Alright, it seems no-one got this part so here it is, again.

Part 2/4
Altered Destinies:  Most Unlikely of Friends OVA 1
Troubles a' brewing

http://www.mala.bc.ca/~tritscwa

Please direct C&C directly to me.

Felix_Tritschler@bc.sympatico.ca
tritscwa@mala.bc.ca
tritschl@malun1.mala.bc.ca
tritscwa@malun1.mala.bc.ca

%Part 2

(Kasumi stands in the Tendo kitchen peacefully watching and 
stirring the contents of a pot on the stove.  Soon Li walks in rubbing 
her forehead and stops beside Kasumi.)

Kasumi:  Hello Soon Li.  You're home early today.

Soon Li:  {while rubbing her forehead}Bad day.

Kasumi:  Oh my, not overly bad I hope?

(Soon Li stops rubbing and closes her eyes for a second while 
taking a deep breath.)

Soon Li:  No.  Here, let me watch that.  You go set the table.

(Kasumi nods and walks over to a cupboard while Soon Li tends to 
the food.  Kasumi removes some dishes from the cupboard then 
heads off.   Soon Li is silently tending the food when a crash is 
heard behind her.)

Happosai:  {as he runs by the kitchen doorway}*Laughter*

Ranma-chan:  {angrily as she runs by the kitchen doorway}Die old 
man!!!

Soon Li:  *sigh*

Happosai:  {as he runs by the kitchen doorway}*Laughter*

Akane:  {angrily as she runs by the kitchen doorway}Get back here 
you old freak!!!

Soon Li:  *deep breath*

Happosai:  {as he runs by the kitchen doorway}*Laughter*

Ryoga:  {angrily as he runs by the kitchen doorway}How dare you 
touch Akane!!!

(Soon Li begins to shake.)

Happosai:  {as he runs by the kitchen doorway}*Laughter*

Shampoo:  {angrily as she runs by the kitchen doorway}I kill!!!

(Soon Li continues shaking then clenches her teeth and slams down 
the spoon on the counter.  She turns angrily and walks over to the 
doorway and waits.)

Happosai:  {from just around the corner}*Laughter*

(Just as Happosai gets into view Soon Li kicks out, smashing him 
into the wall.  She angrily grabs up the half conscious old man and 
starts to walk down the hall.  Shampoo, Ranma-chan, Akane and 
Ryoga skid to a halt as she passes them.)

Soon Li:  Akane, keep an eye on dinner.  I'll be right back.

(Soon Li turns into the common room and leaves sight.)

Ranma:  {overjoyed}All right!!!  The pervert's a dead man now!!

(Everybody nods with satisfaction.)

=================================================
=====

(A short time later Ranma-kun and Shampoo are listening at the door 
to the dojo.  Inside the muffled voices of Happosai and Soon Li can 
be heard.)

Ranma:  What's going on in there?  No fighting?!

Shampoo:  No.  They talk.

Ranma:  Are talking Shampoo.

Shampoo:  {annoyed}Whatever.

(Some footsteps are heard and Ranma-kun and Shampoo rush around 
the corner.  The door opens and Happosai walks out with a smile on 
his face.  Soon Li watches him go, looking defeated then returns 
inside.  After a second of confusion at seeing this Ranma-kun and 
Shampoo creep over to the entrance and peer in on Soon Li.  Soon 
Li sits on the dojo floor, mumbling angrily, rubbing and stretching 
her hands.)

Ranma:  {whispering}No way!  The old freak even got Soon Li to 
back down!

(Shampoo sadly nods in agreement.)

Kasumi (unseen):  {calling out}Dinner everyone!

(Soon Li shakes her head and gets up, slightly calmer than before.  
Ranma-kun and Shampoo turn and start heading into the house.)

Ranma:  We have to do something about him or we'll never get any 
peace.

=================================================
=====

(Sometime later that night Shampoo walks into the dojo and notices 
Soon Li sitting at the center of the floor, eyes closed and with a soft 
glow surrounding her.  Shampoo stops at the doorway, surprised 
and silently watches as the aura changes color and shape.  The aura 
suddenly dims and goes out as Soon Li opens her eyes.)

Soon Li:  Come in Shampoo.

(Shampoo walks over to Soon Li.)

Soon Li:  Here, sit down.

(Shampoo obeys and sits down across from Soon Li.)

Shampoo:  What you doing?

Soon Li:  I think the correct question is what was I doing.

(Shampoo scowls but then reluctantly nods.)

Soon Li:  It's a special meditation process, like yours just more 
focused.

Shampoo:  Master Happosai making you mad?

Soon Li:  You could say that.  He's quite the formidable man, on par 
with Cologne.  I now understand why Soun fears him so.

Shampoo:  I guess that means you can't fight him.

Soon Li:  Yes, too powerful I'm afraid.  Unfortunately he's... getting 
to me.

Shampoo:  We beat him... Sorry, we will beat him.

Soon Li:  I'm sure you will in time.  {pause}Tell me, do you feel 
you have mastered all your techniques?

Shampoo:  Well, umm, not sure...  Maybe.  Can... I can't see how... I 
could improve anymore.

Soon Li:  Okay, what about Ranma?  Do you feel he is about as 
good as he can get with them?

Shampoo:  {reluctantly}Yes.

Soon Li:  Problem?

Shampoo:  He learn...s so fast.  It took me years to master those 
skills, he master... has mastered them in little... a little over a
month.

Soon Li:  He is quite the martial artist.  He has an extremely rare 
aptitude for it.  Ryoga's almost the same from what I hear from 
Akane.  It makes you jealous doesn't it?

Shampoo:  Yes.

Soon Li:  You'll always meet those that are better than you 
Shampoo.  Remember, to most you seem unbelievably good too.  
Just be glad he's an ally.

(Shampoo nods.)

Soon Li:  He hasn't surpassed you yet.  I think you're ready to move 
on to the last element of the Lightning style.  

Shampoo:  A new technique?

Soon Li:  In a way.  It's called the art of focus.  It's an advanced 
form of mental focus.  As a matter of fact it is what allows that form 
of meditation you saw earlier.

Shampoo:  What good does it do?

Soon Li:  Well, it opens doorways, many doorways, figuratively of 
course.  It can be used to obtain an inner state of peace, or to 
enhance the effectiveness of your martial arts, or even allow you to 
draw more on your chi, or ki, whatever you wish to call it.  Those 
are just a few of it's applications.

Shampoo:  It's sounds very powerful.

Soon Li:  Maybe deceptively so, it's not a cure-all and it takes much 
time to learn it completely.  Do you feel yourself to be up to the 
task?

(Shampoo eagerly nods.)

Soon Li:  All right then.  Let's begin.

=================================================
=====

(Ranma-kun peeks into the dojo to find Shampoo sitting in the center 
of the floor, head resting on her hands, staring at a wall.  He looks at 
the wall, squints and sees a tiny pin stinking out of the wall.  He 
looks back at Shampoo in slight confusion then quietly walks in to 
stand next to her.)

Ranma:  What are you doing?

Shampoo:  Staring at a pin in a wall.

Ranma:  Ahh.  {pause}Forgive my misunderstanding but why?

Shampoo:  *sigh*It...it's a new technique.

Ranma:  Really.

(Ranma-kun sits down next to Shampoo then starts staring at the pin 
as well.)

Ranma:  And exactly what are we supposed to be looking for.

Shampoo:  She didn't say, she only said we know... would know it 
when we saw it.

Ranma:  Love those.  Any idea on how long this is supposed to take.

Shampoo:  She say..said she would set my bed up in here if that's a 
clue.

Ranma:  Oh, fun.

(Just then Soon Li comes in carrying some blankets and a pillow and 
notices Ranma-kun.)

Soon Li:  {as she puts the bedding down}Ranma, are you trying this 
too?

Ranma:  Guess so.

(Soon Li looks down at the bedding then thinks for a moment.)

Soon Li:  Well, I suppose it's okay, you two are engaged after all.

Ranma:  {nervously, now looking at Soon Li}Huh?!

(Shampoo grins but keeps staring at the pin.)

Soon Li:  {amused}Just lightening the mood.  I'll fetch your stuff.

(Soon Li leaves as Ranma-kun gives Shampoo a moderately nervous 
glance.)

Shampoo:  Worried about something Ranma?

Ranma:  Ah, just a little shocked that she'd... you know...

Shampoo:  Mmhuh.

(Ranma-kun shakes his head then resumes staring at the pin.)

Ranma:  It's just that I want to wait.

Shampoo:  *sigh*I know.

(The two continue staring at the pin in silence.)

=================================================
=====

(Late that night a dark figure looms silently on the roof of the dojo.  
It leans over and looks in then shakes it's head in frustration.  On the 
other side of the roof master Happosai lands, carrying a hug sack of 
lady's unmentionables and gives the figure a curious look.)

=================================================
=====

(The next morning Shampoo awakens to find herself with her arms 
wrapped around Ranma-kun who is still sleeping.  She smiles then 
looks around in confusion when she notices the sound of something 
swinging nearby.  The silhouette of a lump swinging back and forth 
on the other side of the dojo door is seen.  Shampoo looks at the 
silhouette in confusion.)

=================================================
=====

(A short time later all the Tendos, Ryoga, Ranma-kun and Genma 
are looking at Happosai, tied up in wires, with tiny pin pricks all 
over his face and totally unconscious, swaying in the wind at the 
dojo door.)

Ranma:  Who the heck did that?

Ryoga:  Wasn't me, as much as I would have liked to have done it.

Soun:  Whoever did it must be quite formidable.

(Ranma-kun walks forward and grabs the unconscious figure, 
stopping it.)

Ranma:  Nah, he probably just made the wrong group of women 
mad.

Genma:  Don't be so sure.  I have a bad feeling about this.

Ranma:  You jump at your own shadow Pop.  Anybody that can 
cream the old freak has my appreciation.

(Ranma pulls down the old man and looks at him with a devious 
smile.)

Ranma:  You know, I think the master needs a little vacation.  
{looking at the others}Don't you agree?

(Everyone, save Kasumi, nods in devious agreement.  Kasumi 
smiles and nods innocently.)

Ranma:  I've heard Siberia is nice this time of year, or maybe 
Greenland...

=================================================
=====

(Later that day Ranma-kun, Ryoga, Akane and Shampoo are headed 
home from school in a down pour (they are all using umbrellas to 
escape the rain).  Ryoga walks next to Akane, giving her an 
occasional nervous glance.  Ranma-kun walks up front, lost in 
thought.  Shampoo walks slightly behind him, watching him 
curiously.)

Shampoo:  What you thinking about Ranma?

Ranma:  Huh?!  Oh, just thinking, about this art of focus thing.  I 
wonder what we're supposed to see?

(Shampoo shrugs and they continue walking.)

Male voice:  Shampoo!

(Everyone stops as a teenaged Chinese boy jumps down into the 
street ahead of them.  He has long blonde hair, is fairly tall, is 
wearing dark sunglasses and some sort of odd padded armor (with 
tiny sparkles on it) and looks angry.)

Male voice:  So, we meet at last.

Shampoo:  Who are you?

Male voice:  My name is Bu Xien, and I've come for my revenge!

(Bu suddenly pulls out a blue ball and throws it down in front of the 
group.  Ranma-kun and Ryoga rush to cover Shampoo and Akane 
respectively.  The ball explodes into a blast of water that changes 
Ryoga, Ranma and Akane into their cursed forms while Shampoo 
just barely escapes being hit thanks to Ranma.)

Bu:  {to himself}Blast, missed her!

(Ranma-chan turns angrily to the boy.)

Ranma:  All right you jerk, what's this all about?

Bu:  None of your business girly-man!  Step aside!

(Ranma-chan takes up a fighting posture as Shampoo backs off 
slightly, both angry and confused.)

Ranma:  You want her, you come through me.

Bu:  Hmph.

(Bu dashes at Ranma with a battle cry and attempts a kick to the 
head.  Ranma-chan easily ducks under the attack and sends a 
lightning fast barrage of punches into the boy's abdomen.  Bu 
collapses to the street, holding his abdomen in pain but Ranma-chan 
also seems to be in pain as she looks at her hands.  On her hands she 
notices tiny pin pricks like those on Happosai then she falls to her 
knees.  Shampoo rushes over to Ranma-chan's side as Bu slowly 
gets back to his feet.)

Shampoo:  {concerned}Ranma, what wrong?

(Ranma-chan slumps into Shampoo's arm, unable to respond before 
passing out.)

Shampoo:  {scared and concerned}Ranma!

Bu:  He's alive, just unconscious.  Now, are you going to give me 
any trouble?

(Shampoo gently lays Ranma-chan down on the street and angrily 
stands up to face Bu.)

Shampoo:  {angrily}Shampoo no know who you are but you pay for 
what have done!

Bu:  This awt to be interesting.  You fighting one handed against me 
when you don't even know what knocked out your girlfriend there.

(Shampoo looks up at her umbrella then down at Ranma-chan and 
starts to look uneasy.  However after a second she regains her 
determination and draws a single bondori into her free hand with a 
spark of electricity.  To the side, Akane-cat and Ryoga-pig both 
tense up to watch the up coming battle.)

Bu:  Fine, be stubborn.

(Bu suddenly jumps into the air and drops more balls, green this 
time, into the street.  Shampoo leaps into the air to avoid the 
explosions of green gas that fills the street.  Both combatants land on 
a nearby roof top.  Shampoo looks briefly back at the street and 
notices Ryoga-pig and Akane-cat to be sleeping on the ground.  She 
looks back at Bu just in time to see another barrage of balls coming 
her way.)

=================================================
=====

(Sometime later Ranma-kun awakens and finds himself being 
examined by Dr. Tofu in his clinic.)

Ranma:  {as he sits up}Shampoo!

(Ranma-kun suddenly goes off balance and holds his head.)

Dr. Tofu:  Easy Ranma, that drug is still in your system.

Ranma:  Drug?

(Dr. Tofu holds up Ranma-kun's hand and points to the pin pricks.)

Dr. Tofu:  Looks like you punched a pad of poison needles.

Ranma:  Where's Shampoo?

(Just then Ukyo walks in carrying Akane-cat and Ryoga-pig (both 
still sleeping).)

Ranma:  Ukyo, where's Shampoo?

Ukyo:  {sadly}Sorry Ranma, I couldn't find her.

(Ukyo puts down the two animals then pulls out Shampoo's tattered 
umbrella from her back.)

Ukyo:  {sadly}This is all I could find.

(Ranma-kun grabs the remains of the umbrella then looks at it 
angrily.)

Ranma:  {angrily}If he's hurt her...

Dr. Tofu:  Who?

Ranma:  I don't know, some jerk named Bu Xien.  No one seemed to 
know him.

Dr. Tofu:  Hmmm, don't recognize the name myself.

(Ranma-kun gets unsteadily to his feet and nearly falls over but 
Ukyo catches him.)

Ukyo:  Where you going?

Ranma:  I got to find her!

Ukyo:  And where exactly you going to look?  Tokyo is a big place 
you know.  If he wants to hide her you'll never find her.

Ranma:  Are you saying I should just give up?

Ukyo:  Ahh, no, but at least get rested up first.  You'll do her no 
good if  you pass out again.

(Ranma-kun reluctantly sits back down on the examination bed.)

Ukyo:  Look, I'll get Mousse and everybody else and we'll go out 
and see if we can find anything, okay?

Ranma:  All right.  Thanks Ukyo.

Ukyo:  Good, now, tell me everything.

(Ranma-kun nods then starts to recount the attack to Ukyo.)

=================================================
=====

(Mousse is behind the grill at Ucchan's cooking for several waiting 
customers among which Bu Xien is a member.  Bu sits at a table 
alone and broods, his sunglasses resting on his forehead.)

Ukyo:  {from outside the door}Perfume, cut it out!

(Ukyo walks in the door followed closely by a nervous Perfume.)

Ukyo:  I said I wanted your help looking, nothing else, okay?

(Perfume reluctantly nods.)

Ukyo:  Mousse, I need your help to find-

Perfume:  {noticing Bu}Hey, I know him!

(Ukyo turns to look the way Perfume points then quickly grabs 
Perfume and dumps her into a seat.  Bu looks up briefly but then 
resumes his brooding.  Mousse watches this all in confusion.)

Ukyo:  {quietly}That's him!  He looks just like Ranma described 
him.

Perfume:  He is one?  Of course, yes, that why he at village.  He 
look for Shampoo.

Ukyo:  Then that's definitely him.

(Perfume draws an ax and starts to stand up but Ukyo hauls her 
down again.)

Ukyo:  What are you doing?!

Perfume:  Going to make him tell where Shampoo is.

Ukyo:  Like he's really going to tell you.  Just stay quite and look 
inconspicuous.  We can follow him when he leaves to Shampoo.

(Perfume nods in understanding as Mousse comes up to their table.)

Mousse:  What's going on?

Ukyo:  Can't explain now.  Just treat us like customers and act 
normal!

(Mousse nods then returns to the grill with a confused shrug.)

=================================================
=====

(A short time later Bu (his sunglasses back on) comes out of 
Ucchan's and starts to go up the street.  Seconds later Ukyo and 
Perfume cautiously begin to follow him, being careful to stay from 
view.  They continue to shadow him for sometime, Bu only briefly 
suspecting something but seemingly dismissing it.  Finally they leave 
the city limits and head into countryside where Ukyo and Perfume 
must increase the distance between them to stay unseen.  Bu arrives 
at a cave in a cliff-face and enters, followed soon after by his two 
pursuers.  Inside Ukyo and Perfume lose sight of Bu but continue 
anyway until they come to a large cavern.  They stop when they 
notice Shampoo hanging unconscious, bound in dozens of wires, 
each with a ball attached to it.  Ukyo gestures for Perfume to follow 
and cautiously approaches Shampoo.)

Bu:  Don't bother.

(Ukyo and Perfume spin around to find Bu dropping down from 
above, blocking their escape.)

Bu:  If you so much as tap those wires she's dead.

Ukyo:  All right you creep, let her go.

Bu:  What are you going to do, threaten me?  I'm the only one who 
know how to get her down safely.

(Ukyo and Perfume give Shampoo a look then look back at Bu in 
defeat.)

Bu:  Well, at least we aren't stupid.  You want her, fine, tell that 
boyfriend of hers that I have a challenge for him...

=================================================
=====

(Later, back at the Tendos' Ukyo is explaining the encounter to 
Ranma-kun and the others.)

Ukyo:  He says he'll free Shampoo, unharmed, on one condition.  He 
want's a duel, you against him.  If you lose you drink some potion of 
lost love.

Akane:  I don't like the sound of that.

Ranma:  Me neither.  What's it do, if I haven't already guessed?

Ukyo:  Remove your love for someone.

Soun:  Why the challenge?  He has us at a disadvantage.

(Ukyo just shrugs, not knowing.)

Ranma:  Fine!  If he wants a challenge-

Akane:  Ranma, are you an idiot or what?  Last time you fought him 
you knocked yourself out!  How do you expect to actually hit him?  
That armor he's wearing must be covered in poison needles!  He 
even defeated Master Happosai by the looks of it!

Ranma:  Ahhhh...

Akane:  Exactly.

Soon Li:  I'm afraid we have little other choice.  A rescue attempt is 
too risky.

Akane:  But Ranma is as good as knocked out already!

Ranma:  Maybe not.  *sigh*I have a crazy idea.

=================================================
=====

(Ranma-kun and Ryoga stand outside a door in a house, both seem 
very nervous.  Ranma-kun knocks on the door then takes a deep 
breath.)

Ryoga:  This is nuts.

Ranma:  Tell me about it, but do you have a better idea?

(Ryoga shakes his head.)

Ranma:  Just stay close.  I can use all the help I can get with-

Kodachi:  Ranma!  Darling!

(Suddenly the door is open and Kodachi has Ranma-kun pinned to 
the wall and is face to face with him.)

Ranma:  {nervously}Kodachi, ah, hi.

Kodachi:  So, you've finally realized what you've been missing out 
on.  Well, it was inevitable.

Ranma: {nervously}Well, actually, I came here to get your help.

Kodachi:  {surprised}My help?

Ranma: {nervously}Yeah.

(Kodachi lets Ranma-kun loose from the wall and eyes him 
suspiciously.)

Kodachi:  {suspiciously}Why would you want my help?

Ranma:  Well, you see... Wait, I want you to promise me something 
first.

Kodachi:  Hmm, fine, what?

Ranma:  I want you to promise that you won't use what I'm about to 
tell you to harm Shampoo in anyway, directly, or indirectly, or any 
other person, directly, or indirectly and that won't tell anyone else 
about this and...

(Kodachi rolls her eyes as Ranma-kun continues.)

Ranma:  ...won't imply this to anyone else or in any other way 
communicate this information to any one else.  Okay?

Kodachi:  Very well.  So, lover, how can the Black Rose be of 
assistance to you?

Ranma:  I have to rescue Shampoo.

(Kodachi scowls.)

Ranma:  Come on Kodachi.

Kodachi:  So the little Chinese harlot has gotten herself into trouble 
has she.  {pause}I suppose I can hear you out.

Ranma:  Okay, there's this guy, Bu Xien, and he's got this weird 
armor on that is covered in poison needles.

Kodachi:  Hmmmh, poison needle armor, quite ingenious.

Ranma:  Yes, well, I can't fight him as is.  I was hoping with your 
knowledge of drugs and such-

Kodachi:  That I would have an antitoxin or something?  Well, of 
course.  Follow me.

(Kodachi turns and walks back into the room.  Ranma-kun swallows 
nervously then follows her, with Ryoga close behind.  They follow 
Kodachi into a large greenhouse with many red, black and a small 
number of other colored rose bushes then stop at a large cabinet on 
the wall.  Kodachi opens the cabinet and pulls out a huge amount of 
chemistry equipment, much to the shock of Ranma-kun and Ryoga.  
She lays out the instruments on a nearby table.)

Kodachi:  I wouldn't suppose that you'd have a sample available 
would you?

(Ranma-kun looks in his shirt and pulls out a small test tube of 
blood which he hands to Kodachi.)

Ranma:  Here.

(Kodachi examines the test tube for a second then begins a battery of 
tests on it.  Ranma-kun and Ryoga watch in amazement as she 
processes the sample for several minutes.)

Ranma:  Didn't know you were into science.

Kodachi:  Well of course darling.  A girl can't spend all her time at 
the gym.

(Kodachi finally pours a mixture of green liquid into a flask and 
watches it change pink with the addition of a few drops of another 
liquid.)

Kodachi:  Hmmm, very impressive.  This man knows his stuff.  I'm 
most impressed.

Ranma:  Can you make an antitoxin.

Kodachi:  Oh, quite easily.  They have not yet invented the poison 
that the Black Rose cannot overcome.  But...

(Kodachi suddenly spins around and throws a bouquet of flowers in 
Ryoga's face.  Ryoga drops like a rock, snoring away, and Kodachi 
advances on Ranma-kun.  Ranma-kun backs nervously away from 
her.)

Kodachi:  Why would you want to waste your time with her when 
you have me?

Ranma: {nervously}Now Kodachi-

Kodachi:  Oh, come now lover, we can have such a wonderful time 
together.

(Ranma-kun nearly trips over a plant but continues to back up till 
he's against the door.)

Ranma: {nervously}Kodachi, please...

(Kodachi pins Ranma-kun to the wall and looks at him seductively.)

Ranma: {nervously}Kodachi, I asked for your help.  I don't want to 
hurt you but if I have to...

(Kodachi stops her advance.)

Ranma: {nervously}Please, just for once.  I really do need your 
help, and I'd really appreciate it if you would.

(Kodachi seductive look changes to one of uncertainty briefly then 
to one of complete calmness.)

Kodachi:  Very well, I'll give you the antitoxin-

Ranma:  Thanks Ko-

Kodachi:  On one condition, I want you to take me along.

Ranma: {nervously}Take you along, why?

Kodachi:  That you need not know.  Do we have a deal?

Ranma:  Ahh, I guess I have no real choice do I.

Kodachi:  No, you do not.

(Ranma-kun reluctantly nods.)

=================================================
=====

(The sun is setting as Ranma-kun and Akane walk through the 
country-side lead by Ukyo and followed by Kodachi.)

Akane:  Why'd you bring her along?

Ranma:  I had no choice okay.  Look, I made her promise not to hurt 
Shampoo.

Akane:  And you actually trust her?

Ranma:  Hey, she hasn't come after me since Shampoo beat her.  
She kept her word.

Akane:  I guess so but I still don't trust her.  She's the one 
responsible for Shampoo getting cursed and she tried to kill me.

Ranma:  You don't know that for sure.

Akane:  Ranma, she was strangling me.  If Shampoo hadn't 
distracted her I'd be dead.

Ranma:  You don't know that, she may have let you go.

Akane:  Yeah, and she may not have either.  I don't like this one bit.

(They finally reach the entrance to Bu's cave and Ukyo gestures for 
the others to follow her inside.  They walk through the tunnels until 
they reach the cavern and see Shampoo still hanging unconscious by 
the booby trapped wires.  Bu sits on an outcropping rock and 
notices his visitors.)

Bu:  Well, decided to accept my challenge did ya?

Ranma:  Yeah, she better not be hurt or I'll-

Bu:  Yeah, yeah, yeah, rib my arms out and all that jazz.  I know the 
drill.

(Bu leaps down to be in front of Ranma-kun and the others.)

Bu:  This is purely between you and me, any interference at all from 
the others and my deal is null and void, got it?

Ranma:  Got it.

Ukyo:  Good luck Ranma.

Akane:  You can do it.

(Kodachi smiles deviously as she examines Bu and the cavern.  
Akane and Ukyo step off to the side as Ranma-kun sets up for the 
fight.  Bu flicks his wrist and a small pole appears in his hand as he 
also moves into a fighting stance.  The two fighters stand off for a 
moment until Bu finally makes a rush on Ranma-kun.  Bu takes a 
sweeping punch at Ranma-kun's face.  Ranma-kun leans back to 
avoid the blow but suddenly the sound of a spring is heard and 
claws leap out of Bu's sleeve.  Ranma-kun is startled by this and 
tumbles backward desperately to avoid the claws.  Kodachi nods in 
respect.)

Bu:  Get back here and fight!

(Ranma-kun flips back to his feet then dashes at Bu.  Bu spins the 
pole above his head and either end of it comes loose to reveal 
chains which he uses to wrap up Ranma-kun's legs.  With a quick 
tug he sends Ranma-kun flying into the cave wall.  Ranma-kun reacts 
quickly, bouncing off the wall and diving down on Bu with a flying 
kick.  The kick connects knocking Bu into another cave wall.  
Ranma-kun lands and leaps back into the air at Bu.  Bu sends a 
barrage of green spheres at Ranma-kun that explode into green gas 
on contact.  Bu seems pleased but then shocked as Ranma-kun 
comes out of the smoke, hands ready to strike.  Bu attempts to dodge 
as Ranma-kun lashes out with a series of lightning fast punches.  Bu 
slams back into the wall, his sunglasses falling to the ground, and 
slips to the ground as Ranma-kun lands, shaking his hands in pain.)

Bu:  How...  You should be out cold!

Ranma:  Too bad huh.

Bu:  Grrr, I'm not defeated yet.

(As he gets up Bu sends another batch of spheres at Ranma-kun, this 
time blue.  Ranma-kun knocks them aside as they reach him with 
lightning fast sweeps of his hands.  The balls explode in blasts of 
water all around Ranma-kun, just barely missing him each time.  Bu 
roles across the cavern and comes up to a peculiar looking set of 
stones and kicks one.  Suddenly a large batch of rocks fall down 
from the roof towards Ranma-kun.  He leaps off to the side, barely 
avoiding the attack and finds another batch of rocks falling on him 
from above.  As the dust clears all that is seen is a pile of rocks 
where Ranma-kun was.  Bu smiles in satisfaction.  Akane and Ukyo 
watch in near panic.  Kodachi merely scowls, her attention on 
Shampoo.)

Bu:  Guess he's-

(Suddenly thunder fills the cave and the top of the pile blasts apart 
to reveal Ranma-kun, battered but conscious.)

Bu:  *growl*

Ranma:  Takes more than a couple of measly rocks to get rid of me.

Bu:  All right, that's it.  I was going nice on you but now the gloves 
are off!

(Bu jumps into the air and lands on a rock outcropping.  Ranma-kun 
leaps after him but finds himself in the midst of another batch of 
spheres, red this time.  The spheres explode violently but Ranma-
kun just barely manages to escape by tilting off to the side.  Ranma-
kun slams into the cave wall from the force of the explosions and 
has no time to rest as another set of red spheres start to come his 
way.  Ranma-kun dodges off to the side only to find another group of 
red spheres coming his way.  Bu continues throwing red sphere after 
sphere at Ranma-kun, forcing him to stay totally defensive on the 
ground below.)

Bu:  Give up girly-man, I've got you.

Ranma:  You got nothing!

Bu:  Have it your way then.

(Bu continues his assault for a couple more seconds then notices 
Kodachi standing next to Shampoo, examining the wires.  Bu draws 
a dagger and throws it at the ground at Kodachi's feet.)

Bu:  Get away from there!

Akane:  I knew she couldn't be trusted!

(Ukyo and Akane rush Kodachi who lets herself be restrained.)

Kodachi:  It's a sham.

Akane:  Shut up you!

(Bu leaps down to be in between Shampoo and the girls.)

Kodachi:  He's got you all fooled.

Bu:  Be quiet!

(Suddenly Ranma-kun leaps in on Bu with another lightning fast 
series of punches.  Bu takes the blow, rolls off to the side and drops 
a number of blue spheres on the ground.  The spheres explode into 
blasts of water, this time hitting Ranma and the girls.  Kodachi 
watches in shock as Ranma converts to his girl form and Akane 
changes to a cat.)

Kodachi:  You're a girl?!

(Ranma-chan gives Kodachi, still held by Ukyo, a nervous glance 
then returns her attention to Bu who is charging at her.  Ranma-chan 
lets off another lightning fast series of punches but this time Bu spins 
his pole in front of him, wrapping up Ranma-chan's hands in the 
chains.  Bu pulls on the chains, drawing Ranma-chan in then elbows 
her in the face, knocking her backwards to the ground.  Ranma-chan 
in turn tugs on the chains pulling Bu towards her then kicks him in 
the abdomen with both feet sending him flying into the cave wall and 
causing him to release the pole and chains.  Ranma-chan flips back 
to her feet and begins to untangle her hands from the chains as Bu 
recovers.  As Bu gets to his feet he doubles over in pain then 
recovers, gritting his teeth.)

Bu:  Well girly-man, it ends now.

Ranma:  {just as she frees her hands}You got that right.

(Bu begins a rush on Ranma-chan as Ranma-chan begins moving her 
hands in twisting motions, arcs of electricity leaping between them.)

Ranma:  Grand Lightning Blast!!!

(Ranma-chan spreads her hands in front of her letting loose a stream 
of electricity on Bu.  However Bu maintains his rush, the electricity 
arcing all around him but little of it hitting, and tackles Ranma-
chan.)

Ranma:  [Damn!  His armor must be rubber or something!]

(Bu carries Ranma-chan along then slams her into the cave wall.  Bu 
then strikes out with his fists, springing out claws with each swing.  
Ranma-chan desperately ducks side to side to avoid the blows then 
lets off a lightning fast series of kicks at Bu.  Bu rolls backwards 
with the blows and drops another set of red spheres on the ground 
that explode sending Ranma-chan flying through the air and crashing 
back to the ground.  Bu rushes back in on Ranma-chan before she 
can recover and grabs a hold of her arms.  Ranma-chan struggles but 
finds herself overpowered as Bu twists her arms behind her back 
and pins her legs with one of his own.)

Bu:  {as he applies pressure to the hold}Give up!  You can't win.

Ranma:  No... way!

(Ukyo watches in despair as Ranma-chan starts to show the pain of 
the hold.  Kodachi is still stunned and Akane-cat can only watch in 
concern.)

Ranma:  [Got to break free but...]

(Ranma-chan's hand touches something round in Bu's shirt.  She 
looks down to see it to be a blue sphere.)

Ranma:  [Water.  Now, if I can just heat it up.]

(Ranma-chan puts her fingers into a blur of motion until tiny sparks 
start to fly between them.  She continues this, sending the electrical 
arcs into the ball, unseen by Bu.)

Bu:  Don't be so damned stubborn!  Give up!

Ranma:  Not... yet.

(Bu finally notices Ranma-chan's actions and looks down at the blue 
ball.  Just then the ball explodes in a hiss of steam.  Ranma-kun 
breaks the hold, spins around with a roundhouse punch and hits a 
blonde haired girl in the face causing her to collapse to the ground.  
Ranma-kun takes a step back in confusion as the girl sits on the 
ground shaking in anger.  Kodachi, Ukyo and Akane-cat stare at the 
girl in complete shock and surprise.)

Ranma:  What the... You're... a girl?!

Bu:  {angrily}Shut up!  I'm not!

(Bu-chan gets to her feet and recklessly rushes Ranma-kun.  Ranma-
kun dodges to the side and grabs Bu-chan from behind as she pass 
and pins her arms to her sides.)

Bu:  {angrily}Let me go you jerk!

Ranma:  All this time you've been a girl?!

Bu: {angrily}I'm not a girl!  I'M NOT A GIRL!!  Let me go!

(Ranma-kun holds the girl's arms pinned despite her struggles until 
finally she goes slack.)

Bu:  Fine, you happy now?!  Happy to know my little secret?!

Ranma:  What the hell is this all about?

Bu: {angrily}What do you think?!  She ruined my life!

Ukyo:  There's alot of that happening around here.

Bu: {angrily}Oh shut up!  You couldn't possibly understand what 
I'm going through!

Kodachi:  What is all this?  What are you people?

Ranma:  Ahhh, I thought you knew, about the curses I mean.

Kodachi:  Curses?!

Ranma:  Didn't the Bakeneko tell you-

Kodachi:  That dumb cat told me nothing of this.  I am to understand 
you are... a girl.

Ranma:  Nono, I'm a guy, I just change to a girl.

Kodachi:  Then she's-

Ranma:  A girl.

Bu: {angrily}Shut up!  I am not a girl!  I'm a guy!

Ranma:  No you're not.

Bu: {angrily}Yes I am!  Now let me go!

Ranma:  Not until you tell us how to get Shampoo down safely.

Kodachi:  You don't need him, her, oh whatever.  The trap's a 
fraud, a complete sham.

Ranma:  What?!

Bu:  She's telling the truth.  Just cut the wires, the traps are totally 
harmless.

(Ranma-kun looks at Ukyo who nods, releases Kodachi and walks 
over to the wires drawing her battle spatula.)

Ranma:  You better be-

Bu:  I am, I keep my word.

(Ukyo looks back at Ranma-kun who nods for her to continue then 
slices one of the wires.  Nothing happens.  She slices another and 
another until Shampoo comes loose into her arms.  Kodachi walks 
over to Ranma-kun and Bu-chan.  Ranma-kun releases Bu-chan who 
then slumps to the floor, staring at the ground.)

Kodachi:  So, brother dear was right, you are a girl.

Ranma:  No, I'm a guy.  She's the girl.

Bu: {angrily}Would you shut up already!  I'm not a girl!

Ranma:  Yes you are!  Hot water changes a Juzenkyo cursed person 
back to normal, not cold.

Bu:  Hmmph.

Kodachi:  So then, you are a man.

Bu:  A real girly-man-

Ranma:  You be quiet!  What's your problem anyway?

(Bu-chan gets to her feet and comes face to face with Ranma-kun.)

Bu: {angrily}My problem is that she destroyed my whole life!

Ranma:  And how exactly did she do that?

Bu: {angrily}By coming to my village with her damned curse that's 
how!

Ranma:  How the heck does that effect you?

(Bu-chan turns away from Ranma-kun in anger and stomps off and 
stands by the entrance.)

Bu:  You'd never understand.  Just take your girlfriend and get the 
hell out of here.

Shampoo:  {weakly}Ranma?

(Ranma-kun notices Shampoo awakening as Ukyo looks over her.  
He rushes over to her side.  Kodachi in the meantime walks over to 
Bu-chan.)

Kodachi:  You have a most... intriguing style.  AAADTG if I guess 
right.

Bu:  Yeah, what of it?

Kodachi:  Nothing really, I was merely... impressed.

Bu:  Hmmph.

(Kodachi scowls then leaves.  She makes her way to the outside and 
begins walking back to town.)

Ranma:  Kodachi, wait!

(Kodachi turns to see Ranma-kun running up behind her.  She puts 
on a seductive smile.)

Kodachi:  Yes darling?

Ranma: {nervously}Ahh, well, I just wanted to say... ah... thanks for 
your help.  I couldn't have won without it.

Kodachi:  Of course not.

(Kodachi pulls out a black rose, tosses it to Ranma-kun and turns to 
walk off.)

Kodachi:  To remember me by, until next we meet.

(Ranma-kun looks down at the rose in his hand then at Kodachi and 
shakes his head in confusion.)

Ranma:  [I'm never going to understand that woman.]

%End Part 2