Soun Tendo held the card Fate had dealt him and turned it over with an overly dramatic flourish, anticipation clearly visible on his face. His smile wavered when the picture on the card didn't answer his expectations.
Instead of the 'Lovers' card he and Genma needed to marry their children, he had picked up the 'Rogue'. That was odd, he had no recollection of the existence of such a card in the Tarot.
Choice was made, Soun Tendo. One card to be drawn now and forever
The Rogue
Friendship turns sour and betrayal looms ahead
No more cards to be drawn
Soun and Genma had freaked out a little when the Voice had come from nowhere and all around them at the same time. Then the Rogue card escaped Soun's hand and returned to the Deck of Many Things. The two men watched as the cards shuffled themselves back and returned in the book.
"Well, that one must have been faulty, Saotome. I don't see any change at all" said a disappointed Soun. Maybe his friend would have more luck at this game "It's your turn, I believe"
The Tendo patriarch was deadly wrong in that assumption as the Rogue's power had changed his good friend Genma (his only friend in fact so it was no wonder he was chosen) into his enemy.
Gears had started turning in Genma Saotome's mind. Now he saw with a new eye the faults of his old training buddy Soun and how to exploit them. His priorities were rearranged as well.
Once Ranma and Akane got married, why should he share the glorious retirement he so richly deserved with that weepy weakling? Genma had labored and suffered for years, molding his ingrate son into the best martial artist in the World while Soun had an easy and comfortable life, pampered by his daughters. Come to think of it, why unite the schools in the first place? He certainly didn't want to weaken the Saotome school with Tendo's pathetic style. Soun had grown soft in his old age and if Akane was the best his school had to offer...
A new plan formed in his mind. Marry Ranma and Akane then wait for the inevitable explosion. All he had to do was to make sure that all the blame would rest on the youngest Tendo's shoulders. Hot water would do the trick the next time P-Chan came to her bed. He was sure that many would be willing to testify of her abusing ways. One look at her cooking would convince any jury that she tried to poison her husband.
Yes, it was perfect. Ranma He would get the house and dojo as compensation and the Saotome alone would reap the benefits. He couldn't wait to throw all the Tendo family out in the streets.
"Saotome? Are you all right?" asked a worried Soun. His old friend was staring in space with a manic smile. Since he was a panda, the sight was a little unnerving.
"Grumpf, Growl..." [I'm fine, never been better!] Flip! [My turn!]
The panda reached for the Deck of Many Things and drew a card. It was...
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(Posted Wed, 01 Oct 2003 22:35)
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