DISCLAIMER: I own Tenchi Muyo, Sailor Moon, and Ranma 1/2. Now, let's check the Bullshit-O-Meter; yep, still in the red.
A/N: This is the rewrite of what I originally had up here, I changed some stuff here and there, but for the most part this chapter should seem familiar to everyone who's read it before. Hopefully the next chapter won't be too far behind this one since I'm writing it and editing this as I type this note. Anywho, enjoy.
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Sandman Hand Me A Dream
"Washu-chan, Pluto has predicted the overthrow of our kingdom, ten years from now, by an earth originated force. I've called you here to help create a force similar to the senshi's powers or something better to help protect our home. Will you do it?" A woman said. She sat upon a throne wearing a flowing, glowing dress. She had long blonde hair and a regal look about her.
Washu-chan looked like a 12 year-old, but don't let that fool you, she's thousands of years old. Though she'd never willingly admit that. Washu-chan has red hair that, from afar, looks spiked into a crab like shape. Her golden eyes held a look of determination, whether it be to not show her actual feelings or to not let down the woman before her, only she could tell you.
"Of course, Queen Serenity. I shall create a force to be reckoned with, one that will take much effort to overthrow and destroy," Washu spoke with a grin that grew wider as plans ran through her head. Calculating what would be built and such.
"Thank you, Washu-chan. You're dismissed," With that Washu turned and left the throne room.
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And that's what brings us to now. Washu-chan standing before a tube that holds a human like creature. Washu placed her hand on the tube and spoke.
"Soon my son...soon you'll live like the rest of us...And you'll be the best warrior around. One that will make both your sister and I proud to call you family..."
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5 Years Later - Hakubi Residence
"Kaa-san! Ryoko-neechan pulled my tail! Again!" A little boy shouted.
He was about 3 feet tall and had short, naturally spiked, black hair with light blue tips. He had piercing amber eyes that shone with life and a hidden fire for excitement. He had a build irregular for someone his age, a lean build, like an athlete, but wasn't bulky like a body builder. He wore a black gi with a dark blue undershirt and sash and the gi had a hole in the back for his black, fuzzy tail. He was currently glaring at his sister, Ryoko.
"Ryoko! How many times have I told you to stop picking on Ranma-chan?" A feminine voice shouted, the woman who owned the voice exiting the house nearby.
"Plenty of times. But he'll never learn to be immune to the pain if he never-Yeowch!" Ryoko yelped as something tugged on her tail.
"You aren't immune, sis, so why should I be immune?" Ranma asked.
"Because! If you want to be better than I am you have to overcome weaknesses I never managed to get over," Ryoko said more gently.
Ranma nodded in understanding, "Why didn't you say so? I would've helped come up with a better plan for it, one that'd help both of us. That would've worked out better, right, Nee-chan?"
Ryoko scratched her head and laughed, "Well...yeah...Mom always said you got the brains."
"True, I can't argue with you there," Ranma said laughing.
The Hakubi family consisted of Washu, Ryoko, and Ranma, and they all lived in a quaint house on earth. For 5 years Washu had raised Ranma like the son he was to her. Ranma was a fast learner, having both Washu's genes and several other DNAs including Masu, Saiya-jin, and several others helped his learning curve. For everything, educational stuff, martial arts, and anything else he wished to learn.
Ranma learned many arts, and all of the different forms of martial arts he managed to learn were blended into a single style only he knew. A style that would continue expanding for as long as he continued to blend and perfect it. Aside from the Art he also found relaxation in creating machines in his mother's lab.
Ranma had traveled around with Ryoko as well. Meeting the demi-god Saffron and befriending him. It wouldn't be until a couple thousand years later when he would befriend the first ruler of the Musk Dynasty as well. Under Saffron's tutelage he learned the way of the Phoenix and became an ally towards the Phoenix people.
Ranma was considered the best of the best. By everyone he met...minus a certain princess of Uranus. But that's beside the point. As good as he was it would be another 3 years before Washu deemed Ranma ready to meet the Queen and go into battle alongside the senshi.
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3 Years Later - Hakubi Residence
"Ranma! Are you ready to leave?" Washu called up the stairs towards her son's room.
"Yeah, give me a second, okay?" Was the response.
Ranma walked down the stairs a few seconds later in clothes nicer than his usual gi. He was wearing black slacks and a nice dark blue tunic with golden tigers embroidered on it. Around his waist was a dark blue sash that hid his tail, which was currently wrapped around his waist.
Washu nodded, satisfied with the way her son looked, "Ready?"
Ranma nodded and walked out of the house with Ryo-ohki, the family cabbit, on his shoulder. A few seconds later that cabbit was a spaceship flying them towards the moon kingdom.
Ranma was seated on a floating cushion, his feet dangling over one end and his upper body hanging off the other end in such a way that a lot of blood was rushing to his head, "Woah...cool..." Hey, he's a smart kid, but he's still only 9 years old.
Washu turned to Ranma, "Ranma, sit up, you're going to pass out soon if you don't."
Ranma sat up sighing, "Might make the trip pass faster that way..."
Washu shook her head and turned to watch the stars passing by. Ranma turned to stare at the passing stars occasionally willing his floating pillow to spin and sometimes willing it to flip so he could watch the stars upside down.
A few hours later and they had docked Ryo-ohki on the moon and started to head towards the palace. Ranma walked a bit behind his mother and took in the sites with Ryo-ohki on his shoulder. He whistled as he caught a glimpse of the earth from where he stood.
"Wow...the earth looks so beautiful from the moon. Like a blue marble stuck in time, never to move forward or back, imprisoned in its painting of endless nothing..." Ranma said.
"An interesting take on the view, Ranma-chan," Washu said, "It seems creativity is something you also inherited..."
Ranma smiled widely, "From you, of course, my dear mother," He offered Washu his arm, "Shall we continue?"
Washu giggled at her son's antics, "We shall," And looped her arm through his.
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Moon Palace - Royal Assembly Hall
Washu bowed to Queen Serenity as Ranma stood warily behind her, eyeing the regal woman on the throne and nervously glancing towards a woman with long green hair and a key-like staff. The staff must be for both magic and physical attacks...though I can see no nicks on it. She either keeps it well maintained or is quite dependent on magical attacks.
"My Queen," Washu's voice seemed to echo and resound in the unnaturally quiet hall, "I present to you my son, Ranma."
Ranma stepped forward as his mother motioned him forward and he bowed briefly to the Queen, but you could see there was little respect in the motion, only a sense of formality. The one with green hair seemed agitated by it, but only the senshi of Uranus seemed to be outspoken enough to voice her thoughts.
"Show the Queen proper respect, boy!" Uranus snapped from the side near the front of the hall.
Ranma made eye contact with her and spoke, "Respect is not given because you hold a certain title. It is given because you've earned it. And I've yet to see any of you earn my respect, least of all you, Uranus-san."
Well, the notion of yelling was lost by the look in his eyes, but his words angered her more. She was about to say more when her Queen held a hand up to her.
"That's enough, Uranus. Ranma-kun is correct. Respect is earned not given like a gift and I haven't earned his respect just yet," When the hall remained silent she motioned Ranma forward a bit more, "Ranma-kun...can you show me your full power?"
Ranma looked the Queen in the eye before closing them slowly and releasing his holds on his power. He released only a quarter of the power he held while he wore his bracers, they acted as power blocks while he was in public so he wouldn't accidentally blow something up.
Though that little bit seemed to be enough to awe the people gathered in the room. When he looked back towards the Queen he made they made eye contact before speaking.
"What you see before you is only a quarter of the power I hold."
The Queen nodded, "That's good. But what of your full power?"
"My full power would destroy the entire hall and those within it."
"Please, show me your full power. I'll protect the bystanders."
Ranma sighed but nodded. He turned to Washu and she stepped back towards the farthest wall, close to the rest of those gathered. Knowing his mother would be safe; he released all the power he could manage while he wore his bracers.
The results that followed made the gathered senshi afraid of the young boy before them; the power he released demolished the floor beneath him and turned it into a crater, and seemed to satisfy both the senshi of Pluto and the Queen.
A few seconds later the aura he'd produced disappeared and he slumped to his knees, hugging himself tight as the bracers tried to control his power again. Washu was next to him shortly hugging and comforting her son.
She looked up at the questioning gaze of the Queen, "He's still learning to control his power. The bracers he wears keeps a good portion of his power locked away and under control. But when he uses his full aura, or what he can use with the bracers on, hurts him from within."
The Queen nodded understanding the boy's pain. To keep his power under such a tight check that I couldn't read it until he let me, and then to retain such power in a small body...the pain he must be feeling must be incredible. And to take it all without fainting...this young boy has gained my respect.
"Everyone gathered is dismissed. Pluto, if you would, please guide Ranma-kun to the courtyard while I speak with his mother."
Pluto nodded and walked towards Ranma as he finally managed to stand on stable feet again. He hugged his mother in thanks and then walked towards the main doors before stopping and waiting for her to join him.
To stand and be able to walk straight after the pain he must've felt is amazing. This boy could be the edge we need in the future... Pluto thought to herself.
"Come with me, I'll guide you to the courtyard," She said emotionlessly to the boy.
Ranma held the large door open for Pluto and smiled at her, "Thank you, Pluto-san."
Pluto nodded and walked ahead of Ranma. He caught up and tried to start a conversation.
"So what's it like living on the moon, Pluto-san?" Ranma asked. Silence was his answer. He sweat dropped, "Really now? I would've thought it was a bit more exciting then that. What about the other senshi? Are they all as arrogant as Uranus-san?" Again silence. "What about the sites? Do you ever stop to admire the way the earth looks from here?"
Ranma was tired of the silence but figured if he kept talking and she told him to shut up it'd be better then the silence, "I noticed it on my way to the palace. You want to know what I told my Mom when I saw it?" More silence. He sighed and seemed to gaze off into the distance, "I said, that the earth looked beautiful from here. Like it was a large blue marble stuck in time, never to move forward nor back. Imprisoned in its painting of endless nothing."
Pluto silently listened to the boy, wondering what he was getting at.
"But now that I think of it, it's more like that blue orb is suspended in a prison of never ending darkness. And that it's scared sometimes, that the darkness that holds it in it's home, will someday consume it. Overpower it. And make it another aspect of that nothingness."
Pluto stopped walking, allowing Ranma to pass by her, and seemed to ponder his words. He noticed she had stopped and noticed her thoughtful expression. He smiled sadly and turned a penetrating gaze towards her.
"The words I speak may seem overly pretentious, that is true, but they also hold truth for many aspects of life, don't they?" With that he waited for her to continue guiding him, "We should be on our way, Pluto-san. I'm quite sure the Queen would appreciate an audience with you after she's done speaking with my mother."
Pluto nodded absentmindedly and walked towards the courtyard once again.
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Courtyard
Ranma waved good-bye to the still silent Pluto and turned to admire the courtyard. It was full of flowers special to the moon and a few other planets. Here and there you could spot a stone bench and a water fountain. The thing that caught his attention though were the three girls playing in the small field of flowers off to his left.
He smiled and waved at the brown-haired girl that had noticed him. He walked towards them and bowed briefly, "Konnichiwa, my name is Ranma."
The brown-haired girl smiled, "My name's Makoto. These are my friends," she pointed to the girl with short black hair, "Hotaru," And then pointed to the blonde behind her, "And that's Princess Serenity."
He smiled brightly at them, "Hi. Can I play with you girls?"
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Royal Assembly Hall
"Wahu-chan..." The Queen began.
"Hai, I understand your concerns. But he's still a bit unstable with his ki reserves, the bracers are important to control it and make sure no one accidentally gets hurt," Washu explained.
"What of when he has complete control?"
"He'll have little to no use for the bracers. At the moment he's wearing special clothes made for training his body in both endurance and strength."
"So the clothes he wears are all weighted?"
"Exactly."
"And his manners and knowledge is impeccable. It's amazing..."
"I taught him well. He's very smart, even before I began teaching him, he's always had a curiosity that gets him in trouble every so often."
"Really now?"
Washu nodded and Pluto made her presence known, "He's perceptive for one of only 9 years."
Washu nodded again, "Yes, he's quick and has a learning curve that's incredible. His dedication to what he does is impeccable as well."
"Hai. I saw in the way he walks. He holds himself with confidence and grace, seemingly harmless. Yet he's always guarding himself...from something, an unknown danger," Pluto said.
"His favorite animal is the tiger because of its grace and poise. He's also quite good with music, but he often complains there won't be an instrument he can properly use for it until many years into the future..." Washu trailed off.
"Interesting, I hope to see this talent of his someday soon," The Queen mused.
Washu smiled, "He's quite fond of the ocarina as well. It's very relaxing to listen to him play."
Pluto nodded, "I would very much like to listen one day. But now onto more important matters."
The other two women nodded their agreement and soon turned their conversation toward
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Courtyard
Ranma laughed happily as he and the girls played tag. It was interesting to be able to hold back his speed so much and still manage to have fun.
He very much found himself attracted to the black-haired girl called Hotaru. There was something about her that naturally drew him to her. He couldn't understand the feelings he felt, but he'd be damned if that stopped him from having fun with Makoto, Serenity, and Hotaru.
He was happy when Serenity mentioned she wanted to be treated as a friend, not the princess. So, since the beginning of their time spent together, he'd done as she asked, and would continue to do so until told otherwise by her.
Makoto was a few years older then them, meaning she was 11 (Serenity was 9), but she played fair and didn't use her size to intimidate people, rather to protect her friends. Something he admired in the girl.
His musings were interrupted when Serenity tagged him from behind and shouted, "You're it!"
He laughed and chased after the closest target, Hotaru.
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1 Year Later - Earth - Earth Palace
"Hey, Ranma-kun! Come look at what I found!" Shouted the 10 year-old Endymion.
"Coming!" Yelled a 10 year-old Ranma as he grabbed the stick from the ground and ran up beside Endymion, "Aren't salamanders awesome, Endymion-kun?"
Endymion nodded his head in agreement and smiled at his best friend.
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1 Year Later - Jupiter - Royal Palace
Ranma, in a dashing black suit, walked over to a 10 year old Hotaru. He bowed and smiled at her, "Would you care to dance, Hotaru-chan?"
Hotaru nodded and allowed Ranma to lead her through the slow dance being played.
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1 Year Later - Mars - Battlefield
A 12 year-old Ranma faced off against the army of youma sent with the senshi of Mars and Jupiter. He looked towards his two companions and nodded. With simultaneous shouts from the three of them they charged the small oncoming army.
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2 Years - Juraian Empire - Throne Room
Ranma, now 14, stood next to Azusa, the emperor of Jurai, as he sentenced the treacherous man before them. The man had white hair and yellow eyes with small black glasses over them, his clothes a combination of grays and whites. As the guards dragged the man away, he shouted curses and threats, promising to come back and gain his vengeance, Ranma turned to Azusa.
"Are you sure that was wise, Azusa-dono?" Ranma asked.
Azusa nodded, "Of course."
Ranma nodded, "I shall trust your judgment then, before I leave to train with the soldiers, may I know your reasoning?"
"I cannot risk the safety of my family and empire because one man wants something he cannot have," Was Azusa's simple reply. Ranma turned and made his way out of the throne room.
"Desire is derived from the need to have what one cannot achieve..." Ranma whispered, "The most dangerous of men are provoked by actions such as this, my friend..."
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1 Year Later - Saturn - Royal Palace - Ball Room
Makoto stood off to the side, away from the crowd and on the balcony. Makoto smiled as she noticed a familiar presence, "It took you long enough to get here, Ranma-kun."
Ranma appeared out of the shadows beside her in a suit and shifted the tie around his neck, "Yeah, Mom wouldn't let me leave with a simple clip-on. She made me wear an actual tie...I hate these things..."
"Considering you change as soon as you arrive anyway, I don't see how it matters," Makoto said.
"Good point," Ranma said as his clothes suddenly morphed from a stiff suit to something similar to what he wore several years ago when he'd first met his best friends. Black slacks, a dark red tunic with a black sash around his waist.
Makoto waved as Princess Serenity spotted them smiled. Ranma waved as well. It was then that Hotaru, who had been increasingly nervous, suddenly smiled and calmed down considerably.
Makoto shook her head, "You're the only person I know who has the ability to calm Hotaru-chan like that with just your presence alone."
Ranma shrugged.
"So...you came to say your good-byes to everyone, I presume?" Makoto asked as they watched Hotaru perform her induction ceremony. A ceremony similar to the one Makoto had gone through when she became a senshi on her 15th birthday.
"Yeah...I need to travel the universe, learn what I can before I become too involved in the war with Beryl to do so," Ranma said, idly fidgeting with the small velvet box in his pocket.
"Are you going to tell her your feelings?"
"I...I'm not sure Makoto-chan. What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"She will. Trust me on that one. But it's solely up to you," Makoto said.
They stood silently as the ceremony finished and everyone toasted the new senshi of Saturn. Hotaru slowly made her way towards the two of them as the crowd went about dancing. She smiled at her friends, "Hey, guys."
"Hey, Hotaru-chan," Makoto said smiling before grabbing her in a big hug, "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Makoto-chan," Hotaru giggled and returned her friend's hug. She turned to Ranma as he opened his arms and gave her a hug as well.
He pulled away and, with one arm still around Hotaru, wiped a fake tear away from his eye, "Our little Hotaru-chan is just growing up so fast..."
The three laughed heartily and Hotaru playfully slapped his arm. He simply smiled at her and asked her for a dance.
They spent a few hours just dancing, Ranma alternating between Hotaru and Makoto until Makoto found someone else to dance with.
Ranma and Hotaru now stood by the balcony, his arm around her shoulders, staring up at the planets and stars above them.
"Hotaru...?"
"Hai, Ranma-kun?"
"I..." Ranma stopped and hesitated, "...I'm going to be leaving for awhile..."
"Leaving?" Hotaru asked.
"Yeah, I'll be far from the solar system, traveling, learning what I can from whomever I can."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know...a few years I guess..."
Ranma sighed and pulled the velvet box from his pocket and opened it for Hotaru, revealing a silver chain necklace and a purple gemstone hanging from it, "This is for you Hotaru-chan."
She gasped and stared at the necklace, at Ranma, and back to the necklace, "It's beautiful...it matches you earring too."
Ranma nodded, "Yeah, it's from the same exact stone the earring came from. I had planned to give it to you on your 16th birthday, but since I won't be around..." He trailed off.
Hotaru nodded and turned around so Ranma could clasp the necklace around her neck. He did so and then wrapped his arms around her waist and sighed as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She leaned her head back on his shoulder as they just stood there, enjoying each other's presence.
"...Promise you won't forget me, Ranma."
Ranma turned Hotaru around to face him and smiled, "I'd never forget you."
Hotaru threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely, "I'm going to miss you so much..."
"And I'm going to miss you..." He sighed and pulled away, "Tell Makoto and Princess Serenity I said good-bye and that I'll miss them," He turned to leave, jumping up onto the railing of the balcony before turning back to look at Hotaru, who had unshed tears in her eyes.
He smiled the smile he reserved just for her, "When I return...I'll tell you my true feelings."
Hotaru had no time to question his words as he jumped and flew off towards the space ship she identified as Ryo-ohki.
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3 Years Later - New Years Eve - Moon
Makoto, Hotaru, and Princess Serenity stood on the roof of the highest tower in the palace waiting for the last few minutes of the day to pass.
"So what will you wish for, Makoto-chan?" Serenity asked.
"I'm going to wish for the best martial artist to have lived to come and teach me his art," Makoto said, "What about you Serenity-chan?"
"I'm going to wish for Prince Endymion to-" Hotaru interrupted Serenity.
"You shouldn't tell others your wish. It may not come true," Hotaru said, looking at the people gathered around below them.
Serenity shut her mouth and simply got a dreamy look in her eyes. Makoto smirked, "That's okay, I'm sure I know what you'd wish for anyway, Hotaru."
Hotaru blushed. For the past 2 and a half years Makoto had teased her non-stop about her romantic good-bye with Ranma. But she couldn't deny a word of it. Partially because the magical fireworks had begun being fired off and the other reason being she couldn't deny her feeling for young man.
She smiled at the mixture of colors in the sky and closed her eyes as she made her wish, Please allow Ranma to return to us as soon as he can make it.
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To Be Continued...
Reviews welcome. Flames used to fend off lawyers.
-Lov3the3vil