[FFML] [Ranma] Bid My Light Farewell: Prologue

Ranma 1/2:
Bid my Light Farewell

Ranma 1/2 is the sole creative property of Rumiko Takahashi. I take no credit in the creation
of the following characters, I am simply a fan who wishes to express himself. Thank you.

Prologue:

The Wager

----

Ranma sighed as he walked down the road, following the path to school. Physically, he was
completely alone. Akane had stormed off in a hurry that morning, upon hearing a certain bit of
news from Nabiki.

But Ranma wasn't truly alone. At least, not in the spiritual sense. Standing behind Ranma
were two figures-- a male and a female. The male looked exactly like Ranma, but was dressed
entirely in black. The female was a carbon copy of Ranma's girl-form. She, in turn, was dressed
in a white conservative number. If one managed to look even closer, they'd notice small horns
jutting out from the forehead of the male Ranma, and a faint halo hanging over the head of the
female...

"What, are you kidding me?" Male Ranma asked. "It was a free meal. We're going to pass
THAT up?"

"Your influence on that whole subject is EXACTLY the reason Akane's not speaking right
now, you know!"

"Oh, like you could do any better?"

"I would if you weren't always butting in on my influence," Female Ranma said. "Being a
good conscience has it's frailties, and you manage to exploit every single one of them!"

"You couldn't do him any good! With you in control, he'd starve, possibly die of Akane's
cooking right off the bat!"

"Oh, her cooking isn't that bad and you KNOW it!"

"Whatever," Bad Ranma said. "At least you get to keep his morals in check-- I've allowed
you that much."

Good Ranma growled inwardly. "Maybe so, but you control his attitude! He'll never marry
Akane at this rate!"

"So? There are plenty of other fish in the sea."

"I can't believe you'd say something so cliche. Besides, if I were in charge, he'd be
more sucessful, more kind and generous-- and many more people would like him! He's got the
ability to become a very likable and kind person, you know."

Bad Ranma shook his head. A moment later, a sly grin started to spread across his face.
"You know... We could put that to a wager..."

"What?" Good Ranma asked.

"I could leave you in charge for a week. You would be in complete control, and I'd go for
a vacation or something."

"That's against the rules and you know it. Every human must have both a good and a bad
conscience."

"Yeah, but it's not like I'd be gone for good-- just a week," he said. "Hold on a sec."

Bad Ranma reached upwards, forcing his hand into a tear in the fabric of space. A moment
later, he pulled it out, holding a book. He flipped through the pages.

"Here we go. The Malcolm Clause."

"What's that?"

"In such a case as two consciences are in disagreement over something, one conscience can
allow the other complete and total control over their human charge for a period not to extend one
week."

"Really?" Good Ranma asked.

"It says it right here," he replied.

Good Ranma smiled, thinking of the possibilities of the future.

She looked at him and smiled. "Let's do it."

Bad Ranma smirked. "Okay. Now what to wager on...?"

Good Ranma thought for a moment. "Well... it's only fair that if he's not in a better
situation in one weeks, that you get to control him for a week."

Bad Ranma thought for a moment. "Nah, that's no fun," he said. "How about we make it
INTERESTING?"

"Like how?"

"Like your car."

"The Angelexus 2003?" Good Ranma ground her teeth for a moment. Finally, after a sigh,
she sighed. "Fine, but if I win I get your... Hmm... You know, there's nothing of yours that I
really want..."

"How about you get to have most of the say for the rest of his life?"

Good Ranma smiled. "That works!"

Bad Ranma reached his hand out to shake Good Ranma's hand. Once it was done, Bad Ranma
saluted her and stepped upward, losing himself in another tear, book and all.

Good Ranma clapped her hands together and smiled.

"Now... where to start?"

----

"That was cruel, you know," a voice said from the darkness. A figure dressed in a blood
red cheongsam stepped out, but didn't allow her face to be shown.

Bad Ranma smiled. "Maybe, but it's in my nature."

The woman smiled in return. "You just so happened to neglect to mention the fact that
she'll be cast into the mortal realm should she fail," she said.

Bad Ranma nodded. "Not just that-- but I also forgot to say that I was allowed to throw
whatever I wanted at her in the meantime."

"There's a reason the Malcolm Clause isn't well known. It hasn't been done in almost four
thousand years."

Bad Ranma nodded. "But she's so naive-- it was well worth it. 'Cause in a week, I'll have
complete control of Ranma Saotome. What do you think? Serial killer material?"

The woman shook her head. "Not that boy. He's destined for greatness. It's written in the
stars." She finally stepped out into the light. "Not even my charge has anything close to his
destiny."

Bad Ranma nodded. "Oh, by the way, that was brilliance having Shampoo set up that whole
dinner thing."

Bad Shampoo smirked. "Why, thank you." She bowed. "I have to go-- I feel Shampoo
beginning to wake up."

Bad Ranma nodded. "I need you to gather the bads. We need to have an emergency meeting--
tonight, while they're all asleep."

----

Anyway, this is the prologue. I really wanna keep this story going, so hopefully I get some nice reviews and such... :)

Seeya

Kyle.