Link stepped into the huge cave that was the central shaft of Goron City and took a good look around.
"So... this is Goron City?"
Ukyo came up next to him. "It's so... desolate," she murmured. "The first time I was here, there were Gorons everywhere..."
"I told you, Ganondorf imprisoned every single one of them in the Fire Temple," Ryoga grumbled. "The only ones he didn't manage to capture were me, Darunia and his little daughter... and Darunia's still in the temple, probably fighting that undead monster. I hope he's all right, though..."
"Hey, don't worry!" Tatl said confidently as she landed on the Goron boy's thick head. "With all of us as your backup, we can help them all."
"Maybe... but I still hope we're not too late." Ryoga sighed.
"Shampoo is more concerned about Elder Koume," Shampoo spoke up in a worried voice. "What if she puts spell on Airen again?"
"Ah, that old bat took me by surprise, that's all!" Ranma huffed. "Next time, I'll be ready for anything she throws at me."
"You're so full of yourself, Ranma!" Ryoga grumbled. "And what if she manages to turn you back into a Zora yet again? We don't have the time to take you back to Kokiri Forest another time."
"Maybe Ranma should stay back here," Navi suggested. 'Link is strong enough to take care of any witch or monster that is in his way...' she thought to herself.
"The hell I am!" Ranma protested. "I'm not gonna stay here and let you guys have all the fun! Besides, I have still a bone to pick with that hag!"
"Ranma..." Ukyo said through gritted teeth. "Can you finally shut up and for once think about others first? The Gorons are in danger, and you want to show us how macho you are? You... you are such a big jerk!"
"Hey!" Ranma shouted in an offended voice. "I'm worried about the Gorons just like the rest of you, okay? And don't worry, I just won't let myself be hit by that spell again, and all will be fine, right? I'm telling you, she won't hit me!"
"Oh yeah? Because you are sooo cool? Link is twice the hero you would ever be, Ranma!" Ukyo snapped.
"Please, leave me out of this..." Link murmured.
"I'm telling you, I won't mess up this time!" Ranma shouted. "It's a martial artist's duty to protect the weak, and I'm gonna help save Ryoga's people, just you wait and see!"
"How? By turning back into a fish girl that can't stand the heat?"
"Whoa, guys, cool down there!" Tatl said as she flitted in-between the two squabblers. "This really isn't the time!"
"Yellow fairy right," Shampoo nodded. "Airen, you just listen for once and stay behind, okay? I no want you to see as a fried fish again."
"But Shampoo, I'm telling ya I can handle..."
Shampoo glowered at him. "You want to make Shampoo angry? You better listen to Shampoo and friends, we just want your best!"
"Talk for yourself..." Ukyo grumbled, but made sure the Gerudo warrior wouldn't hear her.
Ranma gulped. "B-but Shampoo, I..."
"Ranma! You stay here, or Shampoo will make use of Gerudo punishing technique for disobedient husbands!"
Ranma shivered. While Shanmpoo never had to make use of that technique, she already told him more about it than he ever wanted to hear. "Th-that won't be necessary, I think. I'll be good."
Shampoo nodded, satisfied for the moment. "Good. Now you go and protect Yoiko and stupid bear-man, while Shampoo go in your place."
"Whatever you say, Shampoo..." Ranma groaned.
Ukyo looked at Shampoo with new-found respect. "Wow, she really knows how to deal with him."
Then her gaze went over to Ranma and she found herself frowning again. 'Then again, I pity her for having such a fiance. He may have called me cute, but I still can't forgive him for what he did to me and my family...'
They walked down the slopes, until they reached the bottom of the central shaft. Finally, they entered the chief's chamber, where an excited Goron girl was awaiting them.
"Ryoga-oniichan!" she cried and gave the strong Goron a hug. "You're back!" She then looked over to Ranma. "Ranma, are you feeling better now?"
"Don't worry about me, kiddo!" Ranma smirked. "I'm one tough cookie, I won't let myself be bothered by such a throwback."
"I hope you'll let this be a lesson for yourself, boy!" Genma said grumpily as he approached them as well. "Never let yourself being surprised by your opponent!"
"Gee, thanks for the advice, Pops..." Ranma grumbled. Then his eyes fell on Ukyo, and he could see the hate in her eyes... and she was looking at his father this time.
'Uh-oh!' he thought. 'I totally forgot how Ukyo would react when she sees him again...'
"You!" she snarled. "Genma Saotome!"
Genma looked at her in surprise. "Yes? Have we met before? You look familiar..."
The green-clad Okonomiyaki chef growled at him through clenched teeth, but this time, she refrained from pulling out her spatula. "Ukyo. Ukyo KUONJI."
Genma paled. The Kuonji girl? After that long time? He gulped. Hopefully, she wasn't mad enough to strangle him...
"Hey, how nice to see you again, girl!" he said nervously. "Um... how's your father?"
"He's DEAD!" she shouted. "Because YOU stole his cart!"
Genma winced. The heavy guilt instantly made his legs shaky, and sweat appeared on his forehead. "Oh..." he said. "That's... unfortunate..."
"Unfortunate? UNFORTUNATE?" At this point, Ukyo couldn't refrain herself anymore and she drew her giant spatula. "I'll make YOU feel UNFORTUNATE, you bastard!" Tears were streaming down her face. She hated this man in front of her so much, even more than she hated his son. "I should kill you here and now!" she whispered.
"Ukyo, calm down!" Link said and tried to hold his friend back. "We talked about this, remember? This won't bring your father back, and it certainly won't make you feel better afterwards."
"L-listen to that boy, he speaks the truth," Genma stuttered.
Ranma glared at his father. "Pops, you are a pathetic coward at times... but I haveta say, I sorta agree with Ukyo."
"WHAT??" Genma shouted. He was shocked. "My own son would backstab me like this? What did I do to deserve this?"
"Pops, you swindled her father and besmirched their honor by breaking a your promise! Besides..." The frown on Ranma's face deepened. "You tricked me as well, you know? Tricked me into signing that contract..."
"Hey, you told me that you liked Okonomiyaki more. And you could have always read the contract."
"Pops, I was a little kid at that time! How was I supposed to know that was an engagement contract? I didn't even know Ukyo was a girl back then." His fist were shaking with anger as he glared at his father. "I can't believe you did that..."
Ukyo was stunned. Did Ranma really stand up for her and her family's honor? Could it be that Ranma really didn't know what was going on back then?
"Guys, I hate to interrupt your touching reunion," Ryoga grumbled. "But I'm afraid your little family feud will have to wait until my people are freed."
"Ryoga is right," Shampoo nodded. "Ganondorf is bigger bastard than father-in-law will ever be, so you should concentrate on him first."
Again, Ranma had to agree with his fiancee. "Fine, okay! You're right, we have to save the Gorons... sorry, Ryoga, I kinda forgot that for a minute."
"How good for you!" Ryoga growled. "But you are staying here, remember? And I want you to protect Yoiko with your life, or else..."
"Hey, hey, calm down, man! I swear it, nothing will ever happen to her."
Ryoga nodded and then knelt down in front of his mentor's daughter. "Yoiko, I have to leave again, but don't worry: I'll save your Daddy and everyone else. Now you be a good girl and stay close to Ranma and his father, okay?"
"O-okay..." Yoiko replied. She was a bit scared by Ukyo's and Ranma's sudden outbursts, but Ryoga's calm words instantly soothed her. "Take care of yourself, oniichan!" And she gave him another hug.
Ryoga stood up. Meanwhile, Shampoo was giving Ranma a hug. "Ranma, Shampoo will take care of everything and come back very soon. And you no worry, I will kill Elder Koume for you."
Ranma smirked. "That's great to hear, Shampoo! You go get 'em!"
"You bet Shampoo will!" the Gerudo girl smirked back.
"Okay, everyone ready?" Link asked. "Let's go!"
"Wait a sec..." Yoiko suddenly said. She let go of Ryoga and ran through the room, rummaging through a couple of drawers, until she pulled out what looked like three red tunics.
"Here," she said as she gave each one to Ukyo, Link and Shampoo. "High quality Goron's Tunics. We made them for travellers that want to visit our crater or the Fire Temple. You see, most Hylians are not heat-resistant as we Gorons are, but this special fiber will help you stand the heat. I'm sure Daddy would be willing to give you those to save our people."
"Hey, that's great!" Link smiled. "Thank you, little girl!" And he started to take off his green Kokiri Tunic.
Yoiko and Ukyo blushed when they saw the young man's well-toned, muscular upper body.
Link hesitated in confusion, just as he was going to put on his new Goron's Tunic. "What's the matter?" he wondered.
"Link, you really should learn about something called 'modesty'. As for me, I'd prefer to change in private."
"Shampoo agree." And the two girls took their red tunics and left the room.
"What did I do wrong this time?" Link wondered.
Navi was blushing intensely while she desperately tried not to take a peek at her half-nude friend, while Tatl just shook her head and sighed.
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:52)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.