Ponies One Half

by Emma Iveli

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Human, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Romance
Length: 58399

Thanks to a teleportation accident, Twilight and her friends are stuck in another universe, not only that but the first thing that happens to them is that they get cursed. And that's least weird thing that happens to them.

When Twilight tries a mass teleportation spell with her friends they get stuck in another universe. What's worse is that their landing point was a magical spring that curses it's victims to transform into whatever drowned there. They are now cursed to turn into human girls whenever splashed with cold water, but hot water changes them back.

They weren't the only ones to fall in that day. They meet Ranma a male traveling martial artist who fell into the same spring (meaning he turns in a girl), his father Genma who becomes a Panda. Twilight agrees to cure them when she figures out a cure while they give her and her friends a place to stay.

Due to a series of events, they wind up in Japan where they must pose as normal high school girls. Where they must deal with a stupid swordsman who falls in love with them, martial arts based on running, rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating, rivals from those sports. And that's barely scratching the surface of the insanity that lies for them...

Edited by NightElf37 (chapters 1-16), Alticron (chapters 17 onwards) and Dr. Tempo. Cover art by by Schreibaby-Zephyrof deviantart

Published 2012-01-30 07:12:23 UTC
Last updated 2013-11-09 20:41:59 UTC

You Got Some Explaining To Do

Chapter 2: You Got Some Explaining To Do

Akane woke up, she shook her head to get her sense of balance. She saw Kasumi looking at her and offering a hand, she took it and sat up.

"Oh Kasumi, I had the strangest dream," she said, "I dreamt that dad told us one of us was going to have a fiancé who turned out to be a girl who was in the company of other girls and one of them turned into a horse."

"No dream." a voice came. Akane turned to see Shampoo sitting next to Kasumi.

Akane held her head and felt like crying. Furinkan isn't supposed to be like this! All the weirdness is supposed to be in the next area over (AKA Tomobiki)... Not here!

"They're going to tell us what's going on," explained Kasumi.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane, Shampoo, and Kasumi all went downstairs to the living room. She saw that the man from earlier was sitting next to a boy who wore the same clothes as Ranma, and even had the same hairstyle. However, he wasn't a redhead but a brunette. Next to Ranma were…more ponies beyond the three from earlier. Akane now had a better look at them and noticed that their manes… were the same style and colors as the girls.

Not only that, but not all of them had wings. The ponies who were presumably Hikaru and Belle were unicorns, while the ones that were presumably Momo and Alex had neither wings nor horns (and for some reason, the Alex pony still had her hat). Next to the pony she assumed was Chiyo (and the one she saw in the bathroom) was the boy she saw… who looked away from Akane while blushing bright red.

She noticed that the star pattern that was on Hikaru's sweater vest was on the Hikaru pony's flank. The Belle pony's flank depicted three diamonds, and the Alex pony's three apples.

Shampoo took a seat next to Cologne, who was sitting next to the man.

"We should all properly introduce ourselves," he said, "My name is Genma Saotome, and this is my son…"

"Ranma," said the boy.

"You don't need to know about the ponies, hopefully they will be gone soon… and…"

Suddenly, Cologne whacked him on the head, mainly to prevent another fight from breaking loose between him and the Ran pony, who looked ready to charge. Akane noticed that the pony's flank depicted the same lightning-bolt shaped rainbow that was on her shirt.

"What…the…HECK...is going on?" asked Akane.

"How do I explain it?" said Genma. He then prepared to grab Ranma, but the Hikaru pony's horn glowed in a purple aura. Genma was then surrounded by an aura of the same color and floated in the air. He was then sent flying into the koi pond outside, where he emerged as a giant panda.

"Why you!" signed the panda.

"You were really going to toss me in?" asked Ranma, an angry look on his face as he walked to the panda.

The Genma Panda glared at the Hikaru pony and produced another sign that said, "Everything went wrong ever since you showed up!"

"Without her, I'd be dead right now!" countered Ranma.

"You owe the others nothing!" The two then charged and started fighting.

"You know…let's just ignore him," said the Ran Pony as she shrugged.

"He cause nothing but problems," agreed Shampoo with a nod of her head.

As Cologne closed the door to the garden, the panda signed, "…"

The Tendos processed what just happened.

"Daddy, your friend is weird," remarked Nabiki.

"He wasn't always like that," said Soun.

"It all happened when we first went to China," sighed Ranma.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Flashback-

Ranma and Genma were heading to a legendary training ground. And they arrived a place where there were bamboo poles stuck out of many pools.

"Sirs!" a squat old man in a Chinese military uniform was trying to stop the two. Apparently, his duty was to guard the pools and he also served as a guide. "Please listen."

However, the two didn't as they began to train, sparring in midair and landing on the poles. As they did, Ranma managed to knock his father into one of the pools.

"Is that all you got?" asked Ranma. That was when something surfaced. It wasn't Genma, but a panda. "What the—?!"

"Sir fall into Spring of Drowned Panda." explained the guide. "Tragic story of a panda who drowned 2000 year ago. Now, whoever falls take body of a panda."

The now Panda Genma got back up and they continued to fight. During that, Panda Genma managed to kick Ranma into another pool. When he surfaced, he was now a redhead female version of himself. He looked down and saw that he now had boobs. Obviously, Ranma didn't take it well.

"Sir, you fall into spring of drowned girl." Said the guide. "Tragic story of girl who drowned there 1500 year ago. Now, whoever falls take body of a girl."

"YOU IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!" Ranma cried out.

-End Flashback-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The Tendos stared at Ranma once he finished. "Pop only read about the place in a guide book… which was in Chinese." An awkward silence followed.

"His dad is an idiot," said the Ran Pony.

"Frankly, he's worse than my father," remarked the Belle pony.

"Come on, Rarity!" replied the Momo pony. "It's not so bad. I actually like your dad."

The Belle pony groaned.

"Perhaps we should go in order from how we joined Ranma," suggested Cologne, "Which means it's your turn, girls."

The Hikaru pony sighed, then said, "As you can guess, the names we gave you as humans aren't our real names."

"So what are your real names, then?" asked Akane

"Rainbow Dash," said the Ran Pony.

"Rarity," answered the Belle pony.

"Fluttershy…" The Chiyo pony.

"Name's Applejack." The Alex Pony.

"Pinkie Pie!" yelled the Momo pony as she bounced happily.

"And I am Twilight Sparkle," said the Hikaru pony.

The last one made Nabiki laugh maniacally. "Sorry… it's just that there's a book called Twilight about vampires…" she then apologized.

"And they sparkle…" finished Twilight as she 'grabbed' a drink. "I know… I've been hearing it the past month."

"They took on those names so they wouldn't seem like they were the children of hippies," explained Cologne.

"Well, they are cute names," said Kasumi.

"So what are you exactly?" asked Nabiki. "…Colorful talking ponies aren't normal after all."

"Well, do you believe in alternate universes?" asked Twilight.

Soun, Nabiki, Akane stared blankly at them.

Kasumi simply smiled and said, "Oh, and you live in a universe filled with talking ponies? How wonderful."

"Then how did you get from that universe to ours…and why do you change into girls?" asked Nabiki.

Twilight sighed. "Well…"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Flashback-

In the universe where Equestria is…

Twilight and her friends were in the Book and Branches Library in the town of Ponyville. The purple unicorn was explaining to her friends about a mass, long-range teleportation spell she learned about.

"Are you sure this will get us to Canterlot?" asked Rarity.

"I'm sure it will," said Twilight as she put down the book she was reading, which covered how the spell worked.

"I'm still a little nervous about this, Twi," Applejack voiced her doubts.

"Don't worry. I sent a letter to Princess Celestia about this. Should anything go wrong, she'll be on it."

"Sounds like fun!" said Pinkie as she bounced up and down. “Is anyone else excited?”

Nopony answers her as Twilight's horn then glowed as she worked her magic. In a flash of light, the six ponies were gone.

But they didn't end up in Canterlot. Instead, they ended up in another universe altogether.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

When they emerged from the teleportation, they were a couple of feet above a pool of water. Nopony was able to react in time as they all fell in.

When they all surfaced, Twilight was the first to speak. "Is everypony okay?" she asked. Just as she received their confirmation, she noticed something off. She tried to exit the pool, but fell down. She looked at her hooves, only to see hands. She looked towards her friends…only to see five other girls. She walked to the spring, and saw her reflection. The girls then screamed their lungs out!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Seconds ago, in a nearby house, Ranma and Genma learned the trigger of the curse from the guide. Cold water means they turned into their cursed forms (a girl or panda) and hot water changes them back.

"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Ranma.

"You no listen when I try to warn," said the guide. That was when they heard the screaming. "Looks like there more cursed." He then proceeded to leave the house, the two Saotomes joining him.

Upon arrival to the pools, which was where the guide was going to, they saw six girls about Ranma's age screaming for various reasons…

Well, one of them wasn't as she poked her breasts. Of course, these were the transformed ponies.

"Where are my wings?!" cried the now human Rainbow Dash.

"My wings are gone too," said the now human Fluttershy.

"What the hay's going on here?" yelled the now Human Applejack.

"Wow… these are really weird squishy things…I like them!" said the now human Pinkie Pie, who was the one poking at her breasts.

That was when the now human Twilight saw the guide, Ranma, and Genma.

"Why do I have feeling it going to be tough day?” the guide muttered quietly to himself.

"Um… hi…” said Ranma as he blushed madly.

"Hi there!" said Pinkie as she jumped up and down, her breasts jiggling like crazy.

"Due to the magical nature of the Equestrian language, we're able to understand any language here…” Twilight explained in the present. "Although only I knew that at the time, being Princess Celestia's student and all."

“Who's this Princess Celestia?” asked Akane.

“We haven’t gotten a chance to tell them about her yet.” reminded Rarity. Twilight smiled in embarrassment after that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After several minutes of silence, the now humanized ponies followed the guide to his house, where he informed them of the curse.

Considering the day they had, Ranma and Genma somehow weren't surprised by the talking ponies.

"So, what do you think happened?” asked Applejack.

"It's entirely possible that we wound up in another universe," answered Twilight.

"What?" asked Rarity with a sweat drop.

"I agree… and it's has to be an anime universe since we can sweat drop and do other fun things with our faces!” said Pinkie.

"What is she talking about?" asked Ranma.

"Don't ask." said Applejack.

"Yeah," agreed Rainbow Dash. "You'll just get confused."

Suddenly, the sink suddenly broke and started spraying water everywhere, activating everyone's curses. All the now-human ponies sans Pinkie started blushing.

"That's it…” growled Ranma-Chan, "I'm going to KILL YOU, old man!"

With that, the boy-turned-girl chased the man-turned-panda.

"I go get clothes for you!” said the guide as he managed to cap the sink. "Why that thing break so much, I have no idea."

-End flashback-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"And that's how we met Ranma and his father," finished Twilight.

The Tendos were silent as they took all of this in.

"Don't worry, I assure you everything's going to seem normal from here on out," said Cologne.

"Yeah… it's kind of hard to top talking magical ponies form another universe," agreed Nabiki.

"So, what about him?" said Akane as she stared at Ryoga.

"My name is Ryoga Hibiki…" he introduced himself. "I went to middle school with Ranma… and I'm sorry! I didn't mean to peek at you!" He then blushed bright red.

Akane sweat dropped as he continued to apologize. "It's okay…" forgave Akane, "I should have knocked…"

"Actually, Ryoga was the next to join our group," said Ranma.

"I guess I should explain why I went to China…" said Ryoga. "Ranma and I met in junior high school. Everyday, we fought over who got the last loaf of bread. Ranma always manage to beat me. I had enough, and challenged him to a fight. The fight was supposed to take place in my backyard."

"However, Ryoga has no sense of direction at ALL!" said Ranma.

"How bad is it?" Nabiki asked sarcastically.

"It took him four days to get there! Four days to get to the lot behind his house! Pops dragged me off to China before Ryoga arrived on the last day, stupid Pops. Of course, Ryoga followed…" explained Ranma.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Flashback-

Ryoga trekked though the mountains, right at the exact location of Jusenkyo. He then saw a panda (Genma) running towards him. He managed to dodge him. However…

"Come back, here old man!" yelled a voice.

Before he knew it, a young woman with red hair (Ranma) accidently kicked him off a cliff… a cliff that overlooked Jusenkyo. Ryoga fell into one of the springs… changing him into…something that wasn't human.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Nearby, the human Fluttershy was looking around, thoughts in her head.

Twilight didn’t want to reattempt the spell until they were cured of the curse, which meant they didn’t know when they would get back. Not only that but they had no way to get into contact with the Princesses.

Meaning there was no one to take care of her animals friends.

She couldn’t help but to sigh.

The only good thing was that the guide had given them robes, so they wouldn’t be naked (as humans had different standards than Ponies).

Just then, she heard a squeal. She looked to see was a piglet in one of the springs, trying to get out. She walked over to it and gently picked it up.

"Are you hurt?" she asked the pig, who shook his head no. “Oh no… This could be another poor person cursed! I better take him to the kind guide.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Fluttershy decided to bring the piglet to the guide's house. Inside, she saw Twilight and Rarity, both in human forms, trying to lift a feather using magic. The former had no trouble at all as she channeled her magic through her hands, while the latter couldn't even lift it… or even channel magic at all.

"I guess my magic's just stronger than yours, Rarity," said Twilight.

"Just great…” muttered Rarity. That was when they noticed Fluttershy.

"So, are the rascals still chasing each other?” asked Applejack, who was in human form as well.

Fluttershy nodded, then said, "I found this pig in one of the springs. I think it might have been someone who fell in." .

"Let see," said the guide as he poured hot water on the pig, and it turned into a naked Ryoga, who blushed bright red.

"Um… can you girls… please turn around?” Ryoga asked.

The ponies-turned-girls did as he requested. Fluttershy was blushing really hard as well.

"Spring of Drowned Black Piglet, very tragic story. Now whoever fall in spring turn into black piglet," explained the guide. He then grabbed a large pool simmer, "Excuse me, I have to see if sir's things are still in spring." He then left the house.

"Um…" said Ryoga, "Thank you for getting me out."

"It wasn't a problem," whispered Fluttershy.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

It took the guide 20 long minutes to return with Ryoga's backpack due to its weight. Ryoga took out his clothes from the bag and got himself dressed. By the time he was done, Ranma-Chan came into the house.

"Man… I couldn't catch him.” she said. "Who knew pandas were so fast? Hey, can I have some hot water?" Ranma failed to notice Ryoga until after he changed back.

"Oh hey, Ryoga.” he then said in greeting. "How you're doing, buddy? Did you get so lost you somehow made it to China?"

Ryoga glared at Ranma and yelled, "This is all your fault!" The two of them then started fighting, causing the ponies to sweat drop.

"Why do I have a feeling a long story is involved?” mumbled Applejack.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Hours later, after showing Ryoga their true forms (he took it surprisingly well; then again, he had turned into a pig), Genma felt it was safe to return, and the guide cooked them dinner.

"I think we should work together," suggested Twilight.

"What do you mean?" asked Ranma as he stuffed his face with food.

"We're stuck here, no way to contact home, and were cursed to turn human. But I'm sure I can break the curse."

"Are you sure?”

"I am the student of Princess Celestia." She received blank stares from the Saotomes, Ryoga, and the guide.

"Different universe, remember?" reminded Rainbow Dash. Twilight face hoofed for forgetting.

"I get it," understood Genma. "You want us to give you a place to stay while you figure out a cure for the curse. I think we can do that."

"So it's agreed, then."

"Agreed." The two then shook hands… um hoof to hand… whatever…

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"You're not the only one," sighed Applejack.

-End Flashback-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

While they did tell the Tendos about how they started traveling with them, they were still pretty focused on the first part of the story.

"How do you get lost that badly?" asked Nabiki.

"Please don't ask," said Ryoga, "I don't know how I do, but my parents are the same way." The Tendos then turned to the two from China.

"I bet you want to know how we factor into all this," guessed Cologne. The Tendos nodded in affirmation since of all their visitors, she and Shampoo were the sanest of them all.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Flashback-

After a strange rainstorm, the guide led the Saotomes, the ponies, and Ryoga to the nearby village of Joketsuzoku.

"This is village of Chinese Amazons," said the guide.

"What's an Amazon?” asked Pinkie. She and the others have assumed their cursed human forms due to the rain.

"Female warriors. Very strong, very proud people."

"Is it possible to have a book of their laws?” asked Twilight. She received stares from everyone else. "We might break some weird law. I just think we need to be prepared for anything."

"I think she just needs to read a book," mumbled Rainbow Dash. Both Rarity and Applejack nodded.

The guide gave her a book, which, she was able to understand thanks to the aforementioned magical language.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

When they entered the village, Rarity asked if there were any places to buy some fabric. The guide had given them some money, feeling sorry for the ponies. Fluttershy and piggy Ryoga joined her, the former having offered the latter to join them on their journey, considering his sense of direction was possibly the worst in the entire multi-verse.

The others went to watch something else… a tournament between the village's best warriors.

"We very lucky to see this," said the guide.

They watched as two woman fought on a log, one of them being Shampoo as they realized later. She easily defeated her opponent—a woman was twice her size—by knocking her off the log.

"Really?" asked Ranma-Chan as she and Panda Genma stuffed their faces with food.

"Yes, fascinating," commented Twilight, engaged heavily in the rulebook.

"Um… guys," said Rainbow Dash.

"What?" asked Ranma-Chan. Rainbow then pointed to a sign that read "Prize for Tournament" on the dinner table.

As it turned out, the winner was Shampoo. And she was NOT happy with the "girl" and the "panda" eating her prize.

"(Why are you eating my food?!)” she yelled in her native tongue. "(It's clearly labeled that it is the prize for the winner of the tournament, so get away from my meal!)"

"Is it just me or does her voice somehow reminds you of Spike's?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"I don't know. It sounds more like the Mayor's," replied Applejack.

Meanwhile, the guide translated what Shampoo said to Ranma.

"So if I beat you, I get the food?" asked Ranma-Chan, "Sounds good to me."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

As the two began their fight, everyone else watched, save for Twilight, who was still engaged in her book.

"Go Ranma! You can do it!” cheered Pinkie Pie as she ate popcorn.

"Oh no…" whispered Twilight. She then continued to read about the law, and then gave a sigh of relief. "Phew…Glad THAT rule's in there."

"What is it?” asked Rainbow Dash as she turned to Twilight.

At that moment, Ranma-Chan defeated Shampoo by knocking her off the log, who got up afterwards in shock, unable to believe that she was beaten by an outsider. As Ranma-Chan was being declared the winner, Shampoo glared and approached her. Just before she could attempt anything, Twilight jumped in between the two.

"Wait!" she shouted, "Ranma fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl! She's really a man."

The village, being so close to Jusenkyo, knew what that meant. Just then, the woman Shampoo defeated earlier poured hot water on Ranma-Chan, changing her back. Shampoo widened her eyes upon seeing male Ranma, then hugged him and delivered a kiss him to the mouth. The Amazons of the village then began to applaud. As it turned out, curses weren't that uncommon in the village.

Sure, he fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl, but this is the best day of my life! Shampoo thought.

"Twilight… what did you just do?” asked Ranma and Rainbow Dash.

"Very good, child," a voice came.

Everyone but Pinkie jumped when they saw Cologne appear out of nowhere.

"Wow…you're good," remarked Pinkie.

Shampoo then broke the kiss and began to snuggle with Ranma, who then asked, "What's going on?"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night, they all stayed at Cologne's house. Cologne assured the guide that she'll take care of them and let him go home. Cologne had also given Ranma a Japanese copy of the Amazon law book for him to read.

"So Shampoo and I…” said Ranma as he finished reading the appropriate part.

"Now legally engaged to be wed," finished Cologne. She then looked at Twilight, who was in her pony form along with her friends. The village had been told about the ponies and their true forms, and Cologne has seen a lot of strange things in her life that even talking ponies from another universe was nothing to her. "Your friends are quite interesting…I believe you also owe Twilight Sparkle your life. If it weren't for her, Shampoo would have killed you."

"Oh… you don't have to, I was just doing the right thing," said Twilight. “I don’t need Ranma owing me anything.”

Genma, on the other hand, was steaming in anger. "Ranma can't marry your granddaughter!” he yelled. "I already promised that he would marry one of my friend's daughters." Ranma heard this and growled.

"I'm sorry, but he has already defeated Shampoo.” said Cologne. "He hasn't even met your friend's daughter."

"That may be the case, but I made this deal before he was even born. It is a matter of family honor!"

Ranma couldn’t help but to cough in sarcasm.

Just then, Twilight smirked. "What about the Heaven and Earth Solution?" she suggested.

"The Heaven and Earth Solution? Sounds like something out of a bad anime."

"(What's that?)" asked Shampoo.

"It's something that's rarely used, something usually involving married men," explained Cologne. "A compromise to have the man marry more than one woman. If the woman is not an Amazon, she would be an honorary member of the village and even be able to train as if she were one of our own. Not only that, but her children with the husband would be considered members of the village." She then looked at Genma. "Is that friend of yours a martial artist as well?"

"Well, yes," said Genma. "He was my fellow student under our old master, actually."

“Do any of his daughters train?"

"I don't know… I haven't even met them."

Cologne looked at Shampoo and thought, This wasn't the first tournament she's won, and I know it won't be her last. She then said, "I will enact the Heaven and Earth Solution with Ranma and Shampoo's marriage. That means if he wishes to marry anyone else beyond both Shampoo and this other girl he will be free to do so." Cologne turned to the ponies with a mischievous grin. "Now, if any of you wish…" The ponies simply moved away, uttering various protests. Pinkie on the other hand just giggled. "Don't worry, I'm just joking."

"(But Grandmother…)" Shampoo began to protest..

"(I know you're getting tired of fighting the same girls over and over again. I will train your new sisters to be just as strong as you. You're the strongest in this village and have been so for many years. Don't you think this will be a good change of pace?)"

Shampoo became silent, knowing her Grandmother was only looking out for her and wants what's best.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

They all decided to stay in the village for the time being, and over the course of the next few weeks they lived peacefully in the village.

Rarity made clothes for the other ponies that fit their personalities for whenever they would be in human form.

Rainbow Dash had become very popular in the village, being a pony that was a black belt, she would often spar with some of the local girls and become friends with many of them. Especially Shampoo, as she gave Shampoo a challenge.

Rainbow Dash and Shampoo even recommended that Applejack start taking Martial Arts lessons, thanks to her natural leg strength she was a natural, but not on the level as most.

Fluttershy and Ryoga became very close. They were almost inseparable. Ryoga was shy around girl and Fluttershy was just shy. Though no one knew if they were just friends, or if there was something more…

Though it become obvious that Ryoga had developed a major crush on the Pegasus.

Twilight had begun her studies on the water of Jusenkyo, having gotten a vial of the water. She had discovered that the chaotic magic of Jusenkyo was extraordinarily complex and would take time to crack it let alone learn how to reverse it.

Ranma actually enjoyed staying the village. He had actually had that fight with Ryoga (which he won), but Ryoga vowed to get stronger. There was also a weird guy named Mousse who kept challenging him… But they haven’t fought yet, why? Because Shampoo kept beating him up while yelling “No means no”. There was also one time Ranma decided to leave the village for a walk. He refused to say what happened when he came back only now his hair was in a pigtail (he wore his hair in a ponytail before then)

However Genma didn’t like any of this. He was hopping that after Jusenkyo he would finally bring Ranma to the Tendo Dojo and he would happily ever after with the one of the daughters and that’s it.

He knew he had to do something.

Which is why he kidnapped Ranma in the night and forced him to go to Japan.

When Cologne found out about this, she came up with the names for the ponies human forms (in order to blend in) and decided that if they were headed to Japan most of them should take on Japanese pseudonyms… (though she had to admit, Applejack and Rarity could never in any ways pass for Japanese and felt posing as American and French would be best.)

The group headed to Japan and actually found Ranma and Genma and their first day… it took about a week to get to Tokyo and here they were now.

-End Flashback-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The Tendos processed all this information given to them.

After a long while, Soun finally spoke up, "Then there's no problem. I'm fine with one of my daughters marrying Ranma.”

His three daughters stared at him, not knowing what to say. "Great, he finally snapped," said Nabiki.

"Seriously, I'm fine. In fact, all three of you can marry him! This is perfect!" He was answered by Nabiki and Kasumi using the trademark Tendo Family Death Glare on him, which made their faces become large and ominous to whoever they were using it on. For some reason, Pinkie was able to see their heads like this too even if they weren't directed at her, but she didn't comment.

"I refuse to marry someone like him," said Nabiki. Kasumi remained silent. As for Akane, she looked at Cologne as her sisters stopped glaring.

"Is it true?" she asked, changing the subject. "You'll really train me?"

"Why yes…" confirmed Cologne. "It's true."

"Then I will accept the engagement" She then glared lightly at Ranma, "I HATE MEN! The only reason I am agreeing to this is to better my training."

"Fine with me," replied Ranma with a shrug as Akane stormed out of the room.

"Don't worry," said Cologne. "I'm sure she'll come around."

"That's true," agreed Kasumi. "She just has a few problems she's dealing with."

"A 'few'?” asked Nabiki. Obviously, Akane had more than just a few problems.

Kasumi then turned to their visitors. "Let me show you to the room that you'll be using."

Twilight couldn't help but sigh. I don't know why, but I have a feeling this is just the beginning…

School is Insane

Chapter 3: School is Insane

Akane woke up and stretched.

Maybe the day before had all been a dream, she thought. Maybe the day before was just something crazy my subconscious came up with. Maybe I ate something weird... After all, alternate universes with talking, magical ponies and men changing into women? That's insane, Akane convinced herself.

“Is that all you have, Ranma?” came Rainbow Dash’s voice from above.

“No way!” responded Ranma.

“They’re fighting on the roof?” wondered Akane with a large sweat drop.

She sighed and decided to get ready for school. She brushed her long dark blue hair and tied it into a low ponytail and put on her school uniform as Kasumi called from downstairs.

"Akane! Breakfast!" she heard her sister say.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

She went down the living room which was filled with many different foods. Considering how many guests they had, it made sense.

“Morning, sugar cube,” greeted Applejack.

“Good morning!” greeted Pinkie Pie.

Akane sighed and replied, “Morning.”

That was when Ranma and Ran entered the room.

Akane put her hands in the time-out position, then said, “So wait… you were human when you were jumping around on the roof?”

“It’s so she doesn’t cheat…" explained Ranma. "Or accidently kill me.”

“Accidently kill you?”

Ran smirked as she sat down. “Trust me… you haven’t seen a Sonic Rainboom yet.”

“I was wondering... Were you a martial artist before you came here?”

“Yeah, I was a black belt.”

How can a pony learn martial arts, let alone master it? wondered Akane with a sweat drop.

Just then, Fluttershy came into the room with a worried face. “I haven’t seen Ryoga anywhere,” she said.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile with Ryoga, somewhere far away…

“Excuse me… I’m looking for the Tendo Dojo?” he asked as he gave a passerby the address.

“That’s in Tokyo, this is Osaka,” the passerby answered.

“Thanks, anyway.” Said Ryoga.

That was when he heard people taking pictures of him. He didn’t know why they were doing that, so he shrugged and headed in a random direction, hoping that would take him to Tokyo.

Turns out, he was headed south…definitely not leading to Tokyo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"I wouldn't be surprised if he was somewhere in Kansai," said Ranma.

Just then, Hikaru and Rarity entered the room.

“Why are you in human form?” Akane asked the former, who didn’t seem irritated.

“I had to analyze the Jusenkyo water," explained Hikaru, "For some reason, it’s easier in human form. I’m guessing it has to do with the magic involving my curse.”

“I see.”

Just as Nabiki came downstairs, Kasumi and Shampoo entered with the rest of the breakfast.

“Wow, breakfast looks good,” remarked Nabiki.

“You can also thank Shampoo,” Said Kasumi, “She did half the work.”

“It hard to cook for them,” said Shampoo as she indicated Pinkie, who ate her food in one gulp.

“What?” Pinkie then asked as she noticed the stares.

“She’s the reason why it’s so hard, isn’t it?” asked Nabiki. Shampoo didn’t answer, which Nabiki assumed was a "yes".

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After breakfast, Cologne and Genma came into the room. Both of them had looks on their face that somehow meant that something horrible has happened.

“There’s something Genma and I agreed on,” Cologne spoke up.

There was an awkward silence. How awkward? So awkward even people outside somehow felt the tension emanate from the house.

“You agreed on something?” asked Ranma in shock.

“Please tell me this is just a joke,” Rainbow Dash laughed nervously.

“Cologne and I agreed that…we should send you all to school,” answered Genma.

“This no ploy to get us out of house is it?” asked Shampoo.

“No… no… It’s not a ploy at all! Not one bit!” He then thought, Darn it… She guessed my plan!

Indeed, for Genma, it was a ploy to get them out of the house, and everyone could see through his lie. For Cologne however, she had a different and far better reason.

“I believe this might be good for you." she said, then turned to the ponies. "Sure, you can leave the house in human form, but I know you might spend days on end here.”

“Yeah!” agreed Pinkie, “I mean, the writer of this story knows about it all too well.”

They all looked at Pinkie, then decided to ignore her fourth wall-breaking moment and returned to the topic at hand.

“Besides, I think it might be a good learning experience for you,” explained Cologne.

“A learning experience?” echoed Hikaru with a big grin on her face. The other ponies groaned. This was just what they needed; Twilight having a learning experience. Chances were high that this wasn’t going to end well. “You can count on me!”

Cologne turned to the others. “What about the rest of you?”

“Please!" Hikaru turned to her friends. "I don’t wanna go without you guys!” Her eyes sparkled with pity, and her expression would make you feel guilty if you refused. Her friends had no choice but to accept.

"I figured," said Cologne. "I already have your supplies ready."

"Get dressed," said Akane. "I'll show you the way there..."

And that is how they all agreed to go to Furinkan high. Of course, the ponies would go in their human forms.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Cologne had gotten them basic supplies like books, pens, paper, bags. However, uniforms weren't an issue as the school was apparently pretty lenient when it came to transfer students and school uniforms.

As the girls and Ranma walked to school, Akane wondered something and said, “Doesn't anyone else find it strange that you're already enrolled... despite being here only ONE DAY?”

Alex snickered at that, which earned her a stare from Akane. "Sorry…reminded me of something back home," she explained.

“Shampoo think Great grandmother did something in advance.” suggested Shampoo.

“Wouldn’t surprise me.”

As they passed by a house, Ranma was accidentally splashed by an old woman blessing her walkway.

“Great!” complained Ranma-Chan, “I hope this doesn’t happen throughout the day.”

"Don't jinx yourself, Ranma!" said Belle.

“I know of a place where we can get hot water,” said Akane, who had an ulterior motive to see someone. That was when Hikaru got out a thermos from her bag and tossed it to Ranma-Chan. “What?”

“I have several thermos bottles in my bag filled with hot water in case Ranma changes in the day,” explained Hikaru.

“One of her special talents is super organizational skills,” said Ranma.

“I told you that’s not one of my special talents.”

“Oh yeah, it’s magic.” Said Ranma laughing nervously.

“Special talents?” asked Akane.

“I guess we should explain,” said Belle.

“You know those marks that are on our flanks?” asked Momo.

Akane nodded, also knowing that Rarity had integrated into their clothes.

“Their called cutie marks,” explained Hikaru, “Those are our cutie marks. They represent what we're best at, our special talent. The thing that makes us unique, in other words.”

“Alex’s younger sister as well as mine are obsessed with finding theirs,” said Belle.

"That's putting it mildly," remarked Ran.

Akane didn’t know why, but this conversation put her at ease. Perhaps getting to know them a little more made her feel better about living with talking ponies.

However this made her almost forget about something. “So… how did…” Just before she could finish her question, she saw that they were almost at school and cut herself off, “Go on ahead.”

“What?” asked Hikaru.

“Go on ahead before they see me.”

"Why...." Ranma wanted to know.

That was when they heard a loud cheer and saw a mob of boys dressed in various sports uniforms.

“Akane!" yelled one. "Go out on a date with me!”

“I love you, Akane!” yelled another.

“You are so cute!” yelled a third.

“I will finally defeat you!” yelled a fourth.

Akane sighed, “Hold on to my bag.” She then tossed it to Chiyo, then ran into the mob…and beating them up with ease. The mob's chances of winning were surprisingly slim. As the rest got into the school grounds, they couldn't help but watch how Akane was winning so easily.

“Is this normal for a school here?” wondered Hikaru.

“No!" replied Ranma. "I've never see anything like this!”

“Hey!” a familiar voice came. They turned to see Nabiki yell from a balcony. “Don’t worry about Akane. She does this everyday!”

And Akane was done in less than a minute. Apparently, Nabiki was right. She really did this on a daily basis and has gotten so used to it that it was almost natural.

To the extent that people watched it like it was a show.

"I knew it was going to rain today," said the otaku boy, the very same one who had seen the fight between Panda Genma and the four girls (Ranma-Chan, Shampoo, Ran, and Alex).

"Didn't say it was going to rain men, though!" replied a girl next to him. The two of them then snickered from the little joke she made.

“What… what was that about?” asked Ran.

“I’ll explain later," said Akane. "I still have one more to handle. Just go to class. Otherwise, you’re going to be marked tardy.”

“Tardy?” gasped Hikaru. The five ponies-turned-humans groaned. Akane just HAD to say to say that word. “I’ll meet you inside!” And with that, she ran into the school building in a speed matching Ran's , leaving behind a trail of dust, and leaving everyone else with a sweat drop on their heads.

“You couldn’t have said 'late', could you?” asked Belle.

“What’s wrong with the word tardy?” asked Akane.

“It’s a long story, sugar cube,” sighed Alex.

“Such a boorish lot,” a voice came. Everyone turned to see a tall, young man dressed in kendo robes, a rose and a wooden sword in his hands. “All of them wish to ask you out on a date and once they defeat you.” He tossed his rose at Akane, who caught it without missing a beat, then crushed it. Belle sighed as she massaged an oncoming headache.

“What wrong?” asked Shampoo.

“Sorry, its just that he’s reminding me of Prince Blueblood right now,” explained Belle.

Oh…this idiot reminds her of that prince she met at that Gala, thought the Chinese girl, having been told that some time before.

“Stay out of this,” said Akane to the group.

“Wait!" said Ranma. "You’re going to fight him?”

“I do it everyday.” Akane cracked her knuckles, ready for a fight.

The tall man then pointed his sword at Ranma. “You there,” he declared. “Who are you and why do you seem so familiar with Akane?”

“Akane… do you want to tell him or should I?” asked Ranma.

“It is proper etiquette to give ones names first boor... Very well, then. I will speak first.”

“He’s a few apples short of a bushel, isn’t he?” asked Alex as she performed the universal "he's crazy" signal, also known as the cuckoo finger spin.

“You have no idea,” mumbled Akane.

“I am upperclassman Tatewaki Kuno, age 17,” the young man introduced himself, “I am the captain of the Kendo Team and the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High.” Lightning seemed to strike right when he said that as if the sky itself was punctuating it.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

On the balcony with Nabiki and her friends…

“Blue Thunder?” one of them asked.

“News to me,” said Nabiki.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on ground floor…

“I’m Ranma Saotome and I’m staying at the Tendo Dojo.”

“You dare stay in the same house as Akane?!” yelled Kuno. He then swiped his sword at Ranma, who dodged the attack.

“All right I accept your challenge!” said Ranma, he tossed his bag at Momo who managed to catch it.

“Wait!” warned Akane, “He’s very strong.”

“Akane, Ranma defeat me,” reminded Shampoo, “Crazy kendo man no problem.”

“Excuse me?" asked Kuno, clearly insulted. "What did you just call me?”

“Ignore her,” said Ranma, “She’ll just beat you up.”

What an arrogant girl... she does not deserve to ravish me! thought Kuno.

Kuno glared at Ranma, then tried to swipe at him with his sword, but the pigtailed boy dodged the attack. However, Kuno managed to slice the wall behind Ranma.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Ranma, you know it’s about to rain any second,” warned Belle, “Can you please finish this up soon?”

“There’s nothing stopping you from staying,” pointed out Alex.

Belle just huffed and continued to watch the fight. I hate to say it… but this idiot deserves this!

“Oh boy! This is going to be such an exciting fight,” said Momo, having gotten out popcorn (out of nowhere as usual).

“Isn’t it a little early for popcorn?” asked Akane with a sweat drop. Momo just shrugged and continued to eat.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“I don’t know what business you have with Akane, but I won’t stand for it!” yelled Kuno.

Ranma got into his face and yelled back, “I haven’t gotten a chance to know her beyond the fact she hates men and is a decent martial artist! Why is it your business is about mine?!”

Akane was speechless from what Ranma did. He just appeared in front of Kuno like it was nothing. After Kuno tried another attack, Ranma jumped into the air and both were about to do their final moves… with Ranma touching Kuno’s forehead, and latter’s sword at the former's neck.

It then began to rain. As Ranma wanted to keep his gender changing a secret, this was a bad thing.

Ran sighed and said, “Looks like I have to do my thing!”

She ran to Ranma, grabbed him just when he changed, and sipped out of sight, leaving behind only a rainbow streak for the crowd that had gathered to watched in confusion.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the school gym's equipment shed, Ran was taking a deep breath, looking very exhausted from what she just pulled off.

“Thanks,” said Ranma with an empty thermos in his hands.

“No problem,” replied Ran.

“You okay?”

“I'm fine.” Ran then gave a thumbs-up, something she learned from Ranma (and have seen Spike and her old friend Gilda do a few times). “Just need a minute. It still takes a lot of me.”

That was when their friends (sans Hikaru) ran in.

“How did you find us?” asked Ranma.

“We followed the rainbow trail,” said Momo.

“She left a rainbow,” mumbled Akane, who was clearly weirded out by what happened. She then turned to Ran. “How did you do that?”

“Just something Cologne suggested I use when I’m human.”

Akane then turned to Ranma. “By the way, don’t fight him again.”

“Why?”

“You have a bruise on your neck,” pointed out Momo.

“What?” Belle held up a mirror so he could see it.

“You have to be careful next time,” warned Akane.

“I’d say we’re evenly matched,” Ranma chuckled.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In one 2nd year classroom, Kuno held a hand mirror. He stared at the strange bruise written into his head. Somehow, Ranma had managed to write the phrase....

“Nut job”

“So you don’t remember being touched?” asked Nabiki, who shared the same class.

“No.”

Nabiki didn’t know whether she should be impressed with Ranma or laugh at the fact Kuno would have that on his forehead for quite a while.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Downstairs in one of the first year classes, the class was getting a special announcement.

“We have eight new students joining the class,” said the teacher.

Just then, a hand was raised. A girl then stood up. “I have a question. Why are we getting eight new students? Isn’t that a little strange?”

“I don’t know, I just do what the Vice Principal tells me to do.” May the Principal come back only after I retire, he mentally added. “We have Hikaru Hakumei.”

“It’s nice you meet you,” said Hikaru, with quite a few of the boys blushing as she did.

“Momo Mochi.”

“It’s so exciting to be here! Maybe I can…” The teacher cleared his throat as if to tell Momo to please stop. Most of the boys in the class drooled at Momo and her… um… special talent.

“Chiyo Onbin.”

“Hello…” whispered Chiyo.

A few of the boys inwardly squeed, “So Moe!”

“Ran Issanni.”

“What’s up?” asked Ran. The class looked at her hair, wondering if it was natural or if she dyed it.

“Ranma Saotome.”

“Hey,” said Ranma as he gave a nod. It was the girls' turn to swoon. They especially liked his muscles.

“Shampoo, who is from China.”

“Shampoo’s Japanese not so good,” said Shampoo. Many of the boys couldn’t help but stare; after all, Shampoo was very beautiful.

“Belle Perle from France.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” said Belle. Most of the students stared at her, as if thinking she was going to be a snob. Little did they know that they were far from the truth.

“And Alex Jackson, who is from America.”

“Just call me A.J.” said Alex nervously.

The entire class stared at her hat, most of them thinking, Oh great, she’s probably one of those Americans.

“Now does anyone have any questions?” asked the teacher.

“I do!” said one boy with brown hair and glasses. It was the otaku boy. “Judging by your appearances and mannerisms, you’re a beautiful French girl, a rough-and-tumble American cowgirl, a tomboy, a genki girl, a sexy Chinese girl, a genius, and a shy Moe girl… Can I make a dating sim based on you seven?” The entire class sweat dropped. Then again, he was the class otaku, so it wasn’t unexpected. “Never mind… I just realized it’s missing a tsundere. I wouldn’t be able to see it without one. Plus, I’m unsure what kind of hero we can have. Oh well, back to the drawing board.”

“Now then…” said the teacher, “With the exception of Ms. Hakumei, all of you and Ms. Tendo are late. Please stand in the hall.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

And that's what they did. And it wouldn’t have been so bad if they didn’t have to hold buckets were filled with water.

“Isn’t this supposed to be illegal?” asked Ranma.

“I can’t believe Twilight,” mumbled Akane, who seemed to be angry.

“Well, you did say 'tardy' and that did throw into a fuss,” Alex told her.

“Is this about the time she brainwashed half the town into loving that old doll?” asked Ranma.

“What?” asked Akane.

“Don’t ask…” said Ran.

“So…” Momo decided to change the subject, “Why are those guys going after you?”

“It all started shortly after school began,” explained Akane, "Kuno saw me and made a declaration shortly after..."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Flashback-

“Whoever wants to date Akane must defeat her in combat," said Kuno to an entire class of boys. "So says Tatewaki Kuno.”

The boys instantly believed what he said, unaware that Akane had no part of this.

-End Flashback-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Everyone gasped at the story, feeling there was just something wrong with that.

“So they just listened to him and not you?” asked Alex.

“I keep winning for some reason,” replied Akane.

“Some guys will go easy on girls,” said Ranma, earning a glare from Akane, causing him to sweat a little.

“Don’t worry darling," assured Belle. "We’ll help you with this problem.”

“I know a way to distract them,” said Momo, “Actually several ways… no wait… a million ways!”

Akane tried not to smile… but was failing.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the floor above them, Kuno and Nabiki talked in class about…well…

“What do you mean fiancé?” asked Kuno.

“That’s right, our fathers agreed to it,” whispered Nabiki.

“I WILL NOT STAND FOR IT!”

“Mr. Kuno, stand outside,” ordered the teacher.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back outside the first year classroom, Ranma and the others continued talking. Well, sort of…

“Then I was like, 'Oatmeal, are you crazy?!'” Momo rambled.

“What is she talking about?” asked Akane.

“Best you tune her out, sugar cube,” advised Alex.

“Hey, Fluttershy. You okay?” asked Ran, noticing that the poor pink haired girl was straining under the pressure of the heavy buckets.

“I’m fine,” whispered Chiyo.

That's when someone tried to splash Ranma. However, he managed to get out the way in time. Everyone turned to see that the culprit was Kuno.

“What was that for?” asked Ranma.

“I will never accept your engagement to Akane!” yelled Kuno, his wooden sword on the ready.

That was when the windows of the classroom opened up and almost the entire class peeped through.

“Is that for real?” asked a girl.

“You’re engaged to him?” asked a boy to Akane.

“He IS kinda cute.”

“Thank you, oh gods of dating sims!" said the otaku boy as he bowed his head. "I have a hero and a tsundere!”

“Shouldn’t we be learning things?” asked Hikaru, the only one still sitting at her desk.

Kuno tried to slice one of the buckets Ranma was holding, but he dodged so that the water wouldn’t hit. "Fight me!” yelled Kuno.

“This is no place to fight!” said Ranma, “Follow me!”

“Does anyone else have a feeling that this is going to get really stupid?” asked Ran to no one in particular. She received a nod from her friends.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ranma led Kuno away from the classrooms… and the entire class followed the fight, including Hikaru. He then decided the best thing to do was to jump out a window. Akane was about to say something, but the studious indigo-haired girl beat her to it.

“Ranma!" Hikaru yelled. "That wasn’t the best place to jump out a window!”

Ranma looked down…to see the school pool. He couldn't help but utter a phrase he picked up from the ponies. “Oh, horse apples,” he mumbled. And with that, he and Kuno fell into the pool with a mighty splash.

Kuno is a Nut Job

Chapter 4: Kuno is a Nut Job

Ranma wanted to keep the fact that he turned into a girl as secret as possible. And falling into the pool was not one way to do that. What was worse, Kuno accidentally grabbed one of her boobs while trying to simply grab him.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in the school building, the class watched as Ranma(-Chan now) slammed Kuno on the ground next to the pool and retreated into the nearby forest.

Hikaru saw this and knew what she had to do. She ran down the hall and turned the corner.

“Hikaru, wait!” called Akane as she saw her go. She went down the hall as well and turned the corner…only to see she was gone. “Where did she go?” she wondered as the others managed to catch up to her.

“You are aware she can teleport, right?” reminded Alex.

A sweat drop formed on Akane's head. “I had no idea she can do that in human form.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In a tree outside, on top of one of the tree branches, Ranma-Chan was wringing out her pants, muttering things about Kuno and a panda.

“Hey!” she heard a voice call out. She looked down to see Hikaru holding a teakettle.

“I wanted to apologize what I did earlier,” sighed Hikaru.

“I know about the Ms. Smarty Pants Doll… Pinkie told me,” replied Ranma-Chan, knowing it wasn’t her fault. “I know how you feel about school.” Hikaru sighed, knowing she had a problem and she had to admit it. Just then, Ranma-Chan started laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Just think about the notepad and quill so you can help her with her ‘homework’. You are such a nerd!”

“Hey!” Hikaru glared at the boy turned girl.

“We’re even now.”

Hikaru sighed as her hands glowed with magic. The teakettle was then surrounded by Hikaru's aura as it floated up to Ranma-Chan. “I wasn’t able to get one of the thermoses.”

“Where did you even get this?”

“I got it from the janitor’s closest.”

Just then, a very angry Kuno showed up. “Ranma Saotome, where are you!” he yelled.

“I’ll distract him!” Hikaru told Ranma-Chan.

“Okay.” She lifted the kettle, but had dropped it. She managed to catch it, but had to use her feet to keep herself steady in the tree. In other words, Ranma-Chan was stuck. “Oh man…” she groaned with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, Hikaru appeared before Kuno.

“Who are you?” asked Kuno. a few seconds later, he remembered. “You must be one of those new transfer students I heard about.” Hikaru nodded in response. “Are you willing to fight me?”

“I’m not a martial artist,” replied Hikaru.

“Oh I am sorry. I thought you wanted to fight me.” Kuno blinked, and that was when he saw her. Truly saw her. The long flowing indigo hair, the pink streak and purple streak on it that blended in well… He then blushed deep red. “You are beautiful.”

“Wh-What?” A massive sweat drop formed on Hikaru's head.

Before Kuno can say more, someone kicked in him the face, forcing him to the side.

“Who did that?” he demanded as he bumped into a tree. He then turned to see the culprit. It was Ran, and she wasn’t happy. Kuno looked at her, her beautiful rainbow hair, the energy she had. She was small in certain areas, but there was just something about her.

“I’ll handle him,” said Ran, “You help Ranma.”

“What do you mean?” asked Hikaru as she turned…to see Ranma-Chan’s almost unnatural position in the tree. She couldn’t help but face palm. She then ran over to help the boy turned girl.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at where Ranma was…

“How did you get like that?” Hikaru asked.

“It’s complicated, okay...” said Ranma-Chan, “Just help me.”

“Okay, just remain completely steady.”

“I’ll try.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back to Kuno…

Ran took a fighting stance.

“You’re not going to fight him alone sugar cube, ” another voice came.

Kuno turned to see Alex. He felt it. That girl, he could feel she was American, what with the blonde hair, freckles, and the way she dressed. He knew right then she was something you didn’t see that often… well in Japan that is.

“Are you sure you can handle him?” Ran pointed out in slight concern. "You're still a beginner.”

“I can handle him,” assured Alex.

“And I’ll help if you need it!” said Momo as she popped up from somewhere.

Kuno’s eyes widened. He never saw anything like this girl before. Her bouncy hair, the way she seemed to bounce and her bouncy…um, talents. Not only that, but he could tell she was so cheerful and happy that she could make anyone smile.

“But you’re not even a martial artist, Momo,” indicated Ran.

“That doesn’t mean I can’t help.”

Both Ran and Alex sighed, knowing it was better to agree than to say no.

“Very well, then,” Kuno declared. “I will go out on a date with whoever defeats me!”

He was answered with a kick from Ran and Alex that sent him flying into the air.

“Why would we want that?!” the two yelled.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the tree, Hikaru was trying to figure out a way to stabilize Ranma-Chan.

“Can you hold still for a second?” asked Hikaru.

“You already asked me that!” muttered Ranma-Chan. That was when Kuno landed on the kettle, which happened to destroy it. Of all things to happen… Ranma-Chan’s eye twitched, clearly not happy about that.

“What are the chances of that happening?” asked Ran as she, Alex, and Momo came over.

“Don’t ask me.”

“Where is that coward Saotome?” asked Kuno.

Ranma-Chan sighed and dropped him. “He hasn’t figured it out… good.”

“That hurt, you know.”

Ranma-Chan just ignored him and jumped out of the tree. “Come on, let’s do this,” she said.

“Is that a good idea?” asked Hikaru.

“He hasn’t figured it out.”

“You already said that silly!” noted Momo.

Ranma-Chan rolled her eyes and proceeded to give the upper classman a beating. As she did that, he looked at her.

Her red hair placed into a pigtail… not only that but the skills. She was just as skilled as Akane… No, far more skilled.

He landed with a thud as Ranma-Chan took his sword.

“And guess what, Ranma Saotome is better than me,” he then heard Ranma-Chan say.

“Is he okay?” a voice came. He looked up and saw two more girls. Chiyo and Belle. Both were very different.

Her pink hair, her sad eyes, Kuno was thinking as he looked at the former She looked like she was fragile and delicate. Not only that but it looked like if she talked it would only come out in shy squeaks.

“Don’t ask that about him,” said Belle, “You heard what he did.”

Kuno couldn’t help but stare. She was the exact opposite of her companion; she was glowing with confidence. Not only that, but the way her hair was curled… a lot of great effort was put into it. Not only that either, she wasn’t from Japan and had a European feel to her.

“Hey!” came Akane’s voice.

“There you are,” he then heard Shampoo.

“Come on guys," said Ranma-Chan. "Let’s go home.”

“School isn’t over yet,” Akane pointed out.

“And lunch didn’t even happen yet,” said Momo.

“I don’t even think we’ve been here an hour,” added Hikaru.

Ranma-Chan sweat dropped upon hearing those responses.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later, Kuno was mulling over things in class.

“What’s wrong, Kuno baby?” asked Nabiki.

“Those transfer students… Are all of them staying at your house?” asked Kuno.

“Yeah, why?”

“Tell me, what’s the name of the girl with the indigo hair, the one with the streaks?”

“Why should I tell you?” Nabiki now had a certain tone. A tone of… business.

Kuno sighed and knew her game, taking out a wad of cash, “1,000 yen for every name you give me.”

“Deal. Her name is Hikaru Hakumei.”

Kuno paid her the money, took out some paper and began to compose a letter. Once he was done, he turned back to Nabiki. “Now what’s the name of the one with the rainbow hair?”

“Ran Issanni…” Kuno once again paid her and began to write another letter.

“The American.”

“Alex Jackson…” Kuno, as one can guess, paid her once more and wrote another letter.

“The one with the poofy hair.”

“Momo Mochi”

Kuno paid her 1,000 more yen and wrote a fourth letter. “Now the girl with the pigtail in Chinese clothing.”

“That doesn’t sound like a description of one of the transfer students,” someone else cut in. Kuno and Nabiki turned to see that it was the girl who stuck around with the otaku boy (and was an otaku herself).

“What? How do you know?”

“I heard what the transfer students look like. There is a girl in Chinese clothing, but she has purple hair and a hard-to-describe hairstyle.”

“Oh… not her… That girl! She dares insult the great Tatewaki Kuno.”

“Oh, any girl who dares insult the “Great Tatewaki Kuno” doesn’t get a letter? You know, I have no idea what you’re doing nor do I want to.” The otaku girl walked away, deciding just to ignore her classmate for the time being. Nabiki however still had to talk to him due to the business agreement they had.

He wrote the letter despite not knowing the girl’s name (or the fact that she was really a boy) and instead labeling it for the tree borne kettle girl.

“Now tell be about the one with the pink hair,” Kuno said.

“Chiyo Onbin…” Nabiki answered with a sigh. He once again paid her and began to write the letter.

“And the girl who’s from somewhere in Europe? I don’t know where, but she definitely wasn’t from America.”

“Belle Perle.”

“That’s all I needed to know.” Kuno gave her the final 1,000 yen, wrote his final letter, and handed them all to Nabiki.

She looked at the letters and sighed. This isn't gonna end well, she thought. Especially with Fluttershy. As far as I know, she wouldn't be able to fight, let alone Kuno.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That afternoon at the Tendo Dojo… the six ponies were in their true forms, lying next to the table as did Shampoo and Ranma.

“So, how was your first day of school?” asked Cologne.

“It was fun!” said Pinkie, “I can’t wait to go again.”

“Speak for yourself,” snarked Rainbow Dash.

“Oh come now," said Cologne. "It wasn’t that bad.”

“Akane gets harassed every morning by a large group of boys who want to date her,” said Twilight.

“Well, I guess that’s one thing I need to work with her on. I went though a man-hating phase myself when I was young, but that’s another story for another time.”

“And I bet it will involve what made you go though it showing up in a way that's so very unexpected it's kind of scary but also really funny,” spouted Pinkie. Cologne stared at her, not sure how to respond so she decided to ignore her, while at the same time silently hoping HE wouldn’t show up.

“By the way, Applejack. I need your help with something. It involves Akane’s training.”

“Why me?”

“You’ll see when we begin.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, outside the dojo…

Akane was breaking some cement blocks with her fist outside the dojo. Just then, Cologne came in. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said, “Now we have to wait for your sparring partner."

“Who is it?” asked Akane.

“Let’s get into the dojo and wait. I have a feeling she’s getting into a fight with a certain dress-making unicorn.”

Akane blinked, not sure which one she would be sparring with (other than the fact it wasn’t Rarity).

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

A few minutes later… Alex walked in, wearing a martial arts gi, and holding a teakettle, which she placed by the door. She then walked over to where Akane and Cologne were standing.

“Sorry for taking too long," she apologized. "Rarity would let me wear any of my clothes.”

“Alex is still a beginner," Cologne told Akane. "I know you are more skilled than her, but I don’t think you'd be able to handle the others without them going easy on you. For the time being, Applejack is your opponent.”

Akane shrugged and the two began.

Alex started off by throwing a kick, which Akane dodged. When it hit, the floor broke a little. Akane thought, Wow, Applejack does have some powerful legs. The distraction allowed a kick to land on Akane's back, which knocked her to the floor.

OK, THAT'S IT! Akane charged, and the two exchanged attacks.

As they battled, Akane noticed something; Alex didn’t use her hands very much. Most of it was kicks, and she even used her legs to block most of the time. I guess she's used to using her legs... Smirking, Akane quickly grabbed Alex's incoming roundhouse, and slammed her to the floor. She then quickly grabbed Alex's ankles.

"No more kicking for you!"

Alex simply used her hands to punch Akane, stunning her. Alex smirked.

"I'm not a fan of using my hands... Since I technically wasn't born with any. But… I guess I'll have to manage." The two then continued to go at it.

After a while, Cologne spoke up. “I think that’s enough. You may go, Applejack.”

“Okay,” said Alex as she headed to the door, picked up the teakettle and poured it on herself, reverting to her pony form. She then took off the gi and left.

Akane wondered why she changed so quickly, but decided to not to dwell on it for the time being.

“I think you noticed something about Applejack’s fighting style,” Cologne said.

“She mostly used her legs,” Akane realized.

“That’s right. Each fighter—regardless of form, be they human or pony—has their own style. Applejack uses her legs, Shampoo uses weapons most of the time, Rainbow Dash uses speed, Ryoga uses brute strength, and Ranma…well, he’s a bit of a jack-of-all-trades.”

“So…why are you telling me this?” asked Akane, “I know that each person has their own style.”

“I thought it would be a good idea to start from the beginning.” Said Cologne.

“I see…”

“I think you should try out a few weapons before I make my final decision with how I train you. But we’ll save that for another day.”

“But, I don’t know…” Akane had problems with a certain weapon.

“I know all about the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts. In fact I once dated the founder.” Cologne shivered slightly at the memory, “But that’s a story for another time.”

Akane could've sworn that her father once mentioned he trained under the founder. She wondered if it was the same man. It'd be too much a coincidence if it were true.

“Anything Goes means Anything Goes. Unless the rules changed…”

Realizing what Cologne meant, Akane cut in, “It’s not that… It’s just that… never mind… I’m going to take a bath.”

As Cologne watched Akane leave, she thought, maybe her reluctance to use weapons has something to do with her hatred of men.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile…

In the living room, Pinkie Pie was watching television.

“This thing is amazing!” she yelled, “I can’t believe there’s something like that here!”

“I guess they don’t have TVs in your universe,” said Ranma as he did some stretches on the deck.

“Could you please turn it down?” pleaded Twilight, her nose in a book. “I’m trying to read.”

That was when Nabiki showed up, holding the letters Kuno had written earlier in the day. “Hey, do you know where others are?” she asked.

“We know where Rainbow Dash is,” said Ranma, pointing to the garden.

Nabiki turned around and sweat dropped; she saw Rainbow Dash lying on a cloud. It was below the eye line of the wall, so no one would be able to see her.

How is that possible? Nabiki thought. Where did she even get that? She then shook the thought out of her head. Never mind. It’s probably magic; you don’t need to explain it. After handing the letters to Pinkie, Ranma, and Twilight, she then turned to the sky blue Pegasus and yelled, “Hey! Wake up!”

In an instant, Rainbow Dash jolted awake. “Huh… what’s going on?” she asked.

Nabiki held out the letter labeled "Ran Issanni" and the Pegasus flew over to get it.

“That’s strange…” mused Twilight. “He knows I don’t fight.”

“Thank you not giving my name, by the way,” said Ranma.

“What’s going on?” asked Rarity as she entered the room. Nabiki gave her the letter labeled "Belle Perle" and she read it. “But I didn’t even fight him… why would he even want to meet with me?”

“Well he wants to meet with all of you, for some reason,” said Nabiki.

“Don’t worry," assured Rainbow Dash in a teasing manner. "If you come, we’ll protect you.”

“That’s… fine…” Rarity was holding in her rage.

“We have to talk to Applejack and Fluttershy about this,” Twilight said with a sigh.

“Talk about what?” asked Applejack as she came into the room with Fluttershy.

“Speak of the devil…” mused Nabiki.

“Well…” Twilight didn't need to say more as Nabiki handed the two the letters. Afterwards, the seven that received the letters began to talk about it and decided to go for it. After all, Kuno probably wouldn’t rest until they all faced each other.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That Sunday, they had come up with a plan; Ranma-Chan, Ran, and Alex would act a first defense. On the off chance they failed, then Hikaru and Momo would take over, the former with her magic and the later with her…um, Mono-ness. And should THAT fail too…well, there was Chiyo with her Stare.

That was when Kuno arrived, his hands behind his back.

“Where’s your sword,” inquired Ranma-Chan.

“I do not need one today,” replied Kuno, “Instead, I have something to give you all.”

He then tossed out several things at them, which they managed to catch… bouquets of roses. “I know this might sound a little cruel, but I have fallen in love with every single one of you. I’m sorry I have to share my love, but that’s just how I feel.”

They watched Kuno as he left. Once he was gone, there was a stunned silence as the six ponies turned humans just stared, wondering what just happened right now.

That silence was then ended with a loud thump. Ranma-Chan was on the ground, processing the information.

“Sugar cube, you okay?” asked Alex.

Ranma-Chan could only nod, as she was in shock over what just happened. And of course, this was only the beginning of the madness that would surely come.

He’s Also an Idiot

Chapter 5: He’s Also an Idiot

One night, Ranma jolted awake with a start. He had had a nightmare…and he hoped it would not be a reoccurring one. He saw that that did to people. Well, the one he knew about wasn’t exactly a person to being with.

Ranma knew his life was pretty screwed up. After all he turned into a girl, his best friends were a group of magical ponies from another universe, he was engaged to two girls and had the okay to engage in polygamy. But a man confessing his love to him… even if he was a girl at the time? It made him want to take a bath and just keep rubbing until he was raw.

“A nightmare?” a voice came.

He looked to see Pinkie Pie awake. But he knew something was wrong; her hair was straight and if it wasn’t dark he'd be sure her colors would be muted. Not only that, but she was sobbing silently so as not to wake up anyone else.

“Yeah,” answered Ranma, then said, “The Cupcake Killer nightmare?” Pinkie nodded and she began to sob some more as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Remember what I said, you’ll only end up crazy like that if you think about it. Besides, you'd never use ponies to make cupcakes anyway! They'd taste terrible!” Pinkie had to chuckle at that.

“What was yours about?” Pinkie asked.

“Marrying Kuno.”

“Oh come on, we know that’s never going to happen.” Pinkie managed to crack a smile. Ranma couldn’t help but chuckle; she was right on that one. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

“Sure,” said Ranma with a shrug.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next morning, everyone was eating breakfast when Momo (her hair back to normal, Ranma noted) came into the living room with a bunch of instruments.

“I’m going on ahead today!” said Momo. “I plan to distract those guys who like Akane!”

The Tendos looked at the instruments, wondering where she got them, then dismissed it as one of her perks, just as the ponies (currently in human form) have.

“But why instruments?” Nabiki asked.

“That’s a secret!” Momo then ran off, exiting the room and the house.

“So… what do you think she’s going to do?” Akane asked the others.

“We’ll know later,” replied Hikaru with a sigh.

“She seems to be in a better mood,” said Ranma.

“Is this about last night?” asked Belle.

“What do you mean?”

“When we woke up, you were snuggling her like stuffed toy,” said Shampoo.

“It was so cute we decided to wait to wake you up,” added Belle.

Akane stared at them and looked away. She hadn't witnessed the scene and her man-hating mind immediately assumed that Pinkie Pie was in her cursed human form when she was really in her true pony form.

Shampoo noticed this and turned to face her. “Akane. Don’t assume the worst,” she said, “Especially from Ranma.”

Akane looked at Shampoo and sighed.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, at school…

The Hentai Horde (as they were known), the mob that had attacked Akane the other day, were waiting for the youngest daughter of the Tendo family when they heard something… it was polka!

“Where’s that music coming from?” asked a boy form the baseball team.

"Can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my polka face…" mumbled someone from the hockey team, seemingly remembering a song for no particular reason at all. The boy in the marital arts gi next him stared at him and scooted away, pretending that he didn’t say that.

That was when they saw the source. It was Pinkie Pie (in her pony form), playing what had become known in Ponyville as the Parasprite Polka.

“What the…” said a boy from the Kendo team.

“There’s a pink pony playing polka,” called out a boy from the American football team.

“There’s a gas leak!” yelled a boy from the soccer team. “I’m sure of it, there’s one somewhere!”

“I knew I should have played sick today,” muttered a boy in a baseball uniform.

The Horde soon dispersed in panic, screaming about gas leaks.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the Kendo team headquarters, Kuno was doing his preparation separately when he suddenly heard the polka.

“Will someone turn down that music?” he asked no one in particular.

He had no idea about the distraction that was taking place. After all, he was in a different location so he could be alone, thinking of Akane.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later, Kuno was now at the school entrance, devoid of The Hentai Horde that usually waited in anticipation for a chance to attack Akane.

“I wonder where those weaklings are,” wondered Kuno, realizing he was alone. “Oh well. Perhaps I will be able to defeat Akane without their interference.”

That was when he saw Akane in the distance, alongside with Ran and Ranma. All three of them came in with a flying kick, hitting him in the face.

“I didn’t need your help,” Akane told her companions as they landed from the attack.

“We were doing it for you,” said Ranma.

“You are aware of what happened yesterday… right?” reminded Ran.

“Yes, I am.” Akane sighed, realizing she couldn’t blame either one of them for wanting to kick him.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later, in the second year class…

Kuno dumped a panda plushie on Nabiki’s desk.

“No thanks," said Nabiki as she pushed it aside. "Not my style.”

“It’s not for you, it’s for the pigtailed girl,” said Kuno.

“Why don’t you give it to her yourself?”

“I have no way to get in touch with her. Unlike with the other girls.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Downstairs, in the first year class…

“So what did Kuno give you?”, asked Ran as she held a cat plushie by the tail as if it were toxic. Personally, she would've preferred a cool bird of prey, a bat, or even a tur... uh… tortoise.

“A monkey,” said Hikaru, staring at hers. Honestly, an owl better suited an intellectual like her.

“A walrus,” said Belle, glaring at hers as if trying to set it on fire.

“I don’t think he gets us,” said Alex as she held an eagle plushie. She was unaware that from his perspective, giving her an eagle made sense as it symbolized America, where she was from supposedly. (Of course she's not, you all know that.)

“They’re kind of cute,” remarked Momo as she held a squirrel plushie.

“Is it okay to get rid of them?” asked Chiyo, holding a penguin plushie in her arms.

“I’ll show you how I get rid of the ones he gives me later,” offered Akane.

“Did you hear…?” the girls overheard one boy talking to another, “The Hentai Horde all suffered from a weird mass hallucination… They kept babbling about a pink pony playing the polka.”

“That’s weird… especially the polka bit.” said the other, “I mean, how would it even work?”

“A one-man-band type of thing, I guess.”

“You didn’t…” said Akane as she stared at Momo, who just laughed.

“Why am I not surprised?” mumbled Hikaru as she rolled her eyes.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back upstairs…

“Did you give all of them stuffed animals?” asked Nabiki, remembering what Akane usually does to the stuffed toys he gave her.

“Of course,” replied Kuno. “I want to be fair for all of them.” That was when he heard sarcastic laughing from somewhere. He turned to the otaku girl, who was the one who did it. “Why are you laughing?”

“You aren’t the type,” answered the otaku girl, clearly talking about something involving anime.

“What do you mean 'the type'?”

“You’re a deluded idiot, not a hapless nice guy. If anything, you alienate them, not charm them.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, nor do I want to.”

The otaku girl shrugged, “Oh well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Then again, you’ll probably forget this warning.”

“What is she even trying to say?” Kuno asked Nabiki.

“That you’re an eight-timing jerk,” she answered.

“What? How can you say that?! The graceful Akane, the spirited pigtail girl, the intelligent Hikaru, the energetic Ran, the hard working Alex, the cheerful Momo, the shy Chiyo, the radiant Belle… I can’t help but love all them!”

“If only you were a good cook,” said the otaku girl, reading Sailor Moon manga, “Then you’d fit the bill.”

“You are no longer part of this conversation!” Kuno said firmly.

“You wouldn’t get half the things I say anyways.”

Kuno turned to Nabiki. “How do I give this to the pigtailed girl.”

“Considering the fact that you are hurting my sister…” Nabiki partially lied. After all, he was hurting her sister, but not in the way he thought. “Why should I help you cheat?”

Kuno then took out a wad of cash, knowing the only way through her is through his wallet. “How much?”

“Before I decide, there’s something I need to show you.” She took out a couple of photos, all of them were the “girls” that Kuno liked. “3,000 yen for a set of five.”

Kuno looked at the pictures. He didn’t want to buy all of them, but they were all beautiful. “I’ll take them all.” After making his purchase, he asked, “One more thing. How much would it cost to learn how to get in contact with the pigtailed girl?”

Nabiki told him the cost and he paid accordingly. “The way to get into contact with the pigtailed girl is though Ranma Saotome,” she explained.

“I see.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After working out a plan, Nabiki went to the first year classroom, where Ranma and the others were.

“Hey, Ranma,” she called. “Kuno wants to talk to you about something.” Ranma nodded and left with her.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” muttered Hikaru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After a few minutes, the six ponies-turned-humans along with Shampoo and Akane decided to see what was going on. They saw Nabiki explaining Ranma’s curse… rather poorly.

“Her body, it’s all his…” Nabiki finished her explanation.

Kuno took it all the wrong way…the way that involves slavery in a certain way…

“You fiend!” he yelled, swiping his sword at Ranma.

“Wait!” called out Hikaru as they all came over. Kuno turned to her. “Is it okay if I tell him everything?” she then asked Ranma.

Ranma sighed, and the others nodded. Perhaps it was for the best to make this guy in on it. It would be better than having him chasing them, wanting a date all the time.

And so Hikaru began to explain everything to him; the curses, the fact they were ponies, even the fact they were from another universe.

“And if you want to… I’m willing to show you,” finished Hikaru.

“This is unbelievable,” said Kuno. “Not only are you intelligent, but also a creative genius.”

“What? But I just told you.”

“You don’t believe her story?” asked Nabiki.

“No… of course not,” replied Kuno. “Magic curses and alternate universe, these things cannot exist.”

“Yet Aliens can…”

“Of course! Aliens are a proven fact of life.” Truth be told, if it weren't for the fact that he was electrocuted by one once, he wouldn't have believed in them either. “But the bigger question is… why would she lie for Saotome?” He then went in for the attack, once again slicing his sword at the fiend.

“I didn’t think it was possible, but he’s a bigger feather brain than Derpy.” said Ran with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Equestria…

Derpy Hooves, the town’s mailmare was carrying a wheelbarrow loaded with hammers when she sneezed, accidentally dropping the load she was carrying.

“Ow… what the hay?” she heard Spike yell from below. She had dropped her load on him.

“Oops! My bad!” the Pegasus apologized.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on Earth…

Kuno continued his attacks on Ranma. “How dare you do that to her?! I will break your spell on her.”

Hikaru face palmed when he said that.

“Let me handle it,” offered Belle as she approached Kuno, who continued to attack Ranma. She managed to reach him in spite of that, tapped him on the shoulder, and he stopped. “Excuse me. Ranma's is our friend. He doesn’t have a 'spell' on anyone of us. Frankly, if you attack him for no reason that would probably give us a reason not to date you. So…”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Kuno. “Wouldn’t want you date me? Of course you want to date me.”

Belle sweat dropped. “Excuse me?”

“I am the talented Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High. You should feel honored that you would want to date me.”

Belle blinked, “Excuse me… I do not want to date you. I would never want to date you. There is only person I would want to date less and he is from a different universe! You are the second most egotistical male I have ever met. No wait, scratch that. You are the most egotistical male I have ever met! I would sooner date Prince Blueblood than you! There is no way I would ever date you!”

Kuno looked at her. He looked like his brain had processed the information, then rejected it. “You… you didn’t listen to any of that, did you?”

“I have to apologize… I wasn’t paying attention.”

My word, Rainbow Dash was right… he is a bigger feather brain than Derpy, Belle thought.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in Ponyville…

“Thanks for your help,” said Derpy as she flew above Spike while holding her cargo.

“No problem,” the dragon assured her, who was fine despite the fact a wheelbarrow filled with hammers fell on him. “Thick scales, remember?” He also thought back on one time that Twilight had a flowerpot, anvil, wagon, and piano fall on her, also thanks to Derpy and her friend Raindrops.

Just then, Derpy sneezed once again, dropping the wheelbarrow again on Spike.

“You okay, Spike?!”, she called, then mumbled, “I just don’t know what went wrong.”

Spike sighed while he lay under the wheelbarrow. He hoped the Princesses could figure out the location of Twilight the others. He knew if Pinkie was there, this wouldn’t have happened.

Well, Derpy would still have dropped it, but he would have known it was coming thanks to her Pinkie Sense.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at Furinkan High…

Belle began to walk away and passed Ranma. “Ranma… I trust you can handle it,” she said to him.

“Uh… yeah… sure…” he answered, appearing to be in shock.

“What’s that about?” asked Akane.

“Rarity hates Marital Arts,” explained Alex. “And the fact she’s giving Ranma the okay to beat him up…is just plain weird.”

“I see.” Akane sweat dropped at that.

“I don’t hate Marital Arts,” Belle retorted, “I just think it’s barbaric.”

“Isn’t that the same as hating them?” asked Momo.

“No.”

Kuno entered his usual fighting stance. Ranma had to admit, it was a good stance.

Kuno quickly charged, and Ranma dodged nimbly, grabbing Kuno's wooden sword and kicking him. However, something fell out of Kuno's robes. Ranma quickly grabbed it, and saw a photo of him in girl form snoozing.

Ranma grabbed more pictures as they fell from Kuno's robes; they showed the ponies' cursed forms, Akane, and his cursed form in various activities. Kuno managed to nearly get a blow in, but Ranma ducked, and rolled out of the way... only to find his eyes were looking under Akane's skirt. "Oops."

Quickly recovering, Ranma continued to dodge Kuno's relentless assault. Belle noticed a nearby statue was starting to have cracks in it.

"What the..." Ran smiled.

"Whoa... The force of those blows is enough to do THAT?" Momo suddenly looked shocked.

"Guess this jerk may be better than I thought." Ranma had just ended the fight by landing a barrage of kicks in an instant, and Kuno went down like a felled tree. Akane ran over to Ranma.

"Looks like he got you on the side here." Ranma smirked. "It was nothing."

“Does it hurt?” asked Hikaru as she gently touched it.

Ranma began to tear up from the injury. “No… that’s fine…”

“What distracting you?” asked Shampoo.

“I think it was this,” said Ran as she found the pictures and picked them up and showed it to everyone. They couldn’t believe their eyes… each set had five pictures…

“Who would be taking pictures of us?” Belle wondered.

“Nabiki has been,” answered Momo. They looked at all the Momo pictures and sweat dropped… in all of them, she was posing. They all, save for Momo, glared at Nabiki.

“Wait. You were taking the pictures in secret?” Everyone stared back at Momo, then back to Nabiki.

“Excuse me… I have to get back to class,” she said as she then ran away as fast as her legs could carry her, not about to feel their wrath.

Once she was out of sight, Chiyo spoke up. “I think we should take Ranma to a doctor.”

“Can you do it?” asked Momo.

“Oh… I still don’t know enough about human anatomy.”

“It’s just a small cut,” said Alex, “You worked with worse while with Pantene.”

“I think going to the doctor is a good idea,” suggested Akane, who wanted to go for reasons other than having to get Ranma treated.

“Oh come on!” protested Ranma. “It’s not that bad!” Akane poked his side…and his scream of pain refuted his statement. “Okay…I’ll go to the doctor.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime after school, Akane led them to the local clinic. She introduced them Doctor Tofu Ono, the local doctor. While he was in his late 20s, he still looked pretty young and moderately charming.

“This wound is very minor,” said Dr. Tofu, “There's no need to worry too much.” Chiyo sighed in relief as Dr. Tofu began to bandage Ranma. “So, you must be the fiancé I heard about.”

“Uh… yeah…” said Ranma.

“Do you two get along?” An awkward silence ensued.

“We… we barely talk,” admitted Akane as she blushed slightly.

“Why?”

“It’s…complicated.”

“Is it that Shampoo is from Joketsuzoku, Ranma defeated her, and because of this engagement you have to do the Heaven and Earth Solution?” the doctor asked jokingly.

“Wow… you’re good,” remarked Momo.

“How you know about Chinese Amazon Law?” Shampoo wanted to know.

“Nabiki told you, didn’t she?” asked Ranma.

“What… no… I mean… oh my god…” Dr. Tofu was at a loss for words. It was a completely wild guess. How was he to know that was exactly what happened. “I was joking… I didn’t think that…”

“It’s okay,” assured Akane. “I know. It’s weird.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After Ranma was fully patched up, they all headed for home.

“You like him, don’t you?” Belle asked Akane.

“What?”

“You have a crush on him. I’m guessing it was before all that trouble with Kuno.”

Akane blushed and admitted, “I do. But he’s in love with someone else, so don’t try any harebrained schemes to try to get us together. Besides, I already promised I will marry Ranma.”

Belle sweat dropped, “That wasn’t what I was planning. I was hoping for some girl talk.”

“Oh…” Akane sweat dropped at that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that evening, Akane continued her training with Cologne. It was weapons testing to which one she could train with. Using the stuffed toys that Kuno gave the ponies-tuned-humans as targets, she tested all sorts of weapons.

However, there was one she was most proficient in… one, it seemed like, she had training in already. The katana.

“I guess I should train you in swordsmanship then,” said Cologne noting her skill in it.

“No thank you,” sighed Akane, “I would prefer… the other thing you were thinking about…”

“Oh I see. It has to do with that Kuno boy.” Akane’s eyes widened when she said that.

“One of the reasons he fell in love with you is because of your skill with the katana isn’t it?”

Akane sighed, “It is.”

Cologne sighed with her, “I know you have a lot of problems with him and he did ruin your life, but I have the feeling that once word spreads about your engagement with Ranma…”

“The whole school knows about that already.”

Cologne let out a laugh, “But they don’t know how skilled Ranma is. Maybe once word spreads about that…” Akane sighed and shook her head. “You’re still young. One day, you will look on this and laugh.”

“How would you know?”

“I mentioned the founder of Anything Goes Martial Arts. I often look back and laugh.” Cologne then chuckled once more, “I mean, I have no idea what I saw in him.”

“Yeah right.” Akane began to leave. Cologne shook her head, but she knew Akane would come around.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that night, after Akane took a bath, she dropped off to bed. She didn’t know why but Cologne’s words about Ranma rang in her head. Little did she know was that most of her problems was going to go away sooner than she thought and that it would be thanks to Ranma.

A Turning Point in Akane’s Life

Chapter 6: A Turning Point in Akane’s Life

It was morning, the sun was shining. And it looked to be a beautiful day.

"Too slow!"

Akane yawned. "Looks like Ran and Ranma are up."

Ranma quickly fell into the pool, and growled. "You win this time, Ran!"

Soon after, during breakfast, and Ranma drying off and changing back to normal, the gang were eating when Panda Genma did a cough.

“I, Genma Saotome, have a big announcement!” signed Panda Genma.

“Can you actually turn human to say it?” asked Ran, “I don’t think anyone wants to take the time to read the signs.” Everyone snickered at that.

Panda Genma groaned, took a kettle with hot water, and pored it onto himself, returning to his true form. “As I was saying, I have a part time job.”

Cologne gave out a laugh, and then said, “My, what a coincidence. Today is the day I open my restaurant.” Everyone but Shampoo and for some reason Belle looked at her in surprise. “I wanted to keep it a surprise, but I bought a restaurant that serves ramen and Chinese food.”

“So does that mean you’re going to be moving out?” asked Nabiki.

“While it does have an apartment, it will not be used as such.”

“It’s going to be used a dressmaking shop and studio,” said Belle.

“That’s great, Rarity!” said Hikaru in a cheer.

“I know. I already have a few offers from some of the girls at school.”

“Good for you,” said Alex, who seemed depressed for some reason.

“Applejack, what’s wrong?” asked Momo.

Before the pony posing as an American farm girl could say anything, Hikaru suddenly yelled out, “Look at the time, we’re going to be late!” And with that, she teleported out of the room.

“So…she brainwashed half the town, just to make sure a lesson wasn't turned in late…,” said Akane to the other ponies turned humans.

Everyone else sweat dropped.

“You should start heading off to school,” suggested Kasumi. “It is getting late.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

And so the eight of them (Ranma, Shampoo, Akane, Momo, Alex, Ran, Belle, and Chiyo) ran to school. Along the way, Ranma got splashed, but shortly before arrival, she used a thermos to change back. When they got to the school, they saw Hikaru seemingly waiting for them (as they weren’t late yet) not only that but they saw the Hentai Horde waiting for them.

“Oh, I forgot to do my distraction,” said Momo before running off a random direction.

They shrugged and got to the school gates. Akane was ready to fight as usual, but then she saw that all of them were crying.

“It’s okay,” assured Hikaru. “They don’t want to fight.”

“What… why?” asked Akane.

“Akane, we’re giving you up,” cried an American football player.

That's when they heard music. And Pinkie showed up, playing the Parasprite Polka.

Everyone who saw this sight sweat dropped. Save for the Hentai Horde, who either flinched or started freaking out.

“THE POLKA PONY HAS RETURNED!” yelled a sumo wrestler.

“Please tell me you see it?” asked a rugby player who appeared to be having a breakdown, “Please… we need to know if you can see it too! Please!”

“We do...” sighed Akane.

The other students began to take pictures of Pinkie Pie as she played the polka, including the Otaku boy.

Hikaru made the kill sign and Pinkie got it. She ran into a random direction and then returned less than a second later as Momo.

“That was fast,” remarked Ran with a sweat drop.

“Sure was!” said Momo.

All of the Hentai Horde then turned to Ranma. “You are the best man for Akane,” said the baseball player.

“Take care of her well,” said a sumo wrestler.

“Wait… why are you guys stopping?” asked Akane.

That was when Kuno showed up… in bandages.

“Whoa!" gasped Momo. "Look at him! He’s just like a mummy!”

“Upperclassman Kuno was our greatest fighter,” explained a boxer.

“And our greatest pervert,” the rugby player added under his breath.

“I will never admit defeat!” said Kuno slightly muffled. “Not to you, Ranma Saotome.”

He then removed his bandages, revealing that his body was covered in bruises.

“So you’re just going to ignore the bruises all over your face?” asked Ran. “That’s pretty stupid.”

“Oh, my beautiful rainbow-haired goddess.” Kuno went in for a hug, but Ran made a quick sidestep, causing him to fall on his face.

“You know you’re not my type, considering you’re in love with me and my friends.”

“She’s right." agreed Alex. "You have to choose.”

This one sentence broke Kuno, and he began to debate to himself which girl he loved the most.

“Let’s go to class,” said Akane as he did that.

“Good idea,” agreed Ranma.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that day, during phys ed, Ranma had just finished a complicated gymnastics move.

He then sat down on the ground when a classmate with greenish-black hair came over and sat down with him. His name was Daisuke.

“You are one lucky dog Ranma,” he told him.

He was accompanied by a brownish-black haired boy named Hiroshi. “Yeah. Not only are you skilled, but you live in a house filled with beautiful girls,” he said.

They then turned their attention to the girl’s phys ed class, where they were playing softball.

“You know I’m just friends with most of them, right?” said Ranma.

“Yeah, yeah,” agreed Hiroshi offhandedly. “So you did it yet?”

“Did what?”

“Who have you fu…” Daisuke was about to say a certain word.

“You know what?" Ranma cut them off, blushing madly. "Let’s just talk about my friends.” He did not want to have THAT discussion. The three boys looked at Shampoo, who was on base.

“She’s hot.”

“Yeah,” agreed Hiroshi. “There’s just something about her.” Ranma shook his head, thinking, Are these guys...

That was when the girl who was at bat hit the ball and sent it in the outfield, where Chiyo was playing. The pink-haired girl froze and braced herself for impact.

“I’m not one for Moe,” said Daisuke.

“I think she’s cute though.” remarked Hiroshi. Ranma face palmed. Yep, they're perverts.

Fortunately for Chiyo, Ran caught the ball.

“Wow… Ran is amazing. I heard that the track team has been begging her for days.”

“I don’t know," argued Daisuke. "She’s too flat-chested for my tastes.”

Ranma groaned. Rainbow doesn't mind being petite, but I'm sure even she'd get mad at these guys.

“No way!” A scream came. They turned to see that it was Belle’s turn at bat. She looked like she didn’t want to hold the bat.

“Honestly, Perle." said the gym teacher. "You have to play.”

“But it’s so dirty!" Belle was keeping the bat at arm's length. "Can I use something else?”

“She’s beautiful…” sighed Hiroshi.

“But I don’t know if I’ll ever ask her out,” said Daisuke. “Too high maintenance.”

Ranma stifled a snigger. Like she'd even THINK of dating you guys...

After some arguing, she finally went to bat and struck out, which meant the team switched. The three boys saw that it was Momo’s turn at bat.

“She’s cute…” sighed Hiroshi, “Not to mention her enormous...." Hiroshi winked at Daisuke, "Talent, if you know what I mean.” Ranma face palmed again.

“But there’s something off about her,” wondered Daisuke, “Plus she’s too hyperactive.”

She managed to hit it to the outfield and get to first base, which Belle played.

It was Hikaru’s turn at bat, although she did have to do a few things to get it right.

“So…what about her?” Daisuke asked Hiroshi.

“She is cute.”

“But too much a bookworm. I mean, have you seen her during breaks? Unless someone talks to her, she’s already reading ahead.”

Ranma double face palmed. Great...These guys are almost as bad as Kuno.

Hikaru managed to hit the ball into the outfield, but Alex caught it. This resulted in her getting an 'out'.

“Alex is hot.”

“But she’s a blonde American." said his friend, "That's like saying the sky is blue. Find one that isn’t, and get back to me!” Ranma simply let out a massive groan.

On first base, Momo felt something weird.

“What’s wrong?” asked Belle.

“It’s a weird feeling on my butt,” answered Momo.

Belle realized what it meant. “Is it where your tail should be?”

“Yes… how…” Suddenly, she realized what it meant… and whom it was for. “Ranma! Look out! Something’s going to fall on you!”

The three boys just stared at her, not understanding what she meant.

“What?” asked Hiroshi.

“Is she kidding?” asked Daisuke.

Uh-oh… Ranma thought. Twitchy tail. But before he could react, the softball hit his face.

“Sorry!” yelled Akane, who was the one at bat.

The two otakus, the boy getting water, the girls happened to running an errand for the teacher

The otaku boy said, "She should've yelled fore!"

The otaku girl dope slapped him. "That's golf!"

The otaku boy retorted, "That's where it was going to land.. the "fore" head!"

The girl stared at him, “Oh yeah, I have to take these papers to the gym teacher…” she mumbled.

“Oh come! IT was funny!” said the otaku boy.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that afternoon, Ran had decided to join the track team for one practice to try it out, while Rarity and Shampoo had work. So it was Akane, Hikaru, Momo, Chiyo, and Alex who took Ranma to Dr. Tofu’s. When they got there however, they had a surprise; there was a panda sweeping the walkway. But it wasn't just any panda.

“Pop?” asked Ranma.

Seriously, why would a panda even do that unless they were Genma? After all, there are probably laws against forcing endangered species into labor.

"Who knows?" Momo replied to the narrator. "Rule of funny?"

Everyone else stared at her for a moment, then shrugged it off.

Ranma smirked. "Pay up, Twilight. I knew he'd be here."

Hikaru handed Ranma a 500 yen coin, grumbling.

“You bet that I would be working here?” signed Panda Genma.

“Dr. Tofu seems to be the only one unfazed by everything going on.” Said Hikaru.

“I see…” signed Panda Genma.

“Oh, hello,” said Dr. Tofu. “I see you met my new assistant, Mr. Saotome.”

“Actually, Ranma’s my son,” signed Panda Genma.

“Oh, is that so?”

“You know about Jusenkyo, don’t you?” inquired Ranma.

“Yes, I do.”

“Then why are you letting him be a panda while he’s working?” asked Alex.

“There’s no harm in it.”

Well as long as there’re no animal rights protestors showing up...

"No need to worry about that," replied Momo, earning her stares from the others once again.

“Who is she talking to?” asked Ranma.

“I don’t know…” sighed Hikaru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

They went into the waiting room while Dr. Tofu got the balm he needed ready. That was when the phone rang. Panda Genma picked it up, causing everyone to sweat drop, and Ran to face palm.

“That’s right!" signed Panda Genma. "Panda’s don’t talk!”

Akane, having grown up in the neighborhood and being well known, picked up the phone. “Can I help you?” she asked. Her eyes then widened. “Oh yes. I’ll tell him you’re coming over. Bye.” She hung up the phone, looking a little concerned. Then again, what was going to happen wasn’t going to end well.

That was when Momo’s right arm suddenly began to move uncontrollably.

“Momo, what’s wrong?” asked Akane.

“Oh just the Pinkie Sense,” Momo suddenly turned serious with the air turning black around her “This one means that someone will be in a lot of pain and there's no stopping it.”

Everyone froze and gaped when she said that.

“Who… who is it?” asked Chiyo.

“Ranma.”

“Great…” grumbled Ranma. “Why is it always me?”

“It’s not always you. It’s just today. Usually, it happens to Twilight.” Momo suddenly shifting moods.

“Please don’t bring that up,” sighed Hikaru. I do not need to remember getting hit with everything but the kitchen sink.

“Wait… I don’t get it.” said Akane.

“I have the ability to predict the future," Momo explained. "For example, if my tail twitches (or my butt in human form), it means something is going to fall just like with what happened earlier.”

“Considering who’s going to show up, I wouldn’t be surprised if you can predict the future.”

Everyone sweat dropped when she said that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Not too long later, Dr. Tofu began to examine the mark the ball left. “Judging by how deep the stitching is, the patterns of the bruises it was Akane who hit the ball,” he guessed.

Everyone sweat dropped. “You’re joking, right?” asked Hikaru.

“I was right again, wasn’t I?”

Everyone nodded. It was getting weird. Dr. Tofu laughed nervously and sweat dropped with the others.

“Akane, what was that phone call about?” asked Alex.

“What?”

“After the phone call, the Pinkie Sense went off,” said Hikaru, “It’s connected, isn’t it?”

Akane sighed, “Did any of you overhear the conversation I had with Rarity last night?”

“Oh the one about you having a…” Momo said, but was cut off by Akane, who put a hand over her mouth.

“Yes, that one.”

“What are you talking about?” Alex wanted to know.

“You see, Dr. Tofu is in love with…” Before she could finish her sentence, Kasumi came into the room. The second he saw her, Dr. Tofu's glasses fogged over…and that was when he began to act strangely, even by Pinkie Pie standards. He kept mistaking someone for someone else (or in one case, mistaking his model skeleton which he named Betty for a living person). He mistook Kasumi’s gift (a plate of cookies) for a mask (the handkerchief covering them). Then he began to eat the plate they came on.

Of course, in his state, Dr. Tofu wasn’t the best doctor. As a matter of fact, he couldn't even be described as a doctor at this point. How bad was it? He bent Ranma’s neck. In a way it shouldn’t be bent, how bad was it, the let’s say the normal human head is a 90 degree angle… it was bent below 0.

“Ranma… are you okay?” asked Chiyo.

“I am in a lot of pain,” Ranma deadpanned, trying to keep calm about it.

“Oh let me fix that,” said Dr Tofu.

He proceeded to straighten his neck, then bend it the other way (the degree was higher than 180), making Chiyo go pale and shake with fright.

“Maybe you should get Fluttershy out of here,” Ranma suggested.

With that, Ranma’s friends all left, praying he'll survive this ordeal, and that what just happened would be the worst. That is, hopefully there wouldn't be anything worse than the neck bending.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The girls left the clinic…only to find that a crowd had gathered just outside, most of them old people who had appointments that day.

“You’re not surprised about this, are you?” asked Hikaru.

“This happens a lot,” said Akane. “Whenever my sister visits, expect this to happen.”

They pushed their way though the crowd, all of them whispering prayers to protect the poor fool was being treated at that moment.

“What going on?” a voice came. The girls turned to see Shampoo on a bicycle.

“You don’t wanna know,” answered Alex.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later, in the Tendo residence, Akane was outside of the dojo, chopping some blocks in half.

“Want to spar?” a voice suddenly came out of nowhere. Akane turned to see Alex in her gi.

“Sure.”

Akane started by charging at Alex, who dodged and countered with a high kick. Akane caught it, and Alex went, "Oops." After being thrown into a wall, Alex landed another kick. Akane quickly grabbed Alex's legs. "No more kicks!" Alex simply head butted Akane, who let go, and was dazed.

Akane said, "Okay, Okay... draw." Alex quickly poured hot water on herself, and became her normal self again.

“What’s wrong, Applejack?” asked Akane as the two wandered about in the residence.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been down today. Do you have a problem?”

Applejack sighed, “Remember what we told you about cutie marks?” Akane nodded. “I’m the only one…who can’t do her special talent while we’re here.”

“It has to do with apples, don’t they?” Applejack gave her a deadpan look that indicated that that was obvious. “Sorry… stupid question.” Akane laughed, a small sweat drop on her head.

“Back home, my family runs an apple orchard, Sweet Apple Acres. The best in Equestria, if I do say so myself.”

“Your cutie mark is about gathering apples, is it?” asked Akane.

Applejack nodded. “Everypony else… Rainbow Dash’s is about her love for speed.”

Speaking of which… Rainbow Dash showed up. Well, in her human form, that is. “Hey guys,” she said. “I just wanted to give you the heads up that I have joined the track team.”

Akane and Applejack exchanged looks. “That was weird timing,” remarked Applejack.

“Yeah.” agreed Akane.

Applejack gave out another sigh, “Fluttershy's is her ability to befriend animals.”

Meanwhile, at the garden, said Pegasus was singing with birds that flew in. Not only were the birds flying, but many of them were singing along with her.

It’s like a Disney movie… Akane thought with a sweat drop.

“Twilight’s is magic, Rarity has her dress making… and Pinkie… You know… I’ve never known what Pinkie’s special talent is. I think it’s either party planning or making ponies happy.”

That was when Pinkie ran into the room, yelling, “I just saw the coolest show! It was about a pirate, and he can stretch, and he wore a straw hat, and he beat up all these bad pirates! And it was awesome!” She then ran off to tell Fluttershy… and inadvertently scare off the birds singing with her.

“That makes so much sense…” Akane then got a massive sweat drop on her head.

“It’s not just that. You see I’m honest by nature. I’m a terrible liar, and if I didn’t lie, I’d probably run away just to keep it a secret.” Applejack seemed to be trembling now. “I hate the fact that I turn human and I hate the fact that I have to pretend to be some girl from who knows where. I feel like I’m lying to myself.” Applejack slammed a hoof into the ground. "I hate having to lie like this! It's just… not me!"

Akane bent down, and looked Applejack in the eyes, “Don’t worry, it will be fine.” She then gave a gentle smile, “I know Twilight is working on curing the curse and even a way home. It might take a while, but I know she can do it.”

“Thanks, Akane. I really needed to hear that.” And from this point forth, the two became very close friends.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the room where Twilight uses to examine the water, she was helping Ranma, who had returned home. Ranma’s neck was still bent in its strange awkward position. Then again, something like that is not easily fixed… or even easily done. It's best not known how Dr. Tofu did that.

“Okay, take a deep breath. This might hurt,” warned Twilight.

“Twi… I’m already in a lot of pain,” replied Ranma. “Whatever you do probably won’t hurt as much as this.”

“Oh, right…” Her horn glowed and Ranma’s neck glowed in the same aura. It was then properly straightened. “It might be sore for a few days,” she told him.

“After that, I think I can handle it. Thanks Twilight.”

She nodded in reply. “Could you please close the door? I have to change…”

Ranma nodded in response, knowing what she meant. As he left the room, he ran into Akane, who was headed to the bathroom. “Oh, hey. I was thinking about talking to you about something.”

“I’m sorry about the ball…” Akane began with a sweat drop.

“It’s not about that.”

“What about, then?”

“I’ve been thinking…we don’t know each other that well, so I was thinking we should go out on a date.”

Akane stared at him, then said with a shrug, “Well you did stop the horde. So, why not?”

Ranma blinked at that. “Okay…how about Sunday?”

“Sure.”

Soun and Genma were listening. They smiled… And got bonked on the noggin by Cologne.

“What was that for?” asked Genma.

“Please don’t meddle in their affairs, if you do, then they will only pull apart.” She said.

Genma and Cologne began to glare at each other, causing Soun to sweat drop.

And so Ranma and Akane would go out on their first date…but it was only Tuesday…so it was still a few days away. Who knows what would happen before then?

Ryoga VS. Kuno: The Set-Up

Ryoga VS. Kuno: The Set-Up

Chapter 7: Ryoga VS. Kuno: The Set-Up

In classroom 1F of Furinkan High…

Akane was in a good mood. For the first time in months, she didn’t have to fight the Hentai Horde… Well, she didn’t have to fight them yesterday, but this was the first time she didn’t have to deal with them at all. This was going to be a good day in school, she could feel nothing weird was going to happen.

“What?! You only found out about ONE PIECE?!” yelled the otaku boy. Then again, with this school, something else weird was going to happen.

“So, what’s the problem?” asked Momo.

“How can you not know about One Piece? I mean, it’s everywhere! TV, comics, movies, magazine covers, amusement parks, boats... I mean, it’s the king of anime right now! And one of the most popular manga of all time, if not the most popular! It would be like one of your friends asking what Harry Potter is…”

“Harry Potter?” Hikaru asked Ranma.

The otaku boy turned to Hikaru. “I heard that!” He turned to face Momo again. “Well… that’s a conversation for another day! She does look like the type to become a Harry Potter fan…”

“So…I take it he’s the class Otaku…” said Ranma with a sweat drop.

“He wants to make a dating sim based on us,” replied Akane with a bigger sweat drop. “I think that goes without saying.”

“Say, Momo.” The otaku boy sat down on his seat, “Would you be interested in any other series?”

“What kind of series?”

“Well of course I’m going to lend you some One Piece.” He placed the first five volumes of the manga on the desk. “I’m also going to lend Sailor Moon, that’s a classic. Lucky Star’s good. I’ll also add Haruhi Suzumiya since the two tend to go hand and hand. You need a harem one in there so I think Tenchi would suit you as it’s also a classic. Azumanga Daioh would suit you well… Don't know why, but I'd like you to try Pichi Pichi Pitch as well.” The otaku boy then looked at the large stack of manga he was about to offer to Momo. “I think that’s good for now…”

Everyone in the room sweat dropped at the size of the stack.

Hikaru looked unsure about the otaku boy's more than generous offer. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to lend those? I mean, what if she loses them?”

“Don’t worry! Those are my lending copies.”

“Lending copies?”

“One to own, one to collect and one to lend out.”

Any sweat drops in the room got bigger. They had no idea that the class otaku was at that level of otaku…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that afternoon, Ryoga was lost. Then again, he’s been lost for the past week so it’s normal. However, he had managed to get word that the school that they were attending was Furinkan High. So he was looking for both the Tendo Dojo and Furinkan High. That was when he asked some random guy.

“Do you know where either Furinkan High or the Tendo Dojo is?”, he asked. He was answered with a motion to look at a sign… which clearly read "Furinkan High". “I’m here.”

That was when noticed that classes in school have ended and the students were headed home. Right away, he noticed a certain group. And Chiyo was among them. Ryoga swallowed, called out her name, and ran over to her.

“Ryoga!” Chiyo was happy to see him. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

“Yeah.” Ryoga blushed slightly.

“Um… Ryoga… we’re all here too,” Ranma voiced out.

Ryoga sweat dropped when he realized that “Sorry…”

“So…where you’ve been?” asked Ran.

“Oh just around, Osaka, Sapporo, Okinawa…”

“How did he get to Okinawa?” wondered Akane.

“I have no idea… and it wasn’t the first time,” Ranma said with a shrug. “He wound up lost five times when we went to school together.”

“I was so worried about you,” said Chiyo.

“You were?” asked Ryoga.

Chiyo nodded with a smile and that made Ryoga blush again. All of a sudden, he drew the umbrella he always carried and blocked an attack… which came from Kuno.

“Who are you, knave?” asked the idiotic kendōka. “And how dare you talk to the fair Chiyo.”

Ryoga turned to his friends, all of them with looks on their faces that said 'Not this again.' Due to the regularity of Kuno doing something like this.

“Who is he?” Ryoga asked with a sweat drop.

Hikaru didn't know how to put it, but she answered, “Kuno. He’s in Nabiki’s class…”

“He’s deluded himself into thinking we’re all in love with him,” added Belle.

Ryoga nodded in understanding, his sweat drop getting bigger.

“How dare you talk to them as if you know them!” yelled Kuno.

“Um... Kuno, we’ve known him longer than you have,” said Alex.

“Is this true?” Ranma and company nodded in response. “I see. However, I can’t stand to see these fine ladies near someone like you.” Kuno turned to face Ryoga. “What is your name?”

“Ryoga Hibiki.” Kuno took out a piece of paper, wrote something on it, and then threw it at him. “What this?”, Ryoga asked as he caught the paper.

“An official challenge letter for a duel.”

“I accept.”

Everyone in the group save for Akane groaned.

“This going to be stupid,” said Shampoo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later…

They all decided to talk about in Cologne’s new restaurant: The Cat Café. In the window was a sign that read, “For dress shop, inquire in back.”

“Seriously? You named it that?” Ranma asked.

“Great-grandmother thought it would be a cute name,” answered Shampoo.

“Oh, come on, Ranma.", assured Momo. "I’m sure there won’t be any kitties in there.”

Ranma glared at Momo when she said that who could only laugh.

Akane looked at Ranma and asked, “What was that about?”

“Best you don’t know,” Alex told her.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

They all went inside the restaurant, which had the menu items on the walls, and could fit a couple dozen people though the place.

“Welcome to Cat Café," said Cologne. “Oh, Ryoga, you’ve returned.”

They sat down and were offered free food. There they told Cologne about the oncoming duel.

“So you’ve received a challenge from Kuno,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about him. Still haven’t seen him myself.”

“Do you want us to take you to the fight tomorrow?” Alex asked.

“No, I’ll be fine,” assured Ryoga. Everyone sweat dropped when he said that; they all knew he couldn't find his way out of a walk in closet, let alone make it the next day on his own.

“Ryoga…” Ranma sighed. “You know when we were in school, your mom was so worried about you that they had to made me take you home everyday you attended school.”

“That’s not true. There are days that my parents picked me up.”

“Yeah, but you wouldn't return to school until a week later.”

“From what we’ve heard, Ryoga’s parents are just as bad,” Alex whispered to Akane.
Akane nodded, somehow not surprised about this fact.

“It’s not that bad,” insisted Ryoga.

“Not that bad?” asked Ran. “It took you five hours to get back at night if you went out by yourself when we were staying in the village.”

“And that’s only if the guards didn’t lead you back,” pointed out Cologne.

“If it weren’t for the guards, who knows where you have ended up.” said Ranma.

“My sense of direction isn’t that bad.” Ryoga was persistent. It was times like this that he was too prideful to admit he needed help with his predicament.

“I don’t know why… but I’m getting a case of déjà vu,” Hikaru said as she then turned to face Alex, remembering the "baked bads" and "bunny stampede".

“Why are you looking at me?” Alex asked with a sweat drop.

Ranma sighed and said, “I think it’s time to break it you.” He always knew this day would come… the day where he would have to tell Ryoga the thing he had been hiding for years. “You’re an internet celebrity.”

“What?” asked Ryoga.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, in the quarters used by the Kendo Team, a first year student knocked on the door.

“I’m meditating in here!” yelled Kuno.

“Sorry. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

Kuno groaned. “Fine… come in.”

The kendo team member sweat dropped at he saw the walls. Covering them were posters of the eight “girls” he was in love with. “Okay… that’s not creepy.”

“What do you want?”

“Is it true you’re fighting Ryoga Hibiki?”

“Yes, that is his name. Why?”

“You have no idea who he is, do you?” He then took out his iPhone, opened up a website, and showed it to Kuno, who sweat dropped at the information he saw.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the Cat Café, Belle was using a laptop that Cologne bought for her business. But she was having difficulties with the computer.

“No that’s not it…” she complained. “I didn’t mean to click on that… why won’t this close?” Computers like that didn't exist in Equestria (well they did, Twilight owned one but it wasn’t the type of computers humans had), so naturally she'd have problems. After several minutes, Belle finally got to the site Ranma was telling them about. “Where on Earth is Ryoga Hibiki?”

“Who made the site again?” asked Ryoga.

“I think it was some members of the computer club at our old school,” answered Ranma, "You know, I'm surprised they didn't use a version of that Carmen Sandiego theme from American Show."

“I see.” Mumbled Ryoga with a sweat drop.

“There are pictures from all over Japan and a few from other places. I don’t know if it’s still updating… It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.”

“It is,” said Belle. “The latest update was today.”

The newest picture was of a blushing Ryoga talking to Chiyo.

“Hey, there’s pictures from last week!” said Momo. “Akihabara, Osaka, Manila, oh…”

“What’s wrong?” asked Hikaru.

“He was seen at Tokyo Disneyland during the week.” After hearing about the famous theme park, she’s been wanting to go.

“Somehow, I wound up there,” sighed Ryoga. “I didn’t even pay for it.”

“So basically you broke into Disneyland?” asked Ranma with a sweat drop.

“I think so…”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t go anywhere near Chiba for a while…” suggested Akane.

“Or even go any where near a Disney store,” added Ran.

Ryoga couldn’t help but sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, at a store that sold camping supplies, Kuno had bought a tent.

“So I’m guessing you’re going on a training journey,” said the clerk. He lived in Furinkan, and it was rare to find someone to who was actually going camping.

“No… I have challenged Ryoga Hibiki to a duel, and I must wait for him,” Kuno replied. He realized if what that website said was true, it would take days—a week at most—to wait for him.

“Excuse me for a moment.” The clerk went to another area of the store, somewhere he felt Kuno couldn’t hear him. “Hey, Satoshi!” he yelled. “That guy just challenged Ryoga Hibiki to a duel.”

That was when Kuno heard uproarious laughter, and he began to get angry, taking out his cell phone to call someone.

Little did the store clerks know was that their store would soon go out of business due to certain reasons… reasons involving insulting a member of one of the richest families in Japan.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later, Chiyo and Ryoga were talking just outside the Cat Café. Why? Because Ryoga decided to go to the duel on his own.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asked Chiyo.

“I’m sure,” answered Ryoga. “If I was able to survive the last few days with my curse, I’m sure I can survive as long as possible.”

“That’s good.” Chiyo gave a gentle smile. “I’ve been worrying about you a lot.”

Ryoga couldn’t help but blush when she said that. “I’ll see you soon, Chiyo.”

“Wait. Pinkie Pie had started spreading word of our real names around, stating that they're nicknames. So you don’t have to call me Chiyo all the time.”

“Thanks for letting me know… Fluttershy.” Chiyo blushed slightly at that.

Ryoga then walked away in some random direction. Seriously, it was a random direction. He just chose to walk that way. He knew it was the wrong way, but he didn’t care. He also knew it was going to bite him in the butt later.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Through a window in the Café, Akane, Belle, and Momo were watching the scene.

“Does she like him back?” asked Akane.

“We’re not sure,” answered Belle.

“She’s always like that. Not even Rarity can tell… and they’re best friends,” said Momo.

“I see,” replied Akane.

“What are you doing?” asked Hikaru as she came over. The three girls sweat dropped as they stopped spying.

“Nothing!” Akane almost yelled out.

“Not certainly spying on the two if they like each other, because that would be absurd,” denied Belle.

Hikaru could only sweat drop as a response to that, clearly not convinced.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night at the Tendo Household…

Soun and Panda Genma, who were playing Go, were staring at Pinkie Pie, who was reading the pile of manga she was loaned. Azumanga Daioh in particular, which she was really enjoying.

“This is so funny!” the pink earth pony laughed. “There’s a girl like Fluttershy in here but instead of the animals liking her, they hate her.”

“She’s going to be one of those weird Otakus… isn’t she?” asked Soun.

“You got that right,” signed Genma in agreement. “Then again, aren’t all Otaku weird?”

“I guess you have a point.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Nabiki headed for the large guest room and knocked on the door.

“It’s open!” came Rarity’s voice.

Nabiki opened the door and saw her in unicorn form working on designs for dresses.

“So you bring your work home with you?” asked Nabiki.

“Of course. Since I don’t live in the dress shop like I did back in Ponyville.”

Nabiki sat down close to the unicorn. “Rarity, I have an idea. A small business venture.”

“What sort of business venture?” Rarity was feeling unsure about Nabiki. After all, she heard that Nabiki ran a black market at school.

“Akane told me about Ryoga’s celebrity status and the whole school already knows about the duel. I was thinking that we join forces to make t-shirts.”

“T-shirts?” Rarity was unsure about the idea.

“Yes. The school is getting wise to my betting rings.”

“You also run betting rings?”

Nabiki attempted to change the subject. “That’s besides the point. Besides, I’m sure it will spread word of your dress shop.”

“Fine… I'm not sure about this idea, but I do need more clients. Deal…”

The two then looked at each other's… well, limb. “Should I shake your hoof?” asked Nabiki.

“That might be a good idea,” replied Rarity. The two then shook hand to hoof.

At that very moment, there was a unified shudder from everyone in Furinkan, its neighboring districts, the entire world it was a part of, and the world of Equestria because of how paradoxical the following situation is: The living embodiment of greed (as a couple of Nabiki’s classmates called her) and the Spirit of Generosity (as was Rarity’s title in Canterlot) have agreed to make t-shirts together. While the t-shirts part may sound strange, what's paradoxical about this is that two individuals with contrasting moral standings (and business ethics) have agreed to work together on a business venture.

It's a miracle the universe hasn't imploded at this point.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day at school, Momo returned more than half the manga she borrowed…

“You read all of this last night?” the otaku boy gasped in shock. “It’s a good thing I brought some more then.”

A short while later, Momo now had a massive pile, which was much bigger than the last one.

The otaku girl simply said, "Heavy, man."

“Aren’t you in another class?” asked Ranma.

“Running errands for the club I’m in… I have to double check some things with him.” She said pointing to the otaku boy,

Ranma nodded…

The otaku boy began to speak again.

“I think Slayers would be a good one. If you want more Magical Girl, here’s Shugo Chara and Tokyo Mew Mew. Bleach and Naruto are good too. Oh, and I think Negima should be added; after all, it goes from Harem to Action that you won’t even notice. Can’t forget Ah! My Goddess, also a classic. And I'll finish it off with Detective Conan, and some works from CLAMP like Card Captor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth…”

“She’s going to introduce this thing to Equestria, isn’t she?” asked Belle with a large sweat drop.

“Looks like it,” replied Hikaru with a massive sweat drop.

“Hey, has anyone seen Ranma?” asked Akane.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Out in the field, Kuno was setting up a tent.

“So, I see you heard about Ryoga’s internet status,” a voice came.

Kuno turned to see Ranma come over. “Come to make fun of me?” he asked.

Ranma looked at the tent. “No…. Oh, a tent. Why didn’t I think of that?”

“You two had a duel and you had to wait?” guessed Kuno.

“Sure, let’s go with that.” One of the reasons why he missed out on the duel was that he caught a cold after waiting three days for Ryoga. Ranma wasn’t sure, but he could swear that’s one of the reasons why Genma dragged him off to China. Not that he minded.

“You didn’t think of binging a tent, did you Saotome? I win this round!”

“Why did I even bother?” muttered Ranma with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, with Ryoga…

“Now where am I?” he asked himself.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder, and he saw that it was a young woman with a camera.

“Excuse me," she said. "Can I take a picture with you?”

Ryoga knew it had something to do with that website and agreed. A few more people did that with him and he just shrugged his shoulders; after all, what was the harm in taking pictures with people? He took a picture with all sorts of people.

As it turns out, Ryoga inadvertently somehow wandered into Tokyo Disneyland. Again.

Someone dressed up as Cinderella was talking with someone dressed up as Snow White. “Should we call security?” she asked. “I mean, he clearly didn’t pay to get in. Again.” She then realized her companion could care less for Ryoga's accidental break-in and had taken out her mercury-colored cell phone to take pictures of Ryoga. “Never mind.”

And thankfully, Ryoga left before Disney Security could apprehend him.

And so the Duel between Ryoga and Kuno was on! All that was needed to do was wait for Ryoga to make it back to the high school so it could happen.

Just give it a week…

Akane’s Cooking

Chapter 8: Akane’s Cooking

Monday night: The day Ranma’s neck was bent in a way that shouldn’t be possible…

“Dinner time,” called out Kasumi.

At once, everyone in the house came into the living room/dining room and saw that dinner was ready.

“So, who helped you tonight?“ asked Nabiki.

“Shampoo did.” Kasumi replied.

“Shampoo’s cooking is always good,” remarked Pinkie.

Kasumi and Shampoo brought several dishes, all of them looked and smelled delicious.

Akane looked at the cooking, and suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. She didn’t know why, though.

Of course, the meal was soon eaten by Pinkie....

“Don’t worry… there more in kitchen.” Said Shampoo with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Tuesday night: The day Kuno challenged Ryoga to a fight…

“Dinner’s ready,” Kasumi called out.

Kasumi brought dinner, a few the items they could tell had apples in them, especially the salad.

“Applejack’s cooking, right?” asked Ranma.

“That’s right, she’s the one who helped tonight.”

“It was nothing.” the earth pony said modestly.

“I take it you were human when you cooked this,” presumed Nabiki.

“No, I was a pony.”

Nabiki blinked in surprise, then asked, “Wait, how can you cook with hooves?”

“It’s actually very easy. We have all of the same things you use to cook back home.”

“Really?”

“It’s true…” supported Twilight.

To say Nabiki was weirded out would be an understatement. However there was something else she needed to ask.

“Please tell me you washed your hooves before cooking.” Said Nabiki.

“Of course I did.” Muttered Applejack.

Akane looked at Applejack’s cooking, and felt another twinge of jealousy. It didn't help that Applejack was a pony at the time of cooking.

And Pinkie, AGAIN, ate a lot of it.

“More in kitchen?” asked Ranma.

“Of course there is.” Said Applejack.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Wednesday night: The day Ryoga somehow got go to Tokyo Disneyland… without paying. Again…

“Dinner’s ready,” called out Kasumi. Once again, everyone in the house went to eat dinner…

“So, who helped you tonight?” asked Akane.

“Oh, I cooked dinner on my own. But Pinkie did make the desserts.”

They saw the desserts and saw they looked really delicious, there were many cakes and pies and the Tendos couldn’t believe how delicious they looked.

Even Pinkie knows how to cook, Akane thought with a sweat drop.

Pinkie however ended up eating most of the deserts.

“Where does it all go?” asked Nabiki.

“I’d rather not know.” Sighed Twilight.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After dinner, Akane went into the kitchen and saw Kasumi washing dishes.

“Kasumi,” she asked her elder sister, “Can I help cook dinner tomorrow night?” All of a sudden, Kasumi drop the bowl she was cleaning. Fortunately, it didn’t break, which gave her a reason to be calm. “What’s wrong?”

Kasumi put on a brave front. “It’s nothing.” Though inside, she shivered.

“So…”

“Of course you may.” Kasumi couldn't say no to her younger sister as she left the kitchen. Once Akane was gone, she wondered if should warn someone, she did love her sister… but she had to admit that Akane was the worst cook she knew.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Thursday: The horror begins…

Hikaru paused in her progress on trying to unravel the magic of Jusenkyo. She had rarely made a dent in the progress, she really hoped that he could have a cure soon.

That was when she smelled something awful.

What’s that smell? she thought. That's when she heard a crash in the kitchen. She decided to see what’s wrong when she saw Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Ranma all staring at the door.

“What’s going on?” asked Hikaru.

“Akane’s helping Kasumi cook tonight,” answered Ranma.

There was another crash, followed by Akane yelling out an apology.

“It’s okay," the heard Kasumi reply. "Why don’t you check on the noodles?”

At that very moment, Nabiki and Belle came home from the dress shop.

“What’s going on?” asked Nabiki.

“Akane’s helping Kasumi cook,” replied Hikaru.

Nabiki looked terrified, or as much as Nabiki could look terrified, “WHAT?! Where’s Daddy?”

“He suddenly left with Pops,” answered Ranma.

“Looked like he was done right scared of something,” remarked Applejack.

“You should have seen it!" rambled Pinkie. "It was like 'ZOOM', and they were gone!”

“How…how bad is she?” asked Fluttershy.

“I doubt she can be as bad as my sister…” Belle mumbled.

“I don’t know how bad your sister cooks.” Said Nabiki.

“My sister’s cooking has broken the rules of physics. Has Akane’s?”

“Define 'broken the rules of psychics.'”

“You don’t want to know.” Belle shuddered. Just how was she able to burn that pie on the inside, yet make it so appealing on the outside?

That was when a strange smell came wafting from the kitchen, it was a strange sticky sweet smell, that reminded them all of burnt sugar.

“I wonder what’s going on in there?” asked Pinkie.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

About a minute earlier…

Inside, Kasumi was reading the instructions for the cooking, as well as trying to get Akane not to put the wrong ingredients into the soup she was making.

“No wait, Akane. That’s sugar,” she said in an attempt to stop her younger sister.

“Oh…” said Akane, “It was supposed to be salt, right?” Kasumi nodded, trying to remain calm. “I guess it'll work with sugar. But then again, I might need to add salt to balance it out.”

Kasumi sighed and said, “I guess I could work on the salad.” Whatever Akane was cooking has already been doomed to failure at this point.

She was the kindest, sweetest person on the planet (well, native to this one), and even she had to admit that her sister was hopeless when it comes to cooking.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Pinkie had her ear to the door. “Kasumi gave up,” she said. “Something about putting sugar and salt in the soup.”

“Is anyone else scared?” asked Ranma with a sweat drop.

“It won’t be that bad,” assured Belle. “Unless she somehow burns juice.”

Nabiki turned towards her business partner and asked, “How can you burn juice?”

“Don’t ask me. My mother was watching her cook.”

Nabiki tried to come up with a response, but couldn’t. Although she had to admit, Akane wasn’t THAT bad of a cook.

“Wait who are you even talking about?” asked Nabiki.

“Just never mind.” Sighed Belle.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later…

The ponies, the Tendo sisters, and Ranma were seated at the table. The only two who didn’t look nervous were Rarity and Pinkie, the former for obvious reasons and the latter…well she was the only one among them who ate baked bads, so she assumed Akane’s cooking couldn’t be that bad.

That was when Shampoo arrived. Cologne figured it would be best that her granddaughter be home for dinner instead of waiting tables during the dinner rush, so she could get closer to the Tendos.

“What wrong?” asked Shampoo.

“Akane’s cooking,” answered Nabiki.

“How bad is she?”

“Very bad.”

“Oh, she can’t be bad.” Shampoo took a seat next to Ranma.

Had Nabiki been the type to warn people of upcoming danger, she would've told Shampoo to run away while she still could. Unfortunately, she wasn't.

Then, Akane and Kasumi entered the room with the meal.

“Where’s Dad and Mr. Saotome?” the youngest of the Tendos asked, noticing her father's absence.

“They ran,” answered Nabiki not adding “as fast they could.”

“That’s okay, everyone else is here.” She then set down the bowls of soup. A strange scent came from them, a sent that could not be properly described… expect for one word, inedible.

“Akane made the soup,” said Kasumi.

“Only the soup?” asked Rainbow Dash. She then received glances from everyone that all had one message; Be nice.

“Yes, she only made the soup.”

“Isn’t anyone going to try it?” Akane asked with an adorable smile.

No one had the heart to refuse the soup. Even Nabiki, who is normally heartless, couldn’t say no to the smile.

Twilight 'lifted' the spoon to her mouth, gave a gulp, then ate it…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Hours later…

Cologne returned home from work. She grew concerned when she realized it was too quiet, considering who lived there. It was a bad sign.

“Is anyone home?” she asked.

“We’re up here!” came Akane’s voice from the second floor. Cologne then got a feeling. A very bad feeling. She went into the guest room and sweat dropped. With the exception of Rarity, everyone who ate the cooking were very sick and lay on the floor with stomachaches or worse.

“What happened?”

“You see, I made soup… and it wasn’t that good.”

“Wasn’t that good?!” retorted Nabiki. “You poisoned us all!!”

“I don’t know how, but this is much worse that the baked bads,” complained Pinkie Pie.

Cologne looked at Rarity and asked, “You didn’t eat the soup?”

“I did, but I built up immunity as a filly. My mother was just as a bad a cook as Akane is.”

That was when Rainbow Dash grabbed a bucket and vomited. “Lucky you…” she muttered as she glared at Rarity.

Nabiki wanted to question how could they vomit, but then she realized magical talking ponies from another universe and decided not to ask.

“It hurts so much…” wept Fluttershy.

“I’m sorry,” said Akane.

“It’s all right, sugar cube," assured Applejack. "We all make mistakes. How 'bout I teach you how to cook tomorrow?” Akane nodded, happy with the offer.

“I’ll help too!” put in Pinkie.

“Thank you.” Akane silently reminded herself that Pinkie was a good cook.

That was when Soun and Genma entered the room, very, very drunk.

“You know…you…you ruined my life…you little ponies!" said Genma. "I wish you never came into my life!” He passed out afterwards.

Soun also passed out at the same time muttered something about “Flying Squirrels”, but no one paid attention to him.

“I told you guys that he thought we ruined his life,” muttered Rainbow Dash.

“Please don’t gloat right now…” complained Twilight as she rubbed her head. “I have a splitting headache.”

“Wait until tomorrow,” muttered Ranma as he grabbed the bucket and started dry heaving.

Needless to say, that night wasn’t good for anyone.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Friday: A Brief Reprieve

Akane and the two ponies who were teaching her to cook were in the kitchen, trying to figure out what Akane could cook that was easy and vegetarian.

“How about cupcakes!” suggested Pinkie.

“No…” replied Akane and Applejack at the same time.

“How about…what was it called again…oh yeah, Udon?” the orange earth pony suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” said Akane.

“I found the cookbook!” yelled out Pinkie, suddenly holding the cookbook in her hooves.

Akane lifted her finger then realized, “You know what, I’m not going to bother asking anymore.”

“Finally got used to her?” asked Applejack.

“Oh yeah.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane looked up vegetable broth. The first ingredient, water, was the easiest to get. Then, it was time to add the salt. She then grabbed something next to the salt… the pepper.

“Wait!" warned Applejack. "That’s the not the salt.”

Akane looked at and saw it was the pepper.

“Thanks.” Akane then set down the pepper and then added the salt.

“You have a problem checking the label, don’t you?” realized Pinkie.

Akane sweat dropped, knowing the pink earth pony had hit the nail on the head.

That was when music started playing from nowhere. Akane looked at Applejack, who merely sighed.

"She's not..."

[color=FB607F]When you do some cooking, you better keep looking, because you need to check the labels.♪

Applejack had a sweat drop and shook her head.

"She is."

If it looks wrong then don’t add it! Always check the labels!♪

Akane stared at Pinkie Pie as she seemed to pop out of the shelves.

Also make sure that nothing is expired, because I know for a fact that will make everypony sick.♪

“My cooking already made everypony sick… I mean everyone sick!” protested Akane. She then blushed after realizing she used an Equestrian phrase.

Then that’s why you when you do some cooking you better keep looking because you need to check the labels.♪

Akane face palmed, thinking this was getting really weird. Then again, she was taking cooking lessons from two talking ponies.

Because you need to check the labels♪

Both Akane and Applejack stared at her with massive sweat drops.

“Did my song help?” Pinkie then asked.

“A… little…” answered Akane with a sweat drop.

“Well, that part of my job’s done.”

“What was that?”

“She tends to burst into random songs,” explained Applejack. “We try to ignore them when we can.”

“Okay.” Mumbled Akane with a very large sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane began to make more of the stock and when it was time to leave it to simmer…

“I really hope this works,” she sighed.

“Don’t worry,” assured Pinkie. “As long as it doesn’t use earthworms, it will be fine.”

“What?”

“Don’t ask,” said Applejack, who looked practically annoyed by that remark.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, in the living room…

“It doesn’t smell wrong in there,” commented Rainbow Dash.

“Good,” said Ranma. “So we don’t have to go with our plan.”

Just then, Hikaru came in, finished working on trying to untangle the magic of Jusenkyo for today. “What're you guys doing?” she asked.

“Just planning out any story or escape route in case Akane’s cooking comes out wrong,” answered Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that.” Hikaru muttered with a sweat drop.

Sometime later, it was it time for dinner and tonight's meal was Akane's Udon. They stared at the noodles, still unsure of the food's edibility.

Being the spirit of Kindness, Fluttershy was the first to eat. “It’s delicious Akane,” she said.

“Really?”

Ranma then tired it and realized it was good. Akane was so happy that everyone liked it.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Saturday: Armageddon!

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN AKANE’S COOKING TONIGHT’S DINNER ON HER OWN?!”

This yell was heard all throughout Furinkan and was even heard in Tomobiki.

Back in the Tendo House…

“Akane insisted that cook tonight’s dinner on her own,” sighed Kasumi. “And I just couldn’t say no.”

“That girl…” sighed Applejack. “Even I know she’s not ready to cook a full on meal on her own.”

“Someone is going to have to help her,” said Pinkie.

Rainbow Dash then said, "If not.... Then we run."

Everyone who knew how to cook came up with a plan.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Attempt # 1:

Applejack poked her head in. “Hey, sugar cube," she said. "Need some help?”

“No I’m fine,” assured Akane with a shrug.

Applejack sighed and slinked out of the kitchen. Strike one.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Attempt # 2:

“Akane need help?” asked Shampoo.

“I’m fine, really,” insisted Akane.

Shampoo sighed, I wonder if my grandmother has some sort of antidote for the food poisoning we're sure to receive?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Attempt # 3:

“Hey, Akane. Do you need any help?” Ranma offered as he entered the room.

“Do you even know how to cook?” asked Akane.

“Yeah, but Pops don’t like it. He thinks it’s too womanly.”

Akane began to laugh… she just couldn’t help it. “But you do turn into a woman.”

“Do you want my help or not?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Ranma sighed and left the kitchen. It wasn’t his fault he knew how to cook. Genma's cooking skills were mediocre. Besides, how else would they survive on the open road?

Though he'd better find an escape route....

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Attempt # 4:

“Hey, Akane!” greeted Pinkie. “Do you need some help?”

“No, I’m fine.” Akane was persistent.

“Okay…” Pinkie then bounced her way out of the kitchen before popping up again, “Then do you want me to sing my song again?”

“No… no… I’m fine…” Akane thought she was used to Pinkie, but apparently she was wrong… bursting out into random songs… was just weird…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Attempt # 5:

“Akane do you need any help?” squeaked out Fluttershy. There was a small silence. Akane stared at the timid Pegasus who started blushing at the staring. “Well since you don’t need me…” The Pegasus then left.

“Wait…” Akane was about to say, but it was too late. A sweat drop then appeared on her head, “I was going to say yes…”

Yep. Everyone's doomed to suffer tonight.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

As everyone waited for dinner to be ready they were panicking or planning…

“Do you have the escape routes all set?” asked Ranma.

“Almost,” replied Rainbow Dash.

“You two are not going to run away,” said Twilight, overhearing their plans.

“You know, if you wanted to, you can join in…” Twilight was tempted by this offer. Really, really tempted.

“I have an idea. Why don’t we give Rarity all of our food when Akane’s not looking?”, suggested Pinkie Pie.

“I can’t do that,” the fashionista protested, “I’m trying to watch my weight.” That made everyone sweat drop.

“Or we can always run…” Rainbow Dash said, once again tempting Twilight.

But before the bookish unicorn could give her answer, Akane had arrived. Carrying a large tray of food. Or at least they thought it was food. The only thing that looked even close to being food was the salad, and to be honest it didn’t look good, no one was sure but it appeared to have chunks of wood in it.

“Is anyone hungry?” the youngest Tendo sister asked, giving a smile. And for some reason, it was a very charming smile. So charming that anyone who sees it loses the heart to refuse.

“Of course I’m hungry,” replied Ranma, his eyebrow twitching in absolute terror. He gulped, grabbed his chopsticks, used them to grab something, and bit into what he guessed was a croquette.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later…

“Is anyone home?” asked Cologne. Once again, she was at her restaurant during dinner and thus had been speared from the disaster that has happened (again) at the Tendo Residence.

“We’re up here!” came Rarity’s voice from upstairs.

Cologne came into the room and saw that all of its residents were in the guest room, which had been temporarily formed in a way that it was now like a hospital ward, with Rarity doing her best to act as the nurse. “Oh dear.”

“That’s your only response?” asked Ranma, who then grabbed a bucket to vomit in, “Oh dear?”

“I can tell you’re not feeling well so I’m going to ignore that. Where’s Akane?”

Rarity pointed to the corner where the disaster chef was crouched, the air black around her.

“Don’t worry, sugar cube," assured Applejack as she lay near Akane. "I’m sure next time you’ll let someone help you.”

Akane turned around, glared at Applejack, then turned back to the wall.

“Oh darling, you should be glad that it didn't turn out worse,” Rarity attempted to comfort her, “I mean, at least you didn’t burn AND liquefy toast.”

“That’s not even possible.” yelled Akane, glaring at the unicorn.

“No, it’s possible.” Rarity then mumbled under her breath. “Somehow…”

And while it was unsaid, everyone knew that they had to watch Akane like a hawk from now on whenever she made food. Because that was the only way to escape the food poisoning. On the bright side, if he got a good night’s rest, Ranma and Akane would be going on the date the next day.

A Date to Remember

Chapter 9: A Date to Remember

Cologne offered Akane and Rarity if she could take over, as she had some herbal remedies that she used last time from the whole cooking incident.

It was because of this that Rarity offered to help Akane pick out clothes.

“Oh I bet it’s going to be so romantic,” gushed the fashionista.

“Yeah,” agreed Akane with a sweat drop.

“You’re still in love with Dr. Tofu…” Rarity then remembered why Akane wouldn’t act on her feelings, “Is it true… about Ranma’s neck?”

“Yes.” Akane winced at the memory.

“Oh dear. It’s a good thing it’s back to normal.”

“Say, Rarity. What do you think of Ranma?”

“Oh. Well he is uncouth and rude. But I know for a fact that his father is to blame. That aside, he is a nice boy.”

“I see…”

“You should try asking the others.”

“I did. You were the last one.”

“What?”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Series of flashbacks-

Akane asked Applejack sometime after a spar.

“He’s cocky, that's for sure,” said the earth pony. “But when he sets something on his mind, he’ll do it.”

Akane nodded. "Yeah, I noticed."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane asked Rainbow Dash one day when the latter was lazing about.

“Ranma, he’s the best sparing partner I have ever had,” remarked the Pegasus,
“There aren't that many black belts in Ponyville and none of them are even close to his level.”

Akane chuckled. "Considering how good you are, I do not doubt that at all."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane asked Pinkie Pie sometime after she taught her cooking lessons.

“Ranma?” asked Pinkie, “He’s sort of like a big brother I never had! He’s really cool!" Pinkie then smiled. "About that night I was in his bed… He'd comforted me after a bad dream of mine."

Akane looked at Pinkie. "How bad was it?"

Pinkie began to shake, “Please don’t ask…” she whispered.

Akane blink and realized they hadn’t known each other long enough to find out.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane asked Twilight (well Hikaru) on the way home.

“Ranma, he’s a very good friend,” said the studious girl. “He keeps feeling like he owes it to me for saving his life but it's nothing.”

Akane chuckled. "He seems to have honor as his biggest priority."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane asked Fluttershy shortly after getting home.

“Well… he’s… um… he’s nice and he very protective of us… and…” the Pegasus whispered, then let out a squeak that Akane couldn’t understand.

Akane frowned. "At least you could meet Ryoga because of him."

Fluttershy blushed slightly, “What do you mean?” asked Fluttershy.

“Never mind.” Said Akane unsure if Fluttershy felt the same way about Ryoga.

-End Flashbacks-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“And I’m the last pony you asked?” asked Rarity.

“You’ve been so busy…” lied Akane. Actually, the truth was that the two of them barely talked as it was since the two had nothing in common. Akane was a tomboy who liked martial arts, Rarity was a fashionista who really disliked it.

Rarity saw through the lie and knew she wasn’t that close to Akane. She decided not to press the matter further. “Oh, this one is perfect.”

Akane sweat dropped as she looked at the dress. It was a very frilly dress, and she didn’t even when know she when bought it, or even the last time she wore it. “No… I don’t think I'll wear that on a date with Ranma.” Akane was trying her hardest not to face palm at the dress choice.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day, Akane waited in the park in a dark green dress she owned. The two decided to meet in a park beforehand because Ranma said he had to do something.

“Hey!” came Ranma’s voice. She turned around and saw him holding a bouquet of red roses.

“You didn’t have to get me roses,” said Akane as Ranma offered her the bouquet.

“Sorry.” Ranma rubbed the back of his head.

“It’s fine,” Akane took the bouquet. “So…where are we going?”

“I was thinking the Tokyo dome, I heard there’s an amusement park there.”

“That’s a great idea.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In a nearby bush, Shampoo, Momo, Belle, Ran, Alex, Hikaru, and Chiyo were watching.

“What if we get caught?” the last of them asked.

“We won’t get caught,” assured Momo, “Because I’m sure Twilight will do something.”

“I’m not using magic to hide us,” sighed Hikaru.

“Oh. But I still think we’re safe, because that's how it goes in anime.”

They all sweat dropped when she said that, still unable to believe she became an otaku. Well, in the metaphorical sense, it really wasn’t surprising that she did become one once she was introduced to it.

“Not if Shampoo has anything to say about it.” Said Shampoo.

“You’re not still jealous are you?” asked Belle.

“Shampoo not jealous.” Shampoo had some jealously issues she still needed to work out. After all, it was very rare for her people to share a man.

“Come on, they’re leaving.”

And so they proceed to follow them to the subway. Of course, they kept their distance so they wouldn’t be noticed. At least they hoped. After all, it's difficult to hide when your group wears colors that clash with one another. It's like hiding a large iron pipe in a haystack.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After catching the train, they got to the right station and were at Tokyo Dome City, where they bought all-ride bracelets.

“So Rarity casually gave you the money?” asked Akane.

Ranma nodded, “She already has a couple of clients.”

“That’s good for her.”

“Do you want to get something to eat or go to some of the rides?”

Akane stared at him and blushed slightly. “Really… I think we should go for the rides.”

“Oh, okay.” Ranma did not know how to react to that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Nearby, the others were watching him.

“She so lucky,” said Shampoo.

“You went a lot of dates with Ranma during our time in the village,” said Ran.

“Yes, but village no have amusement parks.” the Chinese Amazon pointed out.

On the other hand, Chiyo seemed to be more concerned with something else; the fact that Momo was missing. “Pinkie’s missing,” she said.

“Great…”, groaned Ran. “Taking her to an amusement park was a bad idea.”

“Don’t worry,” assured Hikaru. “I'm sure she'll be fine.” Thankfully, they didn’t have to panic for long.

“I’m back.” Momo came in with a couple of shopping bags and wearing a pink furry top hat with deer antlers.

Everyone gaped at her, wondering where she even went. “Where did you even go?”, Hikaru asked.

“I heard there was a store that sold stuff from Shonen Jump so I went there. Sorry I didn’t tell you about it, but it was really cool! I managed to buy so much.”

This made everyone sweat drop, though none of them were surprised she did that.

“Just take off that gaudy hat before they see you,” said Belle.

“But it’s Chopper’s hat. Well his original hat… they didn’t have the new one for some reason.”

“You’ll still be seen,” warned Alex with a sweat drop.

“Fine…” Conceding to her friends, Momo took it all off put it in one of the bags. “So, has anything happened yet?”

“No, not yet…” answered Belle.

If only they knew what the couple they were following knew…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane and Ranma went to ride the rollercoaster called the Thunder Dolphin.

Afterwards, Akane wanted to ride the Wonder Drop, the park’s log flume.

“But I don’t want to,” complained Ranma.

“Oh come on,” teased Akane with a sly smile, “Afraid to get a little wet?”

“I’m not afraid to get a little wet, just embarrassed.”

“I’ll get you some hot water afterwards.”

“Fine.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Wow… she got him to go on that water ride,” said Ran as they watched from a distance.

“Shampoo totally not jealous,” said Shampoo.

“That came out of nowhere,” mused Belle with a sweat drop.

“Sugar cube, it’s all right if you're jealous,” said Alex.

“Shampoo no jealous!” the Chinese Amazon yelled.

This made everyone sweat drop, including several people within earshot.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

With Akane and Ranma, they went on the Wonder Drop. There was some confusion with the ride staff after Ranma came back a girl, but they managed to avoid any questions. Akane got hot water while Ranma-Chan hid. Thankfully, there were no further mishaps as she managed to acquire it and change him back without problems. After that, they went to lunch at a noodle shop.

“So, are you enjoying yourself?” asked Ranma.

“I am,” Akane answered with a slight blush.

“This is my first time going on a date like this.”

“You’ve been on a date before?” asked Akane.

“It was with Shampoo in her village. There wasn’t much to do.”

Akane sighed, “What is your relationship exactly? I mean, she is in love with you… and…”

“It’s hard to say. When we first met, she was very clingy. Constantly hugging me and trying to kiss me, but after a week—and a fight between Cologne and Pops—she seemed to cool down.”

“What kind of fight?”

“I don’t know. You should ask Cologne for the details. I think it has something to with women because I remember Rainbow Dash hearing what the fight was about and giving pops a beating. Also, after the fight, Cologne told Shampoo something I didn’t know because it was in Chinese, but after that she wasn’t clingy anymore.”

Akane sighed. Shampoo sometimes fed Ranma during dinner and sometimes made lunch for him. But she couldn’t imagine Shampoo being that clingy.

The rest of the lunch was mostly silent as they ate. Akane had so many thoughts swirling though her head about Shampoo and Ranma’s relationship.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Not too far from the window of the noodle shop, the date watchers were wondering what was going on.

“Something must have happened during that conversation,” said Momo.

“Probably about Shampoo,” guessed Ran.

“Why about Shampoo?” asked the mentioned girl.

“Because having a relationship like that is tough on anyone, and I doubt that she wants to listen about you,” said Hikaru.

“Excuse me,” a nearby voice came. A voice they recognized. “Can you tell me where Furinkan high is?”

They turned to see Ryoga, lost as usual, asking a random bystander for directions.

“Ryoga!” called out Chiyo.

Ryoga turned to see them. He was so happy… despite not knowing where he was.
“What are you doing here?” Momo shushed him, covered his mouth, and brought him to where they were sitting. He saw Ranma and Akane in the restaurant. “You’re still doing this? I would've thought you stopped.”

“Yes…” sighed Alex.

Back in Joketsuzoku, the girls had followed Ranma and Shampoo during their dates. As a matter of fact, it was some of the village girls that got them started on it, particularly a pair of twins named Pantene and Fructis.

“I’ve been trying to make them stop and go home…” said Chiyo.

“Only half the time,” said Ran with a slight smirk. Chiyo blushed slightly when she said that.

“So…” said Ryoga.

“You should stick with us… Kuno’s still waiting and it’s starting to get weird with him.”

“How weird?”

Everyone exchanged looks…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Kuno was looking at what appeared to be some kind of trap.

“I’ll get the birds!” said Kuno in a crazed way. “The birds will no longer steal my food once I take prisoners…” He began to laugh a laugh that signified that he has lost the last shred of his sanity.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the Dome City…

“Just don’t ask,” was all Ran said.

“That bad…” asked Ryoga.

All of them nodded in agreement.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in the restaurant, the two finished their meal.

“Do you want to ride the Ferris Wheel?” asked Ranma.

“Sure,” answered Akane. They headed to the Ferris wheel called the Big O and got on.

“So, I noticed you and Applejack have gotten close.”

“We did.”

“That’s good. I’ve been worried about her.”

“So you know too.”

“She’s the one who took it the hardest. I never really had a home, to have one and be separated from it.”

“How long have you been traveling?”

“Ever since I can remember. It’s always been me and Pops, just traveling. I didn’t have many friends. Really, my only friends before China was a boy named Ukyo when I was a kid and Ryoga.”

“But you and Ryoga fought all the time.”

“So did me and Ukyo but it is was more of a game. His father ran an okonomiyaki cart and we would always spar. If I won, I’d get a free one.”

Akane couldn’t help but giggle at that one, “That sounds so cute.”

Ranma blushed when she said that. “Actually. I only remembered Ukyo recently. Since Equestria—where our new friends aside from Shampoo come from—is full of friendship, it's got me thinking about my friends.”

“Really?”

Ranma nodded.

“So…” Akane made an attempt to change the subject.

“You’re talking about romantic between me and them? No… they’re just friends. Sure, I care about them. But really, it’s more like sisters than anything.”

“I see…” Akane sighed in relief.

“I’d hate to ask for advice from you about this.”

“It’s about going on a date with Shampoo, right? Makes sense she has been following us with the others.”

“So you did you notice them.” Ranma sweat dropped at that.

“It’s hard not to notice such a colorful group. Especially when Pinkie Pie showed up with that hat.”

Both of them laughed when she said that.

“You know, they followed Shampoo and me back in Joketsuzoku. Except they were also joined by some of the girls from the village who are very close to Shampoo.”

“Really?”

Ranma began to tell her a story of one of the dates he had with Shampoo, and how they followed, especially how badly they hid themselves.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Below them in an area next to the arcade, Shampoo was watching with a pair of binoculars. Ran, Momo, Chiyo, and Ryoga were in the arcade, while Alex, Belle, and Hikaru were sitting next to her.

“I doubt Akane would even do anything like that,” said Alex.

“Shampoo not jealous if that’s what you think,” said the Chinese Amazon.

Keep telling yourself that, thought Belle with a sweat drop.

I can’t believe she brought binoculars, thought Hikaru with a sweat drop while face palming.

“Twilight!” said Momo, “I need your help with something.”

“What?”

She led them to a UFO catcher where a toy was stuck in the prize chute. “I won, but… it was too big to go through.”

“Why is it even that big?”

“Can you please use your magic to get it though the hole?”

“Fine.” Hikaru conceded, and thankfully she wasn’t caught.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that afternoon, Akane and Ranma headed back as well as their tag-alongs. As they were walking back to the Tendo Residence, Akane asked, “Should we?”

“I think we should,” agreed Ranma with a smirk. The two stopped, then turned around.

“We know you’re there. You can come out now.” With that, the tag-alongs came out of their hiding spots.

“So… how long did you know?” asked Belle.

“The whole time.” The tag-alongs all sweat dropped.

“Oh hey, Ryoga. I didn’t know you were with them,” said Ranma.

“Yeah… I decided to let them take me to the fight,” sighed Ryoga.

“Good, because Kuno is going crazy. Well, crazier than usual.”

“How crazy, because no one will tell me.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at Kuno’s camp…

Kuno was laughing manically at a little bird that was trapped in a cage.

“See, you bird!” yelled Kuno. “I have a prisoner! And soon, all of you will be my prisoners!”

The little bird on the other hand was freaking out, wondering why the crazy human was holding him hostage.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back with Ranma and co.…

“There’s a reason for that,” Ranma answered with a sweat drop.

Ryoga couldn’t help but do likewise. He now knew that it was best he didn’t know.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night after dinner…

“So, how was your date?” asked Kasumi.

“I had a nice time!” said Akane. “We went to the Tokyo Dome complex.”

“Oh that sounds like so much fun.”

Akane nodded with a small smile.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After dinner, Akane took a bath, and got ready for bed. As she did, she looked at her hair in the mirror and began to think.

I did have a lot of fun at the date and am really starting to like Ranma, she thought.
Sure, the date wasn’t romantic, but it was fun. After all the grief Kuno caused me, having fun and relaxing was just the thing I needed.

And the reason she grew out her hair was because of Dr. Tofu, so that he would notice her.

But now… she just wasn’t sure…

She sighed and shrugged.

Maybe she should worry about that later.

After all, the next day Ryoga was finally going to fight Kuno. And she knew that was going to be an exciting match up!

Ryoga VS Kuno: The Actual Battle

Chapter 10: Ryoga VS Kuno: The Actual Battle

After days of waiting, going insane because of birds stealing his food—not that he wasn't already—the fight was finally happening.

Kuno held up his wooden sword while Ryoga took off his backpack. The two faced each other as the wind blew, almost as if nature itself was making it even more dramatic.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“T-shirts, get your t-shirts!”, called out Nabiki, ruining the tension. “1,000 yen each.”

“What kind of t-shirts?”, inquired Hiroshi.

“We have four different kinds,” answered Belle as she showed them off. “We have 'Team Tatewaki' and 'Team Ryoga'.”

“How many Team Tatewaki shirts did you make?”, asked Daisuke.

“One of each size.” replied Nabiki.

“We figured no one was going to be on 'Team Tatewaki',” explained Belle.

“We also have 'I’ve Seen Ryoga Hibiki in Person.'” Nabiki then put on the last. “And my personal favorite, 'Kuno is a Dope'.” At that last one, everyone ran to the stand.

“I’ll take a 'Kuno is a Dope' t-shirt,” said Daisuke.

“I’ll take one as well,” said Hiroshi.

“Me too,” added in Ran, joining in once she heard that there was such a t-shirt.

“Ran gets a discount,” said Belle.

“Oh, come on!”, complained Hiroshi in a manner similar to her sister, not that she knew it.

“Do I get one too?” asked Momo.

“Yes, I’m waiving my side of the fee for you and the rest of the girls,” said Belle.

Ran and Momo looked at Nabiki, both of them getting large sweat drops.

“So basically we’re paying her,” said Ran.

“Yes,” answered Nabiki.

“I’m still buying it.”

“Me too!” agreed Momo.

The otaku boy and girl showed up. The girl smirked, and said, "Do you take credit cards?"

Nabiki said, "What kind?" The otaku girl chuckled, and removed...

"A BAT CREDIT CARD?"

The otaku boy growled, and soon started cussing up a storm. As he ranted, Nabiki raised an eyebrow. The otaku girl said, "One of his favorite web show hosts HATES the Bat Credit Card… Long story..." As the boy went nuts, the girl bonked him on the head. "Stop it, or you'll be watching Dragon Ball GT!" The boy growled, and then said, "Endless Eight."

Cue the girl losing it. The boy laughed, and said, "Now we're even." He ran to the stands before he could get bonked. Nabiki said, "I guess everyone in this town's nuts."

Momo chuckled. "He is nice, though."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Both Ryoga and Kuno watched them buy t-shirts with sweat drops on their heads.

“I guess that makes sense when one is an internet celebrity,” said the latter. That was when several birds flew by. “You evil!” he yelled at them. “You will pay!”

Is he yelling at birds? thought Ryoga. Why do I get the feeling this was the thing no one wanted to tell me about?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands, the two Otaku were talking.

“Looks like Kuno sanity has finally gone to the birds,” remarked the boy.

“You’re just going to keep saying that until it gets a laugh,” sighed the girl.

“Of course I am.” The two then did a laugh that Statler and Waldorf would've applauded.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Eventually, the birds flew away.

“Now we must fight,” Kuno said as he held out his wooden sword, and entered a fighting stance.

“Yeah…” agreed Ryoga with a sweat drop.

Kuno ran towards Ryoga with his sword drawn. Ryoga quickly grabbed his umbrella that he often carries around and used it to block the attack.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“How long do you think that umbrella will last?”, wondered Akane.

“That might look like a bamboo umbrella, but it’s not,” answered Ranma.

“Then what is it?”

“Some kind of metal.” Ranma gave a shrug.

“I see…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Kuno charged and Ryoga blocked. Ryoga then used his umbrella like a baseball bat, and knocked Kuno back. The two continued to clash with Ryoga getting more good hits than Kuno, earning cheers from the crowd. Very few wanted Kuno to win… and those that did only wanted to keep the honor of the school and would've preferred someone else from the one of the other sports to be fighting Ryoga.

As the two exchanged blows, Kuno’s sword broke. He tossed it aside, held out his hand, and caught a spare provided by one of the other members of the Kendo team.

“Looks like all you’re good at is brute strength,” said Kuno. “You'll need cleverness to defeat me.”

“Really?” asked Ryoga, who proceeded to take off his bandanna… revealing another bandanna underneath it and proceeded to do this repeatedly until he had a handful.

"CATCH!" Ryoga then started tossing loads of bandannas at Kuno.

As they flew at Kuno, he came to realize they were razor sharp, dodged them, and even stopped a few with his sword.

“This all you have? Trickery?” mocked Kuno.

Ryoga glared at him and once again pulled out his umbrella. The two began to clash weapons just like two swordfighters would do. Kuno dodged a blow, and Ryoga struck the ground, creating a huge indent similar to a crater.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“He was able to do that?”, asked Akane.

“Ryoga’s really strong,” said Ran, now wearing a “Kuno is a dope” t-shirt instead of her usual black one.

“That’s obvious. I didn’t think that strong though.”

“All of it brute strength,” said Shampoo.

“I see…” She looked at Chiyo, who was silently watching the fight. “Fluttershy, are you okay?”

“I’m fine…” whispered Chiyo.

“Are you sure?” Hikaru wasn't so sure. “They are fighting over you.”

“Really. I’m fine.” Chiyo flushed slightly, watching on, worried for Ryoga. Kuno might be an idiot and delusional, but she knew he was strong.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“So you have the strength to do this?” asked Kuno, “I underestimated your skill.” He then proceeded to swipe at the air, somehow creating a blade of air that cut Ryoga’s cheek as well as his clothes.

I have to stop him, thought Ryoga as he took off several more bandannas.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“How many bandanas does he have?” asked a confused Akane.

“We don’t know,” answered Momo, now wearing a “Team Ryoga” t-shirt over her dress.

Akane stared at Momo, and knew for a fact that she, of all people, er ponies... being confused about Ryoga’s bandannas was just plain weird.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoga flung the bandannas at Kuno, but he knocked them all away. Ryoga knew he had to do something more powerful. He then took off his belt—and much like the bandannas, another seemed to pop up in its place. He did something to it, which caused it to stiffen, then threw it like a boomerang, which avoided the slashes of air and cut Kuno’s sword in half.

Kuno tossed his broken weapon away and was tossed another one just as Ryoga took out his umbrella, opened it, and tossed it at him, only to miss.

The two glared at each other; the fight was getting more intense.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Attention!”, called out Nabiki. “We're sold out of 'Kuno is a Dope' T-shirts.”
Akane and Hikaru sweat dropped.

“Glad I got mine,” said Ranma as he now wore one.

“Shampoo too,” said Shampoo, also wearing one.

“How long has this been?” asked Akane.

“Five minutes,” answered Hikaru.

That’s right, everybody. "Kuno is a Dope" T-shirt sold out in five minutes! Five!

“How dare you lie about that!”, Kuno yelled from the battlefield.

“We’re not lying.” called out Belle.

“I don’t blame you, fair Belle.” Kuno replied with love filling his voice. “I blame everything on Nabiki Tendo!”

Belle could only sweat drop at that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Kuno turned his attention to his opponent, then ran towards him with his blade slashing, Ryoga dodging as much as he could. Then, Kuno began assaulting him with air blades, one of which hit Ryoga’s arm.

Ryoga winced slightly in pain as he managed to dodge the next assault and tied one of his bandanna’s around the injured arm.

“So do you surrender and give up Chiyo?” asked Kuno.

“There’s no way I’m giving her to you!” said Ryoga.

“Such a shame. I doubt you can use that arm for the rest of the fight.”

Ryoga answered by using that arm to pick up his umbrella and smash it into Kuno’s face.

“I was wrong. Very, very wrong.” Kuno was slightly woozy from the attack, but he managed to shake it off. “You’re a much more dangerous opponent than I thought.”

Ryoga’s eyes narrowed at Kuno's. “But not enough to defeat me!”

Kuno was about to strike Ryoga but was blocked by his opponent's umbrella. For the next several minutes, the two were locked.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“You can do it Ryoga!”, cheered Momo.

“Defeat him for the honor of Furinkan High!” yelled a member of the kendo team.

“Beat his sorry ass, Ryoga!” yelled a random boy.

“Do for the sake of the school!” yelled a member of the Judo team.

“You can beat him Ryoga!” yelled Ran. “Everyone who’s cheering for Kuno is just cheering for him because he goes here!”

The ones cheering for Kuno all sweat dropped. It was true, but… um… It was completely true… wait… that’s a bad thing.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoga began to take his fight against Kuno seriously and this overpowered the latter to the extent that he was sent flying several feet, earning cheers from most of the spectators.

I will not be defeated that easily!” yelled Kuno as he began to swipe at the air once again, but Ryoga managed to dodge.

“That’s getting old!” said Ryoga as he took off his bandannas and tossed them at Kuno.

“I shall say the same to you!”

Ryoga drew his umbrella and the two began to fight sword-to-umbrella once again. However, Kuno used all of his strength and managed to send the umbrella flying into the crowd and—of all places—the location where they were watching. In fact, the umbrella got buried deep into the ground.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane made an attempt to pick it up.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” advised Alex.

“Why?” Akane tried to lift it, but to no avail. “This is heavy.”

“We warned you,” said Ran with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoga grabbed one of his belts and began to wield it like a sword. Somehow, due to its strange sharpness, he was able to cut Kuno’s sword in half. Unfortunately for him, Kuno managed to acquire another from his team members, who the only ones left cheering him on.

“You certain have interesting weapons,” said Kuno. “But nothing can defeat the blade of Tatewaki Kuno!”

Ryoga once again sliced the sword in half, contradiction Kuno's statement, much to the amusement of the crowd as they chuckled at the irony.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Nothing can defeat the blade of Tatewaki Kuno!” said the otaku boy. “Expect for anything that cuts wood!”

“Which somehow includes belts!” added the otaku girl as the two of them calmly gave a high five to one another.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Kuno grabbed another wooden sword and the two continued to fight. However,
Ryoga was a slight disadvantage; he didn’t want to use another belt and he didn’t have his umbrella.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“He needs his umbrella back,” said Chiyo as she watched the fight with everyone else.

“Twi, do you think you can…” Ranma began to ask.

Hikaru sighed as she used her magic. Her hands glowed in her signature aura and the umbrella did likewise as it was lifted out of the ground. “Ryoga!” she called out as she 'hurled' the umbrella.

Ryoga managed to catch it and use it to block Kuno's sword. Thankfully, no one noticed the magic… Well, all but one…

It was a boy with dark blue hair and light blue eyes. He looked at Hikaru.

“That was magic,” he whispered to himself. How was she able to use magic? He did know one thing, though; there was no way he's telling his sister.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Kuno and Ryoga continued to block each other’s attacks. The former decided to once again slice the air, but the latter knew what to do; he opened his umbrella and used it as a shield.

Kuno scowled in disgust as the maneuver. That umbrella's powerful, and it makes for the perfect shield, he thought.

Ryoga smirked, knowing he had the upper hand as he then grabbed his next belt and threw it at Kuno, which was evaded. However, this turned out to be a bad thing for both of them.

The belt headed towards the audience, right for where Ranma and co. were standing. They all managed to dodge but there was a causality. A rather minor one, but one nonetheless; it sliced Akane’s hair, right where the ponytail she was wearing was tied. Kuno and Ryoga stopped their fight and stared in silence.

“Oh no!”, lamented Kuno. “What have I done?!”

Ryoga looked Akane, red with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Akane stood in shock. She had mixed feeling for what just happened. Shock, disappointment, anger, and even a little happiness. Ever since her date with Ranma, she had considering cutting it.

But this was just… weird. After all, what were the chances of getting a hair cut like this?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Kuno! How dare you!” yelled one of Akane’s friends named Sayuri, who wore her dark-brown hair in a ponytail.

“That’s right!” agreed a long light-brown haired girl named Yuka, another friend of Akane's. “You should be ashamed of yourself!” The two then proceeded to beat him up. “A girl wouldn’t be caught dead getting a haircut like that!”

“That’s right!”

“But I’m equally as guilty,” Ryoga said with a sweat drop as he watched Kuno get beaten up. What he didn’t know however was that those two always wanted to beat up Kuno, and now that they found a good excuse, they took the chance. And of course, others joined in the beat down.

And so Ryoga won by default.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“That was anti-climactic,” said the girl otaku.

“It sure was,” agreed the otaku boy, “But Kuno still lost.”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Belle noticed that Akane was still in shock. “Akane, darling, it’s going to be fine.” She grabbed Akane’s arm and dragged her away; even if it was traumatic for the youngest of the Tendos, they all couldn’t help but sweat drop.

“You don’t have to do that!” called out Hikaru.

“How would you even be able to hide your magic if you decide to re-grow her hair?” asked Ranma.

Hikaru was unable to come up with an answer.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoga was still in shock over what he did.

“Are you okay?” asked Chiyo.

Ryoga blushed. “I’m fine…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later…

In the bathroom of the Tendo Residence, Akane managed to regain herself.

“So, what kind of cut do you want?” asked Rarity as she sat with the youngest Tendo sister.

“Just even it out as much as possible.”

“It's a good thing it hit where it was tied. Any higher and you'd have to go with a pixie cut.” Akane could only sweat drop as a response. “Or do you want Twilight to re-grow it?”

“She can do that?”

“Yes, but you’re going to have to lie about how you got it long again.”

“No, I was planning on cutting it anyway.”

This part was a surprise to Rarity.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the living room, Fluttershy was cleaning Ryoga’s cuts.

“Please don’t get into a fight with him again,” she pleaded.

“But, the way he was acting…” Ryoga began to protest.

“But there’s something wrong with him.”

“So he’s crazy.”

“Let the others handle him. You don’t have to do it for me…”

Ryoga looked at the Pegasus and answered, “Okay.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet!” remarked Pinkie Pie, who happened to be in the room.

Both of them sweat dropped when she said that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Up in the bathroom, Rarity was finishing up Akane’s haircut.

“I see…” said the former as the latter gave a nod. “I guess then I should make you a brand new Akane!”

“No!”

“But if I—”

“No.”

“Then how about a new—”

“No…”

“What about—”

“Just a haircut.” sighed Akane.

“Fine…” Rarity sighed as well. I really wanted to give her a full makeover. Then again, Akane's just as tomboyish as Rainbow Dash and Applejack, so I probably shouldn’t be surprised. “At least let me put on a few cute accessories like a hair band or some cute hair pins.”

“Fine…but only that!”

“Okay…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later, Akane came downstairs and into the living room, earning surprised faces from those who have watched the fight; her hair was much shorter now, barely touching her shoulders. Nobody was surprised how nice it looked, though; after all, it was Rarity who did it.

“It looks cute!” said Pinkie.

“It does,” agreed Fluttershy.

Akane looked at Ranma, who knew it was his cue to say something. “It fits you much better than having long hair,” he said.

“Thank you,” said Akane as she gave a smile.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to re-grow your hair?” asked Twilight.

“I’m sure.”

“I am so sorry!” said Ryoga as he bowed to her, “I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. Please, if you want to hit me…”

Akane sighed; she knew he felt guilty over it. And decided to deliver. However, she went a little overboard; Ryoga now lay twitching on the ground, beaten and bruised.

“Ryoga, are you okay?” asked Fluttershy.

“I’m fine!” Ryoga gave a thumbs-up.

While Akane did want her haircut, she was a teeny bit resentful that she didn’t do it on her own terms. That and she was still a little angry about the time he accidently peeked at her in the bath…

She still had some issues when it came to boys, that was for sure.

Enter the Speed Demon

Chapter 11: Enter the Speed Demon

Outdoors in the field at Furinkan High…

It was track practice today and the girls track team were getting ready for a practice race. They were lined up on the track, ready to run on the assistant coach's signal. And then…

BANG!

The starting pistol was shot and they were off. Each of the girls gave it their all, but one of them sped past them all; Ran. Outrunning all of them, she made it to the finish line first. Ten seconds ahead of the eventual second-placer. All of the other girls were tired; no matter how they tried, Ran ALWAYS won.

“Issanni,” called the assistant coach.

“Yeah?” asked Ran.

The assistant coach gave a smile. “Another record smashed.”

“Really? All right!” Ran pumped a fist into the air in triumph.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night, Rainbow Dash was—for lack of a better word—bragging about her recent record while lazing about on a cloud while the other five ponies, Akane, Ranma, and Shampoo were in the nearby living room.

“That was the 4th school record I broke since joining the team,” bragged Rainbow. “It’s a good thing that I didn’t use the Rainburst! Because with that, I'd instantly win!”

“The Rainburst?” asked Akane.

“She channels ki into her feet that causes her to run so fast it leaves a rainbow trail,” explained Pinkie.

“Oh yeah, that thing.” Akane then recalled how Ran saved Ranma from being caught 'changing' in the rain.

“Calm down, sugar cube," said Applejack. "Remember what happened last time you got a big head?”

Rainbow Dash sweat dropped at that memory. “I don’t think you guys can don a disguise this time.”

Akane looked at Ranma, hoping he could explain to her what they meant.
Unfortunately, he said, “Hey, just because I’ve known them longer doesn’t mean I know everything.”

Akane sighed, turned to Rainbow Dash, then asked, “If you’re able to do that, why don’t you channel ki to make yourself fly?” Akane had heard of stories of those who mastered enough in ki being able to do so such feats.

“About that…” said Rainbow.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

-Flashback-

Cologne was surprised how fast Rainbow Dash excelled in learning about chi (or ki as it was in known in Japan) whenever she wasn’t training against someone else.

That was why she suggested Rainbow (in human form) should channel chi in such a way that she could fly. Their aliases haven't been devised until after they left for Japan.

While Rainbow was good at channeling chi, she wasn’t that good; every time she tried to fly by chi, she kept crashing. All of her friends couldn’t help but watch as she crashed each time.

“This isn’t working…” complained Rainbow.

“Of course it’s not working,” said one of the village natives. Her name was Fructis, who had light blue hair put into twin buns and braids, “You need wings! That will work!”

And so Fructis went to go get her wings of some kind. The type wings cartoon characters attempt to flap with using their arms.

What happened next was something that everyone agreed never to bring up ever again.

-End Flashback-

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Everyone but Akane were sweat dropping at the question the youngest Tendo gave.

“So… what happened?”, she asked, who was very confused.

“Don’t ask…” was all that Shampoo said.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Elsewhere…

There was a girl checking on her computer, reading the things about Furinkan High’s new star athlete.

“Rainbow Dash is what they call her… it fits,” said the girl as she gave a smirk. “I’ll have to pay a visit to Furinkan High on the next day they practice.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day, at Furinkan High…

It was just insane! Ran's shoe locker was stuffed with love letters. And not all of them were from boys, strangely enough. Also, several of their classmates wanted to eat lunch with her.

“This is getting ridiculous,” muttered Akane.

“This is almost as bad when she started acting like a superhero,” muttered Belle.

Akane, Ranma and Shampoo all turned to them in confusion.

“Don’t ask.” mumbled Hikaru.

That was when they heard a couple of girls gossiping.

“I’m getting sick of Ran already,” said one of them.

“I know," agreed another. "Breaking the school’s records and haven’t even been here a month.”

“I heard that the Speed Demon has gotten word about her.”

“Really? That should take her down a peg.”

“She may be speedy… but there’s no way she can handle that.” They then glared at the girls who noticed before walking away.

“I wonder what’s that about…” said Akane.

“I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling about it,” grumbled Hikaru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ran was telling the people surrounding her about the second time she broke a record when Kuno sneaked in from behind. Although those around didn’t see him.

“That is so amazing,” said one boy.

“I know, right!” bragged Ran.

“Oh Ran!", said Kuno as he glomped her. "You are amazing!”

“Get out of here!” Ran yelled, kicking him out of a window, causing everyone in the room to sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that afternoon…

The Furinkan High track team was going for a run around the city when…

“Hey! Hey! Rainbow Dash!”, said a boy on the team, “Can you please show that Rainburst when we get back?”

“Sure…” agreed Ran with a sweat drop.

“The Rainburst, that sounds interesting,” came another voice. The team stopped as none of them has spoken. They then looked around to see who spoke. They found a girl in a tracksuit with short tan hair and sunglasses concealing her eyes. “So, you’re the one they call Rainbow Dash.” she said as she took her sunglasses, revealing her orange eyes. “Is it true that you’re good at martial arts?”

“So what of it?” asked Ran as she stared back at the girl.

“Oh my god!" yelled the boy who asked Ran earlier. "You’re Ryoko Hirano! The one they call “Speed Demon”!“

“Who?” asked Ran.

“Not only is she the fastest girl in all of Tokyo, but she’s the reigning champ of Anything Goes Martial Arts Running,” said one of the girls in the track team.

“No one has beaten her yet,” said another girl.

“Ran Issanni, I challenge you to a Anything Goes Marital Arts Marathon!” declared Ryoko.

“What?” asked Ran.

“An Anything Goes Martial arts Marathon. Oh, I see you don’t get it. Simply put, we have a marathon…and we'll be fighting each other while doing it. Get it?”

“Yeah, I get it! And I accept.”

“Very good, Issanni.” Ryoko put her sunglasses back on. “I’ll be back in a few days to give you the details of the course I had in mind.” With that, she ran off, leaving behind a trail of dust as she was gone in seconds.

“Wow, Ran. I know you’re new, but you’ve bitten off more than you can chew,” said the girl who first recognized Ryoko. “By the way, I didn’t mean to rhyme there…that… was just weird…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later that day, Rainbow Dash was looking up Ryoko on the internet. Well, actually, it was Twilight looking it up for her.

“Has yet to lose a track meet or lose to someone in martial arts running,” said her bookish unicorn friend as she looked up the information. “In Martial Arts Running, she has won 20 times in both the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash, 10 times in the…”

“Okay, stop, stop…” cut in Rainbow; she'd heard enough. “What about the Marathon?”

“She won 5 times in that…”

“That doesn’t sound so bad. It’s going to be one on one.”

“Why is she reassuring herself like that?” Akane asked with a sweat drop.

“It’s a long story,” answered Twilight.

“One I don’t want to know.”

“No… something you might be interested in.” Twilight then looked at the clock. “But I have to tell you another time… I have to do something else.”

“Homework?”

“No, I’m saving that for later.” In a way, Twilight's answer made Akane sweat drop.

Apparently, Twilight seems to be happy doing homework.

While they were talking, Rainbow started looking up Ryoko's stats. “There’s one thing I have to do.” she said.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day…

At the Furinkan High track, Ran was doing stretches and warm-ups. Hikaru, Ranma, Akane, Momo, and Alex were there to help her in any way she needed. Shampoo had work in the café, Belle was busy in her shop, and Chiyo knew she wouldn't be of much support with her soft "yay"s.

“I brought the weights,” called out Momo as she took out several gigantic weights from…somewhere.

“Where did you get those things?” asked Akane.

Momo shrugged; even she didn’t know.

“Why did you give me the weights?” asked Ran. “I don’t need them.”

“So then, what kind of training are you going to do?” asked Akane.

“I’m going to perfect the Rainburst!”

“What do you mean perfect?”

“She gets exhausted whenever she uses it,” explained Hikaru.

“Shouldn't you perfect your fighting skills so that you can do so while in a race?” asked Alex.

“I already know how to do that," said Ran. "In fact, you know how to do that too.”

“Oh, snap!” gasped Momo and everyone stared at her with sweat drops.

“We should start asking about these things,” said Ranma.

“Yeah…" agreed Akane.

“Pinkie… please don’t say “Oh, snap!” again,” complained Ran with a sweat drop.

“I’ll try.”

“What exactly are you going to do?” Alex asked Ran.

“You’ll see.” She began to run, going so fast a rainbow trail followed her. Everyone watched her go around the track in a mere matter of seconds and reach the finish line. Upon stopping, it was apparent that she was wiped and had to catch her breath.

“Are you okay?” asked Hikaru.

“I’m fine,” Ran assured her dismissively. She continued to do this for the next half-hour. And that was how long it took for her to become completely exhausted.

“You okay?” asked Ranma for, what was probably, over the 9000th time.

“I’m fine…” assured Ran as she lay on the ground. “Though I can’t move.”

“Then you’re not fine!” yelled Akane and Hikaru as Alex and Ranma sweat dropped.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After practice…

Ranma picked up Ran and carried her back to the Dojo. “How about tomorrow you practice running while fighting,” he suggested.

“He’s got a point, I’ll help ya’ll,” offered Alex, “It will just like the Running of the Leaves... 'cept this time, we won’t tie for last.”

I’m seriously lost, thought Ranma with a sweat drop. Note to self: Remember to ask what these girls get into...

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Upon returning to the dojo, Ran had a long bath, and in the process returned to her Pegasus form.

All of a sudden, something pulled her under the water. It was Pinkie Pie, who had somehow gotten into the bath with her.

“What did you do that for?!” yelled Rainbow.

“You looked like you were going to quit,” said Pinkie.

“What?” Rainbow didn’t know how to respond to this.

“You took this challenge! And you should continue it!”

“I don’t need a speech… I wasn’t planning on quitting.”

“Oh… I have the perfect idea to help in your training tomorrow!”

“What? It doesn’t have anything to do with some sort of inner training to face off an enemy within me, does it?” Pinkie sweat dropped.

“How did you know?”

“Pinkie Pie…” Rainbow gave a sigh. “You read too much manga.”

“But it’s so fun!” Pinkie cheered happily. “Fairy Tail is so awesome!”

Rainbow sighed again and sweat dropped.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day…

At the school's track, Alex stood next to Ran, and both of them were ready to race. Hikaru was just at the track's edge, holding a stopwatch. Ranma, Momo, and Akane stood next to her.

“On your mark, get set, go!” she called out.

The two took off as they started to run laps around the track, settling for two laps. Ran delivered a kick against Alex, and that was when the spar in Martial Arts Running truly began. Since this was a spar, Ran didn't go all out. Still, the scene looked like something from a Shonen manga.

“Maybe I should have done this,” said Ranma.

“Applejack's still a beginner,” explained Hikaru.

All of a sudden, Momo yelled, “That’s it! I’ll be the announcer for the real fight!”

“What does that have to do with anything?” asked Akane.

“Just ignore her,” told Hikaru with a sweat drop.

As they watched the spar, a different voice spoke up. “That’s interesting, but I was hoping to see her practice the Rainburst I heard so much about.”

Ran and Alex paused in their spar and everybody turned to see Ryoko…and Ran began to laugh.

The reason why was because Ryoko was wearing her school uniform. Ryoko attended Seisyun High School, which had one of the girliest uniforms in the area. And the tough tomboy didn’t look too happy with having to be dressed like that.

Ryoko predicted their thoughts and said, “I know! I hate this uniform, but I enrolled because its sports teams were undefeatable.” She then began to mumble under her breath, “Now I know they cheated…”

“What are you doing here anyway?” asked Ran.

Ryoko answered by holding up a map. “I have managed to get everything done with. Got the permits, got the schedule, got the layout, a remote control helicopter camera, and even threatened the cheerleaders that if they show up they will pay.”

“What's that last one?” asked Ran as everyone else heard that little ramble and sweat dropped.

“Don’t ask. The race will happen a week from Sunday! So you better prepare, because I will trounce you!”

“I will prepare all right! You're going DOWN!”

“So you’re going to prefect this Rainburst I keep hearing about? Because you better use it! It’s the reason why I challenged you after all!" With that, Ryoko walked away.

“Why aren’t you running?” asked Momo.

“You expect me to run in this?" retorted Ryoko as she gestured at the skirt. "This thing's restrictive! Plus, my mom takes away my allowance if I rip these and I'll have to replace them. She thinks I rip them up on purpose.” She then began to sweat drop after realizing—“Why am I even talking to you?!” With that, she picked up the pace without so much as breaking into a jog.

As Ranma watched her leave, Ran came and cut him off, seemingly knowing what he was thinking. “Ranma… don’t.”

“What?” asked Ranma. “I wasn’t thinking of challenging her.”

“Do you know what an “Atomic Rainboom” is?”

Ranma sweat dropped, “No…”

“If you don’t steal my opponent, then you won’t know. What I need to do is to perfect the Rainburst… not this.”

Alex sighed and walked over to where the others were watching. “Looks like there’s no conniving her,” she said.

“It’s going to be worse than you with the last Applebuck Season,” said Momo. Alex groaned.

“Please don’t put it that way…”

They all sighed. It was a good thing the race was more than a week away because Ran was going to need all that time to perfect it.

This wasn’t going to end well…

The Fastest One Alive

Chapter 13: The Fastest One Alive

The "Furinkan High VS. Seisyun High Anything Goes Martial Arts Marathon" continued, with Ran and Ryoko continuing to exchange blows as they ran the course. It was still a very long way to the finish line.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“And now we get to the Tomobiki section,” said Shiro. “And I would like to remind the camera operators not to try to look for Lum in the crowd. She may be beautiful, but everyone's here to watch the race, not the scantly clad alien princess.”

“What?” asked Momo.

Shiro was surprised that Momo didn't know about her. “You don’t know about Lum?” Momo shook her head. “Just never mind…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“What did you do back there?” Ran asked Ryoko, who then tried to push her.

“Don’t talk, fight!”, Ryoko reminded. Ran went ahead, then turned around to do her backwards run. “This again? You’re a one trick pony.”

“What?” Ran fell over on her back from being called a “one trick pony” as she did not understand the term.

“Wow, I guess you hate having pointed out that you only have one thing in your arsenal.” Ryoko then ran past her.

Ran sweat dropped and thought as she got up, I guess it’s an expression here. She then caught up with Ryoko and delivered a powerful punch, sending her flying.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” said Ryoko.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the crowd, everyone was enjoying the race. Among them was a girl with green hair and horns protruding from her head. She was watching with excitement as the race approached her and her companion, a young boy with similarly colored hair and a single horn protruding from his head.

“Oh, I don’t get why Darling didn’t want to come,” she said.

“He said something about the two being too flat,” replied the boy, who added in an all-too-innocent way, “Whatever that meant…”

The girl scowled. “Darling”'s going to get his…

Just then,

That was when one of the cameras flew down in front of her, as if expecting her to be wearing something other than the t-shirt and jeans she was wearing. It then flew away 'sadly' before it could be electrocuted by lighting.

CAMEO!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the announcers booth…

“So Lum is not dressed in her trade mark tiger striped bikini,” said Shiro, “Good thing too, because she would've blown up the camera.”

“So… Lum is an human version of a Eleboo,” said Momo as she checked a computer for information on this Lum person. (By the way, that’s Electabuzz for you Americans!)

Shiro blinked from her strange antics, “Sure… let’s go with that…” He had no idea how to respond to his co-announcer referring to Lum as a Pokémon.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the race…

Ryoko caught a glimpse of the green-haired girl and knew that they were in the middle of Tomobiki knowing it would best to suggest a ceasefire.

“Let’s just race until the turn,” mumbled Ryoko, “I want to get out of this area as fast as I can.”

Ran stared at her and asked, “Weren’t you the one who planned out this race path?”

“No… my school did. I think my arch-nemesis is behind it…wouldn’t be surprised if she used puppy-dog eyes at the principal to get her way just to annoy me. Don’t ask… you don’t want to know.”

Ran just shrugged. She might not have been there very long, but even she knew the reputation of Tomobiki. Then again, it was only because no one in the track team wanted to race anywhere in the town and they had told her why. But still…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“It appears they’re just racing until the turn,” said Shiro, “I understand why, Tomobiki is a den of weirdness that can’t be topped.”

“What if Furinkan is filled with people who are cursed to change into something else because of the water temperature?” asked Momo.

“That’s weird… but it doesn’t beat dinosaurs that appear from nowhere because of time travel.”

“Wow… that happened?”

“That’s not the weirdest thing either.”

“Oh, they’re approaching the turn.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

As the racers approached the turn, Ryoko smirked.

She’s going to do that thing again, thought Ran as they made the turn.
Ryoko faced Ran and said, “Well Rainbow Dash, it’s time to see if you can catch up to me.” She took a deep breath, then was once again off with her Demon Speed.

“She planned this…” muttered Ran.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in the announcers booth…

“Looks like the turn was the one of the points she had in mind to use Demon Speed," said Shiro. "Which is why she’s the best around.” He then looked at Momo and realized that they had to have some form of neutrality, “Unless Ran beats hers, that is.”

“You didn’t have to add that,” said Momo.

“Oh… okay.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ran turned the corner, and knew that she had to do. I was planning to save this for the end of the race… she thought. That was when she did it; the Rainburst.
With it, she caught up to Ryoko, who couldn’t help but stare at the trail.

“So that’s the Rainburst I heard so much about,” she mumbled.

“That’s right.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the announcers booth, Shiro’s jaw dropped.

“She’s running so fast she’s breaking the laws of reality,” he said, “Somehow, it’s completely shattering the visible light spectrum.”

“Oh, that’s not what’s going on," said Momo. "She’s running so fast that there’s an afterimage caused by her hair.”

“Oh… It’s less fun your way.”

“Sorry…”

“It’s okay.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the starting line, the Ryoko fanboys were confused and didn’t know how to react. Their opinions were divided; some of them wanted to say things about how the Rainburst was just a cheap imitation of Demon Speed, while the others wanted to say that was the most awesome thing they ever seen!

It got so out of hand that the fanboys split into two factions.

“Rainbow Dash is just as awesome as the Speed Demon!” yelled someone on the pro-Ran side.

“Ryoko will win the race, it ain’t over until it’s over!” yelled someone on the anti-Ran side.

Cue fan fight.

Most of the Furinkan High students ignored them because it was getting too weird.

“She may have perfected it,” said Cologne, “But she still has a limit.”

“Do you think she’ll wear herself out?” asked Hikaru.

“It’s doubtful. She may hate losing, but she knows her limits.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the race…

Watching the screens, the two announcers saw that Ran and Ryoko have slowed down from their subsonic speeds and resumed exchanging blows.

“They are now approaching the Higurashi shrine!” said Momo.

“That’s right," agreed Shiro. "The legendary Higurashi shrine, said to hold a well that’s hundreds of years old.”

“And it acts like a time portal, but only to a chosen few.”

“What… You know what, never mind.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the shrine gates, the family that managed the shrine waited for the two racers. With them stood someone who seemed to be a teenage boy with long white hair, wearing red garments that went out of style hundreds of years ago, a strange necklace, and a baseball cap on his head.

“So what is this again?” the boy wanted to know. Oddly, his voice sounded just like Ranma's did.

“An Anything Goes Martial Arts Marathon,” answered the daughter of the family.

“Is that common in this time period?”

“Only in one district.”

That was when Ran and Ryoko zipped past them while dodging each other's blows.

The boy’s eye twitched for some reason, “That’s… that what you were waiting for the last few days? THAT?”

The girl glared at him and said, “Sit, boy.”

The necklace glowed and it somehow forced him to the ground.

CAMEO!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the announcer booth…

“Oh come on, she already did that joke!” complained Momo.

“What?” asked Shiro.

“Then again, Inu-Yasha is much more known than Urusei Yatsura.”

Shiro stared at his co-announcer, deeply confused at what she was talking about.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on the track…

The two racers continued to exchange blows. Ran tried to do a sweeping kick at Ryoko’s feet, but her opponent jumped into the air.

“You have to do better than that, Rainbow Dash,” mocked Ryoko.

That was when Ryoko saw something ahead and smirked. They were at another “Demon Speed Point” as she called them, so as she landed, she began to speed up once again.

“Horse apples,” spat out Ran; she wasn’t sure if she was able to use the Rainburst again so soon.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“She used Demon Speed again!", said Shiro. "I don’t think Ran “Rainbow Dash” Issanni will be able to catch up.”

“Oh no! You can beat her Rainbow Dash!” yelled Momo, “I know you can do it!”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Just then, Ryoko decided to turned around and stopped. She gave a sigh and said, “She's still a newbie. I guess she can’t use the Rainburst as much I can use Demon Speed.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The screens showed this, and the fanboys started cheering.

“Ryoko is compassionate!” yelled one.

“I love it when she does that,” squeed another.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“I don’t believe it!” yelled Shiro, “It’s not seen that much. But here it is; the Demon’s Compassion as it’s known!”

“What?” asked Momo, “The Demon’s Compassion?”

“Ryoko strongly believes in playing fair. If she feels like she has an unfair advantage, she will stop doing it! Though… it really depends on Rainbow Dash’s pride… normally this involves the Seisyun High Cheer Squad… but it’s rare to see something like this!”

“I don’t think Rainbow Dash will like this.”

“Yeah… she does seem like the type.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the race, Ran got to where Ryoko was standing. “What?”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it Newbie,” replied as Ryoko joined Ran in running.

“Wait… you’re going easy on me?”

“I guess you don’t want me to?”

“No…”

“Fine then.” Ryoko then jumped into the air and performed a spinning kick to Ran’s back.

“Why you…” Ran quickly got up and landed an uppercut on her.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Oh man! It’s getting serious!", said Shiro. "Looks like Rainbow Dash has too much pride. Then again, this is a race where the cheer squad wasn’t involved, so it balances out.”

“Why do you keep bringing up the cheer squad?” asked Momo.

“If you attended our school, then you’d know…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The two conceited to hit each other, the blows getting fiercer. As they did, Ryoko noticed something; While Ran was a newbie, her hits were much more precise than hers.

“So I take it you’re a black belt,” she asked.

“So what if I am?”

“You are?! I was just messing with you…” Ryoko sweat dropped on this discovery.

“Crap….” Just then, she made another smirk. “I’m not as skilled as you are when it comes to actual martial arts, but I know one thing.” Once again, she began to channel her Demon Speed; they had gotten to another one of her points to use it.
Ran gritted her teeth, but figured that it had been long enough to once again do it! Immediately, she did the Rainburst.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“She did! She really did it!" cheered Momo. "She did the Rainburst for a second time!”

“But will she be able to do it a third time in this race?" said Shiro. "We’ll have to wait and see.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoko was about to slow down from her Demon Speed when she saw it; Ran was catching up to her.

“So it looks like you’re able to do it a second time.” she taunted.

“You talk too much during a fight,” said Ran.

“Don’t you dare steal my line!”

Once again, the fight got serious. Ran managed to kicked Ryoko several feet into the air, who got up and tried to come back with an upset which Ran dodged.
Ran began to speed up very quickly, away from Ryoko.

You’re not going to be the one to defeat me, thought Ryoko, who then began to pick up her speed. She knew that it was time to use the Demon Speed.
Ran saw Ryoko catching up to her and thought. I only have one more Rainburst within me… I’m sure of it.

They continued at the pace they were going. This went on for a while, however…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“We got less than 100 meters until the finish line!” said Shiro, “I’m sure this is where the magic happens! Who will make it first?”

“Come on, Dashie!" cheered Momo. "You can do it!”

“Dashie?” Shiro then shrugged.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoko made yet another smirk. She knew one thing; she had to use the final Demon Speed. Just as she got ready for it, something happened; She slipped on a pebble, and sprained her ankle.

Great, I twisted my ankle, she thought, Just perfect.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“What just happened?” asked Shiro.

“She slipped on a pebble,” answered Momo, “I hope she's all right. After all, the writer once slipped on a tiny pebble and broke her ankle.”

“Yeah... wait, what? ” He then shook his head. “Anyway, it looks like she’s down.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the race…

Ran turned around and saw what happened.

“You okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine and dandy! I can still race.” She tired to get up, but couldn’t stand up for long.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands, the crowds were silent.

“What do you think Rainbow’s going to do?” asked Alex.

“I don’t know,” answered Hikaru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back with the racers…

Ran held out her hand.

“Huh…” said Ryoko.

“You were taking going easy on me, and now doing the same for you.”

Ryoko stared at the hand and didn’t know how to react. “You don’t have to do this on your own. You would win fair and square…”

“I could, but it wouldn’t feel right.”

“Yet you complain when I showed you compassion.”

“That was different. You’re hurt.”

Ryoko continued to stare at Ran’s hand, which was still held out.

“You’re an interesting one.” Ryoko took the hand, “And because of that, you're my only opponent that I truly respect.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“She took her hand! She took her hand!", yelled Shiro. "Unless these are ploys.... I’m declaring it a tie people!”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ran helped Ryoko up, and helped her to the finish line. It took about 10 minutes and when both of them crossed, the crowd had no honest idea on know to react.

“That was anti-climatic,” Ranma broke the silence. This earned him several smacks on the head.

That was also when the fanboys began to cry and swarmed Ran.

“You Ran Issanni! You are so compassionate!” yelled one of them.

“You are Ryoko’s true rival!” cried another one.

“You will be the only one we will ever cheer on if you’re not racing against Ryoko,” called out a third.

“Way to go, Rainbow Dash…" said Ryoko. "My fanboys are now yours."

“What?” asked Ran with a sweat drop.

“We’re going to have to do this again. But next time, I’m going to win.”

“Yeah right.”

The two shook hands and a rather interesting friendship/rivalry was born. This would turn out to be the only one that would be a true friendship as the other Equestrians would gain rivals as well.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night at the Tendo Residence…

“Rainbow Dash! Go out with me!”

“Ms. Issanni! Marry me!”

Rainbow Dash tried to drown out the voices using her pillow. As it was, some of Ryoko's fanboys… the ones who had developed a crush on her—had followed her home.

“It’s the middle of the night!" Akane yelled from her window. "Go away!”

Rainbow Dash may not have won the title of the best runner in the city, but she had a horde of obsessive fan boys…

That didn’t even go to her school!

Then again, it was Nerima…

The Black Rose

Chapter 14: The Black Rose

One afternoon…

Belle, Shampoo and Ranma-Chan were all walking home together.

“I can’t believe your behavior," fumed Belle. "Do you have any shame? Using your looks to get free food.”

“So what…” asked Ranma-Chan, “If I’m cursed like this, I might as well use it.”

“I’m cursed to turn human, but do I use my beauty to get extra food?”

“Whatever…”

Belle turned to Shampoo for support. “Shampoo, aren’t you going to take sides?”

“Shampoo think you fighting is stupid.”

Suddenly, they all heard a scream.

“What was that?” asked Ranma-Chan.

Immediately, the three were off, headed for where they heard the scream. When they arrived, they saw a girl with long black hair put into a side ponytail. She wore a sailor fuku, though it wasn't that of Furinkan High or Seisyun High. And she was whipping a bunch of people in bandages with a gymnastics ribbon. Ranma-Chan jumped in front of them and caught the ribbon with her bare hands.

“Who are you?” asked the girl.

“That’s enough. You already won,” said Ranma-Chan. “Just leave them alone.”

“You caught my ribbon like it was nothing.” The girl then reached a for a club at her foot. “You’re not an ordinary girl.”

“I guess you could say that.”

The girl tried to toss the club at Ranma-Chan, but she was about to deliver a roundhouse kick to her legs. The girl dodged this attack, performing a flip and landing on her feet. “You’re good.” She then took out a black rose and tossed it at Ranma-Chan. “I am the Black Rose of Saint Bacchus’ School for Girls, Kodachi.” As she said this, both Shampoo and Belle were comforting the ones she was hurting earlier. "Don't forget me," she then told Ranma-Chan before leaving the scene.

“You okay?” Shampoo asked one of the victims, who was trying not to cry.

“We’re fine…”

“Belle, Shampoo, can you take us to Akane?” asked another.

“How do you know our names?” the former asked in return.

They removed their bandages, revealing them not only to be teenage girls, but they were also from Furinkan High, the same class in fact.

I almost mistook them for men. Ranma-Chan thought with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later, at the Tendo Dojo…

Ranma-Chan, Belle, and Shampoo explained their situation to Akane in her room while their Furinkan High classmates listened in. Ryoga was there as well, who miraculously managed to not get lost since the race. Just about everyone else was there too, the ponies in their human forms, of course.

“Every member of the team has been injured?” asked the youngest Tendo sister.

“Yes,” said one of the girls rescued. “You see, the next match is anything goes Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics.”

“Is there anything this town won’t turn into a martial arts form?” asked Alex with a sweat drop.

“The schools' champions fight with the techniques of Rhythmic Gymnastics,” explained another girl.

“I don’t fully get it,” said Akane, “But if you need my help…”

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” piped in Ryoga.

“Is this about the ambushes?”

“No… because—and don’t take this the wrong way—you’re not graceful enough.”
Akane glared at him. “I do gymnastics all the time.”

“No, wait. Ryoga has a point," said the third girl rescued. "The reason why we chose you is because you’re the best martial artist around.”

“There is another girl who has the grace and the skill we’re looking for,” said the first girl.

They turned their attention on Ran. “No,” she said.

“She’s a member of the track team, remember,” said the third girl, “And the new star. If she does it, it will just cause problems.”

Belle sighed and offered, “I’ll do it.”

The room became deathly silent at this. “You?” asked Ranma-Chan.

“Yes. why not me?”

“You hate martial arts,” said Alex.

“But this is different.”

“Is because is gymnastics?” asked Shampoo.

“Yes. it’s supposed to be a sport of grace, even if it is martial arts. And just because I don't like it, doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.”

“Oh yeah," said Momo. "Remember that time when Discord got to us and she tried to—”

Belle gave her a death glare and growled, “I thought we agreed never to talk about THAT again.”

Ryoga turned to the three gymnastics and asked, “So it’s up to you, the one who good at martial arts but not graceful or the one who who’s graceful but hates martial arts?”

The three gymnasts began to huddle, voting to see who would be the one to fight Kodachi. Surprisingly, their decision and reason for it was unanimous.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night, after seeing the three gymnasts off, Ryoga was teaching the selected one the ways of Anything Goes Martial Arts. The reason behind this was because—other than his massive strength—he's an expert. “Okay, now; the only rule is that no barehanded contact is allowed.” he said.

“Really?" said Belle. "So it’s less barbaric than I thought it would be.”

“I can’t believe they didn’t choose me,” muttered Akane as she watched.

“You know, you still haven’t proven that you wouldn’t accidentally tie yourself with the ribbon the first time you use it,” pointed out Ranma.

“I’ll show you later.”

“Now before I get started, does anyone have questions?” asked Ryoga. Everyone in the room raised their hands/hooves. “Besides asking how I know so much about Rhythmic Gymnastics.” Everyone brought their hand/hoof down. He then turned to his friend/rival. “Ranma, I need your help with this.” Ranma groaned.

“You’re going to use me as a training dummy, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Ranma groaned at this. “Fine, but you owe me one.”

Twilight Sparkle, on the other hand, was very nervous.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?”, Pinkie asked her.

“Okay, Rarity, like this…” Ryoga said as he taught Belle how to use the ribbon.

“I was thinking, you don’t think Kodachi is going to ambush her like she did everyone else?” asked Twilight.

“Oh, come on," scoffed Rainbow Dash. "What are the chances of that happening?”

“That hurt!” yelled Ranma as he got pounded.

“You no see ambush,” said Shampoo. “Shampoo agree. Crazy girl strike again.”

“It probably won’t happen until tomorrow,” said Rainbow. “I doubt she knows about what’s going on.”

“Like this?” asked Belle as she copied Ryoga in hitting Ranma with the ribbon.

“If anything, she’ll be after Akane,” piped in Applejack.

“What? What makes you think that?”

“Wow… you really are good,” said Ranma as he hid his pain.

“Well, you were the first choice.”

“Okay, Rarity. We’ll try the ball next,” said Ryoga meanwhile. “Ranma. This isn’t dodge ball, so please don’t dodge.”

“What did you just say?”

“That’s it!” yelled Akane in frustration, grabbing one of the ribbons that was placed on the ground. Everybody else all watched as Akane proceeded to end up proving their classmates right; she somehow tied herself up with the ribbon.

“Are you okay?” asked Fluttershy.

“Don’t say anything…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After getting untangled, Akane decided to go to her room. She laid on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe I'm just having an off day… she thought. And it was about to get worse since Kodachi was waiting on the ceiling with a giant mallet.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the dojo, Belle was finished for the night. “That was tough work.”

“You really can use martial arts…” Ranma said in a daze, the combination of being a human punching bag and the fact that she—of all of them—was skilled that way that led him to this state.

“I think Ranma went bye-bye…” said Rainbow.

“Next time, I think you should use a punching bag," suggested Fluttershy. "He’s really injured.”

This made Ryoga sweat drop and blush. “I guess I really have to make it up to Ranma.” Belle stared at Ryoga, who quickly changed the subject. “Wow, Rarity. You’re a quick learner.”

“Thanks.”

However, before they could continue conversing, a crash was heard from the house.

“Akane, whatever you’re doing, knock it off!” they heard Nabiki yell.

“You don’t think?” asked Twilight.

“That’s definitely not her taking out her anger,” Ranma said as he recovered from his daze.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ranma, Ryoga, Shampoo, and Belle all ran to Akane’s room while the rest of the ponies headed for the kitchen so they can change into their human form.

Back in Akane’s room, Kodachi had managed to smash in Akane’s bed, but its occupant, who had managed to evade the blow unscathed.

“Who are you?” asked Akane.

Kodachi gave appropriate introductions, then finished with, “And I shall be your opponent next week.” Kodachi then tried to smash Akane with her hammer.

“We won’t be fighting.”

“Oh, really? Aren’t you the one they chose?”

That was when the door slammed open. Kodachi turned to see who they were, but didn't pay attention to anybody save for Belle… who was still in a leotard.

“I see… it’s her… I should have known from the way you dodged.”

Akane glared at her, “What did you say?”

“So what? You’re going to ambush me like you did with her?” asked Belle.

“Ambush is such an ugly word,” Kodachi replied, “I prefer 'fighting fair before the match'.” She was about strike Belle with the mallet, but Shampoo kicked it. “Why did you defend her… unless… she’s… Oh I see… I heard a about a girl who transferred to your school. The germaphobe.”

“I am not a germaphobe,” Belle countered. “I just can’t stand dirt.”

“As much as I want to buy something from your little dress shop, I believe something must be done.”

She took out a small bomb and threw onto the ground. They all dodged the resulting explosion.

“What kind of gymnast brings a bomb?” yelled Ranma.

"The crazy kind!", Momo's voice answered randomly, but was mysteriously ignored by everyone.

Thankfully, the bomb wasn't a destructive explosive and it was a small one at that.

However, the smoke it created was dangerous; the smoke was actually some sort of noxious mixture—and Akane inhaled it, falling to the ground in the process.

“I can’t move,” she managed to say.

“She uses gas bombs,” warns Shampoo.

That was when the rest of the ponies—in their human forms—got upstairs, accompanied by Cologne.

“What’s going on?” asked Ran.

“She’s trying to ambush me and she’s using gas bombs!” cried Belle, clearly freaking out.

“What kind of a gymnast uses gas bombs?!”

"A crazy one!" replied Momo. "Seriously… she is crazy!"

"That's strange coming from you!" Ran found herself retorting.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" she responded, then she sneezed confetti.

“Great.", complained Ryoga, ignoring the two. "What are we going to do?”

“Run?”

“Running sounds good,” agreed Ran.

“Protect Rarity while you do that," instructed Cologne. "I’ll see if Akane is all right.”

“I’ll help,” whispered Chiyo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Everyone else began to flee down the stairs. Sure, Kodachi was a martial artist and Ranma, Shampoo, Ryoga, AND Ran could take her out. However, explosives were outside there expertise. That and guns, although Hikaru once found something called the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, also called Semper Fu by those who practice it.

“Is anything wrong?” asked Kasumi.

“Oh nothing for you to worry about,” assured Momo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ranma and co. managed to get outside into the entryway.

“So what do we do, keep running?” asked Belle.

Unfortunately, when she said that, Kodachi showed up and threw another bomb at them. Thankfully, thanks to expert dodging through the use of training, magic, and Pinkie Sense, they all managed to evade every single—wait, scratch that. Nobody grabbed Belle, and they all face palmed at this; she might be a quick learner when it comes to Any Thing Goes Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics, but she was still a beginner.

“Now, time to finish you!” yelled Kodachi. And for the second time that day, her ribbon was stopped by Ranma.

“Why don’t you ever play fair?” he asked.

Kodachi looked at Ranma, and began to blush. Maybe it was because he stopped her ribbon, maybe it was because she went to an all-girls school, but one thing was certain; she found him handsome.

“This is going to get weird, isn’t it?” Ran asked nobody in particular.

Kodachi dropped the ribbon and walked over to Ranma. “You are the most handsome man I have ever seen.”

Uh-oh, thought Ranma as Kodachi took out a bouquet of roses out of nowhere and gave them him.

“I am Kodachi, the Black Rose. What it you name?”

“Ranma Saotome.” That was when the roses let out a powder that made Ranma fall to the ground. “What did you do?”

Kodachi smiled a seductive smile, “Just a little paralysis powder.” She bent down and caressed his cheek.

Oh no… oh sweet Celestia no

Kodachi got onto Ranma’s chest with a hungry look in her eye.

Bad touch! Bad touch! Know they say that female on male's okay… but still!

“Excuse me!" interrupted Hikaru. "We’re standing right here.”

Oh thank you… almost forgot about them… Also, sorry about that… um…breakdown… Anyways… a narrator shouldn’t act that way… once again sorry.

Kodachi looked at everyone and scowled, knowing she was surrounded and was out of weapons to use.

“Get off him…” growled Shampoo as she took out her trademark weapon—a pair of Chui.

Kodachi scowled, “Fine, I shall take my leave. But watch out, Belle. You will see the true fury of the Black Rose.” She then let out a laughed as she ran off into the night.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Now that Kodachi was no longer going to bother them tonight, they went into the house, and into the room where they explained what happened to Cologne. Incidentally, she happened to have medicine for the paralysis poison; she was prepared that way. Kind of like Batman.

“I see,” she said after hearing them out.

“So, are you going to quit?” Akane asked.

“No, I will not!” yelled Belle, “I will defeat her! She will learn that it isn’t right to cheat in such a way!”

“Shampoo will be second.” Said Shampoo. “She learn it best not to take Shampoo’s husband.”

“Excuse me…” said Akane.

“Oh, Shampoo no mean that way Akane. It’s just that crazy girl… tried to do thing to Ranma.”

Akane’s eyes widened at that, “So that’s why he was paralyzed.”

And so Rarity's descent to the maddening world of Anything Goes Martial Arts Gymnastics began, even if the maddening part of it had to do with Kodachi.

Sibling Surprise

Chapter 15: Sibling Surprise

“Is this really necessary?” asked Belle. Because of the events that have transpired from the night before, Belle was assigned some bodyguards. These just happened to be her friends. “I doubt that she’s going to just attack in broad daylight. At our school no less.”

Just as she finished that sentence, Kodachi did just that, attempting to ambush Belle with a bamboo sword that would have hit if it weren't for a barehanded blade block by Ran.

“Well, I stand corrected.”

Momo shook her head. "Never tempt fate, Rarity!"

Kodachi stopped her attack, then said, “ I didn’t come to attack you, but to see Ranma Darling.” She then dropped her sword and made her way to Ranma, only for her path to be obstructed by Akane and Shampoo. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Akane engaged to Ranma!” said Shampoo.

“What?” asked mentioned fiancée.

“We keep secret until we ready to tell,” she was whispered.

Akane sighed, still not used to the arrangement.

“You are…” asked Kodachi, “What about Belle?”

“I am merely a good friend of Ranma.”

“That’s a shame,” Kodachi then turned to Ranma’s two fiancées (not that she knows Shampoo is too). “Looks like I have to teach these two a lesson.”

Ranma watched, knowing that chances were things weren’t going to end well with Kodachi. That was when he noticed Kuno in the area, holding a bouquet of roses.

He had heard about Belle being the emergency replacement for the Gymnastics Team and imagined her in the leotard, her beauty, her grace… She was perfect. That was when he saw the girl of (one of) his dreams.

“Belle, I love you!” Kuno yelled as he gave Belle the flowers.

“Oh, Tatewaki.” Belle tried to be polite in this situation, though considering this was Kuno, it was NOT an easy task. “This isn’t a good time.”

“Why not?” Then Kuno saw the small standoff between Akane, Shampoo VS. Kodachi. “Kodachi, what are doing here?”

Kodachi looked at him, “Oh, hello, brother dear.” She said.

A dead silence ensued. Everyone looked at Kodachi and her brother, shocked.

Ranma was the first to speak. “Wait… did you just say…”

“Oh wow… that’s a twist,” said Momo as she pulled out some popcorn.

“You see, I’m here with my beloved,” said Kodachi.

“Your beloved?” asked Kuno.

That was when Kodachi ran over to Ranma and hugged him. “Wait… it’s not…” Ranma tried to explain.

“I approve! You have my permission to go steady.”

“Hurray!” cheered Kodachi. Ranma quickly flinched.

“Wait! You know I’m engaged to Akane!” said Ranma. “We can’t go steady.”

Kodachi scowled, then glared at Akane. “It’s a shame that we will not fight. Unless you want to duel right now for Ranma.”

“No, I won’t have a duel with you!”

“Then again, I guess we should settle our little argument another time. At least until I finish off the germaphobe.”

“I am not a germaphobe!” insisted Belle.

“Perhaps if you are such a good friend Belle, maybe we should have a little wager about your friend’s love life.”

“What?”

“Perhaps if I win, Ranma will go out on a date with me.”

“That… doesn’t make any sense. Why would I agree to that?”

Kodachi scowled. “Perhaps I will go on a different route, but he will be mine. But I have to go school. Perhaps another time, Akane Tendo.” With that, she created a storm of black rose petals, then ran off laughing. To the ponies, this was reminiscent of a certain show mare’s exit.

Hikaru sighed, then said, “Now that I'm over the initial shock, I’m not surprised they’re brother and sister.”

“They do look a lot alike,” Momo commented, still eating popcorn.

“So…which one is crazier?” asked Ran.

Everyone else sweat dropped, not knowing how to respond.

Kuno turned to face Ranma and said, “Take care of my sister.”

Ranma stared at Kuno, thinking, She must never find out about the Heaven and Earth Solution.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The night before the match…

Belle and Shampoo were having a spar, the reason being that Ryoga got lost (of course) and wasn’t able to coach Belle. Thankfully, due to Shampoo being her second, the Chinese Amazon was able to absorb enough of the lessons needed to make for a good sparring partner. Everyone else stood by watching.

That was when Ryoga walked into the dojo. “Sorry I was gone. Did Kodachi try anything?”

“Surprisingly, no,” Belle answered.

“We’re all guessing she’s trying to look good in front of Ranma by not attacking his very good friend,” said Rainbow Dash.

Ryoga stared at everyone, eyebrow raised. “What did I miss?”

Actually, it happened when we went to school the next day,” filled in Applejack.

“Turns out Kodachi is Kuno’s younger sister.”

“Seriously?” Ryoga was surprised, but then he began to think about it. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

It was then that Shampoo and Belle decided to end their spar, with Belle downed again.

“So, will you be able to make it?” asked Belle.

“I’ll try,” said Ryoga.

“You’re going on your own, aren’t you?” asked Ranma.

Ryoga nodded, “Sorry, but this is something I have to do…”

“I was hoping we could go together,” whispered Fluttershy.

“Sorry, but like I said, I have to do this on my own. I’m sorry.”

“Okay…”

I think I know the perfect way to repay Ryoga, thought Belle.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day at Saint Bacchus’s School for Girls…

“Seriously? Do I need all of you here?” asked Belle with a sweat drop.

Ranma, Akane, Shampoo, Hikaru, Alex, and Ran were all accompanying her, the last of them wearing sunglasses and her "Kuno is a Dope" shirt.

“She might have cronies,” said Ran, who seemed to be her self-appointed bodyguard.

“So you’re here…” said Kodachi as she confronted them. “And how fortunate you were able to fight.” She offered to shake her hand, but Ran grabbed it, showing it was full of tacks. “Oh, how did these tacks get in between my fingers?” Everyone else groaned.

“Seriously?” asked Ran as she pulled down her sunglasses.

“So I see you have a body guard.” Kodachi then noticed what Ran was wearing.
“And where did she get that t-shirt?”

“None of your business.”

“I think she’s taking the whole bodyguard thing too seriously,” remarked Alex.

“Yeah…” agreed Hikaru.

“Oh, Ranma darling. I will win this match and prove myself to you.” Love filled Kodachi's voice as she said that.

“Uh-huh,” agreed Ranma without enthusiasm, not knowing how to react.

“Well, I must to go prepare. See you later, Ranma darling!”

Ranma waved weakly after her as she left.

“She must never know about our arrangement,” mumbled Akane.

“My thoughts exactly.”

“Hey, where are Pinkie and Fluttershy?” wondered Alex.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile…

In the Gymnasium where the match was about to take place, Momo was pleading with the to-be-announcer of the event, with Chiyo keeping an eye on her.

“Can I please? Pretty please?”

“Sure, why not? We should have someone from Furinkan High and I liked your announcing for the web cast of the recent race. You're in.”

“Thank you.”

Chiyo sweat dropped at this.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile…

In the changing room, Ran saw a bouquet of black roses, with a good luck note attached to it. Suspicious, she put the flowers in the goldfish tank that happened to be in there, causing the goldfish to fall asleep.

“I wasn’t going to touch those roses after what happened to Ranma,” Belle said with a sweat drop.

“Just wanted to be extra careful,” Ran replied.

“Gee, thanks…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Outside…

On the school grounds, Ryoga was crying, why? Well, he was on the school grounds… on time! He really wanted to see the match. He had helped Rarity because she was a friend, he needed to be there for her.

“All right! This is no time for crying,” he said. “I have to get to the gymnasium!”

Unfortunately, he was under a window at that time, and some girls threw out some dirty water from clothes washing out from it.

“Hey!" one girl called out. "What if someone was under there?”

“Don’t worry, it’s only a pig,” answered another.

And then some more girls saw the now Piggy Ryoga.

“Oh, what a cute little pig!” squeed one.

And so a large group of girls began to hold and baby him. He might have been a pig, but he was an extremely cute one.

“Oh I get to hold him next!” squealed another girl.

However, someone pulled Piggy Ryoga by the bandana. This someone was Kodachi, who had an especially devious smile on her face.

Piggy Ryoga looked up at Kodachi and thought only one thing… Crap.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Later…

Spectators were getting ready for the oncoming match.

“It’s a surprise see you, brother dear,” Kodachi said upon seeing her brother among the crowd.

“I am merely here to cheer on Belle.” Upon him saying this, all the girls in the area blushed at him, save for the ones in Furinkan High, who rolled their eyes alongside the male students and mumbled something about how ignorance is bliss.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the announcers' booth, the two present were ready to begin.

“Hello. This is Hana Ogawa, and I will be your announcer for Saint Bacchus. And joining me for the first time: Momo Mochi.”

“It’s great to be here! I’m so excited! I’ve known Belle for a very long time.”

“I see… Now our referee will be laying down the rules!”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the crowd…

“Wow… I can’t believe Momo got to be an announcer,” said Hiroshi.

“I can,” said Daisuke. Both Yuka and Sayuri stared at him. “What? I meant about how she announced the race… nothing else.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Onstage…

The referee was announcing the competitors.

"In the East Corner, hailing from Saint Bacchus School for Girls, we have Kodachi Kuno!”

As most of the crowd wasn't from Furinkan High, there was a very large cheer. Ranma and his friends simply groaned.

“And in the West corner, coming from Furinkan High, we have Belle Perle!”

At this, all of Furinkan High cheered, as well as a few students from Saint Bacchus who hated Kodachi.

“Now come to the center to shake hands.”

As the referee tried to get the two to do so, Kodachi suddenly yelled out, “What’s that over there?!”

While the referee looked where she pointed, Belle didn’t fall for the ploy. “Really?”

“You are smarter than I thought,” said Kodachi. “Oh well the referee isn’t looking.” She then placed a cuff onto Belle’s arm. Attached to the cuff was a chain… and attached to that was another larger cuff that was on Piggy Ryoga’s body.

“How did…”

Piggy Ryoga looked embarrassed, as if apologizing.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Oh no…” whispered Chiyo, who had joined Belle’s entourage in her corner.

Ranma was strangely optimistic on the situation however. “Well… at least he was able to make it.” Everyone else looked at him. “Come on, I can’t be the only one thinking that.”

Alex and Ran both looked slightly embarrassed at this; Ranma had a point.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“This match has no time limit,” Hana announced. “No barehanded blows allowed.”

“The match will end when one of them is completely knocked out or is out of the ring,” finished Momo.

“Let the match begin!”

“That was quite low,” Belle said as she glared at Kodachi. “Using a defenseless pig like that!” Belle wasn't about to tell her opponent that this "defenseless pig" was actually the one who taught her about Anything Goes Marital Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Belle had a ribbon on hand, which she then used to try and trap Kodachi, but it was swatted away with a rope. “You're quite good for a beginner.”

“Impressive!” Hana remarked in the booth. “She’s wielding the rope as if it was a rod.”

“How is that even possible?” Momo wondered.

Kodachi tried to whack Belle with the rope-rod in the head, but Belle managed to dodge it, but just barely. As it turns out, the rope really was a rod.

“Hey!” yelled Akane to the referee in the stands, “Isn’t that against the rules?”

“As long as it’s not a barehanded blow…”

Momo then said, "I thought she was going to screw the rules because she has money!"

The WHOLE audience groaned at that one.

That was when Kodachi switched from the rope-rod to a spiked club.

“Referee! That club has spikes!” yelled Alex.

However when the referee looked at it there weren’t any spikes.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“That's cheating! I saw the spikes!” yelled Momo from the booth.

“Right,” Hana agreed. “It’s clear her mace is using retractable spikes.”

“You hate her?”

“No, I don’t hate her… Just, really, really, really dislike her.”

“Okey, dokey, Loki!”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“My sister using such cowardice,” said Kuno as he watched from the stands. “It is something I must say about my own sister.”

Belle glared at her opponent and said, “I can’t believe you would use such methods.”

“What do you mean?”

“You really want to win so badly that you resort to cheating?”

Kodachi just glared back. “I merely think of it as doing anything to win.”

Belle returned a more intense glare.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Um Rarity, I don’t think she understands the concept of playing fair,” Alex said, though couldn't be heard.

“I hate to but I have to agree,” said Kuno. “My sister will cheat in ways that would seem unimaginable… It doesn’t matter what it is she will always use dirty tactics. Even when it doesn’t make sense.”

Belle sighed, “What am I going to do?” That was when she saw Ryoga looking up at her.

“Rarity! I think Ryoga wants to help you!” said Chiyo.

“But…”

“Hoop!” called out Kodachi. Her assistant sweated a little as she handed Kodachi the asked item. Kodachi threw the hoop at Belle, who narrowly dodged it. Good thing too as the hoop sliced off the top of the corner pole.

“It razor blade!” Shampoo shouted.

“Are you trying to kill me!” yelled Belle.

“All's fair in love and war,” Kodachi told her, “Sorry… I know you‘re just friends with him…”

Belle stared at the girl, it was clear to her that Kodachi was insane and would continue to cheat no matter what. She didn’t know if she would be able to defeat her as she was still a beginner. She took a breath and looked at her opponent. She knew this battle was only beginning.

Cheaters Never Win

Chapter 16: Cheaters Never Win

Ryoga came to the realization that Kodachi Kuno was insane, even more insane than her brother. And remember that Kuno was convinced that eight girls were not only in love with him, but often fought each other over his affection. So, that meant she was really off the deep end.

He knew what he had to do; he decided to run over to Kodachi and, upon reaching her, tackled her with enough force to knock her down.

<><><><><><><>

At the announcers' booth…

“Is a pig a suitable weapon?” asked Hana.

The judges debated for a while before agreeing that, yes, the pig is a suitable weapon.

“How do you cheat in this fight?” Momo asked.

“Well I think deadly force is the thing. Which is something Kodachi seems to be using.”

“Oh, okay.”

<><><><><><><><>

Back in the ring…

Akane tossed Belle a pair of clubs, while Kodachi got up from the pig tackle delivered to her by Piggy Ryoga.

“Time to see the secret technique of the Black Rose," called out Kodachi. "Barrage of a Thousand Clubs!" And she began to move so fast it looked like she was indeed holding a lot of clubs, though not necessarily a thousand.

"Lame attack name!", one of the spectators called out, out of Kodachi's reach in case she attempted to retaliate.

“Rarity, catch!” Ranma called out as he tossed her a ball, which she threw at Kodachi's arms, revealing that she was using twenty clubs. And not a thousand.

"Hah! I knew it!", called out the spectator from earlier.

“Would that be considered cheating?” asked Ran.

“I think so,” answered Akane.

“This is only the beginning!” Kodachi warned, “The essence of Anything Goes Martial Rhythmic Gymnastics is to make anything a weapon.” She then took out her ribbon and used it to grab the match bell.

However, Belle blocked it using the chain attached to her arm.

Kodachi smirked, remembering hearing that her brother had feelings for Belle and had the perfect weapon. With that in mind, she used her ribbon to grab her own brother from the audience.

“Come into my arms Belle!”, yelled Kuno. “I will protect you from my sister!”

“Valid!” called out the judges.

<><><><><><>

At the announcers' booth…

“Using a brother is valid,” said Hana, “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“I bet it was fun to say,” Momo replied.

<><><><><><><><>

Back onstage…

Piggy Ryoga tackled Kuno away, who called out, “How dare you, pig!” And the two started fighting.

<><><><><><><><>

In the crowd, the otaku boy took out something from his pocket.

“What are you doing?” asked the otaku girl.

“Just setting the mood,” her friend replied as he took out his iPod and it began to play Pokémon battle music.

<><><><><><><><>

Onstage…

Kuno used Sword Attack!

Kuno's attack missed!

Piggy Ryoga used Tackle!

It's super effective!

Sure, it’s a Normal-type move, and Normal-type moves don't normally have any advantages but Piggy Ryoga put all of his strength into it. That and Kuno's type happened to be an extinct one that was vulnerable to Normal-types. Or Piggy Ryoga has an ability that makes his move a Fighting-type move.

<><><><><><><>

Back at wherever they sat, Belle’s entourage watched all this unfold.

“This is just weird…” remarked Hikaru.

At the announcers' booth, Momo called out, “Hey, Rarity! Do you think can say “Pokabu! Use Tackle”?” (That’s Tepig for you Americans).

At the stage, both Belle and Piggy Ryoga sweat dropped when she said that. “This is getting ridiculous.”, the former mumbled as she grabbed Kuno with her ribbon, then tossed him out the ring.

“Aww…” most of the audience moaned.

“You’re no fun!” yelled the otaku boy as he put away his iPod.

“I can’t believe they were enjoying this,” Belle mumbled.

Piggy Ryoga shrugged. Can't blame them. Even I played Pokémon as a kid.

That was when Kodachi decided to use the announcers' table.

“Hey! We’re using that!” yelled Momo, as the announcers got out of the way.

Belle dodged that one, and Kodachi proceeded to grab whatever she can.

“It appears that Belle will only use the items that are strictly used for Rhythmic Gymnastics… and the pig that’s attached to her wrist,” remarked Hana, “While Kodachi is using anything she can get her hands on! Will Belle win against these tactics?”

“I’m trying to figure out what would be not valid…” said Momo, “Would a steamroller be considered valid?”

“I don’t know…”

“What about a giant tanuki statue?”

“What… maybe…”

“What about a giant pink bunny toy?”

“Possibly…”

“What about a Chinese fighting muffin?”

“Huh?!”

“A Struggle Bat?”

“W-w-what?”

“A Polybius?”

“Where did that even come from?”

“SCP-388?”

“You’re just randomly saying items, aren’t you?”

<><><><><><><><>

As Belle continued to dodge the random items, Panda Genma showed up with some tea and a kettle of hot water.

“Pops, what are you doing here?” asked Ranma.

“Isn’t it obvious?” signed Panda Genma, “Watching that brat get her ass handed to her.” Knowing he wasn't talking about Kodachi, Ranma grabbed the sign and smacked his dad’s head with it. “Ow!”

Back on the stage, Kodachi saw the kettle of hot water and used her ribbon to grab it. “Even a cockroach knows to stay away from boiling water,” she taunted.

“Uh-oh,” mumbled everypony-turned-human. Piggy Ryoga looked scared too.
Kodachi tried to pour some on Belle but missed.

<><><><><><><>

At the announcers' booth…

Even without the table, which had been used by Kodachi, Hana and Momo carried on.

“This fight is now getting ridiculous…” said the former. “I have announced many Anything Goes Rhythmic Gymnastics matches, but this is just…”

“What do you mean?” her co-announcer asked.

“While I have seen Kodachi use deadly force before, her using extraordinary hot water makes her look like she'd running out of ideas. Sure, it will hurt and will cause burns… but it just seems petty, even for her.”

“Hmm… So I guess she hasn’t used a sword yet?”

“Ix-nay on the ord-sway.” Whispered Hana, “It will give her ideas.”

<><><><><><><><><>

Back in the ring…

Kodachi gritted her teeth in frustration, then did something else. She tossed the kettle, then sliced it in half, spilling its water right on both Belle and Piggy Ryoga, reverting them to their true forms…which thankfully weren't visible (save for silhouettes) thanks to the steam also produced.

“That’s weird,” Hana said from the announcers' booth. “It appears that the shapes in the steam appears to be a man and some kind… of animal…”

“That’s impossible!”, lied Momo. “I don’t think that one of them turned into a unicorn and the other turned into a guy.”

“That’s… oddly specific.”

Thankfully, thanks to Rarity's magic, the steam continued to shroud them.

“Please don’t let them see me,” mumbled Ryoga.

“I don’t know how long I can hold this.”

Thankfully for them, Hikaru was already unscrewing a thermos of water normally meant for Ranma. She then proceeded to use a heat extraction spell, then levitated the now-cold water, splashing both of them.

While most of the crowd didn’t see her using magic, there were three that not only did, but recognized it as such.

One of them was the boy who saw her use magic during the Ryoga VS. Kuno fight.
The other was a girl with light blue hair and dark blue eyes wearing the Saint Bacchus’ uniform.

“She just used magic…” said the girl, “Who is she?”

The boy looked like he was going to panic and answered, “Her name is Hikaru Hakumei… she’s a recent transfer student.”

“I see… Watch her and see if she’s able to use any more magic.”

“Okay…”

<><><><><><><>

“Hmm… so you’re able to still fight.” Kodachi commented.

“Oh… no…” whispered Belle as she looked at her hair, which was now messed up thanks to the water, “How dare you!”

“How dare I what?” Kodachi asked, staring at her opponent.

“I spent nearly an hour getting my hair just right so that it would survive this fight. And now you ruined it!”

Nearly everyone in the gymnasium face palmed. Hana was right; this fight was getting stupid.

“I wonder if Kodachi is going to grab on to Rarity’s hair, forcing her to cut it off to get away?” wondered Momo at the announcers' booth.

Hana slowly turned to her with a sweat drop on her head. “You’re an otaku, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

Hana just stared at her co-announcer and shook her head, “Just… never mind…”

<><><><><><><>

Back in the ring…

“I thought you were getting better,” mocked Kodachi, “But I see where you really stand.” She then took out her razor hoop and tossed it at Belle, who evaded the attack. As for Piggy Ryoga however, he grabbed the hoop and tossed it back at Kodachi, who swerved out of its path as it cut the ropes. “You got lucky because of that pig.” She then took out her ribbon, while Piggy Ryoga grabbed Belle's and countered with it. “The random pig I chained to her knows how to wield a ribbon. How is that possible?”

Belle could only sweat drop at the sight.

“Sugar cube… this ain't the time to be focused on your hair,” mumbled Alex.

“But…”

“You’re the one who volunteered for this,” Akane reminded. “If I was there I wouldn’t be worrying about my hair.” Belle was about to say something, but was cut off. “And don’t say anything about my haircut.” Belle immediately went quiet.

“Just focus on beating her,” muttered Ran.

“Fine.”

Meanwhile, Kodachi was getting tired of Piggy Ryoga’s abilities and just grabbed the chain so she could throw him at Belle. Just as she hurled him, he was able to change direction mid-throw, resulting in Kodachi missing. “I chose the wrong pig.”

Somehow, she had forgotten that she found him completely by chance. She then looked at Panda Genma, smirked, and used her ribbon to grab him.

“Hey! What are you doing?” signed Panda Genma.

<><><><><><><><><>

At the announcers' booth…

“Are pandas a legitimate weapon?” asked Hana. The judges agreed that he is.

“As long as the Chinese government doesn’t find out,” added one of them.

Unfortunately for them, one of their officials was among the audience. Fortunately, he was incompetent and wouldn't remember this.

<><><><><><><>

Back on the stage…

Kodachi attempted to throw Panda Genma at Belle, only for her to grab him with her own ribbon and slam him into the floor where he sat earlier.

“Who throws pandas?” signed Panda Genma.

“You kind of deserved it pops,” Ranma told him.

<><><><><><><>

At the announcers' booth…

“This sentence might sound weird, but that was one ugly panda,” said Hana.

“And he was a big jerk face,” added Momo.

“How do you know that about the panda? He’s a panda.”

“That’s classified.” Momo then gave a cute little wink.

Hana could only respond with a sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><>

Back on the stage…

“That was good,” commended Kodachi, “But not good enough!” She grabbed one of her spiked clubs, but Belle managed to grab the cheating bastard by the ankle with her ribbon and threw her into the air. Kodachi was sure to land outside the ring.

“Looks like Belle Perle has won!” Hana called out from the announcers' booth.

“Come on and land!” cheered Momo.

However…

Kodachi gave a devious smirk. “I’m unable to land outside the ring.” She gave out a whistle, and the ring began to move so that she would land gracefully onto it.

<><><><><><><>

“Okay that is definitely cheating,” muttered Alex.

“Who's up for going inside and seeing what’s going on?” suggested Ran.

Alex, Akane and Shampoo all agreed.

<><><><><><><><>

Under the ring…

The rest of the gymnastics team sighed, hoping that this would be the last time they'd be needed. One of them turned to the girl next to her and asked, “Seriously...you would go out on a date with Ataru Moroboshi if he asked?”

“I’m not picky. Sure, he's a pervert… who’s in a rather strange relationship with an alien… but hey, I’m sure he would be a good date.”

Just then, they saw four girls enter; one blonde, one blunette, one purple-head, and one polychromatic-haired, all in approximately the same age group.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” said Ran as she cracked her knuckles.

“Oh no! It’s the bodyguards!” yelled of the girls.

“Run!” screamed one of them. All but four left under the ring.

“We are the dangerous four!”, declared one of these four, “We are the top four below Kodachi. You have no hope in defeating us even without Rhythmic Gymnastics.”

<><><><><><><><>

Outside, everyone watched as the member of the gymnastics team all exited the gymnasium.

“You cowards!” yelled Kodachi, then turned to Belle, “I’m sure your friends in there are facing off against the four. Their skills are unmatched, except by myself that is.”

“So they don’t use deadly tactics?” asked Belle.

Kodachi gritted her teeth at that remark.

“Oh snap!” yelled Momo in response to that at the announcers' booth. Almost everyone in the gymnasium groaned at that.

<><><><><><><>

Below the stage, four fights erupted.

Shampoo was wrapped up in ropes by her opponent, who then shouted, “Time to finish this!” However, the Chinese girl managed to get herself free, undo the ropes, and evade the attack.

Meanwhile, Alex managed to kick her opponent away from her, who said, “You’re just lucky you got in a few hits, but I will win!”

With Ran’s fight, it was pretty one sided. She had managed to keep her distance from her opponent, who was using a ribbon as her weapon. “Oh come on!” complained her opponent. “What are you? A martial arts racer?”

“Yes…”

“Oh…”

As for Akane, she delivered an extremely powerful uppercut to her opponent.

<><><><><><><>

Above them, Belle, Kodachi, and Piggy Ryoga felt the shaking, the former two grabbing onto the poles, the latter holding onto his chain. Suddenly, the mat flew upward along with Akane's opponent. A dead silence came as the seven remaining girls below processed what had happened. Ran‘s opponent then looked around the broken ring and came to a realization; she was nothing but Kodachi’s lackey. I need to be myself, find my own place in the rhythmic gymnastics world.

“Okay! That’s it!” she declared. “I’m transferring.”

She was followed by the others. “Second!”

“Maybe we can transfer to Seisyun and join Ryoko Hirano’s crusade against cheating.”

The three then went to pick up their fallen comrade and they would later talk to their principal about their decision.

In the crowd, the otaku girl stared at the sight. “What just happened?” she asked.

Her male counterpart gave a shrug. “I don’t know. But it must have been awesome.”

<><><><><><><><><>

Akane laughed sheepishly as they all left the remains of the ring, rejoining Ranma, Hikaru and Chiyo. “I didn’t mean to break the ring, it just happened,” she apologized.

“I know,” sighed Ranma.

Back with the main event, Kodachi stood on top of the pole. “It’s time to finish this!” She used her ribbon to grab Belle by the wrist and then threw her into the air.

“Oh no! Rarity! Do something!” yelled Momo from her and Hana's booth. Her cries were answered when Belle used the ribbon to grab onto one of the rafters.

Kodachi laughed her annoying laugh at this. “You won’t be able to hold onto that for long.”

That was when Piggy Ryoga began to oink at Belle. “Wait you want me to throw you at her?” she asked quietly. The little swine nodded. He had already helped her during the match, so she figured it might make a good finale. Making her move, she pulled the chain and used its momentum so that Piggy Ryoga once again tackled Kodachi, sending the obvious cheater to the floor.

A long moment of silence ensued as they processed the fact that the emergency backup that had no experience in Anything Goes Marital Arts Gymnastics just defeated Kodachi.

This silence was broken with the Furinkan High section cheering. Since the match was over, Belle let herself jump down and the referee lifted her arm.

“Belle Perle is the winner!”

“Yay! Rarity won!” cheered Momo.

“There’s something I have to ask you… why do you keep calling her Rarity?” Hana asked.

“That’s her nickname.”

“Ah.” Hana nodded in understanding.

“Curses!” shouted Kodachi meanwhile as she silently vowed revenge. “The pig was my undoing. I shouldn’t have done that.”

<><><><><><><>

Sometime later…

At the changing room, Belle had finished getting changed. Ranma and a returned-to-normal Ryoga were waiting outside as the girls were inside.

“You can come in now…” Akane called to the two boys. And they did

“Please, let’s just put this behind us and not talk about this again,” pleaded Belle.
Momo was curious as to why. “Why? you won?”

“But if it weren’t for Ryoga I wouldn’t have. In more ways than one.”

Ryoga blushed slightly at this. “It was nothing.”

“I should repay you.” Belle then walked over to him and whispered in his ear, “If you want to, I could help with Fluttershy.”

Ryoga flushed bright red and stammered, “No, that’s fine! I don’t need it. Besides, I thought you want to put this behind you.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Ryoga looked at Chiyo, who was confused by Belle's offer.

“Is anything wrong?” the shy girl asked.

“No, not at all…” assured Ryoga.

Belle began to walk out of the room when she encountered Kodachi in the doorway.

“This isn’t over, Belle Perle!” she declared. “Next time we meet, I will defeat you.”

She then began to walk away overdramatically, only to walk back. “Do you gave a business card on you?” she then asked. “I have heard about your dresses and how beautiful and well-made they are.”

Belle was a bit shocked at this, but decided to give her a spare business card.

“Thank you. But the next we meet, unless it's a business deal, I will defeat you!” Kodachi then walked away once more, again dramatically. Everyone watched her leave with sweat drops on their heads.

“I’m stuck as her rival aren’t I?” Belle finally said.

“I think so…” agreed Alex.

“Oh no… oh no! This is THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING! EVER!” Everyone stared at Belle in response to this.

Ran decided to break the tension. “So… Cat Café?” Everyone else nodded and they all decided to leave the changing room.

“Oh, come on you guys!” cried out Belle as she went after them. “This is serious!”

And so Rarity gained a new rival in the form of Kodachi Kuno… one she really didn’t want. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to fight her again… However, this being Furinkan, an eventual rematch was inevitable…

At least she had a new client.

Piggynapped

Chapter 17: Piggynapped

Akane went ice skating with Yuka and Sayuri, but she also invited everyone else, however Ranma and Shampoo went out on a date that day, Rainbow Dash declined because it wasn’t her thing, Rarity declined because she had a few orders she needed to finish, Twilight declined because she wasn’t good at it. Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie decided to come along though…

Along the way they came across Piggy Ryoga who was not only lost but had none of his items with him so they couldn’t change him back any time soon (lest he get arrested for indecent exposure). So they took him along.

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“I can’t believe how good she is.” mumbled Sayuri.

“I know.” Agreed Yuka.

The two of them were watching Momo skate. They were beyond amazed as she gracefully performed moves neither one of them ever dreamed of doing.

Akane also watched, impressed at Momo’s skill.

“I didn’t know you guys had ice skating.” Said Akane.

“You didn’t ask.” Said Alex.

Akane couldn’t respond to that, but it made so much sense why they agreed to come, Ice Skating did exist for ponies…

“So… how bad is Twilight?” asked Akane.

Both Chiyo and Alex shrugged, neither one had ever seen her ice skate.

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They all decided to take a break and eat lunch.

“Say Momo, where did you learn how to ice skate like that?” asked Sayuri.

“Learn?” asked Momo, “I didn’t learn from anyone.”

“Seriously?” asked Yuka.

Momo nodded, completely unaware that the two were twitching at that fact.

“Oh no…” said Chiyo who just had just realized something.

“What’s wrong sugar cube?” asked Alex.

“I think I left Ryoga on the ice.” Responded Chiyo.

“You named the pig Ryoga?” asked Yuka coming out of her BSOD.

“You have a crush on him, don’t you?” asked Sayuri.

“I’m going to go look for him.” Said Chiyo ignoring the two.

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On the ice, thankfully Piggy Ryoga wasn’t lost... what he was going to go through was going to be worse than getting lost, a million times worse than getting lost.

A girl with long curly brown hair skated up to him.

“Oh Charlotte! Come to mama.” Said the girl.

Piggy Ryoga tried to run way but the girl cut him off and knocked him out with a small mallet, then picked him up.

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Less than a minute later Chiyo approached one of the witnesses.

“Excuse me…” she whispered, “Have you seen a black piglet?”

“Uh… yes…” said the person she asked.

“Where is he?” asked Chiyo.

“Some crazy girl came up and kidnapped him.” responded the person.

“What?” asked Chiyo who looked like she was about to cry.

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Sometime later in a nearby noodle place, Ranma and Shampoo were on their date.

“Shampoo hope great grandmother can find second waitress soon.” She sighed, “Shampoo rarely get time off.”

“Yeah.” Agreed Ranma, “Then again it must be tough to find someone who won’t freak out over the secrets they have to keep.”

That was when the group from the ice rink entered the restaurant. Ranma who was facing the door saw Chiyo’s face.

“What wrong?” asked Shampoo.

“Something happened to Fluttershy.” Said Ranma.

Ranma waved towards them.

“It’s Ranma.” Said Momo.

They approached the table.

“What happened?” asked Ranma.

“Her piggy got kidnapped.” Said Yuka.

“What?” asked Ranma, “Seriously?”

“Ryoga got kidnapped?” asked Shampoo.

“I’m really worried about him.” Said Chiyo.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find him.” Said Akane.

That was when the kidnapper walked past them of course holding Piggy Ryoga

“There he is!” called out Momo.

“Ryoga!” cried Chiyo.

This woke up Piggy Ryoga, and he tried to get out of the kidnapper’s arms.

“Oh Charlotte, what’s wrong?” asked the kidnapper.

She saw that Piggy Ryoga was trying to get to out of her arms and jump towards Chiyo, she walked over to the pink haired girl.

“What do you think you’re doing to Charlotte? You’re scaring her.” Said the kidnapper.

Ranma tried not to laugh, esspeiclly since she clearly didn’t see that was a boy pig.

“That voice annoys Shampoo.” Muttered Shampoo staring at Azusa.

“But… he…” mumbled Chiyo trying to become more assertive.

“That pig doesn’t belong to you.” Said Momo taking control of the situation from Chiyo, “He’s trying to get away from you!”

“No she isn’t.” said the kidnaper, “Isn’t that right Charlotte.”

“Stop calling him Charlotte. It makes me think of giant things that might eat people!” Said Momo, “His name is Ryoga.”

“No it’s not! It’s Charlotte!” yelled the kidnaper.

That was when a rather handsome boy came up from behind the kidnapper, grabbed Piggy Ryoga and gave him to Chiyo.

“Hey!” yelled the kidnapper. “Give me back Charlotte!”

“Forgive my companion's rudeness.” Said the boy, frowning at the girl’s antics.

“It’s not a problem.” Whispered Chiyo.

Sayuri and Yuka on the other were blushing at the boy.

“Her hobby is collecting cute things.” He explained as he sat down.

“Give her back!” she yelled whack him in the head.

“If she thinks something is cute, she’ll take off the spot and give it a cute name.” said the boy.

“Give her back!” yelled the girl now whacking him with an ashtray.

“Isn’t that stealing?” asked Alex with a sweat drop.

Before the boy could respond, the kidnapper started whacking him in the head with a chair.

“Will you stop that you idiot!” he yelled.

“Oh…” whined the girl.

She turned towards Chiyo and glared at her madly.

“I challenge you to a match!” yelled the girl.

“What?” asked Chiyo.

“I challenge you to figure skating! And the winner gets Charlotte!” said the kidnapper.

Chiyo didn’t know how to respond. That is when Momo got in front of her.

“I’ll accept.” Said Momo.

“Pinkie…” whispered Chiyo.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, your auntie Pinkie Pie will defeat her for you.” Said Momo.

“I’m older than you.” Deadpanned Chiyo, she then sighed, Momo was the best figure skater she knew. She looked down at Piggy Ryoga who nodded, “Okay.”

“Fine… I’ll take you.” Mumbled the kidnapper, “And if you lose, I get widdle Charlotte back!”

“She actually talks like that?” asked Alex.

“I’m so glad I’m not facing her.” Mumbled Akane.

“Oh no… I just realized who they were!” said Yuka.

“What?” asked Momo.

“They’re Kolkhoz High’s champion figure skaters!”

“That’s right.” Said the kidnapper, “I’m Azusa Shiratori!”

“And I’m Mikado Sanzenin.” Said the boy.

“Are you going to back down?” asked Azusa.

“No way!” said Momo, “I’m the best figure skater in my home town!”

She scowled, it wasn’t the reaction she was hopping for.

She tuned to Chiyo, “Don’t worry Charlotte, I’m going to make a widdle bed for you.”

“Um… he’s a boy.” Whispered Chiyo.

“I am so sorry the problems my partner is causing.” Said Mikado, “By way of apology.”

He gently, cusped Chiyo’s cheek and was about to kiss her. Before anyone else could react, Ranma flicked a fish cake into his face.

Mikado smiled, “Well, I’ve received your challenge.” Said Mikado, “The match will be in one week at Kolkhoz High. The event will be pair skating.”

“Does Ranma even know how to ice skate?” asked Shampoo.

Ranma sweat dropped.

“Guess that mean no.”

“By the way Akane… why is Ranma here with Shampoo?” asked Sayuri.

“I’ll explain another time.” sighed Akane.

Meanwhile Azusa was trying to take the “cute” fish cake, ruining the dramatic tension of the moment.

“Is anyone even going to order anything?” asked the owner.

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That night at the Tendos…

“And that’s how me and Ranma wound up in a skating match this weekend.” Said Pinkie, finishing explaining what Ranma had gotten into this time.

“You guys are doing Figure Skating?” asked Rarity who practically squeed, “Can I design your costumes?”

“Sure.” Mumbled Ranma.

“Of course.” Said Pinkie.

Rarity brought out some markers and paper and began to draw designs causing everyone to sweat drop.

“I know Ranma challenged him, but let me do it!” said Ryoga, “I have more at stake than Ranma does.”

“I just realized something, stake has the same letters as skate.” Said Pinkie.

“If you’re trying to convince her about something, try to think about what you’re going to say.” Said Rainbow Dash with a sweat drop, “She’ll just get distracted by something you said.”

Ryoga could only sweat drop on response.

“I was just trying to defend Fluttershy, what would you have happened if I hadn’t done anything?” Said Ranma

“I would have punched him.” Said Akane.

“I would have introduced him to Bucky McGillicuddy and Kicks McGee.” Said Applejack.

“Shampoo beat him up.” Said Shampoo.

“I would have bit him.” Said Ryoga.

Almost everyone in the room stared at Ryoga.

“I was in my pig form, remember, what else would I do?” he asked.

“Good point.” Said Kasumi.

“I think I should be the one to go up against him.” Said Ryoga.

“Oh wait I have an idea! Why don’t we see who the better skater.” Said Pinkie, “That way no one has to worry.”

“I’ll be the judge.” Said Twilight, “I’ve been reading up about skating since the Winter Wrap up.”

“Oh and that would help you get better.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“What about when I beat you in the Running of the Leaves?” Said Twilight.

“Never mind…” said Rainbow Dash.

“Okay! Who ever is the best will do it!” said Ranma.

“Agreed.” Said Ryoga.

“Great… this will end well.” Mumbled Nabiki.

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The next day at the rink the two boys were getting ready for the challenge.

“I can out skate you any day.” Said Ryoga as they put in the skates.

“I’d like to see you try.” Said Ranma.

Both of them took one step on the ice, both of them proceeded to fall backwards landing on their head.

A truly epic fail!

“They’re worse than you.” Said Momo.

“Yeah…” groaned Hikaru.

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Ranma decided to splash himself so that he wouldn’t be embarrassed at not knowing how to ice skate… well as a guy.

It was still pretty embarrassing as a girl.

“Come on.” Said Akane who was helping Ranma, “You can do it, the best thing you can is stand up straight.”

“I can’t…” said Ranma-Chan.

“This is so embarrassing.” muttered Akane.

“It would be more embarrassing if I were a man.” Said Ranma-Chan, “I mean look at Ryoga.”

Ryoga was having an equally difficult time, at least was standing straight.

“You almost have it Ryoga.” Said Momo.

“I do…” said Ryoga.

The two watched them skate past them.

“I’m beginning to think maybe he should be her partner.” Said Ranma-Chan, “I mean it’s just figure skating. It’s not like its martial arts.”

As Momo taught Ryoga, someone jumped on her back then landed on the ice, it turned out it was Azusa. Momo grumbled for a second, and then said, “Hey! You could hurt someone!”

“Oh sorry. Azusa didn’t see you.” said Azusa. Momo didn’t buy it.

Mikado was also there.

“Are you ready?” asked Azusa as a bunch of men in hockey gear.

“Time for assault of a 100 foes.” Said Mikado.

The others were watching what was going on.

“In skating?” asked Akane.

“It can’t be…” mumbled Ranma-Chan.

They watched as the two defeated the men in hockey gear, very easily.

“We’ve all been defeated again.” Said one of them.

“That’s why they’re called the golden pair of Anything Goes Marital Art Figure Skating.” Said another.

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Hikaru who was watching on the side, sweat dropped.

“It’s true… they can turn anything into Anything Goes Marital Arts.” She thought.

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Momo on the other hand was so happy.

“Oh man! This is awesome! I’ve been wanting for a while to try something involving Anything Goes Marital Arts! And turns out the thing I was going to is one!” said Momo.

“Yeah…” said Ryoga who didn’t know how to respond.

Ranma-Chan on the other hand looked confident. Why? Because it was Marital Arts, and he was super skilled in that that, no mater what it was called.

“I am going to win this.” said Ranma-Chan.

Akane stared at her gender bent fiancé, “I don’t think it’s going to work out as well you think.” She deadpanned.

“I’m the best when it comes to martial arts.” Said Ranma-Chan.

That is when she began to skate out of control… what was worse was she was going backwards…

“Pinkie! Akane! Anyone! Help!” she cried.

That was when Mikado skated over and caught her.

“Aren’t you a clumsy one.” He said, “Would you like me to teach you to skate?”

“Thanks but no thanks, I can handle myself.” Said Ranma-Chan.

“That’s too bad, at least thank me for saving you.” Said Mikado.

He leaned in and kissed her, right on the mouth. He pulled away and Ranma-Chan started crying. She began to run away as fast as she could.

“Such a pure girl to weep like that after a kiss.” Said Mikado.

“This isn’t going to end well.” Said Akane.

Momo and Ryoga both nodded.

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Ranma-Chan managed to find Hikaru. Hikaru gave Ranma-Chan a napkin to help her wipe her tears.

“Are you sure about this?” asked Hikaru, “You’re not much of a skater.”

“I don’t care! He has to pay!” yelled Ranma-Chan.

Hikaru sighed, and gave Ranma-Chan the thermos. She poured it on herself, quickly regained his composure, and stomped back to the rink.

“I’ve never seen him so mad.” She thought.

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Mikado on the other hand was contemplating where or not he could have just kissed that “girl” when Ranma showed up and he was pissed.

“Sanzenin!” yelled Ranma.

He turned to see Ranma looking pissed.

Ryoga’s eyes widened, he had known Ranma for a long time and he had never seen Ranma angry.

Akane looked at Momo and Ryoga.

“You haven’t seen him this angry before?” she asked.

Both shook their head no.

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“We’ll fight here and now! I can’t let you live!” yelled Ranma, anger seemed to glow off him.

“What’s this about? You come out of nowhere…” said Mikado, but Ranma didn’t let him his sentence.

“What you did back there! For the first time in my whole life I am really mad!” yelled Ranma.

He proceed to punch a crack in the ice.

“I have no idea what you are so angry about…” said Mikado, “But for the crime of destroying the rink, I can’t let you go unpunished, lead the way.”

Ranma glared at his opponent, this was going to be an insane match!

Stakes with Skates

Stakes with Skates

Chapter 18: Stakes with Skates

Ranma glared at Mikado. While it wasn’t his first kiss (that honor belonged to Shampoo), he was still pissed.

Akane, Ryoga and Momo all stood silently. They could see Ranma was madder than they’d ever seen him.

"Mikado is so dead...." muttered Akane.

Ranma glared at his opponent and jumped into the air, attempting a jump kick. Mikado simply skated away, and Ranma fell on to the ice hard… so hard, in fact that he fell right through it.

“There’s no cold water under there, is there?” asked Momo.

Ranma came up (still a man as there wasn’t any water under the ice, luckily enough) going in for a punch, but Mikado dodge causing Ranma to slip, fall and be sent skidding to the wall. Ranma did manage to get up though.

However Mikado noticed that Ranma’s punch did cut the sweater he was wearing, and he knew at that moment, despite Ranma’s ineptness when it came to ice skating, he was still a dangerous opponent.

“I don’t like using this technique against amateurs, but…” said Mikado.

As Ranma skated over to him, he began to spin so fast he looked like an Asura statue.

“No way! He knows that move! But he doesn’t even use swords!” Said Momo.

“What are you even talking about?” asked Azusa with a sweat drop while at the same time glaring at Momo.

“It’s the Dance of Death.” Said one of the men in hockey gear.

“His undefeatable move.” Said another.

They watched as Ranma was caught in it, constantly getting hit, punched and kicked… all extremely fast.

“Sanzenin completely has him in his mercy.” Said one of the men in Hockey gear.

“He’s being danced into unconsciousness.” Said another of the men in hockey gear.

“Seriously?” responded one, “”Danced into unconsciousness?””

“What? It’s true.” Said the one who’d used that term.

The spinning stopped and Ranma fell to the ice while Mikado stood on the ice frozen. Ranma tried to get up but fell.

“He’s still conscious.” Said one of the men in hockey gear, checking to see if Ranma was knocked out.

Momo and Akane help him stand on the ice. Ranma was OK, but he was a bit out of it.

“So it’s a draw?” asked Azusa.

“Ranma won.” said Akane.

Azusa skated over to Mikado and saw he was unconscious, so she started doodling on his face.

“Hey! I want to join in!” said one of the men in hockey gear.

“So do I!” said yet another.

As they left, all of the men in hockey gear drew on his face.

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Sometime later at the Tendo residence, Fluttershy was treating Ranma’s wounds while they talked about what happened.

Rainbow Dash was practically rolling on the floor with laughter, “I can’t believe I missed it.” She said.

Ranma tried to punch her, but she dodged.

“Do you know how embarrassed I was?” said Ranma.

“You were a girl at the time.” said Rainbow Dash.

“I know!” yelled Ranma.

“What I can’t believe is that you punched him 516 times.” Said Twilight.

“Isn’t that a little excessive?” asked Applejack.

“Not for him. He deserved what he got; one punch was too good for him.” Said Ranma, “Besides you miscounted, I punched him 518 times.”

“Okay… that is excessive.” mumbled Applejack.

“At least it wasn’t your first kiss.” said Nabiki.

Ranma sighed, “I guess you’re right about that.” said Ranma.

“Stupid question, but… why didn’t you lie and say it was your twin sister?” asked Rainbow Dash.

There was an awkward silence in the room as he processed the information. When it kicked in, Ranma face palmed.

“Why didn’t anyone of us come up with that idea sooner?” asked Ranma.

There was another awkward silence in the room.

“You know, after today I have to make Ranma my partner!” Said Pinkie.

“Why?” asked Ryoga.

“Did you suddenly attack him?” asked Akane.

“No…” said Ryoga.

“Then Ranma has to be Pinkie’s partner.” Said Akane.

“You can be my partner if Ranma gets so injured he can’t go on…” said Pinkie.

“And it doesn’t have to be due to an actual blow…” said Ranma, “Like if I twist my ankle or get smashed into a wall.”

Ryoga glared at Ranma, not saying anything. He had a feeling Ranma had just tempted fate.

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And so Ranma continued his lessons from Akane and Pinkie until it was the day of the match. Ranma, Momo and their cheering section arrived at the school. Well all but one…

“Ryoga went on his own?” asked Chiyo, “Is that a good idea?”

“Oh come on, what’s the worst that can happen?” asked Ranma.

“Last time he went to one of these on his own, not only did he make it on time… he arrived as a pig.” Said Belle.

“Oh come on, what are the chances of that happening?” Said Ranma, “I mean again.”

That was when there was squealing, they turned to see Piggy Ryoga being chased down by Azusa.

Ranma looked at Hikaru.

“I’m not telling you the chances.” Mumbled Hikaru.

Azusa picked up Piggy Ryoga, removed his bandana and put a collar on him. A collar with a golden heart that said “Charlotte”.

“Hey, you didn’t win yet!” Said Momo.

Piggy Ryoga managed to get out of the crazy girl’s arms and run to Chiyo. Chiyo tried to get it off but it didn’t work.

“Sorry, but it won’t come off.” Said Azusa holding up a key.

That was when Chiyo handed him to Hikaru who used magic to get the collar off.

“Hey! What did you do?” asked Azusa.

“Just a little magic trick.” Said Hikaru.

“Oh…” said Azusa, “Can you do it again?”

“Maybe another time…” said Hikaru with a sweat drop.

“Oh, okay…” said Azusa, who began to pout, she glared at Momo and said “Azusa is still going to defeat you.”

“This is going to be the weirdest fight of them all, isn’t it?” asked Alex.

“Oh no!” cried Momo, “I can’t be the announcer if I’m going to be in the match.”

“You only just now realized it?” Said Hikaru with a sweat drop while face palming.

“Don’t worry, is it okay if I take the job of announcer?” asked Ran.

“Okay.” Said Momo.

“Maybe we should get ready.” Said Ranma.

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Sometime later in the men’s dressing room, Ranma had just arrived.

“So you’ve arrived, Ranma Saotome.” Said Mikado.

“Yo, Sex Obsessed Neurotic.” Said Ranma.

“That’s Mikado Sanzenin to you.” Said Mikado, “Besides, I was ill prepared last time.”

“Well you get it for doing that to my sister.” Said Ranma.

Mikado froze, “Your sister…” Said Mikado.

“You kissed my sister. She’s so traumatized she refuses to come to the match.” Said Ranma.

“The girl who looks like you… is your sister.” He muttered, “Then what about that pink haired girl from the restaurant?”

“Chiyo, she’s timid and can’t stand up for herself. Trust me; I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t going to kick your ass.” Said Ranma.

“Then what is your relationship with your partner?” he asked.

“While she isn’t my sister, Momo is like a sister to me.” Said Ranma.

“What would you do if I give her my formal greeting?” asked Mikado.

“What do you mean formal?” asked Ranma.

“I mean a kiss to her lips.” He said.

There was an awkward silence in the room.

Nothing needed to be said, he knew he was going to be in a world of hurt that day. Even if he did managed to win.

But Ranma knew that Momo could handle herself… so he didn’t need to “Big brother” her too much.

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And so the match was beginning…

“I’m Mamoru Hoshina.” Said the announcer, “For Kolkhoz High.”

“And I’m Ran Issanni for Furinkan High.” Said Ran.

“Isn’t the new unofficial Furinkan High Announcer supposed to be Momo, isn’t it?” asked Mamoru.

“Yeah, she is.” Said Ran.

“I see.” Said Mamoru, “Now the Winner will be the Charlotte Cup… what that is I don’t know.”

“It’s a pig.” Said Ran.

“Did she kidnap it?” asked Mamoru.

“Yeah.” Said Ran.

“And I would like to make yet another plea to the teachers. Get her help. She is a kleptomaniac and she needs treatment.” Said Mamoru, “So let’s lower the lights.”

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Mikado and Azusa made their entrance, which got a cheer.

Ranma and Momo watched them, both were wearing sequence covered clothing, both resembled Chinese clothing but in different colors, Ranma was wearing a simple outfit that was mostly red with hints of green. Momo on the other hand wore a short pink dress that had hints of blue; she also wore her hair in pigtails.

Rarity tried to come up with a better theme, but the two were so different that they couldn’t have a solid theme.

“That was all flash.” Said Ranma, “Well, I’m going to wow their socks off.”

Ranma picked up Momo.

“Ranma, I don’t think this is a good idea, you’re not good enough to pull this off.” Said Momo.

Ranma tried to come up with a snappy come back, but couldn’t. Because if he said “What are you, my teacher?”, the answer would be yes.

“I’m still going to do this.” Said Ranma.

He skated onto the ice, however he already lost his balance, fell backwards and started spinning.

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“What a spectacular entrance by Ranma Saotome and Momo Mochi.” said Mamoru.

“Yes… spectacular.” Mumbled Ran with her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Azusa giggled, “We’ve already won.” Said Azusa.

“I don’t think so! Because I taught Ranma everything he knows about Ice Skating.” Said Momo.

“Oh really?” asked Azusa.

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“And so we begin our match… over a pet piglet…” said Mamoru, “Seriously… someone go get her help.”

“The match will only end with a total knockout of a partner.” Said Ran.

Ranma and Momo skated towards the two hand in hand… Ranma jumped into the air and tried to deliver a kick to the two, but Azusa dodged and Mikado grabbed Momo.

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“Looks like Mikado is going straight into his kiss attack!” yelled Mamoru.

“Kiss attack?” asked Ran, “Isn’t it just him kissing a female opponent?”

“Yeah…” sighed Mamoru, “Sometimes I hate my job announcing this thing… at least the soccer games are worth it.”

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Mikado was about to kiss her, however he blinked. When he opened his eyes Momo was gone and skating away.

“What?” he asked, “What just happened?”

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“How… how did she just do that?” asked Mamoru.

“She’s just being Pinkie Pie…” sighed Ran.

“Nickname?” asked Mamoru.

Ran nodded.

“I see…” said Mamoru.

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Mikado smirked when he saw that, “She’s just being shy.” He said.

He managed to suppress the sane part of his brain that was freaking out over the fact, “Ranma is going to kill me if I kiss her.”

“Azusa wants to know how she did that.” Mumbled Azusa.

“That was amazing.” Said Ranma.

“Thank you.” Said Momo.

“You know, he’s going to try to do that to you again.” Said Ranma.

“I’ll focus on Azusa then.” Said Momo.

“And I’ll focus on the pervert.” Said Ranma.

The two began to skate in different directions.

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“Oh, it looks like Ranma and Momo are doing a divide and conquer plan.” Said Mamoru.

“That hasn’t been done, has it?” asked Ran.

“No, it hasn’t.” said Mamoru, “But then again, those two are as different as… I can’t think of a good metaphor…”

“Which is why they don’t have a theme when it comes to their outfits.” Said Ran.

“How did Mikado get involved again?” asked Mamoru.

“He tried to kiss our friend.” Said Ran, “Ranma just happened to be the one that got to him first.”

“I see…” said Mamoru.

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Azusa and Momo faced off.

Momo tried to kick Azusa while shouting “Pudding Kick!”

“You are still new to this.” Said Azusa, “There is no way you can beat Azusa.”

Momo began to spin very fast on the ice, surprising Azusa.

“Cake Surprise Spinning Kick!” called out Momo.

Azusa managed to get hit a few times.

“She’s too good.” Thought Azusa holding the arm the blow hit.

“Cupcake Flying Kick!” called out Momo.

The kick hit Azusa in the gut and she was sent flying. Thankfully the hit wasn’t too bad and she was able to land on her feet.

“We have to regroup.” She mumbled.

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In the announcers booth.

“Amazing! Momo is beating Azusa so hard it’s unbelievable!” yelled Mamoru, “It must have taken a lot of practice to get those right.”

“Or knowing Pinkie Pie, she probably came up with the moves and names on the spot.” Said Ran.

“Oh… never mind then…” said Mamoru.

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With Ranma’s side of the fight the sane part of Mikado’s brain kicked into over drive and began yelling out, “YOU KISSED HIS SISTER! RUN AWAY!”

But he ignored it mostly.

“Is it okay if I apologize to your sister?” Said Mikado.

Ranma jumped into the air and performed a flying kick, which not only hit but cut the fabric on his suit.

“What part of ‘you traumatized her’ don’t you understand?” asked Ranma.

Mikado stared at Ranma and began to sweat.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back with the announcers…

“Unbelievable, it looks like Mikado is scared.” Said Mamoru.

“Well he did kiss Ranma’s sister.” Said Ran, “She refused to come here because of that.”

“It’s about freakin’ time an older brother shows up for vengeance.” Said Mamoru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands…

“I can’t believe Ranma is the first “Older Brother” to do that.” Said Alex.

“Shampoo agree.” Said Shampoo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on the ice, Azusa skated over to Mikado and helped him up.

“It’s time to show them our other nickname.” Said Mikado, “The Anti- Matchmakers.”

“But they don’t seem to be romantically involved.” Said Azusa.

“No… I guess the line doesn’t make any sense…” mumbled Mikado.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in the Announcers booth.

“Uh-oh, it looks like they’re going to do their best move, the Couple Cleaver.” Said Mamoru.

“The Couple Cleaver?” asked Ran.

“Yes… no couple is able to survive it.” Said Mamoru, “Say, what is the relationship between Ranma and Momo?”

“They’re like brother and sister.” Said Ran.

“I see…” said Mamoru, “Then no matter what the outcome of that move is, today is the day that Mikado Sanzenin dies.”

That one sentence made many of the boys in the audience cheer.

“He’s not very popular with the guys in this school.” Said Mamoru.

“No surprises here…” said Ran.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

With Azusa and Mikado having gotten back together, Momo and Ranma regrouped.

“What are they planning?” asked Ranma.

“I hope it’s something fun.” Said Momo.

“No…” said Ranma with a small sweat drop.

That was when Azusa made her move. She jumped on Ranma and grabbed his legs.

“What is she doing?” asked Momo.

“I don’t know, but can you help me up?” asked Ranma.

Momo reached down and grabbed Ranma’s arms, but it turned out to be a trap. Because when she grabbed Ranma’s hands Mikado grabbed Azusa’s legs. Both Mikado and Azusa stood as Mikado began to spin.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Here is the dreaded Couple Cleaver! The Good Bye Whirl!” shouted Mamoru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

As Momo and Ranma spun Momo nodded at Ranma.

“Okay… do it!” said Ranma.

As they spun Momo completely vanished and appeared right in front of the spinning Mikado.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“HOW DOES SHE DO THAT?!” yelled Mamoru in shock.

“We try not to think about it.” Said Ran.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Pound Cake Pound!” called out Momo punching Azusa.

This caused Azusa to let go of Ranma. However due to the momentum caused by the spin Ranma went flying into the wall. A huge dent was created because of the impact.

“Ranma?” asked Momo.

Momo skated over to Ranma. Ranma wasn’t moving. Momo’s hair went flat as she looked at her friend in shock.

She never intended for this to happen…

Sorrow and Rage

Chapter 19: Sorrow and Rage

Momo bent down to Ranma. Tears began to stream down her eyes as her pigtails hung limply by her face.

“Ranma, I’m sorry!” she cried, “It’s all my fault.”

“Every bone in his body must be crushed.” said Mikado, “Nothing human can survive that.”

Momo began to sob, and cried much louder as she held on to him.

“Please don’t be dead… please don’t be dead.” She cried. Ranma coughed, and smirked, though it did seem like it hurt.

“Hey! I’m not dead!” yelled Ranma. He winced again.

“You’re alive?” smiled, Momo, “You’re alive!”

She hugged him as she continued to cry.

“It’s okay Pinkie, I’m going to be fine.” said Ranma. He grimaced again as Momo kept hugging.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the audience, Piggy Ryoga began to oink a lot.

Chiyo knew he wanted to turn human; So she, Belle and Akane all went to a private place to talk to him.

Belle put underwear on the ground, and they looked at her oddly.

“What? We can’t have him be naked now, can we?” asked Belle. The other girls nodded

Chiyo placed Ryoga on the floor and Akane poured hot water on him and he turned human (and thankfully the underwear covered him).

“What’s wrong?” asked Chiyo.

“Do you remember what Ranma said after his first fight with him?” asked Ryoga, referring to Mikado.

“Wait… you mean?” asked Chiyo.

Ryoga nodded, it was indeed that.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on the ice, Ranma got back up. But his entire body was in pain.

“So even if you did live, you can’t handle even standing up.” said Mikado, smiling at his handiwork.

“Wait, Ranma can’t continue on like this.” said Momo.

“Unless you come up with a replacement we have to continue the match.” said Azusa practically squeeing at the fact that they had this in the bag.

“Oh yeah, I’ll be his replacement!” came a voice.

They turned to see Ryoga dressed in his own skating outfit (its colors were yellow with hints of black, and he even had his own matching headband). Mikado face palmed, saying something about Azusa jinxing things.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Is that who I think it is?” asked Mamoru, “It appears to be Ryoga Hibiki!”

“He and Ranma are rivals.” said Ran.

“I see.” Said Mamoru as he took out his camera phone and began to take a whole mess of pictures.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on the ice…

“Ryoga, what are you doing here?” asked Ranma.

“But Ranma, you said that if you were thrown into a wall and couldn’t continue he would take over.” said Momo.

Ranma sweat dropped when she said that. Momo was right, though his pride was hurt…not as bad as he was at the moment.

“Fine, I will accept.” said Mikado.

Ranma skated to Ryoga and switched places, where Akane and Shampoo were seemingly waiting for him.

“Are you okay?” asked Akane.

“I could be better.” said Ranma. He held his side.

“Did you see dent you made?” asked Shampoo.

“Yeah…” said Ranma as he looked back at the dent, he couldn’t blame her freaking out like that.

Back on the ice, Momo skated over to Ryoga.

“Did you learn more about ice skating?” asked Momo.

“I only learned the basics that you taught me…” , sighed Ryoga.

“I see…” said Momo.

Ryoga looked at Momo’s hair which hadn’t “re-inflated” yet.

“This isn’t going to end well…” he thought.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“I’m not sure what happened to Momo’s hair, but I can’t help but get a bad feeling about it.” said Mamoru.

“I just hope a bucket of turnips isn’t involved.” mumbled Ran.

“What?” asked Mamoru.

“You don’t want to know.” said Ran who shuddered at the memory.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on the ice, Momo glared at the two.

“How dare you hurt Ranma like that!” yelled Momo glaring at them.

“It was you who did it.” taunted Azusa in a sing-song voice.

Momo glared at her as harshly as she could, since she wasn’t in a good mood it was a glare that made Azusa casually shudder.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands, Furinkan High’s Otaku pair watched.

“I’ve never seen Momo this angry.” said the girl.

“Me neither.” Said the boy, “But… I think this calls for some music.”

He took out his iPod, which the girl quickly grabbed.

“As much as it was funny last time, but it worked last time because it felt like a Pokémon battle.” said the girl, face palming.

The boy took out a second one. The girl frowned.

“Who said anything about Pokémon?” asked the boy. “I figure something more fitting to Momo’s rage will do here….”

The IPod began to blare out “Rage Awakened” from Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Momo skated towards Azusa and delivered a rough kick that sent her into the air, and leapt up.

“Marshmallow Knee Jab!” yelled Momo, jabbing her knee into Azusa’s chest.

Azusa landed hard on the ice, groaning in pain. She managed to get up and look at Momo.

“Is that all you got?” asked Azusa, “Because that was weak.” She then held her stomach.

“No, it isn’t!” said Momo angrily.

Ryoga sighed, he knew that when her hair was flat, it was never a good thing and he knew he had to end the match quickly.

He skated over to Mikado and delivered a harsh punch; Mikado managed to get up.

“What did I ever do to you?” asked Mikado.

“You tried to kiss Chiyo.”, growled Ryoga.

“What is she, your girlfriend?” said Mikado.

Ryoga blushed bright red, “No… no… of course not.”

“I see.” Said Mikado, “If she isn’t your girlfriend, then it doesn’t matter.”

Ryoga skated over to Mikado, but he tripped.

“I see you’re even worse at this than the other one.” said Mikado, “Why are you even fighting then?”

Ryoga glared at him as he got up. “I have my reasons. Let’s go!”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back with Momo’s fight…..

Azusa started to dodge Momo’s attacks, but Momo was starting to get faster. Azusa, for the first time since going into Anything Goes Martial Arts, was not only scared, but also felt like taunting her opponent was a bad idea.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands… they watched the Momo/Azusa fight, all of them worried at the situation.

“This isn’t good.” said Hikaru scared.

“Wait, I don’t understand….” said Akane, confused.

“When Pinkie’s hair is flat, bad things tend to happen.” replied Alex.

“Or…. she has one of her nightmares.”, Ranma then stated.

They are watched in silence, Momo’s blows were getting fiercer by the second.

“I hope she calms down before she does something she regrets.” said Ranma, hoping Momo’s rage didn’t go too far.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Momo skated close to Azusa, “Giant Pocky Uppercut!” she shouted as she sent Azusa flying with an uppercut. Azusa landed with a thud onto the ice, clearly hurt.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Mikado saw that Ryoga was still struggling with standing up, so he decided to see if she was okay.

“Azusa is fine.”, said Azusa trying to get up from the powerful uppercut.

“Should we?” asked Mikado.

“Doing the good bye whirl is a bad idea.” cried Azusa, “It will only get her angrier.”

Mikado nodded, realizing she might be right…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoga clumsily skated over to Momo. He then patted her on the shoulder.

“Calm down Momo.” said Ryoga.

Momo began to cry, “But…”

Ryoga sighed; he reached in to hug her. He knew that’s what she needed right now.

“Ranma’s fine… there’s no way that would take him out…” said Ryoga, “Don’t blame yourself either…”

“Okay…” whispered Momo, despite the fact her hair hadn’t poofed back up.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands, everyone in the cheering section all breathed a sigh of relief.

“Should we still be worried?” asked Chiyo.

“Well, her hair isn’t back to normal.” said Belle.

“Let see if she go nuts again.” said Shampoo. Cue everyone else looking at her oddly.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Elsewhere in the stands, the boy Otaku sighed as he turned off his iPod. The girl Otaku handed him back the one she took away.

“Cool down hug, gets them every time.” said the boy, smiling..

“Except for that one time in Naruto...” the otaku girl replied.

“Good point.” said the boy, nodding at this.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in the announcers’ booth…

“Looks like things are calming down…” said Mamoru.

“But Pinkie’s hair isn’t back to normal.” stated Ran.

“How does that work, anyways?” asked Mamoru.

Ran shrugged.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ryoga broke the hug and the two looked at their opponents. There was a silence as the tension began to rise again.

Ryoga smirked and punched the ice, which began to burst out some water which splashed Momo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“I should mention that this ice rink was made by freezing a swimming pool.” said Mamoru.

“That’s stupid.” said Ran, shaking her head.

“You got that right.” said Mamoru, “I mean sooner or later the ice would break apart due to the attacks…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The ice began to break apart much more until it was just floating ice chunks on the water.

“Pinkie…” said Ryoga, “Please prevent me from falling in…”

“Okay.” said Momo, knowing that Ryoga didn’t want to turn into his pig form, lest Azusa kidnap him again.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back in the stands… they all watched with sweat drops.

“That’s what he gets for imitating me.” said Ranma.

“You punched a hole in the ice?” asked Belle with a sweat drop.

Alex and Shampoo also didn’t know about that side of the story and stared at him. Ranma just laughed nervously and shrugged.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back on the ice, Momo got an idea.

“Ryoga, as long as you don’t fall in, this is perfect!” said Momo.

“How so?” said Ryoga.

That was when her pigtails poofed back up, while it did relieve Ryoga that she was back to normal, it did scare Ryoga a little hat she was back to normal.

“You can just stay in one place and throw ice chunks at them!” said Momo.

Ryoga blinked, “That’s perfect! Good idea Pinkie!” said Ryoga.

Mikado glared at Ryoga, “You clearly don’t have any respect for the ice.” He said, “Why are you even fighting… other than the fact you clearly like that girl.”

“That’s none of your business.” said Ryoga.

“Yeah! It’s not like he’s cursed to turn into a pig and his pig form is what we’re fighting over.” Replied Momo. Ryoga groaned, knowing she should’ve expected Momo to say something like that.

“Really?” asked Azusa, intrigued.

“No… it’s clear she’s making fun of you.” said Mikado.

“Oh… because if he did turn into Charlotte, that would be amazing.” Azusa remarked, “Azusa would make him her boyfriend.”

“I told you she’s making fun of you, idiot!” yelled Mikado.

Ryoga grabbed a chunk and threw it at Mikado. However the figure skater dodged the attack.

“Are we fighting or what?” asked Ryoga.

Mikado scowled.

“We can’t do any of our moves on the ice like this,” Azusa said as she dodged another ice chunk.

“Looks like we’re going to have to improvise,” stated Mikado.

“But you’re no good at improvising.” Said Azusa matter of factly.

“Okay… you’re going to have to do the improvising,” Mikado said, face palming.

“Okay!” said Azusa. She began to spin around causing a fog while saying “Dance of the Snow Bird”.

That was when fog covered the entire rink.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Looks like it’s the Dance of the Snow Bird, the fast version of the Couple Cleaver.” said Mamoru in awe.

“Pinkie can beat that.” said Ran.

“Oh really, how?” asked Mamoru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Momo began to look around and saw a shadow in the distance.

“Marco!” yelled Momo.

Ryoga realized what she was doing, and sighed a little. Then again, he was teamed up with the one and only Pinkie Pie, so of course this would be the way to maneuver in the dense fog.

“Polo!” called out Ryoga.

Momo saw that shadows moved when Ryoga said Polo, and knew it was him. She decided to go take Azusa on her own.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“And it appears that Momo just used the pool game Marco Polo to find her way around the move.” said Mamoru.

“Can’t say I’m surprised.” sighed Ran, knowing Pinkie well enough to have expected something like this.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, Mikado looked in the dense fog for Ryoga.

“He is going to pay for his crime against the ice,” he said, grinding his teeth.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

With Azusa, she continued her spinning.

“It will work, it always does.” thought Azusa.

“Hi!” said Momo, popping up in front of her.

Azusa got so surprised that she fell on to her butt. The fog that she created disappeared giving everyone a clear view of the pool that was once a rink.

“How did you do that?” asked Azusa.

“That’s a secret.” said Momo, wiggling her finger.

Azusa got up, and smirked, “Azusa doesn’t know how you do things… but I have to admit Azusa is having fun.”

“What do you mean?” asked Momo.

“You are the only one to ever break Azusa’s defenses.” said Azusa, with a smile.

“Really?” asked Momo, “That’s so awesome!”

Azusa smirked, her battle aura was showing.

“Oh, so we’re doing the whole battle aura thing?” asked Momo.

She began to show hers.

However there was a bit of a problem with the two battle auras facing off against each other.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Both of them are showing off a spectacular battle aura!” said Mamoru.

“And they’re both pink,” Ran mentioned, with a sweat drop building.

“But now that I’m looking at it, it appears to be two different shades of pink; Azusa’s is more of a cherry blossom pink while Momo’s is more of a bubblegum.”

“Really?” asked Ran, “Because I can’t tell the difference between them.”

“Bubble gum is a tiny bit lighter.” said Mamoru, holding up his pointer and thumb to show how tiny it was.

“If you say so,” muttered Ran with another sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

However with the cleared fog, Ryoga and Mikado were able to see each other.

“It is time to end this.” said Mikado.

Mikado turned to kick Ryoga, but Ryoga dodged. However, Ryoga slipped and almost fell into the water. He managed to catch himself between two pieces of ice.

“Now to end this.” growled Mikado, as he aimed a jump at Ryoga.
Ryoga took a breath, and used all of his strength to pick up the two chunks of ice he was holding onto using only a small chunk of ice as a foot hold. He smashed Mikado between the two pieces then threw the two pieces away. He managed to jump onto a larger piece of ice and take a breath.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Both Momo and Azusa stopped their show down of pink battle auras.

“Oh, he got defeated?” asked Azusa, frowning.

“Oh… I was hoping that we would have a chance to shoot our battle auras at each other in a flurry of awesome attacks.” pouted Momo. Her friends groaned at Momo being, well, her.

After 10 seconds of Mikado not surfacing, a bell was rung.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Mikado Sanzenin has not resurfaced, which means one thing! Momo Mochi and Ryoga Hibiki have won.” said Mamoru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

There were some cheers in the audience, from those who attended Furinkan High and the slight minority that hated both Azusa and Mikado.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Momo hopped over to Ryoga and made sure that he got on to dry ground so no one knew he turned into a pig, while many students went to go get the life guard and medical staff to check both Mikado and Ranma.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After not too long in the infirmary, Ranma was being looked over.

“Now let me go though this.” said the doctor looking over him, “Are you a robot?”

“What? No…” said Ranma.

“What planet are you from?” asked the doctor. Ranma groaned.

“I’m… from earth…” said Ranma.

“I see.” Said the doctor, “Then how are you still alive?! I saw that dent, I even saw the video of that impact… you shouldn’t have merely minor sprains…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Outside the room, they heard this conversation and all sweat dropped.

“It looks like Ranma’s going to be all right.” said Akane.

“That’s good.” said Momo, who started giving a sad smile.

Before Momo could get any more depressed, they heard a yell of “Hey! Give me back my blanket!”

Azusa came out of the room holding a blanket with a picture of a ducky on it, holding it and humming, causing everyone to sweat drop.

Azusa saw them looking, she looked at Momo and pointed. “This isn’t over Momo Mochi! We will fight again, even if it has to be one on one!”

“Really?” asked Momo perking up, “Then we’re rivals?”

“We are!” said Azusa.

“Really?! Awesome, I have my own rival!” cheered Momo.

“Their rivalry is going to be really weird, isn’t it?” asked Alex.

“Shampoo think so…” said Shampoo.

“I TOLD YOU I’M A NORMAL HUMAN!” yelled Ranma in the other room.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night at the Tendo Dojo…

“Hey! Does anyone else have to use the bath?” asked Rainbow Dash.

That was when she was pulled away from the living room by Applejack.

“Please! Can I please say good bye to Charlotte?” asked Azusa.

“No… please go away.” said Akane.

“If you stay here any longer, I’m going to charge you,” stated Nabiki.

“But I want to see Charlotte!” whined Azusa.

Ryoga, who was also in the room sighed…

“Don’t even think about it.” said Ranma, “Or do you want to date her…” Ranma then smirked

Ryoga sweat dropped, yeah, having her in there was better than being forced to date her…

And so after an emotional roller coaster of a fight, Momo/Pinkie gained a rival… but who knows what was going to happen in the future or if the other ponies would eventually gain them.

Hopefully there would be at least one more rivalry…

Here Comes Ranma plus Several

Ponies One Half
By Emma Iveli

Chapter 1: Here Comes Ranma plus Several

Furinkan was a section of the Nerima Ward of Tokyo, it was peaceful and calm unlike a nearby section…which will go unnamed. It was a peaceful day despite the rain. However, the peace was destroyed by a panda fighting four teenage girls.

“Is that a panda?” asked a young woman.

“Why is it fighting girls?” asked a man.

“Hey it’s a Kung Fu Panda!” said a teenaged boy.

“Oh god no! The madness of Tomobiki is spreading!” yelled an old man.

However, most people just ignored the fighting. They did not know this was the start of an age of weirdness.

“You could've just waited!” said one girl as she punched the panda. She had blue eyes, red hair tied into a very short pigtail, and wore traditional Chinese clothing.

“But no…I had to do this engagement now!” This girl punched the panda right in the face; he staggered, but then countred. The girl blocked it with ease.

The Panda held up a sign that said, “But the honor of both schools…”

The second girl kicked the panda. She had long purple hair that was mostly worn down, but had twin buns tied on the sides of her head and two locks tied on each side of her face. Her eyes were reddish purple and she also wore traditional Chinese clothing.

“Is point of heaven and earth solution deal with marriages and engagements. You should brought us,” said the second. She swung her fist at the panda, who quickly busted out another sign.

“How did you even get here so fast?” signed the panda.

That was when the third girl went in for the attack. She was rather petite, her eyes were magenta, and her hair was colored with the seven colors of the rainbow. She wore a black T-shirt depicting a cloud producing a lightning bolt shaped rainbow, and jean shorts. The sign got smashed by the Chinese girl's punch, then the rainbow haired girl dashed right up to him in the blink of an eye, and pounds him with bunches of punches!

“Do we really have to explain?” asked the third one as she gave the panda an uppercut, sending him flying.

The panda blinked, “No… I guess not,” it signed, “And what am I going to tell Soun?”

The last one was a girl who looked like an American. She had green eyes, freckles on her face, and long blonde hair tied into a ponytail near the end with a red scrunchie. She wore a brown Stetson (cowboy) hat, a yellow plaid shirt depicting three apples on the front pocket, and denim jeans.

“The gosh darn truth,” said the last girl as she delivered a sharp kick to the panda, knocking it into a wall.

The panda looked at its four opponents. While the “American girl” wasn’t as skilled as the other three, who were highly trained martial artists, he knew that her kicks were vicious. The panda needed a way to get to its location while bringing only the redhead.

The panda looked around as the four girls surround him, and seemed to show worry on his face. Each of the girls cracked their knuckles and smirk. Suddenly, the panda noticed a tall light pole, grabbed it, and did a Neo-style spin around it, kicking the four girls as he did so; the boy who had made the Kung Fu Panda joke yelled, "RIP-OFF!".

The panda quickly bonked the pigtailed girl on the noggin with the light pole, knocking her out. Hefting her on his shoulder, he gave the other three girls a raspberry, and ran for it!

“Hey wait!” yelled the rainbow haired one. She entered a runner's position, ready to give chase.

Before the remaining three girls could run after them, they heard a voice yell out,

“Stop!” They turned to see a small old woman standing on a cane. She had long grey hair and was wore a dark green dress. Behind the old woman stood four more teenage girls. Three of them had an umbrella to keep out the rain as one of them was holding something else.

The first had violet eyes, and dark indigo hair with two streaks colored pink and purple. She wore jeans, a white blouse, and a purple sweater vest over it, which depicted a hot pink star surrounded by five smaller white ones.

The second had cyan eyes, fuchsia pink poofy hair, and wore a cotton candy pink dress that depicted three balloons (two blue, one yellow) on the skirt. Her figure was, "bouncy," for lack of a better term.

The third had sea blue eyes, long pink hair a shade brighter than the second girl, and wore a yellow turtleneck sweater depicting three pink butterflies on it, as well as a pink skirt. Around her arms was a black piglet that wore a yellow bandanna with small black chevrons.

The last one had sapphire blue eyes, purple hair that was curled very stylishly, and wore a very fancy raincoat with matching rain hat.

“For this one, we have to use our heads,” said the old woman.

“How do we do that? For all we know, he could be long gone by now!” asked the rainbow-haired one. She was taping her feet impatiently; she seemed to be the kind of person who was always in a hurry.

“We passed by a police box when you were fighting. I got the address.” Said the girl with the indigo hair.

“We can beat traitorous panda to the dojo?” asked the first purple haired girl, the one who fought the panda earlier.

“I don’t know about that, but we can get there without him knowing we’re following.”

“Or we can always teleport there.”, joked the fuchsia haired girl.

“DON’T JOKE ABOUT THAT!”, everyone yelled, save for the first purple haired girl in Chinese clothing, the old woman, and the pink haired girl in the yellow sweater.

“Do you think Ranma will be all right?” asked the girl in the yellow sweater. Her voice sounded like that of a shy person.

“He’s made of sterner stuff than that…" assured the old woman. "I’m sure he’ll wake up soon with a big headache… and a bruised ego.”

“Let’s go get that panda!” said the rainbow haired girl as she ran off in a random direction.

“Wait!" called back the indigo haired girl. "I haven’t given you the address!”

The old woman laughed and said, “Ah… to be young again…”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the destination, a man in his forties gathered his three daughters to discuss something important. He had shoulder length hair, a mustache, and wore a brown gi. His name was Soun Tendo, and he was the owner of the Tendo Dojo of Anything Goes Martial Arts.

Kasumi was the eldest, a gentle homemaker with long brown hair kept in a ponytail.

Nabiki was the middle sister, an extremely greedy young woman who ran several black markets in school as well as ran the school’s betting system. She had shoulder length brown hair.

The youngest was Akane, the only one training in the family art and a tomboy. She had long blue-ish black hair which she usually wore in a low ponytail. All three sisters had brown eyes.

Soun was telling them about Ranma, the son of his old training partner Genma Saotome. And one of them would enter an arranged marriage with him. While Kasumi and Nabiki seemed interested, Akane wasn't. She hated boys. Then again, who can blame her when she gets mobbed by a bunch of them every day because they wanted to date her?

That was when they heard someone yell “Put me down!” from down the hall.

“Oh, is that him?” asked Nabiki.

“Genma!” cried Soun in joy.

Both of them went to welcome their guests. In came the panda carrying the redhead.

“Daddy? Is that your friend?” asked Nabiki in a sarcastic tone.

Soun was in a state of panic, clearly not expecting him. “I have no idea what a panda is doing here.”

All that Kasumi could come up with was an “Oh my…” as the panda placed the girl on the floor.

“You wouldn’t be…,” said Soun.

“I’m Ranma Saotome…" said the redhead. "Sorry 'bout this.”

Before Soun could hug Ranma and call her son in law, the panda suddenly went flying into the air.

“My spine!” signed the panda as he crashed into the wall and collapsed.

Everyone sweat dropped… then looked at the rainbow haired girl who apparently made the panda fly; her leg was moving down from a kicking position. The girl smirked.

“Nice one, Ran,” said Ranma.

“No problem,” replied the rainbow haired girl. Apparently, Ran was her name. The two high-fived at Ran's handiwork.

“You two wouldn't happen to be sisters, would you?” asked Nabiki.

“No," replied Ran with a shrug. "I just happen to have a similar name.”

“Her name is based on the English word 'ran',” said Ranma.

“The one who gave me that name thought it would be a good pun.”

“You don't mean your parents, do you?”, inquired Akane. She was confused, and it showed.

“Never mind.”

“So…where are the others?” asked Ranma.

“Right here,” said the old woman as she seemingly appeared from nowhere.

This surprised the Tendos (save for Kasumi for some reason), although Ranma and Ran didn't react similarly.

“How did you do that?” Akane wanted to know.

“When you get as old as me, then you can pick up a few things.”

“Is everything all right?” asked the fuchsia haired girl…popping out from…somewhere…and scaring the Tendos again (and again with the exception of Kasumi).

“Is she your student?” Akane asked the old woman.

“No…” she replied. “I have no idea how she does that.”

“We all decided to stop questioning it a long time ago…” said Ran.

“By the way… Who are you?” Akane asked

Before any of the newcomers could answer, a voice came.

“Hello, is everyone here?” it said.

That was when the rest of their companions arrived.

“Sorry for entering like this.” apologized the indigo haired girl.

“Now what is going on here?” asked Soun.

“By the way, daddy…” Nabiki cut in.

“Yes?”

“Ranma is a girl.” Nabiki then poked one of Ranma’s breasts to prove her point.

“Please don’t do that,” said Ranma.

Soun fainted… maybe it was the panda, maybe it was the fact the boy he always waited for was a girl… either way he went down.

“Oh my,” said Kasumi.

“Is he all right?” asked the girl in the yellow sweater.

“He’s just being overly dramatic.” assured Nabiki.

“I am in a lot of pain, please someone help me,” signed the panda as he lay on the wall he was kicked into.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Sometime later… Soun had regained consciousness, but he wasn't moving as he broke down to tears.

“Some fiancé this turned out to be,” snarked Nabiki as she poking Ranma’s breast once again. “How can we marry her…”

“He told me he had a son,” lamented Soun.

The indigo haired girl was about to say something when the old woman silenced her with a shake of the head.

“Now's not the time,” she whispered.

The indigo haired girl nodded, knowing that someone else would have to explain everything.

Just then, Kasumi came into the room with tea for everyone. “So you are Ranma’s friends?” she asked.

“You could say that,” replied the first purple haired girl.

“We should introduce ourselves,” suggested the old woman. “My name's Cologne. I’m an elder of a village in China and this my great, great, granddaughter Shampoo.”

“Japanese no good.” sighed Shampoo.

“The rest of us are just traveling with Ranma until we can find our way back home,” explained the indigo haired girl, “We’re also helping hi...er, her... with a problem.”

“It’s a really, really, really super long story,” said the fuchsia haired girl so as to stop any questions.

“If someone only read the book correctly…” muttered Ran.

“I did read it correctly!", retorted the indigo haired girl. "I just put too much power into it!”

“Please stop fighting,” whispered the girl in the yellow sweater. Ran quickly walked up to the indigo-haired girl, not happy at all.

“Yeah, everything’s over and done with,” said Ranma as she broke up what might've become a heated argument. “Besides it’s already been a month.”

“Fine…” muttered Ran as she turned away.

“You should introduce yourselves, girls,” suggested Cologne as she took a sip of tea.

The six girls took the hint.

“I guess I should reintroduce myself,” said Ran. “Ran Issanni.”

Kasumi giggled, then said, “Sorry. It’s just that you told us your parents named you Ran based on the English word… Which means you have the need for speed.” Most everyone of the room sat in silence at the incredibly bad joke. In the distance, a cricket chirped.

“I made the same joke when I first heard it!" said the fuchsia haired girl. "Oh, I’m Momo Mochi!”

“My… my name is Chiyo Onbin,” the girl in the yellow sweater whispered, although it was loud enough for the family to hear.

Momo then turned her head to the piglet Chiyo was holding. “Oh, the piggy’s name is Ryoga,” she then said. The pig oinked a hello.

“I am Belle Perle,” said the second purple haired girl, the one who was very stylish.

“You’re from France?” asked Nabiki.

“Um… yes…” Belle looked like she was lying as she said that.

“You’re from America, right?” Akane asked the blonde girl.

“Um...yes,” she replied nervously. “Alex Jackson.”

“And I’m Hikaru Hakumei,” introduced the indigo haired girl.

And you’re all going to be staying here?” inquired Nabiki.

“If you don’t mind,” said Cologne.

“Why?!” cried Soun.

“You know… I'm not sure if we can afford all of you,” said Nabiki.

“Once we get settled in, you don’t have to worry, darling,” assured Belle.

“Really, how?”

Belle pointed to her dress, which was very beautiful, white, and had a mark depicting three blue diamonds on it. “I made this myself,” she explained.

Nabiki blinked as she admired the dress. “Really? That’s impressive.” Already, she was thinking of buying something similar.

“So…” Akane spoke up looking at Ranma, “I guess you and Ran study martial arts.”

“Yeah,” Ran answered for her.

“Do either of you want to spar?”

“Shampoo will,” offered Shampoo, cracking her knuckles. .

“Oh, okay.” For some reason, Akane was getting a strange feeling from the Chinese girl.

“Um… can you tell me a place where I can have some privacy?” Hikaru asked the Tendos.

“Sure,” offered Kasumi as she then led Hikaru out of the room.

Meanwhile, Akane pointed most of their visitors to the Dojo so she could get ready.

“Why, a daughter?!” Soun continued to cry.

“What a drama queen,” sighed Belle, earning her a look from Alex, Ran, Momo, Chiyo, and Ryoga, the latter of which oinked in disapproval.

Hypocrite, the other four thought.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the dojo, the visitors waited for Akane to change into her gi.

“Are you ready?” the youngest of the Tendos asked, who then noticed Ranma, Ran, Alex, and Momo watching. For some reason, Momo had a box with red and white stripes holding popcorn....

“Where did she get the popcorn?” she thought out loud.

Ranma, Alex, and Ran shrugged. It was best not to know.

She shook her head and paid attention to Shampoo. And the spar began.

Akane yelled "Take this!" She charged towards Shampoo with a punch; Shampoo just deflected it, and hit her with a back kick, taunting, "You too slow!" Akane fumed, and simply went berserk; Shampoo simply dodged, blocked, or deflected every move. Akane eventually fell down on one knee, panting. She then screamed, "DARN IT!" Going for a roundhouse kick, Shampoo simply leaped over her, and kicked her hard in the back, knocking Akane down for the count.

“Shampoo win.”, the Chinese girl simply stated.

Akane said with a smile, “This is the first time I lost.”

“You mad?”

“No. I’m just happy you weren’t a boy.”

“Then you lucky you no fight Ranma.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, in another room… Hikaru sat alone, her hands glowing with a purple aura. Floating in-between them was a vial of water. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on the vial. Just then, the door to the room opened. Hikaru lost her concentration and dropped the vial, but she caught it before it could fall to the floor.

“Isn’t that vial supposed to unbreakable?”, asked the person who opened the door.

That person was a middle-aged man in a white gi, he wore glasses and a bald cap.

“Yes, but you still broke my concentration,” replied Hikaru.

“I’m going to explain about myself and Ranma. But I’m leaving it up to you and your friends to explain your thing.”

“I understand.” Hikaru sighed.

“By the way, why are you still a human? Isn’t your magic stronger as…THAT?”

Hikaru glared at the man. “I found it easier to analyze the water in my cursed form, even if my magic is weaker.”

“I see. But remember the deal; you cure us and we provide you with a place to stay.”

“I know, I know. You don’t have to remind me.” Hikaru let out another sigh.

“I’m going to explain it to Soun.” With that, he slammed the door behind him.

As the man left, Hikaru sighed. I'm having second thoughts on helping that jerk... Ranma, though... At least Ranma was a friend.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Upstairs, Kasumi led Chiyo to the bathroom.

“Thank you for letting us…I mean me take a bath.”, Chiyo said as she avoided Kasumi’s gaze.

Kasumi smiled at the shy girl, “It’s no problem at all.” She then went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare dinner as she was expecting a lot of people.

“By the way, besides Ranma and Shampoo, the other girls are vegetarians,” Cologne notified her, appearing out of nowhere once again.

“Really? Why?”

“You’ll see.” Cologne then gave a mysterious smile. “Oh, and I would expect one more guest. One who doesn’t eat pork.”

Kasumi blinked, unsure what Cologne meant.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the dojo, Akane watched Ran and Ranma have their own spar. To say those two were on a different level as her would be a complete and utter understatement. She could barely see Ran’s movements, almost a blur. Meanwhile, Ranma was using any advantage she could get to counter Ran's pure speed.

“No wonder that’s her name,” Akane whispered. She then turned to Momo, who was now eating out of a bag of cookies. “Where did you get those?”

Momo shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“It’s best you don’t know.”, said Alex as she also watched the spar. “I’ve known her for years and I don’t know where she gets her snacks… or those other things about her…”

Akane sweat dropped, not wanting to know what that meant.

“So, I take it you hope to aspire to be as skilled as those two,” said Cologne, who suddenly appeared next to her. Akane jumped when she saw the old woman. “If you want to, I can train you… but only if you accept.”

“Accept what?” asked Akane.

“You’ll see.” Cologne gave another mysterious smile.

Shampoo looked at Akane, then at Ranma. Things were about to get very interesting.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

After the spar,(which Ranma won by catching Ran off guard, using her speed to knock her into the wall.), Akane went into the kitchen, where Kasumi was preparing the food. “Kasumi, is the bath ready?” asked Akane.

“Chiyo is using it,” said Kasumi.

“Do you think she’ll mind?”

The girl was very shy, and she barely said anything, Kasumi thought, unsure. “I don’t know…” she responded.

“Maybe this will allow her to open up more.”

Kasumi sighed and—in the end—didn't stop her youngest sister as she decided to go upstairs to join Chiyo in the bath.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the bathroom… there was a naked teenaged boy and a yellow Pegasus that was 4 feet tall. She had a marking on her flank depicting three pink butterflies. Neither was looking at each other and both were blushing.

“You can look at me if you want,” said the Pegasus, “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

“I know,” responded the teenage boy who was wearing the bandana the pig was wearing (though on his head instead of his neck), “But… it’s just that…”

That was when the door opened and in walked a naked Akane. She stared at the odd sight, blinking her eyes. She then closed the door… just as the boy got a nosebleed that shot out like a geyser.

“Oh no… oh no… what am I going to do?” cried the Pegasus.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Meanwhile, Akane put the top of her gi, left the bathroom area, walked down the stairs…then finally screamed. Almost everyone in the building came to see what was wrong with her.

“Akane, what’s wrong?” Kasumi asked.

“There’s a naked man and a horse with wings in the bathroom!” she cried out.

“He’s naked?” gasped Momo, “That must mean he'll need his clothes!”

And with that, Momo ran up the stairs. Akane looked at Momo and decided it would be best to ignore her. If she wanted to clothe a strange horse obsessed psychopath, it’s her own fault.

“Are you sure you weren’t seeing things?” Kasumi asked.

“Maybe there’s a gas leak,” said Nabiki.

“I swear it! I saw a yellow horse with wings!” insisted Akane, “And a naked man!”

“The term is Pegasus,” corrected Ran, seemingly defensive about it.

“I don’t care what the term is! There’s something strange going on in the bathroom.”

“Well since you saw one them, I don’t have to have Hikaru explain it, then.” said the strange man, who was holding a copper kettle. He eyed Ran… as if he wanted revenge for something. Something that involved a flying kick to the spine.

“You don’t think he’s angry about what happened earlier?”, asked Alex.

The man threw that kettle at Ran.

“I think that answers your question.” Said Ranma giving a half lidded stare at the man.

The four Tendos stared at Ran… well at where Ran stood. Much like the Pegasus that was in the bathroom, there stood another, who was now in Ran’s clothes. However, this one was sky blue and had a rainbow mane.

“That’s it!”, yelled the Pegasus, who took off and tackled the man. As the two fought, only the Tendos watched in surprise; everyone else acted like it was nothing.

“Rainbow Dash! Please take off your clothes!”, scolded Belle. “I don’t want you to ruin my hard work!”

Ranma sighed and said, “Hey… A.J., Twi, Shampoo… you want to help me with the rest of the hot water? Because I think we’re going to need a lot to explain all this.”

“Of course,” agreed Alex.

“Fine…” muttered Hikaru.

“Shampoo thinks she should help with Akane,” said Shampoo.

“What do you mean help with Akane?” asked Ranma.

It was then they noticed Akane had fainted.

“That would probably be a good idea,” agreed Hikaru with a sweat drop.

That was when the Pegasus from the bathroom along with the boy (now with tissues in his nose) and another, well…for lack of a better term…pony came down the stairs.

“Well it seems like everyone found out,” said the new pony. Her coat was cotton candy pink, her hair was hot pink and poofy, and she had a marking on her flank depicting three balloons.

Soun did what he usually did: cry. Sure, he could handle what Genma had told him about the curses, but he still had no idea what the two from China and these girls…were… And indeed, the seemingly normal lives of the Tendo Family ended that day.

More Training and the Race

Chapter 12: More Training and the Race

Rainbow Dash was utterly exhausted. After Ryoko’s little visit, she had continued practicing the Rainburst, which of course eventually took out a lot on her.

"Rainbow Dash.", a voice came. The Pegasus looked up and saw Twilight Sparkle having a certain look on her face; a look that meant she was about to do what she does best: lecture. “You can’t train that way! You’ll just end up exhausted! Do you want to practice so hard you’ll be in a coma?” Rainbow just grabbed a pillow and stuffed her face into it in an attempt to tune out Twilight's words, but to no avail. “You have to balance it out. You have to both practice and perfect the Rainburst. Otherwise, you won’t be able to win.”

Rainbow groaned. She HATED being lectured, and she had enough!

“Okay, okay! I’ll do it!” yelled Rainbow, unable to take it.

“Good.”

Rainbow sighed afterward, thinking, This is going to be a hard next few days. I really do not want another lecture from her. After a few more seconds, the Pegasus got an idea. …I think I know someone who can help out in my training. Applejack's still a beginner in martial arts. I'm gonna need an expert like me. And I think I know just the one…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day…

Ran was at the school's race track, sparring with Ranma-Chan. As it was, Ranma's female form was much faster than his male form, something Cologne figured out sometime before they “left” for Japan.

“I’m going to show you how to do Marital Arts Running,” said Ranma-Chan.

“I’d like to see you try,” countered Ran.

The four spectators, Alex, Hikaru, Akane, and Momo, watched their banter.

“Are you actually going to race?” asked Alex. This stopped the banter as the two prepared themselves for their spar.

Once again, Hikaru served as the referee for this race/fight, holding a whistle hung around her neck.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

Hikaru then blew the whistle and it was on. The two sped off like a speeding bullet and began their spar. The blows they exchanged were swift, and at times were vey blurry. Momo said as they watched, "Looks like something from Dragonball Z." When everyone looked at her, she said, "My friend who got me into anime showed me an episode."

However, there was one thing Ranma-Chan forgot to factor during this spar; the finish line. Seeing it just in reach, Ran broke off from the battle and reached the finish, winning the spar.

“You cheated!” yelled Ranma-Chan.

“The point was to get to the finish line first,” clarified Ran.

“Do over!”

“Fine.”

They had another spar, which Ran once again won. And another, and another. At this point…

“I think they forgot what they were doing…” mumbled Akane.

Hikaru nodded as she did a face palm.

Then, Cologne appeared once again out of nowhere. “At least it's gotten to the point where she’s not worried about perfecting the Rainburst,” she said, scaring Akane.

“Please don’t do that,” pleaded the youngest Tendo.

“Don’t worry sugar cube," assured Alex. "You’ll get used to it.”

“I know.” Akane was still getting used to Pinkie Pie's antics. While they were more strange than Cologne's sudden popping in, the latter was less common than the former.

“Let them do it,” said Cologne, “It will be good for her.” They then watched Ran begin to gloat over Ranma-Chan with a few sweat drops.

“It might make things worse,” said Alex.

“We’ll just have to wait and see won’t we?”

“I win again, Ranma!” gloated Ran.

“I’ll beat you this time for sure!” bantered Ranma-Chan. Unfortunately, for the rest of the day, she had failed to deliver.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The next day…

Word had spread throughout Tokyo about the upcoming Anything Goes Martial Arts Marathon between Ran and Ryoko. Many people talked about it, knowing that it was going to be awesome. In fact, it got to the point where Ran had to find a place to eat lunch without anyone bothering her at school. Thankfully, her friends were there all the way.

“Is there any martial arts you won’t try to prove that you’re the best at?” asked Akane.

Ranma put a hand to his chin and rubbed it as he began to think. “If there’s something that makes me wear a dress or something else girly like cheerleading for ballet, then that’s something I won’t do.”

“I doubt there’s martial arts ballet or cheerleading.”

Oh, how wrong you are, Akane.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In a classroom at Furinkan High…

A girl with long blue hair sneezed while eating lunch and reading some BL Manga.

“That was weird…” she mumbled as she then shrugged.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At Seisyun High…

A girl with brown hair sneezed, scowling since she knew someone was talking about her.

“I’ll go see if was the Speed Demon,” she grumbled.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Shampoo think martial arts ballet work.”

“What about cheerleading?” asked Akane.

“Shampoo doubt it exists.”

“Maybe after you beat Ryoko, I’ll challenge her,” said Ranma.

“If you’re unable to beat me, you won’t be able to defeat Ryoko,” pointed out Ran.

“I’ll show you.”

This made everyone sweat drop.

“Great grandmother gave Shampoo the day off to watch them,” said Shampoo, “She say it really interesting.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” said Hikaru with a big sweat drop.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Over the course of the next few days, the spars continued, and Ran kept getting better, which was the reason for the spars. However, she had forgotten a little something.

Two days before the race…

“I’m getting tired of this,” groaned Ranma-Chan.

“What? Can’t keep up,” teased Ran.

“That and weren’t you also supposed to perfect the Rainburst?”

An awkward silence ensued. “I can’t believe I forgot.”

She turned to the spectators… um… spectator. Akane, Alex, and Hikaru had gotten tired of watching the spars as there was nothing they could do to help. Momo, on the other hand, had stayed.

“You’re finally getting back to Rainburst training?” she asked.

Ran sweat dropped, unable to come up with a response, and that she had almost forgotten Momo was the only one watching. She sighed and turned to Ranma-Chan. “I’m going to perfect it today or my name isn’t Rainbow Dash.”

“So then that means your going to be changing your name to Ran Issanni all the time?” asked Momo.

Ran tried to come up with a response, but had none. Momo's mind is too literal to understand metaphors and such. “Never mind.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

That night, at the Tendo residence…

After getting lost again, Ryoga managed to arrive earlier that afternoon and was now telling a story of what happened during the time lost.

“So let me get this straight," said Nabiki. "You wound up taking this old woman all around Japan for several days before finding the proper police box?”

“Yeah…” Ryoga sheepishly admitted.

“Have you ever considered buying a GPS?”

“I don’t have that kind of money.”

Before Rarity could consider offering him the money to buy one, Ran entered the room.

“I perfected the Rainburst,” she said.

“Really?” asked Twilight.

“Finally…” mumbled Akane.

“At least she remembered about it,” muttered Nabiki.

“So, what’s going on?” asked Ryoga.

“Rainbow Dash was challenged to an Anything Goes Martial Arts Running race,” explained Fluttershy.

“There’s Anything Goes Martial Arts Running?” Ryoga was a little surprised by it.

Then again, he was well versed in one of the weirder forms of Anything Goes Marital Arts, so he couldn’t complain.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the next couple days, Ran trained as hard as she could to defeat Ryoko and eventually, the day of the race came.

The two racers did their stretches at the starting line as the event was getting under way.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Hello and welcome to the Furinkan High VS. Seisyun High Anything Goes Martial Arts Marathon," said the event's announcer. "I am Shiro Asakura of Seisyun High.”

“And I’m Momo Mochi of Furinkan High!” Since she had prior experience as an announcer for a race, Momo had been selected to be the announcer for Furinkan High.

“We’ll be watching a race between the reigning champ Ryoko 'Speed Demon' Hirano and newcomer Ran 'Rainbow Dash' Issanni. This will be a race to determine whether or not the newbie can defeat the winner! Momo, give us the course!”

“Okay! It’s a circle around a lot of Tokyo, it runs past the border between Furinkan and Tomobiki, then turns for a while it hits the Higurashi Shrine, before turning, it goes around all sorts of places before getting to this place again.”

“You didn’t look at the route after the Higurashi shrine, did you?”

“Well those are the only two things the readers would be interested in.”

“What?” Shiro stared at Momo thinking she was crazy, “But this isn’t being written. This is a webcast.”

“In less than a minute, the race will begin.” Momo had ignored the baffled Shiro.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

As the two participants got ready, Ryoko’s fans began to cheer. They were a group of fanboys wearing T-shirts dedicated to Ryoko.

“Ryoko! She can really move! Ryoko! She’s got an attitude! Ryoko she’s the fastest thing alive! The Fastest thing alive!”, they sang.

The otaku boy said in response, "Sonic called. He wants his theme song back!"

“Fan boys,” muttered Ryoko, then turned to Ran, “You’re lucky you don’t have to deal with that… but it might help to have a cheering section.”

Ran just jabbed her thumb to her friends and classmates in response. Cologne was also there.

“Yay! Go Rainbow Dash!” cheered Chiyo on her own way, causing everyone else in the section to face palm.

Ryoga, who managed to stay at the Tendos long enough, merely blushed at Chiyo’s cheering, while the otaku boy blushed and said “So… Moe…”

“Her cheering…” said Ryoko with a sweat drop, “Is she for real?”

“She’s always been like that,” explained Ran.

“I see. But you’re lucky you don’t have fan boys.”

She was immediately proven wrong. “Go Ran!" cheered Kuno. "You can defeat her!”

Ryoko sweat dropped at that. “At least it’s only one.”

“But it’s Kuno…”

The two then readied themselves, knowing it there was a proper time to banter, it should be while they're fighting.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

In the stands, Ran’s friends were all sitting together.

“I can’t believe how big this thing is,” said Hikaru in awe.

“This area takes its Anything Goes Marital Arts seriously,” explained Akane.

“Seriously, I think this might be excessive,” commented Alex.

“Maybe…”

As they conversed, they watched Kuno get into a fight with one of Ryoko’s fanboys.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“Three!” said the referee.

“Two!”

"One!"

“Go!”

On the signal, the two started jogging at a brisk pace.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“It seems like Ran knows her way around a marathon,” remarked Shiro.

“Of course she does," replied Momo. "Back home, my friend Twilight got fifth place in a race because she read a book.”

“So…”

“That was her first time in a marathon. Also, in that race, Rainbow Dash and Applejack ended up tied for last even though they were well ahead for the majority of the race.”

"Really?!" Shiro whistled, “Okay, 5th place is good for a first timer. Anyway, as the race begins, for those watching from the carefully-placed screens or the livestream online, let’s explain how we bring it to you.”

“The Seisyun High Science Club has hooked up several remote control helicopters with cameras and are having them follow Rainbow Dash and Ryoko.”

“Do you always call her by her nickname?” mumbled Shiro who then returned to the topic at hand, “Anyway, we bring you the pictures live… these cameras will also be on alert for any cheating involved.”

“Rainbow Dash wouldn’t cheat… well, not after what happened last time.”

“No… not Rainbow Dash cheating... it’s… you know what, I’d rather not explain Ryoko’s problem with the cheerleaders.”

“What?”

“Don’t ask.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The two runners were evenly matched as the race began. However, it was only the start.

“I see you get the point of a marathon,” remarked Ryoko.

“Yeah,” replied Ran.

“But you forgot this is Anything Goes Marital Arts Running!” She then tried to kick her legs, but Ran managed to jump and land several feet away. “You got lucky!”

Ran then began to turn around and run backwards, a tactic she learned from her spars with Ranma. At the same time, she blocked Ryoko’s blows and thanks to this stance it was easier.

“Any second now, you're going to fall. After all, I haven’t seen a backwards runner who couldn’t last this long.”

“Are you sure?” Ran then managed to get in a good kick on one of Ryoko’s legs, causing Ryoko to fall. Ran then took this chance to take the lead.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“No fair!", yelled Momo. "Did Rainbow Dash just cheat?”

“No… that’s the point of Marital Arts running!” explained Shiro.

“Oh yeah.”

IS this girl for real? thought Shiro with a sweat drop. Just then, through the screens, he saw Ryoko get up, dust herself off, take a deep breath, and seemingly glow with an aura of some kind. “She's doing it! It’s time for her nickname!”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s a reason for her nickname. Your friend may have the Rainburst, but Ryoko has Demon Speed. Something she can use multiple times in a single race.”

On the screens, Ryoko zoomed off, becoming a blur in the cameras' eyes.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

At the starting/finish line, the fanboys began to sing their song again.

“She’s clearly using Chi,” said Cologne. “And she appears to be much more skilled than Rainbow Dash.”

“She didn’t even learn about it until we got here,” said Hikaru.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Back at the race…

Ran continued her steady pace, knowing from experience that exerting oneself all throughout was gonna end with her falling behind. Just then, she felt something behind her. Turning around, she saw Ryoko with her arm extended out like she was about to clothesline her.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

“It’s the Demonic Decapitation!” yelled Shiro.

“Why would she name her attacks like that?”

“Her fanboys did. I personally think it’s a little gruesome.”

“Oh, okay.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ran barely dodged the Ryoko's super speed clothesline.

“Wow… you’re one of a few people who managed to evade my attack.” Ryoko gave a smirk. “I’m glad I challenged you!”

“This fight is only getting started,” replied Ran.

And so the Anything Goes Martial Arts Race truly began! But would Ran be able to defeat her opponent? Only time will tell.