Ranma:What's wrong?
OlderRanma:I don't know if I can go in there. I was devestated when I saw
her grave. If that ever happened to you, you'll know what I mean.(Notices
Akane's visage sadden)Don't worry Akane, if your Ranma saw your grave like
I have, he would be devestated also.....I know I was.
(At the sound of that, Akane brightened up slightly, but her visage
saddened again when she realized she was being selfish. She never realized
how Ranma would feel if she ever......died. She knew she would be
devestated if she found out one of her old friends had died.)
Ranma:You seem sad, Akane. Are you all right?
Akane:(About to cry)Ranma, please don't die on me!
Ranma:(Embraces her)Don't worry, I won't.
OlderRanma:(Takes in a deep breath)Well, I guess I should go in now. I
really want to see Ukyou again. I've missed her terribly. Lets go.
(The three enter Ukyou's. The inside was busy at the time. We see Ukyou
busy cooking a okonomiyaki for one of her customers. She looks up a see
Ranma first, and doesn't realize that the other Ranma stood right
behind him.)
Ranma:Hi Ucchan, how's everything going?
Ukyou:Hi Ran-chan. Everything's going great!(Guestures to an open seat)
Please, have a seat.(Notices Akane)Hi Akane.
(Ranma and Akane walk on over to a nearby table and get seated, leaving
OlderRanma standing there, regarding Ukyou)
OlderRanma:Hi Ucchan.
Ukyou:Ranma?!?(Looks at OlderRanma, then at Ranma, and then back at
OlderRanma)What's going on here?!?
OlderRanma:Before I explain this to you, can I please have a hug?(Extends
arms forward invitingly)
(Ukyou looks over towards the Ranma sitting at the table and sees him nod
towards her, telling her to go on and hug him. She does so.)
OlderRanma:(Embracing Ukyou all the while breaking down and crying)How I've
missed you so much, Ucchan!
(The two hold each other for a moment, Ukyou not knowing what to do except
hug back. After several moments, she feels a tear drop on her shoulder,
right where OlderRanma buried his head. She looks at him as he lifts his
head and sees tears flowing down his cheeks. Although he was crying, he was
shedding tears of joy, joy for being able to see Ukyou after many years.)
OlderRanma:(Fighting back his tears)Before you say anything, let me tell
you that I am indeed Ranma.....just not the Ranma you know. I came from the
future, a future where you died (Breaks don't crying again)
(Ukyou looks into OlderRanma's eyes and sees his sincerity. She then
kindly returns the embrace. After several long minutes, OlderRanma releases
his embrace.)
OlderRanma:(Wiping the tears from his eyes)I'll explain everything......do
you think you could take a little break?
Ukyou:(Softly)Of course.
(Time passes by as we see Ranma, OlderRanma, Akane, and Ukyou all sitting
in the same table. We see OlderRanma exlaining to Ukyou about his life and
how he had to go on living alone, without anybody around to be with him. He
explained of what had happened to his world and the mass destruction Kythen
had cause all over Japan. The one part he had trouble with was telling her
on how he found her grave and realized that she had died. He explained on
his reasons for being back, to stop everything before it happens. The one
thing he never told her was that he was slowly dying. He didn't have the
heart to tell her.)
Ukyou:So now that you stopped Happousei from calling forth this Kythen
thing, what're you going to do?
OlderRanma:I'm just going to visit all the people I've lost because of
him.(Thinking)And afterwards.....I can die happy.
Ranma:Ukyou, you didn't happen to have seen Ryoga around, have you?
Ukyou:Yes, he stopped by here looking for you, Ranma.......I mean the one
who's from this time. I think he was headed towards the Nekohanten.
OlderRanma:(Getting out of his seat)I must go find him!(Turns to Ukyou and
hugs her one last time)Ukyou, it's been great seeing after so many years.
Ranma:I guess we better get going now. I'll see you later, Ukyou.
Akane:Bye Ukyou. It's been nice seeing you.
(The three leave Ukyou's and head off in the direction of the Nekohanten.
It is now getting close to dark. The sun is just about to set and is very
low in the sky. The sky above the sun glows in a beautiful hue of orange,
which is quite an excellent sight to behold. We see the three walking down
the street towards the Nekohanten. As they continue to walk, a begger walks
up to them. Akane and Ranma watch as OlderRanma reacts.)
Begger:(Holds out a cup)Can you please spare money for the poor?
OlderRanma:Here(Reaches into his pocket and pulls out a huge wad of money)I
hope that's enough.(Places it in the cup)
Begger:(Eyes widening)Thank you, sir! Thank you!(Heads off down the street)
Ranma:(Walking alongside OlderRanma)You sure don't mind giving all your
money away, do you?
OlderRanma:The money's going to be useless to me a few days from now.
Akane:How come?
OlderRanma:Remember.......I only have several days to live.
(It is now dusk. The stars are slowly starting to pop up in the clear sky.
We are in front of the Nekohanten, where we see OlderRanma, Ranma, and
Akane. OlderRanma is looking up at the sky, enjoying its scenery. After
having lived in a future that was destroyed, OlderRanma had finally taken
everything for granted. Now that he has a second chance, he was enjoying
everything around him.)
OlderRanma:(Looking up towards the sky)Isn't it just beautiful out
tonight?
Ranma:Yeah, so what about it?
OlderRanma:Ranma, if you ever came with me to my future Japan, I promise
you, you'll learn to appreciate the finer things in life. For many years,
I couldn't see the stars because they were covered behind a dark cloud that
always loomed over Japan. The sky is always dark, and I sometimes never see
the sun.(Takes a deep breath)You smell that air. In my future, if you
inhale it in too much, you will become horribly sick and may even die.
Akane:We never realized just how many things we take for granted.
OlderRanma:Neither do you two realize how many people you take for granted
also.......especially each other.
(Akane and Ranma both look at each other for a moment, letting OlderRanma's
words of wisdom sink in. Ranma slowly started realizing just how his life
might be without Akane.)
OlderRanma:Ranma, you must be wondering on just how you're life will turn
out without Akane, right?
(Ranma nods)
OlderRanma:Well, look at me...(Points to himself)...I'm what's left of you
five years after Akane dies. I may be extremely powerful and strong, but
I'll give everything up just to be able to be with you, Akane.
(A tear forms around Akane's eyes. His words were so sincere that it tore
at her beacuse she knew that OlderRanma was the by-product of her death.
She didn't want Ranma going through what OlderRanma went through, living
a life full of regret, regret of having taken her for granted.)
OlderRanma:Don't worry, you already have a head start in realizing how much
you take each other for granted. Look at yourselves, you no longer fight
and argue against one another.
Ranma:I guess you're right.(Smiles at Akane, who smiles back)
OlderRanma:Lets go in, I want to see Shampoo again. Ranma, can Akane and I
go in first and you wait out here for a minute?
Ranma:Okay, if you insist.
(The two enter into the Nekohanten. Inside, we see that the shop is busy.
It is filled with people. There are few open seats. Shampoo in waiting on
tables, taking orders, while Mousse is in the kitchen cooking the food.
Shampoo quickly notices OlderRanma and Akane, and run up to them. Just as
she was about to lunge forward and hug OlderRanma, who she thinks is Ranma,
she expected Ranma to try and resist. Either that, or Akane stepping out in
between her and Ranma. But that never happened. OlderRanma lunges forward,
arms extended and picks Shampoo up in a tight embrace, her legs leaving the
ground. At this point, Shampoo was expecting Akane to try and knock her
lights out. But that never happened either. Akane watches Shampoo's facial
expression change from delight to surprise to suspicion. Akane is busy
trying to surpress a giggle.)
OlderRanma:Shampoo, it's good to see you.(Hugs her tighter)
Shampoo:Shampoo happy that you happy to see Shampoo.(Hugs back)
OlderRanma}:)ood, let's keep it that way.(Continues to hold her)
Shampoo:(Glaring at Akane)What about Akane?
OlderRanma:(Softly in her ear)Please don't speak. Let me enjoy this for one
more moment.
(After several moments, OlderRanma releases his hold on Shampoo.)
OlderRanma:Shampoo, I have something to explain to you. But you must listen
first.
Shampoo:Shampoo listening.
OlderRanma:I'm not the Ranma you know.
Shampoo:(Confused)Huh?
OlderRanma:I figured you'd be confused.(Turns around)Ranma, can you please
come in?
(Ranma enters the Nekohanten. Shampoo's eyes widen as her gaze moves from
OlderRanma to Ranma, and back to OlderRanma.)
Shampoo:What going on here?
OlderRanma:(Places a hand on Ranma's shoulder and the other on Akane's)
Ranma and Akane here will explain to you about who I am. But first, may I
please see Mousse?
Shampoo:(Slightly confused)Uh....okay?
(OlderRanma proceeds towards the kitchen as Ranma and Akane start
explaining to Shampoo about who OlderRanma really was and where he came
from. After few moments, we see Shampoo feeling very confused. Ranma and
Akane both take Shampoo to one of the few open seat, where they sit down
and start explaining everything over again.)
(Inside the kitchen, we see Mousse busy cooking a meal. Cologne is nowhere
around, having gone off to make a delivery. We see OlderRanma enter the
room and walk right up to Mousse.)
OlderRanma:Mousse.
Mousse:(Pulls down his glasses)Ranma, what are you doing here?!?
OlderRanma:Mousse, it's great seeing you again.
Mousse:What's going on here?
OlderRanma:Do you have a minute?
Mousse:(Continues cooking)Not really. I have a lot of orders to prepare.
OlderRanma:Okay, I'll help you out.
(We see OlderRanma take a apron off of a nearby hook and place it on.
Mousse watches as he opens a few cabinet draws looking for some pots. After
a few moments, OlderRanma finds the right draw and takes out a large pot.
He walks over to the sink with the pot and places it in it and turns the
water on. As the water slowly starts filling the pot up, OlderRanma turns
his attention to Mousse, who was regarding him with slight amusement.)
OlderRanma:First off, I want to tell you that I'm not the Ranma you know.
Mousse:(Returning to his cooking)I could see that! The real Ranma would
never help me out!
OlderRanma:Well, that should've given it away also. Anyway, I'm from the
future....a future where you and everybody else are dead.
Mousse:(Stopping whatever he was doing and now totally confused)What?
OlderRanma:(Turning the water off and picking the pot of water up)To put it
in simple terms....in the future, you and everybody else are dead. I just
came back here to stop that from happening(Places pot on stove and turns
on the fire)And now that I did....I'm here to meet you guys one last time.
Mousse:What do you mean one last time?
OlderRanma:In a few days from now, I'm going to die. I just wanted to see
some people I haven't seen for many years before that happens. Can you
please take a break?
Mousse:I guess I can. Besides, that old goul isn't here to tell me what to
do.
(The two exit the kitchen. Outside, they spot Shampoo, Ranma, and Akane.)
OlderRanma:(Noticing the shocked look on Mousse's face)Oh yeah......
there's also two of me.
(It is now night time. It's pretty much closing time for the Nekohanten.
All the customers are gone and the store is empty except for Ranma, Mousse,
OlderRanma, and Akane. The five are seated in a table.)
OlderRanma:So that was why I came back.......to stop everything before it
happened.
Mousse:But now that you stopped it, what're you going to do? Are you going
back to the future again or are you staying here?
OlderRanma:Me. I'm going to stay here....so I can spend my last few days
with friends.
Shampoo:What about your friends back in fututre?
OlderRanma:(Sad)Friends? I have no friends in my future.....they all died..
....all of them.
Shampoo:(Sympathetic)Shampoo so sorry.
Mousse:(Also sympathetic)I'm sorry to here that Ranma.
OlderRanma:Don't worry about me....I'll be with them very soon.
(The door opens and in walks Ryoga)
Ryoga:Hah!...I finally found you Ranma! Did you actually think you could
have ever escape me!(Notices two Ranmas)What the?
OlderRanma:(Barely recognizing him)Ryoga, is that really you?
Ranma:Yup, that's Ryoga.
(OlderRanma gets up out of his seat and walks over to Ryoga, regarding him
intently, not believing how different he looked now. In the future, Ryoga
looked totally different. He no longer sported that yellow/black bandana of
his and his hair had grown long, all the way down to his shoulders.)
OlderRanma:It's good to see you again, my friend.
Ryoga:What's going on here?!?
(OlderRanma lunges forward and grabs hold of Ryoga, hugging him tightly,
glad to see his best and only friend from the future. Ryoga tries to push
OlderRanma away with all his strength, but couldn't. For some reason,
OlderRanma didn't want to let go of him. Ryoga was about out attempt to
knock OlderRanma's lights out, if that was possible, but stopped when he
heard a small sobbing noise come from OlderRanma's lips. Ryoga then felt
his yellow sleeveless shirt get wet and realized that OlderRanma was
crying. Ryoga was overwhelmed with a sense of guilt. Was he the one who
made Ranma cry? Why was he crying? Ryoga noticed that something about
OlderRanma changed but couldn't quite put a finger on it. Not until he
looked into his eyes. Ryoga realized that this Ranma wasn't the Ranma he
knew. He saw sadness and regret in those eyes of his.)
OlderRanma:(Smiling slightly as he released his hold of Ryoga)You may not
believe this, Ryoga, but you are the sole reason why I am still alive right
now.
Ryoga:(Sees the sincerity in OlderRanma's words)I do believe you....I do.
OlderRanma:Do you want to know why?
Ryoga:Yes.
OlderRanma:Lets have a seat first(Guestures towards the table)
(The time passes as OlderRanma explains to Ryoga on how he befriended him
on his way to Nerima, and on how they fought together against Kythen. He
spoke to him of how heroic he was in saving him, something OlderRanma will
always remember. But when OlderRanma started telling of how he died trying
to save him, he started to slowly break down. Akane gently palced a hand
over OlderRanma's shoulder, comforting him. Ryoga that night, lost all of
his hatred towards Ranma. Those words he heard coming from OlderRanma's
lips, he believed with all his heart.....not beacuse he wanted to, but
because he knew they were true, simply by the way OlderRanma spoke those
few words to him.)
OlderRanma:(Standing up and giving Ryoga one last hug)Ryoga, it's been
nice seeing you again....even if you don't really know who I am. But keep
in mind that I'll always remeber what you did for me.
Ryoga:Thanks(Returns the embrace)
OlderRanma:(Turns to Shampoo)Shampoo, please take care of yourself. I don't
want the younger me suffering through the same thing I suffered through.
(Extendes his arms forward for a hug)
Shampoo:Shampoo promise(Returns the hug)
OlderRanma:(Turns to Mousse)Mousse, please take care of Shampoo.(Extends
his arms forward for a hug also)And don't you die on me.
Mousse:(Smiles as he hugs back)Don't worry Ranma-kun, I won't.
Ranma:Bye Mousse. Bye Ryoga. By Shampoo.
Akane:Bye everyone, we'll see you soon.
(The three leave the Nekohanten and start heading towards home. After
several minutes of walking, we see OlderRanma realize something and turn
around and head back towards the Nekohanten, leaving Ranma and Akane
alone.)
Ranma:What do you think he went back for?
Akane:I don't know.
(Inside the Nekohanten, we see Ryoga packing his backpack up, readying
himself to go off on another journey. Shampoo and Mousse are busy sweeping
up the floors. We see OlderRanma enter the store.)
OlderRanma:Mousse, Ryoga, I have something to give you.
Ryoga:(Stops what he's doing and walks up to OlderRanma)What is it?
OlderRanma:(Reaches into his pocket and produces two flasks)This is for
you.(Hand Ryoga and Mousse each a flask)
Mousse:What is it?
OlderRanma:It's the Nannichuan. Think of it as my last gift to you...
(Thinking)....before I die.
(With that said, OlderRanma turns around and leaves the Nekohanten once
again. He walks down the street alone, silently crying to himself. He
realized just how much he missed everyone. His tears glistened against
the moonlight as they fell from his chin onto the concrete ground. As he
walks, he looks up ahead and sees Ranma and Akane waiting up for him.)
OlderRanma:Ranma, Akane, lets go home.
(That night, as OlderRanma, Akane, and Ranma headed home, Happousei was
busy meddling with the unknown, seeking revenge on Ranma. It seems that
the little pervert didn't heed OlderRanma's warnings.)
(It's a beautiful Monday morning, just two days after OlderRanma appeared.
The sun is still low in the sky. We are in front of the Tendo home looking
towards the pond in the backyard. There, we see OlderRanma looking into the
pond with a sad inpression on his face. Everyone else is eating breakfast,
Nabiki, Akane, and Ranma are eating faster becauase they are getting ready
for school. We watch OlderRanma stand there for several long moments, not
saying a word. We then see him turn around and head into to house, sitting
down in the diningroom where he begins eating.)
Akane:Are you all right?
OlderRanma:(Slowly eating)I'm fine. It's just that I've been thinking.
Ranma:About what?
OlderRanma:Thinking about how I will be with all my friends again just
four days from now, the friends from my future. I've lived for so long a
time alone, without anyone around.....five years to be exact. I've gone on
too long without you Akane, without all of you. I just want to be with you
once again.
Akane:But you are with me.
OlderRanma:Yes, I am. I just wish to be with the Akane from my future. You
have no idea how much I missed you. No idea how much I missed all of you.
When you died Akane.....in my arms.....I vowed to avenge your death. For
five long years, I did nothing but think of avenging you. That was the
only thing that kept me going, kept me from leaving this world to be with
you. After training in the mountains, I later on found out that everyone
else had died.....everyone except for Ryoga. You should've seen him, he was
just devestated....as devestated as I was. He no longer cared about anything
else, not even himself. When he first saw me, he tried to kill me because
he thought I couldn't save you......nor anyone else. But soon, he realized
that it was this Kythen who did this. We befriended each other, became
like blood brothers. And he had been my friend all the way to the very end.
He proved it when he took that blast for me. You don't know just how
horrible I felt....holding him.....in my arms.....as he slowly died.(Turns
his attention to Ranma)Ranma, you may not know this, or ever know this, but
Ryoga has always been a friend to you.....no matter how you look at it.
Kasumi:See Ranma, you should be lucky you have Ryoga as a friend.
Ranma:(Dubious)I guess you're right.
Nabiki:(Looks at watch)Guys, we better get going to school now if we don't
want to be late.
OlderRanma:May I come along?......I haven't seen that school since it burned
to the ground.
Akne:Sure, you're welcome to come along.
OlderRanma:(Smiles)I'd like that.
(Together, Nabiki, Ranma, OlderRanma, and Akane all leave for school. As
they head down the street, we realize that Ranma is no longer walking on
the fence, but walking alongside Akane. OlderRanma, who is walking ahead
them, smiles at the thought, knowing that they are slowly starting to
realize just how much they cared for each other. Nabiki is walking
alongside OlderRanma, gazing at his face, not believing how much he and
Ranma look alike. But when OlderRanma turned his gaze to her and their eyes
met, that was where it all ended. As they continue to walk down the
street, we could see the school not too far away. As they come closer and
closer to the school, OlderRanma turns around realizing something.)
OlderRanma:What happened to Shampoo? If I remember this correctly, she
usually jumps on me around now.
Ranma:Look up ahead.
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