-1Disclaimer: Ranma ½ isn’t mine, don’t sue, I’m beggin’ ya.

Author Note: And now, it ends. The battle between Ranma and Cologne comes to an end. Enjoy.

First I Giveth

Chapter 17 On the Beach, It All Ends

By Marik Kurakashi

Ah, the beach, a grand vacation spot and good for relaxing when you want to burn your skin into a sensitive red mess. Now, the Tendos and Saotomes didn’t come to the beach for rest and relaxation. Nope, they were there because the Amazons staying at the Nekohaten had relocated to the beach for the summer.

Everyone tried to relax, hoping that the Amazons would show themselves sooner or later. Nabiki in particular was happy that the Amazons snuck away to the beach, as it was a prime opportunity to work on her tan. As she enjoyed the sun, Ranma and Akane scoured the beach for any sign of the old ghoul or Shampoo.

So far, they were unsuccessful.

“Damn that old ghoul!” Ranma hissed from atop a poll. “Where could she be?”

“It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.” Akane said from the base of the poll.

“Yeah, a really ugly needle.” Ranma quipped, before flipping down.

“So now what?” Akane asked, looking sideways at Ranma.

“I dunno, I was gonna go hang with Nabiki for a bit.” Ranma said offhandedly, missing the frown creeping across Akane’s face.

‘She really is shameless.’ Akane seethed internally. ‘When this whole fiasco is over, Nabiki is going to learn her place.’

“Oh well, the ghoul will show up sometime.” Ranma said, jogging back towards the beach.

“I hope so.” Akane muttered, trotting after the redhead.

- - -

Back at the beach, Nabiki continued to relax. It was nice to be away from the dojo and everything, a clean moment that was unmarred by the drama that had enclosed the Tendo family since Cologne had arrived. Ah, the sun, the surf, and a good deal of peace and quiet.

Reclining with shades on, Nabiki didn’t note the approach of Ranma. She did, however, lookup at the expectant redhead and simply jerked her head to the empty spot next to her. Ranma laid down quietly, not wanting to disturb her friend.

Akane, meanwhile, went off to cool down somewhere, least she blow a gasket at the wrong time.

“Ah,” Ranma said, stretching out. “This almost makes me forget about everything that’s happened.”

“Yeah, we all need to unwind, right?” Nabiki replied, yawning a bit as she continued to relax.

“That we do, that we do.” the redhead concurred lazily, stretching a bit more before comfortable.

“Well, good to see they’re having a good time, eh Saotome?” Soun said from a bench chair not far away.

“Indeed Tendo,” Genma said, sipping a glass of tea while reclining on his own chair.

“It’s so nice to see Ranma and Nabiki getting along.” Kasumi added from her own chair, adjusting her sun hat a bit.

“Yes,” the Tendo patriarch said, a smile coming to his face. “Just look at how things are going now, Saotome.”

“Indeed. Now all my son has to do is get that pill and put all this nonsense behind us.” the part-time panda proclaimed, right hand clenched in righteousness.

“Hey, what are you doing?” came a cry of dismay from another beachgoer, as he was roughly tossed aside by the now lightly bandaged Haircare.

“Just clearing things out.” Har replied, chasing away everyone else as a makeshift maze was constructed on the beach.

“Greetings ex-groom, Ms. Tendo.” Cologne said, taking perch at the foot of Nabiki and Ranma’s tanning area.

“What do you want old ghoul?” Ranma said with minimal heat, still relaxing.

“Just to offer you one last chance at the Phoenix Pill.” the old woman said evenly.

“We’re listening.” Nabiki said, turning her attention on the old woman.

“If you’ll look over there, a maze has been constructed.” Cologne said, pointing at the maze. “At the exit, Shampoo waits with the genuine pill. Make it there, and it’s yours, not strings attached.”

“There has to be a catch.” Ranma answered, thinking before leaping into this sure mess.

“Indeed there is, Mousse, Haircare and I will be racing against you, trying to keep the pill in our possession. If we recover it, you may fight me for it.” the old ghoul explained, smirking at the pair.

“This is open to more than just Ranma, isn’t it?” Nabiki asked, making sure the deck wouldn’t be stacked against Ranma.

“Of course, you and one other person are welcomed to join.” Cologne answered, seemingly expecting that question.

“Akane!” the middle Tendo called, drawing the girl away from a sand castle she was trying to build.

“What is it?” Akane called back, turning from the misshapen lump of sand.

“How would you like to help Ranma get the Phoenix Pill?” Nabiki called back.

“Really? How?” the youngest Tendo called, rushing over.

“Enter in this race with us,” Nabiki answered, while Ranma hooked a thumb at the maze behind them.

“You got it! That pill is as good as ours!” Akane crowed, cracking her knuckles.

- - -

Half an hour had passed, and finally the race for the Phoenix Pill was ready to begin. The six racers lined up, ready to race through the maze and claim the pill. Soon, the signal was given and the racers were off like a shot.

‘Gotta get that pill. Then, everything can go back to the way it was.’ Ranma thought as she raced through the maze, zigging and zagging around each turn she came upon.

The race was slow going for the most part, as the racers had to continuously go back and retrace their steps as they came up dead ends.

‘Damnit,’ Akane swore silently as she hit another dead end, ‘what the hell is with this maze?’

“Hmm,” Nabiki said, rubbing her chin as she went around another corner. “Let’s see if I can’t figure out a faster path to Shampoo.” She quickly poked her head around a corner, spotting a lost Haircare.

“Grr.” Har moaned, as she stared at the dead end in front of her. “Why did we build this maze like this?” So absorbed, she didn’t notice Nabiki creep past her and continue on.

“Definitely have to wonder about that girl sometimes.” the middle Tendo muttered, as Har seemed legitimately frustrated with her lack of success. “Must be more the thought of a bound up Shampoo than keeping the pill in their camp.”

Meanwhile, Ranma had reached the figurative halfway point, narrowly avoiding a blindly charging Mousse as rampaged into a wall and fell over.

“Moron,” Ranma muttered, picking a direction and heading down it.

“Hmm, found my way sooner than I expected.” Nabiki said, ignoring the unconscious Mousse as she tried to pick the right way to go.

“Oooo, my head,” Mousse groaned as he stood up.

“I’ll get that pill, just you watch Nabiki!” Akane shouted, trampling the poor boy carelessly. “Then you’ll have to stand by as Ranma goes back to ignoring you.” She aimlessly charged down a path.

“I hate this country.” Mousse groaned, unshed tears of pain in his eyes.

“So Mu Tsu,” Har said as she came up beside him and poked him in the ribs. “No luck in rescuing Shampoo I see.”

“Shut up, what would a pervert like you know about saving the innocent Shampoo.” the myopic boy groused, standing up and shoving Haircare away.

“PERVERT?!” the infuriated girl shrieked, “What makes ME a pervert when you would molest anything or anyone think they’re Shampoo?”

“You wish to corrupt Shampoo for whatever ill ideas that run through that semi-empty head of yours.” Mousse retorted, turning away from Har.

“I HATE Shampoo. What gives you the idea that I do anything but hate her?” Haircare snapped, whirling him around.

“You fly off the handle every time someone mentions her in passing. You’ll drop everything just to argue with her, and jealously refer to her as a bimbo as though she’s cheating on you.” he ran down, shoving her hard again. “Don’t touch me again.” He stomped off, leaving the bewildered girl alone with her thoughts.

“Do I really do all that?” she wondered aloud, sinking to her knees.

- - -

“Well, it would appear they are doing quite well for themselves.” Cologne said, as she tracked the auras of the other racers. She was in no hurry, she had the advantage on them all.

She watched passively for several minutes, waiting as Ranma and his teammates neared Shampoo. Once they neared the captive girl, she made her move. Silently darting around all the correct corners and turns, she made up any ground she had lost while being idle.

‘Alright, I’m almost there.’ Ranma thought, the path to the exit getting clearer.

Just as she cleared the exit, she saw what was the worst thing to see: Cologne landing in front of her with ease. As the old ghoul smugly took the locket from the barely resisting Shampoo, something snapped within the redhead. It was apparent, at least to the redhead, that Cologne had used underhanded means to win the race.

There was no way Saotome Ranma would stand for it.

“You… you…! You dirty cheater!” Ranma roared in rage, as the old woman turned innocently to the indignant redhead.

“That’s a bold statement to make, ex-groom.” Cologne said, fastening the locket to her neck.

“But it’s the truth! You took the longest, most treacherous path! You said so yourself, and it was confirmed by both Mousse and Haircare who had no reason to lie.” the redhead snarled, advancing on the decrepit mummy with true malice in her eyes.

“So what if it was? I happen to be very good at mazes.” the old woman replied, backing away none the less.

“I DON’T CARE!” Ranma screamed, streaking forward and knocking a huge amount of sand into the air as she narrowly missed Cologne.

“Even if I were to cheat, I still won. Now take the pill from me if you can!” Cologne retorted, thrusting hard with her staff, but shocked to find it digging into the sand.

“I’ll take it from you, just watch!” the redhead retorted, throwing both arms forward at Amaguriken speed, forcing the old woman to defend like wise, while pushing her towards the sea.

“Aiyah…” Shampoo said in a despondent tone, wiggling around in her bonds.

“Crap, someone must have beaten me here.” Nabiki said as she came up to Shampoo and worked on untying the girl.

“Nabiki? How did you get here ahead of me?” Akane asked, before seeing the locketless Shampoo. “Where’s the Phoenix Pill!?”

“Great-Grandmother take it. Ranma fighting her now.” Shampoo said quietly as Nabiki finished untying her.

“Shampoo! I have come to save you!” Mousse screamed as he rushed from the maze, only to be greeted by three feet to the face, dropping him down and out.

“Now, how’s Ranma doing?” Akane asked, as all three girls turn to the battle.

- - -

“Come on granny! Give up already, you can’t beat me now.” Ranma said, forcing Cologne straight to the sea.

“Never!” Cologne retorted, her feet getting wet from the tide. “You only dream of beating me.”

“I won last time we fought, in case you forgot!” the redhead snapped, before following with a kick that was blocked but pushed Cologne into the water.

“That was a fluke!” the old crone retorted as she reemerged from the water. “You won’t win today, ex-groom!” She struck the water, sending a jet of water at Ranma.

“Fluke this!” Ranma shouted, flipping over the water and landing with both feet on top of the elder, submerging them both.

The underwater battle was fast and furious, as the two combatants swam at each other at high speeds. Spouts of water flew off the surface of the water as the two exchanged blows. The two battled underwater for as long as they could, pausing only to get another mouthful of air.

‘It’s time to put an end to this farce.’ Cologne thought before swimming further away from Ranma before surfacing.

‘Where’s she going?’ Ranma thought, surfacing herself.

“So good of you to join me, ex-groom.” the old woman said, seemingly standing on the water. “Now bear witness to the real power of an Amazon Elder! SHARK FIST!” She thrusted her hands forward, sending a shark shaped projectile at Ranma.

“What the hell?” the redhead shouted as she was violently tossed across the water before sinking. ‘What was that?’ Opening an eye, she saw the old ghoul standing on a shark. ‘So that’s it.’ She swam towards Cologne again.

“You don’t learn. SHARK FIST!” Cologne shouted, once more blasting Ranma with the shark shaped projectile.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Ranma screamed as she was blasted from the water and slammed into the beach, not stirring.

- - -

“Ranma!” all three watching girls chorused, Akane running over to check on him as Shampoo held Nabiki back.

“What is it?” Nabiki asked, turning to Shampoo with a curious expression.

“Come with Shampoo back into maze for second.” Shampoo said, tugging the girl along.

“Okay, what is it you want? Ranma’s in danger.” the middle Tendo said impatiently.

“You once tell Shampoo about dangerous technique Ranma know. Called neko-ken yes?” the purple haired girl calmly asked, not fazed by Nabiki’s impatience.

“That’s right, but what does that have to do with anything?” Nabiki asked, now intrigued.

“Because Shampoo have these.” Shampoo answered holding up two packets. “Instant Maoniichuan.”

“Maoniichuan?” the brown haired girl asked, confused.

“Spring of Drowned Cat.” the Chinese girl answered, causing a look of surprise to cross her friend’s face. “Shampoo father give to her. One use.”

“But that would mean… we could trigger the neko-ken and maybe Ranma would win!” Nabiki said excitedly, forgetting about the whole scaring the crap out of Ranma part of the equation.

“Shampoo get water, be right back.” Shampoo answered, leaping out of the maze.

- - -

“Ranma, get up!” Akane said, shaking the redhead, who didn’t stir, but was breathing.

“Is it over?” Cologne asked, standing on the shark as she waited for Ranma. “I was hoping he’d put up more of a fight.”

“YOU!” the youngest Tendo yelled, shaking a fist at the old woman.

“Oh? Is that the squeaking of a mouse I hear?” the old ghoul taunted, before laughing at Akane.

“What’s so funny huh?” Akane asked, glowering up at the old woman, before turning her head at the sound of two cats. “What the… where’d they come from?”

The cats, one brown the other a curious purple tinged pink, mewing all the while, clamored all over Ranma. The pink one tickled her chin as the brown one licked her face. Slowly stirring, Ranma sat up and looked around.

“What happened?” Ranma asked, looking around with bleary eyes.

“Mew!” the two cats chorused from her lap.

“C-C-C-C-CATS!” Ranma shrieked as the cats leaped onto her head. In panic stricken terror, she got up and run circles around the beach, arms flapping in dismay. “CATS! CATS! CATS!”

“Oh brother,” Akane huffed, as Ranma continued making a spectacle out of herself.

“So, the ex-groom is afraid of cats.” Cologne said, rubbing her chin. “This information could be useful.”

The pink cat was perched on Ranma’s head, while the brown cat was latched to her face. The pink cat, tiring of the histrionics, found purchase on the redhead’s scalp and leaned down, pushing the brown one further into Ranma’s face. A moment later, a loud yowl resounded across the beach as Ranma bent over in the pose of the Neko-ken.

Once their tasked were done, the cats scampered off somewhere. Akane would have followed them, but was too engrossed by watching Ranma dig in for battle against Cologne. The old woman didn’t seem to comprehend what had happened, something that was about to cost her dearly.

With another yowl, Ranma sprang into action.

‘Could this be…?’ Cologne thought, firing off another shark fist. ‘…the neko-ken!?’

“ROWR!” Ranma roared, shredding the projectile in mere seconds. Changing course, she pounced on Cologne, sending them both underwater.

“Go get her, Ranma!” Akane cheered, as Nabiki and Shampoo approached.

“The fight going okay, Akane?” Nabiki asked, looking out at the frothing sea.

“I guess, Ranma just went into the neko-ken.” the younger sister replied, before frowning. “So where were you two?”

“Shampoo have trouble with top, Anego help fix.” Shampoo lied, before pointing back to the water. “Look!”

The breath caught in the girls’ throats as a giant waterspout heralded the fleeing exit of Cologne from the water, being chased by Ranma, who was hissing and growling up a storm. Cologne sailed past the girls and ran for the safety of the maze, hoping to hide from the enraged girl. Ranma landed and eyed the maze for a brief moment, before charging and clawing her way through the plastic walls.

“Alright! Alright! I surrender!” the old ghoul hollered, hurling the locket at Ranma before fleeing from the enraged girl who thought she was a cat.

Ranma scooped up the locket in her mouth before bounding out of the maze and over to the Tendo sisters. She eyed them both for a long second before dropping the locket and laying down in front of them. As the three girls stared in wonder at suddenly quiet cat behaving girl, one thing was clear…

This trial was over, and Ranma had finally won.

End Chapter 17

Teaser for chapter 18:

“Nabiki…” Akane said from her older sister’s door. “We need to talk.”

“Talk?” Nabiki asked, feigning ignorance. “About what?”

“About Ranma… and your sudden “interest” in him.” the younger sister said, her features hardening as her older sister started playing games.

“Oh, THAT.” the older sister responded, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. “I was wondering when you’d get the backbone to speak up.”

“Excuse me?” Akane said archly, crossing her arms and glaring at her sister.

“Come in and shut the door. It’s high time we have a sisterly chat about things.” Nabiki commanded tersely, sighing internally as Akane bristled at the command. ‘She hates boys my foot.’

Author notes: So I took some time to get this one done, but the Cologne arc is over. 18 might take a while to finish, but it’ll get done sometime. Later.