Weapon X Japan 04
Standard Disclaimer... I don't own Ranma 1/2, Marvel, Rifts, TSR or any other works of fantasy/fiction or published works that appear in this fanfiction. I do this for no profit and only for the enjoyment of writing and sharing these stories with other fans.
This story takes place shortly before Nodoka shows up in Ranma 1/2, and I am currently only drawing the Weapon X program from Marvel and am not sure if any other Marvel characters/people will show up [reasoning being that Wolverine was on his own long before he teamed up with the X-Men, so if Weapon X was to get a hold of anyone that they have a chance to change them and that the X-Men might or might not ever hear about the person]
Ok, this is also where more of the X-Over aspects of this fanfic become apparent. Hopefully I don't lose anyone as I try to tie in a few characters from other universes and dimensions outside of the Ranma Verse. Also I am borrowing a character or two. I don't really want to do what many Fanfiction authors have done in the past and bog myself down with 50 60 characters from various dimensions. So unless I get many requests from people I will probably only be borrowing one to three characters from any dimension/universe/continuum other than Ranma.
( ) = Thoughts * * = Telepathy = Chinese [due to those ever loved Amazons] / / = Machine Language [no not binary, machine people, it explains in the fic] [ ] = Authors description/explanation [I like to ramble sometimes]
**********
In a rustic old fashioned tavern, perhaps seen in many a town hundreds of years ago a large tattooed bald man wearing leather armor and carrying a large sword strapped across his back was sitting down at a wooden bar sipping a frothy liquid from a earthenware mug. All the while talking to something sitting on the counter in front of him. Upon closer inspection it is seen that he is talking to a tawny colored hamster that is contentedly munching on a piece of bread.
Watching this man from the other side of the tavern is a auburn haired young woman wearing a cloak hiding what she wears underneath who is also fingering a dagger, spinning it around on the tip of it's blade on her index finger.
**********
Walking along a dark passageway is a older fellow, perhaps 4 feet tall or so, he has a bulbous nose, a long gray beard, and is wearing an odd mesh of hard leather armor with technology seemingly woven in or patched on. He has a pair of goggles resting on top of his head with some odd colors blinking on the side of them and some form of writing flashing across the front of them, though it is not discernable from this angle what is written. Strapped across his back, perhaps on a larger man a better size comparison but on this dwarfish man it seems almost ludicrous, is a large black and gunmetal gray techno rifle. Actually rifle is probably an understatement, this looks more like a shoulder mounted cannon, you know, the type used to take out star craft and large tanks.
Strolling up to the end of the corridor the dwarf unslings his cannon and gently setting it down to the side he reaches out to a power panel while taking some tools out of one of his many pockets. Using the tools he quickly takes off the cover to peer inside. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary he pulls his goggles down over his eyes and a startled expression is on his face shortly as he jumps back grabbing his cannon on the way. Swinging the muzzle of the monstrous weapon around in a quick arc he levels it at the wall just under the panel. The wall under the panel then slowly dissolves into a clear blue puddle of some sort of liquid on the floor that re-forms into a small humanoid shape, almost female in form she looks up into the eyes of the dwarf and then speaks.
"Father?"
********
In a glade located on the outskirts of the Nerima Ward of Tokyo a dwarfish old man in a dark purple dogi can be seen talking with a very beautiful crimson haired young woman who has some gashes in her black tank top, and a visible cut on her stomach seen through her ripped shirt. She's slowly fingering said cut as if in deep thought and un-aware of what she is doing. The old man is looking at her fingering the wound and inches forward. Pulling her hand back from the wound he mutters something.
"What'd you say old man?"
"I said 'interesting'"
"Why?"
"Because your wound is still unhealed. I would've thought that Weapon X had given you regenerative powers or at least some form of armoring. But looking at your wound it appears as though a knife only lightly sliced you. Though from what you told me he had stabbed you." He then backs up and sits down on a rock a little bit a ways from her. "I don't know what to make of it."
"Oh well, by the way thanks for informing me a little on my past, but... umm how do I need to act when around the others? After all as you've said I act different than they're used to. Won't they notice a difference?."
"Yes they will, especially Nabiki and Kasumi." Shrugging his shoulders and getting up to leave. "If you want to attract the least attention then you'll need to stay as a guy most of the time."
"But it's easier to remain as a girl, after all I get splashed with cold water all the time. It's not often that I get splashed with hot water."
Glancing back over his shoulder as he's leaving "yep, and the old Ranma hated his girl form. And many would think it's odd if you all of the sudden started to like it."
**********
At the Nekohauten things were happening as normal, at least on the surface. Underneath there was a level of tension that hadn't been before. Cologne was working in the kitchen by herself as usual, and Shampoo was out serving the customers. However there was a chipper ness that was missing from Shampoo's face and Cologne seemed to be wearing a permanent scowl. Curiously missing was a certain "Mr. Part Timer" that was often used as a whipping boy by the two prideful Amazons.
**********
At Ukyo's Okonomiaki Ukyo Kounji was in the process of serving up her last client that was in the store when she looked up and saw someone entering her establishment. Seeing that it was Nabiki Tendo walking in the door she hand motioned for Konatsu to change the sign from open to closed. Nabiki came up and sat at the counter and waited patiently for Ukyo to finish up with her customer who took the Okonomiaki to go and left.
"What can I do for ya sugar?" Ukyo asked Nabiki when she just sat there with her hands crossed in front of her, seemingly in contemplation.
"A trade in information perhaps Ukyo?" Nabiki stated finally taking her eyes from her hands and looking the chef directly in the eyes.
"What type of info?"
"The Ranma kind."
"I'm all ears. Has he returned? Is he alright?" the chef asked showing excited concern.
"Yes, and yes." Nabiki then motioned for Ukyo to take a seat next to her and swiveled the seat to face the chef. "Now that I've answered some of your questions, you answer mine. When was the last time you saw Ranma training, and what was he training on?"
Ukyo sat there for a minute in contemplation before looking back up at Nabiki "He was working on a new speed technique, however that was a few months ago. Why?"
Nabiki thought for a second then got up turning to go. "No reason, just confirming something." Then she left while Ukyo was a bit confused by her cryptic statement.
"Mistress, would you like me to follow her and report on what I observe?" Konatsu asked from directly behind Ukyo.
Jumping a bit from sudden voice behind her "Damn it Konatsu I've told you about sneaking up on me like that." Calming down and straitening her clothes a bit "Yes please do. I need to know what's going on with Ranchan."
The slight male kunoichi moved quickly up the stairs to the upper floor of the shop and then Ukyo could sense him no more as he quickly moved beyond her senses after leaving the building from the upper level.
**********
Nabiki was deep in thought while heading back to the Tendo Dojo. Not really paying attention to her surroundings she walked into the house intent on finding out what had really happened to Ranma.
(Okay, Item 1 Ranma disappears for two weeks
Item 2 Ryoga shows up bragging about how Ranma had been defeated
Item 3 Mousse show up very disturbed and demands that I help him
to get away from the Amazons, more importantly he pays a
handsome sum to get me to forge new identities.
Item 4 The Amazons haven't shown up to demand anything, not even
Ranma's disappearance.
I really need to write this all down and go over it on paper.)
Ending her thoughts she goes upstairs and to her room where she starts to write everything down verbatim to what she had thought earlier
Okay, Item 1 Ranma disappears for two weeks
Item 2 Ryoga shows up bragging about how Ranma had been defeated
Item 3 Mousse show up very disturbed and demands that I help him
to get away from the Amazons, more importantly he pays a
handsome sum to get me to forge new identities.
Item 4 The Amazons haven't shown up to demand anything, not even
Ranma's disappearance.
Item 5 Akane has not attempted to find or tag along with wherever
Ranma has disappeared to.
Item 6 Ranma returns, but isn't acting like normal. Barely responding
to his name let alone any questions it's like he's someone else
but that's impossible.
Item 7 His strange new jumping ability. Even recorded he's to fast to
make out.
Where are the common denominators.
Questions:
Q. 1 Where was Ranma
Q. 2 Is Ryoga responsible?
Q. 3 What happened to Mousse.
Q. 4 How does this affect the Tendo Dojo.
Putting her notepad away after writing down everything to her content she decided to let it lay untill some form of inspiration showed up.
Getting up and heading downstairs she fails to notice P-chan entering her room behind her.
**********
Ryoga-buta had just wandered upstairs when he heard Nabiki get up from her desk in her room in frustration. Wondering what had got her so frustrated he decided to enter her room and look around. Easily finding her room, and even easier finding her desk he jumped up and started to nuzzle around the desk looking for anything important. Finding nothing he got up and went to the closet to see if she kept anything in there of importance.
Snickering while rooting around the closet at the idiocy of some of the people that he's encountered he laughs as well about how dense all of them are. After all it was too easy nowadays to find his way. Several months ago he had wandered upon a shrine that had helped him to cure himself of his directional curse so that he could find his way anywhere he wanted to. Better yet though they hadn't been able to cure his curse, they did help him to gain control of it through some meditative techniques. He could now shrug off the effects of water on his cursed or natural form, and though he still required water to change, it was now a conscious thought rather than some kami's whim that he change form pig to man or vice versa. Heck he had now even gotten over his nose bleeding problem, courtesy of Akane taking him into the bath a couple of weeks ago. Better yet she had been a little bit out of sorts after having some strange dream and didn't realize that she had brought her pet into the bath with her.
P-Chan as usual had gone into a corner to watch her change and go through her bathing ritual when to his surprise he had witness her start to rub down her breasts and groin while moaning out loud. Resisting the urge to jump into the furo and turn back into a man to properly please his beloved he decided to stay and watch her. After a few minutes both of her hands had wandered down to her the cleft between her legs. Moaning out Ranma's name she convulsed a little and then settled down with a blush on her face.
Ryoga had been furious with this. Even after his defeat and subsequent death his nemesis still haunted him. Why couldn't the fiend stay dead. At least he hadn't recognized him when he was snuggling in his dear Akane's arms. Oh well, he managed to defeat his foe once before, he'll manage to do so again.
While still rooting around in the closet he hears the door open, quickly jumping up onto the top shelf of the closet and hiding behind a shoebox he listens to whoever entered the room.
**********
Nabiki enters her room again after raiding the fridge for some ice cream. Closing the door behind her she sits down at her desk and pulls out a cell phone from one of her drawers. Quickly dialing a number she glances down on her desk while waiting for the person she called to pick up the other end of the line. Looking closer at her desk she realizes that everything has been moved on it. As she's quickly re-arranging everything on the desk to where it's supposed to be the person picks up.
"This is Nabiki."
"..."
"Yes, the first part was deposited in your account."
"..."
"Ok, I'll download your recording." Nabiki turns on her computer.
"..."
"No, I haven't seen it yet. I'm still booting up my computer." She starts to tap her foot, a bit annoyed by the time it's taking to start up her computer.
"..."
"If you say so."
"..."
"You already had it analyzed? Great, I'll go ahead and deposit a larger sum if the information pans out." Nabiki stands up and heads over to the closet. P-chan hiding in the top shelf scurries back a little bit trying to stay out of site as she gets closer.
"..."
"Ok, give me the address." Nabiki grabs a notepad from the bottom of her closet and quickly jots down a string of numbers.
"..."
"Yes I'll check it out as soon as it loads, a bit impatient aren't you?" She closes the closet door, not noticing that it had been open before.
"..."
"Ok, I'm starting to download it. Look why don't I just do my own analysis and compare it to the notes that you've compiled on the subject and I'll give you what you're due." Nabiki opens up a web browser and enters the same string of numbers that she jotted down a minute ago in the address bar.
"..."
"No need to be testy. How about this, I'll call you and discuss payment further after I've seen and evaluated the recording." She moved her cursor around the site a little bit and selected a file that she started to download.
"..."
"Okay, I'll call you in no less than an hour." Nabiki then closed the flip plate on her cell phone and put it down on the desk next to her computer. Loading up the imagery from the download once it finished she pulled the window displaying the imagery to the side of the monitor and the text analysis to the right side so that she could view both at once.
Looking at the image she notices first that there is a digital run counter on the bottom of the page. The view overlooks a yard the camera is pointing at a doghouse with a bored looking dog sitting inside. With no sound playing Nabiki can't be sure if anyone's saying anything, and with the slight jerky motion of the image she assumes that the camera is handheld rather than mounted. After a few minutes of this a blur smashes into the ground to the right of the doghouse, it slides into the doghouse destroying it in the process, looking almost like a cannonball taking out a poorly fortified bunker.
Still not quite sure what she saw was real Nabiki hunches forward on her seat to get a better look at the screen.
On the screen she can see that the dog had barely gotten out in time, though not entirely unscathed since his hindquarters sported a real nasty gouge that was starting to bleed. The camera suddenly takes a sharp angle and is lying on its side, but still facing out to the yard. A girl that Nabiki quickly recognizes as Ranma-chan gets out of the wreckage of the doghouse and dusts herself off. She looks around in confusion for a bit before speaking to someone off screen then leaping away so fast she appeared to disappear. Nabiki was about to rewind it to slow down the imagery when she double-checked the time on the display.
"Wait, it couldn't be..."
Quickly pulling up another file, Nabiki checks the time on the recorded image against the time on her personal surveillance equipment for the recording that she had made earlier of Ranma-chan leaping and falling to the ground.
"Ranma managed to move from our yard to this one in only a matter of seconds?" She stated out loud with a look of disbelief on her face.
Then glancing down the analysis of the recording she finds the address of the yard. Gasping out "Impossible!" she pulled out a map from her desk and located the two addresses on it measuring the distance against the key on the corner.
"He'd have to have been going in excess of 80 kph to reach that yard so quick."
Hearing a thump from her closet she whirls around and finds P-chan moving around in a pile of her shoes. "So that's how my desk got messed up." Picking the pig up by his bandana collar she hollers out her door, "Akane, I found P-chan, could you come and get him from me?" Setting the pig down on her lap and petting him behind the ears she starts to view the other image clips that she was sent by her benefactor. Before they could load up and play for her Akane barged into her room without knocking.
"Nabiki, Have you seen Ranma?" She exclaimed out of breath.
"Not since he left this morning," she then holds out P-chan "by the way here's your pig."
"Thanks Nabiki. He hasn't been back home since he disappeared this morning. Do you think he's running away again?"
"No not really, maybe he's just out training." Nabiki then turns on a screen saver so that Akane can't see what she's got displayed on her computer and swivels in her chair to look directly at her sister.
"It would be just like that jerk to show up at home and then leave without so much as a hello." Akane states, starting to fume a bit. "Why can't he be more like Ryoga, why's he got to be such an idiotic jerk." Nabiki refuses to comment at this but just cocks her head a little waiting for Akane to continue on her diatribe. Instead though her sister just sits down on Nabiki's bed and pets P-chan while sulking. "Akane, as much as I enjoy your presence, why don't you go out for a bit. I'm sure that Ranma will be home later, you can ask him then where he's been."
"Ok Nabiki. Just please keep him here untill I get back if he shows up. I'm tired of him running away and I need to talk to him." She then gets up and leaves the room with P-chan cuddled in her arms.
Nabiki gets up and closes the door behind her sister (Cowardly huh? Probably been listening to Ryoga too much. Dang Akane, you're going to miss out if you can't start to trust him.) out loud this time Nabiki states in a contemplative tone "maybe you should try to date Ryoga? Nah, he'd get lost before they got to the date." Waiving her hand in dismissal she sits back down at her computer to continue analyzing the data she received.
**********
"Father?"
Lowering the barrel of his gun from the small humanoid female the old dwarf wondered what it was.
"Are you my Father?" she asked again in an almost pleading tone, managing to look adorable in a very waif like fashion.
"Little one, I am no ones father as yet. But I may be yours if ye so desire." He said his heart going out to the small creature.
Jumping up in glee the little humanoid girl ran up to him and hugged his torso. Looking down at the translucent figure that stood no higher than his waist the old dwarven veteran pushed his goggles up on his head and lowered himself so he could look the girl child in the eyes. "Child, if I'm to be yer father I need to know yer name."
"Name, what's that Father?" She said in an innocent voice.
"It tis what one is called little one. And since you are blue as a gem you shall be known as Sapphire." He said while putting down his cannon and picking her up underneath the arms. Holding her at arms length he gazed at her body, memorizing what she looked like. "If not for yer glass-like appearance I'd almost suspect that ye be a human girl." Putting her down and picking up his cannon to sling across his back he motions for her to follow him back down the hallway he came from. "No we can't be havin ya walking around in yer altogether now can we. Let's see what we can dredge up from the ships stores now shall we?" he said while the pixyish little Sapphire followed along beside him.
"Father, where are we?"
Looking down at his new adoptive daughter "We're in the Dwarven Ley Sub Yggdrissel. The pride of the UWW."
"What's a Ley Sub Father?"
"It is a ship that can carry us across the vast ocean of space little one. A very ship of the Stars."
"What're Stars Father?"
"I see that yer going to be a pleasant person to teach my little Sapphire. I will explain as much in time as I may. Untill them, lets get you dressed shall we?"
"Father, what's dressed."
**********
Ranma-chan was slowly walking back to Nerima. Not bothering to roof hop or to use her abilities to speed up her progress she trudged along thinking towards the future. (What am I going to do? I can't remember a thing past yesterday. Do I want to go back? Do I want to leave?)
Interrupting her thoughts is a loud blaring horn.
To startled to move Ranma-chan just stares at the truck as it barrels down at her. The truck, to heavy to stop quick enough plows into the hapless girl, bowling her over and tossing her light body to the side onto the sidewalk. Groggily getting up Ranma-chan notices that her right arm hurts as well as her right hip. And she can feel something liquid flowing down the right side of her face. Hands force her back down before she can get up and a light is shined directly in her eyes. Some people dressed in white with armbands on their left arms with a red cross and with similarly adorned helmets start ordering people back. One of them is the person shining a light in her eyes. Another leans forward with some sort of mask and puts it over her face.
**********
Nodoka Saotome was practicing in her back yard when she heard the phone ring. Coming out of her kata gently she sheathes the sword she's using in a smooth practiced grace and hurries into the house to answer the phone.
"Saotome Residence" She states picking up the receiver.
"..."
"What do you mean my daughter is in the hospital?"
"..."
"I'm sure that this is a misunderstanding." Nodoka is becoming a bit agitated, but still showing much concern in her worried expression.
"..."
"Yes I do have a child by the name of Ranma,"
"..."
"No he's a boy."
"..."
"Positive identification? Matching fingerprints?" She is becoming a bit scared, and baffled at this point.
"..."
"Very well, I'll be down shortly."
"..." Nodoka starts to jot down some information on a note pad.
"Thank you, I'm sure this is a misunderstanding, but the poor girl will still need some guidance."
Going to her room Nodoka quickly removes her training garb and replaces it with a conservative kimono. Picking up the Saotome honor blade on her way out she closes the door and walks down the street.
**********
Back in her room Nabiki was still going over some of the footage of Ranma- chan that she had received. Opening up the next video clip, as well as the corresponding analysis she's surprised to see just a forested area. Because of the way that the camera had panned mid way through she was sure that it was using a telephoto lens. As it zooms onto a group of teenagers wearing the uniform of the neighboring school district it is obvious that the 5 boys are dragging an unwilling girl with them to the grove of trees that they were heading to.
Watching as they entered she noticed a small purple blur at the corner of the screen. The blur zipped around to the side of the grove and disappeared into the trees. After a few moments the girl that was being dragged into the trees stumbles out of them and runs towards the town. A couple of minutes later one of the boys flies out followed shortly by 3 of the others, one being helped out by the other two since it seemed that he couldn't walk unassisted. Then the fifth street punk slowly backed out holding a gun pointed back into the glade. After he was several paces from the grove, he turned and ran as if all the hounds of hell were on his tail. Reading the analysis Nabiki fast-forwarded about an hour and sees Happosei walk out of the grove and then turn into a blur as he sped towards the city. Following him out was Ranma-chan but with a torn shirt and a bruise on her forehead.
While she was gently rubbing her forehead she walked towards the city, the camera panned trying to follow the girl into the city. After tracing her path and being blocked by a couple of buildings the camera was able to pick her up as she wandered into the street not paying attention to her surroundings. Nabiki moved to the edge of her seat and gasped in fear for the pig-tailed martial artist as she saw a moving truck barring down on her. Seeing Ranma-chan get hit almost broke her asunder, and seeing her body flung across the street to rebound off of the far building Nabiki was sure that there was no way that the slight girl could survive the impact. While biting her hand she watched as people off the street attempted to get her lying down comfortably and straightened her out. One person was about to check her pulse when some paramedics showed up and leaned over her and started to try to stabilize the girl. One put something over her face when she tried to get up on her own and she lay back down not trying to fight to get up any more. The paramedics then put her on a stretcher and carried her off to a waiting ambulance. Shortly after that the image clip ended. Biting back her tears and sobs she started to read the analysis on the imagery and almost swallowed her heart when she read the speed that the truck had been traveling at. Picking up her cell phone she dialed the number of her contact quickly.
"Yeah, this is Nabiki." She managed without sounding like she had been crying.
"..."
"Can you confirm the speed that the truck was traveling at in the end clip?"
"..."
"No it is hard to believe. I wouldn't have believed it myself."
"..."
"Yes I'm reading the end report, do you know which hospital she was taken to?"
"..."
"Very well, I'll deposit the rest of your funds to your account. Plus a suitable bonus. I look forward to working with you in the future Gosunkugi."
**********
Downstairs in the kitchen Kasumi is preparing dinner for the household when the phone rings, carefully cleaning her hands and going over to the phone she picks up the receiver "Hello, Tendo residence."
"..."
"Yes there is a Ranma Saotome living here."
"..."
"No he hasn't returned today."
"..."
"Oh, My. Is she alright?"
"..."
"Yes she lives here as well."
"..."
"Her name is Ranma as well."
"..."
"Their father lives here."
"..."
"Ok, I'll make sure that they find out."
"..."
"Thanks, have a nice day. Good bye." Hanging up the receiver Kasumi then goes back to fixing dinner. Shortly afterwards Akane comes into the kitchen looking like she's searching for something.
"Can I help you Akane?"
"I'm looking for P-chan, have you seen him around?"
"No I haven't."
Akane the stops looking around the kitchen, "who was that on the phone Kasumi?"
"Just someone letting us know that Ranma won't be home tonight. By the way, dinner will be ready soon. Please let everyone know."
"What's he done now. Bet he's off with some girl." Akane fumes as she goes in search of the rest of the family.
**********
Authors Notes:
None yet, waiting for pre-readers and reviews. Then I'll re-post this with notes.
TTFN
Standard Disclaimer... I don't own Ranma 1/2, Marvel, Rifts, TSR or any other works of fantasy/fiction or published works that appear in this fanfiction. I do this for no profit and only for the enjoyment of writing and sharing these stories with other fans.
This story takes place shortly before Nodoka shows up in Ranma 1/2, and I am currently only drawing the Weapon X program from Marvel and am not sure if any other Marvel characters/people will show up [reasoning being that Wolverine was on his own long before he teamed up with the X-Men, so if Weapon X was to get a hold of anyone that they have a chance to change them and that the X-Men might or might not ever hear about the person]
Ok, this is also where more of the X-Over aspects of this fanfic become apparent. Hopefully I don't lose anyone as I try to tie in a few characters from other universes and dimensions outside of the Ranma Verse. Also I am borrowing a character or two. I don't really want to do what many Fanfiction authors have done in the past and bog myself down with 50 60 characters from various dimensions. So unless I get many requests from people I will probably only be borrowing one to three characters from any dimension/universe/continuum other than Ranma.
( ) = Thoughts * * = Telepathy = Chinese [due to those ever loved Amazons] / / = Machine Language [no not binary, machine people, it explains in the fic] [ ] = Authors description/explanation [I like to ramble sometimes]
**********
In a rustic old fashioned tavern, perhaps seen in many a town hundreds of years ago a large tattooed bald man wearing leather armor and carrying a large sword strapped across his back was sitting down at a wooden bar sipping a frothy liquid from a earthenware mug. All the while talking to something sitting on the counter in front of him. Upon closer inspection it is seen that he is talking to a tawny colored hamster that is contentedly munching on a piece of bread.
Watching this man from the other side of the tavern is a auburn haired young woman wearing a cloak hiding what she wears underneath who is also fingering a dagger, spinning it around on the tip of it's blade on her index finger.
**********
Walking along a dark passageway is a older fellow, perhaps 4 feet tall or so, he has a bulbous nose, a long gray beard, and is wearing an odd mesh of hard leather armor with technology seemingly woven in or patched on. He has a pair of goggles resting on top of his head with some odd colors blinking on the side of them and some form of writing flashing across the front of them, though it is not discernable from this angle what is written. Strapped across his back, perhaps on a larger man a better size comparison but on this dwarfish man it seems almost ludicrous, is a large black and gunmetal gray techno rifle. Actually rifle is probably an understatement, this looks more like a shoulder mounted cannon, you know, the type used to take out star craft and large tanks.
Strolling up to the end of the corridor the dwarf unslings his cannon and gently setting it down to the side he reaches out to a power panel while taking some tools out of one of his many pockets. Using the tools he quickly takes off the cover to peer inside. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary he pulls his goggles down over his eyes and a startled expression is on his face shortly as he jumps back grabbing his cannon on the way. Swinging the muzzle of the monstrous weapon around in a quick arc he levels it at the wall just under the panel. The wall under the panel then slowly dissolves into a clear blue puddle of some sort of liquid on the floor that re-forms into a small humanoid shape, almost female in form she looks up into the eyes of the dwarf and then speaks.
"Father?"
********
In a glade located on the outskirts of the Nerima Ward of Tokyo a dwarfish old man in a dark purple dogi can be seen talking with a very beautiful crimson haired young woman who has some gashes in her black tank top, and a visible cut on her stomach seen through her ripped shirt. She's slowly fingering said cut as if in deep thought and un-aware of what she is doing. The old man is looking at her fingering the wound and inches forward. Pulling her hand back from the wound he mutters something.
"What'd you say old man?"
"I said 'interesting'"
"Why?"
"Because your wound is still unhealed. I would've thought that Weapon X had given you regenerative powers or at least some form of armoring. But looking at your wound it appears as though a knife only lightly sliced you. Though from what you told me he had stabbed you." He then backs up and sits down on a rock a little bit a ways from her. "I don't know what to make of it."
"Oh well, by the way thanks for informing me a little on my past, but... umm how do I need to act when around the others? After all as you've said I act different than they're used to. Won't they notice a difference?."
"Yes they will, especially Nabiki and Kasumi." Shrugging his shoulders and getting up to leave. "If you want to attract the least attention then you'll need to stay as a guy most of the time."
"But it's easier to remain as a girl, after all I get splashed with cold water all the time. It's not often that I get splashed with hot water."
Glancing back over his shoulder as he's leaving "yep, and the old Ranma hated his girl form. And many would think it's odd if you all of the sudden started to like it."
**********
At the Nekohauten things were happening as normal, at least on the surface. Underneath there was a level of tension that hadn't been before. Cologne was working in the kitchen by herself as usual, and Shampoo was out serving the customers. However there was a chipper ness that was missing from Shampoo's face and Cologne seemed to be wearing a permanent scowl. Curiously missing was a certain "Mr. Part Timer" that was often used as a whipping boy by the two prideful Amazons.
**********
At Ukyo's Okonomiaki Ukyo Kounji was in the process of serving up her last client that was in the store when she looked up and saw someone entering her establishment. Seeing that it was Nabiki Tendo walking in the door she hand motioned for Konatsu to change the sign from open to closed. Nabiki came up and sat at the counter and waited patiently for Ukyo to finish up with her customer who took the Okonomiaki to go and left.
"What can I do for ya sugar?" Ukyo asked Nabiki when she just sat there with her hands crossed in front of her, seemingly in contemplation.
"A trade in information perhaps Ukyo?" Nabiki stated finally taking her eyes from her hands and looking the chef directly in the eyes.
"What type of info?"
"The Ranma kind."
"I'm all ears. Has he returned? Is he alright?" the chef asked showing excited concern.
"Yes, and yes." Nabiki then motioned for Ukyo to take a seat next to her and swiveled the seat to face the chef. "Now that I've answered some of your questions, you answer mine. When was the last time you saw Ranma training, and what was he training on?"
Ukyo sat there for a minute in contemplation before looking back up at Nabiki "He was working on a new speed technique, however that was a few months ago. Why?"
Nabiki thought for a second then got up turning to go. "No reason, just confirming something." Then she left while Ukyo was a bit confused by her cryptic statement.
"Mistress, would you like me to follow her and report on what I observe?" Konatsu asked from directly behind Ukyo.
Jumping a bit from sudden voice behind her "Damn it Konatsu I've told you about sneaking up on me like that." Calming down and straitening her clothes a bit "Yes please do. I need to know what's going on with Ranchan."
The slight male kunoichi moved quickly up the stairs to the upper floor of the shop and then Ukyo could sense him no more as he quickly moved beyond her senses after leaving the building from the upper level.
**********
Nabiki was deep in thought while heading back to the Tendo Dojo. Not really paying attention to her surroundings she walked into the house intent on finding out what had really happened to Ranma.
(Okay, Item 1 Ranma disappears for two weeks
Item 2 Ryoga shows up bragging about how Ranma had been defeated
Item 3 Mousse show up very disturbed and demands that I help him
to get away from the Amazons, more importantly he pays a
handsome sum to get me to forge new identities.
Item 4 The Amazons haven't shown up to demand anything, not even
Ranma's disappearance.
I really need to write this all down and go over it on paper.)
Ending her thoughts she goes upstairs and to her room where she starts to write everything down verbatim to what she had thought earlier
Okay, Item 1 Ranma disappears for two weeks
Item 2 Ryoga shows up bragging about how Ranma had been defeated
Item 3 Mousse show up very disturbed and demands that I help him
to get away from the Amazons, more importantly he pays a
handsome sum to get me to forge new identities.
Item 4 The Amazons haven't shown up to demand anything, not even
Ranma's disappearance.
Item 5 Akane has not attempted to find or tag along with wherever
Ranma has disappeared to.
Item 6 Ranma returns, but isn't acting like normal. Barely responding
to his name let alone any questions it's like he's someone else
but that's impossible.
Item 7 His strange new jumping ability. Even recorded he's to fast to
make out.
Where are the common denominators.
Questions:
Q. 1 Where was Ranma
Q. 2 Is Ryoga responsible?
Q. 3 What happened to Mousse.
Q. 4 How does this affect the Tendo Dojo.
Putting her notepad away after writing down everything to her content she decided to let it lay untill some form of inspiration showed up.
Getting up and heading downstairs she fails to notice P-chan entering her room behind her.
**********
Ryoga-buta had just wandered upstairs when he heard Nabiki get up from her desk in her room in frustration. Wondering what had got her so frustrated he decided to enter her room and look around. Easily finding her room, and even easier finding her desk he jumped up and started to nuzzle around the desk looking for anything important. Finding nothing he got up and went to the closet to see if she kept anything in there of importance.
Snickering while rooting around the closet at the idiocy of some of the people that he's encountered he laughs as well about how dense all of them are. After all it was too easy nowadays to find his way. Several months ago he had wandered upon a shrine that had helped him to cure himself of his directional curse so that he could find his way anywhere he wanted to. Better yet though they hadn't been able to cure his curse, they did help him to gain control of it through some meditative techniques. He could now shrug off the effects of water on his cursed or natural form, and though he still required water to change, it was now a conscious thought rather than some kami's whim that he change form pig to man or vice versa. Heck he had now even gotten over his nose bleeding problem, courtesy of Akane taking him into the bath a couple of weeks ago. Better yet she had been a little bit out of sorts after having some strange dream and didn't realize that she had brought her pet into the bath with her.
P-Chan as usual had gone into a corner to watch her change and go through her bathing ritual when to his surprise he had witness her start to rub down her breasts and groin while moaning out loud. Resisting the urge to jump into the furo and turn back into a man to properly please his beloved he decided to stay and watch her. After a few minutes both of her hands had wandered down to her the cleft between her legs. Moaning out Ranma's name she convulsed a little and then settled down with a blush on her face.
Ryoga had been furious with this. Even after his defeat and subsequent death his nemesis still haunted him. Why couldn't the fiend stay dead. At least he hadn't recognized him when he was snuggling in his dear Akane's arms. Oh well, he managed to defeat his foe once before, he'll manage to do so again.
While still rooting around in the closet he hears the door open, quickly jumping up onto the top shelf of the closet and hiding behind a shoebox he listens to whoever entered the room.
**********
Nabiki enters her room again after raiding the fridge for some ice cream. Closing the door behind her she sits down at her desk and pulls out a cell phone from one of her drawers. Quickly dialing a number she glances down on her desk while waiting for the person she called to pick up the other end of the line. Looking closer at her desk she realizes that everything has been moved on it. As she's quickly re-arranging everything on the desk to where it's supposed to be the person picks up.
"This is Nabiki."
"..."
"Yes, the first part was deposited in your account."
"..."
"Ok, I'll download your recording." Nabiki turns on her computer.
"..."
"No, I haven't seen it yet. I'm still booting up my computer." She starts to tap her foot, a bit annoyed by the time it's taking to start up her computer.
"..."
"If you say so."
"..."
"You already had it analyzed? Great, I'll go ahead and deposit a larger sum if the information pans out." Nabiki stands up and heads over to the closet. P-chan hiding in the top shelf scurries back a little bit trying to stay out of site as she gets closer.
"..."
"Ok, give me the address." Nabiki grabs a notepad from the bottom of her closet and quickly jots down a string of numbers.
"..."
"Yes I'll check it out as soon as it loads, a bit impatient aren't you?" She closes the closet door, not noticing that it had been open before.
"..."
"Ok, I'm starting to download it. Look why don't I just do my own analysis and compare it to the notes that you've compiled on the subject and I'll give you what you're due." Nabiki opens up a web browser and enters the same string of numbers that she jotted down a minute ago in the address bar.
"..."
"No need to be testy. How about this, I'll call you and discuss payment further after I've seen and evaluated the recording." She moved her cursor around the site a little bit and selected a file that she started to download.
"..."
"Okay, I'll call you in no less than an hour." Nabiki then closed the flip plate on her cell phone and put it down on the desk next to her computer. Loading up the imagery from the download once it finished she pulled the window displaying the imagery to the side of the monitor and the text analysis to the right side so that she could view both at once.
Looking at the image she notices first that there is a digital run counter on the bottom of the page. The view overlooks a yard the camera is pointing at a doghouse with a bored looking dog sitting inside. With no sound playing Nabiki can't be sure if anyone's saying anything, and with the slight jerky motion of the image she assumes that the camera is handheld rather than mounted. After a few minutes of this a blur smashes into the ground to the right of the doghouse, it slides into the doghouse destroying it in the process, looking almost like a cannonball taking out a poorly fortified bunker.
Still not quite sure what she saw was real Nabiki hunches forward on her seat to get a better look at the screen.
On the screen she can see that the dog had barely gotten out in time, though not entirely unscathed since his hindquarters sported a real nasty gouge that was starting to bleed. The camera suddenly takes a sharp angle and is lying on its side, but still facing out to the yard. A girl that Nabiki quickly recognizes as Ranma-chan gets out of the wreckage of the doghouse and dusts herself off. She looks around in confusion for a bit before speaking to someone off screen then leaping away so fast she appeared to disappear. Nabiki was about to rewind it to slow down the imagery when she double-checked the time on the display.
"Wait, it couldn't be..."
Quickly pulling up another file, Nabiki checks the time on the recorded image against the time on her personal surveillance equipment for the recording that she had made earlier of Ranma-chan leaping and falling to the ground.
"Ranma managed to move from our yard to this one in only a matter of seconds?" She stated out loud with a look of disbelief on her face.
Then glancing down the analysis of the recording she finds the address of the yard. Gasping out "Impossible!" she pulled out a map from her desk and located the two addresses on it measuring the distance against the key on the corner.
"He'd have to have been going in excess of 80 kph to reach that yard so quick."
Hearing a thump from her closet she whirls around and finds P-chan moving around in a pile of her shoes. "So that's how my desk got messed up." Picking the pig up by his bandana collar she hollers out her door, "Akane, I found P-chan, could you come and get him from me?" Setting the pig down on her lap and petting him behind the ears she starts to view the other image clips that she was sent by her benefactor. Before they could load up and play for her Akane barged into her room without knocking.
"Nabiki, Have you seen Ranma?" She exclaimed out of breath.
"Not since he left this morning," she then holds out P-chan "by the way here's your pig."
"Thanks Nabiki. He hasn't been back home since he disappeared this morning. Do you think he's running away again?"
"No not really, maybe he's just out training." Nabiki then turns on a screen saver so that Akane can't see what she's got displayed on her computer and swivels in her chair to look directly at her sister.
"It would be just like that jerk to show up at home and then leave without so much as a hello." Akane states, starting to fume a bit. "Why can't he be more like Ryoga, why's he got to be such an idiotic jerk." Nabiki refuses to comment at this but just cocks her head a little waiting for Akane to continue on her diatribe. Instead though her sister just sits down on Nabiki's bed and pets P-chan while sulking. "Akane, as much as I enjoy your presence, why don't you go out for a bit. I'm sure that Ranma will be home later, you can ask him then where he's been."
"Ok Nabiki. Just please keep him here untill I get back if he shows up. I'm tired of him running away and I need to talk to him." She then gets up and leaves the room with P-chan cuddled in her arms.
Nabiki gets up and closes the door behind her sister (Cowardly huh? Probably been listening to Ryoga too much. Dang Akane, you're going to miss out if you can't start to trust him.) out loud this time Nabiki states in a contemplative tone "maybe you should try to date Ryoga? Nah, he'd get lost before they got to the date." Waiving her hand in dismissal she sits back down at her computer to continue analyzing the data she received.
**********
"Father?"
Lowering the barrel of his gun from the small humanoid female the old dwarf wondered what it was.
"Are you my Father?" she asked again in an almost pleading tone, managing to look adorable in a very waif like fashion.
"Little one, I am no ones father as yet. But I may be yours if ye so desire." He said his heart going out to the small creature.
Jumping up in glee the little humanoid girl ran up to him and hugged his torso. Looking down at the translucent figure that stood no higher than his waist the old dwarven veteran pushed his goggles up on his head and lowered himself so he could look the girl child in the eyes. "Child, if I'm to be yer father I need to know yer name."
"Name, what's that Father?" She said in an innocent voice.
"It tis what one is called little one. And since you are blue as a gem you shall be known as Sapphire." He said while putting down his cannon and picking her up underneath the arms. Holding her at arms length he gazed at her body, memorizing what she looked like. "If not for yer glass-like appearance I'd almost suspect that ye be a human girl." Putting her down and picking up his cannon to sling across his back he motions for her to follow him back down the hallway he came from. "No we can't be havin ya walking around in yer altogether now can we. Let's see what we can dredge up from the ships stores now shall we?" he said while the pixyish little Sapphire followed along beside him.
"Father, where are we?"
Looking down at his new adoptive daughter "We're in the Dwarven Ley Sub Yggdrissel. The pride of the UWW."
"What's a Ley Sub Father?"
"It is a ship that can carry us across the vast ocean of space little one. A very ship of the Stars."
"What're Stars Father?"
"I see that yer going to be a pleasant person to teach my little Sapphire. I will explain as much in time as I may. Untill them, lets get you dressed shall we?"
"Father, what's dressed."
**********
Ranma-chan was slowly walking back to Nerima. Not bothering to roof hop or to use her abilities to speed up her progress she trudged along thinking towards the future. (What am I going to do? I can't remember a thing past yesterday. Do I want to go back? Do I want to leave?)
Interrupting her thoughts is a loud blaring horn.
To startled to move Ranma-chan just stares at the truck as it barrels down at her. The truck, to heavy to stop quick enough plows into the hapless girl, bowling her over and tossing her light body to the side onto the sidewalk. Groggily getting up Ranma-chan notices that her right arm hurts as well as her right hip. And she can feel something liquid flowing down the right side of her face. Hands force her back down before she can get up and a light is shined directly in her eyes. Some people dressed in white with armbands on their left arms with a red cross and with similarly adorned helmets start ordering people back. One of them is the person shining a light in her eyes. Another leans forward with some sort of mask and puts it over her face.
**********
Nodoka Saotome was practicing in her back yard when she heard the phone ring. Coming out of her kata gently she sheathes the sword she's using in a smooth practiced grace and hurries into the house to answer the phone.
"Saotome Residence" She states picking up the receiver.
"..."
"What do you mean my daughter is in the hospital?"
"..."
"I'm sure that this is a misunderstanding." Nodoka is becoming a bit agitated, but still showing much concern in her worried expression.
"..."
"Yes I do have a child by the name of Ranma,"
"..."
"No he's a boy."
"..."
"Positive identification? Matching fingerprints?" She is becoming a bit scared, and baffled at this point.
"..."
"Very well, I'll be down shortly."
"..." Nodoka starts to jot down some information on a note pad.
"Thank you, I'm sure this is a misunderstanding, but the poor girl will still need some guidance."
Going to her room Nodoka quickly removes her training garb and replaces it with a conservative kimono. Picking up the Saotome honor blade on her way out she closes the door and walks down the street.
**********
Back in her room Nabiki was still going over some of the footage of Ranma- chan that she had received. Opening up the next video clip, as well as the corresponding analysis she's surprised to see just a forested area. Because of the way that the camera had panned mid way through she was sure that it was using a telephoto lens. As it zooms onto a group of teenagers wearing the uniform of the neighboring school district it is obvious that the 5 boys are dragging an unwilling girl with them to the grove of trees that they were heading to.
Watching as they entered she noticed a small purple blur at the corner of the screen. The blur zipped around to the side of the grove and disappeared into the trees. After a few moments the girl that was being dragged into the trees stumbles out of them and runs towards the town. A couple of minutes later one of the boys flies out followed shortly by 3 of the others, one being helped out by the other two since it seemed that he couldn't walk unassisted. Then the fifth street punk slowly backed out holding a gun pointed back into the glade. After he was several paces from the grove, he turned and ran as if all the hounds of hell were on his tail. Reading the analysis Nabiki fast-forwarded about an hour and sees Happosei walk out of the grove and then turn into a blur as he sped towards the city. Following him out was Ranma-chan but with a torn shirt and a bruise on her forehead.
While she was gently rubbing her forehead she walked towards the city, the camera panned trying to follow the girl into the city. After tracing her path and being blocked by a couple of buildings the camera was able to pick her up as she wandered into the street not paying attention to her surroundings. Nabiki moved to the edge of her seat and gasped in fear for the pig-tailed martial artist as she saw a moving truck barring down on her. Seeing Ranma-chan get hit almost broke her asunder, and seeing her body flung across the street to rebound off of the far building Nabiki was sure that there was no way that the slight girl could survive the impact. While biting her hand she watched as people off the street attempted to get her lying down comfortably and straightened her out. One person was about to check her pulse when some paramedics showed up and leaned over her and started to try to stabilize the girl. One put something over her face when she tried to get up on her own and she lay back down not trying to fight to get up any more. The paramedics then put her on a stretcher and carried her off to a waiting ambulance. Shortly after that the image clip ended. Biting back her tears and sobs she started to read the analysis on the imagery and almost swallowed her heart when she read the speed that the truck had been traveling at. Picking up her cell phone she dialed the number of her contact quickly.
"Yeah, this is Nabiki." She managed without sounding like she had been crying.
"..."
"Can you confirm the speed that the truck was traveling at in the end clip?"
"..."
"No it is hard to believe. I wouldn't have believed it myself."
"..."
"Yes I'm reading the end report, do you know which hospital she was taken to?"
"..."
"Very well, I'll deposit the rest of your funds to your account. Plus a suitable bonus. I look forward to working with you in the future Gosunkugi."
**********
Downstairs in the kitchen Kasumi is preparing dinner for the household when the phone rings, carefully cleaning her hands and going over to the phone she picks up the receiver "Hello, Tendo residence."
"..."
"Yes there is a Ranma Saotome living here."
"..."
"No he hasn't returned today."
"..."
"Oh, My. Is she alright?"
"..."
"Yes she lives here as well."
"..."
"Her name is Ranma as well."
"..."
"Their father lives here."
"..."
"Ok, I'll make sure that they find out."
"..."
"Thanks, have a nice day. Good bye." Hanging up the receiver Kasumi then goes back to fixing dinner. Shortly afterwards Akane comes into the kitchen looking like she's searching for something.
"Can I help you Akane?"
"I'm looking for P-chan, have you seen him around?"
"No I haven't."
Akane the stops looking around the kitchen, "who was that on the phone Kasumi?"
"Just someone letting us know that Ranma won't be home tonight. By the way, dinner will be ready soon. Please let everyone know."
"What's he done now. Bet he's off with some girl." Akane fumes as she goes in search of the rest of the family.
**********
Authors Notes:
None yet, waiting for pre-readers and reviews. Then I'll re-post this with notes.
TTFN