Bubblegum Splash! 7 Sibling Rivalry written by Mike Koos --------------------- In the not-too distant future... [An avalanche of heavy bluish-green spheres rains down upon the hapless writer. There is something inscribed on each of the spheres in a thin white script. At first glance the letters appear to read, "Mostly Harmless;" but on closer inspection the script forms the words, "Deep Hurting."] MegaTokyo, 2033 A.D. Despite the efforts of groups like Akane Tendo's Knight Sabers, Genom continues to maintain a comfortable handhold on the world - industry-wise or not. From his office high in the MegaTokyo Genom Tower, Genom's chief executive peers out over the not-so-innocent skyline. He fingers a few chords on his ukelele and laughs. Principal: Someday... This particular office was virtually identical to the one he'd had to vacate during the last attempt on his life... when an over-dedicated intelligence agent - Vision - had tried to take him out the easy way: by running a GD-42 mech up the side of the Tower and turning all her weapons on him. ( * See Bubblegum Splash! 2.) He wound up having to sacrifice some perfectly good office furnishings and a, in his opinion, handsome Boomer replica of himself to the Knight Sabers and Vision. ...But what use were things like those when his life was at stake? Everything and everyone is expendable. That was the policy he lived by. If only he knew who the Knight Sabers were, or who the would-be-assassin was and why she had a vendetta against him... he hated not knowing who his enemies were. He knew he would be seeing both of them again in the future. Moose: (interrupting) Sir! Principal: (turns in his chair to face Moose) Oh, it's you. What do you want, boy? Moose: I know how we can eliminate the Knight Sabers. Principal: Principal: Another plan? Even though all of your previous plans have failed? Moose: Not quite. The Principal stares intently at Moose for a few seconds. Principal: I must be crazy. I'm going to give you your chance. Don't fail Genom this time. Principal: (As Moose is leaving.) And no buying any third rate airlines with company funds! * * * * Across town, in an abandoned apartment complex, the Knight Sabers hold their own little war games with paint guns. So far, the official score remained at zero-to-zero, while Team B - Ukyou and Shampoo - nervously edge through a side hallway. Ukyou: (grumbling) Akane should've let me team up with Ran-chan. Every time I get stuck with you we always end up running around like scared little children waiting to be pegged! Shampoo: (disgusted, yet keeping her voice low) It's nothing new for you. Ukyou: Did I ever tell you how useless you are in battle? Shampoo: Shh!! Akane suddenly appears at the far end of the hallway. Akane: Hey! Here I am!! Shampoo and Ukyou fire away, but Akane disappears as suddenly as she had come. Ukyou: Damn! (to Shampoo) You go around that way and cut her off. (She points at a connecting hall to their right.) I'll trail her from behind. (She leaves.) Shampoo: Wait! Shampoo: (resignedly) ...They're setting us up for an ambush. She moves a few steps in the direction Ukyou had indicated - until Ranma drops down directly in front of her. Ranma fires three shots at point-blank range. Each hits Shampoo in the midsection. Shampoo reflexively fires her gun into empty air as she falls backward. Sitting on the cement, Shampoo looks down on her 'wounds' almost dazedly before looking up at Ranma, who merely smiles. Shampoo: No fair! How are we supposed to win these games if you're always hanging from the rafters? Ranma: Whoever said I couldn't? Shampoo: (picking herself up) No wonder you and Akane are always pairing off. Ranma: Eh? They hear the familiar sound of Akane's battle cry from a distance, then silence. Ranma, Shampoo: (simultaneously, looking at each other) She's hit Ukyou. Moments later, the four are together again. Shampoo: (to Ranma) I oughta have you pay for the cleaning bill for this shirt. You've put so much paint into it I can't even remember what the original color was! Ranma: You could always stop being such a good target... Akane: Well, now that it's clear we're all in normal physical condition... (Shampoo and Ukyou glare at Akane. Ranma looks away innocently.) ...I have some news which might be of interest to you. Ukyou: Oh, really? Ranma: What kind of news? Akane: The Knight Sabers are about to welcome a new member. Ranma, Ukyou, Shampoo: A new member!? Akane: You don't have to repeat everything I say. Akane: Yes, that's right. A new member. Ukyou: Who is it? Ranma: Ryouga? Akane: No, no. It's not Ryouga. Shampoo: Then who...? Akane: (winks) It's a surprise. She'll be arriving on the five o' clock flight from the States later this evening. (She checks her watch.) Ukyou: Oh, boy... Shampoo: Hey! Maybe she'd want to be on our team in the next war games! Ukyou: *Our* team? What makes you think I want to be teamed up with you again? * * * * The plane landed exactly when it was scheduled to. She liked that. Only months ago this airline had been the indirect opposite - until a blind-as-a-bat Genom business exec impulsively purchased it. Since then they had become a picture-perfect business. Genom's doing, no doubt. They wouldn't dare have anything connected with the Genom name not providing a sterling example for everyone else in the industry. She found the irony of the matter amusing. Imagine that, Genom responsible in part for getting her where she needed to go, on time. And meanwhile, at the gate... Ranma: (nervously) Why couldn't we have brought in Sayuri? Or one of her sisters? I'd hate to have to train a newcomer from scratch. Akane: (calmly) You, train her? I don't think so. And as for Sayuri and her sisters... they deserve to live out their lives in peace. Goodness knows somebody deserves to. Akane: I could say you're not the type to put your friends in danger, but I'd be lying. Ranma: Big talk from an irresponsible tomboy like you. Akane: (becoming annoyed) What did you say!? Ranma makes a face at Akane, which only annoys her more. Voice: (laughs) Same old Akane. Always over-sensitive. Akane: (happily) Oneechan! Ranma: **HER**!? *She's* the new- Akane quickly clamps a hand over Ranma's mouth. Akane: Let me be the first to welcome you back to MegaTokyo, oneechan! Nabiki casually swings her carry-on luggage bag over one shoulder and walks up to Ranma. Nabiki: (to Ranma) It's true. You really don't like me. Ranma: Mmbf. Nabiki: Maybe you should let her talk now, Akane. Akane: (to Ranma) I'll let go if you promise to be civil. Okay? Ranma is quick to nod - *too* quick. Akane: I mean it. Ranma resigns herself to her fate and nods. Akane removes her hand. Nabiki: C'mon, let's go get my luggage. They follow the other passengers toward the luggage carousel. Akane: So, what have you been up to? Nabiki: Hayato and I were helping to bring about the downfall of a corrupt dictatorship in Thailand. Akane: I hope you didn't blow up too much. Nabiki: (feigning shock) Akane! You know me better than that. Ranma: We certainly do. Nabiki: Hm? Ranma: Your crazy suicidal efforts to kill the Principal nearly got us all killed! And over a stupid game of blackjack, at that! Nabiki: (smirks) Don't worry, I won't hold it against you. Ranma: (standing in front of Nabiki) What? Akane: (trying to keep herself calm) Ranma...!! Nabiki: (to Ranma) Fine. For Akane's sake, let's hold a temporary truce. Agreed? Ranma: (studies Akane for a moment, than Nabiki) Agreed. Akane: Wonderful! I'm glad to see the two of you are getting along. Nabiki: (sighs) ...... Minutes later, Ranma discovers to her horror that nearly all of the suitcases riding on the luggage carousel are Nabiki's - especially as the sisters start piling them all in Ranma's arms. Barely able to see around or over the load of suitcases, she dutifully follows them down the escalator to the parking level and Akane's car. Ranma: (muffled) It feels like you've got a whole shopping district in here. Nabiki: Close. Akane: Don't tell me you've brought everything in your house with you. Nabiki: Hey, why not? I don't have that much. I lived in a trailer, remember? Ranma: Speak for yourself. Nabiki: (ignoring Ranma) If it wasn't for your encouragement and offer, I might never have decided to change my life. Akane: (opening the driver's-side door of her car) We're family. We ought to be staying together. Ranma: (dropping into the rear seat, looking away) So that's why you're letting her join the team. Nabiki: I- Akane: She's a part of the team because she has the qualifications, and we need the help! You know damn well I can't afford to play favorites in my position! Ranma: Hmph. Akane: (to Nabiki) Don't mind her. She can be a bit stuck-up at times. Ranma: (defensively) I am *NOT* stuck-up! I'm just concerned! Being a Knight Saber isn't something the average person can do. Nabiki: Like the AD Police, for example. Ranma: Yeah. Akane: Don't worry; you'll both have the chance to prove yourselves in combat to each other soon. That you can count on. Nabiki: Or bet on. Ranma: ......... * * * * At the headquarters of the Knight Sabers, Shampoo is entering commands from a piece of notebook paper into Akane's computer. Ukyou: (trying to look over Shampoo's shoulder) What game are you installing now? Shampoo: (nervously) Game? I'm not installing any games. I'm compiling important data on Genom's R & D staff for our system. Shampoo: You and I both know that Akane would never let me install a *game* on her system. Ukyou: (knowing glance) So why are you installing one? Shampoo: I told you, I'm- Ukyou holds up the joystick plugged into the computer. Ukyou: No one uses one of these to compile data. Shampoo: (embarrassed) Eh-heh-heh-heh... Akane and Ranma enter. Ukyou: You're back, huh? Where's the new recruit? Akane: She'll be in in a minute. (to Shampoo) What game are you installing now? Shampoo: Why don't I just put up a large banner advertising it to the world? Ranma: 'Cause then no one'd notice. Nabiki: (entering) Impressive place you have here, Akane. Akane: Everyone, Nabiki Tendo... the newest member of the Knight Sabers. Ukyou: Hey, Nabiki. I didn't expect to see you here. Nabiki: I'm still surprised myself. Shampoo: Hi! Nabiki: Hello, Shampoo. Are you still my biggest fan? Shampoo: Of course! Ranma: Ahem. Nabiki: (smiles) Heh. Shampoo: Should I call you 'Vision,' or- Nabiki: 'Nabiki' will do. Shampoo: Does this mean you're retiring from music? Nabiki: No. I've semi-retired from the intelligence community, though. Since I'm going to be living here and a full-time member of the Knight Sabers, I'll have a lot more time for my music. Ranma: Swell. Nabiki: (to Ranma) Afraid of a little competition? Ranma: (snorts) What competition? (She pushes Shampoo forward.) I've seen how your fans act... Nabiki: Well, if you're going to give up without a fight... Ranma: Not on your life. I've never been one to pass up a challenge. Akane: Nabiki: (laughs bemusedly) Akane, I hope this job pays well. Akane: Oneechan! Ukyou: Good old Nabiki - always out to make a buck. * * * * Moose assumes his role as traditional ominous overseer of yet another Genom scheme. Moose: Is the device ready? Tech: Almost. Moose: That isn't good enough. I need it completed *yesterday*. I have an important appointment to keep. He donned his glasses and peered at the device. It looked like a small, flat paperweight made of marbled gray stone. Moose: Interesting camoflauge. No one will recognize what it's for until it's too late. Tech: ...Uh, sir? That's my paperweight. (He hands the completed device to Moose.) It's finished. Moose turns the small cylinder over and over in his hands and raises it close to his eyes to make absolutely sure he has the correct item. Moose: (sinister expression) Excellent. (He laughs manaically.) * * * * Shortly afterwards, at the Silky Doll... Akane lets her gaze sweep absently through the store. Ryouga: Akane-san? Where's Nabiki? Akane: Out house-shopping with Ukyou. Akane: (turning her attention to Ryouga) Ranma wanted to go with them, but I think she wants to make note of all the exits in case she decides to set off a false fire alarm... Ryouga: What's Ranma got against Nabiki-san anyway? Akane: (sighs) I'm not sure, anymore. A delivery boy enters the store with a bouquet of bright flowers. Boy: (approaching the counter) Delivery for Akane Tendo? Akane: That's me. She accepts the flowers, signs for them, and gives the boy a tip. Boy: Thanks! (He leaves.) Ryouga: Flowers, eh? Who are they from? Akane: (looking for the card) We'll know soon enough. Akane opens the card. There is no real signature on it, no name... only a message. She reads it to herself. "Akane Tendo: It is urgent that I see you again. Meet me by the statues in the Tsukino National Park in one hour." Two words are written at the bottom: "Your brother." Akane: Ryouga: C'mon, what does it say? Akane: Did you send these flowers to me? Ryouga: No. Akane: Then who - (sudden thought) Watch the store for me, okay? (She heads for the rear of the store.) Ryouga: Wait! Where are you going? Akane: (pauses) I'm going to meet someone. Akane: Oh. Put those flowers in some water, would you? * * * * One hour came and passed. Akane tried not to look conspicuous walking through the park to the meeting place. An uneasy feeling washed over her. If Ryouga hadn't sent the flowers, then who had? And why would he say he was her brother? She didn't remember having any other brothers... Maybe this was all an elaborate practical joke... although she wasn't sure any of the other Knight Sabers or Ryouga were up to going to all this trouble just to set her up. No. It didn't seem like a practical joke - it merely felt strange. Akane approached the statues - one on each side of the walk - and made a quick check of the area. No one was waiting for her. No one that she could see. She leaned against a statue and waited. The uneasiness was welling up again when she heard the voice from behind. Moose: I'm glad you've come, Akane Tendo. Akane turns around and notices Moose trying to start a conversation with the statue across from hers. Moose: I have waited for this moment for a long time. Akane: (confused) I'm over here. Moose: Hm? Moose turns his head, puts his glasses on... and tries to talk to the other statue. Akane: (wheeling Moose about) Over *HERE*! Moose: I knew that. Akane: (frowns) ...... Akane: Wait - I know you. I've seen you before. Moose: Yes. Akane: (trying to cover) I've, ah, seen your picture. You're one of Genom's top executives, aren't you? Moose: (shakes head, smiles) Oh, Akane. We shouldn't keep secrets from each other. We *are* family, after all. Akane: (suspiciously) We are? I don't even know your name. Moose: My name... is Moose. Akane: As in the hair care product, or the animal? Moose: Either one, whichever you prefer. My name has been romanized both ways for so long I really don't care anymore. Akane: Who are you? You're not my brother - I only have one brother. Moose: Oh, but I am your brother! I'm just as much a product of your father's work as you are. Akane: My father's work? What are you talking about? Moose: You don't know? Akane: Of course not! You're not my brother. If you were, I would have known. Moose: Please, I don't want relations to become strained between us. Here. He produces a pen-and-pencil set from his robes. Akane: What is this? Moose: Consider it a present. I know it isn't much. (cocks head) It's the thought that counts. Akane: (frowning again) Hmm... She takes the case and opens it. Inside it are a gold pen and a gold pencil nested innocently in red velvet. There is a slight rustle of wind; when she looks up, Moose is nowhere to be found. Akane: (calling out) Hey! Where did... Akane: (sighs) Why can't I ever meet someone *normal*? Akane gingerly picks up the pencil and holds it between her thumb and forefinger, studying it, watching how it caught the light of the evening sun. She gave the barrel of the pencil a quick turn. But instead of pencil lead, a strange pink gas billows from the small opening. Akane reflexively drops the pen and jumps back... seconds too late. She collapses onto the grass. Another cold breeze chases the dead leaves over her still form. * * * * That evening, at MegaTokyo General Hospital... Ryouga, having broken into tears, is being led out of Akane's room by Shampoo. Ranma, Nabiki and Ukyou notice them as they walk into the corridor. Ranma: What happened? Shampoo: (scowls) This guy can't hold his emotions. Ranma, Ukyou: (impatiently) *Shampoo*! Shampoo: I'm sorry. It's just so... well, *depressing* in there. Ranma: Hospitals aren't supposed to be uplifting! Nabiki: What happened to my sister? Shampoo: Huh? Oh. Ryouga says she got some flowers and ran off after reading the card. Forty-five minutes later the police found her face-down in the middle of Tsukino National Park. Shampoo: She's been poisoned by a strange gas I hear the guys in the labs are in an uproar over - no classification, no known cure. Nabiki: No cure? Shampoo: (shakes head) None. Dr. Tofu is in there with her now. Shampoo watches them leave, then turns her attention back to the still-sobbing Ryouga. Shampoo: (sighs) Come on, you big cry-baby. Dr. Tofu wearily looks up as the three enter the room. Nabiki: (her voice barely audible) How is she? Dr. Tofu: She hasn't changed. To tell you the truth, she's only going to get *worse*. Dr. Tofu: (closes his eyes and turns his head away) I'm glad Kasumi is on vacation. This news would kill her. Ranma: It's not doing much for our morale, either. Nabiki: You haven't told Kasumi yet? Dr. Tofu: No. I- Nabiki: (beginning to get angry) She has a right to know. Ranma takes Nabiki aside. Ranma: Leave him alone. Can't you see this is hurting him, too? Nabiki: ... Nabiki: But, Kasumi... Ranma: ...Would worry herself sick over Akane, just as Dr. Tofu said. Kasumi spends all her time taking care of other people. She needs to get away from it all every once in a while. Nabiki: Okay. But this is going to hurt her. Ranma: I know. It's a risk we have to take. Nabiki: Next time, I'm telling her whether you like it or not. Ranma: (softly) Do you want there to be a next time? Ukyou: What are we going to do? Nabiki: (to Dr. Tofu) How much time does she have? Dr. Tofu: I can't be sure. We're having a hard time determining how deadly this poison is. At times, it seems to be extremely dangerous... then at other times it actually appears as if it's trying to keep her alive. Ranma, Nabiki and Ukyou have the same thought. Nabiki, Ranma, Ukyou: Genom! Dr. Tofu: That's what I figured, too. This looks like one of their special bio-engineered toxins for use in warfare - yet it fits no known profile. Ukyou: I'll bet this is all another plan to get rid of the Knight Sabers. Nabiki: You think so? I doubt it. If it was, why go to the trouble of luring Akane to the park and then gassing her with a new form of poison? It doesn't add up. Ranma: Right. It doesn't strike me as the typical Genom plan either. Ukyou: Maybe it's someone at Genom with a personal vendetta against us. Ranma: (dryly) That narrows it down. We're not exactly on Genom's top ten list, you know. Ranma: What makes you think it's a plot against US? Genom doesn't know who the Knight Sabers are. If they did, they'd come after us and kill all of us at once, not play games with our leader's life! Nabiki: Ranma, Ranma. Do you know nothing of strategy? Ranma: My strategies are just fine, thank you very much. Nabiki: I'm going to call an emergency meeting. We need to gather all our clues and try to find a way to save Akane! Ranma: Wait a minute! Who appointed YOU leader of the Knight Sabers, rookie? Nabiki: Me, that's who. I'm the intelligence expert around here, and besides, I'm Akane's older sister. If anybody should take charge while my sister is incapacitated, it should be me. Ranma: Oh, please. You may be 'Little Miss Popularity' in the intelligence world and on the stage, but you're on *our* turf now. We need a person with experience in *our* field. Nabiki: What's that supposed to mean!? Dr. Tofu: (trying to break up the argument by stepping between the two) Now, now - arguing isn't going to get you anywhere. Akane is lying not ten feet away, and you're arguing over who's going to take charge in her place? Nabiki, Ranma: ...... Dr. Tofu: Ranma, you and Nabiki are too close to Akane to be completely objective in this matter. Therefore, I believe Ukyou should be the one to take charge. Ranma: Ukyou? No offense, but... Dr. Tofu: Unless you would rather have Shampoo in charge... Ranma: (shakes Ukyou's hands) Congratulations!! * * * * Ukyou: ...and that's pretty much what we have so far. Any questions? Ranma: (raises hand) Why are we wasting time recapping what we already know? Ukyou: It's so we can take stock of any new information that we might have found. Ranma: (unconvinced) What new information have we found? Ukyou: Well... (Thinks about it.) ...Shampoo? Shampoo: Umm... ah... the florist's name was Bob? Ranma: That's what I thought. Ranma: Why don't we try searching the place where the police found Akane? At least *that's* a useful idea. Nabiki: You think we can find anything the police haven't? Ranma: Probably. Ukyou: (to Nabiki) It'll be a good chance for you to get used to your hardsuit. Nabiki: Akane's already taught me the basics. I need to log some time with the weaponry. Ranma: We're in BIG trouble. Nabiki: Eh? Why do you say that? Ranma: (sourly) You'll see. Nabiki watches the others piece together their hardsuits as she does the same with hers. Her hardsuit is similar to Ukyou's in comparison; rounded out by a back unit equipped with twin launching tubes and a multi-purpose energy projector wrapped around her right forearm - in addition to her standard arsenal. Ranma had naturally complained about Nabiki's extended complement... why not upgrade the weaponry on all the hardsuits, rather than just Nabiki's? Why should Nabiki get any special privileges? Akane told her that the design and equipment were experimental, that there was no guarantee the thing wouldn't blow up in Nabiki's face. It was very much a gamble. Trouble was, which end of the odds was Ranma shooting for? Nabiki's hardsuit was a deeper shade of green, as well - the color of money, she told herself. * * * * The park, as usual, was deserted. This was nothing new - nearly everyone had decided long ago that they didn't want to become the next 'innocent bystander.' Naturally, it was one hell of a struggle trying to get funds to keep the parks open. What use was maintaining a public park when no one wanted to risk using it? For every one person who enjoyed the public parks, there were six more who wanted nothing more than to close the parks down. The Knight Sabers dropped into the clearing from above, the sounds of dry leaves crackling beneath their feet a welcome change from the usual cold metal-against-metal or pavement. Shampoo: (kneeling) This is the spot where they found her. Ukyou: It looks like they've already made their sweeps and given up. (raises head) Everyone fan out. Ukyou: (to Shampoo) Anything? Shampoo: Here. Link up with my visuals so you can see for yourself. Ukyou does, and the world promptly changes to shades of red. Shampoo highlights one set of footprints near the statues. Shampoo: Those are Akane's footprints. (To further her point, she causes the visor representation of them to blink.) She was very nervous, I'll say - she was pacing all over the place. Ukyou: Spare me the stuff I could've figured out on my own. Shampoo: (clearly disappointed) Then take a look at this. (Highlights a second, less widespread set of tracks.) Notice anything? Ukyou: That's all you can find of those prints? Shampoo: That's all that's *there*. Of all the recent prints, those are the only ones that could belong to the person Akane was meeting. Shampoo: They're a man's prints... they simply *appear* in that spot, turn about once or twice, then *disappear*. Ukyou: That's impossible! Shampoo: No, it isn't. We can do it, remember? Anyone with enough martial arts training can... Ukyou: Then this is more serious than we first thought. Shampoo: I'll say. Shampoo: Ranma and Nabiki return. Ukyou: What did you find? Ranma tosses a crumpled item to Ukyou, who easily catches it. Ranma: Take a look. Ukyou straightens out the cardboard and plastic. It was what once passed for cheap novelty item packaging, and the bright, colorful text catches Ukyou's attention. Ukyou: (reading the package) "Novelty Poison Pen-and-Pencil Set. Fool Your Friends! Amaze Your Enemies!" All: (quite nervously) ............ Ukyou: (continues reading) "Copyright (C) 2033 Genom Novelty Industries. All Rights Reserved." Nabiki: Good grief. Ukyou: What's more amazing is this price. Five hundred yen!? Nabiki: It's a sign of the times. We live in a world where items of death and destruction can be bought for bargain prices. Ranma: (rolls eyes) I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. From above them a voice calls to them. Voice: So you've come, Knight Sabers. As I knew you would. It was Moose, standing on top of one of the statues... confronting a tree. Shampoo: YOU!? Moose: (turns toward the source of the voice) What? Shampoo: She quickly has her system disguise her voice. Shampoo: Who are you? Moose pulls out his glasses and takes a look at the armored figures before him. Moose: Four? But I thought... (Catches himself.) It doesn't matter. Shampoo: You're the one who poisoned Akane Tendo, aren't you? Moose: What concern is it of yours? Ranma: Answer the question. Moose: Yes. I am. And only I have the antidote. Ukyou: (becoming angry) You release a potentially deadly product to market and keep the antidote for yourself!?!? Moose: (laughs) This particular poison hasn't hit the stores. It was specially engineered to work with Akane's own body chemistry. Her own personal 'curse,' if you will. Ranma: Well, this is one curse we're going to lift. Moose: (leaps down) Not likely! Moose: (folds arms within robe) Because here is where you will die. Ranma: We've heard THAT one before. There is a sharp glint in Moose's eye. Ranma notices it, and steels herself. The other Knight Sabers follow suit. Moose flings his arms wide. Protruding from the ends of both of his long, open ended sleeves are nearly a dozen finely sharpened steel swords, an intimidating sight even in the wavering, pale park lighting. He rushes forward; the Knight Sabers leap back. A cluster of trees falls victim to the swords. Moose turns around with murderous intent. Moose: Interesting. I had guessed you had had martial arts training. Nabiki: Who ARE you? Moose: You may call me Moose. Nabiki: Moose? The animal or the hair-care product? Shampoo: What difference does it make? He's trying to kill us and you're worrying about his name!? Nabiki: You're right. She aims her energy projector straight at Moose and releases a set of energy bolts shaped like shuriken. Moose disappears an instant before they were to strike his head. Nabiki: Where- Ranma: Above you! Sure enough, Moose was about to pounce on her, wicked metal claws extended from his shoes as though he were a predatorial bird. Which is exactly how he looked as he swooped down on her. Until Ranma drop-kicked him out of the air. He shifted his weight in midair to get away from Ranma, and launched a chain that wrapped tightly around her ankle. Ranma: What the...? Moose landed a second later. Laughing maniacally, he twirled Ranma in a circle around him... faster, faster... Ranma reached out in an attempt to grab something - anything, but Moose kept her out of arm's reach of everything. Not that holding on to a tree, bench or statue would be enough to stop her. Nabiki: (privately, to Ranma) Get ready! I'm going to try something! Ranma: ........ Nabiki points her energy projector at the space directly between Moose and Ranma. There was no way she could aim; Moose was spinning Ranma all over the place and the chain wouldn't be in the same place twice. She fired two shots and hoped for the best. One shot neatly clipped the chain, severing it. Ranma went flying into a nearby tree. The sheer force of her momentum sent her through the tree and every one behind it, until she reached the park wall and stopped halfway through it. Nabiki breathed a small sigh of relief; another gamble had paid off. Ranma: (a bit dizzy, climbing out of the rubble) I'm not... down for the count yet! Moose: (to Nabiki) Don't interfere. Your time will come. Meanwhile, Ukyou sneaks up behind Moose and slams her giant spatula down onto his head. It barely seems to affect him. He grabs her spatula, flinging her away. She bounces along the walkway and hollows out a trench as she skids to a halt. Ukyou: That does it! Shampoo: Enough! Shampoo grabs her maces and manages to connect with three well-placed blows. Moose staggers back. Moose: Your fighting style seems familar, somehow... Shampoo: (steps back) !! Another barrage of Nabiki's energy projectiles interrupts his thoughts. He responds by casually throwing a handful of egg-like objects at Nabiki, which explode and engulf her in a cloud of dark gray smoke. It doesn't prevent her from firing at him. Her energy shuriken cut through the thick smoke, lodging in Moose's robe before dissolving. When the smoke clears the Knight Sabers stand side by side. Moose: You're good. But not good enough! Ranma: Enough with the cliches! He launches a wide array of chains from within his robe. Attached to the end of each one is a wide variety of weapons, ranging from sharpened spikes to bombs with short fuses. Again, the Knight Sabers dodge by leaping away. Ukyou and Shampoo land out of the line of normal sight. Ukyou: This guy's inhuman! Shampoo: Not inhuman. Just incredibly dense. Shampoo: Cover me. (She starts removing her hardsuit.) Ukyou: What the hell do you think you're doing? You're not giving up, are you? Shampoo: Me? You'll give up before I do. (She walks into the clearing.) Ukyou: Moose is still attacking Ranma and Nabiki when Shampoo approaches. Nabiki, Ranma: (noticing Shampoo) Huh? Shampoo: (sweetly) Oh, Moose...! Moose: (spins about with a wide-eyed expression) Shampoo!! They run toward each other with open arms. As they meet, Shampoo grabs Moose and slams him into a patch of rocks. He collapses, unconscious. Shampoo: Hmph. Nabiki, Ranma, Ukyou: ...... Ranma: What was that all about? Shampoo: Don't ask. It's just one of those problems that can be solved without the use of a hardsuit. Ranma is about to press the issue when Ukyou stands up, having searched Moose for the antidote to the poison. Ukyou: I've got it! Let's get out of here! Ranma: How can you be sure you've got the antidote? Ukyou: (snorts) It's the only thing on him that ISN'T a weapon. They turn to leave. As they reach the edge of the park, Shampoo turns and looks back at where she had left Moose, but the man has disappeared once more. Shampoo: She turns back, holding the pieces of her hardsuit tightly. * * * * Two days later... Dr. Tofu: Okay, you can visit her, but remember, she needs to rest. She's still recovering from the effects of the poison. Ranma: Yeah, okay. Shampoo: Sure! They enter the room. Nabiki: Akane? Akane: (looks up) Minna! I knew you'd come! Shampoo: We did risk our lives for you, after all. Ukyou: Shampoo! Akane: (laughs) That's okay. After all the courteous behavior I'm getting here, I can use a little inconsideration. Ranma: You- Akane: Not THAT much. Ranma: What? I wasn't going to say anything inconsiderate! Akane: I hear you and Nabiki worked well together. Despite the fact that you hate each other. Ranma: ...... Akane: Well? Admit it! Ranma: (grumbling) All right, I admit it. Nabiki smiles. Akane: (to Nabiki) Enjoy it while you can, oneechan. That's the best you're going to get out of her. Akane: I'd like to congratulate you all. You've done a fine job, even without me. Ukyou: It was the least we could do. Shampoo: (aside, to Ukyou) Thanks a lot. Ukyou: So, is our secret out? Does Genom know who we are? Akane, Shampoo: No. (They look at each other.) Akane: I think it's safe to assume our identities are still a secret, although we took quite a big risk. Ranma: You're the one who took a big risk. Not us. Ranma: Though Shampoo might have- Shampoo kicks Ranma in the shin. Ranma: Ow! What was that for? Shampoo: You ought to know. Ranma sits in one of the chairs against the wall, nursing her shin. Akane: That's right. Shampoo, Ukyou told me you did something really stupid when facing Moose. She said you acted as if you knew him... Shampoo: I do. We're both from China; he kept trying to get me to be his girlfriend when we were growing up. Akane: It sounds like he never gave up. Shampoo: He never does - he's too stupid to get the point. Akane: He didn't strike me as stupid. Shampoo: Trust me on this one, Akane. The guy's an idiot. Ranma: (aside, to Nabiki) Why *did* you save me from Moose? You could've let him kill me... Nabiki: You would do the same for me. Besides... Nabiki: (pauses) Now, you owe me one. Ranma: Why am I not surprised? Ukyou: (to Akane) Who *is* Moose, anyway? Is he really your brother? Akane: I don't know. I don't think so, but there's a lot about my father and his work I still don't know. Akane: One thing's for sure: my life just became more strange. Ranma: Welcome to the club. ------------------------------------- CREDITS: With apologies to Rumiko Takahashi, Kenichi Sonoda and anyone else whose characters were used here. Special thanks: The Home Crew (what, no honorable mention?) and the readers of this series. Also: Drew Hurlstone (one more round of congratulations), Thomas Kinnen, David Wills, Carl Yan, and more... :) Disclaimer: The usual. (You have to have at least one. :) Pre-readers: John Boomgarn Drew Hurlstone David Wills Other 'episodes' of Bubblegum Splash! are available for FTP from the rec.arts.anime.creative archive site, ftp.cs.ubc.ca, or from my WWW pages (address below). * Mike ('Kino Makoto') Koos: makoto@cal.net * http://www.fanfic.net/~makoto * * "I can do nothing to stop you. Your background music is too strong * for me." - Sam Johnson, Whose Line is it Anyway?