The shadowy figure softly chuckled to itself. This could prove amusing. Oh what fears these will have. The Prize money would be useful to. The figure then walked back into the shadows of Gotham. It had plans to make. The poster it was observing billowed slightly in the breeze.
Ranma warmed up for the tournament. Finally a chance to get away from the craziness of home (i.e. the fiances and challengers). Ranma was glad for the all expense paid trip for to First Annual Gotham International Martial Arts Charity Tournament. Their was a prize of a couple thousand dollars American for Ranma when he won (no ifs about that in Ranma's mind), plus Ranma was fighting for an orphanage. How ironic. Oh well, Ranma would enjoy himself. A few fights was all he need to forget all of his worries.
Bruce sat down in his box seat with his date Salina Kyle. This Charity Tournament was going to be a great success. Not only would several charities benefit from this venture but many different schools would receive free advertisement and gain new students. For another time that night Bruce contemplated finding another instructor to teach him another style to assist in his nightly activities.
"Bruce, Bruce, Bruce. What is it with boys and fighting." Salina Said as she petted her black cat.
"Now Salina, I understand you have studied and made use of the art as well. Besides this is for Charity several animal rights charities as well."
"Very well Bruce," *you always seem to know the right buttons to push*. "Who is fighting first."
"A Jack Le from Hong Kong and a Ranma Soatome from Tokyo Japan."
Bruce's Eyes widened in surprise when he saw Ranma enter the arena. He was to young all the other schools had sent their best fighters who where at least a decade older than this young man. Bruce sat back in his seat in dread. He hoped the young man didn't get to hurt in the competition.
Bruce was amazed the boy survived his first fight, then his second, and the third. By the third fight Bruce could see the kid was holding back and not finishing the fights by much. Probably trying not to dishonor his opponents with a quick victory. As he watch the matches Bruce got a little puzzled by the expression on Ranma face till he realized it was disappointment. The kid wanted more of a challenge.
As the Tournament went on Bruce began to study Ranma's style. It was an amazing blend. Primarily Kempo but he used elements of at least fifteen other styles Bruce recognized as well as several that he could not identify.
Then disaster stuck. It was the championship match. Ranma and another fighter from japan. Bruce was confident that Ranma would win. When they came.
They dropped from the rafters of the arena. Four men, Three with gas masks over their faces, the fourth wore a bag over his head. As they came down they threw gas bombs all over the arena.
Bruce instantly covered his mouth to shield himself from the fumes motioning to Salina to do the same when he recognized the hooded figure the scarecrow.
Then he heard it a loud cry of N-N-NEKOOOOOO!!!
Crane, A.K.A. The Scarecrow, was having fun scaring these great brave fighters. What a hoot. Now to get the money so he could make more fear gas and scare more people.
Then he saw him. One of the final fighters was locked in fear. As he approaches he could hear the fighter muttering under his breath "neko, neko neko,..." He loved it ailurophobia he hadn't heard of it in years and hear one of the best fighters at the tournament was afraid of cats.
Then the boy let out a cry of neko and lifted his head to the sky. Crane expected the boy to feint but instead he did something unexpected. He Let out an inhuman yowl and dropped to all fours.
The boy then looked at Crane and leaped. Then the world went black.
As Neko woke up from his slumber he was upset. Someone woke him up from his sleep and there they were. Neko was going to play.
Bruce watch the smoke clear. The shrieks and yowls had stopped and the gas was clearing. Bruce almost dropped the handkerchief he was using to filter the gas. There in a heap was Crane and his Goons. On top of them curled in a ball was Ranma Soatome. Bruce jump out of his box seats and walked toward the heap. As he approached , though it was humanly impossible, he thought he heard Ranma purring.