Saotome Ranma sat, staring out into space. It was the three hundredth anniversary of Akane's
murder, and he spent it in mourning, just as he had every year since. Despite his advanced age,
almost three hundred and eighteen years, he looked exactly as he had as a teenager, when Akane
was still alive.
"Akane...," he mused aloud, thinking back to that awful day when his world was shattered,
when he returned from his trip to the mountains, only to find her head caved in by a precise
bonbori strike meant to remove the "obstacle". The Joketsuzoku had survived her by only a single
year, each and every one of them the victim of his wrath.
Suddenly, he was broken out of his musings by an oddly familiar voice. "Mind if I join you?"
Not quite placing his company's voice, Ranma calmly nodded. "Nah, go ahead."
Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma noticed the figure take a seat next to him. Detecting no
hostility from the figure, Ranma resumed his musing. It was almost ten minutes before the other
voice spoke again. "So, what happened?"
"My fiancée... this is the anniversary of her death..."
"Oh?" the figure asked, "Which one?"
Ranma practically jumped in shock. "HOW-" he exclaimed, turning towards his companion, only
to gasp in shock. "What?!" he yelled once he got a good look. His companion was... himself.
-------------------
Reflection,
By
Aleh,
Prologue One: The Surface of the Lake
-------------------
A moment later, Ranma realized his error. His companion was extremely similar to him in
appearance, but not *quite* identical. His face was younger, although not by much, he wore his hair
in a ponytail, unlike Ranma's customary pigtail, and on his face were... god-marks?!?
"Who are you?" Ranma asked after he got over his shock at the sight.
"Budou-no-kami, Ranma."
Ranma smirked. "I thought I didn't qualify for a wish," he said, looking deeply into his
companion's eyes.
"You don't," was the response, "You have far too much blood on your hands. Not that I blame
you, mind... I would've done the same thing."
Ranma frowned. "Why are you here, then?" he asked curiously.
"I'm here to make you an offer."
Ranma suddenly perked up. "You mean-" he started hopefully, only to be cut off.
"No, I can't resurrect Akane," he said, frowning.
"Oh," Ranma replied, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.
"But..." he added teasingly, "I *CAN* offer you a second chance..."
Ranma's eyes opened wide as he stared at Budou-no-kami. "What?!?" he exclaimed, feeling an
odd mixture of happiness and shock.
"I can offer you a second chance with Akane."
Ranma was suddenly suspicious. "What's the catch?" he asked, hoping to avoid disappointment.
Budou-no-kami chuckled. "Ranma, Ranma, Ranma," he started, "You're too suspicious for your
own good."
"Perhaps, but every time I've run into magic, it's caused more problems than it's solved."
"That's because you've never encountered divine magic before. Besides, I need something from
you."
Ranma's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"I need you to save the world."
-------------------
"Timeline R94328943-3245, Dimensional coordinates (23582.34, 356235.32, 3576456.34,
4632646.43, 9842354.45, 40692835.26, 23598674.23, 23594023.53, 35623.95). In most respects, it's
like your world was three hundred and two years ago. Barring interference, it will be reduced to a
barren wasteland in around fifty years."
Ranma nodded in response as Budou-no-kami continued pointing a stick at a holographic globe.
"For reasons that I cannot discuss, it's important. Accordingly, I have been asked to provide
the needed change. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to interfere directly. As I am not the
manipulative type, I have chosen a simple approach: appoint a champion and ask them to do what I
cannot."
"And you want me to be this champion," Ranma added. It wasn't a question.
"Yes. In approximately two days, your counterpart there is destined to die. If you accept,
you will be inserted into his body. You will retain all of your memories and skills, although you
will be limited by his physical form. Your ki-reserves will remain intact, however, although until
such time as you can get your new body into shape, you will recover them more slowly."
"He's not a martial artist, then?"
"No," Budou-no-kami replied, "He's rather pathetic, actually. He has all of your potential,
although none of your drive. He's, quite frankly, rather out of shape, and... well... let me put
it this way. Gosunkugi Hikaru is his best friend."
Ranma made a face of disgust.
"I might add, however, that this version of Gosunkugi isn't as bad as yours. Still not the
type that people really notice, although far less quirky."
"Oh." Ranma looked almost relieved.
"The small change I mentioned takes place around a year before your birth. As a result, your
counterpart has a fraternal twin sister named Ranko, written 'Orchid Child'. Ranko *IS* into the
martial arts, although Genma hasn't taken her on any lengthy training trips. The longest to date
took a week. As a result, your counterpart doesn't have the same fiancée mess that you did, and
the Tendou agreement has been decided to not apply, given that the only Saotome male is *NOT* a
martial artist."
"Hah," Ranma said with a chuckle, "I wouldn't think that *THAT* would stop them."
Budou-no-kami chuckled as well. "No, it wouldn't, at least by itself. There's a story
behind it, but you'll have to find it out on your own. After you arrive, I'd recommend taking
Ranko into your confidence. You can trust her, and she'll be a valuable source of information. She
may be suspicious at first--she doesn't get along with her brother very well--but it shouldn't be
too hard to convince her that you're telling the truth."
"Oh?" Ranma asked.
"Yes, well, I'll leave the details to you. The Tendou family is much as you remember it;
after Mrs. Tendou died, Souun fell apart emotionally. Kasumi took up the household chores, as well
as generally becoming the mother figure for the others. After a brief but intense financial crisis,
Nabiki became the provider, starting the activities that you remember in order to pay the bills.
This version's somewhat less mercenary than the one you remember, due to the calming influence and
support of her best friend, a Hino Rei. Their friendship didn't suffer due to her... activities...
as Rei understood Nabiki's situation, and actually has been known to help at times. Recently, her
circle of friends has expanded to include several others, although none of them go to Furinkan."
"Wow. That's a big difference."
"Not really. Nabiki's still obsessed with money, just not as much so. She still has her 'Ice
Queen' image; she's just willing to drop it around her friends. She's every bit as loyal to her
family as before, only she hasn't lost sight of her goals. Your Nabiki would have turned out the
same way with a little more emotional support. Kasumi alone couldn't substitute for friendship."
Ranma nodded in understanding.
"The Chardin arrangement has been... taken care of, so that won't become an issue."
"Why don't you seem happy about that?" Ranma asked suspiciously.
"A person with a... vested interest... in the Tendous decided to take matters regarding the
matter into her own hands. According to the newspapers, the plane that the Piccolette's branch of
the Chardin family was taking to a family reunion was the target of a terrorist attack two years
ago. There were no survivors."
"Oh," Ranma whispered, "Who?"
"I can't say," Ranma's companion replied, "Although the responsible party shouldn't be too
much of a concern to you. She's not involved with the Yakuza or any such, if that's what you're
worried about, and she isn't evil, just misguided."
"I see," Ranma replied, "Don't think that I'm letting this drop, though."
"She's present in this world, too. She just saw that you'd handle the situation, and left it
at that. Without you present to take care of the problem, she had to take matters into her own
hands."
"Oh," Ranma said.
"Akane is basically the same as when you first met. She's in the same class as your
counterpart, although she hasn't really noticed him. She knows Ranko as a casual acquaintance, but
they aren't really friends. Actually, Akane likes Ranko, who is one of the few girls at school who
doesn't envy her so-called popularity, but hasn't really gotten a chance to talk to her. Ranko
*ISN'T* in your class. Kunou and the Hentai Horde are in place, but your counterpart has never
participated in it. It would be a good thing if Akane and Ranko were to meet; they're around the
same level. Ranko's more skilled, but Akane is a lot stronger physically. They'd be good sparring
partners should you decide to teach them."
Ranma shook his head. "I should have guessed," he said, somewhat sarcastically.
"What? That I'm encouraging the spread of the Art? I *AM* Budou-no-kami."
"True," Ranma admitted.
"Any questions?"
"What about this world?" Ranma asked, waving at the distant scenery, "What happens to it?"
"It goes on, Ranma," his companion said, "You're not needed here anymore. There are others
who will continue your legacy. Humanity will go on as it always has."
"Fine," Ranma replied, making what was quite possibly the biggest decision of his long life,
"I accept."
-------------------
In the Gates of Time, Sailor Pluto screamed as one of the neccessary elements for Crystal
Tokyo suddenly dissappeared.
-------------------
End Prologue One.
-------------------
Okay, so I'm starting another fic. Unlike my others, this one's going to be semi-serious.
Ranma will be dealing with a whole set of problems, and quite possibly unrequitted love. In fact,
he'll be dealing with just that at first: Akane doesn't even *KNOW* him, and is rather turned off
on boys (thanks to the Hentai Horde). Hopefully this'll help me get over my case of writer's block.
Regarding Akane's death, it occured over a year after canon Ranma (the manga). During that
time, Akane and Ranma grew closer and admitted their feelings for eachother. Shampoo's attack was
an act of desperation, as she had almost no chance left. Further details will come out later, when
Ranma tells his story (Keep in mind that Ranma's the one talking, and that things are from *HIS*
perspective). Ranma *HATES* the Joketsuzoku, even now. Personally, I don't like them that much,
either, but that's beside the point. No, Ranma's not going to hunt them down again, and he's
mellowed considerably over the years.
Yes, I know that I'm leaving several questions unanswered. Why didn't Genma take the
alternate Ranma on a training trip? Why did he allow that Ranma to *NOT* be a martial artist? Why
did they drop the engagement? What happened to the Nerima Wrecking Crew? Why was Ranma still young
three hundred years into the future? And, perhaps most importantly, what is the meanace that Ranma
was sent to fight? Several of these questions will be answered in Chapter One, although several
new ones will be raised. The meanace, however, will be left for the *DISTANT* future. Remember
what Budou-no-kami said: that the world would be destroyed in "around fifty years".
murder, and he spent it in mourning, just as he had every year since. Despite his advanced age,
almost three hundred and eighteen years, he looked exactly as he had as a teenager, when Akane
was still alive.
"Akane...," he mused aloud, thinking back to that awful day when his world was shattered,
when he returned from his trip to the mountains, only to find her head caved in by a precise
bonbori strike meant to remove the "obstacle". The Joketsuzoku had survived her by only a single
year, each and every one of them the victim of his wrath.
Suddenly, he was broken out of his musings by an oddly familiar voice. "Mind if I join you?"
Not quite placing his company's voice, Ranma calmly nodded. "Nah, go ahead."
Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma noticed the figure take a seat next to him. Detecting no
hostility from the figure, Ranma resumed his musing. It was almost ten minutes before the other
voice spoke again. "So, what happened?"
"My fiancée... this is the anniversary of her death..."
"Oh?" the figure asked, "Which one?"
Ranma practically jumped in shock. "HOW-" he exclaimed, turning towards his companion, only
to gasp in shock. "What?!" he yelled once he got a good look. His companion was... himself.
-------------------
Reflection,
By
Aleh,
Prologue One: The Surface of the Lake
-------------------
A moment later, Ranma realized his error. His companion was extremely similar to him in
appearance, but not *quite* identical. His face was younger, although not by much, he wore his hair
in a ponytail, unlike Ranma's customary pigtail, and on his face were... god-marks?!?
"Who are you?" Ranma asked after he got over his shock at the sight.
"Budou-no-kami, Ranma."
Ranma smirked. "I thought I didn't qualify for a wish," he said, looking deeply into his
companion's eyes.
"You don't," was the response, "You have far too much blood on your hands. Not that I blame
you, mind... I would've done the same thing."
Ranma frowned. "Why are you here, then?" he asked curiously.
"I'm here to make you an offer."
Ranma suddenly perked up. "You mean-" he started hopefully, only to be cut off.
"No, I can't resurrect Akane," he said, frowning.
"Oh," Ranma replied, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.
"But..." he added teasingly, "I *CAN* offer you a second chance..."
Ranma's eyes opened wide as he stared at Budou-no-kami. "What?!?" he exclaimed, feeling an
odd mixture of happiness and shock.
"I can offer you a second chance with Akane."
Ranma was suddenly suspicious. "What's the catch?" he asked, hoping to avoid disappointment.
Budou-no-kami chuckled. "Ranma, Ranma, Ranma," he started, "You're too suspicious for your
own good."
"Perhaps, but every time I've run into magic, it's caused more problems than it's solved."
"That's because you've never encountered divine magic before. Besides, I need something from
you."
Ranma's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"I need you to save the world."
-------------------
"Timeline R94328943-3245, Dimensional coordinates (23582.34, 356235.32, 3576456.34,
4632646.43, 9842354.45, 40692835.26, 23598674.23, 23594023.53, 35623.95). In most respects, it's
like your world was three hundred and two years ago. Barring interference, it will be reduced to a
barren wasteland in around fifty years."
Ranma nodded in response as Budou-no-kami continued pointing a stick at a holographic globe.
"For reasons that I cannot discuss, it's important. Accordingly, I have been asked to provide
the needed change. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to interfere directly. As I am not the
manipulative type, I have chosen a simple approach: appoint a champion and ask them to do what I
cannot."
"And you want me to be this champion," Ranma added. It wasn't a question.
"Yes. In approximately two days, your counterpart there is destined to die. If you accept,
you will be inserted into his body. You will retain all of your memories and skills, although you
will be limited by his physical form. Your ki-reserves will remain intact, however, although until
such time as you can get your new body into shape, you will recover them more slowly."
"He's not a martial artist, then?"
"No," Budou-no-kami replied, "He's rather pathetic, actually. He has all of your potential,
although none of your drive. He's, quite frankly, rather out of shape, and... well... let me put
it this way. Gosunkugi Hikaru is his best friend."
Ranma made a face of disgust.
"I might add, however, that this version of Gosunkugi isn't as bad as yours. Still not the
type that people really notice, although far less quirky."
"Oh." Ranma looked almost relieved.
"The small change I mentioned takes place around a year before your birth. As a result, your
counterpart has a fraternal twin sister named Ranko, written 'Orchid Child'. Ranko *IS* into the
martial arts, although Genma hasn't taken her on any lengthy training trips. The longest to date
took a week. As a result, your counterpart doesn't have the same fiancée mess that you did, and
the Tendou agreement has been decided to not apply, given that the only Saotome male is *NOT* a
martial artist."
"Hah," Ranma said with a chuckle, "I wouldn't think that *THAT* would stop them."
Budou-no-kami chuckled as well. "No, it wouldn't, at least by itself. There's a story
behind it, but you'll have to find it out on your own. After you arrive, I'd recommend taking
Ranko into your confidence. You can trust her, and she'll be a valuable source of information. She
may be suspicious at first--she doesn't get along with her brother very well--but it shouldn't be
too hard to convince her that you're telling the truth."
"Oh?" Ranma asked.
"Yes, well, I'll leave the details to you. The Tendou family is much as you remember it;
after Mrs. Tendou died, Souun fell apart emotionally. Kasumi took up the household chores, as well
as generally becoming the mother figure for the others. After a brief but intense financial crisis,
Nabiki became the provider, starting the activities that you remember in order to pay the bills.
This version's somewhat less mercenary than the one you remember, due to the calming influence and
support of her best friend, a Hino Rei. Their friendship didn't suffer due to her... activities...
as Rei understood Nabiki's situation, and actually has been known to help at times. Recently, her
circle of friends has expanded to include several others, although none of them go to Furinkan."
"Wow. That's a big difference."
"Not really. Nabiki's still obsessed with money, just not as much so. She still has her 'Ice
Queen' image; she's just willing to drop it around her friends. She's every bit as loyal to her
family as before, only she hasn't lost sight of her goals. Your Nabiki would have turned out the
same way with a little more emotional support. Kasumi alone couldn't substitute for friendship."
Ranma nodded in understanding.
"The Chardin arrangement has been... taken care of, so that won't become an issue."
"Why don't you seem happy about that?" Ranma asked suspiciously.
"A person with a... vested interest... in the Tendous decided to take matters regarding the
matter into her own hands. According to the newspapers, the plane that the Piccolette's branch of
the Chardin family was taking to a family reunion was the target of a terrorist attack two years
ago. There were no survivors."
"Oh," Ranma whispered, "Who?"
"I can't say," Ranma's companion replied, "Although the responsible party shouldn't be too
much of a concern to you. She's not involved with the Yakuza or any such, if that's what you're
worried about, and she isn't evil, just misguided."
"I see," Ranma replied, "Don't think that I'm letting this drop, though."
"She's present in this world, too. She just saw that you'd handle the situation, and left it
at that. Without you present to take care of the problem, she had to take matters into her own
hands."
"Oh," Ranma said.
"Akane is basically the same as when you first met. She's in the same class as your
counterpart, although she hasn't really noticed him. She knows Ranko as a casual acquaintance, but
they aren't really friends. Actually, Akane likes Ranko, who is one of the few girls at school who
doesn't envy her so-called popularity, but hasn't really gotten a chance to talk to her. Ranko
*ISN'T* in your class. Kunou and the Hentai Horde are in place, but your counterpart has never
participated in it. It would be a good thing if Akane and Ranko were to meet; they're around the
same level. Ranko's more skilled, but Akane is a lot stronger physically. They'd be good sparring
partners should you decide to teach them."
Ranma shook his head. "I should have guessed," he said, somewhat sarcastically.
"What? That I'm encouraging the spread of the Art? I *AM* Budou-no-kami."
"True," Ranma admitted.
"Any questions?"
"What about this world?" Ranma asked, waving at the distant scenery, "What happens to it?"
"It goes on, Ranma," his companion said, "You're not needed here anymore. There are others
who will continue your legacy. Humanity will go on as it always has."
"Fine," Ranma replied, making what was quite possibly the biggest decision of his long life,
"I accept."
-------------------
In the Gates of Time, Sailor Pluto screamed as one of the neccessary elements for Crystal
Tokyo suddenly dissappeared.
-------------------
End Prologue One.
-------------------
Okay, so I'm starting another fic. Unlike my others, this one's going to be semi-serious.
Ranma will be dealing with a whole set of problems, and quite possibly unrequitted love. In fact,
he'll be dealing with just that at first: Akane doesn't even *KNOW* him, and is rather turned off
on boys (thanks to the Hentai Horde). Hopefully this'll help me get over my case of writer's block.
Regarding Akane's death, it occured over a year after canon Ranma (the manga). During that
time, Akane and Ranma grew closer and admitted their feelings for eachother. Shampoo's attack was
an act of desperation, as she had almost no chance left. Further details will come out later, when
Ranma tells his story (Keep in mind that Ranma's the one talking, and that things are from *HIS*
perspective). Ranma *HATES* the Joketsuzoku, even now. Personally, I don't like them that much,
either, but that's beside the point. No, Ranma's not going to hunt them down again, and he's
mellowed considerably over the years.
Yes, I know that I'm leaving several questions unanswered. Why didn't Genma take the
alternate Ranma on a training trip? Why did he allow that Ranma to *NOT* be a martial artist? Why
did they drop the engagement? What happened to the Nerima Wrecking Crew? Why was Ranma still young
three hundred years into the future? And, perhaps most importantly, what is the meanace that Ranma
was sent to fight? Several of these questions will be answered in Chapter One, although several
new ones will be raised. The meanace, however, will be left for the *DISTANT* future. Remember
what Budou-no-kami said: that the world would be destroyed in "around fifty years".