Weapon X Japan 05
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]
{ } = Demongogian
^" "^ = Recorded or replayed conversation.
[ ] = Authors description/explanation [I like to ramble sometimes]
**********
Onboard the Yggdrissel, the old dwarf Pimp was on his way to pick up Sapphire from her training on the bridge. Looking forward to some one on one time with her he reflected on the months that had passed since finding his adoptive daughter. Onboard an interstellar exploration and research vassal that meant that they had traveled a long way, both physically and mentally in the case of the little Sapphire. She was no longer the see thru pint sized little gem like when the old dwarf had found her, but was obtaining a glassy translucent quality to her body. She now appeared as a 10-year-old human girl with elfin features and though it was of the same material as her body she had a mane of long thick hair that she kept tied in a ponytail behind her. Often dressing in slacks or coveralls when on duty she was free as could be at other times. Pimp still had trouble teaching her to remain clothed in humanoid company and she would remove said articles of clothing the second she had a chance to complaining that they constricted her movement and that it felt like she was stuck in a mental fog when dressed. The old dwarf would've just let it be if not for the fact that she was anatomically perfect for a human [if one ignores the fact that she appears to be made out of gemstone or something equivalent] and as such the humanoids on the ship had asked the veteran if he can try to train her in some amount of modesty. Shrugging his shoulders and continuing onto the bridge Pimp decided that Sapphire will be Sapphire, and that all he could do was enjoy raising his adoptive daughter to the best of his ability.
Sapphire was currently reading some star charts on the bridge under the supervision of the Gurgoyle astrogator of the UWW Space Sub Yggdrissel. The Gurgoyle in question was named Drssil, and had grown to like the perky and always questioning star found girl. She looked up at her teacher and smiled pointing to a cluster of stars and then chatted a small incantation that had the effect of causing a vast webbed network of lightly glowing luminous lines to appear overlaid on the chart. Then pointing to one of the lines she muttered another arcane word and a glowing red dot appeared. Drssil was pleased with this, after all he'd only been teaching her the ways of Magical Astrogator for a week, and already she had the cantrips of ley navigation and stellar charting down. Perhaps another week and she could even take up a position on the watch. Though it would probably be another few months before she could plot a course through battle safely.
Pimp walked onto the bridge and surveyed it quickly before entering. Towards the far end was the view screen, currently offline with a battle magus and a Promethean working on it. Off to his left were the combat control seats, currently empty as the ships gunners were not needed untill an emergency. A little further on was the science/magic station where the magical probes of the sub as well as the more mundane technological methods were used to explore nearby space, there was one person there a tall crimson skinned beauty named Locke. She was the ships Science Magus in charge of any discoveries as well as the complex spells and sensors that the Yggdrissel implemented in its forays into the galaxy. Directly in front of him was the C3 platform [Central Command Control] where the second in command stood her watch. She was a slight humanoid girl with an Asian cast to her features and if you ignored the metallic angelic wings protruding from her back you'd almost mistake her for human. And finally off to his right were the astrogation consoles where his daughter Sapphire was standing on a chair casting numerous cantrips over the astrological display under the menacing but ultimately benign presence of the renegade Gurgoyle Drssil.
Walking up to Drssil, Pimp didn't show any hesitation of standing next to a being that he only came up to mid thigh on and tapped the Gurgoyles shoulder with his cannon to get his attention.
{Touch me again with that Plasma Cannon again and I'll shove your "Hooker" where the life tree may never see.}
"Tch tch Drssil, tis good ta see ye too. How be young Sapphires lessons old beastie?"
{Impudent Dwarf, must you mock me at every turn?}
"Ye know I do so only in the best of humor."
{Very well, I will accept your statement.} Drssil then waives towards the table that Sapphire is working on. {Your young one is learning quick, another month or two and she will know all I can teach.}
"Then it'll be time to send her onto Cryx, and see if she can gain the attunement necessary to defend herself and others with weapons." Pimp says while gently holding his gun.
"You two do know you don't need to talk about me as if I'm not here" Sapphire said from her chair in front of the astronavigation board. Turning around on the seat she looks at the two of them, "So what next Drssil?"
{Next you rest, even I can tell that you are worn from the day. I will see you a few shifts from now.} Making a shooing motion towards the gemlike girl and her adoptive dwarven father Drssil goes back to observing the flowing magic's on the display.
As Sapphire and Pimp move towards the entrance to the control deck she pulls down the jumper top and ties it's sleeves around her waist enjoying the freedom of movement her upper torso now has as her father just shakes his head at her impetuousness. "I tell ye, ya need to have a bit more modesty youngster. You may not care who sees yer flesh, but many a race may take you at their whim if they gain view of your fair body."
"Oh father, what does it matter. Besides none on this ship would ever dare to take advantage of me, especially staring down the barrel of 'Hooker'."
"Aye, that be true. But never the less, ye need to be a bit more conservative."
Quickly shucking the rest of her garment leaving her completely nude Sapphire tossed the garment at Pimp's face and stuck her tongue at her father before turning and streaking off down the corridor.
"Oh, but she belongs in forest glades running among other nymphs and satyrs. Not out among the stars with an old veteran." Pimp then tucks Sapphires coveralls into a belt pouch and leans on his shoulder cannon and mutters in dwarven, "One day I wish for her to find someone wild and free enough to be with. Perhaps a mate, perhaps a young one of her own." Feeling a vibration on his back the dwarf reaches behind him and pulls out an ornate axe with a gemlike smoky green blade and a rune encrusted obsidian and leather handle. "Yes she will be great one day."
"..."
"Maybe."
"..."
"Very well, I'll see what I can do. But doncha be gettin any funny idears now, I'm not bout to start d-hoppin just to find someone who'll more likely than not be dead by the time we find him now am I?"
"..."
"I agree. K, Sorenno, we'll go. I'll be talkin to the captain then and turn in my leave papers." Putting the Axe back on his back it slowly fades from sight as the dwarf slowly ambles down the corridor towards his next destination.
**********
In a sterile room a red headed girl was sleeping soundly, the comforting beeping of diagnostic equipment heard lightly in the background not affecting her slumber. For her own modesty she was covered up to her shoulders by a white sheet with her arms on top and a small black finger cap on her left middle finger with a wire coming off of it and leading into a small machine sitting on a table next to her bedside. She also had a respirator on her face leading to a rebreather sitting on a table on the other side of her bed, with it's rhythmic pumping of air coinciding with the rise and fall of her chest.
Walking into the room was a middle aged woman in a lab smock carrying a clipboard leading another middle aged woman that was dressed in a fancy kimono and carrying a wrapped bundle. "Ms. Saotome, here is your daughter."
"I assure you that I don't have a daughter, there must be some mistake." Nodoka said while entering the room.
"Actually her fingerprints match up with Ranma Saotome's fingerprints, and she was carrying a wallet with id's for said person. I can only assume that sometime in the past your son had gotten a sex change. Because this girl meets all the medical profiles and identification of your son."
"Very well, I shall see her. But what could have happened?"
"I don't know, she was brought in by paramedics this morning." The door opens again and a man in a tan overcoat comes in with a hat in hand.
"Good evening ladies." He says with a small bow to the two women in the room.
The woman in the lab smock turns to him bowing in return, "Good evening officer. What can we do for you?"
"Is this the room holding Ranma Saotome?"
Upon hearing this Nodoka gets a worried look on her face wondering what is going on she asks, "What is wrong officer?"
Looking at her the officer pulls out a wallet and flips out an ID card holding it for Nodoka to observe. "I'm with the JSDF, we are currently working with the local authorities looking for a suspect currently at large. Miss Saotome was last seen with him. I have come to ask her some questions before turning her over to the police."
"Why would she be turned over to the police sir?" Nodoka asked her heart going out to the unconscious girl on the bed. After all even if the girl wasn't her child for one so young to be a criminal was wrong in her eyes. And if by some weird twist of fate she was it was up to Nodoka to help protect and raise her.
"She and her father Genma Saotome are wanted on several outstanding warrants dating back up to 10 years. Though for some of it seeing her age and also her very apparent gender I would guess that it was Genma Saotome that was using her name when the warrant was issued."
"Oh, and can I ask what those warrants entail sir?"
"Petty larceny, Petty Theft, grand theft, the list goes on. And you are?"
"I'm her mother." Nodoka said standing slightly in the way of view between the JSDF Officer and Ranma-chan.
"Can I ask then why she's listed as a boy on the family registry?" he asks waiving his hand towards the unconscious girl.
"I'd like to find that out as well as what is going on. I haven't seen my child in ten years, after my husband disappeared with her."
"Okay, looks like your husband must have a lot to answer for. I'll have a guard posted outside the door untill she wakes up and I have a chance to ask some questions."
"Thank you officer, if I may, I'd like some time with my daughter in private." Turning to the lady in the lab smock as the JSDF Officer leaves the room, "May I inquire as to why she's unconscious?"
"She was given a mild gas sedative when the paramedics were not able to get her to settle down after her accident to prevent her from injuring herself. She's actually very lucky to be alive, let alone relatively unharmed. We couldn't find any major breaks or otherwise in her bones, and she only has mild road abrasions."
"Could you leave me alone with her?"
"Yes, if you need anything please push the nurse call button." With that the woman left the room closing the door after her.
Nodoka looked down at the resting girl. "What has happened do you, are you my son Ranma? Or are you someone else." Sighing, she sat down on the chair next to the bed and pulled the red heads hand into her own.
**********
Running down the street, followed by a large dog was a little black piglet wearing a spotted yellow bandana. Attempting to stay ahead of the dog the little porker wasn't paying attention to where he was running. After several minutes of running Ryoga-buta thought that he had lost the Canine so he stopped to look around. Not recognizing where he was the little pig was about to turn around and try to retrace his steps when a menacing person wearing a lab coat and glasses picks him up by the bandana.
"Well, well, what have we here?" putting the pig on an examination table in the lab that Ryoga-buta entered the scientist held him down while injecting something into him.
**********
Nabiki was on the move, after watching the recording and determining what ambulance had picked up Ranma-chan she grabbed her stuff and got out of the Tendo house to meet with some of her contacts. Flipping out her cell phone she typed in a string of numbers and held the unit to her ear.
"..."
"Sayuri, when you get this message go to the hospital in Yamate. Call my cell when you get there. Also bring your recording gear. We may need it." Closing her cell phone Nabiki continued walking to a nearby bus stop. Not having to wait long for the bus to arrive she got on and paid her fair. After a quick ride found Nabiki at a general hospital where she entered the Emergency room and went up to the check in desk.
"Scuse me, was there a red haired girl brought in this afternoon?"
The receptionist looks up at Nabiki and closes out something on her computer before replying. "Yes, and you are?"
"Her fiancé's sister. Could I go in and see her?"
"Yes she's down that hallway, inquire at the nurses station there please."
Nodding her head towards the receptionist Nabiki walked down past the Emergency entrance and past ICU and continued on to inpatient care. Walking up to the desk she asked the nurse what room Ranma was in and got pointed further into the ward towards a door that had a police officer standing guard out front of. Shrugging her shoulders about certain pig- tailed martial artists she went up to the room to enter. The guard stopped her out front and demanded to know who she was and what business she had in the room. Answering like she had at the front desk Nabiki was reluctantly allowed into the room where she found Ranma-chan unconscious in a bed covered only in a sheet with an older woman who had to be related holding her hand. Coughing quietly into her hand to get the woman's attention she gently closed the door.
"Can I help you miss?" The woman asked of Nabiki looking up at her.
"Actually I would ask you the same ma'am. I was wondering how you knew Ranma."
"If she is indeed Ranma Saotome, then she is my daughter." Nodoka answered with a melancholy expression.
"Hi, I'm Nabiki Tendo. The Sister of Ranma's Fiancé'." Nabiki said bowing formally to the older woman.
"May I ask you a question then?"
"Go ahead ma'am."
"Has Ranma always been a girl?"
Blinking a moment Nabiki came out of her startlement of the question to answer. "No, and there is a lot you need to be aware of about your daughter. I take it that you want to know why Ranma is a girl and not a boy?" Nodoka nodded her head in answer. "She is under a curse that she gained in China. When she is splashed with cold water she turns into a red headed girl. When splashed with hot water she turns back into a boy, the boy you know as your son." Looking at the older woman's incredulous expression Nabiki continued, "I'd demonstrate here, but I don't want the hospital or government knowing about his curse. His life has trouble enough as it is."
"Tough?"
"I'll explain later if that is alright." Their conversation is interrupted by Nabiki's cell phone ringing. "Just a second." Opening up her cell phone, "Hello?"
"..."
"Very well, you have the button cam?"
"..."
"Ok, then stay in the foyer with a good view and record anyone entering for now. I'll call Kurumi and Sayaka to relieve you if this takes long."
"..."
"Ok, I'll except that in trade."
"..."
"Bye."
Closing her phone and looking over at Nodoka Nabiki noticed that the older woman had a rather curious look on her face. "Insurance, as I said earlier, Ranma's life is rather hectic. Do you know when she'll be allowed out?"
"No, but a JSDF Officer was inquiring as to when she woke up to question her about her and her father."
"What'd uncle Genma do to get wanted by the Government?"
"I don't know what my husband did, but I will find out."
**********
Ryoga awoke to an odd sensation of floating. Not quite sure what was going on he opened his eyes. In front of him was a bright light from what appeared to be a ceiling light, not much to it, just a normal light bulb in a cement ceiling. Trying to move his head to the right he finds that he can't work any of the muscles in his neck, glancing to the right with just his eyes though he is able to see the top of a file cabinet. To his left he sees some more cabinets and the top of a door. He can't make anything else out.
"Finally awake I see."
Hearing this Ryoga tried to sit up but couldn't.
"Don't try any further. There are neural blocks in place to prevent you from moving. Wouldn't do to have you leave before we're able to test your abilities now would it?" The voice said moving from somewhere below him to his side. Glancing to the right again with his eyes Ryoga is able to make out the form of a man. Judging from the disheveled hair and the slightly dirty glasses that he could make out the man looming over Ryoga was probably a scientist or a doctor.
"I bet you are wondering what I'm going to do with you?" A beep is heard and then Ryoga starts to feel some sensation again. Though oddly enough only above his shoulders. Turning his head slightly he looks to see who his captor is. "You're not going to try anything brash now, are you?" Shaking his head negative Ryoga took in what he sees. The scientist is wearing a pristine lab coat with a button up shirt underneath, and gray slacks below. Oddly enough though he is wearing a belt that seems to be made of some techno-organic mesh, otherwise the man would fit into any lab or hospital that Ryoga new about. And with his ability to get lost [controlled now] Ryoga has seen many labs and hospitals.
"I found you running into the loading dock of my building, course you weren't in the form you are currently in."
"How'd yo—"
"Doesn't matter, suffice it to say that I did. And since I needed a new project after my old one got away..." he stated opening his arms wide as if to accommodate something or to welcome someone. Putting his arms back down the scientist wandered over to one of his workstations. Almost completely out of site from the former lost boy he starts talking again. "But unlike last time I think I want a willing subject. It'd make the process harder, true. Though the project would probably not be in as much jeopardy." Turning around and coming back into view. "You are a willing subject, are you not?"
"What do you want with me? What do you mean willing?"
"I mean, are you going to go along willingly. More to the point, will you follow orders."
"It depends on what those orders are." Ryoga stated, starting to get a cold gleam in his eyes as he feels that the scientist is toying with him.
"First, to go thru an enhancement process. It will be painful."
"And second?"
"Second is the elimination, or subjugation of prior subject 24601, formerly known as Ranma Saotome."
**********
Groggily waking up to a fuzzyheaded feeling Ranma-chan wondered where she was. Opening her eyes slowly to the hazy light of the room she turned her head to look at where she was.
"Look, she's waking up."
Glancing around the red head was able to find the speaker, an auburn haired woman wearing a formal kimono. Next to her was a young woman that looked familiar wearing a blue blouse and dark business slacks. "Who're you?" Ranma-chan asked looking at the woman sitting next to her as she sat up, feeling the sheet fall down around her waist. Seeing the woman start to blush and turn her head away Ranma-chan looked down and saw that she wasn't wearing anything. Quickly pulling the sheet up to cover her breasts the girl found herself blushing as well.
"Since when do you have any modesty Ranma?" Asked the young woman.
Ranma-chan was curious at this. Not remembering where the woman was from, or even how she knew her was a bit annoying. Looking at her Ranma-chan asked, "Do I know you?"
"You should, you're engaged to my sister."
The auburn haired woman turns in shock to this, looking at the younger woman standing behind her "did I hear you right, your sister? How did this happen?"
"Well, there are some things you need to know about your daughter. Like she's also your son."
"So this is Ranma then?"
"Yes, I'll explain later. If you need anything, I'll be outside." So saying the woman turned around and left the room. Leaving a confused Ranma- chan and Nodoka behind. Nodoka turned back to Ranma-chan, a loving although questioning look to her features. "Ranma? Is that you?"
"I guess so, are you my mother?" Ranma-chan asks, not quite sure how to feel.
"Yes, I am. Though I wonder how did you become like you are? Why would you want to have a gender change?"
"It wasn't by choice mother."
"Then there was an accident?"
"No, I can change back if you want."
"What do you mean, 'change back'?" Nodoka asks a questioning and confused look almost permantly fixed in her expression.
"Hot water. I guess. I change into a girl with cold water, and back into a guy with hot. Why?"
"How did this happen?"
Ranma-chan sits there thinking back on what Happosei told him earlier. Thinking on the best way to tell her mother she decides on the blunt approach. "Happened about a year ago I guess. Fell into a cursed spring in China. Now I'm cursed." Thinking for a second she continues, "though I don't remember it. I'm sorry that you have to see me like this mother. I guess that since I was born your son that seeing me as your daughter is something of a shock."
Nodoka starts to tear up a bit, her expression becoming sad she leans forward and embraces her son turned daughter and starts to cry, "I'm just glad to get my son back in any form. After your father Genma disappeared 10 years ago I had just about given up hope of ever holding my child again." Breaking down further, Nodoka wasn't able to continue talking.
Ranma-chan wasn't sure what to do at this time, since she had no recollection of her past, or who her family was she didn't know what to say. After a short while Ranma's distraught mother was able to recollect herself and leaned back a bit. Looking at her daughter in the eyes she breaks out in sobs again. Finishing her last emotional outbreak Nodoka composes herself and dabs at her face with a small handkerchief. "I'm sorry for breaking down like that Ranma. I guess that we have a lot to catch up on. Is it true that you're engaged?"
"Not that I know of."
"What do you mean, Nabiki just told me that her sister was engaged to you."
"Who's Nabiki?" Ranma-chan asks, cocking her head to the side slightly.
"She's the woman that just left the room."
"I thought that she looked familiar, I think that I saw her earlier this morning."
"How could you forget who you're engaged to?" Nodoka asks
"I don't remember anything mother. I barely know my own name, let alone what has happened. I can't remember past just a little bit ago. I'm not sure I want to with some of what I've heard about my life."
Pulling the girl towards her Nodoka rubbed her back gently at first and then embraced her in a hug. "That's alright. If you want you can move in with me as soon as you are released from the hospital. We can work together to help you out."
"I'd like that." Ranma-chan then backed up and looked at her mom again. "But what about my past? How will I deal with that. I'm sure that I don't want to leave everything behind."
"Miss Tendo told me that you lived at the Tendo Dojo in Nerima. That's not to far from the Saotome Estate. You can live there, and we can integrate what you want when you want it." Nodoka looked thoughtful for a second. "However this hospital accident will make things difficult for you."
"How so?"
"You've been registered as a girl here, and this is your first government documentation since you were taken by your father 10 years ago. As such they're going to insist that you are a girl not a boy." Clapping her hands quickly Nodoka seams to cheer up a bit. "Maybe we can do that after all." She mutters to herself and gets up and starts to pace around the room a bit. "Ranma-chan, how much have you been told about your past?"
"A little bit by Master Happosei." Nodoka shudders at the mention of his name. "Why?"
"Because if you have amnesia, and otherwise we can get you under my custody and postpone any engagements or otherwise that you are in."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"So that we can get your life back in order. And so that I can get to know you. As soon as you are out I want to see my son, and I'd like to get to know both sides of you."
**********
Sitting across the hall from the door, Nabiki closes a laptop computer and folds a small device that had been hooked up to the computer up and puts it in her pocket. (So, taking Ranma from our home. And he's amnesiac, that explains some of his actions.) looking over to her left at the girl sitting there, "Thanks Sayuri. Here's a bonus." Nabiki opens up the laptop a little and puts a small fold of cash on the keyboard before closing the laptop again. "Forward the sound file that you recorded to my account. Also please look up the address of Nodoka Saotome. Thanks." Sayuri then leaves and Nabiki continues to sit outside the hospital room. Shortly after the other girl left Nodoka exits the room and walks up to Nabiki. "Miss Tendo, could you please help me out with something?"
"Yes Mrs. Saotome. Would you like to talk in the cafeteria?"
"Yes that would be great." Turning her head to the police officer standing next to the door, "Sir, could you please send a nurse if my daughter wakes up? I'll be in the cafeteria."
"Yes Ma'am. I will be notifying Lt. Kojira as well Ma'am."
"Very well, Have a good day Officer." So saying Nodoka and Nabiki made their way down to the cafeteria.
********
Luckily for two women wanting privacy in the cafeteria it was relatively empty. Other than themselves there were two other people in there, the serving person, and what appeared to be an orderly or a nurse. Nabiki was sitting across from Nodoka in a secluded booth at the far end of the room sipping a coffee while the other woman was drinking tea.
"So Mrs. Saotome, what can I help you with?"
"I need to know as much about Ranma's life as well as her past. As well as anything about Genma that you can tell me."
"And what type of compensation can I expect?"
"Are you a private detective?"
Taking a sip of coffee and staring over the rim of her cup Nabiki replies "Of a sort." Putting the cup down and leaning forward she continues "I broker in information. I have standard fees and rates. Because you'll soon be family, or if not then my family will owe yours I'll give you a discount. But since I back up all my info as well as give in the form desired by my clients I still need to cover costs of gaining information."
"How can I be sure that you have up to date information as well as the accuracy?" Nodoka asked letting her curiosity overcome her. Before responding to this Nabiki pulls out her cell phone and dials a number. Waiting a few seconds she then starts to carefully speak into the receiver so as to not let Nodoka overhear. Then touching a couple of buttons on the phone Nabiki places it on the table in between them. A conversation can be heard but slightly until Nabiki presses another button.
Nodoka's Voice ^"Can I help you miss?"^
Nabiki's Voice ^"Actually I would ask you the same ma'am. I was wondering how you knew Ranma."^
Nodoka's Voice ^"If she is indeed Ranma Saotome, then she is my daughter
Nabiki's Voice ^"Hi, I'm Nabiki Tendo. The Sister of Ranma's Fiancé'."^
Nodoka's Voice ^"May I ask you a question then?"^
Nabiki's Voice ^"Go ahead ma'am."^
Nodoka's Voice ^"Has Ranma always been a girl?"^
Shutting the phone Nabiki looks back up at the older woman. "I trust that answers your question on whether or not I can obtain and verify information. I will let you know my fees at a later date. Tell me exactly what you are looking for, and I will recover the information. Once recovered, in as timely a manner as possible, I will contact you and Ranma at your location with a meeting time and place. When agreed upon then we will meet, have at least 50,000 yen. Price will either be in that 50,000 or will be agreed upon before information exchange. Are we in grievance Nodoka Saotome?"
Nodding her head the Saotome Matriarch responds in the affirmative. Nabiki reaches into her jacket and takes out a small recorder and turns it off. "Now that we are in a verbal contract I'll let you know some information up front. Your husband appears to be a con artist, and a child abuser. My family does not know where Ranma is right now. He had turned up missing 3 weeks ago and only just returned before the accident that occurred that placed your child in the hospital. They will remain in the dark as long as possible. You need to take Ranma to your place of residence and take care of him. He needs some real support, and not the type he's been receiving at the Tendo household or by his father. Expect violence when any one in the NWC, also known as the Nerima Wrecking Crew, hears about his whereabouts. And before you ask, I owe him a lot. More than even I realized before today. Other than that I will tell you nothing of my reasons for doing this."
Nodoka takes a moment to digest this information then asks, "will I obtain a recording or printed material of this information?" Nabiki nods then continues herself, "Yes you will. I will contact you in no more than two weeks. Please be ready by then. And if you have any protection other than Ranma or yourself, contact them. Some of the people that have made themselves a nuisance to Ranma will be looking for him and don't care who gets hurt in the crossfire. Have a good day Mrs. Saotome."
********
Happosei was gallivanting around the town of Nerima in search of the elusive silky darling. Not finding to many of his pretties that were wishing to be released from the vile servitude that they were in he decided to return to the Tendo Dojo and find out what was going on and whether or not his wayward pupil had returned yet. Arriving at the house the old man jumped on the roof over the kitchen and crawled down the wall upside down to peek into the room to see what was going on. Hearing a cry of outrage behind him he glanced just in time to catch a mallet to the face knocking him into LEO away from the Dojo. In the air the diminutive pervert flipped around to glance at what had hit him and found Akane sitting there fuming and yelling something while her mallet disappeared back to wherever it stays at when not in use.
Turning his attention back to his flight he flips around and guides his path towards the bathhouse that he spotted at the top of his arc. Crashing into the roof of the building Happosei made sure that he was angled to land in the woman's side of the house. The roof providing a much needed distraction for him, Happosei managed a grope of a generously endowed woman who what standing up at the moment. Quickly jumping off of her slick chest he rebounds onto the bare rear of another woman. Groping her and feeding off of her chi a bit he leaps from her onto the front of another woman.
"Hmmm... Bikini Wax, not a bad job." He states, feeling up her front before the woman has a chance to recoup from the sudden explosion of their roof. The woman that he's plastered to her front whips around quickly covering herself in the process. The old man just jumps onto another woman's breasts that had uncovered for a moment as she was grabbing a towel. Catching a quick feel Happosei imparts much wisdom upon her before hopping off, "Hotcha."
Coming down off of his perverted high the old master of perversion leaps onto one of the exposed supporting struts of the building. Looking back at the building before bounding off he decides to visit a little mischief on a prior student of his. "You can bill the damages to Genma Saotome. Find him at the Tendo Dojo. Tata my pretty ladies." Saying so, he leaps off the building and rebounds a few times off of a few walls before coming to rest on a bus that was stopped at an intersection.
********
Coming slowly to awareness a youth pondered his existence. More accurately the youth was sitting there trying to figure out how to move his limbs, which felt vastly different than before. Walking into his plane of sight was the scientist that was working to make him more than he ever was. "And how am I to control this change, let alone use it to defeat Saotome?" The youth said waiving his right arm up at the doctor, it's silvery sheen apparent to any who bothered to look.
"You'll gain enough control in time. I have some exorcises for you to do to help you regain fine motor control of your new body." Reaching out for a clipboard the scientist started to jot down some notes. "You'll be happy that due to the nano-plague reconstruction of your cellular make up that you are no longer cursed."
"Well, at least I have that going for me. But what about the shifting control that you mentioned earlier?"
Uttering a low throaty chuckle before answering, "you now have complete control over every aspect of how your limbs and to some degree your body react. How about this, close your eyes and imagine your right finger gaining an edge. Now concentrate on the fine honing of that edge. Picture the elongation that will happen as your finger becomes a finely crafted blade. Now open your eyes and look at your hand."
Ryoga looked at his hand ready to prove to the scientist that he had only gained a reflective silvery sheen to his arms and legs when he let out a gasp of surprise. "Wha.. How?"
"I told you before the injection. You were injected with a nano-plague virus that has the capability to re-structure and re-make a human being. However they must be before a certain age and they have to be able to handle their body undergoing drastic change. Hence why you were a perfect candidate for the procedure. My group has targeted 2 other ideal candidates. After you have destroyed subject 24601 then you will be required to bring them in for experimentation."
"And why would I do that? I only agreed to this to obtain my revenge on Saotome."
"Because if you disobey me or the company that re-made you we will send a signal to the nano-machines now inhabiting your body and tell them to deactivate. I'm not entirely sure what would happen then. But suffice it to say that it wouldn't be a pretty site." Leaning over the hapless youth the scientist grinned maliciously adding "But I'm sure that it'll be the least of your worries."
********
"I told you mom, I'm fine."
"I'm only concerned about you Ranma, I know that you don't remember anything, but that doesn't mean that you can just forget about all your responsibilities. And no son or daughter of mine will behave incorrectly."
"But mom, do I have to wear a dress?"
The front door to the Saotome household opened inwards, entering the house was Nodoka dressed in her normal kimono. Following behind was Ranma-chan dressed in a light blue sundress and carrying a purse as well. The small red head had a slight blush on her face and a stern but cute pout on her features.
"Now Ranma-chan, you should know not to hit people like that."
"Mom, that boy was trying to look up my skirt. He was a pervert."
"Boy's will be boys Ranma. Besides I'm sure that you had wanted to look at a few women's undergarments at one time or another. It's perfectly healthy thing for a young man to want to do."
"If you haven't noticed mom, I'm not a man before. And what was wrong with my other clothes?" She said folding her arms under her breasts.
Turning around to look at her son turned daughter, "Your clothes were blood soaked and shredded. I will not have a child of mine dressed so shoddily. Besides, you were registered as a girl at the hospital and unless you want every government scientist or conspiracy theory nut after you trying to figure out how your curse works you'll be going around as a girl for a bit untill we can figure out how to deal with the confusion." Nodoka walked into another room leaving the crimson haired youth pouting in her wake. Returning a moment later she found her daughter plopped down in a sullen huff on a couch in the living room.
"Ranma-chan, is it only the lack of choice that has you upset? Or do you truly regret being a girl."
Looking down at herself for a minute Ranma-chan looked her mother strait in the eye before answering, "I guess it's the lack of choice. I want to say when I'm a guy, and when I'm a girl. Besides I don't like this dress, it makes me feel like I'm naked from the breasts down."
Nodoka giggles a second then setting down the bundle she had retrieved from the other room, "Here, these are some of my old traveling clothes. I think that they'll fit you."
Raising an eyebrow at the materials Ranma-chan pulls up the top garment to find something of a cross between a gi top and a button up shirt. "I used to travel around while you and your father were on your training trip. I found that clothes like that allowed me to look feminine and move along in case of emergency or attack quite well. I'll show you how to put them on."
********
Nabiki, not having returned home yet, was just sitting down at a bar in some sort of club. It was currently closed as shown by the good lighting and lack of people. Behind the bar was a large man dressed in a Victorian English garb polishing some glasses. "Malakai, you requested to see me?" Turning around you can make out an English cast to his features, as well as the fact that he stood above 2 meters an had a girth to match. Nabiki had also always loved the blond hair and blues eyes of the foreigner, wanting to know more about him, but not willing to give any ground herself. "Yes, I did."
Unfortunately for Nabiki, Malakai always played his deals like this. Mysterious, and short answers. Never telling all he knew and keeping people guessing. Course after dealing with him for a bit made her know the value of the façade that he put on. She had only found out about it as a mask when she had come into the club later than usual and some customers had entered before she could conclude her business.
*** flashback ***
Less than 10 minutes had she spent there when a fight had broken out. A woman had entered with a young man and had started to hit him after he said something to her. Rather than retaliating the youth had just sat there and cowered as the woman beat on him. Malakai being not just the bartender, but also one of the bouncers as well had bounded over the counter and put his hand on her back as if to turn her around. She appeared to get tired all of the sudden and then Malakai's eyes widened in horror and he reared back and punched her for all he was worth. Once he came back to himself he had gone over to the crumpled woman and checked on her.
Nabiki had gone over to the fallen woman and was shocked to discover that her neck was broken and that she was staring almost lifelessly at the wall, but was still alive and trying to mutter something. Malakai, instead of calling emergency services was dialing a long and convoluted number with several pauses and re entering of numbers. Walking over to within earshot Nabiki wasn't quite able to make out what he was saying. After about 20 minutes an ambulance arrived and two orderlies came into the building. Setting her neck in a brace and putting the woman on a stretcher they started to carry her out as a man in a trench coat came in and went strait to Malakai.
"You Malakai Morss?"
"Yes, you Lt Kojira?"
"Yes, how did you find out that she was the 'Widow'?"
"First by her actions, second... I can't tell you that right now. Come back later and I'll have a packet ready for your pickup with all the pertinent information in it. Just keep my name out of it and you can take the credit for her arrest and incarceration."
"Very well, when will the packet be ready?"
"Three hours, it'll take me that long to compile what I have found out into a usable form by the court system."
"Then I'll see you in 4 hours. Have the documents ready. I take it that there is a fee involved?"
"No fee for this one, there'll be an address in the packed. Get a forensics team there. And warn them to bring along biohazard cleanup gear. There's a lot of bodies that have been left to rot."
Turning to leave the Lieutenant walked over to the young man that was with the woman and helping him up walked with him to the door and left the building. Nabiki then turned to Malakai who hadn't had a chance to get out of site. "Hold it buster, I saw what happened and I want answers now. You couldn't have known who she was or anything that she did. So answer up now or I'll go to Lt Kojira myself and let him know that you're a quack."
Malakai didn't respond at first but after a second he motioned over his shoulder for Nabiki to follow him. He led her into the back area and he turned around, seemingly growing in stature and gaining a feral cast to his features at the same time. Before the young woman had a chance to react the bartender flashed forward with his arm and with a now taloned claw like hand held her head untill she blacked out from exhaustion.
Waking up in an unfamiliar room Nabiki groggily tried to remember what happened. Once she got to Malakai turning into a monster she just about screamed when he came into the room. Looking normal again he held up a hand to his lips and apologized. "Nabiki, I'm sorry for scaring you like that. But I had to find out if you were trustworthy or not. You are, so I'll tell you something that few have ever known. I warn you though, do not tell a soul. For if you do, your life could end up compromised." Sitting down on a seat across from the bed that Nabiki had found herself on he continued. "I was part of a rather un-ethical experiment at one time. After the experiment was finished remaking me but before the company could wipe my memories and reprogram me into a killing machine it was attacked and destroyed. Now I'm no longer human, but a biological machine known as a Zoanoid. To survive I have to drain a little bit of life energy from normal people. But a strange side effect occurs, as I drain them I gain some of their memory. That's how I tested you. Also that's how I found out that that woman was the 'Widow'. She's been killing young men that she picks up off of the street for about a decade now. First she kidnaps them, then she abuses them and mutilates their bodies with debilitating surgery. Things like castration, body limb grafting, and muscle re-formation. The entire time that she's doing this they are under a drug that keeps them aware and feeling everything, but paralyzes them and won't let them pass out. If they're lucky she tires of them and kills them in a week or two. Otherwise she'll keep them alive and continue 'Sculpting' them for weeks or even months at a time." Shuddering a bit at some memory that his discussion had dredged up Malakai continued. "I got some of her memory when I grasped her shoulder. More to the point, I received an image of what she was planning with the youth that she entered with. It wasn't something that I ever want to think about let alone see, ever."
"So what happens to her now?"
"I called a contact that I had skimmed off the mind of some JSDF officers that were in here the other night. Lt. Kojira is from a branch of the Japanese Intelligence community. I'm hoping that he'll put her in a hole, and forget where that hole is. Now I need to get back out and clean up. It's past midnight, and it might be wise if you went home. I took the liberty of calling your family and letting them know that you'd be late."
"How did you manage that without scaring them? I've got a pretty over protective houseguest right now."
Malakai grinned a bit, then shifted form a bit, first into the slightly feral and primitive looking monster from earlier. Then a bit further into a bestial looking version of Nabiki, opening her mouth the creature responded in Nabiki's voice "I can do imitations pretty well, don't you think?"
*** end flashback ***
"Cut the façade Malakai. There's no one here but us. You can let up on you mask."
Visibly relaxing a bit the demi-human slimmed down a touch and gained sharper features as well as feline-like eyes and a feral cast to his face. "Thanks Nabiki. It's a bother maintaining my human form at times, did you lock the front then?"
"Yes, I wanted to find out what you wanted to talk about. It sounded pretty important."
"I need some information gathered from you. Lt. Kojira had returned and requested information on some people. I wanted to contract you to gather it for me, standard rate plus a bonus by the way."
"How many, and who?"
"6, all located in Nerima. 2 or 3 I know you know of. The rest you probably don't but you'll need to have detailed information on their life, their capabilities, and their physical profiles to get the bonus. First one on the list is Happosei Hikada," Hiding her surprise to that name was a bit tough but Nabiki let him continue without letting on too much, "second is Gerald Talin. Third person is Ryoga Hibiki, fourth Ranma Saotome," Almost losing her composure again she struggled not to interrupt Malakai before he finished. "Fifth is someone only known as Shai-halud. The sixth is a total unknown, all I have is a picture. Here's the request packet. Please don't open it till you get home."
Still maintaining her mask Nabiki took the manila envelope and left the building. Watching her leave Malakai shifted back into his human form and continued to polish glasses.
********
Going thru a Kata that emphasized distance attacks Ryoga Hibiki contemplated what had happened to him. Now that the changes wrought by the nano-plague virus had finished he was able to view what he had become. No longer was the youth of before. He had gained what appeared to be 20 kilos of mass, entirely muscle with a thin layer of fat over. No longer did he have the perfected musculature of a body builder. Now his body had grown taller and bulkier. However the greatest change was to his arms and legs. Starting on the upper arm and leading down the entire length was no longer flesh and blood, but a silvery metallic material that unless he thought about it was a perfectly formed arm and hand in all but the material. The same had happened to his legs starting at the midthigh. He could manipulate these limbs to a frightening degree. Able to form his limbs into any shape he could imagine, but took to much concentration when distracted they turned back into normal. Hence the Kata. Also another ability that he had discovered was the ability to coat himself in armor akin to what his limbs were now made out of. Able to stop almost any attack and able to even be run over by a steam roller without destroying his body was a great change. However a negative was the fact that he had lost his cursed form, as well as he could no longer actively access his life energy. So untill he gained enough control over the power so that he could form his hand into a gun or something related he was stuck to melee. But he could still shoot his fingers or toes out to 20 feet of spiked projections if he thought about it. Thus the changed kata from one to attack foes at 4 to 5 feet distance to 10 to 15 feet distance.
"Soon Ranma, soon you will be no more. Then I'll steel everything that was yours and gain the life that I should've had all along but you have denied me at every turn." Finishing his rant the formerly lost boy went back to his kata, beginning to form his limbs into bladed projections, spearing imaginary enemies well out of punching or kicking distance.
Watching from remote cameras the scientist who had changed him grinned. Turning at the sound of a phone ringing he went to pick it up, "Gerald speaking."
"..."
"Yes, the second subject is ready to enter the field."
"..."
"No the memory wipe was never performed. Something better has been done."
"..."
"Do not bother me with petty politics and bureaucracy."
"..."
"You don't say. The 'Widow' has been captured?"
"..."
"And why would you want me to work with such a rank amateur?"
"..."
"Oh, I see. Well, after 24601 is taken care of I'll see about retrieving the lost child."
"..."
"Very well, good bye." Hanging up the phone Gerald turned to frown, once again gazing at Ryoga and his kata his frown disappeared again as he went over to a computer and began typing at it bringing up schematic and overlays. "Perhaps another project should be started to help enhance our new Tinman? Or perhaps another subject to supplement his abilities. Maybe a Net Wizard, or Shocker? So many different changes, so many." Breaking out into a nasty chuckle the scientist continued to type away at the computer his laughter becoming more manic and disturbing as his next project gained shape.
********
Authors notes:
Well, I've got most of the Original Characters ready to go. And I've also got a few of the antagonists ready. I still have another one or two x- overs to go however before everyone is in place. As all of my readers are probably aware of, this is primarily a Ranma fic with some X-over characters that are not main characters from other mangas, anime or games.
Also I'm starting a pole of who my readers would like to be matched up with whom. I will accept pairing suggestions from any show, anime, manga, book, comic, etc... only requirement is that if I don't know of it (I'll reply back and let you know) that I get a really good description of the character, as well as where to look for the work so that I can read/watch it myself. Also please e-mail requests and pole answers to seth@cedarbear.com rather than posting it in the review area.
Examples Include, but are not limited to (my OC's are not included but you can vote for them.)
Ranma / Akane, Nodoka / Soun, Nodoka / Genma, Ranma / Nabiki, Ryoga / Akane, Akane / Nabiki, Ranma / Kasumi, Shampoo / Mousse, Kasumi / Kodachi, Kasumi / Tofu, Cologne / Happosei, Shampoo / Nabiki, Tofu / Akane, Tofu / Shampoo, Genma / Kodachi, Kuno / Nodoka, Kuno / Ranma, Kuno / Akane, Buffy / Ranma, Buffy / Tofu, Buffy / Kuno, Willow / Akane, Willow / Kasumi, Rogue / Ryoga, Magnito / Nodoka, Professor X / Kasumi, Kodachi / Quicksilver, Anita Blake / Ranma, Anita Blake / Akane, Robin / Nabiki, Robin / Shampoo, Freefall / Mousse, Fairchild / Ranma, Grunge / Akane, Van Helsing / Nodoka, Ryoga / Storm,
The above are just suggestions. Please if you want to see a X-over included let me know. Also if you want to see a multiple match up please list that (like Ranma / Nabiki / Ukyo or something like that) Also the more detail as to the reasoning that is provided the more likely that the matchup will happen. (I've only got a couple in mind for Ranma, but nothing is truly set in stone right now.) And I value reader input to help me out writing further chapters and plot lines for this or other fanfictions.
Well, TTFN, must get to work on next chapter and other fanfiction works. I'm hoping to post either prologue and chapter 1 of either Wish Disaster or Namban Disaster in the next month. But life happens and such.
Ja Ne.
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]
{ } = Demongogian
^" "^ = Recorded or replayed conversation.
[ ] = Authors description/explanation [I like to ramble sometimes]
**********
Onboard the Yggdrissel, the old dwarf Pimp was on his way to pick up Sapphire from her training on the bridge. Looking forward to some one on one time with her he reflected on the months that had passed since finding his adoptive daughter. Onboard an interstellar exploration and research vassal that meant that they had traveled a long way, both physically and mentally in the case of the little Sapphire. She was no longer the see thru pint sized little gem like when the old dwarf had found her, but was obtaining a glassy translucent quality to her body. She now appeared as a 10-year-old human girl with elfin features and though it was of the same material as her body she had a mane of long thick hair that she kept tied in a ponytail behind her. Often dressing in slacks or coveralls when on duty she was free as could be at other times. Pimp still had trouble teaching her to remain clothed in humanoid company and she would remove said articles of clothing the second she had a chance to complaining that they constricted her movement and that it felt like she was stuck in a mental fog when dressed. The old dwarf would've just let it be if not for the fact that she was anatomically perfect for a human [if one ignores the fact that she appears to be made out of gemstone or something equivalent] and as such the humanoids on the ship had asked the veteran if he can try to train her in some amount of modesty. Shrugging his shoulders and continuing onto the bridge Pimp decided that Sapphire will be Sapphire, and that all he could do was enjoy raising his adoptive daughter to the best of his ability.
Sapphire was currently reading some star charts on the bridge under the supervision of the Gurgoyle astrogator of the UWW Space Sub Yggdrissel. The Gurgoyle in question was named Drssil, and had grown to like the perky and always questioning star found girl. She looked up at her teacher and smiled pointing to a cluster of stars and then chatted a small incantation that had the effect of causing a vast webbed network of lightly glowing luminous lines to appear overlaid on the chart. Then pointing to one of the lines she muttered another arcane word and a glowing red dot appeared. Drssil was pleased with this, after all he'd only been teaching her the ways of Magical Astrogator for a week, and already she had the cantrips of ley navigation and stellar charting down. Perhaps another week and she could even take up a position on the watch. Though it would probably be another few months before she could plot a course through battle safely.
Pimp walked onto the bridge and surveyed it quickly before entering. Towards the far end was the view screen, currently offline with a battle magus and a Promethean working on it. Off to his left were the combat control seats, currently empty as the ships gunners were not needed untill an emergency. A little further on was the science/magic station where the magical probes of the sub as well as the more mundane technological methods were used to explore nearby space, there was one person there a tall crimson skinned beauty named Locke. She was the ships Science Magus in charge of any discoveries as well as the complex spells and sensors that the Yggdrissel implemented in its forays into the galaxy. Directly in front of him was the C3 platform [Central Command Control] where the second in command stood her watch. She was a slight humanoid girl with an Asian cast to her features and if you ignored the metallic angelic wings protruding from her back you'd almost mistake her for human. And finally off to his right were the astrogation consoles where his daughter Sapphire was standing on a chair casting numerous cantrips over the astrological display under the menacing but ultimately benign presence of the renegade Gurgoyle Drssil.
Walking up to Drssil, Pimp didn't show any hesitation of standing next to a being that he only came up to mid thigh on and tapped the Gurgoyles shoulder with his cannon to get his attention.
{Touch me again with that Plasma Cannon again and I'll shove your "Hooker" where the life tree may never see.}
"Tch tch Drssil, tis good ta see ye too. How be young Sapphires lessons old beastie?"
{Impudent Dwarf, must you mock me at every turn?}
"Ye know I do so only in the best of humor."
{Very well, I will accept your statement.} Drssil then waives towards the table that Sapphire is working on. {Your young one is learning quick, another month or two and she will know all I can teach.}
"Then it'll be time to send her onto Cryx, and see if she can gain the attunement necessary to defend herself and others with weapons." Pimp says while gently holding his gun.
"You two do know you don't need to talk about me as if I'm not here" Sapphire said from her chair in front of the astronavigation board. Turning around on the seat she looks at the two of them, "So what next Drssil?"
{Next you rest, even I can tell that you are worn from the day. I will see you a few shifts from now.} Making a shooing motion towards the gemlike girl and her adoptive dwarven father Drssil goes back to observing the flowing magic's on the display.
As Sapphire and Pimp move towards the entrance to the control deck she pulls down the jumper top and ties it's sleeves around her waist enjoying the freedom of movement her upper torso now has as her father just shakes his head at her impetuousness. "I tell ye, ya need to have a bit more modesty youngster. You may not care who sees yer flesh, but many a race may take you at their whim if they gain view of your fair body."
"Oh father, what does it matter. Besides none on this ship would ever dare to take advantage of me, especially staring down the barrel of 'Hooker'."
"Aye, that be true. But never the less, ye need to be a bit more conservative."
Quickly shucking the rest of her garment leaving her completely nude Sapphire tossed the garment at Pimp's face and stuck her tongue at her father before turning and streaking off down the corridor.
"Oh, but she belongs in forest glades running among other nymphs and satyrs. Not out among the stars with an old veteran." Pimp then tucks Sapphires coveralls into a belt pouch and leans on his shoulder cannon and mutters in dwarven, "One day I wish for her to find someone wild and free enough to be with. Perhaps a mate, perhaps a young one of her own." Feeling a vibration on his back the dwarf reaches behind him and pulls out an ornate axe with a gemlike smoky green blade and a rune encrusted obsidian and leather handle. "Yes she will be great one day."
"..."
"Maybe."
"..."
"Very well, I'll see what I can do. But doncha be gettin any funny idears now, I'm not bout to start d-hoppin just to find someone who'll more likely than not be dead by the time we find him now am I?"
"..."
"I agree. K, Sorenno, we'll go. I'll be talkin to the captain then and turn in my leave papers." Putting the Axe back on his back it slowly fades from sight as the dwarf slowly ambles down the corridor towards his next destination.
**********
In a sterile room a red headed girl was sleeping soundly, the comforting beeping of diagnostic equipment heard lightly in the background not affecting her slumber. For her own modesty she was covered up to her shoulders by a white sheet with her arms on top and a small black finger cap on her left middle finger with a wire coming off of it and leading into a small machine sitting on a table next to her bedside. She also had a respirator on her face leading to a rebreather sitting on a table on the other side of her bed, with it's rhythmic pumping of air coinciding with the rise and fall of her chest.
Walking into the room was a middle aged woman in a lab smock carrying a clipboard leading another middle aged woman that was dressed in a fancy kimono and carrying a wrapped bundle. "Ms. Saotome, here is your daughter."
"I assure you that I don't have a daughter, there must be some mistake." Nodoka said while entering the room.
"Actually her fingerprints match up with Ranma Saotome's fingerprints, and she was carrying a wallet with id's for said person. I can only assume that sometime in the past your son had gotten a sex change. Because this girl meets all the medical profiles and identification of your son."
"Very well, I shall see her. But what could have happened?"
"I don't know, she was brought in by paramedics this morning." The door opens again and a man in a tan overcoat comes in with a hat in hand.
"Good evening ladies." He says with a small bow to the two women in the room.
The woman in the lab smock turns to him bowing in return, "Good evening officer. What can we do for you?"
"Is this the room holding Ranma Saotome?"
Upon hearing this Nodoka gets a worried look on her face wondering what is going on she asks, "What is wrong officer?"
Looking at her the officer pulls out a wallet and flips out an ID card holding it for Nodoka to observe. "I'm with the JSDF, we are currently working with the local authorities looking for a suspect currently at large. Miss Saotome was last seen with him. I have come to ask her some questions before turning her over to the police."
"Why would she be turned over to the police sir?" Nodoka asked her heart going out to the unconscious girl on the bed. After all even if the girl wasn't her child for one so young to be a criminal was wrong in her eyes. And if by some weird twist of fate she was it was up to Nodoka to help protect and raise her.
"She and her father Genma Saotome are wanted on several outstanding warrants dating back up to 10 years. Though for some of it seeing her age and also her very apparent gender I would guess that it was Genma Saotome that was using her name when the warrant was issued."
"Oh, and can I ask what those warrants entail sir?"
"Petty larceny, Petty Theft, grand theft, the list goes on. And you are?"
"I'm her mother." Nodoka said standing slightly in the way of view between the JSDF Officer and Ranma-chan.
"Can I ask then why she's listed as a boy on the family registry?" he asks waiving his hand towards the unconscious girl.
"I'd like to find that out as well as what is going on. I haven't seen my child in ten years, after my husband disappeared with her."
"Okay, looks like your husband must have a lot to answer for. I'll have a guard posted outside the door untill she wakes up and I have a chance to ask some questions."
"Thank you officer, if I may, I'd like some time with my daughter in private." Turning to the lady in the lab smock as the JSDF Officer leaves the room, "May I inquire as to why she's unconscious?"
"She was given a mild gas sedative when the paramedics were not able to get her to settle down after her accident to prevent her from injuring herself. She's actually very lucky to be alive, let alone relatively unharmed. We couldn't find any major breaks or otherwise in her bones, and she only has mild road abrasions."
"Could you leave me alone with her?"
"Yes, if you need anything please push the nurse call button." With that the woman left the room closing the door after her.
Nodoka looked down at the resting girl. "What has happened do you, are you my son Ranma? Or are you someone else." Sighing, she sat down on the chair next to the bed and pulled the red heads hand into her own.
**********
Running down the street, followed by a large dog was a little black piglet wearing a spotted yellow bandana. Attempting to stay ahead of the dog the little porker wasn't paying attention to where he was running. After several minutes of running Ryoga-buta thought that he had lost the Canine so he stopped to look around. Not recognizing where he was the little pig was about to turn around and try to retrace his steps when a menacing person wearing a lab coat and glasses picks him up by the bandana.
"Well, well, what have we here?" putting the pig on an examination table in the lab that Ryoga-buta entered the scientist held him down while injecting something into him.
**********
Nabiki was on the move, after watching the recording and determining what ambulance had picked up Ranma-chan she grabbed her stuff and got out of the Tendo house to meet with some of her contacts. Flipping out her cell phone she typed in a string of numbers and held the unit to her ear.
"..."
"Sayuri, when you get this message go to the hospital in Yamate. Call my cell when you get there. Also bring your recording gear. We may need it." Closing her cell phone Nabiki continued walking to a nearby bus stop. Not having to wait long for the bus to arrive she got on and paid her fair. After a quick ride found Nabiki at a general hospital where she entered the Emergency room and went up to the check in desk.
"Scuse me, was there a red haired girl brought in this afternoon?"
The receptionist looks up at Nabiki and closes out something on her computer before replying. "Yes, and you are?"
"Her fiancé's sister. Could I go in and see her?"
"Yes she's down that hallway, inquire at the nurses station there please."
Nodding her head towards the receptionist Nabiki walked down past the Emergency entrance and past ICU and continued on to inpatient care. Walking up to the desk she asked the nurse what room Ranma was in and got pointed further into the ward towards a door that had a police officer standing guard out front of. Shrugging her shoulders about certain pig- tailed martial artists she went up to the room to enter. The guard stopped her out front and demanded to know who she was and what business she had in the room. Answering like she had at the front desk Nabiki was reluctantly allowed into the room where she found Ranma-chan unconscious in a bed covered only in a sheet with an older woman who had to be related holding her hand. Coughing quietly into her hand to get the woman's attention she gently closed the door.
"Can I help you miss?" The woman asked of Nabiki looking up at her.
"Actually I would ask you the same ma'am. I was wondering how you knew Ranma."
"If she is indeed Ranma Saotome, then she is my daughter." Nodoka answered with a melancholy expression.
"Hi, I'm Nabiki Tendo. The Sister of Ranma's Fiancé'." Nabiki said bowing formally to the older woman.
"May I ask you a question then?"
"Go ahead ma'am."
"Has Ranma always been a girl?"
Blinking a moment Nabiki came out of her startlement of the question to answer. "No, and there is a lot you need to be aware of about your daughter. I take it that you want to know why Ranma is a girl and not a boy?" Nodoka nodded her head in answer. "She is under a curse that she gained in China. When she is splashed with cold water she turns into a red headed girl. When splashed with hot water she turns back into a boy, the boy you know as your son." Looking at the older woman's incredulous expression Nabiki continued, "I'd demonstrate here, but I don't want the hospital or government knowing about his curse. His life has trouble enough as it is."
"Tough?"
"I'll explain later if that is alright." Their conversation is interrupted by Nabiki's cell phone ringing. "Just a second." Opening up her cell phone, "Hello?"
"..."
"Very well, you have the button cam?"
"..."
"Ok, then stay in the foyer with a good view and record anyone entering for now. I'll call Kurumi and Sayaka to relieve you if this takes long."
"..."
"Ok, I'll except that in trade."
"..."
"Bye."
Closing her phone and looking over at Nodoka Nabiki noticed that the older woman had a rather curious look on her face. "Insurance, as I said earlier, Ranma's life is rather hectic. Do you know when she'll be allowed out?"
"No, but a JSDF Officer was inquiring as to when she woke up to question her about her and her father."
"What'd uncle Genma do to get wanted by the Government?"
"I don't know what my husband did, but I will find out."
**********
Ryoga awoke to an odd sensation of floating. Not quite sure what was going on he opened his eyes. In front of him was a bright light from what appeared to be a ceiling light, not much to it, just a normal light bulb in a cement ceiling. Trying to move his head to the right he finds that he can't work any of the muscles in his neck, glancing to the right with just his eyes though he is able to see the top of a file cabinet. To his left he sees some more cabinets and the top of a door. He can't make anything else out.
"Finally awake I see."
Hearing this Ryoga tried to sit up but couldn't.
"Don't try any further. There are neural blocks in place to prevent you from moving. Wouldn't do to have you leave before we're able to test your abilities now would it?" The voice said moving from somewhere below him to his side. Glancing to the right again with his eyes Ryoga is able to make out the form of a man. Judging from the disheveled hair and the slightly dirty glasses that he could make out the man looming over Ryoga was probably a scientist or a doctor.
"I bet you are wondering what I'm going to do with you?" A beep is heard and then Ryoga starts to feel some sensation again. Though oddly enough only above his shoulders. Turning his head slightly he looks to see who his captor is. "You're not going to try anything brash now, are you?" Shaking his head negative Ryoga took in what he sees. The scientist is wearing a pristine lab coat with a button up shirt underneath, and gray slacks below. Oddly enough though he is wearing a belt that seems to be made of some techno-organic mesh, otherwise the man would fit into any lab or hospital that Ryoga new about. And with his ability to get lost [controlled now] Ryoga has seen many labs and hospitals.
"I found you running into the loading dock of my building, course you weren't in the form you are currently in."
"How'd yo—"
"Doesn't matter, suffice it to say that I did. And since I needed a new project after my old one got away..." he stated opening his arms wide as if to accommodate something or to welcome someone. Putting his arms back down the scientist wandered over to one of his workstations. Almost completely out of site from the former lost boy he starts talking again. "But unlike last time I think I want a willing subject. It'd make the process harder, true. Though the project would probably not be in as much jeopardy." Turning around and coming back into view. "You are a willing subject, are you not?"
"What do you want with me? What do you mean willing?"
"I mean, are you going to go along willingly. More to the point, will you follow orders."
"It depends on what those orders are." Ryoga stated, starting to get a cold gleam in his eyes as he feels that the scientist is toying with him.
"First, to go thru an enhancement process. It will be painful."
"And second?"
"Second is the elimination, or subjugation of prior subject 24601, formerly known as Ranma Saotome."
**********
Groggily waking up to a fuzzyheaded feeling Ranma-chan wondered where she was. Opening her eyes slowly to the hazy light of the room she turned her head to look at where she was.
"Look, she's waking up."
Glancing around the red head was able to find the speaker, an auburn haired woman wearing a formal kimono. Next to her was a young woman that looked familiar wearing a blue blouse and dark business slacks. "Who're you?" Ranma-chan asked looking at the woman sitting next to her as she sat up, feeling the sheet fall down around her waist. Seeing the woman start to blush and turn her head away Ranma-chan looked down and saw that she wasn't wearing anything. Quickly pulling the sheet up to cover her breasts the girl found herself blushing as well.
"Since when do you have any modesty Ranma?" Asked the young woman.
Ranma-chan was curious at this. Not remembering where the woman was from, or even how she knew her was a bit annoying. Looking at her Ranma-chan asked, "Do I know you?"
"You should, you're engaged to my sister."
The auburn haired woman turns in shock to this, looking at the younger woman standing behind her "did I hear you right, your sister? How did this happen?"
"Well, there are some things you need to know about your daughter. Like she's also your son."
"So this is Ranma then?"
"Yes, I'll explain later. If you need anything, I'll be outside." So saying the woman turned around and left the room. Leaving a confused Ranma- chan and Nodoka behind. Nodoka turned back to Ranma-chan, a loving although questioning look to her features. "Ranma? Is that you?"
"I guess so, are you my mother?" Ranma-chan asks, not quite sure how to feel.
"Yes, I am. Though I wonder how did you become like you are? Why would you want to have a gender change?"
"It wasn't by choice mother."
"Then there was an accident?"
"No, I can change back if you want."
"What do you mean, 'change back'?" Nodoka asks a questioning and confused look almost permantly fixed in her expression.
"Hot water. I guess. I change into a girl with cold water, and back into a guy with hot. Why?"
"How did this happen?"
Ranma-chan sits there thinking back on what Happosei told him earlier. Thinking on the best way to tell her mother she decides on the blunt approach. "Happened about a year ago I guess. Fell into a cursed spring in China. Now I'm cursed." Thinking for a second she continues, "though I don't remember it. I'm sorry that you have to see me like this mother. I guess that since I was born your son that seeing me as your daughter is something of a shock."
Nodoka starts to tear up a bit, her expression becoming sad she leans forward and embraces her son turned daughter and starts to cry, "I'm just glad to get my son back in any form. After your father Genma disappeared 10 years ago I had just about given up hope of ever holding my child again." Breaking down further, Nodoka wasn't able to continue talking.
Ranma-chan wasn't sure what to do at this time, since she had no recollection of her past, or who her family was she didn't know what to say. After a short while Ranma's distraught mother was able to recollect herself and leaned back a bit. Looking at her daughter in the eyes she breaks out in sobs again. Finishing her last emotional outbreak Nodoka composes herself and dabs at her face with a small handkerchief. "I'm sorry for breaking down like that Ranma. I guess that we have a lot to catch up on. Is it true that you're engaged?"
"Not that I know of."
"What do you mean, Nabiki just told me that her sister was engaged to you."
"Who's Nabiki?" Ranma-chan asks, cocking her head to the side slightly.
"She's the woman that just left the room."
"I thought that she looked familiar, I think that I saw her earlier this morning."
"How could you forget who you're engaged to?" Nodoka asks
"I don't remember anything mother. I barely know my own name, let alone what has happened. I can't remember past just a little bit ago. I'm not sure I want to with some of what I've heard about my life."
Pulling the girl towards her Nodoka rubbed her back gently at first and then embraced her in a hug. "That's alright. If you want you can move in with me as soon as you are released from the hospital. We can work together to help you out."
"I'd like that." Ranma-chan then backed up and looked at her mom again. "But what about my past? How will I deal with that. I'm sure that I don't want to leave everything behind."
"Miss Tendo told me that you lived at the Tendo Dojo in Nerima. That's not to far from the Saotome Estate. You can live there, and we can integrate what you want when you want it." Nodoka looked thoughtful for a second. "However this hospital accident will make things difficult for you."
"How so?"
"You've been registered as a girl here, and this is your first government documentation since you were taken by your father 10 years ago. As such they're going to insist that you are a girl not a boy." Clapping her hands quickly Nodoka seams to cheer up a bit. "Maybe we can do that after all." She mutters to herself and gets up and starts to pace around the room a bit. "Ranma-chan, how much have you been told about your past?"
"A little bit by Master Happosei." Nodoka shudders at the mention of his name. "Why?"
"Because if you have amnesia, and otherwise we can get you under my custody and postpone any engagements or otherwise that you are in."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"So that we can get your life back in order. And so that I can get to know you. As soon as you are out I want to see my son, and I'd like to get to know both sides of you."
**********
Sitting across the hall from the door, Nabiki closes a laptop computer and folds a small device that had been hooked up to the computer up and puts it in her pocket. (So, taking Ranma from our home. And he's amnesiac, that explains some of his actions.) looking over to her left at the girl sitting there, "Thanks Sayuri. Here's a bonus." Nabiki opens up the laptop a little and puts a small fold of cash on the keyboard before closing the laptop again. "Forward the sound file that you recorded to my account. Also please look up the address of Nodoka Saotome. Thanks." Sayuri then leaves and Nabiki continues to sit outside the hospital room. Shortly after the other girl left Nodoka exits the room and walks up to Nabiki. "Miss Tendo, could you please help me out with something?"
"Yes Mrs. Saotome. Would you like to talk in the cafeteria?"
"Yes that would be great." Turning her head to the police officer standing next to the door, "Sir, could you please send a nurse if my daughter wakes up? I'll be in the cafeteria."
"Yes Ma'am. I will be notifying Lt. Kojira as well Ma'am."
"Very well, Have a good day Officer." So saying Nodoka and Nabiki made their way down to the cafeteria.
********
Luckily for two women wanting privacy in the cafeteria it was relatively empty. Other than themselves there were two other people in there, the serving person, and what appeared to be an orderly or a nurse. Nabiki was sitting across from Nodoka in a secluded booth at the far end of the room sipping a coffee while the other woman was drinking tea.
"So Mrs. Saotome, what can I help you with?"
"I need to know as much about Ranma's life as well as her past. As well as anything about Genma that you can tell me."
"And what type of compensation can I expect?"
"Are you a private detective?"
Taking a sip of coffee and staring over the rim of her cup Nabiki replies "Of a sort." Putting the cup down and leaning forward she continues "I broker in information. I have standard fees and rates. Because you'll soon be family, or if not then my family will owe yours I'll give you a discount. But since I back up all my info as well as give in the form desired by my clients I still need to cover costs of gaining information."
"How can I be sure that you have up to date information as well as the accuracy?" Nodoka asked letting her curiosity overcome her. Before responding to this Nabiki pulls out her cell phone and dials a number. Waiting a few seconds she then starts to carefully speak into the receiver so as to not let Nodoka overhear. Then touching a couple of buttons on the phone Nabiki places it on the table in between them. A conversation can be heard but slightly until Nabiki presses another button.
Nodoka's Voice ^"Can I help you miss?"^
Nabiki's Voice ^"Actually I would ask you the same ma'am. I was wondering how you knew Ranma."^
Nodoka's Voice ^"If she is indeed Ranma Saotome, then she is my daughter
Nabiki's Voice ^"Hi, I'm Nabiki Tendo. The Sister of Ranma's Fiancé'."^
Nodoka's Voice ^"May I ask you a question then?"^
Nabiki's Voice ^"Go ahead ma'am."^
Nodoka's Voice ^"Has Ranma always been a girl?"^
Shutting the phone Nabiki looks back up at the older woman. "I trust that answers your question on whether or not I can obtain and verify information. I will let you know my fees at a later date. Tell me exactly what you are looking for, and I will recover the information. Once recovered, in as timely a manner as possible, I will contact you and Ranma at your location with a meeting time and place. When agreed upon then we will meet, have at least 50,000 yen. Price will either be in that 50,000 or will be agreed upon before information exchange. Are we in grievance Nodoka Saotome?"
Nodding her head the Saotome Matriarch responds in the affirmative. Nabiki reaches into her jacket and takes out a small recorder and turns it off. "Now that we are in a verbal contract I'll let you know some information up front. Your husband appears to be a con artist, and a child abuser. My family does not know where Ranma is right now. He had turned up missing 3 weeks ago and only just returned before the accident that occurred that placed your child in the hospital. They will remain in the dark as long as possible. You need to take Ranma to your place of residence and take care of him. He needs some real support, and not the type he's been receiving at the Tendo household or by his father. Expect violence when any one in the NWC, also known as the Nerima Wrecking Crew, hears about his whereabouts. And before you ask, I owe him a lot. More than even I realized before today. Other than that I will tell you nothing of my reasons for doing this."
Nodoka takes a moment to digest this information then asks, "will I obtain a recording or printed material of this information?" Nabiki nods then continues herself, "Yes you will. I will contact you in no more than two weeks. Please be ready by then. And if you have any protection other than Ranma or yourself, contact them. Some of the people that have made themselves a nuisance to Ranma will be looking for him and don't care who gets hurt in the crossfire. Have a good day Mrs. Saotome."
********
Happosei was gallivanting around the town of Nerima in search of the elusive silky darling. Not finding to many of his pretties that were wishing to be released from the vile servitude that they were in he decided to return to the Tendo Dojo and find out what was going on and whether or not his wayward pupil had returned yet. Arriving at the house the old man jumped on the roof over the kitchen and crawled down the wall upside down to peek into the room to see what was going on. Hearing a cry of outrage behind him he glanced just in time to catch a mallet to the face knocking him into LEO away from the Dojo. In the air the diminutive pervert flipped around to glance at what had hit him and found Akane sitting there fuming and yelling something while her mallet disappeared back to wherever it stays at when not in use.
Turning his attention back to his flight he flips around and guides his path towards the bathhouse that he spotted at the top of his arc. Crashing into the roof of the building Happosei made sure that he was angled to land in the woman's side of the house. The roof providing a much needed distraction for him, Happosei managed a grope of a generously endowed woman who what standing up at the moment. Quickly jumping off of her slick chest he rebounds onto the bare rear of another woman. Groping her and feeding off of her chi a bit he leaps from her onto the front of another woman.
"Hmmm... Bikini Wax, not a bad job." He states, feeling up her front before the woman has a chance to recoup from the sudden explosion of their roof. The woman that he's plastered to her front whips around quickly covering herself in the process. The old man just jumps onto another woman's breasts that had uncovered for a moment as she was grabbing a towel. Catching a quick feel Happosei imparts much wisdom upon her before hopping off, "Hotcha."
Coming down off of his perverted high the old master of perversion leaps onto one of the exposed supporting struts of the building. Looking back at the building before bounding off he decides to visit a little mischief on a prior student of his. "You can bill the damages to Genma Saotome. Find him at the Tendo Dojo. Tata my pretty ladies." Saying so, he leaps off the building and rebounds a few times off of a few walls before coming to rest on a bus that was stopped at an intersection.
********
Coming slowly to awareness a youth pondered his existence. More accurately the youth was sitting there trying to figure out how to move his limbs, which felt vastly different than before. Walking into his plane of sight was the scientist that was working to make him more than he ever was. "And how am I to control this change, let alone use it to defeat Saotome?" The youth said waiving his right arm up at the doctor, it's silvery sheen apparent to any who bothered to look.
"You'll gain enough control in time. I have some exorcises for you to do to help you regain fine motor control of your new body." Reaching out for a clipboard the scientist started to jot down some notes. "You'll be happy that due to the nano-plague reconstruction of your cellular make up that you are no longer cursed."
"Well, at least I have that going for me. But what about the shifting control that you mentioned earlier?"
Uttering a low throaty chuckle before answering, "you now have complete control over every aspect of how your limbs and to some degree your body react. How about this, close your eyes and imagine your right finger gaining an edge. Now concentrate on the fine honing of that edge. Picture the elongation that will happen as your finger becomes a finely crafted blade. Now open your eyes and look at your hand."
Ryoga looked at his hand ready to prove to the scientist that he had only gained a reflective silvery sheen to his arms and legs when he let out a gasp of surprise. "Wha.. How?"
"I told you before the injection. You were injected with a nano-plague virus that has the capability to re-structure and re-make a human being. However they must be before a certain age and they have to be able to handle their body undergoing drastic change. Hence why you were a perfect candidate for the procedure. My group has targeted 2 other ideal candidates. After you have destroyed subject 24601 then you will be required to bring them in for experimentation."
"And why would I do that? I only agreed to this to obtain my revenge on Saotome."
"Because if you disobey me or the company that re-made you we will send a signal to the nano-machines now inhabiting your body and tell them to deactivate. I'm not entirely sure what would happen then. But suffice it to say that it wouldn't be a pretty site." Leaning over the hapless youth the scientist grinned maliciously adding "But I'm sure that it'll be the least of your worries."
********
"I told you mom, I'm fine."
"I'm only concerned about you Ranma, I know that you don't remember anything, but that doesn't mean that you can just forget about all your responsibilities. And no son or daughter of mine will behave incorrectly."
"But mom, do I have to wear a dress?"
The front door to the Saotome household opened inwards, entering the house was Nodoka dressed in her normal kimono. Following behind was Ranma-chan dressed in a light blue sundress and carrying a purse as well. The small red head had a slight blush on her face and a stern but cute pout on her features.
"Now Ranma-chan, you should know not to hit people like that."
"Mom, that boy was trying to look up my skirt. He was a pervert."
"Boy's will be boys Ranma. Besides I'm sure that you had wanted to look at a few women's undergarments at one time or another. It's perfectly healthy thing for a young man to want to do."
"If you haven't noticed mom, I'm not a man before. And what was wrong with my other clothes?" She said folding her arms under her breasts.
Turning around to look at her son turned daughter, "Your clothes were blood soaked and shredded. I will not have a child of mine dressed so shoddily. Besides, you were registered as a girl at the hospital and unless you want every government scientist or conspiracy theory nut after you trying to figure out how your curse works you'll be going around as a girl for a bit untill we can figure out how to deal with the confusion." Nodoka walked into another room leaving the crimson haired youth pouting in her wake. Returning a moment later she found her daughter plopped down in a sullen huff on a couch in the living room.
"Ranma-chan, is it only the lack of choice that has you upset? Or do you truly regret being a girl."
Looking down at herself for a minute Ranma-chan looked her mother strait in the eye before answering, "I guess it's the lack of choice. I want to say when I'm a guy, and when I'm a girl. Besides I don't like this dress, it makes me feel like I'm naked from the breasts down."
Nodoka giggles a second then setting down the bundle she had retrieved from the other room, "Here, these are some of my old traveling clothes. I think that they'll fit you."
Raising an eyebrow at the materials Ranma-chan pulls up the top garment to find something of a cross between a gi top and a button up shirt. "I used to travel around while you and your father were on your training trip. I found that clothes like that allowed me to look feminine and move along in case of emergency or attack quite well. I'll show you how to put them on."
********
Nabiki, not having returned home yet, was just sitting down at a bar in some sort of club. It was currently closed as shown by the good lighting and lack of people. Behind the bar was a large man dressed in a Victorian English garb polishing some glasses. "Malakai, you requested to see me?" Turning around you can make out an English cast to his features, as well as the fact that he stood above 2 meters an had a girth to match. Nabiki had also always loved the blond hair and blues eyes of the foreigner, wanting to know more about him, but not willing to give any ground herself. "Yes, I did."
Unfortunately for Nabiki, Malakai always played his deals like this. Mysterious, and short answers. Never telling all he knew and keeping people guessing. Course after dealing with him for a bit made her know the value of the façade that he put on. She had only found out about it as a mask when she had come into the club later than usual and some customers had entered before she could conclude her business.
*** flashback ***
Less than 10 minutes had she spent there when a fight had broken out. A woman had entered with a young man and had started to hit him after he said something to her. Rather than retaliating the youth had just sat there and cowered as the woman beat on him. Malakai being not just the bartender, but also one of the bouncers as well had bounded over the counter and put his hand on her back as if to turn her around. She appeared to get tired all of the sudden and then Malakai's eyes widened in horror and he reared back and punched her for all he was worth. Once he came back to himself he had gone over to the crumpled woman and checked on her.
Nabiki had gone over to the fallen woman and was shocked to discover that her neck was broken and that she was staring almost lifelessly at the wall, but was still alive and trying to mutter something. Malakai, instead of calling emergency services was dialing a long and convoluted number with several pauses and re entering of numbers. Walking over to within earshot Nabiki wasn't quite able to make out what he was saying. After about 20 minutes an ambulance arrived and two orderlies came into the building. Setting her neck in a brace and putting the woman on a stretcher they started to carry her out as a man in a trench coat came in and went strait to Malakai.
"You Malakai Morss?"
"Yes, you Lt Kojira?"
"Yes, how did you find out that she was the 'Widow'?"
"First by her actions, second... I can't tell you that right now. Come back later and I'll have a packet ready for your pickup with all the pertinent information in it. Just keep my name out of it and you can take the credit for her arrest and incarceration."
"Very well, when will the packet be ready?"
"Three hours, it'll take me that long to compile what I have found out into a usable form by the court system."
"Then I'll see you in 4 hours. Have the documents ready. I take it that there is a fee involved?"
"No fee for this one, there'll be an address in the packed. Get a forensics team there. And warn them to bring along biohazard cleanup gear. There's a lot of bodies that have been left to rot."
Turning to leave the Lieutenant walked over to the young man that was with the woman and helping him up walked with him to the door and left the building. Nabiki then turned to Malakai who hadn't had a chance to get out of site. "Hold it buster, I saw what happened and I want answers now. You couldn't have known who she was or anything that she did. So answer up now or I'll go to Lt Kojira myself and let him know that you're a quack."
Malakai didn't respond at first but after a second he motioned over his shoulder for Nabiki to follow him. He led her into the back area and he turned around, seemingly growing in stature and gaining a feral cast to his features at the same time. Before the young woman had a chance to react the bartender flashed forward with his arm and with a now taloned claw like hand held her head untill she blacked out from exhaustion.
Waking up in an unfamiliar room Nabiki groggily tried to remember what happened. Once she got to Malakai turning into a monster she just about screamed when he came into the room. Looking normal again he held up a hand to his lips and apologized. "Nabiki, I'm sorry for scaring you like that. But I had to find out if you were trustworthy or not. You are, so I'll tell you something that few have ever known. I warn you though, do not tell a soul. For if you do, your life could end up compromised." Sitting down on a seat across from the bed that Nabiki had found herself on he continued. "I was part of a rather un-ethical experiment at one time. After the experiment was finished remaking me but before the company could wipe my memories and reprogram me into a killing machine it was attacked and destroyed. Now I'm no longer human, but a biological machine known as a Zoanoid. To survive I have to drain a little bit of life energy from normal people. But a strange side effect occurs, as I drain them I gain some of their memory. That's how I tested you. Also that's how I found out that that woman was the 'Widow'. She's been killing young men that she picks up off of the street for about a decade now. First she kidnaps them, then she abuses them and mutilates their bodies with debilitating surgery. Things like castration, body limb grafting, and muscle re-formation. The entire time that she's doing this they are under a drug that keeps them aware and feeling everything, but paralyzes them and won't let them pass out. If they're lucky she tires of them and kills them in a week or two. Otherwise she'll keep them alive and continue 'Sculpting' them for weeks or even months at a time." Shuddering a bit at some memory that his discussion had dredged up Malakai continued. "I got some of her memory when I grasped her shoulder. More to the point, I received an image of what she was planning with the youth that she entered with. It wasn't something that I ever want to think about let alone see, ever."
"So what happens to her now?"
"I called a contact that I had skimmed off the mind of some JSDF officers that were in here the other night. Lt. Kojira is from a branch of the Japanese Intelligence community. I'm hoping that he'll put her in a hole, and forget where that hole is. Now I need to get back out and clean up. It's past midnight, and it might be wise if you went home. I took the liberty of calling your family and letting them know that you'd be late."
"How did you manage that without scaring them? I've got a pretty over protective houseguest right now."
Malakai grinned a bit, then shifted form a bit, first into the slightly feral and primitive looking monster from earlier. Then a bit further into a bestial looking version of Nabiki, opening her mouth the creature responded in Nabiki's voice "I can do imitations pretty well, don't you think?"
*** end flashback ***
"Cut the façade Malakai. There's no one here but us. You can let up on you mask."
Visibly relaxing a bit the demi-human slimmed down a touch and gained sharper features as well as feline-like eyes and a feral cast to his face. "Thanks Nabiki. It's a bother maintaining my human form at times, did you lock the front then?"
"Yes, I wanted to find out what you wanted to talk about. It sounded pretty important."
"I need some information gathered from you. Lt. Kojira had returned and requested information on some people. I wanted to contract you to gather it for me, standard rate plus a bonus by the way."
"How many, and who?"
"6, all located in Nerima. 2 or 3 I know you know of. The rest you probably don't but you'll need to have detailed information on their life, their capabilities, and their physical profiles to get the bonus. First one on the list is Happosei Hikada," Hiding her surprise to that name was a bit tough but Nabiki let him continue without letting on too much, "second is Gerald Talin. Third person is Ryoga Hibiki, fourth Ranma Saotome," Almost losing her composure again she struggled not to interrupt Malakai before he finished. "Fifth is someone only known as Shai-halud. The sixth is a total unknown, all I have is a picture. Here's the request packet. Please don't open it till you get home."
Still maintaining her mask Nabiki took the manila envelope and left the building. Watching her leave Malakai shifted back into his human form and continued to polish glasses.
********
Going thru a Kata that emphasized distance attacks Ryoga Hibiki contemplated what had happened to him. Now that the changes wrought by the nano-plague virus had finished he was able to view what he had become. No longer was the youth of before. He had gained what appeared to be 20 kilos of mass, entirely muscle with a thin layer of fat over. No longer did he have the perfected musculature of a body builder. Now his body had grown taller and bulkier. However the greatest change was to his arms and legs. Starting on the upper arm and leading down the entire length was no longer flesh and blood, but a silvery metallic material that unless he thought about it was a perfectly formed arm and hand in all but the material. The same had happened to his legs starting at the midthigh. He could manipulate these limbs to a frightening degree. Able to form his limbs into any shape he could imagine, but took to much concentration when distracted they turned back into normal. Hence the Kata. Also another ability that he had discovered was the ability to coat himself in armor akin to what his limbs were now made out of. Able to stop almost any attack and able to even be run over by a steam roller without destroying his body was a great change. However a negative was the fact that he had lost his cursed form, as well as he could no longer actively access his life energy. So untill he gained enough control over the power so that he could form his hand into a gun or something related he was stuck to melee. But he could still shoot his fingers or toes out to 20 feet of spiked projections if he thought about it. Thus the changed kata from one to attack foes at 4 to 5 feet distance to 10 to 15 feet distance.
"Soon Ranma, soon you will be no more. Then I'll steel everything that was yours and gain the life that I should've had all along but you have denied me at every turn." Finishing his rant the formerly lost boy went back to his kata, beginning to form his limbs into bladed projections, spearing imaginary enemies well out of punching or kicking distance.
Watching from remote cameras the scientist who had changed him grinned. Turning at the sound of a phone ringing he went to pick it up, "Gerald speaking."
"..."
"Yes, the second subject is ready to enter the field."
"..."
"No the memory wipe was never performed. Something better has been done."
"..."
"Do not bother me with petty politics and bureaucracy."
"..."
"You don't say. The 'Widow' has been captured?"
"..."
"And why would you want me to work with such a rank amateur?"
"..."
"Oh, I see. Well, after 24601 is taken care of I'll see about retrieving the lost child."
"..."
"Very well, good bye." Hanging up the phone Gerald turned to frown, once again gazing at Ryoga and his kata his frown disappeared again as he went over to a computer and began typing at it bringing up schematic and overlays. "Perhaps another project should be started to help enhance our new Tinman? Or perhaps another subject to supplement his abilities. Maybe a Net Wizard, or Shocker? So many different changes, so many." Breaking out into a nasty chuckle the scientist continued to type away at the computer his laughter becoming more manic and disturbing as his next project gained shape.
********
Authors notes:
Well, I've got most of the Original Characters ready to go. And I've also got a few of the antagonists ready. I still have another one or two x- overs to go however before everyone is in place. As all of my readers are probably aware of, this is primarily a Ranma fic with some X-over characters that are not main characters from other mangas, anime or games.
Also I'm starting a pole of who my readers would like to be matched up with whom. I will accept pairing suggestions from any show, anime, manga, book, comic, etc... only requirement is that if I don't know of it (I'll reply back and let you know) that I get a really good description of the character, as well as where to look for the work so that I can read/watch it myself. Also please e-mail requests and pole answers to seth@cedarbear.com rather than posting it in the review area.
Examples Include, but are not limited to (my OC's are not included but you can vote for them.)
Ranma / Akane, Nodoka / Soun, Nodoka / Genma, Ranma / Nabiki, Ryoga / Akane, Akane / Nabiki, Ranma / Kasumi, Shampoo / Mousse, Kasumi / Kodachi, Kasumi / Tofu, Cologne / Happosei, Shampoo / Nabiki, Tofu / Akane, Tofu / Shampoo, Genma / Kodachi, Kuno / Nodoka, Kuno / Ranma, Kuno / Akane, Buffy / Ranma, Buffy / Tofu, Buffy / Kuno, Willow / Akane, Willow / Kasumi, Rogue / Ryoga, Magnito / Nodoka, Professor X / Kasumi, Kodachi / Quicksilver, Anita Blake / Ranma, Anita Blake / Akane, Robin / Nabiki, Robin / Shampoo, Freefall / Mousse, Fairchild / Ranma, Grunge / Akane, Van Helsing / Nodoka, Ryoga / Storm,
The above are just suggestions. Please if you want to see a X-over included let me know. Also if you want to see a multiple match up please list that (like Ranma / Nabiki / Ukyo or something like that) Also the more detail as to the reasoning that is provided the more likely that the matchup will happen. (I've only got a couple in mind for Ranma, but nothing is truly set in stone right now.) And I value reader input to help me out writing further chapters and plot lines for this or other fanfictions.
Well, TTFN, must get to work on next chapter and other fanfiction works. I'm hoping to post either prologue and chapter 1 of either Wish Disaster or Namban Disaster in the next month. But life happens and such.
Ja Ne.