for their proper owners.
++++ Represent any setting change or time-skip.
Episode 31: Just Another Day in the Life/ Episode 32: GODDAMMIT RANMAAAAAAAAAA
It had been a couple of weeks since the girls from the future had left, as the winter season came with refreshing cool weather, so did peace.
The fathers were rebuilding, becoming more like brothers than strangers who barely know each other.
The mothers were tending the plants they had begun to cultivate, telling stories about their lives from the times before.
The children were being taught by Nebiki about the basics of math and literature, sneaking in a lesson of bribery or blackmail when no one was looking.
Ryoga and Shampoo were teaching the children to hide and defend themselves through techniques that were ancient or absurd, sometimes even a mix of the two.
Ranma watched all these things from afar in amazement of how far they had come. If just one thing up until now had gone wrong or they were unprepared, either one or none of them would be here right now.
After ending the thought, he felt a familiar presence behind him.
(Akane) Hey Ranma!
(Ranma)(M) Hey Akane.
Both of them sat in place for a while, thinking.
Ever since Ranma and his parents came to Nerima, so much has happened. They've lived through the apocalypse, Akane almost got killed by a psycho former classmate, Ranma went to the future, it was like they had seen it all.
Even though they had done it together, it was almost rare for them to get a moment alone together.
(Akane) I just wonder, how the hell are we still here? Everyone around us is gone, only we still live.
(Ranma) Honestly, I'm not sure. After everything we've seen, I doubt there can be any more surprises.
(Akane) Oh God, PLEASE don't say that. You'll jinx all of us.
Ranma let out a quiet chuckle.
(Ranma) Ya know though, I've been thinkin about something ever since the girls left.
(Akane) About what, that you like them or something?
(Ranma) OH HELL NO! I wouldn't be able to stand them for more than a day at most. But no, thats not it.
(Akane) Then what is it then?
(Ranma) Us. When I was there, all I would think about was how to get back here to you and everyone. But now I can't stop thinking about if...
Ranma seemed to stop himself for a moment, like he didn't want to say it.
(Akane) Spit it already, I'm already interested as it is!
(Ranma) Ok, Ok! I was thinking, what if none of this stuff ever happened?
(Akane)(Slightly annoyed) You're gonna have to define specifically what you mean by "stuff".
(Ranma) I mean EVERYTHING. The curses, the apocalypse, the fighting, the death, all of it. Do you think we still would've . . . met?
(Akane) Really? You sound like an old man ya know! There's no way of knowing those things because they don't matter. All that matters is where we are today, which just so happens to be the end of the world. What I'm wondering, is why this has someone like you so worked up. You're usually not the type of person to really care about these things.
(Ranma) I know, and I was only thinking about it. (because I couldn't imagine a day without seein your tomboy face.)
(Akane) If your so out of things to do, go help your dad finish these houses. I'm not trying to live with these people forever. I'd rather they be my neighbors. (That Usagi girl is driving me FUCKIN CRAZY!)
Akane walked away to do other things and Ranma went to help finish the houses, but still thought.
(Ranma) (Would we still have a relationship, would we still live together, would I have become different, would we have ever ... met?)
Time went by and it was beginning to lean into the colder months of the year.
These nights the stars were really something to behold. There were infinite amounts of them, all shimmering like the brightest diamonds in the sky thanks to there barely being any electricity.
By this time, everyone had their own place to stay, with even a couple places dedicated to farming or a makeshift school.
Everyone has come to the point of thinking of each other as the closest thing they can have to extended family right now.
One of the best parts is that, in the winter, the infected just freeze up when they reach a cold enough temperature. But they're not completely dead.
Once when Ranma came across a frozen one, he shattered the thin layer of ice on an infected with ease. The infected almost immediately tried to kill Ranma, but it was immediately met with a single bullet that passed through the head like it was gelatin.
It is now the beginning of December. The mornings have become crisp and have the feeling of the ending and renewal.
5:00 A.M. Akane's Room
(From Akane's Window)(Whispering) Hey. Hey Akane!
(Akane) What the... Ranma? What time is it, the Suns not even out.
(Ranma)(M) Well, since it's getting colder out there, we might wanna stock up on warm clothes and materials to keep it warm round here.
(Akane) I mean, yeah you're right. But why are you coming to me with this now?
(Ranma) Well, I think it's beautiful outside and I think it would be nice if we could be alone for awhile.
(Akane) That sounds very romantic actually, which car are we taking?
(Ranma) ... ... ... ... Um, about that...
(Akane)(Annoyed) Oh God, what is it?
(Ranma) The 86 has no fuel left and the Datsun, it doesn't have much longer until it's in the same boat.
(Akane) So you're saying we're gonna have to find fuel in this cold hell, while the sun hasn't even risen yet and nobody knows the Datsun exists. Do I have that right?
(Ranma) When you put it that way, it sounds impossible.
(Akane) Well it sounds impossible, even when you said it!
(Ranma) Don't worry, we'll figure it out.
The two then got ready in light clothes and used the Datsun to drive to Nakano City, Tokyo, Japan.
They were able to find a few car they could siphon fuel out of, a practice that they had become familiar with as they used the 86 and 4Runner more often in the colder months.
It was odd though, swerving and walking around frozen infected, their faces frozen in place.
They went through most of the fashion-oriented stores and found anything that would fit the season and for the people they thought it would fit.
After all was said and done, it was already 6:00 A.M., 45 minutes before the sun rose. So the pair went back to Nerima, took the clothes to the Tendos to store for a little while and the pair quietly watched the Sun rise.
Ranma watched Akane's face in the morning winter light and just stared for a moment as he thought for a moment.
(Ranma) Sometimes, I wonder how I ever ended up with someone like you, Akane. At first, I couldn't imagine being in the same room as you, let alone your fiancee. But then, everything changed when the Infection collapsed society as a whole and we almost died as well. I know I said "we've" seen it all, but I feel like there's still more to see out there.
Yes, we've survived the apocalypse, me and a couple others are thankfully cursed but not infected, you almost got killed by a crazed Kuno, I went to the future for a few days, we met real life magical girls and so on.
There's so much that has happened, but it feels like the best thing that happened, was meeting you.
(Akane) What're you staring at Ranma?
(Ranma) Oh nothing, just thinking about how we met.
(Akane) Yeah, that was really something wasn't it.
(Ranma) I don't even remember getting in the house.
(Akane) Oh yeah, your Dad was carrying you in his panda form and your female form! It. Was. Hilarious. And then there was that thing where yu thought you were gonna die because you were so horrified of that nightmare you had, then it turned out that you just had to let it go and you'd be fine.
(Ranma) Oh that. That was embarrassing as hell and you know it.
Akane quietly laughed before answering.
(Akane) Yeah, but that's basically how the first time we met went didn't it?
(Ranma) I still wonder if we would've met without all the magic, the Infected or the supernatural.
(Akane) I dunno, I kinda envy that reality. They get to go to school, grow old and every other thing in life, normally. Here, we're stuck where we are and can't do anything about it.
(Ranma) I wish I could just see a glimpse of it though, just to see who we would be.
(Akane) Yeah, I guess it would be kinda interesting.
The time was nearing 7:00 A.M., when most people woke up to start working, assisting others, or relaxing until they were needed.
(Ranma) Let's go get those clothes before your dad thinks you went on a shopping spree.
(Akane) Ok! Lets do that.
Just before they left, they both saw a shooting star.
(Ranma) HOLY SHIT, MAKE A WISH, QUICK!
Ranma quickly put his hands together quickly to focus on his wish.
(Akane) You're like a little kid ya know.
Akane did the same, pressing her hands together and making her wish.
(Ranma) (I wish, for just a little while, to see another reality where me and Akane are normal.)
(Akane) (I wish to walk side by side with Ranma in our endeavors, no matter how stupid or irresponsible they may seem! Even though that just about describes everything we've done together.)
As they both finished, they went to distribute the new clothes to everyone.
Everyone seemed overjoyed to add something warm to their wardrobe, especially the children, they were overjoyed to show each other their new fashion.
Afterwards, they went to Akane's room to read manga, until they were needed again of course. Although, it was usually Ranma getting called to help out everywhere because he seemed to have so much energy and strength to spare.
(Ranma) Hey Akane, you find anything new or old while we were out?
(Akane) Not today, there's still one I'm looking for though, it was supposed to be coming out soon.
(Ranma) You remember what it was called?
(Akane) Yeah it was Inuyasha I think?
(Ranma) Damn, sorry to burst your bubble, but that was a one-shot manga.
(Akane) Dammit, and I was really looking forward to finding it!
As they sat in her room, Ranma couldn't focus on the manga he was reading because he couldn't stop thinking about another reality, a better one. One where they became close on their own terms. One where they weren't forced to meet by any circumstances.
After a few minutes of staring, Akane eventually looked up, wondering what the heck Ranma was staring at.
(Akane) What, do you need something?
(Ranma) No, sorry I was just lost in thought. Whatcha readin anyway?
(Akane) Hm? Oh it's just this novel I found in a store. Doesn't even look official. It's called . . . Warframe? I think?
(Ranma) Huh, Warframe. Sounds weird, what's it about anyway?
(Akane) I think it's supposed to be some kind of Sci-Fi fantasy about robotic ninjas in space. It didn't really have a description or a summary on it. It's also in english, soo..
(Ranma) Then how can you read it?
(Akane) Well I took a few english lessons back in middle school for fun, just to see what another language would look like.
(Ranma) Nerd...
(Akane) Cross dresser.
From downstairs, Genma's voice can be heard.
(Genma) RANMA! We need you to watch the children for awhile!
(Ranma)WHY? Isn't Nebiki teaching them?
(Genma) Well, she got a cold and the parents are still busy cleaning their homes still and can't have the children getting in the way!
(Ranma) Okay, fine! Give me a minute! Hey Akane, wanna come with?
(Akane) Eh, why not.
For the rest of the afternoon, the two watched the children in the makeshift school that used to be another house. Keeping a close eye on Usagi and Rei, who would sometimes fight for almost no apparent reason, then became friends again soon after. It was almost creepy how fast it would happen. Ami would come get them to report the fight and it would be over as soon as they were found.
The other children, such as Ami, Minako, Makoto and Mamoru really just did their own things. Ami and Mamoru were usually studying together, something very unusual for children their age, or even most ages.
Then Makoto and Minako would do something that normal children would do, just sit and talk, usually about disliking school, Ranma, boys and everything in between.
As evening came and it got much colder, the two walked the children home and they did the same.
As the two walked home, they talked about their day with the . . . interesting children they watched.
The two talked until they got into the yard of the Tendos, where Ranma briefly saw something in the small pond in the lawn of the house.
(Ranma) Hm?
Ranma walked over and looked into the pond.
The pond then became pitch black and looked like the night sky.
Ranma pulled back to foot and called Akane over to look.
(Akane) What is it?
(Ranma) Look at the water! That can't be normal.
(Akane) Wow, it looks like a mirror reflection of the night sky.
Ranma was about to touch the water as Akane looked.
(Akane) What the hell are you doing?
(Ranma) I'm gonna touch it.
(Akane) WHY?
(Ranma) C'mon, it's just weird looking water, nothing bad's gonna happen!
(Akane) Whatever. I guess don't listen to me.
Ranma stuck his hand into the water.
(Ranma) Huh.
(Akane) What?
(Ranma) I mean, I kinda just expected something supernatural to happen...
(Akane) And? C'mon, let go inside.
(Ranma) Okay-
Ranma pulled him arm, it was stuck in place.
(Akane) Well hurry up, it's freezing out here!
(Ranma) Well, my arm is kinda stuck.
(Akane) I thought it was "just water".
Instead of Ranma's arm sticking in place, his arm was slowly being swallowed by the pond.
(Ranma) Um, I know this is gonna sound really dumb, but I'm getting sucked into the water, please help.
(Akane) Enough with the jokes, stop messing around!
(Ranma) I wish I was kidding!
Soon enough, Ranma's entire arm was in the water, with Ranma violently thrashing about to release his arm
(Akane) I can't believe this!
Akane went over to the pond to fling Ranma onto the roof, stuck her hand into the water and couldn't release it, no matter how hard she tried.
Seconds later both were quickly swallowed into the small pond without a sound.
End of Episode 31: Just Another Day in the Life
Episode 32: GODDAMMIT RANMAAAAAAAAAA
Ranma was barely conscious when he heard a familiar voice.
(Akane) Ranma! Ranma wake up, quick!
Ranma opened his eyes, there was Akane, but she seemed angry, but unnerved.
(Akane) I'm gonna kick your ass when we get back, but for now, lets get the hell outta here, wherever your dumbass just took us!
(Ranma) Ok, WAIT, why is it warm outside.
(Akane) Pretty sure that's the least of our worries, look around.
As Ranma looked around, it seems they weren't in Nerima anymore, at least, not the one they know.
It was their neighborhood, but something was off. It was very warm even though it was winter, they could hear dozens of cars nearby and weirdest of all, there wasn't any blood or Infected to be seen.
(Ranma)(M) Okay, did we travel realities again?
(Akane) Uh, that was only you remember?
(Ranma) Well whatever, this time we're in Nerima, so we should avoid going home or running into ourselves. I don't know how this other world works but it would probably be good not to disrupt anything in it.
(Akane) Ya know, for being an idiot, you have a pretty good understanding of our situation. But didn't when I told you not to touch the water.
(Ranma) We can discuss that later, for now we should find ourselves and figure out how to get back.
(Akane) Agreed, so let's go to the school and start there.
(Ranma) I'm gonna switch to my other form to look different. Who knows, might be in a future where I might not have the curse.
(Akane) Let's hope so.
As they went, the streets were crowded with people in various situations.
The two went to where they remembered the abandoned school was and it was there, this time, looking pristine and definitely not abandoned.
There were students in classes, listening to a teacher, taking notes and sleeping.
The two were awestruck, but nervous around all of these people.
They were so happy to see other humans instead of the undead, but they couldn't get used to being around so many at once.
They looked from outside, trying their best not to be spotted, until a student saw them and announced it to their classmates.
(Ranma)(F) Aw SHIT!
(Akane) What, what happened
(Ranma) I got spotted, we gotta go!
The two got to the ground off of the tree they were spying from and were immediately chased by teachers trying to identify them.
Thankfully, both of them had the strength to climb up and pass over the wall around the school.
They ran for a minute before stopping near another neighborhood.
(Ranma) I didn't see either of them, let's just wait near the dojo and see what happens, better chance of seeing both of us.
(Akane) I hope you're right about that!
After waiting all day, the Ranma and Akane from this world were at the dojo, but something seemed different about their mannerism.
The two were intimate, much more that Ranma or Akane had been since their meeting was so forced and everything that's happened since then.
After a few minutes of them talking, the two actually kissed, but they went separate ways. Akane to the dojo, then Ranma went further down the street.
(Akane) That's weird, we don't live together?
(Ranma) Guess not, wanna watch her and I'll follow . . . myself? Huh, that sounds a lot weirder out loud.
(Akane) Sure, and be careful okay? Don't want to scare ourselves in this world.
(Ranma) I'm not that clumsy, jeez... At least I don't think I am...
Ranma followed himself until his other self walked into an unfamiliar place.
She watched through the glass of a sliding glass door out of view and watched.
His other self seemed to look . . . . like the normal teenager he wished he could've been. Talking to girls, getting into relationships when he was ready, arguing with his parents about trivial things and all the other things he was denied in his current life.
He watched for hours with envy in her eyes as he saw a version of himself as a normal teenager. But something odd was the fourth person. She looked just like Ranma's cursed form, only smaller and seemingly more childish.
Meanwhile Akane watched herself from afar, feeling the same thing. ENVY.
She saw what might've possibly happened had there been none of the supernatural shit she had to deal with in her everyday life. A perfectly normal and happy girl with dreams and ambitions for her future. Although, she also saw that her father was an empty shell of the man she knew. Instead of being a happy and outgoing person, he was just this ghost that would wander the house and dojo every now and then, then go back to his room. In this universe though, Kasumi seemed to be the only one that hadn't changed. One thing she couldn't figure out, was where the hell Nabiki was.
Just as she was about to leave to meet Ranma, she saw the bedroom window she had been looking into, open. Then she heard her own voice!
(Other Akane) Ranma...? Is that you?
(Akane) (Shit! Gotta go before she notices me!)
Long after the Sun set, Ranma finally showed up to the park.
(Ranma) So what'd you see?
(Akane) Well, in this world, I'm normal, know you, Dad's depressed and Nebiki is missing.
(Ranma) And Kasumi?
(Akane) Same person different reality.
(Ranma) Huh, interesting. Well, it seems I'm also normal, even my family's normal. I think I might even have a little sister in this world.
(Akane) AWW, that's adorable, what does she look like?
(Ranma) Imagine me, but smaller and younger.
(Akane)(Disgruntled) Oh.
(Ranma) Oh, real mature.
(Akane) Relax, I'm joking. Anyway, what should we do?
(Ranma) Avoid them, but for now, we need to find some food.
(Akane) How? It's so late, nothings open, and we don't have any money.
(Ranma) Wanna break open a vending machine?
(Akane) Are you serious!? Why would I- Never mind, let's do it.
Minutes later, loud crashing sounds were heard, along with aggressive shouting and many, MANY curse words.
Then silence.
The pair now had snacks and drinks, very far away from a demolished vending machine that was like that when they found it...
(Ranma) So, what do you think we should do?
(Akane) What do you mean? We gotta find the water that brought us here.
(Ranma) Okay then, in the mean time-
(?) Okay Ranko, but only for a little while, we don't wanna worry Mom and Dad.
(Ranma) What the hell?
(Akane) Shit, get outta sight!
It was the other Ranma, with his sister. Akane and Ranma hid nearby, just out of sight so they could hear him.
(Akane) Wow, she's actually a lot cuter than you described.
(Ranma) Oh fuck off.
The other Ranma seemed to be playing a game with his sister, hide and seek.
The child ran right next to where Ranma and Akane were hiding, but thankfully she didn't see them.
Just like they had wished they had seen the other Ranma pat Ranma on the head.
(Ranma)(F) HEY WHAT THE FUCK!?
(Ranma 2) What the!? When the hell did you learn to talk like that Ranko!? Was it a classmate or-
(Ranko) Huh, Brother, I'm over here.
(Ranma 2) Wait... Then who are you, a clone?
(Ranma) Little more complicated than that dude.
Akane then left the hiding place and showed herself to the other Ranma.
(Ranma 2) Oh! Hey Akane...
(Ranma) What the... Ok, that's not your Akane okay?
(Ranma 2) ? Uh... Is she a clone too?
(Ranma) Can we talk without the children present?
(Ranma 2) Um, sure I guess. Hey Ranko, I need to talk to these people in private, do you know the way home from here?
(Ranko) Sure I do! I'll tell Mom you'll be a little late. Better make it up to me!
(Ranma 2) Thanks Ranko! And I will.
The girl, Ranko, walked away happily. The three waited until the girl was out of earshot to start talking.
(Ranma 2) So, who are you two?
(Akane) Well... Um... How do I- Oh, no shit, Ranma! Explain!
(Ranma) Well, you see, we're here from another reality. I am Ranma and she's Akane from another reality.
(Ranma 2) So you're from a reality where I'm a girl.
(Ranma) hey do you have any warm water nearby?
(Ranma 2) Why would I...?
Akane then dumped a bottle of water on Ranma, returning him to his original form. A male.
(Ranma) In my reality, we're cursed to transform into a girl when hit with cold water. Dads also cursed and we're in the middle of the apocalypse. Any questions?
(Ranma 2) Yeah, how the HELL are we still alive!?
(Ranma) Oh, easy, THIS THING!
Ranma pulled out his beloved pistol, still neat and clean since he constantly cleaned it for maximum performance.
Although Ranma took pride in his weapon, the other Ranma seemed slightly frightened of it.
(Akane) Ranma have you ever even seen a gun?
(Ranma and Ranma 2) Which one of us?
(Akane) Ok, let's try this. I'll call my Ranma, Ranma and I'll call you (Ranma 2), Saotome. Okay?
(Both Ranmas) Ok.
(Ranma) So are you cursed at all? That was quite the reaction to when I reverted. Haven't seen it in a while.
(Saotome) Well no, nobody I know is cursed. I didn't even believe in that kind of thing until you just transformed.
(Ranma) (Damn, what else is different?) Let's compare notes.
(Saotome) Okay
(Ranma) Taken from Mom at age two for 14 years to go train all over Japan and China with Pops?
(Saotome) Nope, went on trips since I was 5. Dad first took me for 2 years, then in 4 month intervals, on and off before stopping when I was 10 to fix his relationship with Mom. Then they had Ranko a few years later and Dad rarely ever trained me after that.
(Ranma) Huh. Was promised to marry a few girls, including Akane during your training trips?
(Saotome) God no! That sounds horrible. Mind if I ask a few?
(Ranma) Shoot.
(Saotome) Let's see... live next to the Tendo's as a kid, have siblings or moved away for a few years?
(Ranma) Never lived near the Tendo's, don't have any siblings and never lived in Nerima before the Apocalypse.
While the two compared lives, Akane watched them like a tennis match, bouncing questions from one Ranma to the other.
(Saotome) Interesting, hey Akane from another world, I got a question for you.
(Akane) Huh? What is it?
(Saotome) It's about the Akane in this world.
End of Episode 32: GODDAMMIT RANMAAAAAAAAAA