>Keeping Up With The Jonses - After gazing at the scene, which could now be identified as the tournament 
only by the lone ripped banner saying "Nerima's All-Out Tournament", there was only one thought Azel 
could deem appropriate.  *The tournament... is havoc.*  People were gathered round the remains of the 
tournament area, each one trying to find out what happened or spreading their own version of the event.  
Azel looked mournfully at the main tent which had been partly burnt and then collapsed.  From underneath 
a corner of the tent, an older black-haired man emerged and stormed towards Mr. Saotome.  In his arms, he 
carried a adorable pink Pokémon.
>    "THAT'S IT! I quit! That's the last time I hold an all-out tournament.  I don't care, take this stupid 
Pokémon, the other prize has been stolen, I'm going back to my home!"  The man shoved the Pokémon at 
Mr. Saotome and stalked off, quickly disappearing round the corner.
>    "Chansey!"  Mr. Saotome gave the Pokémon a look and handed the Pokémon to Chi-Chi.  He sighed 
and explained.  "Poor Mr. Tendo.  He was hosting the Nerima tournament again this year, and it seems 
there was a problem."  He continued under his breath, "again.  Though last year it wasn't quite this bad."
>    Chi-chi turned to Mr. Saotome. "So that is your son's fiancee's father?"
>    Mr. Saotome nodded.  Azel blinked.  "Umm... could you explain that slower?" she asked curiously.  
Mr. Saotome grinned and with exaggerated slowness began talking.  "My son, Ranma," he looked at Azel 
for comprehension before continuing.
>    "K, I got that."
>    "Is going to marry..."
>    "Marry, yeps."
>    "Mr. Tendo's daughter, Akane."
>    "Akane.  Okay."
>    "Just as soon as the like each other."
>At that, Azel just blinked. "Nevermind.  But what about the tournament! I really wanted to join!"
>    Mr. Saotome sighed and gazed at the wreckage.  "I'm afraid the tournament has ended for this year.  
Next year, I'm sure there will be another such tournament...  but the fight has destroyed this years."
>    Chi-chi nodded in agreement. "I just hope Gohan and Goku weren't caught in this mess!  Gohan needs 
proper role models at this age, and brawls are not proper situations for young boys!"  "Chansey!"
>   Chi-chi gave the pink Pokémon dumped on her a look similar to Mr. Saotome's and promptly dumped 
the Pokémon in Azel's arms.
>    Azel hardly paid attention to the Pokémon as she continued asking bout the tournament.  "But I really 
wanted to go to the tournament!  I was going to use it to start off my career in Japan!"
>    "I'm very sorry bout this, Azel," Mr. Saotome replied, thinking quickly," but I hope you'll accept our 
hospitality at my residence, Mr. Tendo's martial arts hall.  If you stay for awhile, I'm sure we'll be glad to 
teach you the basics of martial arts."
>    Azel nodded.  *Martial arts.. sounds interesting -* "Chansey!"
>  She quickly noticed the large Pokémon is her arms.  "And what am I supposed to do with this Chansey?"
>   Both Mr. Saotome and Chi-chi gave the Pokémon a look that definitely suggested it keep it's distance.  
"Well, it's not a martial arts Pokémon, so the hall has no need of it anymore.  Keep it."
>    "But it's not mine!"
>    Mr. Saotome waved his hand negligently.  "Well, it was Mr. Tendo's for the tournament.  Mr. Tendo 
gave it to me, I gave it to Chi-chi, Chi-chi gave it to you, so it's yours.  Enjoy the silly thing." "Chansey!"
>   Azel grinned.   *Maybe this trip won't be so much of a loss after all.  I've heard Chansey's are pretty 
rare... and it's so cute!*
>    Azel placed the Pokémon on the ground and fished a pokéball out of her backpack.  She withdrew the 
Chansey to her pokéball and grinned, returning her attention to Mr. Saotome and Chi-chi.  They were both 
gazing at the remains of the tournament, their curiosity and worry plain to the world.  Mr. Saotome looked 
up and then drew out a large black umbrella.  Within moments, a chilly rain started to pour, leaving 
everyone except Mr. Saotome drenched.  The rain swirled the ash over the rest of the tent, ruining it for 
good.  Suddenly Mr. Saotome turned to the right.  "No point wasting time here," he explained. "Let's go 
back to the hall and find out what started this brawl."
>     Suddenly someone spoke out from behind them.  "I'm afraid it wasn't just any brawl, pop."
>   Mr. Saotome turned around and embraced the figure in a hug.  The figures companion's, a girl and a 
male, wearing a large sword hung back, slightly concealed by the drizzling rain, waiting to be introduced.   
Mr. Saotome eagerly greeted the group. "Ranma! It's good to see you.  What happened?"
>Suddenly, Azel interrupted.  "I'm sorry... but wasn't Ranma.. your SON?"
>     The figure, now clearly a short, busty female blushed the same red as her hair.  She was wearing an  
"Yes, I'm Ranma Saotome.  I'll explain it all later.  But for now, let me introduce my companions.  Akane, 
who you may already know, and Scimitar, who's arrival coincided with the end of this year's tournament.  
In fact, Scimitar is going to be telling us some very vital information about the end of the tournament.  He's 
going to be staying at the hall."
>     Mr. Saotome peered at Scimitar.  "Obviously, I'd like to ask some questions.. but later.  This rain is 
quite annoying."  Everyone glared at Mr. Saotome, the only dry person in the group.  "Eh heheh..  um, my 
companions are Azel, a Pokémon trainer, and Chi-chi.  Her husband and son, Goku and Gohan came for 
the tournament."
>    Ranma nodded.  "Anyway," S/he? continued, "let's head back to the hall.  Everyone else will meet us 
there... and we'll all find out what happened at the tournament."
>    The group quickly walked down the road, but it was only a moment before a cry rang from a nearby 
alley.  "Somebody help! He's dead! ohmygod, he's dead!"  The wailing increased and the group headed 
towards the noise.  *What happened now!* thought Azel as the group raced in the direction, *what could 
have possibly happened?*