All the Power, None of the Pain

By Richard Palmer

Prologue:

Cologne just finished with the last customer from the lunch rush. She was in the back room when she heard someone come in. She went back out to the front and said "Can I help you?" The man who had entered the store was enormous, not just in height, he was at least eight feet tall, but he was probably the most muscular man Cologne had seen since she had come to Japan. He was dressed completely in black, black jeans, black boots, a faded black T-shirt worn under a black Jean vest, black fingerless gloves, and a black Raiders cap worn at a forty-five degree angle. He pulled out a photo and a Japanese translation book. He stared into the book for a minute before he showed the picture to Cologne.

"You seen her?" he said in a deep gruff voice. The picture appeared to be a photo of female Ranma.

"Not recently," answered Cologne.

The big brute looked into his translation book again, after a while he looked back at Cologne. "She live around here?"

At that moment Shampoo came in. "Me finished with deliveries great-grandmother."

The big man turned to her and showed her the photograph, "You seen her?" he asked again.

Shampoo looked at the photo. "What you want with Ranma?" she asked.

After he briefly looked into his book the big man looked at Shampoo, crushed the photo in his hand, and said "She dead."

Cologne leapt at the big man, "I don't know what you want with my future son-in-law but you'll have to defeat me first!" She swung her staff at the big man, he didn't even try to dodge. He didn't have to, the staff shattered when it hit him. "What the?" thought Cologne. She then attacked him with the Kachyuu Tenshin Amaguriken. None of the blows even budged the man, he didn't even wince. As for Cologne she felt like she was punching solid steel.

Shampoo leapt at the man with a Bonbori. He shot out his hand and grabbed her by the throat. With the other hand he fumbled through his book. "Where is...Ranma?" he said again to Cologne.

"R...Right now he'd be at the Furinkan High School." Cologne answered hesitantly.

The man fumbled through the translator again. Then dropped Shampoo who was now gasping for breath. They both watched him as he lumbered off.

Part One: Vendetta

Ranma was chasing after Happosai again, The old man had managed to evade the girls who were after him for the underwear he stole, but Ranma was always one step ahead of the old man. "Get back here freak!" Ranma yelled as he leapt at the old man from behind and attempted to hit him with a flying kick.

"Don't you know you're supposed to respect your elders?" Happosai said as he pulled out his pipe and flipped Ranma across the schoolyard. Ranma landed in the midst of some sprinklers that were watering the lawn and instantly changed form. Happosai leapt at Ranma with a frilly bra in one hand "You can start showing your respect by slipping this on!" he yelled.

"You old goat, don't you ever give..." Ranma was cut off by a deep guttural roar followed by an explosion as the big man rushed headfirst through a nearby wall. He pointed to Ranma then took the same hand and drew his thumb across his neck.

"Hey you," yelled Happosai, "you're ruining a very important moment between a teacher and his student!" he rushed over and poked at the big man with his pipe. The big ox just looked down at this funny little man then casually flicked him aside. "All right, that does it!" Yelled Happosai as he reached into his shirt. "Founding School Anything Goes final attack," he pulled out a fuse bomb and threw it at the big man who was slowly advancing on Ranma. "HAPPO-FIRE BURN!"

There was a big explosion, when the dust cleared the big man was still standing. He looked over at Happosai and grinned.

"Did you hear that?" said one of the girls to Akane. "It sounded like it came from behind the gym!" exclaimed Akane. Everyone started to run towards the gymnasium. Ryoga parted the branches between some bushes. "That's funny," he thought, "the docks should be around here somewhere." Suddenly a large group of girls rushed past him, one of which he recognized. "What! Is that Akane?!" he said to himself. He started to rush after her.

Ben was standing at the front gate when he heard the explosion, "What the hell is going on now?" he said as he leaned off the tree.

All of the sudden Shampoo and Cologne rushed by, Cologne on a brand new staff. "Hurry Shampoo, we haven't a moment to lose!" shouted Cologne.

Ben watched as they dashed toward the explosion. Suddenly someone grabbed him from behind, "Shampoo! Please I..." Ben backhanded the guy. Then turned to see Mousse with his glasses sitting on top of his head. "A word to the obviously-less-than-wise: Keep your freakin' glasses on!" Ben said as he put on his headband and rushed off in the direction of the explosion.

Happosai was on the ground, unconscious with several lumps on his head; the big man was lumbering towards Ranma who was up and in her fighting stance. Akane rushed around the corner followed shortly by the rest of the girls that were with her, she saw the big man throw a punch at Ranma miss and go straight through the ground. As he pulled out his hand he must've ripped the water pipe supplying the sprinklers, because the sprinklers stopped but a gush of water shot out from the hole he'd made.

"Ranma what the heck did you do now?" Akane yelled.

"I don't know, this guy just attacked me for no reason!" Ranma shouted back.

Akane was about to respond, but at this time Kuno rushed past the crowd yelling, "Fear not pig-tailed goddess, I, Tatewaki Kuno, will dispose of this vile, lumbering, wretch for you!" he swung his sword at the big man's head. It shattered on impact. "My sword!" stammered Kuno as the big man turned toward him. He picked him up and flung him hard toward the wall of the gym. Kuno hit Akane in his flight, they both hit the wall and landed on the lawn, unconscious.

"That fiend!" growled Ryoga, "to treat Akane like that, someone's got to make him pay!" he rushed at the big man and landed a powerful punch. The big ox slid back a few steps, then turned and swatted Ryoga. But Ryoga was far from done; he shot a finger at a large rock near the big man. As the finger drove into the boulder he shouted "Bakusai Tenketsu!" the rock exploded. A large chunk hit the big man and made him loose his footing. He stumbled back, with blood coming out of his mouth, then he smiled.

At this point Shampoo, Cologne, and Ben had reached the fight. "Oh crap!" Ben said as he rounded the corner "it's Anvil!"

Cologne looked at him. "Anvil?"

Ryoga threw another punch at Anvil. This time the big man caught Ryoga's fist and threw him against a tree. Ryoga bounced off and fell through the steam of water. He landed in his pig form growling.

Anvil reached into his pocket and pulled out two large knives with brass knuckle grips, he then rushed at Ranma swinging both blades around in a berserker fury. Shampoo leapt in front of him and knocked one of the knives out of his hand. "Ranma no worry, Shampoo here!" Anvil struck her against the head and sent her flying.

"Shampoo!" yelled Mousse, as he leapt to catch her before she hit the ground. When they landed she was unconscious. "Why you fiend!" shouted Mousse as he got up. "Take this!" he shouted as he threw a large blade attached to a chain at Anvil.

Anvil caught the blade by the handle with his unarmed hand and yanked on it. Mousse came flying toward the big ox. Anvil struck Mousse in the face with the brass knuckle bit on his knife. Mousse fell, unconscious, through the steam of water. Anvil then turned back to Ranma. She leapt at him with a flying kick. Anvil didn't try to block. Ranma bounced off like she had just hit a wall. She then hit him with the chestnut fist technique; none of the blows were even phasing him. Anvil threw a punch at Ranma, which she easily dodged.

At the same time Ben jumped in between the two. "Get the hell out of here, holmes, this guy ain't someone you can beat!"

"Ben what the hell are you doing?" Ranma started.

"Listen to him Son-in-law," shouted Cologne, "this man is too powerful for a one on one fight!"

"But..." Ranma started.

"Damn it!" Ben shouted, "Get the hell out of here, meet back at my place, I'll explain everything there!" he pulled his hands above his head, "House of Richtenhielm final attack," he began "BLITZKRIEG WAVE!" He thrust his fists against the ground, creating the massive explosion.

When the dust settled, Ranma was gone. Anvil looked around angrily then lumbered off.

Ranma was in Ben's living room when Ben entered with Cologne, Akane, and Shampoo. Akane was carrying P-Chan, and Ben was carrying Mousse. "Jen," He called "I think we're going to need some hot water." They all sat down around the table. Mrs. Setlin brought in some hot water. Ben doused Mousse then looked over at P-Chan.

"Uh, Ben?" Ranma started.

"Yeah." Said Ben, turning toward him.

"C'mere a sec." Ben walked over to Ranma. "Akane doesn't know about Ryoga's pig thing." Ranma whispered.

"Gotcha." Ben replied.

"Akane?"

"Yes?"

"Could you help Jennifer make some tea in the kitchen, please?"

"Sure." After she left, Ben dowsed Ryoga.

"So who was that guy?" asked Ranma.

"His name is Alvin McBride, or Anvil to those other than his family. He used to run a gang called the Evens Street Raiders before I beat him. I'd been hearing about him wanting revenge after that, but I never thought he'd actually go this far."

"He must be using powerful forces to be this strong. Maybe a magical amulet or an ancient fighting technique..." Cologne stated.

"What do you know about the ghetto?" Ben interrupted.

"Well... nothing."

"What do you know about Anvil, or any street gang member for that matter?" Cologne kept silent. "You may know a hell of a lot about your Chinese Amazon history, but when were talking American gangbangers leave it up to me." He turned to the whole group again. "Some of you have heard me talk about my time in the ghetto, and some of you know I refer to it like it was a war zone. That's because, in effect, it was. Someone was always shootin' at someone. Anvil was already one tough mutha when I met him the first time. He was a big guy with an addiction to steroids. I just happened to be visiting some old friends in the ghetto when we ran into each other. It was raining that day so I was a girl at the time." Ben shifted his gaze between Ranma and Cologne as he continued "Some parts of the ghetto are pretty primitive, women aren't seen as much. They're either someone's girlfriend, or mother, or sister, or so on. The gangs really don't see a woman as a person, more as a possession. So when the Evens Street Raiders' leader is defeated by a girl, it's like complete dishonor."

"You mean this guy's fighting us cause you two kids got in a tussle back in your hometown?" Ryoga asked.

Ben feinted a punch when Ryoga used the word 'kids' then relaxed. "I'll let that one slip, holmes," he said as he leaned back in his chair, he put his arms behind his head and closed his eyes, "I know it can't be easy being 'the other white meat'." Ryoga threw a punch at Ben. Ben leaned back in the chair so it tipped over; he then caught Ryoga's fist with his ankles and tossed him across the room. Ben rolled so that he was back on his feet, then stood up. "Just to let you know, you can't blindside me, but with Anvil you don't have to, he can handle whatever you put out. Whatever he's using now is more powerful than any steroid I've ever seen. But whatever he's using, it's chemical, not magical."

"So how exactly do we handle this guy?" asked Ranma.

"Basically, you don't." Ben said "Anvil's my problem, I started this, holmes, I'll finish it."

"You can't be serious! You can't face this guy alone!" Ranma stammered.

"Yeah," said Mousse, "this guy's after Ranma too, now, why not have Ranma face him as well?"

"Look here Howard, this is my fight, not just because I'm the one he's after, but I'm the only one who knows how to deal with him!" Ben said with a very serious look on his face. "One more thing, Daffy, no matter what happens I don't want you interfering! This guy don't follow no codes of conduct. He'll try anything to win!" He turned to Ryoga, "That goes for you too, Porky, and all of you!"

Part Two: Partners in Crime

Kuno stumbled through the front gate at his mansion. He was heavily bandaged with his arm in a sling.

"Master Kuno, whatever has happened to you?" questioned Sasuke.

"I was badly wounded while trying to defend my love, but fear not, I ,Tatewaki Kuno will get my revenge on the lumbering behemoth who did this to me and assaulted my pig-tailed goddess!"

"Lumbering behemoth, hmm..." Kodachi thought to herself, overhearing their conversation.

Anvil was lumbering down the street when he heard a shrill laughter from behind him. He turned to see Kodachi. "Greetings mon frair, am I to understand that you are the one seeking that vile pig-tailed girl?" Anvil started fumbling through his translation book again. "Oh, you don't speak Japanese, I see." Kodachi paused, then repeated her question in English.

"Got that right, don't nobody dis the leader of the Evens Street Raiders and live. What's it to you sister?"

"That wretched Pig-tailed girl has been an obstacle to my reunion with my precious love, I've tried everything to rid her from my life! Nothing works, not even my best potions!"

At the word 'potions' Anvil smiled, "Seems we need to team up against the wench. Sound good?"

"Agreed!" smiled Kodachi.

"Now about these 'potions', you know some chemistry?" Anvil said as they walked off.

Back in Kodachi's lab Anvil pulled out a bottle. "Dis' here was put together by one of my homeboys. It's what he called 'Beast' or the super-steroid. Makes me tough as hell in a few minutes and takes away all the pain."

"Hmm..." said Kodachi as she inspected the bottle. She opened the lid and saw only a few capsules left.

"I be running low now, so I was hopin' you could see if you could make up a new batch?"

"I'll need to analyze the contents but I'm sure that I can duplicate your 'super-steroids' for you," Kodachi answered, "And in return you'll rid me of that wretched pig-tailed girl?"

"She good as smoked." smiled Anvil.

Ben was out searching for Anvil. He knew the big man wouldn't rest until he'd found his revenge. Ben was determined to finish this before it got any further. So he was running around town as Benasato, hoping he'd get Anvil's attention. She rounded the corner and practically ran right into the big ox. Anvil grinned, then threw a hard overhead right. Benasato dodged effortlessly. "For crying out loud Anvil, why the hell are you doing this? It's not like your old gang's watchin'. Who's going to care if you beat me here?" Anvil didn't answer but swung at Benasato with another hard right. "Damn you're dense." Said Benasato as she pulled down her blindfold. Anvil pulled out his big knives again, and slashed at Benasato. Benasato back flipped away and went into a Tae Kwon Do stance. She kicked one of the knives out of Anvil's hands, then proceeded to attack him with a blinding kick combo. She ended with a backflip kick right to Anvil's jaw. He stepped back a few feet from the force of the blow, then he grinned and charged Benasato at full force.

Ukyo was cleaning up her restaurant after a long, uneventful day. She heard the sound of fighting outside and went to the front door to investigate. Before she could open the door a familiar looking red-head came crashing through it. "Ran-Chan!" she stammered. Then she looked out and saw the big brute advancing on them. "Why you!" she screamed, "I don't know why your going after Ranma-honey, but you'll have to go through me first!" she ran up and whacked him across the face with her spatula. Anvil grinned, but as he did he thought,

"I felt that. Just a tingle, but I felt it. The 'Beast' must be wearing off." He pulled out his bottle and opened it up. At that moment Ukyo smacked him again with the spatula. The bottle, and the pills, rolled down a storm gutter. "NO!" Anvil screamed, then he turned to Ukyo, "YOU LITTLE BITCH!" He rammed his fist down at Ukyo, who dodged. She was knocked down by the force of the blow. Anvil chuckled as he pulled his hand out of the concrete. He prepared his next punch.

"YAAHH!" Benasato yelled as she crashed into Anvil with a full force kick using both legs. She flipped away and went into a Kapoken stance. "I've had just about enough!" she yelled as caught him with a powerful open palm strike to the side of the face.

Anvil staggered back, he had blood coming out of his mouth and nose, and he could feel it. He looked at Benasato then at Ukyo as she was getting up with her spatula in one hand. "I be back." He muttered as he turned and began to run down the street.

Benasato looked at Ukyo and tried to smile, instead she coughed up some blood. "Ran-Chan!" Ukyo stammered as she caught Benasato before the red-head hit the pavement.

"Th...Thanks." Benasato stuttered trying to maintain consciousness.

"Who the heck is going to pay for this?" Ukyo said looking over at the shattered door and the ripped up sidewalk in front of her store.

"Thanks for... y...your... comp...compassion." Benasato said trying to sound sarcastic, but only succeeding in spitting up more blood.

"Oh Ranma-honey, I'm sorry, I..."at this point Benasato blacked out.

Part Three: Showdown

Benasato woke up in Ukyo's apartment. She was all bandaged up and laying in a spare bed. She started to get up when Ukyo walked in with some tea. "Oh you're finally up! I was beginning to think you'd slipped into a coma or something."

"What do you mean, how long was I out?"

"Three days, I've stayed here every day hoping you'd come out of it..."

"THREE DAYS!?!" Benasato said as she jumped up, "Oh my god, my wife is going to kill me!" Ukyo jumped back

"Ranma! When did you and Akane get married? I thought..."

"Oh, no no, you got me all wrong, my wife ain't Akane. Hell, I been married for years!"

"YOU JACKASS! How could you do this to me!"

"No, that Ain't what I meant either, I... Oh hell I'll just show you!" she grabbed the Teapot and splashed herself.

"You're not Ranma! Who the heck are you?"

"I ain't got a lot of time to explain." Ben started, "Me and Ranma got the same curse, Okay? I don't know exactly why we look alike cursed, but we do." Ukyo nodded. "That guy that fought us last night, he doesn't know that me and Ranma are two different people, and he's out to kill me. Well, the girl me." Ukyo nodded again. "He uses no codes of conduct so it's only a matter of time before he figures to use a gun." "Uh huh." "So if Ranma has turned into a girl in the past three days, and Anvil's found her..."

"Oh my god, Ranma-honey!"

"Exactly!" Ben said grabbing his shirt, "So I would suggest that we jet!" They both ran out the door.

Ranma was leaving for school with Akane when he saw Ben and Ukyo running down the street toward him. "Ben! Where have you been? Jennifer is worried sick!" Akane said as they approached.

Ukyo leapt at Ranma, "Oh, Ranma-honey, I'm so glad you're all right!" she said. Akane groaned.

Ben looked at Ranma, "I tried to take on Anvil myself, if this girl hadn't helped me out, I'd be a bloody smear on the side of her restaurant!"

"So what are you going to do?" Ranma asked.

"With the drugs he's on, Anvil's too damn tough. Frankly I'm out of ideas."

"Wait a minute, I knocked a bottle of pills out of his hand the other night." Ukyo interrupted, "Could those be the drugs he's using to get so tough?"

"All right!" Ranma said ramming his fist into his palm, "No more mister tough guy! Time for a little pay-back!"

"Not so fast," Ben said, "the stuff Anvil was using is steroid based, that means he's still going to be pretty tough. Assuming he's not going through some serious withdrawal symptoms. Either way he's still my problem."

"Face facts, man," Ranma said, "You said yourself that Anvil's too damn tough."

"Okay," Ben said, "So what do you propose we do."

"BEAST!!" Anvil roared, "I need some more 'Beast'!"

From the other end of the lab Kodachi was mixing in the last of the ingredients. "There!" she said triumphantly, "The concoction is complete! All I have left to do is contain it in individual capsules..."

"No, Dammit, I need one NOW!"

"Very well," said Kodachi as she filled one of the capsules, "I suppose we should test it first, anyway!" she handed the capsule to Anvil, who snatched it from her and swallowed it with no delay. "Good," Kodachi said, "now come on outside so we can test your renewed power." They walked out of the lab, leaving the door open behind them.

Kuno snuck in and looked at the solution on the table. "Oh that twisted sister of mine, she conspires against my love with that vile brute!" he picked up a vial of liquid and proceeded to dump it into the steroid mixture. "They shall not get away with this, never while I, Tatewaki Kuno, live and breathe!" he added several more chemical's to the mix. Then he slipped out when he heard them coming back toward the lab.

"The force of which you used to shatter that iron post, It amazes even me!" Kodachi laughed. "I will finally be rid of that wretched pig-tailed girl!"

Anvil chuckled as he clenched his fist. "Okay, Here's the plan." Ranma said to Ben, with Ukyo and Akane huddled close by. "We each attack until we just begin to tire, then the one who's fighting gets outta view while the other jumps in!"

"What about us?" Akane asked.

"Don't worry Akane, us guys can handle it!" Ranma said, all to confidant. "So you're trying to say I'd only be in your way, is that it!"

Ranma was about to respond when Ben jumped in "This fight is between me and Anvil, It's bad enough I gotta get Ranma involved, but I can't risk either of you getting hurt! Now we could argue about how you're a good enough martial artist to help, But if I have to go to extremes to keep you outta this I will!" Akane nodded at Ben, she'd never seen him this solemn. And although she didn't know him well, she knew him well enough to know he was dead serious. "You two may want to sit on the sidelines, though, cause if Ranma goes down I'm gonna have to pull out all the stops. I'll let loose on him with the Blitzkrieg Wave and just hope that takes him down. Cause if it don't I'm screwed, that move takes it all outta me."

"Hey, I can handle myself!" Ranma remarked.

"All right, so how do we find this guy?" Ukyo asked.

"He'll find us, we just gotta be ready." Ben said.

Ranma pulled out a bottle of water and dowsed himself, then he handed it to Ben. They were both dressed in the same red sleeveless Kung fu uniform with the black silk pants. When they were both dowsed they looked exactly identical, except one had a pigtail and the other had a gray headband on.

They stood outside the park, Benasato went into the park while Ranma stayed on the outside, they were divided by a large wall. Ukyo and Akane headed off to the side, out of sight. They didn't have to wait long. Anvil lumbered across the park with Kodachi following close behind, her shrill laughter piercing the silence of the late afternoon. "Looks like Anvil brought a back-up as well." thought Benasato. As they approached Benasato shouted "Anvil! This is between you and me, no gang-ups, got it!" Anvil just grinned and kept coming. Benasato thought for a minute then shouted at Anvil again only this time using her heaviest American urban slang, "I understand you feeling the need to bust me up, fool, but you too weak to ice me yourself that you gotta bring your slut?"

"Why you insolent..." Began Kodachi.

Anvil shot his arm out in front of Kodachi before she could attack. "You right, Wench. This between you and me!" Then he looked at Kodachi, "I take her on myself, it don't make no difference."

Anvil pulled out his knives and charged at Benasato. Benasato pulled down her blindfold and went into her Kapoken stance. Anvil Jabbed at Benasato with one of the knives, she dodged and slammed her palm under Anvil's bottom jaw sending the big oaf flying. Anvil rolled back onto his feet and threw on of his knives at Benasato. She dodged and launched at Anvil with another double leg kick. Anvil shot up at Benasato with a powerful uppercut. Benasato flew back and hit the wall, as she got up Anvil grabbed her by the throat and began to strangle her. Benasato struggled to break free, kicking at Anvil while gasping for breath. Ukyo, who was up in a nearby tree, pulled out a small bag of flour and threw it at Anvil. The resulting cloud of flour threw off his concentration long enough for Benasato to break free. Benasato flipped over the wall. "You're up , Holmes." Benasato said to Ranma as Ranma leapt over the wall. Anvil was wiping the flour out of his eyes when she landed. Ranma shot at Anvil with the Chestnut Fist, Anvil didn't even bother to block. He then shot both fists strait at Ranma. Ranma ducked as Anvil shattered the wall, startling Benasato on the other side. Benasato instinctively jumped out of the way. Ranma Began circling Anvil, dodging Anvil's slow but brutal blows. Finally, Ranma threw the uppercut for the Rising Dragon "HIRYU SHOUTEN HA!" She yelled. Anvil went flying; he crashed a few yards away crushing a stone lantern upon impact. He got up and rushed at Ranma at full force. Ranma leapt, but as she did so did Anvil who raised both arms and slammed them down on Ranma, Ranma crashed back down into the ground. Anvil slammed down just a few feet away, Ranma got up, still a little dizzy, and leapt over the wall. Benasato jumped back over and went into her Boxing stance. She shot two quick jabs to Anvil's face, then a right hook, then finally she grabbed him by the collar and hit him with a headbutt. Anvil knocked her aside, his head was beginning to tingle. He pulled out the bottle and took one of the capsules. Then he charged at Benasato. Benasato was just getting up when Anvil hit her they both went through the wall. Benasato, although in pain from the blow, flipped out of the way as Ranma turned to face Anvil. Anvil threw punch after punch, with Ranma dodging them all. Finally Ranma was able to get in a kick, then flipped away hoping to get a chance to use something more powerful. She didn't have to. Anvil started screaming at the top of his lungs. "AAAUUUGGGHHH! THE PAIN!!!" Ranma immediately threw the Chestnut Fist at Anvil. For Anvil the pain of the blows were amplified. He was screaming a deep, guttural, roar of pain. Finally he struck blindly at Ranma and ran off, screaming.

"You may have defeated that hulking oaf, but do you have enough strength left to beat me!" laughed Kodachi as she advanced toward Ranma.

Suddenly a sharpened spatula whizzed past her face. Ukyo leapt out of her hiding place. Followed by Akane from behind a wall. Then Ben stepped out in his male form. "You best back off," Ben said, "There ain't no way you could take us all on and win."

Kodachi looked around at the group and realized that she was outmatched. "Very well, but this isn't over!" Kodachi laughed as she dashed off.

Ben handed Ranma a half-full bottle of hot water. "Thanks, but I could've handled her myself." She said then splashed herself. "So what do you think happened to Anvil?" he asked Ben.

"Who knows? Could be a side effect to the prolonged use of the drug, a bad batch of the stuff, or possibly the result of a mild overdose. I ain't really an expert on these things."

"Think he'll be back?" asked Akane. "Not till he figures out what went wrong, and considering his intelligence, that could take a while."

"So what now?" Ranma asked.

"I dunno, Dinner?"

"You could all come over to my place for some Okanomiyaki." Ukyo chimed in. "Sounds good to me." Said Ranma.

"Ah hell, it's my treat." said Ben. They all walked off toward Ukyo's restaurant.

Epilogue:

Anvil rushed around the corner panting heavily, he just couldn't figure out what went wrong. Suddenly "En garde, you hulking fiend!" Anvil turned to the sound of the voice. It was Kuno, advancing on him with sword drawn. He was followed close behind by Ryoga and Mousse.

"No! I ain't got no beef wit you, so back off!" Anvil yelled.

"What's the matter?" Mousse said, " You took us all on before, afraid you can't do it again?"

"You caught me with a few sucker punches last time," growled Ryoga, "This time it's for real!"

Anvil clenched both his fists. He knew he wasn't going to make it out of this one, but they wouldn't take him down easy, painless or not, he still had his strength.

The End

______________________________________________________________________________________

The Legal Stuff: Ranma 1/2 and the characters therein are the property of Rumiko Takahashi and are used without permission.