***
Chapter 2
Convenience
***
Note: I'll be honest, I will NOT have much time to work on this. Please do not fret if you do not see new chapters soon.
Note 2: (Parenthesis denote spoken chinese.)
"Wow! That's amazing!" Blossom said. "You can change shape?"
The pig only grunted in answer as he pulled himself out of the mess of clothes on the floor.
"Hey, think of what kind of moves we could do if we could change shape on a whim!" Buttercup said.
The pig rolled his eyes, though the girls did not notice.
"Can you turn into anything else?" Bubbles asked.
The pig shook its head 'no'.
"Aw, what a gyp!" Buttercup said. "Well, I guess it might be cool for spying on people."
The pig grinned.
"That doesn't mean you spy on us, comprendes?" Bubbles added, using the patented Powerpuff look of death. The pig gulped.
"So, how do you change back?" Blossom asked.
The pig dragged his clothes towards the bathtub and hopped in. From the outside of the shower curtain, the girls could hear the fawcet turning. The shadow of Hiro grew, and the fawcet turned again. A hand reached out of the shower curtain and grabbed the clothes. A few seconds later, Hiro jumped out.
"Cold water to change, hot water to change back. Simple enough," Hiro said.
***
*So, what happened to everybody else?* the Professor asked.
*Well, there's Shampoo. She's running the restaurant on her own now. She actually started helping out at the Tendo dojo. She met this guy, and she started playfully sparring with him. Then in a freak accident, she did an upper block at the exact wrong time and led the guy's foot right to her face. Suddenly, this ordinary guy in karate class found himself the new object of Shampoo's affection. It seemed he liked the attention a little more than you did. They were married a few years after you left. Mousse was pretty upset, as you can guess. He went back to China. I haven't heard from or about him in years. Cologne actually died about ten years ago, of old age. She lived a good life.*
*Heh. Cologne always was quite a character. I'm only sorry I never got to say goodbye to her properly. How about Ukyo?*
*She and Konatsu now run a chain of restaurants. Ukyo is in it for the business much more than Shampoo is. There's as many Ucchans in Japan as McDonalds now. As for Tsubasa, he ran off with some chick named Haruka and nobody ever saw him again.*
*Hmm. Finally found a girl who wanted him, eh?* They all laughed.
Then the Professor stood up. *Well, It's good to see you guys. It's funny Ryoga. After all our years of fighting, I feel like you and that old lady are the only ones who ever really looked out for me. I can't say how much I appreciate you coming here. Wasn't it expensive?*
*Nabiki was involved. 'Nuff said.*
*Heh. Memories. Well, since you're here, I might as well show you the lab. Would you like that?*
*Sure, if you don't geek me to death.*
***
"This is the simulator! This is where we train for fighting bad guys," Buttercup happily announced as the four children entered the underground room.
"Simulator?"
"Yeah, here. We'll show you," Blossom said. "Buttercup, go in there and show him what you do."
"Right on," she said, with a goofy, half-sarcastic salute as she entered the training room. Blossom fiddled with a few knobs. Bubbles snuck up to one of the controls and turned a little knob. Blossom looked back towards her, only finding Bubbles with an innocent look on her face.
The simulation began.
Hiro watched through the window as the sterile white room changed into a desert scene. Cactus, brush, and tumbleweeds lined the ground. Blossom scratched her head.
"Um...........that wasn't the one I used!"
Buttercup looked a bit confused herself. Nothing appeared to be happening. Just blank scenery. "Hey, Blossom! What gives?"
"I don't know. Let me figure it out!"
Buttercup just stood there, waiting for whatever was about to happen...............to happen. Suddenly, something zipped by her.
"Fast as fast can be! You'll never catch me!" A voice yelled as it ran by as it slapped Buttercup in the back of the head.
"What the heck?"
Buttercup whirled around to see what appeared to be a VERY large rabbit................only it had antlers.
"What's THIS?"
"JACKALOPE!" Bubbles yelled, laughing at her prank. Blossom rolled her eyes. Hiro seemed a bit confused.
"What is a Jackalope?"
"Some fairytale creature. They don't exist."
"How did you get a desert in that room?" Hiro looked through the window where Buttercup was firmly engaged in a fight with the Jackalope.
"It's like a video game, only more real. It's not a real desert. Just an illusion."
"Wow! Your dad is cool! All mine ever gave me was a nintendo. And it took him five months to bring it home because he couldn't find the house."
"Your dad took five months find his own house?" Blossom gave Hiro a look that said 'You've got to be kidding me.'
"He literally cannot find his way out of a paper bag. My dad came from a family that had a genetic disorder of the brain, which results in a very VERY bad sense of direction. Luckily, the gene is recessive, and my mom doesn't have it."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Trust me, you will.........."
***
*And if you'll look through this microscope into the petre dish, you can watch the effect of this Jusendo water programmed with the DNA of an amoeba on some ordinary bacteria.*
Bring! Bring!
*Just a moment,* Ryoga said as he took a cell phone out of his pocket. Akari gave him a pondering look.
*Yes? Really! Hey, good to hear from you. Yes. What? Are you serious? Actually, he's right here. You want to talk to him? Sure, hold on.*
Ryoga handed the phone to the Professor. *It's for you.*
The Professor eyed Ryoga curiously before taking the phone. *Hello?*
*Hello. Is Mr. Saotome?*
*Yes. Who is this?*
*This Plum. You remember me?*
*Plum? From Jusenkyo?*
*Yes. I sorry to disturb you, honored guest, but I must ask favor. I am caretaker of Jusenkyo, but have many problems. Many report sightings of monsters in area.*
*Monsters you say?*
*Yes. But I saw shadow of monster. Not think it is monster. There legend that many centuries ago, Jusenkyo created by strange creatures. They not able to go home and use spring to change human. Recently, many sighting of UFO in area. I think they aliens. Want spring for something.*
The Professor pondered this. Aliens were nothing unusual in Townsville for some reason. But in Jusenkyo? Now, this was something different.
*Do the Mt. Pheonix people know anything?*
*Have not asked. They keep to selves.*
*So, do you know anything about the aliens?*
*Not sure. Many secrets of Jusenkyo. You and Saffron destroy fawcett, but source of spring! Not sure what causes water to change things.*
*Actually, I figured it out sometime ago. I know how Jusenkyo works. It's done by a virus, but it's such a crazy strain that I think it may have been created by something. A type of biotechnology.*
*I not know what you say, but I need help. Monsters not attack, but local tribes restless. Not want people attack monsters and start fight. If aliens, may be dangerous. Local tribes not have good weapons. Need someone find and watch monsters. Keep people away.*
*I understand. Actually, I might be able to help in some other way. I know someone who might actually be able to talk to the monsters, or aliens. I'll probably be there in a week.*
*Thank you, honored guest.*
The Professor heard a click as the phone hung up. He looked at Ryoga.
*Looks like I'm going to China for a temporary change of jobs.*
*Monsters, eh?*
*Yep. Could be people imagining Bigfoot for all I know, but I might as well go. I haven't seen the place in awhile, and if there are monsters, I can log the new species. You'd be surprised how many monster visits we get over here.*
*So, Mister 'haven't fought in years'. If there ARE monsters, what exactly do you plan on doing to them? Boring them to death with a biology lecture?* Ryoga teased.
*Hey now, don't be mean. According to Plum, I'm not necessarily going to fight. Besides, I'm gonna take the kids with me. They might like the trip.*
*Say WHAT? Are you CRAZY? You would take your kids THERE? Are we forgetting what happened to you when your father took you there?*
*I'm not my dad, and this is NOT a training trip. Think of it like a vacation. I'll just make sure they stay away from the springs themselves. And either way, it's not like they can fall.*
Ryoga slapped his forehead.
*I know this is a bad idea.*
***
"Whoa, really?" all three girls said in unison.
"That's right. We're going to China in one week."
"Cool, China. So many great fighters come from there!" Buttercup said.
"They have cute pandas!" Bubbles added.
"What about school?" Blossom asked, a bit unsure.
"Already taken care of," the Professor replied. "I've talked with Ms. Keene, and everything's okay with her. I just have to bring your assignments for the week with us."
All three girls groaned. So much for vacation.
"Now don't be that way. You can do your homework on the plane. It'll be a long trip anyway."
"Plane? Why would we take a plane?"
***
*I hate planes, I hate planes, I hate planes...................*
Ryoga panicked as the plane took off. As the plane lifted into the air, he screamed and jumped right out of his seat, breaking the seatbelt. He held onto the ceiling like a frightened cat. The Professor rolled his eyes while his children just stared.
Hiro and Akari sat across the aisle. Ryoga at first had almost screamed when Akari suggested that they both come along. Then again, Jusenkyo couldn't do any more to them, right? Hiro had been born with the virus and Akari had gotten it when Hiro had been...............um..........conceived.
Well, nobody had told the Professor that Akari was able to turn into a pig yet, but we don't need to tell him yet, right?
***
*Geez, Ryoga. You're such a wuss,* the Professor said.
Ryoga went from scared to a bit irritated.
*Look who's talking, man who's afraid of a little CAT?*
The Professor had a confused look on his face. But it soon turned into a knowing and smug grin.
*Now why would I be afraid of cats?*
*Oh, come on, you know! The whole cat fist thing?*
*Oh, that.* The Professor was using a sarcastic voice that his kids had hardly heard before. And Bubbles was the only one who understood the language he was using.
"What are they talking about, Bubbles?"
"Something about cats......."
*I suppose you should know,* the Professor began, *that in college, while staying in the dorm, I heard a loud crying from a bush below. After several hours of the screaming, and the seeming ignorance from the other students, I went down to investigate. It was a kitten. Naturally, at the time, I screamed and ran off. But there were some things going through my head. The kitten was obviously helpless, and there wasn't much I could do about it unless I actually got the courage to pick it up. So, I walked slowly over there, sneaking up on it, all these mental images of being attacked by cats..........and then, it hit me. This tiny kitten with big eyes just staring at me, saying "I'm lost!". It just looked so innocent. It's eyes were pleading to me, as it was helpless and alone. All those times I'd been freaked out about cats, and this thing couldn't hurt me if it wanted to. I just fell over laughing. Anyway, I took the kitten in and kept it in my dorm............until the school found out and made me give the cat away.*
Ryoga just stared.
*You mean all that cat phobia and all you do to get rid of it is LOOK at the cat?*
*I dunno what happened. Something just kind of snapped inside of me. I think it was pretty much the realization that the cat needed me, and I just HAD to face it. Then the whole idea that I was afraid of some little animal no bigger than my hand that was pleading for help..........it just struck me as funny. Then no more fear.*
As this conversation went on, a few kids wore strange looks on their faces.
"Bubbles? Do we WANT to know?"
"Um..............no."
***
To be continued.............
Expect the next chapter whenever I get the time for it................that may be awhile, folks.
Chapter 2
Convenience
***
Note: I'll be honest, I will NOT have much time to work on this. Please do not fret if you do not see new chapters soon.
Note 2: (Parenthesis denote spoken chinese.)
"Wow! That's amazing!" Blossom said. "You can change shape?"
The pig only grunted in answer as he pulled himself out of the mess of clothes on the floor.
"Hey, think of what kind of moves we could do if we could change shape on a whim!" Buttercup said.
The pig rolled his eyes, though the girls did not notice.
"Can you turn into anything else?" Bubbles asked.
The pig shook its head 'no'.
"Aw, what a gyp!" Buttercup said. "Well, I guess it might be cool for spying on people."
The pig grinned.
"That doesn't mean you spy on us, comprendes?" Bubbles added, using the patented Powerpuff look of death. The pig gulped.
"So, how do you change back?" Blossom asked.
The pig dragged his clothes towards the bathtub and hopped in. From the outside of the shower curtain, the girls could hear the fawcet turning. The shadow of Hiro grew, and the fawcet turned again. A hand reached out of the shower curtain and grabbed the clothes. A few seconds later, Hiro jumped out.
"Cold water to change, hot water to change back. Simple enough," Hiro said.
***
*So, what happened to everybody else?* the Professor asked.
*Well, there's Shampoo. She's running the restaurant on her own now. She actually started helping out at the Tendo dojo. She met this guy, and she started playfully sparring with him. Then in a freak accident, she did an upper block at the exact wrong time and led the guy's foot right to her face. Suddenly, this ordinary guy in karate class found himself the new object of Shampoo's affection. It seemed he liked the attention a little more than you did. They were married a few years after you left. Mousse was pretty upset, as you can guess. He went back to China. I haven't heard from or about him in years. Cologne actually died about ten years ago, of old age. She lived a good life.*
*Heh. Cologne always was quite a character. I'm only sorry I never got to say goodbye to her properly. How about Ukyo?*
*She and Konatsu now run a chain of restaurants. Ukyo is in it for the business much more than Shampoo is. There's as many Ucchans in Japan as McDonalds now. As for Tsubasa, he ran off with some chick named Haruka and nobody ever saw him again.*
*Hmm. Finally found a girl who wanted him, eh?* They all laughed.
Then the Professor stood up. *Well, It's good to see you guys. It's funny Ryoga. After all our years of fighting, I feel like you and that old lady are the only ones who ever really looked out for me. I can't say how much I appreciate you coming here. Wasn't it expensive?*
*Nabiki was involved. 'Nuff said.*
*Heh. Memories. Well, since you're here, I might as well show you the lab. Would you like that?*
*Sure, if you don't geek me to death.*
***
"This is the simulator! This is where we train for fighting bad guys," Buttercup happily announced as the four children entered the underground room.
"Simulator?"
"Yeah, here. We'll show you," Blossom said. "Buttercup, go in there and show him what you do."
"Right on," she said, with a goofy, half-sarcastic salute as she entered the training room. Blossom fiddled with a few knobs. Bubbles snuck up to one of the controls and turned a little knob. Blossom looked back towards her, only finding Bubbles with an innocent look on her face.
The simulation began.
Hiro watched through the window as the sterile white room changed into a desert scene. Cactus, brush, and tumbleweeds lined the ground. Blossom scratched her head.
"Um...........that wasn't the one I used!"
Buttercup looked a bit confused herself. Nothing appeared to be happening. Just blank scenery. "Hey, Blossom! What gives?"
"I don't know. Let me figure it out!"
Buttercup just stood there, waiting for whatever was about to happen...............to happen. Suddenly, something zipped by her.
"Fast as fast can be! You'll never catch me!" A voice yelled as it ran by as it slapped Buttercup in the back of the head.
"What the heck?"
Buttercup whirled around to see what appeared to be a VERY large rabbit................only it had antlers.
"What's THIS?"
"JACKALOPE!" Bubbles yelled, laughing at her prank. Blossom rolled her eyes. Hiro seemed a bit confused.
"What is a Jackalope?"
"Some fairytale creature. They don't exist."
"How did you get a desert in that room?" Hiro looked through the window where Buttercup was firmly engaged in a fight with the Jackalope.
"It's like a video game, only more real. It's not a real desert. Just an illusion."
"Wow! Your dad is cool! All mine ever gave me was a nintendo. And it took him five months to bring it home because he couldn't find the house."
"Your dad took five months find his own house?" Blossom gave Hiro a look that said 'You've got to be kidding me.'
"He literally cannot find his way out of a paper bag. My dad came from a family that had a genetic disorder of the brain, which results in a very VERY bad sense of direction. Luckily, the gene is recessive, and my mom doesn't have it."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Trust me, you will.........."
***
*And if you'll look through this microscope into the petre dish, you can watch the effect of this Jusendo water programmed with the DNA of an amoeba on some ordinary bacteria.*
Bring! Bring!
*Just a moment,* Ryoga said as he took a cell phone out of his pocket. Akari gave him a pondering look.
*Yes? Really! Hey, good to hear from you. Yes. What? Are you serious? Actually, he's right here. You want to talk to him? Sure, hold on.*
Ryoga handed the phone to the Professor. *It's for you.*
The Professor eyed Ryoga curiously before taking the phone. *Hello?*
*Hello. Is Mr. Saotome?*
*Yes. Who is this?*
*This Plum. You remember me?*
*Plum? From Jusenkyo?*
*Yes. I sorry to disturb you, honored guest, but I must ask favor. I am caretaker of Jusenkyo, but have many problems. Many report sightings of monsters in area.*
*Monsters you say?*
*Yes. But I saw shadow of monster. Not think it is monster. There legend that many centuries ago, Jusenkyo created by strange creatures. They not able to go home and use spring to change human. Recently, many sighting of UFO in area. I think they aliens. Want spring for something.*
The Professor pondered this. Aliens were nothing unusual in Townsville for some reason. But in Jusenkyo? Now, this was something different.
*Do the Mt. Pheonix people know anything?*
*Have not asked. They keep to selves.*
*So, do you know anything about the aliens?*
*Not sure. Many secrets of Jusenkyo. You and Saffron destroy fawcett, but source of spring! Not sure what causes water to change things.*
*Actually, I figured it out sometime ago. I know how Jusenkyo works. It's done by a virus, but it's such a crazy strain that I think it may have been created by something. A type of biotechnology.*
*I not know what you say, but I need help. Monsters not attack, but local tribes restless. Not want people attack monsters and start fight. If aliens, may be dangerous. Local tribes not have good weapons. Need someone find and watch monsters. Keep people away.*
*I understand. Actually, I might be able to help in some other way. I know someone who might actually be able to talk to the monsters, or aliens. I'll probably be there in a week.*
*Thank you, honored guest.*
The Professor heard a click as the phone hung up. He looked at Ryoga.
*Looks like I'm going to China for a temporary change of jobs.*
*Monsters, eh?*
*Yep. Could be people imagining Bigfoot for all I know, but I might as well go. I haven't seen the place in awhile, and if there are monsters, I can log the new species. You'd be surprised how many monster visits we get over here.*
*So, Mister 'haven't fought in years'. If there ARE monsters, what exactly do you plan on doing to them? Boring them to death with a biology lecture?* Ryoga teased.
*Hey now, don't be mean. According to Plum, I'm not necessarily going to fight. Besides, I'm gonna take the kids with me. They might like the trip.*
*Say WHAT? Are you CRAZY? You would take your kids THERE? Are we forgetting what happened to you when your father took you there?*
*I'm not my dad, and this is NOT a training trip. Think of it like a vacation. I'll just make sure they stay away from the springs themselves. And either way, it's not like they can fall.*
Ryoga slapped his forehead.
*I know this is a bad idea.*
***
"Whoa, really?" all three girls said in unison.
"That's right. We're going to China in one week."
"Cool, China. So many great fighters come from there!" Buttercup said.
"They have cute pandas!" Bubbles added.
"What about school?" Blossom asked, a bit unsure.
"Already taken care of," the Professor replied. "I've talked with Ms. Keene, and everything's okay with her. I just have to bring your assignments for the week with us."
All three girls groaned. So much for vacation.
"Now don't be that way. You can do your homework on the plane. It'll be a long trip anyway."
"Plane? Why would we take a plane?"
***
*I hate planes, I hate planes, I hate planes...................*
Ryoga panicked as the plane took off. As the plane lifted into the air, he screamed and jumped right out of his seat, breaking the seatbelt. He held onto the ceiling like a frightened cat. The Professor rolled his eyes while his children just stared.
Hiro and Akari sat across the aisle. Ryoga at first had almost screamed when Akari suggested that they both come along. Then again, Jusenkyo couldn't do any more to them, right? Hiro had been born with the virus and Akari had gotten it when Hiro had been...............um..........conceived.
Well, nobody had told the Professor that Akari was able to turn into a pig yet, but we don't need to tell him yet, right?
***
*Geez, Ryoga. You're such a wuss,* the Professor said.
Ryoga went from scared to a bit irritated.
*Look who's talking, man who's afraid of a little CAT?*
The Professor had a confused look on his face. But it soon turned into a knowing and smug grin.
*Now why would I be afraid of cats?*
*Oh, come on, you know! The whole cat fist thing?*
*Oh, that.* The Professor was using a sarcastic voice that his kids had hardly heard before. And Bubbles was the only one who understood the language he was using.
"What are they talking about, Bubbles?"
"Something about cats......."
*I suppose you should know,* the Professor began, *that in college, while staying in the dorm, I heard a loud crying from a bush below. After several hours of the screaming, and the seeming ignorance from the other students, I went down to investigate. It was a kitten. Naturally, at the time, I screamed and ran off. But there were some things going through my head. The kitten was obviously helpless, and there wasn't much I could do about it unless I actually got the courage to pick it up. So, I walked slowly over there, sneaking up on it, all these mental images of being attacked by cats..........and then, it hit me. This tiny kitten with big eyes just staring at me, saying "I'm lost!". It just looked so innocent. It's eyes were pleading to me, as it was helpless and alone. All those times I'd been freaked out about cats, and this thing couldn't hurt me if it wanted to. I just fell over laughing. Anyway, I took the kitten in and kept it in my dorm............until the school found out and made me give the cat away.*
Ryoga just stared.
*You mean all that cat phobia and all you do to get rid of it is LOOK at the cat?*
*I dunno what happened. Something just kind of snapped inside of me. I think it was pretty much the realization that the cat needed me, and I just HAD to face it. Then the whole idea that I was afraid of some little animal no bigger than my hand that was pleading for help..........it just struck me as funny. Then no more fear.*
As this conversation went on, a few kids wore strange looks on their faces.
"Bubbles? Do we WANT to know?"
"Um..............no."
***
To be continued.............
Expect the next chapter whenever I get the time for it................that may be awhile, folks.