I do not own Ranma 1/2 or Kamen Rider Den-O. Those belong to their respective creators and not me. I am not getting any monetary compensation for my time and am only doing this for fun. I hope you all enjoy the chapter.
Kamen Rider Ran-O
By Ten-Faced Paladin
Chapter 10: Power of a Prince
"Wing Form!"
Ranma White's transformation was similar to the others. First, Den-O's Plat Form armor would form before additional armor would equip to him. However, there was one minor difference as the bodysuit under the armor was bright gold instead of black. A black back plate hovered behind him as well as a white chest plate in front him with white wing-like shoulder-guards hovering, flanking him. The armor then snapped onto his body with a loud clank. A blue swan then slid over his face plate before the neck of the bird folded back and the wings snapped onto the helmet to form a visor. Den-O WF went into a pose and said, "Advent, at the top of everything."
Den-O WF looked absolutely majestic as feathers floated down from above him. The Pumpkin Imagin growled before it charged straight towards Den-O WF with every intention of destroying him. Den-O WF folded his hands behind his back and awaited the attack.
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Nabiki was in her classroom when she heard the sound of glass shattering. Her eyes went to outside her class window to see a shocking sight. It was an Imagin straight out of the Tale of Sleepy Hollow and with it was a new Den-O clad in white and gold. Nabiki blinked. She had suspected that Sieg would cause a new Den-O transformation, but she never expected one this profound. All the students went to see the unfolding fight. It was better than studying anyway.
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As Den-O WF and the Pumpkin Imagin fell towards the ground. Den-O WF chuckled. He kneed the Imagin holding him in the gut before sending him to the ground. Dem-O WF landed gracefully on the school grounds while the Pumpkin Imagin was sprawled on its back.
"You are unworthy to fight me," Den-O WF proclaimed arrogantly as he pointed at the Pumpkin Imagin mockingly, "But, as a prince, it is my duty to protect my subjects."
"You're full of it!" the Pumpkin Imagin snapped before charging at Den-O WF again. Den-O WF sidestepped the attack and tripped the Imagin with his foot. The Imagin fell and slid against the ground. Den-O WF shook his head.
"Well, if you wish to fight then maybe I can oblige," Den-O WF said before he reached down to his belt and pulled at the DenGasher pieces. He didn't have to join them together as the pieces automatically combined and into their newest forms. Each weapon was made up of two pieces from the DenGasher. One was a boomerang while the other was a hand-axe. "En guarde."
The Pumpkin Imagin roared and rushed at Den-O WF. It swung its scythe but Den-O WF countered with his boomerang, holding the opposing weapon at bay before chopping down with the axe. The Pumpkin Imagin howled in pain before Den-O WF smashed its chest in with a powerful kick. The Pumpkin Imagin decided to make some distance between itself and Den-O WF before launching another attack. It took hold of its head and the chain attached to it before hurling it straight for Den-O WF. Den-O WF leapt back from the attack and a crater was left in the spot he'd been standing in. The Pumpkin Imagin pulled back its wrecking ball head before swinging it at Den-O WF. He ducked underneath the attack before assessing the situation.
"I need to get out of range from this fiend," Den-O WF told himself as he narrowly avoided another attack. An idea then struck him. He was about to show everyone watching why he was known as 'Wing Form'.
The Pumpkin Imagin prepared another attack when suddenly its eyes widened as a pair of wings spread out from behind Den-O WF. They were huge and glowing. Feathers fell from the sky as Den-O WF revealed his gleaming wings. The Pumpkin Imagin recovered from the shock and attacked again with its head. Den-O WF took to the air to avoid the hit and kept out of range.
"Time for all to witness my power!" Den-O WF announced. He threw his boomerang at the Pumpkin Imagin and it slashed it across the chest. It continued to spin and fly in an arch before slashing the Pumpkin Imagin again. The boomerang seemed to have a life of its own as it continued to attack the evil Imagin over and over again before it returned to Den-O WF's hand.
"Graaaahh!" the Pumpkin Imagin cried as the wounds it sustained really began to take hold. Den-O WF just calmly returned to the ground as his wings folded back into his armor.
"Do you see your fault in fighting me?" the white warrior asked, still prepared to fight.
"Guuhh," the Pumpkin Imagin groaned as it got its bearings back. It turned a hateful glare to Den-O WF before speaking again. "Forget this. I've got better things to do than fight!"
The Pumpkin then took a run at the wall surrounding the property before leaping right over it and away from Furinkan before vanishing in a flash of light. Den-O WF sighed deeply before he started walking towards the building again. As he got closer to the doors and out of sight, he grabbed the Terminal Belt and removed it. In a flash of light, the armor vanished to reveal Ranma White walking at his usual pace.
"So it seems this peasant wasn't such a fool after all," he smirked as he walked into the school. "Now I still have classes to attend."
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Nabiki was being swamped with requests on information about the armored fighter. She was also getting requests about the purple one which they had seen fighting in the school before. She was getting top Yen for the requests so she was creating information packages on what she knew about Den-O and all his forms. Of course, she was making it seem as if there were five of them rather than just one who could take five different forms. Technically, she was right, but those five individuals were all sharing the same body when they fought.
During the time, she was still thinking of a catchy name for Den-O. She knew it had to be memorable as well as cool, not corny and cliché. She tapped her pencil upon a piece of paper, trying to get an idea. Kuno then decided to make his presence known.
"Nabiki Tendo," he said to her, arrogance in his voice despite the many humiliations that had been put upon him.
"What do you want this time, Kuno?" Nabiki asked him, annoyed. "More pictures of Akane and the pigtailed girl?" She still didn't feel very forgiving towards Kuno for making a contract with that Samurai Imagin. Sure she had her schemes but none of them ever threatened the timeline.
"As much as I would love their beauty to grace my walls," Kuno began, "I wish for information of the white armored knight whom repelled the fiend."
Nabiki blinked. That was new. Usually Kuno was oblivious to everything save for Ranma, Akane and Ranma's girl form. She would never have pegged him to become a fan of Den-O. "Why?"
"Because I see him as a noble warrior, unlike the treacherous sorcerer Saotome, and think that it would be good if he had an audience with me so that we may slay the sorcerer once and for all."
Nabiki had to hold in the urge to laugh. How ironic it was to hear Kuno praising Den-O while at the same time insulting Ranma. It was just too much. Well, she might as well make some money out of it.
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Ranma White sat down and smiled as he listened to the gossip about his Wing Form. It was causing quite a stir as well as cause his ego to grow. He loved to listen to people praising him. If only they knew but he also understood that he had to be discreet. Den-O's identity had to be kept a secret after all to deter people from the DenLiner.
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The day continued and the fight was the only thing that any of the students were talking about. Nabiki was making a killing with the information packages about Den-O. Too bad she didn't have a proper name for him just yet.
Ukyo found herself walking home in a daze. She heard about the restaurant which had been destroyed the previous night but had assumed it to be a coincidence. Then she saw the creature she had contracted the day before fighting at school. She didn't have to guess that it started the screaming in the Home Economics room. She was just thankful that no one was injured
"Why do you look so down?" a familiar voice spoke out. "Why? I'm making your wish come true."
Ukyo whipped around to see the Pumpkin Imagin sitting on top of a car. Ukyo was thankful that no one else was around or else there would be some questions asked she didn't want to answer. Not that there would be many of those. The people of Nerima were known for not asking questions.
"This isn't what I wanted!" the okonomiyaki chef cried loudly.
"Oh?" the Pumpkin Imagin replied, standing up. "Your wish was to be the best chef in Nerima, was it not?"
"Yes," Ukyo reluctantly replied. "But I didn't mean for you to burn down other restaurants!
"Why not?" asked the Pumpkin Imagin. It leaped off the car and began walking towards her. "This will ensure that you are the best!"
"How?" Ukyo snapped. "How is this supposed to help me be the best?!"
"Simple," the Pumpkin Imagin laughed. Its grinning face inches away from Ukyo's. "If there are no more chefs or cooks who are better than you, then that means you are the best!"
"But that's cheating!" Ukyo cried.
"No, that's getting what you want!" the Pumpkin Imagin crowed. "This isn't any different from you trying to get that Ranma guy. You cheat all the time when you try to get him!"
"That's different!" Ukyo shouted. "He's my fiancé and I just want to make sure he knows it!"
The Pumpkin Imagin chuckled at its host's foolishness. How amusing it was to rationalize her own actions and yet when he did the same things, she calls it cheating. Humans were such hypocrites.
"Keep telling yourself that," the Pumpkin Imagin laughed as it turned to leave. "I've got a wish to grant."
"Oh no you don't!" Ukyo frowned as she drew her battle spatula. "I'm terminating the contract!"
"Oh?" the Pumpkin Imagin replied slowly as it turned to face her. "Sorry girl. The contract cannot be terminated just like that."
"Watch me," Ukyo frowned before she leaped at the Imagin.
The Pumpkin Imagin summoned its scythe and as the battle spatula came at its head it swung its weapon and cleaved her weapon, leaving her holding only the handle. She gasped at this but then the wind got knocked out of her when the Imagin threw its head like a wrecking ball and slammed her hard into a wall. It then walked over to her and picked her up by the uniform before holding her up against the wall.
"Just because I need you for me to exist, doesn't mean I won't hurt you," he warned, "And don't try anything funny." He let go of her and stepped back, "I have to go and grant your wish. See you later." The Pumpkin Imagin cackled as it vanished in a flash of light.
Ukyo picked herself up, as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Just what had she done? She never intended this but now people were going to suffer because of her and this time she had no scapegoat to pin it on.
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Ranma White returned to the dojo. After a tiring day of classes, he decided that company with Kasumi may just refresh his spirits. He had learnt enough from the school, at least he hoped it was enough, that would guarantee him a date with Kasumi. Although the Pumpkin Imagin was still an issue, he would only pursue it if it became an important issue. Such tasks should be left to peons like Momotaros.
Walking through the front door confidently, he entered the Tendo home. His princess was still on his mind as he looked for her. Non-surprisingly, he found her unpacking some groceries she had gotten.
"Hello again, Princess," Ranma White smiled as he greeted Kasumi.
"Oh!" Kasumi gasped before she turned to face Ranma White. A blush was quickly appearing on her face. "Um…hello, Sieg."
"You have been in the house all day, haven't you?" Ranma White asked before he looked to the bags of food. "Well, you've only left for shopping trips."
"Um….," Kasumi blushed. Why was she so shy? Well, it may have been Ranma's body, but Sieg was being such a gentleman. It was like her romance novels were coming true.
"Well, I will not let this stand," Sieg continued. "A woman such as you should be out enjoying life."
"Oh my," Kasumi blushed. "But I…"
"You can, Princess," Ranma White smiled as he took her hand. "Your family can survive without your cooking for one night. I believe it is called take-out. They can eat that tonight. You deserve to have tonight as your own."
"Oh my, oh my, oh my," Kasumi blushed brightly "Oh…I…Um….o..okay,"
"Wonderful!" Ranma White smiled brightly. "Then I shall await you at the 7th hour, tonight. This shall indeed be a night to remember."
With that, Ranma White strode from the room with his usual confidence. Kasumi just felt like her heart was beating at a mile a minute. She had a date. What was she going to wear?
---------------------------DenLiner------------------------------
"Nooooooo!!" Ryutaros cried before he started stomping his feet angrily. "No, no, no, no, no!"
"Poor Ryu-chan," Naomi sighed sadly as she watched Ryutaros throw a tantrum.
"I envy Sieg," Urataros chuckled. "Even with all my charms I couldn't get Kasumi-chan to go on a date with me."
"Who cares what the bird does," Momotaros grumbled. "He's doing it in Ranma's body! I want him outta there!"
"His strength would only make us cry," Kintaros responded with a snap of his neck.
Hana shook her head at the antics of the Imagin before looking concernedly over at Ryutaros. The purple Imagin was leaning over his table and looking very upset. She was also a bit worried about Ranma. Because it was Ranma's body Sieg was using to take Kasumi out on a date with, it would indeed cause a stir since, technically, Ranma was engaged to 3 women (actually, there were a lot of women judging by Genma's past actions) and adding Kasumi to the insanity didn't seem fair for her part. Kasumi wasn't a fighter. She was a kind and sweet young lady.
On the other hand, Kasumi was in her early twenties and was living the life of a housewife. She never even had the chance to really live her life before she had to take up the responsibilities of a mother. For someone to give up their whole life after their mother's death…it just seems so unfair. This could benefit Kasumi and if it worked may get Sieg out of everyone's hair. Momotaros didn't want him around because Sieg made him angry and Ryutaros didn't want him around because Sieg was going out with Kasumi. It was jealousy if you boil down to it.
Also, there was an evil Imagin on the loose and all Sieg cared about was dating Kasumi?
----------------------Tendo Dojo--------------------------------
Kasumi was fretting in her room over her clothes. She had a date in a few hours and she didn't know what she was going to wear! All she really had were housedresses, some sundresses and a bathing suit.
"Oh, what am I going to do?" Kasumi spoke worriedly to herself.
"I'd go with something that shows off your legs a little," a female voice spoke from behind.
Kasumi turned to see her little sister Nabiki watching with some mild amusement at Kasumi's predicament. The middle Tendo walked into Kasumi's room and shut the door behind her.
"So, finally accepted Sieg's offer, eh?" Nabiki smirked, finding the increasing blush on her sister's face amusing.
"Yes," Kasumi squeaked out embarrassedly.
"I figured as much," Nabiki nodded. She turned her gaze towards Kasumi's closet and frowned slightly when she saw all the plain clothes that her sister had collected. "Geez, Kasumi, this can't be everything you have."
"Um," Kasumi blushed. "This…this is really all I have left."
"No way," Nabiki frowned. "I know you still have that little number you got when me and Akane went with you clothes shopping last summer."
If it was possible, Kasumi's blush would have grown deeper. She tried to say something, but she couldn't form the words. Nabiki just went straight into her older sister's closet.
Normally, Nabiki wouldn't be so easy-going about her sister going out on a date. She would have done three background checks by now on the guy who was trying to take her sister out. As it was, Sieg was an Imagin and thus she couldn't get anything. To his credit though, Sieg seemed to be one of the real nobleman types. That would mean that he would treat her sister properly. Sure, Sieg and Kuno talked the same way, but unlike Kuno, who was as fickle as he was arrogant, Sieg was thoroughly snagged by Kasumi and didn't even so much as give other girls the kind of courtesy that he gave Kasumi.
There was the concern that Sieg was using Ranma's body so if the fiancée brigade saw them together, they might lose it. It would then come down to how committed Sieg was to Kasumi. Of course, if anything happened to Kasumi then Sieg's own existence would be at risk so Nabiki was certain that he would protect her.
"Found it!" Nabiki called from the closet, much to Kasumi's silent horror. "Sieg won't know what hit him!"
----------------------Cat Café--------------------
The Amazon run restaurant seemed to be peaceful for a change in the afternoon. The sounds of Shampoo flattening Mousse because of another stunt to try and win her over couldn't be heard. The sounds of Shampoo plotting to win Ranma over couldn't be heard either. Even the amused cackle of Cologne was strangely absent.
Of course, this was Nerima. There was more than meet the eyes in this place….
CRASH!!
"AIYAH!!"
BOOM!
"BEGONE, DEMON!!"
WHAM!!
"STUPID MOUSSE! THAT OVEN!!
The familiar sounds of combat suddenly erupted with the first crash coming from the back of the building. The combat sounds continued erupting as what seemed like Shampoo and Mousse both fighting whatever had arrived.
The crashing continued until the front of the building literally exploded as a pumpkin on a chain smashed through the wall like a wrecking ball. The body of the Pumpkin Imagin followed, cackling wildly. As it got outside, Shampoo and Mousse followed it.
"Mean demon pick wrong place to cause trouble!" Shampoo snarled as she held her bonborri.
"We shall teach you for trespassing!" Mousse bellowed, trying to sound impressive to Shampoo. His glasses were cracked, which cu his usefulness in battle in half.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" the Pumpkin Imagin crowed as it reattached its head. "As much fun as that sounds, I have other things to do. Bye-bye."
The Pumpkin Imagin hen began roof hopping away from the battle, vanishing in a flash of light. Both young Amazons felt pride at having driven off the 'demon'.
"Aiyah!" Shampoo cheered. "We win!"
"We make a lovely team, Shampoo!" Mousse cried trying to have Shampoo see things his way already.
WHACK!
"Ow!" both young Amazons cried.
"You both are truly blind," Cologne sighed as she landed on the ground after whacking her two wards over the head with her cane. "You did not drive it off. It completed what it came to do."
"What great-grandmother mean?" asked Shampoo.
"Look," Cologne sighed as she pointed to the remains of the restaurant.
Tables were destroyed and chairs were shattered. Holes were in the walls while sections of the floor were either torn up or missing. The kitchen looked like a war zone. The stove was a complete loss thanks to Mousse's habit of not wearing his glasses as much as possible and food was strewn across the floor. The freezer was gutted as well.
"That creature came to make sure the Cat Café was unable to do business," Cologne frowned. "And thanks to you two, jumping into things without looking as usual, it has succeeded quite fantastically."
Shampoo and Mousse seemed both shocked and ashamed at the revelation. They were going to pay for this, they could tell.
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Ranma White checked himself in the mirror. Thanks to the other Imagin, Ranma's wardrobe had gained a lot more variety. He detested the tastes of both Ryutaros and Momotaros while quirking an eyebrow at all of Kintaros' clothes. The only one of them who had a good taste in clothing was Urataros himself.
Ranma White looked himself over in the mirror. He had taken one of Urataros' suits which he felt suited him best. It was mainly white with a sapphire blue tie. Satisfied that his appearance was befitting his plans for the night, Ranma White walked out of his room. He looked at a wall clock and saw that it was five minutes until 7:00. He would have to pick up Kasumi. Hopefully she would be ready. Then again, to Ranma White, she was already stunning so it didn't matter how she decided to dress for the event.
"Princess?" Ranma White asked as he knocked on her door. "Are you ready?"
The door instantly opened to reveal Nabiki's smirking face.
"Kasumi will be out in a minute," she smiled. "I'll run interference so Daddy and Akane don't find out."
"Very well," Ranma White nodded. "I do not wish to raise unnecessary conflict because of this."
"Don't we all," Nabiki sighed, knowing all too well her father and little sister's habit of overreacting to everything. "You'd better treat my sister right though or I will find a way to make you regret it."
"I will treat her as nothing less than the princess that she is," Ranma White replied calmly.
"Good," Nabiki nodded. "Bring her back safely."
Ranma White nodded as Nabiki left to distract her father and little sister. He returned his gaze to Kasumi's room and felt his eyes widen at the shock.
Kasumi stood in front of him in a nice black dress which came to a stop just above her knees. It rested on her shoulders by just two straps which left her shoulders bare. Her hair was untied and flowing freely down her back. Kasumi was even wearing make-up for the occasion. She was blushing brightly though.
"Princess, you truly honor me with your beauty," Ranma White smiled.
Kasumi just blushed even brighter. "Thank you, Sieg,"
"Come, let us go," Ranma White said as he took Kasumi's hand in his and headed towards the door. Tonight would be a night that Kasumi would remember.
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Ukyo was in her room, waiting in despair as she thought of the destruction the Pumpkin Imagin was causing. In a flash of light, the monster came to report its progress, despite Ukyo's hatred for its acts.
"If it would please you, the Cat Café is now out of business," the Pumpkin Imagin grinned. Ukyo looked up to stare.
"What?" Ukyo asked.
"That Chinese place that sells ramen," it clarified, "Of course, I didn't have to do everything. Those two fools did all the work for me when they fought me inside." It chuckled. "Well, I'm off to do some more carnage. Stay here where I can find you." In another bright flash of light it vanished.
Ukyo hugged her knees to her chest and muttered, "What have I done?"
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Nabiki was able to pull a few strings as a limousine pulled up in front of the Tendo Dojo. Kasumi gasped in shock at the vehicle as Ranma White leaned forward and opened the door for her, "After you, Princess."
"Oh my," Kasumi let out as she entered followed by Sieg.
"Chauffeur," Ranma White began, "Please, take us to the finest place of dining that you can find in town."
"You got it, boss," the chauffeur said. He had been paid a huge sum of money to just go along with his passenger's wishes.
"How did you afford all this?" Kasumi asked the possessed martial artist.
"The blue one and Nabiki's schemes have accumulated a lot of wealth, Princess," Ranma White told her. "As such, Ranma also receives a cut because it is his body being used. With this, I can afford to take you out on this fine date." He smiled at her and the older girl blushed.
"Oh, Sieg," Kasumi began, "Have you heard the news? Some of the restaurants around are out of business. They way it was because they were attacked by a monster."
"A monster, you say?" Ranma White asked, "Must be the pumpkin-headed fiend."
"Pumpkin-headed fiend?" Kasumi asked in curiosity.
"Yes," Ranma White nodded. "He appeared at school earlier and we did battle. However, he fled before the battle could reach its conclusion. It matters not. We shall find him again."
"Oh my," Kasumi fretted.
"Enough about the dregs of war," Ranma White sighed dramatically. "Tonight is your night, Princess. I am your escort to ensure you enjoy yourself."
"Thank you," Kasumi smiled with a blush on her face.
Kasumi relaxed in her seat as the limo drove through Nerima. The eldest Tendo was feeling absolutely spoiled. She never imagined that anyone would spend the kind of money needed to rent a limo on her. It made her feel like a real princess.
"I have already decided on a wonderful place to take you to," Ranma White smiled.
"Really?" Kasumi wondered. "Where?"
"Ah, ah, ah," Ranma White smiled. "That would be telling. I prefer to surprise you."
"Oh, Sieg," Kasumi giggled. Kasumi amusedly reminded herself that she would have to be careful or else her Imagin was going to spoil her rotten.
The limo pulled up to a French restaurant. It was one of the only good places left in Nerima. Ranma White stepped out of the limo after the driver let him out. The possessed young man held out his hand and helped Kasumi out of the vehicle. The eldest Tendo gasped in delight as she saw the nice place in front of her. Ranma White didn't hesitate in leading Kasumi inside. They were immediately led to a table with no waiting. Ranma White only dropped Nabiki's name and everyone was at his beck and call.
"Wonderful service," Ranma White nodded approvingly.
"How nice," Kasumi smiled brightly.
A waiter came with their menus and Ranma White read through it. Normally, Ranma would have nearly no knowledge of French cuisine or French wine, but Ranma White was a whole other story. As a prince, he needed to be refined not just for himself but for the company he would share.
"Would you like some champagne, Princess?" Ranma White asked.
"Oh, no," Kasumi declined, "I cannot drink, Sieg. I have low alcohol tolerance."
Ranma White nodded, "I see." He turned towards the waiter, "How about a bottle of your finest grape juice then? Chilled, please? When you return we will be ready to order."
"Thank you, sir," the waiter said before leaving to get the juice.
"How do you feel right now, Princess?" Ranma White asked.
Kasumi blushed, "This is, well, just too much for me. I've never gone out to places like this. Sieg, how did you know about this restaurant?"
"Nabiki has very good sources," Ranma White replied, honestly, "She was the one who suggested this place."
"I see," Kasumi nodded.
"Order whatever it is you want," Ranma White said. "And don't worry about the cost."
"Oh I couldn't!" Kasumi protested. "All this must be so expensive. I don't want to take all your money."
"Be at ease Princess," Ranma White replied casually. "I have more than adequate funds to pay for this evening. So please relax and enjoy yourself."
"If you're sure?" Kasumi asked hesitantly.
"I am," Ranma White confirmed.
"All right then," Kasumi nodded before she allowed herself to relax again.
So began the night for the pair as they had simple conversation as they ate. Both ordered something filling, yet simple at the same time. For Ranma White, he had to remain refined at all times. In Kasumi's case, she didn't want to hurt Ranma White's funds too badly.
Kasumi had to admit that she was having a wonderful time. She didn't get out of the house very often save for the market or the occasional trip to the beach or some other place. She didn't get to go out to nice places like this at all. Everywhere was either a general tourist spot or had an underlining theme of martial arts. As much as she loved her family and the legacy her father created, she wouldn't say no to something that didn't involve martial arts. A night like tonight was just what she needed.
Ranma White was likewise enjoying himself. Kasumi was wonderful company and such a gentle soul which he couldn't help but admire. She sacrificed her future to take care of her family and no one seemed to thank her for it. A grave injustice in the princely Imagin's view. At least his host was beginning to appreciate her actions more, especially after he included her into his hidden life as Den-O.
As they were both taking some finishing bites on their meals screaming began to erupt from the back of the restaurant. Ranma White was immediately up to his feet, ready to protect his princess from harm.
He didn't have to wait long as the chefs and other waiters began running from the kitchen screaming. At their heels was a mob of rats which brought out even more screams from the guests.
"Sieg!" Kasumi cried in fear as she brought her legs to her chest as she sat in her chair.
"Fear not!" Ranam White frowned as he planted himself in front of Kasumi so to protect her from the rats should they prove hostile.
The rats seemed just as afraid of whatever was in the kitchen as the people who vacated it were. This was obvious since the rats had gone straight to the front door. It was what followed the rats that rose Ranma White's ire.
"Aha ha ha ha ha ha!" the Pumpkin Imagin laughed as he came waltzing out of the kitchens. "Look at them run!"
"You again!" Sieg frowned angrily.
"Huh?" the Pumpkin Imagin grunted as he turned to see Ranma White. Upon seeing the possessed boy, the Pumpkin Imagin began getting angry. "You again?!"
"I can forgive the first trespass," Ranma White frowned as he stepped forward. "But I will not forgive this crime of interrupting my night with my princess!"
"So what do you plan to do about it?!" the Pumpkin Imagin roared, summoning its scythe.
Ranma White frowned as the Terminal Belt appeared, flying through the air and attaching itself to his waist. The golden buckle was still on it. When it was secured, it began playing the same song as from the school. Kasumi found the tune to be alluring and beautiful. Ranma White then held up the Hyper Pass.
"I shall punish you for your actions!" Ranma White growled. "Henshin!"
"Wing Form!" the buckle called as Ranma White passed the pass over the buckle.
Kasumi watched in awe as the basic armor appeared over Ranma White, only this version was gold in several places. Then the black and white armor attached to him before the swan rolled down his face and folded in, leaving the wings as his visor.
"Advent," Den-O WF spoke as he raised his hand in the air while feathers fluttered down out of nowhere, "At the top of everything."
"Time to finish what we started," the Pumpkin Imagin growled as it prepared to strike.
"I agree," Den-O WF nodded as he combined his pieces of DenGasher to create the boomerang and hand axe.
Kasumi watched in wonder at the marvelous transformation which Ranma White undertook. She had compared Sieg to a prince, but right now he seemed more like a knight in shining armor that the stories from abroad would talk about. She was so lucky!
The Pumpkin Imagin and Den-O WF charged at each other before unleashing a flurry of blows at each other. Den-O WF had a slight advantage because he had the smaller weapons, and in an enclosed space like the restaurant they were in, a compact weapon made all the difference.
The Pumpkin Imagin took several strikes before it decided to take things to a different battle area. He grabbed Den-O WF and gave a mighty heave which sent them both through the front doors of the restaurant and into the street. Den-O WF recovered quickly before using more slashes to try and defeat his opponent. The Pumpkin Imagin had more space to move and was easily able to avoid the attacks. Leaping back, it began taking stock of the situation.
"Sieg!" came Kasumi's voice.
The eldest Tendo appeared out of the restaurant, concerned for both her Imagin and the boy he was possessing.
"Princess, it isn't safe!" Den-O WF cried.
"What do we have here!" the Pumpkin Imagin snickered. Flames started appearing in its eyes. "An opportunity!"
The Pumpkin Imagin gripped its head and threw its chained head at the young woman.
"Princess!" Den-O WF cried as he charged to intercept the attack.
Kasumi screamed in terror as the flaming pumpkin came at her. Her legs froze as the fireball came at her. She didn't even notice her white knight intercepting the blow until he had actually taken it himself. To his credit, Den-O WF didn't cry out in pain, but his legs failed as he dropped to his knees from the pain.
"Woo-hoo!" the Pumpkin Imagin crowed. "This was the last place better than Ucchan's! Contract complete!"
The Pumpkin Imagin left cackling with leaps over rooftops. Den-O WF struggled to get up while he was breathing heavily.
"Sieg!" Kasumi cried in concern. "Are you and Ranma alright?"
"We are fine, Princess," Den-O WF huffed as he stood up. "Are you unharmed?"
"I'm fine, but you need to rest!" Kasumi cried. "You took such an awful blow for me."
"Ranma's body is a sturdy one and I am just as hardy if not more so," Den-O WF breathed, catching his breath. "We will recover quickly."
"But," Kasumi tried to protest.
"We will be fine, Princess," Den-O WF interrupted. "However, we need to get to Ucchan's lest the Imagin escape to the past. I will not forgive the crime of attacking my princess!"
Den-O WF turned his gaze to down the street before making a quick whistling noise. A roaring engine was the reply before the DenBird came roaring down the street. It came to a stop in front of the two before coming to a stop. Den-O WF quickly mounted the motorcycle.
"Please return home safely," Den-O WF spoke.
Kasumi nodded worriedly before Den-O WF drove off after the Imagin. The eldest Tendo felt her heart fill with worry as she watched him leave. She could only pray that both Sieg and Ranma would come back safely. Both had become such an important part of her life and she didn't want to see either of them taken away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ukyo was in too much distress to even consider making okonomiyaki to calm herself down. Konatsu had tried to learn what was wrong but Ukyo was being tight-lipped about it. She accepted that this was her shame to burden and it was a burden she would bear alone. She could only pray that no one was seriously injured.
"Hello!" a familiar voice which would haunt Ukyo's dreams spoke up.
Ukyo turned to face the source of the voice and found herself looking at the Pumpkin Imagin. The ever-present grin was still plastered on its face as it sauntered into Ucchan's.
"What do you want?" Ukyo hissed angrily.
"Oh, now don't be that way," the Pumpkin Imagin laughed. "Why you're the best chef in Nerima now. There is no one else in the district that is better than you."
"That's because you wiped out the competition!" Ukyo cried, stomping up to the Imagin.
"You never specified the means in which to grant your wish," the Pumpkin Imagin shrugged. "But that's beside the point. The contract is complete so I will take what is my due."
The Pumpkin Imagin stared into Ukyo's eyes before tapping her with its scythe. Her body split down the middle as a green vortex appeared inside of her. The Imagin snickered in victory and was about to enter when the roar of an engine echoed through the air. It stopped for a brief moment before the door slammed open to reveal Den-O WF.
"Halt!" the white warrior cried angrily.
"Too late!" the Pumpkin Imagin chuckled as it leaped into the portal before it closed.
"Unn," Ukyo moaned before collapsing to the floor.
Den-O WF was quick to catch her. He wanted to blame her for what the Pumpkin Imagin did, but he knew that she was not responsible for what the Imagin did. Instead of getting angry, the retrieved a blank ticket and held it out to her forehead. The image of the Pumpkin Imagin appeared on it with the date. May 12th 1997.
"Miss," Den-O WF spoke to Ukyo, getting her out of her daze. He held the ticket for Ukyo to see. "What happened on this date?"
"That," Ukyo gasped as she recognized the date. "That's the day my fiancée's father stole my family yattai and abandoned me even though his son and I were engaged!"
-------------Flashback-----------------
The dirt was flying as Genma Saotome was running as fast as he could. He was pulling an okonomiyaki yattai along with him that he had 'acquired' through engaging his son to the former owner's daughter. Of course, Genma had no intention of following through with the agreement. His son was engaged to his best friend's daughter and he had a dojo he could give for a dowry. The perfect thing for his early retirement. All he had to do was make Ranma into the best and he would be set.
"Bye-bye, Ucchan!" a six-year old Ranma called from his seat on top of the okonomiyaki cart.
The reason for Genma's running was two fold. As part of the agreement, Genma had to take Ukyo with him when he and Ranam continued their journey. If Mr. Kuonji found out that he left without Ukyo then there would be hell to play. The man was pretty strong in his own right and Genma did not want to get on the wrong side of the man. The other reason for his running? The daughter of the man he was running from had caught them making an escape.
"You said you'd take me with you!" Ukyo cried. "Wait!"
Genma just began to run faster. He had lucked out when Ranma was tricked into thinking that Ukyo was a boy. If Ukyo came along then Ranma would figure her out and possibly get closer. That wouldn't do. Ranma had to fall in love with a Tendo girl and this other girl would get in the way. So, she had to go. Thus, Genma began to run faster.
"JEEEEEERRRRRKS!!" Ukyo cried as she began vanishing on the horizon.
---------------End Flashback----------------
"It wasn't fair!" Ukyo cried, tears showing in her eyes. "He engaged me to Ranma and then runs off to get him hitched to someone else! Ranma's my fiancé so why won't he accept me?"
"That I cannot answer," Den-O WF sighed. He truly felt sorry for the young woman, but that was nothing for Ranma, who was being forced to witness the event. He knew that Ukyo was really unhappy about the situation, but he had no idea that it was hurting her like that. Reliving the pain must not be pleasant.
Den-O WF then turned to face the door and opened it to reach DenLiner. He had an Imagin to hunt down.
----------------May 12th 1997-----------------
A 6-year old Ukyo stood crying in the middle of the dirt road. Her fiance and his father had just abandoned her and stole the family yattai. It wasn't fair! When her father told her that she was engaged to Ranma, she thought that it was a dream come true. She thought Ranma was really cool and he was really good at fighting. He seemed a little off in the manners department, but she thought that she could teach him since they would be married. Now it seemed that wasn't going to happen. How could he abandon her like that?
As she was crying, sand began to fall from her sleeves and shorts. It began collecting before it combined to become the Pumpkin Imagin. Ukyo noticed the sudden appearance of the Imagin and her tears were replaced by screams.
"That's it, you little hypocrite!" the Pumpkin Imagin laughed. "Run away!"
Ukyo ran away in her tears and screams, just wanting to get away from the monster. She could barely see where she was going so it was understandable when she ran into someone. Wiping her eyes, she looked up to see a man wearing some white and gold armor with a strange blue visor on his face. The man looked down to Ukyo almost questioningly.
"You better find a place to hide, young one," Den-O WF warned the little girl. "Things will get violent."
"'Kay, mister," Chibi-Ukyo sniffled before she ran behind a nearby tree.
Den-O WF then turned to face the Pumpkin Imagin, "We meet for the last time, fiend."
"Oh, that is for sure," the Pumpkin Imagin growled as he raised his scythe.
Both warriors charged each other. Den-O WF gripped both his boomerang and hand-axe and swung at the Imagin. Weapons clashed, causing sparks to fly. Den-O WF dodged when the scythe came dangerously close to his person before he slashed with his axe. The Pumpkin Imagin staggered back and then snickered as it grabbed its head and threw it with the chain. Den-O WF ducked as the head came flying. Swinging the chain again, the Imagin threw it straight towards the tree Ukyo was hiding behind.
Ukyo let out a scream as the flaming and laughing head of the Pumpkin Imagin came hurling towards her.
"NO!" Den-O WF shouted before he rushed towards her. He grabbed the girl and leapt out of the way as the Pumpkin Imagin's head smashed the tree to pieces.
"Can you fight me and protect her at the same time?" the Pumpkin Imagin cackled. "I guess not!" The Pumpkin Imagin reattached its head to its shoulders and charged at Den-O WF. Den-O WF blocked with his hand axe but one arm was around little Ukyo protectively so he couldn't use his full strength as the scythe pushed down on him. The tip was close to his face and Ukyo cried.
"I…shall…not…LOSE!" Den-O WF exclaimed before his wings sprang out behind him. The Pumpkin Imagin was surprised and was pushed back by the wings. Ukyo watched as the wings spread out wide behind Den-O WF with shining white feathers fluttering from them.
"So pretty," she let out. Den-O WF smiled as he put her down.
"To hurt this child is unforgivable," Den-O WF said as he pointed at the Imagin.
"Save it for someone who cares!" the Imagin roared as it threw its head at Den-O WF. This time he was prepared as he threw his boomerang at the same time. It flew threw the air and then broke the chain as it sliced through it. The Imagin's head hit a tree and bounced off before rolling to a stop. The body now moved erratically as it attempted to find its missing head.
"Over here!" the Pumpkin Imagin's head shouted. The body went on its hands and knees to look. "No! Over here, you idiot!" Ukyo giggled at how ridiculous the Imagin was acting.
Den-O WF walked forward and picked up the head.
"Put me down!" the Pumpkin Imagin demanded.
"Gladly," Den-O WF nodded. He then threw the head into the air, "Catch!" The Pumpkin Imagin's head screamed as it sailed threw the air. The body ran around to catch it when it fell.
Den-O WF held both weapons in one hand before he revealed the Hyper Pass. "Now, to finish this." He held the Pass in front of his belt.
"Full Charge!" the belt announced as the energy traveled from it into both Den-O WF's weapons. His wings spread out once more as he took flight. Little Ukyo watched as he flew into the skies.
"An angel," she mumbled in awe.
Den-O WF had his arms crossed in front of him as he flapped his wings to keep aloft. He looked down at the Pumpkin Imagin who was still struggling with its detached head. It managed to pick it up anyway. Den-O WF reared back his hand which held the boomerang while the bladed end was glowing white. With a single motion, he threw the weapon down at the target with ruthless accuracy. The Pumpkin Imagin couldn't manage to pull itself together before the weapon slashed straight through it, leaving a large gash in it which was releasing white light.
"Hup!" Den-O WF grunted as he went into a dive straight at the Pumpkin Imagin. The hand axe was clutched in his hand with the blade glowing brightly. While the Pumpkin Imagin struggled to stay on its feet, it looked up to the sky only to have Den-O WF in its face. There was a loud slash sound before Den-O WF landed on the ground with his wings folding back while he caught the boomerang.
"AAAGGGHHH!!" the Pumpkin Imagin cried as the large gash of white light appeared around the Imagin. It then fell to the ground before erupting in a large explosion.
"Cool!" Little Ukyo smiled brightly.
Den-O WF slowly stood up as he turned to look at the flaming remains of his opponent, an unworthy opponent in the end. Of course, that may not be the case soon.
Sand began to erupt from the explosion site and Den-O WF tensed, ready for the battle to continue. The sand reformed into a large pumpkin with a wicked face and a single evil eye. Thick green vines were holding it up.
"Ahhhhh!!" Little Ukyo cried in fear as she backpedaled away. Where did all these monsters come from?!
The tune of DenLiner Gouka cut through the air as the familiar red and white train appeared through a portal. The red train swerved to avoid the thrashing vines of the Pumpkin Gigandeath as it tried to take the train down.
"A mighty vehicle," Den-O WF acknowledged. "But it will require something to make it a truly worthy one."
As he spoke, the tune that announced Wing Form began echoing through the air. A new portal opened before a brand new train entered the fray. The new train was white with a golden trim. The front almost looked like a horse's head. It looked as if it was some kind of steed which was geared for war. This was the newest addition to the arsenal of DenLiner, Grani!
"Now this is a worthy vehicle," Den-O WF spoke approvingly.
Its top hatch opened to allow Den-O WF to land inside and on the DenBird. Grani and Gouka began racing side by side before their tracks converged with Grani in the lead. Gouka then linked up with the white train from behind.
The Pumpkin Imagin roared before lashing out with vines. The train proved to be more agile than it looked as it swerved to avoid the attacks quite gracefully.
"For Kasumi!" Den-O WF announced as he activated Grani's weapon systems. A pair of white wings sprouted out of the train, flanking it. On the underside of the wings were arrow launchers. The four weapon chambers of Gouka likewise opened to reveal their various weapons.
The Pumpkin Gigandeath lashed out with its vines, its single eye trained on the approaching white time train. The tracks generated around the beast and the wings slashed at the vines. The Gigandeath howled in pain before firing large balls from its mouth in rapid succession. The attack was unexpected for the pilot of the trains
"Time to take it to the air," Den-O WF shouted as he steered.
Grani flew off the tracks and into the air. Seeing the winged train fly through the air looked almost like a majestic bird with a long tail or perhaps the Pegasus. Nevertheless, it flew out of range and fired the arrows from under its wings. They pierced through the tough hide of the monstrous pumpkin. It howled in pain.
"Time to finish this," Den-O WF said as Grani flew straight towards the Gigandeath. The wings glowed and sharpened into blades before slicing the Pumpkin Gigandeath cleanly in half like a hot knife through butter. It let out one last roar before it exploded in an even larger ball of fire than the one before.
Den-O WF normally would have left the timeline then and there, but with a small child still on the ground, he had to make sure that she was safe. So, he leaped from the Grani and down to the ground.
He didn't have to wait long before the small girl latched herself to his leg crying loudly.
"You came back!" she sobbed. "You didn't leave me like Ranma did!"
'Oh crap!' Ranma groaned from within. 'That's right! This is when Pop stole her family yattai and cheated her out of the engagement promise.'
Den-O WF may have been a lot of things, but heartless he was not. He recalled all the memories that Ranma had about Ukyo when she came back into Ranma's life. As much as he knew he shouldn't, the timeline was already changed slightly. What was a little more?
"There, there, young one," Den-O WF spoke softly as he patted Little Ukyo's head. "Ranma didn't abandon you."
"Then why did he leave?" asked Little Ukyo. "We were supposed to get married!"
"Simple," Den-O WF shrugged. "He didn't know about the engagement."
"He didn't?" Little Ukyo sniffed.
"No," Den-O WF replied. "His father didn't tell him."
"Oh," Little Ukyo blinked as she rubbed her eyes. "'Kay. Then I had better go find him and tell him."
With that, Little Ukyo was off like a shot down the road back to wherever she lived. Den-O WF watched her go before the DenLiner pulled up behind him. He boarded swiftly before the train took off through a portal again.
-----------------------------DenLiner-----------------------------------
"Mission accomplished," Sieg stated proudly as he and Ranma walked into the dining car.
"About time!" Momotaros snapped. "You took all the fun!"
"The cretin had to be punished for threatening Princess and the child," Sieg replied stiffly.
Momotaros growled angrily and was feeling a huge urge to pound the Imagin in front if him, but held back knowing that he would only be shrunk again.
"Okay, calm down, guys," Ranma sighed tiredly. The suit he was stuffed in made him feel a little uncomfortable and he wanted out of it. "The Imagin is gone so we can all relax. Kami knows I need it."
"Can we kick the birdie out yet?" Ryutaros asked impatiently. "He got a date with Nee-chan so he can go now, right?"
"Leave?" asked Sieg almost incredulously. "I think not."
"EH?!" the four Imagin and three humans listening to the conversation gaped.
"Princess wished for someone to sweep her off her feet," Sieg explained. "I may have gotten her out on a date, but I don't think I have truly swept her off her feet. I believe I shall remain for a while."
"Awwww!" Ryutaros whined as he began to sulk again.
"Quite the clever one," Urataros snickered
All at once there was the tapping of a cane. Everyone turned to the source and saw Owner sitting at his booth with a blank look on his face.
"Sieg," he spoke seriously. "Due to your actions in the past with Ukyo Kuonji, the timeline has been altered."
"Altered?" asked Hana almost fearfully. "Altered how?"
"Now that Ukyo Kuonji knows that Ranma had no idea about the engagement, her arrival in Nerima was met with less conflict," Owner explained. "On the day she arrived, she met with Ranma and explained everything. Genma Saotome was met with violence after this explanation."
"Well, that's better than what happened before," Ranma shrugged. "Doesn't fix my fiancée problem, though."
"No," Owner agreed. "However, now Ukyo acts as much as a friend as she does a fiancée. The events in which she tries to win your hand still happened but she now has more reason to listen to you."
"So in all, nothing changes," Ranma sighed. "At least the timeline is safe."
"Indeed," Owner nodded. "For better or worse, the timeline must be protected."
The other passengers on the train gazed at Ranma with some hidden pity. Ranma's life was sheer hell for the longest time. DenLiner was his chance to try and change that, but his duty as Den-O prevented that. Sometimes life just wasn't fair.
-----------------Tendo Dojo------------------
Ranma sighed as he entered the dojo. After a stressful day of having Sieg in control of his body, the pigtailed martial artist just wanted to get some rest. That and get out of the suit Sieg had put him in.
As he was heading for his room, Nabiki caught him.
"Nice to see you're in one piece Ranma," Nabiki greeted. "Can I assume that you and Sieg won?"
"Yeah," Ranma sighed. "I just really need some sleep. Having five Imagin inside of you wears a guy down after a while."
"I can imagine," Nabiki smirked, using the word 'imagine' on purpose. She then got a gleam in her eyes. "Oh, I have god news. I figured out a name to stick with Den-O."
"Oh?" Ranma asked now slightly interested.
"Yeah. Since you wear a mask in all forms and ride a motorcycle and/or a train, I decided to call you Kamen Rider Den-O," Nabiki explained.
"Kamen Rider Den-O," Ranma repeated, testing the name. "Well, it definitely works. I think it will stick."
"Of course it will," Nabiki chuckled. "Now if only there were more of you, profits would soar."
"Right," Ranma laughed. "As if. How many more time-traveling trains could there be?"
-------------------------Elsewhere------------------------------
The Pig Imagin couldn't believe its luck as it charged down the streets. When the Pumpkin Imagin was running around burning places down, no one even noticed the Pig Imagin breaking into zoos and trying to find a certain panda. Some sick kid wished for a panda that could talk by using signs and so the contract was made.
"This will be the easiest job ever!" the Pig Imagin laughed. "Den-O is none the wiser either! I'm home free!"
"Are you so sure about that?" a new voice asked.
The Pig Imagin quickly turned to see who had spoke. He could see someone at the end of the street. The night was blocking any of his features from being seen, but he was still visible to an extent.
"Who are you?" the Pig Imagin growled, ready for a fight.
"Me?" the male at the end of the street asked. "I'm the hero, Zero!"
The young man reached to his belt and pulled out something small before touching his belt. A strange flute tune could be heard coming from it as he brought the small item back.
"Henshin!" the male called before slipping the small object into his belt.
"Altair Form!"
To Be Continued…
A/N: There he is folks. Sieg is here to stay. He even has his own DenLiner train to help Ranma and the others fight off other Imagim. If you can't figure who this myster boy at the end is then you need to watch more Den-O.