TRTSS29: The War between Chaos and Order! – By DSWynne
Disclaimer: R ½, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special Note: This story takes place somewhere in present time.
Part 2
A few days later…
"And you want to work for the 'The Daily Tokyo', Mister…?" asked the newspaper editor.
"Ranma Saotome, sir," said Ranma, as he adjusts his glasses. Super-Ranma decided to use his memories of the famed newspaper reporter, Clark Kent. Thanks to some mental techniques he has learned over the years, Super-Ranma knows who he is. Hopefully, those techniques will help him utilize his new "Super-Genius" to solve the present crisis…
That is why Ranma was having a meeting with the editor-in-chief Peri Hawaito, who was a veteran journalist from back in the day.
"And I see that you attend the Nekomi Institute of Technology as a 'Multi-Media and Graphic Design' major."
"Yes, sir," Ranma said. "I'm into web-design, mostly. I do have an extensive 'blogging' back, and I am a member of the Journalism Club…"
"I see," the editor said. "Well, we don't have many openings for a regular reporter, but I could hire you on an assignment-by-assignment basis."
"That could work," Ranma said with a broad smile.
"Then, you're hired," the newspaper editor said, as he gets up from his seat. He then sticks his head out the window of his office.
"Miss Rein!" said the editor. "Get in here…"
A minute later, an attractive brunette comes storming into the office.
"Peri, I have a story that could put this 'rag' on the map, and you are calling me here for…?" said the woman.
"Roisuko, this is your partner for your assignment," Peri said. "His name is Ranma Saotome, and I want you to show him the ropes."
"Ranma, huh?" Roisuko said, as she looked at Ranma with a discerning eye.
"Yes, Miss Rein," Ranma said, as he extends his hand in friendship.
"Humph. Fine, but if he breaks anything, it's coming out of the company, not my wallet."
"Why would I break anything?" Ranma said with a confused look on his face.
"Whatever, just get my story," Peri said, as he sits back down.
"Whatever you say, chief," Roisuko said, as she gives one final glare before leaving the office.
"And don't call me 'chief'!" Peri yelled.
"Um, and thanks again, Mr. Hawaito," Ranma waved meekly, as he waves at his new boss, before leaving his office…
"Okay, I got information on an interesting development," Roisuko said, as she typed on her computer. "Apparently, there is an 'Alexis Usagino'."
"Who?" Ranma asked.
"That is the million yen question. According to my sources, Alexis is the half-sister of billionaire industrialist Alexander Luthor. Apparently, her mother, a princess from Crescent Island, from the Village Hidden in the Moon, and Lex's father had a fling."
"That is interesting," Ranma said, as he produced a sweat drop on the back his head. He realized that whatever was happening to him, happened to-
"Miss Rein!" said a younger man, as he presents a few photographs in an exposed envelope to Roisuko.
"What is it, Jimi?" Roisuko asked.
"I got those photos you wanted," Jimi Orusen said. He then turned towards Ranma.
"Hey, you must be the new guy. My name is Jimi Orusen."
"Um, hi," Ranma replied.
"He's an intern here," Roisuko said. "Well, it looks like we might have an opportunity to see Miss Usagino in person."
"How is that?" Ranma asked.
"I got us some tickets to tonight's gala that the Mishima Zaibatsu was hosting. Apparently, Miss Usagino will be proposing a joint-venture that could put GENOM in the front seat for advanced robotics, cybernetic and bionic technology."
"Can I come, Miss Rein?" Jimi asked. "Can I?"
"That's why I got us another ticket."
"That's so cool!"
"So, you got any decent clothes to wear, minnow?" Roisuko asked.
"What's wrong with what I am wearing?" Ranma asked with a frown.
"Because, I want to look my best, you know. So, should you meet me here, or do I have to pick you up?"
"I can be here, Roisuko."
"Good to hear…"
Meanwhile, at the Tokyo branch of LexCorp, an intense conversation was taken place…
"I swear to GOD, that I'm going to get you for this, Usagi!" yelled Lex Luthor, as he spoke over a secured communication channel, via holographic projection.
"I don't see why you're upset, Lex," Usagi said, as she was choosing which wig to wear for the afternoon. "You've always wanted me to be on YOUR side, when it comes to your…scrapes with Superman. Besides, I got the bald head thing going."
"Flattery will get you NO where. But you took controlling interest of the Far East Division of LexCorps from me."
"Look, you're still getting the lion-share of all revenue from sales of military technology. I'm simply using your resources for my own…purposes."
"Yes, I've heard that you are in a domestic dispute with that husband of yours," Luthor replied.
"Not a domestic dispute. For reason, I believe that Ranma needs to be defeated. I don't understand it myself, but as soon as I defeat him and the other Ranma(s), then I will prove myself that I don't need him to justify my existence."
"That sounds interesting, but I still should do something about you. I mean, you and I both know that the press release you put out about your background is phony."
"Of course it is. I couldn't well tell the world who I really am. And besides, everyone knows that you're a super-villain anyway."
"I'm retired from that line of work."
"Sure, you are. And I happen to dislike sundaes. Look, at the very least, this will be entertainment for you."
"I suppose you're right. Besides, knowing your background, I'm sure you'll introduce some advanced systems."
"I'm sure," Alexis said drolly, thinking that the remote switches she will be installing in all LexCorps Weapon Systems will do much to put weapons proliferation in check…
"Alright, alright," Luthor said. "I'll have the contracts drawn up, so that you will be given full authority over the Tokyo Division."
"Thanks," Alexis replied, as she presents Lex her choice of wigs. "So, Lex, should I go as 'Cher' or 'Lady Gaga'?"
"Like I care what you put on your head…"
Meanwhile…
"Look!" said Ami. "Up in the sky!"
"It's a bird!" Minako said.
"No, it's a plane," Makoto replied.
"It's Ranma in a 'Superman' costume," Rei said with a smirk, as Super-Ranma lands on the steps of the Hakawa Shrine's Cherry Hill Temple.
"'Sup," Super-Ranma said. "I need to ask you-"
"We know why you are here, Ranma," Rei said. "In fact, we were about to call you as soon we learned what happened to Usagi."
"What happened?"
"Well, we got together for our senshi meeting, when suddenly, she was struck by lightning. When the smoke cleared, she was gone."
"'Gone'?" Super-Ranma replied.
"Yes," Ami said. "Did something happen to you like that?"
"Yes, except I didn't disappear from where I was."
"So what happened to you anyway?" Makoto said.
"And why are you dressed like Superman?" Minako asked.
"I don't know why it happened, but I became near-duplicates of the members of the Justice League and the Avengers."
"Well, that explains the duplicate energy spikes," Ami said.
"The question is what happened to the Moon Princess," Artemis said.
"And where is Usagi now?" Luna said.
"I might have an idea of what happened to her, but I am still discerning some clues," Super-Ranma said.
Suddenly, Ami's Mercury Computer sounds off.
"I'm picking up a teleportation signal," Ami said. "Located: Downtown."
And then, a huge explosion could be heard in the direction of Downtown Tokyo.
"It looks like you were right," Super-Ranma said, as he used his X-Ran vision to see what was going on…
"Oh, boy," Super-Ranma said, as he started to sweat.
"What is it?" Minako asked.
"You don't want to know," Super-Ranma said, as he took to the skies. Destination: Downtown Tokyo…
Bizzaro Super-Usagi was tearing up the streets of Downtown Tokyo, when Super-Ranma appeared.
"Me use love to not conquer all!" Bizzaro Super-Usagi said, as she used her "Ice Vision" to freeze the fleeing people into place without killing them. "Don't let me show you!"
"Hey, Usagi," Super-Ranma said, as he floated down toe ground. "You really ought to cool it."
"Bad idea!" Bizzaro Super-Usagi said, as she opened her mouth, and expelled her "Heat Beam" from her mouth.
"Whoa," Super-Ranma said, as he withstood the blast. Bizzaro Super-Usagi then tried to tackle Super-Ranma, only to have the Last Son of Nerima flip over, and flip Bizzaro Super-Usagi onto her back.
"Don't let me up!" Bizzaro Super-Usagi said in anger.
"Babe, I know that you're in there," Super-Ranma said gently.
"You know what you are talking about!"
"Oh, but I do," Super-Ranma said, as he gave Bizzaro Super-Usagi a deep kiss…
"Me hate that," Bizzaro Super-Usagi said with a sigh. "Don't kiss me like that again."
"I will, but only if you surrender."
"Me won't surrender…"
Meanwhile, back at LexCorps…
"It appears that the test has proved to be fruitful, Alexis," said Brainiac Usagi, as the nodes on her forehead sparked with activity. "The bizarre duplicate has failed, but has proven a theory of ours."
"Yes, but dealing with my husband will be…difficult," Alexis said. "Already, I want to surrender, just to melt in his arms."
"There is still the possibility that we can defeat him."
"I know, which is why I want to formulate a plan to rid our love for Ranma, by any means necessary."
"I shall formulate the means to succeed in that endeavor…"
Meanwhile, back at the Tendo residence…
"Akane, thank for going shopping with me," said Wasp-Ranko, as she brought in bags of female garments into the house.
"Um, my pleasure?" Akane replied, as she brought in her own bags.
"I can't believe I don't have that many clothes to wear and few outfits for my 'curse'," Wasp-Ranko said. "I mean, look at me. Don't have the figure to wear the latest fashion?"
"Ranma, look, I kind of feeling uncomfortable with you accepting this…version of you," Akane said. "I don't want a wife; I want my husband back, macho jerk and all."
"Oh, I see," Wasp-Ranko said apprehensively. "It's just that I would think that after all this time, you would accept me in every way."
"I do, Ranma. It's just that it's hard to cope with the madness that surrounds you all the time."
"Really?"
"Really. Look, I'll fix us some lunch, and we can have some girl-talk."
"Um, sure," Wasp-Ranko said with a smile. "I appreciate that."
Pause.
"But I JUST got to try these outfits though," Wasp-Ranko said, as she gathers her bags and heads for the bedroom. "Be back shortly."
And, with that, Wasp-Ranko leaves the living room…
Akane sighs, as she goes to the kitchen, where she sees American Ranma having hamburgers for lunch.
"Hey," American Ranma said between bites.
"See?" Akane said. "I warned you about being so Americanized, with your blond hair and rigged good looks."
"I'm still the same Ranma, Miss Tendo," American Ranma said. "And then some."
"Don't call me 'Miss Tendo', Ranma. I'm wife."
"For better or for worse?"
"Through sickness and health," Akane said, as she kissed American Ranma's cheek.
"What was that for?"
"Just to remind you that I am your wife and that expect you and the others to solve this crisis soon. I'm not going to be married to different versions of you, you know."
"Huh."
"So, what's the progress?"
"Well, we all decided to separate and track down the source of the trouble that caused our present predicament, using the new memories. Also, Iron Ranma is setting up shop at Stark Enterprises, much to Tony Stark's chagrin, while Bat Ranma has taken over the property on the outskirts of town, the one that overlooks Tokyo."
"Let me guess: where he can set up his 'Bat Cave', huh?" Akane scoffed.
"Yeah," American Ranma said with a chuckle while sweating. "Isn't that ridiculous?"
Meanwhile, in the Bat Cave, Bat Ranma broods…
"Thanks to the progress we all have been making, I have deduced that some outside force is causing our present predicament," Bat Ranma said into voice recognition software, as he looks at the monitoring screen that had both an image of the streets of Tokyo, as well as a computer screen. "Therefore, using the efforts of the Martian Ranma and the Ranzanna will be the next phase in this investigation. Meanwhile, thanks to Super-Ranma's deductive skills, we have concluded that the intended threat is my wife Usagi, who may or may not be the source of the trouble, but is certainly playing the role of the villain."
Pause.
"Furthermore, the problem has increased exponentially, with more pseudo doppelgangers appearing. Whoever is behind this problem is clearly taking advantage of Usagi and I's ability to create one thousand and one doppelgangers, and is grafting the memories of old colleagues and allies onto these doppelgangers. Furthermore, while there aren't any new super-powers being produced in these clones, this same process is using my existing powers and abilities to mimic these 'new powers'. For example, Super-Ranma's ability to generate flight is based upon the training involving chi-manipulation, while the ability generate heat vision is nothing more than a form of 'fire elemental jutsu', or martial arts chakra manipulation. Making matters worse, each doppelganger is restricted to the power set of the original. For example, I cannot generate a ki-based technique as 'Bat Ranma', and my strength levels are restricted to that of an intense athlete.
And then there is Usagi.
My hypothesis is that due to her varied abilities, which exceed my own, will be restricted as well. Although she will be truly dangerous, it is my hope that Usagi's core personality will not allow her to harm an innocent, no matter how aggressive the grafted personality is…"
As Bat Ranma continues to ponder his thoughts, he notices in one of the many monitors that a bank robbery was in progress. He squint his eyes, upon recognition of the culprit…
A few minutes later…
"Come ye, come ye, come one and all!" said Joker Usagi, as she thumped her chest while her goons tied the customers and bank tellers at First National Trust of Tokyo. "I shall liberate your money from your oppressive wallet."
"This is intolerable!" said the bank manager. "We should have a safe and respectable society free of criminal scum!"
"Intolerable? My dear bank manager, worrying about being groped in a subway car full of men SHOULD be intolerable, and yet no one is willing to do anything about it."
Pause.
"I bet you are part of THAT problem. Perhaps if you look at things MY way, you can appreciate the irony of a society who prides on respectability, and yet tolerates degradation of femininity…"
Joker Usagi turns to everyone else.
"Observe, how the façade of hypocrisy falters, when one is forced to reveal their inner truth," Joker Usagi said, as she produces a green balloon in hand.
"Now watch this next trick…"
With that, Joker Usagi pops the green balloon in front of the bank manager's face. A gas is released, as Joker Usagi stands back.
"What…what…hee…HA…HA…HAHAHAHA!"
"You can stop laughing like DON-KEY, if you tell me what you really do to get your kicks," Joker Usagi said.
"Okay, okay!" the bank manager said, as he struggled not to laugh. "I…I like buying used undergarments from vending machines! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
"Success!" Joker Usagi said, as she threw up confetti into the air before blowing a whistle blower. "As you can see, hypocrisy has been revealed-"
Suddenly, Bat Ranma falls through the glass ceiling.
"And here is its defender, my husband the Bat," Joker Usagi said. "Boys?"
With that, the Joker Usagi's goons circle Bat Ranma, before a fight ensues…
Tbc.