Ranma 1/2, Fatal Fury fanfic "Wolf in Nerima" by Julian Soullard (e-mail: jnsoullard@hotmail.com) Warning: All caracters from this fanfic are copyright from Rumiko Takahashi (Ranma 1/2) and Masami Obari (Fatal Fury), I never claim them to be my own personal creation, so don't sue me! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AND NOW ON WITH... Chapter 4: Give it all you got! It was an early morning in Nerima, and several shops were beginning to open up. Yes, this looked like your average-peaceful-picture-before- something-goes-wrong moment. Several shop owners suddenly noticed a particular man who stroled along the streets. Terry was walking towards the Tendou dojo, which was quite normal considering that he had to fix their roof constantly. The only thing that didn't add up here, was the fact that he wasn't caring any of his tools. To be more specific about that matter, I should tell you he wasn't even called to fix their roof this time. Actually, this was a special day. Today was Saturday. Not your *every once in a week* Saturday. Terry had been waiting impatiently for this day since last Monday. Today he was going to have a match with Ranma. The last fight he had was with Happosai, and that was a couple of days back from today. His fighter's sense told him Ranma was exceptionally good at martial arts. He was really looking forward for a great match today. And he was almost sure he was going to have one. Meanwhile, at the Tendou dojo, Ranma was wolfing down his breakfast. Today he was looking rather joyful. Normally at this hour he would be arguing with Akane or his father. But not today. Today he was going to have that match he's been waiting for the entire week. He already saw what Terry was able to do, and now it was time to show him what was Ranma Saotome made of. Terry's reputation had grown a lot lately, especially after the fight he had with Happosai. But Ranma never liked being left behind. He had to prove Terry he was a worthy opponent, even a better opponent than Happosai. The old lech might be strong and a great martial arts master in spite of all his flaws. But he was someone you could easily beat with a little help from a bra or a panty. Ranma wasn't going to let himself get distracted by something like that. And then there was another thing; he always fought because someone was: a) Making a move on Akane. b) Having an old feud with him. c) Taking revenge on one of his father's unsettled "arrangements". This time it was different. This time it was a more friendly situation that wasn't going to have any disastrous consequences. They were going to fight for the mere pleasure of it. There was no Akane involved, no Tendou dojo involved, no fiancees involved, no friends in danger involved, no vengeful vendettas involved, no NOTHING. He had to admit he never felt so relax about fighting without fearing the consequences. Moments later, someone knocked at the door. Kasumi went to see who it was. She then came back inside the house with Terry following her. "Good morning, everyone." he said, he then turned towards Ranma "Ready for our match, Ranma?" "You bet!" He stated, he then put his plate away and stood up "Let's go!" "Where will you be fighting?" Soun asked them. "Nabiki told us about a vacant lot not far away." Terry responded "Looks like there's not much to destroy there." "Mind if we join you?" Akane asked them. "Sure, no problem." Soun, Genma, Akane, Ranma and Terry walked to the vacant lot Nabiki told them about. This was rather strange, Akane didn't see Nabiki this morning. She was expecting her sister to charge both Terry and Ranma for telling them for a place to fight. In a matter of time, they all arrived to the lot. All of Akane's doubts were answered as they stepped in. Inside the lot was Nabiki selling tickets to see the match. Almost everyone in Nerima was there. Ranma spotted Ukyou, Shampoo, Kuno, Kodachi, Cologne and Mousse sitting on the benches. Further away, Ryouga could be seen approaching. He must've got here by mere coincidence. Between the crowd they could see all of Furinkan's students who were cheering as both Ranma and Terry appeared. They even held billboards with the contestants names written on them. This looked more like an exhibition fight than anything else. Nabiki waved at the two challengers once she sold the last ticket to Ryouga. Terry and Ranma approached her with interrogating looks in their eyes. "What is this???" Terry asked her. "Everyone wanted to see your fight," she explained "so I decided to set up the place." "You're actually selling tickets to see us fight??" Ranma asked "You're shameless!" "Now, now, Ranma." she calmly said "You just go on and fight or I'll have to tell all your friends about that Shojo manga I found in your room the other day!" Ranma's face immediately turned red. "That was Akane's book!" He declared "It's not mine! I don't read that kind of stuff! I don't even know how that thing got inside my room in the first place!" "Do you really think that's going to matter after I tell everyone it was actually in *your* room?" she asked quite sure of herself. "That's blackmail!!" he stated. "Bingo." [This girl is a pro mercenary.] Terry thought "Take it easy, Ranma." he told him "It really doesn't matter. I'm okay with all of this. After all, we're here to fight, aren't we?" "That's the spirit." Nabiki pointed out "By the way, I took the liberty of making some rules for the game. First one who falls unconscious or out of the ring loses. No time limit. Everything else is permitted." "Looks like we don't have a choice but to play by the rules." Terry declared "Still, you should've told us before. We didn't had the idea you wanted to make this so... commercial." "I'm sure putting some rules will motivate both of you into giving it all you got." she said "Isn't that what you wanted in the first place?" "Never the less. If you're making money out of this, I think 66% of your sales in tickets should go to Ranma and I." he stated. "That's a lot." she declared. "But we'll give everyone the worst show ever in history of martial arts if you don't give us that at least." he explained with a smile "Suddenly I'm getting the feeling that Ranma's first blow will take me down. What do you think Ranma?" "I'm not sure..." Ranma added with the same smile "Suddenly I'm feeling kinda weak too. I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay on my feet for long. Maybe a good 66% could fix that..." "Very well." Nabiki said "Looks like I have no choice. 66% it is." Both Terry and Ranma looked satisfied. After miraculously regaining all their strength, they went to the ring. Nabiki saw them leave and then pulled a grin on her face. [66% it is.] she thought [But it's a good thing they don't know about all the bets I'm handling. That's were the real big bucks are coming from.] Both challengers entered the ring. They were looking anxious to start. Each one took a different corner and awaited to be introduced. Ranma didn't like too much the idea of being blackmailed into fighting, but at least he was getting something in return. Money and the satisfaction of getting the best of Nabiki for once. He still didn't feel too good about turning a personal match into an exhibition fight though, but Terry was right. They just wanted to fight. Spectators or not, this was going to be great. Nabiki stepped inside the ring with a loudspeaker at her hand. The crowd silenced. "Your attention please, everyone!" she shouted "The match of the century is about to begin! At my right, known through out all of Nerima as the champ so far. Wearing his usual red chinese shirt and black pants is Ranma "The Champ" Saotome!!!!" Several screams and cheers could be herd in the crowd after the introduction. "That's absurd!" Kuno stated "The cretin's skill is nowhere near my prowess with the sword!" "That's a lie!" Ryouga said "I've always been stronger than that half-man!" "That's... not going to be good for Ranma's *all ready* big ego!" Akane added. "And at my left..." Nabiki continued "Coming all the way from the US, wearing a red jacket and baseball cap, the man who beat Happosai: Terry "Hungry Wolf" Bogard!!!" Another part of the crowd started screaming and cheering. [I wonder where she learned about my nickname.] Terry thought. "All right then." Nabiki said as she jumped out of the ring "Begin!" Terry and Ranma dashed towards each other. Both started exchanging some punches and kicks but either of them were able to break through the other's defenses. "Neither one of them are going all out." Akane noticed. "This is merely a warm up, Akane." Soun pointed out "They're just analyzing each other." Terry tried to side sweep Ranma with his left leg but Ranma avoid it by jumping backwards. Ranma examined his opponent closely. Terry's strength was comparable to Ryouga's. The only difference was that Terry was faster than Ryouga and had a much better defense. Ranma threw several kicks trying to find out were Terry's defense was less effective. That didn't seem to help much. Terry didn't let one kick go unnoticed. He even managed into throwing some punches back at him. Both of them broke close contact and jumped a few feet away from each other. [I have an advantage over him.] Ranma thought [He's never seen me fight before. I can take him by surprise with the Amaguri Ken.] [He's rather strong for someone his age.] Terry thought [But I'm still not sure what kind of endurance he has. I'll have to find out soon.] Both re-engaged contact after that small pause. Ranma made a feint kick to take Terry by surprise. When the chance showed up, he sent his fist in a lighting blur. "KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURI-KEN!" Terry tried to parry the blows the best he could, but his speed was nowhere near Ranma's. Some of his opponents punches managed to hit him in the chest and stomach sending him a few steps back against one of the ring's corners. Ranma's punches weren't as strong as Terry's, but in a machine-gun-like style the results were devastating. It was in times like this that Terry was grateful for having such good endurance. Right now Ranma had him cornered. If he used the Amaguri-Ken again he was sure he wouldn't be able to stop the attack. [He's too fast at close range.] Terry thought [I have to put some space between us.] Ranma ran towards his opponent preparing his next assault. He had him cornered. If he used the Amaguri-Ken again he was sure to win. He sent his fist in a blur once again. Terry crouched. [He's leaving himself wide open.] he thought [I've got him!] "RISING TACKLE!" Terry shouted. This time Ranma was the one taken by surprise as Terry launched himself to the air, spinning upside down with his arms extended at his sides and delivering several punches with each turn. Ranma tried to put his guard up again but it was too late. He received Terry's punches a couple of times in his chest and face. On top of that, since he was charging, the strength of the blows was even greater. Ranma fell on his back with the last punch. He quickly put himself back to his feet after he rolled to safety. "He is with no doubt a great martial artist." Soun stated, Genma who stood at his side nodded in response. "Say, Tendou-kun," Genma said to him "have you ever thought about how convenient it would be to have Terry around?" "What is it that you're thinking of, Saotome-kun?" he asked. "Well..." he began as he readjusted his glasses "Terry has defeated our master in combat. Having him around as a member of the family would be good." "I see..." Soun noticed with a big smile on his face "If Terry was engaged to one of my daughters, not only that would make the Tendou dojo even stronger with him and Ranma around. But on top of that, our evil master would never dare to return fearing the horrible beating." +++++Starting Day dream sequence+++++ We see the Tendou dojo where Terry and Ranma are beating the hell out of Happosai who's on the floor, practically kicking him to death. At the lobby, Soun and Genma are enjoying the show while having a beer that Kasumi generously brought them. +++++End of Day dream sequence+++++ "And then, we could finally live in contentment for the rest of our lives!" Genma added. "Saotome-kun," Soun declared "That's a wonderful plan! We'll have to discus this further!" Terry managed landing on his feet after his attack. On the other side, Ranma was rubbing his cheek. Both took a fighting stance. [He has a good endurance,] Terry thought [he recovered quickly.] [He has more reach than me with his arms.] Ranma thought [I'll have to use something else. I can't let my guard down, he might still have other moves that I don't know of.] The match resumed, both began exchanging blows again. As they both fought, Ranma started moving in circles guiding Terry along. Everyone familiar with the technique clearly noticed that Ranma was trying to do the Hiryu Shoten Ha. Terry was going to have one nasty surprise if he didn't discovered Ranma's intentions. The wind currents started changing around Ranma, Terry didn't took long in noticing it. After his previous fight with Happosai he was quite sure of what was going to happen next. He immediately stopped and began to draw out nature's power. "HIRYU SHOTEN HA!" shouted Ranma. "HADO SEN PUU KYAKU!" yelled Terry. Two tornadoes started forming around each fighter. Both of them tried to use as much energy as possible to overcome his adversary's. The two tornadoes collided creating a wild current. All the spectators had to hold on to their hats, having two different currents caused an effect similar to a washing machine. Several billboards, hats and miscellaneous stuff began to fly around the ring with no determined direction. The two tornadoes made a final brutal impact on each other. Both Ranma and Terry were sent spinning to opposite sides of the ring due to the force of the blow. Each one of them slammed on his back against one of the corners of the ring. The wind currents immediately returned to normal. Both fighter were now laying against the cords of the ring trying to catch their breath back. That last attack was very demanding for both of them. "You're not making this easy, you know..." Terry told Ranma. "Are you complaining?" Ranma asked. "Not at all!" Terry replied "This is great! But can I ask you a question?" "Shoot!" "Why did you want to learn the Sen Puu Ken when you already know a technique similar to it, like the one you just pulled?" he asked. "Can't blame a guy for wanting to learn more, can you?" Ranma answered. "Guess not." While both challengers were getting their breath back, Cologne examined the situation closely. Shampoo immediately noticed that her great-grand-mother knew something. "Great-grand-mother?" she asked her. "That last technique he used..." she explained as she narrowed her eyes "It's from the Hakkyokuseiken. I'm sure of it. It's been a long time since I last saw someone use it." "You know technique blond Gai-jin use?" Shampoo asked again. "Yes, child." Cologne continued "It's called the Sen Puu Ken originally. Although I see it has been improved by this man. It's been more than half a century since I last saw someone use it. Looks like the Hakkyokuseiken is still alive." "You think he can win?" "We'll soon find out. I'm curious to see if he's at least as good as the last member of the Hakkyokuseiken I met." she stated. Ranma and Terry finally gathered enough strength to resume fighting. They were paying a lot of attention on what their opponent was doing. So far this has been an *all out* match. Both of them had used very powerful moves and both still had some tricks down their sleeves. They just had to find the proper moment to use them. Terry decided to play a feint on Ranma. He moved towards him trying to force him into using his Amaguri-Ken. Ranma took the bait and threw several punches. Terry jumped over him and grabbed his shirt from the shoulders. He then threw his weight around so he would land right behind Ranma and catapulted him to the other side on the ring. Ranma began to fly in that direction. He tried to regain his balance so he would land on his feet and *inside* the ring. Terry, however, didn't threw Ranma expecting him to land on his head or outside the ring. He immediately sent his fist against the floor. "POWER WAVE!" The blue wave-like ki blast slid through the floor heading right where Ranma was about to land. The pigtailed boy instantly noticed what were Terry's real intentions. He moved his legs so they'd hit the post that was planted in the corner of the ring he was about to land on. Once he felt how his feet touched a steady surface, he launched himself towards Terry with the strength his legs provided, not only avoiding the Power Wave that passed right below him but also heading towards his opponent with a great speed. A yellow ki sphere began to form from the palm of his hands. "MOKUO TAKABISHA!" he shouted as he released the blast. Terry put both arms in front of him as he tried to ease the blast. It's strength was enormous. Terry was pushed back several feet and his arms stung a lot. But Ranma wasn't over yet. He was still pseudo-flying towards him. "KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURI-KEN!" Ranma's fist became a blur once again as he violently began to hit Terry in the stomach sending him flying against the ropes that outlined the ring. Ranma fell on his stomach after that, but the blow he got was obviously not as strong as the one his opponent received. Terry started painfully to re-incorporate himself as he held his stomach. The odd thing was that he was smiling. "Fantastic!" he said to Ranma "You turned my strategy right against me. That was wonderful! This is just the kind of fight I was hopping for." "I told you I was good." Ranma pointed out proudly "Are you giving up?" "Of course not." he stated "You're not going to win that easily." The Mokuo Takabisha was rather effective. Terry was too wounded to resist another blast. But Ranma couldn't let himself be too careless during the match. He was still tiered after the Hiryu Shoten Ha and had to play his cards right if he wanted to win (and Ranma always wants to win!). [If I can put myself at close range again,] Ranma thought [he won't be able to block my attacks!] Both moved close for hand to hand combat. Terry's defense was weaker than before and his endurance wasn't compensating too much due to the weariness. Ranma was also begining to tire. He began to think he should've rested a little more before throwing himself in combat. Suddenly he saw an opening. Terry's right shoulder was unguarded. He didn't hesitated and took advantage of that mistake his opponent did, he immediately sent a punch. Terry saw how Ranma's punch targeted his shoulder and tried to block it. He was a fraction of second late. Ranma's punch was successful as Terry felt it. His arm was almost numbed by the hit but he managed in taking Ranma's wrist with his right hand. As soon as Ranma felt how his wrist got stuck he sent a kick to Terry's head. Only this time, Terry won the iniciative. His left fist was wrapped with a glowing blue energy as he tried to hit Ranma in the stomach. "BURN KNUCKLE!" he shouted. Ranma tried to block the attack with his free hand. He was too close to try to jump over the punch. As his hand intercepted Terry's punch, Ranma could feel a horrible sting on the palm of his hand. He didn't managed blocking the attack entirely, Terry's strength sent him rolling backwards with no pleasant sensation, he soon reached the ring's cords that held him back. Terry felt on his butt after connecting the punch, not feeling too hot either. He was only hoping that Ranma got injured more than him. Ranma began to get up with problems. Even if he used his hand to parry Terry's attack it didn't help much into preventing the damage. His stomach hurt a lot but his pride wasn't going to let him withdraw the match. Fortunately he saw that Terry wasn't doing so good either. This was a very even match. Terry got to his feet with some trouble. He closed his hand and prepared to send a punch to the ground. Ranma noticed this and started gathering his ki at the palm of his hands. [He's using that Power Wave move again.] he thought [The Mokuo Takabisha can take care of it easily!] "MOKUO TAKABISHA!!" Ranma shouted as he released the blast. "POWER GEYSER!!" Terry shouted. Much to the surprise of everyone (especially Ranma's), Terry's attack was unusually powerful compared to the one he usually did. The Power Geyser began to dissolve the Mokuo Takabisha soon after they collided. All the spectators had to take cover from the debris that came out of the ring. After all that ki dissipated, Terry was still crouching with his fist planted on the ground. In front of him, the part of the ring the attack pointed at, was utterly destroyed. Only half of the ring was usable now. That is, if Ranma was still conscious to fight... and he was... Ranma was holding on to one of the posts that resisted the attack. By doing so he managed staying in the ring and not being thrown away by the force the Power Geyser produced. Still, that didn't made him look any better. His shirt was torn to pieces, not to mention that he was barely standing. But he was still in the ring, which meant he hadn't lost yet. [He's not giving up...] Terry thought [This kid is really giving me a fight.] Ranma reached for the ropes that were tied around the post to help himself to move. He was pushing himself to the limits, the same as Terry. Both were breathing heavily, but Ranma looked a lot worse than Terry now. Still, both were ready to keep on fighting.