Author's Note: I am Shritistrang, the real author of this story. Originally, I asked Hinatafanboy to post it here on but it seems like he hasn't got the time to update it anymore. So I asked him to remove it from his own stories so I can post the whole story. I can't quite remember how much of my story he has posted previously and how he has seperated it into chapters, so it might be a bit different from before.
Anyways, enjoy!
----
Ranma was bored.
It was quite some time ago, since he had his last serious battle. He needed a good opponent to unwind a little. The usual fights against Shampoo, Mousse and sometimes Ukyo were getting boring. Even the fights against Happosai and Cologne weren't as challenging as they used to be. And Ryoga only appeared on one of five days, the rest of the time, he was getting lost somewhere...
The fight against Saffron was the last true challenge life had to offer Ranma. But that was a year ago. Still, really nothing of his life has changed. Akane was still getting mad when he called her 'uncute' (Hey, it wasn't like he really meant it), Shampoo and Ukyo were still planning to marry Ranma, Kuno was still after his girl side, and Nabiki was still selling photos of him/her for some profit.
But after beating a self-declared Phoenix God, his regular fights just lost their appeal.
Ranma sighed as he was lying on one of the roofs of the Nerima neighborhood. What to do, what to do...
Perhaps a little training trip was in order...
And while Ranma was brooding, something caught his eye. Something was glittering in the morning sun. Some small thing that was stuck between two rooftiles. Ranma got a closer look. It looked like a shard from some kind of gem, or at least a glittering stone.
He picked it up and looked at it. What could it be?
The little gem was in no way spectacular by itself, but there was a spark of... something inside. Ranma could see it and feel it. Like there was some kind of... intelligence inside.
What he didn't know is that this gem contained a special creature, one that the inhabitants of a far away world use to fight battles, by summoning them, so they can aid them with their special powers.
Ranma couldn't make sense of this little thing. But if there was some kind of mystical force inside it, it certainly was worth investigating. He grinned. Perhaps it hold the cure for his curse. He got to find out just what kind of power the gem contained.
But how to activate it?
Well, rubbing it worked with Aladdin's lamp, so why not try it here?
And indeed, after Ranma rubbed the ruby-like gemstone in his hands, a bright red light seemed to come flowing out of the little treasure. It was shining down on the ground...
After the light went out again, Ranma looked at the roof. Strangely, there was some kind of hole there, at the same point, where the red light has been pointing to.
But when he looked down into it, he couldn't see the room that was supposed to be situated under that part of the roof... he just saw nothing than a big, black hole.
When a green head came out of the hole, it was understandable that Ranma freaked out a little.
He shouted a small cry of surprise and jumped back. A strange creature looked out of the hole. It was green, had a short muzzle like some kind of rodent, and very long ears. And on his forehead, there was a bright red stone glittering in the sun, similar to the one, Ranma had in his hands...
Ranma blinked. The stone was gone? Strange!
The green creature looked around, then it saw Ranma. It let out a small giggle and then literally 'popped' out of the hole (which vanished after releasing the little imp).
"So you are the one who set me free," the being said with a high voice. "Thank you for releasing me! Actually, my ruby sensed a great power within you, that's the reason I was released. That means you must be a great warrior... Oh, sorry! I didn't introduce myself!" It made a short bow in mid-air. "I am Carbuncle! I am honored to be in the service of a warrior like yourself, friend!"
Ranma was blinking. "And, uuuhhh... What exactly are you?"
Carbuncle seemed to grin, although his mouth stayed closed during the whole conversation. "I am a summoning spirit. We have been called many different names in the worlds we have appeared in. Some called us Eidolons, other called us G.F. or Aeons."
Ranma scratched his head. "So that means I have... summoned you?"
"You could say that, but normally you summon me in battle or if you're in danger. When I am summoned, I can help you with my powers. Normally, you wouldn't see me. I would be resting inside your mind. But when you need me, I will appear like I did just now and aid you."
"And what kinda powers do ya have?" Ranma asked excitedly. Perhaps this little guy could cure curses. Or, if he was a decent fighter, he could be Ranma's sparring partner.
Carbuncle floated up and turned upside-down. Hanging there, he explained: "My primary power is to create a protective barrier around you and any allies of you that are close. This barrier will surround you for a given amount of time. All the magic that is cast upon you and your allies during that time, will be returned to the user, as if he was the target of the spell. Or maybe it will hit one of his allies, if he has some."
Ranma thought about it. That didn't sound like a useful battle technique. "Hmmm, could be useful if the old ghoul once again tries to use some of her magic on me... But don't ya have any battle moves?"
"That IS a battle move," the little imp said. "But I think you mean some offensive skills. Well, I'm capable of doing some low-level attack magic, but not that much... I am primarily a support for someone who is able to fight by himself. I thought you were a strong warrior..."
Ranma sighed. "Yeah, I am, but I thought I could use you to become stronger... or to learn some new moves!"
"Well, I can assist you in battle. If you like, we can go find some monsters and fight them. And after some time, you will become stronger."
"Well, there ain't exactly that many monsters around here," Ranma said. "There's only Tarou, when he's in his monster form. And I guess you could call the old freak a monster... hehehe."
Then Ranma thought of something. "Say... Carbuncle, right? I got a question... Um... just how did that gem you were in get here? I thought summom... som... well, I thought beings like you would only exist in other worlds."
"Well, it's like this," Carbuncle turned around again. "I've been send to this world... for recruiting!"
"Huh?" Ranma asked. "Recruiting?"
"That's right," the little spirit nodded. "My... employer, if you could call him, had this little idea of training a new group of heroes... Champions that could be called whenever one of our origin worlds is in grave danger. He has send me out to find warriors like yourself to form a party that will travel these worlds to gain experience, and when the time is right, they will be one of the strongest defense forces in our universe."
"Hmmm..." Ranma smiled. "Sounds exciting! Just what I needed! It was getting pretty boring here, ya know? But you need some more recruits, right?"
"That's correct," the green imp nodded. "Maybe you know of someone with exceptional fighting skills..."
----
"You're asking ME to go with you on a training trip?"
"Yup!"
Ukyo eyes were sparkling with excitement. That was her big chance. Some time alone with her Ranchan,away from all the other fiancees. Now they could become even closer, they could marry and then have kids and work together at her restaurant and...
"Yo, Ucchan?"
"Um, yes?"
"You still haven't told me if ya want to come along!"
"Oh... Yes, of course! Sure thing! I'm looking forward to it!"
"Great," Ranma smiled. "Then I tell Akane and the others. Meet us in about half an hour in the Tendo Dojo, okay?"
Wait a minute... AKANE AND THE OTHERS? And here she thought he wanted to spend some time with her alone.
After Ranma left, Ukyo almost bent one of her spatulas. "Grrrr... Ranchan you jerk!" Oh well, it was a good chance to let off some steam...
Konatsu appeared next to his love. "Mistress? Is something the matter? You seem angry..."
"Oh it's nothing, Konatsu... Anyway, do you mind taking care of my restaurant for a couple of days? I'm going on a trip..."
----
"A training trip?" Akane asked. "And you want to bring your other fiancees along as well?"
Ranma nervously scratched his head. "Well, not because they're my fiancees. Um, I just thought... The last days were pretty boring, so I thought, instead of fighting each other all the time, we could do something cool together. And it would be great training for all of us."
Nabiki nibbled on her Tofu. "Wow, Saotome! You actually came up with a pretty good idea!"
"Oh my," Kasumi said. "Then I guess I'll prepare some snacks for you..." She hurried into the kitchen.
"WHAAAAAAH!" Soun wailed. "Finally, the houses will be joined! My little girl goes on a training trip with her fiance! WHAAAAAH!"
"Indeed, Tendo," Genma said proudly. "This is a most joyful day for everyone! Bring out the sake!"
"Um, they do know that you're bringing along your other fiancees as well, do they?" Akane asked. "Well, I think it will be fun. But one thing, Ranma..."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"You're not thinking of inviting Kodachi, are you?"
"Hell no!" He wanted for his fiancees to understand each other better, yes, but he wasn't crazy. Besides, he doesn't think of Kodachi as one of his fiancees, anyway.
"This will be great," Akane smiled. "I think I will take P-Chan with me as well. I believe he never was on a big trip before..."
Oh yes, that he was, Ranma thought.
----
"Aiyah," Shampoo gasped inside the phone. "Airen wants Shampoo to go on journey?"
"Yeah," Ranma's voice could be heard from the phone. "But gotta warn ya, Akane and Ukyo are coming as well!"
"No matter," Shampoo smiled. "If Shampoo can be with husband, she will even bear spatula girl and kitchen destroyer!"
"Okay, if you like to join us, then come over to the Tendo Dojo in a couple of minutes!"
"Is okay! Bye, Airen!" Shampoo happily hung up. "Great-Grandmother, did you hear? Shampoo goes on journey with Airen!"
"Yes, I heard," Cologne muttered. "But now, leave me alone for a while, granddaughter! I have to concentrate!"
While Shampoo was joyfully giggling and running to the dojo, the matriarch of the Chinese Amazon clan was in deep thought.
What could that strange power be that I sensed today? she thought. It was unlike anything I've encountered before...
----
Ranma thought of inviting Ryuu Kumon as well, but the traveling martial artist was hard to contact. (Well, not as hard as Ryoga sometimes was, but still hard) He was one person who Ranma loved to spar with. Oh well, can't have anything. At least Ryoga will be around, when Akane plans to bring P-Chan along.
----
Some time later, they all were assembled into the Tendo Dojo. Kasumi brought them multiple lunch boxes and snacks for the journey, and Dr. Tofu, who she told about the trip on the phone, reminded them to take along a first aid kit, to be on the safe side.
They all were smart enough NOT to tell the Kunos about the training trip. Mousse wanted to come along with his beloved Shampoo, but he mistook a stray dog for her and went in the wrong direction.
Akane took a look around while petting P-Chan, wo was nestled between her breasts. Strangely enough, his nose seemed to bleed. "Where are dad and Mr. Saotome? Didn't they want to say goodbye when we left?"
"They would have, but they can't at the moment," Nabiki said. "Right now, they're snoring inside the living room! Too much sake, you see?"
"Ah!"
Ranma stepped before his family and fiancees. "Well, one thing first: When I planned this training trip, I had a nice, safe journey in mind, with no arguing and meaningless fighting!" He took a serious look towards the fiancee brigade. "If anyone of you thinks about making trouble on this trip, I won't take her with me. And believe me, you would have a hard time following us."
After that was settled, Ranma cleared his throat. "Well, let's see... This journey won't be just some training trip like I did with my old man... We won't just travel through Japan or China without any clear goal... Instead, we will be traveling to a different world."
The others murmured along themselves, until Nabiki snickered. "Very funny, Saotome! Now what have you been smoking again?"
"It's no joke, Nabiki, but I can see why some of you would have a hard time believing it. That's why I let someone else talk for you. Everyone, meet Carbuncle!"
After the small green imp appeared on his usual way, the others could just stare.
Kasumi smiled. "How cute!"
"Hello everyone," the little summoning spirit said. "I am the one that invited Ranma to this journey. I'm here to recruit strong fighters as yourself to form a group of heroes to protect my origin worlds. Ranma suggested all of you because he believes in your ability to work together as a team." The fiancees were looking at each other doubtfully.
"Our journey will take you to a world far away from this one, and it will take some time before you can return. So, everyone who wants to stay here, has to say it. Everyone who is coming with us is doing it on his own free will. I have to warn you: It will most probably be a dangerous journey! But if you work together as a team and gain enough experience, I'm sure you will be able to overcome almost every kind of situation."
"Wow," Akane exclaimed. "A journey to another world! This will be even more exciting than I thought."
"You can say that again, sugar," Ukyo nodded.
"But, Shampoo must ask funny-looking imp-thing... Where exactly do we go?"
"To a world that is about to meet its biggest threat. A threat that could destroy all of its inhabitants. Your job will be to travel with a group of local adventurers and help them fight that evil."
"Okay," Ranma shouted. He was smiling excitedly. The grand adventure was about to begin. "Then let's go!"
Then he looked around in confusion. "Uh, Carbuncle, just HOW exactly are we going to get to that world?"
"We will travel with magic," Carbuncle explained. "Using an inter-dimensional teleportation spell, we will travel through time and space to our destination."
"Um, are you the one who is going to cast that spell?" Ukyo asked.
"What? No no no, I would never be able to cast such a powerful spell! No, one of my 'colleagues', is going to do it for us. He's a very powerful spirit that only appears to the mightiest heroes that have proven themselves to be worthy of his power. But he agreed to help me out this once."
"Only once?" Akane screeched. "Are you saying we won't be able to return home?"
"Uh, I meant: This once and again for the return journey."
"Oh, than it's all right!" Akane breathed a sigh of relief.
"I assume everyone you had in mind is present?" Carbuncle asked Ranma.
"Sure thing," he said. "We're all ready to go!"
"Okay, then..." Carbuncle seemed to concentrate. "Oh Eden, great protector of time and space, grant us thy strength!" His ruby shone in a red light.
Then a booming voice sounded inside their heads. DON'T BE SO FORMAL, CARBUNCLE! WE'RE OLD PALS AFTER ALL, RIGHT?"
"Yeah, right," Carbuncle answered. "Now could you just hurry up and send us to our destination?"
HEY, CALM DOWN, LIL' BUDDY! I'M WORKING ON IT! LET'S SEE... WAIT JUST A SEC... AH, THERE YOU GO! HAVE A SAFE TRIP! ADIOS!"
And when Eden activated his teleportation spell, a bright light engulfed them all.
----
Genma and Soun groggily staggered into the dojo.
"Uuuuh, my head," Genma groaned. "Wonder what caused this terrible headache? Most certainly not the sake! I never had any problems with it!" Yeah, right...
Soun looked around in confusion. "Hey, where did everybody go? You think they already left on their journey?"
"Yeah, must be it! Oh well, can't be helped! Come on Tendo, how about a little game?"
"Good idea, Saotome! Wait a minute... Kasumi, would you bring your father and Mr. Saotome something to drink?" Silence! "Kasumiii?"
But no one answered. Now that they thought about it, Nabiki wasn't there, either.
"Now where would they have gone?" Genma pondered.
----
While Genma and Soun were searching for the missing girls, a little mistake in the teleportation spell was causing some troubles for the travellers.
Now Eden has to be excused for making this little mistake, but it certainly happened every day he send seven people from earth to a different world, so errors could happen. Especially if one included the chaos factor of Nerima...
But all of this certainly didn't help Ranma and companions. In their cases, the screwed up spell caused them not to appear in the same place of the world they were being sent to, but to get scattered all over the various places this world has to offer.
