[ranma][fanfic] NuRanma 4-6

[Chris Schumacher]

Origin Of Segment 4 of NuRanma
!

[The opening scene is a desolate dark plain. The ground is bare
and made out of some kind of red rock, it is cracked in many
places, and black goo oozes out of some of the cracks. We can
see jets of flame in the background. We also hear Nirvana
playing really loud, it is almost enough to drown out the
tormented screams...almost. Either this is the National
Democratic Convention, or it is Hell. Either way, the decor
needs work.* Two figures appear in the shot. One is Ranma, the
other one looks to be the shade of a Terran Male in his late
teens.]

(* - Compliments of Peter David)
Ranma: [Yelling to be heard over "Smells Like Teen Spirit]
WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT, MASTER?

Writer: I'LL TELL YOU ONCE WE GET OUT OF THE RING WHERE THOSE
WHO NAME FANFICS AFTER ALBUMS ARE BEING PUNISHED.

[They continue to walk along the cracked ground, the Nirvana
music eventually fades into the background.. The shade and Ranma
reach a cliff with a waterfall flowing over it.]

Ranma: What do we do now?

Writer: Give me your belt.

[Ranma takes off the belt that suddenly appeared around his
waist, we notice it is similar to the kind the Ryouga wears.
The shade starts waving it over the waterfall.]

Ranma: What's that for?

Writer: I'm summoning a beast to take us down into the next
ring.

Ranma: What is the next ring?

Writer: Where the people who write themselves into other
people's universes are being punished.

Ranma: Uhh...If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you
there?

Writer: I repented before the end. I'm still going to be in
Purgatory for another century or so there. [Shrugs] It isn't
that bad, we just sit around and are forced to read Twisted Path
and Undocumented Features all the time. They tried to make us
read Otaku Rising, but several of the poor souls went insane.

Ranma: .....

[Suddenly the animal form of Pansuto Taro flies up.]

Ranma: Hey, why's he here?

Writer: Because there is no equivalent of a beast that
represents the kind of authors on the next level, so I had to
use something Ranma-related.

[Ranma and the Writer get onto the back of the creature. It
swoops down and dumps them on the pavement.]

Ranma: [Massaging the back of his head.] Ow...[Shouts to
Pansuto] You ever hear of parachutes?!

Writer: Come on, we must hurry.

[They walk across the shattered surface, in a pool of super-
heated tea bobs several forms. They all look catatonic.]

Ranma: Wouldn't the torment be better if they were awake?

Writer: No, the torment isn't tangible. What happens is that
the demons put them into a state of eternal dreaming. They
dream of their lives on Earth.

Ranma: But that wouldn't be so bad....

Writer: But the demons insert themselves into the stories,
and change the overall impact of them. Their entire lives are,
quite literally, rewritten.

Ranma: [Nods] Ah, I see they've leaned more towards ironic
punishment since Dante was here.

Writer: Yep, that's the best way.

Ranma: Hey, wait a second...where's Gryphon?

Writer: He is the Lord of Hell, because not only did he write
himself into a bunch of universes, he also reused plot elements
that the original authors used, adding insult to injury.

Ranma: But isn't that okay, like in Original Flavor...

Writer: No, in Original Flavor the ZyuRanger plots were to
repair some damage Saban did, and were more like tributes.

Ranma: Ahhhh...

Writer: Next we'll....

[Suddenly Twister snaps awake, he lets out a scream and jumps
out of the pit and runs for Ranma.]

Ranma: NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ranma bolts up in bed. He is in a cold sweat.]

Ranma: Whew! Only a dream! [He turns to a big book
lying next to the futon. He picks it up and throws it out the
window.]

Ranma: Damn European Literature class!

[He goes back to sleep.]

-= N U R A N M A =-
Episode #4: Happosai's New Technique! The Return Of Nabiki!
Written By: Chris Michael Schumacher Sr. Esq.
Produced By: Animax Entertainment Enterprises

<Commercial Break>
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<End Commercial Break>

[Establishing shot: Exterior shot of the Tendo Dojo. Cut to
interior angle of parlor. Ranma is sitting at the table and
reading a magazine. No one else is in the room. We notice that
the room looks a lot cleaner than it normally is. It is the
Thursday of Spring Break, 12:12 PM.]

Ranma: [Shaking his head] How can anyone WATCH this crap?
[We notice that he's reading an article on Macross Plus.
Kasumi enters carrying a vase of violets. She puts it in the
center of the table. She then stands up and dusts off her
apron.]

Kasumi: Ah, it will be so nice to have Nabiki around again..

Ranma: Although I can't believe that I'd ever say this, I agree
with you.

[Kasumi walks into the kitchen. Suddenly the phone rings. Ranma
lets it ring three times, it's obvious that no one is going to
answer it, so he gets up and answers it himself.]

[Split-screen FX. Tendo Dojo on one side, Nekohanten on the
other.]

Shampoo: Hello, may I speak to Ranma, please?

Ranma: This is Ranma.

Shampoo: Oh...Hello Ranma, this is Shampoo.

Ranma: [Furrows brow in confusion] Shampoo?

Shampoo: That is me.

Ranma: You're not referring to yourself in the third person
anymore!

Shampoo: Yes, I have been taking classes to learn to speak
better Japanese.

Ranma: [Taken aback] Oh... Um...what did you want?

Shampoo: When I returned from my Japanese class on Tuesday,
Great-Grandmother informed me that you had asked for a favor
and in return you had to go out on two dates with me.

Ranma: [Sweatdrop forming] Uh...yeah, about that.

Shampoo: I don't agree to such terms. However, I have called to
ask, civilly, if you would go out with me three weeks from now.

Ranma: Why three weeks?

Shampoo: I'll explain it then. Well?

Ranma: Uhh...well..

Shampoo: Don't you WANT to go out with me, Ranma Saotome? If
so, just say so!

Ranma: [Anxious] No,no,no, it's nothing like that! It's just..
well, I'm more used to the guy asking the girl out.

Shampoo: Well why didn't you just say so, why don't you ask
me out?

Ranma: But you already asked me....

Shampoo: Humor me.

[Akane comes in from the yard, but since Ranma's back is turned
to her, he doesn't see her enter.]

Ranma: Shampoo, will you go out with me?

Akane: [In rage] RANMA NO BAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Suddenly she pulls half a dozen mallets out of hammerspace and
throws them all at Ranma. He falls over, quite beaten while
Akane runs out the door into the yard.]

Ranma: [Not moving, lying on the floor in pain] Owww......

[We pan in on the receiver]

Receiver: I accept. See you then. [Click]

------------------
[We cut to the storage shed in the Tendo Yard. We don't see
anything, we do a quick aerial shot and see someone crouching
behind it. We pan in on her, it's Akane, she's crying.]

Akane: Damn you Ranma! [She looks at the ring on her finger.
She takes it off and makes to throw it into the pond, but at
the last moment, she reconsiders.] Damn him.... Why did he
give me this ring if he didn't mean anything by it?

[The surroundings offer no answer.]

------------------

[Cut to a few hours later. The three new students stand before
Akane.]

Akane: Okay, first thing, we'll estimate what level each one
of you is at, and then we'll see which areas to improve in.
All right, Thomas.

Tommy: I received a Brown Belt in Judo, and a Second Level
Green in Tae Kwon Doe.

Akane: That's rather low level, isn't it?

Tommy: I couldn't pass the test for the first level Black
Belt, and didn't care to continue my Tae Kwon Doe training.

[Akane makes a note on her clipboard.]

Akane: [To Eddie] And what about you?

Eddie: I am a Brown Belt in Kung Fu, Fraulein Tendo.

Akane: [Scribbling on clipboard] And why didn't you get a
Black Belt?

Eddie: I didn't have the patience for it.

Akane: Mmmm-hm... [Scribbles down a comment. Turns to Jenny]
And what of you?

Jenny: I am an Orange Belt in Tae Kwon Doe.

Akane: Ha! Only an Orange Belt? [Snickers as she writes down
something on the clipboard. She turns around and heads towards
the dojo. We cut to Jenny's face, she looks mad. She shouts
a cruel sounding syllable and suddenly a fury of snakes flies
through the air and latches onto Akane.]

Akane: Ah! Ah!!! Get them off, get them off! [Suddenly they
vanish. Akane is astonished] What the hell....

Tommy: [Astonished] What happened to the asps? Where are they?

Akane: [Startled] You saw them too?

[Jenny snickers]

Eddie: [Breathless] She must be a.... <gasp> DeMage!

Jenny: [Startled] How did you know that? How do you know what
a DeMage is?!

Eddie: Let's just say that I had a little "Encounter" with
them while I was in school in West Berlin.

Akane: [Confused] But what is a DeMage?

Eddie: [Ignores her] Worry not, Fraulein Devola, I will
not reveal the secrets of your order.

[Jenny looks at him suspiciously for a moment, then she
reluctantly nods. Akane doesn't seem to appreciate being left
out. But she sighs and walks in the direction of the dojo,
motioning for him to follow.
Without another word, they slowly walk towards the dojo.
We cut to the pond, where Happosai was sitting on one of the
rocks. He has been observing the trio of new students for
quite some time.]

Happosai: <Hmmm...New students, eh? They might very well
have potential, just like that Heita kid.> [Lays back on the
rock and looks up at the sky] <But how am I going to get them?
[Scratches head] I'll think of something...>

------------------

[Cut to the second floor of the Tendo Dojo. It is completely
filled with people, pushing back and forth and yelling.
Suddenly through the crowd comes Nabiki. She is wearing a white
suit with a yellow tie.]

Nabiki: Hush! Hey, be quiet!

[The crowd noise halts to listen to Nabiki.]

Nabiki: Look, I'm only going to say this once; all bets are
off, all loans can be repaid at your convenience, and I am
removing the interest from those loans. And all blackmailing
ends tonight. I'm burning the evidence this evening around 7,
so if there is anything of sentimental value to you, I suggest
you come and get it before it burns.

[Nabiki finishes, but the noise doesn't ensue again, everyone
stands in shocked silence. Nabiki opens the door to her room
and goes in. After she closes the door, everyone eventually
leaves. All, but one.]

---------------------

[Cut to an interior shot of Nabiki's room. Nabiki is sitting
at her desk, writing in her diary. We notice that she is
actually WRITING. The long lines of writing are a stark
contrast to the rows of numbers on the opposite page. There is
a knock on the door. Nabiki sighs and places a picture into
the diary as a bookmark. We cut to an overhead view of the book
just before it shuts, and we see that the picture is of Mrs.
Tendo.]

Nabiki: Come in.

[The door opens and Tatewaki Kunou enters.]

Kunou: I have come to talk business with you, Nabiki Tendo.

Nabiki: [Cracks knuckles] Sure, what?

Kunou: During a recent bout of anger, my sister invaded my
room and destroyed every picture I had of Akane Tendo and the
Pig-Tailed girl.

Nabiki: [Yawn] So, what's that got to do with me?

Kunou: [Confused] Ah...Well, I need more.

Nabiki: You may want to consider going to Gosunkugi, he has
a nice picture collection of Akane.

Kunou: [Still confused] Aren't you going to offer to take some
for me? [He pulls out a roll of Yen-notes.] I'll willing to
pay 1500 for each photo.

Nabiki: [Shakes head] No, I am sorry, I cannot. I can't make
money from exploiting others.

[Kunou facefaults]

Kunou: W-w-what did you say?!!

Nabiki: [Turns away from him] See Gosunkugi, I can give you
his number if you want.

Kunou: I don't want his number, I want you!

[Nabiki whirls around.]

Nabiki: What?!

Kunou: [Places hand behind head] Uhh..I mean, I want pictures
taken by YOU. [Quicker] Besides, Gosunkugi doesn't have
pictures of the Pig-Tailed Girl. <Damn Freudian Slip!>

Nabiki: I'm sorry Kunou, I'll miss doing business with you,
but I cannot exploit my sister, that pig-tailed girl, or anyone
else ever again. [She pulls open the bottom desk drawer and
takes out an envelope.] Here, this is only about half of the
money I've ripped off from you, but it's all I could scrape
together at short notice. [She hands it to him. Kunou takes
it and looks at it strangely. He opens his mouth as if to say
something, but closes it again. He slowly gets up and opens the
door. But right before he leaves he says]

Kunou: I don't even know who you are anymore, Nabiki Tendo.

[He goes out the door and closes it after him. Fade to black]

<~Commercial()Break~>
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<~Commercial()Break~>

[Exterior shot: Ucchans. We cut to the inside. Ranma is at the
counter and is handing his money to Ukyo. Ukyo puts takes it
and gets the change from the register. Ranma picks up his
tray and goes into the back.]

Ranma: Hmmmm...where to sit?

[He scans the dining area, and doesn't notice anyone he knows.
Suddenly, his gaze settles on a booth near the back of the room
where Hikaru Gosunkugi is sitting. Next to him is the only seat
left in the house. Gosunkugi suddenly looks up and sees Ranma.
He motions for him to come over. Ranma looks uncertain, but
shrugs and walks over. He sits down at the table.]

Ranma: Hikaru.

Gosunkugi: Ranma.

[He shuts the Trig book and puts it into his bookbag.]

Gosunkugi: I see you have an appetite for after-school
Okonimyaki as well.

Ranma: Uh...yeah.

[They sit in silence for several moments. Suddenly Gosunkugi
finds the courage to speak.]

Gosunkugi: Uh...

Ranma: Yeah?

Gosunkugi: I have a question for you.

Ranma: [Sigh] Yeah?

Gosunkugi: Something I never understood...if you don't love
Akane, then how come you always beat up someone if they want
to court her?

Ranma: [Growls] I don't have a choice, if I didn't do it on
my own, Father and Tendo would scold me for it.

Gosunkugi: Hence, you carry on this charade because you don't
have the guts to stand up to your parents?

Ranma: [Clenching fists] Why you little...

Gosunkugi: Consider this Ranma, you think yourself courageous?

[Several silent seconds pass, and then Ranma realizes that it
was a question.]

Ranma: Of course I do!

Gosunkugi: But which one of us is more courageous? I attempt
to court Akane Tendo, even though she is in an arranged
marriage to someone else. Also, the entire student body of
Furinkan High School is after me for this as well. Whereas you,
you could beat up everyone at our school, and have, I might
add. But you don't even have the courage to attempt to get
yourself out of this terrible agreement, why is this?

Ranma: ......

Gosunkugi: Could it be, perhaps, that deep down, Ranma Saotome
is a...PUSSY?!

[The entire restaurant turns to see this. Ranma looks
embarrassed, but Gosunkugi is waiting for an answer.]

Ranma: Ha ha! Of course I'm getting some!

[The restaurant turns back to their meals, obviously not
interested in this conversation.]

Gosunkugi: [Snickers] See? A truly courageous man wouldn't
have done that.

Ranma: [Reaches over and grabs him by the front of the shirt]
Look Gosunkugi, if I'm such a "pussy", why don't you challenge
me to a fight?

Gosunkugi: Simple, courage and strength are two completely
different concepts. You could beat the crap out of me anytime
of the day, but it would take no courage to do it.

[The door to Ucchans opens and Conditioner enters.]

Ranma: Well, wouldn't not accepting my challenge be an example
of cowardice?

Gosunkugi: There's a difference between being courageous and
being a moron, Ranma.

[Cut to the front of the store.]

Ukyo: How can I help you?

Conditioner: [Looking at sheet of paper] I'd like three larges.
One with mild sauce, one with hot sauce, and one with
soy sauce.

Ukyo: Hai! [She turns around and begins to flip them.]

[We cut back to Ranma and Gosunkugi, their conversation had
shifted]

Ranma: No way in hell Akuma is Sheng Long! He's far too young,
and how would you explain his ability to teleport?

Gosunkugi: [Shaking head] But you see, he knows the DragonFist
and the HardFist*, which only students of Sheng Long know.....

[Suddenly his head jerks to the front of the restaurant]
(* - As far as I could figure, Hadoken translates as "Hard Fist")

Ranma: Well, he could have been a student of....What are you
looking at?

Gosunkugi: That girl up there.....

Ranma: Yeah? What about her?

Gosunkugi: She's a sorceress!

[Ranma cranes his neck to see.]

Ranma: How can you tell?

Gosunkugi: We know our own. Do you know her, Saotome?

[Ranma looks at her and squints in an attempt to remember]

Ranma: I've seen her SOMEWHERE before....[Knocks on head] But I
wish I could remember where!

[Conditioner gets her order and leaves. Gosunkugi gets up out
of the booth and starts to walk towards the door.]

Ranma: Hey, Hikaru!

Gosunkugi: Don't try and stop me, Ranma.

Ranma: [Holds up Gosunkugi's bookbag] I though you might need
this.

[Gosunkugi takes it.]

Gosunkugi: Thanks.

[He walks out of Ucchans. Ranma watches out the window as he
goes by.]

Ranma: That kid is so odd.....[Massages temples] But where have
I seen that girl before?

--------------------
[Cut to the lot behind the Nekohanten. A wooden dummy stands
in the center of the lot on top of a crate. Suddenly it is
shaken as a wooden duck hits it. We pull back to see Moose,
dressed completely in battle-gear; gown, weapons-belt and all.]

Moose: Here's for all the times you've hurt me emotionally
and physically! [He throws out a ball-and-chain, it smashes the
dummy into splinters. Moose still doesn't look happy. He grits
his teeth in anger.] Damn you, Shampoo. How come I spent so
many years on you? Who cares if you're strong...you're as
stupid as a brick!!!!!!! [All of a sudden all of his weapons
fly out and strike the back of the Nekohanten. Several shingles
and pieces of siding fall off. The back door opens and Cologne
looks out]

Cologne: Cut it out, damn you!
[She then slams the door after her.]

Moose: [Grits teeth] If only that old Troll would drop dead,
everything would be perfect.....

--------------
[We cut to the streets of Nerima. Conditioner is carrying the
box down the street, she finally reaches the Nekohanten and
goes in the front entrance. Gosunkugi comes up a few feet
behind. He looks at the Nekohanten]

Gosunkugi: [Scratches head] The Nekohanten?

[Suddenly he hears Cologne screaming from the back of the
Nekohanten. Being curious, he walks around the side and sees
Moose.]

Moose: [Looks at him] Greetings, Hikaru.

Hikaru: Hmmm...Moose, right?

Moose: [Nods] That is me.

Hikaru: Umm...I just saw a Chinese girl with blue hair enter
here..Um..do you know who she is?

Moose: Ah, yes. That is Conditioner. She is the sister of
Shampoo.

Hikaru: She's an Amazon?!!

Moose: Of course!

Hikaru: [Sits down on a box, startled] But...how could that
be? I felt ripples in the ether when she came into Ucchans..

Moose: What do you mean?

Hikaru: Ether. It's an invisible substance that surrounds us,
penetrates us, and binds the world together. Some people have
the ability to manipulate it to their own ends, they are known
as sorcerers and sorceresses.

Moose: [Nods knowingly] Ah, yes. That's true, Conditioner is
a sorceress.

Hikaru: [Shocked] An AMAZON sorceress? I didn't know there was
such a thing!

Moose: Well, she's the first, of many we hope.

Hikaru: How powerful is she?

Moose: Hmmm...She studied under the Jinn of Chia Shing,
and I believe she reached fifth level before coming here.

Hikaru: [Breathless] FIFTH...LEVEL?!!

Moose: Yes, is that high?

Hikaru: [Gulp] Yes, I suppose you could say that.

Moose: [Suspiciously] Why do you want to know?

Hikaru: It's just...I felt a kindred spirit when she entered
the restaurant.

Moose: Hmmph. I hate to think that she is anything like YOU.

[He starts to pick up his weapons and re-attach them to his
weapons belt. Seeing that Moose is ignoring him, Gosunkugi
gets up off the box and heads home. We cut to a shot of him
walking down the street.]

Gosunkugi: <This feels so different, it doesn't sting, it
doesn't hurt. If anything, it has made me stronger. How could
I have ever loved Akane Tendo? She is so violent, her
intelligence is average, and she has nothing in common with
me. She cannot feel the ether. But now....>

[Cut to Moose. Standing before the ruins of the dummy]

Moose: <I cannot believe that I ever loved Shampoo. She has
always hated me, and her brute attacks are nothing compared to
my hidden-weapons techniques. She is not worthy of me, but
Conditioner...It is hard to believe that those two came from
the same womb. Conditioner is calm, she is nice, and lovable,
and she is intelligent, and we will have children who can
actually enter the outside world and not be stuck in that god-
forsaken village forever. I now see how I truly feel.....

[Split-screen: Gosunkugi on one side, Moose on the other.]

Gosunkugi&Moose: <I love her!>

<~Commercial Break~>
Insert Commercial Break
<~End Commercial Break~>

[We cut to the Tendo Dojo. Ranma is standing before the shrine,
looking at the dojo sign. The door opens and Akane enters,
the three students trailing behind her. Ranma turns to her.]

Ranma: Ah, Akane....

Akane: [Grits teeth] It's about time you showed up, Ranma.

Tommy: Pleased to see you, Sensei Saotome. (Bows)

Eddie: Greetings, Herr Saotome.

Jenny: Hey, Doc.

[Akane stares daggers at Ranma, but doesn't say anything. She
turns to the sign.]

Akane: The Tendo School of Indiscriminate Grappling has several
rules, most of them are contained on the cloth scrolls hung
on the walls of the dojo. But there are some that are not
there. First off, the highest level of achievement is the
Black Belt. [Ranma hooks his thumbs in his] But only one
student out of the entire class gets it.

Eddie: What?!

Akane: The Second Student gets the Brown belt, the Third
Student gets the Yellow Belt.

Jenny: What kind of crap is this? Why is there only one black
belt?

Akane: The art of Indiscriminate Grappling lies in being able
to learn everything you can. Therefore, at the end of this
term, whoever has beaten all of the other students becomes
first student. [Eddie and Tommy eye each other.] [Claps her
hands] All right, on to the the rules. [She walks around to the
first scroll] First rule, you must use this art for defense
only. [Walks over to scroll 2] You must not forget Scroll #1.
[Walks over to scroll #3] But, it doesn't matter, because no
one obeys it anyway. [Walks over to scroll #4] Wax on. [Scroll
#5] Wax off.

[This continues for several moments. Finally, after they
finish scroll #11, the students are dismissed. Akane prepares
to go out the door.]

Ranma: Akane...

Akane: [Whirls around] Ranma, how dare you make a date with
Shampoo!

Ranma: I....It's just, well..I had to get a favor from her,
and this was the payment that she demanded!

Akane: THEN WHY WERE *YOU* asking *HER* out?!!!

Ranma: She wanted me to ask her!!

Akane: A likely story! [She holds up the ring that he gave
her] Why did you give me this if you didn't care about me?!

Ranma: I *DO* care!

[Akane's anger turns to shock]

Akane: W--what?!

Ranma: Akane, I may not want to marry you, but never let it
be said that...I do care! You're like a sister to me, Akane!

Akane: A SISTER?!! [She prepares to throws the ring at him]

Happosai: I do hope I'm not interrupting anything.

[Suddenly Ranma and Akane turn from their fight and face
Happosai.]

Ranma: What do YOU want?

Happosai: I couldn't help but notice those new students of
yours.

Akane: Yeah. What about 'em?

Happosai: I would like to teach them myself.

Ranma: Ha! We're not letting you corrupt them like you did
to Genji!

Happosai: Oh? And who's going to stop me from teaching them
on my own?

Ranma: [Raising his fist] I am!

Happosai: Alrighty then! Meet me in the yard in two hours,
we'll fight then!

Akane: WHAT?!!!

Ranma: Uh...

[Happosai walks out of the dojo.]

Akane: Baka! How dare you wager the students in one of your
stupid fights! [She pushes him over. Ranma falls to the floor.]

Ranma: But, I didn't say anything!

[We cut to Akane storming across the yard, pissed as all hell.
Suddenly she notices that something is cutting into her hand.
She opens it up and sees the ring. She picks it up and prepares
to throw it into the pond, but stops. She sighs and puts the
ring back on and walks into the house.]

------------------
[Cut to Maison Cotto, Room 5. Eddie is sitting on his futon
reading a thick tome labeled "The Art Of Indiscriminate
Grappling." But it is hard to study due to the noise caused
by the party at Tommy's next door. Eddie picks up a pillow
and covers his ears with it, unfortunately he can still hear
the noise.]

Eddie: <<Goddamn spoiled brat!>>*
* - In German.

------------------
[We cut to a clearing with a huge boulder in it. Happosai
stands before it. He is making several odd motions with his
hands. We think it might be a mystical incantation, but then
we realize that he's stretching]

Happosai: [Breathes in, breathes out. Then screams...]
ARATA-HAPPODAIKARIN!* [He pulls out one of the bowling-ball
shaped candles, this one the size of a watermelon. He throws
it so it lands on top of the boulder. He jumps back several
feet. When the fuse burns out, the boulder is reduced to dust
in an explosion that would make Alissa Sazynski recoil in fear]

(* - New Happodaikarin)

Happosai: YEEESSS!!!! [Cracks knuckles]

<Commercial Break>
Insert Commercial Break
<Commercial Break>

[We cut to the Tendo Yard. Ranma is sitting on one of the rocks
around the pond, stretching. Out from behind a tree comes
Jenny Devola. She approaches him]

Ranma: [Looks up] Oh, hello. You're....Jamie, right?

Jenny: Jenny, Sensei.

Ranma: Ahhh...yes. <It's going to take a while to get used to
being called Sensei. Hell, I haven't even been called Sempai
yet!> Is there something you want?

Jenny: Yes..it's about the reason why I asked for admission
here.

Ranma: What about it?

Jenny: Well...did Akane-Sensei tell you about me?

Ranma: [Shrugs] Not really...she said something about you
being a DaiMage* or something like that....

(* - This would mean "Great Mage")

Jenny: [Laughs] No, I'm a DeMage.

Ranma: What's that?

Jenny: It stands for Demon Mage.

Ranma: [Suddenly looks scared]

Jenny: [Shakes head] No, it isn't what you think. We're a
sect that learns magic that can be used to stop demons.
The down-side of this is that they can only be used against
demons and undead creatures, and not human beings.

Ranma: So, why did you come HERE? Did you think that learning
physical attacks would make you balance out?

Jenny: No...I've heard of you, and your Ki-attacks, and I
was wondering if you could teach me some of them.

Ranma: Uh...I don't think I can. [Jenny looks disappointed]
You see, I wasn't really taught any of these techniques, I
was told how to do them, but I had to learn how to use them
on my own. And I'm not quite sure if I could teach them to
another person, not just yet.

Jenny: Then who taught you?

Ranma: For the most part...Cologne, she owns the Nekohanten,
right here in Nerima. [Thinks for a moment] You might get her
to teach you a few.

Jenny: But what about my work here?

Ranma: It would count as work, considering that it doesn't
matter WHERE you learn the techniques from.

Jenny: Arigato, Sensei. [She bows and then skips off.]

Ranma: Those wacky Americans..... [He shakes his head and
then gets up off of the rock. He walks into the yard, Happosai
is waiting.]

Happosai: I'm surprised you decided to show, Ranma.

Ranma: I will not allow my students to come under the evil
grip of your tyranny.

Happosai: Don't knock it, Ranma. If it had not been for me,
you never would know the art, I taught your father.

Ranma: And I shall show you how well he taught me! [Ranma
lunges forward.]

Happosai: Tut-tut! ARATA-HAPPODAIKARIN!
[He throws the massive ball at Ranma. Ranma dodges it. A few
seconds later it goes off and throws Ranma a good ten feet.]

Happosai: Hahahahaha!!!!!

Ranma: [Lying on the ground] <I should have been well out of
range!>

Happosai: Like my new technique, Ranma?

Ranma: [Gets up and dusts himself off] I've beaten you before,
and this time is no different!

[He leaps up and prepares to do a jump kick.]

Happosai: ARATA-HAPPODAIKARIN! [Happosai throws several
bombs up into the air. They all go off while still in the air,
and Ranma has to bounce off objects to hit them. Finally, after
running the gauntlet, he starts to zero-in on Happosai, his
foot prepared to squash him. But, suddenly, Happosai throws
another bomb up at him. This one had a very short fuse and goes
off at point blank range. Ranma screams as the blast strikes
him. After the smoke clears we see a mangled Ranma sitting in
the grass. Happosai jumps up onto his chest and walks up to his
face.]

Happosai: It looks like I win, Ranma. And, thanks to you,
a new generation of Happosaian students is going to be born!
[He reaches forward and squeezes Ranma's nose] Honk!
[Happosai jumps off Ranma's chest and heads towards the dojo.
Ranma just lies on the ground, eyes staring at the sky.]

----------
[We cut to the next day in the Tendo Dojo. The three students
stand before Akane. She has a look of sadness on her face.]

Akane: It is my sad duty to inform you that I will no longer
be able to serve as your Sensei for the remainder of your
term here.

Students: Huh? What? Hey, why not?

Akane: I think it is time that you meet your new sensei.....
[groan] Happosai.

[Happosai enters and jumps onto the shrine.]

Happosai: Hey students, I'm your new teacher. And let me tell
you, I'm looking forward to this! Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

[Fade to black]
<Commercial Break>
<End Commercial Break>

[Exterior shot of the Tendo Dojo, not the house, just the dojo.
We have a slow pan in on it. The music is very tense with very
little percussion, something Christopher Franke could think up.
We cut to an interior shot of the Tendo Dojo. Ranma kneels,
in ceremonial garb, before the dojo sign. He is writing on a
long scroll in kanji. He finally finishes and rolls the scroll
up, he pulls out a white cylinder. He pulls on one end and a
blade emerges as it becomes a handle and sheath. He reaches
behind him and undoes the bottom part of his ponytail. He then
cuts it off with the knife and rebraids it. He then takes the
piece of hair and ties it around the scroll. He then places the
scroll on top of the shrine and switches positions so he has
his back to the sign. He places the dagger before him in a
cutting position, prepared to shove it into his abdomen. We cut
to several different camera angles of this. Suddenly, the door
flies open and we hear a voice urging him to stop]

Akane: Ranma...stop!!!!!!

Ranma: [Closes eyes in shame] Do not try and stop me, Akane.
I have been defeated, and I have let down both our families.
There is no other way.

Akane: Ranma, please! You don't have to go this far, you can
get them back!

Ranma: But I am not worthy to have students. When I did, I
ignored them, I considered them a burden. They are now paying
for my mistakes. It is only right that I do likewise.

[Ranma prepares to stab again. Akane looks in horror for several
moments. But then runs forward and grabs the knife]

Ranma: Akane, stop!

Akane: No, Ranma, if you are going to commit ritual suicide,
I must do it with you.

Ranma: WHAT?!

Akane: [Sad] They were my students, I must also pay for
allowing you to get into this situation.

Ranma: No! [He pulls it away from her.]

Akane: Even if you do it first, you won't be alive to stop me
from committing suicide once you are dead. Heh, according to
tradition, it would be the same for me, a disgraced couple.

Ranma: [Looking at the knife] <Sigh> You always have to ruin
it, don't you? [He sheathes the dagger and places it before the
shrine] What do you suggest we do?

Akane: We'll think of something.

Ranma: I hope you're right Akane.

[Fade To Black]

To Be Continued......

Questions, Comments, Stock Tips?
Contact:
ke...@pathcom.com

NuCharacter Synopsis #1

Name: Conditioner
Status: Citizen Of China
Age: 19
Physical Appearance: About 5'11. Blue hair, brown eyes. She
usually wears a red blouse with a red dress. Looks more
modern than Shampoo. Unlike Shampoo, wears a bra.

History: Conditioner was born 3 years before Shampoo. She is
the oldest of the children. Early on in life, she showed a
genuine dislike of the combat of the village. She started
studying science in her pre-teen years. And one day, while on
a nature hike, she found an odd lamp lying in the woods on the
side of a mountain trail. When she rubbed it, a Djinn was
released. It was revealed that the Djinn belonged to a long-dead
Chinese wizard. Conditioner learned magic from the Djinn, and
managed to become a sorceress of the fifth level. One day her
cousin Hairspray saw Conditioner talking to the Djinn and
reported her to the head of the village. When taken before him,
Conditioner spoke freely of her magical talents. The chief
demanded that she be exiled and never allowed to return to the
village. Conditioner accepted this and left. But not before
turning the chief into a toad. Moose, who never felt any
respect for the laws, (because of they denied him Shampoo)
still accepts her for what she is. Shampoo and Cologne, however,
still hold her at an arms length.

**********

Segment V of NuRanma begins at this point.
!

[Establishing shot of the exterior of the Tendo house. Cut to
an interior shot of the dining room/parlor. The entire Tendo
household, minus Happosai, sits in the room. Soun, Genma, and
Ranma sit at the front of the table. Soun is in the middle,
and thus appears to be the center of attention.]

Soun: I have called this meeting to announce a state of
emergency.

Ranma: This is kind of over-reacting, don't you think?

Soun: [Slamming gavel onto table] Do not speak unless I give
you permission to! [Nervous silence] All right, then. Due to
Ranma's loss of his battle to Happosai, we have lost the
students. And, in effect, the only income that this house has.

[Genma's stomach growls]

Genma: I think that the only way to remedy this situation
is to get them back by challenging Happosai to another fight.

Ranma: I seriously doubt I can beat him. Not now.

Soun: We must find a way for you to defeat Happosai. Or else,
this entire household will starve to death.

Akane: Ranma, I don't see what the big deal with this is!
You've beaten the Happodaikarin before!

Ranma: But not THIS Happodaikarin! He somehow managed to
make the technique stronger, the strength of those bombs is
unlike anything I've ever seen!

[Suddenly, Soun bolts up and snaps his fingers]

Soun: That's it! That's how we can defeat him!

Household: Huh?

---------------
[Cut to Gosunkugi's sigil. He lies in the center of the
pentagram, in a meditating position.]

Gosunkugi: <How will I handle this situation? How can I ask
this "Conditioner" out on a date? This isn't like it was with
Akane. I have virtually no competition. Not asking her out
would be a sign of stupidity, not cowardice. What must I do?>

[He sits in a thoughtful pose for several moments. Suddenly,
the smoke from the candles forms into a cloud. Gosunkugi turns
and looks at it. The face of Akane appears in it.]

Gosunkugi: Of course! The only real friend I have, Akane
Tendo! [Stands up] If she cannot help me, no one can!

[Fade to black]

-N U R A N M A-
Written By: Chris Michael Schumacher Sr. Esq.
Produced By: Animax Entertainment Enterprises

Episode #5: Time of change
OP: "Change" by Motley Crue

<Commercial Break>

<End Commercial Break>

[Cut to an interior shot of the Tendo dining area. Everyone
is as they were before the commercial]

Soun: When we were training with Happosai, he once taught us
a rather odd trick.

[We see the two younger men and Happosai. Happosai stands on
a rock and grabs an apple from a tree using the Telepunch*.
Soun and Genma unenthusiastically clap. Happosai then concentrates
some more, and a blue aura surrounds him. He reaches forward
and pulls the entire tree out of the ground. It flies over and
crushes him. Genma and Soun clap for real this time.]

(* - Similar to the Telekick that Scorpion knows.)

Soun: He taught us that we could add power to the techniques
we knew by channeling our Ki into them. This would only work with
techniques which didn't require Ki to begin with.

Ranma: [Mad] You knew this technique all along, pop, and you
never taught me?

[Genma looks sheepish and grabs the pitcher of water from the
table and dumps it on his head so he won't have to answer any
questions.]

Soun: Actually, no. My friend here was never able to master
this technique. I managed to master it after a while though.
[He looks out the door to where Happosai is talking to his
students] We must leave at once for the mountains. I will
teach you the technique there, where Happosai cannot spy on
us.

Ranma: When do we leave?

Soun: [Standing up] At once!

---------------
[We cut to the Tendo yard. Happosai stands before the two
students. Next to him stands a familiar looking Japanese
teenager.]

Happosai: This is my top student, Genji Heita. I trained him
here a few years ago. Now that I finally have some more
students, I would like to complete his training. Please treat
him as one of your own.

[Genji strides forward and stands next to the two westerners.
Eddie eyes him suspiciously]

Eddie: <There's something I don't like about that guy.>

Happosai: Now, you two have been trained by Akane and Ranma.
Both of who come from the impotent school of Indiscriminate
Grappling. For that reason, I will begin to train you again,
from day one.

[Tommy and Eddie groan]

Happosai: Okay, here is your first task. Follow me. [He
walks to the other side of the yard, the three students follow
him. At the end is a 12-Foot tall bamboo pole. At the top is
a panty, blowing in the wind.] Your task is to get to the top
of this pole and free the panty.

Tommy: Are you some kind of sick pervert?!

Happosai: [Smirk] Yes, I am.

Tommy: I refuse to do this, it's insulting!

Eddie: [Pushes him out of the way] Fine, let me have a shot
at it.

[Eddie approaches the pole and straddles it, he starts to climb
towards the top. He reaches the halfway point easily.]

Eddie: Heh-heh. Child's play.

[Suddenly a bamboo spike sticks out of the pole and strikes
Eddie in the groin. He lets go of the pole and falls to the
ground, screaming all the time.]

Eddie: Ow! My manhood! [Eddie rolls around on the ground,
grabbing his groin]

Tommy: Tsk,tsk,tsk. That was the most obvious way, you
shouldn't have fallen for it! [He leaps up the entire distance
of the pole and grabs at the panty. As he does, a hawk flies
out from underneath it and bites Tommy on the nose. He falls
to the ground, screaming.]

Genji: Hahahahaha!!!!! Master, where did you ever get these
incompetents from?

Eddie: [Angry] All right, smartass, let's see you do it!

Genji: [To Happosai] Shall I, master?

Happosai: [Shrugs] If you want to. It's below you, of course.

Genji: I know, but we need to put these novices in their
place, don't we? [Genji concentrates for a moment, and then
becomes invisible.]

Tommy: Wha?!

Eddie: How did he do that?!

[Suddenly the panty is pulled from the top of the pole, the
hawk is startled, because he can't see the person grabbing it.
Suddenly an area of grass collapses and Genji reappears above
it.]

Happosai: I see you managed to master that technique.

Genji: [Shrugs] Well, I learned from the best.

Tommy: Come on, that wasn't fair!

Eddie: Yeah, how were WE supposed to be able to do that?

Happosai: Well, that wasn't the way *I* would have done it.

Genji: Oh? And how would YOU do it, Master?

Happosai: Like....THIS! [He chops the base of the pole,
and it falls over. The students look in awe] You see, my
students, sometimes you MUST do it the easy way. [Cracks
knuckles] Follow me.
[He walks towards the dojo. Genji follows him. But Eddie and
Tommy stay behind and look at the shattered pole]

Tommy: This is a lot harder than I thought.

Eddie: [Sigh] Tell me about it.

[Eddie runs after them. After a moment, Tommy does too.]

------------------
[Exterior shot of the Nekohanten. Cut to interior shot. We
see Jenny Devolva dressed up as a waitress, waiting on tables.
We pan back to Conditioner sitting by the cash register.
Cologne is in the backroom.]

Conditioner: Great-Grandmother, Shampoo is no longer pulling
her weight around here anymore.

Cologne: Well, Conditioner, she's been busy the last few days.

Conditioner: [Slams fist into counter] BUSY?! That's all I've
been for the past week! Because of her absence, I now have
twice the workload that I had when I first came here!

Cologne: Well, Shampoo is going after her fiancee. That is
more important than the welfare of this restaurant.

Conditioner: [Snort] Yeah, her fiancee. Stupid village laws.

Cologne: Just because you refused to follow them does not
mean they are stupid.

Conditioner: [In rage] Of course they're stupid! I got exiled
from the village because I didn't want to become a dumb bimbo
like Shampoo and wanted to learn magic! And why should I be
content being a herbalist like you?!

[Shampoo slaps her across the face with her cane.]

Cologne: [Angry but calm] Don't you EVER talk about the
shortcomings of the members of this family. I'm doing a favor
for you by just letting you stay with us, in violation of
village law, I might add. Remember that before you insult either
of us ever again!

Conditioner: [Underneath her breath] Inferiors....

[Jenny comes to the back to the table and lays her tray on
the counter.]

Jenny: I'm through for the day.

Cologne: [Not turning from her cooking] Good.

Jenny: Could I have my paycheck now?

Cologne: That depends, can you use the Telepunch?

Jenny: Please! Not again! I need that money to eat!

Conditioner: Why don't you just eat here?

Jenny: Chinese food is too rich to have every day. *

(* - I've heard that the Chinese do not eat Chinese food. Is
this true?)

Conditioner: [Holding up envelope] Okay, here, grab.

[Jenny concentrates and makes a grabbing motion. But nothing
happens. She tries it again, still nothing happens.]

Jenny: I still can't do it! I can't believe....

Cologne: That is why you fail.

-----------
<Commercial Break>

<End Com. Break>

[Establishing shot of a mountain range in Japan. We pan in on
Ranma and Soun standing on a ledge overlooking a ravine.]

Soun: The two techniques you know that don't involve Ki are
the Hiryuu Shoutenha and the Tenshin Amagurikan. I think that
the best technique for deflecting the bombs would be the
Hiryuu Shoutenha.

Ranma: But I can't use that unless I'm cool while they're
hot. Besides, that's close range, and I can't get in that
close with Happosai without being blown to bits.

Soun: [Thinks for a moment] Yes, that could tend to be a
problem. But, wait, watch this. [Soun closes his eyes and
concentrates. Suddenly, he raises his fist above his head.
A small contained whirlwind surrounds him. After a few moments
it dissipates. Soun opens his eyes and takes a deep breath.]
I channeled a small amount of my Ki into creating a sphere of
heat around me.

Ranma: [Surprised] I never thought of that!
[He raises his fist confidently, but nothing happens.] 'eh?
All right.... [He tries again. Nothing happens.]

Soun: Concentrate!

Ranma: I am! [He takes a deep breath, places his arms at his
sides and closes his eyes. A few moments later the small
dust devil forms around him.]

Soun: Okay, now channel more Ki into it.

[The small whirlwind grows for a moment, but then Ranma loses
control and it shatters to the four winds.]

Ranma: No!

Soun: Don't give up, Ranma. You'll get it sooner or later.

-------------
[Cut to the Tendo yard. Tommy and Eddie lie defeated in the
grass. Genji stands over them, laughing]

Genji: You two are pitiful! You couldn't fight your way out
of a paper bag!

[The two don't say anything. Genji smirks and walks into the
dojo. He starts leaping up and yelling "Shiryuuken". We pan
back to Tommy and Eddie.]

Tommy: I can't believe this could possibly be worth it.
I came to Japan to be a better martial artist. Not to let some
little lecher beat the living crap out of me.

Eddie: Don't worry...He has a weakness. I'm sure of it.

Tommy: Oh yeah? Would you be so kind as to tell me what it
is?

Eddie: Uhh...I haven't figured it out yet.

[Tommy tries to hit him, but he can't manage to move his hand.
The door to the house opens and Nabiki and Kasumi come out.
They prop up the two against the house and pour them some
lemonade. Genji walks past them and laughs. He goes into the
house and sits at the table next to Happosai]

Genji: What wimps these students be.

Happosai: Be easy on them, Genji. I don't want them to be
permanently damaged.

Genji: Come on, give up on them! I was able to waste both of
them, and I'm not that good of a Martial Artist! They're
weak, they lack both style and substance, they don't know any
techniques...

Happosai: Were you any different when I taught you?

Genji: [Sigh of resignation] I guess so.

--------------
[Cut to the entryway of the Tendo house. The doorbell has
just rung and Kasumi enters the foyer to answer it. She opens
it up to see...]

Kasumi: Hikaru Gosunkugi!

Gosunkugi: [Nervous] Uhhh...hi. Is Akane home?

[Cut to a few minutes down the road. Akane and Gosunkugi are
both sitting the parlor, drinking tea.]

Gosunkugi: [Looking around nervously] Uh...nice house.

Akane: [Put off] Um..Thanks.

[Gosunkugi looks around nervously for a few more moments]

Akane: You don't need to worry, Gosunkugi. Ranma isn't
here.

Gosunkugi: Whew! That's a relief. [He wipes the sweat from
his brow]

Akane: What did you want to see me about?

Gosunkugi: Oh...I wish to speak with you about matters D'amour.

Akane: 'eh? What do you want to talk about?

Gosunkugi: [Sigh] It's about this girl. She's perfect, Akane.
She's beautiful, intelligent, and has a great personality.*

(* - How does he know about her personality?)

Akane: [Smirk] Oh? Beautiful, you say?

Gosunkugi: [Eager nod] Hai! All the paint on all the canvases
in all the world couldn't do justice to her beauty!

Akane: And does this /beautiful/ young woman know how you
feel?

Gosunkugi: [Shakes his head] No, she doesn't know.

Akane: Oh, and why not?

Gosunkugi: She doesn't know me, we haven't even spoken. I have
just seen her on the street...But still, I feel something
between us...I feel the lines of ether combining and forming
into one well....

Akane: [Starting to get confused] Ether?

Gosunkugi: [Excited] Yes! She's a sorceress! Can you believe
it?

Akane: [Suddenly realizes it isn't her he was talking about]
What is this woman's name?

Gosunkugi: Conditioner. She is staying at the Nekohanten.

Akane: An Amazon Sorceress?!

Gosunkugi: Hai! I thought it was a contradiction of terms
myself, but nonetheless, she is.

Akane: [Depressed] And what do you need me for?

Gosunkugi: I want advice...I want to talk to her...about
marriage....about children...

Akane: Hikaru, you haven't even spoken yet!

Gosunkugi: Unless you're a sorcerer, you cannot understand
how much can be said without words.

Akane: Perhaps you should consider just TALKING to her
first?

Gosunkugi: That's exactly what I said!

Akane: No, I mean of ordinary things. You've barely begun the
race and you're already deciding what color trophy you want!

Gosunkugi: That's a rather odd metaphor.

Akane: You get my point!

Gosunkugi: So, you're saying before I marry her, I should
meet her first, is that right?

Akane: Yes.

Gosunkugi: But where?

Akane: The Nekohanten?

Gosunkugi: I can't strike up a conversation there about
sorcery, then she'll know that I had PLANNED it that way.

Akane: All right, where do magician's meet?

Gosunkugi: A coven? [Akane shakes her head] An alchemist's
shop?

Akane: Sounds good to....

Gosunkugi: [Leaps to his feet.] Oh, thank you, thank you!
[Kisses her hand] I'll never forget this! [He runs out.]

Akane: [Scratches head] <Why did he want to see ME? It isn't
like I'm an expert on love or anything...> Grrrrr. <How come
everything seems to be falling into place for everyone's love
life, except me?!!!>

[She brings her fist down and dents the table.]

--------------

[Cut to Ranma. He is standing alone near the shore of a pond.
He appear to be in a deep meditative trance. A small whirlwind
appears around him. It starts to glow blue, but dissipates
quickly.]

Ranma: Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<Commercial Break>

<End Commercial Break>

[Aerial shot of the lake in the mountains. We cut back to
Ranma and Soun, standing before the lake.]

Soun: In order to make this technique work, you have to FEEL
the Ki flow through you, and channel it into the technique.

Ranma: [Angst] But it's impossible! The technique makes me
dizzy as it is, there's no way I can make it powerful enough
without killing myself!

Soun: "If you sow the wind, you shall reap the whirlwind."

Ranma: [Grits teeth] What the devil is that supposed to mean?

Soun: You shall see.

[Soun walks off back towards the camping area. Ranma's gaze
follows him for a short while, then he turns back and looks
at the sun glinting off the surface of the lake.]

Ranma: Damn it!

------------------

[We cut to the Nekohanten. Jenny is making her last delivery
of the day. Cologne looks up from the cash register to her.]

Cologne: Do you think you can finally get your pack check?

Jenny: [Nods] Hai!

[Cologne takes it out from below the tray in the cash register
and holds it up with one hand.]

Cologne: All right, take the pay check.

[Jenny closes her eyes, places her hands together in a praying
position, and slowly breathes in and out. After about 30 seconds
she thrusts her hand forward, making a grabbing motion. A
faint blue echo of her hand flies forward and rips the envelope
from Cologne's hand. The ghostly blue hand pulls it back and
places it in Jenny's waiting hand. Jenny opens her eyes and
looks down at the envelope in her hand.]

Jenny: I did it! [Jumps for joy] I actually did it!

Cologne: [Impressed] Very good. You're a good student, you
pay attention and learn from your mistakes.

Jenny: [Ego inflates] Thank you! What will you teach me next?

Cologne: Hmmmm...I don't quite know yet, I'll probably think
of something by the time you come to work tomorrow.

Jenny: Be seeing you.

[Jenny walks out triumphantly, swinging open the door as she
leaves. We pan down to see a pair of empty shoes lying near
the front of the door. As the door closes, we see a bloody
Gosunkugi lying up against the wall.]

Gosunkugi: She really swept me off my feet!

[Gosunkugi collapses]

-----------
[Aerial shot of the mountain range. We slowly pan in on a
mountain ledge. Ranma is sitting there in a meditating position.
Even though he is supposed to be meditating, we can see from
the expression on his face that he feels no inner peace.]

Ranma: <How did I ever get myself into this situation? Why
does it seem that I'm the only one around her that every gets
into these kinds of things? I never see Akane training, or
attempting to master a new technique, so why do *I* have to?>

[Ranma lays back on the rocks and closes his eyes. He slowly
begins to fade off to sleep...As he does, images from various
episodes of Ranma's past appear. We see;
Ranma attempting to master the art of Rhythmic Gymnastics
Ranma attempting to master the Tenshin Amagurikan
A weakened Ranma learning the Shiryuu Shoutenha.
Ranma using the Moukou Takabisha for the very first time.
[Suddenly, Ranma bolts up from this lax position.]

Ranma: Of course! If I can channel the energy from the Moukou
Takabisha into a barrier of heat, I can create the effect I'm
looking for!

[Ranma stands up and stretches for a few moments. After a few
minutes, he is ready. He takes a battle stance and starts to
make the motions.]

Ranma: MOUKOU TAKABISHA SHOUTENHA!
[The Ki-bolt leaps forward from his hands, it starts to form
a barrier around Ranma, and we can see the whirlwind being to
appear, but it fades and the Ki is released. Ranma falls to
the ground, exhausted.]

Ranma: [Wiping sweat from his brow] Oh well, it was worth
a try. Still wonder how I got the confidence to make it work.
[It takes a moment for him to realize it.] YES!!!!!!!

[He gets up and takes the stance once again. He holds his
clenched fist as chest level.]

Ranma: <Feel the Ki flow through you, confidence builds, makes
it grow...> [A blue aura starts to appear around Ranma's fist]
<You will succeed!> [The small whirlwind appears around Ranma.]
<You are the greatest Martial Artist that has ever lived. None
can defeat you.> [The aura is spreading from Ranma's fist into
his chest, the dust kicked up from the whirlwind is glowing
due to the light produced from the Ki.] <You can do anything,
just as long as you apply yourself.> This is it...[He raises
his fist above his head in triumph] GEKITOUGUFUUKEN!*
[Suddenly, the Ki is released into the whirlwind, and it gets
stronger. Rocks and boulders strewn around the ledge are picked
up by it and tossed across the gully. After a few moments,
the tornado dies down.] YES!!!!! I did it! [Ranma runs down
the cliff to where the camp is.]

(* - Gekitougufuuken = Fierce Hurricane Fist)

-------------------
[Cut to an Alchemist's shop in Nerima. Gosunkugi is walking
along the aisles, looking for various stuff on his list.]

Gosunkugi: Hmmm...Asp's tongue.. [Takes a bag off of the wall]
Dragon's tooth. [Looks around] Dragon's tooth? Damn, never
around when you need it.

[He goes out of the aisle, and we see a counter with a sign
above it saying "Magiscriptions". There is a line of people
waiting to see them. Gosunkugi gets in line and waits.]

[Unseen, Conditioner enters the store. She goes over to the
same aisle that Gosunkugi was in.]

Conditioner: Out of Dragon's tooth? [Sigh] This is no way to
run a railroad.

[She walks over to the next aisle and gets some other reagents]

Conditioner: [Looking at list] Wing of bat...Eye of Newt. Hmmm.
No Dragon's Blood either?
[She looks up and sees the "Magiscriptions" sign.]

[We cut to the line. There are four people in front of
Gosunkugi. Gosunkugi looks extremely bored. Conditioner gets
into line in back of him.]

Gosunkugi: <Hmmm...That ether signature seems familiar.> [He
turns around and sees Conditioner. He smiles and turns back to
the counter. His eyes bulge] <She's right behind me! Buji help
me!>

[We cut to the front of the line. A man with long blue hair
and wearing a cloak is filling out a form.]

Counter man: Your reagents should be here within in a week.

Man: They had better.
[He goes out of line.]

Counter man: Next!
[Behind him is a woman who looks rather warped. She looks
extremely well rested, but is massaging her temples a great
deal.]

Woman: Can I order Blackrock here?

[Cut back to Gosunkugi waiting in line.]

Gosunkugi: <What should I do?! Strike up a conversation? Yeah,
that's a good idea.> My, what nice Ether we're having.

Conditioner: [Rather confused] Ah...Yeah, nice.

Gosunkugi: <Why did you have to sound like such an idiot?!
Just natural, I suppose.>

Conditioner: <Is this guy really a magician? He doesn't look
the type. He probably just came here on a dare.>

[The headaching sorceress gone, only one person remains between
Gosunkugi and the counter.]

Man: I was here yesterday. Have my rune stones come in yet?

[The man behind the counter digs around and comes up with a
black bag.]

Counter Man: As a matter of fact, they have. [He places them
on the counter. He hands a clipboard to man.] Sign here, Mr.
Yotsuya.

[The man signs it, takes the Rune Bag, and leaves. It's
Gosunkugi's turn.]

Gosunkugi: I would like to place an order.

Counter Man: What for?

Gosukugi: Dragon's Tooth...

Counter Man: Chinese or European?

Gosunkugi: Hmmm....Chinese, it's a very delicate spell.

Counter Man: Anything else?

Gosunkugi: Hmmm...Oh, yes. Dragon's blood. About a quart.

Counter Man: Chinese or European?

Gosunkugi: European. Germanic, if you could.

Counter Man: [Nods. He finishes writing this down on the
clipboard, he pushes it across the counter to Gosunkugi].
Last name first, then first name, middle initial, and Truename
in Gaelic runes on the bottom line.

Gosunkugi: Hai. [Fills out the form.]

Counter Man: [Takes back clipboard and looks it over]
Everything appears to be in order, check back in about two
weeks.

[Gosunkugi nods and walks out of line. He stops and listens.]

Conditioner: One order of Chinese Dragon Tooth, and a quart
of Chinese Dragon Blood.

Counter Man: Hai. [Passes over clipboard] You know the drill.
[Conditioner fills out the form.] That should be about two
weeks.

Conditioner: Thank you.

[She walks out of line. Gosunkugi reaches deep within himself
and pulls up a heaping helping of confidence.]

Gosunkugi: Excuse me...Miss?

Conditioner: [Turns to Gosunkugi] Eh?

Gosunkugi: I couldn't help overhearing...What makes you think
that Chinese Dragon Blood is better than European?

Conditioner: Nothing, it's just I grew up in China and that's
what I always used. [Looks at him] You're Japanese, right?

Gosunkugi: Hai.

Conditioner: What level are you?

Gosunkugi: [Sheepishly] Three.

Conditioner: Oh, there's no need to be ashamed. It took me
two years to exceed third level.

Gosunkugi: So you're fourth level?

Conditioner: No, I'm fifth.

Gosunkugi: Wow! <It's the second time I've heard that, and
it still impresses me!> You know...you look sort of familiar.
Maybe it's just a Japanese thing, maybe we think all Chinese
look alike...But you remind me of a girl who works at the
Nekohanten.

[As the conversation continues, they make their way towards the
door.]
Conditioner: Oh, she's my sister.

Gosunkugi: Really? <Wow, I certainly can play the fool, can't
I?> Let's see...She's Shampoo, her grandmother is Cologne,
so you must be...Hairspray.

Conditioner: [Eyes narrow to slits, the room temperature drops
a few degrees.] I am most certainly NOT Hairspray.

Gosunkugi: [Rubbing back of head] Ahh...sorry.

Conditioner: [Eyes return to normal, so does room temp.] Sorry,
it's just that Hairspray is a nemesis of mine. [Offers her
hand] Anyway, I'm Conditioner.

Gosunkugi: [Shakes hand] I'm Hikaru Gosunkugi.

Conditioner: Pleased to meet you.

[They finally reach the exit.]

Gosunkugi: Anyway, it was nice meeting you.

Conditioner: You too.

[Neither of them move, they just stand there, staring at
each other.]

Gosunkugi: <Come on, silly boy! Ask her for her number!
No, I can't do it. It'd be too forward. Too forward my ass,
if you don't do this you'll regret it for the rest of your
life! But if I do it, and she rejects me, I can't live with
myself! Isn't it better to live in ignorance than to....>

[Conditioner has written something on a piece of paper and
shoves it into Gosunkugi's hand]

Conditioner: Call me, we'll take in a movie sometime.

[Conditioner walks off down the sidewalk.]

Gosunkugi: Hummina Hummina Hummina Hummina!
[Passes out on the sidewalk.]

---------------
[We cut to a mountaintop where Ranma stands, his fist raised to
the sky]

Ranma: Happosai, you will rue this day! For Ranma Saotome is
back, and he shall take back what is rightfully his! This is
a day that will live in history!

<Commercial Break>
Insert Commercial Here
<End Commercial Break>
[We cut to the garden of the Tendo dojo. Genji is sitting in
the lotus position on one of the rocks near the pond, meditating.
After a few moments of contemplative silence, his eyes snap
open.]

Genji: I sense a presence. There's another warrior on the
mason.

[He leaps up from the rock and runs towards the dojo.]

-----------------
[We cut to Gosunkugi's room. He is sitting at his desk, a
phone and the piece of paper that Conditioner gave him lying
on the desk. He stares at the paper, and then the phone, and
then back to the paper, and then back to the phone, and so
on.]

------------------
[Exterior shot of Maison Cotto, on the very edge of Nerima.
Ranma is marching down the street, Soun behind him. The camera
pans up and we see Eddie looking out the window.]

Eddie: He's back!

[Eddie runs out his room. He runs into the hallway and knocks
on the door of the next room. The door flings open and we
see Tommy. He looks extremely tired and depressed]

Tommy: What is it, Eddie? I was trying to get some sleep.

Eddie: [Excited] Herr Saotome is back!

Tommy: [Eyes wide open] He is? Where?

Eddie: I saw him down on the street!

Tommy: [Slams his door] Well, let's go!

[They run down the stairs and out the door, where Ranma is.
They fall in step behind him. Everybody they pass on the street
looks in marvel. They keep marching on down the street, past
a Ramen cart where Akane is eating. Akane sees them and leaves
the cart to fall in step behind them. They march through
Nerima for a good twenty minutes, and they finally reach the
Tendo dojo. They march into the backyard, where Ranma flings
open the door to the dojo. Sitting on the floor and deep in
conversation are Genji and Happosai. They stop and turn to
look at him.]

Genji: Well, Ranma Saotome, as I live and breathe.

Happosai: What do you want, boy?

Ranma: I challenge you to combat.

Happosai: Oh, you do, do you?

Ranma: Yes.

Happosai: And what might this fight be for, pray tell?

Ranma: For your students. [Looks over at Genji] All four of
them.

Happosai: No, Genji is MY student.

Ranma: [Looks at Genji] It is still not too late to turn him
back from the dark side.

Genji: [Irritated] Go on, talk about me! It isn't like I'm
here or anything.

Happosai: If you lose, what do I get in return?

Ranma: I will become your student.

Happosai: [Leaps for joy] Yes, I accept, I accept!

Ranma: With Genji?

Happosai: Of course!

Genji: Wait just a doggone minute here...

Happosai: Shut up boy, you'll do as I say.

Genji: [Sigh] Yes, sir.

Ranma: Fine, I'll meet you in the yard in one hour's time.

[He turns around and walks out of the dojo.]

------------
[Aerial shot of the Tendo compound. We see one figure crouched
on a rock near the pond. We see another figure emerge from the
house, they walk across the grass, and sits on one of the
rocks across from the other figure. We cut down to ground
level and see that the two figures are Ranma and Akane.]

Akane: Are you ready for the battle?

Ranma: As ready as one can be, I suppose.

Akane: [Looks in the direction of the dojo] Do you think you'll
be able to defeat him?

Ranma: I honestly don't know. I have a fighting chance, which
is more than what I had before. But, when the time comes, I'm
sure it'll just come down to plain luck.

Akane: What if you can't defeat him?

Ranma: Then I'll try again, and again and again...until I win.

[The two sit in silence for a few minutes. The silence ends
when the door to the dojo opens and Happosai emerges.]

Happosai: Ranma, this is the end!

Ranma: If it is, so be it.

[Ranma rises. They both go to the empty part of the yard.
Out of the dojo comes Genji, and sits on one of the rocks by
the pond. Out of the house come Tommy, Eddie, and the rest of
the Tendo family. Neighbors and people we haven't seen for
a long time enter the yard. Nabiki comes out of the house
dressed up like one of those people who sells peanuts at the
ball games. But on her tray is a sign that says "Satisfaction
Guaranteed, or your money back!"]
[Cut to where the two are preparing to fight. Ranma cracks his
knuckles ready for the fight. Happosai's eyes gleam.]

Happosai: I won't be easy on you THIS time, Ranma.

Ranma: Heh, give me your best.

[The dually-appointed referee, Kasumi (?!) approaches]

Kasumi: All right, let's try and keep this fight clean, and
don't hurt each other!

Ranma: But that's the point of the thing!

Kasumi: [Holds up index finger] Round 1, FIGHT!

[Ranma attempts a foot sweep, but Happosai leaps out of the way.
But Ranma takes care of this by changing from a foot-sweep to
a cyclone kick, hitting Happosai right in the gut.]

Spectator1: Ooh! That's gotta hurt!

[Happosai picks himself up off the ground and dusts himself off.]

Happosai: You're going to pay for that.

[He takes out his pipe. Ranma starts to back away and the two
begin to circle, each one cautious. Finally Happosai crosses
the line and throws Ranma with his pipe. Ranma lands painfully
on the ground a few meters away.]

Ranma: Ow! [Angry] That was supposed to be a defensive
maneuver!

Happosai: [Mock shining his pipe] "There's no defense like a
good offense." I'm going to enjoy training you, Ranma. I'll
make you come to practice every day in a bra and panties.

[We hear blechs from the people in the crowd. Apparently not
many people know about the curse.]

Ranma: You have to beat me first! SAOTOME BARREL ROLL!
[Ranma falls to his knees, grabs his legs, and rolls like a
barrel across the yard and into Happosai, throwing him a good
three meters. His pipe flies in the opposite direction. Ranma
uncoils and leaps into the air and grabs it.]

Ranma: Tsk,tsk,tsk. Don't you know, Happosai? Smoking is
dangerous! [Snaps the pipe in two]

Happosai: [Horrified] My pipe! My precious pipe! You bastard!
[Suddenly Happosai looks extremely angry, and he grows to
full size. We hear "oohs" and "aahs" from the audience.

[Author's Note: Happosai's voice booms in these scenes.]

Ranma: [Sigh] <Great, this is going to be a easy battle.>

[Ranma attempts a jump kick, but Happosai's enlarged hands wrap
around Ranma's waist and slam him into the ground. Ranma lets
out a horrid scream. Happosai's booming laughter echoes through
the yard.]

Ranma: If only I could turn into a Panda... [Ranma backs away
from Ranma, and they begin to circle again.] <He can't maintain
that form indefinitely, I'll just have to wear him down.>
TENSHIN AMAGURIKAN!

[Ranma's hundred punches leap forth at lightning speed, but they
have very little effect on Happosai, but it takes a great
amount of energy to block them all. Happosai makes a swipe with
his arm, it connects with a sickening THUD and sends Ranma
flying into the neighbors yard. A few moments pass and he comes
running back.]

Happosai: Don't you know when to give up, Ranma?

Ranma: Never! As long as I draw breath, I will fight you!
TENSHIN AMAGURIKAN!

[Another round of a hundred punches land in Happosai's chest.
But, unlike the last time, he has been visually affected.]

Happosai: <Damn! I can't maintain this much longer!>
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBBBBOOONNNZZZZAAAAIIII!!!!!!!!!
[Happosai leaps forward towards Ranma, loosing kicks and punches
like there's no tomorrow. Ranma keeps shifting his position
every second and manages to avoid all of them. All but the
very last, which hits him square in the temple, knocking him
to the ground.]

Ranma: Uuuugggghhh.. [Eyes begin to glaze over]

Akane: Someone, get a doctor! Is there a doctor in the house?

[A Gaijin in a felt jacket and a long scarf raises his hand.]

Gaijin: Miss, I'm a doctor.

Akane: Of what?

Gaijin: Actually, it was just an honorary degree.

Akane: Forget you, then.

[Suddenly, out of the crowd comes Tofu. He races across the
yard to where Ranma is lying.]

Tofu: Ranma? Ranma, can you hear me?

[Happosai shrinks back to normal size. Ranma's eyes snap open.]

Ranma: Yeah, loud and clear, doc!

Happosai: You...you! You tricked me!

Ranma: [Smirk] Worked like a charm, didn't it?

[Doctor Tofu rushes to get out of the way.]

Happosai: Well, let's see if you can outwit THIS!

[Happosai leaps into the air. Suddenly, he becomes invisible.]

Eddie: Oh no!

Tommy: Well, he fought well.

Genji: Heh-heh. Smash him to bits, Master.

[But despite the horror of the students <as well as Genma and
Soun>, Ranma looks extremely confident.]

Ranma: Hey, Happy! Catch!
[He throws a panty up into the air. We notice parts of it begin
to fold in mid-air, as if being touched. Ranma leaps up and
kicks thin air. Happosai emerges and crashes to the ground,
with a glowing red bruise on his cheek.]

Happosai: [Seething] That's the last straw, now I'm REALLY
PISSED OFF! [Happosai suddenly pulls out four bombs] ARATA
HAPPODAIKARIN! [He throws all of them in the general direction
of Ranma. Ranma manages to dodge all of them.] Heh-heh. It
seems I've got you by the balls now, Ranma.

Ranma: Heh, don't be so sure.

[Happosai pulls out six this time. Ranma leaps up onto the
of a tree and manages to avoid all six of them.]

[We cut to the rocks]

Eddie: What's he waiting for?

Akane: Why doesn't he use his new technique?!

[Cut back to the battle.]

Ranma: Come on, Happy, surely you can do better than that!

Happosai: Fine! Let's see how you can handle...A DOZEN!
ARATA HAPPODAIKARIN!
[Twelve bombs fly forth from Happosai's hands. Ranma raises
his fist in triumph]

Ranma: GEKITOUGUFUUKEN!
[The huge whirlwind forms around Ranma and grabs all of the
bombs, throwing them back in the direction of the one who
threw them.]

Happosai: [Seeing the dozen bombs approaching at breakneck
speed] Oh shiiiiiittttt..

<KA-BOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>

[When the smoke finally clears, most of the siding on this
side of the Tendo's house is gone, there is a huge crater in
the ground, and several of the bushes are hanging from tree
branches. Happosai lies in the center of the crater. Ranma
gets up and dusts the soot off his clothes and walks down into
the crater. He kneels before Happosai and grabs him by the
collar]

Ranma: Well, Happosai?

Happosai: [Opens his eyes and looks at Ranma] It seems...I
miscalculated....[Lets out one last breath] Adric.
[Happosai closes his eyes, and violins play. Genji rises from
the rock and screams "Noooooooooo!!!!!!" which echoes forever.
but this only last for a few moments. Ranma starts smacking
Happosai's face.]

Ranma: No! No! You're not going to die on me, Happosai! Not
until you admit I defeated you!

Happosai: [Eyes open] Fine, you beat me, ONCE. I'll keep up
my end of the deal.

Genji: Noooooooooooooo!!!!!

Eddie: [Smacking him] SHUT up!

<Commercial Break>

<End Commercial Break>
[Location: Happosai's room. Happosai is sitting, alone, on
his futon. Crying. But unlike all the other times we've
seen him cry, this is real, it isn't some attempt to
get sympathy. There is a knock at the door.]

Happosai: Whoever it is, go away.

[Two more knocks]

Happosai: [Sigh] All right. Enter. [He turns away from the
wall and toward the door. The door opens and Genji enters. It
looks as if Genji has been crying too.]

Genji: I just came to say...[Deep exhale] It's been a great
experience studying under you, sensei.

Happosai: Et tu, Genji?

Genji: I'll return someday...

Happosai: [Touched] Thank you...even though it is a lie.
[He stands up and offers his hand. Genji accepts it.]

Genji: I'll never forget you.

Happosai: Nor I you.

[Genji turns from his master...no, former master, and chokes
back a sob as he goes out the door. The door closes behind
him and Happosai is alone.]

------------
[We cut to a few hours later in front of the Tendo Dojo.
Ranma stands in a Karate gi with a black belt tied around his
waist. Before him, finally all in one uniform, are Eddie,
Genji, Jenny, and Tommy. On each and every one of their
gis is a patch, and on it is a crest. A crest made of both
the Saotome and Tendo crests, symbolizing the combination of
the two schools.]

Ranma: Welcome back, my students, and welcome too to you,
Genji. Today begins your true formal training in the art of
Indiscriminate Grappling. [Deep exhale] I am sorry for what
has gone in the past, and I will try to seek amends for the
pain you went through because of my mistakes. I....I will try
not to let you down again.[He turns to the dojo] Come along
students, we have much work ahead of us.

[Fade to black]

To be continued...
Questions, Comments?
Contact ---> ke...@pathcom.com

Name: Genji Heita
Status: Citizen Of Japan
Age: Late teens (Real age unknown)
First Appearance: Ranma Nett. Eps #56
Reappearance: NuRanma #5

History: Genji came from a home in the country. One day while
passing through the streets of Nerima he saw Happosai using
the Happodaikarin to defeat Ranma. He really wanted to be like
Happosai, and fought to gain acceptance to train under Happosai.
Happosai finally allowed it, but it got to the point where
Heita was able to out-hentai his master. Still Happosai's prize
pupil, Happosai sent him to the country again to train, while
the situation in Nerima cooled off. [He stole every panty within
two square Kilometers of the Tendo dojo.] When Happosai finally
got the new students, he brought Genji back to train with them.
Genji is like a young Happosai. But unlike Happosai, he isn't
a pervert, even though they share a common weakness. He does
what he does because he has to, not because he enjoys it.

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

Beginning Of NuRanma #6
(*)

-=N U R A N M A=-
Written By: Chris Schumacher
Produced By: Animax Entertainment Enterprises

Episode #6
Defeat Is A Dish Best Served Cold

[Exterior shot of the Nekohanten. The banners beneath the
awning flap in the wind, and a few people in bicycles go
by. We cut to an interior shot of Conditioner's room. She
is sitting in the center of a pentacle drawn on the wooden
floor with blue chalk. She is slowly breathing in, out, in,
out. Suddenly, a breeze blows through the room and the
windchimes hanging from the ceiling move. But there is no
window open...Conditioner opens her eyes and smiles. The
camera has a close-up of Conditioner from the shoulders up.]

Conditioner: Hello, old friend.

@ @ @

[Aerial shot of the Tendo dojo. Sitting on a rock before the
pond is Tommy. He is dressed in the "Unified Gi" introduced
in the last episode. Like Conditioner, Tommy is deep in
thought.]

Tommy: <Everything was just fine until Genji arrived...How
can I become the top student of this art when my opponent
can enlarge himself and become invisible?>

[A few moments pass and the wind whips around Tommy's hair.]

Tommy: <The only way that I can become the top student of
this school is to defeat Genji. And so I shall!>

<Begin Commercial Break>
Insert Commercial A Here
<End Commercial Break>

[We cut to an aerial shot of the back lot of the Nekohanten.
There are bits of broken dummies everywhere. Moose is dressed
in his usual battle gear; robe, weapons-belt and all. Moose
looses all of his weapons at once, as we've seen before.
The dummy is reduced to a torn piece of cloth and piles of
sawdust.]

Moose: [Wiping sweat from his brow] Whew! That was great!

[He walks into the backdoor of the Nekohanten, taking off his
weapons belt and robe as he goes, hanging them on a coat rack
on the way in. He walks through the living room and up the
stairs, down a hallway, and into Conditioner's room.*]

(* - The Nekohanten has nothing on the TARDIS)

Moose: Conditioner I was wondering...[Notices that Conditioner
is packing] What's going on?

Conditioner: [Putting her clothes into a suitcase] I'm going
back to China.

Moose: [Shocked] Why?!

Conditioner: The Jinn Of Chia Shing says that it's time I
return. I've had enough of a vacation, and I need to start
studying for Sixth Level.

Moose: But you've only been here two weeks!

Conditioner: Nevertheless, I've got to go back before I
become idle. [Sniff] Besides, at least I'll feel NEEDED there.

Moose: ...

@ @

[Cut to the yard of the Tendo dojo. Standing in the yard is
Genji Heita, current first student of the Saotome-Tendo
school of indiscriminate grappling. Currently, he is in
battle with a rather fearsome looking dummy.]

Genji: Take that, and that, and that! Ha ha ha ha!!!!!

[Suddenly an arrow flies past his ear and sticks into the tree.
Genji turns from his fighting and stares at the tree.]

Genji: Hello? What's this? [He pulls the arrow out of the
trunk of the tree. He takes off the note and unfolds it.]

Tommy's VO: Genji Heita, I challenge you to single combat for
the first studentship of the Saotome-Tendo school of
Indiscriminate Grappling. Meet me at Furinkan Field #3 at
5:24 PM tomorrow. -==Thomas Leon Jones"

[Genji starts laughing hysterically. He crushes the note.]

Genji: Does this idiot truly think he can defeat me? Like
moths to the flame these mortals be! Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

@ @ @

[We cut to the interior of Ucchans. It is around 2 hours before
school begins, so the morning crowd is relatively small.
Gosunkugi is sitting with his back against the wall in one of
the booths. His meal has already been finished, and he just
seems to be waiting. The door opens and Ranma Saotome enters.
Gosunkugi suddenly perks up upon seeing him.]

Ranma: The usual, Ucchan.

Ukyo: Coming right up!

[Ukyo turns around and starts to flip Okonimiyaki on the grill.
Ukyo waits for a few moments and finally flips it on to a
plate, which she puts on a plate and hands to Ranma.]

Ukyo: [Usual smile] Enjoy, Ranchan.

Ranma: Put it on my tab, as usual.

Ukyo: Hai!

[Ranma carries the tray and walks towards the area with the
seats and sees Gosunkugi waving towards him.]

Ranma: <Grrr. What does he want this time?>
[Despite his distaste, Ranma walks over to the booth and sits
down opposite from Gosunkugi.]

Ranma: [Nods] Gosunkugi.

Gosunkugi: Saotome.

[Ranma starts to eat, but looks up a few moments later.]

Ranma: You look more depressed than usual, and that's HARD to
do!

Gosunkugi: Yeah, I know. [He brings his feet down from the
seat and sits normal-style] I finally found someone who I
really connect with, and...ugh. Even though it feels like TRUE
love, I still can't seem to talk with her!

Ranma: Who is this?

Gosunkugi: The Amazon Sorceress.

Ranma: [Nods in understanding] Aah.

Gosunkugi: I can't seem to find confidence.

Ranma: You seemed rather confident the last time we meant.

Gosunkugi: Anger is easier to express than love.

[An image plays out on Ranma's head of Akane hitting him with
a mallet.]

Ranma: Hmmmm...I think you're right.

<!!Commercial Interruption!!>

<!!Commercial Interruption Interruption!!>

[Cut to the communal bathroom of Maison Cotto. It is the next
morning, and Tommy is leaning over the sink, shaving. Eddie
is sitting on a linoleum stool reading a Ranma 1/2 manga,
waiting for a shower to be freed. We hear soft music in the
background. Similar to that music in bathrooms in dorms while
you were at college. You never could really figure out where
it came from, considering there were no speakers in the
ceilings, and it would be rather stupid to do that to begin
with, considering that the humidity would damage them anyway,
but back to my...Oh, wait, someone's come out of the shower.
Damn! Someone else got in before Eddie could. He sits back
down on the stool.]

Eddie: [Not looking up from his manga] So, I heard you
challenged Genji to a fight.

Tommy: Yep.

Eddie: Were you goofed-up on something when you asked, or
are you just plain stupid?

Tommy: I have a fair chance against him.

Eddie: [Angry] No you don't, you idiot! He's a student of
Happosai, you nitwit, why didn't you just skip him and ask
Happosai himself for a fight?!

Tommy: I think you're overreacting just a tad bit.

Eddie: Oh, am I? Tell me that when you come back tonight after
you've gotten your head handed to you.

Tommy: Hmmph.

@ @ @

[We cut to the interior of the Nekohanten. It is early morning,
Moose and Conditioner sit at a table near the counter of the
Nekohanten. A bright sun beam is seen shining across the table.
Moose and Conditioner appear to be eating breakfast.]

Moose: [Gulp, smack] So, why don't you tell that Jinn that
you need a little bit more time off?

Conditioner: [Sip, chew] I can't be lax any longer, I've got
to get back to sorcery. If I don't start training for sixth
level immediately, I might very well drop below fifth level.

Moose: [Chomp. Chew,chew] But surely you can [sip] practice
here.

Conditioner: [Slurp] No, Master is wary of crossing water.

Moose: [Stops eating] For cripes sake, he's one of the most
powerful beings in the universe!

Conditioner: But if someone loses the bottle he's in, he's
screwed.

[Down the stairs which end in the living comes Shampoo. She
is wearing a school uniform <And a bra!> and glasses adorn
her face. She is carrying a school bag in her right hand.
She walks out into the restaurant.]

Shampoo: Where is our Great Grandmother?

[Moose's mouth is full of food, but he points to the kitchen.
Shampoo walks over and looks in.]

Shampoo: I'm going now, Great Grandmother.

[Cologne emerges from the backroom.]

Cologne: Don't you want to have breakfast first?

Shampoo: No time, I've gotta go. [Waves as she leaves] Be
seeing you.

[Conditioner finishes her plate and pushed it away.]

Conditioner: Well, I've got to finish packing.
[Without another word, she goes into the living room and up
the stairs.]

@ @ @

[We cut back to UcChans. The morning crowd is beginning to
dissipate. Gosunkugi and Ranma are still sitting at their
booth, deep in conversation.]

Ranma: ..so, I realized that it wasn't concentration I lacked,
it was confidence. Ever since Happosai had defeated me, my
confidence had been shaken.. But by some miracle, I was able to
salvage some, and then I discovered how to make the technique
work! [Gosunkgui nods intently] So, you see Gosunkugi, it all
comes down to confidence. If you have confidence, there is
nothing you can't do.

Gosunkugi: Yes, I understand perfectly. But still... Arrrgh!
I can't GET ANY CONFIDENCE! That's the reason why my magic
always fails.

Ranma: Answer me something, Hikaru. What are you afraid of?

Gosunkugi: Afraid of? [Thinks for a moment] Beetles, spiders,
being naked in public...

Ranma: No, In relation to this situation!

Gosunkugi: Oh! Umm...I'm afraid that if I approach Conditioner,
she'll reject me.

Ranma: So, it's rejection you fear? Well consider this; which
would you think is worse? Having you heart broken, and have
scars that last for a few years tops, or going on the rest of
your life not knowing what would have happened if you asked
her? Can you live with that Gosunkugi? You don't know if you
can risk asking her out, but can you risk NOT asking her out?

Gosunkugi: [Eyes sparkling like stars, just like in those
chick mangas] YES! That's it. I'll do it Saotome! By Bujii and
the Eight Lords of Ether, I shall!

[He rises and shakes Saotome's hand.]

Gosunkugi: I shall never forget this!

[Gosunkugi runs out of the restaurant.]

Ranma: Hikaru, you forgot... [But he's already out of earshot.
Ranma puts Hikaru's bookbag back onto the seat. He the looks
down at his plate where a quarter of an Okonimiyaki is sitting
drenched in sauce.] <Tough words Saotome. So why can't you
follow your own advice?> [Ranma kicks back in the booth.
Suddenly a watch alarm goes off. He turns and sees several
students in uniform get out of the booth. He wonders what
they're in such a rush for, then it occurs to him.] SCHOOL!!!!

[Ranma jumps out of his seat.]

@ @ @
[We cut to an interior shot of the Nekohanten. The scene is
the room that Conditioner and Shampoo share. Conditioner is
digging through the closet and finds several more clothes
on hangers. She then places them in the suitcase that is
lying on the bed.]

Conditioner: <What did I do with the scepter of Restore Mana?
Hmmmm.> [She goes over to the bedside table and opens it,
finally she pulls a short golden scepter with a blue jeweled
head forth and places it into her suitcase. As she closes the
drawer, a blue binder-like book on top of the bedside table
catches her eye. She reaches over and picks it up. She then
looks up in a thoughtful pose..] <I wonder if she would mind...>

[She then opens it. We see that it is a photo album. It is
chock full of photos. Two or three to every page. She leafs
through the first three pages, there is a picture with
a much younger Conditioner in it, wearing a black robe and
carrying a staff. Next to her stands a much younger Shampoo,
with maces in both hands. We see a figure with long black
hair and thick glasses lying on the ground, Shampoo's left
foot on the back of his neck. Conditioner begins to flip
through it some more, the pictures quickly approach present
day. We see various scenes: Shampoo and Female Ranma at the
beach, Shampoo and Female Ranma at the Summer Festival,
Shampoo and Male Ranma standing in front of the Tendo Dojo,
complete with a mallet on top of Ranma's head, with Akane
wielding it. Conditioner flips through the photos quicker and
quicker as she gets closer to the present. The last picture
is one from less than two weeks ago, with Shampoo holding up
a cookie plate with a heart-shaped cookie on it, grinning.
Conditioner slams it shut. We can now see that Conditioner has
tears streaming out of her eyes.]

Conditioner: Shampoo is such a fool, she has people drooling
after her, people who truly love her...And the only one who
cares for me at all is the Jinn...

Moose: That isn't true.
[Conditioner whirls around to see Moose standing in the
doorway.]

Conditioner: How long have you been standing there?

Moose: Long enough. Now what is this about no one caring
for you?

Conditioner: [Sob] It's true, only the Jinn cares for me.
And that's just because I have potential! Any way you look at
it, Sorcery is all I have left. [Sob] My kind are shunned both
by the Village and Modern Society. Who else do I have to
turn to?

Moose: There's always me.

Conditioner: [Turns to him and looks at him hopefully] What
about Shampoo?

Moose: She doesn't matter, I'll always be here for you.

[The two stare meaningfully at each other for a long time.
After the moment has passed, a voice carries up from the
first floor.]

Cologne: Conditioner, telephone.

Conditioner: Be right there. [Looks at Moose] You mean it?

Moose: [Nods] Until the end.

Conditioner: [Runs forward and hugs him] Thank you, Moose.

Moose: [Sigh of relief] No problem.

[Conditioner breaks the embrace and runs down the stairs.]

@ @ @

[We cut to a stretch of sidewalk somewhere in Nerima. The
figure of Ranma jumps over the bushes and lands on the
sidewalk. After brushing the pine needles off of himself,
he goes on his merry way. A few meters up he sees Nabiki.]

Ranma: Hey Nabiki!

[Nabiki turns around and sees Ranma. She turns back to her
friends and motions for them to go on without her, and then
she stands, waiting for Ranma. Ranma races and finally catches
up. They continue walking.]

Nabiki: You actually got up on time this morning.

Ranma: [Shrugs] Yeah, it surprised me too. I guess it's these
new students. Somehow I feel I have to be a better person so
I can set a good example. [Grits teeth slightly, we can tell
he isn't really agonized] It's hard business.

Nabiki: [Nods] I know exactly what you mean.

Ranma: [Turns to her and arches an eyebrow] When are you going
to end this charade?

Nabiki: [Stares at him for a moment] Not to change subjects,
but is there any particular reason that you care? You're the
last person I would suspect to want me to return to my old
ways. After all, you owed me 250,000 yen at last count.

Ranma: Uh...Well, you see, we had a poll running at school.
[Nervous laugh]

Nabiki: [Pokes him gently in the ribs] Come on Ranma, you
just can't admit when you care! That's what your problem is.
And, I might add, that's a bad example to be setting.

Ranma: Pbbbbb!

Nabiki: [Scratches the back of her head] I can't remember the
last time I saw a teacher do THAT. Anyway, when are you and
my sister going to tie the knot?

Ranma: As soon as the sun dies, or maybe even shortly after.

Nabiki: Hmmmm...a long term relationship. You think that ring
will last that long?

Ranma: [Caught off guard] Uh...About that..

Nabiki: You figured out that it cost more than 5000 Yen?

Ranma: [Rubs the back of his head] Yeah...Kinda.*

(* I particularly liked that episode of Doctor Who. Best in
the Davison era, by my reckoning.)

Nabiki: Well, that look on your face when I gave it to you
more than paid for the difference. [Smirks] Come on, we're
going to be late.

[The two increase their pace. As they do, we pan back to see
a periscope extruding from one of the bushes. We pan down
to see a Man In The Shadows. He is wearing big earphones and
has one of those dishes with the microphone in the middle
mounted on the top of the bush.]

MITS: So, Nabiki Tendo had reformed, has she? This is the
chance I've been waiting for!

@ @ @

[We cut to Field #3 of Furinkan High. Standing on the field is
Tommy Leon Jones, wearing a trenchcoat.]

Tommy: <Hurry, Genji. Our destiny awaits.>

[Fade to black]

<Commercial Interruption>

[We see the Parlor of the Tendo Dojo. Sitting on the edge of
the table are Akane and Ryouga. A Gaijin announcer is standing
next to them.]

Announcer: We're here at the Tend Dojo to see which plastic
bag is better at locking in freshness! Akane Tendo, will you
change from your regular bag to this Ziploc Yellow-make-Green
seal bag?

Akane: Uh-uh. This is the bag that my mother, and Kasumi use.
There's no way I'd change.

[The announcer takes two bags from a stagehand. Both are filled
with water with chunks of ice floating in them.]

Announcer: So, we'll hold this bag of ice water over your
friend's head here, which bag would you choose?

Akane: [To Ryouga] I don't see why we should change, we'll
use the ordinary bag.

Ryouga: [Clamping his hand over Akane's mouth] Don't listen
to her, use the Ziplock bag.

[Cut to a picture of a box of Ziploc bags]

Announcer VO: Ziploc bags, the bags that lock in freshness.

<End Commercial Interruption.>

[Cut to the interior of the Nekohaten. Moose is sitting at the
desk is Conditioner/Shampoo's room, reading a magazine called
"Babylon 5". Conditioner comes in through the door and sits
down on the bed.]

Conditioner: Well, it's settled, I'm staying.

Moose: [Trying to contain his excitement.] Oh? What changed
your mind? [Knowing smile beginning to form.]

Conditioner: Hikaru Gosunkugi!

Moose: [Falling off of his chair] What?!

Conditioner: [Stars in HER eyes] It was really cool, just when
I needed it most, he called! I had almost completely forgotten
about him.

Moose: [Under his breath] Not surprising, he's the kind most
forget about.

Conditioner: I'm going to go out with him on Friday Night!
It's going to be SOOO cool! I've never been on a date before!
[Starts to dig through her suitcase.] Whatever should I WEAR?

[Unseen, Moose gets up and walks out of the room, with the
look of a man condemned on his face.]

@ @ @
[We cut to Field #3 of Furinkan High School. Several hours
have passed since the last scene. It is now after school,
and Tommy stands, waiting. The wind whips the grass around,
and the sun has become an orange disk, slowly sinking into
the horizon. From the direction of the school comes Genji
Heita, wearing the Gi of the Happosaian School. He reaches
the end of the field opposite Tommy. He looks up and sees
him.]

Genji: You're insane attempting this, Jones.

Tommy: [Grits teeth] I'm not afraid of you!

Genji: [Face twists into a cruel sneer] Oh, I imagine you
are. And the reason you are is because...No matter how good
a JUMPER you are, you cannot defeat...THIS!

[Genji leaps straight up into the air, and becomes invisible.
Tommy reaches into his jacket and pulls forth a cardboard
cylinder, about a foot long, with odd Chinese writing all
over it. He pulls off the end of it and aims it towards the
sky. A shower of sparks flies out, which is followed by
endless dense clouds of smoke. Tommy squints as he looks into
the cloud, and sees a Genji-like outline. He leaps into the
air and slams his foot into Genji's head. Genji falls to the
ground, nursing the footmark in his forehead.]

Genji: [Spits these words out] You. Will. Pay. For. That.

[He leaps at Tommy, but Tommy does the thing he does best,
he jumps. He lands over in Field #2.]

Tommy: If you want to beat me, you have to CATCH me!

Genji: That shouldn't be too hard.

[He leaps over and prepares to jumpkick Tommy in the face.
Tommy leaps into the air and pulls another cylinder from his
jacket. As he and Genji pass each other in mid-air, Tommy
brings the cylinder in close range with Genji's face. The
two land. Genji whirls around to face his opponent. Suddenly
we notice that he has whiskers on his face. We pan over to
see Tommy holding an indelible marker.]

Genji: [Even Angrier] I'LL HAVE MY REVENGE!

[He walks over and prepares to punch Tommy in the ribs. Tommy's
hand emerges from his jacket and pulls forth a yellow disk
attached to a piece of string. He wacks Genji in the face
with it, lets go of it, and jumps over to Field #1.]

Genji: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!! [He reaches down and picks
up the disk. He turns it over, written on it is "Duncan
Imperial * Made In USA"] You dare attack me with THIS?!! That
is an insult I cannot ever forgive!

Tommy: <Great, your plan is working! He's angry as hell, and
slipping up!>

Genji: Let's see you try something like that with...THIS!

[Genji becomes big. He approaches Tommy. Tommy looks up at the
towering Martial Arts Student.]

Tommy: [Gulp] [He starts digging through his pockets, throwing
various odds and ends out. Among them is a top, a rubber frog,
the complete set of disks for Ultima 8, and a Ninja Star. He
finally finds what he wants, a tube of Tomato Paste. He points
it at the face of the giant Genji and sprays him with it.]

Genji: Ugh!!! [Tries to wipe it off his face. He lashes out
and connects full force with the chest of Tommy. Tommy "Ooofs"
and falls to the ground. Genji changes back to normal size and
wipes the tomato paste from his eyes and looks at his
opponent.] <Wait a second, he was just trying to get me angry!
I can beat this guy easily!> HAPPODAIKARIN!

[The bomb flies over and lands next to Tommy. But as it lands
next to him, we see that the fuse it out. It probably has
something to do with the water gun in Tommy's hand.]

Genji: [Cracking knuckles] Fine, I'll defeat you with my bare
hands.

[Genji slowly begins to close in on Tommy. Tommy pulls out a
staple gun and fires it at Genji. Genji just holds up his
arm to block all the shots. Tommy digs deeper and pulls out a
Dart gun. He shoots it and the dart sticks to Genji's head.
Genji reaches up and pulls it off. Tommy digs even deeper and
comes up with a Ping-Pong ball gun. Genji is within five feet
of him now. Tommy shoots off one of the ping pong balls.
Genji ducks and it flies over him, it lands in a field several
feet away, and explodes in a geyser of flame. Tommy looks at
the gun in awe for a moment, but throws it away. He reaches
into his coat and pulls out a gun that's gray and white with
red lettering on it. We can clearly see the word "Zapper" on
the barrel. A black cord trails from the bottom. Tommy points
it at Genji and pulls the trigger, but all it does is click.]

Genji: It would be in error to say you fought well, but let
me just say that you...AMUSED me, while it lasted.

[Tommy eyes show unmasked fear as Genji closes the distance.
Genji stares into the eyes of his opponent, icy daggers of
hate emanating from them.]

Genji: THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! [He roundhouse kicks Tommy in
the head, which sends him flying several meters into the
parking lot, where he crashes into the concrete. Genji dusts
off his hands and walks away.]

@ @ @
[We cut to Moose's room at the Nekohanten. He is crouched
at his desk and writing (with brush, no less) on a piece of
paper.]

Moose: <It is much to my displeasure that we are pursuing the
same woman. For this reason, I challenge you to a fight on
Saturday Morning. I will allow you the comfort of Conditioner's
company for one night before I send you to your grave.
Sincerely, Moose.>

[Moose picks it up and folds it. He then pushes back his chair,
gets up, and leaves the room.]

<Commercial Interruption>

[We cut to a cafe in San Angles. Sitting at one of the stools
is a black man with his hair died blonde. Back in the 90s,
people would have thought he looked like Wesley Snipes. One
of the monitors finally turns to him.]

Man: Apple Jacks, please.

[A few moments pass and then they come to him in a bowl. He
begins to eat them. A woman comes up and sits on the stool
next to him.]

Woman: Eating Applejacks, I see.

Man: Hmmmph. [Continues eating]

Woman: But they don't taste like apples.

Man: Mmmmpf. [Starting to get angrier as he eats.]

Woman: Then why do you like them?

[The man slams his bowl down and turns to the woman. He pulls
out a gun and points it at her face.]

Man: Simon says...You ask too many questions.

[Cut to black screen, and we hear a gunshot.]

APPLE JACKS
"Keep your mouth shut"
<End Commercial Interruption.>

[Cut to an interior shot of Eddie's room at Maison Cotto. Eddie
is lying on his futon reading a thick tome labeled "The
Purgatorio". Suddenly, he hears a thump and a sob from outside
the door. Eddie looks up from his tome for a second. He then
closes it and puts it down. He opens the door and walks into
the hall. Where, lying on the floor, is...]

Eddie: Tommy!

[Lying on the floor of the hallway of Maison Cotto, beaten and
bloody, is Tommy Leon Jones.]

Tommy: Hi, Eddie. Mind if I drop in?

@ @ @
[We cut to the outside of Gosunkugi's house. Gosunkugi is
just walking home from school. <Where was he, I wonder?> He
goes past the mailbox and sees a piece of paper sticking out..
He goes back and takes it out and unfolds it. He looks at it
and gasps.]

Gosunkugi: This is in Mandarin, I can't understand one word
of it!

@ @ @
[We cut to Eddie's room in Maison Cotto. Sitting on one of
Eddie's chairs, wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot tea is
Tommy.]

Tommy: He saw through my ruse, he knew that I was trying to
make him slip up, and he turned the tables on me. [Deep drink]

Eddie: [Shrugs] Well, you should have waited until I figured
out his weak spot.

Tommy: I didn't have time for that! [Sigh] It seems I have no
other choice than to go home.

Eddie: Why?

Tommy: I didn't want to leave here with even SECOND place.
I'm certainly not going to settle for third!

Eddie: I'm glad to see you have such faith in me.

Tommy: I was referring to the DeMage, you moron!

Eddie: Oh.

Tommy: I'll leave tomorrow. I'll probably be an architect or
something.

Eddie: [Shakes his hand] You were the best American of them
all, Tommy.

Tommy: [Disgusted] Oh, shut up!

[He gets up and leaves.]

Eddie: [Shouting up the stairs as he leaves] And I want my
coffee cup back before you leave!

@ @ @

[We cut to the backroom of the Nekohanten. Stuff is cooking on
the stoves, and Moose is sitting at the table, grumbling.]

Moose: [Mock voice] "He called at just the RIGHT time..oooh!"
Geez, why can't women just recognize the OBVIOUS! [Stews in
silence for a few moments more. Than his stomach growls.
Obeying, Moose goes over to one of the pots and digs out some
meat with a bamboo skewer.] Mmmm...This looks good. [He bites
into it. It takes him a few moments to realize that it is....]
DUCK! [He spits it out.]

@ @ @

[The door to the Nekohanten opens and Gosunkugi comes in. He
walks up to the cash register, where Cologne is.]

Gosunkugi: Hello. You speak Mandarin, don't you?

Cologne: Of course I do!

Gosunkugi: [Holds up challenge] Would you translate this for
me?

Cologne: What do I look like, an ambassador? Go and buy a
dictionary, kid.... [Suddenly notices the writing] Here, let me
see it.

Gosunkugi: Sure. [Hands it to her. Cologne looks over it.
Her face visually darkens as she reads it. Finally she hands it
back to Gosunkugi] It's just a recipe, nothing to worry about.
Excuse me.

[Cologne heads into the backroom.]

Gosunkugi: [Looks down at the challenge] A recipe?

@ @ @
[We cut to the backroom, where Moose is sitting, reading the
paper. The door to the backroom flies open and Cologne comes
marching in. She leaps up onto the table and rips the paper
in half with her staff.]

Cologne: What is the meaning of that challenge you sent to
Hikaru Gosunkugi?!

Moose: Challenge? What challenge?

Cologne: [Angry] You can't bullshit your way out of this one,
I've seen it! [Grits dentures] You're going after Conditioner
now, aren't you?

Moose: [Bolts up from the table] Yes, I am! I love Conditioner!
Which is more than I can say for you and Shampoo! She's your
own granddaughter for cripes sake, and you treat her like an
outcast!

Cologne: She IS an outcast!

Moose: Both me and her have been screwed by the village codes,
we fit together perfectly.

Cologne: Even though she is an outcast, she is still my
granddaughter, and I will not allow you to marry her!

Moose: Try and stop me!

Cologne: [Smirks] So I will. [She reaches up with her staff
and jabs Moose in an area near the bottom of his rib cage.]

[Moose stares in shocked silence for a moment, and then
experimentally moves his arm.]

Moose: Ha! You failed, I can move! Even pressure points cannot
stop a man in love! [He strides forth from the backroom. As
soon as he is gone, Cologne starts laughing maniacally.]

@ @ @
[We cut to the front of the Nekohanten. Gosunkugi is about to
leave but as he reaches the door, Shampoo comes through.]

Shampoo: Good morning.

Gosunkugi: Good...Wait. You can translate Mandarin, can't
you?

Shampoo: Of course I can. What would you like translated?

[Gosunkugi hands her the challenge. She reads over it.]

Shampoo: It's a challenge from Moose...He wants to meet you
on Sunday morning for a duel for the hand of...[Stares at the
symbols on the paper, as if not believing her own eyes]
Conditioner?!

[Moose strides forth from the backroom. He walks past Shampoo
and Gosunkugi without so much as a "Good Morning." Shampoo
and Gosunkgui both look at him in complete and total shock.
Fade to black.]

<!Commercial Break!>

[We cut to the exterior of the Nekohanten. Moose strides out
onto the sidewalk, but doesn't take notice of the fact that
it's raining. Moose turns into Muumuu-chan. He quacks and
goes back into the Nekohanten.]

@ @ @

[We cut to the Tendo Dojo. Ranma and Akane stand in their
Unified Schools Karate Gis. Tommy is handing his uniform back
to them.]

Ranma: We're really sorry to see you go, Tommy. You showed
great promise.

Tommy: I'm sorry, Sensei. But Martial Arts isn't for me. I
think I'll be a gourmet chef. Yeah, that's the ticket. [Salutes
them] Be seeing you.

[Tommy walks off into the sunset.]

Akane: Strange that such a minor character gets such a great
send off.

Ranma: [Shrugs] Well, he IS the first student we ever lost.

Akane: Yes, I suppose so.

[The two walk back into the dojo.]

@ @ @
[We cut to the backroom of the Nekohanten. Moose uses his
wings to turn on the hot water tap on the sink. He waits for
it to get warm and then jumps into the sink. He jumps out a
moment later, still as a duck, letting out the worst possible
sound a duck could make. Cologne looks over him and laughs.]

Cologne: The full-body cat tongue strikes again. And this
time, there will be no escape!
[Cologne slowly approaches Moose with a butcher knife.
Fade to black.]

To Be Continued....