Ranma the Tenth Hakkeshu or Ranma’s Cousin Iori (------) Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½. That is property of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own The King of Fighters, that is property of SNK. I do however suggest you look up information on these two properties. You won’t be disappointed. (------) Note: This takes place after the Ranma ½ manga and during the King of Fighters ’98. (------) Ranma the Tenth Hakkeshu Chapter 14: The Unveiling It has been a month since news has spread that the new King of Fighters Tournament will take place. People all over have wondered how could Rugal be alive, if he was truly alive. They will get their answer tonight. The fighters have prepared and are assembled behind a huge black and red curtain away from each other at a podium set up at Tokyo Harbor. Countless cheering fans, waiting to see if their favorite fighter(s) will appear, surround the podium. The noise level is enough to make anyone go deaf. Vendors roam the crowds selling T-shirts and foodstuffs. In a nearby building, contributors and sponsors of the tournament look pleased at such a huge turn out of people. All over the world people that have television sets are watching and waiting for it to begin. It is well past midnight in Japan’s Tokyo Area. But it’s hard to tell from all the lights that are blaring. It’s so bright; you would think it was high noon. All go deathly silent as a woman with long black hair steps up to a microphone set up in the front, center of the stage. She is wearing white, ceremonial robes. Everyone recognizes the woman to be Chizuru Kagura. She clears her throat to gain all’s attention. Once she has it so that you can here a pin drop, she speaks. Chizuru: Welcome one and all to the King of Fighters 1998 Tournament. There are some surprises in store for all of us. That’s including you the spectators, the investors, and the fighters themselves. This year’s tournament, I admit, is being held a bit early, since we wait for summer and not start in spring. That cannot be helped for the other Host can’t wait to get started. Without Further ado, let me introduce the teams. They shall walk up so that all may see them as they are called. All the way from South Town, the famous Bogard brothers and their friend Joe Higashi, The Fatal Fury Team. (The crowd breaks into cheers as these three classic icons walk up onto the stage). Terry: Hello everyone! Glad to see you came. Andy: You honor us with your praise. Joe: C’mon people keep it coming that’s not enough. Louder, happier OW! What you hit me for Ter? Terry (Puts his cap back on): Stop acting like an idiot Joe. Andy: He doesn’t need to act. You know that. Joe (Angry): Hey, At least I don’t act like a eunuch around Mai. Chizuru (Ignores the fighting pair of Andy and Joe: Also from returning this year from South Town, The Art of Fighting Team. (The crowd cheers, but there seems to be less than there has been at past tournament). Ryo: Oh well, can’t win all the time. Robert: What do you mean? Why aren’t these people cheering? Yuri: Face it, we’re faded stars in their eyes. The best we can do is fight and gain back the peoples admiration. Ryo: Well said sis. Chizuru: Hailing from Japan, the winners of the past four tournaments, The Hero Team. (The crowd cheers at an unbelievable level of sound, almost everyone seems to be chanting Kyo’s name). Kyo: Thank you all. Your praise is appreciated. Benimaru: And well placed. Goro (Smiles): Thank you all. Chizuru: Also returning, a favorite of the King of Fighters’ world, The Women’s Team. And as a special treat, Kasumi Tohdo has returned for her spot. (All the men in the audience cheer, scream, catcall, whistle, and get beat up by their girlfriends/wives). Mai: Hello Everyone. Great to be back. King: Mai, I thought I told you to get those reduced? Mai: You did, but I don’t want to. Kasumi: Will you two not fight? I’m back, can’t we all get along? Mai & King: NO! Chizuru (Smirks to herself and thanks the Kami she’s no longer on that team): Returning from Brazil is the Ikari Team. But this year, Heidern is back and has reclaimed his spot from Leona. (There is some cheer, but the people don’t know what to make of it. Sure, they’re decent fighters, but there’s no Leona). Ralph: I knew it! She was the popular one! Clark: Well… That’s life. Heidern: Silence! I can sense him. He’s near. Chizuru: Returning this year as well, with a new member. The China Team. (The crowd cheers, and many of Athena’s fans hold up posters and try to attract the camera crew’s lens). Athena: Hello everyone, great to be here! Sie: Yeah likewise, meet our new teammate. Shampoo: Hello my name is Xian Pu. But you can call me Shampoo. Chizuru: All the way from Korea, the returning team of justice and crime, The Korea Team. (The Crowd boos and hisses the team. There are a few cheers sent towards Kim). Chang (Swings his huge chain and ball): I don’t believe this crap! Choi: Me either. Kim: Maybe if you were better people, others would look up to you. Chang & Choi: Aw, SHADDUP! Chizuru: Very surprising is the next team. The team that tried to kill each other last year has ended up joining together again. Welcome back Special Team. (The crowd is a mixture of boos and cheers. Cheers for Mary and a few for Billy, Boos for Yamazaki and quite a few for Billy). Yamazaki: CHR*ST! Can’t you people make up your minds? You boo and cheer us. Get with the firkin program! Billy: Hey, hey, HEY! Good to see I still have some loyal fans out there from when I was the champion of the King of Fighters Tournament. Mary: Key word “was”. Billy (Frowns): Don’t you ever get tired of being annoying? Mary (Smiles): No. Chizuru (Shakes her head): Returning from last year also is the New Face Team. (The crowd for the most part is silent. There are a few cheers from their fans. No one dares to boo). Yashiro: That’s it? Shermie: Pretty cold reception if you ask me. Chris (Shrugs his shoulders): Could be worse… Chizuru: A special treat this year. Returning from almost a four-year absence, The U.S.A. Sports Team. (There is a surprising amount of cheering from the audience). Heavy D: Wazzup! Good to see youse all again. Lucky: Yeah, It’s good to be back! Brian: Raaaagh, Brian Smash! Lucky: uh… You do that Brian. Chizuru (Looks at card, face pales): Also returning this year from the ’96 Tournament, The Boss Team. (The people in the audience don’t know what to think. Most of the Teams already on stage check it out). Terry (Furious): GEESE! Geese: Well, well, long time no see Terry Bogard. I look forward to crushing you. Ryo: Big? Mr. Big: That Mr. Big to you small fry. Krouser: This tournament had better be worth my time. Chizuru (Shakes her head): Also we have two returning fighters and a new one forming a new team. I present to you, The Anything Goes Team. (The audience is in shock by who they see, more so is Kyo). Kyo: Iori!? I thought I killed you. Iori (Smiles): It’s been a while Kusanagi. I look forward to facing you in the tournament. You couldn’t kill Rugal and you think you can kill me? That is a laugh! Heidern: Leona, what are you doing? Leona: Following orders. You said keep Ranma out of trouble and I plan to do it. Ranma (Turns with his back faced to the audience to they can see his black silk Chinese shirt with the Yagami crescent on the back): I am Ranma Saotome, of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts. Mai: Hi Ranma! Ranma: Hi Mai! (Andy starts to steam). Hi Andy. Andy: Ranma, prepare to… (Terry holds up a broken mallet). Ranma: Thanks Terry! Terry (Smiles): Don’t mention it. Chizuru (Starts banging head on microphone, causes weird feedback): ANYWAY, I would like to introduce a returning fighter from last year that now has his own team. I present the Lots of Spirit Team. (The audience is having trouble controlling their laughter). Shingo: I Shingo Yabuki, will make my master Kyo proud. Iori (Sneaks up behind Shingo): Boo. Shingo: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! (Faints). Akane: Damn it, why do you do that? Iori (Smiles): Because it’s fun to. Gosunkugi: What’s the use? We’re doomed anyway… Akane: Stop acting negative. Chizuru (Grits her teeth): Also this year, a team consisting of a returning fighter and two new ones… (Reads card to make sure she’s not dreaming this). The Mid-Age Team. (The Audience is puzzled. So are a lot of the fighters). Takuma: Hello, These are my partners Genma Saotome and Soun Tendo. Ranma, Akane, Ryo, & Yuri: DAD!? Takuma: Yes my children. Genma: Yes boy. Soun: Yes my daughter. Iori (Frowns): I thought I fried him… (Smiles) Guess I’ll have to do it again. Chizuru: Also reappearing after almost three years as well, with two new Members, I give you, The Ninja Team. (The audience is in awe by one of the members). Eiji: I am Eiji Kisaragi. I return t have my vengeance on Iori Yagami and Ryo Sakazaki. Sasuke: Hello. I’m just a humble servant to the house of Kuno. Konatsu: I am a simple ninja. Chizuru: Oooookay… Anyway, the next team is comprised of senior citizens. Meet the Old Pervert Team. Kami, I can’t believe they want that name. (Every one in the audience blinks as three small shapes grab on to Mai Shiranui). Happosai, Chin, & Jubei: Baby! Mai: AAAAAAAAHHHH! OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF, GET OFFA MEEEEEEEEEE!!! (Mai starts to run off with her Grand father, the former master of Athena and Sie, and Happosai clinging to her). Andy: Get off of Mai! (Starts to chase after them). Chizuru: Where did we get these people? On a lighter note, (I hope), we have the… Kill Ranma Team? (Everyone in the audience blinks). Ranma: Let me guess… Ryoga, Kuno, & Mousse: RANMA SAOTOME, PREPARE TO DIE YOU MONSTER! Ranma (Angry): Why does everyone keep calling me that? It pisses me off royally. Chizuru: All the way from a secluded part from China, a group of Warriors known as the Musk Dynasty Team. (Audience blinks). Herb: I am Prince Herb. Lime: I’m Lime. Mint (Hefts up his sword): And I’m Mint. Chizuru: Also from China, from a mountainous region. Warriors that have the power of gods. Three of the Seven Lucky Gods Martial Artists Team. (Still, the audience is baffled). Kirin: I am Prince Kirin. Bishamonten: I am Bishamonten. Monlon: And I am Monlon. Chizuru: On their own floating Island, our next new team trains daily. Meet the Togenkyo Team. (Members of the audience look at each other). Touma: I am Prince Touma Toristan (holds up some feathers): I am his servant Toristan. Sarutoru: And I am Touma’s other servant Sarutoru. Chizuru (Blinks): How many Princes do we have here? Anyway, the next new team is a strange group from Nerima. They call themselves the Nerima Alliance Team. (As before the audience is baffled). Ukyo: I am Ukyo Kuonji. Best friend of Ranma Saotome. Cologne: I am Ku long. But you can call me Elder Cologne. Pantyhose: Taro. And if you dare bother me again about my name, I’ll rip your lungs out! Chizuru: Okay… The next team is my team. We are the Shingi Trioca Team. (Her partners come on stage and see each other). Nodoka & Saishu: YOU!? (Nodoka gets angry, Saishu looks very afraid). Nodoka (Unsheathes her katana, angry): You killed my Brother! Saishu: WAAAAAHHHHHH! I’m Sorry, don’t kill ME! WAAAAHHHHHH! (Nodoka starts to chase Saishu around the stage, swinging her katana). Chizuru (Shakes her head): Why do I even bother. Since the last Team isn’t here, than we’ll… (She’d disrupted by a loud honk of a foghorn. Everyone looks towards the Pacific Ocean to see a huge Aircraft carrier coming in fast like an eagle soaring through the sky). Benimaru: That can’t be… Kyo: It is… Chizuru: The Black Noah… The boat turns to line up with the harbor. The ship is as black as a moonless night. A gangplank comes down the side of the ship and connects to the podium. It connects to it right next to where Chizuru is standing. A man in a blood red tuxedo starts to walk down the gangplank with two women dressed similarly following him. Rugal (Walks down): And the final team is mine. The Rugal Team. Meet my partners Mature and Vice. (The audience is in blind fear by the sight of such a powerful man in front of them). Mature: Hello. Vice: Hello out there. Hi Iori! Iori: Ack, I killed them. Leona: Boy… No one stays dead anymore do they? Ranma: I guess not… Rugal walks up right next to Chizuru, grabs the microphone from her hand and rests his right hand on her left shoulder. The look of disgust on her face is beyond compare. Rugal: You’re forgetting something Chiz. There are a lot of single entries as well. Introduce yourselves people! (A whole lot of people walk up on stage). Kodachi: Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa. I am Kodachi Kuno. (Twirls her ribbon). Gambling King: I am the Gambling King. Azusa: Hello, I am Azusa Shiratori. (Spots Shingo’s headband). Oooooh, come here Jacque. Shingo: I’m not Jacque, I’m Shingo. Aaaaaaahh, get away! Principal: Aloha Evrebahdy! I am Principal Kuno. All you fighters need a haircut. Dojo Destroyer: I am known only as the Dojo Destroyer. Ling-Ling & Lung-Lung: We are the Chinese Amazon sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung. Rouge: I am Rouge (her crystal starts to float around her). Hinako: Hello, I am Miss Hinako. Lawrence: I am Lawrence Blood. Servant to Wolfgang Krouser. Richard: I’m Richard Meyer, owner of the Pao Pao Café. Duck King: I’m the Duck King baby, prepare to dance! Big Bear: I am Big Bear, The greatest wrestler! Raiden: I am Raiden, and no, I am the greatest wrestler! Tohdo: I am Inspector Tohdo, the head of the police force in South Town. (Starts waving his black bokken around). Roddy (Fixes his goggles): You can call me Roddy. Fio (checks her gun): Hello, I’m Fio. The audience just stands there. They recognize a few of the people, but that’s it. Rugal than pushes Chizuru to the side and a screen appears behind him, showing pictures of multiple locations. Rugal: And thanks to Chizuru, we have a whole lot of grand locations for the fights to take place. Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in England. The Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Airport, and Statue of Liberty in the U.S.A. The Eiffel Tower in France. The Oil Fields in Kuwait. The Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil. The Kremlin in Russia. The Forbidden City, Amazon Village, Musk Village, Mount Phoenix, Jusendo, and & Lucky God Mountain in China. And in Japan we have Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Gardens, the Streets of Akihabara, Furinkan High School, the Tendo Dojo, the Kuno Estate, and the Masaki Shrine (1). And as a very special treat, we have the floating island of Togenkyo. The audience is in awe by the places that are available for the fights. Truly, this tournament shall be a feast for the eyes. Rugal: And to get us to these places, I have my aircraft carrier, the Black Noah. Chizuru: You expect us to get on that thing? Rugal (Smiles): Yes Chiz. After all, this ship truly is the fastest form of transport the world has ever seen. So come on people times a wasting. Get on board and get ready to fight. This shall be the greatest King of Fighters Tournament ever! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa! The fighters look reluctantly at each other, but slowly they get on board. Though none of them really trust Rugal, they feel, they can all take him on together. The audience watches as the ship takes of with the fighters to their destination. (------) End Chapter 14 Next Time: The fights begin as Lots of Spirit Team faces off against the Korean Team, The Mid-Age Team faces the Boss Team, and a whole mess of single entries face off. And Joe Higashi hits on Shampoo… Oh boy… (1) Yes, I am Making Reference to Tenchi Muyo by having one of the places be the Masaki Shrine. 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