Natsumi, The Magical Girl Tokyo, Japan: Nerima district. Sometime in the past... It was a beautiful spring afternoon. A bell signalled the end of another school day. Just within the school gate, Mrs. Tendo waited for her eldest daughter to come as she normally did each schoolday. She had no reason to believe that anything would be wrong; any moment now little Kasumi would be running into her arms, happily presenting her with what she had made in school today. But instead, Kasumi was crying. Concerned, Mrs. Tendo picked her daughter up. "What's the matter, Kasumi-chan?" Kasumi sobbed. "Everyone made fun of me at school today, Mommy..." "Why would they do that, Kasumi-chan?" "Because I said I wanted to be a magical girl! A warrior for justice! Like the girls in Mahou Senshi Stardust... and everyone just laughed at me!" Mrs. Tendo hugged her daughter, running a hand through Kasumi's long brown hair. "There, there," she spoke soothingly. "It's all right. Don't listen to those kids. You know, you can be anything you want if you put your mind to it." "I can?" Kasumi abruptly stopped sobbing. "Even a magical girl?" Mrs. Tendo looked into Kasumi's inquiring eyes. "Yes. Even a magical girl." "All right! Can I have a magical brooch, too?" "Of course, dear." She set Kasumi down. "Yahoo!!" Kasumi exclaimed, as they began to walk home. There wasn't a trace of sadness left within her eyes. With a little help from her mother, she could do anything. Including being a magical girl. Richard Beaubien Presents Natsumi, the Magical Girl (wildly and quickly embellished by Mike Koos) Episode 1: Shock! Can Kasumi Save The World? Nabiki was busying herself with closely studying the business news in the daily paper. It wasn't quite the trade papers, but for Nabiki's purposes it would do. For the moment, anyway. The day's news offered a note of interest to her - the BFC, an up-and-coming major corporation was building a branch office in the area. Always on the lookout for a good business opportunity, Nabiki wondered if there wasn't some way she could profit from this particular bit of information. That was when Akane screamed. Everyone in the house rushed to Akane's side in the foyer. "What's wrong, Akane?" Nabiki thought to ask. Akane was holding a small package, her hands trembling. "This just came in the mail," Akane said, her voice distant. "It's addressed to me, Nabiki and Kasumi." She offered the package to Kasumi. "It's from... from Mom..." Kasumi reluctantly took the package and tore away the brown paper wrapping. "Oh, my..." she started, examining the box's contents. Inside were three items carefully wrapped in cloth. Nabiki's curiousity got the better of her. "What is it?" Akane peered into the box. "There's a letter," she said, fishing out the folded piece of paper. "Let's see what it says." "To my beautiful daughters, Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane," Akane read aloud. "By the time you read this letter, I will likely have passed away. I have known well in advance that I cannot prevent this, and thought that these gifts were the least I could do to help you remember me as you continue on your journey into adulthood." "To this end, I have arranged for this package to be sent to you once the three of you come of age. I hope this package does not arrive before that time, but if it does, promise me that you will always remember me in your hearts." "To Akane, my youngest daughter: I believe you are the one most likely to follow in the family tradition of martial arts and make your dear father proud. For you, I have made this training gi. I do hope you like it." "Don't tell your father this, but I have envisioned you becoming a talented cook as well as a martial artist." Ranma snorted, and Akane caught it, pausing to glare at him. Meanwhile, Kasumi removed Akane's gi from the package and set it aside. "To Nabiki, I leave this junior business set. Even though as I write this, you are but a little girl, I can see that you have a fondness for business. I am reminded of the time your teacher told me you had been cheating all of your classmates out of their money. When I took you into my lap and asked you about it, you told me you were hoping to make it big with an investment on the stock market." "I can only imagine you now, helping everyone keep the finances of the Tendo Dojo and household in proper order." Kasumi handed the business set to Nabiki, who almost seemed not to know what to do with it. "Finally, to Kasumi, my eldest daughter: I leave you this heirloom brooch and a reminder... Remember, you can always be anything you want to be if you put your mind to it. I have always had complete faith in all of you. Please remember that I love you, and I'm sorry I couldn't be here to give you these gifts in person." As Akane finished reading the letter, she risked a glance in her father's direction. "...Otousan...?" But Soun was too wound up to answer, flooding the small room with his tears. Akane felt as though she might cry a little, herself. Ranma and Genma were off to one side now, silently watching. Akane carefully folded the letter and placed it back into the box. That done, she unwrapped the gi her mother had meant for her. Sewn in great detail on the back was a small work of sewing art... a landscape depicting the mountains that were once fully visible from the Tendo yard. It was beautiful, and surely must have taken a long time to complete... Nabiki was still looking at the business set in her hands. She was determined not to let anyone see her cry. That would be a sign of weakness. Wordlessly, Kasumi pinned her new brooch to the front of her blouse and headed up the stairs, the brooch catching a bit of the light from upstairs as she did so. "Well," Nabiki spoke into the silence, chuckling uneasily. "I've got business to do! Later!" She hurried upstairs to her room and locked the door. The junior business set rested on her desk. Why was she feeling this way? She had already bought more expensive versions of everything in the set, long ago... Nabiki fell backward onto her bed and cried. "Mom........." ***** "Mother?" Kasumi repeated the call, though she wasn't sure why she was making it to begin with. She stood in an open field, her vision nearly obscured by a strange, thick fog hanging in the air. She could almost feel the grass under her sandals; that alone was comforting. Straining, she made out the shape of someone approaching through the mist. Who could it be? But then, why was she here? She was beginning to worry... "Kasumi-chan... Remember, you can be anything you want if you put your mind to it. You can do anything you want..." "Mother!!" cried Kasumi. "You must use the brooch. You can do it... I have complete faith in you." "**MOTHER!!**" Kasumi yelled. She tried to will the tears out of her eyes as she ran toward the mysterious figure. But the figure receded into the dark fog and vanished. All that remained was Kasumi, on her knees, calling out in desperation... Kasumi instantly sat up in bed, her pulse racing. Had it all been a nightmare? "Oh, my..." ***** "Hello! I'm the official Nerima representative for BFC," the spokeswoman gushed. The company had apparently spared no expense to announce their arrival in town. "You'll be glad to know that we plan to work with the community's best interests in mind. Your successes are our successes, after all! In fact, to kick off our 'grand opening' here, we're hosting a search for models for our new line of products. If you happen to be a skilled martial artist, then drop by our talent contest at the community center tomorrow at nine and prepare to become a star." The spokeswoman smiled to herself. This was going to be easy; soon phase one of the master plan would be complete. ***** Nabiki thought, looking for her two favorite assets - Ranma and Akane. She finally found them arguing away in the dojo as per usual. "Hey, have I got some news for you..." she announced cheerfully. "What is it, oneechan?" Akane studied her sister. Whenever Nabiki was this happy it often meant she had some sort of scheme in mind. Akane had no intention of getting caught up in another one of her sister's plots. "You know that company, BFC? They're looking for martial artists to be their new spokespeople and I bet you two would be perfect for the job." "Sure," Ranma replied, "but what's in it for you?" Nabiki sighed. They were finally starting to wise up to her schemes. She would have to be a bit more subtle if she wanted to get any money out of them, and subtlety just happened to be a skill of hers. "I'll be your agent and take a mere sixty percent off the top to help pay off your debts to me, Ranma." "Wait a minute," Akane countered. "Why can't we do the job by ourselves and pay off Ranma's debt to you without you getting even more money out of the deal?" "Simple," Nabiki said in a voice that told them she'd already made all of the decisions. "You need an agent to look out for your best interests. After all, show business is a vicious business!" Ranma had to laugh at Nabiki's feigned sincerity. "Don't you mean, 'look out for *your* best interests?'" "Why, I'm shocked, Ranma-kun! I wouldn't do a thing to hurt my own family!" Nabiki said in her best hurt voice. She looked across at the pair she was trying to con and found she was making no progress. "Oh, all right - a seventy-thirty split in your favor." "We'll take it!" Akane exclaimed before Ranma could object. It was a rare occasion when she could claim the better part of one of Nabiki's deals. If, in fact, she had a choice in the matter. "Okay. Here are the papers; just sign on the lines and you're in." Nabiki made sure to hide the sly smile on her face while the two martial artists signed the contracts. "Thanks a lot, oneechan!" Akane yelled, dragging Ranma out of the dojo. Nabiki could see the small smile on her younger sister's face. So, Akane thought she had the upper hand, eh? She quickly scanned through the contracts to be safe and allowed herself the luxury of a sinister laugh. True, she had given up a good portion of the short-term profits, but she now held the exclusive marketing rights to Ranma and Akane's images. She knew from keeping an eye on Hollywood that marketing was the real driving force. In fact, not many people knew it, but Nabiki had had the foresight to invest in _Jurassic Park_... Besides, if she truly felt like being compassionate, she could give Ranma and Akane a decent share of the money - after she took BFC for all she could. Nabiki laughed. This might be a profitable week for her after all. ***** The spokeswoman examined every last detail of the community center closely. The trap had to be properly set. Her leader definitely would not accept failure. She had no desire to fail her leader. "*Report!*" a loud voice snapped curtly from a nearby television monitor. The youma spokeswoman stood at attention in front of the screen. "Yes, my Lady?" "How goes the preparation for project Z?" "All is in readiness." "Excellent! Continue the good work!" The voice became silent. The youma smiled, inspecting the trap one more time. If this plan fared well she would be well rewarded with more responsibility, more power, plus a good stock plan and maybe even a tax attorney. ***** Kasumi found herself meandering through the fog again. This time, when the mystery figure approached, she was too frightened to speak. She simply stood rooted to one spot, trying to listen to what the figure said. Unfortunatly, Kasumi awoke before the dream ran its course. The dream faded back into her subconscious. ***** "C'mon! Aren't you two ready yet?" Nabiki banged on the stair rail. "Don't worry! We'll be down in a minute!" Akane called back. Nabiki frowned, tapping her foot impatiently. Time was money, and they couldn't afford to be late. If any of the other 'real' martial artists in town decided to look into the talent contest... "We're ready, oneechan!" Akane beamed as she and Ranma descended the stairs. They were similarly dressed in matching stylized outfits much like the ones they had worn while facing off against the Golden Pair, Mikado Sanzenin and Azusa Shiratori. "Wow, you two look cute!" "Oh, *right*, Nabiki. I feel like an idiot. Why do we have to wear these costumes, anyway?" "I really don't care what you feel like, as long as you get that part. Got it?" "Oh, all right," Ranma muttered, resigning himself. "Let's just get this over with." They headed out the door. Kasumi caught a glimpse of the trio as they left the yard. She hoped that things would turn out for the better. After all, if they landed the part, Akane and Ranma stood a chance of becoming big stars. Yet, why did she have an odd feeling something would go wrong? Kasumi suddenly decided she ought to pay a visit to the community center. It was on the way to Tofu-sensei's clinic, where she would be headed in about an hour or two, anyway. ***** There was certainly nothing about the community center that looked out of place - but then again, didn't all sterotypical evil monster traps tend to look perfectly harmless before they were triggered? Nabiki wasn't interested in the surroundings however - she was busy sizing up the competition, which didn't amount to much in her opinion. Apparently most of those who had come to be 'discovered' were would-be idol singers. Anyone who actually looked like a martial artist paled when she compared them to Ranma or Akane. Now, all Nabiki had to do was get the BFC to sign her papers... and poof! she would be on her way to controlling one of the most powerful corporations in Japan. The youma watched the people assembled in the hall. Only two of those people truly carried themselves like martial artists, which, amazingly enough, pleased the youma. This might make her job easier to do. She walked casually up to Nabiki, who had already established herself as the agent of the pair of martial artists. Once she dealt with these three, she would proceed with phase two of the plan. "So, you're their agent, are you? We might be interested in making a deal... What's your price?" Nabiki had a wry smile on her face. She figured she had the advantage, and decided to press it. "You'll like it. Here, take a look for yourself." Nabiki handed the contracts to the youma. "I guess we can live with this deal," the youma was satisfied. As Nabiki, Akane and Ranma watched, she signed the papers. Nabiki thought, "We have our models!" the youma announced. "Thank you all for coming. We'll let you know if we can use you." The assembly left the building, grumbling to themselves. The youma spokeswoman finally turned to the pair of martial artists and their agent. "Now, what we need from our martial-artist spokespeople isn't just skill, but a good likability factor. We need someone who can sell Dark Kingdom pogs to the general public!" "Pogs? You're using martial artists to sell *pogs*!?" Nabiki asked in disbelief. "Why, of course we are. Well, let's get you two into our little training arena so we can test your skill..." "Okay!" Akane started toward the testing arena. Looking back, she saw that Ranma hadn't budged and decided to drag him into the arena instead. Nabiki shook her head; she was going to have to teach her stars how to behave around their clients. At least all the contracts had been signed. "And now, for you, Nabiki Tendo..." Laughing, the youma turned her back on Nabiki. She was going to handle this agent wanna-be personally. Whoever said she wasn't allowed to have some fun before the actual plan was underway? She revealed her true youma form. "I think we should close this deal with a *bang*!" All Nabiki could do was scream. It was, after all, cliched dialogue. ***** Meanwhile, Kasumi was enjoying a walk home after completing her errands and a quick - yet always interesting - visit to Tofu-sensei's clinic. She'd taken pleasure in the fact that everyone who noticed her couldn't help but admire her new brooch, as well. It was a beautiful day to be outside... yet Kasumi felt that she had forgotten something. Perhaps it had something to do with the community center, where Nabiki, Akane and Ranma were supposed to be. She hadn't been able to get the thought out of her mind all day long. She couldn't quite put her finger on what the sensation meant, although she was sure something was wrong, somewhere nearby. Determined not to worry too much about it, she looked up - and was surprised to find herself standing at the base of the steps leading up to the Convention Center's front doors. She stared at the large sign above the glass doors for a while, reassuring herself that nothing was wrong. In the end, her premonitions won over. Oh, well, it wouldn't hurt to take a quick look around. Even if there wasn't anything wrong she could always sign up for some swimming lessons... ***** In the Testing Arena, Akane and Ranma found themselves completely surrounded by a wide variety of strange monsters. But these weren't the ordinary garden-variety brand of monster... no, these were the type that appeared in sentai shows. "Isn't this a bit much for people expected to sell pogs?" "Idiot!" Akane swung a monster into a convenient wall. "I think they're trying to kill us! Did you make those BFC guys mad or something?" "Me? Why does everyone always point fingers at me?" Ranma ground two monsters into a pasty - er, rubbery pulp. "Maybe Dad did something... The first I heard of this company was when Nabiki told us about it." "We'll worry about it later." Akane steamrolled another group of monsters. They couldn't keep this up forever... "We've gotta do something!" She and Ranma stood back-to-back now. Still more monsters appeared out of thin air to surround and attack them. The odds didn't seem to be in their favor. "I guess we keep fighting," Ranma shrugged. ***** The youma had cornered Nabiki. Like Akane, Nabiki did have a fair amount of martial-arts experience under her belt. But Akane was the one with all the practical experience though. And nothing Daddy had taught her covered fighting a youma at close quarters. What was a youma doing here, anyway? The whole mess sounded to Nabiki like it was lifted from the plot of a television show... After having lived through the craziness that always seemed to find its way to Ranma, this turn of events didn't surprise Nabiki one bit. Now, if she had only come prepared for a youma... Nabiki took advantage of the youma's attacks to throw herself beyond a nearby corner. "Where are you, little girl? Come on out, I'm waiting..." the youma laughed. She stepped into the hallway Nabiki was trying to hide in. "Ah, there you are! PRESS RELEASE *ATTACK*!!!" Several steel-hard press releases shot through the air to imbed themselves into the wall behind Nabiki, outlining her body. thought Nabiki. A youma with a corny attack? What, had she slipped into an episode of _Sailor Moon_? Maybe a ridiculous-looking magical girl would even come along at the last possible instant to save her... A doorway down the hall opened. The youma turned in time to see Kasumi step out into the corridor. "Oh, my goodness..." "*Run*, Kasumi!" Nabiki yelled. But the youma was already leaping to strike the newcomer down in a blinding flash of light. Before she connected, the youma saw the brooch Kasumi wore and stopped cold. "It can't be possible!" Nabiki drew herself up. If she was fast enough she could get Kasumi out of here while that thing was stunned. Where was Akane and Ranma? Instead, a strange glow enveloped her sister, originating from Kasumi's brooch. Kasumi's outfit dissolved away as the energy swirled about her, forming an entirely new and unexpected outfit for her. A lemon yellow skirt formed around her waist, and a lime-green top appeared above it. A bright yellow bow, boots of the same color and white gloves finished off the ensemble while Kasumi's brooch settled into place in the center of the bow. Nabiki blinked. Yet, this particular magical girl just happened to be her older sister... "Our community center is a place for relaxation and recreation, not evil! And I won't have you ruin the good name of show business! In the name of love, I will make sure you suffer for what you have done; I'm the magical girl, Natsumi!!" Nabiki blinked again. Had Kasumi actually said THAT!? She even spoke perfectly like one of those 'magical girl' characters. Natsumi wondered where in the world her speech had come from. How had she known what was going on here? "The magical girl, Natsumi?" the youma mockingly echoed in a hollow voice. "I don't care WHO you are - I'll just destroy you!" She rammed Natsumi into a wall like an angry bull. Natsumi, stunned, rose only to be hit into the opposite wall by a drop-kick. "You're a magical girl? Well, I'm not impressed." The youma drew both her arms back. "PRESS RELEASE ATTACK!!" Nabiki wanted to scream but she couldn't. She had to save Kasumi from the deadly press releases. Nabiki didn't want to see her sister die... didn't want to lose another person she cared for! She ran like she had never run before, and managed to push Kasumi out of the path of the press releases in time. Nabiki took the full force of the attack and was thrown into the wall, hard. "*Nabiki*!!!" Natsumi yelled as Nabiki hit the wall and slumped to the floor. She ran to Nabiki's side and saw that her sister was unconscious. "How dare you... you'll pay for this!" "Oh, I'm really SO scared. What in the world could you possibly do to me?" "This!" Bright green energy flared around Natsumi as she prepared to attack. Her brooch flared with power - the power of Natsumi's anger. Natsumi wanted to make this youma suffer for hurting her sister. "Love Power Strike... *NOW*!" Natsumi's Strike completely engulfed the youma. It was only a matter of time before she phased out of existence. Natsumi, exhausted, sat down next to Nabiki and buried her head between her knees, crying, hoping that Nabiki would recover. ***** Akane and Ranma, too, were exhausted. For all their strength and skill they had never had to face off against an endless horde of monsters. But somehow, that horde finally began to dwindle. Soon there was nothing left in the room but two martial artists and the smell of burning rubber. A security camera relayed the picture to an observer, far away. The observer was none too happy. "Mine! What is the reason for this failure?" "I'm sorry, my Lady," Mine appeared, bowing. "The youma we sent to handle the plan was defeated by a magical girl who called herself, 'Natsumi.'" "We must have those two martial artists under our control, magical girl or not. They will make excellent new 'recruits' for our youma army. With the quality of martial artists in this area alone we can take over this world, which will make our chairman extremely happy. Mine, it's your job to bring me those martial artists. Remember, I will not tolerate failure." Mine paused. "Yes, my Lady." She respectfully bowed once more before her leader. She knew the price of failure... She would capture Ranma and Akane, and get Nabiki as well... she respected Nabiki; Nabiki was as dangerously cunning as many of the youma she knew. Shrewd enough to bleed money out of a major corporation. And besides, Nabiki would be the perfect bait to use for luring Ranma and Akane into her trap... ***** "Are you sure you're all right?" Kasumi asked as she walked Nabiki toward Tofu-sensei's clinic. The concern was quite evident in her voice. "I'm fine," Nabiki said. Hopefully no one would see her in this moment of weakness... Kasumi, thankfully, was back in her normal clothes now. Natsumi's outfit would take a while to adjust to. "I just have one question." "Yes?" "Would you mind letting me have the exclusive marketing rights to Natsumi?" Kasumi's pace slowed. That's right, she was Natsumi! A magical girl! Just as Mother had promised... If Nabiki was trying to negotiate for marketing rights, she must be feeling better already. It was a pity Kasumi couldn't feel the same way. She wondered - what if there were more youma attacks? Was it entirely up to her to defend the power of good and the lives of people everywhere? She had never thought of herself as the 'action hero'-type and wondered if being Natsumi wasn't going to be too much for her to handle... She looked down upon her brooch and heard her mother's voice. "Kasumi-chan... Remember, you can be anything you want if you put your mind to it. You can do anything you want..." The end, but only for now...