Twisted Path-Part2 [FanFic]

[Twister]

Chapter Twelve
--------------

Early morning Sunday, Twister woke up before everybody else in the
house, including Kasumi.
*Now _there's_ a wonder. Must have been those two days I slept.*
Putting on the same clothes that he had worn yesterday, he silently
walked outside. Once near where he had launched the rock the day before, he
started thinking about how he was going to do this.
*First thing to do is to see if I _can_ fly, or at least hover.*
Closing his eyes, then opening them after thinking better about it,
he thought of himself as being weightless at first. He grinned. *Don't want to
think 'up' and end up like that rock.* He pushed off from the ground and slowly
started rising. *It works! Now let's try 'stop'.* Suddenly, motion stopped and
he hung in mid-air two feet off the ground. *Hmm. I feel like Wile E. Coyote
before he went splat. Not a comforting thought.*
"So _that's_ what you guys were talking about last night!"
"Wha...?!"
Concentration broken, Twister dropped down from airborne position.
"Aggh!" Whomp! "Don't DO that Akane!"
Akane was dressed up for her morning jog. She was now also covering a
smile behind her hand.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you would fall."
Picking himself up from the ground, Twister replied, "Unfortunately,
when one does that one needs concentration. That goes rather quickly when
one is new at this and is startled by an unexpected audience. Good thing
I only went two feet." Looking at Akane with an 'I'll get you later' look,
he continued, "Once I get better, that won't bother me but right now..."
She giggled. "That should be funny; seeing you hanging in mid-air
twenty feet off the ground."
Twister growled, "I _plan_ on doing a bit more than that."
"I know that. Well, I've got to finish my run before Kasumi does
breakfast. Bye!"
"Cya!" Twister watched the departing girl go. *Sheesh. Try to get a
little practice...ah well. I'd better be prepared for interruptions anyway.
Let's see... Hover seems fine and so does stopping. Time to try actual flight.
In small distances.* Resuming a hovering position of two feet off the ground,
Twister tried moving forward. He slowly advanced forwards and finally stopped
over the pond.
*Now _here_ I can get motivation for staying aloft! I'd better try
to create that shield. If I can manage to fly fast enough I'm going to need
it.*
He thought of a sphere of air surrounding his entire body. This sphere
was immobile but would move with Twister as the center.
*Hmm. Can I feel it?* He reached out a hand above him and felt a
resistance that seemed soft yet rubbery. *Yup. It's there but I'd better
make it firmer.* A little more concentration and the sphere felt like steel.
*Whoa! Dramatic change or what!* Looking down he got an idea.
*Ranma and Genma should be coming out to practice soon.* He smiled.
*Should I do this?*
Twister thought a moment, then grinned.

Ranma and Genma walked outside and went to opposite sides of the pond.
Genma went into fighting stance, "Are you ready son?"
In an identical pose, Ranma replied, "I'm always ready."
"We'll see."
They then proceeded to attack each other as they jumped over the pond.
They kept this up for a good twenty minutes and were relieved when they
were standing on opposite sides again and heard Kasumi say, "Breakfast!"
They bowed to each other and each were surprised that neither had
gotten dunked today. They both looked pleased with themselves.
WHOOSH! SPLASH!
"Breakfast? Oh good, I'm hungry!" Twister exclaimed as he hung a foot
above the middle of the pond. The shield that had been around him was gone
as he had used it's air molecules to send a carefully directed wave at both
Genma and Ranma. He appeared blissfully unaware as he floated to the edge
of the pond and landed. Nabiki, Soun, and Kasumi were trying not to laugh
as he approached the table and sat. A sudden thought apparently struck him
and he turned towards the Saotome pair.
"Oops! Did I get you two wet? Sorry about that." The sudden big grin
on his face belied the words he had just spoken.
The now Ranma-chan and Genma-panda glared at him.
Nabiki smothered her grin, "I see you got that air shield working."
Still grinning as he turned his head to her, Twister replied, "Yup.
Works like a charm and it's waterproof to boot."
A female hand and a panda paw each grabbed a shoulder and threw him
into the pond. He sputtered to the surface and smiled at the two who had
thrown him in.
"I gotcha _first_."
Ranma-chan snorted as she brushed wet hair from her eyes. "Alright, we
deserved it anyway for getting caught like that." The panda nodded. "But that
_was_ satisfying."
Grinning now, Twister responded, "Not for long."
Ranma-chan was puzzled at that last statement. "What'd you mean?"
Twister stepped out of the pond and shook water out of his hair.
Still smiling, he held his shirt and pants tightly in the belt area and
then concentrated. Wind started rushing into his collar and up from his feet.
Water sprayed out from his clothing as a wild wind blew around every thread
in his clothing, drying them instantly. A final touch was a blast of air that
dried his hair.
"Because I'm still dry and _you_ are still wet." He laughed. *Glad that
idea worked.* Twister thought to himself.
Ranma-chan and the panda looked in stunned disbelief as the Tendo family
laughed as well. Akane had just walked in the door to see Ranma get splashed.
The expression on Ranma-chan's face after Twister's display caused her to laugh
as well.
"Prepared for this audience did you?" She finally got out.
"Yup." Twister said as he passed the still wet Ranma-chan and panda
on the way back to the table and sat. "Pass the water if you please..."
Nabiki chuckled, "You certainly have a flair. Are you always this
amusing?"
Twister smiled back, "Not usually but I realized I was going to need
practice for a much better target."
Ranma-chan broke out of her stunned state and, in spite of feeling a
little angry, queried Twister, "And who the heck is that?"
Twister chuckled, "Who else but a guy you and Akane see every school
morning?"
Both Akane and Ranma-chan started. Then Ranma-chan smiled broadly,
"Kunou."
Signaling that her accuracy was correct with a victory sign, he said
loudly, "Batter up!"
Nabiki made a sad face and sadly said, "Poor Kunou-baby. He'll never
know what hit him."

Chapter Thirteen
----------------

Later, Twister was wandering though the Tendo household and found
himself entering the kitchen. Kasumi's realm. She appeared to have just started
making lunch and looked very efficient doing it too.
"Hi Kasumi. Busy with making lunch?" He spoke cheerfully.
Smiling quickly at him then resuming what she was doing, she replied
"Yes, I am. Did you want anything?"
"No, not really. I just thought I'd take a break." He looked around
curiously, "Do you mind if I watch you? It looks interesting."
"Certainly, as long as you are quiet. I do need to concentrate on
several things at the same time usually."
Twister pantomimed zipping his lips together, "I'll just fade into
the woodwork." He paused. "Funny. I used to have a lousy memory, but now it
seems I can remember anything I've done. Maybe I'll try some chocolate chip
cookies someday."
Kasumi looked up in interest. "You'll have to tell me the recipe
someday."
"No problem. I'll go mum now."
That said, Kasumi resumed the preparations for lunch while Twister
quietly observed out of the way, trying to be unnoticeable and not distract
Kasumi. He didn't realize how well he was doing it until Nabiki walked
in.
Looking around the kitchen she asked, "Hey, Kasumi. Have you seen
Twister?"
Kasumi was startled. "Isn't he here?"
Nabiki started when Twister mildly said, "I think I faded in too
well with the woodwork."
Staring at Twister, Nabiki said, "How did you do _that_??"
Scratching his head he replied, "I didn't want to distract Kasumi
while I was watching her so I just tried to be as unnoticeable as I could.
When you looked around, your eyes passed right by me."
Thinking back, Nabiki exclaimed softly, "You're right! I can recall
seeing you but you just didn't register in my mind." She grinned. "That
can be a useful talent. I bet Ranma wishes he could do it."
Laughing at that last remark, Twister smiled. "Well, chalk up another
talent to the list." He looked inquiringly at Nabiki. "What did you want
to see me for anyway?"
"Oh right. I was thinking that if you wanted to practice high flying,
being noticed might bring attraction to you." She grinned. "The papers would
have a field day. So I thought a disguise might be in order."
Twister groaned, "Shades of secret identities, Batman! I hadn't thought
of that. Well, actually I did but I didn't know what to do about it."
She was still grinning, "Well, my disguise and that new trick of yours
should do nicely. It could be useful for _later_."
*Dang! She hasn't forgotten that. I was hoping... Ah well.* He sighed
and bowed for her to take the lead, "Lead on my lady..."

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
Akane and Nabiki glared. Akane said tartly, "It's not _that_ bad."
Twister looked at the clothing again. "Well, I was expecting something
more unusual for some reason. They do make sense."
The clothing in question was a jean jacket and pants done in the
latest bleach fashion making a light blue and white mosaic on the garments.
A winter ski-mask that was a matching light blue had cute white patterns
sewn into it.
"It will match well on a clear or party cloudy day." Nabiki replied.
"They are supposed to be baggy on me but they should fit you alright." She
grinned slightly, "Ready for a test flight?"
He glanced again at the clothing, "As I'll ever be, I guess."
"Good! Now get dressed and we'll be waiting in the garden." Nabiki
ran out the door as she said that last.
Akane and Twister stared after her.
In a puzzled voice, Twister asked Akane, "She seems unusually excited
by all this doesn't she?"
Akane was looked speculative now, "Maybe not."
"Huh?"
She smiled, "Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud." She walked out
and closed the door before he could comment.
Twister started putting on his 'disguise'. *Hmm. I wonder what that
was about.* He chuckled. *Thank God they didn't have a cape handy...*

Akane caught up to Nabiki at the garden. Ranma was there too.
"This oughtta be interesting, considering Akane helped with the
disguise that is." He said offhandedly.
She flushed at this. "Are you saying I don't have good taste in
clothing?"
"Well considering your taste in cooking..."
"Ranma no baka!" Akane ran after Ranma around the garden. Unfortunately,
for Ranma, he tripped over something and Akane caught up to him just as he
got back up.
Ranma went ballistic.
Just as he started falling down and wondering how he was going to
land, a blue and white figure launched out of a window from the Tendo house
and caught him safely, after a few course corrections.
"Trying to bug Akane again I see." Twister's muffled voice was amused.
He slowly started a descent back towards the garden. Akane and Nabiki had
seen the catch and were waiting for them.
When they touched down, Nabiki said, "Nice catch." Akane still looked
steamed over Ranma's comment and glared at Ranma, who was now looking carefully
at the clouds in the sky.
Twister took of the ski-mask and grinned, "For a first time, true.
However... Are you two going to do that again? Practice makes perfect." Now
Ranma glared at _him_ now while Akane had to smile a little.
Twister continued, "At least the clothes fit nicely. I'll likely
try flying around town to really test myself."
Akane was concerned, "Even with the clothes, you'll be noticed for
sure."
Nabiki chuckled, "I don't think that will be a problem." She explained
the kitchen incident.
Twister put the mask back on, "This will be a challenge in any event.
I don't think I can be 'unnoticed' and have the shield up at the same time
while flying so I won't go fast." He looked up. "No time like the present."
In a humor-filled voice he cried. "Up, up, up, and away!" He went straight up,
leaving groans behind him as he slowly leveled off.
Nabiki stared after at Twister's figure flying away.
Akane noticed this and nudged Ranma. "Look at Nabiki." She whispered.
"Why?" He said in a bored tone.
Akane hit him again.
Sitting dazed as Akane stormed angrily away, Ranma asked himself,
"What's with _her_? Crazy tomboy."

Twister was not very thrilled with flying.
*Shoot. I'd forgotten that I've always been a little leery of heights.
Having _nothing_ under me at fifty feet in the air does _not_ help.* As a
result he was flying slowly over town while making himself unnoticeable.
*Still, it _is_ fun once you get used to it and ignore the fact that nothing
is supporting you.*
Not wishing to get lost, he flew around a bit more but not too far.
After twenty minutes he was about to go back when he noticed a disturbance
in the street below him.
*Hullo. What's going on down there?*
Dropping to thirty feet he saw an angry horde of women chasing...
an old man?
*Now who...who...who...ho ho ho! Happosei! The bugger that started
all this!* Anger rushed to the fore and Twister thought about how he could
get the old fool.
*Great. Now I'm thinking like Ranma.* That realization drained his
anger. Humor rushed up instead. Likely the worst of two evils.
*Well, I haven't properly introduced myself to him yet.* He grinned
and dropped to the street where he guessed Happosei would turn next and
took of the mask. *Five. Four. Three. Two. One...*
Happosei turned the corner, looking behind him, *Almost lost them!*
he thought happily. When he looked ahead, the sight of a person he remembered
vividly, leaning casually against a wall and looking straight at _him_, stopped
him in his tracks.
The person spoke. "Ah! You must be Happosei! I've _so_ been wanting to
meet with you." He grinned widely. "If you may recall, my name is Twister.
I want to talk to you about a certain _summoning_ spell..." The grin vanished
and a blue aura was starting to become visible.
Happosei paled. He remembered that this being had defeated an arch-demon
and survived. There was _no_ way he was likely to beat this young man. He turned
around and ran back the way he came, so frightened he forget one minor detail.
One _very_ angry horde of women which had a bone to pick with him.
Twister winced at the sounds reaching him from around the corner.
When they stopped and the angry voices faded away, he grinned and walked around
the corner to see the result.
Happosei was not recognizable.
Standing close and bending his knees to kneel by the unconscious
figure, Twister waited until the old Master opened his eyes.
Happosei glanced above him and saw the same young man he had run from
a few moments ago grinning widely. Twister chuckled then and said, "Gotcha!"
Twister stood up, walked back a bit, put on the mask, and flew away.
Indignant rage flared in Happosei's eyes before he passed out again.

Chapter Fourteen
----------------

Twister returned just in time for lunch. He mentioned Happosei in town
and what he had done to him.
Ranma grinned, "Good. The old goat deserves it."
"Especially after what he did to you." Akane added.
Musing aloud, Twister mentioned, "I wonder if that little incident
will make him lose that fear of me I saw. I certainly didn't make myself
appear very threatening." To himself he added, *At least, _after_ he got
pounded upon...*
Nabiki smirked, "If I hear him in his room again, we'll know."
"I don't think he will bother you much if he keeps that fight with
Malkon in mind," Soun shuddered.
"That makes _my_ heart go at ease..." Twister sighed.
Suddenly, from the direction of the bathing room, Ryouga appeared.
"Ranma! It is time to fight!" He saw Twister looking steadily at him and
amended his words, "...outside."
Ranma stood up. "Fine with me if it stops you from challenging me
all the time."
"You will not be so confident after I defeat you!" Ryouga almost
launched himself at Ranma but remembered Twister again and merely walked
outside to wait.
Soun commented, "At least they will not damage the house again."
Nabiki snorted, "Not for lack of trying I bet."
Shaking his head, Twister followed Ranma outside. He walked over to
where the fence was and turned around to watch the two combatants fight as he
leaned on the fencepost.
They started up and it was apparent that, while Ryouga _was_ stronger,
Ranma seemed quicker. Twister was slightly alarmed when one of Ryouga's
headbands came right at him but he quickly dodged to the side and it went past
him to go through the fence. *Flying bandannas are _not_ nice.* He thought to
himself.
Then a feeling of doom overcame Twister and he couldn't figure out
what it was. A _strong_ urge to jump to the side came and he decided to listen
to it...just in time.
Wham!
A bicycle with a lavender haired girl landed in exactly the same
spot he had been a second ago. The girl seemed a little jarred.
*Likely because her landings usually have cushions,* Twister thought.
*Owch.*
She didn't look at him as she dug something out of her container that
she held.
"Why you move Ranma? Is not Shampoo your fiancee?" Shampoo asked,
slightly aggrieved.
Eyebrow raised, Twister replied, "If I were Ranma, I would look up
the definition of 'fiancee'. I don't believe being a live landing pad
is a qualification of one." To himself, he added sarcasticly, *Joy.
Ryouga and now Shampoo. The perks in life are many and varied.*
Shampoo started and turned around at the voice that was definitely
not Ranma's.
"You wear Ranma's clothes but you not Ranma!"
Akane had walked over after seeing Shampoo land and she said, "I guess
your eyesight hasn't gone as bad as Mousse's, Shampoo."
Shampoo's eyes narrowed at Akane's words while ignoring Twister, "Where
Ranma?"
SPLASH!
Twister looked in the direction of the splash. "Currently taking a
bath in the pond I do believe. Looks like Ryouga has disappeared again too."
Turning back to Shampoo, he saw that she had a pile of cookies on a plate
in her hand. He groaned softly. *Not another magical recipe. If it's for Ranma
then it's likely to be another generic 'love me forever' plot." Twister rolled
his eyes. Then an idea hit him. *Well now. Let's see if we can teach Miss
Shampoo a lesson in careful magic management.*
Shampoo had gotten off the bike by now and was advancing towards
a soaking-wet Ranma-chan.
"Ranma! Shampoo make good cookies just for you! They very spe..."
Twister snuck up and grabbed a cookie, "Hey! Not take that!"
Twister ignored the panicky Shampoo and ate the cookie quickly before
she could stop him.
He looked at Shampoo and blinked.
Twister suddenly rushed towards her and kneeled before her, spreading
his hands wide. "My love! Where have you been all my life! Please let me
take your hand so that I may worship it!" He shouted this devotion loudly.
Everyone but an angry Shampoo was shocked at his reaction.
"Should not have eaten cookie meant for Ranma!" She threw a fist
at the face of the kneeling Twister.
With his unexpectedly quick reactions, Twister caught her hand and
continued his speal of love. "Ah, such a lovely hand. If I could but hold
it forever." Forever was likely true as Shampoo tried in vain to pull her
hand away from the very strong grip it was in.
Akane meanwhile had gone back to Nabiki and whispered worriedly, "I
thought he was immune to magic."
Unconcerned, Nabiki chuckled, truly amused, "He's hamming it up to the
hilt. I wonder what he plans to do now."
Realization dawned in Akane, "You mean..." Then she smiled.
Shampoo had meanwhile tried her other hand but it had gotten ensnared
as well. Twister went on, "I shall take you away from all this, my dear heart."
He released her hands and Shampoo was relieved for a moment. That is, until
Twister swept her off her feet and started running swiftly away in the
direction of Ranma-chan, who was starting to get it after looking very puzzled
for a while.
"Stop crazy man!" Shampoo was frantic. This unknown person had
intercepted her blows, caught her off guard, and was likely under the
influence of the magic in her cookies.
Twister stopped. "Why so my love?"
"I _not_ your love! Release Shampoo now!"
"Are you sure my love?" Twister said in a sad tone.
"Shampoo sure!"
"Very well my love..." Suddenly the crazy man grinned. He had pretended
to run and had floated over the pond. Then, when he had stopped in the middle,
he had slowly started increasing his altitude. They were about ten feet up in
the air now.
Shampoo finally realized that they had somehow reached a formidable
height above the ground and her eyes widened.
Twister dropped her at that point.
"Happy splashdown, my love!" He cried after her.
Shampoo had just opened her mouth to scream when she reached the
water.
SPLOOSH!
Twister floated back down to ground level and touchdowned at the
edge of the pool. He turned to the laughing Ranma-chan and Akane that were
beside him.
"Think she'll be mad at me?" He said innocently.
"Furious." Ranma-chan laughed.
Twister sighed dramatically and put a hand over his heart. "Ah.
Farewell my lost love..."
Akane giggled, "I really thought you had been affected by that cookie."
He winced, "Please. I wouldn't _wish_ that much syrup on anyone who
didn't deserve it." Looking in the pond, he continued, "Speaking of just
deserts..."
Shampoo-cat was almost at the pond's shore. Her little paws were
frantically moving to reach the ground ahead. Ranma-chan looked at her with
rapidly widening eyes and quickly ducked behind Akane, who rolled her eyes at
Ranma's phobia of cats, in fright.
Twister took pity and picked Shampoo-cat out of the pond. "I don't
believe we've been introduced yet. Name's Twister. Nice day for a swim, no?"
The waterlogged feline managed to look angry yet docile in a cute sort of way.
He turned around and started towards the kitchen. "Better get her clothes
Ranma. I believe she'll need them soon and since you're already wet..."
Ranma-chan kept Akane between her and Shampoo-cat as she called out the
affirmative in a shaky voice.
Twister mused to himself as he walked with Shampoo-cat, *Why do I
seem to be dousing everyone with water lately?*

Chapter Fifteen
---------------

A completely cloaked figure walked up a misty trail hidden in the
mountains. A darkness beyond mere shadow prevented anyone from seeing what
lay hidden inside the hood.
The man who called himself the Guide spotted this strange person
approaching him. This was not unusual. Only strange people visited this
place it seemed. The place's reputation was such that only that kind of
person, or those who did not believe the power here, would visit.
The figure silently glided smoothly towards him. Before he could
greet this visitor, he was beaten to it by a pleasant voice that originated
from within the hood.
"<Good evening, my dear fellow.>" The figure spoke in fluent Chinese.
"<Would this be the cursed springs of Jusenkyou by any chance?>"
"<Yes it is, sir. Famous cursed springs of Jusenkyou you have found.
I am here to help you understand the many strange and terrible curses that
are found in each spring.>" He bowed.
"<I am here only for one reason.>" The figure replied.
A chuckle escaped from the hood.

Twister had left to allow the girls to change Shampoo back with the
hot water. His contemplation of the pool was shattered by a enraged shout.
"WHERE TWISTER?!!"
Twister paled. "Urk!" came out of his mouth.
*YI! YI! YI! YI! Time to use that 'unnoticeable' trick _big_ time!* And
he started doing just that.
A now-clothed Shampoo rushed out into the pond area, wielding her
maces. *Now _where_ did she get those?! Think 'ignore me' Twister!* On
reflection, she wasn't likely to be able to kill him but he wasn't sure about
him doing that accidentally to her. That fact didn't help his panic on seeing
Shampoo, *Hell hath no fury...*
Shampoo glared around the area, eyes passing right over Twister, and
noticed nothing. Leaving her cookies that were still on the plate, she got
on her bike and shouted, "When Shampoo find Twister she kill!" With that
pleasant thought in mind, she biked through the fence and pedaled swiftly away.
Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki ran out to try to prevent a fight but found
nothing.
Nabiki called out worriedly, "Twister?"
"Furious?! I'd say 'completely and utterly berserk and hounding for my
blood' would have been more accurate." Twister sarcastically said from his
unnoticed position beside Ranma.
"Yah!" Ranma jumped up five feet into the air.
"What did you say anyway? She didn't look _near_ that mad as a cat."
"Akane told her you were immune to magic and that you knew about
the cookies," Nabiki replied.
Thoughtfully, Twister mused, "Maybe I shouldn't have dunked her..."
Nabiki smiled, "A bit after the fact now."
Ranma glared at Twister for the scare he got, then smirked. "Well,
she won't be after me for a while anyway."
Akane turned on him, "Ranma! That's not funny!"
"Actually it was," Twister grinned, "Shampoo certainly had that coming
with that obvious magical cookie ploy." He chuckled at the memory. Spying
the abandoned cookies he went over and picked them up. Presenting it to
Nabiki he declared, "Cookie, Madam?"
"No thanks, I'll pass."
Twister grinned, "Ah well. More for me I guess. They _are_ good." So
saying, he munched another cookie.
Akane had calmed down but was still glaring at Ranma, "Well, Shampoo
_has_ had that coming for some time."
"Why should you care, Akane?" Ranma jibed.
"What makes you think I care about you! You pervert!"
"Well, no one would want a tomboy like you!"
Ranma and Akane would have continued but Twister passed between the
two and called out behind him while heading towards the house, "Be back in a
sec, Nabiki! I'm just going to get the popcorn and soft drinks and I'll be right
back!"
He was halfway to the door before he was thrown, laughing, into the
pond by Akane and Ranma.

Shampoo returned to her family restaurant still enraged.
*I will kill that Twister!* She thought murderously, *Pretending
to be enchanted and making a fool of me! In front of Ranma yet!*
Cologne saw Shampoo's furious state and wondered at it. Normally,
Shampoo was calm most all the time.
"<What is the matter child? Is it that Akane again?>"
"<No great-grandmother. It is a new guest at the Tendo home.>" Shampoo
banged her maces on a countertop, denting it a little. "<He humiliated me and
in front of Ranma too!>"
Cologne was surprised. "<How did he do that child?>"
Shampoo told her about the deception that Twister pulled off and what
Akane told her later.
"<I went out to kill him but he was gone.>" She looked faintly puzzled
in her anger, "<I did not think he had time to flee.>"
Cologne looked grave. "<Immune to magic? That means a very powerful
foe indeed girl. It may not have been for _his_ sake that he fled.>" She
chuckled, "<Though your shout may have startled him a bit.>" Looking more
thoughtful, "<He is young and mischievous, immune to magic, and was
able to carry you and he above the ground. Also, he _caught_ two of your blows,
with apparent ease from what you say. Not an easy foe to beat my child.>"
Shampoo looked depressed from her great-grandmother's words, "<So you
say I cannot beat him?>"
"<No one is unbeatable child. Not even I.>" Cologne continued, "<If
you are determined to kill him, do not attack blindly. Find out all you can
about him and see if it is within your ability to take him. Also, if he
does not _want_ to kill you, like Ranma, you must face the possibility
of _losing_ in physical combat to him.>" Cologne chuckled. "<It is fortunate
that son-in-law has a prior claim for defeating you child.>"
With new determination, Shampoo replied, "<Ranma defeat Shampoo first!
I _will_ kill Twister and then get Ranma as my husband.>" She straightened and
hit the two maces together to punctuate this fact.
Hiding behind a wall, Mousse overheard the entire conversation.
*Someone humiliated Shampoo? Then he must die at my hands and Shampoo will
thank me for revenging her. This Twister will fall to the many hidden weapons
of Mousse!*
He left the restaurant quietly.

Chapter Sixteen
---------------

After supper, Twister asked Nabiki to follow him up to the guest room.
Wondering what he wanted, Nabiki strode forward past him and sat on the bed.
"What did you want to talk about?" Nabiki was curious.
Twister leaned on a wall, "I just wanted a little help figuring out
what to do tomorrow and I thought your sneaky mind could be of immense
help." He grinned.
She raised an eyebrow, "You don't know yet?"
Twister sighed, "I always _did_ wait till the last minute."
Chuckling at that Nabiki thought about the problem.
Twister continued, "I thought of tripping him but that's too crude.
Spinning him around till he fell over isn't funny enough." He sighed.
"A good practical joke is hard to think up even _with_ prime material like
Kunou." Twister grinned at that last statement.
Nabiki looked up suddenly and smiled.
Noticing this, Twister backed away, "Uh oh. I can tell this is gonna
be _bad_." He paused, then smiled with Nabiki. "For Kunou that is."
Smiling even more, Nabiki asked him, "You only have a problem with
_water_ right?" Twister nodded. Now she grinned openly. "I'm going to have
to take my camera for this."
"I can hear the Bells of Doom ringing for upperclassman Kunou even now."
Twister laughingly predicted.

The sun was just starting to show on the horizon when Twister woke
the next day.
He rubbed his eyes and looked out the window, *Huh? I got up even
_earlier_ today? Must not need as much sleep anymore. Probably slept as long
as I did yesterday because I was still recovering from the fight.* Twister
got up and stretched. *I wonder. The Event must not have been a picnic either
since it's the only thing I can't _remember_ it. I was likely a little tired
before even fighting Malkon, which finished the job of exhausting me. I wonder
how long it will be till I'm _fully_ recovered. There's a frightening thought.*
Getting off of the bed, Twister regarded the same borrowed clothing
Nabiki had taken from Ranma. *I also need a wardrobe. Just can't wear the
same clothes every day. I do _not_ want to live off the Tendos like a leech.
Hmm. Income.* Since he had time before the rest of the house woke up, he put
some thought into it.
After a time, an obvious idea flashed in his mind.
*But it was only temporary that time.* He worried. Then he shook his
head. *And done on purpose and rushed to boot. I think I can remember the
pattern but it's still going to be hard. I said it before. It's the small
things that are really hard.* Twister sat cross-legged and got ready.
*Here we go...*

Everyone was gathered for breakfast except Twister. Nabiki was about
to go get him when she saw him walking down the stairs. He looked like he
had been running for a while because he was sweating.
She raised her eyebrow inquiringly at him.
"Sorry, I was trying something out and lost track of time." He looked
triumphant.
Akane asked, "When did you get up?"
"Oh, about two hours ago." He sat down.
Ranma stared at him. "Two _hours_? What were you trying that took
_that_ amount of time or are you just slow?"
Ignoring that last, Twister answered him, "Looking for future income
possibilities." He looked at the table."You know, every time I do something
hard my appetite increases and if I don't for a while I lose any desire to eat.
Funny." He shrugged and started eating.
Nabiki was still curious, "Income possibilities?"
"I'll show you after this morning's...activities. Don't forget your
camera." He grinned.
She grinned back.
Ranma and Akane were both curious but Twister stopped their questions
by saying, "It will be _much_ funnier in the aftermath..."
Nabiki and Twister left early so they would have time. Walking quickly
they got to the school before Kunou and got ready.

Ranma and Akane came much later, wondering what the pair were going
to do. Once they got to school they didn't have to wonder much longer.
Akane and Ranma gaped at the sight when they arrived at the entrance of
the school.
The school had an extended protective overhang to shield the front
doors from rain. Kunou was apparently stuck, at the waistline, onto this
overhang. That wasn't all. Twister had borrowed syrup from Kasumi's
kitchen and had somehow sprayed it evenly all over Kunou's body and clothes.
Then, he had managed to gather enough leaves to cover practically every square
inch of his body, except for the face, with green shrubbery. Twister had
even hardened the syrup on Kunou's arms so that they stuck straight out
like a scarecrow. The result was this leafy, green man that looked like
a scarecrow, hanging like a good-luck horseshoe, over the entrance to the
school. Several students were gathered below him wondering how he got up
there in the first place and how they could get him down. And how to shut him
up.
"I am the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High! I will not be disgraced like
this! I will have my revenge on the persons responsible for this outrage!" He
spotted Akane and Ranma below him trying not to laugh and failing miserably.
"Ranma Saotome! _You_ are responsible for this! I will flay the living flesh
from your body and let it fly towards the sea for the fish to eat!"
"Oh, put a sock in it Kunou! How did you think that _I_ could do...,"
Ranma pointed at Kunou, "That??"
"Black magic, you foul fiend! The same that entraps the beautiful,
pig-tailed one!" Kunou shouted.
Ranma rolled his eyes. Taking another look at the hilarious image of
Kunou for something to cheer him up on a bad day, he said to Akane, "Come on,
we'd better get to class." He shouted up at Kunou, "I wouldn't hang around all
day Kunou!" Laughing, Akane and Ranma entered the school.
They could hear Kunou's voice fading as the doors closed, "Get me
down from here you ignorant fools! Takewati Kunou will not tolerate being
humiliated like this for..."

Twister was still laughing softly in Ranma and Akane's classroom
when they came in. He just couldn't get that image of Kunou, sticking out
like a big, green, piece of moss on the school, out of his mind. No one had
realized he was in class because of his 'unnotice me' trick.
*Hahahahahaha. Deities, that was funny! Especially after he realized
what had been done to him. He'll _never_ figure it out.*
Looking at Ranma and Akane's faces, he could tell that they had seen
Kunou as well. Mirth like that is hard to hide.
Ranma spotted Twister sitting in a desk and sat down in the desk
beside him. Still laughing he asked, "How did you manage to hang _up_ that
jerk?"
Moving his eyebrows up and down, Twister reponded, "Trade secret."
Seeing Akane sit down as well he went on, "Also, it wouldn't be funny
if I told you." He smirked. "Besides, Nabiki used up a whole roll of film
when I was done. You can chortle at the wallet and poster size photos
soon. For a price. As always." He sighed, "Nabiki's likely to sell the
negatives to Kunou for a hefty price so you'd better get prints soon.
I do _good_ work if I do say so myself."
Worrying, Akane asked, "Why are you in our class anyway? Aren't
you worried about the teacher? You _do_ look young enough to still be in
high school you know."
Twister didn't look worried, "I told Nabiki that I needed to see your
reactions when you got here. After seeing Kunou, she could readily agree
with that sentiment." He grinned. "Anyway, I planned on staying for a class
just to remember my high school days. I'll just be _unnoticed_. It really
doesn't take much to do it."
Ranma snorted, "You're gonna have to stand then. This is a full
room usually." Twister's face fell. "Miss Hinako would go after anybody
who missed class."
Recognition lit in Twister's eyes. "Owch. This _is_ the teacher
who you have been trying to rid of that nasty battle-aura draining power?"
Ranma nodded sourly, "Not much luck I take it. Oh well. Stand I shall do."
Twister walked to a back corner and leaned on a wall while Ranma and Akane's
classmates asked them why they were talking while facing away from each other.
The teacher in question then entered the class. She looked like a kid
to Twister but he knew what power she had. Very effective class control.
He was still in an 'unnotice me' mode fortunately. Being disciplined by _her_
might not be pleasant. He prepared himself for the typical boring class to
start and looked at the floor.
"Who are _you_?" A high-pitched, girl's voice asked.
Startled, Twister looked up and saw Hinako looking right at him.
*Uh oh. Apparently, she can see though the 'unnotice me' trick. Not good
Twister.*
"Uh..." He noticed the class staring at him as he had only let Akane and
Ranma know he was there. "Just an interested observer. I was curious about your
teaching and decided to drop in on a class." Twister didn't have much hope of
her buying that.
"You don't look like an observer. You look like a delinquent."
*Strike that. Make that _no_ hope.*
Grinning weakly, Twister went towards an open window, "Well, now you
see me, now you don't," He jumped outside. Just before he hit he slowed his
fall. *Probably didn't need to, but...*
THUMP!
*Uh oh.* Twister looked behind him and saw Hinako glaring at him.
*Great. I have _no_ idea what her power will do to me. Unfortunately, I may
be about to find out. Beat retreat feet.*
Twister ran like the blazes and Hinako went after him.
He heard something behind him but couldn't hear because of the wind
going past his ears. Then he knew as he felt an extremely faint tug on him.
*She must have tried that power. Must not have worked.* He looked
behind and was shocked. Hinako had grown to amazon size and was still chasing
him. He was going at a cruising speed and wasn't tired but she was starting
to puff. *How much did she drain? I certainly didn't feel much of a loss...*
They had been running around the school and were now at their starting
point. Twister decided to stop and experience some practice. Hinako saw him
stop and smiled slightly.
*Think I'm giving up??* Out loud he said, "I wouldn't be so smug
lady. I'm not the one who's puffing after draining enough energy to change.
Off of me to boot."
"Prepare yourself delinquent," The voice had matured and was husky
sounding, "My wrath is great." Hinako held up both hands and a crackling
bolt of power roared towards Twister, who didn't move fast enough and got
caught by it. He was flung onto a tree and slammed into it with bone-jarring
force.
Shaking his head, Twister quickly recovered his wits. *Owwww.... THAT
hurt. That blast is powerful all right. That coin manouver sure is strong and
when she uses it...* He blinked as he thought of something.
Against a telekinetic. DUH!
*Shoot! Idiot! I should've realized that before. She can't drain
without a circle. Well, bye bye yen piece.* Focusing lightly, Twister twitched
the coin out of the Teacher-From-Hell's two fingers. "You should wash those
greasy hands you know." Twister commented offhandedly.
Hinako had shrunk down to normal size after her power bolt, "That's not
funny, you bad boy!" She reached for another coin.
*Hm. I have a feeling she's going to miss her class. Oh well.*

After approximately a hundred more tries, with Twister just standing
there getting bored, Hinako gave up in frustration.
Twister walked up close to her. "You know, you drained only a _very_
small piece of my aura that first time. And I wasn't tired one bit. Imagine
what would have happened if I had _let_ you take more than that..." She
looked puzzled, "Overload. Over-charge. Meltdown." He pantomimed an explosion.
The hint registered and she stared in shock. He nodded. "Not very healthy.
Besides, I finished high school three years ago. I just look younger than
I am." He looked at the tower clock. "Well I've wasted enough of your time,
your class is over by the way. I'll just mosey on." He smiled. "Bye teach."
Twister walked away.
Looking back, he saw her still in shock with Ranma-chan quietly
advancing on her from behind.
*Well, that'll teach her not to make assumptions rapidly...I hope.*

Chapter Seventeen
-----------------

Twister waited outside for lunch hour to go talk with Nabiki.
Fortunately, his body had recovered enough so that he was only mildly hungry.
"Ah. Don't need to eat right now." He grinned, "The reaction I think
I'm going to get from Nabiki will drive away any thoughts of eating." Touching
the object in his pocket reassured him. It felt as stable as everything else
around him. "This should make her perk up. Heh."
Entering the school again while thinking 'unnoticeable', and looking
out for Miss Hinako, Twister found the cafeteria. After a bit of searching,
he saw Nabiki sitting by herself. Puzzled, he looked around some more and saw
Ranma and Akane each with a group of schoolmates.
*Hmm. Guess blackmail doesn't make many friends.* He felt depressed
for some reason.
Walking over to her table and sitting opposite her, he waited till
she was drinking some milk, "HEL-lo!" He said happily.
He got his wish. Nabiki sprayed milk from her mouth...right onto
Twister's face.
Nabiki started to shout at him but the sight of his milk covered,
rue-filled expression started her laughing instead.
Wiping his face, Twister sourly said, "THAT worked well..."
"You got what you deserved scaring me like that." She giggled.
*Nabiki? Giggle? Hm. She _must_ be amused...*
He put on a mock-pouting expression, "Well, maybe I shouldn't show
what I worked on this morning."
Nabiki's interest was piqued. "Come on," She smiled, "You don't
fool me. What is it?"
"Wellll...." Grinning, he took the object and placed it on the table
in front of her.
She looked at it in a questioning manner. Then realization dawned.
"That isn't what I think it is???" Nabiki shouted, astonished by the object.
The entire cafeteria went silent and stared at her, more surprised
by the fact that it was Nabiki who shouted than by the noise itself. Nabiki
looked embarrassed while Twister looked on in amusement as he had gone back
to 'unnotice me' mode and was missed by everyone.
After everyone lost interest, Twister chuckled, "Yup. Took a while to
figure out the sucker, and make it, but it's as solid and stable as any natural
one. The reason I was sweating this morning was that it's a _hot_ process.
Excess oxygen." He scratched his head. "I can make larger ones but the larger
it gets the slower it takes. More surface area." He grinned then, "Solves my
income problem anyway."
Nabiki picked up the object, "A diamond." She shook her head as
her eyes checked out the jewel. "Completely flawless too."
He shrugged. "If it's examined, people will know it's not a natural one.
I made it in a small vacuum and used only carbon from the air so there are
_no_ impurities. Some people might question how _that_ neat little trick was
done."
With an appraising look in her eye, she replied, "Some people would
pay quite a lot for something that has no _impurities_, diamond or not.
This _looks_ like a perfectly cut diamond and that fact cannot be denied."
"Well, its definitely not natural and the cut was how I formed it.
I could have made the edges sharp to the molecular level but I don't think
that would be easy to explain...or handle for that matter."
"No, it would not," Nabiki chuckled, "I think I can ask someone I know
in college about how much a perfectly good, flawless, pure carbon diamond
would go for." She grinned. "With the way they spend their grants there I
think I can find a nice price for this. No questions asked. It will likely
fetch a higher price as a research object than as an ordinary diamond."
Twister leaned back, "Heh. I _knew_ you would likely have an idea of
where to sell it."
Nabiki smiled broadly, "Now about my commission..."
He groaned. "Uh oh."

*Whew! She sure can debate fees!*
Twister was walking back to the Tendo home after his little 'talk' with
Nabiki. The fact that Kunou had finally managed to get down from their
little prank had amused him on the way out from the school.
*Anyway, she'll likely have that thing sold by Wednesday. She sure
moves fast when she wants too.* He grinned at the memory of her shouting
in the cafeteria. *That solves income for a while. The fact that I'm going
to pay Mr. Tendo for room and board helped my case against her's. The
other reason was that I want some clothes of my own. That Nabiki will get
more after this first diamond mollified her.*
As he was happily contemplating this, he failed to notice someone
landing on the spot which he had walked over a second ago.
"Are you the one called 'Twister'?" Someone called out behind Twister,
startling him.
Turning around, Twister got a look at the person who asked the
question. He was a Chinese, black-haired young man. His hands were
hidden by the sleeves of his robe as they were folded in front of him. He was
wearing glasses. This last fact gave Twister his questioner's identity.
Mousse.
*Oh boy. Why do I think this has something to do with me making
fun of Shampoo? Especially when she herself is not here. Acting on his
own then. Great. Two vendettas for the price of one.*
Nervously, Twister replied, "Moi? Ah, I think you may be mistaken.
Maybe you should check those glasses."
"I think I am not." Mousse stated to Twister's dismay, "You must
pay for what you did to Shampoo, my future wife."
*Ah well. He ain't gonna _not_ fight.* Thinking sourly, he shrugged
inwardly, *Engage full sarcasm mode Ensign. Aye aye Captain.* Arching his
right eyebrow, Twister chuckled, "Ever ask _her_ permission about that?"
_That_ got a reaction.
Mousse growled as he prepared himself, "You will die for that fool."

Chapter Eighteen
-----------------

The two combatants faced each other in the middle of the street.
They were unaware of a third person watching them from a rooftop.
*Foolish Mousse! This Twister made a fool of me and he thinks he
can take _him_?* Shampoo shook her head. *This at least gives Shampoo a
chance to study Twister's abilites. I will watch and maybe if Mousse lucky
he will win and Shampoo will not have to kill Twister herself.* She looked
dubious. *Twister does not look overly worried though. I think Mousse in for
bad fight. Teach him right. Shampoo do her revenge on her own.*
Meanwhile, on the street, Twister got ready.
*Mousse is a master of concealed weapons. Joy. I think a weapons
merchant would be delighted with the array of stuff Mousse is going to chuck
at me.* He was a little worried. *I don't think I'll be able to catch the
stuff by TK. I'm not that good yet. He'll be moving too fast himself.
I'll dodge what I can before boosting myself.* He grinned. *_Then_ he'll
be in for a shock.*
Suddenly, Mousse attacked. The air between them was suddenly filled
with eight sharp blades connected to chains.
"Oh shit!" Twister cried. He barely managed to dodge four of the
blades but there were too many. Three sliced through his clothes at his sides,
grazing him, and he got caught in the shoulder by the eighth one. "Damn!" The
blade had sliced though muscle like butter and the injury hurt like Hell,
disrupting his concentration. His left arm hung uselessly.
Mousse regarded Twister, "You do not fight very well. Even Ranma
could have avoided that."
"Buddy," Twister ground out, holding his bleeding shoulder, "I have
never studied martial arts and I am still very green to fighting. What I _can_
do now is the result of the Event. I _was_ planning to go easy on you." He
narrowed his eyes. "I have never really been this hurt before and because of
that...," The blue aura started shining, "The kid gloves are off."
Mousse was surprised at the blue glow that surrounded Twister. It
flared brightly and he had to turn his head. When he looked back he stared
in shock. The shoulder he had hit had been Healed and Twister was moving it
around, testing it. Twister looked at Mousse with a very faint blue glow
in his eyes. The look of astonishment in Mousse's eyes took Twister's anger
away but the blue aura stayed.
"Mousse," He cheerfully called out, "Prepare to become Whipped Cream."
This display of power prompted Mousse to launch his chain blades
in an attempt to wound Twister again. Unfortunately, with his now power-boosted
body, Twister easily avoided all eight blades this time and even managed to
catch four of them as he dodged. Moving like lightning, he ran to Mousse
and started running like a blue streak around him. The chains wrapped around
Mousse like a steel cocoon, pinning his arms to his sides securely.
Finishing the impromptu wrapping job, Twister tied one chain to
the wrapped ones on Mousse's back, just below the head.
Twister regarded the package at his feet, Mousse looked stunned.
*Not surprising. I feel a little stunned myself.* He gripped the chain
that he had just attached, and talked to Mousse brightly, "I just remembered.
I haven't really looked around town yet. I think I'll do that right now."
Twister's glow was gone but he was still able to run a good clip as he dragged
the now cursing, chained Mousse behind him. "You can be my tour guide..."
Twister called out as they went off into town.

Shampoo watched as Twister dragged the helpless Mousse away.
*Well, Mousse helped me by showing more of Twister's abilities to
me.* She stared thoughtfully at the departing pair. *He did not go up in
the sky but he did Heal himself. That is not good. It means he can take
a lot more hits and still function with an uninjured body.* Worriedly,
she pondered a statement Twister had said, *Never studied martial arts?
And still he defeated Mousse? Easily, for that matter. That aura is strange
as well.* Ponderingly she continued, *He mentioned something called the Event
that had given him his abilities. Perhaps great-grandmother would know about
that.*
She heard something in the alley below her and looked down. She
spotted the familiar form of Ryouga, lost as usual.
An idea came to Shampoo. *Ryouga was at the Tendo home before I was
humiliated. Maybe _he_ knows more about Twister.* She decided and dropped down
cautiously in front of Ryouga.
"Nihou Ryouga! Shampoo glad to see you." She smiled
Ryouga looked a little startled that Shampoo would seek him out.
"Why the visit Shampoo?" He asked loudly.
Shampoo was unperturbed. "Shampoo have question to ask..."

Sighing wearily, Twister made it back to the Tendo residence.
*Maybe I shouldn't have run that long. Dragging a load like that
for three hours through town is tiring.* He chuckled, *That was old, yet
inspired, what I did at the end there.*

Flashback:-------------------------------------------------------------------

Twister finally stopped in front of Shampoo's restaurant. Quickly,
he compressed links in the chain he had used to drag Mousse all over town
into a steel bar with his hands. Then, he bent this bar into a classic bow,
like those put on Christmas presents, and fixed it on Mousse.
Mousse was not in good shape. He would be having bruises from all
the times Twister had made a particularly sharp turn, and scratches by being
dragged on the ground for three hours, though the imprisoning chains had
protected him a lot. He was currently unconscious.
Twister looked at him, propped him up on a wall, adjusted Mousse's
glasses, which had somehow stayed on, and left. Smiling like a maniac.

End Flashback:---------------------------------------------------------------

He savoured that sight. After all, Mousse had been trying to kill him
at the time.
School had ended an hour ago so Akane, Ranma, and Nabiki were back
already. They didn't miss his dusty appearance and the large, bloody tear on
his shoulder where Mousse's blade had struck.
Nabiki was shocked. "What happened to you?!"
Twister sat down tiredly and looked straight up. "Let's summerize
today. Hm. Played practical joke on Kunou. Check. Get chased around by a
energy-draining, juvenile teacher. Check. Conduct financial affairs with
resident of this house. Check. Drag love-crazed Mousse though city in chains
after said person tries to kill me for insulting person Mousse is love-crazed
for. Check." He paused. "I think that concludes today's events. Now, I shall
collapse." Spreading his arms wide, he flopped backwards and closed his eyes.
"Any other questions?"
Ranma considered Twister's shoulder, "How badly did Mousse get you?
The blood on that tear says he tagged you pretty good."
Picking himself up, Twister sighed, "I was too cocky and when he threw
his first assult I couldn't avoid the last blade and he disabled my arm."
They all looked shocked, "This, as you can guess, ticked me off to say the least.
I went blue and Healed my arm. Mousse was a _little_ concerned at that and at
the few choice words I said to him. He then fired off another volley but I
was powered-up by then and dodged it easily. I proceeded to then tie him up
with said volley and dragged him all over town for three hours. I left him
gift-wrapped at Shampoo's. I was upset, as you can tell."
Shaking his head, Ranma replied, "Huh. He won't forgive that."
Twister snorted, "He's _already_ wanting to kill me for embarrassing
Shampoo. I don't think you can get much worse than that."
Akane spoke up, "Well, you'd better get cleaned up." She indicated
his dusty state. "Supper won't be much longer."
Sitting up, he groaned, "Best thing, I've heard today. Hm. Make that
second best." He grinned at Nabiki.
She returned the grin, "Don't worry. It won't take long." Nabiki
noticed everyone else's stares. "I'll tell you on Wednesday. That ok, Twist?"
"Fine with me. Now if you'll excuse me..." He headed for the well
deserved bath.
Nabiki grinned at the attention on her. "You can wait, it's just some
finance."
Ranma turned his head to the side and muttered, "Oh great. This I
can't _wait_ to find out about."

Chapter Nineteen
----------------

Tuesday morning was uneventful, Twister carried Nabiki's books for
her to school, making everyone ask what she had on him. He turned a puzzled
eye on them and said, "I'm just carrying some books. Sheesh!"
Before he left, Nabiki asked him, "What are you doing today, anyway?"
Twister scratched his head, "Well, I'm going to _try_ to make some
more _friends_ today or else they'll become _enemies_." His expression
soured, "Heck knows I've made plenty of those already." He thought a bit.
"Likely, Ukyou first. She's only after Ranma. I'm not sure who else though.
Maybe.... Nah. Well, you'd better get to class." He looked around. "Where's
Kunou?"
Nabiki chuckled, "Probably lying in wait for Ranma somewhere so he
won't be surprised like yesterday."
He shook his head, "Some things never change. Well, see you later."
"You too. Good luck." Then she walked in the door.
Twister stared after her for a few seconds, then shook his head
and left.

Wandering around and window shopping a bit, Twister finally found
Ukyou's okonomiyaki restaurant. He glanced at the money he had borrowed,
sorry, make that _loaned_, from Nabiki. He grinned at that thought. Nabiki
definitely knew he was good for it but habit is hard to break. It was enough
for something large anyway. He prepared himself and walked in.
Walking around the restaurant he finally found a table and waited.
It was a nice place inside and the food smelled delicious. Someone came
up behind his seat and came around him to take his order. The huge spatula
on her back marked her.
"What do you care to order?" Ukyou asked. She was looking curiously
at Twister's borrowed clothing, cleaned from yesterday's fight. It was likely
something she had seen on Ranma before.
He smiled at her and said, "Hi. Do you have a house special?"
She responded to the friendly response and smiled as well, "Yes we
do. Do you want that?"
"Sure. I think it was recommended by Ranma but I can't remember." *This
from someone with a perfect memory now.* "I wouldn't mind trying it anyway.
The smell alone is great." He could see the curiousity building until it
burst out.
"How do you know Ranma?" Ukyou had never seen this person before.
"I just arrived less than a week ago. I'm staying at the Tendo's
now." He grimaced. "I came in kinda a rush and didn't bring much in clothing.
That's why I'm wearing some of Ranma's clothes since you're wondering about
it." Her blush made him grin. "I've had some bad encounters already so I'd
thought to meet you in a friendly way. I've had few meetings that could've
turned out better." He sighed.
Ukyou was curious about that. "With who?"
"I think the worst one will be Shampoo. She'll be trying to kill me."
Ukyou looked a little shocked at that so he explained. "She was trying some
magic cookies on Ranma. I sort of turned the tables on her and dunked
her in the Tendo pond." Ukyou looked extremely _pleased_ now. "She made the
most nasty threat to kill me. Probably because Ranma saw it all." He
shrugged. "Ah well. Ranma at least won't have to deal with her for a while.
A _long_ while I hope."
Mirth was showing on Ukyou's face but didn't laugh at his predicament.
"Who else? Oh." Realization dawned.
"Yup. Mousse too. Though after I dragged him though town for about
three hours, I don't think I'll worry about him for a while. This 'little' rip
on my shoulder _he_ made before I took him sightseeing, was the reason I did
it."
Ukyou looked at the blood-stained rip and wondered aloud. "How
come your arm doesn't look injured?"
Twister grinned, "The trip I made had a few fringe benefits." His
torso growled. "Oops."
Grinning at the sound, Ukyou replied, "I'd better make that order
you made. We'll talk some more after."
Nodding, he replied, "Sure thing."

Ukyou came out of the kitchen with the delightfully smelling
dish. On her way to his table, she accidentally tripped and the okonomiyaki
flew off the plate. Not wishing to have to wait any longer, Twister
hurriedly focused on it and it stopped in mid-air.
He grinned. *Nothing like hunger to hone skills for catching flying
objects.*
Ukyou had regained her balance and was staring at the unsupported
okonomiyaki. It slowly went over to her and hovered a second over the
dish she still held and dropped on it. She stared at it and then, on a hunch,
at Twister.
He smiled innocently, "One of those fringe benefits."

"_Happosei_ brought you??" Ukyou looked incredulous.
He sighed. "Yup. Unintentionally, but yes, he did." His eyes glowed
blue so sightly Ukyou wondered if she was seeing things. "Also, another
person whom I'd dearly love to forget."
Ukyou looked inquiringly at him.
"Happosei was _trying_ to summon a demon to forever annoy Ranma.
Ranma hit him on the head and he botched the spell. Instead, he got
some arch-demon called Malkon, who escaped the wards, and a little while
later, me."
Looking a little frightened, she asked, "What happened to that
arch-demon? I would imagine even Happosei would have found it impossible
to beat something like that."
"_I_ beat him." Ukyou was surprised at that and looked as if he had
gone mad. He explained. "Malkon and I were going to appear together
due to the botched spell. That would be _bad_. As a solution, he threw
me into something extremely powerful and most likely fatal to get rid of me.
I somehow escaped it and appeared where Malkon had. My mind wasn't fully
'here' if you get my drift. All I knew was a cold rage at Malkon. I used
the abilities I gained in the Event to defeat him." He shuddered. "I _hope_
he was destroyed."
Ukyou was staring in awe at Twister, "You beat an _arch-demon_?"
He nodded, "On the downside, I don't remember much of how I did it.
Fragments I can recall and more vividly as I practice more."
Nodding, she said, "That's understandable. Still, it is impressive."
Chuckling, Twister continued, "I have a feeling I'll need all
the power I _did_ get just to live around here." He looked at his empty
plate and sighed. "Well, I'd better get going. That was a delicious meal
and thank you for the conversation, even though I think I did most of
the talking." He grinned.
Ukyou smiled. "The pleasure was mine. Come any time if you need
to talk with someone."
"That may be every day then." He smiled at his remark. "Oh well,
here's my money for the meal. And thanks again."
She bowed. "Come back soon."

Feeling pleased with himself, Twister walked along the street.
*That went well for a change. Better than having someone trying
to beat you up.* He slowed down as he remembered something, *Malkon.
I should make sure that he truly was destroyed. Or not.* Twister's
face went grim. *Now how can I find out? Who, besides Happosei, would
be able...* He stopped. *Of course. I thought of going to her earlier and
I _wondered_ why. I'd better make myself _unnoticeable_ to avoid Shampoo while
I'm doing it.* Starting in the proper direction, he continued, *A Master
like Cologne will likely see though it but that's not who I need it for.*
Walking for a while, he eventually neared his destination.
*Time to walk the hidden path...* He chuckled and did so.
Walking cautiously into the restaurant, he looked around. *Yikes.
There's Shampoo.* The femme fatale was working on the tables. *Now... Cologne
is likely in the back so I'd better start there.* Keeping an eye on Shampoo,
Twister walked into the kitchen, looking for his target. She wasn't there.
Then he heard a soap opera on television in another room. Grinning, he went
in that direction.
Cologne was watching one of her favorite soaps when something
caught her attention. She couldn't figure out what it was. She scanned the
room and noticed nothing unusual but a feeling the something still wasn't
right was there. Then a voice softly called out, "Ahem. Are you Cologne?"
Twister knew when he walked in and saw Cologne start to react to his
presence that he wouldn't be hidden for long so he revealed himself first.
Cologne was sightly startled but hid it well when she suddenly
saw a handsome, young man by the side of the television _opposite_ of the
door.
She realized at once who he was. Not many could sneak up on her like
that. "May I presume you are Twister?"
The young man sighed, "My name precedes me. I'm honoured."
Chuckling, Cologne replied, "My great-granddaughter would not be
pleased if she found you here. Do you want me to call her off?"
He shook his head, "I'm fairly certain even that would not be enough."
Sighing he continued, "I'm here about another matter that I need your help
with actually."
This intrigued her, "What matter may that be?"
Twister thought a moment before he replied, "It's about something
Happosei did."
She was beginning to get suspicious now, "What did Happy do _this_
time?"
"Around a week ago, he tried and botched a summoning spell. It may not
be urgent but I need to know if a being he summoned was destroyed or not."
A silent sinking feeling came over her, "What exactly did he summon?"
"Me, for one," He smiled then grimly frowned, "The other was an
arch-demon who called himself Malkon."
Cologne paled sightly, "How come you think he _may_ have been destroyed?
Those beings are extremely powerful."
Twister sighed, "Because I attacked him while my mind wasn't exactly
in a sane frame of mind and defeated him. I want to make certain he was
destroyed or not." He frowned. "If not, I'll have to be prepared for him."
Cologne was sightly shaken at the casual reference of attacking an
arch-demon alone, "I don't think I have anything that would help you. Can you
not sense him yourself?"
"My powers are psionic. I don't think I feel anything threatening
but if he moved far enough away then I wouldn't know." He sighed. "I hope
he's not still around." He bowed at her. "Thank you for your time."
"What do you plan to do about my great-granddaughter?"
"Uhh. I'm not sure yet. Running away sounds good." Twister smiled.
"Goodbye." And with that he walked out the door.
The old Master shook her head, "Run away he says. He says he defeated
a arch-demon and he says that."
Shampoo entered the room, "Who you talk to great-grandmother?"
"No one my child." She sighed. "Did you get anything about that
Twister fellow?"
"I talk to Ryouga. He mention Twister came from far off place by means
of Happosei." She paused, "Also, when I listen to Twister when he fight Mousse
he mention he got abilities from Event." Shampoo looked curious. "You know
what that mean?"
Cologne thought deeply, "Yes, I believe I remember something about
that which you mention. It is believed to be the source of all Magic and Mind
powers in all the universes. However, it is only found in the Void and
no one has ever tried to enter it I believe." She stopped and her eyes widened.
"Until now perhaps." Muttering to herself she said, "But he said psionic. Why
no magic?"
Shampoo looked a little frightened but determined, "Then Twister
very powerful, great-grandmother? No matter. Shampoo find way to beat."
He left out the door.
Deep in thought, Cologne frowned, "Hopefully, that Twister finished
the job. Unfortunately, demons can be _very_ hard to kill. I'd better
be on the watch for strange happenings."

Chapter Twenty
--------------

Tuesday passed, and then Wednesday. Nabiki had completed the sale,
albit with some raised eyebrows from the people she dealt with and hints that
they might be wanting more of the same if she 'found' any more diamonds. Now
Twister had quite a bit of money to spend on some clothes, even after insisting
that Mr. Tendo take some money to pay for his residence there. Genma and
Ranma had looked faintly guilty when he had done that.
He waited till Thursday to go shopping with Ranma since he wasn't
sure what to get or where to get it.
"Thanks for coming along, Ranma. I have no idea where to go
to get some clothes around here." He looked at his companion. "Though
I think I'll pass on Chinese clothing for a while. I've been wearing this
one far too long."
Ranma kicked at a stone on the road, "No problem. I don't get out that
often from the dojo after school and this is a good day to do it too." The fact
that Nabiki had threatened him with some stuff she knew about him that he
didn't want Akane to find out about was another, more persuasive, reason.
Otherwise, he would preferred to have stayed at the dojo.
"Hmm. Your generosity is boundless. Heh." Twister looked around
at the stores around them, "Let's see. I've always liked blue, though some
people say I look good in purple. Decisions, decisions." He grinned.
Ranma did a double-take, "Wait a minute! Blue and purple?? Isn't
that what you said the colors of Mind and Magic were?"
Twister frowned. "Now there's a weird coincidence. Ah well.
That's what I like. Can't do much about that." He shrugged.
"I guess not. Well, I've think I've heard that store is good." Ranma
pointed in a shop's direction.
"Tally-ho then!" They marched off towards the store.
As they got closer Ranma wondered out loud to himself, "I'm surprised
Kunou hasn't attacked me yet. He thinks _I_ hung him on the school."
"Well maybe he..." Twister saw a figure running towards them,
"Speak of the devil." Ranma looked where Twister was looking and saw Kunou
run up to a stop before them, wooden sword raised high.
"HAH! So, you thought the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High would be
scared of so easily, Ranma Saotome! Your dark magic cannot defeat those
who fly with the gods in the heavens with their skill. I, Takewati Kunou, will
defeat you and free the pig-tailed goddess from your clutches." Kunou
prepared to attack.
Twister and Ranma's eyes were half-closed in resignation.
"Is he always like this?"
Ranma sighed, "Always."
"I pity you. I really do. I don't think I'd better do anything because
he'll just think it's you anyway." Twister shrugged in helplessness. "Sorry."
"I don't need help with this jerk. You'd better step back." Ranma
got ready for Kunou.
Stepping back as Ranma requested, Twister saw the fight start and
waited for the victor to win. Glancing around, he froze at the sight of
Shampoo, with maces in hand, running right at _him_!
"Gurk!" was all he could manage. *Dang. Now what do I do? Too many
people to do anything that my aura would show. Hmm. Time to see if practicing
with catching moving objects has helped me any.*
"Twister! Shampoo kill now!" Shampoo shouted.
"What is this? Double teaming day? Sheesh!" He ducked the first
swings of her maces and dodged away. "First Kunou vrs. Ranma, now
Shampoo vrs. Twister. We definitely need a better promotion team." He spun away
from her next strike.
Lunging at him, she shouted, "Shampoo need no help!"
Twister jumped right over Shampoo and landed ten feet behind her.
"No. You most definitely do _not_ need more help. Any more help and I'd need
a stretcher." He decided to get rid of the maces. "Wave bye-bye to your toys."
He focused on the spheres.
"What do you talk about dead man? Shampoo not..." She stopped talking
as she started fighting her own maces to get them to stay in her hands.
It looked like Shampoo was trying use Mexican percussion instruments.
Finally, Twister had enough and yanked the maces out of her hands
just as she was swinging them up. It looked like _she_ threw the maces
herself. Shampoo knew better.
She decided that she was still not ready to confront Twister.
"Shampoo be back soon Twister! Then you die!" She jumped to a rooftop and
bounced off.
He sighed. "I wish she'd stop saying that. It's so depressing."
"Oh...you get used to it." Ranma said behind him. Apparently, his fight
with Kunou was over. Twister looked back and saw Kunou comatose on the sidewalk,
people walking over him in their haste.
"Riiight. Well, I guess the Master should know," He grinned at Ranma's
face. "Shall we continue with what we were about to do? I'm dying for new
clothes."
The other waved for Twister to follow him, "Yeah. Might as well. Let's
go."

Happosei was in his room brooding.
*What am I going to do? That Twister boy is sure to put a damper
on my fun around here. Especially since I'm the one who brought him here.*
Happosei was wringing a panty in his hands with worry. *If only he had a
weakness I could use but if he got angry he'll treat me like he did that
arch-demon.* He sobbed. *What to do. What to do.*
It took him a moment to notice but a mist was starting to form in
front of him. He quickly backed away, wondering what it could be. The mist
formed a squarish outline and slowly solidified.
It was a plain, unadorned cardboard box with a lid on top.
Peering cautiously forwards, Happosei looked closer at the box's top
lid.
It had writing on it.
Now certain it wasn't likely to be anything bad he got close enough
to read the writing. It said:
--------------------------------------------------------------
| To: Happosei, Master of the Anything-Goes Martial Arts School|
| From: Malkon, Arch-Demon Extraordinare of the Lower Depths of |
| Hell. |
--------------------------------------------------------------
"So he's alive is he? I wonder why he gave me this? Not to harm me,
it could have done so already. Well, I might as well open it."
Carefully, like a bomb-disposal officer, Happosei lifted the lid
and looked inside.
"Now what is this?" He wondered curiously.
The inside held a large, familiar looking object. On top of this was a
note. Happosei quickly snatched up the note and read it.
He started to smile.
Then he started to laugh happily.

Twister was grinning evilly and rubbing his hands in the spare guest
room. "New clothes! New clothes! Bwahahahahahahah!!!" He loomed over the pile
of newly bought fashion on his bed.
Nabiki put her hand on her face and sighed with great suffering.
Ranma looked disgusted. "It's only clothing Twister."
"Huh! _You_ haven't been wearing well-ventilated, bloodstained with _my_
blood, clothing for the past few days. I'm getting tired of the reminder."
Twister cackled over his booty again.
"Hmp. Let 'im put something on or he'll drive us nuts." Ranma said.
Twister's voice was muffled as his face was buried in clothing,
"The squirrels gather outside. Waiting." He chuckled contentedly.
Akane's voice came from outside in the hall, "Can you skate Twister?"
Sighing, Twister stopped his joyous festivities, "Last time I checked.
Why?"
"Nabiki won a bet with someone and got four free passes to the indoor
ice rink. We thought of going today since you have something to wear now."
Ranma muttered, "Won or lost?"
"Sure! Why not! Haven't gone in a while, I'm overdue." Twister grinned.
"I'll get myself in gear and be ready in a sec." He paused in thought as he
looked at the new pile of clothing. "It's deciding what to wear that's the
killer..."
After twenty minutes, the three outside were wondering if Twister
as still alive.
"Maybe Shampoo snuck in through the window..." Ranma suggested.
"I think we would notice Ranma." Nabiki smirked. "Being quiet while
attacking is not exactly her forte."
"Ok ok! I'm ready!" Twister shouted though the door. The door opened.
"Yow! The clothes _do_ make the man." Nabiki smiled.
"Thank yew. Shall we go?" He extended his arm to Nabiki.
"Let's." She wrapped her own arm in his and they walked ahead of
Akane and Ranma.
Ranma commented to Akane. "Alright. I can see that they sure are
acting strangely together."
Akane muttered, "Finally."

SWISHH!
Twister had forgotten how fun it was to race on the ice. Too bad
this was a public rink and he couldn't go too fast. His enhanced body was
able to handle the ice much better than he used to be able to do. The result
was that he was going crazy over what he could do _now_. People were starting
to clap at some of the things he was doing but he didn't notice it was for
him.
He was about to rejoin the others and calm down for a while when he
saw they had company. He could see Ranma struggling to stay standing, he still
had problems with skating, while Akane faced a golden-haired girl and Nabiki
was trying to back away from a tall, handsome young man. This made Twister see
a little red as he easily remembered who the pair were, or rather, the Golden
Pair were.
*Time for action.* He speed-skated towards the Pair and used a little
levitation to rapidly increase velocity. Timing it just right, he whistled
and called out, "Hey! Golden Pair!" As they turned, he used both skates
to rapidly slow him down at such an angle that he scraped ice from the rink
and blew it towards the Golden Pair. One skate blade each.
When he had used up all forward momentum, he stopped, skated to
stand by Nabiki and said rather loudly, "Look! Frosted Flakes! I thought those
only came in cereal boxes!"
Frosted the Golden Pair were. Head to toe, the front part of their
bodies looked like they had been in a deep-freeze too long.
Nabiki, Akane, and Ranma laughed at the comment. As well as some
of the passer-bys who knew the Pair well.
The Pair brushed themselves off slowly and looked at Twister.
Mikado Sanzenin calmly regarded him, "So. The one who was skating very well
indeed on the ice." He glanced at Ranma and the others. "You are with
them?"
"Yup. That I am." Twister crossed his arms. "What, pray tell, were
you trying to do a moment ago?"
Mikado ignored that last question, to Twister's annoyance, and replied,
"You think you are better on skates than I?"
*For avoiding that last question, Mr. Mikado is going to pay big time.*
Twister thought before answering him, "I don't really know. Care to try a test
and find out?"
The male half of the Pair queriously asked, "What sort of test?"
Twister detailed what he had in mind, "A simple one. We both go to
one end of the rink and go as fast as we can towards the other end. The first
one to swerve away from hitting the wall loses."
Thinking about it Mikado agreed, "Very well, we shall wait a few
moments for others to get out of the way and then we shall start." He skated
away to prepare the rink for the test by clearing people away with Azuka
helping.
Akane went up to Twister with a question on her face, "Why do you
want to see who is better?"
"I'm not sure. I just got the strongest urge to do something to him."
He glanced at Nabiki, "I don't know why."
"Do something to him?"
Twister smiled secretively, "Trust me."

Chapter Twenty-One
------------------

The race would be short so people gathered on the walls to see the
test between the well-known Mikado and that new skater who had done so
well before, Twister.
The two challengers were positioned at one end of the ice waiting
for Azuka to make up her mind when to start.
Twister commented to Mikado, "Last chance to admit defeat."
Mikado looked faintly contemptuous, "I do not need to. All I have to
do is watch you until you swerve away. I am the best."
Twister smirked, "Okaayyy. Don't say I didn't warn you."
From the middle of the ice and out of the two's path, Azuka finally
decided to start.
"Okay! Start on the zero!"
Mikado and Twister got ready.
"Three. Two. One. Zero!"
They launched off. Twister slowly increased his speed until Mikado
had all his attention on keeping up with him and looking at Twister.
*His face is still calm. Well not for long.*
Mikado on the other hand, was still confident. *We may be at both
our top speeds but the one who swerves first loses and I will _not_ lose!*
They were almost at the end of the rink when Mikado's calm was
starting to fray.
*When will he swerve? No matter, I _will_ defeat him.*
Twister counted down, *Face plant manouver in three. Two. One.
Gotcha sucker!*
With a meter of distance left from the wall, Twister used his levitation
and TK to do something impossible.
He instantly turned ninety degrees, continued without losing
momentum and slowly braked.
Mikado did not have that advantage.
****WHAP****
*And we HAVE _FACEPLANT_!! The crowd goes wild!* Twister chuckled
and then put on a sad face as he went over by the Mikado-depression in the
wall. He bent over the unconscious Mikado and sorrowly sighed, "Well you didn't
swerve first. You win." And then he grinned. The crowd watching looked a
little stunned but some were laughing at what had obviously been a set-up.
Ranma, Akane, and Nabiki, standing where the pair had started,
included.
"He never lets up...does he?" Ranma gasped when he caught his breath.
He was more than happy that Mikado got humiliated by Twister because of that...
incident. Ranma still gritted his teeth over that when he thought about it.
"That sense of humour..." Nabiki smiled and shook her head.
Akane looked at the damaged wall, "Mikado certainly deserved it." She
stated firmly.
Twister had skated a little distance away and was bowing to the crowd.
"Thank you. Thank you. No applause please. Well, maybe a little."
Azuka poked Mikado back to awareness.
"Are you awake? Are you awake? Are you awake?"
"Uhh... Yes, you stupid woman! I'm awake now!" He looked furious.
"Where is he?"
Azuka pointed in Twister's direction.
He collected himself and stood up. Twister's back was to him. He
didn't care. With Azuka following, he picked up speed.
Nabiki saw Mikado gunning for Twister, "Look out!"
Twister was uncomprehending at first, then he started to turn around.
Too late. Mikado kneed him in the side in passing and he collapsed.
Shouting out, Mikado declared, "I will kiss all the females in your
party, fool!" He skated towards the others.
Bad move.
Recovering, Twister got up. *Wanna bet?* He concentrated. *Ice, be not
nice.*
The ice before the Golden Pair cracked and they tripped on it. They
slid to a stop around the center of the rink. A square ramp of ice suddenly
ripped up from the rink between Twister and the Pair. Gaining speed, Twister
skated up the ramp. When he was launched into the air, he spun like a top with
both legs outstretched, blades out.
Mikado spread his arms wide and dodged to the side. One blade sliced
through both sleeves and the chest area but missed the skin. His shirt was
now falling apart. Twister landed nearby, stopped, and rushed towards Mikado.

*Time to use my special move.* Mikado decided and started his Dance
of Death.
Twister ran into a whirlwind of punches and was caught in the move.
*Ya! Jeez!* He was able to block half the blows coming at him but the
damage was increasing. *Well then! Let's make things more interesting!*
Ranma remembered this move well, "Oh great. Can Twister handle this?"
Brow wrinkled in puzzlement as she watched the blur of the spinning
manouver, Akane said, "Mikado didn't go this fast when he fought _you_ Ranma.
He's still going faster! What is...?"
Nabiki understood. "I think doing something like _this_ to someone
named after a kind of tornado is _bad_. As Mikado is now realizing."
Twister suddenly shot out of the spin on his skates, waving his
arms trying to regain his balance. Nabiki rushed over and supported him.
He didn't look too steady.
"I think I shouldn't have done that so fast." He said shakily.
Ranma and Akane looked at the now visible Mikado. As before, when
he had done this to Ranma, he was unconscious. However, unlike Ranma's 518
punches, Twister hadn't hit him once. What he did do, was increase the spin so
much that Mikado had blacked out and Mikado's skates had started digging a hole in
the ice. He was now in a hole that was as deep as his neck. Only his drooping
head was visible.
Wincing, Twister checked out his injuries. "Owch. That smarts. I'll
have to wait until getting back before Healing myself." He shook his head.
"He made me so dizzy I had trouble dodging his blows."
"Well, I wouldn't worry about it." Ranma was puzzled. "I don't think
I've ever seen you physically punch anyone yet, Twister. Why not?"
For a reply, Twister sighed, "Remember Ryouga? I'm afraid I might
do something a little too hard by accidentally using TK when punching or kicking.
If I did..." He shuddered. "There might not be much left or I might hurt
someone else by accident."
Nodding, Ranma replied, "Huh. I guess you can't learn anything in
martial arts until you _know_ you can control it."
"Yup." To himself, Twister wondered, *Why does Ranma look happy about
that?*
Nabiki glaced at the now devastated ice rink. "Well I guess it's
time to go. Unless you care for a rematch?" She smirked.
He groaned in reply.

They returned home later. Twister was just beginning to Heal himself
the slower, but less tiring, way and sat down to let it work.
He sighed. "Well, I think I've fought almost everyone. Anyone I've
missed?"
"Kodachi. Principal Kunou. A few others." Ranma ticked off his fingers
for each one, offhandedly.
"Gah! I hope I don't encounter them in a bad way." Twister was almost
done Healing. "Well, it was a nice time while we were skating without
interruptions. Thanks Nabiki." He smiled at her, then yawned. "Hm. Must be more
tired than I thought. I'd better go to bed. 'Night"
Nabiki waved after him. "Good night. And thanks for rescuing me tonight."
"Tis but mine duty, fair one." He chuckled and went up the stairs.
Reaching his door, Twister stretched. *Whoo. That little fight
tired me more than I thought.* Head drooping, Twister entered the room and
flopped down on the bed, arms close at his sides and on his back. He fell
asleep.
SPLASH!!
"Blub! WHAT THE...?" Twister woke up in shouting, wide awake with
adrenaline in his veins.
Happosei was in the doorway, holding a big bucket which he had just
emptied on Twister, soaking him everywhere. He looked disappointed.
The rest of the household by that time had gathered around the doorway
and Ranma, Genma, and Soun were holding the old Master. Unnecessarily. Happosei
didn't look like he was in any hurry to leave.
"He promised that it would work!" Happosei cried out.
Ranma shook him, "What are you talking about, you old lech?"
Soaked, Twister sat up on the bed, "_He_ promised?" He asked queriously,
"What 'he' are...you...talking...about?" Twister's voice wandered off as
realization formed. "Tell me you are _not_ talking about Malkon!" He shouted
at Happosei. Then he froze in shock.
Twister's blue aura had appeared involuntarily and the others gathered
by the doorway were staring at the display occurring before them. The blue
aura sprang into blue flame that surrounded Twister. It was not hot, but it
consumed the water that Twister was drenched in with an unusual effect.
Wherever water evaporated, purple flames started appearing and spreading
amongst the blue ones. Even the water on the bed was affected and added
to the purple fire. Twister was barely visible at this point, it appeared
he had been rendered unconscious and was lying on the bed again. Filling the
room now, purple and blue fires warred with each other for domination. The
group outside the door backed away fearfully. There was still no heat and now
nothing could be seen inside the room. Then, for a brief moment, it seemed
that the flames merged together, creating a purple-blue inferno that felt
much more powerful, even though the flames stayed the same size. It broke
apart again and it appeared the purple flames had won, for the blue ones were
starting to vanish. When the flames were all purple, they started dying
down. The flames shrank into the visible purple aura of the figure lying on the
bed and even that vanished eventually.
Everybody slowly gathered by the doorway again. Akane and Nabiki
were concerned about the display and what it had done to Twister. The two rushed
into the room and checked the bed. They stared in shock at what they saw.
Twister came around then.
"Uhhh... What the heck happened?"
Nabiki paled. Akane swallowed, "Um. Twister. I think you should
get ready for a shock."
"Why? What happened?" Twister was concerned and a little scared.
Nabiki got the room's mirror and gave it to Twister without a word,
still pale-faced.
Getting more agitated by their reactions, Twister looked into the
mirror and froze.
Akane sighed. "I guess Malkon found the cursed springs of Jusenkyou
and sent some of it to Happosei."
Twister stared into the mirror. Twister had seen that face before,
except now it didn't have a pig-tail and was a little slimmer. "Oh joy. Twins."
She fainted.

Chapter Twenty-Two
------------------

Nabiki whirled on Happosei, "Why did you do _this_?!" She pointed
at the unconscious, now-female Twister furiously.
Looking unrepentant, Happosei replied, "Why not? Now there's another
beautiful girl for me!" Happosei smiled gleefully.
Uncharacteristically, Nabiki started advancing on Happosei with a very
unpleasant look in her eye. Happosei saw this and paled, Master or no Master.
Akane saved him by slipping by and grabbing Nabiki.
"Calm down Nabiki. There's no point in doing anything to him now.
The damage is done. It can't be helped."
"But I would feel _so_ much better," Nabiki ground out, still eyeing
Happosei.
"Come on." Akane walked her over to the prone form of Twister and
had her sit down. "You'd better be here when he...er...she wakes up. It
should make her feel better."
"I'll stay too." Ranma volunteered. "For obvious reasons."
Sighing, Nabiki calmed down, "Thanks Ranma."
Akane smiled, "You two have gotten close haven't you?"
Nabiki stared at the people grouped at the door until they left before
talking, "Yeah, I wouldn't have believed it but I think we have sis." She sighed.
"Doomed." Then she smiled at Twister, "But at least in a funny sort of way.
In this house, something like this was bound to happen sooner or later."
Akane smiled, "At least Twister's shown similar signs though I don't
think he's realized it yet." She frowned at Ranma who was out of hearing for
the moment. "Unlike _some_ people I could name."
Ranma sneezed and looked confused.

Weird images swam though Twister's head before suddenly jerking awake.
The sun was rising in the horizon and the sleeping forms of Ranma and Nabiki
were visible close by. Twister wondered why they had slept in the guest room
until memory returned in an unpleasant flash.
She looked down at herself and groaned.
The noise wake up the two guardians.
"Are you ok?" Nabiki asked softly as she rubbed sleep from her eyes.
Twister just put her head in her hands and groaned again.
Ranma snorted, "I don't think that reassured him, Nabiki."
Lifting her head up and in a slightly stunned voice, sighed, "Well,
I've already had my body changed once already. Well," She glanced down, "Not
_this_ dramatically..." Looking back up she continued, "I think I'm ok. Just...
give me time to adjust to this. I think you can understand _that_, Ranma."
"No kidding."
"Where is Happosei?" Twister calmly said.
Nabiki wasn't fooled. "I already thought of that Twister. Akane
held me back and she was right. Get back at the guy who _gave_ him the water
in the first place."
Twister's lips tightened, "Malkon. I should have been ready."
"How could you have been? You're still adjusting here and you were
not even sure he had survived." Nabiki shook her head. "It's not your fault."
"Saying that is easy. Feeling that is another." She sighed and then
paused, "I can tell I can't use my psionic powers in this form but I can't
get rid of this feeling that I'm...whole." Twister looked puzzled.
"I wonder what those weird flames were all about." Ranma mused.
Standing up in now-loose clothing, Twister shook her head. "I don't know
what that was about. What I do need to do is take a walk." She thought for a
second. "In this form, I think. I'd better get used to it. There's no point in
crying over spilt milk." Glancing at Nabiki, she added, "Alone. I just need to
think by myself for a while."
"I understand. Just watch out. You look exactly like Ranma-chan
now, minus the pig-tail of course." Nabiki tiredly smiled. "We have to get ready
for school too." She got up and went with Ranma to the door. "I hope you feel
better later." She left with Ranma.
Twister sighed after they left. Unused to the different setup of her new
body, she took a while to be able to walk around without feeling funny. Leaving
the room and walking downstairs she snuck out of the house and just started
walking down the street; not thinking much about the new situation and letting
her mind go blank for a while.
After a lot of walking, she came upon a strange scene that drew her
out of her blank state. On the sidewalk ahead of her was a strange guy.
He was kneeling and chanting some strange words out of a scroll. He stopped,
looked around, and for some strange reason looked disappointed.
Curious at this somehow familiar looking person, she walked up to him.
On further inspection Twister saw he had...candles on his head??
*Now who has _candles_ on his head?* Twister still couldn't dredge up
the memory, *No perfect recall. Great.*
Now aware of her scrutiny, the guy stood up and looked embarrassed.
Before he could start explaining, Twister queried in her now higher voice,
"What are you doing?"
Nervous at this strange female in front of him, he sputtered out,
"C-casting a s-spell." He looked disappointingly at the scroll, "Or at least
trying to."
Intrigued, Twister asked, "You know magic?"
"Yes! No! Um..." He looked down. "Trying to anyway."
Looking down at what he was looking at, Twister saw a book.
"What's that?"
"Beginner's Guide to Magic." He said sourly. "It hasn't done me much
good."
"Can I look at it?" Twister tried to look cute.
Nervous again, the strange guy nodded. "Sure. Go ahead."
Picking up the strange book, Twister flipped though the pages with
interest. Spotting a harmless spell that required a only a gesture, she tried
it.
Nothing happened. Twister looked disappointed.
The guy smiled nervously, "You see?"
Looking near the beginning, she found another spell. It was a rhyme
for a light. Just for fun, not expecting anything this time, she spoke
it out loud.
"Power beyond imagination,
Spell to help with sight,
Give me now illumination,
Shine _forth_ magic light!"

Twister smiled, "Not too bad. It rhymes fairly well at least." She
looked at him when no response came.
The guy was staring above her head.
Puzzled at his reaction, Twister looked up and gaped. Above her head
was a ball of light, about a foot in diameter, shining a purple light.
"Wha wha wha.... What the heck??"
"You did it!" The guy seemed stunned.
A little dazed, Twister muttered, "I must have. Now how do I turn it
off?" Looking at the light above her gave her an idea, "Maybe if I will it
off...?" Doing so, the light vanished. Staring at the now empty space,
realizations dawned on her. "The Event. Mind _and_ Magic. Male _and_ female.
They are both separate! Rhyme spells for _me_ work! Yes!" She was so excited
by this new revelation that she hugged the guy unthinkingly, dropped the book,
and ran off back to the Tendo residence, crying, "Thanks a lot!"
Hikaru Gosunkugi was left staring after the girl who had made one
of the book's spells function. "It _can_ work!" He cried suddenly and grabbed
the book with hope restored in his eyes.

--
==============================================================================
Darren Steffler a.k.a "Twister"- mail at <umst...@cc.umanitoba.ca>
==============================================================================