On the Galaxy King, Level 13, Training Simulator…
On this simulator, a bamboo forest was being replicated as Ranma meditated in the center as a number of the other group's martial artists prepared to strike him.
"Ha!" Kendo and Lei Kugo called out as they attempted to strike him before he countered and struck both girls in the chest before knocking them into the wall.
"All right. Who's next?" Ranma asked as Machamp and Akane were double teaming against the boy before he struck each of them at different parts of their bodies as they crumpled to the ground.
He was about to be caught in a pincer attack with Valfor and Rayleigh on one side, and Tenko and Alphamon on the other.
"Come on…I said only martial artists." Ranma smirked as he went with a fist out as a shockwave went out as all four were sent flying right into the ceiling.
"Oh…just cause we use claws and teeth doesn't make us martial artists?" Valfor groaned.
Some of the other members were watching from outside.
"Whoa. Ranma is whooping everyone's butts right now. I know this is a sparring match, but damn." David said.
"Wait…did no one tell David what this is?" Alear asked.
"It's not a sparring match…it's an integration battle." Jexi said.
"And what is that?" Shiki asked.
"You saw the shockwave Ranma used to send those four flying? Fishman Karate." Koala said.
"And he attacked the nerves of both Machamp and Akane when they attacked." Scarlet said.
"He's facing multiple opponents to integrate their martial arts styles and mastering others along the way." Jexi said. "If we don't start integrating new techniques and doing stuff like this, we'll grow complacent and arrogant."
"You don't have to worry about us on that front, complacency and arrogance are the last things we need." Ace said as he shook his head.
"Wait, who is included in that?" Theo asked.
"Well, Ishihara for one." Hatsume said checking the data for the simulator.
"What? How is…" Theo said.
"Well…he did try taking on Kaido on his own. And just recently, he waved a god slaying sword at a god all for some joke." Sheer said.
"How does that constitute arrogance, though?" David asked.
"Well…it could be interpreted as that…" Mark admitted.
"Fair enough." David said, still bitter about the direction the conversation was going.
"It's all for our sakes of keeping up with the enemy and making sure they don't take advantage of such weaknesses." Jexi said as they continued to watch as Ranma held his own against the martial artists inside.
"Maybe we should follow Ranma's example. We can't sit on our laurels too much. We should always be attempting to improve ourselves." Ichiro said.
"Hmm…it would help to acquire someone normal and train them up to this level. Just for comparison." Hatsume said.
It was then that Starly came flying in.
"Report! A small village is being attacked by the Corrupted!" they chirped.
"We'd better go to their aid, quickly." Ichiro said.
"Wait, right now? Weren't we heading for Brodia?" Hiyoko asked.
"Hiyoko, the Corrupted are a serious threat. If we leave them alone, they'll ravage the whole continent under our noses. Besides, we're close by." Hope said.
"Hope is right. How can we call ourselves heroes if we can't even save civilians when they need us?" David asked.
"I guess you're right." Hiyoko said.
"Then let's get going! Lead the way, Starly!" Eddy declared.
At the Firenese Village, the Corrupted were attacking. The local doctor was doing his best to help evacuate the townsfolk and treat anyone who was wounded.
"There are so many wounded we couldn't get to the clinic… Is it up to me to treat them all?!" he asked.
That was when someone ran up to support. It was a boy, around 10 years of age, with short cut black hair and emerald green eyes. His choice of clothing was a black and green long sleeve tunic along with a bracelet on his right wrist as he also wore a cap in the same design with glasses on it, and he also had a backpack with various medical supplies inside and flasks attached on the outside.
"Father, I'm here to help! If we split up, we can treat everyone!" he said.
The Budding Doctor
Jean
"Jean?! I thought I told you to run and hide!" Jean's father said in shock.
"I can't stay hidden away when there are so many who need my help! After all, Father, am I not your son? You taught me that a doctor does whatever is needed!" Jean said.
"My lessons have sunk in, I see. Very well, then! Come and give me a hand!" Jean's father requested.
Jean and his father soon got to work helping the villagers, but the Corrupted were relentless. They were advancing on the clinic sheltering the townsfolk, but soon enough, the alliance arrived.
"Made it in the nick of time. Looks like the Corrupted are gunning for that building. Oh no, there are wounded over there, along with civilians too!"
"If the Corrupted swarm them all at once, they'll be sitting ducks." Ichiro said. "Let's come from behind their ranks and get their attention."
The group attacked the corrupted from behind and cut off their advance, attacking their faster units such as their cavalry and fliers, and formed up defensively around the civilians. As they were holding them off, Connor was the first one to notice Jean.
"What the heck? Hey kid, it's not safe for you out here, you should get to safety!" Connor said.
"I can't, I'm the local doctor's son. I won't leave until I've helped the injured!" Jean said.
"Heh. Kid's got some stones." Ragna said.
"We could always use an extra healer. He looks pretty capable too." Grantz said.
"Yeah, you're right. Alright, let's team up and save these villagers." Hope said.
"I really appreciate the help. My name's Jean. Now come on, there's work to do!" Jean said.
"You heard him. Clear the Corrupted out of the village, every last one!" Ichiro said.
"Don't let a single one get away." Ranma said as he went and struck down a few that were terrorizing a nearby house.
Tanya and the 501st gunned down the cavalry units charging the villagers safe haven, but there were still plenty of infantry.
"I see the enemy commander. It's a Corrupted Archer, it's back behind enemy lines." Shoji said.
"Ooh, an archer. Perhaps a more direct approach is needed here. They can't do anything if they are attacked up close." Rayleigh said.
"No…what he means is…" Ranma said, going up to the archer and knocking them down with an uppercut.
"Whoa…" Jean said.
"Yeah." Hope said.
"You're all rather strong, aren't you?" Jean asked.
"I'll be honest, sometimes I think a few of us are a little too strong." Hope said.
"By that, he means yes. We all really are strong. In our own ways, of course." David said.
"You know, Jean, you'd make a pretty good brawler and healer. Heck, you can even do both." Cure Starlight said.
"She's right. You've got a lot of hidden potential." Zi-O agreed.
"(Hmm…Hatsume said it would help to get someone on the outside who's normal and train them up.)" Entrapta thought, looking at Jean. "(I think we may have just found who we're looking for.)"
After the Corrupted were cleared out of the Village, the group met with Jean and his Parents.
"Come now, Jean. Give the nice people a proper thank you." Jean's father, Sean, said.
"Oh, right. Thank you for saving our village." Jean thanked.
"Don't count yourself out of that battle back there, you helped too. You're the one who was checking in on everybody." Sabo said.
"Oh! I introduced myself to all of you, but I never asked your names, did I?" Jean asked.
"Yeah, introducing everyone would take all day. Let's just say we're a traveling band of mercenaries." David said.
"I can give my name at least, though. I'm the Divine Dragon, Alear." Alear introduced.
"The Divine Dragon?! From the land of Lythos?! Oh, please forgive my rudeness!" Jean apologized.
"Don't be sorry, we did get kinda caught in the moment." Hope said.
"What brings such a splendid personage and her company to our humble village?" Sean asked.
"We are on a journey to obtain the Emblem Rings and stop the Fell Dragon, Sombron." Nesma said. "We can use all the manpower we can muster in this grand task."
"And like Cure Starlight and Zi-O said, you've got some potential. What would you say to joining us on our journey, Jean?" Entrapta offered.
"Of course. I'd be glad to." Jean said without a second thought.
"Jean! What's gotten into you?!" Sean asked.
"My dream has always been to become a doctor so I can save people. And that hasn't changed. But with monsters running rampant, I might die before I can do that. Look what just happened!" Jean said. "At these people's side, I think I can learn to fight and to heal people at the same time."
"It's true. We'll watch over him and make sure he returns one day unharmed." Ranma said.
"Well, if he has your permission, then…I can only ask you to take good care of my boy." Jean's mother said.
"What? You're actually allowing him to go?" Sean asked.
"Father, I told you, you don't need to worry about me. It's not like I'm never coming home." Jean said. "In fact, when I do return, I'll be a first rate doctor. You'll see!"
"Of course, Jean. Be a good boy, a hard worker, and an attentive student. And come home safe." Sean said.
"You'll fit right in, Jean. We'll give you all the tips about fighting that you need." Hope said.
"Uh…actually, I would rather take them from…him." Jean said, pointing to Ranma. "Would you mind showing me all you do?"
"Oh…uh…sure." Ranma said.
"Ranma seems surprised at the prospect of having a pupil." Leopardmon said.
"Cause it's never happened before." Pit said.
"Ranma, a teacher? This I gotta see." Lei K said.
"You don't think he can do it?" Sakura asked.
"It's not that. I think he'll be great at it. He just needs to get used to it." Lei K clarified. "Besides, he's got a lotta skills packed in him. Jean couldn't ask for anyone better."
"Hold on, didn't Ranma learn from his dad and a couple of Pokémon?" ZS asked. "Were they good teachers, could he take some tips from them?"
"That…would be a terrible mistake." Ranma said flatly. "Guess I'll have to learn as I go along…"
"Hey, maybe I can help you, Ranma." Lei K said. "My goal is to become a Shifu like the old man. Maybe we can work together."
"Fine. I'll just have to make sure I do it better than you." Ranma said.
"Uh…think you mean I'll be better than you." Lei K said.
"Whoa, Lei and Ranma are really getting into this." Hope said.
"I get the sense a rivalries coming on." Sakura said.
"I can totally see that. It's like looking in a mirror with those two." Hagakure said.
"Well see how it goes with them. For now, let's continue to make our way north to Brodia." Hope said.