At the local airport in Tokyo, a small group of people with bags are waiting as someone at the desks announce flights.
Announcer: "Now boarding Air Force K-1, will all passengers of private liner Air Force K-1 please make your way to gate B-3 please...."
Ranma (C): "That's our call!"
Everyone starts nodding and moving their bags as an attendant shows them the way to gate B-3.... especially Ryouga who has a hard time keeping his eyes off the slim, attractive woman while trying to keep her in sight to make sure he doesn't get lost...
On board the plane.....
Nabiki: "Well well well, I didn't expect Kuno-chan to keep such a lavish private jet."
Sitting in a plush, velvet chair, Soun is dressed in his tropical clothes of balmy yellow decorated with coconut trees and a large straw hat. Genma-panda is just dressed in a straw hat with a small palm leaf on top. Soun turns to look at the oversized panda sitting besides him.
Soun: "Well, Saotome-kun, isn't this the way to go?"
Genma (C): *Bwoark* "Yep, Tendou-kun."
As everyone finds a plush seat to sit at in the spacious plane, Sasuke appears wearing a captain's uniform and bows to all assembled, Kuno included.
Sasuke: "Ah, welcome aboard Air Force Kuno-1, everyone! Thank you for your patronage and please, have a nice flight! Weather reports state that there will be calm skies, so this will be a smooth trip. Please belt in now, we shall take off soon!"
Disappearing into the cabin, Sasuke hits the ignition and the plane's engines roar to life, a soft whine with a bassy undertone of power. The plane begins to move, a bit jerkily at first, but then smoothly and before long, they have taken off.
Several hours into their flight, Ranma is thanking Sasuke as he pours her a cup of chilled Coke (all rights reserved, of course.) before continuing down the aisle with the drinks cart. Akane, sitting besides Ranma, is staring out the curtained windows, enjoying the view.
Akane: "Ne.... really looks like the weather's going to hold Ranma."
Ranma (C): *Sluuuuuuuuuurp* "Yeah, Akane. No storms to wreck us this time."
Akane: "You said it."
Just as Sasuke passes Nabiki, she calls to him.
Nabiki: "Eh, Sasuke? Who's piloting this plane?"
Sasuke: "Oh, the state of the art Mark III autopilot system with course correction and radar capabilities!"
Nabiki: "Ah, that's good. Oh, I'd like a Sunny Lime please while you're at it."
Sasuke: "Hai."
Inside the pilot's cabin, several pulleys, strings, rubber bands and a bubble-based levelling ruler are tied to the control yoke and several other implements. A wooden pole knocks the yoke a little to the right as the ruler tilts and the change in weight shifts the tension on the rubber band.
*beep* *beep* *beep*
The "Low Fuel" button lights up.
"Oooooooooooooohhh ho ho ho ho ho ho!"
A trail of black rose petals fly around as a familiar girl in a green leotard hops around laughing like a nut in the middle of the takeoff and landing fields.
Kodachi: "ooh, Ranma-sama! Finally, everyone's gone and we can finally be together alone! Oooh ho ho ho ho!"
Planes veer crazily side to side to avoid flattening the nutty gymnast as she goes hopping around, before she comes to the spot where Air Force K-1 was minutes ago. She stares up into the distance at the blinking star in the sky.
Kodachi: "Farewell, you vile pigtailed hussy who stole my Ranma-sama's heart! You too, Akane Tendou! Hoo hoo hoo!"
She takes a few steps forwards to wave them goodbye and spell it with her ribbon when she steps on something sticky and slippery at the same time. Looking at the mess on her foot, she recognizes what it is.....
Kodachi: "Ech, chewing gum and diesel!?"
She snaps her fingers as something falls into place in her twisted mind. She scrapes the stuff off with a deft flick of her ribbon.
Kodachi: "That's what I need for my love potion! Chewing gum and diesel! Ooooh, I'm coming for you, Ranma-sama! Ooh hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo!"
*crunk*
The plane shakes a little and causes everyone in it to stumble for a while before the plane stabilizes itself. Sasuke quickly starts grabbing drinks out of the air as they go toppling off the cart, and everyone begins to look shocked.
Ranma groans, so does Akane.
Ranma (C): "Not again!
Akane: "Another accident!?"
All over the plane, people begin murmuring. Sasuke turns towards the cockpit, sweat beading on his face.
Sasuki: "Ahcha! What's wrong!?"
In a flash, he disappears with the cart.
In the cabin, the light goes from yellow to red as the "Fuel Critical" light blinks into existence. Sasuke enters the cabin just as it changes, and his jaw opens wide.
Sasuke: "Shimatta! The gum came off!"
Quickly turning around and slamming the door behind him, Sasuke grabs the intercom speaker just as the plane shudders again and begins to plunge. Everyone hangs on for dear life as anything not nailed down goes flying towards the end of the plane.
Sasuke: "Ahem, er.... ladies and gentlemen.... we have a problem."
Crowd: "We know!"
The shout hits Sasuke simultaneously, not a single one out of synchronisation. Sasuke jumps for a moment, then resumes.
Sasuke: "Apparently..... we're out of fuel."
The murmuring becomes an uproar. Sasuke quickly waves his hands in agitation and helplessness.
Sasuke: "But... please try to calm down everyone! There's a patch of land we can land on! Don't worry, we'll get down in one piece!"
He quickly disappears into the cockpit again.
In the passenger compartment, Akane is looking out their windows at the scene before her, Ranma doing the same.
Akane's eyes widen at the sight just as the plane pulls up a little and stabilises. Turning to Ranma, Akane looks at her pleadingly.
Akane: "We're plunging!"
Ranma (C): "Tell me something I don't know."
But Ranma's surprise is unbounded when she feels her silky hands clutch his in fear. Ranma can feels the bones in her hand begin to pop in protest.
Ranma (C): <Akane!>
Ryoga comes running up to Akane and squeezing himself between Ranma and Akane.
Ryoga: "Akane-san! We're going to be alright, don't be afraid!"
Akane turns to look at Ryoga with obvious fear in her eyes and face. Ranma and Ryoga feel a twinge of absolute fear and concern for her. Ranma slowly reaches a hand out for her face, hoping to do something for her.
Ranma (C): <Akane.....!>
Then, Shampoo comes running up to Ranma and glomping onto her. Ranma staggers at the unexpected load.
Shampoo: "Aiyah! Shampoo scared, Ranma!"
Ranma (C): "Mmph! Argh, get off me Shampoo!"
Shampoo lets go of her body but keeps to her arm, looking into her eyes.
Shampoo: "Please.... Ranma, Shampoo scared....!"
Ranma looks straight back into Shampoo's eyes. She sees something genuine. A trickle of tears are forming in Shampoo's eyes. Ranma blinks.
Ranma (C): <She's..... really scared.>
She blinks again and shakes her head.
Ranma (C): <Nah! She hasta be faking it!>
Mousse: "Shampoo! I'm here to protect you! Don't worry!"
Soun: "Hey! Watch who you're hugging!"
As Soun tries to get Mousse off him, Shampoo clutches Ranma's hand tighter. She can feel the circulation cutting off. Looking at her again, Ranma sees the same look Akane has.... a flash of jealously hits her in the face as she realizes that Ryouga is holding Akane in HIS arms. Something comes loose in the rear compartment and slams into the nearby bulkheads with a crash that is drowned out by the absolute chaos. Ranma looks back to Shampoo again. Her eyes are turning puffy as tears begin streaming down and the plane shudders again. She herself shudders as she realises.....
Shampoo: "Onegai, Ranma.... Shampoo so scared...."