Ranma 1/2 : Actor in the Mirror Part 1 [Angle on the Tendou home, inside the fence. From a ways off, we hear a strange noise, like thunder recorded at 33 and played at 45. It grows louder, and suddenly Ranma-chan bursts through the gate, growling, waving her arms, and generally in a high temper. She stops next to a tree in the yard, and vents some of her rage by demolishing a fair portion of the trunk. Cut to the interior of the house, with Kasumi walking down the hall, carrying a tray of tea things. Ranma-chan walks up next to her and, without breaking stride, picks up the pot, pours it over herself, and returns it to the tray.] Ranma:"Thank you" [Kasumi stares after Ranma as he climbs the stairs, surprised and a little disturbed. Cut to Ranma lying on his futon.] Ranma:[Suddenly sitting up and grabbing his hair] Aaarrrgh! [He falls back down.] I can't stand this any longer. I've got to find a way back to normal before I go nuts! [We see a series of flashbacks of what the day has been like, with Kunou jumping him(her) , Akane splashing him every time she got mad, and Kodachi showing up to accuse "her" of trying to steal "Ranma-sama."] Ranma:[rolling onto his stomach] I've got to find a way to get rid of this curse. If I don't, I don't think I can stand to live this ridiculous life any longer! [Puts his head down on his arms.] Aaaah, who am I kidding? Turning back to a normal man is just a dream... [pauses] A dream... [lifts his head up like he's had an idea] A dream! Yeah! [He gets up and dashes out of the room. Cut to the hall outside Happosai's room. Ranma comes bounding up, puts his hand on the sliding door - and pauses. He straightens up, takes a deep breath, and knocks on the doorframe.] Happosai:[inside] Yes? Ranma:[opening the door] It's me, grandad. Happosai: Ah, Ranma, come in. [Holding up a panty] I think Akane's taste is improving, don't you? Ranma:[closing the door and sitting down] Um, I really wouldn't know... I came to ask a favor. Happosai:Oh? Ranma:Yes... [pause] A while back, I saw a dream where you'd repaired the nanban mirror and kept it safe. Happosai:Mmm... Dreams can show you interesting things. Ranma:Yes... In the dream, I traveled back in time, and kept myself from falling into the pool at Jusenkyo. Happosai:Eh!?! Ranma:Grandad, if you allow me to borrow the mirror, I will do whatever you ask of me in return. [Bows formally] Happosai:Never! [jumps up to his full 24 inches] Never could I allow that! If you changed the past like that... Ranma:What would happen? Happosai:That... That... That cute Ranma-chan would never appear again! [Bursts into tears. Ranma does a face-fault] Ranma:But grandad... Happosai:Absolutely not! How could you even think of depriving me of her! Out, out, out,...! [Later, in Ranma's room. He's lying on his futon again] Ranma:Dammit! There has to be some way I can convince him... [rolls over] What does he want more then me being around as a girl... [pause. He sits up and looks at the dresser.] How far am I willing to go for this...? [looks determined] No! If I get that mirror, I can finish it once and for all! [He opens one of the drawers and roots through it.] [Cut to Happosai's room. Happosai is puffing on his pipe. Ranma slides the door open.] Ranma:Hey, grandad! Happosai:Forget it. There's nothing I want more than Ranma-chan being near me. Ranma:[holds up what looks like a stack of photographs] How about a way to remember her forever, even when I'm a guy? Happosai:What's that? Ranma:Remember these? [Ranma dangles the photos from one hand(They're strung together with twine.). Happosai gapes at pictures of Ranma-chan posing sexily in panties and bra(or less).] Happosai:Sweet! [lunges for the photos] Ranma:[yanking them back] Oh, no! Mirror first, then photos! Happosai:[stamping his foot] Ranma, you...! Ranma:[waving the pictures] She'll be gone, but you'll remember her forever... Happosai:Aarrgh! [turns and rummages under his futon, then turns around holding an antique mirror crisscrossed with taped-over cracks.] Here! [Ranma takes the mirror and tosses the photos out the window] Waaah! [lunges after them.] [Ranma holds the mirror up and cackles triumphantly, then dashes off down the hall. Cut to the kitchen, where Akane is helping Kasumi make dinner. (Aaaah! :)] Akane:Well, it *was* a pretty wild day, but that's still no excuse. [frowns down at the onion she's chopping] He should apologize, at least! Kasumi:Maybe... He really seemed upset, though. I wonder- [breaks off as Ranma runs into the room] Ranma:[grabbing the unchopped part of the onion from in front of Akane] "Thank you!" [Akane gapes after Ranma as he dashes out of the room, then yanks off her apron and goes after him. Cut to the garden. Ranma is rubbing the onion on one eye as Akane walks up to him.] Ranma:[letting a tear fall onto the mirror] Take me to Jusenkyo, right before Dad and I visited it! Akane:[ignoring what he's doing] Ranma, are you losing what little manners you have!? Ranma:[looking up, startled] Eh!? Akane, get away quickly! Akane:What! [The mirror flares blindingly bright. As the light fades, Ranma and Akane are nowhere to be seen...] Ranma 1/2 - Actor in the Mirror Part 2 {Author's note:Ranma's favorite phrase for Akane, "Kawaikune-" literally translates as "not cute." Some people have translated it as 'obnoxious' as a colloquialism. I have picked the latter.} [Angle on a rocky ledge. Ranma and Akane are sprawled on the ground, Ranma still holding the onion and mirror. Akane sits up and looks around in confusion.] Akane:[going over to Ranma and shaking him.] Hey! Wake up! What's going on here and where are we? Ranma:[opens his eyes.] Huh? [sits up and glares at Akane.] Idiot! I told you to get away, if you had, you wouldn't be- [looks around] here... [Ranma jumps up and walks over to the rim of the ledge. He peers down for a moment, then a grin spreads over his face.] Ranma:All RIGHT!! I did it! I'm here... [pause] But *when* am I? If this is really just before we got here, we should be... Akane:[who's been watching this with increasing impatience.] What are you babbling about?! Where are we!? Ranma:Be quiet a second. [walks to the other side of the ledge and peers down.] Bingo!! [over his shoulder] Akane, take a look. [She comes over and looks down. Below the ledge is a winding mountain road. In the distance, two figures can be seen approaching through the thinning morning mist. As they get closer, we see that they are- Akane:[stunned] Uncle Saotome and- and YOU!? What's going on here? Ranma:Take a look over the other side. [Akane walks across the ledge and peers down. Through the mist, we see a valley filled with small pools. Bamboo poles rise into the air at intervals across the valley.] Akane:This... This is Jusenkyo? You used Happosai's magic mirror to travel back in time... Ranma:And now, I'm going to keep those two idiots from getting themselves cursed! [turns to jump down from the ledge.] Akane:How? Ranma:Ummm... um. Akane:How would you react if another you appeared and started ordering you around? Ranma:Punch his face, most likely... Ummm, I guess I'll have to get tricky... [Cut to an angle on the road to Jusenkyo. Ranma and Genma are walking along it, arguing as usual.] Genma:I tell you it's just a little farther! Ranma:You've been saying that *all day*! And how do we know this place is still open for training, since you can't read the description in that Chinese book? Genma:If it's not open, we'll just use the equipment they left behind. Be a man, Ranma! Won't you do anything for the sake of your art? Ranma:Anything except die of exhaustion! Why don't we- [Ranma breaks off as two figures appear in the road ahead. Akane and Ranma-chan are standing with heads down, wearing very strange outfits.] Ranma-chan:[Sonorous voice] We are the good witches of the mountains... Akane:And we have come to warn you that unless you turn back now... Ranma-chan:A terrible fate will befall you both! [Ranma and Genma stare at each other a moment.] Genma:Ummm... Aren't you both a little young to be witches? Ranma-chan:[Raising her head and glaring] How young do you think we are, boy? Genma:Eh??! [stares in shock] Ranma:Hmmmph. I don't see any reason to turn back. [Moves to go around the girls] Akane:[stepping in front of him] I swear, by the art we both practice... Ranma-chan:If you enter Jusenkyo, your life will take an awful path! Ranma:Che! I don't know what this place is like, but now I'm curious. C'mon, Dad. [vaults over the girls' heads] Ranma-chan:Grrrrr! [catches up with Ranma and grabs him by the ponytail.] *Listen* you, if you don't turn back now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life! Ranma:[pulling free] I could never believe an obnoxious girl like you... Ranma-chan:What did you say? Ranma:[pulling out his cheeks with his fingers] Bleeaaahplplpl, You're so obnoxious, I bet you became a witch 'cause no boy would go out with you! Ranma-chan:Why, you... Ranma:Heheh, you're even less cute when you're mad- Ranma-chan:JERK!! [lunges at Ranma] Ranma:Whoa! Ranma-chan[punching or kicking with each shout] Hah! Hatah! Hah-Hah-Hah! Yah! Yah! [Ranma dodges her blows with difficulty until one kick knocks him into a boulder by the side of the road] Ranma:Ungh! [looks up at Ranma-chan] Heheh, was that supposed to hurt, kid? Ranma-chan:[losing her temper completely] Why, you- KACHUU-TENSHIN-AMAGURIKEN!!!! [Ranma-chan's hands blur into a hailstorm of punches Ranma has no way of blocking. In moments, he's out cold.] Ranma-chan:Watch it next time before you tell someone she's obnoxious! Akane:[coming up next to her] Really, Ranma, it's the absolute worst thing you can call a girl. Ranma-chan:Yeah, abso- [breaks off and gives Akane a suspicious look] Akane:[big smile] Heheh. Ranma-chan:[whirling on Genma] Are you going to go home now, or do you want the same!? Genma:[chickening out] Aaah, I think we've trained enough here in China. Maybe... Ranma-chan:It's time you told him about the Tendous. [Genma and Akane both look startled.] Genma:How did you- Ranma-chan:GET MOVING!! Genma:Aaah! Yes, yes... [picks up Ranma and dashes back down the road] [Ranma-chan stands looking after them a moment, breathing hard. Then she grins.] Ranma-chan:Awright! We did it! Akane:Then how come you're still a girl? Ranma-chan:Aah, it should fix when we get back to the future... [pulls out onion and mirror] Ready? [Akane grabs the onion and scrubs Ranma-chan's eye vigorously.] Ranma:Aaagh! [Pulls back and glares at Akane as a tear falls on the mirror] Take us home! [A moment later there are no Ranmas near Jusenkyo....] Ranma Nibunnoichi : Actor in the Mirror Part 3 [Angle on a rainy street. Two figures appear through the downpour, which, as they approach, we recognize as Genma and Ranma, both dressed in gis. Ranma skids to a halt as he(and we) realize three things: 1.It's raining. 2.He's soaked through. 3.He's still male.] Ranma:Huh!?! [stares at his hands, then feels his chest] [Ranma sheds the backpack he's wearing and somersaults skyward with a triple flip and full twist.] Ranma:EEEEEEEEYAHOOOOOO!!! [lands on the fence next to the street and starts a series of flips and capers that would make Kim Zmeskal turn green with envy] Genma:[staring at his son's antics] Eh!? [Ranma slips off the fence into the canal below. A moment later he surfaces, still male, blowing water and laughing crazily.] Ranma:[scrambling up to cling to the fence opposite Genma] Hey, Dad, how's it feel not being a panda? Genma:[taking off his glasses and wiping them on his sleeve] Ranma, I realize you're not happy about this engagement, but acting like a madman won't get you out of it, I'm afraid... Ranma:Hm!? [frowns, looks down at his gi, up at the sky, around at the neighborhood, and over at the pack he was wearing] Ranma:[to himself] Wait - This was in the dream too... Ranma:[vaulting over the fence and picking up his pack] Hey, Dad, run this engagement business past me one more time? [Genma sighs and walks on down the street. Ranma follows.] Genma:We are going to meet an old friend of mine named Tendou. Long ago, we agreed that if I had a son and he had a daughter, they would marry. Ranma:Ah. Ranma:[to himself] Right, this is the time just before we met the Tendou family... I'll bet Akane is confused right now, wondering what's going on... We must've jumped into our bodies at this point because I changed the past... Genma:Listen, Ranma! I said Tendou has told me he has three daughters, so you can take your pick! Ranma:Hmmph. I bet one is too old, one is too scheming, and one is too uncute. [Genma gives Ranma a puzzled look as they walk off into the rain.] [Cut to an angle on the Tendou parlor(or dining room or whatever). The three girls are sitting at the table in kimonos, Soun is standing at the door into the garden.] Kasumi:So, what kind of man is Ranma? Nabiki:Is he handsome? Kasumi:I hope he's older than me... Nabiki:What kind of man is he, Father? Soun:[laughs briefly] I don't know. Nabiki:You don't know?! Soun:I've never mat him. [None of the girls seem happy to hear this. After a pause, we hear the front door being opened and-] Genma:[in the distance] Gomen kudasai! Kasumi:Ah, we have a guest. Nabiki:[jumping up and running out of the room] I'll bet it's Ranma! Soun:[following her] Saotome-kun, I've waited so long for this! [Kasumi and Akane follow at a slower pace] Kasumi:I do hope he's older. Akane:[sulkily] I'd rather it was no boy at all. [Cut to the entrance hall. Soun and Genma are embracing delightedly while Nabiki is sizing Ranma up. Kasumi and Akane arrive.] Genma:Ah, Tendou-kun, if only you knew how long I've waited... Soun:I do, I do! [turns to Ranma] This must be Ranma! [embraces him] Ranma:Ooof! [disengages himself] I'm glad to meet you, Uncle. [He throws Akane a wink, and she gives him a puzzled look.] Kasumi:Please, come in. [Cut to the parlor(or whatever), a bit later.] Soun:...and last, Akane, 16 years old. Take your pick- one of them will be your wife. Ranma:Ah. [glances at Akane and raises an eyebrow. She looks puzzled again.] Um... do I have to choose now? Why don't I get to know them a little first? Kasumi:Yes, it's best not to rush into things. Soun:Well... don't you have any idea who you want? Akane:[annoyed] We're not shirts he's trying to buy, you know! Ranma:[grins] But the color and texture is still very important, of course. Akane:What! Ranma:[getting up] Akane, you do "kenpo," don't you? Akane:[startled] How... did you- Ranma:C'mon, let's have a match. Akane:Uh... Okay. [follows Ranma out] [Cut to the practice hall. Akane enters, then Ranma, who closes the door behind them. Ranma turns to Akane with a grin.] Ranma:Well, whaddaya think? Akane:About what? Ranma:About this! I fixed it! Akane:Fixed what? Ranma:Fixed me... [trails off with a confused look] Hello, Akane, are you in there? Akane:[thoroughly confused, getting into fighting stance] Of course I'm here, what's wrong with you? You said you wanted a match! Ranma:[also getting into a stance] Um... don't you get the feeling we've done this before, sort of? Akane:Are you all right in the head? How could we have had a match before, we just met ten minutes ago! [attacks] YAH! [Ranma, though distracted by his thoughts, dodges all Akane's attacks, though he launches none of his own.] Ranma:[to himself] She doesn't know me... so she's not the Akane I went back in time with, she's the one I would have met if I'd never gotten cursed... But if that Akane's not here- WHERE IS SHE? Ranma Nibunnoichi : Actor in the Mirror [That evening, in Ranma's room. He's lying on his futon, staring at the ceiling.] Ranma:[sitting up and counting on his fingers] Kasumi almost certainly will tell me I'm too young. Nabiki [shudders] is out of the question. Akane... how can I tell her I can only pick her without getting her back up? Hmmm... [Cut to the next morning, with Ranma and Akane walking to school.] Akane:I still think it's a silly idea. Ranma:Well, your father was delighted, Kasumi was pleased, and Nabiki was just miffed, so it seems to be working. And it's not like I've *really* picked you, I told you this is just to keep everyone off my back until... Akane:Okay, you explained all that last night. I still think you might be some kind of weirdo, though... Ranma:Arrggh! Will you stop that, I apologized already! I told you I got confused and thought-Huh? [Loud noise from up ahead. Akane sighs, charges ahead, and, as she has every morning, defeats half the male population of Furinkan High School.] Ranma:[to himself] Right, I forgot about that... Kunou should show up right about... [A rose comes flying through the air. Akane catches it.] Kunou:[appearing from behind a tree] What a bunch of- [breaks off] Akane-kun, who is this man who stands so close to you? [Akane glances at Ranma, who's right behind her shoulder. He hands her his pack, then walks between her and Kunou.] Ranma:I'm heir to the Saotome school of unlimited martial arts... I'm Saotome Ranma... And I'm Akane's fiance'. Kunou:WHAT! Ranma:[to himself] This is probably inevitable... [smirks] so I'll just enjoy it. Kunou:I will never allow this engagement! [raises his bokken] Ranma:[sarcastically] It's not your place to allow, jerk. Kunou:Damn you! [charges] [Ranma basically humiliates Kunou up and down the yard, dodging all his thrusts, smart-alecking a blue streak, and finally breaking Kunou's bokken and knocking him out with two perfect roundhouse kicks.] Ranma:[grinning at Akane] You're popular here, aren't you. [Cut to the hall outside class 1-A. Ranma and Akane are standing holding buckets of water.] Akane:[glaring at Ranma] This is *your* fault, I've been winning every morning without being late *once*. Ranma:[looking bored] Well, now you won't have to win anymore... as soon as word gets out you're engaged, no one will ask you out. Is a contest the usual method for asking someone on a date around here? Akane:No, Kunou told them they had to beat if they wanted- hey, you said we'd just pretend to be engaged! Ranma:[rolling his eyes] We can hardly tell Dad and Uncle we're serious and tell everyone else we're not... Akane:Hmmmph. I was getting tired of fighting *every single morning*... [Cut to the Tendou house, at dinner.] Nabiki:Heh, I heard what happened with Kunou-chan... He's likely to challenge you to a duel, he really hates to lose. Ranma:[bored] I hope I don't have to beat him too many times before he gives up... Nabiki:Hehe... don't bet on it. And don't forget to give your fiancee' a good-night kiss. [Akane chokes on her rice.] Ranma:Hmmmph. [Cut to an angle on Ranma asleep. Slow dissolve to: Ranma stands in darkness. A vague impression of slowly revolving walls makes it seem he's caught in a gigantic vortex. He looks around.] Voice:[thin and weak, from a *very* long way off] Ranmaaaaa... Ranma:Who's there? Voice:[slightly stronger] Ranma... help me... Ranma:Where are you? *Who* are you? [Off to one side, an image begins to form in one of the "walls" of the vortex.] Ranma:[staring] Who...? [His eyes widen in horror] Akane...? [ The image clears, and we see it is indeed Akane; the short- haired girl who went back in time with him, not the long-haired one who's just met him. She seems wavery and faded like a photo left under running water.] Akane:Ranma... I'm so cold... Ranma:[starting to run towards her] Akane! Akane:Ranma... help me, I'm lost... Ranma:Akane! [curses as he realizes he's not getting any closer] Akane, how do I reach you? Akane:[starting to fade] I don't know... Ranmaaaaaa... [vanishes] Ranma:[leaping awake] Akane--------!!! [Angle on Ranma's room, he's on his feet, clasping Akane to him. As he comes all the way awake, he realizes the girl he's holding has long hair. He lets go.] Akane:[stunned] ..... Ranma:I, uh... Akane:I was coming to get you up... Ranma:I was just having a bad dream... sorry... Akane:Um...[leaves the room] [Akane stands outside the room a moment, blushing and holding her heart, then hurries off down the hall.] Part 5 [A few days later, in Akane's room. Akane is at her desk, doing homework, Nabiki is on the bed reading a book.] Nabiki:So, how are you getting along? Akane:I'm not sure... Something makes me think he's going out of his way to be nice to me and I don't know why. And then, sometimes he does the strangest things... Nabiki:Like what? Akane:Well, I was talking about how I wished I could enter this ramen race they're going to hold, and he offered to enter in my place. I told him it was for girls only, and he said "That's no problem," poured a bucket of water over his head, and then said "How's that?" Nabiki:What difference does a bucket of water make? Akane:That's what I asked; he just looked confused, then apologized and said he'd gotten mixed up. Nabiki:Weird. But you said he's treating you nice? Akane:Mostly. He did make a couple smart remarks about girls fighting, but then took them back... Nabiki:[grinning] After you threatened to beat him up... What about that guy who showed up to fight him? Akane:Oh, Ryouga. That was just some old misunderstanding from when they were in junior high... Ranma said he didn't want to start some kind of never-ending feud, so he just apologized. Nabiki:Ranma did? Akane:Yeah, Ryouga seemed pretty surprised too, but he said it was enough. Nabiki:Huh. I think you've gotten engaged to a nice guy. [slyly] What about that business of him having dreams about you? Akane:[coloring] Well, it was just the once... He said it was probably the stress of sleeping in a new house... Akane:[to herself] Except I don't think that *was* the only time... Sometimes when I go to get him up he's mumbling my name and looks shocked when he opens his eyes... Has he gotten- No, it couldn't be some kind of love-at-first-sight- Nabiki:[peering into her sister's face] Are you *sure* about that? Akane:[jumps, then angrily] I don't know what goes on inside his head, no! Nabiki:Heh... [sits back] Is he helping you train for the gymnastics match next week? Akane:[frowning] He doesn't know much about gymnastics, but he said he'd help, and would try to get Ryouga to... I get the feeling he's nervous about the match for some reason... Nabiki:Well, this "Black Rose" Kodachi is supposed to be pretty good. He might be worried about you. Akane:Well, after she tried to ambush me in my own room, I'm not going to back away! [looks grim] And I won't let Ranma try to protect me either, fiance` or not... [Cut to Ranma sitting on his head in the doujou.] Ranma:[to himself] If she can't learn enough before the match I may have to protect her somehow... I don't believe I'm actually *wishing* I could turn into a girl. Never realized how useful it could be... [flips over] Well, I'll just handle whatever happens. Actually, I think she's really starting to like me. Kodachi has no crush on me, Ryouga isn't P-chan, we never went to Jouketsuzoku, and Kunou seems under control... [rubs his face] If I could just get rid of these damn dreams, everything would be peachy! [He closes his eyes, and we see his memories of the dreams: Akane with short hair, caught in a shadowy vortex, calling for help he can't give. Ranma shudders and splashes his face.] Ranma:The only thing I can think of is to horrible to think... but what if, even though I jumped into my body in what was my past, Akane *couldn't* for some reason? She could be trapped outside time, not really real, only able to reach- No! [shakes his head] The Akane here and now is the only Akane! [Cut to St. Hebereke Girl's School, the day of the match. Ranma and Akane are in a dressing room. Akane is wearing a leotard, and complaining about Kodachi's underhanded schemes.] Akane:...Thumbtacks and sleeping gas, and God only knows what else! How can she get away with it! Ranma:[bored] Beats me. Akane:[glares at him a moment, then relents, walks over and pats his shoulder.] Akane:I didn't thank you when I thanked Ryouga-kun did I? You were a big help, Ranma, I owe you. Ranma:[flustered] Er, ah, well... I couldn't let you... um... [Akane smiles as he trails off. He looks at her, then sighs and walks over to a table with a box on it. He picks up the box and carries it over to Akane.] Ranma:I don't know if this is a betrothal gift, a good-luck present, or what, but here. [He hands her the box. It's made of cardboard, with holes punched in the lid. Akane looks puzzled and opens it. Her eyes go wide, and she lifts out a small black pig with a yellow-and-black checkered bandanna tied around his middle. A red collar reads "P-chan." Akane:Ohhh... [hugs the pig] he's so cute! Ranma, you... how... [breaks off as a fanfare sounds outside] Oh! Come on, that's us... Here, hold him. [hands Ranma the pig and exits] [Ranma looks down at the pig, which, being a normal animal, just looks back at him blankly. Ranma sighs, and follows Akane into the arena.] Part 6 [The stands are packed with people yelling and cheering for their favorite fighter, the referee and announcer are ready, and Kodachi makes her entrance, descending in a shower of fireworks (and one missile that Ranma takes out with a well- thrown chair), leaping lithely to the ring, and facing Akane with a very unpleasant smile.] Ranma:[hearing a whistle from the crowd and suddenly remembering something] Hang on, Akane! [He bends double and dashes under the ring. Masculine shouts and feminine screams can suddenly be heard, and a flock of leotarded girls suddenly scramble out from under. Ranma appears, and winks at Akane.] Akane:..... [The match begins. The two girls trade blows and other attacks, neither managing a decisive strike. Slowly, it becomes apparent that, while she's doing incredibly well for someone who only started training last week, Akane is overmatched, being steadily pushed back onto the defensive. Finally, she slips on a baton left lying on the mat after a previous attack, spins 180 degrees to keep from falling, and is yanked off balance by Kodachi by the hair.] Kodachi:[laughs nastily] Ah, now you'll see what happens to girls who have been above themselves! [Akane struggles, but Kodachi has her bent over almost double by the grip on her hair. Kodachi readies her whip to throw Akane out of the ring. Ranma frantically looks around for inspiration, then grabs up a hoop.] Ranma:Akane, behind your head! [Akane guesses what he means, and reaches up with the hand on the side opposite him. The hoop swooshes between her and Kodachi into her hand; Kodachi staggers back, her grip suddenly gone, since when the hoop went between them it *severed* Akane's hair.] Akane:[pivoting and hurling the hoop at Kodachi] Yaaah!! [The hoop catches Kodachi right on the chin, knocking her cold. The referee counts her out, then goes over to Akane.] Referee:The winner-Tendou Akane!! Crowd: (Roar) [Akane reaches up to feel her severed tresses, then stares at Ranma in shock. He leads her out of the gym back into the dressing room.] Akane:Ranma... Ranma:[staring at his feet] Um... If you didn't want to go that far to win the match, I- Akane:No that's not... That's okay, but... [feels her hair again] Ranma:I, uh, I think you'll look really cute with short hair. Akane:[staring at him] ...Really. [She walks up to him] You really mean it? Ranma:Uh...Yeah, I... [trails off as he realizes Akane's eyes are filling with tears] Uh, look, it's not that bad- [He tentatively puts his hands on her shoulders. She looks at him, then loses what's left of her self-control and starts sobbing into his chest. Ranma gapes, starts to say something, then(perhaps remembering the other time her hair was cut off) stops and, after looking suspiciously around the room, puts an arm around her shoulders.] [Cut to later, Ranma and Akane(who's changed back into street clothes) walking home. Ranma keeps glancing at Akane.] Akane:[catching a glance] Um, thank you for...you know. Ranma:Gurmph. [Akane just laughs. She looks up at Ranma thoughtfully.] Akane:Ranma? Have you thought any more about which of us you're going to choose for real? Ranma:[startled] Eh? ...Uh, I haven't had time to pick... I mean, I still don't know you all very well... I mean- Akane:..... [Cut to later, in Akane's room. Her hair has been trimmed so it looks okay(probably by Kasumi) and once in a while she reaches up to feel it. She's lying on the bed, and staring up at the ceiling.] Akane:I'm scared... [feels her hair] I think another death match with Kodachi would scare me less... How could this have happened? It's absurd... [rolls onto her side] I wonder what he'd say if I tell him... [closes her eyes] I wonder if I have the courage to. [Cut to Ranma's room. He's sitting on the floor, looking at something in his hands. As we pan around him, we see it's the length of hair he severed with the hoop. He's slowly, repeatedly running his fingers through it.] Ranma:Why is it, the weaker she is, the closer I feel to her? I can't believe I only like wimpy girls; I don't mind her being strong(except when she pounds me) but why is it, I only really want to hold her when- [He breaks off and shoves the hair under his pillow as Akane opens the door and enters. She closes the door and sits facing him.] Akane:I think you've got it backwards. It's not that you don't like me when when I'm not weak, It's just the more I need gentleness the more you give me. Ranma:[gaping at her] Errr... who said I was talking you!? [turns around and crosses his arms] Akane:[smiling at his back] Everyone needs someone they don't have to be macho with... [Ranma glances over his shoulder at her suspiciously, then turns back away.] Akane:Ranma, this business about just telling people we're engaged? [Ranma glances back again as she takes a deep breath and gathers her courage.] Akane:I want to make it for real. Ranma:[staring in confusion] Eh!? Akane:[carefully] I want to marry you, Ranma. [Ranma is stunned beyond words by this. He's too shocked even to do a face-fault. He gapes at her, then slowly gathers his wits, and-] Ranma:Akane, you don't know what you're saying. You're still in shock from the battle, and you're grabbing at me to steady yourself. Akane:[shaking her head] It was a shock, but it didn't confuse my head, it cleared it. There are all sorts of good reasons we should get married(Ranma twitches and turns away again), but there's one that makes it certain. [she gathers her courage again, then hesitantly reaches out to Ranma and lays her hands on his shoulders.] I love you. [Cut to a closeup of Ranma's face. He's so stunned, none of the usual sight-gags will convel it. He slowly turns around and stares at Akane's downturned face. She lifts it enough to stare at him under her bangs; whatever she sees in his face gives her the courage to lift her lips towards his.] Ranma:..... [He starts to bend forward, but can't, even after several attempts. It's left to Akane to reach up and bring his face down to hers. Slow pullback as they embrace each other.] Part 7 [Fade in on the front of the Tendou house. Slow Steadicam pan through the door. Remnants of a party can be seen strewn in the halls. The parlor has a banner strung across the ceiling that says "CONGRATULATIONS!" Pan up the stairs. Akane's room looks freshly straightened, with a white silk kimono hanging from her closet door. Close in slowly on Ranma's door. Dissolve to the interior. This room also shows signs of cleaning-up, with a man's formal kimono hanging from the ceiling. Sweep up Ranma's body to his face(there's a sign stuck to his forehead saying "GOOD HUSBANDS DON'T SNORE!," but he is.). Dissolve to a now- familiar dreamscape.] Ranma:[shouting as he stares around at the darkness] Damnit, can't you leave me alone!? I won't put up with this anymore! [He closes his eyes, presses his hands together, and begins to focus his ki. A blue glow forms around him, and the surrounding vortex seems to flinch away. He opens his eyes and reaches out. The glow around his hand flares, and he tears away the vortex(like painted cloth) to reveal, behind it- absolute darkness.] Ranma:Huh? [tilts his head at a faint sound] Wait, is that...? [He stretches out with his ki again, tears a hole in the blackness, and steps through it. He finds himself in a tunnel made of black fog, with a soft sound of weeping coming from ahead. He walks down the tunnel.] Ranma:That sound... No, it couldn't be. [At the end of the tunnel is a sort of nest of paler mist. A girl is crumpled inside it. Ranma bends over her, and she lifts her face.] Ranma:[horrified] Akane? [She's wearing the same dress and apron she had on when she went to Jusenkyo with him, but her body looks withered and ravaged by something terrible.] Akane:This place... I can't live here... Ranma:[kneeling beside her] What... What *happened*?! Akane:I... don't know... I was with you... and we started home... and suddenly I- [breaks off in something half-cough, half-sob.] Ranma:[reaching down and picking her up] I don't know what's going on here, but we're going- [breaks off in horror] [Akane's body is dissolving at his touch. In seconds she's nothing but scraps of fog. Her face mouths something inaudible, then vanishes forever.] Ranma:no... No! [Throws his head back] NOOO!!! Ranma:[leaping awake out of his futon] NOOOOOOO!!!!! [Ranma looks around in confusion, then panic. He's just realized he may be responsible for the death of Akane(or one of her, at least).] Genma:[sitting up] Ranma, can't you have bachelor jitters more quiUrk! Ranma:[grabbing his father by the neck] Where!? Where?! Genma:Gggkk... Where...? Ranma:[stares blankly a moment, then his eyes snap into focus] *Where is the cave where you and Tendou sealed up Happosai*!? Genma:Eh!? Ranma:[lifting him into the air] WHERE IS IT!? [The rest of the household are woken a few minutes later by Ranma rattling downstairs in his backpack and crashing out the door. They all stare after him in blank astonish- ment.] Akane:[bewildered] ...Ranma? Soun:Saotome-kun, can you explain? Genma:[throws up his hands defensively] I don't know! He just woke up yelling [Akane looks around wide-eyed] and then... [stares after his son] started asking about... Happosai. Nabiki:Who? Soun:When did you tell him...? Genma:I never did. [They all stare after Ranma until Akane suddenly gets a determined look on her face and marches back into the house. The others look after her.] Kasumi:Akane...? [Angle on Ranma running down a street. He suddenly skids to a halt, goes back to a vending machine that caught his eye, buys something and dashes on.] [Cut to a high mountain. Ranma is climbing up the side, scanning around him for landmarks. Finally he reaches what appears to be a boulder set in the mountain, except it has a necklace-like charm wrapped around it. Ranma takes a deep breath, pulls off the charm, and picks the boulder up and sets it aside. A small cave is revealed.] Ranma:[bending over and calling into the cave] Master Happosai? [Two glowing red eyes appear in the cave mouth.] Happosai:Yeeeeeeeeeeeees? Ranma:[swallows] I've come to ask for a trade. In return for your freedom, and life in a house full of pretty girls... Happosai:[interested] Yeeeeees? Ranma:I ask only to borrow the mirror you, uh, were given at Jouketsuzoku. Happosai:Mirrrrorr? Ranma:[desperate] The nanban mirror! Happosai:Ah! Yeees. [He turns back into the cave, and returns with the mirror.] Ranma:[bows formally] Thank you very much! [As he reaches for the mirror, a girlie magazine falls out of his shirt. As Happosai stares at it, Ranma takes the mirror.] Ranma:[picking up the magazine] Silly me, what was I carrying that around for? [tosses it in the cave behind Happosai] Happosai:Wah! [turns and dives into the cave] [Ranma grabs the boulder, seals the cave with it, and wraps the charm around it. After a moment, blows can be heard from within the cave, but the charm's power contains them. Ranma holds up the mirror in triumph.] Ranma:Got it! [takes an onion out of his shirt] Hang on, Akane, I'm coming now... Akane:[behind him] Okay, I'm right here. [Ranma spins around and looks at her like he's seeing a ghost. After a moment, he realizes this is the one he agreed to marry, having followed him all the way from the Tendou place. He stares at his shoes.] Akane[walking up to him] I want to know what's going on. I want to know why you ran out of the house the night before our wedding, what's so important about that mirror, why you act like I'm not me- [relaxes a bit and touches his cheek gently] I want to know what's wrong. Ranma:[sits on a fallen tree] All right...[eyes her skeptically] For me, this isn't the first time we met. The time before, we didn't get along, so I used *this* [holds up the mirror] to go back in time and change things. [sighs] Obviously, we're getting along, but- [stares at his shoes] the other Akane was still alive, in some kind of not-time... until tonight. She died, and I have to go back and change things back so she won't. [looks up at Akane for a moment] You think I'm crazy, don't you. Akane:[sitting next to him] No one would make up a story like that unless it were true. [pause] If she's gone, why can't we...? Ranma:I saw her die. Her face... I can't... [deep breath] I'll never be able to convince myself I didn't kill her indirectly. [stands up] I'm sorry, this is something I have to do. Akane:You're giving me up [stands] for someone who doesn't love you. [takes hold of his shirt] Ranma:She's never said she does, but... Akane:Ranma...I can't let you go. [They stare at each other a moment; Ranma determined to go, Akane determined to keep him. Ranma slowly reaches up and puts his hands over Akane's.] Ranma:Akane... I love you. [Akane stares into his eyes. Ranma disengages her hands, then backs away into the trees, holding her eyes as long as he can. Akane stares after him, stunned. As the light of the nanban mirror flares and fades, she falls to her knees and buries her face in her hands.] Ranma Nibunnoichi : Actor in the Mirror Part 8 [Angle on the ledge above Jusenkyo] Ranma:Ummm... um. Akane:How would you react if another you appeared and started ordering you around? Ranma:Punch his face, probably... Ummm- Ranma:[from a ledge about twenty feet higher up] I hope that's not a promise. [Ranma and Akane stare up at this new Ranma, who we recognize as the one who's lived through the future the first one is trying to create. The one above sighs, tucks the (unbroken) nanban mirror behind his belt, and slides down to the lower ledge.] Ranma(older, by about 3 months):If you do this, Akane won't be able to return with you. She'll be trapped outside time, and eventually she'll... die. Akane:[staring, horrified] Ranma- [blinks as they both look at her, then continues] are you serious? Ranma(older):Oh, yes... Ranma(younger):That's absurd... How could you travel okay if she couldn't?! Ranma(older):[tired] I don't know... Maybe because I changed myself but not her... I *don't know*! Will you just trust me? You don't want the future you'll create this way! Ranma(younger):...No. I don't believe you. This is some sort of trick, but I'm not falling for it! [Turns to jump down to the road] I'll stop them right now! Ranma(older):[grabbing his other self] What do you mean, a trick? I'm telling you, *you don't want to do this*! Ranma(younger):[shrugs the other off] Like hell! Akane:Stop it, both of you! Ranma(older):[giving her a sharp look] Stay out of- Ranma(younger):[jumping in] KACHUU- Ranma(older):[swinging back] HIRYUU- Ranma:(younger):TENSHIN- Ranma(older):SHOUTENHA!!! [The force from the younger Ranma's hail of punches suddenly rebounds on him in a tornado whirl that carries him off into the valley below.] Ranma:Whew. [turns and contemplates Akane] Akane:[shifting uncomfortably] What? Ranma:[shakes his head] Just... thinking. [turns away] C'mon, let's go collect me and go home. [slides down off the ledge] Akane:[following] Do you think there'll be a problem with there being two of you? Ranma:I hope the mirror will take care of that when we travel; if not I have no idea. Akane:[disgusted] You really have no idea what you're doing, do you? Ranma:Listen, I've had a bad day, so lay off, okay? Akane:Hah! I've been dragged through time, told I died, and I'm about to be dragged through- Ranma:Shut up, you obnoxious twit! You don't know what I had to give up! Akane:Why, you- [She launches herself in a flying kick at his head. He ducks, and she flies over his head, and over his other self, who's lying next to a pool. She lands in the pool with a splash. Ranma hurries up.] Ranma:Akane? [A hand comes out of the water and grabs the rim of the pool. Ranma gapes at what has emerged: A dark-haired young man, wearing a dress and apron split at the seams, as though he was wearing it and suddenly it was too small.] Akane-kun:RANMA..... Ranma:A- Akane...? Akane-kun:I'll Kill You!!!! [lunges at Ranma] [Ranma gets chased all over Jusenkyo; over pools, up cliffs, and down poles. Suddenly, he gets an idea.] Ranma:Okay, we came in from *that* side, so the poles should be... [Ranma leaps onto a certain pole, then leads Akane-kun around until he's on a specific other one.] Akane-kun:Dieeee! Ranma:[leaps to meet his attack] So I knocked Dad into *that* pool... Ooops. [Ranma knocks Akane into *that* pool. A moment later, a female panda leaps out and lands on a nearby pole.] Ranma:And Dad knocked me into *this* pool... [With a sacrifice fall, he takes Akane-panda into *this* pool. A moment later, Ranma-chan and Akane surface. Ranma-chan helps Akane to shore.] Akane:[glaring]..... Ranma:C'mon, time to go home. [They walk back over to the other Ranma. The one on his feet takes out the mirror and an onion, and lets a tear fall.] Ranma:Take us back, so none of this ever happened! [The mirror flares and fades, taking them with it. A moment later, Genma appears with yet another Ranma on the edge of the valley...] [Angle on the scene where Ranma and Akane left the first time. As the light fades, we see them standing as though, indeed, nothing happened.] Ranma:[looking around] Whew... Only one of me. Akane:...What was it like, besides... Ranma:Um... I actually got along well with the other you... Evidently I made all my mistakes with this version. Akane:Hmmmph. You're still an idiot anyway... Ranma:What!? Akane:The man-drown-pool was right there, why didn't you just take a dip before we left? Ranma:Urk... [The mirror drops from his stunned fingers and is caught by Happosai.] Happosai:Thanks, Ranma! [dashes off] Ranma:Huh? Hey wait, I need that a little longer! [dashes after Happosai] Happosai:Next time will cost you 10 photos! [laughs] Ranma:Why, you-! [Akane turns to go inside, then stops, eyes wide.] Akane:Hey! He still hasn't apologized for stealing the onion! [She dashes after Ranma and Happosai. For a while, after they disappear, all is quiet, but then, in the distance, the sounds of a growing "parade" can be heard...] O W A R I -- C h r i s t i a n G a d e k e n Yakumo: "But I really did destroy a monster in Hong Kong! Saru : "Ahem, ahem" Yakumo: "Saru, do you believe me?" Saru : "Where's my Hong Kong souvenir?"