Dual Self
By Metaverse
Ranma/MGS work.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor am I making any money from this. Please do not sue me.
Nabiki tiredly watched as one Ranma Saotome flowed around the attacks of one Kuno Tatawaki. Long ago Nabiki had stopped taking bets as the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Ranma would toy with the Kendoist, getting him all good and mad, then trounce him casually. Heck, you could set your watch to it, so there was no point in betting on it anymore.
Nabiki was stifling a yawn, just as a car backfired. She glanced up and noticed the old vehicle ambling down the street. She turned her attention back to the "fight". Surprise and horror made themselves known, as she gaped at what she saw. For there was Ranma, who'd somehow managed to slip around Kuno, as well as disarm him, and currently held him in some kind of chokehold. No not a chokehold.
"Ranma! Stop it you'll kill him!!" she cried out.
...he was trying to break Kuno's neck.
Kuno was frantically squirming as he realized, through the veil of madness that usually clouded his mind, that he was about to die.
Nabiki observed that a dark stain started to spread around Kuno's crotch area. She ignored this for the moment, and screamed again for Ranma to stop. This time the pig-tailed youth heard her, and turned his head to look at her. Her voice caught as she saw the cold hatred therein. These were not the eyes of the nicely-arrogant young martial artist she'd been living with, these were the eyes of a manslayer, a person who'd long since gotten used to killing.
Frozen by his gaze, she was unable to yell out to him again, but thankfully she didn't need to. Slowly, the bemused expression of Ranma Saotome reasserted itself. "Nabiki..? What's wro.." Then he realized what he was doing.
For a moment he stared at his arms as if they were another entity all together, unable to comprehend why they were doing this. Then he acted.
Kuno landed in a heap, shaken, but otherwise unharmed, and stared in rapt terror at the boy who'd nearly ended his life.
Ranama, for his part, was looking at his hands. disgust and horror warring over his face as he looked at the appendages that'd nearly killed.
Nabiki briefly considered going down there and trying to figure out what was going on. But the chance was taken from her forever with a cry of "RAAANNNMAAA!!"
Akane Tendo charged across the front yard, mallet raised high, and for a brief moment Nabiki feared for her sisters life. For the cold hatred resurfaced on the young man's face as he dropped his hands to his side's. Akane's legs managed to eat up the distance, while this other Ranma merely flexed his fingers, almost as if he was relishing the idea of getting his hands around her neck. But at the last second Saotome reasserted control, and merely held himself still, allowing Akane to knock him out.
Nabiki said a silent thank you to the young man, and made a note to erase his debts. For she was sure that he'd taken that blow out of fear that the other self would regain control and kill her sister.
She pushed herself from the window and turned around. There she found slack jawed stares of her classmates, all of them rooted to their positions at the windows unable to do anything but gawk.
Kami-sama knew that Nabiki would like nothing more than to sit down and take this all in, but she had to move quickly for her family's sake & Ranma's as well.
****
Several hours later
Ranma was laid out, still unconscious in the main room. Most of the concerned parties were patiently milled about, waiting for the last member of their group to return. Xian pu & Ukyo, for once put aside their differences and concentrated on making the young Saotome comfortable in his sleep, and so far seemed successful. Kasumi made sure everyone had some snacks to keep their hunger at bay until this was settled. Nodoka just quietly wept over her fallen son while the fathers played a game of go. Though if you looked closely, which Nabiki did out of habit, you could tell that something was bothering Genma, he wasn't cheating as much as he should've been.
Akane for her part had long since finished railing about what a jerk Ranma was and seemed to know be honestly considering just how alien his actions this morning had been. With that realization came fear, for her life, which she masked with anger, so for now she just fumed over the situation.
Nabiki pretended to channel surf, while keeping an eye on all the volatile parties, doing what she could to keep the peace.
"Wait stop." Tsubasa said.
The here till silent assistants sudden words caused Nabiki to stop in her channel surfing, as everyone turned to the TV.
The anchor on screen grimly read the report that'd just been handed to him. "The City of New York suffered a major catastrophe today as a giant bipedal robot crashed through several buildings, until finally stopping. Officials are being tight lipped about the incident, but assure the public they have everything under control."
"So far no terrorist organization has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack."
A slow pan from a helicopter gave a wide shot of the machine in question, and Nabiki was forced to admit that it was huge.
"Huh, another Metal Gear."
Everyone turned to look at Ranma, who was slowly sitting up, and shaking his head clear of cobwebs. Xian pu's & Ukyo's instinctual reaction was to grab and squeeze the life out of the young man. However, an upraised hand from his mother forestalled their movements, and gave him a chance to orient himself.
"How long was I out?" he asked as he glanced about at the assembled people.
"It's about two in the afternoon Ranma." Nabiki supplied helpfully
"Ranma blinked then chuckled a bit. "Heh, I guess Akane really nailed me that time."
"Actually son, " his mother began, interrupting Akane before she could respond to what she saw as some kind of insult. "Ku Lon suggested we keep you under sedation for a bit."
Ranma blinked at the news "Oh.So where is she."
"Right here Son-in-law." The old matriarch of the Amazons said as she pogoed her way to him from the kitchen, a large sack slung over her shoulders. "Just needed to get some items ready."
"For what?"
She hoped off her staff before him and began pulling out a few items from the sack, most of which were stones that she began arranging around Ranma. "You and I are going to do a little dream walking." She paused to make sure the circle was arranged appropriately, before turning to face the young Saotome. "In this way I hope to determine just what posed you this morning." She then began inscribing runes.
"Wait just a minute." Soun began "Why should you go with him, I feel it would be better for either myself or Saotome to go while you watch!"
"Yeah it would..What?" Genma added.
The elder shook her head. "Put your petty fears aside and think. Of all of us here I am the one best suited to aid Ranma in confronting this."
"Elder, I truly wish to believe you, however your people do have a reputation for employing mind altering techniques."
Ku lon sighed and glared at Xian pu who bowed her head in shame. "Such tactics were entirely planned but my great-granddaughter. Who has been properly chastised for her actions in that regard." She turned to regard the Saotome matriarch "However if you wish, I shall promise not to Influence Ranma's mind in such a fashion."
Nodoka still looked unsure, so she turned to Ranma. "I feel I would be the best to help you son-in-law, but if you wish for another to walk with you I shall understand."
Ranma blinked realizing that for once he was actually being given a choice about something. That plus Ku Lon's earlier statement cinched it for him. "Okay, I thank you for your help."
The elder Amazon inclined her head, and then pulled out an ornate goblet inlaid with a gold dragon chasing its tail. From a small thermos she poured a thick black liquid into it and offered it to him. "It will be bitter, but by the both of us drinking this, we shall share your dream."
He nodded and took a pull from the goblet then handed it to Ku lon who did the same. After which she handed it to shampoo.
Ranma yawned once, followed by the elder, and the two quickly lay down and were soon fast asleep as the concerned face of friends and family watched on.
****
It'd been hours, or at least seemed like it, since Ranma & Ku lon had awakened in his mindscape. The place, he'd quickly noted, seemed foreign and yet familiar to him at the same time. Modern and ancient Chinese & Japanese architecture styles were the call of the day. Often mixing in odd, but beautiful arrangements. People and faces he'd not seen in years, or only dimly remembered were snapped into focus here as they went about their lives in his mind. Some managing the various needs of himself, and others just living as he would always dream them to live. Or at least that's what Ku Lon had told him.
So far, her guidance had been most helpful, especially in choosing a direction & course of action. So after some talk they'd headed to the center of the city, where they hoped to find some representations of himself that could help him better determine a course of action.
When they got there what they found stopped Ranma in his tracks. "Is that supposed to be me?"
There at the heart of a pagoda rested a marble image of Ranma Saotome, but gone was the cocky grin and easy way that normally marked his stance and in it's place stood the image of a tired but determined young man. Even the eyes, Ranma marveled, gave off a sense of untamed willpower.
"That my dear boy is your core self. It is you without the fetters and expectations that all you've met and lived with, have placed on you." She nodded as she looked the statue over. "An impressive sight I must say."
Ranma, so transfixed by the image, almost didn't notice the three figures that guarded the steps in front of it. When he finally did look, he found his female self on the left, dressed like the main Heroine from that movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". In the middle, a child-like version of himself sat in more modern clothes and was studiously reading from a book, while several scrolls were arranged around him. Finally, on the right, lay a giant Siberian tiger.
"Your female side, inner childe, and the Neko-ken respectively" Cologne supplied helpfully
Ranma nodded to her. Meanwhile the boy finally looked up from his book. "Oh hello!" He said cheerily as he shut his text "I'd wondered if you'd ever come down here."
"'bout time too." The female said, then waged a finger accusingly in his face. "You almost never listen to us, much to your detriment I might add."
The Tiger for it's part, merely studied him intently for a moment before going back to sleep.
"Er.sorry but I never figured I was very intelligent," he said to the kid by way of apology. Then, turning to his female self. "And I know I have no interest in getting in touch with my feminine side."
A cherubic smile blossomed on the boys face, as he shook his head. "Come come Ranma, you're a talented enough fighter to keep up with Happosai and even hand him a few defeats, not to mention your ability to stand up to Ku lon."
He shrugged "Well yeah but that's fighting."
"Tsk Tsk, I assure you Ranma, the same excellence you show in a fight, you can show in your school work, but you have to want to do it." Seeing his doubtful look, the youth sighed. "At least try a little harder, okay. For me?"
"Oh all right, but it's not like I know what to do."
"Phase it into your training. Fighting Genma or Ryoga while trying to do math in your head should increase the challenge."
Ku Lon marvled at how the thought of an increased challenge made Ranma's face light up. If only she'd been a bit more paitent she could've. a well, no time for such thoughts.
The female frowned at the youth, reached a hand out a roughly yanked on his ear. "Look you clod, if you'd bothered to listen to me, you'd have Akane wrapped around your finger instead of hitting you in the head."
Ranma pulled himself away and looked at her dubiously. "Yeah right, like what could my subconscious know about girls."
The girl sighed dramatically and shook her head. "Let's see, analyzing people has become second nature to you, though you're only trained to apply that knowledge in a fight."
Ranma folded his arms across his chest "Yeah so."
She rapped him on the head twice "That means, dummy, that you know everything you need to know about Akane to play her like a harp from hell. Your just not good at applying it outside a fight, which is where *I* come in, get it?"
Ranma's frowned "But I don't want to play her or anybody for that matter."
"That's fine, but you could at least stop her from hitting you all the time."
Ranma stared at the disconcerting image of his female self mirroring his stance and body language. "I'll think about."
"Humph, best I'll get I guess."
"Were getting off track." Ku Lon began. "Do any of you know what's causing this imbalance in Ranma?"
"Well, I have a theory." the child began.
"A meeting? And no one invited me?! I'm hurt!." Another voice interrupted him.
Ranma & Ku Lon both noticed how the till now lethargic Neko sprang to life. Ears flat, tail twitching in agitation, a low rumble starting somewhere in his throat and grounding out through his teeth. The inner child suddenly found itself being protected by the female side, who'd immediately taken up a fighting stance before the child.
Both Neko and the girl were facing to the left, tracking their gaze, the two martial artist found a man stepping out of the shadows. The fact that it was a man and not a boy wasn't lost on Cologne, nor was the fact that much of Ranma could be found in his face and gait. The only thing out of place was the pure malevolence the man brought with him. A quick look at her companion told her he noticed it all as well.
The figure strolled forward, ignoring all save Ranma. He stopped and began to circle him, cataloging his features. Ku Lon, to her own chagrin gave way before him.
Finally Ranma'd had enough. "And just who are you supposed to be?" he demanded
The figure stopped in front him, a smirk firmly in place on his face, and bowed mockingly. "Pleased to meet you, Ranma." He straightened up and some how that smirk became even more infuriating. "I'd hoped you'd guess my name. But I can see that what's, troubling you is the nature of my game."
A sharp intake of breath signaled his realization "ID, you are my ID aren't you."
"At your service, so what brings you and the crone down to this level of your mind?"
Ku Lon glared at him. "We seek answers to the reason for Ranma's imbalance."
"Oh that." He said, amusement taking hold of him as his eyes glinted with secret. "Well, you know, it is about time Ranma met his son." ID turned his back on the two and slowly walked away.
Ranma sputtered in outrage "What!"
Ku Lon alit upon her staff and tapped his shoulder "He's speaking metaphorically Ranma." Seeing him calm down some, she turned back to the irritant. "Explain."
ID glanced over its shoulder at them. Appearing now as an adult version of his female form. "Why, he's the creation of myself and Ranma." The face was sickeningly beatific as she turned herself and exposed her belly, which looked full with child. ID tenderly stroked the protuberance. "He's our little boy." ID said, alternating its mockingly adoring gaze between its belly and a disgusted Ranma. "And like a good son, he's done everything he can to please his daddy."
"What do you mean!?" Ranma demanded, punctuating each syllable.
ID, now free of the bulge and now in the form of an elegant red haired seductress sauntered up to Ranma. "I mean he protected his daddy from all the things he couldn't face. Such a good boy."
"What things? When did this happen?" Ku Lon asked, growing more worried at the dire implications of what this beast was saying
She turned a self-satisfied smirk on the matriarch of the amazons. "I'll let him tell you, it's better that way. However." When she turned back to Ranma her face was unlike any they'd both seen, and yet eerily familiarly as well. For she now had a form and figure the melded the elements of all the female suitors for Ranma's heart. The cloths and hair style where distinctly Xian pu's while the battle spatula strapped to her back was obviously Ukyo's. The legs belonged to Kodachi, while the face was Kasumi's, yet the eyes were Nabiki's, and the smile Akane's
"What do you say Ranma darling." ID used her finger to lazily trace the outline of Ranma's bicep "Wanna make him some siblings, hmmm?"
Ku Lon could feel the hate and rage of Ranam, crash into her like waves. Yet the youth refrained from acting rashly on his emotions. "No." he managed to fill the word with a enough scorn and contempt to make a marine blush.
ID sighed loudly and stepped away. "Pity," The form returned to that of Ranma-chan However the eye's were black as pitch. "Well, your 'son' resides in the forest to the east." She smiled "He holds the answers you seek, and he alone holds the solution you must find. Good luck, you'll need it."
With that, ID rejoined with the shadow from which it had formed.
****
Out in the real world the scene was unchanged. The assembled fiancées all tried to wait patiently for Ranma and the elder, even going as far as to talk with the others in hopes of taking their minds off the mental war that was likely happening. However, no matter what each found their gaze drifting back to the two prone forms on the floor.
****
Ranma & Ku lon stared in mute horror at the scene before them. The jungle was not unfamiliar to Ranma as his father had dragged him through one during the training trip, however, this one was strewn with broken bodies, all quite dead. The results of a battle that'd not yet ended, as there was still the occasional roar of automatic weapons fire.
"What.what does all this mean?" he asked the diminutive elder.
She shook her head, unsure of anything at this point. "A nightmare, a memory I don't know."
Two men burst through a nearby wall of plants, both wore uniforms matching those of the dead, both swept the area with their guns, and both had the looks of tired and nearly panicking men.
One made a quick hand motion, to which the other nodded as he covered his comrade who immediately dropped to one knee, while yanking a clip from his Ak-47 and flipped it. Ranma realized that the man had tapped two of the clips together, putting the ends opposite one another for a fast reload. Which made the concurring series of events all the more impressive.
As the two observes watched the men, a green figure fell from the trees. Actually it propelled itself, as it moved to fast and at an angel to have dropped. The figure flashed past the man still standing, and disappeared into the forest floor. The man dropped his gun and clutched at his neck, which had already began to sprout forth a stead flow of his life's blood.
At this point the other man had risen to his feet. Weapon loaded and ready when he turned and saw his partner dying before him. Whatever horrors he'd faced finally caught up with him as he pulled the trigger and frantically sprayed the entire area with gun fire. The other man went down as a few rounds cut short his desperate attempt to stifle the flow of blood.
The staccato sound of fire deafened the observes in it's piercing clarity, as the flashes illuminated the panicked man. Them man regained control of himself and released the trigger, causing an oppressive silence to descend on the forest. The man scanned the area for several tentative moments before taking a halting step forward, just as a shadow rose from the ground behind him.
It wasn't the speed of the thing, or even the fact that'd managed to close on the man as he fired that surprised Ranma. It was its height, the figure was barely half this man's size and his frame could not possible pack the power necessary for this slaughter, and yet there it was.
The figure managed to leap up and secure it's arms around this man's neck, in one smooth flowing motion. Realizing his peril the man dropped his gun and tried to claw the thing from his back. His effort proved futile, as the small killer snapped his neck. The little slayer dropped to the ground as the lifeless body sank to the floor.
Now a profound sense of dread descended upon Ranma as he watched this, thing. A horror unlike any he'd known and a familiarity as well. Part of him feared what this creature represented and part of him welcomed it. Yet he knew he was unprepared for what lay ahead. But like so much in life that, was no deterrent to things moving on.
The being turned and Ranma screamed as he saw his younger self-staring back at him impassionedly.
****
Tension filled the room, almost suffocating it's occupants. Each of which had witnessed the terrible mad fit of thrashing that'd descended upon Ranma as he slept, scant minutes before. And even more disconcerting to some, had been the worry that'd began to mare Ku lon's own features. Now all waited silently, worried about what these portents indicated about the future.
Tired of the silence, Nodoka spoke. "I..I wish I knew what was causing my son to suffer so." the shaky timber of her voice told all, just how worried the normally stoic woman was.
"Your son suffers for the same reason he has always suffered." Everyone jumped in shock as the weak; rasp of Ku lon's voice answered the Matriarch of the Saotome Clan. "Because of the stupidity and selfishness of his father."
Xian Pu was immediately at her elders side, helping her to sit up. "Thank you child, it seems walking in Ranma's mind proved far more draining than I'd feared."
"So what's going on with Ran-chan!?" Ukyo was trying to ask politely but her concern made it sound more like a demand, for which the younger Amazon glared at her rival.
Ku lon sat up, seeming to gain back some of her strength as she went through the motions of gathering up the tools of the enchantment she'd cast. "It seems, Genma is not a great teacher." She began.
"What!' the aforementioned man roared "If Ranma's talent is not proof of MY martial prowess then."
The unmitigated hate, apparent in the elders glare silenced him. "When you put your mind to it, you are a creative and somewhat talented martial artist. However, you are a poor teacher, a fact of which you are well aware." Genma gulped pitifully, as everyone regarded him suspiciously.
"Then if he didn't teach Ranma, who did?" Nabiki asked
The elder sighed deeply. "Having failed to train his son properly, Genma handed him over to a group that promised to make a warrior out of him, as well as provide Genma with money, and erase some of the outstanding warrants he had against him."
Nabiki nodded. "Figures, I knew someone like Mr. Saotome should have a rap sheet, yet all my searching found none." Nabiki realized that her father was staring at her in shock. She shrugged. "Well I had to make sure the cops wouldn't be beating down the door and charging us for harboring a criminal."
"So what they do to Airen, after wicked father sell him?"
Ku lon sighed "The worst thing possible, they kept their promise to Genma, in truth they went beyond it. They trained him in the use of weapons, and made him fully capable of killing a grown man with his bare hands by the age of eight." She was forced to halt as a string of gasp sounded through the room. "Ranma's memory isn't great at this point in the tale, but it indicates that they were using him and a few other children to test theories on making the ultimate warrior. The idea was that instead of using expensive eugenics treatments, they'd start young, and build a superior warrior through training and discipline."
Ukyo shook her head, aghast at what she heard. "Well at least they failed, I mean Ranma's not a killer." Her confidence in this wavered as she observed the elder's stony expression. "Right?
"They used a mixture of physical and mental torture, to 'convince' Ranma to do their bidding." She paused and looked everyone in the eye. "In response, Ranma created a protector, a guardian personality to carry out the heinous acts, just to avoid their torment. This personality protects Ranma from all threats."
"That's what surfaced today isn't it. This other personality!" Nabiki said
"Yes, the border between the two has weakened over time, and the two are becoming one."
The mood of the room nose-dived as the implications of this crashed into everyone. "Wait, what about the people who did this to him?" Kasumi asked "Won't they try to recapture him?"
"No, they're all dead, by the hands of Ranma's other self." She shook her head. "They were labeled a threat by the other self and eliminated. And before you worry about records, I assure you he was. meticulous. in their destruction."
Tsubasa rubbed his suddenly cold arms and looked worriedly at the pig- tailed son of Nodoka. Nodoka, for her part, seemed torn between her concern for her son, and her rage at Genma's actions.
"So he's a monster, isn't he?" Akane glanced at the boy lying prone, fear, for once prevailing over her determined anger. A fear that increased as his eyes snapped open.
"It's nice to know that after all I've done for you, that you'll stand up for me." The sarcasm was a little knew, Nabiki noted, as Ranma laboriously sat up. "I'll remember that the next time someone kidnaps you." Akane face turned red.
"Ranam?" Nodoka's eyes searched her son's face.
"Where's Genma? I'd like to speak with him." He said calmly
Caught by surprise, no one said anything or moved. Except for Genma who strode over to his son, confident the boy had seen reason. "Yes, Boy?" he leaned down
Ku long had to admit that the people who'd taught Ranma had been very talented. His hands snaked out and wrapped themselves around Genma's neck almost faster than she'd been able to follow.
Genma found that his son was now standing on his feet, and had managed to lift his a good foot off the ground. He normally would've been decrying his son's lack of honor, but at the moment, Ranma's hands were doing a good job of cutting of the circulation to his brain. "HURRRK!" he managed.
"I know what you did, and I know why." The youth snarled as the entire room watched on in shock. "I should kill you and feed your corpse to the dogs in the street." Ranma shook his father for emphasis. Causing Genma's body to flap like a fat rug in a hard wind. "But I don't want to have anymore blood on my hands." The pounding in his head was making it hard for Genme to hear, but Ranma was sure his point was getting across. "However, if you even look at me wrong, I'll snap your spine like the dry twig it is, got me?" Genma made a gurgling noise. "I'll take that as a yes." With that he dropped the tub of lard as if he were something unclean. Genma collapsed to the floor perpendicular to where the youth stood. It was not readily apparent if his unconsciousness was faked or not.
Ranma glanced around at the assembled Nerima crew and sniffed angrily. "I admit that right now is NOT the best time for us all to talk, so, I'm going out for a breath of fresh air to calm down. I figure tomorrow after a good nights rest, we can discuss a few things. I have the feeling that there are going to hafta be a few changes around here."
His eyes dared someone to say different. Satisfied, Ranma stared walking towards the exit. Incidentally his left foot managed to stomp down, and grind on Genma's groin. This had the effect of showing his unconscious had been faked as he jerked up right, hollering like a prissy banshee. Ranma's left foot, seeming to act of it's own will, lashed out and struck him across the temple, sending him truly into unconsciousness. After which, the youth continued out of the house.
"Ehem." Everyone turned to Ku long. "I'd suggest that we all plan to approach him differently from now on."
****
Possible Epilogue
5 years later
Akane stared at the note, which confirmed that she had well and truly lost Ranma. Looking back on her actions, especially after that horrid night, she could find no one to blame but herself. She cursed her younger self for being such a spoiled princess as she re read the note for the umpteenth time.
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Ranma Saotome
& Yuka Kusanagi
Author notes:
That's enough for now. Hadn't seen to many metal gear solid crossovers, and the challenge of mixing these two very different stories was interesting indeed.
Where could this go? Well, Ranma wouldn't have killed everyone in the organization that trained him, and considering what a success he was they'll want him back for further testing. Then there's the usual wrecking crew, will they realize that to even live with the new Ranma will take a major change in their actions towards him? How will Ranma deal with being a killer?
Why Yuka? How? Well, Major Makoto Kusanagi had to come from somewhere right? ( Besides I find the idea of Akane losing Ranma to her best friend absolutely delicious. As for the how, well if your interested in continuing this, drop me a line, & I'll let you know.
By Metaverse
Ranma/MGS work.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor am I making any money from this. Please do not sue me.
Nabiki tiredly watched as one Ranma Saotome flowed around the attacks of one Kuno Tatawaki. Long ago Nabiki had stopped taking bets as the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Ranma would toy with the Kendoist, getting him all good and mad, then trounce him casually. Heck, you could set your watch to it, so there was no point in betting on it anymore.
Nabiki was stifling a yawn, just as a car backfired. She glanced up and noticed the old vehicle ambling down the street. She turned her attention back to the "fight". Surprise and horror made themselves known, as she gaped at what she saw. For there was Ranma, who'd somehow managed to slip around Kuno, as well as disarm him, and currently held him in some kind of chokehold. No not a chokehold.
"Ranma! Stop it you'll kill him!!" she cried out.
...he was trying to break Kuno's neck.
Kuno was frantically squirming as he realized, through the veil of madness that usually clouded his mind, that he was about to die.
Nabiki observed that a dark stain started to spread around Kuno's crotch area. She ignored this for the moment, and screamed again for Ranma to stop. This time the pig-tailed youth heard her, and turned his head to look at her. Her voice caught as she saw the cold hatred therein. These were not the eyes of the nicely-arrogant young martial artist she'd been living with, these were the eyes of a manslayer, a person who'd long since gotten used to killing.
Frozen by his gaze, she was unable to yell out to him again, but thankfully she didn't need to. Slowly, the bemused expression of Ranma Saotome reasserted itself. "Nabiki..? What's wro.." Then he realized what he was doing.
For a moment he stared at his arms as if they were another entity all together, unable to comprehend why they were doing this. Then he acted.
Kuno landed in a heap, shaken, but otherwise unharmed, and stared in rapt terror at the boy who'd nearly ended his life.
Ranama, for his part, was looking at his hands. disgust and horror warring over his face as he looked at the appendages that'd nearly killed.
Nabiki briefly considered going down there and trying to figure out what was going on. But the chance was taken from her forever with a cry of "RAAANNNMAAA!!"
Akane Tendo charged across the front yard, mallet raised high, and for a brief moment Nabiki feared for her sisters life. For the cold hatred resurfaced on the young man's face as he dropped his hands to his side's. Akane's legs managed to eat up the distance, while this other Ranma merely flexed his fingers, almost as if he was relishing the idea of getting his hands around her neck. But at the last second Saotome reasserted control, and merely held himself still, allowing Akane to knock him out.
Nabiki said a silent thank you to the young man, and made a note to erase his debts. For she was sure that he'd taken that blow out of fear that the other self would regain control and kill her sister.
She pushed herself from the window and turned around. There she found slack jawed stares of her classmates, all of them rooted to their positions at the windows unable to do anything but gawk.
Kami-sama knew that Nabiki would like nothing more than to sit down and take this all in, but she had to move quickly for her family's sake & Ranma's as well.
****
Several hours later
Ranma was laid out, still unconscious in the main room. Most of the concerned parties were patiently milled about, waiting for the last member of their group to return. Xian pu & Ukyo, for once put aside their differences and concentrated on making the young Saotome comfortable in his sleep, and so far seemed successful. Kasumi made sure everyone had some snacks to keep their hunger at bay until this was settled. Nodoka just quietly wept over her fallen son while the fathers played a game of go. Though if you looked closely, which Nabiki did out of habit, you could tell that something was bothering Genma, he wasn't cheating as much as he should've been.
Akane for her part had long since finished railing about what a jerk Ranma was and seemed to know be honestly considering just how alien his actions this morning had been. With that realization came fear, for her life, which she masked with anger, so for now she just fumed over the situation.
Nabiki pretended to channel surf, while keeping an eye on all the volatile parties, doing what she could to keep the peace.
"Wait stop." Tsubasa said.
The here till silent assistants sudden words caused Nabiki to stop in her channel surfing, as everyone turned to the TV.
The anchor on screen grimly read the report that'd just been handed to him. "The City of New York suffered a major catastrophe today as a giant bipedal robot crashed through several buildings, until finally stopping. Officials are being tight lipped about the incident, but assure the public they have everything under control."
"So far no terrorist organization has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack."
A slow pan from a helicopter gave a wide shot of the machine in question, and Nabiki was forced to admit that it was huge.
"Huh, another Metal Gear."
Everyone turned to look at Ranma, who was slowly sitting up, and shaking his head clear of cobwebs. Xian pu's & Ukyo's instinctual reaction was to grab and squeeze the life out of the young man. However, an upraised hand from his mother forestalled their movements, and gave him a chance to orient himself.
"How long was I out?" he asked as he glanced about at the assembled people.
"It's about two in the afternoon Ranma." Nabiki supplied helpfully
"Ranma blinked then chuckled a bit. "Heh, I guess Akane really nailed me that time."
"Actually son, " his mother began, interrupting Akane before she could respond to what she saw as some kind of insult. "Ku Lon suggested we keep you under sedation for a bit."
Ranma blinked at the news "Oh.So where is she."
"Right here Son-in-law." The old matriarch of the Amazons said as she pogoed her way to him from the kitchen, a large sack slung over her shoulders. "Just needed to get some items ready."
"For what?"
She hoped off her staff before him and began pulling out a few items from the sack, most of which were stones that she began arranging around Ranma. "You and I are going to do a little dream walking." She paused to make sure the circle was arranged appropriately, before turning to face the young Saotome. "In this way I hope to determine just what posed you this morning." She then began inscribing runes.
"Wait just a minute." Soun began "Why should you go with him, I feel it would be better for either myself or Saotome to go while you watch!"
"Yeah it would..What?" Genma added.
The elder shook her head. "Put your petty fears aside and think. Of all of us here I am the one best suited to aid Ranma in confronting this."
"Elder, I truly wish to believe you, however your people do have a reputation for employing mind altering techniques."
Ku lon sighed and glared at Xian pu who bowed her head in shame. "Such tactics were entirely planned but my great-granddaughter. Who has been properly chastised for her actions in that regard." She turned to regard the Saotome matriarch "However if you wish, I shall promise not to Influence Ranma's mind in such a fashion."
Nodoka still looked unsure, so she turned to Ranma. "I feel I would be the best to help you son-in-law, but if you wish for another to walk with you I shall understand."
Ranma blinked realizing that for once he was actually being given a choice about something. That plus Ku Lon's earlier statement cinched it for him. "Okay, I thank you for your help."
The elder Amazon inclined her head, and then pulled out an ornate goblet inlaid with a gold dragon chasing its tail. From a small thermos she poured a thick black liquid into it and offered it to him. "It will be bitter, but by the both of us drinking this, we shall share your dream."
He nodded and took a pull from the goblet then handed it to Ku lon who did the same. After which she handed it to shampoo.
Ranma yawned once, followed by the elder, and the two quickly lay down and were soon fast asleep as the concerned face of friends and family watched on.
****
It'd been hours, or at least seemed like it, since Ranma & Ku lon had awakened in his mindscape. The place, he'd quickly noted, seemed foreign and yet familiar to him at the same time. Modern and ancient Chinese & Japanese architecture styles were the call of the day. Often mixing in odd, but beautiful arrangements. People and faces he'd not seen in years, or only dimly remembered were snapped into focus here as they went about their lives in his mind. Some managing the various needs of himself, and others just living as he would always dream them to live. Or at least that's what Ku Lon had told him.
So far, her guidance had been most helpful, especially in choosing a direction & course of action. So after some talk they'd headed to the center of the city, where they hoped to find some representations of himself that could help him better determine a course of action.
When they got there what they found stopped Ranma in his tracks. "Is that supposed to be me?"
There at the heart of a pagoda rested a marble image of Ranma Saotome, but gone was the cocky grin and easy way that normally marked his stance and in it's place stood the image of a tired but determined young man. Even the eyes, Ranma marveled, gave off a sense of untamed willpower.
"That my dear boy is your core self. It is you without the fetters and expectations that all you've met and lived with, have placed on you." She nodded as she looked the statue over. "An impressive sight I must say."
Ranma, so transfixed by the image, almost didn't notice the three figures that guarded the steps in front of it. When he finally did look, he found his female self on the left, dressed like the main Heroine from that movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". In the middle, a child-like version of himself sat in more modern clothes and was studiously reading from a book, while several scrolls were arranged around him. Finally, on the right, lay a giant Siberian tiger.
"Your female side, inner childe, and the Neko-ken respectively" Cologne supplied helpfully
Ranma nodded to her. Meanwhile the boy finally looked up from his book. "Oh hello!" He said cheerily as he shut his text "I'd wondered if you'd ever come down here."
"'bout time too." The female said, then waged a finger accusingly in his face. "You almost never listen to us, much to your detriment I might add."
The Tiger for it's part, merely studied him intently for a moment before going back to sleep.
"Er.sorry but I never figured I was very intelligent," he said to the kid by way of apology. Then, turning to his female self. "And I know I have no interest in getting in touch with my feminine side."
A cherubic smile blossomed on the boys face, as he shook his head. "Come come Ranma, you're a talented enough fighter to keep up with Happosai and even hand him a few defeats, not to mention your ability to stand up to Ku lon."
He shrugged "Well yeah but that's fighting."
"Tsk Tsk, I assure you Ranma, the same excellence you show in a fight, you can show in your school work, but you have to want to do it." Seeing his doubtful look, the youth sighed. "At least try a little harder, okay. For me?"
"Oh all right, but it's not like I know what to do."
"Phase it into your training. Fighting Genma or Ryoga while trying to do math in your head should increase the challenge."
Ku Lon marvled at how the thought of an increased challenge made Ranma's face light up. If only she'd been a bit more paitent she could've. a well, no time for such thoughts.
The female frowned at the youth, reached a hand out a roughly yanked on his ear. "Look you clod, if you'd bothered to listen to me, you'd have Akane wrapped around your finger instead of hitting you in the head."
Ranma pulled himself away and looked at her dubiously. "Yeah right, like what could my subconscious know about girls."
The girl sighed dramatically and shook her head. "Let's see, analyzing people has become second nature to you, though you're only trained to apply that knowledge in a fight."
Ranma folded his arms across his chest "Yeah so."
She rapped him on the head twice "That means, dummy, that you know everything you need to know about Akane to play her like a harp from hell. Your just not good at applying it outside a fight, which is where *I* come in, get it?"
Ranma's frowned "But I don't want to play her or anybody for that matter."
"That's fine, but you could at least stop her from hitting you all the time."
Ranma stared at the disconcerting image of his female self mirroring his stance and body language. "I'll think about."
"Humph, best I'll get I guess."
"Were getting off track." Ku Lon began. "Do any of you know what's causing this imbalance in Ranma?"
"Well, I have a theory." the child began.
"A meeting? And no one invited me?! I'm hurt!." Another voice interrupted him.
Ranma & Ku Lon both noticed how the till now lethargic Neko sprang to life. Ears flat, tail twitching in agitation, a low rumble starting somewhere in his throat and grounding out through his teeth. The inner child suddenly found itself being protected by the female side, who'd immediately taken up a fighting stance before the child.
Both Neko and the girl were facing to the left, tracking their gaze, the two martial artist found a man stepping out of the shadows. The fact that it was a man and not a boy wasn't lost on Cologne, nor was the fact that much of Ranma could be found in his face and gait. The only thing out of place was the pure malevolence the man brought with him. A quick look at her companion told her he noticed it all as well.
The figure strolled forward, ignoring all save Ranma. He stopped and began to circle him, cataloging his features. Ku Lon, to her own chagrin gave way before him.
Finally Ranma'd had enough. "And just who are you supposed to be?" he demanded
The figure stopped in front him, a smirk firmly in place on his face, and bowed mockingly. "Pleased to meet you, Ranma." He straightened up and some how that smirk became even more infuriating. "I'd hoped you'd guess my name. But I can see that what's, troubling you is the nature of my game."
A sharp intake of breath signaled his realization "ID, you are my ID aren't you."
"At your service, so what brings you and the crone down to this level of your mind?"
Ku Lon glared at him. "We seek answers to the reason for Ranma's imbalance."
"Oh that." He said, amusement taking hold of him as his eyes glinted with secret. "Well, you know, it is about time Ranma met his son." ID turned his back on the two and slowly walked away.
Ranma sputtered in outrage "What!"
Ku Lon alit upon her staff and tapped his shoulder "He's speaking metaphorically Ranma." Seeing him calm down some, she turned back to the irritant. "Explain."
ID glanced over its shoulder at them. Appearing now as an adult version of his female form. "Why, he's the creation of myself and Ranma." The face was sickeningly beatific as she turned herself and exposed her belly, which looked full with child. ID tenderly stroked the protuberance. "He's our little boy." ID said, alternating its mockingly adoring gaze between its belly and a disgusted Ranma. "And like a good son, he's done everything he can to please his daddy."
"What do you mean!?" Ranma demanded, punctuating each syllable.
ID, now free of the bulge and now in the form of an elegant red haired seductress sauntered up to Ranma. "I mean he protected his daddy from all the things he couldn't face. Such a good boy."
"What things? When did this happen?" Ku Lon asked, growing more worried at the dire implications of what this beast was saying
She turned a self-satisfied smirk on the matriarch of the amazons. "I'll let him tell you, it's better that way. However." When she turned back to Ranma her face was unlike any they'd both seen, and yet eerily familiarly as well. For she now had a form and figure the melded the elements of all the female suitors for Ranma's heart. The cloths and hair style where distinctly Xian pu's while the battle spatula strapped to her back was obviously Ukyo's. The legs belonged to Kodachi, while the face was Kasumi's, yet the eyes were Nabiki's, and the smile Akane's
"What do you say Ranma darling." ID used her finger to lazily trace the outline of Ranma's bicep "Wanna make him some siblings, hmmm?"
Ku Lon could feel the hate and rage of Ranam, crash into her like waves. Yet the youth refrained from acting rashly on his emotions. "No." he managed to fill the word with a enough scorn and contempt to make a marine blush.
ID sighed loudly and stepped away. "Pity," The form returned to that of Ranma-chan However the eye's were black as pitch. "Well, your 'son' resides in the forest to the east." She smiled "He holds the answers you seek, and he alone holds the solution you must find. Good luck, you'll need it."
With that, ID rejoined with the shadow from which it had formed.
****
Out in the real world the scene was unchanged. The assembled fiancées all tried to wait patiently for Ranma and the elder, even going as far as to talk with the others in hopes of taking their minds off the mental war that was likely happening. However, no matter what each found their gaze drifting back to the two prone forms on the floor.
****
Ranma & Ku lon stared in mute horror at the scene before them. The jungle was not unfamiliar to Ranma as his father had dragged him through one during the training trip, however, this one was strewn with broken bodies, all quite dead. The results of a battle that'd not yet ended, as there was still the occasional roar of automatic weapons fire.
"What.what does all this mean?" he asked the diminutive elder.
She shook her head, unsure of anything at this point. "A nightmare, a memory I don't know."
Two men burst through a nearby wall of plants, both wore uniforms matching those of the dead, both swept the area with their guns, and both had the looks of tired and nearly panicking men.
One made a quick hand motion, to which the other nodded as he covered his comrade who immediately dropped to one knee, while yanking a clip from his Ak-47 and flipped it. Ranma realized that the man had tapped two of the clips together, putting the ends opposite one another for a fast reload. Which made the concurring series of events all the more impressive.
As the two observes watched the men, a green figure fell from the trees. Actually it propelled itself, as it moved to fast and at an angel to have dropped. The figure flashed past the man still standing, and disappeared into the forest floor. The man dropped his gun and clutched at his neck, which had already began to sprout forth a stead flow of his life's blood.
At this point the other man had risen to his feet. Weapon loaded and ready when he turned and saw his partner dying before him. Whatever horrors he'd faced finally caught up with him as he pulled the trigger and frantically sprayed the entire area with gun fire. The other man went down as a few rounds cut short his desperate attempt to stifle the flow of blood.
The staccato sound of fire deafened the observes in it's piercing clarity, as the flashes illuminated the panicked man. Them man regained control of himself and released the trigger, causing an oppressive silence to descend on the forest. The man scanned the area for several tentative moments before taking a halting step forward, just as a shadow rose from the ground behind him.
It wasn't the speed of the thing, or even the fact that'd managed to close on the man as he fired that surprised Ranma. It was its height, the figure was barely half this man's size and his frame could not possible pack the power necessary for this slaughter, and yet there it was.
The figure managed to leap up and secure it's arms around this man's neck, in one smooth flowing motion. Realizing his peril the man dropped his gun and tried to claw the thing from his back. His effort proved futile, as the small killer snapped his neck. The little slayer dropped to the ground as the lifeless body sank to the floor.
Now a profound sense of dread descended upon Ranma as he watched this, thing. A horror unlike any he'd known and a familiarity as well. Part of him feared what this creature represented and part of him welcomed it. Yet he knew he was unprepared for what lay ahead. But like so much in life that, was no deterrent to things moving on.
The being turned and Ranma screamed as he saw his younger self-staring back at him impassionedly.
****
Tension filled the room, almost suffocating it's occupants. Each of which had witnessed the terrible mad fit of thrashing that'd descended upon Ranma as he slept, scant minutes before. And even more disconcerting to some, had been the worry that'd began to mare Ku lon's own features. Now all waited silently, worried about what these portents indicated about the future.
Tired of the silence, Nodoka spoke. "I..I wish I knew what was causing my son to suffer so." the shaky timber of her voice told all, just how worried the normally stoic woman was.
"Your son suffers for the same reason he has always suffered." Everyone jumped in shock as the weak; rasp of Ku lon's voice answered the Matriarch of the Saotome Clan. "Because of the stupidity and selfishness of his father."
Xian Pu was immediately at her elders side, helping her to sit up. "Thank you child, it seems walking in Ranma's mind proved far more draining than I'd feared."
"So what's going on with Ran-chan!?" Ukyo was trying to ask politely but her concern made it sound more like a demand, for which the younger Amazon glared at her rival.
Ku lon sat up, seeming to gain back some of her strength as she went through the motions of gathering up the tools of the enchantment she'd cast. "It seems, Genma is not a great teacher." She began.
"What!' the aforementioned man roared "If Ranma's talent is not proof of MY martial prowess then."
The unmitigated hate, apparent in the elders glare silenced him. "When you put your mind to it, you are a creative and somewhat talented martial artist. However, you are a poor teacher, a fact of which you are well aware." Genma gulped pitifully, as everyone regarded him suspiciously.
"Then if he didn't teach Ranma, who did?" Nabiki asked
The elder sighed deeply. "Having failed to train his son properly, Genma handed him over to a group that promised to make a warrior out of him, as well as provide Genma with money, and erase some of the outstanding warrants he had against him."
Nabiki nodded. "Figures, I knew someone like Mr. Saotome should have a rap sheet, yet all my searching found none." Nabiki realized that her father was staring at her in shock. She shrugged. "Well I had to make sure the cops wouldn't be beating down the door and charging us for harboring a criminal."
"So what they do to Airen, after wicked father sell him?"
Ku lon sighed "The worst thing possible, they kept their promise to Genma, in truth they went beyond it. They trained him in the use of weapons, and made him fully capable of killing a grown man with his bare hands by the age of eight." She was forced to halt as a string of gasp sounded through the room. "Ranma's memory isn't great at this point in the tale, but it indicates that they were using him and a few other children to test theories on making the ultimate warrior. The idea was that instead of using expensive eugenics treatments, they'd start young, and build a superior warrior through training and discipline."
Ukyo shook her head, aghast at what she heard. "Well at least they failed, I mean Ranma's not a killer." Her confidence in this wavered as she observed the elder's stony expression. "Right?
"They used a mixture of physical and mental torture, to 'convince' Ranma to do their bidding." She paused and looked everyone in the eye. "In response, Ranma created a protector, a guardian personality to carry out the heinous acts, just to avoid their torment. This personality protects Ranma from all threats."
"That's what surfaced today isn't it. This other personality!" Nabiki said
"Yes, the border between the two has weakened over time, and the two are becoming one."
The mood of the room nose-dived as the implications of this crashed into everyone. "Wait, what about the people who did this to him?" Kasumi asked "Won't they try to recapture him?"
"No, they're all dead, by the hands of Ranma's other self." She shook her head. "They were labeled a threat by the other self and eliminated. And before you worry about records, I assure you he was. meticulous. in their destruction."
Tsubasa rubbed his suddenly cold arms and looked worriedly at the pig- tailed son of Nodoka. Nodoka, for her part, seemed torn between her concern for her son, and her rage at Genma's actions.
"So he's a monster, isn't he?" Akane glanced at the boy lying prone, fear, for once prevailing over her determined anger. A fear that increased as his eyes snapped open.
"It's nice to know that after all I've done for you, that you'll stand up for me." The sarcasm was a little knew, Nabiki noted, as Ranma laboriously sat up. "I'll remember that the next time someone kidnaps you." Akane face turned red.
"Ranam?" Nodoka's eyes searched her son's face.
"Where's Genma? I'd like to speak with him." He said calmly
Caught by surprise, no one said anything or moved. Except for Genma who strode over to his son, confident the boy had seen reason. "Yes, Boy?" he leaned down
Ku long had to admit that the people who'd taught Ranma had been very talented. His hands snaked out and wrapped themselves around Genma's neck almost faster than she'd been able to follow.
Genma found that his son was now standing on his feet, and had managed to lift his a good foot off the ground. He normally would've been decrying his son's lack of honor, but at the moment, Ranma's hands were doing a good job of cutting of the circulation to his brain. "HURRRK!" he managed.
"I know what you did, and I know why." The youth snarled as the entire room watched on in shock. "I should kill you and feed your corpse to the dogs in the street." Ranma shook his father for emphasis. Causing Genma's body to flap like a fat rug in a hard wind. "But I don't want to have anymore blood on my hands." The pounding in his head was making it hard for Genme to hear, but Ranma was sure his point was getting across. "However, if you even look at me wrong, I'll snap your spine like the dry twig it is, got me?" Genma made a gurgling noise. "I'll take that as a yes." With that he dropped the tub of lard as if he were something unclean. Genma collapsed to the floor perpendicular to where the youth stood. It was not readily apparent if his unconsciousness was faked or not.
Ranma glanced around at the assembled Nerima crew and sniffed angrily. "I admit that right now is NOT the best time for us all to talk, so, I'm going out for a breath of fresh air to calm down. I figure tomorrow after a good nights rest, we can discuss a few things. I have the feeling that there are going to hafta be a few changes around here."
His eyes dared someone to say different. Satisfied, Ranma stared walking towards the exit. Incidentally his left foot managed to stomp down, and grind on Genma's groin. This had the effect of showing his unconscious had been faked as he jerked up right, hollering like a prissy banshee. Ranma's left foot, seeming to act of it's own will, lashed out and struck him across the temple, sending him truly into unconsciousness. After which, the youth continued out of the house.
"Ehem." Everyone turned to Ku long. "I'd suggest that we all plan to approach him differently from now on."
****
Possible Epilogue
5 years later
Akane stared at the note, which confirmed that she had well and truly lost Ranma. Looking back on her actions, especially after that horrid night, she could find no one to blame but herself. She cursed her younger self for being such a spoiled princess as she re read the note for the umpteenth time.
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Ranma Saotome
& Yuka Kusanagi
Author notes:
That's enough for now. Hadn't seen to many metal gear solid crossovers, and the challenge of mixing these two very different stories was interesting indeed.
Where could this go? Well, Ranma wouldn't have killed everyone in the organization that trained him, and considering what a success he was they'll want him back for further testing. Then there's the usual wrecking crew, will they realize that to even live with the new Ranma will take a major change in their actions towards him? How will Ranma deal with being a killer?
Why Yuka? How? Well, Major Makoto Kusanagi had to come from somewhere right? ( Besides I find the idea of Akane losing Ranma to her best friend absolutely delicious. As for the how, well if your interested in continuing this, drop me a line, & I'll let you know.