Disclaimer: City of Heroes and all affiliated titles, names, references and what nots are owned by Cryptic Studios. Ranma ½ and all affiliated titles, names, references and what nots are owned by a lot of other people and companies. Which means I don't own jack, but I have fun messing with their lives.

Chapter 1

Emergence

Paragon City Rooftops: 11:15am

Artica Crystal crouched amongst one of the shorter roof tops in Atlas Park sporting one of her newest outfits; a slightly skimpy piece with a dark blue top that should not physically be able to stay there with slits down both arms and a very low V cut that reached down to her navel, tights that similarly had slits going down the outside of the legs, thigh high stiletto boots, gloves that had several long sharp barbs poking out of the bottom, and a jeweled segmented metal belt finished off her what she deemed as a "simple" costume. She sighed wondering why she got the patrol mission while her lover, a one Xavier Rennfield, was asked personally to join the mission to explore a strange new dimension with strong readings of psychic energy. Of course it's not that she minded her current team or anything, but then again it was just a duo and not the octet Xavier was currently with.

Yep, it started out as one of those days, if only there was something to break the monotony. She glanced down at her watch, 11:20am, time to head to Steel Canyon. She longed for anything to stir things up a bit as she floated from the building and to the train that would lead her to Steel. She nodded to a few other heroes currently on similar patrols when a deep booming voice came over the personal communicator she carried and sometimes wish she didn't.

"Yo Crystal, you busy?"

She sighed before replying back, "No Baka, when's the last time you saw me busy?"

"Uhhh. Last Tuesday when I accidently..."

Artica Crystal cut him off sharply, "Never mind what's up?"

There was a pause, "It's the Hellions in Steel Canyon."

"They lit another building, Yeah I know. It's almost like clockwork with them, it's 11:20 didn't you know?"

"I'm a tanker, it ain't my job to know, just to take the hits and keep the crooks attention."

"Whatever, even some tanks have brains, I'm betting you knew. In fact I'm betting that you know a lot more then you're sharing. Oh here's the train, I'm on my way."

Artica sighed as she boarded the train. Since the Rikti invasion the government had decided to put the war-walls in place as a means for defense, and now the train was the fastest way to travel even for super-heroes like herself. First stop was Skyway City and then Steel Canyon, it wasn't that it's to long of a trip, but she would rather have flown then taken the crowded stinky train. Those few moments always meant the world to her as the ground fell away to the bright blue sky and the wind in her hair. It was always the most amazing feeling, but her thoughts could not dwell on such things as the train made it to her stop.

Stepping from the train she could already smell the smoke. The fire must be close by and she wouldn't dare be caught fighting crime of any sort wearing her current attire. Intoning a few words instantly changed her costume , it resembled a medieval skin tight armor but was in fact just a full suit of tights including her boots and gloves, her belt stayed the same as well as the jeweled belt she wore. She flew out of the terminal and with a quick glance she found the fire and sped towards it.

Near the building Baka was already busy trying to fight not only the fire but also keep the Hellions busy from adding fuel to the flames. He motioned for them to come at him yelling, "Come on! Is that your best?" This was effective in getting the attention of only a few, not enough to truly help in anyway. A particularly gruesome looking Hellions with horns and a face that looked like most of the skin was ripped off shot a fireball at his back. But before Baka could turn around the offender had already been encased in a block of ice.

Artica's sing songy voice rang out, "Could you use a hand?"

Baka smiled up at her and nodded. He knew what to do. Putting away the extinguisher he grabbed the closest Hellion and tossed him into a few others, he taunted another group and all of them swarmed around. As they all got closer he could feel the air around him growing colder. He took a knife slicing him in the arm, a sledgehammer lodged against his shoulder and two or three bats hit him in various other parts of his body. As he felt the first sprinkles of the ice shards he put all his strength into one earth shattering stomp that sent most of the group flying and easily dodged attacks from those that were left and caught Artica before she hit the ground.

As the last of the fire was put out Artica finally managed to catch her breath before something else caught her attention. This something else was in the form of a young looking woman dressed in a chinese red silk shirt with gold clasps, black baggy pants and black slippered shoes. Her fiery red braided bouncing up and down as she chased after an Outcast screaming.

"Gimme back my money you jerk!" The red head let out a fierce scream as she leapt into the air and came down hard planting a foot into his back causing the Outcast to go sliding along the ground several feet stopping just short of Baka and Artica. Finally she caught up to her offender and snatched her wallet away from him. "Idiot."

Artica looked down in amazement not caring about the rest of the Hellions that were being carted off by police, never had she known any citizen to take matters into their own hands. It was almost appalling, Paragon City was also known as the City of Heroes due to a high population of super powered people whose job it was to stop crime in any form, and yet here stood someone who wasn't even registering as a super but had just one shotted someone right to the Zig. She smirked at the thought, Yeah I'm betting he'll be there for about a week, that prison is such a joke. She laughed to herself as the Outcast faded from view.

"Huh? What was that?" The red head broke through Artica's thoughts

Baka spoke up first, "The security grid? Oh that takes any baddie that's been defeated to the Zig."

She was confused, "Baddie? Zig? Security grid?"

Artica sighed, "Who are you before we continue?"

"Ranma Saotome, who're you?"

"Hmmm, you haven't been registered have you? You shouldn't be fighting crime, leave that to us heroes."

Baka tsk'd and shook his head, "C'mon Crystal. You know just as well as I do that not every baddie can be caught before they commit a crime. It was only a matter of time before citizens started fighting back."

Smirking, Artica replied nudging his side, "See Baka, I knew you could use that brain of yours." Looking back down at Ranma she shook her head, "But still, it's the heroes job to protect the people..."

Ranma shot a glance right back at Artica making even the towering tank next to her cringe slightly, "I don't need protecting. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself and I do every single day of my life. From lunatic rivals hell bent on crushing my skull from old grudges to a multi-headed dragon and even a self deluded phoenix person who thinks he's a god. Now if you'll excuse me I have to find my friend." With that she stormed off leaving two bewildered super heroes in her wake.

Artica found her voice first, "Let this be a lesson Baka, be careful what you wish for."

Baka just nodded dumbly.

It wasn't the first time while in female form Ranma had been looked down upon but that didn't make it any less infuriating when it happened. And here she was hoping to at least relax a little on her trip. She rubbed her throat as she walked back to where she had left Nabiki, the constant use of English left her throat slightly sore, the weird syllables and inflections left her wondering how anyone could stand speaking it for long. Sighting Nabiki standing near a coffee shop she sighed, why hadn't Akane wanted to come was the question constantly on Ranma's mind, but sadly was one that probably was never going to get answered without a large sum of money.

Nabiki bopped Ranma lightly on the top of her head with a fist, speaking in Japanese, "Baka! Don't you ever leave me like that again! Just for that you owe me a latte!"

Ranma rubbed her head having expected something a little more fierce but shrugged it off and went inside ordering the drinks while Nabiki secured a table outside to wait. It didn't take long for Ranma to return and they sat in silence for a bit until Nabiki spoke.

"Ranma."

"Yeah Nabs?"

Nabiki smiled a bit which slightly threw her companion off, "Well, I wanted to say thanks. And to also tell you that since we don't know anyone here I don't have a reason to worry about my reputation so I'm actually going to be enjoying myself. But if you tell anyone back home about it your life will be a living hell."

Ranma gulped and nodded, "S-sure th-thing Nabiki."

"By the way, how are you holding up? You know, since the whole Saffron incident."

Ranma took a shuddering breath, "Well, I was kinda hoping things would be better between me and Akane. I mean, I was somehow locked in my cursed form I know and that probably doesn't make things a whole lot easier for her. But still there's gotta be a way out of it. But it just seems like it's made things worse. And then all the other fiance's trying to prove that they don't care and the increased attacks. Even if this is more or less like a business trip it's still nice to get away from Nerima even for a bit."

Nabiki nodded, "But how are you holding up?"

Ranma looked at her almost like she was about to cry, "Sometimes, I feel like snapping. Like at any moment I could lose it and seriously hurt someone and I don't wanna do that."

Nabiki was shocked, it was the first time Ranma had ever opened up like this to her, not to mention it was the first time they'd ever been truly alone and it wasn't exactly like they were friends or anything. Did Ranma trust her this much even though she used him like she did. She pushed that thought aside as she continued to listen.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't have any breathing room, I'm constantly being crushed, smothered, poisoned or otherwise. Sure I liked the attention in the beginning but it's become to much. I'm actually kinda glad I'm telling you, I don't think Akane would have listened."

Nabiki smiled at her and patted her arm reassuringly and they left it at that, sipping their drinks deep in thought. It was quite a few more moments before either one would speak again.

Ranma took out a piece of paper, unfolded it and set it on the table so Nabiki could see as well. "We should make our way to see this Positron as soon as we're done, he said he might be able to help with my curse or at least there should be someone in the city that could help. It says here he's in Blyde Square which is in the center of Steel Canyon."

"How fantastically vague of him," the sarcasm in Nabiki's voice was not lost on Ranma, nor the passerby.

"Excuse me," the voice startled both of them as well as the perfect Japanese the man spoke. He stood about 5'10" tall with black hair streaked red that reached unheeded down to his shoulders. He wore a red trench coat, red tights for a top with a two inch wide black streak that stretched and circled under his navel, and dark blue pants that probably could have fit two of him in the legs but were snug at the waist. The most amazing thing was he wore a dark red blind fold with barbed wire over it and his hands were wrapped the same manner. He continued after only a moments pause, "I couldn't help but over hear, you're headed for Positron?"

Ranma nodded then was about to apologize when she was cut off.

"Don't worry about it, I can see perfectly fine. In fact, I see better with this thing on then most people can even with tech enhanced vision. Names Uriamu Michaeri, I'm headed that way anyway. You're more then welcome to join me if you wish, of course we better hurry." Uriamu motioned behind him as a group of Outcasts, Hellions, Trolls, and Council were screaming for his head.

Nabiki stared in utter shock at the smirk the man was wearing, as if this were child's play. This broke the attendance record of even the Hentai Horde who had attacked Akane in the mornings. She watched as Ranma sweat dropped, obviously even he thought it was a bit nuts too. Her thoughts were interrupted as a sudden chill spread throughout her body and everything around her seemed to slow down, that is except for Uriamu and Ranma who seemed similarly confused.

Uriamu leaned in close, "Don't think about it, just follow closely and keep your eyes always on my back." He ran to a nearby railing and jumped. Nabiki and Ranma followed in suit as the trio ran through the streets.

After what seemed like a few minutes Ranma had to ask the question that was plaguing both her and Nabiki's mind, well, it was second on Nabiki's mind, "How long we been running for?"

Uriamu turned his head only slightly, "Well, we ourselves have been running for about 3 minutes, in the outside world it's probably been more like a minute."

They continued running for a bit more before a large statue loomed ahead of them, as they neared it they could feel their speed start to lessen and finally they stopped near a blue column of light that was emitted from the ground. Uriamu turned to face them, "On the other side of the statue is Posi's hang out, look me up any time you need anything, uhh... what was your names again?"

Nabiki looked up at their current helper, "I'm Nabiki, and this is Ranma. Thank you for the help, what do we owe you?"

The man chuckled, "Nothing, nothing. Just remember and help anyone you can in the future. And if I need help I'll be sure to ask." With a wave he stepped back into the portal and his body seemed to contort and stretch phasing into the ground.

"Weird. Let's see what Positron has to say before someone decides to pull us through that thing as well." Ranma definitely did not look like she was willing to try the portal anytime soon and Nabiki didn't even want to think about it.

The two walked around to the front of the statue and to a person they believed was positron. He was encased completely in tech armor of a kinda bronze color, the only flesh seen was his head, and he was bald. Positron kinda reminded Ranma of her old man, just without the glasses and without tossing her out the bedroom window.

Positron looked down at Ranma a bit before smiling, "I was wondering when you'd show up. C'mon Ranma, we'll head to my base so we can talk." Positron motioned for them to follow which they did, but they also dead panned as they saw what he was leading them to.

Positron looked back and chuckled, "It's alright, it doesn't hurt at all even the first time."

With a sigh Ranma gathered up her wits and with Nabiki following, they entered the portal alongside Positron and vanished from view.