Star Trek: The Life and Times of Ranma Saotome! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 25: "2007" ("Y" Side).
Years ago, in another timeline…
"MOVE!" yelled the combat team leader, as he directed his men to evacuate the survivors of the disaster that "rocked" not just the mortal planes, but throughout the Umbral and Universal realms. Days ago, a dark god rooted in ancient South Asian myth was destroyed by Dr. Ranma Saotome, a member of eccentric hyper-science group known as "The Electrodyne Engineers"…now known as "The Sons of Ether". Using "weird Science", Dr. Saotome successfully closed the dimensional rift between the material and trans-dimensional planes, and had destroyed Ravana—the dark god in question—in the process. Unfortunately, he died while stopping this monster…
During a routine "mop-up" mission in Bangladesh—the epicenter of the disaster—Iteration X's "Hunter-Killers" (i.e. "cyborgs") cam across the injured form of Dr. Usagi Tsukino, of the New World Order (a sister organization of Iteration X within the Technocratic Union). From the initial analysis, Dr. Tsukino attempted, but ultimately failed, to bring back her husband Ranma using Alchemy. The botched ritual, brought on by the stress during the last week, was at fault for her condition. Nevertheless, Iteration X thought that it would be best to endear itself to Dr. Tsukino, by saving her life before the biological-oriented group, The Progenitors, took care of her medical needs. Thus, by making Dr. Tsukino into a cyborg, Iteration X would increase its influence…
"We have to be careful, sir," says Medic #253-R. No member, save for senior members like the researchers, can have a name…only a designation. Thus, out of the medical corp, there are 999 medical technicians for every "letter". Every other specialty has a similar protocol (like Squad Leader #539-D, for instance).
"The she is at this point, I'm surprise that she is still alive."
The team looks at Dr. Tsukino, as she was being taken up to the armored hovercraft. Most of her hair had fallen out, her skin was blotchy, and her lower torso was gone, as were her arms. Her body was wrapped in a special gel solution that kept her from bleeding to death, while an oxygen mask kept her sedated.
"To think that Dr. Tsukino was foolish enough to use mysticism," the team leader says, while shaking his head. During their patrol of the area, they came across the encampment where Dr. Satome had died…and where Dr. Tsukino was injured.
With that, the retrieval team leaves the area behind, bound for New Delhi.
A bit away, a bloody, awful mess seemingly moves. It tries to scream out, but can't…
A bearded man, dressed like a wondering monk, steps forth out of the shadows.
"Imagine an opportunity like this…Dr. Saotome," says the man simply known as "Father". "Because of men like YOU, the age of magic has given way to the age of steel."
Father then squats in front of the mass of flesh.
"You are going to help me undo all that, and you will become my eight sin…INJUSTICE."
A week ago, in the "home" timeline…
With the official return of Lord and Lady Rantsu, life in the Land of Fire was almost returning to normal. Naruto in particular was happy, since he could be a part of a real family again. Unfortunately, not everyone in the Hidden Leaf Village was happy about this. Some felt that the Rantsu clan essentially abandoned their collective roles in Konoha affairs, although, to be fair, the original compact that established the Hidden Village system allowed for a great deal of autonomy. Others felt that their reappearance was an omen for some great change, especially in light of what happened recently. Still, there was one other possibility for the palatable air of distrust…
"Ranma, why are they looking at me?" Orochimaruko said, as she and her mate walked down the street. She was wearing "John Lennon" sunglasses, a formal kimono, and was carrying a parasol. Her hairstyle was in her usual "Odango" style.
"Unfortunately, the rumor mill is at work," Ranma said, as he walked along the main road. Shops of all kinds lined it. "Some believe that because of what happened to you, you could turn out as bad as the original Orochimaru."
"I see…"
Ranma, who was dressed in a suit and tie, stops in front of a flower shop.
"We're here," Ranma says. "You're ready?"
"I…I think so," Orochimaruko says, as she folds her parasol. "But…must we do this…now?"
"I don't know, Usako. Personally, I rather wait, but with so many things on our plate lately…"
"I see. Very well. I trust your judgment, husband."
"Sometimes, I wonder if such a thing is warranted."
Inside the flower shop that the Rantsu were entering, Sakura Haruno—a teammate of Naruto's—looks around the shop. She was nervous because her parents had invited someone important to her parents' place.
TING-TING!
The door chimes sound, as a distinguished couple enters the shop. Sakura sees this, and bows.
"Hello," Sakura says. "Welcome."
Ranma takes off his own "Ray-Bans". No one save for a few knew that "Ranko Tendo"—and "Ranko Uchiha" for that matter—was really Lord Ranshin Rantsu.
"Hello, and thank you. My wife and I would like to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Haruno."
"Of course. I will get them."
As Sakura leaves to retrieve her parents, she could have sworn that she has met Lord and Lady Rantsu before…
Meanwhile…
"Absolutely NOT," Elder Danzo says, as he pounded his hand on the conference table. "Just because you are now hokage, that does not mean that Orochimaru should remain here!"
Tsunade merely folds her arms.
"If I recall, you're the one who wanted re-establish contact with 'him'," Tsunade says with a smirk. She then threw a large file on the table.
"What's THIS?"
"A close friend of mine was kind enough to provide me some…documentation concerning your plans for this village."
Danzo squints his eyes.
"Lord Ranshin," Danzo seethed.
"I'm having this private meeting because I want us to have a fresh start. Sarutobi WANTED to redeem Orochimaru…albeit in a normal way. At least in this sense, the prodigal 'son' has returned to redeem Sarutobi's last wish."
"Fine, so now what?"
"Well, Ranma and Orochimaruko will be active in this village, but they'll still differ to my position and the position of the Village Elders. And, we might have yet another allied village in the form of the Otokure."
"Sound Ninjas?"
"Yes. However, regardless of what the future brings, your ability to have a free hand will be…limited."
Danzo groans, but at least a potential scandal has been adverted.
A short time later…
"To old times," says Hiashi Hyuga, the patriarch of the Hyuga clan.
"To old times," Ranma and Orochimaruko say in unison, as they clink their respective glasses.
CLINK!
The three former team-mates of "Team Uzumaki", trained by Master Jiraiya, sipped their sake.
"Though, to be honest, I am more used to seeing Arashi and Ranko," Hiashi chuckled. "I'm surprise to see you two again."
"We want to apologize for our…duplicity," Ranma says.
"We ALL have sins to deal with."
"So, you won't try to kill me, or something, for knowing the 'Gentle Fist', or for what happened to your…brother?"
"Considering the fact that the predecessor of the present Arashikage is DEAD, and the fact that HE was an agent of these COBRA terrorists, and the fact that it was YOU who helped to create the my family Art with my ancestor, I should be the one to apologize for my actions."
"So, how is little Hinata doing?" Orochimaruko asks, as she serves Hiashi more sake.
"Well, she's recovering nicely," Hiashi replies. "And I will have to reprise my opinion of my daughter's capabilities."
"That is good to know…old buddy."
"Ah, yes," Hiashi said with a blush. He remembers the days when he and Arashi would try to sneak into the secluded springs to peep on girls in their youth. He was a little embarrassed that "Arashi" was really a woman.
"I was very impressed with your nephew Neiji's performance in the last Chunin Exam."
"He was good, but I was impressed by Naruto's performance."
Hiashi was Naruto's godfather, and had made sure that no one harmed the boy.
"So, what brings you by?"
"What do you think of the idea of a marriage arrangement between my son Naruto and your daughter Hinata?"
"?"
Meanwhile…
"Hey, Kakashi," Anko says, as she enters the "Game Room", where the more senior shinobi lounged when on off-duty.
"Hey, Anko," Kakashi says, as he sipped his beer.
"Um, I heard some strange rumor that…Orochimaru is in town."
"Oh, boy," Kakashi says. "Um, yes-"
POOF!
Anko was gone.
"-And no."
Kakashi was about to get up, but realized that Lord Ranshin will be able to deal with the situation.
"Hey, Kakashi," Might Guy says, as he enters the lounge. "Anything new is going on?"
"Oh, the usual. You know, when a misunderstanding occurs, followed by some great battle."
"Oh?"
"This time, it involves 'Orochimaru'."
"Oh, I see. WHAT?"
"Relax, Guy. Lord Ranshin will handle the situation."
"I hope you're right, old friend."
A short time later…
CRASH!
Plates crashing and a shouting match between mother and daughter could be heard.
"Thank you for coming, Lord Ranshin," says Ino Yamanaka's father. "And don't worry, I'm sure that Ino will get used to the idea of having Naruto as her fiancé."
"I'm sure," Ranma says. He then bows. "Good day."
"That was…expected, Ranma," Orodhimaruko says, as she turned to her husband.
"Well, as long as there is an escape clause on the marriage contract, the girls and Naruto will decide for themselves upon their eighteenth birthday…if marriage is suitable for them-"
Ranma sensed something. He should have expected this.
"Um, dear-"
"I know, hon," Orochimaruko, as she quickly caught a dozen kunai within moments.
"OROCHIMARU!" Anko yelled, as she confronted Orochimaruko. "You have some nerve being here!"
"Miss Anko, in spite of my connection to your former teacher, I am NOT HIM."
Anko was torn between believing this…person, and performing a kamikaze attack on her…tormentor. She then turns towards Ranma.
"Ranma?"
"Orochimaru tried to take over Usagi's body…and failed. The side-effect is that she knows everything that Orochimaru knew…experience, memories and abilities."
Anko breathes deeply, and stares into Orochimaruko's eyes. In spite of their appearance, Orochimaru never had the warmth that this person possessed.
"Fine, but I'll keep my eye on you…whoever you are."
And with that, Anko walks away.
"Well, we better go over to see how Naruto is doing…"
Orochimaruko takes Ranma's hands.
"I would love that."
With that, the couple goes see their son, who wanted to treat them to a bowl of noodles at his favorite ramen shop.
Meanwhile…
"Wrench," Ranma Saotome says, as he accepted the wrench from Harry Potter, of "Hogwarts". As a favor, Ranma was tuning up an enchanted 1959 "Ford Angila" that belongs to Ron Weasley's father. Ranma was a trained mechanic—preferring classic vehicles to the modern stuff—and was a magus in his own right…just don't tell anyone that bit of news, since he prefers the way of the sword to just mere mysticism. Regardless, since "techno-wizardry" was similar to enchanting things, Ranma could affect the repairs.
Ever since the dark wizard Lord Voldermont turned up, many local magi were frightened into a state of denial. Usagi had already been put on leave from her duties at the magical academy when Voldermont began to make his move, so Harry decided to find her. After all, Harry knew from all the field trips he took in her class that Usagi was eccentric enough to avoid being sucked into the state of fear that Voldermont had created. So, Harry, Ron and Hermione Granger went to East London, knowing that Usagi's significant other was living there…
"Um, okay," says Harry, as he reached over to pick up the wrench, so he could hand it over to Ranma. "So…are you going to find Lady Usashinko?"
Ranma stopped what he was doing, and rolls from underneath the vehicle. He was wearing a pair of overalls. That day, he had asked Mickey to rent him space so that he could make the repairs. In exchange, Ranma will help Mickey out at the local shop before taking off in the TARDIS again.
"Harry, I told you, Usagi is…unavailable to help you guys," Ranma says, as he wiped the grease from his hands. He gets up, and goes to an old-fashion coca-cola bottle dispenser, that he took out from storage.
"Soda?" Ranma asked, as he was about to put in the coins for it.
"Um, sure," Harry says. "Lady Usashinko has an obligation to her students."
"I know, which is why I agreed to see you," Ranma says, a he tosses a bottle of coke to Harry. He then used his thumb to pop the cap. "But, as I said, Usagi is not available."
Harry grunted, as he tried to do the same.
"You need help, kid?"
"Um-urg-I think I got it…"
"You CAN use magic, you know."
"Oh, right," says Harry. Harry takes out his magic wand, and taps it on the bottle cap.
POP!
"There…simple, ain't it?"
"I suppose so. What about YOU? You were a teacher at Hogwarts."
"Yeah, but only for a short while, and I was the gym teacher while I helped you deal with your…curse."
"True, but you did help us in our Quidditch games last term."
Ranma thinks for a moment.
"You got a point there, kid."
"So, you're going to help us?"
"Not exactly."
Ranma snaps his fingers.
ZAP!
Lady Cassandra appears, who was apparently in the midst of getting a tan in from a tanning booth.
Harry had the good sense to look away.
"Do you mind?" Cassandra says with annoyance, as she covered herself with a towel nearby.
"Harry, meet Cassandra Saotome," Ranma says. "Cassandra, meet Harry Potter."
Cassandra looks over to Harry for a moment.
"And I'm here because…?"
"YOU, dear Cassandra, will help Harry in dealing with a problem he is having."
Harry was not exactly impressed.
"What can she do?"
"She'll be my eyes and ears. If something goes wrong, she'll 'know' what to do."
And, unfortunately, on cue…
"Dad," Rose says, as she, Mickey, Ron and Hermione enter the shop. "We're heading for the mall for lunch, do you want anything-"
Rose sees a half-naked Cassandra.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from my Dad?" Rose says, as she began to round on Cassandra.
"A little help, here?" Cassandra says, as she steps back, nearly tripping on some equipment.
"In the middle of the day, Old Soldier?" Mickey interjects.
"Hey, don't try to use ME to get in good with Rose!" Ranma says.
Ron and Hermione turn to stare at their friend.
"Um, Harry-" Hermione began to asks.
"Hey, don't look at me…I'm just trying to get help for us."
"From where?" Ron replies. "From a 'gentleman's club'?"
A few days later…
"Wake up…dear," Ranma says gently, as he speaks into the ear of his "new" bride.
Jackie groaned, as she rolls over to kiss her "new" husband.
"Must I?"
"You know I have to hit the road this morning," Ranma says, as he leans in close from behind.
After much debate—which included the threat of having a skillet up side his head—Ranma decided that it was time to be a real husband. He couldn't bring back his old "Pete Tyler" identity without evoking suspension from the public (and private) interest, so, without a care in the world, Ranma propose marriage to the "widow" Jackie Tyler, who was really Usagi Tsukino, his wife of many years. Thus, it was time to make it official. As far as everyone else was concerned, their relationship was built on true love, regardless of the fact that it was an interracial coupling AND a May-December romance. In quick succession, Ranma pulled some strings to get the marriage certificate made, a church hall lined up, and a reception prepared. Although the audience was made up of Jackie's neighbors in East London, there were a few important people present (some of which worked for the British government). He wanted to go on a real honeymoon, but Ranma knew that the Doctor was itching to hit the road again.
At least, the rituals of the honeymoon experience was taken care of…
"Who would have thought that an old bird like me could 'bag' a young stallion?" Jackie said to herself.
"Hon, first, you've gotten your body into shape…which is ALWAYS a turn on."
"Aw, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me."
"Um, so you're okay with 'Forerunner' being here with you?"
"Forerunner" was a humanoid, female alien that was originally sent to destroy Usagi (in the form of Jackie). However, as time went on, the girl was becoming more acquainted with Earth customs. In fact, she was going to spend the day shopping for new clothes with Jackie and Cassandra.
"Aw, I'm sure it will be alright. Just leave it to Jax."
Jackie then turns to face Ranma.
"Ranma, before you go, please…make love to me one more time."
Ranma smiles. As he kisses his wife, the man sometimes known as "The Wild Horse" get to work.
A few hours later…
"I can't believe how much noise you and Mum made last night…and this morning," Rose says, as she loaded up her gear.
"Rose, when you are in love, you SHOULD be passionate," Ranma replies.
"Then…no more other women?"
"Well…ask your Mom."
"Ask- hey! Don't tell me you and she are going to be 'swingers' or something?"
"Looks like the old soldier is at it again," Mickey says with a grin.
"At least I GOT game!" Ranma replied boastfully. "And I can JUST guess that if you were with Rose, it was probably a pity thing."
"Hey! Don't pick on Mickey!" Rose says, as she smacked Ranma on the shoulder.
"Hey, don't pick on me!"
Meanwhile, Minako was observing all this from a distance. Although Ranma invited her to travel with him on the TARDIS, the wedding kind of put the damper on things for her.
"Minako?"
Minako turns to see Jackie coming up to her.
"Oh, congratulations again, I guess," Minako says.
"Thank you."
Silence.
"You really need to go with Ranma."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Look, I may be the jealous type, but I know the reality that other women will be seeking…things from him. And if that's the case, then I rather it be those that I trust."
Minako nods her, as she sees the true visage of her Moon Princess.
She was smiling and nodding her approval.
"Okay," Minako says.
The two women hug.
"There…feeling better luv?"
"I am. And thanks."
A short time later…
"So, are we all set?" the Doctor says, as he circles the control panel of the TARDIS.
"We're all set, Doc," Ranma says. He then turns to Minako.
"You okay?"
Minako nods with approval…with a smile.
Ranma smiles back.
"We're ready," Mickey replies.
"As am I, Doctor," Rose says.
"Good…we're off!" the Doctor says, as he activates the TARDIS main systems. "Destination: Unknown!"
And with that, the familiar blue British police box disappears.
Around the corner, a pale man dressed in black leather appears. He was pale, and wore his hair like a mane that fell down his back. On his pale hand was an alchemical symbol.
"And so it begins," Injustice says, as he takes off his sunglasses.
The man had Ranma's face.
Tbc.