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 6: "Enter the Joketsuzoko".
Ranma was about to say something, when she suddenly looked up.
"In coming," he said simply.
"What-?" Akane began.
GLOMP!
"Oh, Ranma!" Shampoo said, as she began to snuggle her fiancée. "It good to be here-!"
"Xian Pu, let go," Ranma said simply. "And cut the broken language nonsense."
Shampoo gave Ranma a quizzical look.
"But Ranma-"
"Son-in-law is correct," says Khu Lon, as she hobbled forward on her cane. "There is no need to keep up the pretense."
"Whew," Shampoo says, as she straightens herself out. "I'm glad that's over with."
"Wait a minute!" Akane says. "You can speak correctly?"
""Why, yes, Akane, I can," Shampoo smirks. "I can speak five other languages fluently besides Japanese: Korean, Russian, Tagalog, English and Vietnamese. I hope to learn more in the future, though…"
"…"
"That is wonderful!" Kasumi says. "Would you like to have some tea?"
"Why, thank you, Kasumi-chan. I love to have some."
"You're full of surprises," Nabiki says.
"Thank you. Like you want to learn more languages to do business, I want to learn more languages to do diplomacy…since I AM great-grandmother's heir in the tribe."
"And speaking of surprises…Khu Lon, you can stop your facade."
"What do you mean by that, Ranma?" Kasumi asked, as she poured Shampoo her tea.
"Why is that those with potent Chi Manipulation appears so old, especially when complete control of one's chi can be manipulated?"
Akane thought for moment before realizing the fundamental truth.
"You are immortal," Akane declared. "That's why you can still be around for three hundred years."
"Almost correct, Miss Tendo," Cologne says, as she suddenly appeared to be a woman in her late twenties. She looked like a more sophisticated version of Shampoo…who already appeared to be sophisticated. "I can still be killed by mortal means."
"Okay, I'm confused now," Nabiki declares. "What is your connection with Saotome anyway?"
"Simple," Cologne says. "Ranma is my mother."
"…"
"This is unbelievable," Akane says. "Wait, then why was Shampoo-?"
"I didn't say that son-in-law was my mother by BLOOD…or should I say 'Mother'?"
"Just Ranma will do," Ranma replied. "And I was only your guardian after your parents were killed by the Emperor's soldiers."
"And if THAT didn't happen, you would not have brought me to the Joketsuzouko."
"That's because your REAL mother was of the Sister. She had left the life of a warrior in the name of love."
"And the rest is history."
"I wish great-grandmother had waited to tell me all this until AFTER we were married, Ranma," Shampoo says with disappointment. "Now, I can't because of Amazon law."
"YES!" Akane interjects, which warranted a dirty look.
"So, you've raised Cologne, huh?" Nabiki says.
"Pretty much," Ranma says. "Though she was a lot more head-strong than she is now. I'm just glad that she would grow into the role of an Elder when she did."
FLASHBACK!
Somewhere in West China, during the height of World War II…
"HA!"
"Oof!"
The Allied super-heroine "Orchid" (aka Ranma) delivered a flying kick against the Silver Samurai, knocking the silvery armored samurai down to the ground. She and her allies in the Freedom Fighters were assigned to shut down a labor camp in the heart of China. What an amazing coincidence that Orchid knew that the exact location of the camp was close to the home of her sister-tribe, the Joketsuzoku.
At this moment in time, Orchid was attempting to stop 'Samurai from flooding the valley with the waters of Jusendo. She and the Freedom Fighters had used the Chinese underground to infiltrate the camp long enough to determine the reason of the Japanese Imperial operations (General Tojo wanted to take full advantage of the magical waters of Jusenkyo), as well as free the Chinese Amazons from captivity (as well as assist them in undermining the occupiers). To this effect, Ranma and the Freedom Fighters had to stop the Silver Samurai and his allies within the Injustice Society.
"Up and at them!" said Uncle Sam, as he led the charge. Uncle Sam was the embodiment of the spirit of America, which was needed to combat the threats of the Axis Powers. Though dressed in a striped top hat and colorful clothes, 'Sam's great strength was more than enough to overturn a tank or two.
"Phantom Lady! Take out those snipers!"
The sexily clad Phantom Lady wore a light green one-piece bathing suit (long V-neck), with black utility belt, dark green boots and cape, and special visors. She took out a blackout bomb from her belt.
"Right!" 'Lady says, as she strikes the ground with her pellet.
POOF!
And she was gone.
Meanwhile, Miss America (another patriotic super-soldier), the Human Bomb and Black Condor were fighting another Japanese squadron. Miss America would pass as a poor-woman's Wonder Woman, the Human Bomb looks like a man dressed in a radiation suit and the Black Condor was a Native American with black wings.
"Where's 'Doll Man'?" 'America asked, as she decked another Japanese soldier. She then touched his gun, transmuting it into clay. Recently, thanks to being held by a Nazi scientist, 'America received the ability to change the material of a substance into another. "He's supposed to be here by now!"
"How am I supposed to know?" 'Bomb said, as he threw an energy bomb into incoming artillery battery.
BOOM!
"Aren't you supposed to be the operations officer?" Black Condor interjected, as he flew into the air with a few soldiers in hand.
"No, that's Orchid's area, and SHE is dealing with that Silver Samurai jerk!"
Just as the group was about to be attacked from behind by more Japanese troops-
CHOK!
-The interned prisoners, many of who were Joketsuzoku, arrived on the scene...with spears raised and ready for use.
"Doll Man!" Uncle Sam said, as he greeted his tiny friend.
"Sorry I'm late," Doll Man said, as he hopped on 'Sam's left shoulder. "I was able to get the blue prints for their 'Jusenkyo Project', but, since I was there, I freed their test subjects and fellow prisoners."
"The Jusenkyo Project was an attempt to examine and utilize the cursed springs at Jusenkyo to create special bombs against the Allied Powers. Orchid had insisted that the All-Star Squadron, a superhero umbrella organization, send a team to stop this project from fruition. So the Freedom Force was sent to Asia to assist Orchid in the mission.
"Man, look at these hot babes," Doll Man said, as the Chinese Amazons went to town against the Japanese forces. "They make Phantom Lady look like a time-boy-"
POOF!
WAP!
"Jerk!"
"Ow..."
Meanwhile...
Orchid and Silver Samurai took their fight to another level, as 'Samurai began throwing off tornado attacks her way.
"Man, you remind me of Kuno and that watermelon technique," Ranma said, as she dodge the attack. She took out her collapsible fighting staff, since she hates guns, and struck back.
CLANG!
"Not bad, woman," the 'Samurai says. "And how do you know that I am of the Kuno clan?"
"Uh, lucky guess?"
"If you live, then you will be my 'comfort woman'!"
"Been there, done THAT!"
The 'Samurai swung his sword in a feint. However, Orchid had her Amazon gauntlets on, which was strong enough to block a sword strike.
CLANG! CLANG!
"Come and get me!" Orchid said, as she ran towards the edge of Jusendo, which was a steep drop.
"I will!"
Orchid ran and ran.
The 'Samurai ran after Orchid.
"I got you nOOOOOOOOW-!"
As 'Samurai fell off Jusendo, 'Orchid simply smirked...as she floats in the air.
"Good thing I always wear my winged sandals..."
In the end, the Silver Samurai's operation was a bust, and the local inhabitants were freed.
Later, at the Joketsu, two old friends share a private drink of plum wine, while the Freedom Force celebrate their victory with the Amazons...
TING!
"To old friends," Ranma said.
"And to family," Kho Lon replied. Kho Lon (or simply, "Cologne") was the one who informed Ranma of the Japanese plot. Having known each other for hundreds of years, Cologne knew that she could rely on her Amazon sister in her time of need.
"I prefer mine," Ranma says simply, as she sits close to her campfire.
"Is there something the matter, Ranma?"
"I am not sure that I can tell you-"
"Not even to one who was once your sparring partner?"
"Well...okay. There's something that I need to tell you-"
"That you are really a male?"
"..."
"Do not look shock, my Sister. Remember, these are MY lands...and Jusenkyo borders it."
"Then why-?"
"Why I did not mention this earlier? One, you have already proved yourself as a Sister, and two, your 'flaw' is your affair."
"Hey! Being a guy is NOT a flaw, you know?"
"Oh? Then why is it that you are comfortable as female?"
"Blame it on the goddesses that my kin worship, I guess."
"Is that correct?"
"That's my story, and I will stick to it."
"Very well."
"You know, we shouldn't fight."
"I agree. So, what is it that you want from me? You seem to be a bit...apprehensive."
"There is something more to my story than just being really a guy."
"Oh?"
"I need to ask you a favor..."
END FLASHBACK!
"That reminds me," Cologne says, as she takes out a canister. "I'm surprise that you want to use this now."
"I need to settle old debts," Ranma says, as he presented to canister to Soun. "This is for you."
Soun nods his head, and takes the canister. He then pops the lid, and receives what appear to be a flute and a scroll.
"I didn't know that you were into antiques, Saotome," Nabiki smirks.
"That is no ordinary flute and scroll. That flute belonged to the great Orpheus, who songs were powerful enough to return the dead to life. The scroll is the actual manuscript that Orpheus wrote that could generate that affect."
Kasumi clasped her hands over her mouth in realization.
Nabiki's eyes widened.
Akane's tears began to fall.
"You mean-?" began Soun.
"Yes, Mr. Tendo. Just answer this question: was your wife a Christian or a Buddhist?"
"She was a believer in Shintoism, though she did allow her daughters to choose a faith to practice with. Why?"
"If your wife was a Christian, she would have gone to Heaven; if the she was a Buddhist, she would have simply reincarnated. As a believer in the Shinto religion, she is obligated to be there for her family until she is no longer needed. I'm no psychologist, but I think you all need her still."
"So let's bring back Mom, already!" Akane says. "Here, let me-"
"No, Akane, you can't play the flute."
"I can learn, you know!"
"No, I mean only Mr. Tendo can play the instrument, because of their spiritual connection."
"Oh."
"But Ranma…I can't play the flute," Soun wailed.
"You can learn how, right?"
"Oh. Of course! Nabiki, find someone who can teach me how to play this flute."
"Right away, Daddy!" Nabiki said, as she gets up to run to a phone. "Oh, and Saotome?"
"Yes, Nabiki?"
"I consider all debts to me paid."
And with that, Nabiki left the dinning room."
"Yes, the sooner I learn, the sooner Kamiko can come back," Soun muses.
"Thank you, Ranma," Kasumi says, as she hugged the Amazon.
"You're welcome."
Ranma turns to see an Akane struggling to say something.
"Ranma, I…I…"
"I understand," Ranma says. "You're welcome."
"But I'm still mad at you for calling me a tomboy earlier!"
"And there is goes again," Ranma says flatly. He then turns toward Cologne. "Well?"
"All obligations to the Joketzouko are now null and void."
"Awwwww!" Shampoo says with disappointment. "I had our place all arranged and stuff, too!"
"Xian Pu, if your great-grandmother tried and failed to get ME, what makes you think YOU would have anymore success?"
"You got a point there, I guess…"
"Well, this been fun, but I have a restaurant to run," Cologne says, as she reverts to her disguise."
"So, what will you do now?" Kasumi asked. "With the reason for being here nullified and all…"
"Just because Xian Pu can't get a 'husband' in Ranma, that doesn't mean I'm going back home just yet. I happen to like it here. And besides…with the establishment of the Themiscyria embassy here in the city, I can continue the diplomatic relations between our two tribes."
"Will see you around at the party, then?" Ranma asks Cologne.
"What party?" Akane asked.
"The party that I am hosting at the opening. After all, I AM the Crown Princess of the Amazons, you know!"
Tbc.