Last time Bloom told the others about how she saved the life of a young woman form the Amazon tribe in China. After obtaining the Purple Star Lotus flowers needed for Flora's antidote, Bloom convinced Shampoo, Mousse and Kodatchi to help her fight The Shadow Riders. Meanwhile, Sasami and Ryoko also convinced their friend Tenchi to help. On with the show!

Chapter 14: Enter Ranma

"Let me get this straight," said Bloom to Shampoo as she and Kodatchi led Bloom, Stella, Sky and Brandon through the streets of Tokyo, "This Ranma person defeated you in combat." "Yes," nodded Shampoo. "And if my knowledge of Amazonian law is correct," said Bloom, "When an outsider male defeats a warrior of the tribe, she is honored bound to marry him."

"Yes," said Shampoo, "Ranma beat Shampoo, Shampoo is to marry Ranma." "Not gonna happen," said Kodatchi, "I am the one Ranma is to marry! His heart and mine are destined to be together!" "Ranma never marry ugly, insane gymnastic girl!" exclaimed Shampoo, "Ranma marry me!"

"What did you call me!" raged Kodatchi. From out of nowhere she had a long metal stick with a long, long ribbon attached to it, "You dare call 'The Delicate Flower' of rhythmic gymnastics ugly and insane?" At that, Shampoo pulled out from behind her back a pair of wooden clubs with large, round ends. "Shampoo take back insane comment," she said as she brandished her clubs at Kodatchi, "You just ugly!"

"I'll show you who's ugly!" raged Kodatchi as she lashed her ribbon at Shampoo like a bullwhip. "Restrainus Personus!" exclaimed Stella. Kodatchi and Shampoo suddenly found themselves unable to move. "Thanks," said Bloom. "No problem!" said Stella happily.

"Now look, you two," said Bloom to the immobilized Shampoo and Kodatchi, "I realize that you have issues with each other over a man, and I respect that. But now isn't the time for petty fighting. We're here to ask this Ranma if he'll help us fight The Shadow Riders. Now, I'm going to have Stella undo the spell so you can move again, but please, for at least the time being, stop fighting. Okay, Stella."

"Personus Releaseus!" said Stella. With a small flash, Kodatchi and Shampoo could move again. The two girls glared at each other before Kodatchi held out her hand, "Truce?" asked she asked. Shampoo nodded and shook her hand.

Five minutes later they had reached a large house with a sign on it which Bloom translated; 'Tendo Dojo for Anything Goes Martial Arts.' "What is Anything Goes Martial Arts?" asked Brandon. "I think it means what it says," said Sky, "Anything goes."

Kodatchi knocked on the front door and was answered by a tall girl in her early twenties. She had long brown hair and brown eyes. "Oh, Miss Kodatchi," said the girl, "And Miss Shampoo, how nice to see you both for once at the front door." "Hello, Kasumi," said Kodatchi, "Is Ranma in? We need to talk to him of a matter of the greatest importance."

"I believe Ranma is here," said Kasumi as she showed Bloom and the others inside to the living room. Stretched out on the couch was another tall girl; this one was about 19 and had short brown hair. "Hey, Nabiki," said Kasumi, "Have you seen Ranma today?"

"I might have," said Nabiki, "But I'll cost you 8,000 yen." "Ignore her," said Kodatchi, "She's always trying to make money. My brother hates her guts." "The feeling is mutual," said Nabiki, "And I'll be generous today; 7,500 yen." "Nabiki!" exclaimed Kasumi, "You're being rude to our guests. With father and Mr. Saotome out for the weekend, I'm in charge of the house."

"Fine, fine," said Nabiki, "I'll send you a bill later. Ranma is out back with Akane. They're taking turns breaking cinderblocks." "Thank you," said Kasumi, "If you'll follow me, I'll take you out back."

Bloom and co. followed Kasumi out to the back porch. Next to a large pond were two women about 18 years old each, and they were each taking turns breaking cinderblocks with their bare fists. One girl had short blue hair and brown eyes. The second girl was shorter than the first, had blue eyes and bright red hair done up in a pigtail in back.

"Akane," said Kasumi, "Ranma, Miss Kodatchi and Miss Shampoo wish to speak to you." "Ranma!" exclaimed Shampoo as she leaped down to the redhead girl and gave her a rib-cracking hug. "Um," said an understandably confused Sky, "I thought Ranma was a guy."

"I am a guy!" exclaimed the girl named Ranma as she struggled to free herself from Shampoo's embrace. "Do you have to do that in front of me!" exclaimed the blue haired girl. "It's not my fault she's like this, Akane," said Ranma, "It's that damn Amazon law of hers."

"I think there's been a mistake," said Bloom to Kodatchi, "I thought that if a male outsider were to defeat an Amazon, he'd have to marry her." "I am a guy!" raged Ranma as she finally freed herself from the clutches of Shampoo, "And I'll prove it."

Sitting beside the pond was a portable heater and a pot of hot water. Ranma then poured some of the hot water on her head, and just like that (insert finger snapping sound) Ranma was a boy. He was tall with black hair in a pigtail in the back with brown eyes.

"Oh!" said Bloom, "Oh, I get it, it's a water-based curse." "A what curse?" asked Stella. "Stella," said Brandon, "You know I love you with all my heart, but you really should pay attention in class."

"I'll explain," said Bloom, "Apparently, Ranma here has a curse on his head, one that is affected by different temperatures of water." She picked up an empty glass and filled it with water from the pond, "Cold water activates the curse," she then poured the water on Ranma, and he was turned into a girl, "And hot water deactivates the curse," she poured some hot water from the pot onto Ranma and she was a guy again.

"Let me try that," said Stella as she alternated pouring cold and hot water on Ranma, "I could do this all day and not get tiered of it," she said. "Please, would you stop that?" asked Ranma just as Stella poured more hot water on him. "Oh, Sorry," said Stella.

"Now, Kodatchi," said Ranma, "You said there's something important you wanted to talk to me about?" "There is, Ranma," said Kodatchi, but before she got any further there was a bright teleportation flash; Musa, Riven and Elise had beamed down from The Night Rider.

"So this is Earth," said Elise as she took her first steps on the planet, "I must admit, I've seen better." "Any news on Flora?" asked Stella eagerly. "Flora's going to be fine," said Musa, "Washu got the antidote cooked up and gave it to Flora. She should be fully cured within the hour." "Thank goodness," said Stella.

"Um," said a confused Ranma as he and Akane just stared at the newly arrived Musa, Riven and Elise. "Oh," said Bloom, "Yeah, this is going to take some time…" And so Bloom told her story and explained the situation for a third time that day. "And that's why we came here," said Bloom, "We need all the help we can get if we're going to stop The Shadow Riders."

"Just how dangerous are The Shadow Riders?" asked Akane. "They brought half the galaxy to its knees fifty years ago before they were defeated by The Galaxy Police," said Elise, "If they're truly back, who knows what they'll do to take over. They may even try for the entire universe, including Earth."

"If Kodatchi and Shampoo said they help," said Ranma, "I'll help fight The Shadow Riders as well." "You seem to be taking this well," said Sky, "I mean, for a Earth man, you're accepting the facts that magic, aliens and such exist."

"I've seen plenty of strange and bizarre things on Earth," said Ranma, "I doubt there's anything in the universe that can out-weird me." "Oh, Ranma darling!" exclaimed Kodatchi, who really had stars in her eyes, "The way you speak, it makes my heart take flight! I'm so happy that we are meant to be together!"

"Back off gymnastic girl!" exclaimed Shampoo, "Ranma is to be with Shampoo!" "I thought we agreed you wouldn't start this again," said Bloom. Just then Akane stood up; she had a huge mallet in her hands, a red battle aura about her. "How many times are we going to go over this!" exclaimed Akane, "Ranma is my fiancé, whether you or I like it or not!"

"It's true," said Ranma, "Akane and I are engaged. Her dad and mine arranged the whole thing without our consent. At first we didn't like the idea of us being engaged; in fact, we didn't like each other at all in the beginning. And talk about her faults; Akane can't swim, she can't cook to save her life, she dresses like a tomboy, has no figure and has the attitude of a warthog. But we've been through a lot together, through good times, bad times and really, really, really bad times, but we've always pull through. In the long run I do love her, and one day we will get married."

There was a few seconds of silence before Akane swung her mallet and bashed Ranma on the head. "Ranma Saotome," said Akane, "You are the only man on the planet who can be a total jerk and a gentleman at the same time."

"Amazing!" exclaimed Elise as she examined Ranma's assaulted head, "The force of that mallet swing should have crushed your skull, yet you seem unharmed." "I'm used to being clobbered by Akane," said Ranma, "My tongue sometimes gets ahead of my brain and I usually pay for it. But like I said, I'm used to it."

Meanwhile…

"Sasami and Ryoko just called," said Layla to Amanda, "They're ready to beam back up, and they've got a guest." "Roger that," said Amanda as she activated the transporter and beamed Sasami, Ryoko and Tenchi aboard The Night Rider. "How's Flora?" asked Sasami. "She'll make a complete recovery," said Tecna, "That Washu truly is the greatest."

"Washu is here?" asked a slightly nervous sounding Tenchi. "Did someone say my name?" asked Washu as she entered the transporter room. Her eyes locked in on Tenchi like a guided missile. "Tenchi!" exclaimed Washu, "I've missed you so, you and your fantastic DNA!"

"Nice to see you too, Washu," said Tenchi, "Anyway, it feels good to be back is space. So when to we leave for Jurai?" "As soon as Bloom, Stella and the others are back from Tokyo," said Amanda, "They're 'drafting' help, someone called Ranma."

"Ranma Saotome?" asked Tenchi. "That's right," said Amanda. "You know him, Tenchi?" asked Sasami. "We've met," said Tenchi, "This is going to get interesting, to say the least."

The end of chapter 14. Next chapter we focus on Icy, Darcy and Stormy as they and Malaketh search for the next Stone of Power, they come across a dark character. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!