Ranma and Ranko, ironically mirroring Stroak's pose, looked at each other. "... Weren't we about to do that?" Ranma drawled with lidded eyes.
The professor nodded. "It is. However, I will be joining you."
"Meeew?" Ranko, er, mewed incredulously. "Why are you coming?" she asked, damn well insulted that he was going to be interrupting cuddling time with her master.
Ranma was insulted as well, but for different reasons. "Aw, c'mon! You know I ain't gonna do anything!" His eyes narrowed. "Or is it because ya are..."
The professor's eyes glinted in the way that gives people a reason to avoid the mad doctor type. "Don't be stupid, Ranma," he warned in a low, creepy voice, before going back to his normal, less maddening self. "Actually, I just wanted to make sure that you got to Viridick City all right." Seeing the two's identical looks of confusion, he sat back down in his chair.
"The Indigo League had sent a line to me. Apparently, there's a mysterious and dangerous Feral running amuck around these parts."
"A Feral...?" Ranma muttered, his swiss cheesed memories reminding him just how dangerous a Feral pokégirl, a pokégirl who had gone savage, could be. Ranko mewed nervously, and Ranma pulled her into a comforting hug.
The professor nodded, his face stony and serious. "I've been asked to try to take care of this problem, since I'm actually one of the stronger tamers in these parts. Of course, it's going to be tough for me."
Ranko piped up. "Why?"
"The damn girl's been resisting everything we throw at her!" Stroaks replied. "Plant, fire, water, electricity, even psychic! Barely fazes her!" Stroaks sighed. "I'm actually glad I decided to have you stay in Phallus Town for a few extra days, Ranma. This Feral appeared only a few days ago, so she could have attacked you, and you would have no idea she was coming."
The Ranma of old would have disagreed, but the Ranma who realized just how deadly a Feral pokégirl, especially one who was resistant to the more common sorts of attacks, could be to a guy who had screwed up memories and much less strength than he remembered. He glanced down at Ranko, who looked apprehensive. When she noticed him looking, she settled herself, and bravely cried, "Ha! Nothing can stop me and Master from kicking butt! Not even some... uh... evil monster thing..." she trailed off, before trying to regain her former confidence.
Ranma and Stroaks looked at each other, and burst out laughing in relief, while Ranko pouted.
* * *
Ranko ducked under the wild blow that the wild Titmouse had thrown at her, then shot a crushing side kick into the Pokégirl's rib, sending her flying back into the bushes. "All right!" she shouted, giving her master a thumbs up.
Ranma grinned back. "Way to go, Ranko!" he congratulated. "Your jump kicks need a bit of work on the landing, but ya still did great!" He chuckled at the abashed look Ranko developed when she was critiqued, then frowned. "Damn, there's a lotta wild girls attacking us..." he muttered.
"Shouldn't be that much of a surprise," Professor Stroaks countered from his position next to the younger tamer, "considering your bloodgifts." Ranma blushed slightly as he remembered just what the good professor was talking about.
The professor continued to watch the young Pokékit dance around in victory. "Amazing what you've done with her."
"Eh?"
"Your fighting style that you're teaching her. I've never seen anything like it. Hey, I didn't even know that you knew martial arts," Stroaks commented, stroking his chin, not noticing Ranma's embarrassed chuckle.
"Yeah, well, around Ichikoo and Hitomi, ya learn alot!" Ranma hazarded, not wanting the professor to think he was going crazy or something. Fortunately, Stroaks only "hmmed" and "ahhed" in understanding. "Well, we're halfway to Viridick, now."
Stroaks only nodded seriously. "With any luck, we won't run into that Feral..." he noted quietly, with Ranma agreeing silently.
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(Posted Mon, 27 Jun 2005 08:31)
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