Another Like Me
I do not own Ranma 1/2 and its associated characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own X-men Evolution or any of it's associated characters. Inspiration for this fic came from 'The Evolution': a Ranma 1/2 / X-men crossover by Dragonlord.
Thoughts >
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Chapter 2: Confrontation
Ranma had once loved roof-hopping. He had seen it as a way of being closer to that endless expanse of blue that forever called to him…the sky. Throughout his life he had never had anything to call his own. Everything he had bought or found throughout his training trip had been either sold by his Pop or destroyed. Such useless baubles were distractions from the Art, his father had said. Even those things he had made with his own two hands.
He recalled that once, while trekking somewhere in the wilds of Japan, he and his father had come across a rather obscure little temple where the monks who congregated there studied the Way of the Staff. His Pop displaying his usual level of intelligence had decided it would be a good idea to raid the temple's treasury for scrolls and items of value. He was soundly beaten for his troubles. The monk's techniques had so fascinated Ranma that he had been inspired to make his own weapon and while his father was doing chores around the temple as a penance he had lovingly crafted his own quarter-staff. He had chosen the branch himself and laboured upon it for hours to make it absolutely perfect. When he was satisfied with the result he had finished it by burning a set of kanji into it, one on each end. One had said Ranma and the other Genma. His love for his father inscribed upon his greatest achievement. Flushed with triumph he had rushed to show his Pop, whereupon without even looking at the inscription the bastard had broken it in two and thrown it into the temple's sacred fire. Then it was Ranma's turn to be beaten. He had been nine years old.
Ranma had only had three things during the entire course of the trip: the Art, his Honour and the sky.
But now that self-same sky was looking bleak and miserable as he ran. He had to escape to somewhere, somewhere where he wouldn't be found by anyone. Akane and Nabiki's memories had receded somewhat leaving his own mind dominant, but there was still a lot he needed to think about. If he really was a mutant then he already knew he wouldn't be welcome at the Tendo home. Hell, Akane was most likely there already making him out to be some kind of perverted monster who had purposely launched himself at her and then sucked her mind dry. He needed somewhere new and more secure.
In the distance loomed the skyscraper office block of the well know Tanaka Corp.
Perfect!>
After travelling several miles to reach his destination and then vaulting from balcony to balcony to reach the top floor Ranma was more than a little surprised to find his position already occupied. A small campfire was crackling away merrily and a pot of tea was on a small portable stove above it. Crouched down before the merry blaze sat the diminutive figure of Happosai, Grandmaster of the school of Anything-Goes martial arts.
"Well you certainly took y'time getting here m'boy" he cackled.
Ranma recovered from his shock
"Get lost pervert, I got important things to think about. I can't do that with you around tryin to get me to wear a one o' your stupid bras. "
Unsurprised Happosai remained where he was and raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"My, my Ranma is girl trouble getting you down again? Or did some thing more …significant …occur?"
He leaned forward.
"I can tell you what you want to know. About your new…abilities… I mean. There is much we have to discuss so sit down and shut up, or better yet pour me some tea and then join me."
Ranma was at a loss. After much deliberation he decided that since the Old Letch had behaved honourably so far he deserved the benefit of the doubt. His mouth snapped shut and he humbly did as he was told, pouring a cup for both the Grandmaster and himself before taking his place on the other side of the fire.
Happosai took a deep draught of his tea, cleared his throat and then began.
"First of all I assume you know the reason for this interesting new development. Your X-gene has activated and that means you are now officially a mutant. I always knew you had the potential to be one. After scanning your chi when we first met I realised that you had the power slumbering within you but I dearly hoped, no I prayed it would remain dormant."
He sighed.
"You see Ranma I too have a gift and as I aged it evolved with me, I am the very first of our kind. Fortunately my abilities are far more subtle than yours."
With that the man known as Happosai slowly melted away, his form rippling and shifting until in his place stood a young man in his late twenties. He was tall, muscular and his hair was styled in the traditional topknot of the Japanese Samurai.
Happosai sweat-dropped heavily as he looked upon the form of an unconscious Ranma.
"He took that well."
After Ranma had been revived Happosai reverted to his ancient form and continued.
"My second gift appeared when I reached my late thirties. I can sense mutant ability in an individual and if they are very strong even discern what their abilities are, depending on whether I can study them for long enough."
Ranma spoke up.
"So that's why you stayed at the Tendo Dojo. I always thought that you settling down for a while was odd. From what I could tell at the time you appeared to be the sort who needs to be on the move constantly."
Happosai chuckled in reply.
"Quite! Thank god you kept life interesting eh?"
He suddenly became deadly serious.
"Ranma when I first learned of your powers I wept for you, powerful they may be but you have a long and lonely life ahead of you I'm afraid. You have the ability to absorb the memories, abilities, even the very life force of others at a simple touch. Never again will you be able to even lay a finger upon another living thing without endangering their life. The longer the contact is maintained the more of a person's life-force you will absorb. Five seconds contact could put another into a coma, ten would most certainly be lethal."
Ranma was shaking by now, hot tears of anger and depression running down his cheeks.
All I ever wanted was to find love and have a close relationship with someone who would cherish me for being me, not a meal ticket, a retirement fund or the provider of an heir. It appears that even my own body is rebelling against me to prevent my happiness!>
Happosai waited for Ranma to pull himself together before he gave him some even more bad news.
"You have to leave Japan and fast."
Ranma raised his head sharply at this statement.
"What do you mean old timer?"
Happosai didn't answer. Instead he walked over to a small grill nearby and from it pulled a very small haversack. He tossed it to his heir.
"That pack contains all your things plus a good supply of money and some bank account details. Use that money well lad. Make a new life for yourself. There is nothing for you here anymore."
"But…but what about Mom and Akane and…"
"Lad when I left the dojo all your so-called family, fiancées and rivals had gathered there. They were making plans on how to hunt you down. The Tendos and your own Father wish to turn you in for the hefty reward being offered for mutants by the government, Shampoo and Cologne wish you dead (apparently mutants in the village are executed as soon as they 'awaken') and Ukyo has renounced the engagement. It appears she is just as prejudiced as the Tendos. As for the Kunos, Ryoga and Moose…well actually they haven't changed much in their opinion of you."
Then came the really bad news.
"Your family has disowned you Ranma. You are no longer a Saotome, now dead to your family and Ronin. You have to leave while you still can! If you're still here when your name is removed from the registry then it will be almost impossible for you to escape."
At this point Ranma simply felt numb. Too much had happened in too little time. Instead of depression all he felt was raw unbridled anger.
"HOW DARE THEY!"
His Ki aura unleashed itself, the very golden aura he had used to kill Saffron.
"AFTER ALL I'VE BEEN THROUGH! AFTER ALL I SACRIFICED! AFTER ALL THE TIMES I SAVED THEIR WORTHLESS HIDES THEY DARE TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON ME WHEN I NEED THEM THE MOST!"
He roared and blew a huge portion of his Ki into the air creating a pillar of golden light that shone like a beacon to all trained martial artists in the world.
In the Xavier Institute, Logan suddenly tripped in surprised as he felt the awesome display of power in the distance.
Kind of a pity he was in the danger room really.
Calming himself, Ranma embraced the Soul of Ice. His eyes now cold and devoid of emotion he turned to Happosai.
"Where do I go?"
Ranma exited the JFK International Airport of New York and breathed in the cool, crisp air.
He had arrived!
END OF CHAPTER 2.
(Thanks for the great reviews. Thanks to your support I managed to knuckle down and get this chapter finished in one evening. Keep those reviews coming - daval18)
