[FanFic] Ranma no Daigakusei - Episode 3

[Paul Gallegos]

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Their relationship has been a volatile one.
She, a boy-hating tomboy.
He, a martial artist cursed to be an aquatranssexual.
Engaged against their will, they learned to tolerate each other.
Now, their relationship is moving on to the next level.
They must learn not only to cope with their new relationship, but with college.
Their names are Ranma and Akane Saotome.
This is their story.

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Ranma no Daigakusei

Episode 3: "Akane's New Pet"

Written by David Tai and Paul Gallegos

Based on characters created by Rumiko Takahashi

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[It's a fine spring day, with birds singing and the fresh spring air blowing
around. Everyone's enjoying this wonderful day... except for one person. Ranma
is walking past the park, alone, with an angry red handprint on his face.]

Ranma: [muttering] Stupid tomboy. Just because I refused to eat her cooking
again... I mean, really. How does she expect me to attend classes when
I'm sick??

[Ranma continues muttering and occassionally kicking a few pebbles. One of
those pebbles bounces over into the grass... and bounces back.]

Ranma: What?

[Ranma pushes aside the grass, revealing a large reddish gold egg.]

Ranma: What a colorful egg! And it's pretty warm, like it's been freshly laid!
[thinking] Food!

[Ranma looks around. No one seems to be attacking him, so he picks up the egg,
puts it in his shirt, and heads home.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Maison Sabaku. Akane is attempting yet again to cook dinner. Ranma opens the
door and walks in.]

Ranma: Hey, Akane! [pulls out the large egg] Do you know what kind of egg
this is?

Akane: I don't know. Let me see. [Ranma hands the egg to Akane] Where did
you find it?

Ranma: Over at the park. It was in the grass. What do you think it is?

Akane: I don't know, but it's definitely a bird's egg, and not a snake egg.
See, the shell's hard. [hands egg to Ranma]

Ranma: Hmm.. I wonder if I can make an omelet with that.

Akane: Oh, don't worry, I'll cook it.

Ranma: Uh...

[Akane takes out a large mixing bowl, then takes the egg from Ranma. She then
tries to crack the egg on the bowl, but fails.]

Akane: Ranma, I can't seem to open the egg!

Ranma: Let me try.

[Ranma nonchalantly takes the egg, and taps it on the bowl. His nonchalance
turns into disbelief as the egg refuses to give way. A series of gag-scenes
follow as Ranma pounds on the egg in this sequence: Hands, hammer, sword,
sledgehammer, Akane's leftover cake. Finally, Ranma gives up, grabbing the egg
and smashing it onto the counter.]

Ranma: Impossible! The shell is HARD! There's no way to open it!

[And the egg cracks. Startled, Ranma falls over backwards. Akane walks over.]

Akane: Why, Ranma! There's a cute bird!

Ranma: [dazzled look on his face] Bird?

[Ranma picks himself up from the floor and walks over to take a look.]

Ranma: That's it?

[It being a reddish-gold bird, fairly ordinary looking, almost like a robin
with a golden crest.]

Ranma: What a runt. [pokes the bird with his finger. The bird, however, takes
exception to this and pecks Ranma HARD.]

Ranma: YOWCH! Chikusho!!

[Ranma grabs at the bird, which jumps up and flies circles above Ranma. Ranma
keeps jumping up and down trying to catch the bird all over the kitchen.]

Akane: Be careful!

[The bird flies into the living room. Ranma, with a net, is in hot pursuit.]

[A sequence of bird-chasing scenes follow, all of which ends in Ranma doing
some injury to himself. The bird finally lands on Akane's desk, where Ranma
manages to catch the bird in the net.]

Ranma: [lying on the floor on his knees and hands] Finally! [grins in
satisfication.]

[*POW* Ranma goes smashing through the window. Akane leans over and lifts the
net off the bird.]

Akane: Are you alright?

[The bird looks gratefully at Akane.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Dinnertime. The bird is perched on Akane's shoulder, refusing to budge. Akane
feeds the bird rice grains, as Ranma keeps staring at the bird with some
annoyance in his eyes.]

Ranma: Do you _have_ to feed that thing?

Akane: At least it appreciates my cooking.

Ranma: That's because you don't have to cook birdseed.

Akane: Oh, shut up!

Ranma: Well, you know you're going to have to get rid of it sooner or later.
Remember what Kanrinin-san said.

Akane: [smiles at bird] I know... but he's so adorable though...

Ranma: [smirks] Didn't you say that about your P-chan too?

Akane: [glares at Ranma] Speaking of P-chan...

Ranma: Hey, he took off on his own! Probably to follow YOU to college.

Akane: Then why didn't he find me??

Ranma: Because he has the worst sense of direction in the world, of course.
How long have you kno... had P-chan, now?

Akane: You make him sound like Ryouga... [pauses] Come to think of it, I
haven't seen Ryouga around anywhere lately, either.

Ranma: Uh... well, that's because I think he went off on a training trip.

Akane: Oh. [feeds the bird again] I wonder how he's doing.

Ranma: Ryouga can take care of himself.

[Someone knocks on the door.]

Hitomi's voice: Konbanwa, Ranma-kun!

Akane: [mimicking Hitomi quietly] Konbanwa, Ranma-kun.

[Ranma glares at Akane and gets up to open the door.]

Ranma: Konbanwa, Hitomi-chan! What can I do for you this evening?

Hitomi: Well, actually, I need to ask a favor. I have to work tonight, and
lately on the news there's been some problems with people getting
kidnapped and stuff... [notices bird] Oh! Kawaii!!

Akane: [smiles] Ranma found him earlier today. [becomes serious] But you're
right; It seems that women are being kidnapped and robbed more and more
lately.

Hitomi: [smiles] Right! [looks at Ranma] So... I was sort of wondering if I
could ask you to walk me to work?

Ranma: [glances back at Akane] Uh...

Akane: That's probably a good idea, Hitomi-chan. Ranma will keep you out of
trouble, ne Ranma?

Ranma: Uh... sure. When do you need to go?

Hitomi: Actually, right now. I really am sorry for interrupting you tonight.
Maybe I can make it up to you both later?

Akane: Oh, don't worry about it. Ranma was just finishing dinner anyway.

Ranma: ...

Hitomi: Well, great! Let's go! I don't want to be late like yesterday.

[Ranma grabs his keys, and after another glance at Akane (who doesn't look up)
he quietly closes the door, leaving Akane to clean up from dinner. As Akane
gets up to enter the kitchen, a small hole is created in one wall above the
desk. Choji peeks through the hole, surveying the Saotomes' apartment. He
chuckles - his peephole is right above the desk with a perfect angle on the
futon. Akane walks out of the kitchen again and goes over to the closet, where
she retrieves a large object wrapped in brown paper. She uncovers it to reveal
a painting of Mt. Fuji and walks over to the desk where she hangs it on the
wall... right over Choji's peephole.]

Akane: Ah, much better. Ranma will appreciate this painting, at least. [smiles]

[She stops for a second, as if she's heard something, then shakes her head and
walks back into the kitchen, while Choji is banging his head quietly against
the wall.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Morning at Maison Sabaku. Ranma and Akane are both exiting the front door,
books in hand. Kazuyo watches them through her window and sips her coffee,
while Toshi lounges on a chair under the shade tree. Akane smiles at Ranma
as the two walk up the path to Mizunoikan, while Ranma closes his eyes and
enjoys the sunshine.]

Akane: So, you got Hitomi-chan to work safely last night?

Ranma: Yeah, though I don't see what the fuss is... that kissaten is only
a couple of blocks away.

Akane: Oh? That's nice. [smiles]

Ranma: [takes two steps AWAY from Akane] Are you feeling ok? I don't want
to be sick...

Akane: [beaming] I'm feeling perfectly fine this morning.

Ranma: ...

[The two arrive at Mizunoikan. Akane waves to Ranma and heads toward the east
end of campus, while Ranma stands watching her.]

Ranma: [thinking] Sometimes I wonder about her...

Ukyou: Ran-chan!! There you are!

Ranma: [blinks and turns around] Ucchan! Ohayo gozaimasu!

Ukyou: Where's your first class?

Ranma: Uh.. [pulls schedule out of pocket] Over in the the Ogata building.

Ukyou: Really? What class is it??

Ranma: [looks again at schedule] Math I. Why?

Ukyou: [claps her hands together] Oh wow! I'm in your class!

Ranma: Really? [smiles] That's good. Now at least I know someone in the
class.

Ukyou: Well, let's get going then! Class starts in 10 minutes!

[Ranma and Ukyou turn and head for the west end of campus, mingling with the
crowded campus. A small, black piglet with a yellow bandana silently watches
the two go, and then it turns toward the direction Akane had gone and starts
walking in that direction.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Mid-afternoon, Ranma and Ukyou are walking to the front gate of the campus.
Both Ranma's and Ukyou's packs are considerably heavier, and their steps are
not as jovial as they were earlier that morning.]

Ranma: Uso! Homework in every subject? And today I only had three classes!
I don't want to even THINK about tomorrow...

Ukyou: Look at it this way, Ran-chan. At least we've got two classes together
so far, so we can help each other study, just like we did this summer.

Ranma: [sighs] You're right, Ucchan. How about I go by your place later this
evening? We can at least do the math together.

Ukyou: Sure! How about 8:00 pm?

Ranma: That's fine. 8:00 pm. Ja ne!

Ukyou: [waves] Bye-bye!

[Ranma heads home, pausing every so often to shift his backpack from one arm
to the other. Finally, he reaches Maison Sabaku and is met by Hitomi leaving
the building.]

Hitomi: Ranma-kun! [smiles brightly] Are you just getting back from classes?

Ranma: [nods] Hai. I have a ton of homework too. Now I remember why I hated
school.

Hitomi: Well, have you eaten lunch yet?

Ranma: Umm, not yet. I was just going to grab something from the fridge and
then start on the reading for my Sociology class...

Hitomi: Could I maybe interest you in lunch? I've got about an hour before
I need to go to work and was thinking that it'd be nice to have some
company...

Ranma: Uh... sure, why not. [smiles] Where are we going?

Hitomi: Oh, there's a nice little restaurant down the street from Chez Funsui.
Have you been there yet?

Ranma: No, not yet.

Hitomi: Well then, that's where we'll go! [smiles brightly]

Ranma: Lemme go drop my books off and then we'll go.

[Ranma runs upstairs quickly, and then he and Hitomi leave Maison Sabaku.
All of this hasn't gone unnoticed by Kazuyo, who merely smiles and shakes her
head as she watches the two leave.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[About an hour later, Akane comes walking up the street, her backpack also
heavier with homework.]

Akane: [sighs, looking at her pack] Some things never change.

[She's about to turn into the yard when she notices movement near the fence.]

Akane: [lowering her pack] Hmm?

P-chan: Bwee!

Akane: [drops pack to ground] P-chan??!?

P-chan: Bwee! Bweeeeee!

Akane: [smiles brightly] P-chan!!! I was worried about you! Where have you
been???

[P-chan jumps into Akane's waiting arms. Akane fusses over P-chan for a bit,
then picks up her backpack and heads inside.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Kazuyo glances at her watch as Ranma walks up to the entrance of Maison
Sabaku. It's now 3:00 pm. Ranma kicks off his shoes and walks upstairs to his
apartment. He reaches the door to Room 4 and lets himself in with his key.]

Ranma: [sighs] Now _that_ was a good lunch.

Akane: [entering from bathroom] What was that?

Ranma: Nothing. How were classes?

Akane: Awful. Homework in each subject. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it
to go to school for 16 years.

Ranma: 16 years? [starts to do the math, then notices movement near the futon]
What's that over there?

Akane: [smiles] Oh, I forgot to tell you! I found P-chan outside in the yard
today!

Ranma: [blinks] P..P-chan?

Akane: Yep! [turns toward P-chan] Come here! It's time for me to feed you
lunch now.

Ranma: ...

[P-chan comes sauntering forward and sits right at Akane's feet. P-chan and
Ranma exchange evil stares before Ranma goes into the kitchen.]

Akane: [bends down to P-chan, showing generous amounts of cleavage] Now what
do we want to eat today? Hmmm? [smiles]

P-chan: [stares at Akane, then faints] Bweeeee....

Akane: Oh! You must be VERY tired from such a long journey! Maybe you should
just rest [picks up P-chan] until you're ready to eat?

Ranma: [exiting kitchen] That's a good idea, Akane, 'cause you need to feed
your other pet here. [holds up bird]

Akane: Oh! B-chan! I almost forgot all about you! [sets P-chan on futon, waking
him] Let me go get your birdseed... [goes into kitchen]

Ranma: [smirks at P-chan] Hmph. You'll never change, will you, Ryouga?

B-chan: Chirp!

P-chan: [eyes widen] Bwee?

Ranma: Yup. She's got a new pet, bud. Looks like your days are numbered.

Akane: [returning] What?

Ranma: Uh... I was just talking to myself.

Akane: Oh. [gives Ranma an odd look] Did you eat lunch already?

Ranma: Yeah. I need to change so I can go jogging. Gotta keep in shape somehow.

Akane: [sighs] Yeah, me too.

B-chan: Chirp!

Akane: Oh! Here you go, B-chan! [starts hand-feeding B-chan]

P-chan: [glaring at B-chan] ...

[Ranma goes into the bathroom and emerges a bit later in some old clothes.]

Ranma: I'll be back in a few.

Akane: No hurry. Dinner won't be for a couple of hours.

Ranma: [thinking] There goes THAT idea...

[Ranma leaves, while Akane busily feeds B-chan.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Ranma is jogging along in the nearby neighbourhoods. As he turns a corner,
Ryouga is there waiting for him, leaning against a wall. Surprised, Ranma
nearly trips over his feet to stop.]

Ranma: Well, if it isn't Little Boy Lost. I see you managed to find Akane at
college after all, just like you said you would...

Ryouga: I never gave up, I perservered, I...

Ranma: [interrupting] Though I did think that in a year's time, you'd have
managed to find her before summer vacation...

Ryouga: [glares] ...

Ranma: So, is this visit business or pleasure? [pauses] Or, in your case, time
to stop and ask directions?

Ryouga: Where did Akane get that... bird from?

Ranma: I found it at the park near the apartment house. Actually, I found the
egg. It hatched when I brought it back to the apartment.

Ryouga: She's got to get rid of it!

Ranma: I agree.

Ryouga: [grins] So you'll help me?

Ranma: Of course! I have to make sure there are NO pets in the apartment.
Strict house policy.

[Ryouga face-faults.]

Ranma: Anyway, I need to get back to my workout. Later... P-chan.

[Ranma continues with his jog, leaving Ryouga fuming.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Back at Maison Sabaku, Akane has finished feeding B-chan and is cleaning up
the dishes from her lunch. She picks up B-chan and notices that he's gotten a
bit bigger than yesterday. She smiles and goes back to work. Meanwhile, a
ladder props itself against the side of the apartment building, leading right
to the Saotomes' window. Choji climbs up and peers inside the apartment. At
this moment, Akane accidentally splashes herself with dishwater, soaking her
blouse.]

Akane: Che... my nice blouse too. [sighs]

B-chan: Chirp!

[Akane wipes her hands on a towel and starts to unbutton her blouse. She takes
it off and heads out of the kitchen. At that same moment, the soft grass under
the ladder's feet finally gives way, and it starts to sink and lean to one
side.]

Choji: AAAAAAAA! [*THUMP*]

[Akane pauses and walks over to the window, looking out. She doesn't see
anything, though, and shrugs her shoulders before going to change into a clean
t-shirt. Choji, meanwhile, struggles to get himself untangled from the ladder
and the shrubs.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Just before sunset, Ranma returns to Maison Sabaku as Kazuyo is sweeping the
front porch.]

Ranma: Konnichiwa, Kanrinin-san!

Kazuyo: Konnichiwa, Ranma-kun. [smiles] How was your jog?

Ranma: It was ok. The neighborhood is a very quiet place, perfect for jogging.

Kazuyo: That's good to hear. You really needed to work off this afternoon's
lunch, didn't you?

Ranma: [blinks] Uh... yeah... I did. [pauses] Why do you ask?

Kazuyo: No reason, really. I think it's a good idea to work out after eating
so you don't put on any weight. You wouldn't want to feel guilty about
any of it, of course.

Ranma: [lowers gaze] Of course.

Kazuyo: [smiles] Akane's waiting upstairs... maybe you ought to go out to
dinner with her tonight?

Ranma: [slowly nods] That's a good idea. Arigato, Kanrinin-san.

Kazuyo: Oh, don't mention it. [smiles and goes back to sweeping]

[Ranma takes off his shoes and walks inside. He reaches his apartment when the
door opens for him. Akane is holding both B-chan and P-chan and looks up at
him with surprise.]

Akane: Ranma! I didn't think you'd be back until later... I was just going to
take these two for a walk.

Ranma: Oh.. well, it _is_ kinda getting late... do you want to wait an extra
couple of minutes, and I'll go with you?

Akane: Uh... sure. [steps aside to let Ranma in]

Ranma: I'll take a quick bath and be right out.

[Ranma heads to the bathroom while Akane closes the front door behind him.]

Akane: [thinking] It can't be that Ranma's concerned about me, is he?

B-chan: Chirp!

Akane: Oh, we'll be going in a bit, don't you worry. Ranma is going to come
with us. [sits down and turns on TV] Let's see what's on...

TV: ...another robbery was reported near the Mizunoikan campus last night.
Apparently the victim was attacked by several men dressed in black who
seemed to "appear out of the shadows".

Akane: [turns off the TV] Well, maybe I won't watch TV after all.

[The bathroom door opens with a cloud of steam.]

Ranma: [toweling hair, but dressed] Ok, I'm about ready.

Akane: [standing up] Well, then let's go.

[Ranma and Akane leave with B-chan and P-chan. They head outside Maison Sabaku
and towards the nearby park. In the darkness behind them, a tall figure slowly
follows.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[At the nearby park, Akane is sitting on a bench next to Ranma, while P-chan
walks around in the grass. B-chan is eating birdseed on the ground in front of
the bench while Akane watches. Ranma just sits and stares at the night sky.
The area itself is illuminated only by a lamp several feet away. All in all,
the setting is quite cozy.]

Akane: [leans on Ranma's shoulder] This is nice and relaxing. B-chan's having
fun, and so is P-chan. [smiles] And so am I.

Ranma: [putting his arm around Akane] Yeah, I guess this is nice. Better than
doing homework or studying math, at least. [suddenly remembers his
study date with Ukyou] Um... we probably want to get back soon though.

Akane: [closes eyes] I know. In a little bit, ok?

Ranma: [sighs quietly] Ok.

[A shadowy figure sits in the bushes directly opposite from where Ranma and
Akane sit, watching them. He smiles for a bit, then brings out a camera and
adjusts its focus. However, before he can snap any pictures, several men
dressed in dark clothing and masks jump out of trees, behind bushes, and just
generally appear out of the shadows.]

Man1: Give us your money now, and no one will get hurt.

Akane: What? Get away from me you jerk!

Ranma: You heard her! Take a hike!

Man2: I don't think you understand... [pulls out butterfly knife] You don't
get a choice here.

Man1: Now hand the stuff over!

Akane: And I'm telling you to get lost! [stands up in fighting stance]

Ranma: [stands behind Akane in fighting stance] Are you guys just hard of
hearing or are you naturally stupid?

Man2: That's it! Get them!

[Two men charge Akane and immediately fly backwards, headfirst, into the
bushes. P-chan hears the disturbance and rushes to the rescue, but is swatted
aside by one of the men and collides with a tree. Ranma easily defeats his
first opponent, connecting with a crescent kick to the head, and sending him
flying. Several more men appear, however, and things are starting to look a
little unevenly matched. The shadowy figure drops his camera and rushes toward
the fight and is immediately felled by another of the masked men. Choji falls
unconscious in some bushes.]

Ranma: [yelling to Akane] Are you ok? [sidekicks another man]

Akane: [throws one man into another charging man] Yeah, these guys are like the
guys at school.

Ranma: [blocks a punch and counters with a backfist] What guys??

Akane: [ducks a punch and knees the guy in the groin] You remember in high
school all those guys used to try to beat me to get a date?

Ranma: [grabs one guy's shirt and tosses him in a tree] OH! Those guys!

Man1: [slowly getting up] Enough! [pulls out a gun and takes aim on Akane]
You! Don't move! Don't even breathe!

Ranma: [turns to face the man] No! Don't shoot!

Akane: [looks at Ranma] Ranma... [eyes widen] Behind you!

[Ranma turns to look behind him an instant too late and is immediately hit
by a metal pipe in the back of the head. He falls to the ground in pain.]

Man1: Now, you, girlie! C'mere and give me what I want! [motions with gun]

Akane: [looking at Ranma's prone body] Ranma... Ranma...

Man1: I said, COME HERE!!!

Akane: [snaps to attention] Ok... ok... [takes her purse and hands it to the
man]

Man1: Now that's more like it. [looks at the guy with the pipe] Check him for
his wallet.

Man2: [quickly searches] Nothing here. She must have everything.

Man1: Hmmm. [looks Akane over] Well, well missy, maybe you and I are going to
have to party a little more this evening, shall we?

Akane: [crosses her arms in front of her and takes a step backward] No... you
can't...

Man1: Oh, but I can... [motions to the pipe-wielder]

[The pipe-wielder grabs Akane from behind and marches her over to the first
man, who looks lustfully up and down her body.]

Akane: [turning her head away] No... please... no...

Ranma: [slowly getting up] If you hurt her... I'll kill you...

Man2: [laughing] Idle threats from a boy like you...

Ranma: [stands up] That's enough!

[Ranma focuses his energy, drawing on what's left of his strength and his
anger and concern for Akane's safety. The man raises his arm to strike but
never connects...]

Ranma: ...Mouko TAKABISHA!!!!!

[Ranma releases his ki-energy which blasts his attacker and completely
destroys the pipe. The man is thrown back against a tree with a sickening
thud and collapses on the ground. Ranma also falls to his knees, his strength
fading.]

Man1: U-Uso! [looks back and forth between Ranma and his fallen comrade]
You! I'll kill you! [points the gun at Ranma, then changes his mind and
aims at Akane]

Akane: [terrified] RANMA!!!!

Ranma: [looks up] NOO!!!!!

[The man pulls the trigger; his last conscious act. He is engulfed in flame
almost immediately and screams in pain. The gun melts in his hand, while his
dark clothing instantly vaporizes. The man himself is thrown against a tree
trunk and falls to the ground. His comrades get up and try to run away, but
each meets the same fate. One by one, their costumes and weapons are engulfed
in flames and slammed unmercifully into the nearest immobile object. The
nearby park lamp explodes in a shower of glass and sparks and the area is lit
with an eerie red glow. Akane is at the center of this aura, while Ranma
struggles to his feet. A golden bird hovers about 10 feet above the ground
near Akane.]

Ranma: [finally standing and moving Akane behind him] What are you? What do
you want?

[The bird says nothing. It just looks down on the two, then sweeps its gaze at
the destruction it has caused. The area itself is charred and many of the trees
are blackened, some with indentations where bodies had hit them. The bird looks
down at Ranma and Akane again and casts a golden glow on the two.]

Akane: [closing her eyes] Hai... I understand...

Ranma: [feels injuries heal] Arigato gozaimasu. [turns to Akane] Are you ok?

Akane: Un. [opens eyes and looks at bird] Do you have to leave? [tears welling
up in her eyes]

[The bird nods slowly and makes one last sweep of the area before ceasing its
glow on the two. It looks skyward, and the area is bathed in bright red. Ranma
holds Akane in a protective embrace as the phoenix streaks upward, leaving a
trail of bright red light in its wake. Nearby neighbourhoods are also bathed in
this reddish glow, as the wake can be seen for miles. Akane buries her head in
Ranma's shoulder as Ranma watches the phoenix fade in the distance, its red
light being the only reminder of its existence.]

Akane: [whispering] That was B-chan, Ranma.

Ranma: [glances down at Akane and nuzzles her hair] I know, Akane... I know.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[After the police arrive and survey the scene, all the men are taken into
custody. Several of them, though, are whisked off into ambulances to nearby
hospitals. TV cameras are also on the scene, each trying to conduct their own
separate interview with Ranma and Akane.]

Reporter1: What caused the red streak in the sky?

Ranma: I don't know.

Reporter2: Did you do all of this damage yourselves?

Akane: No! We were attacked, and only our martial arts training saved us from
being killed.

Reporter1: Training? From where?

Ranma: The Tendo Dojo, in Nerima.

Reporter3: Some of those people looked really beat up, though. Did you maybe
use a little too much force?

Akane: It was self-defense! These jerks had already beaten, robbed, and
murdered several people already. What makes you think they weren't
going to do the same to us?

[P-chan has finally awakened and walks over to the crowd of media personas
trying to find Akane. As he spies her...]

Reporter2: Can we get your names for these statements one more time?

Ranma: Sure. I'm Saotome Ranma, and this is my wife, Akane. [pulls Akane close,
not as much for emphasis as for protection]

Akane: [smiles at Ranma] Hai.

Officer: Ok, ok, people! We've got to clear this area! Let's move.

[P-chan is frozen in time, and barely avoids being trampled by the mob heading
for the nearest phones. Dazed, he walks away into the bushes and disappears.
The police finally break up the news circus, and Ranma and Akane are given a
police escort home.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Officer: [as Ranma and Akane exit car] You sure you'll be ok?

Akane: Hai... arigato.

[The officer smiles and pulls away from the curb. Ranma and Akane watch the
car for a bit, then turn to go inside.]

Akane: Ranma...

Ranma: Hmm?

Akane: [looks down] I just wanted to say...

Ranma: [cuts her off] I know. [puts a hand on her shoulder] Me too...

[Akane looks up at Ranma for a bit, then grabs him and holds him tightly with
tears in her eyes. For a moment, Ranma looks startled; then he looks cautiously
around before slowly returning the embrace. The two stand on the front porch
for a while just holding each other, before eventually going inside. A lone
figure stands watching long after the two go in, before walking away, twirling
a large umbrella.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Morning. As Ranma is leaving for school, he walks past a disheveled Choji who
is carrying a broken camera and several exposed rolls of film.]

Ranma: [cheerful] Ohayo! You look like you've been out all night! Must've been
a good party, ne?

Choji: Uh... to tell you the truth...

Ranma: [interrupting] Well, show me the pictures when you get them developed!
I'm late for class! Ja ne!

Choji: ... uh, yeah. [watches Ranma run off]

Akane: [leaving building] Ohayo, Kettibeppu-san!

Choji: Oh! Ohayo, Akane-san! [bows] How was your evening?

Akane: Oh, it was ok... [running off] Sorry, but I'm late!!

Choji: Uh, nice talking to you... [sighs]

[Choji watches Akane run off in the distance, admiring her figure for a bit,
before turning and trudging inside. He walks upstairs slowly and enters his
apartment, after throwing out the rolls of film he's carrying. He goes into
his bathroom and several minutes later emerges clean and refreshed. He drops
into a nearby recliner and turns on the TV while toweling his hair dry.]

TV: [in English] ... and while the damage on the Interstate Highways seems to
be pretty localized, other parts of Northridge seem to be suffering more
than others. The apartment building behind me was a three-story building.
As you can see, the ground floor has collapsed in on itself... [*click*]
Reports from witnesses say that a young man wearing a yellow bandana
carrying a red umbrella was seen in the general Northridge area before the
start of the quake, crying something in a foreign language... [*click*]
And you can see where the gas line exploded, incinerating several nearby
homes in the process... [*click*] Police are searching for an individual
that was seen in the area prior to the quake yelling "bakusai-ten-ketsu",
which is apparently Japanese for "blasting point hole", but apparently
there is no trace... [*click*] Damage is heavy in the area of Northridge,
where scientists are saying is the epicenter of California's latest and
worst earthquake in years...

Choji: Who cares?? [fiddles with remote control] Stupid satellite dish.
Sometimes I wonder why I bother. [looks at TV guide] Oh, here it is...
[watches figures on screen] Ah... the Playboy Channel... now THAT's
entertainment! [smiles lustfully]

[Choji settles back in his recliner as the scene shifts outside Maison Sabaku
to the blue sky above Tokyo, then continues into space beyond, where a streak
of red flashes across the darkness of space, only to finally disappear in a
twinkle of light.]

--------------------------------------------------------------------- finis.