-*- [Ranma, Ataru, Mamoru, Kyosuke, Nuku & Urd are standing in the middle of the forest, the camera angle in front and to the left of them. A narrow path between trees leads ahead and behind them. The six are dressed as they usually are, with some notable exceptions: Ranma wields a staff, Ataru wears a bringht pink cloak, Mamoru has a mighty silver shield strapped to his arm, Urd wears a blue hat with cheap glitter glued on it, Nuku hefts a massive wooden club, and Kyosuke stares sadly at the wooden tambourine in his hand.] Ranma: (crossing his arms) We're lost. Urd: We are NOT lost. Ataru: (sitting down on the ground) We're lost. Urd: No we're- Mamoru: Absolutely lost. Nuku: Nuku-Nuku SMAAAAASH! [Nuku swings her club at a tree merrily, shattering it in one blow. The others duck for cover from the debris that flies in the air.] Ranma: Willya STOP doing that?! Nuku: Aww. Ataru: I had a bad feeling about this. [Washu suddenly pops into existence, wearing an archaic red robe and pointy shoes.] Washu: Aw, the game's just starting! Don't be so uptight. Ataru: Oi, Washu, what're we supposed to be doing? Washu: (smiles merrily) Call me Dungeon Manager Washu. =================================================================== http://www.thekeep.org/~rpm/sw =The [sur]Real World= Writer: RpM Story Concept: Isabel A. "Izzy-chan" Advisory Board: The Fanfic ML -M- Productions PART 9 Perils and Perverts or Kyosuke Can't Sing =================================================================== -*- [Several hours ago...] "A game?" asked Ataru. Washu nodded. "Mm-hm! It's a new system I'm testing out, you'll love it." The six other roommates stared at her doubtfully. From the couch, Mamoru crossed his arms and frowned. "Exactly what kind of game are we talking about here?" "It's just an Environmental Simulation Engine." "Like virtual reality?" asked Kyosuke. Washu nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! But a lot better!" "Wai! Nuku-Nuku wants to try!" "That's one..." Ranma shrugged. "Got nothing else to do today." "And two..." Mamoru scowled. "If anything goes wrong..." "Three..." "Sounds like fun," said Kyosuke. "Four..." "Can you put some virtual babes in it?" "Five..." *munch*munch*munch* "Five..." *munch*munch*munch* "Oi! Urd!" The platinum blond goddess blinked and looked up. "Huh? Wha?" "You wanna join the game or what?" "Sorry, was distracted. You guys try this pocky stuff? It's great." Washu raised an eyebrow. "Pocky?" -*- Washu's lab was something they'd assumed was just some weird little closet space, since she planted her door in an impossibly small part of the house. Only Ataru wasn't surprised as they entered the seemingly endless maze of lab benches, glass displays and odd knicknacks. "Oh," he said with a bored voice. "One of those transdimensional door things." "As if you've seen one before," sniped Ranma. Ataru shrugged. "Been there, done that." Finally, they came to a large upraised platform, its surface a perfect obsidian. "So we step here?" asked Ranma. He quickly stepped up to the platform, where he suddenly found himself tossed about in the air, head over heels. The others watched, amazed, as he was flung to and fro violently in mid-air. "That's my dryer," said Washu. "Stop, Eject." Ranma found himself flung out of the platform, head over heels, landing nearly flat on his back. "Oi, you okay?" asked Ataru. Ranma shook his head as he rose. "I feel... lemon fresh, static free and... really fluffy." Washu nodded. "Good thing you didn't step into my washer." "You got no idea..." "Anyway, c'mon, it's further down." -*- Washu held up a very simple looking helmet, far more simple than what everyone else was anticipating. "That's it?" Ataru asked. "Well... yes... this is it. What's wrong with you guys?" Ranma scratched his head. "I guess we were expectin' something more... um... fancy?" "This," replied Washu, hoisting up the helmet, "Is one of the most advanced neural interfaces in the entire galaxy-" "And looks like a dull black flight helmet," added Ataru. Washu sighed. "I can paint rainbows on them if you want." "Wai! Nuku-Nuku likes rainbows!" "Riiiight. Anyway, just put the helmets on and we'll start and NO you won't turn into pink dust." Ataru closed his mouth. "And NO you won't get accidentally teleported." Mamoru relaxed. Slightly. "Everyone ready?" asked Washu. "Okay... put'em on." -*- [SCENE: A high cliff by a vast ocean, surrounded by deep forests. Our heroes stand in the clearing, looking somewhat confused.] Ranma: (looking around) Whoa, this is neat. Ataru: Feels like the real thing. This is neat. I wonder if- Urd: No, I don't think Washu'll make you your own virtual harem. Ataru: Feh. Mamoru: Okay, we're here. Now what're we supposed to do? Washu: (from some unseen location) Well, that's obvious. We get the game started. Mamoru: (frowns) Game? What game? And where are you? Washu: (entering the clearing, wearing elaborate and medieval red robes) I'm right here, and you can call me.... the Dungeon Manager. (everyone stares at Washu) Mamoru: (rolls his eyes) This is ridiculous. Ataru: Um... Washu? Washu: Ahem. Ataru: Ah... Dungeon Manager Washu? Washu: Yeeees? Ataru: What kind of game are we playing? Washu: Well, looking at a lot of the games and media that you earth people do, I noticed a lot of it was what you'd call the "Sword and Sorcery" type, so I decided to try out my little virtual world toy using that as a start. Mamoru: (mutters) I have a bad feeling about this. Ataru: (grinning lecherously) Does that mean we get to- Washu: No, I haven't put in any princesses to save. Ataru: (scowls) Then what's the point?!