This is the ALPHA version of episode 3. VERY alpha version. I expect to have to completely rewrite this, but I wanted to get the plot down... Once again, flames, C&C, raves, etc. are greatly appreciated and may be posted on the ML or sent to me directly at 4cw6@qlink.queensu.ca... The new logo is by Armakuni@AnimeMUCK. He wanted me to let all of you know that "I'm offering my services as an ASCII-artist. Logo's (sic), pics, freestyle, you name it I'll do it." You can try finding him on AMUCK (new.tcp.com 2035), or email me any messages you want forwarded to him. Episode 3 is dedicated to Nicola. -Christopher Willmore February 23, 1996 ======================================================================= Prologue: [The time is shortly after the end of episode 2. We see Childra Jansen running through one of the Kuno hall corridors, bo in hand and a determined look on her face. In the dim nocturnal lighting, she doesn't notice a still-unconscious Ratiko lying on the floor, and trips over him.] Childra: What the... [Turns around, and sees what made her fall.] I should have known... [Kneels next to Ratiko and slaps him several times.] Rat! Wake up! I need your help! Ratiko: [Half-opens his eyes...] Who... Wha... [Childra slaps him again] Hey! [Rubs his cheek and looks around confusedly.] Ranma... Where.... Childra: You have to come with me. Now. Ratiko: What's going on? Childra: The C-Ko's got Kim. If they find out about her and Ranma, things might get nasty for her... Ratiko: C-Ko? The Church of Kodachi? Geeze... How long have I been out? Childra: How should I know? Who cares, anyways? Let's go, before Kim gets into REAL trouble! Ratiko: I thought it was RANMA you were after... Why this sudden concern for Kim? Childra: Look, Rat. I have the feeling that Ranma won't exactly be in danger from any of the Kodachettes. With Kim, however, it's another story. Remember that myth they have? Ranma Satana? Ratiko: [pales] Uh-oh... Childra: Get it now? We have to go and rescue them! Ratiko: And I suppose you're going to tell me you just happen to know where the C-Ko HQ is. Childra: [nods] I do. Ratiko: [blinks] And you found this out... How? Childra: [sighs] There's NO TIME to explain! Let's just say a 'friend' told me, and leave it at that... Ratiko: Interesting friends... [Childra glares at him. She does not appreciate his wasting time.] Ok! Ok! I'll hurry! Hm... If this place is far away, we should take the mech... Childra: Good luck. It's in Kim's outer closet. Ratiko: [Rummages through his jacket and pulls out a keycard.] Kim gives me extra copies of all her keys. Childra: [Smiles.] Good boy... [She helps him up, and he begins to run. In the wrong direction. Groaning, Childra catches up to Ratiko and turns him to face the correct path.] It's THAT way, Rat. Ratiko: Oh, yeah... I forgot. [Blushes, then leaves through the right corridor, along with Childra.] [Change scene: Night. Outside the Nekohanten. A motomech bearing Childra and Ratiko zooms past and off the screen. After a few seconds of silence, we see a large white cat burst through the front doors, chased by several angry men in Chinese robes, all wielding sharp, pointy culinary instruments...] ======================================================================= ____ ___ _ ___ / | \ | \ /\ | | /\ /\ | \ / /\ | \ | \ . | \ | |. / \_/ \ | \ \ / \ | __ \ | _ \ | | | | | | | _ \ /\ \/ / | | \ \ | | \ \ .| | | |.| | | | \ \ / \ \ / | | / / | |__\ | | | \| | | |\ /| |.| |__\ |/ /\ \/ | | / / | | | |\ | |.| | | |.| | | |\ / \ | |/ / .| ___ |.| |.| |.| |.| | | | | ___ /\ \/ / | |\ \ | | .| |.| |.| |.| |.| |.| |.| | ./ |\ / | | \ \ .| | | |.| |..\ |.| |.| |.| | | | /| | \ |_|. \__\ |_|. .|_|.|_|...\/..|_|.|_|.|_|.|_|. \|_| \ /\ \ / Written by Christopher 'Ratiko' Willmore. / \ \ / / / \/ Based on a story created by R. Takahashi and / / Developed by C. Michael Schumacher / / [Kensu: cschumac@waun.tdsnet.com], \ / with the aid of Animax Enterprises \/ (Logo:Armakuni) [formerly TAAC]. *********************************************************************** Episode III: Canonical Kodachi *********************************************************************** [Open scene: A closed, rectangular room, with no windows and only one door leading out of it. Kim is slumped, unconscious, in the middle of the area, while Ranma-spirit is standing quietly, staring at the one of the murals that cover the walls and ceiling. These are quite well done, if not slightly twisted... The three bare walls (excluding the one with the door) have pictures of Ranma's ex-fiances on them. One shows a giant Ukyou demolising a town with her spatula, surrounded by flames. Another depicts Shampoo in typical battle stance, but with an uncharacteristic evil smile. The one Ranma is admiring has Akane rushing towards the viewer, mallet upraised. The floor is a painting of a demonic Ranma-chan, complete with horns, tail and bat-wings. On the ceiling, one sees Ranma-kun with a delirious expression being tightly embraced by an enraptured Kodachi Kuno.] Kim: [Waking up slowly] Ungh... [Sits up and looks around.] Where... Ranma, where are we? Ranma: [Turns away from the mural.] Oh. You're up. I don't know where we are, exactly... Some girls kidnapped you, and I kind of just... warped here... [Kim looks up and frowns.] Kim: Is that YOU? Ranma: 'Fraid so. Kim: And the girl is... Ranma: [sighs] Kodachi Kuno. Kim: Just great. The C-Ko's gotten us... I _KNEW_ we should've changed your name first thing... [Looks at the other artwork.] I recognize Shampoo, but who're these two other gals? Ranma: [Points at Ukyou] THAT'S Ryouga's great-grandmother... Kim: [Cocks an eyebrow] SHE was after you, too? Ranma: [embarrassed] Hai. Kim: You really get around, don't you? Guess you're an even BIGGER hentai than I gave you credit for... [Before Ranma can respond, she cuts him off, pointing at Akane.] And THAT is... Ranma: [quietly] Akane Tendo. [Silence] Kim: That's the one you REALLY liked, isn't it? Ranma: [softly, once again] Hai... [Begins to cry.] Kim: I'm sorry... [The door of the room opens, and two girls in green leotards come in. They are each carrying a blue ribbon on a stick. Following them is a regal female figure, dressed in splendid silk robes.] Figure: I'm SO glad you decided to accept our little... Invitation... [Smiles] Kim: [snorts] I wasn't exactly given much of a choice. What do you want, anyways? Who are you? Figure: Oh, dear. Quite right, quite right. Where are my manners? I really MUST introduce myself before torturing you... [Kim gulps.] I am Lepi Kodachi Deme, high priestess of the Church of Kodachi. [She bows.] And you, Kimberley Thompson of A-323 Kuno Hall; YOU are our honoured guest and prisoner. Kim: Run that by me again... Lepi: Well, we'd really like to make your life miserable, but seeing how you seem to be a friend of our RANMA... [At this, the two female guards crouch, touch the floor, and stand again in a kind of salute] ...we can't really mistreat you, can we? Hm? Kim: [Relieved] I'm glad to hear that... Lepi: You WILL come with us... There is a lot of explaining to do. Girls? [The guards walk over to Kim, and take her by the shoulders.] Lepi: [To the guards] Into the sanctum. [Lepi exits through the door, the guards close behind. Ranma follows.] [Change scene: The 'sanctum' turns out to look just like a Gestapo interrogation room. There is a table, at one end of which Lepi is seated, surrounded by the two standing guards, and at the other end is Kim, strapped to a wooden chair. There is no light other than that provided by a small lamp, who's glow reveals a pitcher of water and some glasses off to one side.] Ranma: [To Kim] Try to get them to spill water on you... [Kim nods.] Lepi: You WILL tell us how you found our Ranma [again, the salute]. Kim: Look, you're all crazy! The Saotome you're looking for died a hundred years ago! This is a distant cousin of mine, from China, who just happens to have the same name... Lepi: [Narrows her eyes] Ranma did NOT die permanently... He WILL return... [Corrects herself.] He HAS returned. [Ranma can't help himself, and chuckles.] Kim: Look, Lepi. My cousin is no more your Ranma Saotome than... [Lepi reaches inside her robes and pulls out a manila folder.] Lepi: Nice try, but no cigar. Here are the results from the thumb and retinal scans your 'cousin' Ranma had done at the registration booth. They happen to match OUR Ranma's genetics EXACTLY... Kim: And how, pray tell, do you know the original Ranma's genetic code? They didn't exactly have DNA testing kits widely available in 1996... Lepi: [Smiles.] Our founder was intelligent. She knew it would come in useful, someday, so at Ranma's funeral, she took a sample of the corpse's flesh. [Kim turns slightly green, and Ranma shudders.] Our Church has kept it all this time, and analyzed it quite thoroughly... So, you see,we know whereof we speak. [Smile.] Will you tell us, then, where we can find OUR Ranma? Kim: [sighs] I suppose, but... My mouth is dry. Could I have a glass of water before I go on? [Ranma gives her a 'thumbs-up'] Lepi: I suppose your cooperation has earned you that much... [Signals to one of the guards, who walks over to the pitcher, fills a glass with water, and sets it in front of Kim.] Kim: My hands are tied... Could you... Lepi: Anastasia will hold it for you. I'm afraid you haven't been THAT cooperative, yet. Continue being helpful, and we may eventually release you from your bonds. [Kim nods. The guard brings the glass to Kim's lips, and she starts to sip, then twists her head, spilling the water onto her lap. Soon, it's HIS lap. ^_^ When they see Ranma, the two guards drop to their knees, and Lepi gasps. She pulls out two strange instruments from within her robes, and presses one against Ranma's eye, and the other to his thumb. Immediately, the displays on the things flash green.] Lepi: [Tremulously] It's HIM! Quick! Sound the bells! [One of the guards stands, and runs off, though she never takes her eyes off Ranma until she's out of the room. Soon, a loud ringing of bells is heard.] [Cut to various parts of the C-Ko HQ. Various 'Kodachettes', all in green leotards, stop whatever they are doing when they hear the bell, and rush towards the main meeting hall.] [Cut to the meeting hall. It is a large, gymnasium-like room with a kind of stage at the front. As the girls stream in, they line up into ordered rows. Very soon, the entire space is filled. Some murmurring starts, but quiets down as soon as Lepi appears on the stage.] Lepi: Girls! The day we have long waited for is finally here! May I present... RANMA SAOTOME! [As Ranma is led out by one of the guards, there are universal gasps. Some seconds after his appearance, all the Kodachettes prostate themselves in adoration. Ranma does NOT look happy, and neither does Kim, who stands behind him.] Lepi: I am afraid, however, that even now we are not free of the evil Ranma Satana... She has found an avatar, and has used her to curse our beloved with... [She is interrupted by the main door to the meeting hall being broken down... As the dust clears, we see that Childra and Ratiko have found their way to the C-Ko HQ.] Ratiko: Unhand Kim, you... [The prostate Kodachettes turn to look at him. He stares at them, and then at Ranma, and realizes that he might have _slightly_ overestimated the danger Saotome was in... One of the green-clad girls seems to recognize him, and jumps up and runs towards him.] Girl: Ratiko! Ratiko: B-Batya?!? Childra: [leaning on her bo] This is NOT turning out as I expected... [After a brief pause, Lepi continues with her discourse, and the acolytes with their listening, exept for 'Batya', who latches onto Ratiko. On the day of the return of Ranma, they're not about to let a small thing like an attack on their secret headquarters interfere with their idol-worshipping. On the stage, Ranma tries to go to Rat and Childra, but the guard's firm grip prevents him from doing so. Kim, however, has no such restraint, and joins her comrades.] Batya: Oh, what a WONDERFUL day! First, the second coming, and then, YOU arrive! Darling! How I've MISSED you! [Hugs Ratiko even harder.] Kim: [To Childra] Please tell me that is NOT Batya. Childra: [whispers] Kim: You're telling me, Rat's old girlfriend is a Kodachette? Childra: [whispers] [Batya looks to the stage, then at Ratiko, and thinks for a moment before deciding that she can probably spare the time to catch up on lost time... She takes Ratiko by the hand and starts to lead him off into a side room. Ratiko resists, and looks at Childra.] Childra: [Nods.] Go ahead. We'll be OK. [Ratiko leaves with Batya] [Change scene: Inside a side-room of the meeting hall. Batya and Ratiko are standing in front of each other.] Ratiko: Batya... You're... In Tokyo! I thought you were... Batya: Lost? [Giggles.] I admit, it's not every girl that ends up in Ethiopia when leaves with her boyfriend for a romantic escapade in the local park... Ratiko: I'm sorry... But... You know my sense of direction... Batya: [Ruffles Rat's hair.] It's OK, Rat. A Church of Kodachi missionary found me after a couple of days, and brought me back here. Thanks to them, I've been fed, housed, and finally learned the True Way... Ratiko: [Confused] Why didn't you try to contact me? I mean, if you've been in the city all this time... Batya: [Sadly] I couldn't. We acolytes swear an oath of secrecy and rejection of the world... I haven't finished my training yet, so I haven't been allowed out... [Cheerfully] Besides, so much of my time is spent in adoration of Ranma, that... Ratiko: [growls] What is it with RANMA? What does HE have that I don't???? Batya: Oh, Rat... You're nice... You're sweet, and quite the looker, but... No matter how hard you try, you'll never be able to come up to even half his measure in nobility, and strength, and... [There is a loud crack as Ratiko's heart shatters. He starts trembling from rage and indignation.]Rat... Don't get upset... I _LIKE_ you, in many ways. I'm attracted to you physically, and... Oh, I don't know... Maybe I even love you, but... You're still HUMAN. Ranma's more than that... He's more like my deity than... [Shakes her head and gives up trying to explain her fascination.] [Ratiko starts glowing slightly. Wisps of ki-energy rise all over him. Batya notices them, and points.] Batya: Ratiko, you're... [In the main meeting hall, the volume of Lepi's voice has suddenly doubled.] Lepi: [From the hall] And now, girls, NOW is your time to greet your saviour, our collective bridegroom! [Batya forgets all about Ratiko, and her face lights up. She pivots, and heads for the door to the meeting hall. This is the last straw for Ratiko. The glow around him intensifies, flames of white ki-energy streaming from him.] Ratiko: RAAAAAANMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! [With this shout, all the energy that he's been storing up is released in an uncontrolled burst, which causes the ceiling and walls of the room to collapse. Ratiko himself is safe, since all the debris falling onto him was vaporized by the blast, but Batya is knocked unconscious by a falling chunk of concrete, and pinned to the floor by a wooden support beam.] Ratiko: [Looking at Batya] Nooooooooooo! [He rushes to her, and tries to wake her, but all his efforts are to no avail. Since there is now no physical barrier between the room and the hall, Ranma sees the devastation from the stage. Concerned for Ratiko and Batya's safety, he frees himself from the guard's grip and dodges adoring Kodachettes as he leapfrogs his way to the ruins. Kim and Childra also approach.] [Ratiko is cradling Batya's head in his hands, and glares at Ranma as he arrives.] Ratiko: YOU! [He lets go of his girlfriend, and begins to glow again.] Childra: [To Kim] I didn't know Ratiko could focus his ki like that... Kim: [Confused] He can't... Childra: Uh-oh... [Ratiko lifts a glowing fist and rams it into Ranma's chin. Saotome is sent flying backwards, and lands unconscious on the floor a few feet away. When the Kodachettes see someone has attacked their saviour, they pull out hidden weapons (clubs, ribbons, etc.) from their leotards' n-dimensional pockets, and charge the heretic.] Childra: [To herself] [To Kim] Take care of them. I'm going for help. Kim: Take care of them?!?!? But I'm not... [Before she can finish, Childra has left.] Great. NOW what am I supposed to do? Shout 'boo', and SCARE them to death? [Realizing she can't do much in spirit form, she sits down with a sigh and watches as several dozen cackling acolytes tie up Ratiko with their ribbons.] [Commercial Break] [Open scene: Once again, the meeting hall... However, Ratiko is hanging unconscious from the ceiling by a thin nylon rope, and below him is a large cauldron of boiling water, surrounded by cackling Kodachettes. Batya is still unconscious, but the debris that landed on her has been removed. Ranma is on the stage, held by Lepi, and Kim is next to him.] Ranma: [To Lepi] Can't you let him go? I'm sure he didn't mean me any harm... Lepi: [frowns] [To herself] [To Ranma] No. I'm afraid we cannot release him. This blasphemy will not be tolerated, especially not in the heart of the Church of Kodachi! Ranma: I told you, I'm FINE! Lepi: Doubtless, you only say that because of some spell that 'Kim' has put on you... Do not worry, we... [The entrance door, recently repaired, is kicked down once again as Childra returns. She points a finger straight at Ranma, and an invisible force knocks its way through the crowd, sending green-clad girls flying left and right. In a few seconds, not one of the acolytes remains standing.] Ranma: [whispered, to Kim] [Kim is just staring wide-eyed at an apparently empty piece of floor.] Kim: [never taking her eyes off the spot.] She... Isn't... Ranma: Kim: Ranma? Ranma: [Lepi looks strangely at Ranma, but her attention is quickly brought back to her devastated followers.] Kim: I would find some hot water, if I were you. Ranma: Kim: Now. Ranma: Kim: JUST DO IT, OKAY? TRUST ME, FOR ONCE! Ranma: [To Lepi] Uh... Lepi? Lepi: Yes? Ranma: Sorry 'bout this. [He shoves her to the ground to escape her grip, then runs towards the pot below Ratiko, into which he jumps. Switcharoo. Less than a second later, he finds himself where Kim had stood, looking at the same spot she was. Only, this time, with his spirit eyes, he sees...] Akane: Ranma? [End Episode Three] A brief acknowledgement: I'm indebted to NJW (she knows who she is) for suggesting that Ratiko let loose an uncontrolled ki-blast. ====================================================================== Next: The plot thickens! ======================================================================