Disclaimer; This fanfiction uses existing ideas, characters and or worlds, but is an independent work of art. I own nothing, hence the reason for publishing my writings here instead of in real books where I could make some money.
Nestled in the quaint little suburbs in the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, we find the home of Gina, Brianna and Britanny Diggers … the last mentioned Diggers sister was currently in a strange situation.
As per usual, every few days Penny would bring her bodyguard, Charlotte, over for lessons in how to fight … that day was such a day, but the situation was nowhere near the same as it usually was.
Sure, Penny immediately took a seat to observe that she got her money's worth, like she always did when she chose to do so, which was not all that often, as she didn't find fighting interesting enough to watch and thus training to fight would not be all that fun.
Sure, Britanny had prepared for the lesson in her usual way, which was really just to play it by ear. But this had worked very well thus far, so she wasn't the least bit ashamed for not trying to figure out a better lesson plan.
Sure, Charlotte was as eager as usual, bouncing in place while wearing the padding on head and hands. Learning how to protect her boss and caregiver was one of the things that she really put her all into, and she enjoyed getting stronger and better, which was the reason she was bouncing, because her childlike levels of energy and enthusiasm could not be contained properly.
However, Charlotte was not her usual physical self, nor was she dressed the same.
What the excited harpy was wearing was a bright pink maternity dress that ended just before the knees.
However odd this would have looked, Britanny wouldn't have put it past Charlotte to wear it simply because she liked the colour, regardless of what style the clothes were, or if the clothes had a specific occasion. But in this case, the clothes looked to fit the occasion, as Charlotte's belly was protruding much like a pregnant woman in her third trimester.
It was because of this that Britanny had been flabbergasted.
"Er …"
"Ask away," sighed Penny. "I know I would …"
"Why did you let her gorge herself on nuts again?" Britanny blurted. "You knew she had her final test today!"
"I haven't let her near any sort of peanut, hazelnut or walnut since the incident with Dark Bird," protested Penny.
Indeed, that episode had been very nerve-racking. During the dogfight between a Boeing 477 and a cargo plane with missiles, and rail guns, Charlotte had eaten enough peanuts and pretzels to make her stomach bulge and give her a severe case of abdominal pains, which caused a passenger doctor to jump to the conclusion that she was going into labour and because she had been given insufficient information about the birds and the bees, she exclaimed that she wanted a baby, because she believed she was having one based on what the doctor told her. The doctor interpreted the desire as a wish to keep the baby, and shared this news with the entire plane … when they landed Charlotte had become deeply disappointed when Penny had explained that she was not having a baby, but had simply eaten too much, and the doctor was disappointed because he had missed out on a chance to deliver what he believed to be the greatest medical discovery in the century, the birth of a semi-human by another semi-human.
"Then, what's wrong with her?" asked Britanny.
"She got knocked up, is what's wrong with her," Penny muttered. "She doesn't want to tell me who the father is … wants to tell him first."
"She's WHAT?"
"I mean, she's knocked up, pregnant, gravid, has a bun in the oven, she is expectant, preggers, in the family way, with child, spawning, breeding-"
"STOP! I get it!" interrupted Britanny, shaking her hands desperately, hoping to end what promised to become a long recital of synonyms. "But she can't fight in her condition, something could happen to the baby."
"Oh!" Charlotte exclaimed. "Wait!"
With excited hands, Charlotte pulled the maternity dress over her head, revealing her usual outfit of a green one-piece bathing suit with a diamond shape cut out at her abundant cleavage. What was strange was that the bathing suit was not filled out like it should be with a pregnant woman … there was instead a large pouch strapped to her abdomen, which was making the bulge on the dress.
Carefully, and with a mother's touch, Charlotte handed the pouch over to Penny, who apparently knew what she was supposed to do, namely keep it close, keep it safe and keep it warm … or else.
Charlotte took a moment to make sure Penny had gotten it right before nodding and skipping back onto the mat, where she bounced in place.
Britanny was once more stunned into momentary silence.
Why hadn't she expected this before? Charlotte was as much a mammal as she was an avian, why hadn't she considered the possibility of her student having avian traits in the later stages of her reproduction process?
Clearly, the shell would have had to have been softer and more elastic when it was forced from Charlotte, because she had not shown any signs of discomfort or lingering pain usually associated with mothers who just recently pushed an entire little person from their uterus through an opening that only through great pain and tearing of flesh was able to just barely accommodate them. No, Charlotte was as healthy and cheerful as always, if not with an added glow of expectancy, not unlike a child the day before Christmas, knowing there is at least one great present waiting for them.
The egg must simply have hardened and thickened after being expelled from the womb, forming the shape it was at that moment.
Ever since that dogfight, Charlotte had gotten somewhat wistful, thinking about having a baby of her own, but lacking the manpower to get one. She had asked several strangers, but most of them had literally run away screaming from her bluntness … sure, hardly any man would pass up the first part of the process, but it was the rest that scared the wits out of them, because it more or less sealed them in a life they had not been prepared for … the only one Britanny could recall hadn't run away was Ranma when Charlie asked him at the Explorer's Society Banquet, who had after the initial shock told her in a kind tone that he wasn't ready for such a commitment, but maybe he would be at a later date.
"Come on!" exclaimed an impatient Charlotte. "Let's begin!"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Britanny raised her guard. She could ask more questions later.
"Okay, Charlie," she started seriously. "It's time to pass the test and get your official Cheetah's School of Martial Arts, genuine Gucca, a$#-kickin' gloves! Just like the ones I wear!" this last was added in a chirpy tone, denoting affection for the articles of clothing.
Charlotte cheered in excitement. She had been looking forward to getting those gloves as proof of her being a good bodyguard since Britanny introduced the idea to her.
"I reserve my judgement until I've seen the results," muttered Penny from the sidelines … however, uncharacteristic of her personality, Charlotte sent a quick glare at her to make Penny resume her duties as the human incubator. Penny couldn't help but squeak and reinforced her efforts to keep the egg warm through the pack and padding surrounding the egg.
"Well, I'll be going extra hard on Charlie-girl today just to show you how much she's improved," assured Britanny. "Ready, grasshopper?"
With a surprisingly vigilant nod, Charlotte raised her arms in preparation for their use.
Britanny started the spar with an overhead swing of her fist. Her elbow was blocked by Charlotte's forearm.
A high-speed elbow to the chest was stopped by both of Charlotte's forearms raised in a cross for bracing.
"Are you gonna block all day, Charlie, or are we gonna-"
-Ker-Biff!-
Britanny didn't even see the gloved fist before it struck her nose with enough force to instantly bruise said facial protrusion.
While she was in pain, Britanny did an excellent job of keeping her composure.
"Okay, Miss Lucky Punch! Time to turn up the heat!" exclaimed the bruised werecheetah. "Please excuse my speed!"
-Biff!-Baf!-Baf!-
Contrary to Britanny's promise, it wasn't her that dished out the pain, it was Charlotte who three more consecutive times landed single-handed punches on the exact same spot as the first, and with enough blunt force to stagger the spotted woman and colour the bruising even more distinctly through the fur on her face. And it had all taken place before Britanny even managed to wind up her fists for the promised pain.
"WHY YOU!" Britanny screamed in anger, forgetting that she was supposed to be the understanding sensei.
-Biff!-Baf!-
"OOO YOU'RE GETTIN' IT!"
"Time out!" called Penny from her seat, which she dared not leave because of the look Charlotte had sent her earlier.
"WHAT?"
"I think we all need a time out," announced Penny as cheerfully as she could. "Especially you, Cheetah …"
Said werecheetah snorted as she tried reigning in her anger and patch up her bruised ego.
"I must say, Charlie," continued Penny kindly. "I see an extraordinary improvement in your coordination, speed and technique … far beyond my expectations …" she added. "Kudos to you, Britanny! You've actually taught Charlie how to defend herself! And very well, I might add …"
"Oh, yeah …" agreed the already healed Britanny uncertainly. "That means I'm a good "sensei," doesn't it."
Charlotte, on the other hand was very excited, and couldn't help but make an exclamation.
"Does this mean I've earned my butt-kickin' gloves?"
To the harpy's glee, Britanny produced the green three-fingered gloves specially made for her, as the lack of fingers testified to.
"Here you go, Charlie-girl," said Britanny proudly now that she'd gotten a better perspective of what her previous pain meant. "Your very own tailor made "buttkickin'" gloves … the equivalent of two dozen black belts in kung fu!"
Charlotte could not contain a squeal of excitement as she accepted them.
"Wear 'em proud!" Britanny added to sound dramatic.
For a moment, Charlotte lost herself in daydreams of beating the snot out of Peewee's minions and Penny exclaiming that Charlotte was the bestest bodyguard ever … but when she came out of it and wore the gloves, she jumped Britanny in what could uncannily resemble an Amazon glomp.
"Oh, Britanny!" squealed the harpy happily. "Thank you for making me tough and strong!"
"Hey, take it easy kiddo!" laughed the werecheetah. "And besides, you earned it …"
Charlotte skipped away from the embrace to strap the "egg pouch" back around her stomach, taking extra care not to be too rough with it now that she had confirmed that she was stronger than before. After all, what padding was in it could only shield so much before any outside force passed through to the egg.
When the egg was back in place, the maternity dress was pulled back on, and smoothed out … no one would be able to tell that she had a large egg under there, unless they snuck a peak, not a swollen belly.
"Well, come along, bodyguard," chirped Penny as she started into the hallway. "We've got appointments to keep today …"
Before Charlotte managed to answer, a swirling green portal sprung into being before them, depositing the rest of the Diggers family, and their guests.
"We're here," announced Dr Diggers needlessly, but focused more on his wife than anyone else … and considering that she was in his arms, carried bridal style … that was not a bad thing.
"Oh, hi Brit'!" greeted Julia Diggers from her comfortable position. The bandages around her head, the sling her right arm was in and all the Band-Aids covering her visible flesh did nothing to display good health.
"Thanks for the lift, dad," said Gina, sporting her usual clothes, which looked a tad rumpled. "We've got it from here."
"Say hello to the newest Weapons-Master of Jade!" cheered Brianna, making sure to squeeze Ranma a little extra to show whom she spoke of.
"You're back! You're- wait … Mom didn't win?" asked Britanny, shocked.
"Sure she did!" assured Gina. "She's regained her honour and the title of Arms-Master of Jade! We'll give you every detail later, but it's been a long night, and we all just want to get some sleep, right?"
"Oh, dibs on cuddling with Ranma this time!" interrupted Lydia before any of the others could agree with the only human in the harem.
"No fair," complained Sheila. "You've had him since before he came back to Jade! Let the new girl have some intimate time with him!"
"Hanza isn't attracted to men," commented Beebee. "She isn't even a part of our little "Harem" so why should she get to spend the night with him?"
"I was talking about me!" Sheila corrected.
"Settle down, ladies," interrupted Brianna before things got out of hand. "There's no need to fight, we already set up a sched- hey, who fed Charlotte with nuts? I thought we weren't supposed to …"
"No, silly," snickered Charlotte, suddenly blushing. "It's my baby!"
"What?" was the general question.
"Are you sure?" was another question asked, which was reasonable due to previous misunderstandings.
"Who's the father?" was the question Julia sensibly asked.
"Ranma is the daddy," was the giggled answer to the last question.
Silence.
One could have heard a tiny wad of cotton hitting another from a short distance in the deafening silence that followed the answer.
Ranma, who was by no means prepared for this, did what any other man would have done in his situation … he took a spontaneous nap without lying down first, but wasn't roused by his impact with the ground, proving that when he wanted a nap, no force could wake him.
In a dark cell, Tirant was brooding over his defeat.
It wasn't the tall, strong and dark Weapons-Master that had him this inwardly focused, but the werecat that shredded Bain's Security System with as much ease as most people blink.
Speaking of blinking, Tirant couldn't help but do so when he returned to his cell from his wandering mind.
Where were his restraints?
Before he started brooding, his arms had been locked in place behind his back with a sort of energy restraints that held his arms in place while forming a cross on the front and back.
Where were his cellmates?
G'Nolga and Array had shared his cell, and he had not heard anything about them being moved to another cell.
And since when was the outside of the cell darker than outer space? Before, light had poured from the cracks in the door, and the barred window across from the cell, but now, there looked to be nothing but the cell in the entire world.
-Boom!-
The sound of a large door slamming shut caused Tirant to turn around.
Nothing could be seen beyond the bars of his cell, but he still got the distinct feeling that he was being watched … much in the same way a mouse must feel when it knows there is a python nearby, waiting for the right moment to spring into action.
While nothing could be seen, Tirant knew that something was out there somewhere … watching him.
A metallic tinkle, like that of chains rustling, caused Tirant to turn again, and yet again, nothing was seen apart from the scant remnants of a set of chains that were attached to the wall.
This was getting nerve-racking. Whatever this was, it must have already gotten Array and G'Nolga. It was the only possible way those two could have been removed from the cell.
A snort from behind him made Tirant turn quickly again to find nothing.
What had the Northern Edge Guard let in there with him?
Was this some sort of psychological torture to make him pay for his participation in the plot to disgrace the Arms-Master and take over the Realm?
Why did the cell suddenly get that much hotter? Even summers in Florida didn't get this hot!
Suddenly, a sharp pain raked across his right shoulder.
Four thin, deep lines of blood started trickling through the four neatly cut gashes in his robe.
Instinctively, Tirant brought his left hand to stop the bleeding of the paper-thin cuts. Looking at the wounds, he was amazed, through the stinging pain flooding his mind, at how much blood was seeping through his fingers, soaking into his clothes and dripping onto the stone floor.
Even now, the cell was empty apart from the injured Tirant.
The pain was slowly dulling, one of the advantaged of having experienced a lot of pain during his days as a teenage superhero with his parents before their meaningless and anonymous deaths. He had experienced pain before, and thus was able to tone it out after a while. But this kind of terror had never plagued him before, even by the villain that killed his parents and turned him away from the life of a crime-fighter.
A gust of cool air blew through the cell, blissfully chilling Tirant's face to a more tolerable level.
Immediately following this gust of wind, pain blossomed from his other arm.
"Aaargh!" Tirant screamed in agony as the pain of a nearly completely mangled arm flooded his mind.
A deep growl sounded from behind, immediately drowning out the torturous screams of his nerve endings, and Tirant turned only to find himself face-to-face with the source of his previous brooding … only a hair's width away, and a burning fury behind his eyes.
Tirant was terrified beyond reason. Standing before him was the werecat that had torn through the Bain Security System like they weren't even a threat … the werecat that was completely unaffected by the Power Drain … the werecat that distracted him enough to let that blasted Gina Diggers tear control of the ship from him. There were one or two subtle differences. First off, the fire behind the werecat's eyes was visible through them and had to be what heated the cell, and then the dark pants the werecat wore seemed more tattered and singed, revealing the black mage suit beneath.
Tirant wanted to flee, to get as far away from this creature as possible … but fear had him frozen in place, completely immobilised and unable to feel the pain in his arms.
"You - hurt - THEM!"
Tirant was barely able to make any sense of what the creature growled, being mostly out of his mind with fear, but after the statement had been repeated a few times, the message sunk in … along with several more shallow gashes cut into him along his torso.
"Gurk!"
Albeit not articulate, this was the only thing Tirant was able to say when the werecat grabbed him by the neck and lifted him into the air, a remarkable feat considering Tirant towered over the werecat by at least a foot and a half and hardly even looked like he was strong enough to carry a grudge. How the creature managed to appear face-to-face with him in the first place was even a mystery with their height difference.
Futilely, Tirant tried to claw his way out of the grasp on his neck, but the hand wouldn't budge and didn't even seem to take any damage. The same held true for the kicks Tirant managed to get in while struggling to break free … it was like kicking and scratching an iron statue.
What had become a mantra for the werecat was repeated once more, with more conviction and force as the free hand wound up for a punch … only what was normally a fist was formed like a spear.
Faster than the eye could follow, the spear-hand shot for Tirant's chest.
This was it … the werecat would tear him apart like he had done the orbs of Bain, starting with his heart … there was no salvation, only death …
"Gah!"
Tirant shot up from where he had been resting against the bars that made up their cell.
His face, and the rest of him, was soaked in sweat, and every part of him that had gotten injured by the werecat still throbbed. He was confused, scared and breathing hard.
"It was a dream …" he finally breathed in relief as he felt the cool breeze from the open, barred window wash over him. "A nightmare …"
"So you had a bad dream, Tirant," muttered G'Nolga sullenly from her corner of the cell. "That's no reason to get your panties in a bunch … just stop talking … I shouldn't have listened to you in the first place when you told me of your plans …"
"Was it the death of your parents, again?" asked Array, trying to console her boyfriend with a hug … a difficult feat considering all their arms had been secured to their backs with two bands of energy crisscrossing over their back and front while holding their arms to prevent leverage.
Array had asked because it happened on occasion that Tirant awoke during the night from seeing his parents die at the hand of a madman again.
"No," admitted Tirant reluctantly … it wasn't very manly to reveal weaknesses about himself, but the secret was out, so there was no harm in making sure those that knew were correctly informed. "It was that damned werecat … if that is what he truly is …"
"What else would he be?" snapped G'Nolga. "You saw him, he was covered in fur and had feline characteristics including a tail and sharp ears … so strong … so … manly …"
"He tore through those drones like they were mist!" argued Tirant. "Even the strongest of the magic users couldn't put a scratch on them, and the werelion wasn't able to do the same with his weapons! He's not supposed to be able to do what he did unless-" Tirant paused in his rant to think over what he had been about to say. "… unless he is a God, or has one of the other Arcs …"
"He couldn't be," Array argued gently. "If he was a divine creature, he would not intervene in mortal affairs, least of all in such a blatant display as the one you described … and if he had one of the other Arcs, would he have bothered allowing the others to do all the work in finding the Command Throne? He could just have transported everyone into his own Arc and transported them back into the real world with a thought … he would have given his group that thing you gave G'Nolga, or that armour you gave Hanza!"
"Not necessarily …" protested Tirant in a pondering tone. "He could have made himself appear weaker to make others around him drop their guard around him, then accessed the Power of the Arc when he felt he had to … oh, this creature is a genius at military strategy … there is simply no other explanation …"
"… so strong …" muttered G'Nolga in a dreamy tone from her corner, having a faraway look on her face.
"Talking about our newest Weapons-Master, I hear …" commented a smooth voice from the door.
Thropan the werepanther entered the room and stayed out of arms' reach of the cell.
"Just remember that any confessions you make now will be admissible as evidence …" he continued. "As for your comfort, this cell is only temporary."
"That's a relief," commented Array sarcastically.
"I wouldn't think so …" Thropan corrected. "We're transferring you to Jade's Maximum Security this afternoon. -"
"WHAT?"
"- The Council isn't too happy with your attempting to conquer the realm," Thropan continued without paying attention to the violent outburst from all the inmates. "Not to mention your kidnapping of all those Mages to drain their powers …"
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to contest that, Thropan," interrupted a voice from the door. Entering the jail was none other than the Sheriff of Seer's Hamlet, accompanied of the Magistrate that was responsible for imprisoning Brianna for her destructive rampage while trying to reign in her dark side, Grave Diggers. Neither looked pleased, as opposed to the pink-haired woman in the cell, who looked positively smug. "Seer's Hamlet and the Arena of Apex Rock are under my jurisdiction. I am Sheriff Ranis, this is Magistrate Corsica, and your prisoners belong to us!"
"As outlined in the Edge Guard Charter and Protocol by-laws," added Magistrate Corsica.
"Attempting to remove them without our say so is an unlawful act!" continued Sheriff Ranis, the one responsible for the Northern Edge Guard's most recent duties as garbage men. "You Edge Guard are just that close to us hauling you in for obstructing justice … However, we may see our way to being lenient if you co-operate and turn your prisoners over to us … We'll let you renegades off with a "small" fine …"
"Too bad," commented Array smugly from the cell. "Better luck next time …"
Thropan, however, did not look at all disappointed or angry … he adopted a smug look as well.
"Ahhh, Sheriff Ranis," he said. "I've been expecting you …"
-Crash!-
"Sorry, Thropan!" called the innocent voice of Raphiel from the floor where he had tripped over the threshold into the jail, scattering a dozen scrolls before him. The pseudo-werecheetah hurriedly picked the scrolls up and handed them to Sheriff Ranis. "These are for you," he added sheepishly.
"What is this?" asked the Sheriff, outraged at the blatant disobedience she saw in Thropan, and also referring to the scrolls she had just been handed.
"Normally, you would have been correct, Sheriff," explained Thropan. "Normally … Those papers Raphiel handed to you are copies of documents I submitted to the Council of Elders a short time ago …They are records of the activities of your office during our missions. While not condemning, they were just suspicious enough to suspend your authority pending the results of a fact finding commission."
"I'm being investigated?" screamed Sheriff Ranis in disbelief as she read through one scroll.
"As you can see, we have full accounts of your office's activities," continued Thropan. "Including how your officers and deputies were conveniently diverted away when G'Nolga and her goons were kidnapping victims … almost as though you were co-ordinating … co-ordinating to capture as many magic users as possible … for some plan involving the artefact "Bain" …"
"How did you get these figures?" asked Ranis shakily as she looked through the papers.
"Not so fast, Thropan," interrupted Magistrate Corsica, trying to keep her nervous sweat at a minimum. "We still have a trump card … Several eye witnesses has seen you collaborate with a known escaped felon, namely Brianna Diggers … submitting our evidence to the Council would provoke an investigation into your affairs … and seeing as our interests conflict, your authority would be suspended as well!"
The pair of pink-haired women smirked, knowing that they now had the Nrothern Edge Guard by the proverbial balls.
Thropan surprised the cell once more by remaining confident and smug.
"I suspected you would use Brianna as a fulcrum to lever your way out of this," stated Thropan. "True, we have harboured a felon … and that nullifies our authority in this. Our conflicts of interest restrict us from acting against each other legally … which means the next nearest authority steps in …"
"And that would be me …" finished a firm, booming voice from the doorway, where stood none other than Julia's mother, "Mumsey."
"Allow me to introduce the Chariwoman of the conveniently nearby Barbarian Clan," said a smug Thropan. "Brunhilda Garde-Brigand."
"HOLD ON A MINUTE!" protested Ranis, who realised that their trump card wasn't worth a thing, and wanted to prolong the arrival of the next replacement authority. "She's Brianna's grandmother! If anyone has a conflict of interest in this case, it's her!"
"Family in the Barbarian Clan does not curry special favour from our laws, dear," Brunhilda pointed out sternly, folding her massive arms over her equally massive chest, making a very imposing image as she towered over the smaller people. "Your statement is groundless for me."
"She's got a point," agreed Thropan. "The Barbarian Clan's track record of strict adherence to the laws stands up for itself … I'm afraid you're stuck, ladies."
"You needn't concern yourself with Brianna," added Brunhilda with the poker-face she had worn for her stay in this jail. "She already paid her debt for helping to damage a town by helping to save the entire Realm. As for the criminals, I have no room for them in my territories. Thropan will see them to the Retreat's Maximum Security …"
"But-" Ranis tried to protest, only to be cut off by the elder woman, Brunhilda.
"That is all …"
"I think we're done here," commented Thropan. "Don't you, Sheriff?"
"Oh, no," growled Ranis in restrained anger. "You haven't heard the last of this, Thropan. We promise! This is not over!"
"You're correct," Thropan agreed in a serious tone. "And it will not be "over" until I prove the existence of a group of women who not only share the same goal … but the same mind and soul as well … an "Array" of women. Only then will it be over …"
"This is very entertaining …" Raphiel could not help but comment from where he was watching the scene unfold before him, on a chair in the far corner of the room. "I wish I had some popcorn …"
"Ugh … what hit me?"
Ranma carefully sat up, head in hands in an attempt at rubbing away the headache he suddenly suffered.
He absently noted that he was on a bed … however, he could not feel much beyond the sheets, and the soft bed and his nakedness could only mean he had had a busy night with his girlfriends again, leading him to believe that the glimpses of a pregnant Charlotte was nothing but a nightmare … after all, he could not remember having seen the harpy naked, much less had sex with her, so she couldn't possibly have gotten pregnant with his child, right? Well, no sense in trying to rationalise a nightmare, because it was only that and wouldn't affect him in the real world.
"The floor," commented Lydia from somewhere next to him. "You fainted."
"I never faint!" protested Ranma … after all, it wasn't manly to faint. At least the headache was fading. "I just … decided to take a nap." A moment passed before Ranma's wit caught up with him. "Why did I decide to take a nap?"
"It probably had something to do with your cheating on us with Charlotte, an act that produced this," explained Lydia in a tone that did nothing to suggest resentment or anger as she lifted what appeared to be a large egg onto the bed. "Ranma, meet your first child."
"Wha-" Ranma's wit left him again momentarily at this revelation. If this was his child, then why did Charlotte look as she did? She looked radiant … there was no trace of smugness about her, no indication that she would try to force him into marrying her for the sake of their child … she looked happy at the prospect of having a baby soon. Had Charlotte been one of his old fiancées, he was certain that she would have used the baby as the perfect excuse to marry him and lord it over the other girls that she had won. There was no indication that she had done this at any point.
"I think it would be better if the mother explained the details," commented Gina from Ranma's other side. Ranma looked around to find all his girlfriends sitting around his bed, and Charlotte perching on the foot of the bed. "Go ahead, Charlie, tell him what you told us."
Charlotte, though glowing like any other mother-to-be, looked somewhat unsure about the other women, and wringed her taloned hands for a moment before starting, taking care not to damage what looked like a new set of fingerless gloves with only three fingers on each hand.
Because Ranma's mind was still somewhat upset, he only caught the highlights of how he came to become the father of the baby inside the egg.
It had been little less than a week ago. Charlotte had heard Ranma was back from Japan, and would go to Jade the next day. She had seen a movie that night, where this woman was having a baby, and being easily influenced by external sources wanted one of her own, so she had sought out the only man who hadn't outright rejected her request for the job of a father of her baby. Ranma had been asked during the Banquet, and he had only said that he wasn't ready to be a father at that time … give that he hadn't rejected her, Charlotte had decided to check if he was ready then.
She had visited Ranma's room that night, and found him very drowsy and muttering to himself.
Charlotte had asked Ranma if he was awake, and got a muttered reply she couldn't make out, but interpreted as a yes. The Question had then been asked, and in response, Ranma had rolled onto his back, pulling at the sheets enough to reveal his wedding tackle, which was pointing at the ceiling. Again, interpreting this as a yes, Charlotte decided that since he seemed so tired, she should do all the work. When the deed was done, she had cleaned herself up, done the same to Ranma, as he seemed to have sweated quite a bit, and gave him a quick peck before leaving, as a thank-you for cooperating with her.
Ranma's head was spinning.
Why didn't he remember any of this?
Then he remembered the morning after the incident that led to the egg Lydia had handed him. He had awoken feeling refreshed and clean … two things that didn't necessarily come from sleep … and speaking of sleep, he did have a very vivid dream that night, about the women that had become his girlfriends having their way with him, much like when he thought he had lost his virginity … could it be …?
"Charlie," Ranma started carefully. "I think there is a distinct possibility that I was asleep when you … er, visited me that night."
"Huh?"
"I remember waking up in the morning after a very good dream, but without the need for release that usually follows …" Ranma explained. "And I can't remember the events you describe … but, I know you wouldn't lie to me about something like this, so, as the father I'll accept any responsibility you want me to have."
"What responsibilities?" Charlotte asked naively. "Babies are just for hugging and loving … right?"
"Babies need a lot more than just love, Charlie," Brianna told the harpy seriously, which was unusual given that there was hardly a moment when she was serious during the day … even life-and-death situations were mostly fun and games with her ... "They need constant supervision."
"They need to have their nappies changed as many as ten times a day," added Sheila. "And that's before they start eating solid foods."
"They need to be fed once every two or three hours," added Lydia.
"They wake up in the middle of the night, screaming, because they are hungry, dirty or frightened from a dream or a loud sound," Gina continued.
"They need to be washed, powdered and dressed several times a day," Lydia added. "It's not all fun and games, by bringing a life into this world, you've committed yourself to a lifetime of responsibility and sacrifice … But I hear the good times outweigh the bad …"
By the end of this revelation, Charlotte was close to tears.
"I didn't know that," she sniffed. "What do I do? I don't know how to do any of that! I'm going to be the worstest mommy ever!"
And with this emphatic declaration, Charlotte started crying both loudly and wetly.
Of course, Ranma couldn't really keep his head around crying girls, and the fact that the one that cried now was the mother of his unborn child did nothing to dampen his instincts, so he rushed forward, egg in one arm, and gave Charlotte a hug to try and calm her down.
In his haste, Ranma had done the right thing, which was noteworthy in itself, but he had also forgotten that he had awoken with nothing on but the sheets and they flew off the moment he lunged for the wailing harpy at the foot of the bed, leaving him fully exposed, black fur, tail and all.
His words of comfort were lost on his lovers, though, as they noticed his current attire, making them rue the act of removing his clothes before putting him in bed. But, they couldn't really stay upset for long, because the base scene was much too moving, and what had started as Ranma hugging Charlotte with the egg on one arm, ended up as a group hug with the egg in the middle, handled carefully.
"Maybe you should join our little "harem," Charlie," suggested Gina after a few moments of this pile of emotion. "We could help you take care of the baby when you aren't able to."
"I'm sure Ranma has room for one more girlfriend, right, honey?" added Lydia. Her tone suggested compassion, sympathy and an underlying threat if he gave the wrong answer.
"Sure," agreed Ranma immediately. Then he got a flash of his past thrown in his face, and decided to extend on his answer … it wouldn't do for his girlfriends to think him a typical male-chauvinist pig that was out to bed as many women as he could with no regard for their feelings. "But I'll leave you to decide if or when you want to become as close as the others …"
Judging by the satisfied nods his girlfriends gave him at that answer, this had been the right thing to say.
"And I hope for all our sakes that my mother doesn't find out about this baby," added Ranma. "Or she'll have us all at the altar in a matter of moments to keep the baby from being born out of wedlock, and barricade herself in a room with the baby until she's spoiled it rotten …"
"Er …" started Beebee uncertainly. "Aunty Nodoka already called while you were resting … she mentioned something about her "Manly" senses tingling, and asked if any of us had gotten knocked up. I didn't know if you wanted her to know yet, so I truthfully told her that none of us had gotten pregnant … leaving out that you had gotten someone else pregnant … she still seemed suspicious, though …"
Oh, dear … the revelation that his mother suspected a pregnancy made Ranma feel queasy.
She was sure to probe deeper the next time she contacted them, and someone might let something slip … she'd be there faster than they could deny the slip, and coo about the grandbaby while scolding them about keeping the knowledge of it from her.
To make matters worse for Ranma, Charlotte agreed to join the harem on a trial basis, and was rounding up his girlfriends in another group hug as thanks for accepting her.
Amidst the chatter that followed, Ranma also learned that Hanza covered for Charlotte in her job while they explained things to him, and that they would probably have to make this a semi permanent deal, because there was no way Ranma's girlfriends, nor Ranma himself, would allow a mother, let alone a mother-to-be to risk her life in a job that was all about fights and possible death to protect another person.
It was during all this that Ranma decided to take another spontaneous nap, with the egg held firmly yet gently in his arms.
Author's Notes; Thank you all, I was pleasantly surprised at how many responses I got to my question of classes in American and Japanese High Schools, and for clarification, yes, the year in my pen name is my birth year … I mention it in my biography, I think … if I haven't, I'll add it now.
Knowing me, this will most likely be the last chapter for a while, as I will be leaving very shortly … I guess I'll get leave once in a while, but during that time, I might want to simply spend time with family and friends, but there's still a chance that I might not be needed and sent home as soon as I report in, or if I'm not in as good condition as I think I am, in which case, I'll try to update no less than a month after the last one.
Until then, good bye.
Credits; The scene with Tirant's nightmare was inspired by the review of Dragon Man 180. I would also like to thank so many of you out there for sending in lesson plans for High School … though if this knowledge will be applied to this story is yet to be determined, but it will help with the progress of planning for other fanfiction ideas I have with other crossovers.
Small writing tip; "A lot" and "Allot". "A lot" denotes a large quantity of objects or chronic repetition of an activity. You can refer to a specific group of people as a particular " Lot". Your " Lot" is the kind of life you have or the things that you have or experience. A " Lot" is a small area of land that belongs to a person or company. A " Lot" in an auction is one of the objects or group of objects that are being sold. If something is "Allotted" to someone, it is given to them as their share.
Second writing tip; the use of "-'s". "-'s" is added to nouns to form possessives. However, with plural nouns ending in "-s", and sometimes with names ending in "-s", you form the possessive by adding "-'". "-'s" is the usual spoken form of "is" or "has".
