Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Herbie's Drive Through Nerma ❯ The great race! A victory of the heart! ( Chapter 10 )

AN: Parts inspired by the race from "Herbie Goes to Monty Carlo" and the original "The Love Bug."

*************************************************************** *********

A few days after the incident with Kodachi, it was the day of the race. It would start at the hotel and end right in front of Furikan High, as agreed to by Ranma and Cologne. Waiting at the hotel with her car, a 2001 Nissan Ultima, with her bike on the roof, was Shampoo with Cologne, Wash, Rinse, Soap, and Water. Currently though, they all were wondering what was keeping Ranma, Akane, and Herbie.

"Where are they?" Cologne asked.

"You worry great-grandmother?" Shampoo asked.

"Child, you can never predict Ranma or Akane." Cologne said. "Not even a God can anticipate what that boy or that girl will do next." She then saw her great-granddaughter look sad. "Don't mistake what I am telling you as criticism child. I have all my faith in you."

"You do know Elder Cologne that, no matter how this race goes, you and Shampoo will have to face the council." Soap said. "The lock water is very high on the forbidden list."

"Your great-granddaughter and her friends are at least looking at a demotion of status." Shower said. "And you are at least looking to get expelled from the council, if not the tribe." Just then, they heard the sound of an incoming car. Sure enough, it was Herbie, but as he stopped, it was clear that it wasn't the drivers they expected, because the ones who exited him were Mousse and Nabiki.

"What duck boy and mercenary girl doing here?" Shampoo asked, slightly angry. "This challenge between airen, kitchen destroyer, and Shampoo."

"Next time Shampoo, if you want to bad mouth my sister, make sure I'm not present." Nabiki said. "You don't want to be on my bad side." Shampoo then decided to shut up.

"As for Ranma and Akane," Mousse said, "Kodachi showed up and used some very strong paralyzes powder. They're frozen for three weeks, so we're going to fill in."

"Oh?" Cologne asked. "And whose bright idea was that?"

(HEY! I have faith in them!) Herbie beeped.

"Ah, so this little car believes in you two, does he?" Cologne.

`This doesn't sound good.' Herbie thought.

"DON'T even think about it Cologne." Soap said. "I was taught to respect those with life, and that includes inner life. If you even do one minor thing that leads to this little car to be destroyed, or a spell to take its inner life away, not only will you be expelled from the tribe, but I will offer your great-granddaughter to the Musk as a peace offering." This caused Cologne to gasp in shock.

"You… you wouldn't!" Cologne said.

"AI-YA! You know what Musk men do to Amazon womans?!" Shampoo said, just as shocked as Cologne.

"It would befit that of a murderer." Shower said. "Be that as it may, the car will not be used as a pawn in your schemes."

"I wasn't even thinking about ether of that." Cologne said. However, Shampoo looked like she has something to say.

"Shampoo want to tell duck boy and mercenary girl something." Shampoo said with a look that would kill. "Shampoo hate Mousse more than ever for trying to ruin her happiness. So now, Shampoo will ruin yours. If Mousse no win race…" Then she cleared her throat. "…then you no can see Nabiki anymore." This causes gasps from both Mousse and Nabiki.

(YOU CAN'T DO THAT!) Herbie beeped.

"I'm sorry, but this doesn't violate anything." Soap said. "Right of challenges is to challenge the status of a ruling by the Elders, and to make it fair, both sides are allowed one stipulation."

"But what about you coming in defense of Herbie?" Nabiki asked. "If you can stop them from cutting him up, then you…" But she was interrupted by Shower.

"The one thing the Amazon tribe must respect above all else is that of `Inner life.'" Shower said. "If an Amazon does anything to extinguish inner life, it is considered as bad, or even worse than, murder."

"Is it because objects that normally aren't alive are?" Nabiki asked.

"Yes child." Cologne said. "You see, it has to do with humans. My friend taught a man by the name Tennessee Steinmetz that, in the case of cars, claw machines, flowers, and traffic lights for example, have spent more time with humans that it starts to develop a life of their own."

"Which would explain why Herbie has a mind of his own." Nabiki said.

"Exactly." Soap said. "However, anybody that learns about inner life is taught that we're to respect it because it is a reward. A new soul if you will."

"Makes sense to me." Nabiki said.

(Especially since you believe in magic now, right?) Herbie beeped.

"Right." Nabiki said.

"Now, let's get down to it, shall we?" Shower said. "The race will be from here to Furikan High in Nerma, where we will meet you there. The winner will have their stipulation, without question, honored by the tribe. Is that understood?"

"Yes." Everyone said.

(You got it.) Herbie beeped.

"I'll signal when to go." Soap said. "The first to cross the finish line at Furikan Wins. We'll meet you there. Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads.

(It's clear to me.) Herbie beeped.

"Actually, now that I think about it, how are you going to get to Nerma before us?" Mousse asked. Just then, they heard a helicopter over head.

"When Japan wants to make a good impression to one of the most powerful Amazon tribes in Japan, they go all out." Shower said just as it landed on top of the hotel. "Everyone, to their cars." As soon as Shower said that, Shampoo went to her Nissan and Mousse and Nabiki went to Herbie and they all started their engines. Shower than raised her hands.

"Ready… set… GO!" Shower said as she dropped her hands and off the racers went.

"We best board the helicopter if we want to get to Furikan before them." Cologne said.

"Agreed." Soap and Shower said together as they, Cologne, Wash, and Rinse went into the hotel to get to the roof where the helicopter was.

*************************************************************** *********

Five miles into it, Shampoo was still holding her lead refusing to let Herbie pass. Left and right, right and left, every opportunity for the little car and his drivers to pass was refused.

"CRUD! Who knew she could drive this good?" Nabiki said.

"I know what you mean." Mousse said. "I haven't been able to pass her for miles, but I'm not giving up." He said with determination.

"Nether am I." Nabiki said with the same determination.

(Nor me!) Herbie beeped. Just then, an opening formed and Mousse took it as now he was driving next to Shampoo's driver's side.

`Damn! If Mousse wins, I loose Ranma! I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN!' Shampoo thought as she…

*SLAM*

…slammed her side into Herbie, but he still kept going.

(She wants to trade paint, huh?) Herbie beeped.

"Well, here's some of ours. Hold on Nabs!" Mousse said as Nabiki braced for impact and Mousse…

*SLAM*

…slammed into Shampoo's driver side, which caused her to loose control. Reacting quickly, she jumped out, grabbed her bike, and started peddling very fast.

`Shampoo prefer bike anyway.' She thought as she peddled past Herbie.

(How on Earth does she go that fast?!) Herbie beeped.

"Amazon strength and training!" Mousse said as he tried to go faster, but Shampoo was pulling the same stunt she did in the Nissan, refusing to let them past for several miles, that's when Nabiki noticed something.

"Mousse! Look!" Nabiki said as they saw that they were at the tunnel that was right before Nerma.

"If we can't get past her before going in, we won't be able to win, and I can't pass her while she's swerving or I'll hurt her!" Mousse said as he put the pedal to the metal, but it was to no avail as Shampoo was still in front by the time they went into the tunnel, and she was still zig zagging.

"We can't pass her!" Nabiki said. She then looked at Mousse. "Mousse, I…"

"NO! I won't give you up! I WON'T LOOSE YOU!" Mousse said as he and Nabiki then looked at each other.

(That's the spirit duck boy!) Herbie beeped as he…

*SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH*

…took control and drove up the sides of the tunnel until he was driving on its ceiling and over Shampoo.

"HERBIE!" Nabiki and Mousse said, thanking Kami that they buckled up. Shampoo looked behind her and couldn't see them, and she thought she was ahead, but then she looked up and couldn't believe what she was seeing.

`HIYA! Not possible! This no possible!' Shampoo thought as Herbie, seeing that he was near the end, drove down the side of the tunnel and back on the road, right in front of Shampoo.

"I… I don't believe it!" Mousse said as he and Nabiki saw that they were close to the school, and the student body was there, cheering them on and Soap was there with the checkered flag, which was waved when Herbie crossed the finish line.

"We did it! We did it!" Nabiki said as she kissed Mousse, who kissed back. They then stopped, pulled back, and smiled.

"We certainly did." Mousse said as he kissed her again. Herbie did his best wolf whistle he could. After that kiss, they decided to go outside and they saw all of Furikan congratulating them.

"What's going on here?" Nabiki said. "I didn't tell anybody about this race."

"You didn't?" Mousse said. "I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for you to make some more money for your family."

"Nobody would have seen the whole thing." Nabiki said. "If I didn't give people they're bets worth, I'd be hearing `Refund.' But who told them about the race?"

"You didn't tell them, but I did." Shower said. "Best to have witnesses incase Shampoo or Cologne tried to pull something."

"THAT WAS GREAT!" Daisuke yelled. "I haven't seen a finish like that in a long time."

"How did you get pass them in the tunnel?" Hiroshi asked.

"I don't think you'd believe us." Nabiki said. Shampoo then approached them and looked as mad as hell.

"Great-granddaughter, we have lost." Cologne said. "Take your Amazon pride and congratulate Mousse and Nabiki."

"No…" Shampoo said.

"What?" Cologne asked.

"Shampoo work too hard to loose Ranma. Ranma is Shampoo's. RANMA SHOULD BELONG TO SHAMPOO!" She said with each sentence with more venom and anger than the last.

"Shampoo, you lost and thus the kiss of death and marriage have been annulled." Soap said. "I, with the approval of Shower, here by cancel the kiss of death and the kiss of marriage of Ranma Saotomae."

"NO! SHAMPOO WON'T LET YOU!" She then used her bonbories to attack Soap, but Shower grabbed Soap and pulled her out of the way.

"SHAMPOO! STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Cologne said angrily. "You are an Amazon warrior, but right now, you are no better than a Musk." However, the look in Shampoo's eyes shows that she wasn't listening, or caring.

"So, you rather Shampoo loose man she love too? You all want Shampoo to loose to Kitchen Destroyer? YOU ALL OBSTICAL IN SHAMPOO'S WAY! YOU ALL MUST…" She didn't get to finish because Shampoo was doused in cold wiper fluid.

"MEOW!" Shampoo then tried to claw Nabiki, but was grabbed by the tail and held, in a safe distance, by Mousse.

"Cologne, your Great-Granddaughter has just jeopardized her position not just as a warrior, but the tribe itself." Soap said. Shampoo than looked shocked and looked at her Great-Grandmother, who had the look of shame.

"I shall obey the laws." Cologne said. "She will stand trial for her actions." Shampoo tried to fight her way out, but then Mousse pulled out a cage.

"Now you'll know what it feels like." Mousse said as he handed the now cat to Cologne.

"Even an Amazon can be bested by this car." Nabiki said. "Thanks Herbie."

(Not a problem.) Herbie happily beeped.

A few hours later, at the airport, Shampoo was put in the pet storage area of the airplane, but was angrier than ever.

`I lost Ranma, I lost my honor. All because he loved another, that little car, and that damn bitch Nabiki and bastard Mousse. When I get the chance, I will kill them all.' She thought with a cruel, uncharacteristic smile.

Meanwhile, at the airport, Soap, Shower, and Cologne were saying good bye to Mousse and Nabiki.

"I have to say, this has been one of the most interesting trips I had in years." Shower said.

"I agree. I'll never forget this for as long as I live." Soap replied.

"I will not forget my time here." Cologne said. "Out of all the places I've been to, this was the most… interesting places I've had the pleasure of staying in."

"So, when will you guys be back?" Nabiki asked.

"We have to get things settled with Shampoo first." Shower said. "And you Cologne." Cologne didn't say anything. "But we'll try to come back as soon as we can." Herbie then opened his door.

"Well, good-bye Soap, Shower, and Cologne." Mousse said.

"See you guys later." Nabiki said as they both got into Herbie's backseat.

"Bye Mousse, Nabiki." Shower said.

"See you guys later." Cologne said.

"It's not any of my business guys, but where are you going on your first date?" Soap asked.

"We don't know. Herb hasn't told us yet." Mousse said. Herbie then shut his door and Mousse tapped his ceiling. "Let's go Herbie." Herbie then pulled off and left Shower, Soap, and Cologne looking at the two love birds in the back.

"Bye Herbie." Shower said. Nabiki and Mousse waved their good byes while the people outside of the airport were looking at something amazing. A car driving, with two people in the back, honking at traffic.