Chap 9: Reality Check
Mousse was walking along the sidewalk of the city, depressed. He had a lot of reasons for being depressed. For one, he was close to being blind without his glasses, he had a curse that changed him into a duck when he got doused with cold water and worst of all, the girl he loved was in love with another guy. That last thing was actually the start of a lot of the bad stuff that happened to him for the last couple of years.
Living with the Hasuma family was different, to say the least. There, they were treated as equals and served like kings. Well, it was a given. The boy, Ryuki, was a descendant of Cologne. It infuriated Mousse, really, to be beaten by another city boy, but then he was able to talk to Emiko and got some fresh insight on Ryuki.
Ryuki gained strength not for himself, but for others. He fought for others and he didn't care if they were strangers or not. His path as a martial artist was simply to protect the innocent. It was so like Ranma.
Mousse was also a little jealous when Shampoo and Ryuki started to spend a lot of time together. The red-haired boy also took time to teach Shampoo to speak proper Japanese, which she hadn't had much time to do. And, she was going to go to school, and he was too.
Mousse though of it as a waste of time, but upon learning that Ranma would be attending as well, it gave Mousse the chance to fight him too. Shampoo hadn't gone off to chase Ranma, mostly because his location had been kept as a secret.
Mousse just wished that he could show Shampoo that he was the man for her. Of course, he was about to get his wish when a golden orb suddenly plunged into his body.
A white aura surrounded him as feathers began to fall around him. A feather boa was around his neck and white streaks of ran through his hair. 'Mousse' removed his glasses to reveal a pair of silver eyes. "Advent, at the top of everything," he spoke in a more refined voice but also very different from his own. W-Mousse admired himself, "Hm…such a nice robe, but I do believe a proper wardrobe would be fitting." W-Mousse stopped in front of a store that specialized in men's wear. "Ah, how convenient." W-Mousse then entered to give his new host body a proper makeover.
Ranma was actually spending a peaceful day without any trouble. Akane was still at Smart Brain doing something. She did seem a little angry over the fact that Ranma and Ryoga had Inzecters. Maybe she wanted one too? Actually, that was probably a given. Ranma could only imagine what kind of insect would be the basis of her armor. Maybe she would get a pesky fly or cockroach.
For as long as he had known her, Akane took a lot of pride in martial arts and her skill in them. Granted, she was skilled enough for some of the lower competitions, but the fights with the Hentai Horde had really hurt her. When Ranma and the usual craziness followed, it put a whole new level. Things like the battle dogi and the super soba were like cheating and it really hurt Ranma to see Akane accept them so easily. The dogi made her so arrogant she thought she could do anything. Granted, Ranma knew the dogi had to have influenced her, but the soba was another story. She thought it was great to be so strong and Ranma had to force her to take the cure before the side-effects kicked in. Ranma knew he loved Akane and she made mistakes with those power enhancing items, but he couldn't blame her. Being considered the best before being knocked out of the position out of the blue had to be hard.
Since they were practically strangers here, none of the usual insanity followed. Of course, with Kuno dropping in and then the Amazons, the usual insanity from home was bound to return at full force. He idly wondered when the fathers were going to grow a spine and go after them. His mom may be able to browbeat them down, but once they hear that the fiancées were after him, they would come with some scheme to get him and Akane married at light speed.
Of course, insanity came in many forms and Ranma was about to meet another one when he heard hip-hop music play in the park he was in. "Huh?"
He then saw several teens dancing. Ranma was impressed. As a martial artist he'd learnt to read his opponents' movements and the movements he saw right now didn't seem too hostile. He admired as the dancers did magnificent stunts as they danced, flipping in the air and then jumping on their heads to spin like a top. It just seemed so incredible to him. The gears in Ranma started to spin. Maybe he could learn this and incorporate it into his style. Though his father had told him that dancing was 'unmanly' he had long decided to never listen to the man who put him into a pit of cats. He'd long lost the respect for him and his 'words of wisdom'.
Ranma approached the group and said, "Hey!" Though the music still played, the dancers stopped to look at Ranma, "Hey, can you teach me those moves?"
"Well, sure," one of the boys said, "But you need to clear it with the boss."
"Boss?" Ranma blinked.
"Here!" spoke a boy that Ranma saw as peculiar. He seemed to have a childish demeanor and under his cap was a very visible streak of violet hair. Well, Ranma had seen violet hair before but this guy's hair seemed a little out of place, especially with the matching purple eyes. "So, you wanna play too?"
"Yeah, sure," Ranma said.
"Well now…" the boy said before he produced a white belt with a clear crystal emblem on the buckle and a set of four colored buttons before strapping it on. "Check this out!" He produced a black colored object in hand and Ranma watched as he pressed the purple button, changing the emblem purple as a techno tune played. "Henshin!" the boy called before swiping the pass over the belt.
"Henshin?" Ranma repeated, recognizing the word and its tone. "No way!"
"Gun Form!" the belt called out before several shards bonded with the boy's body, creating a black and white suit of armor complete with a helmet that hid his face. Then, additional armor formed, clanking onto the first set. The secondary set of armor seemed more elaborate. It was purple and silver and from what Ranma could see has some aesthetic resemblance to a dragon.
"Can we play now?" the armored boy said, as he reached down and picked up the black bars on his belt, slowly combining them, and then forming his weapon. "I don't hear an answer!" His fully assembled weapon, a gun, was aimed straight at Ranma and the pigtailed martial artist dodged before he got shot. The loud crashing sound was one Ranma was intimate with. The shot had punctured a stone wall. That worried him to no end. Where did this guy get his technology?
"Hey! Who the heck are you and what's your deal!" Ranma snapped.
"Call me Den-O!" Den-O identified himself. He danced towards Ranma, "And we're playing!"
A buzzing sound was heard close by and Ranma smiled, "Well, if you wanna play, then let's play!" A golden bug flew into Ranma's hand and he grasped it tightly. Removing the sash around his waist, he revealed the Caucasus Belt. "Henshin!" he shouted before snapping on the gold bug.
"HENSHIN!"
As Ranma's armor formed, Den-O grinned under his helmet. It had been so long before he was able to fight like this.
"Sugoi!" he laughed. "This is going to be so much fun!"
Akane now stood in the control room with Prof. Murata. After getting patched up following by her miserable performance as Ichijyo had called it, she now stood next to the Professor to watch how Ichijyo handled the course.
Akane didn't like the condescending tone that Ichijyo used to talk to her. It was like Kuno's save for the nonsensical poetry. Ichijyo was direct and straight to the point with his words and never spoke in riddles. You usually caught on to what he was saying, but it was almost always something insulting. Akane could see that he looked down on her. Every time he did, she would promise herself she'd wipe that look off his face. He may have been able to beat Ranma, but she was sure that it was because he was an expert at the armor system while Ranma was just a rookie.
She looked on to see Ichijyo enter the Danger Room, as it had been properly dubbed due to the dangerous form of training equipment they had. It was more like a murderous obstacle course. Akane then saw what he was wearing. It was a black jumpsuit with purple gloves and boots.
"I'm ready," Ichijyo said from the intercom. "Start the simulation."
"What level, sir?" Prof. Murata spoke.
"The usual," Ichijyo replied and the Professor nodded before turning the dial. Akane watched as the dial went past 7. What!? Past 7!? The dial was turned past 8, then 9, then 10 before going on, stopping at 13.
"He's doing Level 13!?" Akane shrieked.
Ichijyo arrogantly said from the intercom, "Watch and learn."
"Simulation Initiated," spoke a computerized voice and soon several panels opened up to reveal robotic drones, brandishing and assortment of weapons, ranging from melee weapons like knives, swords and steel clubs to firearms like guns, laser rifles and the sort.
Ichijyo watched as he was surrounded by no less than 60 armed robotic drones, all bearing the SB emblem on their heads. He didn't move from his spot as the robots attacked.
He then decided to show off how truly powerful he was.
Ryoga was walking around the new city with the Stinger Inzecter guiding him. It would often sting him to lead him towards the proper direction and he would chase after it in return. For some reason, the Inzecter was leading him towards an open area where no one was around.
Suddenly, Ryoga's danger sense came on and he ducked under a boomerang aimed for his head. "Hey!" he shouted as he stood up straight. "Who threw that?"
"Why, I did," spoke a refined and arrogant voice, not quite unlike Kuno's but minus the nonsensical poetry. Ryoga looked towards the direction and was surprised.
It looked like a man in white and gold armor. On his helmet was a blue visor that resembled wings. He was suspended in the air by a pair of wings too and in his hands were his weapons, a boomerang and a hand-axe.
"Who are you?" Ryoga asked as he grabbed the Inzecter. He would no doubt need Clock Up for this guy.
"I am…the one who shall defeat you?" the white armored man spoke as he landed, his wings shattering. The feathers fell like a shower around him. "I am…Den-O."
"Well, I'm Ryoga Hibiki! Henshin!" Ryoga shouted before attaching his Inzecter to his bracelet.
"HENSHIN!"
Akane watched in horrified amazement as Ichijyo took down the drones one at the time. It was similar to when she battled the Hentai Horde, but even Akane had to admit that Ichijyo was doing it quite precisely. He was able to disarm the opponents with relative ease as they attacked him before he neutralized them. Of course, his method of neutralization seemed a little bit violent for Akane, even if they were robots.
"Those robots are quite durable," Prof. Murata spoke. "And also very dangerous. Not many can defeat them totally unscathed."
Akane decided to ask, "Who else have gotten to Level 13?"
Prof. Murata replied, "No one."
Akane was stunned. Was what she had seen real? There had to be some trick to what Ichijyo had just done. No one could be that strong! He looked like he was Saffron's level and Ranma could barely break even against the leader of the Phoenix Tribe.
"Simulation Complete," the computer stated before Ichijyo dropped the head of the last combat drone. The remains of all the drones now lay littered around him like some sort of macabre war zone.
"This is going to cost a lot to repair," the youthful CEO spoke as he went through the numbers in his head. He had several injuries on him but his suit protected him. Only his face got scratched when a bullet grazed in and the ends of his hair were singed from a nasty flamethrower.
One of the drones started to get up but Ichijyo was quicker. Grabbing one of the discarded blades, he then ran the drone through, deactivating it permanently. "Stupid machines," he grumbled. He left the malfunctioning robot to collapse in a heap of scrap metal and fried circuitry.
"CAST OFF! CHANGE HORNET!" the Stunger Inzecter announced as the outer armor exploded off, revealing the sleeker Speed Form.
Den-O admired the armored boy, "Quite an impressive suit of armor. Of course, I don't think it would matter much."
Stinger growled under his helmet. "Well, then take this!" He reached for his Inzecter and pressed the thorax button. "Hornet Sting!"
"HORNET STING!" the Inzecter repeated, charging up.
Stinger roared as he charged straight for the white armored warrior. Den-O didn't make a motion to move but when Stinger got close, he spun around and struck at the Inzecter on Stinger's wrist with his axe. The force of the attack forced the Inzecter off the receiver and Ryoga found himself without his armor. "What!?" He was unable to stop as he was headed towards a fountain.
SPLASH!
Den-O looked over to the fountain and chuckled in amusement as P-chan splashed about. It would be cruel to leave him like that so he picked up the small swine, placed him down to the ground, before walking away. P-chan squealed angrily as the Stinger Inzecer also buzzed angrily at their foe who had just flown away.
"As expected, victory," Den-O nodded as he vanished into the sky.
Ichijyo entered the control room and looked at both Prof. Murata and Akane. He then spoke, "Now, do you see the level of danger that our operatives must face on the field."
Akane snorted, not wanting to lose this argument, "I could've done that."
Ichijyo scoffed, "Doubtful. While the boys at your school only aimed to defeat you, those robots down there were programmed to kill." He walked over and looked her in the eye, "Do you understand, Ms. Tendo? Kill?"
"So?" Akane asked, but her voice was shaking. "I have-"
"You've never faced homicidal opponents or true monsters. You've never looked a murderer in the eye. You've never looked death in the face," Ichijyo listed, "And you've never been forced to kill."
Akane didn't like how he spoke those words. It was like he was speaking from experience. She didn't want to look weak but even she had to admit that she'd never done all that.
'But Ranma…'
"Ms. Tendo, you're strong, true, but not at the same level as us," Ichijyo spoke factually. "Of course, if you need more convincing, I think there's someone you need to see."
"Who?"
And in response, Ichijyo smiled.
Mousse returned to the mansion and was greeted by Cologne. "Why, hello, Mousse. You've returned." Her eyes then went over his clothing, "And you look quite different."
Mousse was now dressed in an immaculate white three-piece suit. Of course, what cause her eye more was the feather boa around his neck and the sunglasses over his eyes. The white streaks were new too.
"Why, greeting, Elder," W-Mousse spoke. "Tell me, is Shampoo around? I wish to speak with her."
"She's in the dojo, training," Cologne said, still staring.
"Thank you," W-Mousse said as he walked past her. His stance seemed more like one would expect from royalty.
"Strange, very strange," Cologne said. "For a moment, I thought his aura was a little different."
W-Mousse entered the Hasuma Dojo and admired Shampoo who was currently in training. She moved her body both swiftly and as deadly as a might predator in the jungle, like a cat stalking its prey. She was definitely a princess in his host's eyes and thus needed to be treated as such.
"Princess, your prince has arrived!"
"At last, I have returned," Kuno spoke as he got out of the taxi cab. Public transportation be damned, he'd returned after days of traveling a strange land. Now, he was back to reclaim his fair tigress and the pigtailed girl from the foul sorcerer Saotome and his demonic allies. He had holy wards on him to protect him. He then shouted out, "The Blue Thunder shall not be denied!" He received strange looks from the people passing by.
"CAST OFF! CHANGE CAUCASUS BEETLE!"
Den-O ducked under the storm of armor pieces as soon as they exploded off Caucasus' body. He seemed amazed and clapped, "Yay! Do it again!"
Caucasus' visor glowed as his horns folded over the helmet, completing his look. He glared and demanded, "Who sent you after me?" Most of his opponents usually had a beef with him but this Den-O guy, whoever he was, was fighting Ranma just for fun. It seemed like he was just playing with the golden Inzecter Rider.
"Hm…I can't tell you!" Den-O laughed before shooting at Caucasus again who dodged.
'I should use Clock Up, but would that be fair?' Caucasus thought but was then shot at several times. He groaned in pain. 'Maybe as a last resort.' Caucasus then charged at Den-O and began to punch at him but the purple mystery Rider kept slipping out of range with his insane dance moves, which he was using to fight. Fighting and dancing usually didn't come hand in hand but this guy was doing it effortlessly.
Den-O kicked at Caucasus who barely dodged it but then he hopped on both feet before dealing a double-footed stomp kick into Caucasus' chest, sending him reeling.
"Now, game over!" Den-O called out as he waved the black rectangular object in front of his waist.
"Full Charge!" the belt called before Den-O threw the object aside. The orbs held on by 'dragon claws' attached to his shoulders began to glow as the energy transferred from the belt and into the gun. Den-O gripped the gun with both hands and aimed at Caucasus before firing a crackling ball of violet energy at Caucasus.
"Crap! Clock Up!" Caucasus called, slamming his palm onto the button attached to his belt.
"CLOCK UP!"
Ichijyo brought Akane over to an arcade. Who was Akane supposed to meet? All Ichijyo said that it was one of their best and brightest but he'd trouble admitting it.
Ichijyo said, "He's right here. Wait out here and I'll go get him." He entered the arcade and minutes later he came out dragging another boy, a year older than himself with spiked up brown hair, by the ear.
"Hey, easy! That's my good ear!" the older boy wailed. Akane blinked. The older got a good look at her and said, "Why, hello there, cutie." He then received a stomp on the foot for that remark.
"Be serious, mutt," Ichijyo scowled before introducing the two, "This is Yoshiyuki Takada, one of my operatives and a teammate of mine."
"And what can he do?" Akane asked.
"Punch him in the stomach," Ichijyo said abruptly.
"Huh?" Takada blinked. He turned to Ichijyo. "What are you talking about, Snakeface?"
"What?" Akane questioned.
"Just do it," Ichijyo insisted. "He won't get hurt, trust me."
Akane looked a little uncertain. Takada seemed to have resigned himself to what was about to happen. "O…kay…" She then threw her fist into his stomach and he didn't look fazed.
"Was that supposed to hurt?" Takada said teasingly. The way he said that made Akane angry so she started to punch him, harder. "Hardly felt that." Another hard punch with even more force and he chuckled, "That tickles!"
This time Akane grew so enraged that she produced her mallet and swung hard, "BAKA!!" Usually, whatever she hit was sent flying but not this time. As soon as her mallet made contact with Takada's head, it shattered into splintered pieces. She gasped in shock as she held the handle, frozen.
"Takada has very tough skin," Ichijyo spoke, "He's invulnerable from any damage. He maybe able to feel but sometimes he barely feels a punch."
"Hey, my girlfriend hits harder," Takada gloated.
Akane was still holding her mallet in shock. So many powerful people. They were all freaks. "You're freaks!" she snapped.
Ichijyo's eyes narrowed, "You better not say such things. Not many people take too kindly."
"And I prefer the term unique," Takada chuckled.
Akane apologized, "Sorry, it's just that-" she then saw someone approaching, "Oh, hell no."
"My fair tigress! I have found you! Now, come with me so we may create out love nest together after I have broken the spell cast upon you by the evil sorcerer!" Kuno ranted.
"Evil sorcerer?" Takada repeated, eyes on Ichijyo who glared back in response.
"Pluto, intercept!" Ichijyo ordered as Kuno came charging.
"What? Why me?" Takada questioned.
"Just do it, mongrel!!" Ichijyo snapped. Takada scowled as he ran forward. "Takada's iron skin will buy some time while I cast my spell."
Takada stood in front of Kuno and blocked the demented kendoist charge. "So, a minion of the foul sorcerer! I shall slay thee!"
"OK, I may admit that the snake is a 'foul sorcerer'," Takada said in a bored tone, "but I am no minion!" He stood firm in place as Kuno attacked, which proved to be ineffective. "Hah! Is that all you got? My girlfriend hits harder than you!"
Infuriated by the commoner's words, Kuno kept swinging his bokken hard at him but even though Kuno was causing damage, it didn't seem to affect Takada who stood solid as a rock. This was confusing to Kuno. Even rocks crumbled by his mighty blade so why was it not working now? "Hah! I shall defeat your vile magic!"
"Defeat this!" Takada said he allowed his nanobots to seep out of his skin before they bonded together to form two wicked blades where his hands once were. He chopped Kuno's bokken in half and grinned at the kendoist's stunned expression. "Didn't expect that, did you?"
"How dare you!?" Kuno raged on, trying to find a substitute in his robes.
"Looking for these?" Ichijyo said, gripping Kuno's replacement bokkens in his hands. It was easy, really, by creating a shadow portal within Kuno's robes and grabbing them. He then smashed them against his knee, breaking them. "And now they are just firewood."
Kuno charged past Takada and went straight for Ichijyo. He had never felt so insulted in his life and the rage was clouding his ever insane judgment and rationality. Ichijyo stood in place and did not move until Kuno got in range…
And Kuno ran right through Ichijyo who went intangible at the last second. Kuno spun around, sputtering in anger, "You dare play this petty tricks on-" he was unable to finish when Ichijyo plunged his shadow matter hand into Kuno's chest and grasped his heart. Kuno looked into Ichijyo's cold eyes in what could be recognized as a mixture of both defiance and fear.
Ichijyo's only words were, "Nightmare Syndrome," before plunging another shadow matter hand into Kuno's head. "Now, let's see if we can tweak things around."
Kuno screamed as the nightmare began.