Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Wonder Woman" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is crossover/AU story.
Special note: This is a revision story of "An Amazon named Ranma".
Chapter 3: "Shadows of Honor".
Meanwhile, on a non-descript island somewhere in Aegean Sea, the witch goddess Circe peers into her mystic globe.
"So," said the purple-haired sorceress. She was dressed in her usual purple colored silk robes that denoted her "lounge" look. "It seems like Diana's 'father' has decided to return to her home for good…all for the sake of love. We can't have THAT shall we?"
Circe has always been a thorn in the side of the so-called "Wonder Clan" for ages, ever since Princess Diana, also known as "Wonder Woman" stopped her from obtaining the awesome power of Hecate, the progenitor of the Greek-style magical arts. Had she succeeded in her quest, Circe would have become the most powerful being on the planet. So now, Diana and anyone associated with her were targeted for revenge. In particular, she hated Ranma for being the one who gave Diana the skill and the will to defeat her, not to mention that Ranma had taken the role of Wonder Woman at one point in time. That alone was good enough a reason to hate Ranma.
"Let's see," Circe says, as she changed the focus of her viewing globe. "What can I do to make Ranma's life a bit more chaotic."
The viewing globe focused on the usual residence of the Nerima ward. Ranma's fiancées and rivals appeared.
"Interesting bunch," Circe says. She studied their profiles carefully, nodded at who her new agents will be, and shuts off her sphere.
"I will definitely have some fun at Ranma's expense," Circe says with confidence. "But just in case…I will need to see if an old friend will want to join the 'party'."
Meanwhile, back in Nerima, at the Tendo Training hall…
"Thank you, Kasumi," Ranma said, as he accepted the tea. Tendo family (Soun, Kasumi, Nabiki and Akane) and his father Genma Saotome had gathered around the dinner table to discuss recent developments.
"You're welcome, Ranma," Kasumi said with a smile. "My, how well-mannered you are."
"Thank you. I had LOTS of practice."
Nabiki simply sat in silence. Ranma seemed way to different to be the same Ranma from sometime ago.
Akane simply shivered. Was this her…fiancé? THIS Ranma was way too calm to be her fiancé. Well, not that SHE was going to cop to it!
"Boy, we want to know where you been!" Genma demanded.
"Yes!" Soun Tendo interjected. "How could you abandon your fiancé?"
"Mr. Tendo, I didn't abandon fiancé," Ranma said, as he sipped his tea. "I had gotten into a scrap with Mousse over some misperceived slight-"
"I KNEW it was all your fault!" Akane said.
"I suppose you are correct," Ranma said. "Still, there's nothing I can do about it now."
"So, what DID happen?" Nabiki asked.
"Well, long story-short, I had been thrown into the past, and found myself on the shores of the Black Sea some three thousand years ago-"
"WHAT?!"
"Yes. Anyway, not really knowing what to do next, I chose a random path to follow…and ended up meeting…Amazons."
"You mean Shampoo's people?" Kasumi asked.
"Actually, I ran into the first tribe of women warriors to call themselves Amazons…Shampoo's ancestors, in fact."
"Figures," Nabiki smirked.
"So, what happened?" Akane asked.
"Well, I ended up staying with the Amazons for a year before heading out to the rest of the world," Ranma replied. "Queens Hippolyta and Antiope had forgiven me for knocking out Antiope's adopted daughter Pythia, since I was an 'ignorant male'."
"So they learned about the Jusenkyo curse then," Nabiki said.
"Yeah. Strangely, they assumed that I was gifted by the gods to be able to be both male and female, which kind of complicates the whole…mating thing."
"Oh, my."
"You…pervert!"
"Wow, Saotome, it didn't take you long to 'hook up'."
"I didn't. What do you take me for? At any rate, the Amazons didn't have the information that I sought, but they did give me a map of the ancient 'known world', and a set of clues to go by. But…I had no luck in trying to find a way home."
"Did you find a cure for your…condition?" Kasumi asked.
"Funny, that," Ranma replied. "While Jusenkyo did exist, the particular spring that I needed did not. However, I did learn from a guy named Proteus on how to change without water, though."
"So, what happened next?" Akane asked.
"Well, about a year later, I had heard of a Greek Army massing on the borders of the Amazon nation. This was during Herakles so-called '12 Labors'."
"Wait a minute," Nabiki said. "You're talking about THE Hercules?"
"Well, yeah, although he went by his original name when I knew him. Anyway, I had heard about what was going on when a scout was sent out to find me."
"Why?"
"Well…I met Hercules back when we were on a quest together…"
FLASHBACK.
For some time, Ranma has been traveling the world, trying to find his way home. When he had heard of a quest to find the golden fleece of the gods, he knew that he had to take part of. From what he was told, the fleece possessed magical properties, so Ranma hoped that there was still a way to either cure his curse or send him home. Thus, with that in mind, Ranma traveled to Ioclus, Greece to take part in the contest of who will participate in the quest.
"Okay, people, listen up!" said Jason, as he gathered the assembled crowd. Jason was the son of deposed king, and wanted to prove his worthiness by obtaining the fleece. "As challenged by King Pelias himself, I am to embark on a treacherous journey. The Golden Fleece is the prize, and with it lots of honor. Who shall follow me to glory aboard the Argo?"
Ranma yawned, as he waited in line. He had heard of the mystical powers of the Golden Fleece. Perhaps he could use it to barter it with the gods for a ticket home.
"You are a bit young for this journey," said a broad-shouldered man.
Ranma had recognized him, from all the stories. This was Herakles, and he was perhaps the greatest Greek champion who has ever lived.
"Feh, I'm old enough."
"We shall see, young one."
As part of the qualifying round, everyone had to perform some great feat to become an "Argonaut" (or a member of the crew of the "Argo"). Some contestants had divine gifts, while others didn't. When it came to Ranma's turn, he wowed the crowd by using one of his more "simple" techniques…
"So, stranger, what can you do?" Jason asked.
Ranma thought for a moment. Then he saw a boulder sticking up out of the ground.
"I can shatter that rock with ONE punch," Ranma said.
"Well, if you can do that, then you can join the crew."
Ranma stood in front of the boulder, and examined it.
"Show us your trick, lad!" Hercules yelled.
Ranma smiled. It was the same boulder that Hercules used to demonstrate his mighty strength.
"Alright…"
With a simple punch, Ranma shattered the rock, stunning the assembled crowd.
"Well, welcome aboard," Jason said.
Ranma smiled.
END FLASHBACK!"I was pretty handy, I suppose," Ranma says, as he munches on a cookie. "You could not believe the look on the guys' faces when I revealed my female form."
"I bet you had to beat off the guys when that happened," Nabiki smirked.
"No kidding," Ranma says. "There were only one-and-a-half females on that trip."
"'One-and-a-half', Saotome?"
"Yes. The other female on board was Atalanta the Strong. Raised by bears, she was even more of a tom-boy than Akane ever was."
"Why, you-!" Akane began, just as she was about to bash Ranma in the head with her fist.
"I'm KIDDING," Ranma says jokingly, as he raised his arms in mock protest.
"That's not very nice, Ranma," Kasumi says with a disapproving tone.
"My apologies, Kasumi. I JUST couldn't pass up a joke like that."
"Humph!" Akane says, as she huffed her disapproval.
"My god, Saotome!" Soun said. "Ranma is…IS…"
"Social, I know," Genma says. "What of all my work?"
"Father, stop the nonsense," Ranma says with disapproval. "You are NOT helping matters."
"Look at you, boy! You sound to refine to be a good martial artist!"
"Well…I was living with the Amazons for 3000 years, you know. SOME things are bound to rub off on me."
"So how did you come to live with them anyway?" Nabiki asks. "Did you become some sort of 'stud' to them?"
"Yes," Ranma said as he winced. He and everyone expected Akane do something rash.
"What?" Akane says. "I'm not some sort of thug that goes off the handle like that."
Everyone stares at Akane for a moment.
"Okay, not ALL the time. I'm still mad at that 'tom-boy' remark, you know!"
"Well, um, anyway," Ranma began. "After we obtained the Golden Fleece, the Argonauts went their separate ways."
"So, you couldn't use the fleece?" Kasumi asked.
"No, it was not mine to use. Anyway, about a year after that, I ran into Herakles again, this time he was with his cousin Theseus, who was the ruler of Athens at that time. How anyone can become famous fighting a man-bull is BEYOND me."
"So…" Akane said.
"So, I went back to Themiscyria, the nation-state of the Amazons with Herakles and Theseus, to act as a "go-between'. Herakles wanted to obtain Hippolyta's girdle, while Theseus wanted to form an alliance with the Amazons against Sparta, Athens' rivals. Athens' forces were on hand as a show of force…something that should have sent red flags in my mind, but didn't. Anyway, Queen Hippolyta led the Amazons' so-called 'welcome wagon', and served Herk's butt to him when he challenged her for her girdle. Then again, Hippolyta and her sister Antiope were Ares' daughters. Afterwards, the situation was diffused, and a banquet was given in honor of Themiscyria's guests. Unfortunately, Hercules and Theseus had other ideas…other than accepting the good-will of the Amazons."
Ranma was silent for a moment. Everyone notices something disturbing passing across her face.
"And perhaps my punishment for given my so-called 'brothers-in-arms' the benefit of a doubt is well deserved."
FLASHBACK.
"So, old friend," Hercules said. "How are your adventures?"
"Well, it's been going well," replied Ranma, having switched to her female form, for her Amazon-friends' sake. "I found a way to control my abilities from Proteus."
"Aye, he is a generous one. Here."
Hercules gave Ranma a mug of spirits.
"Let's drink to old times," Hercules said. "To the Argo!"
"To the Argo," Ranma said, as she down her mug. "That's good."
"Great! Let's have another!"
The hours seemed to blur, until Ranma found herself to be groggy. But that's impossible! She should be able to stave off the liquor unless…unless…
"I'm sorry, old friend, I have to get Hippolyta's girdle."
Ranma fell unconscious.
A few days later, Ranma regain cognitive functions. She found herself in a compromising position, and obviously defiled. When she realized what Hercules had done, her blood boiled with rage.
"HERAKLES!!!"
Ranma snapped her chains, and broke out of her cell. As soon as she saw the first Greek soldier, Ranma began to pummel him relentlessly.
"Where is Herakles!?"
"He is not here, Ranma," said a voice.
Ranma could see Hippolyta and her fellow Amazons arriving. Apparently, they, too, were violated.
"Polly, I-"
"I know, Ranma," Hippolyta says, as she held Ranma's hands. "You did not mean for this trickery to occur."
"But look at what I've done!"
"I know, that. I could see every reason to slay you where you stand. However, you, like we all, have suffered so. From that day you came into our lives, you were accepted as our most honored guest. And thanks to your assault at the hands of the scion of Zeus, you are indeed one of us."
"What…what do we do now, Poli?"
"We re-took the city, but some of us wants to leave for good."
"Why? This is your city!"
"BECAUSE WE HAVE DEEMED IT," said a voice.
Ranma turned to see an assembled group of "shiny people". Her senses were taxed; however, based upon her experience with Saffron the Phoenix-lord, Ranma knew that these beings must be gods!
"RANMA SAOTOME, FOR YEARS WE HAVE WATCHED YOUR EXPLOITS. IT IS TIME TO ACCEPT YOUR DESTINY AS A MEMBER OF THE AMAZONS."
"I don't want to! I want to go home! And what about Herakles?"
"THE SON OF ZEUS WILL MEET HIS FATE IN DUE COURSE. AS FOR YOUR QUEST, IF YOU ACCEPT OUR OFFER, WE WILL GRANT YOU IMMORTALITY. ONLY THEN WILL YOU RETURN HOME."
"And what offer is that?"
"TO BECOME THE SHEPARD OF THE AMAZONS, AS YOU GUIDE THEM TO 'PARADISE'."
Ranma looked at Hippolyta, who nodded.
"I'll…do it."
"VERY WELL, RANMA SAOTOME. FROM THIS DAY FORTH, YOU WILL BE GRANTED THE GIFT OF IMMORTALITY."
Ranma felt a surge of energy course through her body. She knew that from this day forth, she would be more female than male…though she will always have her male ego and form to call upon.
Hippolyta then stepped forth.
"I, Hippolyta, accept you as a sister and my heir. Do you accept this, Ranma Saotome?"
"I do, as long as you want me to, Poli."
"Then, from this day forth, you will be known as Ranma, the Crown Princess of the Amazons."
"Thank you…big sister."
And with that, Ranma led Hippolyta and half of the Amazons away from "Patriarch's World", while Hippolyta's sister Antiope went after Theseus. Using some old charts, Ranma discovered an island on which a new Themiscyria would be built. As for the name of the island…it would be called "Paradise Island".
A few months after arriving on the island, Ranma and Hippolyta looked upon the vast oceans. Aphrodite, their patron god, would protect their new home, while Ares would become the patron of Antiope's fellow sisters.
"So, we live in exile to guard some hole in the ground," Ranma says with a smirk.
"I am thinking of having a contest to see who will become both Captain of the Guard and our champion to represent us against those who might crack open 'Doom's Doorway'."
"Yeah," Ranma says, as she smirked. She knew that the Gods offer of a new home was too good to be true. Leave it to them to get the Amazons to guard the gateway that lead to the Underworld. "You know, I can do those things-"
"No, I don't want you to," Hippolyta says, as she took Ranma's free hand. "Your role is to balance ME, as did our sister Antiope."
Hippolyta pauses for a moment.
"And balance me in ways that Antiope can not. Others can become champion; I need you to be here for me."
Ranma looked into Hippolyta's eyes.
"I…I must confess that my heart belongs to another."
Hippolyta smiles.
"I know. I know that I cannot replace this…Akane Tendo you speak so highly of so often. I don't want a commitment from you if you cannot give that to me, but…I do want to have a warm bed to share, if I am able."
Ranma looks out into the vast ocean.
"We will see," Ranma says. "But in the mean time…I must prepare for the birth of my child."
Hippolyta looks down to see the beginnings of a bulging belly.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Ranma?" Hippolyta asks. "We can terminate the pregnancy-"
"No," Ranma replies forcefully. "I hate what Herakles did to me, and he WILL get his someday, but I will not allow an innocent life to die because of his betrayal. It's funny how as a guy, I could care less about the issue of rape other than a crime to be avenged. But when what that bastard did to me happened…everything changes. There's a life that is growing inside me, and I will do everything to protect it. After all, it's a martial artist's duty to protect the innocent. Does that make any sense?"
Hippolyta hugs companion.
"Yes, it does. And that is why I've chosen you to be my companion, Ranma Saotome."
Ranma nods her head. As the two held hands, they watched Helio's chariot dip into the ocean deep.
Tbc.