Why was something so simple so hard? Those were Ranma's thoughts as he stood in front of Akane. He had mad absolutely sure that their parents and siblings were out of the house. Now, it was just Akane and he in her room and Akane was trying to do her homework when Ranma walked in. Akane was starting to become annoyed as Ranma had been standing in the middle of her room for almost twenty minutes.
"Ranma if you want something just spit it out," said Akane.
Ranma still stood there speechless. In his head, the words "you can do this," repeated over and over again.
"A-Akane," he started and his heart began to beat faster.
"Yes Ranma," said Akane with obvious annoyance in her voice.
"W-will you read this letter for me. You're English is better than mine", said Ranma.
Then Ranma handed her a letter he received the previous day. He recognized the name of the sender and new Akane was the only one in the house he could go to with it.
"That's it. With how long it took you to ask, I thought it was going to be something serious. Give me a few minutes to translate it," said Akane
After some time passed Akane read,
"Dear Ranma,
I know to you it must not have seemed like a long time. Who knows this may come before you even leave. But with some help I was able to approximate when you would be around to receive it. Like I was saying, while it may not have been long for you, I've had writing this letter on my to do list for over 18 years. So much has changed since then. I retired as a ranger a year after we met. While it was an honor to be one, I always knew someday it would someday end. After all some things just aren't meant to last forever. I have since become a teacher of praying mantis kung fu and have settled down for in Angel Grove for the moment. The others have likewise retired for ranger duties, moved on, and like me, they went into the world with a bigger sense of enlightenment. I would like to visit you're country some day and see how you are doing and meet your fellow rangers. Although it would be a little weird since the last time you saw me I was 16 and now I'm almost 34. Anyway, I hope you are doing well and like Zordon would say, "May the power protect you".
Sincerely Trini Kwan"
"Who's Trini," asked Akane.
"A ranger I met when we were sent back in time. She was also a yellow ranger, and I think you would like her a lot. I surprised she actually remembered to write," said Ranma.
"Ranma while I'm sure this letter is important, it can't be the reason you were standing in my room looking ever so nervous."
"She's onto me. Quick, call her uncute so she'll punch you into next week. Just ask her already" thought Ranma. Then his mind when back to what Trini wrote, "Some things aren't meant to last forever." He knew that he and Akane were growing closer and how long could he keep calling her uncute before she really broke off the engagement and walked out of his life.
"A-Akane would you l-like to go to a m-movie with me tonight?"
There was a long pause and both Ranma could feel his heartbeat in his throat.
"Yes. That sounds fun," said Akane.
Then Ranma released a breath that he didn't know he was holding, "Great. I'll be in the dojo until then." Ranma slowly left the room and then once he was out of Akane's sight he ran towards the dojo excitedly.
Meanwhile, Akane couldn't help but think to herself, "That sounds fun. He finally asks you out and you say that sounds fun. Stupid stupid stupid. Ok, it's ok. He probably only heard the word yes."
Then Akane let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and smiled.
The dark warrior held out his talisman. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I command the darkness to send me a demon. Send me demons of glutton."
Once the portal to the netherworld opened, two demons walked out. Both were fat and both stank. One was a green toad demon with a small tuft of yellow hair on his head and black spots on its neck. The other was pig demon whose face and limbs seemed to be growing out of a large roman helmet.
"You two will go to Nerima and devour every scrap of food you see. And if the power rangers try to stop you, devour them as well," said Kage.
"We're on it boss," said the Toad while the Pig just laughed. Then without hesitation, the two jumped through the magic mirror.
"My lord, you don't really think those two can defeat the rangers do you?" asked Keima.
"They don't have to. I just summoned them as a distraction," said Kage.
Taro then walked up and Kage handed him a small black ring.
"What is that," asked Keima.
Saffron answered, "A mask of darkness."
"Doesn't look like one and why are you giving it to Taro?" asked Keima.
"Appearances can be deceiving and this mask is not meant for Taro," said Kage.
The dark warrior then turned towards Taro, "Get going."
"Yes master," said Taro as he splashed cold water on himself and leaped through the magic mirror.
Ranma was in mid jump kick when he felt another presence in the dojo.
"You seem extra energetic today hero," said Megumi.
"Can I help you?" asked Ranma.
"Is that any way to treat a lady? And after I came all this way to see you," Megumi laughed.
Megumi then spotted a shinai leaning against the wall of the dojo and picked it up. Then she held it up to Ranma, "Care to spar?"
"Not in the mood," said Ranma.
"Ranma Saotome not in the mood to spar. Are you feeling sick?" asked Megumi
"Look, I have to go take a shower. I'm going out tonight," said Ranma as he walked away, annoyed.
"Great, where are we going?"
"I'm taking Akane to a movie."
Megumi scoffed, "What's so special about her anyway? Sure she's the world's best cook but other than that, what else is there?"
Ranma stopped for a second. Brushing the world's best cook comment aside, he said, "It's none of your business. Why can't I go out with my fiancé without people getting on my case?"
Megumi sighed and smiled, "If you were bad like me, I would gladly be your fiancé. And if anyone got on your case, I'd turn them into frogs."
Ranma quickly turned to face her but in an instant, she disappeared. Moments later, Akane called to him from her room, "Ranma, Elder Cologne's calling us."
Though neither said it, they were both thinking, "This better not take long."
At the Cat Café, Ranma and Akane had met up with Ryoga, and the Amazons.
"What's up," asked Ranma.
"Konatsu called. He and Ukyo spied two demons cleaning out several food carts and wanted back up," said Mousse.
"Did he say what kind?" asked Ryoga.
"Pig and Toad," said Shampoo.
"Sounds like a children's book," said Akane.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked Ranma.
However, before they could morph, at tentacle burst through the doors of the Cat Café and snatched Ranma.
"Ranma," called Akane.
The rangers rushed out of the café to find Ranma dangling from one of Taro's octopus tentacles.
"Hey pantyhose perv, I don't really have time for you today. You could let me go and save yourself the beating," said Ranma.
Ranma's statement however only seemed to make Taro angrier. Taro instantly punched Ranma away.
The other rangers went to him.
"Ranma, you ok," asked Shampoo as she helped him up.
"You guys go help Konatsu. I got this," said Ranma.
"Are you sure," asked Mousse.
"Don't worry about me," said Ranma
"Just be careful ok," said Akane.
"What's the worst that could happen," laughed Ranma before Taro began his attack again.
Ranma leaped out of the way of Taro's fist and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the others morph and leave.
"What took you guys so long," said Konatsu who had already morphed alongside Ukyo.
"Taro," said Ryoga.
"Where's Ranchan?" asked Ukyo.
"Still fighting Taro," said Mousse.
"Where are the demons" asked Akane.
"Don't know. We had them in our sights but they disappeared. They've been doing nothing but eating anything that even resembles food. It's really kind of disgusting," said Ukyo.
Suddenly, Shampoo and Mousse were struck from behind by a pair of hooves.
As the rangers looked back, they saw the pig demon laughing, "I thought I smelled rangers."
Ryoga summoned his umbrella, "I got him."
Ryoga then sent his umbrella spinning towards the pig who caught it in his jaws. Then in a matter of seconds, the demon swallowed Ryoga's umbrella.
"He ate it," said Konatsu in disbelief.
Then the Pig charged forward and plowed through the rangers.
Konatsu was the first to recover and split himself into three clones.
Each clone summoned their daggers, "If it's hungry, let's feed it."
As the green rangers charged forward, a slimy tongue wrapped around two of them. Suddenly, the two clones turned into balls of green light that were swallowed by the Toad demon. Konatsu found himself alone as he jabbed his daggers at the Pig demon who quickly bit down onto the weapons and kicked the green ranger away.
Then, Akane, Shampoo and Mousse leaped over him and struck the Pig with their weapons.
Konatsu quickly got up and attacked the Toad alongside Ryoga and Ukyo. Ryoga punched the Toad in the stomach only for the Toad to bounce Ryoga's fist away with its huge gut. Then the Toad used the opening punch the blue ranger away.
Ukyo swung at the Toad with her spatula. However, before her weapon could connect, she felt it being pulled away from her. The white ranger looked back to see the Pig literally inhaling her weapon into its mouth and devouring it.
"It seems your defenseless white ranger," laughed the Toad.
Then the Toad unleashed its whip like tongue.
Ukyo only heard Konatsu call her name as he pushed her out of the way and allowed the Toad's tongue to wrap around him. The next the she knew, the Toad had opened its mouth and devoured the green ranger. Shortly after, Konatsu's face appeared on the Toad's belly.
"Spit him out," shouted Mousse before the Pig head-butted him away.
"I got him," said Ryoga. Ryoga began to charge his heavy ki and unleashed his, "SHI SHI HOKODAN" at the Toad.
The rangers watched in horror as the blast simply bounced off the Toads stomach and reflected towards them.
"Everyone get down," shouted Akane.
But it was too late and Ryoga's attack hit the rangers.
Shampoo was the first to recover this time and she quickly charged the first demon she saw which was the Pig.
"I'm hungry," said the Pig as Shampoo drew her weapons. The Pig attempted to inhale Shampoo's weapons only for the pink ranger to leap over him and strike him from behind.
"Fat pig to slow for Shampoo," she laughed.
However, she was too busy gloating and didn't notice the Toad coming from behind. The Toad soon had its tongue wrapped around her and before long had devoured her.
"How dare you eat my Shampoo," shouted Mousse as he charged the Toad.
"Your next," laughed the demon as Shampoo's face appeared on his stomach.
Mousse attempted a jump kick only for the Toad to punch him away.
"We should retreat and come up with a plan," said Akane.
She then took her hammer and slammed the ground causing a small shockwave to trip both demons.
As the rangers regrouped, Ryoga felt something pulling at his leg and looked down to find the Toad's tounge. Akane and Mousse quickly grabbed for him but it was too late. The Toad retracted its tongue and swallowed Ryoga.
As much as the others wanted to help him, they had to run.
Meanwhile, as soon as the others had left, Ranma went on the attack. He skillfully dodged Taro's tentacles as they came at him.
"Is that all you got Pantyhose pervert," laughed Ranma.
Taro began fuming with rage. He raised his hands and fired many blast of octopus ink at Ranma. Ranma dodged the blast only to be met with an uppercut from Taro.
Ranma jumped back only for one of Taro's tentacles to grab him. Taro then slammed Ranma through the roof of the Cat Café.
"Faring well, I see," said Cologne as Ranma recovered.
"It wouldn't hurt you to help you know," said Ranma.
Ranma noticed a kettle of boiling water on the stove and grabbed it.
"Never mind, I got this," said Ranma.
Ranma rushed back outside to find Taro waiting for him. Taro attempted to once more snare Ranma in his tentacles when suddenly, Ranma left his vision. Taro looked around not finding him. Then he felt a presence behind him. However before he could do anything about it, Ranma had poured boiling water over his head.
Taro's eyes went wide as the water cascaded over him, reducing him to his human form.
"Just couldn't handle my cursed form could you cross dresser," laughed Taro as his cloths materialized around him. One of the perks of being under the influence of dark magic.
"I was doing just fine Pantyhose Taro," said Ranma. Instantly, the two punched each other in the face upon being insulted.
Taro raised his fist to attack again but Ranma was too fast for him. Ranma began feeling confidant as his ki charged.
"Moko Takabisha," shouted Ranma as he fired his attack at Taro, sending him through several buildings.
Ranma looked and saw that Taro was unconscious.
"Looks like I win Pantyhose Taro," said Ranma. Then he turned around and noticed that Akane, Mousse and Ukyo had teleported back to the café.
"Something's wrong," said Ranma as he ran back towards the café.
Once his back was turned, Taro got up, reached into his pocket and pulled out the black ring. He then flicked it in Ranma's direction. Just before it hit Ranma, the ring disappeared.
Taro smiled as he leaped through a portal that had opened next to him.
Upon returning to the palace, the Saffron questioned Taro, "Is it done?"
Taro smiled, "Yup, I lost the fight and waited for him to let his guard down just like I was ordered."
Now Kage was smiling, "Good. Now we wait."
"What happened? Where are the others?" asked Ranma.
The rangers demorphed as soon as they arrived back at the café.
"There were two demons," said Ukyo.
"One ate our weapons while the other ate our friends," said Akane.
"They were stronger than their appearance would have you believe," said Mousse.
A minute later, people started showing up at the restaurant. The first one to speak said, "Does this restaurant have any food? I went to several others and they claimed that monsters had cleaned them out."
Cologne smiled, "Well, looks like you all can work while you come up with a plan."
Akane and Ranma looked and saw that both Cologne had the same look Nabiki had when there was money to be made.
"Are friends are in the belly of a toad and she's thinking about money," commented Akane.
Ranma thought for a moment, "These demons do nothing but eat right?"
"Yeah why?" asked Mousse.
"I think I may have a plan," said Ranma. "Call the rest of the team and I'll meet you guys where the demons were last spotted."
With that, Ranma left the restaurant, followed by Akane.
"Where do you think they're going," said Mousse.
"Dunno," said Ukyo.
The two then received whacks over the head from Cologne. "I don't pay you stand around."
"You hardly pay me at all," said Mousse.
"At least you're getting paid," said Ukyo
Ranma burst into the kitchen of the Tendo house only to find Megumi sitting on the counter eating a slice of what Akane referred to as curry.
"The curry turned out great Akane," said Megumi.
"I'm glad you like it," said Akane who was obviously confused as to what Megumi was doing in her kitchen.
"How did you get in?" asked Ranma.
"I'm magic remember," said Megumi.
"And you simply showed up to raid our fridge," said Akane
"Actually, yeah. I smelled something good coming from the fridge and I just couldn't resist."
"Look, I need the rest of the curry, hand it over," said Ranma.
"Why are you suddenly so interested in my cooking," said Akane.
"No reason."
Then Ranma grabbed the plate of curry and ran out the door.
"I wasn't done with that you know," said Megumi.
Akane turned toward Megumi. She was still angry with her for lying to them and even angrier when she noticed the familiar blush on Megumi's cheeks. It was the same blush that went across Ukyo, Shampoo and Kodachi's faces whenever Ranma was around.
"You better not be here when we get back," said Akane.
"Seriously, why does he love you? I get the whole great cook thing but what else is there?" said Megumi.
Akane suddenly got flustered, "He doesn't… I don't…We're just friends. Besides, he has so many other girls chasing him, it wouldn't work out between us."
Of course, Akane was just putting on her usual farce for Megumi and didn't mean anything she said.
"You know maybe he has so many girls after him because you always say things like that. In any case, if that's your position then you won't mind if I have him," said Megumi.
Akane turned and was about to literally kick Megumi out of the house only to find her gone.
Ranma and Akane arrived at a large empty Italian restuart and met up with the other rangers.
"You should have me sooner. Only I Tatewaki Kuno can lead us through the darkness. And where is the pigtailed girl? Why is the fowl sorcerer Saotome here? Surely he cannot be one of us as well," said Tatewaki.
Tatewaki was instantly met with Ranma's foot.
"You didn't tell him about Ranma's curse," asked Mousse to Kodachi.
"It's funnier this way," said Kodachi.
"The place looks cleared out," said Ukyo.
"Are the demons even still here?" asked Akane.
"They're still here, I can feel their evil auras," said Tofu.
"By the way, Ranchan what's with whatever that is on the plate," asked Ukyo.
"It's part of my plan," said Ranma.
Suddenly, the Pig and Toad demons made their appearance from out of the kitchen.
"That lasagna sure was good," said the Toad.
"I'm still hungry," said the Pig.
"Me too, and I think I found our next meal," said the Toad once he spotted the rangers.
The rangers activated their morphers, "Sheng Xiao, Power UP!"
"Now you will feel the wrath of my blade," said Tatewaki as he summoned his katana and charged the demons.
"Kuno wait," called Akane.
But it was too late. Before he knew it, the Pig demon had snatched the crimson rangers katana and eaten it.
"How dare you eat my sacred weapon?" shouted Tatewaki.
The Pig responded with a burp as it punched Tatewaki away.
"Ranma about that plan of yours," reminded Ukyo.
"Right," said Ranma as he walked up with the plate of food. Suddenly, he felt a chill run through him causing his whole body to shiver and then he froze and dropped the plate.
"Ranma darling what's wrong," said Kodachi.
"I don't know," said Ranma.
Tatewaki suddenly pushed Ranma aside, "Stand down if you are unable to fight. I Tatewaki Kuno shall…."
However Tatewaki's words were cut off by the Toad's tongue.
After the Toad had swallowed Tatewaki, it was attacked by Tofu and Mousse.
"Spit out my Shampoo," shouted Mousse as he wrapped his nunchucks around the Toads head. As Mousse tugged on the line, Tofu attempted to press several pressure points on the Toad in an attempt to force him to vomit.
"This should be working," said Tofu.
"I think his fat is throwing blocking your attacks," said Mousse.
Then the Toad grabbed Mousse's nunchucks and swung the black ranger into Tofu.
Meanwhile, Ukyo and Kodachi attacked the Pig.
"Kodachi, try to hit him from above," said Ukyo. Kodachi nodded and ran up to Ukyo. The white ranger braced herself as Kodachi jumped off her shoulders and towards the Pig. As soon as she was above the demon, Kodachi threw her chakram, striking it in the head causing the pig to stumble. However, as soon as Kodachi landed, the Pig head-butted her and Ukyo away.
"Ranma snap out of it," said Akane as she shook her fiancé.
Ranma shook his head, "Right. I don't know what happened."
Ranma then grabbed the plate of food he dropped and split it into two portions.
"Slops on," shouted Ranma as he tossed the food towards the demons.
The demons saw the food and quickly pushed the rangers they were fighting aside to catch it.
"I got," said the pig as it greedily ate the food alongside the Toad.
"That's what you wanted my food for," said Akane as she angrily punched Ranma away.
Then the demons suddenly started spitting out large black clouds of gas. After the clouds eventually stopped, the Pig began spitting up the ranger's weapons while the Toad began spitting out the rangers it had swallowed.
"I worked didn't it," said Ranma as he got back up and summoned his spear.
"I never want to do that again," said Ryoga as he retrieved his umbrella.
"Don't think anyone wants to do that again," said Shampoo.
As Tatewaki retrieved his katana, he stared at the Pig and Toad who looked sick beyond all reason. "I will have to teach you demons a lesson for devouring the great Tatewaki Kuno."
"It looks to me like they've had enough already," said Konatsu.
The ten rangers prepared to attack when suddenly, they felt an aura pulsate. Ranma suddenly dashed forward faster than any of them could follow and destroyed both demons with one swing of his spear.
"Something's not right," said Akane.
Then a black ring materialized around Ranma's neck. Then the ring began releasing a black aura. His morpher began to shine brightly but the light was drowned by the darkness turning Ranma's morpher black. Then a black suit appeared on Ranma. White plates appeared on his hips like belt. A pair of white arm guards appeared on his wrist. White trim appeared around his now black boots. Then red and black armor materialized on his chest, draping over his shoulders and down his back. Lastly, his helmet turned black and formed a pair of fangs over his mouth. Then red plates appeared over his face like a pair of wings. The black ring around his neck then transformed into a white collar and rested on Ranma's armor.
"Ranma," said Akane as she inched towards him.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME," shouted Ranma.
"You will not speak to Akane Tendo like that," said Tatewaki, "I'll have to teach you some manners."
Tatewaki charged forward only for Ranma to leap over him and slash his back with his spear. Tatewaki suddenly demorphed and fell unconscious.
Then Ranma turned his attention to the others. Moving at a speed none of them could keep up with, he disarmed them of their weapons and attacked each of them. Suddenly, Kodachi, Mousse and Konatsu fell unconscious and demorphed.
Ryoga and Tofu defend two or three of his attacks but Ranma kept up his assault. His attacks were savage like those of a wild animal.
"Stop this Ranma," said Tofu. But one of Ranma's punches got through and it sent the violet ranger into a wall.
Ryoga attempted to punch Ranma but his attack was too slow. Suddenly Ranma rained down many kicks to Ryoga's chest, shattering his usual stone like endurance.
Shampoo and Ukyo attacked next.
"Snap out of it Ranchan," shouted Ukyo
"Ranma please listen," said Shampoo.
The two grabbed hold of his arms and attempted to restrain him but Ranma lifted them both up with each arm. He then slammed the pink and white rangers together and tossed them aside like ragdolls.
Akane stood looking at her friends. All of them had demorphed and unconscious.
Akane grabbed her hammer and faced Ranma.
She said nothing as she charged him. Suddenly, Ranma was in front of her. He then grabbed the hammer right out of her hands and tossed it aside.
"Ranma stop," cried Akane.
And almost like magic, Ranma stopped and stood in place.
"Please. The battle is over. Let us help you," said Akane.
Ranma lowered his head and Akane stepped forward.
As soon as she was mere inches from him, Ranma's looked up once more and punched Akane away, causing her to crash into a table.
Ranma then gathered a sphere of negative energy in his hand and jumped through a portal that opened up behind him.
Akane stayed awake just long enough to call Ranma's name one last time as a single tear rolled down her face.
As Ranma entered the throne room, he handed the negative energy over to the dark warrior.
Kage examined it, "Betrayal, anger, heartbreak. This is truly a beautiful sight." Then he absorbed the energy into his sword.
"You may bow to me now," said the dark warrior.
But Ranma just stood there.
"I said BOW," shouted Kage.
"Do as our master commands," shouted Saffron.
"I may work for you but I don't bow to anyone," said Ranma with nothing but ice in his voice.
Kage got up and punched Ranma in the gut, sending him to the floor.
"You will learn obedience slave," said the dark warrior as used his dark energy to influence Ranma's mind.
Then Megumi came marching into the throne room, pulling Koruma and Masara by the ear.
"I told you two to stay out of my room. Next time I'm turning you into slugs," she shouted. Then she spotted a new face.
"Who's this," she asked.
The dark warrior pulled Ranma to his feet and Ranma powered down. Only his black morpher gave away his new allegiance.
"It seems that Ranma has come to our way of thinking. Make him feel at home," said Kage
Megumi instantly tossed Koruma and Masara aside, "Yes sir."
The she took Ranma's hand and led him out of the throne room. From behind, she could hear the dark warriors' laughter.
(Authors notes)
That's right, the evil ranger of the group is Ranma. Ha Ha Ha. To answer some questions, No, Megumi is not aware that Ranma is under mind control. Nor was she in on the plot to capture Ranma. Anything else I'll try to cover in the next chapter.
I based his evil ranger suit of the Red Psycho Ranger from PR: in Space
The Pig and Toad demons were borrowed from MMPR and based on the Pudgy Pig and Terror Toad. I decided their real names were just a little too silly, even for the Ranmaverse.
I also decided I wanted to do a small follow up on the Lost in Time crossover. And of the past rangers, I loved writing for Trini the most and wanted to do my best to honor the character since we never really got to know what she'd been doing since retiring as a ranger. And who knows maybe we'll see one more ranger crossover before this story is finished (whenever that happens).