Currently, Ranma, Nodoka, Nabiki, the Edge Guard, and the majority of the Diggers group were just hanging around in the dining hall of Tomoe Mansion. Dr. Diggers, Seance, Yohko, and Sailor Pluto were currently in Hotaru's bedroom, making sure she was healing while she rested. Hotaru did not want to be seperated from Ranma, but she knew that these people needed her. So she would rest. Then she would help, and when all was said and done, she would then ask the Cheetah-man if he had a steady girlfriend.
In the meantime, the others were grilling Ranma for information... And there was no way for Ranma to get out of it.
"Hey Ranma, you hadn't answered my questions before," Gina began. "How did you survive the werecheetah massacre? Where did you get your sword, shield, and that weird crystal thing? Why didn't you seek out Britanny earlier if you are her fan? What kind of woman do you find attractive? And, are you single?"
The others there nodded their heads to that, (especially the women). They wanted to know this information as well.
Ranma blushed a bit. There was no way he was going to get out of this. Not only could he not bring himself to lie to his heroes, but his mother was also there and looking on intently. Apparently, she wanted to hear his honest opinion as well. Deciding to get this over with Ranma bit the bullet.
"When it comes to the werecheetah massacre, I didn't have any problems surviving it." Ranma said. "I, simply, wasn't there when it happened."
The others nodded their head. Seeing the others accepted this answer, Ranma continued his explanation.
"As for how I got the sword, shield, and Royal silver ginzu knife thingie..." Ranma began, "I just came across them."
"How?" Gina asked.
"Well, for the Sword of Omens, I happened to be running, and I tripped over it... And I went flying through three parked cars..." Ranma said. Noticing the others staring at him, Ranma asked, "What?"
"Nothing." Gina said. "Please continue."
"Okay." Ranma said. "For this shield, it found me."
"What do you mean, it found you?" Julia asked.
"It hit me in the side of the head." Ranma blinked as he saw the sweat-drops. "It's true! It's like someone threw it like a frisbee, and it smashed me in the side of the head."
Seeing that the others were just continuing to stare, Ranma continued, "As for the crystal... I have no clue how I got it. I was with Dr. Diggers as he was exocising the evil from Hotaru, and I then notice the crystal is on the back of my hand!"
The others nodded their heads. Britanny decided to butt in with a question she really wanted answered. "Ranma, I know you're a fan of mine... So I would like to know why you didn't seek me out earlier."
Ranma sighed. This was the question Ranma was dreading. This is what would decide if they still wanted to be friends with him or not. "Why didn't I seek you out earlier, Britanny-san? Well, it's kinda hard to explain. You see, in this world, you and the others were just comic book characters."
The Diggers and Edge Guard than stared at Ranma.
"Yeah. You see, I always loved, 'Gold Digger', the comic you guys star in. Britanny was, and still is my absolute favorite character from the series."
Britanny smirked triumphantly as the others glared at her. The voice in the back of her mind contineud with, "Love you Muffin... Muffin is the best... Muffin is good for you... Muffin is... Aw, screw it! You're not gonna listen to me." This lead to Britanny's smile widening a bit more.
Seeing the reactions, Ranma continued. "Anyway, my life was going in the sam routine... I was basically going through a very chaotic life... And then, for some reason, I was granted control over the Universe."
"WHAT!?" Was the call of more than one person.
"Yeah. I had control over all reality. So, I got rid of my curse."
"Curse?" Brianna asked.
"I changed into a girl with a splash of cold water." Seeing the disbelieving stares, Ranma continued, "Anyway, then I used the will to free myself of the Neko-Ken training. This lead me to thinking very clearly... Of course, I realized that the Great Will of the Grand Universe would soon be taken away from me, and I didn't want to go back to being the same old jerk that insulted people. I wanted to make a difference! I wanted to be a hero!"
"So, you used the power you had to turn yourself in a werecheetah..." Gina stated, as she figured where this was going.
Nodding his head, Ranam said, "Yeah. I always loved your comic book, so I decided I would make myself into this world's werecheetah! I would be a hero that protected everyone... But I guess the Great Will did more than just grant me my wish to become a werecheetah... It combined our worlds into one..."
The others nodded their heads. This seemed so incredible to them. "Do you have any of the comics on hand?" Julia asked.
Nodding his head, Ranma used the Hidden Weapons technique to pull more than a few issues of 'Gold Digger' out from his clothing where he had them hidden. The Diggers and Edge Guard looked over the comics with a mixture of shock, curiosty, and, surprisingly enough, amusement.
Gina, being a comic-book collector herself, had a fine appreciation for the comics. "Hey, I remember when this happened! It was so long ago that we first met Tark an Mesha."
Sheila looked over the copy of 'Gold Digger: Edge Guard' #1. "Hey! A comic staring us! This is neat!"
Jetta was silent as she skimmed over issue #4 of the Gold Digger color series. She was seeing things about what happened during the slaughter that she never knew... Things which made her blood boil.
"I wonder if we'll recieve any royalties on this..." Brianna muttered as she looked over the comics.
Gar and Tirga were thumbing through issues of the 'Gold Digger Swimsuit Specials'. If asked why, they would assure you it was for the literature aspect...
"Hey, Bri!" Britanny said as she held up a copy of #46 of the Gold Digger black & white series. "Who's the small werecheetah in the purple mage suit?" she said as she was pointing out the cover.
Brianna and Genn's eyes widened. They were trying to keep the facts about what happened during their trip to Jade that time a secret, as to not worry the others. Brianna grabbed the comic from Britanny, crumpled it, stuffed it in her mouth, and began chewing vigorously.
"MY COMIC!" Ranma said. The comics weren't too hard to get, but these were import items since they were made in America. It cost him mroe in Japan than it would there.
Brianna blushed as she swallowed. Oh damn. This was going to make her lose some brownie points with Ranma.
Seeing that everyone was getting caught up with the comics, Nodoka cleared her throat to gain their attention. "Ranma, you didn't answer their last two questions."
The women stopped what they were doing and stared intently at Ranma. Ranma gulped audibly as he noticed that after a few moments of silence, EVERYONE was now staring at him. Since there was no getting out of it, Ranma thought long and hard. He began to blush.
"What kind of woman do I find attractive? Well, I would have to say, I find you ladies pretty nice."
"REALLY!?" Said the Diggers women, minus Genn, Julia, and Jetta. Genn because while she liked Ranma, she still had a stronger liking for Seance, and Julia and Jetta because, while they too liked Ranma, both were happily married to loving husbands, had children, and realized Ranma must have been half their ages, tops! They weren't 'craddle robbers'.
Nabiki grinned. Looks like Ranma had gotten himself into more trouble again.
Blushing, ranma said, "Well, yeah. You guys are indepenadant. You don't let others control your lives. You're all strong-willed, you act upon what you all know is right. You guys have saved the world a few times too." Ranma began blushing harder. "Not to mention you're all really nice looking."
At this point, Gina, Britanny, Brianna, Sheila, Luan, and Carla decided that if Ranma was single, they were going to take to him like a school of pirhanna. All they needed was the okay.
Sighing, Ranma answered the final question. "And as for me being single, I honestly can't say at the moment."
"WHY!?" Certain females asked. (You know which ones).
Blushing, Ranma said, "Because, I am trying to break off my old arrangements. You see, I have a fiancee, Akane..."
Hearing that the stud-muffin of manlky werecheetahs had a fiancee, Gina, Britanny, Brianna, Sheila, Luan, and Carla looked as though they were about to have heart attacks. Gar and Tirga however, sighed in relief.
Ranma then continued. "But I'm trying to break it off with her."
This gained Ranma many curious stares.
"You see, Akane doesn't trust me. She never has, and she never will." Sighing, Ranma added, "Neither do any of the other fiancees."
"OTHER FIANCEES!?" Was the qquestion from all around.
"Yeah," Ranma said, "You see, Pops had a tendency of using me as a bargaining chip when he wanted to feed his fat stomach. He'd sell me off to marry someone's daughter, and then run off with me and the dowry." Seeing the looks of disbelief, Ranma said, "No I am NOT kidding. So right now, I am trying to break off the other arrangements, since most are because of my unhonorable father, one is just because some crazy Amazon chick THINKS we're married, and the fourth is just some crazy chik who won't take a hint!"
Gina, Britanny, Brianna, Sheila, Luan, and Carla relaxed. Okay, so Ranma needed to break off all these false engagements first. No problem. They could still have them.
Ranma was pleased he was able to explain this without anyone fighting. He then felt a chill go up his spine as his mother placed her hand on his shoulder. "Er... Yeah mom?"
"Ranma..." Nodoka began. "I will have to agree to your logic."
"You do!?" Ranma asked in surprise.
"Of course!" Nodoka said. "It's obvious the fiancees were no good for you. And as your mother, I believe I hold some weight in getting teh arranged marriages anulled."
Ranma was smiling. "THANKS MOM!"
"I just have one more question I want you to answer." Nodoka said.
"Sure mom, what is it?" Ranma asked.
Nodoka smiled and asked, "Have you slept with any of these ladies here?"
All color drained from Ranma's face. "What?"
"Yes." Nodoka said. "It's obvious you like the young women gathered here. I'm surprised you haven't followed any animal instincts and tried claiming yourself a wife. After all, you can only find out which one you really like the most if you sample the wares, so to speak."
Gina, Britanny, Brianna, Sheila, Luan, and Carla stared at Nodoka. They didn't like being considered 'wares', but they had to admit... The Prospect of getting Ranma in the sack was pretty enticing."
Not wanting to say anything that would get him in trouble, Ranma just said, "Excuse me," and left for outside.
Gar, Tirga, Onoli, and Thropan were rather surprised by Ranma's mother's actions. "Yeesh, no wonder he's such a pervert..." Gar grumbled, not taking his eyes off the Gold Digger Swimsuit Special. Tirga nodded his head in agreement as he continued looking through a different Gold Digger Swimsuit issue.
Nodoka blinked. "Was it something I said?"
Julia placed a hand on Nodoka's shoulder. "Nodoka-san, I believe we should hand a mother-to-mother talk..."
Meanwhile, as Julia began explaining things to Nodoka and the younger women present, Jetta put down the comic she was reading, and stepped outside to check on Ranma...
(------)
Ranma sat on the steps of teh Tomoe Mansion. He had to get out of there, and get some fresh air to clear his head. Everything was starting to go fast. While Ranma had to admit, he really, really liked the Diggers girls, he was nervous about being railroaded into getting into the sack with them. One, because one some mental levels he wasn't ready, and two, he knew how Brianna was. And that alone scared him a bit...
Ranma was surprised when another person sat on the steps with him. It was the Alpha of the Werewolf Clan, Jetta! "Uh, Hey Jetta... What are you doing here?"
"Just checking on you." Jetta said. "Are you all right with what was going on?"
Ranma shook his head. "No."
"I could tell. I saw how nervous you were." Jetta answered. "But tell me this. Do you feel love for any of them?"
Ranma blushed.
"Well?" Jetta pressed on.
Sighing, Ranma answered, "Honestly, I don't know what I'm feeling. I am beginning to realize they care for me, but I don't know if I'mr eady to go that far."
"Nervous, right?" Jetta asked. Seeing Ranma nof his head, Jetta placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "Look, I can tell you're nervous. Everyone is when they're trying to figure out feelings of love. You know I was very nervous about finally getting married myself."
"You were!?" Ranma asked in surprise.
"Of course." Jetta said. "I know what it's like, contemplating if you're making the right choice, second-guessing if your actions and choices were the right ones. But let me tell you this Ranma. If you follow your heart, and let it guide you through, you will make the right choice."
Ranma sighed. He looked over at the werewolf and smiled. "Thanks for the pep-talk, Jetta."
"No problem." Jetta said with a smile. "Personally though, I would like to see you get with Britanny. I would like to see the werecheetah race continue."
Ranma looked at Jetta with a lop-sided grin. "I know. I saw how you were at her wedding, wanting to get her with Raphiel."
Jetta blushed. "I was a bit of a pill then, was't I?"
Ranma nodded his head. "But you honestly had good intentions."
The two just sat on the steps, looking up at the night sky. It must have been close to midnight if not a little pasy it now, the full moon was up in the sky, shining brightly.
Ranma then got to his feet as he felt his danger-sense go off. Jetta looked at Ranma and was about to ask him what was wrong when he grabbed her in his arms and jumped. Then it happened.
"WORLD SHAKING!" came a trembling, withering scream, and soon a large onslaught of magical energies roamed across the ground. The earth-elemental attack obliterated the foot-steps of the mansion that Ranma and Jetta were sitting at before, as it collided with it.
Ranma put Jetta down on her feet. The two were about to look at the direction the attack came from when another call was heard.
"DEEP SUBMERGE!" Ranma and Jetta turned the other was as an oncoming wave of water came at them. With no time to dodge, Ranma held the Aegis Shield before him and Jetta. The Shield was more than enough to block the water-elemental attack.
And then Ranma's danger sense went off once more. Ranma had just enough time to tackle Jetta to the side, and recieved a slash across his back for his efforts.
Jetta was surprised by the tackle... She put her hands on Ranma's back to move him and she felt the blood. "Ranma! You're injured!"
Ranma grunted as he stood. "Groaaaan... Just a flesh wound..."
"Impressive speed, werecheetah." Came a deep, male voice. "However, I don't think you and my traitorous daughter will be able to dodge a second time.
Both Ranma and Jetta felt their blood run cold. As they stood fully, they turned to the speaker. It was indeed, Brendan the Betrayer. He was glowing a bright yellow ethereal aura. He had a wicked looking, jagged black-metal scimitar in his right hand, and a very polished silverish shield, that shone as if it were a mirror.
"BRENDAN!" Jetta growled. "That was a cheap shot, you monster!"
"And I'm about to get 'cheaper'." Brendan said with a smirk as the zombie Sailor Uranus and Zombie Sailor Neptune stood by him.
"Two zombies won't be enough to stop us..." Ranma said confidantly. He was hurting, but he wasn't about to let that bastard Brendan know.
"Of course two won't be enough!" Brendan said. "But how about, twenty?"
With that said, many moans and groans were heard throughout the area. A group of civilians that had their Pure Heart Crystals stolen, and were made into zombies made their way towards the group.
Ranma growled. "Oh, this is just peachy..."
See other episodes by Red Priest of the 17th Order
(Posted Mon, 13 Jan 2003 01:40)
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