By RankoSaotome
Disclaimer: Ranma Saotome and the NWC are copyright of Rumiko Takahashi. Thousand Arms is copyright of Atlus.
A/N: Let's give this crossover/fusion a shot!
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Chapter 1 - Ranma Triumph, the Apprentice Spirit Blacksmith!
- - - - - - -
People were worried. The Dark Acolytes were loose in the world, and power was a bit scarce. Of course, people turned to the many Spirit Blacksmiths of the world for weapons. Then, there was the trouble of families in attacked towns.
Little did anyone suspect, but the home of one family would be changed forever...
- - - - - - -
"FIANCE!" Doesn't this seem familiar?
"Yes. A good friend of mine, one Genma Saotome, and his son, Ranma. Ranma long ago left on a training journey with his father to train to take on the Dark Acolytes."
"Father, you know as well as we do that the Dark Acolytes are best left alone."
"Yes, but when the time comes, the aim of the Saotomes is to take on the Acolytes."
KNOCK KNOCK
Soun, finding a good time to escape, ran for the door. "Saotome! My friend, we've been waiting!"
Out of general curiousity, the three Tendo sisters followed.
What they found at the door was an older man in a white gi with tears in his eyes. "Tendo! My son is such a failure! He turned his back on the way of martial arts!"
"What happened, Saotome?"
"Ranma, he's..."
"I'm what, Oyaji?"
With that, their attention was pulled to a young lady, wearing a red cloak with white embroidery, a white shirt, green pants, some brown boots, and other pieces, like a pair of gauntlets and a pair of goggles in her messy red hair. On her back was a massive hammer, and to her side was a sword of intricate design. And she was cute, but not overly pretty like some girls were.
Kasumi, Nabiki, and Akane all blinked.
After dealing with her father with a kick to the head, the girl turned to the family before them. Smiling, she waved shyly. "Hi. I'm Ranma Triumph. Nice to meet you."
Soun didn't need to hug Ranma to realize he was a she. Promptly, he fainted.
Catching their father, the three girls turned to the other one, staring at her. Ranma merely sighed. "If I can get some hot water, I can explain."
Kasumi nodded and left to get Ranma a glass of hot water.
While they were waiting, Akane glared at Ranma. "You better explain."
Ranma was about to respond when Akane merely up and rushed Ranma. Ranma gasped and stepped back. 'She's fast!' Ranma thought before a fist came out of nowhere and struck Ranma in the gut. Gasping for air, the girl dropped to her knees. Only to think what brought that on.
Akane was about to strike again when Ranma drew her sword. Only... it was broken. Akane stopped right there, then the most unnerving thing happened. She dropped to the ground laughing.
"Wh-wh... What do you think you are doing with a broken sword! What's the matter, girl, can't fight back without a weapon?"
"AKANE!"
"Eep."
Ranma looked up, a bit thankful for the interruption. She had been about to lose, despite how she had just drawn her broken sword. Before she could react, though, Ranma found her sword being taken from her. "H-Hey...!"
Kasumi was inspecting the broken blade. "Your sword... It's so weakened... I can see the shadows of strength in the blade, but not enough strength for it to so much as hold together. It broke recently, correct?"
"Y-yes. I was... protecting a girl from some thugs when it suddenly broke..."
"Oh dear, were you two alright?"
"Yes... Oyaji came and drove them off, but I was given a bit of a beating first by those darn thugs..."
Kasumi regarded the girl with a small amount of respect. To have been brave enough to stick up for someone with a broken sword, even if it had just broken, was very honorable.
"Maybe Tofu can fix it..."
This got Ranma's attention. "Really! You know someone who'll fix it!"
Kasumi merely giggled before taking the blade with her, presumably to inspect it further. Before she got far, though, she turned back around and remembered why she had been there. "Oh yes. Your hot water is on the table, Ranma-chan."
Ranma smiled at the 'chan' added to her name, before heading in and past the violent Tendo.
It was some time later when Ranma was sitting amongst everyone, preparing herself for something. Introductions had been made, and Ms. Triumph was ready to demonstrate her secret.
"Please forgive me for having decieved you, but, you see, I am cursed."
"Cursed? Oh, how dreadful."
Ranma, without a word, took the glass of hot water with her outside. She didn't want to make a mess, after all. Pouring the water over her head, she changed.
The reactions differed.
Kasumi was surprised.
Nabiki was shocked.
Akane was angry.
Soun was crying for joy.
Genma was shaking his head with shame.
Ranma, became a boy with black hair, just a little bit taller than his female form. He smiled. "I'm Ranma Triumph. Nice to meet you."
- - - - - - -
It was morning. Nothing else had happened the previous day. Ranma had told them how he had attained his curse, the Nyannichuan. You all know the story, just minus Genma getting cursed. After that, he took a bath and went to bed. There were no interruptions.
He slept peacefully when a light shaking awoke Ranma from slumber. Blinking, he looked up to find Kasumi over him. She was dressed in a purple dress that came down to her knees, her brown hair tied back before her, and a small dagger at her waist. It looked well made.
He smiled. "Mmmm... good morning." He said, sitting up.
"Good morning. We should go see Tofu this morning about your sword."
It was a quick walk from the Tendo home to the home of one Tofu Ono. Ranma had been expecting anything from a large place to a small place, but the type he saw astonished him. The place was HUGE.
Ranma and Kasumi entered.
Tofu was in the back, working on a new sword with a young lady at his side. Such was the way of a Spirit Blacksmith. You use the caring and love of a young woman in order to build a strong weapon. The more the young woman cares about you, the stronger the sword. The more women you imbue spirits into a sword with, the sword gets even stronger.
This may seem demeaning, but it was a truth of the world. The purity of a woman's feelings for the Blacksmith drew in the spirits to be imbued by the Spirit Blacksmith into the weapon of choice.
Tofu checked out Ranma's sword.
"I'm not sure if I should fix this sword..." He said.
This dashed Ranma's hopes. That sword was his heritage, according to his mother. If he couldn't get it fixed...
"Please... Why?"
As if it were trying to speak for Tofu, the sword glowed, much to Ranma's surprise. "This is the light of sorrow. It means the sword is dissatisfied with your ignorance. Now you see why I dislike the idea of fixing the sword."
"It's not like I mean to treat it bad..."
Tofu was silent before speaking. "Go to the ruins outside town. It is filled with monsters, but what you are looking for is a special mineral used to fix swords. If you can get this material for me, I'll think about fixing the sword."
Ranma, taking his broken sword, merely bowed and left.
- - - - - - -
Getting to the ruins was of little problem. Just head south through Nerima. It wasn't hard to miss one of the ruined sections of town, which weren't counted as part of the town anymore.
He was greeted by some Damashi and a Knife Thug or two, but they were easily fell. He suffered some nicks and scratches along the way, but nothing serious. It was the Choro Spears that Ranma hated, as their toughness made it harder to kill them before he would have to fall back.
Then, there was the worst of them all. Katana Ghosts. They were able to sneak up on Ranma and one nearly cost him an arm. And finally, the bane of his existence, the Jusendo Demon. It liked splashing Ranma with cold water, weakening him into a girl. This was a beast that liked showing up on her since Jusenkyou.
And better yet, the place was a maze. Ranma did not like this, as he hated getting lost. Made him feel like a certain lost boy.
But as she got to the ends of the ruins, the minerals starting to show, Ranma started to feel relieved. Checking all of them over, she eventually found some that stood out and took them.
But as she turned, and a Scimitar Crab made itself known, Ranma shrieked. The blade of the monster came down in front of her, threatening to take her entire body and turn it to ribbons.
"This wasn't part of the deal!" She cried out, readying her broken sword.
She fought, her sword slicing into the crab repeatedly as she nimbly dodged the Crab's attacks. Finally, though, she was surprised by an attack with the flat of the Crab's blade, knocking her to the ground.
The scimitar came down.
And Ranma screamed, her hands bringing her sword in front of herself in a last ditch effort of defense.
CHING!
She heard, but felt no pain. Slowly, she opened her eyes, to the most astonishing thing she had ever seen. Her sword, broken as it was, was glowing. And the glow, elongated to the length of the sword's completed form, was blocking the monster's blade.
She would not question this, slipping past the monster's blade to drive her own sword into the beast, and killing it.
The glow seemed to pulsate when she inspected it, her gaze amazed at her broken sword's power. She swung it once testingly, before trying to touch the glowing 'blade'.
"It's so warm... And it feels so wonderful..." She said to no one in particular, as she could feel the power, the strength of her body being empowered by the glow.
"This... This must be the power of the Elemental Spirits... I... I never knew it would feel so amazing..." She whispered, as she made her way quickly to the ruins entrance. She tried to avoid battles, but those that bothered her, consisting mostly of a few Damashi and a Knife Thug, fell before her newfound power.
Swiftly, she was back in Nerima, ready to bring the mineral back to Tofu-sensei.
What she found, surprised even her.
She got knocked aside once inside by a group of women. She overheard a negative comment by Kasumi, but she didn't respond to it, unknowing if she should let her presense be known just yet.
One woman was asking about knives.
One girl about a sword.
Another woman, a rather pretty one, about a knife.
And a little girl, who Ranma could swear was the cutest little girl she'd ever seen, asking about a sword.
Tofu Ono, however, asked them all to please leave once he noticed a seemingly lovely young lady watching from the doorway. Tofu smiled at Ranma, before Ranma hunkered down. He... didn't know about the curse from Kasumi yet?
Kasumi escorted them all out, a nod of greeting sent to Ranma before she left to escort the women and girls out.
Ranma, however, was skeptical about her being left alone with Tofu-sensei.
"I see you have returned, Ranma."
"H-Hai!"
"Did you get the mineral?"
"Hai."
"Then come over here. I will need your help to fix this sword."
Ranma, being slightly naive to how she could help in any way with no feelings towards Tofu-sensei, nodded and moved to join him. Almost immediately, Tofu wrapped an arm around Ranma and... he kissed her.
At first, Ranma was shocked, but she eventually returned it. After all, a little kiss, even with no feelings from the girl to the Spirit Blacksmith, could only help in the fixing of the sword.
They both broke up to an ahem from Kasumi when she returned. Ranma was blushing, not knowing how to explain that to Kasumi while Tofu merely smiled.
"Now, give me your sword and the mineral."
Ranma did as she was told, placing the sword on the forge, where Tofu inspected it. Eying it over, to say he was impressed with the progress Ranma had made was an understatement. He, or rather she, had managed to somehow delight the spirit of her sword.
"Ranma, how would you like to be my apprentice?"
Ranma was shocked, she had never truly had any formal training to be a Spirit Blacksmith, so the idea of being an apprentice of such an accomplished Blacksmith was a dream come true.
"Oh, please, Tofu-sensei! Please take me as your apprentice!"
"Well, you seem eager. Very well, then, you are my apprentice from now on. But there is one condition."
"Anything, Tofu-sensei!"
"You must stay in your female form as much as possible. You seem to be more empathic to the spirit of your sword as a girl. It likes you that way."
"You mean... I have to give up being a man?"
"You don't..."
"Tofu-sensei, anything. I would do anything for this. It's a dream come true... I would gladly do as you ask."
"Very well. You had better head home and rest, then."
"Yes, Master!"
Tofu chuckled. "Please, don't call me that. You make me feel so old."
"Hehe, okay Tofu-sensei."
- - - - - - -
MEANWHILE...
- - - - - - -
"How is the invasion progressing?"
"As you wish, your Majesty. We are expanding as planned. This world is about to become yours."
"Good. And, what is the status of that matter?"
"Yes, we have found the person with that power. We have made him aware of the greatness of your power. It is only a matter of time before he decides to join us."
"This world is divided between the Clan of Darkness and the Clan of Light. I need the Holy Flame of the Light to complete my plans. We need someone who belongs to the Dark Clan, who can also wield the Flame of the Light. Find he is worthy, and bring him to me."
"As you wish."
- - - - - - -
"Today... I begin my training." Ranma said as she awoke. Slowly, she brought a hand to her sword and sheath beside her bed. She was happy her sword was restored, and even happier she was about to embark on her own journey as a Spirit Blacksmith.
Quickly, she dressed and went downstairs to find Kasumi.
They set off for Tofu's.
And when they arrived, they found Tofu waiting for them. And after a quick lecture about Spirits and swords in the forge, he quickly tempered a practice sword. It glowed brightly with life.
He had Ranma copy his actions, having her temper her own sword. The sword did not glow.
Kasumi inspected both swords, and gave Ranma her first humbling.
"Sorry, Ranma, but Tofu-sensei's sword is greatly superior."
"I... I know..."
"Oh, don't despair. There's effort, just not enough. Besides, you just don't seem... focused enough."
That barb had hit Ranma where it hurt, her pride, and she immediately looked down.
"Do not blame your tools, child. There is no secret to my hammer. In fact, you may use it if you wish."
"Alright, I... I think I could do this with a good tool." She said, taking the bait of Tofu-sensei's trap. Tofu merely smiled as he watched her try again, only to stop in mid-hammering.
He, however, did not speak. He merely smiled and left, leaving Ranma holding Tofu-sensei's hammer in her hands and looking thoughtful.
"Don't despair, Ranma. Tofu-sensei doesn't let anyone touch his hammer, not even me. You should feel honored he trusts you with it."
Ranma nodded absently, moving over to the workshop bench and placing the hammer down. Taking her own, she looked at it for several moments before smiling. "I... I have never been so... relieved to be as confused as I am. I have much to improve on, before I can even call myself an apprentice."
"You will make it, Ranma. It takes time. Why don't you have a look around town for a bit? I have to do some laundry back home, so it might be good for you to clear your head." Ranma nodded to her suggestion, heading out the door nearby and onto the street.
She wound up having a nice little conversation with a travelling fashion designer, but wound up just wandering. She wound up with no answer at all, and just came back. She found Tofu sharpening a sword.
"I'll test your skill now. Just relax and do what I do." Ranma nodded, and watched. She repeated being able to move to the right places at the right times, but some of her reactions to commands, by Tofu-sensei, were slightly hesitant. Tofu, though, understood that she was merely nervous and not wanting to screw up.
"Calm yourself, Ranma. You're uptight and worried, and that is no good to a Spirit Blacksmith. You need to relax." He said, bringing her back over to do a few breathing exercises.
Once calmed, Ranma smiled and tried again.
Tofu was happy to see her reactions and moves coming a bit more naturally. So, he started up some music on a radio, trying to help her keep relaxed. Then, he saw something new.
She seemed to dance about with her reactions, making each seem more graceful than the last. Ranma must have had a good amount of training as a martial artist to have such grace... So why had she become a Spirit Blacksmith apprentice instead?
"Well done, Ranma. Now, I see you have quick reflexes, but your heart isn't in what you're doing. You say you want to do this, but you lack passion. You must train your mind, not just your skill. Thus, I wish for you to do something for me, Ranma."
"What would that be, Tofu-sensei?"
"I was called recently, before you arrived, about a berserk knife."
"May I guess that the knife's spirit is displeased?"
"Precisely. I wish for you to go calm it down. To do that, you might wind up fighting it."
"A-Alright. I'll head right over. Um..."
"She'll be waiting outside her home."
Once Ranma arrived, she was surprised by the damage. The knife seemed content to dig into walls when she entered. Pulling her sword, she readied herself.
And almost immediately dropped down when the knife went sailing overhead, nearly taking her head off. Shiverring, she got back to her feet, her reflexes being tested as she fended off the knife. The knife flew at her again and again, but she deftly deflected it at each turn.
Finally, the knife, glowing, moved down onto the ground. Slowly, she picked it up. And was struck immediately by how angry the knife was. Not at her, but as she listened, listened for the first time, she was struck by how needy the spirits were.
Eventually, she could understand. "I'll make sure she does that. Please, calm down." And the knife glowed, flying from her hand and back to the counter. When the woman entered, Ranma turned to her.
"Please use the knife to cook delicious foods. That's what it wishes for, not just to open packages. It would like you to stop using it in such a way. It... It has feelings too..." Ranma said, more to her own realization as she contemplated her own sword. How did it feel about her right at that moment? Was her sword angry with her for using it in such a way?
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind." Ranma nodded, and went back to Tofu's forgery.
Kasumi was there when Ranma got there, the neo-girl looking completely lost as to what to do. Kasumi merely nodded and escorted Ranma to the smithy.
"Kasumi, it's time for Ranma's next lesson. Can you take this sai to Alexia?"
"Of course, Tofu-sensei."
"Ranma, I did not wish to worry Kasumi with your safekeeping, but I need you to head to Fort Teve with a sword. It's to the west of here. I will help you by fortifying your sword for the journey. But I will need your help once again."
Ranma began to suspect he just liked kissing her, but did not complain.
Before long, she was on her way to the fort.
And once she got there, she was in for a shock of a lifetime.
"The Dark Acolytes!"
But the yell she made, brought the attention of a type of Dark Acolyte, three Hammer Gearmen, to her. Quickly, she pulled her sword and readied herself for battle. Two strikes brought one down, before the third Gearman tried to assault her. She danced around the blows, bringing her sword down and cleaving the Acolyte's head.
The last Acolyte on her put up more of a fight, actually hitting her in the gut with its hammer, before she could fatally wound him. A bit out of breath, she dropped to one knee, as more Acolytes brought their attention to her.
"N-No... They just keep coming..."
"Hold it!"
And Ranma looked up, as a young man with a bandanna leapt over the Acolytes. He placed himself between Ranma and the Gearmen, as Ranma got her breath back.
"R-Ryouga!"
"Eh? Do I know you?"
"Nevermind! Let's just handle these scum!"
Ranma held off one side of the Gearmen, while Ryouga handled the other side by pulling his oversized sword. "TWISTER BLADE!" Came his cry, as Ranma looked back for a second to see all Ryouga's Gearmen destroyed.
"Whoa!"
"Watch it!"
And Ranma dodged, starting to put her knowledge of swordsmanship to work as she fought. She would kill and destroy the Acolytes, while Ryouga merely used his Twister Blade to level the rest of them.
And once the fighting gave them a reprieve, Ryouga's sword broke.
"Damn! Is no sword durable enough for me!"
"Ryouga, I have a delivery for you! Catch!" She yelled, throwing the sword Tofu-sensei was having her deliver to him. Immediately, Ryouga's face brightened.
"Just what I needed!"
Apparently now, as more Gearmen dropped down beside the pair. Ryouga took the lead for a moment, before Ranma rushed passed him, slicing into the Gearmen like a woman possessed. And Ryouga was impressed as she cut them down.
Finally, he snapped out of his trance and called to her. "To the fort! They won't stop coming, so let's scram!"
"But..."
"No buts, go!"
Ranma was hesitant to comply, but watching about ten Gearmen drop down convinced her otherwise. They both ran into the fort. And as they both escaped the battlefield, boulders began raining on the Gearmen, Ranma watching in awe as all the Gearmen were destroyed.
Once inside the walls, Ryouga confronted Ranma. "How do you know me?"
Ranma, being unaccustomed to such a situation, merely lied. "I heard about a big, strong man here from my teacher in Nerima?"
"Ah... So you heard of me. Well then, maybe I should show you a good time... in my bed, that is." Only his remarks were met with fist.
"Nevermind. When the Acolytes leave, I'll be gone from here."
"Oh... Well then, I would be more than happy to escort you..."
"Only if you keep your bloody hands to yourself!"
And so, they were off. They ran into a guy named Schmidt on the way, but Ranma felt no need to talk to someone who would not only be critical of her rather limited knowledge of smithing, but also give her a sword that was better than the one Tofu had sharpened for her. However, he also intimidated her, as he was Tofu's first apprentice. Schmidt had set off for Nerima, leaving Ranma in the dust with Ryouga.
When the party arrived back in Nerima, Ranma said her goodbye to Ryouga and went straight for the smithy. There, Tofu nulled the enchantments he put on Ranma's sword and asked her to sharpen it. She did so.
Then, what Tofu said on Schmidt's arrival surprised her. "Schmidt, Ranma. Let me look at your swords."
Schmidt was quite cocky about his blade being better as he presented the darkened sword, the aura around the blade a haunting purple. The color of the sword, and look of its strength, made Ranma shudder.
Slowly, Ranma presented her sword as well, hers glowing a lively bluish-green that seemed warm and approachable. To Kasumi, it looked as approachable as the one who sharpened it.
Then, Schmidt spoke. "There's no need for her to be here, since it's obvious my sword is greatly stronger."
Tofu, however, was silent as he inspected the swords.
"You must be impressed, Tofu."
"You've done great work, Schmidt... However, my heart feels overwhelmed when I hold this sword."
"A sword is merely an instrument of destruction. It doesn't need to warm a heart so much as pierce one! Don't tell me this weak, frail girl's sword is possibly better than mine!"
"I am ashamed in you, Schmidt. The spirit's glow of a sword reflects the heart of the forger. Without soul, the path of the Spirit Blacksmith is unnecessary.
Ranma, however, I see has begun to understand the feelings of the spirits."
Ranma was a bit surprised by this, considering she had done so little actual training. Merely a lot of errands for the master.
"Ha! As if a pathetic sword like hers could be better than mine! You've gone senile on me, Tofu!"
To this, Ranma suddenly grew a backbone. "Don't you dare be disrespectful to Tofu-sensei! He has been nothing but patient with me, and I will not tolerate you being such an asshole to him!"
"You going to force me to stop?"
"If it comes to that, I'll...!"
But when she was about to finish, Schmidt grabbed his sword and brought it just an inch away from Ranma's throat. "You'll what?"
Ranma was scared. She could feel the evil presence of that sword, the murderous intentions of its holder, and swallowed. She just about soiled herself as she backed away, and tripped, falling back on her butt.
"Schmidt! If you harm her, you will not leave here alive!"
Schmidt, turning to look at Kasumi, merely scowled before sheathing his sword and leaving.
Ranma looked up at her friend and mentor, before Tofu looked down at her. "Rest here for the night, Ranma. You will need the rest."
Ranma nodded, and all people there went to turn in.
During the night, Ranma awoke late to head to the restroom. Upon heading downstairs and heading into the water closet, she heard something from the window. 'Someone's outside...'
"Really? Me?" She heard, and recognized the voice as Schmidt. Finishing her business in the water closet, Ranma moved to the window, peeking outside. She saw a glowing man in blue, with green hair, and Schmidt near him.
"We haven't much time left. Emperor Medeus needs your power."
"Can you give me a little more time?"
"This is what the Emperor desires..."
And with that, the man vanished. Ranma started to move down from the window, but wound up dropping and making a little too much noise. 'No!'
Schmidt leapt into the window, sword drawn. He turned on the girl, who was infinitely nervous without her own weaponry. "H-hi?"
"You can't decieve me, girl. You overheard."
"I... I didn't mean to..."
"Then what are you doing here!" He yelled, swinging his sword a few times threateningly.
"B-bathroom..." She stuttered, hoping to all gods he wasn't going to kill her.
The answer seemed to suffice, as Schmidt put his sword away. Heading for the door, he turned back. "You tell anyone of what you heard tonight, and they will never find your body... Of course, before your death won't be pleasant either." He said, laughing as he left, leaving the shivering girl alone.
The next morning came soon enough, with Ranma chopping firewood in the back while Kasumi was helping with laundry. Ranma herself was lost in thought, as to why so much had to happen to her. She was also lost in thought on how to become a better Spirit Blacksmith.
Then, there was a crash from inside. Both girls looked up, and rushed inside.
"Why won't you teach me the secret art?" It was Schmidt again.
"You are not ready..." Was Tofu's response.
"I know I'm skilled enough to inherit the secret art!"
"Schmidt! It is not my place, or yours, to tell me you are ready. It is decided with how you handle the spirits."
"Spirit, huh? Sounds like an excuse! Now I understand... You intend to snuff your better apprentice for that redheaded whore of yours, aren't you! If you won't teach it to me, then I'll find another way! Just you wait!"
"You force this... Goto Mist Valley and gaze into the Mirror of Souls. It will reflect your true self. The secret is to imbue a spirit into the sword. To do this, you must understand how they see you."
"Very well. Then, I will see this for myself." And Schmidt left.
Tofu turned to Ranma. "You must set off for Mist Valley as well, Ranma. The Mirror of Souls also shows one's fate as a Spirit Blacksmith. You must understand your fate if you are to continue your training. Take Kasumi with you."
Ranma just looked at him for a moment, before nodding her understanding. Then, she left as well.
- - - - - - -
TO BE CONTINUED...
- - - - - - -
A/N: This chapter took much too long! I hope you enjoyed it, as Ranma is very OOC. I realize this, but it is hard for Ranma to be normal when given a very different situation with the world.