I own nothing. So if you think you can sue me, you will loose MUCH and I mean MUCH more then you think you could ever gain. Therefore I don't make any claims to owning any of the characters or other things. Though if you have no life and wanna try and sue me, I will laugh at you because I have nothing as I stated before.
Anyway, this chapter will seem a bit odder then what you have already seen of the prologue, but for good reason. I have a plot all set up and all that fun stuff. So just bear with it if you don't like Ranma trying the Light Side of the Force (which is over done, I know, but I like to give my characters more human traits then what they are already given, for no one is pure evil or pure good). Enjoy!
Chapter 1 Plans for the New
I awaken slowly. The drugs that were needed wore off a while ago but I still feel as though I need more sleep. There is silence in the ship and that means one of two things. Either I'm stranded someplace because of engine failure, or I am back home. Heh…home. That is a term I don't use. I shake my head slowly as sit up. I inhale deeply, the recycled air smells and feels stale. To be expected with a ship, but it could be the effects from my sleep.
I feel unusually drowsy and I call the Force to me to help wake me up.
I shiver at the new feeling. The Force seems to be…talking to me. As though over my sleep I have become more one with it then before.
I curl my legs up to sit lotus position to have more of this feeling, this divine and honored feeling. Honored because it is the Force speaking to me.
Ooshna…Forela…Norista…Marka…Ragnos.
What? All I know of that was the last two. Marka Ragnos. He was the Great Dark Lord of the Sith that ruled the now long gone Brotherhood of Exar Kun. He was the best. But why would the Force tell me this? He has long since been dead…
Eepaeoolay…Sith…This doesn't make sense! Why is it speaking to me in gibberish! How could it be so…
My eyes widen in realization. It is testing me! The Force has chosen me! The Dark Side has chosen me! But that cannot be! I am just a humble servant to it! My eyes dart frantically around as if I want to tell another. I then shake my head and take deep breaths. Calm. I must remain calm. Though I feel humbled by such an honor and privilege, I must listen for more. I must also find out how to translate what was told to me.
I stretch my senses out again, eager to hear more from the Dark Side of the Force, but to no avail. There is silence.
I want to lash out now. It left me! But I remain calm.
I close my eyes close and I begin to meditate. If I have been chosen…then I will do my best to honor it and the Great Dark Lord.
"Are you sure this is the correct time period I am from?" I ask the computer.
Affirmative. It read.
Getting back to my right time doesn't matter that much to me, but it would be nice for revenge. Right now I am about to leave my ship.
"Computer…allow my droids and only my droids to exit and enter this ship. Is that understood?"
A beep tells me that it is and I walk out to find something of use to me.
After several hours of walking, I come upon a very tall mountain. Now normally this would not attract my attention. But this one is shaped a bit differently then the rest. It juts straight up into the sky, with a few wisps of clouds floating around it. I use the Force and stretch my senses out. I feel a very strange presence at the top. One that feels like a dark heavy cloud…but light at the same time.
I try to stretch my senses further, but something in this mountain is blocking me. Blocking the Force, almost as if it is capable of denying all life. I smirk as I let my feelings come back to me and I begin to head closer to the mountain. I could use it for clone making! But inside I must be careful if it is inhabited. I would not have the Force to aid me should I need it.
After over several hours more of walking I arrive to a tree and a pond. I sigh and walk to the tree and sit down against it to rest. Normally I would not need to do such a thing, but I am still tired from the long sleep.
My eyes slowly flutter closed before I hear a few bubbles from the pond. My eyes snap open and I am to my feet in an instant, my right hand taking my lightsaber from my belt and ready to use. The cause of the bubbles comes out now and I tense, letting the Force flow through me.
I blink a few times at seeing a woman, a rather beautiful one come up from it. Her dark colored hair shines in the moonlight. Her face is perfect and her large eyes land on me. She looks shocked and gasps in surprise then scowls at me.
"How dare you try to sneak up on me!" she growled.
I snort at her. "I have no reason to sneak up on you. If I wanted to you'd be dead."
She glared at me then seemed to relax. I simply watch, she is of no threat to me. Even f she could fight, the Force is very weak with her.
She mutters something and I let the Force stop flowing in me as strongly as before. Then her dialect changes before I know it.
Odd…I never used the Force to translate anything before… I think before letting it flow again.
"…why are you here?" she asked in translation now.
"I am looking for civilization. I am hoping to start a business and sell some ideas that I have."
"What are you doing out here then?" she asked suspiciously.
"I came out here to think. I have been out here for a few years now, training my mind and body, while working on my projects."
She seemed to consider me, and I notice for the first time she is holding a weapon.
Odd…I should have seen her take it out…unless she bathes with one…I feel a weak amount of the Force ripple and see her weapon vanish.
Amazing…that could be of use to me in the future…but how does she do it?"My name is Xhan Pu. What is yours?"
"Ranma Saotome."
She nodded to me and climbed from the pond, not caring that I can see her naked body.
This is a great sight, watching her wet body glimmer in the moonlight, the nearly perfect curves and almost…yummy looking body. She dresses, slowly, as if she wants to tease me.
Calm…calm… I chant over and over in my head.
"Come. I will take you to my village. From there we can tell you how to get back."
"Thank you. I appreciate your kindness and hospitality." I bow my head slightly to her. And if you are too friendly…I will make sure you regret it.
Not much shocks me, but this village does slightly. All women and woman superiority is nothing new to me. I slaughtered the Witches of the Force back home, single handedly. But they all fight rather well. It would be a mistake to lower my guard any further.
At the current moment, I am laying in a bed that they offered me. Something doesn't feel right. Like they want me to stay and won't tell me how to reach civilization. I know for a fact that the world is more advanced. What my young memory tells me, it is to be more advanced, with cars and buildings made of steel and glass.
The sunlight of the dawning star of this system gently pours onto me. I turn my head and look over to it. I see the mountains and the clouds mingle with the sunlight. My feelings…shift. I feel like I could stay here this moment. Stay here and not let this end.
I shake my head quickly. Such stupid thoughts! I will not be a Jedi! I will not be weak! I will not let another rule my life! And I won't die for another!
I stretch lazily. I enjoy being lazy when I can afford it. I look up, see a glint and instincts scream for me to move. I do so and see knives embedded into the mattress where I was moments before.
How could I have not foreseen that? I think angrily as I see a young man with long black hair and thick glasses on the ceiling and drop down.
"How dare you foreigner! How dare you steal my beloved Xhan Pu from me?"
"What?" I shout angrily. "Why would I want to steal anything of yours? Let alone any woman from this village? I have better things to do then waste my time on them!"
"How dare you speak so ill of my Xhan Pu! Die!"
I stare with wide eyes as many chains and daggers fly at me with a wave of his arms.
I jump back to avoid the weapons and I bound out the door. I knew I should not have trusted these people! I am getting soft! Well, I will change this!
I take off one side of my lightsaber. I will toy with this fool. I raise the handle before him like a sword, only to have him laugh at me.
"That's it? Your only weapon is that miserable thing? How can a toy defeat me?" He laughs. This event seems to have gotten the entire village on alert. Their weapons are ready and stare at us both. Some sighing in exasperation. Other look on curiously. I notice short old women, the elders, watching intently.
"You will be surprised of what I can do with this toy." I smirk at him.
He only laughs at me and I flip the saber on. The long red blade comes to life in a low hum and he silences.
"What sorcery is this?"
"Magic? No. One of the things I made? Yes. Now fool. For challenging me and trying to kill me. You die." I spin my blade easily then have it facing up in a salute then spin again pointing the blade away from me and towards the ground. "I warn you though…I am not to be taken lightly."
"I will judge that for myself! Die!" he shouts and throws his weapons at me again.
I smirk at his antics. He is so young, so young and stupid. Like I once was.
I spin my blade and cut his meager weapons down to size. He looks on in shock and I hear gasps from the rest of the village. I laugh at him and he gets angrier. I laugh harder as he runs at me and swings.
"The blow of the Swan-Fist!" he shouts.
I see it in slow motion and laugh as it is a strange looking bird with handles. I merely raise my bade and cut it in two. His "weapon" misses me easily. I spin as I lift my right leg and kick him in the face. My sides are starting to hurt from this so-called fight.
"What? How?" he asks in shock.
"Oh please. If that is the best of your tricks, you'd best get on your knees now so I can cut your head off."
"I will never do such a thing!"
"Then you die the hard way. You challenged me to the death and now you will get what you wanted."
He glares at me and flings more of his weapons at me. I decide to let him have his fun and let them wrap around me.
"See, you aren't that great!" he shouts triumphantly.
"Says you." I smile evilly and pull him towards him with my free hand. He looks shocked at my strength and I cut my way free, the blade expertly taking the chains and other nuisances off me, not even grazing my fabric and then as he passes me I cut down hard. It's over kill, but it was fun to kill once again.
He lands with a loud thud and I laugh coldly at what happened. That was so funny to watch his face in sheer terror and shock before I killed him.
One of the elders comes over, hopping on a staff and touches this fool.
"He's dead!" she cries as she tried to lifted him to his feet, but only his upper body goes with her.
The silence around me makes me laugh harder. Many of these "Warriors" flinched at the sight of his remains.
"Now then." I finally manage after I can calm down enough, my face in a twisted smile. "I would like to go to nearest city. I have some plans I would like to sell."
She nods at me numbly as I turn off my saber and place it back on my belt.
Well so far this trip hasn't been dull. I wonder who else will challenge me?Four weeks have passed since I was in China. I am now in Japan and currently talking to a committee of one of the world leaders for technology. It is very boring to say the least. These old men don't shut up. They drone on and on, on how to make this speeder plan I gave them. And they drone on how and who to sell it to.
I am getting nowhere with this…I will take matters into my own hands now.
I let the Force flow through me and them.
"Or you could sell it to everybody and make a larger profit. And to have the plans copyrighted and owned by only us, we could make a monopoly. We would be able to buy other companies and soon own more then just this motorbike company of Suzuki. After that there is no limit for I have more then just speeder designs. I have spacecrafts and even cloning designs. Give me control of how to make and sell and I will have this company become the world leader. You will all become very rich too from this."
I see them turn to one another and talk excitedly. Just like the Senate, they are easily corrupted and greedy.
"We agree. Control of the desired fields will be given to you immediately. Your job starts right now."
"Very well." I smile.
All too easy.
Several months have passed since I was given control. As I predicted, everyone has bought speeders and not only have they bought them, but they think very highly of me. This room that views the city far below and even the ocean and eastern horizon is proof. My office is nice and large, very well furnished with very expensive items. Hell, I can live here. My room is connected and I even have a kitchen up here as well as a very large bathroom.
I looked into the backgrounds of this planet's society. Charities are very well known and are seen as highly cared for. If I were to pay charities, I would be even more loved. So, last month, I started my own charities. I pay them loads of money, and everyone loves me for it. But if they knew I made them up and I only paid myself, they would be furious. Why no one will find out. I made sure of it.
"Mr. Saotome." My secretary calls over the intercom.
"Yes?" I call out; the speakers in the room pick up my voice when she has the button held, and I know she can't listen in if she holds it, for I'd hear her as well.
"You have someone visiting you. Claiming she is your mother."
Mother? Huh? How can that be? How could she know that I am here if she is my mother? I think.
I stand up away from my desk and walk to the center of the room.
"Send her in."
If it is a lie, I will kill her. I think angrily.
Despite how I have acted in the past, and how evil I can be, I have always had a part of the weak light side in me. My mother. Though I don't remember her face or anything else, I would know by the feeling. I still hold her warm loving feeling close to my heart.
The doors open and before I know it I am swallowed in a tight hug.
"What the?" I ask, looking at the somewhat shorter woman.
"Oh Ranma! My son! You're alive! You are alive!" the woman cries as she holds me tighter and I feel it getting harder to breath.
"Air…please…" I manage to force out.
Her weeps are louder then my please and I use the Force to aid my breathing.
After about an hour of her hugging me to death she finally lets go, but only enough to look at me. She is beautiful. Her eyes show the love I use to know. I let the Force flow in her and I feel the love, her feeling is exactly like how I remember it.
"Mom…?" I ask weakly.
"Yes son…" she holds me in a hug again. "I thought you were dead."
"Huh? Who told you that?"
"Your father."
I start to become angry. My father was the one who took me away from my mother. He was the one who nearly killed me more then once for the name of the art.
"And where is he?"
"At a friends house. He made a promise before you were born."
"What promise?"
She shrugged into the hug.
"I am not too sure my self…" she held me tighter. "Oh son…how I have missed you."
I stare at her neck, her smooth and soft skin. I wrap my arms around her and hug her close to me.
Years of pain, years of suffering, years of torment…all could have been avoided if I stayed with my mother…I could have been happy. An old saying comes to mind.
Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
"What?" she asked me.
"Huh?" I blink.
"What did you say dear? Why are you feeling that way?"
I said that aloud? I must be a wreck…
"Don't worry about it mom…"
"No! I will! You are my son! And I love you dearly! I won't let anything hurt you!"
I hold her tighter to me. This can't be real. No one is this loving…no one cares for another this much…this is a dream, a terrible and cruel dream.
"Oh Ranma…dear…I won't let you go. I promise." She kissed my forehead and I could not take it anymore. I began to cry. The entire time I felt her rock me. Felt her hold me close and protectively.
I feel the Force start to leave me. But I don't care. I am with my mother. I am finally with my mother.
I walk with my mother down the streets of Nerima. When I awoke this morning, I felt like I was being played for a fool. But when I saw my mother at my side, and that she was real, I broke down again. A mighty Sith…possibly the next Great Dark Lord of the Sith…breaking down like a little baby and crying. After a great meal she cooked me, which she insisted, she took my hand and lead me out of the building and down the streets as we talked. I told her about all that happened in China. She seemed sympathetic and promised me she will never let me go or let anything bad happen to me again. Though I had to lie to my mother so she would not suspect anything of me. I do not want her to hate me. And she would think I am crazy if I told her about where I truly was.
"So mom where are we going?" I asked her.
"To a friend of the family. Your father said that it is important. A matter of honor…so I am brining you with me to find out what promise he made. Personally I think it was something stupid."
I can't help but smile. She agrees with me that my father is a fool.
After a bit of walking and taking in the almost…familiar sights, we come to a house. On the side reads: Tendo Training Dojo.
"Training?" I ask.
"Martial Arts dear. Don't worry. You don't have to do that if you don't want to."
"I have no intention to." I say coldly, I still do martial arts, it has helped with my saber skills without end, but I will not change my style now. I am a Sith and I am proud to be one.
"Oh son…give this a chance. If its something stupid, I will leave it up to you to decide what should be done and followed through with."
I glance at her briefly. This could all be a trick…all to lower my defenses. But when I see the love in her eyes, my cold demeanor melts.
"Alright…I will give this a chance."
She smiled at me and squeezed my hand. She then led me to the front door.
"Besides. If its nothing, you could always get some friends. The sisters and their cousin are very sweet girls."
"Yeah, yeah." I mutter as my mother knocks on the door.
After a few moments the door opened. A young woman with long brown hair, with an air of kindness answered the door.
"Yes? May I help you? Oh! Auntie Saotome!"
She makes me sick to my stomach… I thought.
"Hello Kasumi! Is your father and my husband here?"
"Why yes. Please. Do come in."
I followed my mother in and slipped off my shoes. I personally hate this custom, but if I want to hide, I must act like the locals. I am also too lazy to do this every time I enter a house.
I stretch my senses out. The air feels…feminine. Not just feminine but much of the Dark Side…much anger and hatred. But for what? Why is there such hatred? And who is it directed at? If it is directed towards me…well…no promises they will be able to dethrone me. Why do I feel this way? Who knows, but I know that some one here is strong with the Force, stronger then Skywalker and Kypp. I could use this to my advantage. And being of no Jedi training…I won't lose this apprentice to the weak light side. I won't repeat my mistakes. And I swear I wont let anyone defy me.
"Please sit." A voice breaks my thoughts.
"Huh?" I blink a few times and see my mother smiling and gesturing to the low table before her as well as to her side, so I can take my place.
I sit beside my mother and feel eyes upon me. I look up to see four young girls and two older men. One girl is the one that greeted us, Kasumi. The other three I have no idea who is who, for I just met them.
"So Genma what is this about?" my mother asks before I look at him. Wearing a gi and cloth over his head, glasses that connect around his ears. The same as I remember, the same oaf that I will kill eventually. It is because of him I have suffered. Because of him I lost my mother.
"Mmm…indeed. Honey, do you remember what I told you before we had our son?"
I looked at my mother for an answer. She looks a bit confused, but other then that like normal.
"Not really…do you mean about the engagement?"
"Engagement?" I ask. What the hell is going on?
"I do." My filth of flesh father nods. "It is now time to fulfill the pledge of honor made long ago."
"Wait a second. Are you saying that the Ranma Saotome is your son? The one who made the hover bike design and even has the company looking into speeder cars?" the girl with brown bowl cut hair asked.
"You seem to know a lot about me." I say, looking into her eyes.
Hmm…she's dark and crafty…she wont let anything be in control of her. She has much sorrow…perfect for corruption. Nice face and body always a plus…but she's very weak in the Force…she would make a terrible Sith…she wont do. I think to myself with an inward smirk when I consider her looks.
"You mean he's a boy?" the girl with long bluish black hair snaps, glaring at me for all she's worth.
"Yes I'm a boy." I glare colder at her, to the point she flinches and turns away and hmphed with self-superiority.
Much anger in her…perfect for a Sith…very perfect…but she has no Force talents at all. If anything she would make a good scapegoat. She isn't that great to look at either. I scowl at her openly. She is not worth my time. If she is not careful I will kill her and laugh after I feed her ashes to a Coralpal from the Infernous system.
"Now, now. No need for fighting. This should be a happy event." The girl with bright red hair and bright blue eyes says. "You should be happy one of you will get married."
"Ranko that does not exclude you." The girl that I already hate snaps.
"Akane, what is your problem?" the girl with a bowl shape haircut snaps.
"I am not out for money or a boy, Nabiki." Akane glares then harder at me. "He is just a pervert."
My right eye twitches a bit. She just insulted me…I did nothing wrong. Oh she's going to suffer for this.
"Children, stop, please!" My mother steps into this argument.
"So Ranma." Ranko asks.
"Yes?" I look at her.
Hmm…she is neither light nor dark…interesting. Very interesting. I would say that by how she moves, she's a fighter. I judge her carefully. Nice looking face and body…very nice…and she's strong with the Force…so she is the one I have sensed. I wonder if she knows of the gift she was given.
"Is it true you made that speeder design? It looks neat to ride."
"Yes I am the one who made the design. Why?"
"Well I would like to ride one some time…" she blushed and looked down.
Wow she is cute. What am I thinking? I must focus! I won't let looks blind me again! Ever!
"Well, then I'll give you a ride on one sometime." I offer without thinking.
"Really?" she beamed at me.
"Yes."
I am being too nice…what is wrong with me?
I shake my head mentally then look at the other man with black hair and a black mustache. He is silent, yet looks as though he's trying to remain calm with all he has.
I turn to the sack of filth.
"So what is this about an engagement?"
"Yes. You are to marry one of the Tendo girls by a matter of honor."
I can't help but snort.
"After what you did to me you expect me to just go along with what you say? I don't even practice Anything Goes old man."
He physically winced but became angry.
"You will do it boy! It is a matter of honor! What are you? Some whiney little girl who is afraid of honor? Or would you prefer to marry a man-"
The moment he says man, I get so enraged that I can't control myself. I push my right hand at him and push him so hard with the Force that the clothes and hair of the others wave violent for a moment. I glare at him coldly as I stand up and jump over to him. I kick him hard in the stomach then gesture my hand like I am strangling him. He begins to try and take breath in and his face turns red.
"Don't you ever insult me like that! I had enough of that before you left me to die! Before you did not even come back to try and save me! You were worried about your own damn skin! All you cared for was your fat belly! All you wanted was to have me steal for you and make you fat and lazy while making me suffer! I hate you old man!" I shout as he lifts off the floor, clutching his neck.
"Ranma!" my mother's voice pierces my anger quickly and I look at her. She is pale and shaking but she is already at my side, gripping my shoulder. "What are you doing Ranma? You're killing your father!"
"Like I care?" I snap at her. "He left me to die! And after he threw me into that pit of cats, he did it over and over! Not once caring about me! All so he could prosper from me! I was nothing but a bartering chip to him! I was nothing but a meal ticket!"
"Even so son you shouldn't kill him!" she pleads with me.
I see her tears and I wince. I glare at my old man. I drop him at once then turn and glare at him. He is coughing violently as he gets breath back.
"I have no need to practice your pathetic art old man. I am much stronger than you or even the one who taught you. You shall not challenge me ever. Be glad mother was here. For you robbed me of her once, and I will not let you do it again." I walk to the front door and slip my shoes on then jump up to the roof.
That lousy old man! After what he did he thinks he can still push me around? After all he did he thinks he still owns me! I will make him pay next time! Even if my mother is there!
I pace back and forth, letting the Force flow from me easily.
"God damn old man! He thinks he is right all the time! Always have! And left me to die! I hate him! I hate him so much!" I shout as the roof tiles begin to heat up under my feet.
"I want him dead! I want him to twitch! I want him to suffer like he made me! I hate him!" I breathe harder and much more raggedly; my chest hurts from the breathing but I don't care.
"God damn old man! I fucking hate you! I want you dead! I want your fucking head on a pike! I will show all who try to cross me! I hate you!" By now the Force is so dark that I crackle with power as I pace back and forth. A few loose tiles float free and hover.
"Fucking old man! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" I scream loudly as the air around me ripples like a heat mirage. My eyes tingle and I know that I am doing part of my deadliest attack. I could simply stare at anything organic start to melt it with intense heat. This takes much anger from me and right now I am at that point to do it. I have only done it twice before.
I pace slowly, the tile around my shoes, melting from the heat. I see those few that float spin quickly before shattering into dust.
This is the Force. The true Force. Not a shield to defend the weak. But is really a weapon for the powerful. I relish this feeling, the power, the anger, the hatred I have. I hate him! I hate him so much, that feelings and words can't describe my hatred! I will relish the fact I will make him scream and twitch! Begging for death! Begging to make the hurting stop!
I don't know how long but after I manage to calm down, I notice the sky is dark, the moon is high in the sky.
"Ranma?" a voice calls from my side.
I stop pacing and look to the source. It is Ranko.
"What?" I ask coldly.
"Are all the things you said true…?" she asked me, coming over a bit.
"What? Throwing me into a pit of cats over and over again? Or how he would make me do insane things to get better in the art?" I snap.
She looked down meekly then up at me with sorrow in her eyes.
"I'm sorry…so it is true?"
"What do you mean?" I glare at her then to the moon.
"After you left, your mother made him talk. She took her katana out and made him tell everything. Your mother was tempted to kill him on the spot." I felt a pair of small, gentle arms go around me in an embrace.
By instinct I tense, my hand going to my lightsaber. I manage to avoid the entire instinct and I relax a bit.
"I'm sorry Ranma…no one should have to go through what you did."
I turn my head to look at her with the corner of my eye. Her head is against my back, between my shoulder blades. I can feel her rather large breasts against my lower back. Her movements speak of sorrow and a desire to protect…and a thirst to prove herself to someone.
"He had that pain coming…I could have done worse…" I mutter and look to the moon.
I could have had my revenge like I wanted…I could have had his head…but my mother…stopped me…a Sith…with a few words and a simple touch…
"You can lean on me Ranma…" she whispers. "I'm a big girl."
I look back at her quickly and let the Force flow through her. Her emotions are genuine. They are real and that thirst to prove herself is stronger then ever. I inhale deeply, which makes me smell her scent. It makes me feel calm…relaxed and safe. Like I feel around my mother. I look back at her and struggle for a reason to push her away and kill her for touching me…but nothing comes…
"Lean on me…I can hold you fine." She whispers.
Eventually I give up my internal struggle and lean against her. Her arms hold me tighter. I feel so tired. For once…the Force has drained me of energy…what is happening to me? Why am I being so weak and soft? My eyes close before I realize what has happened. And I fall to a dreamless sleep.
In the early morning I was called away from the house to an emergency meeting. Apparently someone thought they could buy us out, so that is what this meeting is about.
"And so if you join us you will get full membership as well as the chance to keep your name." The fat man said.
I glared at him a bit. He's fat, has greasy black hair, and obviously uses cheap colognes to try and hide his stench. I hate him already.
"We will not join." I simply say.
"Why not? We are offering all sorts of benefits-"
"To you!" I snap cutting him off. "We are doing fine on our own now and should you even try to steal our designs you will lose your company; we have the name of any type of speeder or speeder bike in our name. And if I remember correctly, we own at least ninety percent of your supplies for your vehicles. If you want us to stop supplying them and you think you can handle it on your own then you will leave this moment. If not you will join us and we get full name rights and entitlements. All we will pay is three billion U.S. dollars. Nothing more. If you do not like that idea then we will stop all supplies to you and give to your competitors who I am sure would love to get their hands on more resources."
The fat man shifts, sweating bullets and turning red in the face. I wonder how he can live with all that fat…I know I'd use my lightsaber and hack it off myself. I will toy with this fat…thing. I let the Force flow through me and I look at him.
"Or…I could just release the new plans for the speeder car…I was planning to let people get use to the bikes first, but if you want I can even make you go out of business and either way, you loose."
"Alright! We will accept."
"Good." I smile and reach down to my briefcase and open it up and pull out papers. "I want you to sign these. They are the legal rights that you agree to be bought out."
The fat man fidgets as he looks them over, signing. I smirk then press a button.
"Miss Teni."
"Yes sir?" my secretary asks.
"Tell the factory to start the production of the Speeder cars and the hover wheel chairs for the disabled. I think that it is about time to start them."
"Yes sir. Would you like the plans started today or tomorrow? The factories in Japan and North America need your signed OK about it."
"I will sign as soon as I leave. Please get the forms ready."
"Yes sir."
I smirk evilly at the fat man.
"Thank you for signing over, now I know that we have no competition anymore. Have a security guard escort you out." I stand up and walk out briskly, leaving my suit case on purpose. I want to test this fat fool.
In the hall next to the secretary I look over to the monitor and see him searching the briefcase.
"Thought so…tell my connections in the Japanese Mafia and the Triad to take out this guy and his family."
My secretary smirks at me. "Yes sir."
Several more weeks have passed since I "bought" Ford and Mazda. There is almost no competition anymore. One of the most surprising turn-abouts is Ranko. Something about the girl makes me want to protect her, another part of me wants to kill her, and the last part wants to train her, break her will and make her mine.
When she needs help, I find myself offering the help, with no catches. When she is upset and sad, I find myself holding her close for comfort. I know something is wrong with me, but what it is I am not sure. I also find myself seeking her comfort. It's strange. All my life, I have been a pawn to another, now I find out that I am needed, not as a toy or tool, but as a companion…a friend…a lover. I find myself liking the attention and affection as well.
"Ranma." A voice snaps me from m thoughts.
"Huh?" I ask, looking behind me. It is Nabiki. Probably going to try and worm her way into my company and reap the benefits again.
"Your mother left for China with your father for awhile. She said that her house is your till she returns."
"Oh?" I ask looking back at her. "No catches this time Nabiki? I figured you would try again to get inside the company."
"Ranma. I'm hurt." She pouts and frowns, faking emotional pain.
"Sure you are." I grin. "Well ok. I don't mind watching over the house. Better then a tower. Did she say when she would be back?"
"No. Just that she want you and Ranko to continue getting along."
I roll my eyes. That's my mother for you.
"We will, we will."
I might as well be nice now, it isn't so bad being kind every now and then.
"I have a meeting next week at nine A.M. It is with the U.S. company known as NASA. I have showed them some plans as to ships that would not require as much fuel to get off the planet and into space, as well as a hyper drive plan. If you want, you can join and put any word in about it."
Now this is amusing, watching her face turned shocked then excited. She is like a kid in a candy store right now.
"Really?"
"Yes. Of course, it is during school, so you will have to skip school that day if you want to come. Let's see how good you do at negotiating. If you do well, then I will consider making you a member on the board of directors for the company. How about that?"
"Oh thank you!" she smiles and runs to me and hugs me tight.
I am shocked to say the least. She has never showed me any type of gratitude since I came here. But this isn't so bad.
"Ok, ok." I smile and push her back. "Can you find Ranko for me? I'd like to talk to her about our next date."
"Always the player, aren't you Ranma?"
I smirk for my answer.
"So what is it you wanted to show me Ranma?" Ranko asked me as she entered the dojo.
"Well, I will be blunt and to the point. Do you know what talents you have?"
"What is that to mean?" she snapped at me. "Are you saying I have no skills in fighting?"
"No. Not at all. But you do remember what I did to my…father, correct?"
I smirk inwardly at seeing her shiver.
"How can I forget? You were choking him without touching him. Not to mention I saw you venting your frustration on the roof…which did nothing to you."
"Oh shut up…"
"But yes. I do remember. Why do you want to know?"
"I was wondering if you would like to be taught in the ways of the Force."
"The Force?" she asks.
Of course she wouldn't know. Great…I hate explaining this…sensation. What it is and what it can do.
"The Force is felt in all things. Living or not. I can feel it in me, in you, in the ground. In the floor, the walls, yes, even the very air between us. It binds the universe together, creating a woven force of life. It is very powerful and is much more then any crude matter that we have on our bodies. Your skills are very good from what I have seen. But the Force is stronger. It can be a weapon, or it can be a shield to defend yourself and others. Life creates it. Makes it grow. And of all my allies I have ever had, the Force is the only ally I know that will not betray me."
Well, the hardest part is over with. Now to try and teach her.
"How is this…Force, used?"
"Hmm…well. One way is through your darker emotions. The Dark Side of the Force. The other is through your more positive emotions, the Light Side of the Force."
"Show me."
I smile at her, showing I am glad she wants to learn. I could make use of this, but part of me doesn't want to teach her the Dark Side…so I won't.
"Ok. Stand up." I say as I stand myself.
"Ok. Now what?" she asks as she stands.
"Stretch out with your feelings."
"How?"
"Take your emotions, set them forward, backwards, left, right. In all directions. And trust them. Your eyes can deceive you, don't trust those. Your ears as well. You will feel the tingle of the Force talking to you."
"You mean it controls my actions?" she asks, closing her eyes and straining her senses.
"Partially, but you mostly control it. Relax your body and your mind. You are trying to force a stream of water to turn into a river. You can't do that. Let your mind and your body be one. Let your emotions guide you."
After a bit of waiting I see she relaxes greatly. Her eyes closed. I decided to test her. I make a light open hand strike to her face without a sound. Her left hand blurs up and deflects the attack. This action makes her open her eyes wide and step back.
"I saw your hand! I saw it in my head!"
"You are just learning the ways of the Force. In time, should you want to learn from me, you will do more then just see an attack. You will see the future, the past, old friends, long gone."
"What about fighting?"
"I will teach you in the air of saber fighting. It is by far the deadliest form of attack and defense."
"Show me."
"You're very eager to learn. I like that." I smile at her and move to the middle of the dojo. "Ok. Stay back. This is a weapon that can kill you instantly."
Her eyes show her awe when I turn one side of my blade on. The crimson light drawing her attention; like a moth to the flame. I will give her a show too. One of the best she has ever seen.
Hello son,
China is so beautiful! I am with your father now in Hong Kong. By the time this letter gets to you, we will be heading for the mountains to some temples and see how the monks live for a bit. This is a nice change of pace. Busy one moment then nice and calm the next! Well son, we are heading out and I will write to you in a few weeks when we get to the temple.
I love you always,
Mom
I smile at the postcard she sent me. In a few months, I will have been back home for a full year. So much has changed since then, me most of all. And surprisingly, I find it harder and harder to use the Dark Side…and easier and easier to use the Light Side…
If this is the way a Light Sider user uses the Force and lives…it isn't that bad. I had begun to teach Ranko in the ways of the Force, and she is learning quickly. I won't teach her of the Dark Side…of how to use it. I don't want to lose her as she is.
I look outside to the ocean from my private island home on one of the many islands that satellite cannot pick up. The company was more then happy to pay for this and support me because of all I have done. I am here with Ranko, only Ranko. In the past, I would have taken advantage of such moments to calm my primal lust drives, but when I'm around Ranko, just seeing her, makes me satisfied.
"Ranma! Dinner!"
I can't help but get up and run to the kitchen. I love her cooking nearly as much as I love her. And that is saying something.
I sit down when she giggles.
"Fooled you!" she smiles at me.
"Hey!" I pout as cute as I can. I love to see her demeanor melt.
"Ok…ok…I will go get it." She rolls her eyes and walks to the stove.
I grin at my victory.
"Did the mail come today?" I ask as I watch her rear when she walks then look to her face when she turns around, I'm not that dumb.
"No, why?"
"I am expecting another letter from my mother today. Or soon anyway."
"That's right! She's in China! Lucky woman!"
"It is nothing special."
"Why not?" Ranko asks me while carrying the food over to the table and grins at the amount. "For my loving husband."
I cannot help but blush. I love her dearly, I don't know what I would do if I lost her or my mother.
"Calm down sparky." She walks behind me and rubs my head. "We are not to be married for another few weeks."
"Sorry, but the idea of being married to you is…enjoyable."
"I'm glad. What do you think of Ranko Saotome?"
"Funny." I mutter as I pop some of the food into my mouth, barbequed steak that is seasoned just right to make my mouth water, and its cooked perfectly and is juicy. I don't get to enjoy the flavor long because she hits me on the head.
"Last time I cook for you!"
I swallow the food, and look up at her. "I'm sorry." I look at her pleadingly. "I can't cook! You know I can't! Or I would so you didn't have to do it all the time!"
"I don't mind cooking honey." She kissed my forehead.
"Sure? I don't want to overwhelm you."
"I am fine. Look, let's have dinner, then you can read a story to me by the fireplace tonight.
I groan. I hate reading stories to her, because they are all sappy. At first she didn't care for them in the slightest. But now, she just wants to compare us to them…that alone is hell!
"Fine, then I won't cook for you anymore."
"Then I wont kiss you anymore!" I counter.
Bingo!
"Ok! Ok!" she blushes and holds me tighter. "You don't have to. You win."
"What is that? Two hundred and forty to thirteen?"
"Shut up."
"So…this your first time…?" Ranko asks me shyly, sitting before me completely nude.
I thought I told her…
"No…though my first time was…forced upon me."
"I'm sorry…" she whispers and holds me.
"She was my former master…as soon as I came to age she used me. She took advantage of my innocents and had a blade to my neck…" I say coldly. The memory of that woman makes me angry and sad.
My emotions of the darker side of my soul are derailed when I feel a soft kiss on my lips. My eyes sting and I can't stop the tears from leaving.
"I will take care of you Ranma. I don't mind that I am not your first. As long as I am with you, I am happy."
I look upon her face with blurred vision. She wipes away my tears and smiles softly at me.
"I love you Ranma. Nothing will take me away from you. Ever."
I feel her nuzzle her nude body against mine. Her hands gently holding my cheeks as she kisses my neck repeatedly.
"Ranma…nothing will ever happen. I swear it. I know you told me that your past hurt. That it hurt you too much to tell me what happened. But I still want to know. I want to share your pain so that I may see you happy all the time. Not just when I am holding you. I love holding you but I cannot always hold you."
This is my honeymoon and I feel dark and gloomy…and not because this was forced upon me with a shotgun to the back of my head. Damn my past! And damn all those who hurt me!
"Come on Ranma." She kissed my jaw then neck. "Show me what you know?"
I shake my head to clear my emotions. This should be a happy moment, one where I should be bonding because of love.
"And if I do not know much?" I ask her, pushing her gently to the bed, my hands on her breasts.
She smirks at me for her answer.
"Then we can teach each other." Her eyes flutter closed as I tease her a bit.
I wonder what this would be like with love behind both ends. Well there is only one way to find out.
I lean down on top of her gently, my lips to her neck.
"I love you Ranko."
"I love you too, Ranma."
Hello my manly son!
I raise my brow at this.
How is being married? I am so sorry I could not make it back in time! I wanted to see you on the alter, making your pledge! But at least you can give me grandchildren now!
I'm getting scared. I shiver at a very bad feeling.
I will be home in time though for you to gently hand me a grandchild to hold! I look forward to it! We are in the Bayankala mountain range in the Qinghai province in China. This place is so beautiful! I wish you could see this place! Currently we are at a tribe of Amazon Women! It is fun here! And just between you and me it is a bit fun to boss my husband around and get away with it!
You do that anyway mom…
By the time this letter gets to you we should be heading home. I hope to see my son and new daughter-in-law soon! I love you both! And tell your new wife that I want my grandkids in her womb when I get there!
"She's joking right?" I ask the postcard.
I love you always my son!
Mom
"Ranko!" I call out to her. She isn't that far, so I know she is someplace on this island.
After a few moments she comes in.
"Yes dear?"
I hold the card out for her.
"Read."
She looks at me curiously then sits in my lap and reads it over.
"What?" she shouts, turning as red as her hair.
I rub my fingers in my ears to try and stop the ringing.
"Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Pregnant."
She hops off my lap and hurries to the kitchen, muttering, "Must clean! Must clean!"
Oh no…a kid…? But…why? I mean…no…this can't be! I follow her quickly.
"Ranko…are you?" I ask desperately.
"Must clean! Must clean!"
I whimper. I can't have kids! I am not ready for them! I must know if she is lying!
I take her shoulders and shake her.
"Ranko please tell me!"
She looks away from me, blushing still then at me meekly.
"Yes…and…and the Force tells me it is twins…"
That is all I hear before darkness takes over and I don't remember anything else.
I sigh when I wake up the next morning. Kids. Joy…well. At least I can be a daddy and not be as bad as my horrible father.
"I don't feel so good…I think I'm gonna-!" Ranko says before dashing out of bed and throwing up in the bathroom.
I hit my head over and over against the lamppost on my side of the bed.
"I'm too young…I don't know the first thing of being a father!" I say and hear my wife throw up again. "I'm SO glad I am not a woman!"
After awhile, she manages to come back out, looking like hell.
"Are you ok honey?" I ask her.
She gives me a look that says if I say a thing like that again, she will remove what makes me a man.
"Ok, never mind!" I say and look away.
I watch my wife as she walks around the house to keep her figure best she can, she is six months pregnant, and time flies. I am looking forward now to these kids. I can tell they are strong like me and their mother in the Force. As happy as I am for her and myself, I am getting worried. Recently, I have been having bad dreams about my mother. She hasn't been home in since the last postcard. That was six months ago. I am taken from my worry as Ranko leans against me with a sultry look as she leans up to kiss me.
"Mmm…you look yummy…" her sultry look turns to one of anger and hatred and pushes me hard against the wall. "Stay away from me! It is your entire fault I am like this! You are the reason I lost my nice figure and my looks! You're the one that made me fat!"
I don't get time to say a thing because she leans against my shoulder and cries.
"I'm sorry honey! I should not be mad at you! I am glad we are having kids! But it isn't like you care!" she cries and runs off sobbing.
I stand there, blinking slowly a few times.
"That was new…gee…aren't hormones fun?"
"Shut the hell up!" she shouts from the other room.
She heard me? I have a BAD feeling about this…
I lean my head against my hand, these meetings are so boring now. NASA insists I hand over the plans for the hyperdrive unit designs. I will make them wait so I can monopolize it as well, as long as I have the space, I can own a nice colony in space and let it be for just me and Ranko and our two kids on the way. A boy and a girl.
I feel my head tilting before a beep and I sit up fast. I look down and take off my cell phone, I have a bad feeling, because I know Ranko or her family won't call unless it's an emergency.
"Hello? What's wrong?" I ask.
"RANMA! RANKO IS GOING INTO LABOR!!" Soun yells into the phone and I am forced to move it as far as I can from my ear. Damn he's loud…hey wait…
"What? She's going into labor? Now? What hospital are you going to?" I demand as I get up and run out of the meeting and to the stairs.
"THE NERIMA HOSIPITAL!! WE JUST GOT HERE!!"
Damn he's loud…
"Ok! I am on my way!" I turn off the phone and jump down the stairs with skilled ease. I get to the parking lot and hop on my speeder, turn it on and zoom out of the building at full speed. I let the Force flow through me and I weave in and out of traffic, to the hospital, I even have a few police behind me, but I don't care! I need to get there fast!
After a fun chase, I run into the hospital and the police don't bother anymore knowing I have some reason to do what I did, but a few follow because they must. I run to the nurse at the desk. I am so excited that I speak what my wife is giving off through the Force.
"I'MHAVINGABABY!!WHERETHEHELLDOIGOTODOTHAT?!?!"
She looks at me oddly.
"And you are…?"
"RANMASAOTOME!!WHEREISMYWIFECAUSEI'MGOINGTOHAVEABABY!!"
She looks at me even more oddly.
"Can you please slow down sir?" she asks me.
"WHERE IS MY WIFE RANKO SAOTOME?!?!"
"Oh." She checks the computer at agonizingly slow speed. "She's in room 451 on the forth fl-"
That is all I hear before I run as fast as I can to the stairs and jump up them as fast as I can with the Force.
When I get to the room after an eternity, I see my uncle-in-law holding Ranko's hand and crying like a baby, nothing new.
I run over and shove him aside so hard he flies into the wall and dents it. I take her hand and I can't help but shout because of my panic.
"I'MGOIGNTOHAVEABABY!!AMIOK!?!?"
Ranko, looking like hell as it is from the pain, looks at me so oddly that she looks like someone else.
"I'm fine honey…OH OW!!!!" she shouts before pain surges through me so hard I nearly black out as I gasp in agony. I fall to the floor and start crying in pure anguish, it is that bad. "OH IT HURTS!! I LOVE YOU RANMA!!"
I only manage to let out a croak of agony then I see the cause of it is her hand is crushing mine.
"Ok Mrs. Saotome! Are you ready for some pain killers?" the doctor says, coming in.
"Yes! Please!" she begs.
I manage to get to my knees and look at her and the doctor.
"I thought you wanted to do this naturally honey."
Big mistake…very big.
The look she is giving me right now is making me want to run away and rock back and forth in a corner till the danger passes.
I look to the doctor.
"Fucking bomb her doc!"
"Thank you ho-OWWWWW!!"
I hear a crunch of breaking bone as I let out a high-pitched scream and fall down hard.
After what seemed like hell on earth-she didn't let go of my hand-I am leaning against her as she has tears still streaming down her eyes, and sweating like she just ran ten times around the planet in a sprint non-stop. I can understand why too. But the kids are cleaned up and leaning against my wife as she is panting still.
My hand feels like hell. But I don't mind. I see my children. My son is the oldest by five minutes. No clue if that is good, but I am glad all three are alive and healthy.
"I love you Ranma." Ranko smiles at me.
"I love you too Ranko." I smile and look at my children.
I'm a father…normally, in the past, when I was a Sith, I would not want this, only for an heir, nothing more. But now I want my children because I love my wife and them and look forward to it. Being a father and a loving husband, I can do better then my horrible father. I know I will.
"I'm sorry about your hand…" she says tiredly.
"It's ok dear. I can heal it."
"Good…" She smiles and leans her head against mine, holding our twins closer to her.
For once, my life is going well.
I pace back and forth as Ranko breast-feeds our kids. I can feel her worried look on me.
"Honey…"
"No Ranko. I won't calm down. Something isn't right. I have been plagued with bad dreams since mother stopped writing to me and I am worried. The Force tells me it is something bad."
"Honey…look. If you want, we can go visit China to check up on her."
"We?" I ask looking at her. "Oh no. You need to stay with our kids!"
"If anything happened to you mother, you know as well as I do she would die happy, holding our kids."
Damn my wife…she is right. That isn't good. It could be why it seems like my mother has held on for so long when she should have died. To see me again and then hold her grandchildren like she wants.
I inhale deeply and consider this. Ranko is still recovering from the delivery.
"Honey, I can still use a lightsaber like I use to and I can move fine. We just can't have sex for awhile."
"That isn't what bothers me. You are still recovering in general. The last thing I want is to see you or them in any danger."
"I will be ok. The last thing I will let happen is letting you or our kids die on me. And don't argue with me. You know that I will just follow you anyway."
I frown at her. She is right of course. She has a large heart. She cares for me and wants to see me happy. She knows I won't be as long as my mother is possibly hurt or dying.
"OK...we leave soon. Get ready." I say and walk to the speeder car that is large enough to fit two speeder bikes in the back and has enough power to cross the sea to get there. This is a special model as well. This could be used as a boat with the press of a button, something Ranko designed, and could even go down several miles to the bottom, another of her designs, the material used in it is something I showed the company to make. It was great for our honeymoon and when we wanted to see the bottom of the ocean around coral reef. So it's no problem getting to China, at all. Now to stand the long drive…
The Force guides me to the same village I was at over a year before. I stop the car and turn off the engine. The car gently and softly lands on the ground and I open the hatch and walk out. I would let Ranko out, but I feel the presence of my father and I go straight to him. I want answers. And I want them now.
I come to a hut and see the guards look at me.
I gesture them aside with my fingers and they move away, the Force is a great trick. I walk in and see my father under the care of a local healer.
"There you are old man!" I scowl as I walk over and lift him up by his shirt. He winces in pain. "What the hell is going on?"
"Please! Let him go! He is badly injured! He is missing his leg!"
"What?" I ask and look down and see his right leg missing. "What the hell?" How did I miss that?
"I believe I can explain…Ranma." One of the elders says behind me. I turn and look at her.
"Been awhile."
"It has…come. We may not have much time. I will explain what I can."
I sit at a table. It is early evening; my kids are asleep, thankfully. Ranko is beside me and the elder is before us.
"And that is what happened."
"So you found my father and mother together after they did a bit of sight seeing?"
"Yes. And the Musk attacked them. Your father tried what he could to defend her, but was overwhelmed. Your mother was taken and who knows what they have done to her. Usually mate with the female, get kids, then kill the forced mother. They are like animals. Literally. They are poorly trained, but are powerful ki users. Your father would still be trying to save your mother, but he passed out because of a loss of blood. He is slowly recovering."
"How long ago did this happen?" I ask.
"Six months or so."
I look out the window and sigh. My feelings tell me they are lying to me some how but I cannot be sure of it. I feel Ranko place her hand on mine and hold mine close.
I stand up and remove my hand from hers.
"Ranma?" she asks me.
"Where are you going young man?"
I look at the old woman.
"To find my mother."
"I doubt you could do anything. We would but we cannot risk the chance at war. They outnumber us two to one."
"Then I will do it." I said and turn to walk out and hear her mutter.
"You won't beat their prince…"
Outside I walk to the car and open the trunk and remove my speeder bike. I move it to the side of the car and lean in. I will need to wear black to blend in better. I won't use the Force that much. I should save it for my mother if I can…I know I can save her.
I change inside the car, I have a long black cape behind me…the same as my Sith clothes…but I am no Sith anymore. Nor a Jedi. I come out of the car and am greeted by a kiss.
I look at my wife and pull back.
"I am sorry love, but I must go."
"I know…be careful. The Force is your ally, I know you can do this."
"Yeah…me too." I move way from her and look at her. "I won't be gone long. I will be back by midnight if I can. Keep an eye on our kids."
"I will."
I walk to the bike and get on it, turning it on. The high-pitched noise filling the air, and then I am off. I will find my mother. Nothing will stop me.
Ok. This chapter is done. Sorry if it seems a bit confusing in places, I will explain things much better next chapter, then in chapter 4, is where the fun starts. I will also explain how Ranma got to the past and that galaxy where Jedi exist. Soon will be his vision of the Sith Empire. You might wonder how he will go back down the dark side. Let's just say…he has to loose it all before he falls. And Ranma is as powerful as I make him. Many others were stronger then the Skywalker line, but that is past. You don't like it, go slam your head in a door, cause it is what I do when I don't like something, mostly dealing with Akane (yes I hate her with a passion).
Big thanks to Black Dragon, (the guy is funny as hell in his pre-reads) and to DarkJackel who told me all I wanted to know about the Sith. And to all the others who were actually bold enough to email me! They get a place in the story in later chapters.
Cya around!
Archangel of Strife