Ron 1/2
By Parareru
Disclaimer: Kim Possible and crew are owned by Disney. (Who had better keep producing the show until we have as many seasons as the Simpsons.) Ranma 1/2 and crew are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. SO to repeat I own neither of these.
{ } denotes Chinese speech [ ] denotes Japanese speech
Chapter 7: Furinkan High
"No monkey touch," Ron mumbled in his sleep as he twitched under the covers of his futon. "I want my manhood back. I don't wanna be a woman anymore."
After a quick soak in the furo the change back into a guy, Ron had found that Kasumi had made sleeping arrangements with the consummate skill of a professional diplomat. Kim, Yori and Lo Shin were paired with Akane, Nabiki and Kasumi respectively while Ranma and Ron slept in the dojo. As mistress of the Tendo house, she was going to take no chances that any of her sudden guests might engage in any nighttime mischief. Nothing improper would go on in her house.
As Ron slept, the amulet around his neck began to glow, surrounding him in a mystic aura as his eyelids twitched in REM sleep. "Shockwave Technique... Banana Peel Escape... Steel Cleaving Fang... Buzzsaw Attack... " Ron muttered as he thrashed weakly on the futon.
Suddenly, the aura shifted, brightened intensely and expanded to envelop Ranma as well. Ron shifted in his sleep and smacked his lips as his brow furrowed. "Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken... Shi Shi Hokodan... Mouko Takabisha... Hiryu Shotenha... Umisen-ken..." he mumbled fitfully before rolling over onto his side. The glow pulsed briefly around the two boys before it receded into Ron, soaking into him like water into a sponge. The softly glowing amulet finally winked out and plunged the dojo into darkness.
"I hate cats," Ron finally whispered as his breathing deepened and he slipped into a deep slumber.
***
Kim stretched and yawned mightily as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where all sorts of breakfasty sounds and smells were coming from.
"Good morning," Kasumi said brightly in greeting.
"Morning," Kim yawned. She paused suddenly and blinked in surprise at Yori and Lo Shin, both of whom were wide-awake and helping Kasumi prepare breakfast. "Uh, did you need any more help?" Kim offered, sheepishly aware that she was still wearing the pajamas that Akane had loaned her.
"No, thank you," Kasumi said gently. "I think we have everything in hand."
"Oh," Kim said while looking worriedly at Lo Shin and Yori. "Is Ron up yet?"
"I think he's with Ranma by the koi pond," Kasumi answered as she stirred the miso soup and ladled some into a small bowl. "Ranma and his father spar there every morning," she said as she took a tentative sip.
***
"You say you do this every morning?" Ron asked as he watched Ranma and his father leapt and attacked each other over the koi pond.
"Yup, it's training," Ranma replied as he blocked his father's punch and flipped over onto his back.
"Did ya have to wake me up at the same time though?" Ron complained.
"Gomen," Genma said. "One body looks like another in morning light."
"Hello! Blonde hair," Ron said as he pointed at his head. "Not that hard to tell apart!"
"Morning, Ron," Kim said as she padded around the corner and sat down beside him.
"Howdy, KP," Ron responded. "How'd you sleep?" He looked Kim over and decided that she definitely looked cute in those PJ's in this light. Ron shook his head to divert his mind from that line of thought and focused back on Ranma's sparring session. Somehow, he had a strange feeling that he had seen this fight and others like it before.
"Eh. Okay, I guess," Kim answered. "Akane moves a lot in her sleep so it took me a while to nod off. How 'bout you?"
"I kept having these weird dreams about fighting a whole bunch of strange people and running away from a whole bunch of monkeys and cats," Ron said with a shudder. "Other than that, not that bad I guess."
"Cats?" Kim scowled. "Since when were you scared of cats?"
Ron just shrugged in answer while Kim looked at him curiously. Something seemed different about Ron this morning, not necessarily bad, but definitely odd. Sort of like that pendant he was wearing around his neck right now. Kim reached out her hand and fingered the strange decoration as Ron jumped slightly at her touch.
"What's this, Ron?" Kim asked as she studied the amulet. It was a simple inch long oval with a katana carved into the face and a pattern of ridges on the back forming half of a Yin Yang.
"Well, I can't say I'm really that crazy about the bling bling," Ron replied evasively. "Just something I picked up."
"So why are you wearing it?" Kim pressed.
"Hey, Ranma, care to spar a little?" Ron asked as he fled Kim's inquiry.
"Sure," Ranma replied as he flipped his father into the pond, ending the match. Kim and Ron both blinked in surprise at the panda that sprang out of the water and nonchalantly trotted for the bathroom. "Spring of Drowned Panda," Ranma explained.
"What's going on?" Akane asked as she sat down beside Kim.
"Ranma and Ron are playing," Kim answered deprecatingly.
"Well, would you care to spar?" Akane offered.
"Maybe later thanks. I sorta want to see this," Kim said. "Ron's been acting a little funny lately."
Ron dropped in a low crouch while Ranma waited negligently for Ron's first move. "Flying kick now!" Ron yelled as he launched himself through the air at the pigtailed martial artist.
Ranma neatly sidestepped the kick, snagged Ron's ankle and sent him flying. Surprisingly, to both Kim and Ranma, Ron landed smartly on his feet, a confident smile on his face.
"Ok, you should probably think about those battle cries of yours," Ranma advised. "When you shout things like that it's like saying, 'Here I come. Please kick my ass.'"
"Good tip," Ron nodded thoughtfully as a strange thought entered his mind and he pressed his wrists together, palms facing towards Ranma. "So how about if I do this? Shi shi Hokodan!" The resultant ki blast was a paltry ball of light the size of a grapefruit that dissipated after traveling only a few feet, but it was still a ki blast nonetheless.
"How'd you learn to do that?" Ranma asked in surprise, suddenly forced to reevaluate Ron's abilities.
"Dunno," Ron replied as he scratched the back of his head. "Just had an impulse to put my hands together and shout that. What exactly was that?"
"That was the Shi shi Hokodan, Ryoga's ki attack," Ranma explained.
"Whoa, back up," Ron said with a wince. "Who's Ryoga, what's a ki attack and what is up with all these strange words running through my head?"
"Ryoga's the eternal lost boy with a lot of power, overall a royal pain in the ass," Ranma explained. "A ki attack is an energy attack fueled by your emotions. And what other 'strange words' do you know?"
Ron closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment before answering. "Tenshin Amaguriken, Hiryu Shotenha, Mouko Takabisha, Banana Peel Escape, Shockwave Technique. I think that's it."
"That can't be," Ranma frowned. "Some of those are my techniques."
"So how did I learn them?"
"Dunno. But let's see how much you've learned," Ranma challenged.
"Yeah, sure," Ron replied as he launched a flurry of punches at Ranma who dodged them with practiced ease.
"Okay, my turn," Ranma smirked as he launched his attack, fists moving so fast they could barely be seen. Ron dodged the blows frantically, only just able to keep his guard up. Sweat poured off his brow as he moved faster than he ever had in his life. Finally, Ron's guard slipped and Ranma landed a punch that sent Ron flying into the koi pond. "Not bad," Ranma said, panting slightly. "You're pretty fast."
"Not fast enough," Ron griped as she stood up in the pond, water dripping from her clothes. "Shockwave Technique!" she cried as she stomped her foot, surprising Ranma and sending a towering wave of water for him.
"Whatcha do that for?!" Ranma-chan yelled.
"Breakfast is ready," Kasumi caroled before Ron could answer.
"Booyah!" Ron cried as she dashed into the house.
"Something is definitely odd here," Kim muttered to herself as she stared after Ron's retreating form.
***
"Man, what is up with that old lady?" Ron griped as she wrung the extra water from her borrowed shirt.
Kim and Ron had decided to go to school with Ranma and Akane and directly to the Nekohanten afterwards. Lo Shin and Yori had elected to help Kasumi and Mrs. Saotome with the housework and meet up them later. Kim had borrowed an extra uniform from Akane and Ron had borrowed some more of Ranma's clothes. On the way, an old woman had splashed Ron while cleaning her doorway with some water.
"She does that every day," Ranma replied from his perch on the fence. "Never could figure out why I usually ended up doused by it."
"I am so glad we don't have dress codes at Middleton High," Kim commented for the millionth time as she tugged fitfully at her borrowed clothes and glared balefully at Ron. "How come Ron doesn't have to wear a uniform?"
"Ranma refuses to wear one," Akane supplied. "Besides, uniforms wouldn't do well with the water magnet here."
"I miss Club Banana," Kim pouted as she tugged at the hem of her uniform.
"I think it's you, KP," Ron said to lighten the mood.
"So why doesn't Ron go as a girl?" Kim persisted stubbornly, insistent that Ron at least share in her misery. "I mean he... she... is one right now."
Ron blushed and mumbled something unintelligibly.
"What was that?" Kim asked.
"Akane's clothes don't fit my girl body," Ron repeated, still blushing furiously.
"What are you talking about? It's a dress," Kim scowled in irritation.
"It's too tight across the chest," Ron said as she blushed an even deeper shade of red.
"Bad move," Ranma chuckled from his vantage point of experience with this very same scenario.
"Huh," Ron wondered until she caught sight Akane's and Kim's twin expressions of annoyance. She held up her hands in surrender, backing away from the two fuming girls. "Um, please don't hurt me," Ron pleaded pathetically.
Fortunately, for Ron, they had reached the gates of Furinkan High and a loud battle cry smashed through the air.
[RANMA SAOTOME! PREPARE TO DIE!] Tatewaki Kuno bellowed as he leapt high into the air, bokken ready to slam down on top of Ranma's head.
[Hey, Kuno,] Ranma replied as he dodged the blow and planted his foot in the swordsman's face.
[Why must you attack me, Saotome?] Kuno asked indignantly as he sat up.
[I think you got your facts mixed up, Kuno,] Ranma retorted.
[Ah, the vibrant Akane Tendo,] Kuno said, ignoring Ranma's comments. [And what fine foreign flowers do you have accompanying you today?]
"This is Kim Possible from America," Akane said pointing to Kim.
"Ah, so the famous Kim Possible has heard of the fame of Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High," Kuno boasted, switching to English and winking at Kim. "Perhaps she would care to date with me?"
Kim drew back in surprise at the forwardness of the strange boy. "Um, not really," she replied incredulously.
"If you defeat me I shall allow you to date me," Kuno offered magnanimously, ignoring Kim's comments.
Akane rolled her eyes and continued the introductions, pointing to Ron. "And this is Ron..."
"DA!" Ranma burst in. "Ron... da... Rhonda Stoppable, Kim Possible's friend."
"Rhonda?!" Ron hissed, her eyes flashing.
"Trust me," Ranma whispered back.
"Her manner of dress is much like that of my pigtailed goddess," Kuno mused, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Could it be that you, foul sorcerer Saotome, hold her in the same thrall as the pigtailed girl?!" Kuno swung his bokken menacingly. "I shall free her soul so that she may be free to date me."
"Same ol' Kuno," Ranma sighed, pulled a small watermelon out of his backpack and placed it on top of Kuno's head. Kuno instinctively swung his bokken to slice the watermelon and knocked himself out.
"That's a handy trick," Kim commented approvingly. "I thought he'd never shut up."
"Ack, we're going to be late," Akane yelped as she grabbed Ranma by the pigtail and raced into the building.
***
"So this is the Nekohanten," Ron said, thankfully back in his male form. "We really were only a block away."
The rest of the day at Furinkan High had passed without incident. Kim and Ron met most of Ranma and Akane's friends, while Nabiki cashed in on Kim Possible's notoriety, selling pictures of the famous teen hero. Afterwards, the four of them met up with Yori and Lo Shin and headed for the Nekohanten.
[Welcome to the Nekohanten,] Shampoo greeted the group as they entered.
"Yo, Shampoo," Ranma waved.
[Ranma!] Shampoo exclaimed as she flung herself into Ranma's arms. [You come date Shampoo now?]
[We need to see Cologne,] Ranma said as Akane huffily separated the two.
[Great Grandmother, someone here to see you,] Shampoo called into the kitchen, scowling at Akane all the while.
[So son-in-law, have you come to ask for Shampoo's hand in marriage,] Cologne cackled as she hopped out of the kitchen, perched on her staff.
"Not even a chance," Ranma snorted and gestured to Kim, Ron, Lo Shin and Yori. "These people needed to see you."
{Lo Shin, it is good to see you, child,} Cologne said warmly in greeting to the young Amazon.
{Thank you, matriarch,} Lo Shin said as she bowed respectfully in return. {These are my companions, Ron Stoppable, Kim Possible and Yori Hoshino.}
"Hiya, we're here for the Mystical Monkey Talisman," Ron said as he bowed awkwardly.
Cologne stared inscrutably at Ron as if her eyes were peeling away the flesh to look into his very soul. She blinked owlishly while Ron stood there fidgeting and wondering if he had done something wrong.
"No," she finally said emotionlessly and hopped back into the kitchen without as much as a backward glance.
"That wasn't supposed to happen," Ron whined. "What was up with that?"
"Shampoo will find out," Shampoo said as she followed Cologne into the kitchen.
"Tadaima," Mousse said cheerfully as he walked into the restaurant carrying his empty delivery boxes.
{Mu Tsu!} Lo Shin yelled as she barreled into the Hidden Weapons master, sending the containers flying.
{Lo Shin?} Mousse yelped in surprise. {What are you doing here?}
{You don't write or let us know how you're doing!} Lo Shin berated as she thumped Mousse on the shoulder with her fists. {The only word we get is the Matriarch saying, 'Oh, and the blind idiot is okay too!'}
"You two know each other?" Ron asked curiously, looking at the two.
"Ron, meet my big brother, Mousse," Lo Shin sighed grumpily.
Next: Mousse Explodes
A/N: Thanks for Reading and Reviewing! Got this chapter done much faster than I had originally anticipated. Strike while the iron is hot and all that. Don't expect this prolific streak to continue though, three updates within 7 days is really outta place for me. Do I even have a job anymore?
Ah, magic. It can do anything an author wants it to and you don't need a scientific basis for why it works. It just does. Imagine all the science experiments when Drakken finds out about Ron's curse. That's planned for a sequel though. *evil laugh*
Anyhoo, if by being hit with the Mystical Monkey Power instantly makes Ron a halfway competent fighter, then how much more should the Lotus Blade do for him. I was toying with idea of the Lotus Blade speaking directly to Ron ala RA Salvatore's Woods Out Back trilogy, but eventually decided against it. That's why I had the Lotus Blade in its amulet form teach Ron some special moves, because knowledge is a power of a higher order. And as for how or why Ron learned Ranma's techniques. Well, I just thought it'd be funny if Ron learned the Shi shi Hokodan in case Kim ever went on a date with Josh Mankey. BOOM! No more Middleton. (Just kidding.) Again, magic. I'll explain later. However, now I'll have to figure out what emotion drives Ron the most. And hunger doesn't count!
I suppose I could have done without the Furinkan High scene altogether, but couldn't resist putting Kim in Akane's school uniform. That and Furinkan High is a classic venue to introduce Tatewaki Kuno. I know that there was so much more to do there, like introduce Principal Kuno and Miss Hinako, but I think I'll save that for another time.
Yes, I've made Lo Shin Mousse's little sister. In the manga, it doesn't go into much detail about Mousse's family, so BAM little sister. For the record, the Nerima gang's ages are around 16, on par with Kim and Ron. Lo Shin is a year younger than Mousse, making her about 15 or so. Oh, now the fun begins.
Also added a glossary at the end to explain/translate some of the techniques and phrases used here.
Glossary:
Gomen - Sorry
Nihao - Hello
Tadaima - I'm home or here I am
Ki or Chi - Spiritual energy produced by living things.
Shi shi Hokodan - Roaring Lion's Bullet - Ki attack used by Ryoga Hibiki fueled by depression. Really powerful when Ryoga uses it since he's depressed about 99% of the time.
Mouko Takabisha - Pride of the Fierce Tiger - Ki attack used by Ranma Saotome fueled by confidence.
Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken - Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire Technique - Training involves literally grabbing chestnuts out of a fire fast enough to not be burned by the fire. A master can throw hundreds of punches in the time it takes to throw a single punch.
Hiryu Shotenha - Heaven Blast of the Dragon - Technique of creating a whirlwind of Ki by making your opponent mad while you maintain absolute calm. Kinda complicated to explain.
Umisen-ken - Ocean of 1000 Fists - Half of a fighting Technique developed by Genma Saotome that equates the body to a house. The principle behind the Umisen-ken is that of the silent sneaky thief.
Disclaimer: Kim Possible and crew are owned by Disney. (Who had better keep producing the show until we have as many seasons as the Simpsons.) Ranma 1/2 and crew are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. SO to repeat I own neither of these.
{ } denotes Chinese speech [ ] denotes Japanese speech
Chapter 7: Furinkan High
"No monkey touch," Ron mumbled in his sleep as he twitched under the covers of his futon. "I want my manhood back. I don't wanna be a woman anymore."
After a quick soak in the furo the change back into a guy, Ron had found that Kasumi had made sleeping arrangements with the consummate skill of a professional diplomat. Kim, Yori and Lo Shin were paired with Akane, Nabiki and Kasumi respectively while Ranma and Ron slept in the dojo. As mistress of the Tendo house, she was going to take no chances that any of her sudden guests might engage in any nighttime mischief. Nothing improper would go on in her house.
As Ron slept, the amulet around his neck began to glow, surrounding him in a mystic aura as his eyelids twitched in REM sleep. "Shockwave Technique... Banana Peel Escape... Steel Cleaving Fang... Buzzsaw Attack... " Ron muttered as he thrashed weakly on the futon.
Suddenly, the aura shifted, brightened intensely and expanded to envelop Ranma as well. Ron shifted in his sleep and smacked his lips as his brow furrowed. "Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken... Shi Shi Hokodan... Mouko Takabisha... Hiryu Shotenha... Umisen-ken..." he mumbled fitfully before rolling over onto his side. The glow pulsed briefly around the two boys before it receded into Ron, soaking into him like water into a sponge. The softly glowing amulet finally winked out and plunged the dojo into darkness.
"I hate cats," Ron finally whispered as his breathing deepened and he slipped into a deep slumber.
***
Kim stretched and yawned mightily as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where all sorts of breakfasty sounds and smells were coming from.
"Good morning," Kasumi said brightly in greeting.
"Morning," Kim yawned. She paused suddenly and blinked in surprise at Yori and Lo Shin, both of whom were wide-awake and helping Kasumi prepare breakfast. "Uh, did you need any more help?" Kim offered, sheepishly aware that she was still wearing the pajamas that Akane had loaned her.
"No, thank you," Kasumi said gently. "I think we have everything in hand."
"Oh," Kim said while looking worriedly at Lo Shin and Yori. "Is Ron up yet?"
"I think he's with Ranma by the koi pond," Kasumi answered as she stirred the miso soup and ladled some into a small bowl. "Ranma and his father spar there every morning," she said as she took a tentative sip.
***
"You say you do this every morning?" Ron asked as he watched Ranma and his father leapt and attacked each other over the koi pond.
"Yup, it's training," Ranma replied as he blocked his father's punch and flipped over onto his back.
"Did ya have to wake me up at the same time though?" Ron complained.
"Gomen," Genma said. "One body looks like another in morning light."
"Hello! Blonde hair," Ron said as he pointed at his head. "Not that hard to tell apart!"
"Morning, Ron," Kim said as she padded around the corner and sat down beside him.
"Howdy, KP," Ron responded. "How'd you sleep?" He looked Kim over and decided that she definitely looked cute in those PJ's in this light. Ron shook his head to divert his mind from that line of thought and focused back on Ranma's sparring session. Somehow, he had a strange feeling that he had seen this fight and others like it before.
"Eh. Okay, I guess," Kim answered. "Akane moves a lot in her sleep so it took me a while to nod off. How 'bout you?"
"I kept having these weird dreams about fighting a whole bunch of strange people and running away from a whole bunch of monkeys and cats," Ron said with a shudder. "Other than that, not that bad I guess."
"Cats?" Kim scowled. "Since when were you scared of cats?"
Ron just shrugged in answer while Kim looked at him curiously. Something seemed different about Ron this morning, not necessarily bad, but definitely odd. Sort of like that pendant he was wearing around his neck right now. Kim reached out her hand and fingered the strange decoration as Ron jumped slightly at her touch.
"What's this, Ron?" Kim asked as she studied the amulet. It was a simple inch long oval with a katana carved into the face and a pattern of ridges on the back forming half of a Yin Yang.
"Well, I can't say I'm really that crazy about the bling bling," Ron replied evasively. "Just something I picked up."
"So why are you wearing it?" Kim pressed.
"Hey, Ranma, care to spar a little?" Ron asked as he fled Kim's inquiry.
"Sure," Ranma replied as he flipped his father into the pond, ending the match. Kim and Ron both blinked in surprise at the panda that sprang out of the water and nonchalantly trotted for the bathroom. "Spring of Drowned Panda," Ranma explained.
"What's going on?" Akane asked as she sat down beside Kim.
"Ranma and Ron are playing," Kim answered deprecatingly.
"Well, would you care to spar?" Akane offered.
"Maybe later thanks. I sorta want to see this," Kim said. "Ron's been acting a little funny lately."
Ron dropped in a low crouch while Ranma waited negligently for Ron's first move. "Flying kick now!" Ron yelled as he launched himself through the air at the pigtailed martial artist.
Ranma neatly sidestepped the kick, snagged Ron's ankle and sent him flying. Surprisingly, to both Kim and Ranma, Ron landed smartly on his feet, a confident smile on his face.
"Ok, you should probably think about those battle cries of yours," Ranma advised. "When you shout things like that it's like saying, 'Here I come. Please kick my ass.'"
"Good tip," Ron nodded thoughtfully as a strange thought entered his mind and he pressed his wrists together, palms facing towards Ranma. "So how about if I do this? Shi shi Hokodan!" The resultant ki blast was a paltry ball of light the size of a grapefruit that dissipated after traveling only a few feet, but it was still a ki blast nonetheless.
"How'd you learn to do that?" Ranma asked in surprise, suddenly forced to reevaluate Ron's abilities.
"Dunno," Ron replied as he scratched the back of his head. "Just had an impulse to put my hands together and shout that. What exactly was that?"
"That was the Shi shi Hokodan, Ryoga's ki attack," Ranma explained.
"Whoa, back up," Ron said with a wince. "Who's Ryoga, what's a ki attack and what is up with all these strange words running through my head?"
"Ryoga's the eternal lost boy with a lot of power, overall a royal pain in the ass," Ranma explained. "A ki attack is an energy attack fueled by your emotions. And what other 'strange words' do you know?"
Ron closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment before answering. "Tenshin Amaguriken, Hiryu Shotenha, Mouko Takabisha, Banana Peel Escape, Shockwave Technique. I think that's it."
"That can't be," Ranma frowned. "Some of those are my techniques."
"So how did I learn them?"
"Dunno. But let's see how much you've learned," Ranma challenged.
"Yeah, sure," Ron replied as he launched a flurry of punches at Ranma who dodged them with practiced ease.
"Okay, my turn," Ranma smirked as he launched his attack, fists moving so fast they could barely be seen. Ron dodged the blows frantically, only just able to keep his guard up. Sweat poured off his brow as he moved faster than he ever had in his life. Finally, Ron's guard slipped and Ranma landed a punch that sent Ron flying into the koi pond. "Not bad," Ranma said, panting slightly. "You're pretty fast."
"Not fast enough," Ron griped as she stood up in the pond, water dripping from her clothes. "Shockwave Technique!" she cried as she stomped her foot, surprising Ranma and sending a towering wave of water for him.
"Whatcha do that for?!" Ranma-chan yelled.
"Breakfast is ready," Kasumi caroled before Ron could answer.
"Booyah!" Ron cried as she dashed into the house.
"Something is definitely odd here," Kim muttered to herself as she stared after Ron's retreating form.
***
"Man, what is up with that old lady?" Ron griped as she wrung the extra water from her borrowed shirt.
Kim and Ron had decided to go to school with Ranma and Akane and directly to the Nekohanten afterwards. Lo Shin and Yori had elected to help Kasumi and Mrs. Saotome with the housework and meet up them later. Kim had borrowed an extra uniform from Akane and Ron had borrowed some more of Ranma's clothes. On the way, an old woman had splashed Ron while cleaning her doorway with some water.
"She does that every day," Ranma replied from his perch on the fence. "Never could figure out why I usually ended up doused by it."
"I am so glad we don't have dress codes at Middleton High," Kim commented for the millionth time as she tugged fitfully at her borrowed clothes and glared balefully at Ron. "How come Ron doesn't have to wear a uniform?"
"Ranma refuses to wear one," Akane supplied. "Besides, uniforms wouldn't do well with the water magnet here."
"I miss Club Banana," Kim pouted as she tugged at the hem of her uniform.
"I think it's you, KP," Ron said to lighten the mood.
"So why doesn't Ron go as a girl?" Kim persisted stubbornly, insistent that Ron at least share in her misery. "I mean he... she... is one right now."
Ron blushed and mumbled something unintelligibly.
"What was that?" Kim asked.
"Akane's clothes don't fit my girl body," Ron repeated, still blushing furiously.
"What are you talking about? It's a dress," Kim scowled in irritation.
"It's too tight across the chest," Ron said as she blushed an even deeper shade of red.
"Bad move," Ranma chuckled from his vantage point of experience with this very same scenario.
"Huh," Ron wondered until she caught sight Akane's and Kim's twin expressions of annoyance. She held up her hands in surrender, backing away from the two fuming girls. "Um, please don't hurt me," Ron pleaded pathetically.
Fortunately, for Ron, they had reached the gates of Furinkan High and a loud battle cry smashed through the air.
[RANMA SAOTOME! PREPARE TO DIE!] Tatewaki Kuno bellowed as he leapt high into the air, bokken ready to slam down on top of Ranma's head.
[Hey, Kuno,] Ranma replied as he dodged the blow and planted his foot in the swordsman's face.
[Why must you attack me, Saotome?] Kuno asked indignantly as he sat up.
[I think you got your facts mixed up, Kuno,] Ranma retorted.
[Ah, the vibrant Akane Tendo,] Kuno said, ignoring Ranma's comments. [And what fine foreign flowers do you have accompanying you today?]
"This is Kim Possible from America," Akane said pointing to Kim.
"Ah, so the famous Kim Possible has heard of the fame of Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High," Kuno boasted, switching to English and winking at Kim. "Perhaps she would care to date with me?"
Kim drew back in surprise at the forwardness of the strange boy. "Um, not really," she replied incredulously.
"If you defeat me I shall allow you to date me," Kuno offered magnanimously, ignoring Kim's comments.
Akane rolled her eyes and continued the introductions, pointing to Ron. "And this is Ron..."
"DA!" Ranma burst in. "Ron... da... Rhonda Stoppable, Kim Possible's friend."
"Rhonda?!" Ron hissed, her eyes flashing.
"Trust me," Ranma whispered back.
"Her manner of dress is much like that of my pigtailed goddess," Kuno mused, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Could it be that you, foul sorcerer Saotome, hold her in the same thrall as the pigtailed girl?!" Kuno swung his bokken menacingly. "I shall free her soul so that she may be free to date me."
"Same ol' Kuno," Ranma sighed, pulled a small watermelon out of his backpack and placed it on top of Kuno's head. Kuno instinctively swung his bokken to slice the watermelon and knocked himself out.
"That's a handy trick," Kim commented approvingly. "I thought he'd never shut up."
"Ack, we're going to be late," Akane yelped as she grabbed Ranma by the pigtail and raced into the building.
***
"So this is the Nekohanten," Ron said, thankfully back in his male form. "We really were only a block away."
The rest of the day at Furinkan High had passed without incident. Kim and Ron met most of Ranma and Akane's friends, while Nabiki cashed in on Kim Possible's notoriety, selling pictures of the famous teen hero. Afterwards, the four of them met up with Yori and Lo Shin and headed for the Nekohanten.
[Welcome to the Nekohanten,] Shampoo greeted the group as they entered.
"Yo, Shampoo," Ranma waved.
[Ranma!] Shampoo exclaimed as she flung herself into Ranma's arms. [You come date Shampoo now?]
[We need to see Cologne,] Ranma said as Akane huffily separated the two.
[Great Grandmother, someone here to see you,] Shampoo called into the kitchen, scowling at Akane all the while.
[So son-in-law, have you come to ask for Shampoo's hand in marriage,] Cologne cackled as she hopped out of the kitchen, perched on her staff.
"Not even a chance," Ranma snorted and gestured to Kim, Ron, Lo Shin and Yori. "These people needed to see you."
{Lo Shin, it is good to see you, child,} Cologne said warmly in greeting to the young Amazon.
{Thank you, matriarch,} Lo Shin said as she bowed respectfully in return. {These are my companions, Ron Stoppable, Kim Possible and Yori Hoshino.}
"Hiya, we're here for the Mystical Monkey Talisman," Ron said as he bowed awkwardly.
Cologne stared inscrutably at Ron as if her eyes were peeling away the flesh to look into his very soul. She blinked owlishly while Ron stood there fidgeting and wondering if he had done something wrong.
"No," she finally said emotionlessly and hopped back into the kitchen without as much as a backward glance.
"That wasn't supposed to happen," Ron whined. "What was up with that?"
"Shampoo will find out," Shampoo said as she followed Cologne into the kitchen.
"Tadaima," Mousse said cheerfully as he walked into the restaurant carrying his empty delivery boxes.
{Mu Tsu!} Lo Shin yelled as she barreled into the Hidden Weapons master, sending the containers flying.
{Lo Shin?} Mousse yelped in surprise. {What are you doing here?}
{You don't write or let us know how you're doing!} Lo Shin berated as she thumped Mousse on the shoulder with her fists. {The only word we get is the Matriarch saying, 'Oh, and the blind idiot is okay too!'}
"You two know each other?" Ron asked curiously, looking at the two.
"Ron, meet my big brother, Mousse," Lo Shin sighed grumpily.
Next: Mousse Explodes
A/N: Thanks for Reading and Reviewing! Got this chapter done much faster than I had originally anticipated. Strike while the iron is hot and all that. Don't expect this prolific streak to continue though, three updates within 7 days is really outta place for me. Do I even have a job anymore?
Ah, magic. It can do anything an author wants it to and you don't need a scientific basis for why it works. It just does. Imagine all the science experiments when Drakken finds out about Ron's curse. That's planned for a sequel though. *evil laugh*
Anyhoo, if by being hit with the Mystical Monkey Power instantly makes Ron a halfway competent fighter, then how much more should the Lotus Blade do for him. I was toying with idea of the Lotus Blade speaking directly to Ron ala RA Salvatore's Woods Out Back trilogy, but eventually decided against it. That's why I had the Lotus Blade in its amulet form teach Ron some special moves, because knowledge is a power of a higher order. And as for how or why Ron learned Ranma's techniques. Well, I just thought it'd be funny if Ron learned the Shi shi Hokodan in case Kim ever went on a date with Josh Mankey. BOOM! No more Middleton. (Just kidding.) Again, magic. I'll explain later. However, now I'll have to figure out what emotion drives Ron the most. And hunger doesn't count!
I suppose I could have done without the Furinkan High scene altogether, but couldn't resist putting Kim in Akane's school uniform. That and Furinkan High is a classic venue to introduce Tatewaki Kuno. I know that there was so much more to do there, like introduce Principal Kuno and Miss Hinako, but I think I'll save that for another time.
Yes, I've made Lo Shin Mousse's little sister. In the manga, it doesn't go into much detail about Mousse's family, so BAM little sister. For the record, the Nerima gang's ages are around 16, on par with Kim and Ron. Lo Shin is a year younger than Mousse, making her about 15 or so. Oh, now the fun begins.
Also added a glossary at the end to explain/translate some of the techniques and phrases used here.
Glossary:
Gomen - Sorry
Nihao - Hello
Tadaima - I'm home or here I am
Ki or Chi - Spiritual energy produced by living things.
Shi shi Hokodan - Roaring Lion's Bullet - Ki attack used by Ryoga Hibiki fueled by depression. Really powerful when Ryoga uses it since he's depressed about 99% of the time.
Mouko Takabisha - Pride of the Fierce Tiger - Ki attack used by Ranma Saotome fueled by confidence.
Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken - Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire Technique - Training involves literally grabbing chestnuts out of a fire fast enough to not be burned by the fire. A master can throw hundreds of punches in the time it takes to throw a single punch.
Hiryu Shotenha - Heaven Blast of the Dragon - Technique of creating a whirlwind of Ki by making your opponent mad while you maintain absolute calm. Kinda complicated to explain.
Umisen-ken - Ocean of 1000 Fists - Half of a fighting Technique developed by Genma Saotome that equates the body to a house. The principle behind the Umisen-ken is that of the silent sneaky thief.