Disclaimer: I did not create either DBZ or Ranma 1/2. These series each belong to their respective creators.
Ranma 1/2 Z Neo: Part 14
(...) thoughts *...* actions ...^ author’s notes/ translations
Fury of Love *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
*Ryouga starts as he feels a sudden increase in energy. He looks up and searches the sky for the cause, his eyes lighting on Ranma. His greatest nemesis, and perhaps best friend, sheds energy like a lit match. Ryouga, and all the others on the battlefield, freeze at the sudden power, shocked and curious as to what will happen next. As all eyes watch, Ranma’s power increases exponentially, fueled by the sight of his fiancé lying prone on the rooftop, and Ranma ascends to Super Saiyajin 2.*
Ranma: AAAAAIIIIIIIYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! *His eyes turn green like the sea, and his hair spikes up, his braid barely holding together. Ryouga, watching, can only recognize Ranma by the fire in his eyes, as flaring and proud as ever.*
*on the ship*
*Argos stands in awe as the boy powers up. His eyes widen in appreciation, and his hunger flares in response. His body aches for release from the pain. He wonders how much longer his warriors can hold out against this new power... and if he shall have to join the fray.*
*high in the air*
*Piccolo remembers the day Gohan fought Cell; he remembers Gohan’s perfect flow from Super Saiyajin level one to SSJ2. The power increases incredibly... as does speed and agility.*
Piccolo: (This Ranma... could he do it? Will he make the perfect ascension? Yes! He has!!!) *Piccolo fills with amazement at this feat*
*inside the ship*
*wiggling through a corridor too narrow*
Ukyou: *through the pendant* Where now, Trunks?
Trunks: ... *inside Cap Corp, he has dropped the pendant, eyes wide, feeling the amazing power outside* Who powered up???
Ukyou: *takes a deep breath* TRUNKS!!!! *unable to feel her friend’s power-up*
Trunks: *snaps out of it* Huh? Oh, sorry, Ukyou. *looks at the map* left. You’ll find the vent there.
Ukyou: Is anyone around?
Trunks: ... No. It’s safe.
Ukyou: *crawling along the corridor, turns right and finds a vent. She climbs out.* Which way to the door?
Trunks: Go left...
Ukyou: I still don’t see why we didn’t do this to begin with...
Trunks: Well, I hadn’t thought about getting them out of there!!!
Ukyou: *sweatdrop*
*outside*
Jet Stream: *tries desperately not to be noticed. He needn’t worry, though; Treble has Ranma’s full attention* Yow... (I’m not getting any closer!!! No way!!!)
Ranma: *finishes his power-up. Growls at Treble* You murderer!!! I’ll kill you for that!!!
Treble: *trembles at Ranma’s wrath, but draws in as much energy as he can. Fully powered up, he feels more confidence* Just try me.
Tempo: *down on the ground* (Go, Stranger!!!!! Whack that mountain down!!!!) *Tempo, for the record, has always had an intense dislike of Treble, who made it clear his lust, and whose condescending attitude always drove her crazy. Not to mention she wants to lose this battle.*
Ryouga: *Thinks a series of scalding insults to Ranma* (You always beat me!!! You even powered up before me!!!!!! You had better win! I’m the only one allowed to kill you!!!!!) *growls*
*In the air, a good distance behind Ranma*
*Ranma stands tall in the air, staring down at Treble. His hair stirs in an invisible breeze, whipped up by his power. His clothes whap and snap around him, and lightening jerks to the ground in the background almost in response. No one makes a sound in response to Treble’s challenge. Ryouga’s growl can be heard by everyone, blending into thunder in the distance. Ranma stands eerily silent, pausing before responding*
Ranma: ... ... ... KIIIIIYYYAAAAAAAA!!!!! *He flashes toward Treble, foot extended. Treble dodges the kick, and lashes out a punch at Ranma. Foot meets fist, and Treble brings his own foot up, aiming for Ranma’s stomach. Power sparks explode from each collision. Ranma blasts a Kamehameha into Treble, who blocks with a blast of his own.*
Treble: *following up the two dissipating blasts with another* Jidou Asaiki^!!!!! *Power slams from his hands in short bursts, and two green eyes widen, then narrow. Ranma draws back, then responds*
^Automatic crusher
Ranma: TENSHIN MOKO NEKO!!!!!! *Ki balls with claws dance from his draw back hands, slicing through Treble’s attack and continuing on their path directly towards Treble. He jumps into the air, above the attacks. They slice harmlessly through the building below Treble, hitting the side far from Akane.*
Treble: Even in the midst of range you show such caring for your girlfriend! *teasingly* Are you afraid she’ll get hurt?
Ranma: *Practically roars with rage* Akane is ~not~ my girlfriend!!! *punches Treble in the stomach, then says calmly as Treble doubles over* She’s my fiancé. *Flies back as Treble recovers*
Treble: SHI-NE^!!!!! *retaliates with a kick. His massive foot misses Ranma as the smaller fighter flies back.*
^Die!
Ranma: No thanks. *The graceful martial artist ducks a flying fist, shoving his hands into Treble’s stomach- but not in a punch.* MOKO TAKABISHI^!!!! *ki balls fly into Treble’s gut, shoving the giant away. Ranma stands up again, and locks his hands together in front of him.* DORAGON YA BAKUHA!!!!^^ *A blue dragon rises from... somewhere... and spirals around Ranma, gaining speed with each rotation. When it reaches his arms, he points his locked hands at Treble, and extends his two index fingers. The dragon follows his arms, twining about them and gaining yet more speed, then shoots off of his fingers straight at Treble. The man’s eyes widen, and he flies backwards, trying to outrun the dragon. He cannot. The blast strikes him dead on, and he goes senseless, crashing limply into whatever lays behind him, namely, two buildings, a bus sign, and the ground. He stays where Ranma put him, watching the world swim in and out of view.*
^tiger fist ^^Dragon arrow blast
*On the ship*
Argos: *growls* (What is that energy???) *The mysterious energy which so bugs him flares with Ranma’s attack. As if in response to the watery dragon which spirals about Ranma, his hunger pangs increase.* (If Treble gets beaten any more, I’m stepping in! And it’s not because I’m hungry, either... I could hardly drain any worthwhile energy from those shifters, anyway. So why do they attract me so?)
*on the rooftop, below the action*
*Akane’s eyelids twitch, and she hears a voice cutting through the blackness*
Voice: Akane is ~not~ my girlfriend!!!
Akane: (That... that sounds like Ranma... but...)
Ranma: She’s my fiancé.
Akane: (Ranma!) *Touched, she struggles to open her eyes. Pain barricades her into blackness, but she fights back. Gradually, the darkness recedes, and her eyes let in light. She sees a bright blue blur fly across her vision, almost like a dragon* (He must’ve really knocked the wind out of me...) ugh... (Maybe I’d better stay down for a little...) *lets her eyes close again. Instantly, she loses awareness again, her body trying to heal itself*
*In the air*
Jet: *Sees Akane’s struggle* She... she’s alive?
*in a hole in the ground*
Treble: (*Beep* him...) *He gets the world into focus, and stands up slowly.* (He’ll pay for that!) *Looks around for Ranma. He sees the boy hovering in the air, expressionless. Treble feels a cold hand grip his heart... but ignores it. He growls, but his anger is lost in the loud thunder which booms around the fighters.* You little... HYAA! *blasts away from the ground, charging Ranma. As he flies, he draws his arms back as to throw a ball. When he reaches the apex of throwing, he moves his hand forward again, filled with a ki sphere, and throws it* Hey, boy, catch!
Ranma: *bends under the ki sphere - then leaps into the air as it boomerangs back, keeping his eye on it for further activity* No thanks.
Treble: *taking advantage of Ranma’s momentary distraction* KYUUKYOKU HAMETSU BAKUHA!!!!^ *he locks his hands together, palms facing Ranma. The power highlights his arms, exploding from his hands*
^Final destruction blast
Ranma: huh? Ya- *takes brunt of the blast. He flies back, his shoulder stinging wildly. The light fades, and his shirt sleeve... is no more. He is fine, though mildly scorched.* Awww, man, this was my favorite shirt!!!
Ryouga: *calling from the ground* Don’t worry, Ranma, you can take it to the dry cleaner’s in Hong Kong!!! They can fix anything!!! And I’ve got a coupon for a free dry-cleaning!!!
Ranma: Hey, thanks Ryouga!!! (Hey wait a minute... when he’d go to Hong Kong.... Oh yeah. Probably got lost there.)
Treble: Will you stop trading laundry secrets???
Ranma: *turns back to Treble* That’s right, I’ve still got to beat you up. *takes fighting stance again*
Treble: Oh goodie! I get to beat up shrimp. They say meat always tastes better when you beat it...
Ranma: *pauses* That’s disgusting, you know?
Treble: *grins* I know. *punches at Ranma. Ranma blocks the punch, and returns with one of his own. He hits Treble’s knee as the bigger man blocks. Treble grins at Ranma, and mutters* Kyodai Kobushi!!!^ *His punch suddenly increases in both speed and power, and he hits the surprised Ranma in the stomach. Ranma doubles over briefly, but flies away at the same time, preventing follow-throughs.*
^Gigantic fist
Ranma: urk... *gasps, then stands back up* Why you... TACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!!!!!!!!!^ *His thousand-fist technique pummels Treble; his speed - already enhanced by SSJ2 - breaks the speed of sound with multiple booms. Treble absorbs all but two, getting absolutely pummeled. Finally he flies as far back from Ranma as he can. Ranma lets the power die out of his fists, and readies himself for the next attack.*
*high in the air*
Piccolo: (I can’t believe that boy’s power... but will it be enough to defeat that evil presence I feel? I’m not sure it will... There’s got to be a different way to destroy that thing. But only the power of the elements could possibly guarantee a win... and where would we find five such individuals, in such a short notice?)
*Inside the ship*
Ukyou: *whispers* This way! *leads a group of very bandaged Saiyajins through an empty hall. Trunks murmurs directions over the pendant, telling them how to avoid the person who keeps moving about the ship.*
Trunks: *muttering to himself, but loudly enough that Ukyou hears him anyway* What is this guy, a pinball or something???
Ukyou: *teasingly* Yeah, probably.
Trunks: Oh... did I say that out loud?
Ukyou: *sweatdrop* *good-humouredly* Yeah, probably.
Trunks: *sweatdrop* ehehehe... Left, by the way.
Ukyou: Right, gotcha.
Trunks: No, left.
Ukyou. Yeah. Left. That’s right.
Trunks: No, it’s left.
Ukyou: *sweatdrop* whatever. Just be glad I’m not in those vents again.
Trunks: Yeah, I’m glad.
Goku: *tapping Ukyou on the shoulder, speaks semi-loudly* Hey-
Everyone: SHHHH!!!!
Goku: *moderates voice* Hey Ukyou, are we there yet?
Ukyou: For the eighth time, ~no~, Goku.
Trunks: Watch out, he’s coming your way!
Ukyou: So what should we do?
Trunks: ... Ummm... Turn around? *they turn around and retreat* Go back to the left again!
Ukyou: But we came from the right!
Trunks: No, I’m sure I said left! Just do it!
Ukyou: *still whispering in the argument* I don’t wear Niké! (TM)
Trunks: ... huh?
Ukyou: Never mind! *just goes left. The group scuttles as quietly as possible down the hall*
Trunks: ... er... he’s going your way...
Ukyou: So tell us how to get out of this way!
Trunks: er... I don’t know how to say this...
Ukyou: Just say it!
Trunks: There’s only one door that way... and there’s no exit from that room... you’ll just have to face him there. Unless you want to face him in the hall.
Ukyou: The room it is, then. There’s not enough space in the hall. *hisses into the pendant so the others can’t hear* I told you we should have taken a right!
Trunks: *Sweatdrop* Hey, you try reading this diagram!!!
Ukyou: *to the group* We’re going to meet him in the room at the end of this hall-
Vegita: We know, we all heard you two talking!
Goku: Well, I didn’t Vegita. I wasn’t paying attention.
Vegita: *sweatdrop* Only you, Kakaroto...
Ukyou: ANY-way, we’ll meet ambush him in the room at the end of this hall.
Goku: Okay.
*walking unknowingly along the hallway*
Syme: (Why’s the floor so wet?^) *he continues on his way to the medical room, the necessary supplies retrieved from storage*
^Just a word of warning for those of you who want to become anime characters... all those sweatdrops make an awful mess. ;^]
*at the beach*
Videl: *gasps, sensing a Super Saiyajin 2* Is that Gohan?
Dr. Briefs: Hnnn? Gohan?
Yamucha: No, Videl, it’s not. It’s... someone else...
Chichi: *sitting in a reclined lawn chair* If it was Gohan, he’d have already powered up more. I ~know~ my son’s stronger than that!
Videl: Yeah, you’re right. *sighs* I should never have agreed to come to the beach...
Chichi: Nonsense, Videl. You need a vacation as much as any woman does.
Videl: Some vacation. I’d rather be fighting.
Chichi: *pulls off her sunglasses - yes, sunglasses - and looks Videl in the eye* Relax. My babies are out there, and I’m not worried.
Yamucha: *muttering to Videl* That’s probably because of that tranquilizer we gave her...
Videl: *sweatdrop* Yeah, she was pretty tough to handle before....
*earlier*
Chichi: *classic panic/smash everything in sight pose* My little boys!!! Gohan, Goten!!! Why those *beep*s... GIVE ME BACK MY SONS!!!!! *Videl and Yamucha in the background are hurriedly mixing some powder into a glass of water*
*back to beach present*
Videl: That stuff really worked.
Yamucha: Yeah.
*back inside the ship*
*Syme walks into the seemingly empty room, setting his armful of equipment down to turn on the light. He turns back around to face four escaped prisoners and one stranger*
Vegita: *edging close* Don’t make a sound, and we might let you live.
Syme: *puts hands into the air* I surrender.
Goku: *cheerily* That’s great! Now we don’t have to hurt you.
Vegita: Kakaroto no baka!^ it’s probably a trap. He may have a plan already.
^Idiot Goku
Goku: *sweatdrop* Oi, Vegita, you need to be more trusting.
Syme: I hide nothing. I’m a doctor; I don’t fight. I’m even under orders to avoid doing so.
Ukyou: A doctor, huh?
Syme: *nods*
Ukyou: Then prove it.
Syme: Well, for starters, *points at Goten* his bandage is too tight for adequate circulation; *points to Goku* that contusion needs to be treated for possible internal bleeding; and that cut needs stitches if it’s seeping fast enough to be staining the outside of the bandage that quickly - I assume you just wrapped it - and I know that’s new, or I’d’ve treated it myself earlier when I stabilized those four; he *points at Vegita* needs a wrap around his head-
Ukyou: *vein popping out at the criticism of her work* Okay, okay, I’m convinced already!
Goten: Well I’m not. But there’s one way to be certain. *everyone raises an eyebrow* Sign this. *takes out a piece of paper and a pen*
Syme: Why?
Goten: Just do it. *he does it. Goten picks it up and inspects it* Yup, he’s real.
Ukyou: How can you tell just by the signature? *peers over Goten’s shoulder*
Goten: It’s easy. Only doctors sign this sloppily. *everyone in the room facefaults and sweatdrops*
Ukyou: *recovering* Since you’ve spotted my mistakes, why don’t you fix them?
Syme: Really, it’s not bad for someone without formal training. But it you insist... *walks over to Goku and starts making adjustments*
Goku: Ano...
Ukyou: *raises eyebrows & sits back* Just relax, Goku. We’ll let Vegita deal with him if he does anything. *Syme noticeably gulps*
*a few minutes later*
Syme: Everybody is finished. *pulls off a pair of gloves*
Goku: *flexes his arm* Wow, I feel much better.
Syme: Of course. I am a professional.
Ukyou: Alright, then. One last thing.
Syme: *resigned* What?
Ukyou: How do we get out of here?
Syme: *Sweatdrops*
*outside*
*Ranma stands in his ready position - that is, casually - and waits for Treble to make a move. The big man stares at the smaller, also waiting for his opponent. In the background, Jet flies down to the rooftop upon which Akane rests, trying his best to both get out of the possible way of the fighters and not be noticed.*
Jet: (This is not my battle anymore. Besides... I never thought things would go this far...) *stares at the unconscious Akane* (I guess I never really ever thought about what we would do when we won...) *sits down, thinking*
*on the ground*
Ryouga: *tears his eyes from the battle to look at the very anxious young woman beside him* (Why is she so excited? Aren’t we supposed to be fighting?)
Tempo: *feels Ryouga’s eyes on her* What do ~you~ want? I’m watching the fight!
Ryouga: Yeah, but what about ~our~ fight?
Tempo: Oh yeah- I forgot about that. Oops. *classic arm-behind-the-head pose*
Ryouga: *sweatdrop* so where were we?
Tempo: *reluctant to start again* ummm....
Ryouga: *punches at her. She dodges*
*in the air*
Treble: *tired of waiting* Take this, brat!
Ranma: *blocking the punch* Get a life. *The two exchange blows, almost dancing in their punch-block-kick number. Suddenly, Treble breaks the pattern*
Treble: Once more! JIDOU ASAIKI!!!! *Balls of energy splay from his palms in short quick bursts, two slamming into Ranma’s abdomen, the rest horrendously missing him. Ranma rolls back from the attack, gasping in pain.*
^Automatic crusher
Ranma: *trying to catch his breath* Y-you-u... *catches his breath, then retaliates* HIRYUU SHOUTEN HAAA!!!!!^ *Ranma’s patented waterspout engulfs Treble, spinning the angry giant into air. This time, Ranma accounts for Treble’s aura, and avoids being also sucked into the twister. Seconds pass, then a ki stream disrupts the cyclone, sending droplets everywhere and letting Treble tumble away from the watery attack. Droplets of water freeze and fall to the ground as they hit Ranma’s aura, protecting him from the change.
^Dragon ascension wave
Ranma: *noticing the freezing water* Now that’s one side effect I can live with... Oh, back so soon, Treble? *He addresses the giant of an alien, who charges back at him angrily. He blocks Treble’s attack, and kicks at the monstrously big man. Treble’s block sends him backwards a few feet, but the man makes up for it by flying back into Ranma in a ramming maneuver. Ranma takes the hit for the opportunity to land a blow where Treble’s neck meets his shoulders, an attack which elicits a howl. Treble uses his position at Ranma’s midsection to flip the smaller boy. Ranma, being midair, catches himself before landing on a building, flipping gracefully to meet Treble’s next attack.*
*Behind the spaceship, far away from Argos*
Syme: *opening a door* There you go.
Ukyou: Thanks.
Syme: No thanks needed. It’s not like I had a choice anyway.
Ukyou: Hey, I’m just trying to be nice.
Syme: Well then, you’re welcome. *the escapees waltz through the egress, away from the ship*
*on the other side of this ship*
Argos: *senses five new energies emerging* ~WHAT???~ *One of the new energies holds a mysterious element - like that of Tempo and the three strangers. The other four are obviously the prisoners. All five fly into view around the edge of the ship*
*High in the air*
Piccolo: *seeing the escaped bunch* (Oh no! Those fools will try to interrupt the fight! *Flies quickly to intercept the group. He surprises the Siayajins and Ukyou by stopping in their path, causing Goten to run into him*
Goten: *bouncing back* Ite!
Goku: Piccolo! What’re you doing here?
Gohan: Piccolo-san!
Piccolo: *almost growling at them* This is no time for reunions!
Vegita: *mockingly* What, did the Namek want to come help?
Ukyou: *to Vegita* Shut up! He probably has something important to tell us.
Vegita: *veins pop out* What did you tell me?....
Ukyou: I told you to shut up!
Piccolo: *before a fight can start* I do have something important to say, and the fate of the earth might just depend on it!
Vegita: Well then say it!
Piccolo: *tempted to sweatdrop, but doesn’t* You can’t get into this fight.
Goku: Awww, Piccolo.... Come on....
Piccolo: Don’t tell me to “come on”!!! It’s not my fault!
Gohan: *interrupting* Piccolo-san, why shouldn’t we fight?
Piccolo: The four of you would only make things worse.
Goku: But there’s five of us. Me, Gohan, Goten, Vegita, and Ukyou... *as he says each name, he holds up another finger, finally holding up his whole hand*
Piccolo: *sweatdrop* I ~know~ how to count, Goku!!! Just you Saiyajins can’t fight. She *points at Ukyou* can.
Goten: But why?
Piccolo: These aliens are not a problem. A level two Saiyajin would have a fair fight, but a level three would easily crush them. The thing is, they travel with an evil much stronger... one which drains the life and energy out of people in order to achieve it’s full power. The aliens provide the perfect food source for it... they reach their full power without a transformation. But even you Saiyajins would be useable by that monster - though you transform, it is not enough to make you invulnerable to this evil. The humans from the past, though, not only change power levels- they also change species.
Ukyou: So that thing can’t hurt us, huh?
Piccolo: I didn’t say that! It can still beat you up!
Goku: But that boy over there is Super Saiyajin two - won’t he be able to beat the... thing?
Ukyou: *following Goku’s pointing* Ranma!!!
Piccolo: ... We’ll see.
Goten: So which is the monster?
Piccolo: *following the young man’s gaze* None of them. He hasn’t emerged yet.
Ukyou: *not paying attention in the slightest* Well, I’m off! See you guys later!!! *zooms off to help Ranma*
*on the ship*
Argos: (It’s time to make my move...) *licks his lips, as if anticipating satisfying some unseen hunger...*
*in the air*
Ranma: *standing in ready position. Treble charges. Both are entirely unaware of the five figures leaving the ship... and the sixth preparing to. The storm booms loudly about them, and Ranma prays there will be no rain. He does not worry about the zagging lightning - that would not harm him much in his current state. One figure rushes to join the fight, while five others - one with antenna - fly high into the air to watch. Ukyouu races towards Ranma, until she sees Akane on the rooftop. She rushes to join the other girl instead, completely ignoring the alien boy who sits at the opposite end of the roof, looking confused and maybe a little scared. Ukyou checks Akane’s pulse, and a voice interrupts her*
Jet: She’s alive. She woke up a little while ago... but then went to sleep again.
Ukyou: *stares at him* What’s wrong with you?
Jet: *growls* Nothing! *looks away. He stares off into the distance, thinking.* (I never wanted to really kill anybody. This is all going too far. I thought this was about honor. But there’s no honor in hostages, deception... any of the tactics we’ve used...) *Jet begins to doubt the whole mission, feeling for the first time since he first met Treble and Argos that something is majorly wrong.*
Ukyou: *narrows eyes, but turns back to Akane* (She’s just depleted nearly all her energy...) *Places her hands flat on Akane’s arm, and concentrates* Ki transfer....
*high above, with Piccolo*
Goku: *watching Ukyou* Hey, that looks useful... How’s she doing it? *concentrates, in the same way he instantly picked up all his other techniques from the Kamehameha to the instant transmission.* Oh, I see....
*on the ship*
Argos: *Having powered up, he blasts into the air, slowly, taking his time. He stops at a better vantage point, deciding to watch the battle between Ranma and Treble for just a few minutes more...*
*In the air*
*Ranma slams his knee into the charging Treble as he rumbles past. Treble stumbles, swears, and turns back to Ranma to get a punch in the face. He retaliates with a kick. Ranma blocks. Treble slams into his side, bumping the smaller boy far away before he can catch himself. Ranma rights himself and blocks the angry fist seeking out his jaw. Lightning strikes the ground nearby, and thunder blends in with the sound of Ranma’s fist smacking Treble’s chin in an uppercut. Ranma dances out of range of Treble, separating himself from the other warrior.*
*A dark streak, dressed in white, slams into Ranma. The elbow in Ranma’s side stops Argos, transferring all momentum to Ranma, who is flung away. The boy hits the rooftop holding Akane, Ukyou, and Jet, whether by accident or design, rolling to a stop just a couple of feet from Akane. Surprised by the unexpected attack, Ranma took the full force of the blow, and so lays stunned - just as Akane’s eyes flicker open again.*
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Author’s notes
Alright! Exams are finished, and I’m out of school, so that means you won’t have to wait nearly as long for the next chapter!!! Errrr... that’s my way of saying gomen for the wait... And no, no previews for the next chapter. I’d like to give a special thanks for all the encouragement I’ve received since the last chapter... You know who you are! =^] Well, send all C&C to Fanime_Lynn@hotmail.com ,and see you next time!!! Gotta go, so ‘Bye for now! --Fanime Lynn