Private Bets by Shade Based on Metroanime's "The Bet" Disclaimer: The Bet and Toltiier are owned by Gregg Sharp, Ranma Saotome is Takahashi-sama's, Tenchi Masaki belongs AIC and Pioneer. Everyone else belongs to whoever owns them. This was done only for entertainment, so if you don't like it just don't read it. Constructive C&C welcome, flames not. Complaints about the focus of this Bet should not be sent to me because I am not interested in a Character debate. *$*$*$*$*$*$*$* -Prologue The figure stood alone on the desolate plain. The only feature that broke the ground’s endless flat surface was a small depression in the dark soil. Within it rested a reflective pool of water. But only a fool would try to drink from it. Within its silent depths rested the very fabric of destiny itself. Cursing softly at the bite of the chill wind the figure drew his black cloak a little closer, he never had gotten used to temperatures this low. He scanned the bland emptiness patiently, waiting for the others. His vigilance was rewarded by a blue flash of light that formed in front of him into a roughly man-sized gateway....12 feet off the ground. With a resigned sigh he waited for the inevitable..... “I’m he...WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....”*SPLAT* “He still hasn’t gotten that spell of his right.” Rowan shook his head in mock despair as he went to help the Bard up. “I really hate it when that happens!” The young man grumbled as he pulled himself to his feet. “Where are the others?” In response the Bard gestured back toward his portal. “Uh oh.” *CRASH* The others were here. -A little later The a look around the gathering revealed most of them to be the minor players in the multiverse, creatures and heroes that were below deity status and thus ineligible for the original Bet. A sizable number of neutral and even some of the more mischievous beings had come to this private contest, however none of the more malicious villains had been invited due to the nature of this new wager. That and the holders of this Bet didn’t like evil creatures....they REALLY didn’t like them. “Where’s Shadow and goodie two shoes?” asked the Bard as he eyed one of the Valkyries that had accepted, thanking his lucky stars that their armor was so.....flattering. “Give me a second.” With an ease that spoke of long experience Rowan found the pendent and concentrated. For a moment nothing happened, then two darker images seemed to branch out from either side of him and coalesced into the familiar forms of Shadow and the Guardian. “Well you certainly took long enough.” The warrior of Darkness stretched a little, his sarcastic tone as cutting as ever. "You know Toltiier ain't going to like this, a Bet being held and him not being invited." His opposite pointed out. Rowan shrugged, "He had his big wager, we have ours." "Besides he's already got that Fairie time-line and those other ones to watch. It's our turn to have challenge." Shadow said smugly. “Then shall we proceed?” came the polite tone of the defender of the Light. “First we’d better go over the rules.” Rowan pointed out, seeing as they didn’t want any cheating or foulplay in THIS Bet. After pulling the Bard away (This required the application of several blunt instruments to his cranium) and getting the crowd into a semblance of order they proceeded to brief the eager demi-deities. Rule 1: Only ONE pebble may be thrown for each entry. However the pebble is allowed to make more then one ripple IF the challenger can get it to do so. Rule 2: ONE entry per challenger, violation of this will result in immediate forfeiture and banishment from this realm. Rule 3: The purpose of this wager is to alter the destiny of either the one known as Ranma Saotome or Tenchi Masaki toward the particular sphere of influence of the challenger. Rule 4: The default universe is set within the standard “Suspension of Disbelief” Reality System (tm) as such while the LHW are allowed DBZ and other such nonsense aren’t (DBZ being level “Beyond the scope of Rationality” Reality) . Rule 5: NO blatant dark fics, NO naughty tentacles, and NO nausea-inducing entries Rule 6: No interfering with another challenger’s Bet Rule 7: Anything else goes. The Prize: The winner’s timeline will remain and the winner will become the dominant power in their altered universe. Bard: “Let the game begin!” And the challenge is on.