I do not own Kamen Rider Den-O or any of the connected characters. The same could be said for Ranma ½. Any connected characters I do not own. The only things I own are the OCs that will be showing up. I also wish to thank Alienyouthct for Tamamos.
Kamen Rider Ran-O
By Ten-Faced Paladin
Chapter 11: Family Bonds.
"Full Charge!"
The shrouded figure held his sword at his side and pulled something out of his belt. He then took it and seemed to insert it into his weapon. Streams of green energy burst from the object in his hand and into the sword.
Several feet in front of him, there was an Imagin which resembled a pig that looked rather beaten up. It was struggling to stand as it was faced with this mysterious fighter.
"Who...who are you?" the Pig Imagin groaned as it shakily got back up to its feet.
"I told you," the mysterious figure answered as the blade of his sword began to glow brightly. "I'm the hero, Zero!"
The unknown figure then gripped the handle of his sword and swung it at the Pig Imagin. From the blade of the sword, a blast of energy which looked like a capital 'A' flew through the air. The strike collided with the Pig Imagin with a loud crash. The image of the 'A' was imprinted on the Pig Imagin's chest before it fell backwards. As it landed on the ground, it exploded in a fiery haze.
"Whew," the figure sighed as he took a relaxed stance. He reached to his sword and pulled out what he had used for his Full Charge. There was a slight hissing sound as it appeared that the small item had turned to sand and dissolved. He then reached down to his waist and removed what looked like a belt. There was a flash of green light before the figure's body shape changed. Instead of a streamlined body which looked like it was covered in armor, the figure now looked like he was wearing slightly loose clothes.
"Well, that's one more we won't have to worry about," the figure, obviously male, shrugged.
"Onii-chan!" a younger female voice cried out.
The male figure turned around to see two people were running towards them. The smaller one seemed to be a child with a small ponytail. The taller one didn't look entirely human. The figure looked like it had some extra armor and animal ears on the top of its head.
"Onii-chan!" the little girl called out to the male one. "Did you get him?"
"I got him, Imouto," the male figure nodded. "Now what are you doing out here? It's bedtime, you know."
"I can't sleep," the little girl protested. "I'm excited to see Papa again."
"Well, we're going to see him tomorrow," the male figure chuckled. "I think he's going to be surprised."
"I'd say he will," the non-human figure spoke with a slightly purring voice.
"Right," the male figure nodded. "Now, it's bedtime, Ranko."
"Awwww," the little girl groaned.
The three figures began walking towards the road while talking. As they got closer, a loud horn echoed through the night before a train appeared through a portal. The lead car was black with a green bull head with yellow horns on the front. There was a second car with a yellow falcon head on the front.
The three figures walked up to the train before getting on the second car through a door on the side. When they were in, the train let off another loud honk before chugging off through another portal and vanished into the night.
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Ranma was having a usual day. For him, that involved being attacked by a rival for no reason beyond over some girl. Today, it was Mousse attacking him for 'trying to wed his Shampoo'. Apparently Shampoo and Cologne hadn't bothered to inform him why they had Ranma wrapped in metal cable in the Cat Café.
There was the usual fiancée spat when Ukyo tried to give him lunch when Kodachi jumped into the fray. Of course, Akane saw this and tried to mallet him again. Her new mallet didn't get destroyed for a change, but she didn't hit Ranma either. Urataros saw to that. Of course, he normally would flirt with the girls to calm them down, but given what he knew of Kodachi, that might make the situation worse.
"Today's been pretty quiet," Ranma commented to himself as he walked home from school. Akane was still mad at him for 'encouraging' the fiancées to keep fighting over him.
'This is quiet for you?' asked Ryutaros curiously. 'But today looked like a lot of fun, Nii-chan! Why didn't you let me play?'
'I found that Kodachi-san seemed a little more determined to receive your affections today, Ranma,' Urataros observed.
"Yeah, well," Ranma sighed. "I guess the Kunos aren't used to getting 'no' for an answer. They just ignore it and try harder. It sure explains why Kuno started using dirty tricks. I've never told Kodachi no to her face so hearing Momotaros say it for me makes her more determined."
'Her mental state is troublesome,' Kintaros commented stoically.
'She's a freakin' psycho is what she is! 'Momotaros snapped. 'Her laugh drives me nuts! She acts like she's the queen of the world or something!'
Ranma agreed with his four Imagin friends. They each had their own opinions on the various people who were part of Ranma's life. Momotaros had found the rivals to be entertaining since he got to fight, but he fiancées were a bunch of nags in his opinion who needed to back off. Urataros found the rivals annoying since they attacked Ranma for either talking to the girl they were after or some other girl. The fiancées were just four girls among many whom Urataros could spend time with. Kintaros found the challenge from the rivals invigorating, but the fiancées were people he considered selfish and in need of maturity. Ryutaros just thought that they were all a bunch of meanies. That was okay though; Kasumi didn't scold him for hurting meanies.
As Ranma was walking, he didn't notice that someone was following him. Since this person had no ill intent or romantic interest towards him, Ranma didn't pick them on his radar.
Even if they didn't have any ill intent, Ranma still wouldn't know what was going to hit him.
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Nabiki was counting some yen notes as she leaned against the surrounding wall of Furinkan. She had some deals to work out. The information packages were still selling like crazy. A number of students were also asking for posters and other things. She would have to speed up production on them if she wanted to keep up.
Finding that no one else demanded her attention at school for the day, she began her own journey home. Besides, Ranma Purple was probably dancing in the dojo by now. The dance club loved the tapes she made of his moves. Of course, since it was the girls of the club who asked for it, the tapes may not have been solely for checking out his moves.
As she was walking, the usual sounds of chaos could be heard erupting a short distance away. The Fiancée Brigade probably caught up with Ranma again. She could hear them shouting out their demands for Ranma's attention as usual.
"Come away with me, Ranma-sama!" Kodachi.
"Ranchan! Eat at my place!" Ukyo.
"Shampoo save you from evil spirits!" Shampoo.
Nabiki shook her head. The fiancées still hadn't gotten the clue that their usual methods of eliminating the competition weren't working. Ranma's indecision in the past may have been responsible for this before, but the girls' tempers and habits of jumping to conclusions sure didn't help. It was profitable, true, but it was problematic at times too. Nabiki thought with Momotaros and the others going against them the girls might get a clue. No such luck.
"GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU PSYCHOS!"
Nabiki blinked. Now that wasn't Ranma's voice. It didn't sound like any of the Imagin either. Urataros and Kintaros didn't panic like that. Momotaros would be more angry than irritated. Ryutaros would actually be fighting back. Was this a new Imagin? As if five weren't enough? Well, technically four but Sieg was able to possess Ranma as if he was contracted to him rather than Kasumi.
The sounds of missed blows hitting concrete or pavement came closer, signaling that the Fiancée Brigade was coming closer to her position as they chased Ranma and trying to eliminate each other.
Nabiki waited for the chase to come her way before she noticed a male about her age run around the corner looking rather irritated and panicked at the same time.
At first Nabiki mistook him as Ranma, but when she got a closer look, she found that she was mistaken. While the resemblance was uncanny, there were some big clues to hint that this guy wasn't Ranma.
The first was his appearance itself. His hair was dark, but it looked like it was a dark shade of blue rather than the straight black that Ranma had. This guy also didn't have a pigtail. His hair was short with no indication of Ranma's signature hairstyle. His eyes were the same shade of blue as Ranma's, but his expression didn't have that panicked or confused look Ranma had when he had to deal with women. Whoever this guy was, he seemed more accustomed to girls. His clothes were another hint that he wasn't Ranma. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a white vest over it. He was also wearing a pair of jeans and sneakers. Ranma always wore his Chinese clothes unless he was forced otherwise. Just who was this guy?
The young man skidded to a halt in front of Nabiki. Both teens blinked in confusion for a moment before crashes from the fiancées coming closer managed to snap them out of it.
"Sorry, Auntie Nabs," the boy sighed before he grabbed Nabiki and slung her over his shoulder.
"Huh? Hey!" Nabiki cried as she was picked up and the boy started moving.
"Airen!" Shampoo cried as she made it around the corner. "Come back and let Shampoo get rid of bad spirits!"
"I don't have evil spirits!" the boy yelled back heatedly. "Now leave me alone!"
"Ranchan! Wait up!" Ukyo called as she dodged a ribbon whip from Kodachi.
"Ranma-sama! Do not go with these harridans!" Kodachi cried while trying to eliminate Ukyo.
Nabiki heard the boy growling in anger. Now this wasn't good. Obviously the fiancées had mistaken this guy as Ranma. Since Ranma had a habit of wearing disguises from time to time, they assumed that this was another one. Nabiki could tell that this guy was running from them to avoid trouble, but from the anger in his voice, it seemed he wasn't going to keep running.
"Are those three stupid, deaf or just in denial?" the boy growled. "Pop's stories have nothing on the real thing."
"They don't listen that well," Nabiki answered. "Now why are you in the process of kidnapping me?"
"I'm not," the guy retorted. "Knowing those three from Pop's stories, they'd probably attack you if they saw me with you thinking you're a rival or something."
Nabiki frowned slightly at the answer she received. Apparently this guy knew how the Fiancée Brigade operated, but nothing in great detail. He just knew general reactions. The question was, how did he know what he did?
"Unless there has been an official announcement, I'm not a fiancée," Nabiki replied dryly. "Those girls may jump to conclusions a lot, but they aren't stupid."
"Yeah well, I'm under the impression that you helped them jump to those conclusions on more than one occasion," the boy shot back sharply.
Now Nabiki was getting really interested. This guy somehow knew a lot of details about the Nerima Wrecking Crew and some of the things that went on. Of course, in the early days of Ranma's arrival and the year that followed, Nabiki didn't hesitate to make money off of him. She didn't have much choice since he and his father ate more food by themselves in a week than the rest of the house in a month. Later, it was just to try and stop the wedding because she felt that her little sister and Ranma didn't deserve to be forced together in a marriage they weren't ready for and didn't want.
The boy put on an extra burst of speed to get some distance between himself and the fiancées and ducked into an alley. The three wanna-be brides went running past in their moving battle, leaving Nabiki and the boy with some peace.
"Okay, you," Nabiki frowned as she was placed on her feet. "Who are you and just how did you know so much about me and the fiancées anyway?"
"I grew up with stories about all of you," the boy shrugged. "The story of Herb is one of my favorites."
"Still doesn't answer the question of who you are," Nabiki frowned.
"My name is Tenma Saotome," the boy answered with an easygoing smirk. "It's a pleasure."
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Nodoka Saotome walked towards the Tendo Dojo with her usual graceful stride. Since her home had been rebuilt, she had gone back to living at the Saotome house. She had discussed having Ranma and Genma moving back home, but both Genma and Soun had insisted that for the good of Ranma and Akane's relationship that they still live together.
Well, she had heard that Ranma and Akane were the same as always. Of course, the failed wedding wasn't something she called beneficial to their relationship. Honestly, what were the fathers thinking? A forced wedding? Genma and Soun must have been getting desperate. She was just thankful that Kasumi had let her know how everything went.
Lately, she had been hearing rumors about strange monsters that have been appearing around Nerima lately. She knew her manly son could handle himself, but she was still concerned. She was still his mother after all.
She rounded the corner toward the Tendo Dojo and noticed something, or rather someone, who was standing outside the main gates of the Tendo property.
She seemed to be a little girl around eight to ten years old. Maybe eleven. She was about average in her height for someone her age, and she was wearing a simple long sleeved shirt with pants. Her head was covered with a messy mop of red hair which was held in a ponytail. Her eyes were an adorable shade of blue and she looked painfully cute. She almost looked like a younger version of Ranma's female side.
"Little girl?" Nodoka asked as she stepped closer. "Are you all right?"
The girl turned to gaze at Nodoka and her face lit up in a bright smile. She seemed to want to start cheering for some reason or other. However, she was just barely keeping it contained.
"I'm okay!" the girl replied happily. "I'm just waiting for Onii-chan."
"Your brother?" asked Nodoka.
"Uh-huh," the girl nodded. "We got separated and he said that if we did, I was supposed to go to the Tendo Dojo and wait for him."
"I see," Nodoka nodded. "What a nice little girl you are. What's your name?"
"Ranko!" the girl smiled brightly.
"Well hello, Ranko," Nodoka smiled. "My name is Nodoka. Would you like to come inside with me?"
"Okay!" Ranko smiled. "Maybe Papa will be okay."
"Oh? Your father is here?" wondered Nodoka
"Sometimes," Ranko shrugged. "He's the best fighter on the planet! He's so cool!"
"He does sound good," Nodoka smiled, pretending to believe the little girl. "My son is a martial artist too. He's incredibly manly."
"My gramma says that about Papa too," Ranko giggled. "She's so silly. She always says Papa should have more kids. I think that would be cool because I would have a little brother or sister."
"She sounds like a lucky woman," Nodoka sighed wistfully. "I wish so dearly my son would give me some grandchildren. He has so many girls willing to be the mother of those children. I just don't know why he doesn't just accept them."
"Maybe he doesn't like them?" wondered Ranko.
"I don't see why not," Nodoka pondered. "They seem very devoted to him. They are also very beautiful and willing to marry him."
"Mama told me that there are more important things that being pretty," Ranko answered. "Maybe those girls don't treat him very nice."
Nodoka found that as something she didn't think of before. Her son did have his manly duties to his future wife to consider, but what about the girls who chased him? She had heard that the girls after her son have been somewhat...'enthusiastic' in their attempts for his hand. The failed wedding was certainly a good example of the girls going overboard, but they were just girls in love, right?
Both Nodoka and Ranko reached the front of the Tendo home in comfortable silence. Nodoka knocked on the door slightly and like clockwork, Kasumi opened the door with her warm smile.
"Oh, hello, Auntie," Kasumi smiled. She then took notice of Ranko. "Who's this?"
"Oh, this little one is Ranko," Nodoka introduced. "She was outside the property waiting for her bother. I thought we could make her comfortable while she waited."
"Of course we can," Kasumi smiled vibrantly. "Please come in."
"If I may ask Kasumi, where is Ranma?" Nodoka asked as the three females walked inside.
"He should be out in the dojo," Kasumi answered politely. "I think he's practicing."
"I'll go see him then," Nodoka nodded before she started a walk towards the dojo.
As she was walking, Nodoka recalled the healthy glow to Kasumi's face. It brought a smile to the older woman's face. Kasumi had found a man of her own. That was wonderful. Perhaps if all went well then they could have a double wedding! Her manly son with Akane and Kasumi with whatever dashing gentleman she had coupled up with.
As she came closer to the dojo, she began to hear music emanating from within. Now that was odd. Her son didn't listen to music when he was practicing in the dojo. Had he decided to try something new?
Her curiosity was now bubbling as she reached the doors of the dojo. Deciding to take a peek first, she opened the doors a crack. What she found herself looking at was surprising enough to make her gasp quietly.
She saw Ranma moving in quite a dance pattern as he practically bounced off the dojo walls. His movements were graceful and precise, but looked like it was almost lazy. Nodoka had to admit that her son was very good at this dancing style. She did find it a little odd that he was wearing a cap and a length of purple hair sticking out of said hat.
Ranma Purple was enjoying the tunes that the music was putting out. Nabiki let him borrow it so he wouldn't get bored. Ryutaros got bored easily so as long as no one else besides Nabiki and Kasumi were home, then he could come out and practice.
"Ranma?" a new voice gasped from the dojo entrance.
"Eh?" Ranma Purple blinked as he turned to see who was at the door. He found himself looking at Nodoka Saotome.
'Oh no!' Ranma moaned inside of Ranma Purple's head.
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Kasumi was humming pleasantly as she continued sweeping. It was nice to have Auntie Nodoka come over. She was feeling a little lonely during the day. She also kept an eye on little Ranko who was contentedly sitting at the table, playing with her fingers.
'Am I to believe that woman from before was Ranma's mother, Princess?' Sieg asked with what sounded like curiosity.
'Yes,' Kasumi replied in her thoughts. She didn't want to alarm the little girl who was sitting a short distance away.
'Your memories seem to suggest that she has some high expectations of the young warrior,' Sieg commented.
'Well, Auntie seems to want Ranma to become a man amongst men,' Kasumi replied. 'She seems to want grandchildren very badly too.'
'Probably because she was deprived the chance to raise her own child,' Sieg spoke. 'Her desire for Ranma to be a man amongst men is probably so that Ranma will have no problem attracting women.'
'Well, Ranma certainly doesn't have that problem,' Kasumi sighed internally. 'But because of the fiancées fighting over and hurting him, Ranma seems to try and avoid receiving female affection.'
'After seeing how the fiancées, your sister included, treat the boy, I'm not very surprised,' Sieg sighed.
Kasumi held the urge to sigh sadly. Sieg was right about that. The fiancées did fight over Ranma a lot. Not to mention that they would try their own tricks to make Ranma pay attention to them. Akane wouldn't really try anything, but would hit him if the other girls were being affectionate towards him. Shampoo would glomp him trying to use her physical attributes to lure him in and when that didn't work; she's try potions, tricks or other things. Kodachi would just try to poison him and drag him off. Ukyo would often play on the fact he called her the 'cute fiancée' or guilt him into listening to her. Ranma had once told her that during the incident with the Ultimate Weakness Moxibustion he had ended up at Ukyo's place and rather than be sympathetic, she only went on about the life she and Ranma would live while she ran a restaurant.
Kasumi may have looked like a pleasant person, but she had to agree with Sieg. The fiancées were incredibly selfish and abusive towards Ranma in their attempts in claiming him. It wasn't any wonder that Ranma shied away from female affection. He usually received pain immediately after it was given to him.
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Ranma Purple was staring blankly at Nodoka with some surprise. The lady seemed to be nice if the gentle surprise on her face was any indication. The sword she was carrying was pretty cool too. A brief look into Ranma's memories revealed how the pigtailed boy knew this lady.
'Oh crap!' Ranma moaned in his thoughts. 'Mom's gonna kill us! There's no way dancing will be seen as manly by her!'
"Ranma?" Nodoka blinked.
"Mama!" Ranma Purple cheerd happily. To Ranma's complete shock and fear, his Imagin posessed body dashed right over to Nodoka before trapping her in a large hug. He even took a moment to twirl the woman in a circle before putting her back down. He didn't release her from the hug.
For her own part, Nodoka was somewhat surprised by the outburst from her son. That isn't to say that she found the event unpleasant. Ever since she had been reunited, Nodoka had very little personal time with her son. At first it was because he was pretending to be a girl named Ranko. After that, she was either at home or Ranma was busy elsewhere. Having her son look excited to see her and hug her like he was made her happy as she wrapped her arms around him.
Inisde his own head, Ranma was somewhat surprised. Ranma Purple, otherwise known as Ryutaros, was having a burst of emotion and hugging his mother like there was no tomorrow. As he was raised by Genma, Ranma was taught that men don't get emotional that often. Crying and such was strictly forbidden by Genma. Of course, Genma wasn't much of one to follow his own lessons since he often began his own temper tantrums or fits of whining when something wasn't going his way like when Ranma heatedly denied that any marriage was going to happen between himself and Akane. It was because of Genma's lessons that Ranma wasn't especially forward in dealings with his mother. He felt that it would be unmanly and disappoint his mother. So it was understandable that he was confused at his own mother returning the affectionate gesture.
"Hello, Ranma," Nodoka smiled brightly as she drew back from her son. She took a moment to take in his appearance. "I see you decided to change your appearance a little. I didn't know you were a dancer too."
"Heh," Ranma Purple smiled. "Dancing's fun. I'm one of the best too!"
"So I saw," Nodoka nodded. Her son was a little different in his attitudes. Perhaps he had finally learned to unwind a little. Thoughts of grandchildren popped into her mind as she pondered weither or not one of his fiancees had a hand in that. "I just came by to say hello. We haven't seen each other since the failed wedding."
"It's been fun!" Ranma Purple laughed as he and Nodoka began walking back to the house. "Lots of fun things have been happening."
"I heard about the monsters," Nodoka spoke. "Have you been fighting them?"
"Oh yeah!" Ranma Purple nodded with great enthusiasm. "They're tough, but I'm tougher!"
"Ooh! My son's so manly!" Nodoka cheered happily as she wrapped Ranma Purple in a hug. A hug that Ranma Purple returned happily.
Inside his own head, Ranma was still stunned by how his mother accepted affection from her son so easily.
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"Come again?" Nabiki blinked at the boy. There was no way she heard him correctly.
"You heard me," Tenma laughed as he leaned against a building's wall. "My name is Tenma Saotome."
"Can't be," Nabiki frowned. "Nodoka never had any other kids and you look a little older than Ranma. He may be dense sometimes, but even he would remember having an older brother."
"Never said I was his brother," Tenma snickered. He was obviously enjoying the confusion that he was putting Nabiki through.
"Then how are you related to Ranma?" Nabiki asked sternly. "You look a little like him so you have to be related."
"I am related to him," Tenma nodded. "Really, you've been dealing with the Imagin long enough to know about them. All this about time travel and such should be playing a big clue."
"Time travel?" Nabiki blinked. Her eyes slowly began to widen as the clues began to come together. He called her auntie and seemed to say he was told stories about the wrecking crew while growing up. His final words about time travel drove it all home. "Oh...no way."
"Bingo!" Tenma laughed. "Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Tenma Saotome, SON of Ranma Saotome."
Nabiki felt herself become officially surprised. Sure, she had been dealing with time travelling trains, monsters, and Kamen Riders, but this was one of the last things that she had been expecting to deal with.
"Ranma's son?" Nabiki blinked. She just shook her head at the shock of the situation. "I guess Ranma and Akane really do get hitched after all."
"Woah, hold on there," Tenma suddenly stiffened. "Who said that Pop married that tempermental tomboy?"
"Huh?" Nabiki blinked. There was another curveball thrown at her. "You mean they don't? Ranma seemed determined to hold up the Tendo agreement during the past year."
"Yeah well, that was in the past," Tenma shrugged. "People change as time goes on. Auntie Akane doesn't really treat Pop that well. She's always mad at him for some reason or another."
"More of the stories you were told?" asked Nabiki.
"That and seen it for myself," Tenma sighed. "I swear, she doesn't even know what she wants. Pop told me she's hit him and say the engagement was off and then get ticked at him when other girls tried to get close."
Nabiki sighed to herself. That was sure true. Akane would often get mad at Ranma for something and pound him for it, but at other times when other girls so much as looked at him, she'd call him a perrvert and hit him. She'd deny any feelings for him and then turn around and try and keep the other fiancees away from him.
"So is Kasumi your mother then?" asked Nabiki. "You call me and Akane auntie so I assume we're related."
"Nope," Tenma snickered. "I just call you that since you're a friend of the family. The Tendo and Saotome families weren't united. Grandpa was really ticked about that. He actually tried to get Pop and Mom to let him take me on a training trip. I'm told Pop kicked his butt for asking."
Nabiki blinked in surprise. So the schools weren't united after all? Well, it seemed that the fathers' plans weren't going to come to fruition after all. Still, she had one question she was intent on asking.
"So, Tenma," Nabiki spoke. "Have you been roped into any engagements that you don't want?"
"Well, not for lack of trying," Tenma snickered. "Grandpa and Mr. Tendo seem to keep trying to force me with one of his granddaughters. I say hi to one of the girls and the grandfathers suddenly leap with wedding stuff, intent on getting me hitched. Then Grandpa seeems to enjoy using me as a means to stuff his face for free. After the first three, we had to send notices all over the city not to accept any deals from Genma Saotome"
Nabiki sighed and shook her head. So it seemed that the fathers were still intent on uniting the schools and Genma was as much a freeloader as ever. Even though their plans apparently didn't work with Ranma, the fathers assumed they could pressure Tenma into a marriage with a Tendo girl. When would those two give up?
Nabiki was about to ask some more questions when a battle cry ripped through the air.
"RANMA! PREPARE TO DIE!"
"And that would be P-chan," Tenma sighed. "Right on schedule. Just a minute."
Tenma turned to the direction that the cry had come from and sure enough, there was Ryoga standing in the street with his usual hateful glare aimed at Tenma. Obviously, he coudn't tell the difference between Ranma and Tenma either.
The reputed boy from the future walked towards Ryoga with a grin overcoming his features. If there was anything he had inherited from his father, it was his love of a good fight. Tenma's father had told him stories about his fights with Ryoga and the teen was looking forward to testing his skills against one of the legendary Nerima Wrecking Crew.
'Wait, Tenma!' a voice called inside of Tenma's mind. 'Let me take care of it.'
Tenma blinked before he siddenly stiffened as a green haze of energy overtook him. His hair lengthened over his shoulders to his front on both shoulders. The lenght of hair on the right was a bright green. Tenma's eyes had likewise turned to an emerald green.
Nabiki instantly recognized the signs of an Imagin posessing someone. She also managed to spy the green hair Tenma now sported. There was no doubt about it. Tenma had an Imagin of his own. Now the question was, how was this Imagin going to handle the situation?
Tenma Green walked toward Ryoga with grim determination on his face. Ryoga clenched his umbrella tightly, ready for any kind of trick who he thought was Ranma might pull. Tenma Green stopped his march when he was only a couple steps in front of Ryoga.
"Hello!" Tenma Green bowed deeply before the Lost Boy.
Ryoga promptly facefaulted from the action. Nabiki almost did the same. That was it? This Imagin took over and was trying to talk his way out of the situation? Good luck with someone who was as thick-headed as Ryoga.
"Don't play games with me, Ranma!" Ryoga shouted as he got back to his feet. "I traveled a long way to get another fight with you!"
"But I'm not Ranma!" Tenma Green insisted as he waved his arms placatingly. "Really, I'm not! I just look like him!"
Ryoga didn't want to consider it, but this guy may have looked like Ranma, but there were some obvious differences. This guy's eyes were an emerald green. Even Ranma couldn't change his eye color like he could change his gender.
Still, Ryoga had to be sure, so he reached into his backpack and brought out his canteen. Using all the speed he could muster, he splashed Tenma Green with the cold contents of the canteen.
"Pleh!" Tenma Green spat as he stumbled back slightly. He looked a little upset that Ryoga had splashed him. "Why did you do that?"
"I guess you aren't Ranma after all," Ryoga blinked. He then shrugged and turned to leave. He took a moment to look back at Tenma Green. "Sorry about the mix-up."
With his apology said, Ryoga left the alley. Tenma Green was busy wringing his clothes out, not really noticing Ryoga's departure. Nabiki wiatched the exchange and shook her head before walking up to the posessed boy.
"Nice job," Nabiki commented. "Just who might you be?"
"Oh!" Tenma Green gasped before he turned around and bowed deeply. "My name is Deneb. It is a pleasure to meet you." He then pulled something out of his pocket. It was a multicolored lollipop, "Would you like some candy?"
Nabiki blinked and quirked a small smile. "Um...sure." She accepted the candy as Tenma Green stood up, a pleasant smile on his face.
'Deneb! Quit it! You're embarassing me!' Tenma cried out.
"But, Tenma," Tenma Green said, "We should always present someone a gift so we can make a good first impression."
'What you're doing is embarrassing me!' Tenma shouted, "Get. Out. Now!' Nabiki then watched as a burst of green energy leapt out of Tenma's body as his hair turned back to normal. The energy itself turned into an Imagin…a solid Imagin.
He was mostly black, or wearing black leather at least. His shoulders were covered with the material while a green plate with black markings was worn on his chest. His arms were grey with metal gauntlets and fingers that looked hollow. His boots looked like they were covered with metal in parts. Around his waist was a belt with a bull's head in the centre. His head looked like it was covered with a black hood with a metal headband. His face was a yellow mask that revealed green eyes and a silver mouth guard.
"But, Tenma!" Deneb tried to argue.
"What did I tell you about doing that in my body!?" Tenma frowned before he leaped at his Imagin and put him in a headlock.
"Ow! You said 'not to'?" Deneb asked as Tenma continued to hold a death grip around his head.
Nabiki watched the slapstick unfold with some appreciation for the humor. She had to admit, these two were a real piece of work. Deneb was a whole lot more humble and polite than the other Imagin which had taken up residence in Ranma.
"Exactly!" Tenma cried. "Not to! Prepare to face punishment!"
"Ack!" Deneb cried.
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Ranma Purple and Nodoka entered the main living room of the Tendo home where Kasumi was entertaining a little girl with red hair. Ranma Purple looked at the little girl curiously.
"Ranma, this is Ranko," Nodoka introduced with a smile. "Ranko, this is my son Ranma."
The little girl, now known as Ranko, took one look at Ranma Purple and began to smile brightly. She then immediately gave off a happy cry before she was up on her feet and running towards the possessed martial artist.
"Hi!" Ranko smiled as she ran closer before she leaped into Ranma Purple's arms. The young dancer/martial artist was caught by surprise a little as he caught the little girl.
"Oh she likes you, Ranma," Nodoka smiled. "You seem to have a way with children. You'll be a wonderful father. Perhaps you should consider having children of your own."
"Huh?" Ranma Purple blinked.
Ranko just continued to smile as she clutched the young man tightly. Holding in a little giggle, she leaned in to Ranma Purple's ear and began to whisper.
"I'm so happy to see you again, Ryu-nii," she whispered.
-----------------------------DenLiner-----------------------------------
"EH?!" Urataros, Momotaros, and Kintaros all gasped as they heard Ranko's words through Ranma's ears.
"What is it?" asked Hana in confusion.
"That brat knows it's the other brat in Ranma's body!" Momotaros snapped loudly.
"Curious," Urataros pondered. "I wonder how a little child like Ranko-chan would know about Ryuuta."
"She is very observant," Kintaros nodded.
"She's trouble that's what she is!" Momotaros growled as he reached for his coffee. Suddenly, he stiffened as he started sniffing the air. "Wait…"
"What is it, Momo-chan?" asked Naomi.
"Imagin!" Momotaros cried loudly. "The little brat has an Imagin!""
"What?!" Hana cried in shock.
"Are you sure, Sempai?" asked Urataros skeptically.
"I can smell it since we're still connected to Ranma's senses!" Momotaros snapped at his blue comrade in arms. "She reeks of an Imagin!"
"So what do we do about it?" asked Kintaros. "We haven't heard of anything odd happening."
"Well, odd for Narima anyway," Urataros shrugged.
The sounds of a door opening caught everyone's attention before Sieg came walking into the dining car. He gazed around at everyone before shaking his head with something akin to a disappointed sigh.
"I was having a delightful conversation with Princess," Sieg spoke. His voice was laced with annoyance. "It seems I cannot even do that in peace with cries of an Imagin abound."
"Don't start with your high and mighty crap, bird-boy!" Momotaros snapped. "That brat Ranko has an Imagin with her! If you weren't so busy flirting with Kasumi then you would know that by now!"
"On the contrary, I knew of this Imagin when Kasumi first laid eyes on the young one," Sieg retorted imperiously. "I thought you would have noticed it as well, but I keep forgetting my skills are on a different level than yours."
"Why you-?!" Momotaros growled before Hana, in her racing up to Sieg, shoved him into his booth.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hana snapped. ""That Imagin might be dangerous!"
"If it was dangerous, it wouldn't be inside the child and being passive," Sieg retorted.
"You mean it's still there?" Hana asked with some disbelief.
"You couldn't tell? I thought it would be obvious," Sieg shrugged. "I suppose it can't be helped."
"But what are we supposed to do?" asked Hana with some irritation.
"Well, if this Imagin isn't doing anything wrong, then we should just sit tight until it reveals itself," Urataros shrugged. "Until Ryuuta leaves Ranma's body, there isn't much else we can do. Well, unless Sieg wishes to use Ranma's body and kick Ryuuta back here."
"Can you?" Hana asked and Sieg raised up a finger.
"I take no requests except those of Princess," Sieg said. "That is all I have to say. Good day." He then turned and left the dining car to his own 'Royal Chambers'.
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Back in the Tendo Dojo, Ranma Purple's eyes were wide with shock as he just stared at the little girl named Ranko. In his mind, Ranma studied the little girl's features and could pick up the subtle similarities she shared with both his mother and his female form.
"How did you know?" Ranma Purple asked the beaming girl.
"Know?" Nodoka blinked. "Know what?"
"Oh!" Kasumi gasped. This was turning out to be one of the usual awkward situations which the Imagin were bringing out. Thinking fast, Kasumi decided to distract Nodoka. "Auntie, I was going to start lunch soon. Would you like to help me?"
"Oh I'd be delighted to help," Nodoka beamed. She turned back to Ranma with her motherly smile. "Ranma, would you be a dear and watch little Ranko?"
"Okay, Mama!" Ranma Purple smiled brightly. He liked Nodoka. She was a really nice lady.
The two older women left the room, leaving Ranma Purple and Ranko alone in the living room. Ranma Purple immediately turned to face the little girl he was holding in his arms.
"How'd you know I was here?" Ranma Purple asked, his surprise still evident.
"Your hair and eyes silly!" Ranko giggled. "I saw it lots of times before."
"Eh?" Ranma blinked. He quickly put the little girl down in front of him. "But I've never seen you before! Who are you?"
"I'm Ranko Saotome!" Ranko giggled. "I'm the bestest little girl on the planet!"
'Ranko Saotome?!' Ranma cried. 'Pop actually had a mistress?!'
'I highly doubt that, Ranma,' Urataros reasoned from his little corner of Ranma's mind. 'Memories of your father told me that he wasn't the kind of man who would be that intimate with a woman casually. Besides, he may have been reasonable in looks when he met your mother, but I doubt many women would want him as he is now.'
'He's a freaking lazy tub of lard!' Momotaros shouted. 'Good luck trying to get a woman with those looks!'
'Indeed,' Urataros agreed. 'Your mother is also much too formal to cheat on her husband. With these facts in mind, I do not believe that she is your sister in any way.'
'The how is she related to me?' asked Ranma, still feeling a little panicked.
Further conversation was cut off when Ranko pulled the attention of Ranma and the Taros-tachi back to her.
"Um…Ryu-nii?" she asked. The little girl seemed a little shy now as she was asking the question. It was odd. She was so bright a minute ago.
"What?" Ranma Purple blinked.
"Can you and the other Nii-tachi come out?" she asked. "I wanna talk to Papa too."
All was silent in Ranma's head. For about five seconds anyway.
'PAPA?!'
Sand immediately burst from Ranma's sleeve as the purple hair, eyes, and cap vanished from his body. The sand pooled in front of him before collecting into four different piles. From those four piles, four Imagin burst into their sandy forms.
"Ore sanjou!" Momotaros.
"Mind if I string you along?" Urataros.
"My strength will make you cry," Kintaros.
"Mind if we talk now? I don't hear an answer!" Ryutaros.
Ranko watched the appearance of the four Imagin with looks of sheer happiness rather than shock like a number of people normally would. She wasn't still for long before she gave off an excited squeal and lunged at the four Imagin, wrapping all four in a hug as much as her little arms could.
"Nii-tachi!" She cheered. "Momo-nii! Ura-nii! Kin-nii! Ryu-nii! Yay! I found you!"
"Ack! Leggo!" Momotaros cringed as Ranko's little hug caused him to knock heads with Urataros.
"A hug is nice, but I prefer older girls," Urataros sighed as he tried to push away from Momotaros
"Hmm. Thank-you for your kindness," Kintaros grunted stoically.
"Uwah!" Ryutaros cried. "Girlie hug!"
"Okay, calm down already!" Ranma groaned as he watched the four Imagin. Ranko gasped and immediately looked up to Ranma while letting the four Imagin go. She was quiet for a moment before she began to sniffle and tears in the corner of her eyes.
"Hey…you okay?" Ranma asked, getting nervous. Crying girls were never a good thing.
"PAPA!" Ranko cried as she wrapped her arms around Ranma's neck and clutched him tightly. "Papa! Papa! Papa!"
"Urk!" Ranma grunted as Ranko's arms restricted his airflow slightly. Normally, he was freaking out, trying to stop her tears, but for some reason he wasn't. Instead, he wrapped his arms around the little girl and just held her as she let out her sobs.
"I'm so happy I found you, Papa," Ranko sniffled as she held Ranma.
"Why do you keep calling me that?" asked Ranma with some confusion. "I can't be your father. You look like your eight or something. There's no way I could have a kid eight years ago."
"You are my papa," Ranko sniffled. "Tama-nee can prove it."
"Tama-nee?" asked Ranma and his four Imagin friends.
Sand began to pour out of Ranko's clothes and slide across the floor a couple of feet before stopping in front of Ranma and the four Imagin. The sand began to pile before the body of the Imagin came through, but to everyone's surprise, the Imagin became solid and was sitting on its knees in front of them.
This Imagin was obviously female if the hourglass figure she possessed was any indication. She was donned in a white Kimono with silver foxes embroidered on it. The sleeves were short while her arms were covered in what looked like silver gloves that looked almost like they were made out of metal with pointed fingers. Her face looked like a porcelain kitsune mask with red highlights and black tipped fox ears. Platinum hair fell down her back. What caused everyone to be a little tense was the white leather whip ticked into the fabric wrapped around her waist.
"That would be me," the Imagin spoke. Her voice was melodious and mature-sounding. It was the kind of voice which could be very seductive when used properly.
"Ahh," Urataros nodded as he stepped forward to greet the new Imagin. "And just who might you be my beautiful lily?"
"Oh you flatter me," the Imagin giggled. It was obvious she was being a little flirty just as Urataros would be with any pretty girl.
"Great. Another pervert," Momotaros growled.
"I would hold my tongue if I were you, ogre!" the Imagin snapped. Her sudden reaction caused everyone save for Ranko to look at her. As if she was reading their minds, she pointed to her ears. "These do more than just accent my features."
"Okay, but who are you?" Ranma frowned, getting tense.
"My name is Tamamos, Ranma-sama," the Imagin introduced. She took the time to bow deeply. "I am the Imagin contracted to Ranko-hime."
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As Nodoka was helping Kasumi in the kitchen, a golden orb floated over her head. It had been looking for a host all day and had finally found one. The other girl in the room already had an Imagin with her, but the one in the kimono was clear. When the younger girl had her back turned, the orb darted into Nodoka's body without even her noticing. Now, all it would do was lie in waiting for the right time to manifest itself. This woman reeked of desperation and would obviously have a ton of wishes it could have fun with. Easy wishes were okay, but the fun ones were the best of all.
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"Ranko-hime?" Ranma blinked. He then realized that this wasn't the time to consider such things. "Never mind. Just how can you prove that I'm Ranko's father? I would be eight years old when she was born."
"Hmm, even more handsome but still dense," Tamamos sighed.
"Oi!" Momotaros growled.
"Do not insult Ranma-sama!" Kintaros growled.
"I was just making an observation," Tamamos retorted. She then looked to Ranma. "Ranko-hime is very much your daughter. You see, Ranko and I come from a future timeline."
"…." Ranma was silent as the reality of what was happening came crashing down on him. He looked down to Ranko, who was looking up at Ranma with hope in her eyes.
Ranma himself was finding himself a little panicked. He was a father, or at least going to be. He had to admit that this was pretty much the norm for him in Nerima since DenLiner came into his life.
"So you really are me daughter?" asked Ranma quietly.
"Uh-huh," Ranko hiccupped. "You're my papa."
Ranma felt like something heavy came down on his shoulders. This wasn't something he could fight his way out of like he could with the Imagin or delusional rivals. What was worse, if the fiancées got wind of Ranko's existence, they would either go on the warpath to get rid of Ranma for 'cheating' on them, or try every trick in the book to get Ranko to like them so they could get a leg up on the competition. Still, if there was one person in danger…
"Ranko," Ranma asked quietly. "What's your mother's name?"
"Um," Ranko frowned. "Onii-chan said I can't tell anyone 'cause that could hurt the timeline and if the other girls who want to be my mama find out then they would try to stop her from being my mama."
"That makes sense," Urataros nodded. "The fiancées do get somewhat jealous for an amazing number of reasons, even if some are imagined rather than real."
Ranma nodded. Urataros had a point. If the fiancées did hear that Ranko was his daughter and not theirs, they would start getting angry and demanding that they be told just who Ranko's mother is. They probably wouldn't even realize that they would be killing Ranko and her brother if they tried to browbeat this mystery girl away from him.
Wait a minute.
"Brother?!" Ranma gaped. "You mean I have a son running around here too?"
"That you do!" Tamamos giggled. "And I must say he's just as scrumptious as you are. A spitting image really. I do wonder what would happen if those fiancées of yours catch sight of him."
"Oh crap," Ranma gulped. That was eve worse. If whoever this guy was did look like Ranma, then the fiancées would be all over him demanding to get married. He looked down to Ranko again. "I think we'd better find your brother."
"Okay!" Ranko smiled. "I wanna see Onii-chan anyway."
Ranma nodded as he stood up and took Ranko's hand as she got up as well. He turned to the way that led to the kitchen before calling out to his mother.
"Hey, Mom!" he called. "I'm going to take Ranko to the playground. We'll be back for lunch."
"Okay, Ranma," Nodoka called back. "If you see Ranko's brother be sure to invite him too."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Ranma replied before he turned to his four companions and Ranko's adopted sister. "Coming?"
All five Imagin instantly changed into orbs of light before entering their respective hosts. When all the sand was clear, Ranko and Ranma headed to the front door to get their shoes. They had an older brother to find.
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Tenma was with Nabiki as they headed towards the Dojo. With them was Deneb who was walking close to Tenma for obvious reasons. Three female reasons that were one of the main headaches his father had to deal with.
"So, what brings you here, anyway?" Nabiki asked.
"Just taking my little sis to visit Pops," Tenma said offhandedly.
"You have a little sister?" she asked. Now this was even bigger news.
"Yup, and I told her to wait at the Tendo Dojo for me," he said. "I would have been with her if those three whackjobs hadn't jumped me thinking I was Pop."
"I do hope young Ranko is alright," Deneb said worriedly.
"Don't worry, Deneb," Tenma said. "She has Tamamos with her."
Nabiki quirked an eyebrow, "Tamamos? Your sis has an Imagin?"
"That's right," Tenma said. "And Tamamos is more or less like the sister my lil' sis never had. She will die protecting Ranko. That is all I know."
"I see," Nabiki nodded. "So, how did you get here? DenLiner?"
Tenma smirked mysteriously and said, "You'll see."
Nabiki, remembering that Tenma had come from the future, decided to ask, "So…anything you'd like to tell me about the future?"
Tenma gave her a look, "You want some info on the stock market and bets, don't you?" He shook his head and chuckled, "Just like the Auntie Nabs in my time, always looking for a way to make a Yen. Thank goodness Pops warned me about you."
Great. Ranma spoiled her fun yet again. Some things just never changed.
"Sorry, Auntie Nabs, but we can't tell you about the future. The timeline needs to be preserved and all that," Tenma explained. He added mentally, 'Plus, it's fun!'
"Can you stop calling me 'Auntie'?" she requested, frowning. "I'm not old, yet."
"Fine," Tenma sighed. "But you really don't look that old back home anyway."
"Good boy," Nabiki smirked. Apparently Tenma didn't suffer from the usual Saotome foot-in-mouth disease.
"That was a nice thing to say, Tenma," Deneb nodded approvingly. "I'm glad to see you're making the effort to make friends."
"Deneb," Tenma sighed. "I don't need coaching for making friends. How many times have I told you that?"
"Sixteen times," Deneb replied, missing the sarcasm. "It doesn't make it untrue though. Your mother would be very happy to know you're making a lot of friends."
"Yeah, I guess she would," Tenma sighed. Nabiki noted that he suddenly looked drained of energy. Had something happened to his mother? Better save that question for later.
The three travelers turned the corner which would lead them to the Tendo Dojo. As they were waling towards the front gate, they witnessed two people stepping out. One was none other than Ranma Saotome himself, but the other one was a red-haired little girl who was better known as Ranko.
"She looks just like Ranma in girl form when we had those mushrooms," Nabiki blinked.
"You've mentioned that now and again," Tenma snickered. He then started waving. "Hey, Ranko!"
The small girl instantly stopped and turned to see who was calling her name. When her eyes landed on the three, a bright smile appeared over her face before she dashed towards them.
"ONII-CHAN! DENEB-NII! AUNTIE NABS!" she cried happily before leaping into Tenma's arms, hugging her older brother tightly.
Ranma saw who Ranko was running towards and followed at a steady pace. As he got closer, he first looked to who Ranko loudly called her older brother. As Ranma looked him over, he had to admit that the boy was a real spitting image of him.
"Hey, Pops," Tenma grinned as he eyed his future father walking towards them.
"Yo," Ranma nodded. He was still feeling a little lost at the moment and meeting his future son was not helping at the moment. "You must be Ranko's brother."
"Tenma Saotome. That's me." Tenma nodded. He then pointed to Deneb who was standing behind them. "This is my Imagin, Deneb."
"Hello, Ranma-sama!" Deneb bowed deeply. As he got up, he fished out some more of his candy and held it out to Ranma. "Would you like some candy?"
"Okay," Ranma snickered as he took the confections. Offering food to him was a good way of making a friend out of him.
"Deneb…" Tenma frowned. "Are you going to do this to all my family members?"
"But we haven't met this Ranma before, Tenma," Deneb argued. "We must make a good impression or we won't have a chance at making good friends."
"Ugh," Tenma sighed sadly.
"Deneb-nii is really nice, Papa," Ranko smiled.
"I can see that," Ranma nodded. He then turned to look at Nabiki who seemed to be taking the entire situation in stride. "I take it he explained things to you."
"Oh yes," Nabiki nodded. She then looked sharply at Ranma, making the martial artist flinch. "He also told me that you informed him not to alert me of any future business moves. You and I will talk about that later, though."
"Great," Ranma muttered.
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Nodoka was busy getting some of the appetizers for lunch ready while Kasumi had gone to answer the phone. As she was working, she began to feel a strange tingling sensation. She took a moment to check herself and gasped in shock as sand began to fall from her sleeves. Where was it all coming from?
The sand piled up quickly before it seemed to move a little bit away from her. She received an even bigger shock when the body of some sort of creature rose from it while its legs dangled from the air.
The creature seemed to be covered in some kind of natural armor, but the right side was somewhat darker than the left side. Its face was mostly covered by either a mouth not unlike what a grasshopper face would look like on the left side while the right side appeared more like an ant's. Two different antennae appeared to be coming form its head as well. A long feeler was on the left side and it was slung over its back while the right side had one that was pointing forward. The legs were different as well. The left leg had a wing dangling from the waist that looked insect-like while a grasshopper leg jutted out from the side. The right side had something that looked more like a skinny ant leg.
"I can sense it," the creature spoke in a voice that sounded almost like two people talking as one. "You have a wish. Will you let me hear it? I have the power to make it come true, you know."
Nodoka was speechless.
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As Ranma and Nabiki were having their 'chat', Momotaros suddenly began screaming in his head.
'Ranma! There's an Imagin!' Momotaros cried.
"Where?" Ranma asked. The others with him knew he was communicating with one of his Imagin.
'It's coming from inside the house!' Momotaros told him.
"WHAT!?" Ranma shouted in shock, causing the others to jump.
"What's happening?" Ranko asked, fearing the worst.
"There's an Imagin back in the house!" Ranma exclaimed. Ranko gasped.
"Oh no! Auntie Kasumi and Gramma are still inside!" the little girl cried.
'Mom!' Ranma realized as he went straight for the Dojo, followed closely behind by his future kids, Nabiki and Deneb.
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"So, that is your wish," the Imagin nodded as Nodoka told it without thinking. "Very well." Its legs then vanished upwards as its upper body rose up, gaining color. It now stood at full height and solid and looked just as menacing as it had been before. The grasshopper side was green and the ant side was black.
Kasumi entered into the kitchen and let out a shocked scream. That was all Sieg needed before he exited from Kasumi's body, ready to fight. The Anthopper Imagin looked at Sieg disdainfully.
"So, one of the traitors," the Anthopper Imagin hissed. "This is becoming more fun."
"I shall not allow you to land a hand on my Princess!" Sieg proclaimed as he got into a battle stance. The Anthopper Imagin then produced a weapon that resembled a shovel.
Kasumi was immediately at Nodoka's side. "Auntie, we need to go!"
"W-what is going on?" Nodoka asked, seeing the two 'monsters' in front of her. "What are they?"
"I'll explain later but we have to go!" Kasumi cried as she yanked Nodoka to her feet and began pulling her away from the kitchen.
As Nodoka and Kasumi were escaping, the Saotome family and their friends were just entering the property. They didn't get far before the side of the house seemed to explode as Sieg and the Anthopper Imagin came barreling through the debris with weapons flashing. Sieg was using a boomerang and a small axe which looked majestic with feathers. The Anthopper Imagin was still using its shovel weapon to face off against him.
"Onii-chan!" Ranko cried. "Gramma and Auntie Kasumi are still inside!"
"I know, Ranko!" Tenma frowned. "Tamamos!"
The foxy Imagin appeared quickly in a flash of white energy. She had her whip in her hands and looked ready to fight.
"I am ready to fight, Tenma-sama," she spoke with an edge of malice.
"Forget that!" Tenma frowned. "You make sure Nabiki and Ranko are safe. I'll go get Auntie and Grandma."
"What about me, Tenma?" asked Deneb.
"You watch Pop's back until I get there," Tenma muttered to his Imagin. "I have a weird feeling about this one."
"Roger!" Deneb nodded.
"Less yakking and more fighting!" Ranma yelled as he dashed towards the fight between Sieg and the Anthopper Imagin. He summoned his Terminal Belt and in one swift motion, wrapped it around his waist.
"Momotaros! Let's go!" Ranma called as he pulled out his Hyper Pass and pressed the red button before bringing the pass over the symbol. "Henshin!"
"Sword Form!"
Ranma was engulfed in light before the Plat Form armor covered him. The red armor of his first form appeared over his body before the red peach slid down his face and locked into place. Den-O SF was now ready to rock! Grabbing the pieces of DenGasher, he constructed his sword in record time.
Sieg managed to block a heavy strike from his opponent before Den-O SF charged in with his sword raised.
"Outta my way, Bird-boy! I'm kicking some ass!" Den-O SF roared before he kicked the Anthopper Imagin back.
"Very well, peon," Sieg shrugged. "I must see to Princess anyway."
"WHAT?!" Den-O SF roared. "I told you not to call me that!"
Seig just snorted as he turned and began heading for the house. Den-O SF would have tried to get him, but the Anthopper Imagin was a better means of releasing his stress. Growling, he turned back to his opponent.
"Okay, now I'm really pissed off!" he growled. "Now this fight is starting at its climax!"
"Another traitor," the Anthopper Imagin said as he stared at Den-O SF. "All traitors should die."
"Shut your mouth, asshole!" Den-O SF exclaimed. "Because I'm at the climax right now!" Den-O SF swung down with his sword and the Anthopper Imagin dodged quickly before thrusting its weapon into Den-O SF's chest. Den-O SF was sent staggering before the Anthopper Imagin jumped up and kicked him in the chest hard before slashing with his shovel-sword. Den-O SF then charged at the Imagin and slashed with his sword and then threw his fist into the Imagin's face, before grabbing it by the head and giving it a strong headbutt. The Imagin was sent sprawling on the ground from the hit. Den-O SF then took out the Hyper Pass.
"Time for my hissatsu attack! Part 3!" Den-O SF announced as he placed the Pass over the belt buckle.
"Full Charge!" the belt announced as it sent energy into the DenGasher. The blade detached from the handle and then Den-O SF swung it down to slice the Imagin in half. The Imagin got up and the blade went down right down the middle of its body. Den-O SF thought it was all over but then the Imagin did something shocking. Both halves of its body got back up and then started to grow new halves. One Imagin was a full green Grasshopper Imagin and the other was a Black Ant Imagin.
'Didn't see THAT coming,' Ranma said.
"Then let's chop them into pieces!" Den-O SF shouted as he directed the flying blade at them again.
"Don't think so!" the Grasshopper Imagin said as he produced a weapon that resembled a violin. It produced a bow and then began to play it. The violin produced a powerful shockwave that sent the blade of the DenGasher back and at Den-O SF. Den-O SF leapt out of the way as the blade imbedded itself into the ground. The Ant Imagin then acted quickly and slashed at Den-O with his shovel-sword.
"Gah!!" Den-O SF cried as he stumbled back. "Kuso!"
Deneb decided to help and pointed his fingers at the Grasshopper Imagin, shooting at it. The Imagin used its violin-like weapon as a shield before it lunged at Deneb. Deneb took a hard hit in the head and kick to the chest. The Grasshopper Imagin chuckled, "Time to meet your end, like all traitors do…"
From near the entry of the house, Tenma saw the sudden reversal of the battle that his father and 'brother' were fighting in.
"Aw man," he frowned. "Just perfect."
Taking another look at the house, he started running towards the battle where the Grasshopper Imagin and the Ant Imagin were slowly walking towards Den-O SF and Deneb with deadly laughter coming from their throats.
"Oi! Bug-faces!" Tenma called as soon as he got close enough to the battle.
"Eh?" the Ant Imagin grunted. "Go away, gaki, before we kill you too," it warned.
'What is he doing?!' Ranma cried out.
"Afraid I can't do that folks," Tenma snickered before he reached behind his back and pulled out a belt. It was gray and there was a case on the side which seemed to be holding something. The buckle was black with a round circle in the middle with green and yellow lines running through it. A button and a switch rested on the top of the buckle.
"What the-?!" Den-O SF cried in shock.
In a flash of movement, Tenma wrapped the belt around his waist. He then reached to the case on his belt and pulled out a black card that had some green lines running across it. His smirk remained as he reached to the belt and pushed the switch to the right which began a strange flute tune.
"Henshin!" Tenma called before he took the card and slid it into the right side of the buckle. The end of the card could be seen on the opposite side of the belt, but the green lines connecting it made it look like the letter A.
"Altair Form!" the buckle called loudly.
There was a green flash of light which enveloped Tenma for a moment. When it was gone, he was covered in a bodysuit which was mostly black. The shoulders were green and stuck out slightly while there were gold bands on the wrists with green gloves and gray gauntlets. A blade and a handle appeared on opposite sides of the belt. There was nothing on his chest and there were only silver boots on his feet. His helmet was black with a silver moutguard and yellow tracks running down over his eyes.
When the initial suit was finished, armor began appearing over his body before attaching to him. Y-shaped yellow tracks appeared in the centre of his chest and back while green armor took either side of the tracks on both front and back. A mooing sound echoed through the air as two bull heads traveled down the tracks on his helmet before stopping over his eyes. The bull noses shifted underneath the green centers while the horns were encased in green plating, becoming a visor for him.
"Ha!" Tenma cried as he shot his hand into the air. A bolt of lightning hit the ground between the two Riders, Deneb, and the Imagin, forcing the Imagin back and giving both Den-O SF and Deneb time to get back on their feet.
"Let me say this from the beginning," Tenma spoke as he pointed at the Imagin lazily. "I am VERY strong!"
Zeronos had arrived.