Sarah: you have developed normal sleeping habits Eric.

Eric: I know its kinda frightening.  I dont like it.  I want to
go back to odd ones.

Sarah: *shrug* you'll live and I for one am grateful for not
being woken up at 4am in the morning.

Dim: it has been depressing around here.

Eric: look we got a letter from Cubicle.

Sarah: where is he now?

Eric: Actually he's taken up residence in downtown Philly, has an
apt overlooking the city, right on Kelly Drive.

Sarah: *glowing green with jealousy* nice.

Eric: *reading* While I still hate you both, I want to add that I
meet a rather nice piece of office equipment named Staple Plus
and I would like to invite you all to my wedding.  *stops
reading*

Sarah: Staple Plus?

Eric: uhhh lets just review more fanfics.

-----Original Message-----
From: RPM - acct 3/5 <rpm39788@Bayou.UH.EDU>
To: fanfic list <fanfic@fanfic.com>
Date: Thursday, October 16, 1997 12:35 AM
Subject: [FFML] [ROUGHBETA] The Pursuit of Happines Act2Part2

Sarah: cool this is one of my favorite series.

this one's in rough beta stage, lots of
room for improvement, imho.

Sarah: cool lets take a look, though its been awhile.

I really, _really_ hate writing fighting scenes.

Eric: but you have done them so well.

This part is about 50% complete.  Still gotta write
intermission, round two, and aftermath.

Sarah: Intermission going to have dancing popcorn and candy boxes
and soda?

-rodM


----------------------------------------------------------------

-

note: Eric Jones gave me an assist on the Mikado bits.  Thanks

:)

The Pursuit of Happiness
Act 2: The Kings of Nerima
Day 2: Shuffling the Deck

Eric: schwip.

[Furinkan High, 4th floor, 4:15 PM]

Sarah: synchronize your watches!

Dim: thats depressing.

Sarah: someday I will get you.

The classroom was once more rigged with laptops and chalkboard
diagrams as Nabiki's team prepared for another day of heavy

betting.

Their leader, however, was not amongst them.  Instead, she was

walking

the halls in a conversation with her new supernatural consultant

and

Furinkan High's local fortune teller.  The news was a little
unexpected.

Sarah: wow a day has passed since the first part.

Eric: no sort of transistion?

"He has what?" asked Nabiki, staring at Mio in surprise.

Sarah: caught on film again?!

Eric: Kuno how could you!

"From what I've been able to find in the books, the abnormal

aura he

has hints towards him somehow having a variant of 'soul power'."

Sarah: Kuno can now boogie with the best.

Eric: and last week i saw him jumping while playing basketball.

"Soul power?"

Eric: you know... SOUL power...

Sarah: I FEEL GOOD wow!

Mio nodded.  "It's an ancient power that was never really

understood

well.  There are many theories on what, exactly, it is, but

there have

Sarah: how long do you think we can keep up these soul jokes
without offending someone.

Eric: i dont know but I think we may soon push the limit.

never been any definite answers.  They all agree, however, that

the

power is an extention of the person's soul.  Whether it is an

Eric: hence the name ... Soul Power.

extention the soul, or a greater force that the soul connects

to, is

under debate."

Sarah: so it could be sorta like Jung's Collective Unconcious!

LilSarah1: You're the greatest Sarah!

LilSarah2:  You're a genius Sarah!

"Mm-hm.  You said Kuno may have a variant of it?"

Eric: version 1.2 to be exact.

"Yes.  Normally, Soul Power is mastered by those with inner

peace.

Sarah: well Kuno can classify for Inner Turmoil.

Their battle aura is usually a bright blue.  However, should

those not

Eric: humm... an interesting thought.. *looks at Sarah curiously*

Sarah: what? my power is NOT the same thing.

of a peaceful spirit, perhaps haunted by inner demons or

consumed by

Eric: or just generally not nice people

evil intent, gain access to Soul Power, the darkness of their

souls


Sarah: or their sk-

Eric: dont, just ... dont.

taints the power, hence the darker aura.  In turn, the power

twists

the user as well.  The power in such individuals is known as

Psycho

Power."

Sarah: oooooooh... like Vega/Bison... uhh Boss.

Nabiki raised an eyebrow.  "So, in your opinion, Kuno shows all

the

signs of having this power?"

Mio nodded.

Eric: does this Mio come from the Manga at all?  I'm just curious
mind you.  I know she was in the latest Anime.

"Give me the worst case scenario," said Nabiki.

Sarah: I'm talking mass destruction here.

Eric: armageddon!

Sarah: dogs and cats living together, a thousand years of
darkness, Mass Hysteria!

Mio hmmed.  "Worst case scenario?  Kuno gains full mastery of

the

power and becomes a nearly unstoppable psychotic."

"And the odds of that happening?"

Sarah: hello ... Vegas?  twenty on Kuno going Whacks.

"Not as likely as I feared it would be," said Mio.  "I observed

Kuno

Sarah: uhh scratch that previous order.

earlier today, hoping to see something more in his aura that the
cameras wouldn't catch.  He's surrounded, for some odd reason,

by

several spells."

"Spells?"  Nabiki's mind spun a few times, considering the

Eric: that had to hurt.

Sarah: she could be possessed as well. Ala Excorcist but you know
more internally.

implications.  Two seconds later, it came up with the only

likely

suspect:  Gosunkugi.  She'd have to ask him about it later, but

for

now...  "What kind of spells?"

Mio frowned.  "An unusual assortment.  Blessings, protection

against

evil spirits, much more that I can't recognize."

Eric: I'm raking my mind to try and remember if this is mentioned
in the previous stories.

"You can't recognize them?"

"No," said Mio.

Sarah: you think she MIGHT be a bit abashed at this.

"The spellcaster was that good?"

"No... he was that sloppy.  I get the impression that the caster

was

throwing spells frantically."

Sarah: oh yeah thats right, Gosunkugi got good or something didnt
he?

Eric: i'm racking my brain here.  i think so.

Yes, thought Nabiki, definitely Gosunkugi.

"Anyways," continued Mio, "with these spells cast on him, he

should

only be able to manifest the full power when his emotions are
incredibly strong."

"Ah, good, end of problem," said Nabiki matter-of-factly.

"There IS one cause for concern, though," said Mio.  "The way

those

spells are bound to him constantly, they're in constant conflict

with

his Psycho power.  There may be side effects."

Eric: loss of hair, loss of sterility, typical radiation
problems.

"What kind?" asked Nabiki.

"No way of knowing, really."

"So, does this X factor have anything to do with his current
run of good luck in the tournament?"

Sarah: thank you charles xavier.

"With the power running through his system, despite being being
hindered by those spells, Kuno probably has improved reflexes,
stamina, and even strength.  From what I've heard, Kuno has

always

been formidable, but just below the level at which the recent

influx

of martial artists."

"That would be correct," said Nabiki.  "You think he's been

nudged up

to that level at last?"

Eric: almost on par with Ranma and Ryouga and Ryo?

Sarah: the three 'R's?

"It's a possibility."

They walked further, Nabiki looking contemplative while Mio

admired

the good weather outside.  They'd nearly come full circle around

the

floor, and could hear the clacking of keyboards coming from

Nabiki's

operations center.

Sarah: an annoying sound if i ever heard one.

Eric: perhaps you should invest in those quietkey keyboards.

"Something's still bothering me," said Nabiki.  "How on earth

did Kuno

gain this power to begin with?"

Eric: meteorite.

Sarah: a green lantern gave it to him.

"That," said Mio, "you'll have to ask him yourself."

Sarah: excuse me Kuno..

Eric: yaytatatatatatatatata

*

[Furinkan High campus, 5:30 PM]

Mikado sighed, running a hand through his hair, checking his
reflection over and over.  For the first time in far too long,

he was

going it alone.  The King oF Nerima Tournament.  Finally, he'd

be able

to prove his greatness, and rid that one blemish from his

otherwise

perfect record.. Saotome.  He would fall this tourney, by

Mikado's own

hands.

Eric: humm one thing is starting to bother me.  The time frame.
If it is a new day as implied in the first paragraph why is it so
late?

Sarah: yeah anyways?  Wouldnt most of the matches take place in
the morning or afternoon before evening?

The first day had been a veritable cakewalk.  Having easily

disposed

of some foppish member of the martial oragami school, he'd had

to

Eric and Sarah: martial arts oragami?!  Now that may have been an
intresting fight.

Eric: hey i wonder if Kodachi will show up eventually?

defeat that lovely yet overzealous cheerleader girl..

Sarah: whats her name?

Eric: I -DON'T - KNOW - YAY!

Sarah: and where is lovely Azusa?

Eric: hanging around with Elmira i bet.

That, however, was yesterday, the past.  His attention at the

moment

was focused on finding the latest fight match listings to

determine

where and when his next match would be.  He idly wondered if his

next

opponent would prove to be more entertaining than yesterday's

cannon

fodder.

Mikado smirked.  It was of no consequence.  Mone could stand

before

the might of his now-perfected style.  He had far more tricks up

his

sleeve than when he first met Ranma.  The matches were to begin

in

about an hour's time, but first he felt obligated to go about

and meet

the fans...

-----

Sarah: hey this is a different sort of transition!

Eric: no fair changing the transistions on us.

Ryouga shook his head, growling as he made a b-line to the

nearest

washroom.  He was wet, cold, and female.  Of COURSE Moh wouldn't

just

leave the loss alone..  He just HAD to get vengeance back..

Sarah: Lil'Ryouga having a bad day?

Ryouga shuddered.  He and his partner, Shem Pu had a nasty thing

with

water bottles..

Eric: ewww..

But before Ryouga was allowed to think, or move, any further, a

pair

of hands pulled her from behind, leaning her back.  Almost

instantly,

a pair of lips were upon her.  -Male- lips.

Sarah: oh no Mikado... this is gross..

Eric: I'm closing my eyes now thank you.

Mikado smiled, raising the innocent girl back to her feet.  He

sighed

dramatically, "Ah, thank you my dear, for such a message of well
wishing. Now, Sanzenin Mikado shall go forth to victory.  I

shall not

forget you, my lovely.."

Sarah: maim him.

Eric: i'm still not looking.

With that, Mikado rollerbladed off, leaving Ryouga to stare

blankly

ahead of herself.  Momentarily.

Ryouga shook her head, then her whole body followed soon after.

Teeth

grated, and flames build up around her body.  "I'M GOING TO KILL
HIM!!"  She cried, punching the ground, hard.

Sarah: a not unexpected reaction

Eric: i'm still not watching till i hear the sounds of bone
breaking.

Later, when she was able to get out of the crater, she decided

to

clean up and change back to a male first.

Stopping by one of the concessions stands, Ryouga got a cup of

hot

water. As he waited, he noticed the tournament schedule.  His

next

match was against... ah ha.

Sarah: the way his luck has been going i wouldnt be surprised if
he had to face off against seal or something.

Ryouga smiled.  Vengeance could wait wait for an hour or so.

Eric: Mikado?  his first real match then?

-

Sarah: no fair!  You keep changing it on us!

With a sigh, another girl stepped back giggling.  Mikado himself

was

looking quite pleased as he made the rounds with the people and

gave

his fans the adoration they desired.

Eric: do the words date rape mean anything to him?

Sarah: sheez this guy is going to jail soon.

It was a good day to be Mikado Sanzenin.

Eric: i hope not for long.

Mikado's reverie was cut short, when he walked headlong into

another

man. He took a step back, his eyes narrowing in recognition.

Simultaneously, Ryouga and Mikado cried out "YOU!!"  Then then

both

simultaneously blinked.  Mikado was the first to recover.

Sarah: this should be a fairer match since they both wont have to
be on roller blades.

"You!  You are the boy who cost me my match against that coward
Saotome! ...Hibiki Ryouga, is it not?  It seems this tourney

will be

more enjoyable than I thought..."

Eric: for us at least as we see you get CRUSHED... *cracks his
knuckles for emphasis*

Sarah: you know Mikado has to be worse the Kuno.

"Hey, you, if you EVER kiss me again I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

Eric and Sarah: *blach*

Mikado blinked, then crossed his arms and frowned.  "Excuse me?

Kiss

YOU?  I think not.  What kind of pervert are you anyway?"

Eric: the question should be asked of you.

Ryouga winced.  "Ah... I said... I _said_ if you kiss MY SISTER

again

I'm gonna kill you!"

Sarah: Ryouga in his foghorn leghorn impersonation.

Mikado blinked, puzzled.  "Are you sure you didn't say 'if you

ever

kiss me again'?"

Ryouga's brain managed to summon up a little cleverness.  He

looked

scandalized.  "Why would I wanna kiss you?!"

Eric: Yes why would you wanna kiss him?

Sarah: it doesnt seem all that clever actually, more like some
strange comment that could come back to haunt him.

"Hey, that's what I was asking you!"

"I did NOT say I wanted to kiss you!" yelled Mikado.  "You're

not even

my type!"

Eric: Okay I'm confused.

"What, you're saying I'm ugly now?!"

Sarah: scruffy maybe... definetely not ugly.

At this point, both men had that really bad feeling, the kind

that

says, 'hey, better look over your shoulder'.

Eric: yes i am aware of that feeling.

They did.

There was a large crowd gathered, listening to these two argue,

and

plenty of whispers about sexual orientation and perversion.

Sarah: I KNEW it

Eric: that statement will haunt him.

Mikado turned pale.  So did Ryouga.

"I'll... uh... see you in the match," grumbled Ryouga.

"Likewise," said Mikado.

They both _quickly_ went their sepeate ways.

Sarah: running at top speeds.

-

Eric: oh well at least this one is consistent with the last one.

Nabiki smiled, pocketing her mini-cam tape, and loading in

another. A

huge smile was on her face.  "Well, that was amusing..."

Sarah: ahh Nabiki is always there at opportune moments.

*

Eric: stop that!

                        ---------- Round 1 --------

Sarah: shouldnt it be Round 3?

Eric: and is there a losers bracket?

*

The sun set on the canal, giving the fighters standing by its

side a

Sarah: having just read IT i must say that the canal seems a tad
more frightening.

rather cinematic quality.  The spectators chose this moment to

take

lots of photographs.

Sarah: well this is Japan after all.

Eric: *groan*

Akane ignored them, she had other things on her mind.

Eric: grocery list for today...

It wasn't her adversary's _very_ dusty, unkept appearance that

had

Akane a little worried.

Sarah: shes fighting Pigpen?!

It wasn't the way that her adversary seemed totally and utterly
relaxed.

It was the large metal radial steel wire broom that had her

worried.

Eric: *ponder* who could this be?

Akane had seen footage of Tanya's fights, and she knew she was

in for

Eric: oh Tanya Noori.  i had wondered what happened to her.

Sarah: personally I would like to see Akane lose this match.  I'd
much rather see Tanya face someone like Natsume or even Kodachi.

Eric: i'm betting on Akane losing as well.  But you dont think
Natsume is right now facing Ukyou do you?

Sarah: oh oh.

one rough experience.  Tanya Noori was a wily foe that was

entirely

willing to fight dirty.  More often than not, she drew blood

from her

foe either from strikes of the steel wire broom, or nastier

looking

hook-like objects she kept in her jacket.

Eric: this is going to be interesting.

Akane snapped out of her thoughts when she realized Noori was
approaching her.

"Tendo."

"Um, yes?"

"Just want you to know.  Nothing personal."

Sarah: oh yes Akane is going down.

Eric: heh.

*

Meanwhile, in the soccer field, a rivalry of sub-legendary

proportions

with a year's worth of history was about to take place.

For once, thought Ranma, he was getting a break.

Sarah: ahh Kuno vs Ranma.

"Hahahaha... so, Ranma Saotome, fate decrees that I, Tatewaki

Kuno

shall cross paths with you on this day!..."

Eric: well that and some wacky guy doing the scheduling that
doesnt want to see Ranma advance.

Yeah, same old Kuno, talkative as ever.

Sarah: blah blah blah.

"...Know now that your participation in this tournament is at an

end,

for today..."

Blah, blah, blah...

Sarah: excuse me but you CANNOT steal my lines.

"...SURELY destiny has seen fit that the public witness as I,
Furinkan's Favorite Son, bring you, lowly cur that thou art, to

your

knees!  HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Aw, shut up already!"  As was tradition, Ranma used his

unmatched

speed and slid in for multiple strikes at Kuno's jaw, finishing

it

with an uppercut that sent Kuno flying back, hitting the ground

flat

on his back, just as Ranma expected.

Eric: oy he's going to feel that in the morning.

Sarah: Kuno is NOT down for the count.

Ranma turned his back on Kuno, looking smug.  "So, did I get'em

under

five seconds?" he asked the judge's table.  "I'm going for that
rec-"

Eric: oh the arrogance is going to cost you this time

*SLASH*

Sarah: i feel like i'm playing a mud all of a sudden.

*

The Kolholz Ice Rink was stripped of its ice, leaving bare

concrete

at the floor.  It was, to Mikado, a sad sight.  He took comfort

in the

fact that it was only temporary.

Eric: and where is Azusa?

He also took comfort in the legions of Mikado fans in the

audience,

screaming his name, proclaiming their love for him.

Sarah: Its Hulkamania!

"Thank you!" he said, smiling and waving as he rollerbladed

around the

rink.  "Thank you all!"  He deftly caught a rose that was tossed

to

him from the audience and smelled its aroma.

Eric: was it black?! was it black?!

Sarah: kodachi lays her mark,

Eric: no she's protecting Ryouga!

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the rink, Ryouga was standing
there, eager for the match to begin.

The announcer stepped to the middle of the rink, beckoning both
fighters to the middle, then extracted a wireless microphone.

Sarah: convoy... convoy!

Eric: ?

Sarah: simpsons, boy, dont you know anything?

*LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO THE KING OF NERIMA TOURNAMENT!

TO

MY LEFT, RYOUGA HIBIKI OF FURINKAN HIGH!*

There was some light applause, and a fair amount of boos and

hisses
>from the crowd as well.  After all, this was Mikado's turf.

Sarah: boy now i have an aching to see what happened to Kodachi.

*TO MY RIGHT, KOLHOLZ HIGH CHAMPION MARTIAL ARTS FIGURESKATER

MIKADO

SANZENIN!

Eric: BOooo!

Sarah: Hiss!

Eric: actually dont they always refer to him as Emperor Mikado
Sanzenin?

At this point, the crowd went wild with cheers, roaring and

chanting

'Sanzenin! Sanzenin! Sanzenin!'.  Mikado's smile rised a notch

and he

raised his hand to acknowledge the audience's adoration.

*THE MATCH ENDS BY KNOCKOUT OR SUBMISSION!  FIGHT*

The transition from smiling, waving egomaniac to speeding,

attacking

martial artist was quick, catching Ryouga off guard.  Sanzenin

sped

in sliding, knocking Ryouga off his feet and onto the floor.

Before

he could recover, Sanzenin sprang up in the air in a dazzling

triple

rotation, then plowed into Ryouga's chest with both feet.

Eric: oof thats going to hurt wosre i think.

Surely, thought, Mikado, that was the end of that.  Two seconds

later

Ryouga booted him into the wall.

Sarah: leaving a sizable bunny shape there.

*

"Stand your ground, coward!"  *SLASH*
Ranma sprang back as Kuno slashed another canal into the field.

In

the distance, several trees and the goalposts were laid to

waste,

evidence of Tatewaki Kuno's newfound prowess.

Eric: humm dont they usually have some sort of rink or boundry?

As he landed, Ranma winced and put a hand over his ribs.  He was
still angry at himself for turning his back on his enemy, even

if it

was Kuno.  Genma trained him to know better than that.  Now,

because

of his arrogance, he had two bruised ribs that definitely

weren't

going to be healed overnight.

Sarah: see i told you he'd feel it in the morning.

Kuno lashed out again, his speed not quite but approaching the

speed

of Ranma's chestnut fist technique.  Ranma dodged some strikes

and was

forced to block others.  The strikes he blocked left a burning,
stinging sensation.

Eric: much like the sting wings at the surf club.

As Kuno's attack wound down, Ranma let loose with his own speed
attack.  To his surprise, Kuno actually managed to block a few,

but

for the most part his punches were finding their mark.  Ranma

finished

with backhand followed by a footsweep, knocking the kendoist off

his

feet and into the ground.

"There, MUCH better," said Ranma.  He took a few steps back and

caught

his breath.  This was just wrong, Kuno shouldn't have been this

much

trouble.  But as the match extended, Kuno had been getting

better.

Something odd was going on.

Sarah: you'd think he hadnt been watching the replays of the
fight at the King's Cafe.

The question now was if Kuno would STAY down.

Eric: not unless you stomp him.

"Saotome... I... fight... ON!"

Eric: told you.

Damn.  So much for a quick end.

Kuno rose quickly and slashed again, but this time a wave of

dark

energy flew from his blade.  Ranma ducked, and the ki blast flew

into

the side of Furinkan High, shattering brick and window alike.

Sarah: luckily no one was standing over in that direction

Eric: aside from Nabiki's little group of vegas wannabe's

Ranma stared at the damage, then at Kuno, who was definitely
flickering with a dark aura.

"Aw man, all I wanted was ONE easy match.  WHOA!"

*

Mikado spun wildly in place, with Ryouga snared in his Dance of

Death

attack.  Punch after punch slammed into Ryouga but the lost boy

showed

no signs of collapse.  Finally, Mikado spun away, leaving Ryouga
somewhat bruised and slightly dizzy and Mikado unhurt but with

the

world spinning at an alarming rate.

Sarah: uh huh.. well Ryouga you were always the blunt and forward
one... why not just breaking point him.

Eric: yeah you know we have yet to see you use your new use for
the breaking point.

Ryouga recovered first and went on the offensive, hurling

bandanna

after bandanna at the skater until the air swarmed with them.

With

his speed, Mikado managed to kick away or dodge them, although a

few

flew in close enough to cut his clothes.

Sarah: please stay clothed. please stay clothed.

He was so busy taking care of the bandannas that he failed to

notice

the really big umbrella flying towards him.  A second later, he

also

discovered that the umbrella was _very_ heavy.

Eric: uranium depleted i hear.

*

Sarah: is there perhaps a method to your mad use of transitions?

The match had gone on for far longer than Ranma liked.  Kuno

didn't

land too many more solid blows, but every hit of his bokken that

did

get in was going to be sore for days after.  Ranma, in turn,

laid Kuno

flat on his back several times, but the kendoist _always_

managed to

stand once again.

It was after a few more minutes that Ranma realized his mistake.

This

Eric: i always thought that Ranma was a bit more adaptive then
that.

wasn't the same old Kuno.  He was fighting him as if he was,

though,

and that just wasn't working.

There was something he knew that worked on anyone.  It worked

against

Happosai just fine.  It flattened Ryouga before.  Surely, it'd

work on

Kuno.

Sarah: and it dropped Ukyou into a tree if i remember

Eric: oh yeah I members that.  *glare*

After several minutes of trading shots, and lots of insults by

Ranma,

Kuno was burning red hot with rage.

Perfect.

"Ya call this a match, Kuno?  Your sister fights better than

this!"

Eric: oi i agree.  Where is the little dear anyways.

"INSOLENT DOG!"

Yep, definitely hot enough.

Carefully, Ranma began retreating in a spiral pattern, with Kuno
eagerly following, accompanied by a frenzy of slashes.  Ranma
concentrated on cool, kept his focus on being cool, let inner

peace

Eric: concentrated on remaining cool,

fill his mind.

Then he let loose with the attack.

"HIRYU SHOTEN HA!"

A pillar of light surrounded by a sudden whirlwind surrounded

Ranma,

catching Kuno in its path.  The Kendoist flew high in the sky,
spinning helplessly in the mini-tornado that the hiryu shoten ha
generated.

Sarah: wheee!

A second later, The Blue Thunder crashed down to earth, finally
unconscious.

Eric: bravo.

Sarah: good show old man.

*

Sarah: oi another abrupt ending!

Eric: well its pretty good so far, though you can start to see
your dislike of fighting scenes wearing through.

Sarah: i really do hope that Noori beats Akane, since i think
that she'd make a much better match against Ukyou or Natsume.

Eric: see what you've created, we like the side characters better
then the main characters.  In fact I hope that Ryo beats up Ranma
shortly.

Sarah: Bye!